Spike wasn’t sure what had happened, one moment he was talking with Twilight in Rivendell just enjoying the peace. There was a snap and he saw Twilight look to the side as they both vanished. He didn’t remember a lot about his journey back home except Twilight telling him. “Don’t worry Spike. You know what to do.”

The purple dragon opened his mouth to call for his mentor but instead he found himself in the hallway of the castle. It seemed smaller to him as he looked around, that was when a gasped sounded causing him to turn around. Standing there was a blonde pony with long pointed ears that seemed to flop back. Her eyes were glowing and her coat was almost a pale peach as she approached him. His eyes studied her more taking in her stature and the long eyebrows she had. From what he could tell she was a unicorn but something felt off.

“Don’t worry.” he told her holding up a letter. “I’m Twilight’s assistant. You can ask Aurora if you want to confirm.”

The pony levitated the letter to him and he saw the aura was a pinkish color then it started changing. She was looking over the letter and he could almost see her eyes moving despite them being glowing. ‘Also blue.’ he told himself as the unicorn began to walk away. He followed after her as she continued to read levitating the page in front of her. Soon he began to think she had forgotten about him until he ran straight into her when she stopped.

“How many years?” she spoke up looking at him. “Master Spike, it has only been three days since your disappearance.”

“It was years on our end.” he mumbled rubbing his arm and the unicorn let out a laugh. “Do not worry friend, I am not doubting you. Though I do wonder where the one who was with you is.”

Twilight let out a groan as she looked around, she couldn’t quite figure out where she was this time. It was a cave of some sort located by a waterfall. Climbing to her feet she began to move forward deeper into the cave her hand lighting up. Her eyes flickered to the sky beyond the water’s flow, dispelling her magic the alicorn ran towards the exit and jumped out her wings flapping. She was up in the sky and she was enjoying having her wings again. The aura on this planet felt peaceful and she soon felt herself relaxing into the flight.

Spike wasn’t sure how he was going to get things in order before Twilight and the others returned. The princesses were missing, the nobles were trying to get control, the strangers actually were rather content on being by themselves. His mind did travel to Rarity and his daughter hoping that they were well. Even though it had only been a few hours he felt like it had been days since he came back. The sound of running caught his ears and he turned around to see a filly running towards him

“Daddy!” she called leaping into his arms despite his surprise. “It is you right? I am not sure, I mean I remember you but it has been sometime.”

“Moonlight.” he breathed as he looked into his daughter’s eyes, the once bright green eyes had only one difference: one was like her mother’s. “You’ve grown…. I mean where’s your mother?”

“I don’t know, wait is she the yellow one with the pink mane?” the half dragon asked only to get a head shake from her father. “Then I don’t know, I was sent with… Fluttershy? That is what Rumia called her.”

Spike sighed in relief before asking. “Who’s Rumia?”

Fluttershy opened her eyes and observed the planet she was on, it was a swamp with few trees and as far as she could tell night. She felt the familiar weight of her wings and smiled happily before she took off flying as far into the air as possible. All she began to laugh as tears ran down her face, she was going to treasure these wings. Yet she felt a weight on her heart, she had left Azeroth fighting against the Legion. ‘I will return.’ she promised herself as she flew beyond the trees she steadied herself in the air. Suddenly something pierced her shoulder causing her to plummet to the ground her wings closing. Once she got close enough she spread them so she could land safely. She grabbed her shoulder and was in the process of healing it as a tall figure approached her. Two long tendrils came from his head as he paused weapon raised. She spun around hearing him shift and the two stared at each other.

With the help of Moonlight, Spike was able to calm down and take a look at the situation after resting. It was hard for the strangers to continue to raise the moon and the sun. Though he was interested on why they had that much power. It had taken the entire unicorn tribe to do that everyday, there was only a handful of these ponies. Shaking his head he saw one of the Ravencrest leaders, Night Weaver, hugging a stallion and he was hugging her in return. Moving closer he caught a bit of their conversation.

“Where were you?” Night Weaver asked looking at him. “I was worried that you….”

“I was helping one of the Lady’s chosen. We were taken to a strange world far away.” the stallion replied placing a hoof on her shoulder. “Sister there is much to tell you.”

“Excuse me.” Spike said causing both to look at him. “Who were you sent with?”

“I believe her name is Pinkie Pie.” the strange stallion told him and the purple dragon sighed. “She told me to tell you that Rarity will be happy to see you when she returns.”

‘It’s Pinkie Pie don’t question it.’ Spike told himself having heard that from one of the guards one time.

Pinkie woke up feeling a heavy heart, she didn’t know where she was and didn’t even move. Not even when footsteps approached her.

“Who are you and why the… hey… are you listening?” a voice asked a someone kneeled next to her. “Shit, are you alright?”

“I couldn’t help him.” Pinkie whimpered her eyes filled with tears. “I guess parties and fun can’t change a person.”

“Okay, let’s get you up.” the female said hoisting Pinkie Pie up and turned her around. “Listen to me, whoever this person was I’m sure you did change something. Even a small thing is a change.”

The pink party pony blinked as the woman came into view. She had short brown hair, tan skin, and purple eyes. Her face was also marred in burn scars, blue eyes began to look around seeing metal walls and metal floors. There were lights illuminating the area and the place had a very homely look to it.

“Hey, name’s Sam Shepard, I’m the Captain of this vessel.” Pinkie looked back to the woman who had released her shoulders. “And you are?”

“Pinkie Pie.” the earth pony said and the captain nodded her head asking. “How did you get on my ship?”

“I’m not sure.” Pinkie answered honestly rubbing her arm. “I guess it has to do with this test that I’m going through.”

Sam hummed thoughtfully before saying. “You are now on a break, I’ve got a job that I would need some help with and you seem like a good….”

“Distraction.” Pinkie finished and the captain looked at her. “I knew that is what you were going to say.”

“You are going to be highly useful.” the captain smirked patting her on the shoulder. “Welcome to my ship Pinkie Pie.”

Celestia opened her eyes feeling the weight of darkness bearing down upon her. She sat up rubbing her arms speaking quietly into the dark. “Illidan?”

“Shh, don’t say a word.” another voice told her as a person moved next to her. “They will hear you, then they will come. You don’t want them to get inside of your head!”

The princess of the sun was about to use her magic but the person began to move away. Whispers began to speak all around her as darkness began to rise. One took a form as a masked figure stood before her.

“You, you are powerful and alone.” the strange being spoke. “I will use your body and get out of this accursed place.”

“I can help you.” Celestia didn’t move when she heard Illidan’s voice. “But there will be a time when you will do the same.”

“Help me defend my people… and I will help you defend yours.” Celestia said as the spirit of the dark being overcame her. She let out a scream before her eyes glowed green for a moment and tattoos appeared. The last thing that went through her mind was her dearest sister, Luna.

Luna opened her eyes blinking at the sunlight streaming in above her. She was amongst ruins somewhere and it was quiet. As long as she kept out of sight of the soldiers scouring the ruins. At the moment the princess of the night was hiding out in the open. It was due to the fact that they were called somewhere else by the one in charge. The feeling she had of this person was just dark, there was nothing but anger and hatred. Sometimes she felt like he could sense her presence there, at those times she would meld into the darkness. At nights she would find a safe place to sleep in, the more she explored the more she found that these were ruins to a temple of some sort. No matter what world she was on the dark blue alicorn would always lament the destruction of buildings with historical value. Both she and her sister would, they cared for history and their people. Her mind drifted to the people that was waiting for their return.

“And why should we believe anything you say?” huffed Jet Set looking down at Spike from his seat on Rarity’s throne. “You are a nobody, not to mention a dragon.”

“Haven’t we gotten past these insults?” mumbled Spike rubbing his forehead doing his best to not breath fire on the haughty noble. He was desperately wishing for Rarity right now, or even one of the princesses. The doors slammed open as a familiar white stallion walked in and all the nobles climbed to their feet.

“Prince Blueblood!” gasped Upper Crust giving him a coy smile. “There you are, please as the nephew of Princess Celestia, get this thing out of here.”

“I will do no such thing.” growled the nephew his hoof hitting the ground startling the nobles. “You speak down to the dragon and ignore his service to the Princess of Friendship herself. You are willing to disobey orders then feign innocence when asked about it. You are the ones who should leave.”

“The princess will hear about this.” huffed the grey stallion before Fancy Pants decided to say. “Then I shall tell all of them what you said about the Heroes of Equestria and the Hero of the Crystal Empire.”

Their mouths shut and the ponies left the room, Spike sat back and sighed. Blueblood looked at him saying. “I have a message from Rarity.”

This caught his attention as he listened.

Rarity moved quickly through the streets her face hidden by a hood. The people for the most part ignored her but there were a few that she did not want to catch the attention of. They were known as the Sith and from what she could tell not nice people. They would kill someone in the streets and others would look the other way. She didn’t want to do the same but those who did what she thought were struck down as well. The mere thought of that made her throat dry, the purple haired unicorn leaned against a wall in an alley. She was hearing a person sneak up behind her. ‘They should honestly be more quiet if they want to mug me.’ she thought to herself as she moved forward into the crowd of people. Her eyes looking forward and not back. The fashionista didn’t want to let them on to the fact that she knew about them. This time she was going to spend her life quietly not knowing that eyes were already on her in this Empire.

Spike walked down the halls thinking about what Rarity had said. There was one last test for now, more were to come. He wanted to see her, to just give her and the others a hug. He knew how hard the tests were going to be on them.

“You are thinking loudly little one.” spoke Aurora causing him to look at her through the window. “It will not help at the moment.”

“Do you have something else in mind?” he asked and the tall dragon chuckled saying. “Come, let me take a look and see how much you have grown.”

The purple dragon headed out passing by Inkwell as he did so.

Rainbow Dash ran as fast as she could, blasters were flying over head. She knew what this was, it was a warzone. She couldn’t tell where, her eyes spotted a walker moving past her. She knew who that belonged to and felt a little safer knowing the Republic was on this planet. That was until anti air missiles hit it and she knew that they were in trouble. Running up she was going to help as many people as she could.

Cadence let out a groan her eyes weakly opening as voices spoke all around her. Her body hurt from all the pain she had to endure.

“Are you alright?” it was a human asking this, she tried to turn her head but was stopped. “Don’t move. I think your wing is broken, we’re trying to set it but we have to be careful. Sith are everywhere.”

“We don’t want to attract their attention.” she mumbled faintly before the setting of her bone nearly caused her to shout out but a cloth was shoved into her mouth. She bit down on it harshly as it was being bound. She held back a sob as she was helped up by the slave, he took in the wounds on her body and winced.

“I can carry you if you want.” he offered and she didn’t decline, she didn’t know how long she was in the hands of the Imperials but she knew her wounds were great. She was swept up by a different alien who said. “You aren’t strong enough yet.”

“Thanks Ziel.” the male mumbled and they headed deeper into the ruins. Cadence felt the heaviness of the planet and its will to drive those on it insane.

Flash Sentry was the last to return, he didn’t say much just headed back to his duty as a guard. He told Spike that they all needed to be retrained in case of ambushes. The orange pegasus also mentioned that Applejack was doing her best to get through her test so she could get home to her family. That she missed them dearly and will do her best to stay strong. Spike appreciated that and relayed the message to the Apple Family.

When Applejack opened her eyes she found herself in a dark alleyway. Many humans passed by with strange metal creatures near them. Her green eyes narrowed as she got to her feet her hand searching around for Flash Sentry. Instead she saw a little girl with pink to purple hair, a light blue stripe running through. At first she didn’t know who she was until she saw the wings and knew she was Equestrian by nature. She got to her feet quickly before placing her hand to the ground and closing her eyes. A sensation washed over her as she got a feeling for the world around her. There were people walking upon the surface and tall buildings that reached to the sky.

‘Well it seems like these people are rather ordinary.’ she thought before a deep voice spoke to her causing her to freak out. “Try making some noise.”

‘Good to hear from you again.’ she said mentally before resuming focus and humming under her breath. This caused vibrations in her vision before she saw flying metal machines. Letting out a groan she opened her eyes before hearing the hearty laughter in her mind causing her to roll her eyes and shake her head. Looking down she took in the outfit she was wearing seeing that it had once again changed. Other differences was her skin was normal, before it was tanned, now the tangelo skin had returned. She kept to the shadows and to the alley, it was a request from the voice in her head. At first it irritated her that was until she saw armored figures moving through the streets their heads turning.

“They’re searching, could be someone knows you are here.” the voice told her and she began to look around. “Head deeper in the alley and find a way to get up high.”

At first she was about to complain but she was creeped out by the soldiers heading towards her and scampered down the alley. The child followed behind her quickly still not making a sound. There was a fence blocking her way and she jumped glad that she had trained for all those rodeos as she made it to the other side. The child simply flew over it landing at her side looking up as if wanting to be praised. Patting her on the head she let out a sigh almost ignoring the warning bells in her head go off. She moved to the side just as the backend of a pole hit the fence. She heard something activate before. she turned around seeing that she was surrounded by several of the guards.

“By orders of Emperor Valkorion you are to be detained.” one spoke up and Applejack looked around before asking. “Is there anything that I need to do to surrender?”

“Don’t move.” another said before she was rendered unconscious as the Knights surrounded her. “Did you really have to knock her out?”

“I’m not taking any chances Novo, even I can feel that she is far more dangerous than she lets on.” the one who knocked her out told him pulling out cuffs. “Get her a robe, we can not let the civilians see her. The Emperor’s orders. I don’t think we will have any problems with the child.”

“Yes sir!” the Knights replied before going to get the cloak as they helped her into a standing position. After she was covered they got out of the alley and placed her in a shuttle before climbing in. after her as it took off. Novo glanced at the prisoner wondering how someone got to Zakuul without catching their attention. At first glance she wasn’t noticeably different from the rest of them other than her skin. Yet there was something off about her, she felt strange like the Force was warped around her. He looked towards the palace they were headed wondering why they were ordered to bring the stranger there.

Valkorion stood in front of a window looking down on Zakuul with a frown. An unknown force had placed something in his great empire. Even with the Force he could not find the being that did, he knew that the creature that appeared would have answers. Turning around he observed Thexan and Arcann with disinterest. They were there to see what wretched creature that invaded their world and if it had no information one of them would kill it.

“Ah must admit I wasn’t expecting to wake up. Where did ya put the kid?” a voice said right outside the door, it was speaking. The accent sounded like something he would hear in the planets that the Republic and the Empire would bicker over. He didn’t turn around instead choosing to observe the creature that was brought before him through the reflection. Tinted by the darkness of space he almost couldn’t tell her apart from his people. Though he could feel it from here, something about her was twisting the Force around her.

“You are here on my orders.” he answered choosing not to play all of his cards at once. Not showing his face to her would provide him an air of mystery.

“Ah can’t tell if that is a good thing or a bad thing.” the being replied her eyes narrowing as she watched his back. The guards looked as if to tell her who he was but she spoke again. “Ah reckon that you’re the Emperor who sent these soldiers to pick me up.”

“You are smarter than you look.” this didn’t surprise him, yet she still wasn’t showing him the proper respect. “You stand before an Emperor and yet you do not kneel.”

“Ah’m not gonna kneel if ya are goin around and demanding it.” she told him sternly before glancing around and kneeling. “But yer men seem to respect you and Ah can respect that.”

Valkorion turned around, that intrigued him. Most leaders on either side would never bow to him no matter how much respect his people showed towards him. Yet this outsider decided to take a knee he moved in front of his throne.

“Tell me, where have you come from?” he asked motioning for her to rise and she did so. She answered politely. “Equestria sir, though Ah reckon you haven’t heard of it.”

“And what makes you say that?” he questioned taking a seat not responding to her accusation.

“Well, it’s a place that doesn’t draw a lot of outsiders. Don’t got a lot of technology to get to space, most of our stuff in run by magic crystals.”

“Then how did you come here?” there was a lack of trust in Valkorion’s voice which irritated Applejack who replied. “Well now that is somethin’ I’m trying to figure out. One moment Ah’m tryin’ to help my people the next I’m in a field. After going through some crazy stuff, I end up in an alley and mah companion is missing, there was a girl there and now ah don’t know where she is!”

The stress in her voice was abundant and Valkorion could tell that she wasn’t lying.

“Tell me, what do you know about the creature that teleported you?” he questioned and she shrug. “You never saw this thing?”

“No sir, I reckon’ that no one did. Stayed hidden probably.” she replied and the Eternal Emperor nodded his head. He noticed that she had been watching him the entire time not even looking for a way to escape.

“Tell me what are your intentions.” he said and she frowned before saying. “Nothin’ sir, I just wanna get home. Problem is, Ah don’t know where it is.”

Valkorion knew that she wasn’t part of the Empire nor of the Republic. She didn’t have the demeanor of either side. Instead she was polite, honest, and respectful for her betters. The place she was from must be rather fascinating. Perhaps a perfect place to bring into the Eternal Empire. Yet something still bothered him, she was rather pacifistic in her actions against his Knights. That meant either one of two things: One she was strong enough to take them down but didn’t, this meant she was a trained warrior. If there were more like her a full takeover was ideal. Two, it meant that she was weak. That would mean that either her planet’s government was strong enough to keep them safe or they were all weak. That would not benefit the Empire at all, he glanced over at Thexan and Arcann. They nodded drawing their lightsabers as the Knights began to back away.

Applejack noticed the movement and tensed as two walked forward their weapons drawn. Her hands clenched into fists before hearing the voice in her head. “Focus on my voice.”

She closed her eyes just as the two leaped towards her bringing their weapons down. She lifted up her hand feeling energy being emitted.

Valkorion watched in interest when she had brought up her hand. A yellow light appeared before taking the form of a two handed weapon. She brought her other hand up and grabbed the hilt with the first had block both blows. She didn’t budge an inch and the sword wasn’t even destroyed by the two lightsabers. She looked at the two before slamming the blade into the ground before spin kicking it. A blast of energy knocked the two back. Vaylin leapt at her behind and the young woman looked at her before slamming her foot into the ground causing the metal to raise up behind her. It arched blocking the blow as the woman slid under. The twins moved on either side of her and she closed her eyes the sword flying to her hands again as she leapt into the air but was all halted when the three of his children used the force to stop her. Her green eyes opened as she looked towards them saying. “Nice trick. Telekinesis to hold me in place, one problem though.”

“And what is that?” Vaylin asked her eyes narrowing and the blonde grinned. “All three of you need to hold me in place.”

Her hand opened up as a seed dropped down a tree sprouting from it hiding her in its branches. Valkorion signaled for them to stand down, the young woman climbed out of the tree plucking one of the fruits off of its branches.

“Now that wasn’t really nice.” she told him leaning against the trunk munching on the fruit. “That little bit with magic there was interesting though.”

Valkorion was quick to notice that, so her people didn’t know about the Force then. Those that were Force sensitive probably knew how to use it for cheap tricks then.

“Though Ah didn’t see your magical aura.” she told him musing before standing up. “Meaning it is somethin’ similar but it isn’t the same. What do you call… wait a second. Rainbow mentioned something that she saw during her test. What did she call it….?”

“We call it the Force.” he told her, that meant her friend had been here before. The young woman nodded her head saying. “Yeah that was it, didn’t believe her at first. I mean it did sound just like magic. Now that Ah’m seein’ it, I guess there is a difference.”

Valkorion couldn’t help but be amused by this he got to his feet saying. “Perhaps we have much to learn from each other then.”

“Ah’m not the best at building relations but Ah can do my best. Ah want the girl to be placed in a safe home though. Ah don’t think she’ll say much about where she is from if anything.” she told him as he instructed a Knight to bring her to a bed chamber. When she was led outside of the room did he turn to his children saying. “Keep an eye on her.”

Applejack walked behind the Knight watching him carefully as she was escorted out the of the throne room and to an elevator. She was quiet during the ride her hand lightly brushing against his armor as she saw what he was trained for. Not making any reaction did she leave behind him and into a palace. She must say she was impressed by the set up.

Author's Notes:

I do not own MLP or any of the other media in this fanfic.