Chapter 4 The journey Continues

Floataphobia

“So you just want us to drive your parade float?” Double Bubble asked confused. “Why can’t you do that?”

“Well you see a certain incident in ponyville as left me uhh …” Babs paused embarrassed.

“You’re scared of parade floats?”

“Hey! You don’t know how fast these things can go, you can be seriously injured driving one.”

“Yes it’s so scary speed as fast as five miles per hour oooooo.” Babs huffed in anger seeing she wasn’t getting anywhere and stormed off. Double Bubble immediately went after her apologizing for making fun of the small filly. He eventually gave up on looking for her and returned to his friend who was making adjustments to the float of Kerry the Cucumber a popular comic strip character. The float was moved behind the apartment complex where Babs lived in a small grass lot. He peaked into the engine compartment to see sparks flying out and a silhouette of Clockwerk making adjustments to the machinery.

“What are you doing in there CW, you know she only wants you to drive it right?”

“I know, it’s just, I don’t get to work on things like this often ok. Just let me enjoy working on something besides a weapon.”

“Ok. Do you need me to make a potion for it, I’m sure I could whip something up with the local fungi.”

“No I’ll make it run on the battery.”

“Oh, I guess you don’t need me then huh?” Double Bubble sat down on the float and looked out over the sunset of manehatten. “Say CW.”

“Yeah?” he answered from inside the float.

“Why did you ever leave?”

“What?” he said emerging form the bowels of the machine.

“Why did you leave equestria. It seems so calm and peaceful you know.”

"I told you why."

"You mean the crap about the fragility of the government."

"That's a valid argument."

"But it's not why you left is it?"

“Listen Bubbles, there’s some things you just can’t help you know. There’s some things you just have to leave behind and try to forget about.”

“There’s more to this I think.”

“Look man I just don’t want to talk about it ok.”

“Alright I understand.” Clockwerck slammed his hoof against a loose gear and and shut the access hatch his job finished.

“Someday I’ll tell you, but not today.” Babs had emerged from the apartment a tray of lemonade on her back.

“Hey you guys, I made you some supper for all your help.” The two looked at her shocked.

“You can cook?” Double Bubble asked not taking Babs as the type to cook.

“Why did you say it like that? You think just because I’m from Manehattan means I can’t cook?”

“I didn't say that, exactly.”

“Maybe I’ll just throw it out then.”Clockwerk interjected.

“I am kin of hungry, and besides how bad can it be.”

“It’s not going to be bad,” Babs said leading the two up to the apartment. “I’ll have you know I’m a fantastic cook.” The two sat down at the one table in the kitchen that served as the dining room.

“Say Babs where are your parents at?” Babs froze in place and answered harshly.

“They’re on vacation.” Clockwerk didn’t seem to notice the filly’s pause or harsh response and proceeded to eat the food she had prepared. Double Bubble however did notice and immediately became troubled by it. He whispered to his friend.

“Clocwerk can I talk to you in the hall?” Clockwerk yelled acroos the room to Babs completly ignoring his friend.

“Babs this food is delicious.” The filly was beaming with pride. “Bubbles you’ve got to try this food.”

“I think there are more pressing matters at hand CW something isn’t …” Clockwerk shoved a bite of food into his mouth while he was talking. Double Bubble tried to remember what it was he was saying but completely forgot thanks to the amazing food.

“Wow sweet Celestia that’s good. What did you put in here?”

“It’s a secret,” Babs said proudly.

“Whatever it is it’s great.”

“Oh go on.”

“So Babs,” Clockwerk asked mouth full of food. “You said your cousin has an apple farm in …”

“Ponyville,” Babs answered. Clockwerk grew silent.

“Oh that’s great much more convenient than the location I had found. It’s just a train ride away.” Double Bubble remarked cheerfully.

“I’ve been meaning to ask you about that?”

“About what?”

“Do you guys mind if I tag along. I’ve been meaning to visit Applejack again.”

“Sure, but you should probably ask your parents first.”

“I’ll mail them.” Babs responded gruffly.

“There it is again,” Double Bubble said under his breathe.

“There’s what again?” Clockwerk asked breaking his silence.

“I don’t know, it’s like this weird feeling like something isn’t exactly right.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I don’t know it’s hard to put into words, but whenever Babs talks about her parents. I just get this feeling in my gut, like something isn’t right.”

“You mean with her with the apartment what?”

“I’m not sure, it’s probably nothing.” Babs interrupted the twos conversation by coming between them and taking their empty plates.

“If you guys want we can go ahead and leave in the morning.”

“What about the parade? We worked so hard on that float.” Double Bubble asked disappointed.

“What’s this about we?” Clockwerk interjected.

“Don’t worry about it.” Babs said brushing it off. “It wasn’t that important anyway.”

“If you say so.”

“I do say so,” she said as she walked toward her bedroom. “I’ll see you guys in the morning, you’re welcome to use the couch if you want.”

“Are you aure your parents are ok with this?” Clockerk asked.

“Yes! Stop asking,” Babs said slamming the door.

Author's Note

Nothing much happens in this one and I'm sorry for that, but it sets up a plot point that'll be fulfilled later. If you are immediately put off by the mere mention that Babs' parents might be dead let me just say it's not going to turn out the way you think. Let's just say Babs' parents aren't alive and then leave it at that.