The approach to the castle was a solemn one, especially as night began to fall across Equestria. Night time. Just the mere thought of the night gave him shivers; once of exhilaration, now of fear. Luna would likely be prowling about, in her foul mood as usual - if she didn’t slink off to stare at the moon for the evening.

That was an issue he felt like he couldn’t address enough. Her moon staring… it was like she was in a trance, and she did it now more than ever. She wasn’t dream walking, that was easy enough to tell - her horn would light up as she channeled the magic. She just… watched. Stared. Gazed. Endlessly and obsessively, whenever she roused it from the horizon. It was rare that she found proper sleep; only on his first night back did she make an effort to actually relax.

But his thoughts idled at her strange, unnerving behavior enough. At least, for now. The Castle loomed ahead, once open and inviting - now a little less so, as some of the well tended brush and flora had been left to disarray. Not that the Gardeners didn’t care - there simply weren't enough bits set aside for routine maintenance.

In the front garden, Tempest remarked at the stars with the aid of a telescope. He hardly had a chance to speak with her, during her tenure at the Castle - and he might not get another shot. So as he approached the heavy gates, he made a quick detour to the small outing she had planned.

“You look busy.” He smiled, hoping to start the conversation on the right foot. Or… well, hoof.

“...I am, thank you for noticing. May I help you?” She raised an eyebrow at the tall Seraph - though towering he may be, if she stood to her normal height - she would stand at height with Luna. A curious feat, for a non-Alicorn.

“Oh, no. I’m just a bit early by Twilight’s letter - thought I’d say hi, since I only caught you for a moment back at the library. Are you enjoying Canterlot so far? And uh, mind if I have a seat?”

The wine-colored mare thought quietly at his request; as if weighing the risk. “...I don’t see why not.”

“Great! Wonderful, let me just…” He used a flash of magic to make a space among the books and bags - settling in a free spot between her notes. She was rather disgruntled at the rough treatment of her research, but persisted with conversation, nevertheless.

“To answer your question, Sir Knight, yes. I’ve been having an acceptable experience; I believe most of my free time has been spent with Umbra, researching Harmony and banishing techniques, when Twilight wants to throw herself into her own studies. She’s quite knowledgeable, and we have a lot in common.”

“Oh! That’s great news. I uh… hardly know anything about you myself, but I wanted to make an effort to change that. You know. Since I may not come back. Make a new friend and all, see if you’re doing much the same.” He scratched at the back of his head, feeling a little intimidated by her scarred disposition. Her green eyes looked him over, marveling at him curiously.

“I’m not one to do well with friends, but… I guess you can say that Umbra and I are quite close to it. Almost like sisters, in a way - challenged by fate and changed by friendship. At least, she was affected more so than I. Friendship hasn’t done much for me, I’m afraid.”

She raised a quill to her chin with her hoof, thinking quietly over her notes. “Say. Why do you waste your time on me, anyway? It’s not like you’ll see much more of me in the future. You have more important tasks at hoof, wouldn’t you agree?”

“Seriously? You’re out here alone, in the dark, not even a candle - and you’re confused as to why I decided to say hello?” He chuckled, looking up to the stars himself. “Thought you could use the company. I know I sure can. I’ve got a lot on my mind.”

Tempest settled her quill down with a clink to the inkpot - sighing. “You’re not the only one. I might as well share a little about myself, since you’re dead set on pushing the letter. I am a former Commander of the Storm King’s brigands and army. When I was young, I lost most of my horn to naivety on my part. With the damage done, my friends abandoned me when I failed to fit in - and thus, I left my home. I was quickly adapted into his ranks when he was nothing more than a small-time pirate. From there, I developed magical technology to better suit my own cause, honed my body to be a warrior of the battlefield, and studied ships and engineering to assert my role as a growing leader.”

She flipped open a nearby bag, withdrawing two bottles of pop from within. The first, a heady cream soda that would undoubtedly be a foamy mess if not careful - the second being a more calm, purple, grape flavor. She offered the creamy one to Arin, out of courtesy - which he graciously accepted. Why not celebrate a sugar-filled fundraiser with a liquid bottle of it to wash the cupcakes down?

“You probably heard something about the Storm King’s attack. I spearheaded the assault, and essentially gave him everything he could ever want - if he would in turn repair my damaged horn. Instead, he went mad with power like the fool he was. If Twilight and her friends didn’t step in, we would be sitting on ruins right now.”

“You basically learned the trade of war, developed technology to brutalize it, and took over an entire Kingdom… just to heal your broken horn,” Arin flatlined. Tempest rolled her eyes.

“I never said I was a wise mare growing up. I started this journey when I was nothing more than a foal. When times grew tough, my friends abandoned me - and it set me on this path. The road to Tartarus is paved with good intentions, after all.”

She used her chipped horn to pop the cap off her bottle, sighing - taking a heavy drink from the bubbling purple fizz. Arin did much the same, using the pommel of Nocturne to open his drink.

“You know, I have some pretty powerful healing magic. If you’re okay with it, mind giving me a chance? At my ascension - my peak, I basically had the power to bring back the freshly dead in droves. While I couldn’t dream of doing that now, I think I might be able to help.”

She cocked an eyebrow at that; “Many Unicorn doctors have tried before. You wouldn’t be the first to be disappointed. Don’t call me hopeful.”

“I don’t recall you being named ‘hopeful’,” he smirked, urging her to lean forward. At his whim, she relented - letting his fingers lace around the shattered appendage, after he set his cream soda in his lap for safe keeping. Wouldn’t want to splash the books, after all.

Steadily, he drew at the well of energy within him. He had a few healing spells in his catalogue - and one in particular might come in handy. ‘Antithesis’, which could both mend wounds - and crush flesh, if he felt inclined. It could reform bones near instantly, and brimming with magic - he could give it several attempts right now, before his Ember had to naturally absorb ambient energy once more.

He focused, and the first blast came with a chime of a single, silvery bell - gold flecks of magic sparkling in the night time air. Her ocean green eyes watched him below, curious - but not at all surprised that his first attempt failed.

Not one to give up hope so easily, Arin charged another cast of Antithesis. The bell rang, and lights gleamed - but still, nothing. Maybe he needed to encourage healing magic to flow - and at that thought, a flash of light encompassed her form in a quick cast of Resurgence. An assortment of light tolls rang in the air quietly, like wind chimes, as the spell fell across her form.

If she had any open wounds, they would have slowly closed before her eyes. Her very unimpressed eyes. Did she have to stare at him when he did this?

Another flash of Antithesis, before Resurgence could expire. Nothing. Blessing? It would rid her body of curses and promote healing - but this wasn’t a magical effect. Her horn was physically damaged. Regardless, his hand flashed in a quick healing sigil - flickering lights clinging to her form. He was starting to feel a little winded, but he wouldn’t lose hope yet.

Maybe he could cast Mending Wave, but… that was rather pointless. It was an area spell. Mana Barrier was also… not his best skill. He hadn’t learned to call it properly yet, and it would do nothing but shield them if he was succesful. He really didn’t have many spells in his repertoire, did he? He hadn’t even mastered basic Teleportation yet, nor a proper Resurrection spell - he only knew the most basic level of it. All of his talent before, came when his power peaked three years prior. Now, he was… at best? Slightly above the average White Mage, due to his innate talent for the skill.

Another flash of Antithesis soaked into the bored unicorn’s shattered appendage. Another. Two more. Three. He felt magic exhaustion clinging at his consciousness, panting - sweat trailing down his neck as each cast cost more than the last, having channeled the majority of ambient healing magic around him into the spell - the rest came from his ember.

“I think you should give up. You can’t heal permanent scars this far gone.” She frowned. Tempest didn’t say this out of worry - more so for the fact that he was on the verge of collapse, and she’d like to read some of the books he would inevitably crush with his fall.

“Y-Yeah… I-I guess…”

Thwump. Arin, the sturdy Knight - sweaty palmed and shaking, fell backwards across her gathered belongings. His cream soda bubbled and fizzed from the shake, spewing white - suggestive pop across his pants and torso.

“And of course.” She sighed, reaching forward to try and pry the tomes from underneath him before they’d be soaked. Twilight would kill her if she crushed the spines, or damaged the pages.

“Tempest, have you seen-” Umbra started, appearing in the dark of the night. She froze on the spot, emerald green eyes looking down at the scene before her. Her face turned into a heavy scowl, as the former Commander looked at the mess beneath her.

Arin, unconscious and sweaty - covered in a sticky white liquid, Tempest leaning over him…

“It’s not what it looks like. I can explain,” she said, quick to retreat to her corner - clutching a romance novel in her hoof. Of course, of all the books she grabbed…

“Oh no. Please. Explain.” Umbra’s unwavering glare loomed over Tempest, who fumbled with the book to stash it in her bag.

“Well, you see - Arin wished to heal my horn, so he tried to do just that. Unfortunately, he uh… tired himself out. And spilled the soda I gave him. And… you’re not believing any of this, are you?” She nearly stammered through the sentence. She didn’t even like stallions. Maybe she should mention that.

“Oh no. I am attempting to.” She continued to glower for several seconds, before cracking a smile. “But your expression is priceless.”

“...I never thought of you as the joking type.” Tempest blinked, offering Umbra a hoof to help her stand.

“I have my moments. You pick up a few phrases, sayings, and ideas, when you visit Erenorn. Insults were by far my favorite subject.” The former Umbrum smiled, looking over the collapsed mess before her. She couldn’t help but sigh, not out of frustration, but of other thoughts.

“Now, for my Seraph… he is needed in the smaller courtyard. Would you mind assisting me, my friend?” Umbra motioned to the sleeping man, giving the scarred mare a smirk.

“Funny to think of all the ponies I’ve met, Umbra, you would be the first I’d be okay with calling friend. Two reformed criminals, bonding over the most trivial things.” She withdrew a handkerchief from her nearby saddle, offering it to the shadowy mare. Of course, Umbra wasn’t shy about personal space - and quickly whipped away the drink from Arin’s pants in her magic.

“I see you like a Sister, Commander. But you are right. It is curious how we both stand here now, united in a way unexpected.” Her horn twinkled, bringing Arin’s unconscious form to rest across her back. “It helps that we are both still lacking a special talent.”

“That’s true. If you’re ever bored of standing on patrol, and you’d like to see the world - I have a few places in mind. Maybe we could drag Arin along - if Luna doesn’t chain him to the bed.”

The duo stepped hoof through the Castle’s halls, talking quietly amongst themselves - the occasional giggle uncharacteristic of the two mares. Arin’s wings dragged along the floor, the Seraph twitching adorably in his sleep.

“Think he’ll be alright up there?” Tempest asked, as they rounded their way into Luna’s own garden.

“He better be. I am not one to abandon my friends. If I have to, I’ll find a way to shatter the very planes we stand upon and recover him myself. He saved my life, and changed me for the better. For that, I am eternally grateful. And fiercely protective, as well.”

“You care a lot about your friends, don’t you?” Tempest asked, looking over the six ponies gathered in the garden beyond the glass doors. Twilight worked tirelessly to draw out a chalk circle along the floor; a technique she wanted to yammer on about, along with other findings, to Arin.

“I would trek to the ends of the earth for my friends. I know they would very well do the same.” The Umbrum puffed her chest in pride, Tempest taking a moment to flick her military cut tail against the Seraph’s face. Arin stirred, groaning.

“You know, after this - we’ll have plenty of time to chat. Let’s hang out sometime; and maybe one day, I’ll say the same about you.”

“If this is a date, I will be blunt - I am not interested in mares. But friendship? I will partake.” Umbra winked, much to the dismay of the wine colored mare.

“How’d you know?”

“Twilight heavily recommends ‘Just My Buck’ to any mare interested in love with a female sharing the same taste. I can see you’ve spoken to her, in private. Though I have never read the novel, it is definitely not to my personal interests.”

Umbra’s keen eye would be the death of her. And in that stunned silence, the gray mare left her with a quiet laugh - entering the clearing with Arin groggily stirring to wake on her back.

“I don’t suppose anyone told you, Umbra, but your fur is really soft.” He said, running his hand groggily along her side. For the first time in well over… thousands of years, she blushed - before quickly dumping him to the floor with a grunt. “Ow.”

“Princess Twilight - I do believe your guest of honor is ready.” Umbra bowed, before pointing a hoof to the collapsed pile of white feathers and groaning Seraph struggling to stay awake.

“Oh! Arin, you’re - on the ground. What happened to him?” The Alicorn frowned, dropping her chalk bucket to the floor.

“I got hit by a bus.”

“Arin decided to waste his magic in an attempt to restore Tempest’s horn.”

“I like my story better. I got hit by a bus,” Arin repeated. Twilight sighed, slamming her hoof in her face. Seeing things would soon become heated, Umbra decided to retreat to the safety of the Castle’s halls. She didn’t want to be anywhere near him when Harmony went off. Two times was more than enough.

“Arin! How many times must I cover this with you, in Magic 101? You’re putting all of our work at risk! We need you - Equestria needs you fit and able to save Celestia! As soon as possible, not as soon as convenient!” Twilight stomped her hoof in frustration. Rainbow Dash - overhearing the conversation among the quiet chatter of her friends - darted to the air to meet them.

“What the heck, Arin! Yeah! Like, all of Equestria needs you right now! The Princess needs you! You can’t be sleeping on the floor - it’s go time!” The other ponies were quick to come to her aid, some mumbling worry at the exhausted Seraph.

“You alright, Sugarcube?” Applejack said, offering a hoof. “Ya look beat up like Big Mac after apple bucking season.”

Struggling to his legs with the work horse’s grasp to aid him, he quietly dusted himself off. “...I am sorry. But I had to at least try to help, you know? If I were missing an arm or a leg, I’d love it if a healer could make it reappear.”

“Yeah, but like that’s totally a big dumb-dumb move to do right before your big moonwalk! Don’t you ever think ahead?!” Pinkie Pie bounced, surprisingly serious for her usual bubbly demeanor.

“Oh come on everypony, he was only trying to help.” Fluttershy frowned, flicking her wings to reach up and pat his sweat-stained hair. “I would have done the same thing, Mister Arin.”

“Leave him be, you brutes! Let him breathe - Arin, are you alright? You have a long, perilous journey ahead of you - and goodness me, you look pale!” Rarity fawned over him, much like the fashionista would her customers. “What you need is a good long rest, darling. Beauty sleep will do wonders for your complexion.”

“Rarity is right - ya can’t put a bone tired pony to work. That’s a lesson I learned the hard way.” Applejack sighed. “Twilight, we should call this off for another night - Arin won’t do any good up there alone like this.”

“No! We can’t delay this until tomorrow - Celestia is in mortal peril, and if Luna catches on to our plans, there is a chance Nightmare Moon may as well; we can’t trust anything to chance. At the very least, you can relax while I go over my notes with you. I’ll start with some addendums to the original plan, as I have taken the liberty of preparing a course of action for your journey, Arin.”

Her horn flashed, summoning a large pillow for him to thankfully collapse upon at a not-so-gentle shove of her magic.

“Now, a massive change to our strategy is the use of a Slow charm. With a single cast over the Alicorn Amulet, I managed to give a predictable expansion to your allotted time. You now have seven days to find Celestia. On top of this, using an old guidance ritual, we may be able to narrowly hone your position within a sparse dozen leagues of Celestia’s current location. This means help will get to her sooner, and you can begin the journey home faster.”

She nodded to Rarity, who was quick to levitate a nearby towering hiking pack to Twilight’s side, along with a heavy, yet fashionable, knee-long coat. Both were colored salt and pepper, a gray tent dangling from the bottom of the pack.

“I managed to put together a rough idea of the Lunar Plane’s layout. With notes and journal entries from Luna’s diary, I was soon able to triangulate rough distances between her noted landmarks. In these notes, there’s only one important thing to note. Do not go into the dark side of the moon. Luna was convinced some sort of evil tentacle monster was hiding there, and with how little we know - this could very well be true. I have several copies spread out along your belongings, so you’ll never be without guidance. Speaking of belongings…”

She opened the pack, taking a look inside. “I’ve stocked more than ten days of rations, with thoughts put forward for Celestia’s inevitable condition. On my calculations, her magic should be running extremely low, or completely out - this means she’s likely able to survive less than a few more weeks without aid. If the worst is true, and Nightmare Moon is still alive - she is definitely in deep starvation, or could be on the very brink of death. If that’s the case, Arin - she will suffer refeeding syndrome. That means you have to refeed her, very slowly. You’ve studied this, correct? Arin? Arin?...”

The Seraph had started to snore. Twilight clopped her hooves together, snapping him - and maybe a dozing Rainbow Dash - awake. He caught most of that, right?

“I’m fine! I’m awake! Go on, about the re-meeting sinners, or whatever.”

At that notion, Twilight’s patience ran out. Three years of work, research, study, testing and hypothesizing - and it could all very well collapse if Arin didn’t come to his senses. He was their last hope on saving her mentor, and spent or not - he needed to move. Now.

“Girls. Drag him to the circle. I’m going to do it. I’m so going to do it. I’m going to Harmony him, so hard.”

“Now calm down Twilight, he isn’t Anonymous. He doesn’t deserve it.” Applejack frowned - but when she turned back to look at the Seraph, Rarity and Pinkie Pie had already placed him in the chalk ring. “What in tarnation are you doin’ to that poor stallion?”

“What? I just wanna see the fireworks!” Pinkie Pie shrugged.

“And it is late. I do have beauty sleep to catch up on. If Celestia is in danger, we best not waste another moment, after all.” Rarity flicked her mane. Even Fluttershy - as timid as she was, stepped over by Pinkie Pie and Rarity.

“I-I’m sorry Applejack, but… Angel will be mad at me if I miss his midnight snack.”

“And I’ll be mad at myself if I don’t get to bed soon. I’ve got more paperwork than I do Daring Do novels. And I have a lot of Daring Do novels.” Rainbow Dash laughed nervously, scratching the back of her mane. Being a Wonderbolt wasn’t all that it was cracked up to be right now, and she managed to flick her wings over to the other four ponies.

“I can’t believe it… y’all are gonna kill this poor… is he still an Inert? Or does the wings make him a Seraph? What’s the difference?” Applejack stomped her hoof, sighing. “Y’know what, it don’t matter. None of this matters, I guess. Alright Twilight, ready when you are.”

The Princess of friendship sighed, scooping Arin’s body up in her magic. Shuffling him around like a doll, she stuffed him in his jacket - and draped the bag over his shoulders, hoping it’d be enough to keep him warm. At least the blast of Harmony will revitalize him, in some way - he seemed to have an affinity for it.

“Arin. I know you’re half asleep. But we need you now more than ever. Think you can stand up for me? It… it really feels wrong, using this spell on you when you’re laying down like that.”

“Hm? Yeah, sure, just…”

Flop.

“...I take that back. Come on girls. Our ‘hero’ needs a bit of a wakeup call.”