Location unknown
Applejack and Rainbow sat frozen in place as a stern voice commanded. "How did you get on our ship?"

"Our ship?" Rainbow asked.

"Don't play stupid runner." The voice snapped.

"Sorry Sir!" Rainbow replied in reflex.

Before either said another word, Applejack spoke. "We were brought here by a magic scroll. We don't know why or what we became." She chanced a glance at their captor.

Beforethem stood a large, angry looking bipedal tiger. "You expect me to believe that?" He hissed, before turning to Rainbow. "Introduce yourself, soldier." He ordered.

"Rainbow Dash! Second lead pegasus of the 34 Wonderbolts flight core! Sir!" She replied giving a mock salute.

The Tigger relaxed little and asked in a more relaxed yet commanding toan. "Anything you want to add to her story?"

"We… weren't the only ones… sir. In total? Three pegasi, two earth ponies, two unicorns, and an alicorn. There were three fillies among us." She explained.

At hearing this he rushed to a nearby metal box thing on the wall. Pressing a button he called out. "All hands to cargo bay. Code missing U. Bring the kid."

A mix of shock and confusion crossed their expectations as Rainbow and Applejack looked at each other.

"Miss U?"

"Kid?"

Rainbow shot up and stumbled to a box and worked her way over to the tiger. "Sir. What are you talking about?"

"Missing U are confirmed unicorns that are unaccounted for." He explained. "And as for the kid." He smirked before turning to the door as it opened, revealing a female two legged fox next to a two legged male wolf.

Holding the wolf's hand was a girl in her early to mid teens. The two friends instantly recognized her pink bow and cried out in relief simultaneously.

"Apple Bloom!!!"

Unknown location two
Twilight and Fluttershy sat at a table as the jackal thought about what Twilight told him. "Well. That is a lot of… interesting information."

"Maybe there's a place we can stay while you think it over?" Fluttershy suggested timidly.

"No need." He replied. "In fact. I may have an idea about how we can help each other." Getting up he smiled at them. "How would you like to help us keep the universe?"

"I don't know…" Twilight started.

"If you're looking for anyone, we can help." He added.

Fluttershy and Twilight looked at each other before nodding. "Thank you. What can we do to help?"

The jackal smiled. "Splendid. Now… tell me everything you can about your friends."

Fluttershy became nervous and hid behind her hair as Twilight took the lead and started talking about her friends and their abilities.

Unknown location three
Spike and the two stallions got up and carefully made their way to the door that led out of whatever room they ended up in. As he went to open it, it swung open revealing a pegasus in her early twenties.

The three stepped back to avoid walking into her as she looked over her shoulder at someone. "Keep your pants on!" She called. "I'll be out after my break!"

The three guys couldn't believe their eyes. They recognized her hair and fur colors. But the last time they saw her, she was a few years younger and a lot less… well. They didn't know how to put it…

"Scootaloo?" Spike gasped.

Hearing the voice she turned and went slack jawed. "Spike?" With a flap of her wings she tackled him into the pillows. "Long time no see."

Soarin blinked and looked at the other stallion. "Hay Flash. Didn't Twilight say Scootaloo was in her teens?"

Flash nodded and looked between her and Spike. "Yeah… but she looks… older." He replied.

Hearing this Scootaloo sat up, holding a now blushing Spike to her chest. "Oh… about that. I… lied about my age. Kida embarrassing to be a flightless teen without a cutie mark." She shrugged. "Pluss. I was a late bloomer."

"Not that it's not great to see you too Scootaloo… but how long are you going to hold me like this?" Spike asked.

Giggling, Scootaloo let him go and plopped back on the pillows. "Sorry Spike. I just didn't know when I'd see any of you again."

"What do you mean?" Spike asked.

"When that smoke got us… I woke up here. The owner took me in. And we quickly found out… well… time displacement is apparently a tricky thing." She laughed.

"The boss?" Soren asked.

"Yea. But Don't worry. I'll let her know you're with me and you'll be good to go." Scootaloo confirmed. "And if you're here. Then there's a chance the others made it through too."

After Scootaloo got up she motioned for the guys to follow. "Oh and until she says you can use the pillow room. Do whatever she says."

"Why?" Spike asked as they entered the main room, in time to see a bull built like Bulk Biceps flying across the room. "Oh… Buck."

Author's Note

Well. The teams are being formed. And Scootaloo seems to be hiding quite a bit of baggage. I wonder what this might mean for the CMC? And what it might mean for the friends when they start meeting up.?