Two Empires Under the Sun

Chapters

Galaxies Apart
Finding A Way In
Imperial Diplomacy
A Message From The Stars

Galaxies Apart

Darth Vader's Personal Flagship "Executor"

Three years after the battle of Yavin.

The Dark side was weakening. Darth Vader's hate had kept him alive through some of the worst the galaxy had thrown at him. But even his hate couldn't overcome his son Luke. Vader reminisced about their battle in cloud city, how instead of joining the dark side, Luke had thrown himself to death, only to survive and escape Vader's reach.

Yes... Vader could feel the balance of the force changing. For many years the darkside ruled. But now his son was bringing the Jedi's light back into the galaxy. The Emperor had ordered Vader to kill his son if he refused the dark path, but his hate had not been strong enough to do that, even now.

A swish of opening turbolift doors drew Vader from his meditating. An imperial Officer strode in, a human male like all of the Empire's minions. He did a polite bow and waited for Vader to face him. He never did.

"What is it?" Vader Demanded.

"The Emperor has ordered to speak to you my lord." The officer said quickly. No doubt wanting to get out of Vader's personal chambers as quickly as possible. And as though it were an afterthought the officer added. "In person."

That changed things greatly. What did The Emperor have to tell Vader that he couldn't tell him over Holo-Net communications. Had his son been found? "Tell the caption to make for Imperial Center. I want my shuttle ready to depart as soon as we break Corescant's atmosphere."

"Yes my lord." The officer said, turning around and making his way off to the bridge.

Darth Vader sensed his master's call in his mind.

'You have been troubled my friend. You think of your son do you not Lord Vader?' The Emperor said to his apprentice.

'Yes Master. I have received your orders, we are underway to Imperial Centre now.'

'I'm pleased to hear that. I sense you wonder why I have asked you to abandon your search for the rebel fleet.' Darth Sidious's clouded out Vader's own thoughts about Luke. He felt only anxious to know what his master wanted him to do.

'I have.'

'Patience old friend. You must trust me, that I have my reasons. Clear your mind for what's ahead Lord Vader.'

Vader could almost picture the smile on his masters face. The reassuring grin that had won him the galaxy. The Dark Side may have been wounded, but it was far from dead.

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Forunner Installation 00 "The Ark"

5 years after the Human/Covannant War

Sand swept over a sea of dunes blown by an artificial wind.

John didn't remember the place being so sandy, but then again there were many parts of the Ark he hadn't seen. The giant pedaled artificial world had been built by the Forunner's to remotely detonate the Halo Array from outside the galaxy itself.

John would know. He had stopped The Covenant from firing the Halo Array and killing all sentient life in the galaxy. Since then he had largely missed out on galactic affairs. But he did know The Covenant had been disbanded, some still believed that firing the Halos would ascend them into the afterlife as gods. Others had simply been trying to rebuild after the war.

The UNSC faced little opposition now and was actively trying to upset the fragile situation with the disbanded Covenant. John couldn't blame them much after what The Covanat had to human worlds. But he wanted no part of it. He'd saved humanity, whatever came afterwards was out of John's control. He only wanted one thing, to reach his destination.

The not-wind blew John's cloak and sent it whipping back behind him. He had worn the cloak over his armor since leaving UNSC controlled space. He was too recognizable in his battered green Mjolnir armor. He drew a deep breath through his helmet's filtration, and stared ahead into the setting sun. A shimmering blue figure stood out there, calling his name.

John sighed, he knew it wasn't her. It was all in his head. He'd been unsure about his sanity for awhile now. Visions of his past, present and future? John had seen himself walking across the very desert terrain he saw now all around him. Traveling to some forunner relic still standing above the dunes. Seeing her there didn't help him feel any better about his sanity. Why was he all the way out here? What was he trying to find? John didn't know.

The only way was forward, it was the only direction John was ever meant to walk.. It had been a vision that had brought him here in the first place, perhaps seeing her meant John was on the right path. Or that he was completely insane. Chief sighed to himself, and picked up his pace. He had long ago given up trying the sensible thing. His heavy armored boots sunk into the sand with each step forwards, making his traverse labored and slow. John didn't care. He had all the time in the world to walk, and he still had a long way to go.

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Equestria, Ponyville Library

Twilight ran excitedly downstairs. Tonight was a special night. The five planets in their solar system would all be visible in the night sky to any patient observers. And if Twilight was anything she was patient.

"Spike hurry up! I asked you to pack my telescope and starmaps an hour ago." The purple Mare said as she reached the bottom of the stairs. Spike had been napping on the couch and woke startled at the sound of Twilight's voice.

"Oh.. Twilight I was just resting my eyes. Honest!" The baby dragon pleaded.

Twilight sighed she could never be mad at him for long. Besides it was way past his bedtime anyway.

"Why don't you go to bed Spike." She magically lifted her telescope and folded maps into a waiting wagon. "I can manage it if you're too tired."

Spike suddenly jumped up form the couch, alert and awake as can be.

"Oh no way twilight! I promised you I'd help you write down and record the planets motions for your essay." Spike suddenly put on a bravado that wasn't in his voice before. "As a Dragon, I am bound by honor to keep my word. Even if I need to stay up all. *Yawn* night."

Twilight fashioned the wagon harness to herself and levitated spike onto her back.

"Come on my little white knight. If we don't hurry we might be to late to record everything." Twilight said.

"Right! record everythAAHHHH" Spike was cut off as Twilight lifted her wings to take flight. She flew close enough to the ground to keep the wagon from flying away itself, but fast enough to cover a great distance. Twilight was still thrilled by the sensation of flying, and she had gotten considerably better then she was before. Heck with enough practice, Twilight felt she could be racing with RainbowDash.

Twilight soon found herself outside the edge of town and onto Sweet Apple Acres property, where her friend AppleJack had set up a site for Twilight to stargaze. The site was a large inclined hill that had been stripped of apple trees, it offered an unobstructed view of the sky, and was probably the highest point in the whole orchard.

Twilight spotted her friend first. AppleJack was waiting for them at the top of the hill as planned. She had set up a picnic table with various snacks and a full keg of cider. Rainbow would be so envious of Twilight right now. Twilight's wings snapped shut as she landed at the top of the hill. She kicked out with her back hoofs to slow the momentum of the wagon, digging her forehooves into freshly plowed dirt.

The wagon grinded to a halt and Twilight felt Spike leaped off her back and saw him start kissing the ground.

"Whoo doggy. You sure came in here fast, even carrying all that weight! You sure you're not a farm pony at heart sugercube?"

AppleJack said, a mug of cider already in her hoof.

"Canterlot born and raised." Twilight said. "But I think at heart I'm a Ponyville pony."

"Just don't forget about us here when you go off to rule Equestria." Applejack said.

Applejacks comment caught Twilight off guard. Sure she was a Princess now, but rule Equestria? Twilight had thought about her future sure. But she didn't think she had the heart to leave all her friends behind. "I would never do that AppleJack."

"Ah know you wouldn't. Sorry I said that, I've been drinkin and well thinkin... Ah well never you mind this silly old mare. Lets get your stuff set up Twil, ah never really looked through a telescope before."

AppleJack was backtracking hard, but twilight didn't press the matter. "Its Okay AJ. And don't worry spike is being a GentleDragon and setting everything up. Right Spike?" No answer. "Spike?"

Twilight saw the baby dragon face down beside her, snoring loudly into a puddle of mud he had landed in.Twilight sighed and began the work of assembling her telescope with AppleJack.

A short time latter, Twilight had set up all the star maps and began to use them to find the planets in the night sky. AppleJack stood to the side, looking distantly into orchard below them.

"Ouuuu, I found it! Deus Equestris!"

"Deus who now?" Applejack asked.

"Come see for yourself" Twilight said, making room for her friend to come over and look into the eyepiece.

AppleJack complied and gasped at the sight of the blue-green gas giant.

"Is that really up there?" The Orange mare asked, still transfixed on the eyepiece.

"Sure is! Neat huh? It's a Gas Giant that orbits closer to the sun then we do. It whips around the sun so fast it atmosphere is basically on fire!" Twilight geeked.

"You say that like it's a good thing Twi. I don't think anypony would like walking outside and baking from a light breeze."

"It's just so interesting to me. There are so many different types of planets in our solar system. And I'm gonna see them all tonight."

"Ah got a feeling I'm not as good at this astronomy stuff, as I am applebuckin. Ah can hardly tell all that just by looking at a little orb in the sky" Applejack peeked up from the eyepiece and wandered over to the picnic table. "Feelin thirsty partner?"

Twilight looked from her charts back at her friend. She could study and hold her cider. Twilight was just as free spirited as any other pony. "Okay sure, fill a mug up for me."

Applejack returned with Twilight's mug, and two slices of apple pie from the table.

"Now don't drink it to fast, or you might start seeing stars in a different way." Applejack warned.

Twilight took the mug and pie from her friend with a gracious nod. She sniffed the cider first. Apples, what else?

And took a small sip to test the flavor. It was sweet, it still gave twilight a burning sensation in her throat, but it tasted so good going down she didn't even care. She soon found her mug half full and stopped herself from drinking it to fast, as applejack had warned. Twilight settled down on the ground and took a bit of her pie. It more then complimented the fruity cider.

"This stuff is really good AppleJack. I've never had a hard drink this sweet before." Twilight complimented.

"Well shoot Twi. What did ya exspect I'd have fermented for mahself? No redneck moonshine made here. Yes manm, only the best at Sweet Apple Acres.":

See, she could work and have fun, it was just multitasking. Which she thought herself very good at. A few hours past, and Twilight continued her search for planets in the sky. She had spotted five of the seven planets when she had her forth mug of cider. She was beginning to feel very tired.

Applejack was starting to feel it to, she was layed down on her back. Watching twilight work and sometimes making conversation.

"Hey Twi?" Applejack stood up to say.

"Yeah?"

"You ever wonder if anypony else is up there?"

"I guess. It's possible there Is life on other planets."

"Ah was just laying here, wonderin what its like up there. Maybe somepony up their is wondering what it's like down here."

"Yeah... Do you think we will ever meet them?" Twilight said.

"Ah Hope so. Don't you?" AppleJack looked Twilight in the eyes waiting for her response. But Twilight never got a chance to answer.

The dark night sky suddenly erupted into flaming light as three fire balls seamed to separate and trail off in different directions. Twilight and AppleJack were stunned by the sudden event. All they could do was watch as three flaming trails in the sky fell closer and closer to the ground. Eventually they lost sight of two meteors over the horizon and gasped in terror as the third meteor starting descending directly at Sweet Apple Acres. Before either of them could react, the third meteor slammed into the orchard, tossing trees up like they were toothpicks. The vibrations from the crash on impact made Twilight's insides feel like mush, and she was sure she could see the orange glow of fires starting up in the canopy of the apple trees. The two friends glared at each other in mutual shock.

"What in the hay was that?" AppleJack asked her.

"A meteor,l but I've never seen one that big that didn't get burnt up in the atmosphere." Twilight answered.

. "Quick speaking in fancy Twi! We gotta put out those fires quick. I anit loosing a whole field because of some damn space rock." AppleJack's tone was deadly sober now.

Twilight and AppleJack raced away in the direction where the meteor had fallen. Leaving two pieces of unfinished applepie, and one sleeping dragon behind.

Finding A Way In

The Ark Relay, Control Center.

262,144 light years from Milky Way Galactic core.

John had followed the Arbiter into a strange Forunner structure that the elites had been using as a base of operations. His alien friend walked ahead of him at a brisk pace, eventually leading them into a large open chamber. Half a dozen elites were scattered about the room, working their long four-fingered hands along Forunner terminals and datascreens. Arbiter approached the center of the room where a hologram of a sphere rotated clockwise on a slight tilt of it's axis. John took a moment to take in his surroundings. The chamber was like many he had seen in Forunner buildings, although more intact, more functional. It seemed firing the Halo ring next to the Ark hadn't damaged all it's systems, just the ones closest to the surface.

John heard Arbiter's voice call him over. "Come Spartan, my team has found something that may be interesting to you."

John obeyed and moved beside the alien. The Hologram of the sphere flickered and faded. A new hologram began to form, vaguely humanoid, but lacking any features to define it. The voice however was all to recognizable.

"John. I... I don't know if you'll ever hear this. But I have to try."

"Cortana." John bawked. To hear her voice, to know that it wasn't just in his head... But somehow he had always known she was alive, he had never given up hope.

"I've sent a priority message into space in all directions. When I was onboard the Didact's ship my AI matrix was saved to the Domain, a sort of Forunner database. It contains a wealth of knowledge, more then Dr.Halsey could even imagine. I've become a part of it now, and that's why I need your help. The Domain is alive itself John, and I've talked to it. The Domain was relocated after the Halos fired 100,000 years ago, but its location has been compromised. I've learned the forunners built a massive relay network to travel outside the galaxy, and even into others. The link is still active, and someone is trying to reach it from the outside. The Domain is worried, if its database is obtained by the wrong hands they could use this knowledge to do unspeakable things. I didn't know who else to call, you're the only one I can trust with this burden, humanity isn't ready for this, not yet. There is a link to the relay on each forunner installation, I've already encoded the SlipSpace coordinates into this message so that only you can go through the portal. Help me John, You're my only hope."

Cortana's image froze as the message reach it's end. He still could not make out her features properly, but he was still so dazed at seeing her alive and asking for his help that he didn't care. John felt drunk with emotions he didn't quite understand, but one thing was certain, he had to rescue Cortana from whatever doom was approaching, no matter how far it took him.

"We have been working on removing the SlipSpace coordinates ourselves, but now that you are here it seems we wont have to." The Arbiter said. When John didn't answer, the Arbiter's face soften, as much as an alien face could anyway. "I'm sorry about showing you she was alive like this. In truth, I never thought I would see you again. Much less that I would deliver this message to you."

"Its fine." John said.

"I know how much she may mean to you,I was there to help you both escape High Charity. Only foolishness or love could make any being go through all that. But the message is more important then its speaker, The Domain has been found. Endless knowledge of The Forunners, cycling back to the creation of the Galaxy. We must find it, and we must be there first."

John looked at the Arbiter in the eyes, though the alien couldn't see it.

"You must understand what my race has been through since The Covanant broke up." Arbiter said, moving away from the Spartan. "Civil War, Endless fighting, even Saghellios has been taken from me. And all because of Men."

Two Elites in inclosed combat armor strode up beside The Arbiter, Energy Swords in hand.

"You want The Domain for yourself." John Said.

"I have tried peace, but your kind has made it clear there can never be peace between the Elites and Humanity. Your kind is preparing for a war to destroy us."

"The Covanant almost destroyed Humanity. You've given them every reason to be afraid, The UNSC is only thinking about Humanities future." John Retorted. He began to finger the hilt of his Assault Rifle, ready incase this got ugly.

"And I am thinking of my species future. Like I said, their can be no peace between our races while the other exists. I have spent much time asking forgivness for my transgressions, for all the worlds I burned. But there is nothing I will not do to protect my kind. Even if it means destroying yours." Arbiter now reached for his own energy sword and snapped the power on igniting the blade. The Two elites beside him did the same and John pulled out his AR and looked down the barrel at his former friend.

"I do not wish to fight, all we require is your touch on the control panel. It will only unlock for Humans. Do not make this harder for me then it already is Spartan." Arbiter looked mournful over what was happening sure, but the fact remained that he was trying to get John to betray his own species. A thought suddenly struck John, He lowered his rifle. The Arbiter looked surprised at this, as if he was not expecting it to be this easy, and it wasn't going to be.

"All it takes is a touch?" John asked. Arbiter nodded and deactivated his EnergySword.

John Moved to the center control panel and found a holographic display that was seemingly the perfect size for a human hand. He reached out and touched it. The Control panel lite up in a stream of neon lights that fell into the ground beneath him. Mechanical noises beneath the floor sounded as two pillars of symmetrical design lifted up into the Chamber and seemed to combust in blue fire down the middle. The Portal was open, now for the fun part.

Arbiter was at John's side again. "You have done you're part Spartan, now step aside."

"I don't think so." John moved faster then light, Punching the Arbiter in a cheap blow to the head. Before his foe could recover John let the two grenades he had unclasped and armed fall to the foot of the portal before diving into the blue flames himself. He never felt the explosion, or knew if he had succeeded in destroying the portal before he lept in. But that didn't matter, he would deal with The Arbiter once he saved Cortana. That was all that mattered as he shot through the fabric of space and time, and darkness took him.

Imperial Star Destroy *'Mercy'*

On route to [Forunner] Relay

Imperial intelligence eyes only

Thrawn sat in the captains' chair aboard the mercy an odd name for the mile long warship. Despite its name thrawn found its accommodations more then adequate for the task at hand. The mercy and three other destroyers were traveling through the dizzing blue aura of hyperspace, on route to the mysterious forunner installation. It had been a long trip this far since leaving coruscant, and thankfully Darth Vader had chosen another star destroyer to command. The last thing thrawn wanted when exploring unknown space was a force wielder staring down his back. Throughout the trip Thrawn had been busy studying information provided by The Moniter Droid. The forunners had quite an extensive history to say the least. Thrawn wished he had more time to asses the situation before blindly leaping into the unknown, but The Emperor had given him a direct order, and with Vader present Thrawn dared not try his luck by questioning orders, Vader had been known to kill for less. At least the ISD Destiny had already sent probe droids through the relay. However knowing if they would be able to communicate with them was yet unknown. A young imperil officer approached Thrawn's chair, he couldn't have been much older then 20 standard years, a product of some backwater imperial academy no doubt. Thrawn finished the text he had been reading and turned to face the officer smiling.

"Admerial, we're about to come out of hyperspace." The Officer said.

"Very good, begin diverting energy to the shields." Thrawn still didn't know what lay on the other side of the relay. He admitted privately that he was becoming quite curious himself. But curiosity did not prevent caution. In this case it encouraged it. The star-lines began to return to individual stars as the fleet reentered normal space. The Mercy was dwarfed the relay, not even the almighty Death Star could compare. Where the Death Star mirrored a small moon, this relay looked as if a planet had been cut out at the equator. It was a dull gray all around, no noticeable features from orbit, but imperial agents had already landed on the structures control room to open the way for Thrawn's fleet to pass through.

Thrawn pressed a switch at the aide of his chair and opened his comm to all frequencies. "This is grand Admerial Thrawn speaking, expedition fleet do you read?" Green lights began winking all over the bridge as each ISD reported.

"Agitator standing by."

"Destiny standing by."

"Dictator standing by"

Good all ships were accounted for. "Destiny have you recovered a transmission from any of the probe driods you sent to recon?" A moment passed "Negative Admerial, probes are still transmitting but their signal is too weak to make out"

Fine they were going in blind then. "Copy that destiny. All ships divert power to forward shields and get ready to move on my mark." Thrawn turned the fleetcom off and switched to a local channel. "Ground Team are you ready to access the relay?" "Roger grand admiral. Foreign droid has been showing us how to operate this Tec. Just give us the word." Thrawn went over everything once more in his mind. He had wanted to bring The Monitor along on the expedition in case the fleet ran into any problems operating the relay. But Vader had not liked the idea of a rouge AI being lose in a Star Destroyer. "Ground Team, open the portal." for a moment Thrawn thought they had entered hyperspace again, but they hadn't. The relay was suddenly not hollow but filled with violet a d amber glow. It lite up the bridge of the mercy as though a star had appeared in empty space. Many of the officers couldn't help themselves and stared out the transparasteel windows into the aura of the portal. It danced and shimmered, seeming both solid and liquid at once. Thrawn stood up and walked the short distance to the window. The crew noticed this and snapped out of their gaze and were once again working at their stations, just like the well oiled machine the imperial navy was. "Attention imperial expedition, move forward and follow the mercy through the portal." Thrawn had to be the first to see what was on the other side.

Equestria

Fluttershy's Cottage, Ponyville

Fluttershy had been brewing a cup of tea why she heard hood rats on her cottage door. It was early morning, and she hadn't been expecting any visitors. Reluctantly Fluttershy pulled on her pink robe and went to answer the door. The door creaked open and Twilight Sparkle was seen standing on her porch. "Twilight? Its a little early." Fluttershy said whipping sleep from her eyes.

"I'm sorry fluttershy, I've been up all night and I didn't know who else to come to" Fluttershy now noticed the tired look her friend wore, her mane was unkempt and her eyes were bloodshot. " Oh twilight! You look awful, come on inside I'll get you some tea.

"Fluttershy I." but before Twilight could protest Flittershy grabbed her friend and pulled her inside. "Twilight you came to the right pony. I'll have you feeling better in no time" Fluttershy stuffed a thermometer in Twilights mouth and put her hoof to the purple mare's forehead. Twilight spat out the glass tube and used her magic to gently push Fluttershy away. "I'm not sick Fluttershy, this isn't even about me." Twilight said.

It was just like Fluttershy to be concerned about her friend. Twilight was appreciative but she hadn't come here to be pampered over like a spoiled bunny. "I'm sorry Twilight. What are you doing out here so early in the morning then?" Fluttershy asked. Twilight sighed and sat back on one of Fluttershy's comfortable pieces of furniture. "Last night AppleJack's farm was attacked. I was stargazing for an essay I had to write, and everything just went crazy."

Twilight told the story while Fluttershy sat in stunned silience, only offering a gasp when she mentioned the severity of Big Mac's injuries. "I've sent a letter to the Princess, but she hasn't responded yet. So I thought I would do some research and try and find information on the creature that attacked Applejack's farm. It was no use, there are no records of a creature like this in any of my books. I thought I would ask you since you know all about strange magical creatures." Twilight finished.

Fluttershy took everything in for a moment. Somewhere in the cottage a tea kettle was whistling and boiling over.

"Im sorry Twilight, I've never seen or heard about such a strange creature. Did you... did you kill it?" Fluttershy said.

"I think so, I didn't hit it that hard. It's like it had some sort of self destruct or something." Twilight said.

"I may not be able to help you, but Zecorra knows all about creatures from outside Equestria. If you thing its that important, I'd ask her for help."

Twilight got up from Fluttershys couch and made for the door, pausing to hug her friend.

"Whatever it was. Its gone now Twilight. Try and get some rest before you go trudging through the Everfree okay?" Fluttershy said, breaking the hug.

"I will. If you see the rest of the girls, don't tell them about this just yet. I don't want everypony panicking, we've been attacked by strange creatures before. I'm hoping that's all it was."

"Oh course. But do you think AppleJack would mind if I went to vist Big Mac in the hospital? He's been a good and very reliable pony. I feel like its my duty to ease his suffering if I can."

Twilight Smiled and made her way out. "I'm sure she wouldn't mind. She hasn't left his side since last night, she probably needs your help more then I do." Twilight said,

Angel Bunny appeared by Fluttershy's hoof and began yanking her mane in the direction of the kitchen. "Oh my that's right my tea!" Fluttershy vanished from view and her pet bunny slammed the door shut. Twilight was beginning to feel the effects of exhaustion and the painful throbbing of a hangover in her head. She would get some sleep, there wasn't anything to worry about. If there was, Princess Celestia would have known about it and warned her. Tommorrow she would find Zecora and ask her about the strange creature aswell, maybe she could even bring the mystic zebra to Sweet Apple Acres to survey the body, and crash site. Everything was going to be fine, but then... why did Twilight have a very bad feeling about all this?

Unkown Space

Imperial expedition Fleet.

When the Imperial Fleet had passed through the relay, no time seemed to pass. Every flickering light on the bridge shown solid, every officer sat stiff in their chairs unmoving. Thrawn himself was still staring where the portal had been a moment before, replaced now by an omnipresence white light that flooded the bridge through the transparasteel windows. Oddly enough, Thrawn was aware of all this, even as time seamed to grind to a halt. The Ships were being accelerated faster then any conventional engine could replicate, Thrawn felt like his body was being stretched thin by some unknown force. This distressing sensation ended abruptly as the fleet reentered normal space and time seemed to speed up again.

Everyone on the bridge seemed to exhale at once. Thrawn to let out a little bit of air he hadn't realized he had been holding. But in a moment he regained his composure and began to take control of the situation as all good leaders did. "Capitan Nelliun. Confirm that we are indeed in a different galaxy. Compare starcharts of all known systems."

It took a moment as the crew looked over the data and the sensors scanned the billions of stars that shone all around them.

"Star alignments do not match any known system Admiral. Long range communications with Imperial Centre have been cut. If were not in another galaxy, we must be very far from home." Capitan Nelliun said.

"Admerial, Lord Vader is hailing us from the Dictator. He demands we make contact at once." An officer said.

Thrawn had heard them both, but was still staring out into space. A whole new galaxy, untouched by the wars and factions of their own home galaxy. It was beautiful, and very humbling at the same time. "Admiral?" The officer said again.

Thrawn turned his attention to the officer. "Establish contact with the Dictator." Thrawn doubted Vader shared the sentimentality Thrawn felt about this new Galaxy, but he was under orders to work with him and carry out The Empire's will. And like it or not Vader had almost limitless control over The Empire. He, not Thrawn, would decide their next course of action. No matter how much it burned him inside.

Vader's blue tinted hologram appeared on the bridge, drawing attention from many of the officers, before they nervously tried to look busy, as if Vader could see them if they weren't. Thrawn made a polite bow and addressed Vader. "The first step of the expedition is a success my lord."

"Do not praise that which took little effort admiral. There is much work to be done. I'm ordering the fleet to regroup and travel to a nearby star system." Vader said.

Thrawn's red eyes narrowed in the way they did when he heard something unbelievably stupid.

"My lord, there are millions of star systems for us to investigate. If I may ask, why send the fleet to only one?" He said.

"There is a great disturbance in the Force. It is emanating from this system. That is all you need to know right now Admiral. Prepare TIE squadrons and ground assault teams, have them ready for when I need them." Vader's image shimmered out of sight before Thrawn could ask anything further. The hotness in his flesh burned like a supernova now. This was an expedition to recover technology from The Forunners, not some dammed religious crusade. And on top of that Vader wanted to go in hot to a completely foreign world. Thrawn had a sneaking suspicion that Vader's leadership was going to get everyone onboard the expedition killed.

Equestria

Everfree Forest

Zecora was not a worldly zebra, she kept her modest collection of possessions from her homeland in a cozy treehouse inside the Everfree Forest. But one of the delights she allowed herself was the collecting of ingredients for making potions. Dangerous work in a dense forest with all kinds of predators that liked to eat little ponys for breakfast. Zecora however was not a pony, she knew how to avoid, distract, and when all else failed fight anything that hindered her search for herbs and spices to complete her many brews. She moves silently through the canopy of trees until she found her way into a large clearing. She recognized it as the ancient castle of the two pony sisters. A decrepit relic from a long ago time, and also one of the only places in the forest where the plants she needed grew.

She walked across the rickety bridge and made her way inside the shady castle. It was cold on the inside, colder then it should be. Zecora felt uneasy at the strange change in temperature. She felt something that she couldn't quite describe as well. Something strange and new. Something that didn't belong. She ignored the sensations that sent her gaze shifting rapidly back and forth over each corner and tried to locate clearing where she knew the plants grew. Even for her Zebra senses, the castle was disorienting and easy to get lost in. Every hallway looked the same, every piece od rubble was undistinguishable from any other. Never the less, she found the clearing where the tiny plants had grown from cracks in the marble floors. They were puny things, but very important. With out several mixed in her potions would dissolve through a pony's stomach and everything else that got in the way, rather then cure stomachaches, as was the desired effect.

She plucked several of the steams and folded them into her sack, leaving a few to spare in case she ever needed to come back for more. As she tightened up her sack she began to have that odd feeling again. Something wasn't quite right. She sensed no danger, but a presence. Their was someone else in the castle. Zecora didn't immediately think it was that strange. She had heard from her pony friends that they were trying to restore this castle, but she didn't sense ponies. She knew ponies as much by their features as the way they felt. The Magic they radiated off in waves, be they Pegasus, Unicorn, or Earth Pony. They all felt the same way to her, and this presence was not of their kind, nor was it anything she had felt before. Her curiosity peaked and she tried to hone in on the location of this mysterious being.

After a brief period of concentration, Zecora was sure she had it. She existed the main castle and made for the throne room of the royal sisters. A place with much history to be true. She was very familiar in the lore of the defeat of Nightmare Moon, separated by centuries, and yet it had all happened here.

Zecora entered what was left of the throne room after two climatic battles. She recognized the pedestals where the Elements of Harmony had been locked away. Twilight had once told her the entire tale of how she met her friends. She felt honored to be at the site of such humble beginnings. Without Twilight's help she wouldn't have good relations with the citizens of ponyville after all, and that was one of the smaller deeds that Twilight and her friends had accomplished since they had forged their friendship here.

The room was empty save for Zecora, but she still felt the presence, much stronger now. As if she was right on top of it. To her surprise the pedestal began sinking into the floor as she grew closer. It let out a loud mashing sound as stone rubbed against stone. In its place was a winding staircase that seemed to descend into complete darkness. Zecora reached into her sack and pulled out her firestone. A useful item from her homeland. She spoke the magic words in her native tounge and rubbed the stone until it glowed a bright white light. The shadows disappeared around Zecora, she saw further into the pit before her now, but the staircase still seemed to loop endlessly downwards. Her curiosity wouldn't let her stop now, she had found something even Twilight hadn't known about, or at least she hadn't mentioned it in any of her stories.

Slowly Zecora made her way down the staircase one step at a time. She tied the firestone around her neck with a length a string to light her way. Whatever was down here she felt it growing fainter. Like it was fading just as she was getting closer to its source. She descended in silence, shadows trailing behind her as she went deeper into the earth.

Twilight hadn't remembered when she had fallen asleep. She had simply laid down to rest her eyes while she waited for Princess Celestia to respond. She was still worried about what had happened last night. She remembered the shooting star that had been the cylinder had broken into three separate pieces. One landing in Sweet Apple Acres, and the other two Goddesses knew where. If what happened at the farm was an isolated incident, she would be surprised.

But for now everything seemed peaceful, as it normally was in Ponyville. She looked at the window above her bed and realized it was dark out. Twilight through the sheets off of her and made for the bathroom. When she got there she started to drawn a bath for herself when a knock came at the bathroom door. Twilight turned off the faucet with her magic and answered. She was shocked to see Princess Luna standing in her bedroom.

"Princess? I Wha?" was all Twilight managed to say.

Princess Luna held a stern frown despite the awkwardness of the situation. Which in turn made it even more awkward.

"I suspect you were expecting my sister?" Luna said.

"Well yes, kinda, not like this. I sent her a letter last night about an attack on Applejack's farm. I wanted her to know in case something was happening." Twilight said. She filed out of the bathroom and into the bedroom. Spike was there now, sitting on her bed.

"Heh Sorry Twilight. She just arrived, and well you don't say no when a princess asks you to come in." Spike said.

"I apologize for my intrusion. But this is most important." Luna said. "Twilight have you seen Princess Celestia?"

Twilights mouth dropped open. The Princess was missing? "No, I sent her a letter and was waiting for her response. I guess that explains why she hasn't sent anything back..."

"I have not seen her since yesterday. It is much unlike Celestia to leave without saying anything. Especially to me." Luna said, her frown becoming a painful expression. "I thought maybe at least she would have told you, but it seems I was mistaken."

Twilight thought of possible reasons why Princess Celestia would just disappear. "Do you think she is in trouble?"

Luna looked off distantly for a few moments. "No, I can sense her. She is unharmed. But she is also blocking my attempts to contact her. I believe she left by her own design."

Okay so things weren't as bad as they seemed. Maybe The Princess had a good reason and would explain it to them when she got back. Luna interrupted her train of thought.

"There is another reason why I am here Twilight." Luna said. Twilghts ears pricked up. "In Celestia's absence there is only one ruler on Equestria's throne. I come to invite you to be a temporary princess of Equestria until my sister decides to stop this silliness."

Twilight heard that right didn't she? Luna was asking her to help rule Equestria with her... Twilight felt like the weight of the world had been thrust onto her back. She kept expecting her legs to buckle from the unbearable weight she felt pressing down on her.

"I... I... I cant replace Princess Celestia! I barley know the first thing about being royalty, much less how to run a country. There has to be somepony more qualified then me." Twilght said.

Luna looked down thoughtfully, as if selecting the right words to calm the purple alicorn. "There is no pony more qualified then you. Like it or not you've been a princess for awhile now. You had to know this day would come eventually. Sometimes we must do what is asked of us, no matter the personal sacrifice. I promise you this would only be temporary, you will still be able to return to ponyville once this crisis is over. It's always been your destiny to rule Equestria Princess Twilight, my sister saw it, and now I see it to. I believe in you my friend." Luna finished her speech with an affectionate nuzzle to Twilight's cheek.

Twilight didn't want to believe what was happening. She had briefly been Equestria's only princess when discord's evil plants had captures Luna and Celestia. But she hadn't had to make any decisions that really effected anypony, and she hadn't exactly been formally taught how to be a princess. What if she made a mistake? How would Princess Celestia ever forgive her?

"I... I need to think about it." Twilight said. Luna seemed surprised at her answer but didn't push anymore.

"Very well. Hopefully by the time your mind is made my sister will have returned and I wouldn't have to ask this of you anymore." Luna Paused. "But the offer is still available, Equestria could always use a pony such as you." Luna finished and existed the bedroom.

Twilight joined Spike on the bed and buried her face into the pillows.

"Twilight... What the heck was that?" Spike said.

Twilight seemed taken aback by spikes comment, when she removed the pillow from her face she had a look of surprise written on her face. "What do you mean what the heck?" She said.

"Princess Luna travels all the way from Canterlot to ask you to sit on the throne with her and you don't immediately say yes? What about what happened at Sweet Apple Acres? And now a princess is missing. Equestria could be in danger, and you're going to sit here and scream into your pillows?" The Dragon said.

"Spike I never asked to rule Equestria. It's too big of a responsibility. Princess Luna and Celestia have hundreds of years of experience doing it. And I'm just a silly old unicorn who somehow ended up being a princess." Twilight buried her face in her pillow once more.

"Pony Feathers Twilight. You're just as good if not better then Luna and Celestia." Spike jumped off the bed and headed for the door. "You got to stop being afraid of failure sometime Twilight." With that Spike closed the bedroom door leaving Twilight alone.

Was it really her destiny to rule Equestria? That was what Celestia had been planning for her all along right? Twilight just wished her mentor would have shared that detail with her before she no longer had a choice in the matter.

John's eye's slowly opened. He smelled something minty in the air that made it's way through his helmets filtration. For a moment he almost panicked when his eyes were open fully. He had gone blind! No his Heads Up Display was just black. The normal visual input of his visor was completely dead. The Electronics were likely fried, as he had difficulty lifting his arm to remove his helmet. Without power to his Mjolnir armor was essentially a two ton brick. With some physical strain he was able to remove his helmet. What he saw he was not prepared for.

"look who finally opens their eyes, please be still my patient, you're in for a surprise."

John saw an equine looking creature standing over a boiling caldron, adding unidentifiable plants and different colored vials into the mix. She was stripped like and Earth zebra, and was only about as tall as his knee-height. He was in some sort of hollowed out tree that was decorated with strangely tribal looking décor. To top it all off the thing standing over the caldron seemed to speak in rhyme. Like some twisted Dr. Suess book that he was living. This hadn't been what he expected hell to be like.

Imperial Diplomacy

"How? Wha..." John began to ask before The Zebra interrupted him.

"You seem quite surprised. I take it I am a new creature to behold in your eyes."

Zecora stopped the mixing of ingredients and walked over to John.

"Where the hell am I?"

"This world has had many names over years gone bye. But the modern

Zecora returned to her work and continued to stare at the Spartan that was laying on her sofa. John was thinking rapidly over what he last remembered. Cortana had been alive, and she was somewhere called the Domain. He had crossed the portal on The Ark to find his way there. But instead he was laying defenseless on a Zebra's couch. How was this couch supporting his weight anyway? Okay maybe he was really dead, and this was hell. Although John wasn't naïve enough to believe in Heaven and Hell. He'd seen supposed gods plead and beg for mercy at the end of his barrel. No, He believed in what he could see, and fight.

The more he thought about it the less clear everything seemed to be. If this Zebra was hostile she could have killed him already, but then again he didn't know her or even what she was. Years of shooting and blowing up anything the least bit alien had caused John to be terribly cautious in his interactions with aliens, and normally that caution was legitimate. But maybe this thing could help John find the domain, or someone who did know. If these creatures were even intelligent enough to comprehend forunner technology, and even that was assuming he was on the right planet at all.

Zecora picked up a purple flask with her hooves (how did she do that?) and poured it into the caldron. A golden smoke shot out of it, briefly obscuring John's vision of the zebra mare. When the smoke cleared, Zecora had grabbed a latte and poured the contents of the caldron into a wooden flask. She walked over to John with a soft smile on her face. She offered him the flask.

"I know we have only just met, but someone in need I cannot let go and forget. Drink this and feel your strength return, the wellbeing of a guest is always my concern."

John eyed the mug carefully. Is his suit had been working properly he could have scanned it to detect for toxins. But even then he wasn't convinced he should drink something offered to him by a strange zebra on a foreign world. No matter how empty he was starting to feel inside, after days of wandering the Ark.

"No thanks." John said. "I'd be much more interested to know about this planet. Are there more umm... people like you living here?"

Zecora looked a little disappointed but brightened at the chance to share her knowledge.

" There are many others who inhabit this land. The scale of Equestria is quite grand. Like me however, I'm afraid they are not. Ponies are citizens of canterlot. They are peaceful creatures..." Zecora trailed off in thought for a moment, as if remembering something. 'For the most part. They are kind, brave, and believe in friendship at heart."

Friendship... Great. This really was a children's story from hell. Where did John go so wrong to be stuck in this place? Actually, how did he? He went through the portal and then... What? Nothing, he just remembered darkness.

"Um. Zecora was it? Where did you find me? You obviously know I'm not from around here. Anything you could tell me would help."

"Ah but help what I ask? You were close to death when I found you. Saving the dying is not an easy task." Zecora's exspression tightened and her eyes became slits that seemed to stare into John's own eyes. He felt strangely naked, like zecora was looking into his very mind, just through a glance.

"Before I tell you the story from my end, first I must now where does yours begin?"

John had to take a second to analyze everything she was saying. "I'm looking for a friend."

Imperial Star Destroyer 'mercy'

TIE Squadron omega form up on Lord Vader's person fighter. AT-AT teams what's your ETA?

"AT-AT units ready for deployment sir. Just give us the coordinates." Came the reply.

"Star Destroyer Destiny keep low orbit and prepare to deploy AT-ATs and shuttles at Lord Vader's command."

Thrawn felt the same uneasiness he always did when preparing for a battle. But he shouldn't. Recon droids had picked up no advanced technology or even a real military. These beings, four legged creatures that resembled animals Thrawn had once hunted for game in his youth, were primitive compared to the Imperial fleet around them. He didn't understand why Vader wanted to invade with such force when it obviously wasn't necessary. And how any of it related to their mission he didn't know. Thrawn had wanted to contact the locals in a more diplomatic fashion. They would be more cooperative that way, if they knew anything at all.

Thrawn shifted the holoscreens in front of him and changed to a feed looking at the planet below. Thrawn had picked up a large city that seemed to dwarf the others. Vader had decided this must be the capital city of these alien people and was getting ready to smash whatever government they had and set up a new colony for The Empire. All very well indeed, but Thrawn could have invaded primitive cultures and taken over planets from the comfort of his own fleet in the unknown regions. Instead he was trillions of light-years from any friendly imperial bases and was leading an assault that was both unnecessary and stupid.

Thrawn disagreed with what city was the capital as well. While one city was bigger and more urban it lacked the mark of culture that would done any important place in a civilization. It seemed more thrown together then beautifully crafted. One city however was much more likely to be the capital. Built into the foundation of a mountain, with gleaming spires, marble ascents, and stone statues. It even had a palace of some sort. Suggesting the existence of a monarchy. Vader of coarse hadn't listened to Thrawn's reason and had decided what city would be their target.

It was a simple conquer and control operation, against much less capable opponents. Thrawn didn't feel the thrill of battle, only the cold resignation of knowing they were being lead by a mad man. Vader should have never come out of the clone wars alive, it would have done the galaxy innumerable favors.

Tie Advanced fighter

Equestrian low atmosphere.

Darth Vader sat at the controls of his TIE Advanced fighter. He felt the presence of fifty other fighter's and their pilots flying in formation behind him. He could feel the light side of the force growing stronger as he lowered his fighter towards the planet. Vader could feel it fighting his presence here. The TIEs continued their descent until they broke the cloud barrier. Up ahead was a mildly urban city, nothing like the Urbanscape of Corescant, but impressive for such a weak civilization. Vader signaled the other fighters to slow and opened his comm channel.

"Bombers, destroy the bridges leading into the city. Fighters follow me."

TIE bombers streaked ahead in a brilliant flash of ion engines. In a moment they had reached their destination and unloaded their payloads. Explosions rippled across the city, Vader could sense the panic and fear it created. He let it fuel his actions, as he enveloped himself in the darkside of the force.

Vader's squadron of TIEs reached the city as the bombers finished their attack run and returned to ship. Vader Opened fire at a random building and his wing mates did the same. The Laser fire melted it's supports, and the skyscraper began to give way. Vader turned his fighter away before he could see it tumble down and crush those beneath it. But he felt it, and it felt good. These creatures were so weak, they deserved to be crushed beneath his boots.

Suddenly one of the attacking TIEs ahead of Vader burst into blue flame. A streak of orange color dashing from its hull and into another TIE fighter. Vader saw that it was one of the indigenous species, colorful equine animals that came with a variety of body parts. This one had wings, and was attempting to kick the TIEs Ion engine as it probably did with the other one.

"I've got something on my hull. Sounds like its breaking in." The TIE's piliot said over the Comm.

Vader lined up a shot. "Pilot hold still, I'll get them off you."

Hearing a direct order from Darth Vader had its desired effect. The Fighter slowed to a crawl. Vader let lose his laser cannon. The blast tore through the TIE and in an instant it was a flaming wreckage. 'All to easy.' Vader thought. Just then his cockpit window became obstructed. The alien had survived, and now looked inside at Vader with a rage even he was impressed by. It was female and wearing some ridiculous blue suit that obscured its body. Over its eyes were a pair of goggles that had become cracked. The female removed the goggles and through them from the racing fighter.

Vader could have force choked her or crushed her right there. But there wasn't any fun in total domination. Better save some tricks up his cape, in case he needed them. To his surprise the female started kicking at his cockpit window, and even more surprisingly, it started to crack. Transparasteel was supposed to hold against minor asteroid impacts and small weapon's fire. And this alien was breaking it with her bare hooves. Perhaps he had underestimated them. Vader was intrigued.

The Transperasteel gave way to the intruder and shattered into millions of pieces. Vader's cape fluttered aimlessly in the sudden gust of air breaching the cabin. The female sped at him, with a hoof ready to hit his head. Vader caught it with his augmented mechanical hand. The female looked distressed and then tried to fire another hit with her free hoof. Vader again caught it, and began squeezing with inhuman strength on the female's hooves. She screamed in agony, but kept her eyes locked on Vader. Her rage and courage against impossible odds was impressive, for that she deserved a quick death.

"Why are you doing this?" The female asked. Her eyes had become misty. "Why? Who are you?"

Vader leaned his mask in close to her, his mechanical breathing reaching her face. "I am your death little one. I am the will of The Empire."

The female spit on his mask, momentarily clogging his vision as her saliva ran down his artificial eyes. Vader screamed in fury, drawing his light saber in the enclosed cockpit and cutting the females hooves off by the knee. She didn't scream this time, only looked on distantly like she was somewhere else. Vader gave a shove with the force and sent the female flying out of his cockpit. He turned off his lightsaber and settled back into his chair. He was still furious, and he took his wrath out on a few civilians who had tried to escape the city. ))

Manehatten air space

FleetFoot and Sorin had taken out several of the eyeballs that had appeared from the sky. But it wasn't nearly enough. They had already lost two wonder bolts in the panic and were beginning to lose the fight. Sorin looked about to crack as he dogged incoming green fire from an enemy eyeball.

Fleetfoot saw her teammate in trouble and went to help. Shoving the craft with enough force to send it careening down into the bay.

"Thanks! I thought I was pony toast for a second." Sorin said.

"Don't you dare make lame jokes right now!" Fleetfoot said. "Ponies are dying sorin! We need to retreat and regroup, we're never going to win like this!"

"You know bad jokes is how I deal with bad things. And we cant leave! Spitfire would never allow us to abandon Manehatten like this. Lets find her first and then..."

Fleetfoot was already off before Sorin could finish his sentence. She had spotted spitfire alright. Spotted her falling, looking lifeless right into city of manehatten. Sorin realized this and soon caught up with fleetfoot. Together they dodged buildings and falling debris from the ensuing battle. Spitefire was dangerously close to the ground now and gaining. Fleetfoot and Sorin grabbed her barley a moment before she would have been a mess on the sidewalk. But not by her front hooves, but her back. They had both noticed before grabing her. Spitfire's front legs were missing entirely from her body, though no blood was spilling from the wounds.

"FleetFoot.... Is she?" Sorin tried.

"I... I Don't know. But we cant stay here. If she doesn't need us I have a feeling the rest of equestrian will." Fleetfoot said, looking straight ahead expressionless. Sorin looked at his upsidedown teammate, tears starting to form in his eyes as they left the city of Manehatten to burn.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Twilight was sitting in her old room in Canterlot. Her parents had left Cadence in charge of babysitting while they went to see a movie together. Cadence had been gone a long time and had not come to check up on her. Twilight curiously peaked out her bedroom door. It was dark in the hallway. She felt scared, unsure if she should just wait for Cadence to come back like she always did. Minutes ticked by. She called out "Cadence are you there?" No response.

Lacking any other option she went down the hallway. She tried to flick the lightswitch, but no light came. "CADENCE!" She cried. Twilight felt some primordial fear come over her. Something bad was happening. And she needed to find Cadence, her parents, Shining anypony to help her before it did.

Twilight sprinted through her house as fast as her tiny legs could carry her. But everything was distorted in the dark, the hallway seemed to stretch on forever, until it lead her to a door she hadn't remembered being there. "Cadence are you there?" Twilight whispered, beginning to shake in fear.

"Yes Twilight dear come on in. It's safe here." Cadence's voice answered.

"Cadence what's going on? Why are the lights out?" Twilight asked.

"It's safe here... " Cadence said again.

Twilight opened the door. Turning it with her magic. She saw a lone figure huddled over a small light at the center of the room. It was too dark, she couldn't see if it was Cadence. "Cadence..." Twilight whimpered.

The figure turned back to face her. It wasn't cadence it was a monster, tall black and breathing heavily. In an evil voice it spoke to her. "Hello Princessss." The figure came over Twilight in an instant covering her in darkness until the only thing she could hear were the breathing and her own screams.

Twilight found herself being shaken violently in her bed. A concerned spike looking at her. And Princess Luna was doing the shaking.

"GET UP NOW!" Luna yelled in the traditional Canterlot voice.

Twilight flipped out, partially in the confusion of being woken up, partially because of the lingering terror of her nightmare, and mostly because of the princess screaming in her face. Twilight sent and uppercut into Princess Luna's lower jaw and teleported herself out of bed and onto the roof of the library on instinct. When she had realized what she had done, and that this probably wasn't some other weird nightmare she immediately teleported back.

"OH MY GOSH PRINCESS LUNA I AM SO SORRY OH NO PLEASE DONT..." Twilight

"Save it Twilight. It is fine. I should have known better then to wake you in such a way, but I couldn't get into your dream. Listen I know I gave you a choice before In helping me rule in Celestia's absence, but I need your answer now Twilight."

Twilight's jaw hit the floor. "That.. That was like yesterday princess.. And you need my answer NOW?"

"Twilight something horrible is happening. Equestria is under attack."

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Ponyville Train Station

AppleJack had been waiting patiently for half an hour. She'd been visited by Luna that night in a dream. Or well she thought she had anyway, she told her to wait by the train station for her friends. Half an hour late and AppleJack was starting to think she had dreamt the whole thing up.

'...Pssst...'

AppleJack's ear's perked. She thought she heard something.

"PSSSSSSST"

Okay she definitely heard something that time. AppleJack turned around. Only a few bushes were behind her and the train tracks, nopony in site.

"PSSSSSSSSSST APPPLLLEEJAAACK PSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSST over here!"

AppleJack's Focused on the bush the voice was emanating from, when it moved. No not a bush PinkiePie dressed in forest camouflage and dyed green hair. "Uh beg my pardon pinkie, but uh, why are you a bush?"

"Princess Luna told me to be extra special careful so I hid about an hour ago waiting for you guys to show up."

"Stars and Apples. So I'm not just having crazy dreams. Wait I've been here about half an hour pinkie, why didn't you let me know you were there?"

"I was just really getting into character." Pinkie said with a giggle. She ran her hoof through her hair returning it to its pink color, and as for the camo suit. well applejack hadn't caught where she put it so fast.

"Well now that I know for sure this is serious I wonder what's taking the others so long."

"Well I don't know about the others but princess Luna is with Twilight right now." Pinkie said with a smile.

"Wait how do you know that?"

"Duh Princess Luna can talk to ponies in their dreams silly. "

"But you're awake?"

"Uh Hu. Oh look Rainbow and Fluttershy are here!"

Sure enough the Pegasi landed within moments of one another.

"Oh I'm so sorry for being late, The animals get so scarred if I'm not there at night. It took them awhile to calm down."

"The only reason they get scarred when you're not there fluttershy is because you baby them so much. Animals in the wild wouldn't get scared being alone at night." RainbowDash said.

"Oh yeah, and whats YOUR excuse Rainbow?" Fluttershy shot back.

Rainbow shrugged "I don't have one, I was just sleepy."

"Hate to interrupt you two, but have any of yall seen rarity? AppleJack asked.

"No" was the group consensus.

"Ou! I know what to do!" Pinkie said and dashed off.

The groups of ponies didn't have to wait long. In a few seconds Pinkie had returned carrying a very grumpy rarity in tow.

"Unhand me you brute! Face me like a lady!" Rarity said as she thrashed in pinkies hooves. Unable to see her friends around her with an blindfold eyemask on. Pinkie set rarity down, and she wobbled around dizzily for a moment before removing her blindfold.

"What the? How did I end up here? And in the DIRT!" Rarity squealed.

"You were supposed to be here earlier. Didn't you get the message from Princess Luna?" AppleJack said.

"Message? No. Well I mean there was that whole dream business where she told me to meet my friends at the train station and blah blah Equestria's fate may depend on it. But that was just a dream... right?"

Applejack pointed a hoof towards the rails and station behind them. Rarities eyes's widened in realization.

"Opps my bad. But you can hardly blame a lady for wanting her full 12 hours beauty sleep." Rarity said with a huf before joining the others.

"All that's left is Twilight and Princess Luna. I wonder where they are..." AppleJack said.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

"You're friends have all gathered. Are you sure its best to not meet them in person?"

"No. If they new what I was doing they would want to be there with me. We cant risk putting all The Elements of Harmony and Equestria's last princess in the same place. It wouldn't be safe for any of us.

"Very Well. I will tell them to go to The Crystal Empire to await further orders."

"There's no need. Spike will take care of them, lets just focus on doing whatever we have to do to save Equestria."

Luna and Twilight banked left and headed for the mountain city of Canterlot.

______________________________________

Pinkie ears drooped as she caught that last part. Twilight wasn't coming with them?

Spike stepped into the light of the train station and caught the group's attention.

"Spike!" Applejack rushed forward. "What is all this about? Where's Twilight? Where's the Princess?"

Spike had a grim look and stared at his feet. A single quill and piece of parchment hung from his clawed hand.

"They're not coming." Spike said. "Twilight went off with Luna. They flew off before I could catch them, and told me to tell you guys to go to the Crystal Empire along with me..."

"What? Why would she do that spike? I thought Equestria was in danger?" Applejack asked.

"It is! They made that much clear. I don't know exactly what happened, but Luna was talking like a war had broken out."

"A war? Oh don't be silly Spiky wiky, Equestria has been at peace for eons. what kind of war could possibly happen here? Are you sure you heard them right?" Rarity said offering her hoof out to touch spikes cheek.

Spike removed rarities hoof and glared angrily at her. "I know what I heard! Twilight is going to Canterlot to sort this crisis out, and she thinks its best if all of us are far away from her right now." Spike said.

The group turned to look at each other. No pony made a sound as they digested what they had just heard. AppleJack was the first to speak. "Well what do yall think?"

"What do I think? I think we should take the train to Canterlot and find our best friend! I don't care how holier then thou Twilight being a princess has made her. She should no better then to try and give us orders." Rainbow said.

"I think we should listen to Twilight, she's always had our best interests at heart. And if she says we need to go somewhere safe, well I think it's a good idea." Fluttershy said.

"If Twilight had wanted us along she would have asked. I for one have to agree with fluttershy. If twilight doesn't think its safe for us to be there then we should respect her judgment and do what she says." Rarity said.

Pinkie didn't answer when it came to her turn. She was looking off distantly at the full moon. Instead applejack chimed in.

"Honestly Ah don't want to leave our friend behind. But she's not just our friend anymore, she's a Princess. If Equestria is gearing up for some sort of conflict then I'll do my part. Even if Ah don't like it very much."

"They're watching us." Pinkie said suddenly. The groups attention focused on the pinkie mare.

"Who's watching us Pinkie?" Applejack asked.

"The Galactic Empire." Pinkie said with a scowl.

"Huh?" the four other ponies called out in unison.

"Oh you guys haven't been paying attention have you?" Pinkie said with a smile. "Come on we gotta get to Canterlot fast!"

"Canterlot? I thought we agreed to go to The Crystal Empire like Twilight said?" Applejack asked the pink mare.

"Um I'm going with Pinkies plan." Rainbow said. "You do have a plan don't you?"

"Pinkie always has a plan dashie. Start taking notes. Where is that lovable old draconaquis anyway?"

Fluttershy gasped as her slippers suddenly jumped off her feet and formed together. A moment latter the slippers molded into the form of Discord.

"Oh Fluttershy, I would not be a good friend if I didn't compliment how clean your hooves are. It must be all that spa time with Rarity hmm?" He looked over the stunned ponies. "What you called right?"

"Discord, next time you want to be my slippers just ask okay?" Fluttershy said.

"Hmm very well. But you all weren't going to invite me to your train-station slumber party on your own now were you?" Discord levitated off the ground a few inches before flipping completely over. "So I snuck in. Whats all this I hear about war in Equestria? I figured it was something like that, my power has been growing recently."

Pinkie Pie pulled discord aside and sat him on the train station's wooden planks.

"Take us to Canterlot please!" Pinkie said.

"What do I look like? A cab service?" Discord responded. "Although I am rather curious about what's causing all this lose chaos."

"Now hold on just a minute." AppleJack Said. "If were zappin anywhere, were going to the Crystal Empire."

"Stop being such a mule AppleJack. Twilight might need our help, all of us. Come on we've saved Equestria loads of times. What's so different about this?" Rainbow Dash argued.

"Whatever it is, its bad enough for Twilight to send us away. I trust her judgment more then my own"

"See that's the problem. Ever since Twilight became a princess everyone acts like she is infallible. Well I think she's making a mistake by leaving her friends behind. "

Discord was behind rainbow and pinkie lounging and eating popcorn while he watched the group argue. When he grew bored of that he decided to make a suggestion.

"How about I Zapp you over to The Empire." Discord snapped his fingers, in a flash of magic all five ponies were shifted violently in space, though none of them experienced any of it. In a instant the group had been transported to the frozen wasteland outside the Crystal Empire. "An I'll go check on pretty princess sparkle myself?"

The ponies all shivered at the drastic change in temperature. Discord disappeared in a flash of light and a giggle, leaving the ponies to catch their Barings.

"Couldn't he have at least teleported us INSIDE the city?" Rarity complained.

"Real reformed character you got there flutters" Rainbow said.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Twilight and Luna had hardly landed before they were surrounded by a mob of ponies. Canterlot guards rushed to make way for the princesses. A frenzy of media and civilians tried to bombard their questions to the princesses. It only came off as a confusing sea of voices, some concerned, and others just wanting to know how their princesses would react to a direct attack on Equestria.

They made the short distance to the castle in no time. Inside Luna's head consular lead them to the seldom seen, and even more seldom used Canterlot war room. The room was painted Maroon, and featured a mosaic of Celestia leading troops into some long ago battle. A long Oak table was already attended by the Equestrian security cabinet. Earth pony generals with medals and badges of every merit, Unicorn spelllords who were suited with magical amulets to improve their power, and a stern looking group of Pegasi lead by the director of the Wonderbolts himself Chief Lightning Rush. Twilight recognized him from memorizing all the wonder bolt information to quiz rainbowdash.

The thought of her friends made the tense situation melt away for a moment. Twilight wondered about her friends, and hoped spike had been able to convince them.

'Oh don't worry about them' a little voice said in Twilights' Ear.

Twilight looked around, but nopony was directly talking to her. Luna had gone to speak with some delegates from the Griffon Kingdoms' before the session began.

'this is your inner conscience Princess Twilight. I'm here to tell you your angsty about being a princess and are a control freak.'

twilight recognized that voice. And she didn't call herself princess in her head either. "Discord?" twilight muttered under her breath. On no she did not have time for this now. She sooo did not need whimsical nonsense right now.

discord manifested as a bust that had once been the head of general firefly.

"You know I never saw you as one for politics Twilight. I always saw you as an action kind of girl" Discord bust said.

"This is different. And you better get out of here right now!" Twilight said.

"Is it different Twilight? Is it?" The bust was returned to normal as a miniature Discord floated out in from of Twilight's face. "I just came to tell your I've taken your friends safely to The Crystal Empire"

Twilight felt a great pressure leave her knowing her friends were safe. "I guess I have to thank you for that. Maybe now I can focus on being a Princesses."

Discord yawned. "Yes good luck with that. Though there is little I find more boring then a political drama. So I'll sit this one out." Discord shaped his fingers and disappeared in a tiny flash of light. 'I will be watching though, if you need me, all you need to do is wake me. Ha he he Haa'

Twilight felt a renewed sense of confidence. Like a lot of ponies she doubted her own abilities sometimes, but in a crunch Twilight Sparkle would always come through for you. Twilight made her way to where Luna was still talking to the griffon delegates. Upon spoting twilight, Luna broke off her conversation and turned to twilight. "Ah Twilight. We were just about to find you, the war session is about to begin."

"Have you ever been to a war session before?" Twilight asked.

" The last time one was necessary, I was Nightmare Moon and was the cause of a state of emergency in the first place. So no."

"I'm just afraid ponies will ask me questions I don't know the answers to."

"There is no shame in ignorance. There are many things we don't know for sure yet. Mainly who the fuck attacked our city."

Twilight gasped. "Luna?"

"Oh dear pardon my harsh tounge. It comes out sometimes in these situations." Luna admitted.

Luna sad down at a regal throne at one end of the table. Twilight took up position beside her. Preferring to stand rather then sit. This seemed to be the signal for the war session to begin as the room went silent. "Benefactors and Leaders of Equestria. I Princess Luna come before you today with grave news. Equestria has been attacked by some unknown force." concerned murmurs broke out around the table that were silenced by Luna raising a hoof. "Manehatten has been hit very badly. Emergency services cannot enter the city, as it is being held by the attackers. We expect casualties to be in the hundreds of thousands."

No pony spoke this time. Only contemplated over what Luna had just said. Wonderbolt detachment Alpha was stationed In Manehatten at the time. Lieutenant Fleetfoot is here to give us a full report on the incident before we come to any major decision."

At the other end of the table twilight recognized the wonder bolt Fleefoot from rainbowdash's constant fangirling over that team. She was out of uniform and looked beat up. The mare cleared her throat and spoke to the session. " Me Sorin and Spitfire were just making our rounds at some manehattenite bars. We were in uniform so we got in for free. Once spitfire was halfway through her second and me on my forth pint, we felt a rumble in the ground and heard screaming outside" fleetfoot paused to collect herself. " There were so many dead ponies already, fires had broken out, glass and smoke everywhere. Me and Sorin decided to try to save as many ponies as we could. We flew above the smoke and that's when I saw it."

"Saw what fleetfoot?" Luna asked gently.

"A monster. Huge, as big as a city. And it was just floating in air, like magic."

Fleetfoot shoke her head, And put her hooves over her face. "That's when things really went bad. These eyeball looking things, as tall as a house were flying around shooting things. Spitefire saw one of them take down a whole skyscraper, so she gave chase. Me and Sorin hooked up with the local wonderbolts and tried to push the attackers back. It didn't go well. Two went down, the rest of us flead, but not before I saw her falling. Commander Spitfire engaged with the enemy and lost two front hooves. I don't know what they did to her, it was like her legs were cut off and immediately cauterized. It was the only thing that kept her from bleeding out."

"Did you Interact with the attackers at all when you were saving ponies?"

"If by interact you mean attack then yes, we did plenty of interacting."

" I mean to know if they can communicate. We have to consider that this may be a mistake of some kind." Luna said.

" Excuses my bluntness princess, but this was no fucking accident." fleetfoot said rising her voice. "My CO is permanently crippled, and thousands are dead."

"Luna meant no disrespect for Spitfire or Manehatten." Twilight interjected. "We must consider all possibilities." Twikight acknowledged an impressed look from Luna with a nod and continued. "What about these eyeballs? Were they made of metal?"

"That's what I thought, but I've never seen metal like that before." The Pegasus mare answered.

"And spitfire's injuries, you said it looked like her legs had been burned off?"

"in a way. I'm no medical pony, but they were cleanly cut off with lots of cauterized flesh." Fleetfoot shivered at the image she must have been reliving in her mind.

"Princess Luna. This account sounds awfully similar to my friend Applejack's brothers wounds." Twilight said.

"You believe these events were connected?" Luna asked.

" I can't be sure. But I think I've figured some of it out. These eyeballs, and the spider are all machines. More advanced then anything Equestria has made."

"If these are indeed only machines, then it is yet to be seen who pulls the strings. Still knowing of your account at sweet apple acres makes the idea of this attack being a mistake less likely. We must consider the possibility that they have been watching us and planning this a long time. In that case, I offer any ideas for an effective battle plan." Princess Luna said.

General Sour Taffy steeped forward. An earth unicorn with a stylized mustache and a combed back mane.

"Fillydelphia, Las Pegasus, Ponyville, and Cloudsdale have all begun conscripting for an emergency militia, but they will not stand a chance against this enemy of their own. We must concentrate our forces here in the capital where we can more easily defend ourselves."

"Cloudsdale will not send any more of its own to defend other cities. I will allow use of the wonderbolt reserves to defend key cities. But I will not send my troops into suicidal combat zones." Chief lightning rush interrupted.

"Nopony is asking you to yet chief. " Luna said. "Our first priority should be aiding the ponies of Manehatten. Not forceful conscription and calling the reserves.

General Sour Taffy frowned and let out a sigh. "Princess Luna, as much as we appreciate your sense of morality. We are under attack and occupation by an unknown enemy. We need to prepare for the worst now, while we still can

Your sister would know this to be true, and she would do everything to fight this evil.

"Where is celestia?" a unicorn mage asked. "We have not seen or heard from her since this all began."

"Celestia has been missing. Vanished without a trace, not even a note left behind." Luna said.

"Why has Celestia abandoned us?" the mage asked.

"With out Celestia our ground troops will lose moral quickly."

"Who will lead our forces into battle Princess Twilight?"

The last comment hurt a little but but Twilight slammed her front hooves on the table to draw everyponys attention.

"ENOUGH! Princess Celestia may be gone, but we've got two Princesses left and a responsibility to carry on." Twilight pointed her hoof at the mage. "I want you to gather a team of medical unicorns for survivors in manehatten. Chief Thunder rush, can cloudsdale provide cover for a team to slip into the city?"

"Its possible we could create a fog that would allow for a stealth infiltration. But the strategic value of manehatten was lost when the enemy destroyed the infrastructure. We would be wasting any resources to take back the city at this point."

"Then its a good thing I don't plan to take it back. At least not by force." Twilight replyied

" With all do respect Princess, force is our only option at this point." Thunder rush said.

"From firsthand experience and Fleetfoot's account were obviously outmatched. Before we condone an action that will lead to war, I propose we try to communicate with these beings, whatever they may be." Twilight announced.

"Are you sure this is wise Princess Twilight?" Luna asked.

"Think about it this way Princess Luna. Manehatten was an obvious show of force. But no other cities have been attacked. This suggests that this attack was part of a larger strategy, as like chief Thunder rush said, strategic importance of the city was lost in the attack. They disabled outlr biggest city, our most industrial to frighten us." Twilight exclaimed.

Luna looked thoughtful at that before replying. "Celestia places good faith in you Twilight." Luna turned to the delegation again. "I am prepared to support Twilights plan. We will attempt to make contact while at the same time supplying a relief effort into the city. If diplomacy fails us well... I want the Equestrian armed forces ready at a moments notice. This meeting is adjourned."

The delogation dismissed through the double doors into the war room to plan and put their plan into action. Luna waited until only her,twilight, and the royal guards remained before relaxing. She let out a sigh and slouched slightly in her throne. "That was exhausting." Luna commented.

"We both might have to get used to it if this really does turn into a war."

Luna shook her head in frustration. "let us hope it does not come to that then. I envisioned taking up Celestia's throne to be joyous and rewarding. I did not think I would lead the nation into the brink of war." Luna got up and made for the Double doors. Twilight followed. "how do you propose we communicated with this new threat Twilight?"

Twilight thought for a moment. "I actually think the will come to us first princess."

Star Destroyer 'Mercy'

Admiral Thrawn sat at the captains chair on the bridge of the mercy. He felt rather antsy, a characteristic unbecoming of a chiss. Perhaps he was still wondering about the civilization they were overtaking. He felt he should be down there himself. Overseeing the more delegate matters of an invasion. Vader's rushed attack would create fear, but without direction that fear would be useless to anyone in the empire. Given enough fear might drive them to become desperate and lash out. The last thing Thrawn wanted was to give Vader a reason to kill this civilization rather then just enslave it. Turawn almost felt bad for the creatures, but he also had gained a unique respect for them when he had studied their culture. A culture that could teach no one if Vader decided they weren't worth the effort.

Thrawn felt the urge to do something his younger self called adventurous and his current self called foolish. He keyed the switch on his armrest to the main hanger bay. "This is Thrawn, prepare my shuttle for departure"

A Message From The Stars

Spike awoke to the sound of ponies screaming, and the smell of smoke. He looked around widely confused, partially because of the mud he was covered in, and also because Twilight and AppleJack were gone! That was them screaming! Spike started off down the hill, he heard Twilight firing her magic and thought he could make out AppleJack's voice from further along the orchard. It looked like some sort of fire had spread in the orchard and was burning several tree's along spike's path. Spike saw the bushes rustle up ahead of him. He took cover behind a tree, scared that what ever everypony was screaming about was after him. He peered around the tree and saw Twilight and AppleJack looking battered and bruised. He looked up and saw that they were carrying the red stallion Big Macontosh on both their backs. Along with the help of Twilight's magic.

"Twilight!" Spike said running from the cover at the sight of his friend.

"Spike! Come with us. I don't know if it's safe out for any of us." Twilight said.

Spike now saw the reason why the two mares were carrying Big Mac. He had a severe burn that had blasted off a chunk of his ear. as well as a burn across his left flank. His apple Cutiemark separated by seared pieces of flesh. It looked as if he had been cut by a sword of fire.

"What happened to Big Mac?" Spike asked.

"We don't have time to explain right now, just stick close." Twilight said. "After we get Big Mac some help. I'm going to need to write to the princess."

Imperial Centre, Corescant.

Throne room of the Emperor.

Thrawn could not see the logic in the Empire's obsession with black and white, it left a strangely metallic taste in Thrawn's mouth. The Emperor certainly had no lack of the colors in his personal throne room .The room was empty, save for Thrawn. He sat with a datapad in hand. He was dressed in the white uniform of an imperial admiral. His blue skin and red eyes were a stark contrast to the other admirals. His Chiss features made him unique in appearance as well as status. He was the only non-human to ever reach the rank of Grand Admiral in The Empire.

A sudden motion of the double doors to the throne room drew Thrawn's attention away from his studies. Two Red Dawn guards strode in, electrostaff's in hand. When they had completely flowed in, a lone dark figure strode in at a leisurely pace. His cloak's hood was drawn, and he walked with a cane. The Emperor's Appearance was deceiving, as was his character. Thrawn stood up in respect of The Emperor as he preceded in. He was not alone either. The Mechanical breathing of Darth Vader echoed off the durasteel throne room as he followed his master. The Emperor took a seat in his throne and motioned for Thrawn to approach.

"Grand Admiral Thrawn. We have much to discuss." The Emperor Said.

"Indeed." Thrawn said, his red eyes narrowing into slits.

Darth Vader looked down at Thrawn from his masters side.

"Thrawn. I thought you were enforcing The Empire's rule in the backwater of the galaxy."

"I was, until we found something interesting." Thrawn said as he drew up a hologram of a shiny ring structure. Mile-long StarDestroyers were miniaturized to show the entirety of the ring.

"This Installation was found by my Starship while on patrol in the unknown regions. It is massive. Bigger than the Death Star. And made by beings far beyond our technological ability." Thrawn paused and looked up at Vader. "Do you know what this is dark lord?"

Vader remained silent. "It is a portal. A relay that can send ship's outside the galaxy." Thrawn said with dramatic effect.

"Impossible." Vader said.

"Impossible is a harsh word. Impossible for our technology? Yes. But we have recovered so much information about the race that built it. They were highly advanced beings, able to create stars and whole worlds."

Vader look unconvinced despite his expressionless mask.

"How can you know this?" Vader Asked.

Thrawn smiled and projected a new image. A shiny gray ball with a yellow eye in it's center.

"This is an AI that hailed out ship as we approached the installation. The Forunners as this AI calls them, built this relay to escape their galaxy, and built the AI to run it's systems. It seams that something caused them to all to disappear. This AI doesn't seam to know much about that sadly. But, it is being cooperative and telling us everything it does know. With it's help, I believe we can control and activate the relay on demand."

The still holo began to play, a digital voice chirped out of the ball.

"Greetings! I am 112 Watchful Keeper. Moniter of relay installation 013. I must say it was surprising to see Reclaimers in this part of space. I was under the impression Reclaimers were only exsistent in their home galaxy" The orb said.

"You say home galaxy as if you weren't referring to this galaxy." Thrawn's voice said from somewhere off screen.

"My installation is an exstra-galactic construct. My installation was part of a project to send my creators outside of the galaxy, where they would be safe from the Halo's effect." Keeper said.

"These Halo's, are they similar to your installation?" The Chiss's smooth voice said.

"Uncertain, my creators limited my knowledge of all other strategic installations. I was only told that the Halo's would devastate the galaxy, and that it was my mission to escape it. I have been unable to accesses the other relays for quite some time. 100,000 years in fact. Perhaps the Halo's were fired pre-maturely, it would explain why no-one has come through the relay or even tried to access it. Until now that is."

"What would you need to do to activate the relay again?"

"The command override for all Forunner installations is passed on to the reclamers. All we would have to do is take one of yours and activate the control room. A console there should recognize a reclaimer's touch."

"What happened to your masters? The Forunner?"

The little Orb hesitated. "I assume they're all dead." Keeper said.

The Holo froze again and Palpatine was the first to speak.

"Do you see now Lord Vader? We have unwittingly stumbled upon a weapon cache from a dead race. With their technology, we could rule the galaxy in fear that has never been felt since the Death Star appeared over Alderan." Emperor Palpatine said. "Admiral Thrawn, since you have made this discovery, I will grant you the honor of being the first expedition through the relay."

"As interesting as this discovery is, we still do not know where this relay will take our ships. Or if they can even survive the trip. I would advise sending probe droids to recon ahead of our fleet" Thrawn said.

"Very well Grand Admiral. You will report what you find to me and me only. The rest of the Empire mustn't know of this discovery. Less our enemies use it against us." Palpatine said.

Thrawn gave a polite but somewhat hesitant bow toward Palpatine and went off to plan the expedition.

Palpatine sat up from his throne and the holo blinked off. Palpatine strode down the stairs and walked with Vader

"Your mission is to recover whatever weapons you can from this long-dead race. If they are indeed as advanced as the Grande admiral believes. You will cross with a fleet of my finest Star Destroyers, With Admiral Thrawn at command. If you find any resistance, you will crush it. And when you have indeed found something useful you will bring it before me. Is that clear Lord Vader?"

"Yes master."

"Good." Palpatine approached his balcony with his apprentice. The setting star cast a red color over the city, turning the reflective durasteel of the imperial district's many skyscrapers and buildings the color of blood. Palpatine leaned on the railing and looked distantly into the citycape. Two Star Destroyers were descending in the distance, their towering landing gear open. Vader stood at the door to the balcony, watching his master.

"Have you sensed it yet my apprentice?" Palpatine said. Turning to Vader.

"I have sensed a disturbance in the darkside master." Vader looked prosthetic feet. "I believe it was is my son."

Palpatine turned back to his apprentice. "What you have sensed, I to have felt. The DarkSide grows weak, bleeding like a wounded beast. Your son however is not responsible."

"Are you certain?" Vader Asked.

"I am always certain my apprentice. Young Skywalker is not strong enough to cause such an shift in the balance of the force. No. I believe that the discover of this relay, and the shift of power is related. If there are indeed beings who can harness the light side of the force on the other side of this relay, you must dispatch them Lord Vader. We may have cleansed this galaxy of the filth of The Jedi, but even the Empire's reach is limited."

"I will destroy any who oppose the darkside." Vader said, tightening his mechanical hand into a fist.

"Good, good. Soon our ultimate victory will be complete my friend. With this new technology, The Empire will never die."

Installation 00 'The Ark'

John spotted two elites in the scope of his sniper rifle. One was leaning on a revenant picking his mandibles. The other stood cross-armed, clutching a plasma rifle and looking off into the desert. John would have normally spattered their alien brains all over the sand with a .50 by now. But the galaxy had changed. Some elites were still fighting a holy war, even against their own kind. But others were in league with the Arbiter, and sought to make peace with humanity. It was no longer open season on any alien that got in John's way he could unwittingly start a second war if he killed the wrong ones.

John lowered his sniper and looked at his Friend or Foe display located on his HUD. The Elites were displayed as red dots. Red is dead, Yellow be mellow. But John still hesitated. He wanted to know why Elites were on The Ark at all. What could they possibly be doing here if they weren't worshiping some Forunner toliet or something?

John's Friend or Foe (FoF) display suddenly lite up with a half dozen knew dots, right behind him. With one quick reflex, John holstered his sniper and pulled out his MA5 Assault Rifle. The Shimmering outlines of invisible Elites twisted the desert behind them into an unnatural image. John was ready to squeeze off a few rounds into the leaders abdomen and make for some cover when the first stealth field dissipated reveling the operator. John immediately let off of the trigger.

"I knew we had some company. But I never expected to see you here." The Arbiter said. He stood a foot and a half taller then John. His ancient grey armor looked slightly more banged up then when John had last seen it. The scars of countless battles he had fought in the four years while John had floated unconscious through deep space.

"Arbiter?" John said. "What are you doing out here?"

"I was about to ask you the same question Spartan. We saw the end of both the covenant and the flood here.It seems fitting that we are reunited on this strange world." The towering elite said, his four maniples clicking in the strange motions of sagheili speech. Several more of the aliens appeared behind him, they looked nervous at the sight of a human John's size And he didn't blame them.

"Come, I have much to show you. Our meeting here was no mere coincidence." The Arbiter said, walking off in the direction of the elite's John had been observing through the scope of his sniper. The other elite's followed, casting nervous glances back at John who stood there unmoving.

What was Arbiter going to show him? How could he explain how he decided to leave the UNSC and start chasing ghosts? Any sane being would think John was insane, but that wasn't the real issue here. He hadn't seen The Arbiter in years, and even though he had been leading the way for peaceful relations between humanity and the elites, that didn't exactly make him trustworthy. The brief alliance between their species was made out of desperation in a time where a greater threat loomed over all creation. But now? Humanity was playing proxy wars with the elites, arming the religious fanatics while pretending to be friends. And some elites, perhaps The Arbiter himself felt pretty sore about humanities' behavior.

Could this be a trap? Maybe. But John had fought out of traps before, and a part of him wanted to trust that the arbiter meant him no harm. If he could even harm John at all. Against some of his better judgment he followed the group of aliens into the whipping sands. In the corner of his eye he saw her standing there. Like before he ignored the ghost. But inside he felt reassured, like she was guiding him to where he was meant to go.

Sweet Apple Acres, Ponyville

Twilight and AppleJack had been galloping less than a minute before they reached the impact site. A clearing had been created. Apple trees were burning, giving the area an eerie red glow. Instead of the fragments of a meteor as twilight had expected, the center of the crater had a metallic black cylinder jutting out from the scorched ground.

"What in the wide world of Equestria." AppleJack said.

The mares stood at the edge of the clearing. Twilight was the first to step forward.

Twilight's horn began to glow with magic as she summoned a spell. AppleJack was still just staring at the cylinder, her concern about her orchard lost at the site of the strange object. "Come on, we can figure this out later. I know a spell for putting out fires." Twilight said.

A twig was snapped somewhere behind the mares making them both jump in surprise. They turned around to see a familiar red stallion approaching them.

"Big Mac?" AppleJack said. "What are you doing up so late?"

"Ah Was sleepin. Then ah heard a loud bang and felt the house shake. Came out to investigate." Big Mac looked behind the mares at the spreading fire. "What in the? Sis why is the orchard on fire?"

"No time for splannin Big Mac. We gotta put out these fires fast before we lose the whole crop!"

"Eyup." Big Mac said with determination.

Twilight got to work extinguishing the burning tree's while AppleJack and Big Mac stomped out the smaller fires with their bare hooves. Eventually the clearing grew dark again as the last of the fire was put out. Twilight then turned her attention to the cylinder, she could see now that it was buried partially in the ground.

"I've never seen a meteor like that before." AppleJack said, approaching twilight's side.

"I'm not so sure it's a meteor AppleJack." Twilight lifted her hoof and touched the shiny black surface of the cylinder. It was cold to the touch. "In fact I have no Idea what this is."

Big Mac had been too preoccupied with the fire to notice the cylinder. He know stood behind his sister, looking curiously at it.

"Is this what's causing us so much trouble?" He said.

Big Mac never got an answer from the mares. A low humming sound was coming out of the depths of the apple-farm. The sound was growing louder as if it's source was moving toward the group of ponies. The group stood stunned, listening to the growing humming that carried in the trees toward them. Twilight was the first to react, divining horn-first into the cover of a nearby bush. AppleJack and Big Mac soon decided Twilight had the right idea, and hid themselves as well.

Twilight peered out of the bush just enough to see the clearing and black cylinder. The unnatural humming continued until the source was reviled. Twilight gasped at the sight. What appeared to be a large floating spider lazily hung over the ground. It had eyes all around a dome on what twilight believed to be its head. Many arm-like appendages hung below the dome, moving in random jerky motions. The Spider stopped and a long black rod extended from it's dome. It then began speaking in some unintelligible language, but it wasn't talking to anyone as far as Twilight could see.

The Spider lowered it's rod and began to float away, when AppleJack and Big Mac broke their cover and stepped in it's path. What was that crazy pony doing? This thing was taller then some of her appletrees, and who knows what else it was capable of.

"Now you listen here you weird spider thingy." The orange mare said. "Ah don't take kindly to anyone setting fires on my apple farm. Ya'll should just move along and go back where you came from. Right Big Mac?"

"Eyup"

The Spider studied applejack for a moment, swirling it's domed head around to look at her with different pairs of eyes. It let out more of its strange language and lunged at the farm pony. AppleJack was too fast however, she ducked as one of the spider's arms reached out for her. Instead it grabbed her hat and took it off her head.

"Oh now you're just asking fer it. Lets defend our farm brother." Applejack said.

The Spider lurched back and raised AppleJack's hat to its eyes. It seemed to be very interested in the hat, until Big Mac and AppleJack both attacked it from the side. Using powerful bucks and front kicks, they seemed to momentarily disable the spider. It fell to the ground hard but recovered and regained it's low altitude. The spider began firing bolts of red energy at the two ponies from one of it's many arms. Twilight's friends were not expecting this, and applejack barely dodged a barrage of red energy sent her way. Big Mac however, was not so lucky.

The Stallion took two hits from the red bolts. One almost hitting his head, instead it passed through Big Mac's right ear, burning the whole body part off. Another grazed by his cutie mark, leaving a smoldering wound that tore the stallion's flesh like a hot knife through butter. Big Mac collapsed, screaming in agony. AppleJack heard her brother's distress and was at his side in a moment attempting to get him up as the spider moved in for the kill.

Twilight lashed out her magic at the spider, sending her own energy beam directly at it's eyes. She got a direct hit. The spider tumbled backward, still afloat, but disoriented from the sudden attack. Twilight seized the opportunity, taking off from her hiding place and firing again at the spider's eyes. She missed most of her shots, and the spider began to return fire at the new threat. In doing so, it had taken its attention off AppleJack. The farm pony galloped the short distance to the spider and jumped onto it's domed head. This sent the thing into a crazed frenzy as it attempted to shake her off. Twilight dove strait at the spider and summed her magic for another strike. She hit its metallic body with only one blast when it suddenly erupted into an explosion. Twilight barley had enough time to form a protective shield around her friend before the exploding shrapnel would have torn her in pieces.

Twilight lowered her friend to the ground with her magic, and then herself set down and folded her wings. AppleJack looked shaken from her brush with death, but she soon recovered and went to her brother's side once more. Big Mac was moaning quietly, and was still in the position he had collapsed in.

"Twilight get help!" AppleJack Said. " Big Mac is hurt real bad."

"Si... sis." Big Mac said.

"You just hold on now big brother."

"It hurts sis." Big Mac said weakly.

AppleJack seemed on the verge of tears now. "Ah know it hurts brother. Ah know." AppleJack looked back at Twilight.

"Why the fuck haven't you gotten help yet?" she couldn't stop the tears now.

Twilight wasn't very bothered by AppleJack's profanity, she was still going over everything that had just happened in her head and thought the situation definitely warranted the use of some fucks. Twilight could get help right now, but even with the clearing made by the cylinder Twilight wasn't a hundred percent sure she could find her way back in the dark. AppleJack must have realized this to, as she began trying to carry her now unconscious brother on her back. She was struggling with the deadweight of the stallion, and hardly made it two paces before collapsing on the ground herself.

Twilight picked up Big Mac in her magic and levitated him off of her friend. Still holding up the red stallion with her magic she pulled applejack into a hug. "You don't ever have to do anything alone AppleJack." Twilight said. AppleJack hugged back and sobbed into Twilight's shoulder before releasing her. Together the two mares carried Big Mac on their backs, Twilight's magic holding up most of the weight. They reached the edge of the clearing and started walking through a patch of bushes in the general direction of the farmhouse.

"Ahm sorry about back their Twi. He's my kin, I cant bare to see my family hurt." AppleJack apologized.

"It's absolutely fine. You're only worried about your brother. Lets get him home, and then we can send for help and get him in the hospital." Twilight said.

"Twilight!? " Spike's voice called out from ahead of the ponies.

Twilight saw her assistant now awake and franticly running towards the mares. "Spike! Come with us. I don't know if it's safe out for any of us." Twilight said.

"What happened to Big Mac?" Spike asked.

"We don't have time to explain right now, just stick close." Twilight said. "After we get Big Mac some help. I'm going to need to write to the princess."

The three ponies and dragon stuck close together as they navigated back to the farmhouse. When they reached it they saw Granny Smith and young AppleBloom waiting on the front porch. They both stared wide eyed at the sight of Big Mac's limp form carried on the ponies backs.

"Granny! Get the first aid, Big Mac's hurt." AppleJack said. Granny Smith disappeared inside the house as the group made it to the porch.

"What the pony feathers happened out there?" AppleBloom asked.

"Not right now AppleBloom. Look Big Mac needs our help, go inside and help me set him up on the couch." AppleJack said, now taking the full weight of her brother while Twilight and Spike stood outside. Twilight watched them set down big mac as Granny Smith started disinfecting and bandaging his wounds. AppleJack came back out to meet them as Granny got to work.

"He's gonna be okay thank Celestia." AppleJack said. "But there is only so much Granny can do for him. He needs a doctor Twilight."

Twilight nodded her head in agreement. "We'll be back soon with help AppleJack, don't worry." Twilight unfolded her wings and let spike mount on her back again. In a flash the two disappeared into the sky in the direction of town. Spike held on to Twilight, unusually silent. Twilight's voice broke the quite between them.

"Spike take a letter."