“Dangit, Scootaloo! Ah told ya this was a bad idea!” Apple Bloom sharply whispered as she and Sweetie Belle followed their headstrong friend through the dark depths of the Everfree forest. Flicks of light crept in from the dense canopy, illuminating a few trees and rocks.

“Let’s just go home,” Sweetie Belle suggested, looking around them in fear. “Come on. There’s no telling what’s out here.”

“Don’t be such a baby, Sweetie Belle,” Scootaloo replied stubbornly. “Aren’t you two the least bit curious about the witch that’s supposed to live here?”

“No,” Apple Bloom replied.

“Witches are always bad news,” Sweetie Belle added. “I don’t want to meet a witch. And I especially don’t want Rarity to know I was in here.”

“She’s not going to find out,” Scootaloo dismissed. “And besides, what are the actual odds she is real? If she isn’t, then what’s the worry?”

“Why did you say that?!” Sweetie Belle squeaked in terror. “Now we’re gonna run into her for sure!”

“Relax,” Scootaloo replied. “Nothing bad is going to happen.”

As though to mock her, a howl rent the air. The hunting call of a timberwolf. Scootaloo jumped back a little in a twinge of fear. “Ok...very funny Apple Bloom,” Scootaloo replied, her voice slightly shaken. “It’s going to take more than that to scare me though.”

“That...that wasn’t me.” Apple Bloom stammered.

“That was a real timberwolf howl,” Sweetie Belle squeaked. “There’s a pack on the hunt. And I think we’re the game.” As if to prove the ancient law of the jinx true, a small pack of timberwolves leaped out from behind the trees, trying to surround the trio. The high pitched screaming of all three echoed throughout the forest, temporarily disorienting the timberwolf pack. Not wasting another second, the three fillies ran as far and fast as their legs would carry them. As they sprinted through the forest, the timberwolves followed close behind.

“Faster! Faster!” Sweetie Belle screamed as she glanced back at the wolf pack, running faster to keep up with her more athletic friends. “This was such a bad idea!” They ran faster and deeper into the forest, barely managing to keep ahead of the ravenous wolves. As they continued to try and elude the beasts, Apple Bloom’s foot caught on a loose tree root, landing face first into the hard forest floor. “Apple Bloom!” Sweetie Belle screamed as she looked back.

Before the wolves could pounce on their downed prey, a roar rent the air. The unmistakable roar of the dragon that called the Everfree home. Upon hearing the roar, the wolves turned tail and ran, fearing the dragon’s wrath.

Once the wolves fled, a hooded figure stepped out from behind the trees, slowly approaching Apple Bloom as she tried to right herself.

“Apple Bloom, watch out!” Sweetie Belle screamed as the figure closed the gap between it and Apple Bloom.

The Witch of the Everfree however, had other plans. She pulled Apple Bloom to her feet and checked her for injuries. Finding that the girl had twisted her ankle in her fall, she held her hand over it and before the Crusaders’ very eyes, the bruising faded, and the pain with it.

“Th...thank...thank you,” Apple Bloom stuttered as she slowly and nervously backed away. Once she was within arms length of her friends, the trio decided to make a run for it. Behind them, however, emerged a pair of manticores that softly growled as they barred their path, herding them toward the Witch, who gestured for them to follow her.

“I can’t tell you how long I’ve been looking forward to this!” Twilight said, excitement in her voice. “It’s been too long since the girls and I just got together and hung out. And I appreciate you tagging along, my little soldier boy.” She planted a small kiss on Facet’s cheek as they neared Sugarcube Corner.

Facet smiled and hugged Twilight with one arm. “Wouldn’t have missed it. Especially since it means spending time with you away from Canterlot. Come to think of it, we haven’t been in Ponyville together since we searched that ship in the Everfree.” Not missing a stride, he planted a kiss on Twilight’s cheek in turn. “And if I’m not mistaken, this is my first time meeting your friends.”

“I’m sure they’re all going to like you,” Twilight responded as she opened the double doors of the small bakery. The scent of various sugar coated treats wafted around the air. Once they made their way inside, a pink blur appeared seemingly out of nowhere and Twilight found herself in it’s vice like hug.

“TWILIGHT!” Pinkie exclaimed happily as she held Twilight in her crushing bear hug. “It’s been so long! We missed you so much!”

“I...can...tell,” Twilight responded, almost struggling to breathe. She was released only for Facet to be engulfed in an equally crushing hug.

“And who’s this handsome stud you brought with you?” Pinkie asked, giving Twilight a coy smile with wiggling eyebrows. “You didn’t tell us you had a coltfriend!”

“Pinkie, this is Facet,” Twilight responded, giggling a little as Facet was being playfully crushed by the legendary Iron Hug of the Pie family before Pinkie set him down. “Facet, this is Pinkie Pie. A rather...unorthodox pony and one of my best friends. Speaking of, are the others here yet Pinkie?”

“Yepperoni!” Pinkie chirped as she released Facet and bounced in excitement. “We’ve all been waiting for you!” Pinkie Pie raced off towards the back of the bakery, while Twilight and Facet followed at a leisurely pace.

“You weren’t lying when you said your friends are unique,” Facet commented as he popped his back, which audibly cracked. “Pinkie Pie gives tight hugs.”

“That’s nothing,” Twilight chuckled. “Applejack’s make Pinkie’s feel like being hugged by a cloud.”

Facet found himself chuckling nervously as they reached the table that Twilight’s group of best friends was waiting at. He didn’t consider himself easily scared, but he still grabbed Twilight’s hand in his, twining their fingers together.

“Twilight!” Applejack spoke up first, getting out of her chair to tightly wrap Twilight in her arms. “Glad y’all could make it sugarcube!”

“It’s been forever!” Rainbow Dash added with a wide grin as she leaned back in her chair.

“It’s nice to see you again, Twilight,” Fluttershy meekly spoke, her face hidden behind her mane as she held Angel Bunny in her lap, the little rabbit chewing on a carrot.

“Darling it’s wonderful to have you join us for…” Rarity started, trailing off as her eyes locked with Facet’s. She rose from her chair and with almost Pinkie Pie like speed, wrapped her arms around Facet.

Facet laughed and hugged Rarity in return. “Nice to see you too, dear sister.”

“Sister?” All asked in unison, dumbfounded looks plastered across their faces.

“We’re twins,” Facet explained as he and Rarity parted. “I’m twelve minutes older.” He gave Rarity a playful jab with his elbow. “So there’s a tiny bit of sibling rivalry at times.”

“Tiny would be an understatement, my dear brother.” Rarity chided as she elbowed Facet back, slightly harder.

“Facet, why didn’t you tell me you had a twin sister?” Twilight asked, both curious and puzzled at the same time.

Facet just shrugged his shoulders. “You never asked.” He looked at Rarity. “Rarity, how is our dear little sister doing these days? I so rarely get to see her. She must miss me terribly.”

“Oh Sweetie Belle is doing splendidly,” Rarity replied. “When she’s not making a terrible mess, that is. She never stops talking about you. She just thinks you’re the bravest stallion on Equus.”

“Should we be at all concerned that Sweetie Belle has put me on such a high pedestal?” Facet asked. “I’m just a Guard that knows his duty and never shies from it.”

“She just loves you that much,” Rarity responded. “Come now, let us all sit down, have some lunch and catch up. It’s been so hectic for me lately and these little get togethers are so rare, I want to enjoy it as much as possible.” All nodded in agreement. As they sat down to enjoy a pleasant afternoon together, the double doors swung wide open.

“Somepony help!” Pipsqueak screamed as he ran into Sugarcube Corner, stopping at the group’s table and supporting his hands on his knees as he panted to catch his breath.

“Woah, easy there little fella,” Applejack said as she got up to get Pip a chair. “Just breathe easy there Pip, and tell us what happened.”

Pip finally caught his breath. “Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo! I saw them go into the Everfree forest!”

“WHAT!” All at the table shouted.

“What on Equus possessed them to go into that dreadful place?” Rarity asked, her voice overflowing with worry.

“What happened to them?” Applejack shouted.

“T-They said s-something about a-a witch!” Pipsqueak stuttered.

“Dammit, Sweetie Belle!” Facet muttered as he stood. “I need weapons. I’m going after them.”

“Then I’m coming with you.” Twilight and Rarity replied in unison.

“So am I!” Rainbow Dash barked.

“Count me in!” Applejack replied.

“This sounds like fun, I wanna help!” Pinkie replied excitedly, bouncing up and down.

“I’ll come too,” Fluttershy said, her oft hidden well of courage showing through in her expression and eyes.

“And if you think you can talk us out of this, you’re highly mistaken.” Rarity replied, gazing at Facet with a look of determination and fire in her eyes.

“Not like I’m going to try anyway,” Facet replied with equal fire. “Our sister is in danger.”

“Then I say we quit chatting and get to rescuing!” Rainbow Dash barked, the fire of Facet and Rarity having infected her as well.

“Right!” The group shouted unanimously as they ran out of Sugarcube Corner, racing towards the foreboding Everfree forest.

Facet led the way through the Everfree, cutting aside underbrush with a machete they’d procured as they passed Applejack’s farmhouse. “Their tracks lead pretty deep.” He got down and examined the trail more closely. “About here they started running from a timberwolf pack.”

“That’s unusual,” Applejack replied. “Timberwolves don’t usually come this close to the farm.”

“The tracks lead further in,” Facet said as he followed them. “The wolves were trying to wear them down, separate them for easier take-downs. One of them tripped over this root.” He looked at a tree’s roots. “Then the wolves turned and ran as fast as they could.” He spotted new sets of tracks. “Somepony found them, and started leading this way.” He started following the six sets of tracks. “They were calm, maintaining a walking pace. Though they were trailed by manticores.”

Eventually, the trail ended at a hut in a clearing, built into a tree. “And that is where they are,” Facet muttered.

“Well what are we waiting for?” Rainbow Dash asked, eager for a fight. “Let’s get over there and crack some skulls!” She tried to move, but Twilight placed a hand on her shoulder and yanked her back.

“Don’t be so rash Rainbow,” Twilight replied, speaking in a whispery voice. “We don’t know what we’re up against. We could be walking into a trap.”

“So what do we do?” Rarity asked, the worry in her voice rising.

“There appears to be only two entrances,” Facet muttered. “Applejack, Pinkie Pie. You’ll each cover one of them. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy, the windows. Twilight, Rarity, and I will go inside.”

“Right.” whispered Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Applejack, Rarity, and Twilight as they moved into their assigned positions.

“Okie Doki Loki!” Pinkie Pie thoughtlessly shouted before Twilight placed her hand over her mouth, silencing her. All moved as quietly as possible, making sure that there was nothing and no pony around to see what they were up to. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy silently fluttered up to the hut’s windows, careful to not been seen by any occupant inside. Pinkie managed to bound her way to the back door, hoping in a circle around the back steps. Applejack eased up to the front door, ready for anything.

Facet moved into position with Twilight and Rarity, holding up three fingers. One by one, he lowered them. Once his hand closed into a fist, he burst into the hut, machete brandished. “Sweetie Belle!” Before he could look any further into the hut, a wooden staff was being swung at him. He blocked the blow with his machete, digging the blade deep into the wood. He reciprocated with a balled up fist, but the hooded figure dodged this blow and leapt away deeper into the room.

 “A dreadful thing in foe that has entered my home. Just where exactly did you come from?” The figure demanded, bracing herself for another attack.

“Where. Is. My sister?” Facet demanded as he slowly approached the Witch, keeping his senses sharp for surprises.

“What did you do to them?” Applejack barked as she, Twilight and Rarity entered the hut.

“More foes have come to face me. What is the reason you invade my tree?!” She angrily demanded as the group moved to surround her.

“First of all, who are you?!” Facet demanded in turn, glaring at the Witch with his machete raised.

“Many names are given to me. But you may call me Zecora, shaman of the Everfree,” she replied, removing the hood of her cloak.

“Now where are the three fillies you brought here?” Rainbow demanded, cracking her knuckles. “What do you want with them?!”

“If you so much as harmed a hair on their heads, so help me!” Rarity responded in a most unladylike tone full of rage.

“Those you seek are here with me. I guided them here safely. They almost were victims of this forest beast. So how dare you accuse me!” She replied, gesturing her hand. A curtain behind her moved open by itself and standing there behind it was Sweetie Belle, holding a mysterious object.

“I see you found a treasure of mine. Please bring it here if you don't mind,” Zecora asked Sweetie Belle.

Sweetie Belle had just enough time to set the dodecahedron on the table in the center of the room before she was scooped up by Facet.

“Tell me, Sweetie Belle, Are you alright?!” Facet asked as he looked her over for any injuries, worry covering his face.

“I’m ok, Facet,” Sweetie Belle responded as she wrapped her arms around her big brother. Rarity soon entered and joined in the hug.

“I’m so glad you’re ok!” Rarity exclaimed, tears almost running down her face. “Don’t you ever dare scare me like that again! I nearly had a heart attack!”

“What were you thinking, coming out here?!” Facet demanded. “You know how dangerous this forest is!”

“I’m sorry,” Sweetie Belle responded, on the verge of crying. “It was all Scootaloo’s idea! I didn’t even want to come out here but she talked us into it.” She buried her head into Facet’s shoulder, tears overflowing with regret.

Facet sighed and held Sweetie Belle, gently rubbing circles on her back. “You were trying to emulate me, weren’t you?”

“Mmmhmm,” Sweetie Belle muffled in reply.

“Sweetie Belle, there’s a very fine line between brave and foolish,” Facet said, looking her in the eye. “What you did falls firmly into the foolish category.” He ran his hand through her mane. “But I’m just glad you’re alright.”

“As am I,” Rarity replied as she too comforted her sister.

“What’s goin’ on?” Apple Bloom asked as she and Scootaloo came down the stairs, curious to all the racket. Applejack and Rainbow Dash’s gazes were fixed upon them as they raced up to similarly hug the girls tightly and sternly lectured them as well.

“Now that all that’s out of the way, I’m very curious, Zecora,” Twilight spoke up. “Why bring them here instead of to Ponyville?”

“My home was closer for them you see. Instead of the longer trek to you ponies,” she replied.

“I see,” Twilight muttered. “And what is this thing?” she inquired, poking at the crystal Sweetie Belle had set down. “It’s of similar composition to all those cubes from that wrecked ship. Remember, Facet?”

“Yeah. I do,” Facet answered, glancing at the crystal. “Just what is that thing, and how did you come by it, Zecora?”

“That answer is unknown to me. I found while walking through Everfree. It’s strange glow called to me, so I brought it here for safety,” she replied as she moved over to the device. “Such a strange crystal; not like any I've seen before. Is there something special about this crystal ore?”

“Does it do anything at all?” Twilight asked, further scrutinizing the crystal. “And how did you use magic earlier? When you moved that curtain?”

“That wasn't magic that I used before, but rather the ancient power called ‘the Force’,” she replied. “It’s something I learned from the gatekeepers of old; from masters Henry and Corvo.”

“Gatekeepers?” Rainbow asked in confusion. “Henry and Corvo?”

“What gate do they keep?” Fluttershy asked, just as confused.

“Master’s of what exactly?” Rarity also asked confused.

“And what is the Force?” Twilight asked.

“So many questions to answer for. Allow me to explain it to you. My masters had a special task bestowed on them. They were to guard the knowledge of the Great Holocron. They kept the knowledge under lock and key, so one wouldn't learn things before they are ready,” she began. “As for the Force, it's hard to explain simply. It is something that guides one through eternity. It can be used by chosen few, and I can sense it in all of you.”

“Sense it? In all of us?” Twilight asked. “Including the fillies?”

“Indeed my young mare. It seems fate has brought you here,” Zecora replied, a smile on her face.

Facet stepped up to Twilight’s side and met her gaze for a moment before looking to Zecora. “Can you show us these gatekeepers?”

Zecora nodded in reply and turned to face the holocron. She knelt before it, closing her eyes and marshalling all of her concentration to focus on the holocron. As she focused, the holocron slowly lifted into the air and rotated, glowing brighter before a pair of specters appeared above it, both seeming fully solid. One was of the same species as Princess Luna’s son, while the other was of another species. His skin dark and leathery like tough hide, and his eyes were covered by  a blindfold. Both wore matching brown robes and tunics.

All sans Zecora gasped and took a step back, amazed at the sight of these strange aliens creatures. “Who are who?” Twilight demanded. “What are you?”

The light skinned alien spoke first. “I am Jedi Master Henry Mercer, one of the greatest swordsmen in the history of the Jedi order.”

“And I am Jedi Master Corvo Ontera,” the blind one spoke. “One of the order’s foremost scholars and historians.”

“A scholar?” Twilight asked, sounding a bit puzzled with a hint of enthusiasm in her voice. “Tell me, what is the Force? What is a Jedi?” She barraged the pair with questions before Facet had the presence of mind to place his hand over her mouth.

Corvo chuckled good naturedly. “It is wonderful to see one so eager for knowledge. The Force is what empowers the Jedi. It’s an energy field created by all living things that surrounds us, penetrates us, and binds all life together. For millennia, the Jedi stood as guardians of peace and justice in the galaxy.”

Twilight managed to wrestle Facet’s hand away and continued her barrage. “I must know the secrets to the Force! Can you show us how this power works? Please, please, please I beg of you!” Twilight dropped to her knees and clasped her hands together.

Corvo and Henry both chuckled at the eagerness. “You wish to learn the ways of the Jedi? All of you?” Henry asked. The group, sans Zecora, looked at each other, then looked at the Jedi.

“Sure, why not,” Rainbow Dash retorted.

“Sounds like fun!” Pinkie excitedly replied.

“Sure, it sounds like a hoot.” Applejack responded.

“Consider me intrigued, darling.” Rarity elegantly replied.

“I… I’m interested in the scholarly parts,” Fluttershy muttered.

“I will stand with Twilight in any undertaking she goes through,” Facet answered.

“CUTIE MARK CRUSADER JEDI, YAY!!” screamed Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo simultaneously.

Corvo chuckled. “Instinctive use of the Force to amplify their shouts. They should make fine Jedi.”

“It is settled then,” Henry said as he looked over the group. “You are our apprentices.”