Chapter 9: Improvvisato
"That one looks like a bird."
"No way, Sweetie! It is clearly a hippo!"
"Scootaloo, that doesn't look like a hippo. It's more flat."
"Applebloom, what does that even mean?"
"Ah dunno, sounded better in my head ah guess."
Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo lazily laid on the ground, staring into the sky. A small clearing by Sweet Apple Acres seemed to be a good spot for just letting your troubles disappear, though the three friends didn't seem like they had any to begin with. Their relaxation time was cut short though, as Applejack approached them.
"Good afternoon, girls. Ya'll not causing any trouble?" Applejack asked as she smiled.
"Of course not, sis." Applebloom said as she sat up to look at Applejack. "We were just staring up at the clouds...does that could look like a hippo?" she asked. Applejack looked up at a cloud and tilted her head to try and see it from a different perspective.
"Ah don't think so. It looks like a dog to me, but it doesn't really matter." Applejack said. Both of the other girls sat up and looked over at Applejack now.
"What do ya mean it doesn't matter?" Applebloom asked, both Sweetie and Scootaloo looking curiously as well.
"Well it does, and it doesn't. Ya see girls, it is a matter of how ya look at it. Ya see what you want to see the most, no matter the way it actually looks. That is what makes them clouds such a nice thing." Applejack said, looking towards the sky.
"That...was beautiful." Another voice said approaching. Applejack turned her head towards the voice, seeing Catacomb staring a mere inch away from her face, grinning. She nearly fell as she stumbled backwards in surprise, breathing heavily.
"Darn it, Cata! Don't do that!" Applejack yelled at the now laughing Cata.
"Oh wow, AJ. Ya should have seen your face, it was all...wait, better idea!" Catacomb shifted his face and hair to resemble Applejack, though still wearing his usual suit. In doing this, he mimicked the face she made to her the best he could, causing Applejack to turn a bright red. He turned back, laughing even harder, not noticing the three young girls surrounding him. He looked down at the girls as they all stared at him with shock and awe. "Umm...can I help you?" He asked, slightly concerned.
As if it was rehearsed, all three of the started speaking. "Wow! How did you do that? That was amazing! Is that a magic spell?!" They stared at him wide eyed with wonder, Catacomb not really sure what to do.
"Yes, it is a special magic spell!" He quickly said, regretting now using his shape shifting in front of others. Applejack quickly rushed to the aid of Catacomb.
"He was just practicing his special magic. He showed us all that the other day, right Cata?" Applejack said, chuckling nervously. Catacomb nodded quickly.
"That is so cool!" Scootaloo said. "Can you do Rainbow Dash?!" Catacomb nodded, causing the small girl to practically squeal.
"I can do that for just about anyone." Catacomb said proudly.
"Wow, yer just like a changeling, then." Applebloom said. "I'm sure yer not, though. A changeling isn't dumb enough to do that in front of other people." Even though Catacomb was smiling, that one hurt. The girls went back to staring up at the sky, leaving the wounded Catacomb alone with Applejack.
"Cata, I was wonderin'...what are you doing over here anyways?" Applejack asked.
"Nothing." Catacomb shrugged. "Just felt like taking a look around, mainly because I am bored." Catacomb shrugged, looking around.
"Well if yer bored you can help out here if you want." Applejack said, grinning slightly. Catacomb looked at her like she was crazy.
"I am not that bored." Catacomb said plainly.
"Why not? What do ya have better to do today?" Applejack asked.
Catacomb grinned, staring at her. " I doubt you wanna know." He said, walking towards the farms large field of apple trees.
"Ya know, I don't think so either..." Applejack glared slightly, recalling what he said after leaving the bar the other night. "Well, a hand would be nice though, if ya want. I have to get back to work. Are you sure you don't wanna help?" Catacomb looked at her and gave an even larger grin.
"Depends, what do I get out of the deal?" Catacomb said, pulling off his hat and twirling it around his fingers.
"Well, I don't think we can offer ya anything besides a hot meal afterwards, if yer interested." Applejack said meekly, looking away from Catacomb.
"Do you need the help?" Catacomb asked, slightly concerned for her.
"Well, my brother went and did something stupid, so now he has to rest up for a few days, so I have to do this on my own today." Applejack said sighing. Catacomb nodded and walked over to her.
"What happened?" Catacomb asked.
"Dolt went and got drunk and tried to lift a cart to impress a group of girls, and hurt himself in the process." Applejack said, causing Catacomb to start laughing. "Hey, it's not very funny! Because of him, I'm stuck out here by myself." Catacomb calmed himself down, though still giggling slightly.
"Sorry, just seems like something I would do." Catacomb admitted. "Ok, so I give you a hand, ya give me food. Deal?" Catacomb stuck out his hand, which Applejack gladly shook.
"Thanks, partner. I wasn't lookin forward to the afternoon harvest." Applejack said, smiling.
"Right, right. Don't mention it...ever. I got a reputation as a slacker to uphold." Catacomb said, giving Applejack a coy smile.
"Well then, let's get to work!" Applejack said, marching towards the orchard. Catacomb followed shortly after, sighing slightly. At least he wouldn't be bored.
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The sun was setting, finally signaling the end of the work day for Applejack and Catacomb. The two walked, or in the case of Catacomb, dragged themselves towards the house. Catacomb looked tired, starved, and confused.
"...And you do this on a nearly daily basis?!" Catacomb said, slightly amazed. Applejack casually strolled onwards, not saying a word, but the cocky smile on her face said it all. "Well someone is full of themselves. At least this explains why you punch so hard." Catacomb said, smiling as well.
"Yeah, it's hard work, but at the end of the day, the feeling of accomplishment makes it worth it." Applejack said as she turned her head. "Though from someone who has worked with Perry, yer not very strong."
"Strength isn't everything. What I lack in power I make up for in skill and smarts!" Catacomb said proudly. "Besides, if I wanted to I could easily beat ya." Catacomb said with a cocky tone.
"Them are fighting words, partner." Applejack said, turning around towards Catacomb. He straightened himself up and grinned.
"They might be, they might not. It is fine if you don't feel like it, though. I just find that after a hard day, some friendly running relieves some stress." Catacomb said, watching Applejack. She had a grin on her face as well. "What do you say, race to the house?" Catacomb finally declared his challenge. Applejack nodded, not being a slouch when it came to speed as well. On foot, she could almost even keep up with Rainbow, so this was in the bag.
"Works for me. Care to make it interestin?" She asked, stretching herself out to get ready to run. "If I win, ya gotta help me out tomorrow as well, of course you will get meals as well." Applejack said. Catacomb's grin could only grow wider at the prospect of a wager.
"Fine, but if I win..." he got close to Applejack, causing her to back away slightly. "One...kiss." She changed several shades of red, as she glared at him. She cooled off though, and sighed.
"Fine, What ever." She said, her confidence starting to shake slightly at the stupid condition, but yet one she would rather not go through with. "Just a peck though."
"Talking about what you will do if ya lose? Where did all that confidence that I had just seen go?" Catacomb said as he smiled towards the slightly embarrassed Applejack.
"Oh don't you worry. I still have it, and because of that I'm gonna work ya into the ground." Applejack said, getting ready. Catacomb walked up next to her and did a few quick stretches of his own.
"Last chance to back out, AJ. I promise I will not think any less of ya if ya do." Catacomb said.
"Getting nervous?" Applejack said, grinning somewhat even though she was nervous herself. Catacomb simply smiled and shifted his stance into a running position.
"I just have one favor to ask before we do this." Catacomb said, looking over at Applejack. "Can we still be friends afterwards?" Applejack found this request to be strange. She simply nodded and began the countdown.
"Three." She bent down lower, getting ready for the takeoff. Catacomb remained in his position, waiting.
"Two."
"One..."
"GO!" Applejack was off, sprinting like she never sprinted before. Her legs were pumping at full speed and looking backwards slightly, Catacomb wasn't even visible behind her. She smiled as she continued to run towards the house as fast as she could. She was going to win this thing. She was sure of it, until the house came into sight. Catacomb was sitting on the steps, waiting for her, taking a few deep breaths, but none the less he was the winner. She slowed down to a slow walk, catching her breath and staring in complete astonishment at what she had seen, or in this case had not seen. She started to get angry and stormed up to him.
"YOU...YOU CHEATED!" Applejack yelled, her face glaring at the slightly surprised Catacomb. "You used your magic dohickies, didn't ya." Catacomb quickly shook his head, standing up.
"I swear, no magic." He opened his jacket, his rune guns no where to be seen. "I left them back at the house, and even if I did use a teleport shell, you would have heard it go off." Catacomb was slightly annoyed by the accusation, but understood where it was coming from. Applejack tried to say something, but she could tell that he wasn't lying, from the look in his eyes and the way that he spoke. He was a terrible liar normally.
"...How..." Applejack said slowly.
"How? Well, it is just was I was trained to do." Catacomb said. "T.E.S.T. members are selected through a variety of qualities. Perry, being a primary fighter, is versatile. Shining, though good with magic, is overall strong. He hits and doesn't let an attack through his barriers. Reader is highly gifted with magic, and if he tried hard enough, he could spy on the entirety of this town at the same time. Me, well I am meant to enter undiscovered and quickly take the place of someone else. To do that, I had to be fast. I promise you AJ, it is no trick..." Catacomb said. Applejack looked at him, only able to nod slowly. He approached her and smiled slightly. "And now I do believe you owe me something." Applejack turned a bright red and looked away. She wanted to say no, but she lost fair and square. She grimaced and closed her eyes as Catacombs face slowly approached hers. She opened her eyes in surprise when he planted a quick kiss on her forehead and backed away.
"...That's it?" Applejack said, startled.
"Well, sounds like you are actually disappointed." Catacomb said, leaning back in. "If you want another I would be happy to." Catacomb said, puckering up his lips and quickly moving towards Applejack. She held up her hand and held his face at a distance.
"Sorry, sugarcube, but ya had yer chance." Applejack said coldly. Catacomb sighed, looking towards the door of the house. "So, are ya hungry or what?" Applejack asked Catacomb. He looked over to Applejack and his stomach rumbled, causing both him and Applejack to start laughing. As soon as they stopped, both looked over at each other, Catacomb smiling.
"Well then, let's eat. Running like that on an empty stomach hurts." He said to Applejack. She nodded and walked in, Catacomb following close behind. He looked around the place, simple but cozy, and had a happy family charm to it. Catacomb wandered the living room, looking at pictures of the entire family, from Applebloom's baby pictures to a more recent one. Applejack walked up to him, looking over his shoulder.
"We had that one done a year back." she said, reaching around to pick up the picture. She pointed to an elderly looking woman with her grey hair done up in a bun. She wore a large and slightly bulky green dress and an apron that was unnecessarily large. "That there is Granny Smith. She pretty much raised me and my siblings for most of my life." She pointed to the only man in the picture. He was well built, with neck length blond hair, and wearing a red flannel shirt and jeans. "And this here is the lug you were filling in for. His name is Macintosh, but everyone just calls him Big Mac. Speaking of him, I need to see if he is hungry. Why don't ya just head into the kitchen and see if Granny needs any help."
"Why not. I'll go and see what I can do." Catacomb said as he walked into the kitchen.
The kitchen itself was simple, but in a charming sort of way. He looked over towards the table, and then towards the stove, where the same old lady from the picture was standing. It was hard to tell how old she was, but there was a good chance she assisted on the invention of rocks. Catacomb walked up to her and smiled.
"Excuse me ma'am, I was wondering if..." His inquiry was quickly interrupted with a ladle being pointed at his face.
"I don't know what yer sellin, but I ain't buyin!" Granny Smith quickly declared, causing Catacomb to back away. "Who in tarnation let ya in? APPLEBLOOM, DID YA LET ONE OF THEM THERE WANDERIN SALESMEN IN AGAIN?" she yelled out, causing Catacomb to work hard at stifling a laugh. A soft thud was heard from up the stairs, followed by the quick patter of feet. In a few seconds, Applebloom stood there curiously. She looked over to Catacomb and smiled.
"Granny, that ain't a salesman, that's just...um...Catapillar?" She said, unsure if she had his name right. He sighed, finding him being compared to a small insect didn't make him all that thrilled.
"Caterpillar? What a strange name." Granny Smith, now pointing the ladle away from Catacomb, said to Applebloom.
"Excuse me, but it's Catacomb." he corrected the two, his response causing Applebloom to blush in embarrassment.
"Oh my gosh, I'm sorry. Everyone just calls ya Cata, so I kinda forgot." Applebloom said apologetically.
"Don't worry, kiddo. I understand." Catacomb looked towards Granny Smith again and held out a hand. "Now that we have been formally introduced, the name's Catacomb. I was helping your granddaughter in place of her brother today."
"Why aren't you a nice one." she moved towards Catacomb and gave him a fairly strong hug. "Don't be shy! Any friend of both of my granddaughters is a friend of mine." Catacomb was slightly taken aback by the odd forwardness, but continued to smile to be polite.
"Applejack went to get Big Mac, so she asked me to offer you a hand. Anything I can do to help?" Catacomb said. Granny Smith quickly shook her head.
"No no, yer a guest here!" She started to push Catacomb towards a chair at the kitchen table. "Sit down, dinners done anyways, just gotta get it on the table."
"Are you sure?" Catacomb asked, taking a seat anyways.
"Of course, sonny!" She said, smiling happily. Applebloom went to sit down as well, but was stopped by the ladle. "You, on the other hand, can help set up the table."
"Yes Granny..." Applebloom said unenthusiastically. She quickly grabbed plates and glasses and placed them around the table, followed by the silverware. As soon as the table was set, Applejack, helping a sore Big Mac, walked over towards the table. She seated her brother first next to Catacomb, before taking a seat herself next to Applebloom, and Granny Smith at the head. Catacomb and Big Mac looked at each other for several seconds, not saying anything. Applejack coughed, grabbing both of their attentions.
"Big Mac, this here is my friend, Catacomb. Cata, this is Macintosh." Big Mac held out a hand to Cata, who took it and shook. Apon releasing, he shook his hand slightly, chuckling.
"Gotta handshake like a friend of mine. Anyways, nice to meet ya." Catacomb said.
"Eeyup. Nice meetin ya too." Big Mac responded. "So Applejack says yer going to be helping out tomorrow as well?" Catacomb's eyes widened slightly, raising an eyebrow as he stared at Applejack, who's sly grin was only noticed by him. Almost made him remember why he never gambled. Never could win, no matter what.
"Yes, of course. She is very convincing when she want to be." Applejack could almost feel the stare he gave her as he said that.
"Thank you again, Cata." Applejack said sweetly.
"Always willing to help..." Catacomb said blandly. She simply smiled and started plate up her share of the food. Catacomb sighed in defeat, and figured to just enjoy the meal as well. Not often that you can eat classic style gumbo, so at least he could enjoy that.
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The dinner went well, with the occasional death glare from Catacomb to Applejack. He had a nice conversation with the family in general, finding out about the history of Sweet Apple Acres and the Apple family. He overall enjoyed the feeling of love between the family, only barely able to resist sampling it for himself. This made his gumbo disappear faster than what some people thought possible, but thankfully Granny Smith always made too much. Catacomb said his goodbyes and reluctantly promised them all he would see them tomorrow. Waving as he walked away, Catacomb started to head back into town, the sky growing dark as night fell. As much as he enjoyed it, he knew that all he had to look forward to was more hard work the next day. It would be nice to get some help, though. He could tell she only wanted to do the work with someone to talk with. He could understand doing something by yourself can be depressing. Catacomb had a great idea to remedy the situation, and he knew just the guy to get it done. Catacomb smiled to himself as he walked through town, planning and scheming for the day to come, and loving every minute of it.