The week passed without any sign of Nightshade or Tops. Reddling had decided to avoid the two of them for his own safety, but despite the fact that Web was just like the two of them he was unable to keep himself away from her. She had seen it fit to force her presence around him, and even when Lunar was trying to give instructions on the finer usage of his sword, she would regularly giggle from the sidelines every time he made a mistake. While it had been acceptable on Tuesday, by Saturday Reddling found himself weary of being made fun of, even if he did enjoy her laugh. Her unending friendly teasing made it no easier for him to learn how to use Equestrian blades. While they were not so different from Silverfieldian steel, the balance of the blade continued to feel off.

Days normally ended with Midnight sparring with Reddling, and the only changing factor was their speed and deadliness. Even when Lunar would join in, Reddling found himself easily able to match the larger stallion’s power and superior skills with his agility and smaller frame. Bruiser and Reddling had reached a nonverbal agreement to avoid sparing, as it usually ended with Reddling running around in circles until he was dizzy and Bruiser huffing as he covered his hammer in nothing but mud and small twigs.

After practice ended for the week, the three of them fell into the mess hall to get a feast of mangoes. With Tops and Nightshade gone, there had been an overabundance of the sweet fruit, and what gave them the right to let it go to waste?

Tonight however, was different. Reddling felt his head jerk slightly as he heard the doors open and three sets of hooves began to enter. He had become ready for this, as much as it was hurting him inside. Over the course of the week he had gone from deciding to avoid Tops and Nightshade to pretending they did not exist. Unless his work directly required it, they would simply not be there at all. It left a bitter cold burning in his chest to do this, but he knew in the long run it would be for the better. It was not the treatment of Nightshade that bothered him so much, but rather the treatment he knew Tops would have to endure. Above the others, Reddling felt drawn to Tops as if they were somehow related, like brothers. There was still this feeling of familiarity between them he could not place.

“Tops! Nightshade! How the hell have you been!” Bruiser leapt up from the table to hug them both. Reddling kept his back turned as Tops and Nightshade continued to the table.

“Learning magic and stuff. It’s been rough.” Tops’ voice grew closer as he limped over to the table to sit across from Reddling. While his splint was gone now, he still had the a small remaining limp. A spare apple in Reddling’s hoof began to burst as he pressed it slowly into his tray, the skin giving way and juice leaked from the flesh. I'll learn you some magic, you- you Equestrians. What gives you the right to have soul consuming power that you will just squander?

“Reddling and I went out looking for you when you didn’t come back, and there was some screwed up… something in the woods!” Bruiser proclaimed, taking his seat as Nightshade sat next to Tops, averting her eyes from Reddling. Reddling winced at how awful they looked. Their eyes had heavy bags under them as if they had not slept in days, and they both seemed ravenous as they tore at their food, gulping it down gratefully. Despite the assurances that various ponies had given him that they would be okay, Reddling could not help but be horrified at the condition of the two. To him they looked more like victims of moderate torture rather than trainees learning "magic".

“You didn’t need to do that, we were fine… Cobalt was taking care of us.” Tops said uncomfortably, looking at Reddling from across the table, as if he expected a comment. However, no comment came from Reddling as he bitterly stewed over his troubled thoughts.

Reddling continued to squeeze his apple into his tray, still not looking at his friend. What are you talking about? Both of you look completely awful. Taking care of you? I guess that’s because monsters need to be taken care of, don’t they? You're my friends, I want to take care of my friends, but you're also monsters. I can't associate with monsters. Reddling blinked and stood up as there was a loud splat. His apple had finally suffered too much strain and flattened against his tray, leaving specks of juice on everypony’s face. Without so much as a sorry, Reddling turned for the doors. Behind him, he could see Midnight rise too as Tops looked at Nightshade, concern written on Tops' face.

“I am pleased you two are well, but I must away, I am afraid. Enjoy your dinner, it is good to see you back.” Midnight said as he hurried outside after Reddling, letting the door close quietly behind him. Reddling had stopped himself outside the door, and was glaring at practice field while his friend approached in the chilled night air.

---

“Pardon me for intruding, Reddling, but is something the matter?” Midnight asked, the concern evident in his voice. Reddling stared out at the night, blinking into the blackness as his mind ate itself from the inside out. There had been many things that had been upsetting Reddling as of late. He felt a strong urge to punch Midnight and tell him that daily nightmares had been driving him over the edge. There was also an equally strong urge telling him to sneer at his friend and call him every racist insult he could think of before running away to Silverfield and leaving this lie of a life behind.

It was the third equally strong urge however, that Reddling acted on. Grinning fangily and laughing as he turned towards Midnight, Reddling gave him a complete and utter lie. “I can’t imagine what would possess you to ask such a thing, Midnight! I’m… peachy, is that the word?”

Midnight did not waver, in fact, he only drew closer so that some faint light from the moon cast the shadows away from his face. “Despite your previous concern for their well being, you said not a word on their return. Are you not pleased to see them return well, safe and sound?

What exactly looks well about them? They look like one more week with Cobalt would have made them little more than corpses! “I was hoping that nopony would notice.” Reddling said coldly. “Besides, there is nothing I can say that wasn’t said by Bruiser or yourself.”

They’re suffering though, suffering from an evil of Equestria that was forced on them. Because of Equestria, they have been wronged- and in that way, we are kin. One way or another, I will find a way to help them solve this in the end and free them from the grips of evil. Reddling thought, living out his little fantasies in his head.

“Reddling, you still with me?” Midnight waved a hoof in front of Reddling's face, who shook his head yes quickly.

“Do you still feel uncomfortable regarding the powers they have accepted?" Midnight repeated his question, which Reddling could not remember being asked in the first place.

“No, I may take them at some point if they offer themselves again, I’m unsure.” Reddling lied. “I’ll withhold my judgement on the matter until I have walked the same path.”

Midnight let out an exasperated sigh. “Your aloof behavior is most strange, Reddling- Ah, I apologize, I should not judge… I’m sure you have your reasons.”

“You’re judgments are fine, I welcome them-" Reddling said determinedly. "We cannot work together if we keep secrets.” Reddling said as Midnight winced, almost as if Reddling’s word were knives thrown at his head.

“Indeed. Regardless, I am most weary, and shall retire shortly. Are you looking forward to your leave tomorrow?” Midnight asked.

“I- actually wanted to know something about that. Does Canterlot have a library that is open at night?” Reddling replied, looking hopefully at Midnight.

“Public libraries, perhaps not, although I believe the Royal Library is open most all hours. Being affiliated with the Royal University, I believe they are generally available- although certain wings are restricted.” There was something in the ending of Midnight’s statement that told Reddling he knew exactly why the question had been posed. “Luna’s fall was a shameful time in our history. Much is hidden, secret, or lost. Rumors and legends and superstition are abound. I am well studied on the time- including The Nightmare- and even I cannot say what is an old mares tale, and what touches the truth.”

“Look, if you have the name of a book, it’s as good a place to start as any.” Reddling said impatiently.

“Certainly. I have a few volumes on the topic, if you wish to read them? We could get them tonight or-” Midnight offered.

“Tonight.” Redding cut him off. Midnight almost seemed excited now.

“Ah excellent! Come!” Midnight turned to trot to his quarters. Midnight's quarters proved the direct opposite of Web’s quarters. While Web usually had some small creature fleeing her, Midnight’s quarters lacked any pets, and all of his personal effects were neatly folded and stored in a tidy fashion. On a shelf above his bed there was a symbol of the moon carved from obsidian along with several books. Any light inside the room that might be used for reading appeared to come from a few candles that rested on his desk, although they appeared to not have been used in quite some time, a thin layer of dust covering the top of them. Midnight pulled out a large volume and held it for a moment, looking over his shoulder and hesitating.

“I’ll take care of it, Midnight, I promise.” Reddling encouraged, eying the volume greedily.

“Yes, I believe you, it’s just… At one time, these volumes were so very important to me, but now that I have the chance to serve Luna herself, they feel… meaningless. In achieving this great honor, that I desired more than anything else, it is like I have lost a part of myself…” Midnight’s voice had quickly gone from excitement to depression, his face a dismal shell as he stared at the book. Reddling took a few steps forward, putting a hoof on the blue pony’s shoulder.

“Midnight, I- I know what it’s like to lose a part of yourself. But sometimes you have to lose those parts of yourself to become greater.” Reddling waited for his back to twinge, but all that happened was his wings stood up, tucking themselves back into a more comfortable position.

Midnight stood up a little taller now. “The Night Guard presents the chance to find oneself again. I trust I shall find a new direction in my time here.” Midnight turned, pushing the book into Reddling’s hooves. “Keep the book, I no longer need it.”

“Thank you Midnight, thank you.” Reddling bowed his head, heading for the door now.

Midnight’s confidence had returned, and his face a fierce picture of determination. “Anytime, Reddling. Enjoy the book.” Reddling quickly trotted back to his place, squinting at the ground in order to keep the slowly rising sun from irritating his eyes. He’d grown very use to not having a helmet, but that did not make him miss the shielding it gave his eyes any less. Still, Web had proved to be correct about getting used to sunlight, and the sun was hardly a major issue anymore as long as he kept his eyes squinted and did not look anywhere close to it. Evening and Mornings proved to be the worst, since it effectively meant he was blind when walking one direction, but luckily this only lasted for maybe an hour or so.

When Reddling returned to his quarters he tore off his armor and weapons, piling them neatly on his desk before setting the book on his bed. It was quite an old book, with the cover made of leather- a rare commodity in both Equestria and Silverfield –and bound on the side with some manner of tempered metal. The front of the book bore a tarnished symbol of a unicorn’s head.

Reddling flipped the book open, gazing at the pictures. Each page was stylized in a typical Equestrian manner, although parts of it proved to be too obscure for him to understand. While he had read Equestrian before, much of the actual content in the book had been scribed in ink to either refine words or create entirely new passages on the sides of pictures. The story remained intact however, and Reddling found himself impressed by the artwork. Fantastic landscapes stretched on each page, detailing Luna and Celestia performing every kind of feat and wonder; the founding of Equestria, the defeat of Discord, and then Luna, her face marred by the Nightmare. Even in the darkness that was crippling her, there was something terrifying and yet majestic about her appearance. She wore the same kind of Armor that Reddling had seen adorn his body in The Nightmare, although hers was more misty on the edges, as if she was an incorporeal being.

Despite her sacrifices, and devotion to her noble duty, she continued to be shunned and pushed away by the ponies she cared for most. Even her noble sister dismissed her concerns, and left her to her despair. The weariness and bitterness in her heart grew, and one day, she succumbed to it.

So I have to accept my helplessness? Yeah… succumb to the darkness.

Driven past her breaking point, she surrendered her royal duties, and turned her back on her obligations. With that, the Veil thinned, and the world around her also fell into darkness. Unchained Nightmares roamed freely, terrorizing the land, and the Moon refused to make way for the Sun. As the darkness deepened, and the world fell into the shadows, so too was she enshadowed, and transformed into Nightmare Moon.

Reddling traced his hoof over a picture of Nightmare Moon, who was standing proud and terrible in a field of darkness, a set of glowing yellow eyes the only stars in the sky. Reddling shut the book, pushing it aside for the moment. The volume was huge, and even if he spent a month reading it, he was doubtful that he could finish it, much less even begin to make out the inscribed notes in the book.

---

The next night only Bruiser and Web were still in the mess hall when Reddling arrived. The earth pony quietly cursed about never getting a day off as Reddling took his plate over to sit by Web, who had taken to a corner and appeared surly.

“Something on your mind, Web?” Reddling asked, looking up at her and blinking. Web gave a snort and laid her ear against the table, tapping a hoof.

“Hmph. Yeah. Stuck at camp today. I’m grounded still.” Web idly rolled her eyes.

“You’re still grounded over that museum thing? Sheesh, how much longer are you stuck with nothing fun to do?” Reddling asked, taking a bite out of his apple.

“Oh, another few weeks, then I’ll worm my way out of it and we can go have some fun.” Web picked her head up and leaned forward to whisper to him softly. “And this time, we won’t get caught.” Web took out her knife and quickly cleaned it before she nicked an apple off Reddling’s tray, polishing it a bit before she began to cut it up.

“I’m looking forward to it.” Reddling said, ignoring the theft of part of his breakfast.

“Oh, you’re making such a fantastic bat! Eehehe!” Web giggled as she cut her apple into one last set of eight slices. “Going to town tonight?”

Reddling opened his mouth to retort that he didn’t want to make a fantastic bat, but any sound he got out was drowned by Bruiser hollering his name from the doorway. “Reddling! Haha, ya got plans tonight? We’re going out, thought you might like to come along- just no more grain alcohol!”

“Who does “we” encompass?” Reddling asked, putting a hoof on his forehead and closing his eyes.

“All of us, ‘cept Nightshade, she’s being a stick in the mud.” Bruiser said.

“Maybe that’d make a better cutie mark for her then. I don’t know, when are you guys going to head out and where? I may stop by.” Reddling kept his eyes closed, trying to not think about any of the monsters around him.

“Probably hitting up some bars. I dunno. It’s the city! All sorts of stuff to do!” Bruiser gave a small skip impatiently, which made the entire building shake just the tiniest bit.

“I hope you’re leaving soon, everything fun closes early, unless you count breaking into museums and killing Diamond Dogs as fun." Reddling smiled slightly for Web, despite the fact he himself was not a fan of their misadventures.

Bruiser gave his hearty laugh. “Haha, whatever floats your boat man. So ya comin’ or what?”

“We might run into each other. Don’t wait up for me.” Reddling opened his eyes again, picking up a half of his mango and chewing into the flesh.

“Fine then.” Bruiser snorted. “Seeya around.”

“Have a drink for me.” Reddling said absentmindedly. The mango today was not the quality he had grown to expect, and it was quickly irritating him.

“Do you have any plans today at all? I guess everypony else is… drinking.” Reddling asked Web, tossing the mango aside and picking up an apple.

“Hmmm! I’ll probably just be… putting some things together. You all keep using up all my healing salve, eeehehee!”

“Not on purpose, I guess I’ll just entertain myself with something then. Try to have a good day, Web?” Reddling stood up, taking the apple with him as Web sucked the life out of an apple slice, tossing it aside.

“Buy-bye, sweetie!” Web cooed. Reddling gave her a smile, but as soon as he was sure she could not see his face, he felt his mouth twitch. The bottom line here was that these ponies were still the enemy, and as comfortable as he might be around some of them, he had to keep that in mind. Reddling was able to be honest with himself though- he felt something for Web, but it was something that he had no word for. A draw and closeness that he wasn't going to just give up.

---

Web opened the door as Reddling knocked. “Reddling, back so soon- Oh, again? Goodness!” Web stood back as Reddling trotted inside, holding a wing over his bleeding shoulder. “And here I thought my job here was going to be boring today.”

Reddling groaned as he lifted his wing, sitting down on Web’s bed to show blood running all down his front, staining his armor and coat with the dark red sticky substance. “I guess I don’t play well with others.”

Web let out a little moan in her mouth. “A bat after my own heart…” Soon she was pressing a wet sponge against the wound, wiping the blood away and fetching some gauze. “A simple bandage will be fine. You’ll survive.”

“Equestria is full of dangerous monsters, isn’t it?” Reddling asked sarcastically as he winced, the sponge stinging the exposed flesh.

Web’s looked at him dead in the eyes, both of her bright ovals plates flashing. “Oh, yes.” Reddling looked down as she said yes, feeling something suffocating rise up in his chest, pressing his organs against the sides of his body. Web let out a little giggle at the pain on his face, then quickly finished cleaning off the wound.

“How much did you hear, Web? When I was asleep the other day, I heard I talk in my sleep once.” Reddling bit back the feeling in his chest, holding his chin up.

“I heard you saying my name- So lovingly…”

“Lovingly? Uh, I was having a nice dream.” Reddling lied. "Normally I have nightmares." Reddling kept his chin up as Web gave him a quick hug before wrapping a bandage around the wound.

“Having bad dreams?” Web asked. Reddling nodded to her.

“Constantly, I-“

“Would you like them to stop?” Web cut him off.

Reddling looked at her with an exasperated sigh. “Trust me, if I could do a little dance and they’d stop, I’d totally do it.”

“Well, I’ll whip you something up then. A nice, pleasant, dark, dreamless sleep…” Web trailed off, starting to scan the various jars on the walls.

Reddling blinked at her blankly. “You can- I mean, I’d welcome that, actually.”

Web did a little skip over to her table, pulling down some different jars. “Ooh! It’ll put you to sleep and stave off all your nasty dreams! Oh, and the nice ones, but who pays attention to those…” Her voice sounded gleeful as she began grabbed an empty jar, wiping it out with a cloth quickly.

“And the nice ones? You must not have very many nice dreams.” Reddling said to her back.

“I enjoy all of my dreams, Reddling. Now,” Web turned back to him, looking at him intently. “If you start taking it, make sure to not suddenly stop. If you’re going to keep nightmares like this down, well, when it has a chance to come back, it comes back with a vengeance.” Web gave a giggle at the end, turning back to her work.

“That actually sounds like it could be fun, storing up one hundred dreams.” Reddling mused. It actually didn’t seem like such a horrible idea, but more like it would be some sort of superdrug that gave an endless day of high.

“A hundred dreams, and a hundred nightmares.” Web said. “They’ll all come at once, together- like a veil being ripped down, a floodgate opening.”

“I think I might like to try it, sometime.” Reddling stood up, stretching his body, careful not to disturb his bandage too much. Maybe I can use it to summon The Nightmare.

“Then I have work to do!” Web said, stacking various jars of odd liquids next to each other, pulling a few plants and roots from here and there and laying them next to a mortar and pestle. A little hot plate ticked on with a fire under it as she put a small mix over heat. The entire scene was more creepy than the Nightmare as she pulled at so many different ingredients that Reddling couldn’t name. Quickly, she pulled something Reddling could not see out of a jar. Part of its dark shape thrashed and hissed as Web held it, but she quickly put her hooves together and with a snap, the creature went quiet.

Reddling found himself enthralled in the most creepy of ways by Web’s handiwork. It was not that he was not purely revolted by the different things she expected him to put in his body in order to get a good night’s sleep, but he simply could not pull away from the scene. A few chopped things on the table and some ground up plants later, the air shimmered with fumes as she pulled the jar away from the heat, sealing a cap around it and turning to him, wrapping some cloth around the jar. From what Reddling could see, it appeared to be but a jar of murky black liquid with no amazing qualities.

“Black Agnosia. Take but a sip before bed.” Web said, pushing the jar towards him. “Tiny sip! Understand?”

“Take a sip before bed, right, and no more than that.” Repeated Reddling back to her. “Any side effects of overdosing?”

“You might have trouble waking up- or worse. Just don’t forget, when you run low, come to me for more. If you want to stop, ask me how.” Reddling nodded at her words a bit fearfully. There was something about Web that gave him the feeling right now he should put her bubbly disposition aside and take these warnings seriously. Web gave a sigh, looking wistfully at a small scorpion on her table she had vivisected. “I’ve got a bit more work to take care of tonight. I’m sure you understand.”

“Of course.” Reddling said, trotting to the door. “Thank you, I’ll be seeing you, Web?” Web nodded, giving one of her full laughs, the kind that made even Reddling wince. It was a soft bell of a crackle that was akin to that of a child when they know they’ve done something wrong and do not care.

Next Chapter: Poison Estimated time remaining: 12 Hours, 54 Minutes