Chapter 3

The Grey Pilgrim

Inside the tower of Orthanc, Saruman of Many Colors was at his palantír, conversing with the Dark Lord, Sauron.

“My Lord, I have felt a shift. An odd imbalance in the energy of the world,” he said telepathically, awaiting the answer of the Great Eye.

Do you think I have not, you fool?! I am well aware of it. This imbalance must not stop our progress! Isengard must be suitable to create the army! This imbalance will be taken care of, I assure you. You will focus on creating the army, Saruman, nothing more.

With that, the palantír faded out the image of Sauron's eye, and with a sweep of his cloak, Saruman headed for his balcony. His grey eyes narrowing, Saruman could feel the imbalance clearly. It seemed as if it was a dark power that was not from Sauron, and that troubled him. Another Dark Lord was the last thing he needed to deal with. One of the Orcs in Saruman's service came to him, clearing his throat.

“My lord, one of our spy's has seen something on the outskirts of Isengard. Something you need to see,” he said. Saruman's eyebrow raised, and followed the Orc, his ebony staff hitting the floor of Orthanc. Brought to the top of the tower, the Orc pointed out to the field off in the distance, where Saruman saw a magenta flash, and then saw nine figures take it's place. He'd never seen those figures before, and that was what frightened him. They were unknown factors.

“Send the Crebain to find out who these strangers are. I want to know everything about them. Who they are, where they're from, what they're doing here, where they are going. Go, now!” he said to the Orc, who saluted and ran down the stairs of Orthanc. Saruman turned back, glaring. The figures seemed to be conversing to themselves. Whatever they were talking about, he needed to know.

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

If Twilight had ever imagined that she would ever be traveling with three space knights and her friends to a far off land that she'd never seen or heard of before, she would have said that that was crazy. Yet, here they were. At first glance, Twilight thought they were back in Equestria. The rolling fields and snow capped mountains weren't that different from her home, but she soon realized that it wasn't Equestria. And yet, there was still something welcoming and homely about it.

“Well, that's something I'm going to need to get used to,” Obi-Wan said, shaking off the queasy feeling from Twilight's teleporting.

“Hmm. A dark aura, I sense here. Great care, we must take,” Master Yoda said, as he slowly started down the hill. The others began to follow him, until Pinkie spoke up.

“Um, Master Yoda, do you know where we're going?” she asked. The small Jedi Master turned, smiling at the once pink pony.

“Hmm. Find a village we must, Pinkie. Transportation, we must find,” he said, continuing down the hill. The slow pace that Master Yoda was on allowed the party to get a feel for this new land. For Obi-Wan and Ahsoka, traversing the Galaxy during the Clone Wars and seeing all planets of different shapes, this world didn't really seem like anything new on the surface. To the Mane Six however, it was so full of new possibilities.

“Whoo-ee! This place sure is..uh..big,” Applejack said, pushing her hat back a bit as they walked. Rainbow Dash chuckled, nodding.

“Man, if only I still had my wings, I would love to fly across these skies,” she said.

“Ooh! Ooh! I've had an idea since we left Dagobah! If Twilight could tap into her magic, who's to say we can't tap into who we were?” Pinkie Pie said, bouncing excitedly.

“What do you mean, Pinkie?” Fluttershy asked. The party planner giggled.

“It's obvious, silly. We do what Twilight did,” she said.

“Pinkie, it's not that simple. What I did is very complicated, and not only that, but what would that accomplish?” Twilight asked.

“I'd get my Pinkie Sense back; along with a few other things, Applejack'd get her Earth Pony strength back, Dashie and Flutters would get their speed and wings back, and Rarity would get her magic and her ability to sense and utilize gems. Don't you think that having those abilities would help us against Palpatine, Twilight?” Pinkie asked. The girl in question was unsure. Having those abilities would help, especially Pinkie's Pinkie Sense, Twilight couldn't deny that; however, there current bodies made her wonder if they could handle all the things that they could do as ponies, Rainbow Dash's Sonic Rainboom the prime example.

“I'm worried the risks would outweigh the gains in doing that, Pinkie,” Twilight said.

“Oh come on, Twi. I could have a chance to get my wings back, and you're worried about risks?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“The risks are important, Rainbow. When you were a pegasus, you could handle the strains from your speed and the Sonic Rainboom, but I'm not sure these new bodies could,” Twilight said.

“Really, Twi? Where's your sense of adventure? How many times can I say I did the Sonic Rainboom as a two legged thing?” Rainbow Dash said. Twilight sighed, putting her head in her hand.

“Normally, I'd be agreeing with you, Twi, but with everything we need to do, with Palpatine and all, it may be a good idea for us to do it,” Applejack said. Twilight sighed.

“Applejack, Rainbow, if you two do it now, it should be fine. I can help you both with my magic, understand?” she said. The farmer and the thrill seeker nodded. Twilight closed her eyes, her hands lighting up, and pointed them at her friends.

“Okay, both of you need to close your eyes, and open your minds. Whatever you see, you need to understand you can't change it now, but you could in the future,” she said. Their eyes closed, Applejack and Rainbow Dash took deep breaths, and then in a flash, they were assaulted with images. Applejack saw Granny Smith, Big Mac and Applebloom being led out of Sweet Apple Acre's by Stormtroopers, and gasped as the barn was set ablaze.

“NO!” Applejack yelled, trying to race to her family, but she couldn't move. She could only watch in horror as Darth Vader approached, pointing to a prisoner transport. Applebloom, Big Mac and Granny Smith were herded in, and then, the metal door slid closed.

You have great love for your family, Applejack. That is a great quality. A warm, calming presence came out of the ether of Applejack's mind.

What in tarnation? Who are you? She asked the disembodied voice.

I am Qui-Gon Jinn. A Jedi like Yoda, but I am no longer of the material world. I am a part of the netherworld of the Force. You are the element of honesty, Applejack, a trait that Palpatine would eagerly try to destroy. Keep that flame for your family burning, young one, and it will grow to be a warming torch. Now, reclaim your old strength and stamina. We will meet again, Applejack. May the Force be with you.

With that, Qui-Gon's warm presence disappeared and suddenly, in a blinding flash of magical energy, Applejack felt her old Earth Pony strength return. Meanwhile, Rainbow Dash was assaulted with images of the Wonderbolts being led away at blaster point. Their wings were bound to their sides, and their uniforms were ripped up. Vader was off to the side, his breathing even and calm. Rainbow Dash glared, trying to lunge at Vader, but couldn't move.

Calm yourself, Rainbow Dash. This event has already transpired. You cannot change it, but you can save them.

What the heck? Who am I talking to?

I am Qui-Gon Jinn. A Jedi like Yoda, but I am no longer of the living world. I am now a part of the netherworld of the Force. Your element is loyalty, Rainbow Dash, and if there's one thing that Palpatine is not, it's loyal. The main attribute of the Sith and the Dark Side is betrayal, and that is the one thing Palpatine and Vader would do anything to make happen. Keep your ideals strong, Rainbow Dash, and the Dark Side won't be able to touch you. Now, reclaim your wings and your speed. Until we meet again, young one. May the Force be with you.

Qui-Gon's presence disappeared, and then, in a surge of magical energy, Rainbow Dash felt like her old self, wings and all. With a whoop of joy, Rainbow leapt into the air, her wings unfurling. The others could see that Rainbow's wings were a sort of meta-physical construct that emerged from her body, not actual wings, yet they functioned as such.

“Yee-haw! This feels a whole lot better, don't it, RD?”

“Yeah, it does, AJ! Whoo-hoo!” Pinkie Pie giggled, as the Mane Six ran to rejoin the Jedi.

“Draw attention to ourselves, we should not,” Master Yoda said, keeping his steady pace.

“That may be difficult, Master. We don't exactly blend into a crowd,” Obi-Wan said, indicating their clothes. Master Yoda chuckled.

“Hmm. Hoods, we have, Obi-Wan. Conceal ourselves we can,” he said.

“But, what about the Elements, Master Yoda? They're a bit too conspicuous,” Ahsoka said. The Mane Six had to agree. They did kind of stick out. Master Yoda sighed.

“Twilight, create cloaks for you all, can you?” he asked.

“I can, Master Yoda,” Rarity said, her hands lighting up, and manifested six different cloaks for her and her friends.

“Well. That's convenient,” Obi-Wan said, pulling up his hood. Ahsoka and Master Yoda did the same, as a town behind a gate came into view.

“Hmm. Sense a strong power, I do, but whether light or dark, I cannot say. Find it, we must,” Master Yoda said. The party approached the wooden gate, with two small windows on the door, one small, one large. Obi-Wan knocked on it, and an elderly man opened the large window at the top.

“What do you want?” he asked. Obi-Wan smiled, and waved his hand in front of the man.

“Greetings, my friend. We are travelers seeking refuge. Might there be a place you know of?” The man, surprisingly, nodded.

“Aye. The Prancing Pony. Finest Inn in Bree,” he said. Obi-Wan smiled, waving his hand again.

“Perfect, and would there be a place to acquire transportation?” he asked. The man nodded.

“There is. The stables hold the finest steeds for any traveler,” he said. Obi-Wan nodded, waving his hand one more time.

“Thank you, my friend. Allow us to pass,” he said. The man nodded, opening the door and ushering them all inside.

“Go on. You may pass,” he said. The party shuffled into the rainy, muddy streets of Bree, as they took in the new area. The citizens didn't look friendly, to the Mane Six at least, but one look from Ahsoka or Obi-Wan made most of them stay away.

“How did we get past that guard?” Twilight asked. Ahsoka chuckled.

“The Force can have a strong effect on the weak minded,” she said. Pinkie giggled. The worn sign of the Prancing Pony soon came into view. The party was greeted with the warm light of the candles in the Inn, and getting out of the cold of the rain. They all removed their hoods, and took in the surroundings of the Inn. Patrons of all different shapes and sizes sat at tables, all with food or tankards, and none of them had a favorable look.

“Hmm. Here, the power is. Feel it's source's presence, I can,” Master Yoda said. Obi-Wan and Ahsoka closed their eyes, trying to feel the presence as Master Yoda did, and could only detect it as a slight humming in the Force. However, Twilight felt it the minute they walked into the Prancing Pony, ringing in her ears. A powerful surge of magical energy had hit her. The source they were looking for was a magic user, that she knew.

“Master Yoda, I get the feeling we're looking for a magic wielder,” she said. The aged Jedi Master nodded.

“Correct, you are, Twilight. The aura, close it is,” he said. Closing his eyes, Master Yoda concentrated, feeling through the Force to find the magical aura. That's when he felt it, the surge. He opened his eyes to see an elderly man, with a large grey beard and pointy hat, sitting off in a far corner, and smoking a pipe. He wore a dusty grey robe, and had a gnarled wooden staff leaning against the wall. Master Yoda smiled.

“Mmm. There. Found him, I have,” he said, approaching the man, who seemed to now notice Master Yoda, as he motioned for him to come closer.

“There is some strong power around you, my small green friend. Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Gandalf the Grey. I am a wizard. What may I call you, my friend?” he asked, his voice gravelly with age.

“I am Yoda. Come a long way, my party and I have,” Master Yoda said, motioning to the others. Gandalf's eyes widened as he saw Ahsoka with her hood off, and the Mane Six either looking nervous at one of the tables, or in the case of Pinkie Pie, attempting to rouse everyone with a song.

“Judging from your companions, I'd say a very long way. Tell me, what brings you to the Prancing Pony?” the wizard asked. So Master Yoda proceeded to tell Gandalf every detail of their party and the mission they were on, along with who the enemy was. It didn't take much for Gandalf to fully understand.

“Hmm. This is truly a problem, Yoda. There are dark forces here that Palpatine could ally with. I have recently discovered that an old weapon of our enemy has been found. If Palptaine could get his hands on it, it would spell doom for all,” he said.

“Hmm. Suggest something, do you, Gandalf?” Master Yoda asked.

“In a few days, a friend of mine will come here seeking four small travelers. Hobbits. One will be going by the name 'Underhill'. When my friend comes, tell him you were sent by me, and he will help you to get to Rivendell. From there, Lord Elrond can give you refuge and guidance,” Gandalf said. Pulling out a small sack, he placed it in front of Master Yoda.

“This should be enough to cover the cost of a room for a few days, and the Inn Keeper is a friend of mine. I will vouch for you,” he said, grabbing his staff and standing from the table, putting out his pipe.

“Leaving, are you?” Master Yoda asked. The old wizard nodded.

“With the knowledge I now have of Palpatine, along with Sauron's return, I must see the head of my order. Saruman. He is both wise and powerful. Trust me, Yoda. He'll know what to do,” he said, smirking.

“This friend we await, his name you have?” Master Yoda asked.

“He will most likely be known as Strider around here. You will have to ask his real name when he comes. Now, I must take my leave and make haste. Thank you, Yoda, for the information you have shared. I am sure our paths will cross again soon,” he said, bowing to the Jedi Master.

“The pleasure was mine, Gandalf. May the Force be with you,” he said, as the wizard left. Grabbing the sack, he approached Obi-Wan.

“Persuade the Inn Keeper for a large room, you must. Wait for an ally here, we have to,” he said, slipping the sack into Obi-Wan's hand.

“With the money, or a mind trick, Master?”

“Mind trick, only if fail, the money does,” Master Yoda said, returning to the table he and Gandalf were at. He wouldn't normally suggest they stay, but if this Strider could get them to whatever Rivendell was, Master Yoda would wait as Gandalf said. It wasn't long until he felt a tremor in the Force. He glowered. Palpatine had arrived.

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

Darth Vader entered into Palpatine's throne room, sensing his Master's distress.

“What troubles you, Master?” the Sith Lord asked.

“I feel the disturbance down on the planet. The Elements are here, and I also feel...the Jedi,” Palpatine said, his teeth grit. Vader's breathing stopped short, and growled out a response.

“Kenobi. Send me down with a detachment, Master. I will acquire the Elements and destroy the Jedi,” he said. Palpatine shook his head.

“No, my friend, not yet. Your time will come to face the Jedi, but we do not know the sort of allies they have found. If we attack them now, they may destroy us. No, we must gain allies as well. Down on the planet, there is a tower called Orthanc. The occupant, Saruman, could be useful to our cause. Find him and bring him here, Lord Vader,” he said. Vader nodded, turning around with a sweep of his cloak and leaving the throne room. As the door closed, Palpatine turned to the shadows.

“Were you listening?” he asked. Out of the darkness walked Palpatine's former apprentice Darth Maul. The Zabrack Sith had been working at Palpatine's side in secret since the formation of the Empire. He'd been leading a faction known as the Emperor's Fist, unbeknownst to Vader.

“Every word, Master. Shall I find out where they're going, and who they've allied with?” Maul asked. Palpatine nodded.

“Do not engage them, Lord Maul. You are to gather information, nothing more. Is that understood?”

“Yes, my master,” he said, smiling in a way which revealed his horrible yellow and black teeth. He turned to leave out another way, so as not to run into Vader. There would come a time when Maul would be revealed to the armor clad Sith Lord, and when that time came, Palpatine would see just how loyal Vader still was.

Author's Note

This chapter took a while to complete guys, but that was only cause I'm in the process of moving. So yeah. The next few chapters may take a bit to complete, but I will get back on a regular schedule soon. Next chapter will be the meeting of Saruman and Vader, which will be fun to write, also the introduction of Strider. And Maul arriving on the planet. There won't be any lightsaber duels yet, but there will be A LOT of exposition. So, stay tuned guys.