//------------------------------//
// Assembling the Team 
// Story: Discord: A Chaotic Story 
// by Epicdiscord214 
//------------------------------//

  Rainbow Dash landed in front of the gang in the front yard of Canterlot Castle.
“Did you find the hooded pony,” Twilight Sparkle asked.
“No,” Rainbow Dash replied. “Whoever it was, he told me, 'it's rightfully mine', flew around a corner, and when I followed, he disappeared.”
“What's rightfully his,” Fluttershy asked.
“I don't know,” Rainbow Dash said. “But whatever it is, I bet it's not good.” He saw how depressed her friends were. “Is something wrong?”
“It's Princess Luna,” Twilight Sparkle said. “I'm afraid the Changelings abducted her.”
“I can't believe I let her go again,” Princess Celestia sighed. “How could I have been so foolish?”
“Oh, princess, it's not your fault,” Discord said. “And I'm not just saying it out of symphony; I'm saying it really wasn't your fault. You were tricked.”
“What,” Princess Cadence asked. “How do you know?”
“Well, don't forget, I used to perform the most clever of tricks,” Discord said. “I know a trick when I see it. It is ironic since I let Tirek trick me. I guess it's true what they say; 'you can dish it out, but you can't take it'.”
“DISCORD,” the girls yelled.
“Sorry,” Discord apologized
“How could we have been tricked,” Princess Celestia asked.
Discord changed into a detective outfit the same as Pinkie Pie did when somepony ate the MMM. “Elementary, my dear Celestia. Elementary. You see, we all know Queen Chrysalis to be brutal, sharp, and decisive. None of us expected her to have a partner. In an act of curiosity, it was Celestia's royal duty to send the fastest flyer to investigate him. While Celestia was focused on ordering Rainbow Dash, that was the Changelings' time to kidnap Princess Luna. That's how you were tricked.”
“Don't you think you could've noticed that before my sister was taken,” Princess Celestia asked.
“I admit, I was confused as to why Chrysalis' partner would only appear for a split second before leaving in a hurry,” Discord said, “But I didn't figure it out until the portal closed. I would've told you right then, but I had to wait until you could speak again. After all, isn't it a friend's job to comfort their friend?”
“We'll get angry at Discord later,” Princess Celestia said. “Right now, my sister needs help. If only we knew where to find her.”
“Princess Celestia, you were close to the portal,” Twilight Sparkle said. “Is there anything you noticed about the background?”
“Well, the sky was orange and there was barely any healthy plants and trees around,” Princess Celestia described. “Wait, I remember a carve on one of the trees. It looked like a spiral and a cross.”
“Wait, what,” Discord gasped. “Hold on.” Discord materialized a piece of paper and pencil. He drew a little picture on it. He then showed the drawing as a spiral with its end connected to the top of a cross. “Does it look like this?”
“Yes, exactly,” Princess Celestia answered. “Discord, how did you know that?”
Discord didn't answer. He just breathed in and our deeply.
“Discord, is something wrong,” Fluttershy asked.
“Ladies, I...” Discord hesitated, “I know where they took Princess Luna.”
“WHAT,” everyone gasped.
“What do you mean, you know where they took Princess Luna,” Rarity asked. “Where is she?”
“She's in the Outlands,” Discord answered. “You know, that uncharted, dead country outside the Everfree Forest. I used to live there.”
“When,” Applejack asked.
“Believe it or not, I had a life before I first turned to a lawn ornament for tourists,” Discord said. “But I do much prefer not to talk about it.”
“If you know the Outlands, then you can lead a rescue team to find and retrieve my sister,” Princess Celestia said.
“What's happening now,” Discord gasped. “You're... trusting me... to save your sister? I don't know if you girls remember, but the last time I went after a bad guy, I nearly ended up without magic or friends.”
“But this time, you won't go at it alone,” Princess Celestia said. “This is merely a stealth and rescue team, so it's going to be you and two others only. Choose wisely, Discord.”
“Well, let me think,” Discord said. He then got into his own thoughts. “Fluttershy might come in handy if we run into any dangerous animals, but she wouldn't stand a chance against the Changelings. Rainbow Dash can come in, but she trusts me as far as a turtle can take a step. That goes the same with the rest. Wait, I've got it!”
Discord stepped up and made his announcement. “I've given this some thought, Princess Celestia. We're going to run into many mysteries, so we'll need the best brains if we're going to get past them. Plus, as powerful as Chrysalis is, we might need an alicorn to face her. So, I suggest that I bring along Princess Twilight Sparkle to rescue your sister.”
“Only if Princess Twilight agrees,” Princess Celestia said. “Twilight?”
“Last time Princess Luna was lost, I helped in getting her back,” Twilight said. “I'll be happy to assist again.”
“If a princess is going, then common sense requires a guard,” Princess Cadence said.
“I don't think it's necessary,” Twilight Sparkle said. “I do fine on my own.”
“Nevertheless, it's required,” Princess Celestia said.

Later on, Princess Celestia and Discord entered a room full of guards.
“I've gathered every guard in Canterlot and the Crystal Empire,” Princess Celestia said. “Discord, you'll have the honor of choosing which guard to accompany you.” She looked and saw that Discord wasn't there. “Discord?” She looked in the room and saw Discord examining a guard.
“These guys aren't reacting to seeing me,” Discord said. “They're just giving that dead stare. Oh, Fluttershy told me about these bozos. They don't crack no matter what you do. Let's see... Hey, Charlie, your mane's on fire.” The guard didn't react. “No, seriously; a spider's crawling up your hoof.”
“Discord, stop messing around,” Princess Celestia said.
Discord looked around and saw a pegasus with a blue mane in the center. Discord got into military uniform and confronted the guard. “All right, soldier. I'm going to ask you some questions and I expect some answers. First, what's your name?”
“Flash Sentry, sir,” the pegasus answered quickly.
“Where are you from,” Discord asked.
“The Crystal Empire, sir,” Flash Sentry answered.
“What are your skills,” Discord asked.
“I'm loyal and a fast flyer, sir,” Flash Sentry answered.
“All right, hotshot,” Discord said. “I've got one last question. And I need you to answer with the up-most honesty and precision... BECAUSE THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION IN THE HISTORY OF QUESTIONS THAT ARE ASKED BY THE POWERFUL CREATURES!” He bowed and put his face in front of Flash Sentry's, their noses nearly touching. He then asked with a growl in his voice, “What color is my underwear?”
“Uh... you're not wearing underwear, sir,” Flash Sentry answered in confusion.
It took a quiet pause, but Discord said, “Kid, I like you. You're hired!”