After a long walk through town, Honest John, Gideon, Pinocchio, Tender Taps and Apple Bloom arrive at a pair of caravans. Honest John knocks on the door, which open to reveal a big, obese man with black balding hair. He had tan skin, his lower lip pink while the upper is red. He wore a green shirt, dark green vest, brown pants and a big red belt around his belly. When he saw the cat and fox, he was not happy.
“You,” He spoke, in a low threatening voice.
The young ones were a little scared, while Honest John kept a smug face.
“Good morning, Stromboli,” Honest John tips his hat, joyfully. “How are you doing?”
The man named Stromboli didn’t answer right away. He glared at the pair, as if staring into their souls.
“You two have-a some nerve to come-a back after what you did to a-me!”
“Oh, come now, old boy,” The fox said, nervously. “You’re not still made of that little joke, are you?”
“What joke?” Apple Bloom asked.
“Oh, I once tied strings on Gideon,” Honest John explained. “And I may have tried to pass him off as a puppet.”
“Uh… What?” Tender asked.
Stromboli heard the fillies talk, looking at the pair and Pinocchio in confusion.
“What is this? Another trick to fool me?!”
“It’s not, Stromboli,” Honest John said, sweating. “I swear—”
GULP! Stromboli had clutched onto Honest John’s collar, he struggled as he was reeled close to the man’s angry eyes.
“Because of your last trick, the people laughed at me!” The gypsy yelled. “It took me days to get back on top!”
Honest John tried to talk his way out, while the gypsy argued in a strange language that was known as ‘Italian’. Gideon slowly turned to walk away till Stromboli caught him with the other hand and pulled him beside his partner.
“We didn’t know that would happen,” The fox said, nervously. “Really, it was just a bit of fun.”
“I will hurt-a you badly for that!” Stromboli threatened.
The young ones didn’t know what to do, as they quivered in fear.
“Wait! Wait!” The fox yelled. “What if I have the solution to make you rich?”
“I’m not falling for that again,” Stromboli spat.
“No, honest and for truly!” Honest John plead, placing a hand over his chest. “The answer lies with these three.”
The fox ushered toward the two foals and the puppet, who looked at Stromboli with wide, fearful eyes. Stromboli studied them carefully.
“Who or what are they?”
“They, my good friend, are your new stars,” Honest John said.
“A boy and two little horses?” Stromboli asked, an eyebrow raised.
“They’re no ordinary horses and boy, I assure you,” Honest John explained. “These two are real talking ponies with human characteristics and this is a real live puppet without strings!”
“We sure are, mister,” Apple Bloom said.
Stromboli looked closely, and at first, he didn’t believe it because he didn’t want to be tricked. He approached Pinocchio and gave a few knocks on the head.
“He really is-a made of wood,” Stromboli observed, waving his hands about his head. “No strings whatsoever.”
He took a good look at the foals, studying them with a finger on his chin.
“The ponies are not puppets,” Honest John continued. “But one of them is a really good dancer.”
Tender demonstrated his tap dancing which surprised Stromboli, as he turned to the filly.
“And what can you do?” He asked.
“Well, I can sing and dance too,” Apple Bloom said. “A little.”
“I promise you, Stromboli, it’s no joke this time,” The fox said. “You can earn lots of money with these three. Eh, Giddy.”
The cat nodded nervously, without saying a word. The puppet master pondered deeply until…
“Very well, then. Here’s your money.”
Stromboli removed a small bag of coins from inside his red belt, handing it to the fox. Before John could grab, he reeled it back till they were face-to-face.
“But if I find out you’re playing tricks with me again… I’ll search the entire town for you and that imbecile cat of yours and crush-a you like tomatoes!”
“Yes, understood,” The fox tipped his hat, wiping his brow. “You won’t regret this.”
Stromboli gave him the money, which the fox gladly took.
“Well then, good day, Stromboli,” Honest John said, while he and his partner walked away. “Good luck, children! And remember…”
“Bye, Mr. Honest John,” Pinocchio waved.
“Goodbye,” Tender and Apple Bloom waved.
Once the two were far in the distance, their song fading, the trio turned toward the puppet master.
“So, children…” Stromboli spoke, gruffly yet friendlier. “Ever been on stage before?”
“Uh-Uh,” Pinocchio shook his head.
“Me and Tender have,” Apple Bloom said.
“I still haven’t gotten over my stage fright,” Tender admits. “But I’ll do my best.”
“It’s okay, uh, what are your names?” Stromboli asked.
“My name is Tender Taps,” The little colt said.
“Apple Bloom,” The little filly greeted.
“Pinocchio,” The puppet said, tipping his hat.
“Very well then. Everybody can have stage fright in some moments, my little Tender Taps. The best way to conquer it is to pretend that everybody is in-a their underwear.”
“Underwear… Never thought of that before,” Tender said. “Course, we ponies don’t normally wear clothes but that’s something I’ve got to learn.”
“Come inside,” The Puppet Master instructed, opening the door. “I’m going to give a show tonight and I want it to be perfect.”
The ponies and puppet entered the caravan; Stromboli went last and shut the door. From a corner, our Equestrian heroes saw everything.
“Did you see that?” Rainbow asked.
“That Honest John sold the kids to the puppet master for money!” Jiminy answered.
“No, I mean, did you see how big that guy was? He’s so fat he shouldn’t even fit in his caravan! It’s a surprise he can.”
“Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!” Pinkie laughed at Rainbow’s joke.
Every pony and the cricket glared at her, till she stopped laughing.
“I know… ‘Cruel joke, Pinkie’.”
“We got to get Pinocchio, Apple Bloom and Tender away from that man!” Applejack insists.
“But how?” Rarity asked. “We can’t just barge into that caravan, can we?”
“There’s only one thing to do then,” Twilight said, determined. “We’re watching the show tonight.”
“Huh?” Every pony asked, confused.
It was nighttime, as an entire crowd of people arrived before Stromboli’s caravans eager to watch the show. By then, Stromboli began his announcement while mumbling in Italian.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” The puppet master began. “To conclude the performance of this great show, Stromboli the Master Showman—That’s a-me—and by special permission of the management—That’s a-me too—is presenting to you something you will absolutely refuse to believe.”
Close by, the ponies were around a lamp post, some of them climbing it for a better view. Jiminy, the first one up, chased off a few moths while the rest had searched for the perfect spot to see the show. The audience were mumbling amongst themselves and paid no heed.
“I didn’t expect this many people to watch a puppet show,” Rarity said. “I wish Sweetie Belle could see this.”
“It’s so difficult to see through this crowd from the ground,” Applejack said.
“Well, looks like a sell-out,” Jiminy replied, looking around.
Stromboli’s speech went on, gaining the attention of the cricket, the ponies and dragon.
“Introducing the only marionette and equines who can sing and dance absolutely without the aids of strings.”
Stromboli spot seriously, but some of the ponies, mainly Pinkie, couldn’t help but giggle at the funny dance he was doing.
“I hope so,” The gypsy muttered to himself, before speaking to the crowd again. “The one and only Apple Bloom… Tender Taps… And Pinocchio!”
“YIPPIE!” Pinkie shouted, clapping with the audience.
“Ah can’t believe those three are gonna be on stage,” Applejack shook her head.
“Hmph!” What a build-up,” Jiminy added, dissatisfied.
With a baton in hand, the gypsy orchestrated the musicians to play. The theatre curtains opened, as four puppets played the trumpet. The décor vanished, along with the puppets, and before everyone’s eyes the puppet and two foals stood atop a pair of stairs. The audience clapped, some even saying ‘aww’ seeing the two little ponies.
(Pause at 0:09)
“There they are!” Rainbow pointed.
Every pony paid close attention toward the three children. Pinocchio and Apple Bloom couldn’t help but smile. Tender was nervous, but Apple Bloom tried comforting him.
“So… Many…” Tender whispered, shaking his legs.
“It’s alright, Tender,” Apple Bloom said. “Just do it like the last time we danced together, okay?”
Tender nodded with a nervous smile. Pinocchio seems to be attached to strings, but as he walks down the stairs and sang, the strings detach from him.
But suddenly, Pinocchio stumbled and fell down the stairs. Pinocchio’s nose crashed into a wooden plank of the floorboard and got stuck. The audience laughs, while the two foals raced down the stairs to their friend.
“Pinocchio, are you okay?” Apple Bloom asked.
“Is this part of the show?” Pinkie asked.
“I don’t think so,” Spike shook his head. “It’s not going well.”
“Oh, poor Pinocchio,” Fluttershy said, softly.
While most of the group were sympathetic, Applejack and Jiminy weren’t pleased with the performance.
“Go ahead, make a fool of yourself,” Applejack said. “Then maybe you’ll listen to your big sister and your conscience.”
Stromboli waves his hands angrily, making funny noises. He slapped the wooden plank back in place and spoke in Italian. At one point, he grabs Pinocchio much to Tender and Apple Bloom’s shock. But listening and looking at the laughing audience, who assumed this was part of the show, he gently placed Pinocchio back on stage.
“Cute kid,” He chuckled.
The rest of the dialogue is in Italian, but he was telling the kids to try again. But the ponies had seen ‘everything’.
“That wasn’t very nice,” Fluttershy said. “Grabbing Pinocchio like that!”
“Did you see the way he reacted?” Rainbow asked.
“There’s something about Stromboli I don’t like,” Twilight observed.
(Continue at 0:05)
The spotlight hits the puppet and two foals, as they began to sing and dance from the top.
The ponies paid close attention, Pinkie nodding her head to the music. Applejack and Jiminy, on the other hoof, turned away after the kids refused to listen. Soon it was Apple Bloom’s turn to sing as she, Pinocchio and Tender began to dance.
When Pinocchio span his body around, his head intact while spinning his leg, all while Tender did his tap dance routine, the audience were amazed. Even Stromboli was impressed.
“What I told you, huh?” Stromboli laughed.
On the last beat, Pinocchio jumps in the air and spins his legs. The audience cheer and applaud for the three. Even the ponies and Spike were impressed.
(Pause at 0:42)
“They’re… Honestly not that bad,” Rarity admits.
“They’re actually pretty good,” Spike nods.
“Does that song make you think of some evil robot trying to destroy civilization?” Pinkie asked.
Every pony faced her in confusion.
“Pinkie?” Rainbow asked. “What… Are… You… Talking about?”
Pinkie, suddenly, came back to her senses.
“Uh… Nothing…” Pinkie looks left-and-right.
(Continue music)
The ponies focused back on the show, as Pinocchio imitated the audience by clapping his hands. Just then, the puppet and two foals jump in fright when the décor changed behind their backs revealing a meadow with a windmill and a cow. Suddenly, a marionette with actual strings came down before the children, the puppet representing a Dutch farm girl with clogs.
The singing puppet disappears, as four similar puppets appear dancing to the music. One of the puppets bumps into Pinocchio and Apple Bloom, making them bump into the others. Suddenly, the puppets disappear as the décor changed once more.
Another girl puppet, in a lovely red dress, appears. It came close to Pinocchio and Tender, singing with a French accent, and while Pinocchio was confused the little colt blushed slightly.
The puppet disappears, as four puppets of similar design takes it’s place. They dance while raising one of their legs. Pinocchio and the two foals couldn’t help but watch. The ponies watched, but Rarity quickly covers Spike’s eyes.
“Hey!” Spike said.
“It’s for your own good, Spikey-poo,” Rarity said.
Jiminy took a peek at the show and, suddenly, put some glasses on his face while smiling. Applejack saw his reaction and smirks.
“Beautiful view, lover boy?” She asked.
Jiminy shook his head and blushed, while the puppets danced for a few seconds and vanished. Once more, the décor shifts and a puppet with a white papakha hat and purple dress appears singing with a Russian accent.
The puppet disappears, as four male puppets with papakha hats appear dancing in the style of their country shouting ‘HEY’. One of the puppets hit his head with his legs. Pinocchio tries to imitate the dance, with Apple Bloom and Tender joining along. At a sudden moment, Pinocchio’s foot hits his hindquarters making a funny knocking sound. He tries again while hitting his hindquarters and looks like he’s having fun. Pinocchio and the two foals watch the puppets spin wildly. Pinocchio spins his body around while keeping his head in place, as Apple Bloom and Tender followed along. The two foals got dizzy and just like Pinocchio they spun toward the puppets unable to stop.
“Hey!” Pinocchio shouts.
“Look out!” Apple Bloom yells.
The three bumped against the puppets and were suddenly trapped, but not before finishing the song.
The audience laughs as the puppets disappear, freeing the three children while falling on the floorboard. A papakha hat fell on Pinocchio while his nose was once again stuck in the same wooden plank. As he stood up, the plank broke making Pinocchio appear to have a beard. All of a sudden, the audience cheers and threw golden coins on the stage. Pinocchio stands there, but Apple Bloom and Tender smiled. They approach their puppet friend, and each took one hand.
“Bow, Pinocchio,” Apple Bloom instructs. “Like this.”
Apple Bloom and Tender demonstrate, as Pinocchio eventually imitates. Then they three gave one big bow causing more cheers from the audience. Pinkie cheers and whistles, throwing bits toward them.
“Woohoo! Encore! Encore!”
“Wow!” Spike gasped.
“Well, I’ll be,” Applejack said, softly. “They like them.”
“They’re a success,” Jiminy added.
“They’re… Popular now,” Rainbow said.
Applejack saw how happy Apple Bloom was, before facing the ground.
“Can it be? Could ah really be wrong?”
Jiminy pet her hoof, while removing his hat.
“You’re not the only one, Applejack.”
Stromboli appears on stage, holding two puppets in his arm, giving a few bows of his own. He even gives Pinocchio, Apple Bloom and Tender Taps a pat on the head while blowing a few kisses to the cheering audience. By now, the ponies didn’t know what to think.
“Come along, every pony,” Twilight sighs, turning away. “Show’s over."
“What about Pinocchio? And Apple Bloom and Tender?” Spike asked. “Jiminy, we’re not really leaving them, are we?”
“I don’t know, son,” The cricket sighs, sadly. “Guess they won’t need us anymore; Pinocchio probably doesn’t need me. What does an actor want with a conscience anyway?”
“But we can’t just leave?” Rainbow asked. “Can we?”
“I don’t know about you guys, but there’s something not right about Stromboli,” Pinkie said, suspiciously. “Those smiles don’t seem right, least that’s my opinion.”
“And the way he reacted when Pinocchio fell down the stairs,” Spike added. “I’m telling you, something’s wrong.”
“But look at them,” Rarity said, pointing. “They look so happy when the audience cheers.”
“Twilight, can’t we talk with them?” Applejack asked. “If Apple Bloom wants to stay here and be an actor, that’s one thing. But shouldn’t we at least say ‘goodbye’ just in case?”
“I suppose we can,” Twilight thinks. “Alright, let’s do it.”
Suddenly, Twilight heard a strange sound and looked at her belly. Turns out her stomach had begun to rumble, as she faced her friends sheepishly.
“Maybe we should find someplace to eat first,” Twilight laughed. “We’ll talk to them later; besides, it’s not like they’re leaving town tonight.”
Everypony nodded and said ‘Uh-Huh’ in unison. Together, they ventured into town for someplace to eat leaving the two foals and reanimated puppet bowing before their public.