“Reddling!”

There was a shrill banging on Reddling’s door as he fumbled in his covers. Loud as the voice was, there was some buzzing in his ears that he could not make out. It obscured the voice like a fuzzy veil. “ Are you alright?” The voice asked.

Feeling himself fall out of bed, Reddling finally made out what the buzzing was- it had been his own frantic breathing rushing past the covers, most likely mixed with other cries and various fits. Reddling took a somewhat composed and quick breath as the darkness of blankets around his head were ripped away, exposing the world very suddenly.

“Don’t touch me, Ah! No, let go! Don’t touch me, get your damn hooves- argh!” Reddling kicked at the blankets as he fought to get away from whatever assailant he could not yet make out through tired eyes.

“Reddling, what is going on?” Reddling shook his head as he focused in on Midnight, who was looking down at him with great concern. Reddling took a few moments to breathe, then looked up at his friend's eyes, blinking confusedly.

“You were making a fuss, I thought I ought to investigate.” Midnight said. Still composing himself, Reddling rolled away from Midnight, sitting up on the end of his bed and touching his head. He was drenched in sweat, but his body felt different than it had before. This time there was a knife stuck sideways through the front of his skull, somewhat like a bad hangover.

"Just, forgot to take some medicine, that's all." Reddling said quietly. "It's important to not miss dosages to keep the nightmares away, at least, until I've prepared to chase them."

Midnight shifted uncomfortably on the other end of the bed, looking down at Reddling. "I'm sure you have no interest in hearing a lecture, but maybe it would be wise if you did not continue this. I do not understand why you treat Tops so horribly, nor your obsession with The Nightmare. It's unhealthy."

"Midnight, I am only seeking to make sure I have the power to protect what I care about, and that means making sure that I embrace all parts of this.. this gift." Reddling wanted to say "curse" at the end, but bit his words back, feeling it wiser to simply mumble his way through the conversation. "Is Web gone? or can I still catch her?"

Midnight let out a sigh as he shook his head. "She left at Sunset, she seemed very eager to begin what she referred to as a 'hunt.'" Reddling turned and blinked, then grabbed for his things.

"There is a wagon, you know." Midnight said. "It can take your things to Canterlot for you, if you'd rather not carry them."

"Thanks, I'll think about it." Reddling said coolly, heading for the door. He hoped that if he got outside for some fresh air, maybe all of yesterday would blur away.

"Wait, Reddling," Midnight said, "I wish to speak to you for a moment about Tops." Reddling turned slowly, leaning against the door with a groan. Waving his hoof slightly to the side, signalling for Midnight to go on.

"Tops thought of you as a friend. I still cannot understand why you treat him so horribly." Reddling shook his head at Midnight, standing up and opening the door.

"No, I don't have time for this." Reddling shot Midnight a nasty look that he hoped would tell him to not raise this topic with him again before letting the door slam shut. In the training field Reddling spotted the wagon, which was mostly filled with Web's things. It saddened him that Web had not stopped by to say goodbye, or that he had not been able to see her off, but at least she was no doubt amusing herself with her "hunt."

---

The flight to Canterlot did not take as long as expected. Before stopping by the barracks, Reddling had taken a time to stop by the various stores that littered Canterlot. He had been unhappy with the way his armor generically stood out during his date with Web, and resolved to make sure that he wore something much nicer the next time they met for anything. Besides that, his dream had shown him wearing a coat, and who was he to challenge the realm of dreams? While the others labeled them as nothing but another realm or silliness, Reddling felt it was destiny.

He’d have never even come to Equestria if he had not been chosen to do so by his cutie mark. It was his destiny to kill the Princesses of Equestria.

Time passed by as the various shadows leapt up into the street. A lantern here or there kept the world lit up, but other than this, there was hardly any light except for an occasional torchholding pony out late. Reddling automatically turned down alleyways to avoid any of Canterlot’s citizens who were out, keeping his wings tucked to his side as he explored the clothing district.

There was something comforting about stalking the night like he was, although Reddling did not really want to admit it to himself. The darkness of nighttime had an air of glory in all of it's calmness, with only the figure of the moon above with scattered stars allowed for any authentic lighting in a world at rest. There was a peacefulness to this time that brought with it fears to normal ponies. Those devoted to the day hid away in the night for fear of monsters or other horrors.

Bat ponies had no such fear. The night was their time, their world, and the shadows did not bring any fear with it. The shadows were nothing for them to hide from- after all, they were the shadows.

Reddling stopped outside a small store that carried many fancy suits and coats. Winter was beginning to approach, so a lot of heavier coats had been moved up to stand in the display below a sign that read “PSS: Perfect Suits, Perfect Silhouettes” in bright, silver lettering. While it wasn't chilly yet, Reddling had so wanted to get a coat when he was in Canterlot last time, and besides that, it might be useful for carrying things discreetly if he needed to get something to another place without it being seen.

Pushing his muzzle on the door, Reddling headed inside. He looked around at the different fancy works hanging up on hangers that kept them in the various displays scattered around the place. There was a desk at the back of the shop, and a tired looking unicorn mare lifted her head up, yawning and brushing back her aqua mane before gasping in excitement, suddenly fully awake at the sight of the Lunar Guard before her.

“A customer! A batpony! Oooh!” The mare pranced forward, looking hopefully at Reddling. “Good evening, may I be of assistance Miss…?”

“…Ter. Yes, good mor- evening.” Reddling said wistfully, looking at various longcoats and vests hanging on the wall as his mouth gave a twitch at the mare’s imprudence. He wasn’t here to improve Canterlot’s ability to tell the difference between males and females, but he had hoped the shopkeepers had a little more tact than the mare before him. “I wanted to have a look at your wares, if you’ll be open for a few more minutes?”

The mare backed up a little at the coldness and terrible distance Reddling had added to his words at being mistaken for a mare, but the shopkeeper quickly regained her composure. “Of course, of course! Is there anything in particular you’re looking for?”

“A longcoat- a lunar longcoat, if possible.” Reddling gazed distantly at the various clothing items that hung from their wire hangers. The mare bounced on her hooves and quickly disappeared.

“I have just the thing!” Reddling jumped a bit as the mare appeared right at his side, holding up a deep blue long coat in her hooves. For a normal stallion, Reddling guessed it might have dropped just above the knees, but for him it was a bit oversized and seemed unnecessary bulky. On the shoulder area there was an extra layer of cloth held down by two triangles of three buttons. The front of the coat also had a very wide opening to it, which showed a silky black interior. While there was no debating that this coat might be as fancy as they come in Canterlot, it also left an odd taste in one’s mouth, as if it was not a coat from Equestria. The coat had two sets of pockets on the outside, two on the upper torso and two that hung right near sleeves that looked much, much too long for Reddling.

“It might need to be hemmed a little, but I think we can make it work for you.” The mare said. Reddling nodded, stunned that such a high quality piece had been kept around. “Well, try it on then!” The mare pushed the coat on him, and Reddling pulled it over himself. The sleeves trailed on the ground, causing his hooves to step on the inside of the sleeves. The coat felt bulky and very oversized, but then, if he ever needed to be covert, it would defiantly help distort his frame. Reddling rolled up the sleeves and stood in front of the mare, trying to find everything wrong with the coat he could. It was not heinously oversized, but it was certainly not going to fit him. The coat even lacked holes for his wings, which was something that he knew could not be compromised in the field.

“Oh, I’ll have to tailor this for you… hmm, you like the coat yes? I can make you a custom one in just your style.” The mare said. Reddling ran the back of his hoof over the well-oiled leather- it was supple, yet tough, and while it might not be blocking any arrows or blades, it would certainly hold up against the elements.

“Yes, that is fine, is it possible to have some accommodation for my wings?” Reddling said plainly, stepping forward as the mare produced dozens of tape measures, rulers, pens, and other various instruments that Reddling did not recognize.

“Yes, that shouldn’t be an issue.” The mare said, helping Reddling take the coat off as she began to measure his shoulders, legs, and chest. When she got to his back and sides, she stopped for a moment, staring at the leathery webbing that protruded from his back.

“I must say, I have never fit a batpony before.” Her voice was something like a small child in awe and disbelief. Reddling simply shrugged at this, his mind flashing at the thoughts of what he had been before this. In Equestria he was a normal earth pony, and at home, well, that was something he wasn’t prepared to dwell on in the middle of a store.

“It takes a little adjustment…” Reddling said quietly, staring at the opposite wall distantly. The paint on the wall appeared to be peeling slightly, and while this place was obviously still high end, it was showing signs that it needed a cleanup and minor repairs.

“All finished!” The pony declared as she snapped a tape measure shut, heading over to her desk and stowing away her tools. Reddling felt a splitting pain in his side as she began to count out all of the larger bits. One by one 20 and ten bit coins stacked on top of each other as the pain began to reach unbearable levels. Finally, when the coat was fully paid for, Reddling snapped the pain shut and put it back on his side, knowing that no band aid or salve was going to heal this wound quickly.

“Have a good night!” The mare smiled as Reddling left. Reddling simply breathed his farewell, not returning her smile.

“Pleasant dreams.”

---

Practice came and went, leaving most of them bruised up and sitting near the still Web-less bleachers. Lunar had decided that the best use for his new recruits was to allow them to serve as target practice for some up and coming crossbowgun unicorns. This lesson had apparently been the plan before Tops had had his leg broken, and Lunar made sure to emphasize this fact heavily as he breathed down Reddling’s neck. The displeasure at still having the red pony in the lineup was palpable as Lunar glared on at the scene, no doubt chuckling the whole time to himself as each bolt rammed itself into their sides, leaving a good stinging pain. When at last they had finished being abused, Lunar called them to fall in, looking quite satisfied with the beating that the recruits had incurred.

“In a real combat situation, any of those arrows would have been sufficient to kill.” Lunar said. Their captain had repeatedly pushed into Reddling’s head indirectly why Web would never consider taking him or any of his friends along to any of her missions, they’d be liabilities. Liabilities she might not be able to save next time.

“However, you also would have more adequate defenses. Real armor, weapons, shields, as well as additional support. Tonight you will be issued some real armor, weapons, and if you wish, shields.” Lunar continued. “You will continue wearing your current attire to practice, but for duties around Canterlot will wear something more appropriate.”

I wonder if any of these Equestrians have been in real combat. Reddling mused. You all seem so sure of this, but combat is unpredictable. Anypony can be gone in the blink of an eye. That’s how fighting is, and monsters don’t care if you were fond of them or not. Monsters like the Snake Ponies in Silverfield, or the monsters that stalk the night- ha, monsters like us? Reddling laughed bitterly to himself as Lunar motioned for the group to follow him. They flew to Canterlot Palace, but instead of heading into the grander parts, ducked under the palace and began to explore the lower parts of the keep. Pale marble floors echoed the weird shapes of the ponies trotting on it, matching flawlessly against ornate brick walls that eventually gave way to more dingy grey bricks, and finally a cave.

Oh, how very bat like. Glad to see they keep the place in mild disrepair, I mean, seriously, who keeps everything totally neat and in place all the time anyway? Reddling watched as the walls passed them by, finally giving way to a stone cavern where various weapons and shields were hanging on the walls.

Reddling trotted with his companions to the various weapons on the walls as Lunar explained that the Night Guard always had its own special form of weaponry. Reddling simply laughed as he stared at all the weapons, noticing how each one was made of a deep blue steel.

These things must be brittle and weak, they won’t serve me well at all in a fight. Reddling thought as he tested out each weapon. They were perfectly balanced in either his hoof or mouth, and the pommels on all the swords were adorned with simple emblems of a crescent moon or a silted eye.

“Armor will be made to fit for each of you, However, any weapon of your choice should suffice. If you see something that catches your eyes, tell me and I will assign it to you.” Lunar said, pulling out a clipboard from a small cupboard, which he dropped with a pen before turning to the armor pieces hanging on the wall. “For the armor, each of you should pick what you feel suits you best, depending on your endurance, strength, size, and style, and complete set will be made to suit your needs.”

Reddling watched as his companions picked out their weapons and proceeded to an adjacent cave, where a bat pony was measuring them for armor in a somewhat similar fashion to how the mare had been measuring him for his coat earlier that night.

Reddling noted the various weapons of his companions as he gathered up his various weapons. Midnight has chosen a large kite shield that he could also attach to his back to cover his wings and a longsword. Bruiser appeared to have drooled on a horrifying looking maul covered in odd spikes and dangerous edges. Tops bore a lance on his back as well as a set of claws that he was trying on his hooves. While the others had all taken time to outfit themselves to their needs, Nightshade had simply chosen a longsword and trotted straight to the next room.

“Throwing knives, knives, and a bastard sword- Reddling....” Lunar jotted down some numbers on a clipboard before tucking it back onto the ground.. “Go get fitted for armor, and I will see you tomorrow night at the practice field.”

Reddling ducked into the next room wordlessly, looking at the various ponies. There were three primary flavors of armor- light, heavy, and medium. Tops was getting suited for a set of medium armor, which included many sturdy looking plates that covered almost all of his body, leaving his neck exposed and only chain mail to cover the joints. Midnight and Bruiser were both getting fitted for Heavy armor, which had enough deadly spikes and heavy plates on it that it seemed like tackling an enemy would be sufficient to subdue them.

Reddling took his place beside Nightshade, paying her no heed as a bat came up with a tape measure and began to measure him for armor quickly. In truth the light armor did not seem to be much different from his ceremonial set he had grown used to training in, although it had extra plating for the plot and legs that made it sufficient for defending against most general attacks in a combat situation. Cloth surrounded chain to keep the armor quiet and covered most of the body. Reddling was not fully sure if it would be possible for him to sneak around in this armor, but it did seem like this was going to be the only choice he could have if he wanted to be able to move silently.

“Aight, hold still.” The armorer bat said, going over the various measurements. Neck to shoulder, shoulder to leg, leg to knee, knee to ankle, shoulder to wing, around the chest, around the stomach, around the hips, hips to knee, and knee to ankle.

“You’re a small one, ain’tcha?” the armorer said, looking at their measurements and then back to Reddling, as if double checking to make sure they were totally accurate.

“… Yes, I suppose you could say that.” Reddling said. He was becoming uncomfortably familiar with the general Equestrian responses. If it was not a comment that insinuated that he was undersized for a colt, then it was always somepony mistaking him for a mare. He was constantly surrounded by foreigners who didn’t seem to have any grasp on the reality of what his breed really looked like.

“Quick, quiet, we respect that. Ain’t nothin’ wrong with bein’ small. Hit’em where it hurts and it don’t matter what size ya’re. The big’uns get stuck on guard duty. You’re the lucky one, I’d say.” The armorer began pulling out different shades of armor, and Reddling picked a darker blue plating, trying to think back to the shade of his coat and hoping that it would match well.

“What do you mean by that?” Reddling demanded, not liking the wording of the pony’s statement at all. His mind was busy imagining a shadow of himself sneaking into places and stabbing ponies in the back, killing them before they had a chance to fight back.

“Eh, Night guard’s for gaurdin’ the Princess, but when nuthin’s going on in Equestria, nothing much to do. Big Uns are good at guardin’. But if you’re small and sneaky, then that opens all sorts of other things you can do. Though, ain’t nothing exciting happening anywhere nowadays, so it’s not really important as-is.” The armorer waved a hoof at Reddling, who backed up as they began to look at different plates and deciding what shapes would work best together.

“So you throw small ponies, perhaps literally, to the wolves huh…” Reddling drifted off in the conversation as the armorer finished up setting pieces on him, making sure everything was in order before allowing him to go and join his other companions, who were all ready to head back to the barracks.

“Quite the trial today, Reddling?” Midnight Tales asked as they all fell into a gaggle, leaving the caverns behind them. Reddling just snorted and looked down.

“Trial? It seemed more like an organized beating.” Reddling said.

“Lunar seemed to favor a very hooves on approach to these things.” Midnight stated, and Reddling snorted again.

“Hooves on?” Reddling asked. “He watched them shoot us with blunt arrows for half of the night.”

“An exercise in shield-work and team-work, with immediate consequences for failure.” Midnight said sagely.

Reddling found himself trying to melt holes in the ground with his eyes. “Teamwork is nice, but it’s best to only rely on yourself. I could fail you, you could fail me. We all have to take care of ourselves, or we’re no good for teamwork. Maybe if they shoot us with arrow enough times it’ll make this stop hurting and we’ll be able to pull through for the 'team.'"

“In the field, I doubt the arrows will be so blunt, I would rather know I can depend on my teammates than pretend that I am skilled enough to dodge a hundred arrows from all directions.” Midnight hesitated for a moment, then continued, “Still, I cannot say that I enjoyed being shot at… Hopefully we will not be abused in such a fashion again.”

“Don’t curse us.” Reddling coughed as they took flight back to the barracks.

Next Chapter: Reddling’s Façade Estimated time remaining: 11 Hours, 60 Minutes