Ephialtes must have been going out of his mind. There was no way that this was really happening. That thing that called himself Umbra must have been a changeling. That's it, a changeling that wanted to make them lose faith in Nexus. Then why was there no magical field around him that indicated such? They can't replicate non-biological material too so that further threw that theory out the window.

Ephialtes struggled every time that red changeling, Lolk, walked through. She kept saying that one of her tails had a mild aphrodisiac and the rest were either hallucinogens or venom; she just didn't quite remember which was which. She'd found one hallucinogen with Commander Firebrand but she was anxious to find the aphrodisiac. Hestaria squirmed in anger whenever Lolk would tease Ephialtes but she'd just go over to her and say, "Be patient sweetie, I'll get to you soon enough. Bat ponies are so adorable when they squirm."

That made even Ephialtes' blood boils. He was the jealous type. He didn't like it when ponies hit on Hestaria, and women were no different. Even if Lolk technically didn't have a gender, he didn't want to find out how she shifted between the two. Whenever she left, he'd try working at his restraints again. They were magically locked but there was always a way around magical locks. They often had key mechanisms in case there was no unicorn around to unlock it.

He wasn't an expert in lock picking, but he was willing to try rather than be molested again. He eventually worked his way over to a crate and hopped to Faust that there was something in it that would be useful. He used his elbow to break through it and was relieved to find it full of paperwork. All of it held together by paperclips. The others watched hopeful as Ephialtes used the edge of the crate to pull his cloth gag out.

"Gah fuck that was nasty!" he complained in a hushed tone. "They use used toilet paper for those gags!?"

He reached over to the closest stack of papers. He did his best to grab the paperclip and nearly dropped it through the cracks. He bent the outer end and worked it into the lock in hopes that he had some idea as to what he was doing. He'd picked a lock before, but it was one of those push button locks on kid's room doors. He was hoping that this wasn't much different. Regardless of if he could do it or not, he had to get out of his restraints ASAP. He had to be sure that that thing was really what Nexus had become. If so, he had one shot at fixing it.

The scene faded in again with Goldenchord in the library of the Everfree Castle, at least, what it used to be. Not quite as gloomy a thousand years ago. He sat by one of the windows with his face buried in a book. Nexus couldn't read the title due to it being in griffon. A cup of tea steamed next to him as he read. He still didn’t seem happy so it was unclear as to how far ahead Nexus just jumped, but he was sure it wasn't very far. Goldenchord levitated the cup to his lips then cleared his throat.

"It sounds as though you are improving." Arctic Wind's voice said from the second level.

"Thankfully, yes." Goldenchord said with a slight croak.

"That is good." Arctic said floating down to him. He peered over Goldenchord's shoulder and titled his head curiously. "Amateur's Guide to Bipedal Combat? Why on earth are you reading that?"

"Is it wrong to want to learn?"

"No, but you being a singer I'm not sure that's what I was expecting. This doesn't have anything to do with-"

"No it doesn't. Perhaps I wish to be more informed the next time I enter a scuffle."

"I can read your thoughts, it is no use lying to me."

Goldenchord sighed and shut the book. "I failed them. Hell, I failed her! I can't allow myself to fail."

"Failure is a part of life Lunarus."

"I was raised by actors, failure is not an option during a performance."

"But that wasn't a performance; that was war."

"Then I wish to be warrior."

"Becoming a warrior is not something that is brought from reading alone."

"I don't wish to hear that, warriors are only born, bullshit." Goldenchord said opening the book again. Then an idea hit Goldenchord hard enough to pull his nose out of the book. "I heard you speak that you fought for the Griffon Kingdom."

"I did. Fifteen years of war only to lose in a bloodless coup de ta. I'm impressed. I was speaking my language when said it around you."

"When you live close enough to the Griffon Kingdom, you might as well learn the language. Especially if you have to perform a play, playing a griffon, in front of hundreds of griffons."

"I see."

"But back on track, would you be willing to teach me?"

"I do not know if you are ready for such a step from what you know. Stage combat is much different than true armed combat."

"I'll learn."

"Why do you want to learn?"

"Because I failed them. I failed them and I can't allow myself to sit by and let somepony else suffer if I can help it."

"Fighting is not always the answer Lunarus."

"But it is the answer many seek. If I cannot defend myself, then I have no right saying I did everything in my power to defend my people."

"Don't take this the wrong way, but your people are dead."

"I know that!" he coughed and held his throat before speaking again. "I'm an Equestrian now, and I want to prove that I can competently defend those around me. I don't have a purpose anymore, this is my new calling Arctic. Please."

Arctic sighed, reached under his wings and pulled out the golden rimmed wire glasses Nexus was familiar with. "Very well, I shall teach you what I know. But first, stop reading that." he said putting them on his beak.

"Why? It's straight for the time of the Griffon Empire."

"That is for creatures with hands. You have hoofs."

"Then what do you suggest I read"

"Guides to Black Magic.. I may be able to teach you magic, but there is some I cannot."

"You know magic?"

"Every creature has the capability to use magic. Unicorns are born with it. Others have to dedicate years of their lives to learn to harness the power within. I can teach almost anything."

"Almost?"

"Only unicorns have the ability to levitate objects. It's impossible for any creature to learn that ability that is not a unicorn."

"Okay then. Where's the dark magic section?"

"Princess Luna's chambers. She may help you learn the basics before both of us begin helping you with the more advanced."

"Princess Luna's chambers?"

"Is that a problem? You are on good terms with the Princess, correct?"

"I am, I'm just not comfortable entering her chambers without her inviting me."

"If you ask, she cannot say no."

"Why's that?"

"Because you are her friend. Close to her only as a matter of fact."

Goldenchord still seemed nervous at the idea of entering Luna's room. Arctic knit his brow as Goldenchord blushed. "You must not be serious."

"Pardon me. Did I give you permission to read my mind?"

"It happens; this isn't right. You are no older than twenty-five and she more than a hundred."

"She's the only other one here that's shown my hospitality and I haven't left this damn castle since I got here a month ago. It would be reasonable to conclude that I would form some bond with Luna."

"But not in the magnitude you are thinking. She is an immortal."

"I know that. I know she doesn't feel the same so I don't bother showing it. Look, I'm just nervous around her and that's it. If anypony else in this castle showed more than contempt for my presence, then I would feel less unwelcome."

"Being welcome is not your issue. It's your testosterone."

"Don't try to throw alchemy at me. I know what's wrong with me. If I could find another somepony that enjoys my company of the opposite sex, then this, feeling for the Princess should be eliminated."

Arctic sighed again rubbed his temples. "If you believe it to work then it shall. I shall see you tomorrow after you've finished reading the book. Don't distract yourself with the romantic idea of love."

"It's not love. It's…….. a romantic idea."

"I should have expected as much."

"Pardon?" Goldenchord croaked sounding insulted.

"Crystal Ponies are suckers for a love story."

"Good bye Arctic." Goldenchord said as he started to walk out.

Arctic groaned and started towards the back of the library as Nexus blinked out of the scene.

His vision came back in another circular room similar to the one back in Canterlot but was slightly larger and the bed was off to the right opposite a fireplace. In the center, a mirror pool sat untouched due to the vanity mirror. Luna lay on a long couch with a book in her telekinetic hold. Her ebony regale, crown, shoes and neck piece, sat at the vanity as a knock came at the door.

"Enter." she called taking her eyes away from her book.

The door opened enough for Goldenchord to stick his head in. "Good afternoon Princess, may I enter."

"I had said so when you had knocked Lunarus. And you are always welcome."

"Thank-Thank you, Princess." Goldenchord stuttered. "I was looking for a book."

"What book would you be searching for young Lunarus?"

"Guides to Black Magic."

Luna's eyes went wide and glazed over. "Why would you need such a book?"

"Sir Wind recommended it to me."

"That book is filled with combat magic. Spells designed to kill and mame!"

"I just wish to know the basics."

"Even the basics are a deadly secret. Dark magic is a slippery slope of either enlightenment or corruption. Why would he recommend such a thing?"

"I asked him to teach me how to fight." he said hoping not to sound afraid of her in any capacity. Even the night's closest friend fears its rejection.

"Why do you wish to learn to fight?"

"I wish more to learn to defend. I failed once and I will not fail again. Luna, I beseech you to teach me what you can in dark magic along with Sir Wind, so that I may help keep my home safe."

"Your home is gone."

"Luna, whether I like it or not, this is now my home. And I won't fail to protect this one like I had to my own."

Luna set the book down and looked over to the window. The forest stretched out miles in some direction. She sighed and stood from the couch. "If thou wishes to learn for reasons of defense, then I have no objections to do so. So long as you give me your solemn word to only use it as such."

Goldenchord put his hoofs together and looked Luna right in the eye. "I swear by my life that I will use the power you give to me with responsibility and with reasonable judgment. I will never use the power against those who do not threaten Equestria and for those who need help. No matter what, I will fight for the people of Equestria. And I will fight with honor and distinction."

Nexus felt a pang of some emotion he'd never known. It might have been something like nostalgia but it was strangely different. He knew exactly what he was looking at. He'd just heard the first version of the oath he took when he joined Luna's guard. Luna sighed hoping he wouldn’t take it that serious.

"Very well, Lunarus. Come, let us begin." she said levitating a book from the shelf.