Prankster's Paradise
Stromboli's Caravan
(Play music at 1:54)
The ponies were still thinking for a new idea to free Pinocchio, Apple Bloom and Tenders. Sadly, some of them gave up too soon while every pony else kept trying. But as Jiminy and Twilight said: It would probably take a miracle to get them out of that cage. The children shed a few tears in guilt.
“A fine conscience I turned out to be,” Jiminy said.
“Some friends we turned out to be,” Fluttershy said, sharing the same guilt as Jiminy.
“We should’ve listened to all of you,” Pinocchio cried. “Especially to you, Jiminy.”
“And ah should’ve listened to you, big sis,” Apple Bloom said, shedding tears.
“No, it was our fault,” Applejack said. “We shouldn’t have overslept.”
“And we definitely shouldn’t have walked out on you three,” Twilight said.
“Guess this is it,” Tender sighed. “We’re gonna be stuck in here forever.”
“And I guess I’ll never see my father again,” Pinocchio said.
“Oh, buck up, kids,” The cricket said.
“Yeah, it could be worse,” Pinkie said, trying not to cry. “Be cheerful… Like me…”
One of Pinocchio’s tears accidentally splashed Jiminy, making the cricket look up seeing the puppet and two foals needed comfort.
“Aw, take it easy, son.”
The cricket pulled a handkerchief from his pants pocket, holding against Pinocchio’s nose.
“Come on, blow.”
Pinocchio blew into the handkerchief and gave a little smile.
“Atta boy,” Jiminy said, blowing his nose on the handkerchief.
Applejack gave a ‘clean’ handkerchief from her bag to Apple Bloom and Tender.
“Don’t worry, young’uns,” The cowgirl said, smiling. “We’ll get you out of here in no time.”
“Just let that nasty Stromboli come in here,” Rainbow said, shadow boxing in different directions. “I’ll show him what happens when you lock up children!”
It was then Twilight stopped thinking.
“I GOT IT!”
“Huh?” Every pony said, facing Twilight.
“I forgot I have magic! I can just teleport you three out of the cage.”
“Hear that, kids?” Applejack asked. “We’re getting you out!”
“You couldn’t think of that sooner, Twilight?” Rainbow asked. “Before we started giving up?!”
“Excuse me for thinking about it just now,” Twilight said, sarcastically.
“Magic sure can be useful in times of need,” Jiminy said, looking out the window. “Oh, and more good news. It stopped raining.”
But suddenly, before Twilight can do anything, a familiar blue light approached our heroes.
“Hey, isn’t that--?” Pinkie asked.
“It’s that star again!” Jiminy said. “Uh, the lady, the—Ooh!”
Pinocchio accidentally fell from the swing, while Jiminy hopped around.
“The Blue Fairy!” Twilight gasped.
“Oh no!” Apple Bloom panicked, while Pinocchio walked around. “What’ll she say?”
“What’ll we tell her?” Pinocchio asked.
“You might tell her the truth,” Jiminy suggests, hiding in a cup of birdseed.
“And nothing but the truth,” Applejack added, preparing for the fairy’s arrival.
Pinocchio turned around, bent over and tried to hide his face with his hands. Apple Bloom and Tender Taps curled up into tiny balls of fluff hiding their faces with their hooves.
“Don’t worry, every pony,” Twilight said. “We just tell her what happened, and I’m sure everything will be just fine.”
Spike hid behind Twilight while she spoke, as if not entirely convinced. It didn’t take long for the fairy, in all her radiance, to appear inside the caravan. Pinocchio slowly opens his eyes, while Apple Bloom and Tender uncovered their hooves to look.
“Why, Pinocchio,” The fairy said. “Apple Bloom and Tender Taps.”
“Uh, eh, hello!” Pinocchio said, tipping his hat while looking upside down.
“Hello, Miss Fairy,” Apple Bloom chuckled, nervously.
“Sir Jiminy! Girls! And Spike!” The fairy said, in wonder.
“Good to see you again, Miss Fairy,” Spike replied, waving nervously.
Jiminy, who was doing the ostrich maneuver, revealed his head and took off his hat, as birdseed poured out.
“Well! Uh, this is a—A pleasant surprise,” He chuckled nervously.
“Children, why didn’t you go to school?” The fairy asked, seriously.
“School?” Pinocchio asked, nervously. “Well, I um—”
“Well, we—” Apple Bloom said.
Unsure what to say, the three turned to the girls and Jiminy.
“It’s okay,” Applejack said. “Just tell her.”
“Go ahead,” Jiminy said.
"We were going to school ‘til we met somebody,” Pinocchio said honestly.
“Met somebody?” The fairy asked.
Jiminy happily nodded. Pinocchio telling the truth also brought a smile to Applejack’s face. But that changed when Pinocchio said the next thing.
“Yeah. Uh, two big monsters with big green eyes!”
Applejack’s eyes went wide and Jiminy’s express was no better. When Pinocchio lied, the craziest thing happened: His nose grew. Every pony saw this, and their eyes went wide, even Pinocchio and the foals were surprised.
“Did you see that?” Rainbow asked.
“What happened?” Twilight asked.
“Was it something Pinocchio said?” Fluttershy asked.
“But wasn’t that true?” Spike asked. “I mean, that fox and cat were monsters, right?”
“Why, I—I—” But the puppet couldn’t finish his sentence, as he touched his nose.
“Monsters?” The fairy asked. “Weren’t you afraid?”
“No, ma’am. But they tied me and my friends in a big sack.”
Pinocchio’s next lie made his nose grow bigger. A few leaves began to grow at the tip.
“Really?” The fairy questioned. “All three of you?”
Apple Bloom decided to answer.
“Well, uh… Yeah?”
But doing so made her nose grow and she screamed in fright.
“Apple Bloom!” Applejack gasped, glaring. “How dare you fib?!”
I, uh, uh…” Apple Bloom didn’t know what to say.
“You don’t say!” The Blue Fairy said. “And where were Sir Jiminy, Spike and the girls?”
“Eh, huh? Oh, Jiminy? The girls?” Pinocchio asked.
The ponies tried to motion him to speak no further; the cricket jumped in front of him.
“Hey, psst!” Jiminy ushered. “Leave us outta this!”
“Let us talk with her,” Rarity offered.
“They put him in a little sack,” Pinocchio lied once more. “And the others were tied against a tree.”
Pinocchio’s eye made his nose grow so long, Jiminy Cricket landed on top of it.
“No!” The fairy said.
“Yeah!” Pinocchio lied, as flowers bloomed on his nose.
Applejack almost got sick, holding her hoof to her mouth.
“He’s making it worse,” Twilight shuddered.
“How did you escape?” The fairy asked.
“We didn’t,” Pinocchio lied. “They chopped us into firewood."
Applejack face-hoofed herself, as Pinocchio’s nose became longer. At the tip, a bird’s nest appeared, and two baby birds hatched from their eggs. Jiminy, who was in the nest, didn’t know what to say.
“Oh, now you’ve done it!” Twilight said.
“Oh! Oh, look! My nose!” Pinocchio panicked.
“And mine too!” Apple Bloom said, touching hers.
“What’s happened?” Pinocchio asked.
“Perhaps you haven’t been telling the truth, Pinocchio,” The fairy said.
“Perhaps?!” Applejack and Jiminy said, in unison.
“As did you, Apple Bloom,” The fairy told the yellow filly.
“What?!” Apple Bloom panicked. “Me?!”
“Oh, but I have, every single word,” Pinocchio lied again.
“DON’T!!!” Every pony shouted.
But the nose kept growing, till the green leaves turned red and brown. The two birds flew away while Pinocchio’s nose looked like a wilted branch.
“ENOUGH!” Applejack shouts, throwing her hat to the ground. “Ah can’t take this anymore. And you, Apple Bloom, you oughtta be ashamed o’ yourself! Ya know what ah told you ‘bout lying and ya do it anyway!”
“Don’t be so hard on them, Applejack,” Twilight said.
Pinocchio and Apple Bloom felt very guilty, while Tender Taps tried to comfort his filly friend.
“They should’ve told her the truth!” Applejack insists. “Then they wouldn’t be in this much trouble.”
Sighing, Twilight stepped forward as the fairy looked down.
“Miss Fairy, we are to blame for this. They went on their own to school while the rest of us overslept.”
“I can forgive you for that, Princess Twilight,” The fairy said. “Everybody makes mistakes.”
“Actually… It’s our fault, Blue Fairy!” Tender spoke up.
“It’s okay, Tender…” Jiminy said.
“No… Applejack is right, she was right about everything. We were told not to ditch school and become actors, but we did it anyway. I saw how Apple Bloom wanted to help her sister so badly, wanting to make the money for the farm, I just didn’t have the heart to say ‘no’. I just didn’t want to disappoint the one pony I consider my best friend.”
“Tender Taps…” Apple Bloom said, softly.
“Oh, please help us!” Pinocchio begged. “We’re awful sorry.”
“Miss Applejack is right,” The Blue Fairy explained. “You see, children, a lie keeps growing and growing until it’s as plain as the nose on your face.”
By that point, Jiminy Cricket crossed on Pinocchio’s nose to approach the trio.
“She’s right, kids. They both are. You better come clean.”
“I’ll never lie again,” Apple Bloom said.
“And me too,” Pinocchio said truthfully. “Honest, I won’t.”
Jiminy ran back into the nest, meeting eye-to-eye with the Fairy.
“Please, Your Honor—Uh, uh, I mean, Miss Fairy. Give them another chance, for my sake. Will ya, huh?"
The fairy watched the cricket plead so adorably, she couldn’t say ‘no’ to that face.
“I’ll forgive all of you this once. But remember, a boy who won’t be good might just as well be made of wood.”
“Wow, she’d be great friends with Zecora,” Pinkie remarked.
“Shut up,” Rainbow whispered.
“We’ll be good, won’t we?” Everybody and pony said in unison.
“Very well,” The Fairy nodded. “But this is the last time I can help you.”
With one flick of her wand, and a warm smile, Pinocchio’s and Apple Bloom’s nose turned back to normal while she disappeared.
“Gee, look everyone, my nose!” Pinocchio said happily.
“And mine too!” Apple Bloom said, before facing her sister. “Ah’m sorry, Applejack. Ah really am. I just panicked and—”
“I forgive you, little sis,” Applejack said, motherly. “As long as you learned your lesson.”
“We sure did, didn’t we?” Apple Bloom asked Tender and Pinocchio.
“We sure did,” They both said.
“And Tender Taps,” Applejack said.
“Yes… Miss Applejack?” Tender asked, nervously.
“I know that was hard on you; I understand why you kids did it. I’m not happy with what you did, but you truly are a good friend.”
“Thank you,” Tender said, softly.
“Hey, we’re free!” Jiminy said.
Sure enough, the door of the cage was unlocked amidst the spectacle.
“YIPPEE!” Pinkie shouted.
“Shh!” Every pony hushed her.
“Oops, sorry,” Pinkie said, with a squee.
“So much for the teleportation spell,” Twilight sighed.
“Maybe next time, Twilight,” Spike said, patting her shoulder.
“Come on, everybody!” Jiminy said, hopping ahead.
They all went to the door and one-by-one they left the caravan in complete silence. While everyone was outside, they watched Stromboli ride off singing without knowing what was going on.
They were hiding behind the rock, waiting till the caravan drifted off in the distance.
“Well, that problem’s solved,” Spike said.
“Toodle-ooo, Stromboli,” Jiminy said.
“Goodbye!” Apple Bloom said, loudly.
“Goodbye, Mr. Strombo--!” Pinocchio said, very loud.
“Shh!” Jiminy hushed. “Quiet! Let’s get outta here before something else happens.”
“Or else, we’re going to have to fight him,” Rainbow said, then thought. “Although that’s not a bad idea…”
“Come on, every pony!” Rarity said. “Let’s go back to Geppetto.”
“Fine!” Rainbow groaned.
The group ran all the way back to town. Luckily, it wasn’t too far as they could just see the rooftops and they would never see Stromboli ever again.
The Red Lobster Inn
Meanwhile, back at the harbor inn, the fiendish girls had aligned with Honest John, Gideon the Cat and the mysterious Coachman. All night they conversed over various things while sipping beer and smoking cigars, well the girls mostly drank. Honest John had told them of the moment they sold a living puppet and two talking ponies to the brutal puppet master, Stromboli.
Adagio had immediately become interested. Not only because of puppets brought to life, but also there were talking ponies in town.
Of course, Honest John had no trouble singing while the pianist played a familiar tune. It was so catchy even Sonata was in the mood to dance along. But for folks just tuning in, it went a little something like this.
After the song, the fox laughed while Sonata clapped her hands.
“Do another song!” Sonata cheered.
“NO!” Adagio and Aria said, in unison.
“And the dummy and mules fell for it…” Honest John laughed, paying no heed. “Hook, line and sinker!”
While he kept laughing, Gideon blew another cloud of smoke shaped like a donut. The cat grabbed it, making Aria’s eyes widen, dipping it in his cup of beer and bit off a piece like a real donut.
“How did you do that?” Aria asked the cat.
The cat shrugged, meaning he doesn’t know either. Then he hiccups, while the smoke in his hand disappeared.
While listening to John’s story, Adagio had her fingers tapping her chin in thought. The Coachman listened too while smoking his pipe.
“And they still think we’re their friends!” The fox laughed again. “And did Stromboli pay… Plenty!”
The fox showed the small bag of gold from the puppet master. He kept laughing while the Coachman looked at his pipe and smiled. Aria took one look at the bag and, unsurprisingly, wasn’t impressed at all.
“You call that plenty?” Aria asked, mockingly. “Ha! You can’t even buy a house with this. It sounds to me Stromboli played you for fools.”
“Say whatever you want, dearie,” The fox said pridefully. “It’s better than nothing. That shows you how low Honest John will stoop, eh, Giddy?”
Gideon was drinking his beer when he heard his name, nodding in response. Suddenly, he accidentally blew in his cup and got beer all over him. Aria and the Coachman raised an eyebrow at the scene.
“It’s hard to believe there’s a real live puppet in town,” Adagio said. “I do believe you about the pony part. Which means, there’s Equestrian magic here that will help us get back to power. I say we find them while the night is young.”
“And then what?” Aria asked, sarcastically. “Ruin everything because of your cockiness?”
“This is our best chance to make everyone do our bidding again!” Adagio yelled. “Or else, I can just do the job myself and leave you both here to rot!”
“Oh, come on, Dagi—” Sonata begged.
“Calm down, ladies,” The Coachman spoke. “No need for you to argue. That Equestrian magic, you speak of, sounds pretty useful. I’d like to know more about it; I happen to have a kind of magic where I live.”
“Really?” Adagio asked, interested. “What kind of magic?”
“Ladies… Gentlemen… I would like to make a proposition with you.”
“Really? Well, uh, Coachman,” Honest John said, sucking his cigar and blowing a cloud of smoke. “What is your proposition?”
“Well…” The Coachman began, smoking his pipe before speaking further.
The man reached into his coat to grab something.
“How would you blokes like to make some real money?”
From inside his coat he pulled out a big sack of gold. He dropped it on the table and the gold became visible, shining under the bright light. The fox, the cat and the Sirens looked at the sack in awe.
“Wow!” Aria said, not moody for the first time. “Now that is plenty!”
“He’s loaded!” Sonata said, eyes widen.
Honest John couldn’t keep his eyes off the coins in the sack.
“Well! And who do we have to, eh—” He asked, placing his finger against his throat and making a sound to cut someone’s throat.
“Hmm… Seems low, even for us,” Adagio admits. “But… We’ll do anything to help with the plan. As long as we get Equestrian magic in our possession and get back home, we’ll take anyone.”
“No, no! Nothing like that,” The Coachman said. “You see—”
Before the Coachman could speak further, he stopped and looked behind him. The fox, the cat and the sirens looked behind and around, ensuring no one was eavesdropping.
“I think it’s safe to speak,” Adagio whispered.
“I’m collecting stupid little boys,” The Coachman whispered with a smile.
“Stupid little boys?” Honest John and Adagio asked, simultaneously.
Even Adagio wondered where this is going, raising an eyebrow suspiciously.
“You know, the disobedient ones what play hooky from school,” The Coachman explained.
“Oh, those stupid boys,” Adagio nodded.
“Oh!” Honest John nodded, understandingly.
“What about these… Boys?” Aria asked.
“Well, you see…” The Coachman began.
The next words he spoke were whispered into Adagio and John’s ear.
“Yes… Oh!” Honest John said.
“Really?” Adagio said, interested. “No surprise there…. Oh… Hmm, hmm, hmm… My, my…”
Gideon, Aria and Sonata were eager to listen so bad. Gideon came close to Honest John’s ear, while Sonata did the same with Adagio.
“This is weird,” Aria remarked.
Sonata gestured Aria to come closer.
“Can you really hear what he says?” Aria asked.
“I hope so,” Sonata said.
Aria placed her ear against Sonata’s, while Gideon looked inside John’s ear. He placed a finger inside, twirling it in to clear a path. He placed his ear against the fox’s ear again, while placing his finger on the other ear to hear better. It looks like it improved, as he nodded in satisfaction. Eventually, the Coachman stopped whispering and spoke normally.
“And I takes ‘em to Pleasure Island.”
“Pleasure Island?” The sirens asked.
“Ah, Pleasure Island,” The fox nodded, till his eyes widen in realization.
“PLEASURE ISLAND?!”
The shock made the fox push Gideon away, much to the Sirens confusion. The Coachman slowly nodded.
“What about that place?” Adagio asked.
“Do we get to play with the boys?” Sonata asked, innocently.
“I wish that was all, dear,” The fox said fearfully. “It’s some kind of amusement park on an island, but you don’t want to know what happens there.”
The sirens saw how scared the Fox was as Gideon picked himself back on his feet. Soon the fox turned to the Coachman, who seemed unfazed by the Fox’s reaction.
“You’re really going to send them there? But the law, suppose they…?”
“No, no. There is no risk,” The Coachman replied, slowly smiling. “They never come back… As BOYS!”
On that last word, the Coachman gave the fox, the cat and three Sirens the most evil, scariest grin they’ve ever seen. His face completely red, his green eyes big and eerie, his white hair shift into horns, and worst of all, his smile was the scariest part of all. Adagio’s smiles could be scary from time to time, depending on the time of day, but even she recognized this guy as the stuff of nightmares. If that wasn’t enough, he unleashed a very scary, sinister laugh that rivals Adagio’s.
When the company saw that face, they all got the fright of their lives. Gideon and Honest John held onto each other, while Sonata and Aria did the same. Adagio was most surprised, and while it scared her a bit, she tried to hold her ground and stay strong. Gideon and Sonata hid deep in the arms of their friends. Honest John began to sweat in fear, even Aria looked nervous. Then the four cuddled close together fearfully, before the Coachman urged them closer.
Adagio, still surprised by that face, cleared her throat and straightened up.
“You know that Pleasure Island deal sounds really serious. Actually, I’d like to know what goes on there.”
“Of course, of course,” The Coachman nodded. “Help me out, then you’ll have right to know.”
“Whatever it is… I’m already beginning to like it,” Adagio said, with her trademark smile.
Honest John and Gideon held onto each other in fear again, after now seeing Adagio’s smile.
“Brilliant!” The Coachman said, offering his hand. “It’s a deal?”
Adagio took his hand without hesitation and they shook on it.
“The girls and I can easily bring many boys to you with the aid of our voices,” Adagio said, with another smile. “They won’t even know what’s coming to them.”
She truly was interested in Pleasure Island. What is the Coachman’s wicked business on the island that made the fox and cat scared? She just had to know.
“Good,” The Coachman said. “Now, I’ve got a coach load leaving at midnight. We’ll meet at the crossroads, and no double-crossing!”
“No, sir,” Honest John said, fearfully.
“No, sir,” Sonata shivered.
“Scout around, and any good prospects you find, bring ‘em to me,” The Coachman instructed.
“Yes, Chief,” John, Sonata and Aria said in unison.
“I’ll pay you well,” The Coachman said. “All of you; I got plenty of gold.”
“Yes, yes,” Honest John nodded.
“You won’t be disappointed, Coachman,” Adagio said. “Tonight, it’s going to be your lucky night.”
