Star Wars: Tales of the Hunter

Twilight looked at the landscape passing before her. The train had been going at a nice steady pace for a while. She and her friends were all chitchatting about the Summer Sun Celebration. She couldn’t pay it any mind. So many things were happening all at once. The discovery of life beyond their own was many things. Terrifying, exciting, beautiful, brutal, and many more emotions. It was so many things. But it all came back to Twilight herself. How am I going to be ready for all that’s coming my way? The eyes of the galaxy would be upon Equestria, if they weren’t already. And the fact that Twilight was a leader worried her. Taking on threats and defending Equestria was one thing, but this is completely different.

Just then, she heard a beeping sound coming from her forearm. Everyone looked over to her. Twilight smiled sheepishly and fumbled with the communicator until she finally activated it.

“Twilight? Come in Twilight. This is Hunter reporting in.” Hunter called from the communicator. Everyone on the train smiled.

“I hear you, Hunter.” Twilight replied. “Everything okay out there?”

“Yes. I found the remnants of an old base used by a warrior race known as the Mandalorians. They’ve been gone for quite some time however.”

Twilight frowned. “How long exactly?”

“About 2,000 years, according the logs. There was no sign of them leaving or anything. It’s like they vanished.” Everyone in the train car looked confused. To think there had been aliens in Equestria was very astounding.

“How come we’ve never heard anything about this before?” Applejack asked.

“There was never a clear record system before the Princesses took over. Discord’s reign made everything uncertain.” Twilight replied. Fluttershy poked at Twilight.

“We might want to ask him. He’ll be at the Summer Sun Celebration.” Fluttershy said.

Twilight nodded and looked back down at her communicator. “Anything else to report, Hunter?”

“Yes.” Hunter said. “I’m bringing parts to help repair my ship. “I’ve also found a droid that originally belonged to the Republic. We’ll all be there in a few hours.” Twilight smiled.

“Alright, we’re looking forward to seeing you there.”

“Roger that, Twilight. Over and out.” The communicator turned off automatically.

“So,” Pinkie said. “Aliens have been around Equestria longer than we thought.”

“And those aliens were soldiers.” Rainbow Dash said. “How do we know this isn’t some trick?”

“I think we’d know, Dash.” Twilight replied, looking out the window of the train. “I did see into Hunter’s mind. There’s nothing in there about betraying us. The Republic doesn’t seem to go on the idea that they need to conquer.”

“And even if he were,” Rarity spoke up, “He’s proven himself to be a good soul. He saved the Crusaders afterall.”

“I don’t know how you all can be calm about this.” Rainbow said, bringing her hoof to her face. “Aliens are coming and have been around for thousands of years, and our newest Princess doesn’t even care.” Twilight spun around with a glare.

“How dare you, Rainbow. I care about everyone here. It’d be over my dead body that I’d allow anything to happen.” Rainbow backed away.

“See, that’s what we need to see more of, Twilight.” Rainbow said. “Despite your egghead nature, you’re a bad flank.”

“Rainbow,” Twilight spoke, “I’m loyal to Equestria. I may not be brash or vocal about it, but I care deeply for everyone.” Twilight looked back out the window. “But Hunter has reminded me of something. I have to accept my role. Live my role.” The ponies all looked at one another and smiled.

“Well don’t you worry, Twilight.” Applejack said. “We’ll be there to help you out!” Twilight smiled.

“Thank you girls.” They felt the train stop, with an intercom blaring.

“This stop: Canterlot. Please disembark.” Just then, Bob appeared from another train car behind them.

“Well that was crazy slow!” Bob proclaimed. “We’ve got to get some hover train technology here!” The ponies all looked at him with confusion. “Well we’re here, so I guess I shouldn’t be complaining.” The ponies shrugged and began disembarking. At the station, they saw Princess Celestia, and another familiar sight.

“Discord?” Fluttershy asked.

“It’s good to see you too, Fluttershy!” Fluttershy flew up and hugged the chaotic spirit. Everyone smiled. Discord then looked to Bob. “And that must be the alien I’ve heard about. You’re a lot smaller than I thought you would be.” Bob crossed his arms.

“I’m not THAT short.” Bob said with some indignation in his voice.

“This is actually one of his companions.” Twilight said. “Bob, this is Discord. Discord, this is Bob.”

“A pleasure Bob.” Discord held out a talon towards Bob who was inspecting Discord’s body.

“Are you a hologram?” Bob asked. Discord tilted his head.

“A hologram?” Discord asked.

“A projection of light? I can’t read any vitals from you.” Bob walked all around Discord. “No. No vitals.” Celestia stepped forward.

“He’s a spirit of chaos. Perhaps his chaos magic makes it hard for you to get that information.” Bob looked at Celestia and stroked his mechanical chin.

“Ah, so it’s a Force thing. I’ll leave it alone.” Discord frowned and stroked his beard.

“Force?” He asked.

“It’s what they call magic where he’s from.” Twilight said.

“And where’s he from?” Discord asked. Everyone turned their heads as they heard the sound of Hunter’s speeder. Twilight smiled.

“Maybe the alien himself can tell you that.” Everyone saw Hunter come around the train car in his speeder and landed a few meters away from the station. He got off and lifted T9 off the trunk. The droid swung his head around in excitement, looking at everything there was to see. When Hunter put him down, he explored in every direction, beeping and bouncing around. Ditsy fluttered off the speeder and landed near everyone.

“Hey everyone!” Ditsy called out.

Hunter followed with T9 and Dinky in tow. Discord glared at the little filly. Feelings of pure, unadulterated anger revved up inside of him. The cloak she wore waved freely.

“That cloak.” Discord said. Everyone looked at him confusingly. Celestia looked especially concerned.

“Discord?” She asked.

“What?” Dinky asked. She twirled around in it. “With this, I look like a-” Discord landed with pure red in his eyes and said,

“JEDI.”