Storytelling

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Sunset Shimmer had fled Equestria. An Aeternian named Kanna has been slain. Arctus ascended to become a Master Scout. Now he was unofficially courting Princess Celestia. There was also a threat out there that struck Kanna so horribly and had such power that she was raising a massive force to fight it.

Aeternian's were always full of ambitions and that meant they were always busy, but no matter how much Arctus put on his plate, his main responsibility was to recover now. A growing one was his more intimate dedication to white alicorn. He was still in the bed, not even budging from his intial sleep position.

Celestia did lower the Sun later on, awaking before sleeping again with her new special someone. He had slept very deeply and peacefully.

And only when the morning Sun bled through the balcony curtains did he rouse. Celestia spent some of her time in and out awake by taking care of things with her magic. The metal and wire along with sewing kit arrived somewhere during the long dusk created just so he could sleep.

"Good morning, Scout Arctus."

"Good morning," he stretched, "I feel a lot more like myself, I should start on fixing my equipment."

"I've seen you enough times and fixed your chain and scale myself. Your tunic is also repaired and well washed, no blood is on it anymore."

"That's generous of you."

"An older Art would have complained."

"Art?"

"It's a nickname."

"A nickname?"

"You don't have something similar in Aeternia?"

"We do, but usually the regular population uses them, As military we are given nicknames based on how we fight or our defining achievement."

"Art, because every movement you make in combat is an intended brushstroke to create a scene of your victory!" Celestia laughed.

Arctus smiled, "I suppose that works. I was last called War Wraith. Art is a much more friendly sounding."

"War Wraith?"

"I...I used invisibility when I dueled Sunset."

"That's a spell most unicorns never cast in their life."

"I'm told. I used it one day when I was called to Aeternia to defend in, a massive army in front on out salt flats. I used that spell coupled with a godhood spell that allowed me to fight with endless energy. The enemy was flung through the air and thrown into disarray and incredible fear from the 'wraith' that was slaying them with ease that day."

"They fled and we struck down each one that day."

"You'll have to tell me more of your world. Why was Aeternia built in such a desolate place?"

"Well, Celly, we are centered around our temple. Though you've not heard me talk about it because an Aeternian will not reveal any triggers to let them be enraged.."

"Celly?"

"Your return nickname. Our temple is built atop the central volcano, all the others are around it among the mountains and sometimes their lava flows through every crack of the salt flat around the capital. It's beautiful when it does that and an immediate festival named Ukotr's Prance. We bring feasts and drinks out on metal platters, setting them directly on the salt and we dance the whole time the lava is there until it seeps below. We dance to prevent our feet from burning."

"That's an odd ritual."

"The one who dances the longest without stopping to let their feet heal is named Ukotr's successor and given the option to join the Ember team and learn their devastating fire magics."

"Everything is about battle to your people."

"Our legends hold that the sky once oppressed everyone in Aeternia, everyone in my world really, and so there are people who invoked the wrath of the Trepidatory Volcanoes and with the fury of molten magma, they challenged the sky, sooting several stars into it. The sky relented on Aeternia, but those heroes who beat it back were not satisfied with the outcome of the battle and wished their foe eliminated to never threaten our lands again."

Arctus slowly moved around to face Celestia himself, "so they met at the central volcano and all of them poked and prodded at it until it's rage erupted and with its power they launched giant beacons of light, the Destiny Stars killed the sky, leaving its white corpse in tatters as it flew over the blue canvas. In this act, the sky gave one act of vengeance before its death and cursed our land to be dry of water for eternity, the rock and ponds melted away mysteriously and revealed the salt flats that were there. The heroes then called upon the Destiny Stars they cast up and every month they would fire a torrent of water at the central volcano, invoking anger again."

"We built our temple quickly and there at the top is a giant basin to catch the water that is then distributed via aqueducts, sustaining out lives and our farms that we built ourselves from importing soil."

"H-hold on," Celestia stopped him, "that's astounding! You built a temple at the top of a volcano prone to erupting?!"

"It's a natural defense, we can invoke it and it would fill premade moats to prevent any ground troops from entering after an hour or two of combat."

Celestia paused, Arctus' lands were far more magically crazy than his, but yet he commented on how different and amazing their magic functions at one point.

"So...do you always speak with such a serious tone?" She smiled wide at him.

"Not always, Celly. Could we get some breakfast?"

The commander of light slowly let him go after squeezing tight, "of course, you must be incredibly hungry."

She left the bed and he began to follow, "are you sure you can stand?"

He stood, swaying for a bit before holding his hand toward the balcony, his spear hung above the archway.

"Plienas karka savininkas."

His spear flung into his hand, moving him over a bit before he stabilized himself, "I can fight."

"Oooooh, Art. You can fight...horribly right now, but you could if you wanted."

"I'll walk to the dining hall here this morning."

"Not your usual stop in town?"

He walked to his desk, putting his usual clothing and armor back on, "no, that'd be a bit much. When injured, you can not protect your home if you aren't ready to respond."

Celestia hummed, "good, you at least know your limits."

"You would keep me from leaving the castle."

"I would, I'm not afraid to touch you like everypony else is."

"I noticed, you're basically a blanket," he opened his bedroom door and Celestia shut it behind her as she followed him closely, still unsure about his health.

"You know the healer's discovered a skin very close to yours and that's how they stitched you up."

"What skin resembles mine?"

"They couldn't readily research primates, but they instead directed their efforts to pigs. You might have a really nasty scar."

"That's okay, maybe my tissue will just be tougher then," he entered the dining hall and the guards present bowed to her, the kitchen immediately bring prepared food out.

"Please, a feast if you could. Arctus needs to eat and regain strength for tonight's celebration."

"We're doing to celebration tonight, Celestia?" A chef trotted out from the kitchen.

"Yes, brazen oven, he'll be ready for it."

"Celebration?"

"I'll ensure all the food is prepared, thought it will be my first time so please forgive me for any odd tastes, Arctus," he went back to the kitchen.

"Yes, we're throwing a celebration in your name. They may not say it, but they're very thankful for your efforts."

A knock came to the dining hall doors.

"Enter," Celestia looked.

"Thank you, Princess. Are you feeling okay, Arctus? We don't want you to get yourself killed in the field."

"Lieutenant Silver Spike?"

"I told him you were feeling up to a visit, he wanted to see you," Celestia took a seat at the head of the table, "join us Lieutenant."

Arctus sat to Celestia's right and Silver Spike across from him, "I'd heard the stories, to believe you survived a hit from a greatsword directly, I couldn't believe it. Guess you're in the position you are for a reason," food was being levitated about in front of them all onto plates.

Arctus looked at the rather normal breakfast, looking a bit out of place even, like it was from his homeland.

"He's definitely durable, which is needed for the things ahead."

Arctus looked to Silver Spike, "are you...my friend?"

The soldier just recently put in charge of training for the next moon almost choked on his food, "what?! Of course, I'm your friend. You thought I got friendly with you for a transaction? Pfffft, no. You've been the most fun pony to be around in a long time. A lot of the guard are too serious acting the part and not serious enough about doing the part."

"Oh, sorry Princess Celestia, that was not-."

"An insult? I didn't take it as one, I put you in charge of training recruits this moon for a reason."

"I won't let you down, Princess."

Celestia looked at Arctus' plate, in their short conversation he had already clear it and she nodded to the waiter who quickly piled his plate more, levitating food from other platters onto it.

"You eat fast."

"Lieutenant, he's never eaten this fast before, but he regularly consumes a meal meant for three ponies in twenty or so minutes."

"Is that why the Sun's Ray always gets sudden produce delivery when he's about to return? They figured him out fast."

"I didn't give them much choice," Arctus spoke while food was actively in his mouth, "I needed a specific set of nutrients and it put strain on them...but in hindsight, I might have helped that town...Ponyville, boom a little."

"I remember when they built the bakery while I was stationed there, fought less timberwolves than I wish I could ahve."

Arctus inhaled deeply before exhaling.

"Art, tell me about them, those godhood magics you mentioned."

"Well, I only know a three of them, but I have studied all of them. It takes a lot of practice to get the symbols right and the emotions, too."

"So they require a state of mind? That's a little unlike our magic."

"Our godhood spells are based on the heroes who set the Destiny Stars. By calling their name and emulating what they stand for we can use mana and emulate their abilities."

"Sounds exhausting. I know I'm a unicorn and all, but I'm not professional mage," Silver Spike interjected.

"They can take a lot out of the inexperienced. I used one during my battle with Kanna to ensure I had the energy to fight her after destroying her entire military. Another I used to get home."

"Mmmm, that makes me happy," Celestia had finished her palte.

"What does?"

"That you would consider this place your home," she smiled at Arctus.

"It's a home that I love, and I love it enough to put my life before it."

"You must be careful, I'll be more than distraught if you don't come back."

Silver Spike was catching on quick, "you two found something last night?"

"Astute of you, Lieutenant Silver Spike. We did."

"I'll try to keep it from spreading around the rest of the guard, Princess. You hear that?!" He shouted at the guards who stood at the doors and arches into the dining hall and loud enough that the one's outside could hear.

"Yes, sir!"

"I need to be getting down to the yard, it was nice talking with you Arctus and you too, Princess," Silver Spike stood and bowed, a spatha hanging at his side.

"Did he always carry a weapon around like that?" Arctus saw him pick a spear up from the side of the table on the floor while he left.

"You're a huge role model among them, Art."

He finished a second plate, "that should do for breakfast. When and where is this celebration?"

"The garden ballroom, 6pm tonight."

"You know...you did a really good job fixing my equipment, and far faster than I would have."

Celestia smirked, "I'd be a good home maker."

"Whose to say you aren't and a good Princess?" Arctus stood as he normally would and his vision blanked, "I might be pushing it a little today. I'm heading back to my room to look over some things and make some notes."

"Okay, Art. I'll be handing some day to day things and catching up from yesterday afternoon."

"And Arctus?" He paused at the door, the guards have opened them. He leaned on his spear.

"I love you."

Those were words he had not heard in his life. He related to Sunset Shimmer and would have very much liked to show her some of his ways before revealing that he had no parents and was mysteriously found. The scholared at the Aeternian temple said his birth was a sign that Aeternia would be eternal and that the changing of an age would happen. Some citizens even called for him to be named supreme ruler, Emperor of Aeternia.

But not a single one of them said that they loved him, but a princess of ponies, mover of the sun, ruler of a nation with boundaries as large as his homeland was saying that to him.

"Art? Something on your mind?" Celestia brought his mind back to the present.

"I'll tell you later, you should know my history after all."

He turned all around, facing her with his front, "I...I love you, Celly."

The guards' jaws were open, one familiar to the day.

And Arctus laughed behind his lips at the thought of domesticated.

Planning Nine Nights

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It was still morning by the time he returned to his bedroom and sat at the chair placed at the balcony, paper having been retrieved and rod of charcoal made for him was in his hand, he was listing down the things that he knew.

Arctus was certain there was some sense to be made in all of it and began making bulleted lists.

An Aeternian besides himself was present
An unknown threat
An army was being raised

He was, in annoyance, trying to make sense of it, wishing he had his same stars in the sky to guide him.

Gær's Lungs
Speed of Yetrema
Ghostly Wander of Kamna

He put down the three godhoods he could use.

Fury within Lun
Fairgrounds of Ezith
Walls around Atti
Reba's Warform
Mastery Spark within Bakta

And the other five he knew but couldn't use.

"Perhaps it's time to learn, but I'd need those stars to do it."

He looked over the city, it was because of his actions Canterlot still stood, on two different occassions. The capital of Equestria was prospering well. And that's when it struck him.

Couldn't Celestia draw out the stars he needed? She was moving them, the moon, and the sun about.

There might be a more personal trauma to the reason why she doesn't, it was her sister's responsibility.

"If there's something worse out there than Kanna...I'm gonna need the strength to fight it."

"Whooooa, Arctus? You live in the castle?" A flying pegasus guard swooped low, landing on the balcony rail.

"Who...who are you?" Arctus gripped his spear that laid next to his chair.

"Eeeeasy, not here to fight, name's Sergeant Light Lancer."

"Why did you approach?" he gently released his spear.

"I'm a big fan! I also had no idea you had your own quarters. I thought you lived in the Everfree Forest."

"My forest. I sometimes go there, I'm recovering from my last assignment."

"We've all heard, Celestia asked for patrols around your room, but she's also been lowering our number as Equestria becomes more peaceful, most in part to your efforts and presence."

"That's concerning."

"Hey, do you think...when you get better, you can take some of us with you? I know a couple of the guard who wished to do more for Equestria, in line with what you do."

"I'll think about it."

Light Lancer flew up, "cool, I'm going to be flying about, but your privacy is still guaranteed, Master Scout."

He breathed in deeply and turned back to the paper and fetched the reference parchment from inside his tunic, drawing the three other godhoods.

While magic was special in his world, the godhoods embodied the heroes would flung the Destiny Stars into the sky, there were numerous of them and each Destiny Stars was linked to a volcano in Aeternia and to forge a special weapon, you had to dip it on the night the star associated was present.

There were twenty-eight different Trepidatory Volcanoes and not a soul dared to dip a weapon into the sacred magma of the central volcano that was used to launch the Destiny Stars. Except on the day of Arctus' birth. The day he was found, they showed the boy he was many different weapons and he chose a spear, so they forged quickly and dipped it into the magma as all the required stars were out and being the central volcano it imbued it with a very special power.

Magic absorption.

It took years for Arctus to notice, but each time he did place it against a spell coming at him, it stopped it without fail and actually repaired the spear, making it harder, more durable, sharper, and removing nicks and bites along the edge of the head.

He didn't tell anyone about what his weapon could do and it became his triumph in every battle, even in Equestria.

The Scout finished drawing the symbols again, replicating them perfectly on paper. He'd have to try them later, after he recovered, and later when Luna could be saved.

Arctus did just pick up the verbal spell Kanna used and intended to use it at some point.

But that probably won't be until far in the future.

He had one thing to focus on, Celestia, he couldn't practice magics, fighting, repairing, nothing.

So he stood from his chair, feeling weaker than his usualy self, but mushc better than the last two moons had left him.

"So, a celebration tonight."

"Hope it's a good one."

Arctus left his room, donning his full kit and slowly began making his way out of the castle and toward the opposite side of the gardens. He was faced with the training yard and quielty walked, looking at the hooves that trodded the grass dead as the guards were practicing different attacks in spear combat. Lieutenant Silver Spike was guiding them, his strikes much more precise and repetitive.

He also had a stronger stance.

"Our goal here is to iron out your hoof stances, you," he pointed his spear towards a guard in the unit of twelve, "your stance is too slim, widen it, you're gonna get knocked over like that!"

Whispers were going about them.

"Silver Spike!" Arctus called.

"Master Scout!" He came over to him, "something wrong?"

"What do you know about Sergeant Light Lancer?"

"I know he was assigned to patrol your room today during your recovery," Arctus was getting hints that there were more in the guard and army like him.

"Lieutenant Silver Spike, come with me," he started walking away from the training yard.

"You! You're leading for the rest of the day!" He pointed to a pony while he caught up with the Scout, "where are we going?"

"I rarely ever needed an escort, but today, you're joining me while I go into the city."

"Oh? Interesting that'd you'd choose me. You know the city is safe, right?"

"A Scout does not last long based on assumptions," Arctus went down the stairs slowly getting close to the front gate of the castle, "I do have some errands to run."

"Okay, where first?"

"Out to the far side of town, we're headed to a seamstress," he pushed open one of the gates and let Silver close them.

The ponies were looking at Arctus, amazed and shocked even.

"Oooooh, is this what it's like to be you? Kinda jealous."

"Don't be. Usually they try not to pay me too big a deal and whisper rumors, nothing like this at all."

"Your bounce back from death might be circling around. Celestia sent scouts to find out what happened, though she couldn't really they didn't dare go near the place. You got a lot of adjectives when they got back."

"Was hero one of them?"

"Nnnnoo...sorry. Monster was the word more prevalent."

"I heard that one in Aeternia, more often than you thought."

"Cheer up, you're the reason our city stands after all."

"I don't need cheering up, I need to accelerate my recovery and get the hell back out there!"

"We all read those reports, worrying isn't gonna make you better any faster."

"You don't understand what another Aeternian being here means."

Arctus sighed, "are you just being willfully ignorant?"

"A lot of us are, we know exactly how strong you are and knowing there could be another out there that isn't in our corner...it wouldn't be good for our society if we faced it. Celestia knows and she's taking some actions, but you're the special one she has in her pocket for these situations."

"So you focus on recovery."

They arrived far out at the seamstress he visited and the bell of the small shop rang when he entered.

"Welcome! My nam-...Arctus!" The seamstress turned around and pipped, "it's been a while since you've been in here! Your clothing need more repair?"

"Actually, Celestia did a splendid job, but I came to request something else," he took off his aged tunic, "how much would it cost to get a couple more of these made?"

"Oh...oh! Um, I'm not sure, can I ask you to pay later when they're complete?"

"That would be fine with me, could you make four or five of them? I don't care much about colors as long as they are all dark, some variety might help me blend better with specific environments."

The seamstress nodded, "I'll have them sent when they're done...um, where do you live, Arctus?"

"I have two homes, but you can send them up to the castle when they're done and I'll come back to pay for them."

"You live in the castle?"

"I have a room there," he smiled, "sorry if this is a hefty request, but you've always repaired my tunic so I figured if anypony could make some new ones, it'd be you Strong Stitch."

"Oh! Thank you! I'll get on them right after my open shopping hours end," she smiled and waved as he left, Silver following him.

"We went all the way to the wall for that? For that?! You could have asked Celestia's person-."

"It's not about who, but the principle. She repairs my clothes well, she knows them and me. She respects my privacy."

"Sure are secretive."

"I just like others to not investigate my personal business."

"Were there any other stops?"

"I'm getting lunch and then I'd like to see you in one of the training arenas, if you think you can assist me with a new magic."

"You want me to join you for lunch today, too? And then...help you practice?" He was getting visibly excited.

"That is what I requested."

"Suuuuhweeeeet, I get to spar with the Master Scout."

"Quiet."

They entered the Sun's Ray together and the host present over the upscale restuarant immediately galloped to the kitchen, another host seating the two.

"I've never been in a place this...fancy."

"They make some good food, order whatever you like. I'll be paying today."

"Must make twenty times my pay..." Silver looked over the menu, Arctus was not even given one.

"Welcome back, Arctus, we're glad to see that you recovered," the waiter came by now and whispers were going about the room, mainly of how Arctus was accompanied by a guard and what it implied, "we have your usual order already cooking the moment you arrived," he turned to face Silver Spike, "what can I get you?"

"Um, pumpkin soup, eggplant pasta, and a slice of dream cake?"

"A big eater just as Arctus, Master Scout you must keep only ponies who train all day around, hmm?"

He looked at the waiter, "I need ponies who can keep up with me," he affirmed.

"Ah, of course. We'll be back with your food shortly, any wine today?"

Arctus shook his head as well as Silver Spike, "just the water then."

Another waiter came by and dropped off a large pitcher of water, sliced lemons and limes floating in it and poured them their first glasses. The first servicer had gone to the kitchen.

"Why choose such an upscale place?"

"Nopony dares to approach and talk to me here and the workers are polite," Arctus opened his mouth again, "except for Sunset Shimmer, she made a spectacle here one day."

"I remember hearing about that. You can turn cast an invisibility spell."

"I can, it's useful, but I rarely use it."

"Is it hard to cast?"

"On the contrary, it's easy to cast, but it makes noise itself and relying on it would dull my stealth skills which are already far above what I need."

"So having a lot of strength is all about maintaining it?"

"Like a business, your body needs to be kept up to a certain status so you can continue to perform transactions," the food began to come out, Silver Spike had gotten his pumpkin soup and dream cake while giant platters were being placed on the huge table full of different dishes and large quantities of plain food.

"You...you eat even more at lunch?!"

"I'm not a glutton if that's what you're saying. I never know when my last meal is and I spend most of my time recovering or training."

Arctus went quiet after he started eating, focusing solely on consuming all the food before him, he was a staple of the restuarant. Silver Spike got his last dish of eggplant pasta and while eating, Arctus tipped the waiter.

Soon enough in half an hour, he was finished and Silver Spike was as well, barely keeping up with him, he stood, pushed his chair in and walked to the front, paying for his meal and the Lieutenant's after recieving the bill before he promptly left.

"We graciously await your next visit, Master Scout," the host bid him farewell.

"So, the training yard?"

"I'm feeling like I have enough energy in me to practice today, maybe enough to ride out tomorrow and dig up some more information on what was going on in that town."

"You know the spies we sent out, the Wonderbolts, were specifically chosen after the ground scouts refused to investigate. They reported there was still evidence of the giant battle out at the front gate, but the town itself was empty and no signs of anybody being there."

"Then tomorrow I depart."

The kept moving to the castle and eventually made it back, heading left to the training yard, "I'd recommend staying light on your feet and keeping a shield up," the Scout informed as they hopped over a wooden fence into an arena.

"Yes, sir."

Arctus drew his spatha, and inhaled deep, exhaling and dialing back to his mana.

"Ready?" Silver Spike put up his shield.

"Ready!"

"Zaibas surasti sykiu!" Arctus spoke with power and slung his spatha through the air, focusing on the Lieutenant.

Yellow lightning boomed and crashed across the air, striking the shield almost instantly, a shatter rang out loud and his shield fell but the Scout had already sent another strike and the Lieutenant quickly leapt out of the way of Arctus' honed in eyes, the strike landing jsut where he had been.

Silver Spike launched the spear he held at Arctus who grabbed it out of the air and started to dash, holding his own spatha.

He made two steps before Arctus grazed his cheek with the spear in a high jump over and behind him.

"What was that?" The Master Scout gently tossed the spear back to the warrior.

"Sorry, reflex, I forgot you were just practicing a specific thing."

"Lieutenant, if anyone belongs in the field, it's you. Unlike the other E.U.P. guard I've fought...you're truly talented and committed."

"Oh, I was wondering if that loud thunder was you, Arctus," Celestia began trotting to the arena, guards in tow, "I see you've made a nice recovery."

"I'm setting out tomorrow to try and get some clues."

"Very well, it pains me to see such an ally leave, but I know you must," she winked to him, "Lieutenant, are you injured?"

He put his hoof to the small cut on his cheek, "we got kinda carried away. Arctus picked up a new spell from a battle, Princess Celestia."

"So that was the lightning we saw on the way over," she smiled, "you're proving to be more and more amazing each day."

"Celestia," Arctus turned to a serious voice, "with your permission, I would like to develop a unit here."

The guards behind her looked curious at him, "go on," Celestia had an idea already.

"I'd like to begin training certain ponies to become scouts, a traditional Aeternian Scout."

A Cape to Burden

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Celestia's eyes went wide, "you...you want to..."

"Open an Aeternian based Scout unit within your E.U.P. guard."

"Princess? Are you okay?"

"Yes, Shining Armor," she breathed in and then out, "I'll allow it, but you are to handle the full of it except for the basic gear, armor, or munitions you may need for each of your Scouts."

Arctus put a hand to his chest and put his head down, "thank you very much, Celestia."

"No need for such formalities around me," she giggled, "even with others around here at the castle."

The Master Scout looked at the Lieutenant he just exchanged a strike with.

"It's look that bad, huh?" He moved his hoof from his cheek, the bleeding had stopped.

"You're coming with me back to the Bone Dry Desert as a trainee Scout."

"Excuse me...WHAT?!" Silver Spike began jumping in place, "I'm gonna be a scout!"

"Settle down. Celestia, would he report to me?"

"Yes, Shining Armor, ensure the adjustments to guard positions are made," Celestia looked to the unicorn on her right and he nodded, "oh, this, Arctus is the new Captain of the Guard."

"Shining Armor, I've heard a lot about you, I hope you live up to your rumors."

"I certainly do," he smiled at him.

"I've also been thinking about selecting a new pupil," Celestia continued, "let me know if you do find someone suitable."

"Of course."

"We'll be starting the celebration in a couple of hours, at about dusk, make sure you attend," Celestia came forward a it, wrapping a wing about Arctus, "wouldn't want the guest of honor being late or missing it," her head lower and her neck came around him. The scout returned the gesture.

"Princess?" Shining Armor asked.

"Oh! We do have company, but I couldn't help myself. Seeing you is always a hightlight of my day."

Arctus was stuck smiling, a little unsure why, but he knew it was a compliment, "thanks, I'll um...keep that in mind."

"We're going to need to work on your flirting skills," the guards around them were visibly uncomfortable, "but your smile says enough."

This was their ruler and seeing her flirt with someone, let alone a creature who wasn't even a pony, was a bit unbecoming of the image she projected.

"I'll make sure to be there by dusk."

"I look forward to it Art," Celestia began making her exit.

"Soooo, you're like in Canterlot Castle like that, huh?" Silver Spike teased him.

"Arctus, be careful around the Princess," Shining Armor had stayed behind and the Scout began to eye him back before he left.

"You should go prepare if you're the guest of honor," the Lieutenant spoke up.

"I don't have anything to prepare, this is all I really own on my right now."

"W-what?"

"A scout learns to live with very very little, you'll come to see, you're smart."

"I want you reporting to the front gate of the city come early morning, just when the sun rises."

"Th-that early?"

"It's going to take us two days to reach the fortress and that's if we're traveling quickly."

"Why don't we take traaaaains?"

"Because you need training and no Scout ever uses any kind of transport...except a horse, but that's not an option here."

"A horse? Like us?"

"In Aeternia, your species is different from our species of horses. Ours were meant to be ridden, an every single one as large as Celestia, bred for war."

"I'm gonna pretend I didn't hear that."

"Dismissed," Arctus left the new trainee.

"O-oh, right. I'm under you now."

Arctus did go to his room and did some grooming and cleaned himself with the shower supplied, ensuring he didn't have any smells lingering from other places. And he dwindled on the list he made, "when she returns and not a night earlier, let's hope nothing comes that I can't handle."

He stood at the balcony, watching the sun slowly sink before he made his way down to the garden where ponies were all arriving and he walked himself in, the ponies looking at him oddly as he did so.

The gardens were vast and well kept, but not a place he visited often. The ballroom was decorated much more than it usually appeared, banquet tables sat out and ponies were slowly mingling.

Arctus went about to the tables to see what was there to eat and it was all easily held without messes, a good selection of sweets, but his nose smelled something very familiar, something that he would cook in the Everfree Forest.

A pegaboar.

His eyes could not find it, but his nose only wanted to make him aware.

"You did make it, Arctus. Punctual unlike your outtings," Sergeant Light Lancer had come up to him, out of uniform.

"I can not predict what happens in the fields."

"It was a joke, not a serious insult."

"Still learning my way around."

"I don't know if you ever will, but-."

"Welcome, fillies and gentlecolts!" Arctus heard Celestia's voice and he turned to look up at the steps that lead into th ballroom.

She came down, dressed in a gown as white as her coat with golden trimmings and fluffs, something not too flashy or modest, but something she wore.

And whether the dress wore you or you wore it mattered, just like armor.

"We've arranged this celebration in honor of a very specific some...one," she emphasized and looked at Arctus with intent in her eye and the Scout took her hint, walking his way over.

"He has show incredible courage, strength, endurance and dedication."

"He's done feats none of us would imagine doing on our own and protected Equestria better than I could have ever hoped," Arctus climbed the steps.

"Please stomp your hooves for MAster Scout Arctus!"

He stood next to her and looked out, seeing the crowds of ponies paddle their hooves on the floor.

Celestia raised her hoof and then lit her horn, pulling a garment down from above the steps, "and I'm recognizing him as an official citizen of Equestria. I'm granting him the official title of Protector," Arctus felt something hook to his back and looked over his shoulder to see a cape with a metal half ring pressed to his neck and continuing about to make a circular hole, it clipped around his shoulders tightly, but not constrictive. It had room for his spear to hang and a hole for his bow as well.

He grabbed the fabric, completely white and saw the symbol of a sun and moon on it.

"Go ahead and put some of your mana on it," Celestia whispered and the cape turned black, the symbol turning to shades of grey, "please wear it with pride."

"I'd like to also declare that I have an official consort now," the ponies jaws began dropping, "but I'm not naming him tonight. Tonight is for Arctus! Who heads onto a long journey tomorrow morning," Arctus didn't know, but being a single Princess meant constant suitors.

So he not only presented a wonderful relationship with someone who saw her as an equal, but an opportunity to stop the wasteful letters sent to the castle and the persistent that showed in person when she could be doing more important things.

"Go on, you can catch up with me tonight," Celestia left the steps and made a direct path to banquet tables.

Arctus looked over the room and then to the top of the stairs, seeing guards posted there to prevent access to the castle. He sighed.

It wasn't like any of celebrations he ever saw or went to, no children were around, it was far more clean, and felt too composed.

For a nation formed on such a sturdy and strict guidance to order and procedure along with formalities, celebrations were a time to let loose, even if the procedures for starting one were strict to keep Aeternia protected, the people dropped all ranks, all formalities and the simple farmer would be drinking beer with the temple priests or star scryers.

This was all just a very large event where there were unspoken formalities to play by for their social status games.

But he still had that cherry wine cask to look forward to with Celestia, that would be a far more informal event if the two of them ever got around to it before the wine turned too bitter. He did have the thought of holding off on his departure tomorrow just to share it with her that day.

But that wouldn't be a very Master Scout action to do.

He was still standing at the stairs while everypony was socializing, it had been a solid minute or two before he decided to walk back down and went outside to the gardens, much less ponies present.

A soft music started up from inside, the classical blending with the talking to provide atmosphere.

Arctus walked about the garden, taking time to view all the plants, the cape on his back was turned white by him once more. It's not like he didn't enjoy brighter colors and the white could be very useful in stealth during the day or in winter, but darker shades is often what he needed to do his job.

"Arctus."

The Scout turned around, seeing Shining Armor in a more dress uniform kind of armor, a spear was not present on him, but a spatha was.

"Shining Armor."

"Despite our earlier interaction, I want you to know that I respect all that you do for Equestria and I apologize if I came off as hostile."

"You take your duty seriously, there is no need to apologize. It's nice to know there's someone strong with a lot of dedication to protect her while I'm in the field," the Captain of the Guard smiled at his words.

"I think we'll be seeing a lot of each other," he went to leave.

"Before you go," and was pulled back, "Sergeant Light Lancer, how is he in combat? How disciplined? How...exposed has he been?"

Shining Armor's friendly smile dropped to a smirk and a laugh, "are you looking at that oaf?!" He laughed, "I don't think he'd make a good scout."

"He's awkward and looks like he has some humor, I can use that, Do you mind if I take him into training in the future?"

He smiled again, "you can take him whenever you like. Hey, um...you know in the time of peace you;ve given us," the Captain was approaching a difficult topic, "and we're all grateful for it, but...I've read the history books. There used to be a lot of death when you were out in your forest every day and lived there."

"I'm aware, I didn't kill anypony during those times."

"I know, I know, I'm not saying you did," a small crowd were about them, pretending to talk amongst each other, but they were definitely listening in, "just that...ponies in this time don't know, they aren't used to that. I've held a dying soldier in my hooves from a horrible accident, not everypony has that exposure. Are you sure they're up to it?"

Arctus smiled, "I appreciate your concern, but this is what I'll be testing with Lieutenant Silver Spike. I think all of the E.U.P. guard understands what I do, what I see, and the acts I commit, this is my life, we'll see if the Lieutenant can handle it before I really begin training him hard."

"Just remember what I said. Nopony...nopony is used to the work you do for Equestria."

The vibe of doom and gloom had been cast thoroughly over the gardens. Arctus nodded to him, "perhaps in the future, I can see your prowess in combat. Evaluate the Captain of the Guard."

Shining Armor laughed, "I'm good! Believe me, I'm good, but nopony is anywhere close to you."

He turned and left, the other ponies slowly dispersing themselves. Arctus fetched a glass of wine from a table outside, sipping on it. Death was a theme he was used to. Blood, viscera, gore, all of these things were an intimate part of his life since he arrived.

And through his work, it was lessening. The Scout turned to the days coming, the months, the years. Would he ever run out of work? Is it possible to purge all those who would desire to destroy Equestria instead of accept the friendship it offered like he had?

Arctus came to the conclusion that he would need to do a lot of introspection in Equestria, but his lifestyle did change a lot.

He took another sip, this was definitely a full bodied wine.

"Oh, made your way out here?" Celestia approached him from behind, "I have to admit, I wasn't sure if that cape would suit you when I had it commissioned, but you look very official and more imposing in it."

"Your dress is a nice accent to your natural beauty," he returned the compliment and took her by surprise.

"W-well, umm, thank you."

"You mentioned needing practice, but it seems I've mastered it if I can get that kind of reaction," he smirked.

"Are you enjoying yourself?"

"A little bit, I like the pony you chose to be the current Captain," he took another sip.

"Shining Armor is committed, he runs the guards a little harsh, but he's still a caring stallion. So, what are the celebrations in your world like?"

Arctus went to a table and grabbed a larger sandwich than just the sliders they were serving, "come," he motioned for her to follow while he went deeper into the gardens and past the red roping that separated it from the official party areas.

So he breathed deep as soon as he couldn't hear any other talking, "this party or event feels too...opressing. Everypony is trying to size each other up."

"That's how I first felt, but when I stopped palying by those rules and games I found it a lot more enjoyable."

"Maybe coming back to social life has made me critical of my self image."

"You still haven't answered my question, Art."

"Oh, celebrations in Aeternia?" Celestia nodded, walking closer with him as they went through the garden pathways, "they're structured like everything else but also not. There's always two Scouts on duty, roaming the salt flats around the city or wherever the celebration is occuring and seige mages concentrate a shield over the entire city except the battlements."

"Makes your world sound even more rife with war that someone would attack while you were sharing joy."

"On the contrary, it's because of these actions that Aeternia has had lasting peace. Burden a few to let the rest live in safety. The seige mages and Scouts would take turns roaming or concentrating the spell so we could engage every now and then as well."

"So, what did the people do inside the shield?"

"Anything they please, Celly. No formalities, no procedures, just great food, great drink, games, socializing, anyone and everyone could participate. It was very freeing and sometimes things could go further down and devolve into baser forms of debauchery."

"Th-that sounds a little much."

"It helps break our strict regime."

"Did you ever...partake?"

Arctus laughed heartily, "no, not as far as what some people did. I would get incredibly intoxicated on mead with the temple workers and other Scouts. We frequently interacted professionally as we spent a lot of time trying to strengthen our magic and that needed their help, but we were all closer than that surface. The celebrations gave us time to breathe and actually talk, have fun."

"I see, that makes more sense now. We don't have too many things among the royalty like that, but I'd love to do something with less social pressure with you."

"I can think of a few things we could do, a few desolated places we could visit."

"When you come back...please come straight to me," Celestia overtook him standing in front and gazing her eyes around, "it's hard to not scoop you back into the royal wing of the castle."

Arctus reached up, cradling her head in his arms and pulling it down to his chest. His hand ran through her fur and then into her mane, "it's my duty, but I have one to you as well. A Scout never fails in his duties," he left a kiss on her cheek as he moved to hug her tight. Celestia exchanged the same.

She was very much in tune with his pace, despite how internalized her loneliness and want to express affection had been over the many moons she spent in Canterlot.

A Spike to Drive

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And the morning came, morning to Arctus. He awoke right when he wanted even after the two glasses of wine he drank that night. While he did retire early, he awoke well enough before the sun and got his equipment slotted into proper places.

And he was off, walking through the castle and all the way down to the front gates, the guards on duty acknowledged him silently so the quiet was not disturbed anywhere in the halls.

"Leaving early for a mission again, you sure are incredibly predictable."

Celestia was standing at the gates, meeting him with no another pony in sight.

"Isn't this risky for your position?"

"What do you mean?"

"Meeting the Master Scout at the castle gates when he's about to go out on a mission far from home," Arctus went down the last steps and Celestia's wings stretched around him, keeping him pressed close to her.

"In all honesty, Art. I appreciate having you here so much I'm tempted to not let you go."

"I'll be safe, Celly, and back before you know it."

"I know...I know," she wrapped her hooves around him; his arms wrapped back around her.

He left a small kiss on her lips before her head finished it's journey to his shoulder, "I might have to start taking you with me then. When I get back, we're opening that cask," he slipped from her hooves, the Princess of the Day standing with a warmth in her cheeks.

"I do love you, even if I'm awful at communicating it," he slipped through the gate and went about jogging down the street.

Celestia regained her composure quickly at the sound of the gate and turned around.

"I love you too!" She shouted and the Scout peeked back to see her wide smile getting farther and farther away.

There's something to be said when you have a home with a warm partner to come back to.

"And here I thought I'd be less punctual."

"I'm not that late!" The sun began to come up, "see!"

"Well, you're here, with armor and weapons. We just need another two things, come along, I sent a letter last night for her to design two of them quickly for you," Arctus lead the trainee Scout back into the city and right to the seamstress he frequents and knocked on the door.

"Oh, come on in, Arctus!" And he entered, "I have those two cloaks you requested for Silver Spike done."

The beige coated seamstress pointed over to the hanging fabrics on a shelf, "go, try them on, over your armor."

"O-okaaaay?" The trainee Scout trotted over and put one on, the two colors consisted of a yellow sand and a deep blue.

"How...in Tartarus...does this fit so well?"

Strong Stitch came to stand beside Arctus, "well, Arctus slipped me a note and your measurements the other day."

"You got my measurements?!"

"That's how good I need you to be at stealth, we'll be visiting again if all goes well to pad down his current armor and get him something a bit more protective so he can be quieter. Shouldn't need it today," Arctus handed the designed a hefty bag of bits, "thanks for doing this at such a rapid pace, must have been up all night."

"Of course! Truth be told, you're my best customer...and the reason why I'm still open," the Master Scout turned and glared her down, he knew there was some information that seemed off, "okay...my only customer. Being a tailor on the edge of the city isn't easy."

Arctus ruffled her mane, "you do a good job, you're welcome to use my name publicly if it'll bring you business," Silver Spike was packing the other cloak into his saddlebag.

"Honestly, I have and it didn't do much for long. Some guards stopped in asking for the leather to be repaired or updated on some of their equipment and that was nice, but..."

"Hey, is it true you're training Scouts? Like...in the way you're a Scout?"

A question from out of nowhere.

"Rumor sure does travel fast. I'm ready to get going," Silver mentioned trotting to the door.

"It is."

"Can I join?" She brazenly stared at him, and the Master Scout could feel a certain desperation and dedication like this was something she had thought over for a while.

"You think you could be a good Scout?"

"Just teach me, I'll be number two right behind you."

"Are you being...idolized?" The trainee looked to them, "Celestia might be a bit jealous of this attention."

"Princess Cele-. That's why I've seen you up at the castle! You're courting th-," Arctus clasped his hand over her mouth.

"It's not something to shout or write home about, got it?" He glared, "you'll be next on my list to see if you have the aptitude to be a Scout," her eyes glimmered at his opportunity.

And his hand came away, "but...you can still fix up my clothes, right?"

"Of course! Can't wait for your return!"

He took his leave quietly, pushing Silver out of the door and the two left the city.

"Pony...feathers...my hooves hurt."

"We just got to the desert, past the badlands and all of that. Not long now only three or so more hours."

"Oh my Celestia, Arctus. We've been at this for a day and a half now."

"I told you to get good rest last night."

"I did!"

"Then you'll make it. We stocked on water before we came here and I showed you how to boil it safe, how to make camp in plains without being seen and we're developing your circadian rhythm."

"I...I used to think you were badass, but now you're just being a hardass."

Arctus stopped, having just entered the Bone Dry Desert and came down to eye level with the unicorn, "listen you pampered shit," Silver Spike was shocked at his words, "you wanted to be a Scout, you had the best potential out of any of the E.U.P. Guard. Your suffering is going to turn into a strength others consider unattainable and you'll serve Equestria like I do if you make it through this."

"So stop dragging the words popped out from your ass into my ears and toughen. You are struggling, but surviving. The real work happens when we get there."

He yanked him along as he went, "I might be a hardass, but I'm training you right dammit."

Silver Spike quieted, "understood, sir."

And the two went through the desert with no problems, reaching the site of the battle and the bodies had been partially taken by sand and were showing advanced decay. Kanna still laid there.

"Arctus, what's that sm-."

He slammed into his back, "this is that smell."

"You killed all of them?!"

"Correct, take a good long look, trainee," he pulled Silver in front of him, "this is what we do, this is what you do now."

"I-I cou-."

"You can and will. Every Scout does. Are you wanting out of this opportunity? I have no doubt that you can make it all the way back to Canterlot yourself."

"I'm. Not. Leaving. You asshole!"

"Good, now we set up camp just at the wall in the blown open portcullis of the ramparts, should only be scavengers in that city and they're mainly looking for money, loot, food, or water. If you encounter one, show no mercy."

He pulled him along as he navigated the sea of rot, "and keep your voice down and nose covered."

It wasn't even a minute for them to get there, but to Silver Spike, the entire experience was a scar on his mind, one that would toughen it.

And one that lasted far longer than just a minute.

Arctus crouched and leapt, grasping the second floor with his forearms and heaving himself up. He lent a hand to the unicorn as he followed suit and helped heave him up. He began setting out bedrolls away from the edge, not anyone could take them by surprise in there small location, the only way in was to jump like they did. Ranged weapons could take them, but Arctus used the portcullis and the other cloak along with his to hide him.

"Listen, no talking unless necessary, we rest for a couple hours, pack up at dusk and head in at night. We're searching for information. Here," he handed him a colorful stone, obviously just a river stone with an enchantment.

"A color communicator? This is a children's toy."

"Be that as it may, they sync colors. Red means the other is in danger, make some noise so we can find each other if that happens but don't call my name or for help, I'll hear and read the signs. Yellow if you're trapped by enemy movement and can't sneak around or sneak out. Green is our standard color, means nothing. Purple means you might have something but need consult, take whatever it is back to our meet up point. About every hour swap between green and white so I know you're alive. These codes also stand if you see your stone switch when I use mine."

"I can't believe we're using a foal's toy to communicate."

"Silence is paramount. Blue means you found something, light a torch or something for me to help find you."

"Celestia watch over me."

"It's odd hearing you ask my girlfriend for protection," Arctus crawled onto his sleeping bag, getting as comfy as he could be, "don't take to many risks, remember you have a permit to kill, don't hesitate to do so, the less who are here after we leave the better, don't be afraid to take a life."

"And you remember all the combat training like your life depends on it. You can fire a magical flare into the air with some sound if you need to, I'll show up within seconds."

"You afraid for me?" He laughed lightly.

"You're my friend and any trainee gets this treatment. Once you graduate, you're on your own, that's the scary part."

"Sleep," Arctus shut his eyes after watching the stallion get comfortable.

The time came and Arctus went over all his gear and found something extra, a small orange potion.

Art, pour this over your weapon before any big battle.

Love, Celly

His eyes left the note and he put the potion with the tag attached into a pouch on his left thigh. He woke up Silver or got up quietly, there was another sign of promise. Arctus point to his equipment and the trainee put his gear on almost as quietly as Arctus, the two packed up well before Arctus hung off the side and gently dropped barely making a sound in the sand.

Silver Spike followed his example and Arctus leaned close to his ear, "remember, searching for military information, remember the color codes, check your stone every couple of minutes but keep it hidden."

Arctus turned his cape black and set the stone just under his collar so he could see it but nothing else could see the bright color.

"Remember your cloak, I asked Celestia to make it extra dark tonight so you might have trouble seeing until you develop an affinity."

He walked quietly to the entrance of the city, "you take the right half the one that's not of fire and I'll take the left half, meet back before dawn right up in this little spot in the portcullis."

"Be safe."

Arctus looked to the left, "for the glory of Aeternia and Equestria. For the glory of me," and took off fast and silent, moving through streets and alleys swiftly, checking before he swooped in somewhere else. He checked each building briefly for signs of paper, documents, plans, military movement or encampments. He couldn't find any weapons of insignias that were on the armor of the corpses in the front of the city.

Must all be in the same spot.

He took to rooftops after a while, searching out at buildings. Kanna wasn't working with any special smart force, so she had to label things to make it easier to grow such a large army in short time let alone mobilize it.

Arctus saw the stone turn yellow and came to the conclusion that the scavengers must have looted this part long before and the fires were sputtering out but numerous. He chances of finding some information were slim.

As Arctus made turn around a corner he slid his spatha in and out of the throat of a doglike bipedal creature, barely a noise as it went down, no mercy. He was here for information and killing was a bonus.

It went on for two or so more hours, he had only killed two sentient creatures here, but did find some more non perishable food. He had a talk with Silver Spike and explained eating during a mission like this was fine because it wasn't a real trace someone could use to set off any alarms and encouraged him to do so as a source of sustenance.

The stone was still yellow.

The Master Scout had searched most of the left side of the city at this point, loosely, but he was confident nothing there would help him.

On my way

Arctus smacked the stone with a little force and it changed to white after two more, a couple seconds while he dashed rooftop to rooftop, and it changed back to yellow. Still trapped in place.

"Boss said this was the house of some rich big shot, so we gotta search again, supposed to be jewelry."

"If you two are holding out and I get a lashing because of it...I'm gonna shove your noses so far up-. What was that?" Arctus threw a loose brick across the street the three dog creatures occupied.

The stone turned red, might have been found.

That was me, but thanks for the information.

He carefully dropped down, their ears weren't in tune to him as they were focused on the brick. Idiots were easy enough to manipulate and Arctus looked about and saw the stallion in his cloak trapped inside the large building the three were talking about.

He motioned for him to come and he quietly did, leaving the ajar cupboard in the first floor of the home whose door was broken off.

The dogs were still walking down the street and Arctus point to Silver and then to the one close on the left and ran his thumb across his neck.

Universal sign to kill.

He motioned for himself to kill the one on the right and the one in front. He then pointed to each of them and brought his index fingers together, Silver Spike nodded and began following up with him, drawing his own spatha quietly.

The Master Scout was shocked the trainee had been so quiet on the approach. He flipped, through the air, landing his spatha up through the empty and soft part of the right dog's jaw while Silver Spike shoved his Spatha hard through the left ones neck, jamming it clear through the other side and forcing him to choke on steel.

Arctus gripped his hatchet while the bodies began to fall over and lunged, closing distance and slamming his hatchet into the mouth of the front one, the thick blade separating his jaw from his skull before he reared back and slammed again into its forehead and the creature fell.

One more hefty swing and its eyes stopped moving.

Quiet, swift, efficient. Silver Spike managed to retrieve his Spatha and Arctus' handing the second to his trainer.

Arctus showed him to wipe the blood off weapons using the clothing of those freshly killed before stowing them back.

"Pack of bandits, probably has a name, doesn't matter, we'll send them packing with their bodies spread about dead like this. Everything should know not to cross Equestria."

"That was...a little much and savage of you. I didn't know you were that skilled.

"If you listen and learn well, you'll be as good...almost as good as me."

"I noticed they seemed to be going to a building over there and talk about a basement and weapons."

"I wasn't expecting this for your first mission, just some singular cravens come to pick up some quick money. We're headed there, make sure you are ready to draw a weapon , but not now. The steel will give you away."

"I know, I used to practice sneaking around the castle on my days off."

"Idolized me too much then. We move."

And after their whispering the two did indeed move and found that said building, a dog creature walking out with a stretch and going off somewhere in the city, it was clearly marked for military use with insignia and even the wooden label Armory and War Room above the entrance. The duo waited a bit more to ensure the dog like creature was far enough away before they stepped out of shadows and approached.

Arctus drew his spear and the trainee Silver Spike his Spatha.

Arctus entered first and saw a large room with papers shoved off the table on the floor and food, water, even booze on the table. He descended the steps slowly and approached the table, seeing another two set on either end of the room that went down to an armory.

"Visitors! Didn't think we were stupid enough to just be lazing about somewhere huh? We know there were others looting. Now drop your weapons, money, valuables, and everything you got. We'll let you walk right back out this city just fine after that," a voice came from under the staircase and a dog jumped down from the supports, landing eight or so feet away from the Scouts. He held an axe in both hands.

And a group came up from the steps leading to the armory and surrounded them, Arctus let them have the opportunity.

"Cretins. You're very close to Equestria and it was Equestria who wiped this city of the map. You can leave or find out just what that Equestria can do."

"Big talk for such a small meaty morsel. Hope you and your pal can back up that claim against the eleven of us."

"You focus on their leader. Even if you get injured, I got you covered, I'll kill his lackeys as fast as I can. Remember there is no surrender, someone or somepony is gonna die here today, make sure it's them and not you."

"Forget we have good hearing. Alright boys, let's tenderize the reward out of them."

"I'll take that axe and make you wear it as a hat!" Silver Spike shouted, showing incredible courage as he rushed back at their leader.

And the ten other fighters closed on them.

More to Come

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Arctus slung his spear over his head, spouting flames at the incoming fighters, some were hit directly by the icy fire, yowling in pain while it singed them in its cold energy. He could hear two steel clashes behind him, Silver Spike was battling the leader on his own.

"You're the whelp of the two of you, huh?!" The leader taunted, "don't worry, when I beat you, I'll kill you off quick, a rare mercy of the Horrid Hounds."

Arctus zipped to the right of the ten, blocking a sword strike and ducking under a greataxe before drawing his spear close and tripping one with the boot.

He yanked his hatchet with he fended two blades off with his spear, slamming it into the forehead of the dog thing that fell to the ground. The Master Scout stoked the fire in his spear while they pushed their swords onto his spear, though he had no tone, his muscles were strong enough to keep them held until the fire flashed over both their bodies.

"Your friend is killing my best men left and right...maybe I will torture you after all," he heard a cackle after a shout of pain from the trainee, "fucking amateur."

Arctus had his own issues to worry about, he threw his spear right into the head of the seventh warrior against him before he drew his bow and pulled back one of the two giant arrows he had.

"How the fuck is he aiming that?!"

"Duck!" He released and shot through the sixth and fifth, the arrowhead chewed through one dog creature just to socket in the stomach of another, the two slumping over promptly.

"You're not taking this from me! This is my chance!" Silver Spike shouted over the combat and a howl of pain came from their leader, Arctus placed his bow back and drew his spatha for the second time that night, sparing a peek to see Silver's spear in the leader's knee.

Trainee Silver Spike had ambition and audacity.

"Plienas karka savininkas."

And to his right hand his spear came, landing firm while he parried another both and spun the spear under the combatant in front of him, cutting his legs and forcing him to his knees, steel blade meeting his neck. The battle quieted down and he could hear the choking in front of him.

Another glance and he could hear and see the leader in an intense agony, Sile Spike drove his spear further in, clearly shattering his kneecap before stomping on the shaft near the head of the weapon, ripping flesh, bone, and tendons on its way out. The braggart of their enemy outfit went down with a shriek.

His spear caught the head of an axe, rounded butt of Arctus' pride near his head. He rammed it into his face, causing some disorientation before thrusting the impeccable weapon into his foot, earning a yelp.

He gripped the axe's shaft and punched to dog's hand hard, claiming it and sending it into the enemy's temple. Two more stood against him and they instead chose to run rather than face the guillotine of a man that executed their comrades.

Arctus looked over to his trainee and saw him dive his spatha as the killing blow into the chest of the dog, puncturing skin and lung. He lost the will to fight. The Master Scout took his hatchet back, wiped blood clean of his weapons, and placed them all back. He went to his trainee.

"Damn, I was not expecting you to kill someone today, let alone him," he looked the trainee up and down and saw a gouge in his right shoulder, the only wound he had, "and you're not dead."

"Where...where did your serious tone go?"

"You're sticking as a Scout, Silver, that's proof enough," he pointed to the dying leader, "we still got some searching to do, but fir-."

Shouting, pleas for help and assistance came from below at the armory, "I'll fix you up soon, let me go check and see if we have more enemies."

He descend the stairs in a hurry and found quite a lot of equipment, but most of it was missing, the pleas came from further down and he was met with cages. Each one was filled with numerous screaming women of some kind of species.

"What...what do we do?" Silver Spike had followed him down.

"Seems like you still wanted a fight. Aeternian protocol would dictate we kill every prisoner that's not an Aeternian, but that seems a bit barbaric given their situation," most of the prisoners looked malnourished and barely any had clothes at all.

"I guess the Horrid Hounds," Silver made fun of the name, "did this to anyone who stuck around in the city when they got here."

Arctus sighed, "go search the leader for some keys, he's likely to have some to these cages," the trainee nodded and went back up.

"Attention, please!" Arctus silenced their shouts, "I am Arctus, a Master Scout, it was not my intention to save anyone today let alone spare any lives. I am in service to Equestria. If any of you are in dire need of a new home, head there, mention I sent you and nopony will give you a hard time while you carve out a little spot for yourselves."

Silver Spike had returned and handed Arctus the key, "do not fight us or you will end up as the dogs upstairs. Take whatever clothing, weapons, food, water, equipment you may need, but leave all papers and military intelligence behind," he approached the first cage, "don't make me hunt any of you down for the information I need."

He unlocked them, one by one and the groups within ran out and up the steps, he could hear some rummaging for a while but eventually it went quiet. On their way out, they were muttering endless thanks to them both.

"So, Silver Spike," Arctus started conversation while he went upstairs and pointed to a spot for the trainee to begin searching, "what's it like to take your first life?"

"I-I..."

"That's an unfair question. This is what we do, feeling something when you kill or not, it doesn't matter. We do what we do because we must and because others can't."

"But...why are you so brutal?"

"Ask yourself that. You pulled someone's knee out and ripped it to tatters. Then you let him choke on his blood with a collapsed lung."

"I had to!"

"Because that's what it takes to win the fight."

He had finished going through a corner when he remembered and came back to his trainee.

"I almost forgot, show me that wound."

Silver Spike was still, it was bleeding but not as bad as early which meant some clotting had occured.

"You're going to the hospital when we get back, but you hold still and bit down on something," arctus retrieve a fishing hook and line from a pouch of his, threading it before he held it to the skin of Silver Spike.

And with a quick, somewhat violent movement, he punctured and began the process of sowing him up. while he took a torch and laid it on the stone floor, his spatha's blade tip atop it.

Silver Spike grunted the whole way, punching the shelf he was at quite hard.

And Arctus eventually finished, "here comes the exceptionally painful part. This is so any kind of filth on that ae doesn't fester and so you don't bleed to death before we get back," he fetched his spatha and looked to Silver's face, "ready?"

He nodded slowly and Arctus pressed the blade at one end of the almost closed wound. He did know first aid, but performing it on a pony was a bit difficult. Silver Spike shrieked loudly, his body trembled and Arctus slowly dragged the tip across the gouge, sealing it with the burnt and melded together skin.

To him, only a few seconds, to Silver Spike, a trauma to last a lifetime.

"Done. You can breathe now. You won't die and that scar might even be a good start to conversation."

Arctus left him and the pony slumped quick, breathing heavy. The Master Scout went back to searching through documents, the trainee joining him after a while.

"This...this is a weird symbol, what is it?" Arctus looked and saw the mountains and stars on top of a large binded book.

A journal, every higher up is required to keep one to log their life, activities, and actions in case the need to review or the need for some knowledge within arises.

And this was such a time. Arctus skimmed through and noticed it contained information from when Kanna first came to Equestria, it even mentioned a couple names and...

the notice of another Scout in service to someone.

"Shit. This is her entire journal and it's got the information I need in it, but we need to make haste out of here . We've made plenty enough noise and its time we get a little rest before we return home so we're going to the meet up point."

And so they went, quiet and with discretion, back to the portcullis, setting up a quick camp to sleep whatever few hours of night they had left.

"Silver Spike, did you enjoy your first Scout assignment?"

"I...I don't know. It's exactly what I expected and not at all at the same time."

"I had the same sentiment. If you train rigorously, you'll be a full Scout and capable of doing any kind of assignment on your own," the pair were walking up the footpath to Canterlot.

"Does the journal...scare you?"

"It does, but that's my job to worry about. Rather Celestia's once I report this back to her. You should do some heavy reflection, it's only after a Trainee Scout's first mission that they get a last chance to rescind their decision to join, after that you sign your oath and learn some secrets."

"Secrets?"

"Knowledge that can crumble kingdoms."

"O-oh."

Their journey back up to the castle had been a quiet one, but with plenty of looks and in their unclean, wild, messy, and almost savage looking state they went into the castle and right to the throne room, where they waited until the current court appointment holder left, they then entered together.

"Art!" Celestia galloped down from her platform, hugging him tight, "you were gone for six days!"

"We had to rest up a bit on the way back and do some foraging," he embraced her back, "we're okay, but we've come to give a report."

Shining Armor entered the throne room shortly after, "the city is full of rumors about some crazed po-," he looked to Arctus wrapped lovingly in Celestia's hooves and then at Silver Spike, "oh. That would solve that issue. Silver Spike, are you alright?"

"I'll tell you later, Cap-, Shining Armor. I'm giving a report."

The Captain nodded and left, closing the door behind him.

"Today's almost done for court, I'll help you get cleaned up soon," Celestia fretted.

"Princess, we have some news to tell you," Silver Spike interrupted her anxiety.

"O-of course. What happened on your excursion?" Celestia released Arctus but still kept a wind around him.

"We met a bandit gang consisting of Diamong Dogs, they called themselves the Horrid Hounds. We're certain we've ended their outfit, but they may still have considerable numbers."

"Thank you, Silver Spike. What of Kanna's reason for raising an army?"

Arctus presented the book he held, "every Aeternian in an officer like position is required to keep a running daily log in the form of a personal journal. You're welcome to read it, but I've marked when Kanna arrived in Equestria. IT was the same day as me."

"I'll definitely read it later, thank you."

"It...she fought another Scout, another Aeternian Scout who is in service to someone called the Storm King who rules in the South. I may have saw his kingdom and urged before to allow me to destroy it. I ne-."

"Arctus, when you described the city in the desert mobilizing for war, did you notice how different it was from the nation to the South that was conquering? How were they preparing troops differently? Equipping them?"

"The...I see. They were different, while both a source of concern, you believe that the nation that still stands is not a true threat and the soldiers in it are...? Are?"

"Good hearted beings with bad orders. And if anything has that good center, we can help them become that and shed any evil."

Arctus inhaled and then exhaled, "then it could be as simple as killing a leader."

"I'm not sure about that, but I have a feeling it will work itself out just fine," Celestia smiled at him.

"One more thing...there were, at least according to the journal, observances of Aeternians in the Dragon Lands and the Griffon Nation. The journal counted at least four unique separate individuals.

"I'd like you at home for a while, Art, call it a Princess' intuition, but I think we'll be having need for you. It's my turn to mention a topic," Celestia began, "we had a group of creatures seeking asylum appear across Equestria so we fed, clothed, gave them water and some beds, but they're under close monitor, almost like prisoners. Every single one mentioned your name."

"Princess Celestia," Silver Spike began, "we apologize, but there was some wrongfully taken prisoners. Instead of following Aeternian protocol to leave no witnesses or potential future enemies, Arctus saw fit to release them and offer them aid."

"I see. Thank you, Silver Spike. With both of you vouching for them, we'll integrate them into Equestrian society."

"Thank you, Princess," Silver Spike bowed to her.

"You are dismissed," she directed to Silver Spike who promptly bowed and turned around, "Art, I'll be up to your quarters shortly, please await me."

Acrtus did head up into his quarters and began looking over his equipment himself, laying all his weapons and tools out, numerous metal glints shining back at him in the late day sun.

He reached into a drawer and drew out a whetstone, gifted to him by the guard, and went about sharpening and maintaining his arms. The sound of the metal grinding echoed through his room while he worked, taking time to look at his giant arrows while he automated his arms.

"Wonder...wonder if I could get these blessed."

"Blessed?" Celestia had opened and shut the door behind her, "you bless your arrows?"

"I don't, the temple would. It was a professional arrangement," he stopped scraping the blade of his hatchet on the whetstone and put the stone away.

"What did it mean to bless arrows?"

"They would fly truer, nobody understood if it really changed anything about them, but everyone would report they flew different. War archers and Scouts were the only two groups to use that service."

Celestia trotted over and leaned her head down her horn lit and the arrows did as well for a long time after her magic focus dimmed.

"You...blessed them?"

"In a way, yes. How was Silver Spike?"

"He...he's incredibly promising. I worry I scarred him, but he's already so close to doing what I can do, he only needs practice. I tend to let him loose in the city and among the guard for his stealth and for him to study my journal and see the creativity a Scout keeps behind the curtains."

"That's very grim. Did you manage out okay?"

"Only he was harmed, I pushed him hard and demanded a lot of strength from him, everything he had."

"Be careful with them."

"There's a tailor...I used her services frequently, but she's requested the chance to join as a Scout."

"Hmmm, there's an interesting notion," Celestia began to assist him, repairing his tools and weapons.

Arctus began sharpening once more, "I intend to let her take a shot, but...is that okay with you?"

"Interesting that you should ask, I'm not any insecure, you can test her aptitude."

"Would she be welcome in the guard should she fail?"

"I think we can make room with Silver Spike's absence."

"Sergeant Light Lancer, he's eager, but I don't think I'll take him. He's not the same kind of determined."

"It's odd, I don't know whether you're seeking counsel from me or just telling me about your day."

"I don't often seek advice from anyone, rather from the stars and they aren't here."

"The day my sister returns...is coming closer."

"I'll be in the woods within the week that she's returning."

"Thank you, Art," she put a wing around him while the two looked over his equipment.

"Do you think we'll ever see peace?"

"By my hand, you're seeing it now. What you don't see is what keeps the current peace. Did you mean if I'll ever see peace?"

She stopped, looking to him out of the corner of his eye, "you're more astute of emotions than you let on. It's a feature I've noticed and come to admire."

"You learn a lot about minds and emotions over so many years spent here."

"While you were gone, Art, something wondrous happened. I've picked a new student."

"Who did you pick? What are they like?"

"They're young, but they hatched a dragon egg and advanced its age some, let alone it listens to her. I'll introduce you tomorrow, she'll be moving into the castle for a while, a room near yours."

"Understood."

"What do you have planned in response to the information you reported to me at court?"

"I'm going to this Griffon Nation, to track Aeternians and then to the Dragon Lands. You wished me away from that Southern kingdom."

"In contrary, I'd like you to investigate them, learn everything you can without being detected."

Arctus looked to her as he put away his equipment back to proper spots, finishing his maintenance, "I can tend to that well enough. If I meet the Scout that resides there, what should my direction be?"

"Capture them, but do not kill them."

That, from Arctus' view, was an impossible request, but he would not let that slip, not even his composure.

"I will carry that out, but I have a mention."

"Once you go to the Griffon Nation and then to the Dragon Lands, I know you'll make good judgement in your actions there, but when you finish, please return."

"I intend to, I'm finding it is harder to leave each time I return," Celestia quickly dragged him into her hooves.

"I'm staying the night with you and the next night, we'll be opening that cherry wine."

In Those Days

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They had been rather close the night before, but he was already up and at the training yard, requesting that any E.U.P. trainings take place in a different location, the entire yard was theirs and Arctus had commissioned a mage in town to make a shield capable of repairing itself around the yard.

Celestia had decided to take a few days reprieve and watch from his quarters balcony with her new pupil. It was the closest vantage point.

"Trainee Silver Spike!" He stood attentively at Arctus' words, "you stand before me, a new world awaiting you behind me. We will see if you can walk this path."

He swallowed.

"You have seen horrors that humanity and ponykind would not face themselves. You have committed these atrocities. Why have you given away your sense of sanity and respect for other life?"

"For the defense of my nation. It was a necessity to commit those acts!"

Arctus smirked, nobody knew the right answers to these questions but a Master Scout would be the one to ask them.

Now he knew, these questions were to test the resolve and mental fortitude of a trainee. The real test were these.

"You look into the world of being a Scout, can you do these acts daily? Can you serve in the darkest ways that your nation needs you to?"

"These acts, by my hoof will allow my nation to prosper and maintain peace. I can serve however Equestria would need me to."

"Do you...regret the things you have done? Do you wish to turn back?"

A long silence.

"You are no lesser for it, but you will attain nothing greater," Arctus began to draw a thick line in the dirt with his spear behind him.

"I regret none of which that I have done. I am ready."

Celestia had kept her pupil's ears covered up until this point.

"Twilight, that's Arctus."

"I knooooow, you've told me for the third time today."

"Sorry, I'm very fond of him. He's administering an exam from his world."

"What kind of exam?"

"One of combat prowess and mental willpower."

"That's an interesting culture."

"Oh, shhh, it looks like he's continuing."

A long silence passed after his answer. The Master Scout rose his spear, Sergeant Light Lancer and Strong Stitch were outside the magic shield that just sprung up.

The head pointed at Silver, "walk and enter your new world where secrets and information to never be shared lies."

Arctus had fond memories of taking this exam himself.

Silver Spike approached, in full combat gear and as he almost stepped over the line, Arctus grabbed his front hoof and swung him through the air, watching him thud and roll on the dirt for a second or two before getting his balance again.

"Prove yourself to be a Scout whose Stars have launched," Arctus took a combative stance and Silver Spike did himself, drawing his spatha and a shield.

Scouts rarely used shields. He must have expected this.

"Oh, it might get a bit rough to watch, Twilight. Go on to your lesson with Instructor Chalk."

"That's okay, the fighting doesn't seem too interesting."

"Ooooh, well. He'll probably catch your eye eventually. I'll be down there with him, make sure you lock the door on your way out of these quarters."

Celestia left the balcony, flying down to the two who were battling each other. It was obvious that Arctus was putting his entire strength against Silver Spike.

"Don't be afraid to kill me if you must. You can give up and try the exam again at any time you are ready."

Arctus slammed his spear into the handguard of his spatha, the hoof being knocked numb. The MAster Scout bashed his face with the shaft of the spear, flipping it around and sending the edge toward him, he knocked it aside with his shield and rushed to his trainer.

The Master Scout stepped aside, sending a throwing knife into his back while he recomposed himself and launched his body back in front of Silver Spike's barring him from entry.

He began to trace a symbol into the air with some fingers, a red light following them, a different one than he had done in years past.

A blaze roared from the front of him after the two seconds he needed, fire spouting out at Silver Spike who backpedaled away.

"I have no intent of showing mercy," Silver Spike stood at his words with singed fur, "you need to show your strength."

Light Lancer was shifting uneasily while Strong Stitch looked on with wonder.

And Arctus did not let those observations fly under his gaze.

"What...the buck?!" Silver Spike shouted.

He remembered at that moment he was holding onto a gift from Celestia, an alchemical mixture in a bottle.

"Celly, knowing you are watching, I can't think of a better moment to use this than to ensure the defense of Equestria is left in the most capable," he pulled the potion from the pouch, uncorking it and letting a drip fall to the ground, it immediately ignited and stayed together on top of the dirt, burning and burning away while the gout of flame he summoned still went.

"I can always make another for you," she answered, standing rather close to the shield.

Arctus slung it in a half circle, creating a line of tall flames to belay the trainee from crossing into the new world.

The Master Scout put away his spear, taking his own spatha into his left hand and hit hatchet into his right, setting them into the dirt on either side of him.

And his hand readied his bow from his back, pulling back five arrows.

"Zaibas surasti vidinis!" He had modified the lightning strike spell, keeping the base, but changing the last verbal component and the arrows, he fired them loosely up before he pulled back a large unblessed arrow and touched the tip to the buring fluid, launching it at him.

He put his bow back and picked up his two weapons, throwing the potion upside down into the air and letting the resy of the fluid pour out onto the blades and axe edge before leaping through the flame.

He saw that Silver Spike had dropped his spatha and held the large arrow like a spear, throwing it back at him while he was still midair. Sweat poured from Arctus while he managed to block the thrown arrow, some of the fluid landing on him and burning through, searing his skin. He worked through the pain.

A great boom came from above and the arrows floated at the height of their arc before flashing down as lightning at Silver Spike and he anticipated at the boom, side stepping and holding his shield above his head, the iron parma blocking and absorbing the electricity as it crackled upon the surface, not making it through the thick leather covered handle.

"Yes!" Arctus shouted, "fight with all in your heart!"

He closed, swinging hard on him with his hatchet and spatha, slashing and thrusting, hacking at him, and even throwing low kicks to attempt to unbalance the stallion. So they danced, clashes ringing.

It had been a long time since Arctus met someone this skilled in combat. He managed to he an attack in, a lunge to his left front hoof and his hatchet swung, a spatha caught it.

Silver Spike shouted and bashed Arctus' face with his shield, the crackling lightning flowing to him and he shook violently while the trainee pulled the weapon free from his wound and began a dash to leap over the fire.

Arctus, resisting the urge for his body to give in to the electric's flow let it pass through and regained control, everything in him attempting to be unresponsive as he whipped around.

"Sviesti mano ranka!" An advanced spell and a spectral lash, transluscent reached to Silver Spike, catching him in the air. The black tendrils wrapped him tightly, linked to Arctus' outstretched hand.

"You need to be bolder!" He flung him across the yard, slamming him into the shield.

"Don't you think that's a bit much, Arctus?" Light Lancer voiced. Nopony regarded him.

Blood dripped from the Master Scout's chin onto the dirt.

Arctus stood proudly, "you fight well, show me more."

"You're bucking insane!" Silver Spike rose to his hooves and threw his spatha at him, his sword flying past and falling to the ground after hitting the shield.

Silver Spike reached his hoof to his side, grabbing something Arctus did not see, made invisible and a flail came into view.

A flail, one of the most dreaded weapons to face in single combat.

The Master Scout's index and ring finger shot into the air, tracing a symbol in purple.

"Protector of those in the Shadows. Pusher of knives in the Dark. Please cover me in your chill."

A spell familiar to him but not anypony here and him just using it was praise enough for Silver Spike. Arctus' body disappeared while the trainee charged him and he went about quietly, he knew it wasn't the best idea, but this is what he had to work with.

Silver's head went on a swivel, the Scout closed on the trainee silently, seeing the signs Silver had no idea where he was until the flail swung and smaccked his cheek when he was just about to strike, his body flew and losing concentration, his invisibility was gone, pain radiated as he landed on his side, rolling to his feet. and threw his hatchet, the flaming axe caught by the parma as Silver Spike leapt over the fire and crossed the dirt line as well.

He had crossed.

Arctus put a fist to his chest and looked to the ground, "welcome, Scout Silver Spike," blood running quick off his face.

He stared at his former teacher.

"You...you never called me Scout before."

"You have passed the rites, Scout Silver. You are a full scout and as such, our knowledge is open to you. There is a book I left in your home in the city, the one you purchased with your new salary. It's a copy of my journal, read it and learn our secrets and our ways. Burn it when you are done. You will begin your own journal that requires daily logs from this day on."

"I did not hold back any trick, only my desperate heart to win, that is a Scout's true weapon. My blood rushed, something I had not felt in a long time. I know we will never have a true battle, but I hope one day to see the height of your strength."

"Tha-thank you."

"So, this...that's how Scouts fight? You both are far different from any of the guard," Strong Stitch spoke up, "I'd like to give it a try, but I don't think I can do that."

Celestia looked to Silver Spike, "as a Scout, you have discretionary access to resources in order to meet your goals. You take orders from me directly and Captain Shining Armor may have some requests of you should you be willing to hear him out."

Silver Spike bowed to the princess, "for your first order. You are to travel to the Ev...Art's forest. There you will stay and continue his older duty of manging the wildlife, we will later come to collect an artifact. Your efforts will make retrieval possible," Celestia ordered him, "you have one week to put in as much effort as you can, after you get that wound recovered," she pointed to his hoof.

He bowed and left without a single word, the excitable smile on his face said enough.

"I want to get him a traditional weapon and the only way to do that is with an active magma stream."

"I'll have out cartographers look into our best option," Celestia assured him.

"Strong Stitch, I'd like you to practice under Shining Armor for a while so you can have a foundation with whatever weaponry you choose."

She nodded, "go find him and tell him I sent you."

"O-o-oh, okay!" And she trotted off rather quickly.

"Twilight seems interested in your culture, but not so much your fighting. That might change if she had seen your magic," Celestia approached, the shield had long since fallen and her horn lit up, fixing the fractures in his jaw, cheekbone, and nose as she rearranged and healed the skin with her magic, "I've been studying during what little downtime I get."

Arctus had a small passing thought, one he would commit to when he returned from his missions.

"That's impressive, how much you know about me already."

"You've given us plenty of samples with your...reckless nature. Thank you for dedicating so much to Equestria and to me," she gently hugged him.

The flames from the liquid had finally died down the fluid was now a dull grey color.

She had also began to heal the burns under his garments, his pain was evaporating.

Arctus took a moment to put away his weapons before hugging her back, "you're wonderful. Are you picking these things up just for me?" She nodded.

"You've shed blood for me and everything I preside over. If anything, you're jsut as much a ruler as I."

"I can not rule, that is not my role or talent," he laughed, "but the thought is entertaining to imagine."

"Remember to stay here a while, no going out of the city until we get the mirror."

"That's won't be an issue, but when I do go...I may be gone for an extended period of time, it'll be bigger than any assignment I've under taken in the past."

Celestia kissed him firmly, peering into his orangish eyes, a white glint more prominent in them, "your eyes look more and more like the Stars you're so fond of," he could see some pain in her eyes.

"I...we'll get her back, Celly. You have my word."

"Thanks, it's just...hard without her."

"I...I can't share it here in the open, but I will with you tonight," he squeezed her tight before letting her go and fetching his arrows, putting them back away and taking the broken ones to a specialized barrel next to the walls."

Light Lancer was still by the wall, shaking in psuedo fear, "Sergeant, I made a mistake and now have some unsightly images in your head, I apologize. Please, you are not required to visit any Scout events and I am no longer considering you as a potential candidate. Please go about your day," Arctus mentioned while Celestia took to his side and the two headed up to the castle.

The guard nodded slowly and trotted away, head staring at the ground.

Celestia kept her wing on his back, wrapping feathers around his shoulder while he wore his cape in its white sheen. Arctus had the gesture returned, his hand resting on her back. Everypony was aware of their relationship. Celestia was leading them through until they came to a smaller room and they entered unannounced.

"Pri-princess," the instructor put the chalk back on a board with his magic and bowed.

Twilight beamed at seeing her before looking in curiosity at their tenderness to each other.

"Hi, Princess and Arctus!" She stood from her seat.

"To what do we owe the pleasure?"

"Apologies for interrupting your lecture, Instructor Chalk. I don't often get free time from all my efforts, but Celly...Celestia thought I should properly introduce myself to her new pupil."

"I-I see, well," he straightened himself, "please take your time. This little filly actually had many many questions about your world and your magic once the topic was discussed."

"Is it true?! Can you cast magic?" Twilight sprinted to him.

Arctus looked to Celestia, "I might be a while."

"That's okay, I can wait, Art."

"Twilight Sparkle, my name is Arctus. I come from a different world where my home is Aeternia. Our magic is vastly different from yours, perhaps you heard it during the examination I gave to Silver Spike."

"I'm not interested in your fighting."

"At least you know what you want at your age," Arctus held his hand in the air, "with no verbal or incantation symbols, a lot of magic users can do small things," a bright orange flame appeared on his palm, "like this. The actual mages can do grander stuff than I, even with all our ritual required in."

"We...we can't do that."

"Our magic is linked to volcanoes and the stars in our skies," he closed his palm, the flame extinguishing, "I can't show you much more in here, it wouldn't be safe. All my magic is based around combat as that is my role."

"Instructor Chalk, are there any books about him in the library?"

Celestia laughed, "I think I can accomodate your curiousity. Arctus has asked to keep any kind of formal knowledge of himself and his world locked away. Would it be okay for her to read them?"

"Of course, as long as they go right back to being locked away."

"I'll get them out for you tonight, Twilight."

"It's nice to meet you, Arctus."

"It's nice to meet you also. You may not see me around often, but if you have a need or emergency suited to my skills, please make me aware."

The filly smiled wide at him, "thanks! I'll keep that in mind."

Arctus nodded, "and if you have questions where I come from, don't hesitate to ask. You'll find Aeternia to be a very different place."

He left the room, "Twilight, I'll be a little busy today and tomorrow as Acrtus doesn't have extended stays often and he's very dear to me. Don't worry, it won't be a frequent interruption to our study times."

"Okay, Princess, thanks for telling me," and Celestia left.

"Completely absorbed by the pursuit of knowledge, reminds me of some of the priests we had."

"Oh? I would imagine they were devoted to religion."

"That's the thing, I was an anomaly to their religion."

The two of them were making headway for her quarters, where Celestia had arranged for dinner to be delivered. They were planning a private feast for just the two of them.

I Came...And Am...

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"So, you mentioned telling me about your childhood?" The two had begun dinner on the balcony of Celestia's room, a dining table and two chairs present with a feast prepared before them.

The cherry wine cask was between both of them.

"My childhood is...confusing. I was raised in the temple by the priests and that's why some say I had the chance to become the best mage in Aeternia. They argued I squandered it to become a Scout."

"Why did you become a Scout?"

"To be closer to what my parents were, close to who I was told they were. When I became a Scout, the Sacred Stars aligned for that specific day and my weapon was dipped within the sacred volcano under the temple. Then the same people who said I squandered beign a Scout said it was ordained and that I would rise to the sky and bring our heroes back home."

"That's an incredible burden to have."

"Learning godhood magic didn't make it any easier, the priests let it be know that I learned them surprisingly fast."

Celestia inhaled deeply as she cleared her mouth of food, "who were your parents?"

"Nobody knows, but everyone suspected I came from the heroes."

Celestia stopped sipping water, "what? How can you have eight parents?"

"I don't know, but that found me as a baby, coming out of the magma of the volcano under the temple, completely unharmed on a night that all Destiny Stars were over top the temple. Some people even recall seing a beam descending."

"And even I firmly believe that I am Starborn."

Celestia went quiet.

"It's a secret I didn't want to tell you at first because it's caused many people to flee from me or come begging to me like I was some kind of god."

"That's a sound reason. I don't intend to tell anypony."

"But I just know there is truth to their words and I've made it my life goal to be as strong as they were so I might launch myself and find a truth to my life."

"That truth may be closer than you think, Art."

"I appreciate your hopeful thinking, Celly."

Arctus had been swiftly eating between his sentences, but now began to devour the food with real hunger. He did miss lunch today and tomorrow came with new challenges.

Once their food was eaten, Arctus picked up the wine cask, "Celly, let's...let's go somewhere else."

"Hmm? Where were you thinking?"

"I have a place in mind," he grabbed her hoof and pulled her to stand on her hind legs while he rubbed the wards of his boots.

"Where...where are we going?"

"You just hold on as tight as you can," her grip tightened severely, "Yetrema, lend me your legs so that I may run an errand just as great as your warning to the Council of Stars," he spoke aloud and a single star in the night sky appeared, bright red dazzling out of the sea of white specs. The same red glow came off his feet.

"Don't let go."

He zipped down the castle wall, pulling Celestia along who eventually grabbed his hand with both hooves as he then sprinted through Canterlot at such a blinding speed not a single pony could see him, but only feel the effects. It was a matter of three minutes until he came back to the clearing in his forest once more.

And the loud creatures, upon his presence, quickly died down and became silent.

"H-here?"

"I could think of no place more private," he moved aside the moss covering, letting Celestia down first before he followed and sealed it.

The Scout moved past her, brushing their bodies firmly as he went around and lit the candles still there with the matches he kept. The earthy room was lit, not as bright as the castle, but it would do. Arctus went to his lover, taking her hooves gently and watching red grace her cheeks as he gently led her to the bed and then onto him.

"Even though this forest is vicious, this haven is very comforting," Celestia spoke, looking down at Arctus.

"It's been a long time since I've been here. Maybe it was fate that I would follow you out of the forest."

Celestia giggled, "nopony has ever taken me on such a spontaneous trip, it feels kind of...taboo."

"I, um, don't know your traditions, but isn't our relationship taboo?"

"Some of ponykind consider it that, but I pay them no heed."

"Then...let's continue being wrong in others' eyes," and they embraced at his words.

That morning, Equestria was a little jumbled, its ruler was gone until mid day as Arctus and Celestia didn't really want to return to normal life for a long while, and once they did, they refused any train, any use of wings, and chose to get their with their owns limbs.

"I know you'll likely be busy taking care of everything Equestria needs you for, but I enjoy our time together."

Celestia smiled, "thank you, Art. I do, too. I only wished we had more of it. Do you think..."

"Something troubling you? Do you have a request for me?"

"No no, I'll discuss on it later, after you finish your mssion to the Griffons and the Dragon Lands," they came out of the tunnel to Canterlot and went back to the castle together, standing just as close as they usually did, earning stares and the occassional grimace directed to Arctus.

"Princess Celestia! We've been looking all over-. Oh," Shining Armor who had burst through the gates began to laugh, "that explains where you were," and he went back up to the castle in front of them, "I'll start putting out some fires."

With a wonderful night and morning behind him, Arctus was in the library, studying away on any information he could about dragons and griffons. He walked about while reading, stepping through the large library.

"Oh, you're here? What are you studying?" Twilight had come to him.

"Griffons and dragons to prepare for my next outting."

"You're going that far from Equestria?!"

"Y-yeah. I suppose it would seem a bit odd to someone who has lived their life here without seeing the sights. Maybe one day you can travel this world like I have," his eyes didn't leave the page.

"Uuuuh, I don't knooow. Books are kinda all I need to learn about everything else."

"Twilight," he partially closed the book, squatting low to meet her at her eye level, "never underestimate the lessons that only your unique experiences can teach you. Everyone learns very special lessons and information that way."

She looked at him with curiousity, "what have you learned?"

He stood, looking back to the book, "this world is ever growing, it's so large. There are those with strong hearts and forged minds in places you'd never expect. Love can be in forms you won't recognize at first," he looked back to the filly, "and anyone, anything, anypony is capable of strength more than you."

Twilight was staring up at him, now in confusion, "you may not understand these words until you are older."

"Adults are weeeeird," she trotted away and left him to his research, learning of recent griffon history.

"Their kingdom fell from grace? Sounds like the work of a half-assed scout," he continued reading, "over an idol. Greed is something I can manipulate easily enough."

He eventually finished the small book he was in, returning it and scoured the library for any new information on the dragons, but could not find anything, "I suppose visitors end up dead."

But that left a guaranteed problem...how he would reach it over the ocean. He could hire someone to take him, but that comes with the problem of finding someone to take a royal consort across the ocean and then to the Dragon Lands.

So he would need to make a boat and ensure he had a way of finding food afterwards. He eventually sided with making his own small boat to make it there himself, something he could hide. Toss under rocks or cover with some seaweed. That meant he needed a clean sweep or a perfect plan and he had neither.

There was nothing in the library on dragons, so he assumed they would be similar to Aeternian dragons, varying limbs and abilities. His dragons were wiped extinct though there were circulations about whether raising one for war wasviable.

Even though the beasts had been all slain and they had the bones to prove it.

Arctus did know he'd need some new arms, so he quickly left the library and headed into the city

It was late afternoon by the time he arrived closer to the mountain side, the industrial area of Canterlot. The moment he arrived there were already shouts hailing his entrance and a lot of smiths, fltechers, and other craftsponies made there way out of their shops and to him.

"This...this is the first visit you've made down here. Is everything we've sent to the castle to your liking?" One of the older smiths asked.

"Yes, your quality is good, I am to make a request in person. I need a greatsword forged, use whatever you can to depict it, I know such a weapon hasn't been used since the Castle of the Twin Sisters, but reference drawings and any illustrations you can use."

Many of the smiths were trotting away, "please make it come to my shoulder in length and able to be holstered without a sheath on my back, a thicker blade as I need it to hack with a fine point to it, durable, something that can withstand a lot of force."

"And fletchers, I'd like the same pony who fletched my large arrows to work with a smith and create an arrow with serrations and hooks so it stay in firm once its been lodged. A metal shaft so I can reclaim it and continue to use it, with feather fletching if you can manage."

Most of the craftsponies were gone and only four smiths remained, three seasoned and one young pony with a rather cocky smile.

Arctus did not understand why they crowded them like they had, but it was efficient nonetheless, "think of it as a competition," he looked to the remaining trade practitioners, "I'll be paying whoever gives me the most quality product for my upcoming assignment."

And he left and quickly as he came.

Selection

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In Aeternia, there was a special building for Scouts to train in, obstacles to climb and mount, challenges to keep them in top shape, a separate room for duel of varying environments.

In Canterlot, this kind of gymnasium did not exist formally. Arctus was being a huge nuisance, present during meals with Celestia and sometimes Twilight and Shining Armor, he spent the rest of his time sprinting about the castle, climbing structures that shouldn't be climbed, and using balconies, railings and more to exercise his muscles out.

In two days, quicker than he set a deadline there came a call for him to report to the throne room.

"Is this about my use of the castle?" Celestia giggled at his question while he walked in, the doors easily giving to his strength.

"No no," she laughed openly, three smiths present along with a single fletcher, "though your antics are both comedical to watch and impressive for your body to perform, you're in no trouble for it."

"We all know how eccentric you are, Arctus," Shining Armor stood at the door, awaiting to escort the guests out once their business had finished.

He looked at the fabric wrapped weapons they held, "oh! My order is completed early," he walked to them and they laid each onto the floor.

"Careful, they're pretty heavy swords, I have no idea why you commissioned a simple sword to be so large," Shining commented.

Arctus opened each up of the fabric bundles from the smiths up, it was thick layered linens meant to protect the fresh products, "where is that other smith?"

The present fletcher spoke, "they didn't feel up to the task...or like they befitted it."

He looked over the three weapons, "we don't know where the other smith was, he was doing something in his shop when we were headed over."

The first greatsword was syled have a simple claymore, handguard bent upwards to catch blades, the blade was thick at the bottom, but slimmed gradually over the blade to end in a fine tip. It would be excellent at slashing through armor from the pure speed, but he needed something that would crash with a heavy weight too.

"Not this one."

His eyes turned to the second, a short handle was its only flaw, but it was enough for Arctus to immediately jump to the third.

"Sorry, but a longer handle is required for fluid use."

The third had everything on mark as he asked, but Arctus lifted it and began to swing it, having a decent feel for it.

"Hey, Shining Armor, could you come assist for a second?" The Captain of the Guard sighed and trotted over, drawing his spear and presenting it forward.

"Guards, please step away from the doors," they moved at Arctus' mention to behind him.

The Master Scout did notice some imperfections in the blade and wondered if it was just discoloration or not.

He held it in two hands in front of him with a wide stance, "brace," Shining Armor tensed himself.

Arctus had slung his body in a circle and pulled the greatsword along, the blade slinging around and coming to crash against Shining Armor's spearhead, his stance was changing for a followup strike while a loud shatter echoed through the throne room, metal went flying and the blade had broke in two with Shining Armor's spear flying across the room and clanging against the door with a chunk of the blade and shards of steel.

"You forged it too hastily, it would have been a magnificent tool for this assignment," he dropped the broken blade.

Shining Armor's horn lit and collects all the shards and the other half of the blade, placing it on fabric.

Arctus unrolled the fabric the fletcher brought and saw the immaculate arrow with large arrowheads, jagged hooks on the end with serrations on the inside, "very well done," he noted the metal shaft with his eyes and then picked one up, looking at the feathers.

They were large, some kind of giant bird, but sockets in it was also thing metal rods to give support and allow for multiple feathers to assist with the arrow shooting true, "five of them? Thank you. These will do nicely, I might need a more resistant bow, but that will be easy enough for me to get or make."

The throne room doors flew open and the younger smith came in, holding a sword without fabric and tripped jsut for the sword to clatter and land at Arctus' feet.

It was styled as a claymore, but thicker than the normal design, holding the same hilt and a smaller pommel. The tip was still wide but shuddered to well done point quickly. The handle was twisted and covered in thick gripping.

The pommel was overlaid with gold.

"S-sorry!" He stood while Arctus picked up the sword.

"How's that one, Art?" Celestia asked, a smirk on her face. She had known that smith was someone fresh out of apprenticeship and someone she commissioned for some ironwork in the castle gardens to be cheaper on the kingdom's coffers.

"This is the dragon slayer I needed," he swung it just twice in quick succession, whipping a gust at the ponies near him, "I'll get some payment sent on down your way before I leave out," he took the accompanied chest strap with it and began walking out of the throne room, new armaments in hand, "I appreciate all your efforts."

"I'm...impressed he can even swing that, let alone with such expertise," Arctus left the throne room and went right to his quarters again, eyeing the unchanged ice egg as it sat on its own cushioned bed that cradled it carefully. The frost that covered it had gotten thicker.

Arctus did have no way of knowing how far along the creature within had developed.

The scout was making adjusted himself of the chest strap and ensuring it fit well, his back would be crowded and he had no intention of wearing his chainmail or mail shirt as armor so he could still move freely without being severely weighed down. He already had his full set of equipment on him and with his new weapon in hand he went to the training yard, setting himself within an arena while the present guards drilled.

He began a couple simple downward strikes, his footwork was never unlearned. Arctus was striking fluidly and returning back to a neutral or guard stance with ease, his exercising had paid off in some regards, but whenever he attempted a swing with a lot of force, he fought to return the heavy weapon back to position.

"Arctus, what...what are you doing with such a large sword?" Strong Stitch had approached him, outfitted in guard's armor.

"Practicing, it's only three days until I leave out and begin a long assignment. This greatsword will see me through that."

"Where are you headed to?"

"Griffonstone and then the Dragon Lands. I know you're wanting to give this a shot, but I need you ready for combat and toughened before I take you into the field."

She continued watching him, it was a different world she got to gaze through each time Strong Stitch saw him doing anything. Every activity, every time of day, even his habits were completely alien to what anypony else would do.

But to him, it all had purpose. The normal world is the one that is mad, always doing the same activities, never making a different slash or steeping your foot into a different place each day. And the combatants were ever changing. Change was what his entire childhood prepared him for.

And so he swung a greatsword and went for more stances and follow up strikes. He knew how to use it on human foes and that's what he could really practice, with any kind of beast of different creatures it was a game of countering.

And giving a dragon initiative was something he had never done before.

"So, a bunch of the guards have been showing me some basic combat and I was hoping you might show me something a bit more advanced," Arctus halted his blade in a chain of swipes, holding position while his muscles took a moment to untense.

With soft clatter he put the greatsword into a plush fabric covered metal ring that protruded off the chest strap.

"I see. I can afford that time," he drew his spatha, "where is your weapon?"

"Uhm, they told me to keep it on me at all times," she drew a mace and a dagger, standing on her hind legs, "but I'm not allowed to leave the castle with them."

"Interesting choice, usually a mace is accompanied by a shield," Arctus took out his hunting knife, as a tool it made a decent weapon, but one that he was drawing way less often.

He waved her in and she hopped the wooden fence.

"If they've taught you some mace etiquette, that's good, but I'll show you some blows that will lead into victories. That long dagger of yours will also see use," he eyed it more closely seeing a perfectly round handle and a triangle designed blade, not cutting was possible with it.

The two plates on the handguard and pommel confirmed it as a rondell.

"That dagger you have is forged to make some really nasty wounds, so if I knock you away when you engage with it, please understand," such a deadly weapon was out of place in Equestria, "take stance," she raised the weapons in a classic house defense.

"You have the freedom to attack with your mace because of that dagger whenever facing someone armed with only one weapon. To make full use of that," Arctus put his knife back, thinking differently, "take a swing at me," he saw the round head of the mace move forward quick and he rose his spatha to block, "and now you have a clear mark, act in tandem when you block and are assured there is no trickery. That dagger," his arm was held up, "can now puncture into my side and damage vitals. You could also aim for a limb and leave me at a disadvantage."

He withdrew his weapon, "that all hapens quickly, but you should be looking for openings against leser skilled enemies and against more experienced look for patterns."

"What about as a Scout?"

Arctus laughed, "good luck. Scouts can be very unpredictable, their skill sets vary between each and even just one can be capable of such a wide array of attacks it's impossible to predict movements or reactions. You just have to want to live more desperately than they want to win."

"I'm...just an earth pony, not capable of magic or flight."

"But you ahve an incredible strength so swinging that mace at speeds nopony would expect is a card in your hand to play. Speaking of, blocking that mace is going to exhaust enemies, so you can capitalize on that, especially those with shields. Even better if you can topple them with the force alone."

Arctus left the arena and went to a practice shed, returning with a metal roung shield, "so...show me just how hard you hit with that mace."

Some patrols had stopped to see the commotion going on in the yards, the drilling had even stopped.

Arctus took stance and so did Strong Stitch, "whenever you're ready," he wasn't braced for the blow.

Two or so seconds later and Strong Stitch reared back, slamming her mace horizontally. Arctus was intending to prepare her to learn how to attack and defend at the same time, swinging his spatha with her movements. The shield rose and the force hit.

Arctus could not manage to swipe at her and the blow instant crumpled his arm and she followed through the whole swing as he tumbled through the air, flipping over his right side and landing with his arm hanging, knees absorbing the shock of her swing on the ground, "holy. Shit," Arctus breathed out, "yeah...you're gonna come out in the field when I have a more solid assignment with a laid out plan."

Strong Stitch beamed. Arctus threw off the shield, the protrusion in the center had been beaten in, "who knew you had that," he arm hurt, numbed from the shock, he started flexing it.

"I've never seen Arctus get thrown like that."

"The pony he scouted is a real powerhouse."

"You think he broke his arm?"

"I don't know, given his reaction and ability to stay on his feet, he's been hit like that before."

Whispers were going about their small audience.

"From hence on, Strong Stitch, I'm taking you as a trainee Scout," her face beamed, "but your practice is far from complete. Please train using the entire castle, learn to climb it, sprint through it, sneak around the guards without notice. Once you have, I'll take you into an assignment with me."

She bowed, "no, no need to bow to me. When you become a Scout, the only pony you'll bow to is Celestia."

He looked at the mace, the head was even bent a little, "you might need something a little larger and more durable next time."

Living gate crasher that was hiding in a tailor shop, that'd be a tale to tell if he ever returned to Aeternia.

He breathed in deep, "all of you can clear out, I need time to continue my practice," he looked to the new trainee and she nodded, leaving as he drew his greatsword once more, tossing the useless shield away from him.

He was whipping gusts around him again.

He had spent the next days very uneventfully, practicing, exercising, doing all he could to boost his confidence in his skills. He had dinners with Celestia, sometimes breakfasts if he wasn't already awake long before her. The week had passed and it came time for him to head to his forest and claim the mirror. Celestia was coming along with a contingent of guards. Silver Spike knew it was today and should be head to the castle himself.

The guards deigned it appropriate to transport the Princess and Arctus along in a chariot, something he had not stepped onto in a very long time.

"You said you were familiar with chariots?" Celestia prompted as four guards flew them through the sky, heading toward the forest.

"The ones I've rode on stay on the ground and aren't painted gold. They're hulks of iron and some would say our bravest tactic."

"How is that?"

"You could ride into combat, defended more than any armor, they even had a top to them. IT was meant to give a haven in a sea of enemies to allow us more freedom to engage enemies."

"So you could become a small fortress on a field of war?"

"Precisely. Some would have simple harnesses on the inside and soldiers would hold to metal struts, it would then be slung from a catapult, those chariots were specialized in that it was impossible to open from the outside unless you took hours. That gave time for forces on the inside to come to and prepare before opening some attack ports in it."

"That's a very interesting tactic."

"It was only employed in ancient history, it's not too common now."

Celestia braced and Arctus did the same as the guards landed next to the forest and unhitched themselves.

The Master Scout lead to his lands, "the creatures won't dare to bother us while I'm present," and any noises the forest might have had quieted, the group not privy to it as they smelt and felt the woodsmaster return.

Celestia giggled, "it still sounds like a fairy tale, but it's true," she took to his side with the guards behind them.

The group entered, following him and remaining as quiet as they could, Arctus forced them to keep a quicker pace, but after twenty or so minutes, they met Silver Spike who stood in front of the castle, longsword laying on the ground next to him and flail in hand, he picked his other weapon up.

He addressed the princess first, bowing, "good morning, Princess Celestia, Arctus."

"Good morning, Scout Silver Spike."

The unicorn pushed the heavy stone doors open, "I already cleared the castle of any nuisances."

"Perfect! We'll be able to get to the mirror without issue."

The whole way there, they still kept quiet while Celestia took lead and pulled the group right into a decrepit chamber. The mirror stood untouched by time.

"I entrust getting the mirror back to Canterlot to you guards and Silver Spike," Arctus let mana flow into his cape through a slight tough of his fingers. The dark shades returned on them.

Celestia hugged him from behind while he made his way to the exit, reaching her neck about him to plant a kiss, "I don't know how it is there or how long you'll be there, but promise me you'll come back."

Arctus held her neck in his arms, "I always come back, you know that."

"Promise me."

"I promise."

"Good, now I had something made," she levitated a potion of white liquid into one of his empty pouches around his waist, "that will heal you should you ever need it. Drink it or pour it on your wounds, it will take care of you no matter what happens."

"Take care of yourself while I'm gone."

"I will, it's not like you're leaving me with incapable ponies," Celestia assured him.

"That's true. No matter what, I'll be home in time to welcome your sister back," Arctus patted her neck and she slowly let him go.

"Where are you going?" Silver Spike spoke up, "do you need help?"

"I'm off to do an assignment for a Master Scout. When you get back to Canterlot, please assist the new trainee Strong Stitch with learning subterfuge, survival, all the skills you learned on your own."

Arctus turned to face the guards, "you make sure that mirror reaches Canterlot safely and that nothing happens to Celestia," they nodded to him.

"I have a day's travel, a boat to make, and some fish to catch."

The Woodsmaster Returns

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Arctus had hunted on his way over and chose specifically to be far from the town of Baltimare and the small settlement at Hayseed Junction. He kept the map on him as the only real tool to help him locate where he was, marking cardinal directions each day with stones, sticks, or some kind of naturally occuring fauna.

And he stayed hidden when he foraged and hunted and spent many many days whittling down a log after cutting it down with his hatchet, taking weeks to perform the task.

And months just to whittle it down by himself and also sustain his body. It had been many years since he last undertook such a long assignment, and still many years since he last arrived in Equestria suddenly during a previous assignment.

He still remembered the blinding light that filled every window, every door that night. He remembered hearing the blood drip from his hunting knife after he slew the rising emperor of a nation hundreds of miles from Aeternia. It was the height of his nation's power and they wanted to expand and force peace by being the only nation left on their continent.

Self-sufficiency was the basis of their glory.

Arctus refocused on the task at hand, gliding the hatchet across the canoe one last time before he heaved it up and put it into the water, seeing it float well.

And then float with him in it.

"Oars."

And with one word to himself, he got to work again.

Before he set out that night, he made sure to sharpen all his tools and to provide two 'supports' to his canoe, hollowed out cylinders from another log. He ensured they were halved and two on each side, ensuring they had pressure on the bottom to assit the canoe in staying stable. He looked to the sky and could see every star clearly, the weather where he camped and prepped was very accomodating.

Perhaps Celestia had something to do with that.

And he left, equipment on him, some preserved food and fresh fruit and raw edible plants with him. The canoe was pushed out and he began to row, the hardest part of crossing a giant ocean was that he could not rest, he had to use the stars' positions as guidance and thus could not afford that sleep until he arrived.

"This is what we do," he spoke to the empty ocean in the black, "for my glory, the glory of Equestria, and the glory of Aeternia."

"We survive and kill where not a single animal would dare to go, we live in the nightmares of every kingdom to remind them that one day they may run into us."

And he rowed on, speaking that night to keep him awake as he recalled from the Slabs of Scouts each name that died in service, each Scout that went on to be a Master.

And he eventually reached shore of the landmass he wanted to be on. Arctus knew to the south was the Dragon Lands with the billowing volcano. It was early morning, the sun began to come up and the Scout quickly hopped out and pulled his canoe ashore, near a large rock on the beach and began to dig with an oar as quickly as he could until he had made a sizable pit.

The canoe was shoved in and he began to bury it, memorizing the rock where he laid it under the sand for later use. The sun was up when he finished and he willed his exhaustion and pain away in his muscles, burying the oars atop the canoe.

Arctus consulted his map as he hid behind the rock, noting his approximate location and that of Griffonstone. He recalled information from Kanna's journal. Four different Aeternians, three were here, one was in the Dragon Lands; and none of them would assist her in vengeance.

He inhaled deep and then exhaled, "let's hope they're just living out their lives peacefully here and trying to find a way home."

He stood and took off into the thinly wooded forest, making his way north. Once he entered, he became more aware to his surroundings and recorded the patterns of animals, sounds, and more occurences. The Master Scout was traveling slower, but nonetheless reached a clearing within an hour on the otherside of the forest. He saw the city of Griffonstone higher up on a cliff.

"Accurate for an avian species," he put away his hatchet, only having his spear drawn, "I can't flee through these woods and lose any pursuers, too small."

Speaking to himself was ill-advised by those who taught him but it was a habit he couldn't quit.

He could sleep relatively safely in the woods however and given that he ate all the rations he brought from Hayseed Swamp, a rest and then more hunting or foraging would be advised. That's exactly what he did, only able to bag small game such as hares after he spent the day sleeping in the woods until about dusk.

And he cooked when night began to arrive, gutting as he could with his knife and skinning as well. That same night he left the woods, having destroyed his campsite throughly so only the trained could see that someone was there. He ate as he walked to Griffonstone.

And not even more than forty paces a small stud in his left hand's index finger vibrated harshly. Unless he was close to the source, it would continue to vibrate.

He dropped low, still eating and approached the city carefully before going about the cliff walls to attempt to find the source of the mana he was alerted to.

Countless tools for countless situations. While he moved about the stud stopped vibrating and he couldn't see the glow of mana or spell usage anywhere.

Illusions or some other kind of subterfuge. He continued going about the cliff until he found the footpath up and began ascending in the night, it didn't take him that long to reach the city, if its poor state could reflect that.

It was demolished, not by any Aeternian method, but from an economic decline as far as he could tell.

His ring did not start vibrating again which meant something was certainly here.

A great purple light shone on Arctus' left and he began a sprint, keeping himself low and going behind ruined buildings.

The game was afoot.

And the hunter had already bounded off and came upon a cemetery, hiding behind gravestones he moved closer to where the purple light was appearing.

"Hey, my alarm went off."

"No need to be worried, these griffins are scared shitless of us. We'll have the army we need to build a new Aeternia. Kill every griffin on this rock and go to those other lands that Kanna was talking about."

"She probably already conquered them," the first voice spoke again and Arctus immediately recognized it, he vaulted over the gravestones and point his spear at the second person, seeing a second familiar face.

"Shitting Gods damned Stars...it's fucking Arctus," the first recognized him, "Scout, you remember me?"

He knew him, "Priest Atticus, you're the one who first introduced me to godhood magics."

"So this is the legendary Scout born from the Destiny Stars, the literal Gods," the man garbed in blue had purple glows lighting their surroundings all about his body, sigils and symbols carved onto his skin.

"Our first corpse recycler," Arctus spoke with distaste, "Hadden."

"Even far from Aeternia you still mock me? I'm your key to the army you need, Scout."

"That's Master Scout Arctus," he looked behind the pair and could see four raised bodies of griffins in varying degrees of decay, one was even just bone, "you're committing atrocities here, too."

"Hadden, now that Sc-Master Scout Arctus is here, we don't need to raise the dead. He is an army."

"I was dispatched by myself to protect the kingdom I serve."

The two stared in disbelief at him.

"The ever loyal Arctus turned his back?" Hadden insulted back.

"There's another Aeternian here. Kanna's journal mentions so. Where are they?" He kept his spear pointed at Hadden.

"You're so damn hostile. What happened to Kanna? You team up with her? Are we going to war here just because you hate me?" Hadden and Arctus were spitting word after word filled with hate.

"I killed her, she stood against Equestria and learned the might of me. I must repeat that effort."

"You gave away your stealth, Scout," Hadden rose his arms with a scream.

The purple symbols came to life and countless corpses dug their way out of shallow graves, groaning.

Hadden made his escape.

"Uh...surely...surely you have need for a priest?"

"I have no need for a priest that would raise an army against her," Arctus cut down Atticus where he stood, shoving his spear into his neck, firmly severing most of his head before retracting it back.

The star filled sky provided some light, but the new moon did not help at all. Arctus knew he couldn't quite win this fight against the almost immortal, and while the health of the griffin kingdom didn't matter to him, these zombies could cause a serious problem, so he needed to figure out where Hadden was making his base of operations at.

Arctus fled, cutting his way out with his greatsword. While slow, he could get swarmed or exhausted and that would not mean well. It didn't take him long to make his way out of the small army and up higher on the cliffs.

The Master Scout knew from here that Hadden needed to die and he could find that third Aeternian here and move on to the Dragon Lands to tackle the real threat, although this was seeming like a real threat now and he already gave out information on where he came from. He inhaled.

And exhaled.

Arctus knew what he had to do, but he would wait one more night before giving it a try and he returned back to the woods, making camp quickly and settling in to sleep more.

Tomorrow would bring a hunt.

Tomorrow night would bring a re-deposit to the moved soil.

After his short rest, Arctus began going about the woods and sniping arrow after arrow in whatever game he could get. Hares, large birds, and later that day he went to a stream that ran through the woods.

The dead animals hung around a small rope, dangling from his hip.

Another rope was tied to the bodkin arrow he held in his bow, not yet taut.

The water would soothe others' nerves, but not the Master Scout's. He breathed in deep and pulled the bow back, the stream was wide and he could see the shapes of fish moving below.

Calories, calories, calories, if he wanted to accomplish this next task, he would need so much food.

He pulled the arrow back and loosed it quickly, planting it deep in a fish. His hand caught the rope and yanked the meal back to him. Arctus had a lot of sticks and wood kept nearby along with dried river stones in a circle. With a little of his magic, he started a fire at dusk, roasting meat after meat.

While he cooked, he prepped the next piece of protein. Nightfall came shortly after he finished eating and he dumped the ash, stones, and wood all into the stream.

He breathed in deep and exhaled, "for the glory of myself, of Aeternia, and of Equestria."

Hadden would be his, his to claim and kill. Arctus did not enjoy how he defiled their dead to develop his unsavory magic, even if he explicitly rose corpses of their enemies.

And every time he was dispatched was another time Arctus could have been gaining more glory and prowess to reach closer to the heavens he wanted to know.

Arctus checked his equipment one more time before leaving the woods and making his way back to Griffonstone and drew his spear the moment he saw the cliff face and the stud stopped vibrating on his hand.

The Master Scout rotated his spear and plunged it into the soil, hilting the full sharpened edge. His let his mana flow into the weapon.

He was letting loose the full might of his spear and the Sacred Volcano that blessed it.

Disease Breather

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A great white light shined from where the spearhead dug into the ground and a bubbe rapidly spread around him and the surrounding area, encompassing all of Griffonstone.

At that initial brightness, mana was being dispersed, spells stopped.

The cave at the base of Griffonstone revealed itself, the most likely place this undead army was being assembled. Arctus approached with no hesitation or fear, holding his spear in front of him. Though the risen dead were easy to dispatch, the true danger came from the countless diseases one could get from handling them. To save the griffins above from that effort, he wouldn't be leaving until each one was dead.

The moment he stepped into the cavern, "I knew you'd find me. You and that damn spear are the only reason why I haven't been acknowledged as the superior force in Aeternia."

Torches flared to life, revealing the groaning army of griffins, rotting away.

"I want to see you give in to my force," Hadden mocked him, his voice coming from farther back.

For most, a deadly blow to the head or complete annihilation of the corpse would slay an undead, but Hadden had his mana in each one of these bodies.

It would be fire to kill them, but Arctus' spear would neutralize each one at the first touch.

Without hesitation, a unique symbol hit the air in front of Arctus, led by his hand, "Relentless Gær! I invoke your name. Give to me your breath, blown into my nostrils so I may not."

Green light shone over the Master Scout and he dove in, slaying the horrors with a single strike, countering beforethey could land anything on him.

He wouldn't admit it, but the thought of undead touching him was a fear he acquired ever since he roamed his first sky-cursed ruin.

Arctus fought on, slaying body after body and moving forth, heading closer and closer to the back of the cave.

"You invoked a godhood, I suppose you won't tire from my hoard."

"You're only just a mage, how do you expect to stand up to a Master Scout?"

"I'll send you to your grave whether you kill me or not. Disease with be your killer, Arctus."

The undead began dropping all on their own, Hadden was taking his invested mana back, eventually he was visible and so was another Aeternian at the back of the cave behind him.

Dressed much more casually, that was a normal citizen, some kind of laborer or tradesperson.

Arctus saw Hadden inhale and then exhale a great amount of fumes, a brackish brown cloud puffed from his mouth, overtaking to the walls of the cave and moving alarmingly fast at him.

"Intangible Kamna!"

"No! Nobody has used that godhood in a hundred of years!"

He traced the symbol in the air, "teach my body to become fateless and unbound so that I may deliver the final blow as you did to the sky!" A pink sheen raced over his body and Arctus gave way, sinking into the stone floor of the cave.

His vision still worked and he was able to see out of the rock, going around the cloud he met the front of Hadden, impaling his spear deep into the necromancer's chest. He was as any spirit can be, physical material would only stop him if he allowed.

"You always practiced the most distasteful arts. Aeternia will be better off without you in its future."

"You...goddamn bastard. Why refuse to conquer nations and be the ruler you want?"

"There is wisdom in Aeternia's ability to function without a true leader."

"I always thought you were full of yourself, Starborn," he mocked, "but now you're just full of yourself in a moronic way."

Arctus flared the rebirth of his spear and the frostbitten heat roasted his cells, demolishing them as it froze over.

Hadden went limp and slipped from his spear, no blood pooled out. It was all too frozen to move. Arctus looked to the terrified Aeternian.

"You know what those two were doing was wrong. The dead deserve to stay dead. As a civilian, you don't have the need to conquer and destroy born in you, I know a place you can live peacefully here."

"M-Master Scout Arctus?"

"That is my name, didn't you hear them say it," he heaved the woman to her feet, "we leave. You're going to be roughing it for a while so get used to that," Arctus pulled her hard before she walked of her own accord, "move quick, there are countless diseases here, don't breath the air too much."

The pair made it out of the cave and Arctus took a moment to lay a sigil that he used at the twin sister's castle.

The entrance was exploded and quickly covered in a rockfall to prevent anything from entering the defiled mountain hole.

"I'm camping out in the woods to the South. Once I get some rest, food, and make two more oars, we're rowing further South to a place called the Dragon Lands. Then I can get you to your new home once I crumble that kingdom."

"O-okay," she looked to the night sky, "thank you for the envoy of my prayers."

Arctus returned to his camp, his physical form wasn't too exhausted, but his mana was dwindling and that also required rest to restore. He started a fire without hesitation using more magic and went to work getting fish.

"What's your name?" Arctus asked as he held his bow over the water, thin rope tied to the shaft.

"Huh?" The woman looked at him, "oh, Lohey."

"Lohey, as someone who is non-military I know you're not used to taking orders. I know you know of Aeternia law that allows a Scout to leverage use of whomever and any resources they need. I would rather not apply that law, so I ask. Can you get more firewood? Whatever sticks, branches, and dried plant material. I'll be co-," he loosed his arrow and yanked the rope back, pulling a fish up, "cooking quite a lot tonight and resting in the morning."

Lohey nodded to him and left. Arctus knew these woods were completely safe and that was the lone reason why he sent her out.

That afternoon, Arctus spent time cutting a fallen log down before making two more shabby oars, taking time to make another meal for them both afterward and as night approached he looked to Lohey, "listen, that canoe is big, so you can sleep in it, but I must be off to my next task."

"Is there any city you can leave me at?" Lohey spoke up.

Arctus took a look at her, an incredible amount of fear symptomed from the dart to avoid eye contact.

"Yes, Equestria has the same law enacted. I can get you there," he began digging the canoe up as a great orange shade cast over the sky, "grab an oar and start digging."

Lohey followed his wish and both of them in their sweat unearthed the canoe. Arctus turned it over, removing most of the sand from the inside.

And they were off with irritating grains preventing a more comfortable ride.

Putting Them in Their Place

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They landed, the canoe thudding the shore and Lohey rose up appropriately.

"Go North," he pointed, "you'll find a large city named Baltimare. You mention my name enough and you'll get somepony to take you to Canterlot where you'll be in front of Celestia," he drew his hunting knife from the ragged leather sheath he kept it in.

Lohey climbed out from the canoe and he gently handed it to her, holding the blade in his hand. His left index finger pointed to his first initial on the bottom of the wooden handle.

"This will help, but when you are brought to Celestia. Mention that the Glacegere's egg is in my quarters. That should be all she needs to confirm that you were with me an not some kind of spy."

"Is...is it safe?"

"It is, follow my instructions. You might get detained for a while, but they don't treat any criminal or prisoner poorly."

Arctus stepped out of the canoe and pulled it completely ashore and into the swamp farther in, "go, stop standing about."

Lohey began to leave, "and," she stopped looking back at him, "tell Celestia I love her," Arctus looked to the canoe and then to the swamp.

He was in Equestria again, a safer land and so he took to the forest, desiring some sleep and food. Lohey left, going along the shore. She gripped the knife tightly.

They didn't talk about it at all, but they both wanted to know what happened that night in Aeternia.

Arctus had bagged an entire deer, roasted, gutted, skinned, and ate some of it. The meat was being held in the canoe, lined by plant leaves that were harshly boiled. He even boiled the already roasted meat to ensure it had no new diseases or parasites before he left that night, using the stars as a guide once more to land on a sandy shore of a rocky beach.

In the dawn breaking sky, the Master Scout pulled his canoe aboard, taking the pound or two of food he had left and shoving it roughly into an empty pouch on his left leg.

There wasn't enough sand to really hide his canoe. The violent waves and some rocky alcoves already filled with seaweed gave him a second method, not as stealthy, but enough to hide it so he could get back home once he was done. After layering the canoe and oars thoroughly with seaweed, the sun was well up again and Arctus left the beach, scaling a sharp rocky incline, as he came to the top.

His head peered over.

And just as the name suggested.

The Dragon Lands awaited him along with an immensely arduous, yet surmountable, task.

"For the glory of me. For the glory of Equestria. For the glory of Aeternia," he heaved himself up, keeping his body low. The flying adversaries and grounded large bodies were a far distance away from him, busy watching their young.

The colorful creatures noticing him could easily show him the final moments of his life.

So he crept about, heading along the north side and toward a rockier area. He already noted that he would be bunking down soon and likely a spot above his canoe, in one of the many rocky coves he saw on the cliff.

Arctus had scaled down the cliff using his own two hands and his own two feet, his bedroll was set and some equipment was already laid out in the deepest part of the alcove. It was up higher and would prevent him from getting wet even during a tropical storm if one were to land.

He slept and woke after he ate what food he had left. The first order of business was set to begin as the sun had already gone down. The Scout climbed back up, using the same rocks and holds he used to climb down.

His cape was blackened and he held his spear as he crept further in to the continent. Stealth, subterfuge, surveyance; tasks that were all important to the success of this assignment. He needed to cripple them the easiest way he could, but he still didn't want to run them extinct.

No, to rob someone of a chance at battling a future dragon wouldn't do. Dragons had their place in this world, evident by Twilight's hatching of one.

His mind turned to his own egg. A lot of time had passed since he first acquired it and it was still incubating. He was beginning to wonder if raising it was ever in his stars.

Arctus clung behind a rock, peeking his head out and making mental notes.

Children, very young, too young to survive well without their giant parents about. They seemed able enough, walking, sometimes even flying, hunting was definitely an ability they had. Fighting him, however, is something they likely would not be able to handle. The adults varied in shapes, sizes, and body mass, but all had four limbs and a pair of wings. Some were even actively breathing fire.

That was not magic.

That was real fire and it would pose more than just some uncomfortably hot conditions for Arctus.

He was still taking down his mental study guide. Some of these adults were asleep, some awake, some flying with their children. He could make out some words of them, general things, but they talked of violence and strength much more than other races here. Power seemed to be their goal in life along with the size of their hoard.

But he did make out the title Dragon Lord.

Arctus had a mark he needed to dispose of now. From the sounds of it, being the Dragon Lord was something any of them could achieve. It's like the talks of being Emperor of Aeternia, what people would do if they had the power, what they would change. It was just a different species discussing it in their own political system.

The Master Scout breathed in. Killing the Dragon Lord would not be enough to topple them, another would take their place.

He would need to kill every single candidate, every single adult. A daunting task to stare down. The best way to do that was to strike fear into them.

And if they saw him, they'd definitely feel superior from size alone so a direct confrontation, even if short lived would not be desirable. The way they spoke to each other made them sound like none of them were kin or friends and would betray one another just to prove they are stronger.

Pride, he could use that to his advantage. There was only ever one mind spell he learned from the temple. The priests kept them all as forbidden knowledge, but he made off with a scroll when he was being ran through the discussions of becoming head priest due to his abnormal birth conditions.

But he was once that prideful and would showboat his own abilities. It had changed him knowing he had something to protect.

That did cause another thought to run through his mind. What made Equestria so different in his mind that it was worth protecting as opposed to Aeternia? Arctus already knew the answer to that question, but he felt there was still more to gain from asking it.

The Master Scout had a plan hatched in his head and he marched with his greatsword drawn and leaned against his right shoulder. Towards the nearest gathering of dragons.

His spear, blessed by magma, was capable of protecting him from magic, but to protect from a natural weapon like dragonfire.

He'd need his own physical prowess and heavy use of shield spells.

Arctus was bravely walking right to his adversaries. Once he was close enough for them to notice the family of dragons ceased their activities and collectively stared at him while he approached.

His behavior didn't change when they reacted to his presence. Instead, his spear found its holster again and he slowly drew his greatsword from its holster and out of his cape.

At this closer distance, what he thought were originally storm clouds across the island just prior to the torrent of rain were puffs of smoke.

Smoke streamed from the giant adults nostrils and mouths, showing the flame they held within. Arctus' heart began to pump hard.

A human walking, hiking through the woods comes across a bear and their fight or flight kicks in. Adrenaline slams into their heart and they're ready, the body is burning an incredible amount of calories for them to use the energy they need right away. That's what it meant to be alive.

As a Scout, those moments become fewer and farther apart.

As a Master Scout whose lived as long as he has, they never happen.

But today was that exception, he had his bear in front of him, a giant cyan four limbed monstrosity that towered above him. A second bear that was orange, long, lanky, but with only four limbs. His heart was pounding hard in his chest.

Marching right to the child of these two dragons, the pink scaled creature that was just as big as him, Arctus assured his chest that he was prepared and that his fight-or-flight response was voided.

One of the beasts lurched forward, inhaling. The second its mouth parted, Arctus broke into a sprint, grasping his greatsword firmly in both hands.

"For the glory!" He shouted his war call again and stoked mana within himself, maintaining focus on an impressive amount of things. Flame began to chase his back as the cyan dragon breathed it and followed him while he made a run to the fledging dragon.

He reared the thick blade behind him and swung it about, pracing the handguard against his shoulder the moment before it made contact again the scales of the frightened creature.

Blood sprayed over the rocky ground and Arctus as the head of the family's youngest flew through the air. The Scout ran on, turning in a half circle to come face to face with two intensely angry parents.

The veins popped on his skin and he could feel sweat dripping from his brow.

The orange dragon roared while Arctus traced the air, "relentless Gær! I invoke your name. Give to me," his body shook as the ground did from the roars following the orange's, "your breath, blown into my nostrils so I may not."

A green light bounced from the smoke fumes above and soaked into Arctus. He lifted his left hand and summoned a black ball in it, gently guiding it to the greatsword while the two dragons stampeded toward him. The blade soaked his magic up, a magic Arctus learned before he went to war on the front lines against the first rival nation that openly declared hostilities against Aeternia.

The greatsword oozed black smoke while the blade became tainted and Arctus let his mana slowly seep from his hand to the sword to keep the enchantment active, "here we go, Arctus."

He spoke aloud to himself, gripping the sword with both hands again.

"We don't know the journey, but we know the victory," he assured himself and leapt a foot forward, rushing to the orange dragon that approached with its mate.

The General

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The Master Scout jumped to the air "laiptelis oro skraidyti!" and landed a foot onto a light platform, climbing his way higher and higher into the skies and over the swooping limb of the cyan dragon. Smoke billowed from the orange behemoth's mouth that he charged to as it inhaled.

It closed its mouth, cheeks puffing outward.

Arctus stood in front of its face and lifted the greatsword back, taking a step onto two more platforms and slamming the steel into the mouth of it. The blade cut deep, a nod to its smith, and severed the top and bottom lip of the dragon as he swung down, cutting clearly out.

Fire seeped slowly from the dragon's now parted lips as his body was sent rocketing to the rock below.

He looked to the cyan dragon, seeing a recognizable fear in its eyes behind the rage and anger.

It hesitated and that's all Arctus needed. The light platforms gave out and he fell down to where the blackened steel plummeted the orange dragon. His greatword sank, point first, into the orange dragon's head, piercing skull and slowing his fall suddenly before the hilt touched and Arctus' feet landed.

"Ugnis primasti sprogdinti!" His body was flown upwards as he focused the spell through to the tip of his weapon.

In a great show of fire, gore, and blood; the dragon's head had splattered everywhere and Arctus holstered the now normal and magic free greatsword of his.

He needed to pay that smith even more.

He spread all four of his limbs as he still flew into the air.

"Kirtimas audra ant vienas," wind began billowing behind him.

"Sustiprinti burtazodis sunaikinimas!" He empowered his spell, one he learned for war.

Dragons had enclosed to watch the spectacle, dozens around. Arctus floated from the wind in the air.

And with booms behind him, slashes of gale forces zipped from behind him, whistling through the air to create a deafening symphony.

One landed on the rocks, slashing it two or even three feet deep, the others landed throughout, raining pebbles about and slashing limbs off foes, cutting and bleeding them deeply. The dragons began fleeing, dying as they went and the farther off ones flew off quickly, heading to a giant large rock to the southeast.

Arctus' spell came to a close and he slowly fell from the sky, the wind landing him safely.

Though he needed no oxygen to function and didn't feel any exhaustion, his mana was just about done.

Arctus looked around at the bloody carnage and the lack of dragons, taking his hatchet he cut and butchered a lopped off arm, hauling the meat across the splattered rocks.

Not a single creature was around, they were all too busy fleeing or hiding.

He went all the way back to the alcove, throwing the meat down to it. He used a gout of flame to roast the meat, finishing his remaining mana reserves. He ate.

Tomorrow would continue out his plan.

After his rest and large meal, Arctus scaled the rocks again, finding no sign of dragons where he was. The black plume even looked to be thinner. His plan was in motion and so he started to watch as he skulked in the duck light that concealed him well. Far away in the distance, he noticed a flash of light, orange sparks flying through the air.

So he moved swiftly, sprinting and keeping his steps rather quiet for his speed.

As he enclosed, these sparks were not from fire, but from steel. A warrior here was certainly far from home.

But the fighter clad in steel was fending off an adult dragon, even besting it slowly. It was another human which meant it could be and likely was the Aeternian that was present here.

Arctus took to a rock, peeking over it to watch this singular duel go on while he observed the details.

The fighting style.

The weapons of choice.

It was all too familiar of a fighter reported dead in the field. A hero proclaimed by the citizens and military.

The Master Scout watched as burly steel figure dropped his longsword, the steel clattered on the rock, and drew a sica with a exagerrated curve that was almost a right angle. The cutting edge was on the inside from the glint of light Arctus could see.

That grip confirmed who it was. This soldier held the sica like a hook ready to catch and hang a cow carcass for further butchering. The claw of the cragon came down and he caught it against the dagger before hooking the flesh onto it and roughly pulling.

It was a tactic of pain and the smaller adult dragon caved, falling into a hunched stance as the sica was switched to the left hand of this familiar figure.

A massive blade left his back, gripped by his right hand and then left, the removal revealed Aeternia's symbol of volcanic peaks and stars in the sky.

A shriek of agony resounded, a scaly arm was lopped off and the veteran followed with a pommel that crashed upon the dragon's nose, forcing it to daze.

A quick swing and the neck was slashed apart, not all the way through, but blood quickly poured down the dragon's front and it fell onto its left side, landing with a loud thud while the sica was reclaimed.

Arctus knew this man and knew it would be a long night catching up. He left the rock, drawing his spear and inching quietly. The Master Scout swung his spear once close enough and it was just barely caught by the curved dagger, inches from his face.

"I know that blue spear head when I see it. In this land of legendary beasts, you walk too?" Arctus withdrew his spear, his attack was sloppy, but he never intende dot kill.

"I do, you're still wearing your incredibly heavy armor as well."

"I wouldn't be half the person I am today if I didn't wear it, you know damn well how long it took smiths to make it. I see you're a Master Scout now, might be a higher rank, but I'm never going to humble myself in front of you, Arctus," the man laughed as he sheathed his greatsword onto his back and his longsword to his side.

A saber hung from his hip, a rather long and well sharpened blade.

"Savus, I know you enjoy pleasantries, but I have an important task I'm on now. I'm conscripting you into it as well."

"We're not even in Aeternia and you're using legal code on me?" He laughed again, holding onto his sica still, "can it wait until after I cook up this behemoth, I have some wood at my camp in the forest just three miles that way," his dagger revealed the direction.

"That present a good opportunity, I'll discuss with you then."

Arctus was rather sure these dragons were some kind of sentient, but they were dfeinitely different from the griffons and ponies. They lacked some kind of intelligence so they were just beasts with a complex social heirarchy for now.

After butchering and cooking, they both sat around the campfire, watching more meat drip juices into the roaring orange, "so, what was it you need me for?" Savus asked.

"Before I get to that discussion, do you know where we are?"

"Shitting Stars, Arctus, just explain it to me."

He sighed after emptying his mouth of food, "we're not in Aeternia, we're in another world," Savus was unmoved from the information he just received, "I've aligned with a different nation here, one that is across the ocean."

"You always kept your head on even if Aeternia was in a commotion. I'm not surprised that you found a new home here."

"Savus, I'm here on order from that nation. I'm here to cripple these dragons and I've already started, perhaps with unseen help from you, but I'm killing all the parents and culling the children's numbers."

"Hahaha, that's a task I'd gladly join! Does this nation have the same Scout Necessity code?"

"Yes."

Savus smirked, taking another bite, "doesn't seem like I had a choice anyway."

"Did you want to join me in that nation?" Arctus posed.

"And bring glory alongside you again? I had been fighting for my life for three whole years on the other side of the Drein Ocean, I would lose my right thumb before I let an opportunity to do meaningful battle slip me by."

Savus did go missing during that naval battle and Aeternia won, but the scounts dispatched afterwards didn't make any reports back so no one knew if they were dead or still fighting. Every Aeternian assumed they were still over there fighting and when Savus didn't report back he was presumed dead.

But the Sacred Star General was right in front of him, the head of all military in Aeternia, an old friend.

"The ruler will make the decision if you can be trusted to live there, she has an intuition of her own, very unlike the priests."

"Good, a nation not headed by a greedy pseudo political figure would be a lovely change. How do you intend to get back?"

"I have a canoe stashed away. I might have to modify it to account for all your equipment. I did want to stress a point."

Arctus took a bite.

"What is it, friend?" Savus lowered his food and looked to him.

"This nation I'm working under means more to me than a lot of Aeternia did, don't make me regret taking you there."

"I see. I'm a man of my word, I won't pose them any threat, by Reba's bloody body I swear on it."

"Good," and Arctus went back to eating.

Aeternian Tactics

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"So, you saw every dragon congregate over there?" Arctus point to a large volcano, magma actively flowed down from it over another rocky terrain on the other side of the woods.

"Yes, there also seems to be a couple that can speak, imagine that," Savus laughed.

"You'll be greatly surprised when I get you back to my home," Arctus smirked, "did you ever pick up any new magic tricks?"

"Ha, never. I only need the two magics I use."

"Have you noticed any kind of hiearchy?" Arctus waved for Savus to follow him and he did, walking through the thin woods.

"They follow an absolute ruler, but it's otherwise anarchy. Some dragon called the Dragonlord."

"Not very intelligent creatures after all," the spear left his back as they walked together.

"So, you ever figure out why we're here?" Arctus posed the question he'd yet to have an answer for.

"That night I arrived, the stars were incredibly bright, I couldn't see anything, nobody could," Savus answered, "I was lucky enough to see them shine brighter and brighter and brighter, then I was here."

"That's explains the white flash I saw outside, I was not under the direct gaze of the Eight when it happened."

"Did you ever find out what it means to be Starborn?"

The Master Scout stopped swiveling his head and looked to the salt and peppered headed veteran, catching his gaze from under his helm, "no, but I'm really close. Somepony named Luna will be assisting me with that endeavor."

"I see...how is that?"

The pair broached the edge of the foliage, the end of the woods and stopped before exiting to keep their stealth, "she can move the moon and stars."

Savus was quiet, "no...that can't be possible. Not even the Eight Heroes could accomplish that, they could only launch stars into the sky."

"I've seen one move the Sun, it's-. It is their natural order."

Savus pointed with his longsword out at the actively running volcano, "there, they congregate there and a dragon more about our size stands at the top," the Sacred Star General pulled something from the rucksack he carried in his left hand.

Arctus took the spyglass from him and peered to the volcano, he did have his own, but Savus was sometimes oblivious to the preparation a Scout does for a task.

He could see a white dragon, similarly structured to Savus' suit of armor, holding a staff and though he couldn't hear it talking.

He could make out the points and movements and the jaw vertically oscillating to tell it was issuing orders.

"Savus, you still know that dagger trick and that godhood magic, right?"

"Of course, those are the two magics I know."

"I'm certain you caught the show I put on that drove them here."

"You mean the winds?" Savus laughed, "that was quite a spectacle. I knew from the moment I saw it that a mage either cast it or you. You were always so specific with the magics you learned."

"It wasn't about how many spells you knew like the mages thought, but rather how you apply them and when. I...I never really developed my mana reserves, so something on that scale here won't be feasible."

Savus took his spyglass back, "I'm gonna go return my bag to my camp. Where are you hiding out on this rock?"

"West side, the rocky cliffs. You'll have to climb down to find the alcove I've taken up temporary lodging at."

"Sometimes I think Scouts just like extra work," he sheathed his longsword, "so, what's your idea?"

He motioned for him to fall back to his campsite and the two left, "this isn't like a previous situation I've come across, nor was I expecting that amount. Is your armor as fire proof as the rumors were?"

"I walked that river of lava, your trainer saw me do it. This old metal will protect me from their breath, but maybe not their claws."

"Their physical ability is far above mine, but you seem like you can match them."

Savus took his helm off, smiling, "I'm just crafty and I can use that force to hang them on my sica."

"My earlier plan was to force them to fall back and protect their children as I made a clear intent that they were my main focus. Some psychological tactics to make them flee and round their children up. As most people come to in those situations, you can't hide behind your doors forever. So they'll send some dragons out in groups to fight the threat and we'll go after any dragons they aren't with the group until then."

"I like where this is going."

"Our key to victory is controlling their numbers, if too many come at us, we're both going to die. We'll meet those searching parties and slay them, it's okay if one flees to alert others as long as we clean them up quick. In that event, they'll send most of the group out and we can sneak to their congregation and check it out from their. If they're stupid enough to send most, we can attack there or I can run a short stealth raid on them."

They reached his campsite and the veteran set his helm and bag onto a log he pulled to his burnt out campfire, "did you have a plan for their leader?"

A giant metal arrow left his back, "tomorrow night, I'll take him out after those search parties are destroyed some."

"You Scouts are something else. I'm betting ten thousand Shimmers that you're gonna miss him," Savus poked.

"You'll be disappointed when you see the head of that dragon rip from its body."

Arctus looked to the moon still rising, "I'll be in my own camp, resting until the sun comes up, then we rendezvous in the rocky field I saw you in earlier. Moreover the plan..."

Savus sighed out, "you have more?"

"Of course, no half measures are ever taken by a Scout who gets into their thirties. After I kill their leader, it will cause an upheaval and they may go into hiding in multiple spots, but we have to kill them all out somehow. I'll be conserving my mana in case we need a shield or something demanding to get out of a situation, so I would very much appreciate your daggers in their hides as a way of climbing for myself."

"Are...are you serious? No man could do-."

"You know I can. I didn't become a Master Scout without the skills to match. Once you sink your daggers in, I'll use them as anchors and step my way up them to fight closer at their vitals. If you can manage to slam them into their eyes, do so. I'll fight in tune with you, so make your judgement calls and I'll act according to those if I'm able to."

"You want me to take the lead in combat?" The General pointed to himself.

"For the most part, yes, I ask that you let me start all engagements and you can join in whenever you see the right moment or feel like getting your sword red."

"Arctus, friend, you're bloody crazy to be even here with the task to destroy all these dragons."

"I should mention. I have a time constraint, this can't go past four months, I have a very important assignment after this."

"Damn, they keep you busy."

"See you tomorrow at daybreak, be ready."

Arctus walked across the rocky terrain, looking at the shadow that shimmered under the starlight that barely peeked through the plume of smoke. The Sun was rising up as the two met each other, weapons in handle, gear at the ready.

"I did have some elixirs packed for this task, in case you do end up hurt."

"As much as I'd like to boast," Savus laughed, "I don't think I can. Today will be a hard fought day, just make sure my name gets etched onto the highest tablet."

That'd be a great honor and one he definitely deserved if his name had not already been carved onto the wall that hung over the Sacred Volcano in Aeternia. It'd be an honor closed to Arctus until he found a way back.

He was doubting if he even wished to return. Aeternia had need for him, but Equestria is where he found true purpose.

His heart was still in two places.

"Savus, if you recall, then you know I don't communicate or talk during combat."

"I do, only words you ever let out were for some spells," as the sun floated up above three shadows cast over them, "we've got guests already."

Arctus exhaled and then inhaled. No mana, no magics, nothing unless it is a true emergency. He would be relying on his physical prowess and the greatsword made for him.

"Sacred Stars above, heroes of our lands, commanders of the Volcanoes. I bare my full ability in front of all of you," Savus looked to Arctus in shock, "with the hope that all of you may bless me this day with the full potential of my prowess that I may slay my coming foes."

A prayer, Arctus never really prayed before, he believed in the heroes, but not as Gods. The Master Scout still chose to pray.

And he had never prayed before.

As the dragons spotted the two of them, they began to swoop down and Savus readied himself, spreading his stance, "never thought I'd see the day you prayed to them."

"I didn't think I would either," he set the greatsword onto the rocks, leading the handle against him while he drew his bow and a solid metal arrow.

A light yellow sheen was over the head of the arrow that looked more at home on a ballista, blessed by Celestia. His arms took aim at the first one of the three swooping in.

"For the glory of us and Aeternia!" The two shouted together and the arrow flew with a howl. Wind shrieked as it flew straight toward their first opponent and lanced into the eye of it where Arctus directed it to.

The first dragon fell from the skies, likely in the excruciating pain the Scout left it in. His bow then slept and the slab of steel leaned again found itself in his hands again as the second scaled behemoth landed with black scales shimmering in the sunrise. The third flew over and landed on the other side of the pair, deep blue scales rippling as a claw drew back.

Arctus ran forth to the blue monstrousity, catching the claws with his greatsword. His body flung from the impact. With a flip through the air, he landed on his feet, feeling the shock of the hard ground send a moment of pain through his calves. The Scout pressed on again, sprinting once more. He peeked behind him and saw Savus, standing within a blaze of flame from the black dragon's mouth.

"Ha ha! I am the volcano walker! You can not burn me!" The general taunted and walked in the blaze toward his own combatant.

A claw was sent from above at Arctus and he swiftly dashed to the left and out of the way, his spatha left his sheath and he dug it deep into the scales of the dragon's appendage. The great myth roared in pain and lifted its claw up in pain, Arctus still held to it and yanked his spatha free when he flew through the air.

Toward the head of the dragon itself. His spatha slipped into his sheath, blood having been flung of through the air. Arctus lifted his greatsword back and swung, hacking deep into the snout of the blue tower. Another howl while the sickly metallic scent poured onto Arctus as he fell down the dragon, piercing its stomach with his greatsword to stop his descent.

He heaved himself up a little before yanking the sword down and finishing his descent, landing hard on the rock while the dragon stumbled over from pain and the fresh new injury on its stomach. He peeked to Savus, seeing him wittle in small hits against the black giant he fought with the sica gripped tight.

Arctus went to the head of the groveling dragon and readied his sword, plunging it into his eyes to the hilt before ripping out and draping himself in a garment of war.

The black dragon paused fighting Savus and stared at Arctus who gazed back with his steely eyes.

"Don't be too hard on yourselves...you dared to thrive."

The large dragon had a specific emotion in its eyes and Savus was now looking between the two.

"That came with a price, a promise," he walked toward the trembling dragon, "that I would come," he look to Savus.

"Flip board me."

The beefy general laid his greatsword on his shoulder while Arctus stowed his own away and drew his spatha and Hatchet again. Leaping to the flat of the blade and letting Savus launch him toward the chest of the dragon.

A squelch of flesh sang into Arctus' left ear when his blade drove to the hilt in the dragon. It roared above.

"Hate to rain on your parade, Master Scout, but we have more dragons coming out way!" Savus shouted up at him as he went to approach again, blade held high.

Arctus swung his hatchet in a wide arc, digging the entire blade into the hide of the beast and swiftly began climbing his way up the obsidian flesh until he go to its snout where he ripped a large slit in one with his hatchet, letting him fall down with the dragon before leaping off toward Savus' new skirmish.

Daggers were already impaled on it and Arctus' weapon found home again while he sport climbed his way up a wall of orange scales, gripping daggers and yanking, stomping on them as he went.

Five...five dragons he counted.

Two spells he could perform without their verbal component. The first was fire, a homage to his own nation, and the second was a force amplifier, something typically only learned by those behind seige machines.

To see a wall explode and shatter sending shrapnel for miles after a single trebuchet hit was life altering.

He climbed the dragon, taking his spear and flipping about one the beast's horns, impaling up to the round boot of his spear into the dragon's eyes, striking brain. The orange dragon began to fall back and he peered to the five in the air.

"Savus! Star Launch!" That was a combat tactic used among Aeternian's, an advanced, one that was recorded back from when the dragon's were alive in Aeternia.

"Fuck me," Savus spoke, "I'll try!"

Arctus pulled his spear out and holstered it again before feeling his greatsword in his right hand and summoning the black ball to his left and placing it to the greatsword as he did the day before. The masterly crafted blade soaked the magic up, turning a deathly shade of dark and even black fumes rose from it.

Savus ran below him with his own greatsword, bracing as he sprint to Arctu's falling point and taking up a stance for a horizontal swing.

This wasn't even an Aeternian tactic either of them performed let alone seen or practiced motions of, one that was labeled incredibly dangerous, "guide my blade, make this mission successful," Arctus prayed aloud as he reared his greatsword for a vertical strike and Savus for a horizontal swipe.

Their large weapons clashed at the perfect angle and point, the metal ringing through the entire air, hurting ears, as loud as a volcano's first eruption when it blows its cap. Arctus portrayed a star launched at the sky as he shot with the spell his enchanted on his sword. The rocks below Savus cracked from the force as he stumbled his left foot only once.

"Sweet fucking Stars...he...we," Savus was at a loss of words when another loud boom reverberated and his sword met the face of a dragon flying their way and the head was sliced in two messily, the dragon fell with a head that was barely recognizable as Arctus used the returned force to land on another dragon. and shoved his greatsword into its neck.

"Yeah...this...this is combat!" He drew his bow and one of Celestia's blessed giant arrows, taking aim and sending it through the side of a second dragon's head before putting his bow away and ripping his greatsword out of the neck of the third, riding it as it fell.

He leapt, rolling on the rocks and stumbling until he caught himself, two or so miles away from Savus.

The skirmish went on like this for hours, party after party of dragon flying only to end up decimated until at last, no more came. Arctus and Savus were both panting breath after breath, standing amidst the countless bodies of dragons.

"What I would do for them to see this," Savus began a hearty laugh, blood still dripping off his plate armor.

The Master Scout attempted to wipe red off his forehead but only managed to smear it, "you sustain any injuries?" He looked to Savus.

"Hahaha, no! I imagine you didn't," he looked to his comrade, "ah...so you have. That looks like its a nice memory to take away."

Arctus had already stripped off most of his gear in the warfield and took the canteen of water he had, taking a deep drink from it before splashing it over the wound to clean away most of the blood. A long gash from his chest down to the bottom of his left ribs, the muscles flexed underneath as he moved.

"Now that I see it, that looks painful."

He handed him some thick sutures and a large fishing hook that he quickly heated the tip of with a conjured flame, "Savus, stitch me up."

"R-right here? You Scouts are crazy enough to immediately mend yourself in the field of war?" He took off his gauntlets and grabbed the hook, "hold still, this is gonna hurt for a long while."

Arctus reached into the same pouch that held his water and fetched a smaller bottle of a clear liquid, splashing the whole entirety of the much more minimal bottle over the wound, clenching his teeth at the sting.

"Good, mostly sterile now," and he got to work.

Arctus did not respond to any of the pain as he hooked through his skin over and over, stitching his flesh back together and as tight as he could. Forty long minutes passed as Savus worked. First aid was a skill every soldier became adept at before they were ever allowed on the battlefields.

"Your sica, please," Arctus requested as he finished.

Savus drew it and held it out while the Scout heated the tip blade to a red hot metal, "cauterize."

And Savus placed the hot blade to his skin, slowly sliding over it as he further sealed the wound up, a lot of scar tissue woul be left.

The patient shrieked in pain, hyperventilating as Savus went while he stood still, "this is the one pain....nobody can tolerate!" He grit his teeth and in twenty minutes he finished.

Savus chilled the blade using his own canteen before stowing it back away, "I'm actually glad I'm not one of you..."

"I didn't even feel the claw that ripped me open," Arctus commented, "I'll live just fine, but when I get back home...don't mention this new injury," he explained in worry that Celestia would possibly prevent him from going on further assignments.

"You say that as if you found a wife," Savus laughed.

"Let's...let's go back to your camp and eat whatever cooked food we have left, boil more water from the spring there."

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They had regrouped that evening and into the night they boiled water, drinking it when it cooled greedily as they maintained their armaments and went about thoroughly washing absolutely everything.

Arctus was taking time to sow his cloothing and leather back together with the only materials he brought along.

"So...you're taking them in the morning? You're shooting down their leader from the volcano?"

He nodded, "yes, Savus. We'll also see who's left among them and make our judgement from their on wheter we slay more or we go home."

"Well, I hope your new home can accomodate me as well," Savus mentioned, eating meat of their enemies he had cooked earlier.

"I'm...eager to get back there. I'll make sure there's room for you, even if there isn't I have an old hovel you can access."

The night continued until they had replinished their water reserves, eaten their fill, and maintained their combat readiness. Arctus slept back in his own alcove for a sparse few hours before getting up and heading back out to Savus' tent, reaching it in the dawn. He stood with the general, staring at the dragon leader holding the staff at the top of the volcano. Arctus had recollected the arrows he expended and already held his bow.

"Wow...there's only children, eggs, and two...three parents?" Savus was looking through his spyglass.

"Then we kill their leader and we head the fuck home," his left side was sore, painful from the injury he had sustained yesterday. His left arm pushed the bow forward while his right arm reared the metal arrow back.

"Celestia...please guide this arrow to its mark," he spoke to himself.

"You're not gonna make that shot, Arctus. We need to get-."

He loosed and with a howl the arrow soared straight and nailed the humanoid dragonlord, sending it through the air with the metal lodged in its chest, far out over the land mass.

Savus watched with his spyglass as it kept on flying until even he couldn't see it.

"Assignment completed, pack up, Savus. Meet me on the western rocky beaches," he left leaving the general speechless.

Arctus packed his camp up, attaching his bedroll and sorting through his equipment one last time before carefully climbing down the sharp and spiky rocks, stressing his body with the pain that seared in him all the way down. He was throwing piles of seaweed aside, retrieving his canoe.

"Master Scout Arctus!" Savus had walked along the beach to him, "is...is that the boat?" He sounded disappointed.

"I made it with my own prowess, you could at least sound grateful I'm getting you off this desolate rock," he hoisted the canoe up and set it out in the water.

"Well, thankfully it can hold all of our gear..."

"You will be rowing with me. All damn day," Arctus carefully got into the canoe, "come. I want to get home."

Savus carefully got in himself and the canoe sank, but the air pressure from the six stabilizing pockets about the canoe kept it in good condition. The general grabbed the oars and handed two to Arctus.

"That way...we row, wherever we end up, I can find my way back home," and he began to row in tune with Savus.

And they would have to row consistently, they brought enough cooked meat as a snack and some drinking water, but if they stopped they could starve while they attempted to find their way. They rowed and rowed.

"So...you mentioned not telling Celestia something...ruler of the land?"

"She and Princess Luna rule over Equestria."

"And you work under them?" Savus was calrifying his story as they traveled in the day sun.

"I do, the land is safe enough that we can even travel in the daylight like this."

"Are they expecting me to work?"

"They might...but they are very kind. Have retirement on the mind, do you?"

"Arctus, I have killed tens of thousands of people in my fifty years of living. I want to hang that all up."

Would he ever get tired of fighting? Of taking life? Could a Scout ever get tired of their purpose? One living to retire was never recorded, they all went missing or were confirmed dead. That caused his thoughts to turn...he hadn't been aging here even though their time was controlled by Celestia, surely their days couldn't be that short.

"Savus...have you aged since you arrived hear?"

"I'm getting more grey hairs if that's what you're asking. I have some physical pains after combat...even with no injury."

Arctus went quiet again as they rowed. His situation must have been special in some form. And so he thought of his birth.

The Eight. They likely had something to do with this, they had his whole life.

"Why do you ask, friend?"

"I've not aged for a very long time...I don't see any new developments in my face or my body. I feel like I've been stuck in time for years."

"That's...I have to admit I'm a little envious."

"Envious of an near immortal? There's an occurence going on that I need to find out for myself...about me. I do not want a life that does not end."

"Why?" Savus asked a question with the single word.

"It takes the fun out of combat...it takes the challenge out of remaining at my physical peak. It leaves me with infinite worry as I become the main solution for problems beyond the ponies' abilities."

"Ponies? Wait...this nation is populated by equines?"

"You'll see, Savus. Save our breaths for rowing."

It was late evening when they arrived and both were famished and refused to speak from their states of inanition. Arctus lead them along to the north of the coast they landed at.

"I'm not fishing...no, I'm going to have my proper meal," he mumbled.

"Proper meal? What...what is your proper meal?" Savus questioned while the city in the distance was getting closer with every footstep.

"The ponies here...don't believe in eating meat. If you want that...you'll have to go hunting yourself. So many vegetables, berries, and beans await me."

"I've had nothing but meat for years and a bad excuse for plant sustenance...that sounds like a dream," Savus answered.

"I'll...I'll be commandeering a train."

Their feet shuffled on to cobble and then onto wood docks as they made their way around the sleepy city of Baltimare in the evening. The Sun was still hanging in the sky, casting a orange and red screen over the buildings.

Arctus was being given many curious looks with Savus walking next to him. The Scout still walked proud, despite not being at his peak efficiency.

"I...I see, they are ponies," Savus spoke.

"Bring them no harm or you'll answer to me."

Savus let out a single laugh, "I could never harm the bringers of salvation...and proper food."

Whispers were already going around, rumors beginning about Savus.

"Was it like this for you when you came to them?"

"That...that was a little abnormal. They captured me, I fled. I bested one of their rulers, Princess Luna in combat...they came to respect me and make a wall between them and me until Celestia began interacting with me and I saved their new capital from annihilation," Arctus explained, "there," he pointed, "the train station."

They made their way to it and Arctus shoved Savus aboard, staring at the conductor, "under Equestrian military legal code, I am Master Scout Arctus, requesting immediate transport to Canterlot to report in. The train must depart at once."

"I...I can't do that! This is the last train of the night!"

"And you would defy a supreme law?" Arctus knew there was no real reason to force this to happen other than for him to get food from his favorite restaurant before it closes.

The conductor shook his head vigorously and yelled for any remaining ponies to get on board for Canterlot while the Scout himself entered and took a seat next to Savus.

The train promptly left the station and Savus spoke up, "so...where are we going?"

"Canterlot, the capital of Equestria. It's where my home is in the Castle, likely where you'll be staying. It's also where this restuarant is that always keeps my favorites on hand. They close at midnight."

Savus smiled wide, images of foods flowing through his mind, "is...is this restaurant visit on you?"

"It'll be paid for, when we get there order whatever you want," he laughs, "only now do I realize how close I was to bleeding out yesterday."

"Is that your way of thanking me for stitching you up?"

"Thank you, Savus."

"I can imagine that cut still feels fresh. I have no idea how you didn't feel it before."

Arctus' mind went back to the days in his youth of the live trainings they did as scouts. Sometimes they even super heated the weapons they used. Pain tolerance was a part of being a Scout, they all needed the mental fortitude to overcome the strain and their brains screaming at them to stop for the sake of their assignments.

"Count yourself lucky you never were part of Scout training," Savus fell silent as his words.

Sure, the general committed many sins and had been slashed, hacked, stabbed, and bludgeoned before. In field combat. He knew the training Scouts went through was incredibly dangerous and rough. They did so on purpose.

The train ride went quiet again until they arrived.

"This place...must have boomed. The architecture...the decoration," Savus looked around when they exited the train and he towed along with Arctus, "this city must be incredibly prosperous."

"Credit of yours truly," the Master Scout flaunted, his pride taking him, "stop ogling and come along. We have some food to eat."

"Oh, I can't wait to taste what they cook here!"

The moment they arrived at the restaurant, an hour before midnight, a host galloped to Arctus, grimacing as his bloodstained gear, "we're happy to see you healthy and here again, Master Arctus," the host bowed to him, "your usual tonight?"

"I'll need a menu...I have a guest accompanying me today and many orders to put in. Excuse my atrocious appearance and thank you for still accomodating me. A more private dining table, please."

"O-of course!" The host pony glanced behind him and saw the metal clad Savus surveying the whole entrance, "right this way."

A waitress galloped away from the table she just took an order from and to the kitchen to warn all the chefs of Arctus' arrival while the host guided the two to a table in a far corner away from other diners. Arctus removed his leather palmed and metal topped gauntlets, setting them atop the table while he took a seat and two menus were laid on the table.

"Savus...because of me they may assume you are eat large portions like me."

And the waitress who fled to the kitchen came back with four giant pitchers of water and two glasses, pouring them for the two travel weary veterans.

"Is there anything I can put into the kitchen for you two?" The waitress took out a notepad and pen from her side.

"Garden salad, pumpkin soup, foul, a raspberry pie," Arctus was listing off items one after the other, "oh...do you have a bartender in still?"

"Yes, we do."

"Could I also get a valentine martini with some crushed chili mixed in and a pinch of salt on the side?" The waitress nods, writing his drink order down.

"Alcohol? After all the blood you've lost yesterday?" Savus laughed, "brave brave man...I hope you'll still be able to stand."

"It's the closest thing to our distilled liqueur back home from Aeternia..."

"Oh?" Savus smiled, "could you also get me one of them, then?" Savus addressed the waitress, "and one of your vegetable stews, some pita and hummus, vegetable stir fry, and a large helping of your pesto pasta," Savus put hiw own order in.

"Was that all, Master Arctus?" The Scout nodded, "very well, these will be put in quickly," the waitress trotted off with gusto to the kitchen.

He smiles warmly as she trots off before sinking into his seat, picking up his glass of water and taking a deep drink from it.

"You're acting like you're at home, but this is a very upscale place to be kicking back in," Savus noted, his eyes still taking in the richness of his surroundings.

"That's because this whole city is my home. You never saw me come home to Aeternia, did you? I hated the formalities."

"I imagine you enjoyed the annual Star Shot Festival then," Savus smiled.

The pumkin soup and vegetable stew that was ordered quickly came out and the waitress bowed before heading off again.

"I did...but now I'm surrendering my senses to good food," and Arctus began to eat with enthusiasm as the dishes they ordered came one by one out of the kitchen, keeping pace with both of their hungers.

Arctus could feel his stomach getting satisfied after each food was started and finished, he looked to Savus as their drinks came out.

"Apologies for the wait," the bartender came out himself, setting the glasses down, "I've made it to taste well. I hope it's to your satisfaction, Master Arctus, it took me a while to prepare and achieve a good flavor."

Arctus smiled as he took up the pinch of salt and placed it directly on his tongue before taking a sip of the valentine martini, the cherries and almonds hit his taste buds first with the spicy chili following, not intense but as a slow burn. Cocoa kept an undertone for the entire sip as the drink washed away the bitter salt from his tongue.

"Just like coming back home and stopping in the markets," Arctus exhaled a breath, "please, if you could...write the recipe down."

The bartender nods, "is it...is it that close to Aeternian drinks?" This pony decided to pry a bit.

"It is! The salt is not sourced from the flats, so it tastes different, but it is a piece of Aeternia in a glass," he sipped again, keeping a smile.

"It is rather accurate," Savus commented.

"Master Arctus, who is your friend accompanying you?" The bartender still stuck around.

"Sacred Star General Savus, I'm another Aeternian," he nods to him, "well met."

The pony bowed to both of them before trotting back off, not wanting to take too much of their time. Arctus and Savus continued to finish their drinks slowly, eating the cherry left atop their glasses before they both stood and the Scout lead him to the entrance.

"Please, send my bill to my quarters in the castle," Arctus informed the host as he left.

"Thank you for dining with us, Master Arctus."

Savus spoke when they exited, "where...where is this castle?"

"I suppose it's hard to see it at night...it's large, you wouldn't miss it during the day. Follow."

The pair arrived, the castle gates open and lights on for them as Arctus made his way inside, the guards bowing to him at the castle doors.

"Princess Celestia has reopened court to hear your report. She requests you in the throne room," they both spoke in unison.

"I guess Shining Armor is still drilling hard," the Master Scout commented as he pushed the doors open himself, heading deeper down corridors and heaving the throne room doors open.

"I had reports from the guard that you were accompanied by som-," Celestia started and stopped speaking as she came down from the platform and rushed to Arctus, running her hooves over his bloodstained gear, "what happened?!"

"Is this Princess Celestia?" Savus looked to his friend.

"She is...and she's usually more regal, but has a soft spot for-."

"How did you get injured? Show me!" Arctus sighed at her words. There wasn't any feasible way for him to talk out of this. He lifted his scale mail shirt and leather cover with his linen shirt, "oh my...how..."

"Princess, Arctus was struck by a dragon claw while on assignment. I stitched and cauterized his wound," Savus interjected.

"Th-thank you," she sighed, "I never should have se-."

"Celestia. This is my duty. My purpose," Arctus' tone changed from his suall soft voice with her to a more commanding one, "sending me is something you are expected to do. Getting injured is something I expect to happen. Do not let our personal affairs cloud your professional judgements."

Celestia cleared her throat, "you're correct, Arctus. I...just hate seeing you hurt. Thank you for tending to him, what is your name? Are you also an Aeternian?"

"Savus, I am...was the Sacred Star General of Aeternia, leader of all our military forces except for the Scouts," he bowed slightly to her, "I met Arctus when he came to the Dragon Lands."

"He assisted me on that assignment. Almost all leadership, except for very few parents, have been eliminated from the Dragon Lands. Their main leader is dead. Children and egg clutches are still there."

Celestia smiled, "good. I'm just glad you're home," she wrapped her hooves tight around him, "you can investigate the kingdom to the South after this Summer Sun Celebration. You deserve some rest."

The Princess looked to one of the guards, "please, guide Savus to an empty guest suite for him to use."

"Yes, your highness," the guard approached Savus who turned and began to follow him, "catch you later, Arctus...I have a date with an actual bed!"

"Is there anything else you can tell me about Savus?"

"He's old...you can't tell under that helmet, but he's in his fifties. He's live a very long and successful combat career and his armor is fully fireproof. He...he's hoping to retire."

"Retire? I imagine he's seen more death than you."

"He was reported missing and presumed dead after an assualt. He actually got separated defending his soldiers on the front line while they retreated and lived a year in enemy territory when he was sent to Equestria...he arrived and survived in the Dragon Lands."

"My...that would make him as strong as you, wouldn't it?" Celestia teased.

"I...there's a harsh difference between a soldier and a Scout. He fights with comrades at his side, I don't get that luxury," Acrtus mentioned.

"I was teasing. Thank you...for being brave in the dangers that you face for Equestria," she gently hugged him again, "and for me."

"At your service, Celestia," he hugged her back, "the Summer Sun Celebration is in a month or so, correct?" Arctus broached the topic.

"Yes...26 days to be precise," Celestia exhaled, holding tight to him, "please...please be there in Ponyville. I'll need your help when my sister, Nightmare Moon, returns."

"What would you have me do?" Celestia let go of him.

"Protect her, my student, Twilight Sparkle, but do not sever the strands of fate that have been laid for her."

"I'll keep Nightmare Moon at bay then," Arctus assured, "everything will be fine," he placed his hand on her cheek, "let me do the lifting behind the scenes."

Arctus was understanding more and more of the kind of pony Celestia was.

"Thank you...I still don't know if you do all these things for your love of me or that you;ve found a true home, thank you for always being the foundation."

He nodded, "I..." his words were slurring before and the only pony to take notice was Celestia, not that he cared, but alcohol had a way of sneaking up on oneself. Arctus exhaled and attempted a sentence again, "I do it for so many reasons and you are the first."

"Art...did you have a drink on the way back?" She smiled lightly at him.

He nodded, feeling his head get heavier, "I...wanted one so the Sun's Ray made me a very...quality drink."

"And you've lost a lot of blood...is this a part of Aeternian culture?" Celestia turned him around and gently pushed him forward with her wing to exit the throne room.

"Every Aeternnnnian, " and the world seemed slower to him as he walked, "would have a drink after completing a hard tasssk," his breath was heavier, "our farmers would have one after a successful harvest season, the priests after completing a ceremony with weeks of preparation needed, and soldiers and Scouts when they returned home....we'd all get a large jug of our liqueuuur."

Celestia stiffled a giggle and addressed one of the guards at the throne room door, "close the court, I'm going to get the tipsy Master Scout to bed."

"I can get myself to bed well enough. You should get sleep yourself, Celestia," she put her wings on his shoulders as he walked in an effort to stabilize himself.

"I'll get plenty of sleep, I'm not going to allow you to fall all over the castle on the way to your bedroom," she kept her warm smile as she held him upright when he made it to a staircase, "you should be more careful consuming when you've lost some blood...I don't want you going into another coma."

"I earned that drink."

"What was this liqueur called?" Aeternian culture and history was a favorite topic of hers to learn.

"Mag...ma sheets," he stumbled at the top step of the staircase, Celestia holding him up, "it was named after the founding event of Aeternia, when the stars launched the lava slid from our lands like a sheet of ice off water, mysteriously entering volcaanoes," he exhaled hard and inhaled, "the history texts describe it like something pull the magma as a solid piece to reveal the salt flats underneath. That's why a pinch of the salt flats is laid on the tongue before take our first siip," he was getting more and more sluggish.

"What's...what's in it?" Celestia didn't want to explicitly say it, but this was one of the softer parts of Aeternian culture and it interested her all the more.

"Cocoa, cheeries," he made it to his chambers with Celestia still holding on to him, "almonds and chilies...it's a little simple."

Celestia used her magic to lift his key from his pouches and unlock his chamber door, gently swinging it open, "it's time for you to rest," she shut his door behind them.

"Privacy...at last."

"We'll talk about the citizen you sent here in the morning."

"Stars above, my body hurts," the Scout could still feel his body stinging under his equipment as he began stripping out of it.

The Sun Ruler shook her head, "should I send for a nurse, Art?"

"You...you're all I want for the night," his arms froze as he finished taking off his gear, unable to stretch his core from pain or damage to take his actual armor, leathers, and linens off, "can," before he can sluggishly get the words out, Celestia's horn lights again as he helps him out of his light protection.

"Thaanks," he then stumbles off toward the bathroom, taking his boots and socks off along the way before removing his breeches once inside.

"Art...are you sure you're okay?"

"Been...been through worse," that was definitely a lie, were it not for Savus, he likely would have died.

Then where would the ace in the hole for Equestria be?

The Princess had taken to the bathroom door, ensuring it was cracked while he gave him privacy, not that he would have minded were she to barge in. Celestia knew she didn't want to see the fresh new scar and all the dried blood on his skin anymore, she had withstood the smell of metal and death on him long enough without comment.

"You're a horrible liar," Celestia mentioned, "even that strike Kanna left on you was not as deep and long as the scar you came home with tonight."

Arctus was silent, turning the shower on while he got to work scrubbing himself the best he could with arms that couldn't go above his chest without incredible difficulty and resistance, "Celestia," his voice was more empty and the doubt was the main bite on this single word.

"Yes, Arctus?"

"Do...am I weaker?"

Celestia chuckled, she even laughed aloud, smacking a hoof on the floor, "no, no no, Arctus," she began to tame her laughter, "you've grown stronger," her giggles ceased, "you've...you're quite capable of doing things nopony could accomplish and I believe you to be far above the prowess of your friend, Savus. Is this the alcohol speaking or just the pride of being an Aeternian?" She took on a warm smile.

An awkward silence passed.

"B-bothh," he slurred.

"My sweet Art...you hold yourself to impossible standards and it almost killed you. Please heed my concerns for you more and stay safer."

This time, maybe partially due to his still intoxicated self, Arctus listened and considered her words. All the alicorn held for him was care and tenderness, the first to do so.

"Celll-ly?"

"You're very needy when you've been drinking, maybe I should start making this liqueur just to keep you home and at the attention of my hooves."

Arctus ignored her comment, "can you assist," his last syllable had pain in it as he struggled to reach above his shoulders.

Celestia gently pushed open the door, shutting it behind her quietly, "something the matter, I see."

She trotted to the edge of the tub, lifting a scalp scrubber up along with shampoo in her magic, "can't quite clean and fix the mess of hair you have, hmm?"

Arctus slowly sat down, allowing her access to his head. Silence was his preferred response in his embarassment.

Celestia gently dug the scrubber in, massaging away, "you should let me do this more often...it's nice seeing you vulnerable."

He sat as the shower ran and pattered along his legs and lower body. The snowy alicorn could easily see the red shade over his cheeks, likely from alcohol and embarassment.

"I'm a bit too prideful for that."

"Well, maybe I can change your mind. Your flushed face tells a different story."

"Maybe...you already havvee," he was trying hard to not slur, but it was an inevitability.

The Princess smiled wider, "I hope you're not too down a bottle that you won't remember this."

He was quiet for a couple moments before standing and rinsing his hair out. Celestia maintained a thorough pink shade on her face as she struggled to look away.

"When she comes back, your sister," his slurred speech vanished as he took a serious tone, "I need her help."

"You need Luna's help?" She looked to him in surprise without the conscious thought of his indecent state.

"I do, I haven't mentioned it before, but she used to raise the moon and arrange the stars in the sky."

"You think she can help get you back home to Aeternia with her knowledge of stars?" The alicorn's voice shambled through the sentence.

"Don't be sad, I'm not leaving, I have no wish to return to Aeternia even," he turned the water off, stepping out and drying himself, "there's questions I have that I need answered."

"What's your reasoning? Why do you think she could have answers to questions you haven't even asked me?"

"Because she can likely send me there, to the stars, to the Eight Heroes," he voiced his second motive, "and learn what I am."

"You're human, that's simple enough to answer," she smiled, "would the answers you get from Aeternia's Eight Heroes change who you are and what you do?" Celestia offered a deeper perspective as he pulled breeches on.

He stayed quiet as he dressed, getting Celestia's assistance to put a shirt over him. Her horn lit as she went and in his alcohol-addled mind, it went unnoticed, but she had healed more of his internal damages from the dragon claw, helping to stitch his muscle back faster.

"That's not something I considered," his speech was returning more to normal syllable and construction, "I would continue to protect these lands and eliminate threats. That's a promise to you, but the information could change how I go about it."

The Princess hummed while they exited the bathroom, "how were you hoping to get Luna's assistance?"

"I know she'll be busy trying to adjust to Equestrian life, the endless years have changed the world she'll return to drastically, but I just wish her to show me the stars and point each one out. Aeternians can attune themselves with a Sacred Star and it allows them to use a Hero's power."

"Ah, is that how you've travelled so quickly?"

He nodded back to her, "every Scout is required to learn the godhood, Speed of Yetrema."

"Your tone hints that you know more."

"Gær's Lungs, a common one for many of our military to aspire to learn. I had taken a couple of scrolls from the temple when I was an initiate, before becoming a Scout, and learned Ghostly Wander of Kamna, I'm the only scout to know it when I left Aeternia."

"So, what are the five others?" Celestia seemed more interested in his culture than his abilities.

He walked to the desk in his room and grabbed the list he had sloppily written down and handed it to the Princess who grasped it with her magic, reading over it.

"With names like these, it clearly illustrates the specialty of each Hero. Have you seen any Aeternian use these?"

"I was sent ahead on the mission that Savus went missing in, I saw him in the second of the two fortresses while our army attacked. I was using subterfuge to cripple and sabotage the first fortresses' supplies and killing their men from the shadows."

She frowned, putting the page back on his desk, "and Savus?"

"He attuned to two godhoods at the same time that day, Fury within Lun and Reba's Warform. Lun granted him the ability to crash their walls and send each enemy that approached into a bloody paste through the air when he landed an unblocked blow."

"And the warform?" Celestia didn't admit, but that kind of power was frightening to imagine, to send any creature to fated end of viscera on the ground.

"No matter how many slashes, how many blows or hacks they landed, he stood. Bloodied, but alive no matter the blow that spewed his blood."

"Savus sounds like a paragon of endurance."

"He is. He became a symbol of the resilency and willingness to take on impossible tasks as an Aeternian. There was a statue commemorated of him after he went missing."

The air went silent between them while Arctus walked to the balcony and shoved the double doors open, looking at the night sky.

"Did you have a statue in Aeternia?" Celestia followed him.

"No, my name was etched upon the Scout tablet and I was constantly spoken about, but I didn't accomplish anything to be worthy of a statue, those are saved for Aeternians who become physical embodiments of our values."

"I see, perhaps one day you'll earn one," the alicorn trotted to his bedroom door with a smirk, "goodnight, Art. Get some rest."

The shower had somehow invigorated him but at the mention of sleep, his body began to cave, "goodnight, Celly."

It would be a couple of weeks before he would depart for his forest again, to take to the castle, to be there when she returns.

The Notice and Recognition

View Online

Arctus awoke that morning to sun rise through his still open balcony doors and jumped up, reminded quickly of the pain that spiked up his ribs.

"Not fully healed...won't be for a while."

But he still went about the room, putting clothing on and equipment after equipment. The Scout still had things to do and Savus likely had things to do as well.

A knock banged hard on his wood door, "Master Scout Arctus!" A formal addressing.

"Enter."

"I was hoping you'd be awake," Savus strided in, wearing simple leathers, "you have a smith you'd recommend?"

"I'm seeing him today, he forged my greatsword."

A unicorn trotted in to his quarters, "Master Arctus!" Silver Spike paid him a visit as well.

"Everyone needs you the moment you get home, I'd hate to be a Scout," Savus chuckled.

"The Princess' assigned geologist located a suitable magma flow for my weapon."

Arctus put on his cape, sliding his spear and greatsword into position before he picked up his damaged armors, "then both of you will be accompanying me this morning to the industrial row."

"Industrial row?"

"Who is this?" Silver addressed Savus.

"Savus is the Sacred Star General of Aeternia, he's been displaced here along with me. Savus, this is Scout Silver Spike, I trained him," Arctus left his room with the two of them in tow.

"Oh, you trained a Scout? I'm shocked you had the patience for it, everyone always discussed how you would stay home for a single day before going on another assignment you took yourself or of your own accord," Savus laughed, "I'm curious how well you taught him and how he made it past the line."

"Captain Shining Armor was there, you can ask him," he mentioned.

"Sacred Star General? That sounds like a very prestigious title," Silver Spike commented, "you were the head of the entire army? Sounds like Shining Armor."

Arctus laughed hard, "he is much more skilled and commanded many more people than ponies that Shining Armor does."

"I don't boast as much as Arctus, but I rose through the ranks for a reason."

"So, a dragon slashed you, Master Arctus?" Silver shifted their topic as they exited the castle.

"Claw ripped through my scalemail, my leathers, my linens. I didn't even notice the injury until the battle was over," they left through the gates and steps, moving through the streets of Canterlot.

"We could see some flames through our telescopes here, I could only imagine what the battle was like," Silver continued speaking, "Princess Celestia dispatched me to the South in your absence, I brought Strong Stitch along with me, we did some early reconnaissance. She's still there, monitoring the situation to see if it changes."

"Was there anything of note?" It was getting noisier as they drew closer to the industrial row, Arctus raised his voice louder.

"They're large, the archtectiture is far different from ours, and they regularly deploy transport and military in and out. It looks as though they are in active conflict so we still have time before we're forced to confront them."

"Thank you for relaying the information to me, I'll find your full written report later. Strong Stitch is still just a trainee and while having somepony there to warn us, I'd like to pull her back and test her skill now that I am back. Once we get your weapon forged, you're going to go back and collect her."

"Is this all scouts talk about?" Savus interrupted, "it's boring. Tell me about this smith."

"He crafted my greatsword, the same one we performed the Star Launch with. I left a challenge to all the smiths and some uptook it, but their greatswords were not to my specification, the one that met it was brittle."

"Then he showed up with this greatsword and it performed exactly how I wished it and I almost broke Shining Armor's hoff when I tested it."

"It did slash through dragon hide well enough," Savus smiled, "do you know his name?"

Arctus stopped in front of the shop, hearing the forge already fired and the craftspony was already busy.

"I...I've never asked," he went past the heavy fabric curtain and into the shop, "young smith!"

"My forge, Arctus!" The Master Scout followed his voice and went deeper into the shop, "I see you've brought friends."

"Savus is a good friend of mine, his armor needs minor repair along with all of mine," he sets his damaged gear into the table near the forge, next to a pile of tools, Savus laid his there as well, "you can send a bill to the castle when you've finished repairs, but I'd need them at the latest in a week and a half."

The smith nodded, "I'll start on them soon."

"What's your name?" Savus stared at his work as he hammered on.

"Plated shell," he stated in two words."

"Savus."

The simplest of introductions, "Savus, feel free to look around the city. I need to depart yet again shortly so make yourself at home."

"With pleasure, I'd like to have my pick of retirement cities," Savus smiled, "not that I'm giving up fighting, I can be there should Equestria need me or if you feel the need to spar," he walked toward the front of the shop, "see you some time later, Arctus."

"Depart again shortly? So you came back after slaying dragons, how did the blade hold up?" Plated Shell pointed with his hammer to the sword on Arctus' back.

He drew it and held it in front of the smith, "dear Celestia, I had crafted that thing to outlast my entire shop and you somehow managed to dull it this much, I can't imagine what you were doing. Leave it here, it needs some maintenance," the confident smith stopped his current project, taking the blade from him and heading to a different section in his shop, sitting at a grinding wheel while he observed the sword from the sunlight that bled from a nearby window.

"Going to take me an hour or so," Plated Shell never gave Arctus the respect everypony else was compelled to, "you'll be quite a challenging customer to satisfy."

"Please send any bill up to the castle addressed to me. Before you busy yourself, there's something Scout Silver Spike needs to mention," at Arctus' words, Plated Shell looked to the unicorn.

"W-what? I-," Silver was caught off guard for a moment, "right. Princess Celestia had hired a geologist to find a volcano or usable magma stream in Equestria. They were successful and I'd like to hire you to forge my weapon as a Scout."

Plated Shell set down Arctus' greatsword next to the grinding wheel, "I see, what are the methods that go into a scout weapon?"

Arctus smiled, "I'm glad you asked, there are only a handful of smiths in all of Aeternia's wide borders that could accomplish forging a weapon like this," his spear left his back and presented in front of the young smith, "I don't know if Equestria can imbue special properties into weapons like Aeternian volcanoes, but this is more of ceremony."

"I-I," Plated Shell lost his confidence, "you want me to make a weapon using molten earth?!"

"Yes, a shortsword," Silver Spike asserted.

Plated Shell coughed and cleared his throat, going about his shop and putting his forge out, collecting supplies, tools, and materials all in a saddlebag that he then slung over himself, "did you intend to leave now?"

"Yes, we did," Arctus smiled.

"What about Princess Celestia?" Silver Spike looked to him, "she always looks forward to you spending a day at least at home before heading back out."

"We'll only be gone for two days," Plated Shell spoke up, "I'll work hard on it as long as you two do. I could use someone to carry some coal."

Arctus put his spear away and went to a corner near the forge, heaving two bags of black dusted burlap up, "have you been to the location, Silver Spike?"

"I have."

"Lead the way," Plated Shell spoke up.

Silver Spike straightened himself and lead them out of Shell's workshop, out of the industrial row, and when things were quiet as they headed down the mountain footpath of Canterlot, "a shortsword?" Plated Shell spoke up.

"Yes, a shortsword."

"Some say the longsword is versatile, but I've always found the shortsword more practical in situations I find myself in," Arctus looked to the spatha he still carried, "and far more precise for the kinds of strikes I demand."

"Just...it's so simple," the smith commented as they entered the caverns in the footpath at a constant descent, "I was expecting a demanding order from a Scout."

Arctus lightly laughed, "I imagine Strong Stitch will have quite a challenge for you. That mare bent a mace. Metal. Mace. When she swung it at me and almost shattered a shield not to mention come close to fracturing my forearm. She'll be an excellent Scout."

"I could use a hoof like that in my shop," Shell laughed, "where are we going, Silver Spike?"

"Under Foal Mountain, a cave was tunneled out to a magma flow."

"I don't know if we'll get Aeternian magic in your shortsword, but I can beseech the Eight Heroes to sanctify the magma."

"How does that work?" Plated Shell asked, "we don't have any divine...anything in Equestria really. At least not comparable to yours."

"It's daytime, you can't see them, but the stars are always there and watching. They'll hear me, but it's up to them if they wish to act and they always let it be known when they do interfere, as fickle as they may be."

"So they are Gods?" Silver Spike was trying to wrap his head around it as they exited the tunnels, still descending the Canterlot mountain path to the nearby river.

"They were human. It's hard to say."

"Silver Spike is right, sounds like a God to me. Though we can at least see Discord in the castle gardens as a physical God."

"The Eight are in the skies above us, they are stars."

"That's still odd for me to think about. Celestia arranges the stars in the sky," Silver voiced.

A small thought crossed the Master Scout's mind, one of change. Celestia didn't arrange them, she kept them there and likely hid them during the day. He had met the painter of night canvases.

"So, what are their names?" Plated Shell asked as they left rock and dirt and made their way closer to the river, tall grasses overgrown along the forgotten trail.

"Gær, Yetrema, Kamna, Lun, Ezith, Atti, Reba, and Bakta. Each of them were capable of incredible feats as mortals."

"And those 'incredible feats' were?" Silver Spike prompted.

"Tireless fighting, moving through any physical material, magic beyond anything you've seen, that I've seen," Arctus spoke with wonder, re-telling the tales his people passed down.

"Can you do any of those?" Silver laughed.

"I can, you've not observed me perform them. An Aeternian can attune themselves with one of the eight heroes, it requires many weeks, dedication, and action to prove you can embody their greatness. The presence of the particular star in the sky is needed."

"So, I could never learn one then?" Scout Silver pressed his questions while they crossed an old log bridge acros the river following him.

"No, you can't. With some luck, however, they might smile upon your weapon."

"We're getting a little close," Silver Spike announced, approaching a new cavern at the side of the close Foal Mountain.

Plated Shell began laughing and stamping his hooves in a prance as they traveled, "I...this is going to be the best project I've worked on!"

"The magma flow is at the end of this tunnel, it can't be missed."

"Good, Silver Spike, Master Arctus, please go and fetch me some wood and leave the coal here," the young smith instructed as he went into the cavern.

Arctus dropped the coal bags at the entrance, "you still bring a hatchet and knife everywhere you go, right?"

Silver Spike wordlessly held up both in his magic.

"Good, let's get to work so you can have a weapon meant for a Scout." Arctus headed for small trees in the area while Silver took a different route.

In only thirty minutes, the two of them reconvened with Plated Shell at the end of the tunnel where he had already set up a spot to forge with minimal tools. The mark of a good smith was never all the equipment used, but what a smith could do with the basics.

"Light that, Master Arctus."

At the behest of the young smith, Arctus quickly lit the small amount of dried leaves he got, transfering flame from that to sticks to the proper firewood the Scouts gathered.

"We're in a cavern, do we have proper ventilation?"

"We had some holes made in the top of the cavern at the magma flow for that reason," Silver Spike explained, "the mage who did it was very talented, Princess Celestia spent a sum to do this."

"It's...pleasant to know she cares of my traditions," Arctus commented.

"Now to begin my work, I'll be awake for a long period of time doing this, so if either of you wish to sleep, go outside the cavern, it will be loud."

Coals were added to the fire, an entire bag. Slowly at first and then rapidly as the flames roared tall and the cavern started to get even hotter than with just the red magma flow present just four feet away from the small anvil Plated Shell brought.

An earth pony's strength was remarkable, even in how much they could transport.

Plated Shell had shoved a steel beam into the coals directly until it began to glow just like the lava in the cavern. Arctus and Silver Spike watched on in awe as he gripped the end with his glove and held it to the anvil.

The hammering resounded as he pounded the blade before his voice heaved with every bit of air in his lungs.

"WATER!" Silver Spike galloped out of the cavern with a large wooden bin to the river.

"When it comes time for final tempering, you must be here. This is a tradition of your people and I do not want to make a mistake."

Arctus grunted with a nod and walked to the magma flow, drawing his knife as he poured sweat, the hunting knife with his single intial on it was pressed to his forearm and his made a deep cut, flexing his muscles before cleaning the knife and pocketing it back.

Red drips landed on the magma, sizzling immediately until the flow from his flesh picked up, the blood began to change properties after mere seconds.

And instead of sizzling away, it flowed deeper into the magma and the lava itself began to change color from a bright orange to a deep red, the rocks still present in the stream melted.

And it was all liquid, not a single mineral remained unmelted in the flow that was beginning to rage and move faster.

Plated Shell gave the magma a glance before giving it a smile. This was the blood of an Aeternian, tied so closely to volcanic activity that it could change it, no wonder only an Aeternian could use the magics they could, they were nothing short of an extraordinary human.

Silver Spike returned with a bin filled with water and Plated Shell stopped hammering to fetch a wood tankard from his saddlebag and scooped the water, drinking greedily before he secured a tall rectangular metal box, holding it in place with rocks from the cavern. He continued hammering.

Arctus chose to monitor the magma to ensure he didn't add too much of his blood to cause it to rage. Silver Spike was stuck between going outside to avoid passing out and coming inside to monitor progress. The two even went hunting together and foraged for food, properly boiling water before Plated Shell took another deep guzzle.

The day closed with the smith still hammering and the Scouts sleeping outside.

That morning, they could still faintly hear the pounding of metal from the cave and they foraged off even more food from the bountiful lands of Equestria, giving fresh edible fruits and plants to the smith as well.

"Arctus!" A very familiar voice, although now booming but not in anger, in worry.

"Excuse me, Silver Spike, tend to all needs he may have in my absence."

"FINAL TEMPERING. COUPLE HOURS," Plated Shell shouted over his own hammering and the loud fire near him.

The Master Scout left the cavern to see Celestia, the alicorn unaccompaned by any guard.

"Firstly, allow me to lecture you on staying home for a while before heading out of Canterlot when you just return," she sighed, nudging her cheek to his, "secondly, we have important business," she raised a gold laced blackened javelin and a letter still tied to the shaft of it.

These weren't meant for battle.

"That's...that's an Aeternian message javelin."

"I have never seen anything like this in Equestria so I imagined it might be."

"The one Aeternian I haven't met must have sent it."

"Not Savus?" Celestia asked.

"Savus would never...and he's not got the means to smith this under our noses," Arctus reached for the weapon and Celestia gently placed it in his hands with her magic.

"It was address to us."

For the eyes of Princess Celestia and Master Scout Arctus

It was there written in black charcoal, "they've been watching us...they know that I am a Master now."

He cut the wax seal with his knife, opening the notice.

"Before I read, you must understand something about this, Celly," Arctus' voice turned grave, "the javelin with a note attached is how Aeternia declares a formal war. Sometimes it is sent before, sometimes after, a Scout's arrival. It's a promise of death, destruction, and ruin."

"Is...is Equestria in danger?"

"No matter what is written in the letter, we are."

He brought the open notice to his eyes.

Princess Celestia
Master Scout Arctus

I've seen Equestria grow into a great nation whose resources and power may rival my own. Arctus has established an order of Scouts and brought peace to all of the nation, as expected of the Starborn. However, he, you Arctus; differ from every other Aeternian in the compassion you have shown this species where as I have become the shadow ruler of an entire different nation with military force. Princess Celestia, you have sent a scout in to investigate me. Keep the javelin, do not return it.

Do not travel to my nation again, this is my one warning, Princess Celestia.

I will be seeing to Arctus myself eventually, pray to whatever Gods you hold dear that he kills me in my endeavor or you'll find yourself at the mercy of a more true-to-home Aeternian.

For the Glory of me. For the Glory of Aeternia

Master Scout Hazth

Arctus' eyes stared at the page for a while longer before handing it to Celestia and letting his lover read over it.

Celestia's expression did not waver, but after reading through the letter she exhaled slowly before inhaling and taking on a smile, "I knew there was something special about you, even of your own kind."

Arctus didn't meet her eyes, keeping them locked to the javelin, the smallest display of embarassment, "they...Hazth is coming for me one day. We don't know when, but he will eventually come to Equestria and to go to his lands is to accept his challenge of open warfare."

"Then you're not going, simple enough. I'll keep you home," her wings folded around him, "Strong Stitch and Silver Spike can take turns keeping watch and observing from the Southern lands. I'll ensure a way for quick communication should the need to alert use arise."

"Do you fear for my life?" Arctus put the question onto the table.

"I know what you're capable of and some I still don't. Another Master Scout has threatened you...the potential for you to die is a real scenario," the words dripped with the imagination of funereal doom.

"You understand that if he comes, I won't run," Arctus tried to plant his stance firmly.

"Yes, Art. That's just the brave person you are."

"Someone would need to stop him from trampling every pony he can," he smiled up at her, taking soft fur to his chest and tangling his fingers in her coat.

Celestia lent herself to the warm hug, "this is a situation only you and I should handle, no word of this to anyone."

"I imagined so," Arctus answered, "I'll be ready, don't worry. Hazth was a reknowned Master Scout who had a legal document made with the Savus and the head of the Temple to conclude that only he was allowed to attack one of our two largest neighbors. He spent nine years in the terrirtoy of Gurdalk, a nation that was half the size of Aeternia, but one we knew would make us suffer heavy losses if we went to war with."

"And what happened to him on that endeavor, Art?"

"He killed every single Gurdalk, the scouting party sent when he returned home reported no one was left alive and everything was a ghost town. Fortresses, castles, towns, and cities all destroyed. Corpses everywhere, left rotting. He used every tactic a Scout would dare to."

A shade of horror fell over Celestia's eyes, "and they were?"

"Bloody. Strung bodies, guts plastered on buildings, people burnt alive, poisons and toxins, Hazth even had the nerve to use natural predators and parasites, purposefully tainting water and people's foods. I saw traces of the same disease spell I can use," Arctus sighed, "he has no restraint on his tactics, quite like myself. I only saw him when he had returned and on two occassions that night."

"So we'll need to up the guard?"

"Let me handle that problem," Arctus smiled, "I've got two Scouts under me, I can put them and assign them right where they need to be. I can also work with Shining Armor to make patrols efficient for this new situation."

Celestia sighed, "do you think he'll come here?"

"Not now, he's going to wait until something forces him to or for the best opportunity. That means I'm not leaving to a far out land again. He won't have that opportunity."

"Does he know you personally and what you are capable of?"

"Hard to say, he likely doesn't know everything. I know some of what he can do. He uses a jeddart axe and I've seen him send some a Scout flying with it...I watched him fight three fully trained and experienced Scouts to a stale mate in a duel on the Salt Flats."

"That's frightening. I hope, I really hope you'll come out victorious when the time comes."

"On the wispy blade of Kamna, I will," he swore to the first Hero who favored him. Celestia straightened herself, dropping off the grim atmosphere at a whim.

"Now, mind telling me why you aren't resting in your quarters after such a daunting assignment?" Almost like a chiding caretaker. But she was the only pony, only being who ever took the task of caring for him, excluding those who fed him as a child.

"That hammering, is Silver Spike's weapon being made?" Celestia released her official courter, looking at the cavern entrance.

"I warn you, it's incredibly hot in there. Silver Spike and I have been taking turns to fetch water to prevent Plated Shell from passing out."

"Oh, I'll be fine," Celestia lit her horn and a yellow shield bubbled around her while she merrily trotted into the cavern, "I want to see this tradition you hold so close to heart."

Arctus shook his head at the full grown mare, she was as studious as Twilight was according to her mentions of the student.

After a few minutes of walking through the tunnel, they reached the young smith who peeked at the movement in the corner of his eye, refusing to acknowledge Celestia.

"FINAL TEMPERING. ARCTUS."

At Shell's shout, Arctus rushed over to his side, guiding him to the magma strem and roughly grabbing the whole front leg of Silver Spike. The MAster's hunting knife drew a long cut diagonally across it and watched the blood stream out before dripping fast onto the red hot glow of the blade.

Arctus pointed to the long rectangle box of quenching oil and Plated Shell dipped it for two seconds before pulling it back out. Arctus open the wound on his forearm again and added more blood to the magama flow, watching it return to the deep shade of red when he first tested the possibility.

Princess Celestia stood in silence, her eyes watching the three of them work.

Plated Shell dipped the weapon's tip into the magma, but Arctus forced the entirety of the solid steel piece in, watching the magma flow further down.

And the shortsword appeared again, floating to the surface of the lava, the Master Scout forcefully took the tongs of Plated Shell and retrieved it, setting it atop his anvil. The young smith went back over, fetching his hammer while Arctus grabbed Silver Spike's hoof again and forced more blood to drip onto the almost finished blade. The Aeternian made the gesture to hammer and temper and Shell did so, the sound reverberating loud, then louder, and it shook loose pebbles free from the top of the cavern.

A deep blue and lavender sheen glazed over the weapon before it turned from a shiny steel to a dark black, holding the light lavender color along what would become the sharpened edges of the weapon.

Arctus stopped Shell from hammering and nodded.

The blade was somehow already cooled and the weapon's handle was soon wrapped, providing grip. There were no other adjustments made, it was a simple a weapon as any other, but it held secrets.

Plated Shell began to rapidly pack his unused materials and tools up, Arctus assisted him while Silver Spike picked the new sword up, staring at it with his jaw open.

None of them spoke until they were outside the cave.

"I didn't know it involved that much blood," Celestia commented.

"Mine is tied to volcanic activity, like every Aeternian. The lava here responded the same. The blood was to signify the Scout that the weapon was being made for, which is why I cut Silver Spike open so thoroughly."

"I've bandaged it while you two were working," he answered with a big grin, "Master Arctus, could you help me test it?"

"I can, but with those two colors, I can imagine the Hero that recognized you as a scout, he might have put a lot of energy into that shortsword of yours," he drew his spear and the two of them traveled a little away from Celestia and Shell.

"When I wish to use the innate ability of my spear, I let my mana flow into it," he points his weapon skyward and a blue flame shoots many meters higher from the tip of it, "so, first try that."

"What? How?"

"Try a simple levitation spell on it, just while you hold it, but don't follow with the intent to actually move the object," Princess Celestia advised after, in terms the unicorn might understand.

A few seconds later and the shortsword vibrated in his hoof.

"Promising," Arctus commented.

Scout Silver Spike raised the weapon high and swiped it down in the air.

A stretch of lavender and deep blue was sent as silent wave, extending the slash of the weapon far into the air. Atonishment was found all around at the new destructive capable of the shortsword held in Silver's hoof.

"Bakta."

The Glacé Sky

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The four of them took the mountain footpath again to get back to Equestria, Silver Spike was sending waves of violent magic out from his shortsword, small, but he was studying as if to master his new weapon.

"I doubt he would hear it, but you should pray and thank Bakta for the great gift he's given your weapon."

"I will tonight, when the stars are out, Master Arctus."

"So, I'm not the only pony who's interested in Aeternian culture," Celestia chimed.

"I...I can't believe that I helped make that," Plated shell had finally spoken during their trip after they theorized how the shortsword was performing Aeternian magic with Equestrian resources.

"The colors are reminiscent of Bakta, so he had a hand in this, but it seems he's allowing it to use a very strong version of our sever wind spell," Arctus commented.

"Sever wind spell? Don't you mean severe?"

"No, sever. It's an advanced Aeternian spell. It's one I decided to learn as a means of silently dispatching a group. I...overdid it an attempted something a mage does when I was in the Dragon Lands, couldn't cast many spells after that for a while," Arctus turned to Celestia, "thank you...for blessing my arrows. It's a large reason why I returned from that assignment."

The Sun raised smiled proudly, "I'll bless them anytime you ask...even if you don't. They flew well?"

"Struck down dragons from kilometers away," she stayed a smiley alicorn at his response.

"What is the sever wind spell, Master Arctus?" Silver Spike posed his next question.

He paused, the Master Scout thinking on how he should answer, "you've felt the slash of a blade. It is similar, but there is no continous force. The wind lashes your body but jsut once and it can still cut deep, even sever limbs as its name tells. I don't need to tell you this, but be careful using that ability in your weapon."

Silver Spike nodded, "of course."

"I'll make a sheath for it once I'm back at my workshop," Plated Shell spoke as they came to Canterlot proper, exiting the footpath.

"You're payment will be sent down, just send a bill to the castle like normal, Plated Shell," Celestia affirmed the unspoken assumption.

The young smith nodded and trotted himself down a different street.

"Scout Silver Spike, I know you've been enjoying your time at home, but the moment you recieve your sheath, you are to switch posts with trainee Strong Stitch. Inform myself, Twilight Sparkle, Arctus, or Shining Armor of your departure," Celestia gave out an order.

"Understood, Princess. I will carry out," Silver affirmed.

They stepped onto the main street of Canterlot soon enough, heading to the castle.

"Scout Silver Spike, if you may, please allow us some private time," Arctus spoke and the underling nodded before trotting off down a different street, intent to make the most of his limited time off.

Celestia giggled at his voiced request, "didn't think you'd ever do that. I couldn't appear rude so I didn't want to send him on his way myself."

"I...we can have time in the castle, but I had some questions to ask that have bothered my mind on some nights spent away."

"Then do ask so I can ease you, Art."

"Twilight Sparkle, your student, is she...at risk? I haven't met or spoken much with her."

Celestia's eyes reflected pain at the subtle topic of his words, "no, she's not going to run. I have a lot of confidence in her and I'll be sending her away soon so she can grow outside the confines of the castle."

"If she needs a guide or protection while she travels Equ-."

"Arctus, my always concerned companion, she will be fine, although there might be times I ask that you accompany her, it will be from the shadows."

He smiled for a short bit, "I can accomodate that well," and the curves of his lips faded, "what of Sunset Shimmer? Have you heard anything about her anticipated return?"

The tall alicorn sighed, "no, I monitor the mirror, but I'm beginning to think she doesn't intend on returning."

Arctus was formulating his own ideas, "then assign the guard elsewhere, we'll need many eyes to look for Master Scout Hazth."

"That would probably be the wisest action," Celestia agreed with him, "I still worry about her."

"I know you do...if I'm able, I'll try to bring her back. Hazth wouldn't know I've left Equestria if I use the mirror."

"That sounds like a very dangerous gamble. As much as I treat you like a precious life, you're Equestria's greatest asset."

Arctus smirked wide, even through everything that had changed and calmed his violent desires down, a Scout's need for external validation was always there.

"But don't go getting a big ego."

"You've known me for quite some time and know I have one. Don't expect it to leave anytime soon."

"At this point, it's part of your charm, Art," Celestia laughed cheerily, having taken to trot close to his side.

The two of them could clearly see journalists and photographers about, writing and snapping pictures of them, it was the standard in Canterlot. It was almost treated as a scandal when Princess Celestia announced to the newspapers that Arctus was officially courting her and there had been countless mentions and even a small column dedicated to news of a ceremony ever since.

Though the two of them were torn on what kind of ceremony they would ever settle upon. An Equestrian one was too formal for Arctus who was always looking forward to a break from rigidity. And an Aeternian ceremony was too wild for Celestia who believed keeping order was paramount in all endeavors.

Regardless, the two of them were getting precious time to nurture their love for each other, regardless of the differences between them.

"Glad to see you still like me and I haven't become an annoyance."

"Don't say that, I could neve-. Mmm, your sarcasm hasn't been about for a long while in Canterlot and nopony else is brave enough to use it about me."

"That's one of the reason you enjoy having me at home so much," Arctus laughed, laying his hand on her back as they came to the castle gates.

"You've always treated me like an equal, not a better. You'll always be a breath of fresh air," she hummed at peace.

"Flirting so openly about the camera's again. They always make headlines even now."

"Though they critique your actions, don't ever think they aren't grateful for all that you do," Celestia assured him.

Arctus went quiet for a moment before broaching a topic, "if...if I did got back to Aeternia, would you still welcome me here?"

"Art, what's caused such a question?"

"I do not know what awaits me in the stars and if they will force me back to Aeternia."

"So, you truly do plan to get my sister's help in this endeavor," Celestia exhaled a held breath, "I will always welcome you back here. However, wouldn't you want to go back home?"

"This is my home, I lived in Aeternia, but there was never a feeling that I was purposed. Equestria is my home."

"So you...would only want to visit Aeternia?" Arctus nodded to her question, "that brings me comfort. Things would be, no I would be very amiss were you to disappear forever."

"I'll make sure to be within teleporting distance then."

"Art, there has been a development with the Glacégere's egg in your room," the two of them had already made it into the residential tower and skybridges of the castle.

"What...kind of development?" Arctus turned his heels and started to head to his own room, Celestia following him.

"I don't want to ruin the surprise."

They arrived and Twilight was standing at the door, her horn lit.

"Oh, Twilight's here? You're here for the egg, aren't you?" Arctus addressed her.

"Huh? What? Oh. Yes, I'm taking some notes, but I swear I didn't go in your room!" Twilight urged an oddly wordded apology.

"That's fine, I'm just particular about my gear. Let's see what's happened," Arctus' hand touched the metal door handle before retreating away.

Celestia giggled, "too cold for you?"

"Shame that my coat is on the other side," Arctus called a flame to his left hand, holding it to the door handle for a while before grabbing it comfortably and struggling to push it open.

"Is it stuck?" Twilight voiced.

"There's something blocking my door...Celly, what's happened in my room?"

"Oooooh, maybe you're not as strong as you thought."

Arctus released the handle and took a step back, "fine then."

He bent his knees and lunged forward while lifting his leg to kick at his door.

Nothing.

He attempted again and the door swung open with a loud shatter.

"Whoooooa," Twilight entered his room first followed by the Master Scout and the Princess.

"Well...shit," Arctus stared around at his entirely frozen over room, "guess the egg wanted to redecorate," he stepped carefully, picking his spear off his back and using it to carefully navigate to the far side of the room and around his bed, kneeling next to the sparkling blue egg that still sat in the cushy bed designed just for it.

Arctus gently shifted his weight, running his hand over the egg and feeling warmth, or something warmer than the rest of his room.

A short moment later, the entire layer of ice around the room receded rapidly toward the egg which began to shift and shuffle, "Celly, Twilight, please retreat away," Arctus warned and the two ponies present slowly trotted backward toward the door.

The shell of the egg froze over before it rapidly crumbled and a medium size bird, no bigger than a pony's torso dashed about, flying, and screeching a high pitched call about the room. Arctus could feel something in his spear shift, something akin to when he slew the Glacégere in a volcano.

The feeling shifted more to resonate with himself, the Master Scout let the feathery blue bird screech longer, a wind chill circling about the room while icicles started to hang down from the ceiling. Arctus snapped to attention and sprinted to the balcony doors, throwing them wide open.

The ice entity did not hesitate to zip out of the balcony doors and into the sky, hail following the tail feathers of it.

Weather ponies would forever be confounded at this event.

"Arctus?" Celestia trotted over with Twilight following here, "you know how I keep a phoenix...that is quite the opposite of one. I don't believe you'll tame it easily."

"Tame? I don't wish to tame such a creature. You of all have taught me to learn about something before I draw a conclusion to eliminate it, so I'll take that philosophy a step further and befriend it," he continued to watch the bird fly about.

"That's odd," Twilight spoke up, "most wild animals and creatures flee from ponies, but it hasn't left our sight yet."

"That's an astute observation, Twilight," Celestia praised her student.

"Come!" Arctus' voice boomed and the bird changed course, flying closer before perching on his balcony rail.

"And it listens," Twilight whispered excitedly, her hooves lightly tapping the stone floor.

"Well, it's taken a liking to you with some kind of bond. Maybe the Glacégere changed more than just your spear," Celestia observed.

"It's a fascinating little thing."

"I wouldn't call it little, Master Arctus," Twilight commented.

"Asarele."

"You're naming it?" Twilight looked to him and back at the bird.

"It's one of the words for a spell to call rain where I come from, heard the mages use it many times atop a farm. It's the only fitting name I could think of."

"I wonder if Philomena will be jealous," the alicorn paused, "though she keeps to the castle gardens, I imagine Asarele will likely be up here with you, seems like a parental bond of some sort," Celestia commented.

The entire time the icy being had not taken its eyes off Arctus.

"And it seems adamant on your attention," Celestia laughed, stamping a hoof lightly on the stone floor.

The Master Scout stretched his hand out and the bird reached forward, opening its beak and lightly biting a finger of his, a dry, frigid appendage probed before it let go of his finger, its eyes focusing on Arctus' own.

He stepped closer, slowly, carefully and the frozen fowl didn't move, still staring at him, he reached his hand out to its feet and the bird planted sharp talons onto the leather palm, holding to his body as he lifted it up.

"So, Celly, I think we're not going to have any private time unless this one is present," Arctus finally spoke again.

Twilight had numerous pages of notes by this time and Celestia just smiled warmly at the gentle exchange between creatures, "that's fine, I don't think Asarele is the type of some...bird to divulge secrets," Arctus' new companion looked to Celestia when she spoke, "but it might recognize its name already."

"Fly," Arctus gently moved his hand that the Asarele stood on toward the open air in front of the balcony and it took off flying, "no ice," and only small snowflakes fell as it flew about, gliding stationary in the great winds at the towers of the castle.

"Twilight, you're welcome to study Asarele any time, but remember not to enter my room without permission," he looked to the young mare on his left.

"Right! Iiiii'm going to go ahead and see if I can scoop up some of the hail it left," Twilight trotted quickly out of the room.

"Celly, she's very different from Sunset."

"She's full of so much life and potential, not that Sunset wasn't, but..."

"Don't look so downtrodden, she was different and ambitious. Those with ambition are hard to influence once they've set themselves a goal. You've seen it with me, she's just chosen a route to power and reasons to use it that aren't desirable. She could still come around, though," Arctus laid an arm around the snowy coated alicorn's neck, pulling her to him while he watched Asarele glide.

"It's always intersting with you around, at least," she leaned onto him, "hey...when my sister is back and settled, do you want to have ourselves a ceremony?" She smiled herself away.

"Ceremony?" Arctus questioned, "you mean a joining?"

Celestia laughed behind her closed lips, "so that's what they call it Aeternia? I've just noticed you don't have eyes for any other pony and found myself wondering why we aren't."

"I've thought about it, but I've also thought finding a middle ground between our cultures might be a tedious task."

"And one we can face together."

"So, if we get joi-. Celly," Arctus' voice changed to a much more serious tone, "did...is...is that Aeternian citizen still kept under lock and key in one of the castle's suites?"

Celestia looked to him with widened eyes.

"Sorry to ruin our mome-."

"Ponyfeathers! How could we-."

"Must have been there stewing thi-."

"I'm such a poor host, what will-."

"We need to just go down to that room!"

Celestia stopped her self-berating rant along with Arctus' own rambling of his failing. She nodded to him and trotted quickly to the door of the room.

"Asarele!" The icy bird flew back into the castle, following behind both of them before carefully perching itself on the metal ring of Arctus' cape.

The Days to Enjoy

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The two of them were already knocking and then unlocking and then opening the door to a royal suite that was a pseudo prison. Celestia had dismissed the guards in front of the door and Arctus was first to enter.

"I'm...sorry to keep you waiting so long, I know I sent you off to here and you've been under constant watch, I could have addressed this earlier."

The human, the other Aeternian present bowed deeply to him.

"I suppose you really are a citizen. Stop bowing. What's your name?"

"Lohey," the woman stood straight in her still torn clothing, "you're Scout Arctus, the Starborn, aren't you?"

Celestia finally spoke up, "quite the celebrity in Aeternia, weren't you?" Her words a playful jab.

"I am Master Scout Arctus, that's correct. Lohey, you were in the cave with that distasteful necromancer. Have you noticed any prolonged illness or such symptoms?" Arctus began questioning her.

She shook her head.

"What do you think of ponykind here?" He moved an open hand toward Celestia to gesture.

"They're weird, but they're very peaceful."

"They are, I work to maintain that peace here as a few Aeternians have been displaced. I-."

Lohey had cut him off, "excuse me, Master Scout Arctus. I have no intention to disrupt this peace or to bring ill upon them or you or Princess Celestia here," she affirmed.

"Good. There is another Aeternian present here, Sacred Star General Savus."

"SAVUS?!" Arctus could tell from volume alone, she was a fan.

"I think Savus may want to lay low for a while, just a passing thought," Celestia smirked.

"There is also another Aeternian, but we haven't been able to make contact," Arctus lied, "Litzrer Captain Kanna was also here, she has died."

Lohey nodded, "do you know where Savus is?"

"Stay focused, Lohey. What did you do back in Aeternia?"

"I was a teacher...and brewer," Arctus' eyes went wide.

"Do you...do, please. Do you know how to make magma sheets?" Lohey nodded, "Celly, I...I think I'll be buying some property within Canterlot soon...and bringing an entire new addition to the alcohol industry."

Lohey's face brightened before darkening with worry, "I wasn't big or anything, Master Scout Arctus. Most of the people who would drink what I made were family or friends."

"I am your friend now, I'll be drinking it, don't worry about it."

"Apologies, Lohey, that's a piece of home and Art hasn't had such a creature comfort in many many years here."

"That's right, that necromancer likely kept you for years like that. Feel free to roam the castle, the guards will tell you when you're going someplace off limits and they can direct you around," Arctus took command again, "you might draw attention in the city, but none of it will be hostile. Savus may still be in the city now. I do have favors I'd like to ask you for."

Lohey looked back to him attentively, "please...please brew some magma sheets. I'll source any material you need, but I imagine I'll need a barrel or two for a celebration in mind. Also, knowing that you were a teacher, could you please write down the history and culture of Aeternia? I know as much as anybody else, but you are an expert in it. Afterward, you can lend your expertise to the ponies in teaching."

"That's quite a lot, but I'll try my best Master Scout Arctus," she kept herself formal and bowed deeply again.

"That's all that Aeterni-...I would ask of you."

"Is that a common saying, Art?" Celestia questioned.

"It is, it's used as a conclusion to orders being given," Lohey spoke up, "which matches his military background. Th conversation would normally conclude there."

Arctus sighed out, "yeah, you're definitely writing down about our people," Arctus hadn't noticed it the entire time, but Asarele was still on his back, clutching to his cape and a gentle touch of the bird pale blue feathers sent an icy chill about his head, forcing a shiver.

"Hmmm, I'll assign one of the maids to assist you with acquanting yourself in Equestria," Celestia addressed the new arrival, "Caffeine Morning usually takes care of this room so when you see her come by this afternoon, she'll assist you."

"Thank you, Princess, I appreciate your hospitality."

"Enjoy Equestria, Lohey, it's a very special nation," Arctus walked to the door, exiting the room with Celestia following soon after him.

Once they were clear of ear shot of the room, Celestia spoke up first, "when you first told me you came from the stars, I doubted you, but after having met many Aeternians who confirm it, I'm beginning to wonder who and exactly what you are. Even Savus admits you're on a different level of combat than him and he's a celebrity in your world."

The Master Scout laughed while they descended a spiral staircase, "I just never had time to grow my legend in Aeternia. Most people only remember the baby that showed up in the Sacred volcano, not the things I've done since then."

"Art, you have built a legacy in Equestria already and you continue to grow it."

"And every day I feel more comfortable leaving Aeternia behind and accepting Equestria as home."

The Princess smiled at his words, "did you have any plans today besides the ones you didn't tell me of this morning?"

"I didn't have anything planned for a while, I was going to watch the current training of guards and relax for now."

"I thought a Scout didn't have time for rest?" Celestia jabbed at him.

"Give yourself credit for that, you've made this nation a very peaceful one."

Celestia tinted at his compliment.

"We can go to the gardens for a while afterward if you like. I already know you're taking the day just for me."

"I had a different idea, we can go trapsing around an old haunt," she smiled at him as the two exited to the front of the castle and made their way across a cobbled path, "you do like to watch the guards quite a lot, are you displeased with their training?"

Arctus shook their head as they came acros the dirt filled training yard, his hands touched a wood fence and he leaned over it, "I was raised around it. I lived in the temple a short while and then I lived around training, steel, scraping, clashing, and all these other sounds."

"Remind you of a simpler time?"

"You can say that. It's not like I have the constant worry of a Master Scout observing, waiting, ready to pounce," he was zoning in on the form of the guards doing strike drills at the command of Shining Armor, "does Equestria have a nationwide alarm of some kind?"

"Through magic, yes, it's rudimentary, but it works," the white alicorn watched the guards go about, Shining Armor noticed the two of them after a while and gave them a wave which was returned only by Celestia.

"As long as there is one in place, that's good enough for me," Arctus was making notes of the slight mistakes the guards were making and looking more toward ones that were perfect in form and others that seemed to strike far more agressively.

They were making eye contact with him and the bird still on his back. They were trying to purposefully impress him. Maybe they had heard was a Scout's paycheck looks like from Silver Spike.

"When she makes it back, I'm going to test her."

"Do you mean trainee Strong Stitch?" Celestia questioned.

"Yes, check her survival skills, her stealth skills, and give her the proper exam."

"Let me know when, I'd love to see her knock you into the air again," the Princess decided being playful was the best way to entertain herself, at Arctus' expense.

"That. I have things in mind for that. We'll put her to a solid test and try not to destroy the training yard."

She smiled, "now I'm excited for it."

The two of them went quiet while they watched, the day passing by while they just enjoyed the time they had with each other.

"Celly, when...where will she come back?" Arctus popped the hard question.

"Likely the old castle in the Everfree," the topic didn't hurt Celestia as much today.

"I'll ensure I'm prepared then."

"Thank you, Art. I know you have your own reasons, but it's important to me that you're going to try to bring her back in whatever way you can."

"My reasons are second," he gently ruffled her flowing mane, "Asarele," the icy bird on his back audibly chirped at its name and Arctus.

Arctus pointed at Shining Armor and his companion left, flying over Shining Armor and swopping low, a thin layer of ice formed on the unicorn's back. The Master Scout held his hand in the air and waved toward himself, Asarele returned to him. He could feel a movement in his body, reminiscent of the Glacégere.

Shining Armor shivered and huffed as he trotted over while the ice was melting off his back, "I see we have another avian friend around the castle who isn't afraid to play harmful tricks unlike Philomena."

"This is Asarele, they'll be living in the castle along with me, Shining Armor," Arctus explained, "I see you're still harsh on correcting their forms, apologies if my presence causes them to try to add more to their strikes."

"You're always welcome at the training yard, Arctus. Just ensure it stays disciplined, I'll make the guard aware."

"Always knowing what my next words were going to be," Arctus smiled at the captain.

"That general you brought around, Savus, is he safe?"

"He might be powerful, but he has sense in his head," the Master Scout assured, "you can also make requests to him, he did say he wouldn't mind being of use to Equestria, though he's hoping to retire. Savus has had a very long and successful military career."

"Putting down the sword doesn't sound easy for an Aeternian," Celestia voiced in.

"It would be easy for him, not so much for me or other scouts. We might both be military, but we're in separate worlds," Arctus clarified.

"But what would keep you from retiring and putting combat aside?" Celestia knew this was a cusp of culture.

"In Aeternia, when a Scout passes their exam they share blood with the other Scouts."

"Isn't that dangerous?" Shining Armor followed, still present.

"There's never been a recorded death from it, but the first Scout, whoever it was, created the tradition and they had taken blood from the Eight Heroes. It drove them to have an unwilling bloodlust. This tradition carried on and the blood is even shared outside the Scouts, freely," Arctus pushed off the wood fence, standing on his own, "not fighting makes us lose more control, when I said combat and war are born inside of us, I meant it."

It wasn't exactly a fact he was proud to share with the peaceful ponies, but the topic had come up and he needed to bare more of himself for them to see.

"That's a grim fate to be assigned," the white alicorn nudged him, "but you carry it well."

"It's never bothered me, even in Equestria there are uses for my talents. There are those who lose to that bloodlust, they're given enchanted neckbands that keep them from ever entering Aeternia's borders again and they cause chaos in other nations instead."

"Every time I hear about Aeternia is just another cheery custom," Shining Armor added sarcasm in.

"Don't judge his people too harshly, Captain. They did settle on salt flats with volcanic activity," Celestia advocated in favor of Arctus.

"Right," Shining Armor quieted himself, returning to the guards in training.

"Let's head off, Art," Celestia lit her horn and in a flash of yellow she brought all three of them to the Everfree Forest, to the border of it, Ponyville at their backs.

Arctus wordlessly grasped his spear and set his new avian to soar the skies, "free," and ice sprinkled lightly over the giant trees of the Everfree.

The noises of the forest began to slowly silence as Arctus' scent wafted about for the creatures to smell.

"It never ceases to amaze me how you made this forest tame to your will," Celestia took the lead, trotting ahead.

"You give a Scout enough time and he can accomplish anything. I had hunted in these woods for years prior to meeting you," his head was swiveling as he enter behind her, keeping close and noticing Asarele soaring above the thick canopy.

The white alicorn peered behind herself and looked forward with a laugh, "you really do thrive in these woods, hmm? It's cute, making me wonder if giving you a room in the castle was a good decision."

Arctus couldn't form a good response.

"Ahhh, I've taken your breath, I see," Celestia knew this route through the woods quite well, she'd visit it while he was away from Equestria. It never did lose his scent.

"Are we going to my hovel?"

"You really should start calling it your cottage, you built it very well."

"Hm," the woodsmaster grunted in response.

"Stop."

"Oh, Art, there's not-."

"Stop," Arctus took a sniff in the air, smelling a similar twinge and he moved in front of Celestia in silence, scouting ahead a couple of meters to his first home and seeing an atrocious thing over top it.

"Arctus, what-," Celestia snuck to him, whispering, "o-oh...I...you smelt it?"

"I could hear it, too," his soul lurched as he looked on in the clearing at this Ursa Major taking a nap in the sunlight. It was Fall, likely using the end of Summer to soak up some final rays before the chill came.

"What are you planning?"

"You don't really like violence, do you?" Celestia shook her head, "then I'll make this quick."

Arctus put his spear into its holster and went to draw his greatsword before realizing, "shitting stars...Plated Shell is maintenancing it."

"Grow attached to your new toy?" The Princess smirked at him.

"It was a perfect weapon for large creatures, now I'm going to need to get a little more creative..."

The woodsmaster looked about them, spying something he could use, he slipped in silence to it, pulling a large branch up and even holding both sides of it, pushing his foot into the center and finding it strong and springy.

"The woodsmaster becomes the engineer?" Celestia held a bemused eyebrow up while she watched him.

He gazed around again, checking for potential objects of use and noting plants, branches, rocks, every single detail of his surroundings. The Master Scout was accustomed to having what he needed on hand, but this was a return to creativity.

"Art, is this...is this how you really survived when you first came here?" He had slunk back to his partner.

"Creativity is a survivalist's greatest tool. If you can not imagine the things you can possibly do with but just a stick or rock, you can not imagine an accurate tomorrow. You'll be dead or dying by then," his left hand opened in front of him while he focused down his mana, a black smoking ball of void formed in the air.

"Oh, I haven't seen this spell, what's this one?"

"Something Strong Stitch would appreciate," he kept an expressionless gaze as he moved it to the branch which soaked in the magic, letting fumes off itself before he slowly and cautiously set the branch upon the ground, "please stay hidden right here where you are."

"Yes, Sir," she whispered with a laugh. Though she didn't condone violence, Celestia could not help but love watching him perform.

Arctus slipped away, taking his bow from his back and one of his bodkin arrows. The percing power of these were meant for weaker armor, often used by searchers, archers, and the like which were common targets for his bow.

It would still be more than enough to puncture the tough bear's hide and make it sing Arctus' name.

He lifted his head up from bushes, Celestia could clearly see him, but the bear was still taking a snooze. His bow lifted. His quiver's bundle clasp lifted. His arrow lifted.

Fly.

The ursa immediately woke with a horrible screech and the before Arctus even confirmed his intended mark he was slipping past bushes, branches, ferns, roots. Feet a blur as he stepped quietly, stowing his bow and greturning to Celestia's side.

"Let's get him a move on somewhere else," he glanced at the white alicorn, her eyes locked firm to his in the short moment before watching his body grip the blackened branch again while he sprinted out of the woods.

A great bear stood high above the canopy, scratching at its eye to try and remove the small arrow that punctured the eye lid and pupil, whining in pain. Too busy with the sudden injury, it noticed Arctus' approach late and he slammed the branch upward against the rear of the bear.

The branch splintered into a mist of sawdust and mulch, the ursa major discovered a gift of flight. Asarele, high above the canopy noticed the bear, swooping in and opening its beak, a concerning spike of cold shooting out and into the bear.

Arctus had seen the entire interaction, pausing before his mind ticked again, he needed something else to hit the bear with as a second strike. His hands rummaged around the tall grass before a large rock tapped his fingers.

Another black ball, another infused piece of nature. The Master Scout threw the mineral with less accuracy than he'd like, but with the strength behind it, the silicate still landed hard at the bear and with a loud boom it shot off into the distance past the tree canopy.

A loud thud and many wood snaps announced its landing, "Asarele!" The young ice embodiment swooped down, landing on the metal ring of Arctus' cape again, "you...we'll need to do some training together."

Celestia rushed out of the bushes, stomping her hoves in applause once she reached Arctus, "you never told me you could do that!" She endeared his pride.

"You know already that I'm all kinds of impressive," He loked about the clearing, ensuring there were no more threats, "I'm surprised it didn't smell me, wake up, and immediately leave."

"Are you saying even those behemoths are afraid of you?"

"Celly, you forget what being the woodsmaster means," Arctus lifted the moss covered hatch to his home away from home, slipping in to it. He was already set on the task of lighting the torches in the dirt alcoves of the hovel, providing a dim light over most of the cool dugout.

Celestia teleported herself into the small survival shelter rather than climbing down the small entrance as she had done in the past.

"So, you just suggested here to escape the castle, didn't you?" Arctus was crouched at the rudimentary bed, shuffling about metal and glass containers

"You should know that without having to ask by now, Art," the alicorn bore a wide smile, scanning over Arctus' first home.

"Absent of prying eyes. When I first built this, I didn't think it'd be used as a private rendezvous."

"So...about the ceremony we were talking of yesterday was it?" Celestia continued the topic.

"A joining."

"As you call it from Aeternia, we call them weddings in Equestria," Celestia added.

"If you're asking me," he stood, meeting the alicorn's gaze. He let the silence sit while he walked the short distance across the dried grass rug, his fingers laced about her chin, "I'd love to be joined to you."

Celestia chortled, withdrawing her head, but not leaving his fingers, "we'll have a lot of details to work out, but I think we can accomodate both our cultures."

"We'll leave Equestria in chaos...or make all of Canterlot a blathering drunken rabble," Arctus commented with a smile.

"It's not often you curl your lips like that," her hoof poked his cheek, "did you have any input from your culture?"

"I'd like...after the actual ceremony or joining, to have a celebration in the style of Aeternia."

Celestia's face twisted int concern, she knew that meant alcohol, possible debauchery, and a nationwide celebration. The castle's coffers could be emptied quickly that way.

"We might not be able to afford that so readily."

"We can keep it to just Canterlot, didn't you say the newest princess...Cadence, right?" Arctus took her hoof, guiding the Princess to the fur bed, "she's good at shield magic? That's what I've heard rumored."

"She is..."

"Then we can have Shining Armor and Princess Cadence perform the shield ritual during it. Most breweries also used it as an opportunity to promote themselves and set a side a barrel or three for free samplings."

"Are you sure Equestria can handle that much freedom all at once?"

"Positive. I don't know much about Equestrian wedding traditions, but with a joining there are some rituals an Aeternian does...I'd prefer not to have an audience for them and we can do it after the celebration across Canterlot."

"Oooooh," Celestia shuffled onto the bed, "sounds like some bedchamber talk."

"You can have bedchamber talk whenever you please," the woodsmaster began taking off his gear, laying them out on the handmade simple table, "these rituals are very symbolic and Equestria might not be ready for them," he carried Asarele on his arm after taking his cape off and let the bird free to fly the skies above the Everfree.

"Well, we can talk about details throughout the weeks...I wanted to come out here and get a slice of you privately," the alicorn was free to talk however she pleased in these wildernesses.

An Aeternian's Conviction

by The Real Darkness

Storytelling

Planning Nine Nights

A Cape to Burden

A Spike to Drive

More to Come

In Those Days

I Came...And Am...

Selection

The Woodsmaster Returns

Disease Breather

Putting Them in Their Place

The General

Aeternian Tactics

Friendly Faces

The Notice and Recognition

The Glacé Sky

The Days to Enjoy