A mob of onlookers and reporters swarmed around Ponyville town hall, kept at bay by a line royal guards as Twilight stood behind the podium. The flash of camera lights practically blinded her as she ran her mic check and organized her thick stack of notes, prepared for any possible question that would manifest itself in the conference.

Facet stared at his marefriend from his spot beside her. “You really need to learn how to play things by ear, Twilight. I thought you had already learned that in training.”

“And I told you it never hurts to have a few things ready for any given situation.” Twilight replied before she once more checked the microphone and cleared her throat, methodically. “I know that many of you are perplexed by the recent events that took place here a few hours ago. I also know many of you are scared of not only the diamond dogs and their new armaments, but of us as well. I want to foremost assure you that we are sworn to defend not only Ponyville, but Equus as well.”

The reporters started clamoring loudly to have their questions addressed. All of them tried their hardest to be the first to grab Twilight’s attention. Twilight pointed a single finger to a stallion with golden streaks in his otherwise brunette mane.

“Twilight! Amadeus Quill of the Canterlot Quarterly!” He spoke up over the roar of the other reporters. “Many of the citizens here say you and your mysterious group use magic and have only just now reappeared after your disappearance some years prior. Can we be reassured you and the other former Element Bearers are not in a cult or a coven of some sort?”

Facet stepped closer to Twilight so that the microphone would pick his voice up more easily. “While searching the Everfree for my younger sister and her two friends, the seven of us, being myself and the former Bearers, came across a zebra called Zecora. Zecora had saved the three fillies from timberwolves and given them shelter. During an initial misunderstanding, Zecora revealed the same powers we now use, and we elected to learn these powers ourselves after being told we each possessed the ability.”

The crowd erupted into a murmur, thoughts ranging from this unusual magic to the fact a zebra was even near the town spread amongst them like the flu. Another reporter caught Twilight’s attention. “So are you saying that everypony is infected with this strange new form of magic?”

“It’s not an infection, and neither is it magic,” Twilight explained. “We’re attuned to a universal energy field known simply as the Force. And I assure you that Force sensitives are born, not made.”

The crowd once more broke into murmurs. “The Force? It that what you call the deity your group worships?” One reporter asked.

“Is this a new religious movement?” A mare reporter inquired.

“How will be able to tell your so called ‘Force sensitives’ from normal ponies?”

“What if somepony uses these powers for evil?” The crowd went on and on with a similar barrage of questions, a wave of fear overcoming many.

Twilight raised her hand for silence. “The Force isn’t a deity per se, but it does have a will of its own. But we don’t worship it, so the term religion isn’t really applicable. We’re more akin to monks of a sort. Our ultimate goal is spiritual enlightenment. As for how Force sensitives are identified, it can easily be done with a simple blood test. As for using it for evil, that is possible and our teachers have made us well informed of the historical precedent, but we are very vigilant in policing both ourselves and all who are touched by the Force. We have a responsibility to use this power for others rather than ourselves.”

Yet again the crowd erupted into a frenzy of questions amid camera flashes, the line of guards trying to hold back the increasingly unruly mob. As the crowd reached the peak of rabidness, another group of ponies, who stood in the far back and away from the chaos, collectively raised their hands.

That got Twilight’s attention. Pointing to the calm group, she spoke. “You have some questions?”

The mob of reporters immediately ceased their barrage and turned their gaze to the group behind them. Some of the reporters gasped in shock, bewildered that there were even other ponies behind them. The first group parted as this new one made it’s way towards the podium, never once speaking a word. The reporters  muttered amongst themselves, shifting glances. “Oh boy, here come the magic seeking nutjobs.” One reporter muttered towards Amadeus.

“The Equestrian Spiritualist Society.” Amadeus muttered in reply. “Oh this should be fun.” Once the crowd reached their destination, the stallion at the head of them locked eyes with Twilight then knelt to her. His followers mimicked his motion.

“Hail unto thee, who herald the long awaited return of magic to our dying world.” He spoke with a deep sense of pride.

“Magic is life, the soul of Mother Equus. And her soul now returns.” His followers replied in unison.

“Stand up. Please. We’re not prophets of any kind. Nor are we heralds,” Facet implored. “The Force is not magic. Magic as we understand it to have worked at one time was largely unique to unicorns. The Force can touch any species, and as Twilight said earlier, one is born with Force sensitivity. It cannot be taught.”

The group however paid Facet no mind, his words falling on the ears of the deaf. “Magic is life, the soul of Mother Equus. And her soul now returns.” The group chanted again as the leader rose to properly lock eyes with Twilight.

“Hail Great Herald’s!” He started, his tone deep and robust. “Long have we waited and prayed for the glorious lifeblood of magic to return to Mother Equus and cleanse her people of their sickness! At long last our prayers have been answered! We now wish for you to take us as your humble servants, so we may have our spirits purified and touched by this newfound power!” He once more knelt before Twilight, his followers once more mimicking his gesture.

Twilight resisted the urge to facepalm at how they were acting. “We can test you for Force sensitivity, but there’s no guarantee that any of you have it. But we can certainly accept you even if you aren’t Force sensitive. One doesn’t have to be touched by it to seek enlightenment after all.”

The leader rose and clasped Twilight’s hands in his. “Your blessings honor us, Herald!” He replied before releasing his grasp from Twilight and turning to his followers. “The Herald’s have given us their blessing my brothers and sisters!” The group cheered and danced, some of them were kneeling and clasping their hands muttering in prayer.

“Our words about enlightenment are going in one ear and out the other with them,” Facet muttered to Twilight away from the microphone. “Are you sure about this?”

“These ponies have their hearts in the right place, but they just need further teaching.” Twilight replied, placing her hand over the mic. “We can do that for them, after all it is one of our responsibilities.”

“True enough,” Facet muttered. “We seem to be doing well so far. At least they’re not going for torches and pitchforks anymore.”

Twilight nodded in reply as the spiritualist crowd dispersed, allowing the still bewildered mass of reporters to reform. For many minutes no pony would speak, most were still trying to absorb the events that had just taken place. As the reporters gathered their thoughts and Twilight reorganized her stack of notes, Luna, along with Loki and Aysel, stood off to the side, also trying to absorb the reality of the situation. “Only in Ponyville can things get this weird.” Aysel jested as he good naturedly jabbed Luna in the ribs.

“Believe me, I’ve seen many a strange thing and this doesn’t quite take the cake.” Luna replied as she rested her hand on Loki’s head.

“Mother are you okay?” Loki asked in worry as he looked at Luna’s bandaged shoulder.

“I’m fine, sweetheart.” Luna assured Loki. “It’s only a scratch. Many have tried doing a lot worse to me over the years but none will ever break me.” She lifted her hand from his head and placed it on her chin in ponderance. “Still, this attack is most troubling. Why now? And could this be a part of something bigger?”

“I’m not sure, my lady.” Aysel replied as he too pondered all recent events. “Word will get out about this and the UNE is not going to be happy about it. I mean diamond dogs with the most advanced weapons our world has ever seen have almost successfully wiped out a single town. Imagine what they could have done if they got to Canterlot, to you and Celestia?”

“Luna! Loki!” Mikoda’s voice reached them before he did. Face full of worry, he looked both over for injuries before setting his attention on his wife’s bandages. “When I heard about the attack I came as soon as I could.” He hugged Luna and planted a kiss on her lips before releasing her and tightly hugging Loki. “I’m so glad you two are okay.”

Loki said nothing as he wrapped his arm’s around Mikoda and buried his head in his shoulder, a few tears welling from his eyes. “Dad!” Loki cried as he practically tightened his grip on Mikoda.

“It’s okay, son. It’s okay,” Mikoda gently consoled. “You’re safe now. Your mother and I won’t let anyone hurt you. I was so scared before I got here.”

As Mikoda comforted Loki to the best of his abilities, Luna herself joined in the embrace, adding her own level of comfort and reassurance to Loki.

Twilight pointed to another journalist. “Yes?”

“Muck Raker of the Canterlot Enquirer,” the journalist spoke up. “What does your little group refer to themselves as?”

“We call ourselves the Jedi Order,” Twilight answered.

“So this is the Jedi Temple,” Loki said in amazement as he looked at what had until recently been called the Castle of the Two Sisters. “Took them just six months to repurpose the old castle?” Where once had stood a ruined castle now stood a pristine castle with its twin spires rising seemingly higher than before. The grounds around it were used for outdoor training fields and several greenhouses. The building drew its beauty from the simplicity of its design rather than any ostentatious displays like those found in Canterlot.

Drever too stood in awe of the refurbished castle, which was now populated with various ponies either meditating or practising swordplay. “It’s quite remarkable.” He said in astonishment. “A very refreshing take from back home. You can’t go ten feet in Canterlot without being surrounded by tall over decorated buildings built by snobs trying to out do one another.”

“I’ve heard the Jedi are humble and prefer meditation and practicing their skills over wealth. Very refreshing indeed,” Loki agreed as they were escorted toward the temple’s entrance.

Twilight smiled, lightly chuckling to herself as she lead the boys past the entrance and further into the temple. As with the exterior, the temple interior was just as humbling and modest. “Glad you boys like it. I personally think less is more, and Rarity was certainly able to work within that constraint despite her usual flair.”

Both boys remained awestruck, their jaws almost dropping to the floor as they passed by the temple library. Compared to the other rooms, the library was the largest by far, every possible book and text could be found resting here. At the center of it all, was the holocron found in Zecora’s possession.

“Like it?” Twilight asked. “I put a lot of work into the library, and insisted on the center pedestal holding the Great Holocron.”

Loki and Drever immediately raced over to get a better view of the holocron as it rested on it’s pedestal. Their eyes widened as they each examined it from every side possible. “By Faust, this thing is enormous!” Drever exclaimed as he continued looking over it. “I’d wager it’s the size of a common beachball.”

“And this is what gave you the knowledge to use not only the Force but to create those weird swords?” Loki asked curiously as he rested a hand to his chin.

“Those swords are called lightsabers,” Twilight said as she ignited her purple blade. “And if you two are Force sensitive, you’ll eventually make sabers of your own.” She deactivated her blade and put it back on her belt. “But first you need to be tested.”

“Tested?” Drever and Loki both inquired before Drever spoke up. “How exactly are they going to test us? A series of challenges perhaps?”

“No. Just a simple blood test,” Twilight said as she led them further into the temple. “I’m almost certain that Loki is Force sensitive though.”

“Blo...blo...blood test?” Drever asked with a nervous twitch in his voice as they neared the infirmary, beads of sweat trickling down his face.

“Scared of needles?” Twilight asked in sympathy as she led them into the infirmary. “Don’t worry. We just need a small blood sample.”

Her words did nothing to further ease Drever’s mind as they entered the infirmary. His eyes widened as he gazed at the medics, each holding a syringe in their hands. Some were clear and empty while others had just enough of a sample of blood. His breathing quickened and he could feel his heart wanting to burst out of his chest. He flattened his ears, receding to a whimper as he hid behind Loki, who could only look at him with a mixture of confusion and sympathy.

“Hey, relax Drever,” Loki calmly spoke as he patted Drever on the head. “I’ll go first and you’ll see it’s not so bad.” Loki then made his way to one of the chairs, ready to get his over with.

Leading the collection was Fluttershy, who gave Drever a warm smile. “It’s okay. It doesn’t hurt nearly as badly as you think. It’s just a small prick.” She took gentle hold of Loki’s arm and found a vein. Once she rubbed the spot with an alcohol patch, she gently stuck the needle into the vein and drew out some blood before pulling it out and using the Force to seal the pricked flesh like new. “There we go.”

As Loki stood up from his chair, Drever nervously and slowly approached the vacant seat, his ears remaining flattened. His eyes locked with the fresh needle clutched in Fluttershy’s hand and he let out a low growl. It wasn’t like a full grown guard dog’s growl, it more resembled a puppy’s.

Fluttershy gently stroked his head in a comforting manner, reaching out with her soothing presence in the Force. “It’s okay. It’ll only hurt a little. I promise.” She gently took hold of his arm and rubbed the spot over his vein with an alcohol patch before sticking in the needle and drawing some blood. After pulling the needle out and healing the prick, she smiled. “All done.”

Drever’s expression returned to normal as he looked over his arm. “I...uh, thank you.” He muttered as he leapt from his seat, making his way to Loki. “Huh, well that wasn’t so bad. What was all the fuss about?”

Loki snickered a bit as he turned his attention to Twilight. “How long will these tests take?”

“Not long at all,” Twilight replied as she took Loki’s blood sample and put it in a machine visually similar to a centrifuge. She smiled at what came up on the screen. “Yup. Loki, you’re Force sensitive alright.” She then put Drever’s blood in the device, a small frown appearing on her face. “Sorry, Drever. You’re not Force sensitive.”

“What?” Loki and Drever responded as they too glanced at the screen. Loki’s chart showed the number 10,000 next to his picture. Drever’s however, displayed only 100.

“Loki. You have 10,000 midi-chlorians in every single one of your cells. A high level of Force sensitivity,” Twilight explained. “But Drever. You only have 100 per cell. Far too few to connect with the Force.”

Drever’s expression read as a combination of shock and utter disappointment. His ears drooped as the news sunk in. “I….I….I don’t believe it.”

Twilight knelt down and put a hand on Drever’s shoulder. “Hey,” she gently said. “Just because you’re not Force sensitive doesn’t mean you can’t be a part of the order. We seek enlightenment. And you can follow that path without being touched by the Force. There are techniques you can learn, all manner of things you can do. Lack of Force sensitivity wouldn’t make you any less of a Jedi if you go through the training.”

Drever’s ears slightly perked back up as he locked eyes with Twilight, a slight smile forming on his lips. “Thank you, Twilight.” He politely responded, grasping her hand and shaking it.

Twilight smiled at the gesture. “You don’t have to be separated from your best friend. But I warn you. The training will be tough, and it will take years. You’ll both be grown when you complete your training.”

“Well then, we accept your challenge.” Drever boasted, a smug grin spreading across his face.

“Indeed.” Loki replied, placing his hand on his friend’s shoulder.

Twilight smiled widely. “Then let’s go introduce you to your first instructor, shall we?”

“Let’s.” Both boys eagerly responded as they proceeded to follow Twilight out of the infirmary, ecstatic to begin their first lesson as Jedi.

Twilight led the boys into the library and lifted her hand, levitating the Great Holocron to follow after her as she led them to a training room. “Here we are.” She set the holocron down on a pedestal and closed her eyes before reaching out with the Force. The holocron lifted into the air above the pedestal and started slowly rotating as it began glowing lightly.

Loki and Drever’s eyes lit up as the holocron floated and glowed, their jaws almost dropping to the floor as parts rotated and clicked into place.

The holocron settled into place as a specter appeared over it. Henry Mercer appeared hovering over the holocron with his arms crossed, looking as dignified as when he was first introduced to Twilight and her friends. “Greetings, Twilight.”

“Greetings, Master Mercer,” Twilight happily responded with a slight bow to the specter.

“I see you’ve brought me younglings,” Henry said with a smile. “They’re here for lightsaber instruction?”

“Of course.” Twilight replied, lightly pushing the two still awe struck boys towards Mercer. “They’re very eager to start.”

“What are your names, boys?” Henry asked with that same warm smile. “I am Jedi Master Henry Mercer. In life one of the Jedi Order’s most prolific lightsaber instructors.”

Loki and Drever said nothing, still struck with a mixture of awe and slight fear as the gazed at the shimmering blue hologram. After what seemed like hours (at least to the boys), they eventually regained their collective composure. “I am Loki Starfallen, Crowned Prince to Equestria.” Loki responded first.

“I am Drever de Lis, son of Lord Fancy Pants and Fleur de Lis.” Drever replied, trying to mask his nervousness.

Henry regarded Drever for several moments. “You know. After a lifetime of archivists compiling knowledge in the Jedi Temple and never sharing it with the galaxy at large, Jocasta went so far as claiming that if we didn’t have information on something, then that something didn’t exist. But, after all that hypocrisy in the old order, it is so very refreshing to see non Force sensitives accepted into our ranks.”

“Thank you, sir.” Drever replied, bowing his head in respect to Henry.

“Twilight. Give them training sabers,” Henry requested as he looked at her.

“Yes, Master.” Twilight replied as she made her way to one of the weapon racks. She carefully eyed each one of the training sabers until she found the two that would be perfect for both Loki and Drever. She made her way back to the boys, handing them their practice weapons. “Here you go, younglings.”

“The buttons on the shafts will engage the blade,” Henry said. “Training sabers are at a low power setting that makes them akin to stun batons. The worst they’ll do is minor burns and only from prolonged contact.”

Both Drever and Loki carefully examined the sabers they were given. The pommels were nothing remarkable, a standard polished silver cylinder. After looking them over, both quickly activated the blades. With an audible hiss, hum and flash, bright blue blades shot up from the cylinders. “Cool!” Both exclaimed in excitement.

Henry chuckled at their youthful energy. “Now then, younglings. The first form you will learn is Shii-Cho, the foundation of all modern lightsaber techniques.”

“Well if this is anything like Varangar training, then I say bring it on.” Loki smugly boasted, beating one hand to his chest.

“Right, how hard can these be?” Drever responded, equally confident as he gave a few practice swipes.

Henry chuckled. “Be mindful of the power you now hold in your hands. A combat ready lightsaber can slice through near anything with little difficulty. Shii-Cho is called the tutorial form because its most basic purpose is to teach you how to swing a lightsaber without killing yourself.”

All the blood from Drever’s face drained away, turning him pale as he began to sweat nervously. “Wait hold on a minute here!” He barked, his tone becoming slightly higher. “Nobody said anything about ponies being killed here! Twilight why would you give children such dangerous weapons if we’d end up hurting somepony else?!”

“Relax, Drever,” Twilight said in a calming tone. “The most those training sabers can do is minor burns.”

“And besides, this shouldn’t be totally different from those fencing lesson you took.” Loki replied, hoping to ease Drever’s mind.

“The fencing swords had blunted tips and a plastic stopper at the end.” Drever pointed out as he deactivated the saber. “These are remarkably different.”

“Indeed they are,” Henry confirmed. “All of a lightsaber’s weight is in its hilt. Combined with the blade’s gyroscopic effect, the weapon is difficult at best for non Force sensitives to master.”

“Gyroscopic effect?” Loki inquired as he too deactivated his blade. “That has something to do with motion, doesn’t it?”

“That’s exactly right,” Twilight confirmed. “Basically, the blade doesn’t want to stop once it gets going.”

“Quite so,” Henry said. “Now then. Twilight, please show them the starting Form I stance.”

Allele gazed upon the scrambling horde of diamond dogs that worked tirelessly to get their new found equipment and hostages loaded and safely transported to their new home in the mountains. Their progress had thus far been chaotic and clumsy, those who had dropped or otherwise damaged any important equipment were disciplined with a severe flogging or a few rations removed.. As for the more extreme foul ups, they suffered an agonizing bout of Force lightning until the room reeked of their burnt flesh. As he watched a pair of dogs load up one of their captive scientists, he sensed an air of fear behind him. Whoever it was, the news they had  brought with them was not pleasant. “Speak.” He demanded in a loud, yet calm voice.

“My lord,” the messenger began. “A… a splinter group of dogs stole several of our blaster rifles and attacked one of the pony towns. The weapons allowed them to nearly overrun the town, but…” He hesitated.

Before he allowed the dog to speak further on the matter, he quickly ignited the blood red blade of his saber and with a fury of fluid, yet rage filled strikes, slashed apart a portrait of the late Akita and the wall which it rested on. After leaving nothing but a mess of still red hot melted wall, he sheathed his saber, barely turning his attention back to the dog whose fear heightened in level. “Anything else?”

The messenger trembled in terror. “The… The dogs were-were slain to the last by… By a group of ponies with-with swords like your own. Powers like yours.”

Upon letting those last words sink in, Allele extended his arm out and yanked the poor dog into his hand, applying pressure to his neck. “What ponies?”

The messenger held Allele’s forearm as he struggled to breathe. “The… The former bearers of the… Elements of Harmony and… Twilight Sparkle’s mate.”

Allele’s face contorted from rage to fear to surprise back to a calm and collected one as he let loose the dog from his grip. “Go. Tell the rest of those mutts that the evacuation speed needs to be doubled. We need to leave for the mountains now!”

The messenger scrambled to his feet and raced out of his master’s presence to pass along his command.

Allele quickly left the room, making a beeline for the throne room, where standing by the throne was his advisor.

The advisor stood slouched over with his hands clasped behind his back as always. “I see you require my wise counsel again, my lord.”

Allele paid him no mind as he climbed the steps, his face reddening with every passing second. “Give me the holocron, then leave us!”

“As you command, sire,” the advisor replied as he went to a hidden panel and opened it, pulling out a glowing black and red pyramid with ancient runes covering it. Placing it on a small table, he left the room and left Allele alone.

Allele tried to center his mind and focused on the holocron before him, using every ounce of his power to twist it open carefully. The pyramid’s walls moved and soon took on a different shape entirely before a light glowed. As it did, a large imposing image of a hooded figure towered over the pyramid itself. “We have a serious problem, my master.” Allele spoke to the figure, giving it a quick bow before completely locking his gaze with it. “There are others with our power and weapons here! How can that be?”

The specter let out a deep chuckle of amusement that matched the smirk on the mask it wore. “It was only a matter of time, my apprentice. But now that they’ve appeared, the game truly becomes interesting.”

“Who are they and how did they get here?” Allele angrily demanded as he stood up. “They could ruin everything we’ve worked on! Did one of them follow you here? If so why did you not dispose of them?”

“The Sith are far more than an organization or the people behind it, my apprentice,” he replied. “We survive countless brushes with extinction because we are an idea. Ideas are immortal. But each idea has other ideas that oppose it. And we are seeing the emergence of our most ancient enemies: the Jedi. For as long as we Sith have existed, the Jedi have been there to slander us. Smearing us as wicked, evil beings no different than the cacodemons of children’s tales lurking in dark places with dripping fangs. Through such shameless, alarmist propaganda, they have always rallied the masses to oppose us.”

“We need to take them out then before they ruin everything!” Allele barked, worried and dripping sweat. “We’ll throw the dogs at them until not a single Jedi is standing! Or better yet, let me go after them! I can easily kill them all before it becomes a problem!”

“Your dogs would be slaughtered in droves, and you yourself would be overwhelmed by numbers,” the gatekeeper answered. “We have built much these past few years. Do not render our labors wasted with rash attacks. It is a game, apprentice. A shadowy game of Dejarik with stakes most high.”

“You would have me just sit by and make no moves then?” Allele questioned, his voice still a flurry with rage. “You useless hologram, what good are you if you don’t have the solution to end this here and now! You said it yourself they were a problem for you before! We need to cut the head of this viper before it’s too late!”

The hologram threw out his arm and sent Allele slamming into the wall, holding him there. “Do not be so rash, apprentice!” He roared. “A viper’s head can be cut off, but care must be taken not to be bitten in the process! Never doubt the prowess and experience of Darth Indra! I fought the Jedi for decades! I know how to fight them! And you will heed my words, apprentice! Do you understand me?!”

Allele struggled against the weight at which he was held against the wall, trying in vain to get loose. “Yes...yes, master!” He uttered before feeling the weight being lifted from him as he hit the floor, taking in large breaths before standing back up and facing the hologram. “So what do you propose we do about them?!”

“Tell me, apprentice,” Indra began. “When you need precision, which do you use? A broadsword or a dagger? You must recruit an apprentice. A dark warrior that we will mold into the deadliest of assassins. We will use this apprentice to kill the Jedi while they are still gathering people to indoctrinate. They would seal the potential of all beings in chains. We must not allow them to.”

Allele paced around for a moment, touching his hand to his chin, turning over any possible recruits in his mind before he stopped in his tracks, a slight smile forming on his face. “I think I know of a potential candidate.”