Everything was right with existence in this peaceful plane of reality. Birds were chirping, a light wind was blowing, and the whole of life was correct. That is… until the walls of reality spat out a high speed ball of flesh formerly know as Paradox. The next thirty-seconds of Paradox's life went by as if he were a stone being skipped across a lake by a brooding teenager. One unlucky manticore wandered into the path of the bouncing Paradox and effectively slowed the hurtling mass enough to stop. In another crater.
Paradox slowly but surely reformed his body and pulled himself out of the hole. He decided against mentioning his usual means of arrival again in hopes the void will have mercy on his return trip. After a vigorous session of stretches and joint cracking Paradox started to survey his surroundings. 'Tree, tree, tree, manticore bits, tree, tree… hold on and rewind… eert ,eert , stib erocitnam… pause and play… yep manticore bits.' Paradox thought as he consulted his in head DVR. The replay helped Paradox conclude he was in a similar world to Equestria. Everything seemed just as pastel and the air was just bursting with positive energy even in what he assumed was similar to the Everfree.
Maybe this is another Equestria.
OH! OH! If it is we should disguise ourselves! It'll be like playing "Identity Theft" without the actual theft!
I can't believe I agree but Joy is correct. If it is another Equestria we should blend in until Scourge signals us to leave.
'Good plan guys. I'm proud of the teamwork.'
It won't last…
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Paradox came to the edge of the forest and was excited to say the least. In front of him was a clear sign reading "Welcome to Ponyville" with the town not far behind. Paradox almost literally couldn't contain his joy as he looked at the town in the distance. His mind started to run circles around his better judgement with thoughts of all the pranks, jokes, and general debauchery he could commit with little fear of consequences. Paradox grinned evilly and rubbed his palms together. He changed into his stallion form still with his robe and pants on, that fortunately fit fine aside from the robe hanging off his backside. With a smile protruding out of his hood Paradox trotted off into Ponyville.
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Paradox could not believe his ponified eyes. He and his inner voices had made a grave miscalculation. He continued to trot though the town after taking his hood down to see if it was causing hallucinations. Interestingly enough he was not hallucinating the entire town was not made up of brightly colored pastel ponies but their human counter parts. Paradox could clearly recognize ponies he knew like Lyra, Bon Bon, and… sweet Jebus Ditzy was attractive as a human. (Lucky lucky Doctor) The best part was he could clearly see humans flying with feathery wings, using magic, and displaying inhuman strength just like their pony counterparts. To say Paradox was Baffled would be an understatement. He didn't have the time to ponder the astronomical possibilities of this as a familiar head of hair popped up in front of him.
"Hi there little guy! Wait… -gasp- you aren't a little guy at all! You're a big guy hiding in a small package, or thats what the guy drinking the tea out there said! (its cinnamon apple flavored) OH! I should throw you a welcome party even if you are hiding!" The obvious Pinkie doppelganger continued on her rant seemingly without breathing. Nearby people weren't even phased that she was speaking to a pony wearing clothes… The fact that they hadn't noticed him as a pony with clothes actually started to bother him more. Pinkie was still talking and Paradox realized that she of all people would probably tell everyone that he wasn't a pony and blow his pointless yet entertaining cover.
'Pinkie… I need you to do me a favor and Pinkie promise me you won't tell anyone I'm not a pony… I need to stay in disguise,' Paradox projected his thoughts into Pinkies mind. She stopped and stared at him for a second then smiled an impossible smile and performed the Pinkie Promise ritual.
"Well… If I can't tell them what you are then can I introduce you Doxxy?" Paradox nodded completely disregarding how she knew his name, because if he questioned Pinkie logic his head would explode and never regenerate.
"YAY~"
I have a terrible feeling...
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"Hey Applejack! Come meet my new friend!" Pinkie yelled towards the red barn. Applejack emerged seconds later coated in a layer of dirt and oil.
"Hey Pinkie, Ah was just fixin the ol' tractor," Applejack looked down at Paradox who quietly sat next to Pinkie. "What's that Pinkie?"
"That's him silly. Applejack say hello to Doxxy. He's a little pony."
"I'll say he is… but Pinkie where did you get a pony?"
"He wandered into town of course and I just had to give him a tour!" Pinkie was almost too excited for even Paradox and he had a mini Pinkie living in his head.
You should start dating Pinkie, I like her.
'Shut up you,' Paradox thought.
"Well, Ah'm finished here want me to come with?"
"Sure! The more the merrier!"
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"My word!" Rarity exclaimed after looking at Paradox.
"What is it Rare?" Applejack asked with a eyebrow cocked, "Y'all never seen a pony before?"
"I have Applejack but never one that wore terrible rags or wiped his hooves before coming into a house. Pinkie where did you find a pet like him?"
'Pet?' Paradox's eye twitched.
"Silly he's not a pet he's his own person, duh," Pinkie giggled after her explanation.
"Right…well at least he is well mannered I must do something about his clothes though. Something flattering to his coat and eyes." Rarity was already mentally preparing designs for a stallion's clothing line.
'Well mannered huh… Don't turn around Rarity or I'll wring Opal out onto your carpet,' Paradox wore an evil smirk as he contemplated traumatizing Rarity.
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"RAINBOW DASH!" Pinkie yelled at a lone cloud. A rainbow clad head looked over the edge and sighed before flying down.
"What is it Pinkie… whoa, what's that?" Rainbow pointed at the pony now wearing a repaired robe coated in ribbons and gems.
I don't hate this…
"That is Pinkie's new friend she just had to show us," Rarity said.
"Why is he wearing that? -snort-" Rainbow was having trouble containing her laughter.
"Rarity just had to put 'im in something fru-fru. Not like he could do anything about it, poor thang" Applejack glared at Rarity.
'AJ I'm gonna buy you a new barn when I get home.'
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"He has to be the oddest pony I have ever seen It's fascinating. Where did he come from? What about that robe? Why are his eyes red?" Twilight was absolutely gushing over the new discovery. She had already stripped his robe off but he planted his haunches on the ground and refused her access to his pants.
'We don't even sleep in the same bed back home and now she wants in my pants… today isn't going like I hoped.'
"Uh, Twi lets take 'im to Fluttersha before you cut 'im open…" AJ reasoned.
"Oh… ok…" Paradox nuzzled her hand and she perked up again.
"OK! Off to see Flutters!" Pinkie shouted.
You know if we stay with Fluttershy we can stomp a mud-hole in Angel's ass.
I rather like that plan. -cackling-
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The stroll to Fluttershy's cottage was uneventful with only a few stares before they left the town. Paradox was still amazed that this entire place was a near perfect copy of the other Equestria. The odds had to be astronomical or maybe not…
The group moved up to the cottage just as Fluttershy and another woman were exiting. Paradox could swear he knew the other woman but he couldn't see her face while she was turned away. She wore a tight dark blue hood that showed off her figure and similarly tight jeans. He hair was dark brown just like his in his human appearance but why did she seem so familiar. Then she turned around. Paradox's hearts stopped beating as he stared at her deep blue eyes and fair skin.
'That's impossible… there is no way she could be here…' Paradox was distraught. He had stopped moving and just stared at her while the others passed him.
"Howdy Fluttersha and Charlotte-" Applejack continued on but Paradox couldn't hear her.
'She… she said Charlotte… It is her…' Paradox started to cry and Fluttershy rushed over to him.
"Oh no! You poor thing. What's wrong," Fluttershy's tone was soft and soothing.
Fluttershy pulled him into the cottage and with AJ's help she moved him onto the couch. Pinkies hair deflated at seeing her new friend so distraught. Fluttershy and Charlotte went to the kitchen for drinks. The others just started at Paradox. They couldn't comprehend how an animal had broken out into sobs like a child. Fluttershy returned with Charlotte and went to tend to Paradox until a loud bang echoed from outside the cottage. The girls went to investigate leaving Paradox alone with himself.
'She… shouldn't be alive…' Paradox thought to himself as he heard muffled voices outside.
Stranger things have happened Brother.
Take it as a blessing, she is alive and well.
Maybe we got lost in the void and went more insane…
We should have Pinkie throw a reunion party!
I miss the robe…
Paradox continued to argue with himself on the couch. His tears had long since dried up. He could hear shouting outside but disregarded it until he hear one clear male voice ring out a command.
"GIVE US THE GIRL OR WE WILL KILL YOU AND TAKE HER IN THE NAME OF OUR MASTER DISCORD!" The voice screamed. Paradox's eyes widened as the girls shrieked and the door exploded.
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The girls rushed out to find three men standing near the wreck of Fluttershy's favorite tree. The largest man adjusted his runed war-hammer from where he struck the plant. Each man wore red and grey battle armor and had their hair dyed grey. The smallest carried a battle-staff and the middle one had a short blade in each hand and one on each wing. They were clearly prepared for a fight.
"What do you think you're doing!" Twilight was frightened but needed to stand her ground.
"We have come for the other worlder in the name of our lord and master," said the mage. Charlotte brought he hand to her mouth and stepped back.
"Who is this 'Lord and Master' you're talking about?" Rarity asked from behind AJ.
"We serve lord Discord," said the avian. The girls gasped.
"You want her you have to get through us!" Shouted Dash.
"GIVE US THE GIRL OR WE WILL KILL YOU AND TAKE HER IN THE NAME OF OUR MASTER DISCORD" The large man screamed and swung his hammer. His hammer fired a bolt of energy at the girls who shrieked and dove out of the way. The door was annihilated and animals were fleeing the area at break-neck speeds.
"Now if you would please-," the mage didn't get to finish his sentence.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH," Paradox let out a terrifying roar. The girls looked at the smoking opening as a very angry red eyed man stepped out. Charlotte's eyes were the size of pinpricks when she saw him, as if something had stepped right out of her dreams and into reality.
"If you touch one hair on my sister's head I will pull out your beating heart and eat it in front of you!" Paradox wasted no time in growing claws and a tail to go with his fangs and eyes. The big earthen smiled and hefted up his hammer. Paradox dropped to all fours and growled.
The avian took to the air as the earthen brute fired another bolt of energy. Paradox leapt forward and flipped in the air to strike the bolt with his magic charged tail. The bolt deflected into the sky and struck the oncoming avian sending him spiraling into the wrecked tree. Paradox landed and pounced again only this time at the mage who was attempting to charge a spell. He never finished as Paradox speared him sending the two rolling in the dirt. Paradox's fist burned with magic as he caved in the mage's ribcage leaving a small crater underneath his limp body. Paradox leapt towards the brute now but the earthen was prepared and hit Paradox in the chest knocking him back towards the girls. He rolled to a stop and quickly jumped to his feet just in time to catch the avian's arms as he tried to stab him. The avian knew Paradox would beat him at brute strength thus fighting dirty was the best option. A knife blade extended from his right boot and he kicked Paradox right where it hurts. Paradox roared in pain and the avian took the opportunity to cleave off both of his arms and speed back to his companion.
"Will you give up now little monster man?" asked the earthen as Paradox smirked.
"Tis only a flesh wound," Paradox's smiled widened as his arms regrew but from the elbow down his arms were decayed from magic use. Paradox raised his hand up towards the avian as magic seethed off of it. He closed his hand and the avian's body seized up and blood oozed from every (visible) orifice before collapsing. Paradox summoned his scythe and met the brute's eyes. They charged each other and the handles of both weapons met. Paradox shifted his scythe and so that the blunt side pointed at the earthen's chest. The earthen thought nothing until a surge of magic caused the scythe to come alive and fold back before extending into his heart. He grunted and fell to the ground. The scythe dissipated and Paradox stared at his hands before dropping to his knees and sobbing into his palms.
"I… I'm so sorry… I could have saved you, but I just murdered you."
The girls stared at the victor. That little pony they had shown around town and dressed up was really some kind of monster in disguise. Charlotte stood and started towards him followed by Fluttershy then the others.
"Are you really my big brother… Are you really my knight in shining armor."
"I usta be… a long, long time ago."
"Don't be silly Gus, I mean It has only been two months." Paradox stared up at her his eyes were bloodshot from tears.
"Two months? Is that how long you've been here?"
"Well yeah…"
"Char… I haven't seen you in 4620 years." Charlotte stared at him in disbelief.
"But… how is that possible?" asked Twilight.
Paradox held up his arms and showed them the decay. They all gasped and Rarity fainted onto her conveniently placed sofa. Charlotte started to shake as the decay receded and flesh returned. Then Charlotte did the unexpected, she hugged her Paradox and cried into his chest.
"I… I missed you so much! Please! Please don't ever leave me alone again Gus! I don't care what you did or what you do! You are still my brother and I love you," She sobbed.
"I love you too Char… and don't call me Gus anymore… call me… Paradox."
A/N: MY FEELS! I love a family friendly ending. Not gonna do back story just yet though gonna let things for them settle and some wackiness happen so stay tuned for that and a little slice of life with an immortal.