//------------------------------//
// Chapter 2- The Alicorn Amulet 
// Story: The History of the Alicorn Amulet 
// by Old Ben Kenobi 
//------------------------------//

The object was almost entirely black. It was triangular in shape, with the figure of an Alicorn on the top. Its wings were the only thing not fully black-the wings were both imbued with some kind of red gem. In the centre of the object, however, there was a diamond-shaped hole.
"Impressive, is it not?" Said Starswirl, proudly.
Celestia, however, looked at the amulet with a concerned face.
"What's wrong, Princess?" Asked Starswirl with a tone of worry.
"It's...certainly a powerful object," Celestia said, "But Starswirl, why do you feel this need? This need to become greater than you already are?  You are the most powerful unicorn I have ever known, and certainly the most powerful in Equestria. Why are you not satisfied?"
A flash of frustration appeared in Starswirl's eyes.
"Satisfied? Why should I be satisfied? All my life I have been aiming to be higher than before, to be greater, so why should I stop now? All I want to do,Celestia, is to become of more use to you. To become... like you. Ever since I was a little Colt, Celestia, I looked up to the proud Alicorn race, and I swore I would become an apprentice to them. Now I want to become like them. Would you stop me?Why would you hold me back?!"
Celestia looked at Starswirl with a mixture of surprise and fear.
"You're not all powerful, Starswirl."
"Well, I should be!"
Celestia signed and looked dejectedly at the ground.
"I see there is no persuading you Starswirl." Starswirl looked defiantly back at her.
"That's right."
With that, Celestia gave up.
"I accept this, if you are set on this course."
Starswirl looked back at her with relief.
"Thank you, mentor. I appreciate this."
Celestia said nothing for a while.
"So," She said at last. "I see there is a part missing. What is the last piece?"
"Ah yes, " said Starswirl, in his older, more friendly yet tired tone "The Fire Ruby. I was just going to ask you how many you had left. Strange how it slipped my mind..."
"We have no more Fire Rubies." Celestia said, in an impassive voice. "The last was eaten by your escaped pet."
"No more rubies?" Said Starswirl, with a hint of panic rising in his voice. "But-but this was my ultimate creation! I've been working on it since the last new moon! I can't give up now!"
"I'm sorry, but you have to." Said Celestia, managing to keep most of the relief out of her voice.
"No," Said Starswirl. "There is another way..."
"Starswirl, don't even consider it!" Celestia shot a steely glare at him.
"I'm sorry, Celestia, but I have no other choice..."