//------------------------------// // Chapter 4 // Story: Getting Spades Home // by BronyDan //------------------------------// The next morning, Pipsqueak, Chowder and Featherweight met up in the town square at 11 O’clock, and decided to go see if Spades was home yet. Spades and his mother lived in a small cottage just outside Ponyville. Like most of the houses, it was quite simple with a front garden and a low wall circling it. They could see Cillit through the living room window polishing, so Featherweight pushed the gate open to let them into the garden. The gate squeaked loudly, enough for Cillit to hear it through the open window. She rolled her eyes when she saw who it was, and went to open the door, but stood in the frame, barring them entrance. “Morning Cillit, is Spades home yet?” Featherweight asked. “No he isn’t.” said Cillit, as politely as she could, but still glaring at them. “But we thought he was coming home today.” said Pipsqueak. “There isn’t an ambulance cart available until this afternoon.” Cillit informed them. Featherweight eyes opened wider as an idea came to him, “So he could come home early, if he had some transport? Well, we’ll offer to collect him for you. I happen to know where we get a cart.” “Are you quite sure you can handle it?” asked Mr Cake. They were now standing outside SugarCube Corner asking Mr Cake if they could borrow his delivery cart. At that moment, the sound of gravel could be heard from behind the store, as PoundCake came into view pulling the cart. Even though he was younger than the trio, (He and his twin sister PumpkinCake had just celebrated their eleventh birthday as well as getting his Cutie Mark, which were two muffins) he was always happy to get involved in their little schemes and tricks, which would often get on his mother’s nerves. The cart in question was very different from all the other carts in Ponyville. The Cakes’ one was practically a small kitchen on wheels; it was twice as wide as a normal cart with a small oven, and cupboards were built in on either side of it and even on poles above it, full of ingredients, utensils and cookery books. It had been built so that the Cakes could expand their business to other areas around Equestria and leave home to sell in the big cities like Canterlot or Manehatten. It looked extremely heavy with all of this installed, however Twilight had managed to perform a weight-less spell on it so that it would be easier for Mr Cake to pull. Pipsqueak shuffled nervously under the harness; as he was the only one with a cart license, he had to pull it while Chowder and Featherweight climbed aboard. “We’ll bring it back in good condition Mr Cake, don’t worry!” Featherweight called out just as Pipsqueak started pulling, which jerked the cart forward almost knocking Chowder and Featherweight off balance. Mr Cake and PondCake gave nervous glances at each other as the sound of clattering and banging of baking trays made its’ way up the main street. Spades was soon issued out of the hospital. He thanked the doctors and nurses for what they had done, Chowder picked up his packed suitcase and they led him out of the ward and into the bright sunshine. “I’ve been told to lay off certain things from now on.” he told Pipsqueak, “I’m not allowed any cakes, exercise or anything that could set my heart off.” “So I guess your little night time fun with Dinky will fall into that category.” sniggered Pipsqueak. Spades eyes widen with horror at these words. “Hey guys!” came a voice outside the gate to the hospital. The four of them looked over to see a dragon standing there, wearing a purple blazer and the spikes on his head were gelled down so that they curved down his back, and he was carrying a bag full of scrolls of parchment, quills and a fresh bottle of ink. “Alright Spike?” Chowder called, “Princess Twilight still got you on scroll duty has she?” “Hey, at least I’m working.” Spike called back, “You don’t see me living off gambling winnings like someponies.” “Hey, I may have hit a few bumps recently.” said Chowder, sounding quite hurt, “But I promise you, tomorrow’s rabbit race will have me raking it in!” “So anyway, nice to see you out Spades.” said Spike, putting the scrolls under his left arm so that he could shake Spades hoof, “Twilight’s been keeping me up to date on your condition. Shame you may have to…” “He knows.” chuckled Pipsqueak. “Well anyway, see ya guys. Got to get back to the castle.” said Spike, and he turned on his heel and walked back through the gates and down through the back streets. Spades then climbed into the cart with Featherweight and Chowder and Pipsqueak pulled the cart out through the gate as well and down the opposite road. As the cart rumbled down the country road out of Ponyville, Chowder had gotten his cigarettes out and was handing them out to Featherweight and Spades. Spades took a slow breathe in, and an even slower exhale. “It’s an alright day to come out.” he said looking up at the blue sky. “Don’t hold on to it too long.” said Featherweight, “The Pegasi have promised rain later.” Spades wasn’t listening. His eyes were wandering towards a side road that was getting nearer. “Turn right here!” he suddenly shouted. Pipsqueak saw the road and turned his body towards it sharply. The cart rocked violently, knocking Spades, Featherweight and Chowder off their hooves, as some of the cupboards flew open and pans and bowls came flying out and crashing to the floor. Spades pulled himself up and then shouted for Pipsqueak to stop. Pipsqueak skidded across the road and the cart turned slightly to the right, almost toppling over. Featherweight pulled himself up, looking dishevelled with a mixing bowl on his head. “What are you doing?” he hissed at Spades. “What about my ashes?” asked Spades. “Well just flick them over the side of the cart.” suggested Pipsqueak. “Not my cigarette ashes.” groaned Spades, “I meant my ashes. I told my mum I want to be cremated when I’ve snuffed it.” “Look mate.” said Chowder, wiping leaked flour off his front, “We’re all gonna snuff it if you’re going to be stopping the cart like that.” Spaded said nothing; he just climbed out of the cart and walked through an open gate next to the road. They had stopped on a hillside next to a field that looked out over the entire valley. Ponyville was just below them to the left, the Everfree Forest could just be seen in front of them, and the city of Canterlot was on the right. Spades walked over to the edge of the field before it started to travel downwards, looking over the landscape. “This is it.” he said to Pipsqueak, Chowder and Featherweight who had joined him, “I want you to promise to scattered them just here. I can see everything up here, so I’ll know where I am.” “You really are quite serious about this dying business, aren’t you Spades?” said Pipsqueak, quietly. “I know I was never the smartest colt.” Spades answered back, “But I can tell my time’s almost up, so please, promise this.” he asked them, a little bit of a plea in his voice. “We promise, Spades.” said Featherweight. Spades smiled back at them and they headed back towards the cart. Soon the cart pulled up outside Spades’ house. Chowder picked his suitcase while Featherweight and Pipsqueak helped him down carefully and they walked him towards the door. Chowder was about to knock on the door when Spades stopped him, “There is something else I want you to promise to do.” he whispered to them in case his mother was hearing, “I want you to come back here after dark when my mother’s gone to bed. I need you to sneak me down to Dinky Hooves’” “What?” Pipsqueak whispered in shock, “You’re not ready for Dinky just yet.” “No Spades, you need to get some rest, until you’re back in shape.” said Chowder, “Wait another two weeks and then you can go.” “Look.” said Spades, in a threatening whisper, “I’ve been in that hospital for a month. I’ve got four weeks of steam and passion built up, and now that I’m out I need to release it.” “But you’re not supposed to do anything that’s going to get your heart racing.” said Featherweight, “That could greatly affect your condition” “Ok, I’ll do it slowly then, just please, promise me.” said Spades, holding his front hooves up as if in prayer. Before any of them could answer, the door opened, and Cillit emerged, “I thought I heard voices.” she said as her eyes fell upon Spades, who quickly lowered his hooves. “Well get indoors Spades, I’ve got your bed ready upstairs.” and she picked up his suitcase and walked back in. Spades followed her but as he was about to close the door, he whispered, “Please, I’m relying on you.” to the trio until finally closing the door, leaving Pipsqueak, Featherweight and Chowder giving uneasy looks at each other.