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// Oh the laughter is cruel Edit: 8/24/2022 
// Story: The Court Jester 
// by Arceaion 
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"Breath in, breath out. Three, two, one." The door opened and I straightened my mask as I stepped into the large room. The red velvet carpet silenced my hooves as I walked down the isle toward the raised dais where they sat, book in hand, on the golden throne. As I neared I bowed, my bells jingling merrily as I knelt. "As you requested, your jester has arrived." I said my masks painted smile being seen.

"Entertain me." The voice commanded. I rose and stood before the king with his book, still bowed, as with a flick of my wrist several several daggers appeared and I smiled as I began to juggle them with practiced ease earning noises of joy and excitement from the gathered court as I performed with practiced ease. Trick after trick I performed with ease as I continued to make satisfying the court. Eventually I heard clapping from the throne and the king rose. "A splendid performance, Jester. I will have my servants make a room for you so you might stay within my halls in comfort." 

I bowed by head and turned exiting the throne room and followed a servant to a room in the caste where I would be staying.

Night time is such an interesting time, many things happen at night that would never happen during the day. Sleep is something I have no need for any longer but that doesn't mean I don't enjoy it. As I drift in Luna's warm embrace memories from a time long ago drift into my mind. Memories of when the land was peaceful and kind, when ponies were free to follow there desires. Memories of why I'm here and the oath I swore.

I awaken and raise looking in a mirror placed in my room and quickly raised a hand to my mask adjusting it, insuring it's in place, making sure my smile is ever present. I step out and head for the throne room ready for another day in court. To day I play the bumbling buffoon, an ammusing little skit that makes the day go by faster as I stumble and dance around, often falling and playing dumb. I smile as the people laugh at my antics and jokes.





It's been a few months now and each day I perform a different routine to keep it fresh. Today is an important day, today the king has an announcement but what it is I'm not sure. I walk down the halls and enter the throne room taking my usual place as the king stands at the balcony, book in hand, waiting for the gathered common ponies below. When they at last gather below him he begins to speak. 

He talks a lot about the tyranny of the old regime, of how under his rule Equestria has prospered and risen to prominence and prosperity. He speaks of the oppression he freed us form, of the rebels who dare to desire a return to the old ways and of the six mares of evil, the so called Bearers of the Elements of Harmony and how at last they have slain the tyrant queen who enslaved them all. 

As he says all this he takes from a bag that had been laying on floor the severed head of the former Queen, Twilight Sparkle. Many in the crowd cheer while some weep beneath him but I don't move, my eyes can't leave the head of the queen. Even though I know I should be crying I can't so instead I smile.





I walk through the halls toward the throne room, knights change at me but before they can do anything a dagger finds its way to be buried in their throats, leaving just as quickly they entered and I at last push the throne room doors open. The king sits on his golden throne, book in hand, as I step forward into the room, guards surround and restrain me as the king rises from his throne and walks toward me. As he nears he pulls the mask form my face and with a dark grin he orders my execution. 

I spend the night in the dungeon and at dawn I'm marched from the dungeon and outside the palace where the gallows has been built and a crowd gathered many of the people in shock or weeping as I am marched up the steps and forced to my knees my neck set. I smile as the blade meets my neck. 





The King ran through the castle clutching his book, the sound of his guard fighting the mob of commoners outside causing him to panic as smoke and fire spread through Canterlot. as he presses his shoulder into the doors of his throne room and enters he freezes, eyes wide as he looks upon the figure sitting lazily in it, the Jester he executed, Pinkamena Diane Pie Element of Laugher.  The King stands in shock as he looks upon the mare, here mouth drawn up into a twisted smile as the marking her mask now upon her face like some twisted tattoos and two black horns protrude from her forehead however what draws the king back in fear is not the mare he just executed but rather the one behind her. 

Wreathed in flames and fire stood an alicorn with lavender fur, purple mane with a magenta stripe and blood red eyes. The King takes a step back in shock before he suddenly feels a great pain in his chest and he coughs up blood. A sudden wave of fatigue wash's over him and he falls to the ground coughing up more blood and he drops his book which bounces and tumbles away from him. King Blueblood collapses reaching out for the book desperately only for the book to be picked up by Pinkie Pie who looks at the dying king and turn waling away and kneeling before the alicorn wreathing flames offering the book. The Alicorn takes it and the two demons disappear leaving no trace of them save the dying king and missing book.