That's What Boy's Are Made Of

Snips eagerly shifted on his hooves, his eyes transfixed on the stage above. His heart pounded in his chest, and sweat trickled down his brow. He was squished between ponies bigger than him, but he couldn’t bring himself to care. Under normal circumstances, Snips would be annoyed by the crowd.

But how could he care when watching the greatest unicorn of all time? Trixie. Just the thought of her name sends shivers down his spine.

She performed across the stage, her cape flowing with the wind. The way she spoke lulled--yet excited Snips. He would stay like this forever if he had the opportunity.

“For this last act, I need a volunteer!” Trixie called to the crowd.

An excited breath caught in his throat. This was his chance. Trixie could finally see how much she meant to him. Before Snips realized, he was leaping, letting out an excited ‘Pick me!’ He nudged the ponies around him, nearly trampling them to the ground.

Trixie’s eyes shined brightly, and she jutted her hoof to the crowd.

“Buck-toothed colt in the middle!” Trixie announced, “Come on up!” Snips buzzed with excitement, his legs moving before his brain. The boy squeezed through the crowd, shoving past ponies bigger than him.

He lunged onto the stage in one quick movement, his legs trembling with excitement. He shuffled into place excitedly, grinning ear to ear.

For a second, Snips caught a look on Trixie's face. It was a look you’d give a flattened cockroach smeared on a wall. Was Trixie…disgusted with him? No, no, that wasn’t right. Trixie loved Snips as much as he loved her; he was sure of it!

Snips let his gaze wander to the stage. Two wooden boxes--each marked with Trixie’s cutie mark--loomed over Snips. They stood several feet apart. Trixie pranced to one, swinging the door open.

“Notice how this box is empty!” She announced. Snips peered inside. Sure enough, the box was void of any object.

Trixie’s hoof glided across Snips’ back as she ushered him to the box. He saw stars, a pleasant jolt running down his spine. Something inside of him swirled excitedly, flowing through his veins. The feeling was all too familiar, but he couldn’t pinpoint why.

His eyes fluttered shut, and a satisfied sigh left his lips. It felt like a connection deep within his soul. He could feel their hearts in sync as if they were one being. It was amazing.

“If you will, please step inside,” Trixie instructed, gesturing to the box. Snips held back a grimace.

It pained him to step away from Trixie. Her touch felt like a missing piece of him. But he obliged, not wanting to ruin the show with his stubbornness.

Snips stepped inside the box with a soft grumble. The door slammed shut behind him, engulfing him in darkness. The colt's ear twitched as he heard Trixie begin to speak.

“Watch in awe as I transport him from one box to another!” She announced, her voice muffled. Snips buzzed with pride. He couldn’t believe that he had been chosen to do this! It was like Trixie truly understood him.

Hardy knocks came above; presumably, Trixie knocking on the box. For a brief moment, Snips felt fuzzy. And just like that, it was gone.

Snips heard the telltale creaking of the other box opening, followed by the crowd's gasps. The colt furrowed his brows. He was missing all of the interesting stuff!

Hoofsteps traveled across the stage, making their way to him. The door was yanked open, assaulting Snips’ eyes with sunlight.

“Ta-da!” Trixie called. Snips peeked his head out, looking across the stage. Trixie had transported him to the other box! She truly was all-powerful! The crowd erupted into cheers, and Trixie took her well-deserved bows.

“Now, if you will, please step off the stage,” Trixie instructed. Snips hopped off the stage, standing inches from it.

He stared above, barely able to see anything more than Trixie's hooves. Wow, Trixie looked amazing from every angle.

“Behold, the Great and Powerful Trixie!” She cheered, prancing on her hind legs. Fireworks shot into the sky, each being the shape of Trixie’s face.

The crowd ‘bravoed’ as the curtains began to close.

Snips couldn’t believe it. Out of everyone, she chose him! He closed his eyes, reliving the moment. It was like he was dreaming!

“Woooow, you go to be on stage with Trixie.” Someone spoke, breaking Snips from his thoughts. He turned around to see his gangly companion, Snails. “That’s awesome.” Snails marveled.

Snips had been so enamored that he had forgotten Snips had come with him. He looked back to the stage above, staring at the lightly fluttering curtain. If he squinted, he could just make out a part of Trixie’s hindleg. The show ended much too quickly for Snails’ liking. Why couldn’t it go on longer?

“Do you think she’ll do an encore?” Snips asked, not daring to tear his eyes away from the stage. He wouldn’t dare miss so much as a glimpse of Trixie.

Snails looked around the rapidly thinning crowd.

“I don’t think so.”

Snips furrowed his brows. Did Trixie not care about her adoring fans? He’d want her to perform endlessly if it were up to him. That would be heaven.

If Trixie wasn’t going to come out, then Snips would have to come to her. He hoisted himself on the stage, shimmying under the low-hung curtain.

Snips dragged his belly across the wooden floor, finally getting a glimpse of his beloved Trixie. Though it had only been a few minutes, it felt like she was seeing her for the first time all over again.

She stood in front of a mirror, dabbing sweat from her brow. Snips sighed. She looked marvelous. He had come up here with the intent to speak to her, but just watching was enough.

A strained grunt came from behind, catching Snips’ attention. He turned to Snails, who was struggling to get onto the stage.

After what looked like a lifetime of struggling, Snails flopped over, hitting the ground with a hardy ‘thud.’ Trixie’s attention snapped away from the mirror and onto the pair.

“Oh, it’s you two,” Trixie said with a hint of grimace. Snips’ heart sped up in his chest. She remembered them! But more importantly, she remembered him.

“Hi, Trixie!” Snips squealed a greeting, trying his hardest to stay cool. Granted, this wasn’t the first time he had spoken to Trixie, but after that show, it felt like he had met her all over again. She only hummed a response, beginning to comb through her hair.

“I can’t wait for tomorrow's show.” Snips continued. Trixie glanced at Snips before quickly looking back to her reflection.

“Yes, yes. But tomorrow will be Trixies last show here.” She informed all too casually. Snips’ stomach dropped, and his blood ran cold.

“You’re retiring?” Snips gasped.

“What, no! Trixie is much too young for that.” She scoffed, flicking her hair from her eyes. “I’m just leaving. Trixie can’t stay in one town forever.”

Snips felt like his hooves were stuck to the ground. She couldn’t leave! What about what they had?

“Now go. Trixie must get her beauty rest.” Trixie said proudly. How could she be so happy about this? She might be hiding her true feelings about it all.

As much as Snips wanted to fight her on the decision, it wasn’t her fault. She was forced to do this. No one truly wanted to leave this wondrous town.

After what felt like forever, Snips dejectedly shuffled off the stage.

The moment Snips’ hooves hit the ground, he began to pace in circles. If she left, then she’d find better adoring fans! Snips felt breathless at the thought. What about the times they had together? Trixie was just willing to let that go for her career?

How would he live without her? She was amazing! How could she live without him? The thought of Trixie wandering the world without him was terrifying.

“Maybe it’s good to let her go.” Snails broke the silence. Snips whipped around, a vein forming at his brow.

“What!?” He shrieked.

“Well, uuuuh…” Snails' eyes began to drift apart before snapping back into place. “It would be nice to let her perform for other ponies, wouldn’t it?”

Snips chuffed, following it with frustrated scoffs.

“How could you say that? Trixie belongs here!”

Snails cocked his head, his tongue poking from his lips.

“Why?”

Snips pursed his lips, trying to find his words. What was he meant to say? That he just felt that Trixie was made for him? It would be too hard to explain. Snails wouldn’t understand. He didn’t understand anything.

“She just does.”

Snips stomped through his house, rage buzzing inside of him. With each step, his heart grew heavier.

How could Trixie do this to him? He had given her so much! He went to all of her shows, collected all of her merch, and this was the thanks he got?!

Snips slammed into his room, the door bouncing off the wall with a ‘bang.’

Trixie was made to be with him! Their connection wasn’t like any other earthly relationship; he knew that for a fact. And Snips knew she felt it, too! It was undeniable!

Snips shouted angrily, slamming his body to the floor. He buried his face between his hooves, wishing the world would swallow him whole.

Who was he without Trixie? Who was Trixie without him?

The colt flopped to his back, letting his legs dangle. What could he do? He doubted he could convince her to stay; every adult chose their job over a kid. His gaze wandered across his room before settling to the gap between his bed and the floor.

Under his bed was an item tucked away. Snips squinted. What was that? He flopped to his stomach, scooting toward the bed.

Snips stuck his tongue out, reaching under his bed. His hooves grasped around the object, and he pulled it out with a hard yank.

It was a black, shimmering book. The title seemed to be senseless scribbles that Snips couldn’t understand.

“I forgot about this.” Snips muttered, admiring the shimmering book. He had borrowed it from the library a few months back. He couldn’t return it now, with Twilight being the new librarian. He’d get an earful about how this book wasn’t meant for someone his age.

Snips rolled his eyes at the thought of it. He might not understand the words well, but he knew this was dark magic. He was young, not an idiot.

His eyes wandered to a piece of paper sticking out betwixt the pages.

Snips brought it closer to his eyes, squinting. It was a photo of him and an earth pony. Her coat was a rich orange, while her mane was dusty teal. They looked happy. Snips’ breath caught in his lungs.

Citrus Spark. That’s where he had felt that warm-tingly connection. How could he have forgotten? It was only a few months ago.

She was--well is--his first friend.

Snips flipped the book open, landing on a dog-eared page. His eyes scanned the title.

Rebirth.

He had already known the spell by heart, using it once before. It was hard but worth it. Citrus Spark was much happier after it all; he knew that for a fact. She had a new body, a new name, , and got to stay in Ponyville with him! Now she didn’t have to spend her life in dirty old Canterlot, of all places.

Snips sighed wistfully at the memory. As embarrassing as it was to admit, he had based the transformation on the simple nursery rhyme.

‘Snips, Snails, and Puppy Dog Tails, that’s what boys are made of.’ He recited mentally.

In the beginning, he was Snips. Just Snips. But with a little willpower, he was able to make more. Snips and Snails. He wasn’t alone anymore!

Snips looked back over to the spell. Who were he and Snails without a Puppydog Tails?

His heart began to race as an idea brewed in his mind. Snips had done this spell once before, hadn’t he? Then why not do it again!?

Deep down, Snips knew Trixie didn’t really want to leave. She was only leaving to make money! All adults did it. But with this, she didn’t have to go! Trixie could be a kid again and do what she truly wanted; to spend time with him!

Citrus Spark had been happy with this change, and Trixie would be too. Snips buzzed with pride. He could give Trixie the life he knew she wanted. The life she truly deserved.