Chapter 2

New Orders

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The Second Age of Equestria - More than 1000 years ago
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A knock sounded at the door, "General Starheart, sir."

"Yes. You may enter." Starheart commanded, magically placing a book back on his shelf. The door swung open and in stepped two armor-clad soldiers.

"General, Sir." They saluted.

He saluted back dropping it quickly "Be at ease Soldiers" he replied in a commanding tone "What news do you bring us?"

One soldier stepped forward pulling a scroll from the bag on his side.

"It's the King and Queen, sir. They've sent a message to you." He held out the scroll in his hoof.

Starheart took it with his magic and unrolled it, reading the message.

"We Understand. We thank thee, soldiers, you are dismissed." He returned their salutes again and waited for the door to close behind them. After they door closed he turned and started over to the chest at the foot of his bed. "Well, I'd better get ready. It's at least half a day's flight to the castle of the royal sisters." He smiled "To think I'll get to see them again, I haven't since we were foals." He set the scroll down on the desk and began his preparations.

The wind whipped through Starheart's mane and tail as he soared through the air toward the castle in the forest. Taking in the surroundings as he flew. He took in the peaceful scenery for a few minutes, until his gaze happened across some very clear signs of destruction. He paused, hovering in the air for a moment. A large Trail of dead trees and the dead ground was surrounded by lively grass trailing far off into the distance.

"What devilry is this?!" He spat in disgust. He considering flying down to inspect what appeared to be the decimated remnants of a small village, but the summons was clearly rather urgent.

"Later," he thought as he continued off toward the castle. It was already visible in the distance as he flew on. Not far from the castle, he heard a crashing sound. Some birds flew away from some distant point in a panic. He hovered staring toward the commotion as a large black mass came into view over mountains on the horizon.

"What in the hoof is that?" he thought. He could see smoke rising in the distance now but the mass seemed to devour it and grow a little more. He stared in amazement at such a massive form for a moment before shaking his head

"I don't have time for this." he barked at himself before taking off again at a breakneck pace, the castle coming up to meet him in a flash.

He glided down toward the gate and landed near it. Looking at the royal guards he took a deep breath and stood as imposing as he could manage, sighing internally. "Noble Guards, We Are General Starheart!" he boomed. Returning the Salute the introduction earned him "We were summoned by the King and Queen to the royal sisters. Wouldst thy let thine Princesses know of Our arrival at once?" he finished.

The Guards nodded "At once general, the princesses have been expecting you, please follow us."

"Very well" he shouted in reply "We will follow thee, noble guard," he said, following behind them. He rolled his eyes when he was sure they couldn't see "I still can't get used to this traditional Canterlot voice, I never had to use it before I was promoted to General, seems pretty silly to me." he thought, recalling the look a stunned baker gave him the first time he'd used it "Fair baker we demand another slice of cake!" he chuckled softly. One of the guards ahead of him looked back at the noise, to which Starheart stood tall again and cleared his throat. The guards lead him deep into the castle, down many corridors. "Ah, geez" he complained internally, "Are we there yet?" he thought as they came to a large door. "Finally!" he sighed as the guards pushed it open.

"Your Highnesses. General Starheart has arrived!" The Guards bowed and moved to the sides. Starheart marched proudly into the room.
"We are honored to be in the presence of the most beautiful and regal royal sisters" he bowed before them.
"Guards we must speaketh with thine General in solitude. We pray ye, take thine leave and let us speaketh in peace!" Luna bellowed in a most commanding Royal tone.The guards bowed and closed the door to the room. Luna and Celestia sighed softly.

"Starheart" they both approached quickly hugging him softly.

"It's been far too long dear friend," Luna said softly.

"Indeed," Celestia added her tone soft but grim "but I'm afraid we'll have to hold off on reminiscing, for now, old friend" She walked over to a window "I'm sure you must've seen the devastation on the way here."

He nodded "I did. I also saw some black thing, over near the mountains" He replied gesturing in the direction of the mountains his expression hardening in concern "What can I do to help you two?"

Celestia turned toward him "This terrifying creature seemed to appear out of nowhere. It has torn through Equestria and destroyed countless villages. It seems to grow more powerful as it continues its rampage. we believe it devours the positive emotions of ponies that it touches." she gave a grim look at her sister.

Luna Stepped forward "The Villages it has touched have been destroyed by the ponies there after this "thing" sucked all the life and joy out of the flora, fauna, and ponies in them." She gave a concerned look.

The doors swung open and a unicorn with an impressive beard stepped into the room. "Is this him?" He called out to Celestia in a friendly tone. He approached Starheart and held out a hoof "Pleased to Meet you Starheart, I'm Starswirl the Bearded." He chuckled "Just call me Starswirl." he said with a smile.

Celestia moved to Starswirl's side her expression softening "It's thanks to Starswirl's skill that we were able to return the ponies touched by this creature to normal, but even now they're all a bit shaken by the experience."

Luna joined them. "Starswirl here has studied the creature and he's assured us we can rid Equestria of it." She eyes Starheart, "Our Father assured us you are a very formidable General" Her expression hardened again "His spell will require all of our powers combined," she said gesturing toward her sister and Starswirl.

"You see I can begin the spell but It requires a great deal of magic power even I can't conjure on my own." Starswirl adjusted his hat "The problem is, the three of us will be quite defenseless while I'm working on the spell" He patted his hoof on Starheart's shoulder "We'll have to depend on you"

"Sister," Luna raised her eyes looking serious "Are you certain we can't give him a squad of guards as well?"

Celestia Shook her head "I know our guards would bravely volunteer and join Starheart in defending us, but you have seen the effects of this creature's touch, If they got hit or even grazed by the abomination they may very well turn on each other and put Starheart in even greater Danger" She put on a pained expression "I am sorry old friend, but according to father there is no one more qualified for this mission than you." She looks to the others for a moment "Besides, the effects of "its" touch are much less effective on Alicorns." She eyes him hopefully. "Will you help us stop this horrible creature?"

Starheart mulled it over for a moment, "Let's see, incredibly dangerous mission, with no help. Sure, sign me up." He thought before composing himself to reply. "I will," He said flatly "I'll protect you all with my very life." he bowed low to the sisters.

Author's Note

Well moving on, I hope you like it. Things are getting more tense now.

Still open to constructive criticism so please feel free. Thanks for your time.