Flash Magnus drew back the curtain to see Star Strider reading a tattered journal. His brow was furrowed in confusion and concentration, clearly wrapped up in his readings. Flash’s eyes darted to the sleeping princess. Being from a different time, he always had trouble revering any of the royalty; as such he felt comfortable intruding on the two without asking.

“Commander Strider.” The stallion looked up. Bags hung under his eyes, indicative of his restless state and weathered bones.

“Star Strider is fine, general. Ranks amongst friends tends to be more devisive than anything.” He smiled up at him.

“Right, well Star Strider, Nebulous Sky is awake. She’s very… well, let’s just say not all there. She was one of my toughest captains. If something has her this shook, I don’t know how well our other troops stand.” Star Strider closed the journal and tucked it under Luna’s hoof. She rustled in her sleep and shifted to the side, breathing out at the disturbance. Star Strider motioned for the two to continue their conversation outside. They left and he drew the curtain back in place.

“We need the troops, general." Star Strider began. "Without them, we would lack the manpower to infiltrate the forest. The book Luna retrieved from Starswirl’s cabin has led to many critical discoveries where we may be able to advance on the forest. The one page I cannot find is the central bulb where the trees spawn from. But perhaps cleansing these smaller areas will do enough damage to subdue the parent root.”

“We can hope. But in the meantime, my troops are growing more and more restless. And not for a fight. They aren’t so sure about being here. That company was battle-hardened. We need to know what happened.” Flash's voice had a mild undertone of concern in it. It was unbecoming of a general to show such emotion prepping for a campaign, but he had seen the results of it so far. It worried him.

The two stallions approached another curtain closer to the entrance of the hall. They stepped through to see the earth pony captain sitting with her hind legs drawn up to her chest. Her eyes stared off into nothing, glazed over and emotionless. She did nothing to stir as they stood in front of her. Flash raised his hoof to touch her shoulder but was cut off by her hollowed words.

“They’re gone. All of them. I just… ran.” Her voice was distant; far off as though it never left the forest.

Flash looked to Star Strider. The taller stallion lowered himself to meet her empty gaze.

“I know. It is painful. But they may not be gone. We may be able to save them. For that, we need you to tell us what happened. Everything.” That seemed to cause a reaction as she met his eyes.

“That thing had us before I even knew it. Once it got one, it just kept getting faster. I knew there wasn’t anything to do. So, I just ran.” Her voice cracked and she bit her lip, clearly holding back emotions not so fit for a captain.

“How?”

“The unicorns. It got them first. It knew they were the magic holders. Once we lost enough of them, there was no chance.” She unfolded her legs and stared into Star Strider’s eyes. “You gave us a protection spell. You said we would be safe. You SAID—”

“Enough Nebulous!” Flash cut her off. She sank back into her pillow, a few tears escaping from her eyes.

“Sorry, general. But this ‘great wizard’ just cost us a whole company. My company. We trusted you.” Flash looked at Star Strider and gave a consoling look.

“You did promise. Why didn’t any of them make it?”

The tall pony raised a hoof to swipe his black mane away from his eyes. He looked back to the captain.

“It should have worked. But with my loss of magic for a short time, I imagine that the spell I cast, which had cost great power and another ally to aid me, broke on the troops. They were unprotected long before they entered the forest. I am truly sorry.” Nebulous turned her head away and folded her legs over her chest. Star Strider bowed to her and began turning to leave.

“There is… One other thing.” He turned back as she spoke. “I noticed as I started leaving. Some of the troops were, it sounds weird, but as they grabbed the others around them, it infected them too. That monster didn’t have to grab every individual pony. It just grabbed the problematic ones.” Star Strider nodded his head and bowed again.

“Thank you. I promise, I will get your friends back.” She turned to look at him finally, closed her eyes and breathed out, then nodded to him in gratitude.

“Please.”

Flash Magnus and Star Strider walked through the rows of tents outside. They made their way to the border of the forest just outside of the town. Unicorns were stationed no more than two meters apart from each other as far as the eye could see. Pegasi flew overhead, observing the tree line for any movement. Earth ponies were setting up battlements just in front of the unicorn line. Trenches, Cheval de fries, torch stands and more made for a formidable opposition to any creature brave enough to exit the forest.

Flash looked up to see Rainbow dash helping his pegasi arrange clouds in patterns that no doubt would summon storms to aid them. Fluttershy was just in front of the earth pony line, ferrying out small critters who scampered in fright from the forest. Applejack had her cart hitched and Pinkie followed her, bouncing around. She dragged it through the trench line, passing out drinks and pies to the weary troops on diligent watch while Rarity gave blankets close behind. Despite all the help, Flash felt like there was never enough that could be done for his soldiers. Star Strider crossed the line and approached near Fluttershy.

“If we enter from this choke point, a grove of wild trees lies no more than two kilometers into the forest. Burning it would lighten the aggression here and possibly allow easier transport through the woods.” Star Strider's deep voice drew the attention of the troops around. Fluttershy glanced around in a seeming panic.

“But… all those poor little animals who live there, won’t they be burned too?” Fluttershy interjected as she carried a small ferret on her shoulder.

“Fluttershy, while we don’t want to kill the animals, we need to fight this monster before it kills all of Equestria. If it makes you feel any better, you can come with the demo team to get whatever animals you can. We’ll keep the fire to a minimum so we can extinguish it once the job is done.” Flash comforted her as he pet the ferret. It cooed to his touch.

“Indeed. Your care for the little ones is noble. I would hate to see anycreature harmed from this endeavor. If you can muster your courage, please join us at daybreak for the excursion.”

Fluttershy nodded to Star Strider and returned to her creatures. Flash removed his helmet and ruffled his mane. His neck was sore from the last few days he had spent up and about. “So, who’s this ‘demo team’ we need? I got some unicorns who are proficient in pyrokinesis, but they’re few and far between. Sure be nice to have a dragon right about now.”

“Yes, though I may know where to find one.” He looked over to the three mares passing out the goods to troops. Their cheery disposition rubbed off wherever they went as the soldiers smiled and whistled as they passed. Star Strider waved down Applejack who got the hint and headed his way. The other two followed closely as Rarity blew another kiss to the stallions in armor.

“What can we do ya for mister Strider?” Applejack reached around to grab a mug of cider. “Family made with an extra kick for all the trouble y’all're going through.”

“AND TRY MY PIES!” Pinkie bounced up and drank the mug Applejack held. The orange pony spat on the ground.

“Darn it Pinkie! How many times I gotta tell you that the drinks are for the soldiers!”

Star Strider waved his hoof as Flash reached over to accept a small pastry that Rarity passed him. She winked at him, and he felt his cheeks grow a little hot. He decided to stuff his mouth before he could say anything he regretted.

“Thank you for the offer, but I have a special request. The young boy dragon Twilight hosts, Spike I believe, is he still around? We may need to employ his unique gifts in our search.” Star Strider cut right to the point.

“What do you want with Spikey Wikey? He’s just a young dragon; I don’t think he has any place in this battle.” Rarity raised a hoof in shock to her chest.

“His kind is born for battle. We require assistance in creating a fire. Conjured flames may not be strong enough for the task at hand, but dragon flame burns hotter than all.” Strider explained. A small purple and green head sprouted from behind the cart. Spike stepped around wearing an apron and holding a raw pie in his hand. He gave a soft blast of fire and immediately cooked the pie to perfection.

“He’s right! My dragon breath is the best portable oven you could get!” He took a slice of the pie and ate it. Star Strider put his hoof to his face as Flash laughed at the bravado.

“Man, you want to get this kid to help, commander? I mean, no offense, but he’s a bit… smaller than I expected for a demo team.”

Spike spat up his pie crumbs and spoke with a full mouth. “Hey! I’m not that small. Look, I’ve got my wings!” He grabbed both his wing ends and spread them out for all to see. Rarity stepped in front of him.

“I hardly think it appropriate to employ children in the army, don’t you general? And ‘commander’ Strider, while I understand the importance of getting Twilight back, this is no—”

Spike jumped over Rarity and flew in front of Star Strider, his eyes going wide. “This is about Twilight? Sign me up, where are we going? I’m ready, I promise I can take care of myself. I’ve been practicing with my spear! Please, if it’s Twilight, I have to come!”

“Spike! You’re too young! What if you get hurt? Or die out there looking?” Rarity spun him around. Spike huffed a steam of smoke out and crossed his arms.

“I don’t care. We’ve handled a lot worse, and I’ve come out just fine. Twilight is my family. You do anything for family. You guys taught me that.” Rarity shied away from the hostility of her favorite dragon. Flash even felt disgruntled by the idea of using a young dragon as their lead.

“Commander Strider, they may be right. He’s just a boy. I need hardened troops.”

“Uh, hello? Have any of your guys saved a whole empire from an enslaving villain before? Didn’t think so.” Spike’s arrogance was getting the better of Flash.

“Hey, my men are perfectly—”

“Gentlemen, enough. Spike, the choice belongs to you and you alone. I need you but cannot force you into this role. Should you choose to join, meet us here at daybreak with your embers stoked. Good night ladies.” Star Strider turned and walked away, Flash slowly following after.

“You really trust a kid for this? I mean, what if he does get hurt? That’s on us. I won’t be remembered as the general who had child soldiers.”

“I shall ensure his safety personally.” Flash ran a bit faster to turn and stop Star Strider.

“Come on, we both know you have a prejudice for his kind. You can’t expect to make the sacrificial call in his favor if it comes to it.”

“That is not— I am not that kind of pony. I may have a troubled past with dragons, but Spike is one I have grown at least acquainted to. His raising among the ponies have done much for himself and his people. I may struggle to trust a dragon, but for his sake I shall try.”

“I don’t know if that’s good enough. He needs to make it back. Can I count on you to put his interests before any pony else’s? Including mine and yours?”

Star Strider thought for a moment on the question. He then extended his hoof to Flash. “His life comes before yours and mine. That, I can swear to you.” They shook briefly, relief crossing Flash’s mind for a moment.

“Great, let’s get back to the tent. I’m going to start gathering the team, you see if Luna is recovering at all. An alicorn would be a nice addition to the monster-hunting team.”

Focus

Star Strider drew his gaze away from Luna and mulled over the pages of the journal again, memorizing the routes and testing himself on distances marked by his apprentice. Sitting next to the sleeping princess eased his mind, but it was difficult to push away the thoughts of what had to come next. To make the right call in the right moment… he looked over to the alicorn as she stirred slightly in her sleep. He had only met her little more than a month ago, but he could not shake the emotion she brought to his heart. More than anything, he wanted to spend eternity with her. It had crossed his mind many times since their initial courting of becoming an alicorn himself, but he knew better for what was yet to come. He smiled as he brushed some of her flowing purple mane away from her face and held his hoof to her cheek. His heart ached.

Looking back to the pages of the journal, he noticed a tree that had not been there before. Or have I yet to memorize this page quite right? As sure as he doubted, the tree began twisting itself on the page to reveal a mouth with a tooth sticking out. The gruffed voice of the lord of chaos spoke softly to him.

“You’re playing with fire; you know that, right?”

“Discord. A fine appearance. I envy your ability to manifest however you see fit.” Star Strider closed the journal and set it on the nightstand. Discord poofed in front of him at his full stature.

“Well, that was rude. For a pony so old and revered I would think you better than closing books on someone’s face. Especially as beautiful as mine.” He batted his eyes as Star Strider leaned back in his chair.

“My apologies master of chaos. Please, enlighten me as to your visit. To what do I owe the pleasure?” Discord picked up a pouch of saline and sucked it dry from the tubing. Star Strider shivered slightly at the disgusting action.

“I just wanted to ensure that my dear beloved Fluttershy makes it back perfectly safe from this stupid endeavor. Venturing into that forest, well even Twilight the bold wasn’t enough to make it out.” He grinned as he narrowed his eyes.

“Yes, though I also know that you abandoned our beloved princess in her time of vulnerability. A shameful gesture from a self-proclaimed ‘best friend’.” Star Strider shot back. Discord snarled at him and folded his arms.

“It’s not ‘self-proclaimed’, Twilight and the girls really love me! I mean who wouldn’t. I’m the embodiment of perfection!”

“Discord. Why are you really here?” The tall beast stopped his boastful mannerisms and leveled himself with the ancient stallion.

“Luna. You can’t handle her. I see the way you two flirt. She hardly makes time for anypony else but you, and when we are together it’s all ‘Star Strider this’ and ‘Star Strider that’. I’d be careful with her if I were you.”

“Do I sense a hint of jealousy in the words of an ancient being? We know what we are getting ourselves into. Our relationship is our own. Thank you for your input, I trust you know the way out?”

Discord jabbed a clawed finger at the pony and hissed. “You know as well as I that if you want your precious student back, you aren’t coming back. You really want to hurt Luna like that?”

Star Strider was silent. He felt what Discord said was true, and this time he had no rebuttal. “Luna… would understand. It is not the only option yet. Perhaps you would care to enlighten us on a different approach? You watched the creature as much as Starswirl.”

“True, but it was more me playing games and trying not to die of boredom with that old pony than me watching it.” Discord twirled his tail in his hands. He sighed and spoke again. “Maybe you can create a vessel for it equally appealing as yourself. Not that I find you enjoyable in any sense, but it does seem to want you. But I’ve said enough. There needs to be more chaos and less help if I expect this to be half a good a show as when Tirek invaded!” With that, Discord drew back the curtain to step through to his own realm.

Star Strider shook his head and began writing on a blank page in the back of the journal. Carefully writing all the words the chaotic creature had spoken, Star Strider thought about the vessel idea. One he had not considered. His concentration was broken when he heard the soothing voice of his love reach out to him.

“I— heard you cough talking with Discord? Please tell me that was a dream.” She sat up as he reached his hooves around her, hugging her softly so as not to injure her further. His heart lit up as he held her. “Or please tell me this isn’t a dream.” She wrapped her own hooves around him and purred into his chest. He pulled back to face her.

“Not a dream. But it may have proven useful to hear from the old creature. He offered some advice that we may do well to consider.”

“With Discord, advice is anything but good.”

Author's Note

Let me know what you guys think of the different perspectives from other characters like the captain or magnus. Does it add or detract from the storytelling? Thanks for enjoying so far!