Witch Night

AUTHOR'S NOTE: This is loosely based on a Dr. Suess cartoon I like, "Halloween is Grinch Night" (or some places call it just "Grinch Night"). I thought it would make a cute idea for a MLP/Monkee story. Songs from the original Dr. Suess special are included. They were written by Dr. Suess.

It was a beautiful, mid autumn day in Ponyland. All the little ponies and their friends had just finished raking leaves, and now they were watching the sunset over the horizon. North Star and Davy were taking a flight around the Estate.

"Isn't it a lovely evening?" North Star asked, as she flew around.

"I'll vouch for that," Davy said with a smile.

After awhile, North Star landed on the ground, and she and Davy helped Paradise carry the basket of leaves out back where Megan, Danny, Molly, Julie, and Tommy were putting them into bags. Twinkles the cat was playing with some of the leaves, batting them around, and chasing them. Julie saw her and giggled.

"Awww, she's so cute!" she shouted.

"Oh brother," Danny said, rolling his eyes.

"Can I go flying with Whizzer when we're done, Megan?" Tommy asked. "Please, please, pleeeeaaaaase?"

"Sure, Tommy," Megan said with a laugh, as she tied one of the bags shut.

"Yay!" Tommy cheered.

As the group finished up with the leaves, the wind began to pick up. Some of the leaves blew all over the place. Twinkles ran chasing after them. Paradise looked at the sky, and sniffed for a minute.

"North Star?" she asked. "Do you smell what I smell?"

North Star looked in the direction Paradise was looking, and sniffed the air along with Paradise. The two Pegasus ponies looked at each other, surprised.

"I say! You don't think . . . ." North Star said.

"I do think," Paradise said, nervously. "No doubt about it, North Star! Everyone! Inside the Estate! Fast!"

"Why, what's wrong?" Micky asked.

"We'll explain later!" North Star shouted. "Just hurry into the Estate!"

No one asked any questions. They just ran into the Estate as fast as they could. Paradise and North Star began closing every door and window they could find, and locked them as well. Everyone stared at them as if they were crazy.

"It's time," Paradise said. And then she began singing.

I suggest we stay indoors tonight

I suggest we lock ourselves in tight

Tonight you know won't go quite right

You can tell by the smell of the wind

Baby Cuddles and Baby Half Note looked upward, and sniffed, to see if they could smell what Paradise was smelling. Paradise continued singing.

It sounds like another one's coming

Another Witch Night will commence

I wouldn't go out on a night like this

For a dollar and fifty cents!

"Witch Night?" Mike asked. "What in the world is a Witch Night?"

"It starts with the wind," Paradise said. "We call it a Sour Sweet Wind."

"Sounds like something out of a Dr. Suess story if you ask me," Fluey said, leaning against the armrest of the couch.

"Sounds like Chinese food to me," Micky said.

"What doesn't remind you of food?" Mike asked.

"When the wind starts howling," Paradise continued, ignoring the guys. "That stirs up the pond. And it aggravates the Sea Ponies."

"So the pond water gets a little rough during the wind storm," Micky said with a shrug. "So what?"

Before Paradise could continue, the loudest yowling and howling was heard from outside.

It was the Sea Ponies, practically yowling their heads off. The ponies and their friends groaned, and tried to cover their ears.

"Too loud!" Baby Cuddles cried.

"Make them stop, Mama!" Baby Lickety-Split shouted.

"I can't!" Lickety-Split groaned.

"That's so what, Micky," Paradise said. "When the wind starts howling, it stirs up the pond, and the Sea Ponies start yowling!"

And that's why I'm suggesting

To all you ladies, kids, and gents

I wouldn't go out on a night like this

For two dollars and fifty cents!

"So the Sea Ponies kill everyone's ear drums," Mike shrugged. "Big deal! I don't see why you guys are so panicked about this wind!"

"It's not just that," Paradise continued. "When the wind stirs up the pond, and the Sea Ponies start yowling, they wake up the Tree Bears."

"Tree Bears?" Molly asked.

"They're little bears that live in the trees," Paradise said.

"Awww, they sound cute," Julie said.

"They are cute," Paradise said with a nod. "But they sleep all through fall and winter, and they don't like to be woken up. When they wake up in the middle of their sleep, they begin growling."

"So does Mike when he gets a rude awakening from a nap," Fluey said. Mike glared at him.

"The Tree Bears start growling," Paradise said again. And that . . . . . that irritates . . . . oh boy. Witch Cat!"

"Oh no!" Fizzy shouted.

"And then Witch Cat starts prowling!" Paradise shouted.

So I suggest we stay indoors tonight

Our problems are immense

I wouldn't go out on Witch Night

For six dollars and sixty cents!

"You want to elaborate on that a little more, Paradise?" Mike asked.

"Every hundred years or so," Paradise explained. "We get this Sour Sweet Wind, and it's been known as Witch Night. The last one was a hundred years ago. Witch Cat comes down off Skull Mountain, and witches everyone!"

"Witches?" Micky asked.

"What does that mean?" Megan asked.

"That means she terrorizes all of Ponyland!" Paradise shouted.

"That can't be good," Micky said.

"And if we go outside, we'll be liable to get witched!" Paradise shouted.

"I say!" North Star shouted. "That's not good at all, is it!"

"I scared, Megan!" Baby Tiddly Winks shouted.

"Don't worry," Megan said. "I'm sure if we stay in the Estate, we'll be all right."

Mike shrugged, and looked out the window. Personally, he thought this whole thing was just a bunch of bull, but he didn't say so.

In any case, Witch Cat was standing out on her balcony, enjoying the weather, and looking down on Dream Valley.

"It's a wonderful night for eyebrows," she said. She waved her eyebrows up and down, and they flew off her face for a moment or so, and then returned.

"Sparky!" she called. She waited a few minutes, and turned toward the smaller door on the balcony. "Where is he? SPARKY!"

The small door creaked open, and out came a little blue dragon with rainbow colored scales, and wings. He peered out the door, timidly.

"It's a wonderful night for eyebrows," Witch Cat said. Sparky nodded.

"It's a wonderful night for teeth!" Witch Cat shouted, giving Sparky the biggest, toothy grin she could muster. "It's a wonderful night for Witch Night! They're problems will soon commence! I wouldn't stay home on a night like this for sixty dollars and sixty cents! Okay, Sparky, go get the wagon! We'll show those little ponies!"

Sparky left the balcony, and went to get the wagon Witch Cat was talking about. It was very large, and heavy. Witch Cat kept who only knows what in that thing, and they wanted to get it! Witch Cat had always wanted to unleash it on the little ponies, but she could never think of a good reason. Now she had one.

Back at Paradise Estate, Micky, Lemon Drop, and North Star were staring out the window, watching the wind blow things around. They got a good view of Skull Mountain, but they weren't able to see what Witch Cat was up to.

"I wish there was a way to know for sure whether or not she's coming down," North Star said.

"I think we'd need a pair of binoculars for that," Micky said.

"How about a periscope?" Jerry asked.

"That'll work," Micky said.

"How are you gonna get a periscope in here?" Danny asked.

Jerry just looked over at Mike. The Texan Monkee nodded, and grabbed his magic wand that was sitting on the table.

"Up periscope!" he shouted, as he waved the wand.

Suddenly, a periscope lowered itself into the Estate. All the little ponies began talking at once. They were impressed.

"Any other questions?" Jerry asked Danny.

"None," Danny said.

Paradise flew over to the periscope and looked through it. She was able to get a clearer shot of Skull Mountain.

"Oh dear," she said. "Looks like she's definitely coming down."

That was for sure! Witch Cat was looking down on Ponyland herself, getting ready for her descent to Dream Valley. She rubbed her hands together and cackled.

"Get the wagon, Sparky!" she shouted. "I'm rarin' to go!"

I'm gonna be the guest of honor

At the exclusive Witch Night Ball

Gonna be the only dancer

In Ponyland's town hall!

I might enter the ball quite small

Or I might go in quite tall!

But I assure you nobody but nobody

Is gonna dance with me at all

When I enter front and center

At the exclusive Witch Night Ball!

Thunder crashed and lightning flashed just as Witch Cat finished her song. Sparky tried to hide behind his wings. Witch Cat jumped up onto the wagon and cracked a whip.

"Ready!" she shouted. "Giddy-up Sparky!"

Witch Cat cackled madly as she continued to crack the whip. Sparky began to pull the heavy wagon down the mountain. And that was going to be easier said than done!

Paradise continued watching the action from the periscope. The other ponies were just sort of doing some every day activities to pass the time.

"She's coming down with a big wagon of some kind," she said.

"Why doesn't she just fly on her broomstick?" Fluey asked, looking up from some of his homework.

"I don't know," Paradise said. "She must be up to something."

"Well, I'm sure everything will work out in the end," Gingerbread said, as she moved one of her checker pieces. Micky moved one of his and shrugged.

"I get the feeling things are going to get worse before they get better," Galaxy said, taking her turn looking into the periscope.

Witch Cat continued to cackle as she continued down the mountain with Sparky. Thunder crashed and lightning flashed as she continued cracking her whip. Sparky heaved a sigh and began singing to himself.

How many times have I said and said

How many times have I said in my head

What am I doing here?

Why am I the slave of this witchy old crock

And I say how I wish I could turn back the clock

And have the fine future I had once before

And again be an innocent dragon once more?

"In your dragon house bitty with sweet old Auntie Scaley feeding you hominy grits with a big silver spoon?" Witch Cat teased. Then she cackled. Sparky sighed, and continued his song.

What am I doing here

Doesn't matter much how

But my dear old Auntie Scaley

Wouldn't, I fear, very much care for me now

"BLEEEAAAHHHHH!" Witch Cat shouted. She hated all that sentimental slop anyway. She was on a mission.

Lemon Drop was taking her turn looking through the periscope. Brandy was sitting on her back, looking as well. Thunder crashed again, and Brandy yipped. He scampered off Lemon Drop's back, and promptly hid under the couch.

"What's the matter with him?" Fluey asked.

"Hey Brandy-baby, what's up?" Mike asked, looking under the couch. Brandy began to whimper. Mike laughed, nodded, and turned to Lemon Drop.

"He said that Witch Cat looks much better from under the couch!" he laughed.

"Get out from under the couch and face the facts, Brandy," Lemon Drop scolded. Brandy whimpered and crawled out from underneath the couch.

"How's it going, North Star?" Megan asked.

"Slowly," North Star said.

"She's starting to come down fastah," Davy said.

"What exactly are we in for when she shows up?" Jerry asked, looking out the window.

The Little Ponies looked at each other and began to sing.

As Witch Cat creeps ever closer

To our little front yard gate

She's engaged in witchy practices

That every pony abominates

She defoliates, depreciates

Deflating all the things she hates

And frequently expectorates

To make a point, Surprise spat, right at the others.

"Ew, gross!" Fluey shouted.

Oh, oh the acts she activates

She castigates, she blastigates

And while all Dream Valley sits and waits

The fates that it anticipates

Her wagon wheel obliterates

And decimates and flattenates

Ten thousand little flowers!

Witch Cat stopped her wagon for a moment or so and looked back at the flowers she just flattened. One was starting to stand up again.

"Whoops," she said. "Missed one!"

Sparky backed the wagon up and the wheel squashed the poor little flower flat.

"Got it!" she cackled madly. Posey happened to be looking through the periscope when Witch Cat did that, and the little yellow pony was horrified.

"Oh the humanity!" she shouted. "Those poor, poor little flowers!"

"Ooh, she's mean!" Micky shouted.

"Very mean, very mean," Davy agreed.

North Star nodded, and went to the periscope and continued watching Witch Cat. As she was doing that, Julie was looking all around the Estate for something. Cupcake watched her for a moment or so before she walked up to her.

"What's the matter, Julie?" she asked.

"I can't find Twinkles," Julie said. She started to sniffle, and a few stray tears fell down her cheeks. "What if she's outside? What if the wind blows her away?"

"Oh, I'm sure she's around here somewhere, honey. Let's go ask Peachy. I'm sure she'll know where Twinkles is."

Julie sniffled, and followed Cupcake to where Peachy was. She was brushing Baby Lofty's tail.

"Peachy," Cupcake said. "We have sort of a problem. We can't find . . . ."

"I say!" North Star shouted. "Look at what she's doing now!"

"What's she doin'?" Mike asked, stepping past North Star to get a good look at what was going on.

"She's chasing down the Bushwoolies," North Star said.

Witch Cat was whipping at Sparky to make him go faster. The Bushwoolies had rolled themselves into balls and began rolling down the side of the mountain.

"Get away!" one shouted.

"Yeah, yeah, get away, get away, yeah, get away, yeah!" the other Bushwoolies shouted as they rolled.

The Bushwoolies practically flew down the side of the mountain, and underneath some bushes. Witch Cat was heading right for them.

"Stop! Stop, you stupid dragon!" Witch Cat shouted.

Sparky skidded to a stop, but Witch Cat's wagon hit a nearby tree stump and threw the witch into the bush. And as if that weren't bad enough, Witch Cat had landed in a sticker bush!

"Ouch! Ooch! Eeech! Eep! Yaahhh!" she shouted. "Darn stupid sticker bush! Eee! I got stickers in my seat!"

"Those Bushwoolies are smart little guys," Mike said, with a laugh. "Witch Cat just got stuck in a sticker bush!"

Everybody else began to laugh. Mike stepped away from the periscope, and North Star continued to look through it. Mike sat down to play a game of checkers with Micky when the two of them heard a tiny mew coming from outside.

"Mew!" it came again. "Mew! Meow! Meow!"

"Sounds like the cat wants to come in," Mike said as he jumped one of Micky's pieces.

"Yeah, right," Micky said, making a move.

Then reality sunk in. Micky and Mike jumped up, knocking the checker board and checker pieces onto the floor.

"Twinkles!" Micky shouted.

"Mew!" Twinkles cried pitifully.

"Where in the world is she?" Mike asked.

"Somewhere outside!" Paradise shouted.

When Julie heard that, she let out a wail. Medley ran over to her and nuzzled her.

"Shh, shh, it's all right," she said, slowly. "It's okay. Don't cry, Julie."

"The wind will blow her away!" Julie cried. She threw her arms around Medley's neck and cried into her mane. "The wind will blow her away!"

"No it won't," Mike said, heading for the door. "I promise you, Jules, the wind will not blow her away! I'm gonna go get her!"

"You can't go outside on a night like this!" Paradise shouted.

Mike ignored her, and wrestled the door open against the wind. He looked up and saw Twinkles clinging to the roof with her little claws, mewing for someone to come and save her. Mike fought against the wind and climbed up the side of the Estate. Twinkles was just a tiny kitten after all. The wind would blow her to parts unknown, and she'd never find her way back to Ponyland.

"How'd you get stuck up here, anyway?" Mike asked.

"Mew," Twinkles said, pitifully.

"Oh you were blown up here. Yeah, this wind could definitely do that. Hang on."

Mike picked up Twinkles, and carried her to the chimney. He looked down into it.

"HEY FIREFLY!" he screamed. "CATCH!"

"Meeeeeeeewwwwwww!" Twinkles cried as she fell down the chimney.

Luckily, Firefly, hearing Mike's call, was standing in the fireplace, so Twinkles landed on her back, claws first.

"YEEEOOOOWWWWW!" Firefly shrieked, and flew forward. Twinkles immediately jumped off her back, and ran for Julie. The little girl picked the little orange kitten up and gave her a hug.

"What about Mike?" Paradise asked.

"I'M COMIN'!" Mike yelled from up on the roof.

But before Mike could jump down the chimney, the wind began picking up again, and it actually blew Mike off the roof. He could hear Paradise and the other ponies singing now.

I suggest we stay indoors tonight

Our problems are immense

I wouldn't go out on a night this

For sixty-six million six

Hundred thousand dollars

And an extra sixty-six cents!

And with that, a large gust of the Sour Sweet Wind swept Mike right to Skull Mountain! Needless to say, this was a very strong wind!

When Mike didn't come inside, Paradise was leaning out the door to the Estate, looking for him. She had to keep the door open.

"Mike?!" she called. "Mike! Where are you, Mike?"

The little ponies all looked at each other, and began singing.

He is wandering in the wind

While the Sea Ponies are a- yowling

And the Tree bares are a-growling

He is wandering up Skull Mountain

In the Sour Sweet Witch Night Wind

North Star was leaning out the window looking for Mike herself.

"Mike!" she called. "Mike! Oh come home, Mike!"

The ponies looked out the window and out the periscope, and continued their song.

No one comes home through the wind

No one comes home through the growling

He is lost amongst the yowling

Lost forever in the darkness

Of the Sour Sweet Witch Night Wind

Mike wandered up to the top of Skull Mountain and caught his breath. He looked around where he was.

"Well, I got the cat down," he said. "Now all I gotta do is figure out how I get down!"

"Shhh!" a Bushwoolie from under the sticker bush hissed.

"Yeah, shhh, yeah shh, yeah shush, shush, yeah shh," the other Bushwoolies said.

"The Bushwoolies," Mike said. "Still hidin' under that bush?"

"Shhh," the Bushwoolies hissed again.

Mike looked over to where they were pointing, and saw Sparky sitting there. Mike walked over to him.

"Hey there fella," he said. "What are you doin' way up her? Then again, maybe I don't want to know. I think I'll take you back to Paradise Estate with me."

Mike looked up and saw Witch Cat on her wagon, pulling stickers out of her rear end.

"I won't be able to sit for a week!" she moaned. "I'll show them. I'll throw stickers on them I'll . . . . . who are you? You're that Monkee fella, aren't you?"

"Uhh yeah," Mike said. "Are you really as powerful as they say you are?"

"AM I WHAT?!" Witch Cat shrieked.

"Okay, never mind! Sheesh, Brandy was right! You do look better from under the couch!"

"Get Brandy out from under the couch and face the facts! Am I as powerful as they say I am. Hmph! I'll show him!"

Witch Cat wiggled her eyebrows, and they flew off her face. Then she began chanting.

Unka pa pa

Oom pom pa pa

Unka poddy pa pa

Unka poddy oom pa

Unka unka

Unka lonka

Insim troyka

Fole de malo

Oom pom TUSK!

Mike had ducked behind a tree stump trying to avoid Witch Cat's flying eyebrows. Witch Cat laughed like crazy. And drove her wagon off. Mike watched her go, and glared at her. He knew what she was up to. She was going to do that to the little ponies, only worse! Mike knew what he had to do now. Stall for time. He grabbed a piece of a fallen tree, and skidded down like a snowboarder. He skidded to a halt right in the wagon's path. Sparky screeched to a halt.

"And what does the tall Texan Monkee want this time?" Witch Cat asked, getting a little impatient with the delay.

"Well, ahh, ummm . . . ." Mike stammered. He clearly hadn't thought of a way to stall yet. "I thought maybe you could scare me a little more. I, uhh, I kinda like it."

"Look, kid, I gave you the two dollar treatment. You're not worth a full class witching! Listen, I've got places to go, people to see, and ponies to scare so GET OUT OF MY WAY!"

Intimidated, Mike jumped out of the way, and Sparky continued to pull the wagon down the mountain. But Mike wasn't licked yet. He clenched his fists, and hopped on his makeshift "sled," and skidded down the path of the mountain. He was well enough ahead of Witch Cat. He took off his green wool hat, and began to pick fuzz balls off it. Witch Cat's wagon skidded to a halt. Mike cringed, but continued picking fuzz balls off his hat anyway.

"Okay, buster, you're asking for it!" Witch Cat shouted.

Mike ignored her, and flicked a fuzz ball down the mountain. Witch Cat practically had steam coming out of her ears.

"Quit fiddling with that stupid hat of yours!" Witch Cat shouted.

Again, Mike flicked a fuzz ball.

"Put that stupid hat on and get up here!" Witch Cat yelled, losing all patients whatsoever.

"All right already, I'm comin'!" Mike shouted.

Witch Cat snapped her fingers, and some steps appeared on the side of the wagon. Mike took a deep breath and began climbing them. Once he got to the top, he folded his arms across his chest and glared at the witch.

"Hit me with your best shot, you kooky kitty!" he shouted.

"Just remember, doc," Witch Cat said. "You asked for it!"

"Who do you think you are? Bugs Bunny?"

Witch Cat just let out a low cackle, and opened a hatch on her wagon. A giant green glob came out, followed by some of the creepiest things known to man! And they were all singing, too!

Michael Nesmith! Michael Nesmith!

This is it! Ha! This is it! Ha!

Witch Cat's gonna getcha!

Nix en diff what a la

Yah!

Michael Nesmith! Michael Nesmith!

This is it! Ha! This is it! Ha!

Witch Cat's gonna getcha!

Nix en diff what a la

Yah!

Nix en diff what a la

Yah!

Mike made a face. That was the creepiest thing he had ever seen in his entire life, next to the Monkees landlord, Mr. Babbitt, banging down the door.

"Enjoying yourself?" Witch Cat asked, but Mike couldn't see her. "Take a little walk."

Mike gulped, and took a couple of steps forward. And he almost ended up getting stepped on by a giant foot! More singing followed.

No, I wouldn't step here, and I wouldn't step there

I would only step 'round with the greatest of care

And it's hopeless to try to escape through the air

It is prime time for spooks, we are every which where!

No you can't turn your back, and you can't turn your face

We're the fearsome members of the unhuman race

We're a grizzily, gruzzily nasty disgrace

Yes it's prime time for spooks, we're all over the place!

Mike then fell through a trap door and down a slide. He began looking around. This place was beginning to remind him of a fun house. Only he wasn't having any fun!

"Enjoying yourself?" Witch Cat's voice asked again. "Take a Spooks Tour!"

"What have I got to lose?" Mike asked with a shrug. "Other than possibly my life."

Mike walked into a doorway and found himself surrounded by spooks, ghosts, goblins, and ghouls. Mike gulped, and ran as fast as he could. He was being chased by all these creepy crawlies, which included bats, and giant buzzards. Every doorway Mike ran through found a new creature, and new terror. He ran through a door, and found himself running in what appeared to be glue! He managed to get through the sea of glue, and ran into a room with a white and blue tiled floor. He just stood there for a minute while a box formed around him. Then he sprung upwards like a jack in the box. Behind him was a purple ghost. Mike hovered there for a minute or so, and then sniffed at the air. Then he stuck his finger in his mouth and pulled it out. Then he smiled triumphantly.

"Ha!" Mike shouted, as he slammed the door of Witch Cat's wagon closed.

"What's ha?" Witch Cat asked.

"Your little ol' Witch Night wind just flew the coop," Mike said.

"What?"

"Well, I'm sure you know no wind's gonna last forever. So this one died down. And when the Sour Sweet Wind dies down, the pond stops churnin', and the Sea Ponies stop yowlin', and the Tree Bears stop growlin', and that stops ol' Witch Cat from prowlin'!"

"Nah-aah-uhhh," Witch Cat said. "Huh. Well, I'll be witched!"

Mike gave her a smirk, and started off down Skull Mountain. Witch Cat kicked a rock and leaned against the wagon.

"Come on, Sparky," she said.

Sparky looked at Witch Cat and then down at Mike.

"Come on, Sparky!" Witch Cat shouted again. "Turn this wagon around and let's go home!"

Witch Cat waited, but then got the shock of her life! Sparky broke the harness loose, and blew Witch Cat a raspberry. Then he began grunting. He flapped his wings, and flew directly to Mike.

"Come on, fella," Mike said, smiling. "Let's split!"

Sparky nodded.

In the meantime, North Star was watching the whole thing through the periscope. She let out a shriek, flew into the air, and performed a double inside out loop.

"North Stah!" Davy shouted. "That's Firefly's trick!"

"Mike's coming back!" North Star shouted excitedly.

Everyone cheered, and ran out the doors of the Estate. Everyone asked him questions about what happened, and Mike explained best he could.

"So what happens now?" Megan asked.

"Nothing for another hundred years," Paradise said.

All the little ponies and their friends began to laugh over that one, and they went into the Estate to feed Sparky.

In the meantime, Witch Cat was dragging her wagon up her mountain.

"I'm sure gonna miss that Witch Night Ball," she said. "But that wind will be back someday, I'll be back someday!"

And with that, Witch Cat cackled all the way up to her mountain.

The End