> Launching the Last Star
>  by The Real Darkness
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> The Student
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Celly, wake up."

The alicorn groaned at the intrusion.

"Come on, you're the one who has to raise the Sun."

Her horn lit, unmoving from the bed and light peeked down into small slats of the hovel's top.

"You know we didn't tell anybody that we'd be heading here, right? Or sleeping out here?"

Celestia finally opened her mouth, "that's...that's okay. Shining Armor saw you with me," she sighed out, "that's good enough for everypony to know I'm safe," the alicorn remained inside all the furs of the bed. The warmth in it was without equal, not even the most expensive blankets in the castle could accomplish this.

"Just let me be in bliss a while longer, I'll get back to my duties soon enough," that was a good enough sign that she knew she couldn't be slacking just to be around him all day.

And Arctus, in his past life, was left with the feeling that he was incredibly vulnerable while unclothed. That was a different life, far foreign from how he now lives. The plush fur of the Sun Princess would be enough to make it worth it.

"My survival shelter has become an overnight restreat destination."

"And it's better that way, Art," a larger smile graced Celestia's muzzle.

He couldn't argue. The two of them had a perfect night, even if preserved foods were their dinner. It wasn't much about the things they had to enjoy, but the two of them alone was all they needed.

The couple carried on in silence for a while longer before Celestia finally lifted herself up and rolled off the bed onto her hooves.

"You sure you're going to be fit for duty? We did stay up quite late last night."

"I couldn't help myself. It's like you've placed an entire banquet of sweets in front of my eyes, how can I not indulge?" She snickered behind her lips, "and you're doing it again! Laying there uncovered!"

"After we ended, you insisted on being my blanket without delay. Not that I'm complaining," Arctus swung his legs over, relighting the nearby candle on the table of the shelter.

"Maybe just one more bite, couldn't hurt," without any words, response, wait, or affirmation; the Princess of the Sun shoved him hard, "one. More. Bite. And then a shower back at the castle."

The woodsmaster's back hit the bed harder than Celestia intended, but the furs cushioned him well. With little ceremony, more was demanded from him and they both indulged in each other.





"We should make this a routine for whenever you return home."

"I'm certain ponies would begin to suspect what we're up to," Arctus was already in his linens and leather, putting more equipment on.

Celestia had her gold adornments in place, "not that we care. At least, I don't," she laughed with her lips at the extent they could stretch, "I've been deprived of you for longer than I like."

"Well, you know where my room is," Arctus had slid his spear into place on his back.

"Not that it helps, you're always going somewhere."

"Call it the most entertaining game of hide and seek," Arctus walked to the entrance of the shelter.

"Wouldn't you rather teleport back with me?" She offered.

"I have a dependent avian that I need to check up on...I'm not even sure what it eats."

"Well, you take care of your Asarele. I'm going to take a shower in my own chambers," her horn lit and with a flash the alicorn was gone.

Arctus blew the candle out from the distance, heaving his lungs, although the hovel was small, it was a considerable length away. His eyes scanned over the shelter.

By the Stars, look how he had journeyed. He was ready to accept a life of hunting and crafting to survive, a life filled with constant struggle and fight. Celestia had jailed him, he escaped. Luna had approached this home and he fought her off. A patrol was looking for him, he terrified them into submission and saved their lives. He defended Celestia from her corrupted sister. He slew a great ice avatar of this world and now took charge of its young. Arctus had elimated threat after threat, crumbled an entire kingdom, killed fellow Aeternians.

His journey was far from over, that's something he knew as a certainty, his aging was stopped or slowed. Savus had shown signs of aging since he had last seen him in Aeternia. The woodsmaster didn't even know if the same kind of chronology rules applied to both worlds.

Soon he would find the Eight Sacred Stars, and after he would launch himself high above to them, demanding an answer from the Heroes.

"One event at a time," he climbed out of his shelter and placed the moss covering back over the hole, stretching as his face met the sunlight.

The forest was still quiet for him as he broke the silence, "Asarele!" His voice boomed.

A screech came, echoing more than once as the bird cried, seeking Arctus out and landing on his cape's ring. The bird seemed to be slightly larger, its beak stained red.

"I see...you hunt and eat meat as well. I'll keep that in mind, friend," it trilled behind its closed beak. Arctus reached behind him, peering in the corner of his eyes and used his own leather glove to wipe the red from the beak, "since you've already eaten. Let's get going, shall we?" Arctus left the clearing, walking back out of the forest and toward Ponyville.

He could see this town from Canterlot, from farms to a sprawling community. It definitely didn't have the strictness that Canterlot did, ponies were a lot more easy going and there wasn't even any guards posted. The Master Scout began to wonder if he was the reason for that, if taming the forest made this entire town a possibility. He strolled into it confidently, noticing the ponies seek out shelter as he did. 

He emptied the streets.

"Are they scared of you or me?" He peered around.

"This town isn't the most friendly. I'd have thought Arctus' presence would get me at least someplace here."

"Savus!"

Footsteps pounded toward Arctus and from behind a large tree that housed some kind of building, the general appeared.

"You're here? I was going about to take in the flavors of Equestria and you're in the first place I visit."

"The ponies here are wary of us, they live next to my forest where many powerful creatures live."

"I see, caution is in their nature then. Where do you suggest I actually visit?"

"There is a farm that's been here for an incredibly long time, come."

"Would they be more welcoming?"

"They've likely seen me before and know more extensively of me than the rest of the ponies here."

Arctus began traveling to the farther outskirts of the town, taking to a dirt road, Asarele stayed perched on him the entire walk.

"Heard about the bird, is it truly not wild?"

"It's wild, plenty much so, but I believe the mother of it imparted a gift direct unto me for its offspring's sake."

"And what gift is that? The ability to have such a frigid thing that close to you?"

"An inherent bond, Savus. It listens to me too well and would have no way to understand speech."

The old veteran hummed, "so, you think it's likely just understanding your intent?" The dirt path's banks changed to house large apple trees and log fencing.

"I do. It still needs some training and seems to like assisting in combat."

Savus whisteled, "Master Scout Arctus and Ice Bird Asarele...not even the entire army of Aeternia could defeat you two," he laughed.

"I'm not all powerful. I bleed the same as you," he corrected, looking about the farm he was walking down.

"Apples. Apples. Apples. Think they grow anything else?" Savus laughed.

"This is their spec-."

"Hey!" A deep feminine voice called our from within the orchard and Arctus stopped in his path along with Savus.

"It's still odd being shouted out and resisting instinct."

"You scouts need to relax more," Savus retorted, looking about for the source of the voice.

Arctus had already gazed to their left, seeing an orange pony with a large brimmed hat trot over, her head low in suspicion.

"You all apple thievin' varmits?"

"Not at all," Arctus cracked a smile onto his face, the pony pointed a hoof at him and then behind him.

Asarele had left him and was now housed in a tree, snacking away peacefully.

"Whatever that is...sure ain't convincing me. Rode on you a second ago."

"Asarele!" Arctus called and the bird screeched, zipping in a glide to the metal ring of his cape, "apologies."

He fetched into a small purse tied to one of his pouches, retrieving a handful of bits and extending his hand out. The pony came closer, leaping over the fence and taking them after she pulled her hat off, dumping the gold coins into it like a bucket.

"Say, only a couple of you tall folks are spoken 'bout. But you...granny told stories 'bout you. Said you had a spear blacker than night that glinted bluer than river," the pony pointed a hoof at Arctus again, "you're that Master Scout Arctus stallion...er..feller...Aeternian!" She found the word.

"That's him, alright. Your reputation preceeds you...how's it feel to be me?" Savus jabbed his arm with his metalled elbow.

"It's a weird sensation," he addressed his friend, "and who is the pony I'm speaking with?" He addressed the farmer.

"Name's Applejack. We don't really get any heroes 'round these parts. Don't you live in Canterlot?"

"I do, was going for a walk back from my forest to Canterlot when I coincidentally met Savus," Arctus explained.

"Your forest?"

The woodsmaster pointed behind him to the gnarled trees on the other side of the orchard.

"Oooooh, the Everfree Fore-."

"My forest."

"That'd line up with granny's stories...she said you romped all over the darn thing before Ponyville was even thought of, before the farm. Your forest it is," she nodded her head in respect, "kinda owe our success to ya, cleaning up the beasties in there," she garnered an actual smile from him, "so then, why are ya on my family's farm?"

"Savus is Aeternia's Sacred Star General, he's looking around Equestria for a place to retire and live a more normal life."

"General, huh? Betcha seen a lot a stuff I won't. You lookin' for work on the farm?" Applejack questioned and Arctus looked to him.

"I'm strong and tall enough to reach your produce, but not many ponies in this town like me."

"Everypone, Savus, everypony here is scared outta there minds at the thought of something new to 'em. If you're a friend of Arctus here, you're good enough to trust in my book."

"You think you could put in a word for him around town?" Arctus asked.

"I can try, sometimes those ponies don't see much reason as a group," Applejack rolled her eyes, "if ya can navigate the wilderness, I imagine you can stay in Arctus' forest. We could use some part time help every now and then, that door's open to ya, Savus," she tipped her head, still holding to her hat with bits in it.

"Well, good luck in your search, Savus," Arctus looked to Applejack, "I have a feeling you might see me again, Applejack," without anymore of a goodbye, he began walking back down the dirt path once more.

"Are ya goin' back to Canterlot?! Take care of our Princess!" The stout farmer shouted after him, "he always leave that rudely?"

"Applejack, that's the most polite he is to someone new he meets. Used to be this very serious person," Savus' voice got quieter as he kept on.





He did take three hours to arrive back in Canterlot, choosing to walk the entire way, allowing Asarele to fly about until he went up the mountain's footpath to get into the city. There was an entire new guard outpost at the bottom, courtesy of Hazth's potential war declaration. He was pleased to see Celestia taking it so seriously.

He did have a matter to take seriously on her behalf though. He didn't mention it, she didn't mention it; yet there was a reason she chose to banish her sister.

Because she could not bring her back to her senses and he would try his best to pull the fearless Princess of the Moon back from her shade of hate.

He walked the streets of Canterlot, heading to the young smith's workshop.

The whole situation reminded him of those Scouts lost to bloodlust and war. Could he one day become that corrupted? Would he? Equestria acheives peace, no violence, no war, Scouts become a relic.

The thought didn't bring him sorrow though. Peace is something he was seeking this entire time, a balance inside himself, a completed life.

Arctus walked into Plated Shell's workshop, hammering was still abound the entire street, but he was busy pouring over a ledger.

"Arctus, good afternoon. Your armors and greatsword are on the table at the door," he didn't look up.

Asarele refused to follow him into the hot forge, having left his back to fly the skies above.

"Thank you, I'll have someone come by with bits to pay once I get back to the castle."

"Get back? Did you go out somewhere again? In need of more repairs?" He glanced up.

Arctus sighed, "I'm reckless, but I know my skill level," the master scout removed some of his equipment and began to properly put on his thin chain chauses, scale mail vest, and metal glove. His coutours followed along with the thin pauldrons.

"For someone of your status, your armor is surprisingly light, but Aeternian forging methods must be different, it's surprisingly stiff and strong, but not brittle."

He smiled at the smith's comments, "take care, Plated Shell. I imagine you'll need my blood again before long."

"Another Aeternian Scout weapon?" He fully looked up to see that Arctus had already made his exit.





Arctus had finally made his return to the castle on foot, entering through the gate, having let Asarele fly about. His feet lead him up the steps in the front courtyard as he approach the doors.

"Master Arctus!" His eyes looked up higher, quickly locating the voice that shouted from a window in the castle.

And in a purple flash above and one in front of him, Celestia's student was in front of him, "oh, you don't often ask for me, Twilight. Does something require my attention?" The two of them never really spoke.

"Yes! I mean no!" Her wide smile was a very good indicator of her excitement. "I need your help."

"I'm sensing this is not an emergency."

"No, not anything that needs your immediate attention like that," as eager as she was for knowledge, Twilight knew the reasons why Arctus would suddenly mobilize, "and you have all your equipment and Asarele, too! Could I ask you to help me answer some questions for me?"

Arctus nodded, "you've never taken an initiative to learn more about me, but I'll answer any questions that you do have."

"Oh, thank you thank you, Arctus!" She dropped the formal title, "so come follow me, I have a bunch of books and notes and equipment laid out."

"Didn't intend on telling me it would take a while, did you?" He followed the unicorn back into Canterlot.

"He..heh eh," she sheepishly blushed, "I'll be as quick as I can. Besides, it's not like you can spend eeeevery day with Princess Celestia, can you?"

"My presence in court would not be the best for ponies to speak freely."

Twilight laughed at his words, "well, none of them grew up watching you march around the castle, disappear for days, train so...um...violently since they were a filly."

"And even then, you were only interested in magic."

"All knowledge has value and the books written on you leave some gaps in knowledge and the book Lohey is writing is taking too long, so," she began ascending a wrap around staircase to a rather large building.

"Oh, so this is where you're living now, Celestia mentioned something about giving you an old library."

"It's wonderful! It's let me learn a lot of new information and expand my repertoire," Twilight lit her horn and opened the doors for them both, "I'm back, Spike!"

"Asarele!" The frigid companion of Arctus swooped low, landing on his usual perch.

"Huh..oh! You got him!" A small dragon responded, climbing down a ladder leaned against a bookcase. His green frills perked at Twilight's voice, "and his..uh...whatever that is."

"It's Asarele, the child of the Glacégere. Arctus' pet," Twilight explained, already at a central table while the scout took his time to take in his new environment of the impressive library.

"Glacégere?" Spike struggled to speak the word, "what the hay is that?"

"Giant ice bird, embodiment of cold and winter. It soared the skies of the Frozen North until it met me. It was how I earned my title of Master Scout."

"O-oh," Spike answered, "I'm ready, Twilight!" The tiny dragon has whisked a quill and paper into his claws.

It wasn't even that long ago that Arctus slew so many of his kin, but here he was...vastly different. Did all creatures have the capacity to be like this? He found himself looking behind at Asarele, what should be an absolute menace and monster to Equestria was tame.

Maybe.

And then he remembered timberwolves.

Maybe not.

"Arctus?" He snapped back and looked to Twilight, "so, I uh...I don't even know where to begin!"

"Let's start with thing from Aeternia, Twilight," Arctus directed and undid the ties for his hunting knife and sheath, setting it on the table, followed by him grabbing and taking his spear in front of him.

"Make a sketch, Spike, and prepare to write!" Twilight lifted the knife up in her magic and rotated it all about, looking at it from different angles, "I see your mark is on the bottom of it here. Are these common in Aeternia, does everyone have one?"

"My hunting knife, it was the first weapon I mastered. It's issued to every person who becomes military, everyone learns how to hunt."

"I'm..sorry but you used a knife to hunt? In ancient Equestria it was bows and spears that were used for hunting."

"This will sound grisly to you, but a hunting knife is used to butcher game and carcasses...treat hides and end a prey's life after you've downed it with an arrow or spear."

"I-I...see," Twilight was visibly shocked to even be holding such a tool, "I've read that even back then the practice was done by non-equine races."

"Twilight, no Aeternian will bring harm to you or any other pony while I still draw breath."

"That's why the Princess named you the Protector of Equestria," she cheerily chimed, "you said this was a weapon, right? The first you mastered."

"Every soldier in the military learns knife combat and every Scout of Aeternia learns how to fight with just one of these against bludgeons, axes, swords, spears...it teaches us to spit in the face of adversity before we conquer it."

"She did say you had quite the ego," Twilight set the knife down, "Spike, ar-."

"Got it!" The dragon answered before she finished, "this stuff is kinda cool."

"Learning about such a different culture is always cool, Spike."

"Twilight! We have a hero of Equestria here!"

"I'm no hero, I'm only the most capable in the right place."

"Oh? Modesty? I didn't expect that," Twilight responded, "Spike, it's made of steel, rather sharpened extensively, and the handle is cedar wood. That's quite a flammable wood coming from a region of intense volcanic activity."

"The trees are sourced from outside Aeternia, for a long time we only used solid metal at weapons and tools with leather grips until we began foresting from a region we had conquered."

"So the wood was not chosen by choice," Twilight levitated a blank piece of paper over, the knife sliced through with incredible ease, "and its well maintained and capable despite its age. The steel is also more carbon rich than ours," Twilight peeked and saw Spike still taking notes, "even your equipment is an incredible insight to your culture. Your people seem like they were warriors at heart."

"Every Aeternian is, even Lohey."

"Why is that?" her horn lit and she attempted to focus on raising his spear after setting down the knife, but she struggled.

And her horn went bright, the spear could not be stiller.

Sparks flew from her magic focus, and the spear laughed in its resistentialism.

"Because of our origin, the Eight Heroes. Are you attempting to lift my spear?" Twilight's horn dimmed at his words.

"Yes! But it's impossibly heavy!"

"It's made to be light," he picked it up easily, "Celestia could not move it with her magic."

"That's a seriously strong ward then. What's the story?"

"It's not a ward, it was the ability blessed into my spear by the Eight Heroes when it was forged using magma from our Sacred Volcano."

"Wait wait wait...Sacred Volcano...forged in magma?! Eight Heroes?" Spike blurted.

"I told you to read the book I borrowed from the Princess!" Twilight pointed her hoof at Spike before clearing her throat, "Arctus, what do you mean ability?"

"Every bit of magic, any spell, any attack is dispersed by my spear and used to maintain it. It stood against incredible magics," he pointed to the blued edge of the spearhead, "this was never achieved on any Aeternian weapon, the smith that worked my spear reported it to be a one of a kind and no other weapon would come above it."

Arctus made his way to the other side of the table, holding it so Twilight could get a better look at it, "you said it was forged from magma of your Sacred Volcano?" She questioned next.

"It was dipped as a final tempering process as is custom for a Scout's weapon. The next night after I became a scout, my weapon was made according to tradition. All stars of the Eight Heroes were in the night sky and my blood roared the Sacred Volcano. That's when the priests declared I was born from the stars to fulfill a purpose."

"Sounds like you're telling us your life story," Spike commented.

"The Eight Heroes...who were they?" Twilight was tackling one thing at a time.

"Who are," he corrected, "they still exist, Scout Silver Spike's shortsword was blessed by Bakta, one of the Eight. The others are Kamna, Lun, Atti, Reba, Gær, Yetrema, and Ezith."

"Why were they heroes of Aeternia?"

"They slew the Sky and gave life back to our world."

Twilight and Spike both looked at him in disbelief.

"I'm sorry...your heroes...destroyed the sky?!"

He nodded, "they launched stars from volcanoes to battle it, but to defeat it they launched themselves as stars and the Sky was no more, we had Sun again, our magma slid like sheets off a bed for us to travel once more."

His audience was quiet again for an unsettling two minutes.

"You...how did Princess Celestia react?" Spike asked.

"Spike!" Twilight chastised.

"Like the most interested mare ever," he romanced.

"She...well, if she believes you then I will as well," Twilight straightened her posture, "Aeternia used to be covered in magma?"

"Our land responded to the endless rain by seeping magma over out salt flats, it raged, it kept us warm enough that the rain never truly drenched and drowned us like it did to other people. We hunted what animals we could for that entire year, eating anything to survive, that's when the Eight Heroes did what they did."

Spike was furiously writing away.

"Do the heroes represent virtues or anything?"

"They each had their specialty. Gær could battle without exhaustion. Kamna could ignore any physical material she wished. Atti had a perfected defense," Arctus listed off.

Their discussion continued on, late, very late into the day.





Twilight yawned, "that's...got no more questions. Just...can I get some of your blood," she barely managed to levitate two vials up, the Master Scout taking them from her.

The Sun had gone down a while ago. Spike had already fallen asleep and Twilight had taken the last of her notes on her own.

She levitated a syringe up, but Arctus had already cut into his forearm after moving his leather aside, "I imagine you had heard how Silver Spike's weapon was made. If I do not make this clear enough...don't attempt to copy the process, it is a sacred tradition."

The vial was a fourth full.

"I...I won't don't you worry."

He filled the vial half full before he stopped flexing his muscles and re-opening the wound himself. He pressed a cloth from the table to his skin, adding pressure.

"It's already night. I believe I've answered your questions thoroughly enough," Arctus already had his knife and spear in place. Asarele had taken Twilight's actual bed in the library, sleeping away.

"Yeah...yeah, I'll organize them in the morning. Goodnight, Arctus," Twilight sleepily trotted away.

"Asarele!" A soft screech came from the upper floors of the giant library before the beloved bird gently flapped its way onto his cape's metal again, "let's go get you some rest."

Arctus left the library, shuting the giant doors behind him and wandered the streets of Canterlot in the blackness, heading to the castle again for his own rest.

"Master Arctus?" A familiar voice called.

"Trainee Strong Stitch," he looked behind him to see the earth pony, dirtied and even a bit bloody in the street behind him, "are you ready for your exam?" He smiled.

She smiled back.

There was now only two ponies who ever rose up to him in challenge.
> The Last Line
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The two warriors found themselves in the training yard. Asarele had long been freed to Arctus' chamber, sleeping in its own bed.

Arctus stared the dirty beige coated earth pony in her steely brown eyes, "you're truly ready?"

She nodded.

"Do you accept the horrors that you've committed and the ones that will follow?

She nodded again.

"Do you accept the responsibility of killing?"

Strong Stitch nodded once more.

"I see you met some resistance on your travels back, though you still made it in record time. I have no wish to see your capabilities for survival or subterfuge. I only need to test your skill in combat," Arctus drew his spear, the shield having since long activated over the training yard, "I am not toning any of my combat prowess down for you, even if you're incapable of magic or flight...your hooves are deadly," he walked, making a line in the dirt with the round butt of his spear.

"Master Arctus?" Strong Stitch spoke up.

The Master Scout walked to the front of the line after he had drawn it, looking to her.

"Is it a good idea to be doing this at night? Won't it awaken a lot of ponies?"

"They'll be awake for a short amount of time," he answered with a smirk, "you know the rules, cross this line and you're done, your exam is passed, you emerge a changed pony. You can forfeit at any time during the battle."

He held his spear oddly enough in his left hand. His right hand started to flicker with a pink glow.

"My last questions for you...why do you commit these atrocities."

"For the defense of Equestria!" She shouted now proud.

"You have glimpsed into the world of a Scout, do you wish to turn back before we begin?"

"No!" She boomed again, raising a mace up in her right hoof and an axe in the left.

Arctus took the cue.

"Intangible Kamna!" His right hand started tracing glyphs in the pink light 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!" Strong Stitch had enclosed on him quickly, but his body bathed in pink before her mace hit him and he willed his body to be unbound.

The pony's eyes widened as her strike swung through the air, whistling the entire way. Arctus willed his body back and the round but of his spear bashed her nose, blood dripping to the dirt before the head slashed her front and cheek.

He whirled around her, grabbing the trainee's mane and swinging with his weight assisting to send her rolling across the training yard.

His eyes glanced up while Strong stitch tumbled before landing on her hooves, candles were being lit in windows and tiny faces high in the castle could be seen poking out of windows, even in what should be corridors.

They were making a racket, but it wasn't complained about, it almost seemed like a welcome midnight entertainment.

Arctus still held a smile, it had been ages since he used this tactic, the only Aeternian capable of doing it for a very long time. He knew the hoof she had was a weapon all on its own.

Strong Stitch approached wearily as he also closed the gap and took a swing, willing his body to become intangible again until the strike was almost at her skin. His spear cleared her mace and slashed her stomach a bit deep. The weapon of legends found home again. The wounds it left still could not be healed by magic.

His greatsword came out instead and the blade began to tiny darker and dark, black fumes rising from it, "show me everything!" He swung at her, still physically active, "your back is against the wall, your foe is immeasurably powerful!"

His greatsword impacted her mace and axe, a loud boom crackling throughout Canterlot, she was flung into the air from the magic Arctus used. Orange light came from his now open left hand as he threw a small mote of fire at her.

"You asked to be a Scout as you had nowhere left to go! Prove you deserve your future!" He shouted more war cries at her.

The shield, powered by a ward, cracked, the noise sending shivers down Arctus' spine. He was almost performing at his apex. Strong Stitch's rear hooves landed on the shield and her axe swung at the ball of fire only for it to explode on the metal.

She fell and landed in a combatative stance, fur singed and she rushed him only for his body to once again be unaffected by her attack and as Arctus swung his greatsword down at her, she held her mace up and swung her axe. The MAster Scout dropped a hand from it as he was tangible again, his blade slipped past her guard and hacked into her shoulder while her axe was blocked by a hastily grabbed spatha.

The blade of the small sword snapped while the force of her swing sent Arctus through the air to flip once before landing on his feet. The axe laid on the dirt, the metal head had been shattered, Strong Stitch was no longer close to it, rushing to cross the line to the other side.

"Atskelti audra asmenys!" Arctus bellowed and swung his greatsword, a fast moving whip of wind zipped in the darkness, to be caught by the shaft of the trainee's mace. The metal was cut clear in two from Arctus' mastery of the spell, but it was now weakened enough that the force continued, managing to leave a gash across her muzzle.

She had bled the entire way over to the line and more blood dripped from her body as she crossed, the Master Scout completely unharmed.

Arctus sheathed his greatsword and dropped his now broken spatha, putting a hand to his chest and curling his fingers to a fist before looking to the ground.

"Welcome, Scout Strong Stitch," and with his words a slow round of hoof stomps in applause began, coming at first from just next to the shield and then from the windows of the castle.
> Three
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Strong Stitch looked first at Arctus who recgonized her and then to the first pony to stomp their hooves and the second, behind her. Princess Celestia and Princess Cadence stood applausing away. Twilight stood there in silence, her jaw had lost its hinge.

Scout Strong Stitch looked up to the windows of the castle and saw guards, maids, nobles, guests, and in great amounts stomping their hooves and even whistling.

Arctus smiled wide, Equestria was recognizing Scouts as those who sacrifice their lives to protect, he had built an order. He scooped the shattered axe head into a hand, along with his broken spatha and set them aside in the training yard to be dealt with later. He entered the armory building and retrieved a new spatha, sheathing it away with his greatsword.

He made his way to Strong Stitch who wobbled on her legs, blood moving in streams down her body while everypony continued to applaud. He grabbed the mace head from the ground and took the shaft of it from her hoof, gently prying until her tight grip let up and he threw it over by the other broken equipment.

"Scout Strong Stitch," she was snapped out of her surreal state by Arctus' voice, "I'll get you a copy of my and Silver Spike's personal journals for you to read and know secrets and tactics. Those are never to be uttered to anypony. You're now required to keep a log as well from today on."

She nodded slowly, her pupils dilated.

"I pushed you hard, incredibly hard, well done. I wasn't sure you'd pass," Celestia and Cadence made their way over with a shocked and sleep-deprived Twilight.

Celestia's horn lit and the gash along her face and shoulder healed easily enough. Arctus had already gotten his first aid kit out and sanitized the large slash he left on her stomach and then the one on her chest.

She could not utter a word.

"You report to Arctus and I now," the Sun Princess spoke, "congratulations, I'm proud of you."

"You two made enough racket to wake up half of Canterlot...not that we're complaining," Cadence giggled, "that's my first time seeing you fight, Master Arctus. And kudos to you, Strong Stitch."

"Y-you...so..magic," Twilight Sparkle was at a loss of words.

"I believe my student would like to express how amazed and impressed by both of you sparring," Celestia laughed softly.

Arctus looked up to see the hoof stomping was quieting down before he gave a spare cloth to Strong Stitch, "you still don't have words, that's okay. Not every can do what you've done. You are at the height of personal power, you've deserved your pride," Strong Stitch hadn't gripped the cloth and he shoved it into her mouth before grabbing out sutures he restocked on and threading along with his fishing hook, "bite down."

"Oh goodness, right here, Arctus?" Cadence's voice echoed her worry.

"Yes, right here. First aid is imperative in our work," he started, his fingers moving across her stomach wound quickly and with an expertise closer to that of a tenured doctor than a master of battle, Scout Stitch did bite down on the cloth, grunting.

"You'll need to still go to the hospital, but this'll help you get there."

"Princess, why don't you heal her with magic?" Twilight looked to her mentor.

"A bird told me you interrogated Arctus extensively today and tonight," Celestia side eyed Twilight with a frown, "and kept him from me," she smiled at her student's reaction, "but he should have explained how he spear absorbs magic."

"He did, but I don't see how you can't heal Strong Stitch's wounds."

"Twilight, please address her as Scout, she's earned that title," Arctus addressed her, "my spear has intensive anti-magic properties, to the point that the wounds it inflicts can not be stitched back together with magic."

"But...but...but," Twilight stubbornly lit her horn and a purple light flickered around the new scout's wounds while Arctus finished her stomach and began stitching her chest while she yelled into the cloth.

Nothing happened from the magical effort Twilight poured forth.

"You know...when I still lived in the castle of the Everfree, there was quite a few guards that were marred by his spear," Celestia commented, "it definitely did intimidate us into leaving him alone."

Arctus finished soon after, the wound on her chest not as severe.

"Was that the sever wind spell you used, Art?" Celestia questioned.

"Auntie!" Cadence expressed shock in her more informal addressing of Arctus.

"Oh, come now, Cadence. You know quite well the relationship I have with Arctus, the newspapers make sure everypony knows."

"It was that spell, you don't need to chastise me for using it, Celly," Cadence's small 'o' expression was directed to the Master Scout now.

"I'm impressed it cut through steel," she voiced.

"Glad that I'm still catching your eye," he took the rag back from Strong Stitch, "Equestria has pain killers as medicine, Aeternia doesn't. You're a lucky pony, Scout."

"Wh-what do you do to deal with pain?"

"We're conditioned and get hurt on purpose so we don't fold to it," he patted her back as she returned to all four hooves, "go on into town, get down to the hospital tell them it was my spear that left these marks on you."

She nodded and didn't even attempt to bow, slowly trotting away.

"Was it necessary to duel her the night she returned home?" Celestia now eyed Arctus accusatorily.

He nodded, "I wasn't sure of her endurance, those doubts have just been put aside. Her arrival means that Silver Spike is now observing.

"I gave him a communicator stone, they're cumbersome so it will remain hidden there, but it will allow us to be quickly alerted to threats."

"Threats?" Cadence asked.

"Are we at risk of war?!" Twilight pipped and Arctus paled while Celestia felt her heart skip.

"No, there is just a rather large nation to the South that has had Arctus' concerned and I take his reports seriously," Celestia spoke first.

"They're capable of a lot of destruction, I could crumble them easily, Twilight Sparkle. Do not worry, you're one of the safest ponies in all Equestria."

"Crumble kingdoms? Nopony could do that alone!" Cadence tried to call Arctus' bluff.

"Cadence, Twilight, I'll let you both in on a secret. You know how minotaurs are incredibly rare to be seen in Equestria? How the our history mentions an attempted invasion that was thwarted?" Celestia spoke with a flat smile.

Both the mares nodded.

"What is left out is how Arctus slew every invader and introduced me to what a real Aeternian Scout is capable of. Silver Spike and Strong Stitch are formidable and can do great things, but not like Arctus. Arctus had no moral compass, driven by glory, survival, victory, and the need to battle," both the younger mares faces darkened, "Art has changed...he found a home he can really call his home, a place he loves and he protects it like no other pony could."

"He," Twilight managed a single word, pointing to Arctus.

"Single hoofedly inlitrated Minos, spread a plague there, ruined their food and trade and natural resources. He slew those in power and killed any means of defense for them. He turned what little minotaurs were left into nomads that are destined to die out one day," Celestia grimly stated fact after fact, "I've seen and heard the man bred for war within him. He will keep all of Equestria safe from threats we don't know anything of anymore."

Cadence and Twilight were silent.

"And he has such a warm, soft, strong, and brave heart to choose us over his own culture, inner nature, and the behaviors he was raised to have," the Princess of the Sun smiled and laid her head to his shoulder, pecking his cheek.

"You make me out to be a hero."

"You are a hero and everypony knows it even if they don't talk about it."

"This night and tomorrow are for Strong Stitch, not me," he shook his head, "I doubt any other pony would want to attempt to be a Scout after this event is published in the media."

Cadence laughed, "you'll be lucky if anypony still wants to talk to you! I've never seen anypony fight like that and there were stallions dueling for my hoof in marriage before!"

"I...if you ever have time, Arctus...Master Arctus," Twilight corrected herself, "I'd like to see your spells in closer detail."

"Oh, I'd like to be there for it as well!" Celestia spoke a little too like a filly, "I'd love to see your full repertoire."
> A Full Week
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"As oddly matched as you two are, you make a cute scene," Cadence gestured to Celestia who still had her head laid upon Arctus' shoulder, his hand was already deep in her mane.

The Master Scout decided not to address her comment, "Twilight, I'll stop by your library tomorrow night along with Celestia."

"I look forward to it and some immediate sleep," the student yawned before trotting away, "goodnight princess, everypony."

Silence accompanied her departure.

"Hmmm, I get the feeling I should leave you two be," Cadence was next to trot off.

And the Princess and Master Scout Arctus stood in the dark night, all candles out above them, ponies returned to sleep.

"You should get some sleep yourself, Art. It's bad enough you've robbed Strong Stitch of hers," she turned her muzzle up at him with a playful smile.

He looked all about them again, not a soul in sight, even Asarele stayed in his room as he commanded.

"Something amiss?" Celestia lowered her head back down, attempting to peer past his expressionless face to find his current thought.

Arctus didn't respond, he only drew his hatchet, slowly and carefully before he whipped about and sent it into the woods near the training yard, a low pitch whistle accompanied.

A howl of pain followed, something that was definitely not a pony. The MAster Scout gave chase within a second of zipping the hatchet into the trees.

"Who dares trespass?!" Celestia shouted in an uncharacteristically harsh tone.

He already caught whatever this humanoid creature was, having shoved his hunting knife past its fur covered kneecap and severing many tendons and muscles.

"Nobody gets to spy and get away with it."

Now that things were less of a blur, Arctus could make out the creature that had collapsed in front of him, it held a metal shield and spear, an actual sharp weapon.

He had never seen this black furred creature, but it reminded him of some sort of primate, he made note of the symbol on its cape before he leaned down and reclaimed his hatchet.

His lips drew close to where he assumed the ear would be, "Hazth sent you, didn't he? He didn't tell you, but you were a test meant for me."

He slipped his hatchet and knife away again, hearing Celestia slowly trot over, "Arctus! Are you okay in there?"

He continued to whisper to the creature, "if you made it home alive, Hazth would know I am an easier target than he anticipates."

"So you were never going to make it home. Find peace in your swift death," Arctus slung his greatsword from his holster and with a single heavy downward chop.

Lopped the head of the creature off.

The unfortunate matter was that he was not nearly strong enough to move such a giant beast on his own. He left the thin woods and shrubs, returning to Celestia.

"A spy sent to inform Hazth on Equestria. It was dealt with," he coldly responded, still feeling the breeze of battle try to ready him through his veins.

She nodded with no smile to be found. This would be a matter that would need an almost constant hand.

"I'll hire some more ponies to be on watch and security until you can deal with Hazth."





That next day, he had arranged for Strong Stitch and himself to cart the corpse out of Canterlot, unceremoniously throwing it to the rocky spires of the cliffs below the castle, where it would rot without bothering anypony.

Having been made a Scout, Arctus did give her a copy of his personal journal, "burn it when you finish reading it. Share these secrets with no other soul. You'll learn how to kill with incredible efficiency, don't become a monster with that knowledge."

"What's exactly in it?" She stood in his chambers, holding the book.

"Secrets, tactics, survival techniques, recipes to cook, make, poison things. It's a trove of knowledge that will serve you well in this station. You'll also learn things of Aeternia that I have not disclosed to anypony, please keep them that way."

She nodded, "Arctus, uh, Master Arctus?"

He stepped away from her, heading to his desk, "yes, Scout Stitch?"

"Did you ever think I would have this potential?"

At first he smiled, then he frowned, and then he laughed.

"You never know the acts a being is capable of committing until you see them, even if you've ehard of it. In that sense, you never know how much war someone can breathe until they are made to inhale it."

"Is that some kind of Aeternian proverb?"

"No, it's something you learn when you've seen a lot of people you know die or fight for their lives."

Strong Stitch stood wordlessly as Arctus began to perform one of his many routine checks on his tools and equipment. She left quietly and allowed the woodsmaster to maintain his kit for the rest of the day before he met with Celestia and Twilight that evening on Twilight's library balcony.

"Right, so...magic!" Twilight had a paper and quill levitated in front of her, "are you taking notes, Celestia?"

"I see no need, your notes will be kept private as you agreed, right Twilight?" The unicorn nodded at her mentor's words, "well, show off , Art."

He held the rock he had in his left hand along with the wood bat he brought with him in his right.

"I'm not sure where this is going," Twilight was already writing away.

"Aeternian magic, there's a couple different ways of casting a spell and each has to deal with its power. When you get familiar enough with a spell, you can even cast without using any verbal intiation. You can also use incantation circles drawn in the air, they usually empower and augment spells. There are longer spells which involve chanting and physical markings, rituals. Those spells are incredibly strong. There are, of course, godhoods but I don't intend on explaining or showing those," he cleared his throat.

"You did see one godhood in my battle against Strong Stitch that made my physical body immaterial.," Arctus slung the rock in his left hand far above their heads. A black fuming ball formed in his now emptied hand.

"And this spell is?"

"One of my favorites for dealing with groups of opponents or the swift that are also heavily armored," he brought the ball to the bat and the wood turned a dark shade before going completely black, the wisps floating up from the sporting equipment.

The rock had almost reached them and he swung the bat with little form to the sport, but plenty in regards to combat posture. A boom reverberated through the air and the rock shot off at a speed their eyes could not catch at first, soaring far from Canterlot.

"It's a force enchantment. Force is a simple spell meant to move things or the living, it becomes especially violent when it's imbued in an object though."

"Twilight, did he ever mention the ursa major and knocked into the ocean with it?" Celestia boasted on his behalf.

"You...what?!"

"Moving along, I can do the same with flame spells and can even upscale them to explode holes in walls or battlements to accomplish my goals. I can use them with incantation circles," he conjured a simple flame, "but just sending a stream of it or throwing it is enough for me most times."

Twilight had started to take notes again, "can you show me one of these incantation circles?"

"Only one, the others would damage your library," Arctus held a hand up, pointing out his ring finger and index while the other digits remained closed.

"Pusher of knives. Cover me in your chill," he spoke while his hand quickly traced a circle, slotting a symbol into it. His body disappeared shortly after.

"I remember a certain somepony crying to me when they found out you could do this," Celestia commented, "sometimes I wonder if you're walking the halls of the castle like this."

He had moved behind Twilight, "I try to rely purely on my stealth and instincts, but this spell comes in handy to dispatch enemies swiftly or to make it past a constantly monitored point," the unicorn jumped ans shivered at his new location.

"You know that's a pretty advanced unicorn spell," Twilight commented.

"So I've been told before," the parallel's were a bit disconcerting. Arctus stopped flowing his mana and his body slowly came back into view, "it's a tougher spell to cast, so I have to use an incantation with it. I'm not a mage."

"Yet, you're this impressive," Celestia chimed, "makes me wonder what mages in your world are capable of."

"What other spells do you know?" Twilight continued her notes.

"I can manipulate lightning but rather horribly. I only just copied from Kanna, so I'm not fully fluent with it. I believe you...or some other unicorn may have seen me use this."

He stepped up onto the balcony railing, "laiptelis oro skraidyti," he stepped off and a yellow transparent platform caught his foot where he tended while he walked over the open air.

"Ooooh, I've seen this one," Celestia smiled up at him, "I think it's your most impressive spell."

Twilight was scribbling away before she inquired, "how do you do that? Are those platforms solid?"

Arctus pulled his spear out and swiped it through one of the platforms with no resistance, "only for my physical body. I'm very experienced with this spell, though, a lot of Scouts use it to reach vantage points or climb walls with little sound."

"Are there any other spells you haven't mentioned?" Twilight asked.

"This one was used on a pony long long ago. I'm still not sure how chronology differences work here, seeing as Savus is aging and I am not...and that our lifetime lengths seem to differ," Arctus cleared his throat, "I digress. Celly, could you summon a shield?"

"Mhm," a yellow transparent film gathered around, "making me a part of a live demonstration?"

"Yes," he exhaled slowly and then inhaled, his face losing expression. Celestia grew a little terrified at the coldness and calculatory look her gave her.

It was not unlike the Red Night of Screams that he conducted in Canterlot so long ago.

The yellow platform gave out from under him at his will and he began to speak, "pradingti ant pikiruoti," he spoke plainly.

He body had fallen below the balcony a little before he vainished and appeared above Celestia, his foot and entire body was sent into her shield with shocking velocity. He did only slide off her shield, landing on the stone next to his lover.

"That's...that's faster than you were initially falling, is that a single spell?"

"Yes, it's lovingly called the panther's pounce, though the spell translates something longer. The place of appearance and direction can be augmented upon the words used," his normal demeanor reappeared, "sorry for that, Celly."

She hummed, "it's fine, I stood against an attack from legendary Arctus and lived to tell the tale!" And somehow earned a laugh from them both.

"There's only one other spell I could show you," Arctus lifted his spear, "all scout weapons, through their forging technique, create wounds that will not heal by magic. My spear absorbs magic, but I've been able to use only this spell on it. I believe the Eight designed it that way," he lifted his spear behind his head and threw it into the open air.

"Plienas karka savininkas," he called with an outreached hand and his spear flew back into his hand.

"Similar to a levitation spell," Twilight mumbled as she wrote.

"That's all I can show you beyond spells that are not safe to perform lest in a combat situation."

"Thank you, Arctus, I have plenty of information to review for now and I don't want to take up your full evening," Twilight nodded to him, trotting back into the library with a few inches between the paper she was writing on and her muzzle.

"Does that mean I can finally seek my reprieve of the day?" Celestia eyed the Protector who still stood in the air with a familiar sinful look.

He was the finish line and the reward of every day for her. He had not issue with it either.





Twilight had left him alone for an entire day, her obsession with his people, magic, and culture was contained with her notes she had taken of him. That entire day he worked with Asarele to see what commands would be the simplest to issue and all the while he could feel the mother of the bird stir in his body, as if its very essence was poured into his spear and him for the sake of her young.

That was the conclusion he's come to time and time again. It attested to the intelligence of the creature he defeated all those years ago in the volcano. The Frozen North still raged with snow and ice without the legendary Glacégere.

Today marked three more days until the fateful event. The bird had grown a little thanks to the fruits, vegetables, but mostly meat that Arctus hunted for his new ward. And it began to learn a specific vocalisation, a specific trill to signal its hunger.

Arctus delivered each time he heard it as well and the results were substantial, Asarele was as big as him, as big as his lover. That's what lead him to where he stood on the balcony railing this evening, Asarele flapping its wings above him.

"You know...you had a mother, you came from an egg, so surely you have your own reproductive sex," he commented as he stared directly down and the castle's courtyards, "are...all of your species asexual? Or do you just lay eggs on your own without the need for fertilization? Are all your kind female?" He voiced his thoughts.

Asarele hummed in response.

"You tell me. Boy?"

Silence.

"Girl?"

It hummed again. The only reason it could likely understand his words was because of the soul that sought refuge in him like a ghost with reasons tying them to the world. That reason hovering above him with massive wings of course.

"So, let's test this, maybe you can, maybe you can't," he held his hands up and gripped a digit of each talon. Asarele closed her talons complelty around his hand, maining a tight grip without digging icy daggers into him.

He inhaled and then exhaled, making sure the spell to save him from a fall was on the front of his mind, "I'm ready."

The large bird dived down, flapping its wings every now and then to maintain their height. If she could really carry him like this, then she could hunt for the large prey she devoured twice a day on her own.

Though that might put some sentient creatures as risk.

Arctus' grip stayed tigh while he hung and Asarele leveled out even after a while, holding his weight without falling out of the sky.

"Shitting. Stars," the Master Scout looked out of the city as he flew with Asarele above it, "I'm going to have to take you into battle with me."

She screeched.

"And you're eager about that idea, too."

Asarele flew him over Canterlot before he tugged on her left talon, "circle back to the castle."

She cried out again, pitching her wings and flapping to maintain height. They must have been hundreds of feet in the air. As they approached the spires, a familiar figure had already taken to the skies to greet them.

"Good evening, Asarele, Arctus. Is it a good sunset to fly in?" Celestia smiled wide.

He tugged on both her talons, "maintain," Asarele stopped gliding forth and instead hovered.

"I never imagine you'd try to fly without me," she almost chastised, "but this is quite a spectacle to see. Small ice shards falling from the sky while you're holding to your beloved pet. I doubt I could do this with Philomena, phoenixes don't get this large."

"If her mother is anything to benchmark by, Asarele will be a massive powerful avian."

"Then it's good that it has such a tender caretaker."

"She," he corrected, "Asarele informed me just before we took flight," he could feel his arm muscles begin to stew in lactic acid.

He tugged on both talons again, "home."

Her high pitched shriek echoed, very akin to a hawk, and Asarele flew right back to Arctus' balcony where the Master Scout let go and she also released.

His feet pounded the stone floor, "I'm going to have to do this again with you. Never imagined flying would be in my future," he looked to Asarele who took a perch on a decorative strut atop the tower roof.

Celestia landed next to him, "the Summer Sun celebration is in two days," she had begun lowering the Sun below the horizon, "I know I can count on you to attend."

"Of course, Celly. This one is special, the thousandth occurence?" Celestia sighed at his words and nodded.

"I see...then I'll be ready. She'll come back. I'll make it so."

"Please, if you have to make any decision, Arctus," Celestia looked with watery eyes, "protect my little ponies, protect my subjects."

"I will never forget the title you bestowed upon me," he hugged her tight, "everything will turn out fine."

"Protect Twilight."
> Fighting an Instinct
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

That morning, Celestia informed Arctus that the celebration would be in Ponyville, so he had gone, knowing the actual festivities began when the Sun rose the next morning. He had already done an extensive walk through the town, earning many stares as he was fully armed and equipped. Asarele was flying above him in the sky, also earning plenty of stares.

The decorations were still going up as were food and drink tables, the town hall was being buzzed about. To all of Equestria, Celestia was the most important pony and the same was true to him. Though he could never see himself doing all of this for her sake, he'd rather enjoy a more carefree time.

They had discussed how a wedding between the two of them would work at detail and it was evenly split, things they could both enjoy, activities they could both do. He was surprised that she even agreed to an Aeternian tradition far after the reception of it.

Arctus shook his head, it was time to be looking for possible threats or clues. 

"Ho ho, look who it is!" A metal clad figure approached him, "Arctus, my dragon-feared friend, are you here for this celebration?"

He nodded, "I am, but on more pressing concerns, Savus."

"Should I fetch my weapons? It sounds as though you anticipate a threat."

"No, this is something I can handle. Are you not retired?"

The general laughed, "I am, Applejack's given me a quite a good job at her farm. Said I did surprisingly well for someone who wasn't raised on a farm. Watering, walking fields, and harvesting is a hell of a lot easier than holding an army together."

"So you live here?"

"Sure do. These ponies warmed up after AJ helped me, I think they actually like having me around for safety."

"They do, they may not say it, but they do. All of Canterlot stares at me when I pass, but they never fail to smile when I look at them."

"You know the Princess sent her student here to make friends, did she get tired of her always been stuffed in books?" Savus questioned.

"I believe she did," Arctus pulled him aside behind a cart of fresh apples, "this is actually her second student, she's doing things differently."

"I see. Did you need my help for any happenings today?"

"No, just keep an eye out."

Savus pointed to the sky, "and what's with the ice bird?"

"That's Asarele, she's my pet companion. She'll be of no trouble."

"Introduce me some time, she doesn't give me the impression that'd she would be friendly to strangers."

Arctus began to walk away, "enjoy yourself, retired General."

"Try to also relax, Arctus. This world is peaceful."





He had spent the day wandering about, looking around and trying to identify where she would come back. He proposed the idea of the old castle in the Everfree Forest, but Celestia requested that he protect the ponies first and foremost. Twilight was also here, though he had yet to spy her.

Night had fallen and even later all the ponies were headed to the town hall. He enter himself, leaving Asarele outside. Savus was present in the crowd himself and those inside looked to him as he entered with curiousity, like his battle ready form was out of place.

And the lights inside dimmed, the ceremony was beginning, Mayor Mare was giving words that Arctus didn't pay any attention to as he looked around the large room. The curtain was pulled and gasps went around the room, a deep laugh echoing through the rafters.

That's a dramatic entrance.

His spear quickly left and he pulled it in front of him, nopony caught his actions as they all stared toward the same spot while he stood in front of the door.

An alicorn, black furred and wearing blue silvery armor appeared from a blue mist where Celestia was expected to be.

"Oh, my beloved subjects, it's been so long since I've seen your precious sun loving little faces."

Arctus looked around the room, there was not way to approach her without being seen, he tuned words out, watching solely on movement and opportunities. Attack...attack.

"Did you not see the signs...did," he was barely hearing the voice that was an echo of Luna while he blood boiled and roared like the volcano he came from.

"Eight Stars guide me tonight," he whispered a prayer to himself, unsure of any outcome.

"I did and I know who you are," Twilight's voice snapped him out of his violent focus, "you're the mare in the moon. Nightmare Moon."

A soft laugh started, "remember this day, for this moment forth the night shall last forever!" And an evil cackle followed the twisted alicorn's threat.

And Nightmare Moon was gone.

"Arctus!" Savus shouted, but the Master Scout knew, he knew where she would go now and he had to follow. He was already out the front door.

"Asarele!" His voice boomed and a screech followed, his companion flying to him, "fly!" He held his spread up and the cold bird grabbed it in its talons, hoisting him along, "castle in the woods," he pointed with his hand.

"Arctus!" Savus ran out of the building after him with a shout, "fuck!" He cursed and began to sprint for his home to fetch weapons and join the Master Scout.

The flight to the castle was a quick one, Arctus assumed that she would head for the items that imprisoned her in the first place, so that's where he was headed, "I fucking hope Hazth doesn't see this."

"Release," he spoke again and Asarele dropped him onto the roof of the decripit building. He leapt down a hole in the roof and onto a broken pillar, carefully jumping into the ancient throne room, "I know you're here. Where else would you come if you needed to assure your victory?" He called out, "I won't face you from the shadows as I do most adversaries."

A cackle.

"And what thinks you can handle me? I'm stronger than before and you've got no Princess to banish me again," he twirled his spear as he saw her walk out from behind the crumbling throne.

"I have no intention of doing so."

"Then you have every intent to meet defeat!" She stomped her hooves, her horn lighting up.

Breathe. Inhale. Exhale. This was Celly's sister underneath all that hatred.

"Do you even remember that night? Where I bested you so easily? You had actually found my home, stood atop my cabin," he tried to stroke her ego, "so close to rooting me out."

"Enough. You came here to fight and kill me as you do anypony who happened upon you," a large beam of blue magic left her horn and met his spear, neutralized on contact.

"I'm here to save you," he rushed in after the magic stopped coming, reminding himself he would not kill as he took his hunting knife into his left hand.
> Paragons
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

A couple more bolts of magic were shot his way and each one was knocked aside, "you'll find that I'm far more than you ever thought I was."

"Hahaha, but not enough to best me!" She teleported in a flash of light, shooting magic at his back and it was dispersed with his spearhead all the same.

"A unicorn tried that trick. You intend to teleport all night? Forever's a long time, Luna," he mocked, stowing his hunting knife and pulling four throwing knives from a pouch into his hand.

"There is no Luna. I am Night. I am your worst dreams made manifest!" He threw one of the four knives at her, watching her teleport away.

He threw again and she vanished.

"I am Nightmare Moon!" Another teleport.

But this time, he threw his fourth knife early at the throne and she appeared there, "and I will dest-," the knife lodged into her forehead well enough, she lowered her head, blood dripped onto the stone.

Arctus zipped to her, she no longer had time to charge a spell and flash away, but she was forced into dodging his strikes. Slash after slash of the wide spear head sung through the air. Her horn lit and the throwing knife fell out of the wound that rapidly healed.

"Better keep dodging, you can't heal if this spear touches you. I'm sure you remember all the soldiers I scarred."

He was speaking coldly, almost as though he was using psychological threats to unnerve his opponent. She dodged a swipe and much to his surprise, she threw a hoof at him and he caught it with the rounded boot of his spear and then she teleported, huffing.

"You...that look in your eyes, that tone in your voice. You're not natural, no, no creature not evne a wild animal has that look of murder in them."

"It's called war, that's what I was made and designed for. That is the image I wished to take for my nation...now I take it for Equestria's sake."

He noticed a wisp of magic leave her hoof as her head tilted.

"I see, you have other intruders on their way. I hope I can keep you busy until their arrival."

He hoped, he hoped that Celestia had some kind of plan, some sort of idea of why she wanted him to participate in this from the shadows. Maybe this was part of it.

"There is still more than enough of me to deal with you!" She boomed and ancient stone fell from the ceiling, revealing the night sky as her horn lit again.

This time, multiple orbs appeared in the air around him, "try batting these away, will you?" She laughed.

"Protector of those in the shadows. Pusher of knives. That which we call murder. Cloak me in your chill so that I may find you in my hand," that was the full incantation, every word.

The orbs stayed in the air as he vanished from sight and with the softest of steps, Arctus made his way up to the top of a pillar Nightmare Moon stood at.

"Invisiblity will not make me believe you've teleported!" She sent the orbs all over the room, even toward the ceiling, destroying the castle even further.

Arctus was not in any of those places. He had sheathed his spear and drawn his greatsword when he reached the top of the pillar, pulling himself up before laying a giant gash and throwing Nightmare Moon off and to the floor.

"I am no lesser creature. I am far stronger than you or any ponykind. Do you surrender? Would you accept defeat at my hands a second time?"

She telported from the floor, her horn lit and stitching her wounds. She appeared to be under strain while using her magic.

"I will not lose, not when I'm this close."

"Laiptelis oro skraidyti."

"Yes, you will," he leapt from the pillar, walking down on yellow platforms as he put the greatsword away, "I have a promise to keep."

He smirked, weakening her magic was the first step of being able to make her more willing to talk, "so would you spare me the next hour and admit defeat?"

"Never!" She lit her horn and sent a small laser in his assumed positon. Arctus had summoned and threw a mote of fire at her horn the moment she lit it and it exploded almost directly on her face.

He moved his body to the left to avoid the short magic spritz that followed and looked at the now singed and burnt Nightmare Moon who healed herself again while her lungs heaved. Arctus finally dropped his invisibility.

"I've got you figured out. I can slay you. You should-."

"Then kill me!" He blocked the next burst with his spear in hand again.

"No," he could see her eyes from this distance, they held fear.

"Then I'll kill you!" She flapped her wings, soaring high before letting out another ray, just like that day she shot it at Celestia in this same room, a thousand ago.

His spear absorbed and dispersed it all, she slowly landed, almost hyperventilating from how much she expended, "how are you so strong?!"

"I've faced foes tougher than you. I'll face even stronger foes in the days to come," he continued to her, stopping short just in front of her.

He could hear the clopping of hooves, signaling a bunch of ponies galloping toward the throne room.

"Luna," he leaned over with an eye on her charged horn, "your sister wants you back proper. I need your grand help to find who I truly am. Please consider," he patted Nightmare Moon's cheek and she teleported away.

The hooves were almost upon him when he looked about to see the misty form of Nightmare Moon at the location of the magical artifacts, Elements is what Celestia called them. He sprinted, climbing decripit stone architecture to reach the top of the room, standing on a wall, crouching low and looking as he saw ponies enter.

Twilight, Applejack, and four others. He needed to stay. Protect Twilight.

And he watched the scene unfold in front of him, Nightmare Moon was defeated using thos Elements in a way he didn't understand. Luna came back in a much more unempowered form, likely thanks to him expending a lot of her magic, Celestia was released from a short banishment.

Her eye looked up, catching him spying on the actions below. He smiled before he looked up and held his spear with both hands.

Asarele swopped down quietly, grabbing the spear and carrying him off, "let's go to the castle. We've done our roles."
> A Second Spat
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

He chose to rest the day after that, not to return to Ponyville and enjoy celebrations, not to explain where he was or what had happened. He wouldn't even file a report for his task.

Celestia did return to Canterlot along with Luna. The Solar symbol sent for him and a guard even followed him to the throne room while he was still in full equipment. He was left at the throne room doors in thought.

But no matter all the scenarios in his head, he could never imagined the one to come. He opened one of the doors, shutting the stone behemoth behind him. Celestia and Luna stood in the center of the throne room, alone, where he began walking toward them.

"Exile him."

Harsh words.

"Luna, you shou-."

"He is more evil than we ever could be, exile him. He's killed hundreds if not thousands with those eyes," the smaller alicorn pointed a hoof at him and he fully made his way over to the sisters.

"I used to think the idea of evil was only used in story books, as tales we tell children to make them righteous. I know after our battle that it exists. It grips the hearts of creatures and doesn't like to let go," Arctus spoke, "I am not evil, I only do what is necessary and asked of me. These eyes reflect what I have done, not how evil I am."

"Luna, he serves Equestria, faithfully. A lot has happened while you were away and I thought it best to bring him here to greet you at your return."

"Arctus, is it?" Luna addressed him.

"Yes, Luna," he address her informally, "I apologize if I seemed pompous during out short battle, it was-."

"We will have a rematch, don't concern yourself with you ego," the recently returned Princess spoke.

"Sister, I don't recommend that, I've seen-."

"Let him speak for himself, dear sister," she held her hoof up, looking back to the human, "tell us, why do you stay here? What have thou contributed?"

"When Minos decided to raid Equestria, I stood alone against it and defended this whole city. I ruined their growing kingdom of iron. I neutered the dragons and slew dozens of them. I prevented an army of zombie griffons from advancing onto Equestria," Luna's eyes were half-lidded, unimpressed with his feats, "destroyed a rising military force in the Bone Dry desert. Trained two Scouts to also serve Equestria."

"Give us a point of reference," she demanded.

Arctus stepped to their platform and then beyond it, to the balcony in the back of the throne room, "Asarele!" The ice bird cried out and made its way over, landing on the small balcony railing with its giant talons. Celestia and Luna could see the great bird from where they stood.

"This is Asarele, she is tame and my companion. I had slain her mother and took her as an egg."

He held his spear up, "fly!" And his beloved bird hovered, grabbing his spear and lifting him up from the balcony. Just mere moments later he returned with a sleepy eyed, but fully kitted Strong Stitch who held onto his legs as they flew.

"We'll get your weapon made soon, Scout Stitch, but assist me for a moment," he lead her on in to the throne room where she bowed to both Princesses.

"At least she knows how to show respect," Luna chided him and his informalities.

"We Aeternians show respect differently," he spoke, "not to say that you aren't deserving of it."

"Art, you're not making this particularly easy," Celestia sighed.

"Wh-what did you call him? 'Tia, you have a nickname for this thing?" Luna caught her word.

"I-."

"She does. Celly is not defending herself tonight, I'm defending myself."

Luna's jaw fell open a bit at his words. She wouldn't say it, but his action just earned him some recognition from her despite his use of a different nickname for her sister.

"Scout Strong Stitch passed her exam to be a Scout that was administered by me. This was an exam based on combat prowess. I won't go into details, but she passed roughly a week or two ago, she can travel great distances alone, survive in the wilds, remain undetected, and thwart almost all threats."

"What is this exam exactly?" Arctus smirked at Luna's question. That meant he had her interested and that meant she could be swayed.

"I'm glad you asked, Strong Stitch if you would explain."

"A Scout's exam is undertaken by a trainee. The scout trainee battles a fully titled Scout, the only goal is to cross a line set out by the Scout. Real weapons are used and the possibility of death is present, nopony holds back in the fight. Once the line is crossed, the exam is passed," Strong Stitch was completely awake at this point, explaining away, "the trainee may forfeit at any time during the exam."

"Luna, I was there for Strong Stitch's exam," Celestia spoke up, "she's an earth pony with no magic or wings, but she shattered an axe head, sustained life threatening injuries, and still passed her exam. Scout Stitch, if you would."

The new scout rose to her hind hooves, showing the patch of shaved fur that had started to regrow, sutures still present, she didn't stay up for long.

"I've noticed a rising kingdom, capable of great military power, it's declared a conditional war on Equestria. I am the only reason they have not invaded," Arctus spoke up, "by displaying my power across Equestria and raising two scouts, one of which is still out in the field."

"Art! You can't-."

"Who is this threat?" Luna spoke up.

"Master Scout Hazth leads a nation. Hazth was a legend in my world, Aeternia. I'm the only thing that could meet his power and destroy his forces."

"What makes you so sure of it?"

"I'm sure you've seen my expression in combat?" Luna glanced to the floor and Celestia shifted uneasily, "he was raised and designed for war and battle just like me."

"We see your usefulness and why you should stay in Equestria for now," Luna relented.

"Scout Stitch, do not release this information to anypony," the scout nodded to Celestia, "you are dismissed," she bowed and left the throne room promptly.

One the stone door closed again, Luna spoke up.

"We see the second thing you wanted to talk about."

"Our relationship you mean?" Celestia affirmed.

"Yes, how long have you two been such?"

"That's a hard question to answer, we'd have to fill you in on history," Celestia answered, "but many many moons. I can also get you some restricted books on Aeternia, the culture of Arctus' people and his own world's history."

"That would be helpful," Luna smiled and turned to Arctus with her expression more serious, "consider your presence still under review."

He smirked, "you'll find me worth keeping around. I mentioned in our physical battle that I needed your help."

"To know who you are, correct?" Arctus nodded to the blue alicorn's recollection, "then out with it."

"I need you to help move stars about in the sky and show me the right ones. And when the time comes, to help me launch myself to them."

Luna blinked, "apologies, our hearing must not be as sharp as it was earlier."

"It's part of Aeternian history. I was born from the stars and I want to know why I exist as such and who I am intended to be. It's something I must do."

"Don't try to talk him out of it," Celestia commented, "I've already tried."

Luna stared at him, pondering his request, "now that we are no longer Nightmare Moon, we will consider assisting you. We will have that consideration tomorrow, when we have recovered our magic and you will face us in combat again."

"Luna! Sister! I really don't recommend battling with him any-," Celly repressed her want to shout.

"As you wish, if it will satisfy your own ego to be defeated a third time. Shall we have a traditional duel? Or would you like to return to older days where I can fight you like a Scout truly would against their target?" He tempted her.

"Arctus! Stop encouraging her!" Celestia boomed.

He'd hear this one later.

"We are not one to decline a challenge, we will fight you as you wish, but on territory we know. The old castle will serve as our battlegrounds again," he could almost see a smile on Luna's face.

"Dueling my future sister-in-bond, you may not think it, but we'll be fast friends, Luna. You're more alike to my people than any other pony here."

"Art."

"I know, Celly, but can you wait to chew me out after?" 

Celestia let a small smile come onto her face, "some parts of you never change. Just don't let loose too much on my sister."

"We hope he brings his full strength to bear," Luna argued, "we want to see if his claims earlier can hold candlelight."

Arctus put a fist to his chest, lowering his head to Luna, "I'll see you tomorrow morning."

Luna hummed in response while the Master Scout went to the balcony of the throne room, "come Asarele, we'll get some actual rest," the bird trilled as it lifted him away by his spear again.

"You have interesting taste, 'Tia," Luna commented after his departure.

"There's nopony else who treats me quite like he does."

"He truly doesn't care about our titles, only what we've done, hmm?" Luna ruminated.

"That's how his people function, titles are only used as positions and jobs to state someone's daily duties, but not the respect owed to them."

"Then what of his title as Master Scout? Does that not earn him respect?" 

Celestia laughed, "it is not the title, but what he had done to earn it."

"We see."





He breathed deep while Asarele flew him to the castle in the Everfree forest, landing with him at the front doors of the castle, "we'll go hunting after this and catch you the rest of your breakfast," he patted the icy being's wing, his skin not damaged at all by the incredibly cold temperatures the bird housed.

"Oh! Arctus!" Savus approached him, "I got filled in on yesterday's activities and even gathered about a couple mages from Canterlot to scry about the castle so we can see this battle ourselves. You took your time getting here."

He peered around, his hand lingering on his companion's feathers, "Twilight and those five are here?" He took note that Savus was in his full battle outfit.

"What do you mean those five? You know me!" Applejack spoke up.

"Thanks for taking care of Savus, AJ," he addressed.

"I'm not your kid, I'm double your age!" Savus noted.

"But I did bring you to Equestria."

"Hold on, darlings, he said 'those five' so clearly he knows us, but we don't know him."

"Oh! I'm sorry I didn't mention yet," Twilight spoke up, "Master Arctus, these five are my new friends!"

"Master?!" The five of them shouted.

"I think they think you're some hot shit around here," Savus commented.

Arctus sighed, "a formality. Master Scout Arctus, not that any of you probably hear about me, I'm quite the taboo in Ponyville at least."

"Oooooh! I've heard of him!" Rarity began, "warrior extraordinaire, best of the best, Princess Celestia named him the Protector of Equestria," she started to fawn, "but, girls, keep your hooves off. He'll be in my bed by the day's end."

"Raaaarity, you may want to reevaluate that plan," Twilight sheepishly started, "the, um, Princess named him royal consort."

"I, uh, oh," her cheeks tinted, visibly embarassed, "I must not be getting the best newspaper from Canterlot delivered anymore."

"Waaaait wait wait wait. Hold the hay for a second, you're telling me he's with the Princess, like Celestia, and about to fight Princess Luna who we just rescued?!" Rainbow Dash interrupted.

"Savus, you have those mages scrying in the castle already?"

"I do."

"Where's Celly?"

"Princess Celestia is watching from your cabin in the ground, she said she'd be tempted to interrupt were she closer."

"Something seems bad about this," Pinkie Pie spoke up, "I don't think you make friends by battle, you need to make 'em laugh!"

Arctus took a look over himself and his equipment, making one final check. Fluttershy was about to speak, but all she managed was to hide herself behind Applejack while he took weapon after weapon and tool after tool out to ensure he was at the ready.

"I did bring a lot of sutures and medical equipment in case something ahppens, there's also some nurses and a doctor at the ready here," Savus noted.

"Maybe I'll still bring you into the field with me, I was very spoiled working with you."

"Maybe I will, not every day I get to perform the Star Launch technique," Savus smiled, "don't worry about these mares being in the Everfree. They can hold their own and I'm always around if they can't."

"But please make this quick, that seamstress," he pointed to the purple maned Rarity, "has been flirting with me the entire time until you arrived."

Arctus smiled at the whisper.

"Everypony, you may see some unsightly things today in my spar against Luna."

"You address her so informally, as if you're already part of the royal family," Rarity commented.

The woodsmaster ignored her, "if it becomes too much for you, feel free to look away from any of the scrying spells, you are not obligated to watch, I imagine you were invited to watch."

He looked to Asarele, "please lend them your protection if they need it and stay put, I can handle this battle," it screeched into the air.

"S-such a bond," Fluttershy managed to speak as she trotted closer to it before stopping for the incredible chill in the air.

"She's in there, ready for me, right?"

"Yep!" Twilight pipped.

"We're not gonna say where though," Rainbow smirked, "she told us not to."

"I wouldn't have it any other way."

His eyes scanned, the castle was built exceptionally well so it withstood the years with great resistance to the outside weather.

He rubbed the wards on the inside of each boot, drawing his longbow and a single bodkin arrow out as he walked right up the wall with his enchanted footwear.

"Whoa, he can do that?!" Pinkie Pie shouted, "he must have tons and tons of party tricks."

"Shhh, Pinkie! We're supposed to watch 'em, not narrate his whole fight!" Applejack harshly corrected.

"Oh right," and she made a motion to zip her lips while the Master Scout climbed.

"Good luck, Arctus. She's an exceptional warrior and expecting every trick you could try."





He went over the battlements, noticing the white scrying plates already hovering in areas. This was very reminiscent of arenas in Aeternia but with much more advanced magics at play.

He already drew himself low, just in case Luna would attempt to fight him the moment he entered or if she anticipated him climbing high. He slunk about the ramparts, making his way to the same enclosed staircase he once used for an escape so many years prior. And he entered, hearing wind blow through the halls of the castle.

His head swiveled to each corridor, finding all of them empty, but he lingered his eyes for a while longer.

Invisibility, as an alicorn she could be hunting for him as he hunts for her. He felt his spine shiver. This was his element.

His blood pumped hard and he left the bottom of the stairwell, listening sharply and tuning all noise of his almost silent footsteps out along with the wind. He recalled assignments like this where he toyed and teased his enemy to satisfy his bloodlust.

Arctus hope she would be as skilled as she let on, it would make victory that much sweeter. His eyes caught a glint and he stopped moving.

A tripwire. That would impede his progress, just at the corner of this corridor, he gently stepped over it, seeing a crossbow aimed at him and set to be triggered by the wire. Disarming it would make untoward noise, noise that he didn't want to make under any circumstance.

Experienced hunter as he is, he continued. It took him a while, but he had prowled through all the upper floors with no Luna in sight and were she here, she would have pounced on him by now. So then he made his way through lower floors and what used to be bedrooms. The scrying eyes were everywhere in the castle, but Luna was nowhere to be found still.

A thought then occurred to him. She meant to lock him in singular combat with no routes of escape. These traps and movements of ancient items were only a distraction to try and throw him off his search and exhaust his alertness. So he travelled to the first place of importance with ponykind to him.

He slipped past the half broken wood door, marking the broken oak with a gift, that lead to the dungeons, looking at the entry way. He remembered that conversation and short hostage he took on his escape away when he first ended up imprisoned.

Eyes scanned everything before he proceeded past the rotting table and deeper, checking each cell slowly. Still no Luna.

He heard a breath, that wasn't his own and his ears could not locate the sudden noise, but his mind knew the spot in here he didn't check, that he wouldn't expect to find her at.

He whipped around and shot off an arrow on instinct and hearing alone to the whoosh of air that followed. The arrow was deflected away from magic and an axe, one of the most simple deadly weapons swung down at him and he backstepped, hanging his bow away.

Another backstep from the advantaged Luna and a throwing knife lodged into her front while he drew his own spatha,. Arctus was backed into an empty cell of the ancient dungeon, he didn't want to give away any ploys, so he kept his mouth shut.

"For a title of Master Scout, you're awful as remaining undetected and alert. I pounced on you too easily."

He held off his smirk, maintaining his current war visage. 

He lifted a surprise he had been working on, an Aeternian item, one he worked on with pleasure during his alone time. A mixture of two plant oils, rice bran and sunflower. A flame produced with his index lit a cloth exterior on the top half of this brown ball he held.

"Do you still wish to fight me? My stealth is unparralled and I let you get the upperhand."

Luna laughed at his words, "please, like a simple explosive will turn us away from defeating you."

She held a second axe in her hoof as it left her back, her horn lit, ready.

The Master Scout zipped close first, dodging a swipe before blocking another from his left side and his right hand slung up quick, bashing her muzzle hard and drawing first blood. He went to throw the clay device at her, but made a false movement. Seeing her shield come up for a short second, he had already extended a leg in and explosive motion and her shield came up again, barely stopping the point of his spatha.

"I admit, your prowess in combat is considerable, perhaps after I beat you," she advanced again, swinging each axe in tune and forcing him to dodge back as he could not block every strike with a single weapon in his hand. 

Luna was leading this dance of combat, but Arctus was orchestrating it exactly how he wanted. The oil soaked cloth was beginning to blacken from how long it remained lit, but he knew the wall was there and he had not turned the wards of his boots off yet. He stood up from the stone wall, blocking a hit and running along the ceiling, smashing the clay ball at Luna's head, a shield responded too late and she howled in pain as he rubbed the wards and fell behind her.

His hatchet met his other hand and he swung down, going for a debiliating strike to her haunches, right to a muscle but she whipped about and knocked the smaller axe aside with her own. Oil burned away on her fur, searing and causing her even more pain as she gritted her teeth. Her horn lit and Arctus quickly fled the room, sprinting out before moving into a slower but silent run out of the dungeons.

Arctus leapt up, climbing broken architecture again and stowing his current weapons away to take his bow out again, he aimed at the wood door, seeing the glyph he left behind on the front of it while he pulled back an arrow.

An enraged Luna ran through the door, moving the wood that was still mostly closed, triggering his spell.

A fiery explosion threw her into the wall opposite of the door, splinter and wood dust flying about while his arrow loosed and sank in where he last saw her. Arctus retreated again before he even heard the next grunt of pain.

"Come back and fight us, cur!" Her taunts would never be effective against Arctus.

He slipped through corridors, marking fake fire glyphs as he went before he circled back to where Luna was hit by the arrow, seeing that she had already healed herself again as he stay high above, observing her movements.

It was a shame his tricks did not leave any lasting debilitating effects, but she had learned her magic was useless against him in offensive forms. Luna eventually made it to the series of halls where he had left his glyphs.

"Come out! We refuse to step through these traps."

He settled his spear differently for a quick readying. His bow slipped into his fingers and he pulled five arrows into his hand, preparing one into his bow.

"Zaibas surasti vidinis!" He shouted suddenly, projecting his voice up so it would echo back down into the corridors. Luna could not pinpoint his voice, but his arrows took a yellow tinge and he loosed the first, prepping the second and loosing it next. He repeated this arrow revolver method before he slotted his bow away, the arrows headed toward Luna, but stopped just overhead, crackling.

The moon raised noticed them and prepared a shield.

Arctus gripped his spear with a smirk. He had her all to himself in this struggle. He leapt from the pillar he stood atop in the dusty height of the halls. 

One arrow shot down with lightning following it and it immediately overloaded Luna's basic shield, causing her to gasp as he dodged the next by moving just out of the way, following the rhythm, but blocked in and force toward the fiery glyphs. Arctus was almost upon her as the last arrow zapped down and forced her to step directly onto a glyph. The red glow shined brighter and he could see Luna clench her eyes.

His spearhead dug deep into her shoulder, Arctus' face was inches from hers and he smirked almost wildly.

"You are prey in my lair. And I will tear you piece by piece," his blood was rushing, his want for violence and battle were heightening.

Luna's horn lit, but flickered out.

"Oh no, not with my spear bleeding you out. Good luck healing this," he gestured with his eyes to Luna's wound.

Despite his psychological tactic and their gazes merely half a foot away, she showed no fear but a great sense of determination.

"I'm glad," he saw her other hoof begin to move with her axe and he wrenched the spear, causing her to yelp out, "don't stop now. I don't want this to end so early. Show me your boasts earlier have value in their words," he reared his metal covered left hand back and scored a quick punch up her muzzle, blood splaying into the air.

He followed with a downward back fist while he pulled his spear free and ran down the glyph covered corridor. The red symbols faded, showing their falseness.

"Mental warfare will not be effective against us!" Luna boomed as he had already taken off into the depths of the castle to hide again.

But he was right, Luna knew she was caught in a true predator's eye, in its lair, and it wanted to play before it pounced.

A challenge, Arctus wanted a challenge, something to really make him justify using all he knew. Luna better provide it to him after talking so much about he may not even be of use to Equestria.

"Sister, you chose an impressive fighter to be your romantic involvement," Luna mumbled as she went through halls, ignoring the burning pain and bleeding in her shoulder.

Arctus had circled around again, listening to Luna's foot steps as she went through the corridors, hiding in a room near the intersection she passed through. It had been quite a while since Arctus first entered, at least an hour. A prolonged confrontation was mostly used in training environments for Scouts.

She passed the intersectiong of halls, heading closer to the center of the castle, the throne room. The Master Scout slipped from the room silently and crept behind her before lunging with his spear toward one of her rear hooves. Luna heard his lunge and she rushed forward, whipping around to face him a couple feet away.

"You are incredibly quiet and those instincts are too much like that of a thief!" Luna accused as she took a defensive stance. Arctus had not stopped his assault and when he missed he twisted and followed his lunge with and overhead throw of his spear.

Luna clattered it to the floor with a swipe of an axe and advanced on him while he fetched his greatsword, a black tint coming over the blade. Luna swung with one axe and instead of blocking the overhead strike, Arctus matched it perfectly and the force blew Luna clear down the hall with a boom. Pebbles and dust were freed from the walls, even larger rocks crashed to the floor in a show of just what Luna was hit with.

Arctus began speaking before she even landed her hind hooves on the stone wall in the throne room, "pradingti zemaiu lipti," and he quickly vanished, appearing below Luna and striking up, making clear connection on her stomach and blasting her into the sky, far above the castle.

The Master Scout landed on the stone floor of the throne room, looking up with a smirk, "wonder how long before you make it back down."

And she had teleported her fresh wound from the greatsword was repaired and she swung, barely contacting Arctus' face and drawing blood that smeared across the iron head of her weapon. He ducked the next slash and blocked a third, "yes! Show me!"

"Plienas karka savninkas!" His spear flung from down the hall and into his hand, slashing the back of Luna before his fingers wrapped around it.

This didn't stop her assault and she rather ignored the pain and another axe head hit his torso, this one biting deeper than merely grazing. Blood ran onto the stone, his armor abosrbed some of the blow, ensuring it was not life threatening, but he couldn't take all day to play with Luna now. His left hand held his spear and he tangled it under an axe head while he twirled his body around, manipulating Luna's hoof until she let go, He held the greatsword behind his back, blocking a second strike.

His right arm extended and using centrifugal force, he managed a slash again't luna's left hoof. Her horn lit and healed the wound even with her stumbling back from the force.

"Even in direct combat, you fight like you've calculated every moment before a single second has passed."

"Compliments will get you no where," Arctus paused, sheathing his greatsword away while he gripped his spear closer to the lugs of it, "you've dealt me a wound that will make me bleed out, so I can't play anymore."

"You...you weren't even seriously battling us?" Luna commented, her teeth gritting in anger.

"Thank you for the small challenge you've posed, but I have to wrap up. Before I continue," a pink glow overcame his right hand as he held it up in front of him, "do you still wish to continue this duel?"

Celestia's voice came from above, "Luna! Sister!" She hovered over the broken ceiling, "don't continue fighting! You can't win!"

"Despite your doubts in us, 'Tia. I've enjoyed this battle and I will seek it to the end," Luna looked to Arctus, "confront me properly, warborn."

That was a common name of an Aeternian, given to them by other nations.

Arctus felt the bloodlust surge in his veins, "good answer, Licate," his mouth used a term he hadn't said in eons. Licates were Aeternia's strongest opposing nation which was still crumbled. He participated in some of the wars and confrontations against them. 

His subconscious was reliving an exact confrontation with their head of nation, they were also founded on warrior principles.

"Licate?"

He smiled as he snapped his mind fully back to reality. While it was a warning that he needed a truly bloody or challenging battle, he was getting exactly that.

"Intangible Kamna!"

"Teach my body to become fateless and unbound so that I may deliver the final blow as you did to the sky!"

His hand had already finished tracing the symbol before Luna was upon him. He invoked the one of the Eight most stubborn to favor few. Kamna had always favored him.

Luna's strikes went through his boundless body multiple times before she stopped, staring in disbelief.

"You've...you've made yourself invulnerable," she mumbled and shortly after his spear slung around her hoofves multiple times, blood spilling and tainting the stone floor even more red.

He then made himself unbound once again, moving directly through her and taking a wider swing with his spear that she blocked.

"Good, you still have your teeth."

Her next swing phased through him again. Luna was dialing in to him.

He took another stab and her axe knock it away and buried a second time lightly above the first hit that struck his torso. Arctus backed away as fresh red stained his linens and scale again. His spear was swiftly put away and his hunting knife and hatchet returned instead. He had made no grunt of pain. Luna's next strike went through his immaterial form.

He crashed his small hatchet toward her head, Luna blocked and held it and started her own swing. He blocked with his knife before becoming intagible once more for just a brief second and his hatcher dug into her neck. Her horn lit as soon as his axe left and the wound healed, his knife stabbed deep into her stomach as she fought on her rear hooves. before he zipped through her and attempted a new feat.

He internalized the spell, speaking the word sin his mind before lashing the open air with his axe and a small wind slash zipped to Luna who blocked the hit with the iron heads of her axes, the metal being bitten deep. Arctus was now able to use this spell without words.

Arctus breathed deep, sheathing away his hunting knife and hatchet again. His spear made his way into both his hands and he began to center himself, letting the godhood he used fade. 

"I am Master Scout Arctus, Starborn, greatest in Aeternia. I will make you kneel."

He advanced, holding his spear in front of him, while Luna took on a wide stance and hacked with one axe, sending the other in quick. Arctus stopped his advance and latched his spear under the beards of both axes, using a single hand to yank her closer, fingers gripped tightly to his spear. His hand blasted her face again and her horn lit, healing injury and damage.

Another punch before he unleashed his spear and sent a long cut up her front. She backed away, blood splattering again while he marched forward with a cold look in his eyes. He was breathing war. All she was at that moment was just another battle to be won.

He flashed first and his spear whirled at an impossible speed for her to block. He was dialed in and letting loose at the same time. The cut lashed a hoof. The air whistled and sang Arctus' glory as more blood was spilt across the ancient castle.

Two quick cuts and he transitioned into a thrust, piercing Luna's stomach lightly as she backed away and he whipped the spear head up and cut under her jawline, following with a hoirzontal bash of the rounded but of his spear into the side of her head. Her vision blacked for a second.

The woodsmaster saw fear in her eyes at last as his spear close for a finished strike, but he held back, his spear just barely puncturing at her throat to cause blood to bubble up in a single dot while she stood stark still, head lolled to the side.

"You have been defeated. This duel is over, Princess Luna," he kept his spear in place.

Luna smiled before she laughed, "you are useful to Equestria. We appreciate you showing us respect, but if you are to become our brother-in-law, there is no need to use such a formal title. Luna will be adequate."

Arctus removed the spear and helped to stabilize Luna who was still dazed from his incredibly violent bash.

Luna exhaled a held breath, "your weapon is impressive. You are impressive. Without doubt, the strongest creature I've encountered barring the Sower of Chaos himself."

"I'll accept that as a compliment," they made it to the door together, opening it with their in person observer already on the other side.





"It's always an experience to see a Scout fight. When Arctus fights, it's a reminder of how mortal every one of us are. You wield death as if it were gloves made only for your hands," Savus greeted him first.

Arctus sheathed away his spear after wiping remaining blood off. He looked to Luna who stared back at him, "what is-."

The Master Scout put a fist to his chest, looking to the ground. He rcognized Luna as worthy of his respect though combat.

"That's quite a high regard, Princess Luna. He shows respect often enough, but not like this," Savus commented, "don't be surprised if he requests to bring you into the field with him," he chuckled.

"We see," Luna looked to Celestia who stared with worry at her, "sister, we can approve of his current position. We apologize if we wished to deny his presence from our earlier knowledge of him."

Arctus was already taking off equipment one by one, leaving his breeches and chain chauses on. The cuts in his torso were extensive, red had stained his clothing and armor thoroughly. While Luna's wound dripped slowly, his were rushing a lot more freely.

"Celly, could I bother you for-," the sun-marked alicorn lit her horn with a warm smile and the injury on his face faded and sealed, his torso was wiped clean of blood and the wounds stitched together

The present doctor and nurses had moved around Celestia, looking over Luna before the doctor began to issue commands for stitching and treating her wounds.

"Thanks, I know the wounds on Luna from my spear won't be healed via magic, so...apologies Luna."

Luna just smiled at him while she stood as still as she could, "I would have our battle go no other way."

"What a fine stallion. Those muscles. That perfectly lean body. The strong mi-."

Rarity had started complimenting him under her breath until Princess Celestia gave her a knowing and little harsh glare. The dreaming fashionista swallowed hard.

"Where is Asarele?" Arctus looked about.

"Hunting! I assume," Savus answered.

"Asarele!" She did not come at her name.

"Asarele!" Arctus boomed again and the bird cried out, walking out from around the castle after a while, Fluttershy in tow.

"She's got a way with animals, always has," Rainbow Dash spoke up, "those were some seriously cool moves you used, Arctus."

"Careful not to rise his pride too much, he has enough of an issue with that," Celestia commented while she looked at her sister again, "I'm just glad you two are getting along better."

"We understand him."

"I understand her."

"As warriors often find out about each other in combat," Savus sighed, "Plated Shell might get mad at you...ruining his repairs so early."

Arctus sighed, "he gets paid well enough."

"We have a royal smith?"

"Not officially, but Arctus was impressed at his work in creating the greatsword he uses and now its the only smith all the guards will visit," Celestia answered, "he's more influential than he knows. The elite even visit a specific restuarant more just to try and catch a glimpse of him."

"And popular with the powerful," Rarity mentioned off-hoofedly, "is there anything else we should know about him? Can he raise the Sun and Moon?" She laughed at her own poor joke.

"No, but he intends to launch himself as a star into the sky, we will assist," Luna pledged, smiling to him.
> Starstruck
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Over the next two weeks, Arctus had filled in quite a lot of Aeternian culture and information with the returned Princess of the Night, Celestia had filled her in on the history that had happened and the new up and coming ponies. Luna had also taken to dueling Strong Stitch herself and finding that Arctus is just as skilled teaching combat as he is practicing it.

But she always held a slight look of fear in her eyes, very much like Celestia when the two of them first met. Luna experienced his capabilities first hand and knew he existed for violence, that was how he was raised, it was a truth.

What Celestia began to see that Luna had not yet was how he used his talents to give himself a more directed purpose.

"You just continue to grow and grow, is it all the food I'm bringing you?" Arctus stood at his balcony, looking on top of his tower and seeing the giant bird that was half the size of its mother.

Asarele cocked her head at him.

"I still have this feeling that you'll be the one with me the most."

She trilled back at him and his thoughts turned to that of the coming ceremony. They had a while longer until the set date, placed even after the coming Gala and he had already prepared the things he needed for it while Celestia went about integrating Luna into Equestrian society again.

Much to say, breweries, vintners, distilleries, and many bars and pubs throughout Canterlot were very happy with him and all aboard the idea of an Aeternian reception.

Though today, he had a very odd occurence set up to listen to complaints toward his reception, he had hoped he didn't intimidate too many ponies.

He had borrowed the Sun's Ray for the day, which was more than happy to accomodate him and cater. Asarele interrupted the namesake of the restuarant, sleeping during the hot summer day and providing a cooler atmosphere through the building as she laid on the glass skylight.

Arctus entered through the front doors, see a considerable gathering of ponies, from elites to more common ponies of Canterlot. Even some faces from Ponyville were present.

Rarity was oddly enough present.

One inhale and then one exhale, he commanded some soldiers before, but never did any public speaking. The woodsmaster walked around the crowd, only partially equipped rather than in his full outfit, he wore his linens and leathers along with his spear, hunting knife, and hatchet.

Of course, he had his cape, the gift had grown considerably on him enough to where he wore it every day. Along his walk, he picked up a plate from the catering table, filled with small portions of common foods he often ordered from the restuarant, he took up position in front of the crowd, setting the plate down and taking a bite of legumes. One of the hosts that typically welcomed him brought the common drink he ordered that quickly became a favorite for elites to order there as well.

Being a trendsetter was another thing he never envisioned.

The crowd simmered their chatting to whispers before stopping altogether before Arctus had even commanded their attention to himself.

"Welcome, this will be my first appearance in public like this. I know all of you know who I am, but I want to state that this is for taking in your concerns and complaints and addressing them. To reach reasonable compromises. This will not be an event for you to voice your disdain of me or the disapproval of my relationship," he firmly spoke, taking a sip.

He noticed the door opened and some ponies had already chosen to leave.

"Let's begin, I'm sure the first matter of concern is how unorderly an Aeternian celebration can be. I want to assure all of you that there will be Scout Strong Stitch on duty during it along with some powerful shield spells that will be cast over Canterlot. Crime is non-existent within Equestria, but I expect none of it still on that night."

A unicorn came to the front of the crowd, well dressed, "and we're supposed to allow commoners to celebrate this occassion as well? This is the marriage of a Princess!"

"Yes, you're expected to play nice," he down the rest of the drink.

"Shitting Stars, this will be a long day."

"The entire point of my people's celebrations is to cast off any idea of separation based on class, wealth, combat prowess. The temple priests even walk about the entire city, drinking and making merry with everyone. It's an event of unity, not one of boundaries."

"That doesn't seem right at all! We don't deserv-."

Arctus immediately interrupted the second unicorn to speak, "you think this is a punishment? An Aeternian punishment was a fight in the arena one could not possibly win. Humiliation in front of crowds. Exile even," he challenged the unicorn, "no, this is not a punishment. It behooves such a snobby noble as yourself to self-flagellate by thinking the opportunity to experience a momentous celebration of a different culture as a punishment."

He rose his vocabulary up to meet the whining noble who immediately cowed back into the crowd at his words.

"Are their any other concerns on the unorderly way the reception is conducted?"

A pegasus mare stepped forward, "what of our families? Those with little colts and fillies? How will they be safe? What if we don't want them around such noise and alcohol?"

"This pony, take note of, had actually raised a real concern," Arctus let a held breath out, "the thought has crossed my mind.  I had a couple of ideas...to implore the hotels of other cities for the night so those in Canterlot who did not want to participate may leave for the reception and be safe," the assumed mother seemed to chip up at the idea of a free vacation night, "or to create a noise isolated section within Canterlot at a hotel already present in the city."

"I would be fine with either of those options," the pegasus answered with a smile. If anything, this could do wonders for the ponies idea of him.

"Please, if your concerns have been addressed, exit promptly. I don't wish to impose the kindness of the Sun's Ray beyond what they allow."

More ponies had left, nobles in a great amount. Rarity was still present among the handful that remained. He addressed the concerns without any lasting issues besides another noble trying to be a noble.

"Hello, Master Arctus," Rarity remained.

"To make it clear, please discontinue flirting with me if you ahdn't got the earlier hints from Celestia."

"Oh no no, darling. I would never! I've actually come to ask if there were any outfits or clothing related to such a celebration. I design clothing, you see."

Arctus shook his head, "no, nothing of the sort. This is Equestria, but back in Aeternia it was more common for people to shed clothing rather than wear something special," he laughed, "but I don't think the night would get that debauched."

Rarity blushed almost immediately, "I-I see. Well, if you need anything made for the ceremony, let me know!"

"Apologies if it brings you down, but I did actually have something planned and it's being made for the occassion now. Plated Shell, my favorite smith, is making it...unless you have experience with metalworking," he chortled, "I'll see myself out, Rarity. I appreciate your offer, however."

And he exitted the door, noting all the arrangements he'd have to make.





And he had succeeded in those preparations rather easily. His influence was starting to spread farther and farther since the announcement of a royal wedding.

It was the day before of the normal Grand Galloping Gala, or at least the first one since Luna's return. Where many ponies in Canterlot were busy getting ready, Arctus was at the training yard, looking at humanoid training dummies he had made himself. He had already drilled many strikes with his spear in just the air alone, but he was now about to take the first slash at one with the wide spear head.

"Arctus."

He dropped his combatative stance, turning behind him to see Princess Luna observing him.

"What are you doing out here? Aren't you above training against stationary targets?" She gestured a hoof about, "we also see you're the only one here. Shouldn't you be running about for the Gala?"

He shook his head, "I've only ever gone once or twice to the Grand Galloping Gala. The nobles with stuffed heads are not my preferred company."

"Perhaps we should invite Savus, maybe then you would attend."

"Why so adamant on it?" He questioned, widening his feet and putting his spear in front of him.

"We are just curious as to how to act at such an event."

He snorted, "I find a quiet place away from everything else," he slowly traced a couple strikes in the air before moving closer to the dummy.

"So, would you enlighten us as to why you are training like this?"

"I realized in combat with you, I had lost some of my touch and I had yet to reach my full potential. I can usually swing that fast with my spear, but it took a challenge from you and a challenge to the glory I earned myself to draw it back out of me."

He took a swift strike, not as fast as he wanted to, but the burlap and straw were cut easily enough, "that isn't acceptable. Not if I intend to kill Hazth."

He took another and followed with two more swipes, that was better, it was faster, but not even close to the blur he had struck Luna with.

"I see...how talented is this Hazth?"

"He was reknowned throughout Aeternia, even among our enemies. He is a Master Scout same as me."

Luna hummed, "does it not bother you? How violent you are?"

Arctus took a swing and the dummy cut easily with the wind whipping and shaking the others about, Luna cringed at the sound.

That was the sound when he had struck her as if her martial ability no longer mattered, as if he was a god of war slashing at a peasant defending her farm.

"No, faster."

And took another attack at the training dummy followed by a flurry of wind as he took seven more and thrusted the spear forward at an incredible speed. His blood was boiling again and his favored weapon broke through the dummy and pierced through the wood pole it was tied to completely.

"The capability of one's violence does not matter. It is how they act and what they do with that power. That is what matters."

He walked to the next dummy, "that's what I've learned in my time with Celly."

He was whirling his spear about in a single hand.

"I see. If you choose to appear at the Gala tonight, we can set some time aside to start selecting stars aside for you."

He smiled to the alicorn, "I'd like that, Luna. It's time I get to ask the Eight some questions."

He spun the spear faster before whipping the rounded but and exploding a dummy and wooden post together, splinters flying about the training yard.

"There...there. That's what I need to be at."

The act of incredible speed and violence sent shivers down Luna's spine. He had hit her head rather hard at the end of their fight, hard enough that her vision blacked out for a moment, but not that hard.

Did he truly have the ability to make her skull a splatter of organic matter on a stone wall?

"Arctus, is it truly necessary to be so fluent in combat?"

"My level of prowess frightens you, it is like that for many ponies, even Aeternians. It's one of the reason I'm going to launch as a star," he put away his spear, leaving the third dummy where it was as he began to clean up the mess splayed across the yard, "I've not met another Aeternian that has my potential, I want to know why."

Luna hummed, "you are the most unique creature we have every met. We hope you find the answers you seek in the stars."

"Thank you."

Luna had departed away.





That night, the Gala preparations were completed and the castle was soon to open up. Arctus did deign on appearing at it, despite how much he hated social hierarchy. Celestia, knowing this was the first time he was attending in such a long time extended him the opportunity to invite a guest, so against assumed guest Savus, he invited Lohey.

"Wow, they really decorated the whole place for this event. Is it really this special?" The teacher and brewer asked in her own simple dress, it was culturally appropriate as the only time one really dressed fancifully was for any joinings or pilgrimages to a volcano.

"It's where the elite come to mingle, Celestia held it for many many moons," Arctus answered. Because of his position, he was already inside the Gala before the castle gates opened.

"Hmm, I thought you would have invited Savus," a soft voice trotted over.

"He'd hate such a formal event. Couldn't imagine how much ponies would pester him."

"New faces get asked many questions," Celestia looked away from Arctus to Lohey, "so prepare yourself for a most curious crowd, Lohey."

She nodded, "thank you, Princess."

"And I expect a dance from you," the alicorn poked a hoof at Arctus' revealed scalemail vest, shiny metal was appropriate dress for such an event though his leather cover was kept hidden on his person in the event something happened, "is that understood, Art?" She chortled.

He smiled wide, "then I'll be sure to parade you around the entire dance floor, Celly."

"Good," she gave him a shortened kiss as she heard a bell ring out, "time to take up my post on the stairs," she trotted away with the smile on her lips.

"Such an odd couple. A pony, Princess at that, with an Aeternian, a Master Scout. You know it's unheard of for any Master Scout to ever have an official partner, right?" Lohey commented.

"It's also unheard of for Aeternians to end up in Equestria."

"Weird times we live in."

The doors to the ballroom opened slowly, "time for me to make my exit. I have an early appointment tonight. If you feel overwhelmed with questions, you are more than welcome to seek me out. Most ponies refuse to approach me," Arctus smiled before nodding, "enjoy the night, try not to get too intoxicated, it's frowned upon at these events."

The Master Scout had left for a table styled in foods he ate and drinks he enjoyed, sponsored and made by the Sun's Ray. He heard rumors of them doing such a thing for the Gala, but those rumors turned to hold truth. 

The business had also heard he was attending and the center large metal cup reflected that. No handle was on it and the entire cup was more long than wide with a large base. Arctus saw his first intial on it with a card pinned to the side





Thank you for promoting and always choosing our establishment, Arctus.

~Sun's Ray~





He smiled at the card, pocketing it before picking the large cup up, it was clear they had been talking to Lohey about specifics. This was a lot of their valentine cocktail poured into the usual container Aeternia used for liquids.

Wood cups were discouraged as they were more prone to breaking or wearing down and lumber was a precious enough resource for them.

He took a long sip as he saw ponies get further into the ballroom and he made his way to the gardens, waving to Celestia who stood on the usual steps. Arctus delved deeper than most ponies would go, past the tables set outside.

"Ah, so you are attending," the deep voiced Luna called from a clearing in the gardens, "since we've taken our duty of dreamwalking again, this is one of the rare nights where we have more freedom. Would you like to get started?"

"Yes, I know you're expected to welcome and speak with ponies alongside Celly, so...let's begin," he smiled as he gulped another swallow of the spicy, chocolatey, and smooth alcohol down before he set the cup onto a nearby bench.

"That is your people's traditional brew?" Luna prompted, "it's a very unique flavor."

"It isn't exact, Lohey hasn't finished fermenting actual drink, but it's a close second," Arctus closed his eyes, "I'll attempt to call the Stars I know."

"C-call the stars? We did not know you could manipulate them as we can."

"Look above."

A green star began to fade into the night sky above them and Arctus opened his eyes, staring at it as it shined bright, a pillar of the color descended onto his spot.

"We've not seen anything quite like this, let alone a green star in our sky," Luna was still in shock.

"Gær's star, that is him in the sky that looks down upon both of us, legended for his tireless body. Every Aeternian who calls them and asks for their power is lent some by the choice of the Hero."

"We see," she breathed out, "this may make searching for these stars complicated," Luna admitted.

"I'll call the next star I'm attuned to," the green pillar left, but the star remained in the sky, watching.

A yellow star began to fade in, casting its own light in a orange beam that seemed to scan over the ground, "Yetrema, quickest of the Eight."

Luna was silenced from the display he was making and a deep pink star appeared as the orange beam rose back away. Instead of just a cylinder of the color, pink bathed the entire garden.

"Who...who is this star?"

"Kamna, the Hero who favors me the most."

Luna spitefully spoke, "you called upon her during our duel. We did not expect such a trick or exceptional power."

"She enjoys trickery as much as I do in combat, the panic and confusion I leave are the likely reason why she favors me so boldly."

Arctus paused the feelings he was shifting in his heart to sip more of his beloved drink, aware but uncaring of the gathering he had behind him.

"We must admit, we're feeling jealous of your manipulation of the stars," Luna looked to him and the ponies staring above.

"Savus had been helping me to learn the way of another Hero. Reba. I am unsure if I can draw her star out," he closed his eyes and began recalling the short visits he made to Ponyville, first to the barn of the Apple family where he slept for a while and then to his own small home.

Images of impossible odds, great numbers of enemies, weapons and seige engines of incredible destructive power, and more scenes of unwinnable situations came to his mind. The slashes, explosions, cuts, hacks, stabs, and bashes of all of these fake foes and imaginary weapons were next, battering his body in the vision he allowed in his head.

Arctus' heart pumped hard and he could feel as though his skin first hardened and then lost feeling.

A deep bloody red star appeared in the sky above, casting a barely visible light on the Scout as he kept his eyes closed, trying to focus on the feeling and emotion to draw Reba to him as Savus is adept at doing. He already knew he had survived wounds worthy of her attention.

The light grew as he recalled those critical injuries of his past and he opened his eyes, feeling a different fire than before inside of him. He knew he would be capable of asking for power if he spoke her psalm.

"Four stars you've brought into our canvas, we are tempted to ask for your help each night," Luna smiled, "if you can accomplish this, then why seek our assistance?"

Arctus had brought a list for the Princess of the Night, he fetched and handed it to her.

"These are the names of your heroes?" Luna asked and Arctus nodded, "along with their corresponding colors and strengths."

"Savus had taught me how to attune to Reba, the other four I never received any training for, so I'd need to see their star and attempt to link to it if they would allow."

"We would go searching for these four stars then," Luna noted.

"I would be in your debt."

"Consider it a favor, Arctus, for taking care of our sister for so many moons," she smiled warmly at him.

The Master Scout could not be happier to have a an unorthdox family.

He nodded, "I'll leave you to enjoy the Gala, Luna," the crowd behind him ceased their whispers as he walked towards them. A path opened clearly for him to leave the gardens and return inside, drink in hand.

Celestia had invited Twilight and her new friends over to the Gala, of course, Twilight was no new gala-goer, but the others certainly were. All of them were off doing their own activities.

"Howdy, Arctus!" Out of the crowd of ponies that stared from afar, Applejack trotted up to him. She was always brazen, but also a friend of his. The other ponies clearly wanted to speak with him, but were too afraid to even approach. All eyes fell to AJ.

"Hello, Applejack. Are you enjoying the Gala?" He could feel some effects of the wonder he was drinking by now.

"It's not my kind of event, so I'm trying to, just about to start promoting Sweet Apple Acres," she smiled wide, "didn't take ya for the kind of po-person who would attend these sorts of things."

"I was offered a trade I couldn't decline," he pointed to the gardens where a crowd of ponies were still talking and pointing to the sky, "and now I've taken many ponies off Celestia's and Luna's hooves it seems."

"That's awfully like you, show boatin' wherever you go. I ever tell you how much a help Savus was during harvest season? He worked twenty hours before sleeping on five! We ain't never finished that early on our own in quite a while!" Applejack was still grinning wide across her muzzle.

"He doesn't dissappoint. He's likely deterring a lot of ill wishes just by being there, as well. I heard Ponyville finds him like a kind of honor guard among the town."

Applejack nodded, "he brings at least one weapon of his to the farms ever since I told him the story that a timberwolf was once in the orchards."

"Enjoy the night, AJ," he nodded to her.

"I'll make sure I do," and she trotted away.

Unfortunately, her appearance had caused one, but only one pony, a unicorn with a very styled blue mane, to trot over.

"You are Master Scout Arctus, no?" He addressed, a tall white unicorn stared from a distance.

"I am, bold of you to approach me."

"I had never seen you at the Gala or any event, I think something finally answered my wishes and here you are!" He laughed quietly, "I'm Fancy Pants, glad to finally meet you, Master Arctus," he owed, holding a hoof out.

Did he think he was some kind of royalty?

"I appreicate your gesture of respect, but I do not accept it as Princesses and Princes do," he gestured to Blueblood who had ponies clearing the way and bowing deep almost groveling at him, "the way he does so is especially distasteful."

"That's Princess Celestia's nephew! Don't you know him?"

Arctus shook his head, "no and I don't intend to compromise who I am and my values to accomodate his kind of ego."

"What of your own pride? How are you used to receiving respect from others? I know you're culture is different from ours, but you are to join the royal family, are you not?" He was incredibly polite in the way he was asking questions for a noble.

This is one of the elite he could stand to talk to.

"Fancy Pants, you are a breath of fresh air among this event. My own pride lies in accomplishments, not titles, my ego is earned and not a birthright or frivolously awarded. I believe you've seen how I receive respect from the guard and my fellow Scouts."

"Very true, apologies for my unnecessary inquiry. I would duel you as a bit of fun and to honor you, but I'm certain you'd break my hoof on your first attack," he placed a hoof to his chest, tilting only his head down, "I do wish to thank you for all that you've done and will do for Equestria."

Arctus would have to seek him out in the joining reception, this was a pony worth talking to, words likely got him everywhere.

"I don't believe you've answered my last question, Master Arctus."

Persistent and the true reason why he approached.

Arctus sternly looked to him and the unicorn didn't cow his posture, "I do intend to join the royal family. In Equestrian tradition, I'm marrying Celestia and we'll be joined together."

Fancy smiled, "I can't wait to enjoy your cultural difference in that event. Seeking out new cultures is a lot like enjoying new company or foods, the flavors will always dazzle and intrigue. Have a grand evening, Master Arctus," and he made his exit with a small smile.

Arctus kept an eye on the dance floor as the crowd of ponies whispering about him left, he noticed some small commotions from some of the new Gala-goers, but that was expected.

Not everypony is accustomed to such an event and the peacocking that never rested could drive someponies to leave early or try interesting things to spice the night up. Seeing nobles constantly puffing the frills of their suits definitely made him want to leave, but he was watching and learning to perform the one event he wanted to stay for.

And he looked to the staircase, seeing very few ponies present that were greeting the Princesses, so he made he way, memorizing moves he had seen.

Had he danced in Aeternia? Absolutely not, he stayed away from the music and told jokes, stories, and chatted with all the rest of those who just wanted to drink and have the best sleep of their lives.

But he did know a couple dances, or so he thought, from watching others back in his world. And he believed he could execute some of the dances he had seen here. He definitely had the dexterity and stamina to do it.

As the line vanished, he made he way up the steps with a confident grin and whispers began to go about the ballroom, actual conversation dying down. It made the music seem that much louder.

Terrifyingly, all conversation stopped and Arctus swallowed.

He had never danced with a partner before an all eyes were on him as he approached, but he kept his full-of-himself attitude.

"Oh? My favorite attends the Gala tonight," Celestia smiled, "is there something you needed or wished to bring to my attention?" She was conducting herself well and Luna looked to Arctus with quite the knowing look. She knew he didn't mind rising to the underlying message of her words or making a scene.

"Well, Celly," a couple gaps at the informal nickname, "I've observed that you haven't been asked to dance tonight."

Even the music halted, Arctus could feel the tension in the air, but it was a most unfamiliar one. He quickly ensured all of his equipment was secured to his body and no mishaps would occur.

"Oh, you're quite right, Art," whispers about the room, "is that a problem?" She smirked to him.

"I'm the solution," he held his hand out. 

Celestia quickly took it, betraying her coyness and Arctus brazenly drew her close as they went down the steps slowly before approaching the empty dance floor where they separated and stood across from each other.

Still no music, but the Master Scout took this as an opportunity to declare a challenge to the crowd, "nopony else wishes to be on the dance floor? We're just a couple doing as a couple does, are we that terrifying? Or are all of you so wordless at our display that your hooves can not move?" He smirked and glanced around with his eyes, "you may want to join before the next song begins," he prompted a bunch of whispers among the musicians present.

It was still quiet for a while before two sets of hooves were heard and Fancy Pants and his assumed date entered the floor. The unicorn wore his signature small smile.

"How brave of you, Fancy Pants. I respect your rise to my verbal challenge," the unicorn nodded to him at his words and took a starting position across from his date.

"Sweet Celestia, did he really just-?"

"The nerves of steel in that unicorn."

"How does somepony even rise to Arctus?"

"He's never even met him before?"

"Fancy earned the respect of Arctus."

"He'll be the most popular unicorn until he dies, maybe even past that!"

"You're enjoying this much more than I thought you would, Art," Celestia commented.

He just smiled back to her.

Silence continued for a little longer after whispers ceased before a single piano key was heard, followed by another and then on the two quick notes played from the same instrument, other string sounds chimed in. A cello started next with a viola adding higher pitches. On the third note of the piano, the dance had started and the challenge for Arctus was under way.

Celestia was kind enough or at least not as devious to make him perform moves that he did not know. He was reading her moves so quickly and following effortlessly it was impossible to tell who was leading the other, as if they were both working in unison and talking telepathically.

Arctus would return the same favor and not attempt anything from his homeland that she had never seen before, the music played was not even the correct kind of songs and tunes for it anyways. He didn't admit or show it, but he was being given a rigorous mental exercise to ensure he was executing move after move.

As the song drew to a close, the Ruler and the Scout found themselves also closing in to each other, hooves and arms warpped. Fancy Pants and his unintroduced date did the same.

Though Arctus did add something that Fancy Pants did not imitate and something Celestia did not anticipate.

Their lips met and whispers during the dance that continued ceased as eyes fell on them. He had no intention of ever treating her like a true princess, but always as an equal. Their kiss lasted several seconds before they parted and made their way off the dance floor, hoof in hand.

Fancy Pants and his lover were left in awe at their act of love dispalyed so brazenly in the center of the ballroom's dance floor.

"I'll in my chambers if you need me," the Master Scout spoke up, immediate whispers went about the Gala.

His words were definitely heard and he had left Celestia at the staircase with the widest smile and the deepest red while he strode through the silent Gala ballroom with incredible confidence, exiting through the open double doors.

"Asarele!" A screech tore through the silent night, "fly!" And his favorite avian picked him up by his hands, ensuring to not harm him with the icy talons it bore.

"I'm going to enjoy having him as our brother-in-law. He stuns our subjects and makes a grand spectacle like nopony we have ever witnessed," Luna broke the silence with a laugh, stamping her hooves, "they'll sing of this night, dear sister!"
> The Sun is Another Star
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The day of had arrived, it was still morning, before the sun rose.

Arctus stared at the custom made armor that Plated Shell had finished a few days before, made to reflect the lands and precious ideals of Aeternia.

It's main colors were white and orange, it was not meant for field use, but it had some functionality to it. The ornamental armor was meant to cover over his usual linens and leathers completely, but to also keep him cool and not as sweltering as its design would lead some to believe.

He picked up one of the new faux leather boots, looking over the black sheen with care before putting them on, they ended just under his knee. Arctus next placed two halves of a greave over his calf and shin, Plated Shell had involved magic that used an internal locking mechanism to bind the two together. The armor was a shiny white metal alloy of some kind with streaks of copper and iron mixed together to create the idea of a magma flow. The vambraces he put on along with coutours and rerebraces had the same scheme to them.

He could see his reflection dimly in a window, already looking like a decorated warrior for a ceremony than a Scout.

There were still many pieces to fit on, thanks to Plated Shell's magic knowledge, it was far easier to equip everything, even the countless obsidian trims.

Arctus next picked up the cuirass, it had a central part jutting out from the chest, a remnant of functionality to redirect thrusts away from the body. The white metal fit on easily enough, leaving slots for the tassets to hang from. The back was rather bare in terms of decorations as it was expected Arctus would wear the cape given to him by his spouse to be.

The front of the cuirass held a very elaborate and large symbol. Obsidian had been delicately made and attached to the cuirass to display the eight volcanoes around the central sacred volcano, lines draw from the top concave curves of the mountains that lead to depicted stars in the sky. Aeternia's symbol.

Pauldrons came on next, they had the same copper and iron streaks, but the circular plates held a blued edge, a different trim than the rest that would go onto his armor. The tassets followed, being placed as segmented rectangles that flexed with their design, each rectangle already had the black shiny volcanic glass outlined on them. The tassets fell over his front, sides, and back. 

Almost the last piece to go on, were the countless enchanted trims that attached to the edges of the poleyn over his knees and coutours over his elbows to signify the special forging techniques used by Aeternia that Arctus kept dear to himself.

Arctus picked up gauntlets, slotting the white metal with faux leather interior over each of his hands, he looked to the final piece that lay on his desk, a completely blue piece of steel, meant to jut from the sides and back of his neck as if to frame his face. He carefully picked it up and held it behind his head to his neck. Plated Shell's enchantment came alive and it magnetized to his cuirass.

The Master Scout looked incredible in his full metal ensemble, but far more noisy than he had ever been moving around. the sun began to rise over the horizon and project light over the city, shining into the window and reflecting off the plates of metal he now wore.

There were only two weapons he would take with him today, he hid his hunting knife onto his tigh, overtop chain chausses, but underneath the tassets he had put on. He picked his spear up, looking at the stand where the armor would go afterward.

"At least it was made to be flexible...even enchanted to be so," his words attested to the mastery of Plated Shell and the plateau of orders he would have when ponies saw his decorated armor. 

He attached the cape to himself before slotting his spear into its holster, making his way to the balcony doors and opening them to step outside.

Canterlot was already filling with ponies, some were well dressed, others not, it was evident who would be participating in what parts of the ceremony. Arctus could see unicorn mages center together on rooftops of the more tourist dedicated sector. They would create an isolated area for anypony who didn't wish to hear the rabble of the late day and night.

Silver Spike was already home from his month of being sent to monitor the situation in the South, Strong Stitch would not go out there until after the ceremony.

"This is stupid," Arctus heard a voice outside his bedroom door before it opened, "yep, stupid. Of course, you'd be awake," Savus strolled in, heading to the balcony, "you're a Scout, never been late for anything in your entire life."

Asarele screeched, having been woken up from his intrusion and she immediately stretched atop the tower, standing from the glass window built into the ceiling and taking flight toward the Everfree.

"Suppose I woke her up, does she always fly-," Savus stopped speaking as he looked to Arctus, "not a single godsdamned soldier, Scout, warrior...not even I got to wear armor that nice."

"You'd be more at home in it than me. My training is demanding I strip and put on less noisy clothing."

"Are you complaining?"

"I'm not, it's an instinct built into me, Savus."

He laughed, "you know it doesn't start for two or three more hours, right?"

"I wanted to get comfortable wearing this."

He cleared his throat, "do you plan on doing the black glass vow?"

Arctus nodded, "yes, I had Plated Shell fetch a bucket and the small moulds. The necklaces are prepped as well."

"I wonder how they'll react to that tradition," Savus commented, "I heard that Plated Shell will be working on Stitch's weapon after today."

"I left them some of my blood, bottled, for Shell to use. I'm eager to see if Scout Stitch has the same abilities with her weapon as Silver has with his."

"I believe they'll be different. I was surprised to hear that Bakta recognized Silver Spike as a genuine Scout," Savus started, "you be careful, Arctus. They're not built like we are, they're not raised like we are."

"I have no intention of handing more power into their hooves, we've seen what Aeternia has done with strength as we conquered all," the Master Scout answered, "are you staying for the celebration?"

"Applejack said I could, not much work to be done on the farm when I'm there, she's also present, brought the whole Apply family down."

"Well, not the whole Apple family, not that many ponies could fit into Canterlot," he laughed.

Arctus was quiet, staring at the horizon.

"Something on your mind?" Savus tried to shake him.

"Can't help but think of what the next threat could possibly be."

"I know Princess Celestia bestowed you the title of Protector, but take your mind away from that for just a moment."

"A Storm brews past that horizon," Arctus knew more than he let on, "and I don't like watching it grow."

"You'll get your time for action again, hell, I'll even duel you whenever you need to satisfy your want for battle."

He shook his head at Savus, "no, not that," he pointed, "I feel it, it's coming, it's growing, and it's going to be insatiable."

Savus shrugged, "just get it out of your head for today and tonight. Princess might be giving you something else to think about for an entire week," he laughed, walking to the door, "you still got just under two hours," and he left.

Asarele had gone out hunting in the Everfree Forest. He couldn't keep up with the amount she ate, but he did notice just how much her abilities reminded him of her mother. He peered to the sky, seeing a very faint pink dot present. One of them was watching this day.

It made him antsy.

His door opened again, "oh, good, you're ready."

"Welcome back, Silver Spike. I do expect your report after this," Arctus spoke up, watching preparations for the reception around the city near completion.

"Thank you, Master Arctus. Your armor...is that battle functional?"

"For a soldier, not for the duties of a Scout," he answered.

"I see."

"Savus had already checked on me."

Silver nodded, trotting out of the door and leaving Arctus to his thoughts. Not only did he have the wedding and reception to look forward to, Lohey's words last night came to his mind. 

"I'll have a couple barrels of magma sheets around the city, but I'm saving one for you. Consider it paying my debt for getting me away from that grave defiling asshole."

Another knock on his door.

"Enter."

It was Cadence and Shining Armor who both came in.

"And I thought my dress uniform looked good," the captain immediately commented, "nice to know I'm still second rate around here," he laughed.

"Still the first to me," Cadence chimed in, "good morning, Arctus."

"Good morning, Cadence."

"Nervous? You know I'm the Princess of Love, I came by in case you needed last minute counseling."

He smirked, turning around to look at the two, "nervous? Never," he was adept at carrying that facade.

"I heard of your dance at the Gala from Shiny," she mentioned, "shame I didn't see it, but we're glad to assist you in having an Aeternian factor to your wedding."

"You killed the ego of every noble pony that night save for Fancy Pants," Shining Armor laughed, "what I would do to see it again!"

Arctus smiled, "it's only an hour and I've been sitting here trying to ruminate and prepare myself," he forced a laugh, "I should get to this altar myself, I can't inhale the air I've never tasted to prepare," he shut his balcony doors and walked out of his chambers with the couple.

"So, how much did that armor cost?" Shining prompted.

"Not as much as Plated Shell should have asked me for."

"Maybe I'll have him commission my next weapon."

"He'll be busy with Scout Stitch's after the wedding, Shining. He's going to be buried in orders."

"I can wait."

They went quiet as they trotted along.

"Good luck, Arctus," Cadence took a different turn.

"Make sure you show us what an Aeternian celebration looks like afterward," Shining bowed to him.





The Master Scout stood at the doors to the throne room, the ceremony would shortly begin. Guards stood in triple number in the small waiting room. He drew his spear out, raising the head close to his eyes and peering at the blue hue.

He wondered if he had ever lost the edge of a Scout while his spear maintained its own. This was the one item, object, prized possesion that followed him everywhere he went with an unchanging form. A constant in a sea of change. The biggest wave yet stood towering above him.

Wave? No, plain. This was a plain of change, this was no challenge to see through. His war trauma-ed mind could cause some strange ideas to surface. 

His fingers tightened around the spear before he holstered it away and he gently opened one of the throne room doors, heaving it and shutting it behind him. An ocean of ponies was present in the sectioned off throne room. Not allowing for any moment to stand and look, he walked to the higher platform where Celestia held court from and he stepped up to it, looking at who the ordained officiator must be, a simple earth pony, who shared a smile with him before setting his hoof atop a box on a small table next to him, opening it to reveal the glass, necklace, and small steel needle and rod along with a thick, but small steel box for mixing.

Arctus smiled, everything in its place. He had quite a couple of minutes to wait and all eyes were on him with many jaws open, the expected face were among the crowd, but Luna was oddly missing.

Plated Shell had received the best advertisement campaign a pony could ask for.

There were some whispers going about soon after.

Arctus looked to the balcony behind the through room and Plated Shell was present with a smile, wearing a lot of heat protection. It must have been freshly pulled from the flow and freshly arrived.

Soon after, trumpets sounded loudly followed by one toll of a bell.

But no music, Celestia had mentioned there would be music, yet none was playing and the throne room doors creaked open in a blue magic glow.

There was Luna, right next to-.

Celestia

Celestia

Stars above, she was stunning. She opted to not even wear any of her usual gold regalia, instead encapsulated by a white dress with yellow threading that sprouted from the neck of it, the edges were almost transparent in their lace design. Silver metal of her cutiemark adorned the chest of the dress, the fabric was perfectly woven and textured, not a single thread out of place despite the embroidery on it. She was wearing no normal gold crown either, but a gold wire traced around her head with the leaves of vines made in the same precious metal, but white and purple flowers wrapped around it.

He peered closer at the petals and stems of her golden floral crown.

He knew them, those were flowers that grew in volcanic regions, a touch she must have demanded just for the ceremony.

Despite how beautiful her adornments were, it was clear she wore it and it highlighted her as she trotted up, Luna in her usual regalia alongside her. Her sister was the most qualified to lead her on and she took into the crowd attending while Celestia continued up to the platform, meeting his gaze with the same astonishment at his ensemble that he was experiencing for her.

"Before I lead in traditional Equestrian marriages, Master Arctus has requested to speak and commit a vow. Plated Shell, if you would," the leader of the ceremony spoke and the smith came down from the balcony, towing a thick steel bucket. Arctus picked a needle up from the box and took a gauntlet off, setting it aside.

He pricked himself, setting the needle down and holding a finger over the tiny steel box, blood dripped into it white he grabbed the steel rod and mixed it about in the bucket Shell held.

He pulled a small glob of magma from it and let it run down the steel rod and fall into the steel box. Shell moves back to the balcony where he left the remaining magma and removed his heat protection. Arctus began mixing the small amount of blood in with the magma, placing the box into a shallow but wide pan of water on the table where the magma immediately cooled and hardened to reveal the obsidian it solidified into.

Arctus jabbed it hard with the steel rod and it shattered into sharp pieces, he collected them gently with forceps from the box, placing it into a glass vial that he then corked and sealed with adhesive before threading a necklace.

"A black glass vow," he spoke, holding the necklace up in front of Celestia, "a piece of me is with you, hardened, ready. I will come when called. I will do when necessary. I will stand when you ask," he reached over, hooking the necklace behind Celestia's neck, the glass vial hung onto her chest, the alicorn lifted a hoof up, gently holding the glass, looking at the shiny obsidian within.

There were no whispers in the silent throne room.

The Princess of the Day continued to look on at it before lifting her head to meet Arctus' warm smile, "I will fight for us," that was not a vow to Equestria or the its subjects, that was the last part of the black glass vow to her as a spouse, to fight for their love and union.

She brought a hoof to her muzzle, beating back the urge to let the water fall from her eyes.

Arctus nodded to the officiator and he opened his mouth, "Ponies of Equestria, we are witnessing the union of these two, Princess Celestia and Master Scout Arctus," he had been given quite the specific instuction, "Princess Celestia, you have prepared vows," he prompted.

"Yes," she spoke in a soft smooth voice, having tamed her emotions, "Arctus," she addressed him and her tone faltered, "when I first spoke to you, I gave you the same thought as I would a threat, but you have carefully served our nation's needs and shown me the pony that I am behind the Princess," she kept a warm smile, closing her eyes, "I'm free to use jokes, to frown, to show fear, to laugh like a filly, and more around you."

She inhaled, "and I've shared many days and nights learning about you and seeing the soft soul within you. You've give me a life I had thought to be barred from. I will always be with you, ready for whenever you need my help. I'll support you in all the ways you need even in the ways you don't ask me for. I will tend to you as my equal, the way you have for me."

Tend to him, support him, that's something she'd always done for him since he first got involved with Equestrian life. Gave him a place to rest, sleep, recover. A place to seek out new weapons and tools. A place to call a new home beyond just a room. She had given him everything he had not been born with.

Everything his inner self desired.

His smiled wide, closing his own eyes, letting tears bead up just to fall down his cheeks. He felt his hand move and opened his eyes to see her take off his gauntlet with her magic, placing a ring over his index finger, "so I will point the way right beside you, wherever you may be."

It was the simplest gold band, a single, tiny purple gemstone set into it. The gem matched that of her crown.

"You can talk to me whenever and wherever you may need my comfort or advice."

Celestia would stand at his side no matter what the path he walked lay in wait with. That's family.

"Well, go on," the officiator prompted again very informally.

Both of them embraced, arms around one, hooves around the other and the held each other close. The tight hug alone was enough before they both moved for a deep kiss. Hooves erupted in stamping through the entire throne room soon after and continued even after they parted. Arctus grabbed his gauntlet off the table, holding it in his left hand and placing his bare right hand on Celestia's opposite side, pulling her close to him ad they began to leave the castle together.

"If you do put your thoughts and prayers into that obsidian, I'll hear them on the wind."

"And if you speak into that ring, I'll listen from my crown."

They both smiled, peering at each other in the corner of their eyes, "you know...for this kind of reception, you don't have to have a dress."

"Then you can peel out of that armor," music had been going ever since they left the pedestal, but both of them were too distracted by each other to pay any attention to the notes or even what song.

"It grew on me," he smirked as they exited the castle and a cheer erupted from the courtyards and then the city.
> What We All Are
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lohey was the first face he saw outside, she extended two hands to the newly married, "first to sip at Equestria's first brew of magma sheets!" Arctus put his gauntlet back on, returning the covered hand to Celestia as he took one of the cups and Celestia the other with her magic.

They touched the rim of the metal cups together with a dull tink.

With the first sip, memories came back to Arctus. The day he passed his exam. His first successful assignment, he second, his participation in the war against Licate.

"That is," the spicy burned on his tongue after the alcohol warmed his throat, "oh so sweet and hot," he smiled, looking to Celestia who had tasted with him.

"This is a lot stronger than what the Sun's Ray gives you."

The Master Scout shrugged, "are all the barrels around town marked?"

Lohey nodded, "of course they are, you'll find them without any issue. Enjoy your night, Princess, Master Scout," she bowed, walking backwards into the crowd."

Arctus saw the giant shield rise around Canterlot and encapsulate the whole city, another bubble formed inside the city, the noise isolated areas.

"Aren't you gonna show me what an Aeternian celebration looks like?" Celestia prodded his side with a hoof.

"Right this way!" He took her hoof and guided her into a run to the city, it was a smart decision to choose a dress that wasn't particularly long.

Inhibitions gone. Restrictions gone. Any care about a social sturcture was out the window. Ponies were nervously going about the street when Arctus arrived, many food stalls and tables were spread around and all eyes fell on him and Celestia when they entered the main street of Canterlot. It appeared nopony was comfortable casting off the daily chains they clung to.

Arctus neared his lips to Celestia's ear.

"Follow my lead."

Arctus raised his entire metal cup into the air before the little more than pint of liquid quickly splashed down his throat in a single movement, he threw the cup in a large arc before walking to a food stall.

Ponies were already in shock. Celestia stared at the liquid she still held and gulped before she followed suit, her tongue burned from the chilies used in the brew, "ugggh," she groaned at first, but decided to meet Arctus on his level and, "aaaahhh!" Shouted into the sky, sending her own cup through the air.

The food stall was selling the least royal food, donuts, the stublle wearing pony behind the counter at a large helping of bits slammed on the table before Arctus picked up a half dozen box of donuts, opening it with zero hesitation and handing one to the princess.

He was almost like an uncivil jerk.

Celestia merrily chowed away at the sweet along with him.

"What are all of you doing?" A mouthful of jelly donut muffled his words, but not his volume, "this is an Aeternian celebration!" He shouted.

"You're right, it is!" Savus bellowed as he came down the street with the entire Apple family in tow, save the small fillies.

Arctus and Celestia both could smell the heady smell of alcohol again, they both already knew what was in the cup he carried. The Apple family behind him were also enjoying the same liqueuer, and they already appeared to be stumbling in their trots.

"I assumed you might need some help showing these ponies the hedonistic ways of Aeternia. Why live if not to have the greatest moments to pursue happiness and merriment?" Savus approached the newly married.

"I, uh, Arctus, this alcohol of yours is mighty stroong," Applejack was coming along with him and a few other ponies.

"Why I reckon I ain't had something this special since the farm first started! Booze has gotten a kind pitiful weak," an older mare had accompanied Applejack and an unnamed red stallion.

"Meet Big Macintosh an' Graaanny Smith, Arctus," AJ gestured to each of them, "gotta admit, not using your title is refreshin' as it is weird."

Savus turned around to the Apple family and the extended Apple family and the extended extended Apple family.

"Apples! We gotta let these Canterlot ponies know how uninhibited a real celebration is!" Cheers erupted before the many earth ponies in the large crowd began sprawling around the city.

"Apples? Has Savus become part of your family, Applejack?" Celestia directed.

"Afternoon Pr-," she cleared her throat, "afternoon, Celestia! Savus has been workin' and helpin' on the farm for a while and he feels like family to us, he is family to us!" Applejack pipped.

And there were few whispers, but it was beginning to become clear to the Canterlotans that this celebration truly had no restraints.

"Know what? You're gonna be drunk by the end of tonight," Savus pointed at Arctus, "and I want to duel you so I can finally say I beat a Master Scout."

Arctus smiled, "we don't fight during celebrations. Agreement all the Scouts have come to."

"I thought you said titles don't matter today," Celestia spoke up, a glint in her eyes.

"That's correct."

"Then why won't you fight, Savus?" Celestia's tone changed, she was agressive.

Arctus turned to the general, "later tonight, I'll kick your intoxicated slag ass around the yard, even the city if you like."

"Is he handing out free flank whoopin's?" Applejack swung her filled cup about, looking to Celestia.

"Did you want one, Applejack?" The farm pony's mouth fell open while Celestia laughed.

Arctus had wandered off from the conversation, somehow missing anyone's notice. He found himself a second cup, already drinking away at it.

"Arctus."

Another familiar face called him from behind, Silver Spike.

"Silver, are you enjoying yourself?"

He had a cup of hard cider with him, "I am. I had a report to gi-."

"Save it, tonight is for self-indulgence."

Silver nodded to him, "your armor-."

"Costed a lot," Arctus laughed, beginning to feel the effects of the hard drink he was downing. He wasn't a professional in alcohol consumption by any means, "that shortsword treating you well?"

"It. Cuts. Down. Trees!" Silver Spike skipped about, "I've never been able to do something so powerful."

"I remember the feeling," Arctus smiled, "I also remembered being humiliated in a duel when it boosted my ego too much."

"I'd like another duel with you," Silver came to a stop, looking at his old trainer.

"If time allows, we can meet in my forest where we won't destroy or harm anypony. I'm being kept busy."

"What are you two doing?" The other Scout had made her way over.

"Oh, afternoon, Strong Stitch," Silver smiled, "we don't really get to talk all that often."

"Switching posts after today, should I expect anything out there?"

"Plenty of firewood," Silver Spike laughed, "but...that Southern kingdom is terrifying, there's always a black cloud overtop it and these flying-."

"We're not doing doom and gloom or conducting Scout business," Arctus roughly grabbed both of them, pulling the two warriors close, "we're celebrating."

Strong Stitch lifted a cup of some alcohol into the air, Arctus' nose was dulling, he couldn't quite make out scents.

And the three drank.
> Chaotic Mornings
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Arctus woke with a start, unable to lift himself up from the heavy alicorn who laid atop him. The room smelled of his sweat and something else entirely. That's when he noticed his armor laying on the floor, the decorated metal was undamaged. A couch sat in front of a fireplace.

Fireplace? His room didn't have a...

Right, he paid ponies to move his things from his quarters to Celestia's. He was married and joined now. Arctus didn't pay any heed to the slight headache he had, but looked out of a window, turning his head, to see the shield bubble still standing. The city was quiet now.

And there would be a lengthy clean up being conducted in the streets. He gave himself over to alcohol, then battle, and sinful pleasure from the looks of the room and the white alicorn laying with him.

So he resigned to sleep in, Strong Stitch could make her way to the post in the South just fine after she had her weapon forged.

Arctus awoke again to find Celestia gone and a note on the door, he would read it in a moment. His gear was the first thing he had done every morning. After spending all day in a rather noisy set of armor that was now properly placed on a stand, he was happy to wear his usual equipment again.




We have an issue, don't open the door, leave using the balcony.

~Celly




Of course, his spear was already in hand while he walked to the open balcony doors to find...the city Canterlot above.

Above?

"I didn't drink that much," he mumbled out while he craned his head everywhere before he realized.

The room had been turned upside down, that included gravity.

So he leapt, "Asarele!"

No bird.

"Asarele!"

Still no bird, so he rubbed the wards in his boots and began a fast sprint down the side of the tower once he attached to it, slowing himself down and reaching the ground safely. Something had to be very wrong.

And something very wrong stood in front of him.

"Ahhh hahaha, miss your icy flying friend, do we?" A deep condescending tone came from this amalgamation of things, "oh, I see your curious eye. Don't worry, talking about me is my favorite subject."

He completely forgot how it felt to be regarded as an inferior being, "you have limited time to explain yourself, I recommend you wat-."

"-ch my words," a toothy evil grin spread across its face, "you can call me Discord, draconequus, Lord of Chaos and Disharmony. And you...I owe you something."

Arctus lunged, his spear shooting far out, but the creature teleported faster than any unicorn he had seen. Now it was floating above him.

"Such fury in your attack."

"Where is Celestia?" His expression grew cold.

"Oh, she's fine, I haven't done anything to her. I imagine your wedding was wonderful, considering how your evening and night of chaos, hedonism, and minor debaucheries awoke and empowered me to escape my prison."

And that stung a little.

"And that," Discord pointed to his face, "I had not seen that look in so many many many years! The stone face of a killer, a slayer, a murderer, a genocidist."

Arctus was very annoyed at whatever this creature was.

"I hope you like what I've done to the place, I thought you might considering you're almost as good as me at causing disruptions," he laughed.

"Are you done spouting? I'm tired of hearing you fail to glorify yourself."

"Those teeth, yes! Trying to bite me. I came to make a deal," he pointed to a section of the castle courtyards, shrubs overgrown in the maze, "I need something from you, rather I need you do not do something for me."

"I see you've met Discord," Celestia's voice called as she struggled free from vines that were clung to her while she moved about the castle grounds. Arctus' eyes followed the trail of plant life.

Up the castle walls, around benches, over statues, through the gates, in and out of windows. There was something incredibly wrong about today.

"I assume this isn't a dream."

"It's not, I know not where my sister is, but Discord is the reason behind all of this."

Discord spoke, "oh come now, Celestia. I'm just having a chat, striking a deal with your husband."

"Take anythi-."

"Bakta," Discord uttered a single word and Arctus leapt, attempting to swipe at him just for the chaotic being to teleport again.

"I have both of you listening now. Good. I know Bakta, I've met him."

Arctus was beginning to grow more violent, he wanted to slash and impale this creature, but it escaped his attempts.

"You know, Celestia. I never knew you'd have the hots for a creature capable of such hate."

"Say your piece," Arctus demanded.

"Fine, fine. I need you, Master Scout, to keep your nose and spear out of the ponies challenge today," he gestured to the overgrown maze again, "and in return. I'll summon his star, Bakta's, I'll even allow you to get my understanding of him to help you attune."

"How did you go to his world?" Celestia stamped her hoof.

"Ooooh, but I didn't. Bakta came to me, wanted to know more about little old Discord," Arctus was tired of seeing that toothy smile, but he had lowered his spear at his earlier words, "I see you're pliable to the idea."

"You're not considering his offer? He's the embodiment of disharmony, lying is not beyond him!" Celestia argued.

"Celly, is it those six that I witness return Luna to herself? Are those ponies doing something against Discord?"

"Yes, they're working to recover the Elements of Harmony."

Arctus began to think, looking at the draconequus before him. He had a guaranteed way to Bakta and even going as far as to learn another godhood.

Learn another godhood.

"Do you know his invocation prayer?" Arctus asked.

Discord smirked, "oh, I'll give that to you as well, in fact," the chaotic entity sunk through the air, landing on the ground with his closed eyes. Celestia began to charge her horn until Arctus lifted his spear slightly to assuage her gently.

A purple star popped into existence in the day sky above, a pale pink light ushering in over Discord.

"Art, how is he able to do this? Is he bluffing?" Celestia's pupils darted to the sky and to the draconequus.

"Discord, I have my own condition."

His eyes opened again, focusing solely on the warrior in front of him, "oh, but I'm uping the terms on my side as well. You will agree to never oppose me."

"He fears you, Art," Celestia didn't find comfort in that at all. Discord was known to be without fear, even from mighty horrors such as Tirek.

But he was conscious enough to know that Arctus is a very potential and real threat to the God of Chaos.

"Then I'll have two conditions."

"Name them."

Arctus smiled, "you will never oppose me, we'll call it a cease fire agreement between us. You'll grant me your understanding, the knowledge of Bakta's star, his invocation prayer; everything I need to beseech him for his power. A godhood magic."

"Oh Celestia, your new husband is quite the negotiator. Quite the violent murderer as well," he commented.

"You do not know him as I know him," Celestia argued back.

"Oh, soft heart, valiance, reasons for his actions. I see an Aeternian blessed and cursed with an incredible violent potential," Discord knew quite a lot of his world, "he's a slayer with ambition to rival my own. That's always what he'll be."

"Do we have an agreement?" Arctus redirected him.

"You've given me quite the things to mull over, but my paws, hooves, fingers, and claws are all still tied," multiple appendages apepared out from his wrists before disappearing in a flash, "you have yourself a deal with Discord, Arctus."

"Now I ask you for a small favor," the Master Scout spoke up.

"Oooh? A favor as well? If I like the idea, I'll see what I can do."

"Your blood, a vial of it," Discord's smile fell before he regained it and he snapped his fingers. Celestia was gone in a flash of magic and a vial appeared inside Arctus' lowered left hand, "don't worry. I just sent her away. You wouldn't believe me yourself without proof."

"But from one kin to another, keep this quiet for me," and he was gone, leaving the Master Scout alone.





Arctus had waited out Discord, when he was turned to stone everything in the castle was conveniently turned back, he hadn't even seen Celestia for the entirety of the incident after Discord teleported her.

But he stood in the cavern at Foal Mountain, holding the vial of red in his hand.

"He can't possibly," he uncorked it and poured the blood into the orange magma.

The flow turned red and began to rage faster.

"Discord is an Aeternian...how?"

So he left and returned back to the castle, staring at the statue in the garden by himself, Equestria was not up, down, and all around anymore, but he couldn't help but to stare at the statue.

"Why? How?"

"Oh, Art, there you are," Celestia came to him, "I understand you made a deal with Discord, that was very risky and we're lucky for things to have come out the way they did."

"I know you don't approve of my decision, but I had to attempt."

"Did he uphold his end of the bargain?" Celestia sighed.

"He did, I was waiting for him to be put back in stone, but I felt the knowledge hit me, the prayer, the emotions, the imagery," Arctus breathed in and then exhaled, "do you still see me as the cold hardened woodsmaster I once was?"

"You have been tempered, forged with purpose rather than hammered for the sake of it. Though you may be capable, your actions show that you haven't been that person in a very long time, Art."

He was quiet at Celestia's response.

"It's odd of you to need reassurance. Did something happen while he kept me suspended?" The Solar symbol trotted closer, pulling his head to her chest as she reared to her hind hooves.

"Just questioning what he had said," a half truth. The least he could do to respect a fallen Aeternian was to keep his wishes.
> Reporting In Silver's Star
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Arctus had been filled in when he returned from his journey, leaving Strong Stitch as main defense against Hazth should he come to the heart of Equestria, Stitch had even gotten her weapon made with the blood that the Master Scout left behind. It had been two weeks since Silver Spike was expected to report back and switch with Strong Stitch.

So, what was the delay? Could changelings have caused strife somewhere besides Canterlot during his brief time out?

"Welcome home, Art, has Silver Spike also returned?" Celestia greeted him as he walked through the throne room.

Arctus held a shortsword, a blackened shortsword with a blued sharp edge. Scout Strong Stitch was with him, ready to echo each sentence of the coming ritual. They had gone through another switch on posts to allow Stitch time at home while Silver was posted.

"With this weapon, we reave," he held the shortsword into the air for even the guards present to see it. Suspicions were going around the quiet room.

"With this blood, we conquer," Arctus brought the shortsword down and made a small cut on his forearm, blood pooled to the surface.

"In this loss, we allay," he stabbed with enough force that the shortsword barely pierced the marble flooring under the rug.

"After the accomplishments, we savor," the Master Scout moved his arm atop the shortsword, lining his wound up with the pommel of the weapon.

"In union, you are free," he rotated his arm and a few droplets of blood fell to the pommel of the weapon.

Arctus completed the final rite owed to a Scout. He bid him a Scout's Farewell and closed his eyes.

"Fight amongst the Stars, Scout Silver Spike!" He shouted, feeling a sense of pride overwhelm the sadness he carried all the way home.

The blood from Arctus had drifted down the blade and touched the expensive rug.

"It...Art, this-," Celestia began to speak, but a shatter interrupted her.

The shortsword now lay broken in several pieces, Arctus' blood was still over the shards. The perfect scout weapon had seen the height of combat, that he was sure of. The indestructible weapon was now broken as its wielder, to be reforged as its wielder.

Another shatter rung through the throne room and the large pieces broken into several, a third and they were now miniscule. A series of crumbles that sounded quite like breaking bread ended the noises.

A purple and pale pink light wisped into the castle from the throne room doors Arctus had left open and the weapon's dust began to levitate and followed the dim ball of light out of the castle. The Master Scout led Celestia and many guards outside, where even in the daylight, a new bright white star appeared, shining brilliantly in the sea of blue.

Arctus smiled at the star, letting every emotion ramp onto him as it pleased.

It was quiet outside for a long while before Celestia spoke up.

"Is he truly gone?"

And it was not Arctus or Strong Stitch that answered.

"Princess Celestia, the Master Scout informed me of this ritual. It is performed in the ranks of betters or equals and once done, the Scouts take a day of silence and a night of storytelling to attest to the glory of the fallen Scout."

And this was a ritual Arctus had done many times, the mortality rate of Scouts before the age of thirty was incredibly high. The rate for Scouts before the age of thirty three was one hundred percent save for the two Aeternian Scouts in this world.

"I see, Art. We shall stand along with you and Strong Stitch," Celestia looked to the door guards, "close court for the day, inform my sister of what has happened, and cancel all my appointments for the rest of the day."

Some of those requests, the door guards could not do, but they would have the information relayed without issue, they always did.

Arctus held two pieces of paper, one had a wax seal of some unknown kingdom, another had the wax seal of Aeternia that he put on it. The first paper he handed to Celestia, the seal had been broken by Arctus a long time ago. The other paper he kept as he entered Canterlot proper, still looking at the new star the shone bright during the day. Strong Stitch left for the training yard on her own.





Arctus appeared at Silver Spike's family home, he had no spouse or foals of his own, but he did have parents that he had long since moved out from. He knocked, seeing all the stares he got from ponies about the streets of Canterlot. A few moments passed before a male unicorn.

"Hey, hey! Track Spiker! Come over here! Silver Spike must have done something!" The unicorn called and another pony appeared at the door.

The Master Scout shook his head, gently extending his hand with the folded letter meant for them, his wax seal atop it. The father of the fallen Silver Spike levitated it in his magic, staring at the unique seal before breaking it. Arctus stood in front of their home, watching their expression change as they both read it. He lifted his other hand, chain rattling and handed them the flail he had once used in combat again the Master Scout. It was the only weapon left that he could claim from the campsite to give to them.





Celestia sat that evening, Arctus had returned midday and needed to run an errand related to the news, but she had been terrified to open the letter that he already had read.

But she could not live in fear of words within.

So she unfolded it with her magic, Luna sat at her side as they both were on a bench in the gardens, the entire castle had been shook as the news had gone around. A look of fear in everypony's eyes. A look of sadness in each guard's face. The sisters' eyes went through the letter together.





You've done enough looking.

My kingdom and power grows.

Does yours?

~Master Scout Hazth~





A splatter of something black and vicious was below his name on the letter.

"This individual is hungry for war," Luna commented.

"On the contrary, he has us locked in an arms race. He's trying to grow to overcome Arctus."

Celestia looked to the new star in the evening sun's sky, "and he killed Silver Spike to send a message more than these words. He wants us afraid so we become predictable. I believe Arctus know this."

"He has some more wisdom on this, we're both sure of that, but we must wait to ask him as he follows tradition," Luna stood from the bench, "we are surprised to see that the Eight Heroes are strong enough to take a pony's soul."

"We are alicorns, we're powerful, but the Eight Heroes Arctus talks about are Gods," Celestia looked to her sister, "and if he came from their stars, what does that make him?"

"We do not know, sister, but he'll be getting the answer to those questions soon enough, I have a cluster of stars to show him soon enough."

Celestia thought of the now completed ceremony.

How many moons they could share together? 

She counted new wrinkles on Savus, but Arctus didn't seem to age even still. She could at least see that Lohey's hair grew in the short time she's been there, but the Master Scout of hers would come home with the same length of bedraggled mess.





The faces of his crying parents were fresh on his mind, even the way their hooves clenched to him. Scouts are a family all in their own blood, but they raised him from a young foal. That's a grief he would not know. Arctus traveled back to the castle in the late evening sun, entering the training yard and seeing countless training dummies, all human in shape, set up with piles laid of them on the ground nearby. Guards were bringing more of them to the yard where Strong Stitch stood with her newly attained Scout weapon. 

Arctus stood at the fence, wishing to participate in the brutalization of the inanimate humanoids, but he was watching Stitch practice with her weapon.

It was a bar mace, a devasting weapon, a spike adorned the tip to allow for piercing attacks. Plated Shell must have definitely made it with the blood he left behind for the process. Arctus was not present for the smithing as he still had much to think and write down after proofing Discord is an Aeternian.

The Master Scout leaned over as Strong Stitch clutched the mace tightly. Multiple Strong Stitch copies appeared around her, even Arctus saw himself in a fierce stance in the training yard. Guards appeared, Celesti, Luna, and somehow Silver Spike. Savus also appeared.

There were multiples everywhere, cragadiles, timberwolves; Arctus knew exactly who touched that weapon.

Kamna was known to like tricks, but she loved panic among enemies the most. There was another hero who enjoyed tricks, but particularly loved using perfect clones and hallucinations.

All of the images looked to Arctus before they vanished after a blink of his eye and Strong Stitch stood in the position of where an image of Savus was.

Ezith, being able to make convincing illusions was a favorite trick of his and Strong Stitch just got access to such a power.

Arctus leapt the fence, drawing his spear and nodding the Strong Stitch.

The two of them spent the rest of the evening together, destroying a lot of wood and straw in terrifying feats. The guards were endlessly bringing them more and more. Both had used Silver's death as a source for resolve to better themselves for Hazth who perched on the shoreline, having let his thunder be known.
> Where We've Come From
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

As the sun fell and the moon rose, the two warriors halted their combat. Arctus didn't have to event each Strong Stitch what happened on the night a Scout fell, she had read his journal after all. They did make time to retreat elswhere into the fields surrounding Ponyville, near the Everfree Forest.

"That's plenty of firewood," Arctus broke their silence as he came back with thick split branches.

Strong Stitch had already started a small fire for them, "he was old, wasn't he?"

The Master Scout nodded, "he was getting up in age, so are you. To live a life and die a normal death is unheard of as a Scout."

"Is there such a thing as a retirement age?" They both took a seat, having food at the ready.

Arctus shook his head, "once a Scout, always a Scout. Although I might make an exception for Equestria. Do you know how he was on his first mission?"

"You went to Klugetown, that's about all I know."

"Silver Spike was excellent at stealth and he hesitated to take his first life, but after that he changed. I could see some of his vibrancy gone, as is usual in our work," Arctus began to recall upon him with fondness.

"I had dueled him once, when you were gone. Despite his magic, he could not land an attack on me, but neither I on him," Stitch closed her eyes, "his shortsword was an incredible weapon."

"I didn't know the Eight were watching you ponies, but even you can garner their attention. Bakta made his weapon very special and Ezith gave you an incredibly strong ability. He's been rumored to be merciful," Arctus directed back, "on his first assignment, his first excursion into the field," he went silent, remorse building up.

"He was way in over his head. It should have been easy, just some cravens roaming the streets looking to loot. Sneak around enemy forces left after the destruction of Klugetown, maybe kill a few of them quietly and quickly. He got stuck in combat against a veteran of conflict, a leader of some bandits, named mind you. I've not heard of them since," the story telling was already underway, "Silver Spike was responsible for killing him and we saved slaves that day, those ex-slaves are long dead now, but he felt like he did something that mattered."

"Like his act of killing was justified," Stitch continued for him, "I hope he died feeling that sense of pride."

"Pride is what keeps a Scout a Scout in the face of mortality. From the look of the post, he did not die afraid. There was more than just his blood present."

Strong Stitch hummed, "you think he made off with some injuries on Hazth?"

"I do, that'd make him a cut above what I thought he was, same for you," Arctus sighed, "are you afraid of death?"

"No, I've got nothing but my own Scout duties and you," Stitch admitted to her lack of living.

"I'm honored you find me worth mentioning. I'm curious as to what Silver Spike's last thoughts were. The way he died was a slower death, he bled out. I didn't find any notes on him or the camp, and his journal was missing so Hazth may have some critical knowledge to lever against us."

"Do you think Silver Spike was afraid?" Stitch ignored most of his comment.

Arctus shook his head, "he died with a firm grip on his shortsword and a smile across his face. He knew what he had died for and he died proudly."

They continued to recall their comrade fondly late into the night. Trouble was getting ready to bubble over on the horizon, both of them knew it and both of them needed to be at their best.
> Ambition Without Conviction
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Not only had Arctus made a particular blacksmith rich, but he had been commissioning wards and enchantments on objects, places, conditions all over Equestria. It had kept him busy for quite a while, but protecting this nation was something he took seriously. Seriously enough to miss most of Twilight's coronation. But he did appear for the small gathering in the upper rooms of the Canterlot Castle.

"Oh! He made it!" Applejack announced his arrival as he quietly slipped into the room the princess and those familiar six were in.

"Apologies for missing most of the event, ever since Silver Spike's passing, I've-."

"We're grateful," Twilight nodded her head to him.

"We're all aware of how much more you've been doing and taking on to strengthen our defenses," Luna continued, "come, have a seat."

And so he did, still dressed in all his equipment, he sat at the large round table all of them occupied outside, "congratulations, Twilight," he directed, "if you ever have need of me, inform me at anytime."

"Thank you, Arctus," she pipped, "now that you mention it, there are a couple of things I need answered..."

He began to open his mouth but not before the new princess started to laugh, "I'm kidding! Lohey's done a good enough job with that book she's lent me. Princess Celestia, Luna, how have you made use of Arctus' services?" Twilight posed the question.

"That's a more private conversation, Twilight," Celestia started, "of course, no offense to your friends. What Arctus does is kept under a strict lock and key by all us Princesses."

"What about Blueblood? Does he know?" Rarity prompted.

Celestia, Luna, and Arctus all laughed, "he can't be trusted to not compliment himself," even funny, it was unfortunately true.

"I admit, my nephew has incredibly loose lips," their laughter subsided.

"So, how come we don't see you at more parties, Arcy?" Pinkie homed in more on his absence.

Luna cleared her throat, "Aeternians only see fit to celebrate specific holidays or achievements. A birth falls under this, but subsequent birthdays do not as simply living does not give cause to celebrate," she smiled, "Lohey's book."

"You..he, Princess," Rainbow Dash flew above the table, splaying her hooves out to exaggerate herself, "Princess Celestia, you've never celebrated his birthday."

And she shook her head, "he prefers it that way."

"Twilight, have you given thought to your future yet?" Arctus directed to the new princess.

"I, uh-."

"Whatever you decide to do, remember to keep your ideals and beliefs at heart. Allow them to guide you," he smiled, "something I remind myself of every morning."

The conversations went on long, despite the idea to celebrate Twilight's coronation, they talked more as friends who've never had the time allowed to catch up.





It was just that night, Twilight decided to stay at the castle in a suite. A ward Arctus had placed on the mirror he refused to let go to the Crystal Empire activated.

And that same ward alerted him with a tingle across his brain that awoke him from slumber. The Master Scout slipped from his lover's embrace, equipping himself thoroughly before making it to his desk to take a prew-written paper hidden among drawers and tacing it to the wood door as he quietly slipped out. Though stealth was a focal point for Scouts, it was rare even for him to make it out of the room without Celestia waking.

He made no delay in making right for the mirror, going completely unnoticed by the guards on duty. He didn't want to alert this intruder that he was aware of them.

Are you an intruder if you've returned after running away?

He made it to the corridor leading to the unfurnished room that housed the portal, but noticed something immediately off.

The door was shut, surely if she came back with incredible power it would be at least open. So there was some kind of subterfuge she was using, she had a plan she was enacting. One of the guards passed by the intersection, shining a light on Arctus and the warrior turned his head around, placing a finger to his lips and motioning for the guard to go along his patrol.

And he did, they were used to his odd activities. He looked back, gazing about the hall and listening, tuning in.

No noises, nothing. Arctus was practiced in making zero sound, not even from his breathing. If she was hiding, she would have come out by now.

What would he do when he caught her? She wasn't exactly a violent threat, not that he knew of, so he couldn't justify killing her.

Could he capture a unicorn that oculd teleport?

Arctus quietly walked to the door of the mirror room and opened it, stepping inside to see exactly who he was looking for appear in front by teleporting.

"Sunset."

"Huh, who's-. Arctus," she stared at him with a mixture of emotions on her muzzle.

"You ran away," he fetched the old paper note, tossing it in between them, "goals as grand as me. Does that still stand?" He noticed the crown in her bag, "judging from your theft, I'd say it does. A crown does not grant power."

She almost shook in fear, he was Equestria's greatest weapon and she knew that. He could kill her where she stood with incredibly ease.

She exhaled a held breath, smirking confidently at him before looking to the mirror and taking strides forward, challenging him in her own way.

Arctus started to hear shouting around the castle.

"I look forward to the day you stand against me."

And she stopped just before the mirror and turned around to face him, "those were your last words to me. When will that day be? When will you choose to stand against me yourself?" And he voiced his dissatisfaction of her actions.

"I'm no Aeternian, I know when to run," and she jumped through the mirror.

"Fucking," Arctus cursed and drew out two throwing knives, nailing one to the open door and placing another in front of the mirror. They would find him without fail, they'll know his message. No doubt the castle was aware of the missing crown, but they needed to know where it and he had gone.

Arctus leapt through the mirror without hesitation.
> More Than Violent
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Arctus found himself in quite a different world from Equestria, one where there were humans, same as him. It was night, but Sunset Shimmer was still right in from of him.

As a human.

"I see, this world is like Aeternia," he spoke, "did you really think I wouldn't give chase? A Scout does not fail an assignment and you were under my protection. I intend to bring you home."

"Home?" She had turned to face him, a rage and pain in her face, "this is my home now. The Princess never cared enough to ensure my success in endeavors she first designed!"

"Sunset, you-."

"I'm taking charge of my own fate, isn't that what Aeternia is about?" She tried to mock him, earning only but a large smile.

"You are as ambitious as ever, it's very admirable," he forced a shocked look on the fiery headed woman, "in Aeternia, that's a prized trait, but without a conviction to guide it becomes dangerous. We've lost a lot of Scouts to the field, but we've lost even more to the want for power without reason."

"What would you know?! You were given a position of power in Equestria!"

"That's incorrect. It was the fruit of my training that brought me my position," Arctus was still conversing with her.

The lack of any other ponies coming through the mirror behind him by this point meant he was certainly on his own until they grouped together a plan in Equestria. Or they might be trusting him completely for this task.

"What? The one you received in Aeternia? You were still given a golden life."

And an idea struck the Master Scout, "and I'd like to give the same opportunity to you."

Quiet, silence fell over the courtyard of the school.

"S-same opportunity?"

"Join me, become a trainee and I'll help you to heights no other person or pony can climb to."

She laughed, "I already had that! Celestia failed me! What makes you think you won't fail me also? The only way to guarantee power is if I seek it out myself!"

Arctus smiled, he couldn't change her mind until this came to a head.

"Where did the crown go?"

"I have no idea, it disappeared when I got here," her teeth were bared.

"Fine, find it then. I'm also eager to see what you'll stand against me with."

Thank Celestia she had shown him more than just violence as a solution by holding him on a leash. He would show that using violence with purpose could still have desirable outcomes, the exact ways she had added to his wisdom.

"W-what?"

"You heard me, Sunset. I can wait. I can survive here long enough," he smirked in his pride.

She smiled back, "I'll try to ensure you don't wait too long."





Arctus had his morals tied to Equestria, not to this world. He did go about easily enough, staying hidden during the days and roaming about at night. He stole freely, his sleight of hand unparalled. Aeternia had celebrated many skills and talents in compettions, even in theft. Items after the competition were always returned, and winners were even offered positions in military at time.

He wasn't returning any of the food and drink he stole, that was for him. Twilight did come through the mirror as he chose to monitor it in case Sunset would try to escape through it again to cause chaos in Equestria. He had done some spying on the young princess, finding that she would try to win the crown through a vote of some kind at the school, where the artifact ended up against Sunset's will.

Fate worked in mysterious ways.

Eventually, things did come to a head, Sunset stood outside the school, in front of the mirror with a large hammer and Twilight, along with friends resembling those of hers in Equestria confronted her.

Arctus let their conversation go and the runaway relented, dropping the hammer. A struggle for the crown occurred, the artifact was flying through the air multiple times. The Master Scout chose an opportunity he clearly saw and rushed off the roof of the school where he stood, jumping to the ground and springing forward.

"Arctus! Help us!" Twilight called and with a swiftness, he secured the crown in his left hand, drawing his spear.

"Wh-who is that guy?!" A low masculine voice growled at him. A single look at this freckled skinny man and he cowed his head down.

"I told you I would wait, Sunset," the Equestrian runaway grit her teeth, "Twilight, I need you to trust me."

"Wh-what are you going to do, Arctus?" A doubt gripped her.

Arctus drew his hand with the crown in, "trust me. I know you command me, Princess, but just trust in my actions."

"W-wait, you have your own personal knight?!" Rarity shouted, "why hasn't he helped us before?"

"Are you sure he's on our side?" Rainbow followed.

"That's Master Scout Arctus, if anyone is on Equestria's side, it's him," Twilight explained with a sigh, "go, Arctus."

He tossed the crown directly to Sunset Shimmer who fumbled it as she caught it.

"Arc-!" He rose his spear and pointed it to the six who tried to shout at him. He walked to the mirror and stood in front of it while Sunset stared at the crown and then him.

"Why?"

"Is it not part of your plan?" He posed, twirling his spear once before holding it out to his side.

"Why help me?" Sunset still didn't understand.

"Because I'm going to rip the weight you don't see off," Arctus looked to the night sky, beginning to attune with visions of grand feats of wisdom and the incredible power of a perfected utopia and the magic that came with it.

He watched as Sunset did not wait to put on the crown after his words and a large flash of blue magical flame envoloped her, when it disappeared a hellish creature of red skin, demonic eyes and wings floated in the air.

"Hah, you've become a devil of the fourteen hells below Aeternia," Arctus smirked.

"Arctus! Do you know what you've done?! You've doomed Equestria!" Twilight shouted at him.

"I still breathe, Equestria isn't doomed," a star appeared in the sky, pale purple, flashing pink. Arctus stared right at it as the mixture of colors descended to him as a pillar of light.

"G-gi-girls, we-we gotta go!" Twilight started shepherding her friends into the school building, watching from behind brick and windows, the girls protesting and asking questions the entire way.

"Powerful Bakta!" Arctus began, "I ask for your magic to fill my vessel. Grant me the power to force my foes to cower in your name! Give me the means to crumble away all that must be dusted away!" He spoke the invocation prayer that Discord imparted to him.

Sunset attempted to fire a blue ball of heat at him, it fell short of his spear now held by skin tainted a pale purple. Sunset's jaw fell open at his now pink eyes, sclera letting off a glow.

"Is this the extent of your new power?" Arctus mocked, lifting his spear and rearing it back, letting incredible amount of mana build in his tightened hand.

A great rage of blue magic bolted to him just to be redirected into the sky with a wave of his hand. This was Bakta's glory, magic and understanding that transcended this world. 

Arctus lifted his spear and thrust the point forward, the cold fire jetting in a great gout, singing and freezing the floating devil. The magic was fleeing her at the ability of his own flames, many seconds went by before the crown atop her ahead severed from the warped flesh and she reverted back. The Master Scout rushed her down, the flickering ice halting its stream. He caught the weakened Sunset Shimmer, having put his spear away. His skin changed to its usual color and eyes returned back to the steely grey he had.

He gently put the defeated onto her feet, "you couldn't best me in Equestria. You couldn't best me here. Do you understand now?" He directed to her while Twilight retrieved her element from the grass.

Sunset looked downtrodden, even when she had attempted to seize her fate with her own will she failed. The Equestrian nodded to Arctus.

"I'll offer you an opportunity. Become a trainee, I'll show you to proper elevations and the real steps to reach them."

"A Scout?!" Twilight shouted, walking to him and pointing a finger in his face before inhaling, "every pony in Equestria had said you were just a violent creature that Celestia pointed at monsters, that's what they all said when I was a filly."

"And now you're seeing me offer the same opportunity to learn," He turned away from the princess and back to Sunset, "it will not be easy and you may even die, but this can be your purpose and where your ambition will drive should you accept."

"Are you sure she can be trusted with the knowledge you have?" Twilight questioned him.

"I'm positive. If an eager guard and a failing seamstress can be turned into ponies with glory, then Sunset can follow that hard path of secrets, too."

The night went quiet, no voices present while Sunset's eyes scanned over Arctus. She looked to every weapon he carried, every piece of equipment and pouch on him, every hair in his brow. Was she supposed to say no? Could she even say no to him? Could she even handle what saying yes meant? This is the path that lead Arctus to such power, she didn't know if she could survive it herself.

"Yes," she croaked an answer out.

"We'll get your equipment sorted and I'll handle your weapons training and other skills until you to come into the field with me," Arctus turned around, treating this offer as casual at he would an order given to a Scout under him, "come, trainee Sunset Shimmer. We have much to do."

She sheepishly followed behind him, glancing at Twilight. The fresh royalty still didn't understand how to handle what Arctus had just done.

He headed through the mirror without hesitation. Sunset took a moment to inhale before she followed him.

And on the other side, a welcoming party awaited him.

"Thank Equestria you're back before the portal closes," Celestia and run to Arctus, hugging him tight, "I don't know if you were aware of the three day limit."

He returned the gesture, tangling his fingers in her mane, "Celly, I have a guest."

And Sunset had just came out of the mirror, appearing as the same unicorn who had left, Celestia charged her horn.

"No, she's with me. She's a trainee now," the others present in the room didn't quite know what that meant, except Cadence who let her mouth form an astonished 'o'.

"She's...she ran away from Equestria, devised a plan to come back and overtake us. And now you're wanting to make her into a Scout?" Celestia slowly let go of him.

He smiled, "Aeternia is a land without mercy, Equestria is a place that knows forgiveness. My people value the kind of ambition Sunset has and I can help her temper it into a worthy purpose," his words had an underlying meaning.

"I see," she let a small smile creep into her face while she looked at him, "this is something necessary that you have to do, I won't argue," the Princess of the Day looked to her old student as Twilight came out of the mirror behind them, holding her crown.

"Sunset, I'm no longer your mentor and you no longer my pupil. I hope we can be on better terms some day. Art's not the easiest teacher to be under, but please show him respect."

"He already earned it in our first duel."

Arctus breathed out, "I trust I don't need to write a report?" Celestia nodded in agreeance and turned her attention to Twilight behind them, "come, Sunset. Introductions should be done before I end my day. Tomorrow, regardless of how late it is," he walked out of the room, Luna and Cadence following after him and Sunset, "Scout Stitch should be in her own room."

"H-Hey, what's up with those nicknames?" Sunset started with the first pressing question.

"You mean between Celestia and me?" Arctus clarified and she nodded.

"Oh, Sunset, many things have changed before you were last in Equestria," Cadence began, "Shining Armor and I are married now, but before that an even larger wedding happened between Arctus and Auntie Celestia."

"Hold up, you're married to the Princess?!" Sunset blurted in the quiet halls of the castle. The Master Scout held his hand up, showing the ring on his finger, "did you not see the odd necklace she wore?"

"The celebration was even more wonderful. We're a fan of how Aeternia hosts their special gatherings," Luna joined in, "Master Arctus, when you have a moment, before the end of the night, please come and find me within the castle gardens. We've perhaps located another star."

"Thank you, Luna. I'll be sure to happen by," he waved the blue alicorn goodbye.

"Master? How did that happen?" The next question.

"I didn't see it, thankfully, but when Luna returned, after Twilight and her friends freed her of Nightmare Moon," Cadence began, "she didn't see eye-to-eye with Arctus' being present as they last saw each othe rin very negative circumstances. Let alone of the relationship Auntie 'Tia has with him."

Arctus cleared his throat, "so in Aeternian fashion, I challenged her to fight as freely and without restraint in a duel at the Castle of the Two Sisters. That's where she had lost to me in our third battle, the first being a little unfair as I caught her off guard, the second as Nightmare Moon."

"So, she respects you now because of it," Sunset mumbled as the three went down the halls.

"Sunset Shimmer, I'm actually glad you're back, you seem like you've already changed. I'm hoping we can give friendship a better try," Cadence voiced, leaving in silence after.

Arctus came to a stop in front of a wood door and knocked loudly. The door opened soon after to show the earth pony clearly off duty, "Master Arctus, welcome back. Please," she trotted away from the door leaving it open and allowing him to walk in with Sunset in tow.

"Scout Strong Stitch, we have a new trainee. Meet Sunset Shimmer, I'm sure you know of her from reading my journal."

"I do, nice to meet you, Sunset. I hope you're as promising as Arctus' logs write you out to be."

Sunset stared at Arctus, "you wrote about me in some kind of diary? And positively?" 

"Don't be too surprised. Every Scout is mandated to record daily logs into a journal. It's filled with secrets and techniques no other Aeternian or pony is privy to. So you naturally wound up in it and you earned some of my admiration when you challenged me so openly to a duel and the ways you fought me. That's why I even allowed you to follow me to Klugetown."

"Is it wise to take her as a trainee?" Stitch addressed Arctus.

"This is where she was always meant to be, winning glory alongside us. Stitch, may I bother you to guide her to my old chambers? I have one last errand for tonight before I can rest," Stitch nodded, "thank you."





Arctus had arrived in the gardens, being deeper in them and at a clearing of the well maintained plants and trees.

"We're glad to see you could make it," Luna's horn lit with magic.

"I would not miss seeing another star of the Eight. I only need to know three more of them before I'm ready."

"Based on your list, this would be Lun's star, known for his strength and animalistic tendencies," Luna spoke as a orange star appeared in the night sky.

"I had my doubts if you would be able to do this...if it's really Lun, then Ezith and Atti remain," he looked to the sky, trying to focus on the star as best he could.

"How do you intend to connect to it if you don't know him as you do the other heroes?" Luna questioned.

He breathed in a deep breath. Strength, raw power, fury from nature. Lun was reckless, acted on instinct alone and never dawdled. He was an opposite in personality to his favored Kamna.

Arctus' throat rumbled, softly at first, then it grew into a roar from something deep inside him. Like rage of an animal behind a padlock.

The vermillion star sparked in the night sky as if to recognize him. Arctus could feel the curse in his blood begin to flare, blood.

He had the urge to spill blood and a bright orange light laid over the section of the gardens the two warriors were in.

"Arctus, you're not looking well. We suggest to stop attuning with this star for now."

"That's him," he heaved a breath, "Lun. I know him, he is the rage I felt when Silver was fallen," his aspiration dropped and lifted a great intake of air, "the need to rip limbs off those who kill my comrades," Arctus was fighting hard to leash himself again.

A Scout's bloodlust unleashed would be a disaster across Equestria They were sent away when they could no longer collar themselves. Sent far from Aeternia to meet their end on some unknown land by some unknown fighter.

He felt an urge to pounce toward the Moon Princess before the light rescinded. Arctus clenched his fists shut, lowering his head and letting his breathing fall back into his control.

"We see that these Eight Heroes hold much sway over whoever conspires with them. They directly affect your mind, Arctus. We wish you caution for future stars," Luna peered at him with curiosity and fear. She was the only pony who felt the soft limits of his combat prowess.

And saw the hard limits of his capabilities.

"Yes, they do, each one has their own personality," he slowly exhaled, trying to lower his heart rate, "Lun is an animal in human form, exactly how everyone says," Arctus looked to the Princess of the Night and placed a close fist over his chest, lowering his head, "thank you, Luna. You've brought me closer to finding my own identity."

"We're glad we could assist. Please do not lose the self you already are."

He nodded to her, "have a good night," and took his leave.





He had left Celestia the moment she rose up the sun, parting with just a kiss after he got his gear on, still her previous words rang in his head.

Be gentle with her, she was my entire purpose once upon a time.

He could honor that to an extent. Arctus stood at the training yard, guards already doing drill strikes. He had pulled one aside to a fence post practice arena. He held a simple wooden sword and Arctus had an assortment of practice weapons out.

He was awaiting Sunset with a guard pulled aside just for her.

"Are...are you fighting me?" The pegasus eeped out.

"Did you want me to?" Arctus looked to him with a warm smile, the pegasus' face paled, "I'm only teasing. You're not fighting me," he pointed to the orange unicorn coming their way, "you're fighting her."

"S-S-Sunset Shimmer?! She's a master of magic!"

"Relax, she's not using magic," the Master Scout looked to Sunset.

"So," she sighed out, "I'm here. Now what?"

"You can try to show some respect to Master Arctus! He gave you a sec-."

"Quiet," he demanded the pegasus to stop speaking, "I give nobody second chances, they create the opportunity to become a Scout. Select a training weapon, I want to see what you know. Remember, not a single spell," he gestured to the fence post with wooden implements laying on it.

Sunset walked over, picking up a longer hand and a half longsword with an almost bored look before she smirked, lifting a wood saber as well, holding it in her right hand.

"Ha," Arctus began to laugh, "hahaha, that's one of the hardest fighting techniques and styles to learn," he calmed himself, "I look forward to the day when I can duel you, trainee," he looked to the guard, "your name?"

"H-Hammer Down."

"Hammer Down, take a shield and get in position," and the guard followed his orders, "stay there, defend, do not attack," he looked to Sunset, "be wild. Show me your current prowess," Arctus lef the fenced arena, hopping over while Sunset teleported in.

The Master Scout leaned on the fence, "well? Begin."

Sunset crashed the longsword down in an overhead swing, blocked by the guard's longsword and then his shield on the following up swing. The saber followed with the same upward arc, but snapped back after it bounced off the shield, landing on the guard's longsword, just barely. Sunset slipped the saber past the wood longsword of the guard, pinning a thrust into his chest and spinning to drag the wood blade then across his chest. The longsword in her left hand crashed into his shield arm and she rushed him down, unbalancing him with her own body weight, the wood sword landed on his neck lightly.

"I knew the state of the guards were pitiful, but you've only blocked, not even parried. I said defend, but do not attack," Arctus sighed, "suppose if you want someone trained to be the best," he took a wood spear and small axe, hopping the fence, "Hammer Down, you're dismissed, return to drill practice," the other guards looked disappointed, glancing at the duel arena.

Hammer Down sheepishly flew out of the arena.

Arctus held the wood spear in his right hand and the wood axe in his left, ensuring there was a small beard on it with his eyes, "you have promise, changing through from a cut to a thrust is not something many fighters figure out on their own. Come, please attack, I won't harm you despite what our first and second battles were like," he beckoned her with the small axe.

And Sunset advanced again, taking a wide swing only for arctus to redirect her blow to the other side, interfering her other weapon and swing, his axe cracked just below her neck on her back while he lunged forward.

"Your exagerrated attacks supply you with power, but not speed in your attacks I can see where you are going and have plenty of time to plan my offensive to the point of a killing blow. Keep your weapons closer to you, strike swiftly, leave no openings between your chains and defense," Arctus took a stance again, "come, learning how to strike and kill is the most important ability of a Scout."

"Why do I learn this then? I can kill with my magic."

"Oh, so you're that powerful? Please, strike and kill me now with it. No holding back."

She smirked at her chance to get back at him, he didn't even hold his spear that absorbed magic. An especially quick and strong bolt of magic left from her horn, heading to his head. Arctus batted it up further with the wooden spear, the wood exploding and sending splinter as he hit it. The small axe smacked the top of the bolt and redirect it to its caster, the axe also now ruined.

Sunset put up a shield that cracked from the force of her own magic, "point taken," and she readied her weapons.

It would be a long day of training.





The sun was setting when Celestia paid a visit to the training yard, observing Sunset and Arctus in the wood ringed arena.

Arctus was turning aside blows, but Sunset wasn't leaving as many openings. He was even turning things up in difficulty, moving faster and even sidestepping her strikes altogether or playing games with her range.

"You know, I think you might just have what it takes to wield both those weapons together."

Arctus saw both weapons close in on each side of him and he outstretched his weapons, moving in to tackle, but Sunset had already stood on one hoof and lunged forward, kicking him back into his stomach, "damn, you're getting very creative. I don't want to teach you what I know in terms of attacking, you're already capable now after a few points of improvement."

"You implement criticism at an incredible rate."

Celestia hummed quietly, observing while she remained out of Sunset's view. Arctus was fully aware she was there and that she watched him get beaten out of a clinch.

"The next time to find your weapons tangled and you come out winning, capitalize on that opportunity. There is no better moment to kill an opponent locked in combat than when you force their guard down and slow their possible defense.," Sunset nodded, smiling wide in her pride.

"We've been training all day, you certainly look exhausted, but I want to observe your defenses before we finish. I need to have some ideas of areas for improvement. If you seem proficient, we'll be going into the field soon enough and we'll start live weapons training."

"L-live weapons? You mean metal and sharpened blades?" She stuttered.

"Yes, a Scout must be capable of taking pain and staying in the fight with no hindrance. I'll also see that you duel Savus and Scout Stitch. Weapons ready," he ordered and Sunset lifted her weapons from her sides and put them in front of her, the saber tilted a little out while her longsword was directly in front of her.

Arctus breathed and he tossed the wooden axe to the side, taking the practice spear with both hands, the guards who were of the fifth group to be practicing that day looked over. The present princess smiled lightly.

He attacked slowly, letting most of his motions be seen and telegraphed by Sunset who pushed aside his lunge and then blocked the end of the wood spear with her longsword. He swapped his application of force and she blocked the spearhead that was sent as a mittlehau to her face. He changed through as she had done and attempted a thrust past her longsword, being pushed down toward the ground. Were he wielding a sword of any kind, he'd be compromised.

A spear had two business ends in the hand of a proficient wielder.

The butt of the spear was bashed into the top of the unicorn's head and Arctus backed away, "you seem to have knowledge of swordfighting, but in a Scout's work any weapon can be used against you," Sunset shook her head, fading away her daze from the impact, "I've seen what I've needed to, I'll have some trainings planned for tomorrow. Dismissed," she nodded to him.

"Thank you, Arctus."

"I want to see you grow into someone or somepony you can take pride in again. The right way," he referenced to their first meeting. 

Sunset turned around, staring at Celestia with wide eyes, "how long were you watching?"

"Oh, just long enough to see that Arctus underestimated you and that you overestimated yourself. Perhaps I did try to lean you down an ill-fitting path or pushed you in ways you did not need," Celestia relented for the sake of possibly knowing the new pony her old student was becoming.

"That's a bit of an underhanded compliment," she groaned back at the princess.

"Sunset, please give Arctus a difficult time in any sparring that you do. You don't need to impress anyone anymore."

"I disagree," the Master Scout argued, "she needs to impress herself again and again," Sunset looked to him almost in shock. In her head, nobody, nopony could oppose a Princess' words so openly, "and I hope you give me the opportunity to unhook myself from some chains for your safety."

She gathered herself and smiled, "I will, you can count of that," and her pride resurfaced, but without the pretentious words that were there the last time he heard it.

"Go get some rest, wash, treat any bruises as you need to."

A sharp screech came tearing through the sky, "you know she's been anxious with your sudden departure for a couple of days," Celestia spoke up, "she barely talks to me but she still sleep atop our room on the top of the tower."

"I'm still not used to knowing you two are married," Sunset voice and Asarele came down to the training yard, looking like the proper polar bird its mother once was. She landed next to Celestia who shivered at the now frigid air, "what the hells is that?" Sunset blurted.

"Asarele, my companion," he looked to Celestia, "I suppose I will be back late to bed, Celly," Arctus hopped over the wood fence.

"She needs you as do I, don't worry over it. Enjoy your hunt, maybe I'll force Sunset to spar me until you return," she laughed as he climbed atop the giant avian, standing on his own two feet.

"Is that a challenge?" Sunset voiced louder than her usual volume.

"Oh? You're still as unafraid of me as ever, treating me like we're on equal grounds," Arctus smiled at Celestia's words, "I was only kidding. I don't think Arctus would approve despite me knowing battle like my sister does."

"Leave her to me, Celly. She has a lot of glory to win and a lot of learning to do. Fly," Arctus directed his last word to his companion. Asarele trilled and they were off the ground, heading to the Everfree Forest.





And that next morning, the two were at the training yard again and Sunset still showed up.

"Have you had thoughts of leaving?" Sunset shook her head at his question.

"No, this has already proven fruitful to me."

"Pleased to hear it. We have live weapons today, please take them," Arctus' special spear laid along the armory wall a ways off, but he still held a fully steel spear in his right hand and his spatha in his left.

Sunset picked the saber and longsword up, teleporting into the arena, "we're practicing defense today?"

"Yes," Arctus rose the spear up, his hand holding it in the center, "there is more to defense than just blocking. As a trainee, you aspire to be a Scout. A Scout wastes no energy in combat, which means you will not stop my force, do noy block, but parry each attack and look for an opportunity to counterattack," he raised his spatha, "this is not for attacking you today...yet, it will be used for my own defense, so please battle as if it were not there."

Sunset took the stance she did yesterday, "well? I'm ready."

Arctus thrust his spear forward slowly, allowing it to be knocked aside and stopped Sunset's Saber, flying it over his head, he attempted again, far faster and recovering from the deflect she performe dquick enough to parry her longsword away with his spear, "you're going to have to work hard today."





Arctus had trained Sunset for a solid week when he made the decision to take her into the field. The two of them actually went to Klugetown. The whole city had made a return and became civil but corrupt. Especially so with the reign of a new ruler over it. Sunset hid with him behind a dune the two once took up a short residence at.

"This place seems familiar, I remember when you made such a mess in front of this fortress. Now it's a city," she pointed above to the wooden structures and even airships that came in and out of a skyharbor.

"This is...unfortunate, none of us thought they would build anything here. Sunset, take note of those banners, that's a potential threat to Equestria, but we can not act yet."

"But we have an element of surprise over them and with both our skills we could cleanse the entire city."

"You're ambitious," he smiled, "this is something I'll give report to Celestia on, but first we need to gather information on their plans."

"Wait, so we're going in there?" Sunset sounded excited.

The Master Scout locked his eyes to hers, "you listen. I've seen the way you fight and how quick you've improven under my training sessions. I believe you capable of becoming a Master Scout. I've already lined a suggested target for when you're ready to ascend to that title. If this goes well, I'll agree to administering your Scout exam."

Her mouth parted and she whispered, "you think I could be as strong as you?"

"I didn't say exactly that," he upheld his pride, "we're going to be crumbling a kingdom in there. We stick together until we find out why this place exists here."

"Then we split up?"

"And kill everything in there. Genocide is not something many Aeternians are capable of, could you handle committing to that? Others see it as the greatest offense in warfare."

Sunset was quiet at his words for a while, looking over the fortress, "for Equestria, I can. But why do we need to take this all down?"

"Because the kingdom behind it is a large military force very much like the kingdoms Aeternia terminated."

Sunset nodded.

"Follow my lead," there was a surprising lack of guards for this rebuilt place, it was more like an entire corrupted slum town. Wood was built onto the stone to provide better shelter and more buildings.

Arctus used his enchanted boots to climb the walls, a starry sky was above them. The dark covered Sunset's self-levitation up the wall to place herself next to him. The Master Scout drew out his bow and grabbed an arrow. The trainee with him did the same, having her own equipment along with a small knife and hatchet.

He leapt from the walls across an empty street and onto the stone roof of a building, he pointed to a tall tower that attached to the skyharbor, banners of an enemy hung down.

"We're going there," he turned his head to look at Sunset, "without killing if we can avoid it for now."

"Arctus? Master Arctus?" Sunset whispered before they continued.

"You see something I don't?" His head was swiveling about again.

"Who is Atti?"

It was not a question he expected, she shouldn't know any of the Eight, she's never read his logs. She wouldn't know unless she talked to Luna or Stitch about them.

"Who told you that name?" He backed away from the edge of the building, meeting her in the center to stay completely out of view.

"Nopony did. I hear him in my head, he's casting a telepathy spell."

Atti, he was the best sword and shield user in all of Aeternia, there did not exist a single blow he couldn't stop or overturn. If he truly was reaching him, did that mean he was labeling a chosen?

Let alone an Equestrian he was speaking to, she didn't even use a shield beyond the bucklers she wor to cover her front left hoof and leg and her right upper leg. 

"We'll speak on this later. If he's really Atti, heed his instruction. We're in the field and we have a task to complete."

"How would I know it's him?" Arctus began stepping back to the dge to race across the city and he peeked back to her.

"He'll know your heart. Any of the Eight know their favored's hearts and what they hold in them. The sources of their ambitions. We've got a city to paint."





Arctus was first in the tower attached to the skyharbour, having muscled his way up and into an open window after listening close. Sunset followed him without using magic as he requested.

His hunting knife and hatchet came into his hands, his right hand holding the hatchet. He gestured to one of the humanoid ape like creatures, just like the spy he murdered in the woods around the castle.

He gestured to her hunting knife and made a motion to relay the murder she needed to attempt. It stood staring out of a window at the skyharbour that connected on the floor below. They were easily a hundred or two hundred feet high, far above where sounds could be heard outside the tower.

Arctus took a quick peek around the room while Sunset slithered her way behind the creature. He noted the open hatch that went lower and he carefully peeked down it, ensuring his head slowly entered the square with minimal area revealed.

Empty. He shut the hatch quietly and heard the very quiet puncture of flesh and whipped his head to see Sunset's hoof right at the front of the creature's neck, knife deep into it. He raced over quietly and spun, hacking his hatchet deep inside the creature's neck as well, severing a lot of the thick flesh. There were some gurgles, but it eventually began to fall and Arctus slowly lowered it to the ground to reduce sound.

Sunset's eyes were locked to his face.

"We can speak softly. You crossed a line other ponies never cross, only Silver Spike and Strong Stitch have," she didn't respond to his words, "what are you thinking? Is this too much for your conscious to handle?"

"I...I can do this. I know what's at stake."

"You're doing this for more than Equestria," he smiled wide at the trainee, "we Scouts do this for glory also."

She still stared at him, "so I ask...is your conscious telling you to stop?"

"I can't believe that I've just done this."

"Good, so you have no moral qualms. We have an entire tower and harbour to murder before we start poking around, so let's get started."
> Supercell Mesoscale Detected
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sunset had cleared the tower without issue and Arctus had to engage in open combat against these creatures but they fell easily enough on the docked airships and skyharbour stone. They had cleared the entire area with the city not knowing what had happened.

Arctus made it to the bottom of the tower, meeting with Sunset, "when we get you proper darkened faux leather and equipment, blood won't be sticking to your fur," he announced his arrival, "harbour's emptied. You search it and if you see any incoming ships that dock, kill every thing aboard. I'll go through the actual tower installation."

"What...what are we looking for?"

"Any helpful military intelligence. Any battle plans, any logs, any unsual documentations of imports and exports. If it's written plainly, any plans to assault Equestria."

"I'll head outside then," she nodded, climbing up through the towers stairs and ladders.

The two of them got to work searching.





Arctus had countless documents in his hand and occasionally he heard sounds of fighting coming from the harbor outside while he stood on the top floor, going through these papers and scrolls to minimize the amount he'd carry, but he knew why this place was rebuilt and just how oppressive this military government was.

He regrouped with Sunset at the harbor, "learn anything?" her hooves brought her closer to him in a wide stance as if expecting further combat.

"Learned all I needed to, there's a change in plans now. We aren't killing any more of this city, we're leaving. We want them to know they stepped too close," the Master Scout walked around her and rose his hand up, multiple balls of flame appeared in front of him.

"Destroying the place?"

"Making sure they get my message," he sent them at the gas filled tops of each of the airships, watching as they exploded violently once the fireballs made contact. Destruction was sprawling across the slum city, "we return to Canterlot now."





Discord reformed, a wedding almost ruined, Twilight even got an entire castle and saved a past hero Arctus had never met during his travels ensuring security and alarms were in place, and now a new up and coming unicorn was around after Celestia very casually released Twilight from studentship.

Arctus was beginning to think all the interesting things happened when he was away from home. He was at least glad that Plated Shell informed he when he dropped off equipment and placed an order for Sunset's full kit. The two of the outriders stood in the throne room, Scout Stitch trotted in, closing the throne doors behind her.

Celestia, Luna, Twilight, and Cadence even came down from the Crystal Empire.

"It's good to see you again, Art, Sunset," Celestia addressed.

"We understand you both have an important report," her sister picked up.

Arctus held the stack of documents he brought back and sections of the small stack were lifted up by different magic hues, the princesses reviewing them.

"You know...I took on a student, you always miss the most interesting events in Equestria," Twilight laughed, "um, this...is concerning," Twilight's eyes flitted over the pages.

"What's going on?" Stitch spoke up, nodding to Arctus and Sunset as she joined their small line in front of the rulers.

"Art, should we?" Celestia sent a paper to Cadence for her to read.

"We should. Princesses, there is a threat only Celestia and I were privy to knowing. We'd need to share it with the Scouts now as well. There exists one other Aeternian besides Lohey, Savus, and myself," Arctus mentioned, eyes falling on him when he went quiet, "Master Scout Hazth."

"He's raised an army," Luna whispered, "an army?! Sister, why have you not-."

"Because I wanted those days of Equestrian warfare and bloodshed to be over, Luna," despair clung to each word from her mouth, "and Arctus had granted that wish for such a long time."

"W-Warfare?!" Cadence finally spoke in, "we can't just rally troops and send them to battle! Even our guards are not up to the standard they were when Shiny was-."

"We're aware, Princess Cadence," Stitch interrupted, "this is going to be a battle fought by Scouts."

Twilight nodded, "she's right. We can't send anypony off to their doom like that, but Arctus and his company of Scouts have advanced combat abilities that could prevent war from coming to Equestria's doorstep."

"Scout Stitch," Arctus looked to her, "after this meeting, you are to go to Appleloosa where you will be posted to watch the Southern border of Equestria."

She nodded to him, "is the alarm system fully in place for us to alert the Princesses?"

"It is, the crystal is in the town hall there, you need just shatter it on the floor to send the signal," the leader of the unit confirmed.

"What about Savus?" Cadence spoke up, "can we not make use of him?"

"I can convince him out of retirement. Savus is best on the frontline of a war leading soldiers," Arctus answered, "so we can make use of him against any ground offense. We'll likely have to move him to Canterlot as the Princesses are the reason why they intend on attacking."

"They'll be sorely mistaken when they see how well we can still fight," Luna proudly boasted.

"No! No Princess can fight!" Sunset fought against the idea immediately, "if they're seeking to capture you, then that makes their goal even easier."

"She has a point, sister," Celestia affirmed, "we'd need to run and seek somewhere to hide immediately. Can we trust on the Scouts and Savus to protect our little ponies?" 

"Of course."

"Arctus, you've not said what you'll be doing this entire time," Twilight addressed, "and from the look on your face," she pointed a hoof at him knowing when and where those cold eyes appeared, "you have a different plan for yourself."

"The day they attack, I'll help to ensure the safety of the Princesses, but after that I'm going to them to be the reason they withdraw."

"What?! You! Alone?" Cadence voiced.

"I saw your duel against Luna, you're the best warrior in Equestria. But even you have your limits," Twilight agreed with her old foalsitter.

The Sun Princess flared her wings to take control of their discussion, "Arctus will go to them and bring ruin to their kingdom. That will draw them off Equestria soil and back home in an attempt to prevent the destruction of their home."

"H-How could you send him to his death, sister?" 

"I'm not," Celestia closed her wings, "that Aeternian slew almost every single adult dragon many moons ago. He had destroyed two kingdoms by himself in Equestria. I know-."

"I would go with or without permission," Arctus voiced, "I would not allow that glory to pass by me."

Celestia smiled, "and of course he would go regardless of what I said. Art knows his role and purpose."

Arctus looked to Sunset, "I'll administer your exam tomorrow. It will be in the fields outside of Ponyville."

"I-," Sunset was cut short.

"Who is Master Scout Hazth?" Cadence shivered.

"He was a Master Scout in Aeternia, became a legend, longest living Scout besides myself. He didn't take assignments, he went where he wanted and came back smelling like blood no matter how much he washed. Nobody knows how many kingdoms and upstarts were destroyed because of him or how many resources were able to be claimed by Aeternia from his efforts."

"Is he equal to you?" Twilight begged the question on all of their minds.

"We'll find out when I meet him," his hands clenched and he felt his heart roar, "I look forward to meeting him for the second time."

Arctus began walking to the door, "Strong Stitch, make your way to your posting. Trainee Sunset, meet me in Ponyvillege when you're ready."





Arctus stood in the tall grasses, sure enough there was a large audience gathered. Celestia and Twilight were in attendance at the front. He held every single one of his weapons, having been broguht back to full sharpness by Plated Shell.

He held his warbow, having been made anew after technological advancements in Equestria. The 75lb draw was gone, the monstrousity was much stronger now and his longer arrows were a reflection of that.

"You look mobilized for an apocalypse," Twilight voiced, "isn't this a bit much for a Scout exam?"

He smiled, "Sunset's improved as an alarming rate, quicker than Silver Spike and Strong Stitch did."

And the trainee trotted out from the crowd, drawing her saber alone, "cross the line? That's all I do?"

He shook his head, "not this time. Your exam is going to be conducted differently. You will duel me, I don't know when, but I'll know when you've passed," he drew the greatsword, hefting it in his left hand and his spear in his right, "let me know when you're ready."

"Don't you think that requirement is too far for her?" Celestia interjected.

Arctus didn't respond. He had once when pushed like this long long ago. Sunset drew her longsword into her left hand, slowly approaching him, "I'm ready."

The Master Scout smiled and his heart slammed down to his feet before bounding into his head. The blood inside him tingled every nerve on his skin while he sprinted the short distance left. Sunset turned aside his spear with her saber easy enough and caught the greatsword, but the sheer force he used knocked her off her feet.

Luna has arrived late to the battle, observing along with the citizens of Ponyville and her sister. Savus took up to Twilight's side, "is this a sparring session?"

"It's a Scout exam, an unorthodox one," Twilight answered, "Arctus is not using a line as the parameters for passing. He's judging her himself."

Savus smiled in his relaxed burlap wear before he laughed, "he really thinks highly of her then."

The Master Scout had swirled and went to slam the greatsword of his right down onto Sunset's face but the unicorn's horn lit and she teleported, her saber swung at his back.

Rather than block, Arctus ducked and thrusted his spear upwards as he turned around. Sunset backstepped and the two faced each other again.

"Sunset!" Luna spoke during their break between strikes. Luna knew that look, "he's not holding anything back!" The still trainee had a front row seat to the emptiness in his eyes.

Sunset went to him this time and attempted a simple upward slash of her saber. Arctus used his greatsword to turn it through, allowing the blow to continue before slamming the blade down onto her saber and trapping it against her longsword. A pommel met her muzzle and blood drops splattered through the air while the Master Scout smiled and turned his right foot in a half circle clockwise, his left foot followed and forced his upper body to whip in a spin.

His greatsword slammed hard against Sunset's side and sent her tumbling over the grass before she teleported, her wound healed with her magic.

"Be better. You're fighting just like Luna."

"I'm not sure if that's a compliment or not," Sunset smiled at him. 

He threw his greatsword into the air high above, sending three knives at her. Sunset grabed each with her magic and held them above her head in a levitation spell. Arctus had a black ball formed in his left hand when he caught his falling greatsword, the blade soaked black.

He stowed his spear, taking the large blade into his right hand. This magic would keep her intimidated into avoiding him rather than slashing back. He began to close himself. He swung twice, the unicorn deftly stepping out of the way before her horn lit even brighter and his hunting knife, hatchet, bow, and every single arrows flew from his body, flying far into the field. Despite losing most his equipment, he did not stop his assault. A blow landed and rather than get sent with it, Sunset let go of her longsword at just the right time as it flew toward the audience at incredible speed to be caught in Twilight's magic.

More knives left his pouch in her magic as she still danced away his greatsword with her saber. Her horn stayed a bright cyan as Arctus felt more resistance against his swings as if it was heavier and Sunset landed in no only a single quick slash.

But four slashes across his chest and arms, blood slinging through the air. He released his greatsword, watching it lift high into the air before thrown far out of reach. Despite his now serious injured body, he gripped his spear, drawing it into both his hands.

The audience present was speechless, a pony had managed to injure their best warrior to this extent.

"Savus, what makes you believe that Arctus has such a high opinion of Sunset Shimmer," the lunar alicorn posed, gaining speech after watching the vicious battle in front of them.

Arctus breathed deep, exhaling as he held his spear in front, slowing approaching. His unicorn opponent flew her longsword back to her hoof, gripping it again after levitating it to her.

"I saw his exam, the Scout who administered it didn't use a line either. It was only when both parties were bleeding over the sand and he still fought that he passed," Savus explained, "I don't know what he sees in Sunset, but that ability to just throw his weapons far from him evened the playing field."

Arctus' spear swung far faster than Sunset's eyes could keep up and he drew a long slash from the front of her haunch to the top of her chest. She immediately flashed a few feet back. Arctus approached the few more feet and her horn lit, a symbol in cyan appearing in front of her as she began to whisper.

Another deep cut across her front hoof this time. He was carving her like he had Luna, he was at the apex of his ability again.

"Atti, I ask for your shield."

Arctus was too dialed in to listen to her mumbling, maybe she was hoping she could withstand his onslaught. Red splashed from her chest again, her horn was still lit and the symbol she formed reminded him of his own magic.

"Defend me so I may slay my foes without worry."

The symbol lit bright before it disappeared and as Arctus drew another cut, his spear was turned aside by a transluscent white shield. Sunset sent ever knife into the front of his body. The Master Scout worked through the small punctures and still attempted two slashes and a thrust of inhuman speed.

He watched as the shield appeared again and turned aside his blows, a sword of the same hue and transparency knocked aside his spear. Sunset took a slash again at his chest and landed the blow while he backed away, huffing.

He stowed his spear in the silence broken by the wind that blew the tall grasses around them.

"Welcome, Scout Sunset Shimmer," he bowed only but his head and acknowledged her with a fist.

"She used a damn godhood. An Equestrian beseeched one of the Eight and they listened," Savus spoke loudly, approaching her and attempting a swift punch, his fist met with the metal of a supernatural shield, "you can stop focusing on it. Seriously, you'll-," Sunset soon wavered and fell onto her back in the grasses.

"First time users always pass out," he regarded and clicked his tongue.
> Launching the Last Star
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sunset had shown him how to call Atti forth quickly enough but not the prayer to invoke him, but Luna had called him to the gardens one last time.

"Arctus, we believe we've located the last star you've been searching for," the sky already pitch black and apinted with spots of illumination.

"I owe you a great deal for this, Luna."

Her horn lit and a blue star with yellow flickering in its place was pulled into the sky above, "we know how much you do for Equestria. You owe us nothing," she smiled at her own painted canvas.

Ezith was a very different hero to embody. Instead of being focused solely on effectiveness in combat, he toyed and teased to allow for a very merciful killing. To manipulate your foe that they ask for death rather than having to be injured or brutalized into a killing blow.

Arctus began to attune, searching inside himself for those feelings of despair on the field of battle, wishing a peaceful death to those who stood against him.

A soft flickering light of the same two colors descended over him as he started to move his feelings around to soak in Ezith's beliefs.

"I know him, I know all Eight," his eyes stayed focused on the star, "I leave tonight. I go to the volcano in the dragon lands."

"Please, await our sister," Luna's horn lit again for a brief moment and in a flash of yellow, Celestia appeared next to her.

A quiet pause took us space before the diarch of day spoke, "I assume it's time, dear Art?" He nodded.

"Asarele!" The now mostly independent bird flew from the top of their bedroom tower, landing in the clearing of the gardens. Arctus leapt and climbed atop her, standing on the wood platform that was carefully and comfortable strapped to her back.

"Luna, I'm going with him as we discussed," Celestia flapped her wings and landed beside him.

"Arctus, our friend, please be careful in this endeavor. We will not intervene with the stars unless we deem it necessary."

He smiled at his sister-in-law, "I will. I have no intention of abandoning Equestria to its foes," he leaned to Asarele, digging his nails into her feathers, "Ponyville please. We need to get Savus."





He groggily laid on the wood platform with Celestia and Arctus, "I know I have all my equipment here," his right hand held his own greatsword, "but couldn't you have waited until morning?"

"No, it happens now."

They were already swiftly approaching the Dragon Lands, Asarele could see the other flying beasts on the horizon, "easy, just take them down if they get too close. They know who we are and won't dare to bother us," Arctus closed his eyes, lifting his spear from his back. His mind floated from hero to hero, summoning and bringing each of their stars forth.

The sky was beginning to look more like a light show.

Asarele screeched and an immense spear of ice skewered a younger approaching dragon, an adolescent. The single act was enough to make the others run off in fear. The dragon had been properly neutered by Arctus and Savus long ago. The party landed atop the now empty dragon throne, at the volcano. Savus clambered of the bird, looking as the dragons fled from the sight of him.

"I forgot how good it feels to be feared in combat," he laughed, "so is this why you brought me?"

"To deal with any dragons, yes," the Master Scout answered as he approached the lip of the volcano with Celestia next to him. 

She stared into the lava below with him, "are you sure about this? I can save you out if necessary."

He pointed his spear to the sky, meeting her worried pupils with his own determination, "all eight of them are watching. I will launch as a star to them and know more of me."

"You know you don't have to do this. You'll still be Arctus, Protector of Equestria."

"And I'll still have the burning question of 'why' branded in my mind," he pointed his spear to the bottom of the volcano, letting mana flow from his feet into the rocks below and the molten earth started to rage more.

"Come back if anything goes wrong," she hugged him tight, planting a kiss firmly on his own lips, "and we'll have cause to celebrate if everything works.

Arctus embraced her back with fervor, making her back tingle with the force applied in his arm. His lips met her own again before he released and looked to the glow below.

In Aeternia, he had hungrily looked for all knowledge regarding the first launch and when the heroes launched themselves. 

He leapt into the volcano as Celestia watched him. He landed not on top of the supremely dense liquid as most geologists would expect.

He landed in it and sunk rather fast below. The heat did not burn him, but he could feel it. His flesh did not melt. Fire, flame, lava were all things the Heroes were known to be immune to. He summoned mana within him and made a motion to jump, but he went nowhere in the bubbling mass of the now active volcano.

He attempted again, point his spear up and he could feel a force exert on his feet as he shot out of the magma, leaving a trail of glowing red and orange as he bounded into the sky.





Luna looked above on Sunset's balcony, staring as the streak of orange and red was smeared acros the sky by a birhgt blue star that soared toward the heavens.

"He's launched as a star."

"Did you not think is possible, Sunset?"

"I didn't believe that talk of Eight heroes," she held Arctus' journal in her right hand, "and then Atti talked to me and labeled me a favored warrior. And now Arctus is going to those Eight."

"We are still not quite sure what the Eight heroes are, but we know they are powerful enough to influence a pony and a person's fate," Luna commented.

"What do you think he'll do up there?"

"Ask them for the answers to questions he's always had," Luna answered and laughed, "Arctus will likely fight them all, as well."

Arctus could only see a blinding white as he felt his body soar before the momentum suddly began to drop and he stood on a surface he could not see in the white void. He held only his spear, but he felt the rush of a million wars in his veins, he could feel so many battles in his heart and the heat of clashing wills on his hands. A blurry shape came into view in front of him, followed by seven others. He could not truly make out any features, but he knew they were human, wielding an assortment of weapons.

One with just a dagger was upon him, but the knife slid over his head and his spear slid over the human's ribs before the point thrusted deep into the back of the unknown's neck. His movements were incredibly fast in this new space, as if he had no mortality binding his abilities back anymore.

The other seven dove at him in very coordinated attacks, but he was able to clear past each of them easily, fend aside blow after blow to counter flawlessly with just his spear, slaying as he would in a war on the frontline, as if he was Savus charging soldiers ahead and raining blood across dirt.

"He is beyond us."

"All that glory, I never thought possible one man could cleave it alone and just by himself."

"The stars recognize him as the greatest warrior even here."

"Welcome to the heavens, Master Scout Arctus. We've kept eyes on you."

Arctus didn't speak, he knew these eight shadowy silhouettes.

"Child, I, Kamna, and approve of every move you've executed in combat. You truly know how to make warriors feel as if they never had a chance in the single movements you execute," it laughed, "you came with questions."

More silhouettes, these ones not even solid appeared behind them, but Arctus knew their hearts nonetheless. He could feel the shared blood in his veins burn.

"These are your fellow Scouts. They stand up here, battling their days away, destroying kingdoms in the heavens, slaughtering foes, reveling, and sharing stories as they wish."

Arctus knew it was true, he could even see the transparent shape of a unicorn.

"You trained Silver Spike well. Sunset Shimmer and Strong Stitch are also fine scouts."

"Reba! Quiet! The boy came with questions and we should answer."

Arctus exhaled and then inhaled, "who am I?"

"Protector of Equestria, Master Scout Arctus. The warrior with the most glory."

"That's not what I asked. Where am I from? How was I found in a volcano?"

A pause.

"You are from here. You are starborn, the suspicions are correct."

"But you are also more. You are born from all of us, each of us gave a portion of our power to the Sacred Volcano when we launched and that power formed together to become you."

"Our people could not live without a paragon of power and you've ensured they will seek out glory."

"Every Scout in Aeternia can feel you in the night sky, they know your name and they know you've launched into the heavens. Every creature saw it. Following us is no easy feat."

"Did...did you Eight intend for me to be born?" Arctus asked the burning question.

"No, we did not. You just appeared and through our power as now divine beings, you were protected against aging, but that is all you are warded against."

"But you have become a great example of what a real warrior should be."

"And you've taught what it means to build, protect, and find true purpose in serving one's home. Many Scouts become blinded killing machines, hungering to write their next story until they die or become blood mad."

These Eight heroes were incredibly hard to follow, Arctus could only make out Kamna's distinct voice, "do our answers change you?"

"They never would," he answered.

"Are they satisfactory to you?" She continued.

"No."

"But you are satisfied with getting here to the heavens?" Kamna laughed.

"I am."

"I, all of us, we hope to see more of what you accomplish. We believe you will, soon enough, have a final accomplishment to overcome."

"Kamna, we won't speak in riddles. Master Scout Hazth. This will be the first real battle between two Master Scouts. We await it eagerly."

"You wish to go back, yes?"

"I have more questions. Is it true you all were mortals?"

"That is true, Master Scout."

"Did you have plans when you created me?"

"Not at first."

"But we did find that we could help push you into place to lead Aeternia into an age that didn't rely on destroying other kingdoms to indulge in luxuries."

"And then we decided against it. You are not to be our puppet, but to lead a life of your own."

Arctus didn't choose to wrestle with the rising emotions, not now, not yet, "why...how did I get to Equestria? What happened that night?"

"A long argument between us eight, but we decided that there were some who didn't belong in Aeternia. You, Savus, and others. Those who had won too much glory, fought with too much power and casted too great a shadow over others."

"We also moved one who could help you adjust to a new species, help all of you do so."

"As you can see from how all of you were across Equestria, that did not go as planned."

Kamna spoke directly, "but it was I who decided to move that disgraceful pompous dead mage here, even wrote that entry to Kanna's journal myself to lead you to kill him."

"Do you have any questions left for us, Arctus?"

He shook his head.

"Then we shall return you home. When you meet your end, we'll launch you as a star ourselves."

"I und-," before he could finish his sentence, the sruface he was stnaind on gave out and the shapes all vanished after his eyes blinked again.





From the dragon lands, Celestia, Savus, and Asarele could see the falling blue beacon and the orange and red flames falling from it. She could teleport, but Savus certainly couldn't go that entire distance with her, neither could Asarele, they'd likely be displaced and a panicked elemental bird is not what Equestria needed at the current moment. The icy avian would listen to her in the absence of her master however. Celestia teleported herself and Savus aboard.

"Woah, Princess, warn a veteran before you do that."

"Apologies, Savus. Asarele, fly," she pointed her hoof from the wood platform as the bird took to the air, "chase!" The ice entity shrilled through the air and took to the skies, racing back to Eqestria.





Arctus could see the ground approaching rapidly, but he could only view it, he was powerless to stop his descent. He could not act without a physical body, but upon impact he found himself looking at the now burning crater and blazing fields around him. He stood what must have been several feet deep in a blackened soil pit.

"I ascend and launch myself as a star just to be sent back from that space."

He spoke to himself while he gripped his spear, "Lohey would be interested in hearing about this. Every Aeternian would."

He felt rain begin to drench him and the area, extinguishing the flames in record time.

"Yo! Master Scout!" He knew that voice, "could you not wake up everypony in Ponyville and burn down the whole place?" Rainbow Dash landed next to him after the short heavy shower ended.

"It was not my intention," he defended, holstering his spear away while he began to climb out of the crater.

"Looking at the crater, I'd say it absolutely was your intention."

"Stars above, he just fell from the heavens!" Asarele had landed near the crater and Savus was first to approach with Celestia in tow after sharing a whisper with the bird, "cut the Scout some slack."

"F-fell? From how high?" Rainbow looked at Arctus again.

"The stars, Rainbow Dash," the soothing voice came over and helped Arctus out of the crater. He didn't need the assistance, but it was rather that Celestia wanted to and had always insisted on him accepting help.

"Thank you."

"Of course, can you start with explaining what happened up there?" Celestia was just as eager as all others present. In a flash of light, Luna appeared next to her sister, gaining a nod from the white alicorn.

"Rainbow Dash, I ask you to leave. The information discussed is not the kind for your ears," Arctus directed to the pegasus.

"What do you mean?! I've helped save Equestria like nine times now or something!"

"RD," Savus began, "it's not that he doesn't respect you, but some things are meant for Scout ears alone and the Princesses direct him. Want me to go also, Arctus?" The Master nodded to him, "alright, come swing by Ponyville some time, we need to go crawling through the woods some time."

"I'll see what I'm allowed to manage," the two of them left the group of three and Asarele in the fields.

"Pray tell, were you successful? We saw your rise and descent from the stars by our balcony," Luna spoke up.

"Could you sense my presence in the stars?" She nodded to his question, "I spoke with the Eight, they battled me on my arrival."

"Yet you don't have a scratch on you? Is my Master Scout that powerful?" Celestia posed.

"They said something that enlightened me as to how that white void works. Most physical features fade, but I could see all of mine just fine and some of the Eight as well, but the space recognizes glory and mortal accomplishments as power, not actual combat prowess."

"So, you've won more glory than the Eight?" Arctus nodded to the Lunar Princess' question, "we did not think such was possible. You must have killed many."

"It'd be impossible to count. They...confirmed that I came from them as part of their power they left behind in the Sacred Volcano."

Celestia began to smile, "and your purpose?"

"I was born accidentally, with no purpose. Then they tried to steer me to gain glory and show all of Aeternia its roots again but decided against later, letting me have free will."

"Art, does that bother you?" Celestia didn't have any motherly voice while addressing him, but her tone did show concern, "to not have a destined purpose in your unique life?"

"It does and doesn't," the white alicorn trotted forward and wrapped a wing around him, "we...I came from the stars so it feels like there's a part of me I'll never know, but it was just a destiny that was never even there."

"So you chased something that did not flourish a fruit, I'm familiar with the feeling."

"But I, our, anything's existance is not special, it's only special because of what we shape it to be."

Both princesses smiled, "we agree," Luna went on, "our actions define us."

"I share that as part of Aeternian belief and philsophy, but I did not practice it as precisely as I should have."

"Art, did they explain your arrival in Equestria? The other Aeternians?"

He nodded, "they removed us from Aeternia to force the entire nation to begin a journey to seek glory again. They took Aeternians that had earned too much glory and unknowingly caused others to stifle their pursuits."

"I'd deign to meet your Eight Heroes myself," Celestia commented.

"The Eight even complimented me on finding reason to seek glory rather than blindly pursue it and lose myself in it like most Aeternians, especially Scouts, do. I suspect that's even the root of why Hazth opposes us."

"We might yet still help him then, couldn't we?" Celestia posed.

"Sister, I don't think that would be wise."

"Agreed. Hazth is certainly capable of the same level of violence I am and I don't wish to entertain him in Equestria or anywhere. That is too great a risk."

"We might yet be surprised by what unfolds," Celestia always had a way of knowing more than other ponies and people did. Arctus had never questioned it, "what we do," she looked to Arctus a little more closely, "what you do will surprise even you."
> To Capture Equestria
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

That night's words and that white space had followed him whenever he closed his eyes. His destiny was his own and had always been.

"Arctus, something on your mind?"

"Have you ever shot to the heavens and fallen down from it?"

Savus sighed, "can't say I have, but if I did, I imagine it'd be on my mind a lot, too."

"I keep wondering what the difference is between myself and the Eight. Why they stayed in the heavens and I fell," the two of them walked through the Everfree Forest, Arctus' forest.

Savus leaned his greatsword from his right shoulder to his left, his armor clanking quietly as they strided, "have you considered that maybe there is none? Maybe that's just their domain."

"That's more to think about," the Master Scout found himself quietly and slowly whirling his spear in his right hand.

"You're welcome."

"How's Ponyville treating you? Still work for Applejack?"

"I do, chased off a bunch of timberwolves a week ago. They kept making me apple desert after apple desert for days."

"You ever think if retiring was the right decision?" Arctus was assaulting him with question after question.

He shook his head, looking to the grassy floor, "every day. Anytime I know you, the scouts, the princesses are discussing something I just regret it even more."

The Woodsmaster's laugh filled the air while they were on their return journey, to come out somewhere near the outskirts of Ponyville, still a woodsy area.

"You're lucky, you can retire."

"Princess Celestia would probably let you if you asked, she's your wife after all," he retorted, "or is this a Scout's honor code still?"

"Our work is never done."

Savus smiled, "considering I haven't seen an evil in Equestria, I'd say-," Savus stopped moving the same time Arctus did, "you smell that?"

"I do, you know what it is?"

"It's very faint, but that smells like a changeling's slime to me."

Arctus remembered hearing about the entire wedding event when he returned. He breathed in, "good thing they can't pose as us."

"They haven't gotten our biology right yet, but they sure could try."

The two warriors exited the forest, entering into some brush with their weapons in a more serious grip.

"-sounds like it's too late for that too."

Arctus threw up a hand, stopping Savus in his tracks and motioned for him to stay put. The Master Scout left the clanky general where he halted him and zipped ahead in silence.

"So, what should we do?" That was a new voice.

"Yeah, Starlight, what do we gonna do?" And that was a new one as well, but told him the acquaintance up ahead.

Arctus zipped up a rock and peered over it to see what was undoubtedly a changeling, Starlight Glimmer, and some other pony that could very well be a changeling also.

The Master Scout readied his spear

"I-I don't know!" He leapt at Starlight's wording, concerned she was being coerced or a changeling herself. His spear came pointed down at the one he knew was a changeling but it teleported in a flash of sky blue light as he landed.

"Ahhhh, haa, ahhhh!" The new unicorn present was wrapped in a soundproof bubble.

"Now I know it's a talented unicorn doing that," he looked to Starlight, "so you're real. Why did you teleport it," he pointed his spear over to the changeling, "I would have easily eliminated it."

"Ar-Arctus! Thank Celestia you're here! We have a fighting chance!" Starlight shouted.

Arctus could see Savus standing behind the same boulder he leapt off, clearly disregarding his order, "explain the changeling."

"He's reformed, you can trust him!"

He nodded to Savus and waved him in and the general heeded, "and Savus!" Starlight beamed, "what about the other Scouts?"

"They could be taken, too, everyone in Equestria could be replaced," the changeling spoke.

"Oh, wait, this is Thorax, he's reformed. He's on the good side," Starlight looked to the bubble to see the new unicorn no longer screaming and let it done again, "and this is Trixie, a friend of mine."

"Who...what are those?" 

"Humans from Aeternia. They're gonna be our heroes this time."

Savus inhaled, "what...the fuck is happening?"

"I had the same question."

"The Crystal Empire and all the princesses in Equestria have been taken by Chrysalis!"

Savus looked to the Master Scout, "someone dared to strike on us?" Thorax nodded, "and they took Celestia? All the princesses?" He nodded again, "where is the home of the changelings," he pulled a map from a pouch.

"Damn, always come prepared," Savus commented, "even for just a simple night walk in your forest."

"Hold on, Trixie doesn't understand. How are these two going to save us? They don't look like magic powerhouses to me."

Thorax pointed on the map and Arctus returned it to a pouch.

"Savus, we're heading there immediately. You have almost all your equipment on hand."

Starlight whispered into Trixie's ear, "you mean to tell me he's the Protector of Equestria?!" Trixie pointed a hoof at Arctus.

"Starlight, rally whatever allies you know for certain are with us. Discord or...well yes, Discord. None of them could stop that Ae-Draconequus. Head to their kingdom whenever you're as prepared as you can be."

"Come, Savus, we march."

"Who are you to give us orders?" Trixie questioned.

Savus began to snicker under his helmet.

"Aeternian legal code was copied and turned to Equestrian Legal code. Scout Warfare Code, section one," Arctus stated.

"What does that mean? Starlight?"

"That's a legal code put into place for all of Equestria, subject to every single pony, but especially scouts. It was implemented long ago, but Master Scout Arctus is almost threatening us."

"With what? He protect Equestria," Trxiei stated with the general heartily laughed, looking at Arctus."

"The first section of the legal code states that a Scout may make use of any and all resource and citizen of Equestria for the accomplishment of an assignment or to address a matter of Equestria's defenses, offenses, and/or stability," Arctus verbatimed to the unicorn, "failure to heed a Scout implementing the use of this legal code is punishable by prison or exile at the Scout's discretion."

Starlight nodded, "yep, that's accurate. So if we don't do as he says, he could put us into Canterlot's dungeons or exile us from ever stepping a hoof over Equestrian borders."

The unicorn pouted, "Trixie doesn't not like being coerced."

"Starlight, I'm entrusting that you'll follow us when you're able. Savus, let's get going."





Arctus and Savus stood in front of the hive, the sun now showing clear signs it was the evening. He didn't know where Starlight Glimmer and whoever she could round up were at, but he did know the giant husk in front of him with flammable."

"So...are you just gonna burn it?" Savus started, "it'd be an easy way to kick off a genocide."

He flew a ball of fire from his hand toward the hive and when it crossed the grassy overlook it vanished.

"Are you out of juice? Body has no more mana to pull from?" Savus commented.

He walked physically across the barrier and felt a change in him, being a creature with magic inside of himself, "they're supressing magic here, quite like my spear."

"How can you-," Savus dropped down along with him, "ah, I feel it. Suppose I can't throw daggers into the eyes of ever changeling then, now can I?"

Arctus slowly approached the hive, monitoring it and seeing entrances and exits close and open whenever a changeling needed to exit, "a shifting fortress, no magic."

"I'm not liking our odds."

"I'm not failing, if that's what you're implying."

"How many changelings do you think there are?" Savus posed the question as they started to make our more details at their closer distance.

"Hundreds? Thousands? I'll kill every single one until Chrysalis' head is piked in front of her hive."

Arctus looked to Savus, "friend, I have a request of you."

"Request or order?"

"I want you to be outside the hive, fight to make them open up in large numbers so I can rush in and if I'm not out within an hour, come in and finish."

"Oh? I've never thought I'd see the day a Scout displays inconfidence," Savus noted, "let alone you. If you think it's that serious of an issue, I'll do just that."

Savus knew more what a changeling could do, but this was home turf and that made him nervous, especially if Arctus was making contingency plans. 

"And how do you intend to sneak in?"

"I'll be fighting with you, but moving so I'm not surrounded and slaughtering like your specialty is."

"I'll take that as a compliment," he laughed, "you think that unicorn and Discord have a shot at succeeding if we fail?"

"With no magic involved, I doubt it. That's the only ace they have."

A large entrance opened in front and a group of three changelings made their way to them, landing around with their horns flickering with green magic.

"Oh, so all of you can use magic, but we can't? Fuck off with your home advantage," Savus torted, lifting his greatsword.

"We'll give you a chance to surrender, doesn't matter if you do or don't."

Arctus closed the short distance they left and swatted aside a bolt of their magic with his spear, the green vanishing on first contact.

Red blood splayed across the barren dirt quickly enough has he displayed the changeling body in the air. The freshly made corpse hung from the lugs of his spear, "I am Master Scout Arctus. Take me to Chrysalis or I will slay every one of you until she comes to see me herself!" He knew common footsoldiers when he saw them.

The other two changelings present rushed him dow, firing magic just to be dispersed, but Savus took their lives.

The entrance opened up larger and a flood of changelings came down and Arctus broke into a sprint.

"Show them what an Aeternian can do, Arctus!"

He ran fast, sheathing his spear and taking greatsword in hand and swatting any changeling with the gusto to attempt physical combat. Blood painted his face and their magic was waved aside to a different direction. Within seconds he made it into the hive, taking a moment to look about at the numerous changelings present.

"I'm an Equestrian, but I'm no pony," they glared at him as the entrance sealed and pathways within the hive opened and closed at random, "I have no limits."

A blast of green magic came to him, one his spear swiftly dispersed. He noted that he couldn't cast spells, but the properties of his spear still working did give him an idea.

He planted his spear into the first inch of spongey material composing the floor. He let his mana flow to his spear as an extension of himself, blue flame rose around to protect him from the changeling magic shot in effort to put him into a pod.

The icy fire erupted the whole room and quickly caught fire to the soft material that coated everything. It was apparent that the godly magic couldn't be supressed by whatever was causing such here.

In screams and hisses, his opponents fled the room, seeking shelter elsewhere while the blue flame traveled all over the hive, burning away the organic material and leaving stone behind. Arctus couldn't use his mana in any other way, so he had expelled all of it in this one blast, giving true life to his fire.

As he went through entrances and exits, losing himself in the hive, every changeling ran from him, fearful of his power, "you dared to strike against the nation with Arctus, Master Scout, protecting it," he did know he was making his way up at an incredibly slow pace, his fire was burning faster than he way moving.

Savus would no doubt be coming after him soon enough.

He had entered a giant chamber full of twisting paths suspended in a chasm, some kind of unchanging landmark in the burning dungeon. A deafening buzz came from every direction on his sixth step in, he knew when he had stepped into an ambush.

"To stand against me means you've overcome your fear of me. Do all of you know that you'll die within this hour?" Arctus gripped his spear with both hands, exhaling slowly, "or you fear the power above you more than me."

The buzzing continued as changelings flooded into the room in a massive number, his threats hadn't worked as he hoped, but that just meant it was time for fun. Fun like he hadn't had in a very long time.

Changelings landed around him and he dove without hesitation, splitting carapaces open, spewing their blood over their home. Horns were cut off and eyes were dotted in displays of violence. No matter the magic they shot at him, he avoided or swiped it into nothingness at the touch of his spear.

He was a whirlwind of force, of rage, of the glory he was claiming as the drones fell almost effortlessly to any third party who might watch. Arctus was feeling the exhaustion however, he was carrying on and killing numerous changelings, corpses were piling and he was moving to flat and more solid ground to reduce risk of tripping over one of these bodies.

And suddenly, they vanished and buzzed out, beginning to flee. Arctus gave chase, his arms were the only limb tired and just running after them could give his arms respite while his legs worked.

He kept with a horde fleeing through, following through some burnt and unburnt passages, he came to the top of the castle-like colony after a few minutes.

"Wish it was this fucking easy."

And he entered, seeing numerous pods on the roof, he could clearly see his wife, sister-in-law, Twilight and her friends, the Crystal Empire's rulers. He quelled his anger with his tempered warrior spirit.

He could see the changeling that was on Equestria's side, Thorax, trapped in place. Starlight Glimmer stood at the throne, bashing it with a rock.

"Very clev-."

"Eyes on me, asshole!" Arctus roared, spying Savus in a pod.

The general was really getting up there in age, retirement suited him.

"Who dares to inter-," the changeling Queen stamped her hoof, rushing to him just to be met with a metal covered fist across her face.

"Master Scout Arctus. The variable you didn't account for."

She cackled, wiping blood from her jaw, "no, I accounted for you. You're no threat, you have no magic to use here."

His eyes glazed over the changelings in the room, a familiar emotion in his foes eyes, "your drones fear me more than you now. I see it wasn't you who drove them to fight me, but hope of securing a victory," he smiled, "that's a good motivator for a soldier who enters my plateau of blood."

He lifted his spear, "your hive is on fire, my icy blaze is holocausting your domain."

She cackled still, her horn lighting and lifting his body up, "see, you have no magic, you can not stop me from flinging you out of my kingdom."

He called his strength to focus, forcing one of his arms down and to a throwing knife, zipping it haphazardly but accurate enough to pierce a pod.

And the liquid spilled out of view of every creature present, slowly waking the human in stasis.

An arrow shot from one of the holes leading to the throne room, nailing Chrysalis in her neck and dropping Arctus, "you have more than Master Arctus to worry about, Chrysalis!" An orange unicorn leapt out, holding a satchel and lighting a match, lighting a fuse to it. 

"Who comes in here next?!"

She threw the satchel, clearly an explosive at the throne. Starlight Glimmer leapt from behind the throne, leaving her hiding spot.

Arctus took the distraction to shove his spear firmly through the back of the changeling Queen's throat, his spear exiting out above her mouth, between her eyes, blood spewed and poured from the exit wound.

"The leader of a militarian nation who leads with fear should not be this weak...or you die. Remember that mistake when you next want to fight the Scouts."

A brown coated pony shot from another hole as the throne erupted, rock blasting everywhere. The ceiling above the pods were obliterated with the swing of Stitch's bar mace, the ponies in stasis fell to the floor, the pods collapsing under the force and the ponies struggling to wake.

"Sunset Shimmer. Strong Stitch. You both make excellent defenders of Equestria," Arctus felt the little mana his body recovered flow unrestictedly. He called his flames to halt through his spear and the blue conflagration disappeared from the outside and inside of the hive.

The Master Scout strided forward, changelings shuffling out of his way while he helped Celestia to her hooves, the other coherent ponies assisted the others, "I will do when necessary," he spied the volcanic glass still hanging from her neck and hugged her tight.

He still had a duty to Equestria to uphold, "changelings, whether you flee now or not, know that the Scouts will hunt you out and-."

"Hold on, Arctus!" Starlight Glimmer interrupted, her eyes sparkling with an idea. The Master Scout held his tongue and called Sunset and Stitch to him, checking them over for injuries to find none.

He'd want to go over how they managed to infiltrate so well. Savus was just starting to come around in his older age.

"Thorax, didn't you say you haven't been hungry since you made a friend?" Starlight began preaching to the changelings.

Arctus ignored, he knew these ponies had a special way of dealing with things he couldn't quite do with his violent soul. He understood, but he lacked the eloquency and the kind of diplomacy they made use of.

"Savus, I won't demand more than your abilities can give. Sorry, friend," Arctus addressed him.

"D-don't apologize...always glad to serve a nation worth serving," he cleared his throat.

"Art, how...how did you manage to save us?" Celestia looked to him while he still held tight to her with an arm.

"I'd like to say it was all me, but Sunset and Stitch were integral parts to the rescue."

He could still hear Starlight going on.

"Remind us to give them both a fitting reward," Luna trotted over, "what of the changelings?"

"Starlight has them handled," Sunset spoke out, "perhaps you need training," she smirked to Arctus.

"We'll talk more about how you two succeeded in this," he looked to both his Scouts, "for now, bask in your new glory."





Arctus deigned to spend more time around the castle and Canterlot after the defeat of the changelings. He sat in the central plaza with Sunset and Strong Stitch with him, "so, the changelings are slowly reforming from the influence of Starlight Glimmer and Thorax."

"Does the guilt of killing ever go away?" Strong Stitch started up.

"For you, no. For me, it was never there to begin with, but I fell like I'm growing a sense of consciousness about it."

Sunset looked to him, "I thought an Aeternian Scout would be void of that, of emotion."

"Well, this one isn't. The drones...just soldiers following around a narcissistic bad leader. How did you two even know that the throne was supressing magic?"

"We met Thorax on our journey there and helped them infiltrate, posing as captives," Strong Stitch proudly spoke, "Starlight Glimmer was able to get in the same way, but Discord couldn't. We figured they'd not fall for that."

"Thorax spilled the beans on why magic was blocked," Sunset explained further, "and your massacre made it incredibly easy to sneak our way into the throne room and lie in wait for the perfect moment. Can we uh...get on with making my weapon now?"

"Of course, you wanted to use the volcano in the Dragon Lands? Tensions have been easing between Equestria and them...so it should definitely be possible though they might attempt to make some weak attacks as intimidation," Arctus answered, "I'll tell Plated Shell to prepare today and we can leave out tomorrow. We've had a week to recuperate after all."

"Then I'm sending you off."

"Good, I wanted to miss Twilight's friendship festival anyways. You have an assignment for me after that."

Arctus smiled, "I read over the history of Griffonstone before I went. I have a few reasons to suspect Arimaspi lives in the Abyssmal Abyss. You're going to go down there, to the deepest depths, and slay him."

"Hold on...why?" Sunset questioned.

"Did you forget in the journal where Arctus claimed his title of Master?" Stitch began, "once you kill Arimaspi, you need to head to a volcano with his blood and body still on your weapon," she recalled the logs of the Master Scout present.

"You don't need to go as far as you retrieve his body, but once you kill him you will dip your weapon to magma a second time. I see an incredible power within you along with your ambition. Master Scout is a title you can gain," Arctus stood from the bench in the plaza.

"Why Arimaspi?" She questioned.

"Sombra is gone, and ever Scout who attains the highest title in Aeternian military must slay a legendary beast, not man. It's in honor of the combat prowess against all creatures the first Scouts commanded when Aeternia had many more wild creatures roaming it."

Sunset stood up in the plaza, "Is it..."

"It's not going to be a fair fight, I don't know anything about his capabilities that living in the dark may have granted him. Be prepared to take risk and settle with the possibility of dying, life's impermance."

Sunset was still grappling the idea he put in her head, "you think I could be an equal to you?"

Pride, a foundation of Arctus, and it was often too much to swallow. He did manage one response.

"Maybe."

And left the plaza to seek out Plated Shell in his workshop.
> On the Horizon, Aeternia Rises
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Arctus had the weapon made for Sunset, but upon her insistence, she wouldn't test her blackened saber made in the Dragon Lands on anyone but Arimaspi. She felt it would drive her to perform and discover in a heightened focus.

That was a couple of days ago, the moment it was forged, she set off. Arctus couldn't help but feel worried about her even though he was confident she would return.

The Friendship Festival that Twilight was hosting was an event he'd be happy to attend as it came close to Aeternian ideas. Though he could see a cloud approaching far off from the South and he had taken a moment to gather Stitch from the crowds and met with her and Savus to discuss it.

"I don't think there was weather planned for today, Princess Twilight should know," Savus spoke and began to saunter off.

"Go ahead and inform them, something about this brackish cloud is offensive," Arctus took his spear from his back, ponies present nearby in Canterlot stared. Many shuffled off, afraid.

Arctus could say they weren't fearful of him, but of what he forecasted.

"Stitch, you're sticking with me. All the Princesses are here, this is an opportune time for him to strike," he began to climb as she affirmed his order.

He could see the cloud start to approach at an alarming rate, making out the same airships he saw at the skyharbor in Klugetown.

"Fucking...damn stars above! It's happening!" He leapt from the battlements with Strong Stitch right with him, drawing her own weapons.

He sprinted to the main plaza where all Equestrian Royalty was gathered, the Master Scout skidded to a stop in front of Twilight and the rest of the Princesses, standing along with Strong Stitch, weapons drawn.

"Arctus! This is a day of kindness and friendship! Put away your weapons!" Twilight chided.

A deep growl verbed in his words, "these aren't friends. They are-."

"Arctus!" Twilight affirmed.

Celestia opened her mouth to speak, but chose to keep silent. Her and Luna knew the wisdom Arctus had in knowing ally from foe, but Twilight still assumed that Scouts were just the brute force behind Equestria's friendly face.

"That's an order!" Shapes started to descend from a ramp that fell off an airship hovering right in front of them. Arctus heeded Twilight and Strong Stitch followed.

"Scout Stitch, gallop as quickly as you can, go with no delay. Get to Klugetown and start tearing apart any more reinforcements on the way."

"Belay that," Twilight was arguing him, "no more talking, Arctus," Twilight strided forward.

The Master Scout came close to Stitch's eyes, "please. Disobey just this once, I'll catch every punishment myself."

She nodded and left in a fast gallop fitting of an atheletic earth pony.

Twilight sighed.

"Make way fo-," a small creature similar to those Sunset killed along with Arctus began to announce through a machine before he was hushed by a magenta hoof to his mouth.

Belonging to a unicorn with a broken horn.

"Oh? There are Aeternians here, too?" She smiled, trotting forward, "no matter. You both can't be stronger than Hazth."

Arctus stood at the side of Twilight, but he could see the fear explode in her eyes as she realized her mistake of refusing Arctus' wish for engagement. He took that as a sign to engage and drew his spear, rushing at the commanding broken unicorn.

"I was waiting for you, rude to keep me with my thumb in my ass!" He shouted as he took a swipe at her, following with two more. The third swing cut across her cheek as she leapt back.

He was going to be thorough and take no risks, "evacuate! Sound the alarms!" He called and sent his spear firmly through the head of the tiny invader to his right.

"I liked that annoying pipsqueak. I have a job to do here, Aeternian," Tempest threw our globed device, nailing them with her hoof towards the Princesses.

This was happening far faster than Arctus' eyes could keep up. He flitted a few knives out from their slots on his legs, but he missed the devices quite clearly and in green gas, he watched Celestia and Cadence turn from flesh to stone.

"I," he felt blood rage in him veins, "Savus! Stand with us!" He called on the retired veteran again.

Twilight whipped her head around, rooted in spot. Luna instead began to gallop after Celestia started to speak in a low voice while an army poured from other airships.

"Shitting Stars," Arctus cursed as Tempest petrified the Lunar Princess next. He enclosed on her to watch as she flung a grenade toward Twilight.

Rainbow Dash saved the rooted royal and they began to group their friends. Savus had already drawn his greatsword and sprinted with a shout to meet the hulking invaders. Tempest dodged Arctus' blow.

"Broken unicorn, your name does not matter. Your home will not either. It will silence when I visit it. Master Scout Hazth will have Master Scout Arctus at his doorstep," he eyed her while a pale reddish light descended from the sky above to him while he watched worry grace Tempest' eyes.

"Yetrema, lend me your legs so that I may run an errand just as great as your warning to the Council of Stars," the symbol he drew in front of him was finished as quickly as he spoke to memorized prayer.

Red lightning chased his feet, "you've doomed your entire nation," to him striking back was the only pressure he had to force them to undo the petrification on the family he joined.

He ran, with insane speed, going quick as he saw reinforcements on the way that were clearly being destroyed one after the other by a Scout Strong Stitch. His vision started to blur as he was headed right for the kingdom across the Bone Dry Desert, past Klugetown, through the pine woods, and over the entire Southern ocean.

The Storm Domain he saw from so long ago was fresh on his mind and he was committed to killing ever single one of the citizens that lived within it.
> Bloodlust Prises Him Back
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

He arrived, where he would put pressure on this kingdom to retreat from Equestria and even change the Princesses back.
He knew Twilight would find some way, her own way to right things.
He left Tempest with the promise that everything she knew would crumble away.

Arctus returned to the base form or slaughter that he birthed himself, not the Eight Heroes.

The kingdom, perched in mountains much like Canterlot with a black cloud casting a dark shadow, would fall. It didn't matter how imposing it was or how many peoples were in it. He had raced using Yetrema's gifts, speeding over the water itself to stop on the peak of a mountain near the high ebony stone walls, clasped with silver accents and streaks of cyan. Arctus used the wards in his boots to climb the battlements quietly, slaying two archers, two storm creatures with a well placed knife and hatchet in their throats.

The battlements were always the place to start, enclose like a circle, a tactic every experienced scout used and knew. Patrols were typically sent out from the military operations center or armory, which were kept close in every fortress he went to. With higher archers gone, he could easily roam wherever. Hours were ticking by.

Garrisons around a city would be slaughtered off all on their own and he'd wait a while, cutting the neck, stabbing the lung, taking the head of whatever and whoever came through the doors of the bloodied building. More hours were ticking by as he killed off portions of the military force. 

Citizens wouldn't question where they were going, they knew forces left en masse and could do it again, that's the reality of war.

He came to the head of state, the monarch's beloved palace in this dark and dreary kingdom. Arctus found this too easy even though he had been here for twelve hours now...maybe more. It didn't matter to him, it was all the same goal. Rend their flesh until it is done.

Arctus breathed in deep as he stepped into the palace, arrows nocked with lightning buzzing about them. A throne room immediately greeted him with four guards talking amongst themselves.

Eyes fell on him before he loosed six arrows, loud lightning cracking through the room. Fitting of their Storm King, it would raise no cause for concern. Bodkin heads flew into the skulls of each of the guards, two of them got double the treatment.

He waltzed in pride, stowing the bow and taking his spear again as he searched around briefly before ehaidng up stairs. Despite the building being located atop the highest peak in this city, it was small, sparse rooms, mostly menat for luxury and left empty of targets. He met the Storm King's room and went past it easily enough. 

The next, he entered, from the symbol engraved on the door Arctus knew. This housed a proud Aeternians' things. Now was his chance to slaughter Hazth.

If the other Master Scout was home, which of course he wasn't. Arctus was turning the room upside down as quickly as he could, trusting the stone walls to mask his rummaging. No weapons, no tools. Hazth was out doing something, maybe even approaching Equestria.

The thought didn't chill Arctus, that just menat he had a foe waiting at home to face him, he knew Hazth had the same level of ego he did and all he desired was to win at everything. In Hazth's eyes, Arctus was the final challenge, the everything to kill and everything to beat.

The woodsmaster shared the sentiment.

Arctus came upon his journal soon enough, not bothering to open it, but stowed it behind his leather overcoat. Literature for a later time, the story of Hazth would be one he'd love to read himself.

The present Master Scout left the room quick enough, killing the last remaining guards before returning to the city where he started to take his time, entering home after home and killing creature after creature. It didn't matter if they were one of the Storm King's or not. The twisted monarch dared to strike at Equestria the same way Chrysalis did, but with the gall to do it in front of him. Everything deserved death not for their actions, but as a statement to those who resort to the same kinds of violence he commits.

To do so would fill everything in your home with the howls of people who lost everything.

Then replace it with silence after you gurgled on metal. That's what this was, vegenace, a statement, and a conviction. This is how Arctus will stand for his wife and his marriage, against any who would threaten his balanced life. He slipped his spear head out of the throat of the fox woman in front of him, the sixteenth house he has infiltrated and slaughtered, "condolences. The Storm King wrought this, make sure you throw him to the Fourteen Hells."

Arctus left as he heard the first sharp screech of horror. Terror would spread throughout this city and he had already enclosed them, every portcullis out of the city was slammed shut and broken by his own hands. He placed sigils at the battlements, on every ladder and every staircase. The pointed warrior never had the idea he would kill the entire city silently, but two thirds of the population were dead, including the remaining military force. It was well into the night were the astral bodies able to move.

His blood boiled again and he let loose the sigils he placed and explosions sounded off around the kingdom, blasting off any other possible exit in fiery violence.

"Master Scout Arctus has arrived on behalf of Equestria!" He shouted with a laugh, "and all of you are damned!"

He finished up quickly enough, the terror around the city forced them to hide in palce and his ears were sharp enough that he could detect when they tried to slip out of hiding to run from him in a game of cat and mouse. His entire attire was splattered in blood, it was done.

Complete and finished, but his vengeance was not over. There was still the Storm King, that magenta unicorn with no horn, and the man who made their attack possible.

He stood atop the battlements, watching as the sun and moon rapidly moved.

His mouth went to his covered right hand, the leather gloves adjust to fit better over his wedding ring, "Celly, you awake? What's going on?"

No response.

So he borrowed from Yetrema again and made it all the way back to Canterlot.
> The Glory of Me
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

On his speedy return, borrowing from Yetrema once more, he noted the numerous destroyed airships and even the entire fallen slum city Klugetown. This would not be struck from any creatures' mind let alone from any historians books.

Arctus saw a lone figure stand on the balcony behind the throne room of the castle as he raced through the city, passing by caged ponies. He reached the throne room easily enough, staring at a caged Twilight in a cart.

"How?! I saw you flee the city!" Tempest trotted to him, stamping her hooves harshly on the marble floor. Arctus huffed, catching his breath with a short respite. The broken unicorn had left her ascent to the balcony.

"Princess Twilight, as the only conscious ruler, I report that Klugetown, airship reinforcements, and the Storm King's nation have all been destroyed. The Storm King has no miltary left but the ones present in our city," Tempest's eyes widened.

Twilight's jaw dropped open. She was the only princess left unpetrified, but she looked exhausted and shocked at the report he just gave, incoherent babling left her mouth.

"Your friends are on their way to rescue you," he reached into his leather tabbard and retrieved Hazth's journal, the name and Aeternia symbol emblazoned on the front, "go report it, broken unicorn," his spear pointed toward the balcony behind the throne room, "tell him his kingdom has fallen and he will be forgotten."

Tempest backpedaled, her hooves a lot quieter before she broke into a gallop. The Master Scout's eyes fell to the stone Celestia, "don't worry, I will do when necessary," Twilight's friend burst through the door shortly after and they quickly freed Twilight from her prison.

Arctus paid no attention to them, rising the steps slowly with spear in hand while Twilight rushed past him, determined to still get some kind of good outcome that wasn't an incredible amount of bloodshed. So Arctus held back while Twilight went onto the balcony, seeing a huge storm brewing.

"Fix it! Fix it!" Tempest shouted at the Storm King who looked remarkably like, but more civil than his military personnel did.

"No! I never had the power to and I never will repair it! I used you like Hazth!" From the staff in his hand, a giant bolt of magic shot and exploded at Tempest's feet, the broken unicorn soared through the air only to be caught before being taken by the giant tornado in the distance by Twilight.

"I see, this is the Aeternian you talked about in that spell," he grinned at Arctus, "another Master Scout. I have the power to kill you now, hairless monkey! Beg for your life!" Arctus took his spear from his back, "you defy my power?!"

His spearhead nullified the magic blast sent at him and the Storm King's eyes were filled with dread.

"Arctus! We need that staff!" Twilight shouted over the stormy weather at him.

"I will make sure it's retrieved."

A purple-bluish flickering star formed in the dusty sky clouded with debris, "what is that?!" The sole standing adversary shouted.

"Master Scout Hazth kept a lot of secrets from you it seems. I assume you never used him, but he thoroughly used your ambition to fuel a kingdom that he would militarize."

"You fell for his manipulation," Arctus approached, letting his spear neutralize another magic blast before he  used the rounded butt of his favored weapon to knock the Storm King into his own tornado in the distance. The Master Scout present stopped resisting and leapt off the balcony.

"Arctus!" Twilight called while he started to trace a symbol.

The Storm King met him as he levitated himself into the center of his storm, firing lightning bolts in Arctus' direction but missing each strike as he flew in circles around the tornado.


"Powerful Bakta! I ask for your magic to fill my vessel. Grant me the power to force my foes to cower in your name! Give me the means to crumble away all that must be dusted away!"

His eyes bled a harsh white light over the Storm King as he forced himself to a stop in the tornado.

"You play with godly force without having any experience in it. I will show you the true power Hazth wielded that you were oblivious to," Arctus commanded the winds to stop and the tornado vanished. He forced the moon to the correct time, overpowering the Storm King's stolen alicornhood.

The humanoid could utter no words as he floated in fear. And then the staff was ripped from his grasp and sent back to the balcony in the distance. Arctus levitated the Storm King himself.

"I tire of everything taking a chance to strike at Equestria and my home. You will become a display for me," he levitated him higher into the air while Arctus floated in the same position.

To Twilight, he appeared siazable, she count count limbs, equipment just barely. Those on the balcony could not see the Storm King except as a dot.

The black clouds in the sky were dispersed by Arctus' temporary mastery. Yellow lightning streaked from every direction in the sky, striking the foolish ruler again and again with loud booms echoing the Master Scout's desire for peace in the lands he settled in. The yellow bands strewn across the night canvas made their own daylight, painting roads to show the spectacle.

"Feel all of my wrath."

And the Storm King continued to be zapped before a glob of lava ripped from the mantle below Arctus flung up to meet the tall primate, coating him in an orange glow. His flesh was melting, the pain was indesrcibable as Arctus forced his life to stay in his body.

And eventually he let him die, shattering the cooled obsdian block across the entirety of the planet, far out of Equestria. The ashes and melted remains of the Storm King were thrown into the Southern ocean, cutting the journey into mere seconds.

The Master Scout levitated himself back to the balcony, Tempest was the only one present.

"Hazth...was that powerful?"

"Is...and I will rip him apart next."

With power came a cost, Arctus managed the one word and released Bakta's presence form his body. His body limped, collapsing over the railing in.





"Arctus! Wake up! Please!"

He began to stir, still in his complete armor, still clutching Hazth's journal.

"Art! You vowed!"

"I'm asking you to stand."

His mind lurched at the words and he immediately stood, still garbed in all of his armor with his equipment laying strewn about the floor. The blood within him responded to the volcanic vow he sealed. Celestia stood at his side, her eyes locked to the vial with Arctus' infused obsidian glowing white.

He bounded from the bed, leaving the journal behind and quickly gathered his gear again, "I will."

Celestia laid her head on his shoulder, "you sacrifice much for us, but...I think your final duty lies ahead. Your last fight for us."

In that one word, she meant Equestria and the lives they shared together.

"Where is Asarele?" He asked.

"She's flown free, she left when the airships approached, but somepony is keeping your rival busy."

He nodded, "I'll bring her home after I tend to him."

"Are you rested enough?" Arctus nodded and left the room, he had a guess where he was now based on the distant clashing he heard.




He had saved Canterlot from ruin at the hands of minotaurs and now he would save it from ruin at the hands of Hazth. Arctus arrived at the large balcony plaza in Canterlot, seeing a shield around it that dropped when he approached. His orders to the guards were clear, keep everypony inside and evacuate the city if he fell. He wanted this glory to be seen by more than the white space above.

Dark clouds began to swirl overhead, pegasi zipping to bring some kind of cover for the gruesome battle that was already underway, steel clashes ringing out along with yells of returned Scout.

Despite the balcony plaza now gaining a deepened shadow, a mysterious inky darkness consumed the area, one that was definitely magical in nature.

"Scout Sunset!" The darkness immediately vanished and reveal the talented unicorn warrior, holding a saber and longsword, breathing hard with many small injuries.

Across from her was a much more seasoned fighter, holding a hunting knife that looked worn in different ways from Arctus' in his left hand. His right hand held a hatchet just the same as Arctus'.

That was an Aeternian scout, wearing the same kit as him.

"Master Scout Arctus."

The rain began to come down, "Sunset, go take cover with Celestia," she had just arrived back to keep Hazth busy who showed zero signs of exhaustion.

Hazth took a bag from his side and tossed it far away, landing it against the side of a building behind Arctus.

"Art, I wish you luck," Celestia called from behind him near the abg while Sunset limped away, "I...I earned my title, but he's still leagues above me."

The rain storm billowed around them, high winds accompanied the booms in the air as the storm picked up to force Canterlotans inside. There was an audience to them beyond just those present outside, faces were lined in the windows of buildings.

History for Aeternia would be made right here in Equestria.

"Master Scout Hazth."

Silence followed after they addressed each other before the invader spoke, "you have a nice life here. It is much more peaceful with many more creature comforts than what mine had."

"So you know I've destroyed and slaughtered every last person of resistance there."

Hazth laughed, "of course I do. I lost control of my puppet and he decided to strike before I was ready. Now he's in a million ashy pieces. Your kingdom, Equestria, has won. So I came to see if you can win as a man, an Aeternian," he stood straighter, taking a moment to stow  his axe and knife. He reached behind him with both hands and drew his jeddart axe into his right hand, the axe head was wider and more elongated than most, attached to an entire metal shaft. It was the same black material as Arctus' spear and Sunset's newly reforged saber, blue metal adorning the edge. The cup and band that protected Hazth's hand let for some room as the handle continued past without cover for added force in swings.

A jeddart axe was a terrifying weapon in its own ability, but his left hand pulled a moon hammer down from his back, the shaft long and the head imposing. Hacking and bludgeoning were a sure way to kill most people or creatures.

Arctus reached to his side and pulled his spatha into his left hand. His spear found his right hand's fingers.

The Sun fell below the horizon quite quickly and the moon rose, numerous stars coming out along with the Eight above. The Heroes' Stars didn't even need to be called they had always been there, waiting for the battle to begin, their lights dazzled and shone through the stormy clouds, leaving a rainbow effect on the balcony plaza an dlighting it up despite the effort to hide their battle.

The Eight Heroes wanted everything that could see the fight to be able to.

"Hazth, you didn't even want to fight my Scout Sunset, did you?" Hazth shook his head.

"I was waiting for you, you're my last target, my last challenge. If only Aeternia could know and see me defeat the revered Starborn. You," Hazth has a wide smile on his heavily bearded and scarred face.

Arctus smiled back, "found your journal."

"Good, read it if you win. I intend to read yours when I slay you," Hazth torted, "don't worry, I'll still give you last rites."

"When you get up there, give Silver Spike a proper battle," Arctus assumed his victory.

Hazth smirked, "so now we make history. The first two Master Scouts dueling to their deaths. You remember the one time we met in Aeternia?"

"You said I had potential to rise to your height...maybe."

The same thing was said to Sunset by Arctus.

"Now we'll test it," Hazth pounded his feet as he held his jeddart in front of him and moon hammer swaying behind his body.
> Stand
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Kamna!" Arctus shouted, but no light was following his fingers, he couldn't trace a symbol.

"Children of shared blood," a collection of eight voices boomed from all around and Hazth stopped his advance, "there will be no aid from us, no lending of power."

The first time the Eight were heard in mortal worlds after their launching. Arctus understood what this fight then meant and he leapt to Hazth, closing the distance and slashing his spear at him in a simple downward strike. The Jeddart cup handle caught his spear head and the axe blade descended toward him in a common riposte for the weapon.

The woodsmaster slipped his spear round and caught the axe blade with the rounded end of his spear, attempting a slash at Hazth's face in the same movement. Hazth's Scout weapon was revealed to him then, nobody had ever seen it in action and lived.

The axe blade felt a lot more forceful than it actually had been, a small boom echoing out and sending Arctus reeling back, tightening his grip on his weapon.

"Even you can not stand the might blessed into my axe," Hazth mocked.

"My spear will remove any crutch you may yet have," Arctus rubbed the wards on his boots, divining a future need for them to be active. The rain had soaked his hair and begun to penetrate into his cloth and linens while the wind filled the silence.

Hazth zipped upon him and the Protector of Equestria chose instead to dodge, sliding to his left and duck afterward for his next strike, "haha!" Hazth laughed, "nobody had dodged any of my strikes in decades!"

Arctus zipped his spear up, slashing across his cheek and fanning mana into his spear to jet out an anti-magic supression through Hazth's veins.

A gout of red chased at Hazth with Arctus' left hand and the opposing warrior's leather and armors caught flame. Hazth, while resistant to the burns, knew this meant movement with his gear would be hindered. Arctus followed with a thrust, his spear knocked aside and the extended uncovered handle of Hazth's jeddart slammed into his cheek.

The taste of blood greeted Arctus as he stepped away, flame dying out on Hazth from the rain. The Storm King's puppet master smirked.

The present Scouts of Equestria along with the royalty looked on in awe, protected from the elements by a magic shield. To them, the weapons used were nothing but blurs and standard steel could not hold up in this level of abuse.

"Do you feel that, Hazth?" Arctus' skin prickled all over his body, his heart roaring in his chest, "the curse? The need?" He closed distance, swiping at the same inhuman speeds Luna was defeated by and that Sunset Shimmer had outwitted.

Arctus practiced hard for this day. Hazth's axe met and blocked his spear, riposting only for Arctus to manuever around. The metal between them became a twisting dance and Arctus did not shy from the booms of Hazth's weapon. The two of them exchanging blow after blow and parrying blow after blow.

"They're paragons of combat," Celestia commented to the two present mares.

"No, they're gods of war and ruin," Sunset corrected.

"And we're on a different level of existence than them," Stitch continued, "we won't be able to rise to their ability."

"Not without more ambition," the newest Master smiled.

It was long before Arctus sustained another injury, Hazth's axe blade had sliced with the last inch acrosss his stomach, the boom of his axe sent him flying through the air. The jeddart master sprinted and closed distance while Arctus righted himself in the air, blood dripping across the balcony plaza while his boots stuck him against a building.

A dodge aside and firmly calculated move sunk his spear into the left shoulder of Hazth, tearing apart muscle, tendon and joint.

"Nice trick," Hazth commented, sliding off the spear with no indication of pain while he landed on the plaza.

"Pradingti ant pikiruoti!" Arctus kept his assault as he body vanished and apepared above Hazth as an incredible velocity with his spatha. The axe wielding hindred slammed his jeddart against the small sword with a lot of force behind in mana and his own muscle. The blade shattered into metal shards that properly and sliced Arctus throughly, becomign shrapnel lodged in his face and body.

Arctus was propelled high into the air.

"Akmuo duetas sutrinti!" Hazth shouted to the skies and Arctus heard rumbles in two different directions across Equestria, seeing massive squares of rock cut from mountains sent at him with the intent to crush.

"Laiptelis oro skraidyti," Arctus let out and he quickly propelled with gravity downward, stepping on translucent platforms. He escaped the stone sentence, quickly approaching the ground.

He dared to try something new, "zaibas tapti sau smogti!" Four words was unusual for a spell.

He felt a tingle over himself as lightning shot from the clouds onto him and then zipped him in front of Hazth who was marred by the powerful electricity. Arctus assumed intiative only to have his thigh unprotected in his thrust and hacked deep by the axe with no mana behind it while Hazth sidestepped and attempted to swing at Arctus with his moon hammer that he had held behind him the entirety of the fight, willing his destroyed shoulder on.

The second blow connected as Arctus could not recover a defensive stance quickly enough, but on impact, Hazth's arm dropped the bulbous hammer. The woodsmaster felt the crack in his left forearm in his attempted defense.

"Fortune favors the brave," he slashed with his still somewhat outstretched spear and was rewarded with a slit on the side of Hazth's neck, blood quickly gushing down. He slit open a major artery.

That's it, he had won in the most Scout based attack possible. He struck one of the weaknesses of human anatomy.

Hazth attempted to slash with his jeddart again, but blood was no longer supplying much oxygen to his brain, crippling some of his systems. The woodsmaster, bleeding himself shvoed his spear through Hazth's slow wrist, forcing him to drop his jeddart.

In his bloodlusted rage he thrust his spear forth, stabbing into his chest.

Hazth locked to Arctus' life filled eyes, "seems...my time spent building a kingdom left my combat prowess neglected," he hoarsely managed out, "I recognize you, greatest Scout," despite being a mortal enemy, Hazth held to the values of the Scout order.

Hazth hadn't slumped over onto Arctus' weapon. But in a roar of rage, he finished Hazth's life after debilitating him.

"For the glory of me!"

He spear shove through his chest, under his rib cage and at upward angle, piercing his weakly pumping heart and exiting with lugs out the other side of his torso. Arctus impaled Hazth completely.

He limped to the other side and finished pulling his spear out, giving it a whirl to slake the blood off before holstering his weapon away. Hazth still stood, no longer drawing breath, but his legs did not allow him to fall in death.

Arctus limped back over to his front while the storm billowing about began to clear with the work of magic, the night sky now visible as Luna had joined in observation some time ago. The eight heroes hung in the canvas, watching and continuing to bathe their light over the balcony plaza while Arctus lifted the jeddart axe himself.

Hazth's weapon was raised into the air in front of his dead body, "with this weapon, we reave," he would uphold his promise and his honor as a fellow Scout despite hating the destruction Hazth brought to Equestria.

His slit across his left forearm, broken radius and ulna shifting slightly, "with this blood we conquer," he managed to stab the tip of the axe blade shallowly into the balcony plaza's bricks.

"In this loss, we allay."

He dripped his blood over the jeddart axe, "after the accomplishments, we savor."

"In union, you are free."

The moonlight and starlight had fully revealed the incredible amount of blood splayed over the balcony plaza.

The first loud crack soared across Equestria's skies as the jeddart axe collapsed into large shards, "fight amongst the stars, Master Scout Hazth!" Arctus loudly proclaimed and another shatter followed.

The third came and the weapon was no more than crumbled metal. Eight different collored and flickering lights quickly descended, the dust of the jeddart axe levitating and gathering together around them. Hazth's body, along with most of the blood present on the plaza ground shot up in a fiery blaze into the sky at an incredible velocity.

Another bright white star appeared as the Eight lifted the scraps of the weapon into the sky along with the new star.

Arctus did not smile at the death of Hazth, not out of respect or loss. He smiled out of pride, Hazth was undone and Arctus was the most glorious Aeternian to walk. A loud stamping of hooves rang across Canterlot, countless ponies now present outside along with guard, applauding his accomplishment. Celestia, with Luna and other scouts behind her, rushed to the Protector's side in worry.

"Arctus, we shall continue to watch you."

The Eight Heroes boomed as their stars faded from the night sky.

"Art," Celestia's horn lit, though she knew she couldn't heal most of the wounds he sustained, she repaired his broken bones using the medical knowledge she obtained on him throughout his years present, "don't collapse," Arctus still stood while Celestia opened a pouch on his person with her magic, rifling through and retrieving sutures, adminstering first aid to as many wounds as she could.

"I'll send for the hospital," Luna teleported after her words.

He didn't need praise, not from anypony present, not from the Gods above. Arctus kept silent as did Stitch and Sunset, knowing the ritual behind what Arctus had just performed that night.
> Expunged (Epilogue)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Well, where did you hear that?" Twilight endearing addressed the pegasus foal who came to court by herself.

And the throne rooms doors shut tight, the guard then left the room leaving Twilight and this young pony alone in it.

"Um uhm um, it was a story...I found in this book," the young filly lifted up a journal, emblazoned with a symbol only she could still recognize and a cutiemark of a stitching hook.

Twilight laughed at the memories that resurfaced, the research on a different creature she performed.

"You've seen the statue at Sweet Apple Acres? The one of that creature nopony knows, falling apart?" Twilight knew the answer but she still asked.

"Y-yeah! Of course! We all say he's our guardian of the farm, keeps all the monsters away!" The foal pipped in cheeriness again, "where...where did all of the guards go?"

"Don't worry, I sent them outside, you're safe. This is a topic we can only discuss alone. Where did you find this journal?"

"The Everfree Forest. It was in this weird hole house thing in the ground," Twilight's smile faded a little at her words.

Her friends were all gone, even Celestia had been taking an eternal rest for a while now. The Princess of Friendship went behind her throne, fetching a crystal wine glass filled with an amber liquid and placing it on the floor between them.

"Say his name again," Twilight prompted.

"Ar-Arctus. Princess Twilight? You're acting kinda weird."

"That's because you're talking about something very weird...surreal even," the alicorn sat on her haunches, "so, let me tell you a little bit about Arctus, Master Scout Arctus. Don't go repeating this back to anypony, okay?" The filly in front of her nodded.

"Master Scout Arctus was married to Princess Celestia, my old mentor, he was given the title Protector of Equestria. He rode atop a bird that could whip up a blizzard colder than the Frozen North could."

"Is he a super pony?!"

"Hahaha, no no," he temporary smile fled her face, "but he is a hero who saved Equestria from threats we could not imagine now a days. He saved Equestria and our future on more than one occassion, rather prevented disaster."

"Tell me more!" The filly urged Twilight to speak, "is he a prince?!"

"Eager, aren't you?" Twilight warmly smiled again, "he was a prince consort in idea alone, but he refuted the title despite marrying a princess. He asked to be expunged from Equestrian records as that's not how he wanted to be remembered. There's still a statue of him, deep in the Everfree Forest, his forest. Where he lived when he first came to Equestria. There is nopony that is a better warrior than him. I'm sure that even now, he fights for us."

"Oh, oh! I know that statue! It was on top of the hole in the ground!"

"Quite right, there is another in Canterlot still maintained, but without any plaque on it," Twilight answered, "I ahven't been that way in the forest in a long time."

"So, where is he? Can we meet him?" The pegasus filly stood up.

"No, we can't. He travels, but if you look to the sky at night, very rarely you can see sparkles and ice fall from the sky as he rides his bird across the lands. Sometimes, he'll even call a star into the night sky."

"Woooow, how does he do that?"

"No pony knows," Twilight lied, "but-."

The amber filled crystal chalice floated into the air very evenly and smoothly

"Um, Princess. Are you doing that?"

"He's here," Twilight whispered.

And the cup was slowly emptied like someone sipped every bit of liquid from it silently and for just a small moment, a black spear with a rounded butt and a blued edge of the head could be seen.

"I-I'm scared."

"Do not fear, he is always on Equestria's side," Twilight seemed to be shoved back a step before she lifted a hoof and hugged an invisble being.

He was grateful for every cup she left him, for every comfort she provided while he traveled with his vigil.

"He's...he was alive when you were a filly? Doesn't that make him old?"

"He doesn't age, my little pony," Twilight stood, putting the crystal glass back behind her throne with magic, "he protects us from threats we've never seen."

"Why doesn't anypony else know about him?" The little pegasus was still filled with questions.

"He...after Celestia retired he wasn't seen in the public eye as much. And when she passed, he all but disappeared. He comes around to a couple ponies, but he doesn't want to be marked in history," Twilight explained.

"O-oh."

Twilight breathed in, "I don't wish to burden you, but...if you find any other journal with this symbol on it," she lifted the journal from her hooves, pointing at the Aeternia insignia, "bring it to me, especially one with a yellow and red sun cutiemark on it," she smiled, "I'll tell you the great tale of Arctus, but if I do...you gotta promise to keep it a secret."

"I will, Princess!"

"Go on, enjoy the rest of your day," the throne room doors opened again and the guards filed back into their positions, "and anytime you feel that the monsters are going to get you, remember that Master Scout Arctus has already beaten them!"

The filly nodded and galloped out.

Twilight didn't know how the journal ended up there, but she knew it was purposeful, Strong Stitch had likely retired without anypony knowing, not even reporting in to Arctus or the other princesses, but quietly slipping away to live a peaceful life.

It was hard to say if Sunset Shimmer had done the same, but she likely left her journal there somewhere, too. Likely hidden in a place not many would find.

"What is it...for the glory of you? I hope you don't mind oral retellings," Twilight reopened her court. The ruling Princess resolved to that, it was the way Aeternians remembered their heroes and it was the way they’d remember him, “oooh, I’m betting you won’t, isn’t that right?”

A hunting knife dropped onto the crystal floor of her castle, the guards jumping at the object that suddenly appeared. Twilight levitated it to her eyes and noted the ‘A’ intial at the bottom of the wooden handle before she noted how dull it was.