The Chronicle of Paradox

The Chronicle of Paradox

Ch# 2

The Mystery of Magic

    To the sound of his alarm clock ringing, Strong Armor hit it with a fore leg and got  out of bed.  Rubbing his eyes, he quietly made his way to the front door, preparing for his early morning trot.  He usually did this to limber up before a training simulation, like the one happening later that morning, but he also wanted to check-up on his ward.

     As he trotted over to Paradox’s shed, his mind kept wandering back to the previous night.  After he’d left the strange stallion he’d tried to research the strange symbols at the Canterlot Archives, using his status to gain entry.  After spending hours combing through the dusty books of ancient magic and even some on new spells, he learned no more about the runes that had blocked his magic than what he saw.

     Lost in thought, Armor tripped over an exposed root as he got closer to the shed.  With a few stumbling step he managed to keep his balance.

     “Where did that come from.” looking at the root, he followed it back to its source,  Paradox’s shed.  “What in the world?”

     He was so surprised by the changes he almost fell over from shock.   The shed had been completely encased in a variety of plants.  Not to mention the dying oak was budding and now had a ledge growing from it.   The small garden hadn’t been left untouched either, it was filled with delicious looking vegetables and fruit hanging heavily from the intertwined branches growing from the shed’s roof.

     “Guess he thought it needed some work....” Armor said in disbelief as he did a quick trot around the redesigned shed.  Stopping at the door he raised a hoof to knock, before thinking better of it.

“No...  there must be a reason he’d done this, afterall I did give him a rickety shed for a home.”

      Eating a few strawberries from the garden as a snack, Armor continued his trot.  He finally made it home just as the sun started to creep over the horizon.  Entering the house to retrieve his armor, a lavender mare met him at the door.

"Seems you’ve got up early for training again, 'captain'."  She remarked, giving him a quick peck on the cheek, his armor floating into view.

"Why wouldn’t I?  Have to be prepared to protect Equestria, and everything I hold dear.  The same oath you had taken, Stella"  he said, brushing Sparkle’s  mane over her ear.

    Hearing him use her old nickname, Sparkle gave him a playful slap on the flank as she helped him tighten the straps..  "I remember just as well now as when we fought side-by-side.  Only problem is that we can't have you reliving the old days with a family to watch over."

Strong Armor, finally suited up in his armor, gave Stellar Sparkle an affectionate nuzzle before galloping off to the sparring match.

   Waking with a gasp,  Paradox could still feel the presence from his dream.  A silhouetted figure, that shone with the seven colours of the rainbow, had appeared in his dream beckoning him to return.  Paradox had yelled questions at the figure but the only response he received was a flashback showing the statue from the ruins.  After that he’d been forcefully pushed out of the dream and awoke covered in sweat

     Trying to make sense of what happened, Paradox’s ears perked up.  Coming from nearby was the muffled sounds of battle. Deciding to investigate, he quickly exited the reworked shed and hurried off. Paradox quickly found the source of commotion while traveling the castle grounds.  It was Strong Armor and 15 armored unicorns facing off against a small squadron of pegasi.

    “Mornin' Armor!... What are these ponies doing fighting among themselves?” he shouted over the noise, wincing as a pegasus crashed into one of the unicorns unceremoniously.

    “I'm having my guards practice their anti-pegasi techniques to better protect Princess Celestia and Equestria if we're ever attacked.” Armor answered, while locking one of the pegasi’s wing together using magic.

     A short time later Armor blew a whistle and the two herds stopped sparring and stood at attention before their captain.

    “Excellent work today.  All injured report to the first-aid tent and everypony else report to the mess hall for a well-deserved breakfast.”  With a salute and cheer the ponies quickly dispersed leaving Armor and Paradox alone.  “So what has you up so early in the morning Paradox?”

    Giving a shrug Paradox proceeded to tell Armor about his dream.  After finishing his story somepony spoke up from behind the conversing stallions.

“So I wasn't the only one that felt that magical power earlier.”

    Turning to regard the speaker both, Paradox and Armor saw Celestia cantering over to them.  Giving a bow, the two ponies greeted the ruler of Equestria.

    "It was a strong magic that I've felt before.  I thought to ask Strong Armor if he or any of the guards had felt it to."  the princess explained as Paradox stood up.

    Noting Armor’s confusion, Paradox watched as he told Celestia he'd heard nothing of the sort from anypony.

"Only our guest mentioned anything about this feeling you’re describing princess."  Armor finally said nodding in Paradox’s direction

    "I was just telling him about this strange figure that entered my dreams.  It left me an image of that weird statue at the castle ruins." Remarked Paradox, noticing Celestia grew slightly pale at the news.

    "We have no time to lose! Strong Armor, I need you to prepare your fastest pegasi for a journey to the castle at once.  This could mean there is trouble with the Elements of Harmony!"  Celestia exclaimed as she turned to leave.  “Paradox, please follow me I’ll show you the way to the chariots.  Having felt the power as well could mean you’re needed for whatever has happened.”  Celestia called over her shoulder.

    Giving a confused look at the obviously shaken ruler Paradox took a few hesitant steps before following behind her.  Many questions went through his mind.  Why had this presence entered his dream and what was Celestia hiding? Although possible answers kept coming to mind one question remained, what were the elements?  After Celestia had referred to them he’d felt a jolt run through him but couldn’t discover why.

  Noticing that Celestia was talking to him, he pushed these thoughts aside and refocused on her.  “…and that was when the Elements of Harmony were found.  Using its power, the three pony clans were unified by the elements of honesty, loyalty, laughter, kindness and generosity.  Being so powerful, we placed the elements in the castle hoping they would remain a symbol of peace under our protection." An expression of sadness crept onto her face as she continued in a shaky voice.  "I still remember the day I was called upon by ponykind to use the elements again."

Seeing tears welling up in her eyes, Paradox felt that same jolt run through his body, as he gently stopped her and hugged her sympathetically.  He didn't know why he had done it but the hug had calmed the ruler greatly.

    "Thank you for your act of kindness Paradox" Celestia said, blushing, while she rubbed the tears from her eyes and quickly pushed him away.

    "It is not a problem.  You need not continue with the story if it pains you so." Paradox exclaimed with a look of understanding and an extended hoof "Shall we continue to the chariots.  I'm sure Strong Armor will be waiting for us there."

    Still appearing a bit flustered the princess started off at a brisk trot.  Hurrying to keep up, they arrived at the chariot launch in a matter of minutes

    When the chariots neared the ancient castle, they started to descend toward a clear patch of land near it.  When all three had touched down Armor got out of his chariot before walking over to Celestia and Paradox.

    "So I don't know much about what is going on, but I  think it would be for the best if me and the pegasi lead the way." he suggested.

Celestia gave a quick approval but Paradox simply leapt from the chariot and started striding towards the castle.

    “What do you think you're doing!” Armor ordered, using magic chains to restrain Paradox.

    "We must hurry. Something is agitating the elements." Paradox remarked, turning to Armor.

     Something about Paradox suddenly didn’t sit right with Armor as he heard the pony speak.  For a moment he was sure two voices had spoken the words instead of one.

    "What do you mean agitating?" Armor said, keeping a steady flow of magic to the restraints.

    "The feeling I'm getting seems like there is something forcing the elements to activate." he replied noncommittally.

      As if to emphasize his point, a flash could be seen from one of the broken windows. Finally releasing the spell Armor watched Paradox slowly rose to his feet as him and the pegasus guards headed towards the entranceway.  With a disciplined precision the pegasus guards stood the entrance in a defensive pattern while Strong Armor started a countdown.  As soon as he said "zero" he turned and gave a mighty kick to the door.  It buckled inwards as the guards rushed  to enter the room.

    From behind Armor, Paradox suddenly shouted something as a brilliant blaze of rainbow colored magic washed over the ponies.

    Slowly Paradox opened his eyes. How long was I out for?, he thought to himself, as he rubbed his aching head.  The last thing he remembered was flying towards the castle ruins.

    "CELESTIA! STRONG ARMOR!  IS ANYPONY OUT THERE!" Paradox shouted into the gloom as he tried to orient himself.

    Looking around he noticed flickers of color appearing in the mist.  Hoping it was another pony, he desperately chased the dancing color.  He galloped with all his strength but still couldn't gain any distance.

    "STOP PLEASE, I MEAN YOU NO HARM!" he shouted hysterically.

     This featureless place was starting to affect him. Slowing down as exhaustion wore away at his stamina, he finally collapsed in a disheveled mess.  His sides heaving from his heavy breathing as he looked towards the flickers and finally saw it’s true shape .

That's a moving picture, he thought as the flickers showed six mares he didn't recognize fighting a blue alicorn.  As he watched the scenes changed with great speed before a familiar silhouette appeared.

Guardian of harmony, find the ponies of destiny.  Only with their power will Equestria survive. The disharmonious one will rise again...

    Trying to make sense of the message, Paradox's vision started to recede until only a small point of light remained.

    As the pegasi flapped as hard as they could, Strong Armor ensured the unconscious pony didn't slide out of the chariot and fall to his death.

     “You’re  just full of surprises Paradox.”, Armor said silently looking at the unconscious pony.

    As soon as the magic wave had started through the door, Paradox had appeared in front of the group in a protective stance, but something had been different.  His aura had sent a cold sweat down Armor's back.  It had felt like looking into an empty void, until the magic collided with Paradox and washed over the other ponies.

     When Armor's sight returned, Paradox lay in a heap and the elements had changed from glittering gems to spherical stones.  Armor had used healing magic on Paradox, while Celestia had tried to bring forth the elements power from the stones.  Neither of the ponies had been successful so Celestia had ordered Strong Armor and his pegasi-in-arms to fly Paradox back to Canterlot.  Leaving the details to Armor, she'd flown ahead to inform the Canterlot hospital of the emergency.