//------------------------------// // Chapter Six // Story: Dressed-Up Apples // by Mr Merritt //------------------------------// Things were finally begin to fall into place for the Apple boys, and not a moment too soon. Thanks to some help from Cheerilee, who supplied the essential prop and Rarity who directed the little chef to the necessary final touches Peppermill had devised what he felt was the perfect pair of costumes for himself and his older brother. Now, all they had to do was keep the rest of their nosy family from spoiling their Nightmare Night surprise. When Peppermill had presented his idea to Big Macintosh, the draft horse was initially uncertain of how they could pull off this stunt. But the more the colt described his plan, the more and more excited the Apple stallion became. It was exactly the sort of thing that he had wanted to try his entire life, but never had the opportunity to do. As a result, he was quite happy to spend every moment not at his chores with the colt preparing for the big night. In order to keep it a surprise, the boys had taken to using another unused barn on Sweet Apple Acres property. To make doubly sure of their secrecy the Apple girls had been forced to swear on the Apple Family Album (quite possibly the most sacred tome in the Apple clan) not to go snooping around said barn. This was a feat that was far easier said than done. “This is drivin’ me crazy.” muttered Applebloom, using a pair of binoculars to watch the barn from her room on the second floor of the farm house. “It’s already hard enough as it is to get Big Mac to give up secrets, but Peppermill is ten tahms as worse…” “Ah admit, ah didn’t expect those two to be so excited over something lahk dressing up. At least, not Big Macintosh…” agreed Applejack. The Element of Honesty, as it turned out, was just as frustrated at being left out of the loop as her younger sister when it came to things involving her family. “It don’t help that those two keep droppin’ all sorts of hints and such.” sighed the red-maned filly. “It’s lahk they are enjoying making us crazy.” “Don’t fret too much sugarcube.” Applejack patted her sister’s head. “We only got three days left before Nightmare Night. And ah reckon we got our own business to take care of, seeing as though ahm running the catapult this year.” “And me and the other Crusaders are working on a route that will get us the most candy in the least amount of tahm, so as we ken go see all of the costume contest. Ah ain’t gonna be happy till ah find out just what the boys are doin’…” *** “Look Big Mac…I know that you…can do it. Just try again…” “It ain’t nearly as easy as ya make it sound. I ain’t the talkative type…” “You make it…sound like I am like…Pinkie Pie…” “I reckon there ain’t no pony lahk Miss Pie.” “You are…smart enough…you just have to…actually say it instead…of keeping it to…yourself. Besides, I am…the one who…is going to have…a tough time. Making my voice…that deep makes…my throat hurt…” “Humph.” “Ok…let’s go on…to something else then. Were you…able to get what I…asked for from Rarity?” “Eeyup…but I reckon we are gonna hafta owe her for it. I reckon this much dye ain’t cheap. At least these little trinkets from Miss Twilight seem straight-forward.” “You know…Rarity would never accept…money from us. She is far…too generous. And she…likes you.” “Yeah…she and every other mare in town ah reckon.” “And look at it…this way, when this…is all over you’ll…probably been even…more popular than…you already are…” “Ah ain ‘t all that keen on being popular…” “Still…” “Humph.” “Big Mac?” “Eeyup?” “You aren’t getting…cold hooves about all this…are you?” “Heck no! Ah jus’ didn’t think getting dressed up fer Nightmare Night wuz gonna take so much…well, work.” “The costume is…only part of it. Think of it…like acting in a play…” “Actin’?” “It is one thing…to look like…a different pony. But it…is something else to…think and act…like one.” “You know, you sure seem to be takin’ this all serious-lahk…” “I guess I just…always wondered how it…would have been if…I wasn’t a chef. Being this…mature and charming…can take its toll…on a colt.” “It ain’t easy being you huh?” “Eenope.” “Naw, naw. Ya gotta make that first syllable longer and the second shorter to do it right…” “Now who is…taking things too…seriously…”