Cozy Glow's Completely Normal Family

I'm fully reclined in my teaching chair, complete with lower-back support, idly spinning in place with my feet as we wait -- resting my poor aching hips. Barely had time to scuttle back home and throw on something appropriate to show up to the school in, but I made it.

Still a few minutes before class, I'm sipping from a nice cup of hot chocolate. A teacher's treat, passed around by Pinkie; living at Sugarcube Corner put her in easy reach of being the pony to show up with donuts to work every odd day, though, given her nature, I'm sure she could show up with them even if she lived across town.

My classroom is one of the corner spots nestled up on the third floor. Maybe not a prime location, but the stairs kept me fit, and I had a wonderful view of the outside fields and gardens from the window including the distant mountains and forests beyond them. Midday sun barely peers in from its above-head overhang, leaving the room comfortably cool. We've left a window cracked for that nice, fresh breeze.

About two dozen 'spots' are arranged in front of my desk and the chalkboard, mostly a few rows of benches with cushions and comfortable carpets. Ponies and their fellow species didn't fare too well with the standard school desks of my world, nor chairs in general, so it was usually either very wide benches, or blankets and cushions. Well, I didn't think they handled chairs well, personally. Watching them use them, sitting up awkwardly straight... I've read a few anatomy books, and I don't think it's that great for them. It's why the seats we've got at home are nice and wide, so they can sit on their haunches. More natural. I don't care if they've got funny pony anatomy, and my students don't seem to have an issue with my choice of comfort over utility. I don't lean too much on writing and tests with this caliber of topic, either. I prefer vocal engagement from my students to having them jot down every little detail. So, my budget was a little loftier, since I wasn't spilling on writing utensils and such. Honestly, it looked more like a room for napping.

I hold no comment on how much napping actually occurred during my classes. A well-rested student is an attentive student, after all; and my students are quite fond of my classes.

Right now, four of said students sit sparsely spread out, including a pair of Ponies, a Griffon, and a Changeling. The ponies were a Unicorn and an Earth pony. Hash Browns, the Unicorn was one of muted mud-like colors, the other an eye sore of colorful splashes named Sprinkle Bits, were chatting with each other. The griffon was an off-white almost owl-like bird named Haymitch, idly preening his feathers.

The last one... I was still getting used to how Changelings ended up looking. Their colorful twist, from their fascinating bug-like status. Like... ants to butterflies, almost. Said Changeling, Ocellus, was one of the very few attending the school as most of them were still at their colony, adapting a lifestyle to their new forms. She was practically an ambassador for their species and had a vested interest in my classes. Perhaps because their founder, before their evolution, was one of the prime topics of several of my talks. I'll happily admit she's been a wonderful gateway to their community, getting answers to my bug-horse-related questions, and generally just an interesting youth. If a bit skittish at times.

I may get up to... certain antics that the students and other faculty are used to at this point. Namely, dragging 'Villains' into the school to speak in my classes. Which, happens to include right now.

Besides my desk, watching me spin back and forth impatiently, is a black-suited Pony with green stripes. She sits on the floor at the front of the class, looking irritated and bored, tapping her hoof. Lightning Dust. Several posters and pamphlets of theirs sit up and about on the walls and in front of the students' seating, arranged like a military recruitment drive one might see in their school halls, all for their associated group.

The Washouts. A group of fliers opposing the Wonderbolts, known for their daredevil approach to stunts and general disregard of safety. After a few too many incidents, they were forced to adopt a certain amount of safety regulation, or face being forcefully disbanded; but they continue to maintain a stark difference from the Wonderbolts by still focusing on high-profile, dangerous stunts. Now, just with a touch more safety precautions. Like a hastily thrown-up net that's usually 'close enough'. While not a traditional, Equestria-threatening individual one might expect for a class like this, their spiteful contrast held their notoriety high enough that there was some overlap in perception.

So, I'd been trying to get them to come by for a talk. They'd balked at a few promises to visit already, but I finally managed to get one in. Perhaps a chance to set the record straight? Probably not. Lightning made sure not to leave the attitude at home.

"I thought you said I'd be doing this thing to a whole class?" Lightning Dust huffs loudly, crossing her hooves. The Washouts agreed to speak to my class and answer questions on the grounds they were allowed to try and recruit -- obviously, they aren't allowed to try and induct children again, something that was heavily clarified within their safety reforms to be allowed to continue operating, but they could try to drum up some attention. Maybe even get a future flier or two. Not that I intended would push them into it, but the choice was there for any that wanted it. I understood that alternate paths through life existed for many, and wouldn't deny their choices if they so chose.

So far, no biters. Wonder why.

"You are. Just waiting on a few more." I nod, glancing over the folder spread on the desk. I had gathered some information about the Washouts, their creation, how their contrast and competition with the Wonderbolts impacts both groups, the changes that they've endured over time, and so on. A little bit of history, little bit of philosophical discussion about why some might choose the alternative path, and how a group with a reputation like this might still find those who resonate with it. Maybe some time for questions at the end.

"This is like, what, four students? Seriously?" Dust points towards the primarily empty classroom. Even at its peak, my classroom was usually on the quieter side. My course wasn't standardized -- other than baseline education provided by Cherilee and the others, no classes actually were. The friendship school was about offering choice. Usually, students would sign up for mine expecting me to be pro-villain and cry against Equestria, only to get bored and drop the class when they realized we were more of a philosophy class.

"Should be... seven, we've still got a few minutes before the lecture starts." I figure, spinning slowly to face Lightning Dust. She'd been a spicy one to negotiate with, but the appeal of getting to advertise in the same school that Rainbow Dash taught at won her over. Sorry Dash, but using you as a target to stick it to is probably what got them to finally show up, for the bragging rights.

Naturally, I scheduled this lecture for a day when Dash would be busy.

"You seriously tracked us down to chat with seven students? I see like, two here that can even fly!" Dust retorts, huffing loudly.

She'd been mostly silent until now, so my gaze floats over the students to see their reactions. Hash and Sprinkle are getting a bit antsy, glancing back and forth, though Ocellus and Haymitch are watching the conversation with quiet interest.

"Of course," I reply simply, shifting through a few stacks of informative papers with my fingers. "I'd do this for a single student. It's about engaging those with an interest, and most students just tend to be more interested in Rockhoof's stories. But, for those interested in Equestria's 'Villains' or the alternative-minded, their histories, and the general philosophical reasoning behind them, I run these classes."

Dust rolls her eyes, slumping back.
"One of those bleeding heart types. Fun."

"Of a sort, I suppose. I mean, it is the School of Friendship." I laugh.

"And what's with the name? We aren't Villains. Sure, we're antagonistic, the counter-movement to the Wonderbolts, but I see what you've got on your walls. You trying to slander us?" Dust gestures to the adjacent wall beside them, where several posters, news clippings, and artworks of some of Equestria's 'Villains' stay presented. Sombra, Chrysalis, The Dazzlings, Tirek... Cozy Glow.

"Never agreed to that title, myself. I moved for the Equestrian-Opposition Groups, E-O-G, but got rolled over for the term 'Villain'. Just one of the numerous things I bring up in my lectures, now. The Equestrian Harmonic Disposition, I like to call it." I explain, looking up from my desk. "Ultimately, I cover anything that bumps heads with Equestria's general idea of Harmony, for the sake of knowledge and all that."

Lightning Dust shifts in her seat, leaning forward with a frown.
"The what?"

Ocellus' hoof shoots up in the air, drawing both Lightning's and my attention.

"Go for it, Ocellus." I nod, pointing in her direction while I open one of my desk drawers.

"The Equestrian Harmonic Disposition is a theory that Professor Arnold is working on!" She pipes up. Ocellus, out of most students, was familiar with my research.

Lightning Dust raises her brow, looking back at me -- right as I produce a pamphlet from my desk, holding it out to her.
"Introductory sheet to the E.H.D. I've been working on it for a few years, but it details the --"

Lightning snatches it out of his hand, rolling her eyes as she flips it open. She scans the pages for a few moments, squinting.

Leaning back into my chair as it creaks, I dig into another drawer. Plucking out a candy from my participation-bowl, I lob it towards Ocellus, who buzzes into the air to grab it.

"This is... is this you posing with Queen Chrysalis for a photo?" Lightning prods, looking up from the pamphlet.

"Yup." I nod. "During the Changeling shift, there was still a portion of the population that followed Chrysalis. I met with her to discuss the effects of love on the Changeling body. Went pretty well, actually. Until, well, you know." I grimace slightly. The whole attack on Canterlot and all that.

"Professor Arnold has been heavily involved in the Changeling cultural merger since our transformation." Ocellus pipes up again, sitting forward.

"And most cultural mergings." Another Griffin adds with a snort as they walk through the door, claws clacking on the stone floors.

"Glad you could make it, Gallus," I comment, recognizing his sarcastic tone right away. Gallus was one of my more variable students, a coin flip if he'd show. Mostly if the topic interested him. Which, honestly, fair.

"Wouldn't miss this for the world." Gallus laughs to himself, hopping into the seat beside Ocellus.

On the topic of what Ocellus mentioned, I may have wiggled my connections into getting to sit in with any possible cultural merger whenever I could. Every connecting path was a potential way to learn and meet with those Equestria didn't quite agree with, and the longstanding Griffon/Pony relationship was a source of interest for me. Knowing Twilight, the Princesses, the other Elements -- I tend to show up at a lot of talks and situations.

As Lightning continues to question various parts of the pamphlet, primarily out of confusion and wondering just what my deal is with my 'weird villain obsession', Ocellus scoots closer to Gallus to whisper.

"Gallus? I thought you said you weren't coming to this?"

"Well..." His beak clacks, tsking.

"You said the Washouts were the boring, runner-up to the Wonderbolts. And that even the Wonderbolts were boring compared to your High-Fliers." Ocellus continues, wide, buggy eyes staring at him.

"I mean, they are, but that's not why I'm here," Gallus admits.

"Then why...?"

"Rainbow Dash found out Lightning Dust is here on her day off," Gallus smirks, leaning back in his seat and crossing his front claws.

"Oh." Ocellus physically recoils, scooting further back into her seat.
"Oh dear. I should warn Professor Arnold." Ocellus taps her hooves together, a bead of sweat running down her brow.

Gallus waggles a claw, shaking his head.
"Oh no you don't. I wanna see this unfold. I didn't come here for a fun little lecture on why the Washed-Ups want to recruit us."

"Washouts." Ocellus corrects.

"Whatever. Just watch." Gallus says, getting comfortable.

The sound of intense flapping can be heard rapidly up the hall, as several students' muffled voices shout in surprise.

"But... oh no." Ocellus mumbles, hunching down in her seat.

Quietly trotting down the hall of the second floor, Luminous Glow is approaching the steps to head down to the first floor. She'd walked with Ruby to her Equestrian History Class and was now heading to her own Pre-Pre-Calculus class, when she pauses by the stairs, causing a few of the other walking students to move around her.

Her brow furrows, looking down at her feet, watching something.

Suddenly, she steps aside, out of the way -- right as the startled yelps of the students that just passed her cry out, Rainbow Dash rips up the steps in a furious storm of rainbow-edged wing flaps.

Lumie watches her P.E. teacher flap past, well past the third-floor staircase and down the upper halls, staring at the ceiling. And she continues to stare at the ceiling, looking further and further down the hall until it stops at --

"Father's Class." She mutters, finally looking forward. Her brow furrows further, as she starts to climb the steps up to the third floor. She would be late, for now.

Ruby Glow sits outside the bathrooms on the second floor, idly watching some of the other students, carrying books and writing utensils any which way they can, waiting.

Finally, Alexander Glow emerges from the Colts' bathroom, his horn glowing softly as he carries the Horn of Sombra. Its color is slightly muted, even within the soft, golden glow of his magic.

"Here you are, sister," Alexander notes simply, hovering it into her pack.

"Thank you, brother. You were... surprisingly delayed."

"Containment was difficult. Absorption will be further so. Even in his current state, King Sombra is... willful. Lively." Alexander explains, as the two start to walk down the halls.
"He won't present an issue during your presentation, will he?"

Ruby pauses walking, Alexander waiting for her without missing a beat. One of the passing students stares as Ruby just... watches the distance blankly, before resuming walking.
"He won't. But, you should come by quickly to contain him again."

"Very well. Meet here again, sister?"

"Sounds good, brother."

The two nod, before departing in separate directions. Ruby off to present the Crystal Empire and its turbulent history to her class, and Alexander towards the cafeteria. One of the lunch-mares was sweet on him thanks to his cooking classes and would sneak him sweets.

And he was getting pretty hungry.

Cozy's lip twitches.

Despite having a... good morning with her idiotically naive yet equally endearing husband, it wasn't even lunch yet. And she was about to knock somepony's teeth out.

The reforms she'd been working on pertained heavily to the economic status of Ponyville, and its relationship to Canterlot. As a pivotal location, the local infrastructure was lacking to meet the growing demands.

Cozy wanted to expand the train line, invest in a new subsection of housing, and get the local council to agree on a new direction of economic pursuit to help the town grow. Because right now, they were kept afloat by a few individuals.

Beyond the small-town shops, all Ponyville had to its name was the success of the endeavors made by the Elements.

Applejack's Apple Family Farm, the largest exporter of Apples in Equestria, ponied by the Apple Family. A near-monopoly on the product.

Rarity's Boutique, several locations of which are cropping up around Equestria to provide customized clothing for the burgeoning, mixing population.

Twilight's School of Friendship, turning the quiet Ponyville into a hub of Academic activity, bubbling the population and attention on the region. Not to mention the amount of Elements, and Pillars, who taught at it, drawing even further attention.

Pinkie's Sugarcube Corner, a tourist hotspot as one of the prime 'Sweet Treats' locations this side of Equestria -- though this one was double-sided, as there were rumors of a 'Chaos Cult' swirling around it, following some eye-witnesses during the entire Canterlot Tri-Villain debacle.

Fluttershy's ever-growing animal reserve, which was on the fast track to becoming a National Park, as she'd been leading the deals between the local Deer population that resided deep in the Everfree, alongside their resident Zebra.

Rainbow Dash... well, she was more involved with the Wonderbolts than anything, but her notable presence at the Friendship School as their resident Gym Teacher kept her tied to the area, and meant that the Wonderbolts were a popular attraction for the area.

Ponyville was, in short, nothing without its Elements, and Mayor Mare agreed with Cozy's blunt report of such. Without them, or that damned Celestia forbid, they ever choose to move out of Ponyville, the town would take a huge hit. So, Cozy had been workshopping numerous reforms, actions, and headings to help steer Ponyville during this time, to use this bountiful economic golden age it currently benefitted from, to turn into Ponytown proper.

However, the rest of the Council wasn't as wise as the aged Mayor-Mare, who was looking to retire soon. Other local shop-owners were more than happy to simply bathe in the traffic that they brought to town, not thinking of the town's longevity or their unfortunate reliance on the Elements.

In fact, the current topic that Cozy was hard-lining against was a move to request a subsidy from the crown to add more tourist spots.

They're just sitting there, chatting about how excited they are to have more ponies come and spend more money.

As Cozy tries to read from her paper, one of them scoffs.

The paper crumples between her hooves, as a vein bulges on her forehead.

She was gonna end somepony.

I hardly even notice Lumie peer into the room, tilting her head at me.

Rainbow Dash blew in here some minutes ago, and both she and Lightning Dust were in a yelling match in the middle of my classroom.

Honestly, you can't pay for this kind of lesson. Wonderbolt yells at Washout, Washout screams right back. The students seemed interested in letting it play out, so I just sat back to let them.

Funny enough, they've covered a surprising amount of the topics I was going to bring up in the form of insults and jabs at the other. This might even culminate in a race.

"Dad? Is everything alright?" Lumie asks as she trots up to my desk, watching the argument.

"Oh, hey Lumie. Aren't you supposed to be in class?" I note, leaning against my desk.

One or two more students have filtered in since the argument started, bewildered before I told them to just take a seat and watch. Ocellus is hiding behind Gallus, while he eats it up. The rest are a mixture of ducking in case anything gets thrown, or watching with the excitement of witnessing one of their teachers potentially come to blows in a classroom.

"Yeah, but Miss Dash raced past, and I wanted to see what the fuss was about." Lumie pouts.
"Can I stay and watch?"

"...Hm." I hum, tapping my chin. She's supposed to be in class...
"As long as you get down there the moment this wraps up, sure. Go take a seat." I eventually relent, waving my daughter off. She excitedly hops up to the closest seat, right beside a startled Ocellus, staring at Dash and Dust as they bicker, point hooves, and insult the other.

I don't even think she blinks.

Oh -- one of them just picked up... a cushion. Pillow fight wasn't on my bingo card.

And it was getting savage.