OC Apprentice Challenge Winners · 1:07am Jan 31st, 2016
#Shrekt's Submission
The losing team went to their stand in silence. Golden was silently cursing to himself about speaking out. He had to do something to make up for it.
Nova’s body still ached from the numerous attempts he made to bat. Now all of them served as reminders to his failure. While Spark was saddened for the lost she couldn’t help but feel worse for what the dragon was going through. He was so confident in his ability to win them the challenge.
“Now come on. You need to be more energetic. We still have a chance to win,” Lucky said as she moved in front of her depressed teammates. “All we have to do is sell some hotdogs. That shouldn’t be too hard.”
The other three moaned. “Why are you three even here?”
“What do you mean? We’re here to win that money for those charities? Or did you forget?” Spark mocked.
“You believe in those charities don’t you? Golden I know while you may not act like it even you care about that much,” the teacher said.
“I was guilt tripped into it. That dang brat,” Golden murmured. He didn’t like where this was going. He was beginning to think they could win again.
“Nova we are a team. We failed as a team. So please don’t beat yourself over that,” she reassured the former dragon.
The team began to shuffle uncomfortably. The shuffling was soon accompanied by the tightening of muscles. Followed by eyes becoming filled with great passion. The teacher had given them the one thing a college student working a menial labor job needed the most. She had given them hope.
“Alright. So whats the plan?” Spark asked.
“You tell me,” Lucky smiled nervously, “because I have nothing.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Golden was tasked with a very important aspect on the selling process. And that was taking out the competition. Apparently while Lucky gave her rousing speech of hope and change the team failed to notice some customers. These customers went across from them to the other stand. The stand of VeggieCO.
A large muscular man wearing a headband was one of the sellers of that stand. His face was covered by a thick brown beard that even a sasquatch may envy. The other cashier was a young girl. Couldn’t be older than fifteen with long orange hair. Her eyes were the same shade of brown that her partner’s beard was.
Golden contemplated how he could manage to dissuade potential customers for the odd pair. The young girl was the sweetest seller he had ever seen. And the man screamed and hollered more than Golden did. Something his customers applauded him for. If he hadn’t hurt his voice shouting for Nova to hit a homerun he may have entertained the notion of getting in a shout match with the brawny man.
Thinking was never his strong suit. Which made him wonder all the more why he was given the mission to sabotage the VeggieCO stand.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Admittedly it did take Spark several minutes to calm down. She had planned out them winning the mini challenge. Unfortunately that was not the case so she considered changing it entirely.
Then Golden had to open his big mouth and make her even more nervous. She’d normally launch and throw an insult back at the annoying stallion but she had little time. So she did the one thing she could do. She gave him an order. And with the help of Lucky he followed that very order. Then she was allowed to be alone with her thoughts. Save for Nova. And Lucky. And the customers.
“Nova get the hotdogs. They should be somewhere in this stand,” Spark said holding her temple. “We’ll need those first.”
“Got it!” Nova said as he went to do just that.
“And me Spark?” Lucky asked.
“Just help me sell the dogs,” Spark said holding her stomach. Her face growing increasingly greener, “I’m going to need the help.”
Lucky nodded.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Despite its small size, the stand was amazing packed with a lot of junk. Nova couldn’t help but wonder why anyone would put any of these things in a hotdog stand.
Through his rummaging he managed to find a box labeled “Awesome Hot Dogs in here.” He shrugged and took the box to the front of the stand.
Once there he saw Spark and Lucky standing. He noticed Spark was sweating and her hands opening and closing. He frowned at that. He tapped her shoulder and showed her the box.
She gave him a quick thanks as she grabbed it. She placed it on the top of the stand and opened it to reveal a weak flash of light. She reached her hands into the box.
Nova was amazed as he saw her withdraw not only a hotdog but much more. Each hotdog was coated in mouth watering condiments. The hotdog was snug into a finely crafted bun. And all this majesty was placed into a small box and paper to ensure its safety from the world. But all of that was nothing compared to the smell.
The intoxicating stench seductively made its way to Nova’s nostrils. His mouth began to water at the sensation. He longed to eat the dog. To savor it as it traveled down his throat.
Nova shook himself out of his trance. He wasn’t even hungry. He was still full from breakfast. Nova reasoned that GOB must have done something to these mysterious hot dogs.
“Why isn’t anybody coming?” Nova asked hoping to get his mind off the idea of eating a pig.
“I don’t know. This stand doesn’t even have a closed sign. I checked!” Spark said frustrated.
“Maybe they don’t know. I mean maybe they thought we were preparing some kind of grand opening,” Lucky suggested.
Spark facepalmed. It was typical of businesses to do such a thing. Which meant they needed to come with something to hype up their stand and fast. Something that the other stands didn’t have.
Spark hazarded a guess to them. And save for the fact they had customers there were no facts that distinguished them.
“We’re gonna need something to hype up our stand, and fast. We’ve got nothing that distinguishes us from the other stands!” Nova said, beginning to worry.
“But of course, Nova, but how are we going to do that?” Lucky said over her shoulder, setting up some hot dogs to put on display. “Sp- We sent our main hype man away to go get rid of the competition, so that leaves the teen, the teacher, and the cyborg. What can we do?” Nova’s eyes widened at the word cyborg, and his eyes slowly turned towards Spark’s arm. Spark, in turn, caught his gaze and gave him a questioning look, taking a step back.
“Nova? What are you d-”
“OH NOOO!!” Nova cried, more to the crowds in the stands than to Spark, in a voice purposefully and perfectly meant to attract attention.
“What-”
“SPARK! YOUR ARM! YOU POOR, UNFORTUNATE SOUL!!!” Nova said, putting a dramatic hand to his forehead while lifting Spark’s own arm into the air.
“Nova, quit. I’m fine. Seriously.”
“Folks!!” he said, turning out to the few people whose attention he’d snared. “LOOK at this face of distress!” he gasped, motioning to Spark’s deadpan face with his other hand.
“Dude no stop I’m okay, I’ve lived with this for longer than you’ve been alive.”
“If ONLY,” continued Nova, completely ignoring Spark altogether, “we had enough funds to pay for proper medical treatment! But alas! We haven’t sold a single hot dog!” With a pause and a well-placed sigh, he looked wistfully out to the ever-growing crowd, gathered to watch the spectacle. One onlooker, suddenly, raced forward and put his wallet on the stand.
“I’ll take a hot dog!” he said, with a note of heroism in his voice. “All toppings, no matter the cost, I’ll pay for them!” Nova smiled and got to work on his hot dog, as more people got into line after him. It took a bit for what was happening to get through to Spark, but once it did, her eyes widened.
“Eh- HEY!” she said, snatching her arm away from Nova. “If we’re going to get hype, we’re not gonna do it off of some pity fund! Everyone,” she said, turning to the crowd. “Go back, we’re not open for business just yet. Wait a bit, and we’ll have a REAL grand opening for you.” The crowd let out a collective and disappointed “Awww...” and dispersed sadly. Spark turned to Nova, once everyone was gone, and put her hands on her hips, squinting.
“So you have an idea Spark?” Lucky asked hoping to change the subject. “For this grand opening I mean.” She had nothing to offer, still beating down Nova with the Squint Stare of Shame. Nova had nothing to offer either, with all of his concentration being put into lowering his head farther into his coat jacket and making his guilty smile ever-wider.
“...Maybe we could get a mascot instead. Some zany character to attract kids,” Lucky said. Then Spark turned her gaze to the teacher.
“That’s a great idea Lucky,” Spark said. Lucky was thankful she could breath again. “But where would we get stuff to make a mascot?”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Golden joined the line of customers. He was so proud of his clever idea.
“Hey what is this line for?” he asked.
“For veggie dogs dude,” the person in front of him replied. “What else for?”
“Hot...dogs,” Golden replied.
“I know, ridiculous right?”
Golden did a double take. That was not the response he had expected. Somehow he thought the person in front of him misunderstood something critical.
“No. I mean aren’t hotdogs tasty?” Golden said trying desperately to not vomit.
“Dude. I don’t like eating pigs. That’s some big bad mojo for you.”
“Have you ever eaten a hot dog before?”
“Nope.”
“Then how do you even know it's made of pig?” Golden asked growing more agitated at the person.
“Internet.”
Golden didn’t know what the internet was. But it angered him for being so accurate. He made a note to find out what the internet was. And then beat it to the ground.
“How bout you just try one?”
“Nope.”
“Doubt be like that.”
“No.”
Golden grabbed the person from the back and proceeded to choke him. The surrounding people gather around to try and get him off.
“Just eat one!”
“No!”
“Just one bite!”
“No!”
“I’ll take you and make you eat one you jerk!”“NO!” the person yelled stomping on Golden’s foot.
Golden’s grip loosened. The person having evaded his grip went off running. In the distance Golden could still hear the person yelling no at the top of their lungs.
Then the crowd dispersed to distance themselves from the boxer. Golden took a small joy in seeing he was respected to some degree.
“Uh, sir,” a delicate voice asked. Golden turned to find it belonged to the girl from behind the stand. “Would you like to order now?”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The three at the stand couldn’t help but wince at what they found in the back. All they could find was a mishmash of things. What they found could hardly be described as mascot material. Still they knew they had to make due with what they had.
Lucky took it upon herself for the task of dressing up. Nova went to help Spark try and get customers the old fashion way. By yelling at the top of their lungs at complete strangers. Surprisingly this attempt ended in failure.
“Well. We could try and find a megaphone.”
“One wasn’t in the pile.”
“Couldn’t you make one out of what’s left?”
“A stick of celery, long scarf, and a cane shaped like a question mark do not equate to a megaphone. I’m an inventor, not a magician.”
“Oh,” Nova said blushing. “Magic was my other choice.”
A long pause followed Nova’s statement, then the two locked eyes. An eternity passed with neither one saying a word.
“That’s really dumb,” Spark commented, chuckling.
“Yeah,” Nova agreed laughing himself.
“So how do I look?” Lucky said as she came up to the view of her teammates. She was now dressed in her new uniform.
Spark and Nova eyed the outfit. From Lucky’s neck was a long coat that fit for the king of vampires. While that was odd, it was nothing compared to what she held in her hands. In one of her hands she held a beach ball. And in the other a pogo stick.“Like a clown?” Nova offered. “Clowns can be mascots right?”
“You don’t like it,” Lucky said frowning. “I figured as much. There wasn’t much else there.”
“It’ll have to do,” Spark said leading the way.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“May I take your order, sir?” the girl asked again.
Golden mentally kicked himself. He didn’t expect himself to be exposed so suddenly.
“What makes you think I want to order?” Golden asked.
“You were in line,” she said beaming.
“No I wasn’t,” he denied.
“But I saw you.”
“No you didn’t.”
“B-,”
“Bye? Oh well if you insist!” Golden screamed as he ran back to the safety of his team’s stand.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nova stood at the stand by himself. Spark wanted someone in case the idea worked.
“So what should I do now?” Lucky asked.
“I don’t know, a trick?”
“What kinda trick?”
“I don’t know. Maybe just use the pogo stick to pogo?” Spark asked.
“Okay,” Lucky said handing the beach ball over to Spark to carry for the time being.
She then began hopping with her pogo stick, with each bounce sending her progressively higher and higher into the air.“Hey Lucky! Nobody seems to think much about this.”
Lucky looked around and sure enough a few people saw her. But none of them seemed to look for more than a second.
“I have an idea.”
“Oh really? What is it?” Lucky asked Spark.
“We got a beach ball. Maybe we should use it,” Spark suggested.
Lucky was caught off-guard for a second. That was a rather silly idea. Then again what she was wearing was already silly so maybe it was fitting. She gave an affirmative nod.
Spark hit the ball lightly into the air with her normal arm. Lucky bounced it as she hopped.
As Lucky continued to do so more and more people gathered around to watch the spectacle before them. They were amazed at the dexterity the teacher showcased.
“Wowie!”
“Dude that’s rad!”
“Anybody else hungry now?”
With that said all the humans turned to the nearby stand. Their stampede caught young Nova off guard. Many putting their arms on the stand didn’t help either.
“Everybody move!” Lucky shouted from her high position.
The crowd moaned and whined but they complied. Spark made her way beside Nova.
“Now get in lines of two. Then you’ll get your reward.”
“Lines of three you mean,” Golden said as he too showed up to stand beside his teammates. And oddly enough he showed up without his tank top on.
“And where have you been?”
“Sabotaging the competition.”
Nova looked at the VeggieCO stand. The two people attending the stand were noticeably absent.
“How’d you sabotage it?”
“Accidentally.”
“What do you mean accidentally?”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The young lady stood there surprised by the action of the young man.
“That boy is a bit of a coward. Ain’t he?” the man beside her commented.
“That’s not nice.”
“And not a lie,” the tough man added.
“Daddy,” she said disapprovingly.
“Okay. Okay. Anyway we should get to serving more dogs now right?”
“No.”
“No?”
“No. He is still ordering. And you know what I say about a customer ordering.”
“You won’t serve anyone else until your current customer has finished their order. And if not you won’t serve anyone for the rest of the day.”
“Exactly right, daddy.”
“You just wanted the day off didn’t you?” he accused.
“You can’t prove anything,” she said defiantly.
“I don’t need to. I’m a dad,” he pointed out.
Golden hadn’t meant to listen on that bit of dialogue but he couldn’t help feel bad about what he did. And it began to way down on him. Or maybe that was his tank top.
Golden looked to the right and left real quick. When he saw no one he decided to take his tank top off. He chucked it lightly. It landed two feet in front of the stand.
Now he didn’t have to feel his own spit on his chest anymore. It was starting to bug him. He would’ve continued walking if it wasn’t for the bad smell that came from his chewing. He knew the others would’ve whined about it.
Suddenly Golden heard an odd noise. He turned around to find his teammate wearing a cape while riding on a pogo stick and hitting a beach ball over her head. He had to get a better view.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Wow.”
“I know right?”
“You didn’t even do anything but take off a shirt.”
“I know right?”
“And you sabotaged them by doing nothing else.”
“I know right?!” Golden screamed joyfully. “They had this huge line from before that never got their dogs.”
“So you think they might come here?” Spark asked.
“That’d be great,” Nova said. “Though I think we have our hands full as is.”
They served the dogs from the magic box to the hungry populace. Still each member had to serve at least six people to deal with at one given time. And the crowd before them seemed to grow in size with each fulfilled order.
“This is gonna be a while.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It was late at night, and the sun had long since set when the crowd began to die down and Lucky considered stopping. But a few kids egged her on to continue more and more until all but one customer remained.
Thankful, Lucky stopped her hopping and returned to the ground. She made her way to the front of the stand. She found all her teammates were huddled over the stand sleeping.
Not wanting to wake them up from their slumber, she chose to serve the customer herself. She grabbed the magic box and withdrew a hot dog.
“Hey. I hope you like the hot dog,” she said grinning as she handed the hot dog to the customer. She was happy she did manage to sell at least one hot dog before the competition was over.
“Dude. You are awesome. This is like going to be my first dog,” the person said.
They stood there awkwardly not saying anything else.
“Anything else?” Lucky asked.
“No!” the person yelled running into the distance.
“Stop, I just wanna punch you,” Golden sleeptalked.
Lucky rolled her eyes. And gave the boxer a small pat.
XxX_Illuminati_XxX's Submission:
“Everyone ready for this?! Let's go!” Reneighah, with a certain cheerfulness skipped ahead to the hotdog stands, only to fall a few feet later. “Ugh, Thunder, how were you even able to stand in these stupid bodies?! I can't even walk ten feet toward.” She grumbled, ever so slowly standing up again.
Coalstone meanwhile seemed to be having less difficulty, thanks to his prior experience in the previous challenges as he walked, “It’s not as hard as you think, the main trick is learning how to balance on two feet. Best advice, try standing up completely straight and then walk slowly one foot after another and you’ll pick it up pretty quick.”
Around them they heard the stadium shifting, and in a moment the crowds roared to life. Both teams hurriedly stumbled to the sides and ran towards the small hot dog huts. Inside there was a counter and open wall for ordering, while behind a curtain the grilling stations. She looked at the four of them. “Okay, so space is pretty crowded in there, but I'm thinking we can have two of us selling while the other two cooking?” She looked inside the packages of pork skin, and had to suppress a gag. “Was he serious about this being meat?!” Her teammates nervous looks answered her question. She sighed. “Ok guys… Let's… Sell some hot dogs.”
“I can’t believe how disgusting this challenge is.” Sentinel said with a frown. “Being in this weird body is bad enough. I’m just lucky my hoo- er, hand eye coordination is the same otherwise we would have lost the batting challenge. I’m sure if I could do that, we can do this! The other team is facing the same limits we are. Just try to act like one of the humans and blend in. I’m not good at talking, and I don’t want any of you to have to smell them cooking so, I’ll be one of our cooks.”
Coalstone’s eyes scanned the various partons walking around the stand with a small look of apprehension, “Yeah this might be a bit of a problem, I’m not the best cook but my social skills aren’t exactly up to par. I can talk well enough, but talking with others, might be a bit tricky. Though I think I can manage if someone gives me a little help.”
“Okay then! Coalstone and I will take counter and you two will make the meals.” Reneighah quickly tossed the bag to the side and jogged over to the counter, opening the front window for business. Already a handful of the humans were waiting to buy some of the meat.
“Alright Candle Light, you ready to cook some hotdogs?” Sentinel asked while lighting up the grill. ”We can do this, just need to put some effort in and not throw up while we do it.” With that he started cooking some hotdogs for the humans outside. “Can’t be that hard right?”
It wasn’t long before the smell of hotdogs filled the room, and people were buying them as fast as they were being cooked. “Umm, team.” Sentinel began. “These are selling kinda fast. I don’t know if I can keep up on the grill. I need some more help!”
Coalstone meanwhile was trying his best to keep things orderly up front while taking orders from some of the parties, though it was quickly becoming apparent that there were too many people placing orders.
To an extent it actually got to where some people were cutting in line from each other and this of course led to arguments among the people.
“Hey I was here first you jerk.”
“Screw you pal.”
“Hey I need to be back at work in ten minutes.”
“If you don’t back off I’m gonna shove that briefcase up your ass.”
The screaming quickly got louder, making it more difficult for the people up front to be heard and in general just making it more challenging for the people in the facility to make decisions.
“This is getting out of hand, we really need to do something about these people before a riot breaks out.” Coalstone spoke to the Zebra beside him, who looked at the mob of angry people with a degree of apprehension.
“Good Idea, any clue how to do it?”
Seeing the people continue to argue and start to shove, Coalstone cracked his knuckles and shifted his neck from side to side, making the rest of the group sweat a little bit.
“Uh, what are you doing there Coalstone?”
The stone worker didn’t say anything as he quickly shifted from behind the counter and approached the mob of people and it was quickly drawing attention as Coalstone’s human form was rather larger in terms of size and muscle mass, which coupled with his wild hair style made him someone who’d catch people’s eyes.
He quietly stopped in front of the large crowd of people who turned their attention to him, all the while his colleagues waited to see what was happening, with Sentinel gearing up to take action if so needed.
One of the more rowdy customers sneered at Coalstone, “And what do you want buddy.”
Despite the obviously hostile tone Coalstone stood like a statue yet it was somewhat obvious he was restraining himself, if his tightly clenched hands were anything to go off of. With a calming breath he spoke.
“Everyone, we are more than happy to serve each and everyone of you, but there are only so many of us and causing this kind of commotion isn’t helping. If you could just move into two lines, both myself and my compatriot at the front desk will take your orders and move them along with optimum efficiency.”
Sentinel went back to cooking. “Thank you, I would have done it if you didn’t. Let’s hope it stays civil, I already have a hard time keeping up.”
Coalstone calmly returned to his original position as the various patrons started to act more organized. “Well if they don’t, can always act in a more aggressive manner.”
“I don’t think that’ll be necessary. They should listen now.” Sentinel said cooking more hot dogs. “Let’s hurry up and get this done. I don’t want to lose to the other side.”
Coalstone and the others nodded as they resumed their tasks.
“You know I’m kind of wondering something, do we have like a goal or something at this point. We’re selling hotdogs and everything and managed to avoid a riot, but other than that, anyone got a clue what we should be aiming for?” Coalstone managed to say while handing change to a patron.
“I don’t know, I just think we sell until we’re told to stop.” Replied Sentinel grilling another dog.
“I guess that’s as good a plan as anything, you I find it weird that a guy with Barbeque in his name doesn’t own restaurants that sell barbeque. You’d think he’d be more into ribs or something.”
“I think he would, and most likely does somewhere.”
At the mention of the God, Coalstone’s face quickly soured as his hand reflexively touched his cheek, remembering his last encounter with him, “Can’t believe I let that asshole sucker punch me like that and in front of Spark no less...guy just loves to make me look stupid.”
“He really loves doing that to ponies.” Sentinel added some more lighter fluid to the grill.
Coalstone’s hands tightened causing some of his knuckles to pop, “Just makes me all the more eager to when I can slam my fist right into his cocky face.”
“How much fluid do I add? It’s not as hot as it was earlier.” Sentinel asked as he added even more lighter fluid.
“Not exactly sure, I know how to cook but I’m no chef, pretty sure you don’t wanna go crazy and add the whole bottle though.”
“Hmm, a bit late for that. The bottle just stopped squirting.” Sentinel said as he dropped the empty bottle.
The eyes of the other team members quickly turned to the grill with looks of apprehension and fear.
“....Well this doesn’t bode..”
Didn’t even get a chance to finish as the grill started to erupt in flames.
“I can see why not to do that now! My bad everypony!” Sentinel took a couple steps back. “Is there an extinguisher anywhere?”
A quick sound of something being unhooked and a steady barrage of foam over the grill quickly answered that question, Coalstone holding the extinguisher, eventually releasing it when the flames had died down.
“...Well, that could have gone a little better.”
He quickly turned his attention to the patrons in the establishment who were looking a little unnerved, “I’m gonna just hope that no one got burned or hurt and is considering suing us right now right?”
After a couple of nods of affirmation answered his question he put down the extinguisher before walking over to Sentinel and then giving him a well placed smack in the back of the head. Not enough to really hurt, but still enough to get the message across.
“Hey, it seemed like a good idea at the time.” He said sheepishly rubbing the back f his head. “I didn’t know that would happen.”
“Clearly you’ve never heard the saying, The Road to Tartarus is paved with good intentions.” Quickly scanning over everything the stone worker noted what remained of their inventory, “Well the good news is that none of our stock got burned, though we’ll need to use the other grill so that might slow things down a little.”
“I’ll be a bit more careful with that one. Sorry it happened at all. Everypony is alright right?” Sentinel looked around to make sure every one of his teammates was safe.
“Hey everyone’s fine, no reason to worry about it, let’s just move things along.”
“Right.” Sentinel replied getting back to grilling.
Despite the setbacks the team still managed to sell most of their stock in the room, although the loss of a grill slowed them down.
Eventually the last customer left with a satisfied smile on his face, once the doors shut and the close sign was up, the four pony humans promptly sat down to relax after their rather productive day.
“Well, despite some setbacks, that could have gone a lot worse.”
Sentinel was cleaning the remaining grill. “I agree, although those damn things are still gross.”
The two remaining team members nodded.
Coalstone quietly stood up and dusted his hands, “Well as long as things go relatively well like this in the future I’d say we’ll go far in this contest. Now let’s beat it, I wanna go spend the rest of the day drinking soda by the pool and listening to the sound of the water moving. Not as good as the waterfall back home, but surprisingly very soothing.”
“Hell yeah!” Sentinel cheered. “Sounds like a plan to me.”
It was late at night and any leftover fans that would linger around after the baseball game were long gone. Although the big home team loss was a big discussion between the audience members the biggest discussion were the hot dogs that were sold between GOB Inc. and VeggieCO. While one was very meaty, very juicy, and was going to be a nightmare for anybody’s intestines, the other was healthy, yet bland but cost effective.
XxX_Illuminti_XxX and #Shrekt stood before GOB who had an eerie face. He looked like a disappointed father who had a lot to say and preach about.
“Let me say there is a reason why I only hire the best there is for my companies! And you people… Sorry, ponies.” With a snap of his fingers, the humans once ponies were turned back into their pony selves, and one into his dragon self. “See I hire the smartest, effective employees the universe supplies. I don’t hire people who scare away potential customers!” GOB sternly stared at Golden Horseshoes who shook a little at the god’s cold stare. “Or fools who manage to break expensive, top of the line grills!” GOB exclaimed as he looked at Sentinel. “Then again, one team managed to reach the $2,300 goal, and that team was…” GOB paused and glanced across each team.
“#Shrekt! Congratulations!” GOB exclaimed happily. But his happiness was short lived. “Golden, Nova, I’ll have to speak with you two later…” The boxer and dragon exchanged confused and worried looks. What did the god need them for? What could he possibly want to discuss?
“Illuminati… Not only did you not reach the $2,300 goal, you barely broke $500. In this business, especially when the stadium was at it’s fullest in over fifty years. Plus, you didn’t even attempt to sabotage VeggieCO! At least, Shrekt, as unorthodox as it was, they managed to distract and sabotage VeggieCO. To make it easier on you four, however, I will choose the two that are safe.” GOB said earning the attention of all the members of Illuminati. “Reneigah, Coalstone, you two are safe. Coalstone I’m impressed by the fact you managed to use civil speech to solve the crowd problem instead of mindless violence like you normally would. You’re learning, very slowly, but I’m proud.” GOB chuckled as the stone cutter growled at the god.
“I’ll leave you all to vote who will be eliminated from your team. Thunderbolt Sentinel, Candle Light, good luck.” With the snap of his fingers, the two teams were returned back to the mansion, Sentinel and Light being the only exception who were sent to the boardroom with GOB standing before them. Next to the god was a large television. He turned it on and the screen revealed Reneigah in what looked like a large closet. She appeared to be reading something with a stern and disappointed look. Candle and Sentinel watched with nervousness. What could she be reading? Suddenly she appeared to grab something with her mouth and began to scribble on paper. After about a second, she held up a single page of paper that read 'Candle Light'
"That's one vote for Candle Light. Sentinel, you're safe... For now." GOB said emotionless. GOB then switched the channel to reveal the stone-cutter; Coalstone sitting at one of the outdoor tables near the pool. He did the same the zebra did and read a page of paper and began to scribble with a pen in his mouth. He held it up and like the zebra's paper, it read Candle Light. Candle Light frowned, she was gonna lose, she knew she would. GOB finally turned the television off and glanced at the two teammates.
"Miss Light, do you know why you're here?" GOB asked.
"No, sir."
"Because I've been getting complaints from your teammates that you haven't contributed as much as they have, and today you didn't do much either. Candle you do an excellent job at what you do and I'm glad I hired someone like you, however, I'm very disappointed in you. I thought you would do better in the life of a blue collar. But I suppose the white collar life is more your speed. I'm sorry Candle Light, you have been eliminated. Remove your things from the mansion and report to my office when you have the time. You and I need to talk."
"Yes, sir." Candle said as she fought a tear. Sentinel rose from his seat and hugged the alicorn. Although she didn't do much, she tried her hardest and was the best she could be for the blue collar life. As Candle went to pass GOB to leave the boardroom, GOB stopped her and hugged her as well.
"You're a wonderful worker and co-manager Miss Light, don't worry. No tears now, tears only belong at home." GOB said in a fatherly tone.
"And not in the workplace." Candle said with a weak chuckle.
"There you go, now get your things from the mansion, and prepare for our little meeting." GOB said as he watched Candle leave the room. Then Sentinel spoke up.
"Excuse me, Mr. GOB, sir?"
"Yes, Sentinel?" GOB asked.
"May I ask something of you?"
"What could that be, Mr. Sentinel?" GOB asked.
"Do you like Candle Light, sir?" The guard asked. GOB let off a hardy laugh and smacked his knee.
"Oh don't be silly Mr. Sentinel, sure she's a pretty face, but she's hardly my type. Besides, just because we're both gods and it would make SO MUCH SENSE if we were to begin dating, it would never work out. I've been into the more risk-taking types. She's a good worker and a friend, but nothing further than that." GOB said with a smile. "Now then, have a wonderful night. Be sure to tell the others that the next challenge won't be for two days. Good luck, Mr. Sentinel." With a quick snap of his fingers, GOB sent Sentinel back to the mansion to explain himself.
Later that evening, GOB stood before the window that presented the VeggieCO headquarters. Behind him was the sound of an opening door.
"Miss Light?" GOB asked.
"Yes, sir. What did you want to talk about?" The alicorn goddess asked as she closed the door behind her.
"Earlier today I received an Email from the CEO and Chairman of VeggieCO. Apparently he's pressing charges for potential sabotage at the game today. That foolish boxer is going to cost me millions if I lose this case!" GOB said angrily.
"Sir, I've noticed you've been much angrier recently. Is everything OK?" Candle asked.
"Yes, as far as I know. However, I sense a great danger. Something that I think that will effect all of us Miss Light." GOB said.
"Is it something serious, sir?"
"I don't know yet, but make sure not to tell any other workers. Only inform Barrel Roll about my senses. Neither you or her will speak of this to anybody you hear?" GOB said sternly.
"Of course sir. What of the CEO and Chairman of VeggieCO? How shall we handle him?" Candle Light asked.
"Schedule an appointment with the man, I want to have a word with this Chairman..."
"Very well, sir."
Although I'm happy to have made it through, I'm sad to see Candle Light out. I'll be sure to be more careful in the next challenge.
Wait, Veggie CO? Did I miss something?
3723941 Go through the first couple episodes and it'll all be explained.
3723951 I had no idea that they were even a thing.
I swear to Gob, I'm going to come back here years and years later to see read these again, not even caring about the competition or anything. I'm just coming back for the humor and good times.
You know what you're providing, right? You're providing friendships, and good memories. That's an AWESOME thing to provide.
3723979 That was the main goal of these silly little contests anyway. To create and shape friendships and partnerships between users. I'm glad it works for you.
Golden are Nova are gonna get a whooping. My booty can feel it. Though I'm curious why Nova is included. Hmm.
yea,why am i in trouble, please dont hurt me, IM TO YOUNG TO DIE!!!3723999
Aw. Well, see ya lads. Good luck with the rest of the contest!