> I am Paradox > by Msande > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Prolouge > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Prolouge: I am the Paradox “Were are we Doctor?” asked Rose her blond hair drifting shapelessly around her head. The Doctor glared forward as he scratched the short black hair on the side of his face. He glanced over at his companion Rose Tyler. “A time between time thanks to my own stupidity,” he said glaring at the blonde woman as she looked him very confused. She stuffed her hands inside of her sweat shirt as she looked around. “So are we breathing?” she asks looking around. “And are we going to get out?” she wonders looking back at the Doctor. He was still sporting his leather Jacket but seemed to be in a very angry mood. Pulling out a Tardis key it started to glow as he stabbed it into the air. He frowned as the interior of the Tardis started to from around them. “Well this is going to cause some complications,” he muttered to himself as the hexagonal shapes in the wall appeared around them becoming more and more solid until gravity. His shoe hit the ground in stride, quickly moving past the main council he started flicking a very of the random devises. “So what happened?” Rose asked as she followed him around, “the woman who walked past me she looked just like me.” “She was you, in fact the point is that wasn’t supposed to happen. Which created a time Paradox and forcibly created an alternate time line one that is very, very, not here; I am such an idiot” he muttered under his breath as the Tardis started to hum to life. “So how do we get back to Earth?” Rose asked shifting her hand together she couldn’t help but feel the Doctor was angry with her for something she hadn’t done yet. The Doctor kept looking at the controls as he looked at his hand it faded a bit before turning solid.“Not good,” “What do you mean what’s happening?” Rose said as the Tardis started to vanish almost as quickly as it had appeared around them. “A forced Alternate reality is not a stable one so we have a slight issue. This alternate reality isn’t suppose to exist so we are fading from existence. But If can force the time flux capacitor to hiccup, I should be able cause a slight tremor into this time beyond time and push us into an alternate reality that’s more stable to find a more permanent solution. The Tardis shook violently as Rose fell to the side grabbing onto the council doing her best not to hit anything. “I don’t understand what happened, what’s happening!” Rose shouted “I brought along another stupid ape,” He muttered to himself Rose heard him as she seemed very conflicted on the comment. “She didn’t do anything, but the fact remains it happened,” He muttered back seemingly having an argument with himself. Rose shook her head at this point he could be screaming the argument with a past version of himself and she wouldn’t bat an eye she had already seen a past version of herself run past her. “Doctor!” she shouted in panic as he looked up to see Rose’s hand fading a bit as she grabbed at it in panic only her fingers to flow past. “Just the universe trying to correct the paradox, Rose give me a second,” He said as he grabbed a liver and pulled it as the Tardis started to spin threw time and space as he tried to figure out some way to preserve their lives. “Doctor, I don’t want to die,” she said as she stared at him with wide eyes. The Doctor gave her a smile as he approached her grabbing bother her shoulders he gave her a smile. “You’re not going to die, you will be alive and well,” he said calmly and confidently. She grabbed his arms as she smiled confidently at her faith in the Doctor carrying her threw. He turned as his confidence vanished from his face. In truth if the real him could work it out Rose would in fact be alive and well on her way to the next adventure. But a Paradox himself included would fade into nothingness unless he could keep the Tardis working long enough to get to an alternate reality before time snapped it back into place. “The problem being is traveling between alternate realities is trouble back in the old days I could see myself five ways to Sunday in different bodies. But this could be impossible and he was just delaying the inevitable.” He slammed his thumb onto a button as the Tardis accelerated. “But I am sure going to try,” he said to himself. “Rose I need you to hold this lever down,” The Doctor ordered already leaning over to the next set of switches. “Rose?” he repeated as he looked around the Tardis. “Rose?” he asked again. Rose Tyler had vanished. “No,no,” he started to repeat he closed eyes not sure if even wanted to keep going but they snapped back open one more innocent dead under his watch. Releasing a breath he used his foot and stretched as far as he could the universe wasn’t going to be rid of him yet. He closed his eyes as he reach out hitting the finally switch. Nothing, The Doctor didn’t feel anything no noise nothing reached his sense “Death ?” the words tasted odd not the words but the implication. But he felt something on his skin sun light, he sense of smell came next grass, and the faint smell of wild flowers. A light breeze rustle the trees, and the songs of birds entered his ears as well. His sense of gravity had returned he was laying a grass field probably near the edge of a forest of some kind. Aware of what was going on he relaxed and needed to rest. His eyes flashed open the world was Dark and he couldn’t see very far. “Perfect, now I can tell where I am at least generally.” He told himself the stars were amazing he hadn’t seen something glow like this since his younger days despite dealing with those cave men back with his granddaughter the stars looked amazing. He felt his heart ache he glanced around for Rose in vain but spotted no sign of anything. No Tardis, no companion and now clue why did he want to keep existing for. He smirked to himself, “Cause dying would be the easy part,” he stood up but he felt a bit shaky as if his feet were not use to walking. Not bothering with wonder he started walking if not shakily. He wasn’t familiar with the constellations nothing matched up to memory which was depressing but nothing he wasn’t prepared for. The Doctor moved forward with little issue the occasional bat pasted over head but nothing seemed out of the norm for the planet. In fact it was peaceful may be he could relax and not worry about things for a while for all he knew the Time Lords may have never existed. “Well, some enjoying the night?” asked a soothing voice. “I have to admit most don’t do a lot traveling at night, in fact few stay up past sundown these days. “Why is that something I should be concerned about?” The Doctor asked in casual tone, but any knowledge would be useful at this point. “No, they just fear the darkness not that I can blame them thanks to recent events.” Said the Female tone she seemed a bit depressed at this truth. “Ah forgive me I am not big on current events.” The Doctor replied. “Considering any event could be current,” he added to himself. “So what do think of the stars?” she asked ignoring his comment. “They are, beautiful to say the least, it’s been a long time since I have seen such a beautiful night sky. But if you don’t mind may I get a name, I would like to call you as such if possible,” the Doctor replied. “Its only polite to give your name before asking,” she reminded The Doctor sighed a bit but he had no reason not to indulge his guest. “I am…” he passed a second his name as the doctor didn’t seem right for some reason he didn’t even have his screwdriver. “Have you forgotten it?” The woman asked clearly amused at his sudden stop. “No I would never forget it,” The Time lord replied shaking his head. “But my name doesn’t fit me, not anymore. I am the Paradox, and who am I addressing?” “Paradox,” the stranger seemed to taste the word. Suddenly a large figure appeared from the shadows walking on four hooves she towered over him with a long mane that seemed to have stars doted in it. “An odd name I suppose I am the one of the Royal leaders, I am Princess Luna and welcome to Equestria.” Au: I really like Doctor who in fact Mlp fandom got me into the series itself thanks to the Doctor Whooves audio stories. But going over everything I noticed it was almost always ten or Eleven and even a twelve one or some combination of the personalities. So here it is the Ninth Doctor the one who got me hooked on the series. As for the name change I do plan on having him meet up with Doctor whooves and it’s just easier to keep confusion to a minimum that way. > birth of a legend > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 01 “Your majesty,” Paradox replied bowing his head. She seemed to approve of this act as a light smile appeared on her face. “May I inquire as to why you are here?” He asked. “I was just viewing my work as all,” she replied smiling up at the sky as her attention returned to the figure. “And then I came across a most unusual sight a pony walking on his hind hooves,” “Pony?” Paradox replied scrunching up his noise, he glanced down only to see his black coat with on with what appeared to be a white coloring.”Well that’s new,” he said out loud as he dropped onto all fours. He suddenly stumbled not use to the new distribution of weight. “I take it you do not normally appear as you do?” Luna asked looking at Paradox with a hint of suspicion. “Yes, threw a cruel twist of fate, and a bit of my own stupidity, I have landed here, were ever here is,” he said. “Well if you desire you could join us on our nightly stole and perhaps we can give you answers and receive some in turn.” “Well I have all the time in the world, I suppose, I was once called the Doctor and I traveled around in a blue box. However a Paradox was created and so I made an attempt at jumping to an alternate reality I appeared here,” Paradox replied not really sure why he was telling her he didn’t really think she would believe him but he had no reason to lie to her. “Interesting, but the concept of alternate realities is not unfounded.” Princess Luna replied as she stretched her wings out. “Well that went over better than I expected,” He replied with a slight smile as he took a step forward only to trip over his own feet. “We are knowledgeable after all we have seen them ourselves. The world is filled with many magical wonders,” Luna replied. “Wonders well I could use a good distraction,” he muttered to himself as he stood up his body seemingly adjusting itself. “Well then if you wish we could show you a few sights,” She replied with a smile. Paradox shrugged as he was suddenly pulled into the air his body had a purple glow around him as Luna’s unicorn horn glowed as well. “Impossible,” He replied in surprise as she took off into the sky. “Your surprise and your lack of knowledge give you way we are happy you did not lie to us. The fact you did not recognize us until we announced ourselves also shows your lack of knowledge,” she said tossing Paradox into the air forcing him to land on her back. “What was how, could you have moved me,” his brain quickly turning in on itself as it tried to find a scientific explanation for what he was dealing with. “I have to be dead, there is no way,” “We take it magic is a foreign concept to you?” Luna said with a slight laugh as the doctor watched her wings move with graceful ease threw the night sky. “New reality means new rules,” he told himself. He looked over and only to see a massive castle in the middle of a forest. She landed as he looked around a few ponies with bat like wings stood around each bowing as she landed. Paradox felt his smile appear on his face as he nodded at the guards. “You wouldn’t happen to have a library?” he asked. “Yes we normally it closed but I think we can arrange something for you,” Luna smiled. The guards eyes him clearly on edge from something. He glanced up at Luna a bit confused. “Don’t mind them; we recently threw the shackles of a dictator while there is no longer a treat his rain had a very pour effect on the populace and they haven’t recovered yet.” “Wouldn’t he have supporters still?” “Trust me when I say it was a single thing his name was Discord and he had no supporter,” Luna said. “Ah,” Paradox nodded remembering the Daleks. Luna glanced over at him as they walked along clearly wondering why he didn’t question on him. “Trust me I know how much damage a single person can cause, as well as how much a single person can fix,” he said winking. “Fair enough,” she replied accepting the answer. Paradox took in the sights the castle wasn’t anything he hadn’t seen before with the exception of more pony like statues than the normal human. The halls were not very wide it seemed to be a more practical castle as Luna led the way to a small out of the way door. The doors opened up suddenly as he inspected the hinges no sign of any kind of machinery sensor or any other explanation his minor telepathic abilities could pick up. Sighing a bit he soon found himself with a small library filled with books. “I expected more since this would be a royal library,” He commented. He glanced over to see Luna look away a little ashamed. “Sorry, it’s just even if you just liberated it seems surprising to have such a small amount of books.” “Well that is the final nail in the coffin, you really aren’t from around here. Discord was a spirit of Chaos trust me he has no use books,” “I would like to know more of this spirit of Discord.” He said calmly. Luna soon levitated a book to his side. “Recent Equestrain history,” he read out loud as he reached out to grab the book. The book dropped to the ground. He sighed as he tried to grab it again only for it to slide a bit on the tile floor. “I miss my fingers already,” he fumed a bit as Luna watched amused as he tried to pick it up. He grabbed it in his mouth as he took it to the table. Paradox was starting to lose his patience as he tried to flip on page only for to get three. Luna walked up behind him flipping the page to the first for him. “How did you do that,” he said looking up at her with a hurt glare on his face. “Practice,” she smiled casually hooves in this world work well enough for the more delicate things her try it,” she replied turning the page back. The night wore on as the moon slowly moved in the distance. “Well then I think it is almost time for my sister to raise the Sun,” Luna said as Paradox quickly flipped the book. “Raise the sun?” His said as a grin forced itself onto his face this world will be keeping me busier than I thought. He raced of grabbing her by the hoof. “This is something I got to see for myself.” Luna was taken by surprise as the much small individual suddenly started dragging her out of the Library. The Doctor kept looking up the structure was for the most very artistic. If not a little rushed he could see that the castle in. “What is the name of the forest?” he asked glancing back at Lune. “The Everfree forest,” “Thank you,” he replied as he went back to his thoughts the castle structure was put together much too quickly and he didn’t think it would last a few hundred years before they would need to build a new city. The pair found themselves behind a massive crowd as a bright white being just like Luna walked up as the sun started to rise behind her and soon she took off into the sky her rainbow mane flowing behind her as she flew with the sun perfectly in sync. The crowd cheered and it wasn’t long before it dispersed. “You don’t have to stand here all day,” Luna said as Paradox stood his ground watching his shadow as the sun moved across the sky. “That’s not possible the alignment, the shadows the movement of the sun. Strait, all planets have an axis of some kind. What I wouldn’t give to have my Tardis to really see how this thing works,” He said grinning as he looked up at the sun. Luna approached him. “I am going to guess and say that since you are the same size as the one who raised the sun, you raise the moon correct?” “Yes, you are correct, we only recently started as such,” the Princess said. “Are you capable of shifting the stars as well?” he asked she affirmed his guess with a simple nod. He closed his eyes, his head lowering to the ground. “What are you doing?” Luna asked as she looked over to see her sister approaching her. He hushed her as both glanced at each other surprised that anyone had the never to do something. “I can’t feel it,” he finally said as he looked at Luna his face held both confusion and wonder. “The Planet isn’t moving, it should be rotating around the sun spinning. But it’s not…” his thoughts trailed off as he his mind went back to his most recent lose. “You sure now how to find them,” Luna’s sister said as he stared off. Luna nudged her older sister in the side. “Celestia, I know that look, and Sister We, sorry I will be entertaining my guest in the Library if you need me,” Luna explained as she nudged Paradox. “Sorry, staring off into space there,” he said recovering from the sudden memory his face quickly found its signature smile but Luna didn’t seem to buy it. “So back to the Library?” he asked, he didn’t much care for being pushed around but he wasn’t really in much of a position to argue. Luna fond her jaw much lower as the entire library was now scattered over the floors. Paradox had seemingly speed read the entire library in nearly three hours. “Interesting, you knowledge of this ‘magic’ and how it worse seems very small,” He replied at Princess Luna one of two Pegacorns and the recent savior of her land. “Discord’s rule has caused a lot of knowledge to be lost which is why we are working on a university and taking anyone in to help study magic.” Luna explained. Luna glanced out the stain glass windows as people moved along the Sun. Paradox glanced over at her. “I wonder,” Paradox replied as he grabbed, “I new field of Science, did you know when I first started running around I was a Scientist, always picking up samples and stuff. This world is a mystery and I love a good mystery. Now then were to start?” He wondered. “I am sorry what did you say?” Luna asked shaking her head as she looked the pony in the eye. “Your older than me aren’t you?” Luna asked suddenly her eyes boring into his. “You know I am not sure, how old I am but I think it is a safe bet to say probably.” He said smiling. “I think start would be to start star tagging. I have theory I would love to put into place.” “A theory about me and my sister rising the sun and moon?” Luna repeated not sure she fallowed. “Yes say you can move stars, well stars in my world are more or less sun’s just billions of light years away. So if my theory is correct you are not in fact shaping the skies but moving the location of your planet. Or maybe the system itself. Now then this would be tricky, and I would need to do some studying but it will be interesting on how this all works.” “It’s magic not everything can be explained,” Luna replied Paradox raised his hoof waving it at. “At that may be true you can’t explain how you can do it, but you can measure it and it has measurements it has rules. I am going to need a telescope and a lot of room. I can’t do this during the day, need something to do during the day,” “You could start by cleaning up this mess,” Luna replied as she looked around the library. He rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. “Well I guess I could,” he said, “Shouldn’t take to long, might have to get a job, that would be dull and boring.” “Well if you want I could send you threw some classes get you a PHD and could stuffy magic for a living.” Luna replied. “Become a proper Doctor sure why not,” he said shrugging as he smiled. “So where do we start.” “Well you just read every book in the library, I am guessing a few tests are in order,” “Wait that was all you had levitation and the movement of sun and moon?” He replied as he pointed at the library over his shoulder. “Blast no fingers,” he said as he looked at his hoof. “So then Doctor Paradox, I do know some young and like minded Unicorns who would be interested in studying the idea of magic. And we do have a couple of artifacts that you may be interested in as well,” Luna informed. “well then a new planet and whole new field to study in. Doctor Paradox, I think I should go under another name for now.” “I am rather fond off Starswirl the bearded,” Luna said suddenly. “I was thinking John smith and I don’t have a beard,” Paradox replied. “I can fix that, just hold still and I can change your appearance. Now do try to keep away from the grey side of magic if you please,” “well then it be best to do some studies on what we already have and see what goes from there, trust me I prefer harmless things over weapons. Harmless I like that word. You’re not going to make me were a goofy cloak or anything?” “Maybe,” Luna said with a smile. “Ahem,” she cleared her throat. “WE COMAND THE PRESENCE OF THE STUDENTS OF LUNA AND CELESTIA!” she suddenly shouted as his ears lowered he glanced up noting this as he made them open and close randomly. “Wait what about my,” Paradox started to say when a sudden flash and he was now sporting a long blue coat with stars and a crescent moon on it. He walked forward only to wince as he stepped on a very long beard. “You have got to be kidding me.” > Testing and Searching > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 02 “Are we there yet, I swear all you have doing is leading us around in circles,” Complained the white unicorn. He glanced back one of the Unicorns by the name of Diamond edge one of about five others had found themselves being dragged around the Everfree forest for the past three hours. “Diamond Edge I will know when we are there now stop whinnying,” Paradox said hushing Dimond adjusted his purple mane silencing his complaints. Luna was casually floating on a black cloud behind Paradox who was still sporting his Star Swirl appearance “Doctor I am confused as to why, we are moving around with no map the forest is huge we shouldn’t me so blindly traveling around,” Said the only female of the group Flower bud she was a light pink with a light blond mane. “it’s all part of the Experiment,” He replied but he was getting very tempted to cut it early. “That I am hoping Rose somehow made It here.” He said to himself. “Do you have a clue as to what you are looking for?” asked Luna in a hushed voice. He smirked a bit. “I have some idea, but I will know it when I see it.” He said with a smile. “Please I can’t go on,” Edge cried out as everyone lowered their ears. “THU SHALL SILENCE THEY CRIES OR WE SHALL SILENCE THEM FOR YOU!” shouted Luna causing everyone but Paradox to jump. “Is that really necessary?” asked Paradox as he looked at Luna. Everyone seized up even the royal guards pony who up till this point had been so silent Paradox hadn’t gotten a name out of him. “its tradition,” Luna defended, Paradox suddenly frowned as he looked up at Luna. “What?” “Tradition?” he repeated, “You do realize its more or less yelling, you startled the chamber maid, the cook looked like he was going to die on the spot. Your Tradition is got nearly everyone you meet in a panic.” Paradox replied. “Really?” Luna said as she glanced over at the other five who were now sweating bullets. “We were not told nobody seemed to have a problem and they often ignored me if I am not yelling,” Luna replied. “Well from the looks of it you are keeping their attention,” Paradox replied. He kept moving forward as the rest of the group all released a breath as the continued on their way. It was about another hour before the smallest of the group only about fifteen finally just dropped to the ground. “Star light,” replied The guard as he went over to the prone body. “Steal sword, I can’t go on,” Star light said softly resting his head. “I think this will just fine,” Paradox replied as everyone looked around. “And how is this any different than any together place?” Diamond Edge asked in a huff. “It didn’t have four tired people, ponies,” he corrected. “This I a little test of Magical theory, this morning I asked you to do a series of tests. When you were rip and full of energy,” he said smiling the group just narrowed their eyes since the pony had dragged them out of bed at near five in the morning. “Now according to the word magic it is an unknown force that can’t be explained. However this test will allow me to see if a stat of body will have any effect on your magic casting ability since none of you have used your magic since the first test we should get clear cut data. And since steel sword complained the least he gets to take Data while the rest of you repeat the steps from the earlier experiment.” “Again!” shouted Edge. “what’s in a name,” Paradox muttered to himself. “Now then,” he said regaining his smile, “Of to work I got some inspecting I need to work on. He pulled out a sundial from his saddle back. “Was it really necessary to do this?” Luna asked Paradox as he kept waving the sundial around. “I am sorry did you say something?” He asked giving her an award winning smile. Luna glared at him. “It’s not entirely for the Data. While I am interested in how this magic works. I have another reason for wanting to wander around.” He admitted. “I am looking for someone an old companion, Rose,” He explained Luna nodded her look softening a bit. “Is she like you?” Luna asked, “She is Human, maybe, I don’t know if her body would have changed jumping into this realty or not.” Paradox admitted. He glanced around jerking oddly when something silver coat his eye. “What do we have here,” He said with a smile he walked over and picked up a familiar object. “Well now seems like I have something to wait for after all,” He said smiling at the object. “What is that?” Luna inquired as he picked the sonic screwdriver up. “Slightly Psychic paper,” he said with a smile as he picked up the object. He opened it up as he flashed it at Luna. “It shows you what you want to see, it helps if you push people in the right direction and they see what you want to see as well.” “It says your um,” Luna turned red but Paradox quickly put it away not to concerned what it said. “Anyway this is good news, it means that bits of what I brought have come with me. Maybe just maybe she may have made it through as well,” He said closing his eyes. “Your mare friend? Luna asked Paradox shook his head. “No just my companion, I am much too old for her, but she is one of the most compassionate people I have met.” He replied with a fond smile. Luna nodded as she glanced over at the little group they had gathered. She stare at the group even if they were working she could see them smiling and basking sun light. “It hurts don’t it?” Luna asked, “To see people you know and love just fade into nothingness. Give them about seventy years. The smile on paradox’s face slowly trickled away. “Yeah, it does,” He admitted when the weights fell back to the ground. “Star Swirl we ran through the tests,” Replied Diamond Edge. “Can we go home now?” “Fan-Tastic,” Paradox replied recovering his smile as he grabbed the data. “Okay lets head home,” “Wha-,” Diamond Edge stated, “You got to be kidding me, why did we track all the way out here?” “I’ll tell you as soon as all the Data is compiled,” he said, “Now then let’s get going I am hungry who’s up for fish and chips, or maybe a Banana do you have Bananas?” “Not another one my sister has an unnatural fixation with them as well,” Luna said rolling her eyes. Paradox pumped his fist in calibration. “So what does your sister do in her free time?” Paradox asked, “She is more or less in charge; she deals with all the people, royalty. Stuff like that she’s a bit of a pony person.” “What about you?” Paradox asked, “We study magic and do everything We can to further it’s study. We are a bit of a book worm.” She admitted. “I am in fact certain that all that people stuff seems kind of pointless, at this point it wouldn’t surprise me if her magic isn’t as strong as it use to be.” She said her eyes glowing white for a brief second. Shaking her head, “Sorry so what are your thoughts so far on the experiment?” “Well, my thought’s well I think it’s best to wait a little while longer, and maybe take some dancing lessons,” Paradox replied. Luna raised an eyebrow in confusion. > A nightmare in the castle > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 03 Doctor Paradox sat down as he looked over the notes steal sword had recorded when the sound of trotting appeared behind him. “You take a very different approach to magic than my sister does,” said Celestia as the doctor glanced back at her. “I figure as much, why what does she normally do?” Paradox asked as he looked that the princess. “We can talk about it later, I was wondering about something a bit more personal and pressing than my sister magical studies,” she admitted she paused as she looked at the Paradox before her. “I have this odd feeling I have met you before,” she said. “But that is irrelevant, the point being she hasn’t been acting odd has she?” “Odd?” Paradox repeated, “I am afraid I don’t know what is normal for pony people,” he admitted. “But if we were to assume pony is like people from my dimension. Than yes there have been some odd things around.” “Dandy,” she moaned as she sat down on the ground next to him. He reached over and handed her a Banana. She raised it to him as her magic pulled the peel away. “So what’s up with the whole eye thing?” Paradox asked as he raised his hooves to his eyes and throwing them forward to emissive the question. “Her magical studies, knowledge in this world is dangerous, especially to someone like us. She has learned far too much far too quickly. And it’s making her unstable.” Celestia stopped as she looked at the pony next to her. “Why am I telling you this?” she said stopping the conversation. “I just have one of those faces,” he said smiling. “Who are you?” “I am the paradox,” he said smiling, “But I suppose some a better answer, come closer,” he said leaning in. Celestia leaned in close as he suddenly head butt her. “I always hat that part.” He groaned as Celestia shook her head in surprise of what he had done. “Was that all real?” she asked still jarred from the recent sting of knowledge. Paradox nodded as she rubbed her head with her hoof. “So I take it you are going to start hunting, for your Tardis?” “Maybe, But I went back to where I had arrived three different time today, and it was only the third time did I find this so I believe if I want to find my things I will need to visit that place. But a little help in finding a big out of place box would be appreciated.” “I’ll have my guards keep a sharp eye out, you not much of a Doctor without a Tardis,” She smiled. “It’s Paradox I am not suppose to exist, I am not even sure if I can regenerate or not. In fact there are a lot of things I am sure about. And I would rather not test it, oh boy I am late,” He realized as he got up to his hooves. “For what?” the Princess asked, “My dancing Lessons,” he said wiggling his eyebrow. The Princess fallowed him out of the library she really didn’t have anything better to do at the moment. The Princess looked on amused as Paradox danced around the room and un-amused expression on his face. “Diamond Edge, I am going to say this wasn’t what I had in mind when I signed up for dance lessons. “What’s the problem your doing a spectacular job,” he said with a smile. As the two danced around the ball room a few of the woman who had sunk in were now giggling even Luna was having a hard time keeping a straight face. “Well I wanted to learn not teach,” Paradox reminded as He spun Diamond Edge. “Well much who knew such a grumpy pony could be so light on his hooves.” Edge commented, Paradox could feel his tolerance for the pony slowly dwindling. “I am not grumpy,” Paradox defended, “In fact I am rather pleasant when you aren’t nagging me like an old mare.” “I am not old!” he shouted back, Paradox smirked, the man wore his button’s on his sleeve so to speak. The music finally stopped as he got back on his four hooves again. “you know for someone who wanted to take lessons you are not a bad dancer,” Luna replied, “I prefer to learn to dance after a regeneration helps me get use to a new body.” His said, “Seems I have gained back my motor functions,” He reached over to grab a glass only for it to slip out of his hand. “Crap!” he shouted only for Luna to catch it with her magic. “You were saying,” Luna smiled, “All the same, I think I will be heading back to the library, I will see you around Princess Luna,” he replied giving a curt bow and was about to leave. “Luna is fine,” she said with a slight smile, Paradox nodded as he turned away. He walked into the hall way when the sound of galloping reached his ear. He turned around only to slam into a pony . “Ouch, I am so sorry, mister,” came a voice a pony stood up she was a Pegasus grey blond and she had a few bubbles marked on her rear. “I don’t think this will be good time to be apologizing,” Paradox shouted as a shadow loomed behind them. “I can’t go through twin doors without running into something dangerous,” he shouted as the creature loomed over them. “It’s nightmare moon!” The mare shouted, “Run,” Paradox shouted as the two bolted down the hall. “I don’t know why but I suddenly feel very nostalgic,” he said to himself. He glanced back to see the formless the creature had massive white eyes and the from seemed to be made up of stars. He quickly raced around the corner only to be stopped by a few guards. “No running in the halls,” “But Mister Guard we are being chased by nightmare moon,” the blond pony and Paradox as well as the guard looked around the corner. There was nothing but the tiles and a few torches. “Right, this nightmare moon rumor is getting on my nerves no if you don’t mind. Fairy tales are no excuse to be running through the halls. “Sorry steal sword,” Paradox apologized, “It’s all right just don’t do it again,” He said with a sigh, Paradox grabbed the blond and dragged her off. “All right, wait how do you know my name?” he asked only to see the two ponies were missing. “Um mister what are you doing,” asked the Pegasus as paradox kept sniffing around the hall. “I can smell a lot off magic way to much magic for that to be an illusion,” he repeated. “So miss?” he said glancing at her. “Derpy Whooves,” she replied, “What’s you name mister,” “Paradox,” Paradox replied “well whatever it is I need to deal with this before it’s too late. You named it what do you know about this Night mare?” “Um okay,” she said smiling. “Um it’s a creature of the night that foal naps ponies and eats them,” she replied. “that is not good, this magic tastes much different than any other kind I have encountered,” he finally. “I think it would be a good time to have that tour of the palace.” “You can taste magic?” she questioned a little confused. He started moving back down the hall inspecting the magical residue the being had left behind. “What in the world was all the screaming about?” asked Luna popping into appearance in the hall. “Derpy here ran into me when she was being chased by some creature called Nightmare moon,” Paradox explained. Luna rolled her eyes, “Not you to,” she said, “Honestly I think it’s a rumor people use an excuse not show up for work.” Luna moved off in a huff but she wasn’t moving in her normal stride. “Princess Celestia,” Depry said with a low bow but the Princess didn’t seem to notice she was looking at Paradox. “Something wrong?” Paradox asked, “Sorry Doctor, Paradox, it’s odd that she talk to anyone without using we.” She replied. “What about this Nightmare moon thing?” he asked, “I have that under control I ask you however to go with Luna, try to work her out of her shell if you can,” Celestia said. Paradox nodded, as he looked down the hall were the magical creature had been. “Don’t worry about, take care of Luna and I will take care of my subjects,” “I am afraid that’s not how I work,” Paradox thought to himself, but the glare he was getting said otherwise as he and his new companion headed after Luna. He quickly found himself going up a small tower and into a rather large bed room with Luna laying on her bed. “Poor Princesses Luna,” Derpy said her eyes getting a little watery. Paradox glanced over at her. “So why bubbles?” Paradox asked he had read up on the Cutie mark but this one was a bit confusing. “No idea,” She said smiling, “What about the busted hourglass on yours?” Plinking Paradox looked only to see a normal hourglass. Than after some time shifted into what she had seen. “That is so cool It changes!” she exclaimed. Luna perked up at this surprised to see two ponies in her bed room. “Why are you here?” asked Luna, “I want to help,” Paradox replied, Luna rolled her eyes despite her faith in his mind. “So what about people using it as an excuse not show up for work?” he asked, “There were a few people, who worked around me a few guards, a few servers who got me things that I needed. They just vanished from their jobs. As you can see I haven’t bothered replacing them,” she replied glancing away from them. Paradox looked around the room. The ceiling seemed to glitter with constellations of the night sky. Her walls were filled with charts and she had a massive desk filled to the brim with papers. Walking over he looked them over, magic she had been studying a lot of concepts applications. And even some magical theory that wasn’t too far from what he had. “Wow that is so cool,” Derpy said her eyes looking over the ceiling. Paradox smirked when he noticed all her work was signed by a star swirl the bearded. “I take it this is where my name came from?” Paradox asked giving her a grin as she curled up away from him clearly embarrassed. “Yeah,” she mumbled Paradox nodded, “you know you may gain some recognition if you didn’t hide behind a pen name. I am sure scholars would be more than happy to debate some of these conclusions. “Few study magic, after Discord took over most magic was forgotten to the daily survival of his chaotic tastes. So few people have gotten very far in studies, The study of magic and the other possible applications has latterly been forced to restart. In fact your one of the few people who seem to have a head for it.” “So not many are ready to learn magic let alone talk about it on your level huh?” Paradox replied. “Yeah, I want to start a university up, but there isn’t room and I don’t have the magical knowledge to make it worthwhile. That and My sister has little desire to rule from inside the forest there are too many Dangers, Paradox.” “Still, it would do you some good for some public recognition, any more things you publish you should do under your own name if at least for the fact you desire it,” He replied. “Come on Derpy we should get going, lots to do.” “Right!” she all but shouted, as he moved out of the room. The Door shut behind them, as Derpy looked down the stairs one eye going a-wall as she blinked and the eye returned to normal. “So now what?” “We investigate start talking to some of the ponies around the Castle and see if we can get some facts. Maybe even the local town around the castle can give us some answers,” Paradox replied. “Right, um I would love to mister but I got to find a friend of mine, he should be running around her as well.” “Okay then, are you sure you can’t help me out I really could use a temporary companion,” He urged. She bit her lip and scrunched up her snout. “Okay Mister you got me but just this once,” she admitted. He nodded it felt good to get back in the swing of things. “Guess the Tardis set me up with a least one last adventure,” he said to himself. The mare tilted her head to the side. “Tardis,” she repeated. “Yeah Tardis, now then I think it’s time for one last adventure.” He said as his face pulled into a confident smirk. “Onward and upwards!” he shouted as he raced of down the hall. “Doctor?” Depry said softly as she looked at the stallion that raced off. “Doctor Paradox yes, now if you don’t mind we don’t have all the time in the world,” He said calling behind a corner as she took flight to catch up with him. “well, um I know she is a princess,” Said one guard lamely. “As for the Night mare moon think could be ghost or something,” “Princess, Luna this isn’t an investigation I haven’t done anything wrong have I?” one of the serving mares asked. “She spends most of her time in her room or the Library, outside of that I don’t see her that much.” “well she doesn’t seem to be helping her sister had done all the work bring order back to the land. But um don’t tell her I said that,” said an advisor. “Nightmare moon, that thing stole my brother but what happened and were it took him I have no idea,” replied a sister of one of the victims. Paradox looked over Derpy’s experiences neither got much Luna seemed to be a shut in the opposite of her sister in every way. “Let’s see here, the only place we haven’t investigated are the dungeons. The guards had said they weren’t even in use, a perfect place to hide some peo-ponies,” he corrected. So come on, we can’t take too long I got a few other responsibilities I need to keep up on.” He explained as he head down into the dark parts of the castle. > of Dungens and Dresses > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 04 The low dripping of water reached his ears as he held a burning torch in his hoof he was starting to get use to the lack of fingers. The area was Dark and no guards since there were no prisoners His current Companion Derpy the grey mare was almost pressing up against him. “Are you sure this is safe Doctor?” she asked, “Paradox, I am be a Doctor, but” he sighed, “Just call me paradox,” he replied being called a Doctor didn’t feel right anymore. “Um, okay Paradox,” she replied, “I really don’t like this place,” she admitted looking at him. Paradox didn’t respond as he kept moving forward showing the light in the different cells to find nothing in them. “Funny it seems to like you,” he said smiling a bit at her. He glance dup at the ceiling again as he reached the end of the prison nothing. “This doesn’t bode well for the missing ponies,” he said as he approached the wall his hoof echoing as he tapped it. “Now then, let’s head back,” he said as his hoof slide down only for one of the stone rocks in the wall to push in. The wall clicked in and slide to the side. “Fantastic,” he said with a sigh as he walked in to see a few ponies laying on the ground. He moved over nudging one with his hoof the body stirred but the victim didn’t wake up. “Looks like every pony is okay,” Derpy commented as Paradox nodded absently. “That’s a good start, just once I would love it everyone lived,” he said softly closing his eyes. His eyes shot back open pushing his concerns to the back of his head. “Well then this means whatever this nightmare moon is its scary but not without compassion of some kind. Or a predator storing up food, I think I prefer the first,” Paradox said with a light smile as Derpy nodded her head in agreement. “Well I am a pony so best to act like one,” He said as leaned down and pushed his way under a prone body allowing it to hang over his back. He started heading out it would be best to tell the guards as well as the princess about this as soon as possible. Suddenly the corridor started to brighten a bit, as he looked back to see a familiar form of stars and smoke. “Run!” Shouted Derpy as she grabbed the pony on his back as the two quickly started running down the hall with the formless creature racing after them. “Can’t I have an adventure that doesn’t involve running!” he shouted as he legs tore back to the main stairs. The pair quickly scaled the stairs dragging the third body along for the ride as they spun a corner and down back to the library. The two slammed the door shut as Paradox moved to the side moving a low book shelf in front of the door. “Doesn’t the door open into the hall way?” asked Derpy as Paradox paused at the realization. He glared at Derpy, “But of course,” he said to himself as the door threw open into the hall way as Luna floated over the book case looking at it then back to the pair with a raised eyebrow. “Was there an invasion of some kind that missed or are you two playing a game I am un familiar with?” Luna asked. “We were getting chased around by a giant black cloud called nightmare moon!” said Derpy before Paradox could say anything. Luna narrowed her eyes as she looked at Paradox. “It didn’t look anything like a night mare it was more like a giant ball of magic that just disperses after short periods of time. What it is and what it does is a mystery but the good news is it hasn’t killed any pony yet,” Paradox replied as he directed the attention to a mare in a long French maid dress who was still out on the floor. “Feather star,” Luna realized as she hurried over to the prone body. “This is very concerning we need to get her to the hospital wing as quickly as possible,” The room suddenly flashed as they each found themselves in a large room filled with sheeted beds and curtness. She gently set the body onto the bed as the filly blinked up at Luna. “Princess?” she asked, “Thank you,” she said before drifting off to sleep. “Are there more?” Luna asked urgently as Paradox nodded, “A few people you will probably know a few of them as well,” Paradox replied the gears in his head working with the implications everything seemed to be connecting to Luna but how he wasn’t sure his knowledge of magic was still in the infant stages and the Princess seemed to be a whole another ball game compared to other ponies. “Yeah Derpy if you would take the Princess to them I got something I need to look into,” Paradox replied as Derpy nodded flying off the ground as Luna raced after her. “I think it’s a safe bet that Celestia knew what was going on in some way and wanted Luna to stay out of it Distracted. But thanks to his desire for adventure Luna was now completely involved. And getting her out will cause some problems.” He mused to himself. “It could be subconscious, wouldn’t be the first time someone’s mind had acted independently and magic could be connected to that mind of minds and could be working against Luna in some way,” He pondered. His eyes widened, “That’s it Nightmare moon is either some way she can play hero or acting out against the people she things fear and hate her.” His mind came to this quick conclusion. “So my best bet of solving this is doing nothing, maybe taking her out being her friend maybe getting her to admit those fears.” His mind was moving over the possibilities with well over a thousand years of experience to work with. Luna appeared in a sudden flash with Derpy and the other missing ponies as she levitated them all back onto beds as a pony with a red cross for a cutie mark raced into the room with a man in a white lab coat. “Now we hunt down this nightmare,” Luna said as she marched to the door. When suddenly the room was filled with a large groaning noise as Derpy and Luna looked around the room for the source. “Sorry about that it seems I am little hungry,” said Paradox, it seems his stomach was running on empty he had completely forgotten. “No sense chasing after monster on an empty stomach lets go raid the kitchen,” Paradox said almost bolting out the door. The two that remained quickly tried to catch up with him. “Dimond Edge?” Paradox replied, as he found the man down in the kitchen as the chiefs ran around him. The instant Luna walked in everyone had dropped their cards and started to act busy. “Well I maybe one of the party planner and in charge of the royal guards more ball ready uniforms. I still need to eat,” He got up with levitating a bowl of pasta as he grabbed some measuring strips. “Now then I have a newly appointed lady who needs and amazing dress not to mention my own suit to get to. Maybe something with stripes. He said to himself as he moved around Luna so wrapped up in his thoughts he didn’t even see Luna. “Well that doesn’t happen too often,” Luna said blinking not sure if she was insulted or amused at the stallion who was so wrapped up in his own cloths to miss someone as tall as her. “Hey, chief some grub, food anything to fill an empty stomach.” Paradox said only to be ignored. His eyes narrowed in frustration. “ATTENTION!” shouted Luna as everyone stopped running. “I would like a full course meal for my two associates,” The moment the last word escaped her lips the three found themselves in a massive dining room with more food than anyone had the right to try and eat. “um wow you do know how to get results,” Depry commented as Luna dug into her food. Paradox did so as well as he quickly grabbed onto a Banana and tried to get it open. He stuck out his tongue as the seconds started to turn into minutes. “Oh come on,” he said tossing the banana away as he crossed his hooves in frustration that he couldn’t open one of his favorite fruits. Luna laughed at his expense, She levitated the opened Banana back up to him as he grabbed it taking a bite. “Luna, you have been in charge with your sister for about a year now right, so how is it you have such a large amount of findings in magic?” Paradox asked, “Before we dealt with Discord, we didn’t live here in Equestria, so had nothing but time on my hooves. So I studied magic.” “So did you live on another planet or something?” Paradox asked as he finished his Banana. “No, another planet how silly, no it was more like another plan of existence. We came cause my sister; she did the same at first but her attention soon drifted to here, and to the rule of Discord. Despite her power of the Sun she is a woman who loves harmony a balance of Chaos and Order. So discord was a challenge. I reminded her we didn’t have the power to deal with him,” Luna explained. “But being you sister she dashed of anyway and you fallowed,” Paradox said as Derpy happily munched on a muffin. Luna smiled a bit, “The frustration she had when our combined strength couldn’t take him down. She vowed to take him down and ended up finding the Element of Harmony. And before you ask we have no idea we they came from,” She said knowing Paradox would ask about them next. “We ended up trapping him in stone. But were that stone is anyone’s guess,” “I guess, even in prison he stays true to his nature huh?” Paradox replied as he glanced over at Derpy, “Hey can I have one of those?” he asked. “No,” she said as she grabbed as many as she could pulling them all in. She looked rather cute huddled behind all the food pouting like a child as her checked puffed out either from food or trying to look intimidating he couldn’t tell. “Haha,” Paradox and Luna laughed at the expression on the pegasus pony. “So will you be going to the Gala?” asked Luna as she looked at Paradox, he titled his head a bit confused. “Gala?” Paradox replied, “Oh right new, um the Gala is a ball a celebration of the end of Discords rule. I was wondering if you would be my escort,” Luna asked her blush growing on her face. “It would be my honor,” He replied with a smile. “Dandy then talk to Diamond Edge he can get you something to wear you leather coat looks nice but this a coat and tie affair. At least until Celestia goes to sleep.” She added under her breath. “I have been hanging out with him far to much, if this keeps up people are going to call me gay,” Paradox said shaking his head but an amused smile betrayed his words. “Gay, you mean happy right?” Luna asked a little confused, “Sorry, slang from my old home,” Paradox replied quickly, “But since it’s for you I guess I should go find him,” He said with a sigh he liked his leather coat. “Will you be coming as well Derpy?” Paradox asked. “Go the first Gala ever I would love to,” she said standing up as a few of the muffins fell onto the ground. “Oops,” she said looking a little depressed at the waste of the food. “Do you think I should get my hair done up, oh I am going to need a dress as well. We will I get a dress on such short notice!” she said in panic. “I know just the cult,” Luna said with a slight smile. The two vanished from the dinner table as the servants scattered about to clear up the food a few even eating a bit since they didn’t touch nearly half of the food they put out. “Not now, I am in the Zone,” said Diamond edge as he bit his lip looking at the fabric before him. Paradox cleared his throat. “Please wait one second I have a lot to do and very little time,” “I believe the Princess will see you now,” Paradox said as the colt’s arm’s feel to the ground before slowly turning around. “The Princess!” shouted Edge as he spun around to see Luna rubbing her hoof uncomfortably at the attention. He quickly grabbed his measuring tap quickly rushing around her. “With your stature, I can do so much, will do so much. I am probably drooling right now I am so sorry but oh my,” he said pausing for a second. He quickly took a deep breath to regain his composure. “Do you have anything in mind I am thinking Rocolt (roman).” “Um whatever you feel would be good for us,” Luna replied just above a whisper. It seemed as though the edge had cut down the royal voice. “Something simple to of set to of set how amazing you look,” he said, “If I was an alicorn,” he said quietly. “Anyway, silver or gold, Silver would go amazing with you star studded mane and nartaul color, But gold is simply high class and often goes with the rocolt just a bit better. And I am going to need a bigger model,” He said glancing over his shoulder at the cloth substitutes. “This will be a master piece,” he said shaking his hoof in front of his face. “I will need to draw this um and the lady will be pushed to the back burner I am doing a dress for royalty,” he squeed as his horn glowed and started to put together a princess sized model based on his measurements. “Now then Princess if you will give me some time I will make you into a goddess,” he said urging her to leave him to his work. “Another request, our two friends here will be my escort they will need to look their best as well.” She said shifting his attention to Paradox and Derpy. “I see then I have so much to work with and to do. Hold still both of you,” he ordered as he quickly started taking measurements. He looked at Derpy right in the eye “You are going to be tricky I am thinking purple,” he said. “I like that idea, don’t go overboard with it,” Depry said a little concerned. “Nonsense, if you want any attention from any pony while standing next to princess Luna you will need something big and puffy,” he said as he looked at Paradox. “Black, suit sliver pinstripes, and Red Bow tie. Maybe a little silver on the pocket.” He said quickly after looking at him. “I am good with that Bowties are cool,” he said with a slight smile when they were both pushed out of the room. “Now then we should get back to this Nightmare moon problem,” Said Luna as she quickly took the lead down the hall way. “Good idea, let’s go talk to some ponies outside the castle,” Paradox said as Derpy looked a bit confused. “But Doctor we,” she started, “It’s Paradox, besides we have no more leads so we head back to square one maybe Princess Luna can find something we overlooked.” He said eyeing her carefully. Derpy seemed to think for a second before agreeing with him. > Distractions > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 05 Luna took a deep breath, the small homes of stone and wood gave very little in the way of information. Most of the ponies were scurrying about to make ends meet not to mention each pony she went to talk to always got a bad case of the shakes. “So, nothing new in the leads the ponies we found are going to make a full recovery. We seem to have reached a dead end,” Said Derpy sadly as Luna leaned up against the castle’s outer wall levitating an apple with her magic. “Doctor, you don’t seem to beat up about all this,” Derpy said looking at Paradox as he casually looked over a few papers. “I am use to long waits to solve an issue in my younger days it could take weeks if not months. A new lead will present itself and we will figure it out. In the mean time it’s no point in getting antsy,” he said as he flipped threw another page. “What are you reading?” asked Luna her curiosity final getting the better of her. Paradox pulled it closer. “You’ll find out soon enough princess, but for now the Data is inconclusive,” he said with a sly smile. “You know as a princess I could order you to tell me,” she replied as her eyes narrowed at him. Paradox didn’t seem to be fazed at all. “Yes you could,” he replied as he looked back at her crossing his arms with an amused smile on his face. The Princess of the night glared at him and his smile before she sighed and took a bite of her apple plotting the colt’s downfall. “Well when the other ponies start to wake up we could ask them about what happened,” Derpy said having missed the conversation between Luna and Paradox. “On any other adventure I would love the way your mind thinks but the one time we need to let dogs lie you can’t keep your mouth shut,” Paradox thought to himself as he felt his mood sour. “Well with how slow things are going it won’t be until after the Gala, so I think we should relax and get ready for that.” Paradox replied. “You really think it will take them a week?” Derpy asked. “Knowing how things work it’s always going to climax at a big even so a ball room even is just too big to pass up,” Paradox replied “Always the last second and with the max number of witnesses,” He said with a chuckle. “You seem pretty sure of yourself,” Luna replied, “This isn’t my first time to the rodeo princess,” Paradox replied, when suddenly a fourth person made themselves known. “So let’s head back to the castle, Depry have you found your friend yet?” he asked remembering what the grey mare was doing before she got dragged into the current events. “I have yet to see him, I hope he’s not to worried, I really shouldn’t have wandered off,” Derpy said as the three headed back to the castle. “What is the first rule no wandering off, but they always do,” said a voice around the corner of the outer wall. Back in the castle the trio walked along the halls with ponies of all shapes and sizes putting up decorations. Paradox took a step to the side as another pony raced past him. “All these colors it’s a wonder how the genetics work for these ponies,” He replied as he watched a bright green pony race past fallowed by a dark blue. “Genetics?” Luna repeated not familiar with the word. Paradox gave a light smirk, “A very boring conversation, something you wouldn’t really care to think about just my inner scientist talking.” He replied. The two walked into the throne room to see Celestia talking with an advisor of some kind. The Throne room was a marble white a stark contrast to the grey stone and structure on the outside. It was filled with light colors mirroring the princess flowing mane as ponies set up tables and flowers and all manner of decorations he looked up to see massive grooved pillars lined the walls as they led to the white stairs leading to a pair of thrones. “My sister wanted the whole castle like this,” Luna replied not liking the color or how bright everything was. Celestia blinked at them clearly hearing the group as they approached them. She waved at the advisor as the dark red pony nodded before departing. “It’s good to see you out and about, I have expected you to still be reading the stuffy books of yours,” she said with a calm smile. “We, feel are attention is need else were,” Luna said. The white princess frowned at the sudden change of style. “I wouldn’t worry about it too much the ponies that missing have been recovered and I put a few spells up that should ride us of this nightmare moon issue,” She said waving it off. Paradox leaned up against the white rails on the stairs crossing his hooves. “We believe that is a good idea, are the preparations ready?” Luna asked looking around the ball room she frowned a bit at the colors. “They are coming along nicely I believe I do love the colors, don’t you?” Celestia asked her sister as Luna forced a smile. “Of course I do,” she replied as Celestia turned away as Luna frowned, “Of course you would they are your colors,” she muttered. Luna quickly let her smile appear again as Celestia sat down on her throne grabbing some papers with board look on her face. “well then I guess I will get out of the way I am going to see Diamond edge about my dress will you be wearing anything?” Luna asked casually. “I have something set up,” she replied casually, as she glanced over at Paradox, his brow scrunched up a bit confused as to what she was up to. Luna vanished from sight along with Derpy. Celestia slapped the paper to the ground letting them scatter to the winds. “So what are your spells?” asked Paradox, “Nothing I got nothing,” she said, “Everyone clear out!” Celestia ordered as everyone took off out of the room as the doors slammed shut. “Nothing?” Paradox repeated as the worry quickly caught up to the elder sister. “Everything I can come up with is nothing but a band aid on a broken hoof. All that magical knowledge combined with her current state of mind created this. If she realizes this fact the two will combine and drive my sister crazy. I can’t control the magic seal it or anything with it being connected to my sister without causing her some form of harm. And if I don’t do something, Discord will just feed of the chaos and that’s a can of worms I don’t want to deal with!” she shouted as her voice echoed around the hall. “well if it is an emotional issue maybe we can quiet those fears and that will get rid of the figment? “ Paradox offered, “How, she hardly talks to me, she is more friendly with you than she is with me,” Celestia reminded. “Maybe some appreciation?” Paradox said as her eyes shot open. “She told you something didn’t she?” Celestia asked, “She didn’t need to she’s jealous of you and I don’t think the color scheme is really helping either,” he said honestly. “Fair point I hope this works, I only one other option if this goes south and it one I would prefer to avoid, I really don’t want to use those it will turn my sister to stone,” Celestia said more to herself. “Now then I want this to be a surprise so tell Diamond edge to keep her busy, I may need to gather up some help to keep her occupied, maybe give her a day in her big sister’s shoes. “Could work just don’t push to far, that could cause more problems than it solves.” Paradox warned he already felt he was on thin ice dealing with things beyond his knowledge as it was. “Steal sword take this to Diamond edge post haste,” she ordered as she wrote out a letter. she rolled it up and handed it to him. “Oh and tell Mrs. Pie to send any dinning issues to Princess Luna I find I can’t make up my mind on the cuisine and would love my sisters approval on it. And get me north star I wish to change the décor something more up her ally,” She ordered as the solider nodded and quickly dashed out of the hall. “I don’t think this will really solve this issue,” Paradox replied, “it doesn’t but it will make it much easier to talk to her about these things if I put her in a good mood,” Celestia admitted, “Besides she did as much work as I when dealing with Discord she deserves recognition for it.” “Sounds fair,” Paradox replied, “Well I am going to go walk the halls I want to keep an eye on things,” he said. He walked out into the hall way when he felt a light bump. “Oh sorry about that,” replied a calm voice as he glanced over to see a brown pony with a darker mane that spike up. “No problem just wandering about,” Paradox said brushing it off. He looked at the pony in question nothing really stuck out about him. Well besides the hour glass on his rump. “That’s quiet all right I was just looking for a friend of mind.” The pony replied. “Nice jacket I use to wear something like that,” the pony said as his eyes brightened at the coat. “Thanks I never leave home without it,” He said with a smile as the went there separate ways. “Good luck finding your friend.” “She’s my companion,” the pony called back as Paradox stopped dead looking back only to see an empty hall. “I am going crazy,” Paradox said shaking his head, he said taking a breath and walking on his way making a mental note to keep an eye out for a blue box just in case. “There you are,” came a voice as he was taken from his walk down the halls. He looked over to see Dimond Edge. “I have your suit ready and I would like you to try it on if possible. But from the looks of it you don’t have much to do right now,” He chuckled. Paradox mustered up a bemused eye roll as he walked into the man’s study. He walked in the room and noticed Luna and Derpy were missing. “Before you ask I had my assistant keep them occupied with samples and a few of my lesser ideas. “How long will that last?” Paradox asked, He suddenly heard a loud slam next door. Paradox was about to head to check it out. “Well that was silver dish tripping over the coffee table I would say at least an hour if not longer,” He said smirking a bit. “That girl really needs get a pair of glasses,” he said as he picked up some folded clothing he had on the table. Paradox quickly buttoned up the suit as he looked at himself in the mirror. He blinked at the pony that looked back. He could still recognize the black short hair his ears were a bit bigger than most still. But outside of those small details he looked nothing like his old self. He released a small sigh as he turned back to diamond edge. “Not my best work, I will admit, but you don’t seem the type want something to over the top, if the simple leather coat wasn’t clue enough.” He said chuckling. “There was a time I once wore a really colorful coat,” Paradox said with a slight smirk. He looked back at the mirror again when he noticed something mounted on the wall. “I didn’t know you had a sword.” “Oh yes, a gentlemen must always be prepared, I had it crafted after Discords defeat it made of pure Diamond I felt it would be poetic given my name.” He said with a smirk, “Maybe I will bring It with me to night go for a more soldier look. I am not sure if the guards will let me all the same,” he said. “Anyway I best go tent to the princess feel free to walk around break in the new material as it were. especially if you plan to dance.” “I would rather not,” Paradox knew were this was going as he suddenly vanished from the room. “But you are such, a, good,” Edge looked around as he pushed his purple mane out of his eyes. “Should have known he would run off, well back to work,” Paradox smirked a bit as he looked down the empty hall way no paintings no sculpture everything was just grey walls. “TO think a year ago someone like Discord was running amuck. Too bad I would have loved to has gone back a year to have seen that,” He said ignoring the ping in his chest he slowly walked around. “Well I got time he said looking at his wrist, maybe getting a watch would be a good idea,” he said realizing he no longer had it. “This waiting for the future thing is boring,” he grumbled to himself as he decided to just wander around. Paradox eventually found himself back in the throne room. The room was now changed he looked up to see a blue smoke flowing on the ceiling. “Uh oh,” he said looking, “Relax Paradox, nothing to worry about, just a simple spell, I plan on putting a few small stars up there darkening the lights and making it more like the night. Luna always did prefer the dark even before she started playing painter with the skies. Now then I got one more thing I need to take care of a dance partner for her.” Paradox suddenly felt very small in the Princess shadow. “I am sure we can talk about this like two like minded and um, reasonable ponies,” he said his smile threatening to split his face in half. “Who said I was reasonable?” she asked showing a smirk of her own as her shadow grew. “I miss my big blue box so much right now,” Paradox whimpered. > The first Gala > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Tick, Tock," went the grand father clock as Paradox watched the pendulum swing back and forth. His eyes lazily watched as he glanced over the growing line of finely dressed ponies. Celestia was standing at the height of a long stair case. Luna walked up next to him giving him an odd look as he ignored her watching the clock. Luna glanced back at her sister, the Princess had a grin on her face grinning to each individual in turn. She glanced over the line as ponies didn't bother looking at her as they entered the ball room. Her hoof brushed against her white single strap dress. "You are looking lovely this evening," Diamond Edge said shaking his purple mane out of his eyes. His horn glowed as he adjusted the silver metal charm on her single strap. "Please be careful that is precious to me and i can't have it just falling off." Luna looked at with an uneasy frowning a bit but didn't reply. "Diamond Edge," Paradox greeted, as he adjusted his tie. "I see you kept it simple i am surprised i figured you would have gone a bit more, extravagant." "He wanted to mister, but Luna wouldn't let him, he really wanted to have a lot of fun with feathers but in the end he stuck with his original idea," Derpy said with a smile she spun around in the air a bright purple dress flowing around her. Paradox smirked a bit as she touched her mane which was done up in a small tiara. "So shall we head to the ball room, I do believe I hear the music starting," Paradox replies moving forward. Luna nodded quietly walking behind him. "Don't worry about it, to be honest I would hate to be your sister right now dealing with people bah," Paradox frowned shaking his head. "One or two of you is about all I can handle in a day," He got a small smile from Luna as they made there way to the ball room. The doors glowed a dark blue as the massive doors opened up. "What?" she said as she looked around the room filled with allusions to the night sky her night sky. Paradox walked up next to her as the Princess and Derpy looked around slack jawed. She could point out the consolations, and admired the long translucent drapery that shimmered along the pillars near the edge of the room. "But how when did Tia find the time to?" Luna asked as she looked at Paradox. "It looks amazing doesn't it, and I do believe the music has started," he observed. "Do you plan on dancing or anything?" Paradox asked. "Dance?" she answered gulping. "Oh never, I wouldn't dare, um i would rather, head of to the side you must tell me have you learned anything new from your experiments?" "Nothing yet, and i would never discuss such things you have so many people to talk to, and not mention more than enough food to enjoy. I have a few things I need to take care off," he said politely declining her invitation. Luna cocked her head wondering what Paradox could be up to. "Hello Derpy I have been looking for you all over," said a voice as the grey pegasus turned to see her friend. Luna didn't bother to look at Derpy's companion as she watched Paradox vanish into the growing number of ponies. She failed to notice that the her shadow seemed to grow along the floor. The party had moved into a solid swing with a good number of ponies dancing along side the music. Paradox couldn't help but smirk that nearly everyone seemed relaxed in a very casually environment not something one often saw during a royal party. The second Princess had finally arrived looking a little ruffled but okay. "The guests giving you bit of grief?" Paradox chuckled a bit as she shot him a slight glare before just as quickly snuffing it out. "Something like that, it's so hard to keep my cool it's hard to keep everyone as pony instead of as just another number like so much of my paperwork tries to make them seem," he said a tinge of sadness entering her voice. "I am glad you are trying to see the people in such a light. I do not believe i would far as well, which is why i stick to maybe, one, or two, companions," Paradox started to trail of a bit as his mind returned to Rose. he was jarred from his thoughts as Celestia patted him on the back. "Time heals all wounds, besides even if you can't find your sexy box you will always have me and my sister her to make life some what more bearable," Celestia said a kind smile appearing on her face. "If I stick around here I would go stir crazy," Paradox said a light chuckle rumbling in his belly. "Oh I am sure I could think of something for you to do," she said giving him sly grin as she walked past him. Paradox blinked a bit confused but before he could question her on the comment she continued. "Now then I do believe it is time for your grand entrance." Luna kept to the side all but hiding in the shadow of one of the pillars. She took a sip of her tea as one of the castle servant's quickly filled it back up. She narrowed her eyes in frustration. "Princess Luna, a stallion wishes your hoof for the next dance. "I am so-," she said as she turned to see a a pair of eyes at her level. "Paradox?" she asked very surprised. "Shall we dance I figured you would want some one a bit more you height," he said as he raised a hoof. Luna looked at his hoof than at him. "I can't dance," Luna replied her face now sporting a bright blush. He quickly grabs her hoof leading the stuttering princess into the center of the room. The rest of the dancers move to the side as a bright spot light hits the pair. "I think I can compensate, I am quiet the dancer," Paradox said smiling. Luna opened and closed her mouth as the orchestra music started up. Paradox slowly moved around her as the music started slow. "I hate you so much right now," she said with frown as she mirrored the movement. He gave a slight smirk, "I think I can live with that," Paradox said as the two stood up on there hind hooves. He quickly spun her around the sudden movement catching her by surprises.Paradox lead the two around the Dance as Luna glanced back at the crowd watching. "Don't worry about them, trust me it will just make you nervous." The Dance floor soon started to fill back up as other ponies started to dance around the pair. "I didn't know you could dance." She commented. Paradox felt his lip twitch "Something wrong?" "It's nothing," He dismissed. waving it of as his mind went back to dancing his hoof stumbling for a second. He wasn't use to the body let alone weight yet. "Looks like I am not the only one with problems on her feet." Luna said laughing a bit the laugh rang around them as a large group of dancers. "Seems as thought people are starting to join us," Paradox pointed out as Luna glanced around them. "You feeling okay?" "Yeah," she said with a smile, "I feel really good," she admitted as Paradox noticed her shadow shrink back down to what would be normal size for a pony of her stature. He could see the relief on Celestia's face. Crisis averted, he smiled as he swept her into a low bow before pulling her back up. "That's good to here, you know with all the magic you know, you start a school up. You would be better qualified than me," Paradox reminded. Luna seemed to snap strait as she looked around her, giving Paradox a "you serious" expression. "I am sure your good friend star swirled would be more than happy to help." Paradox said with a laugh. The two danced on into the night as the music and ponies changed to pair was a constant. Paradox soon spotted Celestia pointing at her hoof signalling she was getting tired. "Well I believe that's all she wrote for me," he said as he lowered himself back. The two moved to the side as Luna soon found herself surrounded. "That was amazing," "Were did you learn to dance like that?" "Can you teach me," asked the now growing group. Luna looked at Paradox with wide eyes. "Help me," she mouthed, as Paradox gave her a soft smile and a wave. She looked down as Derpy appeared next to her. "At least someone likes me," she said with a sigh as Paradox slowly shrunk down to his normal size. "Well, it seems everything worked out in the end, And she is now opening up to people," Celestia said with a fond smile. "Now just keep her out of the magical studies for the next hundred and we won't have any trouble with this nightmare moon." she said confidently. "Walk with me," she said as she made her leave walking out onto a large balcony. The moon was large in the sky, and stars twinkled in the sky above them. "So what is do you wish to talk to me about?" he asked casually. "Until you find your box do you have any long term plan's?" she asked as she approached the balcony. "Outside of discovering the mysteries of magic?" "Nothing else, I wouldn't mind traveling, around see as how new i am to the planet," Paradox replied. "That and hunting for my box. To be sure I am not sure how helpful you will be in finding it, it had mean's of avoiding detection," "Wouldn't hurt to help, all the same, I was wondering since you are an immortal, if you would be willing to stay here, with me," she said as she looked at the doctor. "Um, I am not use to staying in one place," Paradox admitted. "Oh," she said, "I take time traveling makes it easier you could always go back and see people even if they should have died so long ago," she said lowering her head. "No at some point you have to let them go, but i do not have that blessing anymore. I will hang around but don't expect much from me. I am not a big fan of governments they have a habit of corrupting themselves overtime," "Well then it seems I have someone to keep an eye on me," she said confidently glancing back at Him. "So it seems," Paradox said evenly as she turned back to face him slowly moving to him. "Wha-," he was cut off as Celestia moved in kissing him on the lips. "Sister?" Luna said as she pulled back to see a very shocked sister. The two looked up as they suddenly saw a massive shadow grow behind her in the moon light. "Bugger," Paradox said as he took an involuntary step backwards. > The Birth of Nightmare Moon > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Princess Luna!" Paradox shouted but the amount of magical energy around her was explosive. "I curse my," Celestia said in a low voice, Paradox glanced over to see the Alicorn was starting to quiver. "Now is not the time to be lamenting, please tell me you have a plan be because I don't have one," Paradox admitted, as Luna took flight. "Princess you need to calm down what is wrong?" Paradox shouted. "Celestia, she has everything, I had thought I had somepony I could call a friend. But even then she has to take from me!" She shouted. "She has the appreciation of the pony, and now she makes a play for one of the few people I trust!" she shouted. "We shall not have it, We are Nightmare Moon and this Night shall last forever!" she declared as her hair seemed to flare up. "Paradox," She said taking a deep breath, "I need you to get the Element's they are-," she started to say when she was suddenly hit with a magical blast shattering the stone balcony and sending her falling to the ground. The possessed Princess leaped into the sky falling after her sister. "Derpy!" Paradox called out as he raced into the ball room most having gathered around the balcony door having heard the massive crash and magical energy. "What is going on?" Steal Sword asked as he was about to push past Paradox. Paradox put his hoof forward. "Nightmare moon has just attacked the princess, we need to evacuate the area. Set up a perimeter, and find some way to help Princess Celestia." Paradox ordered. The guard seemed to lose his voice at the information. "Well hop to it!" Paradox shouted. "I need this place evacuated now!" and with the second shout every-pony with out armor had scattered to the exits. "We need a perimeter, and if the Event's with Discord are anything to go by we need as big a perimeter as possible. Evacuate the city and the surrounding farms. Somebody needs to head to Vault we need the elements and we need them now!" Steal Sword shouted. "We think not, We shall not allow you to interfere!" shouted a the booming voice of Nightmare moon. Suddenly a dark mist seemed to appear around them as ponies in Dark armor appeared before her. "Go forth Our great Night Guard!" Nightmare moon shouted as the ponies charged the guards. The two forces crashed into each other as Paradox let his mind work, The Elements in the vault were apparently regarded as the key to all this. Suddenly the wall shattered as Celestia charged her sister into the ground. The ceiling on the ball room suddenly started to lose tiles. "No time to think about, weapon or otherwise we need something as soon as possible." Paradox rushed down into the hall, "Dang it I have no idea were the elements are or even what they look like," he realized. "Paradox, there you are what in the world is going on?" said Diamond Edge as he rushed up to the pony. "No time to explain your just going to have to trust me, we need to find the Elements of Harmony," Paradox shouted as one of the Night guards suddenly charged him. Diamond Edge blasted the pony into the wall with a massive burst of magical energy. "Well then if it's that important, i know just the place but, it's a bit of a climb hope you got some good legs on you," Edge said as he closed his eyes as a katana suddenly appeared before him. "Well It seems somethings never change lead the way," Paradox said as Edge nodded, "As a Gentilepony and scholar, i would be an honor, to help defend the castle-," He was cut of as Paradox pushed his head down to avoid a flying pony. Paradox winced as the guard slammed into the wall. "Save the speech for later," Paradox said with a growl as he grabbed the pony and all but dragged him out of the hall. "If i must," Edge said sighing as he put his hoofs to the ground as he took the lead. "They keep the Elements in Celestia room at the highest tower in the castle." Edge explained as he mad a rush to a flight of stairs. "Well with her attention, distracted i got a feeling, it should be a simple run to the top," Paradox said with a slight frown, suddenly the castle shuttered. "Why is it never simple?" asking himself as the two picked up the pace. The two quickly raced up the halls making their way to a spiral stair case. "Paradox pressing his hoof against the wall as the tower began to shake. "That's not good!" shouted Edge as the tower shook. "At this rate the castle is going to crumble in around our ears," Edge shouted when suddenly a blur of colors smashed threw the wall above them. "Celestia!" Paradox shouted as stone shaped brick suddenly fell down the tower taking a bit of the stairs with them. The possessed Luna suddenly shot threw the whole above them. "Was That Princess Luna?" Edge shouted his eyes going wide as he looked back at Paradox. "Sadly yes, but we don't have time for questions we need to get those Elements," Paradox said as Edge nodded when suddenly another ear splitting crash echoed below them. The tower seemed to tilt to the right as paradox felt his body slide under his hooves. Paradox panic as the tower started to shift back as more stone started to crumble from above. Doing his best to ignore the current situation he pushed his hooves down as he continued up the stairs. "I will not fail again!" Paradox shouted as he rushed up the stairs. "Nobody dies not tonight!" Declaring as he rushed up the stairs rushing past Edge. The two kept moving up the stairs as he found a massive door. "Curse it's wooden even with my screw Driver," he frowned as picked up speed ready to ram it open if need be. Suddenly the doors glowed opening, as he closed in on the door. Stopping on a rainbow colored rug he glanced back at Diamond Edge. "Did you do that," he quickly shook his head as he glanced back at the door to seem some odd carvings around the frame. Pushing his questions to the back of his mind. he looked around the room. "Pink, all of it pink, she needs a style change or some other kind of color," Diamond Said looking around the pink colored room. Paradox rolled his eyes looking for anything that looked like an Element of Harmony. "I have no idea what they look like, curse that book for lack of pictures," Paradox grumbled as five bowling ball sized orbs cough his eye. "Those are it but it looks like we are missing one," Edge said frowning as he levitated the balls into the air. Paradox didn't respond as he looked around the room. The Tower suddenly shook again as Edge almost dropped the Elements to the ground. "No time to think about it, take those down to the guards and try to get Celestia's attention, I'll see if i can find that last Element. A spark, and they last one will appear, Did she hide it?" he wondered as Edge disappeared out the room. He quickly rushed to her canopy bed quickly jumping on it as he glanced around the pink blankets. "Think Doctor, wait not a Doctor, Think Paradox, were is that Sixth Element?" he wondered out loud when suddenly the tower trembled even worse than before. "Damn that stupid-," he clamped his hands over his mouth as a very harsh wave of guilt hit. "I so sorry Rose i didn't mean I was just so," Sighing a bit he quickly pushed his past to the back of his head as he rushed to the closet. He pulled them open still nothing. "Were is that Damn Element!" shouting at the top of his lungs he threw his hooves into the air. Suddenly the floor shattered as Nightmare moon flew up above him flapping her wings as her eyes glared right at him "Traitor!" she shouted as he horn started to glow. "Luna this isn't you I dance with you, I care for you deeply. I don't have any feelings for you sister you need to calm down before you hurt somepony." "I am done with the concerns of others i have been ignored and passed over, NO longer the world shall revolve around me. I shall be the only light me and my moon!" she shouted. Suddenly she let loose a blast of magical energy at Him as he leaped to the side. She ready another blast when a bright blast hit the princes knocking her out of the ceiling. The Roof started to gave in as the floor fallowed in sync. "Not good!" Paradox shouted as he he found his exit crumbling away before him. Celestia rose up as her horn started to glow lifting Paradox up as the last of the tower suddenly started to crumble to the ground breaking into the castle below. "Were are the Elements, I need them, they are this lands only hope, at this point and my only hope to keep my sister." She said looking up at the moon above her. "Edge has them, but i can't find the sixth element," Paradox said as his he crossed his forehooves, an agitated expression on his face. "Oh i forgot about that detail," Suddenly a loud whistle as her magic was suddenly cut off. Paradox blinked and the Princess had vanished with only a slight stream of stars keeping him company. "AH!" he screamed as he suddenly dropped "I don't want to test my regeneration abilities today!" he said screaming as he plummeted down to the ground. "Regeneration, that's silly ponies can't regenerate," giggled a voice as he suddenly felt someone grab onto his hooves. He glance up to see a pure white Pegasus pony with a gravity defying mane. "Hello there I am the paradox," He greeted, "now if you don't mind i would like to get down." "Funny you look more like a Doctor," she said smiling as she started to descend. He felt his right eye twitch at the Doctor comment, why did he get the feeling she wasn't referring to a degree. Her wings slowing down a bit she set him gently on the ground before flying off. Looking up he could see the two princess fighting it out above the city, another tower started to grumble from the massive amounts of magical power the two were blasting out. "And to think it took both of them and the Elements to bring down Discord. first chance I get the Tardis, he said with a slight frown on his face. "Incoming!" shouted steel sword as massive blast of magical energy flew a bit to close to the growing number of ponies surrounding the castle. Suddenly the magic stopped flying as the two seemed to stair at each other. His ears perked up a bit trying to catch there conversation. "Please I love you sister, this isn't you you learned to far much to quickly it's finding a way out threw your jealousy you need calm your mind, you can beat this!" Princess Celestia said hoping to reason with her sister. "Neigh, We have will not go back to the way it was before, We will have the night, i will not suffer in you shadow not here and not at Home either. I shall Rule Equestria even if i have to destroy you and anyone Foalish enough to get in Our way!" Nightmare Moon Declaring her intent to the heavens. "Then you leave me no choice," the five orbs appeared around the princess, before the final one appeared above. Paradox raising his hand to hide the amount of light shinning from the princess. A massive rainbow suddenly shot upward hitting the moon before falling back down to the ground hitting The possessed Luna the blast sent the Alicorn falling to the ground as Paradox quickly dashed back into the city. "Luna!" Paradox shouting as he ran threw the ruined city walls when he finally spotted a massive crater. "Luna, speak to me," he urged as he slide down to see the princess in a hep on the ground. Moving her head a bit one eye was clowing but the other was crying. "I just wanted to be appreciated, to be loved like she was, but seeing her kiss you i couldn't stand it even if it meant nothing. Now i will never get to see you again," she said her head crashing to the ground as her body suddenly started to disappear. He moved forward grabbing her hoof as he placed it on his chest, her eyes went wide. "Two hearts I am going to be her for a very long time," He said giving her a soft smile. "Well, if you can make it, I'll see you in a thousand years," she said as her body suddenly vanished as a stream of small stars flew up into the sky as the shadow of the mare soon appeared on the face of the moon. The gentle sound of wings slowing to a stop as he glanced behind him to see Celestia her coat was scuffed and she even had some burn marks on her face but still kept her head held high. "So, trapped her in the moon, i can't be the only one who sees this isn't going to solve the problem," Paradox said as he looked up her. "It's not, but it will give me some time, i need to find a pony for each element. The full capability of the elements will be unlocked, purification. But it will be a long time before I can implement that idea." "Why couldn't you do it know?" Paradox asked, "I haven't the time to find everyone who could fit the criteria, well all of them, a few like our friend Diamond Edge would qualify but sadly I am missing a few ponies. I wouldn't mind you being one would make my job a lot easier," "Sadly I don't think I qualify I am not much for harmony since i am a bit of a magnet for chaos and problems." Paraod said with a raised eyebrow. "Well, honesty?" she asked, "The Doctor lies," he replies evenly, "And so do I," "Loyalty," "I betrayed my species for the good of the the rest of existence, not to mention i betrayed my best friend," he explained. "Laughter?" she asked raising an eye brow. "Ha?" he said giving her a rather lame smile. "Generosity?" she listed off. "I don't exactly have much, but information isn't something i give out remember the lie thing?" he asked a bit of a smirk growing on his face. "Kindness?" she asked, "The last thing I said to a good friend was stupid Ape," he said evenly. "The magic of friendship?" she asked releasing a light sigh. "No magic, and didn't i mention the whole ape thing?" he reminded feeling a bit depressed. "You don't have a whole lot of faith in yourself do you?" she asked. "Well all the same, I think it's time to rebuild, there was a nice place i was planing on moving the capital to. How Does Canterlot sound?" "Not bad but i here a baby crying," Paradox said as the princess perked up her ears. "No way," she said as she craned her neck moving after the voice, Fallowing along as best he could with her longer stride. "Is that another Pegacorn?" he asked as he looked down at the pink creature creature. "Yeah, Candice, it seems as if the world needs something new," She said in a very low voice. The pink new addition cowed up at them. Celestia gave a slight nod as she levitated the baby to eye level. Suddenly a valentine heart popped out of the baby's horn she giggled as she clapped at the heart. "Love?" Paradox asked as he looked up at the princess. She nodded as he watched tears stream down her face. "I can understand why." Paradox said with a nod.