Fire Emblem: An Equestrian Tale; Chapter 1: Honest Hearts (App needed)

[Blue Shield]

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        Some ponies may take for granted the friendship and happiness that Equestria shares today. But what they don't know, is that long ago, there once was a time where there wasn't much. With Chaos, under the rule of Discord, the god of Chaos, there wasn't time for things like friends, happiness, or love. Most ponies hid in fear, or turned to darker means of making their way in the world... This is a tale of the unsung heros who made the stand to bring peace to the land, and end the terrifying rule of their leader...

        Blue Shield, a Pegasus Knight once in Discord's military, deserted. Feeling as though the current way of life wasn't fit for ponykind. He stood on the cliffside, gazing upon a town in the distance.
        "Why... Why do ponies have to live their lives like this?" He wondered, "We should be free... Happy..." He looked down at his hooves and poked at the ground a couple of times before looking back up. He took a deep breath and gazed off at the castle in Canterlot, which was just over the horizon.
        "I will put an end to this suffering... Even if I have to do so alone... I SWEAR I'll bring peace to this land!" He swore.
        With the vow etched on his soul, he set off. Heading to the town of Ponyville in search of others to aid him in his task.

[DawnsEmbrace]

Hearth flew above the cloud layer, thinking to himself about the situation of things.
When could such a dictator have been put in power?
Unless he put himself in power, but in that case...Who'd he kick out?
He began to circle, slowly descending to get a better view of where he was.
Hopefully a long way from where I started...
Hearth thought back to his days in the Dragon Division.  That was a truly awful place.
So full of destruction...Doesn't Discord know you can't tame a dragon?

...Perhaps a dragons anarchy is what he wants...

His thoughts continued to wander as his descent breached the clouds.
Hearth slowed, gazing down.
Ponyville was below him, a last vestige of hope and peace in the land.

Perhaps, he could find a kindred spirit there?
One can only dream...

[Checkmate]

Within the town, a hooded figure walked.  Although he walked slowly, it was not without purpose.  So this is it.  Interesting location: fortifiable and yet arable.

[Blue Shield]

Blue saw the dragon flying above. He couldn't make out the figure at first, and squinted his eyes to figure it out.
        "What in Equestria...?" He wondered, he unfurled his wings to get a better look, but then the figure came into sight. A dragon... He drew his lance and cautiously flew upwards.
        "Halt!" He ordered. He couldn't tell if it was friend or foe, but one couldn't be too safe... He looked down to see the hooded figure on his ascent.
        An invasion? He thought. If this were the case, Ponyville was doomed... They couldn't fight off Discord's army... Especially the Dragon's division.

[DawnsEmbrace]

Hearth heard the words, and swooped upwards.
With a better view of his surroundings, he stopped moving completely and tried to spot whoever spoke.
His training kicked in, and his response was automatic.
"Announce your location, stranger!"
Hearth moved his head to the axe strapped at his side, hoping he would not need to use it.

With a roll of his eyes, he realized that what he said was his training, and not him.
"I don't see you."
His head backed away from the handle of the axe, but he kept his eyes looking around for whoever was speaking.

[Blue Shield]

        "Aft of your location... Underneath you." Blue said. He stood his guard, hoping he didn't have to fight a dragon... Especially an army of them... He swallowed his fear and continued to fly upwards until he met with the dragon at eye level.

[Checkmate]

Checkmate heard the voices and, with no other indication, walked towards them.

[DawnsEmbrace]

Hearth sized the Pegasus up, taking notice of the drawn lance.
...Lance...I have the advantage.
"...What do you wish of me, stranger?"
He kept his guard up for the moment, letting the Pegasus announce himself.

[Blue Shield]

Blast! He's got an axe... Blue thought, then spoke up.

        "State your business. Why are you here?" He asked.

(Omg so short I could die...  )

[Checkmate]

Checkmate finally found the duo talking and spoke, interrupting them.  Same reason I am.  Hello, Private Hearth.

[DawnsEmbrace]

"You could say..."
Loneliness.

"...I'm looking for a friend."
He descended, hitting the ground with a thud.

Hearth noticed the hooded figure, and his training almost took over again.
"...But we have another in our presence."

[Blue Shield]

        Blue looked between the two. He saw the pony on the ground had a sword, but something told him that he wasn't an ordinary soldier...
        "Is that him? He seems to know you." He muttered, keeping his guard up. After assessing the situation, he knew he was not only at a disadvantage, but these two figures were no threat. He sheathed his lance and lowered himself to the ground, his hooves resting peacefully on the ground.
        "You two don't seem like the rest of Discord's troops... What're you doing here?" He asked, insisting on an answer.

[Checkmate]

Checkmate nodded towards Hearth.  You may explain first.

[DawnsEmbrace]

"You don't exactly fit the mold yourself, stranger."
Hearth looked between the two.

"Like I said, looking for a friend."
He looked to the Pegasus, honesty in his eyes.
"And it looks like I've found one."

Hearth's gaze shifted to Checkmate.
"And like cloaky over there said...

Name's Hearth."

[Blue Shield]

        Deserters? Blue wondered to himself. He rendered a salute to the two with a warm introduction.
        "First Sergeant Blue Shield. I believe I can trust you with the fact that I deserted Discord's military." He said.

[Checkmate]

As did I.  Checkmate.  Not official.  Checkmate said simply, raising his hood.  He was a black and white unicorn with pink eyes behind glasses.

[DawnsEmbrace]

Hearth smiled.
"I could only dream until now that I'd find comrades!  It must be fate that's brought us together!"
He approached the Pegasus, and clapped him on the back.
"It's nice to meet you, Shield."

Hearth pointed to Checkmate.
"That there's my old strategist.  Few in the Dragon Division listened to him though, they were too busy snarling at each other-Hahahah!"

[Blue Shield]

        "Ha! I see!" Blue laughed, "And please, Blue's fine." He insisted. He looked over to see an older pony running their way with a panicked crowd.
        "Sir! What's going on???" Blue asked worriedly.
        "Bandits! Bandits are attacking!!!" The older pony shouted.
        "Get everypony to safety! Guys, looks like we're gonna have to work together... Checkmate, you're the Tactitian, what're your orders, sir?" He asked.

[Checkmate]

First effort is to examine their forces.  Without that knowledge, there's no way we can win.  In battle, Hearth will be our front line.  He's unarguably the most armored of us.  You will work as a strike force, but stay away from archers.  Strike priority targets.

[DawnsEmbrace]

Spoiler: Prelude • show

"You got it, cloaky."
Hearth got his axe ready to roll, and looked between the two.