Fluttershy sighed as she walked back to her room absolutely tired. They had spent the last few hours searching for Rarity and nothing had come up. They were hoping she was visiting Canterlot to see the locations she wanted for her new shop. They all knew she was preparing to open one soon, with all the orders she was doing. Yet when Applejack returned saying she had just vanished they worried once again. ‘I just hope wherever she is, that she is safe.’ Fluttershy thought as she sat down on her floor taking a deep breath as she began to clear her mind. Taking a few more she began to feel herself calming down.

“I didn’t want this.” Rarity’s voice whispered and Fluttershy’s eyes snapped open. She wasn’t sure where she was, the area being brightly lit with splotches of whirling pools of shadows everywhere.

“Rarity?” she called out looking around a frown growing on her face. ‘There is something wrong with this place. It is almost like it is out of balance.’ she thought as she looked around as she continued to call for her friend. “Rarity? Where are you?”

A void behind her began morph and take the form of a pony. Tall, lithe, with a black coat, purple and white mane, with bright blue eyes. She grinned as she stalked forward her teeth growing sharp.

“Right here, Fluttershy.” she spoke as Fluttershy turned around letting out a gasp her eyes widening as the creature let out a laugh.

“Bored.” sighed the dark Rarity, as she looked at a gem closely before throwing it behind her upon a pile of gems. “Isn’t there something that can be as dazzling as I am?”

Large wolves walked around carrying large sacks of gems as the one in front of her spoke. “That is all we can find in the mountain Lady Diamond Shade.”

Clicking her tongue against her teeth the unicorn rose to her hooves as more of the bags were poured out. Her eyes glowed dangerously as she asked. “Are you sure?”

“We will check again my lady!” the wolf replied before calling the others back to him with a howl. They turned and left Diamond Shade to herself as she went through the new stack.

“They better not have kept any of this to themselves.” she growled as she through the gems into the growing horde behind her. “And you better not hide any of this from me, my pet.”

There was a snarl as a large blue dragon yanked at the chain around its neck. It roared in anger and in pain as the chains crackled with dark energy.

“Oh come now, don’t do that. I don’t want to hurt you.” cooed Diamond Shade before laughing as she tossed another gem behind her. “You tried to kill me for my horde of gems, the least you can do is keep an eye on them.”

“You tricked me and when I am released I will devour you!” snarled the blue dragon settling down for a bit his tail flicking back and forth. Diamond Shade chuckled before her eyes narrowed as she lifted up something that caught her eye. Amongst the pile of gems there was a worn and weathered red mask with horns. It had white hair forming a beard, mustache, and eyebrows.

“Now how did this thing get into a bag of gems?” growled Diamond tossing it away. “Worthless, this is why I must explain things to the wolves. They cannot tell trash from treasure. Perhaps I should let you eat them and get Diamond Dogs in their stead.”

“Now why would you do that?” a voice asked and Diamond Shade turned around her eyes narrowing at the source of the voice.”Never assume the true nature of any object by its looks.”

“Oh come now, what is with that face?” The dark Rarity laughed as she moved closer to Fluttershy who backed away. “Don’t you recognize your friend?”

“What happened to you?” Fluttershy pried gently as the dark Rarity began to circle her, the Element of Kindness taking note of the sharp teeth. Her own eyes narrowed as she spoke. “Oh my dear Fluttershy, I am what exactly what I am supposed to be. A Nosferatu.”

“Do not listen to her.” a new voice spoke as another Rarity walked out from the light. Though even this one had her own differences. Her eyes were a dark purple, matching the color of her element, and her hair was a pale indigo instead of the moderate indigo and dark mulberry. Fluttershy blinked in surprise at the two. ‘This is odd.’ thought Fluttershy as the stoic Rarity continued. “I am the true source of Rarity’s powers, the Barrier Master.”

“You mean the cold unfeeling cynic.” sighed the Nosferatu rolling her eyes as the shadows reached out and bound Fluttershy. “We both know that will never happen.”

“She has used my power more times than she has ever used yours.” the Barrier Master pointed out pointedly as Fluttershy struggled. “Release her.”

“Why should I? It’s not like you care. Barrier Masters will protect but they will never choose a side.” Fluttershy looked at her when she heard that and her mind went back to Aqua Star. ‘That is a good point, Aqua Star always protected as long as they showed they were no harm to anyone. However….’ Fluttershy took a deep breath before saying. “That is not true, a Barrier Master is just as passionate as anyone else and I don’t know that many Nosferatu but I am sure they can be just as cynical. It isn’t about the Cores you represent but the pony that you do. You are taking two sides of her to the extreme.”

“That is a problem? We are always going to fight, we are opposites after all.” the Nosferatu pointed out and realization dawned on Fluttershy. ‘They are just like the Spirits, unwilling to change or listen to reason. The only way to get them to listen…..’

Fluttershy closed her eyes and focused as a sword appeared in front of her. She opened her eyes and looked towards the two Cores as she finished her thought. ‘Is to get them to work together.’

Fluttershy took a deep breath before charging her form changing as she grabbed her sword swiping at Nosferatu. The dark creature dodged, her form growing unstable, her bright blue eyes slid towards Fluttershy. The shy Pegasus didn’t even blink as she slashed at the Barrier Master blocked with a shield.

“Now, this is unexpected.” The Nosferatu laughed as she smirked at Fluttershy. “I never thought you would be the first one to make a move. That is much more a Rainbow Dash or an Applejack sort of thing.”

“You are damaging Rarity much more than you are helping her. I will show you two the error of your ways.” Fluttershy told them and the Nosferatu charged forward dark shadows launching forward slicing at her. Fluttershy didn’t even move as the shadows hit her, the Nosferatu blinked as she saw they were blocked.

“Thank you Thom.” Fluttershy said as a tall rugged human male grasped the shadows. With a burst of speed Fluttershy ran forward her eyes glowing. She let loose a blast of energy in the form of a hammer. Barrier Master moved forward blocking the attack from reaching the Nosferatu who’s eyes were widened in shock.

“Why did you do that?” hissed the Nosferatu as Barrier Master glanced towards her. “I was doing fine on my own.”

“I doubt that very much.” The Barrier Master spoke her purple eyes sliding towards the Shadow Core who growled. Once the barrier was down she charged towards Fluttershy who took off above them slashing upwards as Nosferatu teleported hitting the Core dead on.

Diamond Shade stared at the mask floating before her with a critical eye and the mask stared back.

“What are you?” she demanded circling around the mask who never broke the eye contact as he replied. “I am an Oni and King of all the Shadowkhan, Tarakudo.”

“Never heard of these Shadowkhan and I have never heard of you.” Diamond Shade scoffed as she stopped where she started. Tarakudo raised one of his eyebrows before glancing over at the dragon.The chain around his neck lifted up and was yanked taught, dark energy surrounded the area. Instead of it affecting the dragon the energy surrounded the mask allowing it growing bigger and more transparent.

“There we go, that dark magic you used was really quite potent. What is the source?” asked Tarakudo looking down at her the unicorn who frowned. “Oh come now, I won’t be able to replicate it. There is nothing in it for me to bind my opponents and cut access from their power and strength. Unless, I plan on torturing them.”

“It is a simple spell that I learned from the various books in Dawning Gloom’s library. Any books I gain she manages to take!” hissed Diamond Shade gritting her teeth together. “She then puts a spell on them so I can’t take them back!”

“Seems like you have some issues with your cohorts.” mused Tarakudo his eyes narrowing as he examined her. “How about we enter in a partnership, I will bestow upon you the power to summon the Shadowkhan and you do something for me.”

“If it is taking any of my jewels the answer is no…!”

“I have no use for them.” Tarakudo interrupted as Diamond Shade’s mouth snapped shut. “I want you to locate the masks of my generals. If I am in your world then they should be as well. This place is a gathering point for many magical beings both light and dark. A war is happening soon and I believe we both wish to be on the winning side. Ours.”

Diamond Shade thought about it for a moment, she had a feeling that Sombra was keeping them in the dark about something. Dawning Dusk, Ire, and Stormy Shadows were keeping either to themselves or stuck with Sombra. The others had their own plans, and Diamond Shade just hoarded: jewels, valuables, information.

“I am sure we can figure something out.” Diamond told the floating mask as it flew towards her. “However, I want this to benefit me as well as you. If we begin fighting for control our partnership will come to an end and I will make sure you will never get those masks. And you won’t rip it from me, even if I am devoured by the dragon.”

“I believe we have a deal, Lady Diamond Shade.” Tarakudo said his eyes glowing. “Now shall I tell you how to summon the Shadowkhan?”

Nosferatu snarled as she was knocked back one more time with Barrier Master standing silently by.

“Are you just going to stand there or are you going to help me out?” hissed Nosferatu glaring at the Light Core who shook her head. “She will destroy us both.”

“I cannot fight, the source of my power won’t allow me. Just like your source will not allow you to protect.” answered the Barrier Master and Fluttershy smiled as she stood down saying. “That is not true.”

“What?” both of the Cores said at the same time looking at the Pegasus in shock as she explained. “Being that of light does not mean you cannot fight and being of the shadows does not mean you cannot protect. That is the thoughts from those who could not get along, even when they agreed on something. Look I have fought many battles, the longest not even in Equestria… unless you count my battle with social anxiety. There were many who could not get along even when forced to work together. The Jedi, The Sith, The Alliance, The Horde, Humans, Monsters. Each had their own unique qualities and gifts and yet they did not seem to understand. I have met many Jedi, those who used the Light side of the Force, who were warriors choosing to protect freedom at the sacrifice of their own emotions. I have met many Sith, those who used the Dark Side of the Force for their own gain yet still cared for and healed their allies. Paladins, those of the Light fighting and defending with both attacks and drawing their enemies to them. Fallen heroes who used the Fel magic to do the same. The world must be in a state of balance, Chaos and Harmony, Fel and the Light, Sha and Balance. Yin and Yang. Light and Shadow. Without one there cannot be another. With light comes darkness, and with darkness light. Your fighting over control has either torn Rarity apart or hidden her from you. If you continue to fight, she cannot regain control and balance herself.”

“Because of the fighting of our creators we only were what they created. We can move beyond it and become magic all of our own. Like with you and your Cores.” spoke Barrier Master as Fluttershy split into four before her eyes. “The Nature Guardian and Sentinel, the Justicar, and the Windmaster. Those who cannot get along work in Harmony because of what you went through and found your inner peace.

All four of the specializations nodded their head as the Nature Guardian and Sentinel became one as Nosferatu spoke. “Because we kept fighting Rarity was always felt uneasy about her abilities. No matter what she was taught about Shadow Cores not always being evil she steered away from utilizing us since she felt us waging war inside.”

“We do not need to fight in order to power Rarity, we should be one.” The Light Core spoke looking towards the Shadow Core who nodded her head. “Not as Shadow or Light. Barrier Master or Nosferatu. A balanced Core, something entirely new.”

“The Core of Balance.” suggested The Gilder Core as the two moved towards each other pressing their hands against the other. Their foreheads touched as they began to merge forming a Yin Yang encircled by a jade dragon. Rarity dropped out of the center as Fluttershy formed together from her Cores and went to help her up.

“Are you alright?” Fluttershy asked and Rarity looked up at her saying. “You saved me.”

“Isn’t that what friends are for?” responded the Pegasus with a smile and Rarity blushed. “Where are you Rarity?”

“In a world very different from our own again. They don’t really have a name for it yet and I am kind of stuck. Wait the same amount of time we did for Twilight. I will try to return home by then.” Rarity told her placing a hand on her shoulder. “Fluttershy, what happened to you? How did you know what will work? Where did you go for your test?”

“Azeroth, I found out many things while I was there.” Fluttershy said looking away her eyes filled with pain. “Especially about time, the Azeroth we went to and the Azeroth that I was taken to for the test is thousands of years into our future. Our time and Azeroth’s time are the same, it is the only world that is linked with our own. I have more to tell you but it can wait until your return.”

“...While you were there, did you meet a Pandaran named Li by any chance?” Rarity asked at Fluttershy shook her head. “Oh.”

“I met his descendants.” Fluttershy told her and Rarity smiled. “And one was a small Pandaran called Rarity after his favorite student.”

Rarity blushed as Fluttershy vanished, turning around she looked at her Core one more time floating in front of two large pillars before she vanished to the waking world.

Author's Notes:

I do not own MLP or any other media contained within these chapters.