Four years passed since Zack went missing and Pinkie Pie had stopped using her clones. She focused on helping others though her heart was into it. The world she was in didn’t want her help expecting that she wanted something in return. In order to cheer her up Cole threw her a poor made surprise party. Even Star Shaper tried to get her to laugh before taking her to the side.

“Pinkie, I know these years were hard on you.” he told her and she looked to the side avoiding his gaze. “Zack is gone, you don’t know if he is hurt or even dead. So don’t focus on it.”

Pinkie gave him a surprised look about to retort but he held up a hand continuing. “It is out of your control, you cannot do anything about it. You can’t make everyone happy, that is a fact of life. So set those to the side and focus on what you can do.”

“I can be happy and talk to everyone else.” the pink party pony started as she thought about it. “I can make the most of our time here instead of being a downer and getting stressed out. I can try and stay true to who I am and keep in mind the lessons I learned. I have to let go of broken promises, I can’t cling to the past, I can be me. I am nothing if not Pinkie Pie, the best party planner ever!”

“There we go.” Star Shaper said as he watched her hair fluff up again and she went out to join the party. He sighed before opening up his hand a star appearing and watching Zack carry a young blonde. He closed his palm causing it to fade. This was going to be a long journey.

“You seem like a reasonable woman.” a man spoke to them, an elf King by the name of Thranduil. He was watching Rainbow Dash carefully as she was to him, he was standing a distance away though he was slowly approaching her.

“There is something within Erebor that I wish that be returned to us. Something something that was taken without our knowledge.” he told her walking closer, Rainbow frowned as she thought about this. She wasn’t going to tell him to screw off, if what he was talking about did belong to the Elves then it would be within their right to reclaim it. She sighed shaking her head saying. “Look King Thranduil I would love to help, however Thorin doesn’t trust us and he is the only one who can get into that Mountain. Why don’t you ask him?”

“I did, he preferred to tell me to go defecate on my ancestors.” he replied curtly and Rainbow groaned as she palmed her forehead. “Yet if he doesn’t trust you then why do you travel with him?”

“Because my teacher and my friend need to go in the same direction.” she answered honestly and Thranduil watched her for a moment before asking. “If your teacher sided with the dwarves what would you say then?”

Rainbow’s eyes widened as something in her mind snapped as she stared at the Elven King. Betrayal. She had experienced it several times before, Troopers that turned on the Republic, her turning on her friends… ‘Anakin.’ she thought her jaw clenching as she spoke. “Do not assume the race of Man holds no loyalty to each other King Thranduil. If my teacher chooses to side with the Dwarves when I do not agree with it I will argue but I will not throw her away.”

“You will do what I tell you or your companions will not leave the dungeon.” Thranduil threatened and Rainbow tensed her eyes widening. Her mouth felt suddenly parched as the feeling of hopelessness dawned on her. Her head bowed as she said. “Fine.”

“I am glad we could see eye to eye.” the Elven King told her placing a hand on her shoulder. “They will be returned once the gems have been returned to us.”

“Yes King Thranduil.” she said not looking at him in the eyes as he removed his hands as he leaned down saying. “I’m glad we had this discussion.”

Rarity as she sat across the street watching the townspeople move about. She was honestly bored, not that having mental communications with Oogway was boring. What bothered her was the lack of shoppers that day. She adored chatting with her customers, she spotted the Láng brothers sitting near the Noodle House. The fashionista had told them about Po and had promised to introduce them. When she spotted the panda walking out she moved to signal the two. That was when a rabbit walked in with an arm full of posters.

“Rarity, the time has come for me to choose the Dragon Warrior.” Oogway spoke in her mind and she jumped. “I was planning on inviting the Village but Shifu requested that only two people from there could come.”

The purple maned pony was about to graciously accept when she saw Po getting excited. She sighed when the Láng brothers heard about it and their tails began to wag. Smiling she replied. “I am sending Xuě and Jīngshén. I believe they would have more fun there than I would.”

She signalled the two brothers who moved forward, they listened as she explained the situation their eyes lighting up.

“Are you sure?” Xuě asked and she nodded her head, they grinned both thanking her. She chuckled before bring the cart towards the village seeing Po moving towards the stairs as well with a cart of his own. She knew his father, Mr. Ping, wanted him to sell noodles there. Her horn lit up at the stone and she walked inside. She climbed onto the lift letting it sink into the deep chasm below. From the thoughts of the twin wolves the tournament sounded as exciting as she thought it would be. Though seeing Oogway through their eyes gave her an idea on how to use Chi to light up the crystal. All she had to do was find it and even the residents knew not where Lady Yue had set it. ‘First thing I will do is find it. When I return the cart of course.’ she thought before walking down the path towards the village.

“Are you sure we are allowed to be here?” Fluttershy inquired looking down at the imp, the world they were on was dead. Orcs moved around either corrupted or in hunting packs. Right now they were avoiding bird like creatures in a forest nearing dead land.

“I never said we were allowed.” the imp told her giving her a smile. “But there is someone I want you to meet. I just can’t be there when you meet her.”

“Why not?” the young girl asked tilting her head to the side. The imp twitched a little before saying. “I’m not technically supposed to be helping you… remember when I said I made mistakes when I was younger?”

“Yes, you told me you hurt some people.” she thought back, Degmur gave her a wry smile saying. “Yeah, one of the people I hurt was the lady’s sister. Badly, if she saw me… I don’t think I would survive.”

“What do you mea…” there was a green flash of light and the imp swept them across the expanse ahead of them. They appeared in front of a tall building the sky above them dark as beings moved around. Most of them were elves, both Blood Elves and Night Elves, though they had horns protruding. Another flash of green light and Fluttershy saw that the imp was gone. Swallowing she began to move from her hiding place catching the attention of one of the Elves. At first they moved towards her weapons drawn before they realized they were standing over a child.

“Take her to Lord Illidan, we shall follow his orders on the matter.” one of them said and she was lifted off her feet. She did not squirm as much until one of the nails nicked her back causing her to bite her lower lip. The elf holding her frowned before large wings sprouted from his back and they took flight. There was a rush that Fluttershy missed, the feeling of being in the air. Deep inside she knew that Pegasi were meant to fly despite choosing to live on the ground. She was soon set down at the top of the building in front of a tall male bandages wrapped around his eyes. The shy pegasus swallowed as the male who carried her there explained the situation. Her teal eyes looked around before spotting a woman, an elf with dark blue hair and glowing white eyes. She was being watched by both as the strange male took flight.

“A human child should not have made it here.” spoke the taller male looking towards the woman who turned her attention to him. “Find out who she is and how she made it.”

“Of course.” the woman spoke and Fluttershy’s eyes widened as she blurted out. “Princess Luna?”

The two elves snapped their attention to her and she shrank back as the woman asked. “How did you know? Who told you? Where are you from?”

“You’re voice, I would recognize it anywhere… and you are using your Equestion royal voice.” she managed to squeak out as she began to tremble. “I-I’m glad you are alright. When you were taken away at the Gala I….”

“The Gala?” the elf frowned before looking at Illidan her eyes widening. “It can’t be.”

“One of your ponies I assume Felan.” answered the demon before shaking his head. “There were no other of your kind taken away.”

“The Elements of Harmony and the Princesses.” the night elf correct before looking at the shy pegasus trying to figure it out before her eyes widened. “Fluttershy.”

“Hi.” Fluttershy squeaked giving her a small smile. “Though right now I’m known as Cecilia Blackwall.”

Rarity sighed as she finished searching the far north of the enormous cavern. She had checked on Po’s progress. Apparently while she was searching for the magical chi crystal he had been chosen as the legendary dragon warrior. He was also being trained by Shifu, something she was keeping a constant eye on.

“Not here.” she mumbled her blue eyes searching the area when a voice spoke to her. “I see you haven’t given up your search.”

“Oogway.” she respond almost halting in her travels. “May I inquire as to what brings you here? You told me to not interfere with Shifu’s training.”

“He and Po need to learn from each other.” the old master replied and she rolled her eyes. “You are looking for the crystal.”

“They need the light.” the pale silver unicorn answered as she began to move away only pausing when Oogway told her. “Yue saw the beauty in everything, even in something that didn’t seem beautiful or could be easily passed by.”

This caused her to take a breath and begin to look around slowly. At first it didn’t seem like anything out of the ordinary. Using her magic she lit up anything with a crystalline structure causing all the walls and the ceiling to glow like the night sky. A hum rang throughout the air as a pale light lit up above her. ‘There.’ she thought spotting it in the center of the ceiling moving slowly. ‘Now how to get it to match the time…’

“There is no need Rarity.” the kung fu legend told her and she resisted turning her head. “Yue made sure it would always know. Chi brings forth the day, while magic lights up the night. It was nice talking to you, now I must go.”

“Speak to you tomorrow.” she replied only to hear a saddened chuckle quickly turning around. “Oogway?”

There was no reply and that worried her, then she told herself that he was merely talking to Shifu. Shaking her head she summoned up chi and sent a little into the crystal. It glowed for a moment but didn’t change as it continued on it’s path. The unicorn headed back to the village feeling a tad bit worried to the point where she almost did not see the world around her.

“Are we almost there yet?” Spike asked Twilight who was sitting upon his back. She was curled up against one of his spikes reading a book. She glanced up before saying. “I believe so, try to find a place to land. Then try your hand at shapeshifting again.”

“If you’re sure.” the purple dragon replied before descending Twilight using her magic to stay on and keep all their items on as well. “Do you think they are going to notice?”

“According to Mythal and Solas? Probably!” the alicorn yelled her hands holding the book to her chest. “They noticed that they weren’t elves from this world! I think that is why we were summoned. Outsider opinion! Give a fresh perspective on things!”

“Makes sense!” Spike said as he land his body changing until he began to shift. Twilight climbing off of his back with their things floating behind her. Before her was a tall elf but things weren’t perfect: His hair was still spiked and green.

“We will just explain where we are from and hopefully they will understand.” the Princess of Friendship as she levitated a staff to her. Both went quiet as they looked it at it before Twilight turned her head away.

“Come on.” she mumbled and Spike was about to say something before touching a pendant around his neck. He sighed shaking his head before moving next to her towards a beautiful town pure and white with waterfalls. Trees were growing in any spot that had no paths or buildings built upon the land.

“Welcome Twilight Sparkle.” an elf said walking up and bowed. “Solas had told us you were coming in his stead.”

“Um, thanks.” the princess was unsure what else to say. “Where would we be staying… I’m sorry what is your name?”

“My name is Lindir.” the brunette replied with a bow before moving along. Twilight sighed as she walked behind him in silence. Spike held his tongue as he followed with their baggage knowing that his friend had forgotten. His eyes wandered for a moment before he told himself that he could explore later. He moved faster to catch up to Twilight wondering why there was a familiar scent in the air. It was old and faint but it was unique among the elves here. He couldn’t place it though, he stopped when the two ahead of him did so as well.

“After all you are a guest.” his ears caught the last part of the conversation they were having. Twilight thanked Lindir before he left and the two headed into the room.

“Shoot.” mumbled the princess before speaking up. “Spike can you grab….”

“Already got them Twilight.” he replied causing her to turn around. “You were a bit distracted.”

“I’m sorry Spike.” the Bearer of Friendship told him as she helped him out. “It’s just why did Solas….”

“Because this was your task not his.” the purple dragon told her as he moved the two bags into the room. “He’s still with you. Like Mythal! Only one isn’t in your head.”

Twilight heard a faint chuckle in her mind and let out a groan, she forgot that she had let the old friend of Solas in there. The mulberry alicorn paused before looking at Spike, he didn’t seem too surprised about all of this. Perhaps she needed to get to know him more instead of seeing her assistant or someone she was raised with. She smiled before giving him a big hug.

Applejack was annoyed, first the planet was attacked and before she could do anything Iron Bull had pulled her into a heavily armed storm cellar. Then she found out that Gideon and Abigail weren’t married and hadn’t wanted to start a farm. In fact they were there searching for their granddaughter, then she found out Flash Sentry figured it out as well. Turned out he took up practicing lying so he could get information out of others. ‘Why didn’t I just use my abilities?’ she thought as she shifted on the shuttle. They were leaving Eden Prime to get to the Citadel, Iron Bull was sitting next to her sleeping. ‘Though he could be pretendin’.’ she grumbled internally before she fiddled with her thumbs.

“Don’t focus on the fact that they all lied to each other.” the man’s deep voice told her causing her head to turn towards him quickly seeing him grinning down at her. “You can’t keep doubting yourself. I saw you roll your eyes at me.”

“I hate ye.” she mumbled before his hand clapped down on her shoulder. “I’m sorry I shouldn’t have said that.”

“I’m not mad.” the Iron Bull replied as she looked at him. “Look, you are not them. Tell the truth to your heart’s content, no one is stopping you. Just remember no one is just like you, they need to lie. And yeah, lying is necessary in some cases, trust me I’ve done a fair bit of lying. One day I met someone who would have figured it out and I told the truth. Turned out to be one of the best things I ever did. She became my closest friend and even supported me when I found love.”

Applejack smiled a little knowing he was a big sap, she was pulled in close as Iron Bull began to drift off. “Now I don’t have him, I don’t have them. All I have is my training and you. Happy pastel colored pony who values honesty. Wish I could have adopted a kid like you, Dorian would have wished for Rarity….”

That caught the gamboge colored pony’s attention as she quickly turned her head to the now sleeping male. She opened her mouth to wake him up but changed her mind and settled in for the long ride.

“You can open your eyes now.” Rarity said removing the blindfold from around Po’s eyes. The panda blinked into the unexpected light as he looked around as the unicorn continued. “Welcome to Liánhuā cūn. Village of the Lotus.”

“Woah.” was all that Po managed as he looked around before craning his neck upwards. “That’s a long way up.”

“It sure is.” Rarity laughed before leading him to her house. “How may I help you Po?”

“I need your help. I had a vision today, it was of my mom.” admitted the panda and the unicorn slowed down listening. “I talked to my dad about it and he doesn’t know where I came from. Now I have to go to Gongmen City and I need a way to keep myself from having these… I don’t know what they are.”

“Po, if they are nightmares then they will go away with a few herbs and oils.” mused the Bearer of Generosity as she focused on the panda. “Hmm… I’m not getting anything right now. Perhaps you are blocking me or them.”

“Thanks for trying.” Po sighed as he turned to leave. “Please tell me you didn’t have me walk down the stairs.”

“Of course not dear.” Rarity chuckled as she began to show him the way back. “I have a friend in Gongmen City. His name is Blueblood, ignore him if he decides to chew you out for not adding Prince in the name. If something has happened as you said then that would explain on why he was in prison. He had just gotten out of prison some time ago.”

“Sure… wait, what?” Po turned around just as she started the elevator trying to catch a glimpse. “He’s not dangerous is he?”

“As dangerous as the ones who taught him but he is not a fool.” Rarity yelled back before turning around wincing. “I hope.”

Author's Notes:

I do not own MLP or any of the game characters added in.