//------------------------------// // Chapter Three // Story: Flight of the Eclipse or PM's Adventure Soup (Serves 7) // by Mr Merritt //------------------------------// “I can’t believe it’s only been a month since we started work on her.” chuckled Featherweight. He and Peppermill were heading into downtown Ponyville for what was considered a last minute supply run to prepare the finishing touches on their secret project. “I have to admit…when this all began I…had my doubts. But now that…we are almost…finished I honestly…think we have accomplished…something special.” Peppermill had an infectious grin on his face as he thought back to all of the hard work he and his friends had gone through. It was probably the most physically demanding labour the chef had ever willingly taken part in. And yet despite every drop of sweat, every strained muscle, every pinch (and every tuft of fur lost due to said pinches) and poke he received, he couldn’t recall ever enjoying himself as much as he did in doing so. “I absolutely have to make sure to have my camera tomorrow when we unveil it. There are going to be some serious photo ops to take advantage of.” Featherweight rubbed his forehooves in anticipation at the thought. His pleasure was momentarily halted when he noticed the sudden change in direction the chef took them on. “Hey, where are we going?” “We are making…a quick stop at…the Carousel Boutique. I am…under strict orders…from Pipsqueak…” Peppermill gave the Pegasus a cryptic smile as he led them towards the dress shop. Within moments they were inside the inner sanctum of Ponyville fabulosity, in the presence of the beautiful Element of Generosity. “So, what bring a pair of gentlecolt callers here today hmm?” Truthfully, part of the unicorn mare’s good mood was the amusement she felt observing the stark contrast between the two colts sitting before her. Peppermill, as always, was a picture of calm poise and confidence. Of course, he had been before Rarity many times in the past, and was quite comfortable in her presence. The same could not be said for Featherweight, who would admit later that he had never been inside the dressmaker’s shop until that day. That blush is going to be permanently burned onto his face…poor boy… Indeed, Featherweight seemed unable or unwilling to tear his eyes off of the stunning older female pony before him. His little wings were stuck out and so rigid that Peppermill had to lean around them in order to properly address his older friend. “Well, actually we…are here on behalf…of Pipsqueak.” “Oh? And what does the little darling want of me?” The Apple colt squared his withers and spoke in such a fashion that it was obvious he was reciting from memory. “Lady Rarity is…cordially invited to…take part in the…launching of a special…vessel one day from…today. It would…be the crew’s…great honor if…she would christen our vessel…during the ceremony.” “Christen? What does that mean? And how the hay does Pipsqueak know about something like that?” Apparently learning about this recent turn of events was enough to shake the Pegasus colt out of his unabashed ogling of Rarity to face his friend in puzzlement. “Christening a vessel? My, that is quite an honor…” A thoughtful look came across Rarity’s flawless features. “I was not aware there was a ship near Ponyville…” “It’s…a long story. But…in any event…it would be nice…if you did come to…Sweet Apple Acres tomorrow…afternoon. We…that is to say me and Featherweight…and the other guys have…something of a…surprise for everypony.” “Well, I certainly cannot refuse such a request or an invitation like those. I would love to attend this little event. And I even know exactly the outfit to wear, though I wonder if it is proper to wear the same dress for two separate christenings…” Already focused on choosing her apparel and accessories, the two colts took their leave of Rarity though it took a few sharp nudges in the side of the Pegasus colt to get him moving. It was only when they were well away from the boutique that Featherweight seemed to fully regain his composure. “I suppose now…Spike has yet…another rival for…Rarity’s affections.” snickered Peppermill, watching as Featherweight tried in vain to fold his wings back against his sides. “N-no…” muttered the colt. “I was just…thinking…” “Thinking?” “Do you…do you think that Sweetie Belle might look like Rarity? When she gets older, I mean.” “Sweetie Belle?” This was the first time that the grey colt could recall ever hearing the photographer expressing interest in a filly. “Yeah, Sweetie Belle. Do you have a problem with that?!” snapped the winger pony crossly. “No…not at all. I am sure…that a cute filly like…Sweetie will…grow up into a…beautiful mare.” “Hmmm. Can we head to my house next? I want to grab my camera…and maybe get something to drink. Did you think it was kind of hot in there or was it just me?” *** Once the two colts had managed to collect the few odds and ends that were needed for the events of the next day, they quickly made their way back to Sweet Apple Acres. Little did they realize that they were being followed in silence by a very…interestingly attired filly. I cain’t believe this thing is actually working. And here I was thinkin’ Fluttershy was trying to make a joke…” When the shy Pegasus had offered the yellow filly the strange dark jacket-like article of clothing with the hood and blue rabbit ears and insisted it made the wearily stealthy and unnoticeable, Applebloom had her doubts. But so far neither her little brother or his friend had seemingly noticed her as she tailed the pair from the farm, to the Carousel Boutique, to Featherweight’s house and now apparently back to Sweet Apple Acres. Wutever they are up to, they now got Rarity involved. grumbled the filly to herself. So why cain’t Peppermill tell me? From the first day that her little brother and his friends had begun work on their mystery project at Sweet Apple Acres, they had made a concentrated effort to keep it as secret as possible. Only the boys and a select few with explicit permission (namely Big Macintosh) were allowed to go inside the old barn at any time. No pony who was not directly involved in the project knew anything about it. Applebloom had tried everything she could to find out what was going on inside that barn for those three weeks. No matter how sweetly she asked, Peppermill would remain silent. No matter how much she threatened physical violence towards him, he always called her bluff. All attempts at getting the information from the other colts came up empty. The boys had even gone so far as to seal up any gaps in the walls, nail down the windows and kept the door to the barn shut with a lock and chain that only the six colts knew the combination to. It all resulted in one very curious and furious filly. When she had spotted Featherweight and Peppermill leaving the farm for the town, she had decided to follow them in hopes that one or the other might finally let slip a nugget of information. After checking one last time that her ‘stealth suit’ was on properly she had followed, at a distance, as the colts went about their tasks. While she was grateful that the boys apparently didn’t spot her, the same couldn’t be said for the other ponies in town. More than a few could only stare, rub their eyes and shake their heads at the sight of the oddly dressed Apple filly shadowing the colts through town. Unfortunately none of the seemingly random items they had collected gave any indicator as to what may or may not have been happening at the farm. The only real piece of intelligence she had managed to get was when she had pressed her ear to the door of the Carousel Boutique when the two boys went to see Rarity. But just like Featherweight, the cryptic words and requests had left her with even more questions and a fouler mood than she had that morning. Tomorrow That was the single word mantra that throbbed in the filly’s mind as she followed Peppermill and Featherweight back to the apple orchard. Whatever had so important that her little brother had been keeping secrets from her would all be revealed tomorrow. Applebloom intended to be there herself, for no o0ther reason than to finally find out what the hay was going on. And maybe she could finally remove that lingering feeling that something bad was on the horizon