Chapter 4: Big Mess Carnival Showdown!
On next day...
Tough Apple arrived at Caramel's house as both of them were chatting and discussing about what they can do to date the mares they like.
"So... What's the idea?" Tough Apple asked in concern.
Caramel looked shock and surprise, "What?! Me?! Ideas?! You must be joking! I thought you have one!"
"I did not say that, genius!"
"Yes, you did! Yes, you really did, Tough!"
"I did not!"
"You did!"
"Did not!"
"Did too!"
Tough Apple screamed in anger at the surprised and worried Caramel, "I DID NOT, YOU IDIOTIC VERMIN! IF YOU DON'T COME UP WITH THE IDEA SOON, I'M GONNA KILL YOU! YOU HEAR ME?! I'M GONNA KILL YOU, YOU LOUSY SON OF THE-!"
"Okay! Okay! Okay!" Caramel exclaimed in concern, "I get the point! I'm thinking now! Give me some minutes, please! Don't rush me!"
In every one minute Caramel thinks, Tough Apple asked 'How About Now' question while he replied it 'Not Yet' reply for several times. It's getting irritating and annoying him as he can't think straight well.
"Will you stop making me nervous?!" Caramel exclaimed in annoyance at the surprised Tough Apple. He groaned while slamming on the walls, "I can't think straight like walking on the park or carnival or some good place to eat and drink, or even playing the games!"
"Carnival? We have carnival here?" Tough Apple asked in surprise.
Caramel sighed, "Yes. But it's somewhere near to the central town of Ponyville by weekend. It's called Best Summer Carnival - games, foods and drinks, movies, musical dancing, you named them. But that's not gonna help us much."
"No, you numbskull!" Tough Apple groaned in annoyance as he grabbed and held Caramel high while glaring at him, "The carnival - it's perfect place for us to get the girls date with us! I mean think about it. They don't like fancy stuffs, fancy foods and drinks, fancy dress, fancy dress, fancy talking and best of all - no works."
"Oh... OH! I get it!"
"I knew you would. Question is... How do we get our girls on date? I've got a bad feeling that they will say 'no'."
"That's... Not good..."
"I wish there's a way to ask them without making them uncomfortable. Even though we like those girls, there is no way they'll like us back."
"Maybe..." Caramel said thoughtfully. He gasped in realization, "Maybe there is!"
"Really?" Tough Apple asked hopefully.
"Yes, but on one condition. No matter what happens, you cannot lose the temper, got it?"
"Great... Got it. No temper..."
Caramel smiled as he gave Tough Apple some details of his ideas and plans to get the girls dated with them.
Deep in the Everfree Forest, a group of mysterious masked soldiers were marching across the forest. One of them was riding the buffalo, which its back has the wagon filled with cargo and boxed on it. A black hooded pony was leading them.
As he and his mysterious group continued marching, he heard some thumping noise. He turned and found the rider yawned sleepily as the latter wasn't focusing on his job while the wagon often got bounced and knocked over by the boulders and peddles. This annoyed the black hooded pony a lot, making him to approach the rider.
"You imbecile! Watch it! Those cargo are important!" The black hooded pony exclaimed in annoyance, "We can't afford to lose them. Dr. Guildenstern and Wilco need them for some experiment. They're vitals to our cause."
The rider nodded in understanding. The black hooded pony sighed in annoyance as headed to the front at once in leading his mysterious army to march across the Everfree Forest. During their march, one of the cargo bounced and fell off from the wagon.
As soon as the group left the Everfree Forest, the cage shaken wildly and crazily. Something inside of it screeched wildly like it was trying to break free from it.
Friday, Afternoon...
Tough Apple went and visited Feathermay from the Hayburger Restaurant. He asked her from the counter about joining him to carnival for day-off and fun. This surprised her a lot.
"Really? Did you mean it?" Feathermay asked hopefully yet surprisingly.
Tough Apple nodded nervously, "Yeah... Look, it's okay if you don't want to go. I understand. I just want to-!"
"Okay."
"Wh-what?!"
"I said 'okay'. I'll go with you to the carnival. And besides, I could take a break from working as the cashier. You have no idea how tough and tired it is when it comes to dozens of customers to deal with."
"I-I-I-I..."
Feathermay smiled, "So, are we going?"
Tough Apple squealed and cheered wildly, "Yeeeeeesssssssss! Whoo-hooooooooo!"
"So, meet me here by 7 tomorrow night?"
"Sure! I promised you that I won't embarrassed you or ruin our first day! Best of all, you'll get the best night you ever had!"
Feathermay smiled, "Good to hear it. See you tonight, Toughie..."
Tough Apple chuckled nervously, "Sure. No problem. See ya..."
Tough Apple whistled happily and lovely as he was walking straight out of the restaurant. Feathermay giggled in amusement about Tough Apple. Nevertheless, she sighed happily that he asked her out for carnival and day off...
Caramel visited Applejack at Sweet Apple Acres' Apple Orchards, where she was apple bucking them into the baskets. He asked her about going to the carnival, which surprised and shocked them.
"You want me to do what?!" Applejack asked in shock as she turned and looked at Caramel, "Are you serious?"
Caramel gulped nervously and nodded in concern, "Yeah. Are you willing to come with me?"
"Caramel, you, of all ponies, should know that I can't take the day off. I've got tons of works to do. And you should know that my big brother and granny wouldn't let me."
"I already ask that. They allowed it."
"What?! Seriously?!"
"Yeah! You can ask them for yourself if you want."
"I don't know, Caramel. I don't like abandoning it."
"Come on, AJ. Just one day for me and you - tomorrow night." Caramel pleaded frantically, "When's the last time you take a day off from this work?"
Applejack hummed thoughtfully, "Now you mention it. No. I haven't. But-!"
Caramel interrupted, "If you need help, I'll be there to help you out. It's a promised. And I even promised you that I won't screw my job for Winter Wrap Up again! Really! Scout's honor. Please, Applejack, just accept my date with you!"
Applejack sighed in defeat, "Alright, Caramel. I'll go with you."
Caramel interrupted by hugging her happily and passionately, "You're the best! You won't regret it!"
"But this is friends' hangout only, not a date," Applejack said in annoyance, making Caramel looked disappointed. She nodded, "I'm serious, Caramel."
"Fine." Caramel said in annoyance. He smiled, "But it's a deal..."
"Oh for goodness's sake..." Applejack said in annoyance, "I'm gonna feel embarrassing..."
After the success of getting the date from the girls, both Caramel and Tough Apple returned to the house and asked Fluttershy for help. They even explained to her about taking a date with them.
"Okay. I'm glad that you both get the date," Fluttershy said calmly, "But what does it have to do with me? Rarity should help you since she got experience in dating and meeting boys."
Tough Apple and Caramel looked at each other for the moment. They gave the annoying disgusted looks while shouted together, "Naah! Forget it!"
"Besides, you're a better pony to teach us about date," Caramel said calmly.
Tough Apple nodded, "Yeah. Rarity, she's a drama queen."
"I don't think I can help you. I don't know much about a date," Fluttershy said in concern, making the boys groaned in concern an defeat. She yelped in concern, "On second thought, I might able to shed some light and ideas to help you out."
"Thank you so much!" Tough Apple and Caramel exclaimed happily.
Fluttershy sighed, "I hope I give the right advice."
Within the Everfree Forest, it was quiet for the moment until a screech noise sounded. Then, its screeching sound shifted into panted heavily and happily like something was looking for food to eat. He looked around of searching it for hours. He then noticed some spotlights on the far east.
"Ooh! Foodie! Foodie! Foodie! Me hungry!"
Saturday Night, Best Summer Carnival,
With the help and advice about dating with the girls from Fluttershy, Tough Apple and Caramel are ready as they took and brought their girls to the carnival. Fluttershy came along to help and assist them in handling the date, without any disturbance.
"As promise, here we are," Tough Apple said happily and calmly.
Caramel smiled and nodded, "The Best Summer Carnival. Just relax and enjoy our night time."
"Good enough," Feathermay said happily.
Applejack sighed, "Alright, you'all. Like you said, just relax and enjoy our night."
"And remember," Fluttershy added in happily, "No temper or sorrow face. This is just having fun only. Got it?"
"Got it," Four ponies nodded in understanding.
"I'm surprised that you came, Fluttershy," Applejack said in surprise and amazement, "So, what makes you?"
Fluttershy smiled, "Tough Apple and Caramel asked me to help and make sure nothing ruin your night with the boys."
Applejack scoffed, "Should have known about it. Alright, let's go, everypony!"
Five ponies entered the carnival for fun and enjoyment. Unknown to any of them, a large bush moved towards the entrance as four fillies emerged from it while looking through binoculars at the five ponies.
"See? I told you Applejack's taking a date with Caramel!" Apple Bloom exclaimed happily, "I knew she likes him. No denial!"
Sweetie Belle awed happily, "Isn't it romantic?"
"Eew... That is so gross..." Scootaloo said in annoyance, "And not to mention, Tough and Feathermay together? That is so mess up!"
Nyx shushed at Scootaloo, "Don't be rude, Scoots! But still, is it right for us to spy on them? I kinda feel wrong about it."
"Yeah. Maybe we should leave them alone," Sweetie Belle said in concern.
"Naah! They won't know it's us spying on them. I'm sure they won't mind it," Scootaloo said confidently.
Apple Bloom smiled and nodded, "Yeah. Come on, you'all. Let's go and enjoy our night."
"Oh boy..." Sweetie Belle and Nyx said in annoyance.
Cutie Mark Crusaders ducked down into bushes as they all quietly sneaked and moved into the entrance. They all following Applejack, Caramel, Tough Apple, Feathermay and Fluttershy, who were enjoying their night time at the carnival.
Unknown to anypony, a strange creature emerged from Everfree Forest as it growled happily and wildly. It muttered about eating more foods as it charged straight into the carnival.
Five ponies enjoyed their night time at the carnival. They even played some games - wreck the moles (Fluttershy had despise of it), shooting water gun on the barrels, hit the bell with a hammer, throwing baseball at the bottles, shoot the darts at the targets and many more for them to enjoy. They even have their own dinner. They enjoyed going through some entertainment shows like haunted house, looking at clown shows, ponies wrestling and a few more.
During their date, both Tough Apple and Caramel blushed as they tried to get near and touch their fillies. But they missed it as the girls was doing something else. One thing for sure, the boys really like the girls very much. It's making them hard to admit and confess their feelings for the girls.
Fluttershy smiled as she knew it. Cutie Mark Crusaders saw everything as they awed happily in seeing Applejack and Feathermay being closed to Caramel and Tough Apple...
Five ponies headed straight to the Ferris Wheel. Applejack and Caramel sat on the first passenger's gondola, followed by Tough Apple and Feathermay to their second. Fluttershy remained behind to leave the couples have their own time and watched them. The Ferris Wheel began rotated them in a big circle.
Fluttershy smiled slyly as she turned to her back, "You can come out now, Crusaders. I know you're here."
Cutie Mark Crusaders awed in disappointment as they emerged from the bushes. They then approached Fluttershy.
"How did you know?!" Cutie Mark Crusaders asked in shock and surprise.
Fluttershy smiled, "Since when did the bushes moving around the carnival and follow ponies?"
"Aw man..."
"Well, I'm glad you didn't disturb Applejack and others on their 'date'. Or else, they would have been upset and mad about it and you as well."
"We know..."
"So... How about we go find and play some games? You have play them, haven't you?"
"No. But cool! Let's go!"
Fluttershy and Cutie Mark Crusaders headed off to game stalls for playing...
In first gondola, Caramel and Applejack were looking at Ponyville Town. Both of them awed in amazement at the view.
"Beautiful, isn't it, AJ?" Caramel asked calmly.
Applejack sighed, "It sure is, Caramel. And thanks for taking me out for tonight. I could really use some rest and relaxation after some crazy work for weeks."
"Not a problem. Happy to help my friend especially you."
"Well, that's nice of you. Really nice of you for everything."
"Uh... Applejack?"
"Hm? What is it, Caramel?"
"Are-are you alright of being... with me?" Caramel asked while blushed in red, "I'm kinda feel great and happy..."
Applejack blushed, "Well, yeah. For being a friend to me, Caramel. I appreciate it."
"Uh... That's-that's not what I meant." Caramel groaned in defeat, "Who am I kidding? There's no way I can change your mind. Not after what I've done so far..."
"What do you mean? Is there something you wanna tell me?"
"Even if I did, I doubt you'll do me a favor for me."
"Come on, Caramel. Tell me. I might help."
Caramel sighed, "Okay. But don't say I'd tell ya about it. I... I kinda or sort of... like ya. No, I love ya."
Applejack blushed in surprised, "Y-You love me?! Seriously?" She gulped in concern, "I don't know..."
"I knew it. You don't like me now. I'm kidding myself again."
"No, Caramel. I really do like and love you much. But I'm worry that I won't have time to date with you. And I don't want to hold you back because of me."
"I wouldn't mind of it. Besides, I've done couple of jobs with no dates. This is no different."
"So, what are you saying?"
"Job Date, duh? We can work and date together on Sweet Apple Acres. And if I have the job of being rodeo clown, you're coming with me as my clown's wife."
"As if!"
Applejack and Caramel laughed in amusement for a while before they hugged each other. They departed while looking at each other.
"So, are we okay with it?"
"It's gonna be tough especially for you, Caramel. But we can try it."
Caramel blushed, "Thanks..."
Applejack giggled a bit, "I think I should be the pony to thank you, Caramel..."
Caramel and Applejack leaned their heads closely while fixing their eyes at each other. They then their lips placed and touched on each other's as they deeply and passionately kiss. They then held and hugged each other passionately long...
On the second gondola, Tough Apple and Feathermay were talking and joking happily. They then looked at the scene of Ponyvilla Town.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Feathermay asked.
Tough Apple sighed, "It sure is. I use to hate it a lot."
"Why?"
"The world hates me. They don't like my attitude. They don't like my way. They don't respect me. They never give me a chance; not like you, my family, Fluttershy and my sister. You're all understand me so much than anypony else..."
"Yeah. I guess you're not very different from me, you know?"
"Why?"
"A lot of ponies think me rude and disgusted ponies, even my parents think that way. My family were expecting me to be the best on my behavior. And the worse is they want me get married with a rich guy. I don't even care about fancy stuffs. Maybe they're right."
"Maybe they're wrong."
"How would you know? When we first met, things got rough and rocky. It wasn't my best impression especially I kinda tease so badly in making you look bad."
"Naah. I'm use to that a lot. Not many ponies apologize to me as you did. But you're right about us. We're not very different."
"Yeah. I guess it's true, Tough. I'm glad that I apologize and get to know you."
"Appreciate it. And thanks for making the best hayburger. It was the best."
Feathermay smiled, "Thanks. And you know? I'm plan to make the best one - just for you to try."
"Ha! I can't wait to try!" Tough Apple exclaimed happily, "I'll bet it's gonna be the best one."
While touching his hoof, Feathermay and Tough Apple leaned closely. As their muzzle were close to each other, they were about to kiss.
BOOM! Both of them yelped in surprise and shock by the sudden stop. The Ferris Wheel suddenly took a rapid spin.
"What the heck?!"
The ponies screamed in shock and concern as they were looking at the malfunction of Ferris Wheel. The maintainer was fixing the problem as its transformer was static and malfunctioning. Fluttershy and Cutie Mark Crusaders arrived at the scene. They were all in concern as well.
With the transformers repaired, the maintainer quickly brought the gondola down and got the ponies out of it one-by-one, including Applejack, Caramel, Tough Apple and Feathermay. The ponies were groaning and moaning in dizziness and sickness. Fluttershy and Cutie Mark Crusaders arrived and checked on their friends.
"Are you alright?" Fluttershy asked in concern.
Caramel sighed, "Yeah, I am. But what was that about?"
"Yeah, did something happen to Ferris Wheel or something?" Applejack asked in concern.
SCREECH! The ponies turned and found a strange creature took and gobbled a whole bite of various foods - vegetables, sweets, popcorn, ice-cream and many more. This creature was a humanoid brownish Tasmanian Tiger-like with white stripes and large and lots of fangs. They were in shock and scared.
The ponies screamed in fear as they ran away from it, leaving Applejack, Fluttershy and their friends behind.
"What?! What the heck is that thing?!" Caramel asked in concern.
Feathermay gulped, "I'd never seen this thing before!"
"I did," Tough Apple snarled in anger, "And I really hate it - Tasmaniac Tiger!"
"Tasmaniac Tiger?! What is that?!" Cutie Mark Crusaders asked in concern.
"Wild and crazy Tasmanian Tiger with hands and legs," Tough Apple explained, "And believe me, I really and really hate them. These guys really like to eat anything especially meats like us! And worse is that they don't care! And it's the reason why my sister get hurt by rockslide!"
"How are we gonna stop it?!" Fluttershy asked in concern.
Applejack nodded, "Yeah! He's tearing the carnival apart, and not to mention, he's soon gonna wreck our home too!"
"Keep them busy! I'm gonna need Betty!" Tough Apple exclaimed in anger, "I'm gonna get these vermin out of our property!" d
"Betty?!" The ponies asked in surprise.
Tough Apple nodded, "Yeah. My favorite Ruby Shotgun. And the one this vermin is gonna get it."
"You heard him. We've gotta get the Tasmaniac Tiger down now," Applejack exclaimed in annoyance. She turned and glared at Cutie Mark Crusaders, "You've got lots of explaining to do. But we've got a vermin to deal with!"
Tough Apple headed off back to his home while his friends went and chased after the Tasmaniac Tiger, in making sure he stayed away from the ponies and the foods. Unfortunately, the creature was too wild and quick for them to capture. They tried various ways to stop it.
Cutie Mark Crusaders used the rope to trip the Tasmaniac Tiger but got pulled off instead. They tried pouring the slippery soap on the floor for it to trip but instead it knocked everywhere in sights. Feathermay even tried with hitting the ball at it but missed a lot. Caramel used his mallet in hitting and knocking it out. Applejack chased after it as she tried to hit and catch it. Fluttershy used her Stare to stop it, but it managed to escaped her. In other words, Tasmaniac Tiger can't be stopped or caught.
Tough Apple arrived at the scene as he was armed with his Betty the Ruby Shotgun. He groaned in anger as he aimed at Tasmaniac Tiger.
"Say hello to my Betty! She's gonna kick your butt, your filthy Tasmaniac Tiger! I'm gonna kill you for ruin my night! You pissed for the last time. Get off my property!"
Tasmaniac Tiger screeched in fear as it quickly ran off while Tough Apple fired his Ruby Shotgun at it. He continued chasing and shooting at it across the stalls and entertainment shows. Its escaping irritated and annoyed him to lose his temper and went wild in firing his shotgun at it. Unfortunately, they both caused lots of damages to the carnival. This made Applejack and her friends worry.
As the creature hid behind mirror house, Tough Apple was about to go in but stopped by Applejack and her friends.
"What the heck are you doing?! I almost got it!" Tough Apple exclaimed in annoyance.
Applejack sighed, "And you did lots of damages too! Instead of chasing and blasting at it, we sure lure it to us!"
"She's right. Think about it. That thing is too wild and fast for any of us to catch and stop it," Feathermay said in agreement.
Tough Apple groaned, "Fine. There's one thing they can be stopped - foods. And tons of them except the spicy foods. They hated them a lot. It driving them nuts and lose control."
"You think it will work?" Caramel asked.
Tough Apple shrugged, "Never tried. But I hope it works."
"Better than nothing. Let's do this before it caused a lot of damages," Fluttershy said in concern.
Cutie Mark Crusaders saluted, "We'll get the food now!"
"Count on us too," Caramel and Feathermay saluted.
Applejack and her friends split up and headed off in getting their preparation ready. Applejack set the cage while setting it on midair with rope. Fluttershy and Tough Apple armed themselves. Cutie Mark Crusaders, Caramel and Feathermay went and searched for foods and placed them on the middle of carnival. The trap is set.
Tasmaniac Tiger emerged from its hiding as it headed straight for the foods, located at the middle of carnival. As it began eating the foods, a loud bang scared him a lot. As it's about to escape, Fluttershy gave the Stare at it. It screeched fearfully, causing itself to get tripped by Cutie Mark Crusaders' rope. It fell to the ground. Applejack pulled the rope, causing the cage fell right on it. Tasmaniac Tiger is trapped for good.
As Tasmaniac Tiger screeched wildly in breaking the cage out, the ponies approached and glared at it.
"We finally caught it," Feathermay said in relief.
Applejack sighed as she looked at the messes of carnival, "And unfortunately, we let it make a big mess here now..."
Tough Apple groaned in annoynace, "Just great..."
Prepare for Conclusion...
Review and Suggest...
