MLP: FiM - The Talent Tournament - Chapter 5

Chapter 5: The One with the Reunions and Planning


“Good evening, Princess Twilight. Private Soldier: Flash Sentry, at your service and reporting for duty,” he said to the Princess of Friendship with a neighborly smile and salute at her.

“Flash Sentry?! Oh my gosh, it's so good to see you again!” Twilight said excitedly, as she suddenly gave her supposed favorite soldier stallion a big hug, much to the rookie soldier’s surprise.
Flash was a little flustered as he said, “Uh… Nice to see you again too, Princess Twilight. <:///) ”

Twilight’s Mane Seven friends all giggled as Starlight Glimmer said, “WOW, Twilight… you never told me you that have a boyfriend. ”

Twilight blushed as she quickly let go of Flash Sentry and then said, “OH, uh, well, Flash is NOT my boyfriend. I mean, he IS a very great guy and all, but I don’t see him as a boyfriend. I mean, NOT that I’m not interested in him- I mean, NOT that I’m crushing on him or anything! I mean, NOT saying that he isn’t worthy of having a crush on or, uh… what were we talking about again? ”

Starlight, Moon Dancer, Trixie, Arrow Swift, and Shadow Shinobi all looked at Twilight a little dumbfounded and confused, while Spike and Twilight’s other Mane Seven friends simply looked at her with sly smirks on their faces; Applejack was doing so as she then raised up her left trademarked eyebrow.

Flash really didn’t know exactly WHAT Twilight was trying to say, as he then cleared his throat and said, “O-kay… I was sent here on the Crystal Empire’s behalf to take part in the Talent Tournament, but I understand that there’s something else about it… Something that all three Princesses and Prince Shining Armor themselves all said that only YOU could tell me, Princess Twilight. What is it exactly? ”

Twilight sighed and said grimly, “The Talent Tournament… it started out as a great idea, but now it’s become a nightmare that’s barely even begun at all…”

Twilight and all of her friends then took the liberty of explaining to Flash Sentry the ENTIRE situation regarding the Talent Tournament and their newest, villainous foe named Dark Mind.

After everything was explained to Flash Sentry, he said, “I see… So, we’re dealing with a foe from Tartarus itself for the first time in a long while, huh?”

“I’m afraid so,” said Princess Twilight, “But now that YOU are here, Flash, not to mention that like Arrow Swift and Shadow here YOU have an enchanted item that can help stop the dark magical forces of this Tartarusian menace… we can put an end to Dark Mind’s evil once and for all.”

“Sounds good to me ” said Flash, as he held in his front hooves his trusty weapon of choice: the Sacred Sword of Unity known as “Unidas”. ***


*** To learn more about this magic sword, check out my MLP story, “The Memory Thief” in my gallery.


Flash then said, “So, I know Arrow Swift has his magic emerald bow, Artemis, but what do YOU have that can magically stop dark forces, Shadow Shinobi?”

Shadow pointed to the red-and-purple scarf around his neck, “None of you heard this from me, but… this scarf I wear around my neck has a very interesting power and history behind it.”
Rarity then said, “I’m sure it does, darling, though honestly it looks a little… outdated.”

Rarity then held part of Shadow’s scarf and said, “If you want, I could try my fabulously fashionable magic to have it more pizzaz~ OH, maybe if we were to start by-”
Shadow interrupted her by yanking his scarf away from her, and then said to her a little intimidatingly, “Forgive me, Rarity-chan, BUT… I am only going to say this once… DO. NOT. TOUCH. THE SCARF.”

Rarity was a little taken back by as she said, “Uh… sorry?? ”
Arrow then said to Shadow, “Geez, dude, calm down. We get that scarf is special, but you don’t have to tell a lady to step off over it.”

Shadow sighed and said, “I am sincerely sorry for that, everypony, especially to you Rarity-chan. It’s just… this scarf… it used to belong to my mother… < : ( ”

Rainbow Dash wanted to make a joke about how the ninja dude was actually wearing his own mom’s scarf, BUT before she could make the joke, she quickly noticed that Shadow said that last thing he had said with a sad frown… and then Rainbow had an idea why that was as she asked Shadow, “USED TO…?? By that, do you mean…? ”

Shadow was hesitant to reply at first, but then he sighed again before responding, “…She… passed away nobly and peacefully. Her legacy will always be remembered and live on in Uma…”

Everyone in the room was quite surprised to hear this, but perfectly understood how Shadow was feeling right now.
“Oh, Shadow… I'm so sorry, darling… I promise not to touch your scarf again,” said Rarity, very sincerely.
Arrow Swift added, “Shadow, I’m sorry for your loss too, and I think I know how you feel… at least for the most part… because a few years back, my father passed away also. He was a good Pony, just like I’m sure your mother was as well.”

“Thank you… and sorry for your loss as well,” said Shadow.

“Ah know how y’all feel… Ah lost both of mah folks not long after mah lil' sis was born...” said Applejack, as she took off her trademark cowgirl hat out of respect.

“I’m sure they were good Ponies and parents, A.J.,” Twilight said to her gently.
“Thank ya, Twilight,” said Applejack, wiping away a tiny tear from her left eye.

Flash then said a little grimly, “Wow… we went from talking about how to take down an evil villain to talking about departed parents… How did THAT happen? < : ) ”
“I think it started when Rarity touched Shadow's scarf,” answered Pinkie Pie.
“Indeed,” said Rarity, “My bad, everypony. ”
Everyone simply chuckled it all off a little bit.

Trixie then stated, “So… now that we apparently have three stallions who can use magic items that supposedly can purge and purify dark magic of practically any kind, does that mean we have a chance against Dark Mind now?”

“It sure seems like it,” said Twilight, “But even so, we’ll still have to go along with Dark Mind’s instructions regarding the Talent Tournament… for now… and we still have to try to think of something for if and when Dark Mind decides to make his own move.”

“Sounds fairly legit enough…” said Arrow Swift.
“And simple enough,” Flash added.
“Agreed,” said Shadow Shinobi, “It will not be easy, though our chances of winning this twisted mind game of Dark Mind’s might have just raised up in our favor with the arrival of Flash Sentry and his magic sword.”

“Good,” said Moon Dancer, “Because our chances of survival are going to need all of the luck and help they can possibly get.”

“I still don't get why we have to wait… Can't we just go kick his butt now?” asked Rainbow Dash, “We got the… uh… you-know-whats that can help us win, so-”

Twilight interrupted by humorously getting up in Rainbow Dash’s face, “If we attack Dark Mind head-on and right out in public loudly WITHOUT even knowing where he is right now… Canterlot will have to change its name to ‘Dark Metropolis’… at least I’m assuming that’s what Dark Mind would call it, but that’s beside the point.”

“OH, yeah, right, sorry ” said Rainbow Dash, laying down on the couch and groaning, “I just hate waiting for so dang long…”
“We know…” said Princess Twilight, Spike, and the other Mane Seven girls all said at once.
Starlight Glimmer then said, “I’ve known Rainbow for a while now, but I have to ask all the same… Is she ALWAYS this impatient and headstrong?? Because if so, we might be in trouble…. Just saying.”
“Starlight, ya haven't seen her REALLY impatient and headstrong just yet,” answered Applejack.
“Ha ha, very funny…” Rainbow Dash said sarcastically.

“ANYWAY…” said Twilight, “All we can do now is move along forward while waiting for the perfect moment to strike.”

“That means we ALL have ta keep waitin', Rainbow…” said Applejack with a smug look on her face.
“Yeah, yeah, I get it already…” said Rainbow Dash, rolling her eyes and folding her arms.

Trixie then said, “I certainly hope we can stop Dark Mind… and I hope even more that we make them pay for what they did to me, that evil dirtbag…”
“Don't worry, Trixie, I’m sure you'll get a crack at said dirtbag,” said Princess Twilight.

Trixie smiled at her, but then she screamed out, “WAIT A SECOND!!!”

“What, what, what is it?! O.O; ” Flash asked Trixie, just before she got up in his face.
“How do we know that YOU, Flash Sentry, are NOT being controlled by Dark Mind at this very moment?! > : ( ” Trixie asked him very suspiciously.

Flash Sentry replied, “Because my Unidas Sword would’ve reacted to and picked up on Dark Mind’s active movement right then and there, AND I would’ve quickly sliced and diced him into black ribbons.”

“He makes a good point,” said Princess Twilight, “I’ve seen him use that Unity Sword in combat plenty of times before, and he is quick and skillful with it.”

“Alright…” said Trixie, “I guess Flash’s answer is legit if Princess Twilight can vouch for him… but I’ve still got my eyes on you… and also on your own eyes, Hon. ”

THAT made Flash blush and Twilight be not so amused by Trixie’s “charming nature”.

Flash cleared his throat as he said, “Uh, yes, well… anyway… there’s also one more thing, Princess Twilight, if I may speak it.”

“Of course, Flash,” Twilight nodded, “What is it?”
Flash answered, “Well, considering that you are now the only Princess in Canterlot taking care of things in the royal kingdom’s capitol city, you are required by law to have at least one more royal official help you out in this time of crisis. At least, that’s what both Princesses Celestia and Luna told me to tell you. I’m sure that Discord will most definitely help you and your friends as best as he can, but technically speaking… he is NOT a royal official.”

“Really??” Princess Twilight asked, “Well, what other royal officials are there in Canterlot besides me? ”
Flash replied sheepishly, “Sssss… Well… there IS one other Pony besides you who pretty much does fit the bill… I guess… but even so… ”



“~HELLOOOOOO, my dear little Ponies!” said a certain, snob-sounding, dark blonde-haired, white unicorn Prince of Equestria that Rarity herself was familiar with all too well, once every one of Twilight’s friends and teammates for the mission at hoof had gathered together at Canterlot Castle to discuss what was going to happen next.

Princess Twilight, Rarity, and Spike all said with quite surprised and slightly shocked looks on their faces, “PRINCE BLUEBLOOD?!?!”
“That’s my name, PLEASE don’t wear it out,” he replied, “It’s been quite a while, hasn’t it? ”

“Indeed it has, hasn’t it, girls?” Rarity asked her other Mane Seven friends, which of course kind of excluded Starlight Glimmer, but only because she never met Prince Blueblood before.

All of the other Mane Seven mares, however, simply looked at Prince Blueblood casually… though none of them were smiling or even frowning.

Then Fluttershy said, “Oh, uh… well… to be honest… ”
Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, and even Applejack then bopped their heads to their right as a huge red question mark floated above their heads while the three mares simply asked Prince Blueblood in unison, “…Do we know you? ”

THAT shocked Prince Blueblood in a hilariously anime-styled manner as he then sat in a nearby corner, facing towards it while he turned black and blue with supposed depression saying, “They don’t remember nor recognize me at all…? T^T ”

Blueblood then simply shook it off as he said, “Well, then again, it HAS been a while since you all last saw me at the Grand Galloping Gala. < : ) ”

Pinkie, Rainbow, and Applejack then said, “The Grand Galloping Gala?? ”
Blueblood replied, “Yes, ladies. In fact, if I remember correctly, it was the very first one you all went to together, was it not?”

The three mares in question recalled how THAT first Gala went for them… quite horribly, in fact… including Rarity’s supposed “Dream Date with the ‘Perfect’ Prince” and then Pinkie, Rainbow, A.J. and even Fluttershy herself all said with plain, unamused expressions on their faces, “Oh… you’re THAT guy…”

That shocked Prince Blueblood in a hilariously anime-styled manner ONCE AGAIN, as he then sat in the SAME nearby corner, facing towards it while he turned black and blue with supposed depression AGAIN saying, “What do you mean I’m THAT guy…?! T^T ”

“Yeah, we certainly remember YOU now, Pretty Boy,” Applejack said with a tiny scowl.
“Totally,” said Rainbow Dash, “No offense, Prince Blueblood, but you really sucked rotten eggs.”
Pinkie Pie agreed, “No kidding. In fact, it’s no wonder we forgot about you so easily.”

Prince Blueblood then fell into a deeper yet still hilariously anime-styled depression as he turned black, blue, and white with gloom saying, “My name might be ‘Blueblood’, but you are all certainly ‘cold-blooded’ right now… T^T ”

Flash then said, “WOW, this guy gets depressed too easily… He’s got some serious issues that need to be checked out, doesn’t he?”
Arrow Swift replied, “Sure looks like it.”
Shadow stated, “Indeed. Quite sad, really. ”

Spike then said with his arms crossed, “Yeah, well, even if he is a Prince of Equestria… he still kinda deserves the business we’re giving him. I mean, after rudely and selfishly treating Rarity like she was nothing but a two-bit servant during her first Gala ever, who WOULDN’T give Blueblood a piece of their mind?”

“Wow, the Prince was THAT bad to her? ” Trixie asked.
“Yep,” said Spike.
Trixie then said, “Hmm… On one hoof, he’s literally a real royal pain… on the other hoof, he’s really hot… I am completely torn between the two.”
Starlight and Moon Dancer then said to Trixie very plainly, “Are you seriously THAT shallow??”
Trixie replied, “Oh, like YOU two are to talk when comes to shallowness?”

“ANYWAY…” Rarity stated, walking over to Prince Blueblood, “I know Prince Blueblood is far from perfect, everypony, BUT I assure you that he and I patched things up completely AND he’s for the better now… basically. ”

“Really??? ” Everyone except Princess Twilight asked in unison.
“Indeed,” said Rarity, “He and I made our peace with each other during that time I was here in Canterlot right before Twilight’s big birthday. You know, that week or so I spent in Canterlot making sure that I became the type of Pony that EVERYPONY should know? ”

“Oh, yeah,” Spike said, understanding and recalling perfectly, “Twilight told me about that once… even though I somehow became absent during that little birthday experience you all had without me… >_<; ”

Twilight replied, “I told you, Spike, you needed to watch over the Golden Oak Library while I was gone, in case somepony wanted to check some books out while I myself was out.”
“Well, luckily for you, some Ponies DID arrive to check some books out,” Spike replied to Twilight, “Though, for some strange reason, they wanted to see if there were any books on ‘How to Make Your Own Transforming Robots Out of Metal and Wood’.” ***

*** See what I did there, dragon fans and robot fans of the world?


“Okay, well, getting back to the matter at hoof… AGAIN…” said Princess Twilight, “I think Prince Blueblood would be of good assistance in running and managing the Talent Tournament in Canterlot with me. After all, he surprisingly came through in that important diplomatic mission he and Shining Armor had in Yakyakistan.” ***

*** For proof of that, please check out 2016’s MLP: FiM comics, which were of course officially made by IDW Publishing.


Flash then said, “Well, Princess Twilight, if you do think Prince Blueblood here will come in handy, then okay. Besides, it’s not like we have any other choice right now.”

“Okay, gettin' back to tha REAL big picture at hoof here AGAIN, how can we all keep watch fer any dark magic goin’ on in Canterlot?” asked Applejack.

Princess Twilight said, “Discord would usually be able to track the dark magic being used by Dark Mind, right to the monster itself… but NOW, that evil force is strongly shielding its presence more so than ever.”

Shadow Shinobi stated, “The same can be said with me trying to find Dark Mind using my tracking abilities, both through regular means of magic AND the magic I fuse with my ninjutsu techniques.”

Arrow Swift added, "And Flash and I can't use the magic-detection abilities of our magic weapons, the Unidas Sword and Artemis Bow, to find Dark Mind either. Not unless AND until the creature uses their dark magic in action. The evil monster must have some VERY seriously powerful cloaking powers if NONE of us can find it at all."

Flash replied, “Well, this IS a creature from Tartarus of all places. No surprise that he or she… or it or whatever it or they might be… would be THIS greatly skilled in stealth and completely masking their presence. Hmm... Excuse me, Trixie, was it?”


“It is THE GREAT AND POWERFUL TRIXIE!!!” said Trixie, loudly correcting him before she slowly approached him in a somewhat flirty way, “~And yes, what can I do for you, Flashy?”

Flash took a step back, feeling a LITTLE uncomfortable... but also a tiny bit flustered, much to Twilight's unamusement.

Flash then cleared his throat and said, “Trixie, I don't suppose you could tell us what you remember about what happened earlier when Dark Mind took control over YOUR mind and body, could you? It might give us some clues on how the monster thinks and what they’re really planning and why they’re doing all of this evil.”

“Oh, THAT??” Trixie asked, “Well, honestly... I don’t think I remember much really. I mean, I remember Dark Mind striking my mind while I was travelling around Equestria, but… as for why he would take control over me in the very first place... well, I AM greatly and powerfully talented, but let’s be honest and realistic here: I'm definitely NO Princess Twilight Sparkle. So, I guess that’s why Dark Mind was able to take control of me in the first place… because I wasn’t EXACTLY strong enough to resist his mind-controlling powers.”

Starlight Glimmer then spoke up, “Well, based on what we know so far, Dark Mind might be searching for opportunity... or more accurately, someone that the monster itself would consider as a perfect host for them... I mean, it DID try to attack and take over Princess Twilight's mind and body earlier when we set up that illusion-based trap for it in Canterlot Park, so you know.”

“I guess it kinda does make sense,” said Moon Dancer, “I mean, think about it: if Dark Mind IS looking for someone that it would consider to be a perfect host for its dark magic, then MAYBE that’s the clue we need to find Dark Mind and take him down!”

“Right,” said Starlight, “And I believe the only way we could find him here in Canterlot would most definitely be through holding the Talent Tournament. Whichever contestant seems to be the most talented and perhaps the most powerful out of the participating bunch could very well be Dark Mind in disguise!”

“Of course!” said Twilight, “Starlight, Moon Dancer, great thinking, girls! Both of you! I mean, I didn’t even think of that possibility. I’m impressed. ^3^ ”
Both Moon Dancer and Starlight smiled and blushed adorably out of embarrassment, being honestly praised by a Princess of all Ponies – that of course being a pretty big deal for Moon Dancer.

Rainbow Dash then asked, “So, now that we sort of know how to find Dark Mind, or at least know who or what the jerk could be after, how do we stop him?”

“Simple,” said Arrow Swift, “Once we’re sure it’s Dark Mind we’re dealing with AND that the monster’s in VERY close range of us AND is possibly using their dark powers just well enough for Discord, Shadow Shinobi, and maybe our magic-based weapon artifacts to sense Dark Mind at the time, we’ll make our move.”

“That sounds like a plan to me, darling~ ^3^” Rarity said, clasping her pretty porcelain hooves together.

“It certainly does,” said Prince Blueblood, “But I think we might be forgetting about ONE major detail… Who’s to say that Dark Mind is even still here in Canterlot? After all, for all we know, he or it has already left Canterlot by now and is attacking someone else in another part of Equestria, meaning that this whole ‘Talent Tournament’ mind game of theirs is really just a scheme to have us waste our time going on a wild goose chase while the monster is making their REAL move, even as we speak!”

“Well…” said Flash, “He DOES make a fair point.”
“I guess he does,” said Twilight, thinking about this herself now and starting to become as worried as everypony else was now.

Live were definitely at stake, whatever the case might’ve been at the time.

“Then again…” Twilight said, “Dark Mind seemed like the kind of being that would NOT back down from a challenge after going through all that trouble just to start this little mind game of theirs with us… and after what we’ve been doing for Equestria AND the rest of our world against the forces of evil, including the horrible forces of Tartarus itself, such as Tirek AND both Aisenma and Hunter Trapper when they were both using and being greatly, dangerously corrupted by two dark-magic artifacts from Tartarus itself: first the Black Pearl, and then the Huntrix Apex. Now that this Dark Mind fellow is our newest Tartarusian enemy, and they probably know a lot about us, we have to be very careful and decisive, perhaps now more than ever.” ***


*** Twilight is referring to my own original MLP stories that can be found in my gallery; particularly, “The Memory Thief” and “Bullseye of the Tiger”.


Princess Twilight continued by saying, “I think this Talent Tournament that’s now being used as Dark Mind’s own twisted mind game is their way of making sure we ALL go down… because Dark Mind – and possibly all of the dark forces still locked up in Tartarus itself – are ALL scared of us and the TRUE power that the magic of friendship can do to stop bad guys of all kinds, as well as sometimes reform them.”

Rainbow Dash then said confidently, “Sooo… the big, bag evildoers of Tartarus itself are starting to shake in their boots because we’re just THAT darn awesome, huh? Ahhh, no surprise THERE, if you ask me. ^^ ”

“This isn't tha time ta get cocky, Rainbow!” Applejack said to her, a little bit annoyed.

“Uh, excuse me, everypony...” Fluttershy said, as she just thought of something important, “If it’s alright with everypony here… what if we, uh… had somepony volunteer to let Dark Mind control them, then we'd know for sure who he was competing as…? ONLY if it was okay to do so, I mean… OH… I feel just awful for even suggesting it at all, to be honest… < : ( OH, what am I even thinking right now?! T^T ”

Despite Fluttershy possibly acting out of character there, Twilight gently placed her hoof upon Fluttershy’s shoulder and said to her, “Don’t worry, Fluttershy, we know what you really mean here. And normally, that would actually be a good idea, BUT right now Dark Mind probably has eyes and ears everywhere in Canterlot, just like he said. Remember? All of us here in Canterlot Castle discussing all of this is highly risky enough as is... < : (  Anyway, the point is that Dark Mind could probably see THAT idea of yours, Fluttershy, coming from a mile away if we made it too obvious for him.”

“So…” said Applejack, starting to be serious here, “We just go along with tha Talent Tournament as planned, and pretend that there AIN’T any evil, mind-controlling monster made outta pure dark magic in all of Canterlot? We just go ‘n’ straight up lie to EVERYPONY in Equestria’s royal capitol city?! Just to try ‘n’ protect everypony, but at the same time, unintentionally usin’ them all JUST to lure out Dark Mind as if everypony is just live bait?! This whole thing is all kinds of wrong, Twilight! And I know this isn’t really our fault… that it’s really all because of that dang Dark Mind varmit, but… this is… this is seriously messed up…!”

Applejack started to get quite sad, upset, and even a little teary-eyed from all of this.
“Applejack makes a very fair point,” Rarity said, agreeing with the sweetly sincere cowgirl, “We can't pretend nothing's wrong and risk everypony's safety for so much as a small chance to catch this ‘Dark Mind’ monster.”

“I know…” said Princess Twilight, feeling bad about all of this herself, “But what can we do…?”
“I say we call him out at his own game instead,” said a certain former Master of Disharmony from nearby.
Everyone looked up to see that it was Discord speaking and walking down the steps.
“Discord!” said Fluttershy, flying up to him, “I’m so glad to see that you’re up and moving again. Are you and your magic fully recharged after using a lot of your energy from earlier?”
“Indeed, my dear,” said Discord, “Sorry to keep you all waiting for so long, my little Ponies.”

“It’s no problem at all, Discord-san,” said Shadow Shinobi.

“What did you mean about calling out Dark Mind?” asked Princess Twilight, sounding fairly intrigued.
“Well,” said Discord, “This Dark Mind character seems to like games, correct? So, what do you say we call them out to an immediate sudden death game to end it all, once and for all? Of course, I don’t mean there would be any actual death in it, but still.”

“You mean straight out challenge him to a single game that’ll possibly destroy ALL of Equestria if we fail?!” Rainbow Dash asked Discord, as she then zoomed up to Discord saying, “ARE YOU NUTS?!?! Wait. Don’t answer that. >_<; ”

“It does sound risky, but this might be the only way we can face Dark Mind on OUR terms...” said Twilight, thinking out loud.

“Okay, but what’s the plan? ” said Flash.
“Simple,” said Discord, “We challenge him to a fight to the bitter end: Flash Sentry, Arrow Swift, and Shadow Shinobi VERSUS Dark Mind!”

“WHAT?!” Everyone asked in unified shock.
“We can't send only the three of ‘em ta face Dark Mind by themselves!” said Applejack
“Well, they have purifying weapons, don’t they?” Discord asked, “A magic gold sword, a magic emerald crossbow, and a magic red-and-purple scarf with VERY small traces of amethyst-like stone quartz within it, am I wrong?”

All three stallions looked at each other, then Shadow Shinobi said, “How… how did you know about all of that?? Especially my scarf?!”
“Simple, really,” said Discord, “I recognize those magic objects you wield… or rather, what they were made from… from an old life of mine LONG, LONG AGO…”

That last part shocked everypony, and then Twilight asked curiously yet cautiously, “Exactly how long ago are we talking about here?”
“Hmm…” Discord said, thinking to himself out loud, “Honestly… it was SOOOOOO very long ago, I can hardly remember anything about it at all… All I know is that the Sacred Sword of Unidas, the Emerald Bow of Artemis, and that… that… that third magic item that Shadow Shinobi has… They all seem very familiar to me somehow… or rather, AGAIN, what they were made from… I think… I’m just getting a very familiar vibe from those three magic items… but how and why, I don’t know. Well, none of that is important right now. What IS important right now is that these three young stallions have quite literally the tools and the power to take Dark Mind head-on… though, that doesn’t mean they should do so headstrongly. I mean, who do they think they are? Rainbow Dash? ”

“Hey!” Rainbow exclaimed.
“Charming,” said Shadow, “But Discord-san does have a point. And for those of you wondering… well… the truth is… this scarf I wear around my neck is indeed a magic item, just like Discord said. It is known as the Ōradoragon no Sukāfu.”

Rainbow Dash replied scratching the top of her mane and ears, “Uh… the Ora-Door-wha-hana-WHAT of Kung Fu?? ”
Shadow simply chuckled that off as he replied, “What I just said basically means… ‘The Scarf of the Aura Dragon’… I simply call it ‘Ryu’, which means ‘dragon’.”

“Very interesting…” Princess Twilight said with a great sense of intrigue in her voice, “So, how should we pull off your plan, Discord?” asked Twilight.
“You just leave that to me... ” said Discord.

Later that same night, everypony in the group gathered in the part of the Canterlot Stadium Complex that was built primarily for only Earth Ponies and Unicorns to use; it was the stadium that existed below the one built for Pegasus-based events only, such as the Wonderbolts' Air Shows.

Once on the grounded stadium, Flash Sentry, Arrow Swift, and Shadow Shinobi all stood in the middle of its grassy field, while everyone else was sitting in their seats in the bleacher stands.

Discord then said, “Everypony ready?”
All three stallions looked at each other, then simply nodded at Discord.
Discord then cleared his throat and said in a very cheeky manner, “~OH, Darrrk Miiinnnddd...! COME OUT AND PLAAAYYY-YAAAAAYYYYY...!!! ”

There was absolute silence, with no sign or trace of Dark Mind anywhere.

“O-kay… WHY did you think THAT would work?” Flash Sentry asked Discord, a little confused.
Discord replied, “It’s called ‘taunting’. It usually works on bad guys of all kinds... Usually.”
“Uh-huh...” said Flash, not all that impressed or amused.

Discord then sighed while rubbing his eyes with his left hand, “Well… I suppose such taunting IS quite trivial with a being from Tartarus.”
“So, what now? ” Trixie asked Discord from her seat in the stadium.
“Hmmm…” Discord thought, “Well… perhaps if we tried to-”

SHWOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!

A powerful force made out of pure, black-colored dark magic landed in the part of the stadium’s grassy field that was just 30 feet behind Discord.
Everyone was shocked to see this and gasped.
“Looks like your taunting worked after all,” said Flash, also shocked by what was happening.

“This is it, everyone,” said Shadow Shinobi, readying himself for combat, “Brace yourselves for anything that monster might throw at us!”
The dark force took the form of a big, black energy orb with menacing orange eyes and their golden magnifying glass, the Neuronox, wrapped around their entire shadowy body.

“That varmit is huge!” said Applejack.
Rainbow Dash snorted as she said smugly, “We’ve seen bigger.”

“Flash, Arrow, Shadow, be very careful! We still don't know EXACTLY how powerful Dark Mind is OR what it’s fully capable of!” said Twilight, quite concerned for the stallion trio.

“You should listen to your precious Princess of Harmony…” said Dark Mind, “But why exactly have you called me out here so late at night… Discord??”

“Oh, that's quite simple, Darky... TO LET THE SHOW BEGIN!!!” answered Discord… aaannnd then he made a bag of popcorn appear in his lion-paw hand and sat back in his floating recliner chair.



WHO ELSE BUT DISCORD???