The Empire Meets Equestria: Star Wars Esque

Visage awoke to see Zecora's big eyes right next to his face. "I'm sorry Zecora but why do you do that?" Visage asked the Zebra still groggy from his rest.

"I'm so sorry that I pry, but I have never before seen one with such an eye." Zecora said in her usual rhythmic way.

"What is it about them exactly? I know I tired to explain last night." Visage asked his new Zebra friend as he got up to stretch out bumping the ceiling of the Treehouse with his hands. He watched Zecora bring her cauldron down over the fire pit using the crank and pulley system.

"I still can't get over your eyes of dread, but I keep seeing something shining behind them in your head." Zecora told Visage as he helped her take the cauldron off the metal hooks that held it up.

"You can actually see that? I didn't think anyone besides my family and friends would notice that." Visage said shocked.

Zecora chuckled she did that a lot. "When I first got here a monster the ponies dreamed, until Twilight Sparkle changed them all, it seemed."

Visage thought about this for a while.

"So, the people here dreamed up strange rumors about you and this Twilight Sparkle changed their minds?" Visage guessing at Zecora's saying.

"Mmmhmm. Yes, you have guessed Twilight was the one who put the rumors about me to rest." Zecora told her tall friend.

"Visage, I must say can you help me get something from town today?" Zecora looking at Visage as he was pushing the black cauldron out the door trying to get it outside and clean it.

Visage stopped pushing and using the Force just levitated the black bulky thing outside there was a small pool of water near the Treehouse that apparently Zecora used to wash in. He could see the well worn path from the pool to the house. Visage brought the water up out of the pool like a slender snake then whipped it into the black pot a making the water spin round making a whirlpool inside the cauldron getting what was left of green soup off the sides and then up and out.

Zecora came out to join him watching closely as he worked. He could tell she was waiting for an answer. Visage was still thinking Should I go into a town? what if I run into someone like Sombra again? Sounds to me like Zecora could use the company and it would be better than being a stranger in a strange town. Visage looked at the still waiting Zebra she had probably deduced that he was thinking about what to do.

"I have decided to go with you. But, I cannot guarantee that I'll stay, I'm actually more comfortable out in this forest with you." Visage finally said to a nodding Zebra.

"I cannot say if the ponies there would let you stay, but out here you might get in my way." Zecora stated.

Visage didn't know who to take this he thought he was being useful but he didn't want to impose on Zecora any more if she liked her space. It's probably why she stays out here rather than in the town. perhaps she doesn't like being around others, or perhaps there was something about this place that reminds her of her home. Visage was thinking why the Zebra liked being out in the secluded forest.

Visage levitated the now clean cauldron back inside the treehouse setting it next to the fire pit. Zecora put on a set of bags that laid across her back. The unlikely pair then walked out the door Zecora closing it behind her.

"I must say, that we can now be on our way." Zecora quipped as she lead the dark figure trailing behind her.

Visage liked the feel of the forest the Force was strong and the magic he also felt was just as potent. Visage pulled off his cloak putting it in his gem stone's inventory system, raveling his black short sleeved shirt that had the Imperial Symbol enblazed on the left shoulder. The  pants that had pockets on the legs that were on the large side were also black and the bottoms were tucked into the matching boots the only thing that stood out on the boots was a silver colored plate on the area that covered the toes. The pants also had a few pockets on the sides situated in front of two silver and black colored cylinders that were affixed to the belt which also had the horn of a now dead unicorn stuck in it.

Visage pulled on a silver colored chain around his neck out from under his shirt producing a silver ring. He let it dangle on the end of it's chain. He watched the twirling ring that had several red and a few blue stones imbedded in it. The stones had all become dull in color they weren't shining any more. He couldn't even feel his wife Riza who was much more powerful than even he was, nor could he feel Vira who wasn't quite Riza's level but she was close. He missed feeling their presence even from across the Galaxy he could feel all of his close friends and family especially those two, but now he didn't feel anything outside this planet and that had him worried.

"Something is wrong with this place." Visage said out loud but talking more to himself than to the Zebra in front of him.

"I do not know what is wrong, but can you tell me why your face is long?" Zecora asked Visage admiring his choice of clothing. She wasn't too sure about the two metal cylinders on his sides but the red and black horn she did take notice raising an eyebrow but not saying anything.

Visage still holding his ring let it go with a sigh. He  dropped it to let it dangle and it danced about as he walked. The ring gleamed reflecting red and blue rays as the sun beat down on it when he walked through the breaks in the foliage above. Visage gave Zecora a smile. Looking up he folded his arms. Zecora looking at the pondering being behind her she still didn't know what he was but she did know that he was benign.

"I don't know if I can explain this well but the Force or, the Flow of the Universe, it's like it dead ends just outside the atmosphere I can't feel anything beyond it." Visage came to walk next to Zecora picking up the dangling ring and holding it out. "See the gems on this ring." He asked her holding up the the silver bauble that was spinning slowly on the chain. Zecora nodded in response. "Well the gems were supposed to glow seven red and two blue but they aren't, and it feels like a part of me is missing because they aren't." Visage wasn't sure if he had gotten his feelings across to her but he tried his best. Letting go of the ring he let it continue to bounce against his neck and chest as they made their way through the Ever-free.

Zecora knowing full well that this stranger was pained but couldn't do much for him, but she did know of a purple Unicorn that might be able to help. "I know that you are in distress, but I do know somepony that can fix your mess." She said trying to cheer up the sullen Visage.

"I hope so. I want to get back home especially if I've already been here for over three hundred Onns..well, a thousand years by your time. Visage said with a weak grin.

"We are almost in the clear, the Ponyville school bell I can hear." Zecora said after several Dironns.

Visage heard the chiming of the bell too. He could also see a small settlement with various Ponies, some had wings others had horns and they were made up of all the colors of the Rainbow.  Visage was nervous his fight with Sombra was still fresh in his memory and he didn't like those hydra's either he hoped to the God's that he wouldn't find trouble in town.

The ponies were all going about their day when Zecora emerged from the woods with one of the strangest creatures they had ever seen. It was tall and had black clothing on, there was some sort of symbol on it's left shoulder so some thought it was it's cutey mark.  Whispers and gossip started immediately as the pair entered Ponyville proper.

A cerulean Pegusus landed a few feet from the two as some ponies started rubbernecking seeing what was going on.

"Hi Zecora you don't come into Ponyville often and not with something so...unusual." The blue colored pegusus with rainbow colored hair said to the Zebra.

"Rainbow Dash how do you fair, I bring a guest but not to scare." Zecora told the Blue Pegusus eying the tall dark figure.

"I'm not scared of that....that, whatever it is." Rainbow Dash announced rather annoyed.

Just then a pink streak ran by Rainbow Dash and crashed into the Dark Lord.

A large pink thing knocked Visage over. Laying on his back he noticed that it was a pink pony with wild and brighter pink hair, her big blue eyes were staring down at him.

"I'm sorry but could you please get off of me?" Visage asked trying hard not to hug the scrath out of the pink fluffy pony on top of him. He couldn't help it but this pony reminded him of home or at least it's heart did.

"Hi big guy, I'm Pinky Pie and welcome to Ponyville! Can I throw you a party? What is your favorite flavor of cake? Mine's chocolate! What are you? Not that it matters! I like you mister! it is mister right? I know you'll just love it here!" Rainbow Dash pulled the still talking Pinky Pie off from the fallen Lord.

"Pinky we don't know what that is. Or where it came from." rainbow dash told her excitable friend.

"But he's friends with Zecora so he has to be friends with me too!" Pinky retorted and just then two arms reached around the pink mass of excitement.

Visage couldn't bear it anymore he couldn't feel anything outside the planet but he felt the warmth coming off this Pony in waves just as Rainbow Dash pulled her off of him Visage sat up and pulled the pony close his eyes starting to wet.

"And I thought that beings like Arorra and Vira didn't exist here but you have the same heart that they have." Visage a being of supposed Evil and Darkness was crying on a pony he'd just met.

"Hay stop that your!....your!.." Rainbow Dash failing miserably got interrupted by Pinky.

"He's hugging me Dashy! No one has ever hugged me the first time they met me! How can this thing possibly be bad!" pointing an accusing hoof at Rainbow Dash while still in Visage's squeeze.

Visage let go of the Pink pony. "I'm sorry but after my fight with Sombra I didn't think there was any form of hope left." Eyes still watering Visage smiled at the Pink Pony.

All of the ponies watching the spectacle just stared in awe then a purple pony with a horn came on the seen. "Just what is going on around here?" She said.

"Ah! Twilight Sparkle, this is no mirage, I present the Dark Lord, Visage!" Zecora announced to all present.

Twilight's mouth went agape. Visage stood up brushing off his cloths while looking at the Purple unicorn.

"Now I can prepare the bestest welcome to Ponyville party for the Dark Lord Visage!" Pinky screamed totally ecstatic.

"Wait! Dark Lord!?" Rainbow Dash interjected "Zecora you let a Dark Lord into Ponyville and Pinky your going to prepare a party for him are you all crazy!?" Rainbow yelled at all present.

Some of the towns folk didn't take the announcement too well. Some were murmuring others were overjoyed.

Twilight shook her head "Rainbow Dash he isn't evil he's the one that saved the Crystal Empire a thousand years ago! If you'd read history like I do, you'd know that. Instead of reading Daring Doo books with your head in the clouds!"

"Ya! Silly! Nopony would give hugs like that if they were a big meany, mean, pants." Pinky retorted.

"Though his evil may just be lies, there is something benevolent, behind those eyes." Zecora said, also telling off Rainbow Dash.

"Oh, Visage you have to come with me to meet the mayor! I'm sure she'd love to meet you!" Twilight said sounding excited. "There is so much I want to ask you but we'll need to find a place for you here in Ponyville."

Visage unsure about what to do looking at a soundly defeated Rainbow Dash who had her front two hooves crossed and was now pouting.

"I didn't come here to make trouble I just want to find a way back home." Visage stated looking around at the citizens feeling a mix of excitement, worry, and a bit of panic. Visage looked at Zecora mentally pleading with her to let him come back to her place. Zecora knowingly smiled but shook her head at the pleading Lord.

"I'm sure that soon you'll know, but I still have shopping before I go." Zecora said to Visage as she walked towards the market.

Having been abandoned by his new friend he reluctantly fallowed Twilight, the bouncing Pinky Pie and the glum looking Rainbow Dash to the mayor's office.

Visage feeling those around him wondered what he had gotten himself into. As they walked towards the center of town crowds of Ponies started to gather looking at the strange being, that was being lead by Twilight to the town hall. Just as they got to the fountain in the center of town Pinky piped up. "I have to go get ready for the party so I'll see you later Visagy!"

Visage looking a the leaving Pink Pony used the Force to bring her back. Levitating her in the air next to him he once again hugged her. "Thank you Pinky I have never felt a heart quite like yours before." He told her as he released her.

"And you give the bestest best hugs I have ever had Visagy!" Pinky quipped back. She turned and waved to her friends as she bounced down the street with more enthusiasm than normal. I have to make this the best welcome party ever! She thought to herself as she made her way to Sugar Cube corner to prepare. Pinky hopped through the door startling both Mr and Miss. Cake. With a big grin "You'll never guess who I just met!" Pinky announced to both the owners and restaurant goers. What is she on about now? All within earshot said to themselves.

Visage walked towards another Treehouse this time it was also the local library after his conversation with the mayor it was decided that he would be staying with Twilight Sparkle, plus she could keep an eye on him if he turned out to be evil. Visage being able to read minds just played along.

Twilight opened the door to the library. "I hope that you find the information you need somewhere in here Visage."

Visage looking around at the books on the shelves just shrugged "I hope so Twilight. I'm already over three hundred Onns late in getting home no thanks to that Fraking Maniac Sombra."

"Oh, can you tell me how you beat him I have a record of how you freed the Crystal Pony slaves but it doesn't go into Sombra's defeat." Twilight looking up at Visage pleading in her eyes.

"I don't really think you'd like what I'd have to say....and wait a Deronn how do you know I freed the Ponies?" Visage asked curiosity taking hold.

"Oh, I have that book somewhere.." Twilight ran around the library seeking the way ward book getting frustrated she eventually called out shouting "SPIKE! SPIKE!"

Just then Visage heard small footsteps coming down the staircase.

"Ya, Ya twilight I heard you the first time." Spike a small purple and green dragon whelp stopped in his tracks eyes working their way up a tall dark figure meeting a set of dark purple and gold eyes.

Spike started stuttering. "T..t..t..Twilight what is that, and why is it in our Library?" Spike looking at the purple unicorn who was still busy looking for her missing book.

"Oh, come on Spike don't be that way. I think you've read the book about him more times than I have." Twilight said pointing a hoof at Visage.

"I have?" Spike looking from Twilight to Visage a few times. "Who are you?"

"I'm Visage and apparently there is a book about me somewhere in this library." Visage said as he retrieved a book and started peering at the contents, but shortly giving up, closing it and placing it back on the shelf.

"Wait you don't mean Lord Visage the one who freed the Crystal Empire from Sombra?" Spike stated his eyes going wide.

"Yes, Spike the he's the same one from the book. Now where is it?" Twilight still rummaging through the stacks.

"I was actually reading it upstairs. I'll go get it." Spike now enthusiastic ran up the stairs as fast as his short legs could carry him and in a moment he came back down holding the treasured book.

Twilight pulled the book out of Spikes claws using her magic then resting it on the table in the center of the small library. Opening the book to the title page from what Visage could guess. Even though they spoke the Common Tongue they didn't write in any form that Visage could understand. A major problem he'd have to rectify but he was fine at the moment, wondering how Ponies from this time could have known about him.

"The downfall of King Sombra by Sky Shift." Twilight said to her audience.

Visage recognized that name. "Sky Shift was the first Crystal pony or pegusus, rather, that I freed from Sombra's control. How is it he wrote a book now? That was a long time ago." Visage said wondering.

Twilight answered with glee. "That's because when you went storming Sombra's palace he flew all the way to Canterlot to seek the aid of the two princesses. By the time they returned the Empire had already vanished everyone thought that Sky Shift was the only survivor."

"Where is he now? Can we go see him?" Visage was actually excited hoping  to see Sky Shift once again.

"I'm sorry but Sky Shift died a long time ago this book is a reproduction. The original was written about nine hundred and fifty years ago." Twilight said her ears drooping.

"And such is the way of mortal beings." Visage said sadly.

Twilight's ears perked back up at this. "You sound as though your immortal." She stared in wonder.

"Was that a question or a statement?" Visage could guess so he shrugged and added "Yes, I'm an immortal but I'm by no means invulnerable."

"Wow, your just like the princesses!" Spike exclaimed.

"I don't know who these princesses are so I can't say." Visage muttered honestly.

"Oh that's right the princesses, with your return your actually a candidate for the Imperial throne. Spike get some paper and a quill ready I need to send a letter to the princess."

"On it!" the little dragon said quickly producing a quill and parchment.

Visage gaped "I'm what!?"