Cinematic Adventures: Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Later that same day, the Mane Six and Spike were still following Anthony, who was now out of his sailor’s uniform. He led the group towards Hyde Park, walking along the sidewalk absorbed in a copy of Baedeker’s London. The Equestrians were fortunate to run into the kind young man, especially since he offered to help them. Thus far, their experience in Victorian London wasn’t going so well, what with their encounter with Judge Turpin and that horrible meat pie Spike ate. Things only seemed to get worse once they realized they were one more heading down the street where Turpin’s house resided.

“Great, we’re back here again,” Rainbow Dash groaned.

“Perhaps we took a wrong turn?” Rarity spoke hopefully.

“Anthony, which direction are we supposed to go?” Twilight Sparkle asked the young man.

Anthony stopped walking and looked down from his book of maps. Looking closer at his map of London, he suddenly realized he had made a mistake.

“Forgive me my lady,” Anthony apologized. “Seems I’ve gotten us turned around.”

“What are ya talkin’ ‘bout partner?” Applejack asked. “Maybe ah outta take a gander at that there map.”

The country girl walked alongside the young man, gazing down at the map trying to get her bearings. Just then, Pinkie Pie popped up between the two, causing Anthony to drop his map book. Pinkie quickly picked it up to study his map.

“Looks like we should’ve taken that left turn at Albuquerque,” She joked, giggling.

Pinkie laughed for a good minute until she noticed Applejack and Anthony glaring at her. Anthony merely held his hand out as Pinkie cast a downtrodden look toward the ground before gently handing him back his maps.

“Just trying to lighten the mood,” Pinkie pouted.

“Ah know ya mean well Pinkie, but do try and understand,” Applejack explained to her. “We really need tah find a place to hunker down fur tonight and the day ain’t gonna last long.”

Anthony looked back at his maps but couldn’t quite pinpoint the exact location of their destination.

“I think I need to sit for a while,” Anthony said. “I need to get a good bearing on our location.”

“Does it have to be here?” Fluttershy asked worriedly. “Judge Turpin said if he saw us around his home again, there’d be consequences.”

“Judge Turpin?” Anthony questioned, confused.

“Ah, I ain’t afraid of that ole jerk!” Rainbow Dash spoke defiantly. “He gives us any trouble, why I’ll have no problem giving one good punch to his smug face.”

“Rainbow, remember what I said about blending in?” Twilight reminded her.

“Buck that!” Rainbow retorted. “He may be a judge, but that doesn’t give him the right to treat us like dirt.”

“Still, we don’t want to give that horrid man any reason to lock us up,” Rarity warned. “I wouldn’t be able to stand prison. The clothing’s hideous! Don’t even get me started on the stripes. They clash so dreadfully.”

“Typical Rarity,” Rainbow whispered to herself.

While the girls spoke, Anthony made his way toward a nearby bench on the side of the road. He took a seat as he studied his map, trying to chart their location. But little did he realize that fate had other plans in store for this traveling group.

<>

Meanwhile, inside the mansion, a certain golden haired girl sat at her window as she worked on her needlepoint. After meeting those girls and the young man from earlier today, Johanna had watched them leave from her bedroom window. Oh, how she desperately wished she could go with them. All her life she’d been trapped in this house with only Judge Turpin and Beadle Bamford for company. This hauntingly sad, yet beautiful girl felt so much like a prisoner, even her window above, behind bars, felt like a prison.

Nearby the window was a cage containing a few birds letting out a few melodious tweets, gifts from a passing bird seller with those long, wooden poles carrying little bird cages. Johanna looked from her needlepoint with a smile, quietly observing the birds in their cage. How she longed for a day when she could finally leave, just as she imagines these birds in their cage. With the twittering birds giving her a few notes, Johanna released her desire for freedom through song.

Outside the manor, the Mane Six and Spike heard the lovely angelic singing, drawing their gaze toward the young woman sitting by the window.

“Johanna!” Pinkie exclaimed excitedly.

Anthony too looked up from his book, noticing the beautiful girl in the window. Anthony watched her, absolutely mesmerized. For the moment his gaze fell on her, he was immediately entranced.

From high in her gilded cage, Johanna looked down toward the streets below where she’d see everyone going about their everyday lives, relishing their freedom. Her eyes soon noticed Anthony along the street, staring up at her with an enamored look on his face. There is a long look between them; her intense, melancholy expression moved him. As she looked, she couldn’t help but notice that not only he was a very handsome young man but also took notice of those odd girls and their young friend staring and waving at her. She gave a small wave back as she smiled, wishing she could join them. Yet somehow, this strange anguish and yearning of her words seemed intended only to that one man.

What Johanna had no idea of was the secret peep hole just beside her bedroom door, covered only by a painting on the outside. Just outside her room, Judge Turpin lifted the painting off the wall, leaning closely to peer through the hole. He saw Johanna staring out the window, singing, and he wondered just exactly what had attracted her attention.

Down below, everyone couldn’t help but feel the emotion emanated from the poor young girl’s song. All she longed for was freedom from her suppression, yet seemingly growing to accept that it was not going to happen. She gave one last sad smile before she turned away quickly, alarmed, as if someone had just entered her room. The Equestrians and Anthony could see she was terrified, the young sailor felt greatly concerned for her. It wasn’t long before she moved from the window and vanished just as quickly.

“Poor Johanna,” Fluttershy sighed sadly. “She sang that song from her heart; she wants her freedom.”

“We know that’s never going to happen with that judge around,” Spike responded.

Just then, as Anthony craned for a better look, a raggedy beggar woman made her way down the street. A filthy tendril of a woman, her foul clothes of rags like a second skin. She thrust her arm up from the curb, imploring for any sort of coinage or assurance.

She stopped alongside Anthony and the Equestrian heroes, who eyed with pity toward the poor woman. Anthony reached into his pocket and gave what little coins he could muster for her.

“Thank yer, sir!” The woman exclaimed with relief. ‘Thank yer…”

Then Twilight Sparkle reached from her own dress and pulled out a small bag of gold bits, handing it to the woman.

“Here you go, miss,” Twilight smiled. “Hope these will help you.”

“Yer a mighty kind young girl,” The beggar thanked her.

The old woman proceeded to make way down the street before Anthony stopped her.

“Ma’am, could you tell me whose house this is?” Anthony asked her.

“That’s the great Judge Turpin’s house, that is…” The beggar replied.

“And the young lady who resides there?”

“We can answer that for you, Anthony,” Pinkie Pie giggled. “Her name’s Johanna and she’s really nice. The only problem is she lives with Judge Turpin. Spoiler alert: He’s a great big meanie pants.”

“The lil’l lady speaks true, sir,” The beggar nodded. “Johanna’s his pretty little ward. Keeps her snug, he does, all locked up… so don’t you go trespassing there or it’s a good whipping for ya – or any other young man with mischief on his mind…”

Suddenly, like flipping a switch, the beggar woman snapped into a new personality, leering into a lewd, demented assault as she became incredibly sultry trying to push herself into Anthony.

Seeing the beggar woman attempting to grab Anthony, the Equestrians knew they had to act quick. The Mane Six and Spike rushed to intervene, pulling the woman off Anthony, who started back.

“What do you think you’re doing?!” Spike yelled.

“Ya can’t go around assaulting people like that!” Applejack added.

Once again, the woman snapped back to her original personality, instantly plaintive again, looking as though she had no earthly idea what was going on.

“What you on about?” The woman asked cluelessly, walking off.

The raggedy beggar woman slinked away back down the street, appealing to other pedestrians and almost oblivious to how she’d just been. All eyes stared after her, both in shock and to some… disgust.

“Okay, I’m going to say it,” Rainbow spoke, breaking the silence. “What… the hay… was that?”

“I’ll tell you what that was, darling,” Rarity replied. “That lady has completely lost her senses! She’s gone utterly mad!”

“What do you expect?” Twilight Sparkle replied. “In times like these, homelessness is as bad as being in exile. Forced to wander the streets, with no one to show any sort of kindness, and fighting to survive every day. Who wouldn’t go crazy?”

“Regardless darling, that’s no excuse to assault someone in such a way.”

“We do seem to attract the weirdest people,” Spike replied, with a shrug.

“At least we’re good at it,” Pinkie Pie giggled.

It was then Twilight Sparkle looked over, noting Anthony’s focus was entirely upon that window.

“Anthony, are you okay?” Twilight asked, concerned.

“Do you think it’s true?” Anthony asked, gazing at the window. “Is she really kept locked up?”

“Trust me, we’ve met Judge Turpin when we first got here,” Twilight responded honestly. “I speak for all of us when I say it’s worth believing.”

“It’s terrible to keep someone caged up like a little bird,” Fluttershy spoke somberly.

Anthony kept looking at the window, considering the mansion. He swore he could see a figure standing at the window, unclear behind the shutters, watching him. Then, as he sat on the bench outside the mansion, he turned toward his new friends with determination.

“I must help set her free,” Anthony declared.

“How do you plan to do that?” Spike asked.

“I’m not sure,” Anthony responded. “But I’ll find a way… I have to… somehow.”

Seeing the determination on his face, Applejack couldn’t help but notice something else behind his eyes. Something that compelled the man toward her… and it occurred to the country pony in disguise.

“Do you… like her?” Applejack spoke up.

Anthony, slightly taken aback by the question, turned away so none could see the slight blush along his face. Suffice to say, it didn’t go completely unnoticed.

“Sweet Celestia, he does!” Rainbow smirked.

“But how can that be possible?” Rarity questioned. “He’s only seen her just now and hasn’t spoken a word to her. How can he possibly have such fondness for her already?”

“It worked for Victor and Victoria a while back,” Pinkie Pie reminded.

As they continued to converse, Anthony focused his attention back on the window the beautiful young girl just sat by. If what the beggar said of Johanna was right, how she’d been locked away inside for so long, all he’d want was to help her escape.

(Pause at 0:48)

And then, the figure disappeared from the window above. Anthony stood waiting until suddenly… the doors to the mansion swung open. Anthony expected Johanna… but instead, it was none other than Judge Turpin, the predator in Todd’s flashback, standing in the doorway. Only, he seemed a different man now. The old judge actually had what looked like some semblance of a small grin on his face, paternal and warm, and gestured for the young man to come inside. Anthony looked at the judge unsurely for a moment, but slowly pressed himself forward at his beckoning.

“Come in, lad,” Turpin beckoned kindly. “Come in…”

Anthony walked past the judge and into the manor as Turpin looked on. His eyes soon loomed over his shoulder, noticing the human Equestrians in deep conversation, oblivious to his eye. His small grin diminished, replaced by a glare as he stepped back inside. He would deal with them later as soon as he took care of some… business. And so, without them noticing, he shut the door behind him.

“I do wish we can go up there,” Fluttershy pointed toward the window. “Just to at least make sure Johanna is okay.”

“And she does deserve to know she has gained a new admirer,” Rarity added.

“Oh sure, simple as all that,” Spike nodded. “We’re just going to waltz right up to the manor, knock on the door, and ask Judge Turpin if we could visit Johanna for tea.”

“Boy, someone’s been getting snarky since their growth spurt,” Rainbow whispered to Pinkie Pie.

Twilight Sparkle studied the window where Johanna’s form had previously been seen. It was as though she were in deep concentration, as if by chance concocting some form of plan. This hadn’t gone unnoticed as Applejack had caught a trace of Twilight’s deepening gaze.

“I reckon I know that look anywhere,” Applejack observed. “Wut are ya thinkin’, Twi?”

“Hmm… it’s possible there may be a way we may be able to visit Johanna again without the Judge knowing about us,” Twilight Sparkle responded. “It’s a risky plan and could put us in more trouble than we need. But if we are to help Johanna, she will want to know about Anthony.”

“But we’ve never even been inside their house,” Spike pointed out. “How would we even be able to get to Johanna.”

“My magic can still trace where Johanna is, but you are right. Without knowing ‘where’ she is, we’ll end up anywhere in the manor. But if my suspicions are true, and Johanna’s spent her days cooped up in that room, that’s where she’ll be. Gather round, every pony.”

Twilight’s friends proceeded to circle around her. Making sure no one crossing the street was paying attention, Twilight Sparkle closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and proceeded to channel her magic within her. An aura slowly formed not only around Twilight Sparkle, but her friends standing by. Within a matter of seconds, before anyone else paid any attention enough to notice, they quickly vanished from the very ground they stood.

<>

Up in her bedroom, Johanna had been listening from the doorway nervously, as if trying to hear what was going on outside her room. Being that the door was thick, she could scarcely hear anything outside but did her best anyway. Little did she know, however, was that she wasn’t entirely alone. For as she leaned on the door, listening with one ear, Twilight Sparkle and her friends stood right by the corner of the room. Without warning, Pinkie Pie tiptoed her way behind Johanna, and leaned her ear casually along the door.

“Who are we listening for?” Pinkie Pie whispered.

Johanna gasped lightly and quickly turned her face toward Pinkie Pie. Startled, she slowly stepped back only to bump right into another unfamiliar figure. She stopped, turned her eyes, and to her surprise the strangers from earlier today were all here, standing in her room.

“What are you all doing in here?” Johanna whispered, confused.

“Sorry for startling you again Johanna,” Twilight answered. “We just had to come and see you again.”

“But I’ve told you, you can’t. If Turpin ever finds you here, he’ll… wait. How… how did you even get in here?”

“We’re not stupid to go through the front door, if that’s what you mean,” Rainbow Dash remarked.

Confused, Johanna tried to point out just how they managed to even enter her bedroom. Briefly, she drew her eyes to the window.

“You didn’t try to climb your way up the window, did you?” Johanna questioned. “No, someone would easily notice, and the windows are barred from the outside. Tell me honestly, how did you all get in here?”

Twilight Sparkle and her friends faced one another in deep silence. They knew at some point folks were bound to question their presence sooner or later. But seeing how they’d made a friend in Johanna, who had been nothing but kind to them despite her initial uncertainty of them, Twilight Sparkle knew what needed to be done. After a silent ponder, she turned her attention back to Johanna.

“You’re right Johanna, you deserve to know how we got here,” Twilight Sparkle answered. “The truth is… we’re not… who you think we are.”

“What do you mean?” Johanna asked, confused.

Turning to her left, then to her right, Twilight Sparkle channeled the magic once more which grew around herself and her friends. There was a momentary flash of light, that caused Johanna to look away for a moment, until the light slowly faded. And when the light completely diminished, she turned back only for her face to widen in surprise. For there, standing in place of six girls and one boy, now six ponies, some with odd appendages, and a dragon stood before her. Johanna almost felt the urge to scream but knew it would do her no good to make noise. Instead, she studied them, trying to come to terms with what she’s looking at.

“What… what are all of you?” Johanna asked quietly. “Are you… angels?”

“Oh no, Johanna,” Twilight Sparkle shook her head. “We’re nothing like that. We are ponies, no different than the kind you see on the streets. Except, you also see a unicorn, some Pegasi, and I myself an Alicorn.”

“An… alicorn?”

“Basically, a pony that has the wingspan of a Pegasus and the horn of a unicorn. Very powerful, yet very few and rare… I happen to be one of them. We come from a magical place called Equestria, a place you won’t find on any map but for us it’s out home.”

“And… are you a dragon?” Johanna pointed toward Spike.

“Well, ‘finally’ you notice,” Spike smirked. “Most people mistake me for a lizard; I don’t really get the joke.”

“We needed to assume some human identity in order to blend in with your society,” Rarity explained. “The idea of seeing talking ponies and a dragon in a land with hardly a sort to be seen tends to make people very nervous. I’m sure you understand.”

Johanna slowly nodded her head, for she too felt that way knowing that she was in the presence of talking animals. Like something out of a fairytale book come to life. Nobody in this town would believe it, and given everyone’s nature during these times, she’d know most of them wouldn’t take it kindly. But rather than being afraid, she was more curious than ever.

“If what you say is true, why would you still come all the way here?” Johanna asked.

“Because we heard your longing through song,” Fluttershy answered. “We come to places like this when someone needs help… and your voice was the loudest of all.”

“Hmm… you really do care for me, despite the danger you’re putting yourselves in,” Johanna pondered, then realized. “The young man, the one who was with you outside… who was he?”

“That there’s Anthony,” Applejack answered. “A kind feller, a sailor. We were lucky to run into ‘im while lookin’ for shelter for the night. He admires you.”

“Yeah… say, that reminds me,” Rainbow Dash realized. “What happened with Anthony anyway?”

“Well, there was the fact he was singing his longing for Johanna while we were having our little girl talk,” Pinkie Pie replied. “Men tend to break into song at the presence of pretty girls. I happen to know; my Cheesy has the voice of an angel…”

While Pinkie Pie rambled on, Johanna listened… and her eyes widened with realization. She turned back toward the door, as if a horrifying reality dawned on her.

“Where is he now?” Johanna asked, barely above a whisper.

<>

Meanwhile, Judge Turpin led Anthony into his own personal library, a dark place yet filled with books. The young man couldn’t help but look around and admire all the brilliant architecture of the house. There were gorgeous paintings, lavish furniture, and the most amazing statues everywhere he looked. But amidst all this splendor and wonder, Anthony seemed to be looking around for Johanna. His eyes were wary, as if he this was all very strange.

“… you were looking for Hyde Park, you say?” Turpin asked, entering the library.

“Yes, it’s terribly large on the map,” Anthony replied. “But I keep getting lost…”

“Sit down lad, sit down,” Turpin offered.

Anthony gladly took a seat on one of the lavish chairs, as uncomfortable as he felt being here. The Judge proceeded to pour two snifters of brand.

“It’s embarrassing for a sailor to lose his bearing,” Anthony continued nervously. “But, well, there you are.”

Just then, the large form of Beadle Bamford appeared from the shadows. No introduction was made, as Turpin looked behind the young lad to his right hand man. Anthony glanced at the judge, uneasily, as the latter proceeded to hand the brandy to the sailor.

“A sailor, eh?” The Judge inquired.

“Yes, sir,” Anthony nodded. “The ‘Bountiful’ out of Plymouth.”

“A sailor must know the ways of the world, yes…?” The Judge continued. “Must be practiced in the ways of the world… would you say you are practiced, boy?”

“Sir?”

The Judge moved to consider some beautiful volumes amidst his libraries. His most prized collection, bound in the richest leather. He brushed a finger along the spines of the books, his large library of pornography.

“Oh, yes… such practices…” The Judge emphasized, breathing heavily. “The geishas of Japan… the concubines of Siam… the catamites of Greece… the harlots of India… I have them all here… drawings of them…”

Slowly, the Judge turned again toward Anthony. Any form of warmth initially presented toward the sailor, now the young man could see that while he smiled amiably there was a hint of venom in his tone. Just feeling that chill from this man, Anthony was speechless and uncertain how to respond to such vulgar manner.

“… All the vile things you’ve done with your whores,” The Judge continued. “Would you like to see?”

“I think there’s been some mistake—” Anthony answered, standing up.

“Oh, I think not. You gandered at my ward, Johanna… you gandered at her… yes, sir, you gandered.”

Anthony didn’t get very far when the Beadle moved in, like a lion about to pounce upon a mouse.

“Do you believe I lie to you, young man?” The Judge continued. “That you were not in league with that green-haired boy nor your frivolous activities with those ladies you are in company with? Do you not believe I do not see the signs when a man has such… insatiable desires of which he cannot keep to himself?”

“I meant no harm—” Anthony glanced nervously at the Beadle.

“Your meaning is immaterial,” The Judge spat, holding his rage. “Mark me: if I see your face again on this street, you’ll rue the day your bitch of a mother gave you birth.”

Anthony stood stunned, all the words he heard of this judge suddenly rang with a hint of clarity. For this man wasn’t just cold-hearted and mean… he was insane. The judge proceeded, with shocking venom rolling off his tongue:

“My Johanna isn’t one of your bloody cockchafers! My Johanna is not to be gandered at!”

With a nod toward the Beadle, the man instantly grabbed Anthony, and brutally hauled him out as the corrupted judge looked on. As Anthony was led out, the Judge’s eyes loomed up toward the ceiling as if he could sense something. If Anthony had truly been gandering as he suspected, who’s to say… it wasn’t just ‘him’…

<>

“Judge Turpin must never know about Anthony,” Johanna warned the group. “He hates any and all men he suspects would do me harm just by looking at me. But I know the truth… he wants to keep me for himself, and he’ll rid London of anyone he deems a threat… including you.”

“It was pretty obvious when that judge made it clear we weren’t to come by his house anymore,” Rainbow Dash pointed out.

“All this time we only meant to blend in until we realized why we’re here,” Twilight Sparkle spoke. “But now we’ve seen the severity of the situation; we’ve seen the way Turpin treats you. That’s why… we’re going to free you from this life, and we believe Anthony can help us.”

“But how?” Johanna asked worriedly. “All the doors and windows are locked at all times. Turpin barely lets people into his house unless its for entertainment or business, and when he does let people in… only bad things happen. What’s that?”

As if sensing something, Johanna quickly raced toward the door and leaned her ear. The others followed closely behind, wondering what she was hearing. Johanna clasped her hands over her mouth, as if she discovered something horrifying.

“The Beadle’s dragging someone out of the house,” Johanna informed her friends. “He must’ve heard Anthony was watching me… oh no!”

“We’ll discuss further escape plans later,” Twilight declared. “Right now, we have to get to Anthony before he gets hurt. Don’t worry, Johanna. We’re going to get you out of this even if it takes us a week. Come on, guys.”

“Yeah… wait, a week?” Spike cringed.

“Come along, buddy!” Rainbow Dash dragged the dragon.

Quickly, the group gathered around Twilight Sparkle, who quickly summoned every ounce of magic to transport themselves out of Johanna’s room as fast as they arrived. Johanna stood there, looking around the room which seemed as though hardly another soul other than her was in the room. Whether or not she dreamt this, her thoughts were again upon the sailor boy… praying no harm comes to him… because of her.

<>

In a flash of light, the Mane Six and Spike were transported in the back alley of Judge Turpin’s house. The magic also shifted them back into their human disguises, as they quickly made their way through the alley. No sooner had they reached the back of the house when the rear door swung open. Beadle Bamford practically dragged Anthony out of the mansion and flung him into the filthy alley. Anthony pulled himself up, stunned.

“Hyde Park is that way, young sir,” Beadle said, as he threw Anthony out. “A right and then a left, then straight on, you see? Move on now!”

Flustered, Anthony turned to look, but the instant his back turned, the Beadle swung his lethal billyclub and slammed him from behind brutally, in the kidneys. Anthony’s knees buckled while the Beadle then slammed Anthony across the back of the neck. Anthony fell hard and Beadle then extended the end of the club and proceeded to whip Anthony across the back a few times for good measure, causing the boy to cry out in pain. It was at that moment the Mane Six and Spike burst into the area.

“Hey!” Rainbow Dash yelled. “Lay one more hand on that boy and I’ll pound you so far into the ground you’ll wake up in China!”

The Beadle paused mid-swing, eyeing the collection of women and that young boy of theirs. He grinned toothily, as he swung his billyclub with a delicate hand.

“Well… no surprise to see any of you here,” Beadle eyed them. “Rats tend to travel in packs.”

“You’re one to talk, Wormtail,” Pinkie Pie replied.

“What’d you call me?” Beadle asked confused.

“Oops… sorry, too soon for the series,” Pinkie chuckled. “We’ll bring that back up in the future.”

Beadle merely rolled his eyes in annoyance before he used one dainty foot to roll Anthony over. Anthony gazed up at him, panting for breath, in agony as Beadle pressed the end of his billyclub into Anthony’s forehead, grinding it hard.

“Now you heard what Judge Turpin said,” Beadle warned. “Next time, it’ll be your pretty brains all over the pavement.”

The Beadle then loomed toward the girls and Spike, who braced themselves as he looked on with malicious intent.

“As for you lot… you were warned never to come near this house,” The Beadle sneered. “And what’d you do? You refused. Lucky for you, the Judge is out on important business, and I have errands of my own to attend to. But next time we meet, I shall personally make sure not a bodice nor any trace of sweat from your brow lingers… not when I’m through with any of you.”

With that, Beadle returned to the mansion and slammed the door. Twilight Sparkle and friends approached Anthony, slowly and carefully pulling him to his knees. He doubled over, coughing up blood. The group looked on with concern, suspecting he may have suffered some internal bleeding. After a long pause, Anthony drew his breath, wiping the blood from his face. Still doubled over, he sang with burning intensity much to the awe of the group.

(Resume Song)

Anthony pulled himself up, every moment was pure utter agony. With the Equestrians in disguise following behind, he made his way down the alley, leaning on Applejack and Rainbow Dash for support. Soon, the group emerged from the dark alley and into the bright sunlight London could offer. Eventually, they made their way alongside the sidewalk.

The group stopped at a park across the street from Turpin’s mansion, Anthony bravely gazing up at Johanna’s window. With Johanna in mind, the group turned, making their way from Turpin’s house to Hyde Park. As of today, they were more determined than ever to make certain that one thing comes from this horrible situation. A motive that draws the fire within Twilight Sparkle’s own eyes.

“We will get you out of there, Johanna,” Twilight Sparkle silently declared.

<>

The very next day, Chrysalis found herself wandering the crowded area of St. Dunstan’s Marketplace with Sweeney Todd and Mrs. Lovett moving quickly, the latter struggling to keep up with his long, loping stride. Todd carried his razor case, while Lovett carried a shopping basket. If these three had any chance of getting close to the Judge, they first needed to figure out a way to lure him into the shop. And the best way to do that was to showcase that Mr. Todd was a barber of epic proportions. What better way to do so than in a place where the people gather daily?

So, here they were traversing through the crowded marketplace in search of their prime opportunity.

“What exactly are we looking for, Lovett?” Chrysalis asked.

“There’s a barber what comes here every Thursday,” Mrs. Lovett responded. “He’s Eyetalian, all the rage he is.”

“And he’s supposed to be the ‘best’ barber in London?”

“So he says.”

“He’s here every Thursday?” Sweeney asked.

“Like clockwork,” Mrs. Lovett nodded.

“The sooner we do this, the better,” Chrysalis spoke impatiently. “If we want any hope of Mr. Todd getting his revenge.”

As the trio maneuvered their way through the crowded market, Chrysalis couldn’t help but cringe with disgust over the majority of the people and the product they were buying.

“Ugh, this is why I chose not to walk among the unwashed mases,” She voiced disgust.

They rounded a corner and moved deeper through the bustling marketplace. A steady mercantile hummed as the cries of merchants and wandering coster-mongers filled the air. Todd, Mrs. Lovett, and Chrysalis moved toward a hand-drawn caravan dominating one corner of the marketplace. It was painted like a Sicilian donkey cart and on its side a sign declaimed:

Signor Adolfo Pirelli – Haircutter to His Royal Majesty the King of Naples

“Do you really think you can do it?” Chrysalis asked Todd.

“By tomorrow, they’ll all be flocking to me like sheep to be shorn—” Todd answered.

All of a sudden, Sweeney stopped abruptly and both women could see the glare of hatred on his face. Turning toward where he looked, they noticed Beadle Bamford walking among the people. The very sight of the rat-faced man made Sweeney’s blood boil with vengeance, transfixed over how close his ancient enemy was. He reached into his coat, grabbed for his razors, and planned to make his way over to the man. However, Mrs. Lovett grabbed his arm, drawing him to a halt.

“Come along now dear, he might recognize you,” She warned.

“What does it matter?” Chrysalis asked. “I thought our goal was to crush the Beadle for what he is.”

“If we kill him here in a public place, with lots of witnesses, the bobby’s will be over ‘im in minutes,” Mrs. Lovett explained. “How’d you propose he ‘ave his vengeance behind bars?”

“I will do what I’ve vowed to do,” Sweeney muttered lowly. “Come closer, my friend, closer…”

Just then, the sound of a beating drum drew their attention to the nearby traveling cart set up to look like a stage. From the cart, a young boy of about thirteen, Toby by name, wearing a bowler hat emerged banging on a tin drum, drawing everyone’s attention. This boy was a bit small for his age, malnourished and consumptively pale, a most pitiful sight. A crowd began to gather at the caravan, filing in and standing around the stage as the young boy began to sing.

A woman gasped with fright, yet the boy smiled and wiggled a finger ‘no’.

The boy dramatically doffed his cap, revealing mountains of flowing blonde hair which cascade to his shoulder. Everyone laughed in amusement, as he reached into a nearby case and procured a bottle of some bizarre liquid of which he showed off to the crowd.

The boy proceeded to toss a bottle of elixir to some gentlemen in the crowd, one of whom caught it. Toby proceeded to pop off the top, smelling its contents and recoiled over the strong smell. He passed it around to the other people in the crowd, all eyes observing.

Toby popped open another bottle and dumped a little of it upon the head of a bald man in front of the crowd.

Hearing this, the bald man proceeded to quickly work the elixir into his bald scalp, hoping to produce a full head of hair. More customers stepped up, buying bottles left and right. Meanwhile, furthest from the crowd, the elixir made its way towards the terrible trio. Todd opened one bottle of the Elixir and took a whiff… they reeled back disgusted of the horrible stench. But then, Todd smiled toward the ladies, his plan falling into place.

The crowd responded to the trio, looking askance, and sniffed at the bottles. Toby nervously tried distracting them or else risk losing Pirelli’s customers.

With Sweeney having hold of one bottle of elixir, neither he nor his two cohorts could even stand the smell of this stuff.

Suddenly, the curtains on the caravan are dramatically flung open as someone made their way out of the cart sending Toby jumping off the stage. From the cart stepped a flamboyant Italian wearing a gaudy velvet suit, thick wavy hair, a slowing cape, and a top hat as slick as his dazzling smile. The man in question was Adolfo Pirelli, self-proclaimed ‘King of the Barbers’. He was a suave looking Italian man with a pencil thin mustache and his hair fashioned into a fancy bobby style. He posed splendidly for a moment, but one could tell he was clearly offended by the fact that someone had the nerve to speak poorly about his elixir.

Everyone in the crowd was quiet for a moment or two as Signor Pirelli scanned the area for the blasphemer.

“I do.”

Everyone gasped as the crowd parted and Sweeney Todd himself stepped forward.

“I’m Mr. Sweeney Todd from Fleet Street,” He explained. “I have opened a bottle of Pirelli’s Elixir, and I say to you it is nothing but an arrant fraud, concocted from piss and ink.”

The crowd gasped. A scowl spread across Pirelli’s face, outraged as the mad barber made his way closer to the stage.

“And furthermore, ‘signor’, I have serviced no kings, yet I wager I can shave a cheek with ten times more dexterity than any street mountebank.”

Sweeney reached into his coat, snapped open his razor case, and proceeded to pull out two of his razors. He held it up for the crowd to see, causing everyone to gasp as he held out the wondrous razors.

“You see these razors?” Todd continued.

“The finest in England,” Chrysalis addressed the crowd.

“I lay them against five pounds you are no match for me,” Todd glared at Pirelli. “You hear me, sir? Either accept my challenge or reveal yourself as a sham.”

The crowd was clearly enjoying this now, whispering eagerly about the bold challenge. Rather than looking anger for someone daring to question his legitimacy, Pirelli studied the razors for a moment… then turned to the crowd with a confident smile. He chuckled as though he’d just been told the most ridiculous joke ever.

“You hear zis foolish man?” He chuckled. “Watch and see how he will regret his folly!”

He whipped his cloak off in a flurry and Toby quickly came to collect it, along with Pirelli’s top hat. Meanwhile, Todd moved into action, preparing for the challenge. He scanned the crowd to seek who would participate in this contest.

“Friends, who’s for a free shave?” Todd asked.

Two gentlemen with stubby beards quickly came forward and climbed upon the stage. A plain wooden chair was brought for Todd, while the other man took a more refined chair from Pirelli. But before climbing back on stage, Sweeney turned back to his companions.

“I will also have my assistant, Ms. Winters, aiding me.”

Chrysalis’s eyes widened briefly as everyone turned to look at her. Giving a nervous smile, she slowly walked forward toward Mr. Todd.

“What are you doing?!” She growled silently.

“You said you’d help me ‘any’ way possible,” Sweeney whispered back. “What better way to do so than serve as my assistant?”

“I don’t even know what to do!” Chrysalis argued.

“Sharpen razors, apply shaving product, take coats, all rather basic.”

Chrysalis looked like she wanted to argue. In the end, however, only a sigh escaped, and she shook her head. After all, she gave her word to help Mr. Todd exact his revenge anyway she could. Soon, they both climbed onto the stage as Sweeney faced Pirelli.

“I hope you don’t mind my assistant aiding me in this Signor Pirelli,” Todd told the Italian. “After all, a man who served kings would have no issue with a challenge.”

“Of course not!” Pirelli smirked back. “The boy will assist me as well.”

Before they could officially begin the contest, Sweeney moved into the boldest part of this plan… one last idea in his mind. He carefully turned toward… the Beadle in the crowd.

“Will Beadle Bamford be the judge?” Todd asked.

Mrs. Lovett’s eyes shot toward Todd, alarmed. The Beadle moved toward Todd, who smiled amiably, yet quivered internally at being so dreadfully close to his prey. Mrs. Lovett, meanwhile, watches with great concern. Would the Beadle recognize the features of Benjamin Barker…? Apparently not. The Beadle stopped right before Todd and smiled.

“Glad, as always, to oblige my friends and neighbors,” Beadle responded, facing the crowd. “… Let the challenge commence!”

The Beadle came up alongside the stage as Chrysalis took one of the gentlemen’s coats and grabbed Mr. Todd’s razors for him. One man sat in Todd’s plain chair as the other moved to an elaborate chair on Pirelli’s caravan. Pirelli shook out a fancy bib with a flourish and covered his man. Toby prepared Pirelli’s ornate shaving supplies as Todd took a plain towel and tucked it around his man’s neck.

“Ready?” Beadle called out.

“Ready!” Pirelli smiled.

“Ready,” Todd answered silently.

“The fastest, smoothest shave is the winner!” Beadle declared.

With a shrilling blow of a whistle, the contest was underway. Pirelli began first by stropping his razor quickly along a leather strop Toby held. As she sharpened his razor, he nicked Toby a few times which caused the boy to cringe in pain. Todd stropped in a leisurely manner, carefully sharpening the razor while Chrysalis eyed his handiwork and cautiously kept her fingers away. Pirelli kept glancing at Todd in various paranoid ways throughout, frightened of Todd’s progress. He started whipping up lather quickly, singing as he did so:

To emphasize this point, Toby grabbed a large scroll and unfurled it revealing a portrait of Pope Leo XIII. Under the portrait was written, ‘Thanks for the shave’. Everyone chuckled, while Chrysalis shook her head unamused. This man was clearly a huge fraud and the fact these people bought into this just confirmed how stupid they really were. Then again, Chrysalis could give the ‘worst’ impression of one pony, yet they would buy into her own con every… single… time. It would almost be amusing if it weren’t so pathetic.

Unexpectedly, Todd showed no sign of starting to shave his man. He merely watched Pirelli’s performance. Mrs. Lovett eyed him nervously, wishing he would get on with it. Pirelli, now feeling he could take his time, sang lyrically as he applied the lather to the man’s face and shaved with rhythmic scrapes and elaborate gestures of wiping the razor.

As the man made a spectacle of himself, Chrysalis applied the lather she prepared onto their customer’s face. Sweeney Todd, however, hadn’t begun shaving immediately (Much to her confusion). Todd stropped his razor slowly and deliberately – shoop, shoop, shoop – disconcerting Pirelli and drawing the crowd’s attention.

Again, Todd was unconcerned. He just slowly stropped his razor – shoop, shoop, shoop – which flustered Pirelli tremendously.

Pirelli looked to the sky, as he crossed himself with his razor over his chest. Chrysalis merely rolled her eyes, unable to believe this man’s own arrogance. She gave an impatient look to Mr. Todd, who just gave her a simple nod in return.

Pirelli held this high note elaborately, for a lengthy period of time. It was then Sweeney Todd decided to seize this opportunity. With only a few deft strokes and in only seconds, he quickly shaved his man’s face entirely clean, and signaled the Beadle to examine him before Pirelli finished his note. This caused Chrysalis to stare with wide eyes at the man’s skills before a satisfied smirk planted itself on her face when she knew they had won.

“The winner… is Todd!” Beadle declared for all.

The crowd gave a good round of applause as Pirelli snapped his head back with his own shock, his ego completely deflated. Chrysalis merely looked at the man with the cockiest grin she could muster.

“Well Signor Pirelli, looks like the better man won,” She smirked cockily, facing Todd. “Well done, Todd!”

“Smooth as a baby’s arse!” Mrs. Lovett added, feeling the customer’s cheek.

Pirelli looked at the disguised changeling with a glare, which he quickly tried to hide behind a smile.

“You are-a correct miss,” He agreed.

Amidst the crowd’s laughter and applause, Pirelli approached Mr. Todd and gave him a profound, yet simple bow of his head.

“Sir, I bow to a skill far defter than my own,” He congratulated.

To which Sweeney simply held out one hand.

“The five pounds,” He reminded.

Pirelli reached into his jacket a produced a distinctive chatelaine purse. He dug through it and removed a five pound note, which he handed to Todd.

“Here, sir,” Pirelli said through gritted teeth. “And may the good Lord smile on you… until we meet again.”

He soon dropped his fake smile, bowed his head quickly, and moved away, beckoning to Toby.

“Come boy,” Pirelli gestured.

“We’re pulling out, sir?” Toby replied.

SLAP!

Without warning, Signore Pirelli backhanded the young boy so hard across the face he nearly fell to the ground. The boy crawled back into the cart as the Italian practically snarled at him.

“We’re pulling out, yes, quickly!” Pirelli growled.

Pirelli entered the cart after him and they could all hear him losing his temper over just losing this contest. Chrysalis and Sweeney climbed off the stage, making their way back over to Mrs. Lovett, who could still hear the Italian man yelling in the cart.

“Suppose it’s just me gentle heart, but I do hate to see a boy treated like that,” Lovett told the pair. “No better than your Aunt Doreen’s dog…”

“It isn’t really our problem to handle,” Chrysalis shrugged.

Just then, some eager customers approached and surrounded Todd, among them a man who’s clearly a tourist.

“Congratulations, Mr. Todd,” An eager customer congratulated. “May I ask sir: do you have an establishment of your own?”

Hearing some key words, Mrs. Lovett was soon on him like a hawk.

“He certainly does,” Mrs. Lovett nodded. “Sweeney Todd’s Tonsorial Parlor – above my meat pie emporium in Fleet Street.”

Neither Sweeney nor Chrysalis paid heed to Mrs. Lovett’s word with the man, as they once more noticed Beadle off the side. The two stalked up beside the man, who turned upon hearing them coming. They both put their best fake smiles as they hid their disgust for the man.

“I thank you for your honest adjudication, sir,” Sweeney thanked him. “You are a paragon of integrity.”

“I agree with Mr. Todd, sir,” Chrysalis nodded, acting sultry. “You’re certainly a man of great honesty. May I say sir, I never realized what an incredibly handsomeman you are.”

Beadle offered Chrysalis a toothy grin over such strongly worded compliments.

“Well, I try to do my best for my friends and neighbors,” He replied.

The Beadle grabbed Chrysalis’s hand and planted a kiss upon it. Chrysalis quietly cringed inside, knowing this man was even in close proximity to her. But she continued to hide it with a light chuckle. Meanwhile, Beadle turned his attention back to Sweeney.

“Your establishment is on Fleet Street you say?” He questioned.

“Yes, sir,” Sweeney nodded.

“Well then, Mr. Todd, you will surely see me there before the week is out,” Beadle smiled, facing Chrysalis. “Especially if your beautiful assistant will be there.”

“You flatter me so, Mr. Bamford,” Chrysalis fake giggled.

“You will be welcome, Beadle Bamford,” Sweeney informed the man. “And I can guarantee to give you, without a penny’s charge, the closest shave you will ever know.”

“Do come and visit us soon, Mr. Bamford,” Chrysalis smiled seductively. “I’ll be dying to see you again.”

Beadle gave the young woman a smile of his own before turning and walking away. Once he was out of sight, Chrysalis cringed and tried not to vomit.

“I can’t believe I actually said such talk to that fat rat of a man!” She shivered.

“You played the part well, my dear,” Sweeney complimented her.

“This better be worth it in the end,” Chrysalis replied. “If you don’t kill him… I’ll do it myself!”

“Come now, you two,” Mrs. Lovett gestured to follow.

Soon, the trio walked away down the marketplace and started their trip back to Fleet Street. For Lovett, she was thankful that this day had been the success it had. Not only did they expose and defeat a sham of a barber, but they also managed to convince one of their targets to come to the shop. True, it would all be a matter of waiting for him to show up, but Mrs. Lovett was very pleased with the results.

“… Like to give me a coronary right there!” Mrs. Lovett chattered happily. “What if he had recognized you! Lord, my heart was beating a mile a minute, just like a little finch it was. Aren’t those lovely birds now? Always so twittery and happy…”

While Lovett continued chattering, neither Todd nor Chrysalis were listening. Chrysalis silently paid close attention to Todd’s eyes, noting how they darted side to side. Some gentlemen were walking alongside them, whispering something subtle and insinuating. Chrysalis had no doubt Sweeney was pondering and planning, like the perfect machine. Soon, it would be a matter of barbing the hook, baiting the trap, setting it out for the Beadle to snap. Courting ‘im, setting a sort of scene before laying the trail, showing the traces, leading it to higher places…

As quickly as Sweeney’s thoughts echoed, they were gone… vanishing from his mind… swallowed up by the crowd of pedestrians. Chrysalis just eyed him, while Mrs. Lovett chattered on until she noticed Sweeney being eerily quieter than usual.

“Mr. Todd, are you listening to me?” Mrs. Lovett asked.

“Of course,” Todd answered simply.

But Chrysalis knew better. She caught Todd’s eyes darting again, seeking for the specters. But all he could see were complete strangers… perhaps even something far more… cruel.