Aria's POV
It's been a few days since Casper and Toothpaste Hair had their date, and they were closer than ever. But, everytime I see them, or more particularly, Casper, I just... I don't know what I feel.
Ever since I saw him stood up to Adagio, he was so... Brave. I've never seen anyone stood up to her like that. Even when he knocked me out, he didn't just left me me on the school lawn to die. Instead, he carried me to the nurse's office and even watched me.
Ugh, I feel so sappy just thinking about this...
Now, everytime I think or look at him, my stomach does a flip and this damn heart of mine keeps beating faster. What is happening to me? I need to go somewhere to think.
"Hey, Cass! I'm going out for a bit." I said.
" 'Kay! But be back by six, alright?" I heard him say.
"Fine." I said as I stood up and left.
Walking around the city. This was my way of passing the time. Even though it made me feel like time was moving forward, I still hated doing the same thing, day by day.
My path was always the same place. Leave the city, pass Canterlot High School to bask in my defeat, loiter at the arcade, walk around the park twice, and sit at a coffee shop for a few hours.
And that is what I did after leaving to think. Doing all of those things, aside from sitting in the coffee shop, took about four hours. At this time, it was afternoon. I had just finished my final lap around the park and was now making my way toward the coffee shop.
What drew Aria to such a place was the picture of the store's mascot: a siren, or in this world, a mermaid.
Before entering the door, she always looked at the mascot and smiled at it, happy with its past mythology.
"How many men have you drowned today with your convincing prices," I said grimly as she entered the shop.
"Good afternoon." Said a light-blue haired girl as she waved at me. "Welcome to Hotshot's Coffee."
"Hey Coco. Hand me today's special." I said, smiling. Coco then gave me the special, which composed of a chocolate muffin and an expresso.
"That will be $9.15" She said. I gave me $10.
"Keep the change." I said as I went to my usual table. As I sat down, My mind started to wander again to Casper. What is it that makes me attracted to him? Is it because of how he treats me? Is that why I...
I shuddered at the thought. I can't really like him. I mean, he's just the guy who went out of his way to make sure I was fine. The guy who cooks for me so I won't get hungry. The guy who-
"Hey." Said someone, snapping me out of my thoughts. Annoyed, I look at him.
"What do you want?" I asked.
"Remember me, Aria?" He asked. Now that I think about it...
"You're the guy who keeps hanging out with that Pink Devil." I said. He laughed.
"You're right, But I believe you don't know my name. I'm Mallory. You look like you have a bit of a problem, no?" He said.
"No." I said, looking elsewhere. He chuckled.
"You're cute when you're lying." He said as he looked at the empty seat in front of me. "May I?"
"Sure." He sat down.
"So, care to tell me your problem?" He asked. "I promise I won't tell anyone."
"Why do you care?" I asked.
"I don't feel comfortable seeing someone in trouble." He said. I looked at him for a bit, not believing. He shrugged.
"Fine. I only wanted to help. Don't you wanna know what I have in store?" He asked.
"No. Nor do I care what it is." I said.
"Really now? Even when it involves bringing your little dream to life?" He asked. Both of us were silent for a moment
"What do you mean by 'little dream?" I finally asked.
"You know what I mean. Your little... Situation with Casper Nocturne." He said. My eyes widened.
"I... Don't know what you're talking about." I said as my eyes shifted.
He chuckled. "Oh Aria, you don't have to hide your feelings from me. I already know your feelings for my buddy Casper; I can sense it in your heart. You wonder what it would be like if he loved you, if he hugged you during a rain storm" he paused as he went closer to my ear "…if he kissed you." He whispered. I shivered slightly at the thought. As Mallory took his mouth away from my ear, I stared into thin air as I thought deeply about it. "I…have wondered those things." I admitted.
He then wrapped his arms around me. "Oh, Dearie. It's so upsetting, to love somebody who loves another."
I didn't know why, but I had the urge to rest my head on his shoulder; which I eventually did.
Mallory smiled before he released me from his hug. He then looked at me. "What if I told you I could make your dreams a reality?" He said before I looked at him; giving him my full attention.
Mallory grinned as he pocketed his hand. He then took it out and showed me a small vial. He gave it to me and I looked at it. "W-What is this?" I asked.
"A potion." He simply said.
"A potion? What kind of potion?" Aria asked.
"…A love potion, Dearie. All you have to do is make Casper drink it. Then, he'll instantly fall in love with the first girl he sees. you just have to make sure it's you."
I looked at it carefully, but I gave to back to him. "No. I want him to love me, but not like this." I said.
"Don't worry. the effects of this potion is temporary. they'll only last for an hour. And the best part is, Casper won't even remember it. Once it's effect wear off, he'll have no memory about what happened. It's a win-win, Aria. You get the chance to have him for an hour, and he won't even remember it. Just make sure anyone else won't find out about it." Mallory gave a generous smile.
I thought long and hard about it. In away, it would make sense. If I use it on Casper, he won't remember anything once the effects wear off. I can have some time with him. But on the otme, would I really do such thing to him? Would I really make him feel fake affection for me? All these thoughts are twisting my mind so much, I'm beginning to have a headache.
I looked at Mallory, who was looking at me stone-faced. It was certainly creepy. that one jolly boy could wear such a face.
"I'll let you think it over." He said, finally standing up and patted my shoulder, leaving me to my thoughts. I noticed he left three dollars and fifteen cents. What was that for?
I then picked up my chocolate muffin, only to find that it's gone missing.
"That sneaky, little thief." I muttered as I stood up, took the money he left for me and left.
3rd Person POV
Mallory walked on the sidewalk of an empty street. He stopped by something unusual; a stray cardboard ox in the middle of the sidewalk. Now, living i this kind of area, Mallory often see trash all the time. Boxes, McRonald cups, and plastic bags littered the streets, but rarely does he see a cardboard box that isn't crushed in one way or anotme. He noticed this particular box because it was in his way.
Curious, he approached the box and opened it. Inside it was a small, little pegasus with rainbow-colored mane, sound asleep. He looked at it for a few seconds, then he closed the box.
"Eh, I'm sure someone else will find it." He said and walked away.
Finally reaching home, he opened the door and looked around. It was a two-floored house, complete with a bathroom, a living room, a garage, and a basement.
"So, what news of Aria Blaze?" Mallory heard someone behind him. He turned around and saw Chaos Watcher.
"Aria took the potion." He said.
"Did she decide to use it?" asked Chaos Watcme.
"She's... thinking about it." Mallory said. Suddenly, Chaos Watcher placed a hand on Mallory's neck; Mallory unfazed by the sudden pressure on his neck.
"If she decides against it, Your life will be the price." Chaos Watcme said.
"As will yours." Mallory said, staring at him. Chaos Watcher growled and let Mallory go. Mallory chuckled as he held his neck.
"It seems that our grip getting a bit loose now, isn't it?" He asked as he went to the shelf
"This is no time for games!" Watcher said.
"I know. And with this." Mallory pulls out a red notebook from the shelf. "She will use it."
"There you are." The boys heard someone. They looked to their left and saw Adagio.
"I've been looking all over for you." She said as she approached Chaos Watcme and Kissed him. "Hey, Mallory." She said
"Ms. Dazzle." Mallory greeted. "Are the pendants done?" He asked.
"Sure." Adagio said.
"Thanks. Now, I will take my leave." He said, and at that instant, he was in the basement.
"So, what's the plan?"' Asked Adagio as Chaos picked up a knife.
"First, we must seperate Casper's friends from him." Chaos said, throwing the knife at a picture of Casper sticking to a dart board. "Once he's alone, we strike his heart. No one will even care once he's gone."