12.

Two guards stood outside Paradox’s room at attention looking forward with no emotion. One an earth pony the other a unicorn.

“There is a way to make you happy again.” Lilly said, “I’m going to make you happy.”

“How?” Paradox asked as he sat looking at the food that Lilly brought him.

“I don’t know yet.” she said as she looked at her hooves. “We moved to this great looking castle and there are many other ponies here in Canterlot and you choose to hide in this room.”

“Only because you have found your inner power, you’re Lady Chaos.” Paradox muttered as he poked the cake on his dessert plate.

“Big deal Dox. I’m still looking for myself.” Lilly grabbed the apple from his plate and started to eat it.

“Maybe you should ask Scarlet for insight.” he muttered.

“Scarlet doesn’t say anything unless it’s important, plus she never gives a straight answer. Besides it’ll just confuse Grace.” She then smiled. “Oh, did you know? Grace has a boyfriend.”

Paradox growled and sat up. “What?”

“Yes, it’s serious too. I met him; he’s a real gentle pony.”

“What does dad think of him?” Paradox was frowning.

“You know how dad is…” Lilly rolled her eyes.

Paradox lay back. “He terrorized him. Good.”

“Yeah, but no.” Lilly smirked.

Paradox looked at his sister. “Lilly, you are not telling me everything.”

She grinned at him. “I don’t want to. What a better way to get you out of here to talk to some pony else than mom and I.”

“I’m not interested.” He answered. “Besides, no one wants to talk to a monster.”

“I’ll tell you something… I am planning on leaving, I don’t know when or how long I will be gone.”

Paradox looked at her. “Why?”

“I cannot explain it Dox, but I feel like I am drowning at night and I feel like I need to claw through mud to catch my breath. It was like when I was being possessed by that evil entity that broke Celestia.” She gulped. “I don’t like that feeling Dox…”

“That is how I feel everyday Lilly. I need to destroy this feeling though; I don’t know how you can bare it while I feel like it is going to take me over.” Paradox closed his eyes. “Sometimes I let it just wash completely over me and wish it would really drown me, but it doesn’t. I awake the next morning.”

“Don’t drown Dox. I wouldn’t want that to happen to you. I want… no I think I need you to be happy again.” She leaned against him and sighed. “I love you Doxy. You have always been with me. I wish you were well enough to travel with me.”

Paradox sighed and leaned against her. “It is family that keeps me going. I am guessing that I would be lost if it wasn’t for you. I love you too Lilly. I am sorry if I cannot let this feeling go within me.”

“I will find a way to make you escape those strange claws of doubt within you.” She muttered as she hugged him. “Eat something Doxy. I’m going to go and talk to Mom and Dad.”

Lilly walked out of her brother’s room and stopped when her guard snapped to attention. She let out a frustrated huff as she walked down the steps of the tower while her guard followed her.

“If you were a Pegasus; we’d already be at my parent’s room.” She muttered to the guard. He didn’t say anything as he walked behind her. He looked around and slowly looked down at her long scaly tail as she carried it slightly up so it wouldn’t drag on the ground. His eyes traveled up her tail to her hips and he felt his face start to burn with a blush; he looked away quickly.

Lilly kept grumbling as she started up the steps to the tower where her parents stayed. “How can I tell them?” She was asking herself. “So do I tell them that I am leaving and that they should not worry about me?”

Zero wanted to say something but he kept quiet as he walked up the stairs behind her, he kept his eyes averted from looking at her rear again though. Professionalism, remember your training, and keep thoughts to yourself.

 

As they go to the top of the tower Lilly trotted to the doors where two guards were standing. They both put up their wings to block Lilly. “Halt.”

Lilly frowned at the guards. “Seriously? I am their daughter.”

“Lord Discord said they are not to be disturbed.” A large guard muttered to Lilly.

“I’m their daughter!” Lilly growled.

“My Lady?” Zero suddenly spoke up.

Lilly turned and looked at her guard. “What?”

“Maybe, they are doing something… important?” Zero gulped as she stared at him with her crimson eyes.

Lilly looked at the guards at the door, then she turned away her face was suddenly burning as a blush ran over her cheeks. “Oh.” She suddenly extended her wings. “I’m going to fly to my room, if you want to guard it, you’ll have to get there on your own.” She jumped up and flew towards her room in another tower.

Zero let out a deep sigh and hung his head after he looked at the two guards. They both shook their heads at him as he set out at a run to find Lilly’s room on his own.