A Jester's Hatby tazdarkstripe13ChaptersPrologueChapter 1 - the Temple of InsanityChapter 2 - A Damaged MindChapter 3 - A MeetingChapter 4 - The EndEpilogue - ResurrectionPrologueA Jester Hat Prologue It had been 50 years since Taz Darkstripe had died and come back to life, with his 2 nieces as well. All that time he'd stayed in Canterlot, visiting Luna on occasion but mostly spending time with Celestia. Taz knew that Luna liked to be alone, so he respected her preferences. But, every once in a while, she would send a letter asking for company. Taz was always happy to oblige and would leave immediately. Whenever he visited Luna in her castle, they would just sit together and talk. Luna would tell him how she'd been, and Taz would tell her how he and Celestia had been. Taz always enjoyed those visits. Although he never admitted it, Luna had always been his favourite. Even though she'd become evil once, Taz still loved her with half his heart, and loved Celestia with the other half. But Luna was closest to him. When she was still a filly, she would have nightmares, and Taz would listen to her and hold her when she described them. They were always close, and Taz had been very upset when she'd been banished to the moon. And when she'd died just 50 years ago... Now, Taz was flying back to Canterlot. He'd been keeping Luna company for a few days, and they'd had a great time. Luna had been having nightmares again, so taz had done what he always did; listened to her and held her when she cried. Luna cried a lot, but Taz never held that against her. She was a sweet girl and he knew it. They both were and Taz loved them both equally. As he landed in Canterlot, he made his way back up to the castle. He saw that Shining Armour was on duty and gave him a mock salute. He smirked at me and saluted back. When they had first met, Taz Darkstripe and Shining Armour had not gotten along. Shining had actually hated Taz. But, over the years, Shining Armour began to warm to the big, scarred alicorn, and the two had become great friends as of late. Taz walked past his friend and into the castle where more guards waved to him. He waved back, smiling at each of them. They knew who he was, and they knew that he hated royal attention. Taz made his way up the stairs and went to his older nieces room. He knocked lightly. "Who is it?" Celestia called. "Your uncle," Taz replied. The door opened and Celestia hugged her uncle. "I've missed you," She says. Taz laughs as he always did when he came back from Luna's. "Why, it's only been a few days," "I know, but you're the only family I have left besides Luna, and she only ever comes to Canterlot when I'm asleep," Celestia walks over to her cushion in front of the fireplace and sits down. "I've never forgotten what it's like to die," She whispers. Taz walks over and sits beside her, holding her close. "I know, darling," he says. "I know." Celestia looks up at him. She strokes the scar across his neck where he cut his own throat. "You have a lot of heart, uncle," She says. "Any other pony would never have killed themselves for a kingdom." "Well, other ponies aren't me," He replied. He smiled at Celestia. "And none will ever take you or Luny away from me." Taz kisses Celestia's forehead. She smiles and they sit like that for a long time, talking and looking into the fire. That night, Taz has another nightmare. This time, he's wearing a jester hat, and he's standing over Celestia, who's crying. He's laughing, and he falls on her, ripping her throat out with his bare teeth. As the blood enters his mouth, he laughs some more and begins to gut Celestia, driving his dagger into her stomach and ripping her insides out. As her liver comes into contact with his mouth, Taz wakes up screaming, dagger drawn and looking around frantically. He's in his chambers in Canterlot. he sighs with relief and falls back onto the pillows, rubbing his eyes. Eventually he realises he's not getting back to sleep, so he goes to his bathroom and splashes cold water on his face. When he looks in the mirror, his eyes widen and he steps backwards against the opposite wall. His mane... it looks like a jester hat. How the hell did it get like that? His mane was almost always the same style, spiked and facing backwards. Never had it come into this style before. He quickly got his hooves wet and flattened it back until it was smooth. He breathed heavily. He thought he'd killed all the Jesters... no, no he couldn't think like that. He had killed them all. they'd all died when he killed himself, eliminating the original. Taz shook his head and went over to his dresser. he didn't use it, but he liked to just sit and think at it. Now, he sat at it and took a picture out of a drawer. The picture was one he'd had for a long time, ever since the day before his brother, Lightning, and sister-in-law, Lucy, had been brutally killed. The picture was very faded, but Taz never threw it away. It was of Taz, Lightning and Lucy with two fillies who would grow up to become Taz's nieces today. They are all smiling, even Luna who was only 6 days old at the time. Taz had fewer scars back then, and his mane was more vibrant in colour. Celestia was very small and had just learned to walk, and Luna was still on her plot, but smiling at the camera. Lightning had his arm around Lucy, and she was resting her head against his shoulder. Taz was just standing with a big smile on his face. A tear splattered on the picture as Taz remembered that day. Back then he thought the 5 of them would be together forever, but his brother and sister had been snatched away. 50 years ago, he had a chance to spend forever with them again, but had turned them down. Why? Taz was still looking for an answer. He stared at the picture for a long time. Suddenly there was a knock at the door. He quickly put the picture back into the drawer and walks over to the door. He opens it a crack to see Celestia outside. Taz opens the door fully and invites her in. Celestia walks in and places something on the bed. It's a box, black in colour, and has a red ribbon on it. "What's this?" Taz asks. "Happy birthday, uncle," Celestia says, kissing Taz on the cheek. Taz smiles. He'd completely forgotten his birthday was today! He opens the box, and inside is a metal ore. It's a bright green in colour, and shimmers to blue when he moves it around in his hooves. "What is this?" He asks, shocked at this. His nieces knew he loved to make weapons and armour, but he'd never seen n ore quite like this. "My guards found it on a scouting mission," Celestia explains. "I thought you would like it, seeing as you spend so much time in the forge." Taz looks at Celestia and smiles. "I can't wait to make it into something special," He says. He hugs Celestia. Suddenly, somepony else knocks on the door. "Come in!" Taz calls, and Luna walks in shyly. "Happy birthday, uncle!" She says and jumps on me. I laugh and hug her. She gives me a small box wrapped in dark blue paper. "I thought I'd get you a little something," She says. "Oh, Luny," Taz says, ruffling her mane lightly. He opens the box and inside is a dagger. The hilt is made of moonstone, and the blade is forged from a black metal that could only be Chimera Steel. "Thank you," He said, and hugged Luna tight. "It's enchanted with endurance," Luna says. "It will last you at least 1,000 years," Taz looks at both Luna and Celestia. Suddenly, Celestia looks at Taz's mane, and her eyes widen. Her mouth quivers and tears come to her eyes. Taz looks at Luna, and she's slowly backing away. Taz frowns and feels his mane. It's spiky. He goes to the bathroom mirror and looks at his reflection. The jester hat is back. Chapter 1 - the Temple of InsanityChapter 1 The Temple of Insanity Taz Darkstripe is wearing a hood while walking around Canterlot. He's never worn a hood before, and ponies are looking at him. He keeps his head low and feels ashamed. But he couldn't frighten them with his mane. He'd tried to flatten it so many times, yet it made no difference. Everypony knew about what happened 50 years ago, and he didn't want them to think they were under attack again. Shining Armour had held his sword to Taz's throat when he first saw the mane, but Taz had explained what had happened. Well, what he knew, at least. He still didn't understand it. All the Jesters were dead, how the buck did this happen? Taz continues to walk along, coming to the Lunar Cafe. This place had just recently opened and Taz had been in it a few times. He walks in and sits at a table, looking out at all the happy ponies in the sunshine. A filly is jumping and laughing with who Taz guessed was her older sister. He'd seen them both the first day he arrived in Canterlot. The younger one had cowered behind her sister as Taz walked past but he was known in the city now. He often played with the fillies and colts regularly, but today he was feeling really down. Brog Sceal, the owner of the cafe, walked up to him. "What's wrong?" He asked, sitting opposite Taz. "Nothing," Taz replied, forcing a smile. Brog gave him a look. "Don't lie to me," He says. Taz can't help but give a dry chuckle. Brog always knew when something was wrong with him. "Okay." Taz looks around. The cafe is empty except for them, and he takes his hood down. His mane is still in the style of a jester hat. Brog gasps. Taz quickly puts his hood up again. "I don't know why it's like that. Nothing I do can change it for more than a few minutes." "Well, I think the hood was a good idea," Brog says. "You don't want to scare everypony after such peace. Have you tried shaving your mane off?" Taz nods. "It just grows back within a few minutes." He sighs. "I'd probably be best to get back to the castle. Celest will be wondering where I am." Taz puts a few bits on the table and says goodbye to Brog. He walks back outside and heads to the castle, keeping his head low. That night, Taz has a nightmare. He's looking at his brother and laughing while he slits his throat. Lightning is also laughing and gurgling from the blood. When he dies, Taz turns to Lucy, and she screams as he drives the knife into her forehead and twists it, making a large hold through which he can see her brain. Taz then licks the brains that are dripping out and laughs in a high-pitched tone. finally, he turns to the princesses. They're tied together, and Taz giggles as he skins them both, keeping them alive with magic and taking their coats off until only the muscle is left. He then puts Luna's skin over Celestia, and vice versa. Once he does that, he takes their heads and pushes their horns into each other's skulls. He's laughing as he does this, and he can hear the jingle of bells on his head. He's rolling on the floor laughing. It's all he could do. Taz wakes up with dagger in hand, sitting bolt upright and breathing heavily, sweat covering his brow. He gulps and steadies his breathing. It was just a nightmare, nothing more. He walks to the bathroom and splashes cold water on his face again. The night mares were getting worse every night. He'd tried everything possible to prevent dreams but nothing worked. Taz wiped his face dry on a towel and looked at the mirror. His mane was now yellow and blue. He dropped the towel and his mouth fell open. When the buck did this happen? Did Celestia do this? No, she wouldn't. She could barely look at him with his mane in this style, and he didn't blame her. Those Jesters had killed her and Luna, after all. Looking at his own reflection, Taz thought it looked funny. A smile crept onto his face, and he began to giggle. He stopped almost immediately. That wasn't his laugh. It was high-pitched, and... it had a hint of insanity in it. Taz's eyes widened. Was he... He tried desperately to flatten his mane, but it didn't go down. And... it felt like fabric. "No, no, no, no..." Taz muttered. He went back to the bedroom and paced frantically. While he did, small bursts of laughter escaped his lips from time to time. These must have awakened Celestia, and she knocked on his door. "Are you okay uncle?" She asked through the door. "Yeah, I'm- heehee- fine, I'm just- haha..." Taz hits himself in the head. "Please don't come in," Taz erupts in a high-pitched laughter. "Are you sure?" Celestia's voice sound concerned. Taz knows she's going to end up coming in, so he grabs a quill and writes a quick note on a piece of parchment. He leaves it on the bed, giggling as he does so. He then opens the window and takes flight, flying for as long as possible. He loves his nieces, but he doesn't want to hurt them. He knows what's happening. After a long time his wings begin getting tired and he lands in a snowy land. He looks around and sees something in the distance. He makes his way towards it, fighting against the blizzard and laughing all the way. When he gets to the thing, he looks up. It's a temple made out of ice. He laughs and sees figures walking down the steps. They're wearing hats... jester hats. As they get closer, Taz sees they're not hats. it's their manes. His heart drops when he realises what's happening. These are the true Jesters. He's turned into a Jester. Chapter 2 - A Damaged MindChapter 2 The Damaged Mind A mare is crawling away from him, tears streaming down her face as she attempts to cover her child. The filly is giggling with the stallion who is advancing. The stallion raises his weapon and cuts the mare's final, pleading scream short. The filly laughs as it's drenched in the blood of its own mother, but that sound is also soon cut short. Taz Darkstripe laughs hard when he kills the defenseless foal. Inside, he knows that this is wrong, and is desperately trying to fight the insanity that is a Jester. He's been fighting this battle for weeks now, all to no avail. He has killed so many innocents, so many children... and he laughs at their screams and tears. he doesn't deserve to live. He should have stayed with his brother in limbo instead of putting everypony in danger. But it's too late for that now. Taz continues to kill ponies left, right and centre. Finally, all the ponies are dead. Taz takes flight and flies back to the temple, giggling at the blood splattered all over him. When he arrives at the temple, an elderly Jester is waiting for him. He's also giggling, flopping another Jester's bells. When he sees Taz he laughs harder. Taz giggles in reply, a broad smile creeping onto his face. When the elderly Jester reaches him, they both fall down and roll on the floor, laughing. "A...a... f-feast... I... is... p.. prepared..." The elderly pony says between laughs. We both laughs for a long time but finally they get up and walk into the temple, giggling. They go to the mess hall where there are long tables laden with pony meat. Everypony is eating and laughing. Taz attacks the leg of a pony. Inside, he tries to stop himself. He knows this isn't right but the disturbing thing is... it tastes so good. Taz is almost tempted to give up the fight and let the Jester consume him. But whenever he starts thinking like that, he instantly thinks of his nieces. That thought alone gives him the strength to keep fighting. His nieces needed him, as did Equestria, and he was not going to give in to some insane, cannibalistic pony who laughs all the time. A long way away, in Equestria, Celestia is crying. She'd heard of her uncle going on a killing spree, laughing while he murdered innocent ponies. How had he succumbed to the insanity? Taz had the strongest will Celestia had seen in a pony. And his love for his nieces was unquestionable. Celestia looked at her fireplace. She used to look into it with her uncle. They would discuss the day and Taz would comfort her if she felt sad or alone. Without wanting to, Celestia thinks back to her foalhood and the times she shared with her uncle and Luna. Such good times... peaceful times. Then the first time she lowered the sun, and Luna raised the moon. Tears filled her eyes as she remembered that night. Taz had been so shocked that they'd done that as fillies, no less. Ever since then, he'd supported them as they became royalty and given them advice whenever they asked for it. Celestia broke down into sobbing again. He had denied an eternity with the ponies he loved most just to live with her and Luna again. "Uncle, I'm so sorry..." Celestia whispered. She continued to sob. In the Lunar castle, Luna is also crying. She missed her uncle so much. He would have come here by now to keep her company, hear her stories, laugh at them or cry with her. He always knew what to say to make her feel better. Now, though... he was killing innocent mares, fillies and colts, and laughing at it! He had such a strong mind, how could he succumb to the freaks that had killed her? Luna shook her head before she turned to hate. He had denied the chance to be with the ones he loved forever just for Celestia and Luna. He loved them with all his heart and nothing would change that. Luna looked up at the sky, remembering the first time she raised the moon. So long ago, yet Taz had been so proud of her. He had helped herself and Celestia as they became princesses, and although he had to go back to the northern lands, he always returned to check up on them. He never left them for more than a hundred years. And he always wrote letters, telling them about the outcomes of wars and what is going on in their birthland. Luna and Celestia would send letters back, telling them what had happened in Equestria. Luna always looked forward to the letters from her uncle and had kept every one she had received over the years, as had Celestia. Luna looks up at the moon she had raised not an hour ago. "Stay strong, uncle..." She whispers. Tears continued to run down her face. Chapter 3 - A MeetingChapter 3 A Meeting Taz is sleeping, giggling softly as he dreams. He isn't really dreaming. He's having a nightmare. He sees the mare he killed just a few days ago, and she's crying and pleading again. Taz just cuts her down, laughing at her scream which was cut short. He then kills the filly she was trying so desperately to protect, who's laughing while its mothers blood is splattered on him. As the foal dies, the scene shifts, and Taz has to watch the whole thing over and over again. This repeats so many times, and Taz is frantically battering against the invisible barrier that is stopping him from saving the mare and the filly. He screaming in his sleep, but it comes out as laughter in real life. Finally he wakes up. He begins laughing hard, the taste of meat still on his tongue. He gets up and walks to his toy box, where he takes out a weapon he had not used in decades. The dark red metal was still so reflective and it's edge had not faded away. The scythe blade of it still had that oh-so-sharp edge to it, as did the axe blade. Holding this weapon in his hooves, Taz's laughter seems to die down slightly. A shimmer of black runs across the blades. Taz puts the scyxe back in his toy box and laughs again. Inside, he's crying. Celestia and Luna probably hate him by now. His brother and sister-in-law definitely hate him. Everypony will despise him now. He should just give up. Everypony hates him, so what does he have to live for? It would be so easy to end it a second time, to bring an end to the insanity. He's holding the dagger he always carries, the hilt in the design of his own mane. A jester hat. The blade is painted blue and yellow, caked in blood. Taz chuckles when he remembers the mare and the filly. They should have been smiling. Those who don't smile must die. that is the way of the Jester. Celestia and Luna are at the head of a long table. At the table are also Shining Armour, Celestia's guard captain, Darklight, Luna's guard captain, Doctor Whooves, who is a great friend of Taz's, and many others ranging from friends of the scarred stallion to military commanders who had fought alongside him. "I trust you've all heard the new about our great friend and my uncle," Celestia asks. Her voice is filled with sorrow. Everypony around the table nods solemnly. "I know for a fact that he is not doing this willingly," Celestia continues. "Your grace, I completely agree with you," A military commander speaks up. "I have fought alongside that stallion in many wars, and he has got one of the strongest wills I have ever seen. The amount of physical and mental torture he endured during the Great Pony War would have made any other snap." "I know I haven't known him nearly as long as many of you," Shining Armour says. "But when I first met him, I mistrusted him. He showed me what kind of stallion he is, and I know he holds more honour, respect and love than many of us here." He sits. The rest of them nod in agreement. "I have called you all here today because I know you all hold strong connections to my uncle," Celestia says. "You are either friends or trusted comrades. I want you to find my uncle and bring him here. If he dies so will you." "I will make sure nopony kills him," Darklight says. He was usually a quiet guy, and hated Celestia. But Luna wanted him to be here, so against his wishes he joined her in this meeting. He had spoken to Taz and they seemed to have a lot in common. They often exchanged war stories over a glass of whiskey when they got the chance. Personally, he thought Taz was a great soldier and he blamed Celestia for his insanity. But, then again, he blamed Celestia for anything bad that happened. It took all his self control not to kill her right now. Celestia nodded. She knew he hated her, but she didn't let that faze her. "Then it's settled. You all shall search for my uncle but under no circumstances will you kill him. Unless there is no other choice." Celestia closes her eyes and tries hard not to cry while saying that last sentence. "Meeting adjourned." Everypony files out, Darklight and Shining Armour glaring at each other as they exit. Once they're all gone, Celestia breaks down. She falls to her knees and cries, Luna accompanying her. "H-how could he... he..." Luna begins, but can't finish. She buries her head in Celestia's shoulder, and she does the same. The two royal alicorns stay like that for a long time, not even bothering to raise the sun or moon. Taz is getting ready to kill some grumpy ponies again. These ones are a long way from the temple and he's prepared his joke book and toy box for the trip. He laughs as he flies south over the ocean. He's carrying his scyxe this time but probably won't use it. It was too serious of a weapon. He flew close to the clear water and giggled at the fish. After a while he snatched one out of the water. He was hungry so he quickly devoured the still live fish. He grabbed a few more and ate them, too. If only there was hot sauce to go with them. Oh, well, normal fish would do. Taz then dunked his head into the water and emerged moments later, mane soaking and laughing. He looks up and sees land. He quickens his pace, excited to kill some more grump. When he lands, he rests for a while. He catches a small ferret and eats it alive, too. Ferret was so tasty, it almost rivalled pony flesh. Almost. But pony meat had a subtle sweetness to it. He reads through his joke book for a while, laughing and rolling around at the hilarious jokes that are in there. He finishes the book and wipes tears from his eyes. He takes flight again, still laughing a bit, and flies up to the mountain he was told to. As he turns the corner of it, he sees the city on the side. A sign is next to an archway in the wall surrounding it. Taz flies down and reads the sign with a huge grin on his face. *Welcome to Canterlot* Have a great day! Chapter 4 - The EndChapter 4 The End Taz is shouting jokes up to the castle. The ponies in the city are all dead or are barricaded behind the walls of the castle. Taz is reading them jokes from his trusty joke book and is laughing at them himself while the grumpy guts soldiers look at him from above the wall. By the time he finishes the book, Taz is rolling on the ground, clutching his sides and laughing harder than ever before. He finally breathes deeply, still giggling, and looks up. "Okay, I'll come up!" He calls. He then spreads his wings and giggles as he cuts down the guards on the wall. Oh, boy, this was so much fun! He cut down guard after guard as they rushed at him. Taz just laughed the whole time, killing them and getting splattered in their blood. Inside, Taz is trying hard to stop it, but he can't. He's too weak. All he can do is sit and watch as he kills these innocent ponies while laughing all the time. He just hoped they managed to kill him before he reached his nieces. If he killed them himself, he would have to kill himself again. They may be princesses, but he still saw them as his own fillies, no matter how old they got. Celestia was pacing in her bedroom. Taz had attack Canterlot. Why? She'd sheltered as many citizens as she could, but countless others had been killed by the madman who was now slaughtering her guards. Tears were running down Celestia's face, and Luna was crying hard into a pillow. She knew the only way to stop their uncle now was to kill him. But what if they couldn't? What if Taz killed every single pony in Canterlot, and then Equestria? That made Luna cry harder. The same stallion who had comforted her for her whole life was now going to try and kill her. She couldn't believe it. Celestia sat beside her. "It's alright, sister," she said softly. "He will remember us. I know he will," "B-but, what if h-he d-d-doesn't?" Luna sobs. "Wh-what if he kills us?" Celestia flinches at that. "Now, come on, he loves us with all his heart. He raised us like we were his own foals and he protected us when we needed protecting. He will remember." Celestia reassured her, but inside, she was doubting herself. What if Luna was right? What if Taz did forget? He was inside the castle now. He was covered in blood and was licking it off himself as he killed some more. The ponies just kept coming. Boy, it would be a feast after this! Taz laughed at the thought and cut down another pony. Shining Armour was at the end of the hall. He saw his best friend killing innocent ponies with an insane laugh and small eyes. He could do this. He knew Taz wouldn't want to live like this. Shining Armour readied his sword and prepared to fight his best friend to the death. He knew he didn't stand a chance, but he had to try. And maybe... just maybe... the insanity had hindered his fighting skill just enough to Shining Armour to defeat him. He didn't hold on to that hope, though, as Taz looked as skilled as ever against all the other guards, solar and lunar alike. Shining Armour said his prayers, said good bye and prepared to die. Celestia was kneeling by her fire. In it, she saw all the good time she, Luna and their uncle had shared. All the play times, lessons on honour and being a good ruler, raising the sun and moon. Tears rolled down her cheek as she remembers all those times, and how they could all disappear with a swing of a blade and a break of skin. She kept these thoughts to herself, though. She didn't want to frighten her younger sister who was terrified enough as it was. Luna continued to cry. She had buried her face in a pillow as she heard and laughter and screams draw closer. They were still a long way off, but they were slowly making their way closer. This was only the second time in her life that Luna didn't want to see her uncle. The first was when he had told them both about their real parents deaths. He had kept it a secret for 1 hundred years before telling them. They had hated him for a few weeks after that, but they had slowly come to understand then had not wanted to hurt them. Luna didn't like thinking of that time. She liked to think of the good time they shared. Thinking about all the good memories made her feel a bit better, but them the ponies began screaming again, and it was a lot closer this time. Shining Armour was face to face with Taz. "Taz, please, don't do this!" He pleads. Taz just laughs and attacks. Shining Armour dodges - just - and lands a cut across Taz's flank. He jumps back as Taz's weapon swings at him. "Taz! Stop this!" He knows it's pointless, but he doesn't want to kill his best friend. He attacks again. He instantly realises it's a bad decision. As he gets within range and swings, Taz ducks, unsheathes his dagger and stabs Shining Armour in the bottom of the stomach. Shining Armour chokes a bit and his eyes go wide. Taz then cuts a huge gash in his stomach, giggling as the insides spill onto the floor. Shining Armour falls to the ground, lifeless. Taz laughs and dunks his mane in the blood. He laughs as the blood runs down his face. He turn and sees all the now hopeless guards. He whoops cheerfully and lays into them, cutting them down easily. Inside, Taz has given up. His best friend is dead by his own hand and there was nothing he could do. He was a failure. Luna and Celestia looked at the door. There were screams and laughing right outside. The both tried their best to keep quiet. The sounds stopped apart from the giggling, and they could hear hooves approach the door. They stopped just inches from the door. The two sisters stayed silent, Luna clamping her hooves over her mouth. The hoof steps retreat and begin to walk away. Celestia closes her yes in relief. Luna accidently lets out a loud sob. The hoof steps stop. The giggles turn into a loud laugh. The door bursts open and Taz is standing there, a maniacal grin on his face and eyes full of insanity. "Hello, grumpy guts!" he giggles and jumps forward. Celestia and Luna jump to the side as the sword slashes into the ground where they just were. Luna is crying hard again and jumping behind the bed. Celestia is trying to get a clear shot at her uncle, but he just chases after her, slashing at the mare continuously. He's laughing his head off as he tries to kill his niece. Luna is watching it all, terrified. She doesn't know what to do. She doesn't have the heart to kill her uncle and she can't do anything else but sit and cry. She doesn't want either of them to die, but what other outcome is there? Finally, Celestia is trapped in a corner. Taz is giggling. "Let's put a smile on that face, shall we?" He asks with a smile of his own. He then swings, and Celestia just manages to duck. Taz swing again, low this time, and Celestia jumps over it. Finally, he draws his dagger and throws it at Celestia. She dodges it, but as she's momentarily distracted, Taz uses the opportunity to swing his sword. Luna gasps and Celestia's eyes go wide. Taz just giggles. Celestia raises a hoof to her neck and feels a small separation there. She looks at Taz, her head unmoving. A single tear rolls down her cheek and her head falls from her neck. Her body collapses and Luna screams, rushing to her sister. Taz swings down at her and Luna gets cut in half. As she's dying, she looks up at her uncle, staring into those insane eyes. She coughs up blood. "I'm so sorry," She croaks. Her eyes flutter closed and she collapses onto her sister. Taz just laughs hysterically and rolls in their blood. Inside, he's crying hard. His anger is beginning to boil. He makes his decision. He attacks the Jester inside, screaming and trying to gain just a few second of control over his own body. He gives one last push and he breaks through! He wastes no time. On the outside, Taz unsheathes his dagger and stabs it into his own throat. He draws and knife, hilt deep, across his throat, opening a huge gash. He collapses onto his nieces, his own blood mingling with theirs. His mane changes colour and becomes its usual black and red, and it collapses from the jester hat it was and flops in the blood. Epilogue - ResurrectionEpilogue Resurrection Everypony in Equestria came to the funeral. Celestia was in a white casket with a picture of the sun on it. She was gently lowered into the six-hoof deep pit by six unicorns. Twilight Sparkle was crying, as was Spike, Rarity, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie. Next, Shining Armour was lowered into a separate pit. He was in another white casket, this one with a shield on it. Inside the box, he was wearing his armour and had his weapon and shield beside him. Twilight broke down as he was lowered, wailing as Applejack comforted her. Princess Cadance was also crying, standing next to Twilight and dabbing her eyes with a tissue. That funeral was held during the day. At night, everypony made their way back to the cemetery and watched as a black casket with a picture of a moon was lowered next to Celestia. Darklight took his helmet off and held it over his heart. Twilight and the others also cried, but not as hard as for Celestia. They hadn't known the princess of the night all too well. They had only met her during that nightmare night and at the end of Shining Armour and Cadance's wedding. As she remembers that, Twilight bursts out crying again. It was so hard to accept her BBBFF's demise, and also that of her teacher. If only she had been there. Princess Cadance took on responsibility for the sun and moon and tried her best to follow in the sisters' hoofsteps. Twilight helped when she could and the seven friends cried very often in the following months. Life in Equestria would never be the same again. And what of Taz? What of the Jester who had killed himself? His body was discarded, thrown in a ditch and left to rot. He had killed the two rulers of this wonderful land along with many innocent ponies. he deserved no burial. As the flies began to land and the scavengers began to feast, a pony fended them off. The pony was hooded and as big as the scarred, black alicorn. The pony lifted Taz onto its back and carried him a long way, all the way to a cottage in the Everfree Forest. The pony put Taz on a table and began to chant in the language of the north. As the pony chanted, the gash across Taz's throat began to seal itself slowly. In addition, Celestia's head began to reattach to its body, Luna's body began to stitch itself together and Shining Armour's insides began to grow again. The pony in the cottage began to chant louder and louder, until He finished with one last screamed word, then collapsed. As he collapsed, Taz, Celestia, Luna and Shining Armour gasped, their eyes opening. Celestia, Luna and Shining armour used their magic to teleport themselves outside their graves, gasping for air. Taz, on the other hand, kneeled down next to the pony who was now unconscious. Taz turned the pony around and lowered the hood. His eyes widened when he saw who it was. He instantly stood again and backed into the wall, terrified. That pony... no, iot was impossible. It couldn't be! The pony was Taz's brother. Lightning Strike.
PrologueA Jester Hat Prologue It had been 50 years since Taz Darkstripe had died and come back to life, with his 2 nieces as well. All that time he'd stayed in Canterlot, visiting Luna on occasion but mostly spending time with Celestia. Taz knew that Luna liked to be alone, so he respected her preferences. But, every once in a while, she would send a letter asking for company. Taz was always happy to oblige and would leave immediately. Whenever he visited Luna in her castle, they would just sit together and talk. Luna would tell him how she'd been, and Taz would tell her how he and Celestia had been. Taz always enjoyed those visits. Although he never admitted it, Luna had always been his favourite. Even though she'd become evil once, Taz still loved her with half his heart, and loved Celestia with the other half. But Luna was closest to him. When she was still a filly, she would have nightmares, and Taz would listen to her and hold her when she described them. They were always close, and Taz had been very upset when she'd been banished to the moon. And when she'd died just 50 years ago... Now, Taz was flying back to Canterlot. He'd been keeping Luna company for a few days, and they'd had a great time. Luna had been having nightmares again, so taz had done what he always did; listened to her and held her when she cried. Luna cried a lot, but Taz never held that against her. She was a sweet girl and he knew it. They both were and Taz loved them both equally. As he landed in Canterlot, he made his way back up to the castle. He saw that Shining Armour was on duty and gave him a mock salute. He smirked at me and saluted back. When they had first met, Taz Darkstripe and Shining Armour had not gotten along. Shining had actually hated Taz. But, over the years, Shining Armour began to warm to the big, scarred alicorn, and the two had become great friends as of late. Taz walked past his friend and into the castle where more guards waved to him. He waved back, smiling at each of them. They knew who he was, and they knew that he hated royal attention. Taz made his way up the stairs and went to his older nieces room. He knocked lightly. "Who is it?" Celestia called. "Your uncle," Taz replied. The door opened and Celestia hugged her uncle. "I've missed you," She says. Taz laughs as he always did when he came back from Luna's. "Why, it's only been a few days," "I know, but you're the only family I have left besides Luna, and she only ever comes to Canterlot when I'm asleep," Celestia walks over to her cushion in front of the fireplace and sits down. "I've never forgotten what it's like to die," She whispers. Taz walks over and sits beside her, holding her close. "I know, darling," he says. "I know." Celestia looks up at him. She strokes the scar across his neck where he cut his own throat. "You have a lot of heart, uncle," She says. "Any other pony would never have killed themselves for a kingdom." "Well, other ponies aren't me," He replied. He smiled at Celestia. "And none will ever take you or Luny away from me." Taz kisses Celestia's forehead. She smiles and they sit like that for a long time, talking and looking into the fire. That night, Taz has another nightmare. This time, he's wearing a jester hat, and he's standing over Celestia, who's crying. He's laughing, and he falls on her, ripping her throat out with his bare teeth. As the blood enters his mouth, he laughs some more and begins to gut Celestia, driving his dagger into her stomach and ripping her insides out. As her liver comes into contact with his mouth, Taz wakes up screaming, dagger drawn and looking around frantically. He's in his chambers in Canterlot. he sighs with relief and falls back onto the pillows, rubbing his eyes. Eventually he realises he's not getting back to sleep, so he goes to his bathroom and splashes cold water on his face. When he looks in the mirror, his eyes widen and he steps backwards against the opposite wall. His mane... it looks like a jester hat. How the hell did it get like that? His mane was almost always the same style, spiked and facing backwards. Never had it come into this style before. He quickly got his hooves wet and flattened it back until it was smooth. He breathed heavily. He thought he'd killed all the Jesters... no, no he couldn't think like that. He had killed them all. they'd all died when he killed himself, eliminating the original. Taz shook his head and went over to his dresser. he didn't use it, but he liked to just sit and think at it. Now, he sat at it and took a picture out of a drawer. The picture was one he'd had for a long time, ever since the day before his brother, Lightning, and sister-in-law, Lucy, had been brutally killed. The picture was very faded, but Taz never threw it away. It was of Taz, Lightning and Lucy with two fillies who would grow up to become Taz's nieces today. They are all smiling, even Luna who was only 6 days old at the time. Taz had fewer scars back then, and his mane was more vibrant in colour. Celestia was very small and had just learned to walk, and Luna was still on her plot, but smiling at the camera. Lightning had his arm around Lucy, and she was resting her head against his shoulder. Taz was just standing with a big smile on his face. A tear splattered on the picture as Taz remembered that day. Back then he thought the 5 of them would be together forever, but his brother and sister had been snatched away. 50 years ago, he had a chance to spend forever with them again, but had turned them down. Why? Taz was still looking for an answer. He stared at the picture for a long time. Suddenly there was a knock at the door. He quickly put the picture back into the drawer and walks over to the door. He opens it a crack to see Celestia outside. Taz opens the door fully and invites her in. Celestia walks in and places something on the bed. It's a box, black in colour, and has a red ribbon on it. "What's this?" Taz asks. "Happy birthday, uncle," Celestia says, kissing Taz on the cheek. Taz smiles. He'd completely forgotten his birthday was today! He opens the box, and inside is a metal ore. It's a bright green in colour, and shimmers to blue when he moves it around in his hooves. "What is this?" He asks, shocked at this. His nieces knew he loved to make weapons and armour, but he'd never seen n ore quite like this. "My guards found it on a scouting mission," Celestia explains. "I thought you would like it, seeing as you spend so much time in the forge." Taz looks at Celestia and smiles. "I can't wait to make it into something special," He says. He hugs Celestia. Suddenly, somepony else knocks on the door. "Come in!" Taz calls, and Luna walks in shyly. "Happy birthday, uncle!" She says and jumps on me. I laugh and hug her. She gives me a small box wrapped in dark blue paper. "I thought I'd get you a little something," She says. "Oh, Luny," Taz says, ruffling her mane lightly. He opens the box and inside is a dagger. The hilt is made of moonstone, and the blade is forged from a black metal that could only be Chimera Steel. "Thank you," He said, and hugged Luna tight. "It's enchanted with endurance," Luna says. "It will last you at least 1,000 years," Taz looks at both Luna and Celestia. Suddenly, Celestia looks at Taz's mane, and her eyes widen. Her mouth quivers and tears come to her eyes. Taz looks at Luna, and she's slowly backing away. Taz frowns and feels his mane. It's spiky. He goes to the bathroom mirror and looks at his reflection. The jester hat is back.
Chapter 1 - the Temple of InsanityChapter 1 The Temple of Insanity Taz Darkstripe is wearing a hood while walking around Canterlot. He's never worn a hood before, and ponies are looking at him. He keeps his head low and feels ashamed. But he couldn't frighten them with his mane. He'd tried to flatten it so many times, yet it made no difference. Everypony knew about what happened 50 years ago, and he didn't want them to think they were under attack again. Shining Armour had held his sword to Taz's throat when he first saw the mane, but Taz had explained what had happened. Well, what he knew, at least. He still didn't understand it. All the Jesters were dead, how the buck did this happen? Taz continues to walk along, coming to the Lunar Cafe. This place had just recently opened and Taz had been in it a few times. He walks in and sits at a table, looking out at all the happy ponies in the sunshine. A filly is jumping and laughing with who Taz guessed was her older sister. He'd seen them both the first day he arrived in Canterlot. The younger one had cowered behind her sister as Taz walked past but he was known in the city now. He often played with the fillies and colts regularly, but today he was feeling really down. Brog Sceal, the owner of the cafe, walked up to him. "What's wrong?" He asked, sitting opposite Taz. "Nothing," Taz replied, forcing a smile. Brog gave him a look. "Don't lie to me," He says. Taz can't help but give a dry chuckle. Brog always knew when something was wrong with him. "Okay." Taz looks around. The cafe is empty except for them, and he takes his hood down. His mane is still in the style of a jester hat. Brog gasps. Taz quickly puts his hood up again. "I don't know why it's like that. Nothing I do can change it for more than a few minutes." "Well, I think the hood was a good idea," Brog says. "You don't want to scare everypony after such peace. Have you tried shaving your mane off?" Taz nods. "It just grows back within a few minutes." He sighs. "I'd probably be best to get back to the castle. Celest will be wondering where I am." Taz puts a few bits on the table and says goodbye to Brog. He walks back outside and heads to the castle, keeping his head low. That night, Taz has a nightmare. He's looking at his brother and laughing while he slits his throat. Lightning is also laughing and gurgling from the blood. When he dies, Taz turns to Lucy, and she screams as he drives the knife into her forehead and twists it, making a large hold through which he can see her brain. Taz then licks the brains that are dripping out and laughs in a high-pitched tone. finally, he turns to the princesses. They're tied together, and Taz giggles as he skins them both, keeping them alive with magic and taking their coats off until only the muscle is left. He then puts Luna's skin over Celestia, and vice versa. Once he does that, he takes their heads and pushes their horns into each other's skulls. He's laughing as he does this, and he can hear the jingle of bells on his head. He's rolling on the floor laughing. It's all he could do. Taz wakes up with dagger in hand, sitting bolt upright and breathing heavily, sweat covering his brow. He gulps and steadies his breathing. It was just a nightmare, nothing more. He walks to the bathroom and splashes cold water on his face again. The night mares were getting worse every night. He'd tried everything possible to prevent dreams but nothing worked. Taz wiped his face dry on a towel and looked at the mirror. His mane was now yellow and blue. He dropped the towel and his mouth fell open. When the buck did this happen? Did Celestia do this? No, she wouldn't. She could barely look at him with his mane in this style, and he didn't blame her. Those Jesters had killed her and Luna, after all. Looking at his own reflection, Taz thought it looked funny. A smile crept onto his face, and he began to giggle. He stopped almost immediately. That wasn't his laugh. It was high-pitched, and... it had a hint of insanity in it. Taz's eyes widened. Was he... He tried desperately to flatten his mane, but it didn't go down. And... it felt like fabric. "No, no, no, no..." Taz muttered. He went back to the bedroom and paced frantically. While he did, small bursts of laughter escaped his lips from time to time. These must have awakened Celestia, and she knocked on his door. "Are you okay uncle?" She asked through the door. "Yeah, I'm- heehee- fine, I'm just- haha..." Taz hits himself in the head. "Please don't come in," Taz erupts in a high-pitched laughter. "Are you sure?" Celestia's voice sound concerned. Taz knows she's going to end up coming in, so he grabs a quill and writes a quick note on a piece of parchment. He leaves it on the bed, giggling as he does so. He then opens the window and takes flight, flying for as long as possible. He loves his nieces, but he doesn't want to hurt them. He knows what's happening. After a long time his wings begin getting tired and he lands in a snowy land. He looks around and sees something in the distance. He makes his way towards it, fighting against the blizzard and laughing all the way. When he gets to the thing, he looks up. It's a temple made out of ice. He laughs and sees figures walking down the steps. They're wearing hats... jester hats. As they get closer, Taz sees they're not hats. it's their manes. His heart drops when he realises what's happening. These are the true Jesters. He's turned into a Jester.
Chapter 2 - A Damaged MindChapter 2 The Damaged Mind A mare is crawling away from him, tears streaming down her face as she attempts to cover her child. The filly is giggling with the stallion who is advancing. The stallion raises his weapon and cuts the mare's final, pleading scream short. The filly laughs as it's drenched in the blood of its own mother, but that sound is also soon cut short. Taz Darkstripe laughs hard when he kills the defenseless foal. Inside, he knows that this is wrong, and is desperately trying to fight the insanity that is a Jester. He's been fighting this battle for weeks now, all to no avail. He has killed so many innocents, so many children... and he laughs at their screams and tears. he doesn't deserve to live. He should have stayed with his brother in limbo instead of putting everypony in danger. But it's too late for that now. Taz continues to kill ponies left, right and centre. Finally, all the ponies are dead. Taz takes flight and flies back to the temple, giggling at the blood splattered all over him. When he arrives at the temple, an elderly Jester is waiting for him. He's also giggling, flopping another Jester's bells. When he sees Taz he laughs harder. Taz giggles in reply, a broad smile creeping onto his face. When the elderly Jester reaches him, they both fall down and roll on the floor, laughing. "A...a... f-feast... I... is... p.. prepared..." The elderly pony says between laughs. We both laughs for a long time but finally they get up and walk into the temple, giggling. They go to the mess hall where there are long tables laden with pony meat. Everypony is eating and laughing. Taz attacks the leg of a pony. Inside, he tries to stop himself. He knows this isn't right but the disturbing thing is... it tastes so good. Taz is almost tempted to give up the fight and let the Jester consume him. But whenever he starts thinking like that, he instantly thinks of his nieces. That thought alone gives him the strength to keep fighting. His nieces needed him, as did Equestria, and he was not going to give in to some insane, cannibalistic pony who laughs all the time. A long way away, in Equestria, Celestia is crying. She'd heard of her uncle going on a killing spree, laughing while he murdered innocent ponies. How had he succumbed to the insanity? Taz had the strongest will Celestia had seen in a pony. And his love for his nieces was unquestionable. Celestia looked at her fireplace. She used to look into it with her uncle. They would discuss the day and Taz would comfort her if she felt sad or alone. Without wanting to, Celestia thinks back to her foalhood and the times she shared with her uncle and Luna. Such good times... peaceful times. Then the first time she lowered the sun, and Luna raised the moon. Tears filled her eyes as she remembered that night. Taz had been so shocked that they'd done that as fillies, no less. Ever since then, he'd supported them as they became royalty and given them advice whenever they asked for it. Celestia broke down into sobbing again. He had denied an eternity with the ponies he loved most just to live with her and Luna again. "Uncle, I'm so sorry..." Celestia whispered. She continued to sob. In the Lunar castle, Luna is also crying. She missed her uncle so much. He would have come here by now to keep her company, hear her stories, laugh at them or cry with her. He always knew what to say to make her feel better. Now, though... he was killing innocent mares, fillies and colts, and laughing at it! He had such a strong mind, how could he succumb to the freaks that had killed her? Luna shook her head before she turned to hate. He had denied the chance to be with the ones he loved forever just for Celestia and Luna. He loved them with all his heart and nothing would change that. Luna looked up at the sky, remembering the first time she raised the moon. So long ago, yet Taz had been so proud of her. He had helped herself and Celestia as they became princesses, and although he had to go back to the northern lands, he always returned to check up on them. He never left them for more than a hundred years. And he always wrote letters, telling them about the outcomes of wars and what is going on in their birthland. Luna and Celestia would send letters back, telling them what had happened in Equestria. Luna always looked forward to the letters from her uncle and had kept every one she had received over the years, as had Celestia. Luna looks up at the moon she had raised not an hour ago. "Stay strong, uncle..." She whispers. Tears continued to run down her face.
Chapter 3 - A MeetingChapter 3 A Meeting Taz is sleeping, giggling softly as he dreams. He isn't really dreaming. He's having a nightmare. He sees the mare he killed just a few days ago, and she's crying and pleading again. Taz just cuts her down, laughing at her scream which was cut short. He then kills the filly she was trying so desperately to protect, who's laughing while its mothers blood is splattered on him. As the foal dies, the scene shifts, and Taz has to watch the whole thing over and over again. This repeats so many times, and Taz is frantically battering against the invisible barrier that is stopping him from saving the mare and the filly. He screaming in his sleep, but it comes out as laughter in real life. Finally he wakes up. He begins laughing hard, the taste of meat still on his tongue. He gets up and walks to his toy box, where he takes out a weapon he had not used in decades. The dark red metal was still so reflective and it's edge had not faded away. The scythe blade of it still had that oh-so-sharp edge to it, as did the axe blade. Holding this weapon in his hooves, Taz's laughter seems to die down slightly. A shimmer of black runs across the blades. Taz puts the scyxe back in his toy box and laughs again. Inside, he's crying. Celestia and Luna probably hate him by now. His brother and sister-in-law definitely hate him. Everypony will despise him now. He should just give up. Everypony hates him, so what does he have to live for? It would be so easy to end it a second time, to bring an end to the insanity. He's holding the dagger he always carries, the hilt in the design of his own mane. A jester hat. The blade is painted blue and yellow, caked in blood. Taz chuckles when he remembers the mare and the filly. They should have been smiling. Those who don't smile must die. that is the way of the Jester. Celestia and Luna are at the head of a long table. At the table are also Shining Armour, Celestia's guard captain, Darklight, Luna's guard captain, Doctor Whooves, who is a great friend of Taz's, and many others ranging from friends of the scarred stallion to military commanders who had fought alongside him. "I trust you've all heard the new about our great friend and my uncle," Celestia asks. Her voice is filled with sorrow. Everypony around the table nods solemnly. "I know for a fact that he is not doing this willingly," Celestia continues. "Your grace, I completely agree with you," A military commander speaks up. "I have fought alongside that stallion in many wars, and he has got one of the strongest wills I have ever seen. The amount of physical and mental torture he endured during the Great Pony War would have made any other snap." "I know I haven't known him nearly as long as many of you," Shining Armour says. "But when I first met him, I mistrusted him. He showed me what kind of stallion he is, and I know he holds more honour, respect and love than many of us here." He sits. The rest of them nod in agreement. "I have called you all here today because I know you all hold strong connections to my uncle," Celestia says. "You are either friends or trusted comrades. I want you to find my uncle and bring him here. If he dies so will you." "I will make sure nopony kills him," Darklight says. He was usually a quiet guy, and hated Celestia. But Luna wanted him to be here, so against his wishes he joined her in this meeting. He had spoken to Taz and they seemed to have a lot in common. They often exchanged war stories over a glass of whiskey when they got the chance. Personally, he thought Taz was a great soldier and he blamed Celestia for his insanity. But, then again, he blamed Celestia for anything bad that happened. It took all his self control not to kill her right now. Celestia nodded. She knew he hated her, but she didn't let that faze her. "Then it's settled. You all shall search for my uncle but under no circumstances will you kill him. Unless there is no other choice." Celestia closes her eyes and tries hard not to cry while saying that last sentence. "Meeting adjourned." Everypony files out, Darklight and Shining Armour glaring at each other as they exit. Once they're all gone, Celestia breaks down. She falls to her knees and cries, Luna accompanying her. "H-how could he... he..." Luna begins, but can't finish. She buries her head in Celestia's shoulder, and she does the same. The two royal alicorns stay like that for a long time, not even bothering to raise the sun or moon. Taz is getting ready to kill some grumpy ponies again. These ones are a long way from the temple and he's prepared his joke book and toy box for the trip. He laughs as he flies south over the ocean. He's carrying his scyxe this time but probably won't use it. It was too serious of a weapon. He flew close to the clear water and giggled at the fish. After a while he snatched one out of the water. He was hungry so he quickly devoured the still live fish. He grabbed a few more and ate them, too. If only there was hot sauce to go with them. Oh, well, normal fish would do. Taz then dunked his head into the water and emerged moments later, mane soaking and laughing. He looks up and sees land. He quickens his pace, excited to kill some more grump. When he lands, he rests for a while. He catches a small ferret and eats it alive, too. Ferret was so tasty, it almost rivalled pony flesh. Almost. But pony meat had a subtle sweetness to it. He reads through his joke book for a while, laughing and rolling around at the hilarious jokes that are in there. He finishes the book and wipes tears from his eyes. He takes flight again, still laughing a bit, and flies up to the mountain he was told to. As he turns the corner of it, he sees the city on the side. A sign is next to an archway in the wall surrounding it. Taz flies down and reads the sign with a huge grin on his face. *Welcome to Canterlot* Have a great day!
Chapter 4 - The EndChapter 4 The End Taz is shouting jokes up to the castle. The ponies in the city are all dead or are barricaded behind the walls of the castle. Taz is reading them jokes from his trusty joke book and is laughing at them himself while the grumpy guts soldiers look at him from above the wall. By the time he finishes the book, Taz is rolling on the ground, clutching his sides and laughing harder than ever before. He finally breathes deeply, still giggling, and looks up. "Okay, I'll come up!" He calls. He then spreads his wings and giggles as he cuts down the guards on the wall. Oh, boy, this was so much fun! He cut down guard after guard as they rushed at him. Taz just laughed the whole time, killing them and getting splattered in their blood. Inside, Taz is trying hard to stop it, but he can't. He's too weak. All he can do is sit and watch as he kills these innocent ponies while laughing all the time. He just hoped they managed to kill him before he reached his nieces. If he killed them himself, he would have to kill himself again. They may be princesses, but he still saw them as his own fillies, no matter how old they got. Celestia was pacing in her bedroom. Taz had attack Canterlot. Why? She'd sheltered as many citizens as she could, but countless others had been killed by the madman who was now slaughtering her guards. Tears were running down Celestia's face, and Luna was crying hard into a pillow. She knew the only way to stop their uncle now was to kill him. But what if they couldn't? What if Taz killed every single pony in Canterlot, and then Equestria? That made Luna cry harder. The same stallion who had comforted her for her whole life was now going to try and kill her. She couldn't believe it. Celestia sat beside her. "It's alright, sister," she said softly. "He will remember us. I know he will," "B-but, what if h-he d-d-doesn't?" Luna sobs. "Wh-what if he kills us?" Celestia flinches at that. "Now, come on, he loves us with all his heart. He raised us like we were his own foals and he protected us when we needed protecting. He will remember." Celestia reassured her, but inside, she was doubting herself. What if Luna was right? What if Taz did forget? He was inside the castle now. He was covered in blood and was licking it off himself as he killed some more. The ponies just kept coming. Boy, it would be a feast after this! Taz laughed at the thought and cut down another pony. Shining Armour was at the end of the hall. He saw his best friend killing innocent ponies with an insane laugh and small eyes. He could do this. He knew Taz wouldn't want to live like this. Shining Armour readied his sword and prepared to fight his best friend to the death. He knew he didn't stand a chance, but he had to try. And maybe... just maybe... the insanity had hindered his fighting skill just enough to Shining Armour to defeat him. He didn't hold on to that hope, though, as Taz looked as skilled as ever against all the other guards, solar and lunar alike. Shining Armour said his prayers, said good bye and prepared to die. Celestia was kneeling by her fire. In it, she saw all the good time she, Luna and their uncle had shared. All the play times, lessons on honour and being a good ruler, raising the sun and moon. Tears rolled down her cheek as she remembers all those times, and how they could all disappear with a swing of a blade and a break of skin. She kept these thoughts to herself, though. She didn't want to frighten her younger sister who was terrified enough as it was. Luna continued to cry. She had buried her face in a pillow as she heard and laughter and screams draw closer. They were still a long way off, but they were slowly making their way closer. This was only the second time in her life that Luna didn't want to see her uncle. The first was when he had told them both about their real parents deaths. He had kept it a secret for 1 hundred years before telling them. They had hated him for a few weeks after that, but they had slowly come to understand then had not wanted to hurt them. Luna didn't like thinking of that time. She liked to think of the good time they shared. Thinking about all the good memories made her feel a bit better, but them the ponies began screaming again, and it was a lot closer this time. Shining Armour was face to face with Taz. "Taz, please, don't do this!" He pleads. Taz just laughs and attacks. Shining Armour dodges - just - and lands a cut across Taz's flank. He jumps back as Taz's weapon swings at him. "Taz! Stop this!" He knows it's pointless, but he doesn't want to kill his best friend. He attacks again. He instantly realises it's a bad decision. As he gets within range and swings, Taz ducks, unsheathes his dagger and stabs Shining Armour in the bottom of the stomach. Shining Armour chokes a bit and his eyes go wide. Taz then cuts a huge gash in his stomach, giggling as the insides spill onto the floor. Shining Armour falls to the ground, lifeless. Taz laughs and dunks his mane in the blood. He laughs as the blood runs down his face. He turn and sees all the now hopeless guards. He whoops cheerfully and lays into them, cutting them down easily. Inside, Taz has given up. His best friend is dead by his own hand and there was nothing he could do. He was a failure. Luna and Celestia looked at the door. There were screams and laughing right outside. The both tried their best to keep quiet. The sounds stopped apart from the giggling, and they could hear hooves approach the door. They stopped just inches from the door. The two sisters stayed silent, Luna clamping her hooves over her mouth. The hoof steps retreat and begin to walk away. Celestia closes her yes in relief. Luna accidently lets out a loud sob. The hoof steps stop. The giggles turn into a loud laugh. The door bursts open and Taz is standing there, a maniacal grin on his face and eyes full of insanity. "Hello, grumpy guts!" he giggles and jumps forward. Celestia and Luna jump to the side as the sword slashes into the ground where they just were. Luna is crying hard again and jumping behind the bed. Celestia is trying to get a clear shot at her uncle, but he just chases after her, slashing at the mare continuously. He's laughing his head off as he tries to kill his niece. Luna is watching it all, terrified. She doesn't know what to do. She doesn't have the heart to kill her uncle and she can't do anything else but sit and cry. She doesn't want either of them to die, but what other outcome is there? Finally, Celestia is trapped in a corner. Taz is giggling. "Let's put a smile on that face, shall we?" He asks with a smile of his own. He then swings, and Celestia just manages to duck. Taz swing again, low this time, and Celestia jumps over it. Finally, he draws his dagger and throws it at Celestia. She dodges it, but as she's momentarily distracted, Taz uses the opportunity to swing his sword. Luna gasps and Celestia's eyes go wide. Taz just giggles. Celestia raises a hoof to her neck and feels a small separation there. She looks at Taz, her head unmoving. A single tear rolls down her cheek and her head falls from her neck. Her body collapses and Luna screams, rushing to her sister. Taz swings down at her and Luna gets cut in half. As she's dying, she looks up at her uncle, staring into those insane eyes. She coughs up blood. "I'm so sorry," She croaks. Her eyes flutter closed and she collapses onto her sister. Taz just laughs hysterically and rolls in their blood. Inside, he's crying hard. His anger is beginning to boil. He makes his decision. He attacks the Jester inside, screaming and trying to gain just a few second of control over his own body. He gives one last push and he breaks through! He wastes no time. On the outside, Taz unsheathes his dagger and stabs it into his own throat. He draws and knife, hilt deep, across his throat, opening a huge gash. He collapses onto his nieces, his own blood mingling with theirs. His mane changes colour and becomes its usual black and red, and it collapses from the jester hat it was and flops in the blood.
Epilogue - ResurrectionEpilogue Resurrection Everypony in Equestria came to the funeral. Celestia was in a white casket with a picture of the sun on it. She was gently lowered into the six-hoof deep pit by six unicorns. Twilight Sparkle was crying, as was Spike, Rarity, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie. Next, Shining Armour was lowered into a separate pit. He was in another white casket, this one with a shield on it. Inside the box, he was wearing his armour and had his weapon and shield beside him. Twilight broke down as he was lowered, wailing as Applejack comforted her. Princess Cadance was also crying, standing next to Twilight and dabbing her eyes with a tissue. That funeral was held during the day. At night, everypony made their way back to the cemetery and watched as a black casket with a picture of a moon was lowered next to Celestia. Darklight took his helmet off and held it over his heart. Twilight and the others also cried, but not as hard as for Celestia. They hadn't known the princess of the night all too well. They had only met her during that nightmare night and at the end of Shining Armour and Cadance's wedding. As she remembers that, Twilight bursts out crying again. It was so hard to accept her BBBFF's demise, and also that of her teacher. If only she had been there. Princess Cadance took on responsibility for the sun and moon and tried her best to follow in the sisters' hoofsteps. Twilight helped when she could and the seven friends cried very often in the following months. Life in Equestria would never be the same again. And what of Taz? What of the Jester who had killed himself? His body was discarded, thrown in a ditch and left to rot. He had killed the two rulers of this wonderful land along with many innocent ponies. he deserved no burial. As the flies began to land and the scavengers began to feast, a pony fended them off. The pony was hooded and as big as the scarred, black alicorn. The pony lifted Taz onto its back and carried him a long way, all the way to a cottage in the Everfree Forest. The pony put Taz on a table and began to chant in the language of the north. As the pony chanted, the gash across Taz's throat began to seal itself slowly. In addition, Celestia's head began to reattach to its body, Luna's body began to stitch itself together and Shining Armour's insides began to grow again. The pony in the cottage began to chant louder and louder, until He finished with one last screamed word, then collapsed. As he collapsed, Taz, Celestia, Luna and Shining Armour gasped, their eyes opening. Celestia, Luna and Shining armour used their magic to teleport themselves outside their graves, gasping for air. Taz, on the other hand, kneeled down next to the pony who was now unconscious. Taz turned the pony around and lowered the hood. His eyes widened when he saw who it was. He instantly stood again and backed into the wall, terrified. That pony... no, iot was impossible. It couldn't be! The pony was Taz's brother. Lightning Strike.
