Time, Space, and Paradoxes

Chapters

Painted sky
Wedding Crashers
Public Opinion
Null and Void
Spoilers
Paradox vs. Nightmare
Night of the Living... Paradox?
Prison Break-in
Escape?
Overdue Reunion
Homecoming
Human Flaws
Charlotte's Day Out

Painted sky

Dust clung to the air around the newly formed crater. At the bottom of said crater lay the body of a man scared by long life and many battles. For a moment he lay still and suddenly he gasped back to the realm of the living from the void. His body lay broken in a heap. Bones split from flesh and entered vital organs, deep gashes spread over his sides and limbs, and a his weapon pierced his chest. An old familiar agony assaulted his senses as bone met bone and flesh met flesh. His body was regenerating in its usual manner.

This broken man rose up from his makeshift grave and pulled the weapon from himself. An average body withheld an immensely powerful individual as he ascended the crater. The man stood proud on the rim of his crater and his reformed sanguine eyes surveyed the surroundings. His brown hair, reminiscent of Edward Elric sans the pony tail and cow-lick, swayed with the breeze. His clothes began to reform as well, an average bartender's uniform complete with arm bands, black gloves, red bow tie, black dress shoes and red tinted rimless glasses.

"Why do I make a crater every time I end up somewhere new?" He said with a sigh.

After his pointless question he reached into his inner vest pocket and produced a small metallic object with a red light at one end. As he used it to check his surrounding further a particular reading peaked his interests. There was a few life signs nearby and one of them was in serious distress. He nodded as determination filled his eyes and took off towards the group weapon in hand.

Twilight Sparkle stood in the midst of a group of frothing timber wolves. Slowly they circled her waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike at the frightened mare. Finally the moment arrived and one of the wooden wolves leapt at her. She braced for impact and slowly became aware that nothing had touched her yet. She opened her eyes to a shocking sight, all of the wolves had been ripped and torn to pieces. The creature that had done it was looking down at her cowering form. It was at least six feet tall and holding the silhouette of a horrifying and large weapon. The scythe he was wielding frightened her to no end, in the shadow he looked like the reaper himself ready to claim his next soul. He stepped into the light and Twilight was relieved to see he wasn't some sort of skeletal monstrosity or hideous amalgamation of pony parts. The weapon suddenly dissipated into black fire and the creature knelt down and extended its arm towards her.

"Hello there little one, did those blighting' wolves hurt you?" he said with a soothing air even if he had a very strange accent, she couldn't place it. It was like soothing mix of Trottingham and Southern style. It was strangely calming but not enough to ease the rattled pony.

"N-no," she replied clearly shaken by the creature speaking her language.

"Haha! Isn't that brilliant! You can talk! Oh, I can already tell today is gonna be interesting." He chortled as he spoke, "Whats your name little miss?"

"I-I'm Twilight Sparkle…who and what are you?"

"Now, that is the spirit. I'm Paradox but the last part is a little more complicated."

Paradox took this opportunity to scratch Twilight as he sat in the grass of the clearing. She flinched at the contact but slowly began to push back into his hand as he scratched her behind the ear. Paradox smiled and looked to the sky to check the time. It was still morning but rapidly nearing noon. Paradox sighed and looked at Twilight.

"I am an abomination Miss Sparkle."

"Wh-what!?" Twilight twitched at Paradox's words.

"That is the truth, I am something that should not exist, but here I am and no matter what I do I will always be the bad guy."

"…I don't think you're a bad guy… I mean you did save me…"

"If ya say so love," He said patting her head softly, "now point me to your home so I can get ya outta 'ere."

Twilight pointed a hoof to the West. Paradox nodded and scooped her into his arms. Twilight squeaked at the sudden action. The next instant he took off at alarming speed bounding through thick forest, dodging limbs and leaping over fallen debris as if his clothes didn't constrict him at all. Amidst the whistle of the wind Twilight felt a something magical and was further shocked by what she saw when she looked down. With every step the ground beneath Paradox's feet erupted in a small gout of black and gold fire.

Once at the edge of the forest Paradox knelt and set Twilight to the ground. They had come out near a small cottage with the village not far. Paradox looked fascinated by what he saw. 'A race of sentient and colorful equine, WITH houses and a village oh this is FANTASTIC' his thoughts were beaming with excitement.
They moved toward the back of the little cottage where a little picnic was being held.

"Hay, Girls!" Twilight yelled as they neared the group.

They ponies turn to her voice with cheery smiles. Those smiles quickly turned to shear horror as they noticed the tall creature behind her. The cyan blue pegasus pony leapt into action quick as lightning and rocketed towards the creature. Paradox saw this coming a mile away and decided to poke her pride with his proverbial middle finger. At the perfect moment Paradox kicked off the ground and pulled his body horizontal and spinning like a corkscrew right above the cyan pony. As she passed he gently puckered and kissed her forehead causing her to blush and skid to a halt on her hooves behind him.

Before any words could be said the orange stetson wearing mare was hurdling at him with intent to kill. Paradox had just enough time to react and threw his hands up almost like he was trying to block her. A block was not his intention though, the pony writhed as she was lifted into the air by a black and gold aura.

"Are you ladies quite finished?" Paradox smirked.

"PUT ME DOWN THIS INSTANT YA VARMINT!" the orange pony raged.

"As you wish…" Paradox bowed and the orange pony was gently set on the ground with a look of confusion on her face.

"GIRLS! He is not doing anything wrong why did you attack him?" Twilight asked after breaking her shell-shock.

"But he looks so weird though and kinda menacing." The cyan one remarked now hovering around Paradox.

"I take offense to that, I'm 'Dead' sexy if I do say so myself, aaaaand modest."

"Ah can tell but what are ya?"

"Isn't it obvious though he's a multidimensional mage with a sharp wit and devilish personality!" the pink pony exclaimed without batting an eye.

"Exact…wait HOW IN THE ENDLESS VOID DID YOU GUESS THAT!" Paradox was speechless (by his standards thats quite a feat unless it involves beautiful females or delicious food).

"Easy silly the guy out there told me," she giggled and pointed to nothing.

"You can see him too!" Paradox gasped and hugged the pink pony causing her to giggle like crazy. The others just looked at the pair and shook their heads.

After introductions and an explanation of where Paradox had come from the group sat enjoying the picnic. Paradox was showing off his "magic" while Twilight and Rarity looked on in awe. Finally after Paradox had summoned up sundaes Twilight couldn't contain her curiosity.

"Paradox what kind of magic is that I have never seen it before."

"Well, Twilight what you call magic is just manipulation of energy both elemental and meta-physical. My 'magic' is actually a very intricate combination of negative and positive energy into one pure and balanced energy, one very prevalent in the void. This pure energy, when correctly controlled, can do anything and I mean anything."

"You said void…as in the ever expanding nothingness?"

"Yep, it is a realm beyond comprehension everything and nothing all at once a place where the laws of existence mean nothing and knowledge can be found in infinite quantities but that much knowledge would not only destroy a mortal body but drive a normal mind insane."

"Ok… so how do you make and harness that energy?"

"Well, I am lucky to blessed with fonts both positive and negative energy."

"Wow, so you have this pure and powerful magic at your hoo…..umm fingertips."

"Yep," Paradox said matter-of-factly. The entire time the others had stared at the man. He seemed to understand the nature of magic better than they did, but was it really just energy and nothing more?

"So you're saying our entire whole lives that were based on magic…was a lie?" Rainbow Dash said almost sullenly.

"No, you can call it what you want and the shear fact that you all evolved to use it in you bodies as normal is magical indeed. In fact with having such a power I'm proud to see that your species uses it for good and fellowship and not war and suffering like back in my universe. That is nothing short of magical."

The girls smiled at his sentiment. He had told them of the world he was from and some of the things he had seen. They shuttered remembering some of the pain and suffering he had told them of. Paradox sighed and looked to the sky, the sun was setting.

"Well, girls as much as I'd love to stay I need to find a place to hide away for the night."

"Oh, well umm… you can stay at the library I have an extra bed and you did save me after all… and I'd love to learn more about your world and race," Twilight said not sure of herself.

"Ah, Excellent."

With that the group said their goodbyes. Twilight and Paradox walked around Ponyville to avoid passerby's. They moved in silence for some time until Paradox spoke up.

"You know Twilight, you said you wanted to know more about me and my world."

"Yeah?"

"Well, I just want you to be aware that I won't tell you everything or even most of it."

"Wha…but why not?"

"I don't want to take your innocence away."

"You don't have to look out for my well being you know," Twilight said with a huff.

"Thats what they all say until its almost to late, I just don't want such a pure place to be sullied by something as terrible as me," by now they had reached the library.

"Fine… by the way my assistant is at Applejack's farm for a sleepover so don't mind the baby dragon in the morning."

"I wouldn't worry about me."

Twilight and Paradox moved up into the bedroom. Paradox took the spare bed and placed it near the window. After the bed was in place and he used his magic to conjure some pajamas Paradox laid down in his bed with Twilight not far behind in her own. A few hours passed and Twilight fluttered back into the waking realm to see Paradox staring out the window at the moon.

"Paradox?"

"Yes, Twilight?"

"Why are you awake and just… staring at the moon."

"I don't need to sleep and I was just admiring the night sky in all of its majesty. You said that a goddess makes it like that right?" She nodded. "Well, she is truly an artist, this is so much more beautiful that any night sky I had seen on Earth and somehow almost more than the infinite majesty of the open expanse of space. Almost like a painting that ebbs and flows with life on the canvas of time and space."

"Wow… That was beautiful Paradox."

"Huh, oh yeah when your as old as I am and all alone you have plenty of time to think about these things."

"…How… how old are you Paradox," Twilight gulped, "I mean you don't look that old but I don't know how your species ages."

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you love."

"Please."

"…Three-thousand six-hundred forty-two years old."

"Oh, oh my your species lives so long."

"No, honey they don't only I do."

"What?"

"I told you I'm an abomination. I'm an Undead. An unnatural creature created from a corpse but I was special. I was made to house the soul and mind of a lord of time, one who had already fallen to the curse of undeath. They made me Immortal, indestructible, and powerful beyond belief." Twilight was slack jawed by this point. "They operated on my while I was still alive. They tore out my veins and gave me a second heart, my body regenerates from nothing, and now I have all of that time lord's knowledge and memories. They cursed me to live forever so I decided to do something meaningful with my power and eternal life."

"Oh. My. Celestia… You… you poor creature I'm so sorry I didn't… I didn't mean to make you relive those things."

"Its fine love, you would have found out sooner or later anyway. I am very death prone." Paradox giggled.

Twilight left her bed and walked over to him. She got up behind him and hugged him. Paradox sighed and placed his hand on her foreleg around his neck.

"I won't ask anymore, I pinkie promise."

"Don't worry Twilight it just feels good to have friends again."

Wedding Crashers

A/N: This Chapter is a little more serious to show Dox's darker side and some of his powers, with bits of humor mixed in.

It had been a month since Paradox started living in the Library. He and Twilight spent plenty of quality time in that month reading and teaching each other. Twilight learned many things about Paradox but vowed to keep most of them secret until he was ready to tell the others, especially his age and immortality. The dark secrets only managed to pull Twilight closer to him until she finally asked him to be her special somepony (Bow Chicka-wow -SLAP-).

Paradox certainly didn't lose contact with the others in fact he was becoming fast friends with all of them. Using his 'magic' he could turn invisible or pull himself into the shadows to move undetected around Ponyville and hide in a pinch. Dash discovered he could actually teleport and move at freakish speeds and asked "Why don't you just do that to get around?" to which Dox responded "Because then I wouldn't get to enjoy the scenery… or sneak up on ponies…"

Pinkie and Paradox spent most of their time baking, pranking, singing, and setting up parties. Once Pinkie had set up a prank for AJ by way of some Willy Wonka style pulleys and platforms. The downside was when things are held together by streamers and glued with frosting something is bound to break. This break launched Paradox across the farm and straight into the CMC club house. After some squeals and cowering the Crusaders resolved to be 'CUTIE MARK CRUSADER MONSTER FIGHTERS' and proceeded to beat the formerly unconscious Paradox with wooden planks. Several broken bones and bruises later the CMC was introduced to Paradox adding more excitement to his life.

Now the mane 6 and Dox are enjoying a picnic much like the first day he arrived. Rarity is being overdramatic, Dash wants a race (she would lose, just saying), Pinkie was being Pinkie, AJ and Shy were enjoying the picnic, and Twilight remembered something that had been bugging her about Paradox's 'magic.'

"Dox I've been wondering about your magic. If it can do anything why don't you do more with it?"

"Well, Twi do you really want me to cause a scene by doing Hemomancy, Nethermancy, or Celestia forbid Necromancy. Speaking of her did you scheduled my meeting yet?"

"She hasn't gotten back to me but don't change the sub-" Just as she was going to finish her sentence Spike ran up in a tizzy. He was babbling about a letter from Celestia and an invitation. Paradox zoned out and started listening to the conversations of the people only he and Pinkie could see.

"So then, I bought the horse a prostitute!" said the dashing man with black hair.

"I love this guy!" exclaimed one of the business men he was walking with.

Paradox chuckled at the scene, after all it was the least he could do. Twilight had since caused a scene and started shaking him. Once she realized he was currently dead to the world she and he friends broke out into song.

"Hehe, wait… Awww y'all know I can't resist a musical number and y'all did one without me." Paradox complained.

"Sorry, Doxxy." Pinkie said nearly deflating.

"Its fine, soooo," Paradox skimmed the letters, "Oh, your brother is getting married and I have a meeting with the princess, aah. This will be interesting to say the least."

"Please don't embarrass me in front of her." Twilight looked distressed.

"You wound me m'lady its like you don't trust me at all… hmmm you may have a point there actually."

Once in Canterlot and after carefully dodging the increased guard Paradox made it just outside the throne room…window. Upon looking through said window he noticed a unicorn speaking to the Princess. This blonde maned, white unicorn seemed to be speaking to her very familiarly with her. Paradox couldn't pass up a chance to eavesdrop while still cloaked.

"Auntie I don't think it is such a good idea to allow Cadence to marry somepony that isn't royalty or a noble." Said the whitey.

"I don't think it is your decision to make Prince Blueblood, It is Princecess Mi-" The advisor was cut off by Blueblood.

"I wasn't speaking to you! I was speaking to ROYALITY of ROYALITY! Commoners should not be involved in OUR affairs Advisor!"

'Well, contrary to your belief its those commoners that make the world go round ya arrogant twat." Said Paradox sitting on the window seal. The whole room looked over at the humanoid just enjoying the sunlight streaming into the room. Everypony but Celestia looked shocked at his sudden appearance.

"Wh-who or w-what are y-you!" Blueblood was visibly shaking.

"Big talk for a coward. I must say though you put on almost as good a show as me but the difference is," Paradox strides over to Blueblood, who sinks lower to the floor with each step, and looks down at his quivering form, "I can back it up."

"Now, leave your aunt and I have business to attend to. Oh, and you should probably change your attitude by the next time I see you, or you might have to change your name to Black and Blueblood." Paradox walked away from Blueblood who took his chance to flee soon after.

"Black and Blueblood?" Celestia snorted.

"What I've been dodging patrols and climbing your castle all day, I'm sorry if that wasn't my best one liner your highness." Paradox said sarcastically as the Advisor made her exit.

"Hmmm, Twilight has told me much about you, particularly about how kind and gentle you are. That wasn't very much of either though."

"What can I say I have a sore spot for those that think they are better than others Princess."

"Yes, and thats why I would like you to call me Celestia," Celestia snorted, "Doxxy. -Snort-"

"Oh, great hope that doesn't stick." Paradox and Celestia shared a laugh.

After that the two had the usual new comer chat. How did he come here, why, from where, what his favorite type of cake is (Its red velvet). What caught Celestia most off guard was his answer to if he is a threat to her kingdom or if he intends to kill.

"I can honestly say I am no threat to the peace. In fact my job description is peacekeeper but I can't say I will not hesitate to kill if I must."

"Why would you just tell me you are willing to kill?"

"You said you would prefer an equal so I will treat you as such. That means I will not lie to you or sugarcoat something, you deserve the truth."

"Admirable." Celestia stood and summoned a badge with her horn. Celestia walked up to Paradox and floated to badge into his hand.

"What's this for?"

"I hereby officially name you Peacekeeper of Equestia and we will reveal you to the kingdom after Cadence and Shining Armor have officially been wed then you will answer questions from the press."

"You just want to beat me to the reception to keep me out of the cake."

"You know me so well already, now stay hidden while helping the guard."

"Yes ma'am." Paradox saluted and faded into the shadows.

Twelve or so hours after Paradox's meeting with Celestia the rehearsal began. Paradox was hiding in Celestia's shadow all the while. He couldn't help but observer this Princess Cadence, as Twi had called her, everywhere he had seen her she was putting a new meaning on the term catty. Its like she had carnation instant bitch for breakfast every morning with a tall glass of haterade. Once Twilight came in and accused her Paradox dove into Twilight's shadow and by doing so was dragged into the caves with her.

"Awww hell It had to be changelings didn't it."

"What?" Twilight was still sobbing.

"I knew something was up with that 'Cadence,' she there was no way a female Blueblood could exist here."

The impostor started to appear in the crystals to antagonize Twilight but was silence quickly once she saw Paradox. Upon seeing him her eyes shrunk to that of pin-pricks and retreated.

"Why was she scared of you?"

"Predators like her can always tell a more dangerous beast when they see one." Paradox pulled a small wand like object from his vest pocket. It made a strange sound as he spun around pointing it at every wall. Seeming to find what he was looking for he pointed it at one of the crystal walls an activated it. The wall resonated and collapsed revealing a battered Cadence.

"IT'S HER!" Twilight leapt at the pink mare only to be caught in a black and gold aura.

"No hun, that is the real one."

"Wh-what are you and why are y-you doing that to Twilight." Squeaked Cadence.

"So she wouldn't pounce on you of course. Now I'd love to chat and catch up but we need to get back up there and unfortunately I can't port us out because these crystal disperse my energy or reflect it back."

With that said the group began the long trek out of the caves. Cadence broke into song, much to Paradox's dismay because he couldn't join in thus crushing his spirits two days in a row, until they reached a mine cart.

"Ya know Twi, I'm not a fan of weddings."

"Why not… and why bring this up now?"

"I don't know, I just thought of it now… anyway last time i was a a wedding I had a great time until i realized it was mine… to a man… and that my friends is why you never eat the worm."

"I won't even as-AAAAAAAAHHHHH!" As Twi went to finish the cart began to plummet. Paradox caught the two mares and sprung off the cart onto a ledge on the far side of the chasm. Once on the ground the girls sighed in relief but Paradox stepped in front of them. Three sinister looking bridesmaids were bearing down on them. Paradox took up a defensive stance but Cadence thought fast and threw a bouquet for the bridesmaid to fight over. Paradox tapped Twilight on the side and said, "I like her, we should invite her over after this."

Paradox split off from the mares and began to stealth his way over to the Elements of Harmony. Once he made it into the vault hall the horde broke through the barrier and he knew he needed to hurry. He reached the vault door and swore, It needed a long horn to open it. There was only one option.

Paradox grit his teeth as he gripped his left arm. One fluid motion and muscle and bone tore from each other leaving a bloody nub of bone near the elbow. Paradox stuffed the exposed bone into socket. After a few moments to arm started to regenerate filling the space of the lock with bone and flesh. Paradox twisted and pulled the door open, snapping his mangled arm off in the process.

"Celestia is gonna make me fix that I just know it." Paradox grabbed the box and turned to see a horde of angry changelings staring daggers at him. Paradox smirked as his arm started to reform. The changelings rushed him in force only to be met with a big blast of black fire. Paradox charged headlong into the battalion of changelings swinging the elements box like a flail and crushing changelings underfoot. A hail of broken bodies, limbs, and neon blue blood filled the air. Paradox was lost in the carnage his clothes stained blue and the whites of his eyes had turned black leaving little red spots on an endless black void.

No matter how many he crushed the changelings kept pouring in. In the end they bit down on his Achilles tendons and brought him to the floor. Paradox continued to thrash against the onslaught but it was futile, he would have to use his desperation tactic. Focusing all of his energy he teleported the box, along with his right arm, to the wedding hall. Once it was gone Paradox started to cackle as the changelings torn him to shreds.

Back in the wedding hall Chrysalis had defeated Celestia. Celestia lay battered surrounded by the mane 6. Twilight silently prayed for Paradox to show his head soon. A bright flash filled the room and the element box landed with a thud and the severed arm rolled across the red carpet halfway between the girls and Chrysalis. Chrysalis saw the broken limb and began to laugh historically while the others stared at it in disbelief. All the girls besides Twilight broke into tears, their new friend was dead and with his last breath he had sent them a gift.

"WHY!" screamed Pinkie, "I -sob- I never even got to throw him a party! He just helped and now HES GONE!"

"No…" Twilight spoke with her eyes not leaving the severed limb of her coltfriend, "He's not dead…"

"He's gone sugarcube, he…" Applejack trailed off as she looked back at the arm.

Everypony in the room was transfixed on the limb as it twitched and spasmed. Slowly the muscle and bone began to extend. After about 3 minutes of the hideous scene of muscle forming over bone and skin over the bloody muscle, Paradox stood fully clothed and adjusting his blood red tie. Twilight smiled and rushed to hug him. He gladly accepted the affection and cast his gaze on the frightened changeling queen with a wicked toothy grin.

"Ya know Chrysalis, I learned a lot of things while I was working my way though the bodies of your hive." Chrysalis gulped.

"I learned how changelings shape-shift, feed, and feel."

"Th-then you know why this is necessary to save my race."

"I do, but if you're willing I think I can help you so everypony comes out on top."

"H-how and w-why should I trust you."

"Well, you shouldn't trust me, you should be scared of me. As for how, I can for lack of a better word I can 'fix' you." Paradox sauntered towards the queen.

"Fix us," Chrysalis spat the words as if he called her mother a grub worm.

"Yes, I can save you from obliteration but it is still your decision. Live a free life, or Die."

Chrysalis stepped back at his approach. She fired a bolt of energy into him that blazed a large hole in his stomach. Paradox glared at her as the hole began to seal itself. Finally she relented.

"Do it…" Paradox smiled and laughed deeply. Everypony looked at him like he was mad.

"BRILLIANT! Then lets get started and fix the problem."

Paradox strode up to the still mind-controlled Shining Armor and proceeded to slap him senseless while saying, "Wake. The. Buck. UP!" Eventually Shining came to and was flabbergasted to see this biped beating his cheeks raw. Noticing this he dragged him to center-stage and motioned for Cadence to join them. Taking hold of both of their horns he all three lifted into the air and a golden bubble spread out engulfing the entire city. The silhouettes of Cadence and Shining kissed as Paradox said, "I now pronounce you husband and wife."

Once the light had faded Cadence and Shining were holding each other and behind then was no rugged biped but another pony. It was a, taller than average moderately muscled, grey earth pony. He had a short cut black mane with a thick red stripe in the left side and a white tail shaped like a scythe with a similar red streak. On his head were the signature red glasses.

"No matter what, I ALWAYS look good."

"So, you learned how to change your form and genetic make up from the changelings?" Twilight asked. After the wedding really happened, as Paradox is not a recognized minister in Equestria, the Princess, mane 6, newlyweds, queen, and Paradox retired to Celestia's quarters. They were fully informed of Paradox's condition and age but nothing more.

"Yep, like I said you learn a lot while your inside something."

"That is disgusting." Rarity was appalled by the thought of being digested.

"You're telling me, but it made it so I could make the changelings able to feel positive emotions, like love, so they can feed on themselves and the love in the air."

"I hate to admit this but it is true you have saved my race from extinction and saved this land from our devastation, that is truly admirable." Chrysalis blushed as she spoke, not making eye contact with Paradox

"Please don't feed his ego." Twilight was rubbing her temples already imagining his antics.

"YOU LOVE IT!" Paradox was cracking up by this point, "Anyway, I think I'm going to go back to being a biped something about clothes and walking on two legs for a few millennia makes you partial to it."

Paradox changed back to his original form, with a few minor adjustments -cough-, and strode over to the balcony. In the courtyard many ponies were in an uproar after that days events. Paradox smiled back at Celestia.

"Besides, I need to look my best for my adoring fans."

Public Opinion

A/N: I feel like If I had more artistic skill I could draw a cover image for the story. Seeing as I lack that, -cough- does anypony know any artists up for a challenge?

Paradox and his party moved silently towards the front steps of the castle. Luna had since join the group and upon seeing Paradox almost had the goddess equivalent of a heart attack. Unbeknownst to the group she was not stricken with fear but unparalleled joy and know cannot take her eyes off him. Twilight was starting to grow suspicious of her attention.

They arrived at the great front door and halted. Celestia looked at Paradox, who was very interested in traumatizing a nearby guard by changing into different creatures. Twilight tapped his shoulder and pointed back at Celestia who by now was looking rather displeased. Paradox smiled sheepishly and shrugged. With a heavy sigh the great doors were flung open and the crowd went into an uproar.

"Citizens of Equestria we have come to-" Celestia tried to begin the press conference but was having no luck until Paradox patted her side and stepped forward.

"SILENCE" Paradox's voice rang out over the crowd effectively gluing their mouths shut. Paradox bowed for Celestia to continue.

"Citizens, I am proud to announce the addition of this creature, Paradox, to the roster of Equestrian citizens. He has not only saved one of the Elements of Harmony when he first arrived but has now saved not only Canterlot and Equestria as a whole but the entire Changeling race from starvation."

"Awww, You're makin me blush Princess."

"I have officially named him a Peacekeeper under my command and guardian for the Elements. I now leave him to answer any questions you might have."

Celestia moved back from the podium. Paradox rolled his shoulders and moved up behind the mic and adjusted it to his height and took a stance leaning against the podium. With a wave of his hand the flood gate of questions burst open.

"What are you exactly?" asked a jet black pegasus with a press pass on his neck.

"I'm an Immortal from another dimension with a severe lack of appreciation for personal space. I also accept the title of Lord of the Dance."

"How did you get here?" asked a yellow unicorn.

"I fell out of a portal and left a smoking crater in the Everfree Forest. I still don't see what you ponies have against that place I think it has a kind of terrifying and sinister charm."

"Have you ever been in contact with humans!?" asked a teal unicorn that Paradox could swear he had seen around Ponyville.

"Actually, I used to be a human till I took a second heart to the chest."

"YOU WERE! WHAT ARE THEY LIKE!?" This unicorn was having a serious mental breakdown.

"Well, Humans have something I like to call Ingenious stupidity. Humans are a brilliant race that can adapt to almost anything. However, they are very limited by their own need to TOUCH EVERYTHING. I have never seen a race that can build a ship to travel all over space and still be entranced by a slimy and most likely toxic substance enough to put their hand in it! Don't get me started on how they treat each other." The Unicorn went to ask another question but was quickly silenced by her cream colored friend.

"Where did you get those smashing garments?" asked an obviously high class unicorn with his trophy wife hanging off his hip.

"Well, actually these are a remake of my original clothes that Miss Rarity made. They are more comfortable and breathable… and magic so they regenerate with me. I think we are getting off topic so lets call it quits on questions for the time being." The crowd let out a resounding 'Awwww' and began to disperse.

Later that night Twilight and Paradox were trotting though Canterlot with Paradox in pony form. Their destination was Twilight's parents home for dinner with the family. Twilight was wearing her Gala dress but Paradox and Rarity had whipped up a black tux with thin white stripes and a matching fedora.

"I wonder if Shining is still mad that I slapped him?"

"I think he forgave you when you saved the day."

"You never know, I've seen someone kill a man over a sandwich. It had something to do with sexism but I didn't read that much into it."

"Just behave and everything will be fine."

"Whatever you say, -snort- Twily."

Soon they arrived at said home. It was large by Canterlot standards with a well groomed lawn and garden. A butler stood at the front gate waiting for them to arrive. He bowed and ushered them inside.

"Wow this place is fancy, you never told me your parents were loaded."

"They weren't always. Once I became Celestia's apprentice they made a lot of connections with the Canterlot elite. Now they own one of the best casting agencies in Equestria."

"You have no idea how jelly I am right now. I'm defiantly at Black Raspberry level."

Twilight shook her head as they entered the dining room. Inside was a magnificent feast along with Shining, Cadence, Crescent (Twilight's Father), Starlight (Her mother), and a bright red unicorn mare that neither of them recognized. The mystery mare had a sanguine mane and a notepad and quill for a Cutiemark.

"Hello everypony, let me introduce my coltfriend, Paradox." Paradox bowed to the group.

"It's nice to meet you all."

"I wish I could say the same…" Crescent looked extremely displeased with Paradox's presence.

"Why is that sir?" Paradox raised an eyebrow at Crescent's obvious displeasure.

"I can't say I approve of my daughter dating a monster."

"Can't say I haven't heard that one before."

Paradox and Crescent proceeded to argue about the logistics of the relationship. This eventually escalated into an all out hoof fight. Crescent was horribly out matched and ended up tied to the table with Paradox water-boarding him with chocolate pudding.

"If you boys are quite finished we are in the parlor." Starlight called from the other room. The brawlers joined the group while still glaring at each other. The still silent red mare was taking notes next to Twilight. Starlight apologized about her husband's behavior and offered many compliments about Paradox's looks and actions at the wedding, effectively re-inflating his ego much to Twilight's chagrin.

"-Cough- So, Mr. Paradox I would like to introduce myself. I am Red Ink with the Canterlot Gazette, and it is an honor to meet two national heroes in one day."

"I appreciate the complement miss but if you want an interview all you had to do was ask."

"Straight shooter I like that. All right, first off have you and miss Sparkle rutted yet?" At this the majority of ponies in the room spit out whatever they were drinking.

"No ma'am, I am nothing if not a gentleman." To illustrate his point Paradox summoned a scotch glass, monocle, and changed his fedora into a top hat.

" OK, now tell me about your family."

"Lets not go there."

"Come on I'm sure you have some great family stories."

"I said no."

"I promise th-"

"DROP IT OR LEAVE." The whites of Paradox's eyes went black again as he anger rose. Red Ink cringed at the display but returned his glare.

"Fine I will leave, but I will have my scoop Mr. Paradox."

Red Ink stood with a huff and left without another word. Paradox sat back on the couch and tried to calm himself down with Twilight's help. The rest of the evening went relatively smooth aside from a vow to turn Crescent into a living pincushion.

The next morning the girls and spike made their way back to Ponyville, leaving Paradox to work on his relationship with the ponies and changelings. Paradox determined his best course to improve relations was to move amongst the population as himself. By move among he actually meant sit at Donut Joe's and enjoy discounts on donuts and coffee.

"Well, hello Mr. Paradox."

"Of course you would show up."

"Yes, I am determined to get my answers."

"And I am determined to deny you." Paradox stood and strode out with Red Ink hot on his trail.

"Just tell me a little!"

Paradox didn't respond, he opted to teach Equestria about parkour. Paradox gripped a ledge and launched himself to the rooftops and took off in a random direction. After making it over a few streets Paradox dropped into an alley to get his bearings.

"You can't escape Mr. Paradox," Whispered a voice in his ear.

Paradox squeaked and took off sprinting. He ducked and weaved in and out of alleys and into a bar. Sighing he strode up to the bar and ordered a hard cider. The drink slid its way down to him and he greedily put it down. Satisfied he had calmed his nerves and ditched his tail Paradox relaxed. The bartender walked over and put her hooves up on the counter.

"Don't tell me you're a drunk Mr. Paradox." Paradox's eye shrunk as he stared at the mare on the looking at him. 'Where did she even get an apron and fake mustache?' he thought as he bolted out the door.

Paradox thanked whatever deity happened to be listening (She didn't answer because she was finishing off the wedding cake) that the hedge maze in the castle garden had been regrown. He leapt into the center of the maze and sat down to enjoy the serenity. He celebrated his victory by confiscating the last of aforementioned deity's cake.

"I hear that red velvet is your favorite cake, is that true?" Paradox threw his remaining cake into the air and took off like a rocket directly though the hedge maze yelling "IT'S THE UNICORN VERSION OF PINKIE, NOPONY IS SAFE!" He then proceeded to scream like a little girl until he was safely hidden under Celestia's bed sheets as a quivering lump.

Red Ink continued to wander around Canterlot in search of Paradox late into the night. Around 3 in the morning she found herself lost in the bad part of town. Just as she was about to make a u-turn when she was pulled into an alley but a yellow aura. Three stallions had he pinned against the wall of the alley. A yellow unicorn, green pegasus, and blue earth pony.

"As long as you don't scream, we might go easy on you," said the earth pony with a smirk.

"I got first," stated the pegasus moving towards Red.

Red closed her eyes and waited for the immanent touch of the stallion. She waited and nothing happened. She kept waiting and still nothing, Were they toying with her?

"Open your eyes they're unconscious." Paradox stated unamused.

"B-but how did you…" Red opened her eyes and was shocked to fine the creature she had been stalking all day holding his hand out to her.

"Once I slipped you in the castle I hid in your shadow so you wouldn't find me."

"…Thank you… even after I pestered you all day you still helped me…"

"I wouldn't be the good guy if I didn't. Would I Mr. Sheoth? (Your still aligned Chaotic Good sooooooo no. Maybe I should have rolled a Chaotic Neutral.)

"Who are you talking to?" Red looked off into the space where Paradox was looking and saw nothing.

"Huh? Oh, don't worry about it. (Guess she isn't the second coming of the pie.) So are you gonna keep stalking me?"

"-Sigh- No, I think you have definitely earned peace from me. But don't think I won't be around and when you do decide to talk let me be there, ok?"

"Deal."

Seeing that the train doesn't run at the ass-crack of dawn Paradox was forced to walk back to Ponyville. He could have teleported but thats like cheating and running would have caused him to miss all the sights. By the time he made it back it was about nine in the morning. Just in time for breakfast.

Paradox entered the library and completely disregarded the guests Twilight was entertaining in the main room. He grabbed a stack of pancakes left for him on the counter and walked back into the main lobby. Upon seeing the two guests Paradox dropped his delicious and sweet breakfast treat and gawked at them. One was a grey pegasus with misaligned eyes smiling like she just won the lottery. The other really had Paradox's attention. The other was a Brown earth pony with an hour glass as his Cutiemark.

"Well hello Paradox its has been a long-" The Doctor was cut off by Paradox grabbing the Tardis from it's resting place and holding it above his head.

"I AM GOING TO TEAR OUT YOUR ORGANS, HANG THEM LIKE STREAMER, LIGHT THEM ON FIRE, AND DANCE ON THE RUG I MAKE OUT OF YOUR HIDE YOU SON OF A WHORE! Paradox screeched as he attempted to smash the doctor with his own ship. The Doctor fled out of the library as fast as his hooves could carry him. Paradox wasn't letting him get away that easy and speed straight through the wall with the Tardis positioned as a battering ram.

Ditzy Doo and Twilight were stunned by the display. What could The Doctor possibly have done to make Paradox that angry? Twilight and Ditzy looked at each other with mouths agape and could only come up with one response.

"What the buck."

Null and Void

The Doctor was running full tilt to try and escape the wrath of Paradox. Using his stature as a pony The Doctor could duck and weave through most obstacles. Paradox needed no such luxury in his current state of mind. Every second it took The Doctor to avoid the next hurdle was another that Paradox would just crash though said hurdle in his blood-rage.

The Citizens of Ponyville, only having learned of the existence of Paradox yesterday, certainly taken by surprise by his outburst. Once the surprise had worn off they proceeded to scatter to the hills in very justifiable fear. Thankfully this left the streets free of possible civilian casualties and a clear path for Ditzy, Twilight, and the other elements to follow.

Back at the carnage The Doctor bolted out of an alley believing he had slipped Paradox. This assumption was mostly due to Paradox yelling, "OH DOCTOR COME OUT TO PLAY," in the most demonic voice he could muster. With a false sense of security The Doctor rushed into the back door of his shop. The Doctor did not account for Paradox noticing the sign out front labeled "Tardis Time Pieces." The Doctor rushed up the stairs to his mostly false bedroom in search of something to help his situation. That lasted all of ten-seconds before Paradox threw a black fireball directly through the window and against the stairwell door.

The girls plus DItzy rushed though town hoping The Doctor was using his wits to avoid the rage addled Paradox. That hope was completely dashed as they rounded then next corner. The smoldering remains of The Doctor's shop had settled to the ground in a heap of ash, wood, and random metal with Paradox standing over The Doctor. Paradox's eyes had turned black again and were seething red energy from the corners as he held the Tardis over his head with a wicked fanged grin (Explanation: he changed his teeth into an interlocking set of fangs). Paradox cackled maniacally as he prepared to squash the quaking mass of doctor.

Twilight acted quickly and pulled The Doctor away as the improvised hammer came down. Paradox growled as he turned to the interlopers only to find Twilight glaring back at him. Paradox was stunned and dropped the Tardis off to his side while Twilight stalked up to him. Using her magic she pulled him to his knees and stood up on her hind legs. At first Paradox was confused until Twilight's hoof connected with his cheek. Paradox fell back and rubbed his cheek where he had been struck.

"Paradox! This no way to behave and you know that!" Twilight yelled at him.

"But…"

"NO BUTS! NOW GET THAT BOX AND YOURSELF BACK TO THE LIBRARY NOW!"

"…Okay…" (-Whipping noises-)

Back at the library the group sat while Paradox used his magic to repair the wall. Twilight kept glaring at him so that every-time he looked back he would cringe and return to his task. Once finished he sat next to Twilight while still staring at the floor in silence.

"So Doctor why is Doxxy so mad at you?" Pinkie broke the silence.

"Well, I would assume it has to do with our last adventure together."

"What happened?" Dash asked.

"It is a bit complicated but the short version is…" The Doctor was cut off by Paradox.

"He let me fall into the void and left me there."

"I'm sorry Dox, I really am but you know there was no way to go in for you. The Tardis cannot traverse the void and there would have been no way to get you inside anyway. What I am really wondering about is how you survived, I mean the void is infinite nothingness there is no way any living thing can survive in there."

"Yeah, the void is a place where the laws of reality don't apply so no LIVING thing can survive there. You know very well I am outside the laws of reality in that respect."

"Well, then how did you escape?"

"Ya see, the void is actually a conscious entity. I know what you're thinking how can infinite nothingness be conscious. It is actually nothing AND everything at once in the form of a place rather than a being. As if saying all universes that exist between the gaps in the void were actually created by it and made into a habitable planes for life because the void knew that it could not house its creations."

"Fascinating but that doesn't explain how you escaped?"

"I was getting to that ya rat-bastard. As I was saying, After floating around in nothingness for about one-hundred years you start to go a little insane… or a lot insane. Anyway, at first I thought the voice in my head was just part of the insanity of soul crushing loneliness. It was actually the consciousness of the void trying to speak to me and once I acknowledged it we had a very fine conversation. With it's help I learned how to control the flow of energy and tear open holes in reality."

"It taught you? So you couldn't always control magic errr energy." Dash spoke up once again.

"Nope, what did you think I stuffed fonts of conflicting energy inside myself and taught myself how to use it?"

"Kinda," She replied.

"Riiiiiiight, so after that the void helped me find our old universe and told me it was my job to help it's creations."

"It sounds like you actually got the better end of the deal darling," Said Rarity.

"I know it sounds that way. Imagine you're dangling over the edge of a cliff over a vast sea and your only lifeline is your best friend's grip on you. It's going well and ya think you'll make it… until he gets distracted. Then, you're falling and all you see is his face until there is nothing. You realize that now your trapped just below the surface of the water and only surviving because ya can't drown but ya can't get back and all ya want is to see the sky again. But you're trapped, and for one-hundred years you're alone floating with nothing but the voices in your head telling you 'He let go,' 'You'll be alone forever,' and 'It was his fault' over and over again until you can't tell which one of the voices is yours. Then a miracle happens, one of the voices tells you it can save you and make you stronger and all you have to do is sell your soul. Now you're home, or a place ya wish you could call home filled with bad memories and betrayal with the power to do something about it. What's the first thing on your mind?"

"…Revenge," they all say in unison except Fluttershy who had begun to sob and clutch Paradox's side while he pet her mane.

"Exactly, now I was 2542 when I fell into the void and after one-hundred years the void helped me open the gate back into my own realm 1000 years before I was born in the year 2000-somethin. I tried everything to catch him I even talked to Captain Jack Harkness about his time travel watch, which I couldn't fix 'cause I lacked the base-code. So I spent 1000 years stalking the universe looking for a man that can time travel and cursing myself each time I missed him. I would have kept looking but my time was running out. See, I named myself Paradox as a way of saying I'm a creature that shouldn't exist, but if I stayed I would have really caused a one when my original self was born. So, I used my only alternative to time travel. I ripped another hole between dimensions."

"How did you end up here then?"

"Most people… ponies think that when you open a hole like that you pick where you're going. That is not the case. It is more like you just opened a vacuum and are sucked through the hole at such an alarming rate you slam head first into the outer wall of another plane of existence making a you sized hole in it for the void to fix. That action would kill anything mortal that isn't sealed in a void ship. So by the point I was here I just gave up, 'cause I couldn't go back to look so I decided to make the best of it here."

"Paradox… there is no way I can apologize enough for what happened but I will do anything if it means you will forgive me and be my friend again."

"Doctor I have let hate fester for over a millennia. There is no way I can just say I forgive you and go back to being your friend. In fact I have so many voices screaming at me to turn you into a paste to spread on my toast."

"I see I'll just…" Paradox once again cut The Doctor off.

"But I am at least willing to try and work out our differences and not eat you alive….Yet." Paradox flashed his toothy grin causing everypony, aside from the emotionally distressed Fluttershy, to cringe in terror.

After a long touchy feely moment with Paradox at the center, the group moved into Ponyville to survey the damage. Most of the residents had returned and were sifting though the wreckage of destroyed carts, stalls, and one unfortunate gazebo. Paradox was shocked by the destruction he had brought down on this peaceful village.

"Oi, I really messed up this time,huh."

"I would say so, but I'm sure they will forgive you if you fix everything," Twilight reasoned. Paradox nodded.

"OH, Paradox I have been wondering something. You said you have fonts of positive and negative energy but you seem to be better with the negative than the positive. Why is that?" Questioned The Doctor.

"Ah, my fonts are limited, in a sense, so I can use the energy in the air. Our old universe was filled to the brim with negative energy from all the negative emotions like hate, jealousy, and pride. So, I just learned to control what was in abundance."

"Oh…but there are hardly any bad thoughts here… only love and tolerance." Fluttershy whispered.

"Exactly so I'll get to learn more about positive energy and the lighter side of casting."

After that the group started to repair the many wrecks around town. After a while ponies started to slip away all over town. The group were to engrossed in reconstruction to notice the ever-growing lack of towns ponies. When all of the smaller things were fixed the team moved on to the largest site of destruction.

"Doctor, what's up with the clock shop you never seemed like the kind to settle down," Paradox stared at the ash wondering how he was going to fix that.

"Well, I didn't actually settle down but I do need some way to make money seeing as ponies lack electronic banking. Besides with the Tardis I can take all the time I need fill orders and go on adventures alike." The Doctor replied while sifting though the pieces.

Twilight pulled a book from her saddlebags and handed it to Paradox. The bookmarked page detailed a spell for reverting ash. Paradox took this as his signal to begin reconstruction. The Doctor took off to retrieve the Tardis from the library while the rest prepared everything.

An eerie calm took over the town as The Doctor landed next to the mostly repaired first floor of his shop. The Doctor stepped out of the Tardis and left the doors open for quick access to parts. The shop was finished in no time with all the help. The group looked upon their handiwork and sighed with content. Nothing could possibly go wrong now.

"There he is!" Yelled a random Ponyville citizen upon spotting Paradox.

An angry mob charged towards Paradox with murderous intent. Paradox and Twilight set up a barrier to halt their advance. The mob stopped and scrapped at the dirt waiting for their chance to get at the offender.

"What the hay is wrong with ya'll?" Applejack was appalled by the sight of peacefully villagers turned savages, "Ya'll calm down so we can talk this out."

The mob stopped their pawing and seemed to calm slightly but continued to glare at Paradox. Paradox and Twilight slowly lowered the barrier and relaxed their stances. This was a clear mistake as Big Mac barreled through the crowd and straight into Paradox. Paradox flew through the air directly through the open Tardis doors. He impacted the control panel, the doors flew shut, and a familiar sound echoed through the town.

"BIG MACINTOSH! WHAT WAS THAT FER!" Cried Applejack.

"He wrecked the town AJ and now he went and ran away," retorted Big Mac.

The remaining group explained the situation to the angry mob. The mob grew less and less angry as the story went on until they felt just terrible about what they did to him. The guilt only grew as The Doctor explained he was stuck somewhere in time with a broken spaceship that he has no idea how to fly. Everypony stood in silence, some stared at their hooves and others openly sobbed for wronging the hero of their country.

Silence remained until that familiar sound began to echo through the town again. The Tardis appeared before them in all it's blue and sexy glory. The town was in awe for only moments before The Doctor had claimed he couldn't drive said ship and that it was damaged. Paradox strode out of the doors and looked around at the shocked expressions.

"If you think this is something, ya'll aren't gonna believe the what happened."

A/N: So plenty of backstory with a kinda happy conclusion, a free Tardis joy ride, and more backstory next time. Also I am totally open for ideas and if you want to have an OC included just drop me a message, 'cause it took me forever to think up names for Red Ink and Twi's parents in chapter 3.

Spoilers

A/N: Text in [ ] are the words or actions of actual ponies/people, also time skips mean Paradox is speeding the memories along.

The reassembled team moved into the Tardis while the townsfolk returned to business as usual. The group were stunned upon entering the Tardis and all her glory. The general "Bigger on the inside" comments were made along with Paradox commenting on his appreciation for that phrase.

"So, Paradox how did you make it back and HOW did you fix the Tardis?" asked The Doctor as he inspected every nook and cranny of the main room.

"Why tell when I can show," retorted Paradox.

The group looked at each other and were suddenly swept up in a torrent of black and gold. When they could see again all that was before them was the same room, then realized the changed. Paradox stood next to a near mirror image of himself but the image was smashed up against the damaged Tardis console with blood streaming down his face. The Image abruptly stood and rushed out the door of the Tardis with the group sliding though space and time with him.

-------------- Day 1

Paradox stood with his mouth agape. He was staring at the majesty of the planet. The Tardis had taken him to the moon. Once the shock had worn off he started to ponder his next course of action. That is, he pondered until an angry scream and blast of magic interrupted him.

"DID MY SISTER SEND YOU TO WATCH OVER ME BEAST!" bellowed the armor clad black alicorn as she tried to strike Paradox down.

Paradox spouted some obscenities as the seat of his pants were burned off, only having narrowly avoided losing that and his right kidney. Paradox did the only thing he could to avoid the next flying bolt of agony. He summoned up his favored weapon, a war-scythe of no equal and crafted from the black bones and sinew of a beast from below (A fancy way to say demon from a sub dimension that exists in all planes such as Tartarus) . With his negative magic flowing through it extended another full length and dug into the rock below and with another pulse in the opposite direction he pulled him out of the way just in time.

The mare wasn't about to let up on here onslaught and launched another bolt of energy. Paradox did the only sensible thing in his situation. Paradox took his stance and swung at the bolt with the side of his scythe. The bolt connected with the magic charged weapon and reflected back at the dumbstruck mare. She didn't even register the thought of dodging because of the shear audacity of using her own attack against her. The mystery mare reeled back, her vision blurred from the impact. Her vision returned to the sight of Paradox holding the tip of his scythe to her neck.

"While I think that hit was a real 'Home Run' -snort- I don't feel like killing somepony for no reason. So please enlighten me as to why you hate me so much."

"My sister sent you here to watch me, as if my defeat and banishment weren't enough."

"Nopony sent me, in fact I have no idea who your sister is."

Paradox moved the scythe away and offered his hand to the downed mare. She looked at it and slapped it away. She huffed and disappeared in a burst of smoke. Paradox leaned on his scythe as he looked back at the planet.

------------------- Day 75

Paradox was laying on his back under the Tardis console. He had been able to repair the shape with magic but something about inner workings of a sentient machine that traverses the time vortex at will makes it hard to fully repair with magic. Fortunately Paradox had other means to work on the Tardis.

"Quite the contraption you have beast, tis larger within," said the black mare.

Paradox was started by the sudden intrusion. He sat up quickly only to regret that action as he slammed his head against the console. He pulled himself from under the console rubbing his head with one hand and holding a metallic tube with a red light at one end.

"I have a name yaknow. Even if your to rude to do it I'll introduce myself. Hello princess Luna, my name is Paradox."

"My new name is Nightmare Moon beast. Now what is that you are holding?" She continued to try and belittle Paradox to no avail, since he physically couldn't care less.

"It's my sonic screwdriver… an old friend made it for me a long time ago."

"What is this place?"

"This is the Tardis, which stands for Time and Relative Dimension in Space. Basically this is, or was, a time/space ship."

"A time ship? Good then I command you to take me back in time to destroy my sister!"

"First off let me tell you why that isn't going to happen."

[ "I can't believe how you're speaking to princess Luna," said Dash.

"That wasn't Luna, that was Nightmare Moon." ]

"One, No. Two, It's broken. Three, you tried to murder me a few days ago. Four, and this is key, GO BUCK YOURSELF WITH A RAILROAD SPIKE!" Paradox bellowed hoping to put off her off before she could really get her mind set on it.

Moon was taken aback by this outburst. Nopony had ever spoken to her in such a way. Moon huffed and exited the company of such a brutish creature.

[ "How did you manage to fix the Tardis Paradox?" asked The Doctor.

"The screwdriver's scan showed me what was broken and how so I did it in steps. It was kinda like building a lego set, and just like a lego set you eventually step on one and think you're gonna die. That was me when right about now." ]

Paradox connected a set of cables and reached to wipe sweat from his brow. When he hand left his face another cable swept down and pulled him into the workings of the machine. He was systematically stabbed, shocked, impaled, burned, and finally crushed before he was spat back out on the floor.

[ "I don't think Sexy liked me touching her bits… at first." ]

--------------- Year 10 Day 47

Paradox stepped out of the Tardis in nothing more than The Doctor's hourglass pajama pants while holding a cup of coffee. Paradox stretch and started to take a walk. He had finally finished the repairs on the Tardis yesterday after much pain on his part. Now he had to wait for the auto-calibrations to finish because he lacked the ability to do so manually. This process would take another hundred years then he would have to learn to fly it. Paradox possessed the knowledge to fly a Tardis but one much older than this even if Sexy was an antique already.

Paradox strolled out to the edge of a large crater and sat down with his feet dangling. Down in the crater lay the sleeping form of Luna. She did not have the same evil look to her now without the armor. Paradox slid down the crater using his magic to muffle any sound. Luna began to cry in her sleep while tossing and turning. Paradox moved close to her and sat down with his legs crossed. She continued to thrash about while sobbing. Paradox sighed and slid down until he was laying next to her. He pulled Luna's head to the right side of his chest and let the rhythm of that heart calm her.

[ Twilight gasped and looked at Paradox. Paradox looked down at her with sad eyes and she heard his voice in her mind.

'Twi, I know it looks bad and it does get worse, but don't for one-second think that I had stopped thinking about you or stopped caring about you. You will always be my Special Somepony now and forever.'

Twilight walked over to Paradox as he knelt and the two embraced. The embrace was met with 'Dawwwwws' from the others. ]

Luna pulled closer to Paradox in her sleep and he began to stroke her mane. After a few minutes Luna's eyes started to flutter open and she was greeted with a smiling, half-naked, and affectionate Paradox. Luna's eyes were comparable to dinner plates and her mind was racing ninety miles a second.

"Morning, moonlight." Paradox said in the most sultry tone he could muster having sensed Luna's distress.

"Di-di-di-did w-w-w-w-we…"

"Yep, yaknow for a goddess you squeal like a filly." Paradox couldn't hold his laughter anymore and started rolling around while howling in a fit of joy, Luna looked on in disbelief until she realized she had been made the foal of the joke. She blushed deep and slapped Paradox across the face.

"YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW WE FEEL BEAST! DO NOT MAKE LIGHT OF US!" Luna had changed back into Nightmare Moon and looked as if ready to kill Paradox where he sat. "WE HAVE BEEN THE BUTT OF A JOKE FOR TO LONG AND WILL NOT STAND FOR IT ANY LONGER!

"Is that what you think you are? A joke? Honey you can't say I have no idea 'cause you don't know me." Paradox rose to his feet and a looked Moon directly in the eye with a mixture of pain and sadness in his own. "Take the time to know me before you judge me, Princess."

Paradox walked away from Moon. She stared at him as he walked. What could a somepony so young know about hardship? Little did she know the voices in his head raged with memories of the past and thoughts of the friends he had been separated from for far to long.

------------- Year 10 Day 48

Luna strode into the Tardis to find the main room empty. She began searching for him all over. Eventually she found him in a room resembling that of a teenager on earth. Posters from various game series lined the walls, a desk with a drawing paper and pencils, a large hammock covered in a equally large flat pillow, and a body pillow adorned with a lewd depiction of some girl named Saeko (If you get that reference you get +250 rep with me). Paradox lay in the hammock clutching he pillow trying to nap. Luna crawled into the hammock with him and clutch the pillow along with him.

A few hours later Paradox reached out in his sleep and gripped something… soft? Paradox opened his eyes and saw Luna looking at him with a blush and an apologetic smile. Paradox chuckled and ruffled her mane. He rolled onto his back and stared at the ceiling.

"I'm a lot older than I look yaknow," Paradox said still looking at the ceiling.

"How old?"

Paradox explained his situation to Luna, even the things about him being from 1000 years in the future but claimed to have traveled around the past for knowledge instead of divulging the element's existence. Paradox conveniently left out any details about the big happenings and his station as peacekeeper. Luna was shocked by his story and even more shocked when he refused to answer her questions about things related to her, replying only with "Spoilers."

"So… you do know why we are here correct?"

"I know why you are here, what I don't know Is why you would do those things."

"…We discovered a dark secret about our moon. The light of the moon is nothing more than a reflection of our sister's sun. Once we realized this we began to question our place… like we were under appreciated and useless."

"Let me tell you something. You are very far from useless. I have seen the night sky that you have made. It was as if I was looking at the artwork of a master, a breath taking spectacle of beauty."

'Thank you Paradox, we…" Paradox hushed her with his finger and continued.

"No matter what always remember this, nopony can look at the sun like they can the moon. The moon is a great mirror that casts soft light down on your subjects to keep the darkness at bay. Without that light the ponies below would have nothing to keep them safe after their long day of work under the blazing sun. Now promise me you will always remember that Lulu."

Luna was once again dumbstruck. Paradox had such fire in his eyes as he spoke and Luna knew he meant every word he had spoken and by the nickname only Celestia had ever used. Luna smiled and placed her hoof on Paradox's hand.

"We Promise."

Over the next 990 or so years Luna and Paradox became the best of friends. Luna was thrilled beyond words to have a true friend like him. They taught each other magic, Paradox had even learned the black mist trick and telepathy.

Paradox had to learn how to drive the Tardis the hard way. Eventually Paradox mastered the art and took Luna on a few trips around the universe. Luna love every second of the time they spent together and began to understand that she loved the man she was with more and more. That is, until the 1000th summer sun celebration.

"Come with us!" cried Luna.

"I can't do that Lulu, I can't go with you," Paradox said standing at the console not looking at his friend.

"Why can't you? We could rule the land together!"

"I will take you there, but then I have to leave Lulu. Remember Lulu, I love you and I will always care about you, but this is something you gotta do alone. Next time you see me I may not remember you, but never forget that I will always care about you." Paradox was sobbing as he pushed Luna out into the woods. Paradox returned to the console and traveled to the castle just as Nightmare Moon was being defeated forever.

Paradox's eyes changed to their black state as he watched the event unfold. Once it was over and the ponies had left Paradox remained and stared at the place were Moon had been. A black ooze seeped out of the cracks in the stone and rushed down to the elements room only to disappear into the stones once more. Paradox glared at the spot and turned back into the Tardis.

The Illusion faded and the group stood in the Tardis. Everypony was trying to process the events that had unfolded and what they had seen. The Doctor looked at Paradox and nodded. The two strode over to the console and started up the Tardis. The other ponies shook themselves from their daze at the sudden movement.

"Where are we goin?" asked Ditzy.

"We need to get the Princesses, 'cause we're goin monster hunting."

A/N: ooooooooh snap, Luna vs Twi ship fight awww yeah.

Paradox vs. Nightmare

The Tardis lurched to a stop and everypony, aside from The Doctor and Paradox, stumbled from the jolt. Paradox waved his hand towards the door as he strode towards it. The door opened to reveal the throne room and Blueblood once again speaking to the princesses. Celestia was stunned by the sudden appearance of the sexy blue box, while Luna could hardly contain her excitement. Blueblood was so absorbed in hearing himself talk he never noticed Paradox exit the box.

"That is why, my dear aunts, we the royal family should find new more… agreeable bearers for the Elements of Harmony," Blueblood was being his usual arrogant self even while reciting a prepared speech from note cards. 'Its almost like he has negative charisma,' Paradox scowled as his eyes took on their black appearance and his teeth grew into fangs.

"I thought I told you get an attitude adjustment before I saw you again!" Paradox's voice had turned demonic for added effect. Blueblood had just enough time to turn around with a terrified expression before he was punted out of the window. Paradox sighed a contented sigh as he turned to the princesses.

Paradox wasted no time and simply snatched the princesses from their thrones and moved them into the Tardis with his magic. He then conjured a piece of parchment and a quill. The note read "Borrowed the princesses be back soon, love Paradox" He sat the note on Celestia's throne and moved back into the Tardis.

The Tardis disappeared as the royal advisor, Ankh, walked into the throne room. Ankh looked at the broken window, Blueblood's note cards scattered on the floor, and a strange sheet of paper on Celestia's chair. Ankh read the note and sighed.

"I should have been a dentist…"

Celestia was in surprised at the sight before her. Paradox caught on to her surprise and simply patted her on the back as he walked to the console. He and The Doctor started the Tardis. As the Tardis moved Paradox explained the situation to the princesses.

"So the evil in Luna was not destroyed when the elements saved her?" Celestia was befuddled by the story.

"Yep, now think of it this way. Energy cannot be destroyed so when the negative emotions Luna had were expunged they had to go somewhere. With no host the pure negative energy took on a meta-physical form and hid, most-likely to grew it's power until it could strike," Paradox explained while continuing with the navigations.

"Paradox, you need to be aware that the catacombs that you say the darkness escaped into are not empty. After Luna was banished a group of rebel ponies moved into the castle to practice dark magic. We never could guess what drew them there seeing as the elements were still in the vicinity. Now it is clear why they went there and where they fled to when we raided the ruins in search of them," Celestia pointed out the possible dangers the catacombs presented to everypony.

"So, Warlocks, necromancers, and shadow users in a dark and dank hole underneath a ruined castle with a great force of pure negative emotion and darkness. This is sounding more and more entertaining as we go." Paradox grinned wickedly as his clothes changed. His regular clothes were covered by a frayed black robe with a cut at the bottom for better leg movement.

The Tardis shuttered to a halt once more and Paradox stepped out into the ruined castle. The ponies stepped out after him and surveyed the area. Paradox stood by the elements pedestal tapping his foot. Celestia's horn started to glow as she opened the stairs to the catacombs below. The ponies moved forward only to be stopped by Paradox's aura. He stood in on the stairs wagging his finger back and forth as he closed the door behind him and sealed it. Twilight looked to her mentor with a look of surprise on her face.

"Will he be ok princess?" Twilight asked with her voice filled with concern.

"I would be more worried for the creatures below Twilight Sparkle," said Luna.

Paradox turned back to the darkness that lay before him. He took his sonic and sent a small pulse into the depths. The data returned with no signs of life. Whatever was here was either dead or worse. Paradox felt around the wall until he found what he was looking for, a torch. He lit the torch with magic and started down the corridor.

Paradox moved into a large chamber that was lit by some strange glowing crystals that hung in the air all around the room. The room was a large burial chamber with coffins lining both walls all the way to another hallway at the other end. In the center sat what appeared to be a pony in a robe similar to the one Paradox was wearing. The pony turned to look at the intruder. Now Paradox could clearly see what it was and could feel a deep seeded hate bubbling to the surface.

The pony moved the hood to reveal it's face. The grey unicorn mare had only one pure white dead eye and the other was a dark pit with a glowing green flame where the iris should be. Her white tangled mane dangled before to the sides of her face and between her eyes. She wore a toothy smile as a worm poked its head out of a gap in her teeth. Paradox could feel only a mixture of hate and pity for this tortured soul.

"Hello my brother… it is good to see another one of us… the others are all gone now. I was so alone when they started to struggle for power and destroyed each other." The mare spoke in a raspy voice.

"I… I am not your brother. You're sick, with a sickness you brought onto yourself." Paradox glared from behind his hood as he clenched his fist.

"But… you are my brother no matter how much your deny it… We are the same, brother." The mare smiled once again and began to walk towards Paradox.

Paradox roared at the mare and threw a black fireball at her. She blocked the shot with black wall of energy. When the shield fell she wore a face of sadness and blood trickled from the corner of her dead eye. The air took on a horrible chill as coffin lids burst open and the bodies of the long dead rose into an unnatural life. The pony corpses stood shakily for a moment and then all at once they screeched and rushed at Paradox.

The first body to reach Paradox was met by his heel. He stomped it into the ground and reduced it to dust as he threw his torch at an oncoming corpse burning it and extinguishing his flame. The next to reach him met a similar fate as Paradox slipped into a rage induced stupor and tore it from head to hind legs. Paradox had lost all reason and started swinging wildly into the fray of corpses being slung at him. The necromancer stared at the mad man destroying her only friends. She continued to cry and let out a wail to rival the banshees at Paradox. The blast of sound hit Paradox and brought him to his knees almost instantly. The ear-splitting sound literally did that and burst his eardrums effectively destroying his equilibrium.

The undead piled onto his body and started to gnaw on him. The necromancer started to turn away when something caught her eye. Beneath the pile of bodies a golden light began to radiate. The intensity grew until it burst out burning all the undead into ash. A beam of the light struck the necromancer, she clutched her chest and fled the room down the hallway. Paradox fell to the ground panting for breath, even with all the positive training he had gotten here his reserves were still much smaller than that of his negative energy. Paradox felt his injuries begin to repair and he shakily stood. Paradox quickly surveyed the damage but a shriek from the hallway caught his attention and he took off towards the sound.

The necromancer had been knocked on her back by the force she had known as he master. A great stone basin filled with black liquid had come to life at her presence. "I can feel your weakness…" It had said before it struck her to the ground with a great whip of darkness. The beast bore down on here with intent to absorb her essence only to be stopped by a red forcefield. Paradox held out a hand as his eyes seethed red energy. Paradox approached the frail necromancer before him while keeping up the magic. He pulled her close and held her feeling what little life she had left slipping away.

"You know -cough- I was called Beautiful Dream long ago… and the only reason I came here… -cough- was to prolong my life. I was so scared… I was scared to die…" She was slowly slipping away the least Paradox could do was keep her safe while she passed. "Tell me brother… what is it like on the other side? -cough-"

"I wish I could tell you… all I've ever seen is darkness… but I'm sure it's brilliant and wonderful."

Dream smiled and closed her dead eye as the light in her other flickered out. Paradox set her down and she turned to dust on contact with the ground. Paradox stood and lowered his shield. The mass of darkness began to ooze around him as if studying him. Paradox simply scowled at the entity.

"You are not like the others… you are stronger, but… you are filled with doubt and hate. That power will never defeat me." The darkness spoke in a voice that seemed to come from everywhere at once.

"I know that, and thats why I have a backup plan."

"And what is this backup plan?" The ooze's tone became condescending as if it believed he could do nothing to combat it.

"Improvise." Paradox reached out with his basic magic and gripped one of the floating crystal lights. He yanked it out of the air and smashed it on the ground causing a bright flash to fill the room. The nightmare hid within it's basin to escape the bright light and once it emerged it only caught a glimpse of Paradox as he disappeared down the nearest corridor. The nightmare chuckled and began the chase.

Paradox ran at a full sprint through the maze of the catacombs. He muttered something to himself along the lines of "Buck me sideways," repeatedly. Paradox kept going bounding over obstacles and through thin layers of debris. The nightmare was right on his tail as he moved. As Paradox went he began to realize there was a strange smell in the air, something an average man or pony would have payed no attention to other than it being suffocating. The smell was gas from the decaying bodies and horrible experiments that had been going on here. It had been filling these catacombs for years with no escape and that gave Paradox an idea. It was a stupid one, but it would work nonetheless.

The ponies stood by the now sealed entrance to the catacombs. Twilight and Luna had worked themselves into a tizzy because Paradox had not returned yet. Suddenly The Doctor perked up and pulled out a small pad of paper and called the others over to him. They gathered around and watched as words appeared on the pad before their eyes.

GET IN THE TARDIS NOW AND FLY WAY ABOVE THE CASTLE! AND I MEAN NOW!

They looked at each other and all made for the Tardis. The Doctor started the engines and moved the Tardis far above the ruins. Ditzy went to the doors and opened them wide. Someponies gathered around the door and the others around the screen that was focused on the same sight.

Paradox continued to run while looking for the right passage. Finally he found it, a passage running straight east. Paradox thanked the void for his internal compass. Paradox took off down the corridor. After a minute or two of running he hit a dead end. The tunnel had long since collapsed baring Paradox from going further. The nightmare slowly crept up on it's prey as Paradox turned to face it. Paradox smiled at the black cloud and held right hand out towards the nightmare. Right as the nightmare rushed at him Paradox turned his palm up and created a ball of gold fire.

The ponies eyes opened wide. The entire mountainside exploded in a huge gout of golden flame. Two figures rode the blast wave out. One was a great black ooze clearly injured by Paradox's patented holy fire and the other was a very charred body flying through the air at an alarming rate. The Doctor quickly moved the Tardis quickly but there was no way he would be able to catch Paradox.

Paradox regained consciousness as his body repaired itself. He looked down and saw the countryside flying by rapidly. Paradox knew if he hit the ground he wouldn't be able to catch the nightmare. He concentrated on his shapeshifting trying to imitate what the changelings had done. His effort paid off as he felt the wind underneath his new wings. The great golden tipped black wings felt almost natural to Paradox and thanks to his knowledge of birds Paradox took to the sky quite easily.

Paradox saw the nightmare moving towards a far off village, most likely intent on devouring the population to regenerate itself. Paradox could feel energy coursing through his new appendages and he began to formulate another brilliantly terrible idea. Paradox sped over to the open Tardis.

"Dash! I need your help!" Paradox called into the Tardis.

Dash rushed towards and the two of them flew out to catch the nightmare. Paradox used his telepathy to tell Dash the plan while they positioned themselves. Dash took up position high in the sky off to the left of the nightmare and Paradox took the opposite side. Once there the two rocketed towards a nexus in their paths. Dash's natural talent allowed her to reach the intended speed like she had so many times before. Paradox, however, relied on his magic to help propel him faster to match Dash's speed. At once two massive booms echoed over the countryside as a great rainbow streak met a black and gold one. The two connected and turned towards the nightmare combining their momentum and their colored streaks. The black and gold outlined rainbow collided with the great black cloud. The cloud mostly dispersed on contact and the remainder crashed into the ground below.

Paradox pushed off Dash, who was still wrapped up in the shear awesome. Paradox landed with all the grace of a penguin being shot out of a cannon. Paradox quickly righted himself and rushed down the crater to where the nightmare lay. It had taken on a form to look like a black smoke version of Paradox with glowing red eyes.

"I watched you for 1000 years you know. I watched you try and save Luna from herself. You couldn't manage to make one little girl feel good about herself. What do you think you can do for this world? Just remember Paradox, Chronos is coming and you are to weak to stop him." The nightmare cackled as it burst into black smoke and snaked its way into Paradox's mouth.

The ponies rushed out of the Tardis. They only caught the end of the conversation but it was enough to strike fear into the princesses and The Doctor. They rushed up to Paradox as he started to cough and wheeze uncontrollably. Paradox continued to cough as he clutched the left side of his face and chest. Paradox removed his hands and the ponies gasped. The left side of Paradox's face had decayed, his cheek had partially split open to reveal his back fangs and the skin around his eye had cracked up to his hairline. The cracks faintly pulsed a red light but Paradox had something more important on his mind.

"Doctor, why am I afraid of that name? Why am afraid of Chronos?"

A/N: Getting heavy at the end of this act. Also I could use an editor seeing as I'm trying to put things out as fast as possible between other stuff. So if anypony is up for that shoot me a message etc… Still up for OCs and all that.

Night of the Living... Paradox?

A/N: This chapter I'm adding in Paradox's inner voices that the nightmare is empowering. Each will be a different color corresponding with the emotion they represent. Rage : Red, Sadness : Blue, Joy : Pink, Serenity : Green, and Nightmare in bold.

After the events of what the princesses named "Burning Everfree" the forest had changed drastically. It appeared the forest had not always been as dangerous as it was when Twilight arrived and most of the fauna were quite docile. The presence of the necromancer's and alike created an aura of negative energy that spread through the forest. The nightmare had only served to make the problem worse. The wave of positive energy that burst from the explosion dispersed the negative and began to return the forest to a more harmonic state.

Paradox was thrilled with the fact that he inadvertently healed a scar on Equestria. He was less thrilled with what the nightmare had done. When the nightmare infected Paradox it not only added another voice to his already cluttered mindscape. The biggest threat it posed was that the more he used his power the more his body started to look decayed.

In the two months that passed after "Burning Everfee" Paradox had discovered that the nightmare was cursing him with a spell called "The Truth in Weakness." When pushed to the limit Paradox took on the form of a full undead and losing some of his natural restraints. The ponies commented that losing some of his magical restraint could be a boon, but Paradox knew better than to believe that. His own weakness wasn't nearly at the top of his worry list yet though.

The Doctor and Princesses had been researching Chronos since they returned and after forcing Paradox to save Blueblood with the Tardis much to his chagrin. The only lead they had drummed up so far was an old Equestrian legend that coincided with an even older Time Lord legend. The legends spoke of a great beast in the form of a dragon made of sand with the body of a broken hourglass. The hourglass was said to have held the sands of time that birthed the first Time Lords and Temporal, Celestia and Luna's father.

"When the sands felt the pain and sorrow that time brings all things it broke free from the hourglass. The sand then decided to erase all of time across the multiverse one dimension at a time," Paradox sighed and closed the book, "How does the nightmare even know this was gonna happen?"

We watched for the signs my brother.

Paradox shook his head and stood up from the couch. He walked over to the window and watched the girls as they planned for the upcoming Nightmare Night in two days. Paradox set down the book and started coming up with plans. Celestia had told him she would search for more occult magics in the forbidden archives but if he really wanted information on time based magic, he should search for the Poma.(Roma aka Gypsy -cough-) Paradox had thought that nomads would keep the old secrets but they were always elusive, no matter what dimension they were in.

Didn't Twi tell us about somepony like that before?

I doubt she would…

Paradox clutched his head and groaned. Ever since Nightmare had taken up residence in his mind some of the voices in his head had begun acting up. Paradox thanked the void that two of them were friendly at least and Joy always had a fun Idea along with Serenity's insight, but Rage and Sadness were starting to bother him. Paradox shook his head again and walked out to speak to the girls.

"DOXXY! What are you gonna be for Nightmare Night!? I'm dressing as a Applebloom this year since I was Scootaloo the year before!" Pinkie was energetic as ever.

"I was thinking I would go as a Vampony this year," said Rarity.

"I'm gonna stick with my Shadowbolts costume," said Dash.

"Ah lost a bet to Big Mac, so now ah gotta dress as Braeburn," Applejack was clearly disheartened by her loss.

"I..I haven't decided yet," Fluttershy mumbled.

"I bought a book on specific shapeshifting spells, but I haven't decided yet either." Twi said levitating the aforementioned book.

"Well, I had an idea."

I had an idea, silly

"I was just gonna turn myself into a dragon kinda like Spike only, yaknow, actually intimidating," Paradox could feel Spike's ego deflate from across town, "Oh, Twi didn't you tell me about a wandering performer pony or something awhile back?"

"You mean Trixie?" Paradox snapped his fingers and nodded, "Last time we saw her she had run off into the forest and nopony has seen her since."

"That was over a year ago too sugarcube," AJ interjected.

"Oh Joy…-"

What?

"- looks like I'm gonna have to find her."

The next day Paradox took off into the forest. He would have preferred to use his improving flying skills but the dense tree cover would have limited him to much. His speed on land, however, was unmatched with his magic assisting him. He sped through the forest with his sonic in hand scanning for traces of unicorn magic he hadn't encountered. He found one and followed it to gem filled cave only to find the skeleton of a long dead unicorn and a den of Diamond dogs. Paradox quickly dispatched the dogs and went back to his search.

Paradox found another more promising source. The trail led him to a spot near the edge of the forest on the side by where the ruined castle had been. Paradox cursed himself as he sped through the burned portions of forest that had begun to regrow. 'I probably scared her off if this is her trail,' he thought as he reached clearing. In the clearing stood a shabbily repaired wagon and nearby was a blue mare doing… laundry? Not once since he had been here had he seen anypony doing laundry, hell he didn't even do it with magic and death prone nature his clothes stayed good as new.

Paradox silently moved into the clearing using his mist-form to appear as fog. Trixie stopped running her cloak over the washboard and turned to the mist. Paradox could feel her stare at it intently before she huffed and stood.

"Trixie knows you are there undead, she can feel your presence."

"How can you sense me and don't call me undead," Paradox reverted back to normal.

"Hmmmm, you are… the strangest undead Trixie has ever seen. Tell Trixie why you are here."

"I hear you know a thing or two about time magic."

"Hmm, yes mother taught Trixie plenty of the old magics. Why would you need them, aren't intelligent undead were masters of the occult?"

"I. AM. NOT. LIKE. THEM."

"T-trixe a-apologizes… but still why?"

"I need to find a being in time that may or may not exist."

He exists brother.

"Well, Trixie knows the correct spell but it will take some time to prepare."

Paradox and Trixie set up the ritual until the mid-afternoon of Nightmare Night. They had begun speaking freely with each other as they worked. Paradox had even persuaded Trixie to apologize for being such a braggart, so she didn't have to live in the forest anymore. Paradox and Trixie looked at the ritual circle and smiled at each other.

"Shall we begin Paradox?"

"Hold on let me change into my costume. I mean if this thing looks like a dragon maybe a dragon can speak to it more civilly."

Paradox stepped back from Trixie and his body began to convulse . His skin began to change into thick black scales and hard plates on the immobile parts of his body. His clothes dissipated as the claws grew from his fingers and toes. Black wings grew from his back along with a long nimble tail. His head changed the most as it elongated into a shot muzzle, with fanged teeth filling his mouth, and long black horns extending from his temples along the back of his head and up.

Paradox stood as a humanoid dragon. 'I'm starting to like this natural armor,' he thought. He strode over to Trixie who stood in awe of his transformation. Paradox nodded at Trixie motioned to the circle.

In ponyville the festivities for Nightmare Night had already begun. The girls gathered around princess Luna and chatted. Twilight had used her spell to make her look like a Windigo and Fluttershy had dressed as Angel Bunny. Luna was very interested in Paradox's whereabouts.

"So he is off in the forest then?" Luna asked.

"Yes, Princess, he sent me a message the day he left saying he was working on some ritual with Trixie," Twilight explained.

"I feel as though we should find him. He is missing all of the fun,"

"Sweet velvety Jesus, Its actually working!" Paradox was dumbfounded.

"Trixie is not surprised, after all Trixie did prepare the spell!"

"I'm more worried about the fact that this thing exists!"

I told you so.

The wind created by the spell whipped past the pair as they yelled. Slowly the wind died down. The ritual circle filled with the image what appeared to be a massive amount of sand writhing around. Paradox and Trixie cautiously moved towards the spot but stopped as blood red eyes opened in the sand.

"Ah, the void son. We have waited for you for some time," the sand spoke with many stolen voices.

"I can't believe its real," Paradox stood there mouth agape, "The mad god of time is real."

"Hahahahaha," the sand bellowed, "We are real and we come bearing a gift for you. A taste of what we have in store for this realm."

Some of the sand burst from the circle and rushed towards the burnt part of the forest. The sand bellowed in laughter again as it disappeared from sight. Trixie and Paradox looked at one another and then towards where the sand went. A bloodcurdling roar came from the ruined castle.

Luna and the mane six stood on the edge of the clearing as the wind died down. They had used a tracking spell to find Paradox. They stood in awe of not only his costume but of the creature they had summoned. When the roar came from the castle they rushed into to clearing.

"What in Equestria is that!" Rarity called out in fear.

"I have no idea but-"

Paradox was cut off as the beast in question. A huge amalgamation of pony and monster parts crawled over the treetops. The monster looked like a giant centipede made of bones and flesh with giant maw made of skulls. The creature also had two large arms and appeared to be filled with the sand from before.

Paradox to no time in assaulting the beast. He launched a jet of black fire at the beast as it lunged towards them. The creature reared back and swung its hand towards Paradox. A large bone spike launched at Paradox and imbedded on the plate on his chest. Paradox scowled as he ripped it out and hurled it back. The creature reeled from the impact again and Paradox speared himself at the creature's body. Paradox gripped it and dragged it around to slam it into the dirt.

The creature pulled its bone tail around and threw Paradox at a tree by his neck. As Paradox connected with the tree the beast took off towards the girls. Paradox saw it slap Luna to the side and grab Twilight. Twilight Screamed and the beast took off through the forest towards Ponyville.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Paradox roared at the heavens.

Paradox dropped onto all four limbs as his eyes turned black. He bounded off into the woods with a flap of his wings for extra speed. The remaining girls looked at the opening where the two had gone in shock. Luna, however, stared at Trixie intently.

The creature stormed into ponyville with Twilight still in it's grip. She screamed again and the townsponies scattered. The creature barreled down on the fleeing CMC. Paradox had other plans. Paradox sped through the air and severed the beast's arm with his scythe. He grabbed Twilight and set her down so she could flee. Paradox turned back to the thrashing beast and started focusing his positive magic on the creature. It screeched as it burst into golden flames. The ashes of the beast mixed with the sands and rushed towards Paradox.

Just as the sand was about to hit him it darted to Paradox's left. The Doctor stood clenching an hourglass in his teeth as the sand flew into it. The Doctor capped the hourglass and ran over to Paradox.

"Are you alright Paradox?"

"Ya… I'm fine now, but its real Doctor I saw it."

"I assumed so…"

The other girls emerged from the forest and came up to Paradox and The Doctor. Twilight returned with the rest of the townsponies. They stared at Paradox in his partially decayed dragonoid form. He righted the decay and smiled to the crowd.

"Well, didn't y'all like our prank? Lets get a round of applause for the crew!" Paradox played the battle off as a prank not to scare the ponies. The ponies looked skeptical then started stomping their hooves and cheering.

The ponies and Paradox partied late into the night after that. Paradox bested all the records for the games, and even saved Pip when he fell in the apple bobbing tub again. Pinkie and Paradox (with a little help from a friend on the outside) pulled a good prank on Dash. Paradox used his powers to changed the two of them into Spitfire and Soarin. "Soarin" kept hitting on Dash for a while until we drunk on punch. Once she was drunk enough she kissed him and mid kiss he turned back into Paradox. She pouted for some time after but finally came around after Paradox brought her a hoard of candy.

Paradox couldn't help but wonder where Luna and Trixie had gone to. He got that answer just before heading to bed. Spike burped up a letter as Paradox was setting him in his basket.

"Whats it say?" Twilight asked seeing the Lunar seal.

"Dear Paradox, we thank you for your findings but it seems that the magic young Trixie used was forbidden by normal standards. Celestia and I took it upon ourselves to punish this transgression against the aware party and not you. She will be locked in the magical deprivation dungeon deep in Canterlot Mountain."

Twilight gasped and looked at Paradox. He scowled at the letter and crumpled it. Paradox put on his black robe and prepared to leave.

"You're going to rescue her, aren't you?" Twilight asked from the stairs.

"It is my fault love. Don't worry, I'm taking The Doctor with me."

A/N: I smell a prison break brewin and maybe some Luna conflict. Stay tuned.

Prison Break-in

A/N: This chapter is gonna bring in a new OC that I'm looking forward to doing a spin off for. So look forward to that.

Paradox burst through the door of The Doctor's clock shop. He could feel the full moon behind him as if Luna had made it into the Eye of Sauron. He pushed forward into the incessant ticking of the many clocks and up to the bedroom. Strange enough The Doctor was actually sleeping in his bed tonight and he was clutching something. Paradox crept closer being sure to muffle his steps. He looked over The Doctor and nearly burst out laughing. Behind The Doctor was Ditzy Doo and between the two of them was Dinky Doo with her head pressed against The Doctor's chest.

Paradox could feel both his hearts nearly break as he The Doctor in the side and covered his mouth. The Doctor jerked slightly but only enough to make Dinky roll over. Paradox pulled The Doctor out of bed and into the Tardis. He set The Doctor on a bench and handed him the letter. The Doctor read over the letter and with a steely look in his eye he nodded. They started up the Tardis, Paradox disengaged the break to silence the noise.

The Tardis disappeared out of sight without making a sound with Paradox and The Doctor expecting to be back before morning. Ditzy opened her eyes and stared at the spot. She sighed to herself and she snuggled back into the warm bed with thoughts of the brave adventurers.

"Alright Doctor, I'm going in, getting Trixie, and then I'm gonna deal with Celestia and Luna." Paradox left his usual clothes with The Doctor and in favor of black pants and his robe with nothing else.

"Be careful Paradox I have no idea how this field will effect you once your away from the Tardis." Paradox nodded as he pulled his hood up and strode out of the Tardis.

Paradox stepped out of the Tardis and looked around. A giant door blocked the exit to the cave prison. The prison itself was a huge sloping spiral with cells on either side. Paradox could see very little with only faintly glowing crystals to light the area but he could make out silhouettes in some of the cells. Only some of the cells had these shades others were barren. Paradox concluded the higher the threat the lower they must keep them.

Paradox started walking away from the Tardis. About twenty feet from it he left the Tardis' protective field and the full magnitude of this place crashed down on him. It was as if all his life force was sucked away in an instant. He became cold and could barely feel the ground beneath his feet. He looked at his hands and saw that they were gaunt and pale. He brought his hands to his face and with the little sense of touch that remained he traced his features. His features had changed drastically, his hair was stringy and limp, his skin was cold and leathery with large holes in his cheeks, his teeth were fanged and tongue forked, but most of all he feared his eyes for they were gone but he could feel the flame burring in the socket and he knew it was blood red.

He inspected the rest of his body for changes. His joints had decayed to the point of only showing grey muscle. The bones in his fingers and toes extend into sharp claws. His chest was open with shriveled black lungs, because who needs to breathe when you're dead. He got a good look at his hearts now without an agonizing pain or disembowelment. The natural human heart on the left was black as night and the other on the right was pure white. Paradox hastily redressed himself and went about his task. He preferred the illusion of life over the abomination he was now.

Paradox moved along the stone corridors checking each of the cells as he moved. The lich eyes (DnD term for those who don't know) actually assisted his vision in the dark, allowing him to see into each cell. He saw everything from demons to a diamond dog shaman. One prisoner approached his cell door and called out to Paradox.

"-sniff- Hey, I know that smell. How could I ever forget… the smell of fresh decay," said a dark red pegasus with a black mane and tail.

"And who are you?"

He is unbalanced, but may prove useful.

"Ah, sorry where are my manners, Hehe. They called me Gnash, the Corpse eater. Good to meet you…?"

"Paradox."

"Neat name friend. Now what brings you to our humble hell hole?"

"I'm looking for a blue unicorn that was brought here today."

"Oh, I remember her kept yellin somethin about it being an injustice to lock her up. Kept me in stitches till little Celly came by and a guard jabbed me good in the side."

"Wait… little Celly? She has to be double your size and older than you."

"Oh, she may be double my size now, but she's not older than me thats for sure."

"Thats not possible…"

"Oh, but it is friend, just look at yourself. Not even death can touch us here. Hehe, I remember when she was born. The king and queen were so proud."

Paradox's eyes (holes?) widened in shock. How is that possible? This place was even worse than he imagined. A place where they lock away offenders so they can live in anguish for all eternity. A prison for the soul.

"Where… where did they take the unicorn?"

"Ah, I'm gonna need some payment for that one friend. I don't want out, I don't want anything but something good to eat. So, I'll tell ya but it'll cost you an arm and a leg." Gnash wore a devilish grin.

They probably won't grow back here…

Paradox reached up to his left arm and pulled it off at the shoulder. He did the same with his left leg after sitting down. They came off easy like tearing a roll of paper towels. He tossed them over to the cell and Gnash eagerly pulled them into the cell. Paradox could hear him tearing into the flesh as he waited for his own limbs to regenerate. When they did he almost didn't notice, there was no pain, no discomfort, just the sickening sight of his hand and foot reforming.

"Thanks friend. As for the unicorn they took her down to the bottom with the rest of the occultist. Little Celly sure was upset at having to put her down there."

"Thanks… I hope you like your meal."

"No, thank you friend… hope to see ya again, HAHAHAHAHA."

Paradox continued down the corridor with renewed purpose. He swept past all the cells only giving passing glances until he came to the bottom. At the bottom were at least twenty cells. The biggest draw of Paradox's attention was the massive black pit in the center. Paradox stared into the darkness and felt as if he was looking directly into the abyss. (Realm of infinite darkness) Paradox silently prayed to the void that Trixie hadn't been thrown in there. Paradox only needed to check about ten before he found her curled up sleeping with dried tears on her face.

Paradox picked the lock much like he had on the elements door. He tenderly picked up Trixie and cradled her in his arms. He took off back up the ramp running the whole way. Undeath did have the advantage of not getting tired. Once back within range of the Tardis Paradox returned to the flesh and took Trixie inside. Paradox nodded at The Doctor as he set her down and returned outside.

Paradox moved over to large doors just near enough to the Tardis to use magic. With inhuman strength Paradox thrust open the doors. Just as the doors swung open the Tardis started it's exit and Paradox saw a very unhappy Celestia next to a sad looking Luna. Celestia fired a bolt of energy but Paradox thought fast and dipped into the shadows. He rushed Celestia in the form of a shadow dodging her blasts. Once under her he sprung up grasping at her neck. Celestia wasn't fast enough to dodge Paradox when he gripped her neck and slung around onto her back. Paradox wrapped his right arm around her neck to squeeze while his left siphoned her magic.

Luna joined the battle now and pulled Paradox off, throwing him away from the doors. Paradox hit his head on the floor in the fall and something jarred in his mind. Suddenly he felt… giddy. He felt unimaginably bubbly and happy like he had never known such… Joy.

Paradox started giggling and bouncing uncontrollably. Celestia fired another shot but Paradox was nowhere to be seen. Celestia felt a pain in her gut as she was thrust upwards. Luna fell on her face as her legs were swept out from under her and was pushed under the now falling Celestia. The two lay in a heap while Paradox started bouncing around them still giggling like a school filly. His mirth left him exposed and the combined might of the princesses thrust him back behind the threshold of the doors. Upon striking his head again his giddiness faded.

"Why are you fighting us Paradox! You are supposed to keep the peace not incite anarchy!" Celestia had picked herself up and was furious.

"Because Trixie did nothing wrong! Especially not anything to deserve this horrid place as a punishment! She was helping me do your will! How could you punish her for that!"

"Those arts are forbidden Paradox. Our father decreed time magic was too dangerous for mortal hands and all those that know it must be punished." Luna said with sadness in her voice.

"No doubt that if we recaptured her you would break her out again," Paradox nodded, "then Luna and I will make you a deal… You take her place at the bottom of the pit and when you escape you go free and resume your duties," Celestia had regained her composure now.

"Deal."

We should have just destroyed them!

The three stood at opening of the pit. Luna and Celestia had nearly brought back up their dinner when they smelled Paradox in the corridor and then again when he showed them all of the changes. Luna only hugged him and sobbed silently and Celestia patted him on the back with a sad look in her eye. Paradox pushed Luna off and stared at the darkness before him. He stepped forward and plummeted.

I hate the dark.

Paradox fell for what seemed like an eternity in the inky blackness. Eventually the magic dampening aura disappeared and an aura of evil permeated the air. Paradox finally hit dirt, or so he thought. The ground felt more like sand but when he looked he knew it was ash. He pushed himself up and looked around. In every direction the horizon glowed red and as did great red gashes in the sand beneath him. Paradox jumped at the sound of a voice.

"I've never seen you before. Who are you?" The voice was timid like a male Fluttershy.

Paradox turned to the voice and was stunned at what he saw. Before him was a black coated alicorn with a grey streak in his mane and tail. His entire eye was red, no white and no pupil, just sanguine. He had a pair of black demon horns that wrapped around his ears and one brilliant white horn just like Celestia in the center. His back held a pair of black bat wings along with a similar pair of white wings, again, just like Celestia. Paradox gulped as he felt the magnitude of this creatures power. His magic was both dark and light filled with love and malice.

"Paradox… who are you?"

"My name is Scourge. I've never seen a demon like you before."

"Thats 'cause, contrary to popular belief, I am not a demon."

Paradox explained his situation to Scourge. He explained everything from arriving to his adventures with Luna and so on. Scourge was fascinated to hear about a time-lost creature and even more so to hear that Luna had made a real friend. However, hearing about the use of the prison he was deeply saddened.

This place… I have not been here in some time.

"Where are we Scourge?"

"Oh… that hole you jumped in leads to Tartarus which is where we are now. This is specific place is called The Dead Sands. The demons don't come here anymore, they are too afraid."

"Tartarus huh? Well, that is just brilliant… Scourge I need to get out of here do you know a way?"

"I do but… It has been so long since I had a real friend. Would you… would you stay for a little while?"

"… Ya, I'll stay but I would like for you to tell me your story."

A/N: Next Chapter is gonna be first person from Scourge explaining his origin and fall to Tartarus and him aiding Paradox in his escape.

Escape?

A/N: This chapter is gonna be a lot of first person backstory on Scourge, which isn't really important to this story other than to set up his relationship with Paradox and his spin off. Also after this chapter things are gonna get toned down a little back to wacky with minor combat.

In the beginning only the void was present. The void sought what all being seek at one point in their life. Children. So, it created creatures that could exist in the space of nothingness, and thus the first immortals were born. The first immortals were Time, Light, Darkness, Harmony, and Chaos. The children eventually desired more from the void. So the void created the planes of reality. All the dimensions were watched and influenced all of them. The opposing children created their own children within the planes to begin a never ending game of tug-o-war to sustain balance.

The planes of reality were effected most by Time. Time's influence kept all of creation moving as a whole. Eventually the mortals in the realms of creation came to discover they could manipulate time and use devises to traverse it's flow. The mortals abused this power trying to gain power and right wrongs done to them. Time took the knowledge away from the mortals and instead created children with a duty to watch over the flow and keep it safe. This was the birth of Temporal and the Time Lords.

Temporal was not exactly the same as the Time Lords. The Time Lords rode the vortex in sentient machines to keep history in order. Temporal, however, could control the functions of time. Time told it's son of a plane that the void had created with another immortal that he might spend his time with. Thus in an empty plane Temporal and Unity (Mistress of space) met and fell in love… or so Mother and Father told me…

Together they built a beautiful world unlike any other that had been seen. Sadly they could not create life more complicated than plants. The two looked upon each other and found a solution for their desire for children. (If you know what I mean) Their solution bore them twin sons, my brother Fate and myself. Fate was pure white with bright blue eyes and blue streak in his mane and tail. Unlike Mother and Father we were born the natural way so we had no cutie marks. Father considered using his power to bring us to adulthood as he already knew our talents but he and Mother decided to let us grow and learn. We played in the wilds and invented games and everything was good for a time.

Mother and Father were so proud the day brother found his talent. Brother used his magic to create the first mortal life in our nameless world and Father used his to hyper evolve it into the first ponies and beasts of our world. The first day was great, everything lived in peace and Brother couldn't be happier with his cutie mark of a golden chain in a loop. (Circle of life, hehe) On the second day our relationship changed forever. A pony was pinned by a beast and being torn to shreds pitching and screaming. Brother cried as his creation slew another and he could do nothing to stop it's pain. That is when I discovered my talent and my mark of a white soul with red eyes. I pulled the soul from the broken body and with Mother's help we created the inner dimensions of Tartarus and Paradise. Brother never looked at me the same again. He claimed I was jealous of his creations and only wanted to take them away.

Brother kept creating new life as time went on and I kept to myself not wanting to anger him. The ponies warred with each other but eventually they found common ground and founded a new kingdom. So, Mother and Father became king and queen of Equestria and we became the Princes. Father eventually discovered the influences of the other Immortals in Equestria and in an effort to teach them to kept leave our world alone he created the prison above. Originally our home was in the everfree and the Canterlot Mountain was filled with precious crystals and similar crystals that negated all forms of magic including the magic of life and death. This also paved the way for the laws against certain magics for the mortals.

Once the kingdom was set up an age of prosperity took over Equestria. That is, until the other races grew jealous of the ponies. It started as isolated incidents but soon escalated into full blown wars. It was during this time our sisters were born and my brother's hate grew greater everyday. Every death in the war enraged him as if I had started them just to watch his beloved creations die. He went to Mother and Father and told them of a dream he had of the death of our sisters. He lied to them and said he saw me taking them away just for my own entertainment. Father grew enraged and punished Brother for his lie. So, Brother kept his head down for many years after that and peace returned for a time. Until another war started.

The next war was not on Equestrian soil but within the infinite. The Great Time war called for action from the children of Time and Father was no different. Father went off to battle with the Time Lords but found them to be corrupt and searching only to destroy time and remake it for themselves. Father went to Time to ask for help but did not find his creator. Instead he found the mad god, Chronos. HE found that Chronos had set in motion the time war and planted the evil thoughts in the minds of his creations. Father did what he could and aided a Gallifreyan later know as The Doctor in stopping the rest Time Lords. Chronos grew furious of Father's actions and destroyed him. In Father's final moments he warned us of the coming threat and Mother took it upon herself to use her life to protect our realm for a from Chronos, at least for a time.

The actions of our parents left Fate and myself in command of the kingdom and as guardians for our little sisters. I did my best to watch over them and out lands using my power to slay monsters that threatened our subjects. Brother, however, was more interested in planning my demise. Brother wanted nothing more than to be rid of me so his life could flourish, not even realizing that without death the world would suffer even more. I don't blame Brother for what he did or how he felt but he was so blinded by his hate that what good intentions he had were clouded.

Brother came to me first and asked me to stop killing his creations. I told him I was only killing the ones that threatened our little ponies all the rest were in pain or too old and needed to pass on so that new life could flourish. He took my words as an insult claiming I knew nothing of how life flourish and that I was only a monster that caused misery. That is when brother struck at me. I did my best to keep from harming him as I tried to talk him down. He refused to hear my words and continued to fight. We battled for seven days but Fate was no fighter he had always stayed away from battle and kept to the libraries. I kept up with my studies and when the need arose I would go out into the wilds and show the offenders my skill and let them look upon me when they died. Brother was beaten and I asked him to stop his foolishness and come back home so we could be with our family again. When I smiled and stretched out my hoof to him he smiled plunged his horn into my chest. He laughed the laugh of a mad pony as I lay bleeding and I knew my brother was truly gone forever. I used my magic and severed his soul from his weakened body while he was distracted and cried as I dispersed it into nothingness for fear of his return. With nothing left but his body I absorbed it into myself to take up the responsibility of both life and death. That is how I grew my other horn, wings and why his cutie mark is on my right flank… Everyday I remember what I did to him…

After Brother's fall I returned to Luna and Celestia to tell them what became of him. They wept for him and Luna blamed me for what happened. I don't blame her… but Celestia knew of Brother's decent into madness. Regardless of acceptance I had commit a horrible act and needed to be punished. I traveled to the prison in Canterlot Mountain and threw myself into the pit to Tartarus and this is where i've been ever since. Luna and Celestia have ruled well in my absence and I would have it no other way.

------------------------ Return to third-pony (-snort-) view

"That is my story… I hope you understand what I am now."

"Oh, I understand Scourge… I understand better than you know. I would be proud to call you my friend because you have a pure heart and do what is right."

"Thank you… Paradox you said you need to leave, correct?"

"Ya, I need to get back to the land above."

"Well, I know a way out but it is too dangerous for you to go. The demons would have you in no time."

"I have fought demons before. Hell it usta be my job."

"I do not doubt you have fought them but never in their own lands. Here they will take your soul and feed on it. With somepony as powerful as you the offending demon would have the power to become a demon lord."

"So then how do you expect me to escape I can't just fly up the hole again."

"Yes, but you can jump to another plane."

"But then I wouldn't be able to come back."

"Normal, but Father taught me much about this travel from his relationship with the Time Lords. If you are bound to a world or something in it you can return with a little help."

"How do I become bound?" Scourge extended a hoof to Paradox. Paradox stared at it for a second before gripping it. A rush of energy surged through both of them as ethereal chains traveled from their limbs to their chests. The chains pulled tight and disappeared but Paradox could still feel the weight on his sternum.

"Now we are connected for all eternity my friend." Paradox nodded.

"So, you're sure this will work?"

"Absolutely."

"Ok, I trust you. How do we do this?"

"You must travel to another plane and I will travel to the gates of Tartarus."

"What about Cerberus? Twilight told me about him guarding the gates and her having to wrangle him once."

"He is my old pet. The only creature that was naturally born from death. He will let you pass with me there."

"How long until you get there?"

"It will take a few days maximum as I still must do my duties of shepherding souls. When I arrive I will signal you for your return."

"I can't thank you enough Scourge." Paradox stood and hugged his tortured friend.

"Do not fret Paradox. Now go so that I can be on my way."

Paradox stood and moved away from Scourge. Paradox's body burst into black and gold flames as he propelled himself forward. He reached a blinding speed and the walls of reality split and sucked him out into the void. Scourge stood and opened his wings. He looked back on where his friend had been and took off.

"He reminds so much of you brother…"

A/N: My feels don't know what they are doin man. They just don't know. Anyway interesting development next chapter and the usual stuff, no editor, art would be nice, etc...

Overdue Reunion

Everything was right with existence in this peaceful plane of reality. Birds were chirping, a light wind was blowing, and the whole of life was correct. That is… until the walls of reality spat out a high speed ball of flesh formerly know as Paradox. The next thirty-seconds of Paradox's life went by as if he were a stone being skipped across a lake by a brooding teenager. One unlucky manticore wandered into the path of the bouncing Paradox and effectively slowed the hurtling mass enough to stop. In another crater.

Paradox slowly but surely reformed his body and pulled himself out of the hole. He decided against mentioning his usual means of arrival again in hopes the void will have mercy on his return trip. After a vigorous session of stretches and joint cracking Paradox started to survey his surroundings. 'Tree, tree, tree, manticore bits, tree, tree… hold on and rewind… eert ,eert , stib erocitnam… pause and play… yep manticore bits.' Paradox thought as he consulted his in head DVR. The replay helped Paradox conclude he was in a similar world to Equestria. Everything seemed just as pastel and the air was just bursting with positive energy even in what he assumed was similar to the Everfree.

Maybe this is another Equestria.

OH! OH! If it is we should disguise ourselves! It'll be like playing "Identity Theft" without the actual theft!

I can't believe I agree but Joy is correct. If it is another Equestria we should blend in until Scourge signals us to leave.

'Good plan guys. I'm proud of the teamwork.'

It won't last…

Paradox came to the edge of the forest and was excited to say the least. In front of him was a clear sign reading "Welcome to Ponyville" with the town not far behind. Paradox almost literally couldn't contain his joy as he looked at the town in the distance. His mind started to run circles around his better judgement with thoughts of all the pranks, jokes, and general debauchery he could commit with little fear of consequences. Paradox grinned evilly and rubbed his palms together. He changed into his stallion form still with his robe and pants on, that fortunately fit fine aside from the robe hanging off his backside. With a smile protruding out of his hood Paradox trotted off into Ponyville.

Paradox could not believe his ponified eyes. He and his inner voices had made a grave miscalculation. He continued to trot though the town after taking his hood down to see if it was causing hallucinations. Interestingly enough he was not hallucinating the entire town was not made up of brightly colored pastel ponies but their human counter parts. Paradox could clearly recognize ponies he knew like Lyra, Bon Bon, and… sweet Jebus Ditzy was attractive as a human. (Lucky lucky Doctor) The best part was he could clearly see humans flying with feathery wings, using magic, and displaying inhuman strength just like their pony counterparts. To say Paradox was Baffled would be an understatement. He didn't have the time to ponder the astronomical possibilities of this as a familiar head of hair popped up in front of him.

"Hi there little guy! Wait… -gasp- you aren't a little guy at all! You're a big guy hiding in a small package, or thats what the guy drinking the tea out there said! (its cinnamon apple flavored) OH! I should throw you a welcome party even if you are hiding!" The obvious Pinkie doppelganger continued on her rant seemingly without breathing. Nearby people weren't even phased that she was speaking to a pony wearing clothes… The fact that they hadn't noticed him as a pony with clothes actually started to bother him more. Pinkie was still talking and Paradox realized that she of all people would probably tell everyone that he wasn't a pony and blow his pointless yet entertaining cover.

'Pinkie… I need you to do me a favor and Pinkie promise me you won't tell anyone I'm not a pony… I need to stay in disguise,' Paradox projected his thoughts into Pinkies mind. She stopped and stared at him for a second then smiled an impossible smile and performed the Pinkie Promise ritual.

"Well… If I can't tell them what you are then can I introduce you Doxxy?" Paradox nodded completely disregarding how she knew his name, because if he questioned Pinkie logic his head would explode and never regenerate.

"YAY~"

I have a terrible feeling...

"Hey Applejack! Come meet my new friend!" Pinkie yelled towards the red barn. Applejack emerged seconds later coated in a layer of dirt and oil.

"Hey Pinkie, Ah was just fixin the ol' tractor," Applejack looked down at Paradox who quietly sat next to Pinkie. "What's that Pinkie?"

"That's him silly. Applejack say hello to Doxxy. He's a little pony."

"I'll say he is… but Pinkie where did you get a pony?"

"He wandered into town of course and I just had to give him a tour!" Pinkie was almost too excited for even Paradox and he had a mini Pinkie living in his head.

You should start dating Pinkie, I like her.

'Shut up you,' Paradox thought.

"Well, Ah'm finished here want me to come with?"

"Sure! The more the merrier!"

"My word!" Rarity exclaimed after looking at Paradox.

"What is it Rare?" Applejack asked with a eyebrow cocked, "Y'all never seen a pony before?"

"I have Applejack but never one that wore terrible rags or wiped his hooves before coming into a house. Pinkie where did you find a pet like him?"

'Pet?' Paradox's eye twitched.

"Silly he's not a pet he's his own person, duh," Pinkie giggled after her explanation.

"Right…well at least he is well mannered I must do something about his clothes though. Something flattering to his coat and eyes." Rarity was already mentally preparing designs for a stallion's clothing line.

'Well mannered huh… Don't turn around Rarity or I'll wring Opal out onto your carpet,' Paradox wore an evil smirk as he contemplated traumatizing Rarity.

"RAINBOW DASH!" Pinkie yelled at a lone cloud. A rainbow clad head looked over the edge and sighed before flying down.

"What is it Pinkie… whoa, what's that?" Rainbow pointed at the pony now wearing a repaired robe coated in ribbons and gems.

I don't hate this…

"That is Pinkie's new friend she just had to show us," Rarity said.

"Why is he wearing that? -snort-" Rainbow was having trouble containing her laughter.

"Rarity just had to put 'im in something fru-fru. Not like he could do anything about it, poor thang" Applejack glared at Rarity.

'AJ I'm gonna buy you a new barn when I get home.'

"He has to be the oddest pony I have ever seen It's fascinating. Where did he come from? What about that robe? Why are his eyes red?" Twilight was absolutely gushing over the new discovery. She had already stripped his robe off but he planted his haunches on the ground and refused her access to his pants.

'We don't even sleep in the same bed back home and now she wants in my pants… today isn't going like I hoped.'

"Uh, Twi lets take 'im to Fluttersha before you cut 'im open…" AJ reasoned.

"Oh… ok…" Paradox nuzzled her hand and she perked up again.

"OK! Off to see Flutters!" Pinkie shouted.

You know if we stay with Fluttershy we can stomp a mud-hole in Angel's ass.

I rather like that plan. -cackling-

The stroll to Fluttershy's cottage was uneventful with only a few stares before they left the town. Paradox was still amazed that this entire place was a near perfect copy of the other Equestria. The odds had to be astronomical or maybe not…

The group moved up to the cottage just as Fluttershy and another woman were exiting. Paradox could swear he knew the other woman but he couldn't see her face while she was turned away. She wore a tight dark blue hood that showed off her figure and similarly tight jeans. He hair was dark brown just like his in his human appearance but why did she seem so familiar. Then she turned around. Paradox's hearts stopped beating as he stared at her deep blue eyes and fair skin.

'That's impossible… there is no way she could be here…' Paradox was distraught. He had stopped moving and just stared at her while the others passed him.

"Howdy Fluttersha and Charlotte-" Applejack continued on but Paradox couldn't hear her.

'She… she said Charlotte… It is her…' Paradox started to cry and Fluttershy rushed over to him.

"Oh no! You poor thing. What's wrong," Fluttershy's tone was soft and soothing.

Fluttershy pulled him into the cottage and with AJ's help she moved him onto the couch. Pinkies hair deflated at seeing her new friend so distraught. Fluttershy and Charlotte went to the kitchen for drinks. The others just started at Paradox. They couldn't comprehend how an animal had broken out into sobs like a child. Fluttershy returned with Charlotte and went to tend to Paradox until a loud bang echoed from outside the cottage. The girls went to investigate leaving Paradox alone with himself.

'She… shouldn't be alive…' Paradox thought to himself as he heard muffled voices outside.

Stranger things have happened Brother.

Take it as a blessing, she is alive and well.

Maybe we got lost in the void and went more insane…

We should have Pinkie throw a reunion party!

I miss the robe…

Paradox continued to argue with himself on the couch. His tears had long since dried up. He could hear shouting outside but disregarded it until he hear one clear male voice ring out a command.

"GIVE US THE GIRL OR WE WILL KILL YOU AND TAKE HER IN THE NAME OF OUR MASTER DISCORD!" The voice screamed. Paradox's eyes widened as the girls shrieked and the door exploded.

---------------------- Earlier

The girls rushed out to find three men standing near the wreck of Fluttershy's favorite tree. The largest man adjusted his runed war-hammer from where he struck the plant. Each man wore red and grey battle armor and had their hair dyed grey. The smallest carried a battle-staff and the middle one had a short blade in each hand and one on each wing. They were clearly prepared for a fight.

"What do you think you're doing!" Twilight was frightened but needed to stand her ground.

"We have come for the other worlder in the name of our lord and master," said the mage. Charlotte brought he hand to her mouth and stepped back.

"Who is this 'Lord and Master' you're talking about?" Rarity asked from behind AJ.

"We serve lord Discord," said the avian. The girls gasped.

"You want her you have to get through us!" Shouted Dash.

"GIVE US THE GIRL OR WE WILL KILL YOU AND TAKE HER IN THE NAME OF OUR MASTER DISCORD" The large man screamed and swung his hammer. His hammer fired a bolt of energy at the girls who shrieked and dove out of the way. The door was annihilated and animals were fleeing the area at break-neck speeds.

"Now if you would please-," the mage didn't get to finish his sentence.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH," Paradox let out a terrifying roar. The girls looked at the smoking opening as a very angry red eyed man stepped out. Charlotte's eyes were the size of pinpricks when she saw him, as if something had stepped right out of her dreams and into reality.

"If you touch one hair on my sister's head I will pull out your beating heart and eat it in front of you!" Paradox wasted no time in growing claws and a tail to go with his fangs and eyes. The big earthen smiled and hefted up his hammer. Paradox dropped to all fours and growled.

The avian took to the air as the earthen brute fired another bolt of energy. Paradox leapt forward and flipped in the air to strike the bolt with his magic charged tail. The bolt deflected into the sky and struck the oncoming avian sending him spiraling into the wrecked tree. Paradox landed and pounced again only this time at the mage who was attempting to charge a spell. He never finished as Paradox speared him sending the two rolling in the dirt. Paradox's fist burned with magic as he caved in the mage's ribcage leaving a small crater underneath his limp body. Paradox leapt towards the brute now but the earthen was prepared and hit Paradox in the chest knocking him back towards the girls. He rolled to a stop and quickly jumped to his feet just in time to catch the avian's arms as he tried to stab him. The avian knew Paradox would beat him at brute strength thus fighting dirty was the best option. A knife blade extended from his right boot and he kicked Paradox right where it hurts. Paradox roared in pain and the avian took the opportunity to cleave off both of his arms and speed back to his companion.

"Will you give up now little monster man?" asked the earthen as Paradox smirked.

"Tis only a flesh wound," Paradox's smiled widened as his arms regrew but from the elbow down his arms were decayed from magic use. Paradox raised his hand up towards the avian as magic seethed off of it. He closed his hand and the avian's body seized up and blood oozed from every (visible) orifice before collapsing. Paradox summoned his scythe and met the brute's eyes. They charged each other and the handles of both weapons met. Paradox shifted his scythe and so that the blunt side pointed at the earthen's chest. The earthen thought nothing until a surge of magic caused the scythe to come alive and fold back before extending into his heart. He grunted and fell to the ground. The scythe dissipated and Paradox stared at his hands before dropping to his knees and sobbing into his palms.

"I… I'm so sorry… I could have saved you, but I just murdered you."

The girls stared at the victor. That little pony they had shown around town and dressed up was really some kind of monster in disguise. Charlotte stood and started towards him followed by Fluttershy then the others.

"Are you really my big brother… Are you really my knight in shining armor."

"I usta be… a long, long time ago."

"Don't be silly Gus, I mean It has only been two months." Paradox stared up at her his eyes were bloodshot from tears.

"Two months? Is that how long you've been here?"

"Well yeah…"

"Char… I haven't seen you in 4620 years." Charlotte stared at him in disbelief.

"But… how is that possible?" asked Twilight.

Paradox held up his arms and showed them the decay. They all gasped and Rarity fainted onto her conveniently placed sofa. Charlotte started to shake as the decay receded and flesh returned. Then Charlotte did the unexpected, she hugged her Paradox and cried into his chest.

"I… I missed you so much! Please! Please don't ever leave me alone again Gus! I don't care what you did or what you do! You are still my brother and I love you," She sobbed.

"I love you too Char… and don't call me Gus anymore… call me… Paradox."

A/N: MY FEELS! I love a family friendly ending. Not gonna do back story just yet though gonna let things for them settle and some wackiness happen so stay tuned for that and a little slice of life with an immortal.

Homecoming

Charlotte was having the best dream. She was a kid again and running through the forest with her big brother at her side. They were running to see all their friends and when they reached the park they went their separate ways. She went to play on the swing and he to play touch football. Everything was fine until some kids bigger than even her brother came. They forced her to the ground and stood over her jeering and laughing. She closed her eyes and when she opened them she saw Gus delivering blow after blow to the bullies and then he looked back to her with the same eyes he had that day before. Blood red and filled with hate and rage but those weren't his eyes… not when she knew him.

Charlotte bolted up straight in her bed with sweat running off of her. She pulled herself out of bed and gathered clothes for the day and the ones for her trip. Brother had told her yesterday night a friend had sent him a message telling him he could go back sometime today. She was excited to be going to another world even if it was much like this one and with her brother to boot but… she would miss the few friends she had made in the two months here. She closed her bag and took up her day clothes to head to the washroom. On the way out she noticed Paradox coming up the stair with two defining features. He was stark naked with blood running down the left side of his face.

"Gus! What are you doing!" She yelled while covering her eyes.

"Oh… Ya see, I forgot I was in a dimension where clothes aren't optional. So when I went to get my post shower pear I may or may not have shocked Fluttershy into a catatonic state," said Paradox as he walked back into his own room hopefully to put on his pants. Char rushed downstairs and just as Paradox had said Fluttershy was standing in the kitchen holding a dented frying pan with an open mouth, erect wings, and crimson face just staring off into space. Char shook her head went back to the washroom.

Outside the Library a crowd had gathered to see off their other worldly friend. Paradox was bouncing on the balls of his feet waiting for the signal from Scourge while Charlotte finished her goodbyes. Celestia had even come out and formally banished Paradox for committing murder on her lands even if it was power mad Discord worshipers. Paradox just shrugged and continued to prepare for his return when Charlotte walked over to him.

"Ya know, you could stay Char… you don't have to come with me if you don't want," Paradox said.

"I'll miss them… but we need to be a family again and you need to save those innocents people in that world."

Paradox perked up as a familiar sensation washed over him. Scourge was ready for them. Paradox pulled Charlotte close to his body and wrapped his wings around her. Just like before his body ignited in pure energy and he took off. Just as he broke the barrier of reality he formed a shield around Charlotte.

Scourge stood patiently next to the cave entrance to Tartarus. He continued to channel the beacon for Paradox to follow until he felt the walls of reality bend nearby. He looked up as Paradox burst through the fabric of space and hurdled towards the ground doing his best to land on his back. Scourge quickly gripped Paradox with magic and set him on the ground. Paradox uncurled and retracted his wings revealing a similar looking female. Scourge raised an eyebrow at this and approached his friend.

"Who is the female Paradox?" Scourge asked.

"Oh, that's my sister Charlotte."

Charlotte was in awe of the spectacle before her. Her brother was conversing with a strange demonic looking pony with a tattoo on his flank. Some things Paradox had said were becoming more clear now, like the comment about optional clothes back at the cottage or his disguise. She had never thought to ask as she just associated it with him being weird like he used to be. This was crazy though. She then remembered he had said something about having a girlfriend. 'A girlfriend! Is she a talking pony!?" Char yelled inside her own mind. She didn't even register Scourge as he walked over to her.

"Hello my name is Scourge it is a pleasure to meet you." Char snapped out of it and extended her hand.

"Uhhhh… Hi I'm Charlotte…" Scourge reached out and shook her hand then after saying his goodbyes and retreating back into the cave.

Paradox moved over to Char and picked her up before unfurling his wings. He took to the air using his magic to locate Ponyville. Char was surprisingly quiet as she held on to Paradox. She even refused to make eye contact. Paradox started to get worried.

"What's the matter Char?"

"It's just… is everyone here a-"

"Pony?"

"Yeah…"

"I supposed I did forget to tell you about that."

"And you said you have a girlfriend is she a pony too?"

"Of course."

"And do you… love her…"

Paradox was taken aback by her question. Not even he could read her emotion on that one. He slowed his flying and landed in a nearby tree so they could iron things out before they returned.

"What do you mean Char?"

"I was just wondering if you love her even if she isn't… human."

"I guess so…"

"You guess?"

"Char… I'm not human anyway so that isn't an issue but the real question is can I love her. I mean I'm old enough to know what love at first sight is but I'm just so scared."

"You're scared?"

"I'm scared of breaking her heart if I ignore my feelings like I know I can but I'm more afraid of what I'll do if I admit I do care about her."

"Why is that?" Char hugged Paradox close.

"I'm afraid… that one day she will die and I'll still be here…"

Charlotte looked into his eyes and saw tears forming. Paradox was vividly remembering all the lost loves of his life. He had always told himself he would never do this again for fear of the pain. He never listened though because even if he hated to admit it he once a human… always a human.

"Maybe… maybe you can find a way to keep her with you…" Paradox's eyes grew wide at the thought.

Life must continue the cycle Paradox you know this best of all.

But prolonging life is the search of all mortal beings.

Celestia would never let it happen anyway.

Just think of all the fun we could have with our friends for eternity though!

"We should… we should talk about this later Char lets just get you home."

Paradox explained a few things before they reached Ponyville. Char had found the whole magical pony thing entrancing after she got used to it but she couldn't get over her brother loving another species. Paradox was more than happy to see her warming up to the idea and to see she had forgotten the conversation from before.

Twilight was in a full blown panic. Paradox had been gone two and a half days and the princesses were coming soon to tell her something concerning him. The Doctor had come by with Trixie they day after he disappeared saying he had stayed behind to talk with the princesses. Since then Trixie had been staying at the library to await his return and apologized to Ponyville for her foolishness.

The princesses entered the library while Twilight was still pacing. Celestia quickly noticed her unkept mane and bloodshot eyes. Luna, however, was too busy looking solemn to notice. Celestia coughed to get Twilight and Trixie's attention. Twilight whipped around and rushed over to them with a pleading look in her eye.

"Princess where is he what happened!?" Twilight was so worried she disregarded formalities.

"-Cough- Well, Twilight after he removed Trixie from Canterlot Maximum Security he 'volunteered' to take her place until he escaped." Celestia tried to make eye contact but was failing miserably.

"Really? Oh I'm so relieved he-" Luna cut her off.

"Well, Twilight Sparkle he took his punishment in… Tartarus and the same night we felt his life force fade so either he is truly lost or gone full undead." Luna looked even more saddened by this.

Twilight sat back on her haunches as Trixie sobbed. The princesses said something but Twilight didn't notice. She was lost in her own mind. She thought he was invincible and that he would always be there for her and her friends. She stayed like that for some time just staring into space. Celestia and Luna left and returned with the other girls, The Doctor, Ditzy and the CMC with spike to inform them. Sadness filled the air as they all mourned the loss of their friend. The CMC cried their little eyes out along with Pinkie and Fluttershy; AJ, Spike, and Dash tried to contain themselves; Rarity and Ditzy were wailing as they clung to a sobbing Doctor. It was the picture of despair.

At the peak of sadness a shadow passed by the window. Nopony noticed the shadow as it passed. Twilight, however, could feel a disturbance in the for… I mean magic and snapped back to reality. She stared at the front door of the library waiting for something to happen when it burst off it's hinges and launched into the back wall. Paradox walked in followed by Char after delivering the door breach of the century.

"Fillies and Gentlecolt! Contain your orgasms for I have returned!" Paradox announced this as he very clearly stroked his ego.

"Paradox!" the ponies all said in unison sans Twilight. Twilight went from zero to sixty in no time flat as she propelled herself at Paradox. She latched onto his bare chest and refused to let go. He patted her back and supported her as she death hugged his torso.

"Hello Twi," Paradox said softly.

"I -sob- they told me -sob- you were -sob- DEAD!" Twilight broke into full blown tears.

"Me? Dead? HA, who told you that mess," Paradox looked over at the princesses and scowled, "Oh, them."

"But what happened to you then?" The Doctor was so curious it was giving him a migraine.

"Well, it went something like this. I made a new friend and we really hit it off. He helped me escape by having me go to another plane while he went to the gates of Tartarus. Once he got there he called me back but not before I found my long lost sister and brought her with me and now i'm 'ere with my sister."

The entire room looked stunned aside from Charlotte who had lived most of this. Celestia shook herself out of herself out of her catatonic state. She shook Luna and their eyes met as if they both new exactly what to ask.

"Who was this new friend Paradox?" Celestia wore a worried expression.

"It was Scourge," Celestia and Luna gasped.

The princesses excused themselves quickly and took off back towards Canterlot. Paradox smiled to himself as he felt his victory in derailing Lulu and Celly. He turned back to his friends and sibling with a wide grin. He pointed a finger at Pinkie.

"Pinkie! Get your cannon cause my sister needs a WELCOME PARTY!" Pinkie leapt into action with a smile plastered across her face.

The little party was going swimmingly for the most part. The ponies were enjoying themselves especially The Doctor because apparently he's a cuddly drunk and Ditzy was all over that. Charlotte was sitting by herself though. Paradox slinked into the darkness to appear behind her.

"What's got ya down Char?"

"Its just… they're just like the friends I had in the other world."

"Well, they are parallel versions of each other ya know."

"Yeah, Its kinda like I'm not losing them at all but now they're… ponies."

"You're stuck on that pony thing aren't you. It's only skin deep… hell it's not even that they are literally that picture of adorable. I should know I dated a giant spider woman."

"Thats weird Gus." Char giggled.

"You act like I don't know that. Anyway go talk to them maybe they could set you up with somepony nice."

"Fine… I'll go talk to them and maybe I should find someone to date. It could be nice for me to get out there and Rarity looks just as good here mmhmm…"

"Haha exactly."

Realization in three, two, one…

"Wait what!?"

A/N: Sorry about taking so long I was busy between xbox and reading and this new Idea about a steampunk n'er do well. Anyway next chapter is gonna be more slice of life with the beginning of the next conflict thrown in.

Human Flaws

A/N: Since I'm a bastard I decided to do some more fun backstory… but come on, I love backstory if I didn't I wouldn't come up with so much. Anyway just a little setup and filler before Appleloosa.

Celestia's sun peaked its head over the horizon and Paradox just looked up from his sitting position on the balcony with an unreadable expression. He had been reading and rereading the pages he had stolen from the Royal Archives. At first Paradox had been giddier than Pinkie Pie but eventually he managed to poke holes in his plan through his deteriorating mental health. He looked back down to the pages he held in his hand and read them again.

Journal Entry 42

The Potion of Binding Mortality was created only for the most resolute of users. I myself created it for a reason beyond selfish. Celestia gave me longevity years ago and now I will forsake her gift. I must give most of my life for her though. I must save my Starlight. She is all that is keeping me sane in my pursuit of knowledge and now she will leave me soon. If this potion works as it should then she will be able to stay though and the weight of her burden will be shared between us. When our lives are linked mine will be cut short but hers will be extended dramatically and we will be together until the very last moment. Forgive me Princess. Please forgive me for what I have done.

The book he had stolen the pages from was actually Starswirl's private journal. Celestia must have taken it after his death to make sure nopony used the secrets hidden inside. She obviously didn't account for somepony like Paradox but then again most ponies can't shrug off mutilation as if he had only gotten hit with a wiffle ball bat. This journal entry worried him though. If his life was truly endless he would have nothing to worry about and even less if his regeneration was linked to it. If it wasn't though he would be mortal once more and most of the tricks he had hidden up his sleeves were useless. Then again… he was undead which meant under normal undead rules he would live forever until he fell to decay or was slain. The whole mess was giving him a headache. Regardless of what would befell him he had to stay with the ones he cared about just like Starswirl.

The travelers all awoke early and prepared for their little vacation to Appleloosa. Char was beyond excited to be going to an actual frontier town even though Paradox had told her not to expect a gun fight. The girls were looking forward to visiting with Braeburn and Little Strongheart. Ditzy and Dinky were happy to be traveling with The Doctor and The Doctor himself was bringing the Tardis just incase. Paradox stood on the train platform waiting for everypony to arrive. He had opted to look the part with a black duster over his normal clothes and a matching stetson hat. The familiar sound of the Tardis was muffled behind Paradox. He assumed The Doctor was parking it on the train. He still didn't know why they couldn't just take the Tardis but everypony else wanted a relaxing train ride.

The remainder of the group arrived with Char bouncing like Pinkie. Paradox smiled at her as she jumped onto him in a full body hug. Paradox's smile turned into a wicked toothy grin when nopony was looking. They loaded onto the train that had arrived from Canterlot and headed towards the sleeper car they were in. The girls went in first while The Doctor and Paradox moved the luggage. Both of them heard Rarity shriek with rage and sped into the car. Inside the car stood Prince Blueblood and two of his personal guards. Rarity was frothing with rage and Paradox had a tear in his eye like a proud parent.

"What in the name of the Void are you doing here?" Paradox asked.

"-sigh- Auntie told me I needed to learn more about the common ponies. So she is sending me to deal with an issue in Appleloosa regarding the buffalo," replied Blueblood.

"Fine, just don't cause any trouble or I may just turn you into the worlds most shampooed doormat," Paradox looked at the two guards who visibly shrunk under his gaze.

Blueblood coughed and moved to his bunk. Paradox smirked and moved to the one he was sharing with Twilight and the others followed their lead. Rarity made it a point to be next to Paradox and away from the prince while Char was situated above her brother. The Doctor hopped down from his bunk with Dinky and Ditzy to trot over to Paradox. The Doctor leaned in to whisper.

"What do you suppose this problem is?"

"I have no idea Doctor but with trouble following us like a lost puppy I assume we will find out," The Doctor nodded and returned to his bunk.

The train started to move and Paradox prepared for the long ride ahead. He looked around the sleeper car and noticed Dinky staring at him. He locked gazes with her and noticed something misty swirling in her eye. He continued to look until the mist formed into face he couldn't recognize but he knew without a doubt the whoever it was had died. She looked away but Paradox couldn't shake his uneasy feeling.

Paradox had sat idle for hours. The girls and The Doctor had been chatting and gossiping since they had entered the desert. Now it was getting dark and Char had a brilliant idea.

"Hey, why don't we have Gus or The Doctor tell an exciting story?" she was somehow still on her old west high. The girls nodded and Blueblood's ears perked up.

"I'm not much of a story teller as a history maker," said The Doctor with a chuckle.

"What about you Gus?"

"Well, I don't think-" Paradox started only to be interrupted by Dash.

"Yeah come on you haven't told us really anything about your past. I bet you had all kinds of adventures,"

"Yeah but-" He was interrupted again by AJ.

"Come on now Dox, you gotta tell us sometime."

"Don't I-" This time Ditzy interrupted.

"I wanna hear one of your stories too and don't worry Dinky is already asleep. She can't wait for tomorrow."

"-sigh- Fine I'll tell you all the story from before I was turned."

"Oh, I haven't heard any of these. You never did tell me what you did while you were in the cleric order," Char spoke up. The Doctor pulled a spit take.

"You were in the cleric order!" The Doctor looked at him in disbelief.

"I was only a cleric for one campaign. After that I was drafted into the Knights," Paradox said with a sad look on his face.

"Wait… Knights as in the Knights Templar! You were a church owned assassin!" The Doctor was in total disbelief and the others looked at Paradox with shocked expressions.

"Yeah… I was an assassin all the way up until I met you Doctor."

"You need to explain this Paradox before you start your story," The Doctor was staring intently at him.

"When I was little all I wanted to do was protect my family and what better way to do that than become a soldier. When I turned eighteen I joined the clerics and went off to fight the undead. I never liked following my commander's orders because the best tactic the clerics had for fighting the dead was throw bodies at them. So whenever I had a chance I would do my best to take out the undead leaders and such as best I could. After a while the Knights noticed my lack of respect for authority and prevented me from being dishonorably discharged while offering me a place as their youngest member ever," Paradox explained as the others looked at him.

"Why did you never tell me this Paradox?" The Doctor asked.

"Because when I met you I knew how you felt about killing and I had to get away from the church so I didn't tell you so you would take me with you," Paradox looked down in shame.

"-sigh- At least you've changed since then. We all make mistakes… especially me," The Doctor smiled at Paradox, "anyway go ahead with your story."

"Right… well it was my first assignment. On your first they give you something simple that you can accomplish a number of ways and they use it to judge your flexibility and style. It also determines your the equipment they issue you."

Gus stood in an alley by one of the largest hotels on earth. He looked up at the penthouse balcony to see a large retractable cover over the top. The canopy kept the pouring rain off the balcony while it's occupants enjoyed the weather. Like his target Gus enjoyed the rain more than sunshine. The rain was always calming and made everything smell clean as if it was washing all the sins of the world away. Gus leaned against the wall and pulled his info pad from his backpack pocket to study his target one more time.

Target: Chaurie Vorkesh and Female accomplices.

Appearance: Black hair, 6', with long black beard.

Crime: Using the guise of diplomatic immunity to undermine the church, along with embezzle, and numerous others.

Location: Las Vegas, Nevada. The New Bellagio, Penthouse suite.

Requirements: None but preferred to look like an accident.

Gus stowed the pad and looked back up at the balcony. He pulled his hood up and pressed his palm to the wall. The palm began to surge with energy and he felt them stick to the side just hard enough to keep him up. Gus pulled himself up until his shoes were touching swell. He raced up the side wall as if he were spiderman until he reached the side of the balcony. He looked around and saw Vorkesh standing near the edge with his arm around one of his accomplices. Gus couldn't make out any features on the woman from this distance but he could see the long black beard clearly.

Gus pulled himself up onto the balcony and prepared to rush the man to knock him over the edge. He stopped when he remembered there was at least another woman here though. He hid behind a large plant on the balcony when the woman made her appearance. She said something to Vorkesh that Gus couldn't understand but he could clearly hear Vorkesh's reply.

"Bring me a Bloody Mary and make it quick," he barked at the blonde. She quickly retreated back inside with a frown on her face. Gus smirked and snuck behind the distracted Vorkesh as he whispered sweet words into the brunette's ear. He moved into the suite and quickly found the blond in the kitchen mixing the drink Vorkesh had ordered. He moved silently behind her and charged energy through his glove again. He touched the glove to her neck and she tensed up before slumping back into his arms unconscious. Gus took her hand in his and used her to pull a large knife from the set. He pulled her towards the light switches and flipped them all down. The suite was engulfed in total darkness aside from the minimal natural light from outside. Vorkesh turned back when the lights went out and called out into the blackness.

"What's going on in there!"

Gus knew he couldn't wait now. He hefted up the body and rushed forward with his hand wrapped around the blonde woman's. Vorkesh reeled back at as they burst from the darkness and didn't have time to defend himself. Gus drove the knife into his heart before pushing him over the edge. Vorkesh had a death grip on the brunette as he went over the edge and the blonde plummeted with him still unconscious. Gus watched them fall before hitting the ground with an audible crunch and splash of water. Gus walked towards the wall and climbed to the rooftop. He sprinted at the back edge and jumped. He pulled a cord and a parachute extended from the pack letting him glide out over the smaller buildings behind the hotel. He landed on his expected drop zone, repacked his chute, and hauled ass out of there.

"Why parachute out though? You could have teleported with the info pad." The Doctor asked.

"Yeah but teleportation leaves a residual energy that can be traced. After all was said and done the authorities blamed it on blondie being jealous and I got stealth and subterfuge gear," Paradox leaned back in the bunk. Twilight laid her head on his chest.

"Why didn't them or Mom, Dad, and I ever tell me you were a knight Gus?" Char asked no longer in shock but concerned.

"Mom and Dad did know."

"-gasp- But… why not tell me or them," Char gestured to the ponies.

"Because they had to know and I didn't want to tell you back then because I didn't want you to see me as a monster. I'm telling you all now for a reason though."

"Whats that?" said Twilight and Fluttershy asked in unison.

"Always remember I did what I did to make life better for my loved ones and the world and I will continue to do so for the rest of my life."

The group smiled even The Doctor. It didn't matter what he had done in the past. All those things made him into a protector who would do anything for even someone he had never met or didn't like.

The Doctor sat back and contemplated what Paradox had told them. He had caused his fair share of death in his lifetime. He couldn't judge what Paradox did in the name of good because that is exactly what he had done in the Time War. He looked at Paradox just before the candles were snuffed and caught a glimpse of a guilty look on his face.

Paradox smiled after the lights went out. His plan was going well. Now even if they discovered his plot they would forgive him thinking he was doing it for their good. No matter what they thought he knew deep in his hearts that he was doing it for himself so he wouldn't be alone.

A/N: More diabolical scheming from Paradox's twist mind, oh yeah. By the by, I know the whole Knights Templar thing is kinda cliche but thats the best thing I could think of for him being an ex-military assassin ya know. Also Chaurie is another name from my collection of WoW characters, for the record.

Charlotte's Day Out

A/N: Shout out to wight_raven for the Giraffe. I kinda liked the whole working a reader suggestion in so if anypony else has something they might like to see come up drop me a comment or a message and I'll see what I can do.

After the bombshell Charlotte dropped on Paradox he just sat with his back to the wall staring off into space. Everypony had no idea what was wrong with him. Char was worried if she had broken him while Twilight tried to snap him out of it. Pinkie stared off into space for a second swell before pulling a bottle of Applejack Daniel's™ and holding it out to Paradox. He eagerly took the bottle and took a swig. He shook himself and stood.

"Gus… are you all right?" Char was even more worried now.

"Ya… I think… tomorrow you and Twilight should go off and explore Ponyville while I… think about some stuff…" he was still staring off into space while speaking. Char just nodded.

The other ponies filed out of the library and towards their respective homes. Tomorrow would be a full day for most of them. The Doctor trudged on deep in thought with Ditzy by his side. He couldn't help but wonder why Paradox had acted that way.

"What's wrong Doctor?" Ditzy looked concerned and off in a random direction.

"Its Paradox… he's never acted like that before in the twenty years I knew him. He always tolerated and even defended others from bigots. Something isn't right."

"Maybe he's hiding something."

"What could he be hiding that involves his sister and the others…"

Paradox laid awake in bed with Twilight attached to his side. He had given his bed to Charlotte and opted to sleep on the floor since Trixie had the couch. Twilight had been firmly against him sleeping on the floor so from now on his permanent spot was right next to her. He could only smile at her sentiment but didn't have the heart to tell her that he never actually slept. He just pretended until they were asleep and read or practiced. Tonight he was racked with guilt for what he had pretended to do but when the idea had struck him he needed a way to be alone for sure. He would be sure to apologize to her soon.

Now he was left with his thoughts. Tomorrow he would send all of them out and close off the library completely until his work was finished. Tomorrow he would start his search for something terrible.

Celestia's sun peaked through the curtains of Twilight's bedroom. Paradox was already awake and making preparations and a light breakfast. Char, Twi, Trixie, and Spike came down soon after the sun's rays hit them. They found breakfast and ate in silence before Twi and Char left out towards Sweet Apple Acres and Trixie went off to find a more permanent residence. Once they were out the door Paradox went to Spike.

"Spike why don't you go play with Applebloom and her friends today. I'll hold down the fort."

"Ok!" Spike's inner child took over and he bolted out after the girls.

Paradox's smile slowly dipped into a frown as he rushed to lock the doors and windows. He pulled all the blinds, barred the entrances, and put out every candle and light before he descended into the basement. He picked up the map he had taken from Twilight. He didn't have his usual stealth attire so he opted for a blast from the past and summoned a faded black hoodie with a large white cross on the back covered in stitch marks as if it had been patched together more times then he could count. He also conjured a pair of black and white sneakers and a pair of faded black jeans. He stuffed the map into the front pocket and forced magic through his hands. He wedged his fingers into the fabric of reality and opened a portal right into the royal archives.

Charlotte and Twilight walked down the road towards Sweet Apple Acres. Spike was riding on Twi's back as they walked. They walked in silence but every now and then Char would look at Twi and wonder. 'She might be a pony but Gus sure can pick them. Cute, smart, and totally adorkable… Why do you feel like thats cliche?' (Thats because it is.) 'WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT!' she started to panic inwardly but shakily dismissed it when they reached the farm.

Applejack and Big Mac were getting a cart ready to go pick up a load of apples. The CMC were sitting on the porch talking, most likely about new crusading ideas. Spike hopped down and rushed towards them as Twilight and Charlotte walked over to the older apple siblings.

"Mornin' Twi and mornin' to you Charlotte," Applejack tipped her hat to the visitors.

"Mornin'," was all that Big Mac said as he continued to prepare the wagon.

"Good morning Applejack and Big Mac. I'm taking Charlotte on a tour of Ponyville," Char smiled and nodded she wouldn't dare tell them she already knew from personal experience.

They started to chat amongst themselves. Even Big Mac came and added his two bits with "Eeyups" and other short responses. They kept that up for a few minutes before the CMC and Spike came trotting up with determined looks on their faces.

"Hay we got a question for y'all," Applebloom spoke up as they reached the older ponies and human.

"We were… um, wondering about… yesterday when…" Sweetiebelle tried to speak but couldn't find the words. Spike patted her on the back as Scootaloo stepped up.

"What does orgasm mean?" (Damn that was blunt even for me.)

The older ponies were shocked into silence and Charlotte was more preoccupied that she had heard the disembodied voice again. Applejack and Twilight looked at one another with shocked expressions and simultaneously gulped. Twilight turned to Char and gripped her hand with magic before going off down the path at a quick pace.

"Sorry everypony I need to get on with the tour!" Twilight called over her shoulder as she and Charlotte fled.

"Ah should go help her -cough-," Applejack took off after Twilight and Charlotte. That left Big Mac alone with the curious youths. He looked at the road where Applejack had fled and then back at the children.

"Granny Ah'm gonna need some help with this! -gulp-"

Char, Twi, and AJ made their way towards Fluttershy's cottage. Animals were running and playing all around but Fluttershy was nowhere to be seen. They walked up to the cottage and knocked. Char was giggling on the inside. 'It's exactly the same as the other world just… smaller,' she thought. Soon Angel opened the bottom door and looked thoroughly displeased. Charlotte smiled at her former housemate and reached down to scratch his favorite spot. When Angel stopped kicking his leg he had a look on his face like "What sorcery is this!" before bolting away. The mares and human shared a laugh before moving around back to find Fluttershy.

It wasn't hard to find her once they were in the backyard. Fluttershy was singing and brushing the mane of a large manticore. Charlotte froze up at the sight of the manticore. The manticore sniffed the air and looked back at the group moving towards it. It licked it's lips and bounded over to the still frozen Charlotte. Fluttershy gasped as it opened its maw and… licked her face? Charlotte's eyes rolled back in her head as she fell back unconscious.

Paradox had slipped past all of Celestia's ward spells with ease and a with magic keeping him invisible not even the monsters hiding here could catch him. Paradox had effectively snuck into the forbidden section of the Royal Canterlot Archives after cutting open Celestia's forcefield with his scythe. He found a central section in the archive and sat down to prepare his scrying spell. With luck he would find the book he needed quickly.

Charlotte awoke to a soothing aroma. She opened her eyes to find Twilight, Applejack, and Fluttershy waving a cupcake in front of her nose. She took the cupcake and savored a bite.

"I'm sorry about Fuzzy. He just loves meeting new friends," Char smiled at Fluttershy and thanked her lucky stars she hadn't been eaten.

"Where are we?" Char asked.

"Sugarcube corner. We thought sweets would be better to wake up to than smelling salts," Twilight said with a sheepish smile, "Plus we can see Pinkie while we're here."

"Yea, speakin' of, where is she Mrs. Cake?" AJ asked.

"Oh, she's up in her room playing with the foals," Mrs. Cake said as she exited the kitchen with a fresh batch of cupcakes.

They ascended the stairs to Pinkie's room. Twi was about to knock when she heard yelling and laughter behind the door. They looked at each other and opened the door. Inside Pinkie was seated on a throne made from her furniture with the Cake Twins on either side. She was dressed as Julius Caesar, Pumpkin was Brutus, and Pound looked like Mark Antony. They were looking into a replica coliseum made from pillows, clothes, and stuffed animals. In the center were two figures battling with all the ferocity of a middle school slap fight. Gummy had been dressed in a little lion costume with mane included and his opponent appeared to be a familiar looking tiny giraffe wearing a centurion outfit. It even had a little sword at its side, so needless to say it was adorable.

"Pinkie where did you even get a giraffe!?" Twilight was baffled by what she was seeing.

"From the lord of fan service you silly filly!" Pinkie giggled as the giraffe pinned Gummy. Twilight could only face hoof.

Paradox found the book he was looking for on the map. He almost beat his head against a bookshelf when he discovered it was in the Starswirl the bearded section. He avoided the traps and monsters until he made it to the section.

'Seriously why have two sections for one pony?'

Starswirl was brilliant in many aspects… many of which Celestia did not approve of.

Paradox reached out to grasp the book but hesitated.

This is your last chance to go back. I won't stop you but remember you made this choice and you must live with it for eternity.

Do it. Do It. DO It. DO IT. DO IT! DO IT!! DO IT!!!

Paradox grasped the book and flipped though it with his magic. He found the page he needed. The title at the top read "Potion of Binding Mortality." Paradox read the ingredients.

Draconequus blood (Chaos)

Sand of the Hourglass (Time)

Dust from the Beating Heart Diamond (Light)

Extract of Harmony (Harmony)

Lich tears (Darkness)

Blood of the users (Captain Planet! wait… wrong reality)

Paradox ignored the disembodied voice and tore out the pages and took off back towards the exit.

After putting the foals to bed the mares headed out into the streets of Ponyville. They headed towards the Carousel Boutique when Rainbow Dash flew down to greet them. Fluttershy squeaked and hid behind AJ. Dash took up a cocky stance and looked directly at Charlotte.

"Hay, I didn't get a chance last night but I wanted to prove how awesome I am." (I can see her ego from here! Its bigger than mine!) Dash boasted.

"Well, Gus did say something about you being great at stunts so I'm looking forward to whatever you've got," Char lied through he teeth but thankfully AJ was to busy with Fluttershy. Dash smiled and took off into the air. She performed a flurry of stunts like "The Super Speed Strut," "The Fantastic Filly Flash," and her closer "The Buckaneer Blaze." The blaze itself was so spectacular that it couldn't be accurately described with words. (I went there.) Char could only mouth "No way."

Paradox sealed the barrier behind him and opened the portal back to the library basement. Once through he pulled the map and pages from his hoodie pocket and set them on the table. He quickly changed back into his normal attire and hid his old clothes before heading upstairs to remove the barricade on the library. He returned the map and sat on the couch with the pages he stole. He started his scrying spell again to look for what he assumed to be the hardest ingredient. The sand.

Visions passed before Paradox's eyes. He saw a frontier town by an apple orchard, running buffalo, and a cave hidden below a ridge in the desert. Paradox started to laugh as felt the irony of hiding sand in a desert. His laugh slowly degenerated into a cackle as he waited for his decay to recede.

The mares sat around in the Boutique and chatted away. Charlotte was entranced by all of the designs Rarity had. Some of these even trounced the Rarity she had know in the other dimension. Rarity noticed this and decided to capitalize on it.

"Like my work darling?"

"Oh yeah, I wish I had been this good at making clothes."

"You design?"

"I wouldn't say design but when we were young Gus used to buy my fabric for my birthday. He'd nearly bankrupt himself buying me imported and extremely expensive fabrics."

"Really?"

"Yeah, it started in high school when I made him a replica of a hoodie he wanted. It was jet black with a big white cross on the back. He wore it everywhere no matter the weather. He used to come back home covered in oozing cuts with rips in the jacket and overtime he would apologize over and over and beg me to fix it. He probably lost it over the years or it was ruined." Char started to tear up a bit.

"-cough- You know Charlotte, I was wondering how did Paradox find you in that other dimension and how did you get there," Twilight was trying her best to change the subject.

"Oh well, I don't really know how I got there all I remember was a big explosion and then it felt like something was pulling me through nothing until I woke up in a forest. After that I lived there for a month as a test subject basically then they sent me off to a small town to stay there and that lasted another month."

"So you were only there for as long as Paradox was with us?" Dash's inner sherlock was coming out.

"I guess so."

Twilight was about to ask a question along the lines of " What was it like" when Paradox strolled into the library. They looked at him as he walked over to his sister and hugged her. She hugged back with a smile.

"Char I'm so sorry for what I did. It was just so overwhelming after not having you for so long," Paradox made sure to crank up the feelings to throw off AJ's honesty filter, "so, I want to take you somewhere to make it up to you. You only got here yesterday but I think you'll like where I have in mind."

"Where did you have in mind?"

"APPLELOOSA!"

A/N: Dun Dun Dun.