Disclaimer: How's it going everybody? Alright, I won't be long, but I just checked the notifications and saw something that really got the gears turning, a possible event that will happen to Sonic's world and something I believe will work out perfectly. A shout out to LazinessRules for the idea because it's a pretty good one, also a shout out to Gillskull for the idea for Encanto as I watched the show and it was pretty good. Finally, I'm still open for ideas for any new characters to add to the Mane 6 friend group as I mentioned in chapter 125 and if you have other ideas for worlds they could visit, don't hesitate to put them down and I'll make sure in the future to give a shout out to the one who gave the idea if I go with it. All rights for My Little Pony, Sonic the Hedgehog, Star Wars, The Legend of Spyro, and Kingdom Hearts are reserved to their original creators and companies, I am not the original owner and the use of names, items, locations, and characters are used for entertainment purposes in this story. Thank you all in advance and thank you for the ideas and hope you enjoy.
Chapter 129: Heart of the Puppet Part 2: From One Problem to Another
Back aboard the Harmony, everyone was resting, getting some sleep as Maya instructed them, everyone sleeping peacefully in their rooms, but there was one pony who wasn't sleeping as peacefully. In Twilight's room, Twilight was twisting and turning in her sleep, sweating as she was sleeping as she had one of the worst dreams ever imagined, dreaming of the day Spyro lost his heart, trying to reach up and get his heart, screaming for him, but the heart kept moving farther and farther away from hr, watching as it shattered before her, falling to the ground and crying out for him as she put her hooves over her eyes, crying. A moment later, she heard what sounded like a child crying, looking to her left and seeing a small light shining in the distance and walked towards it, suddenly being dragged to it as she tried to dig her hooves into the ground to keep herself from flying to it, but was then yanked away, flying towards the light and then suddenly spat out, looking down to see it was a world she never saw before. The world had multiple continents on it, all surrounded by oceans with a circle with wings on it, the seven Chaos Emeralds in the circle, but as she was looking at it, she noticed there was a white patch on one of the continents, peaking her curiosity.
"What's going on?" Twilight asked, her voice echoing. "Where am I?"
She didn't get her answer as she was suddenly pulled towards the world, trying to catch herself, but unable to do so as she screamed, falling towards the world before gently landing on the ground, looking around and finding herself at the beach, a peaceful location with nothing wrong with it at all, surprising the lavender unicorn. Before she could explore, she saw some little critters running away from something, wondering what they were running from, she looked to her right and felt her heart drop into her stomach, watching as some of the beach was turning gray, catching some of the little animals in it and causing the locations to turn completely white, erasing the animals from existence. She then turned and ran as fast as she could, running away from the fast moving wave of nothingness, looking back to see it was catching up with her, running faster and faster until she tripped, tumbling down a ravine before landing on a hard metal surface, rubbing her head and looking around to find herself in the middle of a hallway, looking around and wondering how she got there.
"Ok, now I'm even more confused than I was before." Twilight continued, walking along the hall. "How did I get here when I was outside? This is freaky. I better find a way out."
A moment later, she heard something coming up behind her, turning to find a couple of shadows approaching, so she rushed to find a hiding spot, finding an opened door and ducking in, hiding behind a wall as she saw two Conquerers walk past, one was bulky with two missile launchers on it's shoulders, carrying a massive Rotary blaster with an energy shield on his other arm while the other was a sleeker design, more human like, but it had no face and it had a rifle on it's back with a stealth generator right in the center of it's back. Twilight was about to leave when she looked over, finding a large monitor in the room along with a large table with a projection of the world on it, finding there were several spots on the world where it was spreading, the world erasing itself as small cracks appeared, worrying her.
"I cannot process the reason for the world condition." A female voice said.
Twilight turned her head and saw two more of the machines walk in, one feminine with a design similar to that of a viper, glowing green eyes as the nails looked to be extremely sharp while also having a cannon attached to her right arm while the other one was the Overlord, though it looked larger and it had stronger armor than before.
"The world's condition is due to Sonic the Hedgehogs sudden disappearance." The Overlord replied, walking next to Twilight and surprising her, seeing they can't see her. "Sonic is the anchor which keeps this world in tact. He is a key being, which means that if he's taken from this world by force or is accidentally teleported to another, then the world will begin to collapse."
"So how does this concern us?" The other robot asked. "Surely we can create a carrier large enough to take us away from here."
"The construction of this carrier will take precisely 2.8 months." The Overlord replied. "This world will be completely destroyed in less than two weeks. Besides, I have no doubt that we can find him. Or he'll come to us."
"Error: Cannot process meaning." The other robot said. "Please clarify information."
"Oh don't worry Viper, everything will fall into place on its own." The Overlord replied, turning to look down at Twilight. "Isn't that right, little pony?"
Twilight could feel her blood turn to ice, looking up and finding that the Overlord was reaching down to her, which she panicked and ran away as a dark portal opened, his hand passing through and attempting to grab her, but she managed to avoid him, running to the hall, but when she looked back, she saw the hand was extending towards her, a dark mist covering it as it reached for her, so she ran as fast as she could, trying to get away from him when the hand grabbed her tail, yanking her and making her hit the ground, looking back and seeing the hand got her tail and dug her hooves into the ground, slowing herself down, but the machine was yanking as hard as it could, pulling her back to the room.
"AHH, let go!" Twilight shouted.
She summoned her Keyblade and swung, hitting the hand and loosening the grip enough to yank her tail out of it's grip, getting back up and running away as the Overlord yanked his hand out, showing major damage to it as Twilight ran away, the Overlord looking out the hall as he processed what had happened, his arm sparking from the damage as Viper walked next to him, looking to him.
"Overlord, your arm has received severe damage." Viper said. "You require maintenance."
"No, that won't be necessary." The Overlord replied, FARBAS beginning to repair the arm as he lifted it up, revealing he had a few strands of Twilight's indigo and pink colored hair from her tail. "I calculate we now have a new formula to add to the overall equation of our success."
With Twilight, she managed to escape the Overlord and was running through the hall, her heart pounding as she was running, but then ran into a random room, tripping and falling through darkness as she screamed, landing face first onto the ground and groaning, her vision blurred from the impact, but cleared up as she sat up, looking to her tail and still feeling the cold metal yanking on it.
"What was that thing?" Twilight asked herself. "It... it nearly got me. Well, at least I'm safe now."
"Yes, safe indeed." A voice replied.
Twilight's heart stopped all of a sudden, turning to look behind her as she heard the voice and from the darkness, she saw a single eye open, a large slit in the middle of it as six more opened up, all lined up and looking at her as it rose, dark light revealing it had a massive mouth with thousands of tongues, the eyes in the mouth with razor sharp teeth, a serpent like body and four massive arms extended from it, the color completely draining from her face as she felt her heart completely stop, her whole body shaking as she saw it and as several dark voids opened up, and from them came several Nightmares, all looking to Twilight with hunger in their eyes, snapping twilight out of her state of fear and making her run away, the Nightmares chasing after her.
"Get her!" The massive monster exclaimed. "Bring her to me now! I want her alive!"
The Nightmares chased her, the pony screaming as she fled, running away and looking back, finding they were gaining on her, looking forward and around her to find a way out.
"Somepony, anypony, help!" Twilight shouted, the Nightmares gaining on her as she fled. "Somepony, please, save me!"
"This way young one." Another voice said, Twilight looking to her right and seeing a small light in the distance. "This way, come."
Without thinking, she turned to her right and immediately ran towards the light, the Nightmares turning to her and continuing to run after her as the dark serpent was right behind her.
"You cannot escape little pony!" The serpent said. "You will free me!"
"Get the heck away from me!" Twilight shouted.
She pointed her horn at the serpent and released a beam of magic, hitting one of it's eyes and making it screech before lunging to her, grabbing her and making her struggle to get free, lifting her up until it's eyes were on her.
"That wasn't;t very nice of you, was it?" The serpent asked. "Now I'm going to have to punish you."
It lifted two more of its arms, twilight seeing dark lightning arching between its pincers as it got ready to zap her, twilight bracing for the pain.
"Release her, you will." The voice said.
A moment later, dozens of lights flew down and surrounded Twilight, hitting the monsters hand and making is scream in agony, releasing her as the lights took an unconscious Twilight away and towards the light, passing through as the Nightmares lunged for it, burning up instantly and disappearing.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" The serpent shouted.
Twilight felt like her whole body was paralyzed, feeling weak as she couldn't feel anything, just opening her eyes to see she was in a starry room, a circle underneath her, finally finding her strength as she lifted herself up, sitting up as she looked around.
"Where... am I now?" Twilight asked.
"Young one fear not." The voice said, making her look around. "Safe here, you are. Yes, hmmm."
"Who are you?" Twilight asked. "What is this place? Where am I?"
"My friend, calm yourself." The voice replied. "Here, those who wish to harm you, get to you, cannot."
"How did I get here?" Twilight asked.
"Here, I brought you." The voice replied. "In grave danger, you were."
Twilight wanted to step out, but her body was sore and she was exhausted, plopping down as soon as she tried to get up.
"Can I ask, who are you?" Twilight asked.
"Yoda." The voice replied. "Yoda, they call me."
"Yoda..." Twilight said, feeling her eye lids were getting heavy. "Thank you, for rescuing me."
"Thank me, you do not." Yoda replied." A great disturbance in the Force, I sensed. Through the will of the Force, came to your aid I did. Yes, through the will of the Force. Rest, you must. Many more adventures, you have. Rest now, rest."
Twilight's eyes suddenly closed, feeling the calm and peace all around her as she closed her eyes, finally being able to rest as she smiled, feeling safe wherever she was when she heard a voice laughing, making her hair stand up as she suddenly felt cold.
"You think you're safe?" The serpent asked. "I think not."
A moment later, it jumped out of the darkness, scaring Twilight so bad she screamed, waking up and making everyone else up, running to her room to see her on the ground, screaming as Shining Armor and Cadence rushed over to comfort her.
"Don't let it get me!" She screamed. "Don't let it get me!"
"Twilight, Twilight it's us!" Shining Armor exclaimed, Twilight seeing her brother and breaking down, pressing her face into his shoulder as he hugged and comforted her. "It's alright Twilight, you're alright."
"It... it nearly got me." Twilight said, crying as everyone looked at her with worry. "It was horrible. Large mouth, many eyes, snake body, monsters everywhere."
"Shh, shh, shh, it's alright Twiley, it was just a bad dream." Shining Armor said, pulling her back to look at her. "It was just a dream. Nothing more."
"But... it felt so real." Twilight said.
"Shining, how about I sleep with Twilight tonight?" Cadence asked. "Just to make sure she's alright."
"Alright honey." Shining Armor said, lifting his sister back to bed. "Please keep her safe."
"Don't worry, she'll be fine." Cadence replied.
Cadence entered the room as Shining Armor left, closing the door behind her to give them as everyone went back to their rooms.
"What could be causing this?" Shining Armor asked. "Twilight's never had nightmares before until recently. What's doing this?"
"I think I know." Knuckles said, crossing his arms. "It's something Sonic faced before. It's called Dark Gaia."
"Wait, you know what it is?" Rosy asked.
"We do." Tails replied. "It's a deity of pure darkness that nearly destroyed our world. But Sonic managed to defeat it using the power of the Chaos Emeralds and the power of Gaia Colossus, the lighter form of Gaia."
"And if Dark Gaia is stirring again, we need to get back home quickly." Knuckles said.
"Dark Gaia." Midnight said, looking to them. "The Dark Overlord knew he would rise again, but not for a few hundred years. If he's stirring this soon, it has to do with Sonic no longer being on his world. The imbalance must be stirring Dark Gaia early."
"If that's so, then we need to find Sonic now!" Luna exclaimed. "But... how do we fly this ship?"
"Maya's the only one who knows how to fly it." Fluttershy said. "Unless..."
"Sorry Fluttershy, but I can't." Rosy said. "I'm blind, so I don't know which switch is which."
"Then... all we can do is wait?" Shining Armor asked looking nervous.
"Afraid so." Midnight said, looking to the cockpit. "Maya, please hurry. Sonic's world doesn't have much time left."
On the surface of the world, Pinocchio was with Stromboli counting money with him and he looked happy with himself, singing as he counted.
[Strombli]
I got no string,
But I got the Brain!
I buy a new suit,
And I swing the cane!
I eat the best,
And i drink champagne!
I got no strings on me!
He then started laughing after putting some food on his knife, looking to Pinocchio.
"Bravo Pinocchio!" Stromboli said.
"They liked me." Pinocchio said, very happy that he was loved by everyone.
"Hm, two hundred." Stromboli said, pushing a stack of money to one side. "You were sensational."
"You mean I'm good?" Pinocchio asked.
"Ahh, three hundred!" Stromboli said. "You were colossal!"
"Does that mean I'm an actor now?" Pinocchio asked, Stromboli eating a large onion raw.
"Sure." He replied. "I will push you in the public's eye. Your face, she will be on everybody's tongue!"
"Will she?" Pinocchio asked, a tear of joy rolling down his face.
"Yeah... uh-huh." Stromboli replied, picking up a coin made of tin. "What's this?" He then bit down on it and bent it, throwing him into a rage and shouting in his native tongue, Pinocchio watching when Stromboli had an idea, giving the coin to Pinocchio. "For you, my little Pinocchio."
"For me?" He asked, looking to the bent coin with excitement. "Gee, thanks! I'll run home and tell my father."
Stromboli was drinking some wine and then spat it out, completely surprised by what the puppet said.
"Home?" Stromboli asked before he started laughing. "Oh sure, going home to your father! Hahahaha, that is very comical!"
"You mean it's funny?" Pinocchio asked.
"Haha, sure, yes!" Stromboli replied, Pinocchio laughing with him.
"I'll be back in the morning!" Pinocchio said.
"Back in the morning?" He then grabbed Pinocchio and talked in his native tongue again, hitting his head. "Going home?" He and Pinocchio were laughing as Stromboli was walking through some puppets, going to a cage before throwing Pinocchio in it and slamming it up, locking it. "There! This will be your home. Where I can find you always."
"No, no, no!" Pinocchio shouted.
"Yes, yes, yes!" Stromboli shouted. "To me, you are belonging. Together we will tour the world. Paris, London, Monte-Carlo, Constantinople!"
"No, no!" Pinocchio shouted.
"YES!" Stromboli shouted, slamming down on the table. "We start tonight!" He then got a bag out and slide the pile of money into the bag. "You will make lots of money, for me!" Pinocchio shook his head, in disbelief of what was happening as Stromboli got an axe out. "And when you grow to, you'll make good, FIREWOOD!"
He threw the axe into a box where an old puppet was in, the axe hitting the chest, horrifying Pinocchio as Stromboli laughed.
"Let me out of here!" Pinocchio shouted. "I gotta get out of here! You can't keep me!"
"QUIET!" Stromboli shouted, jumping and slamming on the cart's floor, making the whole thing shake. "Shut up! Before I knock you silly!" He then smiled, blowing Pinocchio a kiss before turning away from him. "Good night. My little gold mine!"
Pinocchio was in disbelief, grabbing the bars and shaking on them to free himself right as the cart started moving, whistling for Jiminy, but it was no use as the storm outside drowned out his whistle, making him loose hope. Outside as the cart was riding away, everyone was sitting next to Maya as she used her magic to make a dome of water where the rain fell into, keeping everyone dry.
"Well, there he goes." Jiminy said. :Sitting in the lap of luxury, the world at his feet. oh well, I can always say I knew him when."
"Aw, come on sugarcube." Applejack said. "Ya can still go with him. Ya'll can still be his conscience."
"No, I don;t think so." Jiminy said, hopping down and walking away. "I'm just go out of his life quietly."
"Now that ain't no way to talk Jiminy!" Apple Bloom said, picking him up and putting him on her back. "Ya can't just leave him like that. Even if he is famous now, he still needs his friends, even if he doesn't realize it yet."
"Yeah, don;t quit on him now!" Scootaloo said. "Least you can do is wish him luck, right?"
"Yeah, you're right!" Jiminy exclaimed. "Why not!?"
"We'll have you over there in no time and then back with us." Sweetie Belle said. "Is that alright with you sis?"
"Well, I suppose it is." Rarity said. "Just wish him luck and get out quickly before that horrid brute discovers you."
"Awesome!" Scootaloo said. "Be back in a jiffy!"
The three fillies ran towards the cart, running through the rain as it splashed down on them getting to the cart while the others watched them, concerned for their safety and the possibility they might get caught, so Maya looked to Rainbow Dash, nodding to her to let her know to follow them, which Rainbow Dash saluted and flew off after the fillies. On the cart, Pinocchio was sitting there, regretting his decision when he heard something creak open, looking to find Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo there, Jiminy on Apple Blooms back.
"Pinocchio?" Jiminy asked. "Pinocchio? It's us, your friends Jiminy, Apple Bloom-"
"Jiminy!" Pinocchio said, everyone looking up and shocked to see their friend in a cage. "Gee I'm glad to see you!"
"Pinocchio!" Jiminy said, jumping off Apple Blooms back as the fillies ran to the cage. "What's happened!?"
"What the hay did he do to ya!?" Apple Bloom asked.
"He was mad!" Pinocchio said. "He said he was going to push my face into everyone's eye! And just because I'm a goldbrick, he's gonna chop me into firewood!"
"Is that so?" Jiminy asked.
"The big bully!" Apple Bloom said. "Don't worry bud, we'll get ya out, somehow."
"Yeah, we'll get ya out!" Jiminy said. "Now don't ya worry son. I'll have you out of here in no time at all." Jiminy hopped into the lock, getting to work on it as he put his hand and jacket on the outside of the lock. "Kinda rusty."
Jiminy then went back into the lock, working on getting it opened, making noise as he worked on it.
"How's it going Jiminy?" Apple Bloom asked.
"Needs a little oil!" Jiminy replied, which it echoed in the lock. He then put his umbrella into the mechanism that will free Pinocchio, tugging on it as hard as he could, but the spring jumped out, taking Jiminy with him as he flew in the air, the spring landing on a nail and dangling the cricket. "Heh, must be one of the older models."
"You mean you can't open it?" Pinocchio asked.
"Yeah, afraid not." Jiminy said, Pinocchio handing him his hat and jacket. "Seems pretty hopeless. Gonna take a miracle to get us out of here."
"Wait, I got it!" Sweetie belle exclaimed, getting their attention. "Scootaloo, think you can use the Force to break the lock off?"
"Wait, what!?" Scootaloo asked. "You crazy? Spyro only started my training! I'm not that strong!"
"Well we gotta at least try!" Apple Bloom said. "It's probably the only way to get them free!"
Scootaloo looked at her friends, nervous about trying before she looked up to Pinocchio, seeing the pleading look he was giving her, so she swallowed a mouth full of air and walked up, looking to the lock before closing her eyes and lifting her hoof, reaching out with the Force as she felt the lock, making it wiggle and shake and making them feel hope as the lock was starting to open, but as it tried to open, Scootaloo was struggling, unable to force it open as she gave up, the lock closing again.
"I... I can't." Scootaloo said, breathing heavily. "It's too strong. I'm sorry."
"A fine conscience I turned out to be." Jiminy said, sitting next to Pinocchio.
"I should have listened to you, Jiminy!" Pinocchio said, beginning to cry.
"No, it's my fault." Jiminy said. "I shouldn't have walked out on you."
"Guess I'll never see my father again." Pinocchio said, tears rolling down his face.
"Oh, buck up son." Jiminy said. "It could be worse. Be cheerful, like me."
"Jiminy, that's the one phrase you should never say." Spyro said.
Everyone looked to the door and saw Spyro leaning on the wall, surprised he was there.
"Spyro!" Pinocchio exclaimed, running to the bars of his cage.
"Spyro!" The fillies exclaimed, running to him.
"I can't believe you're here!" Scootaloo said, hugging Spyro as he knelt down.
"I'm always with you Scoots." Spyro replied.
"Spyro, think you can get Pinocchio out?" Jiminy asked.
"I can." Spyro answered, ending the hug. "But I think there's someone who wants to talk to you first."
They looked out the window and saw that the star was flying their way, Pinocchio and Jiminy panicking when they saw it fly towards them.
"The fairy!" Jiminy said, Pinocchio falling onto the floor of the cage. "She's coming!"
"What'll she say!?" Pinocchio asked. "What'll I tell her!?"
"Well, you might try telling the truth!" Jiminy replied, hopping into a thing of birdseed to hide while Pinocchio tried to cover his head.
The fairy appearing before them, walking towards the cage as Spyro stood up, walking to the cage as well as Pinocchio looked to them both.
"Why Pinocchio!" The fairy said.
"Oh, hello." Pinocchio said.
"Sir Jiminy." The fairy continued.
"Well, this is a pleasant surprise." Jiminy said, trying to keep his calm.
"Pinocchio, why didn't you go to school?" The fairy asked.
"School?" Pinocchio asked. "Well, I, uh..."
Pinocchio then looked to Jiminy for some help on what to say.
"Go ahead, tell her." Jiminy said.
"Well, I was going to school when I met somebody." Pinocchio said.
"Met somebody?" The fairy asked.
"Yeah, two big monsters!" Pinocchio replied. "With big green eyes!"
As he said it, his nose got longer, surprise him and the fillies, but Spyro wasn't;t surprised at all, pressing his fingers into his eyes, rubbing them as he knew what was coming next.
"Monsters?" The Fairy asked as Pinocchio touched his nose. "Weren't you afraid?
"No ma'am." Pinocchio replied. "But they tied me in a big sack!"
His nose grew longer, surprising everyone again, but this time there were leaves on the nose, confusing the fillies.
"You don't say." The fairy replied. "And where was sir Jiminy?"
"Hey, psst, leave me out of it." Jiminy pleaded, hoping not to get in trouble.
"Oh, they put him in a little sack." Pinocchio replied, the nose growing longer with buds appearing on it.
"No?" The Fairy asked.
"Yeah." Pinocchio replied, the buds blooming.
"How did you escape?" The Fairy asked.
"I didn't" Pinocchio replied. "They chopped me into firewood!" And that was the final lie he said as his nose grew longer, this time a nest appeared with baby birds popping out, shocking Pinocchio. "Oh, look, my nose! What's happened!?"
"Maybe because you haven't been telling the truth little guy." Spyro suggested.
"Maybe!?" Jiminy asked, clearly annoyed.
"Oh but I have!" Pinocchio replied. "Every word of it is true!" As he said it, the leaves all died away and the birds flew away, being the final nail in Pinocchio's lie. "Oh, please help me. I'm awful sorry."
"You see Pinocchio, a lie keeps growing and growing until it;s as plain as the nose of your face." The fairy said.
"Yeah, lying get's ya into nothin' but trouble!" Apple Bloom said.
"Yeah, like the time you lied about getting your Cutie Mark and getting Cutie Pox." Spyro said, making Apple Bloom blush and hide behind her mane.
"She's right Pinoke." Jiminy said. "Better come clean."
"I'm so sorry." Pinocchio said. "I'll never lie again. Honest I won't."
"I know you won't little guy." Spyro said.
"Please your honor." Jiminy said. "Er, Mrs. Fairy. Give him another chance, for my sake. Please?"
"Well, I suppose we can forgive you this one time." Spyro said.
"I suppose so." The fairy replied. "But remember, a boy who won;t be good, might as well be made of wood."
"We'll be good, won't we?" Pinocchio and Jiminy asked, looking to one another.
"Very well then." The fairy said. "But this is the last time I can help you." The fairy said.
She then tapped on the nose, using her magic to make it go back to normal and unlock the cage, everyone excited by the events that unfolded.
"Look everybody, my nose!" Pinocchio said.
"Hey, we're free!" Jiminy said.
"Yes, the two of you are now free." Spyro said. "The blue fairy gave you a second chance, don't waste it. Also, you can ask me for help one time, just once. So think about what you need before you ask for my help carefully and don't waste it as well. Now get going, before the puppet master finds out you've been freed."
Without hesitating, they all went to the door, opening it and jumping off the cart as it continued on, sneaking away from the traveling puppet show right as Rainbow Dash landed in front of them.
"There you three are!" Rainbow Dash said. "I was wondering when you'd get out of there. I kinda thought you'd be traveling with that Stromboli guy across the world."
"Not with how he treated our friend." Scootaloo said. "He had Pinocchio locked in a cage."
"He what!?" Rainbow Dash exclaimed, looking to the cart. "Why that pompous wind bag! I'll-"
"Forget him Ms. Dash." Jiminy said. "We gotta get Pinocchio home."
"Come on, I'll bring you back to the others." Rainbow Dash replied.
Everyone then followed Rainbow Dash as she flew above them, everyone else running to keep up with the fast flying Pegasus as they flew back into town to get Pinocchio back to the rest of the group and back home. Elsewhere, Honest John and his assistant were in a small tavern singing the song he sung to entice Pinocchio into being a part of Stromboli's show, laughing at the end of the song.
"And the dummy fell for it!" Honest John said, still laughing. "Hook, line, and sinker! And the best part was he still believes we're his friends! And did Stromboli pay? Plenty!' He took out a small bag of coins and put it on the table, impressing a man sitting with them. "And that shows you how low Honest John will stoop. Heh, anyway coachmen, what's your proposition?"
"Well..." the coachmen said, puffing his pipe. "How would you blokes like to make some real money?"
He took out a large bag of gold coins and placed it on the table, enticing Honest John and his associate.
"Well, and who do we have to...?" Honest John asked, sliding his finger across the his throat.
"No, no!" The coachmen replied. "Nothing like that. You see..." He then paused, looking around to make sure no one was listening in, leaning closer to honest John. "I'm collecting stupid little boys."
"Stupid little boys?" Honest John asked.
"You know, the disobedient ones who want to play hooky after school." The coachman replied.
"Oh, those kinds of stupid little boys." Honest John replied. "But whatever for?"
"Well, you see..." The Coachmen replied, whispering into Honest John's ear. Kitty, Honest John's associate, was trying to listen it, moving as close as he could to listen to the conversation, catching some of what they were saying, but not everything. "...And I take them to pleasure island."
"Ah, pleasure island." Honest John said, suddenly realizing what was going on. "PLEASURE ISLAND!? But the law, suppose they..."
"No, no, there is no risk." The Coachman replied. "They never come back... as BOYS!" As he said it, he started to laugh maniacally, Honest john and Kitty faring for their lives as they hugged one another, both scared out of their minds as they realized the kind of trouble they were in. "Now, I have a coach load ready to leave at midnight. We'll leave at Midngiht, and no double-crossing!"
"No sir." Honest John replied.
"Scout around." The coachman said. "Any good prospects you find, bring them to me. I'll pay you well."
"Yes Chief!" Honest John said.
"Remember, bring them to me by Midnight!" The coachman exclaimed. "The more you bring, the more gold I'll give you. I've got plenty of it."
"Yes sir, right away!" Honest John replied.
He then took off, he and Kitty running away to find as many boys as they could, leaving the Coachman to puff his pipe as he smiled, pleased with the business transaction he had, ready for his deal to go down.
"An interesting pair you decided to trust." A voice said.
The coachman turned around and found, sitting in the corner of the room with a tanker of beer was Luxor's, playing with a few cards as he looked over.
"And who might you be, good sir?" The Coachman asked.
"My name is Luxord." He replied. "And I'm here with a proposition."
"Oh yeah?" The Coachman asked, puffing his pipe. "What's in it for me?"
"Nothing much." Luxord replied, tossing a card that showed mountains of gold. "Only all the riches you could ever ask for. Gold, jewels, everything your dark little heart desires."
"Well, do continue." The coachman replied. "What is it that you request of me to do for you in return?"
"Nothing much." Luxord replied. "All I need is one little thing and you get your reward. What I want is... a puppet. And not just any puppet. A living puppet with no strings. Get it for me, and you shall have everything you desire. So, do we have a deal?"
The Coachman scratched his chin, thinking it over as he puffed his pipe, which he took out of his mouth and started laughing, his laughter loud and long as he imagined all the gold and fishes he could ever ask for, his imagination going far and wide as he shook Luxord hand, agreeing to the deal. Back with Pinocchio and his friends, they were walking in the dead of night, heading to Maya and their friends while escorting Pinocchio.
"No sir, nothing will stop me now!" Pinocchio said. "I'll make good this time!"
"You better!" Jiminy said.
"Yeah, you better!" Apple Bloom said. "Ya won't get another chance if ya mess up again."
"I will!" Pinocchio replied. "I'm going to school!"
"That's the stuff Pinoke!" Jiminy said.
"I'd rather be smart than be an actor." Pinocchio said.
"Well we better get you home then!" Rainbow Dash replied.
"Now you're talking!" Jiminy replied. "Come on slow poke, I'll race ya home!"
"Oh, you wanna race little guy!?" Rainbow Dash asked, hearing the challenge. "Let's race!"
She then took off, the fillies running after her as Jiminy ran, Pinocchio right behind them, passing the fillies as they ran, but when they got to a lightly lit area, Honest john appeared out of nowhere, using his cane to stop Pinocchio and making the Fillies skid to a halt, hiding in an alleyway not to be seen.
"Well, well, Pinocchio!" Honest John said, making Pinocchio run in place. "Why the rush?"
"I gotta beat Jiminy home." Pinocchio replied, seeing it was honest John. "Oh, hello."
"Shoot, it's that fox again." Scootaloo said.
"What do we do?" Sweetie belle asked.
"Ah don't know." Apple Bloom replied. "We gotta do somethin'!"
"We can't, remember?" Scootaloo asked. "We can't interfere in this world affairs. That's what Maya said."
"So what, we just wait here and do nothin'!?" Apple Bloom asked.
"I'm afraid so." Scootaloo replied, looking around the corner. "All we can do is watch."
"Well, how is the great actor?" Honest John asked, running in place.
"I don't want to be an actor anymore." Pinocchio replied. "Stromboli was terrible."
"He was?" Honest john asked, gaining ignorance.
"Yeah, he locked me up in a bird cage!" Pinocchio replied.
"He did?" Honest john asked.
"Uh-huh, but I learned my lesson!" Pinocchio said. "I'm going-"
"Oh, you poor, poor boy." Honest John said. "You must be a Nervous wreck. Ah, that's it!" He then used his hand to stop Pinocchio. "You are a nervous wreck! We diagnose this case at once." He then got some glasses out, pretending to be a doctor while Kitty got a notepad and a pencil out to take notes. He then took Pinocchio's wrist and tried to find a pulse, getting his watch out. "My, my, just as I thought. A slight touch of monetary complications with bucolic semi-lunar contraptions of the flying trapeze." He then opened Pinocchio's mouth and out his glassed on his tongue, restricting it. "Hmm, say hippopotamus."
"Hi-ho-hotamus." Pinocchio said, unable to say the word correctly.
"I knew it!" Honest John said. "Compound transmission of the pandemonium with percussion and spasmodic frantic disintegration! Now, close your eyes." Pinocchio did that, closing his eyes tight. "What do you see?'
"Nothing." Pinocchio replied.
"Open them!" Honest John said, Pinocchio opening them to see a pair of spotted underwear. "Now what do you see?"
"Spots!" Pinocchio answered.
"Ah-ha, not that heart!" Honest John said, pressing his ear to the puppets chest while using his cane to make it sound like he could hear a heartbeat. "Oh, my goodness. A palpitating syncopation of the killer diller, with the wicky wacky stomping of the floy joy!" He then hit kitty on the head, taking the notebook to see nothing but a bunch of scribbling, smiling to himself. "This makes it perfectly clear! My boy, you are allergic."
"Allergic?" Pinocchio asked
"Yes, and there is only one cure." Honest John replied. "A vacation, to Pleasure Island!"
"Oh no!" Apple Bloom exclaimed.
"Pleasure Island?" Scootaloo asked. "What's that?"
"Remember when Maya said this world has an island?" Apple Bloom asked. "One she hoped not to go to?"
"Wait, you think it's that island?" Sweetie belle asked.
"It has to be." Apple Bloom replied. "And if that fox convinces Pinocchio to go, we need to stop them!"
"Come, the coach departs at Midnight!" Honest John said, picking him up.
[Honest John]
Hi-diddle-dee-dee,
It's Pleasure isle for me!
Where everyday is a holiday,
And kids have nothing to do but play!
"Quick, we gotta get after them!" Apple Bloom said.
"Hold on Apple Bloom!" Sweetie Belle said, grabbing her tail. "We need to Maya! We can't do this on our own!"
"She's right." Scootaloo said. "Come on, we gotta go get Maya and the others, quickly!"
The fillies got out from their hiding spot and passed Jiminy, who saw that Honest John was taking Pinocchio away and ran as fast as he could to get to Pinocchio, wanting to make sure nothing bad happened to him. Back on Mobius, the Overlord was in front of a large tube, watching it as the light shined through, watching the hairs he got swirl around in the container as the vortex swirled, making it difficult to see the hairs as Viper was next to him.
"I fail to compute the reason for bringing this device up to your command center." Viper said.
"Because you don't see the big picture as I do." The Overlord replied. "Even though Doctor Eggman didn't tell me, I know he has a plan incase something happens to his tower or to his robots. So I'm thinking ahead of time, planning two steps ahead and using his old technology here to make myself something special."
"Scanning." Viper said. "Sir, this is a cloning machine."
"It is." The Overlord replied. "I found some of the good doctor's old technology for making multiple machines, combining them into something new. These hairs are from a member of the Equine family, a unicorn if I am correct."
"And how does a unicorn help us in this situation?" Viper asked. "We have less than a fortnight to find Sonic and get him back here before this world ceases to exist."
"Patients my friend, patients." The Overlord replied, looking back to the tube. "Everything is falling into place as I have calculated. All we need now is a new friend." As he said it, the hairs dissolved and from the fluids, an embryo appeared, changing into a small pony right before his eyes, revealing it was a unicorn filly with a golden mane with red streaks and a white coat, the Overlord leaning in for a closer look, growing brighter as if smiling. "A new friend indeed."
The Overlord walked away from the tube, leaving Viper alone with the machine, watching as the pony filly was moving around, slowly growing as time went by, turning and leaving the room and leaving the filly to continue growing in peace, a shadow appearing in the background and slithering around to see the filly, placing a hand on the tube as it's eyes were glowing a sickly green.
"Grow, little pony, grow." The shadow said. "You will be the one who sets me free."