The bright moon lights up the night as the darkness covers Equestria. Most of the ponies have fallen into a deep slumber, happy and content that everything is the way it should be. Princess Celestia and The Elements of Harmony are also sound asleep; at peace with the knowledge that Chrysalis and her insect army are hundreds of miles away somewhere, defeated and broken.
Or so they think.
Far away from Canterlot and Ponyville, a few creatures trek across The Badlands, limping and heads hung low in defeat. Queen Chrysalis and a few of the remaining changelings in her army slowly cross the barren desert, in search of a new home to hide in for the time being. As the queen saunters away from civilization, two shadows cast against her. Chrysalis gasps in fear as she knows who the two characters are and continues to keep her head hung low.
“Well, well, Chrysalis. Defeated again, I see? How pathetic!” Paradox scorns her. Trixie, whom he is next to nods in agreement. The time spirit starts to hover around the queen, eyes still narrowed at her in anger. “I give you freedom from your prison; help you raise an army, and yet you still fail me?” He questions Chrysalis as he floats back to his student, his back now to Chrysalis. He turns his head. “Tell me, Chrysalis: How did you fail this time?” Chrysalis finally shifts her focus toward the spirit in front of her. With a look of fear and worry in her eyes, she speaks:
“An Element of Conflict.” Chrysalis returns to looking back down at the ground. The statement makes Paradox’s eyes grow wide with shock. Trixie on the other hand, gives her a look of confusion. Paradox slowly descends to the ground and closes his eyes, focusing on her words.
“Well then…” He mutters. “Your loss is validated, then.” He stares at the queen before glancing away. Chrysalis’s head jolts up to meet Paradox’s, surprised but his sudden change of mood. Trixie is also confused at his startled reaction.
“Validated? Trixie does not understand, Paradox.” She says. Paradox looks at her student with concern.
“Those… Elements.” He says as he turns and walks away from the group. “The Elements of Conflict are ancient and legendary artifacts of extraordinary power.” He turns his head back toward his student. “With even one of those artifacts, we would have enough power to usurp the throne.” He clenches a fist as he finishes his sentence. Trixie eyes light up like the stars above at her teacher’s words. These artifacts would make taking over Equestria easier than ever!
“Really?” Trixie says with intrigue. “Then Trixie thinks we should go after these so-called “Elements of Conflict”, Paradox! Imagine the power we would…”
“We will not do such a thing, my student.” Paradox interrupts his student’s words. Trixie gasps in surprise and confusion. Why would Paradox decline such an opportunity?
“What?! Why?!” Paradox laughs at Trixie’s reaction as he walks to her position. Meeting the unicorn eye to eye for a few seconds, he turns his attention back to the direction of Canterlot.
“That is what Princess Celestia believes what will happen. Celestia is hoping that we will want to seek out The Elements for their power. She want us to wait until The Elements of Harmony and that human have found all of The Elements so we will act in a way to steal them.” He snickers at the thought. “She is such a foolish pony. I have foreseen her making this assumption.” He looks back at Trixie and Chrysalis. Chrysalis cocks an eye at the spirit’s explanation. “What Celestia does not know is that I care not for such petty items. No… They are not of any importance to me.” Trixie and Chrysalis continue to stare, bewildered at the spirit’s words.
“So… What will we do then?” Chrysalis questions. Paradox suddenly snaps his fingers, making two tubes materialize and start floating next him. Trixie gives off a malicious smile as she recognizes the two cylinders.
“Of course… Trixie is quite pleased with where this is going.” The unicorn comments. Chrysalis stares at the two tubes blankly, as their purpose to her is unknown.
“You see, Chrysalis…” Paradox starts. “These are blueprints to a few projects that I wish to begin. Trixie and I stole them back on Earth from the human’s government. We shall use these to take over Equestria and its inhabitants.” The spirit motions a hand and the two blueprints fall into each of his hands. Chrysalis rolls her eyes, this plan seems flawed on a number of levels.
“Yes, because trying to build these… things unnoticed will go a lot smoother than trying to get The Elements of Conflict before those ponies.” Paradox laughs again at Chrysalis’s statement.
“We will have no such trouble. Celestia and the human government believe that these two blueprints are worthless; nothing but failed prototypes. Yet I know what power they are truly capable of.” He glances down at Chrysalis and the ten battered changelings behind her. “However, I will need an army to gather materials and build our first weapon.” He raises the blueprint in his left hand upward. Chrysalis finally smiles at the spirit of time. Not only for wanting to help, but to get back what was taken from her not to long ago. The queen kneels toward Paradox, as do the drones behind her.
“My changelings and I are at your command, Paradox. We will be happy to assist you.”
“Excellent.” He floats toward the queen and raises her head, making their eyes meet. “When our victory is complete; you shall receive your place on the throne once more, Chrysalis.” Chrysalis nods in understanding. “Now then, back to the matter at hand…” Paradox grabs the blueprint floating to his left and snaps his fingers again, making the tube to his right vanish. He stares at the object, thinking about his next move. “Those ponies want The Elements of Conflict so badly?” He thinks aloud. “I say… Let us help.” Trixie and Chrysalis revert to their previous states of confusion. Where is he going with this?
“Come again, Paradox?” Chrysalis questions. The spirit whips back around.
“Those Elements will be worthless once our plan comes to fruition. We shall lead the group into a false sense of hope by letting them find the other Elements. Then, once we strike at full power; all of their hope will vanish as they realize they are no match for us.”
“And how will we do this?” Trixie asks.
“My student, you know that I know of the past quite well. I am aware of an Element of Conflict’s location: The element given to Princess Luna.” The two ponies’ eyes bulge in shock at the reveal. “It just so happens,” Paradox continues. “That the Element is located where the first part of our plan will take place.” Trixie steps forward, anxious to begin the long awaited scheme.
“Where shall our plan commence, Paradox? Trixie is ready to begin.” Paradox glances down at his periwinkle student before raising his head and looking to the night sky above.
“Look to the stars, my student; and you will understand.” Trixie follows her teacher’s words and gazes up at the midnight sky. She stares at the multitude of stars that are twinkling among the blackness. Yet it is the largest object in the midst of the stars that makes everything clear to her. Chrysalis also looks up into the void above them, hoping to understand what the spirit of time means. As her eyes dart around for a few seconds, they come to rest and focus on the main source of light in the night: A full moon, courtesy of Princess Luna.
“How?” Chrysalis asks, as she understands the spirit’s motives. Paradox gives her a small smirk.
“I know many spells, Chrysalis. One of which is that portal spell that allows the human to traverse from here to Earth. I can modify the spell and combine it with a long distance teleportation spell and teach it to Trixie. Do not worry Chrysalis, there will be no need of any banishing to get there.” Chrysalis marches up to the spirit and gives him a nod.
“I cannot wait, Paradox. I’m eager to see what you have planned.” Chrysalis starts up a bit of a chuckle that breaks out into a full on maniacal howl. Trixie, Paradox, and the changelings soon join the queen in her contagious laughter as it echoes throughout The Badlands and into the night. The moon casting their shadows across the land. Paradox raises his staff into the air, the stopwatch on top eclipsing the moon above. He silences himself to address his two cohorts; turning to them and dawning a malicious grin.
“Come you two, let us get to work.”