"I guess it all worked out then." Tops said, brushing back his mane and giving a relieved sigh.

Being out of Princess Luna's chambers had come like a sudden burst of air to the face. After Reddling had felt both sets of hooves cross the doorway that led into the rest of the incorporeal castle, some great weight had fallen off his chest, making it possible to breathe once more. Tops had what nearly equated to a grin plastered on his face, a stark contrast to the surly, grumpy look that Nightshade was giving both of them.

"Look, just because I'm forgiven doesn't mean that it will undo grievances on either side." Reddling whispered quietly. "Silverfield still needs help and fixing-" Reddling paused, looking at Nightshade "-and yes, I need to make some adjustments on my end towards Equestria as well." Like not thinking about killing you.

"Yeah." Tops nodded. Nightshade trotted forward, keeping her eyes locked on Reddling. Reddling did a sort of backwards hop, keeping at least some distance between himself and the furious baticorn. Her eyes almost seemed to be melting onto the front of her face like some furious eagle as she leaned her head forward, speaking in a low and deadly tone.

"I'm just glad we know where we stand now. I'm going to go... wake up. I'm sure there are things that need doing, and it's probably almost night." Nightshade's voice reeked of disbelief and distrust. Her voice now fully lacked the warmth Reddling had come to expect from a friend; her lack of emotion was chilling, even for one as dark and moody as she was.

"...Right. Hey, it's also maybe best that things aren't shared with everypony? I don't need to be in hot water with anypony else, and I should be allowed to talk to Midnight and Web since they weren't there- at least, not that I saw." Reddling said, leaning a bit to keep himself in Nightshade's field of view as she began to trot away.

"Fine, sure, it's your dark past or whatever." Nightshade rolled her eyes.

"Dark past?" Reddling said indignantly, "I got sent here on holy orders. I've spent more time in the dark since I got here than I ever did in Silverfield."

"...You know what I mean. I'll see you on the other side." Nightshade did not miss a step as she continued down the winding halls that made up the tunnel system under the keep.

"This entire dreamscape is weird as hell." Reddling said, sitting down and leaning back as he watched Nightshade vanish into the wisps of smoke that controlled the walls of the world.

"Luna's keeping it as lucid as possible." Tops replied.

"Yeah, right..." Reddling let out a sigh, thinking about what to do next. He was still somewhat in shock from the last few minutes. "I think I'm going to get my knife, want to hang around with me for a bit?" Reddling asked. Tops gave a nod and a shrug, following him as he took off towards the tower where he'd left his weapons.

"It's a dream, you know that right?" Tops panted as he galloped up the stairs to keep at the same pace as Reddling. "You'll still have them when you wake up!"

Reddling didn't stop to reply or acknowledge Tops until he had ascended the tower and reclaimed his knife. Pulling the blade free of it's sheathe, Reddling gave the blade a quick kiss before belting it on. Letting out a slight pant, Reddling turned back to look at Tops. He hadn't cared that the two of them had been running up the tower- it was worth it. This weapon was a part of him, and not something he simply wanted to forget or leave behind.

"So uh, I can understand if you don't want to talk about it..." Tops started, "But when did you first know that this is what you wanted to do? You know- with the Princesses? Your cutie mark always seemed to be quite strange..."

"Hmm..." Reddling brushed his mane back, idly, letting the dead purple fall in front of his eyes as he recalled the story. "I got my cutie mark one day while I was at church. Somepony snuck up on me with a book I was supposed to leaf through and I turned on them. I threw my knife at them and if they hadn't been holding the book I probably would have killed them. Anyway, writing is really hard as an... an earth pony, but I re-wrote the damaged parts of the book and repaired it. When I headed home for the day, I had my cutie mark pointed out to me. It was decided that I had an assassin mark and that I would be training for a crusade from that day forward. I trained everyday from when I was very young to murder the Princesses of Equestria and any other pony that I needed to kill to accomplish my mission."

Tops blinked, and Reddling nodded to himself. It seemed an innocent enough story, and as far as he remembered it, it was true.

"It was decided?" Tops repeated curiously. "Who decided it?"

"Well the-" Reddling stopped, staring at his friend's expression. "Well, the church decides that." I wonder how ponies in Equestria know what their marks mean? Do they just have to find out for themselves randomly? Maybe they just gain it through magical psychic powers. Probably the latter.

"So!" Tops said, clearly excited. "So that might not be what it actually means! Maybe you were never meant to do this!"

"Daring assassin sent to kill Equestrian degenerates or some boring job involving pens and a knife. Killing ponies, or making pens..." Reddling sighed. There was little competition about which one he'd rather be doing. At least with the ability to fight he could protect himself.

"Or... you know, re-writing Silverfield's future... or, or something..." Tops trailed off.

Reddling let out a laugh, giggling a bit as he let out a cough and shook his head at Tops. "Uh, no, I don't think so. Besides, I can't re-write something that isn't written yet."

"You- you know what I mean." Tops stammered.

"I guess we'll see if my mark changes. If it does, then it'll decide to start itching and change on it's own." Reddling nodded. While he was willing to put some faith in Luna, she wasn't somepony that he trusted beyond a shadow of a doubt- After all, it wouldn't be the first or the last time somepony had not shared the whole story with somepony else. Everypony had a truth, and they all picked the one that they liked best.

"This is going to be really difficult for me Tops. I've spent every moment I've been in Equestria thinking of non-bat ponies as degenerates. I always wondered who I might have to kill or who might learn my secrets."

Reddling looked up, trotting close to Tops and carefully putting a hoof on his shoulder. "I'm glad you're still my friend, it's a really big load off my back." Even if you are still an immoral Equestrian.

"Well, I suppose that explains some things- but, I'm glad to know you're really with us now. It's good to know we're friends and on the same side." Tops' voice took on a cheerful sound, one that Reddling hadn't heard in some time.

"Too gushy for me." Reddling said, taking a step back and putting his hoof down. "You and the others are my friends, but don't forget, the rest of the ponies out there are just Equestrians to me." Reddling dropped his voice more to a whisper now, narrowing his eyes. "They don't like bats anyway though, so I guess that'll be fine."

A few moments of silence ticked by before Tops patted Reddling on the shoulder. "You should go talk to Midnight and Web. If you really want to find them, then you should be able too, just dream it. I'm going to wake up. Try to have some uh, tact with Midnight, okay?"

Reddling waved goodbye to Tops. "Tact is practically my middle name."

"Right... I'll see you when you're awake then. If Midnight is still awake I'll send him your way." Tops turned, heading down the stairs and leaving Reddling alone.

---

"Midnight, then Web." Reddling said to himself, closing his eyes as he trotted through the halls of the dreamscape. His hooves knew where to take him, and that was fine. All that he had to do was figure out where Midnight would hang out, and it would be easy to find him.

Luna's throne room came into view as Reddling stepped forward, opening his eyes and glancing carefully around the room. A couple bat ponies gave him confused or uneasy glances, but the rest simply avoided his eyes. Trotting forward, Reddling slowly approached Luna's side, glancing at two familiar ponies in armor. Lunar and Luna were clearly discussing something, but it was impossible to make out what. Within Luna's realm, her wishes were the laws of the universe, and no eavesdroppers would be allowed unless she willed it.

"Pst, Midnight. Psst." Reddling said, standing to the side of the blue bat pony, who had been giving odd glances over to Luna and Lunar's conversation. Midnight's ears perked up as he turned around, breaking his gaze away from Princess Luna. He is always quite enthralled with her, isn't he? ...He isn't going to take this well.

"Ah, Reddling!" Midnight said happily, his eyes lighting up a bit. "You look much better- I was told you wished to speak to me...?"

"Uh yeah, yeah, I would, in private. Maybe over to the side for just a moment?" Reddling's words were drowned out as Midnight trotted over, gesturing to Luna.

"But look! Here, Princess Luna is well again! It has been such a relief to hear her speak again." Midnight gave a fangy grin, showing that he was a bat pony through and through in this world. Reddling glanced at his own body for a moment, taking in the dead colours, leathery wings, and fluffy coat. He and Midnight were like a mirror- an Equestrian and a Silverfieldian, yes, but with the same calling in life.

"Let's talk in private." Reddling repeated, jerking his head towards a side door that lead outside of the throne room.

"As you wish." Midnight replied simply. The two of them trotted away from prying eyes, ducking into the darkness of a deserted room.

"Yes... here Luna is well and... not harmed..." Reddling whispered, looking out at Princess Luna before addressing Midnight. Taking a deep breath, Reddling gathered himself as he leaned close to his friend, choosing his words as carefully as he could. "I wanted to let my friends know that I'm not getting kicked out of the Night Guard or anything. Uh, as Nightshade put it, "we're all on the same side now", or something like that."

Midnight blinked, clearly confused. "Reddling, what do you mean? There is no reason for you to be exiled from the Guard..." Midnight put a hoof on Reddling's shoulder, giving him a quick pat. "Do you somehow blame yourself for this disaster? There is no reason for this."

"...Well, some of it is my fault, actually." Reddling pulled out his knife, placing it on the ground between them. "The reason I left Silverfield and joined the Night Guard, it was originally to kill Princess Celestia, kill Princess Cadance, and kill Princess Luna.

"You what?" Midnight said, blinking in confusion.

"This knife." Reddling pointed at his blade, picking it up and shoving his mouth around in a stabbing motion quickly before sheathing the blade, "Stab ponies. Princess Celestia, Cadance, and Luna bleed out, I go home."

"You... what?" Midnight said, taking a soft breath.

Reddling let out a horrible sigh. "I was an assassin- actually, I still am, the mission just isn't for Silverfield now, I work for Luna. It's for the Night Guard, to protect my friends. I thought- well, I had to tell my friends, so that I wasn't living a lie anymore..."

"I'm so sick of living a lie. I like this life." Reddling nodded, looking up at Midnight hopefully.

"You- you WHAT?" Midnight said, his voice taking on a higher pitch Reddling wasn't aware it could hold.

Seriously? "I am Silverfield's best assassin, if I do say so myself. I was sent here to kill the Princesses. But, I'm not doing that now. I serve the Night Guard, and Princess Luna." Utter confusion rolled over Midnight's face at Reddling's words, almost as if another language was being spoken to him. Reddling sighed, trying to make his sentences even simpler.

"Do you get it or not? I was going to stab Luna in her heart with my knife, but now I'm not. Luna was going to die by my hoof, but now I'm not doing that. I assassinate ponies, that's what I do. Does this make any sense? Can you understand anything I'm saying? Is it my accent?" Reddling blinked at Midnight. Midnight's breathing had become irregular, and his eyes were wild and rolling around slightly in their sockets.

"...Are you okay?" Reddling asked, leaning closer to Midnight. "Midnight? Can you understand anything I'm saying?"

For a brief moment, Reddling saw something click out of sync in Midnight's face. Something was broken beyond repair, and a horrible rage washed over his features. Ducking to the side, Reddling rolled out from the cover as Midnight reared onto his hind legs, leveling a kick for Reddling's face with his forehooves.

"Midnight!" Reddling rolled away from the angry bat pony, running into the throne room.

"YOU VILLAINOUS CUR!" Midnight screamed from behind him. Reddling could hear the sound of Midnight's hooves galloping towards him as he made a dash for it, trying to get someplace that was not where Midnight was.

"Midnight Tales!" Luna called from her throne. "Calm yourself!"

Reddling looked over his shoulder at the angry Midnight. He was so impassioned by the rage that he ignored Luna, continuing his pursuit. Reddling smacked a few sets of decoration armor, sending them colliding into Midnight as the bat continued hot on his heals, gaining quickly.

"Are you INSANE?" Reddling yelped, trying to put more speed into his step. Midnight was bigger, slower, and bulkier than him, and yet somehow he still managed to gain on his prey. Reddling dashed around the throne room, finally gaining enough room to breathe as four bat ponies piled onto Midnight, holding him down to the ground.

Equestria! Go to Equestria they said, it'll be fun, you'll bring great honor! Reddling glanced over his shoulder at Midnight, still panting.

"Get off! Get off me!" Midnight yelled, struggling to his hooves with all four of the bat ponies still clinging onto him.

"Will you please listen? Can we talk calmly again?" Reddling pleaded.

"How long!" Midnight yelled. "How long was this- this thing! How long was it your goal?!"

"How long... a decade?" Reddling asked himself. "Maybe a bit longer."

"Twas all a LIE then! From the VERY START!" Midnight fell back a little as the bat ponies held him down. They could do little stop his voice however, which still rung shrilly across the room. "Those words of hope and encouragement, your questions, the book! Nothing but a lie!"

Dammit. "No, they were not lies Midnight!" Reddling stopped for a moment. "They were half truths, but still half truths at least!"

"You used her name against me!" Midnight wailed, his voice growing hoarse. "Like a WEAPON"

"...Yeah, I did." Reddling said, straightening up. "I lied to you, I deceived you, and the whole entire time, I had a sick plot to murder Luna when you weren't looking... and I'm sorry."

Midnight had tears in his eyes now. The wet orbs of pain and sadness rolled down his cheeks, dripping onto his chest that heaved with hurt and a terrible, terrible rage. Midnight once more rose to his full height, paying no heed to the four ponies still trying to hold him down. Giving a wild shake, Midnight almost seemed to will himself forward, breaking away from his would be captors. With no restraints on him anymore, Midnight surged forward with one terrified bat pony still clinging in desperation to the back of Midnight's armor. Reddling shut his eyes as Midnight jumped into the air, raising a hoof and preparing to land it square in his face.

"Midnight Tales." Luna decreed. "Enough!"

There was a flash, and then silence.

---

Reddling slowly opened his eyes to see the lower part of Luna's thigh. Princess Luna now stood between Reddling and a cowering Midnight. Midnight Tales lay on the floor, staring up at Luna with a horrified expression. He seemed smaller now, despite having thrown off nearly half a dozen bat ponies. In front of Luna now he looked like little more than a child. Reddling could not quite make out Luna's face, but he could tell some angry snarl had broken across it, twisting her features into something more sinister than she would dare betray in the waking world.

Reddling glanced up at Luna's chin before quickly rushing over to Midnight and offering him a hoof. "Midnight, please..."

"Do not be so quick to judge your friend. From the first night I knew he was an assassin, and yet now he has come forward to cast aside his cause of his own free will! He has revealed himself in honesty and good faith! You have been blinded by your fervor! You know well where this hateful descent leads, Midnight Tales..." Luna's voice boomed across the world, shaking the very foundations of the universe itself. Reddling tried to offer his hoof more, pushing it in front of Midnight's face. Tears were rolling down Midnight's cheeks, dripping onto the floor as he sobbed silently in front of the entire Night Guard.

"Midnight, come on..." Reddling begged. Midnight edged away from Luna and Reddling, not looking at either of them before fleeing the room, leaving a trail of tears behind him as he ran. Luna stood still, gazing after Midnight as he retreated. Reddling had little time to take in the sadness from Luna as his own tears gushed onto his cheeks. Turning from the room, Reddling ran around Luna and left the room in the opposite way. In all my want for revenge... argh!

---

"How's it fit?"

Web patted Reddling's shoulder as she fitted some more armor on him. Web had taken up residency in the darkest and loneliest part of the Luna's fortress, which suited the two of them just fine. Reddling had done his best to ignore some of the other items she had brought along, which were safely closed away with the spiders, snakes, and other creatures he couldn't quite identify in their glass jars.

"Yes... it's fine, thanks." Reddling said meekly. The armor wasn't the best fit, but it would be more than tolerable and much more protective than his normal light armor. The pieces were easy to slip off, so if he needed to reduce how heavy he was so he could sneak around, it could easily be done. Getting the armor back on would be another story, but that wasn't his primary worry right now. Reddling's mind was more dwelling on what he knew he'd have to share with Web- she deserved to know as soon as he felt strong enough to speak up.

"Sit." Web said. Reddling planted his rump on her makeshift straw bed, sitting still as Web ran a brush through his thick mane. Reddling opened his mouth to retort, but stopped, closing his mouth and eyes at the same time.

You know, that actually does feel kind of nice... Web hummed to herself a little bit, her amber eyes never looking away from Reddling's activities. Web had not been distracted for a single moment before he had begun stripping his armor off, finding it rather silly to be in a bed and also be wearing heavy armor at the same time. It did not take long before only his coat held off the warmth of Web's body. He could feel her breath on his neck, traveling down to his collar in waves of heat.

"You don't have to be so close to me." Reddling whispered. Web only let out a little giggle.

"Shh." Web cooed.

She's doing that thing again where she creeps me out- Web suddenly tossed the comb aside, pushing her hooves around the collar of Reddling's coat and pulling him onto the bed with her. For a moment they both rolled around, Web ending up on top with one of her hooves rubbing along Reddling's neck.

"Get off, n-" Reddling was cut off as Web's hoof slid over his mouth.

"I said to be quiet... it's hard to dream when somepony wakes you up." Web sighed, placing her forehead against Reddling's forehead. "You look tired, Reddling. You should take a nap."

"Nap wif you? I juf wof uf." Reddling said from behind Web's hoof. She gave a little giggle.

This isn't the dumbest thing that I could do, But that doesn't mean I should do it. "Web, Web get off. We have to talk." Reddling gave her a push, pulling himself away from her as she huffed, offering a heavy scowl.

"What is it?" Web said, not bothering to hide the heavy disappointment from her voice.

"Web, it's Luna's orders, please..." Reddling said. Web's ears perked up a bit as her hard emotions faded away. Her face became gentler and more... mysterious, as if she was trying to figure out what his next words might be.

"Ooooh?" Web asked softly, her bubbly attitude returning.

I don't know how to say this to her. "Web, do you remember when you asked why we had all joined the Night Guard, back at training a long time ago?" Reddling asked, not meeting her eyes.

"Yes?" Web said, a little edge in her voice egging Reddling on, begging for more information.

"Well, I lied." Reddling huffed.

"Well, you didn't really say anything... Kind of hard to lie about that." Web's face split into a small smile.

Reddling gulped for a moment before raising his head. He had to look at Web to say this, otherwise it meant nothing. "I joined to kill the royalty of Equestria-"

Web broke out in laughter. Reddling felt his cheeks go beet red as Web giggled madly to herself, sparing him a few glances when she could manage it. Although he couldn't quite put his hoof on it, something here felt very... rehearsed...

"You're kidding, you're kidding right?" Web asked, still giggling.

"I finished turning myself in to Luna before I came here." Reddling sighed sadly. This isn't a joke, but I guess you would find it pretty funny. Who'd believe the pony next to them is a psychotic wannabe murderer? ...No, what am I saying? It's like she already knows, somepony must have told her.

"You're serious! Oh, you're serious, that's just makes it even be-better!" Web fell into more giggles, covering her face.

"Yes, I'm Silverfield's best assassin, that's why they sent me to Equestria." Reddling smiled, puffing out his chest a little more.

"Bwahahaha! Oh you're serious!" Web's laughter echoed out of the room as she forgot her giggles and just began to let out uncontrollable laughter. Reddling felt his ego falter a bit. The one thing he had been sure might impress Web and earn some more undying affection had only reduced her to laughter.

Is it that funny? Should I be laughing too, or is she laughing at me?

"You! An assassin! You're Silverfield's BEST assassin!? Oh I thought you might have some talent but... this! Haha!" Web wrapped a hoof around Reddling's shoulder, bringing herself closer to him and smiling as she fought to repress her returning giggles.

"I'm just glad Luna didn't have me executed on site... I... I can't believe I just told her that." Reddling looked down at Web, who had moved her head to be between his forelegs.

"Oh, she knew already then... and she's decided your fate." Web's giggles died as she stared at Reddling, suddenly serious.

"Yes... she has." Reddling said slowly, looking down at the bubbly mare resting her head on his lap.

"...and?" Web asked.

and...? She's taking this well, considering I might be about to tell her I'm going to die. "Nothing. I'll continue to serve in the Night Guard, and Luna will make use of my skills. Don't get me wrong, I hate Equestria, but I'm making an exception for the Night Guard because I know better. The rest of Equestria are still sunburned degenerates in my eyes.

"Well... that saves me some trouble, I suppose..." Web said, tapping a hoof on her chin for a moment before picking herself up and leaning against Reddling's side.

"Some trouble? What do you mean?" Reddling asked.

"But you- an assassin!" Web ignored him. "I knew there was something about you I liked..."

You like murderous killer- no. No you know what? I don't even care. That makes perfect sense and I'm not going to question it! Reddling shook his head a bit. "Perhaps I'll get to see some action if things can't be resolved with Celestia and Chrysalis."

"Oh yes!" Web said a little too eagerly. "Won't that be exciting?"

Celestia, Cadance, and Luna... I'm working for these frilly princesses now. Uck. Web noted Reddling's lack of response, but quickly recovered, pushing him against the straw mattress again.

"So, how did you like the things I brought you, nightlight?" Web asked. Reddling mentally stumbled at how quickly she shifted gears.

"I really wish you wouldn't call me things like that." Reddling whispered. Already his whole body was itching to get away from this room as quickly as he could, and the feeling of Web pushing against him was not helping the rising fear in his chest.

"Mm... Reddling, I was wondering if you would be able to thank me for bringing you these things." Web whispered, her breath smoothing traveling up Reddling's face and into his hairline. "You see... I wasted a lot of my Widow's Kiss... I'm going to need to make more."

How's that relevant to me?

"I have most of the ingredients, but there are a few that are hard to find... you know...?" Web ran a hoof over Reddling's shoulder, passing it down his back and dangerously close to the base of his wing.

"What kind of ingredients?" Reddling said sternly. No sooner had he finished his sentence than a gasp escaped his lips. Web's hoof had stopped on the base of his wing, quickly turning its motions into a sharp pressing motion.

"I think I recall you saying Cadance's little tagalong might be useful... well, I need some parts from... a Changeling..." Web's voice flowed like sweet honey, but Reddling took a sharp breath and pulled back slightly. Not Star Shine, he was different, unique.

"What kind of parts?" Reddling said hastily, keeping a sternness to his voice.

"Shh..." Web cooed, putting a hoof on Reddling's mouth. "Luna told me I'm not allowed to touch it, or Cadance, but you... Oh, you know... I need some organs, fluids, little things from that Changeling."

"Does it have to be... fresh?" Reddling whispered from behind Web's hoof.

"Fresh... kicking would be best." She continued her cooing, as if she was talking to a small kitten. Reddling shivered at the thought of Web alone with a small animal no one would miss.

"I'll find you some fresh parts, but they won't be from Star Shine." Reddling removed Web's hoof from his mouth, forcing himself into an upright position. Web pulled her hooves around Reddling, keeping a grasp on him. Web gave a little snicker as she sat on Reddling's lap, winking once.

"Whatever you want..." Web's voice cooed.

"I should go talk to Midnight." Reddling hissed. "Maybe he's calmed down... We weren't on good terms last time we talked."

"Hmm... really now..." Web whispered, pulling herself away from Reddling. "Well, don't let me keep you, go have your fun..." Reddling did not let Web have the chance to tell him twice.

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