Whoso would be a man, must be a nonconformist. He who would gather immortal palms must not be hindered by the name of goodness, but must explore if it be goodness. Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of our own mind. Absolve you to yourself, and you shall have the suffrage of the world.

--Emerson's Self-Reliance

A few weeks had passed since the new recruit had transferred over to a new base just south of Canterlot. Plenty of ponies tried to pronounce the foreigner's name, but everypony with half a brain had defaulted to “Reddling,” instead of trying to pronounce things they cared very little about learning. To the rest of the base's population that did not have half of a brain, but rather a full mind capable of logical thinking, they had invented him the title of “Shrimp” for their undersized squad member.

Reddling was not a big pony by comparison to the Equestrians that now surrounded him, and there were many mares that looked more like stallions than he did. When his size was combined with his abrasive personality and a name like "Rahding Rain," he had not become popular among his fellow soldiers. Mares avoided him completely, and stallions were only nice until they realized they were hitting on another boy.

Being in the Equestrian defense force wasn’t something that really gave Reddling thrills. Sure, some stallions wanted to defend the Princesses, some even hoped that there would be some kind of war in another land so they could prove themselves heroes. That’s what a normal pony would want, but no one is here to read about normal ponies.

Reddling had been specially chosen for his task. His mission was to dispatch the Princesses of Equestria, and return home a hero. Back in his homeland of Silverfield, only the church was allowed to determine what a Cutie Mark meant, and they had deemed that his was to be a mark of revenge- a golden and black oak pen laid across a stunning silver hilted blade. It'd been over a year since Reddling had left his home, and just when he felt that he might never move towards his goal, a chance presented itself in the form of a flier attached to the wall outside his barracks.

The red pony had been quick to tear down a small blue and purple flier, stuffing it in his mouth before sulking back to his barracks and staring at it carefully when nopony else was around. For the rest of the day, Reddling had stared at the flier every time he got a break. Most of the page was filled with patriotic idioms and sayings that meant nothing to him, however the center of the flier had three lines to clearly name it's intention.

“Right...” Reddling said with a slight squeak in his high pitched voice. He brushed his purple mane away, only for the hair to drop back into place over his red coat instantly. Bringing a hoof up to his chin, he began to ponder the thought of committing to some bizarre tryout. It was the perfect chance to stand out from the rest of the ponies here in a good way. Whether it was his accent, size, or coloring, it seemed like all of the bullies here had some reason to make him the odd pony out.

That, and the lack of Pegasus ponies in Silverfield. No one likes boring earth ponies in Equestria. Reddling rubbed his shoulders and upper back at this thought, wrapping himself in his blankets for a moment and watching as the sun outside began to sink lower. Reddling watched from under his covers as ponies streamed in, discussing their plans for the night. After some muffled words, one pony approached his bedside, looking down at him.

“Eh, Shrimp, We’re going out drinking tonight. Wanna come along?” The pony seemed genuine enough, but Reddling only pulled back the covers and stared at him with eyes of iron.

“No… Have a shot for me, will you?” The response was dry, but friendly enough for the pony to give an uneasy laugh and turn away.

“Hah! Suit yourself… And will do!” The pony turned back to his friends as Reddling blinked once, thinking about how the booze here was next to piss and the company little better.

Nightfall came too quickly for all the recruits heading outside into the shadowy night. Reddling had been the first to arrive at the field, and had been standing at attention from the moment the sun set. Strapped to his back was an ornate silver hilted knife, the only worldly possession that he considered of any value he kept on his body.

A few unicorns lit their horns as a gaggle of ponies gathered at the field, all of them waiting for something to happen. As if some internal clock was running in his brain, a stubborn looking old earth pony arrived, standing in front of the recruits. The dub for him was "Iron Hooves", although Reddling wasn't sure if that was his actual name or simply a description of the pony's heavy trotting. Normally Iron Hooves had an unforgiving demeanor about him, but tonight he only seemed to be tired.

He’s almost a bit reserved. He knows that most of us are not going to make the cut to be guards. Reddling thought, looking straight ahead at the figureless darkness. Suddenly there was a flash of lights as some outdoor lights came on, and the ponies all fell into three ranks, gaining dress and cover until they all looked like neat little ducks in their rows. The commander looked left then snapped to attention as a blue figure came into view, emerging straight from the shadows and staring quizzically at the ponies gathered before her. The entire cosmos of the night sky seemed to be contained within her mane as she looked at each of the potential recruits individually.

So that’s her. She’s everything the legends said- cruel, mysterious, and haunty. Reddling’s thoughts echoed as a murmur of “Princess Luna” rippled through the poorly disciplined ranks. But that’s not what gets me. It’s… the voice.

Everypony nearly buckled as Luna’s loud voice rang in their heads, bouncing off of every nearby building, plant, or object unfortunate enough to be caught in her screech. “Soldiers of Equestria! You are here for the chance to join the Night Guard! This is a prestigious honor that is reserved to only a few. Only the best and bravest may earn the right and the burden to become one of the Night Guard!'

Reddling stared straight ahead as he soaked up every bit of her words. Every single part of her speech reeked of evil, just as the church had told him when he was growing up.

“Do you understand the obligations to which you are volunteering?” Luna continued, addressing the crowd, which had long since been quelled of what anypony could consider to be poor discipline, quickly nodded, giving their full fearful agreement. Reddling stared straight ahead, not moving or talking while at attention. Luna stepped back into the shadows, her eyes shining like gems as the night drew in around her like a veil. “Commander Iron Hooves, you may begin.”

Luna spread her long, feathery wings with a sound like air had been sliced before taking off into the night sky. It was not until she was well out of sight that the commander dropped his serious façade, taking on an almost jovial appearance. “Alright! Only the best and brightest are good enough to be in the Night Guard, and that means knowing how to fight. Pick up a training weapon and pair off, Top 20 advance!”

There was a stampede as the recruits scrambled to grab the best practice swords, knives, or claws. Everypony wanted to grab the nicest dull iron weapon there was, since of course, these decommissioned weapons had to absolutely be the best. Reddling however, just stared at each of the recruits with little concern for their tugging or trading of weapons, picking up a nice quarterstaff in his mouth before approaching the field.

Pairs were quickly made, and the groups began to share a little banter before the spar. A happy looking Pegasus was fast to pair up with Reddling, grinning at having found an opponent that was so much smaller than him. Reddling blinked his eyes slowly at the medium sized Pegasus, measuring up his strengths and weaknesses carefully.

He’s using a short sword, a very poor choice on his part against somepony with a staff. Reddling thought. Cocking his legs and leaning back with his rear slightly raised, Reddling held the staff in his mouth, eager for the match to begin.

There was a shrill bursting of air before Iron Hooves called out “Standard sparring rules. Have at it!”

Your move, Pegasus, you filthy, Equestrian Pegasus.

The pegasi leapt into the air, spreading out his wings and readying his sword for a vicious strike as he bared down on the unmoving earth pony in front of him. Reddling could almost hear him laugh as the sword began to swing in its savage arc. Unfortunately for the Pegasus, this was also the same moment that Reddling chose to move.

Hitting his belly and rolling to the side, Reddling shifted the quarterstaff so that it was facing straight up at the pegasi. With no time to react to the lighting quick movements, the pegasi let out a painful “Unngh!” as the butt end of the staff knocked the wind right out of him. The pony crashed into the dirt at Reddling's side, already beginning to pick himself up.

No mercy, for your kind, dirtbag Equestrian. Reddling almost felt the words slip out of his mouth as he swung the quarterstaff in a full force blow onto the back of the Pegasus’s head. There was a crack in the air as the Pegasi stumbled to the side a bit, worse for the wear but not yet down and out. Spreading his wings and cocking his sword, the pegasi raising himself in a poorly mimicked defensive stance, slowly beginning to pace in a circle with Reddling.

The next few moments were quite a blur for Reddling, because it seemed to happen all in one second, one blink of an eye. Planting his quarterstaff in the ground, Reddling lifted himself up on the wood and flung himself skyward, trying to land a kick in the face of his opponent. The next moment he found himself back on the ground, hooves shaking as he caught himself, the sting of the blade slapping his burning side.

Another crack sounded, although this time it was not from wood, but bone hitting bone as the two colts headbutted each other, stumbling back. The pegasi seemed almost totally unphased, but Reddling found his head ringing, the sides of his vision shaking slightly. Neither pony wasted any time in readying their weapons before they clashed, locking fiercely. Reddling finally saw his opening as the pegasi charged again, his sword ready and his balance off. Sidestepping and smiling as he held the quarterstaff, Reddling simply watched as the pegasus tripped. A smirk crossed the earth pony's lips as his next move came without thought.

With another crack and a thump, the back of the quarterstaff found its mark on the back of the pegasus’s head. Falling to the ground with a small moan of pain, the fight seemed over to observers.

It’s not over, you stupid winged Equestrian. The pegasi rolled over to find the tip of the quarterstaff burying into his throat as Reddling hissed down at him in a cold tone devoid of empathy or compassion for his fellow recruit. “Surrender your weapon.”

The pegasi looked shocked at the small earth pony now towering over him, but let his sword go with a cry. “Ah! I yield!” Reddling just kicked the sword aside, watching his defeated “comrade” sulk off the practice field. All around, other pairs were finishing their combat, only to hear the shrill whistle cutting the victor’s eardrums.

“Still too many! Pair up!” Iron Hooves yelled out at the field. Quickly approaching Reddling this time was a unicorn, who held what seemed to be the staple Equestrian weapon- another sword.

Despite a little magic help here and there, it did not take long before Reddling found himself rolling around in the dirt with his enemy, trying to bite or punch their horn as hooves pummeled his chest and face. Panicking, the unicorn quickly resolved to lift up a square of dirt and throw it into his grappler’s eyes.

Blindness wasn’t a happy thing for Reddling. Although he did snarl in anger, eyesight wasn’t something he required to continue beating the horse below him into submission. The furious blitz between the two grew more and more heated until finally Reddling curled back his hoof and released it, slamming forward for the enemies head will all his might.

The blow connected dust as Reddling felt his ribcage rock from a blow, and the two descended again into their punching and kicking fit. With both of them heaving for air, the fight at last broke off as Reddling landed a painful blow into the stomach of the unicorn, making them gasp as the wind was knocked clear out of them. Rasping for air, the unicorn laid his hooves out, ceasing to struggle and lacking the air to get anything out.

You should say you surrender. Without hesitation, he spat in the unicorn’s eye, swinging a hoof to bash the unicorn’s horn. The unicorn managed to let out a little whimper as his eyes bugged out of their sockets. Not satisfied, Reddling rammed his hoof again into the unicorn’s horn, smiling down at the feeble cries of stop now echoing from the unicorn’s throat.

“Do you surrender?” Reddling asked as he brought his knee up into the pony’s gut again. The unicorn nodded, curling up and coughing out his agreement. Grabbing the unicorn’s sword, Reddling tossed it into a pile with the other one he had taken, waiting for the whistle to be blown again. All around, the fights began to finish up, and it became apparent that only about 16 ponies were still in the clearing. Lining up with heads ringing and small gasps of pain, the victors stood proudly next to one another, ready for whatever came next.

Iron Hooves was approaching now, but his demeanor had completely shifted once again. He looked nervous now as he gazed at every one of the recruits in front of him. “Good job… You’ve passed.”

Reddling stared straight ahead, blowing some air up to push his purple mane back as the commander continued his spew. “All of you will have the opportunity to demonstrate your skills for the Princess herself, after which she will decide whether you will advance and begin training as a Night guard proper.”

Silence fell over the group. Overhead, the full moon beamed down on the field, casting an eerie glow on everything. Shadows darted and danced between anything and everything, playing to each other the song of their kind. Undistracted, Reddling stared forward, every one of his peers standing like statues. The commander snapped his head to Reddling, gliding over the grass without a single sound as he barked at the earth pony.

“And what are you doing here, Earth Pony? Do you think you’re good enough to make the Night Guard?” The commander’s eyes stared right at Reddling’s grey pupils, which betrayed neither emotion nor any response.

The commander continued with a smirk, holding back what almost felt like laughter in his voice. “Look at you, miniscule Silverfield runt… we don’t need any weak little flightless, hornless dirt ponies in our ranks… why don’t you just turn around and leave? Save us all the trouble…”

Reddling’s mouth gave an ever so slight twitch, but outwardly, no emotion showed. Below the surface of his facade however, everything was on fire, burning with violent anger and hatred. You racists, you damned racist! One day… one day you’ll see…

“Do you think you’re going to do what your ancestors couldn’t? Greater ponies than you have tried and failed.”

You disgusting racists. Reddling’s mouth twitched much more violently than before this time as he gazed at the commander, who seemed to now be enjoying taunting his victim. But things were changing now. Reddling could feel heads turning as the eyes of every one of his peers swept their way to him. He wasn’t sure why it hadn’t struck him before, but now it was obvious- there was not a single face unadorned with a horn, or a single side lacking a pair of wings. The lone earth pony in a crowd of other races, put on trial for a tirade of faces to silently judge in the moonlight. Reddling’s thoughts were broken as the commander snapped at him again. “Turn and go! You’re not good enough for this!”

Finally, Reddling turned his head to stare at the commander. He no longer cared if this was a test, he was going to speak his mind freely. “I beat your unicorns, and pegasi. I’m the only earth pony here. The best of my class. If you’ve got an issue with it, breedist, feel free to pick up a practice weapon.” Every word was cold and deliberate. Each word challenging, but not threatening.

Narrowing his eyes, the commander leaned in, “You think we’re going to let a Silverfieldian near our Princess? She’ll see right through you. Even if you do get near her, do you think you’ll beat her? You’re hopeless. Go home, Reddling. Get out.”

How can they know? There is no way for them to know! Reddling’s thoughts raced as he spat out his quickly thrown together excuse. “Why would I need to beat her? I just need to take down anypony that neighsays my ability to protect her.”

The commander leaned back slightly, a slow, evil smile spreading across his face. “You talk in your sleep, Reddling. It’s time for you to go. Turn and leave, and we’ll let you live.” All around him, Reddling could hear the shifting of hooves. The whole world suddenly seemed much darker, the mad faces of his peers glaring at him with empty expressions.

“You’re trying to get me to give away something, it’s not going to work.” Reddling said coolly, watching everypony he could with his eyes as they began to crowd around in a mob.

“We already know, scum.” said the commander. Reddling raised his quarterstaff as the ponies prepared themselves to pounce. “This is your last chance. Go, and we’ll spare your life, and the life of your countryponies.”

It was a split decision. Reddling swung the quarterstaff forward, smashing it horribly into the face of the commander, hard enough that his skull should have cracked.

Instead the quarterstaff connected with dirt, passing right through the commander. Glaring at Reddling, as his incorporeal face continued to smile evilly. Reddling had only a moment to blink before the wraith began to fade away like a wisp of smoke.

Reddling found himself standing in a field with his peers. Pegasi, Unicorn, and earth ponies alike were standing at attention, vacant looks on their faces with various expressions shifting through them. Fear, hate, anger, sadness, all equally impressive and deep emotions coloring the lines of the recruits standing in their line. Reddling felt himself hit the ground as he exclaimed to the grass. Across from him, Iron Hooves sat with sides wingless and forehead hornless. Next to him was Princess Luna, who had her horn aglow. Iron Hooves looked extremely uncomfortable and upset with what was going on around him, almost as if the pain of what he was witnessing went way past the physical level. Grabbing his knife with a hoof before being prepared to draw it into his mouth, Reddling stared at the commander and the other recruits, ready for a fight at any moment.

One by one, the ponies began to react. Some turned and trotted off the field, their face the portrait of vacancy mixed with distance, confusion, or more often sad and angry expressions. But nearby, other ponies began to snap out of the trance, lucidity returning to their eyes as they stared confusedly at the field around them. Looking at the mare closest to him, Reddling spoke quickly to her.

“What did you see?” The mare quivered at the question for a moment, before looking forward with a determined expression. Another pony fell to his knees on all fours, looking at the ground. “My family… My mother, father, aunts, uncles, and brother, telling me to come home… I…”

Enough. Reddling thought as he stood up. “Everypony stand together, whatever is at work here is wrong and unnatural!”

“They can’t hear you.” Iron Hooves piped in, looking at Reddling.

Struggling to hide his inner anger while every nerve quaked with a fight or flight adrenaline, Reddling stared blankly at Iron Hooves. “Who, or what, are you, and what do you want of me?”

“I am your commander, and I’d like you to know that you’re prepared to join the Night Guard.” Iron Hooves said matter of factly.

“What of the others? What happened to them?” Reddling asked, slowly pulling himself up and relaxing slightly.

“They are being tested, just as you were. They will either pass, and stay, or fail and leave.” Iron Hooves said.

“I’m not really in the profession of leaving others behind. Give me your test, we’ll pass it, and drag the others across the finish line with us.” Reddling said, but Iron Hooves quickly ended his protest.

“No… this is a test of wills. Of the mind. It is their test alone to pass or fail.” Reddling bit his tongue as he looked at the commander, trying to ready his next question for a few moments.

“Nopony should have to stand alone, but so be it, this is your test. Where is the next objective?” Reddling asked, trying to keep attitude out of his voice.

“Not my test, her test.” Iron Hooves corrected Reddling, motioning to Princess Luna. The Princess was still standing totally still, entranced in casting her spell.

“Who is giving the test is irrelevant. You’re dodging my question.” Reddling pressed.

Iron Hooves muttered something that Reddling could not hear about “magic” before continuing his unhappy observation of the recruits. “You’re still here, you’ve passed.”

Letting out a sigh, Reddling finally relaxed, looking at the commander. “Forgive my skepticism, I don’t exactly trust magic to not have some hidden trick.” But I did it… ahaha, haha, I did it! I’m into the guard! I’m actually doing this… I’m so close I can taste it! Reddling laughed internally to himself as the clearing finally left nothing but lucid eyed recruits looking very confused. Most of the ponies had left, their motions mocking their bodies as if some new duty had arisen, striking some terrible insecurity in their minds.

With a snap of her head, Luna left her trance, observing the ponies standing before her. For several minutes, nopony said anything. Sitting down with a wince of pain, Reddling rubbed his back near the spine, working on the muscles until they stopped tensing up and returned to normal. After what felt like an age, Luna finally spoke.

“We must apologize. Such a test of the mind can be painful, painful in ways that ponies ought not to experience. But to join the Night Guard, one must be strong not just in body, but in heart, mind, and spirit.”

I’m fully commited to my goal Luna, Not even your alicorn magic will make me waiver. I cannot fail… ahaha.

“Those of you who are left, you are worthy of joining the Night Guard. Congratulations. We would like to meet with all of you privately, then you will be transferred and admitted into the guard. You will begin your training tomorrow to be a loyal soldier of the Night. Come.” Luna turned to leave, and leaving their training weapons where they fell, the commander and other recruits all moved ahead of Reddling. The world around them seemed to blur, paths, streets, and buildings melting together until a few walls stood around them in the dimly lit Canterlot Palace. Only six ponies remained now, those who had been deemed “Worthy’ to receive admittance to the Night Guard. Reddling did not bother to take in the hues of green, grey and blue shuffling past him as everypony settled into waiting to be called.

I don’t want to wait with these breedists… these racists. Almost as if she had read his mind, Luna motioned to Reddling.

“We wish to speak to each of you in private, would you like to begin?” The Princess of the Night asked.

The words rolled off of Reddlings tongue like smooth silk as he smiled. “It would be an honour, Your Highness.” Smiling at the pleasantness, she motioned for him to follow as she went into an adjacent room, every movement dignified, radiating a proper princess manner.

Entering close behind, Reddling found himself suddenly in a dark room. Some faint light seemed to gleam from an unknown source, casting everything in a greyish dim light, something like the dusk on a night in midwinter. Behind a desk sat the Princess, with commander Iron Hooves posted at the door.

“First let us personally congratulate you on your success. What is your name?” Luna’s voice was coy and measured.

“Reddling, Your Highness.”

“We watched your performance as you sparred. Truth be told, success in battling is not just to judge your ability to fight, but also the manner in which one fights. You were quite ruthless.” Luna betrayed nothing with her words, stating everything and a fact that could not be negotiated.

“Show your enemies not mercy, for you shall receive none. History shows this, Your Highness.” Reddling felt his back give a twinge as he said the last part, but now was no time to rub a tense muscle.

“Hm. What did you see in your vision?”

For a moment, everything stood still. Reddling could never tell her exactly what he saw; it would most certainly mean death on site. But he could be abrasive and speak very generically. “Your Highness, ponies judging me. Judging my…” Reddling turned to look at his back, and the lack of wings. “A handicap if you will, Princess. I… I was told I could not succeed, to go home,” go home, or they’d kill me… “… I refused, and- and I stood my ground. When they tried to force me to waiver, I fought back. After that, I was lucid.”

Luna only seemed to half muse over the words that Reddling gave her before leaning forward, twirling a pen absent-mindedly for a moment before setting it back down. “Your accent… You are far from home. What has brought you to our lands?” Her voice was not hostile, and her mood did not seem to shift an inch. Even so, Reddling could not help but shiver as the temperature in the room seemed to drop below freezing point.

“Monsters don’t discriminate. Enemies are relentless. A tirade of threats could face us any day. If trouble begins, it- it will consume Silverfield, and they cannot protect themselves.” Reddling felt his nose twitch as he forced out the next part, which was only half a lie. “I’d rather surrender myself to… an Equestrian order, than see it burn… the silver fields just burning, I think you can understand, Your Highness.” Looking up from the pen, Reddling met the eyes of his foe, trying not to betray the fear that was grinding into every one of his bones.

Luna’s words graced the air as she slowly nodded. “Though there has been animosity between our nations in the past, such things are long past, and ought to be buried and forgotten. Perhaps you may be the one who bridges the schism of the past, and this shall be your chance to prove yourself.” Reddling almost wanted to burst into song and dance as an internal smile spread, pushing away all of the fear drilling inside of him.

“This position carries its benefits, both in opportunities to learn and serve, as well as rewards. Though, given your heritage, I doubt you are interested in the money. For most, the salary is sent to family. Unless you have some kin in Equestria, we will have your funds saved to an account for later.” Luna continued her statement looking away for a moment before her eyes shifted to stare directly into the bitter soul of the pony before her. “I assume you understand what you are volunteering for.”

It took no thought for Reddling to nod. “I would like a small sum to send back home, if that is possible.” Rainy… I wonder how you’re growing up? How are you doing in that old fortress? I never could seem to repair anything that well on my own.

Reddling’s thoughts were interrupted as Luna spoke once more. “Of course, it is your money to do with as you please.” Luna slid a long paper towards the edge of the desk. “Simply sign here and we will transfer you from your current position.”

Every bit of the paper seemed to be covered in little shelves of text, all of it in a nigh unreadable font. Most of it spelled out inconsequential jargon that made no sense to even the ponies that wrote them, but the few spots that stood out were the waivers of liabilities, transfer of duties, and definition of terms. At the very bottom was a place to sign.

I’m going to regret this, aren’t I? Reddling took the pen in his mouth and scrawled his signature across the paper, returning to an attention stance once he finished.

“Very well then, are you ready?” Luna mused, nodding more over Reddling’s shoulder than to him.

“Yes, Your Highness.” From the corner of Reddling’s eye, he saw the commander step back a bit as the lights went out, everything going dark. A terrible sinking twinge of panic hit Reddling as something deep inside of him cried out for him to flee this room. His heart began to beat out every single beat it could, the room dark as the deadest of winter night, a chilling black that wrapped around you endlessly like a spinning ride. It was only a few seconds before Reddling could feel the cold permeating his limbs. Maybe if he could have applied thought processes to whatever was happening, Reddling might have had a word for all of this- or at least something to calm the cold sweat rolling across his body.

From the darkness, a hoof suddenly wrapped itself around Reddling’s neck, and a second placed itself on his head. Reddling screamed like a small filly, and while indeed his voice did not actually sound far from it, nopony heard the cry. There was a prick, like something digging itself into Reddling’s neck a he fought whatever was holding him. Spasming, kicking, screaming, and crying, he tried to fight off whatever had its vice like grip on his body.

Everything was fading, going cold and dark, then numb. At first, only the room and physical features faded away, but then every memory seemed to be fading.

Fighting with every ounce of energy, Reddling gave out a few more feeble kicks, all of which struck out and ached like his body had fallen asleep and gone numb. Whatever the wound was, it was sapping all of the strength out of him, draining his power like a plug pulled from a bathtub or the bottom being kicked off a barrel.

No… Don’t die, please, please don’t die. I-I don’t want to die! Reddling was crying on the floor, his body shaking as the last few feelings of being a pony drained away. The last words he heard echoed in his head before it all slipped away, the darkness stealing the world away.

"Pleasant Dreams, Reddling Rain."

…NO!

I feel… cold…

Reddling could finally feel something again as he awoke, trying to make sense of anything. Nothing that he tried would come to mind though, and the only thing that seemed to make sense was that he was in a bed under some warm covers. Unable to come to a single better conclusion for the next best move, Reddling curled himself into a fetal position and sobbed into the pillow. Warm, hot fury was striking the fabric until it became damp, the smell of salt becoming steadily more and more potent as despite his best efforts and small stature, Reddling’s crying was more along the lines of a small filly than a colt. Everything seemed so lost and confused, nothing would make sense at all, but the salty air felt good to breath in.

After what felt like forever, Reddling found his face dry. With a hard rasp of breath, he finally pulled himself up, but not out from under the covers to see everything. The sound of his breathing was like an echo of death rattling around the room and cutting the air before splitting the throat of its creator from the inside out. The room was small but respectable, private albeit dark. The bed was comfortable and had warm sheets, although the only window here seemed to be shut with several blinds, no light leaking through. The only glimmer of light came from a small crack in the door, where a letter had been slipped through.

Reddling didn’t have a problem making out the shapes of everything in the dark as he pushed out of bed, crawling across the floor to the letter and fumbling with the packaging before it was opened. As he wormed across the floor, Reddling took in the scarcity of anything in the room. There were no decorations, and only a small bag that seemed to hold clothes and a knife shaped package rested against the bed. On a small table nearby was a full suit of purple Night Guard armor, but it was difficult to get a good look at it from the floor.

With a little “ah!” of excitement, Reddling got the letter open finally, and began to scan the brief contents. The letter was written on what he was sure was the thickest parchment know to ponykind, but the fancy writing on it was par to none.

Looking outside at the light, Reddling only crawled on his belly back to his bed, picking himself off the floor and cowering back under the covers, waiting for the sun to set. Getting back into bed had given him the weirdest feeling though, like the sheets had suddenly become very uncomfortable on his back and sides. Putting the feeling out of his mind, Reddling simply tucked himself in, not caring for the echoing sounds of his breath as reasonable thought began to return with the grogginess of sleep fading. Odd hell here… is this what it feels like in hell? Did I die? No… it can’t be. Reddling reached a hoof up to grab his neck and feel the side. There was a small prick here… yes, he was quite sure that recently he’d sustained a wound here, but nothing that should have been really serious. Not ready to wrestle with what could possibly have happened, Reddling again buried his face in his pillow, breathing his own hot breath back in for a few moments before pulling up and gasping hard for fresh air.

Reddling couldn’t help but feel a pain on his sides… how weird they felt. But they always felt weird, Silverfield doesn’t have Pegasus ponies. They always felt this way.

No! Different! A tiny voice echoed in Reddling’s mind, invoking him to only roll around in the covers, his most favorite pastime. Voices were a common part of living, but right now he was in no mood at all to have a reasonable conversation arguing against himself. After judging what must have been an hour, the voice in his head got extremely irritated, yelling at him to get out of bed and check his back already. Looking for a mirror as he jumped up, Reddling turned his head to look behind him, his hooves prepared to quell a terrible itch.

They were long and dark, crossed with blood vessels, skin, and bones. At the end, they had claws that looked like partially functional fingers of some manner. These could have been pulled out of any reasonable storybook.

What, I don’t…? Before Reddling could even give himself another thought, he felt everything go black, the sound of his body thumping the ground echoing around the room as he fell asleep once more.