The sound of rain woke Mac from a restless slumber. He pushed the thick curtains open with one hoof as he rolled over to get a better look outside. He nodded in approval at the steadily falling rain that greeted him, the dawning light of Celestia’s sun muted by the thick layer of grey cloud that smothered Ponyville in shadow so deep he could barely see as far as the road that led into town.

“Right on time, Rainbow,” he murmured with a wry sigh. The multi-coloured pegasus might be a bit of a braggart, but she took her role in the weather team very seriously indeed. He had no doubt that she’d hold up her end of their bargain, a bargain which had ended up costing him two mugs from his stash now rather than just one. Of course that meant she’d only have for two mugs at the next Cider season instead of three but she really did have a thing for Sweet Apple Acres cider and after the first mug she hadn’t been able to resist having a second. Pegasi, really not the most patient of ponies.

Of course, today was the one day he found himself wishing she wasn’t quite so dedicated to her job. Last night he’d noticed the barn had somehow developed a fair-sized hole in the roof. They’d weathered one of the rogue storms from the Everfree the week before and it was likely the wind had damaged the roof then but it had taken a while for the shingles to work themselves loose.

He rolled out of bed and hurried through his morning ablutions, planning for a more thorough wash and grooming once he was done around the farm. The rest of the family were only just stirring as he grabbed a couple of apples from the kitchen counter for breakfast and headed out to get to work.

He scooped up a toolbelt from beside the door, quickly checking to make sure he had the hammer and nails he’d need, the wooden planks and tarp already stacked and waiting for him inside the barn.

His mane was soaked through in a matter of moments as he stepped off the porch and he paused just long enough to grab a wide-brimmed hat to at least keep the rain out his eyes. This was far from ideal but it wasn’t something they could put off for long. It had been too risky to try doing it last night in the dark so it had to be as soon as possible today.

He hurried across the muddy ground and into the barn, making his way up to the small spire that gave access to the wide roof. As he climbed he decided this probably wasn’t the cleverest thing he’d ever done, but with this amount of rain they had to do something about it or risk flooding and further damage.

It had been too late to ask the pegasi to hold off on the scheduled rain so that was why he was here now, soaking wet, just about to go clambering around on a roof when he’d much rather be curled up warm and snug in bed. But once you got even one of the shingles missing, the rain and wind would get into every little nook and cranny and you’d be looking to replace half a roof before you knew what was what.

Stepping from the large window he set his hooves carefully on the roof and surveyed the hole, tutting under his breath. They’d need to see about recycling the shingles, make sure everything was dried out below before he mended it for good. Peering warily inside he could already see a pool of water on the floor of the barn, the buckets they’d put down to catch the water already overflowing. Well, that settled it. Stupid idea or not, he was here now and he had a job to do.

He’d have been much happier with someone up here helping him out, but Granny Smith was too old, Applebloom too young and Applejack was too dang worn out after hauling wagonloads of produce out to Fluttershy the previous day. He wasn’t about to drag his Sister out of bed to scramble around in the rain. Anyway, this would be over and done with in two shakes of a filly’s tail if everything went to plan. He’d done this a dozen times and more over the last few years. He’d be fine, it wasn’t like this was the riskiest thing he’d done lately… Like agreeing to go on a date with a Princess, for instance.

Retrieving the planks and the tarp from the haylot he carefully stretched the heavy fabric out, thanking providence that the forecast had only called for rain and not another storm; the last thing he needed was wind whipping everything around as well. One nail went in, then another, each one pounded home with one swing of the heavy hammer. Nails three and four also went in without incident and Mac sighed in relief, tilting the hat up a moment to wipe at his forehead and pausing, squinting at the low hanging cloud.

Funny, that looked kind of like a pegasus up there. Heading right for him. No rainbow contrail so it wasn’t Dash coming down to check on him or lend a hoof… In fact they didn’t look like they planned to slow down at all, their wings pinned flat to their flanks. He couldn’t make out who it was through the half-light and rain but now he was worried they were in trouble.

He rose, pulling the hat back down to shield his eyes, snorting in confusion as he started to back up along the roof, there wasn’t anywhere else he could go. “What the hay?”

The pegasus barely slowed down, wings flaring out at the last second as a pair of hooves slammed into Mac’s chest and sent him flying back along the roof. Hooves scrabbling frantically along the wet shingles, he grabbed for any hoofhold, any purchase to stop himself sliding straight off and onto the hard ground below.

Finally managing to get his legs under him he slammed his hooves down, ripping a long furrow in the roof as he stopped inches from the edge, hearing the shingles clattering down to the ground, already wincing at how much work he’d just made for himself. He let his head sag for a moment, panting raggedly even as a voice in his head yelled at him to get back up before his attacker could close the distance between them. That was no accident, no sir.

“I said I’d see you around, farmer,” a familiar voice sneered.

Mac’s eyes widened. It couldn’t be. Could it? “You,” he spat, trying to mask his surprise at the unprovoked attack. “What in Celestia’s name d’ya think ye’re doing?”

“What the Guard does. Resolving issues before they grow out of control. I had thought about talking to you,” the Night Guard responded as he backwinged to alight on the other end of the roof. “I had considered simply asking you to drop this, to stop this charade before it hurts both you and her. However, what I have observed of you and your family lead me to believe that I would be wasting my breath. In the end I decided this was the quickest way, the simplest way to make sure you understood that these were not just empty words.”

Mac could see him clearly now, the batpony advancing slowly along the roof, his head low, leathery wings partly extended, the rain pattering on those thin membranes like an umbrella, the wickedly sharp blades that the Night Guard carried shimmering where the light caught them, water beading on the edges.

“So ya come here ta kill me, Guard?” He had his hooves back under him now, his head lifted proudly even as two angry horseshoe shaped bruises began to form on his chest. There was no point yelling for help from the farmhouse, he wasn’t about to endanger any of his family. Whatever happened next, he was on his own and frankly he wasn’t sure he rated his chances. Sure he was a big, strong stallion and he’d been in his fair share of brawls but now he faced something entirely different, a trained fighter, and one who seemed hell bent on picking a fight

“Only if you make me, farmer,” was the cool, unhurried reply. “The kick was just to get your attention. It need go no further than that if you are willing to be reasonable and understand that this situation cannot continue. Will you break things off with Luna? Will you accept that this relationship will not and cannot be allowed?”

Mac took a moment to pull the hat from his head, slicking his dripping wet mane back over his neck before he set it back in place, pulling it down tight so there was less chance it would come loose in what was about to take place. “Nnnnope,” he stated, his voice flat and cold.

The bat pony hesitated, his brow furrowing. This, obviously, was not the answer he was expecting and Mac couldn’t help but give a sarcastic snort. “Ya expected me t’cave, didn’t ya? Thought ya could come here, rough me up and frighten me off. Send me slinkin’ back t’the farm and the dirt where ah belong? Nope. Y’all don’t get t’do that. Not you, not a one o’those damned piss-swilling nobles. Ya come here t’make me give up Luna, then you’re gonna have t’try a damn sight harder than that. Ya wanna kill me, Guard? Come here and try.”

“You dare!” the batpony hissed, golden eyes narrowing angrily. “Do you think I will hesitate to spill your blood? That I will spare you for her? I do this to protect her! To protect her from those who still whisper of the Nightmare, from those who would harm her and bring her down. If you will not see reason then you are nothing but another threat to be removed. You are set on this course, then so be it.”

No more words, no more threats, the batpony moved with terrifying speed, lunging across the roof towards Mac. The big stallion, however, was ready this time. Even as the Guard leapt at him he dug a hoof into his toolbelt, meeting the lunge with a hoof full of nails thrown straight into his attacker’s face.

The batpony snarled, swerving aside at the last moment, one wing covering his face though Mac was pleased to see some of the nails sinking into the leather membranes of that shielding wing. The other wing lashed out, the point of the blade raking a long furrow down Mac’s chest that had the big red stallion dancing back with a hiss of pain. The Guard spread his wings, trying to gain altitude to swing back around and dive down onto the earthbound pony but Mac was ready for that trick.

He’d seen enough of Rainbow Dash’s practicing, seen enough of the local guard’s training, to know that pegasi preferred to keep their distance from their targets, to dart in and out before their opponents could respond. He wasn’t about to give him that chance. It was time to show this uppity batpony how an earth pony brawled.

Before the Guard could get more than a wingspan or two away, Mac leapt up, drawing on all the strength years of applebucking had given him. He vaulted straight up to grab the guard’s tail in his teeth and yank him back down with all his weight, praying that the abused roof wouldn’t just give way beneath him when he landed.

The startled batpony slammed heavily down onto the roof with a clatter of armour and shattered shingles, laying dazed for a moment, blinking up at the grey skies. Mac gave his opponent no time to recover, rushing him as he struggled to get back up and bringing his huge, heavy hooves hammering down in blow after blow.

There was no finesse in his attack, no skill, nothing but pure animal instinct and adrenalin. He slammed his hooves onto the Night Guard like he was pounding stakes into the ground. The burnished armour was soon dented and scraped, a black eye soon joined by more welts and bruises as Mac stomped relentlessly down onto the batpony, denying him any chance to try and get up or mount a defense.

It seemed to be working, for a few moments…Mac reared up to deliver one final blow and his footing betrayed him. His hooves slipped from under him, sending him sliding down the side of the roof and this time there was nothing he could do about it. With an angry, despairing whinny he slipped off the roof, willing his body to remain limp to not tense u--

Luna trotted merrily up the path to the Apple family home, humming cheerfully to herself as she pranced around the last remaining puddles from the morning’s rain. Pausing for a moment, she checked her reflection in a convenient puddle, nodding in satisfaction before she stepped up onto the porch and knocked on the door.

After a few seconds had passed, she knocked again, a little louder this time. Still not a soul stirred within the house. Frowning, Luna peeked inside one of the windows and was greeted with a distressing sight. The kitchen table was in disarray, muddy towels and rags strewn across it and...was that blood there? The towels were covered in red smears and there was a dark red pool on the kitchen floor.

She spun around, eyes wide, stamping down firmly on a surge of panic. She had no idea how badly hurt this individual was and there was a much a chance of it being Applejack as McIntosh. There was no point jumping to conclusions and rushing into Ponyville in a blind panic but it was also clear she would receive no answers standing here fretting.

“Mourne! Shadowstep!” Luna cried. “Night Guard, attend your Mistress!”

She didn't wait for them, confident that they would answer her call, taking to the air and heading for town as quickly as she could before being suddenly brought up short by a technicolour blur diving down towards her. “Princess! Princess Luna! Wait a second!”

“Rainbow Dash. We apologise but we have no time to speak to thee at present, we come here seeking Big M--”

“Big Mac, I know,” Rainbow Dash interrupted before the Princess could spread her wings again. “He’s at Ponyville Hospital, they sent me to come and find you.”

“What has happened? We see disturbing signs at the Apple farm. Has he been badly injured?”

“Not sure, some sort of accident in this morning’s rain but I don’t know any more than that. Come on, it’s this way. Everypony’s there waiting to hear from the Doctors on how badly he’s been hurt.” Dash turned and streaked off towards town, Luna in close pursuit.

Landing outside the hospital, Luna paused a moment, looking back over her shoulder. Moments later the first of her guards swept in, Shadowstep saluting her Mistress smartly. She was not the biggest of the ponies in the Guard, one of the few mares serving, but she was as fleet and as nimble as any Princess could hope for, a candidate for the Wonderbolts before joining the Night Guard at Luna’s personal request.

Mourne, however, was slower to join the two and when he arrived it was with unsteady wings, the bigger of the pair covered in bruises, his armour bent and scraped as he bowed before his Mistress. Shadowstep gawked openly at him for a moment before her training took over and she schooled her face to calm once more.

“Mistress?” She gently prompted Luna, who was gazing back at the door of the hospital with a concerned look on her face. “We come to answer your call.”

The Night Princess turned back to her guard, her eyes narrowing as she took in Mourne’s battered and disheveled state. “What happened to you?”

“An accident at the castle before we left this morning, Mistress,” Mourne growled in reply. “Please think nothing of it, it looks far worse than it is. I am still more than able to fulfil my duties.”

Luna nodded absently as her gaze again wandered back to the doors of the hospital, her attention obviously on anything but the condition of her guards. “McIntosh Apple has been injured and brought here for treatment. You will stand post here,” she snapped. “No-one else enters the hospital till our business within is concluded, is this understood?”

Mourne nodded, banging his hoof to his chest in salute, trying not to wince as his chest and foreleg ached with the motion, a hiss of pain subdued before it could escape his lips. “As the Mistress commands.”

Shadowstep echoed the salute as Luna turned and pushed the door open, vanishing inside. Mourne looked towards his partner, who held up a single hoof to forestall anything he might say. “Not a word,” she sighed. “Just… Not a word. The less you tell me right now, the less I have to deny knowing about later. Let’s just do as the Mistress says and pray that she doesn’t ask more questions than you want to answer.”

Mourne sighed and shook his head, then winced and rubbed at one of the dark bruises on his neck. “Shadow...I did what needed to be done to protect the Princess. You of all ponies should understand that.”

“The more you say, the less I want to hear right now, Mourne,” Shadowstep shot back as she finally turned to face him, her expression dark and disapproving. “If you’ve done what I think you’ve done, judging by the mess back at that farm and the state you’re in, I wouldn’t give two bits for your chances once the Mistress calms down. THINK, you lunkhead. Would Emberfire allow an obviously injured guard to attend her? Of course not! You should have gone back to Canterlot, scrounged some new armour from the local guardpost, anything but show up with some paper-thin excuse that won’t last two seconds under any kind of real scrutiny! You’re lucky she’s too worried about her coltfriend to think about it properly,” she paused a moment, then sighed. “Did you kill him?”

Mourne debated arguing, prevaricating, perhaps lying while there was still some chance of denying what he had done, then simply shook his head. “No, I don’t believe so. He fell from the roof of the barn before our...conversation...could be concluded. I made sure he was still breathing before I alerted those within the house and withdrew to the forest.”

The last word was barely out his mouth before the world erupted in stars and pain as Shadowstep smacked him full across the face with her hoof. “You idiot. You…you bucking idiot. I really wonder what goes through that thick skull of yours sometimes. You'd better just pray that Mac isn’t awake enough to point a hoof at you.”

Mourne sighed, knowing that Shadowstep was more right than he'd ever admit to her. This had not gone at all to plan, he had not counted on the farmer being so belligerent, or so lucky when it had come down to a fight. In retrospect, a foolish move, he had allowed emotion to get the better of him, to goad him into a distinctly rash confrontation and now he could only hope that Mac would not remember what had happened… A coma, perhaps? Amnesia brought on by head trauma? He ruefully shook his head. Might as well just wish this morning had never happened.

Luna brushed past the impatiently hovering Rainbow Dash and threw the doors open with one hoof. “DOCTORS! Deliver to us a report on the condition of the one known as Big McIntosh!” The Royal Canterlot Voice thundered through the reception room, ponies clamping their hooves to their ears before falling to the floor in the presence of one of their Rulers.

“Luna!” Twilight trotted up, her brow furrowed. “Could you maybe, uhm, lower the volume a little? We know you must be worried about Mac--”

“Indeed! We saw blood at the Apple family farm! How grave are his injuries?” Twilight’s ears were pinned back by the force of Luna’s voice, the young alicorn blinking dazedly for a moment or two. Luna ahem’ed and smiled abashedly. “Our apologies, Twilight. Old habits are difficult to break. Please, we must know Mac’s condition.”

“Ah can answer that one, Princess. Least ah can tell ya how we found him.” Applejack stood slowly from her seat. Her eyes were red and puffy, cheeks showing signs of having hastily been scrubbed dry. Luna’s gaze drifted downward, noting what looked like the remains of bloodstains on the earth pony’s hooves. “Dunno what happened, but we were woken up by a crash from outside the house. Went t’mah window t’look and ah saw him on the ground by the barn. We patched him up best we could, got him into the cart an’brought him here.” Her voice faltered and she stifled a sniffle. “Docs have had him for the last couple o’hours. We’re just waitin’ to hear how bad he’s hurt.”

Luna stepped forward to nuzzle Applejack’s cheek before curving a wing around the distraught farmer. “There are fine doctors here, brave Applejack. I am certain Big Mac will be fine. You must have faith in your brother’s strength and the doctor’s skill.”

A gentle cough drew the attention of the girls and Luna stepped aside, allowing Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash to take over consoling Applejack, wrapping their wings protectively around her. The stallion standing before the small group looked distinctly nervous on finding himself in the presence of not just one but two of the Princesses at once, sketching out a tentative bow to both.

“First thing’s first,” he started. “Let me reassure you that McIntosh will make a full recovery,” he paused to allow the girls to sigh in relief. “He was very lucky that the ground had been softened by the rain when he landed. That said, he will still require a period of rehabilitation.”

“What are his injuries, doctor?” Rarity asked.

The pause was almost unnoticeable, as was the slight furrowing of the doctor’s brow, but Luna had spent centuries reading pony’s body language and that was enough for her concerns to be raised still further.

“He has four cracked ribs, extensive bruising along his back, sides and chest…” Again there was the hesitation and this time Luna decided that it was confusion causing it, something was not adding up about this and the doctor was unable to reconcile the conflicting information. “But there are injuries inconsistent with a fall.”

“Like what?” Applejack growled.

“He has bruises that appear to have been inflicted by hooves, but the diameter is completely different from his own. He also has a long wound across his chest and other smaller injuries on his shoulders that appear to have been caused by a blade of some kind. We also found small shards of metal embedded in his forehooves. None of these make any sense if he simply fell from a roof.”

“Doctor, are you saying someone attacked Mac?” Twilight ventured. “Was he pushed off the roof?”

“Until he wakes there’s no way to be sure. He’s sleeping now and we’re reluctant to wake him unless absolutely needed. He’s stable so right now sleeping is probably the best thing he could be doing.”

“There is no need to wake him,” Luna’s voice was bleak and cold. “I shall speak to him in the dreamscape. He will be able to show me exactly what happened and who is responsible for this. Doctor, I require a quiet room, it does not need to be near McIntosh but it must be private.”

“Wait! Hold on now,” the doctor blurted. “What exactly are you proposing here? Mr Apple needs his rest, not an interrogation, even if it is by royalty! I cannot in good conscience allow you--” Luna’s angry glare made him shudder and shrink back a little, clearing his throat. “M-Maybe ‘allow’ wasn’t quite the, uh, right word,” he stammered.

“Mac will be in no danger. The spell I cast will be on myself, not on him. His mind will remain at rest while we converse. Trust me, Doctor, “ Luna smiled thinly. “I have been doing this for a VERY long time.”

The stallion hesitated, professional ethics warring with loyalty to his Princess while self-preservation instincts screamed that standing in the way of the Princess of the Night was probably not the cleverest thing he could be doing today. Finally he nodded curtly and stepped aside. “I’ll show you to an empty room.”

“Very good. Twilight Sparkle, you will attend me… Please?”

“Huh? I--Of course, Luna. Whatever you need.” Twilight nuzzled Applejack’s cheek and trotted quickly after the older alicorn and the doctor as they headed down one of the corridors leading away from reception. As they left Twilight smiled faintly as she heard Pinkie already making plans for a “Get Better Soon, Mac!” party.

The doctor pushed a door open and led the two alicorns into an empty room, Luna wasting no time in climbing up and onto the bed, laying down and making herself comfortable.

“Thank you doctor...We did not catch your name?”
“Dr House, Princess. House Call. I’ll make sure nopony disturbs either of you here.” He bowed and retreated, closing the door behind him.

“So, uhm, what do you need me for, Pr--Luna?” Twilight ventured, looking confused. “You don’t think there could be some threat to you while you’re in the dreamscape?”

“No. There is little risk to me there but it occurred to me that if someone truly has attacked Mac, it would be rash of me to travel the dreamscape entirely unprotected. I leave the care of my physical body to you, Twilight Sparkle.” Luna laid her head down on her forelegs, her horn already glowing as she gathered her magic. “I shall return shortly with the answers we seek.”

Between one breath and the next the hospital room was replaced with the sea of slowly waving purple grass. The familiar, welcome coolness around her hooves helped steady and center her, the anxiety and tension of the waking world washed away. A glance upward showed far fewer stars in the skies above, as it should be in the middle of Celestia’s day.

“McIntosh,” she called, lifting her hoof in entreaty. “Come, let me see what fills your dreams. We must talk, you and I.”

The star that descended to her hoof glowed a dull, deep red similar to that of his Sister, the wavering of the light warning her that this this soul was not resting easily. She lifted her hoof to meet it and the dreamscape flickered and disappeared.

She found herself standing in the midst of what appeared to be the Grand Galloping Gala, or at least someone’s version of it. The hall she stood in was far more luxurious than any that existed in Canterlot, with drapes of the most expensive silk and cutlery and crockery made of solid gold, encrusted with gems. The air was filled with shrill, mocking laughter, the attendants were downtrodden, spat upon and cuffed as they circulated among guests that were barely recognisable caricatures of the Canterlot nobility, their every flaw and vice exaggerated to near-grotesque proportions.

“Dance for us, dirt pony!” A voice cackled somewhere in the crowd. “Come on, quickly now! You mudgrubbers laze about drinking hooch and bucking your sisters, it’s not like you have any other skills to offer us!”

The taunting words drew her attention and Luna quickly pushed through the crowd towards where most of the laughter was coming from. There she found Mac, at the heart of his personal nightmare.

He was surrounded by a ring of jeering nobles, pointing, laughing, throwing their food and drinks at him as he gazed sullenly at the floor, a jester’s cap atop his head. He shuffled a few steps to the left, then the right, then back again, barely noticing the food and drink dribbling down over his face.

“Oh come on, is that really the best you can do, mudpony?” The same pony’s voice rang out once again. “Really? That’s all you have to offer somepony as important as Princess Luna? If you can’t even dance for her, what could you possibly hope to offer us?”

A dream it might be, but the words cut Luna to the core. Mac was a good pony, a kind pony who cared for his family and friends, who worked hard to provide for them, but to the nobility of Canterlot he had little to offer them, nothing that would impress them and they both knew it. In this place pedigree and power were all that mattered. That, however, did not mean she had to tolerate their tormenting her stallion, not when she had the power to change it.

“ENOUGH!” She roared, the room shaking as her magic augmented her already impressive voice. All eyes turned to her, all astonished and outraged save for one that was filled with relief. “You will depart! Now! This Gala is over!

Luna stood, imperious and unafraid as the nobles turned and slowly faded away back into the subconscious, leaving her and Mac standing alone in the golden hall.

“You are no jester, Mac,” she whispered as she stepped up to remove the hat from his head, tossing it aside where it too dissolved into the ether. They stood there for a moment or two, necks pressed lightly together, breathing soft and slow. She drew her wings around him, gently brushing the smears of food from his body.

“Luna. How did…? Ah’m dreamin’, ain’t ah?” Mac murmured as he stepped back to meet her gaze.

“You are. Impressive, most do not recognise the dream so quickly.”

“Practice,” he replied as he brushed a quick, shy kiss to her lips, then sighed and dropped his head down once more. “Ah’ll tell ya more about it sometime if ya like but ah reckon this ain’t just a social call, less ya came here t’chew me out for missin’ our second date,” he even managed a little smile before his expression grew serious once more. “Reckon y’all are here t’find out what happened. Right?”

“You are correct. I arrived here expecting a day of fine food and conversation but instead I find you in the hospital. The doctor says you are injured, but will recover. I cannot wait for you to awaken of your own accord, Mac. I must know who did this to you.”

He hesitated before responding, stamping a hoof irritably on the ground. “Can’t lie in a dream, much as ah might want to right now. Luna, don’t be too hard on him. Ah don’t think he meant for it t’end like this, regardless o’what he said t’me. Ah think he really just meant t’scare me off and things escalated. Ah suspect he woulda beaten me up, but that’s all.”

“McIntosh! You cannot expect me to show clemency to one who assaulted you, regardless of motivation or whether or not he could have done worse! He attacked you, an innocent stallion, and could have crippled or killed you.” Luna lifted her head, gazing imperiously down at him. No longer just two ponies talking, now this was a ruler speaking to her subject. “You WILL tell me who did this!”

Even when confronted with an outright Royal command, Mac hesitated. The Guard had been doing what he thought was right, protecting Luna from scandal, from controversy. He could certainly understand that sort of commitment even if that had most definitely been the wrong way to go about things.

“A batpony,” Mac finally admitted in little more than a whisper. “Ah really don’t think he--”

“Show him to me.” Luna’s voice had grown cold and angry and as Mac lifted his head he could see her mane had grown dark. The stars within it dimmed even as the ethereal wind that always ran through it grew wild and dangerous, whipping her mane and tail around her. “Show me which of my children was so misguided as to lay hooves on you.”

The scene shifted, the ornate hall replaced by the rain-soaked roof of the barn. Mac watched silently as the scene played out. The attack, the threat, the brief, savage contest between the two that ended with his tumble into oblivion. “He didn’t throw me off the roof, Luna,” he said at last. “Ah slipped, that was all. Y’heard what he said, he was doin’ it for you.”

“FOR ME?” The reality of the dream shook with the fury of the Night Princess as Luna reared back, bringing her hooves thundering down onto the ground, the hall shuddering around them as the very fabric of the dream recoiled from Luna’s wrath. “Nay! Never for me! Never this! Never an attack on an innocent!”

“Luna--”

“No. You will rest, Mac. You will rest and we shall deal with this. We know this pony, his loyalty to us was vouchsafed by the Captain of our personal guard. We shall have words with him when we return to Canterlot. For the nonce, we have a child in sore need of a lesson.”

Before Mac could say anything more Luna faded away and the dream shattered as he awoke in his hospital bed, staring up at the painted ceiling with a sickening feeling of dread building inside.