> Launching the Last Star
>  by The Real Darkness
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> The Student
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Celly, wake up."

The alicorn groaned at the intrusion.

"Come on, you're the one who has to raise the Sun."

Her horn lit, unmoving from the bed and light peeked down into small slats of the hovel's top.

"You know we didn't tell anybody that we'd be heading here, right? Or sleeping out here?"

Celestia finally opened her mouth, "that's...that's okay. Shining Armor saw you with me," she sighed out, "that's good enough for everypony to know I'm safe," the alicorn remained inside all the furs of the bed. The warmth in it was without equal, not even the most expensive blankets in the castle could accomplish this.

"Just let me be in bliss a while longer, I'll get back to my duties soon enough," that was a good enough sign that she knew she couldn't be slacking just to be around him all day.

And Arctus, in his past life, was left with the feeling that he was incredibly vulnerable while unclothed. That was a different life, far foreign from how he now lives. The plush fur of the Sun Princess would be enough to make it worth it.

"My survival shelter has become an overnight restreat destination."

"And it's better that way, Art," a larger smile graced Celestia's muzzle.

He couldn't argue. The two of them had a perfect night, even if preserved foods were their dinner. It wasn't much about the things they had to enjoy, but the two of them alone was all they needed.

The couple carried on in silence for a while longer before Celestia finally lifted herself up and rolled off the bed onto her hooves.

"You sure you're going to be fit for duty? We did stay up quite late last night."

"I couldn't help myself. It's like you've placed an entire banquet of sweets in front of my eyes, how can I not indulge?" She snickered behind her lips, "and you're doing it again! Laying there uncovered!"

"After we ended, you insisted on being my blanket without delay. Not that I'm complaining," Arctus swung his legs over, relighting the nearby candle on the table of the shelter.

"Maybe just one more bite, couldn't hurt," without any words, response, wait, or affirmation; the Princess of the Sun shoved him hard, "one. More. Bite. And then a shower back at the castle."

The woodsmaster's back hit the bed harder than Celestia intended, but the furs cushioned him well. With little ceremony, more was demanded from him and they both indulged in each other.





"We should make this a routine for whenever you return home."

"I'm certain ponies would begin to suspect what we're up to," Arctus was already in his linens and leather, putting more equipment on.

Celestia had her gold adornments in place, "not that we care. At least, I don't," she laughed with her lips at the extent they could stretch, "I've been deprived of you for longer than I like."

"Well, you know where my room is," Arctus had slid his spear into place on his back.

"Not that it helps, you're always going somewhere."

"Call it the most entertaining game of hide and seek," Arctus walked to the entrance of the shelter.

"Wouldn't you rather teleport back with me?" She offered.

"I have a dependent avian that I need to check up on...I'm not even sure what it eats."

"Well, you take care of your Asarele. I'm going to take a shower in my own chambers," her horn lit and with a flash the alicorn was gone.

Arctus blew the candle out from the distance, heaving his lungs, although the hovel was small, it was a considerable length away. His eyes scanned over the shelter.

By the Stars, look how he had journeyed. He was ready to accept a life of hunting and crafting to survive, a life filled with constant struggle and fight. Celestia had jailed him, he escaped. Luna had approached this home and he fought her off. A patrol was looking for him, he terrified them into submission and saved their lives. He defended Celestia from her corrupted sister. He slew a great ice avatar of this world and now took charge of its young. Arctus had elimated threat after threat, crumbled an entire kingdom, killed fellow Aeternians.

His journey was far from over, that's something he knew as a certainty, his aging was stopped or slowed. Savus had shown signs of aging since he had last seen him in Aeternia. The woodsmaster didn't even know if the same kind of chronology rules applied to both worlds.

Soon he would find the Eight Sacred Stars, and after he would launch himself high above to them, demanding an answer from the Heroes.

"One event at a time," he climbed out of his shelter and placed the moss covering back over the hole, stretching as his face met the sunlight.

The forest was still quiet for him as he broke the silence, "Asarele!" His voice boomed.

A screech came, echoing more than once as the bird cried, seeking Arctus out and landing on his cape's ring. The bird seemed to be slightly larger, its beak stained red.

"I see...you hunt and eat meat as well. I'll keep that in mind, friend," it trilled behind its closed beak. Arctus reached behind him, peering in the corner of his eyes and used his own leather glove to wipe the red from the beak, "since you've already eaten. Let's get going, shall we?" Arctus left the clearing, walking back out of the forest and toward Ponyville.

He could see this town from Canterlot, from farms to a sprawling community. It definitely didn't have the strictness that Canterlot did, ponies were a lot more easy going and there wasn't even any guards posted. The Master Scout began to wonder if he was the reason for that, if taming the forest made this entire town a possibility. He strolled into it confidently, noticing the ponies seek out shelter as he did. 

He emptied the streets.

"Are they scared of you or me?" He peered around.

"This town isn't the most friendly. I'd have thought Arctus' presence would get me at least someplace here."

"Savus!"

Footsteps pounded toward Arctus and from behind a large tree that housed some kind of building, the general appeared.

"You're here? I was going about to take in the flavors of Equestria and you're in the first place I visit."

"The ponies here are wary of us, they live next to my forest where many powerful creatures live."

"I see, caution is in their nature then. Where do you suggest I actually visit?"

"There is a farm that's been here for an incredibly long time, come."

"Would they be more welcoming?"

"They've likely seen me before and know more extensively of me than the rest of the ponies here."

Arctus began traveling to the farther outskirts of the town, taking to a dirt road, Asarele stayed perched on him the entire walk.

"Heard about the bird, is it truly not wild?"

"It's wild, plenty much so, but I believe the mother of it imparted a gift direct unto me for its offspring's sake."

"And what gift is that? The ability to have such a frigid thing that close to you?"

"An inherent bond, Savus. It listens to me too well and would have no way to understand speech."

The old veteran hummed, "so, you think it's likely just understanding your intent?" The dirt path's banks changed to house large apple trees and log fencing.

"I do. It still needs some training and seems to like assisting in combat."

Savus whisteled, "Master Scout Arctus and Ice Bird Asarele...not even the entire army of Aeternia could defeat you two," he laughed.

"I'm not all powerful. I bleed the same as you," he corrected, looking about the farm he was walking down.

"Apples. Apples. Apples. Think they grow anything else?" Savus laughed.

"This is their spec-."

"Hey!" A deep feminine voice called our from within the orchard and Arctus stopped in his path along with Savus.

"It's still odd being shouted out and resisting instinct."

"You scouts need to relax more," Savus retorted, looking about for the source of the voice.

Arctus had already gazed to their left, seeing an orange pony with a large brimmed hat trot over, her head low in suspicion.

"You all apple thievin' varmits?"

"Not at all," Arctus cracked a smile onto his face, the pony pointed a hoof at him and then behind him.

Asarele had left him and was now housed in a tree, snacking away peacefully.

"Whatever that is...sure ain't convincing me. Rode on you a second ago."

"Asarele!" Arctus called and the bird screeched, zipping in a glide to the metal ring of his cape, "apologies."

He fetched into a small purse tied to one of his pouches, retrieving a handful of bits and extending his hand out. The pony came closer, leaping over the fence and taking them after she pulled her hat off, dumping the gold coins into it like a bucket.

"Say, only a couple of you tall folks are spoken 'bout. But you...granny told stories 'bout you. Said you had a spear blacker than night that glinted bluer than river," the pony pointed a hoof at Arctus again, "you're that Master Scout Arctus stallion...er..feller...Aeternian!" She found the word.

"That's him, alright. Your reputation preceeds you...how's it feel to be me?" Savus jabbed his arm with his metalled elbow.

"It's a weird sensation," he addressed his friend, "and who is the pony I'm speaking with?" He addressed the farmer.

"Name's Applejack. We don't really get any heroes 'round these parts. Don't you live in Canterlot?"

"I do, was going for a walk back from my forest to Canterlot when I coincidentally met Savus," Arctus explained.

"Your forest?"

The woodsmaster pointed behind him to the gnarled trees on the other side of the orchard.

"Oooooh, the Everfree Fore-."

"My forest."

"That'd line up with granny's stories...she said you romped all over the darn thing before Ponyville was even thought of, before the farm. Your forest it is," she nodded her head in respect, "kinda owe our success to ya, cleaning up the beasties in there," she garnered an actual smile from him, "so then, why are ya on my family's farm?"

"Savus is Aeternia's Sacred Star General, he's looking around Equestria for a place to retire and live a more normal life."

"General, huh? Betcha seen a lot a stuff I won't. You lookin' for work on the farm?" Applejack questioned and Arctus looked to him.

"I'm strong and tall enough to reach your produce, but not many ponies in this town like me."

"Everypone, Savus, everypony here is scared outta there minds at the thought of something new to 'em. If you're a friend of Arctus here, you're good enough to trust in my book."

"You think you could put in a word for him around town?" Arctus asked.

"I can try, sometimes those ponies don't see much reason as a group," Applejack rolled her eyes, "if ya can navigate the wilderness, I imagine you can stay in Arctus' forest. We could use some part time help every now and then, that door's open to ya, Savus," she tipped her head, still holding to her hat with bits in it.

"Well, good luck in your search, Savus," Arctus looked to Applejack, "I have a feeling you might see me again, Applejack," without anymore of a goodbye, he began walking back down the dirt path once more.

"Are ya goin' back to Canterlot?! Take care of our Princess!" The stout farmer shouted after him, "he always leave that rudely?"

"Applejack, that's the most polite he is to someone new he meets. Used to be this very serious person," Savus' voice got quieter as he kept on.





He did take three hours to arrive back in Canterlot, choosing to walk the entire way, allowing Asarele to fly about until he went up the mountain's footpath to get into the city. There was an entire new guard outpost at the bottom, courtesy of Hazth's potential war declaration. He was pleased to see Celestia taking it so seriously.

He did have a matter to take seriously on her behalf though. He didn't mention it, she didn't mention it; yet there was a reason she chose to banish her sister.

Because she could not bring her back to her senses and he would try his best to pull the fearless Princess of the Moon back from her shade of hate.

He walked the streets of Canterlot, heading to the young smith's workshop.

The whole situation reminded him of those Scouts lost to bloodlust and war. Could he one day become that corrupted? Would he? Equestria acheives peace, no violence, no war, Scouts become a relic.

The thought didn't bring him sorrow though. Peace is something he was seeking this entire time, a balance inside himself, a completed life.

Arctus walked into Plated Shell's workshop, hammering was still abound the entire street, but he was busy pouring over a ledger.

"Arctus, good afternoon. Your armors and greatsword are on the table at the door," he didn't look up.

Asarele refused to follow him into the hot forge, having left his back to fly the skies above.

"Thank you, I'll have someone come by with bits to pay once I get back to the castle."

"Get back? Did you go out somewhere again? In need of more repairs?" He glanced up.

Arctus sighed, "I'm reckless, but I know my skill level," the master scout removed some of his equipment and began to properly put on his thin chain chauses, scale mail vest, and metal glove. His coutours followed along with the thin pauldrons.

"For someone of your status, your armor is surprisingly light, but Aeternian forging methods must be different, it's surprisingly stiff and strong, but not brittle."

He smiled at the smith's comments, "take care, Plated Shell. I imagine you'll need my blood again before long."

"Another Aeternian Scout weapon?" He fully looked up to see that Arctus had already made his exit.





Arctus had finally made his return to the castle on foot, entering through the gate, having let Asarele fly about. His feet lead him up the steps in the front courtyard as he approach the doors.

"Master Arctus!" His eyes looked up higher, quickly locating the voice that shouted from a window in the castle.

And in a purple flash above and one in front of him, Celestia's student was in front of him, "oh, you don't often ask for me, Twilight. Does something require my attention?" The two of them never really spoke.

"Yes! I mean no!" Her wide smile was a very good indicator of her excitement. "I need your help."

"I'm sensing this is not an emergency."

"No, not anything that needs your immediate attention like that," as eager as she was for knowledge, Twilight knew the reasons why Arctus would suddenly mobilize, "and you have all your equipment and Asarele, too! Could I ask you to help me answer some questions for me?"

Arctus nodded, "you've never taken an initiative to learn more about me, but I'll answer any questions that you do have."

"Oh, thank you thank you, Arctus!" She dropped the formal title, "so come follow me, I have a bunch of books and notes and equipment laid out."

"Didn't intend on telling me it would take a while, did you?" He followed the unicorn back into Canterlot.

"He..heh eh," she sheepishly blushed, "I'll be as quick as I can. Besides, it's not like you can spend eeeevery day with Princess Celestia, can you?"

"My presence in court would not be the best for ponies to speak freely."

Twilight laughed at his words, "well, none of them grew up watching you march around the castle, disappear for days, train so...um...violently since they were a filly."

"And even then, you were only interested in magic."

"All knowledge has value and the books written on you leave some gaps in knowledge and the book Lohey is writing is taking too long, so," she began ascending a wrap around staircase to a rather large building.

"Oh, so this is where you're living now, Celestia mentioned something about giving you an old library."

"It's wonderful! It's let me learn a lot of new information and expand my repertoire," Twilight lit her horn and opened the doors for them both, "I'm back, Spike!"

"Asarele!" The frigid companion of Arctus swooped low, landing on his usual perch.

"Huh..oh! You got him!" A small dragon responded, climbing down a ladder leaned against a bookcase. His green frills perked at Twilight's voice, "and his..uh...whatever that is."

"It's Asarele, the child of the Glacégere. Arctus' pet," Twilight explained, already at a central table while the scout took his time to take in his new environment of the impressive library.

"Glacégere?" Spike struggled to speak the word, "what the hay is that?"

"Giant ice bird, embodiment of cold and winter. It soared the skies of the Frozen North until it met me. It was how I earned my title of Master Scout."

"O-oh," Spike answered, "I'm ready, Twilight!" The tiny dragon has whisked a quill and paper into his claws.

It wasn't even that long ago that Arctus slew so many of his kin, but here he was...vastly different. Did all creatures have the capacity to be like this? He found himself looking behind at Asarele, what should be an absolute menace and monster to Equestria was tame.

Maybe.

And then he remembered timberwolves.

Maybe not.

"Arctus?" He snapped back and looked to Twilight, "so, I uh...I don't even know where to begin!"

"Let's start with thing from Aeternia, Twilight," Arctus directed and undid the ties for his hunting knife and sheath, setting it on the table, followed by him grabbing and taking his spear in front of him.

"Make a sketch, Spike, and prepare to write!" Twilight lifted the knife up in her magic and rotated it all about, looking at it from different angles, "I see your mark is on the bottom of it here. Are these common in Aeternia, does everyone have one?"

"My hunting knife, it was the first weapon I mastered. It's issued to every person who becomes military, everyone learns how to hunt."

"I'm..sorry but you used a knife to hunt? In ancient Equestria it was bows and spears that were used for hunting."

"This will sound grisly to you, but a hunting knife is used to butcher game and carcasses...treat hides and end a prey's life after you've downed it with an arrow or spear."

"I-I...see," Twilight was visibly shocked to even be holding such a tool, "I've read that even back then the practice was done by non-equine races."

"Twilight, no Aeternian will bring harm to you or any other pony while I still draw breath."

"That's why the Princess named you the Protector of Equestria," she cheerily chimed, "you said this was a weapon, right? The first you mastered."

"Every soldier in the military learns knife combat and every Scout of Aeternia learns how to fight with just one of these against bludgeons, axes, swords, spears...it teaches us to spit in the face of adversity before we conquer it."

"She did say you had quite the ego," Twilight set the knife down, "Spike, ar-."

"Got it!" The dragon answered before she finished, "this stuff is kinda cool."

"Learning about such a different culture is always cool, Spike."

"Twilight! We have a hero of Equestria here!"

"I'm no hero, I'm only the most capable in the right place."

"Oh? Modesty? I didn't expect that," Twilight responded, "Spike, it's made of steel, rather sharpened extensively, and the handle is cedar wood. That's quite a flammable wood coming from a region of intense volcanic activity."

"The trees are sourced from outside Aeternia, for a long time we only used solid metal at weapons and tools with leather grips until we began foresting from a region we had conquered."

"So the wood was not chosen by choice," Twilight levitated a blank piece of paper over, the knife sliced through with incredible ease, "and its well maintained and capable despite its age. The steel is also more carbon rich than ours," Twilight peeked and saw Spike still taking notes, "even your equipment is an incredible insight to your culture. Your people seem like they were warriors at heart."

"Every Aeternian is, even Lohey."

"Why is that?" her horn lit and she attempted to focus on raising his spear after setting down the knife, but she struggled.

And her horn went bright, the spear could not be stiller.

Sparks flew from her magic focus, and the spear laughed in its resistentialism.

"Because of our origin, the Eight Heroes. Are you attempting to lift my spear?" Twilight's horn dimmed at his words.

"Yes! But it's impossibly heavy!"

"It's made to be light," he picked it up easily, "Celestia could not move it with her magic."

"That's a seriously strong ward then. What's the story?"

"It's not a ward, it was the ability blessed into my spear by the Eight Heroes when it was forged using magma from our Sacred Volcano."

"Wait wait wait...Sacred Volcano...forged in magma?! Eight Heroes?" Spike blurted.

"I told you to read the book I borrowed from the Princess!" Twilight pointed her hoof at Spike before clearing her throat, "Arctus, what do you mean ability?"

"Every bit of magic, any spell, any attack is dispersed by my spear and used to maintain it. It stood against incredible magics," he pointed to the blued edge of the spearhead, "this was never achieved on any Aeternian weapon, the smith that worked my spear reported it to be a one of a kind and no other weapon would come above it."

Arctus made his way to the other side of the table, holding it so Twilight could get a better look at it, "you said it was forged from magma of your Sacred Volcano?" She questioned next.

"It was dipped as a final tempering process as is custom for a Scout's weapon. The next night after I became a scout, my weapon was made according to tradition. All stars of the Eight Heroes were in the night sky and my blood roared the Sacred Volcano. That's when the priests declared I was born from the stars to fulfill a purpose."

"Sounds like you're telling us your life story," Spike commented.

"The Eight Heroes...who were they?" Twilight was tackling one thing at a time.

"Who are," he corrected, "they still exist, Scout Silver Spike's shortsword was blessed by Bakta, one of the Eight. The others are Kamna, Lun, Atti, Reba, Gær, Yetrema, and Ezith."

"Why were they heroes of Aeternia?"

"They slew the Sky and gave life back to our world."

Twilight and Spike both looked at him in disbelief.

"I'm sorry...your heroes...destroyed the sky?!"

He nodded, "they launched stars from volcanoes to battle it, but to defeat it they launched themselves as stars and the Sky was no more, we had Sun again, our magma slid like sheets off a bed for us to travel once more."

His audience was quiet again for an unsettling two minutes.

"You...how did Princess Celestia react?" Spike asked.

"Spike!" Twilight chastised.

"Like the most interested mare ever," he romanced.

"She...well, if she believes you then I will as well," Twilight straightened her posture, "Aeternia used to be covered in magma?"

"Our land responded to the endless rain by seeping magma over out salt flats, it raged, it kept us warm enough that the rain never truly drenched and drowned us like it did to other people. We hunted what animals we could for that entire year, eating anything to survive, that's when the Eight Heroes did what they did."

Spike was furiously writing away.

"Do the heroes represent virtues or anything?"

"They each had their specialty. Gær could battle without exhaustion. Kamna could ignore any physical material she wished. Atti had a perfected defense," Arctus listed off.

Their discussion continued on, late, very late into the day.





Twilight yawned, "that's...got no more questions. Just...can I get some of your blood," she barely managed to levitate two vials up, the Master Scout taking them from her.

The Sun had gone down a while ago. Spike had already fallen asleep and Twilight had taken the last of her notes on her own.

She levitated a syringe up, but Arctus had already cut into his forearm after moving his leather aside, "I imagine you had heard how Silver Spike's weapon was made. If I do not make this clear enough...don't attempt to copy the process, it is a sacred tradition."

The vial was a fourth full.

"I...I won't don't you worry."

He filled the vial half full before he stopped flexing his muscles and re-opening the wound himself. He pressed a cloth from the table to his skin, adding pressure.

"It's already night. I believe I've answered your questions thoroughly enough," Arctus already had his knife and spear in place. Asarele had taken Twilight's actual bed in the library, sleeping away.

"Yeah...yeah, I'll organize them in the morning. Goodnight, Arctus," Twilight sleepily trotted away.

"Asarele!" A soft screech came from the upper floors of the giant library before the beloved bird gently flapped its way onto his cape's metal again, "let's go get you some rest."

Arctus left the library, shuting the giant doors behind him and wandered the streets of Canterlot in the blackness, heading to the castle again for his own rest.

"Master Arctus?" A familiar voice called.

"Trainee Strong Stitch," he looked behind him to see the earth pony, dirtied and even a bit bloody in the street behind him, "are you ready for your exam?" He smiled.

She smiled back.

There was now only two ponies who ever rose up to him in challenge.
> The Last Line
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The two warriors found themselves in the training yard. Asarele had long been freed to Arctus' chamber, sleeping in its own bed.

Arctus stared the dirty beige coated earth pony in her steely brown eyes, "you're truly ready?"

She nodded.

"Do you accept the horrors that you've committed and the ones that will follow?

She nodded again.

"Do you accept the responsibility of killing?"

Strong Stitch nodded once more.

"I see you met some resistance on your travels back, though you still made it in record time. I have no wish to see your capabilities for survival or subterfuge. I only need to test your skill in combat," Arctus drew his spear, the shield having since long activated over the training yard, "I am not toning any of my combat prowess down for you, even if you're incapable of magic or flight...your hooves are deadly," he walked, making a line in the dirt with the round butt of his spear.

"Master Arctus?" Strong Stitch spoke up.

The Master Scout walked to the front of the line after he had drawn it, looking to her.

"Is it a good idea to be doing this at night? Won't it awaken a lot of ponies?"

"They'll be awake for a short amount of time," he answered with a smirk, "you know the rules, cross this line and you're done, your exam is passed, you emerge a changed pony. You can forfeit at any time during the battle."

He held his spear oddly enough in his left hand. His right hand started to flicker with a pink glow.

"My last questions for you...why do you commit these atrocities."

"For the defense of Equestria!" She shouted now proud.

"You have glimpsed into the world of a Scout, do you wish to turn back before we begin?"

"No!" She boomed again, raising a mace up in her right hoof and an axe in the left.

Arctus took the cue.

"Intangible Kamna!" His right hand started tracing glyphs in the pink light in the air, "teach my body to become fateless and unbound so that I may deliver the final blow as you did to the sky!" Strong Stitch had enclosed on him quickly, but his body bathed in pink before her mace hit him and he willed his body to be unbound.

The pony's eyes widened as her strike swung through the air, whistling the entire way. Arctus willed his body back and the round but of his spear bashed her nose, blood dripping to the dirt before the head slashed her front and cheek.

He whirled around her, grabbing the trainee's mane and swinging with his weight assisting to send her rolling across the training yard.

His eyes glanced up while Strong stitch tumbled before landing on her hooves, candles were being lit in windows and tiny faces high in the castle could be seen poking out of windows, even in what should be corridors.

They were making a racket, but it wasn't complained about, it almost seemed like a welcome midnight entertainment.

Arctus still held a smile, it had been ages since he used this tactic, the only Aeternian capable of doing it for a very long time. He knew the hoof she had was a weapon all on its own.

Strong Stitch approached wearily as he also closed the gap and took a swing, willing his body to become intangible again until the strike was almost at her skin. His spear cleared her mace and slashed her stomach a bit deep. The weapon of legends found home again. The wounds it left still could not be healed by magic.

His greatsword came out instead and the blade began to tiny darker and dark, black fumes rising from it, "show me everything!" He swung at her, still physically active, "your back is against the wall, your foe is immeasurably powerful!"

His greatsword impacted her mace and axe, a loud boom crackling throughout Canterlot, she was flung into the air from the magic Arctus used. Orange light came from his now open left hand as he threw a small mote of fire at her.

"You asked to be a Scout as you had nowhere left to go! Prove you deserve your future!" He shouted more war cries at her.

The shield, powered by a ward, cracked, the noise sending shivers down Arctus' spine. He was almost performing at his apex. Strong Stitch's rear hooves landed on the shield and her axe swung at the ball of fire only for it to explode on the metal.

She fell and landed in a combatative stance, fur singed and she rushed him only for his body to once again be unaffected by her attack and as Arctus swung his greatsword down at her, she held her mace up and swung her axe. The MAster Scout dropped a hand from it as he was tangible again, his blade slipped past her guard and hacked into her shoulder while her axe was blocked by a hastily grabbed spatha.

The blade of the small sword snapped while the force of her swing sent Arctus through the air to flip once before landing on his feet. The axe laid on the dirt, the metal head had been shattered, Strong Stitch was no longer close to it, rushing to cross the line to the other side.

"Atskelti audra asmenys!" Arctus bellowed and swung his greatsword, a fast moving whip of wind zipped in the darkness, to be caught by the shaft of the trainee's mace. The metal was cut clear in two from Arctus' mastery of the spell, but it was now weakened enough that the force continued, managing to leave a gash across her muzzle.

She had bled the entire way over to the line and more blood dripped from her body as she crossed, the Master Scout completely unharmed.

Arctus sheathed his greatsword and dropped his now broken spatha, putting a hand to his chest and curling his fingers to a fist before looking to the ground.

"Welcome, Scout Strong Stitch," and with his words a slow round of hoof stomps in applause began, coming at first from just next to the shield and then from the windows of the castle.
> Three
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Strong Stitch looked first at Arctus who recgonized her and then to the first pony to stomp their hooves and the second, behind her. Princess Celestia and Princess Cadence stood applausing away. Twilight stood there in silence, her jaw had lost its hinge.

Scout Strong Stitch looked up to the windows of the castle and saw guards, maids, nobles, guests, and in great amounts stomping their hooves and even whistling.

Arctus smiled wide, Equestria was recognizing Scouts as those who sacrifice their lives to protect, he had built an order. He scooped the shattered axe head into a hand, along with his broken spatha and set them aside in the training yard to be dealt with later. He entered the armory building and retrieved a new spatha, sheathing it away with his greatsword.

He made his way to Strong Stitch who wobbled on her legs, blood moving in streams down her body while everypony continued to applaud. He grabbed the mace head from the ground and took the shaft of it from her hoof, gently prying until her tight grip let up and he threw it over by the other broken equipment.

"Scout Strong Stitch," she was snapped out of her surreal state by Arctus' voice, "I'll get you a copy of my and Silver Spike's personal journals for you to read and know secrets and tactics. Those are never to be uttered to anypony. You're now required to keep a log as well from today on."

She nodded slowly, her pupils dilated.

"I pushed you hard, incredibly hard, well done. I wasn't sure you'd pass," Celestia and Cadence made their way over with a shocked and sleep-deprived Twilight.

Celestia's horn lit and the gash along her face and shoulder healed easily enough. Arctus had already gotten his first aid kit out and sanitized the large slash he left on her stomach and then the one on her chest.

She could not utter a word.

"You report to Arctus and I now," the Sun Princess spoke, "congratulations, I'm proud of you."

"You two made enough racket to wake up half of Canterlot...not that we're complaining," Cadence giggled, "that's my first time seeing you fight, Master Arctus. And kudos to you, Strong Stitch."

"Y-you...so..magic," Twilight Sparkle was at a loss of words.

"I believe my student would like to express how amazed and impressed by both of you sparring," Celestia laughed softly.

Arctus looked up to see the hoof stomping was quieting down before he gave a spare cloth to Strong Stitch, "you still don't have words, that's okay. Not every can do what you've done. You are at the height of personal power, you've deserved your pride," Strong Stitch hadn't gripped the cloth and he shoved it into her mouth before grabbing out sutures he restocked on and threading along with his fishing hook, "bite down."

"Oh goodness, right here, Arctus?" Cadence's voice echoed her worry.

"Yes, right here. First aid is imperative in our work," he started, his fingers moving across her stomach wound quickly and with an expertise closer to that of a tenured doctor than a master of battle, Scout Stitch did bite down on the cloth, grunting.

"You'll need to still go to the hospital, but this'll help you get there."

"Princess, why don't you heal her with magic?" Twilight looked to her mentor.

"A bird told me you interrogated Arctus extensively today and tonight," Celestia side eyed Twilight with a frown, "and kept him from me," she smiled at her student's reaction, "but he should have explained how he spear absorbs magic."

"He did, but I don't see how you can't heal Strong Stitch's wounds."

"Twilight, please address her as Scout, she's earned that title," Arctus addressed her, "my spear has intensive anti-magic properties, to the point that the wounds it inflicts can not be stitched back together with magic."

"But...but...but," Twilight stubbornly lit her horn and a purple light flickered around the new scout's wounds while Arctus finished her stomach and began stitching her chest while she yelled into the cloth.

Nothing happened from the magical effort Twilight poured forth.

"You know...when I still lived in the castle of the Everfree, there was quite a few guards that were marred by his spear," Celestia commented, "it definitely did intimidate us into leaving him alone."

Arctus finished soon after, the wound on her chest not as severe.

"Was that the sever wind spell you used, Art?" Celestia questioned.

"Auntie!" Cadence expressed shock in her more informal addressing of Arctus.

"Oh, come now, Cadence. You know quite well the relationship I have with Arctus, the newspapers make sure everypony knows."

"It was that spell, you don't need to chastise me for using it, Celly," Cadence's small 'o' expression was directed to the Master Scout now.

"I'm impressed it cut through steel," she voiced.

"Glad that I'm still catching your eye," he took the rag back from Strong Stitch, "Equestria has pain killers as medicine, Aeternia doesn't. You're a lucky pony, Scout."

"Wh-what do you do to deal with pain?"

"We're conditioned and get hurt on purpose so we don't fold to it," he patted her back as she returned to all four hooves, "go on into town, get down to the hospital tell them it was my spear that left these marks on you."

She nodded and didn't even attempt to bow, slowly trotting away.

"Was it necessary to duel her the night she returned home?" Celestia now eyed Arctus accusatorily.

He nodded, "I wasn't sure of her endurance, those doubts have just been put aside. Her arrival means that Silver Spike is now observing.

"I gave him a communicator stone, they're cumbersome so it will remain hidden there, but it will allow us to be quickly alerted to threats."

"Threats?" Cadence asked.

"Are we at risk of war?!" Twilight pipped and Arctus paled while Celestia felt her heart skip.

"No, there is just a rather large nation to the South that has had Arctus' concerned and I take his reports seriously," Celestia spoke first.

"They're capable of a lot of destruction, I could crumble them easily, Twilight Sparkle. Do not worry, you're one of the safest ponies in all Equestria."

"Crumble kingdoms? Nopony could do that alone!" Cadence tried to call Arctus' bluff.

"Cadence, Twilight, I'll let you both in on a secret. You know how minotaurs are incredibly rare to be seen in Equestria? How the our history mentions an attempted invasion that was thwarted?" Celestia spoke with a flat smile.

Both the mares nodded.

"What is left out is how Arctus slew every invader and introduced me to what a real Aeternian Scout is capable of. Silver Spike and Strong Stitch are formidable and can do great things, but not like Arctus. Arctus had no moral compass, driven by glory, survival, victory, and the need to battle," both the younger mares faces darkened, "Art has changed...he found a home he can really call his home, a place he loves and he protects it like no other pony could."

"He," Twilight managed a single word, pointing to Arctus.

"Single hoofedly inlitrated Minos, spread a plague there, ruined their food and trade and natural resources. He slew those in power and killed any means of defense for them. He turned what little minotaurs were left into nomads that are destined to die out one day," Celestia grimly stated fact after fact, "I've seen and heard the man bred for war within him. He will keep all of Equestria safe from threats we don't know anything of anymore."

Cadence and Twilight were silent.

"And he has such a warm, soft, strong, and brave heart to choose us over his own culture, inner nature, and the behaviors he was raised to have," the Princess of the Sun smiled and laid her head to his shoulder, pecking his cheek.

"You make me out to be a hero."

"You are a hero and everypony knows it even if they don't talk about it."

"This night and tomorrow are for Strong Stitch, not me," he shook his head, "I doubt any other pony would want to attempt to be a Scout after this event is published in the media."

Cadence laughed, "you'll be lucky if anypony still wants to talk to you! I've never seen anypony fight like that and there were stallions dueling for my hoof in marriage before!"

"I...if you ever have time, Arctus...Master Arctus," Twilight corrected herself, "I'd like to see your spells in closer detail."

"Oh, I'd like to be there for it as well!" Celestia spoke a little too like a filly, "I'd love to see your full repertoire."
> A Full Week
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"As oddly matched as you two are, you make a cute scene," Cadence gestured to Celestia who still had her head laid upon Arctus' shoulder, his hand was already deep in her mane.

The Master Scout decided not to address her comment, "Twilight, I'll stop by your library tomorrow night along with Celestia."

"I look forward to it and some immediate sleep," the student yawned before trotting away, "goodnight princess, everypony."

Silence accompanied her departure.

"Hmmm, I get the feeling I should leave you two be," Cadence was next to trot off.

And the Princess and Master Scout Arctus stood in the dark night, all candles out above them, ponies returned to sleep.

"You should get some sleep yourself, Art. It's bad enough you've robbed Strong Stitch of hers," she turned her muzzle up at him with a playful smile.

He looked all about them again, not a soul in sight, even Asarele stayed in his room as he commanded.

"Something amiss?" Celestia lowered her head back down, attempting to peer past his expressionless face to find his current thought.

Arctus didn't respond, he only drew his hatchet, slowly and carefully before he whipped about and sent it into the woods near the training yard, a low pitch whistle accompanied.

A howl of pain followed, something that was definitely not a pony. The MAster Scout gave chase within a second of zipping the hatchet into the trees.

"Who dares trespass?!" Celestia shouted in an uncharacteristically harsh tone.

He already caught whatever this humanoid creature was, having shoved his hunting knife past its fur covered kneecap and severing many tendons and muscles.

"Nobody gets to spy and get away with it."

Now that things were less of a blur, Arctus could make out the creature that had collapsed in front of him, it held a metal shield and spear, an actual sharp weapon.

He had never seen this black furred creature, but it reminded him of some sort of primate, he made note of the symbol on its cape before he leaned down and reclaimed his hatchet.

His lips drew close to where he assumed the ear would be, "Hazth sent you, didn't he? He didn't tell you, but you were a test meant for me."

He slipped his hatchet and knife away again, hearing Celestia slowly trot over, "Arctus! Are you okay in there?"

He continued to whisper to the creature, "if you made it home alive, Hazth would know I am an easier target than he anticipates."

"So you were never going to make it home. Find peace in your swift death," Arctus slung his greatsword from his holster and with a single heavy downward chop.

Lopped the head of the creature off.

The unfortunate matter was that he was not nearly strong enough to move such a giant beast on his own. He left the thin woods and shrubs, returning to Celestia.

"A spy sent to inform Hazth on Equestria. It was dealt with," he coldly responded, still feeling the breeze of battle try to ready him through his veins.

She nodded with no smile to be found. This would be a matter that would need an almost constant hand.

"I'll hire some more ponies to be on watch and security until you can deal with Hazth."





That next day, he had arranged for Strong Stitch and himself to cart the corpse out of Canterlot, unceremoniously throwing it to the rocky spires of the cliffs below the castle, where it would rot without bothering anypony.

Having been made a Scout, Arctus did give her a copy of his personal journal, "burn it when you finish reading it. Share these secrets with no other soul. You'll learn how to kill with incredible efficiency, don't become a monster with that knowledge."

"What's exactly in it?" She stood in his chambers, holding the book.

"Secrets, tactics, survival techniques, recipes to cook, make, poison things. It's a trove of knowledge that will serve you well in this station. You'll also learn things of Aeternia that I have not disclosed to anypony, please keep them that way."

She nodded, "Arctus, uh, Master Arctus?"

He stepped away from her, heading to his desk, "yes, Scout Stitch?"

"Did you ever think I would have this potential?"

At first he smiled, then he frowned, and then he laughed.

"You never know the acts a being is capable of committing until you see them, even if you've ehard of it. In that sense, you never know how much war someone can breathe until they are made to inhale it."

"Is that some kind of Aeternian proverb?"

"No, it's something you learn when you've seen a lot of people you know die or fight for their lives."

Strong Stitch stood wordlessly as Arctus began to perform one of his many routine checks on his tools and equipment. She left quietly and allowed the woodsmaster to maintain his kit for the rest of the day before he met with Celestia and Twilight that evening on Twilight's library balcony.

"Right, so...magic!" Twilight had a paper and quill levitated in front of her, "are you taking notes, Celestia?"

"I see no need, your notes will be kept private as you agreed, right Twilight?" The unicorn nodded at her mentor's words, "well, show off , Art."

He held the rock he had in his left hand along with the wood bat he brought with him in his right.

"I'm not sure where this is going," Twilight was already writing away.

"Aeternian magic, there's a couple different ways of casting a spell and each has to deal with its power. When you get familiar enough with a spell, you can even cast without using any verbal intiation. You can also use incantation circles drawn in the air, they usually empower and augment spells. There are longer spells which involve chanting and physical markings, rituals. Those spells are incredibly strong. There are, of course, godhoods but I don't intend on explaining or showing those," he cleared his throat.

"You did see one godhood in my battle against Strong Stitch that made my physical body immaterial.," Arctus slung the rock in his left hand far above their heads. A black fuming ball formed in his now emptied hand.

"And this spell is?"

"One of my favorites for dealing with groups of opponents or the swift that are also heavily armored," he brought the ball to the bat and the wood turned a dark shade before going completely black, the wisps floating up from the sporting equipment.

The rock had almost reached them and he swung the bat with little form to the sport, but plenty in regards to combat posture. A boom reverberated through the air and the rock shot off at a speed their eyes could not catch at first, soaring far from Canterlot.

"It's a force enchantment. Force is a simple spell meant to move things or the living, it becomes especially violent when it's imbued in an object though."

"Twilight, did he ever mention the ursa major and knocked into the ocean with it?" Celestia boasted on his behalf.

"You...what?!"

"Moving along, I can do the same with flame spells and can even upscale them to explode holes in walls or battlements to accomplish my goals. I can use them with incantation circles," he conjured a simple flame, "but just sending a stream of it or throwing it is enough for me most times."

Twilight had started to take notes again, "can you show me one of these incantation circles?"

"Only one, the others would damage your library," Arctus held a hand up, pointing out his ring finger and index while the other digits remained closed.

"Pusher of knives. Cover me in your chill," he spoke while his hand quickly traced a circle, slotting a symbol into it. His body disappeared shortly after.

"I remember a certain somepony crying to me when they found out you could do this," Celestia commented, "sometimes I wonder if you're walking the halls of the castle like this."

He had moved behind Twilight, "I try to rely purely on my stealth and instincts, but this spell comes in handy to dispatch enemies swiftly or to make it past a constantly monitored point," the unicorn jumped ans shivered at his new location.

"You know that's a pretty advanced unicorn spell," Twilight commented.

"So I've been told before," the parallel's were a bit disconcerting. Arctus stopped flowing his mana and his body slowly came back into view, "it's a tougher spell to cast, so I have to use an incantation with it. I'm not a mage."

"Yet, you're this impressive," Celestia chimed, "makes me wonder what mages in your world are capable of."

"What other spells do you know?" Twilight continued her notes.

"I can manipulate lightning but rather horribly. I only just copied from Kanna, so I'm not fully fluent with it. I believe you...or some other unicorn may have seen me use this."

He stepped up onto the balcony railing, "laiptelis oro skraidyti," he stepped off and a yellow transparent platform caught his foot where he tended while he walked over the open air.

"Ooooh, I've seen this one," Celestia smiled up at him, "I think it's your most impressive spell."

Twilight was scribbling away before she inquired, "how do you do that? Are those platforms solid?"

Arctus pulled his spear out and swiped it through one of the platforms with no resistance, "only for my physical body. I'm very experienced with this spell, though, a lot of Scouts use it to reach vantage points or climb walls with little sound."

"Are there any other spells you haven't mentioned?" Twilight asked.

"This one was used on a pony long long ago. I'm still not sure how chronology differences work here, seeing as Savus is aging and I am not...and that our lifetime lengths seem to differ," Arctus cleared his throat, "I digress. Celly, could you summon a shield?"

"Mhm," a yellow transparent film gathered around, "making me a part of a live demonstration?"

"Yes," he exhaled slowly and then inhaled, his face losing expression. Celestia grew a little terrified at the coldness and calculatory look her gave her.

It was not unlike the Red Night of Screams that he conducted in Canterlot so long ago.

The yellow platform gave out from under him at his will and he began to speak, "pradingti ant pikiruoti," he spoke plainly.

He body had fallen below the balcony a little before he vainished and appeared above Celestia, his foot and entire body was sent into her shield with shocking velocity. He did only slide off her shield, landing on the stone next to his lover.

"That's...that's faster than you were initially falling, is that a single spell?"

"Yes, it's lovingly called the panther's pounce, though the spell translates something longer. The place of appearance and direction can be augmented upon the words used," his normal demeanor reappeared, "sorry for that, Celly."

She hummed, "it's fine, I stood against an attack from legendary Arctus and lived to tell the tale!" And somehow earned a laugh from them both.

"There's only one other spell I could show you," Arctus lifted his spear, "all scout weapons, through their forging technique, create wounds that will not heal by magic. My spear absorbs magic, but I've been able to use only this spell on it. I believe the Eight designed it that way," he lifted his spear behind his head and threw it into the open air.

"Plienas karka savininkas," he called with an outreached hand and his spear flew back into his hand.

"Similar to a levitation spell," Twilight mumbled as she wrote.

"That's all I can show you beyond spells that are not safe to perform lest in a combat situation."

"Thank you, Arctus, I have plenty of information to review for now and I don't want to take up your full evening," Twilight nodded to him, trotting back into the library with a few inches between the paper she was writing on and her muzzle.

"Does that mean I can finally seek my reprieve of the day?" Celestia eyed the Protector who still stood in the air with a familiar sinful look.

He was the finish line and the reward of every day for her. He had not issue with it either.





Twilight had left him alone for an entire day, her obsession with his people, magic, and culture was contained with her notes she had taken of him. That entire day he worked with Asarele to see what commands would be the simplest to issue and all the while he could feel the mother of the bird stir in his body, as if its very essence was poured into his spear and him for the sake of her young.

That was the conclusion he's come to time and time again. It attested to the intelligence of the creature he defeated all those years ago in the volcano. The Frozen North still raged with snow and ice without the legendary Glacégere.

Today marked three more days until the fateful event. The bird had grown a little thanks to the fruits, vegetables, but mostly meat that Arctus hunted for his new ward. And it began to learn a specific vocalisation, a specific trill to signal its hunger.

Arctus delivered each time he heard it as well and the results were substantial, Asarele was as big as him, as big as his lover. That's what lead him to where he stood on the balcony railing this evening, Asarele flapping its wings above him.

"You know...you had a mother, you came from an egg, so surely you have your own reproductive sex," he commented as he stared directly down and the castle's courtyards, "are...all of your species asexual? Or do you just lay eggs on your own without the need for fertilization? Are all your kind female?" He voiced his thoughts.

Asarele hummed in response.

"You tell me. Boy?"

Silence.

"Girl?"

It hummed again. The only reason it could likely understand his words was because of the soul that sought refuge in him like a ghost with reasons tying them to the world. That reason hovering above him with massive wings of course.

"So, let's test this, maybe you can, maybe you can't," he held his hands up and gripped a digit of each talon. Asarele closed her talons complelty around his hand, maining a tight grip without digging icy daggers into him.

He inhaled and then exhaled, making sure the spell to save him from a fall was on the front of his mind, "I'm ready."

The large bird dived down, flapping its wings every now and then to maintain their height. If she could really carry him like this, then she could hunt for the large prey she devoured twice a day on her own.

Though that might put some sentient creatures as risk.

Arctus' grip stayed tigh while he hung and Asarele leveled out even after a while, holding his weight without falling out of the sky.

"Shitting. Stars," the Master Scout looked out of the city as he flew with Asarele above it, "I'm going to have to take you into battle with me."

She screeched.

"And you're eager about that idea, too."

Asarele flew him over Canterlot before he tugged on her left talon, "circle back to the castle."

She cried out again, pitching her wings and flapping to maintain height. They must have been hundreds of feet in the air. As they approached the spires, a familiar figure had already taken to the skies to greet them.

"Good evening, Asarele, Arctus. Is it a good sunset to fly in?" Celestia smiled wide.

He tugged on both her talons, "maintain," Asarele stopped gliding forth and instead hovered.

"I never imagine you'd try to fly without me," she almost chastised, "but this is quite a spectacle to see. Small ice shards falling from the sky while you're holding to your beloved pet. I doubt I could do this with Philomena, phoenixes don't get this large."

"If her mother is anything to benchmark by, Asarele will be a massive powerful avian."

"Then it's good that it has such a tender caretaker."

"She," he corrected, "Asarele informed me just before we took flight," he could feel his arm muscles begin to stew in lactic acid.

He tugged on both talons again, "home."

Her high pitched shriek echoed, very akin to a hawk, and Asarele flew right back to Arctus' balcony where the Master Scout let go and she also released.

His feet pounded the stone floor, "I'm going to have to do this again with you. Never imagined flying would be in my future," he looked to Asarele who took a perch on a decorative strut atop the tower roof.

Celestia landed next to him, "the Summer Sun celebration is in two days," she had begun lowering the Sun below the horizon, "I know I can count on you to attend."

"Of course, Celly. This one is special, the thousandth occurence?" Celestia sighed at his words and nodded.

"I see...then I'll be ready. She'll come back. I'll make it so."

"Please, if you have to make any decision, Arctus," Celestia looked with watery eyes, "protect my little ponies, protect my subjects."

"I will never forget the title you bestowed upon me," he hugged her tight, "everything will turn out fine."

"Protect Twilight."
> Fighting an Instinct
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

That morning, Celestia informed Arctus that the celebration would be in Ponyville, so he had gone, knowing the actual festivities began when the Sun rose the next morning. He had already done an extensive walk through the town, earning many stares as he was fully armed and equipped. Asarele was flying above him in the sky, also earning plenty of stares.

The decorations were still going up as were food and drink tables, the town hall was being buzzed about. To all of Equestria, Celestia was the most important pony and the same was true to him. Though he could never see himself doing all of this for her sake, he'd rather enjoy a more carefree time.

They had discussed how a wedding between the two of them would work at detail and it was evenly split, things they could both enjoy, activities they could both do. He was surprised that she even agreed to an Aeternian tradition far after the reception of it.

Arctus shook his head, it was time to be looking for possible threats or clues. 

"Ho ho, look who it is!" A metal clad figure approached him, "Arctus, my dragon-feared friend, are you here for this celebration?"

He nodded, "I am, but on more pressing concerns, Savus."

"Should I fetch my weapons? It sounds as though you anticipate a threat."

"No, this is something I can handle. Are you not retired?"

The general laughed, "I am, Applejack's given me a quite a good job at her farm. Said I did surprisingly well for someone who wasn't raised on a farm. Watering, walking fields, and harvesting is a hell of a lot easier than holding an army together."

"So you live here?"

"Sure do. These ponies warmed up after AJ helped me, I think they actually like having me around for safety."

"They do, they may not say it, but they do. All of Canterlot stares at me when I pass, but they never fail to smile when I look at them."

"You know the Princess sent her student here to make friends, did she get tired of her always been stuffed in books?" Savus questioned.

"I believe she did," Arctus pulled him aside behind a cart of fresh apples, "this is actually her second student, she's doing things differently."

"I see. Did you need my help for any happenings today?"

"No, just keep an eye out."

Savus pointed to the sky, "and what's with the ice bird?"

"That's Asarele, she's my pet companion. She'll be of no trouble."

"Introduce me some time, she doesn't give me the impression that'd she would be friendly to strangers."

Arctus began to walk away, "enjoy yourself, retired General."

"Try to also relax, Arctus. This world is peaceful."





He had spent the day wandering about, looking around and trying to identify where she would come back. He proposed the idea of the old castle in the Everfree Forest, but Celestia requested that he protect the ponies first and foremost. Twilight was also here, though he had yet to spy her.

Night had fallen and even later all the ponies were headed to the town hall. He enter himself, leaving Asarele outside. Savus was present in the crowd himself and those inside looked to him as he entered with curiousity, like his battle ready form was out of place.

And the lights inside dimmed, the ceremony was beginning, Mayor Mare was giving words that Arctus didn't pay any attention to as he looked around the large room. The curtain was pulled and gasps went around the room, a deep laugh echoing through the rafters.

That's a dramatic entrance.

His spear quickly left and he pulled it in front of him, nopony caught his actions as they all stared toward the same spot while he stood in front of the door.

An alicorn, black furred and wearing blue silvery armor appeared from a blue mist where Celestia was expected to be.

"Oh, my beloved subjects, it's been so long since I've seen your precious sun loving little faces."

Arctus looked around the room, there was not way to approach her without being seen, he tuned words out, watching solely on movement and opportunities. Attack...attack.

"Did you not see the signs...did," he was barely hearing the voice that was an echo of Luna while he blood boiled and roared like the volcano he came from.

"Eight Stars guide me tonight," he whispered a prayer to himself, unsure of any outcome.

"I did and I know who you are," Twilight's voice snapped him out of his violent focus, "you're the mare in the moon. Nightmare Moon."

A soft laugh started, "remember this day, for this moment forth the night shall last forever!" And an evil cackle followed the twisted alicorn's threat.

And Nightmare Moon was gone.

"Arctus!" Savus shouted, but the Master Scout knew, he knew where she would go now and he had to follow. He was already out the front door.

"Asarele!" His voice boomed and a screech followed, his companion flying to him, "fly!" He held his spread up and the cold bird grabbed it in its talons, hoisting him along, "castle in the woods," he pointed with his hand.

"Arctus!" Savus ran out of the building after him with a shout, "fuck!" He cursed and began to sprint for his home to fetch weapons and join the Master Scout.

The flight to the castle was a quick one, Arctus assumed that she would head for the items that imprisoned her in the first place, so that's where he was headed, "I fucking hope Hazth doesn't see this."

"Release," he spoke again and Asarele dropped him onto the roof of the decripit building. He leapt down a hole in the roof and onto a broken pillar, carefully jumping into the ancient throne room, "I know you're here. Where else would you come if you needed to assure your victory?" He called out, "I won't face you from the shadows as I do most adversaries."

A cackle.

"And what thinks you can handle me? I'm stronger than before and you've got no Princess to banish me again," he twirled his spear as he saw her walk out from behind the crumbling throne.

"I have no intention of doing so."

"Then you have every intent to meet defeat!" She stomped her hooves, her horn lighting up.

Breathe. Inhale. Exhale. This was Celly's sister underneath all that hatred.

"Do you even remember that night? Where I bested you so easily? You had actually found my home, stood atop my cabin," he tried to stroke her ego, "so close to rooting me out."

"Enough. You came here to fight and kill me as you do anypony who happened upon you," a large beam of blue magic left her horn and met his spear, neutralized on contact.

"I'm here to save you," he rushed in after the magic stopped coming, reminding himself he would not kill as he took his hunting knife into his left hand.
> Paragons
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

A couple more bolts of magic were shot his way and each one was knocked aside, "you'll find that I'm far more than you ever thought I was."

"Hahaha, but not enough to best me!" She teleported in a flash of light, shooting magic at his back and it was dispersed with his spearhead all the same.

"A unicorn tried that trick. You intend to teleport all night? Forever's a long time, Luna," he mocked, stowing his hunting knife and pulling four throwing knives from a pouch into his hand.

"There is no Luna. I am Night. I am your worst dreams made manifest!" He threw one of the four knives at her, watching her teleport away.

He threw again and she vanished.

"I am Nightmare Moon!" Another teleport.

But this time, he threw his fourth knife early at the throne and she appeared there, "and I will dest-," the knife lodged into her forehead well enough, she lowered her head, blood dripped onto the stone.

Arctus zipped to her, she no longer had time to charge a spell and flash away, but she was forced into dodging his strikes. Slash after slash of the wide spear head sung through the air. Her horn lit and the throwing knife fell out of the wound that rapidly healed.

"Better keep dodging, you can't heal if this spear touches you. I'm sure you remember all the soldiers I scarred."

He was speaking coldly, almost as though he was using psychological threats to unnerve his opponent. She dodged a swipe and much to his surprise, she threw a hoof at him and he caught it with the rounded boot of his spear and then she teleported, huffing.

"You...that look in your eyes, that tone in your voice. You're not natural, no, no creature not evne a wild animal has that look of murder in them."

"It's called war, that's what I was made and designed for. That is the image I wished to take for my nation...now I take it for Equestria's sake."

He noticed a wisp of magic leave her hoof as her head tilted.

"I see, you have other intruders on their way. I hope I can keep you busy until their arrival."

He hoped, he hoped that Celestia had some kind of plan, some sort of idea of why she wanted him to participate in this from the shadows. Maybe this was part of it.

"There is still more than enough of me to deal with you!" She boomed and ancient stone fell from the ceiling, revealing the night sky as her horn lit again.

This time, multiple orbs appeared in the air around him, "try batting these away, will you?" She laughed.

"Protector of those in the shadows. Pusher of knives. That which we call murder. Cloak me in your chill so that I may find you in my hand," that was the full incantation, every word.

The orbs stayed in the air as he vanished from sight and with the softest of steps, Arctus made his way up to the top of a pillar Nightmare Moon stood at.

"Invisiblity will not make me believe you've teleported!" She sent the orbs all over the room, even toward the ceiling, destroying the castle even further.

Arctus was not in any of those places. He had sheathed his spear and drawn his greatsword when he reached the top of the pillar, pulling himself up before laying a giant gash and throwing Nightmare Moon off and to the floor.

"I am no lesser creature. I am far stronger than you or any ponykind. Do you surrender? Would you accept defeat at my hands a second time?"

She telported from the floor, her horn lit and stitching her wounds. She appeared to be under strain while using her magic.

"I will not lose, not when I'm this close."

"Laiptelis oro skraidyti."

"Yes, you will," he leapt from the pillar, walking down on yellow platforms as he put the greatsword away, "I have a promise to keep."

He smirked, weakening her magic was the first step of being able to make her more willing to talk, "so would you spare me the next hour and admit defeat?"

"Never!" She lit her horn and sent a small laser in his assumed positon. Arctus had summoned and threw a mote of fire at her horn the moment she lit it and it exploded almost directly on her face.

He moved his body to the left to avoid the short magic spritz that followed and looked at the now singed and burnt Nightmare Moon who healed herself again while her lungs heaved. Arctus finally dropped his invisibility.

"I've got you figured out. I can slay you. You should-."

"Then kill me!" He blocked the next burst with his spear in hand again.

"No," he could see her eyes from this distance, they held fear.

"Then I'll kill you!" She flapped her wings, soaring high before letting out another ray, just like that day she shot it at Celestia in this same room, a thousand ago.

His spear absorbed and dispersed it all, she slowly landed, almost hyperventilating from how much she expended, "how are you so strong?!"

"I've faced foes tougher than you. I'll face even stronger foes in the days to come," he continued to her, stopping short just in front of her.

He could hear the clopping of hooves, signaling a bunch of ponies galloping toward the throne room.

"Luna," he leaned over with an eye on her charged horn, "your sister wants you back proper. I need your grand help to find who I truly am. Please consider," he patted Nightmare Moon's cheek and she teleported away.

The hooves were almost upon him when he looked about to see the misty form of Nightmare Moon at the location of the magical artifacts, Elements is what Celestia called them. He sprinted, climbing decripit stone architecture to reach the top of the room, standing on a wall, crouching low and looking as he saw ponies enter.

Twilight, Applejack, and four others. He needed to stay. Protect Twilight.

And he watched the scene unfold in front of him, Nightmare Moon was defeated using thos Elements in a way he didn't understand. Luna came back in a much more unempowered form, likely thanks to him expending a lot of her magic, Celestia was released from a short banishment.

Her eye looked up, catching him spying on the actions below. He smiled before he looked up and held his spear with both hands.

Asarele swopped down quietly, grabbing the spear and carrying him off, "let's go to the castle. We've done our roles."
> A Second Spat
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

He chose to rest the day after that, not to return to Ponyville and enjoy celebrations, not to explain where he was or what had happened. He wouldn't even file a report for his task.

Celestia did return to Canterlot along with Luna. The Solar symbol sent for him and a guard even followed him to the throne room while he was still in full equipment. He was left at the throne room doors in thought.

But no matter all the scenarios in his head, he could never imagined the one to come. He opened one of the doors, shutting the stone behemoth behind him. Celestia and Luna stood in the center of the throne room, alone, where he began walking toward them.

"Exile him."

Harsh words.

"Luna, you shou-."

"He is more evil than we ever could be, exile him. He's killed hundreds if not thousands with those eyes," the smaller alicorn pointed a hoof at him and he fully made his way over to the sisters.

"I used to think the idea of evil was only used in story books, as tales we tell children to make them righteous. I know after our battle that it exists. It grips the hearts of creatures and doesn't like to let go," Arctus spoke, "I am not evil, I only do what is necessary and asked of me. These eyes reflect what I have done, not how evil I am."

"Luna, he serves Equestria, faithfully. A lot has happened while you were away and I thought it best to bring him here to greet you at your return."

"Arctus, is it?" Luna addressed him.

"Yes, Luna," he address her informally, "I apologize if I seemed pompous during out short battle, it was-."

"We will have a rematch, don't concern yourself with you ego," the recently returned Princess spoke.

"Sister, I don't recommend that, I've seen-."

"Let him speak for himself, dear sister," she held her hoof up, looking back to the human, "tell us, why do you stay here? What have thou contributed?"

"When Minos decided to raid Equestria, I stood alone against it and defended this whole city. I ruined their growing kingdom of iron. I neutered the dragons and slew dozens of them. I prevented an army of zombie griffons from advancing onto Equestria," Luna's eyes were half-lidded, unimpressed with his feats, "destroyed a rising military force in the Bone Dry desert. Trained two Scouts to also serve Equestria."

"Give us a point of reference," she demanded.

Arctus stepped to their platform and then beyond it, to the balcony in the back of the throne room, "Asarele!" The ice bird cried out and made its way over, landing on the small balcony railing with its giant talons. Celestia and Luna could see the great bird from where they stood.

"This is Asarele, she is tame and my companion. I had slain her mother and took her as an egg."

He held his spear up, "fly!" And his beloved bird hovered, grabbing his spear and lifting him up from the balcony. Just mere moments later he returned with a sleepy eyed, but fully kitted Strong Stitch who held onto his legs as they flew.

"We'll get your weapon made soon, Scout Stitch, but assist me for a moment," he lead her on in to the throne room where she bowed to both Princesses.

"At least she knows how to show respect," Luna chided him and his informalities.

"We Aeternians show respect differently," he spoke, "not to say that you aren't deserving of it."

"Art, you're not making this particularly easy," Celestia sighed.

"Wh-what did you call him? 'Tia, you have a nickname for this thing?" Luna caught her word.

"I-."

"She does. Celly is not defending herself tonight, I'm defending myself."

Luna's jaw fell open a bit at his words. She wouldn't say it, but his action just earned him some recognition from her despite his use of a different nickname for her sister.

"Scout Strong Stitch passed her exam to be a Scout that was administered by me. This was an exam based on combat prowess. I won't go into details, but she passed roughly a week or two ago, she can travel great distances alone, survive in the wilds, remain undetected, and thwart almost all threats."

"What is this exam exactly?" Arctus smirked at Luna's question. That meant he had her interested and that meant she could be swayed.

"I'm glad you asked, Strong Stitch if you would explain."

"A Scout's exam is undertaken by a trainee. The scout trainee battles a fully titled Scout, the only goal is to cross a line set out by the Scout. Real weapons are used and the possibility of death is present, nopony holds back in the fight. Once the line is crossed, the exam is passed," Strong Stitch was completely awake at this point, explaining away, "the trainee may forfeit at any time during the exam."

"Luna, I was there for Strong Stitch's exam," Celestia spoke up, "she's an earth pony with no magic or wings, but she shattered an axe head, sustained life threatening injuries, and still passed her exam. Scout Stitch, if you would."

The new scout rose to her hind hooves, showing the patch of shaved fur that had started to regrow, sutures still present, she didn't stay up for long.

"I've noticed a rising kingdom, capable of great military power, it's declared a conditional war on Equestria. I am the only reason they have not invaded," Arctus spoke up, "by displaying my power across Equestria and raising two scouts, one of which is still out in the field."

"Art! You can't-."

"Who is this threat?" Luna spoke up.

"Master Scout Hazth leads a nation. Hazth was a legend in my world, Aeternia. I'm the only thing that could meet his power and destroy his forces."

"What makes you so sure of it?"

"I'm sure you've seen my expression in combat?" Luna glanced to the floor and Celestia shifted uneasily, "he was raised and designed for war and battle just like me."

"We see your usefulness and why you should stay in Equestria for now," Luna relented.

"Scout Stitch, do not release this information to anypony," the scout nodded to Celestia, "you are dismissed," she bowed and left the throne room promptly.

One the stone door closed again, Luna spoke up.

"We see the second thing you wanted to talk about."

"Our relationship you mean?" Celestia affirmed.

"Yes, how long have you two been such?"

"That's a hard question to answer, we'd have to fill you in on history," Celestia answered, "but many many moons. I can also get you some restricted books on Aeternia, the culture of Arctus' people and his own world's history."

"That would be helpful," Luna smiled and turned to Arctus with her expression more serious, "consider your presence still under review."

He smirked, "you'll find me worth keeping around. I mentioned in our physical battle that I needed your help."

"To know who you are, correct?" Arctus nodded to the blue alicorn's recollection, "then out with it."

"I need you to help move stars about in the sky and show me the right ones. And when the time comes, to help me launch myself to them."

Luna blinked, "apologies, our hearing must not be as sharp as it was earlier."

"It's part of Aeternian history. I was born from the stars and I want to know why I exist as such and who I am intended to be. It's something I must do."

"Don't try to talk him out of it," Celestia commented, "I've already tried."

Luna stared at him, pondering his request, "now that we are no longer Nightmare Moon, we will consider assisting you. We will have that consideration tomorrow, when we have recovered our magic and you will face us in combat again."

"Luna! Sister! I really don't recommend battling with him any-," Celly repressed her want to shout.

"As you wish, if it will satisfy your own ego to be defeated a third time. Shall we have a traditional duel? Or would you like to return to older days where I can fight you like a Scout truly would against their target?" He tempted her.

"Arctus! Stop encouraging her!" Celestia boomed.

He'd hear this one later.

"We are not one to decline a challenge, we will fight you as you wish, but on territory we know. The old castle will serve as our battlegrounds again," he could almost see a smile on Luna's face.

"Dueling my future sister-in-bond, you may not think it, but we'll be fast friends, Luna. You're more alike to my people than any other pony here."

"Art."

"I know, Celly, but can you wait to chew me out after?" 

Celestia let a small smile come onto her face, "some parts of you never change. Just don't let loose too much on my sister."

"We hope he brings his full strength to bear," Luna argued, "we want to see if his claims earlier can hold candlelight."

Arctus put a fist to his chest, lowering his head to Luna, "I'll see you tomorrow morning."

Luna hummed in response while the Master Scout went to the balcony of the throne room, "come Asarele, we'll get some actual rest," the bird trilled as it lifted him away by his spear again.

"You have interesting taste, 'Tia," Luna commented after his departure.

"There's nopony else who treats me quite like he does."

"He truly doesn't care about our titles, only what we've done, hmm?" Luna ruminated.

"That's how his people function, titles are only used as positions and jobs to state someone's daily duties, but not the respect owed to them."

"Then what of his title as Master Scout? Does that not earn him respect?" 

Celestia laughed, "it is not the title, but what he had done to earn it."

"We see."





He breathed deep while Asarele flew him to the castle in the Everfree forest, landing with him at the front doors of the castle, "we'll go hunting after this and catch you the rest of your breakfast," he patted the icy being's wing, his skin not damaged at all by the incredibly cold temperatures the bird housed.

"Oh! Arctus!" Savus approached him, "I got filled in on yesterday's activities and even gathered about a couple mages from Canterlot to scry about the castle so we can see this battle ourselves. You took your time getting here."

He peered around, his hand lingering on his companion's feathers, "Twilight and those five are here?" He took note that Savus was in his full battle outfit.

"What do you mean those five? You know me!" Applejack spoke up.

"Thanks for taking care of Savus, AJ," he addressed.

"I'm not your kid, I'm double your age!" Savus noted.

"But I did bring you to Equestria."

"Hold on, darlings, he said 'those five' so clearly he knows us, but we don't know him."

"Oh! I'm sorry I didn't mention yet," Twilight spoke up, "Master Arctus, these five are my new friends!"

"Master?!" The five of them shouted.

"I think they think you're some hot shit around here," Savus commented.

Arctus sighed, "a formality. Master Scout Arctus, not that any of you probably hear about me, I'm quite the taboo in Ponyville at least."

"Oooooh! I've heard of him!" Rarity began, "warrior extraordinaire, best of the best, Princess Celestia named him the Protector of Equestria," she started to fawn, "but, girls, keep your hooves off. He'll be in my bed by the day's end."

"Raaaarity, you may want to reevaluate that plan," Twilight sheepishly started, "the, um, Princess named him royal consort."

"I, uh, oh," her cheeks tinted, visibly embarassed, "I must not be getting the best newspaper from Canterlot delivered anymore."

"Waaaait wait wait wait. Hold the hay for a second, you're telling me he's with the Princess, like Celestia, and about to fight Princess Luna who we just rescued?!" Rainbow Dash interrupted.

"Savus, you have those mages scrying in the castle already?"

"I do."

"Where's Celly?"

"Princess Celestia is watching from your cabin in the ground, she said she'd be tempted to interrupt were she closer."

"Something seems bad about this," Pinkie Pie spoke up, "I don't think you make friends by battle, you need to make 'em laugh!"

Arctus took a look over himself and his equipment, making one final check. Fluttershy was about to speak, but all she managed was to hide herself behind Applejack while he took weapon after weapon and tool after tool out to ensure he was at the ready.

"I did bring a lot of sutures and medical equipment in case something ahppens, there's also some nurses and a doctor at the ready here," Savus noted.

"Maybe I'll still bring you into the field with me, I was very spoiled working with you."

"Maybe I will, not every day I get to perform the Star Launch technique," Savus smiled, "don't worry about these mares being in the Everfree. They can hold their own and I'm always around if they can't."

"But please make this quick, that seamstress," he pointed to the purple maned Rarity, "has been flirting with me the entire time until you arrived."

Arctus smiled at the whisper.

"Everypony, you may see some unsightly things today in my spar against Luna."

"You address her so informally, as if you're already part of the royal family," Rarity commented.

The woodsmaster ignored her, "if it becomes too much for you, feel free to look away from any of the scrying spells, you are not obligated to watch, I imagine you were invited to watch."

He looked to Asarele, "please lend them your protection if they need it and stay put, I can handle this battle," it screeched into the air.

"S-such a bond," Fluttershy managed to speak as she trotted closer to it before stopping for the incredible chill in the air.

"She's in there, ready for me, right?"

"Yep!" Twilight pipped.

"We're not gonna say where though," Rainbow smirked, "she told us not to."

"I wouldn't have it any other way."

His eyes scanned, the castle was built exceptionally well so it withstood the years with great resistance to the outside weather.

He rubbed the wards on the inside of each boot, drawing his longbow and a single bodkin arrow out as he walked right up the wall with his enchanted footwear.

"Whoa, he can do that?!" Pinkie Pie shouted, "he must have tons and tons of party tricks."

"Shhh, Pinkie! We're supposed to watch 'em, not narrate his whole fight!" Applejack harshly corrected.

"Oh right," and she made a motion to zip her lips while the Master Scout climbed.

"Good luck, Arctus. She's an exceptional warrior and expecting every trick you could try."





He went over the battlements, noticing the white scrying plates already hovering in areas. This was very reminiscent of arenas in Aeternia but with much more advanced magics at play.

He already drew himself low, just in case Luna would attempt to fight him the moment he entered or if she anticipated him climbing high. He slunk about the ramparts, making his way to the same enclosed staircase he once used for an escape so many years prior. And he entered, hearing wind blow through the halls of the castle.

His head swiveled to each corridor, finding all of them empty, but he lingered his eyes for a while longer.

Invisibility, as an alicorn she could be hunting for him as he hunts for her. He felt his spine shiver. This was his element.

His blood pumped hard and he left the bottom of the stairwell, listening sharply and tuning all noise of his almost silent footsteps out along with the wind. He recalled assignments like this where he toyed and teased his enemy to satisfy his bloodlust.

Arctus hope she would be as skilled as she let on, it would make victory that much sweeter. His eyes caught a glint and he stopped moving.

A tripwire. That would impede his progress, just at the corner of this corridor, he gently stepped over it, seeing a crossbow aimed at him and set to be triggered by the wire. Disarming it would make untoward noise, noise that he didn't want to make under any circumstance.

Experienced hunter as he is, he continued. It took him a while, but he had prowled through all the upper floors with no Luna in sight and were she here, she would have pounced on him by now. So then he made his way through lower floors and what used to be bedrooms. The scrying eyes were everywhere in the castle, but Luna was nowhere to be found still.

A thought then occurred to him. She meant to lock him in singular combat with no routes of escape. These traps and movements of ancient items were only a distraction to try and throw him off his search and exhaust his alertness. So he travelled to the first place of importance with ponykind to him.

He slipped past the half broken wood door, marking the broken oak with a gift, that lead to the dungeons, looking at the entry way. He remembered that conversation and short hostage he took on his escape away when he first ended up imprisoned.

Eyes scanned everything before he proceeded past the rotting table and deeper, checking each cell slowly. Still no Luna.

He heard a breath, that wasn't his own and his ears could not locate the sudden noise, but his mind knew the spot in here he didn't check, that he wouldn't expect to find her at.

He whipped around and shot off an arrow on instinct and hearing alone to the whoosh of air that followed. The arrow was deflected away from magic and an axe, one of the most simple deadly weapons swung down at him and he backstepped, hanging his bow away.

Another backstep from the advantaged Luna and a throwing knife lodged into her front while he drew his own spatha,. Arctus was backed into an empty cell of the ancient dungeon, he didn't want to give away any ploys, so he kept his mouth shut.

"For a title of Master Scout, you're awful as remaining undetected and alert. I pounced on you too easily."

He held off his smirk, maintaining his current war visage. 

He lifted a surprise he had been working on, an Aeternian item, one he worked on with pleasure during his alone time. A mixture of two plant oils, rice bran and sunflower. A flame produced with his index lit a cloth exterior on the top half of this brown ball he held.

"Do you still wish to fight me? My stealth is unparralled and I let you get the upperhand."

Luna laughed at his words, "please, like a simple explosive will turn us away from defeating you."

She held a second axe in her hoof as it left her back, her horn lit, ready.

The Master Scout zipped close first, dodging a swipe before blocking another from his left side and his right hand slung up quick, bashing her muzzle hard and drawing first blood. He went to throw the clay device at her, but made a false momvement, seeing her shield come up for a short second, he had already extended a leg in and explosive motion and he shield came up again, barely stopping the point of his spatha.

"I admit, your prowess in combat is considerable, perhaps after I beat you," she advanced again, swinging each axe in tune and forcing him to dodge back as he could not block every strike with a single weapon in his hand. 

Luna was leading this dance of combat, but Arctus was orchestrating it exactly how he wanted. The oil soaked cloth was beginning to blacken from how long it remained lit, but he knew the wall was there and he had not turned the wards of his boots off yet. He stood up from the stone wall, blocking a hit and running along the ceiling, smashing the clay ball at Luna's head, a shield responded too late and she howled in pain as he rubbed the wards and fell behind her.

His hatchet met his other hand and he swung down, going for a debiliating strike to her haunches, right to a muscle but she whipped about and knocked the smaller axe aside with her own. Oil burned away on her fur, searing and causing her even more pain as she gritted her teeth. Her horn lit and Arctus quickly fled the room, sprinting out before moving into a slower but silent run out of the dungeons.

Arctus leapt up, climbing broken architecture again and stowing his current weapons away to take his bow out again, he aimed at the wood door, seeing the glyph he left behind on the front of it while he pulled back an arrow.

An enraged Luna ran through the door, moving the wood that was still mostly closed, triggering his spell.

A fiery explosion threw her into the wall opposite of the door, splinter and wood dust flying about while his arrow loosed and sank in where he last saw her. Arctus retreated again before he even heard the next grunt of pain.

"Come back and fight us, cur!" Her taunts would never be effective against Arctus.

He slipped through corridors, marking fake fire glyphs as he went before he circled back to where Luna was hit by the arrow, seeing that she had already healed herself again as he stay high above, observing her movements.

It was a shame his tricks did not leave any lasting debilitating effects, but she had learned her magic was useless against him in offensive forms. Luna eventually made it to the series of halls where he had left his glyphs.

"Come out! We refuse to step through these traps."

He settled his spear differently for a quick readying. His bow slipped into his fingers and he pulled five arrows into his hand, preparing one into his bow.

"Zaibas surasti vidinis!" He shouted suddenly, projecting his voice up so it would echo back down into the corridors. Luna could not pinpoint his voice, but his arrows took a yellow tinge and he loosed the first, prepping the second and loosing it next. He repeated this arrow revolver method before he slotted his bow away, the arrows headed toward Luna, but stopped just overhead, crackling.

The moon raised noticed them and prepared a shield.

Arctus gripped his spear with a smirk. He had her all to himself in this struggle. He leapt from the pillar he stood atop in the dusty height of the halls. 

One arrow shot down with lightning following it and it immediately overloaded Luna's basic shield, causing her to gasp as he dodged the next by moving just out of the way, following the rhythm, but blocked in and force toward the fiery glyphs. Arctus was almost upon her as the last arrow zapped down and forced her to step directly onto a glyph. The red glow shined brighter and he could see Luna clench her eyes.

His spearhead dug deep into her shoulder, Arctus' face was inches from hers and he smirked almost wildly.

"You are prey in my lair. And I will tear you piece by piece," his blood was rushing, his want for violence and battle were heightening.

Luna's horn lit, but flickered out.

"Oh no, not with my spear bleeding you out. Good luck healing this," he gestured with his eyes to Luna's wound.

Despite his psychological tactic and their gazes merely half a foot away, she showed no fear but a great sense of determination.

"I'm glad," he saw her other hoof begin to move with her axe and he wrenched the spear, causing her to yelp out, "don't stop now. I don't want this to end so early. Show me your boasts earlier have value in their words," he reared his metal covered left hand back and scored a quick punch up her muzzle, blood splaying into the air.

He followed with a downward back fist while he pulled his spear free and ran down the glyph covered corridor. The red symbols faded, showing their falseness.

"Mental warfare will not be effective against us!" Luna boomed as he had already taken off into the depths of the castle to hide again.

But he was right, Luna knew she was caught in a true predator's eye, in its lair, and it wanted to play before it pounced.

A challenge, Arctus wanted a challenge, something to really make him justify using all he knew. Luna better provide it to him after talking so much about he may not even be of use to Equestria.

"Sister, you chose an impressive fighter to be your romantic involvement," Luna mumbled as she went through halls, ignoring the burning pain and bleeding in her shoulder.

Arctus had circled around again, listening to Luna's foot steps as she went through the corridors, hiding in a room near the intersection she passed through. It had been quite a while since Arctus first entered, at least an hour. A prolonged confrontation was mostly used in training environments for Scouts.

She passed the intersectiong of halls, heading closer to the center of the castle, the throne room. The Master Scout slipped from the room silently and crept behind her before lunging with his spear toward one of her rear hooves. Luna heard his lunge and she rushed forward, whipping around to face him a couple feet away.

"You are incredibly quiet and those instincts are too much like that of a thief!" Luna accused as she took a defensive stance. Arctus had not stopped his assault and when he missed he twisted and followed his lunge with and overhead throw of his spear.

Luna clattered it to the floor with a swipe of an axe and advanced on him while he fetched his greatsword, a black tint coming over the blade. Luna swung with one axe and instead of blocking the overhead strike, Arctus matched it perfectly and the force blew Luna clear down the hall with a boom. Pebbles and dust were freed from the walls, even larger rocks crashed to the floor in a show of just what Luna was hit with.

Arctus began speaking before she even landed her hind hooves on the stone wall in the throne room, "pradingti zemaiu lipti," and he quickly vanished, appearing below Luna and striking up, making clear connection on her stomach and blasting her into the sky, far above the castle.

The Master Scout landed on the stone floor of the throne room, looking up with a smirk, "wonder how long before you make it back down."

And she had teleported her fresh wound from the greatsword was repaired and she swung, barely contacting Arctus' face and drawing blood that smeared across the iron head of her weapon. He ducked the next slash and blocked a third, "yes! Show me!"

"Plienas karka savninkas!" His spear flung from down the hall and into his hand, slashing the back of Luna before his fingers wrapped around it.

This didn't stop her assault and she rather ignored the pain and another axe head hit his torso, this one biting deeper than merely grazing. Blood ran onto the stone, his armor abosrbed some of the blow, ensuring it was not life threatening, but he couldn't take all day to play with Luna now. His left hand held his spear and he tangled it under an axe head while he twirled his body around, manipulating Luna's hoof until she let go, He held the greatsword behind his back, blocking a second strike.

His right arm extended and using centrifugal force, he managed a slash again't luna's left hoof. Her horn lit and healed the wound even with her stumbling back from the force.

"Even in direct combat, you fight like you've calculated every moment before a single second has passed."

"Compliments will get you no where," Arctus paused, sheathing his greatsword away while he gripped his spear closer to the lugs of it, "you've dealt me a wound that will make me bleed out, so I can't play anymore."

"You...you weren't even seriously battling us?" Luna commented, her teeth gritting in anger.

"Thank you for the small challenge you've posed, but I have to wrap up. Before I continue," a pink glow overcame his right hand as he held it up in front of him, "do you still wish to continue this duel?"

Celestia's voice came from above, "Luna! Sister!" She hovered over the broken ceiling, "don't continue fighting! You can't win!"

"Despite your doubts in us, 'Tia. I've enjoyed this battle and I will seek it to the end," Luna looked to Arctus, "confront me properly, warborn."

That was a common name of an Aeternian, given to them by other nations.

Arctus felt the bloodlust surge in his veins, "good answer, Licate," his mouth used a term he hadn't said in eons. Licates were Aeternia's strongest opposing nation which was still crumbled. He participated in some of the wars and confrontations against them. 

His subconscious was reliving an exact confrontation with their head of nation, they were also founded on warrior principles.

"Licate?"

He smiled as he snapped his mind fully back to reality. While it was a warning that he needed a truly bloody or challenging battle, he was getting exactly that.

"Intangible Kamna!"

"Teach my body to become fateless and unbound so that I may deliver the final blow as you did to the sky!"

His hand had already finished tracing the symbol before Luna was upon him. He invoked the one of the Eight most stubborn to favor few. Kamna had always favored him.

Luna's strikes went through his boundless body multiple times before she stopped, staring in disbelief.

"You've...you've made yourself invulnerable," she mumbled and shortly after his spear slung around her hoofves multiple times, blood spilling and tainting the stone floor even more red.

He then made himself unbound once again, moving directly through her and taking a wider swing with his spear that she blocked.

"Good, you still have your teeth."

Her next swing phased through him again. Luna was dialing in to him.

He took another stab and her axe knock it away and buried a second time lightly above the first hit that struck his torso. Arctus backed away as fresh red stained his linens and scale again. His spear was swiftly put away and his hunting knife and hatchet returned instead. He had made no grunt of pain. Luna's next strike went through his immaterial form.

He crashed his small hatchet toward her head, Luna blocked and held it and started her own swing. He blocked with his knife before becoming intagible once more for just a brief second and his hatcher dug into her neck. Her horn lit as soon as his axe left and the wound healed, his knife stabbed deep into her stomach as she fought on her rear hooves. before he zipped through her and attempted a new feat.

He internalized the spell, speaking the word sin his mind before lashing the open air with his axe and a small wind slash zipped to Luna who blocked the hit with the iron heads of her axes, the metal being bitten deep. Arctus was now able to use this spell without words.

Arctus breathed deep, sheathing away his hunting knife and hatchet again. His spear made his way into both his hands and he began to center himself, letting the godhood he used fade. 

"I am Master Scout Arctus, Starborn, greatest in Aeternia. I will make you kneel."

He advanced, holding his spear in front of him, while Luna took on a wide stance and hacked with one axe, sending the other in quick. Arctus stopped his advance and latched his spear under the beards of both axes, using a single hand to yank her closer, fingers gripped tightly to his spear. His hand blasted her face again and her horn lit, healing injury and damage.

Another punch before he unlatched his spear and sent a long cut up her front. She backed away, blood splattering again while he marched forward with a cold look in his eyes. He was breathing war. All she was at that moment was just another battle to be won.

He flashed first and his spear whirled at an impossible speed for her to block. He was dialed in and letting loose at the same time. The cut lashed a hoof. The air whistled and sang Arctus' glory as more blood was spilt across the ancient castle.

Two quick cuts and he transitioned into a thrust, piercing Luna's stomach lightly as she backed away and he whipped the spear head up and cut under her jawline, following with a hoirzontal bash of the rounded but of his spear into the side of her head. Her vision blacked for a second.

The woodsmaster saw fear in her eyes at last as his spear close for a finished strike, but he held back, his spear just barely puncturing at her throat to cause blood to bubble up in a single dot while she stood stark still, head lolled to the side.

"You have been defeated. This duel is over, Princess Luna," he kept his spear in place.

Luna smiled before she laughed, "you are useful to Equestria. We appreciate you showing us respect, but if you are to become our brother-in-law, there is no need to use such a formal title. Luna will be adequate."

Arctus removed the spear and helped to stabilize Luna who was still dazed from his incredibly violent bash.

Luna exhaled a held breath, "your weapon is impressive. You are impressive. Without doubt, the strongest creature I've encountered barring the Sower of Chaos himself."

"I'll accept that as a compliment," they made it to the door together, opening it with their in person observer already on the other side.





"It's always an experience to see a Scout fight. When Arctus fights, it's a reminder of how mortal every one of us are. You wield death as if it were gloves made only for your hands," Savus greeted him first.

Arctus sheathed away his spear after wiping remaining blood off. He looked to Luna who stared back at him, "what is-."

The Master Scout put a fist to his chest, looking to the ground. He rcognized Luna as worthy of his respect though combat.

"That's quite a high regard, Princess Luna. He shows respect often enough, but not like this," Savus commented, "don't be surprised if he requests to bring you into the field with him," he chuckled.

"We see," Luna looked to Celestia who stared with worry at her, "sister, we can approve of his current position. We apologize if we wished to deny his presence from our earlier knowledge of him."

Arctus was already taking off equipment one by one, leaving his breeches and chain chauses on. The cuts in his torso were extensive, red had stained his clothing and armor thoroughly. While Luna's wound dripped slowly, his were rushing a lot more freely.

"Celly, could I bother you for-," the sun-marked alicorn lit her horn with a warm smile and the injury on his face faded and sealed, his torso was wiped clean of blood and the wounds stitched together

The present doctor and nurses had moved around Celestia, looking over Luna before the doctor began to issue commands for stitching and treating her wounds.

"Thanks, I know the wounds on Luna from my spear won't be healed via magic, so...apologies Luna."

Luna just smiled at him while she stood as still as she could, "I would have our battle go no other way."

"What a fine stallion. Those muscles. That perfectly lean body. The strong mi-."

Rarity had started complimenting him under her breath until Princess Celestia gave her a knowing and little harsh glare. The dreaming fashionista swallowed hard.

"Where is Asarele?" Arctus looked about.

"Hunting! I assume," Savus answered.

"Asarele!" She did not come at her name.

"Asarele!" Arctus boomed again and the bird cried out, walking out from around the castle after a while, Fluttershy in tow.

"She's got a way with animals, always has," Rainbow Dash spoke up, "those were some seriously cool moves you used, Arctus."

"Careful not to rise his pride too much, he has enough of an issue with that," Celestia commented while she looked at her sister again, "I'm just glad you two are getting along better."

"We understand him."

"I understand her."

"As warriors often find out about each other in combat," Savus sighed, "Plated Shell might get mad at you...ruining his repairs so early."

Arctus sighed, "he gets paid well enough."

"We have a royal smith?"

"Not officially, but Arctus was impressed at his work in creating the greatsword he uses and now its the only smith all the guards will visit," Celestia answered, "he's more influential than he knows. The elite even visit a specific restuarant more just to try and catch a glimpse of him."

"And popular with the powerful," Rarity mentioned off-hoofedly, "is there anything else we should know about him? Can he raise the Sun and Moon?" She laughed at her own poor joke.

"No, but he intends to launch himself as a star into the sky, we will assist," Luna pledged, smiling to him.
> Starstruck
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Over the next two weeks, Arctus had filled in quite a lot of Aeternian culture and information with the returned Princess of the Night, Celestia had filled her in on the history that had happened and the new up and coming ponies. Luna had also taken to dueling Strong Stitch herself and finding that Arctus is just as skilled teaching combat as he is practicing it.

But she always held a slight look of fear in her eyes, very much like Celestia when the two of them first met. Luna experienced his capabilities first hand and knew he existed for violence, that was how he was raised, it was a truth.

What Celestia began to see that Luna had not yet was how he used his talents to give himself a more directed purpose.

"You just continue to grow and grow, is it all the food I'm bringing you?" Arctus stood at his balcony, looking on top of his tower and seeing the giant bird that was half the size of its mother.

Asarele cocked her head at him.

"I still have this feeling that you'll be the one with me the most."

She trilled back at him and his thoughts turned to that of the coming ceremony. They had a while longer until the set date, placed even after the coming Gala and he had already prepared the things he needed for it while Celestia went about integrating Luna into Equestrian society again.

Much to say, breweries, vintners, distilleries, and many bars and pubs throughout Canterlot were very happy with him and all aboard the idea of an Aeternian reception.

Though today, he had a very odd occurence set up to listen to complaints toward his reception, he had hoped he didn't intimidate too many ponies.

He had borrowed the Sun's Ray for the day, which was more than happy to accomodate him and cater. Asarele interrupted the namesake of the restuarant, sleeping during the hot summer day and providing a cooler atmosphere through the building as she laid on the glass skylight.

Arctus entered through the front doors, see a considerable gathering of ponies, from elites to more common ponies of Canterlot. Even some faces from Ponyville were present.

Rarity was oddly enough present.

One inhale and then one exhale, he commanded some soldiers before, but never did any public speaking. The woodsmaster walked around the crowd, only partially equipped rather than in his full outfit, he wore his linens and leathers along with his spear, hunting knife, and hatchet.

Of course, he had his cape, the gift had grown considerably on him enough to where he wore it every day. Along his walk, he picked up a plate from the catering table, filled with small portions of common foods he often ordered from the restuarant, he took up position in front of the crowd, setting the plate down and taking a bite of legumes. One of the hosts that typically welcomed him brought the common drink he ordered that quickly became a favorite for elites to order there as well.

Being a trendsetter was another thing he never envisioned.

The crowd simmered their chatting to whispers before stopping altogether before Arctus had even commanded their attention to himself.

"Welcome, this will be my first appearance in public like this. I know all of you know who I am, but I want to state that this is for taking in your concerns and complaints and addressing them. To reach reasonable compromises. This will not be an event for you to voice your disdain of me or the disapproval of my relationship," he firmly spoke, taking a sip.

He noticed the door opened and some ponies had already chosen to leave.

"Let's begin, I'm sure the first matter of concern is how unorderly an Aeternian celebration can be. I want to assure all of you that there will be Scout Strong Stitch on duty during it along with some powerful shield spells that will be cast over Canterlot. Crime is non-existent within Equestria, but I expect none of it still on that night."

A unicorn came to the front of the crowd, well dressed, "and we're supposed to allow commoners to celebrate this occassion as well? This is the marriage of a Princess!"

"Yes, you're expected to play nice," he down the rest of the drink.

"Shitting Stars, this will be a long day."

"The entire point of my people's celebrations is to cast off any idea of separation based on class, wealth, combat prowess. The temple priests even walk about the entire city, drinking and making merry with everyone. It's an event of unity, not one of boundaries."

"That doesn't seem right at all! We don't deserv-."

Arctus immediately interrupted the second unicorn to speak, "you think this is a punishment? An Aeternian punishment was a fight in the arena one could not possibly win. Humiliation in front of crowds. Exile even," he challenged the unicorn, "no, this is not a punishment. It behooves such a snobby noble as yourself to self-flagellate by thinking the opportunity to experience a momentous celebration of a different culture as a punishment."

He rose his vocabulary up to meet the whining noble who immediately cowed back into the crowd at his words.

"Are their any other concerns on the unorderly way the reception is conducted?"

A pegasus mare stepped forward, "what of our families? Those with little colts and fillies? How will they be safe? What if we don't want them around such noise and alcohol?"

"This pony, take note of, had actually raised a real concern," Arctus let a held breath out, "the thought has crossed my mind.  I had a couple of ideas...to implore the hotels of other cities for the night so those in Canterlot who did not want to participate may leave for the reception and be safe," the assumed mother seemed to chip up at the idea of a free vacation night, "or to create a noise isolated section within Canterlot at a hotel already present in the city."

"I would be fine with either of those options," the pegasus answered with a smile. If anything, this could do wonders for the ponies idea of him.

"Please, if your concerns have been addressed, exit promptly. I don't wish to impose the kindness of the Sun's Ray beyond what they allow."

More ponies had left, nobles in a great amount. Rarity was still present among the handful that remained. He addressed the concerns without any lasting issues besides another noble trying to be a noble.

"Hello, Master Arctus," Rarity remained.

"To make it clear, please discontinue flirting with me if you ahdn't got the earlier hints from Celestia."

"Oh no no, darling. I would never! I've actually come to ask if there were any outfits or clothing related to such a celebration. I design clothing, you see."

Arctus shook his head, "no, nothing of the sort. This is Equestria, but back in Aeternia it was more common for people to shed clothing rather than wear something special," he laughed, "but I don't think the night would get that debauched."

Rarity blushed almost immediately, "I-I see. Well, if you need anything made for the ceremony, let me know!"

"Apologies if it brings you down, but I did actually have something planned and it's being made for the occassion now. Plated Shell, my favorite smith, is making it...unless you have experience with metalworking," he chortled, "I'll see myself out, Rarity. I appreciate your offer, however."

And he exitted the door, noting all the arrangements he'd have to make.





And he had succeeded in those preparations rather easily. His influence was starting to spread farther and farther since the announcement of a royal wedding.

It was the day before of the normal Grand Galloping Gala, or at least the first one since Luna's return. Where many ponies in Canterlot were busy getting ready, Arctus was at the training yard, looking at humanoid training dummies he had made himself. He had already drilled many strikes with his spear in just the air alone, but he was now about to take the first slash at one with the wide spear head.

"Arctus."

He dropped his combatative stance, turning behind him to see Princess Luna observing him.

"What are you doing out here? Aren't you above training against stationary targets?" She gestured a hoof about, "we also see you're the only one here. Shouldn't you be running about for the Gala?"

He shook his head, "I've only ever gone once or twice to the Grand Galloping Gala. The nobles with stuffed heads are not my preferred company."

"Perhaps we should invite Savus, maybe then you would attend."

"Why so adamant on it?" He questioned, widening his feet and putting his spear in front of him.

"We are just curious as to how to act at such an event."

He snorted, "I find a quiet place away from everything else," he slowly traced a couple strikes in the air before moving closer to the dummy.

"So, would you enlighten us as to why you are training like this?"

"I realized in combat with you, I had lost some of my touch and I had yet to reach my full potential. I can usually swing that fast with my spear, but it took a challenge from you and a challenge to the glory I earned myself to draw it back out of me."

He took a swift strike, not as fast as he wanted to, but the burlap and straw were cut easily enough, "that isn't acceptable. Not if I intend to kill Hazth."

He took another and followed with two more swipes, that was better, it was faster, but not even close to the blur he had struck Luna with.

"I see...how talented is this Hazth?"

"He was reknowned throughout Aeternia, even among our enemies. He is a Master Scout same as me."

Luna hummed, "does it not bother you? How violent you are?"

Arctus took a swing and the dummy cut easily with the wind whipping and shaking the others about, Luna cringed at the sound.

That was the sound when he had struck her as if her martial ability no longer mattered, as if he was a god of war slashing at a peasant defending her farm.

"No, faster."

And took another attack at the training dummy followed by a flurry of wind as he took seven more and thrusted the spear forward at an incredible speed. His blood was boiling again and his favored weapon broke through the dummy and pierced through the wood pole it was tied to completely.

"The capability of one's violence does not matter. It is how they act and what they do with that power. That is what matters."

He walked to the next dummy, "that's what I've learned in my time with Celly."

He was whirling his spear about in a single hand.

"I see. If you choose to appear at the Gala tonight, we can set some time aside to start selecting stars aside for you."

He smiled to the alicorn, "I'd like that, Luna. It's time I get to ask the Eight some questions."

He spun the spear faster before whipping the rounded but and exploding a dummy and wooden post together, splinters flying about the training yard.

"There...there. That's what I need to be at."

The act of incredible speed and violence sent shivers down Luna's spine. He had hit her head rather hard at the end of their fight, hard enough that her vision blacked out for a moment, but not that hard.

Did he truly have the ability to make her skull a splatter of organic matter on a stone wall?

"Arctus, is it truly necessary to be so fluent in combat?"

"My level of prowess frightens you, it is like that for many ponies, even Aeternians. It's one of the reason I'm going to launch as a star," he put away his spear, leaving the third dummy where it was as he began to clean up the mess splayed across the yard, "I've not met another Aeternian that has my potential, I want to know why."

Luna hummed, "you are the most unique creature we have every met. We hope you find the answers you seek in the stars."

"Thank you."

Luna had departed away.





That night, the Gala preparations were completed and the castle was soon to open up. Arctus did deign on appearing at it, despite how much he hated social hierarchy. Celestia, knowing this was the first time he was attending in such a long time extended him the opportunity to invite a guest, so against assumed guest Savus, he invited Lohey.

"Wow, they really decorated the whole place for this event. Is it really this special?" The teacher and brewer asked in her own simple dress, it was culturally appropriate as the only time one really dressed fancifully was for any joinings or pilgrimages to a volcano.

"It's where the elite come to mingle, Celestia held it for many many moons," Arctus answered. Because of his position, he was already inside the Gala before the castle gates opened.

"Hmm, I thought you would have invited Savus," a soft voice trotted over.

"He'd hate such a formal event. Couldn't imagine how much ponies would pester him."

"New faces get asked many questions," Celestia looked away from Arctus to Lohey, "so prepare yourself for a most curious crowd, Lohey."

She nodded, "thank you, Princess."

"And I expect a dance from you," the alicorn poked a hoof at Arctus' revealed scalemail vest, shiny metal was appropriate dress for such an event though his leather cover was kept hidden on his person in the event something happened, "is that understood, Art?" She chortled.

He smiled wide, "then I'll be sure to parade you around the entire dance floor, Celly."

"Good," she gave him a shortened kiss as she heard a bell ring out, "time to take up my post on the stairs," she trotted away with the smile on her lips.

"Such an odd couple. A pony, Princess at that, with an Aeternian, a Master Scout. You know it's unheard of for any Master Scout to ever have an official partner, right?" Lohey commented.

"It's also unheard of for Aeternians to end up in Equestria."

"Weird times we live in."

The doors to the ballroom opened slowly, "time for me to make my exit. I have an early appointment tonight. If you feel overwhelmed with questions, you are more than welcome to seek me out. Most ponies refuse to approach me," Arctus smiled before nodding, "enjoy the night, try not to get too intoxicated, it's frowned upon at these events."

The Master Scout had left for a table styled in foods he ate and drinks he enjoyed, sponsored and made by the Sun's Ray. He heard rumors of them doing such a thing for the Gala, but those rumors turned to hold truth. 

The business had also heard he was attending and the center large metal cup reflected that. No handle was on it and the entire cup was more long than wide with a large base. Arctus saw his first intial on it with a card pinned to the side





Thank you for promoting and always choosing our establishment, Arctus.

~Sun's Ray~





He smiled at the card, pocketing it before picking the large cup up, it was clear they had been talking to Lohey about specifics. This was a lot of their valentine cocktail poured into the usual container Aeternia used for liquids.

Wood cups were discouraged as they were more prone to breaking or wearing down and lumber was a precious enough resource for them.

He took a long sip as he saw ponies get further into the ballroom and he made his way to the gardens, waving to Celestia who stood on the usual steps. Arctus delved deeper than most ponies would go, past the tables set outside.

"Ah, so you are attending," the deep voiced Luna called from a clearing in the gardens, "since we've taken our duty of dreamwalking again, this is one of the rare nights where we have more freedom. Would you like to get started?"

"Yes, I know you're expected to welcome and speak with ponies alongside Celly, so...let's begin," he smiled as he gulped another swallow of the spicy, chocolatey, and smooth alcohol down before he set the cup onto a nearby bench.

"That is your people's traditional brew?" Luna prompted, "it's a very unique flavor."

"It isn't exact, Lohey hasn't finished fermenting actual drink, but it's a close second," Arctus closed his eyes, "I'll attempt to call the Stars I know."

"C-call the stars? We did not know you could manipulate them as we can."

"Look above."

A green star began to fade into the night sky above them and Arctus opened his eyes, staring at it as it shined bright, a pillar of the color descended onto his spot.

"We've not seen anything quite like this, let alone a green star in our sky," Luna was still in shock.

"Gær's star, that is him in the sky that looks down upon both of us, legended for his tireless body. Every Aeternian who calls them and asks for their power is lent some by the choice of the Hero."

"We see," she breathed out, "this may make searching for these stars complicated," Luna admitted.

"I'll call the next star I'm attuned to," the green pillar left, but the star remained in the sky, watching.

A yellow star began to fade in, casting its own light in a orange beam that seemed to scan over the ground, "Yetrema, quickest of the Eight."

Luna was silenced from the display he was making and a deep pink star appeared as the orange beam rose back away. Instead of just a cylinder of the color, pink bathed the entire garden.

"Who...who is this star?"

"Kamna, the Hero who favors me the most."

Luna spitefully spoke, "you called upon her during our duel. We did not expect such a trick or exceptional power."

"She enjoys trickery as much as I do in combat, the panic and confusion I leave are the likely reason why she favors me so boldly."

Arctus paused the feelings he was shifting in his heart to sip more of his beloved drink, aware but uncaring of the gathering he had behind him.

"We must admit, we're feeling jealous of your manipulation of the stars," Luna looked to him and the ponies staring above.

"Savus had been helping me to learn the way of another Hero. Reba. I am unsure if I can draw her star out," he closed his eyes and began recalling the short visits he made to Ponyville, first to the barn of the Apple family where he slept for a while and then to his own small home.

Images of impossible odds, great numbers of enemies, weapons and seige engines of incredible destructive power, and more scenes of unwinnable situations came to his mind. The slashes, explosions, cuts, hacks, stabs, and bashes of all of these fake foes and imaginary weapons were next, battering his body in the vision he allowed in his head.

Arctus' heart pumped hard and he could feel as though his skin first hardened and then lost feeling.

A deep bloody red star appeared in the sky above, casting a barely visible light on the Scout as he kept his eyes closed, trying to focus on the feeling and emotion to draw Reba to him as Savus is adept at doing. He already knew he had survived wounds worthy of her attention.

The light grew as he recalled those critical injuries of his past and he opened his eyes, feeling a different fire than before inside of him. He knew he would be capable of asking for power if he spoke her psalm.

"Four stars you've brought into our canvas, we are tempted to ask for your help each night," Luna smiled, "if you can accomplish this, then why seek our assistance?"

Arctus had brought a list for the Princess of the Night, he fetched and handed it to her.

"These are the names of your heroes?" Luna asked and Arctus nodded, "along with their corresponding colors and strengths."

"Savus had taught me how to attune to Reba, the other four I never received any training for, so I'd need to see their star and attempt to link to it if they would allow."

"We would go searching for these four stars then," Luna noted.

"I would be in your debt."

"Consider it a favor, Arctus, for taking care of our sister for so many moons," she smiled warmly at him.

The Master Scout could not be happier to have a an unorthdox family.

He nodded, "I'll leave you to enjoy the Gala, Luna," the crowd behind him ceased their whispers as he walked towards them. A path opened clearly for him to leave the gardens and return inside, drink in hand.

Celestia had invited Twilight and her new friends over to the Gala, of course, Twilight was no new gala-goer, but the others certainly were. All of them were off doing their own activities.

"Howdy, Arctus!" Out of the crowd of ponies that stared from afar, Applejack trotted up to him. She was always brazen, but also a friend of his. The other ponies clearly wanted to speak with him, but were too afraid to even approach. All eyes fell to AJ.

"Hello, Applejack. Are you enjoying the Gala?" He could feel some effects of the wonder he was drinking by now.

"It's not my kind of event, so I'm trying to, just about to start promoting Sweet Apple Acres," she smiled wide, "didn't take ya for the kind of po-person who would attend these sorts of things."

"I was offered a trade I couldn't decline," he pointed to the gardens where a crowd of ponies were still talking and pointing to the sky, "and now I've taken many ponies off Celestia's and Luna's hooves it seems."

"That's awfully like you, show boatin' wherever you go. I ever tell you how much a help Savus was during harvest season? He worked twenty hours before sleeping on five! We ain't never finished that early on our own in quite a while!" Applejack was still grinning wide across her muzzle.

"He doesn't dissappoint. He's likely deterring a lot of ill wishes just by being there, as well. I heard Ponyville finds him like a kind of honor guard among the town."

Applejack nodded, "he brings at least one weapon of his to the farms ever since I told him the story that a timberwolf was once in the orchards."

"Enjoy the night, AJ," he nodded to her.

"I'll make sure I do," and she trotted away.

Unfortunately, her appearance had caused one, but only one pony, a unicorn with a very styled blue mane, to trot over.

"You are Master Scout Arctus, no?" He addressed, a tall white unicorn stared from a distance.

"I am, bold of you to approach me."

"I had never seen you at the Gala or any event, I think something finally answered my wishes and here you are!" He laughed quietly, "I'm Fancy Pants, glad to finally meet you, Master Arctus," he owed, holding a hoof out.

Did he think he was some kind of royalty?

"I appreicate your gesture of respect, but I do not accept it as Princesses and Princes do," he gestured to Blueblood who had ponies clearing the way and bowing deep almost groveling at him, "the way he does so is especially distasteful."

"That's Princess Celestia's nephew! Don't you know him?"

Arctus shook his head, "no and I don't intend to compromise who I am and my values to accomodate his kind of ego."

"What of your own pride? How are you used to receiving respect from others? I know you're culture is different from ours, but you are to join the royal family, are you not?" He was incredibly polite in the way he was asking questions for a noble.

This is one of the elite he could stand to talk to.

"Fancy Pants, you are a breath of fresh air among this event. My own pride lies in accomplishments, not titles, my ego is earned and not a birthright or frivolously awarded. I believe you've seen how I receive respect from the guard and my fellow Scouts."

"Very true, apologies for my unnecessary inquiry. I would duel you as a bit of fun and to honor you, but I'm certain you'd break my hoof on your first attack," he placed a hoof to his chest, tilting only his head down, "I do wish to thank you for all that you've done and will do for Equestria."

Arctus would have to seek him out in the joining reception, this was a pony worth talking to, words likely got him everywhere.

"I don't believe you've answered my last question, Master Arctus."

Persistent and the true reason why he approached.

Arctus sternly looked to him and the unicorn didn't cow his posture, "I do intend to join the royal family. In Equestrian tradition, I'm marrying Celestia and we'll be joined together."

Fancy smiled, "I can't wait to enjoy your cultural difference in that event. Seeking out new cultures is a lot like enjoying new company or foods, the flavors will always dazzle and intrigue. Have a grand evening, Master Arctus," and he made his exit with a small smile.

Arctus kept an eye on the dance floor as the crowd of ponies whispering about him left, he noticed some small commotions from some of the new Gala-goers, but that was expected.

Not everypony is accustomed to such an event and the peacocking that never rested could drive someponies to leave early or try interesting things to spice the night up. Seeing nobles constantly puffing the frills of their suits definitely made him want to leave, but he was watching and learning to perform the one event he wanted to stay for.

And he looked to the staircase, seeing very few ponies present that were greeting the Princesses, so he made he way, memorizing moves he had seen.

Had he danced in Aeternia? Absolutely not, he stayed away from the music and told jokes, stories, and chatted with all the rest of those who just wanted to drink and have the best sleep of their lives.

But he did know a couple dances, or so he thought, from watching others back in his world. And he believed he could execute some of the dances he had seen here. He definitely had the dexterity and stamina to do it.

As the line vanished, he made he way up the steps with a confident grin and whispers began to go about the ballroom, actual conversation dying down. It made the music seem that much louder.

Terrifyingly, all conversation stopped and Arctus swallowed.

He had never danced with a partner before an all eyes were on him as he approached, but he kept his full-of-himself attitude.

"Oh? My favorite attends the Gala tonight," Celestia smiled, "is there something you needed or wished to bring to my attention?" She was conducting herself well and Luna looked to Arctus with quite the knowing look. She knew he didn't mind rising to the underlying message of her words or making a scene.

"Well, Celly," a couple gaps at the informal nickname, "I've observed that you haven't been asked to dance tonight."

Even the music halted, Arctus could feel the tension in the air, but it was a most unfamiliar one. He quickly ensured all of his equipment was secured to his body and no mishaps would occur.

"Oh, you're quite right, Art," whispers about the room, "is that a problem?" She smirked to him.

"I'm the solution," he held his hand out. 

Celestia quickly took it, betraying her coyness and Arctus brazenly drew her close as they went down the steps slowly before approaching the empty dance floor where they separated and stood across from each other.

Still no music, but the Master Scout took this as an opportunity to declare a challenge to the crowd, "nopony else wishes to be on the dance floor? We're just a couple doing as a couple does, are we that terrifying? Or are all of you so wordless at our display that your hooves can not move?" He smirked and glanced around with his eyes, "you may want to join before the next song begins," he prompted a bunch of whispers among the musicians present.

It was still quiet for a while before two sets of hooves were heard and Fancy Pants and his assumed date entered the floor. The unicorn wore his signature small smile.

"How brave of you, Fancy Pants. I respect your rise to my verbal challenge," the unicorn nodded to him at his words and took a starting position across from his date.

"Sweet Celestia, did he really just-?"

"The nerves of steel in that unicorn."

"How does somepony even rise to Arctus?"

"He's never even met him before?"

"Fancy earned the respect of Arctus."

"He'll be the most popular unicorn until he dies, maybe even past that!"

"You're enjoying this much more than I thought you would, Art," Celestia commented.

He just smiled back to her.

Silence continued for a little longer after whispers ceased before a single piano key was heard, followed by another and then on the two quick notes played from the same instrument, other string sounds chimed in. A cello started next with a viola adding higher pitches. On the third note of the piano, the dance had started and the challenge for Arctus was under way.

Celestia was kind enough or at least not as devious to make him perform moves that he did not know. He was reading her moves so quickly and following effortlessly it was impossible to tell who was leading the other, as if they were both working in unison and talking telepathically.

Arctus would return the same favor and not attempt anything from his homeland that she had never seen before, the music played was not even the correct kind of songs and tunes for it anyways. He didn't admit or show it, but he was being given a rigorous mental exercise to ensure he was executing move after move.

As the song drew to a close, the Ruler and the Scout found themselves also closing in to each other, hooves and arms warpped. Fancy Pants and his unintroduced date did the same.

Though Arctus did add something that Fancy Pants did not imitate and something Celestia did not anticipate.

Their lips met and whispers during the dance that continued ceased as eyes fell on them. He had no intention of ever treating her like a true princess, but always as an equal. Their kiss lasted several seconds before they parted and made their way off the dance floor, hoof in hand.

Fancy Pants and his lover were left in awe at their act of love dispalyed so brazenly in the center of the ballroom's dance floor.

"I'll in my chambers if you need me," the Master Scout spoke up, immediate whispers went about the Gala.

His words were definitely heard and he had left Celestia at the staircase with the widest smile and the deepest red while he strode through the silent Gala ballroom with incredible confidence, exiting through the open double doors.

"Asarele!" A screech tore through the silent night, "fly!" And his favorite avian picked him up by his hands, ensuring to not harm him with the icy talons it bore.

"I'm going to enjoy having him as our brother-in-law. He stuns our subjects and makes a grand spectacle like nopony we have ever witnessed," Luna broke the silence with a laugh, stamping her hooves, "they'll sing of this night, dear sister!"
> The Sun is Another Star
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The day of had arrived, it was still morning, before the sun rose.

Arctus stared at the custom made armor that Plated Shell had finished a few days before, made to reflect the lands and precious ideals of Aeternia.

It's main colors were white and orange, it was not meant for field use, but it had some functionality to it. The ornamental armor was meant to cover over his usual linens and leathers completely, but to also keep him cool and not as sweltering as its design would lead some to believe.

He picked up one of the new faux leather boots, looking over the black sheen with care before putting them on, they ended just under his knee. Arctus next placed two halves of a greave over his calf and shin, Plated Shell had involved magic that used an internal locking mechanism to bind the two together. The armor was a shiny white metal alloy of some kind with streaks of copper and iron mixed together to create the idea of a magma flow. The vambraces he put on along with coutours and rerebraces had the same scheme to them.

He could see his reflection dimly in a window, already looking like a decorated warrior for a ceremony than a Scout.

There were still many pieces to fit on, thanks to Plated Shell's magic knowledge, it was far easier to equip everything, even the countless obsidian trims.

Arctus next picked up the cuirass, it had a central part jutting out from the chest, a remnant of functionality to redirect thrusts away from the body. The white metal fit on easily enough, leaving slots for the tassets to hang from. The back was rather bare in terms of decorations as it was expected Arctus would wear the cape given to him by his spouse to be.

The front of the cuirass held a very elaborate and large symbol. Obsidian had been delicately made and attached to the cuirass to display the eight volcanoes around the central sacred volcano, lines draw from the top concave curves of the mountains that lead to depicted stars in the sky. Aeternia's symbol.

Pauldrons came on next, they had the same copper and iron streaks, but the circular plates held a blued edge, a different trim than the rest that would go onto his armor. The tassets followed, being placed as segmented rectangles that flexed with their design, each rectangle already had the black shiny volcanic glass outlined on them. The tassets fell over his front, sides, and back. 

Almost the last piece to go on, were the countless enchanted trims that attached to the edges of the poleyn over his knees and coutours over his elbows to signify the special forging techniques used by Aeternia that Arctus kept dear to himself.

Arctus picked up gauntlets, slotting the white metal with faux leather interior over each of his hands, he looked to the final piece that lay on his desk, a completely blue piece of steel, meant to jut from the sides and back of his neck as if to frame his face. He carefully picked it up and held it behind his head to his neck. Plated Shell's enchantment came alive and it magnetized to his cuirass.

The Master Scout looked incredible in his full metal ensemble, but far more noisy than he had ever been moving around. the sun began to rise over the horizon and project light over the city, shining into the window and reflecting off the plates of metal he now wore.

There were only two weapons he would take with him today, he hid his hunting knife onto his tigh, overtop chain chausses, but underneath the tassets he had put on. He picked his spear up, looking at the stand where the armor would go afterward.

"At least it was made to be flexible...even enchanted to be so," his words attested to the mastery of Plated Shell and the plateau of orders he would have when ponies saw his decorated armor. 

He attached the cape to himself before slotting his spear into its holster, making his way to the balcony doors and opening them to step outside.

Canterlot was already filling with ponies, some were well dressed, others not, it was evident who would be participating in what parts of the ceremony. Arctus could see unicorn mages center together on rooftops of the more tourist dedicated sector. They would create an isolated area for anypony who didn't wish to hear the rabble of the late day and night.

Silver Spike was already home from his month of being sent to monitor the situation in the South, Strong Stitch would not go out there until after the ceremony.

"This is stupid," Arctus heard a voice outside his bedroom door before it opened, "yep, stupid. Of course, you'd be awake," Savus strolled in, heading to the balcony, "you're a Scout, never been late for anything in your entire life."

Asarele screeched, having been woken up from his intrusion and she immediately stretched atop the tower, standing from the glass window built into the ceiling and taking flight toward the Everfree.

"Suppose I woke her up, does she always fly-," Savus stopped speaking as he looked to Arctus, "not a single godsdamned soldier, Scout, warrior...not even I got to wear armor that nice."

"You'd be more at home in it than me. My training is demanding I strip and put on less noisy clothing."

"Are you complaining?"

"I'm not, it's an instinct built into me, Savus."

He laughed, "you know it doesn't start for two or three more hours, right?"

"I wanted to get comfortable wearing this."

He cleared his throat, "do you plan on doing the black glass vow?"

Arctus nodded, "yes, I had Plated Shell fetch a bucket and the small moulds. The necklaces are prepped as well."

"I wonder how they'll react to that tradition," Savus commented, "I heard that Plated Shell will be working on Stitch's weapon after today."

"I left them some of my blood, bottled, for Shell to use. I'm eager to see if Scout Stitch has the same abilities with her weapon as Silver has with his."

"I believe they'll be different. I was surprised to hear that Bakta recognized Silver Spike as a genuine Scout," Savus started, "you be careful, Arctus. They're not built like we are, they're not raised like we are."

"I have no intention of handing more power into their hooves, we've seen what Aeternia has done with strength as we conquered all," the Master Scout answered, "are you staying for the celebration?"

"Applejack said I could, not much work to be done on the farm when I'm there, she's also present, brought the whole Apply family down."

"Well, not the whole Apple family, not that many ponies could fit into Canterlot," he laughed.

Arctus was quiet, staring at the horizon.

"Something on your mind?" Savus tried to shake him.

"Can't help but think of what the next threat could possibly be."

"I know Princess Celestia bestowed you the title of Protector, but take your mind away from that for just a moment."

"A Storm brews past that horizon," Arctus knew more than he let on, "and I don't like watching it grow."

"You'll get your time for action again, hell, I'll even duel you whenever you need to satisfy your want for battle."

He shook his head at Savus, "no, not that," he pointed, "I feel it, it's coming, it's growing, and it's going to be insatiable."

Savus shrugged, "just get it out of your head for today and tonight. Princess might be giving you something else to think about for an entire week," he laughed, walking to the door, "you still got just under two hours," and he left.

Asarele had gone out hunting in the Everfree Forest. He couldn't keep up with the amount she ate, but he did notice just how much her abilities reminded him of her mother. He peered to the sky, seeing a very faint pink dot present. One of them was watching this day.

It made him antsy.

His door opened again, "oh, good, you're ready."

"Welcome back, Silver Spike. I do expect your report after this," Arctus spoke up, watching preparations for the reception around the city near completion.

"Thank you, Master Arctus. Your armor...is that battle functional?"

"For a soldier, not for the duties of a Scout," he answered.

"I see."

"Savus had already checked on me."

Silver nodded, trotting out of the door and leaving Arctus to his thoughts. Not only did he have the wedding and reception to look forward to, Lohey's words last night came to his mind. 

"I'll have a couple barrels of magma sheets around the city, but I'm saving one for you. Consider it paying my debt for getting me away from that grave defiling asshole."

Another knock on his door.

"Enter."

It was Cadence and Shining Armor who both came in.

"And I thought my dress uniform looked good," the captain immediately commented, "nice to know I'm still second rate around here," he laughed.

"Still the first to me," Cadence chimed in, "good morning, Arctus."

"Good morning, Cadence."

"Nervous? You know I'm the Princess of Love, I came by in case you needed last minute counseling."

He smirked, turning around to look at the two, "nervous? Never," he was adept at carrying that facade.

"I heard of your dance at the Gala from Shiny," she mentioned, "shame I didn't see it, but we're glad to assist you in having an Aeternian factor to your wedding."

"You killed the ego of every noble pony that night save for Fancy Pants," Shining Armor laughed, "what I would do to see it again!"

Arctus smiled, "it's only an hour and I've been sitting here trying to ruminate and prepare myself," he forced a laugh, "I should get to this altar myself, I can't inhale the air I've never tasted to prepare," he shut his balcony doors and walked out of his chambers with the couple.

"So, how much did that armor cost?" Shining prompted.

"Not as much as Plated Shell should have asked me for."

"Maybe I'll have him commission my next weapon."

"He'll be busy with Scout Stitch's after the wedding, Shining. He's going to be buried in orders."

"I can wait."

They went quiet as they trotted along.

"Good luck, Arctus," Cadence took a different turn.

"Make sure you show us what an Aeternian celebration looks like afterward," Shining bowed to him.





The Master Scout stood at the doors to the throne room, the ceremony would shortly begin. Guards stood in triple number in the small waiting room. He drew his spear out, raising the head close to his eyes and peering at the blue hue.

He wondered if he had ever lost the edge of a Scout while his spear maintained its own. This was the one item, object, prized possesion that followed him everywhere he went with an unchanging form. A constant in a sea of change. The biggest wave yet stood towering above him.

Wave? No, plain. This was a plain of change, this was no challenge to see through. His war trauma-ed mind could cause some strange ideas to surface. 

His fingers tightened around the spear before he holstered it away and he gently opened one of the throne room doors, heaving it and shutting it behind him. An ocean of ponies was present in the sectioned off throne room. Not allowing for any moment to stand and look, he walked to the higher platform where Celestia held court from and he stepped up to it, looking at who the ordained officiator must be, a simple earth pony, who shared a smile with him before setting his hoof atop a box on a small table next to him, opening it to reveal the glass, necklace, and small steel needle and rod along with a thick, but small steel box for mixing.

Arctus smiled, everything in its place. He had quite a couple of minutes to wait and all eyes were on him with many jaws open, the expected face were among the crowd, but Luna was oddly missing.

Plated Shell had received the best advertisement campaign a pony could ask for.

There were some whispers going about soon after.

Arctus looked to the balcony behind the through room and Plated Shell was present with a smile, wearing a lot of heat protection. It must have been freshly pulled from the flow and freshly arrived.

Soon after, trumpets sounded loudly followed by one toll of a bell.

But no music, Celestia had mentioned there would be music, yet none was playing and the throne room doors creaked open in a blue magic glow.

There was Luna, right next to-.

Celestia

Celestia

Stars above, she was stunning. She opted to not even wear any of her usual gold regalia, instead encapsulated by a white dress with yellow threading that sprouted from the neck of it, the edges were almost transparent in their lace design. Silver metal of her cutiemark adorned the chest of the dress, the fabric was perfectly woven and textured, not a single thread out of place despite the embroidery on it. She was wearing no normal gold crown either, but a gold wire traced around her head with the leaves of vines made in the same precious metal, but white and purple flowers wrapped around it.

He peered closer at the petals and stems of her golden floral crown.

He knew them, those were flowers that grew in volcanic regions, a touch she must have demanded just for the ceremony.

Despite how beautiful her adornments were, it was clear she wore it and it highlighted her as she trotted up, Luna in her usual regalia alongside her. Her sister was the most qualified to lead her on and she took into the crowd attending while Celestia continued up to the platform, meeting his gaze with the same astonishment at his ensemble that he was experiencing for her.

"Before I lead in traditional Equestrian marriages, Master Arctus has requested to speak and commit a vow. Plated Shell, if you would," the leader of the ceremony spoke and the smith came down from the balcony, towing a thick steel bucket. Arctus picked a needle up from the box and took a gauntlet off, setting it aside.

He pricked himself, setting the needle down and holding a finger over the tiny steel box, blood dripped into it white he grabbed the steel rod and mixed it about in the bucket Shell held.

He pulled a small glob of magma from it and let it run down the steel rod and fall into the steel box. Shell moves back to the balcony where he left the remaining magma and removed his heat protection. Arctus began mixing the small amount of blood in with the magma, placing the box into a shallow but wide pan of water on the table where the magma immediately cooled and hardened to reveal the obsidian it solidified into.

Arctus jabbed it hard with the steel rod and it shattered into sharp pieces, he collected them gently with forceps from the box, placing it into a glass vial that he then corked and sealed with adhesive before threading a necklace.

"A black glass vow," he spoke, holding the necklace up in front of Celestia, "a piece of me is with you, hardened, ready. I will come when called. I will do when necessary. I will stand when you ask," he reached over, hooking the necklace behind Celestia's neck, the glass vial hung onto her chest, the alicorn lifted a hoof up, gently holding the glass, looking at the shiny obsidian within.

There were no whispers in the silent throne room.

The Princess of the Day continued to look on at it before lifting her head to meet Arctus' warm smile, "I will fight for us," that was not a vow to Equestria or the its subjects, that was the last part of the black glass vow to her as a spouse, to fight for their love and union.

She brought a hoof to her muzzle, beating back the urge to let the water fall from her eyes.

Arctus nodded to the officiator and he opened his mouth, "Ponies of Equestria, we are witnessing the union of these two, Princess Celestia and Master Scout Arctus," he had been given quite the specific instuction, "Princess Celestia, you have prepared vows," he prompted.

"Yes," she spoke in a soft smooth voice, having tamed her emotions, "Arctus," she addressed him and her tone faltered, "when I first spoke to you, I gave you the same thought as I would a threat, but you have carefully served our nation's needs and shown me the pony that I am behind the Princess," she kept a warm smile, closing her eyes, "I'm free to use jokes, to frown, to show fear, to laugh like a filly, and more around you."

She inhaled, "and I've shared many days and nights learning about you and seeing the soft soul within you. You've give me a life I had thought to be barred from. I will always be with you, ready for whenever you need my help. I'll support you in all the ways you need even in the ways you don't ask me for. I will tend to you as my equal, the way you have for me."

Tend to him, support him, that's something she'd always done for him since he first got involved with Equestrian life. Gave him a place to rest, sleep, recover. A place to seek out new weapons and tools. A place to call a new home beyond just a room. She had given him everything he had not been born with.

Everything his inner self desired.

His smiled wide, closing his own eyes, letting tears bead up just to fall down his cheeks. He felt his hand move and opened his eyes to see her take off his gauntlet with her magic, placing a ring over his index finger, "so I will point the way right beside you, wherever you may be."

It was the simplest gold band, a single, tiny purple gemstone set into it. The gem matched that of her crown.

"You can talk to me whenever and wherever you may need my comfort or advice."

Celestia would stand at his side no matter what the path he walked lay in wait with. That's family.

"Well, go on," the officiator prompted again very informally.

Both of them embraced, arms around one, hooves around the other and the held each other close. The tight hug alone was enough before they both moved for a deep kiss. Hooves erupted in stamping through the entire throne room soon after and continued even after they parted. Arctus grabbed his gauntlet off the table, holding it in his left hand and placing his bare right hand on Celestia's opposite side, pulling her close to him ad they began to leave the castle together.

"If you do put your thoughts and prayers into that obsidian, I'll hear them on the wind."

"And if you speak into that ring, I'll listen from my crown."

They both smiled, peering at each other in the corner of their eyes, "you know...for this kind of reception, you don't have to have a dress."

"Then you can peel out of that armor," music had been going ever since they left the pedestal, but both of them were too distracted by each other to pay any attention to the notes or even what song.

"It grew on me," he smirked as they exited the castle and a cheer erupted from the courtyards and then the city.
> What We All Are
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lohey was the first face he saw outside, she extended two hands to the newly married, "first to sip at Equestria's first brew of magma sheets!" Arctus put his gauntlet back on, returning the covered hand to Celestia as he took one of the cups and Celestia the other with her magic.

They touched the rim of the metal cups together with a dull tink.

With the first sip, memories came back to Arctus. The day he passed his exam. His first successful assignment, he second, his participation in the war against Licate.

"That is," the spicy burned on his tongue after the alcohol warmed his throat, "oh so sweet and hot," he smiled, looking to Celestia who had tasted with him.

"This is a lot stronger than what the Sun's Ray gives you."

The Master Scout shrugged, "are all the barrels around town marked?"

Lohey nodded, "of course they are, you'll find them without any issue. Enjoy your night, Princess, Master Scout," she bowed, walking backwards into the crowd."

Arctus saw the giant shield rise around Canterlot and encapsulate the whole city, another bubble formed inside the city, the noise isolated areas.

"Aren't you gonna show me what an Aeternian celebration looks like?" Celestia prodded his side with a hoof.

"Right this way!" He took her hoof and guided her into a run to the city, it was a smart decision to choose a dress that wasn't particularly long.

Inhibitions gone. Restrictions gone. Any care about a social sturcture was out the window. Ponies were nervously going about the street when Arctus arrived, many food stalls and tables were spread around and all eyes fell on him and Celestia when they entered the main street of Canterlot. It appeared nopony was comfortable casting off the daily chains they clung to.

Arctus neared his lips to Celestia's ear.

"Follow my lead."

Arctus raised his entire metal cup into the air before the little more than pint of liquid quickly splashed down his throat in a single movement, he threw the cup in a large arc before walking to a food stall.

Ponies were already in shock. Celestia stared at the liquid she still held and gulped before she followed suit, her tongue burned from the chilies used in the brew, "ugggh," she groaned at first, but decided to meet Arctus on his level and, "aaaahhh!" Shouted into the sky, sending her own cup through the air.

The food stall was selling the least royal food, donuts, the stublle wearing pony behind the counter at a large helping of bits slammed on the table before Arctus picked up a half dozen box of donuts, opening it with zero hesitation and handing one to the princess.

He was almost like an uncivil jerk.

Celestia merrily chowed away at the sweet along with him.

"What are all of you doing?" A mouthful of jelly donut muffled his words, but not his volume, "this is an Aeternian celebration!" He shouted.

"You're right, it is!" Savus bellowed as he came down the street with the entire Apple family in tow, save the small fillies.

Arctus and Celestia both could smell the heady smell of alcohol again, they both already knew what was in the cup he carried. The Apple family behind him were also enjoying the same liqueuer, and they already appeared to be stumbling in their trots.

"I assumed you might need some help showing these ponies the hedonistic ways of Aeternia. Why live if not to have the greatest moments to pursue happiness and merriment?" Savus approached the newly married.

"I, uh, Arctus, this alcohol of yours is mighty stroong," Applejack was coming along with him and a few other ponies.

"Why I reckon I ain't had something this special since the farm first started! Booze has gotten a kind pitiful weak," an older mare had accompanied Applejack and an unnamed red stallion.

"Meet Big Macintosh an' Graaanny Smith, Arctus," AJ gestured to each of them, "gotta admit, not using your title is refreshin' as it is weird."

Savus turned around to the Apple family and the extended Apple family and the extended extended Apple family.

"Apples! We gotta let these Canterlot ponies know how uninhibited a real celebration is!" Cheers erupted before the many earth ponies in the large crowd began sprawling around the city.

"Apples? Has Savus become part of your family, Applejack?" Celestia directed.

"Afternoon Pr-," she cleared her throat, "afternoon, Celestia! Savus has been workin' and helpin' on the farm for a while and he feels like family to us, he is family to us!" Applejack pipped.

And there were few whispers, but it was beginning to become clear to the Canterlotans that this celebration truly had no restraints.

"Know what? You're gonna be drunk by the end of tonight," Savus pointed at Arctus, "and I want to duel you so I can finally say I beat a Master Scout."

Arctus smiled, "we don't fight during celebrations. Agreement all the Scouts have come to."

"I thought you said titles don't matter today," Celestia spoke up, a glint in her eyes.

"That's correct."

"Then why won't you fight, Savus?" Celestia's tone changed, she was agressive.

Arctus turned to the general, "later tonight, I'll kick your intoxicated slag ass around the yard, even the city if you like."

"Is he handing out free flank whoopin's?" Applejack swung her filled cup about, looking to Celestia.

"Did you want one, Applejack?" The farm pony's mouth fell open while Celestia laughed.

Arctus had wandered off from the conversation, somehow missing anyone's notice. He found himself a second cup, already drinking away at it.

"Arctus."

Another familiar face called him from behind, Silver Spike.

"Silver, are you enjoying yourself?"

He had a cup of hard cider with him, "I am. I had a report to gi-."

"Save it, tonight is for self-indulgence."

Silver nodded to him, "your armor-."

"Costed a lot," Arctus laughed, beginning to feel the effects of the hard drink he was downing. He wasn't a professional in alcohol consumption by any means, "that shortsword treating you well?"

"It. Cuts. Down. Trees!" Silver Spike skipped about, "I've never been able to do something so powerful."

"I remember the feeling," Arctus smiled, "I also remembered being humiliated in a duel when it boosted my ego too much."

"I'd like another duel with you," Silver came to a stop, looking at his old trainer.

"If time allows, we can meet in my forest where we won't destroy or harm anypony. I'm being kept busy."

"What are you two doing?" The other Scout had made her way over.

"Oh, afternoon, Strong Stitch," Silver smiled, "we don't really get to talk all that often."

"Switching posts after today, should I expect anything out there?"

"Plenty of firewood," Silver Spike laughed, "but...that Southern kingdom is terrifying, there's always a black cloud overtop it and these flying-."

"We're not doing doom and gloom or conducting Scout business," Arctus roughly grabbed both of them, pulling the two warriors close, "we're celebrating."

Strong Stitch lifted a cup of some alcohol into the air, Arctus' nose was dulling, he couldn't quite make out scents.

And the three drank.
> Chaotic Mornings
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Arctus woke with a start, unable to lift himself up from the heavy alicorn who laid atop him. The room smelled of his sweat and something else entirely. That's when he noticed his armor laying on the floor, the decorated metal was undamaged. A couch sat in front of a fireplace.

Fireplace? His room didn't have a...

Right, he paid ponies to move his things from his quarters to Celestia's. He was married and joined now. Arctus didn't pay any heed to the slight headache he had, but looked out of a window, turning his head, to see the shield bubble still standing. The city was quiet now.

And there would be a lengthy clean up being conducted in the streets. He gave himself over to alcohol, then battle, and sinful pleasure from the looks of the room and the white alicorn laying with him.

So he resigned to sleep in, Strong Stitch could make her way to the post in the South just fine after she had her weapon forged.

Arctus awoke again to find Celestia gone and a note on the door, he would read it in a moment. His gear was the first thing he had done every morning. After spending all day in a rather noisy set of armor that was now properly placed on a stand, he was happy to wear his usual equipment again.




We have an issue, don't open the door, leave using the balcony.

~Celly




Of course, his spear was already in hand while he walked to the open balcony doors to find...the city Canterlot above.

Above?

"I didn't drink that much," he mumbled out while he craned his head everywhere before he realized.

The room had been turned upside down, that included gravity.

So he leapt, "Asarele!"

No bird.

"Asarele!"

Still no bird, so he rubbed the wards in his boots and began a fast sprint down the side of the tower once he attached to it, slowing himself down and reaching the ground safely. Something had to be very wrong.

And something very wrong stood in front of him.

"Ahhh hahaha, miss your icy flying friend, do we?" A deep condescending tone came from this amalgamation of things, "oh, I see your curious eye. Don't worry, talking about me is my favorite subject."

He completely forgot how it felt to be regarded as an inferior being, "you have limited time to explain yourself, I recommend you wat-."

"-ch my words," a toothy evil grin spread across its face, "you can call me Discord, draconequus, Lord of Chaos and Disharmony. And you...I owe you something."

Arctus lunged, his spear shooting far out, but the creature teleported faster than any unicorn he had seen. Now it was floating above him.

"Such fury in your attack."

"Where is Celestia?" His expression grew cold.

"Oh, she's fine, I haven't done anything to her. I imagine your wedding was wonderful, considering how your evening and night of chaos, hedonism, and minor debaucheries awoke and empowered me to escape my prison."

And that stung a little.

"And that," Discord pointed to his face, "I had not seen that look in so many many many years! The stone face of a killer, a slayer, a murderer, a genocidist."

Arctus was very annoyed at whatever this creature was.

"I hope you like what I've done to the place, I thought you might considering you're almost as good as me at causing disruptions," he laughed.

"Are you done spouting? I'm tired of hearing you fail to glorify yourself."

"Those teeth, yes! Trying to bite me. I came to make a deal," he pointed to a section of the castle courtyards, shrubs overgrown in the maze, "I need something from you, rather I need you do not do something for me."

"I see you've met Discord," Celestia's voice called as she struggled free from vines that were clung to her while she moved about the castle grounds. Arctus' eyes followed the trail of plant life.

Up the castle walls, around benches, over statues, through the gates, in and out of windows. There was something incredibly wrong about today.

"I assume this isn't a dream."

"It's not, I know not where my sister is, but Discord is the reason behind all of this."

Discord spoke, "oh come now, Celestia. I'm just having a chat, striking a deal with your husband."

"Take anythi-."

"Bakta," Discord uttered a single word and Arctus leapt, attempting to swipe at him just for the chaotic being to teleport again.

"I have both of you listening now. Good. I know Bakta, I've met him."

Arctus was beginning to grow more violent, he wanted to slash and impale this creature, but it escaped his attempts.

"You know, Celestia. I never knew you'd have the hots for a creature capable of such hate."

"Say your piece," Arctus demanded.

"Fine, fine. I need you, Master Scout, to keep your nose and spear out of the ponies challenge today," he gestured to the overgrown maze again, "and in return. I'll summon his star, Bakta's, I'll even allow you to get my understanding of him to help you attune."

"How did you go to his world?" Celestia stamped her hoof.

"Ooooh, but I didn't. Bakta came to me, wanted to know more about little old Discord," Arctus was tired of seeing that toothy smile, but he had lowered his spear at his earlier words, "I see you're pliable to the idea."

"You're not considering his offer? He's the embodiment of disharmony, lying is not beyond him!" Celestia argued.

"Celly, is it those six that I witness return Luna to herself? Are those ponies doing something against Discord?"

"Yes, they're working to recover the Elements of Harmony."

Arctus began to think, looking at the draconequus before him. He had a guaranteed way to Bakta and even going as far as to learn another godhood.

Learn another godhood.

"Do you know his invocation prayer?" Arctus asked.

Discord smirked, "oh, I'll give that to you as well, in fact," the chaotic entity sunk through the air, landing on the ground with his closed eyes. Celestia began to charge her horn until Arctus lifted his spear slightly to assuage her gently.

A purple star popped into existence in the day sky above, a pale pink light ushering in over Discord.

"Art, how is he able to do this? Is he bluffing?" Celestia's pupils darted to the sky and to the draconequus.

"Discord, I have my own condition."

His eyes opened again, focusing solely on the warrior in front of him, "oh, but I'm uping the terms on my side as well. You will agree to never oppose me."

"He fears you, Art," Celestia didn't find comfort in that at all. Discord was known to be without fear, even from mighty horrors such as Tirek.

But he was conscious enough to know that Arctus is a very potential and real threat to the God of Chaos.

"Then I'll have two conditions."

"Name them."

Arctus smiled, "you will never oppose me, we'll call it a cease fire agreement between us. You'll grant me your understanding, the knowledge of Bakta's star, his invocation prayer; everything I need to beseech him for his power. A godhood magic."

"Oh Celestia, your new husband is quite the negotiator. Quite the violent murderer as well," he commented.

"You do not know him as I know him," Celestia argued back.

"Oh, soft heart, valiance, reasons for his actions. I see an Aeternian blessed and cursed with an incredible violent potential," Discord knew quite a lot of his world, "he's a slayer with ambition to rival my own. That's always what he'll be."

"Do we have an agreement?" Arctus redirected him.

"You've given me quite the things to mull over, but my paws, hooves, fingers, and claws are all still tied," multiple appendages apepared out from his wrists before disappearing in a flash, "you have yourself a deal with Discord, Arctus."

"Now I ask you for a small favor," the Master Scout spoke up.

"Oooh? A favor as well? If I like the idea, I'll see what I can do."

"Your blood, a vial of it," Discord's smile fell before he regained it and he snapped his fingers. Celestia was gone in a flash of magic and a vial appeared inside Arctus' lowered left hand, "don't worry. I just sent her away. You wouldn't believe me yourself without proof."

"But from one kin to another, keep this quiet for me," and he was gone, leaving the Master Scout alone.





Arctus had waited out Discord, when he was turned to stone everything in the castle was conveniently turned back, he hadn't even seen Celestia for the entirety of the incident after Discord teleported her.

But he stood in the cavern at Foal Mountain, holding the vial of red in his hand.

"He can't possibly," he uncorked it and poured the blood into the orange magma.

The flow turned red and began to rage faster.

"Discord is an Aeternian...how?"

So he left and returned back to the castle, staring at the statue in the garden by himself, Equestria was not up, down, and all around anymore, but he couldn't help but to stare at the statue.

"Why? How?"

"Oh, Art, there you are," Celestia came to him, "I understand you made a deal with Discord, that was very risky and we're lucky for things to have come out the way they did."

"I know you don't approve of my decision, but I had to attempt."

"Did he uphold his end of the bargain?" Celestia sighed.

"He did, I was waiting for him to be put back in stone, but I felt the knowledge hit me, the prayer, the emotions, the imagery," Arctus breathed in and then exhaled, "do you still see me as the cold hardened woodsmaster I once was?"

"You have been tempered, forged with purpose rather than hammered for the sake of it. Though you may be capable, your actions show that you haven't been that person in a very long time, Art."

He was quiet at Celestia's response.

"It's odd of you to need reassurance. Did something happen while he kept me suspended?" The Solar symbol trotted closer, pulling his head to her chest as she reared to her hind hooves.

"Just questioning what he had said," a half truth. The least he could do to respect a fallen Aeternian was to keep his wishes.
> Reporting In Silver's Star
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Arctus had been filled in when he returned from his journey, leaving Strong Stitch as main defense against Hazth should he come to the heart of Equestria, Stitch had even gotten her weapon made with the blood that the Master Scout left behind. It had been two weeks since Silver Spike was expected to report back and switch with Strong Stitch.

So, what was the delay? Could changelings have caused strife somewhere besides Canterlot during his brief time out?

"Welcome home, Art, has Silver Spike also returned?" Celestia greeted him as he walked through the throne room.

Arctus held a shortsword, a blackened shortsword with a blued sharp edge. Scout Strong Stitch was with him, ready to echo each sentence of the coming ritual. They had gone through another switch on posts to allow Stitch time at home while Silver was posted.

"With this weapon, we reave," he held the shortsword into the air for even the guards present to see it. Suspicions were going around the quiet room.

"With this blood, we conquer," Arctus brought the shortsword down and made a small cut on his forearm, blood pooled to the surface.

"In this loss, we allay," he stabbed with enough force that the shortsword barely pierced the marble flooring under the rug.

"After the accomplishments, we savor," the Master Scout moved his arm atop the shortsword, lining his wound up with the pommel of the weapon.

"In union, you are free," he rotated his arm and a few droplets of blood fell to the pommel of the weapon.

Arctus completed the final rite owed to a Scout. He bid him a Scout's Farewell and closed his eyes.

"Fight amongst the Stars, Scout Silver Spike!" He shouted, feeling a sense of pride overwhelm the sadness he carried all the way home.

The blood from Arctus had drifted down the blade and touched the expensive rug.

"It...Art, this-," Celestia began to speak, but a shatter interrupted her.

The shortsword now lay broken in several pieces, Arctus' blood was still over the shards. The perfect scout weapon had seen the height of combat, that he was sure of. The indestructible weapon was now broken as its wielder, to be reforged as its wielder.

Another shatter rung through the throne room and the large pieces broken into several, a third and they were now miniscule. A series of crumbles that sounded quite like breaking bread ended the noises.

A purple and pale pink light wisped into the castle from the throne room doors Arctus had left open and the weapon's dust began to levitate and followed the dim ball of light out of the castle. The Master Scout led Celestia and many guards outside, where even in the daylight, a new bright white star appeared, shining brilliantly in the sea of blue.

Arctus smiled at the star, letting every emotion ramp onto him as it pleased.

It was quiet outside for a long while before Celestia spoke up.

"Is he truly gone?"

And it was not Arctus or Strong Stitch that answered.

"Princess Celestia, the Master Scout informed me of this ritual. It is performed in the ranks of betters or equals and once done, the Scouts take a day of silence and a night of storytelling to attest to the glory of the fallen Scout."

And this was a ritual Arctus had done many times, the mortality rate of Scouts before the age of thirty was incredibly high. The rate for Scouts before the age of thirty three was one hundred percent save for the two Aeternian Scouts in this world.

"I see, Art. We shall stand along with you and Strong Stitch," Celestia looked to the door guards, "close court for the day, inform my sister of what has happened, and cancel all my appointments for the rest of the day."

Some of those requests, the door guards could not do, but they would have the information relayed without issue, they always did.

Arctus held two pieces of paper, one had a wax seal of some unknown kingdom, another had the wax seal of Aeternia that he put on it. The first paper he handed to Celestia, the seal had been broken by Arctus a long time ago. The other paper he kept as he entered Canterlot proper, still looking at the new star the shone bright during the day. Strong Stitch left for the training yard on her own.





Arctus appeared at Silver Spike's family home, he had no spouse or foals of his own, but he did have parents that he had long since moved out from. He knocked, seeing all the stares he got from ponies about the streets of Canterlot. A few moments passed before a male unicorn.

"Hey, hey! Track Spiker! Come over here! Silver Spike must have done something!" The unicorn called and another pony appeared at the door.

The Master Scout shook his head, gently extending his hand with the folded letter meant for them, his wax seal atop it. The father of the fallen Silver Spike levitated it in his magic, staring at the unique seal before breaking it. Arctus stood in front of their home, watching their expression change as they both read it. He lifted his other hand, chain rattling and handed them the flail he had once used in combat again the Master Scout. It was the only weapon left that he could claim from the campsite to give to them.





Celestia sat that evening, Arctus had returned midday and needed to run an errand related to the news, but she had been terrified to open the letter that he already had read.

But she could not live in fear of words within.

So she unfolded it with her magic, Luna sat at her side as they both were on a bench in the gardens, the entire castle had been shook as the news had gone around. A look of fear in everypony's eyes. A look of sadness in each guard's face. The sisters' eyes went through the letter together.





You've done enough looking.

My kingdom and power grows.

Does yours?

~Master Scout Hazth~





A splatter of something black and vicious was below his name on the letter.

"This individual is hungry for war," Luna commented.

"On the contrary, he has us locked in an arms race. He's trying to grow to overcome Arctus."

Celestia looked to the new star in the evening sun's sky, "and he killed Silver Spike to send a message more than these words. He wants us afraid so we become predictable. I believe Arctus know this."

"He has some more wisdom on this, we're both sure of that, but we must wait to ask him as he follows tradition," Luna stood from the bench, "we are surprised to see that the Eight Heroes are strong enough to take a pony's soul."

"We are alicorns, we're powerful, but the Eight Heroes Arctus talks about are Gods," Celestia looked to her sister, "and if he came from their stars, what does that make him?"

"We do not know, sister, but he'll be getting the answer to those questions soon enough, I have a cluster of stars to show him soon enough."

Celestia thought of the now completed ceremony.

How many moons they could share together? 

She counted new wrinkles on Savus, but Arctus didn't seem to age even still. She could at least see that Lohey's hair grew in the short time she's been there, but the Master Scout of hers would come home with the same length of bedraggled mess.





The faces of his crying parents were fresh on his mind, even the way their hooves clenched to him. Scouts are a family all in their own blood, but they raised him from a young foal. That's a grief he would not know. Arctus traveled back to the castle in the late evening sun, entering the training yard and seeing countless training dummies, all human in shape, set up with piles laid of them on the ground nearby. Guards were bringing more of them to the yard where Strong Stitch stood with her newly attained Scout weapon. 

Arctus stood at the fence, wishing to participate in the brutalization of the inanimate humanoids, but he was watching Stitch practice with her weapon.

It was a bar mace, a devasting weapon, a spike adorned the tip to allow for piercing attacks. Plated Shell must have definitely made it with the blood he left behind for the process. Arctus was not present for the smithing as he still had much to think and write down after proofing Discord is an Aeternian.

The Master Scout leaned over as Strong Stitch clutched the mace tightly. Multiple Strong Stitch copies appeared around her, even Arctus saw himself in a fierce stance in the training yard. Guards appeared, Celesti, Luna, and somehow Silver Spike. Savus also appeared.

There were multiples everywhere, cragadiles, timberwolves; Arctus knew exactly who touched that weapon.

Kamna was known to like tricks, but she loved panic among enemies the most. There was another hero who enjoyed tricks, but particularly loved using perfect clones and hallucinations.

All of the images looked to Arctus before they vanished after a blink of his eye and Strong Stitch stood in the position of where an image of Savus was.

Ezith, being able to make convincing illusions was a favorite trick of his and Strong Stitch just got access to such a power.

Arctus leapt the fence, drawing his spear and nodding the Strong Stitch.

The two of them spent the rest of the evening together, destroying a lot of wood and straw in terrifying feats. The guards were endlessly bringing them more and more. Both had used Silver's death as a source for resolve to better themselves for Hazth who perched on the shoreline, having let his thunder be known.
> Where We've Come From
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

As the sun fell and the moon rose, the two warriors halted their combat. Arctus didn't have to event each Strong Stitch what happened on the night a Scout fell, she had read his journal after all. They did make time to retreat elswhere into the fields surrounding Ponyville, near the Everfree Forest.

"That's plenty of firewood," Arctus broke their silence as he came back with thick split branches.

Strong Stitch had already started a small fire for them, "he was old, wasn't he?"

The Master Scout nodded, "he was getting up in age, so are you. To live a life and die a normal death is unheard of as a Scout."

"Is there such a thing as a retirement age?" They both took a seat, having food at the ready.

Arctus shook his head, "once a Scout, always a Scout. Although I might make an exception for Equestria. Do you know how he was on his first mission?"

"You went to Klugetown, that's about all I know."

"Silver Spike was excellent at stealth and he hesitated to take his first life, but after that he changed. I could see some of his vibrancy gone, as is usual in our work," Arctus began to recall upon him with fondness.

"I had dueled him once, when you were gone. Despite his magic, he could not land an attack on me, but neither I on him," Stitch closed her eyes, "his shortsword was an incredible weapon."

"I didn't know the Eight were watching you ponies, but even you can garner their attention. Bakta made his weapon very special and Ezith gave you an incredibly strong ability. He's been rumored to be merciful," Arctus directed back, "on his first assignment, his first excursion into the field," he went silent, remorse building up.

"He was way in over his head. It should have been easy, just some cravens roaming the streets looking to loot. Sneak around enemy forces left after the destruction of Klugetown, maybe kill a few of them quietly and quickly. He got stuck in combat against a veteran of conflict, a leader of some bandits, named mind you. I've not heard of them since," the story telling was already underway, "Silver Spike was responsible for killing him and we saved slaves that day, those ex-slaves are long dead now, but he felt like he did something that mattered."

"Like his act of killing was justified," Stitch continued for him, "I hope he died feeling that sense of pride."

"Pride is what keeps a Scout a Scout in the face of mortality. From the look of the post, he did not die afraid. There was more than just his blood present."

Strong Stitch hummed, "you think he made off with some injuries on Hazth?"

"I do, that'd make him a cut above what I thought he was, same for you," Arctus sighed, "are you afraid of death?"

"No, I've got nothing but my own Scout duties and you," Stitch admitted to her lack of living.

"I'm honored you find me worth mentioning. I'm curious as to what Silver Spike's last thoughts were. The way he died was a slower death, he bled out. I didn't find any notes on him or the camp, and his journal was missing so Hazth may have some critical knowledge to lever against us."

"Do you think Silver Spike was afraid?" Stitch ignored most of his comment.

Arctus shook his head, "he died with a firm grip on his shortsword and a smile across his face. He knew what he had died for and he died proudly."

They continued to recall their comrade fondly late into the night. Trouble was getting ready to bubble over on the horizon, both of them knew it and both of them needed to be at their best.
> Ambition Without Conviction
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Not only had Arctus made a particular blacksmith rich, but he had been commissioning wards and enchantments on objects, places, conditions all over Equestria. It had kept him busy for quite a while, but protecting this nation was something he took seriously. Seriously enough to miss most of Twilight's coronation. But he did appear for the small gathering in the upper rooms of the Canterlot Castle.

"Oh! He made it!" Applejack announced his arrival as he quietly slipped into the room the princess and those familiar six were in.

"Apologies for missing most of the event, ever since Silver Spike's passing, I've-."

"We're grateful," Twilight nodded her head to him.

"We're all aware of how much more you've been doing and taking on to strengthen our defenses," Luna continued, "come, have a seat."

And so he did, still dressed in all his equipment, he sat at the large round table all of them occupied outside, "congratulations, Twilight," he directed, "if you ever have need of me, inform me at anytime."

"Thank you, Arctus," she pipped, "now that you mention it, there are a couple of things I need answered..."

He began to open his mouth but not before the new princess started to laugh, "I'm kidding! Lohey's done a good enough job with that book she's lent me. Princess Celestia, Luna, how have you made use of Arctus' services?" Twilight posed the question.

"That's a more private conversation, Twilight," Celestia started, "of course, no offense to your friends. What Arctus does is kept under a strict lock and key by all us Princesses."

"What about Blueblood? Does he know?" Rarity prompted.

Celestia, Luna, and Arctus all laughed, "he can't be trusted to not compliment himself," even funny, it was unfortunately true.

"I admit, my nephew has incredibly loose lips," their laughter subsided.

"So, how come we don't see you at more parties, Arcy?" Pinkie homed in more on his absence.

Luna cleared her throat, "Aeternians only see fit to celebrate specific holidays or achievements. A birth falls under this, but subsequent birthdays do not as simply living does not give cause to celebrate," she smiled, "Lohey's book."

"You..he, Princess," Rainbow Dash flew above the table, splaying her hooves out to exaggerate herself, "Princess Celestia, you've never celebrated his birthday."

And she shook her head, "he prefers it that way."

"Twilight, have you given thought to your future yet?" Arctus directed to the new princess.

"I, uh-."

"Whatever you decide to do, remember to keep your ideals and beliefs at heart. Allow them to guide you," he smiled, "something I remind myself of every morning."

The conversations went on long, despite the idea to celebrate Twilight's coronation, they talked more as friends who've never had the time allowed to catch up.





It was just that night, Twilight decided to stay at the castle in a suite. A ward Arctus had placed on the mirror he refused to let go to the Crystal Empire activated.

And that same ward alerted him with a tingle across his brain that awoke him from slumber. The Master Scout slipped from his lover's embrace, equipping himself thoroughly before making it to his desk to take a prew-written paper hidden among drawers and tacing it to the wood door as he quietly slipped out. Though stealth was a focal point for Scouts, it was rare even for him to make it out of the room without Celestia waking.

He made no delay in making right for the mirror, going completely unnoticed by the guards on duty. He didn't want to alert this intruder that he was aware of them.

Are you an intruder if you've returned after running away?

He made it to the corridor leading to the unfurnished room that housed the portal, but noticed something immediately off.

The door was shut, surely if she came back with incredible power it would be at least open. So there was some kind of subterfuge she was using, she had a plan she was enacting. One of the guards passed by the intersection, shining a light on Arctus and the warrior turned his head around, placing a finger to his lips and motioning for the guard to go along his patrol.

And he did, they were used to his odd activities. He looked back, gazing about the hall and listening, tuning in.

No noises, nothing. Arctus was practiced in making zero sound, not even from his breathing. If she was hiding, she would have come out by now.

What would he do when he caught her? She wasn't exactly a violent threat, not that he knew of, so he couldn't justify killing her.

Could he capture a unicorn that oculd teleport?

Arctus quietly walked to the door of the mirror room and opened it, stepping inside to see exactly who he was looking for appear in front by teleporting.

"Sunset."

"Huh, who's-. Arctus," she stared at him with a mixture of emotions on her muzzle.

"You ran away," he fetched the old paper note, tossing it in between them, "goals as grand as me. Does that still stand?" He noticed the crown in her bag, "judging from your theft, I'd say it does. A crown does not grant power."

She almost shook in fear, he was Equestria's greatest weapon and she knew that. He could kill her where she stood with incredibly ease.

She exhaled a held breath, smirking confidently at him before looking to the mirror and taking strides forward, challenging him in her own way.

Arctus started to hear shouting around the castle.

"I look forward to the day you stand against me."

And she stopped just before the mirror and turned around to face him, "those were your last words to me. When will that day be? When will you choose to stand against me yourself?" And he voiced his dissatisfaction of her actions.

"I'm no Aeternian, I know when to run," and she jumped through the mirror.

"Fucking," Arctus cursed and drew out two throwing knives, nailing one to the open door and placing another in front of the mirror. They would find him without fail, they'll know his message. No doubt the castle was aware of the missing crown, but they needed to know where it and he had gone.

Arctus leapt through the mirror without hesitation.