Dimension: My Little Pony

Planet: Equestria Earth

Specific Location: Canterlot Castle

Time: Eleven days after the Paradox took over Equestria

Caustic Rain opened his eyes, yawned, and looked around. The first thing he noticed was that he was not in his chambers anymore. He raised an eyebrow in interest. Was he still dreaming? Probably? However, he remembered just waking up from a dream, so why was he still in one?

He was standing in the middle of a plane of white. In all directions, the glossy white ground stretched in all directions. Caustic Rain shook his head. Why was he here? Was this a game Luna was playing?

He was stopped from asking further questions when a massive blast of pure light blossomed before him. In shock, Caustic Rain stumbled backwards and fell over, face to the ground. An Archangel had arrived.

As the light cleared, Caustic Rain looked up and saw that it was Archangel Michael.

"Archangel!" exclaimed Caustic Rain in relief, "How did you find me? What's going on?"

"After some deliberation, I chose to open a dream connection with you," stated Michael calmly, "This is a way we will be able to communicate, without Pictor or the Paradox discovering our meetings."

Caustic Rain nodded his head readily. He was more than happy to talk to someone he could completely trust. "That's amazing! What do you need to talk about?"

Michael stood there for a moment, as if in thought. Then he said, "How is your relationship with Princess Luna developing?"

Caustic Rain suddenly blushed a bit. "Ummmm… fine?"

Michael looked at Caustic Rain for a long pause. Caustic Rain then sighed and said, "We are doing okay. We have not been able to spend much time together, and I have to say that I rather like it this way. I don't know… I just feel so nervous about her! How can there be love if I'm afraid to talk to her face-to-face?"

"I understand that it is difficult," replied Michael calmly, "But learning to face your fears is part of life. To move on, you must conquer your fears."

Caustic Rain sighed again, but nodded. After a short moment of silence, Michael then said, "I have some important news that you must relay to Princess Celestia."

Caustic Rain's ears perked up, indicating that he was listening.

"There is a human being coming to the Harmony Tree dimension," continued Michael, "His name is Desmond Butler. He has been taken prisoner by Pictor."

Caustic Rain blinked. From what he understood, Pictor was not the kind who took prisoners. "Pictor? Then… then why isn't this Desmond person dead?"

"Pictor was wounded by Desmond," replied Michael. Caustic Rain's eyes widened in amazement.

"Pictor was not hurt badly, but it was enough to draw blood, something unheard-of. Pictor was impressed, and decided that he would let Desmond live. Thus, he was brought to the Harmony Tree dimension," continued Michael.

"Okay," said Caustic Rain, "What do you want me to do about it?"

"I want you to have Celestia give a personal request for Desmond to be released into Ponyville," answered Michael, "The Paradox will not refuse, since he is not keen on starting a insurrection on a global-wide scale due to disgruntled royalty."

Caustic Rain nodded. "Okay. That makes sense. However, I can see that this Desmond person is important… why?"

"I will tell you," said Michael, "But you cannot divulge this information to anyone, not even Princess Luna. Keep away from the Dimensional Lords, and try to avoid physical contact with any Elite Phasetroopers. This will keep the chances of the information I am about to tell you being discovered down."

Caustic Rain glanced around, as if there was a chance that they were being eavesdropped-upon (which it was obvious that they were not) and then leaned forward slightly.

After a momentary pause, Michael said, "Desmond holds an Imagination Energy source."

Caustic Rain blinked. "I'm sorry… what?"

Michael nodded sagely. "You will not necessarily understand that, but Flaming Star will. I will find a way to send him a message. You two need to meet momentarily in Ponyville when I give the word, so that he may read your mind, and draw out this information."

Suddenly Caustic Rain's eyes widened as some more information poured into his head. Images, data, and calculations swirled by his vision in a mad dance as his brain absorbed it all.

Breathing heavily, Caustic Rain shook his head as if to clear it. "I… I don't understand."

"You will never be able to understand, but that is not the point. You are a carrier. A messenger," said Michael emotionlessly.

"So wait… have I always been a messenger?" asked Caustic Rain, a little bit shocked. He had never seen it that way.

"Perhaps, but that does not mean you are any less important. You are under my protection, Samuel Dellor. Remember that. And remember; though you may not think yourself important in the grand scheme of things… there is a Princess of the Night who thinks otherwise. Now, carry out your mission. Talk to Celestia, ask her to ask for Desmond Butler. Then wait for my return."

With that, Archangel Michael exploded in blast of light. With that, Caustic Rain's eyes snapped open. He was in his chamber, he was finally awake. He was lying on his bed, with light streaming through the windows. The second thing he noticed was that Luna was sitting at the base of his bed, staring intensely at him. He literally leapt out of bed in shock, and Luna let out a feminine squeak, falling over backwards.

"What… what's going on?" gasped Caustic Rain, scrambling back on to his bed.

"I am so sorry!" exclaimed Luna, scrambling back on to the bed as well, "It was just that I could not see you in your dreams! Where did you go?"

Caustic Rain paled as he gaged his answers. To his horror, he realized that he could not tell her the truth, and that tore him up inside. Though he still was not sure of his feelings towards Luna, he knew that he could trust her with his life. But what he was doing now was willingly withholding the truth. But he had to do it… he HAD to do it.

"I don't know. I just don't know," Caustic Rain sighed.

Luna looked at Caustic Rain curiously, but then she nodded in acknowledgment. Taking a shaking breath, Caustic Rain then said, "I need to go talk to Princess Celestia. Do you know where she might be?"

Luna looked at Caustic Rain for a bit longer curiously, but then said, "She is talking to the Vaporis Dimensional Lord with Princess Cadence."

Caustic Rain bit his lip. There was something about Vaporis that absolutely terrified him. However, Archangel Michael needed him to talk to Celestia, so that was what he was going to do. He exited the chamber and began to look around. In a couple of minutes, he noticed the telltale spatial turbulence in a corner a dozen meters away that denoted the presence of his personal Phasetrooper, who was eavesdropping on him and spying on him every second of the day. Caustic Rain nodded his head slowly. Now he knew where his Phasetrooper lackey was, he needed to plan how to proceed with his request to Celestia involving Desmond. Taking a deep breath, Caustic Rain turned around and began to trot down the massive staircase before him, working his way to the Hall of Thrones, where Celestia would undoubtedly be. As he had assumed, there was Celestia, on her throne with Cadence by her side. Standing behind Celestia was Princess Twilight Sparkle and Pinkie Pie. Unfortunately, Vaporis was there as well, talking to Celestia.

"We're not asking much," pleaded Cadence despondently, "We just want the Paradox to give us leave to continue the Equestria Games! So many ponies have worked towards the games in the Crystal Empire this year…"

"Stop your begging, you worthless filth," snapped Vaporis harshly, "I don't care what you think. The Equestria Games could just be a front to facilitate a meeting for the Resistance."

"What Resistance?" asked Celestia coldly, "You are chasing a shadow."

"I NEVER chase shadows," hissed Vaporis, raising a hand to strike Celestia across the face. Suddenly he stopped though, and turned around. He had sensed the presence of Caustic Rain.

"What the hell do you want?" snapped Vaporis, look straight at him. Caustic Rain froze like a deer in headlights. Whatever ideas, excuses, and ploys he had planned on his way to the Throne Room had melted way like ice on a hot day.

Vaporis was about to say something else when he stopped. He put a finger to the side of his helmet and stood stalk still, as if he was listening to something, which he was. It was the Paradox, contacting him over a telepathic link.

"What? Okay, I do not understand, but I rarely ever do," snapped Vaporis through the link. He then turned to Celestia and said, "The Paradox said that the Equestria Games will be able to continue. However, they will be shifted down a month. Is that understood? I hope so, because the Paradox will be coming to talk to you in a moment, Celestia."

Celestia bowed her head slightly, as the faintest sigh of resignation escaped her lips. Shaking his head, Vaporis turned around and teleported away. Caustic Rain then entered the room timidly.

"Greetings, Caustic Rain," said Celesita as he entered, "How are you?"

"I'm fine," said Caustic Rain slowly, his mind racing to find ways to distract the Phasetrooper he knew was spying on him, "I really was just… Oh, hello, Twilight Sparkle! What are you doing here?"

Twilight gave him a smile and said, "I was just here to talk to Cadence about the Equestria Games. However, since they are going to occur now without any hindrances, I suppose I can go now. Come on Pinkie Pie!"

Suddenly Caustic Rain's eyes widened as an idea struck him. Pinkie Pie could be the distraction.

"Hey, Pinkie Pie…" said Caustic Rain casually, "Have you ever heard of the mysterious invisible cupcake of Canterlot?"

Everypony other than Pinkie Pie looked at him as if he had gone mad.

"An INVISIBLE cupcake?! I looooove invisible cupcakes!" exclaimed Pinkie, hopping up and down.

"It's the best invisible cupcake there is," agreed Caustic Rain amiably, "I knew that you loved those delicate pastries so much that I decided to help you track it down."

Pinkie was now absolutely exuberant. "Oooooh! Show me! Show me! Show me!"

Caustic Rain winked and said, "You can usually tell were the invisible cupcake is by a slight ripple in the air. Kind of like the one that is twelve meters behind me…"

Caustic Rain then waved a hoof in the direction of the spying Phasetrooper, who was standing a respectful distance from him. Pinkie Pie noticed the ripple effect immediately, and shrieked, "CUPCAKE!"

With that, she rocketed forward and tackled the invisible Phasetrooper.

Taking advantage of the momentary distraction, Caustic Rain quickly trotted up to Celestia and whispered in her ear, "There is no time to ask questions; you need to do exactly what I say. When the Paradox shows up, you need to ask a royal favor of him. Ask him for a human named Desmond Butler. Have him brought to Ponyville. I will be waiting there. Do you understand?"

Eyes wide, Celestia nodded her head quickly. This was no time for formality and rank. Caustic Rain then trotted back to where Pinkie Pie was perched on the head of the invisible Phasetrooper, shouting, "Cupcake! Cupcake! Cupcake!"

"Yes, yes, you've captured the cupcake, Pinkie," said Caustic Rain with a grin, "I think you might want to let it go now. It's really not edible."

Pinkie Pie's face fell a little. "Aw… Okay…"

She hopped down and pranced over to where Twilight stood, staring at the scene with an air of interest.

Caustic Rain gave Celestia a meaningful glance. Then he turned around and prepared to leave. But just before he was about to exit, the Paradox arrived.

A massive jagged portal exploded from nowhere, and a troop of three Elite Phasetroopers entered the Hall of Thrones. Then the Paradox strolled in. Quickly he glanced around and said, "Celestia, Cadence, Twilight Sparkle, Pinkie Pie, and Samuel Dellor… how nice to see you all…"

"What do you want, Paradox?" snapped Celestia coldly.

The Paradox shook his head, almost mournfully. He then walked up to Celestia and took her beautiful face in his hands. Celestia's eyes widened in fear, and her muscles froze up. Twilight's own eyes hardened, and she began to grit her teeth, but she knew she could do nothing to stop what was happening.

"Such a beautiful creature," sighed the Paradox, putting his masked face close to Celestia's, "I would be loath to ruin it."

"What… do you want… Paradox…?" stuttered Celestia again, her voice a little higher than usual.

"I want nothing. I just wanted to see your eyes personally. I can see now that you really never did intend to host insurrectionist operations under the guise of the Equestria Games. That is good. I know we can trust each other then."

The Paradox let go of Celestia's face and was about to turn around and leave again when Celestia said loudly, "I have a request!"

The Paradox stopped. He then slowly turned around to face Celestial and said, "A… request…?"

Celestia couldn't help but shiver a little under the scorching gaze of the Paradox, nevertheless, she straightened up and said, stoutly, "I have a royal request. Something I personally ask of you, as the Princess of all of Equestria."

The Paradox crossed his arms and said, "I am listening."

"I have sources that tell me that you have brought a human named Desmond Butler to my land. I want him to be set free, and sent to Ponyville," said Celestia, trying to sound brave.

The Paradox cocked his head to one side. "Desmond Butler is here? I could have sworn Pictor was going to kill him. Very well, if your sources are accurate, and Desmond is indeed alive and in our custody somehow, I will gladly set him free and send him to Ponyville. Are you satisfied, Princess?" He said the last word as if it was an insult.

Celestia drew herself up regally and said, "I am satisfied. I thank you."

The Paradox just ignored her. Raking the rest of the group with a penetrating stare, the Paradox proceeded to turn around once more and stroll through the portal from which he came. The accompanying Phasetroopers put up their weapons and followed him. The moment the last one went through, the portal slammed shut.

"I want to be in Ponyville when Desmond arrives," said Caustic Rain, "I need to meet up with Flaming Star anyway. I will be leaving for there immediately.

"Pinkie and I were just leaving ourselves," said Twilight, "We will go with you! I don't know much about you, Caustic Rain, so I would love to learn some more on the train ride home."

Caustic Rain couldn't help but pull a face, but he then nodded. With that, he turned around and trotted upstairs. As he did so, he ran into Luna.

"Caustic Rain!" she exclaimed, a little surprised, "Where are you going?"

"I am going upstairs to get packed," he replied, almost apologetically, "I need to go to Ponyville."

Luna blinked. Then her eyes hardened in determination and she said, "Then I will accompany you."

Caustic Rain grinned and blushed, "Um… sure! I would love that."

Now averting his gaze, Caustic Rain hurried past her and galloped to his room. He needed to be in Ponyville as soon as possible.

Dimension: My Little Pony

Planet: Equestria Earth

Specific Location: Everfree Forest

Time: Eleven days after the Paradox took over Equestria

The sounds of birds chirping and the echoes of animal calls filled the Everfree forest. The evil that regularly lurked in the forest did nothing to reduce its beauty. Its wonderful landscape didn't even reduce in its awe-inspiring luster when a portal opened up in a small clearing, and the sadistic monster, Pictor, strolled through with Desmond Butler slung across his back.

Pictor glanced around with an air of interest. He felt immensely braced, now that he had killed a person and ruined the life of another. After a moment of soaking in the sunlight, he tossed down Desmond Butler and stared at him. Desmond's body shimmered, and began to transform into a pony as his body adapted to the dimension's laws of Physics and Chemistry. He became an Earth Pony, with a grayish red coat. His hair became a mane of violet and black in alternating streaks, and his cutie mark took the form of a two light gray swords crossed across a light gray infinity sign.

After another moment of looking the unconscious form of the ponified Desmond over, Pictor muttered, "You know… I might just kill you after all. I think the green in this place could use a little red…"

However, just before he could decide on a course of action, he was contacted by the Paradox over a telepathic link. Grumbling to himself about business calls, Pictor accepted the link and snapped, "What the hell do you want?!"

"My sources say that you brought Dimensional Traveler Desmond Butler here," stated the Paradox.

Pictor shook his head in disbelief. "That was fast. I only arrived here a moment ago. How did you find out?"

"I have eyes and ears everywhere. Very little escapes my notice," replied the Paradox emotionlessly.

"That's stupid. But I might want to point out that you sounded like Lord Kytax, just then."

"Do not speak of Kytax to me. EVER. Now, do you have Desmond Butler with you?"

"I do. However, I was just about to kill him. Sorry, I am so changeable!"

"It is not relevant. However… did you destroy the Imagination Source?"

Pictor nodded and chuckled a bit. "I dissolved it into the surroundings. I crushed the container right in my hand."

There was a long pause. Then the Paradox said, "Was there a sub-space distortion as you destroyed the container?

Pictor shrugged. "I don't know. I was not really paying attention."

There was another long pause. Finally the Paradox said, "Do not kill Desmond. Let him go and bring him to Ponyville. Give him to Sunset Shadow and Fluttershy. They should know what to do with him."

"What would I want to do that? I kind of killed Desmond's girlfriend in an extremely painful way. I think he wants revenge."

"That is understandable. However, I am making the calls, not you. You will simply have to accept that fact that you will now have to watch your back from here-on-out. Do you understand? I need you to bring Desmond to Ponyville."

Pictor shook his head. The Paradox thought he was so high and mighty. One day he would be brought to his knees. Unfortunately, today was not that day. Taking a deep breath, Pictor slung Desmond back onto his shoulders and prepared to teleport to Ponyville. As he did so, he said, "Paradox. Tell me, what are we going to do when we destroy all of those extra ships that are coming to us from the Reset Dimension, Orbit?"

"Nothing. I have a plan, and part of it hinges off you obeying my wish to bring Desmond to Ponyville ALIVE," snapped the Paradox over the link.

Pictor stopped his actions for a moment to think about what the Paradox had just said. The Paradox was planning something no doubt. However, that was not what bothered him. What bothered him was the fact that he knew very well that the Paradox was withholding information from him, and there was nothing he could do to change that.

Sighing, Pictor decided to let this one slide, he was in a good mood after all, and teleported to Ponyville, right outside Fluttershy and Sunset's house. Not even bothering to knock or leave a note, Pictor tossed the unconscious form of Desmond onto their doorstep. He then turned around and teleported away to the Tree of Harmony without another word. However, as he materialized in the new location, he contacted the Paradox and said, "I've dropped him off. Is that it?"

The Paradox's voice rang back, "Yes that is it."

"Great. Now could you tell me why Desmond is so suddenly important to the plan?"

"I am basing this new step of the Great Plan off a deduction. I cannot tell you anything until I have confirmed it. I will be coming to meet you at the Tree of Harmony in a moment. I think I have figured out a way to destroy the Energy Bubble of Atraka…"

Note: I would like to let you guys know that I have a DeviantArt account! My name is "Aganonce." I make digital art. Check it out! Also, I would like to mention that I have removed the OC Gene Grayson. I will be reintroducing him later, when a better time has come about. Thanks! Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter! Don't forget to leave a review!