//------------------------------// // And then stuck for longer // Story: Happy Go Lucky Me // by Chemtest //------------------------------// I bash my fist against a tree as I hear the voice whispering violent thoughts into my head, “Stay away from me!” My Jesters look at me with concern as more jester bells are added on, “Tim?” I control my breathing, and step back, “The voice is constantly whispering those violent thoughts into me! I can’t lose control.” The other Jesters all gather me in a group hug, “The chaos is gone, Tim, you’ll be made better soon! Discord was defeated, the two sisters can help you!” I look around me as my party of Jesters all comfort me, “Thank you, very much. I hope those sisters come soon.” I of course see those two walk out of the woods as soon as I say this, “Speak of the devils.” Celestia walks up closer to me, “Tim, are you all right now?” I move myself out of the hug, and shake my head at her, “The voice still is there, I fear I will fall. Celestia, Luna, please save me.” Celestia’s smile drops, “We can only do one thing, Tim. And... I don’t want to do that to you.” I stare directly into her eyes, “What can you do?” She looks down, and says out, “We can use the Elements on you. It will rid you of the dark side Discord placed on you, but there are consequences. You will be trapped in stone, for how long, nopony can know.” Trapped?! They dare to say such to us!? Show them our fun, Tim! No, I won’t fall. I turn around to the Jesters, and kneel down in front of them, “I... I have to do this guys. I couldn’t live in good conscience if I knew I harmed someone, especially you.” I look down, “Even if it means being sealed away from the world within stone.” My fellow Jesters all take me into a embrace, “Don’t worry, Tim. We will carry on the song. The Jesters will share our music, share your song.” I take all of them into an embrace, “Go on, make the first and best band in Equestrian history. Live your life, live happily, and always remember me.” They all squeeze harder, “We will make sure you aren’t forgotten, Tim, dear friend. Our party of ten will always have ten in spirit, if not in body.” I nod, and finish the embrace, looking all of them in the eyes, “Good on you, dear friends, always carry this music.” Celestia steps forward from behind me, “Are you ready, Tim?” I stand up, and walk away from my Jesters, my dear friends. I nod to Celestia, “I shall only leave when I can trust my own mind.” Celestia looks down at the floor, and I can see her tear up a bit, “I know that we’ve barely even met, but you are a friend, Tim. It pains me to do this, but you ask me to do this, so I will... as a friend.” I take one last look at my Jesters, before falling back onto a chair I create. I look up to her, and give her a smile, “Go ahead, I am ready.” Celestia looks back to Luna, who has stayed quiet the entire time, “Sister, it’s time.” They move together, and I speak up, “One last thing, Princess Celestia!” She looks back at me, “What?” I smile at her, “You will see me again, dear friends, that’s a Jester’s vow right there.” Celestia and Luna start to float with the power of the Elements, “I hope that you aren’t lieing.” They float up slowly, and I summon my ukulele into my hand. I see the Elements connect, and start their spell. And so, I start my last verse, for now. “Goodbye, dear friends, it’s time to go now. I am sealed away now knowing it is the right thing to do. I will always be with you in spirit, if not body. But I believe that it is now time to bid all my dear friends, adieu.” I smile and open my eyes to face the blast that hits me. I can feel myself seal away in stone, and don’t lose my smile even as I turn to stone. The voice is gone, I can feel that. This is what has to be done. I’ve done the right thing. ——— I open my eyes to find myself floating in a dark void. So this is what being encased in stone is like. I imagaine my magic, and find myself able to paint the void like it is one big canvas. It reminds me of the Bob Ross show I used to watch, the Joy of Painting. ”Hello, I’m Bob Ross, and I’d like to welcome you to...” I spin around in the void, to find a hologram type apperation playing a Bob Ross episode. With some more magic and imagination, I manage to also make a canvas just like his, and a bunch of painting supplies. I pick them up, and look at the hologram type thing. I smile, “I think I might pick up painting.” —(50 years later)— Well that’s seasons one through five down, I think I might be good at this now! Ah, there’s that sensation, feeling like it’s comeing from outside. I decide to follow it outside, see what happens. I appear in the middle of a town, and I have my ukulele in hand. It seems no-one can see me, but the magic pushes me to play a few notes. I start to play, and a sound of multiple instruments surrounds the town. The populace all start to sing and dance, like a corridinated dance number. It seems like I can cause musical numbers to happen. What if I were to follow that magic and it didn’t lead me to a town? I’m going to master skills, and I will help ponies. If I’m going to be stuck, then I will help. Music magic, artistry, or just somepony who needs to talk. I will help.