Prankster’s Paradise
Somewhere in a restaurant
Two hours before the evil stuff happens
After watching Pinocchio, Apple Bloom and Tender Taps’ successful performance, unsure of what to do next, our heroes were discussing things while having dinner at a restaurant. The waiters and regulars were very surprised that tiny talking ponies and a dragon arrived, but otherwise minded their business. During this time, they ordered various Italian food from spaghetti and garlic bread, just to name a few. Pinkie took a huge bite of her vegetarian spaghetti.
“Mmm…” The pink party pony sighed. “These Italians sure make great food!”
“Ah can’t believe it,” Applejack spoke, sadly. “They have success, even my sister.”
“Not to mention all the money they’ll earn,” Rainbow added.
“They looked very happy indeed,” Twilight sighed.
“So, what will we do?” Spike asked. “Let them live their lives here as actors?”
“I think its best we talk to them first,” Twilight said. “If they really want to do this, we should hear them out.”
“Twilight?” Applejack asked, looking sad. “Is there a chance ah will never see mah little sister again?”
“I’m not sure, Applejack. I never considered if the book would allow them to stay.”
The thought didn’t make Applejack feel better, as she looked down. Twilight nudged her back.
“Cheer up, A.J. Everything’s going to be fine.”
Jiminy did the same thing. But since he’s small he rubbed her arm.
“Yeah, I’m sure those three are still thinking about us.”
“I know, but ah still can’t believe it,” Applejack said. “Mah baby sister being an actor along with Tender and Pinoke. They’ll probably tour the entire world!’
“Well, technically she’s not a baby anymore,” Pinkie points out. “I mean, she’s still little and…”
Pinkie never finished when she saw Applejack scowl, growling at her. The pink mare smiled sheepishly, with a nervous chuckle.
“I’ll be quiet.”
“What about Geppetto?” Fluttershy asked. “He’d be heartbroken if he doesn’t hear from Pinocchio.”
Every pony was silent when she mentioned Geppetto, whom they promised they’d look out for his son. Twilight thought for a moment and came to a decision.
“You’re right, Fluttershy,” Twilight nodded. “We better have a good talk with them.”
“Check, please!” Pinkie called, wiping her mouth with a napkin.
Soon enough, the waiter arrived with the bill.
“Here you go, ladies.”
“Thank you,” Pinkie replied.
The girls and Spike took out a few bits, casually handing them to the waiter, who stared in awe.
“Real golden coins,” He gasped.
“And here’s a little something for your effort, darling,” Rarity added.
She took out a purple gem, giving it to the waiter. The man himself had no idea what to say.
“Magnificent,” He gasped, studying the gem.
“Thank you, sir,” Twilight said. “Now if you’ll excuse us, we have other business to attend to.”
“The food was deeeeeelicious!” Pinkie said, smiling.
The girls made their way outside while the waiter silently waved with a smile.
“Golden coins and gems?” Jiminy noted. “Boy, you girls are loaded!”
“Well, it depends,” Twilight replied. “It’s just our payment method back in Equestria.”
“You know, I still can’t believe it,” The cricket said. “I, Jiminy Cricket, hanging out with talking ponies and a talking dragon.”
“Well, it’s not every day we hang out with a talking cricket either,” Rainbow replied, smiling.
“Your world truly sounds interesting,” Jiminy replied. “You think I could see it some time?”
“Who knows, Jiminy?” Spike replied. “Who knows?”
They weren’t outside for long when they noticed the weather wasn’t on their side tonight.
“Great,” Spike muttered, as it began to pour. “Now it’s starting to rain.”
“It’ll take too long if I try to clear all those clouds away,” Rainbow pointed out.
“Or… We can just use these umbrellas and walk through it,” Rarity offered, showing a few umbrellas.
“How did you…?” Twilight asked.
“I always come prepared when it comes to adventures, darling,” Rarity replied. “One never knows.”
All of them, including Jiminy, opened their umbrellas to protect them from the raindrops. Together, they ventured toward Stromboli’s caravan.
Stromboli’s Caravan
30 minutes earlier
The rain poured everywhere, but it was no problem for those who live in the caravan. The only other sound heard was the sound of celebration and song.
Inside the caravan, Pinocchio and two foals sat at the table. The puppet master grabs food with his large knife while singing his heart out. He also moves a few coins to the other side of the table as he laughs joyfully.
“Bravo, Pinocchio! And you too, Apple Bloom and Tender Taps.”
“Thank you, Mr. Stromboli,” Tender replied.
“They like us!” Apple Bloom said, with an adorable smile.
Stromboli put the tip of the knife into his mouth, eating the food. Then he placed a few more coins on the same side of the table.
“Hmm, two hundred. You are sensational!” He complimented, grabbing an olive with his knife.
"You mean, we're good?" Pinocchio asked.
“Ah, three hundred!” Stromboli said, placing the coins on the same side. “You three are colossal!”
The puppet master dangerously cut off a big piece of bread where Pinocchio sat. It was also dangerously close to Apple Bloom. Luckily, no one got hurt. But the yellow filly stared at the knife with big eyes while chuckling nervously.
“Does that mean we’re actors?” Tender asked.
Stromboli bit off a huge piece of an onion before he spoke.
“Sure. I will push you all in the public’s eye!”
Stromboli literally pushed them as he spoke. He grabbed Pinocchio close to his face before letting him drop on the table.
“Your faces, they will be on everybody’s tongue.”
A few tears fell from Pinocchio’s eye, probably from the smell of the onion.
“Will they?”
“Ye—”
But before he could finish his word, he saw something he didn’t like: A metal washer. He picked it up and examined it closely.
“Uh, huh? What’s this?”
He bit the washer, making it bend. He slapped against his head and cursed loudly in his own language. The kids were confused at this moment. But suddenly, Stromboli stopped cursing, his eyes open wide in realization. He sighs calmly, grabs Pinocchio’s hand and gave him the metal washer.
“Ahh! For you, my little Pinocchio. I will see if I can find one for you two, my little Apple Bloom and Tender Taps.”
“Huh?” The two foals said, facing each other in confusion.
“For me? Gee, thanks!” Pinocchio said with a smile. “I’ll run right home and tell my father!”
“Yes, well, it’s been real fun,” Apple Bloom replied. “Thanks again, but maybe it’s time to go to mah sister and tell her about our performance. I can’t wait to hear what she’ll say if we earn a lot for the farm.”
Stromboli was drinking a bottle of wine, but when he heard what they said he violently spat the wine out of his mouth.
“Home?” He asked in confusion, then laughed. “Oh, sure. Going home to your father and sister. Oh, that is very comical!”
Tender Taps was about to leave with Pinocchio and Apple Bloom when the puppet master’s words made him turn.
“Ya mean it’s funny?”
“Oh, sure! Yes,” Stromboli laughed.
“We’ll be back in the morning,” Pinocchio said, tipping his hat.
“We promise,” Apple Bloom assured.
But then Stromboli shook his head and grabbed Pinocchio.
“Be back in the morning,” He replied, slapping his head and cursing in Italian. “Going home.”
Then strangely Stromboli started laughing as he lifted Apple Bloom with his other hand. Pinocchio got mixed in the laughter.
“Uh, yes,” Apple Bloom replied, laughing.
Tender Taps didn’t know what’s going on, but he laughed along. Stromboli walked past a few marionettes toward a big bird cage. He pet the pony and puppet on their backs while he kept laughing. Suddenly, his laughter stops. Grabbing Apple Bloom with the same arm holding Pinocchio, he quickly opened the cage and threw them both inside.
Tender saw this and gasped. He tried to run away, but the puppet master grabbed him.
“Come here, you!”
And just like that, Tender Taps was thrown inside the cage before Stromboli closed it with a lock.
“There, this will be your home,” Stromboli said. “Where I can find you always.”
It was then Stromboli finally revealed his true colors: Cold, malicious and only obsessed with one thing: Earning lots of money. The children were totally surprised and shocked.
“What?! No!” Apple Bloom said.
“No, no, no!” Pinocchio yelled.
“Yes, yes, yes!” Stromboli yelled back, pounding his chest. “To me… You all are belonging.”
The foals and the puppet couldn’t believe that they were suddenly slaves.
“We will tour the world,” Stromboli declared. “Paris… London… Monte Carlo… Constantinople!”
Stromboli did a funny dance wiggling his big behind, but they knew this was no time for laughter.
“No, no!” Tender yelled.
(Pause at 0:31)
“Yes!” Stromboli yelled back, slamming his hand on the table. “We start tonight!”
(Continue music)
Then he turned toward all the coins with a big smile. He started piling all the coins in a bag, mumbling to himself before showing his bag of gold to the children.
“You will make lots of money… For me!” He declared, shoving the bag in his red belt.
The kids were still in shock, even Pinocchio shook his head.
(Pause at 0:40)
“And when you are growing too old…”
The puppet master grabbed an axe, licked his thumb and rubbed the sharp edge of the blade.
“You, my little puppet, will make good… FIREWOOD!”
To prove his point, he hurled the axe toward an old, useless puppet lying on a box with logs for firewood. Stromboli laughed loudly, scaring Pinocchio.
(Continue music)
But then he stopped laughing when he saw the little foals, who trembled with fear. He slowly reached for a knife as he approached them.
“As for you two ponies, you’ll soon pull my caravans. If you’re getting too old and useless for me… I will cut you to pieces and have horse meat for DINNER!!!”
Stromboli stabbed his knife through the table, laughing loudly. The foals and puppet panicked and pulled hard on the cage.
“Let us outta here!” Pinocchio yelled.
“Please, let us out!” Tender yelled.
“We gotta get out!” Apple Bloom yelled. “You can’t keep us!”
(Pause at 0:56)
Stromboli, who was walking away, had enough. He turned around and his entire weight shook the entire caravan, causing the foals and the puppet to crash on their backs.
“QUIET! SHUT-A UP… Before I knock-a you silly!” Stromboli yelled, glaring.
(Continue music)
But then his glare changed to a smile, which scared the children ironically.
“Good night,” He said, blowing them a kiss. “My little wooden and furry gold mine.”
The three watch silently as he laughed evilly, slamming the door behind him. It was so hard the candle blew out, leaving the children in the dark room.
“No! No, wait!” Pinocchio called out, pulling the bars. “Let me out! I’ll tell my father!”
Apple Bloom and Tender Taps did the same, even though the door wouldn’t budge.
“Let us out, you bully!” The yellow filly threatened. “You’ll be sorry when mah sister and friends get here!”
While they struggled to get out, they heard the puppet master yell toward his horse. To their shock, they were leaving town.
“Giddyap!” Stromboli shouts. “Get along there.”
The caravan began to move, the puppet and foals began swinging side to side in the cage. They looked outside the window, watching the ominous swinging of the marionettes.
“We’re in big trouble,” Apple Bloom said.
“What’ll we do, Apple Bloom?” Tender asked, frightened. “I don’t want to get old and end up as food!”
“We must cry for help and hope Jiminy or Twilight hears us!” Pinocchio said, starting to yell. “Jiminy! Oh, Jiminy!”
For the first time, Pinocchio blew a perfect whistle. It didn’t take long for the foals to aid their puppet friend.
“Applejack!” Apple Bloom yelled. “Big sis!”
“Twilight! Spike!” Tender yelled.
But no person or pony could hear them, between the moving caravan and the weather. But they were desperate and kept trying.
“Jiminy! Oh, Twilight, where are you?!” Pinocchio yelled, whistling again.
“Applejack!” Apple Bloom yelled.
“JIMINY CRICKET!” Pinocchio yelled one last time.
But suddenly, a loud thunderclap could be heard, Apple Bloom screamed and ducked next to Pinocchio, who was scared. Tender wasn’t feeling any better and leaned beside his friends. They huddled close together, realizing there will be no one coming to their rescue. For now, they know who Stromboli really was: A heartless puppet master who burns puppets too old to perform, who slaughters and eats ponies just the same. The reality of the circumstance hit them hard, the trio began to sob. They cried in fear and guilt, while the loud thunder rumbled again and again.
The Village
Present Time
The rain grew worse, the thunder rumbling across town. Stromboli’s caravan drove through the streets and though Twilight and her friends had time to catch up, it was too late. The caravan was far ahead, while they stood there watching from under their umbrellas.
“Ah, can’t believe it,” Applejack said, sadly. “They left without even saying goodbye.”
“They forgot about us,” Rarity sobbed.
“Applejack, I’m so sorry,” Twilight said.
“No… It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have overslept; ah should’ve been there. Watching over her, like I promised. All three of them… And I failed!”
At this point Applejack couldn’t contain herself, shedding tear drops along the rain.
“Well, there they go,” Jiminy declared. “Sitting in the lap of luxury, the world at their feet and hooves. Oh well, I can always say I knew them when.”
“I don’t think that’s very helpful, Jiminy,” Spike said.
“Come on, girls,” Twilight sighs, sadly. “Let’s just go out of their lives quietly.”
They were just about to leave but took one last look at the caravan. Even as they walked further along, they just couldn’t stop thinking.
“This is a sad way to end a story,” Pinkie said.
“I know what you mean,” Spike said. “I would’ve liked to at least wish them luck.”
Twilight stopped, as if pondering the idea.
“You know, Spike. We should do that. After all, that’s what friends and family do, right?”
“Sure!” Jiminy said. “Why not?”
“Come on, everypony and cricket,” Pinkie called, chasing the caravan. “After that caravan!”
“Wait up, ya’ll!” Applejack called, following.
It didn’t take long before the others followed Pinkie and they were just a few steps toward the door. Twilight tried to open it, but the door wouldn’t budge.
“It’s locked,” Twilight said.
Rainbow looked around the caravan till she saw something that gave her an idea.
“There’s an open window on the side,” Rainbow noted. “I’ll go inside and see if I can open the door from there.
“Be careful, Rainbow,” Twilight said.
She flew through the window inside the caravan and unlocked the door. With that done, every pony walked inside looking around the dark room.
“Good job, Rainbow Dash,” Twilight said.
“Yeah, I’m that awesome,” Rainbow bragged.
"Pinocchio!" Jiminy called.
“Apple Bloom!” Applejack called.
“Pinocchio! Apple Bloom! Tender Taps!” Pinkie called. “It’s us, your friends, remember?”
“Applejack! You came!” Apple Bloom called, with tears of joy.
“Jiminy!” Pinocchio said. “Gee, I’m glad to see ya!”
The ponies and Spike turned but gasped in shock. Pinocchio was sitting on the swing, while the little foals were holding the bars at the bottom of the cage.
“What the hay?!” Rainbow shouts.
“Children! What’s happened?” Jiminy asked.
They approached the cage, while Jiminy mostly jumped being a cricket.
“That’s not a great place for actors to sleep,” Pinkie noted. “It’s depressing.”
“Pinkie!” Twilight said.
“What? It’s true.”
“Apple Bloom, what did he do to ya?” Applejack asked, placing her hooves on the cage.
“Oh, he was mad,” Pinocchio explained. “He said he was gonna push our faces in everybody’s eye.”
“Yeah?” Jiminy asked.
“A-A-And just ‘cause we are gold bricks, he-he’s gonna chop me into firewood!” Pinocchio added.
“And he wants to chop me and Tender into little pieces and eat us for dinner!” Apple Bloom cried.
“Oh, you poor little dears,” Fluttershy said, her hooves covering her mouth.
“Is that so?” Jiminy asked.
Pinocchio and the two foals nodded.
“Why that filthy, stinkin’ yellow-belled…” Applejack muttered angrily, approaching the door. “Ah’m stoppin’ this caravan and gonna teach that fatso a lesson!”
“Applejack, don’t!” Twilight warned. “He could be very dangerous!”
“He is, Twilight!” Tender confirmed. “He has a knife and an axe!”
“I never knew someone like Stromboli could be that cruel!” Rarity said.
“What do we do?” Pinocchio asked.
“Now, don’t you worry, son,” Jiminy said.
“We’re getting you out of there,” Applejack said.
Twilight inspected the lock holding the cage door.
“We need to open that lock,” Twilight said, looking around. “But I don’t see a key.”
“Allow me, princess,” Jiminy offered, hopping toward the lock. “Don’t worry. I’ll have you out of here in no time at all.”
The cricket struggled to crawl inside the keyhole.
“Why, this is—Eh, just as easy as… Rollin’ off a—”
Before he could finish, he suddenly fell inside the lock. Every pony, dragon and puppet waited while they heard metallic clinking sounds from the lock.
“How’s it going in there?” Spiked asked.
Suddenly, Jiminy Cricket emerged from the keyhole, removing his coat and hat before hanging them on a bolt somewhere on the lock.
“Kind of rusty,” He said.
The cricket went back inside to work on the lock. More metallic sounds were heard as every pony listened closely.
“Needs a little oil!” Jiminy said, but then he and every pony heard an echo.
“That’s what I said,” Jiminy said to the camera.
“I have some oil!” Pinkie offered, pulling a can from her mane.
“Hold on, Pinkie! I think I almost got it!”
Jiminy tried to pry the mechanism with his umbrella. Pinocchio looked inside the lock while Jiminy struggled. But suddenly, the cricket shot out the keyhole with a scream. Every pony watched and found him hanging on the cage stuck on a spring.
“Must be one of the old models,” Jiminy chuckled.
Twilight used her magic to free Jiminy from the spring.
“That means the lock is broken and can’t be opened anymore.”
“Maybe we can try to break those bars!” Rainbow pointed out. “They’re made of sticks, so that should be easy.”
Rainbow tried to break the bars with her hooves but struggled to make a dent.
“Or… Maybe not so easy.”
She tried again, pulling harder and harder. The bars appeared to spread a tad apart.
“Come on… Come on…”
Rainbow struggled to hold the bars wide, but then she gave up and the bars assumed their original position.
“Man! Those are strong sticks!”
“What else have we got?” Twilight asked.
“I don’t suppose my party cannon would be useful,” Pinkie suggests.
“Pinkie, we’re trying to save them!” Applejack said with a glare. “Not blow them up with cake or confetti in their face!”
“There’s a few knives and axes here,” Rainbow Dash pointed out. “We can either pick the lock or cut the bars.”
“As much as ah think it’s a good idea,” Applejack said. “It’s a small cage and there’s three children in there. I won’t take any chances.”
“I got it!” Spike said, snapping his fingers. “I can burn the lock off easily.”
“But aren’t those bars made of wood?” Rarity asks. “Like Pinocchio.”
“Hey, I can be careful. I just need a steady aim, control the heat…”
“Ah can’t believe ah’m hearing this,” Applejack shook her head. “No cannons! No knives! No axes! And NO fire!”
“But we can’t just leave them like this!” Rainbow argued.
“Ah know, Rainbow!” Applejack argued back. “You think ah don’t want them free as soon as possible?!”
“Uh girls, can we please not shout in the home of a person who’ll possibly kill us if he finds out we came to free the children?” Fluttershy asked.
Then everypony went silent, they knew Fluttershy was right.
“We’ll have to think of another plan,” Twilight said.
“You mean, you can’t open it?” Pinocchio asked.
“I’m sorry, kids,” Jiminy said, while Pinocchio dressed him into his hat and coat. “Looks pretty hopeless.”
“We’ll find a safer way to get you out of that cage,” Twilight assured. “But I think it’ll take a miracle to get you out of here.”
“Gee,” Pinocchio sighs.
“Don’t worry, young’un,” Applejack said, holding Apple Bloom’s hoof. “I’m here, and I ain’t goin’ anywhere.”
Everypony sat on their haunches, thinking hard on another plan to free the puppet and foals. Suddenly, Pinkie heard something like someone calling.
“Pinocchio!” A voice called.
“Hey, every pony,” Pinkie said. “Did you hear that?”
“Hear what?” Rainbow asked.
“I heard some pony call Pinocchio’s name,” Pinkie said.
“Pinkie, you’re probably dreaming it,” Spike sighed.
“No seriously!” Pinkie said, approaching the window. “Hello!”
“Pinocchio!” The voice said.
Suddenly, a loud thunderclap crashed against the sky scaring Pinkie Pie. Suddenly, she got the hiccups and began to giggle.
“Pinkie please!” Twilight said, seriously. “This is a serious situation!”
“Oops, so-HIC sorry Twilight,” Pinkie said, softly. “I-HIC best hold my-HIC breath and count to-HIC ten.”
And that’s what Pinkie did, while everypony else thought hard. Applejack, Jiminy and Fluttershy did their best to comfort the little ones. This was going to be a long night.
(Pause at 1:53)