It is to Laugh!

Hello, Bright Valley!

"Wheeeeee! This is soo much fun!" Surprise called out, her head sticking out the window of the train car, with her tongue hanging out of her mouth. "You should really try this, Wind Whistler!"

"Despite how enticing that may sound, Surprise, I must respectfully decline your offer." Wind Whistler replied sarcastically. "And I really wish you would stop doing that yourself. You look like a canine in an automobile with an open window, and frankly it's rather embarrassing."

Surprise and her friends  were riding on the Ponyland Express, chugging it's way hurriedly along the tracks from Dream Valley to Bright Valley. The white Pegasus was, as usual, enjoying things as if she were a little filly again. As the big black iron beast rocketed along the tracks, the other ponies talked amongst themselves about the coming visit.

"Wow, can you actually believe we're going to the grand goof-off?" Tickle asked, looking out the window at the passing countryside in excitement. "Only the most comedic of comedians can participate in this event!"

"Indeed, I still find it difficult to believe that our very own royal jester as been asked to participate." Wind Whistler. "For we all know what happened the last time she was in Bright Valley."

"Awww, thait whole mess with the explodin' snack truck twern't really her fault!" Tex chortled, shaking his mane. "Besaides, them city workers shore loved cleaning them pretzels and caider outta the streets for the followin' coupla weeks!"

"I think they just wanted to give her a fair shake- it's such a big event, after all." Tickle added. "Because whoever is able to impress the judges and make them laugh the hardest, will be crowned the queen of comedy for all of Ponyland!"

"That seems like a most trivial designation to acquire for a pony, but then again causing laughter is not my vocational calling in life." Wind Whistler added, as the train began slowing to a stop. "Hm, it appears we have arrived at our destination."

The three ponies stepped off the train, and were amazed at how the city was all decorated up for the occasion. Banners, bows, and balloons were stuck up everywhere. And ponies were milling about the station, wearing goofy outfits and silly clown noses, and giving the whole thing the atmosphere of a giant party.

"Whooo wheeee! This place looks like a giant gatherin' o' rodeo clowns!" Tex exclaimed, looking at all the ridiculous ponies around them. "I really think y'all are gonna have a whole lotta competition fer thait taitle!"

"Awww, lighten up, cowboy!" Tickle giggled, flexing her wings  as two mares in goofy glasses trotted by. "You know Surprise is the queen of comedy, there's no way any other mare is gonna-"

"-she's totally gonna lose to me, is what she's gonna do!" A blue mare with a blonde mane and two mice cutie mark declared, popping up out of nowhere. "There's no one out there who can out wow Woosie, queen of the mice!"

The mare suddenly stood up on her two back hooves, and a six mouse mariachi band suddenly popped out of her mane. They began to play music, and Woosie began to bounce around and dance to the rhythm they were playing.

"Fascinating, a performer whose special talent is controlling a band of pet mice." Wind Whistler commented. "While there are some comedic possibilities that could come out of that, it doesn't feel like to difficult of competition to overcome."

"No, but Tall Tale might be!" A yellow Pegasus with a two giraffe cutie mark zipped in, grinning like a wolf at the four new arrivals. "Say, have you heard about the one about the earth pony who had too much caffeine? She was so quick, she was even fast asleep!"

"Hahahahahahaaaaa!" Tickle giggled, falling over from giggling. "Ohhh, Surprise! You really got a challenge from this comedian!"

"Gee, thanks for the confidence!" Surprise replied, rolling her eyes. "Oh well, at least I still have whoopee cushions in my arsenal!"

"Did someone say WHOOPEE CUSHIONS!?" Another voice  called out, as the four ponies stepped forward, a loud TOOOOT coming from under their hooves as they each stepped on small orange bags. "Sorry, doll face, but that's my department!"

"Hey, I know the identity of that stallion; it's Squeezer, the male comedian from Misty Mountain!" Wind Whistler squeaked in shock. "I saw him perform his whoopee cushion act when I was visiting there!"

"But thait ain't right! No males are allowed ta compete in the goof off!" Tex said in disbelief. "So wut the hay is he doin' here?!"

"Oh, just here to cheer on my favorite mare performers!" The stallion replied snarkily. "And also ta show ya the other reason I'm called 'Squeezer'!"

Suddenly, the sly stallion slipped behind the two mares.

PINCH!

"OW!"

PINCH!

"HEY!"

Both Surprise and Wind Whistler felt a sharp pain, as a hoof squeezed their behind. Squeezer then fell over, beating his hoof on the ground, and laughing hysterically.

"Yep, I definitely think those melons are ripe!" The stallion laughed, before getting up and galloping away.

"Splendid, not only do we have to deal with other mentally-deranged comedians here," Wind Whistler grumbled, rubbing her sore flank "but we also have a pervert!"

"Why, thait ornery little-!" Tex snorted angrily. "I'll go after him, an' rearrange thait hombre's ugly face!"

"Nah, Tex... let him go." Surprise told her husband. "After all, he's just another pain in the butt!"

The three ponies continued onward, trotting out into the town itself. The decorations and balloons were even more festive out here, especially around the statue of Pinkie Pie on the town square.

"Surprise, observe the situation on Pinkie Pie square!" Wind Whistler noted. "They have decorated the statue of your ancestor all up in a very festive manner!"

"Yeah, boss! Your family must be proud!" Tickle giggled, gazing up at the statue all decked out in a clown's outfit. "Your entire family must be really proud!"

"Oh yeah, you know it!" The white Pegasus grinned, strutting her stuff in front of the monument. "We have a loooong history of making ponies laugh, and I'm gonna do that tradition proud, right here!"

"Well you'd better do it proud on punctuality, or we're going for check in with the comedy committee!" Wind Whistler noted, looking at her hoof watch. "You and Tickle better head over to the Popcorn theater, and Tex and I'll go get us checked in at the hotel."

"Okay Windy, see ya back here in an hour!" Surprise and Tickle zipped off, leaving the others behind. "And you two better not do anything funny while I'm away!"

The other two ponies rolled their eyes at their wacky friend, and started on their way towards the hotel. But even as the group spread apart, a pair of eyes from the crowd was watching them in anger.

"So ya think y'all gonna make everybody heyah laugh, huh?"  A slight snarl came into her low voice. "Well, when ahm done with y'all, the only thang you'll wanna do is cry! "