Note: I made a couple of changes to chapters 52, 54, and 55; mostly just spelling changes (though on 52, I wrote a little bit on what Cadence and Shining's worst fear was when they were hit by Sombra's dark magic). I've also made a couple of changes to the Franklin section of the guide. Additionally I uploaded an awesome picture of Twilight Sparkle and Flaming Star to the wikia page. Anyway, enough with the updates... on to the story!

Dimension: Amethyst

Planet: Capitol Prime

Specific Location: Summit Meeting room 8, floor 9853171

Time: Unknown

Pictor strolled into the meeting room with purpose. His armor was now repaired, and his masked helmet had been fixed and polished.

"I got everything on video," he said briskly, "It's ready… to… go… What are you doing?"

This was specifically addressed to the Paradox, who was standing at the window, with one of his armored hand pressed against the glass.

"I've tried so hard, Pictor," sighed the Paradox as he stared out into space, "I've tried so hard to show everyone that good will always outlive evil… but there is too much. There is simply too much."

Pictor slowly began to back out of the room, realizing that his leader was slowly becoming more unstable. "I thought you were damning them all earlier," said Pictor.

"Perhaps I was. How can I not when they are all too weak to quench the evil that dwells in this multiverse?"

"Well… how can you?"

"They are fools, Pictor. They have to stare into the abyss, and be strong enough to pull themselves out of it, changed but victorious. They have to become monsters to fight the monsters. That is the only way evil will be destroyed. But then… but then all that will be left are the new monsters, the new heroes-turned-horrors. This is why they must all die."

"Why?"

"They are not strong enough to fight the evil, and if they are, they only live long enough to see themselves turn evil. Only a person in authority, with a sound mind and a sound conviction, can see this end. That person will be me."

"Are you sound of mind, Paradox? Truly… are you?"

The Paradox turned his head to look straight at Pictor. "Maybe I am, maybe I am not," was all he said at first. There was a pause, then he said, "Once again, madness is only a definition determined by those in authority. We are the gods now, Pictor, we determine what the norm is."

Pictor growled under his breath and then snapped, "Cut it out, Paradox! I have the damn video you wanted!"

The Paradox turned to Pictor again and said, "Excellent. Are you airing it?"

On a telepathic signal, Pictor pulled up a holographic projection. A light went from red to green. "It is now," said the Pictor, "It is on live-feed on every update alert for every Dimensional Lord."

The two stood side-by-side as they watched the edited version of the video feed. According to this, Doxia viciously attacked Pictor, who was trying to convince him to return to his people.

"You cannot keep killing people!" exclaimed the Pictor in the video, "We know what is right and what is wrong. You know for a FACT that that is wrong!"

"Ah," replied the Doxia on the screen, "my friend, and that is where you go astray. You could have been a beacon for the Crystal Empire with Mattimeo. So, here is you last chance… do you surrender?"

The Paradox stiffened. "Is this airing?" he snapped harshly.

Pictor nodded, a little confused.

The Paradox sighed in resignation and relaxed, almost mournfully. Pictor glanced at his and said, "What is it?"

"Doxia said, 'You could have been a beacon for the Crystal Empire with Mattimeo.' Does that phrase even make any sense?" asked the Paradox slowly.

Pictor shook his head wordlessly. Then he stopped… and then he facepalmed.

"It was a code," muttered the Paradox, now ignoring Pictor, "He was relaying a code. He knew it was a setup, and decided to play right into it so that he, in turn, could spread a code to all of his allies. So now there is some good new and some bad news. The good news is that we've probably convinced several more Dimensional Lords that Doxia needs to be brought down. The bad news is that Mattimeo, and probably Meadolax, will be returning from where they are in the multiverse to lend aid to Doxia. Need I remind you that both Mattimeo and Meadolax are exceptionally powerful in their own right?"

"No," snarled Pictor, absolutely livid with anger. How the hell had Doxia known about the setup? How the hell could he have been smart enough to turn it back onto them with such ease?

"Well, no matter, we need to proceed with the plan. We need to find out where the beacon crystals are, and we need to do it soon. Is there any word about the Brothers in Arms corps?" said the Paradox.

Pictor nodded as he opened up several holographic screens. "Yes. They have found Dimensional Traveler Evan Funsch. They have returned to the My Little Pony dimension."

The Paradox rocked back and forth in his large white chair slowly as he said, "Good. The pony that holds the secret to the location of the mysterious vials is Sapphire Anemone, correct? She's the sister of the former King Sombra, I believe."

Pictor nodded his head.

"Very well," said the Paradox, standing up decisively, "I have another addition to the Great Plan. Get word to Elite Phasetrooper number four hundred. I have a task for her."

Dimension: My Little Pony

Planet: Equestria Earth

Specific Location: The Crystal Mountains

Time: Two days after the arrival of Doxia

"We're lost," said Franklin as he twirled his sniper rifle in the air, not at all sounding worried about their predicament.

"Of course we're lost!" snapped Wild, "I said that five minutes ago, and I am the one who's leading you guys around!"

Evan glanced at Daniel, who was lumbering behind them quietly. "Why haven't we sent Daniel into the air to look for landmarks?"

Wild stopped in his tracks momentarily. Then he said, "Because we totally forgot. That's why. Daniel, could you take to the air and look for landmarks?"

As Daniel nodded and blasted off, Funsch laughed, "I'm surprised you guys survived this long as a team. You three are terrible at working together, really."

"We've had better times," muttered Franklin as he strapped his sniper rifle to his back.

"No doubt," said Funsch briskly.

At that moment Daniel touched down. A bright red female crystal earth pony was on his back.

Wild immediately began to growl, and shadows began to curl around his hoofs in black tendrils of power.

Both Daniel and the pony ignored Wild as Daniel said, "This is Ruby Blossom. She was lost as well."

Wild, who was still making it obvious that he was adverse to the additional company, snapped, "How did you get lost… Ruby Blossom?"

Ruby, still acting oblivious to his hostility, smiled at him and said, "Oh, I had a message from this pony named Pinkie Pie addressed to someone named Rarity. However, she ran off to help Princess Cadence with something, so I tried to follow them. Unfortunately, unlike them, I got lost. I really appreciate the lift, mister dragon."

Daniel dipped his head respectively as he said, "Please… call me Daniel."

Ruby gave him a bright smile and patted him on the back as she got off. Franklin nodded his head to her and said, "We're friends of both Pinkie Pie and Rarity. Could you tell us the message, please?"

Ruby looked a little unsure, but then she caught the hostile glare coming from Wild and nodded her head. Looking a little flustered, she said, "Well… They were trying to cheer up my friend, Sapphire Anemone. She supposedly knows something really important or something like that. Anyway, Pinkie Pie wanted Rarity to come back for some help. I really need to find Rarity."

Daniel said, "I'll find them. We're in open country, I should be able to locate her and Princess Cadence in no time." He took to the air again.

Both Wild and Funsch were eying Ruby suspiciously, so Franklin slowly sidled over next to her, trying to make her less uncomfortable.

"Have you seen humans before?" asked Franklin, "I mean, you seem quite calm."

Ruby nodded and smiled, "No, I've never seen your type before, but our world is filled with many wondrous things. As for me being calm… well… I was always good at that."

Franklin blinked. "Okay. Well… anyways…"

There was a long and awkward pause, as Funsch and Wild continued to eye her with distrust. Luckily for both Ruby and Franklin, Daniel arrived.

As he landed, he said, "I've found them. Both Rarity and Princess Cadence are with some group farther up north. Everyone onto my back. I'll take you guys there."

"I remember when you threated to maul me if I touched you scales… a long time ago? Remember, Daniel?" chuckled Franklin as he clambered on.

"Shut up," snapped Daniel. He then spread his great wings and took off with massive flaps.

In moments they were high above the ground, rapidly approaching the area Daniel had claimed he had spotted Rarity. In moments more, they were circling the area. Franklin pulled out his sniper rifle and scoped out the ground below.

"It most certainly is Rarity and Cadence," reported Franklin, "They are with Rainbow Dash, a couple of guards… and it looks like the Paradox. Guess they're all going to be dead in a couple of seconds. Fancy that."

Without waiting for Franklin to say more, both Wild and Funsch leapt from Daniels back and began to dive, in freefall, towards the group on the ground far below.

"Was it something I said?" chuckled Franklin as he, too, leapt off Daniel's back.

After several seconds of falling through the air unobstructed, Franklin conjured up a parachute pack, which he swiftly strapped to his back. He pulled the cord, and the cute opened in the nick of time, decelerating him just enough that he was able to land without breaking or bruising anything. He threw away the chute just as Daniel, Ruby, Funsch and Wild joined him. They sprinted towards the group as Franklin yelled, "Paradox! Get away from them!"

The giant being, who was Doxia, straightened up and turned around to face the oncoming group. He threw up his hands in mock horror.

"Oh noes!" he declared, "I've been caught! Just as a quick note: why does everyone I meet automatically assume that I'm the Paradox and then subsequently try to kill me?"

"You do look a lot like the Paradox, darling," commented Rarity as she trotted up to stand next to him.

Franklin skidded to a stop in front of Doxia and quickly looked him up and down. He then turned to Wild and gesticulated wildly, "In my defense, he TOTALLY looks like the Paradox. Don't get mad."

Wild was too intrigued by Doxia himself to really be mad. He just ignored Franklin and said, to Doxia, "Who are you?"

Doxia gave Wild a flourishing bow as he said, "I am Doxia! Former member of the Paradox's brotherhood and professional stunt double for him apparently. I also like ice cream."

"My apologies, Doxia," said Funsch briskly, "But, as I am sure you know, we are a little at odds with your leader."

"My former leader," corrected Doxia, "I understand that you are trying to bring him down… and so am I! So, I guess Franklin can put his sniper rifle down before I turn it into a gerbil, and we can talk like civilized beings who haven't had too much beer. Except for Wild. He always acts like he's had too much beer."

Wild rolled his eyes, but said, "You know of us?"

Doxia nodded. "Of course! I was the one who told the firstborn to tell Daniel to let you on their team. I was also the one to tell you guys to ask Funsch where Jetfire is. Jet fire should know where Finnian Jones lives."

"Wait, you are the one who set them on the path of this wild goose chase?" interjected Funsch, "Don't you know Finnain Jones is a myth?"

"I would normally agree with someone as illustrious as yourself, Evan," said Doixa, "If not for the fact that I was the one who gave Finnian Jones his dimensional traveler powers. Thus… I have to disagree: he does exist."

Funsch blinked, a little shocked. However, he then nodded and took a step back.

"Rarity! Pinkie wants you to know that she needs your help with Sapphire Anemone! She cannot help her alone!" said Ruby after a pause.

"Who is this Sapphire Anemone anyway?" asked Wild, "Why is she so important?"

"She holds the location of something that I hold rather dear. Imagine that you lost your favorite teddy bear. That is like me and my, um, something," said Doxia cheerfully, "Perhaps you guys could help?"

Franklin straightened up and stretched for no reason whatsoever as he said, "Nope. Nope. Nope. We are fighters, not clowns in pink tutus."

Doxia leaned in close and said, "You know, you guys do look like clowns if I squint my eyes."

Doxia then dropped his cheerful attitude. "Franklin... Sapphire Anemone won't talk to other ponies. You know why? It's because she lost her brother. She lost a family member that she dearly loved, and it hurt her. It is still hurting her."

Franklin slowly crouched down as Doxia talked. He stared off into space as he said, "She lost somebody close to them…"

He then stood up and said, "I guess I will talk to her. Perhaps I can make her understand how to cope with the loss of a sibling."

Doxia nodded his head and then turned to the rest of the group. "We should go now, fellow ponies, and dragons, and humans!" he exclaimed dramatically.

Dimension: My Little Pony

Planet: Equestria Earth

Specific Location: Canterlot

Time: Two days after the arrival of Doxia

Caustic Rain shook his head as he and Luna flew in the chariot over the city of Canterlot to the castle.

"This is NOT going to turn out too well," he mumbled to himself. This statement seemed to become more and more real as they drew closer to the castle and began to land in the courtyard of the castle.

The second they set down, Caustic Rain was surrounded by Luna's infamous Night Guard. Caustic Rain pressed his ears against his skull and began to slowly draw forward his control over acids. However, before he was provoked into an attack, Luna said, "Stand down, guards. He is with me."

The Night Guards actually blinked in surprise, but they did back down. At this moment, Celestia actually trotted up to greet her sister. She smiled as she said, "Greetings Luna! Who is this?"

Caustic Rain looked away belligerently, so Luna answered for him. "This is Caustic Rain. He is a dimensional traveler."

Celestia cocked her head to one side. "A dimensional traveler, you say? Why is he not with Flaming Star or Sunset Shadow?"

"Because he is with me," was all that Luna said.

Celestia eyed her sister in silent surprise, but nodded her head. "We have the guest wing," Celestia said, "He can have his choice of rooms."

"I want him to have the secondary royal bedroom, Celestia," interjected Luna, "the one adjacent to me. This way I can find him easier."

"So, what, you can make sure I don't run away?" snorted Caustic Rain, "I really don't like what's happening, but I trust you Luna, you don't need to be suspicious."

"It is not that, Caustic Rain," replied Luna, "You will see shortly."

Caustic Rain eyed Luna with bemusement, but then sighed, "I suppose… I suppose being in the next bedroom won't be too bad."

"I do not know about that," said Celestia, "Luna, could I talk to you for a moment?"

Caustic Rain narrowed his eyes at the two princesses as they moved away to talk.

"Why are you doing this, Luna?" whispered Celestia.

"I want him to feel loved!" replied Luna.

"What do you mean?"

"I was in his dreams. This poor colt has suffered terrors beyond imagination. It has torn out his heart, just like how Sunset Shadow when he first came. However, he is not yet over the brink, he has not yet become a killer. I think I can pull him back."

"I do not wish to seem cynical, sister, but why do you care?"

"I care because I see a little of myself in him, and, as I said, I want him to feel loved. He is very important to Equestria's future."

"What do you mean?"

"A wondrous, winged human called an Archangel visited him. Almost immediately afterward, Doxia showed up as well, looking for him. Something is going on, and he is directly involved."

"I see. However, it would seem to me that being visited by such powerful beings only brings chaos, something that I understand we both wish to avoid. You risk being embroiled in this said chaos if you continue to stand by this colt. I am sorry sister, but it just… you have never acted in such a manner before… except for when you first met Regal Crescent. Are you okay?"

Luna looked away, nervous and slightly perturbed as strange emotions bubbled inside her chest. "I… I do not know. I just want him to feel loved."

Celestia looked at her sister curiously for a couple for seconds. Then she sighed and smiled. "Very well. He can stay."

Luna smiled back at her sister and dipped her head. She then turned to Caustic Rain and placed a hoof gently on his shoulder. Caustic Rain actually looked shocked by the gesture, but did not do anything to stop it.

"Come," said Luna, "Follow me. I will show you to your room. Then I will take you on a ground tour of the castle. I am quite sure you will enjoy it."

Caustic Rain, still a little unsure of what was going on, nodded his head numbly and went to follow her. They slowly trotted away side-by-side. Celestia chuckled to herself as the two disappeared around a corner of the castle.

Note: Oh, I have decided to write another set of "Recollections" chapters. I understand that one of you really wants me to proceed with the story without any more flashbacks, but I think this set is very necessary. I realized I needed Franklin's personality developed a bit more before he went to talk with Sapphire Anemone. Additionally I left both Twilight and Flaming Star "in the gulch" so to speak with their initial proposal for marriage. They are what is going up next. Again, I want to add that this flashback set is very relevant to the story. Anyway, don't forget the R&R stuff!