Throughout their journey, the snow and stone were the duo’s only accomplice across the Ice Spire Wastes of the Lunar Realm. Towering, white spikes of glacial permafrost had shot into the sky over the millenium of chilling weather, creating deadly points that scratched at the stars.

But Celestia and Arin both kept low, and kept quiet - warmth shared through soft words and gentle touches of the white Alicorn. By now, she had readjusted to face Arin fully; her forehooves dangling in reverse to his hands, both of her soft, color-blossoming eyes taking in the Knight with curiosity.

Of course, mirth wasn’t the only emotion present; seemingly at random and with no indication, Celestia would begin to shudder and sob. Arin’s wings were the only comfort she had besides his caring voice.

“Tia, please…” He spoke quietly, his hand slipping into her hood to give her a gentle stroke. “It’s alright. I’m here, I’m still real - and you’re still safe. I won’t let you down.”

“I’m just… I can’t. I can’t tell my nightmares from reality anymore. She… Nightmare Moon had given me hope before, a single dream where Twilight and her friends saved me… I could see a portal home, a simple, childish idea that I could just… trot back to Canterlot, and eat, and sleep, and I would never have to spend another thousand years unconscious ever again. A-Arin, please… if this is just a dream, just let me die. I-I… I can’t go on like this anymore. I can’t. There’s nothing left inside of me to take. I-I’ve given, and I’ve given, and… I’m not the Princess everypony knew before.”

Arin’s mittened hands embraced her close, the sobbing mare’s muzzle slipping in at the split of his jacket to feel his warmth against her nose.

“It’s real. And it’s almost over. Just a few more days… we can make it. You watch my back, I’ll watch yours - and we’ll be sipping tea and chatting over tea sandwiches in no time.”

“I-I would take another thousand years on the throne, dealing with petty squabbles, over another sleep here. There are no days, no nights - only consistent, persistent misery. That’s all it is. I feel… I’m just not the same Princess I was, Arin. I can’t just… I’m a wretch. A mess. I can barely keep myself together long enough to tell you how much you mean to me, I…”

Her ears perked up, swiveling on the spot. The Solar Princess’s voice died in her throat, as her hoof shot for Arin’s neck. With desperate strength, she ripped him and herself down - just as a darting horn narrowly missed Arin’s head. The crunch and rippling snow behind the Seraph snapped him back to the moment, as Nightmare Moon landed with ferocity and splayed bat-like wings.

That feeling of dread, of angst back on Equis… when Luna’s eyes split into catlike irises, couldn’t hold a candle to the building horror in his gut. He struggled not to flee, Celestia quivering and clinging to him like a filly would her mother.

He wrenched himself from her weak hooves, spinning to draw Nocturne at his prowling adversary.

“Curious. The shape of a minotaur, and the reaction of a sloth - with wings of a pegasus. What is more curious is your ability to stand. Are you not impressed by my majesty, Sir Knight?” A surprisingly lucid, foreboding voice struck him from the imposing black mare, her eyes narrowing in on her prey.

“How did you… how did you know-”

“You are carrying my blade, mortal. And a blade of servitude it is, granted only to the most trustworthy of Slaves. Now, why don’t you return it to me? I could use a sidearm to free that imputent wretch’s head from her shoulders.” An onyx-armored hoof raised to motion at Celestia, who had nearly curled up into the fetal position in fear. Three years torment… he would be in the same boat, if he were in her hooves.

And yet… her request had an allure to it. In fact, he felt tempted to obey. A thought he couldn’t just easily squash, as his eyes fell to Nocturne in worry. Did… did the curse expand to Nightmare Moon as well?

With a flourish, the Seraph stayed his ground. “No.”

A bitter laugh followed, as the Nightmare began to stalk around the duo. Even now, the shadows around them seemed darker. The ambient fog of the world churning into a starry mist, leaving Celestia and him barricaded from the frost beyond.

“Brave! How very brave you are; perhaps my lesser half chose well. Of course you would only naturally resist. Do you know how hard it was to find you, ‘my love’?” She said in a mockery of Luna’s voice, sending chills down Arin’s spine. When he gave no response save the grit of his teeth, she continued.

“Oh, I know much too much about you, Arin. I’ve seen you through her eyes, I’ve felt you in my hooves. I have her fondest memories within me, now that our bond has strengthened. All I require now, is my freedom. A chance to spread my wings… to learn from every mistake I’ve made, to bring not just the night - but the world it cherishes with me.”

He wasn’t sure what she meant by that - but at this point, it didn’t matter. “You’re insane,” the Seraph challenged, rounding the sleigh around Celestia slowly. Keeping his body between her, and the darkness around.

“A thousand years alone is more than enough to weasel one’s sanity free of it’s hinges, Arin. As my Sister would agree. Isn’t that right, ‘Tia’?”

Celestia didn’t respond, only sob quietly on her sleigh. She was entirely defenseless, broken and battered - she really was nothing like the proud ruler she once was.

“THAT’S ENOUGH!” With a powerful beat of his wings, the Seraph darted with the blade held aloft - ready to impale the Nightmare on the tip of his sword. The terror made no motion to move. She only watched with a smug satisfaction, as the blade hovered - then gently pressed - to her chest. Stopping just passed her ebony fur, poking firmly into her skin. A drop of blood came from the assault, and nothing more. Nocturne’s rain-guard gem shined with intensity, preventing her death.

“How amusing.” She smiled, her rows of sharp, carnivorous teeth on proud display. “I should add ‘fool’ to the list of words to describe you. Do you not recall? Luna and I are near one and the same; your ‘bond’ makes you my Knight, by association.”

Her sable horn twinkled with the shades of night, slipping the blade up and over her shoulder. “Perhaps slaying you would be unwise, Sir Arin. After all, I’ve learned from my mistakes. I will need ample slaves to sustain my rule… perhaps I could spare you, in return for your unwavering loyalty. I would even take you as my consort; the touch you spared Luna was quite… enjoyable, to experience through memory.”

His stomach churned at the thought of even entertaining that idea, but with Nocturne so close to the Queen - no, she was no Queen, what was he thinking? The magic of the blade pumped through him; it was hard to betray her swaying words. He needed to break away. He needed to grab Celestia, and run. He couldn’t stab her. His hand reached up to throw a punch, but it froze in his joints.

“Well? Submit to me, and I will grant your every wish. Your every carnal desire. All you must do… is give me the key to your freedom. The one Twilight hid so well from my lesser half. Tell me… what is it? How may I free myself, my Knight?”

Her muzzle hung deadly close to his ear, her soft, cool breath making his knees shake. Her hoof had raised up to his chest, her horn glimmering as it pushed magic up the blade and into his body. Why resist? Why not give her the Amulet - she would take him home, safe… it would guarantee his freedom from this prison.

Twilight wouldn’t be able to escape, if he gave chase on his gallant white wings. Umbra… she would surely join him, and stand by his stand. Right? Tempest wouldn’t stand a chance, neither would Vapor Cloud or Honey Rose. What about Luna? She’s already half dead. His queen would do what she willed with her.

“Kill Celestia for me, my Knight. Then come with me. We’ll take my castle - our Castle, together.” By now, her hooves had wrapped gently around his neck, her muzzle closing in with his lips.

Vee did say he would have to spill the royal blood...

In that brief moment before contact, he felt another presence stir his senses; the purple feather at his wrist tickling him in the wind. The click of a beak, peering eyes watching him from the shadows. The Nightmare’s magic faltered, and his hand darted up at a nearby icy pillar. A rough bolt of ebony magic crashed into the ice, the towering spike above yawning before crashing down over the evil mare. He breathed a gasp, falling backwards onto his wings as Nightmare Moon was trapped beneath the wreckage.

What in Erenorn was he thinking?! He went to throw Nocturne away, before correcting himself and stopping to sheath it - she wanted that blade. Giving it up would be a pointless waste, and it wouldn’t end the curse over him.

Did… did he kill Nightmare Moon? With the ice? How did he break free? Actually - he didn’t have time to check. If she was dead, she wasn’t going to give chase. His wings flapped before darting to the sleigh, the still shaking Princess now rocking in terror. Sprinting and pumping those pinions on his back, he pushed through the settling shadows with haste. The terror within growing steadily even as they made distance.

He could only hope that the snow and wind, falling fresh and in waves, was enough to break their contact and stifle their presence. The windchill tore through his heavy coat, drawing his hood back over his head to help drive away the cold, as he maneuvered around the endless pillars around them. Even with the speed of his powerful wings, he still had precious cargo to transport.

“Tia, talk with me - I need you to stay with me! Snap out of it!”

No response. She continued to shake and whimper, her eyes like pin pricks as the snow billowed around them. Occasional ridges and cliff sides broke the forming sheets of ice, the end of the Ice Spire Wastes at hand. Now, they were entering the Crags - a pathway leading down breaking the rising cliffs around them. If they tried to go over the stony faced ridges above, they were exposed to Nightmare Moon’s eyes and ears. But down below, they were at risk of crashing or losing control of the sleigh on packed ice. And flight was limited; they may have to abandon their transport all together.

On top of that, the chances of them getting lost were astronomical. The tight corridors loomed up, offering safety, but risk. If Nightmare Moon wanted them, she would have to travel on hoof, too.

“Hold on, Tia. It’s going to get rough and very dark,” he hissed between deep pants, crashing through the stone and ice and into the shadows of the looming cliffs.

In the far distance behind, the crack of ice and groaning of frozen debris broke through the storm. A heavy, plane-shaking boom rocked the very foundations of the world, as the massive sheet of permafrost flew away in freezing chunks. The dented black dyed armor of the enraged Nightmare Moon falling to shreds, as she raised to the sky.

“Another careless mistake on my part, FILTH! I will find you, and I will CARVE MY NAME into your SKULL after I finish DRINKING FROM IT!” She howled to the snow around her. The ebony alicorn cursed herself - she had methods of breaking the mind of even the most stalwart of ponies - yet in her haste for freedom, she played a risky game. A simple dream, one of eternal servitude to his proper Mistress, would have earned her a loyal, and powerful fiend to do her bidding by the time they awoke.

Chances won’t be taken again, not the next time. And time she had. No more mistakes. No more mind games. No more tests or hindrances. Tactful violence seemed to be the only solution that earned results, and it was a lesson she would hold to heart.

They would tire eventually. Her prey would require rest. And she would take her pound of flesh, and pay back the pain twice fold… after she claimed the obedient slave she so rightfully deserved. What was another night to her, but another star in the endless sky? The sky her lesser half painted, every night.

The shadows lengthened as the ambient light melted like snow on the morn; leaving nothing but tepid darkness and still, freezing air. The journey into the roughshod tunnels and cracks of the glaciers above was a dark and foreboding one, but with no signs of chase - a lantern could soon be fetched.

It was gently strapped to the front of the sleigh, the now still Princess once again resting on her haunches. A thermos was clutched weakly in her hooves, drinking slow, still hot gulps of soup down under Arin’s supervision.

The only sounds between them were the occasional warning from the Seraph, when the frozen shelf grew rough or thin. He checked the pocket watch, exhaustion creeping over him as he fought the urge to sleep where he stood. Five days, twenty three hours. And they were both on the edge of collapse.

“Celestia, I-”

“Tia…” she whispered sadly, screwing the lid back on to the thermos. She was still deeply troubled by their contact with Nightmare Moon.

“Yes, right. Tia, I’m about to die here. This spot is as good as any to camp - think you have the strength to help me set up?”

The Princess nodded, standing on weak, shaky legs. Alicorns, much like Seraphs - seemed to be fast healers, as she was able to rise without much aid. While still a little battered, she was able to worm her nose into the pack. Withdrawing sleeping bags to rest on the portable sleigh, along with pillows, blankets, and any other comfort she could find.

The Seraph was left with the task of unfolding the roughly-stuffed tent, sighing in frustration. Did he lose a piece earlier, or did he break one of the tent poles? ...Was this loop always here? Where did he put the - ah, there it is! Wait, that’s a hammer… but he misplaced the tent pegs. Not like he’d need it, but…

Fumbling with the tarp, he finally managed to stuff the foldable stick into the small gap in the plastic, feeding it in. Tent pitched, he tossed the hiking pack inside - helping Celestia drag the pillows and blankets galore inside. The stove lamp once again set up, he spread his own sleeping bag-

“Tia… where’s my sleeping bag? I know for a fact Twilight packed two.”

“W-Well…” She gave him the softest, sweetest puppy dog eyes he had ever seen - kicking the pile of sheets and blankets with a hoof to cover the second bag. She double layered the plush comforter over the icy ground, from the looks of it. “I’m… cold.”

“You’re cold,” he stated bluntly.

“Yes.” Celestia sat on the gathered blankets, tapping her forehooves together. She had already stripped her gear in the warming tent, leaving her bare and exposed. It’s funny - she was taller than him, and she didn’t have the nerve to just ask for cuddles?

Under normal circumstances, he would have obliged right away. But… maybe a little teasing would go a long way for her. And it would definitely lighten the now poor mood.

“So, are you taking my blanket, or?...” He pushed. If she wanted to share body heat, he’d make her work for it. After all, he did just save her life; he deserved a little compensation. In the form of maybe just a little begging.

“W-What! No, of course not. I’m not… no, I’m saying that… well, you’re warm, and I’m cold…” Running a hoof through her pink mane, her wings gave a weak, nervous flap. “And we’re all alone here, surrounded by ice… Nopony would have to know, and…”

“You know, Tia, I shared my body heat with you to save your life. That’s it, right?”

Maybe he was being a little harsh. But her backbone was pretty much gone. She couldn’t even look at Nightmare Moon, so maybe pushing her to be a little more assertive would help. She had three years of bad, self-defeating habits to break, after all.

“I… well…” She paused for a moment, her eyes intensely interested in examining the tent walls. Was she seriously blushing? What’s next - a request to hold hooves?

Quietly, she dipped her muzzle down to the floor - struggling to stand up on her thin legs as she tugged at the gathered sheets, ripping the sleeping bag free. Without so much as a word, she made her way to the other side of the tent - dropping the covers on the ground, before curling up in a cold, pathetic bundle on top. She even began to shiver.

Firstly… ow, his heart. Secondly… she… her confidence wasn’t that far gone, was it? Surely she had something left within her? He wasn’t a therapist by any means, but...

Okay, he was much too harsh. He scooped up the bone tired mare and blankets, setting her on the pile gathered by the warmth of the stove. Slipping his jacket and boots free with his clothes, he slid a variety of covers over them both, now nose to nose with the shivering Alicorn.

“...I’m sorry,” he said, resting his hand over her neck. “It’s been so long, but… it’s hard to think you’ve been through so much, Tia. At the end of the day, I look into your eyes and still see… you. The Princess who gave me citizenship, who taught me how to make friends and be happy… the mare who threw herself in front of certain death to protect her Sister. Beneath the scars and pain, I’m still… looking for you. And I shouldn’t force it. Wounds like this… they need time to heal.”

Quietly, the skeletal mare slid in close - her once regal hooves wrapping around her friend, her support. “I’m sorry. I know I’m… needy. But it’s just been so long since I’ve seen a friendly face; I… Arin, you must understand. It hasn’t been three years for me - it’s been… nearly a few hundred thousand. The same one thousand years, playing over again, in my dreams. Again, again, and again - every night I sleep, time repeats itself. I’ve lost my sanity, only to wake up and find it again. Every rest, every time I collapsed… it started all over. A bad memory, one she makes me suffer. And then when my eyes split open… it’s as if nothing happened at all. I am still cold. I am still alone. And if I tary, I must flee - this… you have been the only comfort, in one hundred thousand years.”

He knew this already, but putting it into perspective… It made him feel sick. His arms squeezed the Princess tight against his chest, leaning up to give her forehead another kiss. “And I’ll be that rock to lean on, then. Your comfort. Once we get out of here, we’ll work on your confidence, and make you into the Princess you are.”

She contemplated quietly, sad, tired eyes resting on his own. “Arin… I wanted to tell you. For a while now, but…”

She breathed. And when he didn’t interrupt, her voice came in a hushed whisper. “I don’t want to be a Princess.”

“What?! But - you’re so good at it, you’re a natural born leader!” he inquired, his tired eyes snapping open. “Are you… are you sure?”

She nodded. “I never wanted to be a Princess to begin with. In fact, I never even knew what I wanted to be. But… I’ve had years to think it over. Nothing but time to sit and contemplate, and…”

She lowered her head, avoiding eye contact. “I want to love, and be loved. Not adored, or worshipped… I want someone to hold me, and care for me, and just… be there for me, by my side. Until eternity takes us, whenever that may be. I want to be the joy and love of another… their ray of sunshine, as they would be for me. But every time, my hope for love… it eludes me. And… that’s why I chose Twilight to be my personal student. To not only grow and learn, but to one day take my Sister and I’s place, as sole Princess of Equestria. So that we can both pursue love and the joys of the world without the need for flair and royal embellishment.”

There was an uncomfortable silence that followed, as her magenta eyes bore into him with passionate intensity. He knew immediately what she wanted from him; but he wasn’t ready to commit. Not yet. And while he’d love to call her his, there were far more serious issues at hand. And he still felt the need for couple’s therapy. Specifically for her, since she was… well, pushing the letter.

“...Soon. I need time to think first, to really see what I want out of life. For now, let’s focus on what’s important. Staying awake, staying alive, and escaping this frozen damnation.”