Jokers Wild

by blowngasket


The Crazy Thing About Introductions

Chapter 3: The Crazy Thing About Introductions

"...and thats why I need your help. He's going to be here soon, and I would greatly appreciate it," Twilight was speaking to Applejack, following the slightly tanned farm girl as she carried two baskets of apples, one on each shoulder.

The group following Twilight consisted of three others, all female. Twilight managed to gain the aid of her friends and was now waiting for Applejack to give her response.

"Sure thing, Twi. I jus' have to get this here load back to the barn. Tell ya what. I'll meets ya'll at the station, so don't wait up for me," she responded to Twilight's question.

Twilight nodded and Applejack began taking the path back to her home to store her wares. She wore a pair of blue jeans, slightly worn from hard work and an orange flannel shirt over a plain white tee. Atop her head she donned her classic Stetson hat over her long blond hair. The hat was also worn out, but well kept like it was a treasure. The hat really made the farm girl look complete, and she pulled it off quite well.

"Come on, Twilight darling, we haven't all day," said one of the women alongside Twilight. She looked out of place with her well kept purple hair, a nice white dress with subtle diamond patterns along the side, and an unnecessary amount of mascara and lipstick across her face.

"Well Rarity, we wouldn't have been this late if you didn't waste most of our time getting ready," another girl from the group responded. She had on a simple cyan blue tank top and matching shorts, but her most defining features included her neck length rainbow colored hair, large blue wings, and petite yet athletic build.

"Well I'm sorry that some of us are more concerned about how we look in front of nobility Rainbow. They say dress to impress, but I don't think you could impress anyone with that look," Rarity said to Rainbow Dash, obviously in an attempt getting a rise out of her.

The third girl finally spoke up to the others. "Rainbow Dash, Rarity... please stop fighting. Twilight is counting on us... so if you could, please..." she said quietly, just barely getting their attention. She looked at them slightly, her pink hair covering most of her face. She hid herself well in her cloths, wearing a yellow turtleneck sweater, even though the summer is almost apon them, as well as long white dress pants, creating a nice, subtle contrast between the sweater.

"Fluttershy is right. We are running out of time, so let's argue about fashion later after our guest gets settled in," Twilight spoke up.

Their combined words finally got them to stop, though they were still sending slight glares at each other. Almost at the same time, the two crossed their arms and let out a low 'hmph', turning their heads to avoid each other.

"Right right. Let's get going! We haven't got all day," Rainbow said, uncurling her arms and dashing ahead, moving slowly enough though as so everyone else could keep up, not that they were actually running after her. Together the group made there way to the train station to finally meet this mystery man that had caused such commotion, even before his expected arrival.

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The train finally pulled into the station, much to the masked man's pleasure. He got out from his bizarre seating arrangement, practically flipping himself upright when he heard the announcement of the trains arrival. He stretched himself out and quickly grabbed his bags, not wanting to be on this train any longer than necessary.

"That darn Celestia might just win this bet. I simply don't want to see another train again for quite some time," he said to himself as he started walking down the walkway towards the exit. He saw the server from earlier and with a playful tone told her, "One hundred and thirty seven," leaving her confused where she stood. Shoving his orange with green polka dotted bag through the door, he finally stepped off the newly renamed boredom devise and onto solid ground. He began to fall in love the feel of afternoon sunlight, its glow invigorating him.

"I, Perry O'te, declare this day to be as fine a day as any. Though my trip was difficult by no small means, the rewards for my diligence are already being generously bestowed onto me. But dear Celestia don't think you have won yet, for there is nothing here that will truly interest me in staying any longer than I have..."

"Umm....excuse me...sir?" a quite voice interrupted him. He looked around for the voice's owner, finding the manner in which she spoke quite adorable. He spotted her and quietly stared at her. "Me and my friends are looking for someone, you wouldn't happen to be...him...would you?"

"And who, my dear, would you happen to be expecting?" Perry responded in a gentlemanly manner.

"We aren't sure...but...um... well," the quiet girl squeaked out meekly, finding it hard to talk to the strange stranger.

"Excuse me?" Perry asked. "I couldn't quite hear you."

"Well the letter said....he would look....unique. That's what Celestia said in her letter," she said. Even if it was barely audible, Perry managed to make it out, his mask hiding his grin.

"Celestia sent you, did she?" he chuckled. "I should have known she would, but even such a cute girl such as yourself will not convince me to..."

"Perry?" another voice spoke up from across the platform. Drawing his attention away from the now deeply blushing girl as she hid her face behind her hair. "What are you doing here?"

"That voice...I recognize that voice anywhere!" he quickly ran towards the speaker. "Twilight!" he picked her up quickly and gave her a huge hug. "I haven't seen you in some time! So this is where you were staying. It's quite...Twilight?" he looked over, her eye twitching as she started to chant.

"Dark clouds send forth your emissary, show judgment to those deemed unworthy..."

A cloud started to form over the two of them getting darker with each hard spoken word.

"Twilight...come on...that's not necessary...please?" Perry begged.

"Lightning!" A bolt shot out of the cloud and into Perry causing him to jolt about in a most uncomfortable way. Even though she was connected by his grasp, Twilight seemed completely unaffected by it. Perry let Twilight go slowly as he started to talk.

"Nice...to know...you haven't changed..." he spat out before falling onto the ground in a thud. By now the other girls, including Applejack who just arrived, noticed the scene and walked over to them.

"Yup, looks weird," Rainbow Dash said to her friend. "Way to go, Twilight. We are supposed to show him a good time...and ya kill him."

"Don't worry, Rainbow. That won't kill him, unfortunately. I know him all too well, and he knows better," she grunted that last bit. "Girls, meet Perry O'te, Royal Jester and what I am guessing the newest temporary resident here."

A slightly creepy laugh started to come from the body on the ground, obviously not dead, as he started to get up. "I rise from the grave to avenge my taken life! Twilight Sparkle, your crimes are grievous and you must suffer th..."

"Perry, don't think I won't do it again!" Twilight spoke firmly.

"...I'll be good..." he said meekly looking towards the ground at his now shuffling feet.

The rest of the group started to giggle slightly. Twilight couldn't help but laugh a bit as well. "I am glad, though. It's wonderful to see you haven't changed either. Though I will ask you nicely to stop picking me up. You know I hate that," Twilight said in a slightly scolding tone.

"But you're so cute when you get angry, Riley Twily Wiley!" Twilight grew a crimson red at the old nickname he used. Her look shifting from embarrassment to anger.

"Dark clouds send forth your emissary..."

"Twilight...I'll stop now! Please don't..."

"Show judgment to those deemed unworthy..."

"I brought you a new book!" he quickly reached into his bag and pulled out a small novel he had on him. Ever since he met Twilight when he first started his job five years back, he had made it a natural habit to keep a book on him at all times. For the kind of situations where pissing Twilight off could be near fatal. Granted he wouldn't be in these situations if he didn't annoy her, he treated her as a little sister and did as such a brother would do to a younger sibling.

"Ooh! Lemme see!" she stopped her chanting and smiled, grabbing the book from his hand. It was a simple adventure novel, but it was uncommon in these parts.

"I picked that up on a trip to the Griffin Empire. Unfortunately, that trip caused me to miss your brothers wedding, and I do regret that," he said to her, happy to not be a twitching pile of flesh at the moment. As Twilight was looking over the book, the rest of them finally walked over to him now that they knew he was somewhat safe to talk to.

"Good day, Mr O'te. It is a pleasure to meet you. The little show there was just the cutest," Rarity spoke to him, drawing his attention towards her.

"I am glad to know my talents of entertainment have not gone unappreciated, Miss...?"

"Rarity, you can just call me Rarity. I run the Carousal Boutique here in Ponyville," he got down on one knee and took her hand and gently placed it against the mouth of his mask.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Rarity," she giggled at the gesture. Sweet, if not a bit unorthodox. He got up from his kneeling posture and started speaking again. "I occasionally hear word of your designs in Canterlot. From what I have seen, I see great things for you. Your talents are obviously no exaggeration if your current outfit is a statement of your work," she nodded and blushed slightly from the statement. "So who else do we have here?" he spoke to the group as he looked around.

"I'm Rainbow Dash!" Rainbow started, drawing over his attention at the bold introduction. "Fastest flyer around and..."

"Winner of the top junior flyers competition about a year back. Spitfire speaks highly of you, even more so after she held that training camp. You got potential from what I hear," Perry told her, her face lighting up in pure joy.

"Oh my gosh, you know Spitfire, like, personally?!" she asked quickly.

"Of course! We are drinking buddies on occasion, though she always manages to drink me under a table. Doesn't help that I cannot hold my liquor. But trivial facts, not important," he laughed slightly, scratching his head in embarrassment. "I'll tell you more later if you're interested, but for now time is running short and there are still people to meet and things to do," Rainbow jumped around a bit, excited with the thought of learning more about one of her idles. Perry drew his attention towards Applejack, walking over to her as he started speaking. "And who might you be?" he asked politely.

"Name's Applejack. My family runs Sweet Apple Acres here in Ponyville," she responded proudly.

"Ahh, the famous Apple family. Never did liked apples. I have always been more of an orange guy myself," he said slyly towards her, though obviously in a joking manor.

"That there is a lie if I ever heard one," she responded, a bit frustrated at his comment.

"Wow, you're good. I have heard that you are somewhat of a human lie detector, though it was worth it for the rise I got out of you. I meant no disrespect. I do enjoy apples and your families farm has been a favorite of mine for years," he spoke to her.

"Well, I suppose I can forgive ya, but you watch that orange talk around me, or I'll have to introduce your face to my boot," she said back half jokingly half seriously. Perry took that as a sign to leave her alone speak to the last of the girls there.

"Thank you again for finding me as I got off the train," he said to Fluttershy.

"It's no problem. My name is Fluttershy. It...is nice to meet you...Mr. Perry," she said quietly still hiding slightly behind her hair.

"Hmmm...that not right," he gently brushed her hair out of her face causing her to freeze. "A beautiful woman like you shouldn't be afraid to face the world. A shame in all accounts..." she just stood there paralyzed, eyes like a deer in front of a train. Perry looked over to Twilight. "Ummm...is she ok?"

"She will be fine, just give her a minute. This usually happens when someone startles her like that," Twilight said reassuringly, nose still in the new book. As she finished speaking, a voice came from the other end of the platform. Everyone turned to see Spike and Pinkie running towards them.

"Sorry....we're late..." an out of breath Spike said to the group. "So where's the guy we are...no way! Perry, is that you?!" Spike yelled out, eyes wide.

"In the flesh, Spike. Long time no see my little friend," he said happily at his reunion with Spike.

"Perry!" Spike started running towards Perry, and he responded the same, making his way towards the young man.

To them, it was as if the world was bright and colorful as they slowly moved closer to each other. To everyone else...a pair of guys charging each other.

"Spike!" he yelled out, getting closer with his arms out wide open.

"PERRY!" Spike opened his arms as well getting even closer.

"SPIKE!" as they were about to hug they stopped and just gave each other a simple handshake.

"Sup..." they both said in unison, with everyone but Pinkie and Fluttershy groaning at the scene. He glanced over to the brightly colored girl following Spike. He leaned in close to him and started to whisper.

"You got yourself a cute girlfriend there. She looks a bit old for you, but most definitely a lot of fun," he chuckled towards the now blushing Spike.

"No no no! You got it all wrong! I was just helping her out before we came together!" Spike quickly defended himself from Perry, who chuckled at his flustered response. This is Pinkie Pie. She works at Sugercube Corner," suddenly the one they were talking about got between them and started talking to Perry quickly.

"Hi there! I'm Pinkie Pie, though you can call me Pinkie. What's it like working in the castle? Do you do anything neat? Why are you wearing a mask like that? Were you scarred in some horrific accident and became the monster that hides in the movie theater playing a pipe organ? Do you like chocolate? What is your favorite color? How old are you? Do you like parties?"

"Calm down there, Pinkie. I can only answer so much at a time," Perry responded, taking a deep breath. "Fun jester fun that would be neat yes bright ones twenty three who doesn't!" he spoke in a complete if yet nonsensical sentence.

"Well then what are we waiting for?! We got a fun day ahead of us and only so little time to do so!" Pinkie jumped up and down quickly, everyone else nodding in agreement.

"Lead the way girls, this place is getting dull anyways. That boredom machine sucks out all the fun in the area," he said as he started his way off the platform.

"Boredom machine?" everyone else said, minus Pinkie who was well on her way following Perry. Twilight could only think this day will only get more and more interesting with the royal screwball in town.