//------------------------------// // Act 3, Scene 2 // Story: Doctor Horrible is Adorable // by Scarlett Haze //------------------------------// "SO THIS IS WHAT WE RESORT TO? TRYING TO CHEAT THE SCORE SYSTEM? ATTEMPTING TO GET RID OF SOME COMPETITION?" All four of us sat in front of the bulging biceps of Snowflake, I kept Moist, codename Angel for the moment, close to me as Snowflake bore down into us. "I TRY TO RUN A GOOD, CLEAN, HONEST SYSTEM OF FUN, EXCITEMENT, AND SAFETY. AND WHAT'S WORSE, IT'S NOT FROM TROUBLEMAKERS, IT'S FROM TEAM CAPTAINS!" Each of us kept our eyes down and away from Snowflake, mostly to avoid getting spit in our eyes. For me, it was the worst feeling I could think of. I didn't do anything wrong, and here I was being roped with two bullies and a friend who stood up for me. "YOUR TEAMS HAVE BEEN PENALIZED POINTS FOR BOTH OF YOUR ACTIONS, FLUTTERSHY AND RAINBOW DASH. AS OF NOW, TEAM CLAMOR IS IN THE LEAD AND WILL BE ACCEPTING THE CAMP PRIZE." "What?!" Rainbow Dash yelled out. "Come on! That's not even close to fair! These two bozos are on Gilda's team anyway! If anything, Team Clamor should be in last!" Snowflake slammed the desk and pushed his face close to Rainbow Dash's. "YOU ARE MEANT TO BE A LEADER, WHEN YOU ARE IN THE WRONG, THE WHOLE TEAM IS IN THE WRONG! CLAMOR LOST POINTS, BUT IT IS BECAUSE OF YOUR LEADERSHIP STATUS THAT MADE BOTH CHEER AND UPROAR LOSE EVEN MORE!" I didn't say a word, I just let judgement come down as Snowflake dismissed us. Moist hung onto my mane as I trot back to Cabin Cheer. I knew it wouldn't matter in a few more moments though, the Transmatter Ray I had managed to concoct was nearly completed anyway. I kept away from everypony and stayed in my hidden closet with the ray, my coat, and Moist. "We're nearly there, little buddy," I whispered. *** Robo-Horrible watched as one of his disposable henchmen was dragged toward the spinning wheel of energy and light, kicking and screaming as he was dragged closer to the device that crossed into the unknown. No emotion was shown as the henchman was thrown in, a scream of intense pain turned into an animalistic howl. "Results," Robo-Horrible ordered his handlers of the transdimensional transmitter. "He's gone, sir," came the response. "He must have been broken apart when we attempted to maintain his proper form, just like Moist." Robo-Horrible lifted the responder and bore into his eyes. "Then, fix it! Everything I had told you and your stupid compatriots to make this is flawless! There should be no reason why it should not work!" As Robo-Horrible kept the henchman held up, a jarring set of beeping came from a console. With a swipe of his arms, the henchman was flung across the room and turned his attention to the monitor display. "So, Moist," Robo-Horrible hummed in happy malice. "You have made it. Not like the bipedal homo sapian that you once were, but this is nothing that concerns me." Robo-Horrible watched as the bunny kept close to his target and let his calculations run in his mind. As more of his calculations came running through his eyes, a chuckle of confidence surged up in him. He was going to annihilate the annoyance and in turn gain access to another world and its resources. He would expand his influence beyond Earth and become bigger and badder than Bad Horse. He twisted a knob and hit a few buttons before looking to his destiny. *** I kept at the machine as Moist went back to chittering. I kept trying to focus, but his constant yammering made things difficult for me to concentrate. I finally went to turn to Moist and yell at him when I heard his voice for the first time in months. "-AND HE'S GOING TO DESTROY THE CAMP!" I froze, looking at the panting rabbit that was my friend and trying desperately to fool myself into believing I didn't hear him. "You can't talk," I hurriedly let out, trying to block out his voice. "Now you acknowledge me," Moist said, exasperated in his attempts finally reaching out to his friend. "Were you listening this whole time just to screw with me?!" "♪La La La La La♪ Not listening!" I yelled, trying to overload my ears with sound to end the new psychosis that came up. "Don't give me that!" Moist continued as I tried stomping around and clanking wrenches together. "You need to take care of Robo-Horrible before he comes here!" I stopped clanking things together and went quiet. Looking over at Moist, I could see in his eyes that even as a bunny he wouldn't be able to lie to me. If Robo-Horrible was to really come to Summer Flight Camp alongside the henchmen that I had accumulated, not even flying ponies would stop him. "Stare." I blinked. It was the young filly voice again. She sounded fearful, not wanting to face something unknown. Moving the goggles over my eyes, I picked up Moist and debated on leaving for home or readying for a fight. *** "Fillies and Gentlecolts, the captain of the winning cabin is willing to make a speech," Sunset solumnly announced. Every member of Cabin Clammer applauded as Gilda came up to the podium on stage. Many of the other campers had only politely clopped hooves, despite their hatred of Gilda and what she had been able to get away with. Sunset Boulevard set herself beside Snowflake and whispered to him, "Was it really a good idea to let her have a speech?" "TRADITION WILL BE UPHELD IN MY CAMP!" Snowflake authoritatively grunted back. "JUST LIKE THE RULES THAT WERE MADE IN THE CAMP'S INAUGURATION." Gilda set her front claws on the podium and leaned forward into it, staring down at the audience of dweebs and suckers. "I hate losing," she began. "No doubt, so do all of you. But the fact is, I'm up here, and you're not." "When I first met Rainbow Dash at the campsite, she turned me to this whole 'Loser' problem from the get-go," Gilda continued, letting a smirk go along her face as many of the fillies and colts squirmed angrily in their seats, unable to do anything. "That's when I realized that I'm the only winner in this place." Every pone's a Loser It may not feel too easy, begging just to win, But you know who does that? Not me! And I always give the beat! So you wonder what your part is, ‘cause you're stupid, and so dumb. But your mind is where the head is, so your a big airhead! Every pone's a loser in their own way! Every pone's got problems they must face! You're not as cool as me, but folks you know it's fine to know your place! Every pone's a loser in their own way! In their own not-a-winner way! So I thank my gal pal, Dashie! (Yeah, she handed me the win!) She showed there are so many dweebs that I can crush! There's the jocks of compensation, there's the cheerleaders (Fine!), I'm not content to bash in heads, I've got to bash in minds! Every pone's a loser in their own way! Every pone's got somethin' they can do! Get up, go out, and fly - especially that guy! He smells like po - o! Every pone's a loser in their own way! You, and you, but not me! - And you! I'm the cool new sheriff. And I'm bringing on the pain. A winner doesn't care if you're a bunch of failing good for nothing bums! (Everybody!) The crowd remained silent, each filly angrily staring daggers at Gilda as she continued to revel in her glory; the trophy slowly being brought before her. Every pone's a loser in their own way! Every pone can travel the walk of shame! Don't worry if it's hard, if you're not a friggin' ‘tard You will preva - il! Every pone's a loser in their own way! Every pone's a loser in thei - A loud rumble and multiple crashes rang around the building, making the crowd of fillies cry out in fear. The adults attempted to keep the fillies from rushing off in a panic. The doors were kicked through as multiple ponies of every variety flew through, each wearing jetpacks and donning intimidating black garb. They all eventually hung in the air above the little ponies as a lengthy shadow stretched from the doorway into the building. "Where is the pony you call, Fluttershy?" *** At the Canterlot Castle, panic had spread. The obvious noise that had blown out rang all around Equestria, causing many ponies to look in the direction of Canterlot. Celestia's own eyes rested on the cloud city and remained stoic, knowing who to contact. Her eyes shut as a silent call was made. *** Each step that was taken by Robo-Horrible, echoed in the hall. His height terrifying every creature in the room. No one is safe... Look at these creatures, amazing how they all Show up for the slaughter! Each one condemning, you lined up like targets, You leapt up in terror! Why can't you be what I see? Why can't they close their eyes? Maybe the fee's too pricey for them to realize Her disguise is slipping! His face moved in close to a colt, his lengthy shadow suddenly becoming wide. I think you're slipping! He pulled back, still trying to find his target. Now that your voice is still as the grave you Cower before me! Like cavemen fear thunder, I still have to wonder, Can you really hear me? I bring you pain, the kind you can't suffer quietly! Fire up your brain, remind you inside your tiring Society is slipping! Everything's slipping away, so - A beam of red light from Robo-Horrible began firing, tearing holes into the building and floor as he continued to approach the stage. The hench poines that had lined the walls now covered the only exit as the chaos commenced. Go ahead! Run away! Say it was Horrible! Spread the word! Tell a friend! Tell them the tale! Get a pic! Do a blog! Heroes are over with! Look at you! All Uproar! Clamor and Wail! Yes, I win! Then I get everything I ever - All the cash! All the fame! - And social change! Anarchy! That I run! It's Dr. Horrible's turn! You ponies all have to learn! This world is going to burn! Burn! In his fervor, Robo-Horrible notices one filly frantically writing in a pad as he craned over to check her spelling. Yeah, it's 2 "r's," "h-o-r-r" Burn! Even on the stage, no sign could be found of the yellow creature his original intent wanted to destroy. Oh well, at least he can conquer an entire dimension instead. No sign of filly - oh, I would give Anything just to have her see. It's gonna be bloody, heads up every pony, There's no time for mercy. Here goes no mercy! At the entrance way, the hench ponies guarding the way were suddenly flung forward. The bright light of the outside blinded Robo-Horrible and anyone that turned to see who it was that was coming in to stop this madness. "Back away from them, right now, Robo-Horrible!"