Before long the day of the show was upon the town. Ponies buzzed around putting up streamers and party items as Pinkie Pie, being the party animal she was, saw this as a chance to throw a large party after the show. "Ok, group A I need ribbons and confetti on sections two, four, and seven. Group B get those desserts in place for the buffet and make it double time!" Came the crazy mare's voice from a megaphone as she watched over and coordinated the groups.

"Got to admit Pink's I didn't expect this kind of skill and order from you." Jack admired, walking up behind her.

"Well of course silly, it's my job. I'm one of the best party planners in Equestia for a reason after all. I can fit any style no matter the crowd!" She proudly, proclaimed puffing out her chest.

Jack rolled his eyes as he moved through the crowds stepping to the left or right when necessary to not run into anypony. "Hey Lucky, Brave, how are you guys holding up?" He said in his mind to the two Omegas.

The pair popped into existence on his shoulder in chibi like forms. Lucky stretched and yawned, relaxing back while Brave was rigid like a soldier always. "Hey Jacky boy, Me an' the big puddy cat over there were just going over past hero's and some of the stuff we helped them accomplish. Lucky replied, leaning into Jack's finger as it scratched behind his ears, his foot thumping.

Brave merely grunted at the nickname before continuing where his partner left off "For example Great Arch Duke Rockter of Terra Prime. We gave him the ability and strength to over throw his evil father and assume the place of ruler leading to over four millenniums of peace." He said pushing Jack's other hand away from being petted.

"Wow, you almost sound proud of that feat." Jack said looking at the little lion with raised corners of his mouth.

Brave looked at the area around them before replying. "I am but it is also expected that we supply that type of quality in a hero. Someday I hope to do that with you as well."

Jack couldn't help but feel the smile grow. "Awww, you do care about me." He teased scratching the Omega's head. Even though Brave would rather die then admit it the scratches did feel nice. "But I guess I should get my outfits ready for the show. I may not be a judge now but I still need to welcome everypony." He said after finishing his walk around town.

The two faded away once he stepped foot into the castle entrance. "Hey Jack, getting ready for the show?" Twilight asked lounging in a chair, a book floating next to her. "I got to say it's nice of you to do all of this for the crusaders. Helps with the town as well." She added getting up from the seat and walking closer to the human. "I also hear you are going to perform as well. Is that true?" She said, leaning closer to the man.

Jack chuckled at the questions. "No problem about the show and yes I am singing at it." He said, answering her questions. Slipping past he moved for the stairs. "But I have to get ready now so I'll see you and the girls there." He called over his shoulder.

The cloaked figure moved through the long since forgotten halls of the castle searching. "Oh, little book." It cooed "Where are you. I know you are here somewhere." It sang as it ran a clawed hand across a book shelf one tome looked out of place. Giving it a small tug set the mechanisms in motion, making the shelf swing to the side to reveal a tunnel with a dark force of energy emanating from it. "Found you." The figured whispered as a sharp teeth filled grin spread across its hollow features.

Descending into the dark abyss the figure came into a room holding only a single book bound by chains and and fading magic spells. As the figure drew closer, letting off small bursts of magic severing the ties of the leather bound piece. Pulling it close while letting a deserved laugh escape it's form the book pulsed with life as the spells that held it faded, sending a signal into the flow of magic, searching for two certain rulers.

*Gasp* came the sudden breath from both rulers as they dined in their hall. Celestia looked to Luna with worry. "I hope that wasn't what I think it was." She asked praying her sister wouldn't confirm her fear.

Luna sat there shocked before nodding her head. "It was." Came her soft reply standing up. "The tome of death has just been released." She said and how she wish she never had to utter them. "I'll get discord."

"I'll get the guards." Celestia stated firmly already planning for hell.

Jack was having a fantastic time. The show was about to start with all of ponyville around to see. Hell, even Fluttershy came out and she hates crowds. "Nothing could make this day go bad." He whispered to himself. Turning around he ran into a stallion with a dark brown coat and funny looking detective hat.

"Oh, my apologize I wasn't watching where I was going." The stallion said getting up from the ground and offering Jack his hand.

"Don't mention it uhh... who are you?" Jack asked looking to the strange man.

The stallion perked up. "Ah where are my manners. I am Murphy but you don't need to remember me." The now known Murphy said walking around a set of boxes and disappearing.

"Ooookkk." Jack said to himself. "Weird but got bigger fish to fry." He stated shaking his head and walking to where the talent groups were waiting. "Hello everypony. Are you ready to put on a show!" He asked the group earning a small cheer from the contestants. Moving his eyes over them he saw Sweetie warming up with Button while Scootaloo was stretching out with the help of Applebloom. Soon it was time to get the show start, taking a deep breath Jack walked out onto the stage to a roaring crowd. Once he got to the mic he cleared his throat. "Hello Ponyville, You all have been waiting patiently for weeks now. Helping your friends or family who are performing practice. I'd like to just say a few things before we get started." He said once the crowd calmed down. Turning around he called out the crusaders who to their credit had brave faces on. Once they stood in front of him, he let a hand rest on Applebloom's shoulder. "These three little girls are the reason the show even came into existence. Applebloom personally helped build most of this stage and the other two will be performing in the hopes that this will finally earn their cutie marks. So lets give them a round of applause for their help." He said making the crowd give a thunderous cry of encouragement. As the three bowed a glow appeared on Bloom's neck that when it faded revealed a mark of a shield with an apple inside behind a hammer. The crowd was silent as Jack started to laugh. "One down, two more to go ayy girls?" He said making the crowd clap more as the three jumped up and down in excitement, rushing back into the curtains.

"He really is a sweet heart isn't he?" Fluttershy asked her friends as they watched the show get started. Only Applejack wasn't there as she had gone back to celebrate with her sister.

"He's super duper great with kids too. I even heard Mrs. Cake talking about using him as a babysitter so I could have a break from watching the twins." Pinkie agreed bouncing in place on her tail.

Twilight was about to respond to her friends remarks but was interrupted when Spike belched out a letter. Grabbing it with her magic she read down it, her eye's grew with each word. "Oh mother of Faust." She whispered to herself making Rarity gasp.

"Whats with the swearing dear. That isn't a language a princess should use." Her friend reprimanded. She stopped when Twilight handed her the scroll to read. After a moment she whispered "Oh fuck."

Now everypony and dragon's attention in the group was on the two but before they could ask the show started up. The first ponies up were Snips and Snails, They were trying for a slap stick comedy that by the end left a few ponies in the crowd covered in whipped cream. They quickly were booed off the stage.

Next came Octavia and Vinyl who were performing their mix of classic with dubstep.woosh was what the ponies watching felt when the music played across them. The crowd was stunned, even the elements forgot the important message for a moment. The the music drew to a close making the crowd cheer for the spectacle.

Performer after performer came each with various degrees of success till it was Scootaloos turn. The crowd shifted to look at the stunt course that had been placed next to the stage for the more daring performers. She stood at the top of a ramp, the wind blowing lightly across the park. Then with a small tilt she went down the ramp her scooter under her while her wings buzzed at an increasing speed till she hit the looping section of the course, spinning up and over repeatedly. Launching out the other side the on lookers could only gasp, some even looking away as she slipped into the tunnel system rotating around in a spiral before taking a sharp turn, her wheels sparking on the ground from the high speeds. Her final stop was the wall as someponies had gone to calling it when it was built. Flapping her wings as hard as they could, the little filly rocketed up the obstacle into the air, flipping trick after trick till the momentum wore off and she fell back down. She skidded to a halt at the end of the wall, welcomed by the roar of the crowd followed by a flash of light on her neck to reveal a shield with wings inside of it.

With a squeal of glee she was quickly scooped up by Rainbow and her parents, who took her back stage to celebrate with bloom. As they past Jack the filly called out. "Thanks big bro for all the help." Making Jack chuckle and wave with a smile.

After that performance a break was called for everypony to calm down and get refills on their food and drinks. Jack wandered around chatting with people till he froze in place. "What was that?" He said, seeing Lucky and Brave materialize in front of him.

That would be a very bad sign." Brave grunted out, his fur standing on edge while Lucky looked around.

This isn't good. Whatever that was could only mean there's a new baddy on the loose and this one isn't a joke either." Lucky said once he finished scanning the area.

Jack sighed before focusing his senses on the surroundings, not hearing anything out of place. "Whatever it was is gone now. Should we cancel the show?" He asked looking at the two. Both shook their heads.

Brave cleared his throat before talking "Best thing we can do is continue so as not to cause a panic but be ready for anything."

"Hey Jack are you ok?" Came a voice behind him. Whirling around showed Tempest with a light blue unicorn mare with a wizard hat on. "You seemed like you saw a nightmare or something." She said stepping closer as the two Omegas disappeared.

"I... i'll admit there's something wrong. Also who are you?" He said turning to the mystery mare who was somewhat hiding behind Tempest.

The mare's face scrunched up before stepping forward. "I am The Grea... umm I mean my name is Trixie, Trixie Lulamoon." She said, catching herself before saying what almost seemed like a stage name. "I had heard there was going to be a talent show here and wanted to see, maybe even fix a few old ties I had here." She explained.

Jack raised a brow, his eyes flicking to Tempest who only shrugged. "Well it's a pleasure to meet you Trixie. I'm Jack, the residential human." He said sticking a hand out to shake while smiling.

Trixie shook it firmly. "Pleasures all mine. So what's this problem you have?" She questioned taking a step back.

Jack slapped his head. "Ah thats right. Listen you two I need you to get the elements together and contact Celestia. A really powerful... something is around and it could get dangerous. I know I'm a tough guy but I'd like some basically goddesses as back up." He stated making the two glance at each other.

"Um, actually I think she already knows." Tempest said, raising a finger.

Jack squinted at her. "What do you mean?" He asked.

"The girls got a letter saying to get ready for something but she didn't say what, only that she was bringing backup and to warn you." Trixie said. "We were actually looking for you." She added.

Before Jack could say another thing a section of the park near the festivities blew up. Everypony ducked and covered their heads from the debris. Looking up Jack was worried. "I think she needs to hurry faster."

Author's Note

Who is this strange figure and what do they want? Will our hero be able to save everyone till help arrives? Find out next time on "The Smiling Warrior!"