[DEADLINE PARADOX]

[DEADLINE PARADOX]

[00]

Two figures stood alone in a darkened room. Their features were hidden by the shadows, but their silhouettes alone were enough to cause ripples through the very fabric of reality. After a few moments of silence, one of the figures spoke. "Why are you here brother? Can't you see I'm enjoying being stranded in the void while my physical form is encased in stone?"

"Your sarcasm will not agitate me as it does the mortals, Discord."

"Oh very well Ordinem. What do you want?"

"I am sure you can feel that the balance is broken. It has been off ever since the human arrived."

"I know! And little Tia's made him her enemy too!"

"My daughter is free to allign herself with whichever of our cousins she wishes, though I am certain I will be receiving some harsh words from Bonum for some of her... transgressions."

"You say that like it's a bad thing! Malum's a great guy, and it's about time you got on his 'good' side... See what I did there...? 'Good'...? Bah! You're no fun!"

"Go joke to the mortals. Oh wait, you can't."

An awkward silence filled the space between them. Suddenly, Discord began to laugh. "You're finally catching on!" He said, slapping his brother on the back. "Anyways, speaking of our cousins and the human, did you hear how angry Tempus was? He was totally pissed!"

"The human is messing around with Tempus' work."

"So? I'd do anything to have a demi-god of my own! You and Lux have got Celestia, Materiae has Crepusculum, you and Tenebris have Luna, and Tempus has Opacare! Why don't I get one!?"

"You may yet get a chance. As much as it pains me to say this, I am going to return your physical form to you. I need you to repair the balance."

Discord looked skeptical. "What's the catch?"

Ordinem smiled. "You know me too well. You will be returning as a mortal."

Discord simply responded with a bemused expression. "I hate you."

"I love you too, brother."

Discord threw his forelimbs up in defeat. "Fine! In the mean time, what're we gonna do about Tempus? I get the feeling he's close to doing something stupid."

"Unfortunately, all we can do is hope he can restrain himself. I am uncertain he will be able to when he hears the next part of my plan..."

"Which would be what, exactly?"

"No Alicorn of Time was ever meant to wield the amount of power that Opacare now does. He is completely destroying the balance by choosing to use his powers for the benefit of one side in the mortal conflict."

"And just how do you propose we fix that?"

"Simple. I am going to give my daughter a gift."

"Let it be known that I am completely against this course of action!" Discord exclaimed, as though speaking to a large audience.

"The only way to return the balance is to create another, equally strong Alicorn of Time to stand against him."

Discord sighed and shook his head. Very well, brother. I expect you want me there to train him so he doesn't break something?"

"No. I will handle that myself. You will be going to Opacare."

"Really? Woohoo! Humans are the single most chaotic species I have ever seen, and you're sending me to go train one to control time! If any small parts of you remain after Tempus gets at you, I'll be sure to give them a proper burial."

"You may go to the mortal realm now. I am going to go and talk with our cousin."

"Right. Good luck with that." With a loud snap, Discord was gone.

Ordinem looked at the place where his brother had existed moments ago. He smiled and shook his head. "You didn't think I'd make it that easy for you, did you?" Without moving, Ordinem walked across realms to the home of his cousin, Tempus.

Tempus glanced up from the time vortex he was observing. When he spoke, his voice echoed as though there were multiple of him speaking in unison. "Ordinem? To what do I owe this pleasure?"

"You may be less glad to see me after you have heard what I have to say."

Tempus' gaze drifted back to the time vortex for a moment. "This is about Opacare, isn't it?"

"You are correct. In fact... I intend to create a second Alicorn of Time for Malum and Lux in order to preserve the balance."

Rather than an outburst of rage, as Ordinem had been expecting, Tempus chuckled. "Remember when it was always 'Malum and Tenebris'?"

"Times change. You should know that better than any of us."

"Indeed."

"So you are not upset with my decision?"

Tempus grinned in a way that for some reason made Ordinem feel extremely uncomfortable. "Upset?" Still maintaining his cheerful demeanor, Tempus continued, "I'm not upset, I am absolutely furious."

Ordinem suddenly found a violet blade at his neck, radiating energy through all of time. "You do not have to do this, Tempus."

Tempus' smile dropped in an instant. "Yes I do. We all respect the balance, but you have held yourself as the highest authority for too long. We're all supposed to be equal, something you seem to have forgotten."

"The balance takes precedence over all else. The others know this."

"The others are just as tired of you as I am; they're just  unwilling to stand up to you, unlike myself."

"Very well. We shall do this your way then." Without any sign of movement, a greyish blade had appeared between Ordinem's neck and Tempus' own blade.

"Do not expect me to show mercy, cousin."

"I do not. Nor will I show any to you." Ordinem twisted his blade sideways, and used the added leverage to parry Tempus' blade to his right.

As he swung his blade again in a upwards diagonal strike to the left, Tempus brought his own blade around in a circle, and caught Ordinem's an inch from his side. Stars flew through the air as the two blades clashed, bursting into supernovas as they impacted the floor.

Ordinem flourished his blade in a spiral, causing Tempus to lose his grip on his own. Before the God of Time could react, Ordinem's blade was already stuck through his chest.

Just before Ordinem would flourish his blade and cause Tempus to lose, he threw himself backwards; dodging the subsequent thrust at his chest. Ordinem quickly recovered from his missed thrust, and turned his blade sideways to catch Tempus' downwards strike. He then sent a swift kick at Tempus' left leg, breaking it and giving him an opportunity to behead his opponent.

As Ordinem kicked, Tempus pulled his own leg back, using the momentum to initiate a pirouette. Ordinem was barely able to parry the blow as it aimed for the right side of his head. As the tip of Tempus' blade was imbedded in the floor, Ordinem slid his blade up the entire length of Tempus', cutting the Time God's forelimbs off.

As Ordinem began to move his blade upwards, Tempus abandoned his own in the floor and jumped backwards, sparing his forelimbs. He recovered from his backwards roll to find Ordinem's blade pointed at his throat. He froze in shock.

Ordinem shook his head in disappointment. "I have no idea how many timelines you erased to remain living, but I can assure you that it does not matter. You can not beat me. Concede."

Tempus took a moment to consider his options before reluctantly stating, "Very well. I concede." Through gritted teeth.

Ordinem lowered his blade, which then vanished into nothingness. "Then do I have your assurance that you will not interfere with my plans?"

"You have my word. I respect your authority as God of Order."

"Good."

Years or seconds later, Ordinem was sitting on a cloud, overlooking a group of Royal guards as they trained. A single unicorn caught his eye; a unicorn named Leo. "This is where your story begins, mortal. I am sure that you will make Lux, Malum, and Mors very happy..."