Wool of Magic

by Zeprto678

The Test of Laughter

Author's Note:

The test will be translating what Banana Pie is saying to everyone. Meaning, everyone from the test will be able to understand him, while also preventing him from saying only "Banan", even though he can speak normally without saying it all the time. It won't stop him from saying "Banana" though.

The names of the ponies in the test were very hard to come up with, so I mashed some random words that sounded good together to come up with their names.

The drawing was drawn by ask-that-one-firefighter-girl, who I commissioned.

The Psychopath proofread this chapter. They were the one who also came up with the name of the kingdom in the test, which is in Latin. One of the words is Latin for gold and old English for kingdom is what I've been told.

Comments are welcome.

Banana Pie appeared at a distance away from the front of a castle.

“Where am I, and where is everypony else for that matter? And why am I near a castle when I was in Ponyville?” said the unicorn stallion, confused.

He would’ve asked himself more questions, but the unicorn stallion heard a voice from behind.

“Excuse me,” called out a young, male voice.

Banana Pie looked behind himself to see a young, unicorn stallion who was dressed up in the clothes of a jester, but the Cutie Mark was covered up by the outfit itself.

“Are you here to see the king?” asked the mysterious stallion, curious.

That made the unicorn stallion confused. “I’m sorry, but what are you talking about?” he asked.

That made the jester realize something. “Oh, I guess you’re not here to do that then. Well then, allow me to introduce myself as the Royal Jester of the King Gold Metal and his royal family of Aurum Cynedom, ‘Foolish Jokes’,” introduced the young stallion.

Banana Pie smiled. “Nice to meet you, Foolish Jokes,” he greeted. “Darn. The one time where I make a new friend and I don’t have a banana on me to give to them.”

The unicorn stallion made a promise to himself to find out where he is, return to Ponyville, defeat Nightmare Moon, and then return to give Foolish Jokes a banana.

For now, Banana Pie needed something answered. “So, why did you ask me if I’m here to see the king?” asked the unicorn stallion, curious.

The jester smiled. “Well, the king proposed a single game to the whole town that if anypony can find his son, the royal prince, who is disguised and could be either amongst everypony in the town, or in the king’s castle, then they’ll be able to go into the royal vault and pick out any treasure that they want in return. Everypony only gets one chance to guess, and if they get it wrong, then they’re out of the game,” he explained. “So far, everypony in the village has guessed and has gotten it wrong. Even travelers who have visited our kingdom have gotten it wrong.”

Foolish Jokes had gone into a thinking pose.

“The game started today and will be over in less than an hour. After that, it might be a month or so until the king does the same thing again just until somepony makes the correct guess and wins,” added the Jester. “The King really loves to play games, and even loves to have his citizens, including new ponies and creatures, take part in them. After all, the goal of the game is to have fun as well.”

Banana Pie was impressed that the king would think up fun games for everypony to play in.

The unicorn stallion was impressed. “That is very impressive to hear. The king sounds like somepony who really loves his kingdom and would do anything to make everyone smile and have fun,” he complimented. “I think he sounds like a fun king to be friends with.”

Foolish Jokes smiled at the compliment towards the king.

“So, where are you from, uh…” said the Jester. Foolish Jokes then realized that he didn’t know Banana Pie’s name, and chuckled. “Sorry. I don’t think I got your name yet.”

“Oh. My name is Banana Pie,” introduced the unicorn stallion. “And well, to tell you the truth, I’m new to this kingdom and I don’t know where I am.” He frowned as he remembered what happened. “One minute, I was at my town’s celebration with my friends, the next, I ended up here separated from them.”

The Jester felt sad for Banana Pie. “Oh, that is so sad. Do you need any help locating them?” he offered.

Banana Pie shook his head. “No, thanks. I have a feeling that all of my friends are heading to Ponyville as well, wherever they are,” said the unicorn stallion. “But I do need help knowing which way is Ponyville and the fastest way to get there.”

Foolish Jokes thought about it until he had an idea. “Maybe the king could help you? There’s a chance that the castle’s maps could help you find out which way is Ponyville,” said the Jester. Foolish Jokes trotted towards the castle. “Follow me.”

He followed after the Jester. “Do you think the king would allow me to see them?” asked Banana Pie, wondering.

The Jester smiled. “The King loves helping others. He’ll definitely help you,” he said.

---

A Few Minutes Later

They made it to the Throne Room where the king was sitting upon his throne.

King Gold Metal smiled. “Ah, Foolish Jokes. You’re back, and you even brought a guest,” he said. “Would you like to introduce him to me?”

Foolish Jokes bowed to King Gold Metal. Seeing that his new friend was bowing, Banana Pie bowed too.

The Jester looked up at the King. “King Gold Metal, I’d like to introduce to you, Banana Pie. He has traveled from a town called Ponyville and needs help getting back to it,” he informed. “Can he use the castle’s maps from the Archives to find his way back home? He has friends that he was separated from that he needs to get back to.”

King Gold Metal frowned. “Well, that is sad news. Of course, he can use the maps,” he said. “Tell the guards that I allowed your friend to come along with you into the Archives.”

Foolish Jokes looked back down. “Thank you, my king,” said the Jester.

The two of them got up from their bowing positions and trotted in the direction of the library.

---

A Few Minutes Later

They were currently in the Archives and had been searching for Ponyville for a while on the map of Equestria. So far, it wasn’t anywhere on the maps. It might be possible that their maps didn’t contain the unicorn stallion’s hometown since they’d never heard of it before.

He frowned. “I’m sorry, Banana Pie. Looks like your home could be anywhere,” said the Jester.

Banana Pie smiled. “It’s okay, friend. I’ll just think of a plan to get back home,” he said. The unicorn stallion frowned a little. “...Somehow.”

“Until then, you can stay in this kingdom until you find a way home,” offered Foolish Jokes.

The unicorn stallion smiled even more. “Thanks,” said Banana Pie. Something popped up in his mind. “Foolish Jokes, sorry for asking this, but are you the king’s son in disguise?”

That surprised the jester.

He had calmed himself down. “Um, w-why would you think that?” asked Foolish Jokes.

The unicorn stallion scratched his head. “I don’t know. It’s just that the king gives off some sort of a royal presence of some kind, and you seem to give off a royal presence as well for some reason,” he explained. “Does that make sense?”

The jester smiled. “Oh. Uh…Yeah,” said Foolish Jokes. He got up from his seat. “Excuse me. I’ll be right back.”

Foolish Jokes then galloped away, leaving Banana Pie by himself, confused.

“That was weird,” said the unicorn stallion.

---

A few Minutes Later

Banana Pie was now trotting through the hallways with the Jester as they were both heading somewhere. Foolish Jokes had wanted to bring the unicorn pony with him to some part of the castle.

“Where are we heading?” asked Banana Pie, confused.

The Jester smiled. “You’ll see. We’re almost there,” he answered.

Luckily, the unicorn stallion’s curiosity was about to be answered as they had arrived at a room that was guarded by two guards.

“The King allowed us to visit this room. Can you open the doors for us?” asked Foolish Jokes, in a royal-like tone.

Hearing this had surprised the guards a little, but since it was King Gold Metal’s orders, the two obliged. The moment the doors were opened, the inside of the room was revealed: It was filled with treasure.

He was shocked. “Whoa! There’s so much treasure in here!” said the unicorn stallion.

Hearing this made him laugh at Banana Pie’s reaction. “Well, of course it is. This is the Treasure Room after all,” the Jester informed. “Now, you can go and pick some treasure out from amongst them.”

The unicorn stallion shook his head. This was confusing Banana Pie as he didn’t know why the unicorn stallion was allowed to do this since he wasn’t interested in the treasure.

“But, I didn't do anything to deserve this,” said Banana Pie.

Foolish Jokes smiled. “Actually, you just did something a while ago,” he informed.

That surprised the unicorn stallion. “I did? What did I do?” asked Banana Pie, confused.

“Remember when I told you about the game that King Gold Metal proposed to the town?” asked the Jester.

He thought back. “You mean about that guessing game involving the prince being disguised?” answered the unicorn stallion.

Foolish Jokes nodded, smiling. “You guessed what nopony else was able to guess. Everypony else guessed that he was disguised as something else, or as one of the castle staff or guards, but nopony was able to guess that the Jester was actually the prince the entire time,” explained the Jester.

That shocked him as Banana Pie had not only just found out that the Jester was actually the prince in disguise, but that he was only guessing at the time. The unicorn stallion didn’t know that he was actually right.

“But I wasn’t taking part in the game. I was only guessing since I had a feeling from the royal presence you were giving off,” argued Banana Pie.

His smile didn’t change. “And that feeling is what allowed you to win. I had told my dad, and he ruled in favor that you won the game despite you not taking part in it,” said the disguised prince. “So technically, you won.”

In the end, he had no choice, seeing as how Foolish Jokes wasn’t changing his mind about the unicorn stallion technically winning.

“Also, when you’re with me and are around others outside the castle, or royalty from other kingdoms, you have to call me ‘Ruby Spark’,” the disguised prince informed.

“Is that your real name?” asked Banana Pie, wondering.

Foolish Jokes shook his head. “Actually, my name is really Foolish Jokes. My mom, who is the daughter of the former Jester of the previous king, is the one who gave me that name,” the disguised prince explained.

Foolish Jokes was a bit embarrassed about the name, but the disguised prince also wore it with pride since his mother did choose the name since she wanted to name him after his grandfather: ‘Gag Jokester’.

“It’s just that dad gave me my second name to use around other ponies and creatures. So, I had an idea, and decided to disguise myself in an outfit and with some magic to look like a Jester, that way he can refer to me by my real name whenever we have company,” explained the disguised prince. “It has worked many times since no one knew who I was while in disguise.” He cleared his throat. “Now then, go and take a look around the treasure room. If you see anything that catches your eye like a trinket or a ring or something, then you can have it.”

The unicorn stallion sighed inwardly. “Fine, I’ll take a look around, but if there’s nothing I want, then you have to promise me that you won’t push me to get something, okay?” he asked.

Foolish Jokes nodded. “I swear upon my name that I promise that that won’t happen,” said the disguised prince.

Seeing that he promised, Banana Pie nodded. Then, the unicorn stallion trotted forward inside while looking around at the treasure uninterested as none of it caught his eye. Suddenly, the unicorn stallion collided face first into a glass case atop a podium. Banana Pie was about to back away from it, but the moment he saw its contents, he became enamored. Inside of the display was a golden necklace with a banana-shaped gem in the middle.

“Ooh, Banana,” said Banana Pie, amazed.

He trotted inside, approaching the unicorn stallion, smiling. “I see that the pendant has attracted your attention, Banana Pie. It used to belong to my mother’s mother, who was a wandering gypsy at the time when she had met my grandfather,” explained the disguised prince. “I think it suits you, seeing as how your Cutie Mark looks exactly like the gem. I think you were destined to have it.”

Foolish Jokes’ horn lit up with a blue-colored aura as he used magic to open up the case and levitate the pendant out. The disguised prince then placed it around Banana Pie’s neck.

This made him concerned. “Are you sure I can have this? This did belong to your grandmother and mother after all,” said the unicorn stallion.

Foolish Jokes smiled. “It’s okay. Besides, I think it’s time the pendant was given to its new owner anyway,” he said. “I know that my father will agree with me. Take it.”

Banana Pie wanted to argue back, but seeing as how his friend wanted the unicorn stallion to take it, Banana Pie accepted it in the end. Though, the unicorn stallion did want to give the disguised prince something in the end.

Banana Pie then had an idea, and smiled. “How much does everyone in this castle love to laugh?” he asked.

Foolish Jokes shrugged. “Well, everyone in this castle loves a good joke or trick. Why do you ask?” asked the disguised prince, wondering.

---

A Few Minutes Later

Everpony in the throne room was laughing as the unicorn stallion was now juggling bananas in the air, while letting some fall onto his head with a ‘bonk’. During the time that had passed by, Banana Pie had been doing funny stuff involving bananas like pretending he was in a fight with himself, driving around in a banana box car, etc.

The king had to calm himself down from laughing. “Goodness gracious. You are funny with those bananas,” said King Gold Metal.

The unicorn stallion smiled before tossing the bananas into the air. “Thanks,” he said.

Then, the bananas started falling onto Banana Pie’s head one by one, making everyone laugh even more.

He tried to catch his breath from laughing. “Enough, enough. Please, stop,” said Foolish Jokes. The prince wanted the unicorn stallion to stop making everyone laugh before they all ran out of breath. He sighed. “Phew. That was funny, Banana Pie. You must be funny back where you live, huh?”

Banana Pie smiled. “Well, I’m not ‘Pinkie Pie funny’, but I do love to make my friends laugh. Their laughter is enough to make me smile,” he informed.

“Well, it’s enough that you passed the ‘Test of Laughter’,” Foolish Jokes informed.

“Huh?” asked the unicorn stallion, confused.

He smiled. “You care about making your friends happy and to laugh their troubles away, and you make them laugh even when you want to bring laughter to them,” said Foolish Jokes. The prince pointed at the necklace. “As proof of you passing the test, the Element of Laughter is still there. If you didn’t care about laughter, it would’ve disappeared.”

Banana Pie touched the necklace, surprised.

“Whoa,” he said.

“Yeah. Now, you must wait until one of your friends comes to get you,” Foolish Jokes informed. “Then, you’ll be able to leave and return back to Ponyville.”

The unicorn stallion nodded. He understood that since this was all a part of the test, then all Banana Pie has to do is wait for his friends to come for him.

“They’ll come and get me. I just know it,” thought the unicorn pony.

The castle’s servants brought trays that contained Banana Cream Pies.

Banana Pie smiled. “Ooh. I love Banana Cream Pies,” he said.

The unicorn stallion couldn’t wait to eat. But then suddenly, one of the pies impacted his face. Banana Pie removed the pie from his face to see that the one who threw it was the prince, who had a grin on his face.

The unicorn stallion grinned back. “Bad move on your part,” said Banana Pie.

A few seconds later, a pie fight broke out as everypony was throwing pies at each other while having fun.