//------------------------------// // Go fish // Story: The Potion Shop // by Ashfur //------------------------------// Twilight Sparkle was not having a good day.  For starters, her mane was an absolute mess. Add that to the fact that the pony she had come to see had turned her away at the door, and she wasn't in a good mood. "Spike," she turned to her assistant, who got out a quill and scroll on instinct.  "Take a letter. Dear Princess Celestia, today I approached that new alicorn I recently read about in the newspaper.  I wanted to find out what caused his ascension, as there have not been any major events recently like the ones my friends and I have faced.  But he turned me away at the door citing his business as to why he couldn't talk, and gave me a potion that resulted in… well, the barber shop seemed unfazed by it, at least.  I ask your advice on how to approach this new addition to the alicorns, as he appears to have gone slightly power-mad with his newfound skills. Sincerely, Twilight Sparkle." Spike the dragon finished scribbling down the letter and prepared to send it off, but before he could inhale to prepare his fire breath, an alabaster hoof snatched the letter from his grasp.  "Oh, a letter for me? I haven't gotten anything from you recently, Twilight." Twilight spun around to find her mentor and current princess of the sun, Celestia, smiling down at her.  She was dressed in, of all things, a fishing vest and carried several rods and other fishing equipment with her.  Standing behind the regal alicorn were Mage Meadowbrook and a pegasus mare she didn't recognize. "Twilight, dearie, it's been ages!  Come here, let me get a look at you."  Meadowbrook stepped forward and gave Twilight a quick once-over.  "Dearie, you definitely look like you had a run-in with my colt. Want to come fishing with us to unwind?  I know he's quite the hoofful. Oh, and where are my manners? This is Juniper Berry, she'll be joining us today." "It's an honor, your majesty,"  Juniper said as she bowed. Twilight dismissively waved a hoof.  "Oh, don't worry about formal titles.  Call me Twilight! And if you're all willing to have me, I would be happy to tag along!  Celestia, can we perhaps talk about that alicorn later?" "I was actually going to speak with you about him soon.  And these two know him personally,so I'm sure they would be happy to warn you about Arca's… eccentric behaviors." Juniper groaned.  "I swear, even on my days off he gets involved." The deep blue waters of crater lake shimmered in the midday sun as four ponies (plus royal guards) stood on the deck on a rented fishing vessel. "So he's pretty much Pinkie Pie, but an alicorn." "That's a good way of putting it, yes." Twilight cast her line out again with another question.  "And he's older than Cadence?" Juniper reeled in a fish, letting it go quickly.  "Meadowbrook raised him, so I can say with certainty that he was around before the elements of harmony." "And he travelled from the past the long way, like I did, so he is a bit dated in his attitudes,"  Celestia added. "And remember, he won't remember you unless you buy something from him." The group continued fishing in relative silence for a bit, occasionally swapping stories about their daily lives, their friends, and their jobs.  It was peaceful. Meadowbrook sat down for a minute to relax.  "So, Juniper, you pretty much live here, with this lake at the base of the cliff the town is on.  Why's it called Crater Lake?" Twilight's eyes lit up and she entered 'lecture mode' instantly.  "Oh, I know this! This lake used to be a mine in the early days of Rainbow Falls, until a Gryphon airship crashed in it and destabilized the mine's structure.  The ship's still down there, probably laden with gold, gems, and ancient artifacts that could be worth a fortune!" Celestia giggled.  "Mostly right, Twilight, but part of that is a lie to prevent anypony back then from knowing how strong Arca is.  Remember what I told you about the townsponies trying to run him out of town after becoming an alicorn?" "So what really happened?" Juniper chimed in.  "He changes the story every time, but the only thing he keeps consistent is that there never was a mine, and the crater is from him fighting something.  He told me he suplexed a hydra hard enough to make the impact." Celestia gave a quizzical look.  "That's a new one. He told me that he summoned a meteor to beat a dragon… but he told Luna that he defeated a Roc with 'an admittedly excessive amount of dynamite'." "Nah, I totally beat a Golem with a super giant mega lazer blazer attack!" Everyone on the ship jumped in surprise at once.  "ARCA?!" "Heya!  How's it going, folks?"  Arcane, who had suddenly surfaced from the water with nothing but a wet lab coat and a snorkel, grabbed the side of the boat and pulled himself up… before proceeding to shake off like a dog, soaking everypony.  "Ah… much better! Now then, permission to come aboard, Captain Princess-boss?" "Ugh… you might as well." "Yay!"  The damp stallion totted gleefully over to Meadowbrook and gave her a hug, which she reciprocated without complaint.  "Hi, mom! I missed you! And I found a cool thing! Look!" Lighting his horn, Arca levitated a large treasure chest out of the water.  It looked old, and valuable. "I found this down at the bottom while snorkeling." Juniper stopped him.  "Wait… this lake is 300 feet deep.  No snorkel could reach that far." "That probably explains why I couldn't breathe, then.  Thank goodness for my oxygen potions!" He held one up to show off the concoction. "That's an empty bottle." "No, it's an oxygen potion.  Big difference." "WHAT?!"  The group suddenly turned to Twilight, who had opened the treasure chest.  "Why is this thing filled with KELP?! Where are the ancient coins? The gems?  The historical artifacts?" Arca shrugged.  "Oh, you mean that shiny stuff?  I ditched 'em to make room for the kelp.  I needed ground up kelp for some potions, and fresh ingredients are always better!" Twilight facehooved.  "Dear princess Celestia, I give up.  Please send cider."