Title: The Joker and his Mask

Author: KohakoShadow

Disclaimer: I don't own anyone or anything of the Magnificent 7. They all live boringly ever after in the hands of their creator.

Warning: This deals with a character death. And this is also un-betaed, all mistakes are mine.

Author's Note: This emphasizes 'thoughts' and "speaking".

Chapter 1: Blood brothers for Life

It was a sunny day in the park, there wasn't a speck of clouds in the skies and the birds were singing the most beautiful symphony he had ever heard. Laying next to his little brother Buck Wilmington gazed up in the sky and never felt happier in his entire life. Glancing at the sleeping cherub he grinned affectionately on how the two of them became brothers.

After first sighting the child on the couch of their trailer 2 years ago Buck couldn't help but fall in love with the sweetest thing he had ever seen. After being told that the boy was going to be staying with them Buck became even happier, he always wanted a little brother. And when he was told to look out for him and to take care of Ezra while Momma was out, he immediately switched into Big Brother mode without realizing it.

4 year old Ezra liked the boy with the happy attitude and big smile. He always made little Ezra smile especially during the times he missed his mother. He was as nice as the pretty lady with the curly hair. He really liked this place his mother dumped him, it was better than the others and 'much much happier' thought Lil Ezra.

He felt sad that he was leaving their company after a week but soon thereafter Maude always dropped him off there. That made him happy for he always missed Bucky and his Momma after a long period of time.

And every time he left he was afraid that Buck wouldn't be his Big brother anymore and find someone else who would always be there. Someone smarter and cooler and better than Ezra. But Buck reassured his mind after his sixth birthday.

After the party dwindled down and they had to go to bed, Buck took a needle and pricked both of their forefingers; by pressing it against each other they mingled their blood together. And so Buck and Ezra sealed their fate as becoming Blood brothers for life.

Getting back to the present 10 year old Buck shook his head at the memory and although happy that they were now real brothers he felt saddened by the reason.

Two weeks ago the private plane Ezra's mother was travelling on crashed down somewhere in the Alps. After a rescue team searched the remains it became official, Ezra's mom and the rest of the crew didn't survive the crash.



Not wanting to let Ezra be shipped off to some orphanage the Wilmington's agreed to take 6 year old Ezra P. Standish in. Knowing that the dubious profession of Mrs. Wilmington was going to be held in question, they both were determined to fight for Ezra as long as they could. But apparently Maude Standish had thought ahead in case of something happening to her, and thus had her will re-written. Stating that in case of her death, Ezra P. Standish care would be transferred to Arianna Wilmington and her son Buckling 'Buck' Wilmington.

Arianna was shocked at finding out this fact, but after being handed an enclosed letter from Maude's lawyer it gave the answer to her question and a better understanding of the mysterious Maude Standish.

Little Ezra was brave during the small funeral. He put up a front in front of the onlookers but within the walls of their trailer he let go of all his tears that he wouldn't let fall after finding out about his mother's death.

Ezra was inconsolable, for although his mother treated him cold he knew that in her own way Maude loved him. His heart pained him every time he thought about his mother but Buck and his Momma somehow eased his pain.

And during a sunny day in Crystal Lake Park in Las Vegas he let go of his pain and sorrow and rejoiced in the company of his new family. Feeling loved and comforted he didn't want anything to change, for everything was finally going right in his world.

He never knew that in just a couple of days his happy and perfect world would crumble right before his very eyes.

To be continued in Chapter 2 of The Joker and his Mask

Author's note: First chapter is up. I don't know if Buck's mother was ever mentioned so I just decided to name her myself. Her name is Greek which means "Very holy one" considering Buck's mother was a saint in his eyes.

And I know that this is a new story, but I just have this entire plot in my mind and it's not letting go of me.