Ugh, it isn't proofread but I didn't want to delay another day... If anyone notices errors and cares to yell at me go ahead, I'll make Rainy fix them later. Also the IRL Rainy is visiting me or something this weekend. I was gunna get drunk o.o

Reddling fled into the hallway as several more hisses echoed from the angry drones. There was no longer one hissing drone, but four drones poking their heads down. As much as I loathe to admit it, I'm not in any condition to keep fighting. I should meet up with Luna and the others. Honestly anywhere away from the Changelings seemed good, and Reddling felt partial towards the throne room right now. That was the last place he had seen Captain Shining Armor, and if nopony was laying siege to the throne room then the entrance to Luna's wing would at least be visible.

Canterlot Castle had fallen into a frenzy. All around him, Reddling could see that panic, mayhem, and discord reigned. He pushed his way through thongs of confused servants or lost looking guards, trying to make his way towards the main hall. Before he made his way to the throne room however, two familiar guards stood in the middle of a hall, glancing downwards in his direction. Reddling let out a sigh as he continued to trot rather quickly towards them.

"Night Guard!" Snuffleberry shouted, pointing at Reddling.

"Aye, good job." Buzzleleaf said, groaning and raising his weapon. "Come on, if we bag him we'll get a double promotion! You'll be calling me Corporal Buzzleleaf!"

"Bugger off you two asses- no offense to donkeys." Reddling made sure to add in the end bit, looking around for any donkeys that might have heard him. Buzzleleaf and Snuffleberry both drew swords, running after Reddling with sword in mouth. They didn't have anything to say about the comment, mostly because their swords were in their mouths. It probably wasn't anything worth hearing anyway though.

Indeed, Reddling's attention was no longer on the two privates, but on a russet coloured pegasus wearing lieutenant stripes on his armor. Reddling stopped in his tracks as he gazed at an Equestrian mirror of himself. If the pegasus's coat had been more to the red side than the brown side, the image would be perfect.

Both ponies took a few steps back. Right now they were in the upper hallways of the castle and could hear struggling from Luna's quarters, but Reddling wasn't sure if she should risk flying down there. He had no idea if crossbow ponies had been set up yet or not, and he wasn't too keen to find out.

"Snuffleberry, Buzzleleaf, what are you doing, hurry up and grab him!" The russet pegasus yelled at his inferiors in a Kiwian accent.

Snuffleberry removed his sword from his mouth, looking rather tersely at the pegasus. "But Sirah, it's his turn to make a move right now, it wouldn't be right to just jump him." Buzzleleaf whapped a hoof onto the back of Snufflerberry's head before charging after Reddling. With a shrug, Reddling turned, running and throwing himself to the floor and sliding past the russet pegasus. Reddling gave a smirk as Buzzleleaf plowed right into the russet lieutenant, knocking them both to the floor. Not bothering to give them a second look, Reddling quickly pulled himself over a balcony and fell downwards towards the main floor of Canterlot castle. He gave his wings a little flap as he glided towards Luna's carnage torn wing.

A steady trickle of guards had at one point been pushing towards Luna's wing, but now they all laid on the ground. Most were bleeding from wounds as they fell back, trying to push away from the halls that were stained with blood.

"Out of the way!" Reddling yelled, pushing one guard onto the ground as he moved towards Luna' wing. A small earth pony let out a loud scream as he flew overhead. The giant form of Bruiser had emerged into the main hallway, followed by Lunar, Shining Armor, Cadance, Midnight Tales, at least ten different bat ponies- some of whom were wielding weapons that Reddling had never seen before, -and one rather generic looking pegasus.

That's it? Where is everyone else? "Bruiser! Where are the others? We're leaving!"

"YEAH!" Bruiser yelled as he slammed his hammer into a guard's skull, crushing their helmet into their skull. "We're buckin' leaving! Ya don't say!" Shining Armor and Lunar threw themselves to Bruiser's side, hacking and slashing at the few guards still brave enough to advance.

"Guards!" Shining cried, his voice full of frustration and sadness at seeing his former comrades and loyal fellows slain. "Stand down, dammit!"

Reddling slammed the hilt of his sword into the head of a passing guard as he ducked to the side of the two Captains. He now had a full view of everypony emerging from Luna's wing. Midnight was now in full view and was the sole pony carrying Luna. Tops and Nightshade were fighting alongside Cobalt and some other bats. All opposition to the Night Guard was cut down like corn stalks, most of the royal guard not even managing a swing before they were felled.

"Where's Web?" Reddling said, counting up the bat ponies and turning to Tops.

"Last I saw she was still in Luna's quarters!" Tops yelled as he ducked a pony' swing. Tops grandly moved up, slamming his claws into the face of the pony and lifting the guard off their hooves.

Reddling swore loudly several times as he ducked past the Night Guard. "You guys should take Luna to Silverfield. The Changelings won't follow you there!"

"We're headed towards Everfree! Hopefully we can meet with Twilight and fix this." Tops called back.

"You'll never make it. They'll expect us to hide there and will follow us." Reddling turned pleadingly to Lunar. "Lunar, you have to trust me. Everfree is a deathtrap!"

"And Silverfield would love a shot at killing her, wouldn't they?" Nightshade called back to Reddling.

"200 stallions or a few thousand Changelings with the Equestrian military. Take your pick." Reddling replied.

"Everfree Castle will be safe, temporarily. It's located a little closer to the southern border than Canterlot is. We can regroup with the rest of the Night Guard and move from there. Luna cannot make the trip to Silverfield as is, and we won't make that decision now- Down!" Lunar was cut off as everypony hit the floor. A flurry of bolts shot in from windows, a few dozen unicorns forcing their way inside.

"Night Guard, move! Armor, cover our rear!" Lunar yelled, turning and beginning to push his way out of the castle at a more breakneck pace.

I don't take orders from you anymore. You're going to get us all killed.

Reddling doubled back, throwing himself forward and grabbing the closest unicorn's horn before slamming a second hoof into it. The unicorn let out a scream as their crossbow fell. Given his fatigue, both Shining and Reddling were surprised at how gracefully he caught the crossbow. Two seconds later, Reddling had turned the bowgun on it's former owner and fired the shot, ending the unicorn.

"Where'd you learn to do that?" Shining asked, ducking a blast from a unicorn's horn.

"Never mind that. What direction to Everfree?" Reddling asked.

Shining Armor pushed Reddling back as his horn sent off a bright light, creating a translucent barrier in the hallway as a fresh stream of arrows attempted to pelt the Night Guard from behind. "South-west!" Shining said, turning and galloping to catch up with the Night Guard.

Reddling did not follow Shining Armor. Instead, he ducked deeper into Luna's quarters, heading back up the stairway. At one time he could remember walking up these stairs with dread, but no more. He was too tired to feel fear at this point, and even if he was not exhausted the feeling of dread probably would not have lingered. The Night Guard had become a home that Silverfield never could compete with, and yet...

The madness of the frenzied palace below did not meet Luna's quarters. Light streamed in from various holes in the walls, casting a dull, unnaturally weak light on everything. The entire place seemed to have a haze not unlike smoke but without the smell hanging over it. Reddling kept his knife at the ready as he ascended the stairs, stopping to pick up his coat, which had somehow managed to find it's way out of the room. The coat had blood covering part of it, but nothing that wouldn't wash off. Taking a breath as he pulled on his coat, Reddling plunged into Luna's quarters.

Luna's room was darker. It was gloomy and shadowy inside even though the sun was shining through broken window and smashed walls. Thick red resin clung to most surfaces, either dripping off what was formally furniture or running down walls. Reddling did not take the time to count the number of corpses that Web had piled up. This was not so much because he was tired or lazy, but more based on the fact that he could not tell which body parts belonged to which bodies. A lucky few ponies had stayed mostly in one piece, their chests eviscerated and organs torn apart by sharp teeth. Some still wore shocked and fearful facial expressions as they stared unknowingly at the carnage around them.

The only sound in the room was Reddling's hooves squishing through pools of blood. The entire place held the eerie quietness of a funeral that no one had bothered to attend. Here and there, little shadows jumped around, wrapping their darkness and silence around everything in the room like a winter blanket.

Reddling stopped a few feet from Web, who was curled up on the ground asleep. She was a pony once more, with quiet and peaceful breaths coming in and out of her smiling bloodstained mouth.

"Web," Reddling said, staring down at her somewhat harshly. "It's Reddling. We have to leave now."

Web did not reply, but continued to lay almost motionless on the ground.

"Web, please wake up, or say something!" Reddling shook his head, glancing around the room and continuing to talk to Web. He had left three of his throwing knives in here and was intent on collecting them. Every now and then a memory of Web flashed into his eyes, reminding him of the terror that she had brought to bare against the Royal Guard.

Seeing a glint of light in the carnage, Reddling snatched up a small, ornate dagger- Web's knife. I was right to fear Tops and Nightshade. The difference between them is that they'd never be insane enough to use their power this way...

Reddling trotted over to Web's side again, a thought occurring to him. He deposited Web's knife in one of his armored compartments before laying down next to her.You don't use the Nightmare... Reddling reached out to pick Web up, putting his hooves on her shoulders and preparing to hoist her onto his back.

Web's eyes snapped open the moment she felt something. In an instant Web's hooves wrapped around Reddling's head and neck, pulling him less than an inch from her face with vicelike strength that he was sure she could not possess. Her eyes were not the sweet amber that he had been hoping for. Instead, her pupils were slitted and thin like the edge of a knife, each fiendish eye glowing with a nightmarish and ethereal light. A sickening giggle that sounded like the gurgling of blood pierced the air with cold daggers as Web prepared to speak.

"R̶̶̦̥͔͚͙͉̩̲̝͝͝ed҉̢̡̣̤̭̮͍͖͙͔̬̳̪̦͟͝ͅd͏͎͍̯̩̬̺̪̞̰̠͇͔͎̳̟̞͝͝ͅļ̸̛̣͓̩̣̖͇̠̫͚̙͈̮̯̖̪͟͝i̧̨͇͙̼̙͚̤̖͈͉̩͉̩̩̲̖̙̕͟͝ͅn̸̛̮̫̱͔͎͈̘g̶̵̱̩͕̫̕ͅ" It was not Web that spoke, but some other creature with Web's voice. Some fiend that was one step short of being real.

"W-Web?" Reddling's voice cracked mid syllable as Web pulled him closer, touching their muzzles.

"I ͠t͟old͜ ̛y̶o͜u I ͜woul͜d vi͢s͝it a҉ thir͏d ͡time." The nightmare said. Reddling gulped, his chest heaving as his heart threatened to give out. At least in dreams all he lost was his sleep but this- this was the real deal. A living, breathing Nightmare had bridged itself to the world and was continuing it's demonic speech. "̢D̴o̡ ͝you lįke͜ ͝i̴t? What ͞s̕he ͏c͝an d̡o͏?̡ ̧ When s͜h͘e ̛th̶r҉o̸ws a͟w͞ay͠ e̷ve͘rythi̡ng ͘h̶o̸ļd̨i̶ng͡ ͠h͠e҉r̶ ba͜ck? ̡Wh͡en̕ s̢he͡ ͢g͏i̢ve͏s ͞in ̵tơ ̢th͢e̶ N̨i̧g͠htma̧ŗe͟?"

Reddling tried to force out a reply, but Web's hooves were now starting to cut off his oxygen supply.

"Oh,̧ but͝ th͡is҉ ̛i͡s̶n't ͟what ͏yo̴u͜ ͟wa͠nt,̶ is̨ it Re͘d͢dli͘n͟g. ̡ ̡Yo̢u just want t͞o̵ ͟kįll ̨Her. T̵o͟ ͜dri̢ve yo̷u͏r dag͟g̸e͟rs̵ in͜t͞o he͜r͞ h͢ear̴t ̷and͟ w̷atc̕h̴ ͟H͡er̕ d̵i̵e͝.͠ ͜ Lu̵na. ̵" Reddling breathed in a huge breath as Web's hoof let up on his windpipe. The nightmare stroked his mane with cold, sharp claws, each claw combing his hair back while gently scratching the skin.

"Do ͞y̛ou͏ ͘r͞ea҉lly ͟nee͝d͞ ̴it̢?̴ N̡o..͟. ͏ look͘ ̧at ̛h͠o̕w str͞ơn͞g ͏y͏ou a͠re, ͞ev̵en̷ w͘it̢h̕out̛ ͜it͟!̵ ̛ Pro͘ud and̕ un̷breakablę! ̷ ̕E͏e̸eehe̷.͝..͘" Web's giggle was an empty one, devoid of any bubbly emotion, real or fake.

"But- how much stronger... could I be with your power?" Reddling gasped. His voice was barely more than a whisper as he kept his eyes locked on the monster. "I could save everypony."

"Y͡ou a̕l̨rea̵dy ҉have ̵every̸t̢h̶ing y͜o̶u ͟neęd̕. Tak̷e̢ h̶er kn̢i̛fe. S̨he won͢'t̷ re͏m͜e͡m̡ber. ̡ ̶D̸r͠įve̡ i̵t҉ ͏into ̡L͝una̴'̴s hear̢t͠. K͜ill ̸Her̛.͡ ́ ̸" The nightmare demanded.

"...Celestia, bug... Cadance, bug... Luna, dead..." Reddling counted them off in his head. With all reasonably conceivable means of defeating the Changeling hives out of reach... Equestria would crumble to the Changelings, and I'd be able to return to Silverfield a hero.

"I'd have done it right?" Reddling demanded of the nightmare, his words a little stronger. "I could go... back to Silverfield?"

"Y̴es̨. ̵ ̡Victo͢r̷y, ̕Gl̢ory̨,͡ ̷H̕o͞n͜or͞. Aļl y̧our ̵g̕r̛e͡a͠te̸s̷t͞ ͏dre҉a̢ms.͘" The nightmare said, cracking a mad grin onto Web's face. Reddling felt a cold chill go down his spin as he leaned forward and hugged Web. Web tensed up for just a moment before release spread across her body. With a quiet sigh, Web released a breath that she had held for far too long and went limp. Her grip faded away as she passed into a dreamless sleep.

Reddling picked Web up onto his back, turning towards a broken window. Web was heavy for him, but it wasn't impossible to carry her. At most he could glide with her on his back, and no action would be with any amount of dexterity or speed.

Reddling took a breath before stepping out the window, beginning a glide down towards the castle gardens. Slipping into the city from the palace wouldn't be hard with all the Royal Guard focusing on Luna, and two bat ponies would barely be worth looking into given the immediate circumstances. Guards were rushing around the city and palace with horrible disorder. Their efforts were not only horribly disorganized but terribly mismanaged by the entire support structure above them. Even with citizens giving Reddling and Web a wide birth and glaring at them with staring eyes, the police still were unable to track down any bat ponies.

And I was too blind to see that Changelings have been systematically sabotaging every level of the Equestrian law structure. Malicious bastards, those queens, even if it is to survive.

Reddling spared himself a quick snicker before ducking into the alleys of Canterlot. Equestria hung by a thread now, and nopony in the public seemed to be any wiser.

Reddling tried the handle of a back door. When the door rattled to indicate it was locked, Reddling knocked loudly on the door, hissing between the crack, "It's your favorite longcoat buyer."

"Just a moment!" came a muffled shout from inside. Reddling put a hoof inside his buttoned up jacket, ready to draw a weapon at any time.

"The front is open, you know." The mare said, opening the door and gasping. "Goodness dear, are you all right? You look awful!"

"Who was the first bat pony you ever fit for clothes?" Reddling demanded fiercely, leaning in towards the door.

The shopmare blinked, clearly surprised. "Why, it was you Reddling! Why this hostility?" Reddling grunted as he pushed inside, doing his best to keep Web balanced on his back.

"I had to make sure you weren't a Changeling." Reddling stopped at her blank look. "One of the monsters. The city has been overrun, and the Night Guard are being framed as assassins."

"WHAT?" The shopmare demanded, closing the door hurriedly.

"I can explain later, please. We need bandages and we need a place to rest." Reddling pleaded.

"I- of course. Take your friend upstairs, you can clean off and rest." The shopmare said.

"Thank you." Reddling bowed his head gratefully. "Don't tell anypony we're here!"

"Not a word!" the shopmare promised.

Reddling ducked upstairs, making out the modest apartment owned by the shopmare. She had two bedrooms- one with her belongings and one that appeared to be a rather nice guest room. Reddling bypassed both and went for the bathroom, laying Web down against the floor. The sound of metal armor hitting the ground clanged very loudly in the darkness of the bathroom. Reddling had not bothered to light a candle and did not intend to. He had pulled off all his clothing and was staring at his reflection.

He had not seen his face since before the Changeling business started. His face was gaunt and tired now. Bags hung under his eyes to show the lack of sleep that he had been suffering from, complimenting a small cut on his cheek that he did not remember getting. On his chest he could see the faint outline of a scar where Balefly had ripped his chest open. Web really was a miracle healer, as any other pony would have had horrible scarring running up and down their chest.

Reddling tore away from his reflection as he opened up the drawers and the medicine cabinet, pulling out all variety of bandages, gauze, and medical tapes. Setting them above the sink, Reddling turned on the shower in the room and sighed as warm steam filled the air.

A little over half an hour later, Reddling found himself in the clothing store. The blinds had been closed and the store door showed a "closed" sign. The shopmare had been reluctant to close her store today, but two bat ponies soaked in blood wondering through her back door had done wonders in the persuasion department. Reddling leaned back in an armchair, almost ready to pass out right there. He had cleaned all of the blood off his body, and now was dressed rather sharply with his armor removed.

"You look simply awful, you should be in bed, straight aways." The shopmare said in a shaky voice.

"I have to leave tonight." Reddling mumbled, staring at the floor with sad, bright eyes. "You should get out of the city too- Canterlot has fallen.

"No- how, how is this possible!?" The shopmare said, shaking her head. Reddling knew she was still trying to take in all that had happened. He had briefly shared with her the fight with Balefly, as well as the diplomatic mission that he had been sent on afterwards. He had left out details about Queen Mantidae or his return, simply remarking that Princess Celestia had not been who everypony thought she was. the less she knew, the safer she would be.

"Celestia... no..." Reddling looked up to see tears in her eyes.

"If you want to stay and join Hive Celestia, go ahead. I'm going to try and regroup with any other renegades and head for my homeland. Silverfield is safeguarded against Changelings." Reddling looked over at the shopmare and sighed. She looked like she was about ready to burst into uncontrollable sobbing. "There's still hope."

"Hope..." She whispered.

"It's almost gone- So will you leave, or will you stay and become a drone?" Reddling said the first part very quickly, much to the surprise of the shopmare.

"I- I'm just a seamstress. I can't fight, I can't fly- I, oh..." She covered her face in distress, her ears flattening.

"Are there relatives you can stay with somewhere? Go on a little trade mission." Reddling said.

"The thought of- of war, fighting! It's frightening!" The shopmare said, looking up pleadingly.

If I were in Silverfield, the shopkeepers would be pulling out crossbows and the Templars would be swarming the streets. Everypony would be armed within two minutes. Here- the shopkeepers give into despair, the population doesn't know how to defend itself or even know how to respond to these kinds of situations. I pity them.

"You've been good to me, I couldn't leave you at the mercy of the Changelings." Reddling said to her, rising up and heading for the stairs. "It's your decision now."

"I- oh... T-Thank you, Reddling." The mare said, calling after him. "I- ...Yes, thank you."

Reddling trotted up the stairs and proceeded straight to the guest bedroom, shutting the door behind him with his wing. Web was laying under the covers of the bed, nuzzled up in the blankets peacefully. Reddling had cleaned the blood off of her muzzle and coat, leaving her as clean as ever. Obviously the transformation had taken a lot out of her, because she had managed to stay asleep throughout the entire shower.

It had been difficult for Reddling to clean her off. It was not the fact he was touching her, but rather the fact that she was touching him. Two parts of his brain, heart, and a few other areas of his body balked and longed to just cuddle her.

Reddling sighed, pulling himself under the covers of the bed. He worked very hard to stay on his side of the bed, but found that no sleep came to him. He had been disgusted by the way Nightshade and Tops laid together but- it was protective. Rolling over, Reddling wrapped a wing around Web, trying to pull a cover between them so they wouldn't be touching.

...Within moments, he had passed out. As soon as he lost consciousness, his wing tightened around Web ever so slightly. He pulled her closer, snuggling with Web like she was a really big stuffed animal.

Reddling woke up when it was already dark outside. Moonlight was streaming through a crack in the curtains, landing gently on the covers. The figure of Web's body was highlighted by the weak light, showing a tangled mess of sheets. Reddling's wing was still hugging her close and her wings were now draped around him like some very soft and gentle embrace. Reddling wasn't sure how a mother's embrace felt, but he imagined it might be something like this.

It greatly disturbed him.

Reddling pulled away from Web with a little "ick", untangling his limbs from hers and pulling his wing back to where it belonged. Reddling quickly glanced out the window and took stock of the burning nightlight before belting on his equipment. Before long he had on his armor on and his coat buttoned up. While his sword could not be easily or reliably hidden under the coat, he knew that if he ever needed to it would be easy enough to ditch the sword and fight with his knives. He'd counted six throwing knives and Ausfall at his disposal, which was more than enough to deal with a small platoon of incompetent Royal Guards.

Before heading downstairs, Reddling stopped into the bathroom once more, staring at his reflection. I have to let this be over tonight. Mantidae was right. The words of the powerful queen had been haunting his thoughts. It was true that there would be nopony left but the Changelings to rule, but Reddling had found peace in that. Every friend he had was outside of Canterlot and had a chance to run for their lives, and if they choose not too than that wasn't his fault.

Web appeared in the doorway, sleepily wandering towards Reddling and wrapping a wing around his shoulder. Reddling glanced to check her eyes, giving a soft sigh as the peaceful amber stared back at him.

"Hm... Reddling," Web said softly, looking into the mirror as well, "I was having a fantastic dream..."

"Yes, about that," Reddling said coolly, "You ripped out the throats of three ponies and Celestia in your sleep."

"Oh, Celestia too? Does Luna know? She'll probably be upset at that." Web's remark was akin to that of someone when they have broken a moderately expensive but replaceable art piece.

"Luna has fled to Everfree. Celestia, or rather, Mantiade, I finished off. Hive Celestia is running the show now though, and we're still in Canterlot. It's time to cause some more trouble and get out of town." Reddling wiped his face with his hoof, turning to his friend.

"Time for a third date, I suppose?" Web grinned.

"We should grab some supplies we might need here and then get to Everfree." Reddling said. "We could probably kill Celestia together, but then we couldn't get away to intercept Chrysalis, if she isn't here already."

"Hmm... We could always just go through the caves. A good way in and out of the castle." Web said. "But first, want to get something to eat?! I'm starving."

Didn't your cannibalism satisfy you? "I've got some dry rations, if that work." Reddling offered. Web glared at him.

"Oh come on Reddling, be a little romantic. Let's go back to the cafe- don't worry, It's been closed to repair damage. I have an old friend that could cook for us." Web pranced out of the bathroom, heading for the stairs.

"Don't kill the pony downstairs, she's a friend." Reddling called after Web, who gave a perky little nod. Reddling sighed, following after her. "We need all the friends we can get, we're traitors to Equestria now." I was never really on their side...

"Oh, wonderful!" Web said. "Imagine all the thing we can do now, and nopony will bat an eyelid. Ehehe- bat." Web giggled to herself on the way down the stairs.

"Lunar is trying to get the rest of the Night Guard killed. They fled to some keep in Everfree." Reddling said.

"Oh, I think they'll be alright. That's Luna's old castle, you know- before the whole Nightmare Moon fiasco." Web said matter of factly.

"No, I didn't know that, but I don't know a lot of things about Equestria." Reddling said. "This place is a lot more chaotic than the books told me."

"Hah! That's what happens when you mess with the dark side of things!" Web waited at the bottom of the stairs gleefully.

"Speaking of the dark side of things, we learned about something better at killing Changelings than your poison." Reddling glared down at her.

"Ohh, did you, did you?" Web asked.

Reddling nodded, "It drives them mad and makes them kill each other off. Scatter a bit here and there, the hive would destroy itself. They won't touch anything from Silverfield, the whole land is cursed to them, taboo."

Web's eyes were bright and eager as she stared up. "Silverfield? It poisons them? Very Interesting... Do you know what does it? Why?"

I think I do, but should I tell you? Reddling shrugged.

"Aww..." Web's smile faded to disappointment. "Well, I'm sure we'll figure it out." She looked herself over as Reddling came down the stairs, stopping when she saw her knife sheathe.

"Hm, my knife's missing. That's not good..." Web whispered.

"Why?" Reddling asked.

Web giggled. "You've seen what it does. Whoever picked it up's in for a surprise. I hope they don't nick themselves on it..."

"A Nightmareish surprise?" Reddling asked.

"You know me so well!" Web said, giggling and leaning in close to Reddling's side as he reached the bottom of the stairs. "Ready to go?" Reddling looked down, then produced Web's knife, making sure to not cut himself on it.

"Oh- you picked it up! Fantastic- but, you didn't cut yourself, did you?" Web asked, concerned.

"I don't remember and I don't want to remember anything about that." Reddling said moodily.

"Aww..." Web sighed, patting him on the shoulder. "It'll be okay. You just need some air. Tell you what, Let's go get my friend and then we can head for Everfree. I just need to stop into the castle real quick to pick up a few things and then we can have a picnic right at false dawn!"

Reddling blinked at her, looking up at the shop. Most of the goods had been packed up, and the shopkeeper was clearly going to be ready to go by morning.

"Yeah, let's do that."

WHY THIS HOUSE? Reddling balked as he and Web landed on the roof of a home right next to the Basil Leaf Cafe. Reddling had seen inside this house before and done his best to erase the memories. Various stuffed heads lined every single wall, all of them from great beasts that had been slain.

"Are we going to the Basil Leaf Cafe?" Reddling asked hopefully, glancing at Web. Web rolled her eyes, giggling.

"No no, they're closed at this hour. We're just going to say hello to Ironfeather." Web's voice was very quiet, not even a whisper.

"Well, alright. Let's go see him then. He lives-" Reddling pointed down at the house they were currently standing on. Web nodded, pointing at a perch that was built outside a bedroom door.

"That one? It isn't maybe the one across the street?" Reddling pleaded.

Web ignored Reddling, "He keeps the door unlocked, but the hinges are very squeaky. That's so he can catch anypony who decides to break in... ehehe. Be very, very quiet.

"Right, like anypony would break in here, haha." Reddling chuckled weakly to himself. This was one of the homes that he had learned to avoid when he was patrolling Canterlot before the wedding business.

Web ignored the door to the bedroom, dropping down and going over to the window, which she began to work on opening. It took a little jimming around, but finally her hooves and clawed wings pulled the window open silently. Web vanished instantly, stepping into the room with Reddling close behind her. He blinked a little as her tail brushed his face, giving himself a little shake to stay focused. This wasn't a house that he wanted to become distracted in.

Looking around the room, Reddling noted all the animal heads again. Most of them were kinds of beasts that he could not describe, although none seems particularly dangerous.

That was until Reddling saw the newest addition to the collection. The snarling face of a Changeling with blank, dim eyes stared directly at him.

"Dah!" Reddling fell backwards, hitting the ground and crawling away from the taxidermied Changeling head.

The sound of Ironfeather stirring in his bed echoed around the room. Web shot Reddling a glare as she stared between him and the figure in the bed. A large, old griffon lay in the bed, many of his feathers greyed from the years he had spent out in the sun. Web watched the beast carefully, as if expecting him to jump up suddenly and gobble up the bats in the room.

"Oh get the hell up, bird brain, I know you're awake!" Web yelled at Ironfeather. Reddling turned just in time to see a giant eye snap open. An Eagle's eye stared around the room, checking out what was going on for a few moments before a loud screeching cry shook the room. Reddling covered his ears, wincing in pain.

"Ah- Ow! Shut up, dammit!" Reddling pushed his hooves further into his ears, trying to drown out the sound.

"ACAW!" Ironfeather declared, jumping from his bed and landing powerfully on the all fours. "Web! You crazy bat! What the hell are you doing here! I told you not to bother me so late! I'M RETIRED!"

Reddling carefully removed his hooves from his ears. His head was still ringing a bit as he sneered at the griffon. "Great, we can just leave then."

"Ironfeather!" Web whined. "Stop being so Boring! Those bugs are up to more shenanigans! I thought you might want to oh you know... ehehe!" She kept her voice very high pitched, making sure that each word carried well across the room.

Ironfeather tensed up a bit, his claws digging into the wood floor and leaving behind long scratch marks. "Are they?!"

"Oh yes!" Web nodded. "All sorts of nasty business. Got themselves all holed up with the royalty. Luna's been kicked out, ran off to Everfree. Whole palace is probably planted with them. It's going to be quite a mess sorting all this out!"

"Speaking of messes, maybe we should get going before this mess finds us?" Reddling asked, glancing over at Web.

"You stand right there!" The griffon said, pointing at Reddling as he groped for a thick pair of glasses. Web and Reddling both stood stock still as Ironfeather put on a very thick pair of glasses. When he had adjusted them, he turned back to the bats, squinting though the thick lenses.

"I've got a shop to run! You want me to just pack up and leave for whatever crazy scheme you have in mind?!" Ironfeather demanded of Web.

"Or you can stay, and they'll eat you." Reddling said in a normal indoor speaking voice.

"EAT ME?! CAW! I'd like to seem TRY!" Ironfeather clawed at the wooden floor, shredding part of a board. "I'll trip them to pieces!"

"That's not going to do much good when two replaced each one that you kill." Reddling argued.

"GOOD! There weren't enough the first time!" Ironfeather yelled. "That whole mess was the most fun I've had in years!"

"A perfect reason for a roadtrip." Reddling said slyly. The griffon stopped, glancing at Reddling as a faint smile cracked the corners of his beak- or however the expression worked for griffons, Reddling wasn't quite sure how these birds worked their beaks.

"FINE!" Ironfeather declared. "When and where is our randezvous?"

"Great- Well then, Web, I think we should get going." Reddling said hastily, already starting for the door.

"Who's your friend?" Ironfeather asked Web, motioning to Reddling before squinting at him again. "You know, you look kind of familiar."

"No, ha. I am not familiar." Reddling said blankly, scratching the back of his head. "I ate some pasta at your shop with Web once."

"...Oh!" Web exclaimed, inserting herself between the two of them. "I never introduced you two! Reddling, meet Ironfeather. Ironfeather, Reddling." Web put both her hooves on Reddling's back, pushing him roughly towards Ironfeather.

"S-Stop-" Reddling started.

"Don't be so aloof. Say hello!" Web demanded.

"Ah- ack, fine. I'm Reddling Rain of Silverfield." Reddling gave a little bow to Ironfeather.

"Reddling eh?" Ironfeather mused, stroking his beak softly with a talon. After studying him for several moments, Ironfeather extended a talon. Despite Reddling's reservations, he dusted off his hoof before extending it, grasping talon and hoof with the griffon.

"You must be the smallest f- bucking stallion I've ever seen." Ironfeather stared down at Reddling with the eyes of a hardened predator.

"Grr- size isn't everything, and I'm not small- urg." Reddling blushed, moving his hoof around a little as the griffon tightened his talon. "...Strong grip."

For about a minute Ironfeather held Reddling's hoof, slowly drifting closer. The smell of meat drifted from the bird's beak, filling the air with an unnatural stench. Reddling did his best not to cough, determined to hold the griffon's talon until he let go first. Ironfeather knew this as well, but obviously wasn't much for a hoof-squeezing match with a pony. Reddling rubbed his hoof as soon as Ironfeather released it, trying his best to make it look like he was dusting it off.

"Now get out of my house, both of you! I'm going back to sleep!" Ironfeather declared.

"Nice seeing you too, bird brains." Web called over her shoulder, already opening a rather squeaky door that lead to the perch. Reddling did not dare breath a sigh of relief until he and Web were safely back on top of the roof.

"I'm going to head into the castle to pick up a few things..." Web said, swishing her tail and looking at the palace. "Just a few things I need to grab. You should go to Everfree."

"Why can't I come along into the castle? Isn't it going to be dangerous?" Reddling asked. Web thought for a moment, then wrapped her tail around Reddling's leg, pressing herself to his side. Reddling fell over on the roof, not ready for this sudden display of affection.

"Because you have some business to take care of. Go talk to Luna." Web whispered.

"W-What?" Reddling froze. Everything suddenly seemed sharper as Web gave the back of his ear a gentle lick, her hoof petting his mane.

"Go for a fly, clear your mind." Web said. "You talk in your sleep too much, Reddling."

Reddling only stared at Web, who stared right back. He had not remembered any dreams from the last day, so he was rather bemused at the idea that she could know something. Web placed her hoof on Reddling' chin, tilting his head up and giving him a quick kiss. Reddling instantly tried to pull back, but Web pulled him forward, sliding a little of her tongue againt his mouth for a brief moment. Just as quick a it had begun, the kiss was over, and Web had turned to the edge of the roof.

"Which way to Everfree, what am I looking for?" Reddling asked, giving his head a little shake.

"Head west and look for a place of the night. You don't need to worry- you'll find it. This place calls to the children of the night." Web said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Goodbye, Reddling. I'll see you later?"

I gave the changelings everything. I accepted their fake surrender, I tried to make things better in this world, but it didn't work. I could have had a fresh chance in Equestria, and I've screwed it up. I don't know if there is anything more I could have done to try and make things better, but that past is the past.

How can you trust anything in this world? How do I know Luna won't betray me and torch Silverfield someday? ...How does she know I won't betray her? What if I do betray her? I could stab her in the back right now. I could slash open her neck, and my work would be done. Nopony would be able to stop the Changelings from whatever horrible plan they have, and Silverfield would never be threatened again! Equestria would be consumed and Silverfield redeemed!

...But what will my friends say? What will Web say? I could have used Web's dagger to kill Luna and fulfill the Nightmare, but instead I've turned it down. Silverfield will never accept me now, they'll cut off my wings and mark me as a demon. No matter what, I will be a failure to somepony. I don't belong anywhere.

Reddling sighed as he flew over open, wild winds that reminded him of those in Silverfield. He'd been scouring Everfree for hours, and he was ready for this to be over. The entire trip he had kept his mind on one thought. He was nervous and unsure of himself, not sure if this was the right path or not. After what seemed like forever, a false dawn was beginning to approach as Reddling found the old castle. Swooping down, Reddling landed outside of the keep's gate. In the distance was a set of ruins with a rickety old wooden bridge leading to them, but that wasn't what he was focused on.

Hidden underneath the treeline was a small fortress. It had been built into the side of a cliff and sported walls on all sides. The castle itself was almost totally destroyed, but there was clearly life here. A giant metal thud hit the ground as soon as Reddling touched down. Ducking, a mace flew overhead as a loud "CAW" bit the morning air. A tall and imposing griffon in a slightly rusted set of old fashioned knight armor.

"Wait, he's with us!" A voice from further away cried. Reddling looked up to see Ironfeather lifting the vizor of a helmet, staring down at him with his good eye as Shining Armor galloped over with a slight pant.

"Reddling! You're late!" Shining Armor huffed.

"Sorry, had a few things to take care of..." Reddling groaned, straightening up. If I've got to be damned, you know I want to be damned! I can't decide if Luna should live or die, but we all die someday

A few bats were peeking their heads over the walls, looking out at Reddling, Shining Armor, and Ironfeather. Reddling gave a cough, facing the Captain. "It's feathers. I have some really bad experiences with feathers." Reddling met a blank stare from Shining Armor.

"...Oh, it's you again. You're late!" Ironfeather yelled at Reddling.

"Yeah, thanks." Reddling nodded. Ironfeather turned, flying back to the gatehouse.

"Sorry about that, that griffon is crazy." Shining Armor said apologetically.

"I've met him before Captain- it's nothing. How are Princess Cadance and Luna?" Reddling asked.

"Princess Cadance is safe, and Luna is safe and stable." Shining did not seem happy with the current situation, biting his lip when his fiancee came up.

"You seem discontent." Reddling said quietly.

"...Hm. This place," Shining said, "I've been assured it is safe and secure, but it does not seem defensible. There are multiple easy points of entry- the walls, the ceiling. Why the Night Guard chose this place to run to, I don't know. There are at least half a dozen bats keeping watch at any time, but even with all our numbers, it wouldn't be enough to starve off a dedicated assault."

"Hm..." So it might be possible to escape... I could see Rainy again- Reddling nodded. "You still see worried. If it's your sister, don't be. She can take care of herself."

Rainy can take care of himself if something happens to me.

"...I know. This whole business is a mess. Thank you for your words- I was considering going to get her, but I- I know she can handle herself." Shining Armor gave a faint smile at the end. "It's just the big brother in me being worried."

"If somepony has to get her, I'll help." Reddling said. "She still owes me a bit of research about- someplace. I know how it feels to be worried about a younger member of the family." Reddling let out a sigh, looking in at the ruined castle's open keep doors. Luna's carriage had been parked in the courtyard and stood out with it's reinforced metal sides.

"Has anypony reported the situation with Celestia and her transformation to Luna?" Reddling asked quietly.

"Transformation! I-I don't know. I've been doing what I can, but I'm out of my element." Shining sighed.

Face it or become a causality. "I understand. I'd like to go wait with her until she wakes up then so I can tell her. Can you take me to her?" Reddling asked, his thoughts more focused on how his blade would soon be wet with Luna's bed. This was it- Two Princesses down, one to go.

"In one of the lower levels of the castle. I can take you there if you'd like." Shining offered.

"If it isn't too much trouble, Sir." Reddling nodded. Shining began trotting towards the doors, leading Reddling down a set of stairs and into some dungeons. The darkness was lit up by his softly glowing horn as the dungeon gave way to twisting catacombs beneath the castle.

"I could use a walk anyway. Standing by the door was getting dull, and the others will be alright for now." Shining said to himself.

It's not the others you should be worried about. I can destroy Luna now... do I want too? "Yes, I am sure." Reddling said, his voice clamming up. He was starting to feel cold with each step. The further away from the surface he got, the more sure he was that he was trotting into his tomb.

I have to concentrate on my goal. The world swam in front of Reddling as his heart began to throw terribly. His head felt like it had been impaled on a street corner with little bits of rocks left inside. Shining opened a door and stepped inside. Reddling's heart sank when he followed.

Inside of this large cavern were at least a thousand bats. They were all hanging from stalagmites, their claws gripping onto stone to keep them in place. A dozen bright yellow and slitted eyes opened, piercing right through him.

"Gah! No!" Reddling balked, shutting his eyes.

"Something wrong?" Shining Armor asked, turning around. Reddling blinked at the very bright light, looking around. The cavern was empty now, and a dozen sleeping bat ponies either hung from the ceiling or were laying on some blankets that had been spread out on the ground.

Not real. It's all in my head, this is all in my head. The bats aren't real. Now focus on Princess Luna! "Sorry, the dark played a trick on my eyes- let's go, please Sir." Reddling took a deep breath, trying to keep himself from clamming up any more than he already was.

"If you say so." Shining said, leading Reddling across the cavern and down through a narrow tunnel. The tunnel almost instantly filled with the sound of his measured breathing, which echoed around both of them.

"These areas are defensible, but if the exits are blocked then there will be no way out- are you sure you are alright? You seem tense." Shining turned on Reddling, who shook his head.

"No I'm- I- I'm always fine." Reddling slipped a bit, sliding down a little slope. Shining Armor stopped as he arrived at another cavern. Bruiser was among some other bat ponies who were sleeping together, another dozen of them taking up this area. Reddling continued to focus on his walking. His legs could not stop working now, he'd spent his entire life planning for this moment. Every moment had been leading up to this climax, with the resolution being his death.

Shining Armor stopped, knocking on a heavy door. "It's me, Shining Armor! 'Dark nights and pleasant dreams!'" Shining Armor looked down at Reddling. "The codeword, so nopony gets in and hurts Luna."

"R-Right! We wouldn't want any bad guys getting in there." Reddling said, his voice cracking. Irk! We're here already! But- no! Not yet, I- I need more time to focus.

"Shining Armor. Who do you have with you?" Lunar's voice echoed from the other side of the door.

"It-" Reddling felt his heart skip a few beats. "It's Reddling, Captain." Oh my god, oh god, It's going to be a room full of them, and there are to behind me! I'll never make it out alive! they're going to kill me. I'm going to die- I, I don't want to die- but, my mission-

"Reddling." Lunar said plainly. "Do you remember our first sparring match?"

"... ...Is that the time that I stabbed you in the side?" Reddling croaked. For a moment there was silence, then Lunar slammed on the door. The sound of many chains rattling and bolts being withdrawn echoed before the door finally slid open.

"Extinguish your horn. Princess Luna is resting." Lunar said quietly.

She's asleep- There's no chance of her stopping me. I wonder if they'll kill me first, or torture me and then kill me.

Shining Armor obeyed, putting out his horn and standing aside to let Reddling enter. Reddling moved forward robotically, staring around the immediate area. There were some couches and beds in here, along with crates of supplies. It was the perfect panic room for when the worst of the worst happened. Luna rested on a simple bed, three bat ponies laying on couches near her.

Reddling took in a breath, taking a few steps towards Princess Luna's sleeping body. It was at that moment that one of the bat pony's ears perked up. Midnight Tales lifted his head, butdid not speak, only giving Reddling a grave look.

No! Midnight- Why, why are you here? The entire room froze around him. Reddling and Midnight locked eyes, staring at each other for a long moment. I don't want to fight you, I can't fight you. I refuse to fight my friends...

But I don't have to fight you.

"Reddling!" Lunar said loudly behind him.

"Reddling, are you alright?" Midnight asked, leaning forward concernedly.

"What is the matter." Lunar demanded.

"It's nothing- just very tired." Reddling said faintly, staring down at Luna again.

"...Why have you come here?" Lunar asked. Reddling's thoughts flew into a frenzy. Why was he here? What was he doing here again?

"He wanted to see Luna" Shining Armor said.

Luna, had to tell her something... "C-Captain. You have all been informed that a new Changeling hive was created? that the one posing as her- Queen Mantiade, She's dead. I killed her but- Celestia is a Queen too..." Reddling blurted out words, trying to keep the bile in his stomach from rising up.

"Tops, Nightshade, and Web have informed us of most of this." Lunar said mildly. "You are clearly nervous about something. given the nature of the enemy we are fighting, that does not sit well with me at all. Leave Immediately, If you are simply tired, rest, and we will speak later."

Kill her, kill her right now! If I don't do this, then I'll never have another chance. I can end all of the tyranny in Equestria with one well placed strike. I'll save my homeland!

Reddling stood totally still for a few moments, staring blankly into the nothingness of the room. Everything seemed sluggish as he reached into his coat, drawing out his knife. Everything seemed to be moving very slowly, and it took an eternity for Ausfall to find it's mark in Luna's neck. It looked as real as he'd known it would be. Dark vermillion bubbled up from Luna's jugular as her eyes opened as she gasped in pain. Reddling was on top of her now, his hind legs pushed into her belly. He had wrapped a forehoof around the back of her head, holding her still as blood began to leak all over the covers, staining them with the most brilliant scarlet the world had ever seen.