When Dumbo's Flying Circus discovers a portal to Equestria, It's an experience that both the circus and the ponies of Equestria will never forget.
When Dumbo's Flying Circus discovers a portal to Equestria, It's an experience that both the circus and the ponies of Equestria will never forget with many surprises, from Celestia and Luna meeting the Ringmaster, to Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon perform their high dive clown act.
*I know I started this back in 2014 but I think I would have the story take place shortly after the birth of Princess Flurry Heart.*
Chapter 1: The Preparation/Celestia's Surprise/The Arrival in Ponyville
Chapter 1: The Preparation/Celestia’s surprise/ the Arrival in Ponyville
It was a beautiful spring day in the circus winter quarters. The sun is shining, the birds were singing and everyone was loading up the circus train after a winter long rest. It is just like any other year when the circus train travels across the country. But this time, the circus is going to another place nearly never known to humans. The scouts have found a tunnel that can be a portal to what looks like another country.
The performers, acrobats, tightrope walkers, and clowns have just finished rehearsing their acts and began to walk up to their places in the passenger cars while the animal trainers helped the horses, zebras, camels, donkeys, ostriches, hippos, kangaroos, giraffes, and elephants clamber up to their train cars. The lions, tigers, bears, rhinos, and monkeys had to go into their cage cars and cage wagons that are ready to be loaded up to the flat cars along with the circus equipment. The circus animals feel confused as they boarded the train.
“If we aren’t traveling across The United States of America, then where are we going?” asked Leonardo the lion.
“Wait and see,” said the Mildred and Jordon the giraffes. The most puzzled of all the circus animals was little Dumbo. His mother, Mrs. Jumbo, read stories to him about far away lands.
“Are you sure we are going to another country other than the U.S?” asked Dumbo as he and his mother are boarding his private car.
“I have no idea,” She replied.
At last when all the circus equipment, crew, performers and the animals are loaded up on the circus train, the ringmaster climbed up to the caboose and shouted “All Aboard.” Casey Jr., the circus engine responded by tooting his whistle saying, “ ALL ABOARD, LET’S GO.” And with a big jerk and a brisk puff, Casey Jr. pulled the circus train out of the winter quarters and puffed his way to the portal tunnel.
After several miles of puffing down the track, Casey Jr. stopped at a switch with one of the tracks heading straight through the Florida countryside and another track leading to the portal tunnel. The engineer climbed out the cab and set the switch so the tracks reach the portal tunnel and climbed back in. Soon Casey Jr. was chuffing down the line again. Meanwhile Inside his own train car, Dumbo was listening to a story that his mother was reading to him. It is features a fire-breathing dragon living in cave filled with gems and unicorn living in an enchanted forest. His best friend, Timothy Mouse was sitting in his hat.
“That story sure is fascinating.” He exclaimed.
When Mrs. Jumbo was finished reading him the story, Dumbo looked up at her and said, “Do you think there can be such a place somewhere?” Mrs. Jumbo replied, “I’m not quite sure.” “How come?” Dumbo added. “Some things you see with your eyes, others, you see with your heart,” Mrs. Jumbo insisted. Dumbo is still confused after listening to what his mother has said. “Maybe I might learn what my mom means in the future,” he said to himself.
Finally after 20 miles of puffing down the track, the portal tunnel is finally visible for Casey Jr., the engineer, and the circus crew, performers, and animals to see. Among the animals were Mildred and Jordon Giraffe who managed to duck their heads just in time before their train car reaches the tunnel. Then there is a flash of white light as the train travels through the tunnel.
Meanwhile in Equestira, It was a beautiful spring day, the sun is shining, the flowers are blooming, and the birds are singing their gay little tunes. Inside Canterlot Palace, Princess Celestia was busy with her royal duties when a guard pony came in with some very urgent news.
“Excuse me, Your Highness, but I have something important to you.”
“Yes, what is it?” asked Celestia.
“I have to inform you that something foreign is come to Equestria.”
Princess Celestia gasped in shock and surprise “How can this happen?”
“I just saw it with the telescope from the watchtower,” The guard replied.
Celestia then rushed towards the observation deck of the watchtower and looked through the telescope. She looked out and saw Casey Jr.’s circus train but it wasn’t until she got a closer look at one of the train cars and noticed big letters on its side.
“Dumbo’s Flying Circus,” she read. “Looks like we have ourselves a circus train from another world.” Celestia said to her guards. “We better let Twilight and her friends know.”
Meanwhile, Casey Jr. was puffing down the strange track. Fortunately, he manages to stay firmly on the rails. It wasn’t long before the circus train saw a nearby town. The nearby town was actually Ponyville but the circus didn’t know that yet.
Soon, Casey Jr. applied his breaks when he reached the town at an empty area near a rail siding out of the way of the main line. Then, the elephants and roustabouts got of their train cars and went to work setting up the big top and other tents. They hustled and bustled unloading different wagons, which are filled with canvas, poles, equipment, and stakes. The roustabouts drove the stakes to the ground while some elephants raised the tent poles and others unrolling and lacing the canvas.
The ponies of Ponyville began to see the roustabouts and elephants set up the circus tents. A light green unicorn named Lyra was more surprised; she has been so obsessed by humans and dreamed of one day meeting them, now she has the chance to see some in action.
“Best Day Ever,” she said to herself.
Soon, a purple alicorn named Twilight Sparkle walked in with her #1 assistant, Spike the dragon. “What’s going on?” she asked to the crowd. “A circus has come to town,” one pony replied. For a while, both the circus roustabouts and elephants worked hard to set up the tent. When they are done setting up the tents, one of the roustabouts began to see the ponies and said to another, “Hey Frank, did you ever get the feeling that you are being watched?”
Soon the roustabouts turned around to see the multi colored ponies.
“We better tell the boss about this,” said Frank. While the roustabouts left to tell their boss, the elephants were left in awe and surprise. They’ve never seen such colorful ponies in all of their life.
“This is an extraordinary sight to behold.” Said one elephant.
“They have different colored furs that aren’t seen on a normal pony.” Added another.
“Welcome to Ponyville.” Twilight announced as she walked up to the elephants. “My name is Princess Twilight Sparkle.”
The elephants were very surprised to see a real winged unicorn talking to them.
“Who is the leader of your group?” asked Twilight.
Soon an elderly elephant with purple circus headwear marched up to Twilight.
“I am the elephant matriarch of the circus and these elephants view me as their leader.” She said
“Who is the boss that these strange creatures mentioned?” Twilight asked the matriarch.
“Follow Me.” The elephant replied.
Twilight followed the matriarch to the circus grounds unaware of what she will see next.
When Twilight Sparkle followed the elephant matriarch to the circus tents, she saw the different animals that live there as if it’s their mobile home. The other animals were even more surprised to see Twilight.
“This must be one of the Technicolor ponies that the workers are talking about.” A zebra whispered to a camel. Twilight stared in awe at the tall giraffes. Jordan quickly spotted her as if she is someone new.
“Hello there.” He said.
“Hello.” Twilight replied in a surprised voice.
Twilight was even more surprised.
“These animals look like they were from Fluttershy’s cottage.” She said to herself
Soon, she followed the matriarch to the big top. When she went inside, she saw more of the humans that are working in the circus. There were acrobats, tightrope walkers, animal trainers, and the funny clowns. They all are practicing for both the parade and the big show.
“See that stout man with a moustache, a red coat and a top hat?” The Matriarch asked Twilight while she pointed to the Ringmaster.
“Yes.” Twilight answered.
“He is in charge of all the humans in the circus.” The Matriarch told Twilight. “You can even say he is in charge of us animals too.”
“He kind of reminds me of Princess Celestia,” Twilight thought.
Suddenly she felt something fly right by her.
“What was that?” Twilight gasped.
“That’s Dumbo,” The Matriarch told her, “ He‘s the world’s only flying elephant and the star of our show.”
“That’s impossible.” Twilight thought.
But it’s true; she saw the elephant flying through the big top. He did summersaults in the air and performed different kinds of aerial tricks.
"I'll just leave you alone for a while." The elephant matriarch said.
And with that she left to be with the other elephants.
By the time Dumbo had finished practicing, he soon caught a glimpse of Twilight as is she is something he has never seen before. Timothy was also amazed.
"Dumbo," he whispered, "you see what I see?"
"Yes." Dumbo replied.
For a moment, both creatures gaze at each other with awe and surprise. Finally, Dumbo soon began to talk.
"You look like the unicorn in my storybook." He cried.
"Thanks," Twilight said, "I am Princess Twilight Sparkle. Who are you?"
"My name is Jumbo Junior, but everyone calls me Dumbo."
"How did you fly without any wings, Dumbo?" Twilight asked.
"I use my big ears to fly around during my circus act." Dumbo replied.
Twilight looked closer at Dumbo's hat and saw Timothy.
"Nice to meet you Twilight, I'm Timothy Q. Mouse. I'm his manager, best friend and I helped Dumbo fly to fame."
"How did can a small mouse like you help a young elephant like him fly to fame?" Twilight asked.
Before Dumbo and Timothy had the chance to talk, they suddenly heard a voice.
"There you are, Twi."
The voice came from an orange pony with a cowboy hat named Applejack and following close behind are the rest of Twilight's friends; Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Spike and Fluttershy.
"I'm surprise to see you here." Said Twilight.
"We saw the circus big top go up so we figured you would be here." Rainbow Dash smiled.
"Plus Spike told us about it." Pinkie Pie added.
"Are these friends of yours, Twilight?" Dumbo asked.
"Yes." Twilight replied. "These are my friends. Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, AppleJack, Rarity, Fluttershy and my #1 assistant, Spike."
"Charmed I'm sure." Rarity insisted.
"Everypony, this is Dumbo, The world's only flying elephant and this is his friend, Timothy Mouse."
"I'm famous for my big ears because they help me fly." Dumbo stated.
"How did a cute baby elephant like you fly like a bird with ears so big." Pinkie Pie asked.
Dumbo replied "Well before I used my ears to fly, they gave me a hard time. Everyone used to mock ridiculed me and my ears ever since I was born. It even got my mother in solitary confinement when she was trying to protect me."
"That's terrible!" Fluttershy gasped.
"And on top of that," Timothy added. "They made him a clown as punishment for ruining the pyramid of elephants act."
"But with a help from a group of crows, Timothy gave me enough courage to help me become famous in the end." Dumbo concluded. "I even get to see my mother again."
"Speaking of which, where is your mother?" Asked Spike.
"I'm right here." Mrs. Jumbo replied as she walked up to Twilight and her friend. "I heard every word."
"You must be a proud parent to this famous star." Said Rarity.
"Why thank you, Rarity." Mrs. Jumbo beamed.
"I remember when my parents were proud when both my brother married Princess Cadence and when I became a princess." Twilight remarked.
"Would you like to see the parade and big show tomorrow?" Mrs. Jumbo asks.
"We'd be honored." Twilight answered.
"You all are going to love it," Mrs. Jumbo said. "There are cream-white horses, licorice-colored seals, gilded cage wagons full of ferocious beasts like lions and tigers, there's even a hippo pulling the calliope."
"That sounds like fun."
"The best part is that I fly overhead with Timothy on my hat." Dumbo added. "The first time I'm in a parade was shortly after I was born. Needles to say, it was embarrassing tripping over my ears into a mud puddle."
"Come on, my dear." Mrs. Jumbo said "we need to prepare for both the parade and the show tomorrow."
Later that evening after Princess Luna lowered the moon, her sister walked up to her and told her some important news.
"A strange circus have come to Equestria, dear sister." Celestia told her. "It's in Ponyville right now."
"I've seen many weird circus come and go in Equestria." Luna replied. "What's so different about this one?"
"This circus isn't exactly run by ponies like all others."
"What do you mean by that, Tia?"
"Let me show you." Celestia says.
Then, both alicorn princess opened their wings and took to the sky, flying to the circus grounds in Ponyville. Soon they reached the tents where they landed behind a circus wagon. Peering from the side, Luna was amazed to see the circus people feeding and watering the horses, elephants and other animals.
"You're right, sisters." Luna says. "This is a strange circus. What do you think are these creatures?
"Must be some kind of hairless apes." Celestia replied.
"Maybe we could talk to one of them." Luna suggests.
"Yes, but who?"
Just then, they heard footsteps of someone coming out of one of the tents. It was the ringmaster who isn't seeing where he is going.
"Multi-colored, talking ponies, Bah!" he grumbled. "I'll believe that when one starts yelling at my face."
No sooner did he say those words when he ran into the two princesses.
"GREETINGS STRANGE CREATURE." Luna said in her traditional royal canterlot voice. "TIS A PLEASURE TO FINALLY MEET YOU."
The ringmaster screamed like a girl.
"Don't you scare me like that." He shouted in alarm.
"So sorry about that." Celestia said. "My sister, Luna, sometimes can't control her traditional voice in public."
"It's okay, I'm used to surprises anyway." The ringmaster replied as he calmed down.
Then he jumped in surprise.
"You're both one of them." He gasped.
"Of course we are." Celestia said.
"No, no, no, no!" The ringmaster denied.
"Tis the truth, strange one." Luna argued.
"No, no you can’t, I must be dreaming" The ringmaster argued back "Oh, wake me up! Wake me up!"
The ringmaster grabbed a nearby pail of water and poured it on top of his head.
"Now we will see who’s dreaming." He finally said as he walked back towards the princess, still dripping a little bit. "Go on… say something."
"I like this one, Tia" Luna chuckled. "He's funny."
"You DO talk!"
"Of course," Celestia said. "My name is Princess Celestia and this is my sister, Luna."
"Delighted to make your acquaintance,"
"Are you the leader of these strange creatures?" Celestia asked.
"I am but a humble ringmaster," he said. "Me and my staff as well as this circus came from a place called the 'United States of America."
"And what, pray tell, is your ruler of this 'United States' of which you speak of?" Luna asked. "Is it a prince, princess, king or queen?"
"Our nation is ruled based on democracy with the president being the executive, the legislative branch consisting of Congress and the judicial branch of the Supreme Court."
"Interesting," Celestia thought. "And how do you pay for the food and clothes where you came from?"
"With these," The ringmaster explained as he pulls out a dollar bill as well as a copper penny, and a silver nickel, dime and quarter. "How do you pay for your necessities?"
"We use bits, like this." Celestia said as she used her magic to show a gold coin known to the ponies as a bit.
"YOU USE GOLD TO BUY THE STUFF YOU NEED?!" yelled the ringmaster. "THAT'S CRAZY!"
"What's wrong with that?" puzzled Luna.
"Where we come from," the ringmaster said. "Gold is very valuable and costs hundreds if not thousands of dollars."
"Very interesting," remarked Luna.
"But it also leads to corruption and violence." He added.
"Now that sounds serious," Celestia exclaimed. "Don't worry, we'll make sure you use the gold wisely."
"Thank you, my fair princesses," said the ringmaster. "Well, I better get some sleep. This circus has got a big day tomorrow. We're having a big parade to announce the arrival."
"I'll let Twilight know about it," replied Celestia.
With that, Celestia and Luna took off into the night sky back to the castle while the ringmaster went to his tent and got dressed for bed. When Celestia reached her chambers, she wrote a letter to Twilight that says...
"Dear Twilight Sparkle
I may have a feeling you know about this strange circus, so I'm tasking you to put up signs and posters to announce a big parade early tomorrow morning. I may know that you once loved visiting the normal circus since you are a filly and it would be wonderful if you help this circus out.
Your prized teacher
Princess Celestia"
When she was finished, she used a special magic that made it vanish into a small green flame to appear at the castle when Spike burps it out. Twilight read the message and knew what to do. Using her magic, she create a poster marking the big parade and used a duplicating spell to make copies.
"We better get ready for tomorrow morning, Spike," Twilight said as she got into bed and sets her alarm clock to 6:00 a.m. "We got a big day tomorrow."
At the elephant tent, Mrs. Jumbo and her son are getting ready to sleep as well.
"I can't wait to show the crowd my best aerial tricks, mom," said Dumbo excitingly.
"I know you will," Mrs. Jumbo commented. "But you need to get some rest."
"Yeah," added Timothy Mouse. "You need to relax those ears. We don't want them to get sore from all that soaring."
"I will, Timothy," Dumbo chuckled. "I will. After all, you were the one to help me become the star."
With that, Dumbo closed his eyes and fell fast asleep, still feeling excited about tomorrow.
The stars disappeared into the early dawn sky as Luna lowered the moon and Celestia began to raise the sun. The early rooster crowed as both the Rainbow Castle and the circus, all set up and ready for the first show, glistened in the bright morning light. When Twilight's alarm clock went off, she pushed it off and got out of bed feeling awake and ready for the day while Spike groggily got up.
"Do we really have to get up this early, Twilight?" groaned Spike.
"But of course, Spike," Twilight answers. "We have to let Ponyville know about the big parade."
After Twilight had a little breakfast, there came a knock on the door, as Twilight heads downstairs and opened up the big doors. At the entrance was Rainbow Dash who is a light sleeper, Applejack and Fluttershy who both woke up when the rooster crowed and Pinkie Pie who is still as energetic as usual. Rarity on the other hand is still wearing a bed robe and has curlers in her mane.
"We would have arrived sooner but Rarity took real long apply her makeup," Rainbow Dash told her.
"Anyways, I have some special assignments for you to get Ponyville ready for the parade," Twilight instructed. "Rainbow Dash, you and Applejack set up posters and signs. Pinkie Pie, you and Rarity help set up the flags and banners."
"You can count on us, Twi." said Applejack.
"Okee dokee loki." Pinkie Pie added.
"Fluttershy," Twilight finishes. "You're with me to make sure the circus is prepared."
Rainbow Dash posted flyers and posters on every wall and tree with incredible speed while Applejack hammered signs. Pinkie Pie sets up the flags and banners on the main street where parades usually happen as long as they are approved by Rarity. Soon all the ponies in Ponyville read about the flyers and gather on the sides of the main parade route. Even the local schoolhouse closed for the day so that the fillies and colts can also see it. Meanwhile at the circus grounds, the staff and animals are getting ready as well. The clowns put on their makeup, wigs and costumes while the horses were brushed until they shone and bright ribbons were put on their manes and tails. The lions, tigers, bears and monkeys marched or climbed into their cage-wagons. Henry the hippo is hitched to the calliope which uttered little toots of impatience from its shining pipes. Even the elephants and camels put on their special howdahs and rugs. The ringmaster clambered up onto one of the white horses which would lead the parade from the ground while Dumbo will amaze the crowd with one of his aerial tricks.
"Okay everybody," The ringmaster said. "We better sneak through the back road so no one can see us too early."
"And exactly how are we going to do that?" asked one of the horse riders.
"I can help," Twilight answered as she flies in front of the circus men. "I learned a teleportation spell that can transport many objects at once."
"I hope you know what you're doing." The ringmaster told her.
Concentrating really hard, she manages to teleport the parade to where it is suppose to start by different sections until all are relocated to where they want to be before teleporting to where.
"So what now, boss?" The band leader said.
"Let the parade begin!" exclaimed the ringmaster as the parade began to be on its way.
"Well," said Dumbo as he began to flap his ears. "Here goes nothing."
Meanwhile. Twilight teleported to where her friends can get good seats.
"Nice job, girls." She congragulated. "Everything looks good."
Then she notices another unicorn coming to her, it was her prized student, Starlight Glimmer, who used to be her enemy.
"Hi Twilight," said Starlight. "What's up?"
"You're just in time, Starlight," Twilight told her. "The circus parade is about to begin."
"How fascinating," Starlight replied. "What's a circus parade?"
"It's a funtastical parade featuring ponies pulling wagons filled with freaky animals, amazing performers and funny clowns."
"Clowns?!" Starlight gasps in worry. "What clowns?"
"You'll see."
"Look over there!" somepony shouted. "I see the parade!"
Sure enough, the ponies can see the parade start as the ringmaster rode in front on his white horse. The crowd cheered but Lyra cheered the loudest out of all the others. Next came the marching band as they blew on their horns, tubas, trombones, flutes, and clarinets and beat on the drums and crash the cymbals. Then came the team of zebras pulling a cage wagon filled with roaring lions and a team of donkeys pulling a wagon filled with pacing tigers. Then came the first section of clowns performing all kinds of silly antics. The crowd thought they were funny except for Starlight who just cowered closed to Twilight. Then came the camels as they walked gracefully down the street with each one having a rider on their humps. Next came the horseback riders on their black and white steeds. The crowd cried with pleasure as the well-trained creatures pranced and reared gracefully. George and Mildred giraffe come up next pulling the monkey wagon. The little fillies giggled as the creatures jump around and swing inside their cage. Next came a second section of clowns which panics Starlight even further. Next, the seals came by waving their front flippers and barking like dogs while another team of horses pull a cage wagon filled with brown bears. Just then a pony saw something that caught her eyes.
"Look, up in the sky!" she exclaimed. "It's a bird!"
"It's a dragon!" shouted another pony.
"It's... an elephant?!" Puzzled a third.
Yes, the crowd could not believe their eyes, first they see humans parading down the street and now they see an elephant calf flying without wings.
