In our previous volume, Arc returns to Equestria to get medical help. Going to the Infirmary, he knocks on Doctor Whooves’ quarter’s door. Reluctant to leave, Arc muses that he doesn’t know where Redheart is as she’s on leave. Stepping forward behind the doctor, Redheart reveals herself. Ignoring the fact that he inadvertently caught the pair in bed together, Arc orders Redheart to accompany him back to Earth. She examines Maria and determines that the young woman is lacking nutrition and requires rest. Moving on to Mio, Redheart’s preliminary examination finds her to be very ill and recommends immediate medical care in an approved facility. Not willing to turn either patient over to a human hospital, Arc orders them moved to the Canterlot Castle Infirmary. After bedding them down Redheart asks to speak to him in private. Moving to the doctor’s office, she admits that what she and Doctor Whooves were doing tarnishes Arc’s name and station. Volunteering to resign, Arc not only stops her but announces that he will allow the relationship to continue aboard The Equinox.
Leaving the Infirmary, Arc muses over whom to fetch. Deciding to flip a coin, it miraculously spins and stops on its side. Choosing Auriel, he makes his way to her room. Carefully walking toward the bed, he trips over a bottle and narrowly misses slamming into Auriel on the bed. Opening her eyes, Auriel believes Arc to be coming on to her and throws back the bedsheets to show her naked body. Asking to see the badge belonging to her mother, Auriel hands it over. Looking at it for a time, Arc tells Auriel to get up and get dressed. Leaving the room the pair head down the corridor together. Asking about his trip to Earth, Auriel notes that he smells heavily of Derpy. Assuring him that she is not jealous of that fact, they come to the Infirmary. Telling Auriel of Brightwing’s antics back on Earth he allows her to see the young woman. Looking her over for a time, Auriel pulls out the badge and compares the images for a time. Asking to hear about her mother’s condition Arc calls for Whooves and Redheart. Telling her that all her mother needs at the moment is rest, they leave to give the pair some privacy. Mentioning that Mio is in the next room, Auriel becomes upset when Arc mentions waiting until morning to notify Hammer. She convinces Arc that Hammer needs to know immediately.
Heading to Hammer’s room, Arc knocks. Answering the door, Hammer is upset until she sees whom the late night visitor is. Asking her to take a walk with him, Hammer grabs her boots and officer’s jacket before heading out the door. As they walk she tells Arc of a camping trip from hell she was on years ago. It ends with her naked, cold, and injured. Upset by the parallels from Mio’s own situation, Arc confesses to Hammer about her sister’s condition. Hurrying to the Infirmary, they come to Mio’s bedside. Arc tells Hammer of what happened before giving the pair some privacy. Hammer talks to Mio and is able to make contact with her subconscious. Taking her sister’s hand, Hammer tells her that she’s no longer alone.
Sometime later Mio awakens. Hammer asks how she is doing before becoming overbearing. Arc enters the curtained off area in his armor to see the pair. Explaining to Mio that the inhabitants of the land are fully sentient equines, he calls for Doctor Whooves. Walking over to the patient, the doctor explains to Mio the circumstances leading to her symptoms. Prescribing bedrest, the doctor leaves to call Flash Sentry regarding Hammer’s guard duty of her sister. Arc heads to the Dining Room to inform Twilight of the previous night’s activities. She and her friends are equally split over what to do about Mio and Brightwing. Suggesting that Luna be brought in to act as an intermediary, she is told the tale. Suggesting that Mio be deported and Brightwing imprisoned, Luna continues by saying that they should follow Arc’s suggestion of allowing Mio to stay. She also agrees with Arc that Brightwing needs to be allowed to wake up before any action should be taken against her. However Luna asks only that no one breathe a word about either subject to her sister.
As the meal finishes Luna asks to speak to Arc privately. Opening a portal she and Arc leave the room. Rainbow Dash voices her concerns that Luna is trying to take Arc all for herself. Several of the herdies (we’re going with that term now) initially listen to her before agreeing with Ember that Arc is loyal to them and the herd. Meanwhile, Arc and Luna appear in her room. Sitting down, she admits to having felt romantically attracted to Twilight for a time. Talking her through it, Arc convinces Luna that what she felt was not love, but a deep feeling of friendship. Recommending that she try to foster these feelings with Twilight, Arc suggests the pair spend more time together and become closer. Worried that she may inadvertently come between Arc and Twilight, he admits that should such a thing happen he would wish them well. As he prepares to leave, Arc’s earring chirps. Doctor Whooves informs him that Auriel’s mother is beginning to awaken and that she requests that he be there when she does so. Hurrying out the door the pair part ways. As Luna walks away she is watched by Rainbow Dash whom is still convinced that the princess is trying to split Arc up from her and the others.
Arc hurries toward the Infirmary. Spotting the doctor and nurse outside the curtain he passes them to find Auriel next to the bed. Telling him that she wants him to be the first thing her mother sees, Auriel joins the medical staff outside the curtain. Awakening, the woman is groggy but able to respond. She confirms that she is indeed Maria Knowles, Auriel’s mother. Asking for her baby to be brought to her, Arc tries to stall her by insisting that they see to her eyesight first. Calling for the doctor, he examines her and prescribes some eyedrops. After administering them, the doctor leaves as Maria’s eyesight clears. Seeing the room for the first time clearly, Maria acknowledges that they are not in a familiar place and demands to know where she is. Arc confesses that she is in Equestria. After telling Maria that she is not a prisoner the woman attempts to leave. Being too weak to get up, she begins to have trouble. Auriel rushes toward the bed to help her mother. Recognizing her daughter, Maria questions how she grew up so ‘fast’. Telling her mother that she vanished over twenty years ago, Maria lies down to rest. Auriel and Arc leave the curtained area together. Asking him to notify her father, Auriel gives Arc the badge as a sign that his mission is of great importance. Taking a sigil to the Great Demon Kingdom, Arc approaches the palace. Showing the guards the badge he is escorted in to see the king. Approaching the desk, Arc tells Malevolence that Maria has been found. Returning to Canterlot Castle with him, the king asks for more information regarding his wife.
As they arrive at the Infirmary, King Malevolence and Auriel embrace. They tell him all they know about his wife’s condition. Leaving them to check on Mio and Hammer, Arc learns that Mio is interested in learning more about equine culture. Having waited for his approval, Arc gives Hammer permission to give Mio the books she desires. Departing with Hammer as Nurse Redheart comes to give her a physical, they head to the doctor’s private office to speak. Hammer and Arc talk about what to do with Mio when she recovers. Suggesting that her sister may need to be imprisoned, Arc tells her that the choice is up to her. Returning to Auriel and her father, Arc learns the truth behind how Auriel was actually conceived.
Arc leaves as Maria begins to stir. Awakening, she looks to her husband for confirmation that the girl before her really is Auriel. Telling them of how she came to become the creature known as Brightwing, Maria admits that all she wanted to do was to give the king and Auriel her very best. However, as Auriel mentions the name ‘Arc’, her mother suddenly becomes very agitated. She passes out shortly thereafter and has to be sedated. Auriel and her father sit at her side as she sleeps from the drugs administered intravenously.
As Maria awakens she asks for Arc. Asking him how Shelly is doing, he questions how she knows that name. Stating that she wants to help the poor girl, Maria asks Arc to retrieve Shelly’s full medical records from the hospital. Left with little choice, Arc agrees to do so. Heading to the Audience Chambers, Arc meets with Twilight and Luna to inform them of the mission at hand. They give their ‘permission’ as Arc leaves for the Crystal Empire to see Rose about joining him on the mission.
Appearing outside the Crystal Palace, Arc enters and is ushered into the Audience Chamber. Telling Cadance and Shining Armor of his plans, they escort him to Rose’s tower. Seeing her sitting at a table they walk over. Arc explains the situation and asks for her help. However Rose is reluctant to join him after what happened on their previous mission to a hospital. Admitting that she knew Auriel’s experiment would explode, Rose tells the others of how she viewed her father as being above mistakes. Cadance suggests Rose go with Arc and learn about the concept of such things. She agrees and makes a suggestion to Arc regarding where they can enlist more help.
Arc and Rose return to his home on Earth. Proceeding to the basement they meet with the squad about their next moves. Splitting up to carry out tasks, Arc and Max drive to the store together. Admitting that what he did was wrong, Arc expresses a desire to make things right between Max and Shelly if the opportunity presents itself. Returning to the house sometime later they unload the car as Arc heads upstairs to make a call. Using a strange looking transdimensional telephone he calls Derpy’s house in Ponyville. Dinky answers and tells him that the move went just fine. Admitting that her mother is having trouble sleeping without her mat, Arc promises to do something about it when he returns later that day. Hanging up, Arc opens a portal and waits for Rose to return. As she does so the android questions Arc’s mood as his vitals are a bit strange. Telling her that he wants nothing more than to finish their work and retire, Rose reminds him that the solution to his problems are already known to him as they leave the bedroom together.
Entering the hospital together, Arc and Rose enter a family bathroom together. After pulling a duffel bag from above the drop ceiling, Rose pulls out scrubs. Dressing, she adjusts the wires on her body and the cameras on her person. Helping Arc get his scrubs on with the cameras, they do a check before Rose puts on a jumpsuit over her scrubs. Leaving the bathroom, Arc waits for a time before Rose does the same wearing a toolbelt and carrying the duffel bag. Following her into an elevator, she hacks the controls to allow them access to the Lower Level. Making their way down the corridor, Arc sits down at a terminal as a cover as Rose picks a lock and enters a room. Putting a USB drive into a nearby computer, Rose waits as it is hacked by the squad back at the house. They give her access to the hospital records which allows Rose to upload two personnel files. Removing the jumpsuit, Rose stuffs it and the tools into the bag and leaves the room. Setting it on the table next to Arc he takes it and covertly puts the contents into his ring before standing and following Rose into the elevator again. Heading upstairs they make their way to the proper ward and announce themselves to the nurse on duty there. Pulling up their files, she receives the ‘official’ email just in time. Assigning Rose to record the vitals of the patients in the Intensive Care Unit, the nurse then asks Arc to watch a troubled patient. Entering the room he immediately sees that the patient is none other than his old adversary, Bloodletter.
Confirming that it is indeed Bloodletter, Arc makes plans to get the nurse away from her desk. Causing a disturbance with his patient via the television, the wild man breaks through his bonds and moves to attack Arc. Taunting him with Hammer’s name, the man lunges at Arc. Blinking out of the way, Bloodletter inadvertently presses the panic button on the wall. The nurse orders Rose to take her place at the nurses station as she and security move to assist Arc. As she does so Rose downloads the files on Shelly and Bloodletter. Helping security sedate Bloodletter, Arc makes up a story about sneezing to explain what happened to set the man off. Going on break, he returns ten minutes later to find the nurse and Rose at the desk together. Returning to her duties, Rose is surprised when she finds Shelly’s room and clipboard. Setting a disk like item on a machine, she motions to the camera in her badge silently before continuing with her task. Arc announces that they will have to finish their shifts in order to avoid raising suspicions.
Heading home, they meet back up with the squad. After printing up copies of both Shelly and Bloodletter’s records Arc returns to Equestria with them. Presenting his findings to Maria, Arc leans that she was Rieper’s assistant many years ago. Telling him of the Ascension Program, and her part in it, Maria admits that the process to gain magical powers is a slow and drawn out one. Informing him how Rieper betrayed her to stay in his position, Maria explains how she came to Tartarus and fell into the employ of the king. Admitting that Rieper most likely created the formula used to transform Bloodletter by studying her failed projects she vows to help both Shelly and Bloodletter. However Auriel insists that her mother get a good night’s sleep before working on them.
Arc returns to Ponyville on Twilight’s behalf to inspect the rebuilt town. Starting on the sigil behind Rarity’s shop he enters and is greeted by Sassy Saddles. Telling him how she started her own shop in Canterlot with seed money from Rarity, Arc is surprised to hear how successful she’s been. Rarity returns from bringing Sweetie Belle to school and runs over to Arc happily. Volunteering to get the new shop in order for her, Sassy Saddles frees Rarity’s schedule so she can spend time with Arc. Leaving the shop however, Rarity pulls Arc into the bushes for an impromptu make out session. Making their way to Sugar Cube Corner to inspect the building, Pinkie almost spills the beans to Arc on Rainbow Dash’s suspicions of Luna. Cutting her off, Rarity heads for the door with Arc. Asking what that was about Rarity gives him the cliff notes. Telling him to put the matter out of his mind they continue on to Sweet Apple Acres. After entering Applejack’s barn he receives much the same treatment there that he got from Rarity. Heading to Fluttershy’s cottage they find her and Rainbow Dash together out front. Rarity and Fluttershy play a naughty prank on Rainbow Dash in an effort to convince her that the two of them are actively trying to get with Arc. Announcing that he is interested in going out with her, Arc tells Rainbow Dash that he’s looking forward to a night out with her. As he and Rarity leave Rainbow Dash confides in Fluttershy that she has no clue what to do or where to go on a date. Getting the idea that she’ll show Arc the best time Rainbow Dash flies away as Fluttershy sighs.
That evening Arc, Derpy, and Dinky prepare to head out to join the festivities in the Town Square. Derpy, while grateful for the new house, still laments the loss of her mother’s mat. Dinky asks where they will live when her mother and father get married. Telling them of his intention to have his own house built to accommodate everyone, Arc continues by saying that it would help with comingling while still giving everyone their own private rooms. Leaving the house, they head to the square. Dinky joins the other foals and younglings in a bounce house while Arc, Derpy, Coco Pommel, Peachbottom, and Cheerilee talk. Filthy Rich intrudes with his children and brings up the idea that the school should build a pool. Accusing Coco Pommel of embezzling funds, Diamond Tiara sasses Derpy’s position at the school. Angered by this, Arc mutes her with a wave of his hand. Her father complains that he wasn’t properly compensated for their losses, to which Arc tells him to take it up with a princess. Announcing that he will do so when Luna arrives, Arc amends his words to heavily suggest that he speaks to Twilight in Canterlot. Not wanting to make the trip to the capital, the stallion complains. Having heard enough from the Rich family, Arc brushes him off. As they leave Arc is told about how Diamond Tiara is intent on a pool being built at the orphanage. Not having the funds for building one, or upkeep, Coco Pommel vetoed the motion. Luna arrives riding on her personal chariot. Landing on the stage she is helped down by a hand from Arc. Speaking loudly, she uses the traditional voice from the show before Arc covers the microphone with a hand. Telling her to tone it down, he is then informed that she left her speech at the castle. Without even reading it, no less. Telling her that he’ll help her ad-lib it, the pair get through the speech together. Afterward, Luna asks to speak to Arc privately. Heading into the Town Hall, Rainbow Dash makes her way over to the building and around to the back. Peeking through an open window through the curtains she overhears Arc and Luna talking about keeping something very important from Twilight. As she flies away, Rainbow Dash vows to figure out what Luna is up to.
Awakening the next morning, Derpy thanks Arc for staying by her side through the night. Dinky enters and hops up onto the bed to join them. Asking if the others are okay with her father giving Derpy extra attention, he informs them that they do know and agree with him. As the pair leave the house together to head to the orphanage, Arc takes a portal to Canterlot Castle. Heading to the Infirmary, he sees Doctor Whooves and has a short consultation with him regarding how Mio and Maria are doing. Donning his armor, Arc checks in on Mio and Hammer whom are eating breakfast. Asking for some books on pony culture and anatomy, Mio expresses a desire to learn more about Equestria. Authorizing it, Hammer agrees to send for some tomes from the Royal Library. Leaving the pair, Arc heads to Auriel’s room. Auriel lets him in and Maria tells Arc about the Ascension Program and her own involvement in it. Telling of what she saw in Rieper’s lab the day he banished her to another dimension (Tartarus), Maria informs Arc that she saw reports of data taken from Rieper’s daughter... Shelly.
However many questions remain unanswered. How long have Doctor Whooves and Nurse Redheart been sleeping together? Does Hammer have any other family stories worth telling? Will Rainbow Dash be able to accept the truth? What was Auriel’s mother THINKING?! Will Maria actually be able (or willing) to help Shelly? How will Derpy handle life after returning to Ponyville? Where has Bloodletter been all this time? Is he really going to be okay? Will Rainbow Dash be able to come up with some ideas for a date with Arc? What did Luna tell Arc that night at the Town Hall? What will Arc do with the knowledge that Shelly is actually NOT an orphan?
Time will tell. Sooner or later... time will tell.