The Mane Six and Spike embark on one of their darkest missions yet when they are transported to Victorian London where a barber named Sweeney Todd is out for revenge on a corrupt judge who ruined his life.
And this marks the birth of the Demon Barber, hence living up to his name. Even before we get to that, our heroes and new ally Anthony hatch a plan to have Johanna swiftly rescued from her imprisonment on a journey not just for love, but for freedom. Though they risk the wrath of the Judge and his cohort, being good friends that they are they're willing to take a chance. It's unfortunate though that when they do ask Todd for help, they have no idea that he has sinister plans of his own (Specifically to have them killed off to have his daughter to himself). And before they can even think of that, turns out that Italian barber was 'not' who he claims to be and has a history with Todd.
That's when things 'really' get bloody... with Chrysalis' help of course.
“If you were in my shoes, you’d do anything for the one you care for most,” Anthony continued. “Is there anyone you truly care about, Ms. Fluttershy? Have you ever been in love?”
The last question seemed to cause Fluttershy to blush a bright pink, about as pink as her mane. Being put on the spot before her friends was certainly not what she expected. Quickly, she tried to hide her face behind her mane.
“Um--uh--n-no!” She stuttered nervously. “I-I-I h-haven’t been in l-love yet.”
Her face said otherwise as her cheeks blushed harder, especially after the very next thing that came out of her mouth.
“But… there is someone I care about greatly,” She concluded, with a small smile.
This truly caught the attention of the remainder of her friends. In particular, Pinkie Pie gasped loudly and bounced alongside her with the biggest smile on her face.
“Oooh… does Fluttershy have a crush on someone?” Pinkie Pie asked cheerfully. “Any pony we know?”
Fluttercord shippers are gonna enjoy this little moment
Todd and Chrysalis are in the mood for more killing. And the girls and Spike will be bringing his daughter right to him. But he will not let her go away with Anthony, especially with the words Chrysalis put in his head about the girls and Spike being bad.
Eventually, when the dead man was as still as the grave, Sweeney laid him back in the chest and slowly shut the lid once more. Seeing his razor gleam even with blood, feeling how well it fit as it floated across the throat of a hypocrite like his former assistant, he wiped the razor clean. Both he and Chrysalis eyed the chest, knowing what this meant. They both had their first taste of blood in this world and now…
Now they wanted more…”
First blood… and who knows how much more there will be
The vengeance of Sweeney Todd has only just begun. Twilight has never been in love? Oh, I don't know about that, Twilight, there's always someone or pony. Storm Shield perhaps?
Later that same day, the Mane Six and Spike accompanied Anthony down the street toward Judge Turpin’s house. Following their previous encounter just the other day, when Beadle had beaten Anthony with his club, they made it to Hyde Park and found a decent lodging house to settle in for the time being. The group spent the remainder of the day tending to Anthony’s wounds. Despite the bruising, Anthony was more determined than ever to get Johanna away from Turpin and free her of this oppressive state.
But of course, that just begged one question:
“What exactly is the plan, Anthony?” Twilight Sparkle asked, mid-walk.
“We sneak Johanna out of the house,” Anthony responded. “I plan to take her with me on my next voyage at sea; she’d probably love to see the open sea after being cooped up for so long.”
Sonata Dusk: I would feel the same way if it were me.
Me: That's true, especially how you're a siren.
Sonata Dusk: Yeah. *giggles*
“And a lovely thought darling, but… have you actually come up with a solid plan?” Rarity questioned seriously. “We can’t just walk through the front door and take her after all.”
“Sure… let’s do it the ‘easy’ way,” Rainbow Dash replied sarcastically.
“Ah’m pretty sure Beadle told Turpin ‘bout us showin’ up to help,” Applejack added. “Probably keepin’ a close watch on her as we speak.”
“It wouldn’t surprise me if he’s told the cops,” Spike spoke up. “Suppose we show up and a whole squad of cops has the whole place surrounded?”
Me: I can believe that...
“I sure hope that isn’t the case, Spike,” Fluttershy said nervously. “I couldn’t bear the thought of being in a terrible place like prison… again.”
“Don’t worry, everything will work out,” Anthony assured them.
“How can you be so sure?” Spike asked the lad.
“Because I feel it… in my heart,” Anthony replied, a hand over his chest.
Me: *smiles* I love that determination, Anthony.
“Aww… so sweet!” Pinkie smiled happily. “Like a big chocolate cake with molten chocolate icing, fudge filling, and a sweet cherry on top.”
“Yeah, yeah, real sweet lover boy, but we seriously need a plan!” Rainbow emphasized, with an eye roll.
“Well, from what you told me, you were able to enter Johanna’s room the other day undetected,” Anthony replied. “And I still don’t know how you pulled that off.”
“It’s… a long story, kid,” Rainbow chuckled.
“What are ya getting’ at?” Applejack asked.
“If you were able to do it once, why not do it again?” Anthony suggested. “You could just sneak in, have a word with her, and convince her to run away with me.”
The group, however, nervously chuckled over such an offer. But the one most nervous was poor little Fluttershy, who tried and failed to hide her anxiety behind her mane.
“Anthony, your heart is in the right place,” Fluttershy spoke up. “But we could get in so much trouble and we’ve already upset the Judge and Beadle. I don’t think it would be wise to anger them any further.”
Me:Spoken like a certain Archdeacon.
“Ah, come on Fluttershy, why couldn’t we do it?” Rainbow attempted encouragement. “Even if rat face and big nose did catch on, they’d have to stand toe-to-ho… toe! Yeah, toe-to-toe with ‘Lightning Hooves’ Rainbow Dash.”
To emphasize her point, Rainbow threw a series of punches into the air with almost lightning quick speed.
Me:Brash as ever...
“Normally I’d think the same as you Fluttershy, but we’ve all seen how poorly Turpin treats Johanna,” Twilight Sparkle added. “We can’t in good conscience leave the poor girl to suffer any more than she’s already endured.
Me: Twilight's right, Fluttershy. You wouldn't leave someone in need trap in their predicament, would you?
Being the kind, tender-hearted pony she was, Fluttershy had to agree with her friends. Somehow, they needed to get Johanna out of harm’s way immediately. And yet, she was still unsure about whether they could be pushing their luck.
“I just… I don’t know if I--”
“Please, Ms. Fluttershy,” Anthony pled to her. “You’re not just doing this for Johanna, you’re doing it for love.”
“He’s seriously talking love already?” Rainbow whispered to Applejack.
The farm girl merely gave her marefriend a gentle nudge to hush her up, as Rainbow responded with an annoyed look.
“If you were in my shoes, you’d do anything for the one you care for most,” Anthony continued. “Is there anyone you truly care about, Ms. Fluttershy? Have you ever been in love?”
The last question seemed to cause Fluttershy to blush a bright pink, about as pink as her mane. Being put on the spot before her friends was certainly not what she expected. Quickly, she tried to hide her face behind her mane.
“Um--uh--n-no!” She stuttered nervously. “I-I-I h-haven’t been in l-love yet.”
Her face said otherwise as her cheeks blushed harder, especially after the very next thing that came out of her mouth.
“But… there is someone I care about greatly,” She concluded, with a small smile.
Me: *smiles, knowing who it is*
This truly caught the attention of the remainder of her friends. In particular, Pinkie Pie gasped loudly and bounced alongside her with the biggest smile on her face.
“Oooh… does Fluttershy have a crush on someone?” Pinkie Pie asked cheerfully. “Any pony we know?”
To which this only made Fluttershy blush harder, if such a thing were possible. Something of which didn’t go unnoticed as Rainbow Dash gave a mischievous smirk.
“You know… I think she does Pinkster,” Rainbow Dash chuckled. “Well come on Flutters. Who is it?”
“Um… uh… um…”
“Come on, you know you want to tell us,” Pinkie giggled. “Is it a guy? A she? They/them?”
Just then, Twilight Sparkle used her magic to pry her two friends away from the shy and embarrassed pony in disguise.”
“Now that’s enough you guys,” Twilight spoke sternly. “You know better than to pester Fluttershy about these things!”
“Twilight’s absolutely right,” Rarity agreed. “It’s quite rude invading some po… poor girl’s personal life.”
Me: Yes, quite rude indeed.
“We’re kind of starting to get off topic here anyway,” Spike interrupted. “So… what are we going to do?”
Finally, after the blushing on her face passed, Fluttershy turned back to all her friends and Anthony. Looking deep into the eyes of the young man, she could feel the determination and admiration he had for Johanna. She could almost feel it within herself, and she’d be doing a disservice for a friend if they just left her with that horror of a man.
“Okay,” She replied softly. “We’ll sneak in and talk to her. But… we need to be very careful.”
Me: Maximum sneaky~
“Way ahead of you, so here’s what we’ll do,” Twilight spoke up. “Anthony will wait for us right here. In five minutes, we’ll go into Johanna’s room, we talk to her, and see about getting her out the front of the house. If we’re lucky, the Judge and the Beadle won’t even be at the house. But if you do see them Anthony, give us a sign.”
Me: Sound like a plan?
Anthony nodded as he headed for the back of the building once more. The girls and Spike proceeded to sneak around the corner making sure no one else was around. Seeing no one around the street, they quickly grabbed hands and Twilight proceeded to work her magic. Within seconds, they were teleported out of the area leaving the place completely empty.
*Sonata and I once again stand watch waiting for if anything were to happen*
<>
Inside the house, Johanna once more sat at her window, looking out into the streets below quietly cutting out silhouettes… aimless Victorian handicrafts. Not a single day passed by that she thought about one day leaving this gilded cage and flying free much like a bird. Despite the tears in her eyes, she had far more hope than she had in many years. These new pony friends of hers, as well as that young man Anthony, just might provide her the escape she longed for. All she could do now was wait and hope this all proved true.
Just then, a slight breeze filled the room followed by a brief flash of light. The moment it faded, she gasped when she saw the Mane Six and Spike, in their Equestrian form, standing in the midst of her room again.
“Hi honey, I’m home!” Pinkie Pie announced comically.
Johanna clasped one hand over her chest, trying to regulate her breathing from the shock.
“I don’t think I’ll ever get used to that,” Johanna gasped in shock.
“Trust me, when you do it so many times it gets old really fast,” Rainbow Dash replied.
“What are you all doing?” Johanna whispered harshly. “Judge Turpin is right downstairs! If he finds out you’re here, it’ll be--”
But Johanna stopped, just as she was about to finish her sentence. She stole a glance across the room. As if she actually knew about that small hole in the wallpaper. Then she truly thought about the Judge, and how he truly had been spending his time. Watching her from the chamber across the hole, so lascivious… so perverse… so… horrifying. As if it truly dawned on her the reasons for why these creatures would be here now.
“… You’d still come to help me, wouldn’t you?” Johanna concluded.
“Miss Johanna, we are the craziest individuals you will ever meet,” Twilight Sparkle declared. “Maybe we don’t always make the smartest decisions, but we’d be there for you anyway because we care about you. No woman deserves to spend the rest of her days locked away and being told what to do without having a say. You deserve as much happiness as any human being deserves, and we want to make it a reality for you.”
To say that Johanna was touched by this one pony’s choice of words was an understatement. All of her life, she’s known nothing but cruelty and having to abide by certain rules out of fear and obligation. She’d never dare to stand up for herself because of what terrible consequences will await her if she’d say ‘no’. The thought of spending the rest of her days wandering the streets… or worse, to experience the most horrifying acts of pain against her own will left her with nightmares since she was a child. Only now… another thought came to her mind.
The girl casually glanced out from between the shutters at her window. She remembered that day when she first saw Anthony. A young sailor standing across the street, keeping his lonely vigil, his eyes gazing toward her at the mansion. And she returned her gaze toward him, caught in that moment, trying to figure out these newfound feelings despite knowing nothing about this man. As if there was something drawing her, imploring her that this was a sign she couldn’t stray from.
“Twilight, can I ask you something?” Johanna asked.
“Why of course you can,” Twilight nodded.
Twilight Sparkle faced her new friend, noting the pondering gaze upon the girl’s face. The alicorn princess could tell Johanna was trying to figure something out. No doubt a burning question she asked many times as a child, but never received a proper answer for… until perhaps today.
“What is it like to fall in love? You know… your first love?”
Suffice to say, the question caught Twilight completely off guard. She struggled with her own feelings, especially with a certain Prince she recently fell for… of course, she never directly said it before.
“I don’t really know,” Twilight answered, recollecting her thoughts. “It’s kind of hard to explain. I suppose it’s like eating your first slice of pie. You don’t know why, but you get this tingly feeling inside and you want it to stay forever. Especially when you meet someone very special.”
“Have you met that special someone yet?” Johanna asked Twilight.
“Me?” Twilight laughed nervously. “My love life’s a bit complicated. Mainly because I don’t know ‘how’ to admit it. I’ve helped people fall in love before… but it’s not really the same.”
Johanna merely smiled as she placed a soft hand upon Twilight’s shoulder.
“Just be yourself,” Johanna suggested. “When the time comes, the man you like, or possibly love, will understand how you feel. Who knows? Maybe he feels that way too. At least, I certainly hope so.”
The two girls smiled toward one another, embracing with a warm hug.
“Thanks,” Twilight smiled.
“You’re welcome.”
Finally, Johanna’s decision was made. She moved toward the table and opened one of the drawers. The girls and Spike watched as she reached in and removed something. Cupping the mystery object in her hands, she approached Twilight Sparkle and placed the object between her hooves. As she motioned the hooves to grasp it tightly, she leaned toward the pony and whispered something in her ears. The pony said nothing, but as she nodded her head and absorbed every word the expression on her face held interest.
<>
Back around the corner, Anthony was still waiting for the girls and the young gentleman while keeping an eye out for any wandering eyes. Suddenly, a light flashed beside him beckoning him to turn. Their hands clasped together, the humanized versions of Twilight Sparkle and her friends appeared to him once more. Once the light faded, they approached the young sailor.
*Sonata and I walk over once they reappear*
“How did it go?” He asked them.
Me: Yes, do tell.
Looking toward one group of her friends and then to the other, Twilight Sparkle turned her attention to Anthony and held out one hand toward him. Opening it, she revealed a key within her grasp which Anthony took from her.
“This is your way in later tonight,” Twilight informed him. “Johanna says Judge Turpin should be out on business by then. We should be able to sneak in and get her out.”
“Amazing!” Anthony gasped, elated. “We’ll run away together tonight and be on the first ship out of London before dawn.”
“Hold up there, lover boy,” Rainbow spoke up. “There’s still one problem: Where will we hide Johanna until we can get you guys safely on a ship?”
“She has a very good point,” Rarity agreed. “No doubt Judge Turpin will be on a warpath when he returns and finds she’s missing. I doubt any place in London is safe.”
Me: Better think of something good, Anthony.
Anthony contemplated this inquiry in his head, trying to come up with any possible solutions to this dilemma. If what the girls spoke of was true, that there’s no place in the city out of Turpin’s reach, hiding Johanna would be difficult. And then, an idea popped into his head.
“Mr. Todd!” Anthony’s eyes widened.
“Who now?” Spike questioned.
“On my last excursion at sea, I found a man drifting endlessly in the ocean and brought him back to London,” Anthony explained. “His name’s Sweeney Todd, and he told me I might find him on Fleet Street. There was also this young lady with golden hair that chased after him.”
This newfound information dawned realization upon the group.
“They must have been the ones we met when we went into Ms. Lovett’s Pie Shop!” Fluttershy realized.
“Ugh, I still can’t get the taste of that pie out of my mouth!” Spike groaned, disgusted.
“Ya think he’ll let us hide out with ‘im till we get ya outta here?” Applejack asked.
“Only one way to find out,” Anthony replied. “Come along now.”
Anthony started to make his way down the street with the entirety of the group following quickly. They made their way back towards Fleet Street without looking back. For they knew that if they had any hope of getting Johanna out of harm’s way, this ‘Sweeney Todd’ was currently their only hope. They didn’t even stop to notice Johanna, the girl peering through the shutters, watching them go.
*As we go down, I only think of the horrors the girls and Spike might soon be exposed to*
At the moment, I was trying—keyword being “trying”—to enjoy watching the movie, which was starting to become much harder due to the holographic memories from the past annoying the shit out of me with their game of Among Us: Equestrian Edition. Just in case, I had my copy of Murder in the Calais Coach, which was the American edition of Murder on the Orient Express. Still the same story and characters, just the change in title for some bizarre reason.
Me: (frustrated) Please distract me with more grim music of Sondheim. Save me from the chaos of the past.
Later that same day, the Mane Six and Spike accompanied Anthony down the street toward Judge Turpin’s house. Following their previous encounter just the other day, when Beadle had beaten Anthony with his club, they made it to Hyde Park and found a decent lodging house to settle in for the time being. The group spent the remainder of the day tending to Anthony’s wounds. Despite the bruising, Anthony was more determined than ever to get Johanna away from Turpin and free her of this oppressive state.
But of course, that just begged one question:
“What exactly is the plan, Anthony?” Twilight Sparkle asked, mid-walk.
“We sneak Johanna out of the house,” Anthony responded. “I plan to take her with me on my next voyage at sea; she’d probably love to see the open sea after being cooped up for so long.”
Zipp: He has no idea what he’s doing, does he?
Sunny: He’s doing his best, Zipp.
Zipp: I know that.
“And a lovely thought darling, but… have you actually come up with a solid plan?” Rarity questioned seriously. “We can’t just walk through the front door and take her after all.”
“Sure… let’s do it the ‘easy’ way,” Rainbow Dash replied sarcastically.
“Ah’m pretty sure Beadle told Turpin ‘bout us showin’ up to help,” Applejack added. “Probably keepin’ a close watch on her as we speak.”
“It wouldn’t surprise me if he’s told the cops,” Spike spoke up. “Suppose we show up and a whole squad of cops has the whole place surrounded?”
“I sure hope that isn’t the case, Spike,” Fluttershy said nervously. “I couldn’t bear the thought of being in a terrible place like prison… again.”
Me: Funny enough, prison’s not even the worst case scenario.
Hitch: It’s…not?
Me: And you’ll see why later.
“Don’t worry, everything will work out,” Anthony assured them.
“How can you be so sure?” Spike asked the lad.
“Because I feel it… in my heart,” Anthony replied, a hand over his chest.
“Aww… so sweet!” Pinkie smiled happily. “Like a big chocolate cake with molten chocolate icing, fudge filling, and a sweet cherry on top.”
“Yeah, yeah, real sweet lover boy, but we seriously need a plan!” Rainbow emphasized, with an eye roll.
“Well, from what you told me, you were able to enter Johanna’s room the other day undetected,” Anthony replied. “And I still don’t know how you pulled that off.”
“It’s… a long story, kid,” Rainbow chuckled.
Sunny: I think he’s onto something.
Izzy: I’m…starting to think that the Judge is a bit…*gulp* (whispers) Jinxie!
Me: That may be so, but I would save the “jinxie” bit for later.
Izzy: (gasps) You mean there’s something even more jinxie?!
Me: Absolutely.
“What are ya getting’ at?” Applejack asked.
“If you were able to do it once, why not do it again?” Anthony suggested. “You could just sneak in, have a word with her, and convince her to run away with me.”
The group, however, nervously chuckled over such an offer. But the one most nervous was poor little Fluttershy, who tried and failed to hide her anxiety behind her mane.
“Anthony, your heart is in the right place,” Fluttershy spoke up. “But we could get in so much trouble and we’ve already upset the judge and Beadle. I don’t think it would be wise to anger them any further.”
“Ah, come on Fluttershy, why couldn’t we do it?” Rainbow attempted encouragement. “Even if ratface and big nose did catch on, they’d have to stand toe-to-ho… toe! Yeah, toe-to-toe with ‘Lightning Hooves’ Rainbow Dash.”
To emphasize her point, Rainbow threw a series of punches into the air with almost lightning quick speed.
Me: Since when did anyone call her “Lightning Hooves”?
Zipp: Hmm, it’s got a nice ring to it.
“Normally I’d think the same as you Fluttershy, but we’ve all seen how poorly Turpin treats Johanna,” Twilight Sparkle added. “We can’t in good conscience leave the poor girl to suffer any more than she’s already endured.”
Sunny: She’s right. You can’t leave her in the hands of that…that monster.
Hitch: But…she has good reason to be scared. We’ve seen what the Judge and Beadle are capable of.
Being the kind, tender-hearted pony she was, Fluttershy had to agree with her friends. Somehow, they needed to get Johanna out of harm’s way immediately. And yet, she was still unsure about whether they could be pushing their luck.
“I just… I don’t know if I—”
“Please, Ms. Fluttershy,” Anthony pleaded to her. “You’re not just doing this for Johanna, you’re doing it for love.”
“He’s seriously talking love already?” Rainbow whispered to Applejack.
The farm girl merely gave her marefriend a gentle nudge to hush her up, as Rainbow responded with an annoyed look.
Pipp: (flutters) Ahh~, love~!
“If you were in my shoes, you’d do anything for the one you care for most,” Anthony continued. “Is there anyone you truly care about, Ms. Fluttershy? Have you ever been in love?”
The last question seemed to cause Fluttershy to blush a bright pink, about as pink as her mane. Being put on the spot before her friends was certainly not what she expected. Quickly, she tried to hide her face behind her mane.
“Um--uh--n-no!” She stuttered nervously. “I-I-I h-haven’t been in l-love yet.”
Pipp: (teasing) Are you sure~?
Her face said otherwise as her cheeks blushed harder, especially after the very next thing that came out of her mouth.
“But… there is someone I care about greatly,” She concluded, with a small smile.
Zipp: Aha! I knew it!
Pipp:Ye~ah~!
Sunny: Oh, my hoofness! (gasps) Who is it?!
This truly caught the attention of the remainder of her friends. In particular, Pinkie Pie gasped loudly and bounced alongside her with the biggest smile on her face.
“Oooh… does Fluttershy have a crush on someone?” Pinkie Pie asked cheerfully. “Any pony we know?”
To which this only made Fluttershy blush harder, if such a thing were possible. Something of which didn’t go unnoticed as Rainbow Dash gave a mischievous smirk.
“You know… I think she does Pinkster,” Rainbow Dash chuckled. “Well come on Flutters. Who is it?”
“Um… uh… um…”
“Come on, you know you want to tell us,” Pinkie giggled. “Is it a guy? A she? They/them?”
Just then, Twilight Sparkle used her magic to pry her two friends away from the shy and embarrassed pony in disguise.
“Now that’s enough you guys,” Twilight spoke sternly. “You know better than to pester Fluttershy about these things!”
Me: To be honest, the whole joke about this is the fact that Fluttershy and *insert name here* are too scared to admit their feelings when everyone else knows who it is already.
Sunny: Really?!
Zipp: Did you really just say “insert anime here”?
Me: I did. This is a joke I can get behind, so I’m gonna continue it.
“Twilight’s absolutely right,” Rarity agreed. “It’s quite rude invading some po… poor girl’s personal life.”
“We’re kind of starting to get off topic here anyway,” Spike interrupted. “So… what are we going to do?”
Hitch: What’s our gameplan?
Zipp: You play sports?
Hitch: Well…it’s more of a hobby. Besides, that’s a phrase everypony uses.
Finally, after the blushing on her face passed, Fluttershy turned back to all her friends and Anthony. Looking deep into the eyes of the young man, she could feel the determination and admiration he had for Johanna. She could almost feel it within herself, and she’d be doing a disservice for a friend if they just left her with that horror of a man.
“Okay,” She replied softly. “We’ll sneak in and talk to her. But… we need to be very careful.”
“Way ahead of you, so here’s what we’ll do,” Twilight spoke up. “Anthony will wait for us right here. In five minutes, we’ll go into Johanna’s room, we talk to her, and see about getting her out the front of the house. If we’re lucky, the Judge and the Beadle won’t even be at the house. But if you do see them, Anthony, give us a sign.”
Anthony nodded as he headed for the back of the building once more. The girls and Spike proceeded to sneak around the corner making sure no one else was around. Seeing no one around the street, they quickly grabbed hands and Twilight proceeded to work her magic. Within seconds, they were teleported out of the area leaving the place completely empty.
Me: Here we go again. In all honesty, I like what they’re doing here: they’re actually making the romance in this musical make more sense. The film adaptation decided to skim around the romance in favor of Sweeney and Lovett, which makes sense when cutting a three hour stageplay to a two hour movie, but that’s the thing with fanfiction: you don’t need length constraints, unless there’s a pacing issue or something.
Zipp: What are you talking about?
Me: Something to do with cucumbers and potatoes.
Zipp: You were not.
Me: I know, but I’m not telling why.
Zipp: Augh! (takes out phone) Note to self: pry around and find out why PlymouthFury is so secretive about what he talks to himself about.
Me: You know I can hear you, right?
Zipp: Aah!! (hides phone) N-nothing, it wasn’t anything! Nothing! Eheh…
Inside the house, Johanna once more sat at her window, looking out into the streets below quietly cutting out silhouettes… aimless Victorian handicrafts. Not a single day passed by that she thought about one day leaving this gilded cage and flying free much like a bird. Despite the tears in her eyes, she had far more hope than she had in many years. These new pony friends of hers, as well as that young man Anthony, just might provide her the escape she longed for. All she could do now was wait and hope this all proved true.
Just then, a slight breeze filled the room followed by a brief flash of light. The moment it faded, she gasped when she saw the Mane Six and Spike, in their Equestrian form, standing in the midst of her room again.
“Hi honey, I’m home!” Pinkie Pie announced comically.
Johanna clasped one hand over her chest, trying to regulate her breathing from the shock.
“I don’t think I’ll ever get used to that,” Johanna gasped in shock.
Izzy: I’m still trying it out myself. Watch!
Sunny: Izzy, wait—!
The unicorn mare disappeared in a bright flash. Her seat was empty and was nowhere in sight. Then I noticed her dangling from the edge of Haven’s now empty private box.
Izzy: Uh…I think I got it handled now…right?
Crickets.
Izzy: Now, uh…same somepony…help me get down, please?
Zipp: I’m on it, Izz.
“Trust me, when you do it so many times it gets old really fast,” Rainbow Dash replied.
“What are you all doing?” Johanna whispered harshly. “Judge Turpin is right downstairs! If he finds out you’re here, it’ll be—”
But Johanna stopped, just as she was about to finish her sentence. She stole a glance across the room. As if she actually knew about that small hole in the wallpaper. Then she truly thought about the Judge, and how he truly had been spending his time. Watching her from the chamber across the hole, so lascivious… so perverse… so… horrifying. As if it truly dawned on her the reasons for why these creatures would be here now.
Me: (shocked) Oh, my God. Has…has she known that he’s been watching her this whole time? Jesus Tap-Dancing Motherfucking Christ!
Izzy: Wow…that is a loooong name.
Sunny: Can you…please not swear?
Me: It’s not that bad. I’m not offended by any words directed at me; at least, for most of them. And besides, it’s the least physically painful way to vent frustration I know.
“… You’d still come to help me, wouldn’t you?” Johanna concluded.
“Miss Johanna, we are the craziest individuals you will ever meet,” Twilight Sparkle declared. “Maybe we don’t always make the smartest decisions, but we’d be there for you anyway because we care about you. No woman deserves to spend the rest of her days locked away and being told what to do without having a say. You deserve as much happiness as any human being deserves, and we want to make it a reality for you.”
Me: You know something: it takes a lot ‘a guts to admit personal faults.
Sunny: (prideful) If that’s not what makes a worthy princess, I don’t know what will!
To say that Johanna was touched by this one pony’s choice of words was an understatement. All of her life, she’s known nothing but cruelty and having to abide by certain rules out of fear and obligation. She’d never dare to stand up for herself because of what terrible consequences will await her if she’d say ‘no’. The thought of spending the rest of her days wandering the streets… or worse, to experience the most horrifying acts of pain against her own will left her with nightmares since she was a child. Only now… another thought came to her mind.
The girl casually glanced out from between the shutters at her window. She remembered that day when she first saw Anthony. A young sailor standing across the street, keeping his lonely vigil, his eyes gazing toward her at the mansion. And she returned her gaze toward him, caught in that moment, trying to figure out these newfound feelings despite knowing nothing about this man. As if there was something drawing her, imploring her that this was a sign she couldn’t stray from.
“Twilight, can I ask you something?” Johanna asked.
“Why of course you can,” Twilight nodded.
Twilight Sparkle faced her new friend, noting the pondering gaze upon the girl’s face. The alicorn princess could tell Johanna was trying to figure something out. No doubt a burning question she asked many times as a child, but never received a proper answer for… until perhaps today.
“What is it like to fall in love? You know… your first love?”
Izzy: Oh, that’s easy! *ahem* You see, when a mommy pony and daddy pony really like each other—
Sunny: (silences Izzy) IZZY!! It’s not like that!
Pipp: Take, like, fifteen steps back and then you’ll understand.
Izzy: (unsilenced) Okay! …What does that mean exactly?
Suffice to say, the question caught Twilight completely off guard. She struggled with her own feelings, especially with a certain Prince she recently fell for… of course, she never directly said it before.
“I don’t really know,” Twilight answered, recollecting her thoughts. “It’s kind of hard to explain. I suppose it’s like eating your first slice of pie. You don’t know why, but you get this tingly feeling inside and you want it to stay forever. Especially when you meet someone very special.”
“Have you met that special someone yet?” Johanna asked Twilight.
“Me?” Twilight laughed nervously. “My love life’s a bit complicated. Mainly because I don’t know ‘how’ to admit it. I’ve helped people fall in love before… but it’s not really the same.”
Me: You know, it would be just like Bookworm Twilight to be oblivious to her own love life.
Sunny: Hey!
Zipp: (laughs) Oh, come on, Sunny. You can’t expect your all powerful hero alicorn to perfect all the time, right?
Opaline: (hidden locket; cringes in disgust) Eugh, it’s like she’s insulting me just by the way she looks and acts so perfectly all the time!
Misty looked confused at that statement.
Johanna merely smiled as she placed a soft hand upon Twilight’s shoulder.
“Just be yourself,” Johanna suggested. “When the time comes, the man you like, or possibly love, will understand how you feel. Who knows? Maybe he feels that way too. At least, I certainly hope so.”
The two girls smiled toward one another, embracing with a warm hug.
“Thanks,” Twilight smiled.
“You’re welcome.”
Finally, Johanna’s decision was made. She moved toward the table and opened one of the drawers. The girls and Spike watched as she reached in and removed something. Cupping the mystery object in her hands, she approached Twilight Sparkle and placed the object between her hooves. As she motioned the hooves to grasp it tightly, she leaned toward the pony and whispered something in her ears. The pony said nothing, but as she nodded her head and absorbed every word the expression on her face held interest.
Zipp: What did she just give her?
Sunny: I don’t know, but it must be very important.
Back around the corner, Anthony was still waiting for the girls and the young gentleman while keeping an eye out for any wandering eyes. Suddenly, a light flashed beside him beckoning him to turn. Their hands clasped together, the humanized versions of Twilight Sparkle and her friends appeared to him once more. Once the light faded, they approached the young sailor.
“How did it go?” He asked them.
Looking toward one group of her friends and then to the other, Twilight Sparkle turned her attention to Anthony and held out one hand toward him. Opening it, she revealed a key within her grasp which Anthony took from her.
Me: (laughs) Oh, my God, that is so much better than just throwing the key out the window!
Hitch: Why would she do that? That sounds dangerous on so many levels.
Me: I know, and I think there was a song for this scene that was cut from the stageplay.
“This is your way in later tonight,” Twilight informed him. “Johanna says Judge Turpin should be out on business by then. We should be able to sneak in and get her out.”
“Amazing!” Anthony gasped, elated. “We’ll run away together tonight and be on the first ship out of London before dawn.”
“Hold up there, lover boy,” Rainbow spoke up. “There’s still one problem: Where will we hide Johanna until we can get you guys safely on a ship?”
“She has a very good point,” Rarity agreed. “No doubt Judge Turpin will be on a warpath when he returns and finds she’s missing. I doubt any place in London is safe.”
Anthony contemplated this inquiry in his head, trying to come up with any possible solutions to this dilemma. If what the girls spoke of was true, that there’s no place in the city out of Turpin’s reach, hiding Johanna would be difficult. And then, an idea popped into his head.
“Mr. Todd!” Anthony’s eyes widened.
Hitch: Wait, what?!
Me: (impersonating Alastor) Oh, what dramatic irony! Ah, ha ha ha! *gulps* Oh, God I hope he doesn’t curse me for that.
“Who now?” Spike questioned.
“On my last excursion at sea, I found a man drifting endlessly in the ocean and brought him back to London,” Anthony explained. “His name’s Sweeney Todd, and he told me I might see him on Fleet Street. There was also this young lady with golden hair that chased after him.”
Zipp: Oh, no! No no no no! This is one of the worst ideas in history!
Pipp: Well…only we know that, unfortunately.
Zipp: Curse you, DRAMATIC IRONYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!
This newfound information dawned realization upon the group.
“They must have been the ones we met when we went into Ms. Lovett’s Pie Shop!” Fluttershy realized.
“Ugh, I still can’t get the taste of that pie out of my mouth!” Spike groaned, disgusted.
“Ya think he’ll let us hide out with ‘im till we get ya outta here?” Applejack asked.
“Only one way to find out,” Anthony replied. “Come along now.”
Anthony started to make his way down the street with the entirety of the group following quickly. They made their way back towards Fleet Street without looking back. For they knew that if they had any hope of getting Johanna out of harm’s way, this ‘Sweeney Todd’ was currently their only hope. They didn’t even stop to notice Johanna, the girl peering through the shutters, watching them go.
Sunny: I mean, Johanna is Sweeney’s daughter, so…maybe he’ll help them?
Zipp: With Chrysalis? No way. She’d more likely think of a scheme to get her revenge on them instead, using Johanna against them.
Sunny: What?! How can you say that?!
Me: I’m with Zipp on this one, Sunny. It’s, for me at least…hard to sympathize with people who have proven unsympathetic. (sighs) Seriously, it’s so fucking sick with how people have this…this fetish with ruthless monsters, like serial killers! It’s so goddamn—!
Me: (takes a deep breath) Thanks, Hitch. I’m sorry, it’s very unprofessional of me to vent my frustrations at my work. (breathes again) Okay, I’m gonna call it part one here while I calm down my temper. >>next
However, much to their disappointment, and as the bell rang from outside the shop, Anthony burst through the door breathlessly. And with him, the Mane Six and Spike entered following behind him.
“Mr. Todd!” Anthony called out. “Thank God, I’ve found you—"
They stopped the moment they noticed Mrs. Lovett and the disguised Changeling standing there. Mr. Todd eyed them, secretly closing the razor he hid behind his back.
*In situations like this, I had to remain steadfast*
“Sorry to barge in like this,” Twilight Sparkle apologized. “We have an urgent dilemma, and we need Mr. Todd’s help.”
“Yes!” Anthony nodded quickly. “Please excuse us…”
“What brings you all back in ‘ere?” Mrs. Lovett asked the group. “Changed your mind and come to try the pies?”
“No!” Spike responded quickly and loudly. “Not again… never.”
“Smart boy,” Mrs. Lovett smirked.
Sweeney emerged from his place behind the door and Anthony sighed in relief upon seeing his friend once more.
*I hold my breath seeing the tutuler barber from the show*
“Mr. Todd, there’s a girl who needs my help!” Anthony exclaimed urgently. “Such a sad girl, and lonely, but beautiful too and--:
“Slow down, Anthony,” Sweeney spoke calmly, leading the boy to the chair.
“Just take a breath, Anthony,” Twilight agreed.
“No need to worry yourself to death before we even rescue her,” Rainbow added.
“Right, sorry about that,” Anthony nodded, sitting down. “Anyway, this girl has a guardian so tyrannical that he keeps her locked away. But then this morning she gave us this…”
Anthony reached into his pocket and procured the key Johanna had given to him and the girls.
“Surely it must be a sign that Johanna wants me to help her,” Anthony continued. “That’s her name, Johanna – and Turpin that of her guardian. A judge of some sort…”
This got Sweeney’s attention, as he snapped his head in the young boy’s direction.
“Basically, the reason we’re here sir is that we plan to sneak her out of her home,” Twilight Sparkle explained. “We wish to hide her until we can find a way to help her escape.”
“We were hoping that perhaps you’d be courteous enough to help us hide her for the time being?” Rarity asked hopefully. “You see, we’ve just met him, Mr. Todd, and he is – for lack of a better word – unnatural.”
“Once he goes to court, I’m going to slip into the house and release her – and beg her to come away with me… tonight,” Anthony finished.
From behind the group, Chrysalis turned away to hide her face. It was suddenly full of shock and sadness upon hearing the young boy’s plan. It touched her way deep down her dark heart because it was exactly the very same plan, she and Fire Fall made all those years ago. A plan, tragically, that never came through.
“Oh, this is all terribly romantic,” Mrs. Lovett commented.
“Isn’t it though?” Pinkie Pie smiled. “It’s like the synopsis of every known romance story ever written.”
Me: *roll my eyes with a smile*
“Yes, but – you see – I don’t know anyone in London,” Anthony added. “And I need somewhere safe to bring her till I’ve hired a coach to take us to Plymouth. If I could keep her here, just for an hour or two, I would forever be in your debt.”
“Please Mr. Todd,” Fluttershy pleaded. “We really need your help.”
Sweeney Todd gave no response as his attention drew back out the window with a far off look on his stunned face. His mind raced trying to figure out how this new twist might aid in his plans. Eventually, he looked back from Anthony to Mrs. Lovett and the two shared a similarly knowing expression.
“Bring her here, dear,” Mrs. Lovett told Anthony.
This caused Pinkie Pie to squeal with excitement, bouncing toward Mrs. Lovett and wrapping her with a tight embrace.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you Mrs. Lovett!” She cheered happily. “You don’t know how happy that makes me.”
“No problem dearie,” Mrs. Lovett groaned. “Now… if you’d be so kind… I’d like to breathe.”
“Oops sorry!” Pinkie apologized, letting go.
“Thank you, ma’am,” Anthony smiled at her.
“Are you alright with this plan, Mr. Todd?” Twilight asked Sweeney.
“The girl may come,” Todd replied curtly, nodding in approval.
“Well, that there’s mighty kind of ya!” Applejack said appreciatively.
“Thank you, my friend!” Anthony shook Todd’s hand happily.
“We should probably go so we can get everything in motion,” Spike suggested.
“Right you are, my friend,” Anthony nodded.
The group proceeded to quickly race from the shop, leaving the trio staring after them. Just as they went, the three figures were about to move on with business until…
“You know what? I just realized something…”
The three stopped in their tracks, standing frozen as Pinkie Pie suddenly came back into the shop with a suspicious look on her face. Pinkie Pie slowly approached the trio, as their eyes slowly turned silently communicating on what to do. Away from Pinkie’s gaze, Todd held the razor behind his back… slowly opening it and preparing for the worst. And then…
“We never paid you for the pie you gave to Spike!” Pinkie informed Lovett.
Me: Huh, so we haven't.
Their stiff postures released as Pinkie Pie somehow pulled a bag of coins from her hair, an act of which left Todd and Lovett ‘slightly’ confused. She proceeded to untie the bag and dip her fingers through the coins.
“How much do we owe you?” Pinkie asked, absently.
“Oh no, no charge at all, dearie,” Mrs. Lovett declined politely. “That pie was on the house; a welcome gift.”
“Oh! Well, we do appreciate it even though it didn’t look appetizing,” Pinkie replied, putting the bag back in her hair. “I’m a baker myself where I come from. I don’t know much about ‘meat’ pies, but if you ever need any recipes to improve your business… here’s my card and we’ll talk.”
With a flick of her hand, Pinkie Pie procured a card with her name on it. She held it out for Lovett, who casually and politely accepted the gesture.
“I’ll think about it,” Mrs. Lovett nodded.
“Come on, Pinkie!” Rainbow Dash called out.
“Coming Dashie!” Pinkie called out, cheerily. “Well, so long!”
And Pinkie Pie proceeded to depart from the shop yet again, closing the door behind her.
*As we leave, I give Todd and Lovett one last look before departing. I didn't want to say it to the girls right away, but I knew someone who was going to be judge by Turpin in court and I had to be there when the sentence was given. Luckily, my Nightwing suit which I happened to bring along had taken a victorian look, so it was perfect*
Now the schemes are getting all tangled, good and bad alike. I will also admit during my initial viewing of the film I often covered my eyes during the throat slitings, which was frequently.
Meanwhile, back at the barber/pie shop, Sweeney Todd, Johanna’s father, stood staring out of the large window of his home, intense and brooding. Though it had been cleaned, it was still a spartan room. A tatty parlor chair, a large chest, and a few counters with meager bottles of tonsorial supplies. He had one of his razors in one hand, a sharpener in the other, to sharpen his ‘precious friends’ while seething with discontent. Mrs. Lovett sat in the old looking chair she brought in, while Chrysalis sat in another chair closest to Mr. Todd. Her expression, too, bore similarities to that of Mr. Todd, who started pacing across the window like a caged tiger in the small barber shop.
“It’s not much of a chair, I’ll grant, but it’ll serve,” Mrs. Lovett commented on the chair. “Was me poor Albert’s chair. Sat in it all day long he did, after his leg gave out from the gout, poor dear.”
Me: Huh. I guess the first time I watched this movie, that bit slipped right past me.
Sunny: (sympathetic) She had a husband and he…passed away.
“A charming story,” Chrysalis replied sarcastically. “Meanwhile, the two of us have been contemplating revenge on the judge and his little Beadle. What I’d give to watch their life slip away from those beady eyes.”
“Worry not, dear,” Mrs. Lovett assured her. “You and Mr. Todd will get what you want soon enough.”
“The problem is that it can’t come sooner,” Chrysalis sighed, standing from her chair. “I wish they’d come in already so we can be done with it.”
“My sentiments exactly,” Sweeney replied, never breaking his gaze. “Why doesn’t the Beadle come? ‘Before the week is out’, that’s what he said.”
“And who says the week’s out?” Mrs. Lovett asked. “It’s only Tuesday.”
“Every second they breathe is a second too long,” Chrysalis replied impatiently.
Me: Yeah, I’ve been there. It’s hard for me to remain patient for more than ten seconds at a time when I’m not distracted. Oh, wait…it’s another song.
Todd finally moved away from the window and Mrs. Lovett pursued. Chrysalis watched as the pie woman tried to calm him, soothing the bitter man with a gentle tune.
Mrs. Lovett: (sings) Easy now, Hush, love, hush, Don't distress yourself, What's your rush? Keep your thoughts Nice and lush, Wait…
“We can’t wait!” Chrysalis interrupted Lovett. “Waiting’s a foolish game. In a battle, you don’t wait for the enemy to surrender. You bring the fight to them and break them down till they’re groveling at your hooves for mercy!”
“That may be dearie, but sometimes waiting is a virtue,” Mrs. Lovett responded. “It gives you a chance to let your hatred boil within you. And when the time to kill does come, it feels so much… better.”
Opaline: (hidden locket) I share my sentiments with the changeling. (grins evilly) But…it would be nice to torture my enemies into grovelling at my hooftips.
Mrs. Lovett: (sings) Hush, love, hush, Think it through. Once it bubbles, then What's to do? Watch it close. Let it brew. Wait…
Chrysalis rolled her eyes and approached Sweeney’s side. He hadn’t responded to Lovett’s words; he was just pacing about. Mrs. Lovett looked about the room, thinking of all the improvements they could make.
Mrs. Lovett: (sings) I've been thinkin' flowers— Maybe daisies— To brighten up the room! Don't you think some flowers, Pretty daisies, Might relieve the gloom? Ah, wait, love, wait.
Todd sourly tossed himself into the chair, picking up his largest razor and glared at it intensely. Chrysalis dared to move closer to him, despite the obvious threatening nature of this man.
“Worry not, Mr. Todd,” Chrysalis assured him. “The Beadle assured us he’ll come in. And when he does, you can slit his fat throat and watch the blood pour out like gravy.”
“And the Judge?” Sweeney asked. “When will I get to him?”
“I can’t say for certain,” Chrysalis shrugged. “But I promise, you and I will make him pay for what he did to you. Perhaps it will even give me some semblance of satisfaction, thinking of Celestia in his place as he dies. Still… we could just go to him and kill the man right now.”
The two quickly made their way toward the door, swinging it open as Mrs. Lovett rolled her eyes.
“Can’t you think of nothing else?” She asked, following them to the balcony. “Always broodin’ aware on yer wrongs what happened heaven knows how many years ago…”
Me: That’s the biggest problem with villains: they’re always obsessed with something that happened in the past, from something or someone that wronged them.
Mrs. Lovett: (sings) Slow, love, slow. Time's so fast. Now goes quickly, see now it's past! Soon will come, Soon will last. Wait. Don't you know, Silly man? Half the fun is to Plan the plan?! All good things Come to those who can Wait…
Lovett’s gentle words calmed the pair, especially Todd considerably. She moved even closer, risking touching him softly… a touch that drew him back into the room. And Chrysalis, taking a deep breath, slowly closed the door to the barber shop and faced the pair. She watched as the woman’s gaze went back toward the empty room.
Mrs. Lovett (Sings): Gillyflowers, maybe, ‘Stead of daisies… I don’t know, though… What do you think?
Pipp: (cringes) I think she has terrible taste in interior decor!
Izzy: I don’t know. I like flowers!
Pipp: I-I know flowers are pretty, but they do not match this gloomy setting.
As she finished her song, Todd tilted the razor in his hand. He saw the face of a gentleman reflected in the razor. The barber clearly didn’t think of how to improve his shop nor what flowers would soothe the atmosphere for potential customers. Only ‘one’ thing remained on his mind, the one moment that could truly make him feel… happy.
Suddenly, the trio heard what sounded like footsteps climbing the stairs to the shop. Todd and Chrysalis bolted up, their senses alert—Mrs. Lovett herself spun to the door. Sweeney instantly shot his gaze at the door, holding his razor open as he moved strategically toward the door, hiding behind it. This could very well be the moment he longed for. Chrysalis stared with a wicked smirk, waiting to see the bloodshed that had been building to this very moment.
However, much to their disappointment, and as the bell rang from outside the shop, Anthony burst through the door breathlessly. And with him, the Mane Six and Spike entered following behind him.
“Mr. Todd!” Anthony called out. “Thank God, I’ve found you—"
They stopped the moment they noticed Mrs. Lovett and the disguised Changeling standing there. Mr. Todd eyed them, secretly closing the razor he hid behind his back.
Zipp: Pfft! The disappointment on her face is hilarious!
“Sorry to barge in like this,” Twilight Sparkle apologized. “We have an urgent dilemma, and we need Mr. Todd’s help.”
“Yes!” Anthony nodded quickly. “Please excuse us…”
“What brings you all back in ‘ere?” Mrs. Lovett asked the group. “Changed your mind and come to try the pies?”
“No!” Spike responded quickly and loudly. “Not again… never.”
“Smart boy,” Mrs. Lovett smirked.
Pipp: (cringes)
Hitch: Her smile rubs me in a very wrong way and I don’t like it!
Sweeney emerged from his place behind the door and Anthony sighed in relief upon seeing his friend once more.
“Mr. Todd, there’s a girl who needs my help!” Anthony exclaimed urgently. “Such a sad girl, and lonely, but beautiful too and—”
“Slow down, Anthony,” Sweeney spoke calmly, leading the boy to the chair.
Zipp: Uh, h-he’s not gonna…y-you know?
Me: Probably not. Too many witnesses.
“Just take a breath, Anthony,” Twilight agreed.
“No need to worry yourself to death before we even rescue her,” Rainbow added.
“Right, sorry about that,” Anthony nodded, sitting down. “Anyway, this girl has a guardian so tyrannical that he keeps her locked away. But then this morning she gave us this…”
Anthony reached into his pocket and procured the key Johanna had given to him and the girls.
“Surely it must be a sign that Johanna wants me to help her,” Anthony continued. “That’s her name, Johanna—and Turpin that of her guardian. A judge of some sort…”
This got Sweeney’s attention, as he snapped his head in the young boy’s direction.
Sunny: (gasps) No way! Only they know that she’s Sweeney’s daughter.
Zipp: You think they’ll actually help them?
Hitch: I…don’t know.
Me: All this dramatic irony is making Shakespeare’s spirit so goddamn happy. (aside) Is it weird to compare Chrysalis to Iago from Othello? I mean, she’s good at what she does, but I’ll take Iago any day.
“Basically, the reason we’re here sir is that we plan to sneak her out of her home,” Twilight Sparkle explained. “We wish to hide her until we can find a way to help her escape.”
“We were hoping that perhaps you’d be courteous enough to help us hide her for the time being?” Rarity asked hopefully. “You see, we’ve just met him, Mr. Todd, and he is—for lack of a better word—unnatural.”
“Once he goes to court, I’m going to slip into the house and release her—and beg her to come away with me… tonight,” Anthony finished.
From behind the group, Chrysalis turned away to hide her face. It was suddenly full of shock and sadness upon hearing the young boy’s plan. It touched her way deep down her dark heart because it was exactly the very same plan she and Fire Fall made all those years ago. A plan, tragically, that never came through.
Me: It’s still hard to believe that she’s capable of feeling sympathetic.
Sunny: Poor Sweeney and Chrysalis.
Me: (cringes terribly)
“Oh, this is all terribly romantic,” Mrs. Lovett commented.
“Isn’t it though?” Pinkie Pie smiled. “It’s like the synopsis of every known romance story ever written.”
“Yes, but—you see—I don’t know anyone in London,” Anthony added. “And I need somewhere safe to bring her till I’ve hired a coach to take us to Plymouth.
Izzy: Wait, what?! B-bu-but…you’re here!
Me: It’s a coincidence that I share my name with a location. Don’t worry, it happens all the time. In this case, it’s a city outside of London.
Izzy: Oh…well, I guess that makes sense.
If I could keep her here, just for an hour or two, I would forever be in your debt.”
“Please Mr. Todd,” Fluttershy pleaded. “We really need your help.”
Sweeney Todd gave no response as his attention drew back out the window with a far off look on his stunned face. His mind raced trying to figure out how this new twist might aid in his plans. Eventually, he looked back from Anthony to Mrs. Lovett and the two shared a similarly knowing expression.
“Bring her here, dear,” Mrs. Lovett told Anthony.
This caused Pinkie Pie to squeal with excitement, bouncing toward Mrs. Lovett and wrapping her with a tight embrace.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you Mrs. Lovett!” She cheered happily. “You don’t know how happy that makes me.”
“No problem dearie,” Mrs. Lovett groaned. “Now… if you’d be so kind… I’d like to breathe.”
“Oops sorry!” Pinkie apologized, letting go.
Me: (grins) I guarantee you by the end of this film, Mrs. Lovett will haunt Pinkie in her nightmares.
Zipp: …you’re starting to scare me again.
“Thank you, ma’am,” Anthony smiled at her.
“Are you alright with this plan, Mr. Todd?” Twilight asked Sweeney.
“The girl may come,” Todd replied curtly, nodding in approval.
“Well, that there’s mighty kind of ya!” Applejack said appreciatively.
“Thank you, my friend!” Anthony shook Todd’s hand happily.
“We should probably go so we can get everything in motion,” Spike suggested.
“Right you are, my friend,” Anthony nodded.
The group proceeded to quickly race from the shop, leaving the trio staring after them. Just as they went, the three figures were about to move on with business until…
“You know what? I just realized something…”
The three stopped in their tracks, standing frozen as Pinkie Pie suddenly came back into the shop with a suspicious look on her face. Pinkie Pie slowly approached the trio, as their eyes slowly turned silently communicating on what to do. Away from Pinkie’s gaze, Todd held the razor behind his back… slowly opening it and preparing for the worst.
Sunny: Has…she figured them out already?
Zipp: I mean, it’s Pinkie Pie, so…
Me: Honestly, this Robot Chicken sketch…is either growing old or growing on me when it comes to Pinkie.
And then…
“We never paid you for the pie you gave to Spike!” Pinkie informed Lovett.
Their stiff postures released as Pinkie Pie somehow pulled a bag of coins from her hair, an act of which left Todd and Lovett ‘slightly’ confused. She proceeded to untie the bag and dip her fingers through the coins.
Zipp: Oh, come on!
Hitch: Well, it is Pinkie Pie after all.
Zipp: (groans)
Hitch: (pats her back)
Me: (grins) Knew it.
“How much do we owe you?” Pinkie asked, absently.
“Oh no, no charge at all, dearie,” Mrs. Lovett declined politely. “That pie was on the house; a welcome gift.”
“Oh! Well, we do appreciate it even though it didn’t look appetizing,” Pinkie replied, putting the bag back in her hair. “I’m a baker myself where I come from. I don’t know much about ‘meat’ pies, but if you ever need any recipes to improve your business… here’s my card and we’ll talk.”
With a flick of her hand, Pinkie Pie procured a card with her name on it. She held it out for Lovett, who casually and politely accepted the gesture.
“I’ll think about it,” Mrs. Lovett nodded.
“Come on, Pinkie!” Rainbow Dash called out.
“Coming Dashie!” Pinkie called out, cheerily. “Well, so long!”
And Pinkie Pie proceeded to depart from the shop yet again, closing the door behind her. The moment Pinkie Pie left was the moment a groan escaped Chrysalis’ throat. It was as if the disguised changeling was exasperated after hearing the most annoying sound in the world. Lovett meanwhile looked at the crudely made business card and slipped it between her bosom for safe keeping.
“Seems like the fates are favoring you at last, Mr. T.,” Mrs. Lovett smirked.
Pipp: Take my advice: do not work with that crazy woman!
Me: (aside) Is this foreshadowing something?
Rather than being ecstatic about the news his daughter would soon be back by his side soon enough, Todd merely grunted happily. It didn’t take much for Lovett to see the man was gravely disappointed.
“What is it, love?” Mrs. Lovett asked worriedly. “You’ll have her back before the day is out.”
“Highly unlikely!” Chrysalis spoke up. “You should never trust those girls.”
Me: Yep, I was wondering when that was going to come up..
Sunny: That’s not true!
Zipp: She’s lying again, like she always does!
Me: Oh, well…it can’t be helped.
“Why do you say that?” Mrs. Lovett asked.
“I know them, I have experience with them,” Chrysalis replied lowly. “As I’ve said before, I’ve tried getting my revenge on those responsible for the loss of my love. Every time I thought I’ve finally achieved my vengeance, every time I’ve come so close, those meddlesome ponies, and their idiot dragon friend, always interfere and foil my plans. I have no doubt they intend to do the same here… maybe not today, but eventually.”
Sweeney turned to look at Chrysalis with the same expression on his face.
“You’re sure of this?” Todd asked her.
“Never have I been more sure about anything,” Chrysalis nodded. “Mark my words, Mr. Todd. You may have a few hours with your daughter, but those girls won’t hesitate to permit that boy to carry her off to the other end of England, maybe even beyond that, and that will be the last time Johanna is within your gaze.”
“Then… they pose an obstacle,” Sweeney sighed, grabbing his leather strop. “Not only them but that boy as well. What do you propose we do about them?”
“Oh, them?” Mrs. Lovett questioned. “Let them bring them here and then, since you’re so hot for a little…”
Mrs. Lovett made a snipping motion with her hand, emphasizing the throat-cutting gesture.
“Them are some throats to slit, my dear,” She finished.
Sunny: NO!!
Zipp & Hitch: WHAT?!!!
Me: Fuck me, that was quick. Things are starting to get more and more dicey, and much faster than I anticipated.
“Now that I agree with,” Chrysalis nodded. “Those idiots are so gullible and trustworthy; they’ll never see it coming.”
Sweeney Todd moved past the ladies and again made toward his post at the window, staring out toward the alleyway in deep thought. Meanwhile, Mrs. Lovett cheerily moved about the shop, straightening things up and trying to make it slightly cozier than usual.
“Poor little Johanna,” Lovett sighed. “All those years without a scrap of motherly affection. Well, we’ll soon see to that…”
Pipp: What are they planning with Johanna?
Mrs. Lovett and Chrysalis turned toward Mr. Todd, waiting for a response. But his focus was outside the window. Both of them joined him at his side and looked out. Suddenly, Chrysalis’ eyes went wide with alarm.
“What’s this?!”
Below the window, they could see Signor Pirelli approach the shop with Toby in tow.
“‘Ello, what’s he doing here?” Mrs. Lovett questioned curiously. “Look at that face, he’s up to mischief.”
“Go—keep the boy below with you,” Sweeney instructed Mrs. Lovett.
With a quick nod of her head, the baker woman scurried out of the barber shop as Sweeney turned toward Chrysalis.
Me: One, because it’s true. And two, I need to laugh at something because of what’s gonna happen next.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Lovett quickly moved down the steps outside the barber shop to greet Pirelli and Toby as they were about to ascend past the sign that read: ‘Sweeney Todd’s Tonsorial Parlor’.
“Signora, is Mr. Todd at home?” Pirelli asked her.
“Plying his trade upstairs, don’tcher know…” She responded.
Lovett stood upon the staircase, blocking their way. Yet her eyes caught a glimpse of Toby, and she gazed with sympathy.
Sunny: Poor Toby.
Me: (aside) That one…I’m actually okay with.
“… Would you look at it, now!” She commented on the boy. “Don’t look like it’s had a kind word since half past never!”
“Ma’am…?” Toby replied, confused.
“You wouldn’t mind if I gave him a nice juicy meat pie, would yer?” Lovett asked Pirelli.
Hitch: Absolutely not! He’s sick enough already from the diseases on the streets.
“Yes, yes, whatever you like,” Pirelli replied, waving impatiently.
Pirelli climbed up the stairs, while Lovett took Toby by the hand leading him toward the pie shop door.
“Come with me now,” She instructed the boy. “Your teeth is strong, I hope?”
The two worked their way through the pie shop and Mrs. Lovett quickly rounded the corner to grab a freshly made pie.
“Close the door and I’ll get you a nice, lovely pie,” Lovett said.
Toby quickly closed the door, as Mrs. Lovett placed the pie on a plate and sat it at a nearby table.
“Sit down, make yourself comfy,” Mrs. Lovett said sweetly.
And Toby obeyed without a single word. He took his seat at the table, removing his bowler hat in the process. The lad was blissfully unaware of what his master was about to walk into.
Zipp: What is Pirelli doing back here?
Pipp: Maybe he came for a shave from his victorious rival?
Zipp: Mmm…something tells me it’s something more than that…
As for Pirelli, the flamboyant man climbed his way to the door of the shop. He gave a soft tap with his knuckle on the window. Inside the shop, Sweeney was dusting off the chair while Chrysalis swept the floor with a broom.
“Come in!” Sweeney called out.
Pirelli let himself into the shop, removing his large top hat as he stared down the man who bested him in the shaving contest. Chrysalis stood with the broom in hand, waiting for what Pirelli needed to say.
“Mr. Todd,” Pirelli greeted.
“Signor Pirelli,” Sweeney replied.
“Call me Danny,” Pirelli responded, with a natural Irish accent. “Daniel Higgins’ the name when it’s not professional.”
Zipp: Wait, what?
Sunny & Izzy: Huh?!
Pipp: (facehoofs) Oh, my hoofness! I should have seen it! Ugh, I should have figured that his accent was fake!
Me: He did a good job at his Italian accent; it’s personally one of my favorites.
Both Chrysalis and Sweeney looked toward the man, realizing now that this sham of a barber was more than what he seemed. As it turned out, it wasn’t enough that he lied about his skills in elixir making or much less as a barber. No… this man lied about his own nationality and even changed his own name… just like Todd.
“I’d like me five quid back, if’n ya don’t mind,” Danny replied casually.
“Mr. Todd won that five silver fair and square, you pompous arrogant fraud!” Chrysalis hissed.
“Call me what you like my dear, but I’m still getting me quid back,” Danny smirked cockily.
“Why?” Sweeney questioned.
Izzy: Yeah…why?
Zipp: He’s up to something…
Me: He’s in danger, that’s what.
“Because you entered into our little wager on false pretenses, me friend,” Danny replied. “And so, you might remember to be more forthright in the future, you’ll be handing over your profits to me, share and share alike…”
Todd shook his head, amused, and begun to turn away when Pirelli said:
“… Mr. Benjamin Barker.”
Both Sweeney and Chrysalis instantly froze in their spots, shock spread across their faces. For in that moment, they realized this man knew about Mr. Todd’s true identity… but how?
Audience: WHAAAAAAAT?!!!
Sunny: How?!
Zipp: Sweeney never once mentioned him before! So how does Pirelli—sorry, Higgins know him?!
Down in the pie shop, Mrs. Lovett handed Toby one of her grisly pies, which he devoured eagerly.
“That’s my boy, tuck in,” Mrs. Lovett smiled.
Hitch: (green) I can hardly watch that…
As the boy stuffed his face, her attention was almost entirely on the roof above… the muffled voices… the sound of shoes walking… her eyes darted up as she chattered distractedly with Toby.
“Like to see a man with a healthy appetite,” Lovett replied. “Reminds me of my dear Albert.”
She looked over her shoulder at a picture hanging on the wall, of her departed husband, Mr. Albert Lovett. The man himself was very overweight, with a bald head to add to his image.
“Liked to gorge himself to bloatation, he did,” Lovett continued. “He didn’t have your nice full head of hair though—”
“To tell the truth—” Toby replied. “It gets awful hot.”
The boy proceeded to pull off the wig, which turned out to be a covering for his own short-cropped hair, choppy and dark. This certainly proved a bit of a surprise for the pie maker herself.
Zipp: He was wearing a wig this whole time?!
Pipp: Wow. The twists keep coming and they don’t stop coming!
Sweeney Todd and Chrysalis stared in shock toward Danny, who expansively strolled around the shop, taking it all in, savoring every second.
“…Yes, this will do very nicely,” Danny commented on the shop.
He turned his attention toward Sweeney with the biggest smirk plastered on his smug face.
“You don’t remember me?” He asked. “Well, why should you? I was just a down and out Irish pug you hired for a couple of weeks—sweeping up hair and the like—”
He walked over to one of the nearby tables, picking up one of Todd’s razors.
“But I remember these,” Danny spoke admirably. “And how could I ever forget you, Benjamin Barker?”
Me: Wow. I really underestimated how crafty these Victorian individuals were. Of course, this was before the time of Sherlock Holmes.
Hitch: I don’t like his arrogance.
Sprout: (grins) I like how he’s got them backed into a corner.
Sweeney couldn’t even utter a singular response as he looked out the window, his face reeling with shock. Chrysalis, meanwhile, bore hatred on her face. She forced herself to hold back on killing this arrogant man here and now. Danny smirked again as he took a seat right next to the barber chair.
“I would sit right there and watch you, and dream of the day I could be a proper barber meself…” Danny recollected. “You might say you were an inspiration to me.”
Sweeney glared at him, as he walked past the man toward his box of razors. Which only made it more confusing when he walked past them and instead stood near the stove nearby, where a kettle of tea was brewing. Still, Sweeney said no words. He just kept staring forward with the same wide eyed blank expression on his face. All the while, the smug Daniel O’Higgins walked behind Sweeney Todd, like a panther ready to pounce.
“So, do we have a deal, or should I run down the street for me pal Beadle Bamford?” Danny asked smugly. “What do you say to that now, Mr. Sweeney T—”
SLAP!!!
Audience: OOOHHH!!!
Me: Yikes, I keep forgetting how fit she is. And for Mr. Higgins…(grimaces)
Having heard enough, Chrysalis ran toward Danny and slapped him hard across the face. His head snapped to the side upon receiving such a vicious slap.
“I don’t care what your name is or where you came from!” Chrysalis barked ravenously. “You are in no position to make demands, and you don’t get to talk that way to Mr. Todd! Ever!”
Danny, on the other hand, quickly turned forward again with the same smirk on his face. Now his eyes were locked toward Chrysalis.
“I like your spirit, dear,” He smirked. “Why work for him when you can work for me? Leave this washed up has-been in the dirt. Course, you’ll have to prove your loyalty to me, don’t you?”
Pipp: (grimaces) Just when I thought he couldn’t be anymore disgusting!
Zipp: You know what? She deserves it!
Sunny: Zipp!! Why would you say that?!
He reached up with one hand, tracing his fingers gently along her cheek. Chrysalis stared daggers toward the man, who merely chuckled.
Me: She is about to murder that man.
“I’ve always heard blondes are best in bed—”
Without a word of warning, like a thunderbolt, Chrysalis was upon him. She leapt toward the man, brutally grabbing the man by the neck violently strangling him. The man, however, was surprisingly strong and put up a desperate struggle. They thumped awkwardly around the shop until Pirelli a.k.a. Danny broke free from her grasp and viciously slapped Chrysalis, who fell backward and clutched her right cheek as it burned from the strike.
Me: Christ almighty! I felt that one, too.
“You… bitch!” Danny snarled.
Over the sound of the tea kettle whistling loudly, something inside Sweeney’s mind snapped. He grabbed for the kettle and quickly swung with all his might, smashing it right into Danny’s face twice. Blood spurted from the man’s mouth as he fell on the ground. But Sweeney didn’t let up, as he quickly knelt down and smashed the kettle onto the man’s head over… and over… and over again. All the while, Chrysalis laid on the floor, watching… a wicked smirk over her face.
Me: Well, there it was. The first spouts of blood in this very bloody movie.
Zipp: …yikes. That was…
Pipp: That was some of the best special effects I’ve ever seen in these movies! (to Me) Please tell me it isn’t CGI!!!
Me: (smirks) Don’t worry; the blood effects are all practical.
Pipp:YAY~!!
Down in the pie shop, Mrs. Lovett heard the muffling and struggling from above. She nervously shifted and moved about, clanging things around as she cleaned the counter, trying to cover the ruckus.
“My, my, my, always work to be done,” She chattered nervously. “Spic-and-span, that’s motto. Cleanliness is next to whatever-it-is.”
Hitch: (nervous) Y-yeah…I think she knows what’s going on.
Eventually, Sweeney’s psychotic rampage reached its end, as he dropped the tea kettle to the ground and glared toward Danny’s body. Blood pooled around the man’s head from all the damage he received from the kettle. Sweeney took a few deep breaths as he sat down in his chair, allowing the adrenaline from his actions to course through his veins. He felt something on his shoulders and slowly turned his head slightly. Chrysalis stood behind him, her right cheek still red, massaging his shoulders again.
“Let me ask you something,” Chrysalis spoke casually. “When you snapped like that, was it because he was extorting you or advancing on me?”
Sweeney just slumped further into his chair, allowing Chrysalis to massage his shoulders.
“Both…” He replied simply.
Me: Wait, really—?
A small smile appeared on Chrysalis’s face, as she slowly leaned down and planted a small kiss on Mr. Todd’s cheek. At first, the barber seemed not to register what she did. But then, he brought a hand and lightly touched the spot she kissed him.
“Thank you, Mr. Todd,” She thanked him genuinely.
Me: (shocked) Jesus Tap-Dancing Christ on a Bike. It’s one twist after another. I told you that she found a kindred spirit.
Sunny: Uh…
Hitch: It’s getting more and more unexpected by the second.
Izzy: (gasps) You don’t think that she…uh, you know?
Zipp: Oh, no! Well, now that I think about it, and how similar they are, from what we’ve seen it makes sense.
Me: It’s still weird to see Chrysalis being so genuine.
“Don’t thank me yet,” He replied. “If anybody comes up here and finds the body, we’re done for.”
Chrysalis turned toward Danny’s body, then toward a chest in the corner.
“Why don’t you make some more tea?” Chrysalis gestured. “I’ll hide the body…”
Zipp: She’s done this before; I know it.
Me: (agrees) Probably.
Sunny: What’s with the tea?
Me: Must be teatime. In England: (sings) Everything stops for tea~! (speaks) I wonder where that tradition started.
Izzy: Uh…c-can…can I make some tea? I need something to calm me down before I get all jinxie again.
Me: Sure thing, Izzy. And…I could use some too.
Izzy: (relieved) Oh, thank you!
“So, ah, how did you end up with that dreadful Eyetalian?” Mrs. Lovett asked Toby.
“Got me from the workhouse ‘e did,” Toby replied, between bites. “Been there since I was born. Got no mum, got nobody. A wasted soul, that’s what I am—”
Suddenly, the boy’s face turned horrified when he remembered a sudden, urgent thought.
“Oh God!” He exclaimed urgently. “He’s got an appointment with his tailor. If he’s late, he’ll blame me—!”
Hitch: Woah, woah! Calm down! This kid is an orphan and worked in the factories?!
The boy bolted up, clearly terrified of Pirelli’s wrath. Much to Mrs. Lovett’s horror, she watched him run out of the pie shop.
“Wait!” She called out.
Sunny: Stop! You can’t go up there!
But it was too late; the boy was gone. Toby vaulted up the stairs to the barber shop and burst inside.
“Signor, you got an appointment…”
He stopped when he realized Signor Pirelli was nowhere to be seen. He turned and saw Mr. Todd standing calmly by the stove, preparing a cup of tea. Once filled, he handed it to Chrysalis, who sat in the barber chair showing only her left side of her face.
“Signor Pirelli has been called away,” Sweeney informed him. “You better run after him.”
“Oh no, sir,” Toby shook his head. “I better wait for him here or it’ll be a lashing. He’s a great one for the lashings.”
Hitch: LASHINGS?!!!
Me: (shakes head) It disgusts me how normal child and spouse abuse was back then, especially towards children who worked in the factories.
He moved past Todd to the large chest where he sat down. Chrysalis eyed nervously at the chest, seeing one of Danny’s hands protruding from the chest, dangling limply. Thankfully, Toby didn’t notice it, but she knew she had to act quickly. She quickly rose from the chair and approached the young boy, smiling nervously adjusting her hair to cover her right side.
“So… Toby, Mrs. Lovett gave you a pie, did she?” Chrysalis asked sweetly.
“Yes ma’am,” Toby nodded. “She’s a real lady. Model of all true Christian virtue.”
Sunny: Aww, that’s adorable!
Suddenly, Danny’s hand… twitched. This didn’t go unnoticed by Mr. Todd, the man staring anxiously and quickly he approached Chrysalis’s side.
Me: Uh oh. He’s not quite dead yet.
“That she is… that she is,” He nodded. “But if I know a growing boy, there’s still room for some more pie, eh?”
Pirelli’s hand twitched desperately now, perilously close to where Toby’s hand was resting. Thankfully, Chrysalis had the good sense to draw Toby closer to the door and opened it.
“Why don’t you run downstairs and wait for your master there?” She suggested. “There’ll be another pie in it for you, I’m sure…”
“No, I should stay here,” Toby shook his head.
Zipp: Wow. This kid’s as stubborn as Applejack.
Pipp: That is such a weird comparison, but I see what you mean.
Any patience Chrysalis could muster was starting to fade quickly. This boy was stubborn, and he was going to bring them trouble if they didn’t do something. Just then, Sweeney was suddenly inspired and knew just how to get the boy out of the room.
“I know—why don’t you tell Mrs. Lovett that I said to give you a nice big tot of gin?”
This really brought a happy smile to Toby’s face.
“Gin, sir?!” Toby said happily. “Thanking you kindly, sir! You’re a Christian indeed!”
Hitch: Wait, what?! Why would he want to drink alcohol at his age?!
Me: Another thing that people didn’t know any better about: kids took to taking drugs and alcohol to cope with the stress of Industrial life, and sometimes doctors would prescribe alcohol and more often than not, kids and patients would die of alcohol poisoning in their sleep.
Sunny: (sad) That…that is so sad to think about. Was that…did that actually happen?
Me: And there are illustrations and Charles Dickens’ library of literature to prove it.
Pipp: I…have a feeling I know why they wanted him out of there…
The boy raced out happily and clattered down the stairs. Both Sweeney and Chrysalis sighed in relief now that the boy was gone. But they quickly remembered there was another problem to worry about. Chrysalis walked back to the table and grabbed Sweeney’s razor as the man himself approached the chest and leaned down to open it.
Chrysalis stood right beside him, as Todd looked at her in preparation. Her face was completely impassive. Not a spectral nor disappears like any ghost Todd had lingering around him. But she stood there as Todd looked at her. Her eyes slowly moved toward her hand and Todd followed her look to see… his largest razor in her grasp. Todd looked at the razor and then at Chrysalis, who nodded slowly as if she were informing him…
‘This is the point of no return.’
Sunny: (scared) W-w-what’s going to h-happen?
Me: A threshold being crossed, one that cannot be crossed back.
Zipp: (likewise) Oh…o-oh no…
Pipp: The suspense is killing me!
Hitch: (whimpers) I’m actually scared about what happens next.
Me: All I can say is…brace yourselves.
Chrysalis handed him his razor, and he snapped it open with a sharp, quick flick of his wrist. He moved to the chest and opened it up. A bloody, battered Daniel O’Higgins slowly pulled himself right from the chest, gasping for breath and groaning in pain. Sweeney again turned to Chrysalis, who eyed evilly with a sinister smirk on her face. The mad barber then knelt down alongside the chest and with great ferocity he hauled the man up, one hand over his forehead and tilted it back. The man’s eyes snapped open as Sweeney pressed the blade against his neck… and slit his throat.
Blood sprayed from the man’s neck as he convulsed. Chrysalis watched as the man’s life slowly slipped away from him. She admired the quick work of Todd’s hands, his fingers strong. Imagining how the motion stung Daniel’s throat, but not for long. She leaned against the wall, arms folded, eyeing Todd. Anyone who thought him a simple clod would soon reconsider under the sod and consigned there with a friendly prod from a man no longer Benjamin Barker… but Sweeney Todd.
Eventually, when the dead man was as still as the grave, Sweeney laid him back in the chest and slowly shut the lid once more. Seeing his razor gleam even with blood, feeling how well it fit as it floated across the throat of a hypocrite like his former assistant, he wiped the razor clean. Both he and Chrysalis eyed the chest, knowing what this meant. They both had their first taste of blood in this world and now…
Now they wanted more…
There were a lot of screams and all sorts of panicked noises in the audience, which is what I should have expected.
Me: And so, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street has arisen. (breathes in and out) Once a serial killer tastes their first blood they cannot stop; it’s like an addiction.
Zipp: (fighting to not vomit) Okay…that’s it! Any sympathy I ever had for Chrysalis or Sweeney Todd…is gone!
Izzy: (likewise) Yeah, they're...they're nothing but jinxie monsters now!
Hitch: I can't believe I actually sympathized with them in the first place!
Opaline: (hidden locket; looking green) While...I am slightly...nauseous, I can't deny how swift and conclusive their methods are.
Misty: (scared and almost sick) U-uh, Opaline? I-I...Can I...not watch this please?
Opaline: (hidden locket) It's either you watch this or you never come here again, Misty! I will take away your privileges permanently. Is that clear?
Misty: Y-Yes, Opaline.
The entire time, Sunny remained silent and buggy-eyed at the screen. It was as if she was in shock, and was kind of scaring me, to be honest.
Also, coming up next are my two favorite songs on the soundtrack, aside from the Opening Titles, and they are both back-to-back. I was as excited as I was bracing myself.
11645519 Concerning tea, from what I can tell, it started when a noble duchess, can't quite remember her name, started getting a "sinking feeling around five o' clock", and began taking tea with small sandwiches and scones. This would eventually evolve over the years into the royal high tea. At best guess, that's maybe where it started, with many of the lower classes performing their own teatimes.
Fun fact: There were originally two types of tea in Britain- high tea and low tea.
Low tea was an aristocratic snack with dainty pastries and small cakes, often served on a low table, hence the name. High tea, on the other hand, was more or less an early supper for working class people, with cold cuts, cheeses, bread chunks and other sweets. If a lower-class family was trying to impress a guest of great standing, they would set out a low tea. Over time, the distinction between the two types blurred, and we no longer have the the concept of the low tea, leaving us with the pastries and finger sandwiches we usually see at an average teatime.
Later that same day, the Mane Six and Spike accompanied Anthony down the street toward Judge Turpin’s house. Following their previous encounter just the other day, when Beadle had beaten Anthony with his club, they made it to Hyde Park and found a decent lodging house to settle in for the time being. The group spent the remainder of the day tending to Anthony’s wounds. Despite the bruising, Anthony was more determined than ever to get Johanna away from Turpin and free her of this oppressive state.
But of course, that just begged one question:
“What exactly is the plan, Anthony?” Twilight Sparkle asked, mid-walk.
“We sneak Johanna out of the house,” Anthony responded. “I plan to take her with me on my next voyage at sea; she’d probably love to see the open sea after being cooped up for so long.”
Sci-Twi: That’s.. not exactly a well thought out plan.
Juniper: Well, at least it’s A plan.
“And a lovely thought darling, but… have you actually come up with a solid plan?” Rarity questioned seriously. “We can’t just walk through the front door and take her after all.”
“Sure… let’s do it the ‘easy’ way,” Rainbow Dash replied sarcastically.
“Ah’m pretty sure Beadle told Turpin ‘bout us showin’ up to help,” Applejack added. “Probably keepin’ a close watch on her as we speak.”
“It wouldn’t surprise me if he’s told the cops,” Spike spoke up. “Suppose we show up and a whole squad of cops has the whole place surrounded?”
“I sure hope that isn’t the case, Spike,” Fluttershy said nervously. “I couldn’t bear the thought of being in a terrible place like prison… again.”
Rarity: I hate for them to go to another prison. (She said shivering up a bit from the thought of it)
Arctic: After last time, i don’t think they’ll survive another one, especially in this place
“Don’t worry, everything will work out,” Anthony assured them.
“How can you be so sure?” Spike asked the lad.
“Because I feel it… in my heart,” Anthony replied, a hand over his chest.
“Aww… so sweet!” Pinkie smiled happily. “Like a big chocolate cake with molten chocolate icing, fudge filling, and a sweet cherry on top.”
“Yeah, yeah, real sweet lover boy, but we seriously need a plan!” Rainbow emphasized, with an eye roll.
Rainbow Dash: Ugh, why does love make boys act like
Arctic: Hey! I resent that!
Rainbow Dash: So, you’re saying if you or any guy we know were in shoes to save a girl you love you wouldn’t act like that.
Arctic:…I will neither confirm or deny that would happen
Rainbow Dash: (smirks) Heh, knew it
Arctic: Oh quite it, Dash. (He said looking away slightly)
Rarity: (would looked towards Arctic a bit having a soft giggle)
“Well, from what you told me, you were able to enter Johanna’s room the other day undetected,” Anthony replied. “And I still don’t know how you pulled that off.”
“It’s… a long story, kid,” Rainbow chuckled.
Pinkie Pie: Yeah, a really REALLY long story. (She said with a little smile)
Applejack: Though, something tells me he wouldn’t take it as well as Johanna did
“What are ya getting’ at?” Applejack asked.
“If you were able to do it once, why not do it again?” Anthony suggested. “You could just sneak in, have a word with her, and convince her to run away with me.”
The group, however, nervously chuckled over such an offer. But the one most nervous was poor little Fluttershy, who tried and failed to hide her anxiety behind her mane.
“Anthony, your heart is in the right place,” Fluttershy spoke up. “But we could get in so much trouble and we’ve already upset the judge and Beadle. I don’t think it would be wise to anger them any further.”
“Ah, come on Fluttershy, why couldn’t we do it?” Rainbow attempted encouragement. “Even if ratface and big nose did catch on, they’d have to stand toe-to-ho… toe! Yeah, toe-to-toe with ‘Lightning Hooves’ Rainbow Dash.”
Rainbow Dash: Now THAT sounds like an awesome name.
Arctic: You know, it kinda does. Would be a great name if you were a boxer, you know minus the hooves part of course.
“Normally I’d think the same as you Fluttershy, but we’ve all seen how poorly Turpin treats Johanna,” Twilight Sparkle added. “We can’t in good conscience leave the poor girl to suffer any more than she’s already endured.”
Being the kind, tender-hearted pony she was, Fluttershy had to agree with her friends. Somehow, they needed to get Johanna out of harm’s way immediately. And yet, she was still unsure about whether they could be pushing their luck.
“I just… I don’t know if I—”
“Please, Ms. Fluttershy,” Anthony pleaded to her. “You’re not just doing this for Johanna, you’re doing it for love.”
“He’s seriously talking love already?” Rainbow whispered to Applejack.
The farm girl merely gave her marefriend a gentle nudge to hush her up, as Rainbow responded with an annoyed look.
Rarity: Say what you want, but I find it sweet, that he wants to save the one he loves from more harm (she said and looked over to Arctic and whispered softly to him) I can imagine you doing the same thing. (She said giggling)
Arctic: (he would blush a little and rolls his eyes slightly) Ha ha very funny, Rares.
“If you were in my shoes, you’d do anything for the one you care for most,” Anthony continued. “Is there anyone you truly care about, Ms. Fluttershy? Have you ever been in love?”
The last question seemed to cause Fluttershy to blush a bright pink, about as pink as her mane. Being put on the spot before her friends was certainly not what she expected. Quickly, she tried to hide her face behind her mane.
“Um--uh--n-no!” She stuttered nervously. “I-I-I h-haven’t been in l-love yet.”
Her face said otherwise as her cheeks blushed harder, especially after the very next thing that came out of her mouth.
“But… there is someone I care about greatly,” She concluded, with a small smile.
Arctic: Oh, we know who that person is. (He said softly with a grin)
This truly caught the attention of the remainder of her friends. In particular, Pinkie Pie gasped loudly and bounced alongside her with the biggest smile on her face.
“Oooh… does Fluttershy have a crush on someone?” Pinkie Pie asked cheerfully. “Any pony we know?”
To which this only made Fluttershy blush harder, if such a thing were possible. Something of which didn’t go unnoticed as Rainbow Dash gave a mischievous smirk.
“You know… I think she does Pinkster,” Rainbow Dash chuckled. “Well come on Flutters. Who is it?”
“Um… uh… um…”
“Come on, you know you want to tell us,” Pinkie giggled. “Is it a guy? A she? They/them?”
Just then, Twilight Sparkle used her magic to pry her two friends away from the shy and embarrassed pony in disguise.
“Now that’s enough you guys,” Twilight spoke sternly. “You know better than to pester Fluttershy about these things!”
“Twilight’s absolutely right,” Rarity agreed. “It’s quite rude invading some po… poor girl’s personal life.”
Juniper: Nice save there.
Applejack: They almost blew their cover with him.
Finally, after the blushing on her face passed, Fluttershy turned back to all her friends and Anthony. Looking deep into the eyes of the young man, she could feel the determination and admiration he had for Johanna. She could almost feel it within herself, and she’d be doing a disservice for a friend if they just left her with that horror of a man.
“Okay,” She replied softly. “We’ll sneak in and talk to her. But… we need to be very careful.”
“Way ahead of you, so here’s what we’ll do,” Twilight spoke up. “Anthony will wait for us right here. In five minutes, we’ll go into Johanna’s room, we talk to her, and see about getting her out the front of the house. If we’re lucky, the Judge and the Beadle won’t even be at the house. But if you do see them, Anthony, give us a sign.”
Anthony nodded as he headed for the back of the building once more. The girls and Spike proceeded to sneak around the corner making sure no one else was around. Seeing no one around the street, they quickly grabbed hands and Twilight proceeded to work her magic. Within seconds, they were teleported out of the area leaving the place completely empty.
Fluttershy: I-I hope the Judge doesn’t find out or catch them. (She said worried)
Applejack: Don’t worry, Fluttershy. As long as they’re careful then I’m sure it will be ok. (The farm girl said to Fluttershy)
Inside the house, Johanna once more sat at her window, looking out into the streets below quietly cutting out silhouettes… aimless Victorian handicrafts. Not a single day passed by that she thought about one day leaving this gilded cage and flying free much like a bird. Despite the tears in her eyes, she had far more hope than she had in many years. These new pony friends of hers, as well as that young man Anthony, just might provide her the escape she longed for. All she could do now was wait and hope this all proved true.
Just then, a slight breeze filled the room followed by a brief flash of light. The moment it faded, she gasped when she saw the Mane Six and Spike, in their Equestrian form, standing in the midst of her room again.
“Hi honey, I’m home!” Pinkie Pie announced comically.
Johanna clasped one hand over her chest, trying to regulate her breathing from the shock.
“I don’t think I’ll ever get used to that,” Johanna gasped in shock.
Rainbow Dash: Oh trust me, you will eventually.
Applejack: Eeyup, we sure did
Pinkie Pie: (giggles happily with a smile)
“Trust me, when you do it so many times it gets old really fast,” Rainbow Dash replied.
“What are you all doing?” Johanna whispered harshly. “Judge Turpin is right downstairs! If he finds out you’re here, it’ll be—”
But Johanna stopped, just as she was about to finish her sentence. She stole a glance across the room. As if she actually knew about that small hole in the wallpaper. Then she truly thought about the Judge, and how he truly had been spending his time. Watching her from the chamber across the hole, so lascivious… so perverse… so… horrifying. As if it truly dawned on her the reasons for why these creatures would be here now.
The Girls shivers a bit from the thought of being in Johanna position and someone spying on them.
Arctic: (was glaring a bit) That man is truly disgusting for doing something like that.
“… You’d still come to help me, wouldn’t you?” Johanna concluded.
“Miss Johanna, we are the craziest individuals you will ever meet,” Twilight Sparkle declared. “Maybe we don’t always make the smartest decisions, but we’d be there for you anyway because we care about you. No woman deserves to spend the rest of her days locked away and being told what to do without having a say. You deserve as much happiness as any human being deserves, and we want to make it a reality for you.”
Fluttershy: S-She’s right, you deserve happiness.
Rarity: I couldn’t agree more with that.
To say that Johanna was touched by this one pony’s choice of words was an understatement. All of her life, she’s known nothing but cruelty and having to abide by certain rules out of fear and obligation. She’d never dare to stand up for herself because of what terrible consequences will await her if she’d say ‘no’. The thought of spending the rest of her days wandering the streets… or worse, to experience the most horrifying acts of pain against her own will left her with nightmares since she was a child. Only now… another thought came to her mind.
The girl casually glanced out from between the shutters at her window. She remembered that day when she first saw Anthony. A young sailor standing across the street, keeping his lonely vigil, his eyes gazing toward her at the mansion. And she returned her gaze toward him, caught in that moment, trying to figure out these newfound feelings despite knowing nothing about this man. As if there was something drawing her, imploring her that this was a sign she couldn’t stray from.
“Twilight, can I ask you something?” Johanna asked.
“Why of course you can,” Twilight nodded.
Twilight Sparkle faced her new friend, noting the pondering gaze upon the girl’s face. The alicorn princess could tell Johanna was trying to figure something out. No doubt a burning question she asked many times as a child, but never received a proper answer for… until perhaps today.
“What is it like to fall in love? You know… your first love?”
Suffice to say, the question caught Twilight completely off guard. She struggled with her own feelings, especially with a certain Prince she recently fell for… of course, she never directly said it before.
“I don’t really know,” Twilight answered, recollecting her thoughts. “It’s kind of hard to explain. I suppose it’s like eating your first slice of pie. You don’t know why, but you get this tingly feeling inside and you want it to stay forever. Especially when you meet someone very special.”
“Have you met that special someone yet?” Johanna asked Twilight.
“Me?” Twilight laughed nervously. “My love life’s a bit complicated. Mainly because I don’t know ‘how’ to admit it. I’ve helped people fall in love before… but it’s not really the same.”
Arctic: She does make a good point, love can be complicated for some, when one does find that special someone in their life, they won’t know how to admit those feeling.. or even get nervous around that person.
Johanna merely smiled as she placed a soft hand upon Twilight’s shoulder.
“Just be yourself,” Johanna suggested. “When the time comes, the man you like, or possibly love, will understand how you feel. Who knows? Maybe he feels that way too. At least, I certainly hope so.”
The two girls smiled toward one another, embracing with a warm hug.
“Thanks,” Twilight smiled.
“You’re welcome.”
Finally, Johanna’s decision was made. She moved toward the table and opened one of the drawers. The girls and Spike watched as she reached in and removed something. Cupping the mystery object in her hands, she approached Twilight Sparkle and placed the object between her hooves. As she motioned the hooves to grasp it tightly, she leaned toward the pony and whispered something in her ears. The pony said nothing, but as she nodded her head and absorbed every word the expression on her face held interest.
Back around the corner, Anthony was still waiting for the girls and the young gentleman while keeping an eye out for any wandering eyes. Suddenly, a light flashed beside him beckoning him to turn. Their hands clasped together, the humanized versions of Twilight Sparkle and her friends appeared to him once more. Once the light faded, they approached the young sailor.
“How did it go?” He asked them.
Looking toward one group of her friends and then to the other, Twilight Sparkle turned her attention to Anthony and held out one hand toward him. Opening it, she revealed a key within her grasp which Anthony took from her.
“This is your way in later tonight,” Twilight informed him. “Johanna says Judge Turpin should be out on business by then. We should be able to sneak in and get her out.”
“Amazing!” Anthony gasped, elated. “We’ll run away together tonight and be on the first ship out of London before dawn.”
Juniper: That’s perfect, as long as he doesn’t find out or come back early. This could work
Sci-Twi: Maybe, but what will happen if he finds out she’s not there?
Arctic: She’s right, they would need to hide her somewhere for the time being for them to make it to the ship.
“Hold up there, lover boy,” Rainbow spoke up. “There’s still one problem: Where will we hide Johanna until we can get you guys safely on a ship?”
“She has a very good point,” Rarity agreed. “No doubt Judge Turpin will be on a warpath when he returns and finds she’s missing. I doubt any place in London is safe.”
Anthony contemplated this inquiry in his head, trying to come up with any possible solutions to this dilemma. If what the girls spoke of was true, that there’s no place in the city out of Turpin’s reach, hiding Johanna would be difficult. And then, an idea popped into his head.
“Mr. Todd!” Anthony’s eyes widened.
“Who now?” Spike questioned.
“On my last excursion at sea, I found a man drifting endlessly in the ocean and brought him back to London,” Anthony explained. “His name’s Sweeney Todd, and he told me I might see him on Fleet Street. There was also this young lady with golden hair that chased after him.”
Fluttershy: W-Will this be a good thing? O-Or a bad thing?
Juniper: Well, on one hand Sweeney would be able to see his daughter again.
Sci-Twi: However, we do have to remember Chrysalis is with him still, and who knows what she could say
Arctic: Yeah, I mean we feel bad about what happened to her, but she could still get into Sweeney head and tell him stuff about them that’s not true
This newfound information dawned realization upon the group.
“They must have been the ones we met when we went into Ms. Lovett’s Pie Shop!” Fluttershy realized.
“Ugh, I still can’t get the taste of that pie out of my mouth!” Spike groaned, disgusted.
“Ya think he’ll let us hide out with ‘im till we get ya outta here?” Applejack asked.
“Only one way to find out,” Anthony replied. “Come along now.”
Anthony started to make his way down the street with the entirety of the group following quickly. They made their way back towards Fleet Street without looking back. For they knew that if they had any hope of getting Johanna out of harm’s way, this ‘Sweeney Todd’ was currently their only hope. They didn’t even stop to notice Johanna, the girl peering through the shutters, watching them go.
Fluttershy: I-I’m really worried about what could happen now.
Arctic: Me too Fluttershy… and I have a strong feeling the worst is about to happen.
lastor: (To Discord) "League of Assassins you say? Hmmm. Color me intrigued! It seems the apple does not fall far from the tree, pertaining to the student and the teacher! Perhaps Princess Twilight has the makings of a killer than her beloved Princess Celestia after all!"
Storm Shield: (To Alastor) "My mom is NOT a killer!"
Random Changeling: (To Storm Shield) "IS TOO! You saw her kill Fire Fall in that flashback!"
Storm Shield: (To the Changelings) "All she did was take Fire Fall away from Chrysalis! We never actually saw her execute him!"
Random Changeling: (To Storm Shield) "So if she didn't kill him, then where is he?"
Storm Shield: (To the Changelings) "I don't know! I wasn't even born then! How should I know?"
Random Changeling: (To Storm Shield) "Because he's dead! And it's all HER FAULT! So we're GLAD we threw her onto the moon!"
Later that same day, the Mane Six and Spike accompanied Anthony down the street toward Judge Turpin’s house. Following their previous encounter just the other day, when Beadle had beaten Anthony with his club, they made it to Hyde Park and found a decent lodging house to settle in for the time being. The group spent the remainder of the day tending to Anthony’s wounds. Despite the bruising, Anthony was more determined than ever to get Johanna away from Turpin and free her of this oppressive state.
But of course, that just begged one question:
“What exactly is the plan, Anthony?” Twilight Sparkle asked, mid-walk.
Sunset Shimmer: Of course, she'd ask that.
Postwar: Well what did you expect? You have to realize that not everything sometimes works by winging it, or according to plan. The only thing we can do is be prepared for it.
Leia Organa: She seriously did?
Postwar & Sunset: Long story.
Galen Marek: I'd like to hear it once all this is over.
“We sneak Johanna out of the house,” Anthony responded. “I plan to take her with me on my next voyage at sea; she’d probably love to see the open see after being cooped up for so long.”
“And a lovely thought darling, but… have you actually come up with a solid plan?” Rarity questioned seriously. “We can’t just walk through the front door and take her after all.”
“Sure… let’s do it the ‘easy’ way,” Rainbow Dash replied sarcastically.
“Ah’m pretty sure Beadle told Turpin ‘bout us showin’ up to help,” Applejack added. “Probably keepin’ a close watch on her as we speak.”
“It wouldn’t surprise me if he’s told the cops,” Spike spoke up. “Suppose we show up and a whole squad of cops has the whole place surrounded?”
“I sure hope that isn’t the case, Spike,” Fluttershy said nervously. “I couldn’t bear the thought of being in a terrible place like prison… again.”
“Don’t worry, everything will work out,” Anthony assured them.
“How can you be so sure?” Spike asked the lad.
“Because I feel it… in my heart,” Anthony replied, a hand over his chest.
“Aww… so sweet!” Pinkie smiled happily. “Like a big chocolate cake with molten chocolate icing, fudge filling, and a sweet cherry on top.”
Sunset couldn't help but chuckle at Pinkie's bubbliness.
Postwar: Classic Pinkie Pie.
Ahsoka Tano: She certainly is interesting to say the least.
“Yeah, yeah, real sweet lover boy, but we seriously need a plan!” Rainbow emphasized, with an eye roll.
“Well, from what you told me, you were able to enter Johanna’s room the other day undetected,” Anthony replied. “And I still don’t know how you pulled that off.”
“It’s… a long story, kid,” Rainbow chuckled.
“What are ya getting’ at?” Applejack asked.
“If you were able to do it once, why not do it again?” Anthony suggested. “You could just sneak in, have a word with her, and convince her to run away with me.”
The group, however, nervously chuckled over such an offer. But the one most nervous was poor little Fluttershy, who tried and failed to hide her anxiety behind her mane.
C-3PO: *R2 beeped in agreement*
Mando: They have to keep this a secret, otherwise they might not be so well accepting, *Grogu waves at the screen as he was excited to see what goes on next*
“Anthony, your heart is in the right place,” Fluttershy spoke up. “But we could get in so much trouble and we’ve already upset the judge and Beadle. I don’t think it would be wise to anger them any further.”
“Ah, come on Fluttershy, why couldn’t we do it?” Rainbow attempted encouragement. “Even if rat face and big nose did catch on, they’d have to stand toe-to-ho… toe! Yeah, toe-to-toe with ‘Lightning Hooves’ Rainbow Dash.”
To emphasize her point, Rainbow threw a series of punches into the air with almost lightning quick speed.
“Normally I’d think the same as you Fluttershy, but we’ve all seen how poorly Turpin treats Johanna,” Twilight Sparrkle added. “We can’t in good conscience leave the poor girl to suffer any more than she’s already endured.
Being the kind, tender-hearted pony she was, Fluttershy had to agree with her friends. Somehow, they needed to get Johanna out of harm’s way immediately. And yet, she was still unsure about whether they could be pushing their luck.
“I just… I don’t know if I--”
“Please, Ms. Fluttershy,” Anthony pled to her. “You’re not just doing this for Johanna, you’re doing it for love.”
“He’s seriously talking love already?” Rainbow whispered to Applejack.
The farm girl merely gave her marefriend a gentle nudge to hush her up, as Rainbow responded with an annoyed look.
Postwar: Clearly Rarity's lesson in tact didn't stick to her mind.
Sunset Shimmer: It's Rainbow, what'd you expect?
Galen Marek: Is she always like this.
Mando: You should've seen her when she and the others hired me to help do a job.
“If you were in my shoes, you’d do anything for the one you care for most,” Anthony continued. “Is there anyone you truly care about, Ms. Fluttershy? Have you ever been in love?”
The last question seemed to cause Fluttershy to blush a bright pink, about as pink as her mane. Being put on the spot before her friends was certainly not what she expected. Quickly, she tried to hide her face behind her mane.
“Um--uh--n-no!” She stuttered nervously. “I-I-I h-haven’t been in l-love yet.”
Her face said otherwise as her cheeks blushed harder, especially after the very next thing that came out of her mouth.
“But… there is someone I care about greatly,” She concluded, with a small smile.
This truly caught the attention of the remainder of her friends. In particular, Pinkie Pie gasped loudly and bounced alongside her with the biggest smile on her face.
Sunset Shimmer: Huh?! That's a new one.
Postwar: I have a sneaky suspicion, but I don't want to point fingers, yet.
Ahsoka Tano: Oh? You know who it is?
Postwar: Somewhat, but I don't want to assume anything until the time comes.
“Oooh… does Fluttershy have a crush on someone?” Pinkie Pie asked cheerfully. “Any pony we know?”
To which this only made Fluttershy blush harder, if such a thing were possible. Something of which didn’t go unnoticed as Rainbow Dash gave a mischievous smirk.
“You know… I think she does Pinkster,” Rainbow Dash chuckled. “Well come on Flutters. Who is it?”
“Um… uh… um…”
“Come on, you know you want to tell us,” Pinkie giggled. “Is it a guy? A she? They/them?”
Just then, Twilight Sparkle used her magic to pry her two friends away from the shy and embarrassed pony in disguise.”
“Now that’s enough you guys,” Twilight spoke sternly. “You know better than to pester Fluttershy about these things!”
“Twilight’s absolutely right,” Rarity agreed. “It’s quite rude invading some po… poor girl’s personal life.”
“We’re kind of starting to get off topic here anyway,” Spike interrupted. “So… what are we going to do?”
Finally, after the blushing on her face passed, Fluttershy turned back to all her friends and Anthony. Looking deep into the eyes of the young man, she could feel the determination and admiration he had for Johanna. She could almost feel it within herself, and she’d be doing a disservice for a friend if they just left her with that horror of a man.
“Okay,” She replied softly. “We’ll sneak in and talk to her. But… we need to be very careful.”
“Way ahead of you, so here’s what we’ll do,” Twilight spoke up. “Anthony will wait for us right here. In five minutes, we’ll go into Johanna’s room, we talk to her, and see about getting her out the front of the house. If we’re lucky, the Judge and the Beadle won’t even be at the house. But if you do see them Anthony, give us a sign.”
Anthony nodded as he headed for the back of the building once more. The girls and Spike proceeded to sneak around the corner making sure no one else was around. Seeing no one around the street, they quickly grabbed hands and Twilight proceeded to work her magic. Within seconds, they were teleported out of the area leaving the place completely empty.
Ben Solo: Why do I get the funny feeling that things will blow up in their faces?
Sunset Shimmer: Glad I'm not the only one feeling this way.
Postwar: His instincts and insights serve him well.
Inside the house, Johanna once more sat at her window, looking out into the streets below quietly cutting out silhouettes… aimless Victorian handicrafts. Not a single day passed by that she thought about one day leaving this gilded cage and flying free much like a bird. Despite the tears in her eyes, she had far more hope than she had in many years. These new pony friends of hers, as well as that young man Anthony, just might provide her the escape she longed for. All she could do now was wait and hope this all proved true.
Just then, a slight breeze filled the room followed by a brief flash of light. The moment it faded, she gasped when she saw the Mane Six and Spike, in their Equestrian form, standing in the midst of her room again.
“Hi honey, I’m home!” Pinkie Pie announced comically.
Johanna clasped one hand over her chest, trying to regulate her breathing from the shock.
“I don’t think I’ll ever get used to that,” Johanna gasped in shock.
“Trust me, when you do it so many times it gets old really fast,” Rainbow Dash replied.
“What are you all doing?” Johanna whispered harshly. “Judge Turpin is right downstairs! If he finds out you’re here, it’ll be--”
But Johanna stopped, just as she was about to finish her sentence. She stole a glance across the room. As if she actually knew about that small hole in the wallpaper. Then she truly thought about the Judge, and how he truly had been spending his time. Watching her from the chamber across the hole, so lascivious… so perverse… so… horrifying. As if it truly dawned on her the reasons for why these creatures would be here now.
“… You’d still come to help me, wouldn’t you?” Johanna concluded.
Sunset Shimmer: Of course they would, that's what they do.
Mando: Too bad you failed to realize that and believed a roadkilled looking old man.
Sunset Shimmer: I heard that!!
Postwar: (rhetorically) You can't silence the truth.
“Miss Johanna, we are the craziest individuals you will ever meet,” Twilight Sparkle declared. “Maybe we don’t always make the smartest decisions, but we’d be there for you anyway because we care about you. No woman deserves to spend the rest of her days locked away and being told what to do without having a say. You deserve as much happiness as any human being deserves, and we want to make it a reality for you.”
To say that Johanna was touched by this one pony’s choice of words was an understatement. All of her life, she’s known nothing but cruelty and having to abide by certain rules out of fear and obligation. She’d never dare to stand up for herself because of what terrible consequences will await her if she’d say ‘no’. The thought of spending the rest of her days wandering the streets… or worse, to experience the most horrifying acts of pain against her own will left her with nightmares since she was a child. Only now… another thought came to her mind.
The girl casually glanced out from between the shutters at her window. She remembered that day when she first saw Anthony. A young sailor standing across the street, keeping his lonely vigil, his eyes gazing toward her at the mansion. And she returned her gaze toward him, caught in that moment, trying to figure out these newfound feelings despite knowing nothing about this man. As if there was something drawing her, imploring her that this was a sign she couldn’t stray from.
C-3PO: Oh my, I am suddenly fearing how any of this will turn out.
Postwar: Give your circuits a rest bub, you're overreacting as usual.
Sunset Shimmer: And you're not?
Postwar: Oh, I am worried, I just don't show it.
“Twilight, can I ask you something?” Johanna asked.
“Why of course you can,” Twilight nodded.
Twilight Sparkle faced her new friend, noting the pondering gaze upon the girl’s face. The alicorn princess could tell Johanna was trying to figure something out. No doubt a burning question she asked many times as a child, but never received a proper answer for… until perhaps today.
“What is it like to fall in love? You know… your first love?”
Suffice to say, the question caught Twilight completely off guard. She struggled with her own feelings, especially with a certain Prince she recently fell for… of course, she never directly said it before.
“I don’t really know,” Twilight answered, recollecting her thoughts. “It’s kind of hard to explain. I suppose it’s like eating your first slice of pie. You don’t know why, but you get this tingly feeling inside and you want it to stay forever. Especially when you meet someone very special.”
“Have you met that special someone yet?” Johanna asked Twilight.
“Me?” Twilight laughed nervously. “My love life’s a bit complicated. Mainly because I don’t know ‘how’ to admit it. I’ve helped people fall in love before… but it’s not really the same.”
Johanna merely smiled as she placed a soft hand upon Twilight’s shoulder.
“Just be yourself,” Johanna suggested. “When the time comes, the man you like, or possibly love, will understand how you feel. Who knows? Maybe he feels that way too. At least, I certainly hope so.”
The two girls smiled toward one another, embracing with a warm hug.
“Thanks,” Twilight smiled.
“You’re welcome.”
Postwar: I had a feeling that the things between Storm and Twilight would be discussed.
Sunset Shimmer: *Giggled*, still haven't found the nerve to ask him out, yet?
Postwar: As Big Mac would say, Eenope.
Leia Organa: Really? She likes him?
Galen Marek: It's true. I could tell.
Mando: Saw it a mile away.
Back around the corner, Anthony was still waiting for the girls and the young gentleman while keeping an eye out for any wandering eyes. Suddenly, a light flashed beside him beckoning him to turn. Their hands clasped together, the humanized versions of Twilight Sparkle and her friends appeared to him once more. Once the light faded, they approached the young sailor.
“How did it go?” He asked them.
Looking toward one group of her friends and then to the other, Twilight Sparkle turned her attention to Anthony and held out one hand toward him. Opening it, she revealed a key within her grasp which Anthony took from her.
“This is your way in later tonight,” Twilight informed him. “Johanna says Judge Turpin should be out on business by then. We should be able to sneak in and get her out.”
“Amazing!” Anthony gasped, elated. “We’ll run away together tonight and be on the first ship out of London before dawn.”
“Hold up there, lover boy,” Rainbow spoke up. “There’s still one problem: Where will we hide Johanna until we can get you guys safely on a ship?”
“She has a very good point,” Rarity agreed. “No doubt Judge Turpin will be on a warpath when he returns and finds she’s missing. I doubt any place in London is safe.”
Anthony contemplated this inquiry in his head, trying to come up with any possible solutions to this dilemma. If what the girls spoke of was true, that there’s no place in the city out of Turpin’s reach, hiding Johanna would be difficult. And then, an idea popped into his head.
“Mr. Todd!” Anthony’s eyes widened.
“Who now?” Spike questioned.
“On my last excursion at sea, I found a man drifting endlessly in the ocean and brought him back to London,” Anthony explained. “His name’s Sweeney Todd, and he told me I might him on Fleet Street. There was also this young lady with golden hair that chased after him.”
Everyone looked at one another in worry, for they fear that things won't go according to plan and if they do backfire, then things will take a turn for the worst.
Meanwhile, back at the barber/pie shop, Sweeney Todd, Johanna’s father, stood staring out of the large window of his home, intense and brooding. Though it had been cleaned, it was still a spartan room. A tatty parlor chair, a large chest, and a few counters with meager bottles of tonsorial supplies. He had one of his razors in one hand, a sharpener in the other, to sharpen his ‘precious friends’ while seething with discontent. Mrs. Lovett sat in the old looking chair she brought in, while Chrysalis sat in another chair closest to Mr. Todd. Her expression too bore similarities to that of Mr. Todd, who started pacing across the window like a caged tiger in the small barber shop.
“It’s not much of a chair, I’ll grant, but it’ll serve,” Mrs. Lovett commented on the chair. “Was me poor Albert’s chair. Sat in it all day long he did, after his leg gave out from the gout, poor dear.”
“A charming story,” Chrysalis replied sarcastically. “Meanwhile, the two of us have been contemplating revenge on the judge and his little Beadle. What I’d give to watch the life slip away from those beady eyes.”
“Worry not, dear,” Mrs. Lovett assured her. “You and Mr. Todd will get what you want soon enough.”
“The problem is that it can’t come sooner,” Chrysalis sighed, standing from her chair. “I wish they’d come in already so we can be done with it.”
“My sentiments exactly,” Sweeney replied, never breaking his gaze. “Why doesn’t the Beadle come? ‘Before the week is out’, that’s what he said.”
“And who says the week’s out?” Mrs. Lovett asked. “It’s only Tuesday.”
“Every second they breathe is a second too long,” Chrysalis replied impatiently.
Todd finally moved away from the window and Mrs. Lovett pursued. Chrysalis watched as the pie woman tried to calm him, soothing the bitter man with a gentle tune.
“We can’t wait!” Chrysalis interrupted Lovett. “Waiting’s a foolish game. In a battle, you don’t wait for the enemy to surrender. You bring the fight to them and break them down till they’re groveling at your hooves for mercy!”
“That may be dearie, but sometimes waiting is a virtue,” Mrs. Lovett responded. “It gives you a chance to let your hatred boil within you. And when the time to kill does come, it feels so much… better.”
Sunset, out of instinct, held onto Galen, which the latter returned in order to calm her down. Which Postwar noticed and couldn't help but smile.
Postwar: (Inner thoughts)*sighs*, If only Lucas would allow the ship between Luke and Mara. Wonder how things would've been back then.
Chrysalis rolled her eyes and approached Sweeney’s side. He hadn’t responded to Lovett’s words; he was just pacing about. Mrs. Lovett looked about the room, thinking of all the improvements they could make.
Todd sourly tossed himself into the chair, picking up his largest razor and glared at it intensely. Chrysalis dared to move closer to him, despite the obvious threatening nature of this man.
“Worry not, Mr. Todd,” Chrysalis assured him. “The Beadle assured us he’ll come in. And when he does, you can slit his fat throat and watch the blood pour out like gravy.”
“And the Judge?” Sweeney asked. “When will I get to him?”
“I can’t say for certain,” Chrysalis shrugged. “But I promise, you and I will make him pay for what he did to you. Perhaps it will even give me some semblance of satisfaction, thinking of Celestia in his place as he dies. Still… we could just go to him and kill the man right now.”
The two quickly made their way toward the door, swinging it open as Mrs. Lovett rolled her eyes.
“Can’t you think of nothing else?” She asked, following them to the balcony. “Always broodin’ aware on yer wrongs what happened heaven knows how many years ago…”
Lovett’s gentle words calmed the pair, especially Todd considerably. She moved even closer, risking touching him softly… a touch that drew him back into the room. And Chrysalis, taking a deep breath, slowly closed the door to the barber shop and faced the pair. She watched as the woman’s gaze went back toward the empty room.
Mrs. Lovett (Sings): Gillyflowers, maybe, ‘Stead of daisies… I don’t know, though… What do you think?
As she finished her song, Todd tilted the razor in his hand. He saw the face of a gentleman reflected in the razor. The barber clearly didn’t think of how to improve his shop nor what flowers would soothe the atmosphere for potential customers. Only ‘one’ thing remained on his mind, the one moment that could truly make him feel… happy.
Everyone gave a loud gulp, fearing what else would transpire from this.
Suddenly, the trio heard what sounded like footsteps climbing the stairs to the shop. Todd and Chrysalis bolted up, their senses alert – Mrs. Lovett herself spun to the door. Sweeney instantly shot his gaze at the door, holding his razor open as he moved strategically toward the door, hiding behind it. This could very well be the moment he longed for. Chrysalis stared with a wicked smirk, waiting to see the bloodshed that had been building to this very moment.
However, much to their disappointment, and as the bell rang from outside the shop, Anthony burst through the door breathlessly. And with him, the Mane Six and Spike entered following behind him.
“Mr. Todd!” Anthony called out. “Thank God, I’ve found you—"
They stopped the moment they noticed Mrs. Lovett and the disguised Changeling standing there. Mr. Todd eyed them, secretly closing the razor he hid behind his back.
“Sorry to barge in like this,” Twilight Sparkle apologized. “We have an urgent dilemma, and we need Mr. Todd’s help.”
“Yes!” Anthony nodded quickly. “Please excuse us…”
“What brings you all back in ‘ere?” Mrs. Lovett asked the group. “Changed your mind and come to try the pies?”
“No!” Spike responded quickly and loudly. “Not again… never.”
“Smart boy,” Mrs. Lovett smirked.
Everyone couldn't help but feel some tension from what's going to happen, whilst at the same time, Postwar kept his glare at Chrysalis whilst gripping his hands, for something didn't feel right and felt very off at the same time.
Sweeney emerged from his place behind the door and Anthony sighed in relief upon seeing his friend once more.
“Mr. Todd, there’s a girl who needs my help!” Anthony exclaimed urgently. “Such a sad girl, and lonely, but beautiful too and--:
“Slow down, Anthony,” Sweeney spoke calmly, leading the boy to the chair.
“Just take a breath, Anthony,” Twilight agreed.
“No need to worry yourself to death before we even rescue her,” Rainbow added.
“Right, sorry about that,” Anthony nodded, sitting down. “Anyway, this girl has a guardian so tyrannical that he keeps her locked away. But then this morning she gave us this…”
Anthony reached into his pocket and procured the key Johanna had given to him and the girls.
“Surely it must be a sign that Johanna wants me to help her,” Anthony continued. “That’s her name, Johanna – and Turpin that of her guardian. A judge of some sort…”
This got Sweeney’s attention, as he snapped his head in the young boy’s direction.
Sunset Shimmer: Oh no.
Leia Organa: That sure got his attention.
Galen Marek: And something is bound to happen if this all goes south.
Mando: Agreed. *Grogu closes his eyes out of fright*
“Basically, the reason we’re here sir is that we plan to sneak her out of her home,” Twilight Sparkle explained. “We wish to hide her until we can find a way to help her escape.”
“We were hoping that perhaps you’d be courteous enough to help us hide her for the time being?” Rarity asked hopefully. “You see, we’ve just met him, Mr. Todd, and he is – for lack of a better word – unnatural.”
“Once he goes to court, I’m going to slip into the house and release her – and beg her to come away with me… tonight,” Anthony finished.
From behind the group, Chrysalis turned away to hide her face. It was suddenly full of shock and sadness upon hearing the young boy’s plan. It touched her way deep down her dark heart because it was exactly the very same plan, she and Fire Fall made all those years ago. A plan, tragically, that never came through.
“Oh, this is all terribly romantic,” Mrs. Lovett commented.
“Isn’t it though?” Pinkie Pie smiled. “It’s like the synopsis of every known romance story ever written.”
“Yes, but – you see – I don’t know anyone in London,” Anthony added. “And I need somewhere safe to bring her till I’ve hired a coach to take us to Plymouth. If I could keep her here, just for an hour or two, I would forever be in your debt.”
“Please Mr. Todd,” Fluttershy pleaded. “We really need your help.”
Sweeney Todd gave no response as his attention drew back out the window with a far off look on his stunned face. His mind raced trying to figure out how this new twist might aid in his plans. Eventually, he looked back from Anthony to Mrs. Lovett and the two shared a similarly knowing expression.
“Bring her here, dear,” Mrs. Lovett told Anthony.
Postwar: Something is bound to happen soon.
Leia Organa: Got that right.
Mando: A killer's trait, they draw the innocent in, and then they would soon make their mark.
This caused Pinkie Pie to squeal with excitement, bouncing toward Mrs. Lovett and wrapping her with a tight embrace.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you Mrs. Lovett!” She cheered happily. “You don’t know how happy that makes me.”
“No problem dearie,” Mrs. Lovett groaned. “Now… if you’d be so kind… I’d like to breathe.”
“Oops sorry!” Pinkie apologized, letting go.
“Thank you, ma’am,” Anthony smiled at her.
“Are you alright with this plan, Mr. Todd?” Twilight asked Sweeney.
“The girl may come,” Todd replied curtly, nodding in approval.
“Well, that there’s mighty kind of ya!” Applejack said appreciatively.
“Thank you, my friend!” Anthony shook Todd’s hand happily.
“We should probably go so we can get everything in motion,” Spike suggested.
“Right you are, my friend,” Anthony nodded.
The group proceeded to quickly race from the shop, leaving the trio staring after them. Just as they went, the three figures were about to move on with business until…
“You know what? I just realized something…”
The three stopped in their tracks, standing frozen as Pinkie Pie suddenly came back into the shop with a suspicious look on her face. Pinkie Pie slowly approached the trio, as their eyes slowly turned silently communicating on what to do. Away from Pinkie’s gaze, Todd held the razor behind his back… slowly opening it and preparing for the worst. And then…
“We never paid you for the pie you gave to Spike!” Pinkie informed Lovett.
Everyone groaned and slapped their foreheads.
Sunset Shimmer: Seriously, Pinkie?
Postwar: Well what did you expect, she never was the one to be aware of everything around her.
“Oh no, no charge at all, dearie,” Mrs. Lovett declined politely. “That pie was on the house; a welcome gift.”
“Oh! Well, we do appreciate it even though it didn’t look appetizing,” Pinkie replied, putting the bag back in her hair. “I’m a baker myself where I come from. I don’t know much about ‘meat’ pies, but if you ever need any recipes to improve your business… here’s my card and we’ll talk.”
With a flick of her hand, Pinkie Pie procured a card with her name on it. She held it out for Lovett, who casually and politely accepted the gesture.
“I’ll think about it,” Mrs. Lovett nodded.
“Come on, Pinkie!” Rainbow Dash called out.
“Coming Dashie!” Pinkie called out, cheerily. “Well, so long!”
And Pinkie Pie proceeded to depart from the shop yet again, closing the door behind her. The moment Pinkie Pie left was the moment a groan escaped Chrysalis’ throat. It was as if the disguised changeling was exasperated after hearing the most annoying sound in the world. Lovett meanwhile looked at the crudely made business card and slipped it between her bosom for safe keeping.
“Seems like the fates are favoring you at last, Mr. T.,” Mrs. Lovett smirked.
Rather than being ecstatic about the news his daughter would soon be back by his side soon enough, Todd merely grunted happily. It didn’t take much for Lovett to see the man was gravely disappointed.
“What is it, love?” Mrs. Lovett asked worriedly. “You’ll have her back before the day is out.”
“Highly unlikely!” Chrysalis spoke up. “You should never trust those girls.”
“Why do you say that?” Mrs. Lovett asked.
“I know them, I have experience with them,” Chrysalis replied lowly. “As I’ve said before, I’ve tried getting my revenge on those responsible for the loss of my love. Every time I thought I’ve finally achieved my vengeance, every time I’ve come so close, those meddlesome ponies, and their idiot dragon friend, always interfere and foil my plans. I have no doubt they intend to do the same here… maybe not today, but eventually.”
Sweeney turned to look at Chrysalis with the same expression on his face.
“You’re sure of this?” Todd asked her.
“Never have I been more sure about anything,” Chrysalis nodded. “Mark my words, Mr. Todd. You may have a few hours with your daughter, but those girls won’t hesitate to permit that boy to carry her off to the other end of England, maybe even beyond that, and that will be the last time Johanna is within your gaze.”
Postwar: *sighs*, I know she has a rotten history, but she had to realize that not all ponies are the same, plus they're not the same ponies she knew all those centuries ago, for those ponies are long dead and gone.
Galen Marek: People tend to carry an unhealthy obsession when it comes to vengeance.
Ahsoka Tano: Speaking from experience?
Galen Marek: I do.
“Then… they pose an obstacle,” Sweeney sighed, grabbing his leather strop. “Not only them but that boy as well. What do you propose we do about them?”
“Oh, them?” Mrs. Lovett questioned. “Let them bring here and then, since you’re so hot for a little…”
Mrs. Lovett made a snipping motion with her hand, emphasizing the throat-cutting gesture.
“Them are some throats to slit, my dear,” She finished.
“Now that I agree with,” Chrysalis nodded. “Those idiots are so gullible and trustworthy; they’ll never see it coming.”
Sweeney Todd moved past the ladies and again made toward his post at the window, staring out toward the alleyway in deep thought. Meanwhile, Mrs. Lovett cheerily moved about the shop, straightening things up and trying to make it slightly cozier than usual.
“Poor little Johanna,” Lovett sighed. “All those years without a scrap of motherly affection. Well, we’ll soon see to that…”
Sunset Shimmer: Something tells me she has a very unhealthy obsession too.
Postwar: Which is kind of ironic. One madman, working with another. Now that's twisted.
Ahsoka Tano: Agreed.
Mrs. Lovett and Chrysalis turned toward Mr. Todd, waiting for a response. But his focus was outside the window. Both of them joined him at his side and looked out. Suddenly, Chrysalis’ eyes went wide with alarm.
“What’s this?!”
Below the window, they could see Signor Pirelli approach the shop with Toby in tow.
“‘Ello, what’s he doing here?” Mrs. Lovett questioned curiously. “Look at that face, he’s up to mischief.”
“Go – keep the boy below with you,” Sweeney instructed Mrs. Lovett.
With a quick nod of her head, the baker woman scurried out of the barber shop as Sweeney turned toward Chrysalis.
“Be ready for anything,” Todd told her.
“I’m always ready,” Chrysalis smirked
Mando: And so it begins.
Sunset Shimmer: What begins?
Mando: Watch and learn.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Lovett quickly moved down the steps outside the barber shop to greet Pirelli and Toby as they were about to ascend past the sign that read: ‘Sweeney Todd’s Tonsorial Parlor’.
“Signora, is Mr. Todd at home?” Pirelli asked her.
“Plying his trade upstairs, don’tcher know…” She responded.
Lovett stood upon the staircase, blocking their way. Yet her eyes caught a glimpse of Toby, and she gazed with sympathy.
“… Would you look at it, now!” She commented on the boy. “Don’t look like it’s had a kind word since half past never!”
“Ma’am…?” Toby replied, confused.
“You wouldn’t mind if I gave him a nice juicy meat pie, would yer?” Lovett asked Pirelli.
“Yes, yes, whatever you like,” Pirelli replied, waving impatiently.
Pirelli climbed up the stairs, while Lovett took Toby by the hand leading him toward the pie shop door.
“Come with me now,” She instructed the boy. “Your teeth is strong, I hope?”
The two worked their way through the pie shop and Mrs. Lovett quickly round the corner to crab a freshly made pie.
“Close the door and I’ll get you a nice, lovely pie,” Lovett said.
Toby quickly closed the door, as Mrs. Lovett placed the pie on a plate and sat it at a nearby table.
“Sit down, make yourself comfy,” Mrs. Lovett said sweetly.
And Toby obeyed without a single word. He took his seat at the table, removing his bowler hat in the process. The lad was blissfully unaware of what his master was about to walk into.
Mando: As you can see, the killer's associates tend to keep another busy, whilst the killer goes after it's main target, and also ensures that nobody disturbs them.
As for Pirelli, the flamboyant man climbed his way to the door of the shop. He gave a soft tap with his knuckle on the window. Inside the shop, Sweeney was dusting off the chair while Chrysalis swept the floor with a broom.
“Come in!” Sweeney called out.
Pirelli let himself into the shop, removing his large top hat as he stared down the man who bested him in the shaving contest. Chrysalis stood with the broom in hand, waiting for what Pirelli needed to say.
“Mr. Todd,” Pirelli greeted.
“Signore Pirelli,” Sweeney replied.
“Call me Danny,” Pirelli responded, with a natural Irish accent. “Daniel Higgins’ the name when it’s not professional.”
Both Chrysalis and Sweeney looked toward the man, realizing now that this sham of a barber was more than what he seemed. As it turned out, it wasn’t enough that he lied about his skills in elixir making or much less as a barber. No… this man lied about his own nationality and even changed his own name… just like Todd.
“I’d like me five quid back, if’n ya don’t mind,” Danny replied casually.
“Mr. Todd won that five silver fair and square, you pompous arrogant fraud!” Chrysalis hissed.
“Call me what you like my dear, but I’m still getting me quid back,” Danny smirked cockily.
“Why?” Sweeney questioned.
“Because you entered into our little wager on false pretenses, me friend,” Danny replied. “And so, you might remember to be more forthright in the future, you’ll be handing over your profits to me, share and share alike…”
Todd shook his head, amused, and begun to turn away when Pirelli said:
“… Mr. Benjamin Barker.”
Both Sweeney and Chrysalis instantly froze in their spots, shock spread across their faces. For in that moment, they realized this man knew about Mr. Todd’s true identity… but how?
Everyone else was baffled by what they revealed.
Sunset Shimmer: What the...?! How did he know that?
Mando: Another lesson, before one becomes a killer, one must also know that there will be others who know about your past, and the only way to ensure no one knows is to silence them for good.
Postwar: *mutters* Huh, kind of reminds me of Kingpin's origins in the animated Spider-Man series.
Down in the pie shop, Mrs. Lovett handed Toby one of her grisly pies, which he devoured eagerly.
“That’s my boy, tuck in,” Mrs. Lovett smiled.
As the boy stuffed his face, her attention was almost entirely on the roof above… the muffled voices… the sound of shoes walking… her eyes darted up as she chattered distractedly with Toby.
“Like to see a man with a healthy appetite,” Lovett replied. “Reminds me of my dear Albert.”
She looked over her shoulder at a picture hanging on the wall, of her departed husband, Mr. Albert Lovett. The man himself was very overweight, with a bald head to add to his image.
“Liked to gorge himself to bloatation, he did,” Lovett continued. “He didn’t have your nice full head of hair though—”
“To tell the truth—” Toby replied. “It gets awful hot.”
The boy proceeded to pull off the which, which turned out to be a covering for his own short-cropped hair, choppy and dark. This certainly proved a bit of a surprise for the pie maker herself.
Sunset Shimmer: Huh, that's something you don't see everyday.
Postwar: If Rarity saw that, she'd have a hissy fit.
Sunset Shimmer: *Giggles* No doubt about that.
Sweeney Todd and Chrysalis stared in shock toward Danny, who expansively strolled around the shop, taking it all in, savoring every second.
“… Yes, this will do very nicely,” Danny commented on the shop.
He turned his attention toward Sweeney with the biggest smirk plastered on his smug face.
“You don’t remember me?” He asked. “Well, why should you? I was just a down and out Irish pug you hired for a couple of weeks – sweeping up hair and the like—”
He walked over to one of the nearby tables, picking up one of Todd’s razors.
“But I remember these,” Danny spoke admirably. “And how could I ever forget you, Benjamin Barker?”
Sweeney couldn’t even utter a singular response as he looked out the window, his face reeling with shock. Chrysalis, meanwhile, bore hatred on her face. She forced herself to hold back on killing this arrogant man here and now. Danny smirked again as he took a seat right next to the barber chair.
“I would sit right there and watch you, and dream of the day I could be a proper barber meself…” Danny recollected. “You might say you were an inspiration to me.”
Sweeney glared at him, as he walked past the man toward his box of razors. Which only made it more confusing when he walked past them and instead stood near the stove nearby, where a kettle of tea was brewing. Still, Sweeney said no words. He just kept staring forward with the same wide eyed blank expression on his face. All the while, the smug Daniel O’Higgins walked behind Sweeney Todd, like a panther ready to pounce.
“So, do we have a deal, or should I run down the street for me pal Beadle Bamford?” Danny asked smugly. “What do you say to that now, Mr. Sweeney T—”
SLAP!!!
Having heard enough, Chrysalis ran toward Danny and slapped him hard across the face. His head snapped to the side upon receiving such a vicious slap.
“I don’t care what your name is or where you came from!” Chrysalis barked ravenously. “You are in no position to make demands, and you don’t get to talk that way to Mr. Todd! Ever!”
Danny, on the other hand, quickly turned forward again with the same smirk on his face. Now his eyes were locked toward Chrysalis.
“I like your spirit, dear,” He smirked. “Why work for him when you can work for me? Leave this washed up has-been in the dirt. Course, you’ll have to prove your loyalty to me, don’t you?”
He reached up with one hand, tracing his fingers gently along her cheek. Chrysalis stared daggers toward the man, who merely chuckled.
“I’ve always heard blondes are best in bed—”
Without a word of warning, like a thunderbolt, Chrysalis was upon him. She leapt toward the man, brutally grabbing the man by the neck violently strangling him. The man, however, was surprisingly strong and put up a desperate struggle. They thumped awkwardly around the shop until Pirelli a.k.a. Danny broke free from her grasp and viciously slapped Chrysalis, who fell backward and clutched her right cheek as it burned from the strike.
“You… bitch!” Danny snarled.
Over the sound of the tea kettle whistling loudly, something inside Sweeney’s mind snapped. He grabbed for the kettle and quickly swung with all his might, smashing it right into Danny’s face twice. Blood spurted from the man’s mouth as he fell on the ground. But Sweeney didn’t let up, as he quickly knelt down and smashed the kettle onto the man’s head over… and over… and over again. All the while, Chrysalis laid on the floor, watching… a wicked smirk over her face.
Some, like the ladies, were horrified by what they saw, with Leia quickly covering Ben's eyes so that he doesn't see, with Postwar closing Ben's ears so that he wouldn't listen to any of it either.
Eventually, Sweeney’s psychotic rampage reached its end, as he dropped the tea kettle to the ground and glared toward Danny’s body. Blood pooled around the man’s head from all the damage he received from the kettle. Sweeney took a few deep breaths as he sat down in his chair, allowing the adrenaline from his actions to course through his veins. He felt something on his shoulders and slowly turned his head slightly. Chrysalis stood behind him, her right cheek still red, massaging his shoulders again.
“Let me ask you something,” Chrysalis spoke casually. “When you snapped like that, was it because he was extorting you or advancing on me?”
Sweeney just slumped further into his chair, allowing Chrysalis to massage his shoulders.
“Both…” He replied simply.
A small smile appeared on Chrysalis’s face, as she slowly leaned down and planted a small kiss on Mr. Todd’s cheek. At first, the barber seemed not to register what she did. But then, he brought a hand and lightly touched the spot she kissed him.
“Thank you, Mr. Todd,” She thanked him genuinely.
“Don’t thank me yet,” He replied. “If anybody comes up here and finds the body, we’re done for.”
Chrysalis turned toward Danny’s body, then toward a chest in the corner.
“Why don’t you make some more tea?” Chrysalis gestured. “I’ll hide the body…”
Sunset Shimmer: Holy...in all my years knowing Chrysalis...I never figured she'd possesses, a killer's instinct.
Postwar then thinks about how Chrysalis secretly killed Nicholas Flammel in order to obtain the Sorcerer's stone. Then again, Flammel was close to his death span, meaning there wouldn't be any questions asked, or even knew that some individuals won't be around in the future.
He moved past Todd to the large chest where he sat down. Chrysalis eyed nervously at the chest, seeing one of Danny’s hands protruding from the chest, dangling limply. Thankfully, Toby didn’t notice it, but she knew she had to act quickly. She quickly rose from the chair and approached the young boy, smiling nervously adjusting her hair to cover her right side.
“So… Toby, Mrs. Lovett gave you a pie, did she?” Chrysalis asked sweetly.
“Yes ma’am,” Toby nodded. “She’s a real lady. Model of all true Christian virtue.”
Suddenly, Danny’s hand… twitched. This didn’t go unnoticed by Mr. Todd, the man staring anxiously and quickly he approached Chrysalis’s side.
“That she is… that she is,” He nodded. “But if I know a growing boy, there’s still room for some more pie, eh?”
Pirelli’s hand twitched desperately now, perilously close to where Toby’s hand was resting. Thankfully, Chrysalis had the good sense to draw Toby closer to the door and opened it.
“Why don’t you run downstairs and wait for your master there?” She suggested. “There’ll be another pie in it for you, I’m sure…”
“No, I should stay here,” Toby shook his head.
Any patience Chrysalis could muster was starting to fade quickly. This boy was stubborn, and he was going to bring them trouble if they didn’t do something. Just then, Sweeney was suddenly inspired and knew just how to get the boy out of the room.
“I know – why don’t you tell Mrs. Lovett that I said to give you a nice big tot of gin?”
This really brought a happy smile to Toby’s face.
“Gin, sir?!” Toby said happily. “Thanking you kindly, sir! You’re a Christian indeed!”
The boy raced out happily and clattered down the stairs. Both Sweeney and Chrysalis sighed in relief now that the boy was gone. But they quickly remembered there was another problem to worry about. Chrysalis walked back to the table and grabbed Sweeney’s razor as the man himself approached the chest and leaned down to open it.
Ahsoka Tano: I didn't think that they would let the child live.
Mando: Some killers have restraint, they won't kill children until a much later date, but at the same time, they use that to distract the kids by sending them away in a different direction.
Sunset Shimmer: You really know so much about one, don't you?
Mando: When you've been in the galaxy for as long as I have, you tend to pick up a few things along the way.
Chrysalis stood right beside him, as Todd looked at her in preparation. Her face was completely impassive. Not a spectral nor disappears like any ghost Todd had lingering around him. But she stood there as Todd looked at her. Her eyes slowly moved toward her hand and Todd followed her look to see… his largest razor in her grasp. Todd looked at the razor and then at Chrysalis, who nodded slowly as if she were informing him…
‘This is the point of no return.’
Chrysalis handed him his razor, and he snapped it open with a sharp, quick flick of his wrist. He moved to the chest and opened it up. A bloody, battered Daniel O’Higgins slowly pulled himself right from the chest, gasping for breath and groaning in pain. Sweeney again turned to Chrysalis, who eyed evilly with a sinister smirk on her face. The mad barber then knelt down alongside the chest and with great ferocity he hauled the man up, one hand over his forehead and tilt it back. The man’s eyes snapped open as Sweeney pressed the blade against his neck… and slit his throat.
Blood sprayed from the man’s neck as he convulsed. Chrysalis watched as the man’s life slowly slipped away from him. She admired the quick work of Todd’s hands, his fingers strong. Imagining how the motion stung Daniel’s throat, but not for long. She leaned against the wall, arms folded, eyeing Todd. Anyone who thought him a simple clod would soon reconsider under the sod and consigned there with a friendly prod from a man no longer Benjamin Barker… but Sweeney Todd.
Eventually, when the dead man was as still as the grave, Sweeney laid him back in the chest and slowly shut the lid once more. Seeing his razor gleam even with blood, feeling how well it fit as it floated across the throat of a hypocrite like his former assistant, he wiped the razor clean. Both he and Chrysalis eyed the chest, knowing what this meant. They both had their first taste of blood in this world and now…
Now they wanted more…”
Postwar: And so the first blood has been spilt. And soon, many more to come.
Mando: This is how all killer's start. The moment when the first blood had been spilt, the lust would continue until many is dead all around them.
Meanwhile, back at the barber/pie shop, Sweeney Todd, Johanna’s father, stood staring out of the large window of his home, intense and brooding. Though it had been cleaned, it was still a spartan room. A tatty parlor chair, a large chest, and a few counters with meager bottles of tonsorial supplies. He had one of his razors in one hand, a sharpener in the other, to sharpen his ‘precious friends’ while seething with discontent. Mrs. Lovett sat in the old looking chair she brought in, while Chrysalis sat in another chair closest to Mr. Todd. Her expression, too, bore similarities to that of Mr. Todd, who started pacing across the window like a caged tiger in the small barber shop.
“It’s not much of a chair, I’ll grant, but it’ll serve,” Mrs. Lovett commented on the chair. “Was me poor Albert’s chair. Sat in it all day long he did, after his leg gave out from the gout, poor dear.”
Rarity: That’s so sad, she also lost someone close to her (she said feeling bad for Mrs. Lovett)
“A charming story,” Chrysalis replied sarcastically. “Meanwhile, the two of us have been contemplating revenge on the judge and his little Beadle. What I’d give to watch their life slip away from those beady eyes.”
“Worry not, dear,” Mrs. Lovett assured her. “You and Mr. Todd will get what you want soon enough.”
“The problem is that it can’t come sooner,” Chrysalis sighed, standing from her chair. “I wish they’d come in already so we can be done with it.”
“My sentiments exactly,” Sweeney replied, never breaking his gaze. “Why doesn’t the Beadle come? ‘Before the week is out’, that’s what he said.”
“And who says the week’s out?” Mrs. Lovett asked. “It’s only Tuesday.”
“Every second they breathe is a second too long,” Chrysalis replied impatiently.
Arctic: She’s not wrong, once’s patience has it’s limits… before they can’t take it no more
Todd finally moved away from the window and Mrs. Lovett pursued. Chrysalis watched as the pie woman tried to calm him, soothing the bitter man with a gentle tune.
Mrs. Lovett: (sings) Easy now, Hush, love, hush, Don't distress yourself, What's your rush? Keep your thoughts Nice and lush, Wait…
“We can’t wait!” Chrysalis interrupted Lovett. “Waiting’s a foolish game. In a battle, you don’t wait for the enemy to surrender. You bring the fight to them and break them down till they’re groveling at your hooves for mercy!”
“That may be dearie, but sometimes waiting is a virtue,” Mrs. Lovett responded. “It gives you a chance to let your hatred boil within you. And when the time to kill does come, it feels so much… better.”
Mrs. Lovett: (sings) Hush, love, hush, Think it through. Once it bubbles, then What's to do? Watch it close. Let it brew. Wait…
Chrysalis rolled her eyes and approached Sweeney’s side. He hadn’t responded to Lovett’s words; he was just pacing about. Mrs. Lovett looked about the room, thinking of all the improvements they could make.
Mrs. Lovett: (sings) I've been thinkin' flowers— Maybe daisies— To brighten up the room! Don't you think some flowers, Pretty daisies, Might relieve the gloom? Ah, wait, love, wait.
Todd sourly tossed himself into the chair, picking up his largest razor and glared at it intensely. Chrysalis dared to move closer to him, despite the obvious threatening nature of this man.
“Worry not, Mr. Todd,” Chrysalis assured him. “The Beadle assured us he’ll come in. And when he does, you can slit his fat throat and watch the blood pour out like gravy.”
“And the Judge?” Sweeney asked. “When will I get to him?”
“I can’t say for certain,” Chrysalis shrugged. “But I promise, you and I will make him pay for what he did to you. Perhaps it will even give me some semblance of satisfaction, thinking of Celestia in his place as he dies. Still… we could just go to him and kill the man right now.”
The two quickly made their way toward the door, swinging it open as Mrs. Lovett rolled her eyes.
“Can’t you think of nothing else?” She asked, following them to the balcony. “Always broodin’ aware on yer wrongs what happened heaven knows how many years ago…”
Rainbow Dash: Geez, is every villain this obese with revenge?
Arctic: More or less, there are some villains who are smart enough to think with a cool head
Mrs. Lovett: (sings) Slow, love, slow. Time's so fast. Now goes quickly, see now it's past! Soon will come, Soon will last. Wait. Don't you know, Silly man? Half the fun is to Plan the plan?! All good things Come to those who can Wait…
Lovett’s gentle words calmed the pair, especially Todd considerably. She moved even closer, risking touching him softly… a touch that drew him back into the room. And Chrysalis, taking a deep breath, slowly closed the door to the barber shop and faced the pair. She watched as the woman’s gaze went back toward the empty room.
Mrs. Lovett (Sings): Gillyflowers, maybe, ‘Stead of daisies… I don’t know, though… What do you think?
As she finished her song, Todd tilted the razor in his hand. He saw the face of a gentleman reflected in the razor. The barber clearly didn’t think of how to improve his shop nor what flowers would soothe the atmosphere for potential customers. Only ‘one’ thing remained on his mind, the one moment that could truly make him feel… happy.
Suddenly, the trio heard what sounded like footsteps climbing the stairs to the shop. Todd and Chrysalis bolted up, their senses alert—Mrs. Lovett herself spun to the door. Sweeney instantly shot his gaze at the door, holding his razor open as he moved strategically toward the door, hiding behind it. This could very well be the moment he longed for. Chrysalis stared with a wicked smirk, waiting to see the bloodshed that had been building to this very moment.
Fluttershy: O-Oh no. (she said worried starting to get scared)
However, much to their disappointment, and as the bell rang from outside the shop, Anthony burst through the door breathlessly. And with him, the Mane Six and Spike entered following behind him.
“Mr. Todd!” Anthony called out. “Thank God, I’ve found you—"
They stopped the moment they noticed Mrs. Lovett and the disguised Changeling standing there. Mr. Todd eyed them, secretly closing the razor he hid behind his back.
There was some sighs of relief in the audience seeing that he put his razor away.
“Sorry to barge in like this,” Twilight Sparkle apologized. “We have an urgent dilemma, and we need Mr. Todd’s help.”
“Yes!” Anthony nodded quickly. “Please excuse us…”
“What brings you all back in ‘ere?” Mrs. Lovett asked the group. “Changed your mind and come to try the pies?”
“No!” Spike responded quickly and loudly. “Not again… never.”
“Smart boy,” Mrs. Lovett smirked.
Rarity: Y-Yes, please no more. (She said holding her stomach)
Juniper: W-We really don’t want to be reminded of it. (She said also feeling a bit sick)
Sweeney emerged from his place behind the door and Anthony sighed in relief upon seeing his friend once more.
“Mr. Todd, there’s a girl who needs my help!” Anthony exclaimed urgently. “Such a sad girl, and lonely, but beautiful too and—”
“Slow down, Anthony,” Sweeney spoke calmly, leading the boy to the chair.
“Just take a breath, Anthony,” Twilight agreed.
“No need to worry yourself to death before we even rescue her,” Rainbow added.
“Right, sorry about that,” Anthony nodded, sitting down. “Anyway, this girl has a guardian so tyrannical that he keeps her locked away. But then this morning she gave us this…”
Anthony reached into his pocket and procured the key Johanna had given to him and the girls.
“Surely it must be a sign that Johanna wants me to help her,” Anthony continued. “That’s her name, Johanna—and Turpin that of her guardian. A judge of some sort…”
This got Sweeney’s attention, as he snapped his head in the young boy’s direction.
Sci-Twi: That got his attention… but how will he respond next
Fluttershy: I-I hope something good
Pinkie Pie: Yeah! He would get to see his daughter again which will be super duper great!
Arctic: Maybe Pinkie… but I don’t think it will be that simple.
“Basically, the reason we’re here sir is that we plan to sneak her out of her home,” Twilight Sparkle explained. “We wish to hide her until we can find a way to help her escape.”
“We were hoping that perhaps you’d be courteous enough to help us hide her for the time being?” Rarity asked hopefully. “You see, we’ve just met him, Mr. Todd, and he is—for lack of a better word—unnatural.”
“Once he goes to court, I’m going to slip into the house and release her—and beg her to come away with me… tonight,” Anthony finished.
From behind the group, Chrysalis turned away to hide her face. It was suddenly full of shock and sadness upon hearing the young boy’s plan. It touched her way deep down her dark heart because it was exactly the very same plan she and Fire Fall made all those years ago. A plan, tragically, that never came through.
Juniper: I still feel a little bad.. even f she did a lot of terrible things
Applejack: I might not fully forgive her, but what happen to her.. she didn’t deserve that to happen.
“Oh, this is all terribly romantic,” Mrs. Lovett commented.
“Isn’t it though?” Pinkie Pie smiled. “It’s like the synopsis of every known romance story ever written.”
“Yes, but—you see—I don’t know anyone in London,” Anthony added. “And I need somewhere safe to bring her till I’ve hired a coach to take us to Plymouth.
If I could keep her here, just for an hour or two, I would forever be in your debt.”
“Please Mr. Todd,” Fluttershy pleaded. “We really need your help.”
Sweeney Todd gave no response as his attention drew back out the window with a far off look on his stunned face. His mind raced trying to figure out how this new twist might aid in his plans. Eventually, he looked back from Anthony to Mrs. Lovett and the two shared a similarly knowing expression.
“Bring her here, dear,” Mrs. Lovett told Anthony.
This caused Pinkie Pie to squeal with excitement, bouncing toward Mrs. Lovett and wrapping her with a tight embrace.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you Mrs. Lovett!” She cheered happily. “You don’t know how happy that makes me.”
“No problem dearie,” Mrs. Lovett groaned. “Now… if you’d be so kind… I’d like to breathe.”
“Oops sorry!” Pinkie apologized, letting go.
Arctic: Just Pinkie being Pimkie. (He said with a bit a smile)
Pinkie Pie: I always give the best hugs when I’m happy (she said with a big grin)
“Thank you, ma’am,” Anthony smiled at her.
“Are you alright with this plan, Mr. Todd?” Twilight asked Sweeney.
“The girl may come,” Todd replied curtly, nodding in approval.
“Well, that there’s mighty kind of ya!” Applejack said appreciatively.
“Thank you, my friend!” Anthony shook Todd’s hand happily.
“We should probably go so we can get everything in motion,” Spike suggested.
“Right you are, my friend,” Anthony nodded.
The group proceeded to quickly race from the shop, leaving the trio staring after them. Just as they went, the three figures were about to move on with business until…
“You know what? I just realized something…”
The three stopped in their tracks, standing frozen as Pinkie Pie suddenly came back into the shop with a suspicious look on her face. Pinkie Pie slowly approached the trio, as their eyes slowly turned silently communicating on what to do. Away from Pinkie’s gaze, Todd held the razor behind his back… slowly opening it and preparing for the worst.
And then…
“We never paid you for the pie you gave to Spike!” Pinkie informed Lovett.
Their stiff postures released as Pinkie Pie somehow pulled a bag of coins from her hair, an act of which left Todd and Lovett ‘slightly’ confused. She proceeded to untie the bag and dip her fingers through the coins.
The grouped sighed minus Pinkie glad that another close call was avoided.
Rainbow Dash: Yeah, same old Pinkie
“How much do we owe you?” Pinkie asked, absently.
“Oh no, no charge at all, dearie,” Mrs. Lovett declined politely. “That pie was on the house; a welcome gift.”
“Oh! Well, we do appreciate it even though it didn’t look appetizing,” Pinkie replied, putting the bag back in her hair. “I’m a baker myself where I come from. I don’t know much about ‘meat’ pies, but if you ever need any recipes to improve your business… here’s my card and we’ll talk.”
With a flick of her hand, Pinkie Pie procured a card with her name on it. She held it out for Lovett, who casually and politely accepted the gesture.
“I’ll think about it,” Mrs. Lovett nodded.
“Come on, Pinkie!” Rainbow Dash called out.
“Coming Dashie!” Pinkie called out, cheerily. “Well, so long!”
And Pinkie Pie proceeded to depart from the shop yet again, closing the door behind her. The moment Pinkie Pie left was the moment a groan escaped Chrysalis’ throat. It was as if the disguised changeling was exasperated after hearing the most annoying sound in the world. Lovett meanwhile looked at the crudely made business card and slipped it between her bosom for safe keeping.
“Seems like the fates are favoring you at last, Mr. T.,” Mrs. Lovett smirked.
Rather than being ecstatic about the news his daughter would soon be back by his side soon enough, Todd merely grunted happily. It didn’t take much for Lovett to see the man was gravely disappointed.
“What is it, love?” Mrs. Lovett asked worriedly. “You’ll have her back before the day is out.”
“Highly unlikely!” Chrysalis spoke up. “You should never trust those girls.”
Arctic: And there it is… she’s about to put words into his head.
“Why do you say that?” Mrs. Lovett asked.
“I know them, I have experience with them,” Chrysalis replied lowly. “As I’ve said before, I’ve tried getting my revenge on those responsible for the loss of my love. Every time I thought I’ve finally achieved my vengeance, every time I’ve come so close, those meddlesome ponies, and their idiot dragon friend, always interfere and foil my plans. I have no doubt they intend to do the same here… maybe not today, but eventually.”
Sweeney turned to look at Chrysalis with the same expression on his face.
“You’re sure of this?” Todd asked her.
“Never have I been more sure about anything,” Chrysalis nodded. “Mark my words, Mr. Todd. You may have a few hours with your daughter, but those girls won’t hesitate to permit that boy to carry her off to the other end of England, maybe even beyond that, and that will be the last time Johanna is within your gaze.”
“Then… they pose an obstacle,” Sweeney sighed, grabbing his leather strop. “Not only them but that boy as well. What do you propose we do about them?”
“Oh, them?” Mrs. Lovett questioned. “Let them bring them here and then, since you’re so hot for a little…”
Mrs. Lovett made a snipping motion with her hand, emphasizing the throat-cutting gesture.
“Them are some throats to slit, my dear,” She finished.
Horrified gasps filled the room hearing what was suggested to do with them
“Now that I agree with,” Chrysalis nodded. “Those idiots are so gullible and trustworthy; they’ll never see it coming.”
Sweeney Todd moved past the ladies and again made toward his post at the window, staring out toward the alleyway in deep thought. Meanwhile, Mrs. Lovett cheerily moved about the shop, straightening things up and trying to make it slightly cozier than usual.
“Poor little Johanna,” Lovett sighed. “All those years without a scrap of motherly affection. Well, we’ll soon see to that…”
Mrs. Lovett and Chrysalis turned toward Mr. Todd, waiting for a response. But his focus was outside the window. Both of them joined him at his side and looked out. Suddenly, Chrysalis’ eyes went wide with alarm.
“What’s this?!”
Below the window, they could see Signor Pirelli approach the shop with Toby in tow.
“‘Ello, what’s he doing here?” Mrs. Lovett questioned curiously. “Look at that face, he’s up to mischief.”
“Go—keep the boy below with you,” Sweeney instructed Mrs. Lovett.
With a quick nod of her head, the baker woman scurried out of the barber shop as Sweeney turned toward Chrysalis.
“Be ready for anything,” Todd told her.
“I’m always ready,” Chrysalis smirked
Pinkie Pie: I got a really REALLY bad feeling about this…(she said worried)
Arctic: Yeah… me to Pinkie
Meanwhile, Mrs. Lovett quickly moved down the steps outside the barber shop to greet Pirelli and Toby as they were about to ascend past the sign that read: ‘Sweeney Todd’s Tonsorial Parlor’.
“Signora, is Mr. Todd at home?” Pirelli asked her.
“Plying his trade upstairs, don’tcher know…” She responded.
Lovett stood upon the staircase, blocking their way. Yet her eyes caught a glimpse of Toby, and she gazed with sympathy.
Fluttershy: I-I feel so bad for him..
Rainbow Dash: Who wouldn’t when you have to work for a guy like Pirelli, wish I could give him a piece of my mind.
“… Would you look at it, now!” She commented on the boy. “Don’t look like it’s had a kind word since half past never!”
“Ma’am…?” Toby replied, confused.
“You wouldn’t mind if I gave him a nice juicy meat pie, would yer?” Lovett asked Pirelli.
Sci-Twi and Juniper: PLEASE NO!
“Yes, yes, whatever you like,” Pirelli replied, waving impatiently.
Pirelli climbed up the stairs, while Lovett took Toby by the hand leading him toward the pie shop door.
“Come with me now,” She instructed the boy. “Your teeth is strong, I hope?”
The two worked their way through the pie shop and Mrs. Lovett quickly rounded the corner to grab a freshly made pie.
“Close the door and I’ll get you a nice, lovely pie,” Lovett said.
Toby quickly closed the door, as Mrs. Lovett placed the pie on a plate and sat it at a nearby table.
“Sit down, make yourself comfy,” Mrs. Lovett said sweetly.
And Toby obeyed without a single word. He took his seat at the table, removing his bowler hat in the process. The lad was blissfully unaware of what his master was about to walk into.
A sudden chill went down in the audience, they don’t know why but..they felt like something really REALLY bad is about to unfold
As for Pirelli, the flamboyant man climbed his way to the door of the shop. He gave a soft tap with his knuckle on the window. Inside the shop, Sweeney was dusting off the chair while Chrysalis swept the floor with a broom.
“Come in!” Sweeney called out.
Pirelli let himself into the shop, removing his large top hat as he stared down the man who bested him in the shaving contest. Chrysalis stood with the broom in hand, waiting for what Pirelli needed to say.
“Mr. Todd,” Pirelli greeted.
“Signor Pirelli,” Sweeney replied.
“Call me Danny,” Pirelli responded, with a natural Irish accent. “Daniel Higgins’ the name when it’s not professional.”
Pinkie Pie: (gasps) Hey! He was faking it!
Applejack: Of course a conman like him would fake his accent (she said with a glare)
Both Chrysalis and Sweeney looked toward the man, realizing now that this sham of a barber was more than what he seemed. As it turned out, it wasn’t enough that he lied about his skills in elixir making or much less as a barber. No… this man lied about his own nationality and even changed his own name… just like Todd.
“I’d like me five quid back, if’n ya don’t mind,” Danny replied casually.
“Mr. Todd won that five silver fair and square, you pompous arrogant fraud!” Chrysalis hissed.
Rainbow Dash: Yeah! He won fair and square!
Juniper: That’s right! So he owns you nothing!
“Call me what you like my dear, but I’m still getting me quid back,” Danny smirked cockily.
“Why?” Sweeney questioned.
Fluttershy: G-girls, I don’t like where this is going.
Arctic: Same here, Fluttershy. Where is he going with this?
“Because you entered into our little wager on false pretenses, me friend,” Danny replied. “And so, you might remember to be more forthright in the future, you’ll be handing over your profits to me, share and share alike…”
Todd shook his head, amused, and begun to turn away when Pirelli said:
“… Mr. Benjamin Barker.”
Both Sweeney and Chrysalis instantly froze in their spots, shock spread across their faces. For in that moment, they realized this man knew about Mr. Todd’s true identity… but how?
Gasps of shucked were heard from everyone in the audience.
Rainbow Dash: Ok… HOW?!
Sci-Twi: That’s impossible… he couldn’t possibly know what his real name is!? He never said it once
Juniper: Then… how on earth does he know?! (She questioned)
Arctic: guess we’re gonna find out… and I have a feeling it’s gonna end badly
Down in the pie shop, Mrs. Lovett handed Toby one of her grisly pies, which he devoured eagerly.
“That’s my boy, tuck in,” Mrs. Lovett smiled.
Rarity: How on earth can he eat that?!
Applejack: I’m guessing it’s been a long while since he had something good to eat, which he’ll eat anything at this point.
Rarity: Still! He could’ve eaten anything else…(she said before leaning onto her seat) oh, this can’t possibly get any worse.
As the boy stuffed his face, her attention was almost entirely on the roof above… the muffled voices… the sound of shoes walking… her eyes darted up as she chattered distractedly with Toby.
“Like to see a man with a healthy appetite,” Lovett replied. “Reminds me of my dear Albert.”
She looked over her shoulder at a picture hanging on the wall, of her departed husband, Mr. Albert Lovett. The man himself was very overweight, with a bald head to add to his image.
“Liked to gorge himself to bloatation, he did,” Lovett continued. “He didn’t have your nice full head of hair though—”
“To tell the truth—” Toby replied. “It gets awful hot.”
The boy proceeded to pull off the wig, which turned out to be a covering for his own short-cropped hair, choppy and dark. This certainly proved a bit of a surprise for the pie maker herself.
Rarity:… A WIG?! (She yelled) he was wearing a wig this whole time?!
Rainbow Dash: Typically Rarity..(she said to herself rolling her eyes a little bit)
Rarity: I heard that!
Sweeney couldn’t even utter a singular response as he looked out the window, his face reeling with shock. Chrysalis, meanwhile, bore hatred on her face. She forced herself to hold back on killing this arrogant man here and now. Danny smirked again as he took a seat right next to the barber chair.
“I would sit right there and watch you, and dream of the day I could be a proper barber meself…” Danny recollected. “You might say you were an inspiration to me.”
Sweeney glared at him, as he walked past the man toward his box of razors. Which only made it more confusing when he walked past them and instead stood near the stove nearby, where a kettle of tea was brewing. Still, Sweeney said no words. He just kept staring forward with the same wide eyed blank expression on his face. All the while, the smug Daniel O’Higgins walked behind Sweeney Todd, like a panther ready to pounce.
“So, do we have a deal, or should I run down the street for me pal Beadle Bamford?” Danny asked smugly. “What do you say to that now, Mr. Sweeney T—”
SLAP!!!
Having heard enough, Chrysalis ran toward Danny and slapped him hard across the face. His head snapped to the side upon receiving such a vicious slap.
Equestrian Girls: (wince a bit)
Arctic: Yikes, I think I felt that…
Juniper: You and me both..
“I don’t care what your name is or where you came from!” Chrysalis barked ravenously. “You are in no position to make demands, and you don’t get to talk that way to Mr. Todd! Ever!”
Danny, on the other hand, quickly turned forward again with the same smirk on his face. Now his eyes were locked toward Chrysalis.
“I like your spirit, dear,” He smirked. “Why work for him when you can work for me? Leave this washed up has-been in the dirt. Course, you’ll have to prove your loyalty to me, don’t you?”
The girls couldn’t help but be disgusted by this as some had a glare towards Danny.
He reached up with one hand, tracing his fingers gently along her cheek. Chrysalis stared daggers toward the man, who merely chuckled.
Arctic: Yeah… he about to die
“I’ve always heard blondes are best in bed—”
Without a word of warning, like a thunderbolt, Chrysalis was upon him. She leapt toward the man, brutally grabbing the man by the neck violently strangling him. The man, however, was surprisingly strong and put up a desperate struggle. They thumped awkwardly around the shop until Pirelli a.k.a. Danny broke free from her grasp and viciously slapped Chrysalis, who fell backward and clutched her right cheek as it burned from the strike.
“You… bitch!” Danny snarled.
Over the sound of the tea kettle whistling loudly, something inside Sweeney’s mind snapped. He grabbed for the kettle and quickly swung with all his might, smashing it right into Danny’s face twice. Blood spurted from the man’s mouth as he fell on the ground. But Sweeney didn’t let up, as he quickly knelt down and smashed the kettle onto the man’s head over… and over… and over again. All the while, Chrysalis laid on the floor, watching… a wicked smirk over her face.
Rarity: MY WORD! (She said horrified)
Fluttershy: (hides her face into Arctic shoulder gripping onto his arm tightly)
Arctic: (would look down at Fluttershy and softly rubs her head to confront her)
Down in the pie shop, Mrs. Lovett heard the muffling and struggling from above. She nervously shifted and moved about, clanging things around as she cleaned the counter, trying to cover the ruckus.
“My, my, my, always work to be done,” She chattered nervously. “Spic-and-span, that’s motto. Cleanliness is next to whatever-it-is.”
Eventually, Sweeney’s psychotic rampage reached its end, as he dropped the tea kettle to the ground and glared toward Danny’s body. Blood pooled around the man’s head from all the damage he received from the kettle. Sweeney took a few deep breaths as he sat down in his chair, allowing the adrenaline from his actions to course through his veins. He felt something on his shoulders and slowly turned his head slightly. Chrysalis stood behind him, her right cheek still red, massaging his shoulders again.
“Let me ask you something,” Chrysalis spoke casually. “When you snapped like that, was it because he was extorting you or advancing on me?”
Sweeney just slumped further into his chair, allowing Chrysalis to massage his shoulders.
“Both…” He replied simply.
A small smile appeared on Chrysalis’s face, as she slowly leaned down and planted a small kiss on Mr. Todd’s cheek. At first, the barber seemed not to register what she did. But then, he brought a hand and lightly touched the spot she kissed him.
“Thank you, Mr. Todd,” She thanked him genuinely.
“Don’t thank me yet,” He replied. “If anybody comes up here and finds the body, we’re done for.”
Chrysalis turned toward Danny’s body, then toward a chest in the corner.
“Why don’t you make some more tea?” Chrysalis gestured. “I’ll hide the body…”
Sci-Twi: Surely they won’t go far to kill a kid…right? (She asked hopefully)
Juniper: Y-Yeah, they have to at least have some line they wouldn’t cross.
“So, ah, how did you end up with that dreadful Eyetalian?” Mrs. Lovett asked Toby.
“Got me from the workhouse ‘e did,” Toby replied, between bites. “Been there since I was born. Got no mum, got nobody. A wasted soul, that’s what I am—”
Suddenly, the boy’s face turned horrified when he remembered a sudden, urgent thought.
“Oh God!” He exclaimed urgently. “He’s got an appointment with his tailor. If he’s late, he’ll blame me—!”
The boy bolted up, clearly terrified of Pirelli’s wrath. Much to Mrs. Lovett’s horror, she watched him run out of the pie shop.
“Wait!” She called out.
Fluttershy: (would look up a little bit) P-Please! Don’t do it!
But it was too late; the boy was gone. Toby vaulted up the stairs to the barber shop and burst inside.
“Signor, you got an appointment…”
He stopped when he realized Signor Pirelli was nowhere to be seen. He turned and saw Mr. Todd standing calmly by the stove, preparing a cup of tea. Once filled, he handed it to Chrysalis, who sat in the barber chair showing only her left side of her face.
“Signor Pirelli has been called away,” Sweeney informed him. “You better run after him.”
“Oh no, sir,” Toby shook his head. “I better wait for him here or it’ll be a lashing. He’s a great one for the lashings.”
All the girls: LASHING?! (They said in shocked)
Arctic: To say he deserves all the karma he got…would probably be a understatement.
He moved past Todd to the large chest where he sat down. Chrysalis eyed nervously at the chest, seeing one of Danny’s hands protruding from the chest, dangling limply. Thankfully, Toby didn’t notice it, but she knew she had to act quickly. She quickly rose from the chair and approached the young boy, smiling nervously adjusting her hair to cover her right side.
“So… Toby, Mrs. Lovett gave you a pie, did she?” Chrysalis asked sweetly.
“Yes ma’am,” Toby nodded. “She’s a real lady. Model of all true Christian virtue.”
Suddenly, Danny’s hand… twitched. This didn’t go unnoticed by Mr. Todd, the man staring anxiously and quickly he approached Chrysalis’s side.
Sci-Twi and Juniper: HIS STILL ALIVE?!
Rainbow Dash: OK HOW?!
Applejack: His hanging in there…barely
“That she is… that she is,” He nodded. “But if I know a growing boy, there’s still room for some more pie, eh?”
Pirelli’s hand twitched desperately now, perilously close to where Toby’s hand was resting. Thankfully, Chrysalis had the good sense to draw Toby closer to the door and opened it.
“Why don’t you run downstairs and wait for your master there?” She suggested. “There’ll be another pie in it for you, I’m sure…”
“No, I should stay here,” Toby shook his head.
Any patience Chrysalis could muster was starting to fade quickly. This boy was stubborn, and he was going to bring them trouble if they didn’t do something. Just then, Sweeney was suddenly inspired and knew just how to get the boy out of the room.
“I know—why don’t you tell Mrs. Lovett that I said to give you a nice big tot of gin?”
This really brought a happy smile to Toby’s face.
“Gin, sir?!” Toby said happily. “Thanking you kindly, sir! You’re a Christian indeed!”
Sci-Twi: His planning to give a kid alcohol?! And he took the chance to have some?!
Juniper: What is wrong with this place?!
The boy raced out happily and clattered down the stairs. Both Sweeney and Chrysalis sighed in relief now that the boy was gone. But they quickly remembered there was another problem to worry about. Chrysalis walked back to the table and grabbed Sweeney’s razor as the man himself approached the chest and leaned down to open it.
Chrysalis stood right beside him, as Todd looked at her in preparation. Her face was completely impassive. Not a spectral nor disappears like any ghost Todd had lingering around him. But she stood there as Todd looked at her. Her eyes slowly moved toward her hand and Todd followed her look to see… his largest razor in her grasp. Todd looked at the razor and then at Chrysalis, who nodded slowly as if she were informing him…
‘This is the point of no return.’
Fluttershy: (grips onto Arctic shoulder starting to feel more scared)
Arctic: (would hold Fluttershy close and hides her face into his shoulder more)
The other Equestrian Girls and Juniper started to feel dread and worry as they started to shake a bit.
Chrysalis handed him his razor, and he snapped it open with a sharp, quick flick of his wrist. He moved to the chest and opened it up. A bloody, battered Daniel O’Higgins slowly pulled himself right from the chest, gasping for breath and groaning in pain. Sweeney again turned to Chrysalis, who eyed evilly with a sinister smirk on her face. The mad barber then knelt down alongside the chest and with great ferocity he hauled the man up, one hand over his forehead and tilted it back. The man’s eyes snapped open as Sweeney pressed the blade against his neck… and slit his throat.
Blood sprayed from the man’s neck as he convulsed. Chrysalis watched as the man’s life slowly slipped away from him. She admired the quick work of Todd’s hands, his fingers strong. Imagining how the motion stung Daniel’s throat, but not for long. She leaned against the wall, arms folded, eyeing Todd. Anyone who thought him a simple clod would soon reconsider under the sod and consigned there with a friendly prod from a man no longer Benjamin Barker… but Sweeney Todd.
Eventually, when the dead man was as still as the grave, Sweeney laid him back in the chest and slowly shut the lid once more. Seeing his razor gleam even with blood, feeling how well it fit as it floated across the throat of a hypocrite like his former assistant, he wiped the razor clean. Both he and Chrysalis eyed the chest, knowing what this meant. They both had their first taste of blood in this world and now…
Now they wanted more…
Shrieks of terror and horror filled the audience as Fluttershy grip tightens on Arctic as he tried to comfort the shy girl.
Rarity: OH MY WORD! (She said and started to feel sick)
Sci-Twi: That’s it… I can’t take it!
With that, Sci-Twi and Rarity along with everyone else rush out toward the bathroom leaving behind only Fluttershy and Arctic.
Arctic: (would hear small sniffles from the shy girl as he continues to comfort her by softly rubbing her head) The first blood has been shed…. And there is only more to come after this one. (He said in his thoughts)
It's good that Anthony and the Mane Six (and Spike) have a plan that doesn't involve going in wild and punching (sorry Dashie, maybe another time). I understand that Sweeney Todd helps them, since surely Turpin would follow Johanna to the barbershop, and then he can take revenge on her. But Chrysalis has to further poison poor Benjamin's mind that the ponies will take his daughter far away (Though that's the plan; but they wouldn't if they knew he was her father). Pirelli's death is more than important than it seems. Not so much knowing that his real name was David Colins and he was Benjamin's former assistant, but because his death is, as mentioned, "the point of no return". Sweeney has made it abundantly clear that he is no longer the likable barber formerly known as Benjamin Barker; now he is Sweeney Todd, the devilish barber whose razors will turn red. Although I can't feel sorry for Pirelli. He was not only a swindler, he also mistreated his assistant, a poor child; and from what I see he was willing to abuse a woman. Although their relationship is quite sinister, I can't help but feel a tenderness in how Chrysalis and Sweeney stand up for each other. To think of how twisted they've become, they feel like they understand each other... Something tells me the former changeling queen won't be the same after this. Now, how are you going to get rid of the body?
And I don't forget that Pinkie has given her card to Lovett to try to help her improve her cakes. It's going to be a nice friendship between pastry chefs. Of course, as long as our pink pony doesn't discover Lovett's new secret ingredient.
“What exactly is the plan, Anthony?” Twilight Sparkle asked, mid-walk.
“We sneak Johanna out of the house,” Anthony responded. “I plan to take her with me on my next voyage at sea; she’d probably love to see the open see after being cooped up for so long.”
That's sea!
Also...
Big Mac: "Eeyup!"
Silverstream: "That reminds me of our date, in Equestria, after we came back from Hogwarts!" (To Gallus) "Remember, Gallus?"
Gallus: (To Silverstream) "How can I forget?"
*Flashback*
Gallus and Silverstream were both on the bow of a ship, with Gallus stretching his arms out and screaming, "I'm KING OF THE WORLD!"
Embracing him from behind is none other than Silverstream.
“And a lovely thought darling, but… have you actually come up with a solid plan?” Rarity questioned seriously. “We can’t just walk through the front door and take her after all.”
Big Mac: "Nope."
Discord: "I say you VENT! Venting always works..."
“Sure… let’s do it the ‘easy’ way,” Rainbow Dash replied sarcastically.
Gilda: "There's never an easy way."
Gallus: (To Gilda) "Depends on where you look."
“Ah’m pretty sure Beadle told Turpin ‘bout us showin’ up to help,” Applejack added. “Probably keepin’ a close watch on her as we speak.”
“It wouldn’t surprise me if he’s told the cops,” Spike spoke up. “Suppose we show up and a whole squad of cops has the whole place surrounded?”
“I sure hope that isn’t the case, Spike,” Fluttershy said nervously. “I couldn’t bear the thought of being in a terrible place like prison… again.”
Loona: (Looks up in surprise) [Texts on her phone]: "Again?"
Angel Dust: "Really? What'd they do to get themselves locked up for?"
Gilda: (To Angel Dust) "Wrongfully accused for murders."
Cheese Sandwich: (To Angel Dust) "Took a wrong turn at Alberquerque."
Starlight Glimmer: (To Angel Dust) "Arriving at the wrong place at the wrong time."
Angel Dust: "...I'm sorry I asked..."
“Don’t worry, everything will work out,” Anthony assured them.
“How can you be so sure?” Spike asked the lad.
“Because I feel it… in my heart,” Anthony replied, a hand over his chest.
“Aww… so sweet!” Pinkie smiled happily. “Like a big chocolate cake with molten chocolate icing, fudge filling, and a sweet cherry on top.”
Charlie Morningstar: "That sounds delicious!"
“Yeah, yeah, real sweet lover boy, but we seriously need a plan!” Rainbow emphasized, with an eye roll.
Big Mac: "Eeyup!"
“Well, from what you told me, you were able to enter Johanna’s room the other day undetected,” Anthony replied. “And I still don’t know how you pulled that off.”
“It’s… a long story, kid,” Rainbow chuckled.
“What are ya getting’ at?” Applejack asked.
“If you were able to do it once, why not do it again?” Anthony suggested. “You could just sneak in, have a word with her, and convince her to run away with me.”
The group, however, nervously chuckled over such an offer.
“Anthony, your heart is in the right place,” Fluttershy spoke up. “But we could get in so much trouble and we’ve already upset the judge and Beadle. I don’t think it would be wise to anger them any further.”
“Ah, come on Fluttershy, why couldn’t we do it?” Rainbow attempted encouragement. “Even if rat face and big nose did catch on, they’d have to stand toe-to-ho… toe! Yeah, toe-to-toe with ‘Lightning Hooves’ Rainbow Dash.”
To emphasize her point, Rainbow threw a series of punches into the air with almost lightning quick speed.
Gilda: "You tell 'em, Rainbow Dash!"
Cherri Bomb: "YEAH! No more big government!"
“Normally I’d think the same as you Fluttershy, but we’ve all seen how poorly Turpin treats Johanna,” Twilight Sparrkle added. “We can’t in good conscience leave the poor girl to suffer any more than she’s already endured.
Big Mac: "Nope!"
Loona: [Texting on her phone]: "Just take a gun and blast their brains out and get it over with already!"
“I just… I don’t know if I--”
“Please, Ms. Fluttershy,” Anthony pled to her. “You’re not just doing this for Johanna, you’re doing it for love.”
“He’s seriously talking love already?” Rainbow whispered to Applejack.
Zephyr Breeze: "Hey! If you were chained up in the barn at Sweet Apple Acres, and being held against your will, then I'd come to your rescue in a heartbeat!"
Gilda: (To Zephyr Breeze) "Yeah right. You couldn't even lift up a stick without pulling a muscle."
“If you were in my shoes, you’d do anything for the one you care for most,” Anthony continued. “Is there anyone you truly care about, Ms. Fluttershy? Have you ever been in love?”
The last question seemed to cause Fluttershy to blush a bright pink, about as pink as her mane. Being put on the spot before her friends was certainly not what she expected. Quickly, she tried to hide her face behind her mane.
“Um--uh--n-no!” She stuttered nervously. “I-I-I h-haven’t been in l-love yet.”
Discord: "Noooooo...?"
Her face said otherwise as her cheeks blushed harder, especially after the very next thing that came out of her mouth.
“But… there is someone I care about greatly,” She concluded, with a small smile.
Discord: "Whooooo...?"
This truly caught the attention of the remainder of her friends. In particular, Pinkie Pie gasped loudly and bounced alongside her with the biggest smile on her face.
“Oooh… does Fluttershy have a crush on someone?” Pinkie Pie asked cheerfully. “Any pony we know?”
To which this only made Fluttershy blush harder, if such a thing were possible. Something of which didn’t go unnoticed as Rainbow Dash gave a mischievous smirk.
“You know… I think she does Pinkster,” Rainbow Dash chuckled. “Well come on Flutters. Who is it?”
“Um… uh… um…”
“Come on, you know you want to tell us,” Pinkie giggled. “Is it a guy? A she? They/them?”
Random ponies and creatures all pointed at each other, like a certain web-head who has had way too many existential crisis for one person...
Finally, after the blushing on her face passed, Fluttershy turned back to all her friends and Anthony. Looking deep into the eyes of the young man, she could feel the determination and admiration he had for Johanna. She could almost feel it within herself, and she’d be doing a disservice for a friend if they just left her with that horror of a man.
“Okay,” She replied softly. “We’ll sneak in and talk to her. But… we need to be very careful.”
Party Favor: "Yeah! You're gonna swing through the windows, fight the bad guys, and rescue the lovely damsel-in-distress, secret agent style! Right?" (Looks around at the deadpan expression on the audience's faces) "Right?"
Night Glider: (Chuckles and shakes her head at her boyfriend) "You watch way too many James Hooves movies, Party..."
“Way ahead of you, so here’s what we’ll do,” Twilight spoke up. “Anthony will wait for us right here. In five minutes, we’ll go into Johanna’s room, we talk to her, and see about getting her out the front of the house. If we’re lucky, the Judge and the Beadle won’t even be at the house. But if you do see them Anthony, give us a sign.”
Anthony nodded as he headed for the back of the building once more.
Angel Dust: "...Mmmm. Yeah. That sounds like a solid plan. Except there for a few fatal bugs I'd like to ask. Like, A: Why not just teleport Johanna OUT of the room, as soon as you teleport yourselves IN? It's not that difficult, is it? B: What kind of sign would you expect from Anthony, who isn't me? Something like: 'Hi Johanna! I wanna rescue you so I can fuck you like there's no tomorrow! Will you cum out with me?' Or how about 'Oh no, motherfuckers! Judge Sourgrape is cumming! Run! Run for your lives!' Or, 'You're seriously fucked up now, motherfuckers! FUCK!'"
Vaggie: (To Angel Dust) "Are can you say anything else that doesn't have 'fuck' in them?"
Angel Dust: (To Vaggie) "...Fuck you."
Cherri Bomb: (To Vaggie) "Yeah, bitch! I'm with Angie on this one! I'm just not so sure how well these ponies' plans were thought through..."
“Hi honey, I’m home!” Pinkie Pie announced comically.
Cheese Sandwich: "Hi sweetie! Give us a kiss!"
Lil'Cheese: "Mommy?"
Johanna clasped one hand over her chest, trying to regulate her breathing from the shock.
“I don’t think I’ll ever get used to that,” Johanna gasped in shock.
Derick: "You'll get used to it, when you hang out with them as much as we have."
Carrie White: "Eeyup."
Nearby, Eric the Phantom of the Opera nodded in agreement.
“What are you all doing?” Johanna whispered harshly. “Judge Turpin is right downstairs! If he finds out you’re here, it’ll be--”
But Johanna stopped, just as she was about to finish her sentence. She stole a glance across the room. As if she actually knew about that small hole in the wallpaper. Then she truly thought about the Judge, and how he truly had been spending his time. Watching her from the chamber across the hole, so lascivious… so perverse… so… horrifying. As if it truly dawned on her the reasons for why these creatures would be here now.
“… You’d still come to help me, wouldn’t you?” Johanna concluded.
Random Diamond Dog: "Uh...DUUUUUH!!!"
Big Mac: "Eeyup!"
“Miss Johanna, we are the craziest individuals you will ever meet,” Twilight Sparkle declared. “Maybe we don’t always make the smartest decisions, but we’d–"
Discord: "Whoa, whoa, whoa, wait a minute! Go back, go back!"
*The Cinematic Adventure gets rewinded.*
“Okay,” She replied softly. “We’ll sneak in and talk to her. But… we need to be very careful.”
Discord: "Too far back! Fast forward..."
*The Cinematic Adventure is fast forwarded.*
Mrs. Lovett (Sings): Hush, love, hush. Think it through.
Discord: "Too forward!" (To Alastor) "Doggone it, Alastor! Where'd you learn how to rewind and fast forward movies? At a Driver's Ed Class?"
Alastor: (Without frowning) "Oh excuse moi, Discord. But modern technology and I don't mix. You really could afford to read the fine prints in my contract, you know."
Discord: "Oh! I guess the explains the discord and the anarchy going on with the social media. MY social media. You–"
Before Discord and Alastor can resume their arguments, an irritated Loona marched her way up the stage and snatched the remote control from Discord.
Discord: (To Loona) "HEY!"
Loona proceeds to rewind the Cinematic Adventure, until they returned to the scene in question.
“Miss Johanna, we are the craziest individuals you will ever meet,” Twilight Sparkle declared. “Maybe we don’t always make the smartest decisions–"
Discord: "Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah! That's right there! Twilight said it herself! She's crazy! And she doesn't make the smartest decisions ever!"
Charlie Morningstar: "Well...nobody's perfect."
Discord: (To Charlie) "True. But clearly, even the smartest and the most sane of all creature wouldn't just happen to waltz into Queen Novo's throne room and try to steal her magic pearl. OR leave their friends at the mercy of their greatest enemies...twice. Even a Fifth Grader would make a better decision than that, y'know."
Starlight Glimmer: (To Discord) "Oh? So you're saying you're a Fifth Grader, and that your idea of having Queen Chrysalis, Tirek, Cozy Glow, AND King Sombra joining forces, while posing as Grogar is one of your 'better' decisions?"
Discord: (Gets right into Starlight Glimmer's face) "Don't push it, Glim-Glam! Or I will toss you onto the moon to keep Tia company!"
Trixie: (To Discord) "Do that, and wouldn't that make YOU sus?"
Discord: (To Trixie) "This is MY HOUSE! MY THEATER! AND...I'M! DA!BOSS!" (Regains her composure) "And besides, Twilight said it herself! She's not just wrong. She's stupid."
Flurry Heart: (To Discord) "Hey now! That's not–"
Discord: "And above all else! She's ugly, just like her mother."
Capper Dapperpaw: (Having Star Wars flashback PTSD) "I'M BLASTING OFF AGAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!"
And just like that, Capper Dapperpaw's seat rocketed him right out of the theater, to the moon, where Celestia is.
Capper Dapperpaw: (To Princess Celestia) "Hello there, your majesty."
Princess Celestia: (Sipping a cup of tea to Capper) "Afternoon, Capper!"
Capper Dapperpaw is...NOT an imposter.
Discord's Theater
Mina: (To Discord) "So...you can still toss someone out of the theater, without voting them out? What kind of–What's the point–That doesn't make any sense!"
Discord: (To Mina) "Honey. If there's one thing you should know about chaos. There's no fun in making sense."
Now, we are not afraid Although we know there's much to fear We were moving mountains Long before we knew we could, whoa, yes
There can be miracles When you believe Though hope is frail, it's hard to kill Who knows what miracles you can achieve? When you believe, somehow you will You will when you believe
Princess Luna: "...Why do we even bother coming back to this theater, every time there's a Cinematic Adventure? Honestly, it's getting very tiring..."
Stygian: (To Princess Luna) "I have to agree. It's as if our reason for being here was all for the sole purpose to be subjected through a series of Discord's usual antics, to entertain himself at our own expense."
Princess Luna: (To Stygian) "My friend. I couldn't have said it better myself. First, Princess Celestia gets tossed, because she was accused of being in cahoots with the villains, all because we've only gotten a gleam of Chrysalis's misfortunate past. And now, Capper's being rocketed to the moon for absolutely no reason..."
Mina: "Sometimes, I wonder how the Doc ever puts up with the stresses of this job?"
Garble: (To Mina) "I hear that Discord kidnapped him and forced him against his will to work as his Commentary Guy after the last guy was let go."
Angel Dust: "Hey! Can we please resume the show?"
"Miss Johanna, we are the craziest individuals you will ever meet,” Twilight Sparkle declared. “Maybe we don’t always make the smartest decisions, but we’d be there for you anyway because we care about you. No woman deserves to spend the rest of her days locked away and being told what to do without having a say. You deserve as much happiness as any human being deserves, and we want to make it a reality for you.”
Big Mac: "Eeyup!"
Carrie smiles happily in agreement, remembering the lengths Fluttershy and friends had gone through to save her and bring her home in Equestria. Charlie puts her hands over heart, while wrapping an arm around Vaggie to snuggle her close.
“Twilight, can I ask you something?” Johanna asked.
“Why of course you can,” Twilight nodded.
Twilight Sparkle faced her new friend, noting the pondering gaze upon the girl’s face. The alicorn princess could tell Johanna was trying to figure something out. No doubt a burning question she asked many times as a child, but never received a proper answer for… until perhaps today.
“What is it like to fall in love? You know… your first love?”
Princess Cadence: "Well, I'm glad you asked." (Was about to sing and explain, when Discord stops her)
Discord: (To Princess Cadence) "Ah-ah-ah, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza. Perhaps you should let the professionals explain what love is."
Discord snaps his fingers, summoning Daffy Duck and Porky Pig onstage.
Daffy Duck: "Who?! What?! When?! Where?! Why?!"
Porky Pig: "Wh-Wh-Wh-What the..." (Looks around the theater) "W-W-Wait a minute! Where are we?"
Discord: (To Daffy Duck and Porky Pig) "No, it's not Harry Potter yet, my dear boys. Though...I can't exactly say much about that crossover story, featuring you and the Rainbooms. Besides, Quill Cast hasn't even gotten around to wrapping up his story either. But anyway, I'm just calling you boys here, because this little lady..." (Points at Johanna) "...needs you two to explain to her what love is."
Daffy Duck: "Oh! Isth that all? Well, mister. You've asked the right duck!"
Daffy Duck walks over to a piano, and starts to play, with Porky Pig following.
Daffy Duck and Porky Pig – Giant Robot Love
Daffy:How do you know when you're in love? Well you came to the right friend Love is like an ice cream sundae That you think is never going to end Love makes you feel all tingly Light-headed and pretty Just like a 700-foot robot That's invading a city Porky: A robot? Daffy: Exactly
Daffy:But you're not an evil robot You're a robot looking for love But there's not a lot of giant 700-foot robots Around to love So you glue a bunch of smaller robots together To make one big super robot Then you and your robot go out to brunch And by the end of brunch, you're in love Trust me, That's exactly what it's like to be in love Porky: Can I ask a question? Daffy: No
Daffy:Then you and your robot lover destroy The entire Schenectady Turnpike 'cause you're doin' a robot love dance And you don't care what it looks like And when the armies of the world come to fight you You get into your spaceship And you tenderly embrace while you fly into space 'Cause Earth's not ready for giant robot love That's how you know you're in love Chorus:Find yourself a robot to love Daffy:That's how you feel when you're in love! Porky: I'm not really following you Daffy: Alright, let me put it another way
Daffy:It's just like you're a merman that's 700-feet tall! And you're looking for a lady merman to love! Porky: Don't you mean mermaid? Daffy: Don't interrupt But the ocean is a massive place and there's not a lot of lady mermen So in order to increase your chances, you travel to the Undersea Merman Mall! Porky: Merman Mall? Daffy:That's where fish and mollusks go to find love Porky: You know, I'm just not really sure what any of this has to do with- Daffy:And you find a female merman who is working at a kiosk, selling cellphone covers and personalized keychains Your hand brushes one of her tentacles and she just melts inside Porky: Tentacles?! Daffy: Shut up Her manager gets insanely jealous and stabs you with his trident and you're dead Chorus:Stabs you with his trident and you're dead Daffy:That's how you know you're in love!
Angel Dust: (Bored) "Wow...that was shit."
Daffy Duck: "Yeesh. Tough crowd..."
Discord: (To Daffy Duck and Porky Pig) "Fabulous, boys. Thank you for coming. See you later with Arya Stark, Jon Snow, and Sansa. Oh! And a few other guest-stars will be having in MY cuts. CIAO!" (Snaps Daffy Duck and Porky Pig out of the theater)
Suffice to say, the question caught Twilight completely off guard. She struggled with her own feelings, especially with a certain Prince she recently fell for… of course, she never directly said it before.
Princess Cadence: (Singing otherwise) Who'd'ya think you're kiddin' He's the Earth and heaven to you Try to keep it hidden Honey, we can see right through you Girl, ya can't conceal it We know how ya feel and Who you're thinking of
“I don’t really know,” Twilight answered, recollecting her thoughts. “It’s kind of hard to explain. I suppose it’s like eating your first slice of pie. You don’t know why, but you get this tingly feeling inside and you want it to stay forever. Especially when you meet someone very special.”
Big Mac: "Eeyup!"
Gilda: "Wow...The Princess of Friendship just jumped on a new bar of cheesy nampy-pampy right there, didn't she?"
“Have you met that special someone yet?” Johanna asked Twilight.
A sign with the words written, "This guy," repeatedly points at Storm Shield, to the sound effect of the star post from Sonic the Hedgehog.
Press play repeatedly
“Me?” Twilight laughed nervously. “My love life’s a bit complicated. Mainly because I don’t know ‘how’ to admit it. I’ve helped people fall in love before… but it’s not really the same.”
Johanna merely smiled as she placed a soft hand upon Twilight’s shoulder.
“Just be yourself,” Johanna suggested. “When the time comes, the man you like, or possibly love, will understand how you feel. Who knows? Maybe he feels that way too. At least, I certainly hope so.”
Angle Dust: (To Husk) "How romantic~"
Husk: (Shoves Angel off) "Fuck off..."
The two girls smiled toward one another, embracing with a warm hug.
“Thanks,” Twilight smiled.
“You’re welcome.”
Finally, Johanna’s decision was made. She moved toward the table and opened one of the drawers. The girls and Spike watched as she reached in and removed something. Cupping the mystery object in her hands, she approached Twilight Sparkle and placed the object between her hooves. As she motioned the hooves to grasp it tightly, she leaned toward the pony and whispered something in her ears. The pony said nothing, but as she nodded her head and absorbed every word the expression on her face held interest.
Alastor: "Oh ho ho ho. What has she got?"
Angel Dust: "Uh...if I had to guess... Maybe it's one of her knickers?"
Grampa Gruff: "Hmmm. A Nickel doesn't cost much...but money is money."
Angel Dust: (To Grampa Gruff) "I said knicker! Not Nickel you deaf old buzzard! Why aren't you dead yet?"
Gilda: (To Angel Dust) "I've asked that question many times..."
Back around the corner, Anthony was still waiting for the girls and the young gentleman while keeping an eye out for any wandering eyes. Suddenly, a light flashed beside him beckoning him to turn. Their hands clasped together, the humanized versions of Twilight Sparkle and her friends appeared to him once more.
Angel Dust: "Hey look! They're back! And what? They didn't bring her along for the ride? Get the fuck out..."
“How did it go?” He asked them.
Husk: "Your princess is in another fucking castle. So go fuck yourself."
Looking toward one group of her friends and then to the other, Twilight Sparkle turned her attention to Anthony and held out one hand toward him. Opening it, she revealed a key within her grasp which Anthony took from her.
“This is your way in later tonight,” Twilight informed him. “Johanna says Judge Turpin should be out on business by then. We should be able to sneak in and get her out.”
Angel Dust: "Ya couldn't have just gotten her out, on your way out?"
“Amazing!” Anthony gasped, elated. “We’ll run away together tonight and be on the first ship out of London before dawn.”
“Hold up there, lover boy,” Rainbow spoke up. “There’s still one problem: Where will we hide Johanna until we can get you guys safely on a ship?”
“She has a very good point,” Rarity agreed. “No doubt Judge Turpin will be on a warpath when he returns and finds she’s missing. I doubt any place in London is safe.”
Silverstream: "Go to Sherwood Forest! That's where Maid Marian hides out with Robin Hood and Lady Kluck after the Archery Tournament."
Smolder: (To Silverstream) "And where exactly is Sherwood Forest?"
Silverstream: "...I have no idea..."
Anthony contemplated this inquiry in his head, trying to come up with any possible solutions to this dilemma. If what the girls spoke of was true, that there’s no place in the city out of Turpin’s reach, hiding Johanna would be difficult. And then, an idea popped into his head.
“Mr. Todd!” Anthony’s eyes widened.
“Who now?” Spike questioned.
The Audience: "WHAAAAAT?!"
“On my last excursion at sea, I found a man drifting endlessly in the ocean and brought him back to London,” Anthony explained. “His name’s Sweeney Todd, and he told me I might him on Fleet Street. There was also this young lady with golden hair that chased after him.”
This newfound information dawned realization upon the group.
“They must have been the ones we met when we went into Ms. Lovett’s Pie Shop!” Fluttershy realized.
Cheese Sandwich: "Well, what a coincidence!"
Charlie Morningstar: "Yeah. Coincidence. Or maybe it's fated to be!"
Discord: "To be, or not to be. That is the question."
“Ya think he’ll let us hide out with ‘im till we get ya outta here?” Applejack asked.
“Only one way to find out,” Anthony replied. “Come along now.”
Anthony started to make his way down the street with the entirety of the group following quickly. They made their way back towards Fleet Street without looking back. For they knew that if they had any hope of getting Johanna out of harm’s way, this ‘Sweeney Todd’ was currently their only hope. They didn’t even stop to notice Johanna, the girl peering through the shutters, watching them go.
Alastor: "Ha ha ha ha! It never ceases to amaze me how fate can have such a wry sense of humor. How it is woven in a complicated string of fate that leads one to another, binding them together in the grandest designs of a tapestry. A work of art! The work that only an artist with the keenest of sight and the genius of minds can comprehend! And now...on with the show!"
11648606 I won't say that Angel doesn't have a point, but I will ask him to look to first-time teleports, as well as the fact that we don't know how aggressive the Judge will be if he sees Johanna missing. Plus, she can't just go off on a whim! She needs to take her reticule!
Meanwhile, back at the barber/pie shop, Sweeney Todd, Johanna’s father, stood staring out of the large window of his home, intense and brooding. Though it had been cleaned, it was still a spartan room.
Niffty: "Wow! They've really tidied up the place!"
“It’s not much of a chair, I’ll grant, but it’ll serve,” Mrs. Lovett commented on the chair. “Was me poor Albert’s chair. Sat in it all day long he did, after his leg gave out from the gout, poor dear.”
Angel Dust: "...Yeah. Poor dude..."
“A charming story,” Chrysalis replied sarcastically. “Meanwhile, the two of us have been contemplating revenge on the judge and his little Beadle. What I’d give to watch the life slip away from those beady eyes.”
Angel Dust: "Make that two."
Cherri Bomb: "Got room for one more?" (Tosses up an unlit bomb)
Loona: [Types on her phone]: "Ditto."
Octavia: "Pardon my language, but that judge is a total wanker."
Everyone in the audience all agreed with the sinners and the demons present.
“Worry not, dear,” Mrs. Lovett assured her. “You and Mr. Todd will get what you want soon enough.”
“The problem is that it can’t come sooner,” Chrysalis sighed, standing from her chair. “I wish they’d come in already so we can be done with it.”
“My sentiments exactly,” Sweeney replied, never breaking his gaze. “Why doesn’t the Beadle come? ‘Before the week is out’, that’s what he said.”
“And who says the week’s out?” Mrs. Lovett asked. “It’s only Tuesday.”
Alastor: "Ah, Tuesday. Everybody loves a Tuesday than a Monday, they say. And who could blame 'em?"
...I was laid off on a Wednesday...
Todd finally moved away from the window and Mrs. Lovett pursued. Chrysalis watched as the pie woman tried to calm him, soothing the bitter man with a gentle tune.
Mrs. Lovett (Sings): Easy now. Hush, love, hush. Don’t distress yourself, What’s your rush? Keep your thoughts Nice and lush. Wait…
“We can’t wait!” Chrysalis interrupted Lovett. “Waiting’s a foolish game. In a battle, you don’t wait for the enemy to surrender. You bring the fight to them and break them down till they’re groveling at your hooves for mercy!”
Alastor: "Spoken like a true military tactician. I can salute a woman of war. Though, being a gentleman myself, I hate to get my best suit all dirty..."
“That may be dearie, but sometimes waiting is a virtue,” Mrs. Lovett responded. “It gives you a chance to let your hatred boil within you. And when the time to kill does come, it feels so much… better.”
Alastor: "Yes indeedy! Take it from a man with experience!"
Derick: (To Alastor) "No way! You were...human?"
In response, Alastor simply gives Derick a smile that a serial killer would smile.
Mrs. Lovett (Sings): Hush, love, hush. Think it through. Once it bubbles, then What’s to do? Watch it close. Let it brew. Wait…
Chrysalis rolled her eyes and approached Sweeney’s side. He hadn’t responded to Lovett’s words; he was just pacing about. Mrs. Lovett looked about the room, thinking of all the improvements they could make.
Mrs. Lovett (Sings): I’ve been thinking, flowers— Maybe daisies— To brighten up the room! Don’t you think some flowers, Pretty daisies, Might relieve the gloom? Ah, wait, love, wait.
Ember: 😴
Lighting Dust: 😴
Gilda: ZZZzzzzzz
Todd sourly tossed himself into the chair, picking up his largest razor and glared at it intensely. Chrysalis dared to move closer to him, despite the obvious threatening nature of this man.
“Worry not, Mr. Todd,” Chrysalis assured him. “The Beadle assured us he’ll come in. And when he does, you can slit his fat throat and watch the blood pour out like gravy.”
Alastor: "Mmmm-mmmm! Reminds me of my mother's cooking for Thanksgiving! EXCEPT SHE SERVED IT EXTRA CRISPY! HA HA!"
“And the Judge?” Sweeney asked. “When will I get to him?”
“I can’t say for certain,” Chrysalis shrugged. “But I promise, you and I will make him pay for what he did to you. Perhaps it will even give me some semblance of satisfaction, thinking of Celestia in his place as he dies. Still… we could just go to him and kill the man right now.”
Cherri Bomb: "Yeah, yeah! Kick his ass! Kick his ass! YEAH!"
Angel Dust: "And then fuck his shitty ass–Wait...Why fuck his ass? He's old! And gross." (Snaps his fingers) "Oh! Better idea! I'll take a gun. Shove it RIGHT up his ass. AND PUMP LEAD INTO HIM!"
Vaggie: (To Angel Dust) "I don't know which is worst. Hearing you talking about raping a man. Or raping a man with a gun."
Angel Dust: (To Vaggie) "Go ahead. Have no fun somewhere else."
Loona: [Texting on her phone number]: "Here's my dad's phone number. X-XXX-XXXX! SIKE! That's the wrong NUMBER!" (Flips the bird)
Octavia: "OW!"
The two quickly made their way toward the door, swinging it open as Mrs. Lovett rolled her eyes.
“Can’t you think of nothing else?” She asked, following them to the balcony. “Always broodin’ aware on yer wrongs what happened heaven knows how many years ago…”
Mrs. Lovett (Sings): Slow, love, slow. Time’s so fast. Now goes quickly, see now it’s past. Soon will come, Soon will last. Wait. Don’t you know, Silly man, Half the fun is to Plan the plan?! All good things Come to those who can Wait…
Lovett’s gentle words calmed the pair, especially Todd considerably. She moved even closer, risking touching him softly… a touch that drew him back into the room. And Chrysalis, taking a deep breath, slowly closed the door to the barber shop and faced the pair. She watched as the woman’s gaze went back toward the empty room.
Mrs. Lovett (Sings): Gillyflowers, maybe, ‘Stead of daisies… I don’t know, though… What do you think?
Husk: "Are you fuckers done singing? Because I've got a mother bitch of motherfucking headaches from all your singing..."
Suddenly, the trio heard what sounded like footsteps climbing the stairs to the shop. Todd and Chrysalis bolted up, their senses alert – Mrs. Lovett herself spun to the door. Sweeney instantly shot his gaze at the door, holding his razor open as he moved strategically toward the door, hiding behind it. This could very well be the moment he longed for. Chrysalis stared with a wicked smirk, waiting to see the bloodshed that had been building to this very moment.
Alastor: "The suspense is killing me! Which is impossible, because as I've said already, I'm already dead. HA HA HA!"
However, much to their disappointment, and as the bell rang from outside the shop, Anthony burst through the door breathlessly. And with him, the Mane Six and Spike entered following behind him.
“Mr. Todd!” Anthony called out. “Thank God, I’ve found you—"
Angel Dust: "Welp. False alarm."
“Sorry to barge in like this,” Twilight Sparkle apologized. “We have an urgent dilemma, and we need Mr. Todd’s help.”
“Yes!” Anthony nodded quickly. “Please excuse us…”
“What brings you all back in ‘ere?” Mrs. Lovett asked the group. “Changed your mind and come to try the pies?”
“No!” Spike responded quickly and loudly. “Not again… never.”
Big Mac: "Nope!"
Gilda: "Yeah. You've turned me into a vegetarian."
Garble: "Ditto."
Crazy Steve: (Still brushing his teeth)
“Smart boy,” Mrs. Lovett smirked.
Alastor: "It's not venison, or mother's cooking. But...it'll do."
Sweeney emerged from his place behind the door and Anthony sighed in relief upon seeing his friend once more.
“Mr. Todd, there’s a girl who needs my help!” Anthony exclaimed urgently. “Such a sad girl, and lonely, but beautiful too and--:
“Slow down, Anthony,” Sweeney spoke calmly, leading the boy to the chair.
“Just take a breath, Anthony,” Twilight agreed.
“No need to worry yourself to death before we even rescue her,” Rainbow added.
Charlie Morningstar: "Although, the way you described her troubles, like she was locked in a castle, guarded by a fire-breathing dragon really speaks the depth of your devotion for her!"
“Right, sorry about that,” Anthony nodded, sitting down. “Anyway, this girl has a guardian so tyrannical that he keeps her locked away. But then this morning she gave us this…”
Anthony reached into his pocket and procured the key Johanna had given to him and the girls.
“Surely it must be a sign that Johanna wants me to help her,” Anthony continued. “That’s her name, Johanna – and Turpin that of her guardian. A judge of some sort…”
This got Sweeney’s attention, as he snapped his head in the young boy’s direction.
Angel Dust: "Oh. Now you've got his attention."
Alastor: "Like I've said! It's the beauty of fate's string, my dear boy."
“Basically, the reason we’re here sir is that we plan to sneak her out of her home,” Twilight Sparkle explained. “We wish to hide her until we can find a way to help her escape.”
“We were hoping that perhaps you’d be courteous enough to help us hide her for the time being?” Rarity asked hopefully. “You see, we’ve just met him, Mr. Todd, and he is – for lack of a better word – unnatural.”
Cherri Bomb: "HA! Is that all you got? I'll do you better! A total SHIT BAG!"
Angel Dust: "A MOTHER FUCKER ASSHOLE!"
Octavia: "A complete wanker."
Loona: [Texts on her phone]: "A piece of shit."
Maud Pie: (To the sinners and demons) "You're all fucking assholes..."
Husk: (To Maud Pie) "Who asked you, pony bitch?"
Limestone Pie: (To Husk) "Don't talk to my sister that way!"
Husk: (To Limestone) "Or else what? Throw a tantrum?"
“Once he goes to court, I’m going to slip into the house and release her – and beg her to come away with me… tonight,” Anthony finished.
From behind the group, Chrysalis turned away to hide her face. It was suddenly full of shock and sadness upon hearing the young boy’s plan. It touched her way deep down her dark heart because it was exactly the very same plan, she and Fire Fall made all those years ago. A plan, tragically, that never came through.
“Oh, this is all terribly romantic,” Mrs. Lovett commented.
“Isn’t it though?” Pinkie Pie smiled. “It’s like the synopsis of every known romance story ever written.”
Big Mac: "Eeyup."
Sugar Belle: (Flirting with Big Mac) "Now, Big Mac. You say that like I was a prisoner against my will, and that you rescued me to run away with me."
Thorax: "That would be romantic~"
Pharynx: "Yeah. CELESTIA!" (Sees the empty seat of Princess Celestia) "Oh! Right. We tossed her onto the moon."
“Yes, but – you see – I don’t know anyone in London,” Anthony added. “And I need somewhere safe to bring her till I’ve hired a coach to take us to Plymouth. If I could keep her here, just for an hour or two, I would forever be in your debt.”
“Please Mr. Todd,” Fluttershy pleaded. “We really need your help.”
Sweeney Todd gave no response as his attention drew back out the window with a far off look on his stunned face. His mind raced trying to figure out how this new twist might aid in his plans. Eventually, he looked back from Anthony to Mrs. Lovett and the two shared a similarly knowing expression.
“Bring her here, dear,” Mrs. Lovett told Anthony.
Alastor: "Wouldn't it be wise if you were to make a deal first, by shaking each other's hands? I know I would when I'm in the business of employing the service of another."
Charlie Morningstar: (To Alastor) "You would."
Alastor: (To Charlie) "You should."
This caused Pinkie Pie to squeal with excitement, bouncing toward Mrs. Lovett and wrapping her with a tight embrace.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you Mrs. Lovett!” She cheered happily. “You don’t know how happy that makes me.”
“No problem dearie,” Mrs. Lovett groaned. “Now… if you’d be so kind… I’d like to breathe.”
“Oops sorry!” Pinkie apologized, letting go.
Gilda: "No, no, no, no! Don't apologize! Continue squeezing her!"
Gallus: "Yeah! Choke the life out of her!"
Gabby: (To Gilda and Gallus) "You two are really starting to sound like these guys." (Points to the sinners and demons)
“Thank you, ma’am,” Anthony smiled at her.
“Are you alright with this plan, Mr. Todd?” Twilight asked Sweeney.
“The girl may come,” Todd replied curtly, nodding in approval.
“Well, that there’s mighty kind of ya!” Applejack said appreciatively.
“Thank you, my friend!” Anthony shook Todd’s hand happily.
“We should probably go so we can get everything in motion,” Spike suggested.
“Right you are, my friend,” Anthony nodded.
The group proceeded to quickly race from the shop, leaving the trio staring after them. Just as they went, the three figures were about to move on with business until…
“You know what? I just realized something…”
Cranky Doodle Donkey: "Now what?"
The three stopped in their tracks, standing frozen as Pinkie Pie suddenly came back into the shop with a suspicious look on her face. Pinkie Pie slowly approached the trio, as their eyes slowly turned silently communicating on what to do. Away from Pinkie’s gaze, Todd held the razor behind his back… slowly opening it and preparing for the worst. And then…
“We never paid you for the pie you gave to Spike!” Pinkie informed Lovett.
And the audience all face faulted onto the floor.
Their stiff postures released as Pinkie Pie somehow pulled a bag of coins from her hair, an act of which left Todd and Lovett ‘slightly’ confused. She proceeded to untie the bag and dip her fingers through the coins.
“How much do we owe you?” Pinkie asked, absently.
“Oh no, no charge at all, dearie,” Mrs. Lovett declined politely. “That pie was on the house; a welcome gift.”
Alastor: "How thoughtful! I do like a nice taste of raw pleasure now and then."
“Oh! Well, we do appreciate it even though it didn’t look appetizing,” Pinkie replied, putting the bag back in her hair. “I’m a baker myself where I come from. I don’t know much about ‘meat’ pies, but if you ever need any recipes to improve your business… here’s my card and we’ll talk.”
With a flick of her hand, Pinkie Pie procured a card with her name on it. She held it out for Lovett, who casually and politely accepted the gesture.
“I’ll think about it,” Mrs. Lovett nodded.
Charlie Morningstar: "Uh. Hey! Can I get Pinkie Pie's contact information as well?" (Receives a similar card from Mrs. Cake) "Thank you!"
“Come on, Pinkie!” Rainbow Dash called out.
“Coming Dashie!” Pinkie called out, cheerily. “Well, so long!”
And Pinkie Pie proceeded to depart from the shop yet again, closing the door behind her. The moment Pinkie Pie left was the moment a groan escaped Chrysalis’ throat. It was as if the disguised changeling was exasperated after hearing the most annoying sound in the world. Lovett meanwhile looked at the crudely made business card and slipped it between her bosom for safe keeping.
“Seems like the fates are favoring you at last, Mr. T.,” Mrs. Lovett smirked.
Alastor: "HA ha ha! Great minds must think alike, my dear!"
Rather than being ecstatic about the news his daughter would soon be back by his side soon enough, Todd merely grunted happily. It didn’t take much for Lovett to see the man was gravely disappointed.
“What is it, love?” Mrs. Lovett asked worriedly. “You’ll have her back before the day is out.”
“Highly unlikely!” Chrysalis spoke up. “You should never trust those girls.”
“Why do you say that?” Mrs. Lovett asked.
“I know them, I have experience with them,” Chrysalis replied lowly. “As I’ve said before, I’ve tried getting my revenge on those responsible for the loss of my love. Every time I thought I’ve finally achieved my vengeance, every time I’ve come so close, those meddlesome ponies, and their idiot dragon friend, always interfere and foil my plans. I have no doubt they intend to do the same here… maybe not today, but eventually.”
Pharynx: "Well you don't have to worry about that, my queen. Because we've already got revenge for you! We tossed Princess Celestia onto the moon! So justice is served. Your welcome."
Atalanta: (To Pharynx) "That's not justice. THAT'S VIGILANTISM! Also...did it ever occur to you that by tossing a monarch onto the moon, you've inciting a war between our two species? Huh? Have you?"
Thorax: (To Pharynx) "Yeah. Way to go, Pharynx. You've doomed us all."
Pharynx: "So now I'm SUS?"
Big Mac: "Eeyup!"
Sweeney turned to look at Chrysalis with the same expression on his face.
“You’re sure of this?” Todd asked her.
“Never have I been more sure about anything,” Chrysalis nodded. “Mark my words, Mr. Todd. You may have a few hours with your daughter, but those girls won’t hesitate to permit that boy to carry her off to the other end of England, maybe even beyond that, and that will be the last time Johanna is within your gaze.”
“Then… they pose an obstacle,” Sweeney sighed, grabbing his leather strop. “Not only them but that boy as well. What do you propose we do about them?”
“Oh, them?” Mrs. Lovett questioned. “Let them bring here and then, since you’re so hot for a little…”
Mrs. Lovett made a snipping motion with her hand, emphasizing the throat-cutting gesture.
“Them are some throats to slit, my dear,” She finished.
“Now that I agree with,” Chrysalis nodded. “Those idiots are so gullible and trustworthy; they’ll never see it coming.”
Discord: "I was just talking about that!"
Shining Armor: (To Discord) "Don't you even start...again."
“Poor little Johanna,” Lovett sighed. “All those years without a scrap of motherly affection. Well, we’ll soon see to that…”
Mrs. Lovett and Chrysalis turned toward Mr. Todd, waiting for a response. But his focus was outside the window. Both of them joined him at his side and looked out. Suddenly, Chrysalis’ eyes went wide with alarm.
“What’s this?!”
Below the window, they could see Signor Pirelli approach the shop with Toby in tow.
“‘Ello, what’s he doing here?” Mrs. Lovett questioned curiously. “Look at that face, he’s up to mischief.”
“Go – keep the boy below with you,” Sweeney instructed Mrs. Lovett.
With a quick nod of her head, the baker woman scurried out of the barber shop as Sweeney turned toward Chrysalis.
And this marks the birth of the Demon Barber, hence living up to his name. Even before we get to that, our heroes and new ally Anthony hatch a plan to have Johanna swiftly rescued from her imprisonment on a journey not just for love, but for freedom. Though they risk the wrath of the Judge and his cohort, being good friends that they are they're willing to take a chance. It's unfortunate though that when they do ask Todd for help, they have no idea that he has sinister plans of his own (Specifically to have them killed off to have his daughter to himself). And before they can even think of that, turns out that Italian barber was 'not' who he claims to be and has a history with Todd.
That's when things 'really' get bloody... with Chrysalis' help of course.
Yikes, so the first blood has been spilled, and the rest will come in a darker tone.
Fluttercord shippers are gonna enjoy this little moment
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*shudder* I had a feeling Chrysalis would take part in covering up the first murder. Who knows what's she's planning to do at the end?
Todd and Chrysalis are in the mood for more killing. And the girls and Spike will be bringing his daughter right to him. But he will not let her go away with Anthony, especially with the words Chrysalis put in his head about the girls and Spike being bad.
First blood… and who knows how much more there will be
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Yeah, you can say that again Wild.
Coming up next, it's Todd and Turpin in:
The Barber and the Judge: Rematch.
The vengeance of Sweeney Todd has only just begun. Twilight has never been in love? Oh, I don't know about that, Twilight, there's always someone or pony. Storm Shield perhaps?
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I don’t know if I’m prepared for that or be ready for it
Extra Cuts
Sonata Dusk: I would feel the same way if it were me.
Me: That's true, especially how you're a siren.
Sonata Dusk: Yeah. *giggles*
Me: I can believe that...
Me: *smiles* I love that determination, Anthony.
Me: Spoken like a certain Archdeacon.
Me: Brash as ever...
Me: Twilight's right, Fluttershy. You wouldn't leave someone in need trap in their predicament, would you?
Me: *smiles, knowing who it is*
Me: Yes, quite rude indeed.
Me: Maximum sneaky~
Me: Sound like a plan?
*Sonata and I once again stand watch waiting for if anything were to happen*
*Sonata and I walk over once they reappear*
Me: Yes, do tell.
Me: Better think of something good, Anthony.
*As we go down, I only think of the horrors the girls and Spike might soon be exposed to*
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Future G5
Discord Memorial Cinema
At the moment, I was trying—keyword being “trying”—to enjoy watching the movie, which was starting to become much harder due to the holographic memories from the past annoying the shit out of me with their game of Among Us: Equestrian Edition. Just in case, I had my copy of Murder in the Calais Coach, which was the American edition of Murder on the Orient Express. Still the same story and characters, just the change in title for some bizarre reason.
Me: (frustrated) Please distract me with more grim music of Sondheim. Save me from the chaos of the past.
Zipp: He has no idea what he’s doing, does he?
Sunny: He’s doing his best, Zipp.
Zipp: I know that.
Me: Funny enough, prison’s not even the worst case scenario.
Hitch: It’s…not?
Me: And you’ll see why later.
Sunny: I think he’s onto something.
Izzy: I’m…starting to think that the Judge is a bit…*gulp* (whispers) Jinxie!
Me: That may be so, but I would save the “jinxie” bit for later.
Izzy: (gasps) You mean there’s something even more jinxie?!
Me: Absolutely.
Me: Since when did anyone call her “Lightning Hooves”?
Zipp: Hmm, it’s got a nice ring to it.
Sunny: She’s right. You can’t leave her in the hands of that…that monster.
Hitch: But…she has good reason to be scared. We’ve seen what the Judge and Beadle are capable of.
Pipp: (flutters) Ahh~, love~!
Pipp: (teasing) Are you sure~?
Zipp: Aha! I knew it!
Pipp: Ye~ah~!
Sunny: Oh, my hoofness! (gasps) Who is it?!
Me: To be honest, the whole joke about this is the fact that Fluttershy and *insert name here* are too scared to admit their feelings when everyone else knows who it is already.
Sunny: Really?!
Zipp: Did you really just say “insert anime here”?
Me: I did. This is a joke I can get behind, so I’m gonna continue it.
Hitch: What’s our gameplan?
Zipp: You play sports?
Hitch: Well…it’s more of a hobby. Besides, that’s a phrase everypony uses.
Me: Here we go again. In all honesty, I like what they’re doing here: they’re actually making the romance in this musical make more sense. The film adaptation decided to skim around the romance in favor of Sweeney and Lovett, which makes sense when cutting a three hour stageplay to a two hour movie, but that’s the thing with fanfiction: you don’t need length constraints, unless there’s a pacing issue or something.
Zipp: What are you talking about?
Me: Something to do with cucumbers and potatoes.
Zipp: You were not.
Me: I know, but I’m not telling why.
Zipp: Augh! (takes out phone) Note to self: pry around and find out why PlymouthFury is so secretive about what he talks to himself about.
Me: You know I can hear you, right?
Zipp: Aah!! (hides phone) N-nothing, it wasn’t anything! Nothing! Eheh…
Izzy: I’m still trying it out myself. Watch!
Sunny: Izzy, wait—!
The unicorn mare disappeared in a bright flash. Her seat was empty and was nowhere in sight. Then I noticed her dangling from the edge of Haven’s now empty private box.
Izzy: Uh…I think I got it handled now…right?
Crickets.
Izzy: Now, uh…same somepony…help me get down, please?
Zipp: I’m on it, Izz.
Me: (shocked) Oh, my God. Has…has she known that he’s been watching her this whole time? Jesus Tap-Dancing Motherfucking Christ!
Izzy: Wow…that is a loooong name.
Sunny: Can you…please not swear?
Me: It’s not that bad. I’m not offended by any words directed at me; at least, for most of them. And besides, it’s the least physically painful way to vent frustration I know.
Me: You know something: it takes a lot ‘a guts to admit personal faults.
Sunny: (prideful) If that’s not what makes a worthy princess, I don’t know what will!
Zipp: (shameful) Yeah…yeah, that—that’s right, alright.
Pipp: (likewise) Personal faults…oh, feathers.
Izzy: Oh, that’s easy! *ahem* You see, when a mommy pony and daddy pony really like each other—
Sunny: (silences Izzy) IZZY!! It’s not like that!
Pipp: Take, like, fifteen steps back and then you’ll understand.
Izzy: (unsilenced) Okay! …What does that mean exactly?
Me: You know, it would be just like Bookworm Twilight to be oblivious to her own love life.
Sunny: Hey!
Zipp: (laughs) Oh, come on, Sunny. You can’t expect your all powerful hero alicorn to perfect all the time, right?
Opaline: (hidden locket; cringes in disgust) Eugh, it’s like she’s insulting me just by the way she looks and acts so perfectly all the time!
Misty looked confused at that statement.
Zipp: What did she just give her?
Sunny: I don’t know, but it must be very important.
Me: (laughs) Oh, my God, that is so much better than just throwing the key out the window!
Hitch: Why would she do that? That sounds dangerous on so many levels.
Me: I know, and I think there was a song for this scene that was cut from the stageplay.
Hitch: Wait, what?!
Me: (impersonating Alastor) Oh, what dramatic irony! Ah, ha ha ha! *gulps* Oh, God I hope he doesn’t curse me for that.
Zipp: Oh, no! No no no no! This is one of the worst ideas in history!
Pipp: Well…only we know that, unfortunately.
Zipp: Curse you, DRAMATIC IRONYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!
Sunny: I mean, Johanna is Sweeney’s daughter, so…maybe he’ll help them?
Zipp: With Chrysalis? No way. She’d more likely think of a scheme to get her revenge on them instead, using Johanna against them.
Sunny: What?! How can you say that?!
Me: I’m with Zipp on this one, Sunny. It’s, for me at least…hard to sympathize with people who have proven unsympathetic. (sighs) Seriously, it’s so fucking sick with how people have this…this fetish with ruthless monsters, like serial killers! It’s so goddamn—!
Hitch: Okay, okay! Easy, easy there! Calm down, calm down…
Me: (takes a deep breath) Thanks, Hitch. I’m sorry, it’s very unprofessional of me to vent my frustrations at my work. (breathes again) Okay, I’m gonna call it part one here while I calm down my temper.
>>next
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Extra Cuts
*In situations like this, I had to remain steadfast*
*I hold my breath seeing the tutuler barber from the show*
Me: *roll my eyes with a smile*
Me: Huh, so we haven't.
*As we leave, I give Todd and Lovett one last look before departing. I didn't want to say it to the girls right away, but I knew someone who was going to be judge by Turpin in court and I had to be there when the sentence was given. Luckily, my Nightwing suit which I happened to bring along had taken a victorian look, so it was perfect*
Now the schemes are getting all tangled, good and bad alike. I will also admit during my initial viewing of the film I often covered my eyes during the throat slitings, which was frequently.
And so it begins...
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<<previous
Me: Huh. I guess the first time I watched this movie, that bit slipped right past me.
Sunny: (sympathetic) She had a husband and he…passed away.
Me: Yeah, I’ve been there. It’s hard for me to remain patient for more than ten seconds at a time when I’m not distracted. Oh, wait…it’s another song.
Opaline: (hidden locket) I share my sentiments with the changeling. (grins evilly) But…it would be nice to torture my enemies into grovelling at my hooftips.
Me: That’s the biggest problem with villains: they’re always obsessed with something that happened in the past, from something or someone that wronged them.
Pipp: (cringes) I think she has terrible taste in interior decor!
Izzy: I don’t know. I like flowers!
Pipp: I-I know flowers are pretty, but they do not match this gloomy setting.
Zipp: Pfft! The disappointment on her face is hilarious!
Pipp: (cringes)
Hitch: Her smile rubs me in a very wrong way and I don’t like it!
Zipp: Uh, h-he’s not gonna…y-you know?
Me: Probably not. Too many witnesses.
Sunny: (gasps) No way! Only they know that she’s Sweeney’s daughter.
Zipp: You think they’ll actually help them?
Hitch: I…don’t know.
Me: All this dramatic irony is making Shakespeare’s spirit so goddamn happy. (aside) Is it weird to compare Chrysalis to Iago from Othello? I mean, she’s good at what she does, but I’ll take Iago any day.
Me: It’s still hard to believe that she’s capable of feeling sympathetic.
Sunny: Poor Sweeney and Chrysalis.
Me: (cringes terribly)
Izzy: Wait, what?! B-bu-but…you’re here!
Me: It’s a coincidence that I share my name with a location. Don’t worry, it happens all the time. In this case, it’s a city outside of London.
Izzy: Oh…well, I guess that makes sense.
Me: (grins) I guarantee you by the end of this film, Mrs. Lovett will haunt Pinkie in her nightmares.
Zipp: …you’re starting to scare me again.
Sunny: Has…she figured them out already?
Zipp: I mean, it’s Pinkie Pie, so…
Me: Honestly, this Robot Chicken sketch…is either growing old or growing on me when it comes to Pinkie.
Zipp: Oh, come on!
Hitch: Well, it is Pinkie Pie after all.
Zipp: (groans)
Hitch: (pats her back)
Me: (grins) Knew it.
Pipp: Take my advice: do not work with that crazy woman!
Me: (aside) Is this foreshadowing something?
Me: Yep, I was wondering when that was going to come up..
Sunny: That’s not true!
Zipp: She’s lying again, like she always does!
Me: Oh, well…it can’t be helped.
Sunny: NO!!
Zipp & Hitch: WHAT?!!!
Me: Fuck me, that was quick. Things are starting to get more and more dicey, and much faster than I anticipated.
Pipp: What are they planning with Johanna?
Izzy: No! Don’t go in there! It’s jinxed!
Unicorns: JINXED?!!
Izzy: (to Me) …right?
Me: Mmm…yeah, the place is jinxed.
Unicorns: BING BONG!! BING BONG!! BING BONG!! BING BONG!! BING BONG!! BING BONG!!
Zipp: Augh, why did you say that?!
Me: One, because it’s true. And two, I need to laugh at something because of what’s gonna happen next.
Sunny: Poor Toby.
Me: (aside) That one…I’m actually okay with.
Hitch: Absolutely not! He’s sick enough already from the diseases on the streets.
Zipp: What is Pirelli doing back here?
Pipp: Maybe he came for a shave from his victorious rival?
Zipp: Mmm…something tells me it’s something more than that…
Zipp: Wait, what?
Sunny & Izzy: Huh?!
Pipp: (facehoofs) Oh, my hoofness! I should have seen it! Ugh, I should have figured that his accent was fake!
Me: He did a good job at his Italian accent; it’s personally one of my favorites.
Izzy: Yeah…why?
Zipp: He’s up to something…
Me: He’s in danger, that’s what.
Audience: WHAAAAAAAT?!!!
Sunny: How?!
Zipp: Sweeney never once mentioned him before! So how does Pirelli—sorry, Higgins know him?!
Hitch: (green) I can hardly watch that…
Zipp: He was wearing a wig this whole time?!
Pipp: Wow. The twists keep coming and they don’t stop coming!
Me: Wow. I really underestimated how crafty these Victorian individuals were. Of course, this was before the time of Sherlock Holmes.
Hitch: I don’t like his arrogance.
Sprout: (grins) I like how he’s got them backed into a corner.
Audience: OOOHHH!!!
Me: Yikes, I keep forgetting how fit she is. And for Mr. Higgins…(grimaces)
Pipp: (grimaces) Just when I thought he couldn’t be anymore disgusting!
Zipp: You know what? She deserves it!
Sunny: Zipp!! Why would you say that?!
Me: She is about to murder that man.
Me: Christ almighty! I felt that one, too.
Me: Well, there it was. The first spouts of blood in this very bloody movie.
Zipp: …yikes. That was…
Pipp: That was some of the best special effects I’ve ever seen in these movies! (to Me) Please tell me it isn’t CGI!!!
Me: (smirks) Don’t worry; the blood effects are all practical.
Pipp: YAY~!!
Hitch: (nervous) Y-yeah…I think she knows what’s going on.
Me: Wait, really—?
Me: (shocked) Jesus Tap-Dancing Christ on a Bike. It’s one twist after another. I told you that she found a kindred spirit.
Sunny: Uh…
Hitch: It’s getting more and more unexpected by the second.
Izzy: (gasps) You don’t think that she…uh, you know?
Zipp: Oh, no! Well, now that I think about it, and how similar they are, from what we’ve seen it makes sense.
Me: It’s still weird to see Chrysalis being so genuine.
Zipp: She’s done this before; I know it.
Me: (agrees) Probably.
Sunny: What’s with the tea?
Me: Must be teatime. In England: (sings) Everything stops for tea~! (speaks) I wonder where that tradition started.
Izzy: Uh…c-can…can I make some tea? I need something to calm me down before I get all jinxie again.
Me: Sure thing, Izzy. And…I could use some too.
Izzy: (relieved) Oh, thank you!
Hitch: Woah, woah! Calm down! This kid is an orphan and worked in the factories?!
Sunny: Stop! You can’t go up there!
Hitch: LASHINGS?!!!
Me: (shakes head) It disgusts me how normal child and spouse abuse was back then, especially towards children who worked in the factories.
Sunny: Aww, that’s adorable!
Me: Uh oh. He’s not quite dead yet.
Zipp: Wow. This kid’s as stubborn as Applejack.
Pipp: That is such a weird comparison, but I see what you mean.
Hitch: Wait, what?! Why would he want to drink alcohol at his age?!
Me: Another thing that people didn’t know any better about: kids took to taking drugs and alcohol to cope with the stress of Industrial life, and sometimes doctors would prescribe alcohol and more often than not, kids and patients would die of alcohol poisoning in their sleep.
Sunny: (sad) That…that is so sad to think about. Was that…did that actually happen?
Me: And there are illustrations and Charles Dickens’ library of literature to prove it.
Pipp: I…have a feeling I know why they wanted him out of there…
Sunny: (scared) W-w-what’s going to h-happen?
Me: A threshold being crossed, one that cannot be crossed back.
Zipp: (likewise) Oh…o-oh no…
Pipp: The suspense is killing me!
Hitch: (whimpers) I’m actually scared about what happens next.
Me: All I can say is…brace yourselves.
There were a lot of screams and all sorts of panicked noises in the audience, which is what I should have expected.
Me: And so, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street has arisen. (breathes in and out) Once a serial killer tastes their first blood they cannot stop; it’s like an addiction.
Zipp: (fighting to not vomit) Okay…that’s it! Any sympathy I ever had for Chrysalis or Sweeney Todd…is gone!
Izzy: (likewise) Yeah, they're...they're nothing but jinxie monsters now!
Hitch: I can't believe I actually sympathized with them in the first place!
Opaline: (hidden locket; looking green) While...I am slightly...nauseous, I can't deny how swift and conclusive their methods are.
Misty: (scared and almost sick) U-uh, Opaline? I-I...Can I...not watch this please?
Opaline: (hidden locket) It's either you watch this or you never come here again, Misty! I will take away your privileges permanently. Is that clear?
Misty: Y-Yes, Opaline.
The entire time, Sunny remained silent and buggy-eyed at the screen. It was as if she was in shock, and was kind of scaring me, to be honest.
Also, coming up next are my two favorite songs on the soundtrack, aside from the Opening Titles, and they are both back-to-back. I was as excited as I was bracing myself.
I got your message, Mr. E! I'll get to work on both commentaries for both chapters soon. (I've had a lot of errands to run)
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Correct! Kiss Me is the song your'e thinking of.
And now the slaughter has begun!
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…….mother…..
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Concerning tea, from what I can tell, it started when a noble duchess, can't quite remember her name, started getting a "sinking feeling around five o' clock", and began taking tea with small sandwiches and scones. This would eventually evolve over the years into the royal high tea. At best guess, that's maybe where it started, with many of the lower classes performing their own teatimes.
Fun fact: There were originally two types of tea in Britain- high tea and low tea.
Low tea was an aristocratic snack with dainty pastries and small cakes, often served on a low table, hence the name. High tea, on the other hand, was more or less an early supper for working class people, with cold cuts, cheeses, bread chunks and other sweets. If a lower-class family was trying to impress a guest of great standing, they would set out a low tea. Over time, the distinction between the two types blurred, and we no longer have the the concept of the low tea, leaving us with the pastries and finger sandwiches we usually see at an average teatime.
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That's an interesting tidbit about English history. Thanks for that!
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*As the audience calms down, the ballad is heard...*
His hands were quick, his fingers strong
It stung a little but not for long
And those who thought him a simple clod
Were soon reconsidering under the sod
Consigned there with a friendly prod
From Sweeney Todd
The demon barber of Fleet Street
See your razor gleam, Sweeney
Feel how well it fits (how well it fits)
As it floats
Across the throats
Of hypocrites...
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<<Previous
Canterlot Mall Theater, Discord's Branch
Sci-Twi: That’s.. not exactly a well thought out plan.
Juniper: Well, at least it’s A plan.
Rarity: I hate for them to go to another prison. (She said shivering up a bit from the thought of it)
Arctic: After last time, i don’t think they’ll survive another one, especially in this place
Rainbow Dash: Ugh, why does love make boys act like
Arctic: Hey! I resent that!
Rainbow Dash: So, you’re saying if you or any guy we know were in shoes to save a girl you love you wouldn’t act like that.
Arctic:…I will neither confirm or deny that would happen
Rainbow Dash: (smirks) Heh, knew it
Arctic: Oh quite it, Dash. (He said looking away slightly)
Rarity: (would looked towards Arctic a bit having a soft giggle)
Pinkie Pie: Yeah, a really REALLY long story. (She said with a little smile)
Applejack: Though, something tells me he wouldn’t take it as well as Johanna did
Rainbow Dash: Now THAT sounds like an awesome name.
Arctic: You know, it kinda does. Would be a great name if you were a boxer, you know minus the hooves part of course.
Rarity: Say what you want, but I find it sweet, that he wants to save the one he loves from more harm (she said and looked over to Arctic and whispered softly to him) I can imagine you doing the same thing. (She said giggling)
Arctic: (he would blush a little and rolls his eyes slightly) Ha ha very funny, Rares.
Arctic: Oh, we know who that person is. (He said softly with a grin)
Juniper: Nice save there.
Applejack: They almost blew their cover with him.
Fluttershy: I-I hope the Judge doesn’t find out or catch them. (She said worried)
Applejack: Don’t worry, Fluttershy. As long as they’re careful then I’m sure it will be ok. (The farm girl said to Fluttershy)
Rainbow Dash: Oh trust me, you will eventually.
Applejack: Eeyup, we sure did
Pinkie Pie: (giggles happily with a smile)
The Girls shivers a bit from the thought of being in Johanna position and someone spying on them.
Arctic: (was glaring a bit) That man is truly disgusting for doing something like that.
Fluttershy: S-She’s right, you deserve happiness.
Rarity: I couldn’t agree more with that.
Arctic: She does make a good point, love can be complicated for some, when one does find that special someone in their life, they won’t know how to admit those feeling.. or even get nervous around that person.
Juniper: That’s perfect, as long as he doesn’t find out or come back early. This could work
Sci-Twi: Maybe, but what will happen if he finds out she’s not there?
Arctic: She’s right, they would need to hide her somewhere for the time being for them to make it to the ship.
Fluttershy: W-Will this be a good thing? O-Or a bad thing?
Juniper: Well, on one hand Sweeney would be able to see his daughter again.
Sci-Twi: However, we do have to remember Chrysalis is with him still, and who knows what she could say
Arctic: Yeah, I mean we feel bad about what happened to her, but she could still get into Sweeney head and tell him stuff about them that’s not true
Fluttershy: I-I’m really worried about what could happen now.
Arctic: Me too Fluttershy… and I have a strong feeling the worst is about to happen.
Next>>
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Let it begin, blood will be spilt
That Changeling is SUS. Maybe he's an imposter.
Can you please do Strange Magic next and I’d liked to see Storm Shield again
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Send Mr. Enigma a PM asking if you can join the group, then put your movie request in the Request Movie Forum.
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Discord's Theatre, Galaxy Branch
Sunset Shimmer: Of course, she'd ask that.
Postwar: Well what did you expect? You have to realize that not everything sometimes works by winging it, or according to plan. The only thing we can do is be prepared for it.
Leia Organa: She seriously did?
Postwar & Sunset: Long story.
Galen Marek: I'd like to hear it once all this is over.
Sunset couldn't help but chuckle at Pinkie's bubbliness.
Postwar: Classic Pinkie Pie.
Ahsoka Tano: She certainly is interesting to say the least.
C-3PO: *R2 beeped in agreement*
Mando: They have to keep this a secret, otherwise they might not be so well accepting, *Grogu waves at the screen as he was excited to see what goes on next*
Postwar: Clearly Rarity's lesson in tact didn't stick to her mind.
Sunset Shimmer: It's Rainbow, what'd you expect?
Galen Marek: Is she always like this.
Mando: You should've seen her when she and the others hired me to help do a job.
Sunset Shimmer: Huh?! That's a new one.
Postwar: I have a sneaky suspicion, but I don't want to point fingers, yet.
Ahsoka Tano: Oh? You know who it is?
Postwar: Somewhat, but I don't want to assume anything until the time comes.
Ben Solo: Why do I get the funny feeling that things will blow up in their faces?
Sunset Shimmer: Glad I'm not the only one feeling this way.
Postwar: His instincts and insights serve him well.
Sunset Shimmer: Of course they would, that's what they do.
Mando: Too bad you failed to realize that and believed a roadkilled looking old man.
Sunset Shimmer: I heard that!!
Postwar: (rhetorically) You can't silence the truth.
C-3PO: Oh my, I am suddenly fearing how any of this will turn out.
Postwar: Give your circuits a rest bub, you're overreacting as usual.
Sunset Shimmer: And you're not?
Postwar: Oh, I am worried, I just don't show it.
Postwar: I had a feeling that the things between Storm and Twilight would be discussed.
Sunset Shimmer: *Giggled*, still haven't found the nerve to ask him out, yet?
Postwar: As Big Mac would say, Eenope.
Leia Organa: Really? She likes him?
Galen Marek: It's true. I could tell.
Mando: Saw it a mile away.
Everyone looked at one another in worry, for they fear that things won't go according to plan and if they do backfire, then things will take a turn for the worst.
Sunset, out of instinct, held onto Galen, which the latter returned in order to calm her down. Which Postwar noticed and couldn't help but smile.
Postwar: (Inner thoughts)*sighs*, If only Lucas would allow the ship between Luke and Mara. Wonder how things would've been back then.
Everyone gave a loud gulp, fearing what else would transpire from this.
Next>>>>
Previous>>>>
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Everyone couldn't help but feel some tension from what's going to happen, whilst at the same time, Postwar kept his glare at Chrysalis whilst gripping his hands, for something didn't feel right and felt very off at the same time.
Sunset Shimmer: Oh no.
Leia Organa: That sure got his attention.
Galen Marek: And something is bound to happen if this all goes south.
Mando: Agreed. *Grogu closes his eyes out of fright*
Postwar: Something is bound to happen soon.
Leia Organa: Got that right.
Mando: A killer's trait, they draw the innocent in, and then they would soon make their mark.
Everyone groaned and slapped their foreheads.
Sunset Shimmer: Seriously, Pinkie?
Postwar: Well what did you expect, she never was the one to be aware of everything around her.
Postwar: *sighs*, I know she has a rotten history, but she had to realize that not all ponies are the same, plus they're not the same ponies she knew all those centuries ago, for those ponies are long dead and gone.
Galen Marek: People tend to carry an unhealthy obsession when it comes to vengeance.
Ahsoka Tano: Speaking from experience?
Galen Marek: I do.
Sunset Shimmer: Something tells me she has a very unhealthy obsession too.
Postwar: Which is kind of ironic. One madman, working with another. Now that's twisted.
Ahsoka Tano: Agreed.
Mando: And so it begins.
Sunset Shimmer: What begins?
Mando: Watch and learn.
Mando: As you can see, the killer's associates tend to keep another busy, whilst the killer goes after it's main target, and also ensures that nobody disturbs them.
Everyone else was baffled by what they revealed.
Sunset Shimmer: What the...?! How did he know that?
Mando: Another lesson, before one becomes a killer, one must also know that there will be others who know about your past, and the only way to ensure no one knows is to silence them for good.
Postwar: *mutters* Huh, kind of reminds me of Kingpin's origins in the animated Spider-Man series.
Sunset Shimmer: Huh, that's something you don't see everyday.
Postwar: If Rarity saw that, she'd have a hissy fit.
Sunset Shimmer: *Giggles* No doubt about that.
Some, like the ladies, were horrified by what they saw, with Leia quickly covering Ben's eyes so that he doesn't see, with Postwar closing Ben's ears so that he wouldn't listen to any of it either.
Sunset Shimmer: Holy...in all my years knowing Chrysalis...I never figured she'd possesses, a killer's instinct.
Postwar then thinks about how Chrysalis secretly killed Nicholas Flammel in order to obtain the Sorcerer's stone. Then again, Flammel was close to his death span, meaning there wouldn't be any questions asked, or even knew that some individuals won't be around in the future.
Ahsoka Tano: I didn't think that they would let the child live.
Mando: Some killers have restraint, they won't kill children until a much later date, but at the same time, they use that to distract the kids by sending them away in a different direction.
Sunset Shimmer: You really know so much about one, don't you?
Mando: When you've been in the galaxy for as long as I have, you tend to pick up a few things along the way.
Postwar: And so the first blood has been spilt. And soon, many more to come.
Mando: This is how all killer's start. The moment when the first blood had been spilt, the lust would continue until many is dead all around them.
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Seeing twilight slowly admitting her feelings is interesting
<<Previous
Rarity: That’s so sad, she also lost someone close to her (she said feeling bad for Mrs. Lovett)
Arctic: She’s not wrong, once’s patience has it’s limits… before they can’t take it no more
Rainbow Dash: Geez, is every villain this obese with revenge?
Arctic: More or less, there are some villains who are smart enough to think with a cool head
Fluttershy: O-Oh no. (she said worried starting to get scared)
There was some sighs of relief in the audience seeing that he put his razor away.
Rarity: Y-Yes, please no more. (She said holding her stomach)
Juniper: W-We really don’t want to be reminded of it. (She said also feeling a bit sick)
Sci-Twi: That got his attention… but how will he respond next
Fluttershy: I-I hope something good
Pinkie Pie: Yeah! He would get to see his daughter again which will be super duper great!
Arctic: Maybe Pinkie… but I don’t think it will be that simple.
Juniper: I still feel a little bad.. even f she did a lot of terrible things
Applejack: I might not fully forgive her, but what happen to her.. she didn’t deserve that to happen.
Arctic: Just Pinkie being Pimkie. (He said with a bit a smile)
Pinkie Pie: I always give the best hugs when I’m happy (she said with a big grin)
The grouped sighed minus Pinkie glad that another close call was avoided.
Rainbow Dash: Yeah, same old Pinkie
Arctic: And there it is… she’s about to put words into his head.
Horrified gasps filled the room hearing what was suggested to do with them
Fluttershy: T-That won’t actually happen… r-right?
Sci-Twi: Something tells me… he will consider it
Pinkie Pie: I got a really REALLY bad feeling about this…(she said worried)
Arctic: Yeah… me to Pinkie
Fluttershy: I-I feel so bad for him..
Rainbow Dash: Who wouldn’t when you have to work for a guy like Pirelli, wish I could give him a piece of my mind.
Sci-Twi and Juniper: PLEASE NO!
A sudden chill went down in the audience, they don’t know why but..they felt like something really REALLY bad is about to unfold
Pinkie Pie: (gasps) Hey! He was faking it!
Applejack: Of course a conman like him would fake his accent (she said with a glare)
Rainbow Dash: Yeah! He won fair and square!
Juniper: That’s right! So he owns you nothing!
Fluttershy: G-girls, I don’t like where this is going.
Arctic: Same here, Fluttershy. Where is he going with this?
Gasps of shucked were heard from everyone in the audience.
Rainbow Dash: Ok… HOW?!
Sci-Twi: That’s impossible… he couldn’t possibly know what his real name is!? He never said it once
Juniper: Then… how on earth does he know?! (She questioned)
Arctic: guess we’re gonna find out… and I have a feeling it’s gonna end badly
Rarity: How on earth can he eat that?!
Applejack: I’m guessing it’s been a long while since he had something good to eat, which he’ll eat anything at this point.
Rarity: Still! He could’ve eaten anything else…(she said before leaning onto her seat) oh, this can’t possibly get any worse.
Rarity:… A WIG?! (She yelled) he was wearing a wig this whole time?!
Rainbow Dash: Typically Rarity..(she said to herself rolling her eyes a little bit)
Rarity: I heard that!
Equestrian Girls: (wince a bit)
Arctic: Yikes, I think I felt that…
Juniper: You and me both..
The girls couldn’t help but be disgusted by this as some had a glare towards Danny.
Arctic: Yeah… he about to die
Rarity: MY WORD! (She said horrified)
Fluttershy: (hides her face into Arctic shoulder gripping onto his arm tightly)
Arctic: (would look down at Fluttershy and softly rubs her head to confront her)
Pinkie Pie: W-What’s gonna happen if Toby finds out? (She asked worried)
Sci-Twi: Surely they won’t go far to kill a kid…right? (She asked hopefully)
Juniper: Y-Yeah, they have to at least have some line they wouldn’t cross.
Fluttershy: (would look up a little bit) P-Please! Don’t do it!
All the girls: LASHING?! (They said in shocked)
Arctic: To say he deserves all the karma he got…would probably be a understatement.
Sci-Twi and Juniper: HIS STILL ALIVE?!
Rainbow Dash: OK HOW?!
Applejack: His hanging in there…barely
Sci-Twi: His planning to give a kid alcohol?! And he took the chance to have some?!
Juniper: What is wrong with this place?!
Fluttershy: (grips onto Arctic shoulder starting to feel more scared)
Arctic: (would hold Fluttershy close and hides her face into his shoulder more)
The other Equestrian Girls and Juniper started to feel dread and worry as they started to shake a bit.
Shrieks of terror and horror filled the audience as Fluttershy grip tightens on Arctic as he tried to comfort the shy girl.
Rarity: OH MY WORD! (She said and started to feel sick)
Sci-Twi: That’s it… I can’t take it!
With that, Sci-Twi and Rarity along with everyone else rush out toward the bathroom leaving behind only Fluttershy and Arctic.
Arctic: (would hear small sniffles from the shy girl as he continues to comfort her by softly rubbing her head) The first blood has been shed…. And there is only more to come after this one. (He said in his thoughts)
Next>>
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Great Commentary!
It's good that Anthony and the Mane Six (and Spike) have a plan that doesn't involve going in wild and punching (sorry Dashie, maybe another time). I understand that Sweeney Todd helps them, since surely Turpin would follow Johanna to the barbershop, and then he can take revenge on her. But Chrysalis has to further poison poor Benjamin's mind that the ponies will take his daughter far away (Though that's the plan; but they wouldn't if they knew he was her father).
Pirelli's death is more than important than it seems. Not so much knowing that his real name was David Colins and he was Benjamin's former assistant, but because his death is, as mentioned, "the point of no return". Sweeney has made it abundantly clear that he is no longer the likable barber formerly known as Benjamin Barker; now he is Sweeney Todd, the devilish barber whose razors will turn red.
Although I can't feel sorry for Pirelli. He was not only a swindler, he also mistreated his assistant, a poor child; and from what I see he was willing to abuse a woman. Although their relationship is quite sinister, I can't help but feel a tenderness in how Chrysalis and Sweeney stand up for each other. To think of how twisted they've become, they feel like they understand each other... Something tells me the former changeling queen won't be the same after this. Now, how are you going to get rid of the body?
And I don't forget that Pinkie has given her card to Lovett to try to help her improve her cakes. It's going to be a nice friendship between pastry chefs. Of course, as long as our pink pony doesn't discover Lovett's new secret ingredient.
Great Chapter!!
Me: Now if you all excuse me, (rings bell)
Can I have some Popcorn, diet soda and Nachos?
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Celestia: "Honestly, I can't think about it right now... BECAUSE YOU ALL TOSSED ME TO THE MOON!!!!"
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I wouldn’t if I were you……
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Why?
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Because what is going to happen from now on will make you vomit what you asked for...
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What he said……trust me.
Unless we want to have another Terrifier 2 incident….
Meanwhile, back at Discord's Theater
That's sea!
Also...
Big Mac: "Eeyup!"
Silverstream: "That reminds me of our date, in Equestria, after we came back from Hogwarts!" (To Gallus) "Remember, Gallus?"
Gallus: (To Silverstream) "How can I forget?"
*Flashback*
Gallus and Silverstream were both on the bow of a ship, with Gallus stretching his arms out and screaming, "I'm KING OF THE WORLD!"
Embracing him from behind is none other than Silverstream.
Big Mac: "Nope."
Discord: "I say you VENT! Venting always works..."
Gilda: "There's never an easy way."
Gallus: (To Gilda) "Depends on where you look."
Loona: (Looks up in surprise) [Texts on her phone]: "Again?"
Angel Dust: "Really? What'd they do to get themselves locked up for?"
Gilda: (To Angel Dust) "Wrongfully accused for murders."
Cheese Sandwich: (To Angel Dust) "Took a wrong turn at Alberquerque."
Starlight Glimmer: (To Angel Dust) "Arriving at the wrong place at the wrong time."
Angel Dust: "...I'm sorry I asked..."
Charlie Morningstar: "That sounds delicious!"
Big Mac: "Eeyup!"
Discord: "Yeeeeah...Mmmmm....Sorry.....Yeah....No!"
Gilda: "You tell 'em, Rainbow Dash!"
Cherri Bomb: "YEAH! No more big government!"
Big Mac: "Nope!"
Loona: [Texting on her phone]: "Just take a gun and blast their brains out and get it over with already!"
Zephyr Breeze: "Hey! If you were chained up in the barn at Sweet Apple Acres, and being held against your will, then I'd come to your rescue in a heartbeat!"
Gilda: (To Zephyr Breeze) "Yeah right. You couldn't even lift up a stick without pulling a muscle."
Discord: "Noooooo...?"
Discord: "Whooooo...?"
Random ponies and creatures all pointed at each other, like a certain web-head who has had way too many existential crisis for one person...
media.tenor.com/nAALWKg3aiUAAAAC/spider-man-meme-point.gif
The Audience: "You? You? You? You? Does she have a crush on you? You? You're a furry! I don't even know her!"
Carrie and Derick both turned to look at each other, before they turned to Octavia and Loona.
Discord: "Hmmm. Everybody's looking very SUS right now."
Big Mac: "Eeyup!"
Big Mac: "Eeyup!"
Vaggie: "Yeah. Alastor."
Loona: [Texting on her phone]: "That's like describing my dad..."
And now, a word from Chicken Little
This has been a word from Chicken Little
Next>>
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And rightfully so, nuff said.
Working on my next set of commentaries now.
Until then, please enjoy this Silva Hound song, ft. DAGames – Vox's Interlude VIP
Meanwhile, back at Discord's Theater
<<Previous
Party Favor: "Yeah! You're gonna swing through the windows, fight the bad guys, and rescue the lovely damsel-in-distress, secret agent style! Right?" (Looks around at the deadpan expression on the audience's faces) "Right?"
Night Glider: (Chuckles and shakes her head at her boyfriend) "You watch way too many James Hooves movies, Party..."
Angel Dust: "...Mmmm. Yeah. That sounds like a solid plan. Except there for a few fatal bugs I'd like to ask. Like, A: Why not just teleport Johanna OUT of the room, as soon as you teleport yourselves IN? It's not that difficult, is it? B: What kind of sign would you expect from Anthony, who isn't me? Something like: 'Hi Johanna! I wanna rescue you so I can fuck you like there's no tomorrow! Will you cum out with me?' Or how about 'Oh no, motherfuckers! Judge Sourgrape is cumming! Run! Run for your lives!' Or, 'You're seriously fucked up now, motherfuckers! FUCK!'"
Vaggie: (To Angel Dust) "Are can you say anything else that doesn't have 'fuck' in them?"
Angel Dust: (To Vaggie) "...Fuck you."
Cherri Bomb: (To Vaggie) "Yeah, bitch! I'm with Angie on this one! I'm just not so sure how well these ponies' plans were thought through..."
Cheese Sandwich: "Hi sweetie! Give us a kiss!"
Lil'Cheese: "Mommy?"
Derick: "You'll get used to it, when you hang out with them as much as we have."
Carrie White: "Eeyup."
Nearby, Eric the Phantom of the Opera nodded in agreement.
Random Diamond Dog: "Uh...DUUUUUH!!!"
Big Mac: "Eeyup!"
Discord: "Whoa, whoa, whoa, wait a minute! Go back, go back!"
*The Cinematic Adventure gets rewinded.*
Discord: "Too far back! Fast forward..."
*The Cinematic Adventure is fast forwarded.*
Discord: "Too forward!" (To Alastor) "Doggone it, Alastor! Where'd you learn how to rewind and fast forward movies? At a Driver's Ed Class?"
Alastor: (Without frowning) "Oh excuse moi, Discord. But modern technology and I don't mix. You really could afford to read the fine prints in my contract, you know."
Discord: "Oh! I guess the explains the discord and the anarchy going on with the social media. MY social media. You–"
Before Discord and Alastor can resume their arguments, an irritated Loona marched her way up the stage and snatched the remote control from Discord.
Discord: (To Loona) "HEY!"
Loona proceeds to rewind the Cinematic Adventure, until they returned to the scene in question.
Discord: "Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah! That's right there! Twilight said it herself! She's crazy! And she doesn't make the smartest decisions ever!"
Charlie Morningstar: "Well...nobody's perfect."
Discord: (To Charlie) "True. But clearly, even the smartest and the most sane of all creature wouldn't just happen to waltz into Queen Novo's throne room and try to steal her magic pearl. OR leave their friends at the mercy of their greatest enemies...twice. Even a Fifth Grader would make a better decision than that, y'know."
Starlight Glimmer: (To Discord) "Oh? So you're saying you're a Fifth Grader, and that your idea of having Queen Chrysalis, Tirek, Cozy Glow, AND King Sombra joining forces, while posing as Grogar is one of your 'better' decisions?"
Discord: (Gets right into Starlight Glimmer's face) "Don't push it, Glim-Glam! Or I will toss you onto the moon to keep Tia company!"
Trixie: (To Discord) "Do that, and wouldn't that make YOU sus?"
Discord: (To Trixie) "This is MY HOUSE! MY THEATER! AND...I'M! DA! BOSS!" (Regains her composure) "And besides, Twilight said it herself! She's not just wrong. She's stupid."
Flurry Heart: (To Discord) "Hey now! That's not–"
Discord: "And above all else! She's ugly, just like her mother."
Alastor: (To Discord) "Now that's fighting words..."
Shining Armor: (To Discord) "You calling our mother ugly?!"
Discord: (To Shining Armor, threatening with a detonator) "Shut up! I mean it! I WILL TOSS YA! HA!" (Presses the detonator)
*Cat screeching SFX*
Capper Dapperpaw: (Having Star Wars flashback PTSD) "I'M BLASTING OFF AGAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!"
And just like that, Capper Dapperpaw's seat rocketed him right out of the theater, to the moon, where Celestia is.
Capper Dapperpaw: (To Princess Celestia) "Hello there, your majesty."
Princess Celestia: (Sipping a cup of tea to Capper) "Afternoon, Capper!"
Discord's Theater
Mina: (To Discord) "So...you can still toss someone out of the theater, without voting them out? What kind of–What's the point–That doesn't make any sense!"
Discord: (To Mina) "Honey. If there's one thing you should know about chaos. There's no fun in making sense."
Next>>
Now, we are not afraid
Although we know there's much to fear
We were moving mountains
Long before we knew we could, whoa, yes
There can be miracles
When you believe
Though hope is frail, it's hard to kill
Who knows what miracles you can achieve?
When you believe, somehow you will
You will when you believe
Meanwhile, back at Discord's Theater
<<Previous
Princess Luna: "...Why do we even bother coming back to this theater, every time there's a Cinematic Adventure? Honestly, it's getting very tiring..."
Stygian: (To Princess Luna) "I have to agree. It's as if our reason for being here was all for the sole purpose to be subjected through a series of Discord's usual antics, to entertain himself at our own expense."
Princess Luna: (To Stygian) "My friend. I couldn't have said it better myself. First, Princess Celestia gets tossed, because she was accused of being in cahoots with the villains, all because we've only gotten a gleam of Chrysalis's misfortunate past. And now, Capper's being rocketed to the moon for absolutely no reason..."
Mina: "Sometimes, I wonder how the Doc ever puts up with the stresses of this job?"
Garble: (To Mina) "I hear that Discord kidnapped him and forced him against his will to work as his Commentary Guy after the last guy was let go."
Angel Dust: "Hey! Can we please resume the show?"
Big Mac: "Eeyup!"
Carrie smiles happily in agreement, remembering the lengths Fluttershy and friends had gone through to save her and bring her home in Equestria. Charlie puts her hands over heart, while wrapping an arm around Vaggie to snuggle her close.
Princess Cadence: "Well, I'm glad you asked." (Was about to sing and explain, when Discord stops her)
Discord: (To Princess Cadence) "Ah-ah-ah, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza. Perhaps you should let the professionals explain what love is."
Discord snaps his fingers, summoning Daffy Duck and Porky Pig onstage.
Daffy Duck: "Who?! What?! When?! Where?! Why?!"
Porky Pig: "Wh-Wh-Wh-What the..." (Looks around the theater) "W-W-Wait a minute! Where are we?"
Daffy Duck: "Is thissss-th Hogwarts-th?! Has-th that crazy brony finally finis-th-ed our sth-ory yet?"
Discord: (To Daffy Duck and Porky Pig) "No, it's not Harry Potter yet, my dear boys. Though...I can't exactly say much about that crossover story, featuring you and the Rainbooms. Besides, Quill Cast hasn't even gotten around to wrapping up his story either. But anyway, I'm just calling you boys here, because this little lady..." (Points at Johanna) "...needs you two to explain to her what love is."
Daffy Duck: "Oh! Isth that all? Well, mister. You've asked the right duck!"
Daffy Duck walks over to a piano, and starts to play, with Porky Pig following.
Daffy Duck and Porky Pig – Giant Robot Love
Daffy: How do you know when you're in love?
Well you came to the right friend
Love is like an ice cream sundae
That you think is never going to end
Love makes you feel all tingly
Light-headed and pretty
Just like a 700-foot robot
That's invading a city
Porky: A robot?
Daffy: Exactly
Daffy: But you're not an evil robot
You're a robot looking for love
But there's not a lot of giant 700-foot robots
Around to love
So you glue a bunch of smaller robots together
To make one big super robot
Then you and your robot go out to brunch
And by the end of brunch, you're in love
Trust me,
That's exactly what it's like to be in love
Porky: Can I ask a question?
Daffy: No
Daffy: Then you and your robot lover destroy
The entire Schenectady Turnpike
'cause you're doin' a robot love dance
And you don't care what it looks like
And when the armies of the world come to fight you
You get into your spaceship
And you tenderly embrace while you fly into space
'Cause Earth's not ready for giant robot love
That's how you know you're in love
Chorus: Find yourself a robot to love
Daffy: That's how you feel when you're in love!
Porky: I'm not really following you
Daffy: Alright, let me put it another way
Daffy: It's just like you're a merman that's 700-feet tall!
And you're looking for a lady merman to love!
Porky: Don't you mean mermaid?
Daffy: Don't interrupt
But the ocean is a massive place and there's not a lot of lady mermen
So in order to increase your chances, you travel to the Undersea Merman Mall!
Porky: Merman Mall?
Daffy: That's where fish and mollusks go to find love
Porky: You know, I'm just not really sure what any of this has to do with-
Daffy: And you find a female merman who is working at a kiosk, selling cellphone covers and personalized keychains
Your hand brushes one of her tentacles and she just melts inside
Porky: Tentacles?!
Daffy: Shut up
Her manager gets insanely jealous and stabs you with his trident and you're dead
Chorus: Stabs you with his trident and you're dead
Daffy: That's how you know you're in love!
Angel Dust: (Bored) "Wow...that was shit."
Daffy Duck: "Yeesh. Tough crowd..."
Discord: (To Daffy Duck and Porky Pig) "Fabulous, boys. Thank you for coming. See you later with Arya Stark, Jon Snow, and Sansa. Oh! And a few other guest-stars will be having in MY cuts. CIAO!" (Snaps Daffy Duck and Porky Pig out of the theater)
Princess Cadence: (Singing otherwise)
Who'd'ya think you're kiddin'
He's the Earth and heaven to you
Try to keep it hidden
Honey, we can see right through you
Girl, ya can't conceal it
We know how ya feel and
Who you're thinking of
Big Mac: "Eeyup!"
Gilda: "Wow...The Princess of Friendship just jumped on a new bar of cheesy nampy-pampy right there, didn't she?"
A sign with the words written, "This guy," repeatedly points at Storm Shield, to the sound effect of the star post from Sonic the Hedgehog.
Press play repeatedly
Angle Dust: (To Husk) "How romantic~"
Husk: (Shoves Angel off) "Fuck off..."
Alastor: "Oh ho ho ho. What has she got?"
Angel Dust: "Uh...if I had to guess... Maybe it's one of her knickers?"
Grampa Gruff: "Hmmm. A Nickel doesn't cost much...but money is money."
Angel Dust: (To Grampa Gruff) "I said knicker! Not Nickel you deaf old buzzard! Why aren't you dead yet?"
Gilda: (To Angel Dust) "I've asked that question many times..."
Angel Dust: "Hey look! They're back! And what? They didn't bring her along for the ride? Get the fuck out..."
Husk: "Your princess is in another fucking castle. So go fuck yourself."
Angel Dust: "Ya couldn't have just gotten her out, on your way out?"
Silverstream: "Go to Sherwood Forest! That's where Maid Marian hides out with Robin Hood and Lady Kluck after the Archery Tournament."
Smolder: (To Silverstream) "And where exactly is Sherwood Forest?"
Silverstream: "...I have no idea..."
The Audience: "WHAAAAAT?!"
Cheese Sandwich: "Well, what a coincidence!"
Charlie Morningstar: "Yeah. Coincidence. Or maybe it's fated to be!"
Discord: "To be, or not to be. That is the question."
Alastor: "Ha ha ha ha! It never ceases to amaze me how fate can have such a wry sense of humor. How it is woven in a complicated string of fate that leads one to another, binding them together in the grandest designs of a tapestry. A work of art! The work that only an artist with the keenest of sight and the genius of minds can comprehend! And now...on with the show!"
Next>>
Surely, in the next chapter, Turpin will be scared by confusing Chrysalis's disguise with Lucy.
11648741
That's actually a very good point! In fact:
Edit: Ah, well! Can't have everything!
11648606
I won't say that Angel doesn't have a point, but I will ask him to look to first-time teleports, as well as the fact that we don't know how aggressive the Judge will be if he sees Johanna missing. Plus, she can't just go off on a whim! She needs to take her reticule!
Meanwhile, back at Discord's Theater
<<Previous
Niffty: "Wow! They've really tidied up the place!"
Angel Dust: "...Yeah. Poor dude..."
Angel Dust: "Make that two."
Cherri Bomb: "Got room for one more?" (Tosses up an unlit bomb)
Loona: [Types on her phone]: "Ditto."
Octavia: "Pardon my language, but that judge is a total wanker."
Everyone in the audience all agreed with the sinners and the demons present.
Alastor: "Ah, Tuesday. Everybody loves a Tuesday than a Monday, they say. And who could blame 'em?"
...I was laid off on a Wednesday...
Alastor: "Spoken like a true military tactician. I can salute a woman of war. Though, being a gentleman myself, I hate to get my best suit all dirty..."
Alastor: "Yes indeedy! Take it from a man with experience!"
Derick: (To Alastor) "No way! You were...human?"
In response, Alastor simply gives Derick a smile that a serial killer would smile.
static.wikia.nocookie.net/hazbinhotel/images/f/f3/Alastor_smile.gif/revision/latest?cb=20190509005958
Ember: 😴
Lighting Dust: 😴
Gilda: ZZZzzzzzz
Alastor: "Mmmm-mmmm! Reminds me of my mother's cooking for Thanksgiving! EXCEPT SHE SERVED IT EXTRA CRISPY! HA HA!"
Cherri Bomb: "Yeah, yeah! Kick his ass! Kick his ass! YEAH!"
Angel Dust: "And then fuck his shitty ass–Wait...Why fuck his ass? He's old! And gross." (Snaps his fingers) "Oh! Better idea! I'll take a gun. Shove it RIGHT up his ass. AND PUMP LEAD INTO HIM!"
Vaggie: (To Angel Dust) "I don't know which is worst. Hearing you talking about raping a man. Or raping a man with a gun."
Angel Dust: (To Vaggie) "Go ahead. Have no fun somewhere else."
Loona: [Texting on her phone number]: "Here's my dad's phone number. X-XXX-XXXX! SIKE! That's the wrong NUMBER!" (Flips the bird)
Octavia: "OW!"
Husk: "Are you fuckers done singing? Because I've got a mother bitch of motherfucking headaches from all your singing..."
Alastor: "The suspense is killing me! Which is impossible, because as I've said already, I'm already dead. HA HA HA!"
Angel Dust: "Welp. False alarm."
Big Mac: "Nope!"
Gilda: "Yeah. You've turned me into a vegetarian."
Garble: "Ditto."
Crazy Steve: (Still brushing his teeth)
Alastor: "It's not venison, or mother's cooking. But...it'll do."
Charlie Morningstar: "Although, the way you described her troubles, like she was locked in a castle, guarded by a fire-breathing dragon really speaks the depth of your devotion for her!"
Angel Dust: "Oh. Now you've got his attention."
Alastor: "Like I've said! It's the beauty of fate's string, my dear boy."
Cherri Bomb: "HA! Is that all you got? I'll do you better! A total SHIT BAG!"
Angel Dust: "A MOTHER FUCKER ASSHOLE!"
Octavia: "A complete wanker."
Loona: [Texts on her phone]: "A piece of shit."
Maud Pie: (To the sinners and demons) "You're all fucking assholes..."
Husk: (To Maud Pie) "Who asked you, pony bitch?"
Limestone Pie: (To Husk) "Don't talk to my sister that way!"
Husk: (To Limestone) "Or else what? Throw a tantrum?"
Big Mac: "Eeyup."
Sugar Belle: (Flirting with Big Mac) "Now, Big Mac. You say that like I was a prisoner against my will, and that you rescued me to run away with me."
Thorax: "That would be romantic~"
Pharynx: "Yeah. CELESTIA!" (Sees the empty seat of Princess Celestia) "Oh! Right. We tossed her onto the moon."
Alastor: "Wouldn't it be wise if you were to make a deal first, by shaking each other's hands? I know I would when I'm in the business of employing the service of another."
Charlie Morningstar: (To Alastor) "You would."
Alastor: (To Charlie) "You should."
Gilda: "No, no, no, no! Don't apologize! Continue squeezing her!"
Gallus: "Yeah! Choke the life out of her!"
Gabby: (To Gilda and Gallus) "You two are really starting to sound like these guys." (Points to the sinners and demons)
Cranky Doodle Donkey: "Now what?"
And the audience all face faulted onto the floor.
Alastor: "How thoughtful! I do like a nice taste of raw pleasure now and then."
Charlie Morningstar: "Uh. Hey! Can I get Pinkie Pie's contact information as well?" (Receives a similar card from Mrs. Cake) "Thank you!"
Alastor: "HA ha ha! Great minds must think alike, my dear!"
Pharynx: "Well you don't have to worry about that, my queen. Because we've already got revenge for you! We tossed Princess Celestia onto the moon! So justice is served. Your welcome."
Atalanta: (To Pharynx) "That's not justice. THAT'S VIGILANTISM! Also...did it ever occur to you that by tossing a monarch onto the moon, you've inciting a war between our two species? Huh? Have you?"
Thorax: (To Pharynx) "Yeah. Way to go, Pharynx. You've doomed us all."
Pharynx: "So now I'm SUS?"
Big Mac: "Eeyup!"
Discord: "I was just talking about that!"
Shining Armor: (To Discord) "Don't you even start...again."
Derick: "Oh lord. Help us..."
Big Mac: "Eeyup..."
Next>>