The Third Member
In Beijing, China, at Beihai Park, several ponies and griffins are doing an early morning exercise routine, Tai-Chi. In a nearby hotel, in its luxury suite, Bismarck and Radiance walk out of their rooms. “Oh, hey Tempest,” Bismarck yawned to as he puts on his hat.
“Morning, guys,” Tempest said as they make their way to the living area.
“Oh, mourning Yu,” Radiance said when they see the young unicorn colt reading some brochures.
“Oh, good morning Rai-Rai, Tempey, Bis-Biz.” Yu said. “Hey, what are we gonna do today? Where are we gonna go?”
“That’s a good question,” Tempest said.
“We didn't come here for sightseeing,” Firestorm said as he enters the living area, already fully awake and wearing his Wonderbolt suit, though he has the hood down. “We’re here to fight in the world championships, remember?”
Suddenly, Sagittario runs into the room. “Hey guys! Where are we gonna go today? What are we doing? Oh, I’m so excited!” Sagittario said.
“You too?” Firestorm asked.
“Guys!” Andromeda suddenly said as she runs past Firestorm and Sagittario, carrying her Zapple Brick with her yellow colored magic. “It’s here! It’s here! It’s here! It’s here!” She excitedly said as she puts the Brick on the coffee table. “Look! A video message from Princess Celestia.” Andromeda said as everyone looks at the screen as she opens the message, and see Celestia and Luna.
"Good morning, everypony," Celestia said. Suddenly, the team family pops up, trying to say hello, only for the Royal Guards to stop them.
"Come on, we just want to say hello." Pinkie said, while Team Star Swirl just looks on in both embarrassment and shock.
"That’s enough," Celestia said to the guards, who stop.
"Listen up. We need to explain the rules for this years World Duel Championships which start soon," Luna said as everypony calms down, when Andromeda pauses it.
“Now that she mentions it, we still don’t know what the rules are,” Andromeda said.
“Who cares? We just have to win and take them all down!” Sagittario said as Andromeda resumes the message.
"Due to many teams having only three regular members, the duels will consist of three one-on-one matches: Advance Guard, Second In Command, and Commander. Who competes and the order they do it in is up to each team. The first team to win two matches wins the duel." Luna added.
“Cool, a best out of three series,” Firestorm said.
“Easy. Like I said, we just have to win them all,” Sagittario said.
"In the world championships, if you lose to another team, you are out. Period. You’re done." Celestia added. "Wang Hu Zhong is strong, but we’re counting on you to win the first round."
“We’re not gonna lose,” Andromeda said. Suddenly, their friends and family start to swarm the screen.
"Come on! We just want to say hi!" Cherry cried as they all fight to get to the monitor.
"Bastion?" Luna asked.
"Understood," Bastion said as he turns off the screen, ending the message, leaving the team speechless.
“Obviously, our friends and family aren't doing so well with us being gone.” Andromeda said.
“I think your right,” Tempest said.
Firestorm then clears his throat. “Moving on, we have to think of a strategy for the upcoming duel.” Firestorm said.
“Easy. Like I said, we just have to win. Win big time. And I’ll be the Commander.” Sagittario said.
“Huh?”
“You can’t decide that yourself.” Tempest said.
“He’s right. We have to factor in the opponents moves for one thing,” Firestorm pointed out.
“Firestorm’s right. We have absolutely no idea what order Wang Hu Zhong will appear.” Andromeda added.
“Probably their leader, Dashan, will be the Commander. That's what I’m guessing,” Sagittario said.
“Look, you can't assume anything,” Firestorm said as he smacks his forehead.
“Now that you mention it, who’s our leader?” Yu asked, making a very good point.
“Okay, I’ll do it,” Sagittario said.
“What? Sagittario?” Everyone other than Sagittario all said. “I’m not sure about that.” Yu said.
“What are you saying, substitute?” Sagittario asked.
“I’m not the substitute! I’m the Super Grate Number 1 Sub, that's what I am,” Yu shouted.
“In other words, you're a super great sub among subs,” Sagittario said.
“Ah! I’m out of here!” Yu said as he heads straight for the door.
“Hold up, Yu,” Tempest said as he grabs the young unicorns shoulder and stops him. “Lets just get back to figuring out our battle order.”
“Right! And making me the Commander!” Sagittario said, when Yu smiles at a certain thought.
“Whatever, no problem. But if the first two lose, were out of the competition and you won’t get a chance to fight at all,” Yu said, which shocks Sagittario.
“What!? You're saying it could be over before I could even duel once?” Sagittario asked.
“And you be absolutely no different then a substitute,” Yu added.
“You guys cannot lose! Okay?” A panicking Sagittario said to Firestorm and Tempest.
“Sagittario, if we both win then you still wont get a chance to fight,” Tempest pointed out, making Sagittario panic even more.
“Well, then one of you has to win and one of you has to lose.” Sagittario said.
“Get over yourself, partner!” Bismarck shouted in Sagittario’s face. “If you want to make sure you duel then be the Advance Guard or Second In Command.”
“I’m the number 1 duelist! I should be dueling the Commander!” Sagittario shouted back.
“Do you think Dashan could be the Advance Guard?” Radiance asked.
“Makes sense. Winning the first match stops the opponent dead in their tracks. Going with their strongest first could be their strategy,” Tempest said.
“Or maybe they just want us to think that it is,” Firestorm said, which makes Sagittario scratch his head furiously.
“Ah! If we think that hard about it, we’re never gonna decide anything!” Sagittario said before he points toward Firestorm. “The Advance Guard will be Firestorm. You have to win,” Sagittario said, before he points toward Tempest. “The Second In Command will be Tempest. You lose. And as Commander, I’ll finish it.”
“Is that even a real strategy?” Tempest asked.
“You just want to be the Commander just because it sounds cool,” Bismarck accusingly said to Sagittario.
“Hey, I got an idea. I’ll compete,” Yu said.
“The sub doesn't compete!” Sagittario shouted, which nearly makes Yu snap.
“I am so out of-”
“Yu wait!” Andromeda said as she teleports herself in front of him, before she walks up to Sagittario, Tempest and Bismarck. “Come on guys, chill out! This meeting is over! Everyone go cool off!” Andromeda said to the three in an intimidating voice.
“But, Andromeda, lets not-” Tempest tried to say, though it’s useless.
“Did you hear me or what!? This meeting is over! OVER RIGHT NOW!!!!!!!!” Andromeda shouted at the top of her lungs, causing Sagittario, Tempest and Bismarck to run straight for the door and leaving. “Unbelievable!” Andromeda said in her regular voice, when she feels Yu tapping on her shoulder. “What now?”
“The leader,” Yu said.
“Oh! Sorry, I should’ve told you guys sooner. You see, Celestia made me the official leader so I can get a much-needed confidence boost or something,” Andromeda said. “Sorry for yelling.”
“That’s all right,” Radiance said as she heads for the door.
“Where are you going, Rai-Rai?” Yu asked.
“To Shaolin Temple. If we don’t know who Wang Hu Zhong’s third member is, we won’t be able to figure out our strategy. Catch ya later, bye!” Radiance finished as she walks out and leaves.
“Well, I’m gonna go check out the Great Wall real quick,” Yu said as he leaves also.
“Sounds cool. I’ll go too,” Firestorm said as he follows Yu.
“Okay, guess I’m gonna go for a walk by myself.” Andromeda said as she too leaves.
==================================================================
In downtown Beijing, Andromeda is walking around, enjoying the sights. “Where’s a good place for me to calm down?” Andromeda thought to herself as she passes by a gym. She then notices someone familiar in the window, and takes a closer look, and sees … “Tempest? What’s he doing here?” Andromeda asked herself as she quickly runs inside, where Tempest is hitting a punching bag.
“Take this! And that!” Tempest said to himself as he punches the bag relentlessly.
“Uh, Tempest?” Andromeda asked, which makes Tempest yelp is surprise as he jumps up.
“Andi! What are you doing here?”
“I was gonna ask you the same thing,” Andromeda said. “Since when did you come to the gym?”
“I … Uh … You see, I-” Tempest said, trying to come up with a good excuse, though Andromeda raises an eyebrow, which is a warning sign for Tempest. “Okay, you got me. I’m a bit of a fitness nut. I just couldn’t stand Bismarck’s strength, even when we were kids,” Tempest said as he gets on a treadmill. “I started going to the gym so I can get as strong as him. I go to the one in Cloudsdale so no one from Ponyville sees me.”
“Wow. Can I join you?” Andromeda asked, which makes Tempest stop for a moment.
“Sure, why not?” Tempest said.
“Okay.” Andromeda said as she gets on a treadmill next to the one Tempest is using and sets it to a slower speed, 11 km/h.
“So where is everyone else?”
“Well, I don’t know where Bismarck or Sagittario went to, Firestorm and Yu went to the Great Wall, and Radiance went to Shaolin Temple.”
“Really? Why?”
“She’s gonna try to find out about Wang Hu Zhong’s third member. I wonder how she’s doing?”
==================================================================
“Ah! Why did I say all that?!” Radiance asked herself as she hinds behind a pillar, watching Mei-Mei train with a group of monks. “What should I do? I’m glade I made it here, but I don’t think they’ll tell me what I want to know so easily.”
“Huh?” Mei-Mei said when she notices Radiance behind the pillar. “Who’s there?”
“What? Ah!” Radiance said as she ducks behind the pillar and covers her mouth, terrified.
“Intruder!” The monks all said, when Mei-Mei does a punch so powerful, it’s carried on through the air. When it hits the pillar Radiance is hiding behind, it’s strong enough to make her fall over.
“Wait a sec! Radiance?” Mei-Mei asked.
“Ow! Uh … hey, how’s it going?” Radiance nervously said as Mei-Mei walks up to Radiance and help her up.
“Come on,” Mei-Mei said as she heads toward the dinning area, followed by a somewhat reluctant Radiance. They soon reach an open door. “Chi-yun, looks like we have a party crasher here,” Mei-Mei said.
“Does that mean I’m an unwanted guest?” Radiance asked, clearly nervous. “What do you do with unwanted guests?”
“Good question ‘cause theres another one here,” Chi-yun said as Radiance looks into the room, and sees…
“Bismarck? What are you doing here?” Radiance asked her boyfriend.
“Same as you,” Bismarck answered. “I wanted to find out about the third member. So please introduce us.”
“I can’t do that,” Chi-yun said.
“Why not?” Radiance asked.
“Is he your secret weapon?” Bismarck asked.
“No. That’s not it,” Mei-Mei said.
“To be honest, he doesn't come here.” Chi-yun added.
==================================================================
Meanwhile, in Beijing’s uptown, Sagittario is walking, eating some noodles he bought. “Those guys. What’s wrong with me being the leader anyway?” He asked himself as he finishes the noodles. He then stops suddenly when he sees a familiar type of building. “Check it out! This is a Duel Park, isn’t it? Ha! Yeah!” An ecstatic Sagittario said as he quickly runs in. “Let me get in here!” Sagittario said as he enters the Duel Park, making his presence pretty obvious.
“Uh, okay,” a unicorn said. “ You're not from around here, are you? I won’t go easy on you just because you're a tourist.”
“Fine, then I wont go easy on you,” Sagittario said as they get ready. “GO!” They both said, only for the unicorn to be sent flying in a split second. “Oh yeah! My first win in China!”
“Your crazy good,” the unicorn said.
“Who’s my next victim?” Sagittario asked. Suddenly, a griffin flies in and kicks Sagittario across the room. “Ow! Hey!” Sagittario said as the griffin lands near the door, laughing. He has reddish-brown hair, a tanned fur color, and is wearing a teal shirt with yellow crests on the shoulders and sunglasses which cover his eyes.
“Wow! That was so cool!” Three girls next to the griffin all said.
“I know. I know. That’s pretty impressive, isn’t? I’m definitely the strongest duelist,” the griffin said to the three.
“Uh huh!”
“Amazing!” Two of the girls said.
“Come on girls, lets role,” the griffin said as he turns around and heads for the door.
“Okay!” The three all said as they follow.
“Not so fast buddy!” Sagittario shouted, getting the four’s attention. “You can’t take off just like that. You have to duel me for real.”
“Aw, don’t sweat it, dude. My girls just wanted to see my flex my dueling muscles.”
“Uh huh!” The three girls said.
“Huh?” Sagittario asked.
“So, you know, later,” the griffin said as they leave.
“Wait a second, here!” Sagittario said as he goes after the griffin. “Hey! Hey!” Sagittario shouted as he gets in front of the four outside. “You can’t just run away after butting in like that! We have to have a real duel!”
“Wow, you sure are an annoying guy,” the griffin said as he reaches for his sunglasses. “You have absolutely no idea who I am, do you?” The griffin said as he takes off the glasses and puts them in his bag, showing his blueish-gray eyes.
“It’s Chao Xin!”
“Chao Xin is over here!” Some nearby younglings all said as they run toward the griffin known as Chao Xin, running over Sagittario.
“Whoa! Chill. There’s enough Chao Xin to go around.”
“So he’s a Chinese singer idol or something?” Sagittario asked as he gets back up.
“Don’t think so.”
“He’s the best duelist ever!”
“He’s a member of Wang Hu Zhong,” three of the fans said.
“Huh? Wang Hu Zhong?” Sagittario asked. “So that means … you're the Chinese teams third member! Right?”
“Yeah,” they all said.
“I’m Equestria’s Commander. Because I’m the number one duelist, Sagittario Armor. Let’s duel Chao Xin!”
“No thanks man,” Chao Xin said, which surprises Sagittario. “Okay, looks like its time to leave the little dude alone and get something cool to drink.”
“Oh, let’s go!” The girls all said as they follow Chao Xin to a nearby soda stand.
“Hey! Where you going!?” Sagittario demanded.
“Good afternoon, kids,” the old mare running the stand said as Chao Xin puts some yuan on the stall.
“Okay, everyone. Drinks are on me,” Chao Xin said.
“Oh, Chao Xin your awesome,” the three girls all said.
“Hey bud, don’t sweat it. It's just that, like, winning against you would have no meaning. Ya know what I mean?” Chao Xin said to Sagittario, who gets angrier.
“What did you say!?” Sagittario shouted as he runs up to Chao Xin. “I would be the winner! Me! Me! Me!” Suddenly, Chao Xin pours out the soda onto Sagittario’s head, making him stop.
“Time to cool off, dude,” Chao Xin jokingly said.
“Hey, you can’t do that to me!” Sagittario shouted as he shakes his head dry.
“So, does your team have anyone on it who’s a bit more chill then you?” Chao Xin asked.
“Sorry to break it to you, but there’s my bookworm of a cousin, her pegasus boyfriend who hates losing, a cowboy, a real downer, and a bratty little kid,” Sagittario answered, referring to Andromeda, Tempest, Bismarck, Firestorm and Yu respectfully.
“Ah, you’ve got to be kidding me,” a disappointed Chao Xin said. “Then maybe I should just sit this one out and hang out with my friends here. What do you think?”
“Huh? Chao Xin, you're not gonna fight?” The three girls all said.
“If the opponents are lame, it would just be too boring, ya know,” Chao Xin said.
“Are you serious!?” Sagittario asked. “Just what do you think the world championships are?”
“What are you talking about?” Chao Xin asked.
“Answer me! What is dueling to you?” Sagittario demanded.
“Uh, well buddy, ya know, I never thought about it before, but the outfits are cool and the chicks dig me,” Chao Xin answered.
“What are you saying? Is that what its all about for you?” Sagittario nearly shouted.
“Whoa, he’s scary,” the three girls said, referring to Sagittario.
“Why are you taking it so seriously? That’s so uncool,” Chao Xin said.
“No, it’s not! Dueling is the clashing of two spirits!” Sagittario snapped.
“I’m not really following,” Chao Xin said. “It’s making my head hurt. Make it stop! Make it stop!”
“Oh no! Are you all right, Chao Xin?” The three girls asked.
“Come on!” Sagittario shouted.
“Chao Xin!” A familiar voice from behind suddenly called out from behind. Chao Xin and Sagittario turn toward its source, and see Dashan.
“Dashan,” a slightly surprised Chao Xin said.
“Dashan,” an equally surprised Sagittario added.
“Whether or not you participate is decided by the leader: me!” Dashan said in a series tone. “I don’t care if you're bored or if your head hurts, you're gonna duel with him, now! Or are you afraid of looking uncool if you lose to him?”
“As if!” Chao Xin firmly stated. “I’m not afraid of anything.”
“Then get in there and battle!” Dashan ordered. “If you don’t then it looks like your running away with you're tail between your legs.”
“I’m not running anywhere,” Chao Xin said.
“So what would you do, Chao Xin?” Dashan asked.
“Okay, fine,” Chao Xin said, seeing where this is going. “But if I win against him, you really have to, like, let me sit out the championships.”
“So does that mean you’ve agreed to duel me?” Sagittario asked.
“I don’t have much of a choice, do I?” Chao Xin replied. “But this stadium is way too lame for me. The most awesome stage for me is … there!” Chao Xin added as he points up to the mountains, at the Great Wall.
==================================================================
“What do you mean?” Radiance asked Chi-yun and Mei-Mei. “You don’t know Chao Xin’s true strength?”
“No one has ever seen Chao Xin fight real hard using everything he’s got,” Mei-Mei answered.
“Then how was he able to become part of the team?” Bismarck asked.
“Chao Xin!” Mei-Mei said under her breath.
“Even though he was clearly not giving it his all, he won against Mei-Mei,” Chi-yun answered, which surprises the two.
“Huh? Against Mei-Mei?” A surprised Radiance said.
“You’ve seen Mei-Mei’s amazing skills, right?” Chi-yun asked.
“But Chao Xin is much more skilled than I am,” Mei-Mei added.
“However, he has never dueled Dashan or me, Chi-yun, ever before. He’s never even taken part in our group training. He’s incredibly strong and he has talent, but Chi-yun dose not improve of him, not at all. Not at all!”
“Does he cheat or something?” Radiance asked.
“That’s not it.” Chi-yun said.
“It’s just that Chao Xin is …” Mei-Mei said, trying to think of a word that fits Chao Xin.
“Chao Xin is?” Bismarck and Radiance both said, anticipating something really dark or cruel.
“Well, flashy.” Chi-yun finally said, which surprises the two.
==================================================================
At the Great Wall, 13 different girls are all cheering for Chao Xin. “Yay! Chao Xin!” They all screamed, while Chao Xin smiles and waves to them, making them even more excited.
“I won’t let you wast anymore time,” Sagittario said to Chao Xin on the other side of the wall. “Let’s go Chao Xin!”
“Whoa, just chill dude. I’m gonna send you flying,” Chao Xin said in a cool tone.
“Yay! Chao Xin! You're so cool!” The girls all screeched. Meanwhile, further down the wall on one of its many guard towers, Yu and Firestorm are enjoying the view.
“Wow! Can you believe this awesome view?” Yu asked Firestorm.
“That’s why we came here.”
“Yep. But you know, I don’t think the team is sticking together. After all, Andrea yelled at us and told us to go cool off somewhere.” Yu pointed out.
“I think your right.” Firestorm said, when Yu notices something.
“Hey, check it out. Looks like Sagittono is right over there,” Yu said as he points toward the next guard tower.
“Huh? Is he dueling?” Firestorm asked.
“Three … two … one … go!” The two boys both said.
“YAY!” The girls all cheered as Sagittario tries to attack Chao Xin, but misses, multiple times.
“Humph. A reckless attack type, huh? I don’t have to go anywhere. I can easily take care of you,” Chao Xin said.
“Just wait until I send you flying to the other side of the wall,” Sagittario as he charges at Chao Xin again. However, Chao Xin moves in a circular movement, and counters Sagittario’s attack without hitting back. “Ah!” Sagittario gasped as he nearly hits the wall.
“Just so you know, you're gonna knocked yourself out. Keep up those useless attacks little buddy, and eventually you’ll knock yourself out hard. A bit of a drag for you. Ha-ha. So uncool,” Chao Xin.
“Ha! Uncool. That’s the worst,” all thirteen girls all said.
“Do you guys share one brain or something?” Sagittario asked them. “Before that happens, I’ll send you flying, Chao Xin.”
“Don’t bother. Your attacks won’t even scratch me. Trust me,” Chao Xin said. Suddenly, Chao Xin runs down the wall.
“Hey, get back here!” Sagittario shouted as he goes after Chao Xin.
“Aw. Don’t go Chao Xin,” the girls all cried.
“You're not going anywhere!” Sagittario said as he runs after Chao Xin, who’s running at a faster pace. Sagittario than tries to punch Chao Xin, but he moves in a circular movement again, and Sagittario misses.
“I told you. It’s not gonna work, dude.”
“Yes, it will! Because I’ll keep trying till I hit you.” Sagittario said as he tries to hit Chao Xin again, but he keeps dodging it.
“It looks like Sagittono is having a bit of a hard time,” Yu said as he and Firestorm watch from the guard tower.
“Yeah. That griffin is changing his position, while at the same he’s keeping up a perfect defense. The way he’s going, it’ll be difficult to land an attack. That is if Sagittario keeps using the same tricks.” Firestorm said.
“But I noticed that Sagittono often changes his moves suddenly in the middle of a duel,” Yu said.
“Really? Does Sagittario ever stop to think things through?” Firestorm asked.
“Don’t know. Maybe it’s just his wild nature.” Yu said as Chao Xin and Sagittario get closer to the two, with Sagittario still trying and failing to hit Chao Xin.
“Ah, no matter what happens, I will hit you!” A frustrated Sagittario shouted.
“And I’m tired of telling you that it’s useless,” Chao Xin said.
“And I’m tired of listening,” Sagittario said. Suddenly, Sagittario teleports in front of Chao Xin, and manages to hit him. “Got ya!”
“See.” Yu said to Firestorm. "What did I tell you?”
“But then, an attack of that strength should be able to do more than that,” Firestorm noted.
“Now were cooking. How’d you like that hit?” Sagittario asked Chao Xin as the two continue to race down the wall.
“It didn’t do anything,” Chao Xin replied.
“Then the next one will finish it!” Sagittario said as he teleports again, but Chao Xin moves in a circular movement again, causing Sagittario's attacks to breeze by. “Not again!”
“What was that you saying about finishing it?” Chao Xin jokingly asked.
“What just happened?” Yu asked.
“A griffins feathers have a special coating on them that allows them to fly with minimum wind resistance. It also allows them to take really big hits without getting anything worse than a scratch.” Firestorm answered. “However, I don’t think that’s the only reason that he manages to avoid Sagittario’s attacks.” Firestorm said as Sagittario attacks again, but Chao Xin moves in a circular movement again.
“I get it! It’s the circular motion,” Yu said.
“Yes,” Firestorm said, realizing what Chao Xin is doing. “That griffin is moving in a circle, and pushing aside Sagittario's power. That movement is called Tai-Chi.”
“I got to move faster and hit Chao Xin with everything I got,” Sagittario said as he charges at Chao Xin again.
Suddenly, Chao Xin jumps up into the air, and … “Fierce Sword Flash!” Chao Xin said as he easily bypass Sagittario's attack, who nearly hits the wall. “Ugh! Okay, so you din’t knock yourself out. Maybe I’ll just go for a stadium out instead. This is annoying.”
“How about you just attacking for a change instead of just running away?” Sagittario asked.
“Humph! Probably because I look totally uncool if I got all tight about it like you, bud.”
“I take it seriously! I will never lose to someone like you, not unless you catch a lucky break. If you won’t attack, then I will just keep firing attacks nonstop. You really can't have a duel if your spirit isn’t on fire! Can you?”
“I am so fired up.”
“No, you're not! Attack me for real!”
“Get serious about dueling? No way.”
“Stop goofing off!” Sagittario said as they reach the guard tower Firestorm and Yu are at. Sagittario than charges at Chao Xin, and manages to send him flying.
“Whoa! I wasn't able to dodge the attack,” a stunned Chao Xin said, while Firestorm and Yu look on, surprise also. When Chao Xin lands, Sagittario charges at him again. Chao Xin tries to redirect Sagittario’s attack, by he’s sent flying again. “This can’t be happening!” A shocked Chao Xin said.
“What’s wrong? Why haven’t you finished it yet?” A familiar voice from above suddenly called out.
“What!?” Chao Xin, Yu and Firestorm all said as they see Dashan standing on the guard tower’s ledge. “Whoa! Where he come from?” Yu asked.
“If it goes on like this, you will lose Chao Xin,” Dashan said to the star griffin.
“I’m not gonna chock and let that guy steal my thunder,” Chao Xin said.
“Okay, here I go. Crystal Spell: Flash of Lightning!”
“Here it comes! What’ll you do?” Dashan asked Chao Xin.
“What else will I do? Stay as cool as ever,” Chao Xin said as he gets ready. “Adamantine Hands!” Chao Xin shouted in a serious tone as Sagittario gets within feet of Chao Xin. There is a small explosion, and part of the wall Sagittario and Chao Xin are on collapses, along with Sagittario.
“Sagittario!” Both Firestorm and Yu cried as they see Sagittario have a very hard landing.
“Come on! Let me back at it!” Sagittario said as he tries to climb back up, but falls.
“Your still getting on my nerves, even when it’s over,” Chao Xin said as Firestorm and Yu run down to Sagittario. “I won, okay. Are you all warm and happy now?” Chao Xin asked Dashan.
“The tournament is the day after tomorrow. Start training hard!” Dashan responded.
“Say what!? We had a deal.”
“Chao Xin, you won today only because you got lucky. One fatal misstep, and you would’ve been the one to fall.”
“Huh? Are you telling I would’ve lost?”
“In an official stadium things would’ve been very different for you today. Something that you, even after getting serious for just a second, should know best of all.”
“Me, serious? Sorry pal, but the word ‘ serious’ just isn’t in my vocabulary.” Chao Xin replied, which makes Dashan scowl at him. Knowing better, Chao Xin sighs in defeat. “Fine, I’ll compete. And I’ll be serious, but first, before anything, I have one condition.”
“Huh? What condition?” Dashan asked.
==================================================================
Later at sunset, back at the hotel, Andromeda, Radiance, Tempest and Bismarck are sitting in their rooms couch, talking with their friends and family on Andromeda’s Zapple Brick. "So, you already meet with Wang Hu Zhong’s team leader," Twilight said to her daughter via FaceTime.
“Yeah. He’s an incredibly skilled unicorn like Chi-yun. But we still don’t know who their third member is. All we know is his name and that he’s flashy.” Andromeda said.
"Hold on, wait. Where's Sagittario, Firestorm and Yu?" Shining Armor asked.
“They haven't gotten back yet,” Tempest answered. “We don’t know where Sagittario went to, and Firestorm and Yu went to the Great—” But before Tempest could finish, a cloud of dust swoops into the room, making the four cough.
"Andi! What is it?" Orion asked.
“It’s Sagittario, Firestorm and Yu,” Bismarck said as the dust settles as the three walk up to the couch.
“Why are you all covered in dust?” Radiance asked them.
“Andrea! Wang Hu Zhong’s third member is a griffin. Did you know that, huh?”
“And he uses Tai-Chi techniques,” Yu and Firestorm both said.
“Huh?” The four asked.
"And how did y’all know that?" Applejack asked over the computer.
“Because Sagittono fought him and lost.” Yu said with a slight chuckle as Sagittario drops into a nearby chair.
“What! You lost?” Andromeda asked.
“It’s no big thing! I’ll wipe the floor with him next time! In the real duel, I’ll teach that fashion plate a lesson! That’s a promise! Just watch me!” A clearly angry Sagittario shouted.
“Of course we don’t know what order we’ll duel them in,” Firestorm pointed out.
Suddenly, a ding is heard on Andromeda’s Zapple Brick. “Ah! That’s a FaceTime call from Celestia,” Andromeda said as she answers the call, making an eighth video screen pop up.
"Good afternoon, everyone." Celestia said, accompanied by Luna and Bastion. "We just received the order in which Wang Hu Zhong will compete."
"Already?" Rainbow asked.
"Yes," Luna answered. "The Advanced Guard will be Chao Xin."
“What!?” Sagittario asked as he places his face next to the screen.
"The Second In Command will be Chi-yun. The Commander will be Dashan." Luna added.
"That’s their order?" Andromeda's father asked.
"Indeed, but there’s also a message from Chao Xin to Sagittario which is quite strange." Celestia added. "Bastion?"
"Yes, your Highness," Bastion said as he levitates a paper up to read the message. Bastion then clears his throat, ready to read the message. "‘Hey, annoying dude! Don’t run away. In the real duel I’ll calmly, brilliantly, and awesomely defeat you. I’ll have to finish things quickly because I have a date afterwards.’" Bastion finished, which makes almost everyone scratching their heads, except for Firestorm, Yu and Sagittario, who’s growling in anger. "Who is this guy?"
“A … date?” Andromeda, Radiance, Bismarck and Tempest all asked.
“Whose running away!?” Sagittario suddenly snapped. “What’s he thinking of a date for anyway!? Guys, I’m going to be the Advanced Guard! I’m going to fight Chao Xin! Got it?”
“Fine, whatever.”
“No objection,” Yu and Firestorm both said.
“If that’s what you wan’t, then go for it,” Andromeda added.
“All right! You better get serious Chao Xin! Very serious!”