//------------------------------//
// The Dark Events Returned 
// Story: Cutie Mark Crusaders: Treasure Hunters 
// by Epicdiscord214 
//------------------------------//

  Later on, Daring Do pushed the pirates to one place. The Cutie Mark Crusaders gathered hooves full of treasure and stuffed them in their capes.
“Well, this day turned out well,” Discord said. “We beat a bunch of pirates, you get your treasure, and we added a few more songs to our soundtrack—that’s important.”
“Our treasure,” Apple Bloom asked.
“Yeah,” Discord said. “Remember, I only wanted the Red Channel ruby. If only I can find it.”
“Is this it,” Scootaloo said pointing at a large ruby sticking its end in the river.
“THAT’S IT,” Discord said reaching to it. “Come to papa, you crimson miracle, you.”
“Crimson,” Daring Do asked. She then widened her eyes. “DISCORD, WAIT!”
But it was too late. Discord already placed his claw on the Red Channel. Suddenly, the ruby started to glow and hum. Discord then shouted in pain with his claw burning up. Discord tried to let go, but he couldn’t. As soon as the glow ended, the Red Channel dropped. Discord blew on his hand.
“YOWZA,” Discord shouted. “WHAT IN CELESTIA’S SWEET NAME WAS THAT?!”
Suddenly, the ground started to shake violently.
“WHAT IS GOING ON HERE,” Rover shouted.
All of a sudden, a loud, booming laugh was heard. Everyone looked and saw a red cloud in the middle of the cave. Then, the cloud started to form. When the smoke cleared, a gigantic figure appeared out of nowhere. It was a red-skinned, muscular centaur with long horns on his head and a menacing beard. As soon as he appeared, he echoed his laugh across the cavern.
“TIREK,” Discord screamed.
“I’m back,” Tirek said. “And I must thank you all for my escape.”
“Tirek,” Bengunn shouted. “As in my Uncle Tirek?! How is this possible?”
“Let me tell you a story, dear nephew,” Tirek said. “It all started long before my original defeat at the hooves of the royal princesses. I found the Red Channel and discovered its ability to transfer one’s magic to another. I enchanted it to send any magic to me and left it here. When I was defeated, I waited for the Red Channel to send the troll’s magic to me.”
The Leech Lake,” Bengunn gasped. “Of course! The water was interacting with the ruby. So when the trolls stepped into the river, the magic was transferred to the Channel and to you.”
“Your first escape,” Daring Do said. “It was no accident, was it? You used the little magic the ruby gave you to provoke Cerberus out of Tartarus giving you the opportunity to escape.”
“And here, I thought ponies couldn’t get it right on the first try,” Tirek said. “Yes, but when Princess Twilight Sparkle defeated me, I was back where I was before. After a few months with no magic, I was beginning to believe no one would ever fall for my trap again. But then, I hear word that three little fillies found my treasure map. As such, I began watching you on your journey, rooting for you to find the treasure and the Red Channel. And you, Discord, were so foolish to touch it, you gave me all the magic you have so I could escape.”
“So the Red Channel… is a magic-stealer,” Discord asked.
“Why did you think it’s the envy of all magical creatures,” Tirek asked.
“I’LL STOP YOU,” Daring Do shouted. She charged at Tirek, but the brute grabbed her. “You can’t do anything to me. I have no magic.”
“No, but when I’m strong enough, I can take Earth Pony strength and Pegasus flight,” Tirek said.
Tirek opened his mouth and Daring Do felt a strain as an orange light escaped from her body. As soon as he was done, he dropped Daring Do onto the treasure pile and grabbed his nephew.
“I am so willing to wait my turn,” Bengunn said. Tirek stole Bengunn’s strength and set him down. “This is why you’re not invited to our family reunions!”
Tirek then approached the pirates and consumed all their attributes. As soon as he was done, he reached down and picked up the Cutie Mark Crusaders. They were standing on Tirek’s hand and were scared.
“Ah, the ringleaders behind this journey,” Tirek said. “Sorry to end it so soon.” He opened his mouth and waited. He opened his eyes and saw that he wasn’t getting any bigger. “Odd. You have nothing to take. How can three ponies lack magic, flight, and strength?”
“You’d be surprised at all the areas we’re lacking,” Scootaloo replied.
“But we manage because of our sisters,” Sweetie Belle said.
“Your sisters,” Tirek asked. “The ponies who helped Twilight Sparkle overthrow me? Sounds like Ponyville is my first stop.”
Tirek dropped the CMC and punched a large hole in the wall. He walked out and stepped into the sunlight. The ponies were horrified at what just happened.
“Of course,” Daring Do exclaimed. “’After the touch of crimson burn, dark events of the past will return’. Scorpan was trying to warn us that the Red Channel would bring Tirek back.”
“This is worse than we thought,” Discord said. “I just saw Tirek’s destination. He’s heading for the S.S. Gale.”
“That must be how he plans to get to Ponyville,” Apple Bloom said. “And the worst part is, if he leaves, there’ll be nothing we can do to stop him. If only we had our crew back.”
“You do,” Trixie called from inside her baby bottle. “I don’t know if you noticed, but Tirek stole my magic. We’re going to have to work together to stop him.”
“You know you want to,” Rover said.
“Uh, no offense, but you all stabbed us in the back,” Sweetie Belle said. “Why should we trust you?”
Trixie sighed. “You shouldn’t. I should’ve been the one who trusted you. I should’ve known you had a reason to keep your secret. If it wasn’t for me, maybe you’d see through Tirek’s trick. But now, I want to help because the enemy of my enemy… is my friend.”
At the sound of that, the Cutie Mark Crusaders were touched and pushed the baby bottle over. The cap popped open and Trixie walked out.
“Girls, are you insane,” Daring Do asked.
“Remember that line on the map,” Apple Bloom said. “’If unity doesn’t triumph around the bend, then all of magic will reach its end’. That must include teaming up with Trixie. They have as much to gain from defeating Tirek as we do.”
“So come on,” Scootaloo said. “Let’s stop Tirek.”
“I’ll help,” Discord said. “All my stuff is in Equestria.”