Chapter Text
All sorts of creatures lived in the city of New York — famously known as the Big Apple. Ponies, predominantly, but in such a large city, at least one of almost every species could be found navigating its crowded streets. Zebra, deer, sheep, goats, griffins, dogfolk, catfolk, bison, hippogriffs, kirin, and even the occasional dragon inhabited the city, among many, many others.
Pegasi, flutterponies, and all sorts of flying creatures bustled about the airways, swooping with speed and precision over the grounded folk below them, who were often equally as hurried in their movements. Lights glittered, magic and technology alike glowing across the city, all day and all night. Shops and restaurants and other workplaces were constantly busy. People walked and flew and danced and chatted and played and worked and lived.
It was one of the world’s largest intersections of cultures, and many flourished in its environment.
Yet New York was not without its flaws.
The crowded nature, for one thing. The rather curt attitudes of many of the inhabitants, for another. And of course people always had time to complain about the commute.
But for some, their worries about New York were much more impactful to their lives…
———
In a long-abandoned section of the city’s sewer system, a very peculiar little family had modified it, making it their home. Four young ponies, and their father — who was a ferretfolk, oddly enough — lived in said home.
The eldest child — still just a foal — was an earth pony. He was strong and bulky in stature, but held a tender heart. He doted over his brothers when they were well-behaved or hurt, and gently bullied them — in the manner all older siblings do — when they weren’t. His father often fondly called him Red, but his full name was Righteous Passion.
The next-oldest children were twins — a unicorn being the elder, and the pegasus the younger. They bickered like nothing else, yet all the same, they clung to each other whenever possible. The unicorn — smart as could be — pretended to merely tolerate his twin, but the pegasus — just as smart in his own way — easily saw through him, and was always the one to bring his twin out of his shell. The duo were called Purple and Blue — or Intelligent Design and Lighthearted Jest, if their father was sternly calling for them after a bout of mischief.
Last of the brothers, but not least — Orange. Also known as Cheerful Mural. The little earth pony loved to live up to his name, excelling at painting smiles on the faces of his family. And painting on the walls, but his watery eyes usually allowed him to weasel out of most of the trouble he caused. Still, he was an empathetic soul, always looking out for his brothers — even as he goofed off. He felt — and cared — deeply.
Their father — known to them by the name Splinter, or more commonly, “Dad” — was of the somewhat lazy sort, and often had an aura of subtle melancholy about him, but almost always perked a bit up in the presence of his children. He tended to them with as much compassion and understanding as he could, even when he had looked away for just a minute and ALL of the apples he was looking forward to were gone — messily disappeared into Passion’s sheepish maw. He still loved them.
They all loved each other.
Many would wonder why such a caring and normal(ish) family lived in the sewers. That is, until one actually looked at said family.
As gentle as Passion was, he had struggled with learning how to be so. His large form — unsettlingly large for a foal his age — could easily knock over his brothers without meaning to, and his hooves held an unusually sharp edge that had to be worn down, lest he unintentionally cut things. His eyes held an uncomfortably predatory look at times, and while his smile was reassuring to his family, each sharp tooth would scare strangers more and more .
Design’s way of presenting himself was the normal for his family members, but others would find him… odd . The expressions he wore fit weirdly on his face. His long snout seemed too long — and though he rarely smiled big enough for it to show, his teeth looked like razors . His eyes reflected light, shining even in the dark, and his fur was unnaturally sleek. He moved in an equally slick way — like he was studying you, stalking you.
Jest was simply uncanny. He wore a friendly smile at almost all times, but he had too many teeth. His voice was smooth — fluid and charming in a way that off put when he got too intense. His lanky body moved in a similar — yet distinct — manner to his twin, equally unnerving. His eyes stared at you like you were prey, even when he was just attempting to play.
Even Mural had his oddities. His eyes looked just slightly too big for his face, and his doe-like browns practically pierced your soul. His lean limbs were just a tad too flexible — too strong as well. His cloven hooves were unusually — almost impossibly — dexterous.
And Splinter wasn’t immune either. Something about his proportions seemed weirdly squashed and stretched for one of the folk, and he moved in an unusual way. It was like he was an alien in his own body.
All in all, it sent the delicately-minded people of the surface running for the hills. Which was unfortunate, to say the least, and eventually led to the family hiding away under New York City.
It was tough at first, having to hide away in the shadows and underground, but the brothers made do, knowing no other life. Still, as much as they loved their life, they often longed for… something. The touch of sunlight, perhaps? Or to frolic freely? Or simply companionship for someone beyond their family’s walls……
———
In New York City, among all the other foals, there was a unique little earth pony filly by the name of April Showers O’Neil. She was known simply as April, or just O’Neil — having always insisted that others drop the “Showers” from her name, and biting when she wasn’t listened to. That only scratched the surface of why her classmates called her weird , however.
“April is loud,” They’d say. “She gets really intense, and stares at you! And she doesn’t like dolls and she doesn’t like playing house — she wants to talk all about spaceships and sports and scary stories and what she saw in the news instead! It’s weird!”
April was weird , they all agreed — even some of the adults having their own comments here and there.
“She just doesn’t listen… stubborn as can be, that one! Always off doing her own thing…” They’d gossip.
April just stuck her nose up at those folks. She didn’t need to waste her time trying to please them…
…Is what she told herself, but if she was being honest? It kinda hurt. Actually, it hurt a lot. She was the reject. The outcast. The weirdo like no other.
And worst of all, her mother — Holiday Carol O’Neil — was worried sick . She’d already been stressed in the years since her husband’s passing and the subsequently necessary longer shifts at her job at the hospital, but now she looked even sadder.
It broke April’s little heart, telling her mama she had no new news, that all the girls at school — pony, griffin, and birdfolk alike — had shunned her, and neither did any of the boys — except for that equally weird alpaca kid with thin fur — give her the time of day.
Something had to change.
And so — perhaps, or maybe definitely unwisely — April took the next chance she could to sneak out from school. She wasn’t just trying to play hookey though, no! She had a goal. If school wasn’t the place to make friends, there had to be somewhere else where she could!
Somewhere in New York, there was a friend just waiting for her!
———
“Uh, maybe this wasn’t the best idea…” April thought aloud, as she hesitantly looked around.
All her focus had been on finding another kid her age, but almost all of them were in school — like she should’ve been — and by the time she’d realized that… she’d entirely lost track of where she was, and was all alone on the streets of New York.
“Umm…” The filly frowned. “The playground was… that way!” She pointed a hoof outwards.
She thought for a moment, then moved her hoof in the opposite direction. “Or was it… that way?” She gulped “ Oh no… ”
The earth pony shook her head. “C’mon April,” She said to herself, “You can find your way! E-even if it’s getting dark…”
And indeed, the sun was beginning to set on the city, with shadows starting to creep at just the right height to make April nervous. As she slunk across the street, her ears twitched, attuned to the sounds of New York, yet now fearful of what might lay in wait.
She flinched as a clattering sound suddenly came from a nearby alleyway, stopping in her tracks.
“Woohoo! Good one, Pash’!” A young voice gleefully called out. “Didn’t think you'd get that one!”
“Hah! Thanks Light.” A slightly older voice responded bashfully. “I practiced, y’know?”
Relief instantly flooded April’s veins. People! Not just that, but what sounded like kids her age!
Instantly, the filly was off, running into the alley with a hopeful smile on her face.
“Hey! I need your help, I —“ She was cut off by four loud yelps, and came skidding to a stop.
Four foals stared at her with large, frightened eyes. They all had green coats with unusual and unique patterns on them, with strangely unnerving features underneath their fur.
The smallest was an earth pony — clearly several years younger than April — who peered at her with large, curious eyes. They had several orange spots and wavy black hair, which frankly looked like a mess.
In the middle, a unicorn glared at her, long neck outstretched to better view her. Their fur held rectangular purple dots all over and their dark hair was pulled into a small ponytail.
About the same size and apparent age as the unicorn was a pegasus, who outright gawked at her with fluffed feathers askew. They were covered in vibrant red, yellow, and blue markings and had a long brown mane.
The last (and by far the biggest) was an earth pony, who immediately stepped in front of their companions protectively, a wary look on their face. Their hair was dark brown and coiled and their coat held ragged dark green markings along their back.
“Whoa…” April breathed, taking in the sight of the odd-looking ponies. “You look…”
The foals tensed.
“So COOL!” She finished. “I’ve never seen ponies with markings like yours! Is it dye or somethin’?”
“Huh?” The eldest foal frowned.
“Wait, is that all you noticed?” The pegasus said, sounding quite confused.
“Well, I also wanna know why your eyes glow in the dark.” April pointed out to them.
“Um, it is… most definitely not our tapetum lucidum. He said sincerely.” The unicorn said in a stilted manner.
“ Tapetum lucidum? What does that mean?”
“Oh, it’s a layer of the eye that reflects light in certain species, so they can see better in low light!” The unicorn said, suddenly enthusiastic.
“Wow, I didn't know ponies could have that …” April said, awed.
“They can’t.” The unicorn said honestly.
April blinked as the other foals instantly rushed to cover their companion’s mouth.
“HAHAHA, what my brother means is — ! Uh…” The pegasus stuttered, waving a hoof.
“WE’RE NOT CHANGELINGS, WE SWEAR!” The largest suddenly bellowed, panicked.
April stared, before turning back to the unicorn. “ Are you?”
“No.” The unicorn replied, trying to shake his family away. “We’re, uh… well,”
“We’re mutants!” The smallest foal suddenly piped up in a cheerful tone. “Have a problem with that?”
“Mural!” The siblings chorused in dismay.
“You don’t go tellin’ strangers that!” The eldest cried out. “They’ll take you away!”
Mural’s eyes immediately began to swell with tears, much to his family’s panicked reactions.
“Wait a sec! Why would they take you away?! I don’t know what you mean by mutant — but you’re just kids!” April interrupted.
“We’re mutant kids.” The unicorn said, somewhat scornfully. “Scientists would love to dissect us.”
Mural started sobbing.
“Real smart, Intelligent Design…” The pegasus sneered as he cuffed his brother. “Look… whoever you are, just don’t go telling anyone you saw us, okay? A favor from one kid to another?” The pegasus bargained as he wrapped a protective wing around his youngest sibling.
“Or uh…. We’ll eat ya’!” The eldest chimed in, flashing a mouthful of sharp teeth.
April stared at them. “I don’t think you’ll eat me.” She judged. “You seem weird, but in a cool way — not an I’m gonna eat your face way.”
The large foal deflated, a slightly hopeful look appearing on his face. “Really? You think we’re… cool? Not scary? ” He asked, proving her theory.
“Yeah! I mean, you guys seem really fun!” April smiled at them.
“Wait, for real?” The unicorn said, perking up from his prior pouting.
The youngest — who’s crying had subsided by now — stared at her with awe. “Does that mean… you’ll be our friend?”
April instantly started bouncing in place. “Of course I will! I’ve been looking for a friend for ages — and now I get FOUR of them?! Heck yeah!”
April was ecstatic and her new companions were soon to follow as the beginning of a new friendship dawned on them, just as the sun fully set.
“I can’t wait to tell Mama I made FRIENDS! WITH AN S! ” She chirped, before gasping, her pronking coming to a halt. “Oh no! I forgot! My mama doesn’t know where I went!”
“You’re lost?” The pegasus asked, stopping his own pronking.
“I went searching for friends all day — and I found you guys, but I got lost! ” April explained. “Mama’s gonna be so worried!”
“That’s terrible!” Mural said empathetically, before turning to his brothers. “Guys… we’ve got to help her!”
“Yeah!” The eldest said. “Being lost is awful! !”
“ Yeah!!! ” The four chorused, unanimously deciding to help their new friend.
“Aww! Thank you! Thank you guys!” April gushed, spreading her arms wide for a hug — which they all accepted.
“Let’s get going, it’s already dark!” The eldest decreed after the hug was done.
“Where exactly do you live?” The unicorn asked, pulling out a small tablet using his purple magic. “I can map the way using your address…”
April quickly rattled off the address her mom made her memorize, and then they set off.
“Oh, by the way… I’m April! April O’Neil. What’s your guy’s names?” She asked as they exited the alleyway.
“I’m Lighthearted Jest!” The pegasus said, wings fluttering with excitement as he trotted. “The big guy’s Righteous Passion!” The oldest smiled toothily in response to his brother’s introduction.
“And I’m Cheerful Mural!” The young earth pony said, in an appropriately happy manner. Mural took a moment to nudge the unicorn when his own introduction didn’t come.
“Oh, uh! Hi. I’m Intelligent Design.” He said, nose pressed to his tablet even as they crossed the street. His brothers easily guided his distracted form.
“It’s nice to meet you all!” April said happily, a skip in her step. “I can’t wait to do all the stuff friends do with each other!”
“Like what? Is it the same stuff brothers do?” Mural asked genuinely.
“Some of it is, I think! What do you guys do?” April pondered.
“Ooh, we play tag! And sometimes we color together!” Mural chirped.
“We do wrestling!” Passion said with excitement.
“Oh, and we were just playing kick the can a bit ago, right before we met!” Jest piped up.
“That all sounds like stuff friends do too!” April commented with a grin. “Sounds like fun!”
“We watch TV a lot too.” Design distractedly said. “Particularly Lou Jitsu and Jupiter Jim.”
“Pleeeeaseeee tell me you like those?” Jest pleaded cutely to his new friend.
“I. Love. Jupiter Jim!” April squeed. “Only a few of the other kids at school like it, but I don’t know why — it’s THE BEST!”
The brothers instantly cheered with excitement.
“Have you seen Lou Jitsu stuff too?!” Passion asked with passion.
“No… But I’m betting you guys have good taste if you like JJ, so I’ll check it out!” April beamed.
“YES! BEST DAY EVER!” Jest cried out, flapping his wings hard enough to flutterkick.
“Our new friend is SO COOL!” Mural gushed.
“I concur!” Design commented as Passion said “For real!”
April blushed. “Awww, guys! Thanks! You’re cool too! Maybe we can watch Lou Jitsu together?”
“AW YEAH!” The brothers cheered for a third time.
“And your apartment is just up ahead, April! Oh, but it looks like there’s police activity… We can’t get too close.” Intelligent Design relayed.
“Oh gosh, they’re probably looking for me!” April realized, eyes widening and ears folding back.
“You can hide out with us!” Mural suggested. “The cops don’t know where we live!”
April giggled, waving a hoof. “No, I mean they want to take me back home to my Mama! I’ve got to go…”
“Oh…” the brothers chorused sadly.
April started to trot towards her home, then stopped. “It was fun making friends with you! Let’s meet up at the downtown park in a bit!”
“You… want to keep being friends?” Jest blinked, his brothers looking similarly shocked.
“Of course! You guys are the best, and you helped me out big time !” April said like it was a no-brainer.
The brothers broke out into wide smiles and rushed April, giving her a big hug. They fit together in an unfamiliar way, yet it was warm and comforting.
April eventually broke free of the hug. “Take care!” She called back to them as she galloped away.
The four odd little foals happily called their farewells back, before slipping into a night-darkened alleyway.
April’s tail swished with joy as she ran. She still couldn’t believe it! Four new friends! This truly was the best day ever!
Then she ran straight into a policeman’s leg. Startled, the policeman took a step back, head snapping towards what hit him. April shook herself off, then looked up at the officer.
“A kid?” He said, brow furrowed, before jolting. “Hey! It’s her! — HEY, I FOUND APRIL!” He called out to the others, before turning back to the foal with a stern look on his face.
April’s ears folded back, sensing — with the experience of a rambunctious child — that she was about to be lectured.
She was right.
