//------------------------------// // What's This? // Story: Such Horrible Things // by dramatic_spoon //------------------------------// Stratos stared into the mirror, looking over his costume: the red cape covered his wings, while the fake helmet sat awkwardly on his head, finally, the cloth “armor” hung loosely to his body. He picked up the fake foam and plastic hammer as something landed on the floor behind him. Cumulus popped up in the mirror: her mane dyed blond as opposed to their usual white, with a small pair of pointed horns sticking out of her wild mane of hair. Both of her cheeks had little hearts painted on them as well. Stratos turned around to look at his sister in full. The red filly wore a green dress, striped knee-high socks, a star pendant and a little winged wand. “….Mom let you dye your mane?” Stratos frowned. “Yep.” Cumulus grinned. “Alright you two,” Cloudchaser and Big Macintosh trotted down the stairs. Cloudchaser’s mane held a dyed grey streak, and wore a matted black corset and dress. A tray hung around her neck, a fake pie sitting on it. Big Macintosh also had a grey streak in his mane, coupled with a long sleeved white shirt, black vest, with a fake blood splattered handkerchief and straight edge razor tucked into his belt. “…Dad, how come you’re dressed like a homeless pony?” “Told you they wouldn’t get it,” Cloudchaser nudged her husband. “Anyway, We oughta get th’ two o’ you t’ Dash’s place.” --- Stratos knocked on the door again. It opened, revealing Turner with a bowl of candy. “...Oh, it’s just you. Temp’s almost ready.” “Dash ran off already?” “She did. I told her I’d catch up after Temp left.” “What kinda costume y’got anyway?” Mac asked. “I was going to be Thunderball.” “Again?” Cloudchaser frowned. “Dash like it.” he shrugged. The door creaked open as Temporal Spectrum stepped out. Gone was her bright rainbow scarf, replacing it was a light brown suit top, red checked shirt, striped green tie, leather coat and red hat. She pushed up her glasses and joined the others. “...Who’re you supposed to be, Tempy?” Cumulus asked. “Dirk Gently.” “What’s that?” “It’s the main character of a novel I like.” “It’s a detective novel,” Turner added, “Well, Have fun, Sweetie. Look for your mother.” “What did your mom dress as anyway?” Stratos asked. “She decided to take one of the old wedding dresses, splatter red paint on it and be a zombie bride.” Stratos grew pale, “It’s not like last year’s zombie costume, is it?” “No, too many people complained to Mayor Mare, so she put Zombie Princess on the list of costumes ponies can’t use.” “There’s a list of costumes that got banned?” Cumulus interrupted Stratos. “Like what?’ “Zombie Princess, Discord, and Sumo Wrestler,” Temporal paused, “Don’t ask. “...Tempy, You’re smart. How come my dad’s dressed like a homeless pony?” Cumulus asked. Cloudchaser stifled a laugh, as Big Macintosh snorted. “...Your Dad is Sweeney Todd. Your Mom is Lovelet Pie. They’re the main characters from the story The String of Pearls, which got adapted into a musical called The Demon Barber of Trottingham.” Temporal turned to look at Big Macintosh, “Uncle Macintosh, is there a reason you always dress as characters from musicals?” “He likes them,” Cloudchaser nudged her husband, “His dream is to be in one, isn’t it?” “Eeyup.” “...That explains last year,” Temporal muttered as the reached the festivities. “Hey Mac!” Soarin waved at the farmpony. The Wonderbolt trotted over, grinning through his black cloth mask and bandana. The stallion wore a full black costume, complete with black boots and a saber at his side. “...Are you Masked Tornado, Uncle Soarin?” Cumulus asked. “No, I’m…” “He’s the Dread Pirate Sabre, from The Princess Bride,” Temporal cut him off. “There we go,” Soarin chuckled, “Rares is Princess Buttercup.” “Where’s Golden Breeze and Ribbon?” “Bobbing for apples,” Soarin jerked his head, motioning behind him, “You ought to go join them.” “Can we?” Cumulus turned to look at her parents. “Reckon so. Don’t forget ‘bout the corn maze for later.” Mac responded. Cumulus’ wings fluttered and the filly took off into the crowd. “Better go follow her ‘fore she hits somepony,” Mac chided his son. “I know, Dad.” Stratos and Temporal took off, trotting after Cumulus. The pair ducked and dodged other ponies, going over and around them. “How did Cumulus get your dad to let her dye her mane?” Temporal asked. “She probably said she’d do extra work on the farm or something,” Stratos shrugged, “I didn’t ask her.” The couple skidded to a stop in front of a large tank filled with water and apples. Other fillies and foals crowded around the tank, dunking their heads into the tank, trying to bob for apples. Applejack peeked over the side, and pulled down her black domino mask. “Well, howdy there.” Applejack chuckled, “You two gonna bob fer apples?” “Did Cumulus get here already?” “Sure did, She…” Applejack trailed off as she looked around, “That’s strange, she was just here.” Stratos and Temporal Spectrum peeked around the tank, looking for her. Temporal Spectrum frowned as she noticed a pile of clothes on the ground near the tank. “Isn’t that your sister’s costume?” “Eyup.” “So, why…” Temporal trailed off as something burst out of the tank, knocking over the other foals, and sending water and apples all over the place. A soaking wet Cumulus landed next to her brother, her mouth filled with brightly colored, rainbow patterned apples. The filly spat them onto her pile of clothing and grinned at the other two. “I found all the Zap Apples.” “...That’s cheating, Cumulus.” Stratos frowned. “I can put’m back.” “You ain’t doin’ that either, missy.” Applejack frowned, “I’m gonna have t’ refill the tank.” Cumulus quickly flew into the air and spun around, showering the others in water. The now-dry filly landed back on the ground, and slipped back into her costume. She smiled as she took a bite of one of the Zap apples. “That wasn’t very nice, Cumulus.” another female voice called out. Ribbon Lightning and Golden Breeze trotted over to the others. The stallion wore a green cape with golden decals, green and black faux-armor, and a golden helmet with a pair of massive curved horns. He also held a staff, ending with a curved point. Ribbon wore a Leipo’o atop her head, smaller Kupe’e around her hooves, a faux-grass skirt and a long, flowing faux lei around her neck. “...I wanted the Zap Apples,” She bit into another one, “Pah mahde mhe helfph him geff’thm.” She responded, spraying the ground with juice, saliva and bits of chewed up apple. “...I see.” Ribbon wrinkled her nose at her little cousin. Cumulus swallowed, “He said I hadda winn’m at the apple tank,” “I don’t think that means diving into the tank,” Breeze responded. “...How’d you sneak into the tank without anypony noticing?” Stratos asked. “I’m fast.” Cumulus responded, stuffing another apple into her mouth. “Well now what?” Stratos asked, “Dad says we have to go to the corn maze, but we can do that later.” “...Isn’t Fireburst’s Mom supposed to do a magic show?” “She got sick,” Cumulus cut in, “He told me.” “...Isn’t Miss Zecora an’ Miss Amethyst suppose to help her?” “Dunno,” Temporal Spectrum turned to Applejack, “Aunty Applejack?” “Hold on,” Applejack reached into the tank and yanked a younger colt from falling into the water, “Calm down there, Button.” She placed the colt back onto the ground and turned her attention to Temporal. “Y’got a question, Sugercube?” “Have you seen Fireburst or Uncle Spike?” “Sure did, They were goin’ t’ Sugarcube corner,” Applejack glanced back at the tub, checking to see if any other foals were struggling, “Reckon you oughta go there first. I heard Pinkie an’ Joe were doin’ a pumpkin’ carvin’ contest there.” “Thanks.” The group began to trot off in the direction of the bakery. Instead of walking, Cumulus gathered the rest of her zap apples in her hooves and flittered along with the group. “Don’t think I ain’t tellin’ Mac ‘bout what you did, Cumulus.” Applejack called out, “Have fun!”