Light bled under the door of the school kitchen. Movement could be heard from within where four students bustled about, a faint scent of peanut butter wafting from the space between the hinges of the door and the wall. faint voices could be heard coming from within the room. Though muffled by the closed door, if one listened hard enough, they could make out what appeared to be debating.
"Okay, the recipe calls for a tear of unadulterated equine despair." Nyx tapped the flour-flecked pages of her book, "Of course, I don't think any of us have ever cried. I haven't, at least."
Shade rolled his eyes as he munched an apple and flared his horn, tossing an onion from a basket towards the two fillies gathered around the full mixing bowl. The colts had been banned from that side of the room after staring a flour fight with each other. "There," he sighed, flicking a bit of flour from his mane, "chop that. You'll cry; problem solved!"
Flare shook his head, absentmindedly stroking the little auburn-colored bat on his shoulder with the tip of his hoof. "Won't work. A reflex tear isn't the same thing."
"Yeah, while they both have enzymes and antibodies, a reflex tear has less protein-based hormones than one triggered by emotion." Lady Bug agreed, measuring out and then dumping a teaspoon of vanilla into the mixture.
The dark Alicorn smiled, giving her roommate a friendly nudge. "Well, well, well, look at you!"
Shade coughed uncomfortably. "Totally knew that."
"Did not!" Flare laughed, kicking at his friend.
All head snapped towards the door as the sound of the nob turning seemed to echo in the room. Nyx divided her magic, using part of her blue aura to stir the dough and another part to drop a towel over the open spell book, while a third slipped her glasses, previously lying all but forgotten by the sink, onto the bridge of her muzzle.
"Hey!" a slightly peppy voice called out. Lollypop Swirl trotted into the kitchen. She wore a fluffy lime green button-up shirt dotted with yellow smiley-faces, matching bottoms, and cotton-candy pink bunny slippers. "Nova said she saw you four heading in here, and I really needed to talk to you. Look, I'm really sorry I was so mean before. I judged you before I got to know you, and I shouldn't have done that. It's like my pop says, 'Don't judge a cake by it's frosting'" she snorted at the words, earning raised eyebrows and amused looks from the Isle foals. She cleared her throat. "Anyways, it was wrong of me, and I am very, truly sorry."
"It's fine, really." Lady offered a smile, trying to keep up a good appearance, "I mean, we probably would've done the same thing if we were in your hooves."
The golden filly smiled sheepishly. "My Aunt Limestone says I take after her greatly in that I act harshly on instinct, and ask questions later. Still, I hope we can be friends?" She reached out to the blue filly.
The disguised Changeling reached out an clasped the other girl's hoof in her own. "Of course."
Lolly's smile brightened as she turned to Nyx. "Everypony loves what you've done to me and Nova's hair. A lot of the other fillies want you to do their manes!" She grinned before taking a deep sniff. "What're you guys making? Smells great!"
Before anypony could stop her, Lolly had pulled her hoof from her slipper, swiping the tip across the gooey surface of the mixture before popping it into her mouth. She closed her eyes, twisting her face into a look of concentration.
"Peanut butter...sugar...vanilla...flour... You guys are making cookies!" the filly's eyes shot open. Her grin faded at the sight of the panic written across the villain foals' faces. "What?" she asked, confused, before rolling her eyes. "C'mon, my hooves are clean! I'm not gonna double dip!"
Nyx was the first to regain her voice. She shook her head lightly, clearing it. "Yeah, I know. Um, how is it? Is it, I don't know," she paused before pressing, "missing something?"
Shade recovered next, scrambling over in front of the mare. He flicked his head, flipping his mane so it fell in his eyes. "Hey." he said, flashing a flirty grin.
Lolly leaned her head away, slowly backing up towards the pantry. "Yeah, okay..." she glanced at Nyx as she pulled the pantry open, "What you need is chocolate chips!"
The four villains slumped where they stood, Nyx beginning once again to stir the batter. "What are those?" she asked.
The golden filly trotted towards the table, dropping a full bag on its surface. "Only the most important ingredient for any baked dessert." she ripped the bag open and dumped a sizable amount into the bowl, grabbing the spoon from Nyx and stirring for a few moments. "There!" she set the spoon to the side. She glanced at the teens as they each tried some of the chocolate left in the bag. "Didn't your moms-"
"I don't have a mom." Shade said nonchalantly as he stuffed the chocolate in his mouth.
"Okay, uh, dads?" the filly earned a nod from the silver colt and faint grimaces from the others. "Didn't your parents ever make cookies for you? Like, when you've had a bad day, and nothing's going right, and they fix you a warm glass of milk and everything just seems, you know, better?"
The Isle teens had their eyes glued anywhere but on the Earth Pony filly. None of them would admit it, but her words had struck a chord within each of them.
Lady found her voice first. "Where we're from, foals are raised a bit differently."
"Yeah, but c'mon, even villains have to love their..." Lolly trailed off, eyes widening, "I didn't-that came out wrong! Of course your parents love you! I mean, all parents-" she stopped herself after catching sight of the forlorn looks the new teens were wearing. Her eyes widened in shock. Having grown up in a family centered household, Lolly couldn't imagine a mother or father not caring about their child. The faces of the teens before her, however, revealed that on the Island of the Forgotten, that was indeed the case. "I-I'm so sorry." she whispered, eyes welling.
Nyx's eyes widened and she flared her horn, gathering the filly's tears in her aura. "Oh, don't cry! We're fine, really." she released her magic, pretending to dispose of the tear when in reality she'd dropped it into the mixing bowl. "Now, we'd love to chat, but we need to get these done before curfew, and you should probably get back to your dorm." the dark Alicorn pushed the filly out the door.
"G'night!" Lollypop said quietly as she walked away, still shocked by her revelation.
Nyx slammed the door shut, dropping her glasses and using her magic to divide the dough into small circles. "Let's get these in the oven!"
***
School was letting out early the next day. The Wondercolts were facing their arch rivals from Fillydelphia, and the staff and students were always to antsy at that prospect to concentrate. Shade hurried towards Nyx's locker, where he knew she was waiting for Will. He sidled up beside her.
"Hey, you feelin', I dunno, weird about this? I mean, being here isn't the worst thing ever-"
Nyx cut him off by using her magic, though it was a bit weak after performing the hair-changing spell so many times that day alone, to shut his mouth. "Are you kidding me?! You can't wuss out on me now! Where's the Shade I know? You are wicked; you are a shadow!" she shook his face lightly, "Wake up!"
The silver Unicorn managed to pull himself from the mare's mystic iron grip. "I needed that." he rubbed muzzle. "You sure this is gonna work?"
"It has to. We're out of options. Now go, play it cool."
The Unicorn gave her a curt nod before making his way to a group of giggle fillies sporting new mane styles.
Nyx pretended to rummage around her lock, tuning her hearing onto the conversation of the two ponies entering the hall.
"You don't think that they actually paid for...those, do you?" Sunrise's snobbish tone was easily picked up over the idle hallway chatter, "She did it to Nova's mane too, and Twilight is not happy with it. Will," she grabbed the colt's hoof in her own, "Nyx used magic on another student. Isn't that against school code?"
Will suppressed an eyeroll, opting instead to just remove his hoof from his marefriend's grasp. "It's just hair, Sunny. No real harm done."
The filly scoffed. "It starts with hair, and then what? Soon they're altering their physical features! And then what?!"
"Look, Sunrise-"
"I don't have time for this! Listen, I'll see you at the game. I'm gonna be late for my dress fitting. I want to look good at the ceremony. Bye, Willy!" the princess air-kissed the colt's cheek before trotting away.
Nyx chuckled lightly to herself as she levitated a brown paper sack from her locker. She slammed the door shut as she turned on her heels to face the pale yellow colt. "Hey Willy!" she cooed, teasingly faking Sunrise's girly tone.
The colt turned, startled, before breaking into a grin and trotting closer. "Hey!"
She fluttered her eyelashes behind her glasses. "I made some cookies last night. Want one?" she shook the bag.
"I do, believe me, but it's bad luck to eat before a game." Will patted the filly's shoulder lightly, "But next time, I'll definitely-"
Nyx reduced her smile, giving herself a slightly hurt expression. "Yeah, I know, 'Be cautious of things offered by Isle foals.'"
Will's smile dropped, afraid he'd offended the purple haired filly. "What? No! No, that's not it at all!"
"No, it's okay really! Smart, actually. Brains like that will keep you safe on the Island." she shrugged nonchalantly, pulling a cookie from the bag.
Will flared his own magic and grabbed the cookie, biting into it. "See!" he defended as he chewed, "I totally trust you!"
Nyx smiled a little, flicking her mane to signal Shade, along with Lady and Flare who'd just entered the corridor. The other teens joined the Alicorn, suppressing smirks as they made their way towards the filly and colt.
The yellow Unicorn quickly finished the cookie. "Really good! Was that peanut butter?"
"Yeah. And chocolate chips."
"I love it!" Will grinned enthusiastically. Slowly, however, his smile faded, giving way to a more serious expression. He stared intently into the dark filly's eyes. His own eyes flashed pink for a moment before returning to their orange-red color. "Nyx...h-have your eyes always shined like that?"
Shade took that cue to wrap a foreleg around his teammate's shoulder. "You okay dude?"
"Never been better..." the colt shook his head "See you guys at the game." and rushed away.
Flare and Shade trailed after him, as they too needed to get ready for the game. Lady stayed behind, having already promised to walk with Nyx when the student body was called down to the field.
"Think it worked?" the Changeling asked.
"I guess we'll find out later."
***
"Forty-five seconds left to the game, the score is tied at fourteen, and with one of their star players now out for the count, things are not looking too good for the Wondercolts!"
Despite the announcer's cheery voice, the words cast a grim shadow across the home side of the field. The cheer squad continued their chats, though not at the same luster they had began with.
"Shade! You're up!" the coach called out.
The silver colt jumped to his hooves. He began towards the field, but stopped and looked at his read-headed friend. The Earth Pony, after working with Will, had been able to impress the coach just enough to land himself on the team. Shade, however, knew it was very unlikely he'd made enough of an impression to actually get in the game.
"Coach," he began, turning to the white stallion, "remember how you told me about the tribes? Well, I'm a Unicorn, and I have a pretty strong fight instinct. And Flare, well, he's and Earth Pony, and he's my common sense. I'm gonna need him out there with me."
The coach stared at Shade for a few moments before breaking into a proud smile. He called another player out, sending the two Isle foals into the game. -Shade had a immediate effect on the crowd, ponies jumping and squealing. Flare, terrified, followed the older colt to the field.
The play started with the ball landing in the hooves of a blue Pegasus. The colt dashed down the field, passing it to Silver Stocking, who then dodged a big colt from the opposing team. The white colt threw the ball to Will who quickly got the ball to Shade. The silver colt ran hard towards the goal. As fast as he was, two colts began gaining on him; he knew he couldn't get to the end zone. Almost as if reading his mind, Flare got to the edge of the field. Shade threw the ball before quickly evading to the right, narrowly dodging the two colts. Flare caught the ball before galloping down the last few yards. The buzzer ending the game sounded milliseconds later, with the final score being fourteen to twenty in favor of the Canterlot Wondercolts.
Nyx and Lady jumped in the stands, their voices heard clearly over the racket the crowd made. The team rushed out, lifting Flare to their shoulders, chanting his name.
"Well, what an exciting game folks! Who would have thought that two villain kids would be the team's saviors? Now, as much as I would like to continue, a member of the team asked me beforehand to give him the mic after the game; seemed like he had something important to say." A hush fell over both crowds at the announcers words, "Fillies and gentlecolts, I give Prince Good Will, of the Center Region!"
Ponies clapped as the colt in question made his way forward and took the mic in his magic. "Thank you. Um, there's something I really need to say..." Confusion passed over the populace of the game. Will seemed almost unprepared, and unnatural occurrence for him. The colt looked around for a moment before locking his gaze on a pair of turquoise eyes. A grin spread across his face.
"Give me an 'N'!" he shouted into the microphone. He balanced himself on his back hooves. He had his forelegs set in a zig-zag pattern, forming an 'N'.
"'N'!" the crowd screamed, copying the movements.
"Give me a 'Y'!" His smile grew as he formed the letter. The crowd once again copied him.
The turquoise eyes widened in realization behind a glass barrier.
"Give me an 'X'!"
"'X!"
"And what does that spell?!"
"Nyx!" the name was yelled once, then repeated several times in murmurs that constantly grew louder as the realization dawned across the student body.
Will was still calm, a gentle smile now on his face. Red-orange eyes still locked with turquoise.
"I love you, Nyx." the colt stated as if it were a well known fact, "Didn't I mention that?"
The crowd went wild. Lollypop, who stood by the mare in question, hugged Nyx as she jumped up and down, squealing. Lady joined in on the embrace. Nyx's eye flitted briefly away from the yellow colt, landing on the daughter of her mother's enemy. The girl looked shocked for a moment, then her face contorted in rage. She growled in frustration, her voice getting lost in the cheers, and she threw her pom-poms down, stalking away. The purple maned girl smirked in victory.
Will's grin returned. Adrenaline pumped through his veins, giving him an adventurous edge. He turned his attention to the band. "Give me a beat!"
Nyx's eyes widened, suddenly mortified. "He's not-"
The band began playing a catchy tune.
Lady laughed. "He is!"
"Did I mention
that I'm fallin' for you?"
The colt began tapping is left front hoof to the beat.
"And did I mention
there's nothin' that I'm able to do?
"And did I happen to say
you're on my mind everyday?
Lemme shout out loud
if that's okay."
The rest of the team joined in the dancing, singing every now and then.
"I've met a mare who rocks my world
like it's never been rocked.
Now my heat's beatin' just for her,
and it ain't ever gonna stop.
"I never guessed that it would happen
for a colt like me,
yet, look at what ya done,"
Will grinned, falling to the ground and crawling forward towards the stands.
"Got me beggin' on my knees!"
He jumped up, bouncing around in a crazy dance.
"'Cause my love for you? It's ridiculous!
Never knew that I could feel like this!
My love for you? It's ridiculous!
"My love is r-i-d-i-c-u-l-o-u-s!"
"It's!"
"Ridiculous!"
The crowd responded, joining in on the song and bouncing to the beat, clapping their hooves.
"Just!"
"Ridiculous!"
Will stood on his hind legs, leaning back so far that he was almost upside down.
"And I would give my kingdom up
for just one kiss!"
The team lined up, marching to the beat in the directions of the stand.
"Did I mention
that I'm fallin' for you?
And did I mention
there's nothin' that I'm able to do?
"And did I happen to say
you're on my mind everyday?
Lemme shout out loud
if that's okay."
Will stopped, the other colts moving to for a group behind him. They began twisting their hooves, dancing from side to side.
"Don't know what way to go.
Girl, gimme a sign!
Show me that you're only ever
gonna be mine!
Can't go another minute
livin' without you.
If your heart ain't it
can't tell what I would do!
He leaned back as the Wondercolts crowded around him before tossing him in the air. He twirled in the air, landing on his back hooves.
"'Cause my love for you? It's ridiculous!
Never knew that I could feel like this!
My love for you? It's ridiculous!
"My love is r-i-d-i-c-u-l-o-u-s!"
"It's!"
"Ridiculous!"
"Just!"
"Ridiculous!"
"And I would give my kingdom up
for just one kiss!
"C'mon now!"
The hoofball team continued with their synchronized choreography, while Will simply tapped his hoof to the music break. He pulled off his jersey, leaving him wearing his purple athletic shorts and the safety padding he wore underneath his uniform. He grinned, tossing the swath of fabric into the stands.
Nyx, who'd been hiding her face in her hooves, surprised herself by leaping to catch it.
Will walked towards the bleachers.
"'Cause my love for you? It's ridiculous!
Never knew that I could feel like this!
My love for you? It's ridiculous!
"My love is r-i-d-i-c-u-l-o-u-s!"
"It's!"
"Ridiculous!"
"Just!"
"Ridiculous!"
"And I would give my kingdom up
for just one kiss!
"C'mon now!"
The yellow colt stopped moving when he was standing directly in front of the mare he was serenading. He gave her a goofy grin, his heart pounding. Nervousness, fear, excitement, happiness. The emotions buzzed in his head. He leaned closer.
The dark Alicorn's eyes widened as the colt leaned ever closer. Realizing what was happening, she lifted the jersey she clutched in her magic, blocking Will with a squeal.
Will let out a laugh, wrapping a foreleg around the girl's withers. "I love you, Nyx. Didn't I mention that?"
A pale pink aura ripped the microphone from the colt. All eyes turned from the prince and the villain's daughter to the seething yellow filly and the white colt behind her. Sunrise looked almost feral, with her face red from anger and her mane wild from where it'd fallen from her high ponytail. When she spoke, however, her voice was not hard; it was almost taunting.
"Silver's my coltfriend now. And I'm going to the coronation with him. I'm not wasting my time on a pity date with you." the filly whirled around to peck the navy-and-yellow maned colt on the lips.
"Nyx," all attention turned to the yellow colt and black filly, "will you be my date to the coronation?"
Nyx gave a grin, playing the part of the love-struck teenage filly. "Of course!"
Deafening cheers erupted from the student body, the din only broken when the coach called the team for pizza. Nyx let out a laugh as she watched the colts walk away, proud of her friends for winning the game and proud of herself for pulling off the plan. She turned to Lady Bug. The Changeling's eyes were glued to the yellow princess and ivory prince. She wore a neutral expression, but Nyx could see the pain behind her eyes.
"I feel bad for Sunrise." Nyx adjusted her glasses.
"You what?" Lady asked in surprise.
"I think that if she had some talent, something about herself to be proud of, she wouldn't need some guy to make her happy. Know what I mean?"
A small smile spread across the blue filly's face. "Yeah, I think I do."
"Good!" Nyx draped a wing over her roommate's back, "Now, I believe I heard something about pizza."