“PINKIEEE!” Twilight Sparkle broke out in a scream of frustration. The pink earth pony flinched. “Yes, Twilight?” She looked around the library which the purple unicorn resided. Books lay everywhere, and Twilight looked furious.
“Spike is sick, and I have a big report to send in to the Princess. For the last time I DON’T WANT A PARTY HERE!” Pinkie Pie looked around. She looked down at the party cannon she carried everywhere. Pinkie Pie sadly looked at her friend as she began to sort through the books littered on the floor. She walked slowly to the door. She turned back. “Can I he-”
“NO!” The door turned a brilliant purple and slammed on Pinkie Pie. Pinkie Pie was shocked, but she just turned sadly away.
“I was just trying to lighten the mood...” Pinkie Pie sighed as she slowly walked back to Sugar cube Corner.
A blue earth pony turned her head when the bell on the front door rang. “Oh hello Pinkie!”
Pinkie Pie looked sadly over. “Hi, Mrs. Cake.” She looked back to the floor. “My goodness, what happened Pinkie?” Pinkie Pie didn’t respond as she slowly trotted back up to her room.
Pinkie Pie flopped onto her bed. She sighed. “Twilight just looked so... frustrated. I was just trying to lighten the mood. I didn’t know she had an assignment to do, or that Spike was sick. I hope the little dragon gets better soon.” She looked out the window at the setting sun. She closed her eyes with a sigh.
~~~~
A lone earth pony wandered through the Everfree Forest. He pulled a small wagon along with him. “Oh that was such a GOOD show back in Manehatten! I can’t WAIT for the next town! I wonder which lucky little ponies are next?”
He turned around a tree and looked out the opening. “OH! What a quaint little town! I guess I’ll rest here before getting to the next city. Maybe I’ll get a few more ponies for my crew! I am a little short.” He chuckled softly to himself as he pulled his wagon along behind him.
~~~~
Pinkie Pie woke up with a smile on her face. She hopped downstairs to find a delicious breakfast of cereal and a muffin. “Thanks Mrs. Cake!” “Oh it’s quite alright Pinkie, it’s the least I can do what with your help and the business.”
Pinkie Pie gulped down her breakfast and headed for the door. “Bye Mrs. Cake!” “See you later Pinkie!”
Pinkie Pie happily skipped around Ponyville, enjoying the fresh air. But she stopped when she reached the town library. She walked up to a window and looked through. She saw Twilight still working with the books. Her mane was mangled, and the lines under her eyes made it apparent she had not had any sleep that night.
“Maybe I should leave her alone...” Pinkie Pie walked sadly away from the window with memories from yesterday when suddenly she bumped into something.
“Wha...? Oh, hi Fluttershy!” The pegasus looked up to see Pinkie Pie. “Oh, I’m sorry, are you okay?” “I’m fine Fluttershy! What are you doing here?” Fluttershy got up off the ground. “I was going to Zecoras to pick up some herbs for a um... ‘new cooking venture.’” Pinkie Pie smiled. “That sounds wonderful Fluttershy!” The mare just nodded. “I was just looking for someone to come with me. The Everfree Forest is scary, even during the day.” Pinkie Pie smiled. “I’ll go with you!” “Oh, really? Thanks, Pinkie!” Pinkie Pie smiled. “Anytime, Fluttershy!”
~~~~
The branching trees of the Everfree Forest almost completely blocked the light of the sun. The forest trail was dark and muddy. Fluttershy was shivering. “Can we walk a little faster, Pinkie?” Pinkie nodded, and they walked a little faster.
Suddenly a rustling bush caught Fluttershys attention. “AH!” She quickly clung to Pinkie Pie. “Oh come on Fluttershy, it’s just a bush!”
An unearthly howl resounded throughout the forest. Fluttershy shrieked and ran off. “Fluttershy wait!” But it was too late. She was already out of sight. Pinkie sighed. “Oh well,”
But just before Pinkie Pie stepped forward, another rustling bush caught her attention. “Alright, I know you’re there. Show yourself!”
A stallion came through the underbrush, hauling a small wagon. His long mane was neatly combed and he wore a smiling theatre mask. “Hello, young filly, how are you this fine day?” Pinkie Pie smiled. “Oh I’m fine! I’m Pinkie Pie! Who are you?” The stallion chuckled from behind his mask. “You may call me Jack. You look like a fun loving pony. Care to join me in my ventures?” Pinkie Pie smiled. “Of course! Wait, what ventures?”
Jack walked up to Pinkie, and put his hoof around her neck. “Imagine a world full of smiles. No conflict, just joy.” He waved his hoof in front of her. “That is my dream. That is my venture.” He stepped back. “So, is that a yes?”
“Of COURSE! Oh, Jack you are such a good guy!” Jack smiled. “Thank you.” Jack sighed from behind the smiling mask. “But sadly, I lost my way coming from another town. Is there someplace I could stop and rest my weary legs?”
Pinkie Pie smiled. “Of course! Ponyville is just back there!”
Jack smiled. “My appreciation is yours Pinkie Pie. Thank you.” and he set off towards Ponyille. Pinkie Pie watched as he trotted off. “Now I gotta find Fluttershy...”
“OH PINKIE!” The earth pony turned her head. “IS THIS YOU FRIEND?” Jack pointed to The pegasus who came out of the underbrush. “Oh! THANKS JACK! COME ON FLUTTERSHY!” Fluttershy looked at Jack quizzically, and flew to catch up with Pinkie Pie.
~~~~
“There’s the edge of the forest! That was a long walk!” When Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy came out of the forest, the sun was setting over the horizon. Pinkie Pie looked around, and spotted a small glow behind a few bushes. “Well, I’ll see you tomorrow Fluttershy! Good night!” Fluttershy waved to Pinkie as she flew off for her house. Pinkie Pie waved back, and turned her attention to the curious glow. She trotted closer.
“Sheesh Jack, don’t you ever take your mask off?” Jack jumped in surprise. “Oh, Pinkie Pie! It was you! You must warn me before you come in.” Pinkie Pie giggled. “Sorry! What are you doing here?” Jack lay back on a small fallen log, looking at the small fire. “I was just resting, is all.” Pinkie Pie looked around. “You can stay at my place, Jack.” Jack looked at Pinkie through his smiling mask. “Oh no, that will be alright Pinkie. Thank you for the offer.” Pinkie Pie looked at the curious stallion. “So, we’ll meet back here tomorrow?” Jack nodded. “Oh sure! That would be nice!”
Pinkie Pie smiled. “Alright! Good night!” Jack waved goodbye. “Sweet dreams Pinkie Pie!”
~~~~
Pinkie Pie was up with the sun the very next morning. “Time to meet Jack.” Pinkie Pie quickly threw together a sandwich in her mouth and set off, happily skipping about. Pinkie Pie looked at the library as she passed by. The lights were out. “She must be really tired from all that work.” But Pinkie Pie continued, content with her friends resting.
Pinkie Pie looked through the brush. Jack was already up, and was shuffling through the contents of his wagon. “Whatcha got there Jack?”
Jack jumped again. “Goodness Pinkie! You are the master of stealth! Please, announce your presence before you ask anything!” Pinkie Pie giggled again. “Sorry! I can’t help it!”
She looked over Jack’s shoulder. “This wagon doesn’t do anything! How do you perform?” Jack chuckled from the ever present mask on his face. “Well, if there is something you should know, I do not ‘perform’, so to speak.” Jack lifted a small can out of his wagon. “Is that a balloon gas tank?” Jack chuckled. “Something along those lines, yes.” He picked up a few rubber balloons and filled them with the gas from the canister.
“I do not perform like other show ponies.” Pinkie Pie looked curiously at him. “What do you mean?” Jack chuckled. “You see, I do not seek money, I seek joy.” He pointed back at his wagon. “This wagon carries my materials, not really a stage.” He bounced a balloon up and down. “As a famous play write once wrote, ‘the world is a stage, and we are but actors.’ I take that to the next level.” Pinkie Pie stopped following the balloon. “How?”
“Oh Pinkie.” Jack put his hoof around her. “I don’t call ponies together; I seek them out.” Jack looked around. “For example...” Jack motioned for Pinkie to follow him, and they headed off to town.
~~~~
“GIT YOUR FRESH APPLES HERE! SWEET APPLE ACRE APPLES! ONLY ONE BIT FOR THREE!” Applejack was pushing her cart around the market district, centered near town square.
It was high afternoon, and the market was filled with tents with ponies selling a variety of fruits. Applejack was lucky to be the only one selling apples. But even though she controlled all apple business in Ponyville, she was fair.
The earth pony was surrounded by eager customers quite quickly. Little by little, her shelves ran low on her fresh, quality apples.
After the crowd left, there were a few apples left on the shelves of the apple cart. Applejack was putting away the bits she had collected into a small bag when she noticed another earth pony come up.
Applejack tipped her hat. “Howdy do, Bon Bon?” “Oh I’m just fine, Applejack.” Applejack looked over the remaining apples. “Sorry Bon Bon, you missed the good apples.” The earth pony waved her hoof. “Oh it’s fine. I was looking to baking some apple pie anyway.” Bon Bon picked up a few apples and set them in her bag, and tossed a few bits onto the cart. “Thanks!” Applejack waved as Bon Bon trotted away. “No, thank YOU!”
~~~~
“Tell me what we’re doing on roof tops again, Jack?”
Pinkie Pie was busy jumping from roof to roof, following Jack as he quickly bounded across the rooftops.
“Pinkie, you must remember some things! I seek out ponies, remember? And how better to do it while on the roofs of this quaint little town?” Pinkie Pie stopped to ponder what ‘quaint’ meant.
“Oh! Pinkie! I found just the candidate!” Pinkie rushed over and bumped into Jack. “Ah! Pinkie! Please control yourself!” “Oops! Sorry!” Pinkie giggled as Jack groaned.
“Take a look Pinkie, and watch my magic.” “But you’re an earth pony.” Jack looked at Pinkie through his mask and sighed.
“Hey, isn’t that...” Jack covered Pinkie’s mouth with his hoof. There was an earth pony in the alley way, picking up several bruised apples that had fallen out of her bag. Pinkie could hear her muttering to herself. “I told Lyra to fix the hole in the bag. I guess I’ll have to do myself.” Bon Bon sighed as she picked up the apples.
“Watch.” Jack jumped down towards Bon Bon, with Pinkie Pie staring intently after.
“Oh, hello young miss! I didn’t see you there! What seems to be the problem?” Bon Bon looked over to Jack. “It’s nothing, I just told one of my friends to fix something.” She looked over at her broken bag. “But she didn’t.” Bon Bon sighed and frowned.
“Why the long face? Let me tell you, I love a good song,” Bon Bon stared curiously at the voice behind the smiling mask. “Always lifts my spirits!” Jack tapped his chin for a little bit. “Oh! I love this one!” Jack pulled out the small balloon he had filled up earlier. “I’m sure you’ve heard of it.”
“Round and round the mulberry bush, the monkey chased the weasel. The monkey stopped to pull up his socks,” Jack pulled out a thin needle and popped the balloon. “POP goes the weasel!” Jack burst out into laughter.
Bon Bon looked at Jack. “That doesn’t make any sense.” Jack looked at Bon Bon momentarily. “Of COURSE it makes no sense! That’s why it’s funny!” And he started laughing again. Bon Bon stopped, and then she started laughing too.
Jack stopped his laughing fit. “Ohohoho. Oh that was great.” Jack looked at Bon Bon, who was rolling on the floor laughing. Jack chuckled. “I’m glad I could help. Good evening, miss.”
Pinkie Pie watched all of this. She jumped down after Jack. “WOW! That was great Jack! When I sing that, everypony just stares! How’d you do it?” Jack chuckled. “The balloon, Pinkie. The balloon was the key.” They walked off, laughing good heartedly.
~~~~
Applejack looked around the market. The sun was setting in the horizon. “That was a good sale. Sold all my apples!”
Applejack was folding up her cart when she saw a familiar mint colored unicorn trot up to her. “Oh hey Lyra! Sorry, I’m out of apples!” The unicorn shook her head. “That’s not the problem.” Applejack stopped. “What’s wrong?”
“It’s Bon Bon. I haven’t seen her all afternoon.” Applejack looked around. “That’s funny, I thought she left for home a long time ago.” Lyra looked severely worried. “I haven’t seen her since she left. I’m starting to think she’s mad at me.”
They stopped. A noise had caught their attention. Lyra turned her head. “That sounds like Bon Bon!” They rushed over to the source of the noise. What they found horrified them.
She was rolling on the ground, with her bag of apples that she had bought earlier that day. She was laughing uncontrollably. Her mouth was a huge grin, but her eyes screamed.
“Help.”
~~~~
“How is she doc?” Applejack and Lyra stood as they looked at Bon Bon. She had a gas mask over her mouth. Her eyes were closed, but she fidgeted occasionally with a small giggle.
“I’ve never seen anything like it.” The doctor came in holding a small clipboard. “She’s not sick or anything. It’s like she was given a powerful dose of laughing gas!” Applejack and Lyra looked at each other. “But laughing gas wears off quickly!” The doctor looked at Bon Bon. Her eyes were squeezed shut, as if she was recovering from a coughing fit. “I don’t know, it’s not laughing gas anymore. I suggest you leave. It may be contagious.” Applejack looked at Lyra, who had a grave look on her face. “She will get better though, right Doc?” The Doctor sighed and looked at Lyra. “We will do whatever we can, but,” The doctor looked at Bon Bon, who fidgeted again. “I wouldn’t get my hopes up.” Lyra looked at Bon Bon, and her eyes began to water. Applejack put her hoof around Lyra and guided her away, leaving tear drops on the tile floor.
~~~~
Jack woke up to a beautiful sunrise beside his wagon. He yawned and stretched before looking around. “Sheesh Jack, when do you take off that mask? How do you eat with it on?”
Jack jumped in surprise as he found Pinkie Pie staring at him from through the brush. “Honestly Pinkie Pie, I’m not sure whether to be jealous or unsettled with your... ability.”
Pinkie Pie just stared at the smiling mask. “So! Who are we gonna have smile next?” Jack got off the ground and trotted over to the cart. “Patience Pinkie.” Jack rummaged around the contents of his wagon and suddenly pulled up a white object. “Ah! Here. While you’re working with me, you’ll need an alias.”
Pinkie Pie took the mask. “What’s an alias?” Jack rummaged through his wagon some more. “It’s like a nickname, only one you take more seriously.” “OH! I LOVE nicknames!” Jack smiled. I’m glad you do, but we need to think of one for you. Hm...” Pinkie Pie looked at the mask, then back at Jack. “How about Jill?”
Jack stopped. “Jill’s perfect! I mean, you’re Jack, so what better to accompany you than Jill? Think about it.” Pinkie Pie smiled broadly. “Jack & Jill, joybringers. It’s PERFECT!” Jack didn’t respond. “Jack?” Jack turned to Pinkie. “I... guess that’s a fine name...” Pinkie Pie smiled, and put on her mask. It was a frowning compliment to Jack’s own smiling mask.
“Pinkie.” Pinkie Pie stopped. “You mean Jill right?” Pinkie Pie giggled. “All right, Jill. I’m fairly sure everypony in town knows you...” “Well DUH I know everypony in Ponyville! I’ve been here for like forEVER!” Jack sighed. “While working with me, you need a change in your appearance. What good is a mask if they can still tell who you are?” Pinkie Pie took off her mask. “What do you mean?” Jack tapped the chin on his mask. “Well, your mane really is one of a kind.” Pinkie Pie looked up to her mane. “I guess...” Jack walked over with a comb and some hair gel. “Let me try to fix that up...”
Jack poured a little bit of hair gel into Pinkie’s mane. He ran his comb through it, and for a split second it was loose, but it sprang back up to its curly form. “Huh. Strange.” He tried again.
“ARGH! Your MANE is UN-TAMABLE!” Jack had emptied the whole bottle of hair gel and yet, Pinkie’s mane was still as poofy and sprung up as usual. Pinkie Pie looked at Jack. “Is it that bad?” Jack nodded. “Yes, it is. For my kind of performances it is of up most importance to maintain another identity which cannot be told apart.”
Pinkie Pie sighed. She closed her eyes and breathed in. “Say it again.” Jack tilted his head in confusion. “Say what again?” Pinkie Pie inhaled deeply. “That little tidbit about my hair.” Jack pulled back a little in surprise. “Your mane is un-tamable.”
Instantly a loud pop could be heard, and Pinkie Pies mane and tail deflated into a dark pink curtain. Her entire coat turned an entire shade bluer. Pinkie Pie opened her eyes. A restricted anger was obvious on her face. “Is that better?”
Even from behind the smiling mask, you could tell Jack was surprised. “Yes, much better! How do you do that?” Pinkie Pie sighed, and put on the mask. “Don’t ask.” Jack looked at the new Pinkie. It was as if the frowning mask was no longer needed. “Uhmm... let’s get you a costume.”
~~~~
Twilight Sparkle was reading in the library lobby. “Spike! You alright?” She called over her shoulder. She could see her baby dragon assistant rolling in his bed with a light fever. “I’m fine Twilight, thanks.” Twilight smiled. “It’s nice seeing you getting better.”
All of the sudden, an earth pony burst in through the door. “Twilight! It’s horrible!” The unicorn turned from her reading. “What’s wrong, Rose?” Rose was panting heavily. “It’s really, REALLY BAD! You have to see for yourself!” Twilight got up. “Lead the way.” Twilight turned to Spike. “I’LL BE RIGHT BACK SPIKE!”
~~~~
“It’s up here.” Rose and Twilight walked down the corridor of Ponyville’s local hospital. Rose opened the door and let Twilight in. “Why are we going into the ‘Strange Case’ wing?” Rose shivered. “Just wait.”
Twilight walked in and saw two ponies lying in the bed. “Is there something wrong?” The doctor walked over to Twilight. “I’ve been in the medical studies for a while now, but I haven’t seen anything like this! Have a look at Carrot Top.” Twilight followed the doctor to the first pony. “What’s wrong with... GAH!”
The earth pony was as stiff as a log. The mare was lying still on the hospital bed. She was fine, her mane was the same color, and so was her coat. But her eyes were wide open and her pupils small.
She was smiling from ear to ear. Her teeth in a grotesque fearsome crescent white.
“What HAPPENED to her?” Twilight was taken by surprise at Carrot Tops state. “I don’t know, but it’s bad.” Rose stepped in. “I found her in the alleyway like this. It was as if she had fallen asleep like this. I literally had to drag her up the steps and onto the bed.”
Twilight stared blankly at Carrot Top. “How is this possible?” She turned to the doctor. “Have you taken any tests?” The doctor handed a clipboard to her. “It’s like the other patient. No disease, no anomalies in her body except that... smile.” Twilight looked over at Bon Bon, who lay there with a gas mask. She was fidgeting. “What’s wrong with her?”
The doctor looked at Twilight. He lifted the gas mask from around the mare’s muzzle. The mare coughed softly, and began to giggle. Fairly soon she was laughing uncontrollably and was banging on the hospital bed. The Doctor forced the gas mask back on her, and she calmed down.
Twilight was shocked. “How does that work?” The doctor shook his head. “I don’t know either. She laughs whenever I take the mask off, and she won’t stop unless I put it back on. It’s a mystery.” Twilight looked back and forth between the two. “How long have they been here?”
“Bon Bon has been here since yesterday. Carrot Top was taken in here earlier this morning.” Twilight looked at Carrot Top. “She’s not dead, is she?” The Doctor shook his head. “She’s not dead, but I’m not sure I can call it ‘alive’ in her current state. She’s completely unresponsive.” Twilight looked at the patients again. “Let me contact the Princess about this.”
~~~~
The door to the library burst open. “Spike!” The baby dragon turned around. “Yeah, Twilight?” Twilight lifted a quill and paper with her magic. “Are you up for messaging?” Spike flinched. “I think I can handle it.” Twilight scribbled on the paper. “...please come to Ponyville with any help you can bring. Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle. There!” The was scroll rolled up and was given to Spike. “Send this please. Don’t worry, I asked Princess Celestia not to send a reply message through you.”
Spike coughed twice. “Alright.” Spike spat out his green flame, and the magical smoke floated out the window. “Aw, geez, I’m feeling sick again already.” Spike clambered up to his small bed.” Twilight pulled the covers over her assistant. “Thanks Spike. I appreciate it.”
Not ten minutes later a bright white flash ensued, and when Twilight opened her eyes, there stood three ponies. “Princess Celestia! Who are they?” The white alicorn was frowning. ”These two ponies are experts on the situation you described the patients to be. I only hope it is not because of who I think it is. Lead the way.”
~~~~
Twilight opened the door to the strange cases wing. The first earth pony came in and examined the two ponies. “These are the exact same symptoms of the last gas.” Twilight was confused. “What gas? Are you saying a gas put them in this state?” The earth pony nodded. “If I am correct, they won’t be alive in another day.” Twilight was shocked. “But Bon Bon here has been here for at least two days now!”
It was the other ponies turn to be surprised. “Two days? Really?” The earth pony removed the mask, and Bon Bon started laughing chaotically again. “I can see why you have the mask. But if she’s been in here for two days, then it’s non-lethal. At least, compared to the last time I’ve seen it.”
Twilight trotted over to Celestia. “What are they talking about?” The Princess looked down at her. “If they are correct, a world class villain may be back.” Twilight gasped. “A villain?”
The princess nodded. “He went by the name of ‘The Jack’, and worked in the city of Las Pegasus. He was last sighted in Manehatten.” Twilight shook her head. “I’ve never heard of him.” The Princess frowned. “That is a good thing. If you knew what he’d do to ponies; I shiver just from the thought of it.” Twilight tilted her head. “What WOULD he do?”
“From eye witness testimonies, Jack would go around making ponies smile.” Twilight was confused. “That doesn’t sound so bad.” Celestia stared at her student. “In his own twisted way. He’d gas them with a poison that caused ponies to smile like... her.” She pointed to the grotesque smile on Carrot Tops face.
“But from what I heard, they usually died within an hour. I’m surprised they stayed alive for so long.” Twilight was horrified. “Dead...? Within an hour?” Twilight turned to the patients, being tube fed. “Then why are they still alive?”
“I don’t know, but we should be thankful, and stop Jack as soon as possible.”
~~~~
Pinkie Pie was wandering the streets of Ponyville. All of the sudden a blue earth pony came up to her. “Goodness Pinkie! You had me worried! I haven’t seen you for two days!”
Pinkie Pie giggled. “Oh there was nothing to worry about, Mrs. Cake! I was just spending a lot of time with a new friend that I met.” Mrs. Cake smiled. “Oh. A new friend? Who?” Pinkie Pie smiled. “His name’s Jack.” Mrs. Cake stopped. “...I don’t know Pinkie Pie. He sounds shady.” Pinkie Pie simply giggled. “Of course he’s shady! He wears a mask all the time! I haven't seen him without it!” Mrs. Cake simply stared at Pinkie Pie as she hopped happily away.
Pinkie Pie turned the corner and bumped into Jack. “Oh, hi Jack!” Jack shook his head and straightened his mask. “Hello Pinkie, I was looking for you.” Jack got off the ground. “I heard that Princess Celestia made a... surprise visit here.” Pinkie Pie hopped up and down. “Oh, she DID?” Jack looked around. “This means that we have to work a little quicker and a little more cautiously.” Pinkie Pie stopped. “Why?” Jack shrugged. “To, uh... better impress the Princess!”
“OH! Let’s work DOUBLE TIME!” Pinkie Pie ran off towards Jack’s camp. “WAIT PINKIE!” Jack quickly clamped his hoof over his mouth, and made off for Pinkie, grumbling all the way. “Come ON Jack!”
“PINKIE.” Jack spoke in a harsh whisper. “Not so loud.” Pinkie Pie smiled. “Well, why not? Jack is a cool name!” Jack shook his hoof. “But it’s an alias. There isn’t really a Jack.” Pinkie pie simply waved her hoof at him. “I know that, silly.” Pinkie Pie leaned in close to Jack. “I know there’s a stallion behind that mask.” Jack was surprised. “But to be honest, I’m not sure there’s a difference between the two now. How long have you worn the mask?” Jack couldn’t respond. He sat down.
“I’ve worn it since that incident...” Jack sighed. “What incident?” Jack didn’t respond. Pinkie Pie put her hoof around him. “Look, I’m not gonna pressure you for it. It’s alright if you don’t wanna talk about it.” Jack looked over. “Thank you, Pinkie. It means a lot to me.” Jack got off the ground.
“It’s also why it pains me to do this to you.” Pinkie Pie sighed. “I know it does. That’s why Jill Isn’t Pinkie Pie.” Jack turned away as he promptly smacked Pinkie Pie across the face. The poofy mane instantly fell down on Pinkie’s face.
Pinkie Pie tossed her mane from her face with a swing of her head. “Glad that’s over with.” She took the frowning mask from her bag and put it on. “Come on, Jack let’s go find another friend to lift spirits with.” She turned and trotted away.
“It’s like she’s a completely different mare...” Jack muttered to himself as he picked up a few balloons.
~~~~
It was dark, and Applejack was on her way back to the cottage. “That was a long day of work. Ah well, it’ll be worth it.” Applejack looked around the dark. “Come to think of it I haven’t seen Pinkie Pie in a while. I wonder what she’s up to?”
Suddenly a brilliant, sickly green light beamed down on her. “Oh lookie here Jill, it’s a lost mare, trudging in the dark.” Applejack looked up in fear at the smiling mask. “Oh Jack, I don’t think she can make back to her stable before midnight.” Applejack turned to look at the frowning mask.
“Uh... Who are you ponies!? What do you want with me?” Jack and Jill smiled. “He’s Jack.” “She’s Jill.” “We’re here make you SMILE!” Jill pulled out a balloon, and Jack pulled out a needle. “Who doesn’t like Balloons?”
“STOP RIGHT THERE, JACK! DROP THE NEEDLE, AND NO ONE GETS HURT!”
Jack and Jill looked up to several police ponies staring at them. They looked at them, and then looked at each other. They dropped the balloon and needle and began to run.
“HALT! GET BACK HERE!” The police ponies began to give chase. Applejack was just standing there, looking at the increasingly distant party.
“Wazat... Pinkie?” She shook her head. “Nah, couldn’t be.
~~~~
Jack and Jill were running down the path towards the Everfree Forest. “Let’s go in, and then we can lose them.” The police chased them down into the forest.
Jack looked behind him. “Around the corner, then into the brush, okay?” Jill nodded. They rounded the corner, and then jumped into the brush.
“THERE IS NO USE HIDING, JACK! WE HAVE PONIES EVERYWHERE!” The booming voice of the police pony echoed throughout the dark forest.
Jill was breathing heavily. “We might have a chance to escape if we go all the way through the forest to Canterlot.” Jack was looking over the bush. He ducked in time to avoid a spotlight. “There’s no way we’re gonna make it Jill.” Jill looked at Jack. “Why now?”
Jack sighed. “I think it’s time I told you the truth.” Jill simply stared, “What truth?”
Jack sighed again. “To be honest, I have no idea what I’m actually called. My given name. I’ve completely forgotten it. I’m ‘Jack’ and someone else, but I forgot who.” Jill sat down and listened.
“If I remember correctly, I wear this mask to cover up some horrendous scar or something. It was my father or something.” Jack readjusted his mask, and he sighed again. “I was living in Las Pegasus at the time, and he blew his money on booze and mares.” He spat the words out. “I don’t even know what happened. I think he complained about my uselessness, and cut me across the face in his drunken rage, and he kicked me out the door, leaving me bleeding.” Jill simply stared from through her mask.
Jack looked up and pulled Jill down to avoid another search light. “I wandered everywhere, but no one liked me. I think it was the scar.” He looked at Jill. “That’s when I stole this. To hide it.” Jack sighed again. “It didn’t help much. Until I meet Joker.” Jill simply stared. “He could tell I was sad, and I could tell he was getting old. We worked out a deal. In exchange for doing running errands whenever the time came up, He would feed me.”
“He taught me how to make the ‘Ever-Smile gas’, and he taught me how to make gas bombs.” Jack looked down. “Every week, I would go out and set up the gas bombs in a casino, and then, when I set it off, I’d wear a gas mask and take money.” Jack chuckled. “We’d have enough to eat for a week or more.”
Jack sighed again. “One day, some ponies knocked at the door, and they took him away.” Jill was just sitting there, listening intently. “He told me one thing before he left. ‘The world is a stage, and we are but actors,’ he said. ‘But you can make ponies smile.’”
“The ponies told me he was a killer, and that I was lucky they couldn’t arrest me. I asked why. They told me every time I went to a casino, a majority of the ponies there died.” Jack chuckled again. “I asked him what it meant to have ‘died.’ He responded, ‘the ponies never come back, and that it makes so many more ponies sadder.’ I was horrified.”
“I decided to make a few changes to the ‘Ever-Smile’. I did some research, and I took out anything that could make anypony ‘dead’. I mean, what’s the point of a pony to die smiling if it makes everypony else frown?” Jack and Jill ducked to avoid another search light. ”Then I moved to Manehatten to test out my new gas.”
“That’s when I met Jill.” Jill suddenly looked up. “But I’m Jill.” Jack waved his hoof. “No, not you Jill, other Jill. First Jill. I met her while I was trying out my new gas.” Jack chuckled. “She was young, a little younger then me. She had originally moved out of Las Pegasus with her parents from the Joker scare. She recognized my mask.” Jill looked out over the brush, and then back to Jack.
“She told me she wouldn’t sell me out, but only if I let her in on it.” Jack chuckled again. “Apparently her cutie mark was a bubbling flask, and she was extremely good with chemicals. Too bad she got a little carried away.” Jack shook his head. “I asked her to fix it so that the effects were temporary. But she was so caught up in what it actually did. I wasn’t sure whether she knew what it was and how it worked, because she made so many different variants. She’d come with me whenever I tried out her new gas, and each time it got better.” Jack chuckled again. “There was this one time, when the gas reached the ponies nose, they’d sneeze uncontrollably, and then they’d look at each other, and then they’d start laughing! I don’t know how she did it.”
“Too bad I never got to find out how she did it.” Jack sighed again, and looked to the sky. “The police were waiting for us one night, and they chased us.” Jack looked at Jill. “‘Jack be nimble, Jack be quick.’ But Jill wasn’t so fast. They caught her. I tried to save her, but I couldn’t.”
“For a whole week, I went back to the lethal smile, gassing everypony. I even went so far to gas those cursed police!” Jack sighed again. “Even so, I never saw Jill again. I don’t know if she’s still alive or dead, but I know one thing. It hurts so much inside.” Jill heard an audible sniffle.
“I realized I was going crazy, gassing everypony, so I went away to calm down. Trotted all the way over here.” Jack smiled. “We’re never going to get out of this without wearing hoof cuffs, Jill. It’s time for me to go.” Jill put her hooves of Jack. “No, We’re gonna make it out of this.” Jack pushed her hooves away gently, and leaned in close. “Your hooves are still clean, mine are stained with blood. Go, before they notice you.” And before Jill could do anything, Jack stepped out of the brush. Jill quickly leaned over the bush and watched.
“HEY YOU! STOP RIGHT THERE!” Jack began to run, but he was tackled, and pretty soon, he was wearing hoof cuffs. “I oughta beat you right here right now. But I gotta read your rights to you. You have the right to remain silent...”
Jill took off her mask and looked to Jack. His mask had fallen off, letting his mane fall down. It was a calm white with an insane green streak running down it. His eyes were a brilliant gold.
As he said, there was a long scar down his right cheek. It fit surprisingly well against his peachy coat. It went down towards his mouth. It looked so strangely like his face was a permanent smile.
Jack walked slowly with the police, his hoof cuffs jingling in with his hoof steps. He looked up from the ground and threw a glance back. He saw a frowning mask lying on the ground, and Pinkie Pie staring after him, tears in her eyes. He smiled, and he mouthed a short message to her.
“I’ll miss you too.”
~~~~
“GET YOUR NEWSPAPER HERE! CANTERLOT WEEKLY BROUGHT FRESH FROM CANTERLOT PRESS! ONLY ONE BIT A COPY!”
Twilight Sparkle quickly walked over. “Hello, there. I’d like a copy.” Twilight put a bit into the little colts bag, and he handed her a copy. Twilight flipped the paper open as the little colt called out again.
“‘Reign of Ever-Smiles is over!’” Twilight squinted her eyes. “‘Jack is caught within the Everfree Forest.’” Twilight smiled. “That’s good, but, what about the victims?” She turned the page. “‘Little Joy, who went by the name of ‘Jack’’ blah blah blah, ‘although he has made a few victims in Ponyville, a cure is yet to be found.’” Twilight looked up in despair. “Oh no. That means Bon Bon won’t stop laughing... I guess I’ll have to start mixing chemicals...”
~~~~
Little Joy sat in the small jail box. The road was bumpy, and the old rickety cart did not make it any better. He could hear grumbling from outside. ”Why do we have to take him all the way to Canterlot?” Little Joy peeked out a small window in the front. “Hello guards. I was just wondering if one of you knew my name.” The guard looked back. “You’re name’s Jack. Now SIT BACK!” Little Joy sighed. “No, that was the name of my mask. What’s my REAL name?” The guards looked at each other. “You really don’t know?” Little Joy shook his head. “What a sad stallion. Your name is Little Joy. Now SIT BACK!” and the guard jolted the cart with an unexpected bump.
Little Joy sat back down in his little box. “Little Joy, eh? Fitting.” Little Joy sat down for a little while. “Canterlot prison. Wonder what it’s like there? Hope it isn’t too dirty...”
The cart suddenly jerked. “OH! What in the hay?” He heard surprised grunts followed by a dull crack. The cart stopped moving. Jack looked out the front window again. The ponies that had been pulling the cart were lying on the ground, unconcious.
Little Joy heard a small clicking in the back of the cart. When the back door opened, he saw a smiling mask, the exact same one that he had worn. The mysterious pony took off the mask, and he gasped.
“PINKIE! What are you DOING here?” The quick harsh whisper was met with a small giggle. “Saving your flank, that’s what! Now let’s go before they wake up!” Pinkie Pie quickly dragged him out of the small cart.
He and Pinkie galloped through the night. “Why did you save me? I’m a world class criminal. Do you realize how much trouble you could be in for?” Another giggle. “The only thing those jerks saw was a smile before I put them to bed. And besides,” She gave him a wink. “You already told me how you feel.” Pinkie Pie giggled when she saw him blush. “I did not! I simply...” Pinkie Pie gave him a look that told him that she knew already. “Okay maybe I did, but still!” Pinkie Pie laughed as Little Joy turned red in the face.
~~~~
It was close to midnight, but the lights in the Ponyville library were still on. “ARGH! This is IMPOSSIBLE! HOW am I supposed to make a cure for something I don’t HAVE?”
There was a knock on the door. “COME IN!” She heard the door creak open. “Hey, Twilight.” Twilight didn’t even turn from her work. “Hey Bon Bon.” Twilight Sparkle looked up in surprise.
“BON BON? How did... When did... WHAT?” Twilight Sparkle spun on her hooves. “CARROT TOP TOO?” The two mares standing at the front door kicked the floor. “HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?” Bon Bon looked at Carrot Top. “Quite frankly we don’t know either. The doctor told us that a small package came in with a bottle and a set of instructions. He said we woke a good five minutes later.” Twilight looked back and forth between the two. “He didn’t mention a deliverer?”
“No, the doctor never even saw the package being dropped off. It was like a mysterious messenger.” Carrot Top shrugged. “The Doctor told us that you’d be the type of pony to still worry about this thing, so we just came over to tell you that we’re alright, and that we appreciate your concern.” Bon Bon smiled. “We’ll just be going now. Thanks Twilight.”
Twilight was simply staring as they left. “Heh, no problem.” Twilight sat down hopelessly onto the ground. “I’ll clean this up tomorrow.” She walked slowly up the steps to her bed room.
~~~~
Pinkie Pie sat looking out her window. “What a beautiful night.” She yawned. “I should be getting back to bed now. Where is he?” Pinkie Pie poked her head out the window.
“Surprise!” Pinkie Pie yelped. “Haha! Gotcha!” Pinkie Pie looked up. “Oh, Joy! you’re back! Finally! I was wondering if you were lost or something.” The stallion pulled off his smiling mask and looked at Pinkie. “I delivered the antidote as you requested. It seems to work. How did you do it?” Pinkie Pie giggled. “Hey, I’m gonna have to mix chemicals and blow things up if I want a portable party cannon, am I right? I just looked at the recipe a little longer, is all.”
Little Joy rubbed his right cheek. “You’re not bothered by it?” Pinkie Pie giggled. “Of COURSE not silly! Look, if it really bothers you, I’ll make a mask for you.” Before he could object, Pinkie Pie jumped back to her room. Not five minutes later, Pinkie came back with a mask. “Try it on, see if it’s comfortable.” Little Joy looked at it. “It only covers half the face, Pinkie.” She giggled. “That’s because you’ve never seen such beautiful golden eyes.” Joy blushed, and he put on his mask.
“There! Look in the mirror!” Pinkie Pie pulled up a mirror, and Joy took a look at himself. It covered that unsightly scar so perfectly, and yet still showed his face. “Thanks Pinkie, it means a lot to me.” Pinkie Pie waved her hoof. “No no no, the pleasures all mine! It’s hard to make you look any better!” They laughed.
“Well, seeing that your miracle antidote works, I think I should go back and fix up those in Manehatten. That is, if they haven’t come up with an antidote already.” Pinkie Pie smiled. “You should. I’ll get you the recipe.”
“I’ll probably be back in a week or so.” Pinkie Pie handed him the slip of paper. “You do know how to get there, right?” Joy smiled. “Of course I do Pinkie. Why would you doubt me?” Pinkie Pie giggled. “Don’t get caught now! I don’t wanna save your flank again! You hear me?” Joy chuckled. “I’ll be on my guard Pinkie.”
They rubbed noses and chuckled. Pinkie Pie watched out the window as Joy jumped from rooftop to rooftop off into the distance. “I’ll be waiting, Little Joy.” Pinkie Pie smiled and yawned, and turned the light off.
~~~~
Twilight could not believe her eyes. “I thought Jack was captured!” Twilight rushed back down the steps and ran for a sheet of paper. Suddenly a balloon floated up in front of her.
“At ta ta ta! Let’s not let this situation ‘pop’ out of control. I know you heard the whole thing.” Twilight stared in fear at the smiling mask that stared at her. “What do you want with me?” The mask laughed. “Oh nothing! Nothing at all. I just need you to listen.”
“Now, I know what the princess said about me. Heck I admit it. But I’ve changed.” Jack made a slow circle around Twilight, who kept her eyes on him the entire time. “Somepony has come into my life and flipped it head over heels. And I’m loving every minute of it.”
Jack ran up to Twilight’s face and looked her in the eye. “So. Give me a week. Read the Canterlot Weekly. If Manehatten isn’t cured of smiles, then I’m a dead stallion.”
The stallion left as quickly as he came, through the window. “Oh boy...” The unicorn stood there, stunned at what had just happened. “Alright. I’ll give him a week. Seeing how he was so friendly with Pinkie Pie...”
~~~~
Twilight Sparkle woke up early to the sunrise. “The newspaper boy comes around right about now.” Twilight quickly walked out the door, carrying her small wallet with her.
“CANTERLOT WEEKLY! GET YOUR WORLD NEWS HERE! ONLY ONE BIT A COPY!” Twilight walked up to the small colt carrying the newspapers. “One copy please.” The little pony handed Twilight the newspaper as she handed him a bit.
“Hehe, I can’t wait to see him when...” Twilight scanned down the front page. “‘Manehatten Smile Scare conquered!’ What? ‘A mysterious deliverer left behind a package that saved the unconscious lives of hundreds.’”
“Hey Twilight!” The unicorn looked up from the paper to see Pinkie Pie. “Oh hey Pinkie Pie. Do you know this ‘Jack’ character?” Pinkie Pie blinked in surprise. “Twilight, I don’t know how you know, but Jacks’ gone. But Little Joy’s here though!” Twilight turned to find a stallion racing to keep up with Pinkie Pie. “Pinkie Pie! How do you go so fast?” Pinkie Pie giggled.
Twilight’s brow furrowed. “I know who you are.” Little Joy looked at Twilight. “Oh, hello there miss!” Pinkie Pie smiled. “Little Joy, Twilight. Twilight, Little Joy.” Twilight growled. “We’ve met.” Pinkie Pie beamed. “Oh you HAVE?” Joy simply chuckled. “No, she meant she met Jack.” He held out his hoof in a friendly greeting. “I’m Little Joy. Pleasure to meet you.” Twilight hesitantly put her hoof in his.
Only to receive a shock from the other end.
“The electric hoof buzzer! Classic, Joy!” Joy and Pinkie shared a good laugh at the startled Twilight. “Oh, do calm down Twilight, it’s all in good fun! Here, let us sing you a song!” And Twilight was suddenly tossed up into the air. “Twilight is my bestest friend Whoopee! Whoopee!” The duet was all too harmonious as Twilight was tossed into the air.
Twilight groaned. “And I thought one Pinkie was bad enough.”
The End