Midnight Tales stretched his hind legs as he stood outside of his barracks. For the first time in his life, everything was going absolutely right. Sure, he had lost an eye, but the great Princess Luna May she live forever had finally realized his dedication to the Night Guard. Midnight had been given an entire timeslot where he would be Princess Luna's May she live forever personal guard. The best part was that the other guard on the timeslot, Bruiser, who was more than happy to spend his time drinking at a bar and allowing Midnight to cover for him.

Unfortunately, this arrangement was only for every other day. When Midnight was not at Luna's May she live forever side, she planned to have him running odd errands to gather supplies to cure Princess Cadance. While Midnight was not happy about this, if it was the Night Mother's will, he was not going to question it.

On this particular night, Midnight gave a sigh as he stood near Princess Luna's May she live forever table with two of Princess Celestia's royal guards and another bat pony. The bat pony was, of course, not a real bat pony, but Star Shine, the Changeling Reddling had gained a pardon for. Princess Luna May she live forever, Princess Celestia, and Princess Cadance were all enjoying tea. Princess Cadance poured out three cups for them, smiling as she drank first. Midnight watched as Princess Luna May she live forever sipped next, and Celestia brought the tea up to her lips before stopping. Luna May she live forever dropped her glass, the cup shattering on the ground and spilling it's contents everywhere. She shook back and forth for a bit, blinking wildly.

"Sister?" Celestia asked, leaning towards Luna May she live forever. "Are you okay?" Luna May she live forever shook her head no, turning to look at the tea, then staring at the other two Princesses. Midnight felt his heart skip a few beats as Luna fell to the floor.

"Web!" Luna cried out before her voice died. Luna closed her eyes, some of her hooves giving off mild seizures.

"Seize Princess Cadance!" Celestia cried, pointing her hoof at a surprised Princess Cadance. "You have deceived us twice now! Throw her in the dungeons, and seize former Captain Shining Armor as well for treason!"

Midnight only blinked as he rushed over to Princess Luna's side, yelling at Star Shine to get Web before freezing and staring up at Star Shine. The changeling, still in a bat pony disguise, locked eyes with Midnight.

"You two-faced mole!" Midnight cried, drawing his blade and charging Star Shine. sensing it was time to be leaving, Star Shine turned and smashed through a recently replaced window, flying out onto the roof of Canterlot Castle. Midnight was right behind him, sword in mouth as he growled at his prey. Once on the roof, Star Shine turned to face Midnight, hissing in a very unponylike way. Moving his sword to a hoof as he flapped his wings, Midnight rose to his full height as he pointed the blade down at the Changeling.

"You! She pardoned you, and now you poison her!" Midnight had tears of fury in his eyes as he flourished his blade. "I'll kill you!"

"You'll need to catch me first." Star Shine said quietly, jumping off the roof and sliding down the wall towards the Castle courtyards. Midnight cried out for the evening Pegasus ponies to help him as Star Shine made a run for the gate.

"Gate ponies! Stop him!" Midnight cried, pointing at two ponies standing guard.

"Oi, you, stop!" Cried Private Snuffleberry, the current pony posted at the gate.

"Shut up you dummy, he's chasing somepony!" Private first class Buzzleleaf cried, pushing Snuffleberry back. "We gotta let the Night Guard pass!"

"Thanks." Star Shine hissed as he slipped into the streets. Midnight rushed past the two ponies and stopped once he was outside the main gate, staring out at the vastness of Canterlot. His sword clattered to the ground as he dropped it, his wings giving out as he stared sadly at the maze of homes, offices, and businesses. The Changeling could have already changed shape into something and Midnight wouldn't be able to tell the difference.

"Eh, aren't ya supposed to be chasin' something?" Private Snuffleberry asked Midnight. Midnight let out a sad grown as he sheathed his sword, lowering his head sadly and turning on his hooves, flying back to Luna's side.

Princess Luna will be okay? Midnight's hopes were dashed as soon as he arrived in the tea room. Web was already there, and had Luna on a cot.

"Get her to her room NOW!" Web screamed at two sunponies, actually spitting in the face of one. "Midnight! haul those damn traitor to the dungeons. I can't do your damn work for you! GIT!" Web turned in a fury, staring at Shining armor and Princess Cadance. Both were in chains that prevented them from doing much more than a slow march, and odd rings had been magically attached to their horns to prevent magic.

"Damn you." Web said, bending down to look at Shining Armor and Princess Cadance in the eye. "I can't wait to execute your bride."

"Don't you touch her!" Shining said angrily, leaning forward to growl at Web. With a quick spin, Web landed a kick in Shining Armor's face, knocking him off his hooves and onto his side. Shining moved his hooves up to wipe some blood off his cheek as Cadance went over to him, holding him down.

"No more, Shining-" Princess Cadance whispered.

"No more?" Web cried angrily, going over to both of them, "You pathetic lumps of trash." Web landed a sharp kick in Shining's gut before putting a hoof on the side of his face, pushing it into the ground.

"Do you even know what you're doing? Maybe Cadance will make you a drone too, then I can execute you both the same way. Wouldn't that be great? I'll have all the fun then." Web pushed down on Shining's head for a few moments before lifting her hoof up and bashing it into the Captain's head once more.

"Enough, Web!" Midnight yelled, moving over to her side. Web looked up, blinking, then gave a slight nod.

"You too, Midnight?" She asked.

"You should be saving Princess Luna's life, she called for you! Leave these two to us!" Midnight said fiercely.

"...You're no fun. Fine, take good care of them." Web hissed, turning and leaving the room with a bit of a wag to her tail.

"Th-Thank you." Cadance said to Midnight, looking up at him hopefully. Midnight stared down coldly at the Princess, his face stoic and unflinching under his helmet.

"Royal Guard, throw these two traitors into the darkest hole you can find, and put them under constant guard. I don't want anypony near them. Defer to your new captain's orders when Princess Celestia finds a replacement." Midnight said.

"No- No, this is a mistake!" Cadance cried. Midnight drew his blade, pointing it at her throat.

"I'd cut off your head, wench, if only I did not wish for Princess Luna to witness your demise personally." Midnight turned with that, sheathing his blade and trotting up towards Princess Luna's room. Even if he couldn't help Web with Princess Luna, he was going to make sure he stood guard and did anything he could to ensure no further harm befell the great bringer of the night.

Next Chapter: Hive Chrysalis Estimated time remaining: 7 Hours, 50 Minutes