Author's Note

I seem to be making good progress this weekend so here an early chapter. I will still be releasing the next on the 16th. I may go to weekly if I can keep this pace.
Wish me luck.

A New Time Frame.

This drew Celestia’s attention. I could almost see the thoughts running behind her eyes. ‘Even if she could figure out my plan the instant I take her back its going to be too late.’

Dash was a bit more abrupt answering my question with a question. “Why?”

I give her a simple smile and just say. “Please answer the question.”

She looks like she is about to start arguing with me when Celestia clears her throat and says. “Though I do not like it either, we have to play by the rules. He entered into this wager with some form of restrictions on himself. Furthermore, from what I have gathered you had ample opportunity to turn down this wager. Now Rainbow Dash while neither of us like this outcome we agreed to it.” She looks at me and I give her a small nod. “Then just like Discord this being…” She trails off and looks at me and I supply.

“Where are my manors I thought we had done introductions.” With a flourish of my hand, I give her a slight bow from the waist. “Please call me, Delirium.”

She gives me a nod of thanks. “Delirium, here is bound be certain conditions. Am I correct?”

‘Shit play it cool. I don’t know if Discord had different restraints on his powers so confirm a minimum no more.’

Rising up from my seat, I say. “To speak plainly my verbose and oft veiled methods are bound not much in action but in veracity. For it is with a deft mind and dexterous presentation of words can I achieve more than by simple application of authority.”

Rainbow Dash took offense to my response seeming to spit her words at me as if they were poison. “What is that supposed to mean, huh?”

I just look Celestia straight in the face and say. “Not one for politicking is she?”

With a sigh, she just shook her head.

I just give her a flat look and rub my right temple asking. “Please tell me at least one of the bearers understands word craft.”

“Rarity and Twilight both are fairly practiced. Rarity is better at it, but if you wish to truly cross words with someone it will have to be Luna or myself.”

“Quite, but that is neither here nor there.” Turning to face Rainbow Dash I ask again. “When and where are you friends expecting you to return from that weather convention?”

She looks to her princess then sighs. “I was supposed to meet them at the gala no later than an hour from its start.”

“Thank you. Now was that so hard?” I ask with a smile.

She gives me a dirty look and I don’t care. ‘I have close to two days to steal an element or two before Dash’s absence is noticed and before I take Celestia. Now to get the Princess back.’

I turn to Celestia and offer. “Would you like to go home now or would you care to stay for…” I look down and check the time. Almost four. “High tea?”

She gives me a polite smile with what amounts to a four-legged curtsy and says. “While tea sounds lovely. If you truly are willing to just return me to the castle at this time I must take you up on that offer.”

“So be it, but let no one say I lack in decorum. I will see you in a few short days if you wish to watch my little game.” I offer her my arm and she takes it.

“My, it has been years sense any being has offered me both a challenge and polite conversation. I think Luna will like you more than Discord. She never quite got over the incident with the cotton candy hair.”

I picture that and cannot help but grin. “I will be back in a moment. Feel free to enjoy the amenities while I am out Ms. Dash.”

She gives me a dirty look and I just punch in some new coordinates. With a push of a button, we’re off. Oddly enough, we end up in the same broom closet. “I swear, it’s like this dam thing likes this storeroom. I was aiming for the throne room. Let’s see when we arrived before we leave shall we.”

Celestia gives me a small smile. As if, this little incident and my frustration amuse her.

I cannot let her get away with that. I tap my toe like I am trying to adjust my shoe and suddenly she has a few new accessories. Tom Baker’s scarf and Matt Smith’s fez. I give her my own smile.

Honestly I expected a little anger or some chagrin. What I got shocked me a bit. A genuine smile. I watched as she wrapped the scarf a little tighter about her neck.

Looking down I read the display. Doing some quick mental math, I realize I took her forward by almost twelve hours. ‘A little more time wouldn’t hurt for the plan.’ I turn to her and say, “I would give it an hour before going out there just to play it safe.”
She nods at this and I hit the return button.

This time around, I lost an hour in the return. Dash was no ware in sight and I had plans to revise.

I leave to house to Dash and head towards town to get some more surveillance on the library. I need to find out if I can replace one or two of the elements before they leave for the gala. Getting them the night before the gala combining with my very public taking of Celestia and Rainbow Dash not showing up should force Twilight into some very rash actions.

As I neared the edge of the forest, I realized something. It was still daylight I can’t enter the town in this form. At the same time, I need something that won’t draw attention until I want it. I make another clone of myself and take away most of his power. When he formed in front of me I began shaping him.

First, I started with a normal male pony body. Looking him over I turn his coat a deep black and his mane gray. Next I built his body up I made him a full head over Rainbow Dash. I add a horn for good measure. The clones muscles get rearranged heavy tone, medium mass. Finally, I add a cutie mark a silver triskele.

Looking over my creation, I still feel something is missing. It hits me. I tap my cane on his back and head for the entire world looking like I was knighting the guy. I step back and he is wearing a fedora and a waistcoat both black pinstriped with blood red silk accents. The ribbon on the hat and the pocket square in his pocket. I debate adding a shirt and tie; and go for broke adding a charcoal shirt with a solid (no pattern) silk tie. With these touches, I link our minds and send him off into town.