//------------------------------//
// Fighting an Instinct 
// Story: Launching the Last Star 
// by The Real Darkness 
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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.