//------------------------------//
// Epilogue 
// Story: WWC: Spaced Out 
// by Chris-Cross13 
//------------------------------//

	The night sky darkens the deserted landscape of The Badlands. Shadows of rocky monoliths cover the ground as the moon begins to set and daylight starts to peer over the horizon. As the black sky starts to fill with a light orange, a creature lands below: Queen Chrysalis. She stirs up dust and sand as the queen lands; a squadron of changelings patrolling around her. The group stands at attention, seemingly waiting for something to happen. Seconds later, a light blue portal opens in front of them. Another few seconds pass as Paradox emerges out of the portal. Jumping down onto the ground, he gives the queen a satisfied grin.

“Did everything go according to plan?” The queen asks, a bit unimpressed with the statement. Before Paradox can answer, Trixie bounds out of the portal behind her teacher.

“Yes Chrysalis,” She answers for him. “The plan went perfectly!” Chrysalis sighs at Trixie’s response.

“I still don’t understand how letting those ponies and that wretched human beating you both is ‘part of the plan’.” She questions. Paradox laughs at Chrysalis’s puzzlement. 

“We want to lure those fools into a false sense of security. Remember, Chrysalis?” He starts to encircle Chrysalis and her drones. “We want to make them all feel powerful; make them feel like they have a chance. And then, when our true plan comes to fruition…” He flashes away from his position and appears in front of Chrysalis, clenching a fist. “We snatch all their hope away and secure ourselves as rulers of Equestria!” He laughs triumphantly. Chrysalis shrugs her shoulders at his idea.

“So, them getting the Element of Conflict was also all part of the plan?” She asks. Paradox nods.

“Indeed. When we reach our full power, those elements will be worthless against us!” Paradox drifts away from the queen; looking off into the distant landscape. “Anyway, it is time for Phase Two of my plan.” His head cocks back to Chrysalis. “Did you complete your mission, Chrysalis?” He asks with a tone of eagerness in his voice. Chrysalis give him a nod, trotting up along side the spirit.

“Yes, Paradox. My changelings and I have found a location that is isolated, secure, and safe. No pony would dare come within a mile!” Paradox smirks at the news.

“Excellent! Bring us to this location at once!” He orders. Chrysalis is already a few steps ahead of him; charging a teleportation spell for the group. A green dome encompasses the trio along with the changeling squad; hiding them from view until the bubble vanishes moments later from the desert, leaving no trace of the villains behind.

The small group materializes as Chrysalis’s green light fades around them. Paradox and Trixie look around at their surroundings. Mostly darkness fills their vision; they are inside some sort of structure obviously. The remnants of the setting moon are able to shed some light as to where they were. Stone walls and flooring make up the environment around them, yet Paradox knows there is more to this place. He turns towards his student, whose eyes are darting around apprehensively at their new surroundings.

“Trixie, a little light if you please.” He asks. Trixie complies with a periwinkle glow from her horn, which soon grows to shine throughout the area. The moment Trixie’s light hits the surroundings walls, it becomes clear that this place is an abandoned building of sorts. Yet this is not a sort of shop or home. As the two analyze the interior, signs of ruin and decay are apparent: Various contraptions and machines litter the building, all of which are turned off and at least partially destroyed. Pipes are rusted on the walls, conveyor belts are broken and snapped apart. Large generator-like machines are in a state of needed yet impossible repair. Large vats near the far wall are warped and void of any liquid. The actual structure of the building is no different: Holes in the walls and cracks in the floor are common throughout the building. Paradox lets out a small laugh. “Love the decor.” 

“I figured that this old place would be the perfect hideout for us.” Chrysalis mentions. Paradox nods.

“Yes… You chose wisely, Chrysalis. Dangerous, hidden, abandoned; this is a perfect hideout.” He says as he walks toward a large hole in the wall to stare at the rising sun. “Though the population of Cloudsdale is close, I know those ponies will not dare tread near here.” Trixie perks up an ear at his words. Why would ponies avoid such a place as this? Then, she started to really think about the building she was in. Suddenly, her thoughts clicked.

“Paradox,” She stutters. “Is this-”

“Yes, my student. Indeed it is.” Paradox reads her thoughts like a book. Trixie’s pupils shrink as she starts to tremble suddenly.

“H-Hah… Of course. T-Trixie remembers the rumors of this p-place when she was a filly.” The unicorn shakes. “A-Are they… True, Paradox?” She asks with a squeak. Paradox walks past her, indifferent about the question.

“That depends on what you believe in, my student.” Paradox walks over to one of the broken conveyor belts; placing a hand onto the belt and running it along the surface. The belt squeaks and clicks as it rolls again from the first time in years. “Rumors are a very interesting thing. They can alter a story altogether or change a simple detail.” He lifts his hand from the belt, blowing away the dust on his palm. “But enough idle talk; it is time I introduced you both to Phase Two.” He floats back to Chrysalis and Trixie; with the later jumping excitedly at the news. The two of them gather around Paradox, who puts his staff onto his back. With a snap of his fingers, a familiar looking tube appears in his hand.

“The other blueprint?” Chrysalis questions. “I don’t understand. We just built the other one so it could be destroyed. Why are we doing the same again?” Paradox cackles at her observation.

“Oh, my dear Chrysalis; this blueprint is unlike the other.” He begins to unscrew the top of the tube off. “THIS blueprint will be the instrument of our takeover!” He tosses the top of the tube aside and shakes out the rolled up schematic. Paradox then throws the tube away in a similar manner to its cover as he eagerly prepares to present the two of them with this machine. “Behold, our key to Equestria!” He unravels the blueprint and the two villains marvel at the invention before them. The design and description were enough to make them both shudder in anticipation. 

“How do we get started?” Chrysalis asks eagerly. Paradox raises a brow at her attitude.

“I am glad you are interested.” He comments. “Of course, your changelings will need to fetch materials in order to build it. However, this project will take much longer than The MIND did. We will not be finished for a least a few months.” Chrysalis nods. 

“Not a problem, Paradox. My changelings and I are eager to start as soon as possible.”

“Good to hear.” He response. “You start tonight.” Suddenly, he grabs the staff off of his back and points at Chrysalis to where the clock on the top is underneath her chin. “Do not fail me, Chrysalis. For if you do, the consequences will be DIRE.” He commands with an angry growl in his voice. Chrysalis nods once more, shaken a bit by this anger.

“Don’t worry, Paradox. My changelings and I will succeed.” She says with a small gulp.

“Good.” Paradox reverts back to his previous stature. 

“Just one question.” The queens asks. Paradox glances at her.

“Go on.”

“What do you plan on doing with this… thing?” Paradox laughs again.

“I will reveal my plan as we continue on as I see fit. All you need to know is that you will thoroughly enjoy what I have in store. Now,” He thrusts his staff forward. “Gather your changelings and prepare!” Chrysalis nods and vanishes in a bundle of green light. Paradox nods as he sees the early stages of his plan coming to be. He then looks at Trixie, who is waiting for a command by her teacher.

“What about Trixie, Paradox? What shall she do?” Paradox leads her toward the large hole in the wall as the sun starts to truly rise over the landscape. The two of them stand against the yellow light for a few seconds before the spirit speaks once more.

“You and I will now wait, Trixie.” Trixie gains a puzzled look on her face.

“Wait? Why?!” She hollers. Paradox ignores her outburst and continues to look at the rising sun.

“A sequence of events will unfold soon, my student. Once these events begin, we shall intervene and continue with Phase Three.” Paradox floats away from the hole, leaving Trixie to ponder her teacher’s words. Phase Two is done already?

“What’s Phase Three, Paradox?” Paradox stops mid-flight and gives her a small smirk.

“It is a reunion with… an old friend of mine.”