Speeding OkamotiveAs the carriage shook under the weight of the heat rays, Mocha became frighteningly aware of the colossal and alien machine in front of her. Its metal skin flickered and distorted like liquid mercury as a loud humming emitted from within. Tendrils snaked out from the far side, barring the path to the next carriage and the train engine ahead.The door behind her swung open, and there stood the giraffe, her strong, powerful body framed by the doorway. She'd suffered a few bruises and grazes in fighting off the invaders, but she still had those come-to-bed eyes and seductive smile."Lookie what I found, honey," she said, flailing around a l
CMC CSI, part fiveWith permissions asked, a hearty meal eaten, and an afternoon of playing out in the fields behind them, four very excitable fillies retreated to Apple Bloom's bedroom."If you need anything, I'll be in the next room," said Applejack, watching the bouncing girls from the doorway. "An' if you don't need anything, try to keep it down."In turn, each of the Cutie Mark Crusaders darted to her side and saluted."Will do!" said Apple Bloom."Cute." Applejack gave her sister a kiss on the cheek. "Y'all have fun now. Goodnight!"Applejack closed the door behind her.Sweetie Belle jumped up and down excitedly. "So, what are we gonna do? Pon
Hot GiraffternoonsMocha couldn't help but look up as the newcomer strutted through the park. Strong, sinewy legs; a tall, slender neck; a coat of brown-on-yellow like an intricate mosaic, and a head that... was looking right at her, she realised with a blush."What's the matter, honey?" she said. "Never seen a giraffe before?""Um, no. I haven't, actually." All of her life, Mocha had never ventured far from Okapiville, and as it wasn't popular with tourists the appearance of this... 'giraffe' was a pleasant - and very pleasurable - surprise.The giraffe crouched, and craned her neck so that her head was close to Mocha's own."And do you like what you see?"
CMC CSI, part four and a halfDisclaimer: this chapter adds absolutely nothing to the Cutie Mark Crusaders' investigation; in fact, it is made from material half excised from that story, hence "part four and a half" instead of "part five". Readers with little familiarity of my other works are asked to wait patiently until part five, or check out the description for a list of what you should read first!"Oh, there you are, Big Macintosh!""Eeyup," the stallion said, taking off his collar and hanging it on a hook on the wall.Apple Bloom and her three friends stood to attention, as though caught in the middle of some scheme. Behind them, Granny Smith dreamily rocked ba
CMC CSI, part fourTwist's hooves trotted closer. "Are you over heeeeeeere?"Under the kitchen table, Sweetie Belle shuddered."Or are you over heeeeeeere?"Sweetie Belle jumped as the table shook under the weight of Twist's old saddlebag."Or are you " Twist trotted directly over to Sweetie Belle's hiding place. "Here!" she shouted, ducking her head under the table.Sweetie Belle scrambled out from underneath and dashed to the other side of the kitchen."Oh, come on, Thweetie Belle! It'th no fun if you don't run!""You keep away from me!" replied Sweetie Belle. She grabbed a nearby spatula and held it at foreleg's length."What'th the matter?
CMC CSI, part three"Aha!" said Twist, bringing her head up from the cake piece so fast that it made Sweetie Belle jump. She'd had the cake out on the work surface of her own kitchen and had been scrutinising it under a magnifying glass, while Sweetie Belle had entertained herself by playing with the dust bunnies gathered in the corner."Aha what?" she said, picking herself up and cantering to Twist's side."Take a look at thith!" said Twist, passing her the lens and marehandling Sweetie Belle's head to the right angle to examine it. When Sweetie Belle admitted she couldn't see anything, Twist added, "It'th covered in thpit.""I think most things in your ho
CMC CSI, part two"Tho that'th what happened?" asked Twist. The Cutie Mark Crusaders had just finished explaining to her the events of that morning; how forty cakes, fresh from the oven, had been stolen from Sugarcube Corner, and how the Cutie Mark Crusader Crime Scene Investigators were now on the case."That's what happened," Apple Bloom replied."Huh." Twist's face was completely unreadable for a brief moment, but then she burst into a smile. "Tho are we gonna hang out now?"Apple Bloom sighed. "In a way, I guess. We need your help, 'cos you're the cleverest pony I know.""You need my help?"
CMC CSI, part oneAll you have to do is take a cup of flour, add it to the mix Mrs Cake hummed as she twirled around the kitchen of Sugarcube Corner. Even by the early morning light she could see that her freshly baked cakes were a perfect golden brown.Now just take a little something sweet not sour; a bit of salt, just a pinch She turned to the oven with her towel at the ready in her mouth, and with expert timing turned off the oven timer just as it rang out. She grabbed the tray from out of the oven and set it down on the worktop.Baking these treats is such a cinch, add a teaspoon of vanilla She sauntered to the