Chronicles of Arche

Chapters

Prologue-The Summoning
Ch.1-Destiny
Ch.2-His War
Ch.3-Birds and Books
Ch.4- Tea with Trixie
Ch.5- Many Years Ago
Ch.6- Progress Report
Ch.7- Nightmare in the Everfree
Ch.8- War Horse
Ch.10- Out of Mind
Ch.11- Student and Teacher
Ch.12- A Pony before the Guard
Ch.13- Fun at the Equestrian Games
Ch.14- A Horrific Realization
Ch.15- Recurring Nightmare
Ch.16- Plagues of the Past Part 1
Ch.17- Plagues of the Past Part 2
Ch.18- Plagues of the Past Part 3
Ch.19- Plagues of the Past Part 4
Ch.20- Plagues of the Past Part 5
Ch.21- Plagues of the Past Part 6
Ch.22- Oath to better days
Ch.23- Corrupted illusions
Ch.9- A Decaying Bloom
Ch.24- The soldier and the Centaur

Prologue-The Summoning

The train back to Canterlot was a quiet one. A stallion in his position never could be too careful. His guards were placed in the front and back doors of the train cart he was riding in, nothing but his thoughts and the sounds the wheels moving along the tracks. He looks out the window, seeing the presence of Canterlot in all its glory. All he does is sigh, closing the book he was reading with his magic, and levitating it into his saddle bag. A stallion dressed in blue-gray armor trots in, stopping in place upon seeing he made eye contact with the sitting pony.

“Apologizes, Admiral, I hope I wasn’t disturbing you.”

He was a tall thin stallion, fur shared the same color as the guard’s armor. HIs dark blue suit held tightly to his chest, a silver sash rested over it, with a metallic military emblem on the center. His mane was quite bizarre. A shade of sky blue, as well as a light green along the ends of it. But the most noticeable thing was the red shard of crystal covering his right eye. His purpled left gazing over at the guard, his awkward frown indicating his inferiority to a superior official. The stallion never cared for ranks. His soldiers never fought for such a thing, neither did he.

“Calm yourself, there’s no need to feel frightened.”

He stands from his seat, his white horn glowing in a light blue aura, levitating a glass of water to the guard.

“The heat is quite an issue, today. There’s no reason to deprive yourself just for my sake.”

The guard extends his hoof, grabbing the glass, a small smile forming.

“Most kind of you, Admiral. Thank you.”

“It’s no problem, really. Now then, I suppose you came in here to alert me of something?”

After taking a long drink, the relieved guard nods in agreement.

“Yes sir, we’ll be approaching the station shortly. I believe we have about ten minutes. With your permission, I could have a carriage waiting for you by the time we arrive.”

“That won’t be necessary, soldier. My arrival to the capital doesn’t require such attention. We are here solely on official business, not to cause any commotion with the locals.”

The admiral remembers the last time he arrived in Canterlot. Ever since his promotion, the higher class wanted to pick his brain. Mares wouldn’t stop following him, stallions offered him invites to parties. None of that mattered to him, all he ever wanted was to keep the ponies safe, no matter how annoying he found them to be. If not by the orders of Celestia herself, the admiral wouldn’t even be on this train. There was still so much needed to be done back on the East Coast. The train had slowly drawn to a stop, as the stallion trots for the door, opened by the two guards on the other side of it.

“Was your time on the train well, Admiral Arche?”

He forms a small smile.

“It was, now then, on to the castle I suppose.”

Not two seconds after stepping off the train is Arche met by another guard. But this one was different, armor shaded in gold. He was from the castle.

“Admiral Arche, welcome back to Canterlot. I am to escort you to her majesty as soon as you’re ready.”

He sighs, looking around at the ponies staring at him. Arche then noticed the carriage not far from the main gate of the station.

“I require no special care, soldier, yet I thank you anyway.”

“Apologizes, Admiral, the princess alerted me of how you don’t require service, but she exclaimed that this was a matter of great importance.”

“I see…..well we shouldn’t keep her waiting then.”

As the carriage slowly made its way up to the castle, Arche took the time to glimpse at a few more pages of his book he was reading on the train. The guard sitting across from him gazed over at the cover of the book, “Mythical beings and hunters of Equestria.”

“You like to hunt, Admiral?”

“Hmm? Oh the book, well….you could say that. My men and I have been dealing with a rather disturbing issue in the Eastern region of Equestria. Mainly in Baltimare, disgusting vermin…prefer to cloak themselves, then strike when poor ponies lower their guard.”

“Vermin?”

Arche remained silent, before closing the book and lowering it back into his bag.

“It doesn’t matter, whatever plagued their homes no longer is an issue. My soldiers easily eradicated the problem.”

“Oh…well, I understand. Sir, looks like we’ve arrived.”

Arche made his way inside alone, Celestia’s guards whispering among themselves as he trotted past them. He soon made his way to the large throne room. There sat the ruler of Equestria, Princess Celestia.

“Admiral Arche, it is good to see you again. How was your trip?”

“Smooth, your majesty, and I’m more than ready to head back once matters are handled here.”

She smirks, standing from her chair and walking over to the stallion.

“Why such the hurry? According to the reports you’ve sent me, the changeling threat in the East is no longer a danger to any pony.”

“That may be true, Princess, but its only a matter of time before the changelings regroup and began spawning all over once again. Even at my level of skill, there could always be a changeling that slips its way past me.”

She raises her hoof, stroking Arche’s mane.

“Tell me, when was the last time you got any sleep, Arche? Or visited your niece in Ponyville?”

“Princess, sleep is not something I can allow. Every second is vital to me. As for my niece, she is of no major concern to me at the moment. Last I heard she was doing well with her performance gig. Forgive me, your majesty, but there must’ve been something more vital to discuss than my personal matters?”

She smiles, levitating a small strip of paper over to Arche.

“What is this?”

“Just read it.”

He glanced over at the writing, then at a picture of a young stallion with a white coat and blue mane. Next to him was a pink Alicorn, who had her wings wrapped around him.

“This is a wedding invite…..for your niece, Princess Cadence…and Shining Armor? Wait….not THAT Shining Armor?”

Celestia smirks, trotting closer to the surprised Arche.

“As in the Shining Armor you taught at the Academy? Your…what was it you called him? Ah, yes, your ‘ace’ student?”

Arche frowns, annoyed as Celestia chuckles.

“This is beyond you, princess, to trick me like this.”

“Oh Arche, stop being such a grump. There was no way you’d come this far if I simply sent a letter about him.”

Arche sighs, making his way for the exit.

“It was nice catching up with you, Princess, but I have important work to be done back at my base.”

With the nod of her head, the doors close, the sound of a lock making Arche’s mane stand.

“Arche, I sent you to the East to fight the changelings. You and your men more than kept your word. Consider this the start of your retirement.”

“Princess….I don’t really feel comfortable about this.”

She smirks, trotting over to him and wraps one of her wings around him.

“Arche…..for as long as I’ve known you, you’ve fought hard to keep Equestria safe. You don’t need to be as magical and powerful as I am to sense when some pony is suffering. Let go of the past, and look to the future. A future where you don’t have to fight anymore.”

There is a silence, as Arche looks over down at his uniform. The metallic emblem shining in the light.

“It’s….It’s all I’ve ever known. The things I’ve done…seen….no pony can just stop.”

He looks up at Celestia, symbol of Equestria, he a servant to her royalty, but for as long as the Alicorn has known him, she thought of him as something more. Though he, himself, never could say it, Celestia saw Arche as a true friend, and she knew he felt the same. Arche sighs, looking back at Shining’s invitation.

“He never sent me one. No doubt he still has issues towards me since our last encounter.”

“There’s always a chance to start a new. Consider this your final order, Admiral.”

He forms a small smile, bowing to her.

“If its as you command, your majesty."

Author's Note

Hope you enjoy this tale I've begun! For more info on my OC, Admiral Arche, click on the link below to my Deviantart account!

Link: https://flareemerald77.deviantart.com/art/Admiral-Arche-715419929

Ch.1-Destiny

“It’s happening again.”

He slowly walked out of the castle, unlike the other stallions and mares, who trotted out screaming in fear. Another stallion bumps into him, but felt nothing. Like the world was coming to an end, and it just might after the realization the admiral had been given. There Arche stood, paralyzed in shock and fear at the sights before him. Canterlot had been invaded by the changelings. It was there, right under their eyes, and no pony realized it. This was supposed to be a day of love, happiness, the joining to two individuals. Yet what Arche witnessed in front of him was the continuation of the endless struggle against these monsters. A royal wedding had become the spot of war.

“This can’t be……how could I miss this? I….I think I’m gonna puke.”

Arche’s body couldn’t stop shaking, his back hoof collapsing to the ground. His twitching gaze on the stone sidewalk, trying desperately to grasp the situation going on. He found himself short of breath, losing the back tie of the formal suit he was wearing for the occasion. Sweat was dripping down his face, his hooves shaking ferociously.

“No signs of alteration…..p..p..perfectly blended in the crowd…like…like they were invisible. I’ve should’ve seen them coming!”

Swarming through the sky, a changeling noticed the frightened admiral, licking its lips in hunger as it dive-bombs towards him. Its monstrous hissing sent shivers down Arche’s spine. He couldn’t bare see it, but sensed it was coming for him, closing his eyes in agonizing anticipation.

“I don’t deserve to be spared! Just do it already!”

Suddenly, the changeling was knocked out of the air, smashed into a wall. A light orange coated mare stood next to Arche. It seemed she attacked the beast by hitting it with her back hooves.

“You ok, sugercube Hey, you ain’t hurt, are ya?”

Arche didn't respond, having blocked out all contact with the world. He was still expecting the changeling’s attack.

“I could’ve prevented this…..I’m such a fool.”

The mare didn’t have time for his chatter, trotting away at full speed to help others in need. Arche slowly opened his eyes, noticing that he remained unharmed. He looked up to notice the changelings in the sky had began soaring to the east. It seemed something more important had caught their attention, allowing the admiral to make his escape.

“I…I must get word to my troops in the East. If what that disgusting queen of theirs said is true, then it won’t be long before all of Canterlot falls to them.”

He quickly trotted for safety in the alleys, but stops in place to the sound of a light groan. Arche looks over to see a dazed changeling, who still haven’t recovered from that mare’s attack. Arche’s expression of fear slowly turned to anger, teeth grinding as he trots over to the grotesque beast and grabs hold of its next using his levitation magic.

“You…vile....disgusting…..worthless…BUG!”

With a swift nudge of his head, Arche slams the changeling into the wall, knocking it out completely. All it sees is darkness, until the creature slowly regains consciousness. Before him was Arche, who sat in a chair a few feet from where it laid. He was dressed in his attire as a royal admiral. His mane was combed back. No doubt he cleaned himself up for the matter in front of him. The changeling tries to get up, but fails to do so. It looks down in confusion, noticing that all four of its decayed hoofs were chained to the ground.

“Wha…agh..AGHHH!!!”

A surge of pain suddenly revolves through the changeling’s body. It looks down, noticing a small pool of its own blood had begun to form. Disgusting, like swamp water mixed with oil. To the creature’s surprise, the blood was dripping off its own back and head. Arche simply sighs, levitating a mirror to the beast.

“Understand that I can’t allow any attempts of your escape. Necessary requirements had to be taken.”

“W…Where am I? Who are you?”

“Who am I? Funny, the horrible things your kind does, and you don’t even know who your victims are? Then again, whats to be expected from a bug?”

Arche stands, gazing down at the injured changeling. It lets out an agitated hissing, possibly to fear the admiral. Yet he didn’t even flinch, but did respond by slamming a large board of wood on the creature’s head.

“AGH! Canterlot scum! You’ll make a more rewarding snack for the queen!”

“Ahhh yes, your queen. She’s more revolting than the stories say.”

He slowly trots around the changeling, who continues violently attempting to escape its chains. Arche pours himself a glass of water, rolling his eyes as the changeling began roaring in anger.

“Please stop doing that, its very annoying. Get it through that head of yours. There’s no hope for your escape here. Not today, not ever, for this is the place where you will die.”

The changeling lets out a maniacal chuckle, licking its lips in delight.

“You’re funny, you think slicing my wings and horn makes you better than me? We are changelings, devourers of love! There is no end to our hunger, and no end to Equestria’s despair! Soon all of you will bow before Chrysalis!”

This time, Arche laughs, looking over at the bug with a smug smile, shaking his head in disagreement.

“You truly are just an animal. Lacking the intelligence to cope and understand how to live on one’s own. You see, you’ve spent your entire existence devoted to that witch that you’d trust her with your life. What do you think is going to happen? Is Chrysalis going to smash through the ceiling and save you? You’re nothing more than a grunt, there’s thousands like you. You mean so little to her, like a common roach. Ironic, don’t you think?

“Heeheheheeee…..go ahead and say what you want, but soon Canterlot will fall. Its happening while we speak! The barrier will fall, and you’ll be in these shackles soon.”

“Is that so? You have no idea how long time has passed since you awoke, haven’t you?”

Arche makes his way to a small table, levitating his saddle bag. The changeling notices a rather large printed piece of paper slipping out of the bag. Its hurled right in front of the bug, looking at it in confusion.

“What’s this suppose to-“

It gasps, eyes twitching, mouth open. Arche takes a sip of his water, sitting back down in his chair.

“Now tell me, when exactly can we expect Chrysalis to arrive?”

“Im…Impossible…”

It was the front page of the Canterlot newspaper. On the cover was a picture of Princess Cadence, dancing with her newly wedded husband, Shining Armor. The caption above the picture read “Beginning of a new, Changeling Crisis diverted.”

“You see? Your queen doesn’t care for you, nor any of your kind. Simply born to aide in her pointless cause, and soon to end the same way.”

“YOU’RE A LIAR!!!!”

The changeling hisses in anger, ripping the newspaper to shreds with its teeth. Arche just stood there, watching as the bug tires itself out from its outrageous burst of rage. It pants heavily, looking up at Arche in confusion.

“How….did it happen? She swore to us that it was full-proof!”

“What your queen failed to realize was the magical capabilities of the real Princess Cadence and her love for the young Shining Armor. I’ll admit, I was just as surprised as you, seeing your kind flee through the sky, heeheheee, like a giant fly swatter was coming for them.”

It lowers its head, sighing. Arche responds by splashing his water in the changeling’s face, then pushing its head against the wall with its hoof.

“Do you believe in destiny, changeling? Well? ANSWER ME!”

“AGH! Get….off of me!”

Arche pushes the bug to the ground, looking up at the admiral as he levitates the large chunk of wood again.

“You see, changeling, I once believed destiny to be a joke. That the things that happen around us are all mere coincidence. But today, seeing you on the floor, in pain, confusion, like what all your kind deserve, it made me realize something.”

“Wha-“

In seconds, the changeling was knocked to the ground once more. It coughs up some of its blood, slowly attempting to rise before being knocked down again but the wood. But it didn’t stop there. Arche kept on beating the changeling for nearly a whole minute, stopping just to catch his own breath. He looks back down on the bug, who was twitching in pain, its ears down, small chunks of its own teeth in front of his bleeding mouth resting on the ground. Its eyes were now swollen, and its entire body was covered in bruises. It tries to speak, to which Arche replies by smacking it with his hoof.

“No, don’t even attempt to plea mercy. You lost any remorse of mercy the day you and the rest of you vermin attempted to overthrow the queen! Not to mention ruining her niece’s wedding. Believe me, if you had given me proper time to prepare, I would’ve gotten…”

He looks at the chunk of wood levitating in his magic. It appeared close to breaking in half.

“More…reliable tools.”

The changeling finally manages to speak, blood spitting up with each word.

“Destiny….what…of it?”

“Ah yes, glad you were listening. You see, I believe it was destiny for us to meet today. With my days in retirement slowly approaching, spending nearly a decade making sure you bugs don’t harm any pony ever again in the East, and just when I think the war against you all is finally beside me….here we are.”

“You……can’t do this….you’re not…”

“Not what? Capable of it? Allowed? You see, little changeling, your kind has mastered the ways of mimicking. Not only in your appearance, but your emotions as well. You mimic the ways of courage, fearlessness, power. But in actuality, where you lay now, is your true self. Worthless, revolting, bitter. It is my duty as a soldier to her majesty to cleanse Equestria of your filth. The actions that arose today mark a new age against ponies and the changelings. You will be the first of many to understand the truth.”

“We….only…want…to.....survive….”

“Yes….and look where that got you.”

An hour had soon passed, as Arche continued cleaning the saw of the black oily debris from his late capture. He looks over at a small jar, a black horn resting in a light green liquid. The admiral sighs, levitating the jar into a cabinet in front of him, as the door knocks.

“Enter.”

A guard walks in, respectfully nodding his head for the admiral.

“Pardon me, sir, but you have a message from Canterlot.”

“If its the princess, alert her of my presence. Tell her there’s no reason to worry of me.”

“Umm, no sir, its from your niece in Ponyville.”

He turns to the guard, who is at first startled by the sudden gaze by his leader.

“What could it possibly be that she had to interrupt my work?”

“Something about visiting her next show?”

Arche sighs, simply walking past the guard.

“War has been brought to Canterlot, soldier. There is no time for pointless endeavors.”

Author's Note

Be sure to check out the Prologue if you haven't already! https://www.fimfiction.net/story/404608/1/chronicles-of-arche/prologue-the-summoning

If you have any questions or comments about the story so far, feel free to ask! I hope to expand this series all the way to the current season.

Ch.2-His War

Several days had gone by since what could only be described as “the Royal Wedding Massacre.” Although casualties were small, nothing fatal, some ponies required a magical cleanser to rejuvenate themselves after nearly having all love sucked from their bodies by the changeling menace. Property damage was a major issue. It seemed like all of Canterlot just went through a tornado. Except instead of rain water pouring through the skies, it was a descending plague of bugs on four hooves. Admiral Arche decided to examine the damage, taking a stroll through the city streets alongside two of his guards. He tended to do a similar routine while in the East, scanning the aftermath of battlefields to find a possible clue to work to their own strategic advantage when the next battle were to come. Suddenly halting to a stop, Arche feels something underneath his front hoof. It was a newspaper, with Celestia on the cover of it. Levitating it with his magic, he gazed upon the front page text labeled “Can’t keep her down.” It appears the main story was of the Royal Alicorn’s recent physical since the Wedding. The thought alone made Arche’s teeth grind in anger. He was within the pews of guests when Chrysalis revealed herself. How she easily overpowered Celestia when their magics collide. He couldn’t remove that monstrous queen’s decayed smirk as she prepared her invasion. Arche hoped to one day deal with her in a similar fashion to that of the changeling prisoner he had killed. His eye widens, remembering exactly what he did to that bug. After beating the life out of it, he claimed to his guards that it was all in self defense, and that there was no need to alert the princess. That was the first time in his military career he lied to his comrades. But what choice did he have? What other decision was necessary to deal with these vermin. They were savage creatures, nothing more. Death was the only solution. Of course, there was no way he could explain this to Celestia without winding up in mental care, or worse, a sentence within the dungeons. No, he shouldn’t think of such things, shaking his head in disbelief and crumbling up the newspaper. Arche had no regrets, it was the right thing to do. If he had to, he’d do it again, even if no pony understood.

After examining fang marks from hospitalized ponies in hospitals, Arche was glad to report in his findings that even the deepest of bites from these changelings weren’t fatal, no matter if it was from the back or vital as the neck. But that slight glimpse of good news was quickly met with disappointment. Changelings tend to become more viscous and wild as they aged. This could mean that the beasts of the royal wedding massacre were no short of child’s play to how true monsters act. The changelings Arche had dealt with in the Eastern Regions mostly stayed in their hives, which kept them alive for so long. Arche remembered an encounter a few months back, how he had to flush the beasts out into the opening by striking their hive from above with spears. If not for Arche’s small squad of pegasus, pony casualties would be beyond comprehension. As he made his way out of the hospital, gazing upon his notes on patient bite marks, Arche thought back of Celestia’s word to him before the wedding. Retire? How absurd, especially after something like this. Thinking back of what he believed in destiny, Arche saw the incident at the wedding as a sign that his war with these beasts was just the beginning. No doubt Chrysalis is planning her revenge, breeding an army the size to which no pony could imagine. No, retirement was out of the question, and he planned to make that for certain once meeting with Celestia again.

“Arche? Good heavens, I wondered where you’ve been all this time. Last I heard was your report about the fleeing changelings, then you just disappear. You didn’t even show up to the reception, didn’t you?”

Arche lets out a quiet sigh, rubbing his eyes with his hoof. He already knew this wasn’t going to end well.

“Princess, Canterlot was attacked, I had to take action. A party wasn’t the proper solution for me.”

“Arche, it wasn’t the party that concerns me, it was Shining. Before he left for his honeymoon, he mentioned your name. When I told him you were at the ceremony, he nearly had a heart attack.”

“For goodness sake, the child had been through enough. There was no need for him to-“

“He thought you were dead.”

There was a slight silence in the room. Arche and the princess simply locked gazes, unsure what to say next before the stallion finally managed to break the ice.

“Well….again, he was stressed beyond belief. You didn’t have to mention I was there.”

“He didn’t expect you to come, but once I told him, he simply couldn’t control himself. The poor thing was ready to call in a search party when I told him about your report.”

“I never even wanted to go. I saw no point in going until the changelings revealed their ugly heads in your castle. I was doing my job, nothing more. I’ve gathered intel from the streets of the changeling attacks and have verified possible hive locations around the outskirts of Canterlot. With your permission I will send my troops to-“

“What are you doing?”

“PLEASE STOP INTERRUPTING ME!”

Another silence, this time caused by Arche. He took a few breaths and bowed to Celestia in apology. The old stallion never imagined he’d speak out of tone to her majesty.

“Forgive me, Princess Celestia, a thousand pardons. I…I don’t know what came over me. I…I had no right to…to…”

He feels her hoof on his shoulder, looking up with his one good eye at her glowing stature. Her colorful mane flowing with ease. Arche never could tell how it did that. The princess smiles, stroking Arche’s mane.

“Its alright, just calm down. I was out of place as well. I didn’t mean to interrupt you, but I couldn’t help but notice how you’re even more tense than when we last spoke all those days ago. I thought you were now retired, Admiral.”

Arche looks down, head still in a spin before looking back up at the princess.

“I can’t….there’s no way. Especially now, with what we endured on that day. You are but few ponies who know of my past. What I endured….by those….those filthy creatures.”

“Breathe……just breathe…..I remember…..it was the day we officially were acquainted…..and I personally rewarded you with your medal of honor for your service that day. I understand your pain, blaming yourself for what happened to those close to you, but all you’re doing is hurting yourself, Arche. You have been ever since that day.”

“I….I think about them constantly……every night…..when I close my eye to sleep, its as if I can still feel my right eye…just before…before its cut by their fangs…”

“You always fought proudly under my command. But the past has consumed you, and the wedding….the wedding didn’t make things any easier. I never wanted you or any pony to go through that fear. I promise you that things will be better, but you have to let others continue your battles, Admiral. I can’t force you to retire, but I’m truly hoping you’ll consider. You deserve a better life than this.”

He sighs and begins to make his leave. Arche looks back at a concerned Celestia, their gazes connected once more as he nears the large castle doors once again.

“We were at war, I had no choice then. It continues to this day, and I won’t stop until the job is done. I can’t stop……its just not in my nature.”

Arche had finally left Canterlot that day, as he continued to look over his notes as the train made its way for the small town of Ponyville.

Author's Note

Finally got time to make the second chapter! Be sure to like and follow! If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave one below!

Prologue- https://www.fimfiction.net/story/404608/1/chronicles-of-arche/prologue-the-summoning

Ch.1- https://www.fimfiction.net/story/404608/2/chronicles-of-arche/ch1-destiny

Ch.3-Birds and Books

Ponyville, one of the rather small towns in most of Equestria, yet somehow manages to find trouble once or twice every month. Arche hoped to make his stay here short, then quickly return to Canterlot for updates on possible changelings still lurking within the alleys of the royal capital. To avoid any unnecessary attention among the resident, Arche switches his usual military attire for a common dark blue jacket. He also combed his mane over the red gem casing of his right eye. Ridiculous as it may be, Arche simply wanted to avoid the slightest chance of any pony noticing his presence. Canterlot was bad enough for him as it is. How Princess Celestia could handle such attention, he could never quite understand.

“Sir, if I may say, we’re more than willing to obtain the book for you. There’s no need for a disguise.”

Arche valued his soldiers above his own life. He smiled knowing their loyalty was forever in to his cause.

“I appreciate your concern, but the book I need for a more in-depth understanding to the anatomy of changelings is one of a kind, and the royal library in Canterlot claims it was sent here quite some time ago. Shouldn’t take more than ten minutes to obtain.”

Arriving at the station, Arche slowly trots out, looking around at the large amount of ponies within the town. The last time he entered Ponyville was over two decades ago, and the place was always quiet. It may seem the constant events occurring around here have made Ponyville quite the popular tourist attraction. But Arche wasn’t in town on vacation, he needed that book.

“I won’t be long, just keep an eye around the place. This town is always busy.”

He had heard of a pony sent by Celestia herself to protect this town, but it seems to be happening rather the opposite of what he intended. Another issue for another day, Arche had to remain focused on getting that anatomy book. He made his way to what appeared as a huge tree. There was a sign saying welcome by the door, as he entered. The inside of the tree was surprisingly very clean, row after row of books. Strangely, this place seemed much more organized than the entire Canterlot Royal Library.

“Impressive……this is really….most impressive. I wonder..”

The hoot of an owl is heard, flapping its wings down on a small perch in front of Arche.

“Oh….hello there little one. You’re a kind sight for this pony’s good eye. Don’t suppose you know where I can find my book?”

The owl responds with another hoot.

“He can try, but I think you’d be here awhile.”

In front of him was a young purple mare, with a kind smile, and a book levitating beside her. Like Arche, she was also a unicorn.

“I take it this is your library? I must say, I’ve never seen a place so organized and clean.”

The mare happily smiles at his comment, seemed a little too happy.

“Oh this? It’s nothing, I just tidy a little here and there is all. I haven’t seen you around before. Are you new to Ponyville?”

“You could say that, it’s been a long time since I last came here.”

“Well…let me be the first to welcome you to Ponyville, sir. My name is Twilight, and you’ve already met Owlowiscious.”

Arche forms a small smile, petting the owl.

“I always loved birds as a filly. My father was worried one would swoop me up one day.”

For the first time in months, Arche lets out a small chuckle. Twilight joins in, setting her book down to pet Owlowiscious as well.

“Well unless you’re a mouse, you have nothing to worry about mister…”

Oh no, he was so busy with the disguise, Arche never thought of a name for it.

“Oh….I…I’m….I’m Jack…Jack Pot.”

Hopefully his older brother wouldn’t mind using his own name.

“Nice to meet you, Jack Pot. Is there anything I can help you find?”

“Yes, I’m looking for…well I may be just wasting your time, but you wouldn’t happen to have the book ‘Equestria’s anatomy of magical creatures’ by Colombo Shine, would you?”

“Oh wow, that’s such a fascinating book! I read that book all the time at the Canterlot Library!”

“Yes! I tried there but they claimed it was moved here in Ponyville.”

The mare forms an embarrassed smile, walking over to one of the many book shelves and grabs the book using her magic.

“I’m sorry, I requested a few books to be transferred from the Canterlot Royal Library for my studies. They do have the best books in all of Equestria after all!”

Arche could tell something was off about this pony when it came to books, but that was for some pony else to deal with. He just nodded in agreement as she handed the book over to him.

“Just promise you’ll take good care of it, also bring it back the minute your done. I wouldn’t want to have this book……”

There’s a slight pause, then a huge gulp.

“Overdue.”

Again, he nods in agreement, preferring not to ask why.

“You have my word, Ms. Twilight. I’ll have this book back before you even miss it.”

“Thank you, Jack Pot, and I hope you enjoy yourself in Ponyville.”

He pets the owl once last time, then makes his leave.

“It’s a lot better than I hoped.”

As he left the library, he immediately opens the book, flipping its pages to the section on changelings. Their appearance on paper was still all it took to make him shiver. As he left the town square, he began to read all he could about the creatures. Nearing the train station however, he heard a loud shout.

“Uncle!?! Is that you? Uncle Arche!!!!”

That voice, he had recognized it. Out in the distance on a small green hill was a huge yellow cart, and beside it was a young blue mare, waving to Arche with delight. Yet seeing her made Arche sigh. She gallops over to him and embraces the unicorn with a hug, as Arche formed a small smile despite his current mood.

“I just knew you’d be here! You don’t know how happy I am to see you!”

“Hello…….Trixie.”

Author's Note

After a rather long Hiatus, the next chapter is finally here!

Ch.4- Tea with Trixie

Trixie Lunamoon, Arche’s egotistical and rambunctious niece. Like her father, Trixie decided to become a magician. Arche never was too fond of ponies using magic for entertainment and not for combat, especially in the condition Equestria had become in the last few months. He really had no time for this, the next train to Canterlot would be leaving any minute. Yet Trixie wouldn’t let go of him, and she knew he wasn’t much of a hugger.

“How long are you in town? Did you get my letters? Honestly I didn’t think you’d actually be here!”

“Yes....well....it’s good to see you too, Trixie, but I really must be on my way.”

She lets out a small chuckle, using her magic to drag Arche by his tail to her wagon.

“Honestly Uncle Arche, you really need to take a vacation. Just have some tea with me for a minute.”

Trixie never was one to give up so easily. Whenever he visited her as a filly, she would whine until he agreed to play. He didn’t mind it back then, but kinda hoped she’d grow out of it.

“I guess I don’t have much of a choice, do I?”

“Oh stop being such a downer.”

Her wagon was a tad small, but somehow she managed to cook a pot of tea without spilling. Arche kept looking at the clock, train would be departing soon. Of course his men would stall, but he’d prefer not to abuse his power like that.

“Trixie, as much as I appreciate this, I really don’t have time for-“

“Oh here it comes again, all work and no play makes Archie a dull pony!”

She laughs, as Arche groans in annoyance. Always hating being called Archie.

“Must you quote your idiotic father?”

“Well he’s right, you know? Every time we try to get in touch with you, it’s ‘I’m doing recon here’ or ‘I’m commanding these ponies there.’ Wouldn’t kill you to have some fun. Did you even get the letter I sent you about my next show?”

“Trixie, you couldn’t comprehend the importance of my work. Neither could your father, and speaking of work, some of us have to finish it.”

He gets up, but so does Trixie. From the look in her eyes, seems he angered her.

“What’s that suppose to mean?”

“Trixie, just let it go and let me-“

“No! What are you saying? You think I don’t work?”

Arche sighs, deciding to finish his tea before speaking again. He knew this wasn’t going to be pleasant but it was the only way she’d let him leave.

“Trixie, Equestria is in chaos. The royal family was attacked by changelings, I just read that Sombra was sighted in the Crystal Empire, and we’re running low on soldiers. I’m trying to save lives here, and you’re prancing around in your cart playing wizard.”

That really did it for her now. She gets up and slams her hoofs on the table, making her tea spill.

“I’m a professional magician!”

“Oh please, you’re wasting your life! If you only listened to me all those years ago about joining my class you’d be top guard by now! Instead you’re prancing around as a street clown like your worthless father!”

There was a silence for a few moments. Trixie continued to stare at Arche, as if she was about to cry or scream. She then turns around and opens her chest.

“That a fact? You really think I’m wasting time here? Well wait till you see what I have in store for Ponyville when I-“

She hears the door slam. Turning around to notice he was gone. Her eyes started to water, looking at the red and black amulet she held with her magic. A few tears hit the Alicorn emblem, as she straps it on around her neck. She then slips on a black cloak and looks at herself in the mirror.

“Just you see, I’ll make them all see!”

A strange red aura began glowing out of her horn and eyes. She runs out the door of her wagon and slams it shut, making a picture hung on the wall drop and crack. Showed a small blue filly with a huge purple hat sitting in the lap of a young pony in a uniform.

Author's Note

We all know what Trixie plans to do next.

Ch.5- Many Years Ago

“And like that....it’s gone! TADAH!”

Arche watched from the other side of the fence as his older brother, Jack Pot, performed his magic routine for all the little fillies. Funny, seeing his act for free when a typical ticket would cost five hundred bits. Seemed like everypony was having a great time, he started to wonder if this was the best option. But then it was too late, Jack Pot looked over to him in shock and stopped performing, walking off his stage to much of the fillies sorrow.

“It’s alright, a few more minutes and the show will resume, I promise!”

His back to the kids, the smile on his face turned to an annoyed frown, staring into the one good eye of the military pony.

“I’ll admit, this is a surprise even the greatest of magicians would never have expected.”

“Hello to you too, brother.”

“Arche, just what do you think you’re doing here?”

Using his magic, Arche levitates a nicely wrapped present above the fence. There’s colorful ribbons on the top of it, and the paper itself has pictures of stars on it.

“What does it look like? I’m here for my niece’s birthday.”

Jack Pot looks over behind him, seeing the fillies run around, playing.

“I don’t wanna do this, not in front of the children.”

“There won’t be anything to worry about if you just let me see her.”

There’s a strong tone in his voice. His good eye glaring at the blue unicorn. Jack Pot releases a sigh, using his own magic to open the gate to let Arche in.

“You’ll get five minutes, then you have to leave.”

Arche didn’t even dignify with a response. He just slowly makes his way inside the house. To his right he sees an orange coated mare, finishing up a rather large birthday cake. She takes one look at Arche and immediately turns to her husband in disgust. Before she can even say a word, Jack Pot already has a response.

“He’ll leave as soon as he sees her. I promise.”

There’s an awkward silence, but she goes back to the cake. Arche walks into the living room, the sounds of giggling and cheering can be heard. A small blue coated filly is performing magic tricks to her friends. Arche’s eye widens, seeing she has a wand marked on her flank. She turns her head and smiles, running over to Arche and hugging his leg.

“Uncle Archie! You’re here! You came to my party!”

Arche releases an embarrassed chuckle, never cared for that nickname, but wraps his arm around the small blue filly for a hug.

“Of course I did, I wouldn’t dare miss this fun party!”

“Oh my gosh! I got so many toys! And there’s a piñata, and fireworks, and daddy let me set up my own show and-“

“Slow down Trixie, you can’t be this hyped on sugar so soon, can you?”

“Oh! And look! I got my cutie mark! I’m gonna be a magician just like daddy!”

“I saw, it’s.....really amazing. Speaking of....I got you a present.”

“Present? For me!?! YAY! Gimme! Gimmie! Gimmie! Gimmie!”

“Heehee....alright alright....settle down, there you go.”

He sets the present down, and the young filly goes crazy with joy ripping it open. Using her magic, she pulls out a strange looking artifact out of the box.

“Wow....what is it?”

Jack Pot looks over at it, then back at Arche.

“Exactly, WHAT is it, Uncle Archie?”

Arche didn’t appreciate the sarcasm and annoyance in his brother’s tone. He looks back at Trixie and smiles.

“This is a medal I earned during my time doing recon in the swamplands. I had to do a lot of hard work to get that, and now I’m giving it to you.”

Trixie looks up at him with a look of confusion.

“But....this is yours. Why would I take it from you?”

“No no no, sweetheart, you aren’t taking it from me, this is your gift. I want you to have this so whenever you feel scared or worried, you can look at this medal and known your uncle is out there protecting you and all the other fillies from bad ponies and monsters.”

She forms a smile, as Jack Pot looks over at the clock.

“Really!?! That’s so cool!”

“Yep! And when you’re a grown mare, you can-“

“Ok! I think Uncle Archie needs to head on back to his base! Its a very....very...long ride back!"

"Awwww! Does he have to, daddy?"

"I'm afraid so, baby."

The look of anger now on his brother's face was nothing new to Arche. He rolls his eyes and pats Trixie on the head.

"Take good care of that for me, ok dear?"

"I will Uncle Archie! I promise!"

"Good, have a Happy Birthday, Trixie."

He began to walk away when he felt something tug at his leg. Looking down to see Trixie hugging it again.

"When I become a famous magician like daddy, you'll come to my shows, right?"

"Hehehee....of course I will. You'll be a sold out show!"

"Promise?"

"I promise."

She lets him go and runs back to her friends, Jack Pot practically dragging Arche out the front of the house, closing the door to make sure Trixie won't here.

"Don't keep promises you can't remotely keep!"

"Was that really necessary, Jack?"

"You really are something else, you know that? What the living hay were you thinking giving that thing to her!?!"

"She's important to me, and so is that medal. Where I'm going, I won't have much use for it. It's safer in her hooves."

"Stop lying, this was all just a setup to drive her away from her passion like before!"

"Her cutie mark....when did she get it?"

"Arche, just leave my daughter alone!"

"WHEN did she get her cutie mark?"

The silence between the two seemed like an eternity. But Jack Pot soon realized his brother wouldn't dare leave that spot on the front lawn until he is given an answer.

"Few months back.....she's a real natural....."

He forms a small smile.

"Just like her old man."

"I'll have my first class soon. She needs to be there."

"Arche, I don't know how many times I have to repeat myself about this! Trixie is not a fighter! She's not some war horse you can just send into your insane little crusade against the changelings."

"Dammit Jack Pot her magic is blazing! I can sense it in my very being! It must be tapped towards the cause!"

"There is no cause! There never was a cause! This isn't about Trixie, this isn't about the military, this is about you and your personal hatred for the changelings after what they did to you!"

"You have no right to tell me what this is about. And you don't know the first thing about what I'm trying to accomplish here. You were just as skilled as she was at her age, maybe even more! You could've served Equestria well and helped us in the fight against the dark and wicked, I even begged you to come with me when I signed up, but no. You wanted to play magician, and while you're here pulling rabbits out of a freaking hat, I'm on the other side of the land slaughtering the monsters that hunger for every bit of love that little filly in there has for me! For you!"

"Arche.....there's so much more to magic...than simply using it to kill one another."

There's yet another awkward silence. Arche turns away and slowly trots off. Jack Pot wants to say something, but at this point, what else is there? He just returns to the party, as Arche leaves in his personal carriage.

"Sir? Admiral? Can you hear me, sir? Sir!"

Arche's mind wandered, repeating the same sentence over and over again in his book of creature anatomy. "A changeling mimics to adapt, to survive, to hunger."

"Admiral Arche? Are you well, sir?"

"Hmmm? Oh yes...yes...I'm terribly sorry, soldier. This book is quite...fascinating, to say the least. What is it that you need?"

"I just wanted to let you know we'll be arriving in Baltimare soon. Won't be much longer now."

"Yes.....of course...thank you, soldier. Carry on."

He returns to his book, studying how the cells of changelings could even mimic that of real pony blood is focused properly. Such thing could never really happen, could it? It would require further testing.

Author's Note

The long overdue fifth chapter is here. Hope it was worth the wait.

Ch.6- Progress Report

He remained silent, his eye closed. The sounds of hissing filled his ears, the tearing of flesh. Everything was clear as he could remember, especially the screams.

“Sir? Admiral Arche!”

He opens his eye, around him are several stallions and mares. The huge conference room was filled with some of Equestria’s finest, from fellow military leaders, to squadrons of soldiers from the other branches. Representing the Eastern Branch, Arche was to speak his report. Seems his mind had wandered.

“Are you still tired from your long trip from Canterlot, Admiral?”

There were faint sounds of chuckles and whispers. Arche knows better than to lose focus on such a delicate matter. Sitting in his chair, his guards beside him for protection, though it wasn’t necessary under such humble conditions.

“Apologizes….in my recent findings, my forces and I have successful decimated over five changeling hives around the Hayseed swamplands. Sadly they knew nothing of the sorts regarding the location of their queen. Seems these changelings focused mainly on establishing a steady breeding ground and raise their young. My team didn’t hesitate to fix the problem.”

“Fix the problem, you say? You killed them? Even the infants?”

There was a short silence before Arche spoke up.

“These creatures were responsible for one of Canterlot’s most darkest hours, I shouldn’t have to remind you all. Mercy is the last course of measure retaining to these….things. The search for Chrysalis is still the main priority for the Eastern Branch. Eventually a hive will confess the whereabouts and she’ll be brought to justice for her crimes.”

“Admiral, you said so yourself that this is just a breeding ground. And that the changelings knew nothing of the sorts where Chrysalis is. Why bother even continuing investigating the swamp?”

“The threat of changelings is a far greater issue than the princess has claimed. Though I managed to force most of them into hiding, my success proved otherwise pointless since the disaster at the Royal Wedding. But I assure you, by the end of the year, changelings will be nothing more but an inferior fallen race, and it will be Chrysalis who shall take the blame.”

“Admiral Arche, you talk of a greater issue, but what of King Sombra’s recent return? It has brought nothing but panic all across the lands.”

Arche sighs, looking over his notes. What use was it to speak of a fallen foe when there was still one free among the lands?

“Sombra is no more, the Crystal Empire has returned to its former peaceful ways. Though my prayers go out to the Princess, the matter has been dealt with. Chrysalis is still out there doing who knows what. We need to focus on the here and now, mind you.”

“Oh please, you’re so full of it, Arche.”

He looks up to see an older stallion at the end of the conference table. His uniform similar in design to Arche’s, a faded orange coat, bags under his eyes.

“Do you have something you wish to say, Admiral Blitz?”

“You’re only interested in the changelings because of personal reasons. The fact Celestia hasn’t court-martialled you for your obsession is mind blowing.”

“I assure you, Admiral, that all I do is for the safety of all of Equestria. Your failed attempt to insult me is just wasting everypony's time here, and far more embarrassing for you."

“You’re reckless, Arche, I’ve seen how your branch…how you say…’handles'….the changelings. A bloody massacre is what it is. And I’m not insulting you, just stating the facts. By the way, weren’t you suppose to retire? Quite a surprise you changed your mind after the wedding.”

“I could say the same for you, Blitz. I’m quite surprised you even had the strength in those fat legs to even show up today.”

“Now listen here you degenerate psychotic-“

“GENTLECOLTS…..if you would please….”

“Agreed, this bickering between you two is pointless. Now then, regarding the status of Equestria after its current disaster, it would be best to increase forces on-“

The two simply couldn’t pull away each other’s menacing glares. It was like this for the rest of the meeting. As it came time to depart for Canterlot, Arche was stopped by none other than Admiral Blitz. Arche was prepared for whatever the blowhard had to say, and dismissed his guard to wait for him on the train. Best to get this all out of the way now.

“You had no right to make a mess of yourself, Blitz.”

“Oh please….don’t act like you’re better than me simply because you became admiral at such a young age. I know all about what happened that day, Arche. This isn’t some typical bickering between two ponies. No, this is to decide how Equestria will survive in the coming years. I’m only telling you this because as much as I hate to admit it, you worry me. A soldier surviving what you had to endure can’t just be erased or forgotten, and the wedding only made things worse. I’m asking you just this once Arche……let….it…go. This obsession of yours will only eat you alive. If not by the fangs of a changeling…than by your own mistakes, and I don’t want you bringing down all of Equestria along with it. Do we have an understanding…..admiral?”

Arche looked Blitz square in the eyes, and formed a small smile.

“Always good to see you, Blitz.”

He slowly trots away from him, a confused expression formed on his face. He then leaves himself, his own guards following.

“Send a letter to the princess. Inform of her that moron’s intentions before he gets us all killed.”

The train back to Canterlot was a peaceful one. As he did on the ride to the meeting, he studied everything to know of changelings in the book he obtained from Ponyville. Which reminded him to stop by there in the coming days to return it. He had just learned all there was to know in the book about the changeling threat. Wouldn’t be surprised if he could identify the creature before any other pony could. One of his guards informs of that they’ll be entering Ponyville within the next few hours. He simply nods, returning to his book.

“Sir, if I may ask, why return to Ponyville just for a book? I’ve heard that nothing but disaster happens there, and surely your presence is better needed in Canterlot."

Arche remembers his time at the library, meeting that nice young mare and her owl. It pleased him that there was still good ponies to speak with, to calm one’s thoughts of the ways of violence and war. Something he desperately needed after that ridiculous encounter with Blitz.

“I made a promise, young one, and I always keep my word. It shouldn’t take more than thirty minutes. Fret not, the latest intel our scouts have acquired for the princess will still be given on time.”

However, part of Arche had wondered if Celestia would even bother to hear him. It was nothing short of a rumored pathway unbeknownst for trade routes among farmers. Any indication that it could be a secret changeling hunting route is no short of a miracle. It could seem Arche was getting desperate for any more leads at this point, but he didn’t care. Chrysalis had to be found for her crimes, no matter what it took.

“Sir, we have a situation!”

Another one of Arche’s guards quickly trotted to him, out of breath. Before he could even utter a word of the manner, the train comes to a horrific stop. Strangely, vines began wrapping around the train, as seen from the outside the windows. Arche quickly gets up from his eat before the vines shatter the window, wrapping around the train cart. Two of Arche’s soldiers were grabbed by the vines and lifted off their hooves. Another pushed Arche out of the way before the vines capture him as well.

“ADMIRAL! RUN!”

The cart began to shake, forcing Arche off his balance as he tumbles out of the train through a shattered window. He began tumbling down the hill the train was currently halted on, crashing into some rather painful thorn bushes. Arche growls in pain, pulling himself free from the push, ignoring the small thorn cuts on his face and body. He looks around the train in confusion, noticing that the vines were constantly extending from the forest several feet from where the train tracks aligned.

“The Everfree Forest…..what in Equestria is happening in there?"

Author's Note

I'm doing my best to connect the story to the main events of the series. Wonder if you can tell what season is going on during THIS chapter? :rarity wink:

Ch.7- Nightmare in the Everfree

Large black vines constricted around the train. It looked like something out of a monster movie. Arche was unsure how to react, staring in disbelief at the strange black vines that he ignores the screams from one of his fellow soldiers.

“ADMIRAL!!!!”

Phasing back to reality, Arche lunges out of the way of another large black vine, this one forming a strange mouth that roars in a savage rage at the stallion. He takes a few steps back, as the same soldier approaches him out of breath.

“Admiral…it isn’t safe…for you here. You have to move now!”

“The others…..the train…”

“They’ll be fine sir, you safety is our mission. You have to go now!”

Before Arche could interject, the vines grab hold of the soldier, dragging him into the Everfree Forest. His scream consumed Arche’s though process, a scream he’d heard too many times in his past.

“NO!”

Arche charges after the vines, refusing to let the soldier die, despite his orders. He had seen far too many soldiers risk their lives for him, and he wouldn’t dream of seeing another one suffer because of him. He followed the sound of screams from the poor pony, but it soon reverted from a scream to a faint echo, then quickly to sheer silence. Arche stopped in his tracks, panting heavily, look of anger on his face. He questioned how fast those vines could react and hide. Just disappear into the darkness of this menacing forest. It sent shivers down his spine, reminding him of the changeling swamplands. To his surprise however, Arche noticed how dark it became within the forest. The Everfree was known for its enchanting and mysterious forest trails. But this didn’t make any sense. There’s no way he ran deep enough into the forest that it would become so dark. Seemed like there was no other option now but to return to the train, and come back with reinforcements. No sense getting lost, and as much as he hated endangering more soldiers to rescue one, Arche couldn’t stop himself from thinking of the inevitable. Another solider dead, all his fault. All because he wasn’t one step ahead of them. One step ahead of the changelings.

“Stop…no……don’t think like that now.”

Yet thats all he could think of, as a green smoke-like substance surrounded him, slipping into his nostrils, causing Arche to cough.

“What….What is this!?!”

The glimmer of light showing the exit to the forest suddenly vanishes, the black vines sinking out of the trees around the stallion. Strange voices whisper into his ears, near silent at first, then beginning to grow louder.

“Bravo….Admiral…”

Arche looks around him, the sounds of laughter echo through the black void between the trees.

“Who’s there? Show yourself!”

The laughter grows louder, as the vines curl around a large tree in front of Arche.

“Quit pestering me…..WHERE ARE YOU HIDING!?!”

“Here I am, Admiral.”

His good eye opens wide, jaw slightly opened. In front of Arche is the soldier those menacing black vines dragged into the forest. They were now wrapped around the poor pony’s legs and neck, even under his helmet and chest plate. Looking closer, Arche noticed blood dripping down the soldier’s armor, as well as markings on his neck and face. Strange markings, markings he knew far too common.

“No….”

“Yes Admiral…..bravo….yet ANOTHER pathetic fool dead because of you.”

“You’re alive…..I can still-“

“YOU CAN’T DO ANYTHING!”

Arche gasps in horror, the vines strangling the soldier, gagging for breath. His body began decaying right before Arche, his dark blue coat starting to fade, then began shriveling off like dead leaves on a tree.

“This…..This isn’t real…..you’re not really-“

“But I am, Admiral….you took an oath…..an oath to protect your fellow pony….keep them safe from the plagues that haunt our dear Equestria…..how were we so foolish to follow you? Now look at us, Arche.”

“Us?”

“Yes….look…at…..US!!!”

Suddenly, several decaying ponies in old rusted armor appear around the trees, surrounding Arche. The vines sinking underneath their decayed skulls, as they laughed maniacally at the Admiral.

“You killed us all!”

“We trusted you!”

“We’re nothing but food to them!”

“You might as well have thrown us on dinner plates!”

“What of my family?”

“I had two fillies waiting for me at home!”

“Now we’re all dead….”

“ITS ALL YOUR FAULT!!!!”

Arche shivers in horror, the trees suddenly moving closer to him, trapping him from all angles. Tears start to drip down Arche’s eye, dropping to his knees as the decayed ponies approach him.

“WE WERE ALIVE….”

“NOW WE’RE DEAD!!!”

“ALL YOUR FAULT!”

“CHANGELING FOOD!!!”

“ALL DEAD NOW”

“BECAUSE OF YOU!!!”

“ARCHE STONE”

“ALL YOUR FAULT!!!”

“No….”

“ALL YOUR FAULT!!!”

“Stop it….”

“ALL….”

“Make it stop…”

“YOUR…”

“Make it stop…..”

“FAULT!!!!”

“MAKEITSTOOOOOOOOOP!!!!!!!!”

The decayed ponies rip off the vines that imprisoned them on the trees, now taking the form of blood thirsty changelings. They altogether leap onto Arche to feast on him, his echoing screams consumed by the Everfree Forest.

“AGGGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!”

“ADMIRAL! WAKE UP!”

Screaming his head off, Arche wakes up to see his soldiers around him, trying to calm the poor stallion.

“Admiral! Its ok! You’re fine! Everything’s fine now!”

Shivering, Arche looks around, the trees were no longer covered in vines, or with the decaying remains of Canterlot soldiers. In front of him was his concerned squad of ponies from the train. They had small scraps and bruises, but were clearly alive and well. He also notices another pony laying against a tree, a mare wearing a white hospital cap was attending to his wounds.

“That….That stallion…is he…”

“He’s gonna be alright, sir. The minute those vines began to recede, we rushed in the forest looking for you two. Seems you got caught in some of that hallucinating mist those bushes were spewing out.”

“Wha…What? Hallucinating…mist?”

“Yes sir, strangest thing, few of the guys got a small whiff of the stuff and kept thinking they were being chased by bears or something…..but you, sir? You just couldn’t stop screaming. Guess you got a larger dose than the rest of us.”

“Mist…..yes…….of course…..the vines…..what about the vines!?!”

“Calm yourself sir, just got word from Princess Celestia. Seems she found the source of this mess, along with her sister, and her student, and was able to put a stop to it. Vines began to break down and disappear. We’re safe sir, we all are.”

Arche gets up slowly, slowly trotting out of the forest.

“That’s where you’re wrong, soldier……not all of us were safe.”

“S-Sir? Wait, you need medical attention, sir. You’re covered in cuts from the vines.”

Arche turns around, and forms a small smile.

“Nonsense….didn’t you hear me earlier? I have a book to return…..I promised to return it.”

His team left confused, Arche leaves the Everfree Forest, basking in the warmth of the sunlight. Though the smile never left his face, his ears were still consumed with the echoes of the dead.

Author's Note

A more darker tone to the last few chapters, a reminder to the trauma Arche carries from his past.

Ch.8- War Horse

The past grows further from us as we change in both spirit and mind, but it still feels like yesterday.

“So......how is your day treating you?”

He simply sat there, his head down, staring at the carpeted floor with his good eye. His right, covered in bandages. There was no point for these visits, he knew that clear, but orders were orders after all, and Arche followed them down to the letter.

“How is the medication doing? You’re still taking it daily like we discussed, correct?”

The doctor wasn’t the problem, he was just doing his job. But what use was his services for Arche? Just talking about the incident is troublesome enough for the young admiral. As for the meds, he stopped taking them weeks ago. Nothing good could ever come from them, Arche knew that more than anything else. Yet the doc still required an answer.

“Yes.....it’s....doing well, doctor.”

His face brightened with a smile, proud of his patient. Arche hated to lie, but the last he needed was lectures from his own psychiatrist. No need to add more problems that could easily be avoided by keeping your mouth shut.

“Arche....do you think our time together has done well for you?”

Question after question, it was irritating. He could’ve easily lied like before, but Arche had an answer clear as day that he’s wanted to speak for quite some time. He looks over at his doctor, who eagerly awaited an answer, and muttered softly....”

“No.”

“Really? And why do you say that?”

Yet another question, is this all they do? Yet Arche should’ve expected this from the start.

“Every week.....I come here.....four o’clock.....on time....and I tell you the same things I have for the past several weeks. No, I’m not sleeping well. No, I don’t have a marefriend, and no, I don’t consider returning to the guard. Every time....the same answers.....nothing changes....and frankly....I don’t see it changing.”

“Your grief is still as strong as before.....seems you haven’t been honest about your medication.”

“Fine, you got me, I’m not taking the medicine. Doctor, I don’t see any use for it. My mind.....my thoughts....flow freely like an open stream. Ever focus.....if you twist my arm enough, and I decide to give in with those drugs, there’s no telling how it would change me.

“Change you? You’ll have to be more specific.”

“I’m a war horse, doctor.......responsible for things you’d never understand outside this office......drugs don’t help a war horse.....it only suppresses the urges. And the more it’s suppressed, the more dangerous it becomes.”

There’s a short silence, before the doctor speaks up again.

“What are your urges, Arche?”

He looks straight forward at the doctor, his good eye examining him thoroughly. Like before, this was something he could never lie about.....no matter what the reaction or results it would endure....this was how he truly feels.

“Revenge.”

The present arrives, that one word circling through Admiral Arche’s mind as he sat in his private estate in Canterlot. The memory of that day in the Everfree forest burned into his mind. Then strangely enough, he found himself remembering those words from his long forgotten psychiatrist.

“Your grief is still as strong as before....”

Of course he knew that his experience with the changelings that day could never be forgotten, but Arche had come to realize his grief and anger had now tripled since the wedding. No matter how much he tried not to mix his personal trauma with his duty as an admiral, a protector selected by Celestia herself to keep the light of Equestria brighter than ever, his sorrow consumed him.

The wedding was simply a reminder that he needed to protect his home. It had nothing to do with that day, or so he kept telling himself. A soldier just never mix personal experiences with the line of duty. There simply was nothing else to get. The wedding was a sign that Celestia still needed him. That retirement would only come when peace had truly returned to the lands. Yes, no doubt about that. Whatever his past, Arche was more focused to continue his service for his fellow pony, nothing more.

Arche decided to prove himself by going over his notes on the coming strategy against a hoard of nearby timerwolves. Making his way down to his private study in his basement, his ears perked up to a strange noise in the middle of the room. It sounded like a gruesome gurgling groan. Using his magic, he levitated a small match to a few candles on his work desk. What he saw as the light consumed the room would forever burn into his memory.

“NOOOOOAAAAAGHHH!!!!!”

He drops down, his stomach pressed against the floor. What stood before him left Arche speechless. His study now held a large glass vat, connected with strange wires and tubes hooked next to large machines with flashing lights. Within the vat, left Arche twitching. It was the corpse of the changeling he tortured mere hours after the Royal Wedding Massacre. His black scaled body covered in bruises, burns, and cuts. Large wires connected to its arms, legs, and face. There was even on the changeling’s eye. It was absolutely gruesome to see.

“No....no....no...no!”

That’s all Arche could mutter. This must’ve been a dream. Perhaps a long lasting side effect from the Everfree. He distinctively remembered disposing the changeling corpse outside of Canterlot, burning it like the savage creature it was. Yet there it stood, floating in a glowing green vat of its own blood. How long has it been here? Where did Arche acquire these machines? WHY on Celestia’s name did he still have it!?! Then in an instant, it all came clear. His mind wandered back to his doctor. What he told him before canceling their sessions from that day forth.

“You don’t want to forget what happened, Arche, you just can’t accept that it did happen. You think revenge will bring your comrades back. That kind of thinking isn’t healthy....for you....or for anypony. If you don’t let this go, and continue your life, there’s no telling what you’ll do.”

“My mind is open to the truth about this world, doctor. I will not be tampered with....and my war will never end.”

What stood before Arche was more than a corpse in a jar. It was a symbol of his anger, his revenge, the call to war, and it wanted out more than ever.

Ch.10- Out of Mind

“It was…..It was too much to bare.”

Arche couldn’t turn his sight away from the pill bottle. The realization had come as a shock to him, but as his mind slowly began to process the situation before him, keeping a dead corpse in a jar within his basement, he was surprised he didn’t start taking medication almost immediately. He picks up the bottle once again, and sets it on the desk, unsure exactly what to do next.

“Things seem so clear now, yet I’m more confused than ever. Was it stress alone that resorted me to take this again, or could my own words seem unbelieve even to me?”

Suddenly, the sound of a loud banging caused Arche to jump. His breathing becomes heavy, the feeling in his legs start to weaken.

“No, they found it, it’s over. It’s all over!”

“DELIVERY!”

Of course, it was simply a mail pony, nothing more. This was all really starting to drive the poor admiral mad. He needed to get out of that basement, get his bearings, focus entirely on something else that had absolutely nothing to do with the Changelings.

“ANYPONY HOME! DELIVERY!!!”

“YES! I’M COMING! HOLD ON!”

Arche quickly climbs up the stairs and locks the basement door behind him. He then quickly levitates the key into the bottom drawer of his living room cabinet, before finally answering the door.

“What? What’s so important that you keep shouting at my doorstep!?!”

To Arche’s surprise, it wasn’t the typical Canterlot mail pony that handles his street. It was actually a royal guard, levitating a single envelope with his magic. Upon realizing who’s house he was delivering to, the guard stood up straight, hooves in place, trying his best not to show how embarrassed he felt now.

“Admiral Arche, Sir! Apologies sir, I was not aware I’d be delivering to your home, sir!”

Arche sighs in annoyance, clearly this was a rookie.

“At ease, soldier, I shouldn’t of been so rude.”

“Nonsense, Sir! If anything, it is an honor to have one of Equestria’s esteemed Admirals yell at..”

“Yes, yes, yes, that’s very kind of you and all, but is that a letter for me?”

The guard nervously opens it, trying his best to look cool now in front of the Admiral.

“I was told to read this aloud….if of course, you’re ok with that, sir?”

He rolls his eyes, knowing though it was a good distraction at least from his other problems at hoof.

“Proceed.”

Realizing he’s ok with it, the guard wipes off the sweat on his head, clears his throat, and begins to read the letter.

“Here ye, Here ye, the message has been sent by the Crystal Empire’s very own Prince Shining Armor, to chorally invite you to….”

Arche snatches the letter out of his magic with his hoof to read the rest on his own.

“I’m truly sorry, soldier, you’re doing a great job, I’m just very busy and need to read this on my own.”

“Oh…of course, but truly an honor to have a letter snatched by….”

Arche closes the door, unable to handle that flank kissing guard for one more second.

“Wow, he shunned me with the door! THAT IS SO AWESOME!”

The Admiral sits in one of his living room chairs, a simple design, unlike most of the gaudy fanciness of Canterlot, and continues reading the letter.

“Dear Admiral Arche, I know the last time I invited you somewhere, it ended in mass disaster, and I’m well aware you’re a very busy pony, but I have so much I’d like to talk to you about, and what better place than at the biggest sporting event in Equestria. I got you a ticket for top quality seats at the Equestrian Games hosted this year at the Crystal Empire. It would really mean a lot to me if you’d consider coming, and it would be a great chance to show you I’m not that nerdy sponge who kept following you around. Warm regards, your top student, Shining Armor. P.S, there’s gonna be a lot of single mares there, and I know there’s more to you than war talk.”

Arche smirks, looking over at one of the pictures on his wall. Most were from medal ceremonies, military events, and a few personal photos of his family, but the picture he enjoyed most was him and his former student Shining Armor upon his graduation from the Royal Academy.

“Heehee…..Shining Armor…..”

Now the pony truly felt like a fool. He was so focused on the changeling threat that Shining Armor completely slipped his mind. The unicorn had been quite busy recently. Though Arche’s top priority was his work, he did read about some of the aspects his former student was up to after the disaster at his wedding. How he and the real Princess Cadence became rulers of the Crystal Empire, and that he was related to one of Celestia’s top students, now a princess of her own, though he never did meet her. As much has he hated sports, seeing them as a waste of abilities better suited for military offense, he felt like he owed it to Shining to finally catch up with him. Not to mention he never did speak to him at the wedding, considering his own incident at the time.

“No…don’t think that…don’t….think”

In that instant, a crazy idea formed in his head. Arche quickly retrieves the key from his bottom drawer, and quickly unlocks the basement. He then runs down the stairs and grabs the pill bottle from the desk below. There was still five pills left.

“This goes beyond a lot of my own ideals, but I just can’t have this on my mind…not now.”

He takes a look at the glowing green vat one last time, before swallowing the rest of those pills. Before they take effect, Arche climbs back upstairs and locks the door once again. He then proceeds to move his entire living room cabinet in front of the basement door, looking as if it was never there to begin with. To really seal the deal, he slips the basement key into one of the wooden floorboards, not a care on his mind if it becomes lost forever or not.

“Out of sight…out of mind….out of sight…out of mind.”

Those are the only words he could say, as he slowly trots into his bedroom, holding his letter from Shining with his magic. He places it on the small table next to his bed, then crawls into it, covering his face with the pillow.

“Out of sight…..out of mind….out…of sight…..out……of….”

He looks over at the letter one last time, before closing his eyes for a well needed nap.

“Mind.”

His mind becomes clear, quiet, a peaceful quiet. Nothing but darkness, no other soul around him. It didn’t even feel like Arche was in his own body. A strange sensation now controlled his thoughts. A sensation of true deep sleep. Something he was very unfamiliar with. He feels calm, relaxed, like a huge weight has left his shoulders. For what seemed like forever, Arche was actually content, at ease, and it felt perfect. But like all good things, it never lasts forever. Within his clear darkness, a strange pair of eyes appear, almost like….a bugs.

“No.”

His peaceful darkness starts to shatter like a glass mirror, the sounds of agonizing screams consume his ear drums.

“NO.”

The screams turn into maniacal hissing, as the shattered pieces of darkness take the form of a changeling, that quickly pounces.

“NOOOOOO!!!!!”

Arche wakes up, out of breath, shaking, sweating. He looks around, the darkness was gone. It was another peaceful morning in Canterlot, it was all simply a dream.

“Not….real…..yes….it was just a nightmare…..just…a nightmare…..”

He slowly gets out of bed, noticing a letter on the table next to him. Strange, it was open, but he doesn’t recall ever opening it. Using his magic, he levitates the letter over to his line of sight, reading it for the first time, or so he believes.

Author's Note

I got such a quick response from fellow readers about chapter nine, I got inspired to kick out another chapter for you all! Chapter eleven will focus on the events of a well known MLP episode! Let's see if you can figure it out!

Ch.11- Student and Teacher

Upon entering the classroom, there was nothing but silence. Most of them knew what to expect, already failing his class in the past. Mister Arche Stone gazed upon the rows of desks, scanning new lumps of clay ready to mold into fine soldiers. His crystal eye patch was gleaming in the sunlight, and his green and blue mane combed back to look more professional. As a teacher, he had to wear a suit, but took it upon himself to wear his insignia medal, showing his sign of proper authority among the lines of the delinquent. He knew the academy was full of them.

“For most of you, I say welcome back. As for you NEW cadets, I am Arche Stone, but you will address me as Admiral, or sir. By the end of this semester, one of two things will happen. Either you pass my class, and transfer to basic training…..or like most of you already know, you will fail, and be required to retake my course. I want to make something very clear, to all you ponies. Know that my somewhat crude manner of teaching isn’t out of hate, but rather by my disappointment in the lack of dedication, resourcefulness, and dignity your generation seems to offer. Make no mistake, no matter how many times you take my class, I won’t pass ANY pony that I deem unfit for the dangerous journey a soldier shall witness. Now then….to begin, please open your history textbooks to page seven as we analyze the strategic use of combat positions during the thousand year war. You’ll notice that…”

The door slams open, as a white coated stallion with a blue mane trots in.

“SORRY I’M LATE! I’M HERE, EVERYPONY! I’M HERE!”

Arche rolls his one good eye, closing the door with a look of pure annoyance on his face. He approaches the young stallion, panting hard. Seems he was galloping hard to make it here.

“Explain….now.”

“Huh? Uhhh sure….first off though, this is room 225, right?”

“Yes….this is intro to Equestrian History, and who might YOU be?”

“Oh right….how’s it going? Names Shining Armor! Really psyched to be here!”

He raises his hoof to Arche with a big smile, expecting him to shake it. Arche sighs in disbelief, using his magic to levitate his roll sheet to him. There’s a brief silence as he looks over the list, the young stallion lowering his hoof, realizing he isn’t gonna get it shaked.

“Aww! Yes, Mr. Armor, seems you are in this class.”

“Phew….thank Celestia, this is the third room I’ve checked.”

“Somehow, I’m not surprised. You have yet to explain WHY you’re late, Mr. Armor.”

“Well I was on my way, but I kinda overslept, then you wouldn’t believe how long it takes the trains to run, and…”

“Alright, I’ve heard enough, just take a seat over there.”

He quickly gallops over his seat, which so happened to be in the back row. About an hour later, the class was dismissed, every pony making their leave except for one.

“HOLD IT right there, Mr. Armor.”

“Ummm is there a problem, teach?”

“Yes I believe there is a problem, and it’s admiral or sir to you.”

“Whoops, sorry. So what can I do for you, sir?”

Arche’s menacing glare makes the student’s big smile disappear, not a good sign, especially on the first day of class.

“You know what I see in you, Mr. Armor?”

“Ummm….just me….right? Maybe pretty stones in the other one? Heehee….get it? Heehee…it’s a joke about how your eye patch is….uhhh….crystals…and…..I should stop talking now, right?”

“Precisely. What I see when I look at you, Mr. Shining Armor, is nothing but an absolute waste of my time. I’ve spent enough of my life in the Royal Guard to separate the achievers, with the worthless lumps of hair and hooves. Guess what category I just put YOU under, Mr. Armor?”

“Uhhh….hopefully the achieving side? Heehee….right?”

He opens the door, signaling him to leave.

“Get out of my classroom.”

“Sure…no problem, have a nice day, teach…I MEAN sir.”

When he knew Arche was out of earshot, Shining mumbles “one-eyed freak” under his breath. The Admiral closes the door with a slam, and stacks his papers on his desk, groaning hard and rubbing his head with his hoof.

“This is going to be a long year….like always, expect disappointment, Arche.”

It has now been over a decade since his days as a teacher of the Royal Academy. Admiral Arche makes his leave off the train, the shining glow of the Crystal Empire lying before him. It was as breathtaking as the stories claimed it to be. He recalls how his very own red gemmed eye patch came from this very kingdom, an given to him by Princess Celestia for his service in the Royal Guard. She had told him that though the Empire was long forgotten, this small gem she had acquired was a constant reminder of a shining and brighter hope. She had believed Arche could bring such a hope one day, and still does. Although reminiscing of the past brought a smile to his face, the Admiral had to hurry to the arena for the Equestrian Games. A crystalized pony quickly approaches him with a carriage ready for him. While normally he’d prefer to just walk, Arche had absolutely no idea where the arena was. After all, this was his first time in the Crystal Empire.

As the carriage made its way through the crystalized lands, Arche couldn’t believe the sights of the locals. He wasn’t as insightful on the ways of magic as he was on military combat, but the way these ponies looked was breathtaking to him. He always did kick himself for not studying up on magical spells, being a unicorn, and having access to magic. There just wasn’t any time, constantly commanding ponies and eradicating changeling hives. All the magic he had was simple levitation and the manifestation of shields for defense. After ten minutes of sight-seeing from the carriage window, Arche finally arrives at the colosseum arena for the annual Equestrian Games. Standing there at the entrance, waiting for him in his Royal Guard armor, was none other than Shining Armor.

“Admiral Arche, it’s really great to see you again, sir.”

The Admiral forms a smile, a rare sight for most who know him, walking over to his former student. He raises his hoof, expecting Arche to shake it. What humorous nostalgia this day has brought him. He rolls his eyes, and smacks his hoof away.

“Shining Armor, what the hay is wrong with you?”

“S-Sir?”

Shining expected this, the Admiral’s smile now a sinister looking frown. It was his own fault, Arche had every right to be mad at him. He was so busy with his new wife, and now running the Crystal Empire, he rarely kept in touch. Even after he had promised before the wedding to spend more time with his former mentor. Shining just had to take the lecture coming, no matter how cruel he’d sound.

“You’re a ruler now, you can’t just shake hooves with every blasted pony you see.”

“I’m sorry, sir, forgive me. I know I have much more responsibilities now.”

“Exactly! You expect to greet your teacher, YOUR FORMER MENTOR, with a hoof shake? Unbelievable.”

Shining lowers his head in disappointment.

“Again, I’m truly sorry.”

There is a short silence among them, when suddenly Arche’s smile suddenly returns, bigger than before.

“If it wasn’t for me, you wouldn’t even be here, you owe me a hug, you moron!”

He grabs onto Shining, look of surprise on his face, and hugs him. Arche bursts into laughter, then so does Shining Armor, realizing the old pony had fooled him.

“My boy, look at you! Prince to the Crystal Empire, hosting the Equestrian Games! I’ve never been more proud.”

Shining smiles proudly, holds back a few tears as well. It had been far too long.

“It’s good to see you, old friend.”

“It’s good to see you too, Shining.”

The two just smile at one another before bursting into laughter again, as they make their way into the coliseum.

“Games start this afternoon, have a few hours to spare before final preparations, you hungry?”

“I could eat an entire bugbear!”

“Hahahaaaa….we don’t have any of those, but we do have hay burgers.”

“Heeheehee….the next best thing. Lead the way, your highness.”

“Sir, please, your highness makes me sound old, older than you!”

“Well how do you think Celestia feels? Hahahaahaa!”

“Hahahahaha! Careful, she’s around her somewhere! You better hope she didn’t hear you.”

“Hahahaaa! Right! Right! Though I heard the moon is nice this time of year!”

“Hahahahahahaaaa! Heeheehee….let’s go before we’re found out!”

The two old friends laugh all the way inside. A glorious reunion between student and teacher.

Author's Note

A brighter side to a dramatic and fearful story. Hope it made you smile. Next chapter, the games begin!

Ch.12- A Pony before the Guard

The two ponies had a lot to catch up on. With a few hours before the Equestrian Games were set to begin, they took the time to finally see what the other had been up to.

“Once Spike got the Crystal Heart back in place, Sombra was finished!”

“A small dragon, responsible for saving an entire Kingdom. If I heard that from any other pony, I’d call them utter fools.”

“Even got his own statue. You’ve probably seen it.”

“So that’s this legendary hero I hear ponies chanting about. I’m curious to meet him.”

“Oh you will, Cadence wants him to light the torch to start the games.”

“I see, speaking of, how is married life?”

“It’s great, she’s everything I’ve ever wanted in my life….just I rarely get to see her now since becoming prince to the Crystal Empire. We’re always swamped with work now.”

“There’s no need for that, you’re a symbol to these ponies now. A leader, the moment you show any weakness, they’ll question your authority.”

“But what I’m trying to say is that there’s more to our marriage than being royalty to the public, and all I’m asking for is a little more….you know…personal time with the woman I love.”

Arche was basically at a dead end at this point. He was a man of action, not a romantic, but still tried as he could to help his former student.

“Well….perhaps you two could find some time for a vacation? Even the Princess takes time away from her constant busy schedule, and she raises the freaking sun.”

“You know, when you put it like that, you’re right. We’ll see how we can spare some more time for one another, thank you sir.”

“Ummm….think nothing of his, Shining.”

He couldn’t believe that actually worked. It wasn’t long before early admissions began to spread out among the stands. No pony would even dream of missing the excitement that was the Equestrian Games.

“I must say, you’re certain to have quite the turnout this year. Little excited myself actually, looking forward to seeing the participants.”

“That so? Old grouchy Admiral Arche knows how to have fun?”

Arche rolls his eye, as Shining Armor began to burst into laughter once again.

“Yes, yes, make your jokes, but I was quite the social pony when I was your age. I even participated in the Equestrian Games.”

That’s when the laughter stopped. Shining knew nearly everything about the Admiral, but this was quite the surprising twist. He just had to hear this.

“You? In the actual Equestrian Games? No offense, but you can understand how I find that a little hard to believe.”

This time, Arche began to laugh. He learned to enjoy his student’s sense of humor over the years. Any other pony would have their teeth mashed in otherwise, or at least that’s how the Admiral imagined it. Few have dared to cross that line, upsetting the stubborn pony with a humongous temper. None have ever gone unscathed.

“It’s true, you may not believe me at first, but I assure you, it’s all true.”

“Go on…..”

“Well it was a different time back then, a few years before I even joined the Royal Guard. I was just a young pony, not really having a place in Equestria to call home.”

“A drifter? You….You never told me this before.”

“Heeheehee……yes, I’m very sorry, I promised to always be open with my most loyal of soldiers, but my time before the Guard was not really one to speak of.”

“I think I understand, Nightmare Moon was still at large, Equestria was filled with unknown terrors, in a way it still is….”

“That’s not what I mean, though, Shining. Before the Guard….I questioned my purpose in life. Celestia changed all that for me.”

Shining smiled, knowing exactly what he meant. Many ponies wouldn’t be where they were today, or act the way they do now, if not for her guidance and wisdom.

“When I made my way to Appleloosa as a young unicorn, I noticed that some of the residents of the town were participating in an archery contest. Curious as I was, I asked if they could teach me. Turns out I was a prodigy with the bow. Bullseye targets nearly every time. Eventually I got the attention of a representative for the Equestrian Games, and they wanted me to represent Canterlot for them in their archery competition.”

“Why didn’t you represent Appleloosa?”

“I wanted to, but there was no other ponies that made qualifications for the games. Since I never really had an actual home on my travels, I decided to take the offer to represent Canterlot. To my surprise, as skilled as I was, there were ponies there leagues beyond my own, and could barely catch up with. I did end up winning the bronze medal, which I still have tucked away in my……my…my basement.”

There was a long pause in Arche’s story. He just stood there, staring off into space. Something about what he just said made him sort of lose focus.

“Admiral? Are…Are you ok? Admiral? Sir? Sir!”

“What? Yes, I’m fine, I just….for a second I thought I forgotten something important on the train ride over here. It’s nothing, I’m fine….really Shining, its nothing.”

“Umm…alright, you were saying you won the bronze? That’s quite the achievement, you ever thought about returning to the sport?”

“Ha! Return? At my age, and with one eye no less! No, I gave up that dream a long time ago, my friend. Like I said, things were different before the Guard.”

“Speaking of, the Princess informed me before the wedding that you were going to retire. Don’t tell me what happened that day is the reason you’re still working long hours.”

Of course Celestia told Shining. She cared for him as much as his former student. Arche hoped he could go this whole trip without mentioning anything from that disaster of a wedding, but sadly this wasn’t the case.

“Shining…..what did you expect me to do? That witch Chrysalis had overpowered Celestia, an army of those revolting creatures nearly drained the love of the innocent, and not to mention what she did to you and your fiancé. Why wouldn’t I do something? You’d have to be a complete idiot not to……to…..forgive me, Shining. I shouldn’t even speak more than I have to about that day.”

“It’s fine, sir, don’t worry.”

“No, let me finish, you and Cadence suffered more than any other pony during that whole incident. Because of my past….my…experience…with the changeling race…I was focusing more on getting revenge for me….when I should’ve been there to help you two from the start. This is the longest we’ve talked in years….perhaps….Celestia was right. I can’t let my obsessions keep my life on hold.”

Shining Armor was proud of his former mentor. He had been fighting the good fight for nearly his entire life. Him realizing its time to finally stop shows how much the old pony has grown over the years since the Academy.

“That’s just what I like to hear….and you know what? You’re having dinner at the palace with Cadence and I.”

“Shining, I can’t possibly impose.”

“You aren’t imposing anything, sir.”

“What did we just talk about? You’re a stallion in his prime with a new beautiful wife! Certainly spending more time with her is better than with this old unicorn.”

He smiles at him proudly. Arche was barely recognizable compared to the strict teacher he once was. Now Shining couldn’t turn down the invite for him now.

“We insist, in fact, Cadence has been bugging me about increasing security around the perimeters outside of the Empire’s border. Perhaps you could give her some tips?”

“Well………I’d be honored.”

Time really does fly when you’re having fun. In less than thirty minutes now, the Equestrian Games would commence. Arche’s seat was given a perfect view of the games from the first row. Shining Armor could have easily offered him a spot with the higher ups, not to mention among the princesses, but this was actually far better. With only one eye, Arche needed a closer viewing of the games to observe the contenders skill from the best of angles. Not to mention he didn’t care too much for the snooty rich society of ponies that appeared with the princesses. The crowd had just now burst into a triumphant applause, as the contenders from all across Equestria appeared, from Unicorn to Pegasus. Shining Armor soon brought every pony’s attention to him, announcing the lighting of the ceremonial torch.

“Hmph……I see….that must be what that legendary dragon is here for.”

The crowd goes silent, looking up at the torch, waiting for it to ignite with the blazes of dragon fire. Yet for some reason, it had yet to appear. It was customary not to keep the crowd waiting, but the fire wouldn’t appear. Nearly an entire minute had passed now, and still no fire. Arche had a feeling something was wrong. Perhaps the dragon was late, or sick, or frankly didn’t exist at all. He still believed Shining’s story about the Crystal Heart had a few more fibs than facts. But just when the crowd was about to start a roar of complaint, the torch had finally ignited, causing a huge eruption of applause. The Equestrian Games had officially begun!

Author's Note

Another humble chapter featuring Arche and his former student, Shining Armor. The games are about to commence, and now was a perfect time to know a little more of Admiral Arche's past!

Ch.13- Fun at the Equestrian Games

Arche was quite impressed at the turnout for this year’s games. He remembers back in his early years participating, wasn’t nearly as many roaring ponies cheering with excitement. Seems that little dragon’s stunt really worked the crowd. Of course, it could’ve also been the performances by the Pegasus teams. One flyer really stole the show, despite only coming in second place. A rainbow colored mare flying at such incredible speeds that it left a literal streak of rainbows behind her flight path. There was something about this woman in the papers, about breaking the sound barrier in a huge explosion of rainbows, though Arche never believed it. Then again, he didn’t think a rainbow Pegasus existed either, but there she was, now being awarded a medal next to a yellow Pegasus, as well as a very large white Pegasus. His curiosity kicked in, tapping on the shoulder of the pony next to him.

“Excuse me, the rainbow mare, what team is she on?”

There was a look of confusion on the pony’s face, unsure what the Admiral was referring to until he finally figured out what he meant.

“You mean Rainbow DASH, not rainbow mare. Then again, that is what she is. Hahahaha…..she’s representing Ponyville.”

Ponyville, that small little town again. A lot has been going on in that town, even before that incident in the Everfree forest. He wasn’t sure why, but whenever there was something bizarre or unnatural going on in Equestria, Ponyville always somehow is either mentioned or involved in the matter. There was talk that this so called “Great and Honorable” Spike was even from Ponyville. Arche had also overheard ponies in the stand saying something about another dragon living in Ponyville. Looked exactly like Spike, but several stories tall, roaring in a lust of rage. Either these were simply rumors or not, Arche couldn’t ignore that Ponyville was known for getting its nose deep into trouble. What was it exactly that attracted all this nonsense?

“Even though she didn’t win the gold, I hear she’s in Princess Twilight’s inner circle.”

Twilight….Princess Twilight….why did that name sound so familiar? Canterlot wouldn’t stop talking about the rise of a new princess, but that’s all he ever heard. The Admiral was far too focused on his work in the Guard to get involved in the news of Royalty and Political affairs. Yet that name kept buzzing in his head. Where had he heard the name Twilight before? Was she associated with Ponyville? Surely that small damaged town didn’t need a princess. The questions kept flooding through his mind before several of the ponies around him began shouting with glee.

“OH! OH LOOK! IT’S HIM! THE GREAT AND HONORABLE SPIKE, THE BRAVE AND GLORIOUS!”

The whole coliseum erupts in applause as the contenders of the Games flying events stood proud with their medals. Shining Armor had just walked out to close this portion of the games when the small dragon announced he was going to sing their anthem. Strange, it was said he was from Ponyville. Why in Equestria would he sing the Cloudsdale Anthem? Isn’t he aware the only anthem played is for the first place winners? Something was wrong, even from where Arche was sitting, he could tell the dragon was having second thoughts, waving his hands in protest to Shining. The cheering grows louder, ponies screaming for their so called “savior” to sing for them. Arche just knew this wasn’t going to turn out well. The ponies around him had a different opinion, though that wouldn’t last long.

“Yeah! GO SPIKE! GO SPIKE! Go…..Spike?”

The cheering quickly began to disrupt, as the little dragon started mumbling random lyrics for what he assumed to be the Cloudsdale Anthem. Blubbering something about trees, and flying, and how he kept repeating that he wished the song was over. This went on for a whole minute, the lyrics sounding more random as he desperately tried to come up with the words. Arche had seen a lot in his life, but this was truly gruesome to watch. He couldn’t imagine how the dragon was feeling. When the music finally stopped, there was nothing but utter silence in the stands. However, there was a random chant coming from the higher seats in the coliseum. Some pathetic jokester claiming the small dragon had “nailed it.” Poor little thing ran off embarrassed, covering his face in his little hands.

“Jeez, that could’ve gone better.”

Arche rolls his eye, such an obvious statement. Literally over a thousand ponies had the exact same idea. As bad as it was, there were still more important matters to attend to. The Equestrian Games were far from over, and preparations were getting ready for the next events to follow. The rest of the games weren’t that much to excite over. Typical relay races, pole vaulting, the works. None of it really got the loud roaring cheers as the Pegasus events did. Seems anything that involved flying really stole the show. Then there was the final event. Now THIS was something to get really excited for. Shining had announced the Ice Archery Finals were about to commence. Yet something didn’t feel right to Arche.

“Wait, ICE archery? How long has that been going on?”

“Where have you been, old timer? It’s been like this for decades!”

Seems things really have changed since his time in the games. As a young unicorn, Arche used his magic to hold the bow and arrow a certain maneuver to perform the perfect shot almost every time. Yet nowadays, using magic in the games is deemed cheating. Arche even had to be equipped with a nullification spell to prevent use of his magic in the games. Sometimes he truly missed the days when he was young. It was a simpler time, before this violence with dangerous magic users, environmental disasters, and changelings.

“Changelings…..before….changelings….”

Arche watched the ice arrows slam into the target boards. For some reason, each time an arrow was shot, a strange sound erupts in his eardrums. Another arrow fired, the sounds getting louder. A quiet hissing began to fill his mind. It slowly began to increase in volume, soon the chanting and applause of the ponies around him were barely heard. All he could hear now was that infernal hissing!

“GET DOWN!”

In the blink of an eye, he was now in a forest. An armored pony had just pushed Arche down on all four hooves. The sounds of arrows being fired were heard, fired right behind him. Hissing turned to agonizing screams, a changeling collapses right in front of Arche and the soldier next to him. His mane was red, coat light orange. This didn’t make sense, he had been gone for over two decades. This forest, the pony in front of him, all had to be an illusion. There was no way this was-

“Zed Blaze? How is this even possible!?!”

“Come on Admiral, don’t go losing it on me just yet. If there’s one of them here, there’s bound to be a dozen more. What are your orders, sir?”

Before him was his entire squadron of soldiers, their Royal Guard armor plates baring the insignia of the Admiral’s own cutie mark, a sword crossed with a wave of aura. It all looked so real, was it real?

“Sir? We need you here, what are your orders?”

“Orders? Yes……orders…..scan the forest, if you see a changeling….waste not the chance. Exterminate them like the bugs they are.”

Author's Note

Been a little over a week, but I finally got around to making another chapter! Arches point of view of a familiar episode of MLP, with another dive into his past!

Ch.14- A Horrific Realization

The arrows were stained with the glowing ooze of changeling blood. Zed Blaze sat below a tree, cleaning his knife with an old rag. Arche was standing next to him, shaking hard. Using his magic, he levitates a small stone beside his hoof, then tosses it at Zed’s head. The Unicorn looked over at him with an annoyed glare, releasing a small sigh.

“I’m not a ghost, if that’s what you’re thinking, Admiral.”

“This is madness.”

“Madness is only caused when accepting defeat. I believe it was you who told me that, Admiral.”

“Shut up.”

“All these years, you think you’ve done good, but nothing’s changed.”

Arche slowly takes a few steps back, rubbing his eye with his hoof.

“Do you remember this place, Admiral? We’re now about a mile outside Hayseed. Not too far where it happened.”

“I said….shut….up!”

“Celestia wanted peace among the changelings, but you knew it was never going to happen.”

Anger flustering through him, the Admiral forcefully grabs Zed by this armor plate, slamming his back against the tree. He grinds his teeth, his breathing becomes rapid.

“WHO ARE YOU!?!”

“Heeheheeeeheeee…..”

“TALK DAMN YOU! WHO ARE YOU!?!”

Suddenly, Zed and the tree vanish in front of Arche like smoke. He gasps in shock, shaking harder, looking around him as the entire forest starts to disappear. The other soldiers look over at Arche, their eyes a blank white void. They all start laughing at him, as the color from their bodies starts to fade, until becoming completely gray.

“Hahahahahahahaha…..”

“No….No No No No NO….NO!”

Arche drops to the ground, covering his ears with his hooves. The laughter grows louder, as the ground itself beneath him starts to crack.

“HAHAHAHAHAHAHAA! HAAAHAHAHAHAHAAA!!!”

“This isn’t real, THIS….ISN’T….REAL…..”

Something begins to slither within the cracks of the ground around Arche. Long thick vines rise out, just like before within the Everfree Forest. Arche begins to panic, attempting to move away before having all four of his hooves wrapped around these vines. Sweat drips down his face, tears in his eye, shivering. He really believed the end was coming for him. Could this really be happening? Was he about to die?

“MAKE IT STOP! MAKE IT STOOOOOP!!!!”

“Heeheheeheheeee…..HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAA!!!!”

Those vines slowly rose in front of Arche, taking the shape of a large bug eyed creature. It just laughed, and laughed, and laughed as its fangs began to extend. Arche closes his eye, waiting for this nightmare to finally end. Next moment, he hears the sound of cheering, chants, screams of joy. Opening his eye, Arche found himself back in the Crystal Empire, during the Equestrian Games. His hooves couldn’t stop shaking, sweat constantly dripping down from his face. Something gets his attention, a loud hissing. There stood Zed, staring back at Arche, near the exit of the coliseum.

“Come, Admiral.”

“Not…real…this isn’t real….”

“COME.”

Rising from his seat as fast as he can, Arche trots out of the coliseum. He began following Zed from a distance, his breathing becoming rapid. This couldn’t really be Zed. Perhaps it was finally happening. All those years of trauma had finally caught up to the poor Admiral. Had Arche finally gone insane? He makes his way into an abandoned building, roughly a mile out from the coliseum. There stood Zed Blaze, staring out a window at the vast sparkling beauty that was the Crystal Empire. Arche couldn’t take this anymore. He needed answers, starting with who REALLY was standing before him.

“You’re not Zed Blaze, and your magic can’t break me. Show yourself….you…..filthy changeling…”

“I am not a changeling, Admiral Arche, and what you saw was no spell to corrupt your mind. You’ve already done that yourself.”

“Wha…What are you talking about!?! WHO ARE YOU!?!”

The Unicorn turns toward Arche, gazing at him with those same emotionless eyes in his hallucination. It did appear to be Zed Blaze, wearing his Royal Guard armor plating and helmet, except now it appeared faded, old, and rusted. Zed’s red mane was now faded, and his face was now covered in scars. Scars only seen by Arche himself.

“No….this can’t be happening…”

“You’ve forgotten why you fight, Arche.”

“I buried you….I buried ALL of you….yet you haunt me still?”

“I only exist because YOU will it, Arche. You can try to suppress it, take your little pills and pretend you’ve found peace. But I know you, and I also know you’ve never forgotten your duty as a soldier.”

Arche couldn’t hold it anymore. He drops down to his knees, bursting into tears. The memories flashed through his mind, from the Wedding, to the Basement. Everything was returning to him once again.

“Forgive me……I never wanted this for any of you.”

“Our deaths were not your own doing, Arche. We were all just following orders. Thirty years have passed since she gave her word. Swearing to us that we’d be given justice for what the changelings had done! You’re the only one left, Admiral. You think Celestia can give us what we’ve sacrificed for!?! You saw what their queen had done to her! Even with her own power, Celestia fell before Chrysalis. You can’t deny your pain. You can’t pretend Equestria is safe!”

“No…..no pony is safe….it hasn’t been safe…for so….SO LONG!”

“That is why you are the only one who can stop them!”

“The changelings refuse to show themselves. I’ve done all I can, and gotten NOWHERE!”

“DON’T TALK LIKE THAT! You’re just going to let those monsters win? You say what lies in your basement is simply to hide your shame, but you’re wrong. It’s a symbol of your anger! A symbol of your revenge, OUR REVENGE! A soldier’s mission is never over! Yours is just beginning, Admiral!”

“I can’t do it…..I’d be no different than them.”

“Anger and destruction is all these monsters ever feel. Why do you think they feast on love? It’s because they are incapable of it!”

“Yes…..the changelings are pure evil.”

He finally gets the nerve to stand, Zed now holds the crown of Chrysalis in his hoof.

“No pony will ever understand the fear you witnessed that day. You survived for a reason.”

Zed drops the crown, Arche watching it shatter like glass.

“What do you expect me to do, Zed?”

“The only way Equestria will be safe is by eliminating the darkness that haunts it’s light. Even though she controls the sun, her soul is dark.”

“No….you can’t be serious, Celestia…”

“You said it yourself, Admiral! Equestria hasn’t been safe for a long time. Simply turning your faith away from Celestia isn’t enough. Taking no prisoners isn’t enough! There has to more for true justice to be given! She sits on a throne of lies! She’s weak, and a change of command is immediate for the safety of our entire race!”

“I’ll do anything, but I won’t hurt Celestia. There’s no way I ever could, no matter how bad she’s hurt me.”

“You’re dooming Equestria, Admiral, you swore an oath AS A SOLDIER!”

“I WON’T DO IT! LEAVE ME ALONE!”

“WE DIED AND SHE PROMISED US JUSTICE!”

“GO AWAY!”

“YOU DENY US AS SHE DENIED YOU!”

“GRRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAGHHHHHHHHHNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!”

A blazing red beam of energy erupts from his horn, shattering a huge section of the abandoned building. Arche began to cry once more, shivering, dropping to the floor. He tries desperately to block out all noise around him. This included the distant screams from the coliseum, as a large cloud of ice plummets down onto it.

Author's Note

It was always said that suppressing your pain is never healthy. You never know what could come of it.

Ch.15- Recurring Nightmare

Two whole days had passed now since the Equestrian Games. Arche had remained secluded in his basement since then, unable to face the outside world. How could he, after the horrific encounter with his dead comrade Zed Blaze? The corpse of the changeling Arche had killed that day during the Royal Wedding looked as if it was staring down on him. Judging him, a reminder of his endless cause. For the eradication of all changelings. Yet his mind was cracked, thinking such horrible thoughts he’d never conjure in the past. There was no way Arche could ever do anything wrong to Celestia. If it wasn’t for her, he doubts he’d be where he was today. Time and time again, he wanted to give up, the trauma those changelings inflicted upon the poor unicorn burned deep into his soul. Princess Celestia kept him standing when all Arche wished for was to fall, caring not what fate had in store. She truly was the light to his darkness, and she still could be.

“I have to see her. This pain…it’s just too great for me to handle alone.”

“You were never alone until that day, Admiral.”

Covering his ears with his hooves, Arche tried desperately to block out the voices. Silence was never possible for him. If not the luring taunts and vengeful roars from the voice of his deceased comrade, Zed Blaze, Arche would hear the sound of hissing. The hissing of a changeling, preparing to strike, feast on his love, end his life. Tears began to drip down his eye, his whole body shivering in fear.

“Why is this happening to me? When will it all end!?!”

Zed Blaze stood beside the tank. His pale glare was truly a haunting sight for the unicorn admiral.

“Just leave me alone, Blaze! You won’t haunt my mind with your blasphemous words!”

“You really think that’s the reason I’m here? It is your guilt, your fear, your ANGER that summoned me. Celestia can’t take that away from you. She’ll only suppress it, just as horrible and pathetic as taking those pills of yours.”

The bottle laid on his desk a few feet from the tank. Taking them now seemed pointless at this point. The effects weren’t permanent, and Arche would be suffering the same mental trauma all over again since the games. No, there had to be another way to rid his mind of this cancerous illusion.

“Sleep…..I haven’t slept in two whole days…..yes…that’s all I need….then I’ll be able to face her majesty with a focused mind.”

Getting the smallest bit of courage to stand, Arche slowly began climbing the stairs, refusing to look at Blaze, or the changeling tank.

“You’re doing it again, Admiral. You’ve claimed a changeling can’t deceive you with its disguise, but what about the disguise you’ve made for yourself? Masking your pain, smiling in the face of the common ponies. You’ve done this for decades, and what have you to prove of it? It’s eating you alive, Arche. Sleep alone won’t cure it. You know, and I know what needs to be done!”

Arche slams the door behind him, making his way to his bed. He tries to ignore the pile of mail by his door, a blue envelope lays on top of it all. None of that was important to him. Arche had to clear all unwanted thoughts from his head if he was ever going to come down from this. Laying his head on the pillow, covering his body with a blanket, the unicorn attempted to simply close his eye, and go to sleep. At first, the hissing consumed his mind. Visions of their glaring buggy eyes stalking him like a hunter preparing to strike. Arche found himself back once again in the Everfree Forest. This sent unimaginable shivers down his spine, already feeling the black vines wrap around his hooves. The hissing grew louder once more, then the voices returned. The horrific nightmare he endured at the Equestria Games had been unleashed a second time.

“No…please no…..I don’t deserve this….I DON’T DESERVE THIS!!!!”

“You…must…..pay…..YOU KILLED US ALL!!!”

This time, the vines dragged Arche below ground. What appeared before him made the poor unicorn scream in absolute terror. The corpses of his squad were crawling through the black vines like cockroaches. Five of them in total, each grabbing one of Arche’s limbs to feast upon.

“You killed us all!”

“Death is all you deserve!”

“You’re a fool, believing in your Princess!”

“Where is our justice!?!”

“Suffer as we have!”

All Arche could do is scream, tears flowing down his eye, begging for it all to just end. Little did he realize, it was about to take a completely different turn. The vines quickly hurled Arche out of the ground, but the corpses of his squad followed after him. They climbed through the dirt like the living dead, limping towards Arche with moans of sorrow and pain. His whole body was shaking. This was true fear Arche hadn’t witnessed in a long time, similar to that horrid day.

“You can’t escape your past.”

“There is no hope for you!”

This is when a flashing light erupted out of the forest. One of the deceased ponies suddenly is blasted with a blue glow of energy, causing it to vanish. It had come from above.

“What do you know of hope, foul monsters?”

That voice, Arche was thinking, it sounded so familiar.

“Back to thy nightmarish pit from whence you came!”

Another blue glow strikes the rest of the undead ponies, all vanishing before Arche. He looks up in shock at the sight before him. Elegant wings flapping in the air, a mane flowing with such majestic beauty. They had never met personally, but her name was known throughout all of Equestria. It was the sister, the beautiful Alicorn who watched over all dreams, from filly to foal. As well as mare to stallion. It was-

“Princess…..Luna?”

She descended in front of Arche, a smile on her face. The Admiral was speechless, if she was here, then this was all just a dream?

“It….It all looked so real….am I…actually still asleep?”

“You are, Arche Stone, though you haven’t in quite a while. Your dreams are to be a place of comfort and safety. Yet there is only danger here. I couldn’t bear to just lay witness to this any longer. I am here to help you.”

Author's Note

Introducing our special guest, Princess Luna!!!! What shall the Princess of the Night do to help the suffering Admiral?

Ch.16- Plagues of the Past Part 1

“You…You can’t….you shouldn’t be here…my mind is not a place you should go wandering off in.”

The princess simply chuckled at his warning. Seems Arche had forgotten who he’s truly speaking to.

“Arche Stone, for thousands of years I’ve traveled through dreams, both peaceful and menacing. Whatever horrors your subconscious creates in the dream world, you and I shall remain safe.”

“You don’t understand….forgive me Princess, but you don’t know what I’ve been plagued with for so long in my life. These nightmares….they aren’t something new to me. However it may change, it’s the same thing over and over again….for the last two decades this horror has consumed me. I don’t think there’s any pony that can help me through this….starting to question if even a being as strong as you or your sister can ease my suffering.”

Luna couldn’t help but feel displeased in herself. She was told of Arche shortly after the events of the Royal Wedding, but this was their first actual meeting. If she had known him in the past when the nightmares first manifested, if she was not imprisoned on the moon to face her own demons, perhaps this unicorn could’ve spent these years in peaceful slumber, rather than in constant fear.

“I know you have your doubts in me….after the things I’ve done, I can’t help but feel the same way…but my sister has always told me to believe there’s always hope, even when all seems shrouded in darkness. If you’ll let me, I’ll do whatever I can to help you….will you accept my offer, Arche Stone?”

She held out her hoof to help him up, a proud smile now on her face. Arche remained silent at first, questioning if he should even attempt to open that can of worms that was his tainted past. Only a few ponies know of it, including Shining Armor, Spin Railing, and of course, Princess Celestia. Surely Luna must be aware of what Arche went through, most likely informed by her sister, yet every time he talks about it, the misery of it all feels as fresh as if it were just yesterday. He knew this wasn’t going to be easy, but at this point, he was desperate for anything. Arche just prayed that what Luna was about to see wouldn’t change her view of the old Admiral.

“You…can just call me Arche.”

He finally accepts her hoof, as her horn began to glow with a white beam of light.

“Wha…What are you doing?”

In a flash of light, Arche found himself back in an old, yet familiar setting from his past. It was his old office from his time as a teacher working at the Academy. The room was empty, but was decorated with old posters of Nightmare Moon. He looks over at the chalk board, recognizing the style to be his own writing.

“Happy….Nightmare Night.”

“You remember this day?”

Luna suddenly appeared beside him. He wouldn’t dare question how, knowing the Princess of dreams was far capable of achieving the impossible in this world.

“Yes…I remember quite fondly….even the most serious of cadets loved Nightmare Night. The faculty would excuse them early and allow them to leave campus grounds. A night of terror for fillies was the perfect time to socialize and party for these soldiers to be.”

“And how did you spend your time?”

“I was…..never the best at celebrations…no matter what it was for. At the time, I wanted my class to spend the whole night reviewing the war against Nightmare Moon, yet I was outvoted by the faculty. There’s so much more to this than acting like morons hopped up on cider. I wanted to show them that. How this night was not to be celebrated, but simply remembered for the brave individuals who gave their lives to protect Equestria against a true monster………oh no, Princess please forgive me, I didn’t mean to say that.”

“Oh it’s not an issue at all. Sadly, I agree with everything you say. As Nightmare Moon, I did such horrible things that would drive any pony away. Even after all I’ve done, I still witness a few who quake in fear of my former self, no matter how hard I try to show I’m not as I was. For most, it is a night of celebration, but for soldiers like yourself, it’s an entirely different ordeal.”

“Yet soldiers aren’t anything like they once were. To the faculty, I was an honored veteran, to my class, I was something entirely different in their eyes. That is why we are here. Tonight, I nearly ruin my career.”

The sound of laughter was heard coming from the halls. Arche slowly opens the door, shocked at what he’s witnessing. It was his past self, around ten years younger, dressed in his military uniform. He’s levitating books with his magic, making his way around laughing students, wearing ridiculous masks they made in their dorms. One was of a bugbear, the other a dragon. The teacher rolled his eye, hoping to get into his office before these student really start to annoy him.

“Hey Admiral! Happy Nightmare Night! We’re heading off to the dance club!”

“Yes Yes…..enjoy drowning yourself in cider like the animals you are, cadets.”

“Sure will! Hahahaaa! Hey, where’s Jazz? He said he was coming, right?”

Arche turned away, not wanting to see what happens next. Luna was about to ask him why, when out of a locker popped out Jazz Blitzwave wearing a changeling mask. This made their teacher jump in fear, dropping his books, and falling on his back. Seemed it was another one of the Academy’s classic Nightmare Night pranks of the teachers. Though Arche didn’t find it so funny.

“Hahahahaaa! Got ya, teach! Oh you should’ve seen your face! Hahahahaaaa!!! Priceless!”

Luna looked over at Arche, who began to shake in fear. He could still remember that laughter.

“Such rude boys, they should know better than to resort to such childish antics on a grown stallion.”

“Keep……watching…”

“What do you mean?”

Suddenly, Arche grabbed Jazz and slammed him against the locker. His teeth were grinding in anger, his breathing hard.

“Wow! Hey teach, easy! It was just a joke! Jeez..”

“A joke? A JOKE!?!”

He then slams his hoof into the cadet’s face, knocking the mask right off. The cadet tried to say something, but Arche had wrapped his magic around the boy’s neck, as he continued punching him.

“YOU THINK IT’S FUNNY TO ACT LIKE THEM!?! DO YOU NOT KNOW WHAT THESE MONSTERS ARE!?!”

The other two cadets tried to pull Arche off their friend, but he was just too strong. He wouldn’t stop punching Blitzwave. His whole face was turning bloody, as Arche punched harder, strangling him with his magic.

“YOU DON’T DESERVE TO BE A SOLDIER! I’LL KILL YOU LIKE THE BUG YOU ARE! I’LL KILL YOU!!!!”

More of the cadets show up, managing to pry Arche off of Blitzwave and hold him down. He was still alive, but barely. Even after all that, Arche tried to push the other cadets off of him, screaming like a rapid animal.

“NO! HE HAS TO DIE! HE’S ONE OF THEM! GET OFF OF ME! I HAVE TO KILL HIM!!!! HE MUST DIE!!!!!!!”

Everything goes black, as Luna remained speechless. Arche couldn’t stop shaking, barely standing as he looked at his hooves, remembering how they were drenched in that poor cadet’s blood.

“After what happened, the cadet was flown to the nearest hospital by winged carriage. I was locked in the academy’s holding cell for three days. When I finally calmed down, I was forbidden from ever teaching again. I ended up court martialed, and almost lost my title as Admiral. Only reason I’m not in jail for what I did was because of Celestia. She knew more than other pony about what the changelings did to me. Instead I was put in psychiatrics for the next two months. I still think of that cadet….wishing I got the chance to say how sorry I was to him.

“And….what did happen to him?”

Arche remained silent, as he now appeared on a grass field. It was raining, as he watched his younger self walk up to a tombstone, leaving a rose underneath it. It read “Here Lies Jazz Blitzwave, beloved son, friend, and soldier.”

Author's Note

Princess Luna helps Arche with the cause of his nightmares, but is there really any way to help him?

Ch.17- Plagues of the Past Part 2

Luna was at a loss for words. Within the dreams of Admiral Arche, she had just witnessed a terrible incident from his past involving a cadet during the unicorn’s younger days as a teacher at the Royal Academy. The Admiral has physically lashed out on the poor pony, and now here he stands, several months after that horrendous event, staring at his tombstone.

“How did he…..”

“Die? You don’t have to be subtle with me, Princess Luna. I think about him a lot.”

Arche just stared at his past self, who had just lowered a rose on the stone. Then he began to make his leave, until he’s spotted by a tan colored mare. It was Jazz Blitzwave’s older sister, Jackie Beats. He was fully prepared to have his face dented in by her hooves, seeing her trotting over to him. Arche wouldn’t blame her, especially after what he did to her brother. She finally makes her way to the Unicorn, just staring at him. Her eyes were puffy, indicating she had been crying. He lets out a sigh, raising his chin and closing his eye for the beating she’s about to bring. Hopefully, she would be quick with him.

“Go ahead, I know what’s coming to me. Let out your anger for me.”

“What? N..No, I’m not gonna hurt you.”

At first, he was shocked, which then turned into confusion. He read the reports, the parents were absolutely furious with him. So why would she be any different?

“Admiral…Arche….correct?”

“Y..Yes, I am.”

“I’m Jackie Beats, Jazz was my brother.”

“Yes I’m aware, which is why I thought…”

“That I was gonna hit you or something? Admiral….I read about what happened to you long ago. My brother….he was a good guy but…..frankly he was also quite the idiot. Honestly, I wanted to beat him up too after I found out what you went through.”

“Oh…well….that still doesn’t excuse what I did to him. I never did apologize….until….I…I’ll just leave.”

He was about to head out when Jackie puts her hoof in front of him. She continued to just stare into his good eye, before motioning her head back to her brother’s grave.

“It’s ok….you can still make things right with him.”

Arche remains silent, slowly trotting over to Jazz’s grave. Jackie was behind him, wiping her tears. He had to make amends, not just for this soldier, but for his family as well.

“I….I know we ended things on rather bad terms the last time we met….but after hearing what you did….what you went through….I just had to see you….this should’ve been….so much sooner but…I couldn’t stomach the thought of how you’d react. I’m supposed to protect my troops, as an Admiral….or even as a teacher, and….and I didn’t. I wish I could go back and change what happened…I think that with a lot of things in my life….somedays I don’t even know why I still do it. Sometimes I think of myself as a fraud….a fake….a changeling….that I don’t even deserve to be called a soldier. But you….you’ve more than earned your right to be called such a thing. Jazz….I don’t expect you to forgive me….but I want you to know….”

Tears began to drip down his eye, as his legs start to shake. He then drops to all fours, biting his lip to hold back his crying. Jackie is beside him, wrapping her hooves around his neck to comfort him.

“You didn’t….You didn’t deserve this! You still had your whole life ahead of you! You were PURE! You weren’t tainted with nightmares like me! I’M THE ONE WHO SHOULD BE DEAD! NOT YOU! GIVE ME A SIGN, JAZZ! PLEASE! I NEED TO KNOW YOU’RE LISTENING! PLEASE, JAZZ! LET ME KNOW! THAT’S ALL I WANT! PLEASE!!!”

Luna lowered her head, her eyes shut. She tried her best attempting to block out Arche’s wailing cries, with no luck. Did Celestia really know all of this? There’s no way, she would’ve been told. There was layers of grief that consumed this unicorn, and Luna had to dig deeper to find the source. The present Arche was now making his leave. His time here was done, nothing more to see.

“Admiral….wait….I must know….”

He stops in place, not even turning his head to speak to her.

“Really? You MUST know?”

There was anger in his voice. Luna knew this was already more than what he could handle.

“You won’t be able to get better unless you let me see exactly what trauma inflicted you. I only want to make things right for you, Arche.”

“What? Like closure? If I just accept what happened, I can move on? You don’t get it….you weren’t there….you can’t just…unsee what I witnessed….twenty years since that day….I still remember it like it was yesterday….go….look….know WHY I’m so tightly wound up….but you’ll have to do it by yourself, Princess. I can’t endure that….not again…I won’t…..and if you make me…I’ll never forgive you.”

There’s another long silence between the two, as Luna finally makes up her mind. If he refuses to go, then she has no other choice. Normally she’d force ponies to face their fears, but Arche was a different case. Luna hadn’t seen such trauma and pain within a stallion in an extremely long time. She had to handle things on her own from here on out. Her horn lights up, as she transfers herself deeper into Arche’s subconscious. She now finds herself in a hospital emergency room, doctors and nurses surrounding a lone pony on an operating table.

“He’s lost a lot of blood, we need a transfusion now!”

“Sweet Celestia, look at all those bite marks! What in Equestria happened to him!?!”

“Troops found him outside a changeling hive, apparently he was ambushed.”

“It’s just him? Against an entire swarm of changelings!?!”

“No, he wasn’t alone, there were others…..he’s the only survivor.”

Luna gets closer, gasping at the horrific sight before him. Arche laid on the table, bite marks punctured deep into his flesh. Blood was leaking everywhere, even from his eyes. His eyes….Luna had to turn away. Those menacing bugs had sliced open the poor unicorn’s right eye!

“Get him under, he’s gonna need emergency surgery! We gotta treat the ruptures to his organs and flush out the poison! Hurry!”

“Doctor, I think he’s trying to say something!”

Luna looks over again, listening to what the survivor has to say.

“Ze……..Zed…..Tumble….Cos….Gim…..Teal…..where’s she? Where’s……Teal?”

Author's Note

Sorry its taken so long, but I finally have for you the second part of Princess Luna's trip through Arche's past!

Ch.18- Plagues of the Past Part 3

“What gruesome act caused you to end up this way?”

That is all Luna could muster, seeing the bloody and unconscious state that Arche appeared before her. It was clear that this was the trauma that forever changed the unicorn’s mindset in the future. Yet there was still more to this that needed to be seen, and Luna wasn’t looking forward to it in the slightest. It had to be done, there was no questioning it any further. The Princess of dreams began digging deeper into Arche’s past, the hospital room she stood in now transformed into a camping ground. Clear skies above, trees everywhere, and the sound of hooves stomping on the dirt. She sees Arche much younger, standing in perfect sync within the row of stallions around him. His mane was longer, the streaks of blue and green glistening in the sun. There was no eyepatch, the damage he’d suffer to his right eye had yet to occur. The menacing gaze he usually showed was also gone, replaced with a look of determination, and confidence. An older pony appears, a unicorn like most of the soldiers that stood in front of him. This must be their drill sergeant.

“Remember this day, you bunch of worthless fillies. You’ll look back and wish you never stepped hoof in this camp. Cause I’m about to push each and every one of you past your limits, wishing for death, and begging for your mommies. School work is over, you pathetic worms! Today, you’re civilians, tomorrow, you’re soldiers!”

Luna shakes her head, this was the past, but not what she wanted. The issue is what caused Arche’s nightmares. What does this have to do with anything?

“I’ve gone too far, there needs to be more clarity here.”

The camp grounds began to change, the trees starting to lose their leaves, the clouds forming above. There was now a crowd of ponies cheering and yelling. From where she stood, Luna couldn’t tell what was going on. She extends her wings and rises into the sky, seeing with shock what was occurring in the middle of the crowd. Arche was covered in bruises, panting hard, blood smeared on his face and mane. He was fighting another unicorn, with a light orange coat, and a red mane. He was also covered in bruises and blood, which may or may not be his own. He starts laughing, taking a defense stance as Arche swings his hoof at him. His opponent easily manages to dodge it, swinging his own hoof underneath Arche’s chin, sending him off all four of his legs, and collapsing into the ground.

“Swing and a miss, Stone! Honestly, I don’t see why you even bothered signing up. If you can’t beat me, what chance you have out in the field?”

Arche slowly gets up, smiling.

“Damn you, Zed, take this seriously why don’t you?”

Luna’s eyes widen once hearing that name. Zed? Wasn’t that one of the names he was muttering in the hospital?

“You really can’t mean that. Wipe that smirk off your face, Stone, and maybe I’ll stop holding back.”

Arche starts to laugh, standing tall, despite the feeling of jelly in his legs. He could collapse any second, yet he still managed to stay conscious. Was it determination, or mere stupidity why he wouldn’t give in?

“You’re the one who wouldn’t last long in the field, Zed. T way you’re pulling your punches? Why? Cause you pity me? No, it’s because you don’t think I’m worth your best.”

His speed suddenly increased within the blink of an eye, as he now stood inches away from Zed.

“WHAT!?!”

“Cocky attitude like yours…”

His right hook knocks the lights right out of Zed, making the crowd roar like crazy with applause.

“HAS NO PLACE IN THE GUARD!”

“My word….”

This was a completely different side of Arche Luna hadn’t seen before. The trauma he endured had truly changed the poor stallion. She could understand how deep cuts could alter one’s mind, but the real question here is how deep were his? This was still left unanswered, as Luna began traveling further into Arche’s future. The camp grounds had now disappeared. She now stood inside a large building, seeing Arche in his cadet uniform. Around him was a circle of ten high ranking military officials, each representing a different branch of the Equestrian Armed Forces. Though Luna had little knowledge of these ponies, she does recall her sister speaking of them. As large as Equestria was, the lands were divided with different sets of military forces to deal with whatever issues that occurred there. They were always busy, and couldn’t simply stop when a sudden magical threat made its appearance. As if they would be much help if they could. Celestia clarified that although these soldiers deserve their respect, against the likes of Discord or Chrysalis, they’d leave barely a dent. Which is why she’d resort to these matters herself, or get her student Twilight Sparkle for the cause. If the ten of these ponies were here in this room, leaving their posts to come together as one, it couldn’t be for anything good. As Luna was soon about to find out.

“Cadet Arche Stone, you stand here for the crime of abandoning your post against the threat of rogue users of corrupted magic. How do you plead?”

He’s silent at first, but soon speaks, confidence within his voice.

“I am guilty, sir, that I am much clear, but I don’t regret what I did.”

“What? You were stationed to guard the shipment of potion resources with your life. Those traitorous ponies are now one step closer to achieving their goals of using unstable magics against our forces all because of you! And you’re just…fine with that? Have you no shame in your actions, cadet?”

“Sir, the entire base had caught fire. My superior officer was trapped in his chambers under a large wooden beam. If I ignored his screams for help, he’d be dead.”

“The life of one pony may very well risk the lives of hundreds! You will be sentenced to six months as cleanup in the dark chambers of Tartarus. Let’s see if you regret it after cleaning up after that three headed freak of nature! Dismissed.”

As Arche leaves the room, he’s soon approached by the very same pony he saved, his superior, Commander Blitz. He was covered in bruises, with one of his arms bandaged in a cast. Seems as if he was waiting for him.

“Sir I…”

“Don’t, just don’t even try to explain.”

Luna watched from a distance, not looking forward to seeing poor Arche scolded again. Yet to her surprise, it would seem like the exact opposite.

“Those idiots only care about results. I hate how the times have changed for the military. Each soldier’s life matters, they’re living beings, flesh and blood. If the pencil pushers in there can’t understand that, then to hell with them.”

“You…You aren’t mad?”

“Mad!?! Why would I be mad at you? You saved my life, cadet. I can see that you’re what’s missing from this entire military. Equestria needs more ponies like you. You’re more than willing to come back when those pointless six months are up, and not as a cadet either. No, I need you as my lieutenant.”

“Sir? Are…Are you serious?”

“As serious as I ever been. Taking that means you accept the job?”

“O-Of course! Thank you, sir!”

Luna smiles, finally seeing a peaceful memory in Arche’s past. But is that all there is for him? Does it get worse before it even remotely gets better? She asks these questions has the room around her changes again, unsure what Arche’s past has in store for her next.

Author's Note

A sight of light, in a mind shrouded in darkness.

Ch.19- Plagues of the Past Part 4

A simple blink of her eyes, and the Princess of the Night was now somewhere else. She felt a strong breeze flowing through her hair, her balance hard to keep, taste of salt on her lips. Luna now stood on a large boat along the ocean current. She could hear the sounds of laughter coming from within one of the cabins before her. There was also the chatters and screams of possibly drunk stallions, Luna would know, a main factor at several of the forced social events her sister makes her attend. One voice she recognized on the spot, more cheerful than what she’s usually heard. It was the voice of the stallion she’s been studying, Arche Stone, seeing much of his past the deeper the Alicorn travels. Peeking through one of the cabin doors, she sees Arche sitting at a table with his fellow soldiers, cider in their hooves, and cards on the table. Perhaps she finally found a more calming memory of the soldier.

“Zed, you’re a genius on the field, but you play cards like a blind griffon!”

“What the hay does that even mean, Jack? How am I even supposed to be offended!?!”

Arche grins, shaking his head over at Zed. He looks back with annoyance in his eyes. The young stallion knows that look far too well.

“Something seem funny to you, Stone?”

“Matter of fact, yes Zed, there is something funny.”

“Well spit it out, tough guy.”

“You say you’re not offended, yet you make a big deal of it anyway. No matter what we say, you always get angry about something. That must be why they call you Zed Blaze.”

“For your information, the word blaze in my name is because my coat and mane match the colors of a blazing fire.”

“Wooooah, that’s scary.”

The sarcasm in Jack’s voice didn’t set well with Zed, as he grabs the nearest cup of cider and splashes it in his face. This makes Jack fall out of his seat, yelping for a second like a scared filly. Arche and Zed burst into laughter, as the young lieutenant stands, offering his hoof to Jack. He wipes the cider off his eyes and takes Arche’s hoof, a smile on his face.

“Thanks Lieutenant.”

“Jack, come on, we’ve all known each other since the academy, you don’t gotta call me that.”

“Oh Jackie boy, always taking a tumble, no matter what you do. You think my name is lame, but at least I wasn’t born TUMBLE JACK.”

“Zed, stop it, will ya?”

“Why? Think you’re a big shot now? Super soldier of Equestria now? HAHAAAA!”

“Arche, why is he acting more of a turd tonight?”

He rolls his eyes, moving the cider cups away from Zed.

“Cider, Jack, makes us all a little different.”

“Call it what you want, Stone, but one of these days I’ll prove to you I’m the top stal of these lands. Just you wait, mister big shot!”

This time, its Arche and Jack that burst laughing, as Zed curses their names under his breath, stumbling back to his bunk.

“Sure, Zed, make us proud.”

Another sign of an unfamiliar Arche, like a completely different pony through Luna’s eyes. She blinks once more, as the cabin disappeared in a wave of light. She was now on a field, the sounds of hissings filled the air. Arche was running as fast as he can, Tumble Jack and Zed Blaze beside him. Their magic held large spears and shields, colliding with the black flesh of the huge group of changelings before them. Jack struggled trying to push one off him, as Zed hurls his spear through the tar skinned creature’s stomach.

“DIE, YOU VILE FREAKS!”

“ZED! HELP JACK! NOW!”

Quickly, Zed hurls his shield at the changeling pounced on top of Jack, managing to daze it with a single swing to the head. Seeing an opening, Jack hurls his spear into the changeling’s neck, its hissing lowers to nothing in seconds.

“Talk to me, Tumble, you still with me?”

“Y-Yeah, it’s good, where’s the lieutenant?”

Luna watched in shock as Arche stormed his way through the rest of the changeling attack. Five of em drop to the ground, their green blood oozing everywhere. His spear and armor now stained in the green slime, motioning for his men to keep going.

“The survivors are just over that hill! Hurry!”

“Are you crazy, Stone!?! Who knows how many of those things are on this island!”

“I-I gotta agree with Zed. We’re completely unprepared for this! We gotta call for reinforcements!”

“I won’t let those ponies become snacks to these damn bugs! We can make it!”

Another group of changelings flew over the hill, as the three soldiers charged in screaming. Luna refused to watch anymore of this carnage, as the battlefield disappeared with a simple blink of her eyes.

“By the night sky itself……there is so much this poor stallion has kept hidden. I fear it will get even worse from here…..yet I must strive on.”

Another room forms around her in a wave of light. A large hall, glistening glass windows from all directions.

“This place….it’s the royal castle!”

Her sister’s home didn’t look much different while she remained imprisoned as Nightmare Moon. Aside from miner details such as different colored drapes, and older statues of the royal princess. The large entry doors opened behind her, looking over in surprise as Arche is escorted by two members of the Royal Guard. He seemed nervous, wearing his military uniform, the lieutenant insignia placed on his chest. Again, Luna had trouble actually seeing this young stallion as the same Arche. Trauma was obviously strong with him, but it seemed more than just that. Something was still amidst here, she just couldn’t put her hoof on what that might be. Suddenly, a wave of sunlight covered the royal throne, as a tall, breathtaking Alicorn glided downward with such elegance. Her mane flowing beautifully with a wave of colors, as if from magic itself. It was her older sister, Princess Celestia.

“It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”

Author's Note

Hello again! Sorry for the long wait, but I've been focused on alot other stuff like work, catching up on my reading, drawings, and other writings I've thought of. But I won't ever abandon you all! That I can personally guarantee!

Ch.20- Plagues of the Past Part 5

There she was, as elegant and beautiful as ever. There wasn’t a single pony alive who didn’t know of Princess Celestia. The symbol she stood for to all mares and stallions of Equestria. But to actually be in presence of her was a dream come true. This was a moment Arche would never forget. He began to sweat, keeping his head down in front of her. His mind was racing like crazy. He couldn’t screw this up, no matter what happens. As a soldier, you pledge your service and actions in her own name. You are to protect your fellow comrades like they were your kin. To disappoint Celestia would make you a disgrace to the entire army. Might as well throw away your armor and remove yourself from the streets of day. Unfit to bask in the warm rays of the sun to which she delivers every morning. Failure was unacceptable to Arche.

“Are you feeling well, young one?”

He keeps his head down, shaking nervously. Was he not addressing her properly? What should he do? Nod his head to indicate he was fine, or simply speak up? Was he even allowed to speak? Nothing but questions spiraled around in his head, making him sweat even more. If he didn’t do something soon, who knows how she’ll react. Quickly, he found the courage to finally utter a sentence to her.

“I..I..I..I…I am fine, Princess. Forgive me….I….don’t mean to act so ridiculous in your presence. Really, I only…”

Suddenly, she extends her hoof underneath the young stallion’s chin. Arche feels his head lifting up, now gazing into her beautiful purple eyes. His fears and doubts began to vanish in an instance. Who stood before him was a living god to all of Equestria, but in that moment, all he saw now was just another pony like himself, greeting him with a caring warm smile.

“You have nothing to be afraid of, my dear. I’ve looked forward to this meeting for quite a while now.”

A slight blush formed on his cheeks, hearing her lovely voice. She truly was a majestic sight to see. Arche breathes in slowly, keeping his focus as he finally straightened himself out, chest out, face forward.

“It’s an honor to stand before you, Princess Celestia. I hope I didn’t make you feel uncomfortable, madam.”

She lets out a small chuckle, turning her head slightly as she looks at Arche. Celestia could tell he was trying really hard to impress her.

“It’s no problem at all, Mr. Arche. Relax, take a few breaths, you don’t need to act so formal in front of me.”

The princess sits down on her throne, levitating two small glass cups using her magic. She pours some tea into each with such elegance, before placing them on the small table beside her. There were a few small cakes beside the tea. This reminded Arche of the Canterlot article he read a few days prior, talking about the top five bakeries recommended by the princess herself. He never believed it was actually true until gazing at those small cakes. The way it was decorated was proof that it came from the Truffles and Treats Bakery, right outside the castle grounds. Arche would have to try them someday.

“Would you care for some tea, Mr. Arche? Perhaps a cake as well?”

“Oh….I wouldn’t want to impose.”

“Nonsense, please, I insist.”

“As…As you wish, madam.”

He slowly trots up the steps of the throne, sitting across from Celestia. Using his own magic, he slowly raises the cup to his lips, sipping the tea. As he does, the princess notices something wrong with his magic. The colorful energy field around the cup was slowly starting to fade, as if he was losing control of it. His eyes were also clenched, struggling to focus.

“Do you need any help?”

Arche lowers the cup, breathing heavily. At first, Celestia believed the poor stallion was still nervous to be in her presence, however, this actually wasn’t the case. Something else was bothering him.

“I’m fine…..”

“Your magic…..is there something wrong with it?”

This was the last thing Arche wanted any pony to find out. What cruel joke that he’d have to tell Princess Celestia herself what no pony in the military even remotely had a clue about. He could lie, but that would just make him feel worse. Besides, it was more clear to him now that the princess wasn’t a vengeful deity like the bed stories once told him. She was kind and gentle, a pony you could truly be honest to.

“I never could materialize magic well as a colt. Despite both my parents being unicorns, whenever I tried to lift anything with magic, or even perform a simple spell a filly could master, I start to feel light headed.”

“Oh my, I’m so sorry, I didn’t know.”

“No, it’s fine, Princess. The doctors call it ‘Magical Displacement’ disorder.”

“And…you’ve had this all your life?”

“Yes, Princess Celestia.”

“Despite this….you still enlisted as a soldier?”

“Yes…..the moment I turned eighteen, I registered.”

She smiles, admiring his dedication, yet surprised she wasn’t aware of his condition by her advisors.

“If I may ask, did you ever tell anypony else of your condition?”

“No, madam.”

“Why not?”

He goes silent, lowering his head once again. Celestia hoped she didn’t offend him.

“I’ve heard the stories of the war when I was a child. You and your forces against the threat of Nightmare Moon. I understood even then that there will always be a danger to Equestria. That we all have to do our part to protect the ones we care for most against the unknowns of the future ahead. If I told others about my condition, there was no way they’d ever let me enlist.”

“Yet….you’ve managed to do such…remarkable things. Saving your commanding officer, charging headfirst into battle to protect your friends. You are truly a remarkable soldier, Arche Stone.”

A small smile forms on his face, looking into Celestia’s beautiful eyes once more.

“All I’ve ever wanted was to follow your ideals, Princess Celestia. Keeping the peace you’ve given us for nearly a thousand years.”

She smiles back, levitating one of the cakes to him.

“I don’t have your medal yet, but consider this your official promotion cake.”

She lets out a small chuckle, as Arche grabs the cake with his hooves in confusion.

“Wait….what?”

“I want you to be the new Captain of my Royal Guard, Arche Stone.”

Author's Note

I'M BACK! After months of hiatus, I bring you the next chapter in the story of Arche Stone! Hope you enjoy it! Any questions, feel free to comment!

Ch.21- Plagues of the Past Part 6

Time had moved forward once again. Princess Luna had seen much of Arche’s life through his dreams, but the question still remained. What point in his life changed him forever? Seems she had no other option but continue onward, watching more of his memories as a soldier. One of which he was looking over new attack patterns in his quarters. He was now wearing the gleaming armor showing his authority as captain of the guard. Luna recognized it easily, already meeting the current captain, Shining Armor, who as the brother to her sister’s top pupil, Twilight Sparkle. She noticed something different about Arche this time. The strange glare in his eyes, speaking to himself, calculating new actions for his soldiers. This was the same look he gave her not moments prior, when he told her there was no helping him.

“It was too much for you. This job had consumed much of your time.”

Suddenly, his door swung open. A young unicorn mare around the same age as the newly deemed captain trotted in, a warm smile on her face. She sported a blueish-green coat, a short dark blue mane, and had glittering blue eyes. It looked like her cutie mark was an open oyster shell, revealing a shiny white pearl. Her attire consisted of a red scarf, goggles, and black stocking on all four legs, yet were cut off at her hoofs. Luna noticed she had quite a few scars on her face as well. Perhaps wounds from past battles. This could be a soldier, yet she certainly didn’t dress like one.

“You’ve gone over these plans for the last four days. Pretty sure the formation is unbreakable.”

“That’s the difference between you and me, Teal. I don’t leave anything to doubt.”

The mare noticed the several cups of old coffee and cider around Arche’s desk. Seems he had proper motivators to work with.

“Have you even……gone home? Taken a nap? Hell, have you even gone to the bathroom?”

“What are you, my wife?”

This makes a small annoyed blush rush over her cheeks. She then grabs Arche by the tail using her magic, dragging him away from his battle plans

“Teal, what are you doing?”

“Consider this a temporary leave of absence until you’ve gotten at least a few hours of rest.”

Arche groaned, not even tempted enough to fight back.

“Just let me go, that’s an order.”

“You’re not fit for command, sir. I’m only doing what’s right.”

“And you’re really pushing it, Lead Navigator Teal Pearl.”

That name, it sounded so familiar to Luna. She knew she heard it somewhere. Then it suddenly came to her.

“Oh no.”

Luna now stood in the military hospital once again. Arche laid on an operating table, covered in dirt and blood. Cuts everywhere, from his legs, all the way to his face. It was truly a rather bloody sight. This poor pony had survived an unthinkable incident, barely alive, and yet there was only one name he could speak, even if it took all his strength to do so.

“T….eal……where’s…..where’s Teal?”

“Captain Arche? Please try not to speak. You were caught in a horrible attack by a group of vicious changelings.”

“Teal…..where is Teal Pearl. Tell me…..is she…..safe? Where is she?”

The doctors around him began to whisper in confusion. One stepped forward, a look of sorrow and regret on his face.

“Captain……there was no one else left. You…..You were the only survivor.”

He tried to stand, blood dripping down his hoofs. His teeth were grinding, tears slipping out of his throbbing left eye. The doctors who witnessed it would tell you it was from the excessive pain he was enduring. To Princess Luna, however, those were tears of despair.

“No……NO! The hive….”

“Captain, please stay down, you’re gonna go into shock.”

“THEY WERE ALL IN THE HIVE! CHECK THE DAMN HIVE! THEY WERE IN THERE!!!!”

“Captain Arche, you need to-“

“WHERE ARE THEY!?! YOU’RE ALL A BUNCH OF LIARS!”

“Restrain him!”

“TUMBLE! ZED! WHERE ARE YOU!?! COSMO!?! SAY MY NAME!!!! GIMBLE!?! TEAL!?!”

The doctors were now strapping him to the table, his voice getting louder, more violent.

“NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! YOU CAN’T DO THIS TO ME! NO! I NEED TO SEE THEM!!!! WHERE DID YOU HIDE THEM!?! AGHHHHH!!!!!!!”

Luna had to turn away. This was becoming too much for her.

“AGHHHHH!!!!!!!!! TEAAAAAAL!!!!!! AAAAAAAGHHHH!!!! TEAAAAAAAAAAL!!!!!!!!”

His screams just roared through her ear drums. She had no choice but to cover them with her hooves, failing to block out the agonizing moans he continued to shout. Her horn glows, leaving this horrific vision.

“By Celestia’s name…..it was those creatures….the changelings.”

“Yes the changelings, my comrades. Seems our new orders involve the little buggers.”

Luna was now in a forest. In front of her was Arche, sporting the royal armor, as well as both his eyes. In front of him was a squad of ponies. Three she recognized. The unicorn sporting an orange coat with a red mane was Zed Blaze. The earth pony with the light brown coat, along with a light blue mane was Tumble Jack. Then of course was Teal Pearl, wearing that scarf still, along with that same smile. Last were a pair of Pegasuses she hadn’t seen yet before in Arche’s memories. These must be Cosmo and Gimble. One had a yellow coat, sporting a green spiked mane. The other Pegasus had a white coat, with a pink mane. They all wore royal armor, even Teal, standing tall and proud, awaiting orders from their captain. Luna wondered if this was just before the tragedy that took their lives?

“Listen up, Celestia herself wrote to me on this. There’s a small town about a few miles away from this very post. Word is there’s a hive constructed just outside of it. Now times are tough, Celestia is trying hard to establish an everlasting peace to Equestria. More bloodshed with the changelings will only make things worse.”

“You’re not insinuating what I think you are, Stone.”

“Zip it Blaze, there’s word of war brewing all across the lands. The Princess doesn’t want anything remotely like the misery she had to deal to her sister. There won’t be another nightmare war, my friends.”

Luna just stood in there in silence, lost for words.

“So what are the new orders, boss man?”

“Ever enthusiastic, Cosmo, I like it. Instead of engaging the changelings, we are to meet on terms of peace. Simply for the protection of both the townsfolk and the innocent changelings.”

Teal had her head down, unsure how to feel of these new commands from Canterlot. Arche walks up to her, puts his hoof under her chin, similar to how Celestia did to him when they first met.

“Teal, don’t be nervous. We got this, just like any other of our missions.”

“You know….how I feel about changelings.”

“Yes, I am aware, but these creatures are just frightened of us as we are of them. And if Celestia is certain that a term of peace can suppress even the thought of war, then we owe it to her to make that happen.”

She forms a small smile, holding his hoof in hers.

“Aye sir, we trust you.”

Upon hearing those words, Luna disappears from the forest. It was in that moment where everything soon turns pitch black. As she used her magic to luminate some light, Luna realized she was now standing in a void of never ending darkness. She hears the sounds of hissing all around her. Changelings had swarmed her, noticing their dark buggy eyes start to appear before her.

“This is nothing more than a nightmare brought by Arche’s own suffering. You can’t harm me.”

“GEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET……….OOOOOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUT.”

The swarm had spoken these simple two words in a spine chilling unison. Repeating it to the princess.

“GEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET……..OOOOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUT.”

Get out? Get out of where? The void? The dream? Luna had witnessed traces of strong connections to dreams among other ponies, but never did she think so for Arche. The changelings soon light themselves ablaze in a green fire, each taking the exact same form, Arche Stone. Every imitation of Arche was now staring at Luna, once more repeating their demand.

“GEEEEEEEEEEEET……..OOOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUT.”

“I…..I believe I understand now, Arche. There was a reason you kept this repressed for so long. The pain you feel for your friends demise by the changelings has haunted you all this time. You don’t wish for any pony to see this because you blame yourself. But understand this, Arche Stone, this is not the way to live. You can still live a life of true peace, but until you begin to forgive yourself for the tragedy that inflicted you and your soldiers, you will never be free.”

The changelings of Arche began to slowly disappear. One by one, until Luna was left alone. She hears the sounds of hoof prints coming from deep in the dark abyss before her. The true Arche Stone had arrived, that same dark glare appeared once more. It seems he wasn’t too happy with Luna’s words.

“You honestly think peace can be obtained through forgiveness of one’s self? Not even you could understand how I felt that day. The pain surging down to my inner core.”

Luna remained silent, wanting to hear more from him.

“Your time here wasn’t to show you that I can simply forgive myself. No, it’s so much more than that. What happened to me was a reminder that this world isn’t all happiness and fluffy clouds as your sister thinks it to be. There’s a toxin infecting Equestria. A toxin I thought the future could erase. After what happened at that wedding, what it lead to……..I knew it wasn’t enough to save Equestria. I KNEW……there was more for me to do.”.

Author's Note

The root to Admiral Arche's pain has been revealed!

Ch.22- Oath to better days

There were no words that could be said. Nothing to change what the nightmares had done. Luna shouldn’t be surprised, seeing firsthand through Arche’s memories of the pain he carried. She was now in the stallion’s bedroom, leaving the land of dreams to speak with the admiral in the real world. They both had witnessed enough. Arche had risen from his pillow, a blank stare emit his face as he waited for Luna to speak. Awaiting her reaction to his damaged psyche. To hear how messed up he truly was.

“Have….you ever told this…to any pony else?”

He remained silent at first, staring out of his window. It was still dark out.

“There are but only four others who know about that day. Who know of it truly, from every excruciating detail, to the scars it left me, both physically and mentally.”

Luna already knew one of them. She recalls speaking with her sister earlier that day, going over exactly how she should handle things with Arche Stone. Celestia wouldn’t tolerate any issues or mistakes, claiming out of all her soldiers, she held him especially close to her heart.

“My sister thinks very much of you. She’s concerned that you’ve changed since the wedding. That you aren’t being yourself.”

He turns his head, looking directly at the Princess of the Night, in all her radiant glow. He found her sister’s statement rather idiotic. Thinking that the Alicorn of the Sun would realize by now that he’s been different far longer since the incident at the wedding. But he must keep his composure, be mature on this. He knows they’re simply trying to help, as pointless as it seemed through his own perspective.

“Your reputation perceives you, Princess. I see why you’re so respected among the many dreamers of Equestria. However……my own……experiences cannot simply be….forgotten. Nor can I simply….move past them, even in my later years. I do appreciate what you and your sister have done for me, but this is a matter that I can’t push back….not again….not with what’s taken place.”

“You….refer to the rising threat Chrysalis has now become?”

“I do…..forgive how I’ve acted with you, Princess Luna, I forget that not all see this issue the same as I. Knowing first and full most what these creatures are capable of, and witnessing their tyranny at young Cadence’s wedding…..I won’t let what happened repeat itself. I owe it to not just my friends…..but every pony in Equestria. When we contain Chrysalis….and this is a promise you can inform to your sister…..I will truly allow myself to rest.”

Now this was the progress Celestia had intended Luna to bring to her. It was a long shot, especially seeing how harmful his past made him to fulfilling his duties as a soldier, but progress none the less.

“Sister claimed you were noble to a cause. Said that’s what she likes about you.”

Arche didn’t smile, but instead laid his head back down, staring into the ceiling of his small home, thinking of his better days from the Guard.

“She thinks too much of me. There were many times I could’ve done better.”

Luna began thinking back herself, of her own troubles. This, the two had in common more than anything.

“We all could, but the better times will be ahead for us……all of us.”

Arche soon drifts back to sleep, as Luna makes her leave, smiling back at the tired soldier one last time. Celestia was right, he is special, not just for his loyalty, but to his friends. She’ll keep her word on this, willing to check back with him in his dreams again once Chrysalis is dealt with. Luna owes him at least that much.

Author's Note

To a brighter future!

Ch.23- Corrupted illusions

The lifeless eyes of the changeling stared directly at Arche. Deep within the confines of his basement, the only light being the illumination of the large vat, glowing green with the embalming chemicals mixed with the blood of this creature. Spin really had his work cut out for him. Its purpose still stands, a reminder of what he must do. A promise to not just the princess, but his fallen friends as well. Zed Blaze’s words still haunting his mind.

The pills only suppressed the pain, not erase it. After his walk down memory lane, both at the Equestrian Games and in his dreams, he wouldn’t dare swallow another one. You could hide a scar for as long as you can, but it’ll always be there, no changing that.

“Change……..to change my way of thinking again……how many more decades will I lose contemplating the what if? No, there’s a better way to handle this.”

Looking back at the vat, Arche noticed his reflection. Even after getting some sleep, he still looked tired, warn down, like the war truly was over, when in all actuality, it was only beginning. Moving closer to the vat, he now saw a reflection of his former self. Young, happy, with both eyes. In a better time, a better life. He had forgotten that Luna showed him the times he was truly at peace with himself. Almost made him want to smile. Then the reflection suddenly changed within the blink of his eye, showing the bloody remains of Zed. The horrific side caused Arche to leap back in fear, as the dead pony began to laugh.

“AAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAAA!!! Look at what’s become of you. Hiding in your little basement. The great Admiral Arche, hero of Equestria, now a forgotten hermit.”

“Shut up, I won’t allow these visions to cloud my thinking any longer. I must do what is right…what a true soldier would accomplish.”

The reflection slowly began to walk out of the vat, taking shape and form of the deceased Zed Blaze. The wounds on his body were still fresh of that day when Arche’s life witnessed a living nightmare.

“You can’t get rid of me…….even you have realized that. Take those pills, what good comes of it? You might as well just hide under your covers and pray for a quick end. There’s only ONE plausible solution to end this. And it’s something a so called true soldier cannot endure. You really want peace to return to you? Justice for what happened to us that day? You’ll have to show your true self. Fearless, blood driven, not caring who has to pay for your rewards. Kinda like how you handled this boy here.”

He’s referring to the dead changeling itself. Mere mention of it fills Arche’s mind with the screams. Couldn’t force it out of his mouth, but he did enjoy watching that monster pay for attacking the wedding. But still, what this crazed illusion was suggesting was everything he stood against. Arche promised Luna he’d handle this peacefully, then at last rest. Denying his word to the princess was something he could never forgive himself for.

“Arche, no matter how much you think it over, you know this is the only way to truly redeem yourself for your failure to save us.”

“ENOUGH! You…..You are not Zed Blaze…..my friend…my comrade……he’d never turn a dark eye no matter what his fate was. He was a stubborn stallion…..but he was a good soldier…..a good pony…down to his core. You aren’t him……you’re nothing more than another nightmare in my broken head.”

The illusion remained silent, staring at Arche, but its wicked smile remained. As if it won no matter what the poor stallion would say.

“You honestly think that……I’m real because you have nopony else to talk to about this. I’m real because no matter how much you pretend to be a loyal good boy to the guard, to Celestia, deep down you’re a bloodthirsty tyrant. You despise Celestia for leading you down this path…..her orders of peace led to your imprisonment in that hive! Every day when you see her face, you curse her name, you loathe how she’s brought Equestria into a land of corruption and war because of her idiotic sense of friendship conquering magic! If not for the changelings, it’s for Sombra, or Nightmare Moon for that matter! This hate for true justice has built up inside you for years, until finally the wedding was the last straw!”

Arche just stood there, slowly beginning to shake. His teeth grinding, tears dripping down his eye. But he wouldn’t dare break down and cry, not in front of this cursed nightmare of his dead friend. If this was really what he was thinking in his head or not, he’d rather scream and deny it than dare admit such horrible thoughts.

“You’re wrong…….”

“Am I? Am I really, dear Admiral? I exist as your deepest regrets. Your repression from decades of sorrow and misery! If you unleash that hatred, hatred on Celestia, hatred on the changelings, hatred for EVERY IMBECILE THAT WRONGED YOU……..you can bring Equestria into a new era.”

Arche had enough, making his way back upstairs. The illusion was already there, sitting on the couch.

“A so called god in charge of every pony? Can’t even stop Chrysallis by herself.”

“Stop it….”

“If she couldn’t help you then, how could she help now?”

“I said….stop.”

“Pearl would be ashamed of you.”

“STOOOOOOOOP!!!!!!!!!”

Using his magic, he levitates the coffee table, hurling it into the couch. Screaming with rage, he levitates the couch next, slamming it into walls, the windows, the tv, then rips the whole thing in half. He screams and cries for what seemed like hours, cursing his own name before finally stopping at the sound of his door knocking.

“WHAT!?!”

He opens the door fast as he can, causing the mail pony standing there to jump in fear.

“AH! Sorry to disturb you….Admiral…”

The poor lad couldn’t help but notice some of the wreckage inside Arche’s home.

“Something….wrong sir?”

Arche kept breathing heavily, giving the pony a menacing glare as he snatches his mail from his hoof using his magic.

“NOTHING…..I’m fine…..good day.”

He slams the door shut, walking back to the remains of his living room, looking through his mail. One was a letter informing him of an upcoming meeting with fellow higher ups of the Royal Guard. Just what Arche needed to really kick off his day, with another narcissistic lecture from Blitz.

“Could things…….possibly get worse!?!”

Suddenly, the sky began to grow dark, then brighten within seconds. As if night and day was happening simultaneously.

“What in the…..”

Slowly walking outside, he sees the sun and moon hovering above at lightspeed. Ponies around him looked in confusion, confused out of their minds. Arche however, knew whatever madness was occurring, it involved the Royal Sisters.

“How shocking, seems Celestia and Luna can’t even do their own damn jobs right.”

“Enough…..I have to see what’s wrong.”

He quickly makes his way to the castle, unware of what awaits him there, in the form of large monstrous beast…..with horns.

Author's Note

Back from the dead, and with another chapter!

Ch.9- A Decaying Bloom

There was more to that night, hidden deep in the recesses of the admiral’s mind. The corpse laid there in front of him, flies already starting to form around his decaying flesh. In a sense, it was truly ironic, a bug eat bug world. Arche saw his reflection in the oozing green blood dripping from the open gashes of the dead changeling. There was a cold dark glare in his eye, which he hadn’t seen in a very long time. Arche looked back at the corpse once again, his mind now beginning to process the endless outcomes ahead of him.

“This was a matter of self-defense, nothing more. I did what I had to do. What am I saying!?! I brought this creature into my basement to torture! The changelings had no right to attack! They had to suffer for their punishment! Yet I didn’t have to resort to such gruesome endeavors. If Celestia finds out, if anypony finds out, it’ll only make things worse! Word will spread, the changelings will return seeking revenge for their fallen. No! Calm yourself, think this more rationally. The changelings are nothing but savages, they’d never seek vengeance for the death of one underling. But the princess…..no, she cannot see this. She will not, I won’t allow it.”

He proceeds to drag the corpse out of the basement with his magic, yet it continues to drip its green blood. In a panic, he drops the corpse, starting to shake, a twitch in his eye. His mind wanders, imagining Celestia before him, stripping him of his rank, forcing him into hospitalization for his maniacal actions. All the hard work he did to protect Equestria now forgotten, unappreciated, all due to this ugly creature decaying in his very basement.

“Bastards deserve to suffer, not me. Not after all I fought for, all I sacrificed for. No, there is a way around this. It simply needs to stay here, shrouded in the darkness, away from the glaring eyes of the rich and judgmental of Canterlot! Yes, that’s it, that’s the answer! I just know it! Call….yes…yes…a call. I need to make a call!”

Through his military career, Arche has acquired many fascinating trinkets used for missions. One such trinket was a crystal used for messaging with other military officials. The crystal could only be accessed by a unicorn, sending a wave of magic into the crystal’s core, linking to their mind, a strange form of mental messaging among other unicorns. However, overuse of the crystal results in major headaches, which is why it was decommissioned by the Royal Guard. Yet Arche kept one for himself as a souvenir, and also in case of emergencies that absolutely required military aide. This was one of those moments. He uses his magic to connect with the crystal, sending a message to his former military technician, Spin Railing. An excellent strategist with a genius level IQ. The modifications he made to armor and weaponry made him a glorious asset to the Royal Guard. Unlike Arche, Spin put his military life behind him and settled a peaceful life of retirement in Cloudsdale. Despite being a Unicorn, not a Pegasus, Spin loved the peace and quiet of the world within the clouds. Wouldn’t take him long to get here, knowing he owns his own private air balloon.

A few hours go by, Arche’s gaze still hasn’t left the corpse in front of him, when he hears a knock on his door upstairs. Arche quickly climbs up the stairs and closes the basement door behind him. He prays to the gods hoping this whole charade will work, before finally opening the front door.

“Mr. Spin, it’s a pleasure.”

“Cut the formalities, Arche, you woke me out of bed. What’s this big emergency that I had to drag my flank all the way to Canterlot to fix?”

Seems nothing much has changed with Spin over the years. He was still a pale yellow, his once blazing red mane was now starting to fade with his age, but still combed back like the old days. He wore a dark grey opened trench coat, his blue pajamas seen underneath. Seems he really did get here in a rush, best not to keep him waiting any longer than he has to.

“The basement…..I think you’d understand if I just show you down there.”

His angry brow was now a look of annoyance and confusion. He’s really in for a major surprise.

“Show me what? What’s in the basement?”

Whatever emotions Spin Railing was feeling, instantly vanished in the thirty seconds he took walking down the stairs into the basement, staring at the corpse right in front of him now. Arche wasn’t kidding when he said it was an emergency, well aware of the poor unicorn’s history with these hideous monstrosities known as Changelings. He explains to Spin what happened, and all he can do is listen, asking only the essential questions, like does anyone else know, and how fresh is the corpse. Ten minutes of this until Arche finally brings up the reason why he contacted Spin in the first place.

“I could lose everything I’ve worked for if this gets out. The princess already sees me as a broken stallion, urging me every time I visit her to retire and forget my past. Then when it finally looks like I can wager the strength to do that…..that monster Chrysalis invaded the wedding, a swarm of her vile offspring began to pounce. I just….snapped…knocked it out, and brought it down here for questioning…”

“And clearly, you had no intention of ever letting this freak go, did you, Arche?”

“I didn’t bring you hear for a lecture, Spin, I require your services one last time.”

“Exactly what do you expect me to do? There’s no way we can hide this thing without alerting some sort of attention, and it’ll just grow more vile and disgusting the longer you leave it here.”

“Precisely why I called you, Spin! I’ve read the papers, you left the life of the Royal Guard, but nothing could rid you of your tinkering. You supplied the Weather Factory in Cloudsdale with a new canister system for storing rainbows.”

“You’re not suggesting…”

“They can hold how many gallons? A hundred? Two hundred?”

“No, out of the question. That’s sick, Arche, I don’t want to get dragged into this any further than you got me.”

Spin was about to make his leave, before Arche grabs hold of him by his shoulders. He could feel Arche’s whole body shaking.

“Please! Just……please, Spin, I…I can’t let this get out. Any pony who sees this will lead back to Celestia, it’s a given fact! The minute she finds out what I did, she’ll find me unfit to cooperate any longer in the Guard, and I’ll be thrown in a psych ward! I can’t let it end now, not yet!”

“What does it matter now? You can still retire, it doesn’t have to go on like this!”

“What happened at that wedding awoken something in me. I can’t explain it, but this just proves that everything we sacrificed for to hold back these monsters was all nearly in vain. Something’s coming, Spin, and I think I’m the only one who can finally rid Equestria of this curse…once and for all.”

There is a silence between these two, both staring into one another’s gaze, then back at the corpse. Spin lets out an agonizing sigh, before looking back at Arche to break the silence.

“Why me? You still have many contacts, why me of all ponies? What makes you think I won’t leave here and tell Celestia myself? Did you ever consider that?”

“Yes..…..I didn’t just call you for your skills alone, Spin. You’re one of the few ponies I know who understands just how horrible these monsters are. You saw what they did to me that day….to my squad….I’ve seen the true horrors Equestria has created, and Celestia promised me that day my sacrifices wouldn’t be in vain……Spin…it’s been over twenty years since that day…..and the Changelings are a greater threat than ever. I saw with my own eye….Celestia on her back….easily defeated by Chrysalis and her power.”

Another silence erupts, Spin confused by those words.

“Impossible, there’s no way Celestia’s power can be overthrown.”

“It happened….things won’t get better, they’ll only get worse. What happened here was just the beginning. But there is still hope, I can see it in my own mind! There is still a way for the Changelings to suffer for what they did, but that can’t happen unless I make it possible. Just help me….help me this one last time…..and we never have to see each other again.”

Spin looks again at the corpse, before slowly making his way back upstairs, a small notepad and pen levitating out of his jacket using his magic.

“I’ll need some supplies, a few trips to Cloudsdale and back shouldn’t raise too much suspicion. The vat I designed was for the whole factory, took me over six months to assemble. Something like this shouldn’t take more than day or less.”

Arche smiles, following his friend behind him.

“Thank you, Spin.”

“Just understand this, Arche. I don’t want any of this linking back to me, or the Weather Factory. Not only could this get me fired, but the whole factory itself may get shutdown, hundreds of ponies losing their jobs in the process, and the weather itself will be at fault. I just want you to realize how far I’m willing to risk for you…..Admiral.”

It was all coming back to him now. Spin kept his promise and delivered, creating this miniature vat installed directly within Arche’s basement. The green liquid was a mixture of the Changeling’s fluids, mixed with a clear substance used to preserve the color used in making rainbows at the Weather Factory. The results were standing right in front of him, in a clear glass tube, hooked with wires to keep it in place, or so it seemed. More memories began flooding back. He remembers telling Spin Railing to install a monitoring system within the vat similar to how the Weather Factory uses it to scan proper layering of colors applied for each rainbow. What was different from that is that now Arche can take notes and study the inner workings of the Changeling corpse for study. Spin really spared no expense for this one favor.

“How could I just….leave this here? What revolting…..unconscionable….insane levels of…..huh?”

He notices a small plastic bottle resting on the desk next to the Changeling vat. Arche picks it up, shocked to see it was the medication his psychiatrist had given him all those forgotten months ago. There was a small label on the back.

“Warning….extensive use could result in head trauma, hallucinogenic thoughts, and memory loss. No….this can’t be possible….”

Arche drops the bottle in shock, realizing the whole thing was nearly empty.

Author's Note

Apologies for the long hiatus, but the next chapter is here. I intend to keep this story going, stronger than ever. Be sure to share this story with others who just love MLP, or frankly who just loves to read in general. I'm also online frequently, if anyone has questions. I'll try my best to answer without revealing any spoilers. Some I may not answer, depending how it'll affect with the plot of the story. Stay safe out there! ^w^

Ch.24- The soldier and the Centaur

Arche entered the castle, seeing nothing but unconscious guards around him. Behind him was the illusion of his dead friend, Zed Blaze, who just smiled at the admiral.

“Canterlot’s finest, right here…..makes you wonder where it all went run, doesn’t it?”

He tries his best to ignore him, noticing one of the guards has slowly regained consciousness.

“Oh look, seems they aren’t so worthless after all.”

“Quiet……young colt….who did this to you?”

His eyes were barely open, attempting to gain the strength to speak.

“Came…..out of…nowhere…..discord…..monster….”

“Discord? What’s he got to do with all this!?!”

“Orders…..can’t let….him…..”

“Can’t let him what!?! What has Discord done!?!”

He hears the sounds of loud hoof stomps. They were slow, getting louder and louder, until a huge shadow covered Arche.

“Well….Well…..what do we have here?”

Standing before him was a large muscular centaur, with red and black fur. He had large black horns, a glowing aura of magic surging between them.

“Mother of Celestia……”

The illusion of Zed began to laugh at him.

“Sounds like someone beat us to the punch! Haaahahahahahaaaaa.”

“What is going on!?! Where is Discord?”

Using his own magic, he levitates the admiral off his feet. He tries to resist, but it was a losing battle.

“Discord? Oh no……you’d need more than an embodiment of chaos to achieve all this. I am your rightful ruler.”

“Abomination…..do you not realize what you’ve done!?! Celestia will have your head for this.”

He laughs maniacally at the poor pony, hurling him against a wall.

“Celestia’s rule ends, today starts the beginning of the rule of Lord Tirek.”

Tirek? He’s only ever heard that name once before by Celestia. A centaur who feasts on magic, dreaming of conquering Equestria for ages. Yet last he heard, the beast was still imprisoned in Tartarus. How could he have escaped!?!

“You are either brave, or utterly foolish to come here. What did you hope to achieve? Any of you for that matter.”

He hurls Arche to the ground, using the stallion like a play thing.

“What could powerless guards do to protect somepony like Celestia? Pathetic…..you barely have any magic to devour.”

Arche slowly tries to stand, as Tirek slams his hoof on top of his head.

“So which is it? Are you brave…..or are you a fool?”

The admiral attempts to speak, as his face is pushed deeper into the stone floor, causing it to crack.

“What was that, you inferior pony? What do you wish to say to your new ruler?”

“You….are……nothing….to me…..”

Tirek seemed confused by what Arche said, pulling the back of his mane to look at him face to face. His nose began to bleed from being stomped into the floor, his crystal patch covering one of his eyes slightly cracked, yet for some reason he was smiling.

“What did you just say?”

“I said…you…are nothing…..to me! What you are….is simply a power obsessed mongrel…..who thinks he could do anything he wants just because he pretends to be a god……I’ve seen your kind…..I’ve KILLED your kind……and I never had any regrets doing so…….you think you’ve won? Heeheheheee…….please…..take away all that muscle….all that strength……and you’re as delusional as the rest of the scum I’ve endured in my life. Power corrupts the mind……especially to those who use it improperly.”

“Really? Is that so…..how would you handle things if you were in MY position, little pony?”

“I…..would bring the peace and justice to this world……that I’ve strived after for the last twenty years. I wouldn’t waste my talents…..picking on the innocent…..like the imbecile that you are.”

He can feel Tirek’s clawed hand tighten against his head. Seems he was starting to anger him.

“You’d be wise to bite your tongue, pony.”

He spits in his face, and starts laughing.

“UGH! You wretch!”

He throws Arche into the wall with great force, knocking the air out of his lungs.

“Enough of this, I have more important matters than to deal with you.”

As he makes his leave, Arche attempts to stand again, his vision blurry.

“Haaa..hahahaaaa….you…..can do…NOTHING TO ME…..that I haven’t already done to myself. You’re just……an egotistical fool…….who’ll burn out like the rest of us…..”

He looks back at Arche, and with a swift movement of his hand, slams him into another wall. This time, the admiral drops unconscious.

“I highly doubt that.”

Author's Note

When a man has lost nearly everything, he doesn't fear what approaches him