//------------------------------// // 5 Crimson Hues // Story: Alternate Beginnings: Year Six // by Doug Graves //------------------------------// February 7th, 998 "Well," Applejack says, a smirk on her face as she leads the way for the five leaving the hospital, "That went much smoother than Ah expected." "Yeah," Doug says, still a little shaken, "It sure was. I only nearly died from a heart attack. Very smooth." "Oh, come on," Pinkie Pie says, pronking along the snow covered road, "It wasn't that bad." "Pinkie, I was sure - as in, one hundred percent sure - you, the foal, or quite possibly both were going to die." -Flashback to fifteen minutes ago- Pinkie Pie is laying on a hospital bed, a hose running from a large canister of oxygen to her mouth. A towel covers her large lower half, the instruments in the room either beeping loudly or setting off alarms. Nurse Redheart is standing in the doorway, desperately trying to decide if she should run for help, try by herself to stop Pinkie Pie from attempting whatever it is she is doing, or cower in the corner from whatever it is Pinkie Pie is doing. Doug is next to Pinkie Pie, hugging the mare and saying "Pinkie, please, this is ridiculous. Please don't go through with it." Pinkie Pie takes a deep breath from the hose, attempting to not exhale any more than necessary as she says, "Come on, Doug, trust me on this." She holds her mouth around the hose, the front of her torso beginning to inflate. "Now you need to stand over there." Doug slowly backs off as Pinkie Pie pushes him away, wincing a little from the light kicks, "It wasn't that bad before, Pinkie, please. Just, do this the normal way. Okay?" Pinkie Pie ignores Doug, continuing to suck air out of the tank. Her front side becomes as large as her back side, the mare releasing the hose. She gulps several times, exertion on her face as her cheeks compress, the front of her body pushing to normal proportions as her back side further inflates. The towel draped around her pushes out with her body, her lower half still completely hidden from view. She bears down, shouting, "Okay, Doug, get ready!" Doug hunches down a little, ready to dart to either side as Pinkie Pie's whole body clenches, the towel shaking back and forth, her front hooves held next to her chest as her entire body shudders. A loud popping sound comes from the mare, a towel wrapped object flying across the room directly at Doug. He yelps, reaching out and catching the missile, pulling the towel back to reveal a healthy foal, her bright yellow body mysteriously clean for what is normally an extraordinary bloody affair. He says in a relieved voice as he wipes the cream colored mane to the side, a few dull yellow streaks showing themselves, "Please tell me you already went through this and you're just messing with me." Pinkie Pie shrugs, a wide smile on her face as the foal raises its forelegs in the air, waving them back and forth. Doug coos at the infant, wrapping one of his fingers around the tiny hoof. He smiles, the foal waving one foreleg back at Pinkie and the other taking Doug's hand and waving it in an arc through the air. Pinkie Pie pronks over, "Say hello to your Daddy, Meringue!" The foal smiles, giggling as she waves her hooves back and forth. Doug props her up so both of them can see Pinkie Pie, the mare moving in to nuzzle both of them. -End Flashback- "You know, Doug," Pinkie Pie says, her foal happily bouncing up and down on her back, "If you were easier to prank I wouldn't need to go to such outlandish lengths to try to get you." Her tail twitches back and forth, Applejack noticing and backing away from the two. Doug rolls his eyes, "Alright, I'll try to act more surprised when it-" He stops, dropping to the ground, looking wildly around. When nothing happens he looks up at Pinkie Pie, the mare's smile merely increasing. "Okay, Pinkie, what is it?" Pinkie Pie says, "I already got my prank on you, Doug. And I would say it was quite the success. After all, you didn't expect it was a prank until the end, right? And then you realized it was a prank, and that everything was fine, and life could go on as normal." Pinkie Pie nods to herself, "Yup, all the makings of a perfect prank." Doug looks over to Applejack as he recovers, saying, "And, well, because I was so worried about Pinkie Pie taking so long I missed a lot of time with you. Your foaling went smoothly, right? I'm sorry I wasn't around for it, especially the end." Applejack smiles, her colt bouncing on her back, "Eeyup! Smoothest one yet. But he's also smaller than Apple Bloom and Applebaum were, and that definitely makes it easier. Say hello, Pomarbo!" Pomarbo shies down, one eye nervously watching Doug while a foreleg covers the other. Doug moves over, one hand gently stroking the auburn mane. Two green streaks run through, a sharp contrast to the brown body. He flinches, cautiously pushing his head against the foreign fingers. "Hello, Pomarbo!" Doug says quietly, the foal warily looking up at the deep voice. Doug smiles, the foal shying away again. "Don't worry, there, everything's okay," Doug says, continuing to scratch his mane. "So, Pinkie, did you set up your own party this time?" Pinkie Pie hedges, "Well, it depends what you mean by your. And set up. And this time. Also, own." Doug rolls his eyes, "I take it that is a yes?" Pinkie Pie stands briefly, her muzzle curling to a smile while her forelegs splay to the sides, hooves bending out away from her body. Meringue barely holds on as Pinkie drops back down, the mare's rump bouncing up, Meringue rolling forward to rest on Pinkie's withers. The foal laughs as they reach the Carousel Boutique, the front doors opening to reveal a large number of ponies waiting inside. "SURPRISE!!" Applejack leads into the store, Pomarbo immediately hunkering down as many ponies gather around, offering their congratulations. Pinkie Pie follows next, Meringue wobbling as she stands up, big smiles in every direction as the mares congregate around. Doug walks through the doorway, most of the ponies still giving a cheer. Doug walks through the crowd of ponies, occasional greetings from a few of the mares. He spots Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy; both are standing near the back of the crowd of ponies, Doug joining them and standing off to the side as the crowd settles down, waiting for the next new arrival. Hedge, Fluttershy's year old foal is perched on her back, cautiously watching the action from behind one of Fluttershy's wings. Each greet him with quick nuzzles before going back to watching the entrance. Applejack and Pinkie Pie make their way to the side, joining three other mares who also foaled today. Carrot Top and Amethyst Star follow Applejack and Pinkie, continuing to chat, Pomarbo grateful to get away from the crowd while Meringue looks around at the new faces. Near them is the party for the fillies and foals born that day; none of his are wearing the colorful birthday hats, though Applebaum and Lemon are excited for the event tomorrow, when they will get to be the star of the show. Today, though, it is Diamond Tiara's turn to wear the hat. Spoiled Rich is standing nearby, chatting with Silver Set and Time Turner. Silver Spoon and the Apple trio - Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo - are each dancing to the music as Diamond Tiara glides between them, trying out different moves as the song comes to an end. "Okay," the pink earth pony announces, "That was... acceptable. But, you three need to work on your timing." The three Apple fillies glance at each other as Diamond Tiara continues, "You were in time with each other, but not with the music. I made it work, but you'll have to focus on that." Sweetie Belle says, "Okay, DT, you got it." Diamond Tiara gives a big smile, walking over to the turntable to prepare the next song. Scootaloo rolls her eyes, another round of glances between the trio; Scootaloo gives a quiet sigh to Sweetie Belle, "It's only for today, right?" Sweetie Belle gives a half-hearted grin, "Yeah, well, and every day after that, too." Scootaloo gives a grim nod as the two move into position for the next song. Silver Spoon moves over to Apple Bloom, quietly saying, "Hey, don't worry about it. I didn't think it was that bad. Just DT being DT, you know?" "Yeah, Ah know," Apple Bloom says, a quick glance to Spoiled Rich. "But, what can you do, ya know? The next song starts, the trio doing their best to follow Silver Set as the music blares, a quick dance beat. Another cheer echoes from the front of the store as the last of the mares expected to foal today walks through the doors. Doug watches the earth pony mare, a pinto colt happily riding her back, make her way through the crowd of ponies. She spots him as the ponies gathered at the front break up, returning to their herds and celebrating the new life. "Aye-up, Doug," she says in a Cockney accent, a hint of a smirk as she glances at Pomarbo and Meringue. "Two more mouths to feed?" "The more the merrier," Doug says, winking, "I hope everypony has been treating you well, Jay." Jay Squeak glances around, getting close as the accent drops, "Can't complain, though I am sad I need to leave for a spell. Back to Trottingham for a year or two. You know how the job can get to you, right?" Doug slowly nods, "Yup. Better to stay safe and sane, take breaks when needed, right?" He motions to the northwest, "I have to do the same from time to time as well." Jay Squeak glances at Fluttershy, the mare engrossed with her foal, then to Rainbow Dash, the pegasus watching her carefully. Jay looks back to Doug, her brown maned colt giving a happy wave to everypony, "Well, it's been a pleasure. Good day." Jay walks off as Rainbow moves over to Doug, asking, "So, who was that? Don't see many pinto coats around." "Jay. Just saw her a couple times around town. Came over to the house once." Doug shrugs, "Can't say much more about it." "Oh, okay." Rainbow and Doug walk to the foal section, spotting Rarity chatting with Spoiled Rich. Silver Set comes up to Doug, the white mare smiling and saying, "So, Doug, how has the party been so far?" She glances at Rainbow, a slight flick of the head; the pegasus takes the hint, walking to join Rarity and watch the foals dancing. Silver Set says, "So, Doug, thought more on what you wanted to do for Applejack? Five years is a pretty big number." "Well, she's never been that big on spectacle. And I was debating combining it with something for Rarity and Rainbow, since they joined the herd not long after." "Hmm, but Rainbow might like something grand, and Rarity definitely will be expecting something bigger. I dare say it might be better doing three separate events for each of them." Silver Set puts a hoof to her chin, considering the possibilities. "Unless you are just looking to get them a gift, as opposed to a big event." "Yeah," Doug says, his eyes shifting to watch the party, "Never been big on large events. Probably prefer something smaller scale. So, yeah, I think a gift would be best. Probably something small; I'm thinking something like a silver setting in the shape of their cutie mark with a gem the color of their coat." Silver Set smiles, "If you can get the gems in the next couple of days I should be able to put that together in time. I think it would be very nice." She glances at each of the mares, getting another look at their cutie marks. She remarks, "Filthy prefers the more intimate settings as well, though he has to get out there for the store. Leave it to Spoiled for the big parties." Spoiled Rich walks over, a glance to Silver Set before her eyes settle on Doug. "Good afternoon, Doug," she says after a pause, "I thought I heard my name. Looking to throw a large party, full of upper crust types? Doesn't seem like your type." Doug shakes his head, "No, that would be... something else." "Indeed." The two stare at each other for a few seconds before Spoiled Rich gives a polite nod, walking to a different section of the party. Silver Set gives an almost apologetic shrug as Amethyst Star and Applejack walk over. "Hey, Amethyst," Doug says, the two exchanging smiles, "Applebaum is looking for a rematch." "Any time, any place," Amethyst retorts, a nod at Rarity as the unicorn walks over. Silver Set smiles, a quick wave as she moves over to the foals. "Yes, darling, it would be wonderful to have you over again." Rarity smiles as she looks around, her eyes resting on Doug for a little longer than the others. He gives a polite wave to the group, making his way to the refreshment table. Amethyst Star moves closer to Applejack and Rarity, "So, I thought it went well the last time I was over, but then nothing happened. Is he looking to start something, or is he just being polite?" Applejack and Rarity glance at each other, Rarity saying, "Well, he can be a little hard to get a read on. Especially when it comes to, well, social cues. You have to be very direct with him, most of the time, as far as what you are looking for, and he'll be direct back. If you leave it up to him he's likely to push in ways you aren't expecting, and it might not be the way he meant. Especially if you want to start something more serious, or even to keep going and go further, but that's partly because of Spoiled Rich's restriction." "Got it." Amethyst Star smirks, "I hear he likes giving ear scratches, and they are pretty good if you five are anything to go by." "Oh, he's as happy as a pig covered in mud when he's covered by a pony." Applejack winks at Amethyst, "Ah'd avoid asking him for anything starting in, oh, three weeks or so. Even Ah have trouble around him then, if you catch my drift." "But before that is fair game? Hmm, might need to take him up on that," Amethyst Star says, returning the wink, the mares watching with smiles on their faces as Doug helps the foals gathering around him with their refreshments.