Chapter II: The Hunt Begins

[Everfree Barracks, 3 March 5 AD; 6:04 PM]

The Everfree Military Academy was a bustle of activity. New recruits were outside training and veterans were either training as well or off doing business, but many of the soldiers were in the cafeteria. In his office, Brigadier Starburst was looking over a plethora of paperwork. Being head of the Reconnaissance Division of the Equestrian Military was a job with a lot of reports coming in. Every month he was given a large stack of reports to look over, and from time to time some reports requesting various things. And today was just another long, boring, tiring day of looking at papers in an uncomfortable chair.

The old unicorn missed his days as a Lieutenant as well as his days as a Captain. When he was out in the field he and his squad would go behind enemy lines, scouting the territory, the thrill of getting caught, leading others into possible dangers, only to just make it out alive. Sadly, many of his superiors died and they left him with the job. What’d I’d give to do just to relive those memories.

A knock on the door broke him out of his reminiscing, looking up from the report in front of him, “Come in,” he said in a somewhat gruff voice, but deep voice.

Starburst expected there to be a pony with a misfiled report, what he had not expected was the solar princess to be walking in, “Princess Celestia,” He immediately stood up from his chair and gave and bowed.

“Thou may rise Brigadier,” with that the stallion rose. “We have a special task for thee.”

“Of course, I’ll have my best on it,” Starburst was walking over to a bookshelf, from Celestia’s point of view, on the left side of the room.

Celestia then began to take a look around the unicorn's office, the window behind his desk illuminated the room with her sun’s rays. The dark wooden furniture from his desk to the bookshelf to her left. Looking to her right she saw a wall of pictures. He has a family... Of course he has a family. I worry what would happen if he were to fail… To leave them alone without a father would be my fault. Would they hate me? Despise me?

“Princess,” Celestia looked over to the stallion, her thoughts dismissed, but not gone. “Here in the book are my best, would you like a look for anypony specific?”

“Nay, not for thy division, but for thyself and the chosen few to partake in such a task,” Celestia levitated a scroll over to his desk a dropped it. “The task we ask of thou requires great skill, only thou and a few of thy compatriots are able to complete it.”

Starburst knew what this meant. To finally be able to be out there again. To live! “W-what about my position, princess?” he asked.

“Thou may give it to whoever thou sees fit to hold thy mantle, Brigadier. But more importantly, the task. We ask thee to seek out a great threat of Equestria. Do not attempt to fight it, just report to us its location immediately. As we have said before, bring those whom you see fit.

“The specifics are in the scroll, it is to be treated with the utmost urgency and importance, as well as secrecy. And with that, that is all Brigadier, I wish thee the best of luck,” with the orders given, the scroll in the custody of the Brigadier; she turned around and walked out. As she did this the Brigadier dropped to a bow only when the hoofsteps of her majesty were just out of reach did he straighten up.

“Ha ha! I’m finally free!” taking a seat in his still uncomfortable chair. “I should probably get the old group together, they’re going to love this,” Now who will temporarily take my place? It’ll be a colonel definitely, but who? I guess Crescent, he is my second in command after all.

Starburst began writing out the paperwork necessary to clear his old friends’ schedules. Three were needed for the each of them, and all were leaders of a group. He’d have the leaderless groups go into training while he and his friends were out on an adventure. It’ll be like the good old days.

[Everfree Castle, 3 March,5 AD; 7:07 PM]

Celestia lay in bed exhausted, all she wanted to do was sleep. Her day began waking up at eight. When noon arrived, so did the commencing of day court. The court mainly consisted of pesky and or fearful nobles demanding to know the reason why there were so many guards stationed all over the city. Occasionally the average pony would walk in and ask the same thing or ask something of actual importance. But after four hours she had a rest and ate.

After having lunch she had to now deal with paperwork. Signing sheet after sheet, and the occasional crumpling of a scroll and tossing it. She was halfway done when she found an interesting scroll. On it was, “Order: Locating the Threat Veigar” looking towards the bottom she saw her sister’s signature, but not her own. Immediately she signed it and went out the door.

All in all, her day was eventful. The order needed to commence as soon as possible; otherwise, her kingdom would fall. She was still in pain from yesterday's battle. Her wounds not completely healed, under an illusion were patches of pink skin as well as burn marks. Even her magical reserves were having difficulty rejuvenating. Whatever this creature is, it shall be defeated. If my sister and I are unable to defeat it; then if it comes down to it, we shall use the Elements.

Celestia just laid there, looking up at the ceiling lost in thought. “Sister? Art thou in there? I wish to check up on thee, so I shall be coming in regardless of thy opinion,” looking over to her door Celestia saw Luna open the door and calmly walk in, closing the door behind her.

“Hello Lulu,” she gave her sister a shallow smile and small wave.

“Hello indeed Tia. I hear thou hast been up since eight,” she looked over her sister, the illusion was gone and her wounds were visible. “Art thou alright? Dost thou feel any pain?” she asked as she walked up to the bedside.

“Yes, I do. But do not worry sister, I shall be fine. I just worry for the Brigadier… Have we sent him to his death?” Celestia sighed. “What about thyself? Thou hast fought the creature as well as I.”

“Do not fret about the Brigadier sister, we know of his abilities. He shall be fine. Anyway, do not ask about how I am doing, thou hast taken the most harm. Art thou sure thou should be up and about? Thou must rest sister,” Luna placed a hoof on Celestia’s hoof.

“I just need a night sleep Luna. My magic is low because of all the healing. By tomorrow everything should be healed,” she gave Luna a smile. “Just let me rest, I’ll see you, hopefully, tomorrow morning before you retire.”

“Of course sister, I wish thee a sweet slumber. Good night,” with that said, Luna walked out of the room to continue her duties.

“I’m not sure I will dear sister of mine, my dreams tonight will surely be nightmares,” Celestia closed her eyes and waited for sleep to overcome her senses.

Luna walked through the castle halls it was nearly time for the Night Court and she didn’t want to be late. Many of the issues Celestia couldn’t get through were passed on to her and she didn’t mind a bit. Most of the time it was just a hooful of ponies, and today wasn’t any different. After the court she would simply return to the dream realm and guard the dreams of her subjects. But one thought lingered in her mind since yesterday, If only I was stronger, then mine sister would be well!

“Is power what thou seeks my princess?” a childish voice asked

“Who is there?” Luna immediately looked scanned her surroundings with magic and sight. “Show thyself!”

“I am before thee, princess. Thou just cannot see me yet.”

“We do not have time for thy riddles. Show thyself,” the lunar princess demanded.

“I speak no riddles, thou must open thy eyes-”

“Our eyes are open!” Luna was getting irritated by the disembodied voice.

“Not those eyes silly, but thy mind’s eyes, thy soul’s eyes, as well as thy heart’s eyes; then and only then shall thou may see with thy real eyes. But until then princess, I do wish thy eyes open soon before it is too late,” the childish voice laughed away, it’s voice fading into nothing as time passed.

Luna stood there in thought, Open mine mind’s eyes, mine soul’s eyes, as well as mine heart’s eyes. If that shall grant me the power to defeat that creature then I shall accept this challenge. Tia will surely tell me to avoid such directions, but the voice speaks some truth. If I wish to become stronger in the magics then I must open possibilities.

“Princess Luna, we’ve been searching for thou everywhere. Night Court has already begun and thou were not in Court,” the attendant was panting from her run through the castle.

“We were just on our way Quill. May you tell us who shall we be dealing with today?” Luna began walking once more through the halls to the Courtroom.

“Of course Princess, the first is Clover the Clever apparently an array of her’s has detected an odd magical disturbance and she’s been evaluating it since the day the Gust came,” Quill read off her scroll that levitated before her.

“The Gust?” Luna asked.

“It is referring to the large gust of wind that came from the South not two days ago, the night thou had brought Princess Celestia in such a state.”

“Thank you Quill, and please do continue to keep the subject secret. We cannot have our subjects fall to panic.”

“Of course my princess. The next is Warden Iron Bars, his request is for his guards, or at the very least a portion of them, to be returned. Apparently the prisoners in there are getting, as he says, rowdy,” she said stretching out the last word.

“We see, hopefully he’ll have a reasonable number for us to return; otherwise, we’ll have to decide the number ourselves. Anypony else?”

“Well those two are the most important and more lengthy audiences I suppose, but there are two more after,” she stretched the royal court schedule looking for more names. She was about to roll it back up when a name caught her attention, “Actually there is an interesting name upon the list of audiences.”

“What is the name of this pony?” Luna was somewhat interested and looked over.

“Actually, this creature is not a pony.”

“It is not?” Luna stopped in the middle of the hall, causing Quill to stumble to a halt. Could it be?! No. That creature would never… or would he? “If this creature is not a pony, what is it?” Luna said somewhat hesitant.

“The creature is bipedal by nature,” Luna’s heart sank. “It has to arms,” her mind was running of possibilities. “Oh, and its name it Sorpan and he has wings as well,” Quill gave a smile, her memory being picture perfect.

Luna let out a breath she had no idea she was holding and restarted her walk to the courtroom, “I see, and his request is?”

“Something he could not say princess.”

“That is troublesome, but we shall see what the subject is later on,” a few seconds later they found themselves in front of the Court doors.

“Announcing her majesty, Princess Luna, Co-ruler of Equestria, Princess of the Night, and Mover of the Moon,” a horn sounded and Luna made her way into the room.

Not many here to watch, but that puts less pressure on us at least.

“Oh Princess, keep using those words to hide thy true feelings. The more thou tries to hold it in, the bigger it shall explode,” the whisp of wind made its way out of the courtroom through a window. Laughing, “We wait for thy blood to run princess, we wait. And when thy blood runs, our hunt shall begin."

A chilling laugh flew through the dirt roads of Everfree, those who had listened closely felt the chill up their spines. And for others, it was just another cold breeze.

[South of Everfree, 4 March, 5AD; 8:27 AM]

Today was the day. Brigadier Starburst was at the rendezvous waiting for his comrades. He was ready to go with his saddle bags on and his old scouting uniform on. The rendezvous was the battlefield described in the scroll. When he arrived he immediately surveyed the area. Craters were everywhere corrupt with so called “dark energy.” Across from him was a decimated length of forest from Celestia’s attack. Must have been some battle, I’d hate to be the poor lads who were here.

A rustle of leaves sounded behind him and out came a grey earth pony followed by a green one. “And now thou owes me twenty bits, Vine!” yelled the former in a rough tone.

“Hush now Stoneworks, thou art a tracker. Of course thy skills surpass mine. It twas one sided, but worth a shot,” the earth pony known as Vine said in his posh voice, catching his breath.

“Thou would think being a Major, commanding three squads, would strengthen thy stamina,” Stoneworks said giving a smug grin.

“I still command thee and Lieutenant Highwind, Lieutenant.”

“Calm down the two of thee,” Starburst said as he approached the two. “Where is Highwind? I understand that being late is his thing, but I would prefer to have this done as soon as possible,”Starburst pulled out a pocket watch from his saddle bag.

On queue a loud roar was heard and a pegasus came crashing down into the forest opening, causing another crater. “Huh… Already giving away our position. High Wind you never change,” Starburst turned around facing a white pegasus with a silver mane.

“Why would I ever want to change?” Highwind climbed out of his small crater. “Making an entrance was always my kind of thing. Remember that time when we were in the Badlands?”

“Which one? The time thou got captured because thou made an entrance or that time when thou were captured when thou got there late?” Stoneworks quipped.

“The entrance actually. Making an explosion in the sky served its purpose by the way,” he stated matter of factually.”

Starburst looked at the time, it was now eight thirty-nine and they were nine minutes off schedule, “Alright, enough of thy mucking about. We’re behind schedule, and who knows how long we’ll be out there. Do we have everything we need?”

Vine spoke up first, “Herbs, medicine, cookware and such are accounted for as well as my sword.” He gave the bags on his back a bounce, the sound of pans clanking against one another sounding.

“Rope, tools, supplies, my trusty hammer,” Stoneworks was looking in his bag.

“And I have my binoculars, bow, and arrows.”

Starburst had expected more from the pegasus, “That’s it?”

“Thou said it would be like the good days, so I prepared as if it were,” Highwind gave smile.

“For Celestia’s sake… Nope, I am not dealing with this,” Starburst gave a sigh. “Anyway, rank up,” the three ponies lined up side by side with Vine to the far right.

“So here’s the briefing, apparently the next threat to Equestria, the princesses and the entirety of Equus is in this here forest. Our task is to search and report the location of this creature. We are not to engage in anyway, shape, or form. Do I make myself clear?”

There was a resounding, “Yes, sir.”

“Good. The so called creature looks like a very small minotaur or diamond dog. It wears a large purple hat, as well as wears a purple suit of sorts, like a noble. The creature also carries a staff. This creature is very dangerous, if you look around this was caused by the creature excluding the burned down forest. The creature’s name is Veigar, probably should've said that first. He fought both the princesses, he also killed several of our soldiers at the same time. Any questions?” Starburst said.

“Just one,” it came from Highwind. “If we encounter him and are spotted what is our directive?”

“According to the scroll, run. Any other questions?” he was answered with silence. “No? Then let us be on our way. Patrols in the area reveal that he most likely fled South and that is the direction we shall be going. There’s also a river up ahead, if anything he’ll set up a camp near there. Let’s move,” The four soldiers; two earth ponies, a pegasus, and a unicorn, left the forest clearing and disappeared into the forest.

[Southern Everfree Forest, 4 March, 5AD; 12:35 PM]

I’ve been running for a good day now, after that debacle with those horses I’ve just been running. I haven't gotten an ounce of sleep, but I did stumble upon a river. After determining the direction I was going in via the sun, which was South, I had decided it best to go upstream.

“I hate this stupid mountain…” I was tired, hungry, and annoyed. Going up the river was horrible, I was even using my staff as a hiking stick at this point. “I know the freshest water is at its source, but this is ridiculous,” I was looking up at the mountain and I wasn’t even halfway up.

“Maybe it would have been better to have been captured. Food given as a prisoner, a welcoming stone floor, iron bars to wake up to… And talking to myself like I already am,” I sighed, I was losing my mind.

“Do not fret youngling, we will have our revenge! They shall pay!”

“What?” I looked around searching for the source of the sound and all I saw was forest and river. “Definitely going insane,” I really need to stop talking to myself out loud. I also really need a break.

Looking at my surrounding I found myself still in the forest on the bank of a river, “This is as good as it can get, I guess... And I’m still doing it.”

I walked over to a large tree, I took my hat off and placed it on my staff, and leaned my staff against the tree and sat down, “Water source secured, firewood is another priority as well as food. It’s nearly around noon.” Now was the best of times to recollect my thoughts.

So my most recent normal memory was Anime-con and buying this here staff, I looked over to my staff. And after that I was waking up to talking horses, followed by something out of anime. I thought, thinking about the battle.

I did all that… I killed… I fucking killed living creatures. Sure, I was threatened, but death? I didn’t want that… Then those two. I sighed, sleep sounded good right now under the shade of the tree.

Yea that’d be great… Sleep sounds like a great idea. Glad we can finally agree on something… Then and there I let my consciousness drift away into bliss. After all what could possibly go wrong. A hunt?

Author's Note

Chapter 2, technically 3, is now out! Thank you so very much for the positive feedback. Not a lot of Veigar/ Julian in this chapter, I know. But last chapter was nearly all from his perspective. This is basically a "context chapter" for the big stuff that is to happen in the next couple of chapters. I gave away what will happen later on in the story, but ya'll would've figured it out from this one. Scorpan is here now, as well as, as one would call it, the "wispiest of winds."

See plot holes already? Typos? Are questioning the physics of this reality? or need the proof why the derivative of e^x is e^x?! Then look no further than the comment section my good friend! As per the usual, please do comment and or like to show some semblance of support. Then again that's all up to you, I'm just begging. Let's get that 22 like milestone. Hope you enjoyed and hope you keep reading.