PROLOGUE

3 years after the Great Jedi Purge and the creation of the Empire

Emperor Palpatine felt a disturbance. A large one too, which puzzled him. The Jedi Order was gone, the Republic was now fully the Galactic Empire, and Darth Vader was doing his bidding all across the galaxy. Things were going so well, and yet there was that disturbance, and he had no idea where it was. Vader was off planet, dealing with a rumor of a hidden Jedi on Bogden, and his other followers in the Senate were not available. With a growl, Palpatine headed for his chambers, his black cane tapping on the metal floor. There was one way that he could find out where this disturbance was coming from, the Sith Holocron he had stashed in his chambers. Communing with the ancient Sith Lord's, Revan especially, should give him the location of this disturbance. The large metal door slid open, and walking in, he lifted the secret compartment from his chamber floor with the Force, revealing the Holocron. The doors slid closed, and the lights dimmed, as the Holocron was lifted up with the Force, and placed down in front of a kneeling Palpatine. Soon, the incorporeal images of the ancient Sith Lords Darth Bane and Darth Revan appeared.

“Why have you disturbed our rest, Sidious?”

“My lords, I have felt a disturbance in the Force. A large one, which confuses me. I have done everything that I was destined too, but this disturbance does not sit well with me, and I do not know where it originates,” he said. Bane and Revan growled.

“This disturbance has been felt by us too, but it is not in just one place. It is, in fact, in many different places,” the masked Sith Lord said.

“I'm afraid I do not understand, my lord Revan,” Palpatine said.

“There are many worlds outside of your own, Palpatine. Worlds that are inhabited by trillions of different beings. Many of these worlds have righteous, peace-loving inhabitants, much like the Jedi. It is these worlds where the disturbance arises,” Darth Bane said.

“I see, but I have no method of getting to these worlds, my lords. If these worlds are in other universes outside my own, I must discover how to get to them. This disturbance must be dealt with,” Palpatine said.

“The Death Star is your key. Inter-universal travel is simple, when the technology is discovered. You are the Emperor, bring in however many mechanics or technicians as you can and explain to them what you wish to be done. One of them has to know what needs to be done,” Revan said, as he and Bane disappeared and the Holocron closed. Palpatine frowned. This was a complication, and one that he wasn't expecting. Sitting at his desk, Palpatine contacted his second in command, Mas Amedda.

“Yes, Master?” he asked.

“I have an order for you. Contact every mechanic and technician across the galaxy, and send them to the Death Star. I have a highly important task for them, one that must be followed to the letter,” Palpatine said. Mas Amedda nodded.

“Yes Master. I will report back when I find them,” he said, as the holocom turned off. Keying in new coordinates, Palpatine then contacted Darth Vader.

“What is thy bidding, my master?” the Dark Lord asked, kneeling in the holo-image. Palpatine chuckled.

“Lord Vader, your mission is being changed. Return to the Death Star. Changes are being made to it and I want you to oversee it,” he said. Vader nodded, his mechanical breathing sounding for a few seconds.

“Yes Master. It shall be done,” he said, the holocom deactivating. Closing his eyes, Palpatine reached out with the Force, to feel just how big this disturbance was. It started small, but soon, it became so large and overwhelming, that Palpatine was almost thrown back by it. Hidden within the disturbance was a presence he'd not felt in years, a presence that only proceeded to get him angry. He made a vow, he'd determine this presence and then snuff it out.

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Weeks of construction later, and mechanics and technicians had created the inter-dimensional transporter inside the Death Star, designed just as Palpatine wished. With Vader inside the throne room, Palpatine once again reached out with the Force, feeling the disturbance as to discover the locations. Soon, the transporter began to beep, the first location locked and primed.

“Our conquest begins, Lord Vader. Is your unit prepared?”

“Yes Master. They merely await my order,” the robotic Sith Lord said. Palpatine chuckled.

“Good. Wait with them until I give you the order,” he said. Vader nodded, his cloak flowing as he walked to the elevator and was sent down. With a push of a button on his throne, Palpatine sent the Death Star to the location's coordinates. He was not sure what they would find, all he knew that this disturbance must be dealt with to the fullest extent.

=================~o0o~===================

Dagobah

For any sane individual, living on the swampy, monster infested Dagobah System would have been the very last resort. For Master Yoda, former Grand Master of the Jedi, however, it was the perfect place to conceal himself from the Empire. He could feel that Palpatine knew he was alive, it wasn't that hard to figure out through the Force, but the field that Dagobah seemed to exude from the living Force concealed him. Today, there seemed to be a shift however, a tremor in the Force whose size could be felt by the small, green Jedi.

“Strange, it is. A tremor as strong as this, not felt for a long time I have,” he said to himself, emerging from his hut to begin his meditation. The crack of thunder sounded, but Master Yoda paid it no mind, many a time did he meditate in pouring rain. As he set down his wooden cane, and closed his eyes, he was greeted by the voice of a departed old friend.

Hello again, my friend. Master Yoda smiled, knowing full well the identity of this voice. It wasn't the first time that Qui-Gon Jinn had reached out from the netherworld of the Force to talk with the aging former Jedi Master.

Good it is, to hear from you again Qui-Gon. Questions, I have. Felt a shift in the Force, have you? Master Yoda could feel Qui-Gon's presence approve. He still wondered why Qui-Gon didn't always take the shimmering blue form of a Force Spirit, he knew the deceased Jedi Master could, he'd seen it, but he was too respectful of his old friend to ask.

This shift is not like any other that has come before, Yoda. It is not merely a shift in the Dark Side, but also the Light. I have seen through the Force that this shift has taken place through different worlds. This detail intrigued Master Yoda.

Different worlds? In this galaxy, they are? Qui-Gon's presence corrected him.

No, Yoda. Not in this galaxy. Through the netherworld of the Force, I have glimpsed other worlds, worlds that are like ours, and worlds that are not. One of these worlds, you know well. The kingdom of one Princess Celestia.

Master Yoda gasped. He hadn't heard Celestia's name in years. It had been a happy accident the first time the Jedi Master spoke to the Alicorn Princess. Through Celestia's studies on strengthening her magic, she came to discover Master Yoda through her connection to her magic, and his connection to the Force. Master Yoda had told her that her magic and the Force were not so different, in both technique and study. Through many lonely nights, having just dealt with the banishment of Nightmare Moon, Master Yoda helped Princess Celestia to not only understand the Force, but also give her a way to possibly be able to tap into it. In return, Celestia detailed to Master Yoda the beauty of Equestria, and how much she cared for her subjects, likening that to how Master Yoda cared for his students at the Jedi Temple. Through many weeks, Master Yoda and Celestia connected telepathically until one day came where Celestia found a way to teleport to Master Yoda's chambers in the Temple. Finally, the two new friends could talk face to face. Being in the midst of the Clone Wars, Master Yoda considered any moment's peace a blessing, and this time with Celestia was just that. Sharing a pot of tea, the two friends talked for hours, Master Yoda on the increasing progress of a young Jedi named Anakin Skywalker, and Celestia in turn told Master Yoda of her favorite student, a unicorn named Twilight Sparkle. The friends seemed to now have a new connection, powerful youngsters in their care. There was something about the way Celestia described Twilight that had always intrigued Master Yoda, mostly how quickly the young unicorn was said to study and master her magic. There was a reason for that, Celestia had told him. She knew that Nightmare Moon, her corrupted sister Luna, would return during the Summer Sun Celebration to seek revenge, and so Celestia had a plan to send Twilight to a small hamlet known as Ponyville, to find and befriend five other ponies that Celestia had been watching. Together, those six would become the Elements of Harmony and have the power to stop Nightmare Moon. Ever since that day, Master Yoda had always wondered if Luna's corruption was in some part caused by the Dark Side of the Force. He couldn't be sure, he'd never met Luna, but with the way Celestia described her sister's fall, it sounded very similar to how many Jedi would fall to the dark. The friends eventually had to say goodbye, but promised each other that they would contact one another again, but they never did. Celestia had problems of her own arising, and Master Yoda was beginning to feel the toll that the Clone Wars were having on him.

Celestia, alright she is? Master Yoda asked. Shockingly, Qui-Gon answered by appearing to Master Yoda in the shimmering Force Spirit form.

“She is in grave danger, Yoda. Palpatine is headed straight for her land, her magic amplifying the disturbance in the Force. You must contact her and you must convince her to send Twilight and her friends to you,” the late Jedi Master said. Master Yoda frowned.

“And Celestia? Of her, what will come?” he asked. Qui-Gon slightly lowered his head, a look of sadness coming across his face.

“I cannot tell you, Yoda. Even the Whills are not certain what will happen to her. All that is known is Celestia cannot go with Twilight and her friends. I know it will be hard to leave her in danger, but it is the will of the Force. If the Force wills Celestia to live, it shall be,” Qui-Gon said. Master Yoda sighed, standing up with a grunt and picking up his cane. Slowly starting on his way back to his hut, he turned back to Qui-Gon one last time.

“Allowed I am, to warn Celestia of what's to come?” he asked. Qui-Gon did not answer for a minute or two, then nodded.

“Yes, my old friend. You can warn Celestia. Now, I must leave again, but I will come back, Yoda, hopefully with better tidings. Until then, may the Force be with you,” he said, and then, as quickly as he came, Qui-Gon was gone. Master Yoda shook his head. Even after all these years, Qui-Gon's bluntness was still hard for him to get used to. Returning to his hut, Master Yoda dug out an old strong box that was layered with dust. He hadn't touched it in so long, but if Celestia was in danger, now was the time. Opening the strong box, Master Yoda saw the glowing gem inside. A beautiful, multicolored gem, that seemed similar to the complexion of the Alicorn's mane, lay still. Laying the strongbox down, Master Yoda closed his eyes and lifted the gem up with the Force. Focusing it and searching for Celestia's presence, the gem began to slightly vibrate. He was getting close. He could feel the light of Celestia's magic radiating, and so, he sent out a message telepathically.

Celestia, hear me can you? Speak, we must. Urgent, it is. Silence reigned for a good few minutes and Master Yoda was worried that Celestia hadn't received the message, until an answer came.

Yoda? Is that you, my old friend? Master Yoda smiled, relieved at hearing Celestia again.

Yes, Celestia. Yoda, this is. Speak urgently, we must. In grave danger, you are. Silence reigned for a few more minutes, before a shining image of Celestia appeared before Master Yoda.

“I suppose we won't be able to talk over tea this time, eh, my friend?” the Alicorn Princess asked. Master Yoda slightly chuckled, then became serious.

“Approaching you and your kingdom, a great darkness is, Celestia. A darkness, unlike any you've faced, it is,” he said. “Send for your student and her friends, you must, then sent to me, they must be. Your fate and Equestria's fate, hangs in the balance it does,” he continued. Celestia nodded, her horn lighting up slightly. Then, she turned her gaze back to Master Yoda.

“Tell me one thing, Yoda. Who is coming for us?” the Princess asked. Master Yoda glowered.

“Palpatine. The Emperor, he is.” Princess Celestia's eyes widened.

“Palpatine? Didn't you tell me he was the Supreme Chancellor of your government?” she asked. Master Yoda made a sound in his throat, a mix between a growl and a grunt, and turned his head from Celestia.

“Much I have to tell you, and little time, there is. Listen carefully, you must. Difference between life and death, it can be,” he said. Princess Celestia nodded, as Master Yoda began to tell her of everything that occurred at the end of the Clone Wars. As Master Yoda kept going, one thing was certain in Celestia's mind. The Emperor was not to be underestimated. She knew what Master Yoda said was true now, sending Twilight and the other Elements to him is the only way to keep them safe, and out of Palpatine's grasp. If there was one thing that the Emperor could not get a hold of, it was the Elements of Harmony. Celestia would make sure of that.

Author's Note

Hi everypony. So, it's been a while since I've posted, and I know I have yet to continue my MLP does LOTR story, but I promise a new chapter's coming. But, this story has been in my head for a while, and I was contemplating whether or not I'd post it. I decided I would, and see what reaction it gets. The first chapter is being written, and I know the prologue is pretty long, but it's necessary information to know. I hope you guys like it or at the very least find it interesting. Please feel free to leave comments, I thrive on them, they help me to know what to continue or change. Enjoy guys