A Boy and his Watch

A Boy and his Watch
By TheAlienBrony22

Season 1
Friendship is Galactic
Prologue

[Canterlot Castle, 2 years later; 4 days before the Summer Sun Celebration]

Celestia looked out her window, defeated and melancholic as she gazed over Canterlot. Below her, every single pony was making serious preparations for the upcoming celebration, a celebration that made her feel wounded, but she was always one to follow traditions... even if this tradition brought her many a heartache every night, leaving her restless.

Looking back, she probably could've stopped it, but she didn't imagine things would turn out this way, her being alone, every single pony was unaware of the forgotten second ruler of their kingdom. She probably should've stopped ponies from celebrating this one tradition, because the last thing she'd ever want is for Her to return, only to declare that she should've stayed where she was for all eternity when she sees Ponies celebrating her defeat, like nothing ever happened before that.

Still, it was too late now, and Celestia was staring at the moon, getting misty-eyed as she pulled out a piece of parchment, a bottle of ink, a quill, and a Badge. She knew what she had to do, and it still hurt, despite knowing beforehand.

"I must send her away. It's for the best, and at least she'll have her friends and family to fall back on if things get too chaotic." Celestia stated, writing away at a letter.

[Sparkle Residence]

Shining is sleeping peacefully, as is Nightlight and Velvet. Ben on the other hand, seemed to be having a rough night sleeping. He flailed and turned in his bed, trying to withstand this odd feeling. He could hear something. He heard mentions of the moon, the stars, aiding her escape, a nightmare from the moon, a moon that housed a nightmare, a single name that seemed to be too much for the human to bare.

Ben snapped awake, sitting up as he took a few deep breaths, wiping the sweat from his brow as he looked around his surroundings. No sign of Spike or Twilight.

"Oh right... they moved out. Man, I need to move out. Besides, gotta fulfill that promise eventually... Man, that dream messed me up, though. Who in Tartarus is Luna?" Ben thought on this for a moment, but nothing seemed to come to mind, which frustrated the damn hell out of him. "Ugh, it's probably nothing. I need to get a glass of water, and when they wake up, I need to talk with them about moving out."

Ben got up from his bed and walked downstairs, too exhausted and unaware to take any notice of the Omnitrix flickering from Green to Blue. He grabbed a glass and filled it up with ice, then filled it with water, taking a few gulps of it as he turned around to go back to bed.

"Hello there, Benjamin. Lovely night, isn't it?" A man called out.

Ben nearly choked on his water and instinctually reached for the Omnitrix, only for the man to snap his fingers. Time seemed to stand still, all while Ben and the man he once saw before in his head were the only things in motion.

"Who and what in Tartarus are you, and why are you in here? HOW did you even get in? The door is locked!" Ben exclaimed, still keeping his hands on the dial of the watch.

"Tartarus, basically pony hell. How interesting that you've become so acclimated to pony culture, and yet, you know nothing of human culture. Tell me, Benjamin Tennyson, do you want to know what human culture is like? Just take my hand and I can take you to where the rest of your kind is." The man offered.

"You're giving me some serious vibes that I'm not okay with, either buzz off, or I'm gonna start makin' the buzz around here! And my name, by the way, is Ben Sparkle! Now get lost, and get out of this house, or I'm getting the guards!" Ben warned, selecting Skunksquito's icon.

'This isn't going according to plan. Even after hearing 'Tennyson', he remembers nothing. He's prepared to actually fight me off, and if that doesn't work, he's going to get law enforcement involved. What grade of Amnesia does this boy have?!' Paradox thought to himself, obviously displeased by Ben's hostility.

"Very well, I guess this has to be done." Paradox reached out to touch Ben's hands. "Trust me, Young Benjamin, you'll thank me later-"

Ben backed away and ran for the front door, slamming on the Omnitrix. Nothing seemed to happen and Ben just crashed against the door. Paradox walked forward and tried to help Ben up, but Ben ducked away and got up, trying to keep his distance.

"Mom!! Dad!! Shining!! Anypony!!!" Ben called out, backing away from the man.

"They can't hear you, Benjamin. Time stands still, they are resting. The space we are in, they can't hear a thing. This reality isn't your reality. Just calm down, and I can show you the truth-"

"Just back off, get away from me! I don't know what you are, or what corner of Tartarus you were spat out of, but you freak me out! Go Away! I don't know who this 'Ben Tennyson' is, but that's not me! I'm Ben Sparkle, remember that the next time you decide to just... do whatever you just did to break in to my parents' house! Now, go away, or this is gonna get ugly for the both of us!" Ben warned.

"Benjamin, you're trying my patience, and Discord did that enough already. You must listen and you must listen now, I'm not the bad guy, I'm trying to help you! Help you remember who you are!" Paradox reasoned.

"I know who I am, and what you're trying to do, I don't approve of! Now, last time I'm gonna say it. Leave, now, or I'm going to show you thirteen different ways I can throw you out of not just this house, but out of Canterlot's borders with relative ease!" Ben warned.

Paradox could feel an unnatural presence. He looked carefully at Ben, and saw what looked like a black aura with many stars within its inky black color. Paradox was worried, but also intrigued.

'Was that... No, that couldn't be, there's no way he's close to unlocking that form yet. I must be slipping back into insanity, I must stop talking with Discord... I may have to wait yet another time to persuade Ben into remembering.' Paradox thought.

Paradox sighed. "Alright, fine. I'll leave you be, for now. Just know this... I will be back, Benjamin Tennyson. I will restore your memory, whether you want to remember... or not."

With another snap of his fingers, time resumed and Ben just went back to bed. He was going to chock all of that up to a bad dream, and by tomorrow, he was going to move to Ponyville.