//------------------------------// // Chapter 3 // Story: My Little Fonzie // by No One and Nobody //------------------------------// Chapter 3: Behold, Behold the Prince Fonzie Cometh “If Princess Celestia wanted to talk to us,” Rainbow asked as the group sped through Ponyville, “Then why did she go back to Canterlot?” “Two reasons, Rainbow,” Twilight explained as they galloped past Quills & Sofas, “She needed to appear to leave us and she needs to get Luna.” “Need a lift?” asked Discord as he pulled his tugboat alongside Fluttershy. He wore an admiral’s uniform. “Thanks,” Fluttershy said as Discord helped her into his boat, “That’s so sweet.” “Uh, no thanks,” Applejack said as the tugboat sped by, “I just think I’ll walk on my own four hooves.” “Suit yourselves,” said Discord with a smile. They all arrived at Twilight Sparkle’s castle. Richie, Potsie and Ralph stared up at it in awe. Discord pulled the boat up to the castle and helped Fluttershy off. He tied the boat to the castle with a rope and dismounted himself. Snapping his fingers, the boat melted like chocolate in the hot sun and dripped through a drain which promptly vanished. The group entered the castle. “Twilight,” Spike said as he ran over to the collection of ponies, “What set off Princess Celestia’s alarm? You teleported out of here too quickly for me to ask.” “Some more humans have come to Equestria,” Twilight answered. Then, noticing Spike’s blank look, remembered that Princess Luna’s spell had wiped Spike’s memory as well. “You don’t remember the last time that humans came here Spike. Their names were Gilligan, the Skipper-“ “His name was Grumpy!” hollered Pinkie. “Ok,” Twilight said, “Gilligan, Grumpy, the Professor, Mr. and Mrs. Howell, Ginger and Mary Anne. Now do you remember?” “Of course,” Spike said as a look of recall flashed across his scaly face, “How could I have forgotten them? So if there are more humans in Equestria, where are they?” “Princess Celestia transformed them into ponies.” “Hey!” exclaimed Discord with a pouty look on his face, “I helped.” “These ponies are really humans, Spike,” Twilight explained, pointing a hoof at Potsie, Richie, Ralph and Fonzie. “Wow,” said Spike in awe, “I could’ve never guessed that they were ponies if you hadn’t told me. But wait… Is one of them an-“ “Alicorn?” Twilight finished, “Yes. Princess Celestia couldn’t turn him into a pony so we called Discord. And Discord-“ “Accidentally,” put in Fluttershy. “Accidentally turned him into an alicorn.” Twilight finished. “Well,” said Spike, “You better not let anypony find out that he’s an alicorn.” “Too late for that. Carrot Top blew our cover in the park.” “Well then why are you here?” “Because Celestia wanted to meet us here. I’m hoping she has a plan.” “Indeed I do,” came a familiar voice. The ponies turned to see the two alicorn sisters standing before them. Cadence stood on their left. Celestia walked up to Twilight and gave her a formal invitation. The ponies gathered around her as she read the message aloud. “Princesses Celestia, Luna, Cadence and Twilight Sparkle invite you to a party to be thrown at Canterlot Castle tomorrow. This party will be in honor of the visit of Prince Fonzie, a foreign dignitary on tour of our fair realm. It is hoped that all will be able to attend this grand festivity.” “Well?” asked Cadence. Before Twilight could answer, Rarity stepped in. “Well personally, I think Fonzie is a rather poor title for a royal prince. Mr. Fonzie, what is your real name?” “Eyy, I’ve always been the Fonz, I always will be the Fonz.” “Richie, what is his real name?” “Alright I’ll tell ya,” interrupted the Fonz. He motioned for Rarity to come over. He whispered something into her ear. “Oh well I don’t see how that’s a problem. Arthur is a fine, respectable name.” “Arthur?” Rainbow Dash said, unsuccessfully trying to stifle a laugh, ”BWAA-HHAAAA-HAAA!” She stopped when she noticed Fonzie’s stern glare. “Eyy, No one calls the Fonz, Arthur.” “Princess Celestia,” Twilight interrupted, “I don’t mean to be disrespectful but… ARE YOU CRAZY!?!?!?!? We don’t want to make a big deal about this whole thing!” “Twilight,” answered back Celestia, calm as ever, “The invitations are already sent and their cover was already blown. All the ponies in Ponyville are expecting a party in honor of Prince Fonzie. Now Pinkie, I’m hoping I can count on you to plan the festivities.” “I GET TO PLAN A PARTY?????” Pinkie exclaimed, “FOR CANTERLOT?????” “Yes.” “I am so there.” “Very good. Now, Applejack, I was hoping you would bake for the occasion.” “You can count on me to bake up a delicious batch of everything from apple fritters to apple tarts.” “Thank you. Also, Fluttershy, I was hoping your songbird choir would perform for the party.” “Oh, Ok.” “Wonderful. Rainbow Dash, I was hoping you could team up with the Wonderbolts to provide the entertainment.” “WHAT!?!?!?!?!” Rainbow said, shooting up off the ground, “You want me to perform with the ‘squeak’ WONDERBOLTS???? OHMYGOSHOHMYGOSHOHMYGOSH!!!!!!!!!” “I’ll take that as a yes.” Princess Celestia said, smiling, “And Twilight, I was hoping you would oversee the preparations.” “Of course your Highness.” “What about me?” Rarity interrupted, “What would you like me to do?” “I was hoping you would design an ensemble for Prince Fonzie.” “Design for a royal party?” Rarity said. She swooned into her friend’s hooves. “Then I leave this party in your hooves. We will see you tomorrow.” Celestia turned to leave. Cadence stepped up and told Twilight, “I’ll be there all week in case you need help.” The alicorns disappeared in three bright flashes of light leaving the ponies wondering what to do next. “I think I shall go pack some fabric for Prince Fonzie’s ensemble,” Rarity said. She turned towards the Carousel Boutique. “I’ll go help ya,” The Fonz said. “Your assistance would be greatly appreciated,” Rarity said with a smile, “Then I can get an idea of what you’d like.” The two headed off for Rarity’s boutique. “We can use the family cart to get there,” Applejack said. “Or we could just take the train AJ,” pointed out Rainbow. “I think AJ had a better idea,” Twilight said, “We want to keep a low profile if possible.” “Big Mac could take us,” Applejack pointed out, “I know Apple Bloom, Sweetie Bell and Scootaloo would love to see a real Canterlot party. Plus Granny Smith could help me with the baking.” “Good idea,” Twilight said, “Alright AJ, can you go and get the cart ready? We leave tomorrow morning, early.” “So early?” Fluttershy asked. “Yes, we only have a day to get this party set up.” The ponies left Twilight’s castle, all except for Twilight and Richie, who started to prepare for the trip. Fluttershy and Potsie headed for Fluttershy’s cottage, AJ headed for Sweet Apple Acres, Pinkie and Ralph skipped off to the joke shop for some things to cause practical jokes and Rainbow sped up to her home in the clouds. Discord went outside, donned an aviator’s jacket, boarded the Red Baron’s Tri-plane and flew off to his house to prepare for the party. “HEEEEEELLLLLLLPPPPPPP!!!!!!” Spike screamed as he tore across Sweet Apple Acres. His scream interrupted Applejack, who was loading the cart for the upcoming trip to Canterlot. “Spike,” Applejack said, stopping the running dragon in his tracks, “What’s the matter?” “Rarity… ‘gasp’… kidnapped… ‘gasp’… Diamond dogs… ‘gasp’… SAVE HER!” “Not again,” Applejack said, rolling her eyes, “Well, let’s go find the others.” Noticing how tired Spike was from his several mile race, Applejack placed the panting dragon on her back and ran in the direction of Ponyville. It wasn’t long before Applejack made it there. With the help of a lot of screaming, Applejack brought everypony together in the town square. “Bad news everypony,” she said, “Rarity’s been captured by the diamond dogs… again.” “You think they would learn,” Twilight said, “Ok, let’s go save the diamond dogs.” “Save the diamond dogs?” Richie muttered as they galloped off. “NOOOOOOOO!” howled the leader of the diamond dogs in agony, “STOP THE WHINING PONY- I MEAN MISS RARITY. WE’LL DO ANYTHING!” “But I thought you wanted whining,” Rarity whined. “We’ll take it from here fellas,” Twilight said as the ponies entered the cave, “Just next time remember why you don’t want to kidnap Rarity.” “Yes. Thank you pony. Take her!” “I was only looking for a couple jewels for Prince Arthur’s ensemble when they grabbed me again,” Rarity explained as they exited the tunnel. “I can respect a lady who can handle herself,” said Fonzie who had been trying to dig out the Diamond Dog’s tunnel until he heard them screaming for mercy. “Please your Highness,” Rarity said, “If you don’t mind, call me Rarity.” “Are ya’ll ready for the trip?” Applejack asked the group of ponies who stood before her. “Eyyup,” answered Big Mac, who was already hooked up to the wagon. “Alright, that means we only need to wait for a few more slackers,” Rainbow said as she hovered above the heads of the group. Rarity trotted up to the small crowd with her younger sister. Sweetie Bell had packed light but the same could not be said about her sister. Spike followed them close behind weighed down by a pile of Rarity’s suitcases. Amazingly, she had packed even more than she generally did. The heap not only included her clothing, cosmetics and mane care products but also had several bolts of fabric, buttons, embellishments and a full size stallion’s mannequin. “Gee Rarity, I hope you didn’t forget anything,” Applejack said. “Yeah Rarity, I mean where’s the kitchen sink?” Rainbow Dash snickered as she hovered overhead with only a small saddlebag. “Well I’m surprised that you didn’t pack more! I mean we are going to be in the fashion capital of Equestria, is it wrong of me to want to look my best?” “Well I don’t get why you need all of this junk,” Rainbow said as she landed on the pile, causing Spike to collapse, “I don’t use any of this stuff and well, just look at me!” “Well let’s see how you do when you realize that the outfit your wearing has a perfect hat to go along with it and you left it at home,” Rarity said in a smug tone. “A problem we all have so very often,” Applejack said, rolling her eyes. “Let’s stop bickering so we can go,” Twilight said, “Wait, I sense a disturbing amount of sense. Where’s Pinkie?” “I’m right here,” Pinkie said, trotting over the hill with Ralph at her side, “I’m sorry were late. Balloons and streamers are easy to pack but packing rock candy and cupcakes is harder than you might think.” “But Pinkie, I’m going to be baking for the party,” Applejack said. “I know,” Pinkie said, smiling, “This is for lunch!” She opened a small suitcase to let out an onslaught of pastries and candy. She smiled and stuffed it all back into the suitcase. “Well, we’re all here. Let’s go,” Twilight said. The ponies clambered up onto the wagon; Big Mac started and they pulled off. BONK!! KLANK!!! THUD!!! KLANK!!! BONK!! KLANK!!! THUD!!! KLANK!!! BONK!! KLANK!!! THUD!!! KLANK!!! The ponies bounced up and down as they headed towards Canterlot. “A-a-are we there yet?” the CMC’s asked. “Not yet fillies,” Applejack said, smiling at their impatience, “We just left ten minutes ago. This trip will take most of a day.” “WHAT?!?!?!” the fillies bawled. “But that’s way too long. The train only takes an hour or so,” Apple Bloom whined. “I agree girls,” Pinkie said, “That’s way too long. I need as much time to plan the party as I can get. But I can fix this.” Pinkie hopped off of the wagon and gave Big Mac a piece of candy. “I don’t see how a piece of candy is gonna speed up Big Maa-“ Applejack started but didn’t finish. Once Big Mac had swallowed the candy, he became a red, speeding blur. The ponies had to hold on for their lives. When Big Mac finally stopped Rarity shrieked at the state of her mane. The others stared on in silence. The wagon was stopped right in front of the gates of Canterlot. Some guards gave funny looks at Big Mac, who was vibrating in place. But once they saw the invitation with the royal seal, they let them in. Big Mac sped through at breakneck speed, heading straight for the castle. They dismounted the cart and Big Mac flew to the stables to park the cart. “What do you call that candy?” Twilight said as she watched Big Mac speed off, “Super-spectacular-speed sweets?” “What are you talking about Twilight?” Pinkie said as she tossed a piece of the same candy into her mouth, “This candy isn’t powerful.” “Then why did it do that to Big Mac?” “Oh, this is my special candy. I add a smidgen more sugar. It’s usually just for me. I need the extra energy or I get sluggish.” “That explains something I’ve wondered about since I moved to Ponyville.” “Really, What?” “Forget it. Let’s go in everypony.” They headed into Canterlot Castle slowly, waiting for Granny Smith. The Apple’s headed for the kitchen while Fonzie, Rarity and Sweetie Bell headed for a room to design his outfit. Rainbow Dash headed for the Wonderbolts to get measured for her uniform; Scootaloo followed Rainbow like a puppy. Fluttershy, Potsie and her songbirds headed to the music room to rehearse. Pinkie unloaded her party cannon and started to decorate. Ralph started to place balloons bunches everywhere while Twilight began checking off items from the list that Spike had prepared. “Yehaaww!” hollered Pinkie as she fired off her party cannon. “Balloons… Check. Streamers… Check. Tablecloths… Check.” “Is she decorating with artillery?” Richie asked. “Yeah, what else would you have me deck the halls with?” Pinkie said with a grin. She began firing off the cannon randomly. “Deck the halls! ‘BANG!’ Deck the halls! ‘BANG!’ Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la! ‘BANG! BANG!’” “Never ‘BANG!’ mind,” Richie said, rolling his eyes. “Well Richie,” Twilight interrupted, “Shall we move ‘BANG!’ on? We still need to check on all the ‘BANG!’ others.” “I’m going to stay here ‘BANG!’ and help Ralph and Pinkie,” Richie said. “Ok, come on Spike.” “Right ‘BANG!’ behind you,” Spike said, following Twilight into the kitchen. They left Pinkie firing the cannon and Ralph and Richie covering their ears. “Alright,” Applejack said, “I already know what we’ll have for a dessert, apple brown betty. How about apple pie for a starter? And for the main course, apple fritters!” “Sounds perfect!” said Granny Smith, “What do you think Big Mac?” “Eeyup.” “Well, Applejack,” Twilight said as she and Spike entered the kitchen, “Do you think that maybe your food plan could have a dish without apples.” “What?!?!” Applejack said, staring down Twilight, “Are you sayin’ that my apple dishes aren’t good enough for these fancy-schmancy, hoity-toity Canterlot ponies? Well I’ve been baking for years and I think I know what I’m doin’ thank you very much.” Applejack resumed her work and the rest of the Apple Family shunned Twilight. “Sorry Applejack, whatever you think is best. On a different note, what kind of drinks (besides apple cider) will be available at the party?” Twilight said, checking food off of her list. “Oh we ordered some choice drinks from Berry Punch before we left, I think Big Mac left them on the cart,” Applejack said staring at her big brother. Big Mac blushed and raced towards the stable to retrieve the bottles. “We’ll also have water, milk (fresh from the cows) and punch. Is that enough?” Applejack asked. Twilight nodded and checked drinks off her list. “Well I gotta go, I need to check on Rainbow and the Wonderbolts.” “Here, have and apple fritter to go. It’s fresh.” “AND HOT!” “You call that a spectacular performance? I’ve seen tighter turns from fillies! That was clearly a below-average run so we will do it AGAIN!” hollered Spitfire at the panting, perspiring, perfectly pooped ponies. “Their amazing, aren’t they?” asked Scootaloo, sitting on a cloud, observing. Twilight flew past the awed Scootaloo to address Spitfire. “If I can interrupt for a moment, I would like to have a word with Rainbow Dash,” “Of course your Highness,” Spitfire said in surprise at Twilight’s sudden appearance, “Alright Rainbow, fifteen minutes. That gives us just enough time to run through the whole performance again! To your starting positions everypony… DOUBLETIME!” The ponies, groaning all the way, flew to their respective places to begin one of the most intricate airshows ever executed by the Wonderbolts. “She’s right,” Rainbow said as Twilight landed and she hovered slightly overhead, “Feather Wing needs to tighten her turns and Fleet Foot isn’t living up to her name. But don’t get me started on Soarin’. I swear, all that pony thinks about is food. But anyway, what’s up?” “I need an update on how the shows progress is coming. But I think I just got it. You’ll all be fine for the party I’m sure but I’m just worried.” “No problem Twilight. These are the Wonderbolts we’re talking about. They are perhaps the only better flyers in Equestria than yours truly. They’ll have it together for the party or my name isn’t Rainbow Dash.” “That’s great Rainbow. How does it feel to be flying with your heroes?” “Even more awesome than I first envisioned! This has literally been my dream come true! Nothing tops it, well, except possibly meeting the real Daring Do but still this is my dream to fly with my heroes! It’s finally coming true! ‘Squeak’ Well I gotta go and get ready for the show. See you guys later!” Rainbow took to the skies and joined the group of Wonderbolts mid-performance. “Who’s next?” Spike asked as Twilight checked off the entertainment. “We should go and check on how Fluttershy’s songbird choir is sounding. Come along Spike.” Fluttershy slowly conducted her animal friends in the Equestria national anthem. “That was wonderful but I think we can do even better. Now, during this one passage, I think the altos might be just a teensy bit off key. So can we run through that again please?” The Birds obliged Fluttershy and on the next run through, the choir sounded like a slice of heaven. Potsie stood by the side with his eyes closed, swaying in time to the music. “Oh Fluttershy,” Twilight said as she and Spike entered, “That sounds beautiful. You and your little friends have once again outdone yourselves.” “Oh, thank you Twilight. How are all the other preparations coming?” “Great. I’m sure Rainbow and The Wonderbolts will wow the party guests. Applejack and her family have a simply scrumptious (If a bit apple rich) menu planned out and Pinkie’s going wild with the streamers.” “That’s nice,” Fluttershy said with a demure little smile. “How are you liking the music… uh, Potsie right?” “Hmm?” Potsie said, opening his eyes, “Oh it’s wonderful.” “Ok,” Twilight said checking off music from the list, “If you’ll excuse me Fluttershy I need to check on Rarity and Fonzie now.” “Ok Twilight,” Fluttershy said, picking up her baton again, “Now, let’s take it from the top everypony.” “Just a few more sequins Darling,” Rarity yelled as she tried to attach some sparkles to Fonzie’s outfit. “You already got me looking like a disco ball. Granted I’m a very good-looking disco ball but still!” screamed the Fonz as he ducked and dodged the onslaught of sequins. “Hi hope I’m not-“ Twilight began as she entered but received a face full of sequins, “Interrupting anything,” she finished groggily… and sparkly. “What’s the matter with Rarity?” Twilight asked Sweetie Bell as the two of them observed Rarity chasing Fonzie around the room armed with a magically levitated cloud of shimmering sequins. “Oh Rarity wants to add a few more sequins to Mr. Fonzie’s outfit cause she says it would ‘perfect the ensemble and make it manifique!’” Sweetie Bell said in a very good Rarity impersonation, “And Mr. Fonzie said, ‘Eyy (Whatever that means) Dis’ ain’t the Fonz’s style. It ain’t cool.’ And then Rarity said, ‘Really Arthur all you wear is that silly little jacket and I think-‘ to which Mr. Fonzie interrupted with, ‘SILLY? Eyyyy, not cool. This ain’t just no leather jacket. This is a part of the Fonz.’ And that’s when Rarity started chasing him around the room.” “Wow Sweetie, you do very good voice impersonations.” “REALLY? Hey, maybe that’s my special talent, voice impersonations! I gotta go tell the other crusaders!” With that, Sweetie Bell rocketed out of the room to find her friends. “Now Rarity,” Twilight said, stopping both ponies in their tracks with a freeze spell, “You know that he is the customer and he should have final say. So if he thinks that’s enough sequins then maybe you should just let him have his way.” “But Darling, I haven’t even began Prince Arthur’s outfit. He refuses to wear anything but that out-of-style jacket.” “Eyy, everything I wear is automatically in style.” “So I was just going to bedazzle his jacket but Prince Arthur said-“ “Look, I’m alright with the whole ‘Arthur’ thing, but don’t call me Prince anything,” Fonzie said. “Alright. But Arthur said he wouldn’t let me glitterify his jacket.” “Well,” Fonzie said, “Maybe one little sequin, for you. But you have to promise to take it off after this shindig. The Fonz can’t be seen with sparkles back home.” Rarity smiled and attacked the Fonz with a pile of glittering sequins. Twilight put a big question mark next to outfit on her checklist and left with Spike on her heels. As they left, heading back for the main party hall, Spike listened over his shoulder where the screams of a glitterefied Fonzie could be heard.