//------------------------------//
// Chapter 1: The Games Begin 
// Story: Game Night 2: Games Among Friends 
// by Bureaucrabrony 
//------------------------------//



They all gathered in Twilight's throne room. The bearers of the Elements of Harmony chatted amongst themselves. Discord and Fluttershy entered together. Cadence and Shining Armor arrived last. Everypony mingled for almost an hour before Discord called for everypony’s attention. 

“Alright everypony, thank you all for coming. Thank you for agreeing to participate in our little game night. It means a lot to me that you would give me this opportunity to exercise my powers of chaos. Since Cadence and Shining Armor are expecting anytime, they cannot participate, however they have agreed to help me manage the puzzles and challenges you will all work through.” said Discord.

“Let's get going then!” Said Rainbow Dash excitedly.

“First I need you to pair off. Rainbow Dash and Twilight, Applejack and Fluttershy, and Rarity and Pinkie Pie.” Discord instructed as the six moved to their partners. “You will all face challenges. They will test your limits, but have no fear, you will never be in real danger. You will each leave two by two and receive your instructions as you leave.” Discord said.

The first to leave the room was Applejack and Fluttershy. They seemed to fade away as they left the Castle and the pair found themselves in an unfamiliar Forest. They froze as they listened to the rhyme that was their instructions.

Discord’s voice boomed, “In strange lands you find yourselves. Into each other’s shoes you’ll find you delve. Kindness sometimes lacks in a Farmer’s work, and honesty is a virtue the kind sometimes shirk. Onward you must travel to find your way, and homage to each other's talents must be paid.”

Back at the Castle, Twilight and Rainbow Dash set off and, like Applejack and Fluttershy, faded away as they left the Castle. The pair found themselves in a maze of high stone walls. “Another maze, not very original.” Said Rainbow impatiently. Instantly the roof closed on top of them, severely limiting the usefulness of flight. Twilight shot Rainbow an accusatory look.

Discord's voice began, “Two friends trapped in a maze. Puzzles Princess Twilight won't be phased. Which is why it's Rainbow Dash to solve this problem,a simple prospect for one so awesome. Challenges against your natures lie in your way, attention to each other’s talents you must pay. Bookworms seldom fly with grace and books can sometimes win a race.”

Rarity and Pinkie Pie were the last to leave. As they faded from view they found themselves in a crowded corridor in what seemed to be Canterlot Castle.

“Oo, how wonderful, we’re in Canterlot!” Said Rarity.

“Hip, hip, Hooray!” Pinkie Pie bounced enthusiastically.

Discord’s disembodied voice echoed through the corridor, “Parties suit you both after a fashion. Infact one might even call it your passions. Though profound differences there are, in how each pursue them thus far. Now Pinkie must must turn her prescient eye to the elegant by and by. Rarity must ignore her stylish instinct or run the risk of the fun going extinct. Fun and form sometimes clash but you ponies can balance this bash.”

Back at the Castle Discord turned to Cadence and Shining Armor. “Cadence I need you to monitor Pinkie and Rarity. Make sure they are acting as instructed and the events go as planned. Shining Armor, I need you to monitor Applejack and Fluttershy and see they also stay on plan. Be sure that they are reset anytime the wrong pony solves the problem presented to them. I will be focusing on Twilight and Rainbow Dash at the moment.” The couple looked at each other and Discord with amused and mischievous grins as they went about their separate tasks. “And so the games begin” Discord said smiling to himself.