Reddling pulled himself out of bed again, looking at the floor and scanning the vague evening sunlight that was fighting its way through the crack at the bottom of his door. Each night was rough, and they had only gotten worse since he’d arrived in Equestria. Putting another nights events out of his mind, he strapped on his armor and knife before heading outside, staring at the glaring lights through his visor. The sun was still bright and uncomfortable, but it didn’t sting like it had before.

Reddling found his way to the mess hall, carefully following the green bat who had entered just before him. The green pony seemed to be quietly admiring the food that had been put out by the earth pony, who looked sour as ever behind the counter. Reddling quickly ordered hay and mangos before taking a seat and looking back over at the counter. While the green bat looked contemplative, the earth pony seemed to be impatient and bored.

That’s the same pony that looked nervous on the first day. At least he didn’t puke. Reddling turned back to his food, munching on it and letting the scene be.. After a few more moments, the green bat sat down diagonally across from him, holding a small plate of food and staring straight at Reddling, obviously hoping to catch his eye. Reddling shivered a bit as he felt the pony’s eyes tracing over him, but did not look up to meet his comrade's gaze.

“So- you stayed?” The bat asked. Reddling simply nodded, and the pony continued. “It’s- weird- isn’t it?” The pony tried, obviously looking for some sort of conversation. Reddling sighed, realizing that the pony was not going to give up the febble attempts to make small talk.

Reddling slowly chewed a mango and swallowed, looking up at the pony. The bat across from him had emerald eyes that shone like bright little gems. His gaze was not unpleasant in the way that made Reddling on edge when he looked at Web, but there was still something odd about looking into the eyes of a bat pony. “Not really.” Reddling replied simply, looking back down at his food and poking part of his mango.

The pony was silent for half a minute, looking at his own food before pulling his head up again, keeping his tone low while expressing every word carefully in his smooth tenor voice, “So- what had you so spooked? If you don’t mind me asking.”

“Bad memories.” Reddling half-lied.

“I see…” The bat replied. Reddling lifted his head sharply, looking at the pony with expecting eyes, waiting for more conversation to come from him.

“Uh, I’m Tops.” Tops offered Reddling an uneasy smile.

“Reddling.” Reddling replied, quickly chewing on some hay. Three other bats entered the room, talking with each other and making their way over to the counter. Reddling quickly tried to finish some of his meal before they finished ordering. A medium blue stallion with a fierce face and a book for a cutie mark sat down next to Reddling and opened his mouth, but Reddling was already up, moving to toss the rest of his food.

“You’re not staying?” Tops asked. Reddling stopped and blinked his eyes slowly while looking at the trashcan, which was little more than a large metal bin with a sack in it.

“Uh, I’ll meet you outside.” Reddling said, shoving the food away and moving around to the entrance of the building. There was a double set of doors here, and Reddling opened both of them, but let only the outer one close, holding the inner door open out of sight as the sound of voices filled the air. For the first time, Reddling found himself thankful for his tufted ears, as he’s sure he would not have been able to hear the conversation inside without the improved hearing he now possessed.

“-finally found somepony quieter than you.” A strong voice said.

“Oh shut up. He didn’t want to talk.” Tops replied.

“Did you at least get his name?” A soft voice said. Reddling remembered that there had been one mare other than Web in their company, and guessed it was her talking. Reddling twitched his ear as they got quieter, trying to make out more of the conversation.

“Did he at least say why he was so freaked out?” The strong voice asked.

“No, I didn’t press him. Everypony has something to hide. Leave him be.” Tops said pointedly. Reddling slowly let the door close without too much noise before opening the outer doors and heading to the practice field. The sun was now nearly set, painting the sky with a dull orange and a fiery red. Reddling found his way to the soft grasses of the practice field where he curled up, shutting his eyes and letting a blank mind come over him as he waited for the others to join him. It was hard to sit on his side with his wing now, but he had found an odd sort of half leaning that seemed to make it acceptable.

When the sun had set, Reddling heard the hoofsteps of three other ponies coming. Opening his eyes, he saw Tops awkwardly flying towards the field as the other three trotted along, coming to a stop at the field and talking amongst themselves. After a moment the blue pony broke away from the group and trotted over, looking at Reddling straight in the eyes. This pony had sapphire eyes, something like a deep gem that had not been properly cut to reflect it’s true shine.

“Reddling, Yes?” The book pony asked, brutally slaughtering the name with his Equestrian pronunciation. Reddling winced before correcting him.

“Rah-ide-ing, Uh, actually, just use Reddling. Everypony else does.” Reddling said quietly, looking away from the pony.

“Apologies sir. I am Midnight Tales.”

“You don’t have to call me sir, I’m not old yet.” Reddling said, ruffling his purple mane and looking up, trying to make sure any possible grey hairs were covered. Reddling looked back at Midnight Tales and smiled weakly. “Uh, good to meet you.”

The words came out false and distant, almost like he was distracted. Midnight didn’t make a point of it if he noticed, but returned the smile. “Riding, then.” Midnight said, pronouncing the name as closely as Equestrian syllables allowed him too. Midnight turned away to the practice fields and was almost instantly replaced by a large grey stallion with a hammer on his thigh.

“Reddling eh? I guess ‘cause you’re red?” The pony seemed serious about his question, despite a small smile on his face suggesting a trick.

“Sure.” Reddling said, trying to turn towards the field. The grey pony stepped with him, staying in his line of sight.

“ ‘That your real name, or did’cha pick it yourself?” he asked.

“Both would be correct.” Reddling said coolly, cursing the Equestrian race in his skull.

“I’m Bruiser. Pleased ta meet’cha.” The grey stallion offered Reddling a hoof, which Reddling glared at with distain.

“Likewise.” Reddling snorted, forming up with the others and walking around with their little group as they did various brief stretches in their walk, warming up for practice. The mare said nothing, and seemed to be off in her own little world. While Reddling could more than respect this, he drew himself closer to her.

“You’re the only name I don’t know- Who’re you?” Reddling could feel the own chilly false warmth in his voice this time.

“Nightshade.” The pony said, not even bothering to make eye contact. Reddling drifted away from her as Web landed at the practice field, giving the order to fall in. Practice proved to be more generic training that felt tedious at this point. Web apparently felt she couldn’t accept half of her group crashing into the ground as a “landing”, but every time they collectively crashed, there was a little bit of laughing at their equal misfortune.

At lunchtime, Reddling found himself in the mess hall with a salad and hay sandwich. He had purposefully sat himself in the middle of the table, which worked out well since Tops and Midnight had occupied one end of the table, while Bruiser and Nightshade had occupied the other end of the table with slightly more distance than the former pair. Reddling eventually found himself edging away from Nightshade until he was right next to Tops, who smiled over at him. Across the table, Midnight drew himself up to his full sitting height and puffed out his chest.

“Reddling, you must excuse me for intruding upon your business, but I must ask… Why did you choose to join the Night Guard?” Midnight queried. Reddling groaned in his head. It was another pony who wanted to ask him these kinds of questions.

“Nothing better to do.” Reddling shrugged at the question, taking a bite of salad. Midnight’s eyes bulged a little bit as his mouth dropped.

“Nothing better to do?! How can you make light of such a glorious honor?” Midnight said indignantly.

My honor lies elsewhere. “It is a great honor to serve in the Night Guard, but in the end it is a mission with goals and standards. You must be tactful, and you must be precise. We are serving our purpose, and my life is uneventful. Thusly, I choose to be precise in this matter.” Reddling ended it with a nod to himself, quite happy with his lie as he took a mouthful of sandwich.

Midnight stood up, his face flashing a bit of anger. “It is the greatest honor, to cast away the trappings of those sun-stricken fools, and to serve as a glorious Child of the Night!”

“Midnight sit down, you’re ranting again.” Tops said, waving a hoof at him. Reddling took a moment to ponder the zealot in front of him who had still not taken his seat, despite Tops' advice.

“Where is your hometown Midnight? If that’s not so bold.” Reddling asked.

“I have none! For I forsake that when I took upon this,” Midnight spread out his wings, lifting his head up. “For the Glory of the Night!”

“Sit down and eat your food, we’re going to be late.” Tops rolled his eyes at Midnight. A soft snickering came from a corner and Reddling whipped around to see Web sitting in a corner, leaning on the back of a chair with her forehooves and watching them eat. Reddling wasn’t sure how she got there, as he was certain that she had not been in the room with them before now.

Midnight opened his mouth to rant again, but at that moment he stopped as a shriveled apple flew across the room and hit him in the side of the head. At the other end of the table Bruiser was snickering as Nightshade calmly ate her food, pretending like nothing around her was happening.

“I will not-“

“MIDNIGHT, You. Are. Ranting!” Tops yelled. Midnight gave a snort of mild anger before sitting down grumpily and working on his food. The rest of the meal was continued in silence, as Midnight said nothing and Tops himself remained silent. Although Bruiser looked up a few times for conversation, Reddling kept his eyes averted to his sandwich while Nightshade hung out in her own little world at the farthest end of the table.

When the group found themselves back at the field, Web met them with a small cheer. “Congratulations! You’re all competent fliers! Now we’re going to learn something you’re all going to be terrible at! I’m sure you’ve all noticed that bright lights really hurt. So you’re going to learn how to fight without your eyes.” Web tossed a pile of blindfolds on the ground. Everybat picked up a blindfold and attached them quickly. The blindfold was thick, and was more than useful enough to block out any ability to see anything.

“Now, you all know how bats work yes?” came Web’s voice from directly in front of them. “Use your ears! Haha!” Reddling’s ear twitches uncomfortably as Web let out one of her high pitched giggles.

It might be best if I hold back today. If I go all out I might hurt somepony, and they’ll become scared of me. That won’t help me blend in at all. “Who’re we fighting? Each other?” Reddling said to the air in front of him. He heard another giggle and the beat of wings as Web took to the air.

“Me!” Web declared. There was a swift rush of wind near them, then Bruiser let out an angry yell. Reddling stood still, listening to everything around him. There was a flapping of wings and a roar followed by the noise of Bruiser thudding against the ground.

“Missed!” Web teased from above them. Every time she spoke, she seemed to be less focused on the training aspect and more on the game aspect of her little fun. Despite his listening, Reddling still couldn’t make out where everypony was.

“All of you call out locations! Communicate!” Reddling yelled. “Here!”

From across the training field, he heard an echo of Tops and Midnight simultaneously calling out “Here!” Reddling turned himself fully around as the beat of wings passed right by him. He heard the very familiar high-pitched giggle before the whooshing of something solid. Ducking back, Reddling felt the air in front of him part from whatever was swung. Twice more objects cut air before finally something hard and wooden smacked him in the side of the head. The world shook for a moment, little stars appearing on the blindfold.

There was another whoosh of wings as Web flew back to standing between everypony in the middle of the practice field. “As much as I like hitting you with this stick, you’re gonna have to try and figure out how to see without your eyes eventually." Reddling felt the world vibrate, his ears twitching in pain from the high pitched scream that seemed to echo off everything in the field. Nightshade screamed again, and this time he turned to her direction.

“You’re a bloody bat, use your voice!” Nightshade yelled. She let out another high pitched screech, and soon Reddling could hear the whooshing of two sets of wings. There was the sound of some scuffling, then a short whoosh of somebat falling from the sky before ending with a thud of their clumsy landing. Web let out another laugh, and everybat heard the smacking sound of her stick.

“Okay, you get it, tha- Alright, that’s enough!” There was a smack which was followed by the bang of breaking wood. Web’s voice had gone from being carefree and casual to suddenly harsh. Reddling removed his blindfold to look at the scene.

Midnight and Tops had lifted their blindfold off of one eye to check out was going on too. Web had discarded a wooden pole that lay at her side. From her face was a slowly dripping stream of blood running down her snout. Her view was dark as she glared at the body of Nightshade a few feet away, who looked dazed, an ear twitching and a blank look on her face. Reddling noted few flecks of blood on Nightshade's hoof before Web turned towards the rest of the group, Midnight quickly replacing his blindfolds.

“So, Nightshade gets it. Give her a round of applause.” Web clopped her hooves together twice.

“What did she win, a beating?” Reddling asked, clopping his hooves only once.

“With your nifty new ears, if you squeak loud enough, you can hear echoes, good enough to ‘see’” Web said, ignoring his question as she licked the blood from her muzzle with a thin tongue. Nobat dared approach her as she strode over to Nightshade, bending down and offering her a hoof. “Good job with that. Sorry for having a little too much fun with my stick.” Nightshade wordlessly accepted the hoof, sitting up.

“Alright, we’re done. Take the night off. Practice that. Or whatever.” Web said, already wandering away from the field. Tops, Bruiser, Reddling, and Nightshade all exchanged glances, while Midnight stood at attention, staring off into the distance with his blindfold still on. Reddling went to the stands and took a seat, still exchanging looks of varied curiosity with the others.

“I’ll say it then- So, what happened?” Reddling asked.

“I couldn’t see.” Tops said as Bruiser shrugged.

“I saw her, grounded her, and hit her. Then she hit me.” Nightshade said simply. Reddling looked at each of them, then stood up, trotting away from the field.

“I suppose I’ll see you all- uh- tomorrow then? I’m going for a- a fly…” Tops looked strangely happy about that statement as he spread his wings, awkwardly flapping into the air and flying away from the compound. Bruiser caught up to Reddling’s side.

“We are dismissed? May we take off our blindfolds? Web? Web???” Midnight paced in a short circle, still at the practice field and apparently totally unaware that everypony else had left him. Nightshade had seemed to simply appear outside the mess, opening the doors and letting them clatter shut behind her with a moderate amount of banging.

“Mares, they're crazy.” Bruiser said. “I’m going to the bar, seeya around.” Reddling only glanced at his companion before continuing his trot to the eatery, looking over at Nightshade as he got inside.

“Are you alright?” Reddling asked, looking at her face. Nightshade’s left eye was beginning to swell shut, quite badly bruised. There was also a long streak running down from her ear to her chin, marking the harsh welt that Web had left on her. Even under her dirty dead-white coat, the discoloration of her skin was becoming apparent.

“Yeah.” Nightshade replied simply.

“You don’t look alright, you should go see the medic… whoever that is.” Both of them grabbed mangos and headed out the doors at the same time. Nightshade just shook her head.

“I’ll be fine.”Nightshade hissed. Turning to their respective quarters, neither exchanged any more words as the yellow moon glimmered over them.

Reddling was not sure how long it took before he wandered into the bar, but it was apparent that Bruiser had nestled himself in quite well by the time he got there. “Hey, where the hell are you!?” Bruiser yelled from his stool at the bar. Reddling sat down next to him as the faint angry sound of the earth pony hating his job greeted them.

“Hold your horses, you damn crazy bats, there’s only two of us and we’re busy.” The earth pony slammed his hooves on something in the back, which proceeded to fall with a loud crash. The earth pony cursed mildly at whatever he was fighting with in the back while Bruiser turned to look at Reddling.

“Do you have something against bats?” Reddling looked down at the counter, which was slightly grimy with blue paint peeling at the edges. “…It must be terrible to be grounded.”

The earth pony appeared at the bar, looking ragged and tired. “What can I get you?”

“Pint of Buckwater Beer.” Bruiser said. Reddling just tapped his hoof on the counter, thinking about the vodka back home and how he was sure nothing in Equestria would measure up to the burn.

“I’ll just have two shots of your cheapest vodka… Anything will do, whatever is cheap.”

The earth pony filled up a flagon that frothed with amber liquid, setting it in front of Bruiser before pouring two shots and placing them in front of Reddling.

“Start me a tab, if you don’t mind.” Reddling said to the earth pony. Bruiser made a muffled sound that seemed like a growl mixed with choking and tossed a few bits in front of both of them.

“Nah I gotcha.” Bruiser said, taking a swig of his beer. “Hell, you’ll get me back one day. Doesn’t matter.”

I don’t like owing things to Equestrians… “You here to forget something too? Or just relax?” Reddling asked. The earth pony grumbled away, muttering something about nocturnal and how much his job really did suck.

Downing a shot, Reddling yelled after him. “At least there are no sunburns in this job!”

Bruiser gave a laugh, holding up his flagon, “Leaving the past behind, I can drink to that!” he took a long swig. Reddling coughed at his empty glass, letting the pleasant burn of cheap liquor stab at his throat. Equestrian Vodka didn’t have anything on Silverfield Vodka, but Reddling was sure that was because nothing could beat homemade.

“So, what were ya? Earth Pony? Unicorn?” Bruiser said, looking over at Reddling.

Reddling almost spilled his other drink with a shaking hoof. His mouth was half way to forming the word Pegasus before he forced out another lie. Or was it a lie? Sometimes he had problems telling the difference between his lies and his truths. “Earth Pony.”

“Yeah, you can tell who’s used to the wings and who isn’t, no offense.” Bruiser said, taking another swig.

“I wasn’t prepared for any of this, I guess that shows though.” Reddling said mildly, looking down at the clear thick liquid in his shot glass.

“Hell, I gotta say though, it’s weird not having feathers.” Bruiser stretched out his wing, patting the veiny webbing with a hoof and looking at the clawed edges. “Who would be prepared for this. I mean come on! First day I walked out and damn near died.”

“What was it like, having feathery wings?” Reddling said, leaning in. This was the first time he’d had a Pegasus- or former Pegasus- alone that wasn’t laughing at his accent. His heart picked up a little as he leaned in even further, keeping himself only maybe foot away from Bruiser now.

“Huh? Well, I dunno, I never thought about it. What’s it like having legs? They’re just a part of you. You’re soundin’ like Tops there, all philosophical about that crap.” Bruiser said, staring at his beer for a moment before taking another large swig.

“Knowledge is power, my comrade.” Reddling was considerably warmer with his words now, and his cold wall had parted for a moment to gain some information from the muscular stallion drinking away next to him.

“So you wanna know what Pegasi wings are like?” Bruiser said, giving Reddling a calculating look, almost as if he was a piece of fruit that he was debating on whether to eat or not.

“Yes I would actually… like to know all about it, if you’re willing to share. I didn’t meet any pegasi before I joined the service.”

Bruiser sighed, thinking for a moment. “I guess it’s kind of like this. They’re softer and warmer. It itches if you don’t take care of ‘em, and you gotta preen every other day. You get ‘em dirty and the feathers get all ruffled and don’t lay righ- Ah! …I hope I can still walk on clouds.”

Reddling found himself leaning forward more in spite of himself. “How does it feel when air passes through them?”

“Well, that shouldn’t happen if you’re taking care of ‘em right. Feathers are airtight when they lay right.” Bruiser said.

Reddling nearly moaned, just imagining how it must feel to have wings, but covered in feathers. “I always wanted to fly, I guess this is a blessing, but maybe uh, just an adjustment for you.” Reddling found himself being nearly cordial with the stallion now, downing his second shot and staring at the room as his mind numbed over gently.

Bruiser let out a laugh, downing the rest of his beer. “Yeah, you’re sounding like Tops now. Hey Barkeep, when is the sun up?” Bruiser yelled the second statement into the back rooms.

“There’s a clock on the wall!” came and equally loud yell, followed by some unintelligible quiet cursing. The earth pony eventually appeared from the back, rubbing some glasses and setting them up for display. Bruiser looked at him and then let out a high pitched squeal. While Reddling could feel it bouncing off of all the walls, the earth pony didn’t seem to notice at all. Bruiser ordered another beer, and the night descended into pleasant easy talking. Bruiser didn’t talk much about his life before the Night Guard, and neither did Reddling, but they were able to hold a very steady debate about the finer points of rumors about the guard.

“So, I guess we’re in this for life?” Reddling said, and Bruiser shrugged.

“You can retire after some time, or something.” Bruiser grunted.

Reddling looked at his empty shot glasses. “I don’t think retirement would suit me well. Not much choice of mares in this line of work either.” Reddling had been unable to keep his mind off Web, it was as if she had occupied some part of his brain, and he did not like it. He was not one to get close to ponies, and he was not even altogether that fond of the mare. Still, whenever Web was around it was like the world became somewhat trancelike, leaving him feeling tired after she left. There was something unnatural about her, but he didn't necessarily find that to be odd or wrong. There hadn't been anything natural for a few days now.

“Least not any sane ones. Web and Nights both seem a bit batty.” Bruiser replied, wiping his mouth. “Hah, I bet we will both be too by the time we’re done here!”

“I don’t think I can fit in to that extent… Although you know, Web is nice. I like her.” Reddling lied, moving one of his glasses around idly with a hoof.

Bruiser let out a dismissive breath of air through his teeth. “None of us are here ‘cause we fit in.”

“A clique all of our own.” Reddling stood up.

“The Night Guard!” Bruiser raised his flagon to toast the statement, then looked inside it disappointedly as a single remaining drop hit the counter.

“It’s the thought that counts.” Reddling assured him. Bruiser just shrugged, putting the flagon down.

“Well, I don’t know about you, but I’m getting out of here before day. Reddling, you ain’t half bad. Whatever the hell you did to end up here, forget about it.” Bruiser turned, moving to the door.

Reddling nodded as his brain twisted inside. “You are not half bad yourself, we’ll need to do this again with the others.”

Bruiser laughed heartily. “Can you imagine Midnight drunk?”

“Imagine Web drunk… We’d end up with some bad torture scene in here.” Reddling murmured, trying to keep his voice down.

Bruiser let out another laugh, and smacked Reddling on the back. It occurred to Reddling that Bruiser could probably hear everything he whispered just as well as any other bat around here with their enhanced hearing.

“See you tomorrow? Tonight? Ah who cares! Later!” Bruiser left the building, leaving Reddling to rub his shoulder and contemplate what an apt name Bruiser was.

A thanks to all those that liked N fave'd <3

Midnight Tales: imgur.com/4zarGGg
Tree Tops: imgur.com/xZBcxJ7
Nightshade: imgur.com/ZyeESdv (will upload bigger rez later)
Web Weaver: .imgur.com/N8g6D6H