//------------------------------// // Another crazy moment in Paradise // Story: The Sands of Saddle Arabia // by Paradise Oasis //------------------------------// Another crazy moment in Paradise (an amusing little mini-chapter by Fimfiction author the Fanfic Pony, who has my grateful and eternal thanks) Living or visiting in a wild barbaric place like Saddle Arabia can really stress a pony out, what with all of the crazy goings-on of the past few days. So, early the next morning, Paradise decided to take a little walk in order to clear her head. “Ah…It's so wonderful to get a few moments away, so I can read a good book!” Paradise sighed happily, as she watched the sun begin to rise over the vast desert and pulled a large novel ahe had bought at bizarre out from under her wing. It was a true story from the distant past about the draconequus and spirit of Chaos known as Discord, falling in love with a lovely Pegasus mare. Even if it was based on a historical event, Paradise could easily tell that it was romanticized a fair bit. “Finally, some peace and qui-wagh!” the Pegasus shouted as she felt someone run into her from behind. “Surprise, why the heck are you out-” But it wasn’t the ditzy Pegasus that Paradise was used to bugging her. Rather, it was a white, muscular earth pony stallion with a red, blue, and purple mane and tail. He wore a small red bow tie around his neck and was carrying a book in one hoof. And he didn’t look like a Saddle Arabian stallion at all. “Oh, sorry!” the stallion backed up nervously as Paradise got up slowly. “I didn’t- I mean, I wasn’t…” “I-It’s fine, really.” Paradise cut him off, picking up her book and shaking the sand out of her shoes. “I’m Paradise Oasis, by the way.” “My name’s Beau-Tie!” the stallion smiled, shaking Paradise’s hoof. “Are you from around here?” “No, and I’m assuming you aren’t either?” Paradise answered as the two began to walk down the empty sand streets together. "You really don't look like a Saddle Arabian stallion." “Actually, I am.” Beau-Tie blushed sheepishly. “I know I don’t look like the other guys here at all.” “It’s fine!” Paradise tried to reassure him. “But… would you mind if I asked why?” “Why not…” Beau sighed. “So I was actually born in another town. Which one exactly, I don’t know. My mother and father apparently appeared here and left me here, vanishing without a trace. Or that’s what I’ve been told, at least.” “Interesting.” Paradise nodded. “Do you like to read?” she added, changing the subject. “That should be fairly obvious,” Beau laughed, “but yes.” He handed Paradise the book he was reading, which was entitled The 3rd Generation: A Memoir. “I’ve really gotten into this one in particular.” “Why?” Paradise asked, flipping through the book with curiosity. It was written by a pony named Wysteria Bloom, whose picture showed her as an elegant lavender earth mare with a pink and white mane, in which she wore a purple flower. “Look at this.” He turned to a page toward the middle of the book. It showed a salmon-colored mare with a rainbow mane and a paintbrush cutie mark. She was holding a paintbrush in her mouth and wore a dark purple beret. Standing next to her was a white stallion with a lime green, orange and pink mane. He also held a paintbrush in his mouth. “These ponies... “ Paradise murmured, looking up at Beau nervously. “Could they be…” “Maybe.” He cut her off, knowing what she’d say. He looked back at the picture, and Paradise could see a spark of something in his eyes; it might have been sadness, she couldn’t quite tell. Beau abruptly shook his head. “N-no way. Time travel i-isn’t real.” “I wouldn’t say that.” Paradise said sympathetically. “Anything can happen. Trust me, I should know.” She laughed, remembering all of the crazy adventures that had happened since they had arrived. “Thanks, miss Paradise.” Beau-Tie smiled. Suddenly, a tall green stallion approached the two ponies, his pink mane waving as he looked at Paradise curiously. Her wings twitched as he looked from her to the stallion beside her, then nodded. “Hello, Miss Paradise.” Merry Moments smiled, Paradise’s mouth hanging open as Beau looked down nervously. “H-hello…” Paradise drooled as she looked the stallion over. Beau-Tie looked at Paradise nervously as Merry Moments turned to Beau. He knew that making conversation with a mare in such a state was utterly useless. “Hello, Merry Moments.”Beau said, looking down angrily. “I see you’re doing well.” “Thank you, sir.” Merry smiled, oblivious to the pony’s tension. “Say, would you mind doing me a little favor?” Beau looked up, conflicted. Merry Moments was so strong, muscular and handsome. Surely had could do anything himself. “Well, how about you do it, if you’re so great?” He stormed off. Paradise didn’t seem to notice, and Merry watched as he left. “Miss Paradise, would you consider going on a little date with me?” Merry asked, Paradise slowly coming out of her trance. “I- hey, where’d Beau-Tie go?” she asked, noticing that the white stallion was gone from her side. “He left shortly after I arrived.” Merry answered as Paradise wiped her mouth, as a little bit of drool had formed there. “I can’t see why.” “Maybe you…” Paradise said, then stopped, knowing that she’d have to talk to the white stallion face-to-face before making judgments. “Never mind. And yes, I will consider that offer.” “Thank you, Miss Paradise.” he smiled, leaving with a wink at the Pegasus. "I really hope we have the chance to meet each other again." “Well, that certainly was interesting.” Paradise mused, trotting toward the pyramids. They seemed interesting to her, and she wanted to study them a little. Little did she know that she was walking into yet another pit of insanity...