Archmage - Chapter 35 “Dealings”

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“You suspect him, don’t you?”

“Well if I didn’t before, I do now.” Twilight didn’t even flinch as Bastion’s low, deep voice sounded from directly behind her. She had sensed him long before he had revealed himself. Even if he tried to cloak his shields, Twilight could feel them out. She paused her slow walk through the dark castle corridor, but continued looking straight ahead as Bastion emerged from behind his shield.

“I can hear it in the way you talk to him, Twilight. You suspect Archer is up to something nefarious.”

“Is he not?”

“I can assure you, he isn’t. You trust my word, don’t you?” Bastion’s voice grew nearer, though the sound of his hoof-falls was inaudible. “I wouldn’t send you a guard who had ulterior motives.”

“I highly doubt they’re even his motives.” Twilight returned, turning to face him. Even though he was just as tall as she was, Twilight was not intimidated by Bastion anymore. She had nothing to fear from him. “In fact, I think they’re yours.”

“… Explain.” Bastion’s face was stoic, but she could see in his eyes she had struck home.

“You’re not the only one who can use eavesdropping spells, Bastion. Tell me, what is it that Archer is going to ask of me, once he gains my trust?” Twilight flicked her tail as she stared intently at Bastion. Clearly the large unicorn hadn’t counted on her knowing what he and the headstrong Archer were up to. Twilight didn’t know the details, but she had heard the conversation the two of them shared in Archer’s room just a few short weeks ago.

“Nothing gets by you, does it?”

“I’m sure plenty gets by me, Bastion. But not this. If you won’t tell me, I’ll find out on my own. But now that I know you and Archer are planning to let him take your spot, I’ll proceed much more cautiously.” She flicked her tail, narrowing her eyes at him. “You haven’t told me you don’t want to be the commander anymore.”

“Like you could do anything about it.” Bastion waved her off. Twilight cut in there.

"I'm sure I could, Bastion. If you would talk with me." He grumbled, but shrugged her off and continued on.

"I’ll tell you what I wanted Archer to ask you.” He backed away a few steps, sighing as his eyes closed. He appeared to be gathering his thoughts. “Archer is a soldier, through and through. He’s devoted to Equestria and its protection. One hundred percent. He’s incredibly powerful. I think he could someday surpass even you.” Bastion’s quick shot at her didn’t go unnoticed. Twilight had to admit, Archer had potential, but he didn’t have the capability. He was angry and headstrong. He could never step back and look at his problems. He would always push ahead, nonstop, until he either conquered the obstacle or collapsed. He was strong, but there were some things that all the strength in the world wouldn’t be able to fix. Twilight frowned as Bastion continued.

“To be the commander, you have to be skilled and powerful. Not just in shielding, as I am, or in combat, as Archer is. You need to be balanced. Both in attack and defense. You need to know when the best time is to strike down your enemies and assert your authority, and when to guard up and protect yourself. I’m no good at attacking, and Archer is no good at defending. My plan is this: I want Archer to take my position, but I will be his mentor after you’ve finished with him. When he’s commander, I’ll counsel and train him further. That way we’ll have a commander who’s just as skilled at defense as he is at offense.” Bastion finished his story, looking rather sheepish as he stood opposite Twilight.

“You still haven't told me what it is Archer is going to ask me.” Twilight said quietly. Bastion blinked, but didn’t hesitate as he answered.

“When he gained your trust, Archer was going to ask you how best to destroy his opponents. With the elements, shadow, daylight, nature... Even hatred. It doesn’t matter to him. Archer loves to see his enemies fall. How he cuts them down is of no consequence to him. Trust me, behind that smile is a cunning and determined pony.”

“I see two flaws in your plan.” Twilight spoke immediately, nearly cutting Bastion off. The big stallion blinked again, clearly shocked.

“And they are…?”

“You didn’t include me in it.”

“Wait, you don’t have any issues with this?”

“Certainly not.” Twilight smiled at him, despite the tense air between the two. “Having a commander who is balanced in both attack and defense is ideal for Equestria’s well-being. I’m not saying you haven’t performed admirably, but I do think Archer can be groomed to be better than you.”

“And the second flaw?” Bastion appeared relieved, if apprehensive.

“The second is this: You want Archer to be powerful, to know how best to obliterate his enemies. The enemies of Equestria. But you don’t want him to use that power judiciously. Responsibly. The way you were approaching it, Archer would have had the power to level mountains and destroy hordes of innocents with but a thought. But that thought would have been both wrong and fueled by nothing but passion.”

“Oh.” Bastion frowned, hanging his head a little. “I see. I hadn’t thought of that.”

“I have a proposal for you, Bastion.” Twilight stood over him, her head held high and straight. “Will you hear it?”

“I will.”

“Let me show Archer how to use his magic to the fullest. Not wildly and passionately, but intelligently. With reason. I will take Archer and turn him from a fire type to an earth type. Then, you can teach him how to defend Equestria, but to defend it with fervor and passion. For the shields cast out of dire need and passion are the strongest and most sound.” Twilight lifted Bastion’s chin, leveling his eyes with hers. “He will be intelligently powerful, and passionately defensive.” Her lips curled in a smile, and she kept her hoof held out. “Deal?”

Bastion grinned as he wrapped his hoof around hers.

“Deal.”

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“It’s done, Twilight.” Archer pushed his way into the library they had shared as his classroom and Twilight’s de-facto office for the past few months. “I’ve lost my virginity.”

“Eep.”

“Oh goodness. I’m sorry, Mist. You probably didn’t want to hear that.” Twilight reached a hoof out to comfort the shy unicorn, who looked like she was half a second from bolting out of the library.

“Oh no. I’m so sorry.” Archer, despite his previously melancholy and stoic expression, was currently blushing so hotly he likely could have lit a blaze with the heat from his cheeks. “I thought Twilight was alone.”

“I spend Tuesdays after lunch with Mist. I thought you knew, Archer.” Twilight frowned at her protégé, but didn’t hound him further. It was an honest mistake. He had just walked in on them discussing Mist’s most recent elemental theories.

“P-perhaps I should l-leave.” Mist mumbled, slowly shrinking away.

“I think we were mostly done, anyways.” Twilight said quietly, patting the back of Mist’s hoof with a reassuring smile. “You’re welcome to leave, Mist. I’ll see you next Tuesday?”

“Y-yes. Thank you, Twilight. Good-bye!” Despite being a unicorn, Mist could really move. She shoveled her papers and books into her saddlebags, looking at nothing but the ground beneath her hooves as she left the library at a speed that might just make Rainbow Dash envious. The door slammed behind her, leaving Archer alone with Twilight in the quiet, warmly-lit library.

“I’m sorry, Twilight. I should have been more cautious.”

“An honest mistake, Archer. Think nothing of it. You said you’ve done it?” Twilight waved a hoof, offering the seat opposite her to Archer.

“Yeah…” The grey unicorn muttered, slowly slipping up into the seat opposite her.

“And you had the dream?”

“Last night… It came to me. It was awfully feminine, but I can’t bring myself to call it a mare. It was just… Haunting.” He shivered visibly, but Twilight could tell it wasn’t from fear. There was something in his eyes, then. Excitement. Passion. Desire. Twilight smiled. He was taking his first steps down what was bound to be a very prosperous and influential road.

“That, Archer, is what is commonly referred to as ‘The Night.’ Mostly, it appears to be asexual, but other swear up and down that it’s a mare. Both Luna and I are of the inclination that it’s a mare more often than not.” Twilight straightened her back and looked down at Archer, who looked back up at her with rapt attention. “The magic of the night isn’t about personal strength or training. It’s simply about your connection with that shadowy figure. About how respectful and reverent you can be of the power she grants you. And she is the one who grants you your power. You cannot take it from her. You must never try. Am I absolutely clear?” Archer’s brow furrowed inquisitively.

“Why?” He asked.

“Has Luna ever told you the real reason behind why she became Nightmare Moon?” Twilight returned. She wasn’t referring to Luna’s relationship with the abusive Nightshade, but rather her relationship with the night.

“No, I don’t think so. We always thought she just wanted to cover Equestria in eternal night…”

“And do you really think Luna would betray her beloved sister and upset the delicate balance the two share? No. The real reason Luna became Nightmare Moon was because she took control of the power the night shared with her. Luna used her own strength and her own will to bend that of the night’s to her twisted design. The power she was granted was so powerful that only the Elements of Harmony were able to stop her. First under Celestia’s power, and secondly under myself and the other five.” As she explained, it seemed that the gears were clicking together in Archer’s head.

“So you’re saying that harnessing the power of the night will grant incredible power…”

“But it will ultimately destroy you and everything you hold dear. Look at what Nightmare Moon’s reign did to Equestria. Do you really want to be responsible for something like that?”

“But… She accomplished so much! If you could control yourself, couldn’t you-“

“Luna was sharing something with the world she held very dear.” Twilight cut Archer off. “She wanted ponies everywhere to understand the majesty and power of her beautiful night. She was trying to share something she cared very, very much for. But look how it turned out. Even if you kept a level head, even if you somehow managed to bring your vision about, I promise you, it won’t be as you envision.” Twilight’s serious tone seemed to sober Archer, but she could tell he was seriously considering the power that would soon be available to him. Twilight was hesitant to guide him any further, but the night would not be pleased if he wasn’t introduced. It was up to her to drive home the point. She slipped from her chair and indicated Archer should do the same. He stood opposite her, frowning inquisitively.

“Archer, nopony knows this, so I expect you to not reveal the information I’m about to share with you.”

“I’d never dream of it.” Despite his under-hoofed tactic of trying to gain power from her, Archer wasn’t one to betray something this serious. Twilight sighed.

“Princess Celestia has made a promise to Princess Luna. If Luna should ever try to harness the power of the night again, Celestia will directly intervene and stop her.” Twilight paused, adding weight to her next words. “Any way she can.”

She could see Archer’s throat pulse as he swallowed.

“I make you the same promise, Archer. The night would ultimately stop you for corrupting her will. But I will protect everypony from you should you take that first step. I will stop you, Archer.” Again, she paused. But this time, the air hummed with energy. A brilliant golden glow erupted form the tip of her horn, kicking up a vicious wind that whipped loose papers about them in a whirlwind. Her voice echoed with the reverberations of her power, pounding through her ears and her chest.

”Any way I can.”

The light died down, and Twilight felt the wind die down. Papers fluttered to the ground all around them, some of them ripped and torn from her display. Archer’s eyes were wide with both shock and awe at Twilight’s display.

“Point taken.” He gasped, slowly lowering his head. He bowed low before her, his eyes closed as he swore a solemn vow to her. “I swear to never harness the power of the night for my own. I will only let the night work through me as it sees fit.”

“Good.” Twilight stepped forward, lifting his chin with a thin thread of telekinetic energy. “I’ll hold you to that vow, Archer. And on pain of my wrath, I will enforce it.” She released him, her intense frown smoothly turning into a warm and kind smile. “I’m proud of your progress, Archer. Meet me atop the observatory tower tonight at midnight. Your training in the magic of the night begins as the new day turns.”

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“Are you ready?” Twilight asked Archer the second he emerged from the door. She had her gaze turned high to the heavens, surveying the stars closely.

“As ready as I’ll ever be.” Archer confirmed. Winter had given way to spring a month ago, but the night air was still chilly. Twilight’s mane whipped in the high winds as she continued to watch the stars. Watching. Waiting.

“Prepare yourself, Archer. There! The sign!” The constellation scorpio flashed brilliantly, all sixteen stars lighting up with a brilliant, ephemeral light. She turned to him, her chest tight and her heart pounding with excitement. “Open your heart to the night, Archer! Let its will be done through you! Now!”

“Haah!” Archer’s hooves spread wide as he closed his eyes and thrust his head up to the night sky. Twilight watched in wonder as his horn erupted with a dark, shadowy mist. It curled around his body, lifting him from his hooves. His eyes glazed over with the same milky glow as the full moon, lighting the dim balcony with its ephemeral, dusky light. Twilight grinned. She had done it! She had brought her first student into the night’s embrace. She could feel it pulse around him, wrapping him in its warmth and comfort. The night was with Archer now. If he remained respectful and reverent, he would have access to some of the most powerful and devastating spells.

Twilight could feel the presence of the night on the balcony. It stood beside her, the beautiful, mysterious being that Twilight respected and revered so wholly. “He is strong.” The night whispered, its starry eyes fixed on Archer’s floating body. “He has a headstrong will. Can you trust him to not make the same mistakes you’ve seen so many others make?” Its gaze turned to Twilight, piercing her very soul. “The same mistake you very nearly made.” Twilight shivered, but nodded as she looked up at the night. In the depths of the shadowy figure’s eyes, Twilight could see every star and constellation. She was mystified.

“I trust him. And if he makes that mistake, I will be there to stop him.”

“Can you stop him?” The night asked, stepping closer. It loomed over Twilight, looking down at her over its nose. “Can you intervene into an apex of power stronger than anything you’ve ever witnessed before? Can you harm one you care so much for?” It leaned in until its eyes were level with hers. “Can you kill one to save a thousand?”

“I can.” Twilight stared right back into the night’s eyes, her tone calm. “And I will. Just as he swore a vow to never use your powers against your will, I swore to enforce it.” She bowed her head low, closing her eyes. “I will do everything in my power to ensure he never makes the same mistake Luna or Harbinger did.”

“Hmm.” The night stood to its full height once more, looking back to Archer. “We shall see, Archmage.” Archer’s hooves slowly settled on the stones beneath them, his eyes dimming and the shadowy glow slipping away from his coat. “We shall see…”

“Haah…” Archer slumped on his hooves, very nearly collapsing as his weight settled on his legs. “The… The power…” He panted, eyes wide with wonderment. “I can feel it inside of me… It’s there, just waiting for me to ask for it. Begging, almost…” He looked up at Twilight with a wide, giddy smile. “It’s blessed me.”

“Indeed it has.” Twilight said calmly. She looked at him blankly for a few long moments before her lips split in a devious grin. “How’d you like to try your newfound powers?”

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“Honestly, Twilight.” Luna sighed, looking out of her bedroom window. “You’d have thought the poor mountain had suffered enough.”

“Oh come off it.” Twilight sighed, nuzzling against Luna’s side. “I repaired what the two of us broke.” The act of doing so had taxed her considerably. But the mountain opposite Canterlot was now whole once more. Its slopes were no longer scarred by the powers Twilight and Archer had unleashed upon them.

“True. I don’t think anypony could have done what you did.” Luna smiled and gave Twilight a quick kiss before looking back out of the window.

“I had a lot of help.” Twilight muttered, blushing from the praise. “Mist’s theories turn out to be sound more often than not, and the passion Archer puts into his earth spells makes them all the more stronger. I don’t think I could have done it without either of them.”

“Always the humble one.” Luna teased, kissing Twilight’s forehead gently. Twilight closed her eyes against Luna’s touch. She rather enjoyed having her forehead kissed. It was an oddly comforting experience. She didn’t want to say it reminded her of something a mother would do, but it did. Luna was anything but her mother, though. Twilight groaned and nudged Luna’s side, urging the princess to keep kissing her.

“Hmm. Eager, are we? We did it just last night…”

“And I want to do it again tonight.” Twilight panted.

“Though it’s closer to morning. Ooh, we’re going to have to raise the sun soon…”

“We’d better make it quick then.”

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Something was bothering Twilight. Archer’s display of power on the mountainside had been unbridled and passionate. He was a loose cannon. Twilight had to act quickly if it meant teaching Archer to be responsible with his newfound power. When she woke beside Luna the next night, she slipped out of the bed and showered before going to find her student. As she thought, he was in her library.

“Good evening, Archer.” She smiled at him as she closed the door behind her. Archer didn’t even glance up from the book he was reading, but he nodded and smiled.

“Evening, Twilight. I didn’t expect you to be up.”

“Nor I you.” Twilight gently padded towards him, smiling when she saw the book he was reading. A manual on the proper care of rose bushes. He was certainly learning a lot of different magics. His passion for knowledge was likely only surpassed by his passion for destruction. Twilight frowned as she sat opposite him. “Reach a stopping point, Archer. We need to have a discussion.”

“I suppose we do.” Archer’s face mirrored her own as he slowly shut the book, looking up at her with a sad smile. “Shall I begin, or would you like to start?”

“Go ahead.” Twilight waved a hoof. He seemed like he was about to make a confession. She decided it’d be better to let him start. Archer took a long, slow breath before beginning.

“Bastion and I have had a plan… I’ll admit, it was under-hoofed and not very well thought-out. Looking back, I wonder how it is we ever managed to come up with it in the first place. But, being as fueled by passion as I am, I went ahead with it.” His eyes met hers, and he sighed once again. “Bastion and I have been conspiring to steal your knowledge of destructive magic, that I might learn to become a living weapon. Capable of destroying anything that threatens Equestria.”

“Hmm.” Twilight frowned at him, but Archer looked appalled.

“You don’t seem very shocked…”

“Probably because Bastion and I have already discussed this.” Twilight muttered. “I managed to get the details of this plan from him a short while ago. Needless to say, your plan is no surprise to me. But it does lead into my own confession. One that I should have discussed with you just after he and I agreed to it.” It was Twilight’s turn to sigh then. She looked at him with a sad smile. “I’ve agreed with Bastion to teach you these destructive magics you crave. But I will do so responsibly. The way you are now, with the powers you’ve been granted, it would be very easy to misuse them and hurt a lot of innocent ponies. So while I’ve agreed to teach you these powers, I will try to influence you, and make it so you use them judiciously. Bastion, on the other side of the coin, will be teaching you his shielding magic. So that when you’re ready, you will take his position, and be knowledgeable both in offense and defense.” Twilight held up a hoof to emphasize her point.

“But. I cannot influence you without your consent. Doing so is unethical. So I want your promise, Archer. Promise me that you will try to learn reason and compassion, as opposed to anger and hatred. Learn to approach your problems logically, instead of brashly. If you can promise me that you will try to be less like fire and more like earth, I can promise you powers beyond your wildest imagination.” She held her hoof out to him, her expression both serious and compassionate.

“Deal?”

Archer grinned as he took her hoof in his own.

“Deal.”