Samurai Equine

Trilby at this point was on automatic pilot. As he lost in his own existential dread, he brohoofs without even realizing he brohoofed. All this hard work in life, his ups and down, his sales and losses, his new stores and old stores, somehow all leading to this. Was this the end? Was this the legacy he was going to lead? Did he really fail to save everypony at the Goof Off? But then, Trilby hears it. Laughter! Real laughter! From Discord!! "What?!" Trilby says, sitting up, which somehow leads to his rainbow wig splitting and falling off his head. But his eyes were not fooling him. It was real! It was really real! As Discord claps, Trilby looks around at the wonderous sight. He watches as @Shiny Silvermoon Shiny, @Emerald Heart Emerald, @Dynamo Pad Dynamo, Silky, @Pinkie Pie, and anypony else affected by the chaotic magic is quickly returned to normal. Even the theater is looking like its former glory! With any luck, this will help snap @Wizard Titanium out her paralyzed daze. Trilby smiles as a wave of relief and joy washes over him. Looking over, he gets up and runs over to @Discord, giving him a hug. A sincere hug. He even cuddles into it. "Thank you, Discord! As soon as you started talking about Fluttershy and the rest, I always knew there was a friendly draconequus in there somewhere. And I'm a pony of my word too. I look forward to eating at Chez Discord." Picking up his microphone once more, Trilby speaks into it. "Well audience, we've been through a lot today. But now the show can go on as intended. And since this show doesn't need me anymore, I think I'll just sit back and enjoy it with my new friend, Discord. This is your now ex-judge Trilby Hatter, signing out. And remember, a trilby hat on your head will always put a smile on your face." Tossing the mic away, Trilby resigns himself to just being a simple audience member. He is ready to welcome Discord as a guest, ready to just enjoy the show for what it is, and ready to see how it all ends. No pony needs him to be commentator or judge anymore. ... ... ...Unless?...

Trilby could barely bring himself to look at @Discord. He was too embarrassed after making a fool of himself. Besides, he didn't hear any laughter, so that pretty much told him all he needed to know. That is, until he heard someone else... "...Sure. Tag in." Trilby tags Saturn. "Tag, you're it." Trilby scoots away from the stage, moving only his hind legs. He surrenders the floor to Saturn to let her have a chance at making Discord laugh.

Trilby smiles brightly, suddenly full of hope! "Remember audience, whatever you see next, do not attempt this at home." Trilby shakes on it, only to get the shock of his life! A shock so powerful, you can see his skeleton like a giant x-ray. The very shock makes Trilby bounce around rapidly all over the stage! But he doesn't fall over. Instead he stops with his back to Discord. And, with a wave of his hoof... Trilby turns to reveal he is now clown-faced and rubber hose animation style! "All right, folks! Let's hit it! A-1, a-2, a-buckle my shoe!" With the music starting up, Trilby goes into a silly toe-tapping dance. As he shuffles on over to Discord, he begins to sing. At one point, he even grabs onto Discord and sways side to side with him while singing this tune. Smile, darn ya, smile! You know this old world is a great world after all C'mon and smile, darn ya, smile And right away watch Lady Luck pay you a call At some point, Trilby hops on a unicycle and begins riding circles around Discord while juggling various objects; like a rubber chicken, a bowling pin, and a few pie tins filled with the cake batter from earlier. Things are never black as they are painted Time for you and joy to get acquainted Make all your life worthwhile Come on and smile, darn ya, smile! But at some point, Trilby falls off the unicycle and is hit on the head by the rubber chicken, the first pie, the 2nd pie, the 3rd pie, and finally the bowling pin. But does he go down? NO! Instead, he stumbles around while tweeting birds circle around his head. But he shakes his head clear of the dizzies, quite literally, and spins into a few costume changes! Sometimes, he's a goof ball. Sometimes, he's pony life! Sometimes, he's... a lady? And you know while he is dressed that way, he takes a second to run up and kiss Discord right on the cheek! And quickly running back down to the stage, he changes back into a clown and continues his act! Complete with eating a banana and tossing it away, only to slip and fall on his own banana peel. Blowing air into his hoof and inflating like a balloon, only to flop around like a deflating balloon! And who could forget pulling out fake dynamite sticks and letting it explode in his face, leaving lots of soot? But with another quick dust off, Trilby goes back to dancing and finishes his song! Life is really only what you make it Stand right up and show them you can take it Make life worthwhile Come on and smile, darn ya, smile! And reaching off stage, Trilby pulls out a random drum, bursts through it, and waves to all. "That's all, folks~!" ... ... ... With the song over, Trilby huffs and puffs, no longer rubber hose style. Then, as the realization of what he just did sinks in, his face turns red. Red like a tomato. Steam comes billowing out of his ears. "Oh no... my dignity." Trilby thinks to himself before he collapses on the stage floor. He could literally just fall apart right now. But did it make Discord laugh, chuckle, chortle, or guffaw? It's up to fate now...

Can you hear the sound of glass shattering? Suddenly, all of Trilby's blustered up confidence comes crashing down. "He... refused? Oh Celestia. I really messed up now, haven't I? I didn't think he'd just refuse like that... Now what?" Trilby thinks to himself as he scratches his chin, trying to think of what to do next. All of his plans were centered around Discord accepting the personal challenge, and now it might not happen! ...But then he notices the sudden fit of of anger. Trilby smirks. "Oh? You don't like that? Heh. Spoken like a true grumpy guss. Guess you can dish it out, but you can't take it, can you? But I'll tell you what, since I'm such a nice guy, I'll sweeten the deal. Win or lose, you can stay and watch the show. You'll still have to turn everypony back to normal, but you'll be welcomed as a guest. In fact, I'll even buy every dish on your menu. Chez Discord will have it's first and best customer, if you agree to my one-on-one challenge. Unless, of course, you're chicken!" Trilby says with a flare before flapping his arms like a bird and saying "Bawk, bawk, bawk!" over and over again.

Trilby nods. He passes the propane torch to Saturn. "Would you be willing to light some candles and maybe get some water? I think it'll help Shiny." He decides to trust Saturn before walking off. Trilby pets Croissanto. "You'll be my back up plan, buddy. Have some faith in your pal Trilby, okay?" He gives the puppet a smile, then turns to Ghostie. "No, it has to be me. You and everypony else are part of the show. This is suppose to be fun. Dealing with unapproved chaos is what the staff does, and I'm staff. When it's over, I'll trust you all to bring the smiles back. But for now... Just let me do this." Trilby winks at Ghostie and gets ready to stand his ground. Well, that was a strange entrance. "...And somepony get this mare some caffeine, or some chocolate milk, or something! We didn't come here for sad sacks." A heavy sigh. "I ain't no hero, but I can't ignore something like that..." Walking over, Trilby gives Dynamo a hug, and then does something unexpected. Taking his prized hat off his head, Trilby takes some things out of it, then puts his hat on Dynamo's head. "Hey, trust your buddy and your sponsor, good ol' Trilby. You know, once upon a time, in a forgotten town, I once knew a Japonies pony. Didn't care for him much, but he was a true hero. He could inspire an entire town into freindship. I ain't anything that amazing, but maybe I can at least get my hooves dirty so nopony else has to." With that and a nod, Trilby walk off. Trilby takes a moment to clear the stage. He gets between Ghostie and Discord, giving her a thankful nod, letting her know it's his turn now. He grabs his microphone and holds it up. "Fillies and Gentlecolts, this is Trilby Hatter, reporting live! I came here to be a judge, but for the sake of everyone's fun and laughter, I'm gonna do the thing I've been avoiding. I'm gonna compete. So get ready to cheer for me, okay?" Trilby says with a warm smile to the audience before steadying himself with steely determination. ... ... Walking forward until he is center stage and taking a stand, Trilby faces up against @Discord. With all the determination he can muster, he points at the draconequus. "Discord! Ever since you came here, things have been CRAZY~! I feel like I'm howling at the moon, and sleeping in the middle of a summer afternoon. And that's why I have a simple question for you." Trilby pauses a moment to put on a rainbow afro wig. "Discord, I challenge you... to a Goof-Off! If I manage to make you laugh, even a little, you have to change everything back to normal and be on your way. But if I fail... Then I'll crown you this year's champion of the goof-off, making you the silliest one here. So what do you say? Are you a grumpy guss, or is it showtime?" Trilby asks, concluding with a smirk.

Trilby was touched to see both @Emerald Heart Emerald and @Dah Onion Eater Ghostie doing their parts. Though he is a little surprised to see Shiny reaching out to @Wizard Titanium in a friendly way. "Uh... Everypony? I think this is working. Does anypony have any candles? We could maybe just light a few and put them around Shiny for now. I have a draconequus to challenge." Trilby says, still holding his propane torch.