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.
“You really made a much better pie this time around,” She smiled happily. “Granted none of us ate it, but it certainly looked and smelled much better than the last one. Did you use a new recipe or something?”
“She’s a right flea, she is,” She snarled. “Biting onto poor Mr. T at his most vulnerable state and now she’s sucking out his blood. No doubt, she’ll be rid ‘a him once she’s ‘ad ‘er fill ‘a him! She doesn’t even know him! She’s a harpy, that’s wot! She’s ensnared the poor bloke under her magic spell.”
She heard footsteps descending from the barbershop upstairs as the disguised Chrysalis walked out into the street, out of sight. Mrs. Lovett watched her movements from the main window of the shop. A burning fire raged hotter than her furnace built up inside at the mere sight of the disguised insect.
“Just you wait, Chryssi girl!” She hissed. “We’ll see ‘oo’s got the barber when all’s said and done!”
Ok… I’m getting a really bad feeling on what’s Lovett is planning
The Equestrians and Anthony got Johanna out, but now Twilight realizes the woman with Todd is not who she appears to be. Can't wait to see what occurs next time
Just when everything seems to be going well, at least for the antagonists, something is bound to go wrong. As if a changeling's confusing feelings for Mr. Todd isn't enough, turns out that Toby is starting to catch on to what Todd's been up to and they need to do something about that kid. Not to mention our heroes prepare their plans to rescue Johanna, not realizing Todd's already have plans to have them walking into a trap with the Judge involved. It just gets better and better.
Chrysalis just nodded in response as Mrs. Lovett and Toby proceeded down the cellar stairs to the bakehouse. Chrysalis was about to walk away when she noticed something odd in the open drawer. Apparently, she bumped the drawer loose and she could see inside. Sliding the drawer open a tad, she noticed what appeared to be a small golden ring and an empty little vial inside.
Reaching in, Chrysalis first pulled out a ring. Examining it, she noticed a small inscription on the inside.
To my one and only Lucy…
Her eyes widened when she read the inscription. This belonged to Mr. Todd’s late wife. But why did Lovett have it hidden away? She quickly placed the ring into her dress and reached out for the vial. Popping the bottle open, she brought it to her nose and gave a small sniff. She was instantly met with a bitter yet very familiar odor.
“Arsenic…” She whispered.
She placed the vial in her dress too before quickly shutting the drawer back up and walked away. It was all too clear now Mrs. Lovett was hiding something. Why else would she have Mr. Todd’s wife’s ring and an empty bottle of arsenic? What was that woman up to?
Ok, now I’m more suspicious of Lovett.
Something doesn’t smell right, she is hiding something BIG about Todd wife. Even though she told him how Lucy died… but now I’m starting to think that there’s more to that story then she let on about
The lavender princess slowly crept over to the window for a closer look at the girl’s face. Though the corridor was only lit by a few torches, she could still trace out the girl’s face. The face of that Alice Winters girl they met at Mrs. Lovett’s shop when they first got here.
“What you on about?” The girl replied. “My name’s not Alice, and it ain’t Winters neither. My name’s… Beatrice
This caused Twilight to cock her head to the side in confusion. If this girl was named Beatrice, then who was the girl they had seen with Sweeney Todd? Perhaps a few more questions will help answer that.
“Do you by chance happen to have a sister?” Twilight asked the girl.
This just caused the mad girl to burst into a fit of mad laughter.
“No sisters I have.” Beatrice giggled madly. “Not even brothers. Was just me and my papa. A cruel man he was, always so mean. Until one day, I stopped him bein’ mean forever.”
Twilight internally could only imagine what exactly the girl meant by that statement. Then again, perhaps it was best she didn’t know.
“How long have you been here?” She asked.
“Too long it’s been.” Beatrice replied with a wide eyed vacant stare. “Stopped count in’ after a year.”
This is what really caused Twilight to step back with wide eyes of horror on her face. How could it be possible that this girl could have been locked up here for a year and they saw her only a short while back?
Unless…
“We need to get back to the pie shop now!” Twilight said urgently.
Oh boi, looks like Twilight finally found out Chrysalis was there this whole time
However…. I have this REALLY bad feeling about once they get there something bad is gonna happen
All of a sudden, the sound of footsteps coming up the backstairs, followed by the ringing bell outside the shop, caused the group to turn their attention to the door. Mrs. Lovett remained standing, her hand out to Todd, as Anthony, along with the Mane Six and Spike, entered the shop absolutely exhausted.
*I tensed upon seeing Todd again, holding Sonata's hand for should anything happen.*
“Mr. Todd… Mrs. Lovett, mum…” Anthony called, sinking into the chair. “Seems I’ve not slept in a week – but it’s done—”
“What is it, Anthony?” Sweeney questioned.
“He has her locked in a madhouse,” Anthony told the man, solemnly.
Todd’s head snapped toward Anthony, riveted.
“You’ve found Johanna?” Sweeney questioned.
“Yes, Mr. Todd,” Twilight Sparkle nodded. “We followed them the night they took Johanna away and found her locked up behind iron bars.
“We wanted to get in and help her right away,” Rainbow Dash added. “But some p— ‘somebody’suggested we lie low since that jerk Turpin has us hunted down like dogs.”
Sonata Dusk: As if it weren't bad enough having to deal with trying to get her away from Turpin.
Me: No kidding.
“While we kept hidden, we’ve been working on trying to find a way in,” Rarity spoke up. “For all the good it’ll do – it’s impossible to get to her.”
Todd began pacing, like a tiger once more, his mind racing—
“A madhouse… a madhouse… where?” Todd muttered.
“Foggs Asylum,” Rarity answered. “We’ve circled it at least a dozen times and there’s hardly anyway in or out. What we know for sure is that this place she’s locked up in is like a fortress.”
Me: And believe me, we've had our fair share of fortress from where we're from.
Blitz: We have? *receives a look from me* I-I-I mean yes! We have.
Once they finished explaining the story, the group faded to a brooding silence as Todd kept pacing, thinking… thinking. Mrs. Lovett and Mrs. Winters watched him, concerned. Todd suddenly stopped… an invisible lightbulb went off in his mind as he knew exactly what was needed to get them into the asylum. Not only that, but the perfect method to get Turpin to him. He starts to settle into an inspired form of calm, as if he can finally see the Promised Land.
“I’ve got him,” Todd smirked wickedly.
“Mr. Todd?” Anthony questioned curiously.
“We’ve got her…” Sweeney smiled, placing a hand on the boy’s shoulder. “Where do you suppose all the wigmakers of London go to obtain their human hair?”
The very question made Anthony and the Equestrians look at Mr. Todd both curiously and concerned by his manic look.
“I’m scared to ask, but… where?” Spike spoke up.
“Bedlam,” Sweeney replied with a smirk. “They get their hair from the lunatics at Bedlam—”
“How positively horrid!” Rarity gasped in shock.
“I don’t understand—” Anthony spoke confused.
Todd suddenly grabbed Anthony and hauled him up, holding him close, forehead-to-forehead, his whispered intensity truly disturbing as he stared right into the boy’s eyes.
“We shall set you up as a wigmaker’s apprentice in search of hair,” Sweeney explained. “That will gain you access, and then you will take her.”
Me: Wigmaker...
Me: Wigmaker... I like that~
“That’s… actually not a bad idea,” Twilight admitted.
“Yeah, well that gets ‘him’ in,” Rainbow pointed out. “What about us?”
“We could get Spike a guard’s uniform and he can pretend he’s bringing us in to be committed!” Twilight suggested.
“Oh, I don’t know,” Fluttershy said timidly. “What if something goes wrong? What if we actually end up locked up forever?”
“That won’t ever happen,” Twilight assured, quietly. “We’re only not using magic to blend in at the moment. But if something goes wrong, we can just use it to teleport us out.”
“Yippee!” Pinkie cheered excitedly. “This is just like playing pretend with Pound and Pumpkin back home. Except this time, we’re doing it for real. So exciting!”
“And you Anthony will not be deterred,” Todd spoke to Anthony. “You will slaughter the world, to bring her here.”
“Yes…” Anthony responded.
Blitz: *Likes the sound of slaughtering the world, but remembers his promise to the girls, Spike, and I*
Mrs. Lovett and Mrs. Winters watched, troubled, as Todd embraced Anthony closely. He held him for what seemed like an eternity. Then Todd was all action, hurrying to collect some money and gave it to Anthony.
“Go and outfit yourself properly,” Todd instructed. “You are to be a gentlemen wigmaker. When you return, we shall dispatch a letter to Mr. Fogg announcing your arrival. Go – quickly now!”
“Mr. Todd…,” Anthony clasped Todd’s hand. “How can we ever--?”
“Go, quickly go!” Sweeney commanded.
Blitz: Alright, you heard him! Let's move!
Anthony and the Equestrian group turned quickly to hurry out of the shop. However, before leaving, Pinkie Pie skid to a halt and turned around toward Mrs. Lovett. Which did not go unnoticed as Applejack turned back.
“What’re ya doin’ sugarcube?” Applejack asked her.
“I just wanted to say one thing to Mrs. Lovett,” Pinkie spoke.
“What’s that dearie?” Lovett asked curiosity.
Pinkie Pie approached the woman with a quizzical look on her face.
“A while back, when you reopened the shop, I managed to get ahold of one of your new pies. I brought it back with me, did a little digging… and I realized something very important…”
This information caused both Mrs. Lovett and Mr. Todd to go wide-eyed. Had she figured out the secret? If that were the case, this could all fall apart right here and now… just like Chrysalis said. Fortunately for them, and just as Chrysalis reached for a razor behind her… Pinkie Pie just smiled.
“You really made a much better pie this time around,” She smiled happily. “Granted none of us ate it, but it certainly looked and smelled much better than the last one. Did you use a new recipe or something?”
Me: *face palms*
Mrs. Lovett released a breath of relief before regaining her composure and gave the party girl a small smile.
“You might say that…” She nodded. “We also found a better meat supply. What with business being good as it’s been, we’ve been able to afford better products.”
“A better meat supply, huh…” Pinkie nodded proudly. “Well good! I’m glad things are turning around for you. Guess you didn’t need my help after all.”
However, Applejack squinted her eyes at the woman suspiciously. Whether Pinkie Pie intended to or not, Applejack could tell from the woman’s responses that there was more to what she said than she was letting in. Not to mention she straight up lied about buying the meat. Something was definitely off, and somehow Applejack would find out the truth. But for now, they had other matters to focus on.
“Come now Pinkie,” She called out.
“OKIE-DOKIE-LOKIE!” Pinkie giggled.
The two quickly made their way from the shop to rejoin the group as Mrs. Lovett watched them go, glad they were gone.
Blitz: Is she always like that?
Me: It's just Pinkie being Pinkie...
<>
Back with the Mane Six and Anthony, the group stood at the front door of the asylum preparing to put their plan into action. The girls were shackled together to look like they’ve been captured, while Spike was dressed like a prison guard bringing them in. Anthony was dressed as a fashionable wigmaker, or at least to give off the impression he was an apprentice just as Mr. Todd instructed.
*As for Blitz and I, we remained in the shadows until the right moment*
“These chains are so uncomfortable,” Rainbow groaned, as the iron scrapped her skin.
“Hush now hun, it’ll only be fer a few minutes,” Applejack assured her. “Besides, ya weren’t complaining a while back when we tried experimenting.”
“That was rope, not chains,” Rainbow corrected.
“Honestly, you two really need to stop talking about such things,” Rarity cringed in disgust.
“It’s great you two are together and making the shippers happy,” Pinkie nodded in agreement. “But I think most of them are getting tired of the innuendos. We don’t even have any M-Rated stories where we can get past the brief mentions.”
“Girls, focus!” Twilight spoke up. “We’re here.”
Just then, the doors to the asylum opened up and a gangly looking balding man, dressed in a white lab coat, Mr. Fogg by name, stepped out.
“Can I help you?” He asked.
“Indeed you can, sir,” Anthony replied curtly. “My master is looking to create a new ensemble of wigs and I was hoping to gather some blonde hair for them.”
Mr. Fogg turned his attention to the group of young girls in shackles.
“What ‘bout them?” He questioned curiously.
“New girls being committed,” Spike replied, with a deep authoritative voice.
Mr. Fogg leaned close to the girls who tried to back away as far as possible. The man was clearly a creep, they could smell that his breath reeked like kerosine. He smiled toothily at them.
“Strange looking ones these are,” He grinned. “But they’ll fit nicely in ‘ere. Especially the little blonde… never turn down more of my children.
He proceeded to hold the door open for them to enter. Anthony went first and the girls followed behind with Spike ‘pretending’ to forcibly lead them into the asylum. They followed Mr. Fogg through the twisted hallways of the asylum before eventually arriving at the holding cells.
It’s a cacophony of madness. The ragged inmates of the asylum are slammed together in a series of cramped cells, the low ceiling pressing them down. Anthony and the group walked past the cells with the odious Mr. Fogg, who carried a large pair of scissors.
“They’re just down this way,” Mr. Fogg said. “We’ll get you some nice blonde hair and then find a cell for these little pretties.”
“Thank you, sir,” Anthony replied, hiding his disgust. “This would certainly prove to be beneficial for both of us.”
“Oh yes, sir, I agree,” Mr. Fogg nodded. “It would be to our mutual interest to come to some arrangement in regard to my poor children’s hair.”
As they passed each one of the cells, Mr. Fogg pointed out which cell held which inmates.
“Brunettes… redheads…”
They then stopped at the cell at the farthest end of the room and Mr. Fogg’s very creepy smile returned.
“I keep the blondes over here,” He spoke. “It was yellow hair you was looking for, sir?”
“Yes,” Anthony replied.
Fogg proceeded to unlock the door and pulled it open. When the door opened, all the blonde women scurried back, clearly terrified of Fogg. It was like they were trying to escape from a vicious monster. Anthony couldn’t help but feel great sympathy for these girls, even though many of them were demented. Regardless, no one should be terrorized in such a manner.
Outside the cell, Spike and the girls looked in noting the horror within.
“Sweet Celestia, those poor women are terrified beyond belief!” Rarity whispered in horror.
“This guy’s a nut job!” Rainbow whispered. “He should be the one locked up here.”
“I-I-I d-don’t want t-t-to b-be here anymore!” Fluttershy whimpered fearfully.
Anthony followed Fogg into the cell, trying to search for Johanna in the crowd of terrified blondes. Eventually, he spotted her sitting with her knees at her chest off to the side. She looked ragged and dirty from her time spent in this terrible place. She wore a filthy straitjacket, and was hunched like a feral animal, cowering in a corner of the cell. The young girl slowly looked up and into Anthony’s eyes. They immediately had a connection where she knew to work with him.
“That one there has the shade I need,” Anthony pointed to Johanna.
Fogg went to fetch Johanna, as Anthony looked on.
“Come, child,” Mr. Fogg called to her.
However, Johanna refused to move from her spot. Mr. Fogg just once again smiled creepily as he walked over to Johanna and knelt down beside her.
“Smile for the gentleman and you shall have a sweetie,” He chuckled.
Johanna’s eyes shot wide when she saw Anthony, but she said nothing as Fogg prepared the scissors to cut the girl’s golden hair.
“Now, where shall I cut?”
CLICK!
Suddenly, before Fogg could react – Anthony pulled a revolver from his pocket and aimed it at the asylum director. The man quickly put his hands up in defense.
*Blitz and I step out of the shadows. Blitz holds a victorian-like revolver in his hand pointing it at Fogg while I wear a victorian version of my Nightwing suit*
“Not another word, Mr. Fogg, or it will be your last,” Anthony threatened.
The young man quickly grabbed Johanna, pulled her close to him for protection, and pushed Fogg back into the cell. They slowly started to back out of the room.
“Now I leave you to the mercy of your… ‘children’.”
Blitz: Have fun ladies~
He swung the cell door shut, locking Fogg in. Mr. Fogg now found himself locked in with the blonde inmates. They slowly began to advance on him, menacingly like, likely to rip him limb from limb. Amidst the screaming rage of the blondes, Mr. Fogg screamed in agony. Once safely back outside the cell, Twilight used her magic to pry the straitjacket off Johanna and she threw her arms around Anthony, bawling into his chest.
“I knew you’d come!” She bawled. “I’ve waited so long; I was starting to worry.”
Off the side, Twilight used her magic to pry the shackles off herself and her friends while Spike removed the guard uniform.
“It’s alright, Johanna,” Twilight assured, placing a hand on the girl’s shoulder. “We’re getting you out of here. We’ll make sure to get you somewhere safe.”
“Speaking of which, we better go before anyone catches us,” Spike spoke up.
The group were about to turn and make their way out when a voice calling to them stopped the group.
“YOU THERE!”
They turned back to the cell as a blonde girl peeked through the viewing window.
“Gotta thank all of yer,” She sighed gratefully. “That man’s a monster in human skin! We has much fun with ‘im!”
“Uh… no problem,” Rainbow replied awkwardly. “So, we got to go now. But you girls have your fun!”
“Wait a minute!” Twilight interrupted.
The lavender princess slowly crept over to the window for a closer look at the girl’s face. Though the corridor was only lit by a few torches, she could still trace out the girl’s face. The face of that Alice Winters girl they met at Mrs. Lovett’s shop when they first got here.
“What you on about?” The girl replied. “My name’s not Alice, and it ain’t Winters neither. My name’s… Beatrice
Blitz: The f***?...
This caused Twilight to cock her head to the side in confusion. If this girl was named Beatrice, then who was the girl they had seen with Sweeney Todd? Perhaps a few more questions will help answer that.
“Do you by chance happen to have a sister?” Twilight asked the girl.
This just caused the mad girl to burst into a fit of mad laughter.
“No sisters I have.” Beatrice giggled madly. “Not even brothers. Was just me and my papa. A cruel man he was, always so mean. Until one day, I stopped him bein’ mean forever.”
Twilight internally could only imagine what exactly the girl meant by that statement. Then again, perhaps it was best she didn’t know.
“How long have you been here?” She asked.
“Too long it’s been.” Beatrice replied with a wide eyed vacant stare. “Stopped count in’ after a year.”
This is what really caused Twilight to step back with wide eyes of horror on her face. How could it be possible that this girl could have been locked up here for a year and they saw her only a short while back?
Unless…
“We need to get back to the pie shop now!” Twilight said urgently.
Me: Right! Blitz, ready a weapon incase anything happens.
Just then, the phone in the main lobby started ringing.
Me: Just a second, I gotta take every call that comes in.
Zipp: Just like Pipp every single day.
Pipp: Hey!
Ignoring the sibling banter and the sickening states of some of the patrons, I took the last sip of my can of lemonade, throwing it out before I answered the phone. To my surprise, it was my colleague Phantom-Dragon.
Me: (answers phone) Hello: Future Branch. Plymouth speaking. Phantom? Hey! Haven't heard from you in a while! How’s it going? (gets answer) Woah, woah, just…slow down for a second. Huh? You’re saying Dino’s released another chapter in his Disney Chronicles: Fantasia story after almost two years? And it’s about the big battle with Chernabog?! (laughs) No fucking way, man! That’s awesome! Hey, how’s Rain Shine doing? Uhuh…ouch, dude. I didn’t think being the husband to the Kirin Queen would be that stressful and time consuming. (gets uncomfortable) Okay…okay seriously TMI, man. I don’t really need to hear just “how affectionate” your relationship really is. No, it’s—it’s okay. I didn’t mean to insult or anything. (sighs, pinching the bridge of my nose) I’m sorry, it’s just that this particular film showing has been more stressful than I realized. We’re showing Tim Burton’s Sweeney Todd adaptation of Stephen Sondheim’s musical, yeah the one with Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter and Alan Rickman; that one. I’m surprised because I’ve only seen it once and on this second viewing it’s like I’ve discovered a brand new appreciation for how entertaining and complex it is on a musical level, despite the gruesome subject matter. (sighs, running a hand through my head-feathers) Honestly it’s a good thing that you took this vacation when you did. (gets interrogated, feels nervous) Uh…no, no everything’s actually just fine where I am. Apart from a few walkouts and throw ups, of course which just really comes with the movie. (gets serious) No, seriously, I mean it. You need this vacation, man. You’ve been through hell and back and it has seriously taken a toll on your mental health and you seriously need a rest, and especially time with your wife. (sighs, calming down) I’m sorry if I’m coming off a bit…forward with this, but it’s really concerning me as well. (gets answer) Yeah, I could use one myself, but it’s just only me in my division and I’d much rather not take that risk. Yeah, I-I get where you’re coming from. (sighs again, cracks open can of lite beer) Anyway, thanks for the courtesy call, man. Again, it’s all good where I’m from, and don’t worry…(drinks lite beer)…your branch is doing okay and is in good hands with Mina. Thanks for calling, and send my well wishes to Rain Shine and the kid, and the other branches as well. (chuckles) Bye~!
I replaced the phone back onto the receiver, leaning back against the counter as I breathed a sigh of relief. Right at that moment, I watched the holographic memory of Mina from the Present in a poor frazzled state.
Mina: Why does everything have to spiral out of control every time we show a movie here of all places?!
Discord: SHH!! Do you mind? We’re trying to watch the movie over here!
Mina: AUGHH!!!
I gave my sympathies to the poor flustered dragon, taking another sip from my lite beer as I returned to my seat. Wherever Phantom was, I hope he’s enjoying the time of his life because goddamnit, he deserves some well earned relaxation time with his wife and future child. It’s gonna get stressful up the wazoo with the adventure of fatherhood.
Me: (sighs, shaking head) When did going to the cinema get to be so goddamn complicated and stressful? Thanks a lot, Dissy. (drinks again) Fucking draconequus. >>next
If I may take a moment to emulate Jonathan Decker of Cinema Therapy, I must congratulate DramaMaster and Mr. Enigma for writing in a (relatively) healthy relationship between Sweeney Todd and Chrysalis. The whole relatively part is focused on how they each drive the other to vengeance. Aside from that, they are both genuine and kind toward each other. They each show their partner support and honesty, and you can feel that they each have nothing to hide from the other.
You could have Chrysalis cutting hair and providing shaves by the end of this story, and it would not surprise me. People tend to pick up the hobbies and interests of their significant others, so why not here? Heck, in an alternate universe, I could see them running the shop together!
All in all, this is a great starting point for Chryssie and Todd. This could grow into something genuinely wonderful for both of them. The only thing they need to do now is find a healthy way to deal with their vengeance fixations. And of course, I'm not going to pretend like I know how this story is going to end. But if it ends in any way similar to the film....
..... I'll just be preparing for the gut punch now, 'cause it's going to hurt.
It seems that Twilight has finally figured it out who Miss Winters really is. However, I do wonder what Chrysalis is going to do now? She seems to be conflicted.
I knew Chrysalis had an emotional connection to Sweeney/Benjamin, but I was shocked to see what it has become, a feeling the ex-queen changelings mocked at the Canterlot wedding and thought she'd never feel again... until now. But that brings her into conflict with Lovett, who also seeks Todd's attention. But it is something more complex, this adventure is causing him an existential crisis. Sure, she hates ponies and she's mean, but is being in the Black Order really what she really wants? If she really loves Benjamin, the poor thing is going to break her heart at the end.
Returning to Todd, the evil barber has another chance to get revenge on Turpin and get her daughter back when he agrees to help the protagonists in their plan to get her out of the asylum. He and Chrysalis also plan to use the opportunity to get rid of Anthony, Spike, and The Mane 6; but it backfires when the real "Alice Winters" is in that asylum, making Twilight realize the deception. And they are not the only ones; Toby becomes suspicious of Todd, unaware that both of his mothers are his accomplices... and that they are willing to do anything to keep the dark secret of the barbershop and bakery a secret. Although Lovett seems to be hiding something about Lucy.
The story is nearing its climax, but who will survive to know the truth?
Regarding Fire Fall, I'm starting to think that Chrysalis's mother has something to do with her disappearance. Or maybe Twilight knows something about what really happened (considering that she is now friends with the changelings).
The skies of Victorian London, once full of clouds, welcomed a nice gentle breeze wafting over the air. While not the most ideal setting for a picnic, this was exactly how Mrs. Lovett, Mr. Todd, Toby, and even Chrysalis decided to spend the day. Three months went by since Mrs. Lovett’s pie shop reopened its door while the Mane Six and Spike had been on the run from the police. For now, the terrible trio and their young companion decided to take some time for themselves and just enjoy the day.
At least… that’s what Mrs. Lovett did.
Sunny: They’re…on vacation?
Me: (sings) Seaside~! We’re off to the seaside~! We’re gonna have a lovely day~! (speaks) It’s your classic Seaside Holiday in Britain.
Zipp: This just gets weirder and weirder…
The trio sat along a picnic blanket under an old oak tree along Hampstead Heath. To the naked eye, Mrs. Lovett and Sweeney Todd appeared to be like any other couple enjoying this fine day. The remains of a nice picnic lunch lay scattered about while Toby was flying a kite high into the sky off in the distance. Mrs. Lovett smiled while watching happy couples moving about, dogs and kids running hither and yonder, military officers squiring their ladies, nurses with prams, and all other forms of life happening around them.
Meanwhile, Mr. Todd and Chrysalis sat near one another with stone cold looks on their faces. Todd was distinctively ill at ease, brooding the whole time. Three months went by and still they were no closer to either the Judge or the Beadle. All this weighed heavily on their minds despite the insistence to take a break.
“This is growing very tiring really fast,” Chrysalis grumbled. “How long are we expected to wait?”
Hitch: I never thought that…being a serial killer would get…boring.
Sprout: Does that make them more or less dangerous?
Hitch: Honestly…I have no idea.
“I wonder the same thing, my dear,” Sweeney responded lowly. “The seasons change yet my revenge is left untouched.”
Me: Christ, how long is the passage of time in this movie?
Izzy: So…is the Summer holiday over…and it’s…Fall?
Sunny: Maybe…maybe it was Spring and then it became Summer.
Izzy: Oh…so did Todd and Chryssi come to London at the tail end of Spring?
Me: (shrugs) You can’t exactly tell with the British weather considering how wet and damp the climate is, and especially with all the ash and smoke being spewed from the factories.
Then Sweeney’s expression, while still cold and emotionless, also added something somber within those eyes just the same.
“The more days go by, the less I find myself missing my dear Johanna,” Todd admitted. “I’m beginning to lose hope of ever seeing her again.”
Me: Oh, so now you worry for your daughter’s sake? You just did a musical montage where you basically gave up hope while you murdered all your customers. (drinks)
Pipp: I’m…confused. What’s up with him?
This caused Chrysalis to shift her direction to his, laying one hand atop his own. Sweeney slowly turned his head to look down at her hand before slowly turning back toward her eyes.
“Worry not, Mr. Todd,” Chrysalis assured him. “If it’s the last thing I do in this life, we’ll exact your revenge, and you’ll get your Johanna back. I stake my life on it.”
Sweeney just stared at the changeling-in-disguise for a few moments, as though contemplating something.
“How is it possible someone like you exists?” Todd asked lowly.
“What do you mean?” Chrysalis responded.
“It’s not often in this world, or any world, to meet someone who you share so much in common with,” Sweeney explained. “We’ve had love stolen from us and we wish to exact revenge on those who wronged us. How is that possible?”
Chrysalis contemplated his question in her head. It certainly seemed coincidental they had both met with the same goals in mind.
“I suppose we just got lucky,” She shrugged.
Me: (surprised) Wow…this is an interesting development. Chrysalis is actually being open and honest with Todd, as if the whole serial killer villain aspect was non-existent.
Pipp: Yeah, it’s like they basically enjoy each other’s company.
Sunny: Hoofness…I never expected this.
Sweeney merely gave a slow nod before returning to his deep contemplative stare into space. All the while, Mrs. Lovett, who seemed to have chattered about the whole time, continued on.
“… We still got to keep an eye on household expenditure,” She spoke. “Which isn’t to say we couldn’t get some nice taxidermy animals to bring a touch of gentility to the place. You know, a boar’s head or two…”
Me: Taxidermy scares the living daylights out of me.
Zipp: Dare I ask?
Me: Basically…it’s the stuffed corpses of live animals put on display, usually as trophies for pro hunters.
Hitch: (gags green)
Pipp: (pats Hitch’s back) Humans are just as interesting as they are gruesome. It’s honestly, like, really something.
Sunny: You know…if you’re interested in that kind of thing.
Turning over to Mr. Todd at her side, her smile instantly vanished when she noticed he was paying absolutely no attention to her at all. In fact, Mrs. Lovett was rather turned off by his unresponsive behavior.
“Mr. T, are you listening to me?” She asked.
“Of course,” Sweeney responded uninterested.
“Then what did I just say?”
Sweeney seemed to ignore her entirely, as he turned his attention back to Chrysalis.
Me: (laughs) Oh, my God!
Izzy: Wow. That was mean.
“There must be a way to the Judge!” He told her.
“No doubt there is,” Chrysalis nodded. ‘One way or another, we’ll find it.”
Hearing the pair talk about Judge Turpin again, Mrs. Lovett rolled her eyes in annoyance.
“The bloody old Judge,” Lovett sighed. “Always harpin’ on about the bloody ol’ judge. We got a nice respectable business now, money coming in regular and—since we’re careful to pick and choose—only strangers and such like wot won’t be missed—who’s going to catch on?”
Hitch: Yeah, a business of murdering and cannibalism. And yet…she’s talking of…giving up on having revenge?
Zipp: This bodes well.
But no response emerged from Todd. As if massaging Todd’s neck wasn’t enough, next thing Chrysalis knew, much to her own annoyance, Mrs. Lovett started to break out in song while casually pecking him along the cheek.
Mrs. Lovett (Sings): Oooh, Mr. Todd! (Kiss) I’m so happy! (Kiss) I could (Kiss) Eat you up, I really could! You know what I’d like to do, Mr. Todd? (Kiss) What I dream (Kiss) If the business stays as good, Where I’d really like to go… (No response) In a year or so… (No response) Don’t you want to know?
“Of course,” Sweeney replied nonchalantly.
Mrs. Lovett (Sings): Do you really want to know?
“Yes, yes, I do, I do,” Sweeney answered, forcing a pained smile.
I laughed again, and so did Pipp.
Pipp: (laughs) He is just, so~ not into her!
Mrs. Lovett leaned back comfortably, beginning to imagine a wonderful, domestic future…
“I’ve always had this dream of living at the seaside… I got a picture postcard from me Aunt Nettie once. Oh, it seems like such a grand place…”
Lovett briefly noted Toby flying his kite, a small smile upon her face.
“And all that fresh aquatic air’s bound to be good for the lad’s poxy lungs…” Lovett concluded softly.
Mrs. Lovett stared dreamily into the sky as she contemplated what the future could hold should business remain good as it was. Once more using her power, Chrysalis closed her eyes so she could channel this vision for herself.
Sunny: This song is…a bit too peppy for a movie about…murderings.
Sprout: I think she’s starting to scare me.
Chrysalis’ glowing green eyes opened to embrace the vision. Looking around, she found herself standing on some beach somewhere in the English Channel. Turning to her left, she saw young Toby near the edge of the water throwing a ball in the air and a lot of other families playing on the beach. Only, the boy was not consumptively pale but rather overly rosy-cheeked in this fantasy. Even a recently built sandcastle stood nearby.
Sunny: Toby doesn’t look as…messy as he normally does.
Zipp: So…Lovett actually cares for him? That’s surprising.
Hitch: You’re surprised just now?
She then took notice of Sweeney Todd and Mrs. Lovett sitting in the exact same positions as in Hampstead Heath. Only now they are sitting on a blanket at the beach, with a nice picnic spread about. What really made Chrysalis chuckle was that Mr. Todd was wearing a long striped Victorian bathing suit, fashionable seaside bathing attire. Mrs. Lovett sat with her Dream Todd who, much like in the real world, sat there with the same dark vacant look on his face. There was just something unnatural about this settlement, something vaguely unreal and stilted about the entire fantasy…
Sunny: (giggles) What is he wearing?
Me: Old timey bathing suit. Though it doesn’t quite match his pale face.
Hitch: Something screwy is going on here…
Mrs. Lovett (Sings): By the sea, Mr. Todd, That’s the life I covet; By the sea, Mr. Todd, Ooh, I know you’d love it! You and me, Mr. T., We could be alone In a house wot we’d almost own Down by the dea…
“Anything you say,” Todd grumbled.
Mrs. Lovett (Sings): Wouldn’t that be smashing?
Seeing the scenario in which Mr. Todd was envisioned, Chrysalis couldn’t help but cringe at the whole scenario and how uncomfortable it was just to watch. Especially when Lovett was preparing to serve what appeared to be herring along the picnic blanket, as she sat with Toby beckoning Todd to join.
Izzy: They’re like a…semi-dysfunctional family?
Crickets.
Hitch: Nah.
Pipp: Mm-mm.
Zipp: No way.
Sunny: It’s…more creepy than anything, really.
Izzy: Oh…
Me: I think Cadence is getting a bit sick from all the lust in the air…
Mrs. Lovett (Sings): With the sea at our gate, We’ll have kippered herring Wot have sum to us straight From the Straights of Bering. Every night IN THE KIP When we through our kippers, I’ll be there slippin’ off your Slippers By the sea… With the fishies splashing. By the sea… Wouldn’t that be smashing? Down by the sea—
Todd (Sings): Anything you say, Anything you say.
Next thing Chrysalis knew, she was standing on the English Channel boardwalk watching Mr. Todd, now in a nice white suit, strolling down the boardwalk with Mrs. Lovett, now wearing a striped pinkish red dress. She carried an umbrella while holding Todd’s arm, looking up at Mr. Todd with such adoration and longing while Mr. Todd maintained his cold look.
Zipp: Todd’s just having none of it.
An artificially lovely couple, like rotogravure magazine pictures. Toby ran along ahead of them like a son to them.
Mrs. Lovett (Sings): I can see us waking, The breakers breaking, The seagulls squawking: Hoo! Hoo! I do me baking, Then I go walking With yoo-hoo… (Waves to Toby) Yoo-hoo…
The next vision showed Mrs. Lovett and Todd reclining on comfortable deck chairs, a tray of tea and scones between them.
Izzy: Ooh...are those scones? I love tea and scones!
Mrs. Lovett (Sings): I’ll warm me bones On the esplanade Have tea and scones With me gay young blade…
Soon Chrysalis saw Mrs. Lovett’s notion of a fashionable little seaside cottage, crushing in its bourgeois blandness. Lovett was making Toby try on a sweater, while Todd was writing a letter.
Mrs. Lovett (Sings): Then I’ll knit a sweater While you write a letter…
And then it’s back on the beach, where Lovett is cuddling beside Todd.
Mrs. Lovett (Sings coyly): Unless we got better To do-hoo…
Todd (Sings): Anything you say…
Posey: (disgusted) This woman is nuts.
Me: She’s even worse than Miss Piggy, and yet Piggy has redeeming qualities and never cannibalized anyone!
The vision is then transitioned as Chrysalis found herself standing in the dining room of that nice house by the seaside. Mr. Todd sat at the table, still with the same look on his face, along with some unnaturally jolly chums as Lovett carried a tray of goodies to the table.
Mrs. Lovett (Sings): Think how snug it’ll be Underneath our flannel When it’s just you and me And the English Channel… In our cozy retreat, Kept all neat and tidy, We’ll have chums over every Friday…
And… it was back to the beach…
Mrs. Lovett (Sings): By the sea…
Todd (Sings): Anything you say…
Toby pulled Mrs. Lovett over to examine his little sandcastle…
Mrs. Lovett (Sings): Don’tcha love the weather By the sea! We’ll grow old together By the sea side, (Beckons to Todd to join them) Hoo! Hoo! By the beautiful sea!
Eventually, Todd joined them. He knelt with Toby to help him work on the sandcastle, while retaining that cold stare. Mrs. Lovett stood, watching them, the picture of the doting mother.
Mrs. Lovett (Sings): It’ll be so quiet That who’ll come by it Except a seagull? Hoo! Hoo! We shouldn’t try it, Though till it’s legal, For two-hoo!
Once more, everything transitioned and Chrysalis this time found herself standing in the midst of what looked like a seaside chapel. At the end of the aisle, Mr. Todd and Mrs. Lovett stood at the altar dressed for a wedding with a preacher officiating the ceremony. This being her fantasy, after all, Lovett wore white. Todd was in a constricting morning coat with a rakish top hat. Toby, the best man, looked on ‘proudly’. While Mrs. Lovett looked so happy and in love, Mr. Todd had a look on his face like he was being held hostage. When asked if he took Mrs. Lovett as his wife, the nod he gave was as forced as the kiss they shared.
Mrs. Lovett (Sings): But a seaside wedding Could be devised, Me rumbled bedding Legitimized My eyelids’ll flutter, I’ll turn into butter, The moment I mutter “I do-hoo!”
Sunny: A…a wedding?
Zipp: Seriously? Oh, my hoofness, she’s even imagining marrying him!
Sunny: I think…Chrysalis tried to do something like that before as well.
Though all of this was merely a vision of what ‘could be’, Chrysalis couldn’t control the sneer over the scene taking place before her. She had absolutely no idea as to ‘why’ she was feeling it. She had held a groom hostage at a wedding before… so, why was she feeling jealous over this?
Thankfully, the vision was coming to an end. The last to be seen was Mrs. Lovett placing a plate of kippers on the table amidst a proper English breakfast. A guest stood, leaning against a wall, waiting to eat. A dark shape quickly moved past the guest—Todd—then the guest slid down the wall—a splash of blood on the wallpaper—
Audience: AAH!!!
Pipp: I…think it was already dead.
Mrs. Lovett (Sings): By the sea, in our next, We could share our kippers With the odd paying guest From the weekend trippers Have a nice sunny suite For the guest to rest in— Now and then, you could do the guest in—
Back at the beach, Mrs. Lovett, Todd, and Toby sat comfortably watching an unnaturally gorgeous sunset. A picture postcard of a ‘happy’ family.
Mrs. Lovett (Sings): Down by the sea. Married nice and proper, By the sea— Bring along your chopper To the seaside, Hoo! Hoo! By the beautiful sea!
She threw her arms affectionately around her two men. Eventually the visions cut back to—
Me: That was trippy.
Pipp: Tell me about it.
Mrs. Lovett sitting in the exact same position as Todd under the oak tree. A deadly silence filled the atmosphere. Her smile faded as she considered him. The grim, brooding reality so clear next to her lovely dream. Chrysalis watched Mrs. Lovett in silence, staring daggers toward the dreamy woman. She didn’t know ‘why’ she felt the way she was nor why it bothered her so much that Mrs. Lovett even cared for Mr. Todd. But she refused to stand idly by and let that vision come to pass. One way or another, she needed to figure out how to get Lovett out of the picture.
Izzy: Why would she get jealous? She’s a jinx: jinxes don’t get jealous.
Zipp: Maybe that’s why she invaded the Canterlot Wedding? Because she was jealous?
Sunny: No: she impersonated Cadence and hypnotized Shining Armor with the goal of taking over Equestria with all of the love resonating with the wedding.
Me: With love comes envy. (drinks)
The next day, at the barber shop, Sweeney stood at his usual post by the large window, gazing intently down Fleet Street in contemplation. Chrysalis was sharpening the blades for when business picked up as she stood by his side.
“How do you figure we get the judge to come back?” Sweeney asked, keeping his gaze straight.
“If only I knew,” Chrysalis replied. “No doubt the man’s dead set against ever returning again after that idiot boy barged in last time. Personally, you should have slit his stupid throat then and there.”
“Turpin or Anthony?” Sweeney questioned.
“… Both,” Chrysalis replied.
Me: Ah. Figures.
At that moment, the bell to the barber shop dinged as the door opened and Mrs. Lovett entered the shop with a tray of food. Neither Chrysalis nor Sweeney looked back to acknowledge her entering the room as they continued their business.
“Brought you both some breakfast,” She spoke, setting the tray down.
“If it’s more pies, I’m not eating unless those stupid ponies and that dragon are the filling,” Chrysalis replied coldly.
“‘Fraid not dearie,” Mrs. Lovett shrugged. “Just simple farm fresh eggs and a dollop of lovely, clotted cream, only the best for…”
Zipp: And…they’re ignoring you again.
Me: Eh, I’d rather have toast than eggs.
She stopped when she realized they weren’t even listening to her. Lovett’s heart sank seeing them at the window, especially Mr. Todd, who wore his obsession like a cloak. And yet, even as he just stared out the window, she couldn’t really look away.
“Mr. T, might I ask you a question?” She asked.
“Mm?” Sweeney replied, not even turning.
“What did your Lucy look like?”
Audience: Ooh…
Izzy: That’s a jinxie question if I’ve ever heard one…
The question alone caused a sneer to appear on Sweeney’s face, as well as Chrysalis’s. How dare this woman have the audacity to ask such a question regarding his late wife? Although, if Mr. Todd was being completely honest, he couldn’t even answer the question. He could barely even remember. It seemed with time and everything that’s happened as of late, it was as though her memory had almost entirely faded save for a few minor details.
“You heard me…” Mrs. Lovett spoke, approaching his side. “Can’t really remember, can you?”
“She had yellow hair,” Sweeney replied, facing Chrysalis. “Much like yours, or rather your disguise.”
“Can you remember nothing else?” Chrysalis asked him.
This only caused Sweeney to turn back toward the window, returning the cold vacant stare to his face.
“You’ve got to leave all this behind you now,” Mrs. Lovett commented, leaning against Sweeney. “She’s gone… you keep looking down into the grave, you’re never gonna look up. And life will just pass right by… life is for the alive, my dear.”
Pipp: (waving a hoof) Ixnay on the Lucy-ay, Lovett.
Sunny: Ooh…the tension is real…
Sweeney Todd did not answer, but even Chrysalis could tell what he was thinking.
“We could have a life, us two…” Mrs. Lovett continued. “Maybe not like I dreamed; maybe not like you remember… but we could get by.”
Behind their backs, an angry look came to Chrysalis’s face as she stared at Lovett leaning against Mr. Todd.
“Come away from the window,” Mrs. Lovett instructed.
After a long pause, Todd finally turned from the window almost as if to leave his demons behind. Lovett smiled quietly and held out her hand. She began to cross to him… SUDDENLY REVEALING—the Gentleman! One of Todd’s past customers, standing right behind Mrs. Lovett, glaring at Todd, relentless and accusatory—blood pouring from his throat—a shocking vision like that of a horror movie—
All of a sudden, the sound of footsteps coming up the backstairs, followed by the ringing bell outside the shop, caused the group to turn their attention to the door. Mrs. Lovett remained standing, her hand out to Todd, as Anthony, along with the Mane Six and Spike, entered the shop absolutely exhausted.
Sunny: (relieved) Oh, thank hoofness! What was that we watched?
Me: I have no shitting clue.
Hitch: Uh oh. (looks under table) Sprout’s under the table again.
“Mr. Todd… Mrs. Lovett, mum…” Anthony called, sinking into the chair. “Seems I’ve not slept in a week—but it’s done—”
“What is it, Anthony?” Sweeney questioned.
“He has her locked in a madhouse,” Anthony told the man, solemnly.
Todd’s head snapped toward Anthony, riveted.
“You’ve found Johanna?” Sweeney questioned.
Me: Oh, so now you’re suddenly interested in rescuing your daughter. You’re a terrible parent, Todd!
“Yes, Mr. Todd,” Twilight Sparkle nodded. “We followed them the night they took Johanna away and found her locked up behind iron bars.
“We wanted to get in and help her right away,” Rainbow Dash added. “But some p— ‘somebody’ suggested we lie low since that jerk Turpin has us hunted down like dogs.”
“While we kept hidden, we’ve been working on trying to find a way in,” Rarity spoke up. “For all the good it’ll do—it’s impossible to get to her.”
Todd began pacing, like a tiger once more, his mind racing—
“A madhouse… a madhouse… where?” Todd muttered.
“Foggs Asylum,” Rarity answered. “We’ve circled it at least a dozen times and there’s hardly any way in or out. What we know for sure is that this place she’s locked up in is like a fortress.”
Me: I thank God every day that psychology and psychiatry has come a long way since the 19th Century.
Sunny: So…they’re actually gonna help them?
Once they finished explaining the story, the group faded to a brooding silence as Todd kept pacing, thinking… thinking. Mrs. Lovett and Mrs. Winters watched him, concerned. Todd suddenly stopped… an invisible lightbulb went off in his mind as he knew exactly what was needed to get them into the asylum. Not only that, but the perfect method to get Turpin to him. He started to settle into an inspired form of calm, as if he could finally see the Promised Land.
“I’ve got him,” Todd smirked wickedly.
Sunny: What?
Zipp: None of them even mentioned Turpin!
“Mr. Todd?” Anthony questioned curiously.
“We’ve got her…” Sweeney smiled, placing a hand on the boy’s shoulder.
Zipp: (deadpan) Smooth. Smooth save.
Me: The first thing his mind went to was Turpin instead of the well-being of his goddamn daughter! Jesus!
“Where do you suppose all the wigmakers of London go to obtain their human hair?”
The very question made Anthony and the Equestrians look at Mr. Todd both curiously and concerned by his manic look.
Sunny: Uh…?
Pipp: You’re telling me wigs back in the day were made from real hair? That is so disgusting!
“I’m scared to ask, but… where?” Spike spoke up.
“Bedlam,” Sweeney replied with a smirk. “They get their hair from the lunatics at Bedlam—”
“How positively horrid!” Rarity gasped in shock.
Hitch: That’s…that’s on a level that I never thought I would see in my life!
“I don’t understand—” Anthony spoke, confused.
Todd suddenly grabbed Anthony and hauled him up, holding him close, forehead-to-forehead, his whispered intensity truly disturbing as he stared right into the boy’s eyes.
“We shall set you up as a wigmaker’s apprentice in search of hair,” Sweeney explained. “That will gain you access, and then you will take her.”
“That’s… actually not a bad idea,” Twilight admitted.
“Yeah, well that gets ‘him’ in,” Rainbow pointed out. “What about us?”
“We could get Spike a guard’s uniform and he can pretend he’s bringing us in to be committed!” Twilight suggested.
Sunny: That’s good planning!
Zipp: Except that…there are so many things that can go horribly wrong.
Sunny: They can do this!
“Oh, I don’t know,” Fluttershy said timidly. “What if something goes wrong? What if we actually end up locked up forever?”
“That won’t ever happen,” Twilight assured, quietly. “We’re only not using magic to blend in at the moment. But if something goes wrong, we can just use it to teleport us out.”
Me: Oh…that’s actually useful, and not at all a deus ex machina.
“Yippee!” Pinkie cheered excitedly. “This is just like playing pretend with Pound and Pumpkin back home. Except this time, we’re doing it for real. So exciting!”
Hitch: (worried) This does not sound exciting.
“And you Anthony will not be deterred,” Todd spoke to Anthony. “You will slaughter the world, to bring her here.”
“Yes…” Anthony responded.
Izzy: Uh…that sounds jinxie~!
Zipp: A bit…too soon there.
Me: (Manhattan accent) I dunno ‘bout that.
Mrs. Lovett and Mrs. Winters watched, troubled, as Todd embraced Anthony closely. He held him for what seemed like an eternity. Then Todd was all action, hurrying to collect some money and gave it to Anthony.
“Go and outfit yourself properly,” Todd instructed. “You are to be a gentlemen wigmaker. When you return, we shall dispatch a letter to Mr. Fogg announcing your arrival. Go—quickly now!”
“Mr. Todd…,” Anthony clasped Todd’s hand. “How can we ever—?”
“Go, quickly go!” Sweeney commanded.
Izzy: Not even a thank you?
Anthony and the Equestrian group turned quickly to hurry out of the shop. However, before leaving, Pinkie Pie skidded to a halt and turned around toward Mrs. Lovett. Which did not go unnoticed as Applejack turned back.
“What’re ya doin’ sugarcube?” Applejack asked her.
“I just wanted to say one thing to Mrs. Lovett,” Pinkie spoke.
“What’s that dearie?” Lovett asked, curiously.
Pinkie Pie approached the woman with a quizzical look on her face.
“A while back, when you reopened the shop, I managed to get a hold of one of your new pies. I brought it back with me, did a little digging… and I realized something very important…”
Izzy: Ooh…
Sunny: Has she…(gulps) Does that mean she’s found them out?
This information caused both Mrs. Lovett and Mr. Todd to go wide-eyed. Had she figured out the secret? If that were the case, this could all fall apart right here and now… just like Chrysalis said. Fortunately for them, and just as Chrysalis reached for a razor behind her… Pinkie Pie just smiled.
“You really made a much better pie this time around,” She smiled happily. “Granted none of us ate it, but it certainly looked and smelled much better than the last one. Did you use a new recipe or something?”
Zipp: Oh. Yeah, I expected that.
Hitch: Phew! Thank hoofness none of them actually ate it!
Me: Who knows how scarred they would be from that?
Mrs. Lovett released a breath of relief before regaining her composure and gave the party girl a small smile.
“You might say that…” She nodded. “We also found a better meat supply. What with business being good as it’s been, we’ve been able to afford better products.”
Me: (shrugs) Well, that just comes with the trade.
“A better meat supply, huh…” Pinkie nodded proudly. “Well good! I’m glad things are turning around for you. Guess you didn’t need my help after all.”
However, Applejack squinted her eyes at the woman suspiciously. Whether Pinkie Pie intended to or not, Applejack could tell from the woman’s responses that there was more to what she said than she was letting in. Not to mention she straight up lied about buying the meat. Something was definitely off, and somehow Applejack would find out the truth. But for now, they had other matters to focus on.
“Come now Pinkie,” She called out.
“OKIE-DOKIE-LOKIE!” Pinkie giggled.
The two quickly made their way from the shop to rejoin the group as Mrs. Lovett watched them go, glad they were gone. Same could be said for Chrysalis a.k.a. Alice Winters.
“I swear if Twilight Sparkle won’t be the death of me, that pink toothache will be!” Chrysalis growled.
Izzy: (laughs) I can see that happening!
“Thank goodness for that,” Mrs. Lovett said thankfully. “Dear, I wonder if—”
“Fetch the boy,” Mr. Todd ordered.
Lovett spun around to face the manic barber with a worried look.
“Don’t you think it’s time you leave the boy alone?” She asked.
“Fetch… the boy!”
Mr. Todd added an icy stare, begging her to try his patience. Rather than get into an argument with the man, Mrs. Lovett just huffed and exited the shop, going down the stairs outside the barber shop. She stopped, standing still for a moment, disturbed that Todd’s demons were again devouring him. She looked down and saw Toby washing the tables in the outdoor garden. The boy was truly serious about his work, vigorously scrubbing the tables with soap and water. She watched him for a moment and then continued down the steps.
“Toby… Mr. Todd requires you,” Mrs. Lovett spoke.
“Yes’m,” Toby nodded.
The boy made to go up the stairs, all while Lovett stood, deep in thought.
Sunny: What…what could Todd need of Toby?
Zipp: So, it’s now, after threatening to send him up do you need his help? What a hypocrite.
Close your eyes and listen to this song. Imagine Princess Celestia singing and dancing.
Meanwhile, on the moon
Party Favor: (Plays a harmonica) “Oooh. Our klutzy draconequss host has gone done us wrong He darn dumped us on the moon Where a bomb locked us below…🎶” (Plays the harmonica, with Night Glider comforting him)
Party Favor’s harmonica song is based on the one Genie was playing in an episode of Aladdin: The Series, where Abis Mal takes control of Genie’s girlfriend, Eden, and forced her to lock him away at the bottom of the ocean.
Sadly, I don’t know what the song is.
Gallus: “All the money in Gringott’s bank says it’s Discord behind everything going topsy-turvy.”
Silverstream: (To Gallus) “If you had all that money, then you’d give it to the poor. Right?”
Smolder: (To Gallus and Silverstream) “Can you guys talk about something else besides Robin Hood? All that talk about robbing the rich is making me hungry for gold!” *HIC*
Gallus: (To Smolder) “Well, it’s the only thing taking our minds off of rocks…rocks…rocks…and yeah. More rocks! Honestly, how does Princess Luna survive on this dump? For thousands of years?”
Loona: [Texts on her phone]: “Someone talking about me?”
Princess Celesta: (To Gallus) “Oh believe me. She wasn’t alone. She had friends…on the other side. And she was locked away inside the moon.”
Silverstream: (To Celestia) “You mean you locked her beneath the moon’s surface, underground? Is there a dungeon?”
Ocellus: (To Princess Celestia) “Speaking of which…your majesty. Can I ask…why did you do that to Chrysalis? And Fire Fall? What happened to him?”
Smolder: (To Princess Celestia) “Yeah. And pardon my language, but…WHAT THE HELL PRINCESS?”
Princess Celestia: (To Ocellus and Smolder) “It’s just as I was trying to tell you all, back in the theater. I don’t know… I don’t even remember ever arresting Fire Fall. Let alone being so…horrible to Chrysalis, like that…”
Smolder: (To Princess Celestia) “How can you not remember?”
Yona: (To Smolder) “Cut princess a break! She’s thousands of years old! She’s very old! She can’t remember everything.” (To Celestia) “No offense!”
Princess Celestia: (To Yona) “Oh trust me. I’d still remember. Anyway, that’s just it. I don’t remember. Because if I do, the first thing I would do was…find out what happened to Fire Fall, and make things right with Chrysalis.”
Gallus: (To Princess Celestia) “And…how exactly are you going to make things right with her? I mean, it’s been thousands of years. For all we know, Fire Fall is long gone.”
Princess Celestia: (To Gallus) “I know… But whatever happens, I’ll do it. Even if it means…surrendering myself to the Dark Orders.”
Other prisoners: “WHAT?! NOOO!!!”
Granny Smith: “I may be younger than you, your highness. But you listen to me! There ain’t no way you’re giving yourself to them varmints that easily!”
Capper Dapperpaw: “I may be a con artist, but I know better than selling out a princess of Equestria.”
Silverstream: “Besides, even Headmaster Twilight makes a couple of big boo-boos of her own. Like when she tried to steal Aunt Novo’s magic pearl!”
Gallus: “And that time with Sunset Shimmer in the Galaxy?”
Random Dude: “That’s nothing! I still remember how she used a Want-It, Need-It Spell on a doll and made everyone in Ponyville fight over it!” See Season 2’s Lesson Zero.
Sandbar: (To Princess Celestia) “I guess what everyone’s trying to say was…nobody’s perfect.”
Princess Celestia: “Still…I feel terrible for what I did…” (Everyone tries to cheer Celestia up with a boombox) “Oh. I’m afraid that won’t work. I’m far too distraught to…”
Capper Dapperpaw: (Counting) “3…2…1…”
Princess Celestia: (Singing) Dance like you know you can You can, yeah, you know you can Dance like you know you can You can, yeah, you know you can Don't forget to dance It's the only plan, it's the only plan Don't forget to dance It's the only plan, it's the only plan Dance like you know you can You can, yeah, you know you can Dance like you know you can You can, yeah, you know you can
Loona: [Texts on her phone]: “I ran away from my dad for this?”
Loona: [Texts on her phone]: “I ran away from my dad for this?”
I have a better question:
What the Hell did Blitz even do to Loona that was so bad? I mean, 'maybe' it was hinted at earlier but still... how was Blitz so 'terrible'? I mean after every other day?
Minutes prior, Mr. Todd formed a small, wicked smirk. By sheer coincidence, good fortune had smiled upon them, the perfect reward for all their hard work. Chrysalis, however, was not so sure.
“You know she won’t recognize you,” Chrysalis pointed out. “Even then, she won’t hesitate to run away with that boy and those ponies… and that Judge… surely he will kill to keep her for himself.”
Hitch: She…has a point, you know.
Me: Oh, I know he’ll think of something.
Todd, however, gave her a sly smile.
“Don’t worry, my pet. I have a remedy for that, and you needn’t worry about the boy.”
From where he stood by the window, overlooking the street below, he moved toward the dresser at the back of the room. He took out a paper, quill, and inkwell then Todd immediately hurled himself into a chair and began writing a letter, his violent scrawl slashing across the page. Chrysalis looked over his shoulder as he wrote, watching with stunned eyes at the words he etched.
It was a message to Judge Turpin, detailing the exact points of Anthony’s plan to steal away Johanna and bring her to his shop. He even listed the names of all ‘seven’ members in the conspiracy, calling them ‘degenerate, filthy vagabonds and beggars who are nothing but trouble’. No doubt they would induce Johanna with some of their opium drugs and make her a harlot like themselves.
Sunny: Hey! Why would you do that?!
Me: (growls) All he’s thinking of is Turpin instead of his daughter even now. (aside) You know, this entire story is sort of Shakespearean in a sense; it reminds me a lot of Othello with its story beats.
Even the disguised changeling was surprised at this plot. A complicated plot, one that could topple if one step does not go perfectly, but it would yield outstanding results. Using a special powder, Todd made sure the ink would not smear on the paper as he folded it into an envelope. He held it in front of her, like holding a trophy of great accomplishment.
“I’m going to send this to the Judge,” Todd explained. “He’s going to come here as quickly as he can…”
“And that’s where you’ll finally have your revenge!” Chrysalis finished with an evil grin. “And if we act swiftly, those meddlesome ponies will drink their own blood by my whim. Oh, I can just taste their flesh in a perfect pie, maybe with a side of stuffed dragon for dessert.”
Hitch: (gags) Oh, I can’t get that image out of my head!
Sunny: Oh, dear…
Me: (sighs) Even after all this time, she still regards Spike as second rate. Poor kid deserves a break.
“Yes!” The barber nodded. “And I can finally hold my daughter to me once again, and…”
Todd paused, slumping over the dress. Chrysalis watched the cracked reflection as he fumbled in his throat to find the right words. Something about his position was strikingly familiar, until she realized something from within. Her chest pounded with fierce emotion as her eyes became damp under her scrunching brow. Out of nowhere, she found herself placing her hands over Todd’s shoulders, giving him a comforting massage, which allowed him to eye his reflection dead straight.
“And I will never let her go again… not for anything,” He finished his deathly vow.
Zipp: So…does he still, I don’t know…love Johanna?
Pipp: Beats me, but…oh, my glitter, are you seeing this?
“It will be over soon,” Chrysalis reassured, with a nod. “We will win.”
She headed for the door of the shop, only to be pulled back by the pale yet firm hand of Sweeney Todd.
“Wait…” He spoke, calmly letting go. “There’s something I must tell you.”
That smooth voice brought enough force for her to stop in her stance. She knew he’d never once bring himself to harm her; yet there was a bubble of nervousness as she eyed the man. What was this feeling? Why was she, the Queen of the Changelings, the terror of Equestria, nervous about standing alone in front of a simple barber? Todd stood patiently still.
“You have no need to remain disguised here. There’s only us… and I’d like to look upon your true form.”
Pipp: Ooh~…
Zipp: What?
Me: Could it be?
Reluctantly, Chrysalis shifted back to her true self. She was confused, thinking ‘why’ Todd would request this of her. Yet… not once had he ever treated her wrongly. Despite how and what she truly appeared to be, he remained respectful to her. Her eyes faltered briefly; her tongue tied.
“Why do you ask me to assume my true form?” Chrysalis asked, surprisingly hesitantly.
“I felt that… I need to tell you without looking at a mask.”
The changeling swallowed as a rising heat built around her face while something got caught in her throat. Was it so hard to understand she was… being complimented?
“Th—thank you,” She stammered.
“No,” Todd answered back. “I want to thank you.”
“Th-thank me? Why?”
Izzy: Well, a thank you’s a thank you, which usually means a genuine compliment and—oh…Is this the first time she’s ever received a proper thank you? (looks down) That’s so sad.
How long had it been since any creature stood in front of her and, with pure genuine feeling, said ‘Thank you’? At least, not since she’d been exiled from her own kingdom, or even…
Since Fire Wall…
“You’ve been wonderful in helping me through this,” Sweeney Todd continued. “You taught me so much about how to properly execute my vengeance. But most of all, I thank you… for being there for me when no one else would. In this shithole of a world, you helped me bear it all. I am more than grateful for that too.”
Me: (intrigued) Good, lord…!
‘Too much…’ Chrysalis thought. ‘This is all too much at once…’
Not even the Order gave her this much genuine support. Someone actually thankful for what she accomplished. Normally she’d feel pride over those words, and yet… that’s not how she felt now. Rather, she felt something else. But what was it? Why did her body suddenly become so weak to stand on? She’s not meant to be weak for anything… and yet it was a barber of all things. This was all so confusing, more so thanks to her species tendency to exert more extremeness in her emotions.
Small thumps were heard against the floorboards, and she realized they were tears falling from her own eyes. How was that possible? It shouldn’t be possible! How could she feel this way? After so long, why have they come back now? Why?
“I… I need to go!” Chrysalis exclaimed.
Zipp: Woah! So much happened at once!
Sunny: What happened?
Before Todd could say anything, Chrysalis hurried outside the barber shop, shifting back to Alice Winters, and ran down the stairs passing a confused Toby.
“Mrs. Winters!” Toby called out.
But Chrysalis… no, ‘Alice Winters’ didn’t turn to answer. Down in the outdoor seating, she paused to collect herself. Somehow, despite the impossibility, her heart ached for the attention of something specific and yearning to be together with another, even after a millennium swearing off ‘love’ for another.
The memories came flooding back into the forefront, ones she deeply repressed for so long, and the pain returned to her body. This excursion brought out the worst in her, and it hurt like no amount of pain before. She ran a hand over her forehead, against the blonde hair on her head, then turned back to Toby.
“I need to go for a walk through the city, to catch my breath,” Mrs. Winters explained to Toby.
“By yourself?” Toby asked, concerned.
Sunny: Uh…are you sure?
Me: I mean, on one hand since she’s Chrysalis she’ll probably be okay. On the other hand, this is Industrial Revolution London, and there’s no telling what’s gonna jump out of the darkness.
Hitch: Yikes.
“Don’t bother… I’m the scariest thing in this entire cesspool. Just… do what Mrs. Lovett and Mr. Todd ask of you. I’ll be back.”
And so, she walked forward, peering behind her to the door to Sweeney’s shop. She found herself yearning for the man inside. Sighing heavily, she continued across the street as the shop faded from view. Toby looked on as the woman disappeared into the night, then proceeded to climb the stairs to address Mr. Todd.
Me: (gloating) Now, I’m no Princess of Love…but I totally called it!
Posey: “Called it?” What’s that all about?
Me: I had my suspicions, and now they’ve been confirmed: our changeling Chrysalis has fallen in love with our Demon Barber of Fleet Street: Sweeney Todd.
There was a collection of gasps from the audience.
Izzy: WHAAAT?!!!
Hitch: I…did not see that coming.
Pipp: Oh…my glitter. I knew it!
Sunny: (gasps) But…could this mean that she’ll be redeemed?
Me: No. I don’t think that’ll be the case.
Zipp: I mean…yeah, maybe she’s in love with Todd, but we’ve seen how the both of them still willingly help the other in murdering people.
Me: Honestly, what surprises me the most is that they’re relationship is actually genuine. Think about it: they’re genuinely kind and compliment each other, and there has been a believable progression of their relationship from the start of this movie. Though I had my suspicions, never did I ever predict that they would have a…sort of healthy relationship.
Zipp: (deadpan) Even after all the murdering?
Me: Which is why I said “sort of”. Honestly, right now I feel like running out the door or picking up the phone and screaming that I knew of my suspicions, but…(drinks) I don’t feel like embarrassing myself.
Amidst all the conversation in the shop upstairs, down below, Mrs. Lovett was alone at her pie-making station in the closed shop after telling Toby to see Todd. It was getting difficult to keep the ruse around Toby, but tonight she found herself staring at the floorboards of the upstairs shop. Mr. Todd and Ms. Chrysalis had been spending a lot of time together these past few days, and she could see their relationship had been increasingly personal as of late. Curse her luck…
True, the business was booming, but recently she found herself going through an unfortunate burnout phase. Money was pouring in from unsuspecting customers, yet it was missing a specific something that would make it all worthwhile.
Or rather, a specific ‘someone’.
In all her wildest dreams of retirement by the seaside, she dreamt of living a wonderful retirement life with the handsome Sweeney Todd, and possibly with little Toby for good measure. Chrysalis, however, was nowhere to be seen in those dreams. That insect popped out of nowhere while she had known Todd ever since he opened his store above her meat pie shop. What right did Chrysalis have to Todd when she was nothing but a parasite?
Lovett slammed her rolling pin on the counter.
Sunny: (jumps) Woah!
Pipp: Ooh…someone’s jealous~!
“She’s a right flea, she is,” She snarled. “Biting onto poor Mr. T at his most vulnerable state and now she’s sucking out his blood. No doubt, she’ll be rid ‘a him once she’s ‘ad ‘er fill ‘a him! She doesn’t even know him! She’s a harpy, that’s wot! She’s ensnared the poor bloke under her magic spell.”
She heard footsteps descending from the barbershop upstairs as the disguised Chrysalis walked out into the street, out of sight. Mrs. Lovett watched her movements from the main window of the shop. A burning fire raged hotter than her furnace built up inside at the mere sight of the disguised insect.
“Just you wait, Chryssi girl!” She hissed. “We’ll see ‘oo’s got the barber when all’s said and done!”
Hitch: Oh…no.
Izzy: Things just got a lot more…(under breath) jinxie!
Zipp: Would…would Todd still have become a serial killer even if Chrysalis wasn’t there?
Me: Yeah, he totally would’ve. (drinks) The only thing she gave him was a genuine companion who, unlike Lovett, found someone she could relate to other than his roguish handsomeness.
Back in the shop, Mr. Todd looked at the notes he had finished writing in his hand with a smirk plastered on his face. Finally, he was getting exactly what he wanted after waiting so long. He’d get his precious daughter back and finally put an end to the man who single-handedly ruined his entire life.
The sound of the bell ringing and the door closing caused Todd to look over as Toby entered the shop.
“Mr. T?” The young boy questioned.
“Do you know where the Old Baily is?” Sweeney asked him.
Sunny: The…what?
Me: Maybe that’s…the name of the Courthouse Turpin works in? (sighs) It’s really hard to keep track of the names of these old Victorian buildings.
“Oh, yes, sir,” Toby nodded. “Not that I ever been there—”
Sweeney quickly spun around and held out the folded note for the young boy.
“Take this there and seek out a Judge Turpin,” Todd instructed. “Repeat that… repeat that.”
“Go to the Old Bailey, find Judge Turpin,” Toby repeated.
“Put this into his hands,” Todd handed the letter. “Only to him. Do you understand?”
“Yes, sir,” Toby nodded. “And while I’m out do you mind if I stop by the grocer and pick up the—”
Todd pounced like a panther, he suddenly leapt up and grabbed Toby by the throat with shocking brutality.
“DON’T CHATTER, BOY!” Todd interrupted loudly. “You are not to stop! You are not to speak! You are to deliver this letter! DO YOU UNDERSTAND?!”
Toby was stunned and terrified. This was the first time he had seen this side of his friend, Mr. Todd. Seeing the cold and demented look on the barber’s face, Toby fearfully nodded his head.
“Yes, sir,” He replied quietly.
Hitch: Hey! Easy! He’s just a kid!
Pipp: Yeah, I mean he even offered to get them groceries! You had no reason to yell in his face like that.
Zipp: Oh…he’s just impatient to get the Judge in his shop.
Todd released him and the boy quickly turned heel and opened the door of the barber shop before shutting it quickly, running down the steps. With his plans now in action, Sweeney Todd made his way back over to the window and began pacing back and forth in anticipation like a caged animal, whispering to himself neurotically. He paced back and forth for hours on end as the sun set over the horizon and darkness enveloped London. One way or another, all of this was going to end tonight.
Me: Hoo, boy. Hopefully Anthony, Spike, and the girls are faring much better luck.
Zipp: (sarcasm) Yeah. Nothing’s ever going to go wrong now.
Later that night, after a lengthy walk mulling over the thoughts going around her head, Chrysalis walked down the street back to the front of the pie shop. She still hadn’t fully answered the questions floating around in her head, but with the sun having set she needed to return to the shop. Not only her, but at that moment, Toby too had finished running his errand and met with her at the door.
“Good evening, Miss Winters!” Toby greeted.
“Hello Toby,” Chrysalis replied.
“Are you alright, mum?”
“Of course, dear,” Chrysalis nodded in response. “Why do you ask?”
“It’s just you seem conflicted, mum. Like something’s troubling you, but you don’t know ‘ow to handle it.”
Me: Oh…that poor kid.
Sunny: All he’s doing is showing concern for Chrysalis.
Me: And that’s just it.
Chrysalis was honestly surprised at just how observant the child was and how he was able to deduce that from a single look. However, Chrysalis merely shook her head and gave the boy a fake smile.
“I assure you Toby, I’m quite alright,” Chrysalis told him. “Now let’s get inside quickly.”
Toby nodded in response and opened the door for Chrysalis to enter first, like the young gentleman he was. Chrysalis was making her way around the corner towards the stairs leading to the barber shop. She stopped when she spotted the boy’s face, quickly seeing how upset he was. She saw him look up toward the window above where Todd stood, unblinking, gazing like a falcon into the street no doubt. Chrysalis pondered if something happened between them and decided to go up the stairs to speak with Todd herself.
Meanwhile, Toby walked around the corner to Mrs. Lovett’s living space and noticed the woman in question snoozing away on her couch. Hearing the boy enter caused Mrs. Lovett to awaken and look over at him.
“Where you been, lad?” Mrs. Lovett asked tiredly. “We had quite the rush at dinner time. Me poor bones is ready to drop…”
Lovett stopped to take a better look at him, noting his dark expression.
“What is it, Toby?”
“Mr. Todd sent me on an errand…” Toby replied. “And on the way back, I went by the workhouse just to take a look.”
Toby walked over to Mrs. Lovett’s side as she lay on the couch and knelt down alongside her.
“And I was thinkin’…but for you I would be there now,” he spoke seriously.
“Hmm…” Mrs. Lovett grumbled tiredly.
“Or someplace worse,” Toby emphasized. “Seems like the Good Lord sent you for me.”
Sunny: Oh, that’s so sweet.
Zipp: If it weren’t for the skeletons in Lovett’s…(cringes)…bake house.
This caused Mrs. Lovett to give a small smile of appreciation.
“Oh, love, I feel quite the same way—” She responded.
At that moment, Chrysalis made her way back down the steps to speak to Mrs. Lovett herself. However, when she heard Toby talking with her, she slunk behind the wall to listen in.
“Hear me out, mum…” Toby spoke seriously. “You know there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you. Say, if there was someone around—someone bad? Only you didn’t know it—”
Mrs. Lovett turned her head in the boy’s direction with a curious look on her face.
“What is this?” Mrs. Lovett asked, concerned. “What are you talking about?”
Toby looked into Mrs. Lovett’s eyes seriously, expressing both his thanks and promise to her through song.
Toby (Sings): Nothing’s gonna harm you, Not while I’m around. Nothing gonna harm you, No, sir, Not while I’m around…
“What do you mean, ‘someone bad’?” Mrs. Lovett questioned him.
Toby (Sings): Demons are prowling Everywhere. Nowadays. I’ll send ‘em howling, I don’t care— I got ways.
“Darling, hush now,” Mrs. Lovett assured, laying back on the couch. “There’s no need for this…”
Me: Oh, that poor boy…
Hitch: This is…I don’t know what to say.
But Tony merely continued with his song…
Toby (Sings): No one’s gonna hurt you, No one’s gonna dare. Others can desert you— Not to worry— Whistle, I’ll be there. Demons’ll charm you With a smile For a while, But in time Nothing can harm you, Not while I’m around.
I looked over to the holographic memory of Alastor, who was smiling much too widely for his own good, and it was oozing a bountiful charm.
Me: (aside) Even though he was born and raised in the 20th Century, he seems at home in the 19th Century as well. I wonder if he ever looked up to Sweeney Todd.
As Chrysalis listened from her spot behind the wall, she leaned her back against the wall and slowly slid down to sit on the floor. The words this young boy sang, amidst all the emotions she’d been feeling through this excursion, finally caused the tears she tried so hard to keep in to slide down her face as she quietly wept.
She thought of Fire Fall, how he used to say something very similar to her about protecting her from the evils of the world. Such a naïve young pony, but she was so touched by his words… and she was so young herself once. All this served as a reminder of how much she had meant to this one pony, how much they loved one another… him promising that he’d always be there for her… forever.
Hitch: What’s up with her?
Sunny: She’s…conflicted.
Me: (aside) And we still don’t know what happened to Fire Fall.
However, she also thought of how this finally caused her to realize why her feelings were so conflicted. While she retained the memory of Fire Fall always within her heart and mind, she couldn’t help her growing feelings toward Sweeney Todd. All this time spent together these past months, the conversations they shared, it all resided now within her blackened heart.
Meanwhile, in the other room, Mrs. Lovett merely gave the boy a small smile.
“That’s nice dear,” She spoke, rising from the couch. “Now, what is all this foolishness now? What are you talking about?”
“Little things wot I’ve been thinking… about Mr. Todd…” Toby replied.
Pipp: Ooh…oh, yeah. Now it’s getting real.
Hitch: He has no idea how much danger he is in right now.
This sentence alone caused Mrs. Lovett to freeze in place, shock and concern spreading across her face. This certainly wasn’t going in a good direction at all.
Toby (Sings): Not to worry, not to worry, I may not be smart but I ain’t dumb. I can do it, Put me to it, Show me something I can overcome. Not to worry, mum.
Toby leaned into her, she put her arms around him, but her expression was deeply troubled. Whether she cared to admit it or not, Chrysalis was right: He was starting to catch on.
Toby (Sings): Being close and being clever Ain’t like being true, I don’t need to, I won’t never Hide a thing from you, Like some.
During the last note, Toby glanced up toward the ceiling where he knew the barbershop and the barber within resided. Mrs. Lovett, meanwhile, was trying to showcase her concern that the boy clearly knew something. But rather than panic, she nervously comforted him and attempted to get him off topic altogether.
“Now, Toby dear, haven’t we had enough of this foolish chatter?” Lovett asked, turning his gaze.
Sunny: That’s not right! It’s not foolish to show concern for your parent-figure!
She grabbed her small coin purse and reached in to pull out a single coin, which she held out to the boy.
“Here, how about I give you a shiny new penny and you can fetch us some nice toffees—?” Lovett suggested.
At first, Toby smiled at the very idea. However, that smile quickly vanished when he looked at the small Chatelaine purse in her hand. His eyes widened when he noticed that it looked very… familiar.
“That’s Signor Pirelli’s purse!” He gasped.
Hitch: (wide-eyed) Uh oh!
“No, no, love—” Mrs. Lovett replied nervously, eyeing the purse. “This is just something Mr. T gave me for my birthday—”
“See that proves it!” Toby exclaimed loudly. “What I been thinkin’! We’ve gotta go, mum, right now! We gotta find the Beadle and get the law here!”
Hitch: Look, I know the Beadle’s a very disgusting person, but what’s it gonna take for the police to take action for once?!
Me: (shrugs) Money?
Hitch: (cries into hooves)
Toby urgently pulled Lovett’s hand, trying to run out of the room. But Mrs. Lovett quickly pulled him down to her again, agitated yet proceeding to lead him back to the room as calmly as she could.
“Shh! Hush now, Toby, hush…” Lovett shushed him. “Hush lad, you’re not going anywhere. You just sit next to me nice and quiet… that’s right, right?”
She proceeded to lead the boy toward the couch, sitting him down next to her. She pulled him in close, holding him to her as she tried her hardest to keep things from escalating.
“How could you think such a thing of Mr. Todd?” Lovett asked, holding him close. “He’s been so good to us.”
Me: Great, now she’s gaslighting the poor boy.
Though she tried to put on a kind face for the boy, inside she was freaking out. This boy clearly wasn’t as dumb as they originally believed and right now, she needed to think of how to keep him quiet. For now, she tried calming him as she too began to sing.
Mrs. Lovett (Sings): Nothin’s gonna harm you, Not while I’m around. Nothing’s gonna harm you, darling, Not while I’m around.
Toby (Sings): Demons’ll charm you With a smile For a while, But in time Nothing’s gonna harm you, Not while I’m around.
The boy started to calm down a bit as Lovett held him… just as she came to a painful, dreadful decision. Concern and pain were as plain as the nose on her face. She seriously wished it wouldn’t have come to this; she truly loved the boy, like the son she never had. However, Chrysalis was right… he knows far too much. They couldn’t risk him alerting the law, even the thought of what they must do brought tears to her eyes. Just then, an idea popped into her head.
“Funny we should be having this little chat right now…” She spoke softly. “’Cause I was just thinkin’, you know how you’ve always fancied going into the bakehouse with me to help make the pies?”
“Yes, mum,” Toby nodded dreamily.
Zipp: (shocked) Oh, no. No no no no no no!
Sunny: No! Not there! Anywhere but there!
Hitch: There’s no telling how traumatized he’ll be down there!
Lovett quickly dried her eyes and turned him over to look at her.
“Well… no time like the present,” Mrs. Lovett smiled.
Mrs. Lovett stood back up and grabbed Toby by the hand, leading him away from the area. Hearing approaching footsteps, Chrysalis quickly snapped herself out of her sadness, got up to her feet, and tried to walk away quickly. However, she bumped her shin into a nearby drawer and grunted in pain from the impact. At that moment, Lovett and Toby walked out spotting her hunched over the drawer.
“You alright, dearie?” Mrs. Lovett asked her.
“I’m fine!” She groaned in response. “Wasn’t watching where I was going and bumped hard into this ‘stupid’ drawer! But… I’ll be alright.”
Me: Yeah, that happens to me a lot. (drinks)
“I’m taking Toby down to the bakehouse with me for a while,” Lovett informed her. “Would you mind keeping an eye on the place up ‘ere? Any customers come in, let ‘em know I’ll be with ‘em shortly.”
Chrysalis just nodded in response as Mrs. Lovett and Toby proceeded down the cellar stairs to the bakehouse. Chrysalis was about to walk away when she noticed something odd in the open drawer. Apparently, she bumped the drawer loose and she could see inside. Sliding the drawer open a tad, she noticed what appeared to be a small golden ring and an empty little vial inside.
Reaching in, Chrysalis first pulled out a ring. Examining it, she noticed a small inscription on the inside.
To my one and only Lucy…
Zipp: Wait…is that Todd’s wedding ring? What’s it doing in Lovett’s shop?
Izzy: Maybe she was going to sell it?
Zipp: Then she’d have done so by now.
Her eyes widened when she read the inscription. This belonged to Mr. Todd’s late wife. But why did Lovett have it hidden away? She quickly placed the ring into her dress and reached out for the vial. Popping the bottle open, she brought it to her nose and gave a small sniff. She was instantly met with a bitter yet very familiar odor.
“Arsenic…” She whispered.
She placed the vial in her dress too before quickly shutting the drawer back up and walked away. It was all too clear now Mrs. Lovett was hiding something. Why else would she have Mr. Todd’s wife’s ring and an empty bottle of arsenic? What was that woman up to?
Zipp: She knows something. Lovett was lying about something to do with Lucy.
Sunny: What would she know though?
Mrs. Lovett led Toby down the claustrophobic, long stairway toward the bakehouse. The stone walls of the corridor were very dark as no source of light entered the chamber.
“My heart bleeds for you haven’ to go up and down all these stairs!” Toby told Mrs. Lovett.
“Well, that’ll be your job now,” Mrs. Lovett replied.
“Yes, mum!”
Soon, she arrived at the heavy iron door to the bakehouse. A seismic rumble of the bake oven could be heard from within. She unbolted the large iron latch on the door and pulled it open, ushering Toby in. And they finally enter…
The Bakehouse, a macabre vision of Hell.
Me: This is so Tim Burton.
The roof hung low in this subterranean chamber. The grisly tools of her trade are scattered about the place: a large, stained chopping block; a meat grinder; buckets of questionable viscous liquid; cleavers and bone saws and meat hooks; wet sewer grates for the blood. A metal sheet, hinged at the top, had been attached to cover an opening in the wall: the mouth of the chute from the barber shop above.
And eeriest of all… the thundering roar of flame coming from a large industrial oven against one wall, like the fire of an iron dragon. Taking a sniff around the cavernous bakehouse, Toby could immediately smell the rancid smell of rotting meat.
Izzy: (scared) Uh…is it just me or does that furnace have a face?
Me: Yeah, it definitely looks that way. It’s in Tim Burton’s style.
“Coo, quite a stink, ain’t there?” Toby asked.
Mrs. Lovett had no response at first, as she walked toward the giant oven with Toby following close. She gestured to a grate off the side which led down into the sewers.
“You see those grates?” She asked. “They go right down to the sewers, and the whiffs come up, always a few rats gone home to Jesus down there.”
“So—where do I start?!” Toby asked anxiously.
She then walked over to the oven and unlocked the large latch to open it up, revealing a great burning fire within the thrumming oven.
Izzy: AHH!! (grips Sunny) FIRE!!!
Sunny: Izzy, it’s only the oven!
“Now this would be the bake over…” Mrs. Lovett instructed. “Ten dozen at a time. Always be sure the door is closed properly, like this.”
To demonstrate, she closed the large iron door of the oven and then re-locked the latch to keep it shut.
“Yes’m, always closed properly,” Toby repeated.
Lovett then led Toby to the corner of the room where the giant meat grinder stood stationary.
“And here’s the grinder…” Lovett demonstrated. “… You pop in the meat; give it a good grind and it comes out here.”
She proceeded to turn the large crank of the grinder to demonstrate how it works. A large amount of freshly ground meat emerged out the end.
Hitch: (gags, green) Is that…fresh?
Me: Most likely.
Hitch: *hurp*
“Now you try,” Lovett gestured.
Toby walked over and proceeded to follow the same steps Mrs. Lovett had told him.
“Good grind,” He grunted as he cranked. “Comes out there.”
“That’s me boy,” Mrs. Lovett replied, patting his shoulder. “Smoothly, smoothly—now I’ve got to pop upstairs, back in two shakes, all right?”
“Yes’m.”
Lovett began to go when he stopped her with a heartbreaking request:
“Do you think I might have a pie while I wait?” Toby asked innocently.
Izzy: No! No! Don’t eat the pies! They’re jinxie!
Mrs. Lovett turned to the poor boy standing at a rack of cooling pies.
“As many as you like, son,” Mrs. Lovett replied softly. “As many as you like…”
Mrs. Lovett made her way out of the bakehouse and sealed the large steel door behind her. She latched the door shut, locking Toby inside. She leaned back against the door at the very thought of what was happening hit her. Her face held a manner of sadness before being replaced by determination. She knew this had to be done… but she’d need help.
Zipp: She just locked him in there.
Sunny: (sad) Oh, poor Toby…
Pipp: He’s in for some trauma when he finds out…
Back with the Mane Six and Anthony, the group stood at the front door of the asylum preparing to put their plan into action. The girls were shackled together to look like they’ve been captured, while Spike was dressed like a prison guard bringing them in. Anthony was dressed as a fashionable wigmaker, or at least to give off the impression he was an apprentice just as Mr. Todd instructed.
“These chains are so uncomfortable,” Rainbow groaned, as the iron scrapped her skin.
“Hush now hun, it’ll only be fer a few minutes,” Applejack assured her. “Besides, ya weren’t complaining a while back when we tried experimenting.”
“That was rope, not chains,” Rainbow corrected.
Me: I did not need to hear that.
“Honestly, you two really need to stop talking about such things,” Rarity cringed in disgust.
“It’s great you two are together and making the shippers happy,” Pinkie nodded in agreement. “But I think most of them are getting tired of the innuendos. We don’t even have any M-Rated stories where we can get past the brief mentions.”
Me: NO!!! NO NO NO NO NO!!! I do NOT want to have any on screen sex displayed on the screen of MY CINEMA, when that stuff is better suited OFF-SCREEN and IN PRIVATE!!! I’D BE SHUT DOWN IF THAT EVER HAPPENS!!!
Pipp: (cringes, hooves covering face) That is an image I don’t want to see…
Hitch: I just want to keep whatever is left of my dignity.
Zipp: You stallions and your dignity.
Hitch: It’s very illegal to spy on po—people when they’re…having an intimate moment. And besides, I have respect.
“Girls, focus!” Twilight spoke up. “We’re here.”
Just then, the doors to the asylum opened up and a gangly looking balding man, dressed in a white lab coat, Mr. Fogg by name, stepped out.
“Can I help you?” He asked.
“Indeed you can, sir,” Anthony replied curtly. “My master is looking to create a new ensemble of wigs and I was hoping to gather some blonde hair for them.”
Mr. Fogg turned his attention to the group of young girls in shackles.
“What ‘bout them?” He questioned curiously.
“New girls being committed,” Spike replied, with a deep authoritative voice.
Sunny: Wow. He’s good.
I looked over to the holographic memories of Angel Dust and Gabby.
Me: Definitely a turn on.
Mr. Fogg leaned close to the girls who tried to back away as far as possible. The man was clearly a creep, they could smell that his breath reeked like kerosine. He smiled toothily at them.
“Strange looking ones these are,” He grinned. “But they’ll fit nicely in ‘ere. Especially the little blonde… never turn down more of my children.”
Hitch: I’m sorry: what did he just call them?!
Zipp: Oh, my—he disgusts me and we just met him!
He proceeded to hold the door open for them to enter. Anthony went first and the girls followed behind with Spike ‘pretending’ to forcibly lead them into the asylum. They followed Mr. Fogg through the twisted hallways of the asylum before eventually arriving at the holding cells.
It’s a cacophony of madness. The ragged inmates of the asylum are slammed together in a series of cramped cells, the low ceiling pressing them down. Anthony and the group walked past the cells with the odious Mr. Fogg, who carried a large pair of scissors.
Sunny: I don’t like this place.
Izzy: It’s full of voices that are jinxie!
“They’re just down this way,” Mr. Fogg said. “We’ll get you some nice blonde hair and then find a cell for these little pretties.”
“Thank you, sir,” Anthony replied, hiding his disgust. “This would certainly prove to be beneficial for both of us.”
“Oh yes, sir, I agree,” Mr. Fogg nodded. “It would be to our mutual interest to come to some arrangement in regard to my poor children’s hair.”
Pipp: Ugh…I don’t think those girls even shower, so there hair must be beyond disgusting!
Hitch: And beyond unsanitary!
As they passed each one of the cells, Mr. Fogg pointed out which cell held which inmates.
“Brunettes… redheads…”
They then stopped at the cell at the farthest end of the room and Mr. Fogg’s very creepy smile returned.
“I keep the blondes over here,” He spoke. “It was yellow hair you was looking for, sir?”
“Yes,” Anthony replied.
Fogg proceeded to unlock the door and pulled it open. When the door opened, all the blonde women scurried back, clearly terrified of Fogg. It was like they were trying to escape from a vicious monster. Anthony couldn’t help but feel great sympathy for these girls, even though many of them were demented. Regardless, no one should be terrorized in such a manner.
Outside the cell, Spike and the girls looked in, noting the horror within.
Hitch: Just…how does he treat those poor women to where they’re terrified of him?!
Sunny: I…don’t want to know.
“Sweet Celestia, those poor women are terrified beyond belief!” Rarity whispered in horror.
“This guy’s a nut job!” Rainbow whispered. “He should be the one locked up here.”
“I-I-I d-don’t want t-t-to b-be here anymore!” Fluttershy whimpered fearfully.
Anthony followed Fogg into the cell, trying to search for Johanna in the crowd of terrified blondes. Eventually, he spotted her sitting with her knees at her chest off to the side. She looked ragged and dirty from her time spent in this terrible place. She wore a filthy straitjacket, and was hunched like a feral animal, cowering in a corner of the cell. The young girl slowly looked up and into Anthony’s eyes. They immediately had a connection where she knew to work with him.
“That one there has the shade I need,” Anthony pointed to Johanna.
Zipp: Wh—why is she in a straightjacket? She wasn’t in one the last time we saw her.
Me: Something must have happened in the time since then.
Fogg went to fetch Johanna, as Anthony looked on.
“Come, child,” Mr. Fogg called to her.
However, Johanna refused to move from her spot. Mr. Fogg just once again smiled creepily as he walked over to Johanna and knelt down beside her.
“Smile for the gentleman and you shall have a sweetie,” He chuckled.
Johanna’s eyes shot wide when she saw Anthony, but she said nothing as Fogg prepared the scissors to cut the girl’s golden hair.
“Now, where shall I cut?”
CLICK!
Suddenly, before Fogg could react—Anthony pulled a revolver from his pocket and aimed it at the asylum director. The man quickly put his hands up in defense.
Me: And just like that, he’s a squealing coward without his power.
“Not another word, Mr. Fogg, or it will be your last,” Anthony threatened.
The young man quickly grabbed Johanna, pulled her close to him for protection, and pushed Fogg back into the cell. They slowly started to back out of the room.
“Now I leave you to the mercy of your… ‘children’.”
He swung the cell door shut, locking Fogg in. Mr. Fogg now found himself locked in with the blonde inmates. They slowly began to advance on him, menacingly like, likely to rip him limb from limb. Amidst the screaming rage of the blondes, Mr. Fogg screamed in agony.
Me: I think they tore him apart.
Sunny: (green) Can…that happen?
Me: Physically…yes it can.
Once safely back outside the cell, Twilight used her magic to pry the straitjacket off Johanna and she threw her arms around Anthony, bawling into his chest.
“I knew you’d come!” She bawled. “I’ve waited so long; I was starting to worry.”
Off the side, Twilight used her magic to pry the shackles off herself and her friends while Spike removed the guard uniform.
“It’s alright, Johanna,” Twilight assured, placing a hand on the girl’s shoulder. “We’re getting you out of here. We’ll make sure to get you somewhere safe.”
“Speaking of which, we better go before anyone catches us,” Spike spoke up.
Pipp: Good idea!
The group were about to turn and make their way out when a voice calling to them stopped the group.
“YOU THERE!”
Sunny: (gasps)
Hitch: Now what?!
They turned back to the cell as a blonde girl peeked through the viewing window.
“Gotta thank all of yer,” She sighed gratefully. “That man’s a monster in human skin! We has much fun with ‘im!”
Hitch: (groans uncomfortably)
Pipp: (rubbing his back, concerned) Oh, your poor stallion.
“Uh… no problem,” Rainbow replied awkwardly. “So, we got to go now. But you girls have your fun!”
“Wait a minute!” Twilight interrupted.
The lavender princess slowly crept over to the window for a closer look at the girl’s face. Though the corridor was only lit by a few torches, she could still trace out the girl’s face. The face of that Alice Winters girl they met at Mrs. Lovett’s shop when they first got here.
Izzy: Whaaaaat?! But…we just saw Chrysalis back at the shop, and yet…there she is…but she was just back there…and her—and she—and…arooo?!
“What you on about?” The girl replied. “My name’s not Alice, and it ain’t Winters neither. My name’s… Beatrice.”
Me: Oooooh…shit!
Sunny: That’s her disguise, right in front of them!
Zipp: The jig is up!
This caused Twilight to cock her head to the side in confusion. If this girl was named Beatrice, then who was the girl they had seen with Sweeney Todd? Perhaps a few more questions will help answer that.
“Do you by chance happen to have a sister?” Twilight asked the girl.
This just caused the mad girl to burst into a fit of mad laughter.
“No sisters I have.” Beatrice giggled madly. “Not even brothers. Was just me and my papa. A cruel man he was, always so mean. Until one day, I stopped him bein’ mean forever.”
Twilight internally could only imagine what exactly the girl meant by that statement. Then again, perhaps it was best she didn’t know.
Hitch: (looking sick) I…don’t want to know…
Sunny: Here! Have this. (hands his favorite flavor of smoothie)
Hitch: (drinks it) Oh…I feel so much better. Thanks, Sunny.
Sunny: (smiles) You’re welcome.
“How long have you been here?” She asked.
“Too long it’s been.” Beatrice replied with a wide eyed vacant stare. “Stopped countin’ after a year.”
This is what really caused Twilight to step back with wide eyes of horror on her face. How could it be possible that this girl could have been locked up here for a year and they saw her only a short while back?
Unless…
“We need to get back to the pie shop now!” Twilight said urgently.
Zipp: So…Chrysalis disguised into the first face she saw, which happened to be a wanted poster for a madwoman, and now they’ve found the actual woman she disguised into. (groans) It’s just one coincidence after another!
Me: And that’s why this feels so Shakespearean: once one thing goes wrong, the entire plot falls apart. Though, after everything we’ve seen, the ending is going to be very interesting indeed.
The skies of Victorian London, once full of clouds, welcomed a nice gentle breeze wafting over the air. While not the most ideal setting for a picnic, this was exactly how Mrs. Lovett, Mr. Todd, Toby, and even Chrysalis decided to spend the day. Three months went by since Mrs. Lovett’s pie shop reopened its door while the Mane Six and Spike had been on the run from the police. For now, the terrible trio and their young companion decided to take some time for themselves and just enjoy the day.
At least… that’s what Mrs. Lovett did.
The trio sat along a picnic blanket under an old oak tree along Hampstead Heath. To the naked eye, Mrs. Lovett and Sweeney Todd appeared to be like any other couple enjoying this fine day. The remains of a nice picnic lunch lay scattered about while Toby was flying a kite high into the sky off the distance. Mrs. Lovett smiled while watching happy couples moving about, dogs and kids running hither and yonder, military officers squiring their ladies, nurses with prams, and all other forms of life happening around them.
Meanwhile, Mr. Todd and Chrysalis sat near one another with stone cold looks on their faces. Todd was distinctively ill at ease, brooding the whole time. Three months went by and still they were no closer to either the Judge or the Beadle. All this weighed heavily on their minds despite the insistence to take a break.
Sunset Shimmer: Watching them out in the open in the park, somehow fills me with dread for some reason.
Postwar: Well, no one realize that they're killers, except for the ones watching this, so it's understandable that it would make you feel that way.
Ahsoka Tano: The same would be for the galaxy when no one realized Palpatine was the Sith Lord we were looking for until it was too late.
Mando: The true killers do not make their move when the time is right. I've seen it before.
“This is growing very tiring really fast,” Chrysalis grumbled. “How long are we expected to wait?”
“I wonder the same thing, my dear,” Sweeney responded lowly. “The seasons change yet my revenge is left untouched.”
Then Sweeney’s expression, while still cold and emotionless, also added something somber within those eyes just the same.
“The more days go by, the less I find myself missing my dear Johanna,” Todd admitted. “I’m beginning to lose hope of ever seeing her again.”
This caused Chrysalis to shift her direction to his, laying one hand atop his own. Sweeney slowly turned his head to look down at her hand before slowly turning back toward her eyes.
“Worry not, Mr. Todd,” Chrysalis assured him. “If it’s the last thing I do in this life, we’ll exact your revenge, and you’ll get your Johanna back. I stake my life on it.”
Sweeney just stared at the changeling-in-disguise for a few moments, as though contemplating something.
“How is it possible someone like you exists?” Todd asked lowly.
Postwar: Oh, don't tell me.
Sunset Shimmer: Are they...<gulp>...falling in love?
Everyone soon begins to feel a bit queasy in their stomachs.
“It’s not often in this world, or any world, to meet someone who you share so much in common with,” Sweeney explained. “We’ve had love stolen from us and we wish to exact revenge on those who wronged us. How is that possible?”
Chrysalis contemplated his question in her head. It certainly seemed coincidental they had both met with the same goals in mind.
“I suppose we just got lucky,” She shrugged.
Sweeney merely gave a slow nod before returning to his deep contemplative stare into space. All the while, Mrs. Lovett, who seemed to have chattered about the whole time, continued on.
“… We still got to keep an eye on household expenditure,” She spoke. “Which isn’t to say we couldn’t get some nice taxidermy animals to bring a touch of gentility to the place. You know, a boar’s head or two…”
Turning over to Mr. Todd at her side, her smile instantly vanished when she noticed he was paying absolutely no attention to her at all. In fact, Mrs. Lovett was rather turned off by his unresponsive behavior.
Leia Organa: Something tells me that woman has a very unhealthy obsession with him.
Postwar: Most folks are. Kind of like Sonic and Amy from the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise.
Sunset Shimmer: That's somewhat true, I mean she does have an obsession, but clearly nothing like that woman's.
“No doubt there is,” Chrysalis nodded. ‘One way or another, we’ll find it.”
Hearing the pair talk about Judge Turpin again, Mrs. Lovett rolled her eyes in annoyance.
“The bloody old Judge,” Lovett sighed. “Always harpin’ on about the bloody ol’ judge. We got a nice respectable business now, money coming in regular and – since we’re careful to pick and choose – only strangers and such like wot won’t be missed – who’s going to catch on?”
But no response emerged from Todd. As if massaging Todd’s neck wasn’t enough, next thing Chrysalis knew, much to her own annoyance, Mrs. Lovett started to break out in song while casually pecking him along the cheek.
Mrs. Lovett (Sings): Oooh, Mr. Todd! (Kiss) I’m so happy! (Kiss) I could (Kiss) Eat you up, I really could! You know what I’d like to do, Mr. Todd? (Kiss) What I dream (Kiss) If the business stays as good, Where I’d really like to go… (No response) In a year or so… (No response) Don’t you want to know?
“Of course,” Sweeney replied nonchalantly.
Mrs. Lovett (Sings): Do you really want to know?
“Yes, yes, I do, I do,” Sweeney answered, forcing a pained smile.
Mrs. Lovett leaned back comfortably, beginning to imagine a wonderful, domestic future…
“I’ve always had this dream of living at the seaside… I got a picture postcard from me Aunt Nettie once. Oh, it seems like such a grand place…”
Lovett briefly noted Toby flying his kite, a small smile upon her face.
“And all that fresh aquatic air’s bound to be good for the lad’s poxy lungs…” Lovett concluded softly.
Mrs. Lovett stared dreamily into the sky as she contemplated what the future could hold should business remain good as it was. Once more using her power, Chrysalis closed her eyes so she could channel this vision for herself.
Now everyone wonders what the woman might be thinking about.
Chrysalis’ glowing green eyes opened to embrace the vision. Looking around, she found herself standing on some beach somewhere in the English Channel. Turning to her left, she saw young Toby near the edge of the water throwing a ball in the air and a lot of other families playing on the beach. Only, the boy was not consumptively pale but rather overly rosy-cheeked in this fantasy. Even a recently built sandcastle stood nearby.
She then took notice of Sweeney Todd and Mrs. Lovett sitting in the exact same positions as in Hampstead Heath. Only now they are sitting on a blanket at the beach, with a nice picnic spread about. What really made Chrysalis chuckle was that Mr. Todd was wearing a long striped Victorian bathing suit, fashionable seaside bathing attire. Mrs. Lovett sat with her Dream Todd who, much like in the real world, sat there with the same dark vacant look on his face. There was just something unnatural about this settle, something vaguely unreal and stilted about the entire fantasy…
Seeing the scenario of which Mr. Todd was envisioned, Chrysalis couldn’t help but cringe at the whole scenario and how uncomfortable it was just to watch. Especially when Lovett was preparing to serve what appeared to be herring along the picnic blanket, as she sat with Toby beckoning Todd to join.
Next thing Chrysalis knew, she was standing on the English Channel boardwalk watching Mr. Todd, now in a nice white suite, strolling down the boardwalk with Mrs. Lovett, now wearing a striped pinkish red dress. She carried an umbrella while holding Todd’s arm, looking up at Mr. Todd with such adoration and longing while Mr. Todd maintained his cold look. An artificially lovely couple, like rotogravure magazine pictures. Toby ran along ahead of them like a son to them.
The next vision showed Mrs. Lovett and Todd reclining on comfortable deck chairs, a tray of tea and scones between them.
Soon Chrysalis saw Mrs. Lovett’s notion of a fashionable little seaside cottage, crushing in its bourgeois blandness. Lovett was making Toby try on a sweater, while Todd was writing a letter.
The vision is the transitioned as Chrysalis found herself standing in the dining room of that nice house by the seaside. Mr. Todd sat at the table, still with the same look on his face, along with some unnaturally jolly chums as Lovett carried a tray of goodies to the table.
Once more, everything transitioned and Chrysalis this time found herself standing in the midst of what looked like a seaside chapel. At the end of the aisle, Mr. Todd and Mrs. Lovett stood at the altar dressed for a wedding with a preacher officiating the ceremony. This being her fantasy, after all, Lovett wore white. Todd was in a constricting morning coat with a rakish top hat. Toby, the best man, looked on ‘proudly’. While Mrs. Lovett looked so happy and in love, Mr. Todd had a look on his face like he was being held hostage. When asked if he took Mrs. Lovett as his wife, the nod he gave was as forced as the kiss they shared.
Though all of this was merely a vision of what ‘could be’, Chrysalis couldn’t control the sneer over the scene taking place before her. She had absolutely no idea as to ‘why’ she was feeling it. She had held a groom hostage at a wedding before… so, why was she feeling jealous over this?
Thankfully, the vision was coming to an end. The last to be seen was Mrs. Lovett placing a plate of kippers on the table amidst a proper English breakfast. A guest stood, leaning against a wall, waiting to eat. A dark shape quickly moved past the guest – Todd – then the guest slid down the wall – a splash of blood on the wallpaper—
Back at the beach, Mrs. Lovett, Todd, and Toby sat comfortably watching an unnaturally gorgeous sunset. A picture postcard of a ‘happy’ family.
She threw her arms affectionately around her two men. Eventually the visions cut back to—
Everyone felt a bit very disgusted.
Galen Marek: Okay, now that is twisted.
C-3PO: Agreed, quite twisted indeed. *R2 beeps in agreement*
Mrs. Lovett sitting in the exact same position as Todd under the oak tree. A deadly silence filled the atmosphere. Her smile faded as she considered him. The grim, brooding reality so clear next to her lovely dream. Chrysalis watched Mrs. Lovett in silence, staring daggers toward the dreamy woman. She didn’t know ‘why’ she felt the way she was nor why it bothered her so much that Mrs. Lovett even cared for Mr. Todd. But she refused to stand idly by and let that vision come to pass. One way or another, she needed to figure out how to get Lovett out of the picture.
Postwar: And she's soon plotting revenge.
Sunset Shimmer: That's a first to see her wanting to put down a woman who wanted Sweeny Todd.
Galen Marek: Sometimes your enemies can be twisted.
Sunset Shimmer: You can say that again.
The next day, at the barber shop, Sweeney stood at his usual post by the large window, gazing intently down Fleet Street in contemplation. Chrysalis was sharpening the blades for when business picked up as she stood by his side.
“How do you figure we get the judge to come back?” Sweeney asked, keeping his gaze straight.
“If only I knew,” Chrysalis replied. “No doubt the man’s dead set against every returning again after that idiot boy barged in last time. Personally, you should have slit his stupid throat then and there.”
“Turpin or Anthony?” Sweeney questioned.
“… Both,” Chrysalis replied.
At that moment, the bell to the barber shop dinged as the door opened and Mrs. Lovett entered the shop with a tray of food. Neither Chrysalis nor Sweeney looked back to acknowledge her entering the room as they continued their business.
“Brought you both some breakfast,” She spoke, setting the tray down.
“If it’s more pies, I’m not eating unless those stupid ponies and that dragon are the filling,” Chrysalis replied coldly.
“’Fraid not dearie,” Mrs. Lovett shrugged. “Just simple farm fresh eggs and a dollop of lovely, clotted cream, only the best for…”
She stopped when she realized they weren’t even listening to her. Lovett’s heart sank seeing them at the window, especially Mr. Todd, who wore his obsession like a cloak. And yet, even as he just stared out the window, she couldn’t really look away.
Ahsoka Tano: That woman clearly has a bad obsession with him.
All: Agreed.
“Mr. T, might I ask you a question?” She asked.
“Mm?” Sweeney replied, not even turning.
“What did your Lucy look like?”
The question alone caused a sneer to appear on Sweeney’s face, as well as Chrysalis’s. How dare this woman had the audacity to ask such a question regarding his late wife? Although, if Mr. Todd was being completely honest, he couldn’t even answer the question. He could barely even remember. It seemed with time and everything that’s happened as of late, it was as though her memory had almost entirely faded save for a few minor details.
“You heard me…” Mrs. Lovett spoke, approaching his side. “Can’t really remember, can you?”
“She had yellow hair,” Sweeney replied, facing Chrysalis. “Much like yours, or rather your disguise.”
“Can you remember nothing else?” Chrysalis asked him.
This only caused Sweeney to turn back toward the window, returning the cold vacant stare to his face.
“You’ve got to leave all this behind you now,” Mrs. Lovett commented, leaning against Sweeney. “She’s gone… you keep looking down into the grave, you’re never gonna look up. And life will just pass right by… life is for the alive, my dear.”
Sweeney Todd did not answer, but even Chrysalis could tell what he was thinking.
“We could have a life, us two…” Mrs. Lovett continued. “Maybe not like I dreamed; maybe not like you remember… but we could get by.”
Everyone cringes at the so called flirtings.
Postwar: I am so glad the courting others had drastically changed over the past few hundred years.
After a long pause, Todd finally turned from the window almost as if to leave his demons behind. Lovett smiled quietly and held out her hand. She began to cross to him… SUDDENLY REVEALING--- the Gentleman! One of Todd’s past customers, standing right behind Mrs. Lovett, glaring at Todd, relentless and accusatory—blood pouring from his throat—a shocking vision like that of a horror movie—
All of a sudden, the sound of footsteps coming up the back stairs, followed by the ringing bell outside the shop, caused the group to turn their attention to the door. Mrs. Lovett remained standing, her hand out to Todd, as Anthony, along with the Mane Six and Spike, entered the shop absolutely exhausted.
Sunset Shimmer: Oh no, Twilight.
Ahsoka Tano: Too bad we can't warn them over what's happened.
Postwar: We can't intervene, that's the CA rules, it's called trying to maintain the world order. Then again, the villains tend to throw everything into disorder, so I don't know what to think anymore.
“Mr. Todd… Mrs. Lovett, mum…” Anthony called, sinking into the chair. “Seems I’ve not slept in a week – but it’s done—”
“What is it, Anthony?” Sweeney questioned.
“He has her locked in a madhouse,” Anthony told the man, solemnly.
Todd’s head snapped toward Anthony, riveted.
“You’ve found Johanna?” Sweeney questioned.
“Yes, Mr. Todd,” Twilight Sparkle nodded. “We followed them the night they took Johanna away and found her locked up behind iron bars.
“We wanted to get in and help her right away,” Rainbow Dash added. “But some p— ‘somebody’suggested we lie low since that jerk Turpin has us hunted down like dogs.”
“While we kept hidden, we’ve been working on trying to find a way in,” Rarity spoke up. “For all the good it’ll do – it’s impossible to get to her.”
Todd began pacing, like a tiger once more, his mind racing—
“A madhouse… a madhouse… where?” Todd muttered.
“Foggs Asylum,” Rarity answered. “We’ve circled it at least a dozen times and there’s hardly anyway in or out. What we know for sure is that this place she’s locked up in is like a fortress.”
Postwar: Wish they could've done the same for Arkham Asylum.
Sunset Shimmer: I know right, if they had better security, then all of Batman's enemies would never have escaped so easily.
Galen Marek: Given what you said, sounded like the current wardens are too overconfident in their abilities to keep the situation under control, when clearly things aren't.
“I’ve got him,” Todd smirked wickedly.
“Mr. Todd?” Anthony questioned curiously.
“We’ve got her…” Sweeney smiled, placing a hand on the boy’s shoulder. “Where do you suppose all the wigmakers of London go to obtain their human hair?”
The very question made Anthony and the Equestrians look at Mr. Todd both curiously and concerned by his manic look.
“I’m scared to ask, but… where?” Spike spoke up.
“Bedlam,” Sweeney replied with a smirk. “They get their hair from the lunatics at Bedlam—”
“How positively horrid!” Rarity gasped in shock.
“I don’t understand—” Anthony spoke confused.
Todd suddenly grabbed Anthony and hauled him up, holding him close, forehead-to-forehead, his whispered intensity truly disturbing as he stared right into the boy’s eyes.
“We shall set you up as a wigmaker’s apprentice in search of hair,” Sweeney explained. “That will gain you access, and then you will take her.”
“That’s… actually not a bad idea,” Twilight admitted.
“Yeah, well that gets ‘him’ in,” Rainbow pointed out. “What about us?”
“We could get Spike a guard’s uniform and he can pretend he’s bringing us in to be committed!” Twilight suggested.
“Oh, I don’t know,” Fluttershy said timidly. “What if something goes wrong? What if we actually end up locked up forever?”
Mando: That's why you need a perfectly executed plan before actually trying to break in.
Postwar: As well as a crew that won't stab you in the back or anything.
Mando: Don't worry. Learned my lesson to that a long time ago.
“Yippee!” Pinkie cheered excitedly. “This is just like playing pretend with Pound and Pumpkin back home. Except this time, we’re doing it for real. So exciting!”
“And you Anthony will not be deterred,” Todd spoke to Anthony. “You will slaughter the world, to bring her here.”
“Yes…” Anthony responded.
Mrs. Lovett and Mrs. Winters watched, troubled, as Todd embraced Anthony closely. He held him for what seemed like an eternity. Then Todd was all action, hurrying to collect some money and gave it to Anthony.
“Go and outfit yourself properly,” Todd instructed. “You are to be a gentlemen wigmaker. When you return, we shall dispatch a letter to Mr. Fogg announcing your arrival. Go – quickly now!”
“Mr. Todd…,” Anthony clasped Todd’s hand. “How can we ever--?”
“Go, quickly go!” Sweeney commanded.
Ben Solo: Why do I get the feeling that something will go wrong?
Postwar: Glad to see your instincts haven't failed you so far.
“I just wanted to say one thing to Mrs. Lovett,” Pinkie spoke.
“What’s that dearie?” Lovett asked curiosity.
Pinkie Pie approached the woman with a quizzical look on her face.
“A while back, when you reopened the shop, I managed to get ahold of one of your new pies. I brought it back with me, did a little digging… and I realized something very important…”
This information caused both Mrs. Lovett and Mr. Todd to go wide-eyed. Had she figured out the secret? If that were the case, this could all fall apart right here and now… just like Chrysalis said. Fortunately for them, and just as Chrysalis reached for a razor behind her… Pinkie Pie just smiled.
“You really made a much better pie this time around,” She smiled happily. “Granted none of us ate it, but it certainly looked and smelled much better than the last one. Did you use a new recipe or something?”
Mrs. Lovett released a breath of relief before regaining her composure and gave the party girl a small smile.
“You might say that…” She nodded. “We also found a better meat supply. What with business being good as it’s been, we’ve been able to afford better products.”
“A better meat supply, huh…” Pinkie nodded proudly. “Well good! I’m glad things are turning around for you. Guess you didn’t need my help after all.”
However, Applejack squinted her eyes at the woman suspiciously. Whether Pinkie Pie intended to or not, Applejack could tell from the woman’s responses that there was more to what she said than she was letting in. Not to mention she straight up lied about buying the meat. Something was definitely off, and somehow Applejack would find out the truth. But for now, they had other matters to focus on.
Sunset Shimmer: Glad to see Applejack can tell what was going on.
Postwar: And yet your counterpart didn't do the same thing since the whole Anon-a-miss fiasco.
Sunset Shimmer: *groans* Don't remind me.
Mr. Todd added an icy stare, begging her to try his patience. Rather than get into an argument with the man, Mrs. Lovett just huffed and exited the shop, going down the stairs outside the barber shop. She stopped, standing still for a moment, disturbed that Todd’s demons were again devouring him. She looked down and saw Toby washing the tables in the outdoor garden. The boy was truly serious about his work, vigorously scrubbing the tables with soap and water. She watched him for a moment and then continued down the steps.
“Toby… Mr. Todd requires you,” Mrs. Lovett spoke.
“Yes’m,” Toby nodded.
The boy made to go up the stairs, all while Lovett stood, deep in thought.
<>
Minutes prior, Mr. Todd formed a small, wicked smirk. By sheer coincidence, good fortune had smiled upon them, the perfect reward for all their hard work. Chrysalis, however, was not so sure.
“You know she won’t recognize you,” Chrysalis pointed out. “Even then, she won’t hesitate to run away with that boy and those ponies… and that Judge… surely he will kill to keep her for himself.”
Todd, however, gave her a sly smile.
“Don’t worry, my pet. I have a remedy for that, and you needn’t worry about the boy.”
From where he stood by the window, overlooking the street below, he moved toward the dresser at the back of the room. He took out a paper, quill, and inkwell then Todd immediately hurled himself into a chair and began writing a letter, his violent scrawl slashing across the page. Chrysalis looked over his shoulder as he wrote, watching with stunned eyes at the words he etched.
It was a message to Judge Turpin, detailing the exact points of Anthony’s plan to steal away Johanna and bring her to his shop. He even listed the names of all ‘seven’ members in the conspiracy, calling them ‘degenerate, filthy vagabonds and beggars who are nothing but trouble’. No doubt they would induce Johanna with some of their opium drugs and make her a harlot like themselves.
Even the disguised changeling was surprised at this plot. A complicated plot, one that could topple if one step does not go perfectly, but it would yield outstanding results. Using a special powder, Todd made sure the ink would not smear on the paper as he folded it into an envelope. He held it in front of her, like holding a trophy of great accomplishment.
“I’m going to send this to the Judge,” Todd explained. “He’s going to come here as quickly as he can…”
“And that’s where you’ll finally have your revenge!” Chrysalis finished with an evil grin. “And if we act swiftly, those meddlesome ponies will drink their own blood by my whim. Oh, I can just taste their flesh in a perfect pie, maybe with a side of stuffed dragon for dessert.”
“Yes!” The barber nodded. “And I can finally hold my daughter to me once again, and…”
Todd paused, slumping over the dress. Chrysalis watched the cracked reflection as he fumbled in his throat to find the right words. Something about his position was strikingly familiar, until she realized something from within. Her chest pounded with fierce emotion as her eyes became damp under her scrunching brow. Out of nowhere, she found herself placing her hands over Todd’s shoulders, giving him a comforting massage, which allowed him to eye his reflection dead straight.
“And I will never let her go again… not for anything,” He finished his deathly vow.
“It will be over soon,” Chrysalis reassured, with a nod. “We will win.”
Postwar: Until something goes wrong?
Sunset Shimmer: Murphy's law?
Postwar: Murphy's law.
Ahsoka Tano: Murphy's law?
Postwar: You know, anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.
That smooth voice brought enough force for her to stop in her stance. She knew he’d never once bring himself to harm her; yet there was a bubble of nervousness as she eyed the man. What was this feeling? Why was she, the Queen of the Changelings, the terror of Equestria, nervous about standing alone in front of a simple barber? Todd stood patiently still.
“You have no need to remain disguised here. There’s only us… and I’d like to look upon your true form.”
Reluctantly, Chrysalis shifted back to her true self. She was confused, thinking ‘why’ Todd would request this of her. Yet… not once had he ever treated her wrongly. Despite how and what she truly appeared to be, he remained respectful to her. Her eyes faltered briefly; her tongue tied.
“Why do you ask me to assume my true form?” Chrysalis asked, surprisingly hesitantly.
“I felt that… I need to tell you without looking at a mask.”
The changeling swallowed as a rising heat built around her face while something got caught in her throat. Was it so hard to understand she was… being complimented?
“Th—thank you,” She stammered.
“No,” Todd answered back. “I want to thank you.”
“Th-thank me? Why?”
How long had it been since any creature stood in front of her and, with pure genuine feeling, said ‘Thank you’? At least, not since she’d been exiled from her own kingdom, or even…
Since Fire Wall…
“You’ve been wonderful in helping me through this,” Sweeney Todd continued. “You taught me so much about how to properly execute my vengeance. But most of all, I thank you… for being there for me when no one else would. In this shithole of a world, you helped me bear it all. I am more than grateful for that too.”
‘Too much…’ Chrysalis thought. ‘This is all too much at once…’
Not even the Order gave her this much genuine support. Someone actually thankful for what she accomplished. Normally she’d feel pride over those words, and yet… that’s not how she felt now. Rather, she felt something else. But what was it? Why did her body suddenly become so weak to stand on? She’s not meant to be weak for anything… and yet it was a barber of all things. This was all so confusing, more so thanks to her species tendency to exert more extremeness in her emotions.
Small thumps were heard against the floorboards, and she realized they were tears falling from her own eyes. How was that possible? It shouldn’t be possible! How could she feel this way? After so long, why have they come back now? Why?
Everyone stared in surprise as they didn't see that one coming.
All: Whoa. *texted Arctic, asking him if he had expected that, same with BronyHunter*
The memories came flooding back into the forefront, ones she deeply repressed for so long, and the pain returned to her body. This excursion brought out the worst in her, and it hurt like no amount of pain before. She ran a hand over her forehead, against the blonde hair on her head, then turned back to Toby.
“I need to go for a walk through the city, to catch my breath,” Mrs. Winters explained to Toby.
“By yourself?” Toby asked, concerned.
“Don’t bother… I’m the scariest thing in this entire cesspool. Just… do what Mrs. Lovett and Mr. Todd ask of you. I’ll be back.”
And so, she walked forward, peering behind her to the door to Sweeney’s shop. She found herself yearning for the man inside. Sighing heavily, she continued across the street as the shop faded from view. Toby looked on as the woman disappeared into the night, then proceeded to climb the stairs to address Mr. Todd.
Postwar: And soon the plot thickens.
Ben Solo: Um...what's going to happen?
Leia Organa: I'll tell you when you're older, honey.
Amidst all the conversation in the shop upstairs, down below, Mrs. Lovett was alone at her pie-making station in the closed shop after telling Toby to see Todd. It was getting difficult to keep the ruse around Toby, but tonight she found herself staring at the floorboards of the upstairs shop. Mr. Todd and Ms. Chrysalis had been spending a lot of time together these past few days, and she could see their relationship had been increasingly personal as of late. Curse her luck…
True, the business was booming, but recently she found herself going through an unfortunate burnout phase. Money was pouring in from unsuspecting customers, yet it was missing a specific something that would make it all worthwhile.
Or rather, a specific ‘someone’.
In all her wildest dreams of retirement by the seaside, she dreamt of living a wonderful retirement life with the handsome Sweeney Todd, and possibly with little Toby for good measure. Chrysalis, however, was nowhere to be seen in those dreams. That insect popped out of nowhere while she had known Todd ever since he opened his store above her meat pie shop. What right did Chrysalis have to Todd when she was nothing but a parasite?
Lovett slammed her rolling pin on the counter.
“She’s a right flea, she is,” She snarled. “Biting onto poor Mr. T at his most vulnerable state and now she’s sucking out his blood. No doubt, she’ll be rid ‘a him once she’s ‘ad ‘er fill ‘a him! She doesn’t even know him! She’s a harpy, that’s wot! She’s ensnared the poor bloke under her magic spell.”
She heard footsteps descending from the barbershop upstairs as the disguised Chrysalis walked out into the street, out of sight. Mrs. Lovett watched her movements from the main window of the shop. A burning fire raged hotter than her furnace built up inside at the mere sight of the disguised insect.
“Just you wait, Chryssi girl!” She hissed. “We’ll see ‘oo’s got the barber when all’s said and done!”
Postwar: And cue the jealous lover.
Galen Marek: That's almost like watching Palpatine getting busy.
Ocellus: “If Princess Celestia doesn’t remember ever taking Fire Fall away and driving Chrysalis insane. Does that make her less guilty?”
Smolder: “I don’t know. That’s like saying Carrie White murdering her whole hometown and not remembering doing it. Therefore she gets the not guilty verdict. In a way, that’s like getting away with murder.”
Loona: [Texts on her phone]: “She did get away with murder, dipshit!”
Sandbar: “Look. I get where you are coming from. But there’s got to be a logical explanation to all this. I mean, c’mon! This is Princess Celestia we’re talking about! She’d never hurt a fly!”
Getting close to the end I believe. I can tell this rivalry for the affections of Mr. Todd is starting to heat up. I have to wonder how Crystalis will affect events.
Back in the shop, Mr. Todd looked at the notes he had finished writing in his hand with a smirk plastered on his face. Finally, he was getting exactly what he wanted after waiting so long. He’d get his precious daughter back and finally put an end to the man who single-handedly ruined his entire life.
The sound of the bell ringing and the door closing caused Todd to look over as Toby entered the shop.
“Mr. T?” The young boy questioned.
“Do you know where the Old Baily is?” Sweeney asked him.
“Oh, yes, sir,” Toby nodded. “Not that I ever been there—”
Sweeney quickly spun around and held out the folded note for the young boy.
“Take this there and seek out a Judge Turpin,” Todd instructed. “Repeat that… repeat that.”
“Go to the Old Bailey, find Judge Turpin,” Toby repeated.
“Put this into his hands,” Todd handed the letter. “Onlyto him. Do you understand?”
“Yes, sir,” Toby nodded. “And while I’m out do you mind if I stop by the grocer and pick up the—”
Todd pounced like a panther, he suddenly leapt up and grabbed Toby by the throat with shocking brutality.
“DON’T CHATTER, BOY!” Todd interrupted loudly. “You are not to stop! You are not to speak! You are to deliver this letter! DO YOU UNDERSTAND?!”
Sunset Shimmer: Wow...seeing him like that...kind of reminds me of myself.
Postwar: You mean where your temper gets the best of you whenever you get frustrated?
Sunset Shimmer: Yeah, pretty much.
Later that night, after a lengthy walk mulling over the thoughts going around her head, Chrysalis walked down the street back to the front of the pie shop. She still hadn’t fully answered the questions floating around in her head, but with the sun having set she needed to return to the shop. Not only her, but at that moment, Toby too had finished running his errand and met with her at the door.
“Good evening, Miss Winters!” Toby greeted.
“Hello Toby,” Chrysalis replied.
“Are you alright, mum?”
“Of course, dear,” Chrysalis nodded in response. “Why do you ask?”
“It’s just you seem conflicted, mum. Like something’s troubling you, but you don’t know ‘ow to handle it.”
Chrysalis was honestly surprised at just how observant the child was and how he was able to deduce that from a single look. However, Chrysalis merely shook her head and gave the boy a fake smile.
“I assure you Toby, I’m quite alright,” Chrysalis told him. “Now let’s get inside quickly.”
Leia Organa: You know for a boy his age, he's really smart.
Ahsoka Tano: Sometimes kids can surprise you in very unexpected ways. *smiles fondly and remembers her time with the Padawans when she first met them*.
Meanwhile, Toby walked around the corner to Mrs. Lovett’s living space and noticed the woman in question snoozing away on her couch. Hearing the boy enter caused Mrs. Lovett to awaken and look over at him.
“Where you been, lad?” Mrs. Lovett asked tiredly. “We had quite the rush at dinner time. Me poor bones is ready to drop…”
Lovett stopped to take a better look at him, noting his dark expression.
“What is it, Toby?”
“Mr. Todd sent me on an errand…” Toby replied. “And on the way back, I went by the workhouse just to take a look.”
Toby walked over to Mrs. Lovett’s side as she lay on the couch and knelt down alongside her.
“And I was thinkin’… but for you I would be there now,” He spoke seriously.
“Hmm…” Mrs. Lovett grumbled tiredly.
“Or someplace worse,” Toby emphasized. “Seems like the Good Lord sent you for me.”
This caused Mrs. Lovett to give a small smile of appreciation.
“Oh, love, I feel quite the same way—” She responded.
Sunset Shimmer: I can't help but feel sorry fo the boy.
Postwar: Evil tends to hide behind a mask, a feeling that I know very well.
At that moment, Chrysalis made her way back down the steps to speak to Mrs. Lovett herself. However, when she heard Toby talking with her, she slunk behind the wall to listen in.
“Hear me out, mum…” Toby spoke seriously. “You know there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you. Say, if there was someone around – someone bad? Only you didn’t know it—”
Mrs. Lovett turned her head in the boy’s direction with a curious look on her face.
“What is this?” Mrs. Lovett asked concerned. “What are you talking about?”
Toby looked into Mrs. Lovett’s eyes seriously, expressing both his thanks and promise to her through song.
As Chrysalis listened from her spot behind the wall, she leaned her back against the wall and slowly slid down to sit on the floor. The words this young boy sang, amidst all the emotions she’d been feeling through this excursion, finally caused the tears she tried so hard to keep in to slide down her face as she quietly wept.
She thought of Fire Fall, how he used to say something very similar to her about protecting her from the evils of the world. Such a naïve young pony, but she was so touched by his words… and she was so young herself once. All this served as a reminder of how much she had meant to this one pony, how much they loved one another… him promising that he’d always be there for her… forever.
However, she also thought of how this finally caused her to realize why her feelings were so conflicted. While she retained the memory of Fire Fall always within her heart and mind, she couldn’t help her growing feelings toward Sweeney Todd. All this time spent together these past months, the conversations they shared, it all resided now within her blackened heart.
Postwar: Oh Chrysalis...if only there was still hope for you. Stygian, Discord, Sunset, Starlight, Tempest, they were the only ones who gained a second chance. If only your heart was not tainted by darkness, you would've been saved.
Meanwhile, in the other room, Mrs. Lovett merely gave the boy a small smile.
“That’s nice dear,” She spoke, rising from the couch. “Now, what is all this foolishness now? What are you talking about?”
“Little things wot I’ve been thinking… about Mr. Todd…” Toby replied.
This sentence alone caused Mrs. Lovett to freeze in place, shock and concern spreading across her face. This certainly wasn’t going in a good direction at all.
Toby leaned into her, she put her arms around him, but her expression was deeply troubled. Whether she cared to admit it or not, Chrysalis was right: He was starting to catch on.
During the last note, Toby glanced up toward the ceiling where he knew the barbershop and the barber within resided. Mrs. Lovett, meanwhile, was trying to showcase her concern that the boy clearly knew something. But rather than panic, she nervously comforted him and attempted to get him off topic altogether.
“Now, Toby dear, haven’t we had enough of this foolish chatter?” Lovett asked, turning his gaze.
She grabbed her small coin purse and reached in to pull out a single coin, which she held out to the boy.
“Here, how about I give you a shiny new penny and you can fetch us some nice toffees--?” Lovett suggested.
At first, Toby smiled at the very idea. However, that smile quickly vanished when he looked at the small Chatelaine purse in her hand. His eyes widened when he noticed that it looked very… familiar.
“That’s Signor Pirelli’s purse!” He gasped.
“No, no, love –” Mrs. Lovett replied nervously, eyeing the purse. “This is just something Mr. T gave me for my birthday—”
“See that proves it!” Toby exclaimed loudly. “What I been thinkin’! We’ve gotta go, mum, right now! We gotta find the Beadle and get the law here!”
Mando: Seems the boy's caught on what's going on.
Galen Marek: If they don't kill him to keep him from spilling the secret that is.
Postwar: Most times killers are never limited to their targets, no matter what their gender or age.
“Shh! Hush now, Toby, hush…” Lovett shushed him. “Hush lad, you’re not going anywhere. You just sit next to me nice and quiet… that’s right, right?”
She proceeded to lead the boy toward the couch, sitting him down next to her. She pulled him in close, holding him to her as she tried her hardest to keep things from escalating.
“How could you think such a thing of Mr. Todd?” Lovett asked, holding him close. “He’s been so good to us.”
Though she tried to put on a kind face for the boy, inside she was freaking out. This boy clearly wasn’t as dumb as they originally believed and right now, she needed to think of how to keep him quiet. For now, she tried calming him as she too began to sing.
The boy started to calm down a bit as Lovett held him… just as she came to a painful, dreadful decision. Concern and pain were as plain as the nose on her face. She seriously wished it wouldn’t have come to this; she truly loved the boy, like the son she never had. However, Chrysalis was right… he knows far too much. They couldn’t risk him alerting the law, even the thought of what they must do brought tears to her eyes. Just then, an idea popped into her head.
“Funny we should be having this little chat right now…” She spoke softly. “’Cause I was just thinkin’, you know how you’ve always fancied going into the bakehouse with me to help make the pies?”
“Yes, mum,” Toby nodded dreamily.
Lovett quickly dried her eyes and turned him over to look at her.
“Well… no time like the present,” Mrs. Lovett smiled.
Postwar: And thus, the mask of kindness, wielded by the being of insanity, fools the young to follow like a bird with breadcrumbs.
Ahsoka Tano: Where do you come up with these things?
Postwar: Trust me Ahsoka, I've been asking myself the same question for years.
Reaching in, Chrysalis first pulled out a ring. Examining it, she noticed a small inscription on the inside.
To my one and only Lucy…
Her eyes widened when she read the inscription. This belonged to Mr. Todd’s late wife. But why did Lovett have it hidden away? She quickly placed the ring into her dress and reached out for the vial. Popping the bottle open, she brought it to her nose and gave a small sniff. She was instantly met with a bitter yet very familiar odor.
“Arsenic…” She whispered.
She placed the vial in her dress too before quickly shutting the drawer back up and walked away. It was all too clear now Mrs. Lovett was hiding something. Why else would she have Mr. Todd’s wife’s ring and an empty bottle of arsenic? What was that woman up to?
Sunset Shimmer: Wait...she knows something.
Galen Marek: You think she knows something about Sweeny Todd's wife?
Postwar: Only one way to find out. For there are only more questions than answers.
Mrs. Lovett led Toby down the claustrophobic, long stairway toward the bakehouse. The stone walls of the corridor were very dark as no source of light entered the chamber.
“My heart bleeds for you haven’ to go up and down all these stairs!” Toby told Mrs. Lovett.
“Well, that’ll be your job now,” Mrs. Lovett replied.
“Yes, mum!”
Soon, she arrived at the heavy iron door to the bakehouse. A seismic rumble of the bake oven could be heard from within. She unbolted the large iron latch on the door and pulled it open, ushering Toby in. And they finally enter…
The Bakehouse, a macabre vision of Hell.
The roof hung low in this subterranean chamber. The grisly tools of her trade are scattered about the place: a large, stained chopping block; a meat grinder; buckets of questionable viscous liquid; cleavers and bone saws and meat hooks; wet sewer grates for the blood. A metal sheet, hinged at the top, had been attached to cover an opening in the wall: the mouth of the chute from the barber shop above.
And eeriest of all… the thundering roar of flame coming from a large industrial oven against one wall, like the fire of an iron dragon. Taking a sniff around the cavernous bakehouse, Toby could immediately smell the rancid smell of rotting meat.
“Coo, quite a stink, ain’t there?” Toby asked.
Mrs. Lovett had no response at first, as she walked toward the giant oven with Toby following close. She gestured to a grate off the side which led down into the sewers.
“You see those grates?” She asked. “They go right down to the sewers, and the whiffs come up, always a few rats gone home to Jesus down there.”
“So – where do I start?!” Toby asked anxiously.
Sunset Shimmer: Wow, you weren't kidding.
Postwar: Told you so.
Back with the Mane Six and Anthony, the group stood at the front door of the asylum preparing to put their plan into action. The girls were shackled together to look like they’ve been captured, while Spike was dressed like a prison guard bringing them in. Anthony was dressed as a fashionable wigmaker, or at least to give off the impression he was an apprentice just as Mr. Todd instructed.
“These chains are so uncomfortable,” Rainbow groaned, as the iron scrapped her skin.
“Hush now hun, it’ll only be fer a few minutes,” Applejack assured her. “Besides, ya weren’t complaining a while back when we tried experimenting.”
“That was rope, not chains,” Rainbow corrected.
“Honestly, you two really need to stop talking about such things,” Rarity cringed in disgust.
“It’s great you two are together and making the shippers happy,” Pinkie nodded in agreement. “But I think most of them are getting tired of the innuendos. We don’t even have any M-Rated stories where we can get past the brief mentions.”
Sunset Shimmer: Why do they keep doing that?
Postwar: Someone's gotta try to do stress relief. Besides, doing that is common practice.
Sunset Shimmer: *smirks* And when was the last time you did something like that?
Postwar: *playfully* I could ask you the same thing?
Sunset ended up blushing and didn't want to think about that.
Just then, the doors to the asylum opened up and a gangly looking balding man, dressed in a white lab coat, Mr. Fogg by name, stepped out.
“Can I help you?” He asked.
“Indeed you can, sir,” Anthony replied curtly. “My master is looking to create a new ensemble of wigs and I was hoping to gather some blonde hair for them.”
Mr. Fogg turned his attention to the group of young girls in shackles.
“What ‘bout them?” He questioned curiously.
“New girls being committed,” Spike replied, with a deep authoritative voice.
Mr. Fogg leaned close to the girls who tried to back away as far as possible. The man was clearly a creep, they could smell that his breath reeked like kerosine. He smiled toothily at them.
“Strange looking ones these are,” He grinned. “But they’ll fit nicely in ‘ere. Especially the little blonde… never turn down more of my children.
Postwar: Yeah, for your own sick amusement.
Leia Organa: What are they going to do?
Postwar: Two words...sex, slave.
Everyone gasped at that, as they couldn't believe that they would do something like that.
Leia Organa: They seriously do that?!
Postwar: Trust me, they tried to do the same thing to me, even before my time with the CA group.
It’s a cacophony of madness. The ragged inmates of the asylum are slammed together in a series of cramped cells, the low ceiling pressing them down. Anthony and the group walked past the cells with the odious Mr. Fogg, who carried a large pair of scissors.
“They’re just down this way,” Mr. Fogg said. “We’ll get you some nice blonde hair and then find a cell for these little pretties.”
“Thank you, sir,” Anthony replied, hiding his disgust. “This would certainly prove to be beneficial for both of us.”
“Oh yes, sir, I agree,” Mr. Fogg nodded. “It would be to our mutual interest to come to some arrangement in regard to my poor children’s hair.”
As they passed each one of the cells, Mr. Fogg pointed out which cell held which inmates.
“Brunettes… redheads…”
They then stopped at the cell at the farthest end of the room and Mr. Fogg’s very creepy smile returned.
“I keep the blondes over here,” He spoke. “It was yellow hair you was looking for, sir?”
“Yes,” Anthony replied.
Fogg proceeded to unlock the door and pulled it open. When the door opened, all the blonde women scurried back, clearly terrified of Fogg. It was like they were trying to escape from a vicious monster. Anthony couldn’t help but feel great sympathy for these girls, even though many of them were demented. Regardless, no one should be terrorized in such a manner.
Outside the cell, Spike and the girls looked in noting the horror within.
“Sweet Celestia, those poor women are terrified beyond belief!” Rarity whispered in horror.
“This guy’s a nut job!” Rainbow whispered. “He should be the one locked up here.”
“I-I-I d-don’t want t-t-to b-be here anymore!” Fluttershy whimpered fearfully.
Everyone, minus Postwar, was shocked to see this.
Leia Organa: 3PO? Remind me to put up a bill for halting and shutting down all slavery and to bring it up for our next New Republic meeting.
C-3PO: At once Princess Leia.
“That one there has the shade I need,” Anthony pointed to Johanna.
Fogg went to fetch Johanna, as Anthony looked on.
“Come, child,” Mr. Fogg called to her.
However, Johanna refused to move from her spot. Mr. Fogg just once again smiled creepily as he walked over to Johanna and knelt down beside her.
“Smile for the gentleman and you shall have a sweetie,” He chuckled.
Johanna’s eyes shot wide when she saw Anthony, but she said nothing as Fogg prepared the scissors to cut the girl’s golden hair.
“Now, where shall I cut?”
CLICK!
Suddenly, before Fogg could react – Anthony pulled a revolver from his pocket and aimed it at the asylum director. The man quickly put his hands up in defense.
“Not another word, Mr. Fogg, or it will be your last,” Anthony threatened.
The young man quickly grabbed Johanna, pulled her close to him for protection, and pushed Fogg back into the cell. They slowly started to back out of the room.
“Now I leave you to the mercy of your… ‘children’.”
He swung the cell door shut, locking Fogg in. Mr. Fogg now found himself locked in with the blonde inmates. They slowly began to advance on him, menacingly like, likely to rip him limb from limb. Amidst the screaming rage of the blondes, Mr. Fogg screamed in agony. Once safely back outside the cell, Twilight used her magic to pry the straitjacket off Johanna and she threw her arms around Anthony, bawling into his chest.
Everyone, minus Postwar, cringes in disgust and tries to look away from the carnage happening.
They turned back to the cell as a blonde girl peeked through the viewing window.
“Gotta thank all of yer,” She sighed gratefully. “That man’s a monster in human skin! We has much fun with ‘im!”
“Uh… no problem,” Rainbow replied awkwardly. “So, we got to go now. But you girls have your fun!”
“Wait a minute!” Twilight interrupted.
The lavender princess slowly crept over to the window for a closer look at the girl’s face. Though the corridor was only lit by a few torches, she could still trace out the girl’s face. The face of that Alice Winters girl they met at Mrs. Lovett’s shop when they first got here.
“What you on about?” The girl replied. “My name’s not Alice, and it ain’t Winters neither. My name’s… Beatrice
This caused Twilight to cock her head to the side in confusion. If this girl was named Beatrice, then who was the girl they had seen with Sweeney Todd? Perhaps a few more questions will help answer that.
“Do you by chance happen to have a sister?” Twilight asked the girl.
This just caused the mad girl to burst into a fit of mad laughter.
“No sisters I have.” Beatrice giggled madly. “Not even brothers. Was just me and my papa. A cruel man he was, always so mean. Until one day, I stopped him bein’ mean forever.”
Twilight internally could only imagine what exactly the girl meant by that statement. Then again, perhaps it was best she didn’t know.
“How long have you been here?” She asked.
“Too long it’s been.” Beatrice replied with a wide eyed vacant stare. “Stopped count in’ after a year.”
This is what really caused Twilight to step back with wide eyes of horror on her face. How could it be possible that this girl could have been locked up here for a year and they saw her only a short while back?
Unless…
“We need to get back to the pie shop now!” Twilight said urgently.
Sunset Shimmer: Finally!! She figured it out!!
Postwar: But the question is, how will they handle it?
The climax is coming... But now the following are left to be answered:
Will our barbaric barber attain his bloody revenge? Will Judge Turpin meet his grisly demise? Will our Mane Heroes stop Mr. Todd and his murderous plot, or end up as the next pie flavors of the month? Will the budding love of Mr Todd and Ms Winters triumph in the face of Mrs Lovett's ambitions? Will Johanna and Anthony know peace and love at last? Will Toby discover the truth about his foster family? Will Pinkie enjoy pies, after learning the "secret Lovett recipe"?
And most of all....
Will Sweeney Todd be redeemed, or will he face pure justice?
Stay tuned for what might be (don't quote me on this)... the final act of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street!
The Equestrian Girls, Juniper and Arctic started to come back into the Theater Room going back to their seats. As they set their cups of water down and preparing themselves for what could possibly come.
The skies of Victorian London, once full of clouds, welcomed a nice gentle breeze wafting over the air. While not the most ideal setting for a picnic, this was exactly how Mrs. Lovett, Mr. Todd, Toby, and even Chrysalis decided to spend the day. Three months went by since Mrs. Lovett’s pie shop reopened its door while the Mane Six and Spike had been on the run from the police. For now, the terrible trio and their young companion decided to take some time for themselves and just enjoy the day.
At least… that’s what Mrs. Lovett did.
The trio sat along a picnic blanket under an old oak tree along Hampstead Heath. To the naked eye, Mrs. Lovett and Sweeney Todd appeared to be like any other couple enjoying this fine day. The remains of a nice picnic lunch lay scattered about while Toby was flying a kite high into the sky off in the distance. Mrs. Lovett smiled while watching happy couples moving about, dogs and kids running hither and yonder, military officers squiring their ladies, nurses with prams, and all other forms of life happening around them.
Meanwhile, Mr. Todd and Chrysalis sat near one another with stone cold looks on their faces. Todd was distinctively ill at ease, brooding the whole time. Three months went by and still they were no closer to either the Judge or the Beadle. All this weighed heavily on their minds despite the insistence to take a break.
“This is growing very tiring really fast,” Chrysalis grumbled. “How long are we expected to wait?”
Sci-Twi: Can’t expect things to go that quickly.
Arctic: Yeah, a serial killer waits for the perfect moment to strike. Patient is key.
“I wonder the same thing, my dear,” Sweeney responded lowly. “The seasons change yet my revenge is left untouched.”
Then Sweeney’s expression, while still cold and emotionless, also added something somber within those eyes just the same.
“The more days go by, the less I find myself missing my dear Johanna,” Todd admitted. “I’m beginning to lose hope of ever seeing her again.”
Rarity: I do feel sorry for him, but what would his daughter think of him if she found out what he did?
Applejack: Ah say she would be really terrified. While, the judge is no good varmit…However, if she found out that her father killed him, it wouldn’t be such a happy reunion.
This caused Chrysalis to shift her direction to his, laying one hand atop his own. Sweeney slowly turned his head to look down at her hand before slowly turning back toward her eyes.
“Worry not, Mr. Todd,” Chrysalis assured him. “If it’s the last thing I do in this life, we’ll exact your revenge, and you’ll get your Johanna back. I stake my life on it.”
Sweeney just stared at the changeling-in-disguise for a few moments, as though contemplating something.
“How is it possible someone like you exists?” Todd asked lowly.
“What do you mean?” Chrysalis responded.
“It’s not often in this world, or any world, to meet someone who you share so much in common with,” Sweeney explained. “We’ve had love stolen from us and we wish to exact revenge on those who wronged us. How is that possible?”
Chrysalis contemplated his question in her head. It certainly seemed coincidental they had both met with the same goals in mind.
“I suppose we just got lucky,” She shrugged.
Everyone was shocked and surprised by the moment that was happening.
Pinkie Pie: Wow, I didn’t expect that.
Rainbow Dash: Yeah, you can say that again.
Sweeney merely gave a slow nod before returning to his deep contemplative stare into space. All the while, Mrs. Lovett, who seemed to have chattered about the whole time, continued on.
“… We still got to keep an eye on household expenditure,” She spoke. “Which isn’t to say we couldn’t get some nice taxidermy animals to bring a touch of gentility to the place. You know, a boar’s head or two…”
Turning over to Mr. Todd at her side, her smile instantly vanished when she noticed he was paying absolutely no attention to her at all. In fact, Mrs. Lovett was rather turned off by his unresponsive behavior.
“Mr. T, are you listening to me?” She asked.
“Of course,” Sweeney responded uninterested.
“Then what did I just say?”
Sweeney seemed to ignore her entirely, as he turned his attention back to Chrysalis.
“There must be a way to the Judge!” He told her.
“No doubt there is,” Chrysalis nodded. ‘One way or another, we’ll find it.”
Hearing the pair talk about Judge Turpin again, Mrs. Lovett rolled her eyes in annoyance.
“The bloody old Judge,” Lovett sighed. “Always harpin’ on about the bloody ol’ judge. We got a nice respectable business now, money coming in regular and—since we’re careful to pick and choose—only strangers and such like wot won’t be missed—who’s going to catch on?”
Juniper: I wouldn’t push your luck just yet.
Sci-Twi: Yeah, you still have Toby to worry about. Sooner or later he’ll start to catch on even more about what’s happening
But no response emerged from Todd. As if massaging Todd’s neck wasn’t enough, next thing Chrysalis knew, much to her own annoyance, Mrs. Lovett started to break out in song while casually pecking him along the cheek.
Mrs. Lovett (Sings): Oooh, Mr. Todd! (Kiss) I’m so happy! (Kiss) I could (Kiss) Eat you up, I really could! You know what I’d like to do, Mr. Todd? (Kiss) What I dream (Kiss) If the business stays as good, Where I’d really like to go… (No response) In a year or so… (No response) Don’t you want to know?“Of course,” Sweeney replied nonchalantly.
Mrs. Lovett (Sings): Do you really want to know?
“Yes, yes, I do, I do,” Sweeney answered, forcing a pained smile.
Mrs. Lovett leaned back comfortably, beginning to imagine a wonderful, domestic future…
“I’ve always had this dream of living at the seaside… I got a picture postcard from me Aunt Nettie once. Oh, it seems like such a grand place…”
Lovett briefly noted Toby flying his kite, a small smile upon her face.
“And all that fresh aquatic air’s bound to be good for the lad’s poxy lungs…” Lovett concluded softly.
Mrs. Lovett stared dreamily into the sky as she contemplated what the future could hold should business remain good as it was. Once more using her power, Chrysalis closed her eyes so she could channel this vision for herself.
Chrysalis’ glowing green eyes opened to embrace the vision. Looking around, she found herself standing on some beach somewhere in the English Channel. Turning to her left, she saw young Toby near the edge of the water throwing a ball in the air and a lot of other families playing on the beach. Only, the boy was not consumptively pale but rather overly rosy-cheeked in this fantasy. Even a recently built sandcastle stood nearby.
She then took notice of Sweeney Todd and Mrs. Lovett sitting in the exact same positions as in Hampstead Heath. Only now they are sitting on a blanket at the beach, with a nice picnic spread about. What really made Chrysalis chuckle was that Mr. Todd was wearing a long striped Victorian bathing suit, fashionable seaside bathing attire. Mrs. Lovett sat with her Dream Todd who, much like in the real world, sat there with the same dark vacant look on his face. There was just something unnatural about this settlement, something vaguely unreal and stilted about the entire fantasy…
Mrs. Lovett (Sings): By the sea, Mr. Todd, That’s the life I covet; By the sea, Mr. Todd, Ooh, I know you’d love it! You and me, Mr. T., We could be alone In a house wot we’d almost own Down by the dea…
“Anything you say,” Todd grumbled.
Mrs. Lovett (Sings): Wouldn’t that be smashing?
Seeing the scenario in which Mr. Todd was envisioned, Chrysalis couldn’t help but cringe at the whole scenario and how uncomfortable it was just to watch. Especially when Lovett was preparing to serve what appeared to be herring along the picnic blanket, as she sat with Toby beckoning Todd to join.
Mrs. Lovett (Sings): With the sea at our gate, We’ll have kippered herring Wot have sum to us straight From the Straights of Bering. Every night IN THE KIP When we through our kippers, I’ll be there slippin’ off your Slippers By the sea… With the fishies splashing. By the sea… Wouldn’t that be smashing? Down by the sea—
Todd (Sings): Anything you say, Anything you say.
Next thing Chrysalis knew, she was standing on the English Channel boardwalk watching Mr. Todd, now in a nice white suit, strolling down the boardwalk with Mrs. Lovett, now wearing a striped pinkish red dress. She carried an umbrella while holding Todd’s arm, looking up at Mr. Todd with such adoration and longing while Mr. Todd maintained his cold look.
An artificially lovely couple, like rotogravure magazine pictures. Toby ran along ahead of them like a son to them.
Mrs. Lovett (Sings): I can see us waking, The breakers breaking, The seagulls squawking: Hoo! Hoo! I do me baking, Then I go walking With yoo-hoo… (Waves to Toby) Yoo-hoo…
The next vision showed Mrs. Lovett and Todd reclining on comfortable deck chairs, a tray of tea and scones between them.
Mrs. Lovett (Sings): I’ll warm me bones On the esplanade Have tea and scones With me gay young blade…
Soon Chrysalis saw Mrs. Lovett’s notion of a fashionable little seaside cottage, crushing in its bourgeois blandness. Lovett was making Toby try on a sweater, while Todd was writing a letter.
Mrs. Lovett (Sings): Then I’ll knit a sweater While you write a letter…
And then it’s back on the beach, where Lovett is cuddling beside Todd.
Mrs. Lovett (Sings coyly): Unless we got better To do-hoo…
Todd (Sings): Anything you say…
The vision is then transitioned as Chrysalis found herself standing in the dining room of that nice house by the seaside. Mr. Todd sat at the table, still with the same look on his face, along with some unnaturally jolly chums as Lovett carried a tray of goodies to the table.
Mrs. Lovett (Sings): Think how snug it’ll be Underneath our flannel When it’s just you and me And the English Channel… In our cozy retreat, Kept all neat and tidy, We’ll have chums over every Friday…
And… it was back to the beach…
Mrs. Lovett (Sings): By the sea…
Todd (Sings): Anything you say…
Toby pulled Mrs. Lovett over to examine his little sandcastle…
Mrs. Lovett (Sings): Don’tcha love the weather By the sea! We’ll grow old together By the sea side, (Beckons to Todd to join them) Hoo! Hoo! By the beautiful sea!
Eventually, Todd joined them. He knelt with Toby to help him work on the sandcastle, while retaining that cold stare. Mrs. Lovett stood, watching them, the picture of the doting mother.
Mrs. Lovett (Sings): It’ll be so quiet That who’ll come by it Except a seagull? Hoo! Hoo! We shouldn’t try it, Though till it’s legal, For two-hoo!
Once more, everything transitioned and Chrysalis this time found herself standing in the midst of what looked like a seaside chapel. At the end of the aisle, Mr. Todd and Mrs. Lovett stood at the altar dressed for a wedding with a preacher officiating the ceremony. This being her fantasy, after all, Lovett wore white. Todd was in a constricting morning coat with a rakish top hat. Toby, the best man, looked on ‘proudly’. While Mrs. Lovett looked so happy and in love, Mr. Todd had a look on his face like he was being held hostage. When asked if he took Mrs. Lovett as his wife, the nod he gave was as forced as the kiss they shared.
Mrs. Lovett (Sings): But a seaside wedding Could be devised, Me rumbled bedding Legitimized My eyelids’ll flutter, I’ll turn into butter, The moment I mutter “I do-hoo!”
Though all of this was merely a vision of what ‘could be’, Chrysalis couldn’t control the sneer over the scene taking place before her. She had absolutely no idea as to ‘why’ she was feeling it. She had held a groom hostage at a wedding before… so, why was she feeling jealous over this?
Thankfully, the vision was coming to an end. The last to be seen was Mrs. Lovett placing a plate of kippers on the table amidst a proper English breakfast. A guest stood, leaning against a wall, waiting to eat. A dark shape quickly moved past the guest—Todd—then the guest slid down the wall—a splash of blood on the wallpaper—
Mrs. Lovett (Sings): By the sea, in our next, We could share our kippers With the odd paying guest From the weekend trippers Have a nice sunny suite For the guest to rest in— Now and then, you could do the guest in—
Back at the beach, Mrs. Lovett, Todd, and Toby sat comfortably watching an unnaturally gorgeous sunset. A picture postcard of a ‘happy’ family.
Mrs. Lovett (Sings): Down by the sea. Married nice and proper, By the sea— Bring along your chopper To the seaside, Hoo! Hoo! By the beautiful sea!
She threw her arms affectionately around her two men. Eventually the visions cut back to—
Mrs. Lovett sitting in the exact same position as Todd under the oak tree. A deadly silence filled the atmosphere. Her smile faded as she considered him. The grim, brooding reality so clear next to her lovely dream. Chrysalis watched Mrs. Lovett in silence, staring daggers toward the dreamy woman. She didn’t know ‘why’ she felt the way she was nor why it bothered her so much that Mrs. Lovett even cared for Mr. Todd. But she refused to stand idly by and let that vision come to pass. One way or another, she needed to figure out how to get Lovett out of the picture.
Everyone couldn’t have have shivers and cringe a little bit seeing how obsessed Lovett was
Rainbow Dash: Man… she REALLY has it bad for him.
Arctic: I seen some obsessive lovers before..but man this is going way to far
Juniper: And, it seems like Chrysalis isn’t to found of it either
Fluttershy: Y-You think she is jealous? (She asked)
Rarity: It…certainly does seem that way, Fluttershy.
The next day, at the barber shop, Sweeney stood at his usual post by the large window, gazing intently down Fleet Street in contemplation. Chrysalis was sharpening the blades for when business picked up as she stood by his side.
“How do you figure we get the judge to come back?” Sweeney asked, keeping his gaze straight.
“If only I knew,” Chrysalis replied. “No doubt the man’s dead set against ever returning again after that idiot boy barged in last time. Personally, you should have slit his stupid throat then and there.”
“Turpin or Anthony?” Sweeney questioned.
“… Both,” Chrysalis replied.
Fluttershy: O-Oh no..(she said worried)
At that moment, the bell to the barber shop dinged as the door opened and Mrs. Lovett entered the shop with a tray of food. Neither Chrysalis nor Sweeney looked back to acknowledge her entering the room as they continued their business.
“Brought you both some breakfast,” She spoke, setting the tray down.
“If it’s more pies, I’m not eating unless those stupid ponies and that dragon are the filling,” Chrysalis replied coldly.
“‘Fraid not dearie,” Mrs. Lovett shrugged. “Just simple farm fresh eggs and a dollop of lovely, clotted cream, only the best for…”
She stopped when she realized they weren’t even listening to her. Lovett’s heart sank seeing them at the window, especially Mr. Todd, who wore his obsession like a cloak. And yet, even as he just stared out the window, she couldn’t really look away.
“Mr. T, might I ask you a question?” She asked.
“Mm?” Sweeney replied, not even turning.
“What did your Lucy look like?”
The question alone caused a sneer to appear on Sweeney’s face, as well as Chrysalis’s. How dare this woman have the audacity to ask such a question regarding his late wife? Although, if Mr. Todd was being completely honest, he couldn’t even answer the question. He could barely even remember. It seemed with time and everything that’s happened as of late, it was as though her memory had almost entirely faded save for a few minor details.
“You heard me…” Mrs. Lovett spoke, approaching his side. “Can’t really remember, can you?”
“She had yellow hair,” Sweeney replied, facing Chrysalis. “Much like yours, or rather your disguise.”
“Can you remember nothing else?” Chrysalis asked him.
This only caused Sweeney to turn back toward the window, returning the cold vacant stare to his face.
“You’ve got to leave all this behind you now,” Mrs. Lovett commented, leaning against Sweeney. “She’s gone… you keep looking down into the grave, you’re never gonna look up. And life will just pass right by… life is for the alive, my dear.”
Arctic: Man…she’s REALLY trying to pushing it.
Sweeney Todd did not answer, but even Chrysalis could tell what he was thinking.
“We could have a life, us two…” Mrs. Lovett continued. “Maybe not like I dreamed; maybe not like you remember… but we could get by.”
Behind their backs, an angry look came to Chrysalis’s face as she stared at Lovett leaning against Mr. Todd.
“Come away from the window,” Mrs. Lovett instructed.
After a long pause, Todd finally turned from the window almost as if to leave his demons behind. Lovett smiled quietly and held out her hand. She began to cross to him… SUDDENLY REVEALING—the Gentleman! One of Todd’s past customers, standing right behind Mrs. Lovett, glaring at Todd, relentless and accusatory—blood pouring from his throat—a shocking vision like that of a horror movie—
Everyone let out a loud series of gasps and horror witting what just happened
Arctic and Rainbow Dash: WHAT THE HECK?!
“Mr. Todd… Mrs. Lovett, mum…” Anthony called, sinking into the chair. “Seems I’ve not slept in a week—but it’s done—”
“What is it, Anthony?” Sweeney questioned.
“He has her locked in a madhouse,” Anthony told the man, solemnly.
Todd’s head snapped toward Anthony, riveted.
“You’ve found Johanna?” Sweeney questioned.
“Yes, Mr. Todd,” Twilight Sparkle nodded. “We followed them the night they took Johanna away and found her locked up behind iron bars.
“We wanted to get in and help her right away,” Rainbow Dash added. “But some p—‘somebody’ suggested we lie low since that jerk Turpin has us hunted down like dogs.”
“While we kept hidden, we’ve been working on trying to find a way in,” Rarity spoke up. “For all the good it’ll do—it’s impossible to get to her.”
Todd began pacing, like a tiger once more, his mind racing—
“A madhouse… a madhouse… where?” Todd muttered.
“Foggs Asylum,” Rarity answered. “We’ve circled it at least a dozen times and there’s hardly any way in or out. What we know for sure is that this place she’s locked up in is like a fortress.”
Once they finished explaining the story, the group faded to a brooding silence as Todd kept pacing, thinking… thinking. Mrs. Lovett and Mrs. Winters watched him, concerned. Todd suddenly stopped… an invisible lightbulb went off in his mind as he knew exactly what was needed to get them into the asylum. Not only that, but the perfect method to get Turpin to him. He started to settle into an inspired form of calm, as if he could finally see the Promised Land.
“I’ve got him,” Todd smirked wickedly.
Fluttershy: O-Oh no…(she said worried)
“Mr. Todd?” Anthony questioned curiously.
“We’ve got her…” Sweeney smiled, placing a hand on the boy’s shoulder.“Where do you suppose all the wigmakers of London go to obtain their human hair?”
The very question made Anthony and the Equestrians look at Mr. Todd both curiously and concerned by his manic look.
“I’m scared to ask, but… where?” Spike spoke up.
“Bedlam,” Sweeney replied with a smirk. “They get their hair from the lunatics at Bedlam—”
“How positively horrid!” Rarity gasped in shock.
Rarity: That’s absolutely horrible! (She said in shock and horror)
“I don’t understand—” Anthony spoke, confused.
Todd suddenly grabbed Anthony and hauled him up, holding him close, forehead-to-forehead, his whispered intensity truly disturbing as he stared right into the boy’s eyes.
“We shall set you up as a wigmaker’s apprentice in search of hair,” Sweeney explained. “That will gain you access, and then you will take her.”
“That’s… actually not a bad idea,” Twilight admitted.
“Yeah, well that gets ‘him’ in,” Rainbow pointed out. “What about us?”
“We could get Spike a guard’s uniform and he can pretend he’s bringing us in to be committed!” Twilight suggested.
“Oh, I don’t know,” Fluttershy said timidly. “What if something goes wrong? What if we actually end up locked up forever?”
“That won’t ever happen,” Twilight assured, quietly. “We’re only not using magic to blend in at the moment. But if something goes wrong, we can just use it to teleport us out.”
Sci-Twi: At least they have a escape plan ready just in case things go bad
Juniper: It’s always a good idea to have one in mind, just in case things go bad
“And you Anthony will not be deterred,” Todd spoke to Anthony. “You will slaughter the world, to bring her here.”
“Yes…” Anthony responded.
Mrs. Lovett and Mrs. Winters watched, troubled, as Todd embraced Anthony closely. He held him for what seemed like an eternity. Then Todd was all action, hurrying to collect some money and gave it to Anthony.
“Go and outfit yourself properly,” Todd instructed. “You are to be a gentlemen wigmaker. When you return, we shall dispatch a letter to Mr. Fogg announcing your arrival. Go—quickly now!”
“Mr. Todd…,” Anthony clasped Todd’s hand. “How can we ever—?”
“Go, quickly go!” Sweeney commanded.
Anthony and the Equestrian group turned quickly to hurry out of the shop. However, before leaving, Pinkie Pie skidded to a halt and turned around toward Mrs. Lovett. Which did not go unnoticed as Applejack turned back.
“What’re ya doin’ sugarcube?” Applejack asked her.
“I just wanted to say one thing to Mrs. Lovett,” Pinkie spoke.
“What’s that dearie?” Lovett asked, curiously.
Pinkie Pie approached the woman with a quizzical look on her face.
“A while back, when you reopened the shop, I managed to get a hold of one of your new pies. I brought it back with me, did a little digging… and I realized something very important…”
Everyone froze up a bit hearing what Pinkie had just said
Arctic: Oh no…please tell me that she didn’t eat it?
This information caused both Mrs. Lovett and Mr. Todd to go wide-eyed. Had she figured out the secret? If that were the case, this could all fall apart right here and now… just like Chrysalis said. Fortunately for them, and just as Chrysalis reached for a razor behind her… Pinkie Pie just smiled.
“You really made a much better pie this time around,” She smiled happily. “Granted none of us ate it, but it certainly looked and smelled much better than the last one. Did you use a new recipe or something?”
Sighs of relief were heard throughout the audience
Arctic: Oh thank goodness, no one ate it.
Fluttershy: T-That’s a good thing..
Mrs. Lovett released a breath of relief before regaining her composure and gave the party girl a small smile.
“You might say that…” She nodded. “We also found a better meat supply. What with business being good as it’s been, we’ve been able to afford better products.”
“A better meat supply, huh…” Pinkie nodded proudly. “Well good! I’m glad things are turning around for you. Guess you didn’t need my help after all.”
However, Applejack squinted her eyes at the woman suspiciously. Whether Pinkie Pie intended to or not, Applejack could tell from the woman’s responses that there was more to what she said than she was letting in. Not to mention she straight up lied about buying the meat. Something was definitely off, and somehow Applejack would find out the truth. But for now, they had other matters to focus on.
Juniper: Seems like she knows that she’s lying about what she saying..
Sci-Twi: She can lie about it to a lot of people, but can’t hide the truth from Applejack
“Thank goodness for that,” Mrs. Lovett said thankfully. “Dear, I wonder if—”
“Fetch the boy,” Mr. Todd ordered.
Lovett spun around to face the manic barber with a worried look.
“Don’t you think it’s time you leave the boy alone?” She asked.
“Fetch… the boy!”
Mr. Todd added an icy stare, begging her to try his patience. Rather than get into an argument with the man, Mrs. Lovett just huffed and exited the shop, going down the stairs outside the barber shop. She stopped, standing still for a moment, disturbed that Todd’s demons were again devouring him. She looked down and saw Toby washing the tables in the outdoor garden. The boy was truly serious about his work, vigorously scrubbing the tables with soap and water. She watched him for a moment and then continued down the steps.
“Toby… Mr. Todd requires you,” Mrs. Lovett spoke.
“Yes’m,” Toby nodded.
The boy made to go up the stairs, all while Lovett stood, deep in thought.
Fluttershy: O-Oh no, what is he planning on doing? (She asked worried)
Arctic: Hopefully, nothing bad that would put Toby in danger (he said to Fluttershy with some hope in his voice)
I smiled with satisfaction at the scene of Mr. Fogg receiving his karma from the same women he tortured and tormented. The punishment really fits the crime.
Minutes prior, Mr. Todd formed a small, wicked smirk. By sheer coincidence, good fortune had smiled upon them, the perfect reward for all their hard work. Chrysalis, however, was not so sure.
“You know she won’t recognize you,” Chrysalis pointed out. “Even then, she won’t hesitate to run away with that boy and those ponies… and that Judge… surely he will kill to keep her for himself.”
Applejack: Hate to say it, but she might be right…
Sci-Twi: it has been years since she saw her real father, and like Chrysalis said she could run away with Anthony
Todd, however, gave her a sly smile.
“Don’t worry, my pet. I have a remedy for that, and you needn’t worry about the boy.”
From where he stood by the window, overlooking the street below, he moved toward the dresser at the back of the room. He took out a paper, quill, and inkwell then Todd immediately hurled himself into a chair and began writing a letter, his violent scrawl slashing across the page. Chrysalis looked over his shoulder as he wrote, watching with stunned eyes at the words he etched.
It was a message to Judge Turpin, detailing the exact points of Anthony’s plan to steal away Johanna and bring her to his shop. He even listed the names of all ‘seven’ members in the conspiracy, calling them ‘degenerate, filthy vagabonds and beggars who are nothing but trouble’. No doubt they would induce Johanna with some of their opium drugs and make her a harlot like themselves.
A series of gasps and shocked were heard seeing what Todd was planning
Rainbow Dash: His ratting them out?! The heck man! They’re trying to save your daughter and this is how you repay them?!
Arctic: He fears of losing her… and making sure that he won’t ever let that happen again.
Even the disguised changeling was surprised at this plot. A complicated plot, one that could topple if one step does not go perfectly, but it would yield outstanding results. Using a special powder, Todd made sure the ink would not smear on the paper as he folded it into an envelope. He held it in front of her, like holding a trophy of great accomplishment.
“I’m going to send this to the Judge,” Todd explained. “He’s going to come here as quickly as he can…”
“And that’s where you’ll finally have your revenge!” Chrysalis finished with an evil grin. “And if we act swiftly, those meddlesome ponies will drink their own blood by my whim. Oh, I can just taste their flesh in a perfect pie, maybe with a side of stuffed dragon for dessert.”
The Equestrian Girls and Juniper started to feel green thinking about seeing that happening again
Arctic: (felt a little bit sick himself)
“Yes!” The barber nodded. “And I can finally hold my daughter to me once again, and…”
Todd paused, slumping over the dress. Chrysalis watched the cracked reflection as he fumbled in his throat to find the right words. Something about his position was strikingly familiar, until she realized something from within. Her chest pounded with fierce emotion as her eyes became damp under her scrunching brow. Out of nowhere, she found herself placing her hands over Todd’s shoulders, giving him a comforting massage, which allowed him to eye his reflection dead straight.
“And I will never let her go again… not for anything,” He finished his deathly vow.
Rarity: I do feel bad for the poor man… he just wants to be with his daughter again.
“It will be over soon,” Chrysalis reassured, with a nod. “We will win.”
She headed for the door of the shop, only to be pulled back by the pale yet firm hand of Sweeney Todd.
“Wait…” He spoke, calmly letting go. “There’s something I must tell you.”
That smooth voice brought enough force for her to stop in her stance. She knew he’d never once bring himself to harm her; yet there was a bubble of nervousness as she eyed the man. What was this feeling? Why was she, the Queen of the Changelings, the terror of Equestria, nervous about standing alone in front of a simple barber? Todd stood patiently still.
“You have no need to remain disguised here. There’s only us… and I’d like to look upon your true form.”
Reluctantly, Chrysalis shifted back to her true self. She was confused, thinking ‘why’ Todd would request this of her. Yet… not once had he ever treated her wrongly. Despite how and what she truly appeared to be, he remained respectful to her. Her eyes faltered briefly; her tongue tied.
“Why do you ask me to assume my true form?” Chrysalis asked, surprisingly hesitantly.
“I felt that… I need to tell you without looking at a mask.”
The changeling swallowed as a rising heat built around her face while something got caught in her throat. Was it so hard to understand she was… being complimented?
“Th—thank you,” She stammered.
“No,” Todd answered back. “I want to thank you.”
“Th-thank me? Why?”
How long had it been since any creature stood in front of her and, with pure genuine feeling, said ‘Thank you’? At least, not since she’d been exiled from her own kingdom, or even…
Since Fire Wall…
“You’ve been wonderful in helping me through this,” Sweeney Todd continued. “You taught me so much about how to properly execute my vengeance. But most of all, I thank you… for being there for me when no one else would. In this shithole of a world, you helped me bear it all. I am more than grateful for that too.”
‘Too much…’ Chrysalis thought. ‘This is all too much at once…’
Not even the Order gave her this much genuine support. Someone actually thankful for what she accomplished. Normally she’d feel pride over those words, and yet… that’s not how she felt now. Rather, she felt something else. But what was it? Why did her body suddenly become so weak to stand on? She’s not meant to be weak for anything… and yet it was a barber of all things. This was all so confusing, more so thanks to her species tendency to exert more extremeness in her emotions.
Small thumps were heard against the floorboards, and she realized they were tears falling from her own eyes. How was that possible? It shouldn’t be possible! How could she feel this way? After so long, why have they come back now? Why?
Arctic and everyone else were surprised by this. Seeing this heart to heart moment between the two of them. And, seeing the reaction Chrysalis was having
Arctic: I… didn’t expect this at all. (He mentioned and sees this message from Postwar asking about if he had expected that)
“I… I need to go!” Chrysalis exclaimed.
Before Todd could say anything, Chrysalis hurried outside the barber shop, shifting back to Alice Winters, and ran down the stairs passing a confused Toby.
“Mrs. Winters!” Toby called out.
But Chrysalis… no, ‘Alice Winters’ didn’t turn to answer. Down in the outdoor seating, she paused to collect herself. Somehow, despite the impossibility, her heart ached for the attention of something specific and yearning to be together with another, even after a millennium swearing off ‘love’ for another.
The memories came flooding back into the forefront, ones she deeply repressed for so long, and the pain returned to her body. This excursion brought out the worst in her, and it hurt like no amount of pain before. She ran a hand over her forehead, against the blonde hair on her head, then turned back to Toby.
“I need to go for a walk through the city, to catch my breath,” Mrs. Winters explained to Toby.
“By yourself?” Toby asked, concerned.
“Don’t bother… I’m the scariest thing in this entire cesspool. Just… do what Mrs. Lovett and Mr. Todd ask of you. I’ll be back.”
And so, she walked forward, peering behind her to the door to Sweeney’s shop. She found herself yearning for the man inside. Sighing heavily, she continued across the street as the shop faded from view. Toby looked on as the woman disappeared into the night, then proceeded to climb the stairs to address Mr. Todd.
Sci-Twi: She’s feeling so many emotions at once.. and now starting to fall for Todd
Juniper: I didn’t expect that either…though I’m wondering how this will affect her?
Fluttershy: M-Maybe she will change? (She asked with a little hope)
Arctic: I’m.. not sure Fluttershy
Amidst all the conversation in the shop upstairs, down below, Mrs. Lovett was alone at her pie-making station in the closed shop after telling Toby to see Todd. It was getting difficult to keep the ruse around Toby, but tonight she found herself staring at the floorboards of the upstairs shop. Mr. Todd and Ms. Chrysalis had been spending a lot of time together these past few days, and she could see their relationship had been increasingly personal as of late. Curse her luck…
True, the business was booming, but recently she found herself going through an unfortunate burnout phase. Money was pouring in from unsuspecting customers, yet it was missing a specific something that would make it all worthwhile.
Or rather, a specific ‘someone’.
In all her wildest dreams of retirement by the seaside, she dreamt of living a wonderful retirement life with the handsome Sweeney Todd, and possibly with little Toby for good measure. Chrysalis, however, was nowhere to be seen in those dreams. That insect popped out of nowhere while she had known Todd ever since he opened his store above her meat pie shop. What right did Chrysalis have to Todd when she was nothing but a parasite?
Lovett slammed her rolling pin on the counter.
“She’s a right flea, she is,” She snarled. “Biting onto poor Mr. T at his most vulnerable state and now she’s sucking out his blood. No doubt, she’ll be rid ‘a him once she’s ‘ad ‘er fill ‘a him! She doesn’t even know him! She’s a harpy, that’s wot! She’s ensnared the poor bloke under her magic spell.”
She heard footsteps descending from the barbershop upstairs as the disguised Chrysalis walked out into the street, out of sight. Mrs. Lovett watched her movements from the main window of the shop. A burning fire raged hotter than her furnace built up inside at the mere sight of the disguised insect.
“Just you wait, Chryssi girl!” She hissed. “We’ll see ‘oo’s got the barber when all’s said and done!”
Pinkie Pie: She sounds REALLY jealous..(she said with a bit of worry)
Rainbow Dash: That’s a understatement right there…
Applejack: Eeyup..
Back in the shop, Mr. Todd looked at the notes he had finished writing in his hand with a smirk plastered on his face. Finally, he was getting exactly what he wanted after waiting so long. He’d get his precious daughter back and finally put an end to the man who single-handedly ruined his entire life.
The sound of the bell ringing and the door closing caused Todd to look over as Toby entered the shop.
“Mr. T?” The young boy questioned.
“Do you know where the Old Baily is?” Sweeney asked him.
“Oh, yes, sir,” Toby nodded. “Not that I ever been there—”
Sweeney quickly spun around and held out the folded note for the young boy.
“Take this there and seek out a Judge Turpin,” Todd instructed. “Repeat that… repeat that.”
“Go to the Old Bailey, find Judge Turpin,” Toby repeated.
“Put this into his hands,” Todd handed the letter. “Only to him. Do you understand?”
“Yes, sir,” Toby nodded. “And while I’m out do you mind if I stop by the grocer and pick up the—”
Todd pounced like a panther, he suddenly leapt up and grabbed Toby by the throat with shocking brutality.
“DON’T CHATTER, BOY!” Todd interrupted loudly. “You are not to stop! You are not to speak! You are to deliver this letter! DO YOU UNDERSTAND?!”
Toby was stunned and terrified. This was the first time he had seen this side of his friend, Mr. Todd. Seeing the cold and demented look on the barber’s face, Toby fearfully nodded his head.
“Yes, sir,” He replied quietly.
Todd released him and the boy quickly turned heel and opened the door of the barber shop before shutting it quickly, running down the steps. With his plans now in action, Sweeney Todd made his way back over to the window and began pacing back and forth in anticipation like a caged animal, whispering to himself neurotically. He paced back and forth for hours on end as the sun set over the horizon and darkness enveloped London. One way or another, all of this was going to end tonight.
Fluttershy: (whimper a little bit and fell back into her chair) H-He didn’t have to do that…
Arctic: (would look over as he place a hand on Fluttershy shoulder to comfort her a bit)
Juniper: Toby is being so nice to help as well…
Sci-Twi: I worry when he finds out the whole truth about what’s going on…
Later that night, after a lengthy walk mulling over the thoughts going around her head, Chrysalis walked down the street back to the front of the pie shop. She still hadn’t fully answered the questions floating around in her head, but with the sun having set she needed to return to the shop. Not only her, but at that moment, Toby too had finished running his errand and met with her at the door.
“Good evening, Miss Winters!” Toby greeted.
“Hello Toby,” Chrysalis replied.
“Are you alright, mum?”
“Of course, dear,” Chrysalis nodded in response. “Why do you ask?”
“It’s just you seem conflicted, mum. Like something’s troubling you, but you don’t know ‘ow to handle it.”
Chrysalis was honestly surprised at just how observant the child was and how he was able to deduce that from a single look. However, Chrysalis merely shook her head and gave the boy a fake smile.
“I assure you Toby, I’m quite alright,” Chrysalis told him. “Now let’s get inside quickly.”
Toby nodded in response and opened the door for Chrysalis to enter first, like the young gentleman he was. Chrysalis was making her way around the corner towards the stairs leading to the barber shop. She stopped when she spotted the boy’s face, quickly seeing how upset he was. She saw him look up toward the window above where Todd stood, unblinking, gazing like a falcon into the street no doubt. Chrysalis pondered if something happened between them and decided to go up the stairs to speak with Todd herself.
Meanwhile, Toby walked around the corner to Mrs. Lovett’s living space and noticed the woman in question snoozing away on her couch. Hearing the boy enter caused Mrs. Lovett to awaken and look over at him.
“Where you been, lad?” Mrs. Lovett asked tiredly. “We had quite the rush at dinner time. Me poor bones is ready to drop…”
Lovett stopped to take a better look at him, noting his dark expression.
“What is it, Toby?”
“Mr. Todd sent me on an errand…” Toby replied. “And on the way back, I went by the workhouse just to take a look.”
Toby walked over to Mrs. Lovett’s side as she lay on the couch and knelt down alongside her.
“And I was thinkin’…but for you I would be there now,” he spoke seriously.
“Hmm…” Mrs. Lovett grumbled tiredly.
“Or someplace worse,” Toby emphasized. “Seems like the Good Lord sent you for me.”
Rarity: You know, if things were in better circumstances he would’ve been apart of Todd family.
Juniper: Yeah, not only getting his daughter back but also have a son as well
Pinkie Pie: They could’ve been one big happy family
This caused Mrs. Lovett to give a small smile of appreciation.
“Oh, love, I feel quite the same way—” She responded.
At that moment, Chrysalis made her way back down the steps to speak to Mrs. Lovett herself. However, when she heard Toby talking with her, she slunk behind the wall to listen in.
“Hear me out, mum…” Toby spoke seriously. “You know there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you. Say, if there was someone around—someone bad? Only you didn’t know it—”
Mrs. Lovett turned her head in the boy’s direction with a curious look on her face.
“What is this?” Mrs. Lovett asked, concerned. “What are you talking about?”
Toby looked into Mrs. Lovett’s eyes seriously, expressing both his thanks and promise to her through song.
Toby (Sings): Nothing’s gonna harm you, Not while I’m around. Nothing gonna harm you, No, sir, Not while I’m around…
“What do you mean, ‘someone bad’?” Mrs. Lovett questioned him.
Toby (Sings): Demons are prowling Everywhere. Nowadays. I’ll send ‘em howling, I don’t care— I got ways.
“Darling, hush now,” Mrs. Lovett assured, laying back on the couch. “There’s no need for this…”
But Tony merely continued with his song…
Toby (Sings): No one’s gonna hurt you, No one’s gonna dare. Others can desert you— Not to worry— Whistle, I’ll be there. Demons’ll charm you With a smile For a while, But in time Nothing can harm you, Not while I’m around.
As Chrysalis listened from her spot behind the wall, she leaned her back against the wall and slowly slid down to sit on the floor. The words this young boy sang, amidst all the emotions she’d been feeling through this excursion, finally caused the tears she tried so hard to keep in to slide down her face as she quietly wept.
She thought of Fire Fall, how he used to say something very similar to her about protecting her from the evils of the world. Such a naïve young pony, but she was so touched by his words… and she was so young herself once. All this served as a reminder of how much she had meant to this one pony, how much they loved one another… him promising that he’d always be there for her… forever.
Arctic: (in his thoughts) she’s very conflicted about everything right now.. I wanna believe there is a chance for her but… can that actually happen? Or is it really to late?
However, she also thought of how this finally caused her to realize why her feelings were so conflicted. While she retained the memory of Fire Fall always within her heart and mind, she couldn’t help her growing feelings toward Sweeney Todd. All this time spent together these past months, the conversations they shared, it all resided now within her blackened heart.
Meanwhile, in the other room, Mrs. Lovett merely gave the boy a small smile.
“That’s nice dear,” She spoke, rising from the couch. “Now, what is all this foolishness now? What are you talking about?”
“Little things wot I’ve been thinking… about Mr. Todd…” Toby replied.
This sentence alone caused Mrs. Lovett to freeze in place, shock and concern spreading across her face. This certainly wasn’t going in a good direction at all.
Toby (Sings): Not to worry, not to worry, I may not be smart but I ain’t dumb. I can do it, Put me to it, Show me something I can overcome. Not to worry, mum.
Toby leaned into her, she put her arms around him, but her expression was deeply troubled. Whether she cared to admit it or not, Chrysalis was right: He was starting to catch on.
Toby (Sings): Being close and being clever Ain’t like being true, I don’t need to, I won’t never Hide a thing from you, Like some.
During the last note, Toby glanced up toward the ceiling where he knew the barbershop and the barber within resided. Mrs. Lovett, meanwhile, was trying to showcase her concern that the boy clearly knew something. But rather than panic, she nervously comforted him and attempted to get him off topic altogether.
“Now, Toby dear, haven’t we had enough of this foolish chatter?” Lovett asked, turning his gaze.
Sci-Twi: He cares and worries about you, why you say that’s a foolish thing to say?
She grabbed her small coin purse and reached in to pull out a single coin, which she held out to the boy.
“Here, how about I give you a shiny new penny and you can fetch us some nice toffees—?” Lovett suggested.
At first, Toby smiled at the very idea. However, that smile quickly vanished when he looked at the small Chatelaine purse in her hand. His eyes widened when he noticed that it looked very… familiar.
“That’s Signor Pirelli’s purse!” He gasped.
Fluttershy: O-Oh no…
“No, no, love—” Mrs. Lovett replied nervously, eyeing the purse. “This is just something Mr. T gave me for my birthday—”
“See that proves it!” Toby exclaimed loudly. “What I been thinkin’! We’ve gotta go, mum, right now! We gotta find the Beadle and get the law here!”
Toby urgently pulled Lovett’s hand, trying to run out of the room. But Mrs. Lovett quickly pulled him down to her again, agitated yet proceeding to lead him back to the room as calmly as she could.
“Shh! Hush now, Toby, hush…” Lovett shushed him. “Hush lad, you’re not going anywhere. You just sit next to me nice and quiet… that’s right, right?”
She proceeded to lead the boy toward the couch, sitting him down next to her. She pulled him in close, holding him to her as she tried her hardest to keep things from escalating.
“How could you think such a thing of Mr. Todd?” Lovett asked, holding him close. “He’s been so good to us.”
Rarity: She’s trying to hide the truth from the poor boy? That’s just awful
Applejack: Boy is smart, and she’s trying to keep him from finding out. But…she is trying to keep him safe if Todd knew he found out
Though she tried to put on a kind face for the boy, inside she was freaking out. This boy clearly wasn’t as dumb as they originally believed and right now, she needed to think of how to keep him quiet. For now, she tried calming him as she too began to sing.
Mrs. Lovett (Sings): Nothin’s gonna harm you, Not while I’m around. Nothing’s gonna harm you, darling, Not while I’m around.
Toby (Sings): Demons’ll charm you With a smile For a while, But in time Nothing’s gonna harm you, Not while I’m around.
The boy started to calm down a bit as Lovett held him… just as she came to a painful, dreadful decision. Concern and pain were as plain as the nose on her face. She seriously wished it wouldn’t have come to this; she truly loved the boy, like the son she never had. However, Chrysalis was right… he knows far too much. They couldn’t risk him alerting the law, even the thought of what they must do brought tears to her eyes. Just then, an idea popped into her head.
“Funny we should be having this little chat right now…” She spoke softly. “’Cause I was just thinkin’, you know how you’ve always fancied going into the bakehouse with me to help make the pies?”
“Yes, mum,” Toby nodded dreamily.
Rainbow Dash: Is that…safe to do?
Arctic: Don’t think she thought this through, Toby will be able to find out if his helping out making those pies
Juniper: if he does.. he’ll have nightmares for weeks
Lovett quickly dried her eyes and turned him over to look at her.
“Well… no time like the present,” Mrs. Lovett smiled.
Mrs. Lovett stood back up and grabbed Toby by the hand, leading him away from the area. Hearing approaching footsteps, Chrysalis quickly snapped herself out of her sadness, got up to her feet, and tried to walk away quickly. However, she bumped her shin into a nearby drawer and grunted in pain from the impact. At that moment, Lovett and Toby walked out spotting her hunched over the drawer.
“You alright, dearie?” Mrs. Lovett asked her.
“I’m fine!” She groaned in response. “Wasn’t watching where I was going and bumped hard into this ‘stupid’ drawer! But… I’ll be alright.”
“I’m taking Toby down to the bakehouse with me for a while,” Lovett informed her. “Would you mind keeping an eye on the place up ‘ere? Any customers come in, let ‘em know I’ll be with ‘em shortly.”
Chrysalis just nodded in response as Mrs. Lovett and Toby proceeded down the cellar stairs to the bakehouse. Chrysalis was about to walk away when she noticed something odd in the open drawer. Apparently, she bumped the drawer loose and she could see inside. Sliding the drawer open a tad, she noticed what appeared to be a small golden ring and an empty little vial inside.
Reaching in, Chrysalis first pulled out a ring. Examining it, she noticed a small inscription on the inside.
To my one and only Lucy…
Sci-Twi: Wait…what?
Juniper: Isn’t that Todd wedding ring?
Rarity: Certainly looks like it, darling. But, why does Lovett have it?
Arctic: (pays close attention to this)
Her eyes widened when she read the inscription. This belonged to Mr. Todd’s late wife. But why did Lovett have it hidden away? She quickly placed the ring into her dress and reached out for the vial. Popping the bottle open, she brought it to her nose and gave a small sniff. She was instantly met with a bitter yet very familiar odor.
“Arsenic…” She whispered.
She placed the vial in her dress too before quickly shutting the drawer back up and walked away. It was all too clear now Mrs. Lovett was hiding something. Why else would she have Mr. Todd’s wife’s ring and an empty bottle of arsenic? What was that woman up to?
Rainbow Dash: Ok..something is weird. She claimed that Lucy killed herself. But if that’s the case why does she have her ring?
Arctic: I have to agree, not to mention the vile of Arsenic she found. Lovett hiding more than she’s letting on about. And whatever she’s hiding, it’s a big one involving what really happened to Todd’s wife
Mrs. Lovett led Toby down the claustrophobic, long stairway toward the bakehouse. The stone walls of the corridor were very dark as no source of light entered the chamber.
“My heart bleeds for you haven’ to go up and down all these stairs!” Toby told Mrs. Lovett.
“Well, that’ll be your job now,” Mrs. Lovett replied.
“Yes, mum!”
Soon, she arrived at the heavy iron door to the bakehouse. A seismic rumble of the bake oven could be heard from within. She unbolted the large iron latch on the door and pulled it open, ushering Toby in. And they finally enter…
The Bakehouse, a macabre vision of Hell.
The roof hung low in this subterranean chamber. The grisly tools of her trade are scattered about the place: a large, stained chopping block; a meat grinder; buckets of questionable viscous liquid; cleavers and bone saws and meat hooks; wet sewer grates for the blood. A metal sheet, hinged at the top, had been attached to cover an opening in the wall: the mouth of the chute from the barber shop above.
And eeriest of all… the thundering roar of flame coming from a large industrial oven against one wall, like the fire of an iron dragon. Taking a sniff around the cavernous bakehouse, Toby could immediately smell the rancid smell of rotting meat.
“Coo, quite a stink, ain’t there?” Toby asked.
Mrs. Lovett had no response at first, as she walked toward the giant oven with Toby following close. She gestured to a grate off the side which led down into the sewers.
“You see those grates?” She asked. “They go right down to the sewers, and the whiffs come up, always a few rats gone home to Jesus down there.”
“So—where do I start?!” Toby asked anxiously.
She then walked over to the oven and unlocked the large latch to open it up, revealing a great burning fire within the thrumming oven.
“Now this would be the bake over…” Mrs. Lovett instructed. “Ten dozen at a time. Always be sure the door is closed properly, like this.”
To demonstrate, she closed the large iron door of the oven and then re-locked the latch to keep it shut.
“Yes’m, always closed properly,” Toby repeated.
Lovett then led Toby to the corner of the room where the giant meat grinder stood stationary.
“And here’s the grinder…” Lovett demonstrated. “… You pop in the meat; give it a good grind and it comes out here.”
She proceeded to turn the large crank of the grinder to demonstrate how it works. A large amount of freshly ground meat emerged out the end.
“Now you try,” Lovett gestured.
Toby walked over and proceeded to follow the same steps Mrs. Lovett had told him.
“Good grind,” He grunted as he cranked. “Comes out there.”
“That’s me boy,” Mrs. Lovett replied, patting his shoulder. “Smoothly, smoothly—now I’ve got to pop upstairs, back in two shakes, all right?”
“Yes’m.”
Lovett began to go when he stopped her with a heartbreaking request:
“Do you think I might have a pie while I wait?” Toby asked innocently.
Mrs. Lovett turned to the poor boy standing at a rack of cooling pies.
“As many as you like, son,” Mrs. Lovett replied softly. “As many as you like…”
Mrs. Lovett made her way out of the bakehouse and sealed the large steel door behind her. She latched the door shut, locking Toby inside. She leaned back against the door at the very thought of what was happening hit her. Her face held a manner of sadness before being replaced by determination. She knew this had to be done… but she’d need help.
Fluttershy: I-I’m worried about him. W-what if he finds out?
Applejack: If he does, we can only hope that he’ll make it out alive
Back with the Mane Six and Anthony, the group stood at the front door of the asylum preparing to put their plan into action. The girls were shackled together to look like they’ve been captured, while Spike was dressed like a prison guard bringing them in. Anthony was dressed as a fashionable wigmaker, or at least to give off the impression he was an apprentice just as Mr. Todd instructed.
“These chains are so uncomfortable,” Rainbow groaned, as the iron scrapped her skin.
“Hush now hun, it’ll only be fer a few minutes,” Applejack assured her. “Besides, ya weren’t complaining a while back when we tried experimenting.”
“That was rope, not chains,” Rainbow corrected.
The girls started to blush red heavily from this as Fluttershy covers her face with her hands
“Honestly, you two really need to stop talking about such things,” Rarity cringed in disgust.
“It’s great you two are together and making the shippers happy,” Pinkie nodded in agreement. “But I think most of them are getting tired of the innuendos. We don’t even have any M-Rated stories where we can get past the brief mentions.”
Arctic: Yeah… she makes a good point. (he mentioned having a bit of red on his cheek as well) that was a bit much tmi and private information
“Girls, focus!” Twilight spoke up. “We’re here.”
Just then, the doors to the asylum opened up and a gangly looking balding man, dressed in a white lab coat, Mr. Fogg by name, stepped out.
“Can I help you?” He asked.
“Indeed you can, sir,” Anthony replied curtly. “My master is looking to create a new ensemble of wigs and I was hoping to gather some blonde hair for them.”
Mr. Fogg turned his attention to the group of young girls in shackles.
“What ‘bout them?” He questioned curiously.
“New girls being committed,” Spike replied, with a deep authoritative voice.
Mr. Fogg leaned close to the girls who tried to back away as far as possible. The man was clearly a creep, they could smell that his breath reeked like kerosine. He smiled toothily at them.
“Strange looking ones these are,” He grinned. “But they’ll fit nicely in ‘ere. Especially the little blonde… never turn down more of my children.”
Everyone felt disgusted hearing the man saying something like that
He proceeded to hold the door open for them to enter. Anthony went first and the girls followed behind with Spike ‘pretending’ to forcibly lead them into the asylum. They followed Mr. Fogg through the twisted hallways of the asylum before eventually arriving at the holding cells.
It’s a cacophony of madness. The ragged inmates of the asylum are slammed together in a series of cramped cells, the low ceiling pressing them down. Anthony and the group walked past the cells with the odious Mr. Fogg, who carried a large pair of scissors.
“They’re just down this way,” Mr. Fogg said. “We’ll get you some nice blonde hair and then find a cell for these little pretties.”
“Thank you, sir,” Anthony replied, hiding his disgust. “This would certainly prove to be beneficial for both of us.”
“Oh yes, sir, I agree,” Mr. Fogg nodded. “It would be to our mutual interest to come to some arrangement in regard to my poor children’s hair.”
As they passed each one of the cells, Mr. Fogg pointed out which cell held which inmates.
“Brunettes… redheads…”
They then stopped at the cell at the farthest end of the room and Mr. Fogg’s very creepy smile returned.
“I keep the blondes over here,” He spoke. “It was yellow hair you was looking for, sir?”
“Yes,” Anthony replied.
Fogg proceeded to unlock the door and pulled it open. When the door opened, all the blonde women scurried back, clearly terrified of Fogg. It was like they were trying to escape from a vicious monster. Anthony couldn’t help but feel great sympathy for these girls, even though many of them were demented. Regardless, no one should be terrorized in such a manner.
Outside the cell, Spike and the girls looked in, noting the horror within.
Fluttershy: (whimpers) those poor girls (she said and clings onto Rainbow arm)
Rarity: How can anyone be so awful!
Sci-Twi: they look horrible…
Juniper: and terrified…(she finished)
“Sweet Celestia, those poor women are terrified beyond belief!” Rarity whispered in horror.
“This guy’s a nut job!” Rainbow whispered. “He should be the one locked up here.”
“I-I-I d-don’t want t-t-to b-be here anymore!” Fluttershy whimpered fearfully.
Anthony followed Fogg into the cell, trying to search for Johanna in the crowd of terrified blondes. Eventually, he spotted her sitting with her knees at her chest off to the side. She looked ragged and dirty from her time spent in this terrible place. She wore a filthy straitjacket, and was hunched like a feral animal, cowering in a corner of the cell. The young girl slowly looked up and into Anthony’s eyes. They immediately had a connection where she knew to work with him.
“That one there has the shade I need,” Anthony pointed to Johanna.
Fogg went to fetch Johanna, as Anthony looked on.
“Come, child,” Mr. Fogg called to her.
However, Johanna refused to move from her spot. Mr. Fogg just once again smiled creepily as he walked over to Johanna and knelt down beside her.
“Smile for the gentleman and you shall have a sweetie,” He chuckled.
Johanna’s eyes shot wide when she saw Anthony, but she said nothing as Fogg prepared the scissors to cut the girl’s golden hair.
“Now, where shall I cut?”
CLICK!
Suddenly, before Fogg could react—Anthony pulled a revolver from his pocket and aimed it at the asylum director. The man quickly put his hands up in defense.
Rainbow Dash: Heh, the guys not so tough now is he? (She said smirking a little)
Not another word, Mr. Fogg, or it will be your last,” Anthony threatened.
The young man quickly grabbed Johanna, pulled her close to him for protection, and pushed Fogg back into the cell. They slowly started to back out of the room.
“Now I leave you to the mercy of your… ‘children’.”
He swung the cell door shut, locking Fogg in. Mr. Fogg now found himself locked in with the blonde inmates. They slowly began to advance on him, menacingly like, likely to rip him limb from limb. Amidst the screaming rage of the blondes, Mr. Fogg screamed in agony.
Arctic: I would feel bad…but he had it coming
Applejack: Eeyup
Once safely back outside the cell, Twilight used her magic to pry the straitjacket off Johanna and she threw her arms around Anthony, bawling into his chest.
“I knew you’d come!” She bawled. “I’ve waited so long; I was starting to worry.”
Off the side, Twilight used her magic to pry the shackles off herself and her friends while Spike removed the guard uniform.
“It’s alright, Johanna,” Twilight assured, placing a hand on the girl’s shoulder. “We’re getting you out of here. We’ll make sure to get you somewhere safe.”
“Speaking of which, we better go before anyone catches us,” Spike spoke up.
The group were about to turn and make their way out when a voice calling to them stopped the group.
“YOU THERE!”
They turned back to the cell as a blonde girl peeked through the viewing window.
“Gotta thank all of yer,” She sighed gratefully. “That man’s a monster in human skin! We has much fun with ‘im!”
“Uh… no problem,” Rainbow replied awkwardly. “So, we got to go now. But you girls have your fun!”
“Wait a minute!” Twilight interrupted.
The lavender princess slowly crept over to the window for a closer look at the girl’s face. Though the corridor was only lit by a few torches, she could still trace out the girl’s face. The face of that Alice Winters girl they met at Mrs. Lovett’s shop when they first got here.
“What you on about?” The girl replied. “My name’s not Alice, and it ain’t Winters neither. My name’s… Beatrice.”
Pinkie Pie: (gasps loudly) She’s actually real?!
Juniper: This… could mean trouble. If they have met the actual person, that means..(she begins to say)
This caused Twilight to cock her head to the side in confusion. If this girl was named Beatrice, then who was the girl they had seen with Sweeney Todd? Perhaps a few more questions will help answer that.
“Do you by chance happen to have a sister?” Twilight asked the girl.
This just caused the mad girl to burst into a fit of mad laughter.
“No sisters I have.” Beatrice giggled madly. “Not even brothers. Was just me and my papa. A cruel man he was, always so mean. Until one day, I stopped him bein’ mean forever.”
Twilight internally could only imagine what exactly the girl meant by that statement. Then again, perhaps it was best she didn’t know.
“How long have you been here?” She asked.
“Too long it’s been.” Beatrice replied with a wide eyed vacant stare. “Stopped countin’ after a year.”
This is what really caused Twilight to step back with wide eyes of horror on her face. How could it be possible that this girl could have been locked up here for a year and they saw her only a short while back?
Unless…
“We need to get back to the pie shop now!” Twilight said urgently.
Arctic: She know that it was Chrysalis all this time now.
Sci-Twi: I’m not sure, they got Todd’s daughter, Princess Twilight knows that all this time it was Chrysalis they met. With the added fact that Toby might find out the truth of the pies, Wherever Lovett is hiding, and the judge still around… I’m afraid the worst is about to happen.
Arctic: You might be right… and, I’m worried about what could possibly happen in the end of this whole thing
Hey Mr. E. Sorry for the unnecessary long wait and for not reporting to you about it.
I've just been depressed lately, so I've been fooling around to blow off some steam. But I think I found a bit of bounce now.
But until I get my commentaries up, please enjoy this moment of Loona...
Princess Luna: "Yes?"
Me: (To Luna) "Not you, Looney! The other Looney! I mean Loona! With two Os!"
...Just enjoy this song, and picture Loona drowning herself with chocolate ice cream.
Meanwhile, back on the moon
Wallowing in her sorrow, along with everyone else who were wrongfully accused of sabotaging Discord's Theater and then some...
...Loona has trying to drown her sorrow in a bucket of chocolate ice cream.
Random Dude: "Hey, Dr. PhD! Isn't chocolate poison for dogs?"
Me: (To Random Dude) "Yes. But Loona isn't your average kind of dog. She'll be fine."
Loona has plugged earphones into her phone, playing a song of Taylor Swift, and singing along, while drowning herself in ice cream.
Random Dude: "But I thought her throat is damaged and she can't sing!"
Me: (To Random Dude) "It's called lip syncing..."
Bad Blood – Taylor Swift
Loona: 'Cause baby, now we got bad blood You know it used to be mad love So take a look what you've done 'Cause baby, now we got bad blood (hey!)
Now we got problems And I don't think we can solve 'em You made a really deep cut And baby, now we got bad blood (hey!)
Did you have to do this? I was thinking that you could be trusted Did you have to ruin What was shining? Now it's all rusted Did you have to hit me Where I'm weak? Baby, I couldn't breathe And rub it in so deep Salt in the wound like you're laughing right at me
Oh, it's so sad to think about the good times You and I
'Cause baby, now we got bad blood You know it used to be mad love So take a look what you've done 'Cause baby, now we got bad blood (hey!)
Now we got problems And I don't think we can solve 'em You made a really deep cut And baby, now we got bad blood (hey!)
Did you think we'd be fine? Still got scars on my back from your knife So don't think it's in the past These kind of wounds they last and they last Now did you think it all through? All these things will catch up to you And time can heal, but this won't So if you come in my way, just don't
Oh, it's so sad to think about the good times You and I
'Cause baby, now we got bad blood You know it used to be mad love So take a look what you've done 'Cause baby, now we got bad blood (hey!)
Now we got problems And I don't think we can solve 'em You made a really deep cut And baby, now we got bad blood (hey!)
Band-aids don't fix bullet holes You say sorry just for show If you live like that, you live with ghosts (ghosts, ghosts) Band-aids don't fix bullet holes (hey!) You say sorry just for show (hey!) If you live like that, you live with ghosts (hey!) Hm, if you love like that, blood runs cold
'Cause baby, now we got bad blood You know it used to be mad love So take a look what you've done 'Cause baby, now we got bad blood (hey!)
Now we got problems And I don't think we can solve 'em (think we can solve 'em) You made a really deep cut And baby, now we got bad blood (hey!)
'Cause baby, now we got bad blood You know it used to be mad love So take a look what you've done (look what you've done) 'Cause baby, now we got bad blood (hey!)
Now we got problems And I don't think we can solve 'em You made a really deep cut And baby, now we got bad blood (hey!)
While she's "singing" her heart out, Loona's tearing up. She's clearly hurting on the inside in more ways than one. And she's got her adopted dad, Blitz, his two colleagues, Moxxie and Millie, to blame for it. She carved some statues of their exact liking, only for her to smash them later. Then, she just dumps more chocolate ice cream down her throat. While chocolate is poison to dogs, it's...it's a different story for hellhounds. But it doesn't make her pain feel any better.
Meanwhile, everyone else watching Loona vent out her pent up frustrations were all backing away. Giving her some space. They all think she’s crazy.
Capper Dapperpaws: "That dog has some serious issues..."
11675798 We’ve been a bit delayed ourselves. We meant to have a new chapter to work on, but overtime has been a bit of a pickle. Add to some distressing news of someone recently passed away, it’s been rough.
The skies of Victorian London, once full of clouds, welcomed a nice gentle breeze wafting over the air. While not the most ideal setting for a picnic, this was exactly how Mrs. Lovett, Mr. Todd, Toby, and even Chrysalis decided to spend the day.
Charlie Morningstar: "Not exactly my ideal kind of day for a picnic..."
Vaggie: "Not really a picnic I'd want to be on, especially knowing the ingredients of the pies..."
Angel Dust: (To Charlie and Vaggie) "What are you two complaining about? That's the exact kind of day in Hell 24/7..."
Three months went by since Mrs. Lovett’s pie shop reopened its door while the Mane Six and Spike had been on the run from the police.
Alastor: "Three months? And they have yet to rescue the fair Johanna?"
Discord: (To Alastor) "Like I said. Rescuing damsels-in-distress is not exactly their best traits on their hero resume."
Princess Luna: (To Discord) "Oh, like your rescue plans didn't bomb in the Galaxy?"
Discord: (To Princess Luna) "Says the princess who got her spirit trapped inside of a crystal ball, for trying to help Sunset Shimmer come to her senses."
Princess Luna: (To Discord) "At least I took a more direct approach instead of coordinating a convaluted hare-brained scheme..."
Discord: (To Princess Luna) "At least I wasn't a prisoner of my ex-girlfriend and my evil cousin!"
Princess Luna: (To Discord) "At least I wasn't afraid!"
Discord: (To Princess Luna) "At least I don't have a best friend brother who turned out to be the biggest evil guy in the galaxy who killed Jedi, innocent lives, planets, and children!"
Princess Luna: (To Discord) "You leave Ani out of this!"
Discord: (To Princess Luna) "Plus, I don't have a sister who breaks hearts by ripping loved ones away from random changelings!"
Nightmare Moon: (Ignites her lightsaber) "Prepare to feel thine horrible wrath upon thy-self!"
Discord: (Rolling his fists like boxing gloves at Nightmare Moon) "Bring it on, Moon Butt! Bring it on!"
Alastor: (Smiles in delight) "Ooh! A dinner and a show! I should've sold tickets for this!"
Storm Shield: (Gets in between Nightmare Moon and Discord) "No people! Let's be smart and bring it off!"
Charlie Morningstar: "Storm is right! Let's not fight about this!"
Mina: "Yeah! And need I remind you Discord...the theater has already taken some heavy beatings since its reopening? Let's not destroy it more than it's already been destroyed..." See Cinematic Adventure's Carrie.
Crazy Steve: "COCK-A-DOODLE DOO! THE COW SAYS MOOOOO!!!"
Mina: (To Crazy Steve) "Steve! You're not helping..."
Octavia: (Pinches her temples) "Ugh. And I thought my dad and my mom are enough to give me a headache..."
For now, the terrible trio and their young companion decided to take some time for themselves and just enjoy the day.
At least… that’s what Mrs. Lovett did.
The trio sat along a picnic blanket under an old oak tree along Hampstead Heath. To the naked eye, Mrs. Lovett and Sweeney Todd appeared to be like any other couple enjoying this fine day. The remains of a nice picnic lunch lay scattered about while Toby was flying a kite high into the sky off the distance. Mrs. Lovett smiled while watching happy couples moving about, dogs and kids running hither and yonder, military officers squiring their ladies, nurses with prams, and all other forms of life happening around them.
Gabby: (Sighs lovingly) "Someday that'll be me and Spike soon~"
Gilda: (To Gabby) "Yeah...and when that happens, I'll be brushing my teeth 24/7..."
Meanwhile, on the moon
Gallus: (Quoting Robin Hood to Silverstream) "And we'll have six children."
Silverstream: (Quoting Maid Marian to Gallus) "Six? Oh a dozen at least!"
Ocellus: (To Silverstream) "Question: Do you really want a dozen children? Most couples couldn't even handle one or two."
Silverstream: (To Ocellus) "We'll make it work somehow."
Meanwhile, Loona is still singing "Bad Blood" in the background.
Meanwhile, Mr. Todd and Chrysalis sat near one another with stone cold looks on their faces. Todd was distinctively ill at ease, brooding the whole time. Three months went by and still they were no closer to either the Judge or the Beadle.
Angel Dust: "They were thiiiiiis close to getting him that time..."
Husk: "Yeah. But too bad stupid would-be hero, Anthony had to come and ruin it all."
Angel Dust: (To Husk) "...You talking about me?"
Husk: (To Angel Dust) "Who do you think I'm talking to, spider shit?"
All this weighed heavily on their minds despite the insistence to take a break.
“This is growing very tiring really fast,” Chrysalis grumbled. “How long are we expected to wait?”
“I wonder the same thing, my dear,” Sweeney responded lowly. “The seasons change yet my revenge is left untouched.”
Starlight Glimmer: "Y'know, that kinda reminds me of something from somewhere..."
Trixie: (To Starlight) "Like how you were left trapped inside a cave to plot your revenge on Twilight for so long?"
Sunburst: (To Starlight) "Or like how my sister wasted three years in the Galaxy because she was duped by the Sith Empire?"
Then Sweeney’s expression, while still cold and emotionless, also added something somber within those eyes just the same.
“The more days go by, the less I find myself missing my dear Johanna,” Todd admitted. “I’m beginning to lose hope of ever seeing her again.”
Husk: "...Yeah. Life really likes to fuck up our hope in the wrong people..."
Meanwhile, on the moon
Lumalee: "Time like hope is an illusion~!"
This caused Chrysalis to shift her direction to his, laying one hand atop his own. Sweeney slowly turned his head to look down at her hand before slowly turning back toward her eyes.
“Worry not, Mr. Todd,” Chrysalis assured him. “If it’s the last thing I do in this life, we’ll exact your revenge, and you’ll get your Johanna back. I stake my life on it.”
On the moon
Ocellus: "She's willing to stake her own life on it? That's the first time I've seen Chrysalis actually putting her own life like that..."
Silverstream: "Still...what exactly does it mean when you 'stake your life' on it?"
Gallus: (To Silverstream) "It's a figure of speech. It means you're absolutely sure about it."
Sandbar: (To Gallus) "Oh! For a moment there, I thought she's willing to pull off some kind of Unbreakable Vow, or something. Y'know, the kind of thing we saw Massager 32 did with this other wizard."
“How is it possible someone like you exists?” Todd asked lowly.
“What do you mean?” Chrysalis responded.
Discord: (Ceased his fighting with Nightmare Moon) "Hmmm. How do I answer that question? Oh! Well it's simple actually. When a mommy changeling and a daddy changeling, love each other very much, the dad will sting the mom and she–Ooh!" (Gets attacked by Nightmare Moon)
Nightmare Moon: (To Discord) "NO INNUENDO!"
Atlanta: "And besides...that's not what he was asking..."
“It’s not often in this world, or any world, to meet someone who you share so much in common with,” Sweeney explained. “We’ve had love stolen from us and we wish to exact revenge on those who wronged us. How is that possible?”
Alastor: "I'd say it was the screenwriters! Yes sir, when you think about it, our lives have all been staged and set for a big story! We are the characters. And characters all go through a life and death situation to overcome obstacles to develop and build their characters! And through these developments, we develop our own unique perspectives. A perspective of how we come to view ourselves as the heroes of our stories, and for the audience to agree or disagree!"
Chrysalis contemplated his question in her head. It certainly seemed coincidental they had both met with the same goals in mind.
“I suppose we just got lucky,” She shrugged.
Husk: "HA! You want to talk about luck? Try gambling away your whole life for a million dollars and see if you don't wind up in the gutters bug juice."
Sweeney merely gave a slow nod before returning to his deep contemplative stare into space. All the while, Mrs. Lovett, who seemed to have chattered about the whole time, continued on.
“… We still got to keep an eye on household expenditure,” She spoke. “Which isn’t to say we couldn’t get some nice taxidermy animals to bring a touch of gentility to the place. You know, a boar’s head or two…”
Mrs. Shy: "Good heavens! NO!"
Everyone in the audience all turned their heads to a random boar-looking guy who turned pale as a sheet.
Octavia: "...Sometimes, I think humans were made to be barbaric."
Turning over to Mr. Todd at her side, her smile instantly vanished when she noticed he was paying absolutely no attention to her at all. In fact, Mrs. Lovett was rather turned off by his unresponsive behavior.
“No doubt there is,” Chrysalis nodded. ‘One way or another, we’ll find it.”
Hearing the pair talk about Judge Turpin again, Mrs. Lovett rolled her eyes in annoyance.
“The bloody old Judge,” Lovett sighed. “Always harpin’ on about the bloody ol’ judge. We got a nice respectable business now, money coming in regular and – since we’re careful to pick and choose – only strangers and such like wot won’t be missed – who’s going to catch on?”
But no response emerged from Todd. As if massaging Todd’s neck wasn’t enough, next thing Chrysalis knew, much to her own annoyance, Mrs. Lovett started to break out in song while casually pecking him along the cheek.
Capper Dapperpaw: "And look who'se decided to sing the next verse."
Mrs. Lovett (Sings): Oooh, Mr. Todd! (Kiss) I’m so happy! (Kiss) I could (Kiss) Eat you up, I really could! You know what I’d like to do, Mr. Todd? (Kiss) What I dream (Kiss) If the business stays as good, Where I’d really like to go… (No response) In a year or so… (No response) Don’t you want to know?
“Of course,” Sweeney replied nonchalantly.
Mrs. Lovett (Sings): Do you really want to know?
“Yes, yes, I do, I do,” Sweeney answered, forcing a pained smile.
Mrs. Lovett leaned back comfortably, beginning to imagine a wonderful, domestic future…
“I’ve always had this dream of living at the seaside… I got a picture postcard from me Aunt Nettie once. Oh, it seems like such a grand place…”
Lovett briefly noted Toby flying his kite, a small smile upon her face.
“And all that fresh aquatic air’s bound to be good for the lad’s poxy lungs…” Lovett concluded softly.
Mrs. Lovett stared dreamily into the sky as she contemplated what the future could hold should business remain good as it was. Once more using her power, Chrysalis closed her eyes so she could channel this vision for herself.
On the moon
Gallus: "Y'know, it's kinda freaky how there's such a power that lets you look into people's mind."
Sandbar: (To Gallus) "It's called being a legilimen. Which can be awesome and really useful sometimes."
Smolder: (To Sandbar) "Still, it'd be nice if we have some way to block any 'mind readers' out of our heads for privacy."
Silverstream: (To Smolder) "There is!" (Holds out a tin foil hat) "See this? It's called a tin foil hat! It's used to protect us from a corrupt government surveillance system and from evil aliens that may be trying to brainwash us!"
Ocellus: (To Silverstream) "...I think that only works in the comic books, Silver..."
Sandbar: (To Silverstream) "Yeah. And besides, there's a magic technique called Occlumency! If you concentrate really hard, then you can literally wall up your mind to prevent legilimen from looking."
Gallus: (To Sandbar) "And how long have you known about this?"
Sandbar: (To Gallus) "I've been studying the spellbooks that Princess Twilight borrowed from the Wizarding World. You never know when some of the spells we've been studying could come in handy."
Smolder: (To Sandbar) "Yeah. Handy. If you have hands." (Laughs out loud, along with Norberta, before she sees the deadpan expression from her classmates) "Eh...I thought it was funny."
Chrysalis’ glowing green eyes opened to embrace the vision. Looking around, she found herself standing on some beach somewhere in the English Channel. Turning to her left, she saw young Toby near the edge of the water throwing a ball in the air and a lot of other families playing on the beach. Only, the boy was not consumptively pale but rather overly rosy-cheeked in this fantasy. Even a recently built sandcastle stood nearby.
She then took notice of Sweeney Todd and Mrs. Lovett sitting in the exact same positions as in Hampstead Heath. Only now they are sitting on a blanket at the beach, with a nice picnic spread about. What really made Chrysalis chuckle was that Mr. Todd was wearing a long striped Victorian bathing suit, fashionable seaside bathing attire.
Alastor: "Ah, now there's a classic style and a man with good taste."
Angel Dust: "Hmmm. I'd prefer seeing him in a leotard, or a speedo..."
Mrs. Lovett sat with her Dream Todd who, much like in the real world, sat there with the same dark vacant look on his face. There was just something unnatural about this settle, something vaguely unreal and stilted about the entire fantasy…
Mrs. Lovett (Sings): By the sea, Mr. Todd, That’s the life I covet; By the sea, Mr. Todd, Ooh, I know you’d love it! You and me, Mr. T., We could be alone In a house wot we’d almost own Down by the dea…
“Anything you say,” Todd grumbled.
Mrs. Lovett (Sings): Wouldn’t that be smashing?
Random Dude: "GET OUT, NIGEL!"
Seeing the scenario of which Mr. Todd was envisioned, Chrysalis couldn’t help but cringe at the whole scenario and how uncomfortable it was just to watch. Especially when Lovett was preparing to serve what appeared to be herring along the picnic blanket, as she sat with Toby beckoning Todd to join.
Mrs. Lovett (Sings): With the sea at our gate, We’ll have kippered herring Wot have sum to us straight From the Straights of Bering. Every night IN THE KIP When we through our kippers, I’ll be there slippin’ off your Slippers By the sea… With the fishies splashing. By the sea… Wouldn’t that be smashing? Down by the sea—
Todd (Sings): Anything you say, Anything you say.
Next thing Chrysalis knew, she was standing on the English Channel boardwalk watching Mr. Todd, now in a nice white suite, strolling down the boardwalk with Mrs. Lovett, now wearing a striped pinkish red dress. She carried an umbrella while holding Todd’s arm, looking up at Mr. Todd with such adoration and longing while Mr. Todd maintained his cold look. An artificially lovely couple, like rotogravure magazine pictures. Toby ran along ahead of them like a son to them.
Mrs. Lovett (Sings): I can see us waking, The breakers breaking, The seagulls squawking: Hoo! Hoo! I do me baking, Then I go walking With yoo-hoo… (Waves to Toby) Yoo-hoo…
The next vision showed Mrs. Lovett and Todd reclining on comfortable deck chairs, a tray of tea and scones between them.
Mrs. Lovett (Sings): I’ll warm me bones On the esplanade Have tea and scones With me gay young blade…
Soon Chrysalis saw Mrs. Lovett’s notion of a fashionable little seaside cottage, crushing in its bourgeois blandness. Lovett was making Toby try on a sweater, while Todd was writing a letter.
Mrs. Lovett (Sings): Then I’ll knit a sweater While you write a letter…
And then it’s back on the beach, where Lovett is cuddling beside Todd.
Mrs. Lovett (Sings coyly): Unless we got better To do-hoo…
Todd (Sings): Anything you say…
The vision is the transitioned as Chrysalis found herself standing in the dining room of that nice house by the seaside. Mr. Todd sat at the table, still with the same look on his face, along with some unnaturally jolly chums as Lovett carried a tray of goodies to the table.
Mrs. Lovett (Sings): Think how snug it’ll be Underneath our flannel When it’s just you and me And the English Channel… In our cozy retreat, Kept all neat and tidy, We’ll have chums over every Friday…
And… it’s back to the beach…
Mrs. Lovett (Sings): By the sea…
Todd (Sings): Anything you say…
Toby pulled Mrs. Lovett over to examine his little sandcastle…
Mrs. Lovett (Sings): Don’tcha love the weather By the sea! We’ll grow old together By the sea side, (Beckons to Todd to join them) Hoo! Hoo! By the beautiful sea!
Eventually, Todd joined them. He knelt with Toby to help him work on the sandcastle, while retaining that cold stare. Mrs. Lovett stood, watching them, the picture of the doting mother.
Mrs. Lovett (Sings): It’ll be so quiet That who’ll come by it Except a seagull? Hoo! Hoo! We shouldn’t try it, Though till it’s legal, For two-hoo!
Once more, everything transitioned and Chrysalis this time found herself standing in the midst of what looked like a seaside chapel. At the end of the aisle, Mr. Todd and Mrs. Lovett stood at the altar dressed for a wedding with a preacher officiating the ceremony. This being her fantasy, after all, Lovett wore white. Todd was in a constricting morning coat with a rakish top hat. Toby, the best man, looked on ‘proudly’. While Mrs. Lovett looked so happy and in love, Mr. Todd had a look on his face like he was being held hostage. When asked if he took Mrs. Lovett as his wife, the nod he gave was as forced as the kiss they shared.
Mrs. Lovett (Sings): But a seaside wedding Could be devised, Me rumbled bedding Legitimized My eyelids’ll flutter, I’ll turn into butter, The moment I mutter “I do-hoo!”
Though all of this was merely a vision of what ‘could be’, Chrysalis couldn’t control the sneer over the scene taking place before her. She had absolutely no idea as to ‘why’ she was feeling it. She had held a groom hostage at a wedding before… so, why was she feeling jealous over this?
Atlanta: "Mom?"
Thorax: "What's going on here?"
Thankfully, the vision was coming to an end. The last to be seen was Mrs. Lovett placing a plate of kippers on the table amidst a proper English breakfast. A guest stood, leaning against a wall, waiting to eat. A dark shape quickly moved past the guest – Todd – then the guest slid down the wall – a splash of blood on the wallpaper—
Mrs. Lovett (Sings): By the sea, in our next, We could share our kippers With the odd paying guest From the weekend trippers Have a nice sunny suite For the guest to rest in— Now and then, you could do the guest in—
Back at the beach, Mrs. Lovett, Todd, and Toby sat comfortably watching an unnaturally gorgeous sunset. A picture postcard of a ‘happy’ family.
Mrs. Lovett (Sings): Down by the sea. Married nice and proper, By the sea— Bring along your chopper To the seaside, Hoo! Hoo! By the beautiful sea!
She threw her arms affectionately around her two men. Eventually the visions cut back to—
<>
Mrs. Lovett sitting in the exact same position as Todd under the oak tree. A deadly silence filled the atmosphere. Her smile faded as she considered him. The grim, brooding reality so clear next to her lovely dream. Chrysalis watched Mrs. Lovett in silence, staring daggers toward the dreamy woman. She didn’t know ‘why’ she felt the way she was nor why it bothered her so much that Mrs. Lovett even cared for Mr. Todd. But she refused to stand idly by and let that vision come to pass. One way or another, she needed to figure out how to get Lovett out of the picture.
Discord: (Continues to spar with Nightmare Moon, holding her at an impasse) "Ooh! Dost my eyes deceive me? Are we about to see a lovely catfight between two jealous femme fatale felines soon?"
Nightmare Moon changes back to Princess Luna, but continues to hold her lightsaber.
Princess Luna: "I can't believe I'm saying this...but...I concur..."
Mina: (To Discord) "You did that on purpose. Didn't you?"
Discord: "Mmmm...maybe?"
Diamond Tiara: "Y'know what? If anybody here is sus. It's DISCORD! I SAY WE VOTE HIM OUT!"
Silver Spoon: "I second that notion!"
Vaggie: "Make that three!"
Crazy Steve: "COCK-A-DOODLE DOOO!!! THE COW SAYS–"
The audience: "WE KNOW WHAT THE COW SAYS!"
Discord: "Hey now! You can't toss me onto the moon! I'm innocent!"
Princess Luna: (To Discord) "Hardly! You encouraged everyone to toss Tia onto the moon. You've been abusing your right to toss audience out of the theater. And...your theater is falling apart."
Discord: (To Princess Luna) "I'll have you know, Lulu, that my theater is still in a state of disrepair and there were still some repairs to be made! Not to mention that none of this would've happened if Phantom-Dragon hadn't fallen into the TV and came back a loon!"
Autumn Blaze: (To Discord) "You're the reason Dr. PhD's a loon! And now he's being rehabilitated at home, with Rain Shine, looking after their daughter!"
Random Changeling: (To Autumn Blaze) "They have a daughter?!"
Autumn Blaze: (To Changeling) "Oh yeah! And she's a precious angel." (To Discord) "Anyway, back on topic." (Turns into a Nirik) "TOSS HIM OUT OF THE THEATER!!!"
Discord: (To the audience) "Mutiny! This is MUTINY!" (To Alastor) "Uh, Al? Ol'buddy? Help a guy out?"
Alastor: "And ruin the whole festivity? Nonsense! This has been a good show I've seen in ages!"
Discord: "Et tu?" (To Charlie) "Come on, princess. You don't violence! Talk some senses into them!"
Charlie Morningstar: (To Discord) "If you're asking for my help, Discord, you're asking the wrong princess. You've kinda buttered your bread so...you gotta sleep in it."
Discord: (Points at Charlie) "Red's sus! RED'S SUS!" (Gets an anti-magic locked onto him, before he was strapped in duct tapes, to a chair) "HEY! HEY! YOU NEED ME!!"
Princess Luna: (To Discord) "Happy landings, Discord." (Presses a switch that blasted him to the moon)
Discord: "I'M BLASTING OFF AGAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!"
Discord was AN IMPOSTER!
Silver Shill: "...Wow. Who would've thought...Discord...an imposter?"
Mina: "I wouldn't exactly say an imposter per say. But...the thing's he's been doing. It's very SUS. So good riddance."
Alastor: (To Mina) "Ah ah ah! The fun's not over yet, my dear. There's still ONE MORE imposter to be dealt with. So I'd rather not let my guard down so soon just yet, if I were you."
Silver Shill: "Also, if Discord was an imposter...then that means...where's the real Discord?"
Random Dude: "I'm pretty sure that really was Discord, but he's still labeled an imposter, regardless, because that's just how the game works..."
Charlie Morningstar: "Until then, I say we should resume watching the movie and hope our friends will make it through!"
Princess Luna: (To Charlie) "Capital idea, your majesty."
Charlie Morningstar: (To Luna) "No need to be so formal, Princess Luna. Just Charlie is good enough for me."
Princess Luna: (To Charlie) "As you wish then, Charlie. And you may refer to me as Luna."
Chrysalis was sharpening the blades for when business picked up as she stood by his side.
“How do you figure we get the judge to come back?” Sweeney asked, keeping his gaze straight.
“If only I knew,” Chrysalis replied. “No doubt the man’s dead set against ever returning again after that idiot boy barged in last time. Personally, you should have slit his stupid throat then and there.”
“Turpin or Anthony?” Sweeney questioned.
“… Both,” Chrysalis replied.
Husk: "Yeah. It's called killing two birds with one stone."
Parrot Pirate #1: "HEY!"
Parrot Pirate #2: "Not cool!"
At that moment, the bell to the barber shop dinged as the door opened and Mrs. Lovett entered the shop with a tray of food. Neither Chrysalis nor Sweeney looked back to acknowledge her entering the room as they continued their business.
“Brought you both some breakfast,” She spoke, setting the tray down.
“If it’s more pies, I’m not eating unless those stupid ponies and that dragon are the filling,” Chrysalis replied coldly.
Random Brony: "Isn't that technically Cupcakes?"
Random Dude: "Or unicorn Frappuccino?"
“’Fraid not dearie,” Mrs. Lovett shrugged. “Just simple farm fresh eggs and a dollop of lovely, clotted cream, only the best for…”
She stopped when she realized they weren’t even listening to her. Lovett’s heart sank seeing them at the window, especially Mr. Todd, who wore his obsession like a cloak. And yet, even as he just stared out the window, she couldn’t really look away.
“Mr. T, might I ask you a question?” She asked.
“Mm?” Sweeney replied, not even turning.
“What did your Lucy look like?”
Angel Dust: "Hmmmm. What does she look like? Well, let's think for a moment. Human, sexy, big tits, wide hips, bouncy ass, the work?" (To Charlie) "I mean that's how you see in your girlfriend. Right?"
Charlie Morningstar: (Flushes in embarrassment) "Angel! Don't be so crude!" And besides, it's none of your business!"
“She had yellow hair,” Sweeney replied, facing Chrysalis. “Much like yours, or rather your disguise.”
“Can you remember nothing else?” Chrysalis asked him.
This only caused Sweeney to turn back toward the window, returning the cold vacant stare to his face.
“You’ve got to leave all this behind you now,” Mrs. Lovett commented, leaning against Sweeney. “She’s gone… you keep looking down into the grave, you’re never gonna look up. And life will just pass right by… life is for the alive, my dear.”
On the moon
Big Mac: "Eeyup."
Sweeney Todd did not answer, but even Chrysalis could tell what he was thinking.
“We could have a life, us two…” Mrs. Lovett continued. “Maybe not like I dreamed; maybe not like you remember… but we could get by.”
Behind their backs, an angry look came to Chrysalis’s face as she stared at Lovett leaning against Mr. Todd.
“Come away from the window,” Mrs. Lovett instructed.
After a long pause, Todd finally turned from the window almost as if to leave his demons behind. Lovett smiled quietly and held out her hand. She began to cross to him… SUDDENLY REVEALING--- the Gentleman! One of Todd’s past customers, standing right behind Mrs. Lovett, glaring at Todd, relentless and accusatory—blood pouring from his throat—a shocking vision like that of a horror movie—
All of a sudden, the sound of footsteps coming up the back stairs, followed by the ringing bell outside the shop, caused the group to turn their attention to the door. Mrs. Lovett remained standing, her hand out to Todd, as Anthony, along with the Mane Six and Spike, entered the shop absolutely exhausted.
“Mr. Todd… Mrs. Lovett, mum…” Anthony called, sinking into the chair. “Seems I’ve not slept in a week – but it’s done—”
“What is it, Anthony?” Sweeney questioned.
“He has her locked in a madhouse,” Anthony told the man, solemnly.
Todd’s head snapped toward Anthony, riveted.
“You’ve found Johanna?” Sweeney questioned.
Princess Luna: "Eeyup."
“Yes, Mr. Todd,” Twilight Sparkle nodded. “We followed them the night they took Johanna away and found her locked up behind iron bars.
“We wanted to get in and help her right away,” Rainbow Dash added. “But some p— ‘somebody’suggested we lie low since that jerk Turpin has us hunted down like dogs.”
On the moon
Silverstream: "Like Robin Hood!"
Smolder: (To Silverstream) "Now's not the time, Silver..."
“While we kept hidden, we’ve been working on trying to find a way in,” Rarity spoke up. “For all the good it’ll do – it’s impossible to get to her.”
Todd began pacing, like a tiger once more, his mind racing—
“A madhouse… a madhouse… where?” Todd muttered.
“Foggs Asylum,” Rarity answered. “We’ve circled it at least a dozen times and there’s hardly anyway in or out. What we know for sure is that this place she’s locked up in is like a fortress.”
Husk: "Really? You've ever stormed a fortress before? Because the fort I've ever come close to robbing was Fort Knox."
Vaggie: (To Husk) "Did you really?"
Husk: (To Vaggie) "No, of course not. It's called sarcasm bitch."
On the moon
Lumalee: "Life is sad. Prison is sad. Life in prison is very very sad~🎶"
Once they finished explaining the story, the group faded to a brooding silence as Todd kept pacing, thinking… thinking. Mrs. Lovett and Mrs. Winters watched him, concerned. Todd suddenly stopped… an invisible lightbulb went off in his mind as he knew exactly what was needed to get them into the asylum. Not only that, but the perfect method to get Turpin to him. He starts to settle into an inspired form of calm, as if he can finally see the Promised Land.
“I’ve got him,” Todd smirked wickedly.
“Mr. Todd?” Anthony questioned curiously.
“We’ve got her…” Sweeney smiled, placing a hand on the boy’s shoulder. “Where do you suppose all the wigmakers of London go to obtain their human hair?”
The very question made Anthony and the Equestrians look at Mr. Todd both curiously and concerned by his manic look.
“I’m scared to ask, but… where?” Spike spoke up.
“Bedlam,” Sweeney replied with a smirk. “They get their hair from the lunatics at Bedlam—”
Princess Luna: "Can you not use the word, lunatic? It's very demeaning towards me..."
One the moon
Loona: [Texts on her phone]: "Who you calling a lunatic?"
“How positively horrid!” Rarity gasped in shock.
“I don’t understand—” Anthony spoke confused.
Todd suddenly grabbed Anthony and hauled him up, holding him close, forehead-to-forehead, his whispered intensity truly disturbing as he stared right into the boy’s eyes.
“We shall set you up as a wigmaker’s apprentice in search of hair,” Sweeney explained. “That will gain you access, and then you will take her.”
“That’s… actually not a bad idea,” Twilight admitted.
“Yeah, well that gets ‘him’ in,” Rainbow pointed out. “What about us?”
“We could get Spike a guard’s uniform and he can pretend he’s bringing us in to be committed!” Twilight suggested.
Bulk Biceps: "YEEEEEEAAAAAAHHHHH!!!!"
“Oh, I don’t know,” Fluttershy said timidly. “What if something goes wrong? What if we actually end up locked up forever?”
“That won’t ever happen,” Twilight assured, quietly. “We’re only not using magic to blend in at the moment. But if something goes wrong, we can just use it to teleport us out.”
Angel Dust: "Or you could use your magic to fuck up some guards and blow their brains out. That's what I would do..."
“Yippee!” Pinkie cheered excitedly. “This is just like playing pretend with Pound and Pumpkin back home. Except this time, we’re doing it for real. So exciting!”
“And you Anthony will not be deterred,” Todd spoke to Anthony. “You will slaughter the world, to bring her here.”
“Yes…” Anthony responded.
:
“Go and outfit yourself properly,” Todd instructed. “You are to be a gentlemen wigmaker. When you return, we shall dispatch a letter to Mr. Fogg announcing your arrival. Go – quickly now!”
“Mr. Todd…,” Anthony clasped Todd’s hand. “How can we ever--?”
“Go, quickly go!” Sweeney commanded.
Anthony and the Equestrian group turned quickly to hurry out of the shop. However, before leaving, Pinkie Pie skid to a halt and turned around toward Mrs. Lovett. Which did not go unnoticed as Applejack turned back.
“What’re ya doin’ sugarcube?” Applejack asked her.
“I just wanted to say one thing to Mrs. Lovett,” Pinkie spoke.
“What’s that dearie?” Lovett asked curiosity.
Pinkie Pie approached the woman with a quizzical look on her face.
“A while back, when you reopened the shop, I managed to get ahold of one of your new pies. I brought it back with me, did a little digging… and I realized something very important…”
Lumalee: (Singing) "Somebody's getting in trouble~🎶"
“You really made a much better pie this time around,” She smiled happily. “Granted none of us ate it, but it certainly looked and smelled much better than the last one. Did you use a new recipe or something?”
Sweetie Belle: "OH COME OOOOOONNNNN!!!!"
Mr.Cake: "Trust me, Pinkie. You definitely don't want to know. And it's best you didn't eat it. Ever!"
Mrs. Lovett released a breath of relief before regaining her composure and gave the party girl a small smile.
“You might say that…” She nodded. “We also found a better meat supply. What with business being good as it’s been, we’ve been able to afford better products.”
Alastor: "Ha ha ha ha! Yes indeedy! Better products indeed."
On the moon
Loona: [Texts on her phone]: "They could really give my dad a run for his money..."
“A better meat supply, huh…” Pinkie nodded proudly. “Well good! I’m glad things are turning around for you. Guess you didn’t need my help after all.”
However, Applejack squinted her eyes at the woman suspiciously. Whether Pinkie Pie intended to or not, Applejack could tell from the woman’s responses that there was more to what she said than she was letting in. Not to mention she straight up lied about buying the meat. Something was definitely off, and somehow Applejack would find out the truth. But for now, they had other matters to focus on.
“Come now Pinkie,” She called out.
“OKIE-DOKIE-LOKIE!” Pinkie giggled.
The two quickly made their way from the shop to rejoin the group as Mrs. Lovett watched them go, glad they were gone. Same could be said for Chrysalis a.k.a. Alice Winters.
“I swear if Twilight Sparkle won’t be the death of me, that pink toothache will be!” Chrysalis growled.
Cranky Doodle Donkey: "Lady. I've been dreading that thought the moment I first came to Ponvyille..."
11678120 Bear in mind, there is more than 1 chaos god. And I distinctively remember mention of 2 appearing for a brief moment, all the way back in the the Star Wars Saga.
“Thank goodness for that,” Mrs. Lovett said thankfully. “Dear, I wonder if—”
“Fetch the boy,” Mr. Todd ordered.
Lovett spun around to face the manic barber with a worried look.
“Don’t you think it’s time you leave the boy alone?” She asked.
“Fetch… the boy!”
Mr. Todd added an icy stare, begging her to try his patience. Rather than get into an argument with the man, Mrs. Lovett just huffed and exited the shop, going down the stairs outside the barber shop.
Mrs. Cake: "Oh, I hope nothing bad is going to happen to the boy..."
She stopped, standing still for a moment, disturbed that Todd’s demons were again devouring him. She looked down and saw Toby washing the tables in the outdoor garden. The boy was truly serious about his work, vigorously scrubbing the tables with soap and water.
Gabby: "Aw, he's kinda like Spike! They're both serious about their works."
“Toby… Mr. Todd requires you,” Mrs. Lovett spoke.
“Yes’m,” Toby nodded.
Mr. Cake: "Give him strength..."
Minutes prior, Mr. Todd formed a small, wicked smirk.
Mrs. Cake: "Oh Faust. Have mercy..."
“You know she won’t recognize you,” Chrysalis pointed out. “Even then, she won’t hesitate to run away with that boy and those ponies… and that Judge… surely he will kill to keep her for himself.”
On the moon
Big Mac: "Eeyup."
Todd, however, gave her a sly smile.
“Don’t worry, my pet. I have a remedy for that, and you needn’t worry about the boy.”
Alastor: "Ha ha ha! Oh, I expect nothing less from an artist who has crafted his artistry to get away with murder."
“I’m going to send this to the Judge,” Todd explained. “He’s going to come here as quickly as he can…”
“And that’s where you’ll finally have your revenge!” Chrysalis finished with an evil grin. “And if we act swiftly, those meddlesome ponies will drink their own blood by my whim. Oh, I can just taste their flesh in a perfect pie, maybe with a side of stuffed dragon for dessert.”
Gabby: "NOOOOO!!!!"
Ember: "EW! No!"
On the moon
Smolder: "Ick! It's bad enough to hear that dragons have had their skins, their horns, or even their hearts being sold like accessories in the Wizarding World. But stuffed dragon dessert? Yuck! Only Lord Ēferno would engorge himself in that kind of meat."
Ocellus: (To Smolder) "Ew! One of your Dragon Lord's a cannibal?"
Smolder: (To Ocellus) "They don't call him the Blood Dragon for nothing. He'll eat anyone. Even his own fellow dragons. And that's if he deems you a traitor!"
Sandbar: (To Smolder) "Yikes!"
Yona: (To Smolder) "Yona scared!"
Silverstream: (To Smolder) "I know big fishes eat little fishes...but by the Amulet of Aurora, that's scary!"
Smolder: (Shrugs) "Hey. That's just how life was like for dragons back when. It was every dragons for themselves, until Ēferno puts an end to it. Since then, no dragons has ever dared to betray their Dragon Lords, less they risk getting eaten. The last dragon who betrayed him learned that the hard way. And she was his mate!"
Gallus: (To Smolder) "Whatever happens to this Ēferno dragon?"
Smolder: (To Gallus) "No dragons knew for sure. One day, he was conquering the world when he suddenly disappeared. Some say he died. But they never found his body! And since then, no dragons have ever dared to betray their Dragon Lords...OR ELSE HE WILL EAT US ALL!!!"
Norberta: "RAWR!"
Rest of the Student Six, Loona, Granny Smith, and others: (Screaming) "WWWWWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!"
Before long, everyone all looked to see Smolder and Norberta were laughing their hearts out.
Smolder: "Ha ha ha ha ha! Look at you guys! You should've seen the looks on your faces! You're so scared!"
Gallus: (To Smolder) "You gave us a heart attack!"
Yona: (To Smolder) "Not funny!"
Loona: "Hmph!" (Hits Smolder on the head)
Smolder: (Laughing while getting hit) "Ow!"
Discord: (Buried in the ground, with his head above the surface) "I thought it was hilarious."
Everyone: (To Discord) "SHUT UP DISCORD!"
“Yes!” The barber nodded. “And I can finally hold my daughter to me once again, and…”
Todd paused, slumping over the dress. Chrysalis watched the cracked reflection as he fumbled in his throat to find the right words. Something about his position was strikingly familiar, until she realized something from within. Her chest pounded with fierce emotion as her eyes became damp under her scrunching brow. Out of nowhere, she found herself placing her hands over Todd’s shoulders, giving him a comforting massage, which allowed him to eye his reflection dead straight.
“And I will never let her go again… not for anything,” He finished his deathly vow.
“It will be over soon,” Chrysalis reassured, with a nod. “We will win.”
Random Dude: "Uh...don't the bad guys usually lose? Does anyone have a scoreboard? Who's been keeping track?"
“Wait…” He spoke, calmly letting go. “There’s something I must tell you.”
That smooth voice brought enough force for her to stop in her stance. She knew he’d never once bring himself to harm her; yet there was a bubble of nervousness as she eyed the man. What was this feeling? Why was she, the Queen of the Changelings, the terror of Equestria, nervous about standing alone in front of a simple barber? Todd stood patiently still.
“You have no need to remain disguised here. There’s only us… and I’d like to look upon your true form.”
Angel Dust: "Really? Why? You gonna swat her with a newspaper or something?" (Laughs out loud)
Reluctantly, Chrysalis shifted back to her true self. She was confused, thinking ‘why’ Todd would request this of her. Yet… not once had he ever treated her wrongly. Despite how and what she truly appeared to be, he remained respectful to her. Her eyes faltered briefly; her tongue tied.
“Why do you ask me to assume my true form?” Chrysalis asked, surprisingly hesitantly.
“I felt that… I need to tell you without looking at a mask.”
The changeling swallowed as a rising heat built around her face while something got caught in her throat. Was it so hard to understand she was… being complimented?
“Th—thank you,” She stammered.
“No,” Todd answered back. “I want to thank you.”
“Th-thank me? Why?”
Cheese Sandwich: (Singing) "What can he say except, "You're welcome" For the tides, the sun, the sky Hey, it's okay, it's okay You're welcome He's just an ordinary demi-guy"
Husk: (Throws a glass bottle at Cheese Sandwich) "GET OFF THE STAGE YOU FUCKING HORSE SHIT HACK!"
Charlie Morningstar: (To Husk) "Aw, I thought that was pretty clever!"
How long had it been since any creature stood in front of her and, with pure genuine feeling, said ‘Thank you’? At least, not since she’d been exiled from her own kingdom, or even…
Since Fire Wall…
“You’ve been wonderful in helping me through this,” Sweeney Todd continued. “You taught me so much about how to properly execute my vengeance. But most of all, I thank you… for being there for me when no one else would. In this shithole of a world, you helped me bear it all. I am more than grateful for that too.”
‘Too much…’ Chrysalis thought. ‘This is all too much at once…’
Flurry Heart: (To Cadence) "Mommy? Is she?"
Princess Cadence: (To Flurry Heart) "I think she is, sweetie. She's in love!"
Shining Armor: (To Princess Cadence) "Don't be ridiculous, honey. She's a changeling! Not to mention she's one of Equestria's public enemy number one and has kidnapped us...twice."
Atlanta: (To Shining Armor) "Actually, deep down, my mother has a heart...still."
Not even the Order gave her this much genuine support. Someone actually thankful for what she accomplished. Normally she’d feel pride over those words, and yet… that’s not how she felt now. Rather, she felt something else. But what was it? Why did her body suddenly become so weak to stand on? She’s not meant to be weak for anything… and yet it was a barber of all things. This was all so confusing, more so thanks to her species tendency to exert more extremeness in her emotions.
Small thumps were heard against the floorboards, and she realized they were tears falling from her own eyes. How was that possible? It shouldn’t be possible! How could she feel this way? After so long, why have they come back now? Why?
“I… I need to go!” Chrysalis exclaimed.
Alastor: "I'm not a fan for weddings. But isn't it usually the groom who gets the cold feet? Although, from the looks of it, it seems she's giving him the cold shoulders!"
Angel Dust: (Driven mad by Alastor's dad jokes) "Shut up, shut up, SHUT UP!!!"
“Mrs. Winters!” Toby called out.
But Chrysalis… no, ‘Alice Winters’ didn’t turn to answer. Down in the outdoor seating, she paused to collect herself. Somehow, despite the impossibility, her heart ached for the attention of something specific and yearning to be together with another, even after a millennium swearing off ‘love’ for another.
The memories came flooding back into the forefront, ones she deeply repressed for so long, and the pain returned to her body. This excursion brought out the worst in her, and it hurt like no amount of pain before. She ran a hand over her forehead, against the blonde hair on her head, then turned back to Toby.
“I need to go for a walk through the city, to catch my breath,” Mrs. Winters explained to Toby.
“By yourself?” Toby asked, concerned.
“Don’t bother… I’m the scariest thing in this entire cesspool. Just… do what Mrs. Lovett and Mr. Todd ask of you. I’ll be back.”
Alastor: "Hmmmm. I've seen scarier. Why this reminds me of history class when I first learn of Jack the Ripper! A serial killer who is so notorious, so feared, his reign of terror is known throughout all of London! And the best part of all! He was never captured! Never identified."
Husk: (To Alastor) "Yeah, lucky him. Too bad we never knew if he's rich, or where he hid his loot, or his life's saving. All the fuckers in the world couldn't fuck all the shits they want for gold."
Amidst all the conversation in the shop upstairs, down below, Mrs. Lovett was alone at her pie-making station in the closed shop after telling Toby to see Todd. It was getting difficult to keep the ruse around Toby, but tonight she found herself staring at the floorboards of the upstairs shop. Mr. Todd and Ms. Chrysalis had been spending a lot of time together these past few days, and she could see their relationship had been increasingly personal as of late. Curse her luck…
True, the business was booming, but recently she found herself going through an unfortunate burnout phase. Money was pouring in from unsuspecting customers, yet it was missing a specific something that would make it all worthwhile.
Or rather, a specific ‘someone’.
In all her wildest dreams of retirement by the seaside, she dreamt of living a wonderful retirement life with the handsome Sweeney Todd, and possibly with little Toby for good measure. Chrysalis, however, was nowhere to be seen in those dreams. That insect popped out of nowhere while she had known Todd ever since he opened his store above her meat pie shop. What right did Chrysalis have to Todd when she was nothing but a parasite?
Pharynx: "And there's the classic love triangle."
Thorax: (To Pharynx) "Triangle? What triangle?"
Pharynx: (To Thorax) "Ugh. Do you remember anything about romance, Thor? Or even how to start a petty love rivalry? A love triangle is usually when two love interests are fighting over a single creature they're attracted to. Problem is that single creature is only interested in one of them. So the two love interests duke it out in a cat fight to win that single heart. That's why it's called a love triangle."
Soarin: (To Pharynx) "Oh! You mean like the time when Fleetfoot gets into a fight with some random chick, just because she's also attracted to Big Mac?"
Mina: "Or when Princess Luna kissed Big Mac on the ferris wheel?" (To Princess Luna) "That's right~ We saw what you did."
Princess Luna: (To Crazy Steve) "What? No! This is just a blush! I was just blushing! I'm not SUS!"
Angel Dust: (To Princess Luna) "Eh! That's what an imposter would say. Get her out!"
Mina: "No! No, NO! We are NOT throwing anyone out! Ever! Especially Princess Luna! She's my senpai!"
Angel Dust: "...Your what now?"
Husk: "Booooo..."
Lovett slammed her rolling pin on the counter.
“She’s a right flea, she is,” She snarled. “Biting onto poor Mr. T at his most vulnerable state and now she’s sucking out his blood. No doubt, she’ll be rid ‘a him once she’s ‘ad ‘er fill ‘a him! She doesn’t even know him! She’s a harpy, that’s wot! She’s ensnared the poor bloke under her magic spell.”
On the moon
Gallus: "...Well...technically, she's not wrong."
She heard footsteps descending from the barbershop upstairs as the disguised Chrysalis walked out into the street, out of sight. Mrs. Lovett watched her movements from the main window of the shop. A burning fire raged hotter than her furnace built up inside at the mere sight of the disguised insect.
“Just you wait, Chryssi girl!” She hissed. “We’ll see ‘oo’s got the barber when all’s said and done!”
Discord: "Oh hoo-hoo! I'm going to need more popcorn!"
“Take this there and seek out a Judge Turpin,” Todd instructed. “Repeat that… repeat that.”
“Go to the Old Bailey, find Judge Turpin,” Toby repeated.
“Put this into his hands,” Todd handed the letter. “Onlyto him. Do you understand?”
Husk: "If the judge don't arrest him first, like he did with the other sorry sap."
Charlie Morningstar: (To Husk) "He's just a kid!"
Husk: (To Charlie) "My point exactly..."
“Yes, sir,” Toby nodded. “And while I’m out do you mind if I stop by the grocer and pick up the—”
Todd pounced like a panther, he suddenly leapt up and grabbed Toby by the throat with shocking brutality.
“DON’T CHATTER, BOY!” Todd interrupted loudly. “You are not to stop! You are not to speak! You are to deliver this letter! DO YOU UNDERSTAND?!”
Mrs. Cake: "Goodness, gracious!"
Mr. Cake: "He's throttling the kid!"
Charlie Morningstar: "HEY! What the hell was that?"
Sugar Belle: "Child abuse!"
Husk: "Who the fuck cares?" (Drinks his booze)
On the moon
Princess Celestia: "Oh my mother!"
Silverstream: "HE'S STRANGLING THE KID!"
Loona: [Texts on her phone]: "He's certainly not spanking him..."
Toby was stunned and terrified. This was the first time he had seen this side of his friend, Mr. Todd. Seeing the cold and demented look on the barber’s face, Toby fearfully nodded his head.
“Yes, sir,” He replied quietly.
Princess Luna: "I've seen many monsters in my days. But it takes a special breed to direct such violence and abuse towards a child..." (Thinks about her friend, Anakin Skywalker) "Unfortunately, it seems a lot of monsters were made from so many bad days beyond their controls..."
Later that night, after a lengthy walk mulling over the thoughts going around her head, Chrysalis walked down the street back to the front of the pie shop. She still hadn’t fully answered the questions floating around in her head, but with the sun having set she needed to return to the shop. Not only her, but at that moment, Toby too had finished running his errand and met with her at the door.
“Good evening, Miss Winters!” Toby greeted.
“Hello Toby,” Chrysalis replied.
“Are you alright, mum?”
“Of course, dear,” Chrysalis nodded in response. “Why do you ask?”
“It’s just you seem conflicted, mum. Like something’s troubling you, but you don’t know ‘ow to handle it.”
Chrysalis was honestly surprised at just how observant the child was and how he was able to deduce that from a single look. However, Chrysalis merely shook her head and gave the boy a fake smile.
“I assure you Toby, I’m quite alright,” Chrysalis told him. “Now let’s get inside quickly.”
Pharynx: "Yeah, and maybe tattle-tale on Sweeney Todd for what he did to ya kid so mommy Chrysalis can eat his inside while he's still alive."
“And I was thinkin’… but for you I would be there now,” He spoke seriously.
“Hmm…” Mrs. Lovett grumbled tiredly.
“Or someplace worse,” Toby emphasized. “Seems like the Good Lord sent you for me.”
This caused Mrs. Lovett to give a small smile of appreciation.
“Oh, love, I feel quite the same way—” She responded.
Audience: "AWWWW!!!"
At that moment, Chrysalis made her way back down the steps to speak to Mrs. Lovett herself. However, when she heard Toby talking with her, she slunk behind the wall to listen in.
“Hear me out, mum…” Toby spoke seriously. “You know there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you. Say, if there was someone around – someone bad? Only you didn’t know it—”
Mrs. Lovett turned her head in the boy’s direction with a curious look on her face.
“What is this?” Mrs. Lovett asked concerned. “What are you talking about?”
Alastor: "He's about to tattle-tale...in SONG!"
Ember: "Oh noooooo...I'm outta here." (Takes her leave from the theater)
Toby looked into Mrs. Lovett’s eyes seriously, expressing both his thanks and promise to her through song.
Toby (Sings): Nothing’s gonna harm you, Not while I’m around. Nothing gonna harm you, No, sir, Not while I’m around…
“What do you mean, ‘someone bad’?” Mrs. Lovett questioned him.
Toby (Sings): Demons are prowling Everywhere. Nowadays. I’ll send ‘em howling, I don’t care— I got ways.
“Darling, hush now,” Mrs. Lovett assured, laying back on the couch. “There’s no need for this…”
But Tony merely continued with his song…
Toby (Sings): No one’s gonna hurt you, No one’s gonna dare. Others can desert you— Not to worry— Whistle, I’ll be there. Demons’ll charm you With a smile For a while, But in time Nothing can harm you, Not while I’m around.
As Chrysalis listened from her spot behind the wall, she leaned her back against the wall and slowly slid down to sit on the floor. The words this young boy sang, amidst all the emotions she’d been feeling through this excursion, finally caused the tears she tried so hard to keep in to slide down her face as she quietly wept.
She thought of Fire Fall, how he used to say something very similar to her about protecting her from the evils of the world. Such a naïve young pony, but she was so touched by his words… and she was so young herself once. All this served as a reminder of how much she had meant to this one pony, how much they loved one another… him promising that he’d always be there for her… forever.
However, she also thought of how this finally caused her to realize why her feelings were so conflicted. While she retained the memory of Fire Fall always within her heart and mind, she couldn’t help her growing feelings toward Sweeney Todd. All this time spent together these past months, the conversations they shared, it all resided now within her blackened heart.
Alastor: "Hmmmm. It's not exactly a tattle-tale. But it's a song. And a good one still."
Random Dude: "EMBER'S BEEN ELECTROCUTED AND SHE'S BEEN SHOCKED UNCONSCIOUS!"
Audience: *GASPS*
Mina: "H-H-How did that happened? How could she have been shocked?!"
Grubber: (Points at Tempest Shadow) "It was Tempest! She did it!"
Tempest Shadow: (To Grubber) "Grubber. I've been sitting next to you during the entire movie! How could I have shocked her if I was right here?"
Random Dude: (To Mina) "I don't know how it could've happened. All I saw was that Ember was on the floor, covered in burns and she smelled like roast beef! And one of the TV screen in the theater appeared to have been blown up."
Silver Shill: (Sighs) "I'm afraid I'll have to file another report here at the theater."
Shining Armor: "I don't know how Discord can continue running his business like this. But this is unprofessional."
Flurry Heart: (To Shining Armor) "Dad. This is Discord we're talking about. His theater's bound to fall apart."
Vaggie: "Hey! Can we get back on topic? Like how did this happened? Who would set Ember up to be electrocuted?"
Charlie Morningstar: "I don't know. There's not enough evidence. Let's just skip for now."
Meanwhile, in the other room, Mrs. Lovett merely gave the boy a small smile.
“That’s nice dear,” She spoke, rising from the couch. “Now, what is all this foolishness now? What are you talking about?”
“Little things wot I’ve been thinking… about Mr. Todd…” Toby replied.
This sentence alone caused Mrs. Lovett to freeze in place, shock and concern spreading across her face. This certainly wasn’t going in a good direction at all.
Alastor: "Ah! There's the tattle-tale."
Toby (Sings): Not to worry, not to worry, I may not be smart but I ain’t dumb. I can do it, Put me to it, Show me something I can overcome. Not to worry, mum.
Toby leaned into her, she put her arms around him, but her expression was deeply troubled. Whether she cared to admit it or not, Chrysalis was right: He was starting to catch on.
Toby (Sings): Being close and being clever Ain’t like being true, I don’t need to, I won’t never Hide a thing from you, Like some.
During the last note, Toby glanced up toward the ceiling where he knew the barbershop and the barber within resided. Mrs. Lovett, meanwhile, was trying to showcase her concern that the boy clearly knew something. But rather than panic, she nervously comforted him and attempted to get him off topic altogether.
“Now, Toby dear, haven’t we had enough of this foolish chatter?” Lovett asked, turning his gaze.
Husk: "It ain't foolish if he's no fool."
She grabbed her small coin purse and reached in to pull out a single coin, which she held out to the boy.
“Here, how about I give you a shiny new penny and you can fetch us some nice toffees--?” Lovett suggested.
At first, Toby smiled at the very idea. However, that smile quickly vanished when he looked at the small Chatelaine purse in her hand. His eyes widened when he noticed that it looked very… familiar.
“That’s Signor Pirelli’s purse!” He gasped.
Angel Dust: "Welp. They're busted."
“No, no, love –” Mrs. Lovett replied nervously, eyeing the purse. “This is just something Mr. T gave me for my birthday—”
“See that proves it!” Toby exclaimed loudly. “What I been thinkin’! We’ve gotta go, mum, right now! We gotta find the Beadle and get the law here!”
Husk: "Bad idea kid..."
Toby urgently pulled Lovett’s hand, trying to run out of the room. But Mrs. Lovett quickly pulled him down to her again, agitated yet proceeding to lead him back to the room as calmly as she could.
“Shh! Hush now, Toby, hush…” Lovett shushed him. “Hush lad, you’re not going anywhere. You just sit next to me nice and quiet… that’s right, right?”
She proceeded to lead the boy toward the couch, sitting him down next to her. She pulled him in close, holding him to her as she tried her hardest to keep things from escalating.
“How could you think such a thing of Mr. Todd?” Lovett asked, holding him close. “He’s been so good to us.”
On the moon
Big Mac: "Nope!"
Though she tried to put on a kind face for the boy, inside she was freaking out. This boy clearly wasn’t as dumb as they originally believed and right now, she needed to think of how to keep him quiet. For now, she tried calming him as she too began to sing.
Mrs. Lovett (Sings): Nothin’s gonna harm you, Not while I’m around. Nothing’s gonna harm you, darling, Not while I’m around.
Toby (Sings): Demons’ll charm you With a smile For a while, But in time Nothing’s gonna harm you, Not while I’m around.
The boy started to calm down a bit as Lovett held him… just as she came to a painful, dreadful decision. Concern and pain were as plain as the nose on her face. She seriously wished it wouldn’t have come to this; she truly loved the boy, like the son she never had. However, Chrysalis was right… he knows far too much. They couldn’t risk him alerting the law, even the thought of what they must do brought tears to her eyes. Just then, an idea popped into her head.
“Funny we should be having this little chat right now…” She spoke softly. “’Cause I was just thinkin’, you know how you’ve always fancied going into the bakehouse with me to help make the pies?”
“Yes, mum,” Toby nodded dreamily.
Lovett quickly dried her eyes and turned him over to look at her.
“Well… no time like the present,” Mrs. Lovett smiled.
Mr. Cake: (Shakes his head) "I don't think so..."
Mrs. Lovett stood back up and grabbed Toby by the hand, leading him away from the area. Hearing approaching footsteps, Chrysalis quickly snapped herself out of her sadness, got up to her feet, and tried to walk away quickly. However, she bumped her shin into a nearby drawer and grunted in pain from the impact.
Random Changeling: "Ooh! I'll bet that's smarts."
At that moment, Lovett and Toby walked out spotting her hunched over the drawer.
“You alright, dearie?” Mrs. Lovett asked her.
“I’m fine!” She groaned in response. “Wasn’t watching where I was going and bumped hard into this ‘stupid’ drawer! But… I’ll be alright.”
“I’m taking Toby down to the bakehouse with me for a while,” Lovett informed her. “Would you mind keeping an eye on the place up ‘ere? Any customers come in, let ‘em know I’ll be with ‘em shortly.”
Chrysalis just nodded in response as Mrs. Lovett and Toby proceeded down the cellar stairs to the bakehouse. Chrysalis was about to walk away when she noticed something odd in the open drawer. Apparently, she bumped the drawer loose and she could see inside. Sliding the drawer open a tad, she noticed what appeared to be a small golden ring and an empty little vial inside.
Reaching in, Chrysalis first pulled out a ring. Examining it, she noticed a small inscription on the inside.
To my one and only Lucy…
Charlie Morningstar: "Lucy? As in..."
Audience: *GASPS*
Her eyes widened when she read the inscription. This belonged to Mr. Todd’s late wife. But why did Lovett have it hidden away? She quickly placed the ring into her dress and reached out for the vial. Popping the bottle open, she brought it to her nose and gave a small sniff. She was instantly met with a bitter yet very familiar odor.
“Arsenic…” She whispered.
She placed the vial in her dress too before quickly shutting the drawer back up and walked away. It was all too clear now Mrs. Lovett was hiding something. Why else would she have Mr. Todd’s wife’s ring and an empty bottle of arsenic? What was that woman up to?
Octavia: "Something definitely smells fishy around here. And It ain't sea ponies."
Mrs. Lovett led Toby down the claustrophobic, long stairway toward the bakehouse. The stone walls of the corridor were very dark as no source of light entered the chamber.
“My heart bleeds for you haven’ to go up and down all these stairs!” Toby told Mrs. Lovett.
“Well, that’ll be your job now,” Mrs. Lovett replied.
“Yes, mum!”
Soon, she arrived at the heavy iron door to the bakehouse. A seismic rumble of the bake oven could be heard from within. She unbolted the large iron latch on the door and pulled it open, ushering Toby in. And they finally enter…
The Bakehouse, a macabre vision of Hell.
Random sinner: "Looks kinda like home to me..."
The roof hung low in this subterranean chamber. The grisly tools of her trade are scattered about the place: a large, stained chopping block; a meat grinder; buckets of questionable viscous liquid; cleavers and bone saws and meat hooks; wet sewer grates for the blood. A metal sheet, hinged at the top, had been attached to cover an opening in the wall: the mouth of the chute from the barber shop above.
And eeriest of all… the thundering roar of flame coming from a large industrial oven against one wall, like the fire of an iron dragon. Taking a sniff around the cavernous bakehouse, Toby could immediately smell the rancid smell of rotting meat.
“Coo, quite a stink, ain’t there?” Toby asked.
Mrs. Lovett had no response at first, as she walked toward the giant oven with Toby following close. She gestured to a grate off the side which led down into the sewers.
“You see those grates?” She asked. “They go right down to the sewers, and the whiffs come up, always a few rats gone home to Jesus down there.”
“So – where do I start?!” Toby asked anxiously.
She then walked over to the oven and unlocked the large latch to open it up, revealing a great burning fire within the thrumming oven.
“Now this would be the bake over…” Mrs. Lovett instructed. “Ten dozen at a time. Always be sure the door is closed properly, like this.”
To demonstrate, she closed the large iron door of the oven and then re-locked the latch to keep it shut.
“Yes’m, always closed properly,” Toby repeated.
Lovett then led Toby to the corner of the room where the giant meat grinder stood stationary.
“And here’s the grinder…” Lovett demonstrated. “… You pop in the meat; give it a good grind and it comes out here.”
She proceeded to turn the large crank of the grinder to demonstrate how it works. A large amount of freshly ground meat emerged out the end.
Alastor: (Licks his lips) "Mmmmmm! Just like how mom grinds the meat."
“Now you try,” Lovett gestured.
Toby walked over and proceeded to follow the same steps Mrs. Lovett had told him.
“Good grind,” He grunted as he cranked. “Comes out there.”
“That’s me boy,” Mrs. Lovett replied, patting his shoulder. “Smoothly, smoothly—now I’ve got to pop upstairs, back in two shakes, all right?”
“Yes’m.”
Lovett began to go when he stopped her with a heartbreaking request:
“Do you think I might have a pie while I wait?” Toby asked innocently.
Mrs. Lovett turned to the poor boy standing at a rack of cooling pies.
“As many as you like, son,” Mrs. Lovett replied softly. “As many as you like…”
Mrs. Lovett made her way out of the bakehouse and sealed the large steel door behind her. She latched the door shut, locking Toby inside. She leaned back against the door at the very thought of what was happening hit her. Her face held a manner of sadness before being replaced by determination. She knew this had to be done… but she’d need help.
Starlight Glimmer: "What is she up to this time?"
Thorax: "Also...how is Lucy's ring and the arsenic bottle she used to kill herself doing in her possession to begin with?"
Back with the Mane Six and Anthony, the group stood at the front door of the asylum preparing to put their plan into action. The girls were shackled together to look like they’ve been captured, while Spike was dressed like a prison guard bringing them in. Anthony was dressed as a fashionable wigmaker, or at least to give off the impression he was an apprentice just as Mr. Todd instructed.
“These chains are so uncomfortable,” Rainbow groaned, as the iron scrapped her skin.
“Hush now hun, it’ll only be fer a few minutes,” Applejack assured her. “Besides, ya weren’t complaining a while back when we tried experimenting.”
“That was rope, not chains,” Rainbow corrected.
“Honestly, you two really need to stop talking about such things,” Rarity cringed in disgust.
Angel Dust: "No! Actually keep it going. I'm sure you're turning some of us sinners on here. We love those kinds of talks. Very kinky stuff~"
Pharynx: (To Angel Dust) "I thought you're homesexual."
Angel Dust: (To Pharynx) "I am. But I charge extra for bitches..."
“It’s great you two are together and making the shippers happy,” Pinkie nodded in agreement. “But I think most of them are getting tired of the innuendos. We don’t even have any M-Rated stories where we can get past the brief mentions.”
“Girls, focus!” Twilight spoke up. “We’re here.”
Just then, the doors to the asylum opened up and a gangly looking balding man, dressed in a white lab coat, Mr. Fogg by name, stepped out.
“Can I help you?” He asked.
“Indeed you can, sir,” Anthony replied curtly. “My master is looking to create a new ensemble of wigs and I was hoping to gather some blonde hair for them.”
Mr. Fogg turned his attention to the group of young girls in shackles.
“What ‘bout them?” He questioned curiously.
“New girls being committed,” Spike replied, with a deep authoritative voice.
On the moon
Big Mac: "Eeeyup."
Outside the cell, Spike and the girls looked in noting the horror within.
“Sweet Celestia, those poor women are terrified beyond belief!” Rarity whispered in horror.
“This guy’s a nut job!” Rainbow whispered. “He should be the one locked up here.”
On the moon
Big Mac: "Eeyup!"
“I-I-I d-don’t want t-t-to b-be here anymore!” Fluttershy whimpered fearfully.
On the moon
Ocellus: "Me neither! The moon is great and all, but...I wanna go home!"
“That one there has the shade I need,” Anthony pointed to Johanna.
Fogg went to fetch Johanna, as Anthony looked on.
“Come, child,” Mr. Fogg called to her.
However, Johanna refused to move from her spot. Mr. Fogg just once again smiled creepily as he walked over to Johanna and knelt down beside her.
“Smile for the gentleman and you shall have a sweetie,” He chuckled.
Johanna’s eyes shot wide when she saw Anthony, but she said nothing as Fogg prepared the scissors to cut the girl’s golden hair.
“Now, where shall I cut?”
Charlie Morningstar: "No, DON'T!"
Alastor: (Starts to distort and transform) "You know, I do really hate those who can't show a little more respect to those of fairer means. It's rather distasteful, LIKE BAD MEAT!"
CLICK!
Suddenly, before Fogg could react – Anthony pulled a revolver from his pocket and aimed it at the asylum director. The man quickly put his hands up in defense.
“Not another word, Mr. Fogg, or it will be your last,” Anthony threatened.
Alastor: (Reverts to his normal self) "Ha ha ha! GOOD SHOW old chap!"
Husk: "Finally, the boy has become a man and has grown some balls."
The young man quickly grabbed Johanna, pulled her close to him for protection, and pushed Fogg back into the cell. They slowly started to back out of the room.
“Now I leave you to the mercy of your… ‘children’.”
He swung the cell door shut, locking Fogg in. Mr. Fogg now found himself locked in with the blonde inmates. They slowly began to advance on him, menacingly like, likely to rip him limb from limb. Amidst the screaming rage of the blondes, Mr. Fogg screamed in agony.
Alastor: "My my my. Those ladies certainly reminds me of Rosie. Such a charming little lady if I do say so myself."
Once safely back outside the cell, Twilight used her magic to pry the straitjacket off Johanna and she threw her arms around Anthony, bawling into his chest.
“I knew you’d come!” She bawled. “I’ve waited so long; I was starting to worry.”
On the moon
Silverstream: "Hey, don't you know your fairy tales? The conquering hero always rescues the damsel-in-distress!"
Discord: "Except for that one time when Twilight stupidly made the mistake of leaving Sunset Shimmer behind."
Off the side, Twilight used her magic to pry the shackles off herself and her friends while Spike removed the guard uniform.
“It’s alright, Johanna,” Twilight assured, placing a hand on the girl’s shoulder. “We’re getting you out of here. We’ll make sure to get you somewhere safe.”
“Speaking of which, we better go before anyone catches us,” Spike spoke up.
The group were about to turn and make their way out when a voice calling to them stopped the group.
“YOU THERE!”
They turned back to the cell as a blonde girl peeked through the viewing window.
“Gotta thank all of yer,” She sighed gratefully. “That man’s a monster in human skin! We has much fun with ‘im!”
“Uh… no problem,” Rainbow replied awkwardly. “So, we got to go now. But you girls have your fun!”
“Wait a minute!” Twilight interrupted.
The lavender princess slowly crept over to the window for a closer look at the girl’s face. Though the corridor was only lit by a few torches, she could still trace out the girl’s face. The face of that Alice Winters girl they met at Mrs. Lovett’s shop when they first got here.
“What you on about?” The girl replied. “My name’s not Alice, and it ain’t Winters neither. My name’s… Beatrice
Pharynx: "Welp. Wrong girl."
This caused Twilight to cock her head to the side in confusion. If this girl was named Beatrice, then who was the girl they had seen with Sweeney Todd? Perhaps a few more questions will help answer that.
“Do you by chance happen to have a sister?” Twilight asked the girl.
This just caused the mad girl to burst into a fit of mad laughter.
“No sisters I have.” Beatrice giggled madly. “Not even brothers. Was just me and my papa. A cruel man he was, always so mean. Until one day, I stopped him bein’ mean forever.”
On the moon
Lumalee: "He must be in a better place then. And you did him a favor! You are a good girl, Beatrice."
Loona: [Texts on her phone]: "Shut up, shut up, SHUT UP!!!"
Capper Dapperpaw: (To Loona) "You really don't like that asylum, do you?"
Loona: [Texts on her phone]: "It brings back bad memories."
Twilight internally could only imagine what exactly the girl meant by that statement. Then again, perhaps it was best she didn’t know.
“How long have you been here?” She asked.
“Too long it’s been.” Beatrice replied with a wide eyed vacant stare. “Stopped count in’ after a year.”
This is what really caused Twilight to step back with wide eyes of horror on her face. How could it be possible that this girl could have been locked up here for a year and they saw her only a short while back?
Unless…
“We need to get back to the pie shop now!” Twilight said urgently.
Thorax: "Wow, Twilight is finally catching on. At last!"
Pharynx: "Yeah. They've rescued Johanna, she and Anthony are gonna run away and live happily ever after. The end."
Mina: "Speaking of which...shouldn't we have found our imposter by now? There's only one more?"
"You've already found him!"
Angel Dust: "Hey whoa! Who said that?"
Alastor: (He looked rather annoyed, but his slasher smile remains, but rather cringing) "Oh no...not you."
"Hello there, Alastor. Ha ha ha ha. Thought you could host a show in a theater? MY THEATER?!"
Mina: "Your theater? This is Discord's Theater! Who are you?"
In response, the entire room was plunged into total darkness, before the theater screen turns itself back on, to reveal a static. But with it, a face appears. The monitor projects two eyes with red sclera and light blue pupils, the outline and wrinkles of his left eye being cyan, and a mouth with sharp teeth that glows light blue.
You know that I know You hear me so I exist around all you do Though I doubt that this hits you as the most shocking of blows This reminder I bring to you That no matter the trade, there's no hope of escape From the toll that I'm sure you'll rue Auf wiedersehen You lost the game of life As you wander through hell That facade that you sell Bears a cross to the test of time It's a real motherfucker that you decide to rebel As if we can't see the dead of night There are millions of ways to remember the days But they all end in sacrifice Don't be afraid This is the afterlife This is the afterlife You thought this was hell? Oh ho ho, you have no idea. This is the afterlife
I got a bad feeling of what's to come next.....
Oh thank Faust…they didn’t actually eat it
Ok… I’m getting a really bad feeling on what’s Lovett is planning
The Equestrians and Anthony got Johanna out, but now Twilight realizes the woman with Todd is not who she appears to be. Can't wait to see what occurs next time
And now the girls know that the woman they met was not human, at all. Hurry, girls!
Just when everything seems to be going well, at least for the antagonists, something is bound to go wrong. As if a changeling's confusing feelings for Mr. Todd isn't enough, turns out that Toby is starting to catch on to what Todd's been up to and they need to do something about that kid. Not to mention our heroes prepare their plans to rescue Johanna, not realizing Todd's already have plans to have them walking into a trap with the Judge involved. It just gets better and better.
Ok, now I’m more suspicious of Lovett.
Something doesn’t smell right, she is hiding something BIG about Todd wife. Even though she told him how Lucy died… but now I’m starting to think that there’s more to that story then she let on about
Oh boi, looks like Twilight finally found out Chrysalis was there this whole time
However…. I have this REALLY bad feeling about once they get there something bad is gonna happen
Extra Cuts
*I tensed upon seeing Todd again, holding Sonata's hand for should anything happen.*
Sonata Dusk: As if it weren't bad enough having to deal with trying to get her away from Turpin.
Me: No kidding.
Me: And believe me, we've had our fair share of fortress from where we're from.
Blitz: We have? *receives a look from me* I-I-I mean yes! We have.
Me: Wigmaker...
Me: Wigmaker... I like that~
Blitz: *Likes the sound of slaughtering the world, but remembers his promise to the girls, Spike, and I*
Blitz: Alright, you heard him! Let's move!
Me: *face palms*
Blitz: Is she always like that?
Me: It's just Pinkie being Pinkie...
<>
*As for Blitz and I, we remained in the shadows until the right moment*
*Blitz and I step out of the shadows. Blitz holds a victorian-like revolver in his hand pointing it at Fogg while I wear a victorian version of my Nightwing suit*
Blitz: Have fun ladies~
Blitz: The f***?...
Me: Right! Blitz, ready a weapon incase anything happens.
Blitz: You got it!
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Future G5
Discord Memorial Cinema
Just then, the phone in the main lobby started ringing.
Me: Just a second, I gotta take every call that comes in.
Zipp: Just like Pipp every single day.
Pipp: Hey!
Ignoring the sibling banter and the sickening states of some of the patrons, I took the last sip of my can of lemonade, throwing it out before I answered the phone. To my surprise, it was my colleague Phantom-Dragon.
Me: (answers phone) Hello: Future Branch. Plymouth speaking. Phantom? Hey! Haven't heard from you in a while! How’s it going? (gets answer) Woah, woah, just…slow down for a second. Huh? You’re saying Dino’s released another chapter in his Disney Chronicles: Fantasia story after almost two years? And it’s about the big battle with Chernabog?! (laughs) No fucking way, man! That’s awesome! Hey, how’s Rain Shine doing? Uhuh…ouch, dude. I didn’t think being the husband to the Kirin Queen would be that stressful and time consuming. (gets uncomfortable) Okay…okay seriously TMI, man. I don’t really need to hear just “how affectionate” your relationship really is. No, it’s—it’s okay. I didn’t mean to insult or anything. (sighs, pinching the bridge of my nose) I’m sorry, it’s just that this particular film showing has been more stressful than I realized. We’re showing Tim Burton’s Sweeney Todd adaptation of Stephen Sondheim’s musical, yeah the one with Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter and Alan Rickman; that one. I’m surprised because I’ve only seen it once and on this second viewing it’s like I’ve discovered a brand new appreciation for how entertaining and complex it is on a musical level, despite the gruesome subject matter. (sighs, running a hand through my head-feathers) Honestly it’s a good thing that you took this vacation when you did. (gets interrogated, feels nervous) Uh…no, no everything’s actually just fine where I am. Apart from a few walkouts and throw ups, of course which just really comes with the movie. (gets serious) No, seriously, I mean it. You need this vacation, man. You’ve been through hell and back and it has seriously taken a toll on your mental health and you seriously need a rest, and especially time with your wife. (sighs, calming down) I’m sorry if I’m coming off a bit…forward with this, but it’s really concerning me as well. (gets answer) Yeah, I could use one myself, but it’s just only me in my division and I’d much rather not take that risk. Yeah, I-I get where you’re coming from. (sighs again, cracks open can of lite beer) Anyway, thanks for the courtesy call, man. Again, it’s all good where I’m from, and don’t worry…(drinks lite beer)…your branch is doing okay and is in good hands with Mina. Thanks for calling, and send my well wishes to Rain Shine and the kid, and the other branches as well. (chuckles) Bye~!
I replaced the phone back onto the receiver, leaning back against the counter as I breathed a sigh of relief. Right at that moment, I watched the holographic memory of Mina from the Present in a poor frazzled state.
Mina: Why does everything have to spiral out of control every time we show a movie here of all places?!
Discord: SHH!! Do you mind? We’re trying to watch the movie over here!
Mina: AUGHH!!!
I gave my sympathies to the poor flustered dragon, taking another sip from my lite beer as I returned to my seat. Wherever Phantom was, I hope he’s enjoying the time of his life because goddamnit, he deserves some well earned relaxation time with his wife and future child. It’s gonna get stressful up the wazoo with the adventure of fatherhood.
Me: (sighs, shaking head) When did going to the cinema get to be so goddamn complicated and stressful? Thanks a lot, Dissy. (drinks again) Fucking draconequus.
>>next
If I may take a moment to emulate Jonathan Decker of Cinema Therapy, I must congratulate DramaMaster and Mr. Enigma for writing in a (relatively) healthy relationship between Sweeney Todd and Chrysalis. The whole relatively part is focused on how they each drive the other to vengeance. Aside from that, they are both genuine and kind toward each other. They each show their partner support and honesty, and you can feel that they each have nothing to hide from the other.
You could have Chrysalis cutting hair and providing shaves by the end of this story, and it would not surprise me. People tend to pick up the hobbies and interests of their significant others, so why not here? Heck, in an alternate universe, I could see them running the shop together!
All in all, this is a great starting point for Chryssie and Todd. This could grow into something genuinely wonderful for both of them. The only thing they need to do now is find a healthy way to deal with their vengeance fixations. And of course, I'm not going to pretend like I know how this story is going to end. But if it ends in any way similar to the film....
..... I'll just be preparing for the gut punch now, 'cause it's going to hurt.
It seems that Twilight has finally figured it out who Miss Winters really is. However, I do wonder what Chrysalis is going to do now? She seems to be conflicted.
Next chapter:
"How about I shave him?"
Its coming to a boil XD
I knew Chrysalis had an emotional connection to Sweeney/Benjamin, but I was shocked to see what it has become, a feeling the ex-queen changelings mocked at the Canterlot wedding and thought she'd never feel again... until now. But that brings her into conflict with Lovett, who also seeks Todd's attention. But it is something more complex, this adventure is causing him an existential crisis. Sure, she hates ponies and she's mean, but is being in the Black Order really what she really wants? If she really loves Benjamin, the poor thing is going to break her heart at the end.
Returning to Todd, the evil barber has another chance to get revenge on Turpin and get her daughter back when he agrees to help the protagonists in their plan to get her out of the asylum. He and Chrysalis also plan to use the opportunity to get rid of Anthony, Spike, and The Mane 6; but it backfires when the real "Alice Winters" is in that asylum, making Twilight realize the deception. And they are not the only ones; Toby becomes suspicious of Todd, unaware that both of his mothers are his accomplices... and that they are willing to do anything to keep the dark secret of the barbershop and bakery a secret. Although Lovett seems to be hiding something about Lucy.
The story is nearing its climax, but who will survive to know the truth?
Regarding Fire Fall, I'm starting to think that Chrysalis's mother has something to do with her disappearance. Or maybe Twilight knows something about what really happened (considering that she is now friends with the changelings).
Now things are starting to come to a bloody ending!
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Future G5
Discord Memorial Cinema
Sunny: They’re…on vacation?
Me: (sings) Seaside~! We’re off to the seaside~! We’re gonna have a lovely day~! (speaks) It’s your classic Seaside Holiday in Britain.
Zipp: This just gets weirder and weirder…
Hitch: I never thought that…being a serial killer would get…boring.
Sprout: Does that make them more or less dangerous?
Hitch: Honestly…I have no idea.
Me: Christ, how long is the passage of time in this movie?
Izzy: So…is the Summer holiday over…and it’s…Fall?
Sunny: Maybe…maybe it was Spring and then it became Summer.
Izzy: Oh…so did Todd and Chryssi come to London at the tail end of Spring?
Me: (shrugs) You can’t exactly tell with the British weather considering how wet and damp the climate is, and especially with all the ash and smoke being spewed from the factories.
Me: Oh, so now you worry for your daughter’s sake? You just did a musical montage where you basically gave up hope while you murdered all your customers. (drinks)
Pipp: I’m…confused. What’s up with him?
Me: (surprised) Wow…this is an interesting development. Chrysalis is actually being open and honest with Todd, as if the whole serial killer villain aspect was non-existent.
Pipp: Yeah, it’s like they basically enjoy each other’s company.
Sunny: Hoofness…I never expected this.
Me: Taxidermy scares the living daylights out of me.
Zipp: Dare I ask?
Me: Basically…it’s the stuffed corpses of live animals put on display, usually as trophies for pro hunters.
Hitch: (gags green)
Pipp: (pats Hitch’s back) Humans are just as interesting as they are gruesome. It’s honestly, like, really something.
Sunny: You know…if you’re interested in that kind of thing.
Me: (laughs) Oh, my God!
Izzy: Wow. That was mean.
Hitch: Yeah, a business of murdering and cannibalism. And yet…she’s talking of…giving up on having revenge?
Zipp: This bodes well.
I laughed again, and so did Pipp.
Pipp: (laughs) He is just, so~ not into her!
Sunny: This song is…a bit too peppy for a movie about…murderings.
Sprout: I think she’s starting to scare me.
Sunny: Toby doesn’t look as…messy as he normally does.
Zipp: So…Lovett actually cares for him? That’s surprising.
Hitch: You’re surprised just now?
Sunny: (giggles) What is he wearing?
Me: Old timey bathing suit. Though it doesn’t quite match his pale face.
Hitch: Something screwy is going on here…
Izzy: They’re like a…semi-dysfunctional family?
Crickets.
Hitch: Nah.
Pipp: Mm-mm.
Zipp: No way.
Sunny: It’s…more creepy than anything, really.
Izzy: Oh…
Me: I think Cadence is getting a bit sick from all the lust in the air…
Zipp: Todd’s just having none of it.
Izzy: Ooh...are those scones? I love tea and scones!
Posey: (disgusted) This woman is nuts.
Me: She’s even worse than Miss Piggy, and yet Piggy has redeeming qualities and never cannibalized anyone!
Sunny: A…a wedding?
Zipp: Seriously? Oh, my hoofness, she’s even imagining marrying him!
Sunny: I think…Chrysalis tried to do something like that before as well.
Me: Oh, yeah. That’s the Canterlot Wedding Invasion you’re talking about.
Audience: AAH!!!
Pipp: I…think it was already dead.
Me: That was trippy.
Pipp: Tell me about it.
Me: (shocked) Ooh…woop. Whoop. Chryssi’s getting jealous.
Izzy: Why would she get jealous? She’s a jinx: jinxes don’t get jealous.
Zipp: Maybe that’s why she invaded the Canterlot Wedding? Because she was jealous?
Sunny: No: she impersonated Cadence and hypnotized Shining Armor with the goal of taking over Equestria with all of the love resonating with the wedding.
Me: With love comes envy. (drinks)
Me: Ah. Figures.
Zipp: And…they’re ignoring you again.
Me: Eh, I’d rather have toast than eggs.
Audience: Ooh…
Izzy: That’s a jinxie question if I’ve ever heard one…
Pipp: (waving a hoof) Ixnay on the Lucy-ay, Lovett.
Sunny: Ooh…the tension is real…
Me: What the actual shit?!
Sunny: WHAT THE—?!!
Zipp: THE ACTUAL—?!!
Hitch: *Hurp*
Izzy: JINXIE!!!
Unicorns: BING BONG!!! BING BONG!!! BING BONG!!! BING BONG!!!
Pipp: That was weird.
Sunny: (relieved) Oh, thank hoofness! What was that we watched?
Me: I have no shitting clue.
Hitch: Uh oh. (looks under table) Sprout’s under the table again.
Me: Oh, so now you’re suddenly interested in rescuing your daughter. You’re a terrible parent, Todd!
Me: I thank God every day that psychology and psychiatry has come a long way since the 19th Century.
Sunny: So…they’re actually gonna help them?
Sunny: What?
Zipp: None of them even mentioned Turpin!
Zipp: (deadpan) Smooth. Smooth save.
Me: The first thing his mind went to was Turpin instead of the well-being of his goddamn daughter! Jesus!
Sunny: Uh…?
Pipp: You’re telling me wigs back in the day were made from real hair? That is so disgusting!
Hitch: That’s…that’s on a level that I never thought I would see in my life!
Sunny: That’s good planning!
Zipp: Except that…there are so many things that can go horribly wrong.
Sunny: They can do this!
Me: Oh…that’s actually useful, and not at all a deus ex machina.
Hitch: (worried) This does not sound exciting.
Izzy: Uh…that sounds jinxie~!
Zipp: A bit…too soon there.
Me: (Manhattan accent) I dunno ‘bout that.
Izzy: Not even a thank you?
Izzy: Ooh…
Sunny: Has she…(gulps) Does that mean she’s found them out?
Zipp: Oh. Yeah, I expected that.
Hitch: Phew! Thank hoofness none of them actually ate it!
Me: Who knows how scarred they would be from that?
Me: (shrugs) Well, that just comes with the trade.
Izzy: (laughs) I can see that happening!
Sunny: What…what could Todd need of Toby?
Zipp: So, it’s now, after threatening to send him up do you need his help? What a hypocrite.
Me: No idea. (drinks) We’ll see.
>>next
Close your eyes and listen to this song. Imagine Princess Celestia singing and dancing.
Meanwhile, on the moon
Party Favor: (Plays a harmonica) “Oooh. Our klutzy draconequss host has gone done us wrong
He darn dumped us on the moon
Where a bomb locked us below…🎶” (Plays the harmonica, with Night Glider comforting him)
Gallus: “All the money in Gringott’s bank says it’s Discord behind everything going topsy-turvy.”
Silverstream: (To Gallus) “If you had all that money, then you’d give it to the poor. Right?”
Smolder: (To Gallus and Silverstream) “Can you guys talk about something else besides Robin Hood? All that talk about robbing the rich is making me hungry for gold!” *HIC*
Gallus: (To Smolder) “Well, it’s the only thing taking our minds off of rocks…rocks…rocks…and yeah. More rocks! Honestly, how does Princess Luna survive on this dump? For thousands of years?”
Loona: [Texts on her phone]: “Someone talking about me?”
Princess Celesta: (To Gallus) “Oh believe me. She wasn’t alone. She had friends…on the other side. And she was locked away inside the moon.”
Silverstream: (To Celestia) “You mean you locked her beneath the moon’s surface, underground? Is there a dungeon?”
Princess Celestia: (To Silverstream) “It’s…complicated, Silverstream…”
Ocellus: (To Princess Celestia) “Speaking of which…your majesty. Can I ask…why did you do that to Chrysalis? And Fire Fall? What happened to him?”
Smolder: (To Princess Celestia) “Yeah. And pardon my language, but…WHAT THE HELL PRINCESS?”
Princess Celestia: (To Ocellus and Smolder) “It’s just as I was trying to tell you all, back in the theater. I don’t know… I don’t even remember ever arresting Fire Fall. Let alone being so…horrible to Chrysalis, like that…”
Smolder: (To Princess Celestia) “How can you not remember?”
Yona: (To Smolder) “Cut princess a break! She’s thousands of years old! She’s very old! She can’t remember everything.” (To Celestia) “No offense!”
Princess Celestia: (To Yona) “Oh trust me. I’d still remember. Anyway, that’s just it. I don’t remember. Because if I do, the first thing I would do was…find out what happened to Fire Fall, and make things right with Chrysalis.”
Gallus: (To Princess Celestia) “And…how exactly are you going to make things right with her? I mean, it’s been thousands of years. For all we know, Fire Fall is long gone.”
Princess Celestia: (To Gallus) “I know… But whatever happens, I’ll do it. Even if it means…surrendering myself to the Dark Orders.”
Other prisoners: “WHAT?! NOOO!!!”
Granny Smith: “I may be younger than you, your highness. But you listen to me! There ain’t no way you’re giving yourself to them varmints that easily!”
Capper Dapperpaw: “I may be a con artist, but I know better than selling out a princess of Equestria.”
Silverstream: “Besides, even Headmaster Twilight makes a couple of big boo-boos of her own. Like when she tried to steal Aunt Novo’s magic pearl!”
Gallus: “And that time with Sunset Shimmer in the Galaxy?”
Random Dude: “That’s nothing! I still remember how she used a Want-It, Need-It Spell on a doll and made everyone in Ponyville fight over it!” See Season 2’s Lesson Zero.
Sandbar: (To Princess Celestia) “I guess what everyone’s trying to say was…nobody’s perfect.”
Princess Celestia: “Still…I feel terrible for what I did…” (Everyone tries to cheer Celestia up with a boombox) “Oh. I’m afraid that won’t work. I’m far too distraught to…”
Capper Dapperpaw: (Counting) “3…2…1…”
Princess Celestia: (Singing)
Dance like you know you can
You can, yeah, you know you can
Dance like you know you can
You can, yeah, you know you can
Don't forget to dance
It's the only plan, it's the only plan
Don't forget to dance
It's the only plan, it's the only plan
Dance like you know you can
You can, yeah, you know you can
Dance like you know you can
You can, yeah, you know you can
Loona: [Texts on her phone]: “I ran away from my dad for this?”
Next>>
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That song was certainly random, especially for Celestia.
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I have a better question:
What the Hell did Blitz even do to Loona that was so bad? I mean, 'maybe' it was hinted at earlier but still... how was Blitz so 'terrible'? I mean after every other day?
Oooh this is getting very exciting
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<<previous
Future G5
Discord Memorial Cinema
Hitch: She…has a point, you know.
Me: Oh, I know he’ll think of something.
Sunny: Hey! Why would you do that?!
Me: (growls) All he’s thinking of is Turpin instead of his daughter even now. (aside) You know, this entire story is sort of Shakespearean in a sense; it reminds me a lot of Othello with its story beats.
Hitch: (gags) Oh, I can’t get that image out of my head!
Sunny: Oh, dear…
Me: (sighs) Even after all this time, she still regards Spike as second rate. Poor kid deserves a break.
Zipp: So…does he still, I don’t know…love Johanna?
Pipp: Beats me, but…oh, my glitter, are you seeing this?
Pipp: Ooh~…
Zipp: What?
Me: Could it be?
Izzy: Well, a thank you’s a thank you, which usually means a genuine compliment and—oh…Is this the first time she’s ever received a proper thank you? (looks down) That’s so sad.
Me: (intrigued) Good, lord…!
Zipp: Woah! So much happened at once!
Sunny: What happened?
Sunny: Uh…are you sure?
Me: I mean, on one hand since she’s Chrysalis she’ll probably be okay. On the other hand, this is Industrial Revolution London, and there’s no telling what’s gonna jump out of the darkness.
Hitch: Yikes.
Me: (gloating) Now, I’m no Princess of Love…but I totally called it!
Posey: “Called it?” What’s that all about?
Me: I had my suspicions, and now they’ve been confirmed: our changeling Chrysalis has fallen in love with our Demon Barber of Fleet Street: Sweeney Todd.
There was a collection of gasps from the audience.
Izzy: WHAAAT?!!!
Hitch: I…did not see that coming.
Pipp: Oh…my glitter. I knew it!
Sunny: (gasps) But…could this mean that she’ll be redeemed?
Me: No. I don’t think that’ll be the case.
Zipp: I mean…yeah, maybe she’s in love with Todd, but we’ve seen how the both of them still willingly help the other in murdering people.
Me: Honestly, what surprises me the most is that they’re relationship is actually genuine. Think about it: they’re genuinely kind and compliment each other, and there has been a believable progression of their relationship from the start of this movie. Though I had my suspicions, never did I ever predict that they would have a…sort of healthy relationship.
Zipp: (deadpan) Even after all the murdering?
Me: Which is why I said “sort of”. Honestly, right now I feel like running out the door or picking up the phone and screaming that I knew of my suspicions, but…(drinks) I don’t feel like embarrassing myself.
Sunny: (jumps) Woah!
Pipp: Ooh…someone’s jealous~!
Hitch: Oh…no.
Izzy: Things just got a lot more…(under breath) jinxie!
Zipp: Would…would Todd still have become a serial killer even if Chrysalis wasn’t there?
Me: Yeah, he totally would’ve. (drinks) The only thing she gave him was a genuine companion who, unlike Lovett, found someone she could relate to other than his roguish handsomeness.
Sunny: The…what?
Me: Maybe that’s…the name of the Courthouse Turpin works in? (sighs) It’s really hard to keep track of the names of these old Victorian buildings.
Hitch: Hey! Easy! He’s just a kid!
Pipp: Yeah, I mean he even offered to get them groceries! You had no reason to yell in his face like that.
Zipp: Oh…he’s just impatient to get the Judge in his shop.
Me: Hoo, boy. Hopefully Anthony, Spike, and the girls are faring much better luck.
Zipp: (sarcasm) Yeah. Nothing’s ever going to go wrong now.
Me: Oh…that poor kid.
Sunny: All he’s doing is showing concern for Chrysalis.
Me: And that’s just it.
Sunny: Oh, that’s so sweet.
Zipp: If it weren’t for the skeletons in Lovett’s…(cringes)…bake house.
Me: Oh, that poor boy…
Hitch: This is…I don’t know what to say.
I looked over to the holographic memory of Alastor, who was smiling much too widely for his own good, and it was oozing a bountiful charm.
Me: (aside) Even though he was born and raised in the 20th Century, he seems at home in the 19th Century as well. I wonder if he ever looked up to Sweeney Todd.
Hitch: What’s up with her?
Sunny: She’s…conflicted.
Me: (aside) And we still don’t know what happened to Fire Fall.
Pipp: Ooh…oh, yeah. Now it’s getting real.
Hitch: He has no idea how much danger he is in right now.
Sunny: That’s not right! It’s not foolish to show concern for your parent-figure!
Hitch: (wide-eyed) Uh oh!
Hitch: Look, I know the Beadle’s a very disgusting person, but what’s it gonna take for the police to take action for once?!
Me: (shrugs) Money?
Hitch: (cries into hooves)
Me: Great, now she’s gaslighting the poor boy.
Zipp: (shocked) Oh, no. No no no no no no!
Sunny: No! Not there! Anywhere but there!
Hitch: There’s no telling how traumatized he’ll be down there!
Me: Yeah, that happens to me a lot. (drinks)
Zipp: Wait…is that Todd’s wedding ring? What’s it doing in Lovett’s shop?
Izzy: Maybe she was going to sell it?
Zipp: Then she’d have done so by now.
Zipp: She knows something. Lovett was lying about something to do with Lucy.
Sunny: What would she know though?
Me: This is so Tim Burton.
Izzy: (scared) Uh…is it just me or does that furnace have a face?
Me: Yeah, it definitely looks that way. It’s in Tim Burton’s style.
Izzy: AHH!! (grips Sunny) FIRE!!!
Sunny: Izzy, it’s only the oven!
Hitch: (gags, green) Is that…fresh?
Me: Most likely.
Hitch: *hurp*
Izzy: No! No! Don’t eat the pies! They’re jinxie!
Zipp: She just locked him in there.
Sunny: (sad) Oh, poor Toby…
Pipp: He’s in for some trauma when he finds out…
Me: I did not need to hear that.
Me: NO!!! NO NO NO NO NO!!! I do NOT want to have any on screen sex displayed on the screen of MY CINEMA, when that stuff is better suited OFF-SCREEN and IN PRIVATE!!! I’D BE SHUT DOWN IF THAT EVER HAPPENS!!!
Pipp: (cringes, hooves covering face) That is an image I don’t want to see…
Hitch: I just want to keep whatever is left of my dignity.
Zipp: You stallions and your dignity.
Hitch: It’s very illegal to spy on po—people when they’re…having an intimate moment. And besides, I have respect.
Sunny: Wow. He’s good.
I looked over to the holographic memories of Angel Dust and Gabby.
Me: Definitely a turn on.
Hitch: I’m sorry: what did he just call them?!
Zipp: Oh, my—he disgusts me and we just met him!
Sunny: I don’t like this place.
Izzy: It’s full of voices that are jinxie!
Pipp: Ugh…I don’t think those girls even shower, so there hair must be beyond disgusting!
Hitch: And beyond unsanitary!
Hitch: Just…how does he treat those poor women to where they’re terrified of him?!
Sunny: I…don’t want to know.
Zipp: Wh—why is she in a straightjacket? She wasn’t in one the last time we saw her.
Me: Something must have happened in the time since then.
Me: And just like that, he’s a squealing coward without his power.
Me: I think they tore him apart.
Sunny: (green) Can…that happen?
Me: Physically…yes it can.
Pipp: Good idea!
Sunny: (gasps)
Hitch: Now what?!
Hitch: (groans uncomfortably)
Pipp: (rubbing his back, concerned) Oh, your poor stallion.
Izzy: Whaaaaat?! But…we just saw Chrysalis back at the shop, and yet…there she is…but she was just back there…and her—and she—and…arooo?!
Me: Oooooh…shit!
Sunny: That’s her disguise, right in front of them!
Zipp: The jig is up!
Hitch: (looking sick) I…don’t want to know…
Sunny: Here! Have this. (hands his favorite flavor of smoothie)
Hitch: (drinks it) Oh…I feel so much better. Thanks, Sunny.
Sunny: (smiles) You’re welcome.
Zipp: So…Chrysalis disguised into the first face she saw, which happened to be a wanted poster for a madwoman, and now they’ve found the actual woman she disguised into. (groans) It’s just one coincidence after another!
Me: And that’s why this feels so Shakespearean: once one thing goes wrong, the entire plot falls apart. Though, after everything we’ve seen, the ending is going to be very interesting indeed.
Izzy: Hey, has anypony seen Misty?
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Discord's Theatre, Galaxy Branch
Sunset Shimmer: Watching them out in the open in the park, somehow fills me with dread for some reason.
Postwar: Well, no one realize that they're killers, except for the ones watching this, so it's understandable that it would make you feel that way.
Ahsoka Tano: The same would be for the galaxy when no one realized Palpatine was the Sith Lord we were looking for until it was too late.
Mando: The true killers do not make their move when the time is right. I've seen it before.
Postwar: Oh, don't tell me.
Sunset Shimmer: Are they...<gulp>...falling in love?
Everyone soon begins to feel a bit queasy in their stomachs.
Leia Organa: Something tells me that woman has a very unhealthy obsession with him.
Postwar: Most folks are. Kind of like Sonic and Amy from the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise.
Sunset Shimmer: That's somewhat true, I mean she does have an obsession, but clearly nothing like that woman's.
Now everyone wonders what the woman might be thinking about.
Everyone felt a bit very disgusted.
Galen Marek: Okay, now that is twisted.
C-3PO: Agreed, quite twisted indeed. *R2 beeps in agreement*
Postwar: And she's soon plotting revenge.
Sunset Shimmer: That's a first to see her wanting to put down a woman who wanted Sweeny Todd.
Galen Marek: Sometimes your enemies can be twisted.
Sunset Shimmer: You can say that again.
Ahsoka Tano: That woman clearly has a bad obsession with him.
All: Agreed.
Everyone cringes at the so called flirtings.
Postwar: I am so glad the courting others had drastically changed over the past few hundred years.
Sunset Shimmer: Oh no, Twilight.
Ahsoka Tano: Too bad we can't warn them over what's happened.
Postwar: We can't intervene, that's the CA rules, it's called trying to maintain the world order. Then again, the villains tend to throw everything into disorder, so I don't know what to think anymore.
Postwar: Wish they could've done the same for Arkham Asylum.
Sunset Shimmer: I know right, if they had better security, then all of Batman's enemies would never have escaped so easily.
Galen Marek: Given what you said, sounded like the current wardens are too overconfident in their abilities to keep the situation under control, when clearly things aren't.
Mando: That's why you need a perfectly executed plan before actually trying to break in.
Postwar: As well as a crew that won't stab you in the back or anything.
Mando: Don't worry. Learned my lesson to that a long time ago.
Ben Solo: Why do I get the feeling that something will go wrong?
Postwar: Glad to see your instincts haven't failed you so far.
Sunset Shimmer: Glad to see Applejack can tell what was going on.
Postwar: And yet your counterpart didn't do the same thing since the whole Anon-a-miss fiasco.
Sunset Shimmer: *groans* Don't remind me.
Postwar: Until something goes wrong?
Sunset Shimmer: Murphy's law?
Postwar: Murphy's law.
Ahsoka Tano: Murphy's law?
Postwar: You know, anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.
Everyone stared in surprise as they didn't see that one coming.
All: Whoa. *texted Arctic, asking him if he had expected that, same with BronyHunter*
Postwar: And soon the plot thickens.
Ben Solo: Um...what's going to happen?
Leia Organa: I'll tell you when you're older, honey.
Postwar: And cue the jealous lover.
Galen Marek: That's almost like watching Palpatine getting busy.
Everyone shudders at that:
Postwar: Why did you have to say that?
Next>>>>
Ocellus: “Y’know. I’ve been wondering something.”
Sandbar: “What’s that Ocellus?”
Ocellus: “If Princess Celestia doesn’t remember ever taking Fire Fall away and driving Chrysalis insane. Does that make her less guilty?”
Smolder: “I don’t know. That’s like saying Carrie White murdering her whole hometown and not remembering doing it. Therefore she gets the not guilty verdict. In a way, that’s like getting away with murder.”
Loona: [Texts on her phone]: “She did get away with murder, dipshit!”
Sandbar: “Look. I get where you are coming from. But there’s got to be a logical explanation to all this. I mean, c’mon! This is Princess Celestia we’re talking about! She’d never hurt a fly!”
Ocellus: “Except for that fly she sat on once…”
Random Dude: “MURDER!”
Loona: (Shoots a gun at the random dude)
Coming up next:
Parlor Songs
followed by:
Final Scene.
(yes, that is what they're called in the official soundtrack)
Getting close to the end I believe. I can tell this rivalry for the affections of Mr. Todd is starting to heat up. I have to wonder how Crystalis will affect events.
<<<<Previous
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Discord's Theatre, Galaxy Branch
Sunset Shimmer: Wow...seeing him like that...kind of reminds me of myself.
Postwar: You mean where your temper gets the best of you whenever you get frustrated?
Sunset Shimmer: Yeah, pretty much.
Leia Organa: You know for a boy his age, he's really smart.
Ahsoka Tano: Sometimes kids can surprise you in very unexpected ways. *smiles fondly and remembers her time with the Padawans when she first met them*.
Sunset Shimmer: I can't help but feel sorry fo the boy.
Postwar: Evil tends to hide behind a mask, a feeling that I know very well.
Postwar: Oh Chrysalis...if only there was still hope for you. Stygian, Discord, Sunset, Starlight, Tempest, they were the only ones who gained a second chance. If only your heart was not tainted by darkness, you would've been saved.
Mando: Seems the boy's caught on what's going on.
Galen Marek: If they don't kill him to keep him from spilling the secret that is.
Postwar: Most times killers are never limited to their targets, no matter what their gender or age.
Postwar: And thus, the mask of kindness, wielded by the being of insanity, fools the young to follow like a bird with breadcrumbs.
Ahsoka Tano: Where do you come up with these things?
Postwar: Trust me Ahsoka, I've been asking myself the same question for years.
Sunset Shimmer: Wait...she knows something.
Galen Marek: You think she knows something about Sweeny Todd's wife?
Postwar: Only one way to find out. For there are only more questions than answers.
Sunset Shimmer: Wow, you weren't kidding.
Postwar: Told you so.
Sunset Shimmer: Why do they keep doing that?
Postwar: Someone's gotta try to do stress relief. Besides, doing that is common practice.
Sunset Shimmer: *smirks* And when was the last time you did something like that?
Postwar: *playfully* I could ask you the same thing?
Sunset ended up blushing and didn't want to think about that.
Postwar: Yeah, for your own sick amusement.
Leia Organa: What are they going to do?
Postwar: Two words...sex, slave.
Everyone gasped at that, as they couldn't believe that they would do something like that.
Leia Organa: They seriously do that?!
Postwar: Trust me, they tried to do the same thing to me, even before my time with the CA group.
Everyone, minus Postwar, was shocked to see this.
Leia Organa: 3PO? Remind me to put up a bill for halting and shutting down all slavery and to bring it up for our next New Republic meeting.
C-3PO: At once Princess Leia.
Everyone, minus Postwar, cringes in disgust and tries to look away from the carnage happening.
Sunset Shimmer: Finally!! She figured it out!!
Postwar: But the question is, how will they handle it?
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He grounded her.
The climax is coming... But now the following are left to be answered:
Will our barbaric barber attain his bloody revenge?
Will Judge Turpin meet his grisly demise?
Will our Mane Heroes stop Mr. Todd and his murderous plot, or end up as the next pie flavors of the month?
Will the budding love of Mr Todd and Ms Winters triumph in the face of Mrs Lovett's ambitions?
Will Johanna and Anthony know peace and love at last?
Will Toby discover the truth about his foster family?
Will Pinkie enjoy pies, after learning the "secret Lovett recipe"?
And most of all....
Will Sweeney Todd be redeemed, or will he face pure justice?
Stay tuned for what might be (don't quote me on this)... the final act of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street!
<<Previous
Canterlot Mall Theater, Discord's Branch
The Equestrian Girls, Juniper and Arctic started to come back into the Theater Room going back to their seats. As they set their cups of water down and preparing themselves for what could possibly come.
Sci-Twi: Can’t expect things to go that quickly.
Arctic: Yeah, a serial killer waits for the perfect moment to strike. Patient is key.
Rarity: I do feel sorry for him, but what would his daughter think of him if she found out what he did?
Applejack: Ah say she would be really terrified. While, the judge is no good varmit…However, if she found out that her father killed him, it wouldn’t be such a happy reunion.
Everyone was shocked and surprised by the moment that was happening.
Pinkie Pie: Wow, I didn’t expect that.
Rainbow Dash: Yeah, you can say that again.
Juniper: I wouldn’t push your luck just yet.
Sci-Twi: Yeah, you still have Toby to worry about. Sooner or later he’ll start to catch on even more about what’s happening
Everyone couldn’t have have shivers and cringe a little bit seeing how obsessed Lovett was
Rainbow Dash: Man… she REALLY has it bad for him.
Arctic: I seen some obsessive lovers before..but man this is going way to far
Juniper: And, it seems like Chrysalis isn’t to found of it either
Fluttershy: Y-You think she is jealous? (She asked)
Rarity: It…certainly does seem that way, Fluttershy.
Fluttershy: O-Oh no..(she said worried)
Arctic: Man…she’s REALLY trying to pushing it.
Everyone let out a loud series of gasps and horror witting what just happened
Arctic and Rainbow Dash: WHAT THE HECK?!
Fluttershy: O-Oh no…(she said worried)
Rarity: That’s absolutely horrible! (She said in shock and horror)
Sci-Twi: At least they have a escape plan ready just in case things go bad
Juniper: It’s always a good idea to have one in mind, just in case things go bad
Everyone froze up a bit hearing what Pinkie had just said
Arctic: Oh no…please tell me that she didn’t eat it?
Sighs of relief were heard throughout the audience
Arctic: Oh thank goodness, no one ate it.
Fluttershy: T-That’s a good thing..
Juniper: Seems like she knows that she’s lying about what she saying..
Sci-Twi: She can lie about it to a lot of people, but can’t hide the truth from Applejack
Fluttershy: O-Oh no, what is he planning on doing? (She asked worried)
Arctic: Hopefully, nothing bad that would put Toby in danger (he said to Fluttershy with some hope in his voice)
Next>>
I smiled with satisfaction at the scene of Mr. Fogg receiving his karma from the same women he tortured and tormented. The punishment really fits the crime.
Great Chapter!!
I can't wait for how all this plays out in the end!
<<Previous
Applejack: Hate to say it, but she might be right…
Sci-Twi: it has been years since she saw her real father, and like Chrysalis said she could run away with Anthony
A series of gasps and shocked were heard seeing what Todd was planning
Rainbow Dash: His ratting them out?! The heck man! They’re trying to save your daughter and this is how you repay them?!
Arctic: He fears of losing her… and making sure that he won’t ever let that happen again.
The Equestrian Girls and Juniper started to feel green thinking about seeing that happening again
Arctic: (felt a little bit sick himself)
Rarity: I do feel bad for the poor man… he just wants to be with his daughter again.
Arctic and everyone else were surprised by this. Seeing this heart to heart moment between the two of them. And, seeing the reaction Chrysalis was having
Arctic: I… didn’t expect this at all. (He mentioned and sees this message from Postwar asking about if he had expected that)
Sci-Twi: She’s feeling so many emotions at once.. and now starting to fall for Todd
Juniper: I didn’t expect that either…though I’m wondering how this will affect her?
Fluttershy: M-Maybe she will change? (She asked with a little hope)
Arctic: I’m.. not sure Fluttershy
Pinkie Pie: She sounds REALLY jealous..(she said with a bit of worry)
Rainbow Dash: That’s a understatement right there…
Applejack: Eeyup..
Fluttershy: (whimper a little bit and fell back into her chair) H-He didn’t have to do that…
Arctic: (would look over as he place a hand on Fluttershy shoulder to comfort her a bit)
Juniper: Toby is being so nice to help as well…
Sci-Twi: I worry when he finds out the whole truth about what’s going on…
Rarity: You know, if things were in better circumstances he would’ve been apart of Todd family.
Juniper: Yeah, not only getting his daughter back but also have a son as well
Pinkie Pie: They could’ve been one big happy family
Arctic: (in his thoughts) she’s very conflicted about everything right now.. I wanna believe there is a chance for her but… can that actually happen? Or is it really to late?
Sci-Twi: He cares and worries about you, why you say that’s a foolish thing to say?
Fluttershy: O-Oh no…
Rarity: She’s trying to hide the truth from the poor boy? That’s just awful
Applejack: Boy is smart, and she’s trying to keep him from finding out. But…she is trying to keep him safe if Todd knew he found out
Rainbow Dash: Is that…safe to do?
Arctic: Don’t think she thought this through, Toby will be able to find out if his helping out making those pies
Juniper: if he does.. he’ll have nightmares for weeks
Sci-Twi: Wait…what?
Juniper: Isn’t that Todd wedding ring?
Rarity: Certainly looks like it, darling. But, why does Lovett have it?
Arctic: (pays close attention to this)
Rainbow Dash: Ok..something is weird. She claimed that Lucy killed herself. But if that’s the case why does she have her ring?
Arctic: I have to agree, not to mention the vile of Arsenic she found. Lovett hiding more than she’s letting on about. And whatever she’s hiding, it’s a big one involving what really happened to Todd’s wife
Fluttershy: I-I’m worried about him. W-what if he finds out?
Applejack: If he does, we can only hope that he’ll make it out alive
The girls started to blush red heavily from this as Fluttershy covers her face with her hands
Arctic: Yeah… she makes a good point. (he mentioned having a bit of red on his cheek as well) that was a bit much tmi and private information
Everyone felt disgusted hearing the man saying something like that
Fluttershy: (whimpers) those poor girls (she said and clings onto Rainbow arm)
Rarity: How can anyone be so awful!
Sci-Twi: they look horrible…
Juniper: and terrified…(she finished)
Rainbow Dash: Heh, the guys not so tough now is he? (She said smirking a little)
Arctic: I would feel bad…but he had it coming
Applejack: Eeyup
Pinkie Pie: (gasps loudly) She’s actually real?!
Juniper: This… could mean trouble. If they have met the actual person, that means..(she begins to say)
Arctic: She know that it was Chrysalis all this time now.
Fluttershy: W-What’s gonna happen? (She asked worried)
Sci-Twi: I’m not sure, they got Todd’s daughter, Princess Twilight knows that all this time it was Chrysalis they met. With the added fact that Toby might find out the truth of the pies, Wherever Lovett is hiding, and the judge still around… I’m afraid the worst is about to happen.
Arctic: You might be right… and, I’m worried about what could possibly happen in the end of this whole thing
Next>>
Hey Mr. E. Sorry for the unnecessary long wait and for not reporting to you about it.
I've just been depressed lately, so I've been fooling around to blow off some steam. But I think I found a bit of bounce now.
But until I get my commentaries up, please enjoy this moment of Loona...
Princess Luna: "Yes?"
Me: (To Luna) "Not you, Looney! The other Looney! I mean Loona! With two Os!"
...Just enjoy this song, and picture Loona drowning herself with chocolate ice cream.
Meanwhile, back on the moon
Wallowing in her sorrow, along with everyone else who were wrongfully accused of sabotaging Discord's Theater and then some...
...Loona has trying to drown her sorrow in a bucket of chocolate ice cream.
Random Dude: "Hey, Dr. PhD! Isn't chocolate poison for dogs?"
Me: (To Random Dude) "Yes. But Loona isn't your average kind of dog. She'll be fine."
Loona has plugged earphones into her phone, playing a song of Taylor Swift, and singing along, while drowning herself in ice cream.
Random Dude: "But I thought her throat is damaged and she can't sing!"
Me: (To Random Dude) "It's called lip syncing..."
Bad Blood – Taylor Swift
Loona: 'Cause baby, now we got bad blood
You know it used to be mad love
So take a look what you've done
'Cause baby, now we got bad blood (hey!)
Now we got problems
And I don't think we can solve 'em
You made a really deep cut
And baby, now we got bad blood (hey!)
Did you have to do this?
I was thinking that you could be trusted
Did you have to ruin
What was shining? Now it's all rusted
Did you have to hit me
Where I'm weak? Baby, I couldn't breathe
And rub it in so deep
Salt in the wound like you're laughing right at me
Oh, it's so sad to think about the good times
You and I
'Cause baby, now we got bad blood
You know it used to be mad love
So take a look what you've done
'Cause baby, now we got bad blood (hey!)
Now we got problems
And I don't think we can solve 'em
You made a really deep cut
And baby, now we got bad blood (hey!)
Did you think we'd be fine?
Still got scars on my back from your knife
So don't think it's in the past
These kind of wounds they last and they last
Now did you think it all through?
All these things will catch up to you
And time can heal, but this won't
So if you come in my way, just don't
Oh, it's so sad to think about the good times
You and I
'Cause baby, now we got bad blood
You know it used to be mad love
So take a look what you've done
'Cause baby, now we got bad blood (hey!)
Now we got problems
And I don't think we can solve 'em
You made a really deep cut
And baby, now we got bad blood (hey!)
Band-aids don't fix bullet holes
You say sorry just for show
If you live like that, you live with ghosts (ghosts, ghosts)
Band-aids don't fix bullet holes (hey!)
You say sorry just for show (hey!)
If you live like that, you live with ghosts (hey!)
Hm, if you love like that, blood runs cold
'Cause baby, now we got bad blood
You know it used to be mad love
So take a look what you've done
'Cause baby, now we got bad blood (hey!)
Now we got problems
And I don't think we can solve 'em (think we can solve 'em)
You made a really deep cut
And baby, now we got bad blood (hey!)
'Cause baby, now we got bad blood
You know it used to be mad love
So take a look what you've done (look what you've done)
'Cause baby, now we got bad blood (hey!)
Now we got problems
And I don't think we can solve 'em
You made a really deep cut
And baby, now we got bad blood (hey!)
While she's "singing" her heart out, Loona's tearing up. She's clearly hurting on the inside in more ways than one. And she's got her adopted dad, Blitz, his two colleagues, Moxxie and Millie, to blame for it. She carved some statues of their exact liking, only for her to smash them later. Then, she just dumps more chocolate ice cream down her throat. While chocolate is poison to dogs, it's...it's a different story for hellhounds. But it doesn't make her pain feel any better.
Meanwhile, everyone else watching Loona vent out her pent up frustrations were all backing away. Giving her some space. They all think she’s crazy.
Capper Dapperpaws: "That dog has some serious issues..."
Captain Celaeno: “She’s an absolute lunatic!”
Ocellus: “Someone call Dr. Wolf.”
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Now that would be a sight to see!
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We’ve been a bit delayed ourselves. We meant to have a new chapter to work on, but overtime has been a bit of a pickle. Add to some distressing news of someone recently passed away, it’s been rough.
Meanwhile, back at Discord's Theater
<<Previous
Charlie Morningstar: "Not exactly my ideal kind of day for a picnic..."
Vaggie: "Not really a picnic I'd want to be on, especially knowing the ingredients of the pies..."
Angel Dust: (To Charlie and Vaggie) "What are you two complaining about? That's the exact kind of day in Hell 24/7..."
Alastor: "Three months? And they have yet to rescue the fair Johanna?"
Discord: (To Alastor) "Like I said. Rescuing damsels-in-distress is not exactly their best traits on their hero resume."
Princess Luna: (To Discord) "Oh, like your rescue plans didn't bomb in the Galaxy?"
Discord: (To Princess Luna) "Says the princess who got her spirit trapped inside of a crystal ball, for trying to help Sunset Shimmer come to her senses."
Princess Luna: (To Discord) "At least I took a more direct approach instead of coordinating a convaluted hare-brained scheme..."
Discord: (To Princess Luna) "At least I wasn't a prisoner of my ex-girlfriend and my evil cousin!"
Princess Luna: (To Discord) "At least I wasn't afraid!"
Discord: (To Princess Luna) "At least I don't have a best friend brother who turned out to be the biggest evil guy in the galaxy who killed Jedi, innocent lives, planets, and children!"
Princess Luna: (To Discord) "You leave Ani out of this!"
Discord: (To Princess Luna) "Plus, I don't have a sister who breaks hearts by ripping loved ones away from random changelings!"
Princess Luna: (To Discord) "Alright, that's it, draconequus!" (Turns herself into Nightmare Moon)
static.wikia.nocookie.net/mlp/images/9/9b/Nightmare_Moon_ID.png/revision/latest?cb=20140702174212
Nightmare Moon: (Ignites her lightsaber) "Prepare to feel thine horrible wrath upon thy-self!"
Discord: (Rolling his fists like boxing gloves at Nightmare Moon) "Bring it on, Moon Butt! Bring it on!"
Alastor: (Smiles in delight) "Ooh! A dinner and a show! I should've sold tickets for this!"
Storm Shield: (Gets in between Nightmare Moon and Discord) "No people! Let's be smart and bring it off!"
Charlie Morningstar: "Storm is right! Let's not fight about this!"
Mina: "Yeah! And need I remind you Discord...the theater has already taken some heavy beatings since its reopening? Let's not destroy it more than it's already been destroyed..." See Cinematic Adventure's Carrie.
Crazy Steve: "COCK-A-DOODLE DOO! THE COW SAYS MOOOOO!!!"
Mina: (To Crazy Steve) "Steve! You're not helping..."
Octavia: (Pinches her temples) "Ugh. And I thought my dad and my mom are enough to give me a headache..."
Gabby: (Sighs lovingly) "Someday that'll be me and Spike soon~"
Gilda: (To Gabby) "Yeah...and when that happens, I'll be brushing my teeth 24/7..."
Meanwhile, on the moon
Gallus: (Quoting Robin Hood to Silverstream) "And we'll have six children."
Silverstream: (Quoting Maid Marian to Gallus) "Six? Oh a dozen at least!"
Ocellus: (To Silverstream) "Question: Do you really want a dozen children? Most couples couldn't even handle one or two."
Silverstream: (To Ocellus) "We'll make it work somehow."
Meanwhile, Loona is still singing "Bad Blood" in the background.
Next>>
Meanwhile, back at Discord's Theater
<<Previous
Angel Dust: "They were thiiiiiis close to getting him that time..."
Husk: "Yeah. But too bad stupid would-be hero, Anthony had to come and ruin it all."
Angel Dust: (To Husk) "...You talking about me?"
Husk: (To Angel Dust) "Who do you think I'm talking to, spider shit?"
Starlight Glimmer: "Y'know, that kinda reminds me of something from somewhere..."
Trixie: (To Starlight) "Like how you were left trapped inside a cave to plot your revenge on Twilight for so long?"
Sunburst: (To Starlight) "Or like how my sister wasted three years in the Galaxy because she was duped by the Sith Empire?"
Husk: "...Yeah. Life really likes to fuck up our hope in the wrong people..."
Meanwhile, on the moon
Lumalee: "Time like hope is an illusion~!"
On the moon
Ocellus: "She's willing to stake her own life on it? That's the first time I've seen Chrysalis actually putting her own life like that..."
Silverstream: "Still...what exactly does it mean when you 'stake your life' on it?"
Gallus: (To Silverstream) "It's a figure of speech. It means you're absolutely sure about it."
Sandbar: (To Gallus) "Oh! For a moment there, I thought she's willing to pull off some kind of Unbreakable Vow, or something. Y'know, the kind of thing we saw Massager 32 did with this other wizard."
Discord: (Ceased his fighting with Nightmare Moon) "Hmmm. How do I answer that question? Oh! Well it's simple actually. When a mommy changeling and a daddy changeling, love each other very much, the dad will sting the mom and she–Ooh!" (Gets attacked by Nightmare Moon)
Nightmare Moon: (To Discord) "NO INNUENDO!"
Atlanta: "And besides...that's not what he was asking..."
Alastor: "I'd say it was the screenwriters! Yes sir, when you think about it, our lives have all been staged and set for a big story! We are the characters. And characters all go through a life and death situation to overcome obstacles to develop and build their characters! And through these developments, we develop our own unique perspectives. A perspective of how we come to view ourselves as the heroes of our stories, and for the audience to agree or disagree!"
Husk: "HA! You want to talk about luck? Try gambling away your whole life for a million dollars and see if you don't wind up in the gutters bug juice."
Mrs. Shy: "Good heavens! NO!"
Everyone in the audience all turned their heads to a random boar-looking guy who turned pale as a sheet.
Octavia: "...Sometimes, I think humans were made to be barbaric."
Crazy Steve: "Nothing!"
Nightmare Moon: (To Crazy Steve) "NOTHING WHATEVER?"
Crazy Steve: (To Nightmare Moon) "NOTHING WHATEVER!"
On the moon
Loona: [Texts on her phone]: "She's right."
Katherina Proudpaws: "Well, look who's done singing."
Capper Dapperpaw: "And look who'se decided to sing the next verse."
On the moon
Gallus: "Y'know, it's kinda freaky how there's such a power that lets you look into people's mind."
Sandbar: (To Gallus) "It's called being a legilimen. Which can be awesome and really useful sometimes."
Smolder: (To Sandbar) "Still, it'd be nice if we have some way to block any 'mind readers' out of our heads for privacy."
Silverstream: (To Smolder) "There is!" (Holds out a tin foil hat) "See this? It's called a tin foil hat! It's used to protect us from a corrupt government surveillance system and from evil aliens that may be trying to brainwash us!"
Ocellus: (To Silverstream) "...I think that only works in the comic books, Silver..."
Sandbar: (To Silverstream) "Yeah. And besides, there's a magic technique called Occlumency! If you concentrate really hard, then you can literally wall up your mind to prevent legilimen from looking."
Gallus: (To Sandbar) "And how long have you known about this?"
Sandbar: (To Gallus) "I've been studying the spellbooks that Princess Twilight borrowed from the Wizarding World. You never know when some of the spells we've been studying could come in handy."
Smolder: (To Sandbar) "Yeah. Handy. If you have hands." (Laughs out loud, along with Norberta, before she sees the deadpan expression from her classmates) "Eh...I thought it was funny."
Alastor: "Ah, now there's a classic style and a man with good taste."
Angel Dust: "Hmmm. I'd prefer seeing him in a leotard, or a speedo..."
Random Dude: "GET OUT, NIGEL!"
Atlanta: "Mom?"
Thorax: "What's going on here?"
Discord: (Continues to spar with Nightmare Moon, holding her at an impasse) "Ooh! Dost my eyes deceive me? Are we about to see a lovely catfight between two jealous femme fatale felines soon?"
Nightmare Moon changes back to Princess Luna, but continues to hold her lightsaber.
Princess Luna: "I can't believe I'm saying this...but...I concur..."
Next>>
Meanwhile, back at Discord's Theater
<<Previous
Braeburn: "This guy needs to get a hobby."
Big Mac: "Eeyup."
Discord: (To Big Mac) "That's a sus thing to say! It's always the quiet one. Also...RED'S SUS!" (Snaps his finger and blasted Big Mac to the moon)
Big Mac: "AAAAAAAEEEEEEEEEEIIIIIIIIIIII!!!!!"
Sugar Belle: (Screaming) "BIG MAAAAAAAAAAACCCC!!!!"
Mina: (To Discord) "You did that on purpose. Didn't you?"
Discord: "Mmmm...maybe?"
Diamond Tiara: "Y'know what? If anybody here is sus. It's DISCORD! I SAY WE VOTE HIM OUT!"
Silver Spoon: "I second that notion!"
Vaggie: "Make that three!"
Crazy Steve: "COCK-A-DOODLE DOOO!!! THE COW SAYS–"
The audience: "WE KNOW WHAT THE COW SAYS!"
Discord: "Hey now! You can't toss me onto the moon! I'm innocent!"
Princess Luna: (To Discord) "Hardly! You encouraged everyone to toss Tia onto the moon. You've been abusing your right to toss audience out of the theater. And...your theater is falling apart."
Discord: (To Princess Luna) "I'll have you know, Lulu, that my theater is still in a state of disrepair and there were still some repairs to be made! Not to mention that none of this would've happened if Phantom-Dragon hadn't fallen into the TV and came back a loon!"
Autumn Blaze: (To Discord) "You're the reason Dr. PhD's a loon! And now he's being rehabilitated at home, with Rain Shine, looking after their daughter!"
Random Changeling: (To Autumn Blaze) "They have a daughter?!"
Autumn Blaze: (To Changeling) "Oh yeah! And she's a precious angel." (To Discord) "Anyway, back on topic." (Turns into a Nirik) "TOSS HIM OUT OF THE THEATER!!!"
Discord: (To the audience) "Mutiny! This is MUTINY!" (To Alastor) "Uh, Al? Ol'buddy? Help a guy out?"
Alastor: "And ruin the whole festivity? Nonsense! This has been a good show I've seen in ages!"
Discord: "Et tu?" (To Charlie) "Come on, princess. You don't violence! Talk some senses into them!"
Charlie Morningstar: (To Discord) "If you're asking for my help, Discord, you're asking the wrong princess. You've kinda buttered your bread so...you gotta sleep in it."
Discord: (Points at Charlie) "Red's sus! RED'S SUS!" (Gets an anti-magic locked onto him, before he was strapped in duct tapes, to a chair) "HEY! HEY! YOU NEED ME!!"
Princess Luna: (To Discord) "Happy landings, Discord." (Presses a switch that blasted him to the moon)
Discord: "I'M BLASTING OFF AGAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!"
Silver Shill: "...Wow. Who would've thought...Discord...an imposter?"
Mina: "I wouldn't exactly say an imposter per say. But...the thing's he's been doing. It's very SUS. So good riddance."
Alastor: (To Mina) "Ah ah ah! The fun's not over yet, my dear. There's still ONE MORE imposter to be dealt with. So I'd rather not let my guard down so soon just yet, if I were you."
Silver Shill: "Also, if Discord was an imposter...then that means...where's the real Discord?"
GIlda: (To Silver Shill) "Don't know. Don't care..."
Random Dude: "I'm pretty sure that really was Discord, but he's still labeled an imposter, regardless, because that's just how the game works..."
Charlie Morningstar: "Until then, I say we should resume watching the movie and hope our friends will make it through!"
Princess Luna: (To Charlie) "Capital idea, your majesty."
Charlie Morningstar: (To Luna) "No need to be so formal, Princess Luna. Just Charlie is good enough for me."
Princess Luna: (To Charlie) "As you wish then, Charlie. And you may refer to me as Luna."
Husk: "Yeah. It's called killing two birds with one stone."
Parrot Pirate #1: "HEY!"
Parrot Pirate #2: "Not cool!"
Random Brony: "Isn't that technically Cupcakes?"
Random Dude: "Or unicorn Frappuccino?"
Angel Dust: "Hmmmm. What does she look like? Well, let's think for a moment. Human, sexy, big tits, wide hips, bouncy ass, the work?" (To Charlie) "I mean that's how you see in your girlfriend. Right?"
Charlie Morningstar: (Flushes in embarrassment) "Angel! Don't be so crude!" And besides, it's none of your business!"
On the moon
Big Mac: "Eeyup."
Thorax: (To Atlanta) "Mayday, mayday. Someone's jealous."
Princess Luna: "Eeyup."
On the moon
Silverstream: "Like Robin Hood!"
Smolder: (To Silverstream) "Now's not the time, Silver..."
Husk: "Really? You've ever stormed a fortress before? Because the fort I've ever come close to robbing was Fort Knox."
Vaggie: (To Husk) "Did you really?"
Husk: (To Vaggie) "No, of course not. It's called sarcasm bitch."
On the moon
Lumalee: "Life is sad. Prison is sad. Life in prison is very very sad~🎶"
Princess Luna: "Can you not use the word, lunatic? It's very demeaning towards me..."
One the moon
Loona: [Texts on her phone]: "Who you calling a lunatic?"
Bulk Biceps: "YEEEEEEAAAAAAHHHHH!!!!"
Angel Dust: "Or you could use your magic to fuck up some guards and blow their brains out. That's what I would do..."
:
static.wikia.nocookie.net/hazbinhotel/images/7/76/Alastor_shadow.gif/revision/latest?cb=20200711031845
On the moon
Lumalee: (Singing) "Somebody's getting in trouble~🎶"
Sweetie Belle: "OH COME OOOOOONNNNN!!!!"
Mr.Cake: "Trust me, Pinkie. You definitely don't want to know. And it's best you didn't eat it. Ever!"
Alastor: "Ha ha ha ha! Yes indeedy! Better products indeed."
On the moon
Loona: [Texts on her phone]: "They could really give my dad a run for his money..."
Cranky Doodle Donkey: "Lady. I've been dreading that thought the moment I first came to Ponvyille..."
Next>>
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Bear in mind, there is more than 1 chaos god. And I distinctively remember mention of 2 appearing for a brief moment, all the way back in the the Star Wars Saga.
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Yep, I knew Discord, at least this one, cannot be trusted. Serves him right for what he did to Celestia and everyone else.
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https://youtu.be/oVcjAA9uZCs?si=TqLn60oJExyBCPSM
This is what I would've said to Discord.
Until I get my commentaries finish, please enjoy this song of Blitz and Moxxie singing.
Did you hear the news? Helluva Boss and Brandon Rogers have won a Streamy 2023 award!
Meanwhile, back at Discord's Theater
<<Previous
Mrs. Cake: "Oh, I hope nothing bad is going to happen to the boy..."
Gabby: "Aw, he's kinda like Spike! They're both serious about their works."
Mr. Cake: "Give him strength..."
Mrs. Cake: "Oh Faust. Have mercy..."
On the moon
Big Mac: "Eeyup."
Alastor: "Ha ha ha! Oh, I expect nothing less from an artist who has crafted his artistry to get away with murder."
Gabby: "NOOOOO!!!!"
Ember: "EW! No!"
On the moon
Smolder: "Ick! It's bad enough to hear that dragons have had their skins, their horns, or even their hearts being sold like accessories in the Wizarding World. But stuffed dragon dessert? Yuck! Only Lord Ēferno would engorge himself in that kind of meat."
Ocellus: (To Smolder) "Ew! One of your Dragon Lord's a cannibal?"
Smolder: (To Ocellus) "They don't call him the Blood Dragon for nothing. He'll eat anyone. Even his own fellow dragons. And that's if he deems you a traitor!"
Sandbar: (To Smolder) "Yikes!"
Yona: (To Smolder) "Yona scared!"
Silverstream: (To Smolder) "I know big fishes eat little fishes...but by the Amulet of Aurora, that's scary!"
Smolder: (Shrugs) "Hey. That's just how life was like for dragons back when. It was every dragons for themselves, until Ēferno puts an end to it. Since then, no dragons has ever dared to betray their Dragon Lords, less they risk getting eaten. The last dragon who betrayed him learned that the hard way. And she was his mate!"
Gallus: (To Smolder) "Whatever happens to this Ēferno dragon?"
Smolder: (To Gallus) "No dragons knew for sure. One day, he was conquering the world when he suddenly disappeared. Some say he died. But they never found his body! And since then, no dragons have ever dared to betray their Dragon Lords...OR ELSE HE WILL EAT US ALL!!!"
Norberta: "RAWR!"
Rest of the Student Six, Loona, Granny Smith, and others: (Screaming) "WWWWWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!"
Before long, everyone all looked to see Smolder and Norberta were laughing their hearts out.
Smolder: "Ha ha ha ha ha! Look at you guys! You should've seen the looks on your faces! You're so scared!"
Gallus: (To Smolder) "You gave us a heart attack!"
Yona: (To Smolder) "Not funny!"
Loona: "Hmph!" (Hits Smolder on the head)
Smolder: (Laughing while getting hit) "Ow!"
Discord: (Buried in the ground, with his head above the surface) "I thought it was hilarious."
Everyone: (To Discord) "SHUT UP DISCORD!"
Random Dude: "Uh...don't the bad guys usually lose? Does anyone have a scoreboard? Who's been keeping track?"
Angel Dust: "Really? Why? You gonna swat her with a newspaper or something?" (Laughs out loud)
Cheese Sandwich: (Singing) "What can he say except, "You're welcome"
For the tides, the sun, the sky
Hey, it's okay, it's okay
You're welcome
He's just an ordinary demi-guy"
Husk: (Throws a glass bottle at Cheese Sandwich) "GET OFF THE STAGE YOU FUCKING HORSE SHIT HACK!"
Charlie Morningstar: (To Husk) "Aw, I thought that was pretty clever!"
Flurry Heart: (To Cadence) "Mommy? Is she?"
Princess Cadence: (To Flurry Heart) "I think she is, sweetie. She's in love!"
Shining Armor: (To Princess Cadence) "Don't be ridiculous, honey. She's a changeling! Not to mention she's one of Equestria's public enemy number one and has kidnapped us...twice."
Atlanta: (To Shining Armor) "Actually, deep down, my mother has a heart...still."
Alastor: "I'm not a fan for weddings. But isn't it usually the groom who gets the cold feet? Although, from the looks of it, it seems she's giving him the cold shoulders!"
Angel Dust: (Driven mad by Alastor's dad jokes) "Shut up, shut up, SHUT UP!!!"
Alastor: "Hmmmm. I've seen scarier. Why this reminds me of history class when I first learn of Jack the Ripper! A serial killer who is so notorious, so feared, his reign of terror is known throughout all of London! And the best part of all! He was never captured! Never identified."
Husk: (To Alastor) "Yeah, lucky him. Too bad we never knew if he's rich, or where he hid his loot, or his life's saving. All the fuckers in the world couldn't fuck all the shits they want for gold."
Pharynx: "And there's the classic love triangle."
Thorax: (To Pharynx) "Triangle? What triangle?"
Pharynx: (To Thorax) "Ugh. Do you remember anything about romance, Thor? Or even how to start a petty love rivalry? A love triangle is usually when two love interests are fighting over a single creature they're attracted to. Problem is that single creature is only interested in one of them. So the two love interests duke it out in a cat fight to win that single heart. That's why it's called a love triangle."
Soarin: (To Pharynx) "Oh! You mean like the time when Fleetfoot gets into a fight with some random chick, just because she's also attracted to Big Mac?"
Mina: "Or when Princess Luna kissed Big Mac on the ferris wheel?" (To Princess Luna) "That's right~ We saw what you did."
derpicdn.net/img/view/2013/9/20/430999.png
Princess Luna: (Blushes a shade of red) "...I was just...I..."
General Supernova: (To Princess Luna) "You heartbreaker!"
Sugar Belle: (To Princess Luna) "You kissed Big Mac?"
Trixie: (To Princess Luna) "And you were Darth Vader's old pal?"
Princess Luna: (To Trixie) "It's Anakin!"
Crazy Steve: (To Princess Luna) "GUILTY! Also, she's red! RED'S SUS!"
Princess Luna: (To Crazy Steve) "What? No! This is just a blush! I was just blushing! I'm not SUS!"
Angel Dust: (To Princess Luna) "Eh! That's what an imposter would say. Get her out!"
Mina: "No! No, NO! We are NOT throwing anyone out! Ever! Especially Princess Luna! She's my senpai!"
Angel Dust: "...Your what now?"
Husk: "Booooo..."
On the moon
Gallus: "...Well...technically, she's not wrong."
Discord: "Oh hoo-hoo! I'm going to need more popcorn!"
Next>>
Meanwhile, back at Discord's Theater
<<Previous
Husk: "If the judge don't arrest him first, like he did with the other sorry sap."
Charlie Morningstar: (To Husk) "He's just a kid!"
Husk: (To Charlie) "My point exactly..."
Mrs. Cake: "Goodness, gracious!"
Mr. Cake: "He's throttling the kid!"
Charlie Morningstar: "HEY! What the hell was that?"
Sugar Belle: "Child abuse!"
Husk: "Who the fuck cares?" (Drinks his booze)
On the moon
Princess Celestia: "Oh my mother!"
Silverstream: "HE'S STRANGLING THE KID!"
Loona: [Texts on her phone]: "He's certainly not spanking him..."
Princess Luna: "I've seen many monsters in my days. But it takes a special breed to direct such violence and abuse towards a child..." (Thinks about her friend, Anakin Skywalker) "Unfortunately, it seems a lot of monsters were made from so many bad days beyond their controls..."
Pharynx: "Yeah, and maybe tattle-tale on Sweeney Todd for what he did to ya kid so mommy Chrysalis can eat his inside while he's still alive."
Audience: "AWWWW!!!"
Alastor: "He's about to tattle-tale...in SONG!"
Ember: "Oh noooooo...I'm outta here." (Takes her leave from the theater)
Alastor: "Hmmmm. It's not exactly a tattle-tale. But it's a song. And a good one still."
*Among Us – Body Reported SFX
Mina: "What happened now?"
Random Dude: "EMBER'S BEEN ELECTROCUTED AND SHE'S BEEN SHOCKED UNCONSCIOUS!"
Audience: *GASPS*
Mina: "H-H-How did that happened? How could she have been shocked?!"
Grubber: (Points at Tempest Shadow) "It was Tempest! She did it!"
Tempest Shadow: (To Grubber) "Grubber. I've been sitting next to you during the entire movie! How could I have shocked her if I was right here?"
Random Dude: (To Mina) "I don't know how it could've happened. All I saw was that Ember was on the floor, covered in burns and she smelled like roast beef! And one of the TV screen in the theater appeared to have been blown up."
Silver Shill: (Sighs) "I'm afraid I'll have to file another report here at the theater."
Shining Armor: "I don't know how Discord can continue running his business like this. But this is unprofessional."
Flurry Heart: (To Shining Armor) "Dad. This is Discord we're talking about. His theater's bound to fall apart."
Vaggie: "Hey! Can we get back on topic? Like how did this happened? Who would set Ember up to be electrocuted?"
Charlie Morningstar: "I don't know. There's not enough evidence. Let's just skip for now."
Next>>>
There's still 1 more imposter.
Meanwhile, back at Discord's Theater
<<Previous
Alastor: "Ah! There's the tattle-tale."
Husk: "It ain't foolish if he's no fool."
Angel Dust: "Welp. They're busted."
Husk: "Bad idea kid..."
On the moon
Big Mac: "Nope!"
Mr. Cake: (Shakes his head) "I don't think so..."
Random Changeling: "Ooh! I'll bet that's smarts."
Charlie Morningstar: "Lucy? As in..."
Audience: *GASPS*
Octavia: "Something definitely smells fishy around here. And It ain't sea ponies."
Random sinner: "Looks kinda like home to me..."
Alastor: (Licks his lips) "Mmmmmm! Just like how mom grinds the meat."
Starlight Glimmer: "What is she up to this time?"
Thorax: "Also...how is Lucy's ring and the arsenic bottle she used to kill herself doing in her possession to begin with?"
Angel Dust: "No! Actually keep it going. I'm sure you're turning some of us sinners on here. We love those kinds of talks. Very kinky stuff~"
Pharynx: (To Angel Dust) "I thought you're homesexual."
Angel Dust: (To Pharynx) "I am. But I charge extra for bitches..."
On the moon
Big Mac: "Eeeyup."
On the moon
Big Mac: "Eeyup!"
On the moon
Ocellus: "Me neither! The moon is great and all, but...I wanna go home!"
Charlie Morningstar: "No, DON'T!"
Alastor: (Starts to distort and transform) "You know, I do really hate those who can't show a little more respect to those of fairer means. It's rather distasteful, LIKE BAD MEAT!"
Alastor: (Reverts to his normal self) "Ha ha ha! GOOD SHOW old chap!"
Husk: "Finally, the boy has become a man and has grown some balls."
Alastor: "My my my. Those ladies certainly reminds me of Rosie. Such a charming little lady if I do say so myself."
On the moon
Silverstream: "Hey, don't you know your fairy tales? The conquering hero always rescues the damsel-in-distress!"
Discord: "Except for that one time when Twilight stupidly made the mistake of leaving Sunset Shimmer behind."
Audience: "Huh?"
Pharynx: "Welp. Wrong girl."
On the moon
Lumalee: "He must be in a better place then. And you did him a favor! You are a good girl, Beatrice."
Loona: [Texts on her phone]: "Shut up, shut up, SHUT UP!!!"
Capper Dapperpaw: (To Loona) "You really don't like that asylum, do you?"
Loona: [Texts on her phone]: "It brings back bad memories."
Thorax: "Wow, Twilight is finally catching on. At last!"
Pharynx: "Yeah. They've rescued Johanna, she and Anthony are gonna run away and live happily ever after. The end."
Atlanta: "Plus, they're catching onto Chrysalis's disguise."
Mina: "Speaking of which...shouldn't we have found our imposter by now? There's only one more?"
"You've already found him!"
Angel Dust: "Hey whoa! Who said that?"
Alastor: (He looked rather annoyed, but his slasher smile remains, but rather cringing) "Oh no...not you."
"Hello there, Alastor. Ha ha ha ha. Thought you could host a show in a theater? MY THEATER?!"
Mina: "Your theater? This is Discord's Theater! Who are you?"
In response, the entire room was plunged into total darkness, before the theater screen turns itself back on, to reveal a static. But with it, a face appears. The monitor projects two eyes with red sclera and light blue pupils, the outline and wrinkles of his left eye being cyan, and a mouth with sharp teeth that glows light blue.
H̵a̴ ̸h̵a̵ ̶h̴a̶!̶ ̴H̶e̵l̶l̸o̶ ̶D̶i̸s̷c̶o̵r̶d̴'̷s̸ ̷T̶h̶e̴a̴t̸e̴r̴!̵ ̵I̸,̶ ̸V̴o̴x̴,̷ ̴O̴v̸e̸r̶l̴o̴r̴d̷ ̸D̶e̶m̵o̷n̸ ̴o̵f̸ ̵H̷e̸l̶l̷,̸ ̷C̶E̸O̶ ̷o̷f̷ ̷V̸o̵x̶'̴s̶ ̸M̴u̸l̷t̸i̷m̴e̶d̵i̶a̷,̶ ̸s̸h̷a̵l̸l̸ ̴n̸o̴w̷ ̴b̶e̸ ̴y̵o̵u̶r̵ ̴h̷o̸s̴t̸ ̵f̶o̵r̵ ̷t̴h̵e̷ ̸r̶e̶m̵a̵i̴n̵d̵e̵r̸ ̴o̶f̵ ̷t̷h̷e̷ ̶s̵h̶o̸w̵i̶n̸g̴!̴
̵
̶I̵ ̷h̴a̷v̷e̷ ̷t̵a̶k̴e̴n̷ ̴t̴h̷e̸ ̶l̸i̸b̷e̴r̷t̷y̶ ̴o̸f̸ ̸s̷e̴i̵z̷i̴n̶g̶ ̵c̷o̶n̵t̸r̶o̸l̷ ̴o̷f̸ ̴a̶l̶l̵ ̴t̸h̴e̴ ̵t̶e̶c̸h̴n̶o̴l̸o̵g̶i̸e̷s̸ ̷y̶o̴u̵ ̸s̶e̵e̶ ̴a̷r̸o̵u̸n̶d̸ ̸y̸o̴u̸!̵ ̸I̸ ̷a̶m̶ ̷t̶h̴e̴ ̶s̶c̵r̶e̸e̴n̶.̵ ̷I̶ ̴a̷m̷ ̶t̸h̶e̷ ̵T̷V̶!̸ ̸I̴ ̴a̶m̷ ̴t̶h̴e̸a̵t̴e̶r̷!̸ ̷I̴!̶ ̴A̶M̶!̸ ̶T̶H̷E̷!̸ ̶C̵I̵N̵E̵M̴A̴T̸I̷C̸ ̴A̷D̷V̴E̸N̴T̵U̷R̴E̴!̵!̶!̷
Vox's Interlude
You know that I know
You hear me so
I exist around all you do
Though I doubt that this hits you as the most shocking of blows
This reminder I bring to you
That no matter the trade, there's no hope of escape
From the toll that I'm sure you'll rue
Auf wiedersehen
You lost the game of life
As you wander through hell
That facade that you sell
Bears a cross to the test of time
It's a real motherfucker that you decide to rebel
As if we can't see the dead of night
There are millions of ways to remember the days
But they all end in sacrifice
Don't be afraid
This is the afterlife
This is the afterlife
You thought this was hell? Oh ho ho, you have no idea.
This is the afterlife