Chapter 1: Isaac Grossman

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Quick A/N: This part of the story will be covering half of the canon version of Laughing Jack's origins, but from Laughing Jack's point of view and a few extra sprinkles to add in there. Keep going.😁

Laughing Jack — his official name now — has fallen asleep in the box on his way to Isaac's house at some point. He slowly opened his eyes to find himself in cramped space.
"How...?" the new colourful clown muttered tiredly.
When he was more awake, Laughing Jack finally remembered what happened. The farm, his grandparents, Jason. He thought the whole thing was a dream.
It wasn't. It was as real as those rainbow patterns in the small box interior. Other than that, there is nothing else inside the interior; not even like a window or pothole window to even peek out where he even is. He can't even tell if it's day or night.
To test that out, Laughing Jack used his glitter magic. Not a lot, but a little; just to confirm himself. It was real.
Laughing Jack sighed sadly. He wanted to cry for his dead grandparents, but that magic within him isn't allowing him to.
'Might as well hope for the best right now.' the colourful clown man thought.
Laughing Jack shuddered when he felt the box being picked up. He put his hand on his heart and softly started to breathe until he calmed down.
'I suppose I don't blame myself for being on edge after...those events.' Laughing Jack thought again.
He was still trying to pull himself together even when he heard a voice; a voice that sounded like a scared little boy. "L-Laughing J-Jack in a b-box." the voice paused for a brief moment before he spoke again. "Laughing Jack in a Box?"
Laughing Jack realized something about this boy right then and there. This boy, probably Jason's relative Isaac, is just as scared and on edge as he is; or his past self?
Yeah, his past laibah self. He's a clown now. Clowns should NEVER be on edge.
Laughing Jack's face turned from fear to excitement as the crank on the outside of the box is moving to play that nursery song "Pop Goes the Weasel". Jack may have heard that song before, but since he was a toddler at the time; he most likely forgot. He had only remember one line, but forgot the rest. As the song came to its climax, the voice was singing along with the final verse. "Pop goes the weasel."
The box however didn't open.
The voice sighed. "It's broken."
'No no no!' Laughing Jack thought in dismay. 'Maybe there's something else I can do. Maybe I can contact Jason and—'
What if Laughing Jack used his magic to open the box the rest of the way?
It's worth a try. Although Laughing Jack had no idea what spell to cast.
What if he snapped his fingers like a magician?
Laughing Jack closed his eyes slowly; picturing himself cranking up the music box faster and popping out. He snapped his fingers. He wasn't sure if he felt any magic or not, but then he heard the music playing faster and the box was starting to shake.
'Wh-What's happening?' Laughing Jack thought worriedly.
The top of the box started to open. Immediately Laughing Jack's face went from worry to excitement. He gasped. He was going to get out.
The top of the box swung open and a parade of colourful smoke and confetti bellowed out as Laughing Jack pulled himself out of the box and landed on a bed from the feel of it. However it wasn't a soft bed. Laughing Jack shook off any thought of it and turned to the boy looking shocked at what he's seeing.
'Here comes the next part.' Laughing Jack thought. He opened spread his arms and announced like a ringmaster at a circus would; "Come one come all, whether big or small, to see the best clown of them all! The one, the only, Laughing Jack in a box!"
"Wh-Who are you?" he heard the boy ask with nervousness.
Laughing Jack stepped off the bed and kneeled down to the boy's level. "I'm glad you asked." he answered. "I am Laughing Jack; your new friend for life." He started counting the things about himself with his fingers. "I'm magical, I never get tired of playing, I'm a whiz at the accordion, and I adapt and develop with your own changing personality. In other words whatever you like, I like."
"W-We're friends?" the boy asked unsure.
Laughing Jack cocked and eyebrow. It may take more than the basics to convince him. "Friends? We're best friends!" Laughing Jack answered. "I was especially created to be your not-so-imaginary friend Isaac." He saw the boy's jaw drop.
'Did I get his name right?' Laughing Jack thought with suspense. 'I hope I got the right child. I'm sure that's why Jason sent me here in the first place.'
"You..." the boy paused before continuing his question; one that made Laughing Jack believe he was the right child to make happy. The one Jason told him about. "You know my name?"
Laughing Jack nodded; holding back too much of his excitement. "Of course I know your name. I know everything about you Isaac." the clown confirmed before clearing his throat. "So, now that introductions are out of the way; how would you like to play a game of 'I Spy'?"
Isaac grinned with excitement. "Really?" he asked. "We can play games? I'd love to!" He then paused and his smile faltered as he remembered something. "I can't. I have to go downstairs to see mother for homeschooling and chores."
Laughing Jack nodded. He knew in his past life what it was like working on chores. He did work on a farm with his grandparents before. He placed a reassuring hand on Isaac's shoulder. "It's okay. I'll be waiting right here for when you get back."
Isaac's smile returned as he looked at his new friend. Just then he heard his mother calling him from downstairs. "Well, I gotta go. I'll see you when I'm done, okay Jack?" he asked as he headed for the door.
Laughing Jack nodded. "Absolutely kiddo!" he exclaimed. He then remembered something. He should give Isaac some encouragement. "Oh, and Isaac?"
"Hm? Yeah?" Isaac asked as he looked back at the colourful clownman. "You should wear that smile more often. It suits you." That made Isaac smile happily as he turned and walked out the door; closing it on the way.
Laughing Jack sighed and sat on the floor. First impressions with Isaac went well as far as he could tell. He seems nervous to meet him though.
'Maybe he's never met a clown before.' Laughing Jack thought.
He figured that if the boy hadn't met a clown before because of his abusive mother and drunk father, that would make sense. It's usually a once in a lifetime to go to a circus. The problem is though tickets are expensive, and the Grossmans look like they're going through poverty.
"Well, I'll let Jason know how everything's going so far at least." Laughing Jack said to himself.

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