//------------------------------// // Chapter 9 // Story: My Little Fonzie // by No One and Nobody //------------------------------// Chapter 9: There and Back Again Before them stood a tall red-stoned wall which ran in both directions to make up what looked like a small castle. “Well why don’t we walk around the building until we find a door and inquire inside about the inconvenience of installing this wall right in front of your fast paced face?” said the Doctor, smirking, “As well as inquiring about the Cake twins.” The others agreed and started making their way around the right side of the red-stoned building. As they rounded a corner they spotted what looked like a giant badger in a robe sitting on a rock by a big wooden door in the building’s wall, staring away from them into the woods. As they approached quietly the large beast turned its head to reveal two sightless eyes, which everypony could have sworn were looking right at them. The badger chuckled good-naturedly and said in an old, world-weary voice, “Hello Doctor. I was wondering when we would meet again.” “Always a pleasure Cregga,” said the Doctor, smiling, “Love to stay and chat awhile but I’m on a mission. My compatriots and I are looking for some lost young ones. Don’t suppose you’ve seen them?” “A boy and girl. Both rambunctious little rogues?” said the old badger, grinning as she gestured towards the big stone building, “They’re inside. Boorab’s taken them on a quick tour of the pantry and then though the orchards till we thought you would arrive.” “And is this Boorab good with children?” Asked the Doctor, raising an eyebrow. Cregga chuckled and said, “He loves the little rascals… Ah, here he comes now.” With that said the rest of the group could hear what sounded like a miniature battle coming slowly towards the door in the wall. “Cripes- Let go off me ear… I say, a Baggscut tail is not ah chew toy… Remove y’mouth from me’foot, wot wot!” The door opened to reveal a large hare wearing a faded harlequin outfit hopping on one foot as Pound sat happily on his head playing with the two long ears and Pumpkin sucked away at the hare’s other foot. “I say,” stated the hare somewhat angrily, “I don’t s’pose you lot are ‘ere to take these two troublemakers off our paws, eh? They’ve practically eat’n us out of house’n’abbey… An’ this one won’t let go of me’bleedin’ paw.” Derpy and Lyra pulled the Cake twins off the poor hare and put them on their backs where the two foals yawned and settled down to a quick nap. “Now they’re tired,” said the hare throwing his paws up in the air with exasperation, “Wot about when they were halfway through that raspberry’n’meadow-cream cake, or chuckin’ apples at me poor handsome head? I give up, wot!” “Thank you for taking such good care of them them Mr. Bookbag,” said Pinkie, smiling and offering him a large cupcake. “Me’name isn’t-” started Boorab, but then he took a bite of the confection. “Bookbag at yer’service madam,” he finished, bowing low. Cregga chuckled and turned to look at Lyra who was inspecting the old badger’s claws. “They’re not hands but at least there’s an opposable thumb.” Boorab left munching happily on the cupcake from Pinkie and a muffin from Derpy, and Cregga pulled her claws out of Lyra’s grasp. “Will you be staying, Doctor?” she asked. The Doctor shook his head and said, “I’m afraid not. We’ve got to deliver these two back to their rightful parents plus I’ve got one or two other things I’d like to deal with. But maybe after all that I can drop by. I am still dying to try some of your cooking; it’s ranked as some of the best in the galaxy.” Cregga directed her attention to Pinkie who was staring very intensely at her. “How can you see us if you can’t see us?” asked Pinkie, raising an eyebrow. Cregga grinned and said, “Sometimes there’s more to a beast than meets the eye. Am I right Pinkie?” Pinkie ‘hmmn’ed thoughtfully and then said, “How many hooves am I holding up?” Cregga gave her a confused look and said, “I don’t know how but… five.” “Come on Miss Pie,” said the Doctor, grabbing Pinkie by the tail and dragging her off, “We’ve got to go. We don’t want the Cake twins late getting home now, do we?” “Okie-dokie-lokie,” said Pinkie, then smiling at Cregga she said happily, “I’ll see you later.” “Same here,” said Cregga, chuckling. As the travelers made their way back to the TARDIS they tried to be as quiet as possible so as not to wake the sleeping twins. When they got to their destination they were somewhat frightened to see that the rat had escaped. Pinkie on the other hoof was quit sad. “He forgot his card,” she said with a forlorn look. “More likely, he couldn’t read,” said Richie, with a quick glance around the clearing. “Well that doesn’t matter that much now,” said the Doctor, shoving everypony into the TARDIS, “The mission was a great success and we can all go home now-” “What about humans!” interjected Lyra as the Doctor stepped into the TARDIS and closed the door with a squeak. “Well we’ve got to get the twins back home now, don’t we?” said the Doctor, “How about after we drop them off I take you four”, he gestured to Fonzie and his friends, “back to your own world?” “Sounds good to me,” said the Fonz. “Wait a second,” said Richie, “We can’t go back home looking like this don’t we have to get one of the Princesses to change us back into humans.” “Who says we need a Princess,” said the Fonzie, standing up on his two hind legs. With a bright flash of light there in the TARDIS stood Richie, Ralph, Potsie, and the Fonz all in human form. As the light diminished the Fonz snapped his fingers and said, “I’ve missed doing that.” “How-” stuttered Ralph, looking around at his friends. “Simple,” said the Fonz, “I was a prince. So I just used my magic powers and ‘boom’ zapped us back to humans… me last, of course.” Lyra just stood and stared as the Doctor piloted the TARDIS back to Ponyville and let Pinkie and Derpy off with their precious cargo. “On to Milwaukee,” said the Doctor, returning to the TARDIS’s console. “Actually,” said the Fonz, glancing at his downtrodden companions, “I think we have some goodbyes to say.” Richie, Ralph and Potsie all smiled and nodded their heads in agreement. “Alright,” said the Doctor, “Lyra and I shall be waiting for you.” “H-h-hum-humans-” choked Lyra, staring at Fonzie, as the TARDIS touched down. Immediately after exiting the TARDIS, Fonzie and the rest of the gang realized that they were a bit more conspicuous than before. “Uh guys?” said Richie, “We kind of stick out like sore hooves- I mean thumbs.” “Really embracing the pony thing there, aren’t you Richie?” asked the Fonz, one eyebrow raised. “Hey guys!” said a voice from above them, and they turned to see Rainbow Dash coming in for a landing. “How did you know it was us?” asked Ralph. “Big, hairless apes getting out of the Doctor’s Blue Box, and one of them is wearing the Fonzie’s jacket…” Rainbow rolled her eyes and snorted, “How could I have possibly figured that one out? So I take it you guys are leaving, what with the whole human thing again?” “Yeah, we’re moving on,” said the Fonz, “Catch yah, later.” Rainbow gave him a look and then held out of hoof which the Fonz bumped with his fist. Richie winced and said, “Didn’t that hurt?” Rainbow and Fonzie both gave him a look. Rainbow stepped back and looked at the rest of the group before saying, “Well see yah later. I don’t really go into that sappy nonsense.” She sniffed and rubbed her left eye with one hoof. “Are you crying?” asked Ralph. “What! Of course not, I’m way to cool to be crying-” started Rainbow. “Just give ‘em a bloody hug and move on with it!” yelled the Doctor, slamming the TARDIS door behind him. Rainbow sniffed and chuckled a little before she quickly embraced each one of her new friends and then left before anypony she knew could see her. The four of them headed off to Applejack’s farm with a quick stop at Fluttershy’s which soon turned into a long, sorrowful goodbye. “I’m going to miss you soooo much,” sobbed Fluttershy as she hugged Potsie who actually looked very sad to be leaving the kind pony. Meanwhile Angel was busy kicking away at Richie unnoticed by Fluttershy, and Ralph was practically gasping for air in the grasp of a big bear hug from a big brown bear who was crying almost as much as Fluttershy. “It’s been a real treat knowing you,” said Fonzie who was leaning against the back wall, “I-” He cut himself off as, looking down, he saw Fluttershy hugging his leg tightly. Reaching down he gently stroked her mane and said, “Yeah, I’ll miss you too Flutters.” After they left Fluttershy’s cottage they made their way to Applejack’s farm where they were swiftly greeted by the Apple family with some tall glasses of apple cider. While sipping away at the sweet nectar in the orchard under the warm sun Fonzie and his friends explained themselves and said goodbye to their new friends. Applejack nudged Fonzie and said, “Now don’t ya’ll be strangers y’hear. Next time yer in town stop by fer a visit, o.k.?” “I’m not sure we’ll be coming back,” said Richie, swishing the remains of his drink around a few times before draining the mug. “Ah now that’s stinkin’ thinkin’,” said Applejack, tapping the tree Richie was sitting under with her hooves. An apple fell out and bounced off of Richie’s head, “Once you’ve been ta Sweet Apple Acres ya always come back sooner or later. It’s like one o’ those boom-y-thingy’s.” “Boomerang,” corrected Sweetie Belle. “An don’ ferget ta bring any of yer friends. After all the more the merrier… Er uh something… uhmng,” said Granny Smith, as she rocked away in her chair. “Eyeeup.” “But you will come back though, won’t you?” said Applebloom, giving Fonzie her biggest puppy-dog eyes. “Eyyy. Da Fonzie don’t make promises Ee can’t keep,” said Fonzie, raising one hand. Then he dropped it and said, “… And that’s why I ain’t saying I’m never gonna see you’s all again.” The entire Apple family broke into smiles as the Cutie Mark Crusaders tackled Fonzie and gave him one last goodbye hug. He didn’t protest one bit to them getting a little dirt on his jacket. Fonzie and the gang snuck through Ponyville’s back alleyways trying to make it to Rarity’s Boutique and Twilight’s Castle without attracting too much attention. They managed to escape the notice of most of Ponyville’s residents. Most, but not all. Bon Bon was having a discussion with Twilight about her friend Lyra when she just so happened to notice some dark shapes sneaking past behind Twilight. Her head tilted to one side and her eyes bugged out as she watched the humans make their way cautiously under a balcony where an elderly pony was sleeping, then she quickly felt in her saddlebags for something. “Drat! I must have left it at home,” she said and then darted off before Twilight could say a thing. Twilight turned around and dashed over to Fonzie, yelling as loudly as she could whisper, “What are you doing here dressed like that- I mean looking like that- I mean- Why aren’t you ponies?!” “You are looking at an ex-prince,” said the Fonz, “Anything you’re Princess can do, I can undo.” “Bye Twilight,” said Richie, giving Twilight a quick hug. Twilight gave Richie a confused look and said, “You’re leaving already? I take it the Cake Twins are safe?” “Are you kidding? It was a piece of cake,” said Ralph, shrugging nonchalantly. “And Discord’s taking you home?” asked Twilight, raising an eyebrow. “Let’s just say that we found other means of transportation,” said the Fonz, considering what a bad combination Twilight and the Doctor would make, at least in this world. “I’ll miss you guys,” said Twilight, sniffing as she hugged each of them goodbye. “Is Rarity in?” asked Fonzie, looking over at Carousel Boutique. “She should be,” said Twilight before she was interrupted by a whoosh-thud as a dart flew by her and narrowly missed Fonzie’s jacket. The five of them spun around to see a pony in night vision goggles with a blowgun repel off a roof and behind a nearby house. “Quick I’ll distract her while you hide inside,” said Twilight, opening the door for them and running towards the house where the secret agent was waiting to spring her trap against these new monsters invading Ponyville. Fonzie closed the door quietly behind them and turned to see Rarity brandishing a broom at them. “Oh, darling I didn’t recognize you,” she said as she put away the broom, “To what do I owe this splendid visit?” “Some crazy pony with a blowgun,” said Richie, peering cautiously through the curtains. “I came to say goodbye,” said Fonzie, “I don’t know that many classy dames like yourself so… I thought it would be rude ta just leave ya hangin.” “Oh how thoughtful of you,” said Rarity as Opal rubbed up against the Fonz and purred contentedly, “I will miss you as well. Are you positive that your jacket doesn’t need any sparkles?” The Fonz backed away slightly and said, “I don’t got nothin’ against sparkles, personally. Dey just don’t go with my jacket.” Rarity shrugged and said goodbye to the rest of them before leading them quietly out the back door so as to escape the blowgun-wielding pony. They made their way towards Sugarcube Corner before they were nearly ambushed. Luckily Twilight managed to warn them in time and they made a break for it. They managed to lose their attacker just outside of Ponyville near the TARDIS. Rarity said goodbye one last time and left them alone with the Blue Box. Ralph coughed and looked back at Ponyville before saying, “We never got to say goodbye to Pinkie.” “It’s ok Ralph,” said Richie, patting him on the shoulder, “I think she knows we’ll miss her… somehow. Beside it’s either that or a dart between the eyes.” Ralph nodded and stepped through the TARDIS door. Before the rest of them could make it through though something large, heavy, soft and pink pile-drove them from behind and laid them out flat on the TARDIS’s floor. They rolled over to find themselves somehow in one giant hug from none other than the pinkest party mare in all of Ponyville. “You’re not getting away that easily,” she said as she tightened her grip and snuggled in closer to them in one of the warmest friendliest hugs they had ever felt, “I’m really going to miss you guys…” “Catch ya later,” said the Fonz as he and his friends opened the TARDIS door and stepped into Arnolds. Arnold stood there, eyes wide as he dropped his dishrag on the floor in shock. Potsie absentmindedly closed the door behind them. “WAIT!” screamed Lyra as she dove for the TARDIS door. But it was too late, the door closed and the TARDIS began to fade. “What about Lyra?” asked Richie, turning to look at where the TARDIS had stood. “If the Doctor had wanted her here, then why did he leave so quickly?” asked the Fonz. *** “Come on girl!” said the Doctor, wrestling with the TARDIS’s controls as it careened through space warning lights flashing and sirens blasting. “Noooooo!!!” screamed Lyra both from the tossing and turning of the TARDIS as from her just barely missing the human world. “Wheeee!” Yelled Pinkie both hooves in the air. *** “I guess you have a point,” said Richie, “Still as weird that that whole adventure was, I’m really going to miss them.” “Me too,” said Ralph. Suddenly the jukebox started to play a bright happy song that they had never heard before. Sitting on top of the jukebox was a cake and written on the cake were the words, Happy Birthday Richie. Hope to see you all again soon. Your friend forever, Pinkie. “I don’t think we’ve seen the last of them,” said Fonz, sitting down in one of the booths. “Now Ralph why don’t you go tell everyone the lesson’s over and they can all come back in? It’s like a graveyard in here.” Ralph opened the door to the diner and said, “Fonzie says you can all come back in.” A torrent of teenagers flowed back into Arnold’s as the shop resumed its usual hubbub. “It’s good to be home,” said the Fonz, leaning back in his chair with a sigh and a smile.