//------------------------------// // Ambition Without Conviction // Story: Launching the Last Star // by The Real Darkness //------------------------------// 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.