//------------------------------//
// I've Been Spotted 
// Story: The Telescope 
// by PieDisliker 
//------------------------------//

I wait through a bit of silence before my father answers in a tone of surprise. "Really? I don't remember you having much interest in her, before. We're talking about MY mother, correct?"

"Hehe, yeah. I know I wasn't always fond of her... but she's my grandmother, for pete's sake. What kind of grandson would I be if I didn't ask about her, especially after her death?"

"Well, if you insist. How about Halloween?"

"What about Halloween?"

"Well, usually your grandfather would take me trick-or-treating as a kid. One day he caught a fever and had to stay inside. I was eight and Steve was thirteen. I wanted to go trick-or-treating and Steve felt he was too old to go, and opted to pass out candy. I wanted to go with him but your grandfather wasn't having it."


* * *


"But daaaaaaaad..."

"No buts. You go with your mother and that's final... Achoo! The older gentleman sneezed.

A woman dressed up in an overly-sparkling blue dress bent over towards the young boy, smiling. "Don't worry, Ricky. You'll be sure to get a ton of candy. It'll be loads of fun!"

Ricky simply crossed his arms, clearly not amused. "We were supposed to be Batman and Robin."

"Cinderella and Robin can still get you just as much, if not more candy!"

The gentleman started to walk away from his costumed family, turning back once to look at his young teenage son. "Steve, if you need anything I'll be in bed. Don't get into too much trouble while I'm napping."

Steve grinned. "Yes, dad."


* * *


I stare back through the telescope while listening to my dad's story. Not much going on with the Apple Family's home at the moment, but I realize that moment I have with this thing is precious. Thinking back on what he said, I recollect a bit. "Compared to what I've seen of her lately, going as Cinderella was actually fairly tame."

"It was still a bit embarrassing, but I was mostly disappointed my father and I couldn't go together."

"That makes sense. So what happened next?"


* * *


Ricky and his mother were walking across the streets and heading towards another house. They only stopped by a few, but it seemed like the woman in blue sure knew her way around the neighborhood as the candy bags had pretty large chocolate bars in them. Ricky especially was thankful when he got his favorite kind, the classic Hershey Bar.

The two of them walked up by another house and rang the doorbell to be greeted by a woman dressed up in a witch's outfit.

"Trick or Treat!" they shouted.

The woman smiled at the sight of the two of them.

"Isn't that cute? Robin and Cinderella. It's good to see some families come out today and spend time together." She reached into her bowl and dropped a handful of candy into Ricky's bag. She was about to do the same for his mother until she heard a loud and ignorant voice.

"Ha ha! Looks at the twerp in tights and the overgrown princess. Those crappy costumes are ruining Halloween! Get lost, losers!"

The woman scowled at annoying teenager and then apologized to the pair, dropping the handful of candy in the bag for Ricky's mother.

"Jerks, the lots of them. Here's another round of candy for you two." She gives two more handfuls, one to Ricky and the other to his mother. "Thanks for coming."

"No, thank you." Ricky's mom smiled and she guided her son back to the sidewalk.


* * *


I can't help but smile after hearing that. I can't say I had quite that special of a moment with my grandmother, given that we only visited her on occasion... and I tended to spend more time with my grandfather during said visits. That being said, this was a nice story and makes me appreciate her even more.

"That's pretty awesome," I remark.

"What's even more awesome is when we ate candy together afterwards. We got so much we needed Steve to help us out, and I don't think our feet were even sore from walking. It was a fun night."

"I bet."

"So how's work been treating ya? Staying out of trouble, right?"

"Yeah, things have been going well." I paused at this moment to debate whether or not to explain to my dad about the telescope. On one hand my dad would probably think the thing was a toy, or I just made the whole thing up. On the other hand, my dad was usually pretty understanding of me. Tough call.

"Well, it's good to hear that you're fairing well on your own. If you ever need any help or feel like asking for another story, just call."

"Will do, dad. Thanks." With that all said and done, I hang up and set my phone down.

I guess telling him will have to wait. Time to take another look through this thingamajig. No real news at the apple farm, though it's pretty enjoyable to even intake the scenery. I scroll across the town and don't see much going on. Most ponies are either working or socializing regularly. Maybe I'll catch up on some more of the episodes so I can figure out what's going on.

A scroll across a little more until I see someone- err... somepony that catches my eye. Pinkie Pie, you know, the super active hyper one that looks like she's had too much sugar? It looks like she's almost waving at me. I check to see who she's really waving to and no ponies are around. Hmm...

I scroll back to her to see what's going on. Now she's sitting down and waving across in my direction with both of her front hooves, like a distressed person on an island trying to flag down a boat. She mouths some words but I can't hear them. I can't hear anything in this telescope, I can only see.

She seems to realize that and raises a sign from behind her back. It says "PRESS THE PINK BUTTON." I can't help myself but think that maybe she's telling me to do so. I step back and gaze at my telescope. I'm pretty sure there was never such a- oh, there it is.

As if destiny called, there is indeed a pink button on the bottom of my telescope. I didn't see it before but maybe I missed it. There's only one thing to do now. I reach my finger over and press the button.

As it turns out, the button doesn't do anything aside from make a sound of a whoopee cushion. Underestimating the humor of it, I have to take a step back and get on one knee from laughing so hard.

After keeping control of myself, I look back into the telescope and see Pinkie Pie lying on the ground. She's kicking her hooves up and down in an uncontrollable laughter, and then finishes off by wiping a tear from one of her eyes. She then sits up again and raises another sign. "NO, BUT REALLY. PRESS THE SOUND BUTTON."

Doing as she wishes, I look for that button. I can't seem to find it until I glance underneath it again and find a button with a speaker, which happens to be right next to the pink one. The symbol on it is like one you'd find to adjust your computer's volume level. Although I'm surprised to see it because I'm positive it wasn't there before, I press it right away.

Next thing I know, I'm greeted by Pinkie Pie's voice.

"Hi there!"