The girls gathered in the park to talk about the upcoming events. Mostly one in Canterlot. More importantly, the one involving a specific pony.

"I still can't believe your brother is getting married to your old babysitter." Rarity giggled.

"Ya." Pinkie chimed. "Can you imagine the drama if we were finding out at the last minute? Instead of getting the month to prepare?" Pinkie laughed before glaring at the viewers.

After a few moments of their friend staring into space, Applejack cleared her throat. "Anywho… do ya reckon the princess would have an idea about what to do about Check?"

"Something tells me she's just going to tell us to figure it out like some kind of lesson." Rainbow sighed.

"The princess wouldn't…" Twilight started. But rethought her comment at the look her friends gave her. "Well… comparing this to the other things we went through… OK. You may have a point. But you can't deny she does it for our best interests."

Another look. This time, Fluttershy spoke. "But wasn't it her idea to send a group of kids to face Discord?"

Everypony looked at her in shock for a moment before Rainbow added. "She has a point. Maybe… we should see if your future sister in law has some ideas."

Twilight sighed and wrote a letter. "Ok. I'll have Spike send this ahead. They might still have things to prepare. But letting them know we want to talk… and what about… will give all of us time to prepare."

"Spike?" Rarity called.

The girls rolled their eyes as Spike ran over. "Yes Rarity?"

"Would you be a dear and send this letter to Cadance for us?" She asked softly.

Suspecting he knew what it was about he nodded and did as he was asked.

With the letter on it's way the girls agreed to get ready for the train ride. Stopping for a moment at the sound of Spike's belch.

"You girls go ahead." He said with a smile as he looked at the letter. "It's just a reply from a letter I sent… Guy stuff."

With a nod the girls ran off the Carousel Boutique. Meanwhile Spike ran off to find Check.

At the library, Check was sitting in front of a map of Canterlot Castle. "Odd that Twilight would have this out for anypony to look at." He shrugged. "But at least it gives me a way to see what to expect later."

"If you get invited." The voice pointed out.

"The more you talk like that. The more likely I will be." Check countered. "If the next game is a mystery… I'd need to know what rooms would likely be involved, and the most likely routes…"

"Game?" Spike said from the door.

"Crud." Bothe Check and the voice muttered.

"Check? What's going on?" Spike asked as he walked over.

Check thought for a moment before smiling at the dragon. "Well Spike… ouch." He groaned, feeling a kick to the back of his head. "You never said I can't tell them about it." He hissed looking away.

"The more that know, the less fun the game becomes." The voice huffed.

With a sigh Check turned to the now concerned dragon. "Look. After a bit of research. I found out the voice in my head is a part of Discord. And he brought me here to play some games with the fate of your world on the line." Check explained. "And the next one takes place in Canterlot."

"Next?"

"The first one was Nightmare Moon. And then there was that dating thing." Check sighed.

"Which is still going." The voice added.

"Whatever." Check sighed. "The point is… if I fail to clear the games… ponies might get hurt. Or worse."

Spike thought for a moment before asking. "Would it help if you were at where the game takes place?"

"It'll be a lot easier. The last one was easy. But I get the feeling that they'll get harder as we go."

"And… what about?" Spike gulped.

"He won't do anything till I lose… and that means… I have to keep the girls in the game." Check explained as he turned away.

"Wait… you mean… you're playing with their lives?" Spike gasped.

"Yes Spike. In a way I am. But…"

"Only for the games… right? They're themselves outside the… events?" Spike asked. Seeing Check nod, the dragon gasped. "The wedding!"

"Wedding?"

Spike pulled out the letter. "I got you invited as a best man. The wedding must be the next event."

Check thought for a moment. "That… complicates things… he said the next game was a mystery…" He looked at the map and at each spot he thought would be involved in the wedding. "I have a bad feeling about this."

"Should I tell the girls?" Spike asked.

"For now? No. It's easy to guess this is a special event for them. Just act normally and tell me what you find out." With a nod he turned to smile at Spike. "Agent Spike…"

Hearing this Spike stood at attention.

"I need you to be my eyes and ears. As Twilight's number one assistant, you will be close to the action. So act normal around them as you take note of what you see and hear. I'll do my part and talk to the guards and guests."

The two nod and after getting a suit for Check, they made their way to the train station.

NEXT TIME

the mystery of BRIDZILLA

Author's Note

Heads up. Bad guys will be coming soon and not juts the final boss like in the show. Who wants to guess on wins and losses. And the prize or penalty that'll come with?