//------------------------------// // The Inventing Room // Story: Pure Imagination // by SYNTH4 //------------------------------// CHAPTER 12: THE INVENTING ROOM After the Oompa Loompas had parked the boat next to the dock, Pinkie and the others filed out. Love Tap had stopped puking, but still looked a little green. Button had to keep straightening her so she didn’t fall over. “Okay everypony, this way,” said Pinkie. She turned and headed up the small stairway. The group followed closely behind her. When they reached the top, Pinkie hopped over to a small stand near the doorway, which had a large button on the top. Pinkie gave it a hard slap, which caused the door to hiss and slowly open. Pinkie and the others passed through the door and a small tunnel. When they emerged on the other side, the whole group gasped. The room they were standing in was massive; at least twice the size of the chocolate room. Large pieces of machinery were scattered around the room, leaving spaces in-between to walk through. In other places were what looked like large chemistry stations; with bubbling beakers and steaming viles. Some of the machines had similar tubes attached to them, while others had sparking rods of magic. Apple Bloom looked above them to see how high the machines went. But she was surprised to see small walkways interlocking above them. There weren’t any railings, but the walkway seemed big enough that you didn’t really have to worry about falling off. As she took her eyes off the ceiling, Apple Bloom noticed a few Oompa Loompas walking around the room. But like the ones on the boat, they were different from the ones in the chocolate room. They each had a very dark blue coat, a lighter blue mane, and were all unicorns! Pinkie turned to look at her guests. “Now this is the most important room in the entire factory,” she said happily. “All major innovations in candy are made right here on a weekly basis. After that, they’re sent to their own room for further development”. “But what’s with the unicorns? I thought Oompa Loompas were earth ponies,” asked Diamond Tiara. Pinkie waved her hoof dismissively. “Oompa Loompas have similar genetics to ponies. So of course there’s more than just earth ponies”. “But how come there are only earth ponies in the chocolate room and unicorns here,” asked Rainbow Dash. “Simple,” said Pinkie, “each race works where their skill are best utilized. Earth ponies are perfect for harvesting the candy plants in the chocolate room. And unicorns, with expertise in magic and science, are perfect for working in a place like this”. Apple Bloom nodded; that seemed to make sense to her. Her family was made up of earth ponies, and they’d been farmers for generations. So if some ponies worked best in certain places compared to others, why not have them work there all the time. “Now, everypony can go and look at anything in the room. However, I ask that you please don’t touch anything. We don’t want any of our new experiments being ruined”. Pinkie waved her hoof around the room. The group dispersed; each going off to look at something different. Scootaloo and Button ran towards a large tank, which had another machine hovering above it. It had large pipes sticking out the bottom, and they would occasionally shoot something down into the tank. The two foals ran up to a large glass window on the side of the tank. On the other side, there were lots of little, colorful balls sitting at the bottom. An Oompa Loompa, wearing a breathing mask, was swimming around inside. He would occasionally grab one of the balls, examine it, and either teleport it away or set it back down at the bottom. Scootaloo turned around. “Hey Miss Pinkie,” she called, “what’s this?” Pinkie turned around and hopped over to the tank. “Oh, let me show you”. Pinkie hopped high enough to reach the top of the tank. As she did, an Oompa Loompa emerged from the water and floated one of the balls to her. “Thank You,” she said as she descended. Once she was on the ground, she turned to the others and held the item up. “These are Everlasting Gobstoppers; they’re for foals that have very little money to spend. You can suck on it all year, and it’ll never get any smaller. Never ever….at least I don’t think they do,” she said with a slight frown, “still needs a few more tests”. Pinkie tossed the gobstopper up and over the tank, after which it floated back to the bottom. This quipped the interest of Apple Bloom. “Miss Pinkie,” she asked, “why are the gobstoppers in that tank?” “Oh, because they’re not done yet,” replied Pinkie. “When a Gobstopper is shot into the tank, the inside is still in a semi liquid state. The cold waters helps to chill the inside until it’s hard”. The group murmured to themselves, then walked off to explore more of the inventing room. Pinkie made her way to a table filled with bottles of strange liquid. She grabbed a few and began pouring small amounts into a small cup. Rainbow Dash, Filthy Rich, and Love Tap watched as she worked. “Shouldn’t you be wearing rubber gloves when handling strange liquids Miss Pinkie,” asked Mr. Rich. “I agree; you’ll have the health inspector all over this place,” replied Love Tap. Pinkie snickered and began stirring the different liquids together. “Invention my little ponies is is ninety-three percent perspiration, six percent electricity,  four percent evaporation, and two percent butterscotch ripple”. “That’s one hundred and five percent,” said Love Tap. Pinkie finished stirring the liquid and gave it a taste. “Any good,” asked Rainbow Dash. “Hm….yes,” she said with an uncertain face. She placed the cup down and bounced over to a boiling pot near another machine. Diamond Tiara, Apple Bloom, and Button were standing next to it. A table sat close by, containing an assortment of different objects. Pinkie grabbed a small clock from the table and walked over to the pot. “Time is a precious thing, never waste it,” she said to the three foals. She then dumped the clock into the vat and bounced off. Diamond Tiara looked at the filly and colt beside her. “She’s absolutely bonkers”. Apple Bloom raised an eyebrow. “And how is that a bad thing?” Diamond Tiara huffed and walked after the candy maker. Apple Bloom turned to Button, only to find him swiping a candy from a nearby container. “Uh, Button, I thought Pinkie said not to touch anything”. “What,” he said with a shrug before popping the candy in his mouth. “I’m just trying some candy. It’s actually not that bad”. Apple Bloom just rolled her eyes and headed off to find the others. Button followed close behind, still chewing on the candy. They found the others gathered around another large tank. This one was more sunk into the ground, and was filled with a white creamy substance. But what was surprising was what was going on at the top. The largest whisk Apple Bloom had ever seen was sunk into the cream. At the top was what looked like a series of pedals that turned the whisk, which was moving around the tank. And the pony peddling those pedals was Pinkie. She had a big smile on her face and was singing a small song. “IN SPRINGTIME, THE ONLY PRETTY RING TIME BIRDS SING, HEY DING. A-DING, A-DING SWEET LOVERS LOVE THE SPRING….” Pinkie’s song was interrupted by a small explosion. The group looked over and saw Button fly across the room and smash into a stack of pots and pans. Love Tap screamed in worry and ran over to her son. He was lying in the heap looking dazed and confused, with white smoke rising from his mouth and nose. Pinkie sighed and shook her head. “I thought I told you not to touch anything”. Love Tap picked up her son and looked him over. “Button, what happened? Are you hurt? Tell me if you need medical attention!” Button let out a deep breath, blowing smoke over his mother’s face. When he was done, he was smiling like someone who was high on something. “Wow, that stuff sure packs a punch,” he said happily. Pinkie hopped off the whisk and onto the floor. “That’s exploding candy for your enemies. Great idea isn’t it? Still too weak though, needs more gelignite”. Apple Bloom suddenly had the faces of a lot of ponies she didn’t like popping into her head. She wondered if maybe candy like that would be out before she went on to High School. “Okay everypony, now I want to show you something really special,” said Pinkie. The group turned and followed Pinkie to a large machine. It had large tubes of different colored liquids attached to the top. Pipes and gauges were all over it, and pumps were near the bottom. Overall, it looked both like a complicated machine and a huge mess. “Now watch this,” said Pinkie. She hopped over to a small panel, which had a large red button on it. She pressed it, and everypony watched as the machine roared to life. The liquids flowed into it, and the pumps began….well….pumping. The gauges spiked in places, and the pipes groaned loudly. After a few seconds, a long rectangular bar slid out of the machine. It stopped right in front of Scootaloo, and with a hiss opened up. The group looked inside, only to find a single strip of gum lying in the bar. Scootaloo reached in and pulled it out, looking at it curiously. “You mean that’s it,” asked Button Mash. Pinkie looked like somepony had just cursed at her. “That’s it? Do you even know what ‘it’ is?” “It’s gum,” said Scootaloo matter-of-factly. “Wrong,” said Pinkie, shoving her head very close to the young filly. “It’s a stick of the most fabulous, sensational gum in the whole universe!” “What’s so fabulous about it,” asked Button. Pinkie pulled her head back and grinned widely. “This piece of gum is a full three course dinner!” Filthy Rich rolled his eyes. “I doubt I could feel full and satisfied with just a piece of gum”. “But that’s where the magic happens,” said Pinkie. “We’ve condensed the essences of three dishes into a strip of chewing gum. Just think; this’ll be the end of all kitchens and all cooking. Instead you can just go to the store, buy a pack of gum, and feed your family for a week!” “And put resturants and grocery stores out of business,” said Love Tap. Pinkie shrugged. “Hey, business is business”. Scootaloo eyed the gum, then looked up at Pinkie. “So Miss Pinkie, how many ponies have tried this gum?” “Oh, just a few Oompa Loompas”. Scootaloo smiled. “So no pony has ever tried this stick of gum?” Pinkie raised an eyebrow. “Uh….no”. “Great,” said Scootaloo happily. “Then I’m going to be the first pony to have a chewing gum meal!” Scootaloo raised the gum up towards her mouth. “WAIT!” The mare stopped, and the group looked at Pinkie. Her expression was a mix of worry and not-caring. “I wouldn’t do that, I REALLY wouldn’t,” she said nervously. “I haven’t quite got it right yet”. Scootaloo scoffed. “Please, I’m sure it’s fine”. She turned and grinned at Rainbow Dash. “Besides, if I’m going to be a winner like Rainbow Dash, I can’t be afraid of anything!” And with that, Scootaloo popped the gum into her mouth and started chewing. “How is it Scoots,” asked Rainbow? Scootaloo didn’t say anything immediately; she just stood there chewing. But soon, her eyes grew wide and a large grin appeared on her face. “IT’S AMAZING,” she said cheerfully. “Tomato Soup: I can feel it running down my throat!” “Yeah,” said Pinkie. Her mixed face was gone, and she now looked the same as she did when Truffle had fallen in the river. Her expression was disappointed, with maybe a hint of not-caring. “Spit it out”. Apple Bloom turned to Granny Smith. “Granny, why doesn’t she listen to Miss Pinkie?” “Because, dearie, she’s a nitwit,” replied Granny sternly. “Hey, it’s changing,” said Scootaloo. “Its….Daffodil Sandwich, with hay fries. Freshly picked and crispy!” “Yeah,” said Rainbow, raising a hoof in the air. “Keep going Scoots; you’re going to be the first pony in the world to have a gum meal!” “True,” said Pinkie. “I’m just a little concerned about the….” “BLUEBERRY PIE AND ICE CREAM,” screamed Scootaloo. “That Part,” finished Pinkie. Apple Bloom was getting more and more annoyed at Scootaloo’s unwillingness to listen to Pinkie. This was the mare that made everything around them. If she wanted Scootaloo to stop, then it would be in the filly’s best interest to stop. “...Hey, what’s happening to her muzzle?” Apple Bloom shook off her thoughts and looked back at the chewing filly. She looked okay….except that a dark shade of blue was moving over her face like a disease. Rainbow Dash gawked at the filly. “Your whole muzzle has gone blue!” “What,” asked Scootaloo. She moved a hoof over her muzzle, but it didn’t do anything. “What’s happening to her,” asked Rainbow Dash. Pinkie let out a sigh. “I told you I hadn’t quite got it right yet,” she said sadly. “It always goes a little funny when it gets to the deserts. It’s the blueberry pie that does it”. “Well how do we stop it,” asked Scootaloo worriedly. Pinkie shook her head. “We can’t, once it starts there’s nothing that can be done. And because of that, you all might want to step a few feet away from her”. The others didn’t need telling twice. They all took large steps back from the filly, who was now almost completely blue. Even her mane had turned a darker shade. Rainbow Dash was closer than the others, but still at a small distance. Scootaloo just stood there, watching the others with a look of fear and worry. Apple Bloom would have felt the same if she was in her situation. But that didn’t mean she would trade places with the small pegasus. Once the blue had reached the tip of her tail, something strange happened. Scootaloo began to swell up; like she was magically gaining pounds by the second. Her body continued to grow until it became circular in shape. And the more she grew, the more her legs sank into her body. The group watched in shocked wonder as the filly grew and grew until she was almost a complete circle. Her height was easily twice that of a normal pony, and she swiveled back and forth, waving her stump legs to try and gain balance. Pinkie walked forward, placing a gentle hoof on the enlarged filly. “You know, I’ve tried it on twenty Oompa Loompas and each one ended up as a blueberry. For a while I thought it was something to do with the fact they were unicorns. Guess I was wrong”. “Nevermind that,” scolded Rainbow, landing near the pink pony. “Scootaloo can’t stay a blueberry. How is she supposed to WIN?” “You could put her in a county fair,” commented Granny. “She’d take the blue ribbon no problem”. Pinkie and the rest of the group giggled, except for Rainbow Dash. She snorted, then flew up until she was eye level with Scootaloo. “Don’t worry Scoots. We’ll find a way to fix this, don’t worry about a….” Rainbow Dash stopped mid-sentence and lifted an ear. Apple Bloom, noticing this, did the same. She could hear the sound of humming beginning to rise around them. Soon, it turned into a large hum, and it was coming from above and around them. The group looked around, and saw Oompa Loompas encircling the bloated filly. Once they were fully enclosed, the Oompa Loompas began to sign: “Listen close, all of you, To the tale of Scootaloo! The gentle mare she sees no wrong In running, jumping, kicking, flying, And now chewing, all day long Running, Jumping, is that wrong? Kicking, Flying, not too long! And now chewing, all day long Yeah She goes competing till at last She’s almost just like Rainbow Dash! But does she know that’s kinda lame, Because those two are not the same! Running, Jumping, is that wrong? Kicking, Flying, not too long! And now chewing, all day long For years and years she trains away Her body get stronger every day Then by chewing that piece of gum, Her hard work is all but gone! And that is why we’re telling you, The Tragic Tale of Scootaloo! Running, Jumping, is that wrong? Kicking, Flying, not too long! Running, Jumping, Kicking, Flying, AND NOW CHEWING, ALL DAY LONG! As the Oompa Loompas finished the song, three of them behind Scootaloo ignited their horns. The large filly was engulfed in magic, and soon she started rolling towards the door to the chocolate river. The Oompa Loompas followed behind her, keeping their magic focused. While everypony else watched the filly get rolled away, Pinkie turned to one of the Oompa Loompas. “I want you to roll Scootaloo into the boat and take her to the Juicing Room at once”. The Oompa Loompa nodded, just as Rainbow Dash flew over to Pinkie. “The Juicing Room? What are they going to do to her there?” “There going to squeeze her,” said Pinkie, “like a little grape. We need to squeeze all the juice out of her before she explodes”. “EXPLODES,” screamed Rainbow. “Yes, but don’t worry,” said Pinkie calmly. “It’s a very simple operation”. Rainbow Dash looked like she was about to punch the mare in the face. But she was stopped when something poked her leg. She looked down and saw the Oompa Loompa Pinkie was talking to staring at her. He bowed and waved his hoof, indicating that the mare should follow him. Rainbow looked back at the others, then turned and followed the Oompa Loompa over to the door, which the others were trying to push Scootaloo through. The group watched as the two ponies left the group, leaving only six left. After a few minutes, Pinkie turned to the others. “I know that you all must be worried, but I assure you that Scootaloo will be back to normal shortly. So, I suggest we return to the tour. There’s still so much left to see!” Pinkie turned and trotted off towards another section of the inventing room. The group, while hesitant at first, soon followed behind her.