The Pegasus Paradox

As soon as the TARDIS landed, Celestia followed The Doctor’s instructions, magically teleporting herself back to the throne room in Canterlot with a flash of golden-yellow light.

The Doctor then began heading outside before being stopped by Twilight.

“Doctor, where are you going?”

He slowly turned around.

“To speak with Discord, in less than an hour you and your friends will arrive to return him to his stone prison.”

“But, if we’re here now doesn’t that mean you failed to talk him down?”

“Time is more complicated that that besides, I have to try. You and Rainbow Dash remain here in the TARDIS until I return, we narrowly avoided one paradox and we don’t need to risk causing another.”

“What about me?” asked Shining Armor.

“You can stay or go with me-it doesn’t really matter-you were still Captain of the Royal Guard up in Canterlot if I remember correctly, so there’s no risk of you running into yourself.”

He glanced back at Twilight and Rainbow Dash.

“I’ll go with you.” He replied, before following The Doctor out of the TARDIS.

The only time he’d ever seen Discord was as a statue in the castle courtyard outside of the hedge maze and now seemed to be as good a time to satisfy his curiosity as any.

Once the two stallions were gone and she was sure they were out of earshot, Rainbow Dash turned to Twilight.

“Hey, Twi…I uh…” she rubbed arm nervously in the same manner she had the night before.

“I just wanted to say that, I’m sorry about snapping at you…I’ve been doing a lot of thinking and I realized, that it was really selfish of me to ask you a favor like that when you were dealing with your whole ‘becoming an Alicorn princess thing’.”

“I forgive you and I’m sorry, too-you were right that I didn’t want to send that recommendation…but, not because I think I’m better than you!” she quickly added, defensively when Dash gave her a questioning look.

“It’s just that…I know about that old saying about how power can corrupt someone and…I need my friends to keep me grounded an remind me of who I really am, but most of all; I need you-Rainbow Dash-and I was afraid that if you did get accepted into the Wonderbolts you wouldn’t be able to help me through all this.”

The Pegasus placed her hooves on the Alicorn’s shoulders.

“Twi, you know how much being a Wonderbolt means to me…but, I’m not going anywhere as long as you guys need me.”

The Doctor and Shining Armor stood before the draconequus, still sitting in his throne on high, enjoying the world of madness he’d created around him.

“DISCORD!” The Doctor shouted, grabbing his attention.

“Oh, it’s you again…” he grimaced. “Still alive and in one piece I see…a pity.”

“Celestia is back where she belongs and the Elements are on their way…I’m giving you this last chance to see reason and put a stop to this madness.” He continued, ignoring the remark.

“Do you really think I’m stupid enough to fall for such an obvious bluff?” Discord chuckled.

“Doctor…are you sure about this?” asked Shining Armor.

“I have to give him a choice.”

“Ha!” laughed Discord, “And just what kind of choice would that be, hm?”

“The kind that may very well save you from yourself…all you need to do is change all of this back and you won’t have to go back into stone.”

“Surely, you jest.” He replied, draping his serpent-like body of the side of his throne so he was look at Shining Armor and The Doctor upside-down.

“I have no intention of going back to being a glorified lawn ornament, nor do I have any inclination of changing this beautiful work of art…” he gestured, waving a claw to the area around them.

“Well this ‘work of art’ is dangerous! It’s a miracle nobody’s gotten hurt or killed yet!” Shining Armor growled, noting the soapy roads.

“I’m sorry and…who are you again?”

“Shining Armor, former Captain of her majesty’s Royal Guard and prince of the Crystal Empire.” He stated, with a hint of pride in his tone.

“Ah…”

The Doctor stepped forward.

“I’m not sure if you don’t realize the trouble you’re causing for these people or if you just don’t care-but, I will not stand idly by watch innocents be tormented in this manner.”

Discord merely rolled his eyes at this statement.

“I suggest that you take this more seriously as this is your last warning; leave this people alone or what happens next will be your own doing.”

Once again Discord had his eyes rolled as his talon magically transformed into a crude sock puppet of The Doctor which he moved in way that kept it flapping its gums.

When The Doctor finished, the puppet reverted back to his talon before sitting back upright in his throne.

“You know you’re so sanctimonious and preachy you remind me of Celestia…worse than that actually, you’re more look ten of her…so boring.”

This earned a snarl from Shining Armor as he prepared to charge at him before The Doctor held up a hoof signaling him to stop.

“He’s trying to provoke us-don’t give him the satisfaction. Besides, he’ll get what’s coming to him.”

Turning around he began to leave with Shining Armor glaring at the draconequus with a growl before the being simply waved the digits of his lion’s paw at him in a playful, condescending manner before reluctantly following The Doctor back to the TARDIS.