//------------------------------// // The Star Gaze Festival/Dreams Do Come True // Story: The Disney Chronicles II: Pinocchio // by Dinodisneylover1 //------------------------------// It was a lengthy train ride by the time they reached Canterlot. Riding on Twilight’s back, the cricket could hardly believe there was a city and a castle built into the side of a mountain. Thanks to the assistance of both Jiminy and Princess Luna, Twilight manages to prepare everything for the Star Gaze Festival from decorations to the food. The princess of the night was surprised to meet the new visitor, the same for Jiminy, who couldn’t help but stare at her beauty. But after proper introductions, Luna was happy to help. By the time nighttime approached, all was ready. The festival took place outside, along the same spot where every pony watched the meteor shower. There were tables lined with food, a few tables here and there and some ponies set up telescopes to watch the stars. Many ponies arrived to celebrate, even Twilight’s entire family came along. The Mane Six, Spike, Jiminy, Apple Bloom and Tender Taps sat together along with the other Cutie Mark Crusaders. Even Princess Luna was there to share the ponies the beauty of the night and the stars. In the meantime, Rainbow Dash told the story to the rest of the Crusaders. “There he was: This huge monster!” Rainbow said, expanding her arms. “I’m telling you it was the biggest whale I’ve ever seen. We swam as fast as we could but ended up in his belly.” Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo gasped. “How did you escape?” Scootaloo asked. “Simple, we made him sneeze! It was Pinocchio’s brilliant idea.” “But first they deal with…” Apple Bloom began. “Shh, Apple Bloom!” Sweetie Belle hushed. “Don’t spoil anything.” “Sorry, it was just so great!” Apple Bloom said, excitedly. “Anyways, before we escaped, we had to deal with some old enemies of Twilight’s,” Rainbow continued, as Twilight smirked. “There were these Sirens who call themselves ‘The Dazzlings’. You see…” Twilight and the others watch Rainbow go on with the story over a snack and drinks. “Good ole’ Rainbow,” Applejack chuckled. “She loves to tell stories, especially when she’s in it.” “No doubt about it,” Jiminy nodded, sipping cider through a straw. “Mmm… Your cider is pretty good!” “Thanks, Jiminy,” Applejack smiled. “That means a lot.” At the moment, Twilight wrote a letter to the princess about what she and her friends learned from their adventure. “Dear Princess Celestia, My friends and I learned a few great and important lessons from our new adventure in the Book of Disney that I hope to share with you someday. The first is about wishes. I know I said it takes effort to make them true, but sometimes just believing and wishing on the brightest star in the sky can make them true too. Who better to teach me this lesson than your very own sister Princess Luna. Second, as I said before, I ‘still’ believe it takes effort to make them real. The most important qualities are being brave, truthful and unselfish. Pinocchio, a puppet brought to life by the Blue Fairy and our newest friend, proved all those things throughout our adventure. As a reward, he became the real boy his father, Geppetto, wanted him to be. Last, but certainly not least, never forget a lie, no matter the size of it, will always be a lie. One that keeps growing and growing until it’s as plain as the nose on your face. That you must learn to listen from those trying to protect you, whether it’s your friends or family. Most importantly, listen to your own conscience. In the words of a very wise Fairy: Always let your conscience be your guide. Your faithful student, Princess Twilight Sparkle." After Twilight finished the letter, she regrouped with the rest of her friends. “I bet your very proud to be an official conscience now,” Spike spoke to Jiminy. “You bet I am,” Jiminy said, proudly. “Wow! A talking cricket!” A cute voice startled Jiminy as he looked up. Apple Bloom’s friends, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle, looked down to him wide-eyed with wonder. “Is this the same cricket from your adventure?” Sweetie Belle asked. “Yep, that’s him,” Apple Bloom said. “Cool!” Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo said, in unison. “Hello, little ones,” Jiminy greeted the fillies. “Cricket’s the name, Jiminy Cricket.” “Hello, Jiminy!” Scootaloo said. “Is it really true you were the conscience of a living puppet?” Sweetie Belle asked. “That’s right,” Jiminy nodded. “I’m Pinocchio’s conscience and friend.” “Awesome!” Scootaloo exclaimed. “I totally want to experience an adventure someday!” “Me too!” Sweetie Belle agreed. “Maybe next time we could all travel together,” Apple Bloom suggested. “Even better!” Sweetie Belle said. Together, the three fillies walked around the festival as they continued to talk about the adventure. “Pinocchio was so brave,” Apple Bloom sighed. “He saved me from the sea.” “Ooh, some pony has a crush on him!” Sweetie Belle teased. “I do not!” Apple Bloom retorts. “He’s just a good friend, like Tender.” “So, who do you like the most?” Scootaloo teased. “Tender or Pinocchio?” “Very funny, girls,” Apple Bloom said, sarcastically. “Very funny.” The three shared a good laugh while the Mane Six, Spike and Jiminy were busy. Suddenly, a few ponies gasp and started bowing, making way for another very special somepony. It was none other than the ruler of daylight: Princess Celestia. The moment Jiminy saw her, he couldn’t help but stare. “My, who’s that?” Jiminy asked. “That’s Princess Celestia,” Twilight answered. “Luna’s sister. She’s in charge of the sun.” “Unbelievable! Normally, the sun and moon move by themselves, but here your princesses control them?” “They usually raise and lower them, but yes.” “How long have they been ruling Equestria?” “About a thousand years.” Jiminy’s eyes went wide when he heard the number, facing Twilight. “A thousand years?” Jiminy asked. “Celestia and Luna are over a thousand years old?” “Yep,” Twilight answered. “And so young… They must be immortal!” “They sure are.” It didn’t take long for the white alicorn to pass the other ponies, many saying ‘Your Majesty’ as she passed by, merging through the crowd toward her favorite group of ponies. “Princess Celestia,” The Mane Six bowed. “Good evening, my little ponies,” The princess greeted. “How are you this evening?” “We’re doing fine, princess,” Rarity nods. “On what do we owe your visit at this hour?” “I came to see what a marvelous job Luna did for the festival. I also heard rumors of a new visitor in Equestria, a certain talking cricket.” The princess herself lowers her head toward Jiminy’s level. “Are you that cricket?” The princess batted her eyelashes for a moment, the little cricket’s face turned red as he pulled his coat collar. “Well, uh… I, uh… Um… Uh-huh.” “It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Celestia giggled. “What is your name?” “Cricket’s the name,” Jiminy tipped his hat, bowing. “Jiminy Cricket, at your service.” “Welcome to Equestria, Mr. Cricket,” Princess Celestia greeted. “I hope you’re enjoying your stay.” “Why thank you, your Majesty. You have an amazing world. Your student and her friends have been incredibly kind to me.” “I’m glad to hear that.” “Princess Celestia,” Twilight stepped in. “I just wrote you a letter about the lessons from our previous adventure in the Book of Disney.” “That’s very good, Twilight,” Celestia replied. “I’ll read it later. So, Sir Jiminy, you must be from one of the worlds inside the Book of Disney?” “I am, Your Majesty,” Jiminy nodded. “Amazing! I would love to hear more about you someday.” “Well, I’ll be sticking around a while, so I’d be most honored to tell you, Your Majesty.” Suddenly, the stars above shone brighter than before. With a little help from the moon, the night sky was more beautiful than ever. “Hey, every pony!” Pinkie called, pointing up. “Look up there!” Every pony turned to the night sky, all sitting on their haunches, watching the beauty of night. “Wow!” Rainbow said, in awe. “Beautiful!” Fluttershy said. “It’s simply divine!” Rarity said. “I could watch this all night,” Jiminy replied. “Yes, the night really is beautiful,” Twilight said. “I’m so proud of you, Luna,” Celestia said, a tear falling from her eye. From the moon, Luna couldn’t be any happier seeing all the ponies cuddled together and watching the night sky in peace as she continued her job throughout the night. A few hours passed the festival, every pony soon decided it was time to hit the hay. Applejack and her whole family went back to the farm, even her grandfather from her mother’s side, Grand Pear. Granny Smith invited him a few days ago to join them at the festival and offered him to spend a night on the farm. It made Applejack smile, but she couldn’t help but recall something the Blue Fairy said. Apple Bloom had the same thought, but they were too tired to talk about it. After tucking her sister into bed, Applejack was in her own room fast asleep. But suddenly, a bright light shone through the window causing her eyes to open. “What the hay?!” She asked, tiredly. She approached the window and looked out. One of the stars shone brighter than the others. Suddenly, two balls of light fell from the sky and impacted outside the farm grounds. (Stop music at 0:30) “Now what in tarnation is goin’ on this time?” Applejack asked herself, leaving her room. (Music at 2:22) Downstairs, Applejack opened the door and went outside. She saw a big, bright light before her and at first all was quiet. “Applejack…” A soft female voice took Applejack by surprise, as she looked around. “Applejack…” Another voice called out, this time it was male. It didn’t take long for Applejack to realize both voices were coming from the light. “Alright, whoever you are,” Applejack said. “You better dim the lights and show me who you are or you’re in very big trouble!” The light revealed two silhouettes similar to ponies, but neither showed who they were. Applejack stood in a fighting stance, anticipating the danger she’s facing. “I’m warning you: Show me who you are or get off my farm! You ain’t hurtin’ mah family!” But again, the two silhouettes didn’t move. Now Applejack was getting impatient. “I said… SHOW YOURSELVES!” Applejack spoke loudly. (Music at 3:28) Suddenly, the two silhouettes took form revealing who they were. One was a stallion who resembled her brother, but with her mane style and her little sister’s coat along with a Stetson hat. The other was a beautiful mare with pale gamboge fur skin and an orange mane. Applejack’s eyes widen, staring in shock and disbelief. It was a sight she was very familiar with of two ponies she hasn’t seen in years. And yet, here they were. “Hello, dear,” The mare spoke. Applejack didn’t move, thinking this was just a dream. It could possibly be a trick; she couldn’t believe it was real. “I know what you’re thinking, Applejack,” The mare said, understandingly. “You’re thinking if we are real or not.” “But we are very real, dear,” The stallion said. “That is the honest truth.” Applejack eventually took a few steps forward to look closely. “M-Mom?” The mare smiled and nodded, as Applejack faced the stallion. “Dad?” The stallion smiled and nodded too. At first, Applejack didn’t know what else to say. It was too much to bear, it was too good to be true. “Applejack?” An adorable little voice made Applejack look behind her, as her sister walked outside. “What’s going on?” She asked, sleepily. “What was that bright light?” Then Apple Bloom saw the two ponies, sharing the same reaction as Applejack. The two ponies saw the little filly and nearly gasped. “What in tarnation is going on here?” Next thing you know, Granny Smith, Big Mac and Grand Pear walked outside to see what was going on. “Who’s the whippersnapper who started the light show?” Granny Smith asked. It didn’t take long for them to get their answer at the sight of two ponies. All of them looked stunned, but none more so than Grand Pear, who took a step forward for a closer look. “Pe-Pear Butter?” Grand Pear asked, a tear falling from his eye. “Is that you?” “Hello, daddy,” Pear Butter said, a tear falling from her eye. Granny faced the stallion, with tear-filled eyes. “Bright Mac?” Granny asked, tearfully. “Hello, Ma,” Bright Mac answered, lovingly. Pear Butter looked upon Applejack, Apple Bloom and Big Mac, all three in shock. Then she lifted the youngest daughter, and Apple Bloom realized she was ‘real’. Her eyes teared up and she smiled. “MOM!” Apple Bloom said, hugging her. “Mah children,” Pear Butter said, tearfully. Soon both Applejack and Big Mac joined in the hug. (Stop music at 4:51) "Mom!" Big Mac spoke, with a tear. “Mah sweet little children,” Pear Butter said, hugging them. Granny and her son looked at each other. She placed a hoof on his cheek, and it was true. It felt as real as the hug shared between her grandchildren and their mother. “Oh, Bright Mac. You’re still as handsome as ever and you ain’t aged a day.” “Not once, ma,” Bright Mac shook his head, smiling. They both hugged each other, Granny overcome with tears as Bright Mac comforted her. “It’s alright, ma.” After a while, Pear Butter released the hug from her children to approach her father, who felt like crying seeing his daughter again. “P-Pear Butter,” Grand Pear spoke, as he cried. “So many things I want to say, so much I wanted to tell you. I’m… I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have been so stupid. If… If I knew what…” “Shh…” Pear Butter hushed him. She warmly hugged her father, as she too began to cry. “I forgive you daddy,” She said. “I always have.” “My little girl,” He said, accepting the hug. “My little Pear Butter.” “But… But how?” Big Mac asked. Apple Bloom thought for a moment before turning to the sky. Sure enough, she saw it: The wishing star. “The Blue Fairy,” She spoke, softly. Everypony turned to her as she nodded at her own response. “The Blue Fairy truly kept her promise; she fulfilled our wish.” “What Blue Fairy?” Grand Pear asked. “She’s a magical being we met on our previous adventure,” Applejack said. “Does this mean you can stay with us?” Apple Bloom asked. “We would love nothing more than to do that, Apple Bloom,” Pear Butter said. But then, she faced the ground sadly. Even Bright Mac looked down in regret. “I’m just sorry we can’t,” Pear Butter concluded. This made every pony gasp. “We can only be here for a short time, but no longer,” Bright Mac said. “Even we wished there was another way.” Applejack understood, they knew she couldn’t ask the Blue Fairy to bring them to life permanently. But she still couldn’t help but look on the ground sadly. Pear Butter saw the expression on her daughter’s face and placed a hoof along her cheek. “Oh, Applejack. I know it’s been hard for you, all of you. But I do hope you understand.” Apple Bloom approached her mother again, who turned around and they hugged each other. “But… Wi-Will we ever see you again?” Apple Bloom asked, tearfully. “We’ve always been there for you,” Bright Mac said. “For you, for Applejack… For all of you. You only need to look hard enough.” “Your father is right,” Pear Butter said. “Even when we’re not around, we’ll always be there for you.” Applejack shed a few tears, eventually nodding in acceptance and smiled. “If you ever want to see us again,” Pear Butter continued. “Always look toward the stars and the wishing star will be there waiting for you.” “Pear Butter, I wish I could spend more time with you,” Grand Pear said. “There’s so much we could’ve done and so much for me to make up for.” “I know, daddy,” Pear Butter said. “But now, you must spend that time with your grandchildren. They will need you, as you need them. Will you promise to look out for them?” Grand Pear looked at his daughter, then to Granny Smith and his grandchildren. “I promise, Pear Butter,” He said, smiling. “I won’t fail you again.” “Thank you, daddy,” Pear Butter whispered. “Always remember, Ma,” Bright Mac said. “Even though I’m not around, I know you’ll do a great job taking care of them.” “They mean everything to me,” Granny said, tearfully. “Just like you were, Bright Mac.” Then they all hugged each other, making the most of their time. “We’ll miss you, so much,” Big Mac said, tearfully. “Us too,” Bright Mac said, as he and his wife stepped backward. “Never forget everything we’ve told you.” “Thank you, for everything,” Pear Butter said, holding her husband tightly. The Apples and Grand Pear watch Bright Mac and Pear Butter’s silhouettes shine brightly, shifting into balls of light floating into the night sky. They looked up for a few moments and felt something new within their hearts. True the sadness was still there, but there was something else: Happiness. Applejack took off her hat, the one her father gave her years ago, admiring it. Her father used to say passing the torch is a ‘right of passage’ that takes many forms. The day her father passed down his Stetson hat was the most important day of her life. Which is why Applejack never spoke about her parents death, not to any pony. Losing someone very dearly to her, two in mind, and wanting to do everything to have them back… It was tough. But this hat made her feel closer to them and only now did she realize they never left. That whether it’s taking care of something that belongs to them, looking at pictures, the stars or even more beautiful: Dreaming about them… In a way, it all feels real. (Complete ending of music) (Start music at 0:36) When Applejack looked at her father’s hat, along toward the rest of her family, she accepted her parents weren’t really gone even when it feels that way. “Ah can’t believe she did it,” Apple Bloom said, referring to the Blue Fairy. “Eeyup,” Big Mac said. “We really should thank her.” Granny and Grand Pear looked toward the night sky, crying happily. “After all this time, I finally saw my son again,” Granny said. “And my daughter too,” Grand Pear said, moving closer to Granny. “But I don’t get it,” Apple Bloom said. “If the Blue Fairy came from another world, how could she still fulfill our wish?” “Ah guess…” Applejack began. “The wishing star, like any other star, is always connected to many worlds. Ours… And Pinocchio’s. Ya know, Apple Bloom. Looking at the star makes me feel closer to our parents. That everything, no matter how impossible… Is possible!” “Funny, I was feeling the same way,” Apple Bloom said. “We all do,” Granny added, smiling. “Eeyup,” Big Mac said. “Yeah,” Applejack said, looking up with a smile. “Ah think it’s swell.” They cuddled close together, watching the brightest star in the night sky. THE END