//------------------------------//
// Chapter 8 - Getting a storm started 
// Story: Captain Goodking and the Nightmare Knights 
// by Leondude 
//------------------------------//

Captain Goodking was stumbling around the labyrinth the same way Trixie was earlier, with the only difference being he now has an estimated 63 years of bad luck to deal with and is covered in brambles as a result of trying to avoid any hidden mirrors. And amidst all of this, Sacanas just stood idly by, staff in hoof. Once Goodking noticed Sacanas' presence, he decided to give Sacanas a piece of his mind.

"You got some nerve placing mirrors all over the place! Look at me?! I got cuts and bruises all over the place!"

"Aw, did your grace get a royal boo-boo? Cry me a river."

Sacanas then trotted off past Captain Goodking, muttering to himself why did he come here? And then he had another lightbulb moment.

"I have a proposition for you, your majesty. How would you like to be a king again?"

"I know what you're trying to pull and you can forget it!"

"Ah, but my offer is different."

"How?"

"Because I'm not a backstabbing snake."

The thing is Sacanas clearly was as treacherous as his former pupil. In fact, he even taught Sanies a thing or two about how to hide your intentions and true colours. It's clearly written on his flank with the comedy and tragedy masks for a cutie mark that he's not meant to be trusted, even though the mark could be easily indicative of his acting skills and/or rapid mood swings. But if he could easily trick Sanies' father into getting petrified under the pretense of being granted eternal life, he could easily trick Goodking into taking up his former identity as The Storm King.

"Here's the dealio, Mr. Goodking or whatever you want to call yourself, you complete this maze and I restore you to your former glory in return. And the best part? You can rule any way you want! You can choose to be the tyrannical overlord you once were or you could rule benevolently like our favourite sun princess, Celestia!"

"And how will you manage to do that?"

"Well, the only way to find out is to complete my maze."

And with that, Sacanas knocked down a row of mirrors like they were dominoes, well, before quickly placing pillows over the descending mirrors in order to avoid 140 years of bad luck if he ever lived that long. But it made getting through the maze much easier for Goodking. When Goodking reached the end of the maze, he noticed Trixie in a catatonic state.

"Uh...Hey, 'you okay?"

Goodking waved his arm in front of Trixie's face but there was no response, especially since Trixie's eyes were nearly rolled up all the way to the back of her head. Naturally, this worried Goodking, wondering what sick game Sacanas was playing with them. But before he could think or say anything, Sacanas hit Goodking over the head with his staff, knocking him out in the process. After Sacanas was busy quietly giggling to himself, Sanies, still possessing Queen Chrysalis, walked in to be informed on the next stage of Sacanas' plan.

"Ah, Sanies! Good work on Stygian, by the way, couldn't have done it without you!"

"You taught me well."

"Yeeees, too well. As evidenced by you lowering my guard and killing me!"

"Speaking of which, you appear to be taking death well more than most."

"Well, that's because 'most' aren't offered second chances!"

"Fair enough. So, what's the next step of your plan before I plunge this vessel's horn into your back?"

"Your dry humour never ceases to amuse me, Sanies. Now, the next part of the plan is I tempt Fizzlepop over there while you deal with Luna!"

Sanies gave a sickening smile towards Sacanas, knowing this is the exact opportunity to gladly betray his master and destroy Equestria that he has been waiting for.

"I thought you'd never ask."