Arc reappears on the sigil in his basement. Sereb looks over from the bunks.
Arc reappears on the sigil in his basement. Sereb looks over from the bunks.
“They are asleep.”
“Good. We’ll all need our strength for tonight.”
“Shall I do the same for you?”
Eidolon’s Ward turns to him. “That might not be a bad idea, Arc.”
Arc nods. “Alright. Just let me get in bed.”
He turns to his armor.
“You coming?”
Eidolon’s Ward shakes its helmet. “No. I’ll… just sit on the couch.”
Arc raises an eyebrow. “Something wrong?”
“No, no. I just wanted to give you some alone time.”
“But…”
Sereb clears his throat loudly. “You should trust Miss Cherry on this, Arc.”
“Uh… okay.”
Eidolon’s Ward calls out after him. “Good night, Arc.”
“Night.”
Sereb and Arc head upstairs together. Arc heads for the bathroom.
“I’ll be there in a minute. Just let me grab a quick shower.”
Walking into the bathroom Arc disrobes and turns on the water.
“Cherry not coming with me to bed? This is new.”
He steps into the stream of water and sigh.
“Tonight’s going to be quite the endeavor. Cherry, what do you…”
Arc stops and sighs, shaking his head at his mistake.
“Guess I’m just used to you being here, Cherry.”
He puts a hand to his forehead.
“And with you gone, my head just feels so… empty.”
Shaking his head Arc grabs the soap and lathers up.
“I’ll be fine. After all, I did alright before. Isn’t that right Ch-…”
Frowning, Arc rinses himself off.
“Again?! I must really be slipping.”
The sound of the bathroom door opening can be heard.
“Who’s out there?”
Sereb’s voice rings out. “I brought you something clean to wear.”
“Thanks. Um… can we talk?”
“Of course.”
“Do you think I rely too much on Cherry for my mental well-being?”
“That is a strange question.”
“Well?”
“I do remember how you were prior to her return. Let me just say it was… difficult to watch.”
Arc sighs. “That was a hard time in my life.”
“For those around you as well.”
“Huh?”
“Everyone wanted to comfort you. To say something that might bring you peace. However none of us could think of much.”’
Arc smiles. “It’s the thought that counts, I suppose.”
“Is something bothering you?”
“Kinda. My separation from Cherry is a bit… awkward.”
Sereb tilts his head to one side, confused. “But she is downstairs.”
“I mean it’s strange not having her in my head.”
“You have come to rely on such comfort?”
Arc nods. “Yes.”
“At the risk of sounding callous, she will not be here forever.”
“She said that one day she’d leave. But I don’t know what I’ll do or say when that time comes.”
“You should learn to not lean so heavily on a single individual. Should they be lost, you would be ill prepared to continue on alone.”
Arc frowns. “What are you suggesting I do? Cut myself off from everyone?”
Sereb shakes his head. “No. But you would do well to have multiple individuals to support you in this manner. Should one fall away, the others would still hold you up.”
“Are you talking about the whole herd idea?”
“Indirectly, yes.”
Arc groans. “Not you too!”
“I do believe Ember would like that very much. As would your other potential mates.”
“Why is everyone so concerned about me getting married these days?!”
“Because you need the stability.”
“Are you sure that’s all?”
“And a creature whom is as active as you are would most likely not have all your needs met by a single mate.”
Arc narrows his eyes as he pulls back the curtain and looks to Sereb. The wolf bows his head.
“I do not believe that was expressed or interpreted as I had intended.”
Arc shakes his head. “I’m thinking not.”
He turns off the water and grabs a towel with his magic as Sereb continues.
“I was only implying that a hero of your caliber is certainly worthy of whomever they choose. However such a mate most likely does not exist. Hence my reasoning for a… ‘herd’ as you call it.”
“Well, that kinda does make sense. In a rather strange way.”
“You would be quite the catch, my friend. Do consider the idea of a herd when there is more time. After all, there are advantages to numerous mates I would imagine.”
“Oh? Like what?”
Sereb grins toothily. “At the very least, you will not be bored.”
Arc rolls his eyes. “I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that.”
“Do what makes you happy, my friend.”
The pair leave the bathroom together. Sereb lies down in front of his parent’s room as Arc looks to him, confused.
“I thought you were going to…”
Sereb gestures to the door. “Go.”
Frowning, Arc opens the door and steps inside. Turning toward the bed he see Ember waiting for him under the covers suggestively. He sighs.
“Ember, we don’t have time for…”
Arc suddenly feels two arms wrap around his midsection from behind and a body press against his as Auriel’s voice rings out.
“We just wanted to spend this time with you, Arc.”
Ember nods. “That and Auriel had a bit of a proposition for you.”
Auriel giggles. “Yes. But let’s lie down first.”
She leads Arc to the bed. He slides in next to Ember as Auriel hops in next to him and covers the trio with a sheet. Arc turns to her.
“Is something wrong, Auriel?”
Auriel shakes her head happily as she snuggles up to him. “No, Arc. For once everything is right.”
“What’s this about a… proposition?”
Ember grins. “Hear her out on it, Arc. It’s really a good idea.”
“Do you remember our earlier talk about me joining your herd?”
Arc sighs. “I can hardly forget with everyone around me bringing it up all the time.”
“Well, we’re all very interested. But I think I may have a solution that fulfills everyone’s desires.”
“Um… okay. What is it?”
“The demons have been at odds with Equestria for many long years.”
Ember nods knowingly. “From Tartarus.”
Auriel nods. “Ultimately, yes. Although open hostilities between our nations ended centuries ago with our imprisonment, the hatred demonkind has for Equestrians is unrivaled.”
She turns her attention back to Arc.
“That’s where my idea comes in. As the daughter of King Malevolence, it would help greatly if I were to wed a royal of Equestria.”
“So you want to marry one of the princesses?”
Auriel shakes her head. “No, it doesn’t have to be one of them. It just has to be someone very high up.”
She looks up into Arc’s face and smiles.
“Someone like you.”
“And that would bring peace to our two nations?”
Ember shakes her head. “Not right away, no. It’d take a lot more time to do that. This would just be the first step in that direction.”
“Ember’s right. But it has to start somewhere.”
“Can I assume you haven’t talked to your father about this?”
“I haven’t, no. But it’s customary in our culture to give a daughter to a rival to settle a large dispute.”
“Wait, what?!”
“According to our beliefs, it’s dishonorable to raise a claw against a member of one’s own family or those under them. Should I be given to a leader of Equestria, there would be no more threat of violence from the demons even if they were to escape.”
Arc frowns. “So you’re willing to be… given to me? Like property?”
Auriel nods. “I am. “
Arc sighs. “You’re worth more than that, Auriel. After all, you’re not an object and shouldn’t be treated as such.”
“That may be. But I’m willing to do my part to ease the tensions between pony and demon.”
She looks into his face happily.
“My father would most certainly agree. I know that you would treat me well and care for me as you have in the past. But my offer has a second part to it.”
“There’s more?”
Ember grins. “Oh, yes! And I think you’ll like this!”
Auriel blushes happily. “I’d be willing to carry your children, Arc. Through me your bloodline would continue.”
“That’s not…”
“It would also solve the problem of offspring for your herd. Twilight and her friends, while all very nice, are not able to procreate with you.”
“But we’re different species, aren’t we?”
Auriel nods. “We are, yes. But you must remember that I’m half human. I’ve already run some preliminary tests, and it appears our DNA is compatible.”
Ember grins. “Auriel can give you a real family, Arc. What do you say to her plan?”
“I… I don’t know.”
Auriel looks to him, confused. “Was there something else you wanted?”
“Actually, yes.”
“What is it?”
Arc turns over and faces Auriel. “Just one thing. Your happiness.”
“But…!”
“Auriel, you’re not a bargaining chip for your country, nor are you just a means for procreation. I want you to have what YOU want.”
Auriel blushes heavily as her hands fly to his cheeks. “Marrying you and having your children IS what I want though!”
Ember nods happily. “She telling the truth, Arc. The whole uniting the two countries really was secondary in her mind.”
Auriel appears suddenly sad. “Yes. But if you’d prefer, I’d also be willing to cut all ties with the demon nation.”
“Wouldn’t you miss your father though?”
Auriel sighs. “I suppose so. But if it means you and I can be together…”
Arc turns to Ember.
“And you’re okay with this?!”
“Sure! As the future Dragon Lord, I’d even be willing to extend the same offer as Auriel. Peace between the Dragon Lands and Equestria in return for taking me as a mate. That and you know I was interested in you before you got where you are today.”
Arc sighs. “What about all that talk a while back about you having to birth the future Dragon Lord?”
Auriel’s eyes wander down to his nether regions. “I’d be willing to research ways to alter your sperm to be compatible with Ember’s species, Arc.”
Ember gasps. “Wait! You can DO that?!”
“Probably, yes. But it’ll take quite some time and a lot of research. That and I’m sure Twilight would be willing to help.”
Ember looks hopeful. “What about her and the others? Could you make them and Arc compatible?”
Auriel shakes her head. “Sadly, no. Equine DNA is far different than human. The only reason it might work for a dragon is the fact you and humans, for some reason, share the same number of chromosomes. Unfortunately a pony’s count is different.”
She turns back to Arc.
“So what do you say, Arc? Would you be willing to take a demon princess as a wife?”
Ember blushes happily. “And a dragon ‘princess’?”
“I… don’t know. I mean I like you both… a lot really! But at the moment I have other things to think about. I’m just not ready for something like this.”
The pair appear crestfallen as Arc continues.
“Sorry. I know that isn’t what you wanted to hear. But it’s how I feel.”
Auriel forces a small smile. “It’s okay, Arc. After all, you were just being honest.”
Ember grins. “That’s right. But we’d both like it if you’d consider this offer of ours in the future.”
“I’ll think about it. But that’s all I’m saying right now. Now why don’t the three of us get some sleep?”
Auriel nods as she and Ember put their heads next on Arc’s shoulders and close their eyes. Soon the sound of light snores can be heard coming from both of them. Arc looks side to side at them and smiles.
“It’s nice that you two are so devoted. But I’m not sure if I can make both… or either… happy.”
Sighing he closes his own eyes and rests. Several hours later he opens them to see Sereb standing at the foot of the bed, his horn aglow.
“What’s… going on?”
“There is a… situation that requires your immediate attention, Arc.”
Arc carefully makes his way to the end of the bed. Leaving the room with Sereb the large wolf turns to him.
“My apologies for… interrupting.”
“It’s fine. But what’s up?”
“I believe you’ll just have to see it to understand.”
They walk down to the basement to find Max sitting at the table hanging his head. Arc looks to Sereb.
“I thought I told you to make sure everyone stayed asleep.”
“You did, yes.”
Eidolon’s Ward sighs. “Sereb certainly gave it his best though.”
“Indeed. However he refuses to do so.”
Arc frowns as he turns to Max. “What the heck are you doing?! We need to be at our best for tonight!”
“Sir, I… I need to tell you something privately. Might we go upstairs?”
“Fine.”
They proceed to the living room. Arc motions for Max to sit on the couch as he stands in front of him and folds his arms over his chest.
“I get the feeling I know what it is, but go ahead.”
“This isn’t easy to say, sir but…”
Max takes a deep breath before continuing.
“…I can’t go back to Equestria with you.”
Arc narrows his eyes. “You can’t?”
“I… I just can’t leave Shelly like this. But don’t worry. I’ll still come with you and the others on this last mission.”
“And you just expect to leave after this?”
“Yes sir. Princess Celestia will be safe and sound in your care. I could just…”
“Just what?! Head back here to get cleaned up before walking over to see Shelly?!”
Max looks surprised. “Actually, yes sir.”
Arc facepalms.
“Oh for crying out loud… love has completely blinded you, Max!”
“What do you mean, sir?”
“I doubt any of us are just going to be able to walk away after this! They’ll be looking everywhere for the Hero of Light and his companions! The police and even the military will probably put a bounty out on all of us!”
Max’s eyes grow wide. “And that would put Lily and Shelly in danger!”
“Yes. That’s yet another reason why you shouldn’t go through with what you planned.”
Max hangs his head. “What do I do?! Just… never see her again?! That would break her heart!”
Arc shakes his head. “No, Max. You have to tell her yourself.”
“Tell her what?”
“That you’re leaving town tonight with me and the others.”
“What does that…?”
“It’s the truth! We’re all leaving!”
Max gasps as he jumps to his feet. “Leave Shelly?! But… but I LOVE her sir!”
Arc puts a hand on Max’s shoulder. “I know you do, Max. But if that’s true you should be willing to do what’s best to protect her.”
Max opens his mouth to speak, but nothing comes out. Eventually he nods slowly.
“Yes sir. I’ll… give her a call.”
Arc frowns. “No, you will NOT!”
“Sir?”
“Something like this is major. You can’t do it over the phone.”
“Then how…?”
Arc reaches out with his magic and grabs his keys off a nearby table before turning back to Max.
“There’s only one way. Face to face. Come with me.”
“N-now?!”
Arc nods as he grabs Max’s arm. “No time like the present. That and it’s only a handful of hours until we have to leave.”
“Yes sir.”
Getting in the Jeep they make the short drive to Shelly’s Kitchen. Arc pulls into the empty parking lot and shuts off the engine before turning to Max.
“Let’s go.”
“Y-you’re coming too, sir?”
Arc nods. “Yes. But I’m going to stand at the bottom of the stairs to listen and wait just to make sure you don’t get cold feet. We don’t have time for beating around the bush right now.”
Sighing, Max gets out of the vehicle and the pair walk over to the exterior stairs. They stop at the base as Arc turns to his friend.
“Go ahead, Max. I’ll be waiting for you right here.”
Looking up the stairs, Max takes a deep breath before slowly climbing them. He pauses outside the door and looks back to Arc whom nods soberly at him. Sighing Max knocks lightly before entering.
“H-hello? Shelly?”
“In the living room!”
Max gulps and follows the sound of Shelly’s voice to its source. She smiles and puts down her book as she moves to stand. Max hurries over to help her. Shelly takes his hands and smiles as she wraps her arms around his neck.
“It’s good to see you again, Max. Would you like a bite to eat? Perhaps some tea and dessert?”
Max shakes his head. “N-no, thank you. I can’t stay long. Um… is Miss Lily around?”
Shelly smiles at him. “No. She went to bed early tonight, so it really is just the two of us. Are you alright, Max? You don’t look well?”
“Truthfully, I… just came to say… goodbye.”
Shelly looks at him, clearly confused.
“Goodbye?”
Max nods.
“Yes, I’m… leaving town tonight. For good this time. And I… I’m afraid that we’ll never see each other again.”
“But… why…?”
“Shelly, I… I love you more than you know. But I’ve realized that this town… it isn’t where I belong. And I need to go back to where I came from.”
“Back to Ponyville?”
Max nods. “Yes.”
Shelly smiles. “In that case, take me with you.”
“What?!”
“Lily can run the restaurant by herself until she can hire someone to replace me. Truth be told, we should’ve done that a long time ago anyway. I’ll transfer the business into her name so she can do whatever she wants with it. Keep it, sell it, whatever! Then you and I can start a new life together!”
“I… Shelly… I… we can’t.”
“But why? I thought we loved each other.”
“Oh we do, Shelly! I’ve never felt this way about anyone before!”
“Then what’s the problem?!”
“I… we…”
Max sighs.
“Believe me when I say… it wouldn’t work out between us.”
“Max, I… I don’t understand!”
“Shelly, I don’t think there’s any way that you could understand.”
Shelly shakes her head as she frowns. “No, Max! Now please, if you really do care about me, I want to know the truth!”
Max nods soberly as he looks directly into her eyes.
“Alright then. The truth it is. Shelly, I… I’m from another world.”
“What?!”
“I came here with my friends through a transdimensional portal from another planet entirely. And tonight we… we have to go back. This time permanently.”
Shelly gazes at Max evenly for a few moments before responding.
“Yes, Max. Yes, I understand. I understand it perfectly.”
Max looks hopeful. “You do?”
Shelly nods as a frown spreads across her face.
“You should have told me sooner… that you don’t want to be burdened with an INVALID like me!”
Max gasps. “Sh-Shelly?! But I…!”
Shelly looks at him angrily. Her voice raising as she speaks.
“You think that just because of my physical limitations that I’m STUPID TOO?!”
“What?! No! It’s just…!”
Shelly raises a hand and slaps Max across the face.
“I’ve heard some tall tales over the years, Max! But the fact that you’d conjure up something as ludicrous as that is just so… so… INSULTING!”
With more strength than normal, she pushes Max away from her. He stumbles back and crashes against a bookcase as angry tears flow down Shelly’s face.
“All you had to say was I don’t love you, and I never want to see you again! That at least would have been HONEST!”
Shelly stumbles past Max and runs as best as she is able down the hall to her room, slamming the door. Max chases after her but finds the door locked.
“But that’s not true!”
Hearing nothing but sobbing from the other side of the door, Max turns and slowly walks to the front door. Opening it he stares out at the darkness beyond it for a few moments before turning to a small end table. Reaching into his pocket, he pulls out Shelly’s pendant and stares at it for a long moment.
“I’ll never forget you, Shelly.”
Forcing a sad smile, he carefully lays the small pendant on the end table before stepping out and closing the door behind him. Slowly walking down the steps he stands before Arc, his head bowed.
“It’s… done, sir.”
“I take it she didn’t take the news well.”
Max shakes his head as Arc sighs.
“I’m sorry it had to end this way.”
“So am I, sir.”
Arc turns back toward the Jeep. “We should get home and try to sleep.”
“Might I walk home, sir?”
“You’re not planning on running off, are you?”
“No, sir. Now that Shelly… I really don’t have any reason to do so anymore.”
Arc nods. “Alright. But don’t take any detours.”
Max speaks in almost a whisper. “Yes sir.”
Arc walks back to the Jeep, hops in, and starts the engine. Leaning back in the seat he sighs and looks out the window at Max slowly crossing the deserted streets.
“Sorry, Max. But you and the others don’t belong here. Then again, at this point… neither do I.”
Pulling out of the parking lot he heads toward home. As his street sign comes into view Arc slows down to turn. Sighing he continues going straight. Cherry calls out to him.
“Arc, you missed your…”
“I need to make things right before I go too.”
Making the drive to Hammer’s apartment he pulls over and parks. Shutting off the engine he looks up at her window.
“Dark. She must already be in bed.”
Pausing to consider his options, Arc sits there motionless for a time. Eventually he sighs and steps out onto the street. Running up the stairs to the now familiar apartment door Arc takes a deep breath before knocking. Hearing no response he knocks again.
“Maybe she’s a heavy sleeper.”
Looking around, Arc quickly Blinks through the door. The room is dimly illuminated by the streetlights outside. He slowly walks toward Hammer’s room. Finding the door ajar he reaches over for the light switch. As a single bulb overhead dimly lights the room he looks toward the bed.
“Empty? Where could she be at this hour?”
He looks toward the computer desk. Sitting down Arc picks up a nearby pencil and paper. After thinking a moment he begins to write her a letter. Completing his task he turns around and leaves the room.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you face to face, Hammer. But this will have to do.”
Arc heads back the way he came. Returning to the Jeep he gets in, starts the engine, and departs. Upon reaching his own house he spots Max sitting on the front steps. Parking, Arc gets out, walks over to him, and sits down.
“Went for a drive, sir?”
“Not… exactly.”
“I came straight home like you told me.”
“Good.”
They are silent for a time.
“I… had to do the same for Hammer.”
“Sir?”
“She wasn’t home. Probably still at the base working on something or other. I… really did want to tell her face to face as you did earlier. Even though she’d probably have punched me in the gut.”
Max nods soberly. “We both deserved what we got, sir.”
Arc shakes his head. “No, Max. Neither of us did.”
“I don’t understand.”
“I deserved a beating after playing with Hammer’s feelings. Didn’t get that. You deserved to be with Shelly and have a happy life. But you didn’t get that either.”
“But sir… if you felt that way why did you…?”
“Because… because you’re my friend, Max. Remember, I lost the love of my life not that long ago. Shelly’s condition won’t allow her to stay at home much longer. She’s been slowly dying since we were kids, and there isn’t anything I can do to stop it.”
He puts his hand on Max’s shoulder.
“I didn’t want you to have to go through that. Having to feel the pain of watching the one you love the most die before your eyes.”
“Thank you sir. But I feel like the happiness her and I would have found in the interim would have outweighed the sorrow of her passing.”
Arc sighs and nods. “Yes, Max. I know that I was wrong to try and stop you two from having a relationship. If you want to go back over there and try to patch things up…”
Max shakes his head. “No, sir. Shelly doesn’t want to see me anymore after what I told her.”
“What did you say?”
“The truth.”
“You mean…?”
Max nods sadly. “That I’m not really a human, and I’m not from Earth.”
“Why’d you do that?”
“She wanted to know. Like you said before, she deserved a face to face breakup. I knew she wouldn’t believe me.”
“But you told her that anyways?”
“I did.”
“That must’ve taken some serious guts.”
“Not really. If you had seen the look she gave me, I don’t think you’d have been able to keep the truth from her either.”
Arc sighs as he stands up. “Well, I suppose none of that matters anymore. I doubt either of us will see Lily or Shelly after tonight.”
“Are you going to miss them as much as I am, sir?”
“Yes Max. More than words can say.”