Red Hot Chili
written by
Sugarberry
Sugarberry's heart skipped a beat as she saw who was sitting on her front porch steps.
She was just getting home after her day as receptionist at The Vet Clinic when she saw the
country
blue stallion waiting for her. Her face radiating the pleasure she felt, Sugarberry rushed up the
sidewalk as Vanguard met her halfway.
"Oh, you are finally in Dream Valley!" she exclaimed as she wrapped Vanguard in a
welcoming hug. "It's so good to see you!"
"And you, too!" Vanguard smilingly agreed. "I've missed you."
True to form, Sugarberry blushed. "When did you arrive?"
"Just this morning." Vanguard informed her. "I spent the day checking over my office
and the campus at Pony Pride University and moving into the apartment I've rented."
Sugarberry led Vanguard to the porch swing and sat down. Vanguard retrieved a
package from the steps before joining her. "For you," he grinned.
Removing the shiny mauve ribbon and white paper revealed a painting of Birdsong, the
Victorian bed-and-breakfast where Vanguard and Sugarberry had met the month before. "It's
perfect!" cooed Sugarberry. "I can hear the birds singing even now!"
At that moment, a lively little wren exploded into joyous trilling from the birch tree
behind
them, and the two ponies laughed in delight.
"Hey, Sugarberry, what's for supper?" Unnoticed by the pair on the porch swing, Tabby
and Chocolate Chip had arrived. They were eying the stallion curiously.
As Vanguard rose to meet the new arrivals, Sugarberry made the introductions.
"Tabby,
Chocolate Chip, this is my friend, Vanguard, from Birdsong. Vanguard, this is Tabby." She
placed
a hoof on Tabby's shoulder. "Tabby is my neighbor to the right, and a dear, dear friend."
"So this is that Van-gerd guy you were telling us about," yawned Tabby as she waved
her
hoof limply through the air.
Sugarberry rolled her eyes and sighed. Tabby had consistently mispronounced
Vanguard's name since Sugarberry had returned home from her vacation at Birdsong and told her
friends about the stallion she had met. Judging from the twinkle in Vanguard's eyes, Sugarberry
assumed he remembered her telling him about this slightly ill-tempered unicorn.
Next, Sugarberry pushed Chocolate Chip forward. "Chocolate Chip is living with me
while she attends Pony Pride University. Maybe you'll have her in one of your classes this
fall."
As Vanguard and Chocolate Chip shook hooves, Vanguard asked the sleek brown pony,
"What's your major, Chocolate Chip?"
"Still undecided," was Chocolate Chip's response. "I've considered engineering and
computers, but right now I'm leaning toward economics."
"You'll need a strong math background for any of those," replied Vanguard.
"So what's for supper?" interrupted Tabby hungrily. She often joined Sugarberry and
Chocolate Chip for their evening meal. "Chicken? You haven't fixed that for at least a
week."
Sugarberry frowned. "I hadn't given it much thought, Tabby. I've had other things on
my mind."
Chivalrously, Vanguard came to the rescue. "How about I take the three of you to
Kentucky Fried Chicken?"
"Let's go!" Tabby said as she led the way off the porch.
"Gee, thanks," bubbled Chocolate Chip as she, too, set off.
Sugarberry flashed a smile of gratitude at Vanguard. "This is very thoughtful of you,
Vanguard." She slipped her hoof into his, and they followed the others down the walk.
"I treated my first Zubat today," informed Tabby enthusiastically as they walked. "He'd
been beaten by a Pidgeot and was at death's door. I, of course, saved him."
"How did you do that?" asked Chocolate Chip, rolling her eyes. Whenever Tabby told
a story of treating a Pokèmon, it had always been "at death's door."
"With just the right combination of superglue and potions," Tabby verified.
"Ah... Zubat and Pidgeot?" queried a puzzled Vanguard.
"They are Pokèmon," enlightened Sugarberry.
"You mean you don't know about Pokèmon?" shrieked Tabby unbelievingly. She
therefore proceeded to fill Vanguard in on every known fact about Pokèmon, ensuring that no
other
topic of conversation could be embarked upon.
The animated monologue did indeed enlighten Vanguard to the world of Pokèmon, and
the ponies soon found themselves at Kentucky Fried Chicken.
Sugarberry and Chocolate Chip dashed directly into the ladies' room, leaving Tabby
alone
with Vanguard. "So, which Pokèmon do you want?" she questioned. "Pikachu? Growlith?
Hitmonchan?" Tabby could be relentless. "You could try to catch a Psyduck, but I haven't gotten
one yet, and I have to be the first. Meowths are the best, but there are already two in Dream
Valley;
and if there were any more, they wouldn't be special. You don't want a Mr. Mime at any cost.
Zubats don't have eyes, but you might like one. Get a Digglet," she finally decided.
Unnoticed by Tabby, Thomas, too, was eating at the restaurant tonight and had just
gotten his order at the counter. He approached her reproachfully. "I thought you were having
supper
with Sugarberry."
Tabby's face was open and innocent. "I am."
Meanwhile, Thomas glared at Vanguard who was completely baffled by the
hostility.
Clueless, Tabby continued her unending Pokèmon tirade until Sugarberry and Chocolate
Chip reappeared. "Hi, Thomas!" Sugarberry greeted. "Did Tabby introduce you to
Vanguard?"
Enlightenment crossed Thomas' face, and for the first time during this encounter, he
smiled. "Vanguard?" He extended his hoof. "So you are Sugarberry's new friend."
The two stallions shook hooves while assessing each other, and both approved of what
they saw.
Tabby, craving her chicken and potatoes, ordered first.
"You are the only pony I know who takes both side orders as potatoes," teased
Chocolate
Chip. "Mashed potatoes and French fries!"
"You got a problem with that?" retorted Tabby. She grabbed her tray and went off with
Thomas to find a table large enough for the five of them.
When everyone was seated, the conversation centered on the summer festival occurring
the next day, which was Saturday.
"Vanguard, you got here just in time for Summer Celebration," began Chocolate Chip.
"Tomorrow, all Ponyland will come together for fun and games."
"There will be swimming races, volleyball tournaments, and carnival rides," continued
Thomas.
"And Pokèmon battles!" exclaimed Tabby.
"And a potluck picnic followed by fireworks at the end of the day," concluded
Sugarberry.
"Hey, good timing on my part," assented Vanguard. "Any suggestions on what I should
bring to the potluck?"
"I'm taking brownies," offered Chocolate Chip.
"Tabby and I are taking chicken and potatoes," divulged Sugarberry, winking at Tabby
who hadn't yet given any thought to the potluck.
"How about you, Thomas?" asked Vanguard. "Give me some help here."
"I haven't made up my mind yet," Thomas confessed. "I'll stop by the grocery store
tomorrow morning and pick something up from the deli department."
"Mind if I tag along?" queried Vanguard. "I haven't stocked my kitchen yet."
"As if you could cook anyway!" scoffed Tabby.
"Wait ‘till you taste my red hot chili," boasted Vanguard. "And a fruit salad on the
side."
Tabby groaned inwardly as she had flunked cooking class-- even failed at fruit salad; but
she didn't let that stop her from taunting Vanguard. "I dare you to enter the chili-making cook-off
tomorrow-- it's sponsored by Tex's Salsa Shop."
"I can do that!" Vanguard accepted the challenge. "How do I enter?
"You'll have some stiff competition," Thomas warned. "Clever Clover, Butch, and
Quarterback are already signed up."
"And I hear that Tamara and Snuzzle are going to compete, too," added
Sugarberry.
"I like a challenge. Where is this salsa shop?"
"It's just off Main Street," informed Chocolate Chip. "Just look for the big red
pepper."
"It looks really awful," Tabby offered.
"I could take you there," volunteered Sugarberry, "as soon as we're done eating. Tex
stays open late on Friday nights."
After finishing the meal, Sugarberry and Vanguard parted company with Thomas,
Tabby,
and Chocolate Chip as Tabby was determined to have her strawberry sundae at the Satin Slipper
Sweet Shoppe before Thomas walked her and Chocolate Chip home.
"Are you sure you want to do this cook-off thing?" Sugarberry worried as they neared
Tex's Salsa Shop.
"Why not?" asked Vanguard. "It should be fun, and I'll have the chance to meet more
ponies."
Vanguard opened the door for Sugarberry, and they entered the shop. Tex was behind
the counter, while Quarterback and several other customers were eating salsa and chips.
"Hi, Sugarberry," Quarterback called as he waved in her direction. He didn't seem to
notice Vanguard.
Sugarberry waved back, and led Vanguard over to Tex who was refilling bowls of salsa
for his customers' convenience. "Tex," Sugarberry began, "I'd like you to meet Vanguard, the
new
mathematics professor at Pony Pride. And Vanguard, this is Tex, owner of Tex's Salsa
Shop."
Tex leaned across the counter to grasp Vanguard's hoof in a hearty hoofshake. "Glad
to meet you, partner!" exclaimed Tex enthusiastically. "What can I do for you?"
"I'd like an entry form for this chili cook-off I've been hearing about," explained
Vanguard. "I'd like to try my hoof at it."
Tex chuckled. "Got some mighty fine cooks lined up for this event. But one more is
always welcome." He handed Vanguard a slip of chili-red paper. "Fill this out and be here
tomorrow
at eleven o'clock with all your chili fixings. My kitchen in the back of the shop is where the action
will be."
While Vanguard filled out the entry information, Sugarberry glanced at Quarterback
who
motioned for her to join him. She whispered her intentions to Vanguard, and walked to
Quarterback's booth where she slid in opposite him.
"Salsa?" he offered as he pushed some chips in her direction.
"No, thanks!" Sugarberry declined. Quarterback liked the hottest salsa that Tex made,
while Sugarberry could only stand the most mild variety.
"Who's the stallion?" questioned Quarterback just as Vanguard approached them. So
Sugarberry went through the introductions again as Vanguard slipped into the booth next to
her.
"Math, huh?" Quarterback nodded at Vanguard. "Majored in that myself. I'm an
engineer, you know." Switching his attention to Sugarberry, he asked, "What time should I pick
you
up for the fishing contest? It's supposed to start at two o'clock, just after the chili cook-off.
Remember the fun we had last year?"
Sugarberry gulped. She hadn't had fun last year. She hated standing on the hot bank
waiting for the fish to bite. She hated having to keep quiet. She hated the buzzing mosquitoes
and
the droning flies. She hated seeing the fish caught on the painful fishhook. "I'm going to attend
Summer Celebration with Vanguard," she confessed.
Quarterback stopped chewing his salsa and chips and stared at Sugarberry, then at
Vanguard, then back at Sugarberry. "Oh," was all he said.
Sugarberry suddenly felt very confused. Quarterback had been her friend for a long
time
and she would always value that friendship. But she felt more at ease with Vanguard than she
ever
had with anyone else, and they had more things in common-- like birdwatching, quiet walks in the
woods, and talking over a cup of coffee.
"It's time to be going," Vanguard broke the silence. "I've got some shopping to do
before the grocery store closes."
As Vanguard helped Sugarberry from the booth, she smiled at Quarterback. "I hope
you
catch the biggest fish ever."
"Yeah. Whatever," he muttered.
Once out on the sidewalk again, Sugarberry apologized to Vanguard. "I said I was
spending tomorrow with you; but as soon as I said it, I realized we hadn't talked about that yet.
So
you are free to do what you please."
"And who would I go with if not you?" Vanguard took her hoof in his. "Just one thing,
though," he grinned. "Would you go grocery shopping with me for my chili ingredients?"
Sugarberry agreed. "Oakly's Grocery is right over there." She pointed across the street
and to the right. "He will have everything you need."
Proceeding to the grocery store, the pair explored the aisles for the best chili
components
available to ensure Vanguard's success on the following day. He also purchased several dozen
dinner
rolls to contribute to the potluck.
After paying for his purchases, Vanguard groaned. "I'll have to take this stuff straight
home to get the meat in the refrigerator. I was looking forward to walking you home."
"No problem," came a voice from behind them. It was Quarterback. "I'll walk
Sugarberry home."
Vanguard started to reject that idea, but Sugarberry placed her hoof on his foreleg. "It'll
be okay," she assured him. "I'll see you tomorrow." So a very dejected Vanguard watched as
Quarterback escorted Sugarberry out of the store.
Quarterback and Sugarberry walked in silence until Quarterback asked, "Do you like
him?"
"Of course I do!" Sugarberry snapped.
"What about us?"
"We are friends, aren't we?" She smiled a warm smile. "You'll still bring boxes for
Fluff,
won't you?" she teased. Quarterback provided cardboard boxes that Fluff loved to sleep and play
in.
They had just reached the end of the block when they nearly collided with Tabby,
Thomas, and Chocolate Chip returning home from the Satin Slipper Sweet Shoppe.
"Watch where you're going!" screeched Tabby before she realized who it was. "Oh! It's
you, Sugarberry. Hey, Quarterback!"
"Why are you guys going home so early?" asked Sugarberry. "Scoops run out of ice
cream?"
"Tabby remembered she hadn't cleaned Callie's litter box yet this week, and wanted to
take care of that little oversight," Thomas scowled.
Tabby scowled back. "She sleeps all the time; I forget she's there."
Chocolate Chip refereed. "Now, now, you two. Callie does just fine with Tabby. She
likes as little attention as she can get."
"Yes, you're right about that," admitted Thomas. "She snaps at me every chance she
gets."
"Callie... or Tabby?" chortled Chocolate Chip.
"Both," grinned Thomas as he side-stepped a swat from Tabby.
"Sugarberry," Quarterback asked, "would it be okay if Thomas walks you home with
the
girls? I remembered something I've got to do before tomorrow."
"Okay," Sugarberry replied as Quarterback turned and hurried off back the way they'd
come.
"What happened to Van-gerd?" quizzed Tabby. "Did you dump him already? I
wouldn't
mind; he didn't say he wanted a Pokèmon."
"He had to take his groceries home."
"How quaint," Tabby tormented.
"He seems very nice," Chocolate Chip intercepted.
"And sensible," added Thomas with a sideways glance at Tabby.
"I think we should go to my house and watch a Teddy Ruxpin video." Tabby's thoughts
had switched to a more exciting topic than stallions. "How about the ‘Tweeg's Mom'
episode?"
"Only if you change Callie's litter first," challenged Thomas.
"Okay," agreed Tabby, "but you have to make the popcorn."
So off they went-- Thomas, Tabby, Sugarberry, and Chocolate Chip-- to lose
themselves
to the world of Grundo.
* * *
Tex's Salsa Shop was crowded with the entrants to the chili cook-off. Each one was
assigned a number, after which they set to work to create the perfect pot of chili. Vanguard was
positioned between Butch and Tamara in the kitchen; and as they worked, a strong feeling of
competition developed between the contestants-- not withstanding a fair share of friendly taunting
and a lot of "horsing" around.
Busily preparing the meat for cooking, Vanguard was approached by Quarterback.
"Phone call for ya!" he informed the startled stallion.
Baffled as to who would be calling him at this moment in time, Vanguard left his work
station to take the call in the front room. But all that met his ear when he picked-up the waiting
receiver was a brash dial tone. "What was that about?" wondered Vanguard as he returned to his
chili making.
One thing all the ponies in the contest seemed to have in common was a desire to make
the hottest chili possible-- "Hot equals best," as Butch phrased it. Every kind of chili powder
imaginable was present in Tex's kitchen that day and the combination of peppers would have
brought
tears to the eyes of most ponies. Maybe that's why Vanguard didn't notice the change.
The preparations were going along smoothly; Vanguard had added the precise amount
of red hot pepper to his concoction to make it the perfect chili; and after allowing it to simmer and
meld, he gave it a quick taste-- and gasped. He stared blankly at the bubbling pot of choice
elements
that should now be a masterpiece for the palate. Instead, it had become a vile-tasting
failure.
Oblivious to the continued activity around him, Vanguard stood completely still,
contemplating his dilemma. Once more he raised a spoonful of chili to his lips, and gingerly tried
another sample. He hadn't imagined it-- something was definitely wrong. He nibbled once more
off
the spoon, and a glimmer of understanding broke through his insensibility. He grabbed the bottle
of
chili pepper he'd used, and tore off the lid. Holding the container to his nose, he first smelled it,
then
dipped in a hoof and tasted it. His suspicion was right. This wasn't chili pepper-- it was
cinnamon!
Vanguard surveyed the kitchen full of bustling activity; everyone was currently
engrossed
in his or her own preparations. No one seemed to be aware of his predicament. Or did
Quarterback
seem to be darting wary glances in Vanguard's direction? Vanguard looked over the pepper jar
carefully-- was this an innocent packaging error, or sabotage? He shook his head
disbelievingly.
At that moment, Tex approached Vanguard. "You look to be a million miles away.
Anything wrong?" As sponsor of the cook-off, Tex was responsible for a smooth-running,
successful
affair.
Vanguard simply held out the chili pepper to Tex, who took it questioningly. "Taste it,"
Vanguard suggested.
Tex did just that, and gaped at Vanguard in surprise. "Was this deliberate?"
"You tell me," countered Vanguard. "You know these ponies better than I do."
Tex glanced around the room, and shook his head. "I wouldn't want to think any of
them
would stoop this low... not even Butch."
"Well, what's done is done," philosophized Vanguard. "Maybe it was an accident,
although what are the odds that one jar of chili pepper would be filled with cinnamon at this time
and
place?" He sighed. "Irregardless, I'm out of the cook-off." He took his ill-fated mixture to the
trash
barrel and dumped it in.
"I'll keep my eyes and ears open to any clues on who did this," consoled Tex. He and
Vanguard stood back and again scrutinized the remaining contestants. Most were finishing up
their
concoctions and cleaning up their spaces.
"Guess I'd better clean up my mess, too," surmised Vanguard as he left Tex to wonder
about the cinnamon switch. Tamara to his left had already polished her area, and had only to
move
her kettle of chili out to the tent where the judging would occur. Butch, on the other side, was
surrounded by heaps of dirty dishes and oozing dribbles of chili fixings. Vanguard noted that
Butch
had used the same brand of chili pepper as he had-- Spiceland; it would have been a simple thing
to
switch containers. But for what reason? Who had a reason? wondered Vanguard as he
scrubbed the counter. And who had the opportunity?
Remembering the phantom phone call, Vanguard looked in Quarterback's direction.
The
stallion was totally concentrated on his chili, busily fussing over the final stages-- too busily,
perhaps?
Vanguard shook his head to clear his thoughts. "I'm out of here," he said to no one in
particular.
Coming into the fresh summer air was a relief after the heavy smells of chili in the
kitchen.
Vanguard breathed deeply as if to purge himself of the morning's madness, and put it all behind
him
as he caught sight of Sugarberry at the edge of the crowd gathering for the chili judging. He
headed
straight to her, and realized that the pony next to her was none other than Merry Moments, a
Friendship Gardens filly who had shared their Birdsong adventure. The three pals reunited
joyfully.
"Where's this blue ribbon chili that Sugarberry's been telling me about?" inquired Merry
Moments. "Do we get a taste?"
Grimacing, Vanguard related the happenings that befell him.
Sugarberry was slow to comprehend the implications. "Spiceland better improve their
quality control," she began. "That spice jar looked fine last night at the store... wouldn't we have
noticed? The color variation would have been subtle, but..." Suddenly a shocked look crossed
her
face. "Do you think someone tampered with it?"
"Who knows?" responded Vanguard lightly. "Let's not worry about it. No sense crying
over spilled... chili," he quipped
Merry Moments giggled. "Let's hang around and see who the winner is! Personally, I'm
rooting for Clever Clover," she admitted as she waved at the only contestant from Friendship
Gardens
who stood with the rest of the ponies now lined up behind their prized pots of chili waiting for the
judges'-- Steamer, Pinwheel, and Rocky-- to make their decision.
Poetic justice prevailed as Butch's chili was chosen number one; and Tex, who harbored
not a little animosity toward Butch over some occurrence in their hidden past (Bolivia, was it?),
was
forced to hand over the five-hundred jangle prize.
Getting an exuberant hug from Butch's sister, Sundance, helped to mellow the moment
for Tex, however, and he magnanimously presented Butch with the prize and the blue
ribbon.
After sampling several of the chili choices accompanied by big glasses of cold white
milk,
the threesome decided to walk through the carnival grounds. The shrill screams of baby ponies
enjoying the fearsome rides punctuated the warm July air with a festive sound.
Merry Moments prattled on with Vanguard about his move to Dream Valley and about
a future visit to Friendship Gardens. "Sugarberry, you do plan on coming to our town-wide
rummage
sale next month, don't you?" she ended. "Sugarberry?"
Sugarberry's thoughts were hung up on the chili contest. "Who would have played such
an underhoofed trick on Vanguard?" She knew well all the ponies who were there, although
Butch
less than the others. "Would Butch do such a thing to ensure a win?" she wondered out
loud.
Vanguard groaned. "So, you're playing Sherlock Holmes with our little mystery, are
you?"
"Does that make me Dr. Watson?" squealed Merry Moments. "I've always dreamed of
working with Sherlock Holmes!"
"We need clues!" asserted Sugarberry. "Something that would point us in the right
direction!"
"I have the chili powder, alias cinnamon, here in my backpack," offered Vanguard. "But
there's no way of knowing who changed the contents-- or if anyone did, for that matter."
Sugarberry looked at the Spiceland label on the bottle. "Everyone uses Spiceland
spices,"
she worried.
"Was the seal broken when you opened the jar?" wondered Merry Moments.
"No, I'm sure I had to remove it," verified Vanguard.
"Then it was planned ahead of time,' deduced Sugarberry. "Whoever did it removed the
chili powder, replaced it with cinnamon, and re-affixed the seal to the top. That would take a
certain
amount of time and privacy."
"But it leaves no evidence," concluded Vanguard. "Whoever made the switch only had
to bring in the phoney chili powder, and switch it for mine. They could go ahead and use my jar
of
uncorrupted chili powder themselves."
"So who had opportunity?" asked Merry Moments bluntly.
"Well, Tamara and Butch were on either side of me, so they could have pulled it off
easily."
"And Butch would be worried that your chili could beat his because he never had a
chance
to try it in the past!"
"But even at that, I was always right there... except for..." He glanced at Sugarberry
cautiously.
"Except for what?" Sugarberry bristled.
"Quarterback came and told me there was a phone call, so I went to the front room to
take it, but no one was on the line," he spilled out rapidly.
Sugarberry's eyes widened and her mouth dropped open. "Quarterback?" she
gasped.
"Who's Quarterback?" piped-in Merry Moments. "Fill me in!"
"We was the stallion at the end of the row of contestants, the blue one," informed
Vanguard as he kept his eyes on Sugarberry. "He's a good friend of Sugarberry's."
Sugarberry's mouth tightened in a straight line. "Was a good friend!" she
fumed.
"We don't know if he did it, Sugarberry. He had the opportunity, but maybe there really
was a phone call," soothed Vanguard.
"Yes, Sugarberry," agreed Merry Moments. "You still don't have any evidence."
"But it all fits, don't you see?" Sugarberry argued. "Quarterback was at the grocery
store
while we were shopping, Merry Moments. He saw everything Vanguard bought."
"Even so..." Merry Moments began, but Sugarberry was unstoppable.
"And on the way home, Vanguard, he suddenly left me with Thomas because he had
‘remembered something he had to do'. Don't you see? He was jealous of you, and thought of a
way
to get back at you."
"I don't know, Sugarberry," frowned Vanguard.
"Dr. Watson says you need more proof," stated Merry Moments. "You're too
emotionally involved to think straight."
Sugarberry thought that over, and calmed down a little. "You're right, Watson. I let
myself get carried away." She grinned sheepishly.
"Okay. Let's put that behind us and enjoy the rest of the day," suggested
Vanguard.
"Good idea!" agreed Merry Moments. "What's going on over in the meadow?"
"Oh, the Pokèmon battles! I almost forgot!" exclaimed Sugarberry. "Come on!"
By the time they arrived at the roped-off area that served as an arena, the trio had
succeeded in putting the chili cook-off behind them. They watched as Likatong and Wartortle
competed, with Wartortle coming out a sure winner. Then Clever Clover's Rattata battled Merry
Treat's Spearow. Rattata came out on top. As more events took place, Vanguard, Sugarberry,
and
Merry Moments moved around the field to the tent where Tabby, as Pokèmon nurse, was
stationed
in case any Pokèmon were injured. Thomas was also there to lend a hoof if needed.
"Keeping busy, Tabby?" asked Sugarberry.
"Actually, no," replied Tabby. "No one is getting hurt. And Meowth ran off with Tess
to ride the ferris wheel."
"Sound like fun," hinted Thomas.
But Tabby had caught sight of Vanguard. "Who won the chili cook-off?"
"Not me," responded Vanguard. Then he looked quizzically at Sugarberry. "Holmes,
is this Tabby-pony capable of the foul deed that was perpetrated?"
Confused, Tabby queried, "You made your chili out of chicken?"
"F-o-u-l, not f-o-w-l," corrected Sugarberry.
"What did we miss?" asked Thomas.
So Sugarberry and Merry Moments relayed the unsolved mystery to them.
Tabby immediately blurted out, "Tex! It had to be Tex!"
Now it was Vanguard's turn to look confused. "How do you figure that, Tabby?"
"The worms," Tabby offered.
"The worms?" Vanguard was becoming more puzzled by the second.
"Tex put worms in Tabby's lunchbox back in sixth grade, and she hasn't trusted him
since," clarified Sugarberry.
"If he's capable of putting worms in my lunch, he's capable of substituting cinnamon for
chili."
"Our list of suspects grows," grinned Merry Moments.
At that moment, Blue Belle's Hitmonchan soundly defeated Dainty's Raichu who
subsequently was in dire need of Tabby's nursing talents. Vanguard, Sugarberry, and Merry
Moments left Tabby and Thomas to their work, and moved off in the direction of the river.
Dotting the bank were the fisherponies who hoped to pull in the biggest fish of the day.
Current, one of the Brilliant Brothers, was there, as well as Sky Skimmer from Friendship
Gardens.
Even Baby Bright Bouquet was there with her parents, and Wigwam, and Pinwheel. Further
down
the stream, they came across Quarterback silently watching his fishing line.
Sugarberry was unsure as to whether or not he would mind being interrupted, but
Quarterback caught sight of them and waved them over. "It's too early for the fish to be biting
good,
but the big ones are down there." He looked closely at Merry Moments. "Have we met?"
Sugarberry realized her oversight and introduced the two. Merry Moments was
intrigued
with the possibility of catching a fish and Quarterback was soon demonstrating the proper
technique
to throw out the line and how to reel it back in.
"Not bad," he complimented Merry Moments as she made her first cast. "Now just wait
quietly for a fish to bite." He then set about explaining all the finer points of fishing, with Merry
Moments being an apt pupil. She was genuinely enjoying this experience.
Sugarberry and Vanguard bid farewell to the two as Quarterback and Merry Moments
progressed from their fish discussion on to baseball. "I think Quarterback has met his match,"
whispered Sugarberry to Vanguard as they moved off back to the bustle of the festival grounds.
Once there, they ran into Tabby and Thomas who were on their way to the ferris wheel.
"Come with us," urged Tabby, who well knew Sugarberry's fear of heights. "It's only
a little ferris wheel!"
"Let's go!" exclaimed Vanguard, steering Sugarberry in the direction of the towering
circle.
Oh, great, thought Sugarberry as she silently wished she'd stayed at the
riverbank with Quarterback and Merry Moments. At least sports talk was only boring, not
scary.
But before she knew it, she was seated next to Vanguard on the ferris wheel. He
valiantly
drew her within the comforting embrace of his foreleg as the wheel began turning. This isn't so
bad, thought Sugarberry as the contraption moved up the backside of its circular path. She
had
just relaxed to enjoy the ride when the seat crested the top, and nothing but emptiness hung
before
her. Sugarberry turned her face into Vanguard's shoulder, and closed her eyes. She was faintly
aware of hearing Tabby's voice screaming in terror. "Serves her right," Sugarberry muttered as
she
remembered Tabby's words-- It's only a little ferris wheel!
"Hey, Braveheart, you're missing the scenery," teased Vanguard. "Look over there--
you
can see Pony Pride University."
Stealing a peek, Sugarberry grudgingly had to admit that the view was rather pretty
from
this height. By looking to the distance rather than down, she was able to survive the ride. Even
Tabby's shrieks became less frequent. And then the ride was over.
Sugarberry and Tabby fell into each others forelegs in relief once they were on solid
ground. Thomas and Vanguard chuckled uncompassionately, but led the girls to an empty park
bench
nearby. "Ready for the next ride when your are," taunted Thomas. He and Vanguard shared a
smug
male moment while Sugarberry and Tabby caught their breath.
"Humph," grumbled Tabby. "I'd rather be battling Pokèmon."
"I think I need to rest awhile," stammered Sugarberry. "Maybe a cup of coffee?" she
pleaded.
As Thomas and Vanguard went off in search of a refreshment booth, Tabby and
Sugarberry managed to calm down and regain their composure. They were spiritedly discussing
suspects in the chile mystery when the stallions returned not only with soda and coffee but also
with
a box of cinnamon raisin bars to nibble on. "Tamara and her show cat group were selling these
for
a jangle raiser," explained Thomas.
"These are very good," said Sugarberry between bites. "Excellent with coffee."
"But you know I don't like raisins," complained Tabby.
When the ponies were sated, they went their separate ways to prepare for the evening
picnic. Tabby went with Sugarberry to help fix fried chicken and mashed potatoes with gravy,
although Tabby's assistance was-- for the most part-- simply to stay out of Sugarberry's way in the
kitchen.
"What if everybody brings chicken and potatoes? Not that I'm complaining, but it could
happen. All chicken and potatoes-- no salads, no desserts, no veggies, no bread. Did you even
think
of that, Sugarberry?" chattered Tabby.
"Yes, I guess that could happen," agreed Sugarberry. "But I've never known it to.
Tabby, get your hooves off of those brownies!"
Tabby had found the brownies Chocolate Chip had ready for the pot luck and had
helped
herself to one. Sugarberry scowled at her, but the brownies looked so good with their chocolate
frosting that she ended up snitching one herself. "Chocolate Chip will never notice," declared
Tabby.
"Notice what?" Chocolate Chip entered the kitchen from the living room. Seeing the
two
ponies with guilty faces and half-eaten brownies clutched in their hooves made her break out in
laughter. "You two are worse than baby ponies!"
"How dare you compare me to a baby pony!" retorted Tabby.
"Your brownies were just too good to resist," admitted Sugarberry as she finished hers
off. "And besides, Tabby made me do it!"
The smell of chicken frying on the stove reminded the ponies that there was still work to
be done if they were to be ready for the picnic. Sugarberry mashed the potatoes while the chicken
finished cooking; Tabby and Chocolate Chip sat at the counter arguing over which eighties toys
were
the neatest.
Before long, the food was ready and packed into the picnic basket. The three friends
took
off for the park where the picnic was being held. They deposited their food items on the already
loaded serving tables, then hunted for a spot to settle. Chocolate Chip wanted to spread the
picnic
cloth directly on the ground while Tabby and Sugarberry held out for a picnic table-- "to avoid the
nasty bugs." Chocolate Chip won out, however, as the last available table was snatched up by a
group of princess ponies while the girls were still debating.
"The nerve of those princesses!" ranted Tabby as she prepared for a showdown.
Luckily,
Thomas and Vanguard showed up in the nick of time with the news that they had reserved a table
across the way; Prime was watching it for them.
"Prime's here?" brightened Chocolate Chip. "I'll go wait with him if you ponies want to
go get your food now." With that, she set off across the park.
Sugarberry and Vanguard, along with Tabby and Thomas, headed for the food tables
where they loaded up their plates with every type of culinary dish that Little Ponies could
desire.
"Hmm," observed Thomas as they reached the dessert table. "I think we'll have to come
back later. There's no more room on our plates."
"Yeah," Tabby consented. "I hate mashed potatoes stuck to my brownie."
The others agreed, so they continued on to where Prime and Chocolate Chip were
holding
down their place, now joined by Friendly and Spike.
"This is great!" exclaimed Sugarberry. "It's almost like an evening at the Satin Slipper
Sweet Shoppe." She had no sooner said that when Clever Clover showed up with an overloaded
plate of food. He was followed by Merry Moments and Quarterback.
"How did the fishing contest turn out?" asked Vanguard of the two sunburned
fisherponies.
"We lost, thanks to me," complained Merry Moments. "Quarterback had hooked a
humongous fish, but he let me reel it in. I lost it," she ended dejectedly.
"Sounds like a typical fish story," harassed Thomas.
"It was a big one," Quarterback confirmed. "Merry Moments did a good job trying to
land it." He looked at Merry Moments admiringly.
"It looks like the only winner today in this group was Clever Clover in the Pokèmon
battle," observed Spike.
Sugarberry looked around at the eclectic group gathered together. In a burst of
sentimentality, she pronounced, "We are all winners because of our friendship!"
Tabby groaned. "Enough already, Sugarberry."
"But I agree with Sugarberry," Vanguard defended. "I just arrived yesterday, and I feel
like I've known you all forever." His gaze swept over the group, ending with a special wink at
Sugarberry.
"That does it!" bewailed Tabby. "I'm out of here! Anyone want dessert?" As Tabby
took off for the dessert table, Thomas shrugged his shoulders and tagged after her.
Friendly and Chocolate Chip began cleaning up the used plates and carting them to the
trash can. Merry Moments pulled Sugarberry aside to ask, "Any more clues as to who messed
with
the chili powder, Holmes?"
"Why, Watson, I'd been having so much fun, I'd completely forgotten about it,"
admitted
Sugarberry. "It doesn't seem to matter anymore."
"You mean my first case has to remain unsolved?" Merry Moments grinned. "That
won't
look good on a resume."
Just then, they heard Tabby complaining as she and Thomas returned to the table. "I
hate
raisins! Why would anyone put them into an otherwise perfectly tasty dessert?"
Thomas, carrying a tray of cinnamon raisin bars, explained. "All the desserts were gone
except for this batch of Tamara's bars. She had to hurry and make more after selling all her others
this afternoon. That's why she was late with them."
"Lucky for us!" exclaimed Sugarberry. "Those bars of Tamara's were delicious...
especially with coffee." She frowned as she realized there was no coffee at the picnic.
True to form, Clever Clover and Spike grabbed greedily for the bars; Clever Clover
took
a bite of his, and began choking. Spike did the same.
"What's wrong with you two?" Tabby tormented. "Choke on a raisin?"
"Water..." croaked Clever Clover as Merry Moments handed him a cold soda and Prime
whacked him on the back. Friendly did the same for Spike.
"You guys are very funny," chided Sugarberry. "Make them look bad so you can eat
them all yourselves." She defiantly took a bite of her bar; but after one chew, she ran to the trash
can
and spit it out. The sweet, cinnamony taste she'd expected had in actuality been a hideous hot
pepper
flavor. She gulped down a glass of milk provided by Vanguard. Her eyes were big, if not a bit
teary,
when she exclaimed, "That's chili powder in the bars, not cinnamon."
Everyone was speechless as their thoughts whirled. If someone had switched the chili
powder for cinnamon, it would stand to reason that the someone would have ended up with a
cinnamon jar full of chili powder. And who else but Tamara? She had the opportunity to make
the
switch as she had been next to Vanguard in the contest. And she had admitted to being rushed at
baking the bars this afternoon.
"Tabitha! Sugarberry! Everybody!" came Tamara's voice as she and Tex came toward
the stunned group still sorting out the implications of what had transpired.
Even Tabby was at a loss as to what to say to Tamara. Why was her cousin involved in
this cinnamon-chili switch?
Tamara was too excited to notice the silence hanging over her friends. "I've been so
busy
today! We raised two thousand jangles for our show cat building fund. I haven't had a chance to
eat!" She snatched a cinnamon raisin bar from the table and took a huge bite. Everyone watched
in
anticipation and were aptly rewarded as Tamara clutched her throat, screaming for water.
Chocolate
Chip handed her a glass, asking, "Didn't you know about the chili powder?"
After gulping down the water, Tamara was able to choke out a response. "What chili
powder? What happened to my bars? Is this some kind of joke?" she glared threateningly at
Tabby.
"If you didn't put the chili powder in, then who did?" questioned all the onlookers.
Now it was Tex's turn to add some information. "This is getting really strange." He
shook his head. "We all know about Vanguard's mix-up this morning, but only Tamara and I
know
where her cinnamon came from." He stopped and took a deep breath. "She was in a hurry to get
home and make those bars, but knew she'd used the last of her cinnamon when baking the first
batch
of bars this morning."
"And Tex had a jar of cinnamon at the salsa shop which he gave to me to save time!"
Tamara continued, stopping quickly when she realized where this was leading.
"That's all the proof we need," declared Tabby, pleased that the guilt was falling on her
antagonist. "Why would Tex have cinnamon at his salsa shop unless he was hiding the
evidence?"
"Not so fast!" petitioned Tex bewilderedly. "I keep other spices on hand other than chili
spices. Dessert salsas contain cinnamon."
Clever Clover backed Tex up. "Yep! Tex makes some mighty weird combinations in
that
shop of his-- I've tried them all."
"Are you saying that you don't know how that counterfeit cinnamon got in your supply
cabinet?" quizzed Vanguard.
No one moved or spoke as they curiously awaited the outcome of this strange run of
events. In the dead silence, Tex's answer came through loud and clear-- "I don't know."
Everyone was so intent on the drama before them that no one noticed that Sundance
and
Butch had joined their cluster until Sundance's voice caused them to turn in surprise. Events were
moving swiftly along to an unknown conclusion; all ears were strained to hear the next
detail.