//------------------------------// // Side Story 1: Dimensions and Dragons // Story: The Day that Life Spiked my Punch // by rathgood //------------------------------// Side Story 1: Dimensions and Dragons Lets step back from the horror of the holiday season to a simple Saturday morning a week and a half before Thanksgiving. Spike and I were having a nice breakfast. "So," putting down my mug after taking a long sip, "Why did we have to get up so early on a Saturday again?" Finishing his mouthful of food the green haired lad answers, "It's One in the afternoon. How is that early? Also, because you agreed to chaperone the trip to Bloomfield Apple Orchards and its today?" "Ones still early for a Saturday," I sigh, "Right, the parent teacher conference Thursday night. ---------- "Well that covers Spike's performance and behavior in class," The strawberry haired woman says as she closes a manila folder on her desk. "Now I have a question for you Drew." Putting on my best lady killing smile (which to say is lacking), I snark back. "Why yes I am single" "...You've not changed at all since high school. The answer, like then, is still no." We both laugh. "Now, we have a field trip this weekend to watch the Bloomfields make fresh apple cider and the other chaperone had to canc..." "No. Sorry. No can do." "I suspected you might say that," a cat-like smile appears on her face, "I guess I get to use this." I gulp, "Use what?" Her faces goes full on predator. "duct tape, baby oil, girl's locker room, pictures, home coming." "What?...How? ...Who?" I sigh defeated, "Mac told you didn't he?" She nods her head. "bastard. I'll do it. What time do I have to be there?" The serene smile she always wears returns to her face, "1:00 PM Saturday" ---------- I finish the cup of coffee and morning muffin in short order. Spike had already finished his morning assault on the citizens of the breakfast kingdom and had dropped his plate into the sink. I follow suit. "Well," grabbing my keys, "Lets get this show on the road." ---------- The drive to the orchard was a short one since it really was just located outside of town. Spike for once was quite, he spent the entire time staring out the window in his own little world. I let him. Besides, I had my own things to consider. Mainly on how to pay Mac back for telling Cheryl about that. Though I have to say, the scenery on the way to the Bloomfield's hadn't changed since the bonfires held there during football season back in high school. We pulled into the long driveway and headed around back to where I was told the rest of his class would be waiting. Looking at the yard I remember that all of the Bloomfields had complained about mowing it. Can't say I blame them. Who wants to mow a three acre front lawn? I park next to the other cars and look around. "Hey Drew, look", Spike gestures, "The rest of the class is over there." Looking to my left where he's pointing I see some kids, Cheryl, and a guy I easily identify as Mac Bloomfield. Not that its hard. Not many six foot 4 inch guys out there. Even less that are built like a plow horse. There was a reason he ended up being an all state tackle. Smirking, I remember a weakness of his. "Okay, lets head on over." We both get out and head for the group. Spike runs ahead and begins to talk animatedly with two of the boys. I'm glad he made some friends. I wave at Cheryl and Mac. "Well, Mackenzie, it’s been a while. How’s the farm?" I see a younger girl, who had to be a Bloomfield snicker at my use of his full name. Mac shoots a glare at her and then an even worse one at me. Cheryl, to her credit keeps a straight face. "Y'all know I hate when mah full name is used. Only mah parents and granny ever use it." Regardless he still extends his hand. I shake it. "Still its good to see yah. Glad tah here yah moved back to town." "In truth, its good to be back. The East Coast was just way to damned crowded." "Drew, I'm happy you were able to make it. When Freddie's father had to cancel I was afraid we'd have to cancel." Cheryl shoots a thankful smile towards me. "Wait, why? I mean you have," I stop to count, "What, ten children here? Why do you need an extra person when Mac and his sister will be here?" A fourth voice cuts in, "That’s cause Mackenzie and I need tah work the cider equipment and don't have the time tah watch the kids." Mac shoots a glare at his younger sister. Two years younger than him, she's the middle daughter of the Bloomfield family. "Well Annie-Jane, its nice of yah to join us." Mac retorts and I snicker. Annie-Jane is obviously flustered. "Yah know I prefer AJ." "And you know I prefer Mac. Now we're even." Mac then punches me in the shoulder, "And now you and I are even as well." We all laugh, but still, even a play punch still hurts from Mac. Cheryl clears her throat in a very teacher way. AJ, Mac, and I shut it and turn to her. "Well, now that everyone is here shall we head into the cider barn?" "Eeeyup." Mac replies with his go-to word. "Very good. Now Drew, if you could stay behind the students and make sure none of them wander off I'd appreciate it." "Gotcha". And we head over to the chattering students. AJ claps her hands together, "Okay y'all, I'm Angela's older sister AJ and this here big galute," she points at Mac, "Is Mac, our older brother. Now the two of us are gonna show y'all how we make our award winning cider." She turns around and waves her arm forward, pointing towards the barn. "Follow us." Like trained soldiers, the students fell into line, with Angela at the front walking next to her siblings, Cheryl in the middle, and myself taking up the rear. The barn doors were already open, but creaked as I shut them when Mac asked me. I swore I overheard AJ say something about oiling, job, and then smacking Mac. The wall to our right and in front of was covered by the well used cider equipment. The left wall had stacks of barreled cider and buckets of fresh apples. Mac grabbed two of the larger buckets, one under each arm and carried them to a wooden table by a large press. AJ clears her throat and begins to explain. "While Mac here gets us some apples I'll go over the basics o' cider makin." She walks over to a large tab with a vice press on top of it. "This is the cider press. The same cider press we've used fer the last hundred ought years. Something not a lot of places still use. Most switchin to an electric press. But we believe in tradition an quality." She moves on to a large metal pot on top of a large stove. "This here is the pasteurization stove. We use it ta kill bad bacteria an such in the cider before we barrel it." She points at a spout that connects the large pot to another device. "When the cider cools we open the spout ta let it flow into the final filter where we remove any of the pulp or anythin that got through the press." Mac sets down a large barrel underneath the filters. "Now Mac 'ere just placed a 100% homemade barrel. Its made o' wood from this here farm's apple trees. When ever we lose a tree to a storm we convert it inta a barrel ta use fer the cider operation. It helps ta preserve and enhance the flavor of our cider." She walks back to the barrels of apples, "Now kids, why don't y'all come over 'ere an help me load the apples into the press." All of the students oblige her, accept for two girls. Both look bored, but one of them has a look of distain on her face. Based on what Spike has told me she has to be the Richard's daughter. The rest eagerly toss apples into the press while AJ supervises. Mac climbs a short ladder to the top of the press, where he can operate the presses large corkscrew. "Okay y'all, the press is full. Now Mac up there will turn the lever to start pressing the apples and getting their juice out. Now I'd have y'all help him 'cept for the fact that it normally takes two full grown adult ta do it. Mac 'ere can do it himself though." With a nod of her head, Mac begins turning the press. Slowly the press-plate lowers pulping the apples as it goes. "If y'all look 'ere y'all will see the juice start ta flow outa the spout here," AJ points to a spout on the side of the large press where juice is starting to flow out of. "and inta a barrel." The juice begins to cascade out of the press and into the open-topped barrel. The process continues for a time until the press-plate can't go any further. "That's good Mac. Now you get yerself down 'ere and pour the juice into the pasteurization pot." Mac gets down and complies, hefting the heavy barrel as if it were nothing and dumping its contents into the large cast iron pot. AJ gestures at the press. "Now we try an use all of the bits of the apple." She pulls out a large mesh grate covered with the flesh and pulp of the apples. "These bits here we turn inta our apple preserves and applesauce, but our granny handles that part of the process. Fer now we just scrap it off into a metal pot and she'll take care of the rest." She waves her younger sister up who begrudgingly begins to scrape the pulp into the pot. "Still gotta door yer chores sis." The class all laugh. AJ lights the wood stove under the pot, which begins to heat up. "Now this part of the process takes a couple of hours since we don't want ta boil the cider, just kill the bacteria." The kids exchange nervous glances. The girl I identified as the Richard's daughter speaks up, "Does that mean we have to stay in this barn and watch the cider cook until its done?" Mac releases a deep chuckle, "nope." "Mr. Bloomfield is correct Diana. We won't be waiting here. The Bloomfields have setup a tour of their farm until the cider is done. Now lets all file outside and wait for the Mr. Bloomfield to bring the tractor around." Mac leads the way out, followed by Cheryl and the students. AJ hangs back to talk to me. "Hey sugar cube, yah mind hanging 'round here an helping me setup something for when the kids get back?" She bats her large green eyes at me and I can't help but agree. "You know, even after almost a decade you still know how to convince me. I have one request though." "What'd that be?" "A couple of bottles of Bloomfield special reserve Hard cider." AJ chuckles, "sure, now we're doing the football special." I smile knowing what that means. "Bonfire?" "Bonfire." And with that we head over to the packed dirt fire pit and begin to setup the bonfire and the needed seating. I can see the tractor and its cargo heading towards the orchard and creek beyond that. ---------- The late fall sun is setting as the tractor pulls back up. The students are talking among themselves and Cheryl is chatting with Mac. The fire has been prepared and just needs to be lit. This is where the football special comes in. They don't light the fire in a traditional manner. The four adults help get the kids down from the trailer and usher them towards the benches, stumps, and other assorted seats. "Now I hope y'all had a good time with Mac an Ms. Leah, but now its time ta taste the fresh cider." Gesturing to the wood and tinder, "an we know no better way than in front of a roarin bonfire." She grins as she pulls out a small electrical device. "And know, we lite it." She pushes the button and a small explosion erupts from under the tinder, igniting the bonfire. She points to a table of various baked goods and the aforementioned cider, "Now enjoy the fire and help yerselves to tha vittles." The tweens dig into the food like they've not eaten in days. I myself roast an apple over the fire while nursing a large mug of the fresh cider. "So Spike, you enjoying yourself?" The lanky green haired boy still looks at me and nods, "Yeah," he lowers his voice to keep the rest from over hearing, "It reminds me a lot of home. I miss it." "I understand, but try not to let it dampen your evening. Now head back to your friends. We can talk more later" He nods his head and goes back to the other boys. After a time I hear someone sit down next to me and a large hand on my shoulder, "Mac." "Drew." He takes a long draft of the cider, "Yah know, I never thought of you as the kind of guy who'd be good with kids." He pauses, considering his words, "But from what Cheryl an Angela say bout you and that Spike kid, yer doing a mighty good job." "Thanks Mac. Even if I've not staid in touch, its good to hear that from a friend." I take a drink of the cider, "Yah know, AJ's still single if in yah want to try again." I spit out the drink, choking a little on it. "Wha...what?" "Ah know it didn't work out in high school, but yer older an wiser now. Sides, I think AJ's still carrying a torch fer yah" I think Mac notices my discomfort, "I saw how she was lookin at yah. Same way she used ta look atcha back in school." "Um...Look at the time..." The honking of a horn draws all of our attention as the parents have started arriving to pick up their children. "I guess thats my queue to leave." I get up and pat Mac on the shoulder, "Good talking to you." I get Spike and he says goodbye to his friends and we head back to the house. Once again he's quit the entire way. ---------- Sitting down for a light, but late dinner I finally get a chance to read the newspaper. Spike is still caught in his own thoughts. I set down the paper. "Penny for your thoughts there Spike." He sighs, "Well, I've been feeling this way all week, but today really cemented it." "Cemented what?" "Cemented the fact that I know most of these people already." Very confused I respond, "Come again?" "Yeah, everyone in my class, even Ms. Leah and the Bloomfields are almost exact copied of ponies back home." I can only sit there. Not knowing really anything about his friends back home. Then a thought occurs to me, "Maybe that’s because they are. Or a version thereof." Now its Spike's turn to be confused. "How?" "Well, there was this show on years ago called Sliders where some people moved between parallel universes, where the people were the same, but some things were always off. Maybe its the same case, just...more extreme?" Spike can only really shrug, "Its as good a theory as any." He goes back to eating. I grab the paper to go back to the article I was reading, when Spike stops eating again, this time dropping his spoon. "I know that hand!" "Hmm?" "That hand, the one pictured on the front page of the section." I turn the paper over to see the picture he's talking about, skimming the article. iHand prototype stolen...disappeared from lab...investigation into the staff..."Oh, I remember seeing an article one one of the science websites I visit about the iHand itself. Shame that it was stolen. Guess you saw it in an article as well?" Spike looks excited, "No! I've actually seen it in person!" "Huh?" "Lyra, that human obsessed unicorn I told you about had this show up like 3 months ago." He visibly bounces in his seat, "I even heard Pinkie call it the iHand before" I've seen Spike spit green fire and produce a letter from thin air, this doesn't even register on my weird-shit-o-meter anymore. "Well, I guess if a whole dragon could suddenly show up here, I guess its not to strange that a piece of technology from here could end up there. But you said it's been there for months?" "Yeah" "Thats weird, it only disappeared earlier this week" Once again our shared default response to this all, a shrug, is Spike's only response. "Wait...PINKIE! If the iHand and note can get through, than maybe..." He gets up and rushes the mirror in the hall, "Come here Drew." I follow him, "What's up? Why'd you run off all of a sudden?" "I'm going to try an experiment!" He crosses his fingers, "Now Drew, what I'm about to tell you is a secret." I raise an eyebrow, "...okay..." "I made a Pinkie Promise to never tell anyone about this, but I feel its safe to tell you." "Pinkie Promise?" "Its a promise that if broken is the fastest way to lose a friend..." "FOOREE..." The sound of the strange voice and of something hitting a window startle me. I turn to where Spike is looking. "What the hell!? Why is there some strange woman with pink hair staring at us from inside my freaking mirror!?" "PINKIE!!!!!" Spike screams. "It worked!" As Pinkie rubs her nose and face, which had ran into the glass she speaks, "Owe, that hurt." She looks at her hands. "oooooo I have fingers!", Hearing her name she turns towards Spike. "Spike, is that you?" "Sure is! I knew your unexplainable ability to show up whenever someone goes to break a Pinkie Promise would work." "Oh my god, we need a party! Just wait till we get you back home and everypony will be happy again! Twilight is so worried and so is Rarity!" "She is!?...I mean they are?" "Oh Twilight has been son torn up the past weeks. She's barely slept and been working on spells with both Princess Celestia and Princess Luna to try and get you home." She begins to push against the glass, "Now let me get out of here, grab you, and we can go home." "Home..." Spike murmurs. Me, I'm doing my best to stay sane. Its not working very well. I'm also starting to wonder if Mac slipped anything funny into my drinks... She pushes and pushes, but doesn't go anywhere, 'Thats weird, I can't get out of this mirror. I've never been unable to do that. This place is strange..." Her hair begins to be pulled backwards by an unseen force. "oops, looks like my times up. See you laterrrrrrrrrr" "Tell everypony I'm okay and that I miss them!" Is all spike can get out before a sucking noise begins to come from the mirror. With the noise, the pink haired woman vanishes as if she wasn't there in the first place. Spike puts his hand to the mirror and I can see small tears running down his face. "That...was...weird" I usher Spike to his bed, the events have seemed to take a large toll on him. I head for the kitchen to break open one if the bottles of hard cider I got from AJ. I need it.