//------------------------------// // One Cranky Doodle Donkey // Story: My Little Pony, Friendship is Out of This World // by Robobrony //------------------------------// One Cranky Doodle Donkey Nova found himself floating through space again, watching as his goddess sped through space trying to fight off a monster of darkness again. “Why...why am I seeing this?” The scene continued on till the part where Galea tricked the demon into the center of a galaxy and created stars to act as a cell for the creature. The scene soon started to zoom out and away from him till he was in complete darkness. “Nova.” A very deep rumbling voice spoke. Nova turned and saw a pair of large white sinister eyes looking at him with sharp white teeth grinning at him. It was the demon, his arms spread out as they were held at the wrists by stardust clusters acting as chains and at his legs. “Who are you? What do you want from me!” Nova yelled. “You’re world will burn and fall to darkness.” The demon spoke. Nova simply glared at the beast. “My world died long ago already!” The demon simply cackled in response for a bit before opening its jaws and sucked Nova in. “NOOOOOOOOO!” Nova cried in fear. Nova shot up in bed panting heavily and sweating. “What...what was that? Why am I having these nightmares?” Twilight Sparkle, who was laying next to him, awoke with a yawn and sat up. “Nova, what’s wrong?” Nova looked to Twilight. “Nothing. I...just had a bad dream is all.” Twilight gave a concerned look. “Again? It’s not...the one about us is it? Or Celestia?” She placed a hoof on his. Nova shook his head. “No, this was...different. I can’t really explain it. I don’t know what it is.” “Tell me about it?” Twilight asked with a small smile. Nova gave a sigh and started telling her his nightmare. As he did, Twilight frowned. “I’m sorry Nova, I wish I could help but...I have no idea what to say about it. I don’t know anything really about your goddess that you haven’t told me already, or what this monster could be. It’s probably just some weird nightmare then.” “I hope you’re right.” “Come on now, let’s get back to sleep. It’s the middle of the night after all.” Twilight gave another smile. Nova smiled in return. “Yeah, okay.” He laid back down as Twilight rested her head on his chest and closed her eyes. “I really hope it was just a nightmare, but why did it feel so real?” After having a restful sleep after the nightmare, Nova awoke the next morning with Twilight and had breakfast before heading out to enjoy the day while Spike stayed to take care of the library. As they were walking, Nova couldn’t stop thinking about his nightmare and had his head down as he thought about it. Twilight noticed Nova wasn’t in the best of moods and spoke up. “Nova, are you okay? Are you still thinking about that nightmare?” Nova lifted his head and looked to Twilight. “Sorry, I can’t help it. It just felt different from a regular dream. I don’t know what to make of it.” Twilight tried to give a smile. “Just don’t think about it. If you keep dwelling on it, you won’t have a good time.” Nova managed to return the smile. “I guess you’re right.” It was then music started to fill the air and singing was heard. Pinkie Pie was singing a song and got the whole town involved. My name is Pinkie Pie (Hello!) And I am here to say (How ya doin'?) I'm gonna make you smile and I will brighten up your day It doesn't matter now (What's up?) If you are sad or blue (Howdy!) 'Cause cheering up my friends is just what Pinkie's here to do 'Cause I love to make you smile, smile, smile Yes I do It fills my heart with sunshine all the while Yes it does 'Cause all I really need's a smile, smile, smile From these happy friends of mine I like to see you grin (Awesome!) I love to see you beam (Rock on!) The corners of your mouth turned up is always Pinkie's dream (Hoof bump!) But if you're kind of worried And your face has made a frown I'll work real hard and do my best to turn that sad frown upside down 'Cause I love to make you grin, grin, grin Yes I do Bust it out from ear to ear let it begin Just give me a joyful grin, grin, grin And you fill me with good cheer It's true some days are dark and lonely And maybe you feel sad But Pinkie will be there to show you that it isn't that bad There's one thing that makes me happy and makes my whole life worthwhile And that's when I talk to my friends and get them to smile I really am so happy Your smile fills me with glee I give a smile I get a smile And that's so special to me 'Cause I love to see you beam, beam, beam Yes I do Tell me what more can I say To make you see That I do It makes me happy when you beam, beam, beam Yes it always makes my day Come on every pony smile, smile, smile Fill my heart up with sunshine, sunshine All I really need's a smile, smile, smile From these happy friends of mine [Choir and Pinkie Pie] Come on every pony smile, smile, smile Fill my heart up with sunshine, sunshine All I really need's a smile, smile, smile From these happy friends of mine [Pinkie Pie] Yes the perfect gift for me Is a smile as wide as a mile To make me happy as can be [Choir] Come on every pony smile, smile, smile Fill my heart up with sunshine, sunshine All I really need's a smile, smile, smile From these happy friends of [Choir and Pinkie Pie] Smile, smile, smile, smile, smile [Pinkie Pie] Come on and smile Come on and smile When Pinkie got the whole town singing along with her, Applejack suddenly appeared and lifted her up. Twilight galloped over and joined her along with the other girls as they marched down the street. Nova was left on the sidelines as he didn’t feel like singing or joining in on the random musical number. He was too weighed down from his nightmare. That was the second time he had it and he wondered why. At the end of the song though, he noticed Pinkie had stopped in front of a donkey hauling a cart full of stuff. “I’ve never seen you before.” Pinkie said with a grin. The donkey walked past her as he replied. “Kid, you’re smarter than you look.” “Thanks.” Pinkie said as she followed him. “I’m Pinkie Pie, what’s your name?” The donkey didn’t respond so Pinkie moved to the back of the cart where she saw initials on it. “Property of C.D.D. I’m guessing that last D is for Donkey.” “Quick as a whip kid.” The donkey replied again. It seemed clear he didn’t really want to be bothered with how he was acting. Nova followed along just in case Pinkie went too far to the point of annoying the donkey. “Now how about that C. Hmm…” Pinkie started listing off names while popping out at different angles. “Calvin? Calhoun? Caleb? Carl? Carmine? Carlo? Charlie? Chester? Chico? Claudio? Cletus? Clifford? Coraline? Cornelius? Cortez? Crank? Christopher–?” The Donkey yelled out, cutting Pinkie off. “Cranky! It’s Cranky all right?” pinkie now stood in front of the donkey now known as Cranky. “And your middle name?” Cranky merely mumbled something. “What was that?” He mumbled again. “Didn’t quit catch that.” Cranky sighed. “It’s Doodle.” Pinkie took a moment before gasping. “So you’re a Cranky Doodle Donkey?” Nova could see what was about to come and didn’t think Cranky would like it so he quickly stepped in and put a hoof over Pinkie’s mouth. “Whoa there Pinkie, I don’t think he’s in the mood for a song right now.” Nova then looked to Cranky. “Hi there. I’m Nova. You’ll have to excuse Pinkie, she gets excitable when meeting new faces. She loves throwing parties and such.” He removed his hoof From Pinkie. “Whatever.” Cranky said and continued on. “Nova, why’d you do that?” Pinkie asked. “Pinkie, I don’t think this donkey is the sociable type and certainly doesn’t seem like the kind that likes songs.” “Nonsense, everypony likes songs.” Pinkie zipped off to catch up to Cranky. Nova groaned as he followed Pinkie quickly. She then started singing the song she was going to before Nova cut her off. You’re a Cranky Doodle guy, A Cranky Doodle Donkey, I never met you but your my new friend And I’m you’re best friend Pinkie Pie. “Come on Doodle, give us a smile.” Pinkie turned his lips upwards into a large smile that held only for a moment before they fell back down into a frown. “No pony calls me DOODLE!” Cranky yelled angrily and continued on. Nova came up to Pinkie. “I told you so. He just doesn’t seem the social type.” “What just happened?” Pinkie asked as she went over a list of things she usually does. “Meet some pony new, check. Introduce myself, check. Sing random song out of nowhere, check. Become instant best friends….uncheck.” She started to look confused. “How can some pony not become instant best friends with me? What it something I did, something I sang?” Nova cut in. “Pinkie, he just wants to be left alone. You can’t be friends with every pony or donkey that comes here.” “But he seems so unhappy. I just know I can make him smile if I make him my friend.” “You’re not going to let this go are you?” Nova asked with a flat look. “Nope.” Pinkie chirped. Nova gave another heavy sigh. “Fine, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.” He was about to walk off and find Twilight but figured he should stick with Pinkie to make sure she didn’t annoy the donkey too much. At this time, out in space a ways from the planet, a lone space ship with a single pilot was flying through space. It was another Equinian. She had a green coat like all equinians and a long slender tail with no fins like Nova’s mother along with a yellow ring at the end. Her skill sign was of a full moon with a ring of stars around it and appeared to be around the same age as Nova as well. “Oh sweet Galea, please tell me this planet can sustain life, I’m so tired of floating around in this darkness all alone.” She said to herself. As she was making her approach to the planet, a rogue asteroid hit her ship’s engines and she lost control. “AH! NO NO NO NO! NOT NOW!” She started frantically working the console of the ship to try and regain control of her ship. Sadly, her ship started for a collision course for the planet of ponies. Coincidentally, her ship came down over the Everfree forest where it crashed and left a mile long trench behind it. The crash scattered many birds as they chirped and flew off out of fear. The female equinian had been bounced around and was splayed out on her belly on the metal floor. She groaned as she slowly placed a hoof on the console to help herself up. “Ooohhh...quasars, that really hurt. Where am I?” She managed to activate her ships monitors and saw she was in a forest. “Well, at least it’s not open space any more.” The equinian mare made her way to the door of her ship. As she approached, it slid open with a hiss. She looked around cautiously at first before carefully lowering a hoof to the ground. After patting it around a bit, she commented on it. “Wow, first time feeling solid ground in years. I guess it’s okay to walk on.” She then stepped out a moment before hearing a growl. “What was that?” She looked around again fearfully. “Maybe I should stay inside.” She then ducked back into her ship and closed the door. “By the stars, where am I? Maybe if I send out a probe, I could at least see if there’s any sentient life forms out there.” The mare equinian went back to her console and started a systems check first. “Okay, so far my systems seem in tact other than my engines. Two things then. One, hopefully I just crash landed on what could be my home. Two, I’m stuck on a planet that could turn me into some beast’s lunch.” With luck, she managed to launch a few small probes with cloaking capabilities and sent them off. “Now let’s see what we can find here.” One of the probes made it’s way to Ponyville and gave the mare equinian, Asterix, a look at the locals. “Wow, look at that. They look kind of like us.” “Sort of, They come in so many colors and they don’t have antennae or slender tails like us.” She spoke again as if someone else was talking. “So, they’re still similar to us in form that they have four legs. A simple disguise spell can help with….wait...that one...who is that?” She narrowed her eyes as she looked at the screen that held an image of Nova with Pinkie who was currently running up to Cranky with a wagon. “That green one, he, like the others has a mark on their flanks yet….it looks so familiar.” Pinkie was practically begging Cranky to let her sing another song. “You gotta let me sing the song that goes with it.” “Pinkie, seriously, I really don’t think…” Nova started but had to stop when Pinkie gave a puppy dog pout. “Oh quasars.” Cranky sighed heavily. “Fine.” Pinkie suddenly grabbed Cranky and pulled him away from his wagon. “That’s the spirit.” She set him down and went over to her wagon where she pushed a button and horns, flags, and an oven suddenly popped out and music started playing, prompting Pinkie to start dancing around. Welcome, welcome, welcome, A fine welcome to you. Welcome, welcome, welcome, I say how do you do? She proceeded to blow a horn in Cranky’s ear before going back to her song and dance. Welcome, welcome, welcome, I say hip hip hooray! Welcome, welcome, welcome to Ponyville todaaaaaaaaaay! There was a pause. “Wait for it.” Then the ove burst open and shot out confettie, knocking off Cranky’s black wig. “NO!” Cranky exclaimed. Just then, the horns shot out cake batter and coated the three. “Pinkie, what is this?!” Nova asked. As Asterix watched, she couldn’t help but wonder what was going on, at the same time finding it rather amusing. “Hm hm, I don’t know who these creatures are, but they sure are funny.” “I’ll say.” She said again like she was talking to someone else. A habit she developed in her isolation as she floated through space after her homeworld was destroyed. “Oops, looks like I put the confetti in the oven and the cake on the confetti cannons...again.” Pinkie said with a grin before somehow removing herself from the batter that coated her and managed to eat it in one bite. Nova used his magic to clean himself. “How did you make that mistake?” Nova asked. “Sorry Nova.” Pinkie said. Cranky started feeling around for something. “Oh, where is it, where is it?” Asterix’s eyes widened upon hearing Nova’s name. “Nova?! It can’t be!” She zoomed in on his skill sign. “That mark...it is his. But...wait...a disguise spell?” “Could be, what other explanation is there?” She asked herself. “Where’s what?” Pinkie asked. “Um, Pinkie, I think he might be looking for that.” Nova said as he pointed to the wig that was now on Pinkie’s flank. “Huh?” Pinkie looked and jumped up in surprise, causing it to fall of. “AH! Spider, big hairy spider!” “Pinkie, no! I think that’s…” Nova tried to say but Pinkie was already hopping up and down on it. Cranky managed to wipe off the cake batter from his eyes and looked to see Pinkie stomping on his wig. “Stop, stop stop!” Pinkie finally stopped and got off it. “Oh, oops.” Cranky growled angrily. “I can fix this, I can fix this.” Pinkie said quickly before climbing up a nearby pole with a megaphone she took out of her mane and called out. “Hey everypony! Does anypony have a toupe?!” The ponies nearby looked around confused. Pinkie managed to make the pole bend down near Cranky. “This donkey is really really bald!” “Pinkie Pie, that’s not helping.” Nova tried to point out. The ponies just started laughing at poor Cranky. Cranky was clearly getting angrier. “I have had ENOUGH!” In a fit of anger, he scooped up some dirt with a bit of grass on it and placed it on his head. “Yeesh, what is with this creature?” Asterix asked reffering to Cranky. “Yeah, he’s so...cranky.” She said to herself again. “Right, anyway, if that is Nova, we should get in contact with him. See if he can help us.” “But how?” “With the probes of course.” “But if it isn’t the Nova we know, we could end up in trouble with the locals. They don’t seem to have the same level of technology as us.” “This character has the same name and the same skill sign. What are the chances of it being someone else?” “....Good point I guess.” After Asterix’s conversation with...herself...she made the choice to try and get in touch with Nova using the probe’s holo transmitting capabilities. “First, we should try to make ourselves look like one of the natives.” “I think we should study them more to make sure if they have magic here or not.” So she did look around more and saw what Ponyville was like. She saw that the ponies who use magic had a single horn instead of antennae like she does. “All right, so we should make ourselves look like one of those one horned creatures.” “Agreed, that way, we can use our magic without drawing too much suspicion. Now the question is how should we look?” After a debate with...herself...Asterix decided on a look. She closed her eyes and focused her magic. Her antennae lit up with a yellow aura. Her form and color started to change. Soon, she looked like another unicorn of Equestria. Her coat was like a beige color and her new mane and tail were silver. “There we go. Now to try and get Nova to talk to me.” “Cranky, I’m so so sorry. Please, let me make it up to you.” Pinkie begged. “No!” Cranky exclaimed angrily. “Please, please please please.” Pinkie continued as she started pushing him away. Nova was about to follow when he heard a ‘psst’. “Hm?” He looked over to an ally where it looked like a mare was standing there and waving him over. “Over here.” She whispered harshly. “I need to talk to you.” Nova cocked a brow but went over. “Can...I help you?” “Um...by any chance...are you...an equinian?” Asterix asked. What Nova didn’t see or notice was that what he was seeing was a holographic projection of Asterix being transmitted by the invisible probe that was watching the scene. Upon hearing the question, Nova froze up and grew nervous. “An...equinian? Wh...what’s that? Never heard of it, ha ha.” He laughed nervously with an equally nervous smile. Asterix smiled. “You are an equinian, just like me. Then you must be Nova!” She preactically exclaimed. Nova cocked a brow again in curiosity. “Wait, like you? Hold on, who are you?” “Nova, it’s me, Asterix. I know I don’t look it, but that’s because I used a disguise spell on myself to look like the native inhabitants.” She turned her flank to his to show her skill sign. “You gotta remember this.” Nova squinted his eyes at the mark, then pulled back and gasped. “Asterix? I...I don’t beleive it. Is it really you?” “In the flesh.” Asterix responded. “Well...sort of. I’m projecting a hologram of myself through a probe I sent out. Oh galaxies, what are the chances of us meeting like this?” She asked joyfully. “Wait, so you’re here, on this planet?” Nova asked. “Yeah, my ship crashed and ended up in some forest just outside of this town.” “Oh wow, that’s the Everfree forest. Listen, the forest your in is called the Everfree forest. It’s home to some very dangerous creatures. Just stay in your ship and I’ll come get you, okay?” “Really? Oh thank you Nova. It’s great to see you again too.” Asterix said with a smile. “You too.” Nova said with a smile. “I’ll get some of my friends together and we’ll come get you.” “Freinds? What friends? You mean that pink creature you were with?” “The inhabitants here are called ponies. What you’re making yourself look like and what I look like are called Unicorns. The ones with wings are pegasi and the ones with neither are earth ponies. And the pink one I was with is named Pinkie Pie. She’s rather...excentric, but she’s really nice. There are five others too.” “You got five friends alreadyt? How long have you been on this planet?” “Seems like a couple years now.” “Years?” “Look, I’ll tell you all about it later, I’ll gather my friends and we’ll all come get you. They know about me and my family being aliens and they’re fine with it.” “Then how come you still have your disguise?” “Because not everyone knows. I’m afraid to reveal that to them but I’m doing it little by little, telling others who I really am. I’ll be by soon, just hang in there.” He then took off and left the hologram of Asterix. “By the galaxies, what has he been up too?” “I don’t know, but we’ll find out soon enough.” Asterix said to herself before cutting off the feed and flicked out. Nova had managed to gather his family and five of the six mares he’s come to call friend. Pinkie was too busy trying to get Cranky to like her. The group was making a trek through the forest to Asterix’s ship. “Big brother, who’s Asterix again?” Starburst asked. “She’s a very good friend of mine. We were practically growing up together. Mom and dad were good friends with her parents.” “I can’t believe it, what are the chances?” Cosmos asked. “You don’t think your goddess guided her here do you?” Twilight asked. “I don’t know. But the chances of her ending up here are pretty slim. I suppose it’s possible.” Nova replied. “So what is she like?” Fluttershy asked. “It’s been so long, I don’t really remember.” Nova said with a frown. “Don’t worry dear, I’m sure you’ll still be good friends. I just hope she and her parents have been doing okay.” Starla said. “And...how do you know where she is?” Rainbow asked as she hovered over the group. Cosmos replied. “Nova came to us first and told us about Asterix, so we used our ships technology to scan and locate for any equinian technology.” “Oh.” Was all Rainbow said in reply. Then she hovered down to Applejack and whispered. “Did you understand that?” “Not really.” Applejack whispered back. They soon arrived at the crash site just in time to see Zecora standing on the side of the ship poking it with a staff. “Zecora? What are you doing here?” Twilight asked. “Ah, how good to see you all. I was about to come get you when I saw this thing fall. It made quite the noise, and I could swear I heard from inside a voice.” Zecora said upon seeing the group. Nova stepped forward. “It’s an equinian ship. An old friend of mine is in there.” “A freind you say? What a day.” Zecora replied. Nova went to the door of the ship, turned off his holo disguise, and knocked. “Asterix! Hello! It’s me, Nova, I brought my friends and family!” When he did, so did the rest of his family. The door slowly opened with a hiss and Asterix poked her head out without her pony disguise up. “Nova! I’m so glad to see you. You have no idea what I’ve been through all alone in space.” “I think I have a pretty good idea.” Nova replied with a half smile. Asterix looked past Nova and to his family and the six mares. “Um...Nova, who are they?” “Asterix, allow me to introduce to you my new friends. This is Twilight Sparkle, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Fluttershy, and Zecora.” “Howdy.” Applejack greeted. “Hello darling.” Rarity said with a smile. “Hey.” Rainbow said with a hoof salute. “Um...h...hello.” Fluttershy stuttered. “A pleasure to meet a new face, I hope your landing wasn’t too rough in coming to this place.” Zecora said. “Um...why is she rhyming?” Asterix asked. Nova chuckled. “She always speaks like that.” “Asterix!” Starla called with joy. Asterix then looked to Starla. “Starla! Oh thank the stars! I’m so glad to see you.” She jumped down from her ship and went over to her. The two shared a hug. “And Cosmos, you look the same as the last time I saw you.” “You’ve certainly grown.” Cosmos said with a smile and took her in a hug. After the hug, Asterix broke it and looked to Starburst. “And I remember you, you’re Starburst right? By the galaxies you’ve grown.” “Um…” Starburst said. “Of course you wouldn’t remember her, you were still a baby.” Nova pointed out. “So if you all are here, then so must my parents. Where are they, are they all right?” Asterix asked with a smile. The other smiles from the equinians quickly faded as they looked away. Asterix caught on quickly. “Oh...they aren’t here...are they?” She frowned as she splayed her ears against her head. “Sorry dear. I’m afraid not. We’re the only equinians on this planet.” Starla pointed out. “But hay, don’t worry. Maybe they’ll find their way here too one day.” Cosmos said in hopes of cheering up Asterix. “Maybe.” Asterix said. “So...where’s that pink one I saw Nova with?” “That was Pinkie Pie, she’s...a little busy right now.” Nova said. “Busy doing what?” “She’s trying to get this donkey that just moved into town to be her friend.” Twilight said. “Why? And...what’s a donkey?” Asterix asked. “There’s a lot to learn Asterix. And I’m going to help you get adjusted to living here.” Nova said. “But first, I have something else to tell you. Twilight Sparkle here and I….are engaged.” Nova placed a hoof around Twilight as he said this. “Engaged!? To her?! But...she’s not equinian.” Asterix said. “So? She’s a wonderful mare.” Nova said with a smile, causing Twilight to blush. “She’s kind and smart and likes to learn new things. Kind of like me. Besides, why should race matter? Love is love.” “Well...when you put it that way.” Asterix started, then smiled and took the two in a tight hug. “Congratulations you two.” Rainbow Dash and Applejack giggled at the scene. “Can’t...breath.” Twilight strained. Asterix broke the hug. Nova then gave a quick explanation of a few things Asterix needed to know, like the name of the forest, the town they’ll be living in, and that for now she needed to keep the fact their aliens a secret but there were a few other ponies that knew about it and were okay with it. After which, they made plans to help Asterix fix her ship so she could move it closer to town at night. For the time being, she could stay in Nova’s ship for the time being so she wouldn’t be alone in the middle of a dangerous forest. The group made their way back to town through the forest with Zecora’s help. “So why does she live in this forest if it’s so dangerous?” Asterix asked. “There are many plants that can be used in the potions I brew, some are plentiful while some are very few.” Zecora replied. “What about these dangerous creatures I heard about?” “It helps to know when they are awake or asleep. I learn their patterns and know when not to make a peep.” “Do you always have to talk in rhyme?” “I like it.” Starburst said. They got closer to town and the equinians returned to their pony disguises before heading further in. “Well, thanks for the guidance Zecora, I’ll be sure to come by sometime for a freindly visit.” Nova said. “You and your family are welcome anytime, to stop on by and hear me rhyme.” Zecora said jokingly as she gave a wink to Starburst. “Heh heh, I’d like that.” Starburst giggled. Upon reaching the edge of town, they saw Pinkie skipping along happily. “Pinkie Pie, darling, there you are.” Rarity said. Pinkie stopped and looked in their direction. “Oh, hey guys, what’s up?” “Ya missed meetin a friend of Nova’s.” Applejack pointed out. “Pinkie Pie, this is Asterix.” Nova said as he gestured to Asterix. The others seemed confused by Pinkie actually calming down. “Pinkie, are you...feeling all right?” Rainbow asked. “Of course, why?” Pinkie asked. “Well...it’s just when a new face comes to town, you usually get all excited.” Fluttershy said. “When did you learn this?” Twilight asked. “Well, I finally got Cranky to agree to be my friend. It turns out he had been searching all over Equestria to find a special friend he met a long time ago but never found her. It was Matilda! I managed to figure it out after I saw his book of memories and accidentally ruined it. So I went to get Matilda and brought her to Cranky.” Pinkie explained practically in one breath. Asterix didn’t know what was going on or what Pinkie was talking about. “So now I have a letter to write to princess Celestia.” Pinkie then added. Twilight giggled with a smile. “That’s good.” “So Asterix, what kind of party do you like?” Pinkie asked. “Um...party?” Asterix questioned. “Just go with it, trust me. One way or another, she’s throwing you a party to welcome you here.” Nova said with a smile. “Welcome to Ponyville Asterix.” Starburst added.