Arcane Mystic sat at his workbench, examining a piece of wood he had infused with some of his magic. He used to do this all the time when he was just practicing his magic abilities. The Stallion had a snowy white coat and milky white mane as well as bright red eyes. His cutie mark was a shield with a magic star emblem on it.

He tried using the magic he infused into the wood to produce a series of different effects on it. Now that he was more experienced with magic he figured it would be more interesting. After a bit of focus, the wood started disassembling into threadlike fibers. Once he accomplished this, he then tried putting different effects on each of the fibers. The strength of the enchantment corresponded to the amount of magic divided into each thread. The enchantments varied from making the thread glow to increasing it's weight to causing it to burst into flames without reducing it to ashes. He also tested the durability of each one as many an enchanted item more often than not has it's integrity increased exponentially when enchanted.
Arcane took a knife and tried cutting a single strand. It took considerably more effort than it would have had it not received an enchantment. He tried it again on another strand and this time he added a weight to the knife and put it on a scale to read the pressure being applied. He had already made notes on the pressure needed to break a regular strand. Once the thread broke he then added these notes and compared them. The enchanted fiber seemed to be at least four times more durable than an ordinary one.

Arcane's house was littered with notes on enchantment and magic spells he had developed or was working on, as well as projects that where less than successful. He also had a few books he had borrowed from Twilight. His main expertise in magic had to do with magic's effect on the body. Specifically how to increase one's physical attributes with magic.
He made his living creating and selling enchantments for others. Usually protective charms and the like.

When he was finished with hi notes he heard a knock at the door. He then answered it to find a little white filly with a purple and pink mane as well as green eyes.

“Hey mister Mystic!” She said with a smile. “Did you enchant the thread my sister gave you?”

“Heya Sweetie Bell.” Arcane replied. Circles under his eyes from working all night. “Yeah, hang on, Ill get it.” He then let her in where she sat on the couch. Said couch hadn’t seen much use since Arcane was often sitting at his workbench instead. He actually only got the couch for guests really. He looked through the shelf he used to the commissions he had finished enchanting. The several spools of thread Sweetie Bell had asked for. The thread was enchanted for durability, though he also added a pair of scissors to cut it with. He brought them to the little one and gave them to her.
“There you go.” He said. “And if you see Pinkie Pie anywhere, could you tell her I finished enchanting that glowing glitter she wanted?”

“Ok.” Sweetie Bell nodded. “Thanks mister Mystic!”

“You can just call me Arcane Mystic if you want.” Arcane replied.

“Yeah, but mister Mystic is fun to say.” Sweetie Bell said. She then gave Arcane the bits her sister gave her to pay for the supplies and then walked out waving to him.

About half an hour later, Arcane was about to take a nap just before he heard another knock at the door. “Probably another customer come to pick up his order.” He thought. But when he opened the door, he found Spike carrying a letter. “Hey Arcane!” He said as he handed him the letter. “I came to give you this. It's from Twilight! She had your request approved!”

The white stallion's expression then went from tired to surprised. “Holy shit!” He said. “Er- I mean, Wow! That's awesome!”

The little dragon's expression showed surprise at Arcane's choice of words, but understood his excitement, so he didn't say anything about it. “Yeah! They're setting up a research center right now! They're probably gonna be done with it in about a month or so. Of course we also have to find you some partners to work with on the research.”

“Oh yeah.” Arcane said. His smile hiding his sudden anxiety. He forgot that a facility of research and development needed an entire team to work in it. And he wasn't exactly the social type. At least not with those he doesn't already know.

“Oh! What about Noctis?!” A familiar pink pony shouted excitedly, causing both the purple dragon and white unicorn to jump in startlement.

“Ah!” Arcane yelped. “Er, who? You mean the new guy? The one who almost burned down ponyvile?”

“Yup! He's got all that alchemy and research of his own!” Pinkie Pie said. “Maybe he can be a part of your research team!”

Spike pondered for a moment on weather it would be a good idea. On one hand, Noctis seemed quite effective in his research but on the other hand he was still evil, meaning the things he researches could have a negative effect on everypony.

Arcane scratched the back of his neck. “I don't know... I mean sure he seems to be a master of alchemy, but do we really need someone like that on the team?” He then said.

“Oh it won't be that bad!” Pinkie Pie replied. “Besides! Princess Celestia said to try and bring out the best in him! What better way then to put him on a team where he can make friends with everyone?”

Arcane pondered for a moment, still unsure of the idea. “Ill leave the decision to Twilight. If it's alright with her then we can see if Noctis even want's to be a part of the team.”

“Okie Dokie!” Pinkie Pie said as she then turned to rush out the door.

“Woah hang on now!” Arcane then said. “Before I forget, I finished that glitter you wanted.” He then got it from the shelf and gave it to her.

“Oh thanks Arcane!” Pinkie Pie said. “Now I can get started on the invitations for Gummy's birthday party!” She then rushed out the door.

Arcane and Spike looked in the direction Pinkie Pie left, both with an expression of confusion.

“So you want me to ask Twilight if it's ok for Noctis to join in on the research team?” Spike asked.

“Yeah. You go ahead.” Arcane said. “Ill figure out who else will be on the team.”

“Alright then. See ya later.” Spike said as he walked off.

Arcane then trotted over to the stove and made himself some green tea. He heated up some water over the stove and poured it into a mug with a T-bag in it. The liquid turning from transparent to green as it was being poured. His eyelids quite heavy as he let out a yawn. He waited about half an hour before drinking the tea. After which he then went to bed and took a nap.

When he woke up it was midnight. He then started work on some commissions he got earlier that morning.

Meanwhile, earlier that day, Noctis was working on some potions he thought may come in handy later. He then heard a knock on his door only to find Twilight once again with Spike.

“Hey Noctis.” She said. “Arcane Mystic is looking for others to build a team of researchers for the new department of research and development. Were putting together a new building in ponyvile. Would you like to join in?”

Noctis simply stared for a bit, then closed the door in her face. But as he trotted over to his workplace, he then gave it some thought and decided that being in a team of researchers may aid in protecting the main six, given the circumstances.

As Twilight trotted away from the door, a bit of disappointment in her expression, Noctis opened it again and asked, “How long till the building is complete?”

“About a month.” Twilight answered. Her smile returning.

“Anyone else on the team?” Noctis then asked.

“Not yet. But Arcane said he'd look into it.” Spike replied.

“Fine then.” Noctis then said. “I suppose I should start packing my things in a few weeks.”

“Great!” Twilight said enthusiastically. “Need any help?”

“No.” Noctis simply said as he shut the door again.

“Oh... alright then.” Twilight said. Her expression exhibiting disappointment again. Though her ears perked up again and her smile returned as she looked at Spike as she was glad that Noctis agreed to be on the research team. Spike smiled back at her and gave her a thumbs up.

The very next day, Arcane woke up to find he had some free time on his hooves. Given that he had finished all the commissions he received so far. He took this opportunity to do some more research. Before he could start however, a knock at the door met his ears. He answered it to find Noctis standing there.

“Oh hey.” Arcane said. “Your the one Pinkie Pie threw the party for.”

“Indeed.” Noctis said. “At any rate, Twilight asked me to be in your research team. That being said, I'd like to know who im working with. I'd rather rather not work with one who has no idea what he's doing.”

“Alright then.” Arcane said and invited him inside. Noctis then took it upon himself to examine Arcane's living space. He noted the pages and journals scattered about the area.

“One would think you'd have a more organized workspace.” Noctis said. “Your notes are in a sorry state. And they're in common. Just anyone could read them and use it for their own sick purpose.”

“Look, it's not that I wouldn't have them placed better if I could alright?” Arcane said. “Er... Well actually, I could have just gotten some more shelves and stuff. But I was saving my bits to help build the research center when my request got accepted. But it looks like Twilight's already taken care of everything already.”

“Everything except putting together the team.” Noctis said.

“Yeah...” Arcane said. “About that... Do you know anyone?”

“No.” Noctis said. “Not anyone we'd want on the team anyway.”

“Huh... I guess we'll have to look around then.” Arcane said. “Keep an eye out for anyone that we might want to consider.”

“I'd be surprised if we find anyone.” Noctis replied.

“Well I mean, not if we don't look, come on.” Arcane said as he then turned the sign on his door closing his shop and then heading out with Noctis following.

“Where do you want to look first?” Arcane asked.

“I believe we should start with an area with the highest population and go down from there.” Noctis answered.

“Like Manehatten?” Arcane said. “We can take the train.”

They then headed down to the train station and got on board to the next train to Manehatten. The two got in their seats and to pass the time they played a few games of shorties. A card game that was also a parody of ogres and oubliettes. Noctis was a pegasus rogue and Arcane was a unicorn cleric.

Noctis drew a monster that was beyond his level. “...Well...” he said.

“Looks like this is the end of the road for you buddy.” Arcane chuckled.

“It seems so. But I had a good ru- Ha!” Noctis said as he then used one of his single use treasure cards. “Potion of transference!” The card transferred the user to a safe location while the taking the other player to the monster.

Luckily the monster happened to be a zombie dragon, which could be beaten by a cleric with ease. “Ooga booga booga!” Arcane said as this was what the cleric had to do in order to defeat undead creatures without having to fight them. “You know I would have just helped you with the fight for free right?” he then said.

“True.” Noctis replied. “But then you would have gained a level.” The object of the game was to reach level ten first and while helping a player fight a monster wouldn't normally result in a level up as opposed to fighting the monster alone, Unicorns did have the ability to level up by helping other players in battle, which is why they could afford to help other players for free.

Arcane then drew a few treasure cards. “Well well well.” Arcane said. “The corset of giant strength!”

Noctis then laughed. “Sounds about right.” He said. “You wearing a corset.”

“Oh fuck you!” Arcane replied. Luckily they where in the very back of the train and the car they where in was empty save for them, so they could say whatever they liked.

Author's Note

Lot's of door knocking in this chapter...