The Mane Six and Spike embark on one of their darkest missions yet when they are transported to Victorian London where a barber named Sweeney Todd is out for revenge on a corrupt judge who ruined his life.
If we didn't despise the judge enough upon the initial introduction, we can clearly see this guy is as despicable as Judge Frollo. Especially the way he judged Anthony for gandering at his girl, when he would clearly do so when she's not even aware of it. All the more reason for her friends to not only free their new friend from her gilded cage, but also to bring two potential love birds together.
On the villains' side, they really humiliated that Pirelli guy by seemingly beating him at his own game. But then again, it kind of reminds me of that wrestling match where a supposedly great guy spends more time showboating than defeating the jobber, thereby costing the man the match in the most humiliating fashion... which only makes sense if you follow wrestling as much as I do. Anyways, things seem to be going their way in their plotting revenge tactic... or 'are' they?
Later that same day, the Mane Six and Spike were still following Anthony, who was now out of his sailor’s uniform. He led the group towards Hyde Park, walking along the sidewalk absorbed in a copy of Baedeker’s London. The Equestrians were fortunate to run into the kind young man, especially since he offered to help them. Thus far, their experience in Victorian London wasn’t going so well, what with their encounter with Judge Turpin and that horrible meat pie Spike ate. Things only seemed to get worse once they realized they were one more heading down the street where Turpin’s house resided.
“Great, we’re back here again,” Rainbow Dash groaned.
“Perhaps we took a wrong turn?” Rarity spoke hopefully.
“Anthony, which direction are we supposed to go?” Twilight Sparkle asked the young man.
Anthony stopped walking and looked down from his book of maps. Looking closer at his map of London, he suddenly realized he had made a mistake.
“Forgive me my lady,” Anthony apologized. “Seems I’ve gotten us turned around.”
“What are ya talkin’ ‘bout partner?” Applejack asked. “Maybe ah outta take a gander at that there map.”
Me: Yeah, that might help.
The country girl walked alongside the young man, gazing down at the map trying to get her bearings. Just then, Pinkie Pie popped up between the two, causing Anthony to drop his map book. Pinkie quickly picked it up to study his map.
“Looks like we should’ve taken that left turn at Albuquerque,” She joked, giggling.
Pinkie laughed for a good minute until she noticed Applejack and Anthony glaring at her.
Me: Really, Pinkie?...
Anthony merely held his hand out as Pinkie cast a downtrodden look toward the ground before gently handing him back his maps.
“Just trying to lighten the mood,” Pinkie pouted.
“Ah know ya mean well Pinkie, but do try and understand,” Applejack explained to her. “We really need tah find a place to hunker down fur tonight and the day ain’t gonna last long.”
Anthony looked back at his maps but couldn’t quite pinpoint the exact location of their destination.
“I think I need to sit for a while,” Anthony said. “I need to get a good bearing on our location.”
“Does it have to be here?” Fluttershy asked worriedly. “Judge Turpin said if he saw us around his home again, there’d be consequences.”
“Judge Turpin?” Anthony questioned, confused.
“Ah, I ain’t afraid of that ole jerk!” Rainbow Dash spoke defiantly. “He gives us any trouble, why I’ll have no problem giving one good punch to his smug face.”
“Rainbow, remember what I said about blending in?” Twilight reminded her.
“Buck that!” Rainbow retorted. “He may be a judge, but that doesn’t give him the right to treat us like dirt.”
Me: It's not worth making the situation worse Dash.
Sonata Dusk: He's right, I'd hate to be locked up.
“Still, we don’t want to give that horrid man any reason to lock us up,” Rarity warned. “I wouldn’t be able to stand prison. The clothing’s hideous! Don’t even get me started on the stripes. They clash so dreadfully.”
“Typical Rarity,” Rainbow whispered to herself. While the girls spoke, Anthony made his way toward a nearby bench on the side of the road. He took a seat as he studied his map, trying to chart their location. But little did he realize that fate had other plans in store for this traveling group.
<>
Meanwhile, inside the mansion, a certain golden haired girl sat at her window as she worked on her needlepoint. After meeting those girls and the young man from earlier today, Johanna had watched them leave from her bedroom window. Oh, how she desperately wished she could go with them. All her life she’d been trapped in this house with only Judge Turpin and Beadle Bamford for company. This hauntingly sad, yet beautiful girl felt so much like a prisoner, even her window above, behind bars, felt like a prison.
Nearby the window was a cage containing a few birds letting out a few melodious tweets, gifts from a passing bird seller with those long, wooden poles carrying little bird cages. Johanna looked from her needlepoint with a smile, quietly observing the birds in their cage. How she longed for a day when she could finally leave, just as she imagines these birds in their cage. With the twittering birds giving her a few notes, Johanna released her desire for freedom through song.
Johanna (Sings): Green finch and linnet bird, Nightingale, blackbird, How is it you sing? How can you jubilate, sitting in cages, Never taking wing?
Outside the manor, the Mane Six and Spike heard the lovely angelic singing, drawing their gaze toward the young woman sitting by the window.
“Johanna!” Pinkie exclaimed excitedly.
Anthony too looked up from his book, noticing the beautiful girl in the window. Anthony watched her, absolutely mesmerized. For the moment his gaze fell on her, he was immediately entranced.
Me: *seeing Anthony, remembering how it goes*
Johanna (Sings): Outside the sky waits, Beckoning, beckoning, Just beyond the bars. How can you remain staring at the rain, Maddened by the stars? How is it you sing anything? How is it you sing?
From high in her gilded cage, Johanna looked down toward the streets below where she’d see everyone going about their everyday lives, relishing their freedom. Her eyes soon noticed Anthony along the street, staring up at her with an enamored look on his face. There is a long look between them; her intense, melancholy expression moved him. As she looked, she couldn’t help but notice that not only he was a very handsome young man but also took notice of those odd girls and their young friend staring and waving at her. She gave a small wave back as she smiled, wishing she could join them. Yet somehow, this strange anguish and yearning of her words seemed intended only to that one man.
Johanna (Sings): My cage has many rooms, Damask and dark. Nothing there sings, Not even my lark. Larks never will, you know, When they’re captive.
Teach me to be more adaptive. Ah-h-h-h-h-h-h-h
What Johanna had no idea of was the secret peep hole just beside her bedroom door, covered only by a painting on the outside. Just outside her room, Judge Turpin lifted the painting off the wall, leaning closely to peer through the hole. He saw Johanna staring out the window, singing, and he wondered just exactly what had attracted her attention.
Johanna (Sings): Green finch and linnet bird, Nightingale, blackbird, Teach me how to sing. If I cannot fly, Let me sing.
Down below, everyone couldn’t help but feel the emotion emanated from the poor young girl’s song. All she longed for was freedom from her suppression, yet seemingly growing to accept that it was not going to happen. She gave one last sad smile before she turned away quickly, alarmed, as if someone had just entered her room. The Equestrians and Anthony could see she was terrified, the young sailor felt greatly concerned for her. It wasn’t long before she moved from the window and vanished just as quickly.
“Poor Johanna,” Fluttershy sighed sadly. “She sang that song from her heart; she wants her freedom.”
“We know that’s never going to happen with that judge around,” Spike responded.
I feel an ache in my heart, knowing just how she felt, having seen a performance of the show myself.
Just then, as Anthony craned for a better look, a raggedy beggar woman made her way down the street. A filthy tendril of a woman, her foul clothes of rags like a second skin. She thrust her arm up from the curb, imploring for any sort of coinage or assurance.
Me: *turn to see who it is, but I don't say her name*
Beggar Woman (Sings): Alms! … Alms! … For a miserable woman! On a miserably chilly… morning…
She stopped alongside Anthony and the Equestrian heroes, who eyed with pity toward the poor woman. Anthony reached into his pocket and gave what little coins he could muster for her.
“Thank yer, sir!” The woman exclaimed with relief. ‘Thank yer…”
Then Twilight Sparkle reached from her own dress and pulled out a small bag of gold bits, handing it to the woman.
“Here you go, miss,” Twilight smiled. “Hope these will help you.”
“Yer a mighty kind young girl,” The beggar thanked her.
I just stare at the ground feeling sad for what the women went through to become like this. Sonata is confused by my behavior.
The old woman proceeded to make way down the street before Anthony stopped her.
“Ma’am, could you tell me whose house this is?” Anthony asked her.
“That’s the great Judge Turpin’s house, that is…” The beggar replied.
“And the young lady who resides there?”
“We can answer that for you, Anthony,” Pinkie Pie giggled. “Her name’s Johanna and she’s really nice. The only problem is she lives with Judge Turpin. Spoiler alert: He’s a great big meanie pants.”
“The lil’l lady speaks true, sir,” The beggar nodded. “Johanna’s his pretty little ward. Keeps her snug, he does, all locked up… so don’t you go trespassing there or it’s a good whipping for ya – or any other young man with mischief on his mind…”
The thought of anyone held against their will disgusts me.
Suddenly, like flipping a switch, the beggar woman snapped into a new personality, leering into a lewd, demented assault as she became incredibly sultry trying to push herself into Anthony.
Beggar Woman (Sings): ‘Ow would you like a little muff, dear A little jig dear, A little bounce around the bush?! Wouldn’t you like to push me parsley? It seems to ME, dear, Like you got plenty there to push.
Seeing the beggar woman attempting to grab Anthony, the Equestrians knew they had to act quick. The Mane Six and Spike rushed to intervene, pulling the woman off Anthony, who started back.
“What do you think you’re doing?!” Spike yelled.
“Ya can’t go around assaulting people like that!” Applejack added.
Once again, the woman snapped back to her original personality, instantly plaintive again, looking as though she had no earthly idea what was going on.
“What you on about?” The woman asked cluelessly, walking off.
Beggar Woman (Sings): Alms! … Alms! … For a desperate woman…!
Me: *shake my head in sadness*
The raggedy beggar woman slinked away back down the street, appealing to other pedestrians and almost oblivious to how she’d just been. All eyes stared after her, both in shock and to some… disgust.
“Okay, I’m going to say it,” Rainbow spoke, breaking the silence. “What… the hay… was that?”
“I’ll tell you what that was, darling,” Rarity replied. “That lady has completely lost her senses! She’s gone utterly mad!”
“What do you expect?” Twilight Sparkle replied. “In times like these, homelessness is as bad as being in exile. Forced to wander the streets, with no one to show any sort of kindness, and fighting to survive every day. Who wouldn’t go crazy?”
“Regardless darling, that’s no excuse to assault someone in such a way.”
“We do seem to attract the weirdest people,” Spike replied, with a shrug.
Me: Meh, I've seen weirder.
“At least we’re good at it,” Pinkie Pie giggled.
It was then Twilight Sparkle looked over, noting Anthony’s focus was entirely upon that window.
“Anthony, are you okay?” Twilight asked, concerned.
“Do you think it’s true?” Anthony asked, gazing at the window. “Is she really kept locked up?”
“Trust me, we’ve met Judge Turpin when we first got here,” Twilight responded honestly. “I speak for all of us when I say it’s worth believing.”
“It’s terrible to keep someone caged up like a little bird,” Fluttershy spoke somberly.
Anthony kept looking at the window, considering the mansion. He swore he could see a figure standing at the window, unclear behind the shutters, watching him. Then, as he sat on the bench outside the mansion, he turned toward his new friends with determination.
“I must help set her free,” Anthony declared.
“How do you plan to do that?” Spike asked.
“I’m not sure,” Anthony responded. “But I’ll find a way… I have to… somehow.”
Seeing the determination on his face, Applejack couldn’t help but notice something else behind his eyes. Something that compelled the man toward her… and it occurred to the country pony in disguise.
“Do you… like her?” Applejack spoke up.
Anthony, slightly taken aback by the question, turned away so none could see the slight blush along his face. Suffice to say, it didn’t go completely unnoticed.
“Sweet Celestia, he does!” Rainbow smirked.
“But how can that be possible?” Rarity questioned. “He’s only seen her just now and hasn’t spoken a word to her. How can he possibly have such fondness for her already?”
“It worked for Victor and Victoria a while back,” Pinkie Pie reminded.
Sonata Dusk: Oh yeah, I remember watching that.
As they continued to converse, Anthony focused his attention back on the window the beautiful young girl just sat by. If what the beggar said of Johanna was right, how she’d been locked away inside for so long, all he’d want was to help her escape.
Anthony (Sings): I feel you, Johanna, I feel you. I was half convinced I’d waken, Satisfied enough to dream you. Happily, I was mistaken, Johanna! I’ll steal you, Johanna, I’ll steal you…
(Pause at 0:48)
And then, the figure disappeared from the window above. Anthony stood waiting until suddenly… the doors to the mansion swung open. Anthony expected Johanna… but instead, it was none other than Judge Turpin, the predator in Todd’s flashback, standing in the doorway. Only, he seemed a different man now. The old judge actually had what looked like some semblance of a small grin on his face, paternal and warm, and gestured for the young man to come inside. Anthony looked at the judge unsurely for a moment, but slowly pressed himself forward at his beckoning.
“Come in, lad,” Turpin beckoned kindly. “Come in…”
Anthony walked past the judge and into the manor as Turpin looked on. His eyes soon loomed over his shoulder, noticing the human Equestrians in deep conversation, oblivious to his eye. His small grin diminished, replaced by a glare as he stepped back inside. He would deal with them later as soon as he took care of some… business. And so, without them noticing, he shut the door behind him.
“I do wish we can go up there,” Fluttershy pointed toward the window. “Just to at least make sure Johanna is okay.”
“And she does deserve to know she has gained a new admirer,” Rarity added.
“Oh sure, simple as all that,” Spike nodded. “We’re just going to waltz right up to the manor, knock on the door, and ask Judge Turpin if we could visit Johanna for tea.”
“Boy, someone’s been getting snarky since their growth spurt,” Rainbow whispered to Pinkie Pie.
Sonata Dusk: No kidding.
Me: *prepare myself for what's coming next*
Twilight Sparkle studied the window where Johanna’s form had previously been seen. It was as though she were in deep concentration, as if by chance concocting some form of plan. This hadn’t gone unnoticed as Applejack had caught a trace of Twilight’s deepening gaze.
“I reckon I know that look anywhere,” Applejack observed. “Wut are ya thinkin’, Twi?”
“Hmm… it’s possible there may be a way we may be able to visit Johanna again without the Judge knowing about us,” Twilight Sparkle responded. “It’s a risky plan and could put us in more trouble than we need. But if we are to help Johanna, she will want to know about Anthony.”
“But we’ve never even been inside their house,” Spike pointed out. “How would we even be able to get to Johanna.”
“My magic can still trace where Johanna is, but you are right. Without knowing ‘where’ she is, we’ll end up anywhere in the manor. But if my suspicions are true, and Johanna’s spent her days cooped up in that room, that’s where she’ll be. Gather round, everypony.”
Twilight’s friends proceeded to circle around her. Making sure no one crossing the street was paying attention, Twilight Sparkle closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and proceeded to channel her magic within her. An aura slowly formed not only around Twilight Sparkle, but her friends standing by. Within a matter of seconds, before anyone else paid any attention enough to notice, they quickly vanished from the very ground they stood.
*As for Sonata and I, we stood watch yet again. As we did, I tried to think of more info concerning the message Postwar sent me*
<>
Up in her bedroom, Johanna had been listening from the doorway nervously, as if trying to hear what was going on outside her room. Being that the door was thick, she could scarcely hear anything outside but did her best anyway. Little did she know, however, was that she wasn’t entirely alone. For as she leaned on the door, listening with one ear, Twilight Sparkle and her friends stood right by the corner of the room. Without warning, Pinkie Pie tiptoed her way behind Johanna, and leaned her ear casually along the door.
“Who are we listening for?” Pinkie Pie whispered.
Johanna gasped lightly and quickly turned her face toward Pinkie Pie. Startled, she slowly stepped back only to bump right into another unfamiliar figure. She stopped, turned her eyes, and to her surprise the strangers from earlier today were all here, standing in her room.
“What are you all doing in here?” Johanna whispered, confused.
“Sorry for startling you again Johanna,” Twilight answered. “We just had to come and see you again.”
“But I’ve told you, you can’t. If Turpin ever finds you here, he’ll… wait. How… how did you even get in here?”
“We’re not stupid to go through the front door, if that’s what you mean,” Rainbow Dash remarked.
Confused, Johanna tried to point out just how they managed to even enter her bedroom. Briefly, she drew her eyes to the window.
“You didn’t try to climb your way up the window, did you?” Johanna questioned. “No, someone would easily notice, and the windows are barred from the outside. Tell me honestly, how did you all get in here?”
Twilight Sparkle and her friends faced one another in deep silence. They knew at some point folks were bound to question their presence sooner or later. But seeing how they’d made a friend in Johanna, who had been nothing but kind to them despite her initial uncertainty of them, Twilight Sparkle knew what needed to be done. After a silent ponder, she turned her attention back to Johanna.
“You’re right Johanna, you deserve to know how we got here,” Twilight Sparkle answered. “The truth is… we’re not… who you think we are.”
“What do you mean?” Johanna asked, confused.
Turning to her left, then to her right, Twilight Sparkle channeled the magic once more which grew around herself and her friends. There was a momentary flash of light, that caused Johanna to look away for a moment, until the light slowly faded. And when the light completely diminished, she turned back only for her face to widen in surprise. For there, standing in place of six girls and one boy, now six ponies, some with odd appendages, and a dragon stood before her. Johanna almost felt the urge to scream but knew it would do her no good to make noise. Instead, she studied them, trying to come to terms with what she’s looking at.
“What… what are all of you?” Johanna asked quietly. “Are you… angels?”
“Oh no, Johanna,” Twilight Sparkle shook her head. “We’re nothing like that. We are ponies, no different than the kind you see on the streets. Except, you also see a unicorn, some Pegasi, and I myself an Alicorn.”
“An… alicorn?”
“Basically, a pony that has the wingspan of a Pegasus and the horn of a unicorn. Very powerful, yet very few and rare… I happen to be one of them. We come from a magical place called Equestria, a place you won’t find on any map but for us it’s out home.”
“And… are you a dragon?” Johanna pointed toward Spike.
“Well, ‘finally’ you notice,” Spike smirked. “Most people mistake me for a lizard; I don’t really get the joke.”
“We needed to assume some human identity in order to blend in with your society,” Rarity explained. “The idea of seeing talking ponies and a dragon in a land with hardly a sort to be seen tends to make people very nervous. I’m sure you understand.”
Johanna slowly nodded her head, for she too felt that way knowing that she was in the presence of talking animals. Like something out of a fairytale book come to life. Nobody in this town would believe it, and given everyone’s nature during these times, she’d know most of them wouldn’t take it kindly. But rather than being afraid, she was more curious than ever.
“If what you say is true, why would you still come all the way here?” Johanna asked.
“Because we heard your longing through song,” Fluttershy answered. “We come to places like this when someone needs help… and your voice was the loudest of all.”
“Hmm… you really do care for me, despite the danger you’re putting yourselves in,” Johanna pondered, then realized. “The young man, the one who was with you outside… who was he?”
“That there’s Anthony,” Applejack answered. “A kind feller, a sailor. We were lucky to run into ‘im while lookin’ for shelter for the night. He admires you.”
“Yeah… say, that reminds me,” Rainbow Dash realized. “What happened with Anthony anyway?”
“Well, there was the fact he was singing his longing for Johanna while we were having our little girl talk,” Pinkie Pie replied. “Men tend to break into song at the presence of pretty girls. I happen to know; my Cheesy has the voice of an angel…”
While Pinkie Pie rambled on, Johanna listened… and her eyes widened with realization. She turned back toward the door, as if a horrifying reality dawned on her.
“Where is he now?” Johanna asked, barely above a whisper.
<>
Meanwhile, Judge Turpin led Anthony into his own personal library, a dark place yet filled with books. The young man couldn’t help but look around and admire all the brilliant architecture of the house. There were gorgeous paintings, lavish furniture, and the most amazing statues everywhere he looked. But amidst all this splendor and wonder, Anthony seemed to be looking around for Johanna. His eyes were wary, as if he this was all very strange.
“… you were looking for Hyde Park, you say?” Turpin asked, entering the library.
“Yes, it’s terribly large on the map,” Anthony replied. “But I keep getting lost…”
“Sit down lad, sit down,” Turpin offered.
Anthony gladly took a seat on one of the lavish chairs, as uncomfortable as he felt being here. The Judge proceeded to pour two snifters of brand.
“It’s embarrassing for a sailor to lose his bearing,” Anthony continued nervously. “But, well, there you are.”
Just then, the large form of Beadle Bamford appeared from the shadows. No introduction was made, as Turpin looked behind the young lad to his right hand man. Anthony glanced at the judge, uneasily, as the latter proceeded to hand the brandy to the sailor.
“A sailor, eh?” The Judge inquired.
“Yes, sir,” Anthony nodded. “The ‘Bountiful’ out of Plymouth.”
“A sailor must know the ways of the world, yes…?” The Judge continued. “Must be practiced in the ways of the world… would you say you are practiced, boy?”
“Sir?”
The Judge moved to consider some beautiful volumes amidst his libraries. His most prized collection, bound in the richest leather. He brushed a finger along the spines of the books, his large library of pornography.
“Oh, yes… such practices…” The Judge emphasized, breathing heavily. “The geishas of Japan… the concubines of Siam… the catamites of Greece… the harlots of India… I have them all here… drawings of them…”
Slowly, the Judge turned again toward Anthony. Any form of warmth initially presented toward the sailor, now the young man could see that while he smiled amiably there was a hint of venom in his tone. Just feeling that chill from this man, Anthony was speechless and uncertain how to respond to such vulgar manner.
“… All the vile things you’ve done with your whores,” The Judge continued. “Would you like to see?”
“I think there’s been some mistake—” Anthony answered, standing up.
“Oh, I think not. You gandered at my ward, Johanna… you gandered at her… yes, sir, you gandered.”
Anthony didn’t get very far when the Beadle moved in, like a lion about to pounce upon a mouse.
“Do you believe I lie to you, young man?” The Judge continued. “That you were not in league with that green-haired boy nor your frivolous activities with those ladies you are in company with? Do you not believe I do not see the signs when a man has such… insatiable desires of which he cannot keep to himself?”
“I meant no harm—” Anthony glanced nervously at the Beadle.
“Your meaning is immaterial,” The Judge spat, holding his rage. “Mark me: if I see your face again on this street, you’ll rue the day your bitch of a mother gave you birth.”
Anthony stood stunned, all the words he heard of this judge suddenly rang with a hint of clarity. For this man wasn’t just cold-hearted and mean… he was insane. The judge proceeded, with shocking venom rolling off his tongue:
“My Johanna isn’t one of your bloody cockchafers! My Johanna is not to be gandered at!”
With a nod toward the Beadle, the man instantly grabbed Anthony, and brutally hauled him out as the corrupted judge looked on. As Anthony was led out, the Judge’s eyes loomed up toward the ceiling as if he could sense something. If Anthony had truly been gandering as he suspected, who’s to say… it wasn’t just ‘him’…
<>
“Judge Turpin must never know about Anthony,” Johanna warned the group. “He hates any and all men he suspects would do me harm just by looking at me. But I know the truth… he wants to keep me for himself, and he’ll rid London of anyone he deems a threat… including you.”
“It was pretty obvious when that judge made it clear we weren’t to come by his house anymore,” Rainbow Dash pointed out.
“All this time we only meant to blend in until we realized why we’re here,” Twilight Sparkle spoke. “But now we’ve seen the severity of the situation; we’ve seen the way Turpin treats you. That’s why… we’re going to free you from this life, and we believe Anthony can help us.”
“But how?” Johanna asked worriedly. “All the doors and windows are locked at all times. Turpin barely lets people into his house unless its for entertainment or business, and when he does let people in… only bad things happen. What’s that?”
As if sensing something, Johanna quickly raced toward the door and leaned her ear. The others followed closely behind, wondering what she was hearing. Johanna clasped her hands over her mouth, as if she discovered something horrifying.
“The Beadle’s dragging someone out of the house,” Johanna informed her friends. “He must’ve heard Anthony was watching me… oh no!”
“We’ll discuss further escape plans later,” Twilight declared. “Right now, we have to get to Anthony before he gets hurt. Don’t worry, Johanna. We’re going to get you out of this even if it takes us a week. Come on, guys.”
“Yeah… wait, a week?” Spike cringed.
“Come along, buddy!” Rainbow Dash dragged the dragon.
Quickly, the group gathered around Twilight Sparkle, who quickly summoned every ounce of magic to transport themselves out of Johanna’s room as fast as they arrived. Johanna stood there, looking around the room which seemed as though hardly another soul other than her was in the room. Whether or not she dreamt this, her thoughts were again upon the sailor boy… praying no harm comes to him… because of her.
<>
In a flash of light, the Mane Six and Spike were transported in the back alley of Judge Turpin’s house. The magic also shifted them back into their human disguises, as they quickly made their way through the alley. No sooner had they reached the back of the house when the rear door swung open. Beadle Bamford practically dragged Anthony out of the mansion and flung him into the filthy alley. Anthony pulled himself up, stunned.
“Hyde Park is that way, young sir,” Beadle said, as he threw Anthony out. “A right and then a left, then straight on, you see? Move on now!”
Flustered, Anthony turned to look, but the instant his back turned, the Beadle swung his lethal billyclub and slammed him from behind brutally, in the kidneys. Anthony’s knees buckled while the Beadle then slammed Anthony across the back of the neck. Anthony fell hard and Beadle then extended the end of the club and proceeded to whip Anthony across the back a few times for good measure, causing the boy to cry out in pain. It was at that moment the Mane Six and Spike burst into the area.
“Hey!” Rainbow Dash yelled. “Lay one more hand on that boy and I’ll pound you so far into the ground you’ll wake up in China!”
The Beadle paused mid-swing, eyeing the collection of women and that young boy of theirs. He grinned toothily, as he swung his billyclub with a delicate hand.
“Well… no surprise to see any of you here,” Beadle eyed them. “Rats tend to travel in packs.”
“You’re one to talk, Wormtail,” Pinkie Pie replied.
“What’d you call me?” Beadle asked confused.
“Oops… sorry, too soon for the series,” Pinkie chuckled. “We’ll bring that back up in the future.”
Beadle merely rolled his eyes in annoyance before he used one dainty foot to roll Anthony over. Anthony gazed up at him, panting for breath, in agony as Beadle pressed the end of his billyclub into Anthony’s forehead, grinding it hard.
“Now you heard what Judge Turpin said,” Beadle warned. “Next time, it’ll be your pretty brains all over the pavement.”
The Beadle then loomed toward the girls and Spike, who braced themselves as he looked on with malicious intent.
“As for you lot… you were warned never to come near this house,” The Beadle sneered. “And what’d you do? You refused. Lucky for you, the Judge is out on important business, and I have errands of my own to attend to. But next time we meet, I shall personally make sure not a bodice nor any trace of sweat from your brow lingers… not when I’m through with any of you.”
With that, Beadle returned to the mansion and slammed the door.
Me: *rush over with Sonata*
Sonata Dusk: Is he alright?
Twilight Sparkle and friends approached Anthony, slowly and carefully pulling him to his knees. He doubled over, coughing up blood. The group looked on with concern, suspecting he may have suffered some internal bleeding. After a long pause, Anthony drew his breath, wiping the blood from his face. Still doubled over, he sang with burning intensity much to the awe of the group.
(Resume Song)
Anthony (Sings): I’ll steal you, Johanna, I’ll steal you! Do they think that walls can hide you? Even now, I’m at your window. I am in the dark beside you, Buried sweetly in your yellow hair.
Anthony pulled himself up, every moment was pure utter agony. With the Equestrians in disguise following behind, he made his way down the alley, leaning on Applejack and Rainbow Dash for support. Soon, the group emerged from the dark alley and into the bright sunlight London could offer. Eventually, they made their way alongside the sidewalk.
Anthony (Sings): I feel you, Johanna, And one day I’ll steal you. Till I’m with you then, I’m with you there, Sweetly buried in your yellow hair…
The group stopped at a park across the street from Turpin’s mansion, Anthony bravely gazing up at Johanna’s window. With Johanna in mind, the group turned, making their way from Turpin’s house to Hyde Park. As of today, they were more determined than ever to make certain that one thing comes from this horrible situation. A motive that draws the fire within Twilight Sparkle’s own eyes.
“We will get you out of there, Johanna,” Twilight Sparkle silently declared.
Wow Anthony got it worse from the Judge than Spike did. and Todd has already made a reputation for himself now.
“But how can that be possible?” Rarity questioned. “He’s only seen her just now and hasn’t spoken a word to her. How can he possibly have such fondness for her already?”
You forget Spike was exactly the same towards you.
“Boy, someone’s been getting snarky since their growth spurt,” Rainbow whispered to Pinkie Pie.
Spike's going through puberty, Rainbow Dash. That's natural behavior for a growing dragon as any creature. He's not the same height as he was before. So you and any pony else shouldn't refer to him as little anymore like several still have been since his growth spurt
Ah yes. Nice to see some Sascha Baron Cohen in this series. I will also say this movie definitely changed how I heard the word "gander" at times. Thank Rickman's delivery on that. I can also imagine Johanna's sheltered situation reminds them a little of Carrie although thankfully Miss White never had to deal with the judge, though that would likely not end well for him regardless. I can tell they definitely have a heated nemesis with the judge so far.
I had received Postwar’s message over the answering machine (don’t ask how a smartphone can leave messages on a dial phone because I don’t know either), retelling the same story that my audience had already seen. While I was angry at Celestia’s decisions, I was glad I had calmed down in time to think logically.
Chrysalis was a known liar and spectacular manipulator. Perhaps she was spinning a story to garner sympathy from Todd and Lovett, but there was no denying her more emotive behaviors. She had once upon a time fallen in love with a pony named Fire Wall, and Celestia had taken him away from her.
But there was more to the story, a missing half from another source to put Chrysalis’ side into better perspective. To be honest, I was more worried about how the audience in the present would react to seeing the story for themselves. I looked over to the gathering of visitors from Hell, specifically at the Radio Demon. No doubt he was having a bout of enjoyment, not just from the movie alone.
My eyes then went to one of the other visitors.
Me: You know, Angel looks adorable when he watches movies like that.
Sunny: What?
Me: (embarrassed) N-nothing.
Later that same day, the Mane Six and Spike were still following Anthony, who was now out of his sailor’s uniform. He led the group towards Hyde Park, walking along the sidewalk absorbed in a copy of Baedeker’s London. The Equestrians were fortunate to run into the kind young man, especially since he offered to help them. Thus far, their experience in Victorian London wasn’t going so well, what with their encounter with Judge Turpin and that horrible meat pie Spike ate. Things only seemed to get worse once they realized they were one more heading down the street where Turpin’s house resided.
“Great, we’re back here again,” Rainbow Dash groaned.
“Perhaps we took a wrong turn?” Rarity spoke hopefully.
Zipp: Yeah, anywhere would be better than this dump.
Sunny: Wait. What about Johanna?
“Anthony, which direction are we supposed to go?” Twilight Sparkle asked the young man.
Anthony stopped walking and looked down from his book of maps. Looking closer at his map of London, he suddenly realized he had made a mistake.
“Forgive me my lady,” Anthony apologized. “Seems I’ve gotten us turned around.”
“What are ya talkin’ ‘bout partner?” Applejack asked. “Maybe ah outta take a gander at that there map.”
The country girl walked alongside the young man, gazing down at the map trying to get her bearings. Just then, Pinkie Pie popped up between the two, causing Anthony to drop his map book. Pinkie quickly picked it up to study his map.
“Looks like we should’ve taken that left turn at Albuquerque,” She joked, giggling.
Pinkie laughed for a good minute until she noticed Applejack and Anthony glaring at her. Anthony merely held his hand out as Pinkie cast a downtrodden look toward the ground before gently handing him back his maps.
“Just trying to lighten the mood,” Pinkie pouted.
Me: I get the reference, but maybe it’s best if you saved for somewhere more appropriate than the disease ridden streets of Victorian London.
“Ah know ya mean well Pinkie, but do try and understand,” Applejack explained to her. “We really need tah find a place to hunker down fur tonight and the day ain’t gonna last long.”
Anthony looked back at his maps but couldn’t quite pinpoint the exact location of their destination.
“I think I need to sit for a while,” Anthony said. “I need to get a good bearing on our location.”
“Does it have to be here?” Fluttershy asked worriedly. “Judge Turpin said if he saw us around his home again, there’d be consequences.”
“Judge Turpin?” Anthony questioned, confused.
“Ah, I ain’t afraid of that ole jerk!” Rainbow Dash spoke defiantly. “He gives us any trouble, why I’ll have no problem giving one good punch to his smug face.”
“Rainbow, remember what I said about blending in?” Twilight reminded her.
“Buck that!” Rainbow retorted. “He may be a judge, but that doesn’t give him the right to treat us like dirt.”
Hitch: I’d be more worried about his power as a judge. Whether you like him or not, he can manipulate the law in his favor.
Zipp: That greasy flank!
Hitch: Hey!
Zipp: Oh, no! I-I didn’t mean you, Hitch! I was talking about Turpin! I’m sorry.
Hitch: (sighs) It’s alright. I should have figured.
“Still, we don’t want to give that horrid man any reason to lock us up,” Rarity warned. “I wouldn’t be able to stand prison. The clothing’s hideous! Don’t even get me started on the stripes. They clash so dreadfully.”
“Typical Rarity,” Rainbow whispered to herself.
While the girls spoke, Anthony made his way toward a nearby bench on the side of the road. He took a seat as he studied his map, trying to chart their location. But little did he realize that fate had other plans in store for this traveling group.
Me: To be honest, I prefer some prison uniforms to others. My personal favorite is a light blue shirt in suspended jeans.
Izzy: I’ve always wanted to wear stripes!
Hitch: Just…make sure you don’t end up wearing them in jail.
Meanwhile, inside the mansion, a certain golden haired girl sat at her window as she worked on her needlepoint. After meeting those girls and the young man from earlier today, Johanna had watched them leave from her bedroom window. Oh, how she desperately wished she could go with them. All her life she’d been trapped in this house with only Judge Turpin and Beadle Bamford for company. This hauntingly sad, yet beautiful girl felt so much like a prisoner, even her window above, behind bars, felt like a prison.
Nearby the window was a cage containing a few birds letting out a few melodious tweets, gifts from a passing bird seller with those long, wooden poles carrying little bird cages. Johanna looked from her needlepoint with a smile, quietly observing the birds in their cage. How she longed for a day when she could finally leave, just as she imagines these birds in their cage.
Sunny: Poor Johanna.
Zipp: Yeah, I’ve been there before. When I was young, I wasn’t even allowed to leave the castle for days at a time.
Izzy: Which is how we found you on that mountain!
Zipp: (chuckles at the memory) Yeah, just like that.
Pipp: Oh, hoofness, is she gonna sing? I would love to hear her singing voice again!
With the twittering birds giving her a few notes, Johanna released her desire for freedom through song.
Johanna (Sings): Green finch and linnet bird, Nightingale, blackbird, How is it you sing? How can you jubilate, sitting in cages, Never taking wing?
Outside the manor, the Mane Six and Spike heard the lovely angelic singing, drawing their gaze toward the young woman sitting by the window.
“Johanna!” Pinkie exclaimed excitedly.
Hitch: Shh! Not so loud! You’ll alert Turpin again!
Anthony too looked up from his book, noticing the beautiful girl in the window. Anthony watched her, absolutely mesmerized. For the moment his gaze fell on her, he was immediately entranced.
Johanna (Sings): Outside the sky waits, Beckoning, beckoning, Just beyond the bars. How can you remain staring at the rain, Maddened by the stars? How is it you sing anything? How is it you sing?
From high in her gilded cage, Johanna looked down toward the streets below where she’d see everyone going about their everyday lives, relishing their freedom. Her eyes soon noticed Anthony along the street, staring up at her with an enamored look on his face. There is a long look between them; her intense, melancholy expression moved him. As she looked, she couldn’t help but notice that not only he was a very handsome young man but also took notice of those odd girls and their young friend staring and waving at her. She gave a small wave back as she smiled, wishing she could join them. Yet somehow, this strange anguish and yearning of her words seemed intended only to that one man.
Johanna (Sings): My cage has many rooms, Damask and dark. Nothing there sings, Not even my lark. Larks never will, you know, When they’re captive.
Teach me to be more adaptive. Ah-h-h-h-h-h-h-h
Pipp: (gasps, lovestruck) It’s love at first sight~! And that high note, it’s just…AAHH!!!
Zipp: (groans) Oh, great. It’s this cliche again.
Me: Well, it’s not the first time Sondheim has done this.
What Johanna had no idea of was the secret peephole just beside her bedroom door, covered only by a painting on the outside. Just outside her room, Judge Turpin lifted the painting off the wall, leaning closely to peer through the hole. He saw Johanna staring out the window, singing, and he wondered just exactly what had attracted her attention.
Hitch: Is he…is he watching her?! So this man’s a groper too?!
Zipp: Oh, that is just beyond disgusting!
Johanna (Sings): Green finch and linnet bird, Nightingale, blackbird, Teach me how to sing. If I cannot fly, Let me sing.
Down below, everyone couldn’t help but feel the emotion emanated from the poor young girl’s song. All she longed for was freedom from her suppression, yet seemingly growing to accept that it was not going to happen. She gave one last sad smile before she turned away quickly, alarmed, as if someone had just entered her room. The Equestrians and Anthony could see she was terrified, the young sailor felt greatly concerned for her. It wasn’t long before she moved from the window and vanished just as quickly.
“Poor Johanna,” Fluttershy sighed sadly. “She sang that song from her heart; she wants her freedom.”
“We know that’s never going to happen with that judge around,” Spike responded.
Just then, as Anthony craned for a better look, a raggedy beggar woman made her way down the street. A filthy tendril of a woman, her foul clothes of rags like a second skin. She thrust her arm up from the curb, imploring for any sort of coinage or assurance.
Pipp: Ew~! A beggar!
Me: Another common sight of the era.
Sunny: You seem to know a lot about this era.
Me: Mostly in part to Charles Dickens. A famous author who grew up, lived, and wrote about this era specifically.
Beggar Woman (Sings): Alms! … Alms! … For a miserable woman! On a miserably chilly… morning…
She stopped alongside Anthony and the Equestrian heroes, who eyed with pity toward the poor woman. Anthony reached into his pocket and gave what little coins he could muster for her.
“Thank yer, sir!” The woman exclaimed with relief. “Thank yer…”
Sunny: That was kind of them.
Izzy: (down) It makes my Sparkle dim seeing ponies or people who don’t have much to live by.
Then Twilight Sparkle reached from her own dress and pulled out a small bag of gold bits, handing it to the woman.
“Here you go, miss,” Twilight smiled. “Hope these will help you.”
“Yer a mighty kind young girl,” The beggar thanked her.
The old woman proceeded to make way down the street before Anthony stopped her.
“Ma’am, could you tell me whose house this is?” Anthony asked her.
“That’s the great Judge Turpin’s house, that is…” The beggar replied.
“And the young lady who resides there?”
“We can answer that for you, Anthony,” Pinkie Pie giggled. “Her name’s Johanna and she’s really nice. The only problem is she lives with Judge Turpin. Spoiler alert: He’s a great big meanie pants.”
“The lil’l lady speaks true, sir,” The beggar nodded. “Johanna’s his pretty little ward. Keeps her snug, he does, all locked up… so don’t you go trespassing there or it’s a good whipping for ya – or any other young man with mischief on his mind…”
Suddenly, like flipping a switch, the beggar woman snapped into a new personality, leering into a lewd, demented assault as she became incredibly sultry trying to push herself into Anthony.
Zipp: Woah! Hey now!
Beggar Woman (Sings): ‘Ow would you like a little muff, dear A little jig dear, A little bounce around the bush?! Wouldn’t you like to push me parsley? It seems to ME, dear, Like you got plenty there to push.
Seeing the beggar woman attempting to grab Anthony, the Equestrians knew they had to act quick. The Mane Six and Spike rushed to intervene, pulling the woman off Anthony, who started back.
Pipp: Let him go!
Izzy: (innocent) What’s her problem?
“What do you think you’re doing?!” Spike yelled.
“Ya can’t go around assaulting people like that!” Applejack added.
Once again, the woman snapped back to her original personality, instantly plaintive again, looking as though she had no earthly idea what was going on.
“What you on about?” The woman asked cluelessly, walking off.
Beggar Woman (Sings): Alms! … Alms! … For a desperate woman…!
Zipp: That…was weird.
The raggedy beggar woman slinked away back down the street, appealing to other pedestrians and almost oblivious to how she’d just been. All eyes stared after her, both in shock and to some… disgust.
“Okay, I’m going to say it,” Rainbow spoke, breaking the silence. “What… the hay… was that?”
“I’ll tell you what that was, darling,” Rarity replied. “That lady has completely lost her senses! She’s gone utterly mad!”
“What do you expect?” Twilight Sparkle replied. “In times like these, homelessness is as bad as being in exile. Forced to wander the streets, with no one to show any sort of kindness, and fighting to survive every day. Who wouldn’t go crazy?”
“Regardless darling, that’s no excuse to assault someone in such a way.”
“We do seem to attract the weirdest people,” Spike replied, with a shrug.
Me: You ain’t seen nothin’ yet, Spike mah boy.
“At least we’re good at it,” Pinkie Pie giggled.
It was then Twilight Sparkle looked over, noting Anthony’s focus was entirely upon that window.
“Anthony, are you okay?” Twilight asked, concerned.
“Do you think it’s true?” Anthony asked, gazing at the window. “Is she really kept locked up?”
“Trust me, we’ve met Judge Turpin when we first got here,” Twilight responded honestly. “I speak for all of us when I say it’s worth believing.”
“It’s terrible to keep someone caged up like a little bird,” Fluttershy spoke somberly.
Anthony kept looking at the window, considering the mansion. He swore he could see a figure standing at the window, unclear behind the shutters, watching him. Then, as he sat on the bench outside the mansion, he turned toward his new friends with determination.
“I must help set her free,” Anthony declared.
“How do you plan to do that?” Spike asked.
“I’m not sure,” Anthony responded. “But I’ll find a way… I have to… somehow.”
Hitch: You’ve only just seen her face in a window and learned her name. You’ve never even met face to face and…(sighs) I’m just really confused.
Pipp: It’s like another fairy tale, Hitch!
Hitch: Right, right.
Seeing the determination on his face, Applejack couldn’t help but notice something else behind his eyes. Something that compelled the man toward her… and it occurred to the country pony in disguise.
“Do you… like her?” Applejack spoke up.
Anthony, slightly taken aback by the question, turned away so none could see the slight blush along his face. Suffice to say, it didn’t go completely unnoticed.
“Sweet Celestia, he does!” Rainbow smirked.
“But how can that be possible?” Rarity questioned. “He’s only seen her just now and hasn’t spoken a word to her. How can he possibly have such fondness for her already?”
“It worked for Victor and Victoria a while back,” Pinkie Pie reminded.
Sunny: Oh, yeah!
Me: And Romeo and Juliet, who then got married the next day. And for Tony and Maria, except their case was a lot more realistic than the former and this movie.
As they continued to converse, Anthony focused his attention back on the window the beautiful young girl just sat by. If what the beggar said of Johanna was right, how she’d been locked away inside for so long, all he’d want was to help her escape.
Me: And here’s another Sondheim staple: a love song that shares the title of the girl that man loves is singing about. Though nothing will beat Maria.
Anthony (Sings): I feel you, Johanna, I feel you. I was half convinced I’d waken, Satisfied enough to dream you. Happily, I was mistaken, Johanna! I’ll steal you, Johanna, I’ll steal you…
(Pause at 0:48)
Hitch: I mean…he’s got good intentions…
Sunny: It’s sweet that he’s willing to rescue her, just like Fiona.
Izzy: Right!
Hitch: Yeah…I’m just worried that—
And then, the figure disappeared from the window above. Anthony stood waiting until suddenly… the doors to the mansion swung open. Anthony expected Johanna… but instead, it was none other than Judge Turpin, the predator in Todd’s flashback, standing in the doorway. Only, he seemed a different man now. The old judge actually had what looked like some semblance of a small grin on his face, paternal and warm, and gestured for the young man to come inside. Anthony looked at the judge unsurely for a moment, but slowly pressed himself forward at his beckoning.
“Come in, lad,” Turpin beckoned kindly. “Come in…”
Anthony walked past the judge and into the manor as Turpin looked on. His eyes soon loomed over his shoulder, noticing the human Equestrians in deep conversation, oblivious to his eye. His small grin diminished, replaced by a glare as he stepped back inside. He would deal with them later as soon as he took care of some… business. And so, without them noticing, he shut the door behind him.
Hitch: I was going to say “Turpin might find out.”
Sunny: Uh oh.
“I do wish we can go up there,” Fluttershy pointed toward the window. “Just to at least make sure Johanna is okay.”
“And she does deserve to know she has gained a new admirer,” Rarity added.
“Oh sure, simple as all that,” Spike nodded. “We’re just going to waltz right up to the manor, knock on the door, and ask Judge Turpin if we could visit Johanna for tea.”
“Boy, someone’s been getting snarky since their growth spurt,” Rainbow whispered to Pinkie Pie.
Me: Hey, I was like that too in my teens.
Pipp: Zipp never grew out of it, though.
Zipp: I’m still taller than you!
Twilight Sparkle studied the window where Johanna’s form had previously been seen. It was as though she were in deep concentration, as if by chance concocting some form of plan. This hadn’t gone unnoticed as Applejack had caught a trace of Twilight’s deepening gaze.
“I reckon I know that look anywhere,” Applejack observed. “Wut are ya thinkin’, Twi?”
“Hmm… it’s possible there may be a way we may be able to visit Johanna again without the Judge knowing about us,” Twilight Sparkle responded. “It’s a risky plan and could put us in more trouble than we need. But if we are to help Johanna, she will want to know about Anthony.”
“But we’ve never even been inside their house,” Spike pointed out. “How would we even be able to get to Johanna?”
“My magic can still trace where Johanna is, but you are right. Without knowing ‘where’ she is, we’ll end up anywhere in the manor. But if my suspicions are true, and Johanna’s spent her days cooped up in that room, that’s where she’ll be. Gather round, every pony.”
Twilight’s friends proceeded to circle around her. Making sure no one crossing the street was paying attention, Twilight Sparkle closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and proceeded to channel her magic within her. An aura slowly formed not only around Twilight Sparkle, but her friends standing by. Within a matter of seconds, before anyone else paid any attention enough to notice, they quickly vanished from the very ground they stood.
Me: I keep forgetting how nifty she is with her teleporting. (aside) Eh, see what I did there?
Hitch: It still surprises me how she’s able to still use magic even when turned into a human.
Up in her bedroom, Johanna had been listening from the doorway nervously, as if trying to hear what was going on outside her room. Being that the door was thick, she could scarcely hear anything outside but did her best anyway. Little did she know, however, was that she wasn’t entirely alone. For as she leaned on the door, listening with one ear, Twilight Sparkle and her friends stood right by the corner of the room. Without warning, Pinkie Pie tiptoed her way behind Johanna, and leaned her ear casually along the door.
“Who are we listening for?” Pinkie Pie whispered.
Johanna gasped lightly and quickly turned her face toward Pinkie Pie. Startled, she slowly stepped back only to bump right into another unfamiliar figure. She stopped, turned her eyes, and to her surprise the strangers from earlier today were all here, standing in her room.
“What are you all doing in here?” Johanna whispered, confused.
Me: Pinkie, can you please stop trying to scare her?
“Sorry for startling you again Johanna,” Twilight answered. “We just had to come and see you again.”
“But I’ve told you, you can’t. If Turpin ever finds you here, he’ll… wait. How… how did you even get in here?”
“We’re not stupid to go through the front door, if that’s what you mean,” Rainbow Dash remarked.
Confused, Johanna tried to point out just how they managed to even enter her bedroom. Briefly, she drew her eyes to the window.
“You didn’t try to climb your way up the window, did you?” Johanna questioned. “No, someone would easily notice, and the windows are barred from the outside. Tell me honestly, how did you all get in here?”
Twilight Sparkle and her friends faced one another in deep silence. They knew at some point folks were bound to question their presence sooner or later. But seeing how they’d made a friend in Johanna, who had been nothing but kind to them despite her initial uncertainty of them, Twilight Sparkle knew what needed to be done. After a silent ponder, she turned her attention back to Johanna.
“You’re right Johanna, you deserve to know how we got here,” Twilight Sparkle answered. “The truth is… we’re not… who you think we are.”
“What do you mean?” Johanna asked, confused.
Me: (cringes) I’m still not alright with them revealing their true forms to people they just met.
Izzy: But this isn’t the first time they met.
Me: I know that. (sighs) You know what, I keep forgetting that they have a movie's length to tell their side of the story too.
Turning to her left, then to her right, Twilight Sparkle channeled the magic once more which grew around herself and her friends. There was a momentary flash of light that caused Johanna to look away for a moment, until the light slowly faded. And when the light completely diminished, she turned back only for her face to widen in surprise. For there, standing in place of six girls and one boy, now six ponies, some with odd appendages, and a dragon stood before her. Johanna almost felt the urge to scream but knew it would do her no good to make noise. Instead, she studied them, trying to come to terms with what she’s looking at.
“What… what are all of you?” Johanna asked quietly. “Are you… angels?”
Me: Wow. That’s a first. (aside) I’ll bet Angel’s having a right fit about that reaction.
“Oh no, Johanna,” Twilight Sparkle shook her head. “We’re nothing like that. We are ponies, no different than the kind you see on the streets. Except, you also see a unicorn, some Pegasi, and I myself an Alicorn.”
“An… alicorn?”
“Basically, a pony that has the wingspan of a Pegasus and the horn of a unicorn. Very powerful, yet very few and rare… I happen to be one of them. We come from a magical place called Equestria, a place you won’t find on any map but for us it’s our home.”
“And… are you a dragon?” Johanna pointed toward Spike.
“Well, ‘finally’ you notice,” Spike smirked. “Most people mistake me for a lizard; I don’t really get the joke.”
Hitch: I’m glad she has a different reaction to them than most other people they’ve met. And yeah, I don’t get that whole thing with the “lizard” either.
Sunny: It’s because he mostly resembles—
Hitch: I was being sarcastic, Sunny.
Sunny: Oh.
“We needed to assume some human identity in order to blend in with your society,” Rarity explained. “The idea of seeing talking ponies and a dragon in a land with hardly a sort to be seen tends to make people very nervous. I’m sure you understand.”
Johanna slowly nodded her head, for she too felt that way knowing that she was in the presence of talking animals. Like something out of a fairytale book come to life. Nobody in this town would believe it, and given everyone’s nature during these times, she’d know most of them wouldn’t take it kindly. But rather than being afraid, she was more curious than ever.
“If what you say is true, why would you still come all the way here?” Johanna asked.
“Because we heard your longing through song,” Fluttershy answered. “We come to places like this when someone needs help… and your voice was the loudest of all.”
Me: So is that what dragged them to this movie of all films? They heard her singing and came to help her out? Carrie didn’t sing and yet they came to help her.
Sunny: That’s great that they came to free her from Turpin.
Misty: Y-Yeah, t-that’s great…(mumbles) I think.
Opaline: (hidden locket) Ugh, always got to be the knights in shining armor. It’s such a bore!
“Hmm… you really do care for me, despite the danger you’re putting yourselves in,” Johanna pondered, then realized. “The young man, the one who was with you outside… who was he?”
“That there’s Anthony,” Applejack answered. “A kind feller, a sailor. We were lucky to run into ‘im while lookin’ for shelter for the night. He admires you.”
“Yeah… say, that reminds me,” Rainbow Dash realized. “What happened with Anthony anyway?”
“Well, there was the fact he was singing his longing for Johanna while we were having our little girl talk,” Pinkie Pie replied. “Men tend to break into song at the presence of pretty girls. I happen to know; my Cheesy has the voice of an angel…”
While Pinkie Pie rambled on, Johanna listened… and her eyes widened with realization. She turned back toward the door, as if a horrifying reality dawned on her.
“Where is he now?” Johanna asked, barely above a whisper.
Me: Oh, god. She knows he’s in deep shit. And that’s saying a lot in this era.
Sunny: What’s Turpin going to do to him?
Meanwhile, Judge Turpin led Anthony into his own personal library, a dark place yet filled with books. The young man couldn’t help but look around and admire all the brilliant architecture of the house. There were gorgeous paintings, lavish furniture, and the most amazing statues everywhere he looked. But amidst all this splendor and wonder, Anthony seemed to be looking around for Johanna. His eyes were wary, as if he knew this was all very strange.
“… you were looking for Hyde Park, you say?” Turpin asked, entering the library.
“Yes, it’s terribly large on the map,” Anthony replied. “But I keep getting lost…”
“Sit down lad, sit down,” Turpin offered.
Pipp: Run, Anthony. Run!
Anthony gladly took a seat on one of the lavish chairs, as uncomfortable as he felt being here. The Judge proceeded to pour two snifters of brand.
“It’s embarrassing for a sailor to lose his bearing,” Anthony continued nervously. “But, well, there you are.”
Just then, the large form of Beadle Bamford appeared from the shadows. No introduction was made, as Turpin looked behind the young lad to his right hand man. Anthony glanced at the judge, uneasily, as the latter proceeded to hand the brandy to the sailor.
“A sailor, eh?” The Judge inquired.
“Yes, sir,” Anthony nodded. “The ‘Bountiful’ out of Plymouth.”
“A sailor must know the ways of the world, yes…?” The Judge continued. “Must be practiced in the ways of the world… would you say you are practiced, boy?”
“Sir?”
The Judge moved to consider some beautiful volumes amidst his libraries. His most prized collection, bound in the richest leather. He brushed a finger along the spines of the books, his large library of pornography.
“Oh, yes… such practices…” The Judge emphasized, breathing heavily. “The geishas of Japan… the concubines of Siam… the catamites of Greece… the harlots of India… I have them all here… drawings of them…”
Me: (disgusted) Oh, my God! Just…why?!
Hitch: I do need to hear those words ever again in my life!
Zipp: Ugh, I despise porns!
Izzy: What, now?
Sunny: You…really don’t want to know.
Slowly, the Judge turned again toward Anthony. Any form of warmth initially presented toward the sailor, now the young man could see that while he smiled amiably there was a hint of venom in his tone. Just feeling that chill from this man, Anthony was speechless and uncertain how to respond to such vulgar manner.
“… All the vile things you’ve done with your whores,” The Judge continued. “Would you like to see?”
“I think there’s been some mistake—” Anthony answered, standing up.
“Oh, I think not. You gandered at my ward, Johanna… you gandered at her… yes, sir, you gandered.”
Anthony didn’t get very far when the Beadle moved in, like a lion about to pounce upon a mouse.
Sunny: He wasn’t gandering! Whatever that means.
Hitch: Well…Turpin was doing the same thing to Johanna earlier.
Sunny: Oh…OH!!
Opaline: (hidden locket) Hmm, I would like a minion like the Beadle. Always on the uptake and willing to serve their master without question.
Misty squirmed and hoped that she kept it to herself.
“Do you believe I lie to you, young man?” The Judge continued. “That you were not in league with that green-haired boy nor your frivolous activities with those ladies you are in company with? Do you not believe I do not see the signs when a man has such… insatiable desires of which he cannot keep to himself?”
“I meant no harm—” Anthony glanced nervously at the Beadle.
“Your meaning is immaterial,” The Judge spat, holding his rage. “Mark me: if I see your face again on this street, you’ll rue the day your bitch of a mother gave you birth.”
Anthony stood stunned, all the words he heard of this judge suddenly rang with a hint of clarity. For this man wasn’t just cold-hearted and mean… he was insane. The judge proceeded, with shocking venom rolling off his tongue:
“My Johanna isn’t one of your bloody cockchafers! My Johanna is not to be gandered at!”
With a nod toward the Beadle, the man instantly grabbed Anthony, and brutally hauled him out as the corrupted judge looked on. As Anthony was led out, the Judge’s eyes loomed up toward the ceiling as if he could sense something. If Anthony had truly been gandering as he suspected, who’s to say… it wasn’t just ‘him’…
Me: Turpin’s more crafty than I gave him credit for.
Sunny: Princess Twilight and her friends are in danger!
Zipp: More so than Anthony, I’d wager.
Me: Turpin’s a man in power, and is prone to jealousy. We have seen how far his jealousy took him.
“Judge Turpin must never know about Anthony,” Johanna warned the group. “He hates any and all men he suspects would do me harm just by looking at me. But I know the truth… he wants to keep me for himself, and he’ll rid London of anyone he deems a threat… including you.”
Hitch: It’s a bit late for that.
“It was pretty obvious when that judge made it clear we weren’t to come by his house anymore,” Rainbow Dash pointed out.
“All this time we only meant to blend in until we realized why we’re here,” Twilight Sparkle spoke. “But now we’ve seen the severity of the situation; we’ve seen the way Turpin treats you. That’s why… we’re going to free you from this life, and we believe Anthony can help us.”
“But how?” Johanna asked worriedly. “All the doors and windows are locked at all times. Turpin barely lets people into his house unless it’s for entertainment or business, and when he does let people in… only bad things happen. What’s that?”
As if sensing something, Johanna quickly raced toward the door and leaned her ear. The others followed closely behind, wondering what she was hearing. Johanna clasped her hands over her mouth, as if she discovered something horrifying.
“The Beadle’s dragging someone out of the house,” Johanna informed her friends. “He must’ve heard Anthony was watching me… oh no!”
Me: People like beating each other up, especially if there is a difference in class and social standing involved.
“We’ll discuss further escape plans later,” Twilight declared. “Right now, we have to get to Anthony before he gets hurt. Don’t worry, Johanna. We’re going to get you out of this even if it takes us a week. Come on, guys.”
“Yeah… wait, a week?” Spike cringed.
“Come along, buddy!” Rainbow Dash dragged the dragon.
Quickly, the group gathered around Twilight Sparkle, who quickly summoned every ounce of magic to transport themselves out of Johanna’s room as fast as they arrived. Johanna stood there, looking around the room which seemed as though hardly another soul other than her was in the room. Whether or not she dreamt this, her thoughts were again upon the sailor boy… praying no harm comes to him… because of her.
Sunny: I know they’ll get her out of there! I just know it!
In a flash of light, the Mane Six and Spike were transported in the back alley of Judge Turpin’s house. The magic also shifted them back into their human disguises, as they quickly made their way through the alley. No sooner had they reached the back of the house when the rear door swung open. Beadle Bamford practically dragged Anthony out of the mansion and flung him into the filthy alley. Anthony pulled himself up, stunned.
“Hyde Park is that way, young sir,” Beadle said, as he threw Anthony out. “A right and then a left, then straight on, you see? Move on now!”
Flustered, Anthony turned to look, but the instant his back turned, the Beadle swung his lethal billyclub and slammed him from behind brutally, in the kidneys. Anthony’s knees buckled while the Beadle then slammed Anthony across the back of the neck. Anthony fell hard and Beadle then extended the end of the club and proceeded to whip Anthony across the back a few times for good measure, causing the boy to cry out in pain.
Zipp: Oh, jeez! That’s just brutal!
Hitch: That’s a strong club!
Pipp: Leave him alone!
It was at that moment the Mane Six and Spike burst into the area.
“Hey!” Rainbow Dash yelled. “Lay one more hand on that boy and I’ll pound you so far into the ground you’ll wake up in China!”
Zipp: I’d listen to him if I were you.
The Beadle paused mid-swing, eyeing the collection of women and that young boy of theirs. He grinned toothily, as he swung his billyclub with a delicate hand.
“Well… no surprise to see any of you here,” Beadle eyed them. “Rats tend to travel in packs.”
“You’re one to talk, Wormtail,” Pinkie Pie replied.
“What’d you call me?” Beadle asked, confused.
“Oops… sorry, too soon for the series,” Pinkie chuckled. “We’ll bring that back up in the future.”
Hitch: What kind of a name is Wormtail?
Pipp: Ew~! I don’t even want to think about worms!
Izzy: Ooh, I love worms! They’re so adorable the way they wriggle across the grass and tree logs.
Me: Heh. I see it now: “How’s it going Beadle Pettigrew?” Haha, I crack myself up.
Beadle merely rolled his eyes in annoyance before he used one dainty foot to roll Anthony over. Anthony gazed up at him, panting for breath, in agony as Beadle pressed the end of his billyclub into Anthony’s forehead, grinding it hard.
“Now you heard what Judge Turpin said,” Beadle warned. “Next time, it’ll be your pretty brains all over the pavement.”
The Beadle then loomed toward the girls and Spike, who braced themselves as he looked on with malicious intent.
“As for you lot… you were warned never to come near this house,” The Beadle sneered. “And what’d you do? You refused. Lucky for you, the Judge is out on important business, and I have errands of my own to attend to. But next time we meet, I shall personally make sure not a bodice nor any trace of sweat from your brow lingers… not when I’m through with any of you.”
Me: He’s the kind of man who would follow through on his threats. He’s got the overconfidence in his power to do so.
With that, Beadle returned to the mansion and slammed the door. Twilight Sparkle and friends approached Anthony, slowly and carefully pulling him to his knees. He doubled over, coughing up blood. The group looked on with concern, suspecting he may have suffered some internal bleeding. After a long pause, Anthony drew his breath, wiping the blood from his face. Still doubled over, he sang with burning intensity much to the awe of the group.
(Resume Song)
Anthony (Sings): I’ll steal you, Johanna, I’ll steal you! Do they think that walls can hide you? Even now, I’m at your window. I am in the dark beside you, Buried sweetly in your yellow hair.
Zipp: After all that, he still sings?
Anthony pulled himself up, every moment was pure utter agony. With the Equestrians in disguise following behind, he made his way down the alley, leaning on Applejack and Rainbow Dash for support. Soon, the group emerged from the dark alley and into the bright sunlight London could offer. Eventually, they made their way alongside the sidewalk.
Anthony (Sings): I feel you, Johanna, And one day I’ll steal you. Till I’m with you then, I’m with you there, Sweetly buried in your yellow hair…
The group stopped at a park across the street from Turpin’s mansion, Anthony bravely gazing up at Johanna’s window. With Johanna in mind, the group turned, making their way from Turpin’s house to Hyde Park. As of today, they were more determined than ever to make certain that one thing comes from this horrible situation. A motive that draws the fire within Twilight Sparkle’s own eyes.
“We will get you out of there, Johanna,” Twilight Sparkle silently declared.
Sunny: I know they will. You can count on them.
Pipp: It’s so lovely to see such dedication to love!
Zipp: Yeah…
Hitch: Right…
Me: (aside) I’m gonna call part one right here, only because it feels the most appropriate. Next time, we’ll catch up with the Fleet Street Trio at the Market. >>next
11641685 You know, I've read that Turpin has his own version of the "Johanna" song in the original play. So I took a listen to it, and it reminded me of "Hellfire" right away.
The very next day, Chrysalis found herself wandering the crowded area of St. Dunstan’s Marketplace with Sweeney Todd and Mrs. Lovett moving quickly, the latter struggling to keep up with his long, loping stride. Todd carried his razor case, while Lovett carried a shopping basket. If these three had any chance of getting close to the Judge, they first needed to figure out a way to lure him into the shop. And the best way to do that was to showcase that Mr. Todd was a barber of epic proportions. What better way to do so than in a place where the people gather daily?
So, here they were traversing through the crowded marketplace in search of their prime opportunity.
“What exactly are we looking for, Lovett?” Chrysalis asked.
“There’s a barber what comes here every Thursday,” Mrs. Lovett responded. “He’s Eyetalian, all the rage he is.”
Izzy: Huh?
Me: She said Italian. It’s kind of a stereotype of Italians being barbers.
“And he’s supposed to be the ‘best’ barber in London?”
“So he says.”
“He’s here every Thursday?” Sweeney asked.
“Like clockwork,” Mrs. Lovett nodded.
“The sooner we do this, the better,” Chrysalis spoke impatiently. “If we want any hope of Mr. Todd getting his revenge.”
Me: I like watching scenes that show different eras.
As the trio maneuvered their way through the crowded market, Chrysalis couldn’t help but cringe with disgust over the majority of the people and the product they were buying.
“Ugh, this is why I chose not to walk among the unwashed masses,” She voiced disgust.
Me: That’s rich considering the company she hangs around.
The audience laughed at that.
Zipp: Oh, that was a good one.
They rounded a corner and moved deeper through the bustling marketplace. A steady mercantile hummed as the cries of merchants and wandering coster-mongers filled the air. Todd, Mrs. Lovett, and Chrysalis moved toward a hand-drawn caravan dominating one corner of the marketplace. It was painted like a Sicilian donkey cart and on its side a sign declaimed:
Signor Adolfo Pirelli—Haircutter to His Royal Majesty the King of Naples
Me: Was Naples still a country back then?
“Do you really think you can do it?” Chrysalis asked Todd.
“By tomorrow, they’ll all be flocking to me like sheep to be shorn—” Todd answered.
All of a sudden, Sweeney stopped abruptly and both women could see the glare of hatred on his face. Turning toward where he looked, they noticed Beadle Bamford walking among the people. The very sight of the rat-faced man made Sweeney’s blood boil with vengeance, transfixed over how close his ancient enemy was. He reached into his coat, grabbed for his razors, and planned to make his way over to the man. However, Mrs. Lovett grabbed his arm, drawing him to a halt.
“Come along now dear, he might recognize you,” She warned.
“What does it matter?” Chrysalis asked. “I thought our goal was to crush the Beadle for what he is.”
“If we kill him here in a public place, with lots of witnesses, the bobby’s will be over ‘im in minutes,” Mrs. Lovett explained. “How’d you propose he ‘ave his vengeance behind bars?”
“I will do what I’ve vowed to do,” Sweeney muttered lowly. “Come closer, my friend, closer…”
Me: I like how though Mrs. Lovett is willingly helping Todd with his vengeance, and despite Chrysalis’ likewise insanity, she still keeps a level head amongst the three of them.
Just then, the sound of a beating drum drew their attention to the nearby traveling cart set up to look like a stage. From the cart, a young boy of about thirteen, Toby by name, wearing a bowler hat emerged banging on a tin drum, drawing everyone’s attention. This boy was a bit small for his age, malnourished and consumptively pale, a most pitiful sight.
Hitch: Oh…woah, when was the last time he ate?
Me: Another common sight: poor homeless children living off the streets, unkempt and starving. In fact, the sight of them has become a staple of Victorian culture. Thank God it’s not as common anymore. Often, they would
A crowd began to gather at the caravan, filing in and standing around the stage as the young boy began to sing.
Toby: (sings) Ladies and gentlemen! May I have your attention, please? Do you wake every morning in shame and despair To discover your pillow is covered with hair… Wot ought not to be there? Well, ladies and gentlemen From now on you can waken at ease! You need never again have a worry or care, I will show you a miracle marvelous rare, Gentlemen, you are about to see something That rose from the dead—!
A woman gasped with fright, yet the boy smiled and wiggled a finger ‘no’.
Toby: (sings) On the top of my head!
The boy dramatically doffed his cap, revealing mountains of flowing blonde hair which cascade to his shoulder. Everyone laughed in amusement, as he reached into a nearby case and procured a bottle of some bizarre liquid of which he showed off to the crowd.
Hitch: Already, this is starting to look like a con.
Me: Classic Victorian era. And most often the conman would use a young child to attract attention from a crowd.
Zipp: I would not buy that stuff even if you used cookies.
Toby: (sings) 'Twas Pirelli's Miracle Elixir That's wot did the trick, sir, True, sir, true. Was it quick, sir? Did it in a tick, sir! Just like an elixir ought to do!
The boy proceeded to toss a bottle of elixir to some gentlemen in the crowd, one of whom caught it. Toby proceeded to pop off the top, smelling its contents and recoiled over the strong smell. He passed it around to the other people in the crowd, all eyes observing.
Toby: (sings) How about a bottle, mister? Only costs a penny, guaranteed.
Hitch: Only a penny? I don’t know.
Me: That’s very cheap, even in those days.
Toby popped open another bottle and dumped a little of it upon the head of a bald man in front of the crowd.
Toby: (sings) Does Pirelli's stimulate the growth, sir? You can have my oath, sir, 'tis unique. Rub a minute, stimulating, i'n' it? Soon you'll have to thin it once a week!
Hearing this, the bald man proceeded to quickly work the elixir into his bald scalp, hoping to produce a full head of hair. More customers stepped up, buying bottles left and right.
Izzy: Ooh, ooh! I wanna try!
Hitch: Izzy, we’re ponies. None of us are bald.
Izzy: Well…you may never know.
Me: I like bald.
Meanwhile, furthest from the crowd, the elixir made its way towards the terrible trio. Todd opened one bottle of the Elixir and took a whiff… they reeled back disgusted of the horrible stench. But then, Todd smiled toward the ladies, his plan falling into place.
Me: Clever Sweeney.
Sweeney Todd: (sings) Pardon me, ma'am, what's that awful stench?
Mrs. Lovett: (sings) Are we standing near an open trench?
Chrysalis: (sings) Smells even worse than all the French!
Me: Now that’s rude, Chrysalis. Oh yeah, the English and French are probably still mortal enemies at this time.
Sunny: Mortal enemies?!
Me: Not anymore, don’t worry! Just at this time.
The crowd responded to the trio, looking askance, and sniffed at the bottles. Toby nervously tried distracting them or else risk losing Pirelli’s customers.
Toby: (sings) Buy Pirelli's Miracle Elixir Anything wot's slick, sir Soon sprouts curls. Try Pirelli's when they see how thick, sir, You can have your pick, sir, of the girls!
Zipp: He’s starting to lose his customers.
With Sweeney having hold of one bottle of elixir, neither he nor his two cohorts could even stand the smell of this stuff.
Toby: (sings) Wanna buy a bottle missus?
Sweeney Todd: (sings) What is this?
Chrysalis & Mrs. Lovett: (sings) What is this?
Sweeney Todd: (sings) Smells like piss.
Mrs. Lovett: (sings) Smells like—Phew!
Me: (laughs) One of the funniest things I’ve ever heard is Johnny Depp just casually singing “Smells like piss.”
Chrysalis (w/Mr/s Lovett): (sings) Looks like piss… (Wouldn't touch it if I was you, dear!)
Sweeney Todd: (sings) This is piss, piss with ink.
Toby: (sings desperately) Let Pirelli’s activate your roots, sir—!
Sweeney Todd: (sings) Keep it off your boots, sir—eats right through!
Toby: (sings) Yes, get Pirelli’s! Use a bottle of it! Ladies seem to love it—!
Mrs. Lovett: (sings) Flies do to.
Pipp: Ooooohh~! Shots fired!
Zipp: He got desperate, that means he lost them.
Suddenly, the curtains on the caravan are dramatically flung open as someone made their way out of the cart, sending Toby jumping off the stage. From the cart stepped a flamboyant Italian wearing a gaudy velvet suit, thick wavy hair, a slowing cape, and a top hat as slick as his dazzling smile. The man in question was Adolfo Pirelli, self-proclaimed ‘King of the Barbers’. He was a suave looking Italian man with a pencil thin mustache and his hair fashioned into a fancy bobby style. He posed splendidly for a moment, but one could tell he was clearly offended by the fact that someone had the nerve to speak poorly about his elixir.
Me: Oh, that’s common wear for men in theater, though usually for ballet dancers. However, I have seen more…revealing pants.
Pirelli: (sings) I am Adolfo Pirelli Da king of da barbers Da barber of kings E Buongiorno, good day I blow you a kiss
Pipp: Ew.
Zipp: Gross.
And I, da so famous Pirelli I wish-a to know-a who has-a the nerve-a to say My elixir is piss! Who says this?
Everyone in the crowd was quiet for a moment or two as Signor Pirelli scanned the area for the blasphemer.
“I do.”
Everyone gasped as the crowd parted and Sweeney Todd himself stepped forward.Me: Go get him, Todd.
“I’m Mr. Sweeney Todd from Fleet Street,” He explained. “I have opened a bottle of Pirelli’s Elixir, and I say to you it is nothing but an arrant fraud, concocted from piss and ink.”
The crowd gasped. A scowl spread across Pirelli’s face, outraged as the mad barber made his way closer to the stage.
“And furthermore, ‘signor’, I have serviced no kings, yet I wager I can shave a cheek with ten times more dexterity than any street mountebank.”
Sweeney reached into his coat, snapped open his razor case, and proceeded to pull out two of his razors. He held it up for the crowd to see, causing everyone to gasp as he held out the wondrous razors.
“You see these razors?” Todd continued.
“The finest in England,” Chrysalis addressed the crowd.
“I lay them against five pounds you are no match for me,” Todd glared at Pirelli. “You hear me, sir? Either accept my challenge or reveal yourself as a sham.”
Hitch: I like how they managed to get the crowd in their favor with a few choice words.
Zipp: Those do look like quality razors.
The crowd was clearly enjoying this now, whispering eagerly about the bold challenge. Rather than looking angry for someone daring to question his legitimacy, Pirelli studied the razors for a moment… then turned to the crowd with a confident smile. He chuckled as though he’d just been told the most ridiculous joke ever.
“You hear zis foolish man?” He chuckled. “Watch and see how he will regret his folly!”
He whipped his cloak off in a flurry and Toby quickly came to collect it, along with Pirelli’s top hat. Meanwhile, Todd moved into action, preparing for the challenge. He scanned the crowd to seek who would participate in this contest.
“Friends, who’s for a free shave?” Todd asked.
Two gentlemen with stubby beards quickly came forward and climbed upon the stage. A plain wooden chair was brought for Todd, while the other man took a more refined chair from Pirelli. But before climbing back on stage, Sweeney turned back to his companions.
Me: I’ve never been to a barber shop myself. I wonder what it feels like.
“I will also have my assistant, Ms. Winters, aiding me.”
Chrysalis’s eyes widened briefly as everyone turned to look at her. Giving a nervous smile, she slowly walked forward toward Mr. Todd.
“What are you doing?!” She growled silently.
“You said you’d help me ‘any’ way possible,” Sweeney whispered back. “What better way to do so than serve as my assistant?”
“I don’t even know what to do!” Chrysalis argued.
“Sharpen razors, apply shaving product, take coats, all rather basic.”
Zipp: (laughs) This is rich!
Me: You walked right into that one, Chrysalis.
Chrysalis looked like she wanted to argue. In the end, however, only a sigh escaped, and she shook her head. After all, she gave her word to help Mr. Todd exact his revenge anyway she could. Soon, they both climbed onto the stage as Sweeney faced Pirelli.
“I hope you don’t mind my assistant aiding me in this Signor Pirelli,” Todd told the Italian. “After all, a man who served kings would have no issue with a challenge.”
“Of course not!” Pirelli smirked back. “The boy will assist me as well.”
Before they could officially begin the contest, Sweeney moved into the boldest part of this plan… one last idea in his mind. He carefully turned toward… the Beadle in the crowd.
“Will Beadle Bamford be the judge?” Todd asked.
Pipp: Ixnay! Ixnay on the Beadle-ay! Bad idea!
Mrs. Lovett’s eyes shot toward Todd, alarmed. The Beadle moved toward Todd, who smiled amiably, yet quivered internally at being so dreadfully close to his prey. Mrs. Lovett, meanwhile, watches with great concern. Would the Beadle recognize the features of Benjamin Barker…? Apparently not. The Beadle stopped right before Todd and smiled.
“Glad, as always, to oblige my friends and neighbors,” Beadle responded, facing the crowd. “… Let the challenge commence!”
The Beadle came up alongside the stage as Chrysalis took one of the gentlemen’s coats and grabbed Mr. Todd’s razors for him. One man sat in Todd’s plain chair as the other moved to an elaborate chair on Pirelli’s caravan. Pirelli shook out a fancy bib with a flourish and covered his man. Toby prepared Pirelli’s ornate shaving supplies as Todd took a plain towel and tucked it around his man’s neck.
“Ready?” Beadle called out.
“Ready!” Pirelli smiled.
“Ready,” Todd answered silently.
“The fastest, smoothest shave is the winner!” Beadle declared.
With a shrilling blow of a whistle, the contest was underway. Pirelli began first by stropping his razor quickly along a leather strop Toby held. As she sharpened his razor, he nicked Toby a few times which caused the boy to cringe in pain.
Hitch: A telltale sign of being a fake. That is so unprofessional.
Todd stropped in a leisurely manner, carefully sharpening the razor while Chrysalis eyed his handiwork and cautiously kept her fingers away. Pirelli kept glancing at Todd in various paranoid ways throughout, frightened of Todd’s progress. He started whipping up lather quickly, singing as he did so:
Pirelli: (sings) Now signorini, signori We mix-a da lather But first-a you gather Around signorini, signori, You looking a man Who had-a da glory To shave-a da pope Mister Sweeney-so-smart— Oh, I beg-a your pardon You’ll probably say-a it was only a cardinal Nope! It was-a da pope!
To emphasize this point, Toby grabbed a large scroll and unfurled it revealing a portrait of Pope Leo XIII. Under the portrait was written, ‘Thanks for the shave’. Everyone chuckled, while Chrysalis shook her head unamused.
Zipp: That is so fake. Even Chrysalis has the same idea. How are all these people so stupid?
Me: No idea; it’s a societal mystery. It’s partially why I have an interest in psychology.
Izzy: Wow! Who’s the Pope?
This man was clearly a huge fraud and the fact these people bought into this just confirmed how stupid they really were. Then again, Chrysalis could give the ‘worst’ impression of one pony, yet they would buy into her own con every… single… time. It would almost be amusing if it weren’t so pathetic.
Unexpectedly, Todd showed no sign of starting to shave his man. He merely watched Pirelli’s performance. Mrs. Lovett eyed him nervously, wishing he would get on with it.
Pipp: What’s he doing? Prolonging the suspense?
Pirelli, now feeling he could take his time, sang lyrically as he applied the lather to the man’s face and shaved with rhythmic scrapes and elaborate gestures of wiping the razor.
Pirelli: (sings) To shave-a da face, To cut-a da hair, Require a grace, Require da flare, For if-a you slip, You nick da skin, You clip-a da chin, You rip-a da lip a bit beyond-a repair!
As the man made a spectacle of himself, Chrysalis applied the lather she prepared onto their customer’s face. Sweeney Todd, however, hadn’t begun shaving immediately (Much to her confusion). Todd stropped his razor slowly and deliberately—shoop, shoop, shoop—disconcerting Pirelli and drawing the crowd’s attention.
Zipp: He’s playing some kind of game. I know it.
Hitch: He’s too clever; he’s doing that intentionally.
Pirelli: (sings) To shave-a da face Or even a part Widout it-a smart Require da heart Not just-a da flash It take-a Panash It take-a da passion for da art
Again, Todd was unconcerned. He just slowly stropped his razor—shoop, shoop, shoop—which flustered Pirelli tremendously.
Pirelli: (sings) To shave-a da face To trim-a da beard To make-a da bristle Clean like a whistle Dis is from early infancy Da talent give to me by God
Me: I think one of my colleague’s would beg to differ, myself included.
Pirelli looked to the sky, as he crossed himself with his razor over his chest. Chrysalis merely rolled her eyes, unable to believe this man’s own arrogance. She gave an impatient look to Mr. Todd, who just gave her a simple nod in return.
Me: Aha! They were baiting him.
Zipp: (grins) What a self-centered idiot.
Pirelli: (sings) It take-a da skill It take-a da brains It take-a da will To take-a da pains It take-a da pace It take-a da graaaaaaace…~!
Me: (holding my ears) Jesus Christ, what a vibrato!
Zipp: (likewise) Yeah, and it’s murdering my ears!
Pirelli held this high note elaborately, for a lengthy period of time. It was then Sweeney Todd decided to seize this opportunity. With only a few deft strokes and in only seconds, he quickly shaved his man’s face entirely clean, and signaled the Beadle to examine him before Pirelli finished his note. This caused Chrysalis to stare with wide eyes at the man’s skills before a satisfied smirk planted itself on her face when she knew they had won.
“The winner… is Todd!” Beadle declared for all.
I know that I should not have done it, but goddammit, Todd deserved all the praise he could get.
Zipp: Why are you clapping?
Me: Because Todd’s got the skills to put money in his mouth.
Izzy: (likewise) WOOHOO!!!
The crowd gave a good round of applause as Pirelli snapped his head back with his own shock, his ego completely deflated. Chrysalis merely looked at the man with the cockiest grin she could muster.
“Well Signor Pirelli, looks like the better man won,” She smirked cockily, facing Todd. “Well done, Todd!”
“Smooth as a baby’s arse!” Mrs. Lovett added, feeling the customer’s cheek.
Pipp: Oh, ew, ew, ew, ew!
Zipp: You just ruined the moment!
Sunny: I do not want to think about that, ever!
Pirelli looked at the disguised changeling with a glare, which he quickly tried to hide behind a smile.
“You are-a correct miss,” He agreed.
Amidst the crowd’s laughter and applause, Pirelli approached Mr. Todd and gave him a profound, yet simple bow of his head.
“Sir, I bow to a skill far defter than my own,” He congratulated.
To which Sweeney simply held out one hand.
“The five pounds,” He reminded.
Me: Sweeney Todd does not dick around.
Hitch: Sharp as his razors and blunt as…a rock? I don’t know.
Pirelli reached into his jacket and produced a distinctive chatelaine purse. He dug through it and removed a five pound note, which he handed to Todd.
“Here, sir,” Pirelli said through gritted teeth. “And may the good Lord smile on you… until we meet again.”
He soon dropped his fake smile, bowed his head quickly, and moved away, beckoning to Toby.
“Come boy,” Pirelli gestured.
“We’re pulling out, sir?” Toby replied.
SLAP!
Audience: OH…WOAH!!!
Me: (rubbing my face) I felt that one.
Without warning, Signore Pirelli backhanded the young boy so hard across the face he nearly fell to the ground. The boy crawled back into the cart as the Italian practically snarled at him.
Pirelli entered the cart after him and they could all hear him losing his temper over just losing this contest.
Zipp: Uh~…poor kid.
Me: Comes with the era.
Izzy: That man’s evil!
Sunny: I can’t stand that!
Pipp: Relax, it’s only a movie.
Chrysalis and Sweeney climbed off the stage, making their way back over to Mrs. Lovett, who could still hear the Italian man yelling in the cart.
“Suppose it’s just me gentle heart, but I do hate to see a boy treated like that,” Lovett told the pair. “No better than your Aunt Doreen’s dog…”
“It isn’t really our problem to handle,” Chrysalis shrugged.
Hitch: Why is she not taking this—oh, no wait, I just remembered: she’s evil.
Zipp: I wouldn’t be surprised if she did that when she used to be queen.
Me: Abuse, torture, execution, exile…yeah, I wouldn’t put it past her.
Just then, some eager customers approached and surrounded Todd, among them a man who’s clearly a tourist.
“Congratulations, Mr. Todd,” An eager customer congratulated. “May I ask sir: do you have an establishment of your own?”
Hearing some key words, Mrs. Lovett was soon on him like a hawk.
“He certainly does,” Mrs. Lovett nodded. “Sweeney Todd’s Tonsorial Parlor—above my meat pie emporium in Fleet Street.”
Neither Sweeney nor Chrysalis paid heed to Mrs. Lovett’s word with the man, as they once more noticed Beadle off to the side. The two stalked up beside the man, who turned upon hearing them coming. They both put their best fake smiles as they hid their disgust for the man.
“I thank you for your honest adjudication, sir,” Sweeney thanked him. “You are a paragon of integrity.”
“I agree with Mr. Todd, sir,” Chrysalis nodded, acting sultry. “You’re certainly a man of great honesty. May I say sir, I never realized what an incredibly handsome man you are.”
Beadle offered Chrysalis a toothy grin over such strongly worded compliments.
“Well, I try to do my best for my friends and neighbors,” He replied.
The Beadle grabbed Chrysalis’s hand and planted a kiss upon it. Chrysalis quietly cringed inside, knowing this man was even in close proximity to her. But she continued to hide it with a light chuckle.
Pipp: Ew~, gross!
Zipp: Bleugh! Better her than me!
Pipp: Absolutely.
Izzy: I think he’s what Alphabittle calls a “Tail Kisser.”
Me: Maybe…personally I believe he’s just as corrupt as Turpin and therefore the two are equal partners in crime.
Meanwhile, Beadle turned his attention back to Sweeney.
“Your establishment is on Fleet Street you say?” He questioned.
“Yes, sir,” Sweeney nodded.
“Well then, Mr. Todd, you will surely see me there before the week is out,” Beadle smiled, facing Chrysalis. “Especially if your beautiful assistant will be there.”
“You flatter me so, Mr. Bamford,” Chrysalis fake giggled.
“You will be welcome, Beadle Bamford,” Sweeney informed the man. “And I can guarantee to give you, without a penny’s charge, the closest shave you will ever know.”
“Do come and visit us soon, Mr. Bamford,” Chrysalis smiled seductively. “I’ll be dying to see you again.”
Beadle gave the young woman a smile of his own before turning and walking away.
Me: Perfect: just one step closer to getting Turpin.
Once he was out of sight, Chrysalis cringed and tried not to vomit.
“I can’t believe I actually said such talk to that fat rat of a man!” She shivered.
“You played the part well, my dear,” Sweeney complimented her.
“This better be worth it in the end,” Chrysalis replied. “If you don’t kill him… I’ll do it myself!”
Zipp: (laughing) That was great to watch!
Sunny: I don’t get it.
Zipp: Just seeing Chrysalis being one upped by someone as disgusting…it’s very funny to me!
Me: (aside) The original stage play was aware of how ridiculous the story was.
“Come now, you two,” Mrs. Lovett gestured to follow.
Soon, the trio walked away down the marketplace and started their trip back to Fleet Street. For Lovett, she was thankful that this day had been the success it had. Not only did they expose and defeat a sham of a barber, but they also managed to convince one of their targets to come to the shop. True, it would all be a matter of waiting for him to show up, but Mrs. Lovett was very pleased with the results.
“…Like to give me a coronary right there!” Mrs. Lovett chattered happily. “What if he had recognized you! Lord, my heart was beating a mile a minute, just like a little finch it was. Aren’t those lovely birds now? Always so twittery and happy…”
Izzy: Ooh, I love birds, just as much as I love worms and ladybugs!
While Lovett continued chattering, neither Todd nor Chrysalis were listening. Chrysalis silently paid close attention to Todd’s eyes, noting how they darted side to side. Some gentlemen were walking alongside them, whispering something subtle and insinuating. Chrysalis had no doubt Sweeney was pondering and planning, like the perfect machine. Soon, it would be a matter of barbing the hook, baiting the trap, setting it out for the Beadle to snap. Courting ‘im, setting a sort of scene before laying the trail, showing the traces, leading it to higher places…
As quickly as Sweeney’s thoughts echoed, they were gone… vanishing from his mind… swallowed up by the crowd of pedestrians. Chrysalis just eyed him, while Mrs. Lovett chattered on until she noticed Sweeney being eerily quieter than usual.
“Mr. Todd, are you listening to me?” Mrs. Lovett asked.
“Of course,” Todd answered simply.
But Chrysalis knew better. She caught Todd’s eyes darting again, seeking for the specters. But all he could see were complete strangers… perhaps even something far more…cruel.
Me: Regardless of how tragic her backstory is, we have seen just how far Chrysalis has gone in order to enact her revenge, and side-by-side with Sweeney and Lovett, I don’t doubt that she will go even further. Just so you know, Turpin won’t be the only one.
Zipp: And Twilight and the others will be right in the middle of everything.
11641919 Couldn't say what it's like getting a shave like Sweeney's, but modern barbershop shaves involve hot wet towels, warm lather, and various shaving tools including straight razors. In all honesty, if you fully trust your barber, it's quite a relaxing experience. And by God, you feel like a whole new person once it's done, especially if you get your hair cut short. Highly recommend it!
Arctic was sitting down in the theatre room, his mind still thinking back what happened to Chryslias. He gotten Postwar message and was worried about if this was really true. But, they she acted it might very well be genuine…for now though he’ll have to wait and see and hopefully, Celestia would be ok once she and everyone else knows about this.
Later that same day, the Mane Six and Spike were still following Anthony, who was now out of his sailor’s uniform. He led the group towards Hyde Park, walking along the sidewalk absorbed in a copy of Baedeker’s London. The Equestrians were fortunate to run into the kind young man, especially since he offered to help them. Thus far, their experience in Victorian London wasn’t going so well, what with their encounter with Judge Turpin and that horrible meat pie Spike ate. Things only seemed to get worse once they realized they were one more heading down the street where Turpin’s house resided.
“Great, we’re back here again,” Rainbow Dash groaned.
“Perhaps we took a wrong turn?” Rarity spoke hopefully.
“Anthony, which direction are we supposed to go?” Twilight Sparkle asked the young man.
Anthony stopped walking and looked down from his book of maps. Looking closer at his map of London, he suddenly realized he had made a mistake.
“Forgive me my lady,” Anthony apologized. “Seems I’ve gotten us turned around.”
“What are ya talkin’ ‘bout partner?” Applejack asked. “Maybe ah outta take a gander at that there map.”
The country girl walked alongside the young man, gazing down at the map trying to get her bearings. Just then, Pinkie Pie popped up between the two, causing Anthony to drop his map book. Pinkie quickly picked it up to study his map.
“Looks like we should’ve taken that left turn at Albuquerque,” She joked, giggling.
Pinkie laughed for a good minute until she noticed Applejack and Anthony glaring at her. Anthony merely held his hand out as Pinkie cast a downtrodden look toward the ground before gently handing him back his maps.
“Just trying to lighten the mood,” Pinkie pouted.
Arctic: I’m one for lifting up the mood.. but this was not a the best time for it.
“Ah know ya mean well Pinkie, but do try and understand,” Applejack explained to her. “We really need tah find a place to hunker down fur tonight and the day ain’t gonna last long.”
Anthony looked back at his maps but couldn’t quite pinpoint the exact location of their destination.
“I think I need to sit for a while,” Anthony said. “I need to get a good bearing on our location.”
“Does it have to be here?” Fluttershy asked worriedly. “Judge Turpin said if he saw us around his home again, there’d be consequences.”
“Judge Turpin?” Anthony questioned, confused.
Rainbow Dash: Someone who we already hate and dislike. (She said having a glare)
Applejack: Eeyup. (She said with a glare of her own)
“Ah, I ain’t afraid of that ole jerk!” Rainbow Dash spoke defiantly. “He gives us any trouble, why I’ll have no problem giving one good punch to his smug face.”
“Rainbow, remember what I said about blending in?” Twilight reminded her.
“Buck that!” Rainbow retorted. “He may be a judge, but that doesn’t give him the right to treat us like dirt.”
Arctic: Honestly, anyone who abused their power like that deserves a good slug in the face.
Sci-Twi: While he does need to be thought a lesson, we still have to remember, his the judge
Arctic: (sighs) Yeah, I know Twi.
“Still, we don’t want to give that horrid man any reason to lock us up,” Rarity warned. “I wouldn’t be able to stand prison. The clothing’s hideous! Don’t even get me started on the stripes. They clash so dreadfully.”
Juniper: After what happened in Gotham, I can find that understandable
Rarity: (shivers a bit) Oh, please don’t remind me of that..
Meanwhile, inside the mansion, a certain golden haired girl sat at her window as she worked on her needlepoint. After meeting those girls and the young man from earlier today, Johanna had watched them leave from her bedroom window. Oh, how she desperately wished she could go with them. All her life she’d been trapped in this house with only Judge Turpin and Beadle Bamford for company. This hauntingly sad, yet beautiful girl felt so much like a prisoner, even her window above, behind bars, felt like a prison.
Nearby the window was a cage containing a few birds letting out a few melodious tweets, gifts from a passing bird seller with those long, wooden poles carrying little bird cages. Johanna looked from her needlepoint with a smile, quietly observing the birds in their cage. How she longed for a day when she could finally leave, just as she imagines these birds in their cage.
Fluttershy: I feel so sorry for her. (She said sadly)
With the twittering birds giving her a few notes, Johanna released her desire for freedom through song.
Johanna (Sings): Green finch and linnet bird, Nightingale, blackbird, How is it you sing? How can you jubilate, sitting in cages, Never taking wing?
Outside the manor, the Mane Six and Spike heard the lovely angelic singing, drawing their gaze toward the young woman sitting by the window.
“Johanna!” Pinkie exclaimed excitedly.
Anthony too looked up from his book, noticing the beautiful girl in the window. Anthony watched her, absolutely mesmerized. For the moment his gaze fell on her, he was immediately entranced.
Johanna (Sings): Outside the sky waits, Beckoning, beckoning, Just beyond the bars. How can you remain staring at the rain, Maddened by the stars? How is it you sing anything? How is it you sing?
From high in her gilded cage, Johanna looked down toward the streets below where she’d see everyone going about their everyday lives, relishing their freedom. Her eyes soon noticed Anthony along the street, staring up at her with an enamored look on his face. There is a long look between them; her intense, melancholy expression moved him. As she looked, she couldn’t help but notice that not only he was a very handsome young man but also took notice of those odd girls and their young friend staring and waving at her. She gave a small wave back as she smiled, wishing she could join them. Yet somehow, this strange anguish and yearning of her words seemed intended only to that one man.
Johanna (Sings): My cage has many rooms, Damask and dark. Nothing there sings, Not even my lark. Larks never will, you know, When they’re captive.
Teach me to be more adaptive. Ah-h-h-h-h-h-h-h
Rarity: (let’s put a small gasps and covers her mouth)
Pinkie Pie: What is it Rarity?
Rarity: Oh nothing, though it seems like Johanna might’ve found her special someone
What Johanna had no idea of was the secret peephole just beside her bedroom door, covered only by a painting on the outside. Just outside her room, Judge Turpin lifted the painting off the wall, leaning closely to peer through the hole. He saw Johanna staring out the window, singing, and he wondered just exactly what had attracted her attention.
The Equestrian Girls, Juniper and Arctic couldn’t help but feel disgusted at this
Johanna (Sings): Green finch and linnet bird, Nightingale, blackbird, Teach me how to sing. If I cannot fly, Let me sing.
Down below, everyone couldn’t help but feel the emotion emanated from the poor young girl’s song. All she longed for was freedom from her suppression, yet seemingly growing to accept that it was not going to happen. She gave one last sad smile before she turned away quickly, alarmed, as if someone had just entered her room. The Equestrians and Anthony could see she was terrified, the young sailor felt greatly concerned for her. It wasn’t long before she moved from the window and vanished just as quickly.
“Poor Johanna,” Fluttershy sighed sadly. “She sang that song from her heart; she wants her freedom.”
“We know that’s never going to happen with that judge around,” Spike responded.
Just then, as Anthony craned for a better look, a raggedy beggar woman made her way down the street. A filthy tendril of a woman, her foul clothes of rags like a second skin. She thrust her arm up from the curb, imploring for any sort of coinage or assurance.
Beggar Woman (Sings): Alms! … Alms! … For a miserable woman! On a miserably chilly… morning…
She stopped alongside Anthony and the Equestrian heroes, who eyed with pity toward the poor woman. Anthony reached into his pocket and gave what little coins he could muster for her.
“Thank yer, sir!” The woman exclaimed with relief. “Thank yer…”
Then Twilight Sparkle reached from her own dress and pulled out a small bag of gold bits, handing it to the woman.
“Here you go, miss,” Twilight smiled. “Hope these will help you.”
“Yer a mighty kind young girl,” The beggar thanked her.
Applejack: That was mighty kind of them. (She said with a smile)
Arctic: Yeah, anyone in need of money so they can get food and water to survive, is always a nice thing to do.
The old woman proceeded to make way down the street before Anthony stopped her.
“Ma’am, could you tell me whose house this is?” Anthony asked her.
“That’s the great Judge Turpin’s house, that is…” The beggar replied.
“And the young lady who resides there?”
“We can answer that for you, Anthony,” Pinkie Pie giggled. “Her name’s Johanna and she’s really nice. The only problem is she lives with Judge Turpin. Spoiler alert: He’s a great big meanie pants.”
Juniper: Meanie pants would be a understatement right there..
Arctic: Oh, I believe there is A LOT of more worst things that can be said about him.
“The lil’l lady speaks true, sir,” The beggar nodded. “Johanna’s his pretty little ward. Keeps her snug, he does, all locked up… so don’t you go trespassing there or it’s a good whipping for ya – or any other young man with mischief on his mind…”
Suddenly, like flipping a switch, the beggar woman snapped into a new personality, leering into a lewd, demented assault as she became incredibly sultry trying to push herself into Anthony.
Fluttershy: W-What is she doing? (She said in shock and worry)
Beggar Woman (Sings): ‘Ow would you like a little muff, dear A little jig dear, A little bounce around the bush?! Wouldn’t you like to push me parsley? It seems to ME, dear, Like you got plenty there to push.
Seeing the beggar woman attempting to grab Anthony, the Equestrians knew they had to act quick. The Mane Six and Spike rushed to intervene, pulling the woman off Anthony, who started back.
“What do you think you’re doing?!” Spike yelled.
“Ya can’t go around assaulting people like that!” Applejack added.
Once again, the woman snapped back to her original personality, instantly plaintive again, looking as though she had no earthly idea what was going on.
“What you on about?” The woman asked cluelessly, walking off.
Beggar Woman (Sings): Alms! … Alms! … For a desperate woman…!
The raggedy beggar woman slinked away back down the street, appealing to other pedestrians and almost oblivious to how she’d just been. All eyes stared after her, both in shock and to some… disgust.
“Okay, I’m going to say it,” Rainbow spoke, breaking the silence. “What… the hay… was that?”
“I’ll tell you what that was, darling,” Rarity replied. “That lady has completely lost her senses! She’s gone utterly mad!”
“What do you expect?” Twilight Sparkle replied. “In times like these, homelessness is as bad as being in exile. Forced to wander the streets, with no one to show any sort of kindness, and fighting to survive every day. Who wouldn’t go crazy?”
Sci-Twi: Sad thing is.. that’s not entirely wrong.
Juniper: Times like those, you really have to feel bad those people who wander the streets
“At least we’re good at it,” Pinkie Pie giggled.
It was then Twilight Sparkle looked over, noting Anthony’s focus was entirely upon that window.
“Anthony, are you okay?” Twilight asked, concerned.
“Do you think it’s true?” Anthony asked, gazing at the window. “Is she really kept locked up?”
“Trust me, we’ve met Judge Turpin when we first got here,” Twilight responded honestly. “I speak for all of us when I say it’s worth believing.”
The Audience: Agree
“It’s terrible to keep someone caged up like a little bird,” Fluttershy spoke somberly.
Anthony kept looking at the window, considering the mansion. He swore he could see a figure standing at the window, unclear behind the shutters, watching him. Then, as he sat on the bench outside the mansion, he turned toward his new friends with determination.
“I must help set her free,” Anthony declared.
“How do you plan to do that?” Spike asked.
“I’m not sure,” Anthony responded. “But I’ll find a way… I have to… somehow.”
Seeing the determination on his face, Applejack couldn’t help but notice something else behind his eyes. Something that compelled the man toward her… and it occurred to the country pony in disguise.
“Do you… like her?” Applejack spoke up.
Anthony, slightly taken aback by the question, turned away so none could see the slight blush along his face. Suffice to say, it didn’t go completely unnoticed.
“Sweet Celestia, he does!” Rainbow smirked.
Rarity: Love at first site, now that is just lovely. (She said with a smile)
Rainbow Dash: Honestly. It’s a cliche if you asked me
Rarity: Oh hush now, he could be her knight in shining armor.
Arctic: Well, she is not entering wrong. Who knows, maybe he could be the one to help save her with Princess Twilight and her friends
As they continued to converse, Anthony focused his attention back on the window the beautiful young girl just sat by. If what the beggar said of Johanna was right, how she’d been locked away inside for so long, all he’d want was to help her escape.
Anthony (Sings): I feel you, Johanna, I feel you. I was half convinced I’d waken, Satisfied enough to dream you. Happily, I was mistaken, Johanna! I’ll steal you, Johanna, I’ll steal you…
And then, the figure disappeared from the window above. Anthony stood waiting until suddenly… the doors to the mansion swung open. Anthony expected Johanna… but instead, it was none other than Judge Turpin, the predator in Todd’s flashback, standing in the doorway. Only, he seemed a different man now. The old judge actually had what looked like some semblance of a small grin on his face, paternal and warm, and gestured for the young man to come inside. Anthony looked at the judge unsurely for a moment, but slowly pressed himself forward at his beckoning.
“Come in, lad,” Turpin beckoned kindly. “Come in…”
Anthony walked past the judge and into the manor as Turpin looked on. His eyes soon loomed over his shoulder, noticing the human Equestrians in deep conversation, oblivious to his eye. His small grin diminished, replaced by a glare as he stepped back inside. He would deal with them later as soon as he took care of some… business. And so, without them noticing, he shut the door behind him.
Fluttershy: O-Oh no. (She said worriedly)
Pinkie Pie: Do you.. think he knows? (She said a bit scared)
Applejack: I’m afraid..he does
“I do wish we can go up there,” Fluttershy pointed toward the window. “Just to at least make sure Johanna is okay.”
“And she does deserve to know she has gained a new admirer,” Rarity added.
“Oh sure, simple as all that,” Spike nodded. “We’re just going to waltz right up to the manor, knock on the door, and ask Judge Turpin if we could visit Johanna for tea.”
“Boy, someone’s been getting snarky since their growth spurt,” Rainbow whispered to Pinkie Pie.
Arctic: Life as a teen, at somepoint we’re going be having a phase, plus a attitude
Twilight Sparkle studied the window where Johanna’s form had previously been seen. It was as though she were in deep concentration, as if by chance concocting some form of plan. This hadn’t gone unnoticed as Applejack had caught a trace of Twilight’s deepening gaze.
“I reckon I know that look anywhere,” Applejack observed. “Wut are ya thinkin’, Twi?”
“Hmm… it’s possible there may be a way we may be able to visit Johanna again without the Judge knowing about us,” Twilight Sparkle responded. “It’s a risky plan and could put us in more trouble than we need. But if we are to help Johanna, she will want to know about Anthony.”
“But we’ve never even been inside their house,” Spike pointed out. “How would we even be able to get to Johanna?”
“My magic can still trace where Johanna is, but you are right. Without knowing ‘where’ she is, we’ll end up anywhere in the manor. But if my suspicions are true, and Johanna’s spent her days cooped up in that room, that’s where she’ll be. Gather round, every pony.”
Twilight’s friends proceeded to circle around her. Making sure no one crossing the street was paying attention, Twilight Sparkle closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and proceeded to channel her magic within her. An aura slowly formed not only around Twilight Sparkle, but her friends standing by. Within a matter of seconds, before anyone else paid any attention enough to notice, they quickly vanished from the very ground they stood.
Arctic: Let’s just hope when they talk to her, the judge doesn’t find out about them.
Up in her bedroom, Johanna had been listening from the doorway nervously, as if trying to hear what was going on outside her room. Being that the door was thick, she could scarcely hear anything outside but did her best anyway. Little did she know, however, was that she wasn’t entirely alone. For as she leaned on the door, listening with one ear, Twilight Sparkle and her friends stood right by the corner of the room. Without warning, Pinkie Pie tiptoed her way behind Johanna, and leaned her ear casually along the door.
“Who are we listening for?” Pinkie Pie whispered.
Johanna gasped lightly and quickly turned her face toward Pinkie Pie. Startled, she slowly stepped back only to bump right into another unfamiliar figure. She stopped, turned her eyes, and to her surprise the strangers from earlier today were all here, standing in her room.
“What are you all doing in here?” Johanna whispered, confused.
“Sorry for startling you again Johanna,” Twilight answered. “We just had to come and see you again.”
“But I’ve told you, you can’t. If Turpin ever finds you here, he’ll… wait. How… how did you even get in here?”
“We’re not stupid to go through the front door, if that’s what you mean,” Rainbow Dash remarked.
Confused, Johanna tried to point out just how they managed to even enter her bedroom. Briefly, she drew her eyes to the window.
“You didn’t try to climb your way up the window, did you?” Johanna questioned. “No, someone would easily notice, and the windows are barred from the outside. Tell me honestly, how did you all get in here?”
Twilight Sparkle and her friends faced one another in deep silence. They knew at some point folks were bound to question their presence sooner or later. But seeing how they’d made a friend in Johanna, who had been nothing but kind to them despite her initial uncertainty of them, Twilight Sparkle knew what needed to be done. After a silent ponder, she turned her attention back to Johanna.
“You’re right Johanna, you deserve to know how we got here,” Twilight Sparkle answered. “The truth is… we’re not… who you think we are.”
“What do you mean?” Johanna asked, confused.
Turning to her left, then to her right, Twilight Sparkle channeled the magic once more which grew around herself and her friends. There was a momentary flash of light that caused Johanna to look away for a moment, until the light slowly faded. And when the light completely diminished, she turned back only for her face to widen in surprise. For there, standing in place of six girls and one boy, now six ponies, some with odd appendages, and a dragon stood before her. Johanna almost felt the urge to scream but knew it would do her no good to make noise. Instead, she studied them, trying to come to terms with what she’s looking at.
“What… what are all of you?” Johanna asked quietly. “Are you… angels?”
Pinkie Pie: Wow, she’s taking it a lot better than most
Juniper: At least she didn’t scream, it could’ve made things worse.
“Oh no, Johanna,” Twilight Sparkle shook her head. “We’re nothing like that. We are ponies, no different than the kind you see on the streets. Except, you also see a unicorn, some Pegasi, and I myself an Alicorn.”
“An… alicorn?”
Arctic (speaking with Princess Twilight): Basically, a pony that has the wingspan of a Pegasus and the horn of a unicorn. Very powerful, yet very few and rare… She/I happen to be one of them. They/We come from a magical place called Equestria, a place you won’t find on any map but for us it’s their/our home.”
“And… are you a dragon?” Johanna pointed toward Spike.
“Well, ‘finally’ you notice,” Spike smirked. “Most people mistake me for a lizard; I don’t really get the joke.”
Pinkie Pie: Yeah, if he had a gemstone for everytime someone called him a lizard, well I bet he’ll be one happy dragon. (She said giggling)
Arctic: (chuckle a little bit) Yeah, true that Pinkie
“We needed to assume some human identity in order to blend in with your society,” Rarity explained. “The idea of seeing talking ponies and a dragon in a land with hardly a sort to be seen tends to make people very nervous. I’m sure you understand.”
Johanna slowly nodded her head, for she too felt that way knowing that she was in the presence of talking animals. Like something out of a fairytale book come to life. Nobody in this town would believe it, and given everyone’s nature during these times, she’d know most of them wouldn’t take it kindly. But rather than being afraid, she was more curious than ever.
“If what you say is true, why would you still come all the way here?” Johanna asked.
“Because we heard your longing through song,” Fluttershy answered. “We come to places like this when someone needs help… and your voice was the loudest of all.”
“Hmm… you really do care for me, despite the danger you’re putting yourselves in,” Johanna pondered, then realized. “The young man, the one who was with you outside… who was he?”
“That there’s Anthony,” Applejack answered. “A kind feller, a sailor. We were lucky to run into ‘im while lookin’ for shelter for the night. He admires you.”
“Yeah… say, that reminds me,” Rainbow Dash realized. “What happened with Anthony anyway?”
“Well, there was the fact he was singing his longing for Johanna while we were having our little girl talk,” Pinkie Pie replied. “Men tend to break into song at the presence of pretty girls. I happen to know; my Cheesy has the voice of an angel…”
While Pinkie Pie rambled on, Johanna listened… and her eyes widened with realization. She turned back toward the door, as if a horrifying reality dawned on her.
“Where is he now?” Johanna asked, barely above a whisper.
Fluttershy: O-Oh no..
Meanwhile, Judge Turpin led Anthony into his own personal library, a dark place yet filled with books. The young man couldn’t help but look around and admire all the brilliant architecture of the house. There were gorgeous paintings, lavish furniture, and the most amazing statues everywhere he looked. But amidst all this splendor and wonder, Anthony seemed to be looking around for Johanna. His eyes were wary, as if he knewthis was all very strange.
“… you were looking for Hyde Park, you say?” Turpin asked, entering the library.
“Yes, it’s terribly large on the map,” Anthony replied. “But I keep getting lost…”
“Sit down lad, sit down,” Turpin offered.
Juniper: Girls.. I don’t like where this is going
Applejack: Me either, his up to something
Anthony gladly took a seat on one of the lavish chairs, as uncomfortable as he felt being here. The Judge proceeded to pour two snifters of brand.
“It’s embarrassing for a sailor to lose his bearing,” Anthony continued nervously. “But, well, there you are.”
Just then, the large form of Beadle Bamford appeared from the shadows. No introduction was made, as Turpin looked behind the young lad to his right hand man. Anthony glanced at the judge, uneasily, as the latter proceeded to hand the brandy to the sailor.
“A sailor, eh?” The Judge inquired.
“Yes, sir,” Anthony nodded. “The ‘Bountiful’ out of Plymouth.”
“A sailor must know the ways of the world, yes…?” The Judge continued. “Must be practiced in the ways of the world… would you say you are practiced, boy?”
“Sir?”
Rainbow Dash: Where is he going with this?
Sci-Twi: I feel like I don’t wanna know…
The Judge moved to consider some beautiful volumes amidst his libraries. His most prized collection, bound in the richest leather. He brushed a finger along the spines of the books, his large library of pornography.
“Oh, yes… such practices…” The Judge emphasized, breathing heavily. “The geishas of Japan… the concubines of Siam… the catamites of Greece… the harlots of India… I have them all here… drawings of them…”
The girls started feeling sick to their stomach hearing what The Judge said
Rarity: Oh my word! (She said)
Rainbow Dash: Why would you even say or even have that?!
Slowly, the Judge turned again toward Anthony. Any form of warmth initially presented toward the sailor, now the young man could see that while he smiled amiably there was a hint of venom in his tone. Just feeling that chill from this man, Anthony was speechless and uncertain how to respond to such vulgar manner.
“… All the vile things you’ve done with your whores,” The Judge continued. “Would you like to see?”
Arctic: (growls in anger) Don’t you dare call them that!
Sci-Twi: The Princess and Her friends are nothing like that at all! (She said also in anger)
“I think there’s been some mistake—” Anthony answered, standing up.
“Oh, I think not. You gandered at my ward, Johanna… you gandered at her… yes, sir, you gandered.”
Anthony didn’t get very far when the Beadle moved in, like a lion about to pounce upon a mouse.
Rarity: He was doing no such thing!
Fluttershy: P-Please, don’t hurt him (she said fearfully and hid her face in Rainbow Dash shoulder)
“Do you believe I lie to you, young man?” The Judge continued. “That you were not in league with that green-haired boy nor your frivolous activities with those ladies you are in company with? Do you not believe I do not see the signs when a man has such… insatiable desires of which he cannot keep to himself?”
“I meant no harm—” Anthony glanced nervously at the Beadle.
“Your meaning is immaterial,” The Judge spat, holding his rage. “Mark me: if I see your face again on this street, you’ll rue the day your bitch of a mother gave you birth.”
Anthony stood stunned, all the words he heard of this judge suddenly rang with a hint of clarity. For this man wasn’t just cold-hearted and mean… he was insane. The judge proceeded, with shocking venom rolling off his tongue:
“My Johanna isn’t one of your bloody cockchafers! My Johanna is not to be gandered at!”
With a nod toward the Beadle, the man instantly grabbed Anthony, and brutally hauled him out as the corrupted judge looked on. As Anthony was led out, the Judge’s eyes loomed up toward the ceiling as if he could sense something. If Anthony had truly been gandering as he suspected, who’s to say… it wasn’t just ‘him’…
Rainbow Dash: I’ll keep saying it, i REALLY don’t like that guy, I hope he gets what is coming to him. (She said as she comforts Fluttershy)
Arctic: His karma will come, his actions have no bounds. (He said glaring)
“Judge Turpin must never know about Anthony,” Johanna warned the group. “He hates any and all men he suspects would do me harm just by looking at me. But I know the truth… he wants to keep me for himself, and he’ll rid London of anyone he deems a threat… including you.”
“It was pretty obvious when that judge made it clear we weren’t to come by his house anymore,” Rainbow Dash pointed out.
“All this time we only meant to blend in until we realized why we’re here,” Twilight Sparkle spoke. “But now we’ve seen the severity of the situation; we’ve seen the way Turpin treats you. That’s why… we’re going to free you from this life, and we believe Anthony can help us.”
“But how?” Johanna asked worriedly. “All the doors and windows are locked at all times. Turpin barely lets people into his house unless it’s for entertainment or business, and when he does let people in… only bad things happen. What’s that?”
As if sensing something, Johanna quickly raced toward the door and leaned her ear. The others followed closely behind, wondering what she was hearing. Johanna clasped her hands over her mouth, as if she discovered something horrifying.
“The Beadle’s dragging someone out of the house,” Johanna informed her friends. “He must’ve heard Anthony was watching me… oh no!”
Juniper: Oh no…they have to save him!
Fluttershy: P-Please hurry! B-before he gets hurt! (She said in tears)
“We’ll discuss further escape plans later,” Twilight declared. “Right now, we have to get to Anthony before he gets hurt. Don’t worry, Johanna. We’re going to get you out of this even if it takes us a week. Come on, guys.”
“Yeah… wait, a week?” Spike cringed.
“Come along, buddy!” Rainbow Dash dragged the dragon.
Quickly, the group gathered around Twilight Sparkle, who quickly summoned every ounce of magic to transport themselves out of Johanna’s room as fast as they arrived. Johanna stood there, looking around the room which seemed as though hardly another soul other than her was in the room. Whether or not she dreamt this, her thoughts were again upon the sailor boy… praying no harm comes to him… because of her.
In a flash of light, the Mane Six and Spike were transported in the back alley of Judge Turpin’s house. The magic also shifted them back into their human disguises, as they quickly made their way through the alley. No sooner had they reached the back of the house when the rear door swung open. Beadle Bamford practically dragged Anthony out of the mansion and flung him into the filthy alley. Anthony pulled himself up, stunned.
“Hyde Park is that way, young sir,” Beadle said, as he threw Anthony out. “A right and then a left, then straight on, you see? Move on now!”
Flustered, Anthony turned to look, but the instant his back turned, the Beadle swung his lethal billyclub and slammed him from behind brutally, in the kidneys. Anthony’s knees buckled while the Beadle then slammed Anthony across the back of the neck. Anthony fell hard and Beadle then extended the end of the club and proceeded to whip Anthony across the back a few times for good measure, causing the boy to cry out in pain.
The Equestrian Girls, Juniper and Arctic wince in pain seeing the pain Anthony going through
Fluttershy: P-Please, please stop! (She said in tears)
It was at that moment the Mane Six and Spike burst into the area.
“Hey!” Rainbow Dash yelled. “Lay one more hand on that boy and I’ll pound you so far into the ground you’ll wake up in China!”
Rainbow Dash: Yeah! Leave him alone or you’re in for a world of hurt
The Beadle paused mid-swing, eyeing the collection of women and that young boy of theirs. He grinned toothily, as he swung his billyclub with a delicate hand.
“Well… no surprise to see any of you here,” Beadle eyed them. “Rats tend to travel in packs.”
“You’re one to talk, Wormtail,” Pinkie Pie replied.
“What’d you call me?” Beadle asked, confused.
“Oops… sorry, too soon for the series,” Pinkie chuckled. “We’ll bring that back up in the future.”
Beadle merely rolled his eyes in annoyance before he used one dainty foot to roll Anthony over. Anthony gazed up at him, panting for breath, in agony as Beadle pressed the end of his billyclub into Anthony’s forehead, grinding it hard.
“Now you heard what Judge Turpin said,” Beadle warned. “Next time, it’ll be your pretty brains all over the pavement.”
The Beadle then loomed toward the girls and Spike, who braced themselves as he looked on with malicious intent.
“As for you lot… you were warned never to come near this house,” The Beadle sneered. “And what’d you do? You refused. Lucky for you, the Judge is out on important business, and I have errands of my own to attend to. But next time we meet, I shall personally make sure not a bodice nor any trace of sweat from your brow lingers… not when I’m through with any of you.”
Pinkie Pie: Y-You think he means it?
Juniper: From what we know from the judge.. and the fact this guy works for him (she begins too say)
Sci-Twi: I think it’s very much true.
Applejack: Makes him no better than the judge.
With that, Beadle returned to the mansion and slammed the door. Twilight Sparkle and friends approached Anthony, slowly and carefully pulling him to his knees. He doubled over, coughing up blood. The group looked on with concern, suspecting he may have suffered some internal bleeding. After a long pause, Anthony drew his breath, wiping the blood from his face. Still doubled over, he sang with burning intensity much to the awe of the group.
Anthony (Sings): I’ll steal you, Johanna, I’ll steal you! Do they think that walls can hide you? Even now, I’m at your window. I am in the dark beside you, Buried sweetly in your yellow hair.
Anthony pulled himself up, every moment was pure utter agony. With the Equestrians in disguise following behind, he made his way down the alley, leaning on Applejack and Rainbow Dash for support. Soon, the group emerged from the dark alley and into the bright sunlight London could offer. Eventually, they made their way alongside the sidewalk.
Anthony (Sings): I feel you, Johanna, And one day I’ll steal you. Till I’m with you then, I’m with you there, Sweetly buried in your yellow hair…
The group stopped at a park across the street from Turpin’s mansion, Anthony bravely gazing up at Johanna’s window. With Johanna in mind, the group turned, making their way from Turpin’s house to Hyde Park. As of today, they were more determined than ever to make certain that one thing comes from this horrible situation. A motive that draws the fire within Twilight Sparkle’s own eyes.
“We will get you out of there, Johanna,” Twilight Sparkle silently declared.
Fluttershy: I-I hope they can do it.
Sci-Twi: They’ll find a way, I’m sure of it
Arctic: (he would nod his head in agreement) And, hopefully they’ll be able to take her far away from that Corrupted Judge.
Sorry I'm late everyone, dayjob kept me busy. But Now I'm back and can fully commit to this.
Discord's Theatre, Galaxy Branch
Later that same day, the Mane Six and Spike were still following Anthony, who was now out of his sailor’s uniform. He led the group towards Hyde Park, walking along the sidewalk absorbed in a copy of Baedeker’s London. The Equestrians were fortunate to run into the kind young man, especially since he offered to help them. Thus far, their experience in Victorian London wasn’t going so well, what with their encounter with Judge Turpin and that horrible meat pie Spike ate. Things only seemed to get worse once they realized they were one more heading down the street where Turpin’s house resided.
Sunset Shimmer: Ugh, they're back at that man's place?
Postwar: I don't think they came here on purpose.
Mando: Indeed, someone who winds up in the wrong place is a sign that they have no proper navigation of the place.
“Great, we’re back here again,” Rainbow Dash groaned.
“Perhaps we took a wrong turn?” Rarity spoke hopefully.
“Anthony, which direction are we supposed to go?” Twilight Sparkle asked the young man.
Anthony stopped walking and looked down from his book of maps. Looking closer at his map of London, he suddenly realized he had made a mistake.
“Forgive me my lady,” Anthony apologized. “Seems I’ve gotten us turned around.”
“What are ya talkin’ ‘bout partner?” Applejack asked. “Maybe ah outta take a gander at that there map.”
Postwar: I just hope she doesn't go Johnny Bravo.
Galen Marek: Huh?
Leia Organa: Who's that?
Postwar: Put it this way, there was a guy, whose mother put a compass around his neck, an Id tag and a bloodtype with a phone number on his wrists. He said that he was just going next door to burrow a cup of sugar, next thing you know, he ended up knocking in front of a cactus in the middle of the desert on the other side of the planet.
Everyone couldn't help but laugh at that, even Sunset:
Sunset Shimmer: I know it's wrong, but it was just too funny. Let's hope she doesn't get lost.
The country girl walked alongside the young man, gazing down at the map trying to get her bearings. Just then, Pinkie Pie popped up between the two, causing Anthony to drop his map book. Pinkie quickly picked it up to study his map.
“Looks like we should’ve taken that left turn at Albuquerque,” She joked, giggling.
Pinkie laughed for a good minute until she noticed Applejack and Anthony glaring at her. Anthony merely held his hand out as Pinkie cast a downtrodden look toward the ground before gently handing him back his maps.
“Just trying to lighten the mood,” Pinkie pouted.
“Ah know ya mean well Pinkie, but do try and understand,” Applejack explained to her. “We really need tah find a place to hunker down fur tonight and the day ain’t gonna last long.”
Sunset Shimmer: She has a point there.
Leia Organa: Sometimes we lighten the mood, but not when we're being chased by Imperial Forces.
Mando: In my line of work, there's no time for jokes. We focus on getting the job done and that's that.
Anthony looked back at his maps but couldn’t quite pinpoint the exact location of their destination.
“I think I need to sit for a while,” Anthony said. “I need to get a good bearing on our location.”
“Does it have to be here?” Fluttershy asked worriedly. “Judge Turpin said if he saw us around his home again, there’d be consequences.”
“Judge Turpin?” Anthony questioned, confused.
“Ah, I ain’t afraid of that ole jerk!” Rainbow Dash spoke defiantly. “He gives us any trouble, why I’ll have no problem giving one good punch to his smug face.”
“Rainbow, remember what I said about blending in?” Twilight reminded her.
“Buck that!” Rainbow retorted. “He may be a judge, but that doesn’t give him the right to treat us like dirt.”
“Still, we don’t want to give that horrid man any reason to lock us up,” Rarity warned. “I wouldn’t be able to stand prison. The clothing’s hideous! Don’t even get me started on the stripes. They clash so dreadfully.”
“Typical Rarity,” Rainbow whispered to herself.
Sunset Shimmer: *pinching her nose* Ugh, honestly Rarity.
Postwar: And I thought the human version of her was annoying.
Leia Organa: Is she always like that?
Postwar & Sunset: Only on Thursdays.
Meanwhile, inside the mansion, a certain golden haired girl sat at her window as she worked on her needlepoint. After meeting those girls and the young man from earlier today, Johanna had watched them leave from her bedroom window. Oh, how she desperately wished she could go with them. All her life she’d been trapped in this house with only Judge Turpin and Beadle Bamford for company. This hauntingly sad, yet beautiful girl felt so much like a prisoner, even her window above, behind bars, felt like a prison.
Nearby the window was a cage containing a few birds letting out a few melodious tweets, gifts from a passing bird seller with those long, wooden poles carrying little bird cages. Johanna looked from her needlepoint with a smile, quietly observing the birds in their cage. How she longed for a day when she could finally leave, just as she imagines these birds in their cage. With the twittering birds giving her a few notes, Johanna released her desire for freedom through song.
Outside the manor, the Mane Six and Spike heard the lovely angelic singing, drawing their gaze toward the young woman sitting by the window.
“Johanna!” Pinkie exclaimed excitedly.
Anthony too looked up from his book, noticing the beautiful girl in the window. Anthony watched her, absolutely mesmerized. For the moment his gaze fell on her, he was immediately entranced.
From high in her gilded cage, Johanna looked down toward the streets below where she’d see everyone going about their everyday lives, relishing their freedom. Her eyes soon noticed Anthony along the street, staring up at her with an enamored look on his face. There is a long look between them; her intense, melancholy expression moved him. As she looked, she couldn’t help but notice that not only he was a very handsome young man but also took notice of those odd girls and their young friend staring and waving at her. She gave a small wave back as she smiled, wishing she could join them. Yet somehow, this strange anguish and yearning of her words seemed intended only to that one man.
What Johanna had no idea of was the secret peep hole just beside her bedroom door, covered only by a painting on the outside. Just outside her room, Judge Turpin lifted the painting off the wall, leaning closely to peer through the hole. He saw Johanna staring out the window, singing, and he wondered just exactly what had attracted her attention.
Down below, everyone couldn’t help but feel the emotion emanated from the poor young girl’s song. All she longed for was freedom from her suppression, yet seemingly growing to accept that it was not going to happen. She gave one last sad smile before she turned away quickly, alarmed, as if someone had just entered her room. The Equestrians and Anthony could see she was terrified, the young sailor felt greatly concerned for her. It wasn’t long before she moved from the window and vanished just as quickly.
C-3PO: Oh, no. *R2 beeping in agreement*
Ahsoka Tano: Ugh, him again?
Leia Organa: Something tells me this won't end well.
Just then, as Anthony craned for a better look, a raggedy beggar woman made her way down the street. A filthy tendril of a woman, her foul clothes of rags like a second skin. She thrust her arm up from the curb, imploring for any sort of coinage or assurance.
She stopped alongside Anthony and the Equestrian heroes, who eyed with pity toward the poor woman. Anthony reached into his pocket and gave what little coins he could muster for her.
“Thank yer, sir!” The woman exclaimed with relief. ‘Thank yer…”
Then Twilight Sparkle reached from her own dress and pulled out a small bag of gold bits, handing it to the woman.
“Here you go, miss,” Twilight smiled. “Hope these will help you.”
“Yer a mighty kind young girl,” The beggar thanked her.
The old woman proceeded to make way down the street before Anthony stopped her.
“Ma’am, could you tell me whose house this is?” Anthony asked her.
“That’s the great Judge Turpin’s house, that is…” The beggar replied.
“And the young lady who resides there?”
“We can answer that for you, Anthony,” Pinkie Pie giggled. “Her name’s Johanna and she’s really nice. The only problem is she lives with Judge Turpin. Spoiler alert: He’s a great big meanie pants.”
“The lil’l lady speaks true, sir,” The beggar nodded. “Johanna’s his pretty little ward. Keeps her snug, he does, all locked up… so don’t you go trespassing there or it’s a good whipping for ya – or any other young man with mischief on his mind…”
Suddenly, like flipping a switch, the beggar woman snapped into a new personality, leering into a lewd, demented assault as she became incredibly sultry trying to push herself into Anthony.
Everyone was disgusted by this:
Postwar: Yeah, forgot to mention that during those times in London, they're always like that.
“I must help set her free,” Anthony declared.
“How do you plan to do that?” Spike asked.
“I’m not sure,” Anthony responded. “But I’ll find a way… I have to… somehow.”
Seeing the determination on his face, Applejack couldn’t help but notice something else behind his eyes. Something that compelled the man toward her… and it occurred to the country pony in disguise.
“Do you… like her?” Applejack spoke up.
Anthony, slightly taken aback by the question, turned away so none could see the slight blush along his face. Suffice to say, it didn’t go completely unnoticed.
“Sweet Celestia, he does!” Rainbow smirked.
“But how can that be possible?” Rarity questioned. “He’s only seen her just now and hasn’t spoken a word to her. How can he possibly have such fondness for her already?”
“It worked for Victor and Victoria a while back,” Pinkie Pie reminded.
Sunset Shimmer: Uh, I think you're thinking of something else, Pinkie.
Ben Solo: Is she even paying attention?
Postwar & Sunset: It's Pinkie Pie, don't question it.
And then, the figure disappeared from the window above. Anthony stood waiting until suddenly… the doors to the mansion swung open. Anthony expected Johanna… but instead, it was none other than Judge Turpin, the predator in Todd’s flashback, standing in the doorway. Only, he seemed a different man now. The old judge actually had what looked like some semblance of a small grin on his face, paternal and warm, and gestured for the young man to come inside. Anthony looked at the judge unsurely for a moment, but slowly pressed himself forward at his beckoning.
“Come in, lad,” Turpin beckoned kindly. “Come in…”
Anthony walked past the judge and into the manor as Turpin looked on. His eyes soon loomed over his shoulder, noticing the human Equestrians in deep conversation, oblivious to his eye. His small grin diminished, replaced by a glare as he stepped back inside. He would deal with them later as soon as he took care of some… business. And so, without them noticing, he shut the door behind him.
“I do wish we can go up there,” Fluttershy pointed toward the window. “Just to at least make sure Johanna is okay.”
“And she does deserve to know she has gained a new admirer,” Rarity added.
“Oh sure, simple as all that,” Spike nodded. “We’re just going to waltz right up to the manor, knock on the door, and ask Judge Turpin if we could visit Johanna for tea.”
“Boy, someone’s been getting snarky since their growth spurt,” Rainbow whispered to Pinkie Pie.
Postwar: Yeah, I kinda noticed that too.
Sunset Shimmer: Hey, me too.
Postwar: Did any of you notice that before, too? *Everyone nodded and voiced their agreement*
“I reckon I know that look anywhere,” Applejack observed. “Wut are ya thinkin’, Twi?”
“Hmm… it’s possible there may be a way we may be able to visit Johanna again without the Judge knowing about us,” Twilight Sparkle responded. “It’s a risky plan and could put us in more trouble than we need. But if we are to help Johanna, she will want to know about Anthony.”
“But we’ve never even been inside their house,” Spike pointed out. “How would we even be able to get to Johanna.”
“My magic can still trace where Johanna is, but you are right. Without knowing ‘where’ she is, we’ll end up anywhere in the manor. But if my suspicions are true, and Johanna’s spent her days cooped up in that room, that’s where she’ll be. Gather round, every pony.”
Ahsoka Tano: So whilst that man is distracted, the other would sneak in and try to talk to Johanna?
Postwar: From the looks of it yeah. Kind of like killing 2 Gundarks with one stone.
Mando: Smart move, move the threat aside, then move in for the information.
Up in her bedroom, Johanna had been listening from the doorway nervously, as if trying to hear what was going on outside her room. Being that the door was thick, she could scarcely hear anything outside but did her best anyway. Little did she know, however, was that she wasn’t entirely alone. For as she leaned on the door, listening with one ear, Twilight Sparkle and her friends stood right by the corner of the room. Without warning, Pinkie Pie tiptoed her way behind Johanna, and leaned her ear casually along the door.
“Who are we listening for?” Pinkie Pie whispered.
Johanna gasped lightly and quickly turned her face toward Pinkie Pie. Startled, she slowly stepped back only to bump right into another unfamiliar figure. She stopped, turned her eyes, and to her surprise the strangers from earlier today were all here, standing in her room.
“What are you all doing in here?” Johanna whispered, confused.
“Sorry for startling you again Johanna,” Twilight answered. “We just had to come and see you again.”
“But I’ve told you, you can’t. If Turpin ever finds you here, he’ll… wait. How… how did you even get in here?”
“We’re not stupid to go through the front door, if that’s what you mean,” Rainbow Dash remarked.
Confused, Johanna tried to point out just how they managed to even enter her bedroom. Briefly, she drew her eyes to the window.
“You didn’t try to climb your way up the window, did you?” Johanna questioned. “No, someone would easily notice, and the windows are barred from the outside. Tell me honestly, how did you all get in here?”
Twilight Sparkle and her friends faced one another in deep silence. They knew at some point folks were bound to question their presence sooner or later. But seeing how they’d made a friend in Johanna, who had been nothing but kind to them despite her initial uncertainty of them, Twilight Sparkle knew what needed to be done. After a silent ponder, she turned her attention back to Johanna.
“You’re right Johanna, you deserve to know how we got here,” Twilight Sparkle answered. “The truth is… we’re not… who you think we are.”
“What do you mean?” Johanna asked, confused.
Turning to her left, then to her right, Twilight Sparkle channeled the magic once more which grew around herself and her friends. There was a momentary flash of light, that caused Johanna to look away for a moment, until the light slowly faded. And when the light completely diminished, she turned back only for her face to widen in surprise. For there, standing in place of six girls and one boy, now six ponies, some with odd appendages, and a dragon stood before her. Johanna almost felt the urge to scream but knew it would do her no good to make noise. Instead, she studied them, trying to come to terms with what she’s looking at.
“What… what are all of you?” Johanna asked quietly. “Are you… angels?”
“Oh no, Johanna,” Twilight Sparkle shook her head. “We’re nothing like that. We are ponies, no different than the kind you see on the streets. Except, you also see a unicorn, some Pegasi, and I myself an Alicorn.”
“An… alicorn?”
“Basically, a pony that has the wingspan of a Pegasus and the horn of a unicorn. Very powerful, yet very few and rare… I happen to be one of them. We come from a magical place called Equestria, a place you won’t find on any map but for us it’s out home.”
“And… are you a dragon?” Johanna pointed toward Spike.
“Well, ‘finally’ you notice,” Spike smirked. “Most people mistake me for a lizard; I don’t really get the joke.”
“We needed to assume some human identity in order to blend in with your society,” Rarity explained. “The idea of seeing talking ponies and a dragon in a land with hardly a sort to be seen tends to make people very nervous. I’m sure you understand.”
Postwar: And yet, that didn't stop the others before.
Sunset Shimmer: He's not wrong. I was there during the whole conjuring business, and it was a complete nightmare.
Galen Marek: That bad? *Gets a nod from Sunset*
Ahsoka Tano: Then it's a good thing you didn't face that Sith spirit like Master Yoda did.
Meanwhile, Judge Turpin led Anthony into his own personal library, a dark place yet filled with books. The young man couldn’t help but look around and admire all the brilliant architecture of the house. There were gorgeous paintings, lavish furniture, and the most amazing statues everywhere he looked. But amidst all this splendor and wonder, Anthony seemed to be looking around for Johanna. His eyes were wary, as if he this was all very strange.
“… you were looking for Hyde Park, you say?” Turpin asked, entering the library.
“Yes, it’s terribly large on the map,” Anthony replied. “But I keep getting lost…”
“Sit down lad, sit down,” Turpin offered.
Anthony gladly took a seat on one of the lavish chairs, as uncomfortable as he felt being here. The Judge proceeded to pour two snifters of brand.
“It’s embarrassing for a sailor to lose his bearing,” Anthony continued nervously. “But, well, there you are.”
Just then, the large form of Beadle Bamford appeared from the shadows. No introduction was made, as Turpin looked behind the young lad to his right hand man. Anthony glanced at the judge, uneasily, as the latter proceeded to hand the brandy to the sailor.
“A sailor, eh?” The Judge inquired.
“Yes, sir,” Anthony nodded. “The ‘Bountiful’ out of Plymouth.”
“A sailor must know the ways of the world, yes…?” The Judge continued. “Must be practiced in the ways of the world… would you say you are practiced, boy?”
“Sir?”
Sunset Shimmer: Uh, I don't like where this is going.
Postwar: Oh boy.
Leia Organa: What?
Galen Marek: I think I also know what's coming.
Mando: Same here.
The Judge moved to consider some beautiful volumes amidst his libraries. His most prized collection, bound in the richest leather. He brushed a finger along the spines of the books, his large library of pornography.
“Oh, yes… such practices…” The Judge emphasized, breathing heavily. “The geishas of Japan… the concubines of Siam… the catamites of Greece… the harlots of India… I have them all here… drawings of them…”
Slowly, the Judge turned again toward Anthony. Any form of warmth initially presented toward the sailor, now the young man could see that while he smiled amiably there was a hint of venom in his tone. Just feeling that chill from this man, Anthony was speechless and uncertain how to respond to such vulgar manner.
“… All the vile things you’ve done with your whores,” The Judge continued. “Would you like to see?”
“I think there’s been some mistake—” Anthony answered, standing up.
“Oh, I think not. You gandered at my ward, Johanna… you gandered at her… yes, sir, you gandered.”
Anthony didn’t get very far when the Beadle moved in, like a lion about to pounce upon a mouse.
“Do you believe I lie to you, young man?” The Judge continued. “That you were not in league with that green-haired boy nor your frivolous activities with those ladies you are in company with? Do you not believe I do not see the signs when a man has such… insatiable desires of which he cannot keep to himself?”
“I meant no harm—” Anthony glanced nervously at the Beadle.
“Your meaning is immaterial,” The Judge spat, holding his rage. “Mark me: if I see your face again on this street, you’ll rue the day your bitch of a mother gave you birth.”
Anthony stood stunned, all the words he heard of this judge suddenly rang with a hint of clarity. For this man wasn’t just cold-hearted and mean… he was insane. The judge proceeded, with shocking venom rolling off his tongue:
“My Johanna isn’t one of your bloody cockchafers! My Johanna is not to be gandered at!”
With a nod toward the Beadle, the man instantly grabbed Anthony, and brutally hauled him out as the corrupted judge looked on. As Anthony was led out, the Judge’s eyes loomed up toward the ceiling as if he could sense something. If Anthony had truly been gandering as he suspected, who’s to say… it wasn’t just ‘him’…
Leia Organa: Okay, that's just insulting.
Sunset Shimmer: Who does he think he is? There's a difference between enforcing the law and abusing your authority and power with it.
Mando: We have plenty of those, which is why we're still hunting down Imperial Remnants. Althought it would've been a lot smoother if a certain someone like Mon Mothma hadn't downsized the military.
Leia Organa: I'll have a talk to her and the new senate about this.
“Judge Turpin must never know about Anthony,” Johanna warned the group. “He hates any and all men he suspects would do me harm just by looking at me. But I know the truth… he wants to keep me for himself, and he’ll rid London of anyone he deems a threat… including you.”
“It was pretty obvious when that judge made it clear we weren’t to come by his house anymore,” Rainbow Dash pointed out.
“All this time we only meant to blend in until we realized why we’re here,” Twilight Sparkle spoke. “But now we’ve seen the severity of the situation; we’ve seen the way Turpin treats you. That’s why… we’re going to free you from this life, and we believe Anthony can help us.”
“But how?” Johanna asked worriedly. “All the doors and windows are locked at all times. Turpin barely lets people into his house unless its for entertainment or business, and when he does let people in… only bad things happen?”
C-3PO: Oh my, what kind of bad?
Postwar: The kind to kill them off to ensure that they keep them for themselves.
Mando: He's right. I've seen my fair share of things like this before.
As if sensing something, Johanna quickly raced toward the door and leaned her ear. The others followed closely behind, wondering what she was hearing. Johanna clasped her hands over her mouth, as if she discovered something horrifying.
“The Beadle’s dragging someone out of the house,” Johanna informed her friends. “He must’ve heard Anthony was watching me… oh no!”
“We’ll discuss further escape plans later,” Twilight declared. “Right now, we have to get to Anthony before he gets hurt. Don’t worry, Johanna. We’re going to get you out of this even if it takes us a week. Come on, guys.”
“Yeah… wait, a week?” Spike cringed.
“Come along, buddy!” Rainbow Dash dragged the dragon.
Quickly, the group gathered around Twilight Sparkle, who quickly summoned every ounce of magic to transport themselves out of Johanna’s room as fast as they arrived. Johanna stood there, looking around the room which seemed as though hardly another soul other than her was in the room. Whether or not she dreamt this, her thoughts were again upon the sailor boy… praying no harm comes to him… because of her.
Postwar: Normally I'd say be careful what you wish for, but then again, I don't want to jinx it.
Sunset Shimmer: Same here. I do not, want to go through that again.
Ben Solo: Again?
Sunset Shimmer: Long story.
In a flash of light, the Mane Six and Spike were transported in the back alley of Judge Turpin’s house. The magic also shifted them back into their human disguises, as they quickly made their way through the alley. No sooner had they reached the back of the house when the rear door swung open. Beadle Bamford practically dragged Anthony out of the mansion and flung him into the filthy alley. Anthony pulled himself up, stunned.
“Hyde Park is that way, young sir,” Beadle said, as he threw Anthony out. “A right and then a left, then straight on, you see? Move on now!”
Flustered, Anthony turned to look, but the instant his back turned, the Beadle swung his lethal billyclub and slammed him from behind brutally, in the kidneys. Anthony’s knees buckled while the Beadle then slammed Anthony across the back of the neck. Anthony fell hard and Beadle then extended the end of the club and proceeded to whip Anthony across the back a few times for good measure, causing the boy to cry out in pain. It was at that moment the Mane Six and Spike burst into the area.
“Hey!” Rainbow Dash yelled. “Lay one more hand on that boy and I’ll pound you so far into the ground you’ll wake up in China!”
Galen Marek: Like you did earlier?
Sunset Shimmer: Galen, you know they couldn't do that, not without getting thrown into prison.
Postwar: Not to mention, that even if they do fight, they'll probably have some kind of magical tools to hold them at bay like that time they encountered Shrek.
Leia Organa: Oh, right. Ben told me about that.
“Well… no surprise to see any of you here,” Beadle eyed them. “Rats tend to travel in packs.”
“You’re one to talk, Wormtail,” Pinkie Pie replied.
“What’d you call me?” Beadle asked confused.
“Oops… sorry, too soon for the series,” Pinkie chuckled. “We’ll bring that back up in the future.”
Beadle merely rolled his eyes in annoyance before he used one dainty foot to roll Anthony over. Anthony gazed up at him, panting for breath, in agony as Beadle pressed the end of his billyclub into Anthony’s forehead, grinding it hard.
“Now you heard what Judge Turpin said,” Beadle warned. “Next time, it’ll be your pretty brains all over the pavement.”
The Beadle then loomed toward the girls and Spike, who braced themselves as he looked on with malicious intent.
“As for you lot… you were warned never to come near this house,” The Beadle sneered. “And what’d you do? You refused. Lucky for you, the Judge is out on important business, and I have errands of my own to attend to. But next time we meet, I shall personally make sure not a bodice nor any trace of sweat from your brow lingers… not when I’m through with any of you.”
With that, Beadle returned to the mansion and slammed the door. Twilight Sparkle and friends approached Anthony, slowly and carefully pulling him to his knees. He doubled over, coughing up blood. The group looked on with concern, suspecting he may have suffered some internal bleeding. After a long pause, Anthony drew his breath, wiping the blood from his face. Still doubled over, he sang with burning intensity much to the awe of the group.
Leia Organa: Wow, I feel really bad for him.
Ahsoka Tano: I feel the same way.
Anthony pulled himself up, every moment was pure utter agony. With the Equestrians in disguise following behind, he made his way down the alley, leaning on Applejack and Rainbow Dash for support. Soon, the group emerged from the dark alley and into the bright sunlight London could offer. Eventually, they made their way alongside the sidewalk.
The group stopped at a park across the street from Turpin’s mansion, Anthony bravely gazing up at Johanna’s window. With Johanna in mind, the group turned, making their way from Turpin’s house to Hyde Park. As of today, they were more determined than ever to make certain that one thing comes from this horrible situation. A motive that draws the fire within Twilight Sparkle’s own eyes.
“We will get you out of there, Johanna,” Twilight Sparkle silently declared.
Sunset Shimmer: I hope so too.
Postwar: If the madness of evil does not ensnare them into their trap.
Mando: Agreed.
The very next day, Chrysalis found herself wandering the crowded area of St. Dunstan’s Marketplace with Sweeney Todd and Mrs. Lovett moving quickly, the latter struggling to keep up with his long, loping stride. Todd carried his razor case, while Lovett carried a shopping basket. If these three had any chance of getting close to the Judge, they first needed to figure out a way to lure him into the shop. And the best way to do that was to showcase that Mr. Todd was a barber of epic proportions. What better way to do so than in a place where the people gather daily?
So, here they were traversing through the crowded marketplace in search of their prime opportunity.
“What exactly are we looking for, Lovett?” Chrysalis asked.
“There’s a barber what comes here every Thursday,” Mrs. Lovett responded. “He’s Eyetalian, all the rage he is.”
“And he’s supposed to be the ‘best’ barber in London?”
“So he says.”
“He’s here every Thursday?” Sweeney asked.
“Like clockwork,” Mrs. Lovett nodded.
“The sooner we do this, the better,” Chrysalis spoke impatiently. “If we want any hope of Mr. Todd getting his revenge.”
Sunset Shimmer: Normally I'd pity her over what happened to her, but I'm still mad at her for not giving life a chance.
Postwar: Same here. No matter how hard we try, blackened hearts and closed minds are never that easy to convince.
As the trio maneuvered their way through the crowded market, Chrysalis couldn’t help but cringe with disgust over the majority of the people and the product they were buying.
“Ugh, this is why I chose not to walk among the unwashed mases,” She voiced disgust.
They rounded a corner and moved deeper through the bustling marketplace. A steady mercantile hummed as the cries of merchants and wandering coster-mongers filled the air. Todd, Mrs. Lovett, and Chrysalis moved toward a hand-drawn caravan dominating one corner of the marketplace. It was painted like a Sicilian donkey cart and on its side a sign declaimed:
Signor Adolfo Pirelli – Haircutter to His Royal Majesty the King of Naples
“Do you really think you can do it?” Chrysalis asked Todd.
“By tomorrow, they’ll all be flocking to me like sheep to be shorn—” Todd answered.
All of a sudden, Sweeney stopped abruptly and both women could see the glare of hatred on his face. Turning toward where he looked, they noticed Beadle Bamford walking among the people. The very sight of the rat-faced man made Sweeney’s blood boil with vengeance, transfixed over how close his ancient enemy was. He reached into his coat, grabbed for his razors, and planned to make his way over to the man. However, Mrs. Lovett grabbed his arm, drawing him to a halt.
“Come along now dear, he might recognize you,” She warned.
“What does it matter?” Chrysalis asked. “I thought our goal was to crush the Beadle for what he is.”
“If we kill him here in a public place, with lots of witnesses, the bobby’s will be over ‘im in minutes,” Mrs. Lovett explained. “How’d you propose he ‘ave his vengeance behind bars?”
“I will do what I’ve vowed to do,” Sweeney muttered lowly. “Come closer, my friend, closer…”
Just then, the sound of a beating drum drew their attention to the nearby traveling cart set up to look like a stage. From the cart, a young boy of about thirteen, Toby by name, wearing a bowler hat emerged banging on a tin drum, drawing everyone’s attention. This boy was a bit small for his age, malnourished and consumptively pale, a most pitiful sight. A crowd began to gather at the caravan, filing in and standing around the stage as the young boy began to sing.
A woman gasped with fright, yet the boy smiled and wiggled a finger ‘no’.
The boy dramatically doffed his cap, revealing mountains of flowing blonde hair which cascade to his shoulder. Everyone laughed in amusement, as he reached into a nearby case and procured a bottle of some bizarre liquid of which he showed off to the crowd.
The boy proceeded to toss a bottle of elixir to some gentlemen in the crowd, one of whom caught it. Toby proceeded to pop off the top, smelling its contents and recoiled over the strong smell. He passed it around to the other people in the crowd, all eyes observing.
Toby popped open another bottle and dumped a little of it upon the head of a bald man in front of the crowd.
Hearing this, the bald man proceeded to quickly work the elixir into his bald scalp, hoping to produce a full head of hair. More customers stepped up, buying bottles left and right. Meanwhile, furthest from the crowd, the elixir made its way towards the terrible trio. Todd opened one bottle of the Elixir and took a whiff… they reeled back disgusted of the horrible stench. But then, Todd smiled toward the ladies, his plan falling into place.
The crowd responded to the trio, looking askance, and sniffed at the bottles. Toby nervously tried distracting them or else risk losing Pirelli’s customers.
With Sweeney having hold of one bottle of elixir, neither he nor his two cohorts could even stand the smell of this stuff.
Most were sort of feeling disturbed over the motion that Sweenie Todd had put in place, but from continue observation, Postwar kept an eye on this new madman.
“I’m Mr. Sweeney Todd from Fleet Street,” He explained. “I have opened a bottle of Pirelli’s Elixir, and I say to you it is nothing but an arrant fraud, concocted from piss and ink.”
The crowd gasped. A scowl spread across Pirelli’s face, outraged as the mad barber made his way closer to the stage.
“And furthermore, ‘signor’, I have serviced no kings, yet I wager I can shave a cheek with ten times more dexterity than any street mountebank.”
Sweeney reached into his coat, snapped open his razor case, and proceeded to pull out two of his razors. He held it up for the crowd to see, causing everyone to gasp as he held out the wondrous razors.
“You see these razors?” Todd continued.
“The finest in England,” Chrysalis addressed the crowd.
“I lay them against five pounds you are no match for me,” Todd glared at Pirelli. “You hear me, sir? Either accept my challenge or reveal yourself as a sham.”
The crowd was clearly enjoying this now, whispering eagerly about the bold challenge. Rather than looking anger for someone daring to question his legitimacy, Pirelli studied the razors for a moment… then turned to the crowd with a confident smile. He chuckled as though he’d just been told the most ridiculous joke ever.
“You hear zis foolish man?” He chuckled. “Watch and see how he will regret his folly!”
He whipped his cloak off in a flurry and Toby quickly came to collect it, along with Pirelli’s top hat. Meanwhile, Todd moved into action, preparing for the challenge. He scanned the crowd to seek who would participate in this contest.
“Friends, who’s for a free shave?” Todd asked.
Two gentlemen with stubby beards quickly came forward and climbed upon the stage. A plain wooden chair was brought for Todd, while the other man took a more refined chair from Pirelli. But before climbing back on stage, Sweeney turned back to his companions.
“I will also have my assistant, Ms. Winters, aiding me.”
Chrysalis’s eyes widened briefly as everyone turned to look at her. Giving a nervous smile, she slowly walked forward toward Mr. Todd.
“What are you doing?!” She growled silently.
“You said you’d help me ‘any’ way possible,” Sweeney whispered back. “What better way to do so than serve as my assistant?”
“I don’t even know what to do!” Chrysalis argued.
“Sharpen razors, apply shaving product, take coats, all rather basic.”
Chrysalis looked like she wanted to argue. In the end, however, only a sigh escaped, and she shook her head. After all, she gave her word to help Mr. Todd exact his revenge anyway she could. Soon, they both climbed onto the stage as Sweeney faced Pirelli.
Leia Organa: Something tells me she doesn't want any part of this plan.
Mando: Sometimes when it comes to killers, most of them don't have the patience to do it. Only by discipline and patience can they take down a dangerous foe.
“I hope you don’t mind my assistant aiding me in this Signor Pirelli,” Todd told the Italian. “After all, a man who served kings would have no issue with a challenge.”
“Of course not!” Pirelli smirked back. “The boy will assist me as well.”
Before they could officially begin the contest, Sweeney moved into the boldest part of this plan… one last idea in his mind. He carefully turned toward… the Beadle in the crowd.
“Will Beadle Bamford be the judge?” Todd asked.
Mrs. Lovett’s eyes shot toward Todd, alarmed. The Beadle moved toward Todd, who smiled amiably, yet quivered internally at being so dreadfully close to his prey. Mrs. Lovett, meanwhile, watches with great concern. Would the Beadle recognize the features of Benjamin Barker…? Apparently not. The Beadle stopped right before Todd and smiled.
“Glad, as always, to oblige my friends and neighbors,” Beadle responded, facing the crowd. “… Let the challenge commence!”
The Beadle came up alongside the stage as Chrysalis took one of the gentlemen’s coats and grabbed Mr. Todd’s razors for him. One man sat in Todd’s plain chair as the other moved to an elaborate chair on Pirelli’s caravan. Pirelli shook out a fancy bib with a flourish and covered his man. Toby prepared Pirelli’s ornate shaving supplies as Todd took a plain towel and tucked it around his man’s neck.
“Ready?” Beadle called out.
“Ready!” Pirelli smiled.
“Ready,” Todd answered silently.
“The fastest, smoothest shave is the winner!” Beadle declared.
With a shrilling blow of a whistle, the contest was underway. Pirelli began first by stropping his razor quickly along a leather strop Toby held. As she sharpened his razor, he nicked Toby a few times which caused the boy to cringe in pain. Todd stropped in a leisurely manner, carefully sharpening the razor while Chrysalis eyed his handiwork and cautiously kept her fingers away. Pirelli kept glancing at Todd in various paranoid ways throughout, frightened of Todd’s progress. He started whipping up lather quickly, singing as he did so:
To emphasize this point, Toby grabbed a large scroll and unfurled it revealing a portrait of Pope Leo XIII. Under the portrait was written, ‘Thanks for the shave’. Everyone chuckled, while Chrysalis shook her head unamused. This man was clearly a huge fraud and the fact these people bought into this just confirmed how stupid they really were. Then again, Chrysalis could give the ‘worst’ impression of one pony, yet they would buy into her own con every… single… time. It would almost be amusing if it weren’t so pathetic.
Unexpectedly, Todd showed no sign of starting to shave his man. He merely watched Pirelli’s performance. Mrs. Lovett eyed him nervously, wishing he would get on with it. Pirelli, now feeling he could take his time, sang lyrically as he applied the lather to the man’s face and shaved with rhythmic scrapes and elaborate gestures of wiping the razor.
As the man made a spectacle of himself, Chrysalis applied the lather she prepared onto their customer’s face. Sweeney Todd, however, hadn’t begun shaving immediately (Much to her confusion). Todd stropped his razor slowly and deliberately – shoop, shoop, shoop – disconcerting Pirelli and drawing the crowd’s attention.
Again, Todd was unconcerned. He just slowly stropped his razor – shoop, shoop, shoop – which flustered Pirelli tremendously.
Pirelli looked to the sky, as he crossed himself with his razor over his chest. Chrysalis merely rolled her eyes, unable to believe this man’s own arrogance. She gave an impatient look to Mr. Todd, who just gave her a simple nod in return.
Pirelli held this high note elaborately, for a lengthy period of time. It was then Sweeney Todd decided to seize this opportunity. With only a few deft strokes and in only seconds, he quickly shaved his man’s face entirely clean, and signaled the Beadle to examine him before Pirelli finished his note. This caused Chrysalis to stare with wide eyes at the man’s skills before a satisfied smirk planted itself on her face when she knew they had won.
“The winner… is Todd!” Beadle declared for all.
The crowd gave a good round of applause as Pirelli snapped his head back with his own shock, his ego completely deflated. Chrysalis merely looked at the man with the cockiest grin she could muster.
Leia Organa: Wow, for a madman, he knows how to shave.
Postwar: Yeah, good thing I don't use those anymore, cause using real blades can be very dangerous. *Uses the 4th wall and sees a bear using a small lightsaber to shave himself, he rolled his eyes and shook it away*. *mutters* Show off."
“Here, sir,” Pirelli said through gritted teeth. “And may the good Lord smile on you… until we meet again.”
He soon dropped his fake smile, bowed his head quickly, and moved away, beckoning to Toby.
“Come boy,” Pirelli gestured.
“We’re pulling out, sir?” Toby replied.
SLAP!
Without warning, Signore Pirelli backhanded the young boy so hard across the face he nearly fell to the ground. The boy crawled back into the cart as the Italian practically snarled at him.
Pirelli entered the cart after him and they could all hear him losing his temper over just losing this contest. Chrysalis and Sweeney climbed off the stage, making their way back over to Mrs. Lovett, who could still hear the Italian man yelling in the cart.
Ahsoka Tano: How could they treat children like that?
Postwar: Trust me, you get a lot of sick people these days.
Sunset Shimmer: No kidding.
Leia Organa: The way they do that makes me glad we changed our way.
The Beadle grabbed Chrysalis’s hand and planted a kiss upon it. Chrysalis quietly cringed inside, knowing this man was even in close proximity to her. But she continued to hide it with a light chuckle. Meanwhile, Beadle turned his attention back to Sweeney.
“Your establishment is on Fleet Street you say?” He questioned.
“Yes, sir,” Sweeney nodded.
“Well then, Mr. Todd, you will surely see me there before the week is out,” Beadle smiled, facing Chrysalis. “Especially if your beautiful assistant will be there.”
“You flatter me so, Mr. Bamford,” Chrysalis fake giggled.
“You will be welcome, Beadle Bamford,” Sweeney informed the man. “And I can guarantee to give you, without a penny’s charge, the closest shave you will ever know.”
“Do come and visit us soon, Mr. Bamford,” Chrysalis smiled seductively. “I’ll be dying to see you again.”
Beadle gave the young woman a smile of his own before turning and walking away. Once he was out of sight, Chrysalis cringed and tried not to vomit.
“I can’t believe I actually said such talk to that fat rat of a man!” She shivered.
“You played the part well, my dear,” Sweeney complimented her.
“This better be worth it in the end,” Chrysalis replied. “If you don’t kill him… I’ll do it myself!”
Postwar: Yeah, must like you did with Dumbledore's friend.
Sunset Shimmer: *Looks at Postwar shocked* She did?!
Postwar: Yup, she did.
Soon, the trio walked away down the marketplace and started their trip back to Fleet Street. For Lovett, she was thankful that this day had been the success it had. Not only did they expose and defeat a sham of a barber, but they also managed to convince one of their targets to come to the shop. True, it would all be a matter of waiting for him to show up, but Mrs. Lovett was very pleased with the results.
“… Like to give me a coronary right there!” Mrs. Lovett chattered happily. “What if he had recognized you! Lord, my heart was beating a mile a minute, just like a little finch it was. Aren’t those lovely birds now? Always so twittery and happy…”
While Lovett continued chattering, neither Todd nor Chrysalis were listening. Chrysalis silently paid close attention to Todd’s eyes, noting how they darted side to side. Some gentlemen were walking alongside them, whispering something subtle and insinuating. Chrysalis had no doubt Sweeney was pondering and planning, like the perfect machine. Soon, it would be a matter of barbing the hook, baiting the trap, setting it out for the Beadle to snap. Courting ‘im, setting a sort of scene before laying the trail, showing the traces, leading it to higher places…
As quickly as Sweeney’s thoughts echoed, they were gone… vanishing from his mind… swallowed up by the crowd of pedestrians. Chrysalis just eyed him, while Mrs. Lovett chattered on until she noticed Sweeney being eerily quieter than usual.
“Mr. Todd, are you listening to me?” Mrs. Lovett asked.
“Of course,” Todd answered simply.
But Chrysalis knew better. She caught Todd’s eyes darting again, seeking for the specters. But all he could see were complete strangers… perhaps even something far more… cruel.
Postwar: And thus the stage has been set.
Sunset Shimmer: Now we'll just have to wait and see how this leads to.
11642677 Me: To be honest, now I'm glad I took the promotion. It's a lot more calmer here in the Future. Besides, Among Us jokes have already run their course.
Alastor: "Ah! All this showboating and hosting has certainly worked up an appetite. I could actually go for one of Mrs. Lovett's Meat Pies right now! With a slice of venison of course. WITH MY MOTHER'S WONDERFUL RECIPE OF JAMBALAYA FOR DESSERT! But first...Some serenade to fit the mood! Co-starring my favorite pal, THIS GUY!"
INSANE – Gabriel Brown a.k.a. Alastor the Radio Demon
Hello, it's nice to meet you Oh, can you tell me where I am? I don't know how I got here But I, I think I'm starting to understand I don't belong among the angels And baby, that's just fine with me The things I did up there were high school But now I'm going for my degree
Hey Sorry, but you just got in my way I promise honey, I can feel your pain And maybe I enjoy it just a little bit Does that make me insane? Haven't been the same since I expired Doesn't mean that I plan to retire And now I have the power to bathe all of you in entertaining fire
Wait a minute, do I know you? Weren't you an old pal of mine? Departed from us far to early But now we're meeting a second time We used to have such fun together And maybe you have what I need But first I have one tiny question Tell me, do you demons bleed?
Hey Sorry, but you just got in my way I promise honey, I can feel your pain And maybe I enjoy it just a little bit Does that make me insane? Haven't been the same since I expired Doesn't mean that I plan to retire And now I have the power to bathe all of you in entertaining fire
Hey Sorry, but you just got in my way I promise honey, I can feel your pain And maybe I enjoy it just a little bit Does that make me insane? Haven't been the same since I expired Doesn't mean that I plan to retire And now I have the power to bathe all of you in entertaining fire
Sorry, but you just got in my way I promise honey, I can feel your pain And maybe I enjoy it just a little bit Does that make me insane?
11642871 An organization of of cherubs protecting humans on behalf of all the souls in Heaven. I have a feeling that God's not pleased with the three, especially how they referred to the old person.
11642871 It's the one company name we may not know the full acronym too for a long while. To think, the Cherubs nearly had a fourth member equivalent to Loona. A lion cherub... but for whatever reason, he got scrapped before the episode aired. Ah well... would've been very interesting.
The very next day, Chrysalis found herself wandering the crowded area of St. Dunstan’s Marketplace with Sweeney Todd and Mrs. Lovett moving quickly, the latter struggling to keep up with his long, loping stride. Todd carried his razor case, while Lovett carried a shopping basket. If these three had any chance of getting close to the Judge, they first needed to figure out a way to lure him into the shop. And the best way to do that was to showcase that Mr. Todd was a barber of epic proportions. What better way to do so than in a place where the people gather daily?
So, here they were traversing through the crowded marketplace in search of their prime opportunity.
“What exactly are we looking for, Lovett?” Chrysalis asked.
“There’s a barber what comes here every Thursday,” Mrs. Lovett responded. “He’s Eyetalian, all the rage he is.”
“And he’s supposed to be the ‘best’ barber in London?”
“So he says.”
“He’s here every Thursday?” Sweeney asked.
“Like clockwork,” Mrs. Lovett nodded.
“The sooner we do this, the better,” Chrysalis spoke impatiently. “If we want any hope of Mr. Todd getting his revenge.”
As the trio maneuvered their way through the crowded market, Chrysalis couldn’t help but cringe with disgust over the majority of the people and the product they were buying.
“Ugh, this is why I chose not to walk among the unwashed masses,” She voiced disgust.
Rarity: I have to agree, it can be very unsettling in environments like that.
They rounded a corner and moved deeper through the bustling marketplace. A steady mercantile hummed as the cries of merchants and wandering coster-mongers filled the air. Todd, Mrs. Lovett, and Chrysalis moved toward a hand-drawn caravan dominating one corner of the marketplace. It was painted like a Sicilian donkey cart and on its side a sign declaimed:
Signor Adolfo Pirelli—Haircutter to His Royal Majesty the King of Naples
“Do you really think you can do it?” Chrysalis asked Todd.
“By tomorrow, they’ll all be flocking to me like sheep to be shorn—” Todd answered.
All of a sudden, Sweeney stopped abruptly and both women could see the glare of hatred on his face. Turning toward where he looked, they noticed Beadle Bamford walking among the people. The very sight of the rat-faced man made Sweeney’s blood boil with vengeance, transfixed over how close his ancient enemy was. He reached into his coat, grabbed for his razors, and planned to make his way over to the man. However, Mrs. Lovett grabbed his arm, drawing him to a halt.
“Come along now dear, he might recognize you,” She warned.
“What does it matter?” Chrysalis asked. “I thought our goal was to crush the Beadle for what he is.”
“If we kill him here in a public place, with lots of witnesses, the bobby’s will be over ‘im in minutes,” Mrs. Lovett explained. “How’d you propose he ‘ave his vengeance behind bars?”
“I will do what I’ve vowed to do,” Sweeney muttered lowly. “Come closer, my friend, closer…”
Just then, the sound of a beating drum drew their attention to the nearby traveling cart set up to look like a stage. From the cart, a young boy of about thirteen, Toby by name, wearing a bowler hat emerged banging on a tin drum, drawing everyone’s attention. This boy was a bit small for his age, malnourished and consumptively pale, a most pitiful sight.
A crowd began to gather at the caravan, filing in and standing around the stage as the young boy began to sing.
Pinkie Pie: Ooo~ we’re getting another song!
Rainbow Dash: Man, we have sure gotten a lot of them this time around.
Toby: (sings) Ladies and gentlemen! May I have your attention, please? Do you wake every morning in shame and despair To discover your pillow is covered with hair… Wot ought not to be there? Well, ladies and gentlemen From now on you can waken at ease! You need never again have a worry or care, I will show you a miracle marvelous rare, Gentlemen, you are about to see something That rose from the dead—!
A woman gasped with fright, yet the boy smiled and wiggled a finger ‘no’.
Toby: (sings) On the top of my head!
The boy dramatically doffed his cap, revealing mountains of flowing blonde hair which cascade to his shoulder. Everyone laughed in amusement, as he reached into a nearby case and procured a bottle of some bizarre liquid of which he showed off to the crowd.
Applejack: I don’t like this. (She said with her eyes narrowed)
Toby: (sings) 'Twas Pirelli's Miracle Elixir That's wot did the trick, sir, True, sir, true. Was it quick, sir? Did it in a tick, sir! Just like an elixir ought to do!
The boy proceeded to toss a bottle of elixir to some gentlemen in the crowd, one of whom caught it. Toby proceeded to pop off the top, smelling its contents and recoiled over the strong smell. He passed it around to the other people in the crowd, all eyes observing.
Toby: (sings) How about a bottle, mister? Only costs a penny, guaranteed.
Arctic: Yeah, this definitely sounds like a scam.
Applejack: Remind me of two certain brothers. (She mentioned)
Toby popped open another bottle and dumped a little of it upon the head of a bald man in front of the crowd.
Toby: (sings) Does Pirelli's stimulate the growth, sir? You can have my oath, sir, 'tis unique. Rub a minute, stimulating, i'n' it? Soon you'll have to thin it once a week!
Hearing this, the bald man proceeded to quickly work the elixir into his bald scalp, hoping to produce a full head of hair. More customers stepped up, buying bottles left and right.
Meanwhile, furthest from the crowd, the elixir made its way towards the terrible trio. Todd opened one bottle of the Elixir and took a whiff… they reeled back disgusted of the horrible stench. But then, Todd smiled toward the ladies, his plan falling into place.
Sci-Twi: Looks like he found out.
Juniper: And it seems, his about to expose the truth.
Rainbow Dash: Oh, this outta be good.
Sweeney Todd: (sings) Pardon me, ma'am, what's that awful stench?
Mrs. Lovett: (sings) Are we standing near an open trench?
Chrysalis: (sings) Smells even worse than all the French!
The crowd responded to the trio, looking askance, and sniffed at the bottles. Toby nervously tried distracting them or else risk losing Pirelli’s customers.
Toby: (sings) Buy Pirelli's Miracle Elixir Anything wot's slick, sir Soon sprouts curls. Try Pirelli's when they see how thick, sir, You can have your pick, sir, of the girls!
Rainbow Dash: Heh, the kids been found out. And trying to win them back.
Arctic: That’s what happens with any con artist, there will always be someone who’ll see through their tricks
With Sweeney having hold of one bottle of elixir, neither he nor his two cohorts could even stand the smell of this stuff.
Toby: (sings) Wanna buy a bottle missus?
Sweeney Todd: (sings) What is this?
Chrysalis & Mrs. Lovett: (sings) What is this?
Sweeney Todd: (sings) Smells like piss.
Mrs. Lovett: (sings) Smells like—Phew!
Chrysalis (w/Mr/s Lovett): (sings) Looks like piss… (Wouldn't touch it if I was you, dear!)
Sweeney Todd: (sings) This is piss, piss with ink.
Toby: (sings desperately) Let Pirelli’s activate your roots, sir—!
Sweeney Todd: (sings) Keep it off your boots, sir—eats right through!
Toby: (sings) Yes, get Pirelli’s! Use a bottle of it! Ladies seem to love it—!
Mrs. Lovett: (sings) Flies do to.
Juniper: And like that, he lost his customers
Applejack: Con artists will always get caught.
Arctic: Eeyup, and then it’ll turn badly for them.
Suddenly, the curtains on the caravan are dramatically flung open as someone made their way out of the cart, sending Toby jumping off the stage. From the cart stepped a flamboyant Italian wearing a gaudy velvet suit, thick wavy hair, a slowing cape, and a top hat as slick as his dazzling smile. The man in question was Adolfo Pirelli, self-proclaimed ‘King of the Barbers’. He was a suave looking Italian man with a pencil thin mustache and his hair fashioned into a fancy bobby style. He posed splendidly for a moment, but one could tell he was clearly offended by the fact that someone had the nerve to speak poorly about his elixir.
Fluttershy: O-Oh no.. I don’t like the looks of this.
Juniper: If I have to guess, he must be the big boss of this scam.
Pinkie Pie: He doesn’t look happy
Rainbow Dash: The dude had his whole scam exposed, that would surely get him angry
Pirelli: (sings) I am Adolfo Pirelli Da king of da barbers Da barber of kings E Buongiorno, good day I blow you a kiss
The Equestrian Girls and Juniper cringe in disgust by this.
And I, da so famous Pirelli I wish-a to know-a who has-a the nerve-a to say My elixir is piss! Who says this?
Everyone in the crowd was quiet for a moment or two as Signor Pirelli scanned the area for the blasphemer.
“I do.”
Everyone gasped as the crowd parted and Sweeney Todd himself stepped forward.
Arctic: Oh ho, this should be good. Standing up to the big boss of the con.
“I’m Mr. Sweeney Todd from Fleet Street,” He explained. “I have opened a bottle of Pirelli’s Elixir, and I say to you it is nothing but an arrant fraud, concocted from piss and ink.”
The crowd gasped. A scowl spread across Pirelli’s face, outraged as the mad barber made his way closer to the stage.
“And furthermore, ‘signor’, I have serviced no kings, yet I wager I can shave a cheek with ten times more dexterity than any street mountebank.”
Sweeney reached into his coat, snapped open his razor case, and proceeded to pull out two of his razors. He held it up for the crowd to see, causing everyone to gasp as he held out the wondrous razors.
“You see these razors?” Todd continued.
“The finest in England,” Chrysalis addressed the crowd.
“I lay them against five pounds you are no match for me,” Todd glared at Pirelli. “You hear me, sir? Either accept my challenge or reveal yourself as a sham.”
The crowd was clearly enjoying this now, whispering eagerly about the bold challenge. Rather than looking angry for someone daring to question his legitimacy, Pirelli studied the razors for a moment… then turned to the crowd with a confident smile. He chuckled as though he’d just been told the most ridiculous joke ever.
“You hear zis foolish man?” He chuckled. “Watch and see how he will regret his folly!”
He whipped his cloak off in a flurry and Toby quickly came to collect it, along with Pirelli’s top hat. Meanwhile, Todd moved into action, preparing for the challenge. He scanned the crowd to seek who would participate in this contest.
“Friends, who’s for a free shave?” Todd asked.
Two gentlemen with stubby beards quickly came forward and climbed upon the stage. A plain wooden chair was brought for Todd, while the other man took a more refined chair from Pirelli. But before climbing back on stage, Sweeney turned back to his companions.
Juniper: So, a challenge to see who can do a better shave? Interesting.
Sci-Twi: Wonder how good he is?
Arctic: From what it sounds like, he might be very good
“I will also have my assistant, Ms. Winters, aiding me.”
Chrysalis’s eyes widened briefly as everyone turned to look at her. Giving a nervous smile, she slowly walked forward toward Mr. Todd.
“What are you doing?!” She growled silently.
“You said you’d help me ‘any’ way possible,” Sweeney whispered back. “What better way to do so than serve as my assistant?”
“I don’t even know what to do!” Chrysalis argued.
“Sharpen razors, apply shaving product, take coats, all rather basic.”
There were a few small laughs from the audience.
Pinkie Pie: she really should’ve seen that coming.
Arctic: (chuckles) true that Pinkie
Chrysalis looked like she wanted to argue. In the end, however, only a sigh escaped, and she shook her head. After all, she gave her word to help Mr. Todd exact his revenge anyway she could. Soon, they both climbed onto the stage as Sweeney faced Pirelli.
“I hope you don’t mind my assistant aiding me in this Signor Pirelli,” Todd told the Italian. “After all, a man who served kings would have no issue with a challenge.”
“Of course not!” Pirelli smirked back. “The boy will assist me as well.”
Before they could officially begin the contest, Sweeney moved into the boldest part of this plan… one last idea in his mind. He carefully turned toward… the Beadle in the crowd.
“Will Beadle Bamford be the judge?” Todd asked.
Fluttershy: O-Oh no, it’s him again..
Rarity: Hopefully he won’t notice who is he, otherwise that’ll make things worse. (She said worried)
Mrs. Lovett’s eyes shot toward Todd, alarmed. The Beadle moved toward Todd, who smiled amiably, yet quivered internally at being so dreadfully close to his prey. Mrs. Lovett, meanwhile, watches with great concern. Would the Beadle recognize the features of Benjamin Barker…? Apparently not. The Beadle stopped right before Todd and smiled.
“Glad, as always, to oblige my friends and neighbors,” Beadle responded, facing the crowd. “… Let the challenge commence!”
The Beadle came up alongside the stage as Chrysalis took one of the gentlemen’s coats and grabbed Mr. Todd’s razors for him. One man sat in Todd’s plain chair as the other moved to an elaborate chair on Pirelli’s caravan. Pirelli shook out a fancy bib with a flourish and covered his man. Toby prepared Pirelli’s ornate shaving supplies as Todd took a plain towel and tucked it around his man’s neck.
“Ready?” Beadle called out.
“Ready!” Pirelli smiled.
“Ready,” Todd answered silently.
“The fastest, smoothest shave is the winner!” Beadle declared.
With a shrilling blow of a whistle, the contest was underway. Pirelli began first by stropping his razor quickly along a leather strop Toby held. As she sharpened his razor, he nicked Toby a few times which caused the boy to cringe in pain.
Fluttershy: Poor kid, (she said sadly)
Rarity: May have been doing a con, but it’s sad that he has to go through this pain
Todd stropped in a leisurely manner, carefully sharpening the razor while Chrysalis eyed his handiwork and cautiously kept her fingers away. Pirelli kept glancing at Todd in various paranoid ways throughout, frightened of Todd’s progress. He started whipping up lather quickly, singing as he did so:
Pirelli: (sings) Now signorini, signori We mix-a da lather But first-a you gather Around signorini, signori, You looking a man Who had-a da glory To shave-a da pope Mister Sweeney-so-smart— Oh, I beg-a your pardon You’ll probably say-a it was only a cardinal Nope! It was-a da pope!
To emphasize this point, Toby grabbed a large scroll and unfurled it revealing a portrait of Pope Leo XIII. Under the portrait was written, ‘Thanks for the shave’. Everyone chuckled, while Chrysalis shook her head unamused.
This man was clearly a huge fraud and the fact these people bought into this just confirmed how stupid they really were. Then again, Chrysalis could give the ‘worst’ impression of one pony, yet they would buy into her own con every… single… time. It would almost be amusing if it weren’t so pathetic.
Unexpectedly, Todd showed no sign of starting to shave his man. He merely watched Pirelli’s performance. Mrs. Lovett eyed him nervously, wishing he would get on with it.
Pinkie Pie: Um.. Sweeney shouldn’t you be starting?
Rainbow Dash: Yeah? Why isn’t he doing anything?
Arctic: (didn’t understand at first before he starts to laugh a little bit) Oh, I see what’s happening now. (He said too himself)
Pirelli, now feeling he could take his time, sang lyrically as he applied the lather to the man’s face and shaved with rhythmic scrapes and elaborate gestures of wiping the razor.
Pirelli: (sings) To shave-a da face, To cut-a da hair, Require a grace, Require da flare, For if-a you slip, You nick da skin, You clip-a da chin, You rip-a da lip a bit beyond-a repair!
As the man made a spectacle of himself, Chrysalis applied the lather she prepared onto their customer’s face. Sweeney Todd, however, hadn’t begun shaving immediately (Much to her confusion). Todd stropped his razor slowly and deliberately—shoop, shoop, shoop—disconcerting Pirelli and drawing the crowd’s attention.
Juniper and Sci-Twi slowly started to put the pieces together before having grins of their own
Juniper: Oh I get it now.
Sci-Twi: Yeah, there is nothing to worry about.
Pirelli: (sings) To shave-a da face Or even a part Widout it-a smart Require da heart Not just-a da flash It take-a Panash It take-a da passion for da art
Again, Todd was unconcerned. He just slowly stropped his razor—shoop, shoop, shoop—which flustered Pirelli tremendously.
Pirelli: (sings) To shave-a da face To trim-a da beard To make-a da bristle Clean like a whistle Dis is from early infancy Da talent give to me by God
Pirelli looked to the sky, as he crossed himself with his razor over his chest. Chrysalis merely rolled her eyes, unable to believe this man’s own arrogance. She gave an impatient look to Mr. Todd, who just gave her a simple nod in return.
The other Equestrian Girls then started to follow on and see what is happening before a few have a small grin.
Rainbow Dash: Oh I get it, his just playing with him
Applejack: And, he doesn’t even realize it.
Pirelli: (sings) It take-a da skill It take-a da brains It take-a da will To take-a da pains It take-a da pace It take-a da graaaaaaace…~!
Pirelli held this high note elaborately, for a lengthy period of time. It was then Sweeney Todd decided to seize this opportunity. With only a few deft strokes and in only seconds, he quickly shaved his man’s face entirely clean, and signaled the Beadle to examine him before Pirelli finished his note. This caused Chrysalis to stare with wide eyes at the man’s skills before a satisfied smirk planted itself on her face when she knew they had won.
“The winner… is Todd!” Beadle declared for all.
Pinkie Pie: Yay! Way to go! (She said clapping along with her friends)
Arctic: Goes to show his not all talk and proves that he is great what he does.
The crowd gave a good round of applause as Pirelli snapped his head back with his own shock, his ego completely deflated. Chrysalis merely looked at the man with the cockiest grin she could muster.
“Well Signor Pirelli, looks like the better man won,” She smirked cockily, facing Todd. “Well done, Todd!”
“Smooth as a baby’s arse!” Mrs. Lovett added, feeling the customer’s cheek.
Pirelli looked at the disguised changeling with a glare, which he quickly tried to hide behind a smile.
“You are-a correct miss,” He agreed.
Amidst the crowd’s laughter and applause, Pirelli approached Mr. Todd and gave him a profound, yet simple bow of his head.
“Sir, I bow to a skill far defter than my own,” He congratulated.
To which Sweeney simply held out one hand.
“The five pounds,” He reminded.
Rainbow Dash: Yeah, go on a pay him.
Pirelli reached into his jacket and produced a distinctive chatelaine purse. He dug through it and removed a five pound note, which he handed to Todd.
“Here, sir,” Pirelli said through gritted teeth. “And may the good Lord smile on you… until we meet again.”
He soon dropped his fake smile, bowed his head quickly, and moved away, beckoning to Toby.
“Come boy,” Pirelli gestured.
“We’re pulling out, sir?” Toby replied.
SLAP!
There was a series of gasped and shocked seeing what he did to Toby as they had a glare at Pirelli
Without warning, Signore Pirelli backhanded the young boy so hard across the face he nearly fell to the ground. The boy crawled back into the cart as the Italian practically snarled at him.
Pirelli entered the cart after him and they could all hear him losing his temper over just losing this contest.
Fluttershy: I feel so bad for him.
Rarity: He had no right to hit the boy like that. (She said with some anger)
Chrysalis and Sweeney climbed off the stage, making their way back over to Mrs. Lovett, who could still hear the Italian man yelling in the cart.
“Suppose it’s just me gentle heart, but I do hate to see a boy treated like that,” Lovett told the pair. “No better than your Aunt Doreen’s dog…”
“It isn’t really our problem to handle,” Chrysalis shrugged.
Just then, some eager customers approached and surrounded Todd, among them a man who’s clearly a tourist.
“Congratulations, Mr. Todd,” An eager customer congratulated. “May I ask sir: do you have an establishment of your own?”
Hearing some key words, Mrs. Lovett was soon on him like a hawk.
“He certainly does,” Mrs. Lovett nodded. “Sweeney Todd’s Tonsorial Parlor—above my meat pie emporium in Fleet Street.”
Neither Sweeney nor Chrysalis paid heed to Mrs. Lovett’s word with the man, as they once more noticed Beadle off to the side. The two stalked up beside the man, who turned upon hearing them coming. They both put their best fake smiles as they hid their disgust for the man.
“I thank you for your honest adjudication, sir,” Sweeney thanked him. “You are a paragon of integrity.”
“I agree with Mr. Todd, sir,” Chrysalis nodded, acting sultry. “You’re certainly a man of great honesty. May I say sir, I never realized what an incredibly handsome man you are.”
Beadle offered Chrysalis a toothy grin over such strongly worded compliments.
“Well, I try to do my best for my friends and neighbors,” He replied.
The Beadle grabbed Chrysalis’s hand and planted a kiss upon it. Chrysalis quietly cringed inside, knowing this man was even in close proximity to her. But she continued to hide it with a light chuckle.
The Girls had a look of disgust of their own and cringed from this.
Rainbow Dash: Man, can’t blame Chrysalis
Applejack: Honestly, I’m surprised she is holding back to slap him
Meanwhile, Beadle turned his attention back to Sweeney.
“Your establishment is on Fleet Street you say?” He questioned.
“Yes, sir,” Sweeney nodded.
“Well then, Mr. Todd, you will surely see me there before the week is out,” Beadle smiled, facing Chrysalis. “Especially if your beautiful assistant will be there.”
“You flatter me so, Mr. Bamford,” Chrysalis fake giggled.
“You will be welcome, Beadle Bamford,” Sweeney informed the man. “And I can guarantee to give you, without a penny’s charge, the closest shave you will ever know.”
“Do come and visit us soon, Mr. Bamford,” Chrysalis smiled seductively. “I’ll be dying to see you again.”
Beadle gave the young woman a smile of his own before turning and walking away.
Once he was out of sight, Chrysalis cringed and tried not to vomit.
“I can’t believe I actually said such talk to that fat rat of a man!” She shivered.
“You played the part well, my dear,” Sweeney complimented her.
“This better be worth it in the end,” Chrysalis replied. “If you don’t kill him… I’ll do it myself!”
Arctic: Something tells me, it’s gonna be worth your while.
Sci-Twi: After everything him and the judge did, I’ll be surprised they can hold back the urge to do it on the first site they get.
“Come now, you two,” Mrs. Lovett gestured to follow.
Soon, the trio walked away down the marketplace and started their trip back to Fleet Street. For Lovett, she was thankful that this day had been the success it had. Not only did they expose and defeat a sham of a barber, but they also managed to convince one of their targets to come to the shop. True, it would all be a matter of waiting for him to show up, but Mrs. Lovett was very pleased with the results.
“…Like to give me a coronary right there!” Mrs. Lovett chattered happily. “What if he had recognized you! Lord, my heart was beating a mile a minute, just like a little finch it was. Aren’t those lovely birds now? Always so twittery and happy…”
While Lovett continued chattering, neither Todd nor Chrysalis were listening. Chrysalis silently paid close attention to Todd’s eyes, noting how they darted side to side. Some gentlemen were walking alongside them, whispering something subtle and insinuating. Chrysalis had no doubt Sweeney was pondering and planning, like the perfect machine. Soon, it would be a matter of barbing the hook, baiting the trap, setting it out for the Beadle to snap. Courting ‘im, setting a sort of scene before laying the trail, showing the traces, leading it to higher places…
As quickly as Sweeney’s thoughts echoed, they were gone… vanishing from his mind… swallowed up by the crowd of pedestrians. Chrysalis just eyed him, while Mrs. Lovett chattered on until she noticed Sweeney being eerily quieter than usual.
“Mr. Todd, are you listening to me?” Mrs. Lovett asked.
“Of course,” Todd answered simply.
But Chrysalis knew better. She caught Todd’s eyes darting again, seeking for the specters. But all he could see were complete strangers… perhaps even something far more…cruel.
Sci-Twi: I have a feeling we’re about to see something really bloody soon.
Juniper: Yeah… you’re not the only one. (She admits)
Arctic: I’m worried, when Princess Twilight and her friends find out. And see that, Chrysalis is there, will she bring up what she told, Sweeney. And, would they believe it.
Rarity: I imagine they won’t, but wouldn’t Applejack be able to tell?
Arctic: Yeah, Applejack could probably tell if she’s lying…(he begins to say before he thinks to himself) and that what worries me
Boy, I really hate that Judge.
Hope he gets what's coming to him.
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You and me both, Postwar.
Keeps showing us more reasons to hate him, and hope he gets what’s coming to him
Interesting chapter
Good job, Double E. I loved that Bugs Bunny reference.
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Oh, he will. I'm sure of that.
If we didn't despise the judge enough upon the initial introduction, we can clearly see this guy is as despicable as Judge Frollo. Especially the way he judged Anthony for gandering at his girl, when he would clearly do so when she's not even aware of it. All the more reason for her friends to not only free their new friend from her gilded cage, but also to bring two potential love birds together.
On the villains' side, they really humiliated that Pirelli guy by seemingly beating him at his own game. But then again, it kind of reminds me of that wrestling match where a supposedly great guy spends more time showboating than defeating the jobber, thereby costing the man the match in the most humiliating fashion... which only makes sense if you follow wrestling as much as I do. Anyways, things seem to be going their way in their plotting revenge tactic... or 'are' they?
For those of you who remember the surgeon portion of the contest in the musical... poor Toby.
Extra Cuts
Me: Yeah, that might help.
Me: Really, Pinkie?...
Me: It's not worth making the situation worse Dash.
Sonata Dusk: He's right, I'd hate to be locked up.
Me: *seeing Anthony, remembering how it goes*
I feel an ache in my heart, knowing just how she felt, having seen a performance of the show myself.
Me: *turn to see who it is, but I don't say her name*
I just stare at the ground feeling sad for what the women went through to become like this. Sonata is confused by my behavior.
The thought of anyone held against their will disgusts me.
Me: *shake my head in sadness*
Me: Meh, I've seen weirder.
Sonata Dusk: Oh yeah, I remember watching that.
As they continued to converse, Anthony focused his attention back on the window the beautiful young girl just sat by. If what the beggar said of Johanna was right, how she’d been locked away inside for so long, all he’d want was to help her escape.
Sonata Dusk: No kidding.
Me: *prepare myself for what's coming next*
*As for Sonata and I, we stood watch yet again. As we did, I tried to think of more info concerning the message Postwar sent me*
Me: *rush over with Sonata*
Sonata Dusk: Is he alright?
Me: Believe us, girl, we will, mark our words.
Wow Anthony got it worse from the Judge than Spike did. and Todd has already made a reputation for himself now.
You forget Spike was exactly the same towards you.
Spike's going through puberty, Rainbow Dash. That's natural behavior for a growing dragon as any creature. He's not the same height as he was before. So you and any pony else shouldn't refer to him as little anymore like several still have been since his growth spurt
Turpin and Bamford, what scum they are
Ah yes. Nice to see some Sascha Baron Cohen in this series. I will also say this movie definitely changed how I heard the word "gander" at times. Thank Rickman's delivery on that. I can also imagine Johanna's sheltered situation reminds them a little of Carrie although thankfully Miss White never had to deal with the judge, though that would likely not end well for him regardless. I can tell they definitely have a heated nemesis with the judge so far.
And now, let the carnage begin.
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Future G5
Discord Memorial Cinema
I had received Postwar’s message over the answering machine (don’t ask how a smartphone can leave messages on a dial phone because I don’t know either), retelling the same story that my audience had already seen. While I was angry at Celestia’s decisions, I was glad I had calmed down in time to think logically.
Chrysalis was a known liar and spectacular manipulator. Perhaps she was spinning a story to garner sympathy from Todd and Lovett, but there was no denying her more emotive behaviors. She had once upon a time fallen in love with a pony named Fire Wall, and Celestia had taken him away from her.
But there was more to the story, a missing half from another source to put Chrysalis’ side into better perspective. To be honest, I was more worried about how the audience in the present would react to seeing the story for themselves. I looked over to the gathering of visitors from Hell, specifically at the Radio Demon. No doubt he was having a bout of enjoyment, not just from the movie alone.
My eyes then went to one of the other visitors.
Me: You know, Angel looks adorable when he watches movies like that.
Sunny: What?
Me: (embarrassed) N-nothing.
Zipp: Yeah, anywhere would be better than this dump.
Sunny: Wait. What about Johanna?
Me: I get the reference, but maybe it’s best if you saved for somewhere more appropriate than the disease ridden streets of Victorian London.
Hitch: I’d be more worried about his power as a judge. Whether you like him or not, he can manipulate the law in his favor.
Zipp: That greasy flank!
Hitch: Hey!
Zipp: Oh, no! I-I didn’t mean you, Hitch! I was talking about Turpin! I’m sorry.
Hitch: (sighs) It’s alright. I should have figured.
Me: To be honest, I prefer some prison uniforms to others. My personal favorite is a light blue shirt in suspended jeans.
Izzy: I’ve always wanted to wear stripes!
Hitch: Just…make sure you don’t end up wearing them in jail.
Sunny: Poor Johanna.
Zipp: Yeah, I’ve been there before. When I was young, I wasn’t even allowed to leave the castle for days at a time.
Izzy: Which is how we found you on that mountain!
Zipp: (chuckles at the memory) Yeah, just like that.
Pipp: Oh, hoofness, is she gonna sing? I would love to hear her singing voice again!
Hitch: Shh! Not so loud! You’ll alert Turpin again!
Pipp: (gasps, lovestruck) It’s love at first sight~! And that high note, it’s just…AAHH!!!
Zipp: (groans) Oh, great. It’s this cliche again.
Me: Well, it’s not the first time Sondheim has done this.
Hitch: Is he…is he watching her?! So this man’s a groper too?!
Zipp: Oh, that is just beyond disgusting!
Pipp: Ew~! A beggar!
Me: Another common sight of the era.
Sunny: You seem to know a lot about this era.
Me: Mostly in part to Charles Dickens. A famous author who grew up, lived, and wrote about this era specifically.
Sunny: That was kind of them.
Izzy: (down) It makes my Sparkle dim seeing ponies or people who don’t have much to live by.
Zipp: Woah! Hey now!
Pipp: Let him go!
Izzy: (innocent) What’s her problem?
Zipp: That…was weird.
Me: You ain’t seen nothin’ yet, Spike mah boy.
Hitch: You’ve only just seen her face in a window and learned her name. You’ve never even met face to face and…(sighs) I’m just really confused.
Pipp: It’s like another fairy tale, Hitch!
Hitch: Right, right.
Sunny: Oh, yeah!
Me: And Romeo and Juliet, who then got married the next day. And for Tony and Maria, except their case was a lot more realistic than the former and this movie.
Me: And here’s another Sondheim staple: a love song that shares the title of the girl that man loves is singing about. Though nothing will beat Maria.
Hitch: I mean…he’s got good intentions…
Sunny: It’s sweet that he’s willing to rescue her, just like Fiona.
Izzy: Right!
Hitch: Yeah…I’m just worried that—
Hitch: I was going to say “Turpin might find out.”
Sunny: Uh oh.
Me: Hey, I was like that too in my teens.
Pipp: Zipp never grew out of it, though.
Zipp: I’m still taller than you!
Me: I keep forgetting how nifty she is with her teleporting. (aside) Eh, see what I did there?
Hitch: It still surprises me how she’s able to still use magic even when turned into a human.
Me: Pinkie, can you please stop trying to scare her?
Me: (cringes) I’m still not alright with them revealing their true forms to people they just met.
Izzy: But this isn’t the first time they met.
Me: I know that. (sighs) You know what, I keep forgetting that they have a movie's length to tell their side of the story too.
Me: Wow. That’s a first. (aside) I’ll bet Angel’s having a right fit about that reaction.
Hitch: I’m glad she has a different reaction to them than most other people they’ve met. And yeah, I don’t get that whole thing with the “lizard” either.
Sunny: It’s because he mostly resembles—
Hitch: I was being sarcastic, Sunny.
Sunny: Oh.
Me: So is that what dragged them to this movie of all films? They heard her singing and came to help her out? Carrie didn’t sing and yet they came to help her.
Sunny: That’s great that they came to free her from Turpin.
Misty: Y-Yeah, t-that’s great…(mumbles) I think.
Opaline: (hidden locket) Ugh, always got to be the knights in shining armor. It’s such a bore!
Me: Oh, god. She knows he’s in deep shit. And that’s saying a lot in this era.
Sunny: What’s Turpin going to do to him?
Pipp: Run, Anthony. Run!
Me: (disgusted) Oh, my God! Just…why?!
Hitch: I do need to hear those words ever again in my life!
Zipp: Ugh, I despise porns!
Izzy: What, now?
Sunny: You…really don’t want to know.
Sunny: He wasn’t gandering! Whatever that means.
Hitch: Well…Turpin was doing the same thing to Johanna earlier.
Sunny: Oh…OH!!
Opaline: (hidden locket) Hmm, I would like a minion like the Beadle. Always on the uptake and willing to serve their master without question.
Misty squirmed and hoped that she kept it to herself.
Me: Turpin’s more crafty than I gave him credit for.
Sunny: Princess Twilight and her friends are in danger!
Zipp: More so than Anthony, I’d wager.
Me: Turpin’s a man in power, and is prone to jealousy. We have seen how far his jealousy took him.
Hitch: It’s a bit late for that.
Me: People like beating each other up, especially if there is a difference in class and social standing involved.
Sunny: I know they’ll get her out of there! I just know it!
Zipp: Oh, jeez! That’s just brutal!
Hitch: That’s a strong club!
Pipp: Leave him alone!
Zipp: I’d listen to him if I were you.
Hitch: What kind of a name is Wormtail?
Pipp: Ew~! I don’t even want to think about worms!
Izzy: Ooh, I love worms! They’re so adorable the way they wriggle across the grass and tree logs.
Me: Heh. I see it now: “How’s it going Beadle Pettigrew?” Haha, I crack myself up.
Me: He’s the kind of man who would follow through on his threats. He’s got the overconfidence in his power to do so.
Zipp: After all that, he still sings?
Sunny: I know they will. You can count on them.
Pipp: It’s so lovely to see such dedication to love!
Zipp: Yeah…
Hitch: Right…
Me: (aside) I’m gonna call part one right here, only because it feels the most appropriate. Next time, we’ll catch up with the Fleet Street Trio at the Market.
>>next
Next chapter:
The First Death
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You know, I've read that Turpin has his own version of the "Johanna" song in the original play. So I took a listen to it, and it reminded me of "Hellfire" right away.
*Working on my current commentary, when I saw that I now have a second chapter to work on.*
*SCREAMING MY HEAD OFF*
And now, a word from Courage the Cowardly Dog
"This shouldn't happen to a dog. OW!"
This has been a word from Courage the Cowardly Dog
Bad things be a-coming, mark my words
Before the next commentary(s) are posted, we have message from one of Discord Theater's sponsors.
C.H.E.R.U.B.
Angel Dust: (Digging his ears) "Nothing personal, but my pig, Fat Nugget, sings better than that..."
Cherri Bomb: "What does C.H.E.R.U.B. even stand for? Christ Hates East Russia's Uranium Bomb?"
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>>previous
Izzy: Huh?
Me: She said Italian. It’s kind of a stereotype of Italians being barbers.
Me: I like watching scenes that show different eras.
Me: That’s rich considering the company she hangs around.
The audience laughed at that.
Zipp: Oh, that was a good one.
Me: Was Naples still a country back then?
Me: I like how though Mrs. Lovett is willingly helping Todd with his vengeance, and despite Chrysalis’ likewise insanity, she still keeps a level head amongst the three of them.
Hitch: Oh…woah, when was the last time he ate?
Me: Another common sight: poor homeless children living off the streets, unkempt and starving. In fact, the sight of them has become a staple of Victorian culture. Thank God it’s not as common anymore. Often, they would
Hitch: Already, this is starting to look like a con.
Me: Classic Victorian era. And most often the conman would use a young child to attract attention from a crowd.
Zipp: I would not buy that stuff even if you used cookies.
Hitch: Only a penny? I don’t know.
Me: That’s very cheap, even in those days.
Izzy: Ooh, ooh! I wanna try!
Hitch: Izzy, we’re ponies. None of us are bald.
Izzy: Well…you may never know.
Me: I like bald.
Me: Clever Sweeney.
Me: Now that’s rude, Chrysalis. Oh yeah, the English and French are probably still mortal enemies at this time.
Sunny: Mortal enemies?!
Me: Not anymore, don’t worry! Just at this time.
Zipp: He’s starting to lose his customers.
Me: (laughs) One of the funniest things I’ve ever heard is Johnny Depp just casually singing “Smells like piss.”
Pipp: Ooooohh~! Shots fired!
Zipp: He got desperate, that means he lost them.
Zipp: (uncomfortable) Uh…does anypony else notice something about…his pants?
Me: Oh, that’s common wear for men in theater, though usually for ballet dancers. However, I have seen more…revealing pants.
Pipp: Ew.
Zipp: Gross.
Everyone in the crowd was quiet for a moment or two as Signor Pirelli scanned the area for the blasphemer.
“I do.”
Everyone gasped as the crowd parted and Sweeney Todd himself stepped forward.Me: Go get him, Todd.
Hitch: I like how they managed to get the crowd in their favor with a few choice words.
Zipp: Those do look like quality razors.
Me: I’ve never been to a barber shop myself. I wonder what it feels like.
Zipp: (laughs) This is rich!
Me: You walked right into that one, Chrysalis.
Pipp: Ixnay! Ixnay on the Beadle-ay! Bad idea!
Hitch: A telltale sign of being a fake. That is so unprofessional.
Zipp: That is so fake. Even Chrysalis has the same idea. How are all these people so stupid?
Me: No idea; it’s a societal mystery. It’s partially why I have an interest in psychology.
Izzy: Wow! Who’s the Pope?
Pipp: What’s he doing? Prolonging the suspense?
Zipp: He’s playing some kind of game. I know it.
Hitch: He’s too clever; he’s doing that intentionally.
Me: I think one of my colleague’s would beg to differ, myself included.
Me: Aha! They were baiting him.
Zipp: (grins) What a self-centered idiot.
Me: (holding my ears) Jesus Christ, what a vibrato!
Zipp: (likewise) Yeah, and it’s murdering my ears!
I know that I should not have done it, but goddammit, Todd deserved all the praise he could get.
Zipp: Why are you clapping?
Me: Because Todd’s got the skills to put money in his mouth.
Izzy: (likewise) WOOHOO!!!
Pipp: Oh, ew, ew, ew, ew!
Zipp: You just ruined the moment!
Sunny: I do not want to think about that, ever!
Me: Sweeney Todd does not dick around.
Hitch: Sharp as his razors and blunt as…a rock? I don’t know.
Audience: OH…WOAH!!!
Me: (rubbing my face) I felt that one.
Zipp: Uh~…poor kid.
Me: Comes with the era.
Izzy: That man’s evil!
Sunny: I can’t stand that!
Pipp: Relax, it’s only a movie.
Hitch: Why is she not taking this—oh, no wait, I just remembered: she’s evil.
Zipp: I wouldn’t be surprised if she did that when she used to be queen.
Me: Abuse, torture, execution, exile…yeah, I wouldn’t put it past her.
Pipp: Ew~, gross!
Zipp: Bleugh! Better her than me!
Pipp: Absolutely.
Izzy: I think he’s what Alphabittle calls a “Tail Kisser.”
Me: Maybe…personally I believe he’s just as corrupt as Turpin and therefore the two are equal partners in crime.
Me: Perfect: just one step closer to getting Turpin.
Zipp: (laughing) That was great to watch!
Sunny: I don’t get it.
Zipp: Just seeing Chrysalis being one upped by someone as disgusting…it’s very funny to me!
Me: (aside) The original stage play was aware of how ridiculous the story was.
Izzy: Ooh, I love birds, just as much as I love worms and ladybugs!
Me: Regardless of how tragic her backstory is, we have seen just how far Chrysalis has gone in order to enact her revenge, and side-by-side with Sweeney and Lovett, I don’t doubt that she will go even further. Just so you know, Turpin won’t be the only one.
Zipp: And Twilight and the others will be right in the middle of everything.
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Me: (laughing) Oh, that's rich!
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Agree
At least the Swedish Chef can cook...and is actually Swedish.
SHOTS FIRED!!!
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Ah, yes. Mea Culpa.
*shudders* Not sad that Mr. Burton chose to drop that one.
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Couldn't say what it's like getting a shave like Sweeney's, but modern barbershop shaves involve hot wet towels, warm lather, and various shaving tools including straight razors. In all honesty, if you fully trust your barber, it's quite a relaxing experience. And by God, you feel like a whole new person once it's done, especially if you get your hair cut short. Highly recommend it!
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Nice Courage the Cowardly Dog reference.
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Gulp!?
We're not yet in the Season 3 Finale, Pinkie!
Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash and their friends are more determined than ever!
Canterlot Mall Theater, Discord's Branch
Arctic was sitting down in the theatre room, his mind still thinking back what happened to Chryslias. He gotten Postwar message and was worried about if this was really true. But, they she acted it might very well be genuine…for now though he’ll have to wait and see and hopefully, Celestia would be ok once she and everyone else knows about this.
Arctic: I’m one for lifting up the mood.. but this was not a the best time for it.
Rainbow Dash: Someone who we already hate and dislike. (She said having a glare)
Applejack: Eeyup. (She said with a glare of her own)
Arctic: Honestly, anyone who abused their power like that deserves a good slug in the face.
Sci-Twi: While he does need to be thought a lesson, we still have to remember, his the judge
Arctic: (sighs) Yeah, I know Twi.
Juniper: After what happened in Gotham, I can find that understandable
Rarity: (shivers a bit) Oh, please don’t remind me of that..
Fluttershy: I feel so sorry for her. (She said sadly)
Rarity: (let’s put a small gasps and covers her mouth)
Pinkie Pie: What is it Rarity?
Rarity: Oh nothing, though it seems like Johanna might’ve found her special someone
The Equestrian Girls, Juniper and Arctic couldn’t help but feel disgusted at this
Applejack: That was mighty kind of them. (She said with a smile)
Arctic: Yeah, anyone in need of money so they can get food and water to survive, is always a nice thing to do.
Juniper: Meanie pants would be a understatement right there..
Arctic: Oh, I believe there is A LOT of more worst things that can be said about him.
Fluttershy: W-What is she doing? (She said in shock and worry)
Sci-Twi: Sad thing is.. that’s not entirely wrong.
Juniper: Times like those, you really have to feel bad those people who wander the streets
The Audience: Agree
Rarity: Love at first site, now that is just lovely. (She said with a smile)
Rainbow Dash: Honestly. It’s a cliche if you asked me
Rarity: Oh hush now, he could be her knight in shining armor.
Arctic: Well, she is not entering wrong. Who knows, maybe he could be the one to help save her with Princess Twilight and her friends
Fluttershy: O-Oh no. (She said worriedly)
Pinkie Pie: Do you.. think he knows? (She said a bit scared)
Applejack: I’m afraid..he does
Arctic: Life as a teen, at somepoint we’re going be having a phase, plus a attitude
Arctic: Let’s just hope when they talk to her, the judge doesn’t find out about them.
Pinkie Pie: Wow, she’s taking it a lot better than most
Juniper: At least she didn’t scream, it could’ve made things worse.
Arctic (speaking with Princess Twilight): Basically, a pony that has the wingspan of a Pegasus and the horn of a unicorn. Very powerful, yet very few and rare… She/I happen to be one of them. They/We come from a magical place called Equestria, a place you won’t find on any map but for us it’s their/our home.”
Pinkie Pie: Yeah, if he had a gemstone for everytime someone called him a lizard, well I bet he’ll be one happy dragon. (She said giggling)
Arctic: (chuckle a little bit) Yeah, true that Pinkie
Fluttershy: O-Oh no..
Juniper: Girls.. I don’t like where this is going
Applejack: Me either, his up to something
Rainbow Dash: Where is he going with this?
Sci-Twi: I feel like I don’t wanna know…
The girls started feeling sick to their stomach hearing what The Judge said
Rarity: Oh my word! (She said)
Rainbow Dash: Why would you even say or even have that?!
Arctic: (growls in anger) Don’t you dare call them that!
Sci-Twi: The Princess and Her friends are nothing like that at all! (She said also in anger)
Rarity: He was doing no such thing!
Fluttershy: P-Please, don’t hurt him (she said fearfully and hid her face in Rainbow Dash shoulder)
Rainbow Dash: I’ll keep saying it, i REALLY don’t like that guy, I hope he gets what is coming to him. (She said as she comforts Fluttershy)
Arctic: His karma will come, his actions have no bounds. (He said glaring)
Juniper: Oh no…they have to save him!
Fluttershy: P-Please hurry! B-before he gets hurt! (She said in tears)
The Equestrian Girls, Juniper and Arctic wince in pain seeing the pain Anthony going through
Fluttershy: P-Please, please stop! (She said in tears)
Rainbow Dash: Yeah! Leave him alone or you’re in for a world of hurt
Pinkie Pie: Y-You think he means it?
Juniper: From what we know from the judge.. and the fact this guy works for him (she begins too say)
Sci-Twi: I think it’s very much true.
Applejack: Makes him no better than the judge.
Fluttershy: I-I hope they can do it.
Sci-Twi: They’ll find a way, I’m sure of it
Arctic: (he would nod his head in agreement) And, hopefully they’ll be able to take her far away from that Corrupted Judge.
Next>>
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I'm gonna go with Double Gulp!
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Great Commentary!
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Sorry I'm late everyone, dayjob kept me busy. But Now I'm back and can fully commit to this.
Discord's Theatre, Galaxy Branch
Sunset Shimmer: Ugh, they're back at that man's place?
Postwar: I don't think they came here on purpose.
Mando: Indeed, someone who winds up in the wrong place is a sign that they have no proper navigation of the place.
Postwar: I just hope she doesn't go Johnny Bravo.
Galen Marek: Huh?
Leia Organa: Who's that?
Postwar: Put it this way, there was a guy, whose mother put a compass around his neck, an Id tag and a bloodtype with a phone number on his wrists. He said that he was just going next door to burrow a cup of sugar, next thing you know, he ended up knocking in front of a cactus in the middle of the desert on the other side of the planet.
Everyone couldn't help but laugh at that, even Sunset:
Sunset Shimmer: I know it's wrong, but it was just too funny. Let's hope she doesn't get lost.
Sunset Shimmer: She has a point there.
Leia Organa: Sometimes we lighten the mood, but not when we're being chased by Imperial Forces.
Mando: In my line of work, there's no time for jokes. We focus on getting the job done and that's that.
Sunset Shimmer: *pinching her nose* Ugh, honestly Rarity.
Postwar: And I thought the human version of her was annoying.
Leia Organa: Is she always like that?
Postwar & Sunset: Only on Thursdays.
C-3PO: Oh, no. *R2 beeping in agreement*
Ahsoka Tano: Ugh, him again?
Leia Organa: Something tells me this won't end well.
Everyone was disgusted by this:
Postwar: Yeah, forgot to mention that during those times in London, they're always like that.
Sunset Shimmer: Uh, I think you're thinking of something else, Pinkie.
Ben Solo: Is she even paying attention?
Postwar & Sunset: It's Pinkie Pie, don't question it.
Postwar: Yeah, I kinda noticed that too.
Sunset Shimmer: Hey, me too.
Postwar: Did any of you notice that before, too? *Everyone nodded and voiced their agreement*
Ahsoka Tano: So whilst that man is distracted, the other would sneak in and try to talk to Johanna?
Postwar: From the looks of it yeah. Kind of like killing 2 Gundarks with one stone.
Mando: Smart move, move the threat aside, then move in for the information.
Postwar: And yet, that didn't stop the others before.
Sunset Shimmer: He's not wrong. I was there during the whole conjuring business, and it was a complete nightmare.
Galen Marek: That bad? *Gets a nod from Sunset*
Ahsoka Tano: Then it's a good thing you didn't face that Sith spirit like Master Yoda did.
Sunset Shimmer: Uh, I don't like where this is going.
Postwar: Oh boy.
Leia Organa: What?
Galen Marek: I think I also know what's coming.
Mando: Same here.
Leia Organa: Okay, that's just insulting.
Sunset Shimmer: Who does he think he is? There's a difference between enforcing the law and abusing your authority and power with it.
Mando: We have plenty of those, which is why we're still hunting down Imperial Remnants. Althought it would've been a lot smoother if a certain someone like Mon Mothma hadn't downsized the military.
Leia Organa: I'll have a talk to her and the new senate about this.
Next>>>>
<<<<Previous
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Discord's Theatre, Galaxy Branch
C-3PO: Oh my, what kind of bad?
Postwar: The kind to kill them off to ensure that they keep them for themselves.
Mando: He's right. I've seen my fair share of things like this before.
Postwar: Normally I'd say be careful what you wish for, but then again, I don't want to jinx it.
Sunset Shimmer: Same here. I do not, want to go through that again.
Ben Solo: Again?
Sunset Shimmer: Long story.
Galen Marek: Like you did earlier?
Sunset Shimmer: Galen, you know they couldn't do that, not without getting thrown into prison.
Postwar: Not to mention, that even if they do fight, they'll probably have some kind of magical tools to hold them at bay like that time they encountered Shrek.
Leia Organa: Oh, right. Ben told me about that.
Leia Organa: Wow, I feel really bad for him.
Ahsoka Tano: I feel the same way.
Sunset Shimmer: I hope so too.
Postwar: If the madness of evil does not ensnare them into their trap.
Mando: Agreed.
Sunset Shimmer: Normally I'd pity her over what happened to her, but I'm still mad at her for not giving life a chance.
Postwar: Same here. No matter how hard we try, blackened hearts and closed minds are never that easy to convince.
Most were sort of feeling disturbed over the motion that Sweenie Todd had put in place, but from continue observation, Postwar kept an eye on this new madman.
Leia Organa: Something tells me she doesn't want any part of this plan.
Mando: Sometimes when it comes to killers, most of them don't have the patience to do it. Only by discipline and patience can they take down a dangerous foe.
Leia Organa: Wow, for a madman, he knows how to shave.
Postwar: Yeah, good thing I don't use those anymore, cause using real blades can be very dangerous. *Uses the 4th wall and sees a bear using a small lightsaber to shave himself, he rolled his eyes and shook it away*. *mutters* Show off."
Ahsoka Tano: How could they treat children like that?
Postwar: Trust me, you get a lot of sick people these days.
Sunset Shimmer: No kidding.
Leia Organa: The way they do that makes me glad we changed our way.
Postwar: Yeah, must like you did with Dumbledore's friend.
Sunset Shimmer: *Looks at Postwar shocked* She did?!
Postwar: Yup, she did.
Postwar: And thus the stage has been set.
Sunset Shimmer: Now we'll just have to wait and see how this leads to.
Galen Marek: I agree.
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Me: To be honest, now I'm glad I took the promotion. It's a lot more calmer here in the Future. Besides, Among Us jokes have already run their course.
Alastor: "Ah! All this showboating and hosting has certainly worked up an appetite. I could actually go for one of Mrs. Lovett's Meat Pies right now! With a slice of venison of course. WITH MY MOTHER'S WONDERFUL RECIPE OF JAMBALAYA FOR DESSERT! But first...Some serenade to fit the mood! Co-starring my favorite pal, THIS GUY!"
INSANE – Gabriel Brown a.k.a. Alastor the Radio Demon
Hello, it's nice to meet you
Oh, can you tell me where I am?
I don't know how I got here
But I, I think I'm starting to understand
I don't belong among the angels
And baby, that's just fine with me
The things I did up there were high school
But now I'm going for my degree
Hey
Sorry, but you just got in my way
I promise honey, I can feel your pain
And maybe I enjoy it just a little bit
Does that make me insane?
Haven't been the same since I expired
Doesn't mean that I plan to retire
And now I have the power to bathe all of you in entertaining fire
Wait a minute, do I know you?
Weren't you an old pal of mine?
Departed from us far to early
But now we're meeting a second time
We used to have such fun together
And maybe you have what I need
But first I have one tiny question
Tell me, do you demons bleed?
Hey
Sorry, but you just got in my way
I promise honey, I can feel your pain
And maybe I enjoy it just a little bit
Does that make me insane?
Haven't been the same since I expired
Doesn't mean that I plan to retire
And now I have the power to bathe all of you in entertaining fire
Hey
Sorry, but you just got in my way
I promise honey, I can feel your pain
And maybe I enjoy it just a little bit
Does that make me insane?
Haven't been the same since I expired
Doesn't mean that I plan to retire
And now I have the power to bathe all of you in entertaining fire
Sorry, but you just got in my way
I promise honey, I can feel your pain
And maybe I enjoy it just a little bit
Does that make me insane?
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I’m just surprised nobody’s called Alastor, or anyone red yet, since:
“Red’s SUS!”
Mina: “I don’t feel all too Red Rubies about this…”
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Do you think Alastor's a fan of Sweeney Todd? Maybe that's where he got his inspiration to become a cannibalistic serial killer.
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That would definitely explain a lot.
But seriously, I’ve caught up to the story and I’m currently working on the next commentary now.
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In the meantime, Riddle me this: What is C.H.E.R.U.B?
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An organization of of cherubs protecting humans on behalf of all the souls in Heaven. I have a feeling that God's not pleased with the three, especially how they referred to the old person.
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I think he means what the organization full name of its company acronym is.
As we know the name of it, but unlike I.M.P. We don’t know what the full name of this company as it was never revealed to us
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I'm hoping for an episode that features the full name.
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It's the one company name we may not know the full acronym too for a long while. To think, the Cherubs nearly had a fourth member equivalent to Loona. A lion cherub... but for whatever reason, he got scrapped before the episode aired. Ah well... would've been very interesting.
<<Previous
Rarity: I have to agree, it can be very unsettling in environments like that.
Pinkie Pie: Ooo~ we’re getting another song!
Rainbow Dash: Man, we have sure gotten a lot of them this time around.
Applejack: I don’t like this. (She said with her eyes narrowed)
Arctic: Yeah, this definitely sounds like a scam.
Applejack: Remind me of two certain brothers. (She mentioned)
Sci-Twi: Looks like he found out.
Juniper: And it seems, his about to expose the truth.
Rainbow Dash: Oh, this outta be good.
Rainbow Dash: Heh, the kids been found out. And trying to win them back.
Arctic: That’s what happens with any con artist, there will always be someone who’ll see through their tricks
Juniper: And like that, he lost his customers
Applejack: Con artists will always get caught.
Arctic: Eeyup, and then it’ll turn badly for them.
Fluttershy: O-Oh no.. I don’t like the looks of this.
Juniper: If I have to guess, he must be the big boss of this scam.
Pinkie Pie: He doesn’t look happy
Rainbow Dash: The dude had his whole scam exposed, that would surely get him angry
The Equestrian Girls and Juniper cringe in disgust by this.
Arctic: Oh ho, this should be good. Standing up to the big boss of the con.
Juniper: So, a challenge to see who can do a better shave? Interesting.
Sci-Twi: Wonder how good he is?
Arctic: From what it sounds like, he might be very good
There were a few small laughs from the audience.
Pinkie Pie: she really should’ve seen that coming.
Arctic: (chuckles) true that Pinkie
Fluttershy: O-Oh no, it’s him again..
Rarity: Hopefully he won’t notice who is he, otherwise that’ll make things worse. (She said worried)
Fluttershy: Poor kid, (she said sadly)
Rarity: May have been doing a con, but it’s sad that he has to go through this pain
Pinkie Pie: Um.. Sweeney shouldn’t you be starting?
Rainbow Dash: Yeah? Why isn’t he doing anything?
Arctic: (didn’t understand at first before he starts to laugh a little bit) Oh, I see what’s happening now. (He said too himself)
Juniper and Sci-Twi slowly started to put the pieces together before having grins of their own
Juniper: Oh I get it now.
Sci-Twi: Yeah, there is nothing to worry about.
The other Equestrian Girls then started to follow on and see what is happening before a few have a small grin.
Rainbow Dash: Oh I get it, his just playing with him
Applejack: And, he doesn’t even realize it.
Pinkie Pie: Yay! Way to go! (She said clapping along with her friends)
Arctic: Goes to show his not all talk and proves that he is great what he does.
Rainbow Dash: Yeah, go on a pay him.
There was a series of gasped and shocked seeing what he did to Toby as they had a glare at Pirelli
Fluttershy: I feel so bad for him.
Rarity: He had no right to hit the boy like that. (She said with some anger)
The Girls had a look of disgust of their own and cringed from this.
Rainbow Dash: Man, can’t blame Chrysalis
Applejack: Honestly, I’m surprised she is holding back to slap him
Arctic: Something tells me, it’s gonna be worth your while.
Sci-Twi: After everything him and the judge did, I’ll be surprised they can hold back the urge to do it on the first site they get.
Sci-Twi: I have a feeling we’re about to see something really bloody soon.
Juniper: Yeah… you’re not the only one. (She admits)
Arctic: I’m worried, when Princess Twilight and her friends find out. And see that, Chrysalis is there, will she bring up what she told, Sweeney. And, would they believe it.
Rarity: I imagine they won’t, but wouldn’t Applejack be able to tell?
Arctic: Yeah, Applejack could probably tell if she’s lying…(he begins to say before he thinks to himself) and that what worries me
Next>>
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Discord's theater cafe
Itachi, neji, Konan and Yahiko are treating the Warner siblings to some food while they are waiting to have some ramen.
Neji:"Can we get 4 bowls of miso ramen please"?.
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Great Commentary!!
Me: And I repeat, Everyone in the Theatre around the multiverse, Permission to Say Gulp?
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Granted.
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Server: “4 bowls of miso ramen coming up!”
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GULP!!