Sweet Victory

[mannulus]

SWEET VICTORY




“Thanks again for coming with me, Y’all” said Appjack, as she and the rest of the Mane 6 got off the train to Appleloosa. “Ah’m glad of the help”

“No problem, Applejack, were glad to help. An outbreak of Fetlock Fever in a town is nothing to sneeze at. So where are we and Braeburn supposed to meet up“

“He told me that he’d be over at the Sherriff’s office. Guess we gotta go there.”



A few minutes later found them knocking at the door of Sherriff Silverstar’s office/jail. Silverstar answered the knock.

“Good afternoon, ladies. How may I be of assistance?”

“Braeburn told us to meet him here. He said that, what with the Fetlock Fever outbreak, a lot of the town was lain up, and we’ve come to see if there is any way we can help.”

“Well, I’m certainly glad you came, but I’m afraid there isn’t really any help we need. The fever outbreak has more or less passed and pretty much everyone’s back on their hooves.”

At this moment Braeburn came galloping over. “Ah shoot, y’all’s already here. I was just going to send you a message that you didn’t have to come on account of everyone being healthy again.



“Ah don’t sweat it Braeburn,” said Applejack “Better everyone be well than poorly.”



Pinkie on the other hand seemed depressed “Dang it, I was all ready to do some serious helping! Isn’t there ANYONE who still needs assistance.”



“Well,” Said Silverstar “Mr. Drop from the candy shop came over this morning askin’ for help. Seems Peppermint Stick’s gone an’ busted his leg and he’s short hooved at the moment. Maybe Y’all like to see if he’d like to take you.

“A few minutes later found them entering Mr. Drop’s candy shop. The place seemed empty, but there was a bell on the counter and when they rang it, a most odd looking pony with a cast on his leg came limping in, with a Mohawk mane and red and white stripes.



“Greeting’s lady. My name is Peppermint Stick. How may I help you today.

Rainbow Dash couldn’t control herself “Are you even a pony? You look more like a zebra”

“Rainbow Dash, that’s rude!” said Fluttershy.

“No, no I’m quite used to it by now. Most people haven’t seen a zorse before.”

“Zorse?”

“Someone of mixed pony and zebra heritage”

At this point there was some noise from the back, and they were joined by an elderly brown pony wearing and red and white striped apron, high collar, straw boater and pince-nez spectacles.

“Oh my word, visitors. And how can I help you this fine day?

Twilight spoke first

“Well, Sherriff Silverstar said that someone over here needed some help. Are you Mr. Drop?

“I am indeed, Welcome to Mr. Drop’s Candy Shoppe.”

Applejack looked dubious for a moment

“Y’all sure your Mr. Drop. Granny said she knew Mr. Drop the candyman, and said he were yellow.”

“She must have known my late father, Lemon Drop. He went to his reward years ago. My name is Horehound Drop.”

Pinkie went pink

“Ooh what you said! It’s not nice to use nasty words

Applejack gave Pinkie a hard stare “Horehound, Pinkie. It’s an herb. Look he even has it as his Cutie Mark. Good for your throat. Granny always said a little of Mr. Drop’s horehound candy was just what you needed when you were a little hoarse. We should probably get some before we leave”

“Unfortunately, I don’t make it anymore. No demand. The young ponies all only want the newfangled candies.”

[Scribbler]

"We have a confectioner in Ponyville and I've never ever heard her mention that stuff before," Pinkie observed.

"Yes, well, as I say it's a very old recipe. Now can I help you young fillies?"

"Actually," Applejack said, stepping forward, "We were wonderin' if'n we could help y'all. Sheriff Silverstar said an extra hoof or ten might not go amiss over here."

"Plus magic," Twilight added nervously. Unicorns were not exactly plentiful in the earth pony settlement and she remembered enough of her first Winter Wrap Up in Ponyville to be nervous about offering the services of her horn where it might not be wanted.

Mr Drop sucked on his lower lip for a moment in thought. "Well now, I guess I could use a bit of help cleaning my machinery in back, but it's messy work and I wouldn't want to mess up your hooficures."

Applejack trotted past him. "Ain't never had a hooficure in my life, sir, an' I ain't about to start now. Point me at what needs cleanin' an' I'll get started."

[mannulus]

One in the back Rarity sniffed

"Do I detect the aroma of roses and violets?"

Mr. Drop nodded. "Just made up a batch of truffles."

"You do flower truffles? How chic."

[mannulus]

"As for you", He turned to Rainbow Dash, "I think you might be good at pulling taffy" H led her over to a huge hook on the wall. You throw the taffy on the hook, then pull and twist it then throw the twisted bit on again and keep repeating until the color gets a lot lighter. With those wing muscles, you should find it a cinch to pull."

[mannulus]

"Anything for me?" said Pinkie
"Me too, please. chorused Twilight"
"Uh, I'd like something to do as well, if it isn't too much trouble" said Fluttershy, quietly.

Mr. Drop smiled, the laugh lines by his eyes getting even deeper.

"I need you three up front."

He led them back to the front of the store. "You, he said", looking at Pinkie, "pony the counter. When a customer comes in, take their order and relay it to these two. You two then get it off the shelves. With those wings, you shouldn't need to move the ladder around much, and I imagine that horn of yours can lift quite a lot, in case we get a BIG order. Think you can handle it."
"Of course said Twilight"
"Uh, I think so Said Fluttershy
"Easy peasy" Said Pinkie. I help the cakes out all the time, this should be pretty much the same."