In our previous volume, Arc reassures everyone that he will do what needs to be done to take down Celestia and Decimus. Cadance promotes Shining Armor to general and Trixie to colonel to defend the Crystal Kingdom as she continues dealing with the day to day affairs of the nation. Arc sends the mares back to Ponyville, Scootaloo back to Decimus, as he and the others board The Equinox in preparations to return to Canterlot and end the danger to the land that resides therein. Giving the Bridge Crew their orders, Arc does not tell them the true nature of their mission before heading to his office. Lemon Hearts contacts Rarity and connects her to the office where she reports the trouble in Ponyville. Telling Arc that Decimus’ grip on the small town is tightening, he tells them to lay low while he does what he can to rectify the problem himself.
Arc calls Rarity to kill time as he waits for the ship to be loaded. Being notified that it is ready to fly he finishes the conversation and heads to the Bridge as the ship takes off. Asking to speak to the crew, Arc announces the true nature of their mission to Canterlot. Telling the crew that he has no desire to overthrow the government, he admits that he is going there to do his sacred duty and free the country from an out of control princess. Ending his speech, Tight Ship approaches Arc and informs him of his displeasure with the mission. Arc overrules him and the pair part on unhappy terms. Returning to his room to rest, he and Cherry speak of the situation at hand before Arc goes to sleep. Being awakened by Lemon Hearts via his earring, Arc is told they are within visual range of the capital. Heading to the Bridge, Arc is roughly pulled inside his office by Wiseman. Telling him to call Rarity immediately Arc complies. As they are connected Arc hears her calling out for help. The sound of glass breaking as Rarity tells him of soldiers breaking in rings in his ears for only a few seconds before the line goes dead. Running out the door, Arc heads for the Bridge and orders Thunderlane to change course to Ponyville. Before he can do more though Arc passes out. Wiseman appears behind him and confesses that he put Arc to sleep with a spell. Soarin and Wrangler carry him to the Infirmary as the ship flies toward its new heading.
Waking up in the Infirmary, Arc runs to the Bridge to ascertain their position. Learning that they are only about ten minutes from Light’s Hope he orders the ship to set down in front of the Town Hall. Meeting his soldiers in the Cargo Bay he numbers them into platoons and commands his squad to lead them in searching the city for its citizens. Without even landing, Arc opens the Cargo Bay doors and orders his forces through. As they land the rest of his forces form a perimeter to guard the ship as Arc mounts Sereb and heads down the road. Arriving at Carousel Boutique he find the doors broken down and windows smashed. In a fit of anger he runs out the door and rides Sereb back to The Equinox to hear the scout’s report. Having found no one in the town, he is told that there are lights on at the Little Hooves Orphanage. Leading his forces toward the facility they hold back to survey the scene before them. Deciding on subterfuge, Arc orders his squad to pretend to be with the Nightborn. They tell the guards in front of the orphanage that they are to leave at once. Refusing, Max pretends to summon undead warriors which are actually Arc’s forces covered in mud. Eidolon’s Ward walks out to seal the deal and is immediately attacked by Decimus and his reinforcements. Finding no one inside the armor, Decimus looks around as the real Arc in his new armor steps forward on Sereb’s back. Auriel and Hammer rush over to join him as Arc transforms into his Crimson form. Coco Pommel and Derpy burst through the orphanage doors with Arc’s friends and other residents of Ponyville to stand with him. Being the sore loser that he is, Decimus sets the orphanage roof on fire with a flare gun before Arc orders his troops and others to charge. Heading inside the orphanage himself, he kills the guards outside the storage room and rescued Rarity and Sweetie Belle. Joining the others outside he watches as Decimus is stabbed by Coco Pommel’s spear. Warning him to never again hurt one of her orphans, she turns and walks away as Hammer approaches the wounded stallion. Shooting him in the chest, she finishes him off as the rain begins to fall. The roof is subsequently doused preventing the orphanage from burning down. Arc calls for The Equinox to land at Light’s Hope and tells them to expect the entire town to board with them.
Boarding the ship with the entire population of Ponyville Arc escorts them to the Mid Deck’s Living Quarters. Derpy and Dinky along with the Cakes volunteer to take care of meals while they are aboard. Going to the Bridge, Arc is told by Soarin that he found Tight Ship’s resignation on his desk. After appointing the commander as the new captain and ordering the ship to head for Canterlot, Arc heads for the Infirmary to check on Rarity and Sweetie Belle. Finding the filly next to her mother, they tell him what happened as Redhead and Rainbow Dash leave the nurse’s office together. Ordering Rainbow Dash to bed next to Rarity, Applejack runs in to tell Arc of an intruder. Leading him to the Cargo Hold, Arc spots Sereb and Hammer holding down Lieutenant Spitfire. She accuses Arc and Applejack of being traitors, killing the townsponies, and burning Ponyville to the ground. Ordering her let up, the mare lunges at him but is immediately slammed to the deck by Arc. Maintaining his innocence Arc orders her tied up. Sending her back to Canterlot Castle via portal he is told that she brought an EMP with her in an attempt to disable the ship and force it to land. Stellar Flare reveals that the keycard used to allow her into the ship belonged to none other than Tight Ship.
Returning to the Bridge, Arc gives the keycard to Soarin. Informing them that Tight Ship apparently gave it to Spitfire to infiltrate the ship they continue on toward Canterlot. Approaching, they notice that the sun has still yet to rise. Spotting dense fog around the mountain Canterlot sits upon, Arc charges up the O.R.B. system as a precaution. After forming the shield, he uses his magic to raise the sun to its normal position. As its warm light cuts through the fog, they spot the airships below it. Approaching The Equinox, Arc orders the ship to turn around. Doing so, they are hailed by the invaders. Admiral Gaston tells Soarin of his orders to protect Canterlot from attack as per a new treaty with Equestria. Arc tells them to fly to the Dragon Lands for a safe place to land. Heading to the Cafeteria to check on the others he is hailed by Lemon Hearts whom informs him that Celestia will be addressing the nation. Listening to her speech via the speakers Arc and his friends along with the entire town hear Twilight introduce Celestia and step aside. Telling the nation that Arc attacked Ponyville and burned it down, she announces the coming Griffon Kingdom forces whom will reinforce their own in an effort to hunt down Arc and those whom help him. After the speech Arc offers to drop off anyone whom doesn’t wish to leave in Baltimare. However they are warned that they will be targets, as they know the truth of what really happened. All decide to stay aboard. Arc and Dinky head to the Infirmary to check on their friends. Finding Sweetie Belle sleeping but with tear stained cheeks, Arc picks her up in an effort to console her along with Dinky.
The fillies awaken the next morning in Arc’s arms. Explaining to them that they had spent the entire latter half of yesterday and all night asleep, he looks to Rarity and Rainbow Dash. Redheart examines them as Soarin enters the Infirmary to report a large contingent of dragons awaiting them on the beach. As the ship lands the dragons storm the deck and wait for someone to emerge. As Arc does so and reveals his identity. Forcing Garble to escort him to where Ember now resides, the guards attack him as ordered. Defeating them, he approaches Ember whom is now ready to fight, and removes his helmet. Seeing who it is, she tells him of the new treaty Equestria has with both the Griffon Kingdom and Dragon Lands. Wanting to mobilize every dragon, Torch reminds Ember of their own treaty which she has signed. Offering to go with him as an emissary of the Dragon Lands, Arc decided to take her along. Returning to The Equinox via portal Arc’s friends bring her up to speed on what’s been going on. Arc announces that his next plan involves a very long round trip.
Returning to Equestria, Arc makes the trip via The Equinox to Canterlot. However, as they near the city they notice that the sun has not been raised. Afraid to use his own power to do it, as such would be a sure sign that he was still alive, the continue their approach. Seeing a dense fog around the base of the mountain Canterlot was built into, Arc orders the shields raised as a precaution. Not picking up any transmission on the radio they take the risk and have Arc raise the sun. As the mist dissipates they see a fleet of griffon airships taking off. Retreating so as not to fight their so-called allies, they fly east toward the coast. Arc offers to let the citizens of Ponyville off at Baltimare as he warns them of the dangers of remaining in Equestria. They decide to stay with him for a flight across the sea to Abyssinia. However as they arrive the ship is attacked by what is essentially U-boats. Blinking down onto the deck of one, Arc enters the ship, makes his way to the Bridge, and intimidates the captain and crew to cease their attack. Learning that King Felix has ordered all foreign ships fired upon Arc requests to speak to the monarch. Doing so via video conference call he assures the king and his queen that he only wishes to speak to them. Giving him permission to come inland the ship flies to the capital, lands, and allows Arc and company to disembark. Arriving at the palace they are led inside and to a luxurious suite to rest before the meal is ready. Arc, Ember, and Hammer head to the bathroom to shower and then bathe together for a time.
Arc and the others leave the bathroom and rest on the pile of cushions together. Eventually the king and queen come to fetch them for breakfast. As they eat they speak of the status of Abyssinia and their current problems. Hammer asks to see that aquaponics facilities to learn what they are. The monarchs give them a tour of the now vast facilities as well as the fish that call it home. Returning to the castle to speak of diplomacy they tell Arc of their fears of Equestria having military treaties with their enemies and of this displeasure in learning of the Ponyville occupation. While not being able to promise any military aid, they do offer to allow the Ponyville refugees to stay in Abyssinia until it is safe to return home. Speaking of what to do next, Arc suggests the simplest option… him facing Celestia personally. When Ember asks how he plans to do that, he volunteers Twilight.
Calling together all his friends and staff, Arc has a meeting on the Bridge. After ordering Hard Hat to help in building shelters for the Ponyville refugees he speaks to Sunburst in his office privately. Asking him to call Spike in Canterlot Castle, Arc contacts Scootaloo via telepathy. Spike goes to visit Twilight in her room for a social visit. Happy to see her old friend, they decide to read together just like they did in the past. Picking out a book on trees, Spike directs Twilight to several pages. Subtly helping her discover that the Golden Oaks Library was a very special and magical tree planted by Celestia and Luna together many years ago, Twilight suddenly wishes to go visit it. Calling for Sandstorm Mirage, she orders him to make the arrangements.
Twilight and Spike fly via chariot to Ponyville with a platoon of guards. Arriving, they find the Golden Oaks Library destroyed along with the town. Running inside to try and find Auriel, Twilight believes her friend to have perished with the rest of the townsponies. After being told by the commanding officer of the guards that the orphanage is still standing she orders him and the others to escort her there. Arriving, they find the building deserted. Looking around the Main Hall they spy Arc in a flash of lightning. Calling him out, the guards draw their weapons. Revealing himself they tell Twilight to run while they buy her time. Coco Pommel descends the stairs and calls out to the commanding officer. Explaining to him that Celestia was wrong in what she did, Twilight learns that the townsponies did indeed survive the burning of their town. Arc opens a portal to reunite them as Twilight and her guards hurry though.
Arriving back in Arc’s quarters aboard ship, Twilight is escorted to the Observation Deck to see her friends. They welcome her back happily as she notices Rarity is missing. Informing her what happened to the mare at the hooves of Decimus’ forces, Arc and the others head for the Infirmary as Twilight waits outside. After speaking to Rarity for a few moments Arc calls for Twilight to enter. She apologizes for what happened and promises to do her best to make it right. Announcing that he intends to dethrone Celestia (but probably more), Twilight initially refuses to cooperate. However, in an effort to both keep her promise to Rarity and help Arc’s plan, Twilight requests the privilege of holding on to the Dagger of Eternal Slumbers. Even though her friends disagree, Arc relinquishes the weapon to Twilight. As the rest of them head to into town to help with the construction, Rarity suggests that he and Twilight spend some time together while Spike keeps her company. The pair leave as Spike and Rarity take a nap together.
Returning to Arc’s room, they pair sit down on the couch together. Arc takes the opportunity to tell Twilight everything that’s happened to him since his ‘death’. Twilight, while still wanting to form a herd with him, is concerned about what Princess Celestia will say or do. Arc is able to somewhat calm her down before they speak about future days with the others. Volunteering to commission the construction of a house just for them, Arc tells Twilight of his significant wealth, having saved nearly all his wages since taking the position of Hero of Light. Twilight admits to having some money of her own as a princess’ allowance. They rest together on the bed as Cherry and Arc talk between themselves.
Several days later Scootaloo travels to Ponyville aboard a chariot pulled by two Lunar Defenders. Checking the library, orphanage, and Light’s Hope she confirms that Twilight is missing. Radioing Decimus back in Canterlot she relays the news to him. Telling her to get some rest back at Light’s Hope, he announces his intention to tell Celestia tomorrow morning. Scootaloo finds the inside of Light’s Hope to be decadently furnished, up to and including the master suite. Lying down in the new bed, she calls out to Arc in order to appraise him of the situation. Arc tells her to return to Canterlot before dawn so she can witness Celestia’s reaction and relay it to him. After severing the connection, Arc and Twilight head to the Infirmary. After hearing that Rarity is recovered enough to leave, she asks Arc to take her to his bedroom for the night. As they leave Twilight escorts a somewhat upset Spike to Applejack’s room. Together they try their best to explain why he needs to let his long time crush go.
The next morning Scootaloo returns to Canterlot Castle. Heading to Decimus’ office she finds him pacing. Unable to sleep with a missing princess, he awaited the hour of Celestia’s awakening. Heading to the princesses’ room together they enter and deliver the news of Twilight’s disappearance. Believing Twilight to be fine, she orders the Scarlet Filly to take more troops to locate her. As Decimus makes the preparation Scootaloo escorts Celestia to the Dining Room. However as they arrive Arc’s letter materializes before her. Reading it she realizes that Twilight has indeed been ‘kidnapped’ by Arc. Demanding to see her alone in front of the ruined Ponyville Town Hall, Celestia tells Scootaloo to say that Twilight is fine and to call off the search. Arc announces to Scootaloo his intention to see Celestia in earnest and alone.
Arc opens his eyes to see the others eating. As Derpy reheats his food he tells the others of Celestia’s reaction to Spike’s letter. Rarity, looking tired, is taken back to Arc’s room by Spike. Finally totally alone with her, Spike confesses his feelings for Rarity and asks her out on a date. Rarity, somewhat surprised, gently turns him down. Feeling inadequate, Spike offers to change whatever he has to in order to make Rarity love him. Telling him he’s fine just the way he is, Rarity asks Spike to accept that she is in love with Arc and not him. Meanwhile, Arc spends the day with Dinky and her friends. As evening falls they ask to speak to him privately with Rarity, Applejack, and Derpy. Assembling everyone, they tell their respective parental figure of their desire for younger siblings. Surprised but pleased, the mares all agree that they do want to have foals with Arc. As Arc takes a portal to meet with Celestia, the others leave as well. Sweetie Belle stays with Rarity to have a private talk. She asks her if they can go on vacation somewhere together to get Rarity away from her work. Arc meets with Celestia in front of the ruins of Ponyville Town Hall. He tells her of his desire to end the nation’s trouble while she insists that he surrender. However, Kane knocks Arc against a tree as Sunset Shimmer kicks his helmet off and knocks him out. As the wolf keeps Arc unconscious with a magic spell Sunset Shimmer uses a keyword to knock out Celestia. Awakening her mentor she tells Celestia that she has returned in order to help free Equestria from Arc’s tyranny. Calling for her reinforcements, Celestia orders Arc taken away. As he is, she invites her former student into her private chariot and flies away.
However many questions remain unanswered.
Why is Decimus singling out Ponyville’s citizens for mistreatment? Why did Wiseman wait to tell Arc of Ponyville’s plight? How with Celestia deal with confirmed reports of Arc being alive? How could Tight Ship not see the evidence against Celestia and Decimus? Is Decimus’ hold on Celestia really so complete that she believes Arc to be a murderer? How many more times will Arc find himself in bathroom with beautiful females? Will the citizens of Ponyville be safe in Abyssinia? Since when is Spike so versed in manipulating Twilight? What kind of home would Arc and Twilight build with the others? What exactly was Arc THINKING facing Celestia alone?!
Time will tell. Sooner or later… time will tell.