"Reddling Rain of Silverfield, Tree Tops and Nightshade of Equestria, may I present to you, Queen Chysalis." Pupae said grandly, trotting to the side. Reddling raised his hoof and once more gave a Silverfieldian salute by covering one eye and partially bowing his head towards Chrysalis.

"I've met her once before, Princess." Reddling said dismissively. "I am Reddling Rain, a Steward of Silverfield. We come on a hopeful mission of diplomacy."

"Welcome to my hive, ponies of Silverfield and Equestria." Chrysalis said. After staring down for a few moments, she curiously peered forward at Reddling. "You were the one who challenge me at the wedding, weren't you?"

"That is correct. I see you have recovered." Reddling said, studying the queen. For all the harm he had caused her, Chrysalis seemed to have simply shrugged it off like nothing had ever touched her.

"Quite." Chrysalis said cordially. As she rose, more and more drones began to fill the room, curiosity plastered to their faces. The drones near Chrysalis stood up and stayed glued her side, staring down at the ponies before them. "So, tell me, how has Canterlot been faring since we last met?"

Reddling thought for a few moments. Lying wouldn't get him anywhere, and the Changelings would be just the kind of monsters to have ample spies to call him out on any fairy tales he might try to spin. Honesty might be the best policy, but that doesn't mean I can't have my own spin on it.

"You have left terror in the streets. Ponies weep openly for their dead, and still many others mourn for those you left as husks where they fell from feedings." Reddling breathed, keeping his eyes locked on Chrysalis, "The entire city is ripe with fear and on full alert. Panic and some level of orderly chaos remain, yet life continues on, just as it always shall."

"And the Princesses?" Asked Chrysalis.

"Oh, I'm sure you understand." Reddling waved a hoof at Tops and Nightshade. "Celestia wanted me and another executed in full view of the public on her throne room floor after we escorted out an... aesthetically different Princess Cadance to see her aunts. Such order belongs only to Equestrians, striking down their own in madness." Reddling still was not happy about incident in Celestia's throne room. For all he and his friends had done, they were treated like nothing more than criminals.

"Tragic, but the tragedy does not end with your kind. The Changelings have suffered much as well." Chrysalis said, taking a few steps down from her throne. "The majority of our soldiers were committed to that attack, and the majority of our soldiers now lie dead. Our hive will be unable to defend itself against the threats of the land, let alone retaliation by ponykind."

"Hundreds of drones were lost as well- we will be unable to support many members of our hive for much longer. Though there was a glut from what was taken in Canterlot, soon that shall run out, and our less capable members will begin to starve." Chrysalis paused for a few moments, staring down. There was obvious pain in her eyes. Although she still tried to carry herself regally, a certain flame inside of her seemed dead.

"You have easily found our hive. Even if we were to kill you now and try to hide our home, others would find us, and our fate would fall eventually; death at the hooves of Equestria." Chrysalis said defeated, pausing and staring down at the Night Guard. A strange feeling was rising in the room- one of deep sorrow, somewhat like on might feel at a funeral, but much graver. Reddling knew this feeling- it was what he had felt when he had witnesses all the death in Canterlot. Something horrible had welled up in his throat, an his knees felt weak. Again, the feeling repeated itself here.

"While my friends wear weapons, I come before you armed in my clothes and requested for audience and discussion. Please continue, perhaps we can understand each other." Reddling said, waiting for Chrysalis to continue. For a minute, total silence swept through the room, gripping at the walls like an eerie shadow. Finally, Chrysalis spoke, but what she said completely caught Reddling off guard.

"I am a proud Queen, but with the lives, fortune, and future of my hive at stake, I have no choice. Hive Chrysalis surrenders, unconditionally, to Equestria." Chrysalis said, looking down.

Reddling's head snapped back to his friends. Both of their mouths were hanging open slightly as they stared at Chrysalis, obviously equally shocked. I didn't even get a chance to ask for their surrender!

"I would return to Canterlot with you," Chrysalis continued, "To accept terms from your leaders."

Reddling crossed a hoof, thinking quickly. Something was clearly wrong here, but what exactly Chrysalis was playing at, he wasn't fully sure yet. "Equestria will accept your surrender, but I cannot in good faith allow you to attend such a meeting without protection for yourself."

Chrysalis blinked for a few moments, then nodded. "I would take some drones with me as protection against any- overzealous ponies seeking revenge against our actions-"

"You're- You're just surrendering!?" Nightshade yelled, trotting in front of Reddling and pushing him aside. "Like that? Like nothing!? Something's not right here!"

"There is nothing wrong with this." Chrysalis said calmly. "I have given this much thought. The alternative is death and destruction for my hive, which I will not allow."

Reddling put a hoof on Nightshade's shoulder, pushing her back slightly. "Queen Chrysalis, I must understand why you attacked us before we agree to set up a meeting with our Princesses. We cannot hope to have any talks unless we fully understand each other first. Explain yourself so we can understand."

"Our kind waxes and wanes in cycles- periods of growth, and decay," Chrysalis said, "When a hive grows too large, there is strife. There become too many drones for a Queen to maintain. By necessity, some strife must keep us in check. Sometimes, Princesses will attempt a coup."

Reddling looked over at Pupae, who did not even blink at Chrysalis's words. The queen continued without missing a beat, "Other times, they will steal as many drones as the Queen cannot hold and begin a hive anew. Several factors in this cycle, however, were unlike others. The other hives, Balefly and Mantidae, saw the same chance that we did to break the cycle and rise to a new glory. A glory where we would not be bound to hide, sneak, and steal from the shadows. Instead, we could simply take what we needed from the ponies of Equestria as we pleased."

Reddling crossed one of his hooves, waiting for Chrysalis to continue. The queen breathed a sigh and looked up, almost as if she was recalling a fond memory.

"Long ago, Changelings in the past ruled over ponies, until in their greed they took too much and destroyed their own kingdom. We sought to eliminate the leadership in Canterlot, take their throne, and rule Equestria in their place."

Eliminate their leadership huh? I guess you really are doing my job for me. Reddling let out a little giggle, but tried to pass it off as a cough.

"However, we underestimated you and were defeated. So, are you still amicable to our surrender?" Chrysalis asked, looking at Nightshade.

"I don't like this." Nightshade said plainly.

"No matter what we say," Reddling said, putting emphasis on the words as he looked at Nightshade, "We're unable to officially accept your surrender. If you will have an audience with the Princesses, we can send them a message and you may return to Equestria with us. Your travel will have terms though; your kind will not be allowed to move freely through our lands."

"Very well. I ask nothing less from you." Chrysalis said, trotting back up a few steps to her drones. "Here is what I wish. I will take six drones with me, two for each of you, and we will met with your Princesses to arrange a formal surrender. We will disguise ourselves while we pass through Equestria." Reddling folded a hoof, thinking. He still wasn't sure what it was about this, but it almost seemed like things were going too smoothly.

"You will vouch for our honest intentions before your leaders, and then we will negotiate a surrender." Chrysalis added.

"I must talk to my companions before we agree." Reddling said. Nightshade and tops drew closer as he half turned his back to the queen, drawing in close enough to kiss the helmets of the other two.

"This is a trap." Nightshade said instantly.

"I- I have no idea. She's just surrendering, like that?" Tops asked. "I mean, it makes sense."

"There are other hives, Tops." Reddling said nervously.

"...Do you think Celestia or Luna would even accept a surrender?" Tops asked, looking over his shoulder quickly at the drones in the room.

"I don't know, but I agree with Nightshade. This is very much a trap, but I think we should spring it and see what happens." Reddling said, looking between the two.

"You know it's a trap so you want to just walk into it?" Nightshade had a dumbfounded look on her face.

"I'd rather walk into a trap on my own terms than their terms." Reddling hissed.

"Argh- this is so stupid!" Nightshade complained.

"You said that before Canterlot got attacked." Reddling reminded her. "I was right then."

"Fine! Fine!" Nightshade repeated, backing away angrily. Reddling turned away from his friends and trotted closer to Chrysalis.

"We'll relay to the Princesses to tell them to be ready in our message." Reddling said, "I'd like to know how we'll tell if you are not bringing more than six Changelings with you. Is there some mark or piece of clothing that they could wear to help us identify them?"

"We are not exactly a race of material good, I doubt we even possess six matching pieces of clothing to go around. You can have these ponies shapeshift into whatever you please to identify them." Chrysalis said, sitting back on her throne to lounge once more.

"That is exactly what I'm afraid of." Reddling said pointedly.

"There won't be anyone except the ten of us." Chrysalis said. "If there are extras, you will know we are being dishonest."

"Pretty damn obvious you're being dishonest." Nightshade said rather loudly.

"That will just have to do then." Reddling said, shooting Nightshade a dirty look. "I have another question. There are other hives, yes?"

"There are, yes." Chrysalis replied.

"This surrender does not apply to them then. I'd ask you tell us what you know of the other hives so we may... handle them as well." Reddling said, trying to test the waters without upsetting any of the drones.

"Hive Balefly." Chrysalis started, putting a gnarled hoof to her neck. "But Queen Balefly was slain in the battle, and they have no Princesses to take the hive. Many of their members have assimilated with my hive or Hive Mantidae. those who are not in a position to leave the hive, the diggers and deeper workers, will starve to death in a week or so, as will many of the drones who refused to join a new hive."

"If they had a new queen, would that prevent this?" Reddling asked. The idea of all these deaths didn't sit well with him, but he also wasn't sure what he could do about it.

"If they had a Princess to take the place for their Queen, then it would." Chrysalis said."Since they did not, the hive is essentially destroyed. It lies to the south-west, in the jungle nearer to Canidae."

"Go on, what about Hive Mantidae?" Reddling asked.

"Hive Mantidae, I cannot speak for them." Chrysalis said. Reddling paused for a moment, then continued,

"Very well, If that's all then, we would like to go and message our Princess now." Reddling said.

"Go right ahead." Chrysalis waved a holey hoof at them. "Pupae, see them out. They may wait at the hive entrance or in a surface cave. I will join them in the morning with my entourage. In my absence, you will lead the hive."

"Of course, mother." Pupae said with a bow. "Come, ponies. I'll see you out."

Reddling turned and beckoned for his friends to follow him. Pupae lead them against what had become a sea of drones. As the bat ponies drew closer the Changelings parted like a stage curtain being drawn to either side. Reddling gave one or two of them a glance, but otherwise kept his attention on Pupae, who had begun to speak as soon as they had left the throne room.

"That went quite well, didn't it? I am glad to see that not all ponies are violent and unreasonable." Pupae said happily.

You don't even know how violent and unreasonable I can be. "I am not of Equestria, you may find the Princesses less than merciful. I'm only trying to do what I can to see this end with reason instead of bloodshed." Reddling said, keeping his dark thoughts to himself.

Pupae smiled happily over her shoulder at him. It was odd to see a Changeling smile, but perhaps no more odd than seeing a bat pony smile. Both involved heavy use of fangs, which still remained prominent features of both Changeling and bat pony faces.

"A world where we can all live in peace and harmony. How fantastic!" Pupae said with a happy buzz in her voice.

"A bit too idealistic for my tastes." Reddling said quietly.

"It doesn't hurt to dream big. If you don't have great ambition, you'll never accomplish anything." Pupae said.

"I won't argue with that." Reddling said, pulling on his sunglasses before they reached the entrance to the hive. Pupae stayed with the bat ponies as Reddling re-equipped, taking his knife back from Tops. He gave the knife a quick nuzzle before belting it on.

"You are bat ponies, are you not? Can I take you to a suitable cave to spend the day?" Pupae offered. Reddling looked at Tops and Nightshade, then nodded.

"No arguments here." Tops replied, looking around at the desolate wastes that surrounded the Changeling hive.

"We'll take turns posting watches then." Reddling said, giving Pupae a little bow. "Lead on."

"We have no reason to harm you. If we wished to do something to you, we'd have done it long ago." Pupae said with a little furrowing of her brow.

"Were the tables reversed, you would do the same. Please take us to our cave, we must message our Princess." Reddling said. Pupae nodded and led them up a few slopes, stopping near a dark cave that was sheltered by some tree roots.

"I'll leave you to it." Pupae said.

Reddling, Tops, and Nightshade read over the note. Although Reddling wouldn't have guessed it, Tops had some very fancy writing. It was the kind that showed he put some elegance into every curve, but not so much that it became difficult for somepony to read.

Unconditional surrender, one hive dead, one hive unknown... escorting Chrysalis back to Canterlot, but don't kill her on sight. Expect a trap.

"Got it, I think." Tops said, looking over his hoofwork quite proudly.

"Sure there isn't anything else we want to add?" Reddling asked. Tops and nightshade shoot their heads, and Reddling nodded, standing back as Tops pulled out the small jar of dragonfire.

"Is this going to be another neat Equestrian thing?" Reddling asked, leaning his head forward just a bit in spite of himself.

"You really were sheltered as a foal, weren't you?" Nightshade asked. Reddling ignored her as he watched Tops light the letter on fire. The dragonfire danced eagerly as it pulled away from the jar, enveloping the letter in a dull green before the smoke and fumes shot towards the exit.

"Well, that's that." Tops said.

"That's it?" Reddling asked, a little disappointingly.

"Yes." Tops said, looking up at the cave door. A changeling drone knocked on the door, peeking in. Behind it were a few more Changelings carrying fresh straw.

"Where did you get fresh- nevermind. I don't want to know. Is that for us?" Reddling asked. The Changeling nodded, letting itself in with the others and quickly laying down straw before retreating to the doorway.

"So... that cave we found before." Tops said, leaning in to whisper as the Changelings began to wander away, "That looked a lot like this place, another hive."

"Hive Balefly?" Reddling asked. Tops shook his head, sitting down and starting to take out his sleeping bag.

"Chrysalis said that was to the south west, not the north east. There wasn't even any slime there." Tops said thoughtfully, pulling at some straw and beginning to prepare a nice base to put his sleeping bag on. "It's probably been empty for a long time... I doubt they clean up after themselves if they decide to move."

"I don't know what to make of it. I could ask Pupae about it, she seemed... agreeable enough." Reddling offered. Tops nodded.

"I do not like this." Nightshade said, leaning against the cave and staring out at the sunlight slowly creeping into the cave. "You two go to sleep. I'll take first watch, maybe try Dreamwalking once."

"-Dreamwalking?" Reddling said, dropping his sleeping bag. He could take a guess at what that was, but he hoped he was wrong. "What's Dreamwalking?"

"Magic stuff." Nightshade said plainly.

"No, that's- it's entering dreams, isn't it?" Reddling said, turning from his dropped sleeping bag defensively. "Isn't it!?"

"Yeah." Nightshade said again simply, her expression stoic and unchanging.

Reddling felt an anger snap up in him as he kicked at some straw, grabbing his sleeping bag and tossing it in the corner. "You stay the hell out of my dreams then, got it? I can handle my own nightmares."

"Fine, jeez. Just don't scream like you normally do." Nightshade said. Reddling just snorted at her as he settled down, pulling his coat over the top of his sleeping bag.

"Pleasant dreams then, don't expect my help if they aren't." Nightshade snarked.

"Reddling, wake up." Nightshade's voice said. Reddling swung a hoof at her, wildly grappling with his dreams.

"Ny- Web! No-AH!" Reddling swung again at Nightshade, this time pulling out his knife and holding it up. "What's attacking us?"

"Nothing's attacking us. It's your turn to watch." Nightshade said rather calmly for just having a knife drawn on her.

"...That's a weird change from what I expected." Reddling said sleepily, yawning and getting up. "Alright, go lay down and sleep with Tops. Hmph."

Nightshade did just that, going over to Tops and curling up with him. She locked one hoof over the green pony's shoulder before closing her eyes. Reddling felt cold watching them cuddle like that. Again this odd feeling of envy rose in him as he turned away, looking out at the sun rays that managed to infiltrate the cave.

Pulling himself away from the view, Reddling turned to head outside. It was bright outside, and his sunglasses did little to mitigate the early morning sun glaring at his lenses. Outside a few changelings were several yards away, who apparently had been peeking at the cave until Reddling emerged. A panicked hiss came from the bugs as they scampered to fly off, moving as fast as they could to get back to safety.

"Hey- Oi!" Reddling gave chase up the hill before putting a hoof into his mouth and trying to whistle. It wasn't the best whistle anypony had ever done, but despite his lack of skill it did get the attention of the Chanelings. One brave drone turned around, waiting.

"You there," Reddling called with a little pant. "Changeling. I need your assistance."

"You- You what?" The Changeling said in their musical voice.

"Just, wait will you?" Reddling begged. Clearing his throat, Reddling quickly continued, "I need to speak to your Princess Pupae, if she has a moment to talk with a diplomat. Also, if you have any cups, I'd like them."

The Changelings blinked at each other for a moment. Reddling had lost most of them from the start, but all but one Changeling looked utterly bewildered at the concept of a cup.

"You want to talk to the Princess?" One of the drones said.

"Yes! The one who met us at the mouth of the cave." Reddling sighed impatiently.

"Cups... no cups." Said another changeling, turning to his friends.

"Shame," Reddling said pointedly. "Anyway, will you please tell your Princess that I request audience with her? I have so much I want to learn." Well, that's only a partial lie. What I'd really like to know is how much they know.

"Okay." The brave drone said, backing away with its fellows. Reddling turned without another word to the drone and returned to his cave. He had barely put his coat on and secured the wine from Silverfield before the faint buzz of wings filled the air. Stepping into a shady part near the edge of the cave, Reddling watched as Pupae landed. In the sunlight it was much easier to make out her shining, transparent wings. She quickly laid them down against the carapace on her body as she turned to look at Reddling quizzically.

"You wished to speak with me?" Pupae asked, her beautiful voice almost ensnaring Reddling without the smell of whatever perfume she had on.

No- that' not perfume. It can't be, they don't even have a use for cups... Reddling's eyes lit up a bit as he sat down the wine, trying not to let Pupae see the surprise on his face. Those are pheromones, like bees or something. Bugs communicate with pheromones and signals, I guess they shouldn't be much different. Even if they aren't monsters, they've got some relation to them.

"You were a pony once weren't you?" Reddling asked, motioning to the bottle and sitting down in the shade. "I was wondering if you would share a drink with me? Even if you're surrendering to Equestria, there isn't a need to us to be unfriendly."

Pupae let out a small laugh at the pony comment, holding a hoof up to her face to shush her own giggles. "A pony? No, I've never been a pony- though I've pretended to be one on a few occasions."

"Shame, you get the furry coat and all that," Reddling commented as he uncorked the wine. "Does your kind drink wine?"

"Not normally, though if you are offering to share, I will accept. 'Tis better to give than to receive, and I would not deny you that chance." Pupae took a seat next to Reddling, looking around the cave before glancing down at the wine. Reddling took a little sip of the wine first, then offered it to her.

Pupae levitated the bottle of magic with a green aura towards herself. Sniffing the bottle, Pupae frowned slightly as she rolled the bottle over in her magic.

"Ah- this is Silverfieldian wine?" Pupae asked carefully.

"Y-Yes, it is," Reddling said, a little surprised. As much drinking as Silverfieldians did, it was hard for him to tell the difference just based on smell between an Equestrian and a Silverfieldian drink at times. Indeed, it was even more amazing that a creature that did not usually drink wine made the distinction offhoofedly. "I believe that is from the year 752 or so. Um, how did you know that it was...?"

"I am very sorry," Pupae said, pushing the wine back into Reddling's hooves. "I must decline your offer."

"That's a shame. Is it not to your liking?" Reddling asked, slightly taken aback at the sudden change in tone.

Pupae thought for a few moments, glancing around the cave aimlessly. "How do I put this... It is because Silverfield is cursed. We do not go there, and we will not feed there."

"Cursed?" Reddling asked in bemusement. His words echoing his thoughts as he continued, "How is it cursed? That happens to be my homeland you know."

Pupae gave a curious shrug. "Drones who feed there do not come back right. If they go too often, then go mad and must be killed. Long ago there were hives near to Silverfield. They have long since been abandoned. Exactly why, I could not tell you. We do not deal with such things."

"... That's odd." Reddling said, taking another sip of the wine, "Our history doesn't have you recorded anywhere to my knowledge. There are a few creatures here and there that might resemble Changelings, but we could never capture any for study. They were passed off as parts of foaltales to get them to sleep at night when they bothered the village.

Pupae smiled, letting out a little giggle. "That is good to know. Our kind should be nothing more than foal tales and legends when we do our jobs right." The two of them sat silent for a few moments before Reddling cleared his throat.

"I have a rather- a theory, if you would help me." Reddling said, looking to Pupae. She gave a little nod for Reddling to continue on, "One of the captured drones in Equestria could not explain a concept to me, nor could an Equestrian Princess with any degree of... tangibility."

I can't believe my impulsive actions. I'll need to be in control from now on if I wan to stay alive. "I attacked them in fury when they refused to explain something that your kind eats. You call it Love, but that word doesn't exist in my home language. I think that perhaps it is why your drones are never right when they go to Silverfield, if my theory is correct."

"That does seem to make sense, yes." Pupae said, looking at Reddling, "If your kind does not possess any love, then if we tried to feed, we would take in... something else. Other less savory emotions- poisonous things."

Reddling grinned, nodding. "I- I know it isn't funny, but you took the words right out of my mouth. The drone I met back then told me I had it, but I always feel sick when the subject comes up. I'm not sure how Equestrians deal with it, much less how you eat it. Can you explain?"

"It," Pupae blinked. "You want me to explain love to you?"

"Rather, the applications of it. If your kind eats it, you must know hundreds of love recipes." Reddling suggested.

Pupae gave another slight giggle. "I suppose you could say that, yes. It is a powerful attraction between two creatures, and creates a bond deeper than any other. When it is returned on both sides, it leaves both stronger for its existence." Reddling rubbed his chin, listening to Pupae as she continued to go on, "We feed off of it, either by replacing one who another feels affection for and being freely given it, or by seducing them until they've lowered their guard, and taking it."

"That sounds terrible." Reddling said. "I mean- useful, but a little crude. Thanks though, that was insightful."

Reddling stared down at the wine, picking up the cork and putting it back into the bottle. There can't be any truth to this Silverfield curse. Silverfield might be corrupt but- but it's still better than bugland or Equestria!

Right?

"Is that all you wished to know?" Pupae asked, looking down at the stoppered wine.

"I'd like to know how to make Equestria more sympathetic to your hive. We'll simply have to wait to see what the night brings us though." Reddling looked up at her, giving the Princess a fangy smile.

"I suppose we shall see what your Princess says." Pupae returned the smile just as fangily.

"Pleasant Dreams to you then." Reddling waved to her as she stood up.

"Farewell, pony. You'll have to excuse any drones who may visit. You must understand, you three are an object of curiosity." Pupae said, motioning at the mouth of the cave.

"I'd be rather wary if they did anything else. Don't worry, I don't bite... usually." Reddling returned to his smile, keeping a little smirk in it this time.

"I don't think you'd find me very tasty, nor do I think you'd enjoy being bitten by me at all." Pupae said.

"I'm afraid I don't drink the blood of your kind." Reddling said with a wink. Pupae gave a small nod, thinking about that for a moment as she flew off, her wings buzzing happily.

The rest of Reddling's shift proved uneventful as he waited for the time to wake Tops to come. When finally it was creeping into the afternoon hours, Reddling turned from the sun tiredly and poked Tops on the shoulder.

"Tops. Tops wake up." Reddling said quietly.

"Uh- what?" Tops said sleepily.

"Watchtime." Reddling said.

"Oh- Right." Tops stood up almost drunkenly and moved towards the cave mouth, sitting in the now nearly vanished shade. Reddling fell back on his sleeping bag, completely exhausted. Right as Reddling had folded up his Ssunglasses, a shadow passed over his face, and Tops peered down at him, a long knife with a light all it's own in his mouth. Tops sat the knife down gently on Reddling's chest.

"That's yours, I think. You forgot it." Tops said sleepily. Reddling made a note to quickly wipe off any parts of the blade Tops' mouth had touched with his coat before giving the blade one long, sensual lick. Tops simply stared at Reddling for a few moments. Reddling tilted his eyes towards Tops, then down at his knife. The blade was currently in his mouth. Reddling's pink tongue was laying against the flat side, lapping at the cold metal.

"You really like that knife." Tops said, more awake now.

"Uh huh." Reddling said, pulling Ausfall out of his mouth and sheathing it. "Likes, yes. Yes, I do like it..." Reddling turned over and started to crawl into his sleeping bag. He could tell Tops was giving him some confused looks, but Reddling didn't care. He had not even bothered to remove his coat, because at the moment that didn't matter to him. Leaning against the pillow as he fell asleep, Reddling gave a soft sigh into Ausfall's sheathe, which was currently pressed to his lips and neck.

Five Years Later

Lieutenant Reddlling found himself in the halls of Canterlot. There were a few dayponies milling around, sometimes admiring his armor. Reddling no longer had his old set of armor, but instead wore a customized set that allowed him to hide an innumerable number of weapons. Pieces of armor could be worn both under and over his trench coat, making it very hard to figure out where he was armored and where he was not. Today, he was taking a trip up to see Princess Luna. He'd made this trip a thousand times before, but today something felt different. When he arrived in Princess Luna's quarters, she had a large stack of different files in front of her. Two stuck out on the top, both labeled "Canterlot- Autumn" and "Silverfield- Early Winter"

Reddling blinked at the files. There were some hundred case studies here, but he wasn't sure why that involved him. Everything had been documented very carefully though, that much he could figure out. Before Reddling had a chance to lean forward and learn more however, he felt two bulky guards grab him from behind. Luna's face was not one of peace or contentment, but rather one that was cross. pure contempt rolled across her face as she glared at Reddling with angry eyes.

..And not only are you banished from Equestria, but also the guard. I'm going to ensure you never harm another pony this way again. Normally we would execute a pony under these circumstances, but I think you'll find living as a normal earth pony again in your bitter, curséd land, a much more compelling and Interesting fate.

Reddling turned from Luna, trying to pull himself away from the two guards holding him. Midnight and Nightshade looked back at him, both wearing totally different expressions. While Midnight's was simply one of utter disgust, Nightshade's was marred by a bitter disappointment.

Reddling's head snapped back to Luna as she stood up, glaring down at him. "You knew it would catch up to you someday, Vampire, Traitor, Assassin.

"Stop touching me!" Reddling screamed, punching blindly at the area around him as he rolled over in his sleeping bag.

"Reddling, wake up. Nopony is touching you." Tops said from across the room. Both he and Nightshade were standing a safe distance away from Reddling. Nightshade glanced to her left, nodding to the figure of Ausfall laying on the ground.

"This is why you sleep alone." Nightshade said pointedly. "This isn't the first time you've thrown a knife at me in your sleep."

"Yeah, whatever." Reddling mumbled, pulling himself out of bed and beginning to pack up his things. Tops and Nightshade were already partially packed, but not completely ready to go. "Where's the Queen?"

"Outside waiting for us, she said we can take our time." Tops replied. Reddling just grunted.

Take our time? The more time we take, the better chance your hive gets roasted on a split and served to pigs. Reddling blinked wearily as different scenes from his dream shifted in front of him. Sometimes the Nightmares are obviously fake after I wake up. However, that last one... That one felt real. Those case files- they were about ponies blood I had been drinking... And what will happen to me if I don't stop.

"I still don't like this." Nightshade said. Reddling grunted at her, finishing up with his gear and turning to his friends.

"Let's get going, I'm very ready to sleep in a real bed again." Reddling said.

The flight towards Equestria proved very uneventful at first. Despite protests from Tops and Nightshade, Reddling had reasoned it would be better to allow the drones with Chrysalis to remain comfortable rather than be forced to take on shapes foreign to them. Chrysalis had six identical drones around her the entire flight, two of whom had taken point for the group. Nightshade had been absolutely opposed to letting the Changelings fly behind her, and Reddling was not totally in disagreement with her sentiments.

The flight had been almost painfully slow. Before departing Reddling had ordered for Chrysalis to fly in front, however she had replied with a request. According to her, Changeling drones could not fly as fast as bat ponies. At their current speed, three days would be the minimum added to the trip. Reddling had done the math, and even without a detour to Silverfield, it would still take them almost twice as long to get back. If the bat ponies pressed hard, they could make the flight from here to Canterlot in one full night and arrive around noon. Reddling didn't believe that this was the fastest the drones could fly, but at the current time he knew they had not choice but to comply.

"I can't believe how slow we're going." Nightshade hissed. Reddling waved a hoof at her, watching the ground below them as they descended. A small, familiar oasis existed here, complete with muddy banks and dirty water. The drones instantly landed in the water, drinking from it and washing themselves over.

"Why are we stopping?" Reddling asked, trying to keep the demanding tone in his voice down. Chrysalis motioned to her drones nonchalantly.

"My drones must rest and cool down often." Chrysalis said. Nightshade groaned behind Reddling, trotting forward and pointing a hoof at Chrysalis.

"You are intentionally slowing us down!" Nightshade cried. Tops put a hoof on her shoulder as Reddling stepped in front of her, blocking her view of the queen.

"I will admit, we're going far too slow for my tastes," Reddling said, pausing to look over at the drones for a second, "You're sure this is the fastest we can go?"

"I'm afraid we are very different from ponies, and it is much easier to overheat." Chrysalis said. Reddling removed his helmet, letting some air wash over his face.

It's very cool out tonight, almost cool enough to warrant a heavier jacket if you don't have fur. Your drones should be fine. Reddling put his helmet back on, nodding to Chrysalis.

"Let's not-" Reddling was cut off as an angry growl erupted from the ground. Several of the dirt dogs had emerged from the ground and begun throwing rocks at the drones.

"Our water! Go home stinkbugs! SHOO!" The dirt dogs screamed, several of their rocks colliding with the drones. Reddling blinked as one drone was hit in the head with a small rock. The creature was apparently unphased, as the drone only betrayed a frown before continuing to drink.

"Let's not take too long." Reddling tried again, taking a step away from the mud. "I'd really like for us to try and make some good time tonight."

Turning from Chrysalis, Reddling approached his friends, both of whom had very serious looks on their faces.

"We certainly aren't making quick progress... I hope we aren't caught in the daylight." Tops said, adding a little groan at the end.

"That's exactly what is going to happen at this rate," Reddling growled. "And it's going to be multiple days in a row at our current pace."

"Well what do you want me to do about it?" Nightshade asked, looking between the two of them as she gesturing at the drones. "Make them go faster? Sorry, I left my whips at home."

"I don't need to know about your whips, Nightshade." Reddling waved a hoof at her. "Nothing we say is going to make them go faster, so we're just going to have to tough this out. Do you each have enough rations to make it home at this pace? Once we get to Equestria we can just graze, but until then..."

"We should be okay." Tops said. "If you two need something i have some extra, and like you said when we get to Equestria we can just graze."

"Uck." Reddling coughed, "We'll wait for them to finish cool off, I've got a few things to mention anyway once we're moving. They probably can't hear us over the buzzing of their wings anyway."

Waiting for the bugs to finish cooling off and resume their flight, Reddling hung in the back with his friends, keeping a careful eye on the Changelings.

"And STAY OUT!" A dirt dog cried from behind them.

"What did you think of... Pewpei? Pupae?" Reddling asked, looking at Tops and Nightshade, "Princess- whatever, back at the hive."

"I don't like any of them, they're just pretending to be nice," Nightshade said pointedly, stopping for a moment before adding, "And they stink."

"I think they smell nice." Reddling replied.

"Maybe sucking on your knife had addled your sense of smell." Nightshade retorted.

"That's actually what I was going to talk about," Reddling hissed, "I was told about something that kills them- no, worse, it drives them insane."

"I don't know if I like the idea of a horde of insane Changelings, but okay, what is it?" Tops asked.

"Look- Nightshade, don't whine please- but Equestrian and Silverfieldian blood tastes different." Reddling said, looking between his friends. "Pupae told me that Silverfield is "cursed." When drones go there, they come back wrong."

"I'd believe it." Nightshade snarked. "So what, are you going to force them to visit so they all go insane?"

Reddling slapped his hoof onto the top of his helmet. "My point is keep your ears open. I don't think everything they're saying is lies, because Pupae would not touch the Silverfieldian wine I brought her."

"Maybe it smelled bad too." Nightshade offered.

Reddling sighed again. "Look, this has to stay between us, alright? Nopony can know that I can confirm that the changelings might be right on this."

"Okay Reddling- we won't." Tops promised, looking over at Nightshade. She gave one of her ever so curt nods before looking forward.

The Night Guard found their hopes dashed many miles later when the sun began to rise, Nightshade let out an almost feral hiss in the direction of the sun as the rays began to invade the sky. The group landed with Nightshade almost kicking the wasted earth, letting out some of her fury on the ground.

"I'll take first watch." Reddling offered to his friends, looking around.

"We're going to have to sleep in the sun again!" Nightshade complained. Reddling gave a little nod of approval, taking off his coat and wrapping it over his shoulders.

"Queen Chrysalis, do you know of any nearby caves where we could sleep out of the sun's rays?" Reddling asked, turning to Chrysalis.

"Oh- how inconsiderate of us." Chrysalis replied, looking at her Changelings. "Drones, if you would..." The drones did not even blink before turning and assaulting the ground with their gnarled hooves. Reddling and the others stood back as soil sprayed into the air.

When the dust finally began to clear, the Night Guard wiped dust from their helmets and looked down at what was a somewhat cozy looking hole in the ground. Although it would be cramped, there was defiantly enough room for for everyone to squeeze inside.

"Finished, my queen!" A drone cried from inside, pocking his head out from the burrow.

"...Right then." Reddling said. "Like I said, I'll take first watch, who wants second watch?"

"Wonderful work." Chrysalis said to the drone, turning back to the bat ponies. "My drones need someplace dark and cool to rest. You are welcome to join them if you wish."

"With all due respect, Chrysalis, I'd rather not." Tops said, backing away to Nightshade's side and giving Reddling a small pat on the shoulder. "I'll take second watch."

"Suit yourselves." Chrysalis said before descending into the burrow. Nightshade quickly cast a shroud spell around Tops and herself, this time leaving Reddling out in the elements.

"Damn sun, and now I don't have anypony to talk to." Reddling huffed, settling himself between the slowly drifting forms of Nightshade and Tops and the burrow. Nightshade and tops curled up together, covering each other's heads with their wings. Reddling felt another pang shoot through his heart as he stared at them sadly.

Hours passed, and the sun began to bake onto the world. Reddling growled at the sun as he felt the heat prick at exposed skin. He had grown so used to the nighttime, being indoors, or being totally covered by Nightshade's shroud that he was liable to sunburn.

Rather than become a cooked pony, Reddling found himself scooting into the burrow with the Changelings. The creatures had strewn themselves out in the burrow, trying to hog as much shade as they could. Most appeared to be laying on top of each other without a care, doing everything from sitting on another's head to being upside down in corners. Chrysalis was asleep in a corner, a drone laying over her hooves

Sound sleepers. Reddling thought, settling into the darkness. The closer he got to the changelings, the more he could hear their wings buzzing, filling the burrow with a hypnotic buzz, not completely unlike that of a gentle breeze.

Reddling looked at each of the drones before noticing that one was looking back at him, clearly awake and ready for whatever might happen. Reddling hesitated, then beckoned for the Changeling to come closer.

"Will you talk to me so I don't fall asleep?" Reddling asked the drone.

The drone cocked it's head curiously. "Talk?"

"Talk." Reddling said. "Banter, to converse, share company."

"You want to... share company... with me?" The drone said slowly.

"We both speak the same language, odd as I find that." Reddling said. "I think that those words mean the same thing." The drone thought for a few moments before nodding it's agreement, crawling over one of it's comrades to sit closer to Reddling.

"Do you have a name or something I can call you?" Reddling asked the drone. the drone looked at him as it shapeshifted into a grey pegasus mare, blinking at him carefully. Pegasus ponies...

"A name..." The drone said thoughtfully, looking around before turning back with a smile, "I suppose you can call me Muddy Bottom today, since we have been digging! What would you like to talk about?"

"Alright Muddy." Reddling said, shrugging a bit at the question. "What do you think- hmm, about being selected to go on this mission? It must be quite an honor to accompany your queen. She picked you and five others above the rest, right?"

"Ah!" The drone said excitedly. "Yes, it is always a pleasure to be with our Queen. I am very lucky to be asked to come with her."

"Even though you're traveling the wastes? I'm amazed that your kind can survive out here." Reddling said.

"It is difficult, but we work together and make do." Muddy nodded. "A Changeling might be weak alone, but our hive is strong!"

"You don't seem to have many sources of fresh water or food out here though. Ever a strong hive cannot survive without those two things, right? How do you farm out here, or survive without it?" Reddling scooted further into the hive, waiting for a response. After a few moments, he felt a hoof wrap around him, helping him scoot further from the sun.

Reddling felt his body balk as he removed the pony hoof from his side, pushing it away. 'If you would not touch me..."

"Of course..." The drone said, a little sadness marring it's voice.

...You know, this thing is a pegasus, I wonder if it could take any shape I asked it too.

"Muddy, you can take whatever shape you want, can't you? That's how you... Changelings work, right?' Reddling asked. Excitement began to rise in his chest as he totally forwent his previous question, leaning forward eagerly now.

"As long as it's not too big or small, I can, yes." Muddy replied, "I probably couldn't make myself look like my Queen, though I would never do something so vain as that..."

"So you could look just like me!?" Reddling demanded, his face now only a few inches from Muddy's face. The Changeling gave him a shining grin.

"I could!" Muddy decreed.

"Okay!" Reddling said, backing up a bit. "But- no bat wings. I want them to be red, feathery wings, like my coat. can you keep those?"

"Easy." Muddy said, lowering his head. Reddling could not hold back his high pitched squeal of delight.

'Would- would you? Could you indulge me, please?" Reddling whispered, once again drawing closer to Muddy. Muddy nodded, and a magical fire enveloped him. Even though bits of the flame touched Reddling, it did not hurt or burn- not that he would have felt it anyway. All that he cared about was staring at himself, who stared right back.

Muddy had been true to their word, keeping all aspects of Reddling except for the wings. Stormy grey bat eyes, tufted ears, and fangs adorned Reddling's features, which were neither fair nor ugly. His coat was a dull, almost sickly red with a painted deep purple mane. Reddling turned his head from his face and looked at the Changeling's back, his heart almost stopping at the sight of feathery wings sitting on his back.

"May I...?" Reddling asked weakly.

"Of course!" Muddy said happily, extending a wing for Reddling. Reddling gingerly extended his hooves, stroking the wing. He made sure to carefully run a hoof over every feather he could make out, memorizing its' feel. Even if he was walking into a trap and Rainy thought he was a monster now, for Reddling this chance had made the entire trip worth it. Every soft and fluffy feather on his hooves was a precious memory that instantly became a bitter reminder of what could have been and now never would be. The pain aside, Reddling found no words to describe the feeling. It was as if he had been lifted out of the dirty hole around him and his chest had been filled with a softness that eased his muscles and numbed his mind with a pleasant and gentle coolness.

For a few moments, everything felt more intense and amplified. Reddling thought his heart might burst for a bit before the feeling began to fade. Slowly, the good and happy feeling was being sucked away. Muddy had a look of bliss on their face, practically leaning into Reddling and getting lost in the feeling. Reddling sat there for a few moments, letting the feelings drain away until he could not take it anymore. Giving the drone a push, Reddling backed up and continued to look at those wings- No, my wings. Those are MY wings!

"Are you alright?" The drone asked. "You look a bit pale, maybe you should rest."

"No- no, I have to keep watch..." Reddling whispered, a lightheaded feeling soaking into his brain as his bones grew heavy and weak.

"Hah... pale, because I'm a bat... that's funny." Reddling giggled dreamily.

"I was keeping watch before you came, there's no harm in resting." Muddy said.

"I wouldn't want to subject you to my nightmarish whimpering as I sleep." Reddling whispered.

"We sleep like rocks." Muddy said. Reddling watched as his clone pointed at two changelings, one of whom was jabbing their horn into the flank of a fellow.

"I like to keep my dreams to myself..." Reddling said, suddenly losing himself in thoughts. You know, if Luna can enter my dreams, and Nightshade has learned the same trick, I have to wonder if maybe we could use a method like this to talk in the dream world. We could communicate in the future without needing dragonfire.

"Would you like to talk about something else then?" The drone asked. "What about you? You're on a quest from your Princess! I am sure you are proud."

"Well- yes, my Princess." Reddling smirked. "Not quite. I'm a pony from Silverfield, serving in the Night Guard."

Muddy's eyes went wide as he backed away suddenly, a look of panic spreading over Reddling's features. "You- Silverfieldian?"

"You won't get sick, if that's what you're scared of." Reddling said. "A prisoner fed on me, and they've been fine." at least, they were last time I checked.

The Changeling dropped it's disguise, their face now sick with panic. "I- I don't want to- I don't want to hurt anyone. Get out of my way, I have to go!" The drone said, making to leave the burrow.

"Hey! Hold on there!" Reddling said, grabbing it around the chest and pulling the Changeling back down.

"AH!" Muddy cried, shielding his face. "No, NO!"

The gentle hum of the changeling's wings stopped. A dozen glowing green eyes suddenly lit up the hole, all of them staring at Reddling as the drone continued to cry out.

"What is this- curse." Reddling looked up, drawing a sharp breath at the sight of the Changelings all staring at him. "-What is the danger in feeding on a pony from Silverfield exactly?"

"Ah- My Queen! I am sorry!" Muddy almost sobbed. It was not quite a sob but rather what Reddling assumed was the equivalent for Changelings.

"Reddling, release him. Come here, drone." Chrysalis said. Reddling released the bug, letting it trot over to Chrysalis as he drew his coat around himself, keeping an eye on the glowing eyes. Muddy rushed over to Chrysalis and hugged her tightly.

"We do not know..." Chrysalis said, looking up at Reddling for a few moments. "Should a drone feed in your land, they become violent and ill. They turn against their hive, destroying what they once loved- destroying themselves."

"A couple of my countryponies and the Changeling race would be finished." Reddling said solemnly.

"Be at ease." Chrysalis said, looking back down to her drone. The scared creature stopped shaking and sat still as Chrysalis lit her horn, tracing it over Muddy's body a few times.

"...Hm, you are not afflicted." Chrysalis said, sounding amazed and looking up at Reddling. "There is no need to worry." Muddy looked absolutely relieved to hear the news. Reddling reasoned that it was something like a cancer patient being told that they were cured, finally, once and for all.

"You should be glad you woke us, otherwise this one would have fled to try and protect us." Chrysalis said, nodding to the drone.

To these creatures, I am one of the pale horses. I am the harbinger of pestilence. Something from a cursed land of hellish nightmares where only the mad can return from.

Chrysalis looked back down to her drone, patting them on the head while saying, "Consider yourself very lucky. Perhaps their curse holds no power outside their silvered lands. Perhaps some other power has stripped it from him- Balefly's mark may have protected you from it. Don't worry, you are safe. Return to your rest drones, I will watch for a bit."

The drone obediently closed it's eyes with the others. in a few moments their wings gently began to buzz again. Chrysalis stared over at Reddling curiously, narrowing her eyes.

"You." The queen said simply.

"Me." Reddling said, somewhat defensively.

"You are quite... open minded, for a pony," Chrysalis said, "Why?"

"I dream of a world without hate or a need for revenge." Reddling said, closing his eyes for a moment. "That is a world I will make, but it cannot be found if we breed more hate, taboos, and social stigmas."

"Perhaps..." Chrysalis said slowly, raising a hoof to her chin. "Perhaps, Reddling... would you like to join my Hive?"

Reddling was not prepared for this question. The answer of "I cannot be like them" escaped his lips as he stared at Muddy Bottom, who was asleep on Chrysalis's hoof.

"And why not?" Chrysalis asked. "Perhaps you think them stupid, dumb... but they are not. They are simple, yet clever and intelligent. You would still be yourself, simply part of something bigger. Something grander and stronger."

"...As nice as that sounds, that is not my destiny." Reddling said, looking down at the plate of armor that covered his cutie mark and sighing. "It would be wrong for me to walk the easy road instead of doing what I must."

"Suit yourself, but our kind knows, more than any other, that sometimes things have a way of... changing. The offer stands." Chrysalis said with a smile.

"Thank you." Reddling said, bowing his head. "This better world I want to make is unfortunately a world that I cannot exist in. Perhaps when my work is done, I will accept your offer if I still can."

"My pleasure. You seem like a good soul. Perhaps in the future you will reconsider." Chrysalis said, maintaining her smile. She nodded down at her drone, lowering her voice slightly. "Also, you must excuse my drone. It is quite rude to feed on a guest."

"No I- I offered." Reddling lied. "It gave me insight into something very worthwhile."

"He could still have declined." Chrysalis said, pausing for a moment before continuing, "Though it is very hard. There is a hunger that gnaws at our hearts. I am sure you made them very happy for a time. To think for an instant that it would have to flee... a self imposed exile to protect the ones they love. turning away from Home, Hive, and Queen to run, alone for fear of being contaminated."

Love, what a silly and dreamy concept. "My friend suspects this is a trap." Reddling said, trying to change the subject.

"I am not surprised. Your kind can be so suspicious." Chrysalis said. Reddling shook his head, lifting up a hoof and gesturing out at the open sky above.

"I don't think you understand. It's concepts like exile for love or love for each other that makes all these issues. That's the catch about all this. Equestria and Changelings could be rational, but instead you allow your base animal desires and needs to rule reason. Maybe that's why you can't feed in Silverfield- because we don't adhere to such a silly concept like love. Ponies use their faith as a guide. What good would that drone do by running off and dying because it might be sick, and, what good is suspecting a trap when you know it will only create tension?"

Chrysalis blinked stupidly at Reddling for a couple of seconds before he raised a hoof and waved it huffily at the air. "Forget it."

"Perhaps all this will be resolved with our meeting with your Princess?" Chrysalis asked.

"Equestria only knows how to breed sorrow. I'm not sure we'll even make it to the meeting without every one of us being shot full of arrows." Reddling said bitterly.

"I am confident we will be allowed an audience." Chrysalis said.

"I hope I have a nice funeral." Reddling yawned. peeking out at the sky, he saw that the sun was already high up, baking the wasted lands below. Scrunching up his face, Reddling retreated back to Chrysalis's side.

"...If you will excuse me, I must retire. My friend will take this lookout." Reddling said apologetically to Chrysalis.

"Then I will retire as well." Chrysalis said, nudging a drone to wake it up. "Rest well, pony."

Reddling exited the burrow and shook Tops awake. The sleepy green pony took a few moments to adjust, but then righted himself nodding. Reddling turned to return to the burrow as Tops coughed.

"Reddling- are you sure it's a good idea to go in there?" Tops asked.

"It'll be fine." Reddling said, wrapping his coat around himself and settling into the back of the cave. The buzz of the Changeling's wings created a quiet hum. An almost sweet scent filled the air before Reddling felt himself pass into his dreams.

Reddling felt his eyes force themselves open. Above him the moon was casting down a strange light that was tinted green. The stars in the heavens were swirling in a wild and insane, yet maddeningly slow dance. Each turn seemed to take a hundred aeons.

Reddling felt his head with a hoof as he looked around, the entire world blurring into some sort of ugly motion. All around him odd stone trees were rising up. The pillars were cared and ripping with green ooze, although the branches still ended in sprawling green leaves.

Below Reddling as a clear and peaceful lake. Raising a hoof and putting it back down, Reddling watched as silver ripples traveled across the surface, scarring the sky and trees reflected in the surface.

When the water settled, Reddling found three reflections looking back at him. The first was an earth pony, looking coldly upwards and holding a familiar decorated knife in his mouth. He was scarred, dark, and stormy with his only comfort, friend, and drive clutched between his teeth. To the side of this flightless pony was a bat pony, standing tall and proud. They had found a new purpose and bound themselves to duty. Finally, on the corner of Reddling's eye, he saw a Changeling. The drone's eyes were glowing green, happy to be serving a greater purpose and finding satisfaction in it's devotion to Queen, the solidarity of hive mates, and in the emotional ties stolen from others.

"You're all so different. But how do I know which of you I am? Which of you will I become?" Reddling asked his reflections. Each reflection repeated Reddling's question back to him.

Raising a hoof, Reddling stomped it into the lake. "What is it you want!? What do you desire!?" Reddling raised his head from the water and stopped. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw something move. Turning, Reddling watched as his shadow stood on it's own. It was not a reflection of him, but rather a void. The blank nothing stretched out from each of his hooves and on into the forever.

"It's you." Reddling said, frowning. "You know that all this is really creepy, right?" Staring into the void, Reddling could start to make out an image. It was some ruined castle, with spires of Canterlot rising around it. Pictures of caves in the bat pony coven flashed by, each of their walls lined like the interior of a changeling hive.

"I don't- understand. Is Canterlot in danger? What do you want of me?" Reddling demanded, raising a hoof. The shadow kept itself around his hoof, revealing a pair of slitted bat eyes in it's darkness. A mouth cracked open, revealing jagged teeth and sharp fangs. They were at once clearly visible and indistinguishable against the void behind it. A high pitched, familiar giggle echoed from the shadow as Reddling leaned forward.

"...Web?"

The teeth parted to speak in Web's voice, but it was horribly wrong. There was some clattering in it, like a broken record that continued to skip every syllable whilst moving on to the next. It was unmistakably Web's voice and at the same time terrible and monstrous.

"You know what I want!

Reddling drew a sharp breath before a scream of panic escaped his lips. The sound echoed around the burrow as he drew his knife, running for the entryway of the burrow.

A fourth choice, Nightmares.

Half a dozen drones and a Queen snapped awake with Reddling, their eyes moving to his knife. Three drones threw themselves at Reddling, pinning him against the wall of the burrow.

"Tops! Reddling!" Nightshade yelled in panic from above the burrow. Reddling gave the Changelings a shove, pushing his way past them. One Changeling took a hoof to the face as it's fellow accepted the butt end of Reddling's Night Guard knife. The third Changeling was too slow for Reddling as he escaped the burrow, his vision stained with tears as he panted for air.

"Get the hell off me!" Reddling yelled back at the burrow, stumbling towards his friends. Nightshade pulled him away with a hoof, standing between the Changelings and the other bat ponies. Tops hurried to her side, clicking out his claws and staring angrily at the drones beginning to poke their heads out of the hole.

"I knew we couldn't trust those bastards! What did they do to you!?" Nightshade snarled.

"Just grabbed me- What's going on? Who's attacking us!?" Reddling said, pulling out his sword and facing away from his friends. The wastes looked just as dead as they had before he fell asleep.

"They are!" Nightshade cried. "They're attacking you! You screamed!' The drones positioned themselves around the hole in a flurry of wings, crouching defensively at the edge and hissing angrily. After a few heavy breaths, Reddling sheathed his sword, confident he was alone except for the bugs and his two friends.

"Put your weapons away, you're only going to agitate them." Reddling coughed to his friends.

"What the hell happened!?" Nightshade asked.

"Nothing- It wasn't them." Reddling said, sitting down. The dream had left him with an odd feeling of lightheadedness and a strong urge to quickly return to Canterlot. Something felt very wrong, but he wasn't sure what.

"Reddling- are you alright?" Tops said, punctuating every word.

"Yes!" Reddling cried desperately. "We- We need to get moving. the sooner we get to Equestria, the better.

"No." Nightshade said. "No, you rawled into a hole with those things, start screaming, and I come in and see you being pinned down. You tell us what the hell happened, because there is enough bullshit on this stupid mission without you adding to it!"

"For the love of Luna..." Reddling coughed again. "Please Nightshade, I will tell you Later! It was not them, okay?"

"He speaks the truth." Chrysalis said, emerging from the burrow. "We made no move to harm him, and held him to prevent him from lashing out."

"Please, let's just get moving again..." Reddling insisted.

"If there's no danger... I think that's for the best. Lead on, Queen Chrysalis." Tops put a hoof on Nightshade's shoulder. A feral growl was still echoing from her throat as she stared at the Changelings.

"Very well." Chrysalis said. WIthout any ceremony, the Changelings rose into an evening sky. Reddling looked at the horizon to make sure the sun was low enough for comfortable flight before putting on his helmet. No one dared say a word as they made their way into the air again. Once the bugs were a good distance ahead of the bats, Nightshade pulled Reddling aside and glared at him.

"Alright, it's later. What happened?" Nightshade asked.

"There is something amiss here, that's obvious." Reddling said. "I should really take Web's medicine, because these Nightmares are getting worse. They gave me a bad feeling about Canterlot for some reason, and I can't shake this feeling of dread."

"...Or you could just let me start dreamwalking!" Nightshade insisted.

"My head is a fearful place. I don't want you to be appalled or judge me harshly because of what you find." Reddling warned.

"Yeah, there are rules and stuff about it. Unless something terrible is happening, I won't do anything. Whatever's in your head is private."

"...Alright- then you can visit if you can or want too, I guess. You might prevent more screaming." Reddling pasued for a moment, then looked up at the drones in front of him. "Still, I'd prefer we focus on getting to Equestria over dreamtrotting. We're moving way too slow."

"Right, but we're stuck with these bugs for now, so there's nothing we can do." Nightshade said, shaking a hoof angrily at the Changelings.

"I really think we should send one pony ahead. We don't know what's going on in Equestria, it'd be good to check out-" Reddling was cut off as Nightshade interrupted him with an angry hiss.

"We stick together!" Nightshade made sure to punctuate every syllable.

"Then we'll have to leave them here and meet them at the border. I have this terrible feeling that we should be in Canterlot, and not here." Reddling bit back his tongue.

"I'm fine with ditching them, even if it's for a gut feeling." Nightshade said bluntly.

"Next time they stop for water we'll leave them and fly full force to Equestria. We might have to fly through part of the day, but since we won't be going roundabout through Silverfield it shouldn't be too hard."

"No- We can make it there sooner than that." Nightshade said. "If we leave them right now and fly full force, We can make it to Canterlot from here by morning." Nightshade pointed down at the ground. Reddling and Tops both looked down, searching for whatever she was pointing her hoof at. Here and there were little patches of what seemed to be dirt, and rising from them were little green blades.

"Grass." Tops pointed out.

"Great observation." Nightshade said, keeping with her bluntness.

"Alright, stop it. Let's signal for the Changelings to land, and tell them the plan. Just give me a moment to think of something." Reddling looked down at the ground, then back up at Chrysalis. Leading his companions forward, Reddling drew up beside the bugs and motioned for them to head towards the ground. After a few seconds the bugs began to descend, the Night Guard following close behind.

"Yes?" Chrysalis said as soon as Reddling landed. Reddling took a moment to catch his breath and compose himself before looking at Chrysalis.

"Queen Chrysalis, We are responsible for your safety, and I wish to make sure the path ahead is clear before you trot into it. We are going to scout to Canterlot and then double back for you. I don't rust Equestria, and I would rather not see any traps sprung that they did not make my group privy too.: Reddling nodded to himself at the end. that seemed like a good enough story.

"I would rather have somepony with us to vouch for our honest intentions should we be questioned." Chrysalis replied.

"Disguise yourselves and nopony is going to know the difference." Reddling said. Chrysalis nodded.

"If you insist, then I will. You have proven yourself trustworthy, though your companions... less so." Chrysalis eyed Tops and Nightshade, who both let out hisses.

Reddling thought to himself for a moment, then pulled off his Night Guard knife, offering it to Chrysalis. "Here, take this. If you are stopped and questioned, show them this. It's a Night Guard weapon, so tell them that you are under our protection. I think it will suffice."

"Very well." Chrysalis had not even finished her words before Reddling took off into the air, his friends following close behind him.

It turned out that Nightshade knew her geography better than Reddling would have guessed. Canterlot began to come into view just as the first rays of sun began to touch the sky. All three of them collectively sighed when the city grew bigger to them, offering plenty of empty streets near the palace for them to land on. Reddling hit the ground trotting, hurrying up to the front gate of the castle. A single, very tired looking, guard was posted here. He only half raised his head to look at the three bat ponies as they approached, still panting and out of breath.

"We're- Reddling Rain, Tops, and Nightshade..." Reddling huffed, lifting his head up and sighing. "And- we're reporting back. We need to see Princess Luna, let us in."

"You're free to enter, but Princess Luna might not be fit for seeing visitors." The guard said emptily.

"What do you mean, not fit?" Reddling asked, still huffing. His gut gave a terrible twinge before the guard had uttered the answer.

Oh god.

"She's been poisoned." The guard said bluntly.

"Excuse me?" Reddling said, blinking

"She's been poisoned. One of her Night Guard found some Changeling venom in her food or drink, but it was too late. I know she is still alive, but extremely ill and bedridden. The whole city is on edge. We thought this mess was over, but I guess it isn't."

"Get out of the way." Reddling said, pushing the guard aside. The guardpony crumpled into a heap on the ground as Reddling strode forward into the courtyard, Nightshade and Tops galloping to his side.

"Reddling!" Tops hissed.

"Oh come on," Reddling whined, still panting, "If I can push that guy down he's not strong enough to be in the guard."

"Hey- wait!" The guard cried from behind them. Reddling turned and shook a hoof at the tired looking guard, who backed away in surprise.

"There are seven ponies headed this way who will claim to be envoys from Hive Chrysalis. They aren't to be harmed." Reddling rounded on his friends. "Let' find Midnight and Bruiser, figure out what the hell happened."

"Hive- What!?" The guard said in surprise, standing up a bit straighter.

"Just shut up!" Reddling said, turning away from the daypony. If it isn't one hive, it's the other. I've had just about enough of this backstabbing.

Expect the next few chapters to be quite long. Things get super edgy from here on down- you have been warned.