Yep, I know it isn't proofread. I'll go back and do my proofreading after I publish everything.
'cause I got a ton of chapters that need it.

There was a lurch, and the carriage began to move downwards towards the broken courtyard.

"Thank goodness we're finally here." Princess Cadance said tiredly. She and Twilight Sparkle had looked very misty eyed as Luna told her story, but Cadance for her part had pulled her act together. "Finally, we can get some rest. Some real rest."

"As long as my nephew doesn't stab anyone the moment we set down, rest should be good. I'll go talk to him before everypony heads inside." Reddling said solemnly, standing up and trotting to the back of the carriage.

"...Stab?" Cadance asked hesitantly.

"...yeah?" Reddling said, looking back at her like she'd never met him. "Don't worry, he's only like... nine. He can't reach that far with his sword."

"Well, I am great with kids. I am sure it will be fine." Cadance tried to smile, looking a little more worried than before.

You're not going to be great with this kid. Reddling thought morbidly, thinking of different animations for Rainy's responses to meeting a Princess of Equestria on the doorstep of his home. "I'd just keep some distance for a bit, see how he reacts."

Without further deliberation, Reddling hopped out of the carriage and began to glide towards the ground. The air currents were wild and uncontrolled here, making flight much more difficult, even over a short distance. This feeling though-- this was how flight was supposed to feel. Wild and free, without anypony controlling you.

The sky had turned blood red behind the Night Guard as they touched down, many of them panting from the flight. Reddling poked his head inside the keep as Princess Luna and Cadance exited the back of the carriage, surrounded by a vanguard of Princess Luna's officers. Taking a deep breath, Reddling plunged inside, taking note of how-- comfortable the place felt. Here and there, yes, glaring lights made their way inside through holes, but overall the halls were nice and dim. The place looked a little nicer- Rainy had fixed up much of the floors in the front area, and things seemed to be a little cleaner than Reddling could recall since he had last visited.

"Rainy, hey are you here? I'm home, Rainy!" Reddling called, trotting up towards the throne room. The entire keep was quiet. Reddling came to a complete stop and looked around, calling out for Rainy again.

Again, there was no answer.

"Rainy!?" Reddling cried, picking up his pace and beginning to run for Rainy's room, tripping over books as he made his dash.

"Ugh-- be quiet out there..." Came Rainy's muffled voice from his room, which was down a hallway located behind the throne room.

"Rainy!" Reddling said, breathing a sigh of relief. "Rainy, it's like-- midmorning." Reddling glanced at some light streaming in, making a note of his own lie. "Get up."

"Uh-- Reddling?" There was a scampering of hooves as the sound of Rainy throwing himself out of bed and swinging open his door echoed into the throne room. Reddling slid off his sunglasses and put them in his coat, blinking around the dim hallway. He could see perfectly fine with them on or off, but this time he wanted to run and hug Rainy with his eyes.

Rainy exited his room and skidded to a stop near Reddling. The colt could do anything but hide his bitter disappointment as he looked over Reddling's features. his ears collapsed downward and the colt looked away with a sigh, swishing one of his hooves. "...Oh, you're still a bat."

Yes, I am. "Yes, I'm still a bat."

"Well." Rainy perked up considerably, looking up hopefully, "Have you decided to come home then? Maybe we can fix you!"

I don't need that kind of fixing. "Yeah, I've decided to come home. Equestria is on the verge of being improved, but I needed to get something from here first. Do you mind if we go outside and talk?"

"Sure!" Rainy's high soprano voice squeaked.

"Yeah I uh-- heh, spend a lot of time in the dark as a bat..." Reddling sighed, remembering all of the Changeling's trickery. Sure, they had not been the only liars, but right now they were a vivid scapegoat in his mind after last night.

Rainy's mood continued to improve greatly as he led the way outside, the thought of having his uncle home again clearly raising his spirits.

He won't be so perky when we get outside. Reddling thought to himself. He looked over Rainy's frame, and sighed at the sword strapped on his back. Of course Rainy was armed. Everypony in Silverfield is always armed.

"How would you feel about meeting one of the princesses, while there is still a chance?" Reddling asked Rainy, trying to smile.

"One of the princesses?" Rainy said, turning and giving a confused look.

"Even if they're from an evil country, it's still pretty great to meet one. Just because you're evil doesn't mean you can't be uh-- awesome? In that bad guy way."

"You mean like... hmm..." Rainy said, trying to think.

"Even the bad guys get paintings!" Reddling added, nodding seriously to Rainy. This is not going to go well at all.

"Are you being serious?" Rainy queried. "Like-- seriously... meet a princess?"

Reddling nodded, continuing to hype Rainy up. "I'm totally serious."

Rainy quivered, taking tentative hoofsteps forward. "I mean... actually... see one... I don't..." Rainy trailed off for a bit, but then rallied and put on a brave facade. "Y-Yeah! I'd tell her-- what I think about her!"

"That's a- a great idea Rainy." Reddling sighed. "Just don't try to stab them."

"Don't?" Rainy sounded confused.

"Rainy, fights are won with a dagger to the back." Reddling patted his nephew on the shoulder. Rainy looked nervous for a few more moments, but then nodded, looking reassured. "You can't win by fighting somepony with mythical powers hoof to hoof."

"R-Right, yeah." Rainy sounded a little less convinced.

"Great!" Reddling said, nudging Rainy towards the front door. "They're outside."

"W-What!?" Rainy squawked.

"They're right outside this door." Reddling motioned to the outside.

"They who!" Rainy's face had drained of all colour.

"Tops, Nightshade, Princess Luna, Princess Cadance, a batallion of guards..." heh... bat.

"What!?" Rainy's voice caused a few small rocks to tremble away from the epicenter.

"Don't. Stab. Anyone!" Reddling hissed. "We can't fight all of them."

"Puh-Puh-Puh- Princess-" Rainy froze, not daring to look outside. His whole body was now shaking in terror.

"You're going to be okay Rainy, no Equestrians will harm you." Reddling put a hoof on Rainy's shoulder before standing protectively over the colt. Rainy continued to shake, but nodded clammily. Reddling extended his wings and draped them downwards, giving Rainy a hug as they both peeked outside. Rainy gave a shudder at the wing hug.

Outside stood the entire standing Night Guard of about thirty bats all lounging with the Captain of the Night Guard, Twilight Sparkle, Shining Armor, Two Princesses, and a black bug-monster. Almost all of them were partially soaked in blood.

Rainy let out a whimper. "Good god... what..."

"They're just Equestrians." Reddling whispered. "You've read all about them."

"There must be-- Hundred of the, --" Rainy stammered.

"Two score short three." Reddling corrected, counting the everypony and the changeling up.

"They're-- all bats!" Rainy cried, motioning outside at the obvious.

"No no, not quite." Reddling corrected. "See that one over there, the bug? That's Star Shine! And- And there are normal ponies-- Like Twilight Sparkle! Look, she looks totally normal!" Reddling pointed out Twilight and waved at her. She gave a tired wave back to Rainy.

Rainy's face was painted with horror was Reddling cleared his throat and addressed the ponies outside. "You can come in now! I don't think anything else lives here, but just shoo away small animals if you find them!"

Princess Luna was the first to approach. Reddling bowed his head to her quickly before looking up again. Rainy cowered underneath his protector. Rainy could not easily draw his sword from this position, but Princess Luna still gave him a bit of room, looking quizzically over the foal before her.

"You must be Reddling's nephew. I am Princess Luna." her voice rang out regally, making the land before her tremble.

"Princess Luna, this is Rainy. Rainy, say hello to her-- she is not going to eat you." Reddling added to the end of it, nudging Rainy in the plot with one of his back hooves. Rainy let out a panicked little peep, staring up in utter terror at Luna. For a few seconds, silence prevailed over the scene, until Luna finally continued,

"Rainy, is it. You must pardon our intrusion. Reddling has offered us some brief asylum at your-- humble accomodations-- for a brief time." Princess Luna was matter of fact about the issue.

"Wait-- he what!?" Rainy stuttered, twisting his head to look up at Reddling.

"The Princesses will be staying with us from awhile." Reddling said slowly, trying to make sure that Rainy stayed calm. He gulped, praying that Rainy did not freak out and make a scene. "--along with their guards. Let's-- go talk outside the gatehouse please, Rainy? These ponies are tired, and they need rest."

"Yeah! Okay fine!" Rainy said, his voice cracking.

Princess Luna exchanged a confused look with Reddling as he and Rainy trotted around the group of bat guards. Rainy turned his head when he got a chance and mouthed to Princess Luna "He doesn't know yet." Luna's face was again quizzical for a few moments before she nodded, her face shifting to one of understanding. Reddling turned and hurried along with Rainy, putting some distance between himself and the rest of the Night Guard. they stopped just short of exiting outside the gate.

"You're letting those-- all those Equestrians! Stay in our castle!?" Rainy exclaimed, stupefied.

"Yeah, I am." Rainy said determinedly. "Do you still go into town and go to church?"

"I mean-- two was enough last time-- what?" Rainy shook his head, looking scared and taking a step back. "Huh? I mean- yeah, of course."

I don't disagree that two was enough last time... "I don't want you going into town anymore, except for food-- and stay away from the church."

"Why?" Rainy asked with childlike simplicity.

Reddling's face hardened as he took a deep breath. He removed his wing from Rainy's side and backed up, letting his wings unfurl to their full length. They stretched out several feet in both direction, the leathery webbing drawn taunt across the bones. "The church will never be touching me again. I am staying in the Night Guard-- and I'm not letting the church poison you anymore."

"What the hell are you talking about!?" Rainy exclaimed.

"I have wings again." Reddling said simply, glancing over them. He couldn't even see feathers on them anymore-- No, this is how they were supposed to look. "I am complete. I'm not letting the church cut up my body with knives again-- or cut up anypony else, for that matter."

"Wings are fucking weird and not normal!" Rainy retorted. he had to talk sense into his uncle. It had to work.

"Would you like to go for a fly? I can show you it's normal." Reddling said, biting his lip.

"A- Fly?! No!"

"Would you rather I be a pegasus?" Reddling asked, sighing. "Having all feathery-- feathery wings, and such? -- Riany, you are going to have to open up your mind to this. These Equestrians will be your friend if you let them be." He thinks I have lost my mind.

"Reddling-- you're talking crazy... it's like you-- like you're one of them!"

"Hey!" It was Reddling's turn to retort, "I'm not some damn Equestrian-- but they are civilized, just like us."

"How about... we just -- get rid of them..." Rainy suggested.

"No Rainy. We're not just getting rid of them. Luna knows about the plot to kill her." Reddling announced. Rainy let out a little gasp of shock and horror as Reddling continued, "I already agreed to work for her and give up Silverfield's insanity."

"S-She knows?" Rainy said weakly, his legs shaking. "You- Insanity?"

"She knows, and yet here I am." Reddling stood his ground, "This is proof enough that they aren't as evil as we first thought."

"She-- it has to be a trick or-- or something..." Rainy stuttered.

"My friends and-- Web, they are all bats. The Princesses aren't, but they're all normal. You just need to give them a chance and get to know them." Reddling tried to smile. It was painful as his fangs cut along his lower maw.

"Normal..." Rainy mused, trying to gather himself. "Why-- why're you all here then...? If you're all such good friends now..."

"Did you see the bug in the courtyard? The one with the glowing pink eyes and huge evil fangs and black body? With the gnarled hooves?" Reddling asked.

"The- bug?"

Reddling turned and pointed to Star Shine, who was laying on the ground looking half dead, idly licking a rock with his sharp tongue.

"Uh-- I was..." Rainy glanced back at the courtyard, and his eyes trailed over to Star Shine. He instantly jumped under Reddling for cover, staring out in horror at the creature laying on the ground.

"Good god, what the hell is it?" Rainy's voice was half full of wonder, half full of fear.

"It's a thing." Reddling said, looking over the Changeling from afar. "Don't worry, he's nice."

"Nice!" Rainy yelled incredulously.

"They're scared of Silverfield-- the Changelings. He won't cross you or me." Reddling looked down at Rainy, who remained silent. Scotching his hind hooves forward, Reddling forced Rainy to move with him as he started to head back to the keep. "Come on Rainy. Princess Cadance wants to meet you. She's really nice, you'll like her."

"Princess-- Cadence?" Rainy asked.

"Cadance." Reddling corrected, pointing to the pink princess. "That one."

"Another Princess... ugh, fine! We'll meet your- damn Princess!"

Reddling gave a nod and they began to trot forward together, approaching Princess Cadance. A few bat ponies had begun to trickle inside, desiring to be out of the sun, but a large host still remained outside, gazing around at the foreign landscape. Reddling attempted to a smile on his face as he approached Princess Cadance, but he guessed that it came out as more of a half painful grimace. When they had closed the gap to Cadance, Reddling wrapped a wing around Rainy, nudging him forward. Cadance had been watching them approach and gave Rainy a warm smile as she stooped down to talk to him at eye level.

"You must be Reddling's nephew!" Cadance said sweetly.

"Yeah. And you're a princess or something." Rainy confirmed.

"Well, yes..." Cadance said, looking a little caught off guard by the bluntness of the child in front of her as she fluttered her wings a bit.

"See Rainy? She's quite nice." Reddling offered hopefully.

"Yeah great. Can we go now?" Rainy asked, backing away from Cadance slightly and pressing into the webbing on the bat wing laid over him. Cadance gave a frown at the cold welcome as Reddling sighed and nodded. Rainy didn't need to do more than glance upwards before he shot off between the two of them, running towards the front doors of the castle. "I'll-- I'm just going to be in my room!" Rainy yelled, not even bothering to turn around before he vanished into the doors leading inside.

"Thank you again for letting us stay!" Cadance called as Rainy vanished. He poked out from behind the door and gave a little wave, but then vanished once more in a huff. Reddling and Cadance sighed, both of them silent for a few moments until they were sure Rainy was gone.

"I know it was not the welcome you were expecting-- but I assure you, he was nicer than most anypony else in Silverfield probably will be if they meet you." Reddling hoped his words would console Princess Cadance, although they came out much harsher than he thought they would.

"He certainly seems very... mature- for his age." Princess Cadance chose her words carefully.

"You should tell him that, I'm sure he'd like it." There was no sarcasm here-- It probably would be a compliment in Rainy's opinion. Somepony acknowledging his independence was important in Silverfield, especially when you live alone. Cadance gave a little nod, drooping her head.

"I know I, for one, am very tired-- is there someplace we could lay down to rest?" Cadance asked, looking at the keep before her with a little tinge of longing.

"Oh, we have two beds here. One is for me, one is for Rainy-- uh, I'm sure we can find you some quilts to lay down on? or chairs with cushions?" Reddling had not actually thought this far ahead-- how was he going to accommodate all these ponies? There surely was not going to be enough blankets for all of them, and those who could not sleep upside down like a bat would be sleeping on the cold, hard floors.

"That would be-- fantastic." Cadance said, trying to find a nice word for a situation that clearly wasn't ideal to her. "And you can accommodate everypony?"

"Uh-- If most of the bats are okay with sleeping upside down." Reddling said.

Cadance let out a yawn, and amended her request slightly. "And-- there is a place that I could rest with Shining Armor?"

...Ah, right. "Yeah uh, Maybe." Reddling said, swishing his tail. "The only comfortable places to sleep are my room and Rainy's room. You can't go kick Rainy out of his room."

Princess Cadance frowned slightly, but nodded and gave in with another tired sigh. "Well, we've gone this far, another day or two won't kill us. We can at least rest someplace-- private?"

You have to be fucking kidding me. No wait-- oh no. Oh no... "Pick a room, close the door. Private." Reddling looked away sheepishly, shaking his head. Of all the things...

Cadance's expression changed to a slight smile. "Well, thank you."

"We might be able to find some quilts later..." Or not. I don't want that all over my blankets. How can you be so terrible? Reddling gave Cadance a little grin as she trotted away, rolling his eyes once she was not looking his way anymore. Reddling turned to survey the courtyard, noting the few bat ponies standing near Princess Luna. They were the last stragglers who had not fled the early autumn sun that was scorching the world with brave rays of light.

Princess Luna's eyes continued to trace over the battlements, the grass, and the flowers poking up here and there. Reddling snapped to attention as she approached his direction, but she quickly waved for him to relax. "You must excuse me if I overheard some of your conversation."

Reddling glanced over at Cadance, then back to the gatehouse. "All of them?"

"Oh no, simply regarding the accomodations of your home. Perhaps you would show us what is available?"

Reddling scratched his chin with a hoof. True economy rooms here. You get what you aren't paying for. "There isn't much to show off, although if somepony-- who wouldn't draw a copious amount of attention-- wanted to head into town, they might be able to get something from visiting merchants or local shops. that might make things more comfortable."

"Hm, perhaps Cobalt or Twilight Sparkle... regardless, immediately we all require rest, and there is no need to risk ourselves for simple comforts." Reddling rubbed one of his shoulders, looking back at his home. This was true, he had not had any rest since right after he fled Canterlot, and it had certainly been a long and stressful night.

"Maybe we can look into this tomorrow. With your leave?" Reddling nodded his head towards the insides of the keep.

"You need not my permission to enter your own home." Princess Luna nodded. "I shall find myself arrangements, if you would permit me."

"Take any room you wish, Princess Luna." Reddling said, giving a little bow of his head before turning and heading inside. Princess Luna followed him close behind with her honor guard, escaping the violent rays of sunlight.

Reddling turned and went down the left wing, walking past a staircase that led up to an open second floor of the keep. It was a long dark hallway broken only by rays of light poking through holes here and there. At the end of the hallway Reddling rounded a corner and took the first door on his right. This was it-- he had not visited this room last time he was here, because he was afraid he would not want to leave. Books lined shelves, and nice carpets were laid along the ground. There was one table with a few mismatched chairs pulled up to it. The room was dark and comforting, and everything had a fine layer of dust on it. Reddling trotted past all of this and ducked into what looked like little more than a storage closet. It was a small room near the center of the keep, and thusly could stay quite warm in the wintertime. There was a single bed in here made of woolen blankets and a pillow stuffed with feathers from local birds that had been used for target practice by Silverfieldian youth.

Reddling gave a little smile and flopped down on the bed, glancing out over his room. There was one unlit candle with a box of matches beside it on a small nightstand, but the room was otherwise empty. To many this would not seem much, but it was a home.

This was not going to be a good day. In fact, the day had not even really begun when it had become a horrible day. Perhaps it was a horrible night then, and the day would be better?

No, Rainy knew he would have no such luck. His home was infested with bat ponies who would no doubt eat all his food, steal all his blankets, and smell bad. Worse still, the bug creature that Reddling had brought with him had begun licking rocks outside, turning them black like shiny obsidian. Rainy had been quick to wake Reddling's tired butt up and fix that though, and now the bug creature was sleeping in Reddling's room. This was a good distance away from Rainy-- and that was the important part, that it was a good distance from him.

Seeking to improve the day, Rainy had decided to do what any reasonable pony would do. He ran away from home and into the town and began telling anypony who would listen that horrible demon bat ponies had taken over the keep. Eventually Rainy had tracked down a pair of patrolling Tempars, who had simply passed off his claims as crazy rambling-- after all, thestrals could not come out during the day, so they could not have arrived at dawn. as Rainy swore to return with proof, they had chided him to purchase some garlic before returning home so that he might ward off the vampires.

So it was that Rainy had arrived back home, trotting silently down the halls of his own home like some sort of criminal. If he could perhaps steal some piece of the Night Guard armor, he might be able to convince the Templars that these bat ponies were for real. if he could convince them-- they could save Reddling. they could save Silverfield-- and they could defeat Equestria!

Rainy creaked open the door to a particularly dark room. lighting up his horn only enough to see a few inches in front of him, Rainy began to poke around the room. There was a bat pony in here, one that looked quite comfortable suspended from the ceiling, her legs wrapped around a wooden brace. Her wings wrapped around her body like a blanket, leaving only her lilac and purple mane to dangle towards the earth.

She had placed her armor in a neat pile on the floor. Rainy idly picked up one of her leg guards, noting the way the metal shone. It was a little different from the other Night Guard armor, like it was reflecting light or something. Giving a little shrug, Rainy turned away from the room to leave, the leg piece in his mouth.

Hah! Dumb vampire bats, they should sleep with their armor on, it would be better and make more sense. If you take it off you might lose it.

The little foals heart skipped a beat as a quiet fwump sounded. Something had dropped to the ground. Rainy turned slowly, and by the faint light of his horn he could just make out two almost-glowing eyes placed above a mischievous, fangy smile.

Oh no. Oh god no, it's awake. Rainy leveled his horn at the mare, his instincts kicking in. He lit up his horn as much as possible, blasting the room with a bright light. The evil bat pony let out a hiss as she recoiled, shutting her eyes completely and letting out an angry skee...

Rainy turned and ran for his life. He didn't know where he was going to run, but he knew he had to keep running. Ducking and jumping over fallen stones or uneven flooring, Rainy eventually saw an opening and jumped out of a hole in the wall, landing harshly on his flank when he hit the dirt outside. The stubborn Silverfieldian landscape offered no respite to Rainy as he rubbed his flank and began to look for where to run off to next.

Only about a foot above him, Rainy could see the demonic mare sticking her head out through the hole. She covered her eyes with a hoof and opened her mouth, but no noise seemed to come out. Rainy cursed obscenities as he took off, trying to run into the sun so that the mare would not be able to see him. As if by some dark magic, the mare was able to slowly hone in on him. There was a terrifying rush of wings closing in, and then Rainy felt hooves grab him from behind.

Rainy dropped the armor and began to scream as loud as he could. He summoned up his magic and began trying to draw out his sword, but with the current angle that he was held, the mare was able to keep him from lifting the hilt.

"Help! HELP! Help it's eating me help!" Rainy screamed, kicking and biting and trying to make as much of a scene as possible. Rainy felt the mare twist him around and slam him into the ground. although this knocked the air out of him and brought tears to his eyes, he was able to pull his sword free. Rainy swung a few times at her wings, but in all the chaos he was not able to get a clear shot. As far as he could tell, he had banged against them, but had not cut anything.

"She's-- gunna eat me--" Rainy hiccuped, his struggling turning to sobbing as he covered his face in fear. "Somepony!"

If Rainy had been able to see Web right now, he would have seen her face beaming with glee at the fearful reaction before her. "ehehe- We've got ourselves a thief!"

Rainy let out a squeal of terror. "I'm nota thief! I live here I was just- just looking! Don't eat me, I'm nota thief! You won't like what I taste like!"

"Aren't you a dirty little colt... hehe!"

Rainy tried to form another excuse, but it was cut off by a hiccup, He resorted to simply quaking in fear, his entire body vibrating under the unhinged glee of Web.

"Won't I? I know what it'll be-- fear, adrenaline, oooh..." Web squinted in the sunlight, clearly uncomfortable, and clearly undaunted as she grinned down at her prey, already imagining the taste.

"T-That's sick! You're sick!" Rainy cried at Web. "You're insane-- I'll, tell Reddling! If you eat me I'm going to--" Rainy hiccuped, his eyes totally wide with fear now. " I'll tell and he'll get you. He's a demon too you know!"

"Aww- why do you have to say such hurtful things-"

"Because you are eating me!" Rainy screamed. he quickly covered his face again and whimpered.

"Eating you? I'm not eating you. Just talking." Web smile twisted even more as she licked her lips. "Would you rather I eat you?"

Rainy began balling anew, screaming through his tears as they ran all down his face, staining his cheeks and getting in his ears and making a general mess of everything. "Please- no, I'm going to die, I'm going to die just like that mare, please don't- no-no, don't- no..."

Web put a hoof under Rainy's chin, lifting it up and staring down at him. Her torment, for the brief moment, had come to a stop. "Mare?" Web queried. Rainy's hooves flailed for a bit but he finally nodded, his eyes wide and full of tears. Web leaned a little closer, still questioning the foal, "What mare?"

Rainy was only whispering as he sniffled and cried to Web. "The dead mare. Somepony threw her in the river, - and they like-- ate her neck..."

"ehehe... Chewed on?" Web grinned.

Rainy covered up his eyes and face, nodding. "Uh huh-- It was, last week!"

Web put a hoof along her chin, thinking for a moment as she considered this information. Her hoof slowly drifted down to Rainy's neck, which she brushed softly. Rainy let out a pathetic squeak as he was stroked, recoiling in terror. "Why did you steal my things? That isn't very nice."

"I-- I wanted to look at it! That's all-- I swear! I- uh, I'd never seen armor like that, it's not like Reddling's, yeah! Yeah, it's all different." Rainy stammered out his excuse, trying to keep his brain working as fast as his mouth was. His life was on the line here. He did not dare remove his hooves from his face, for fear of what terror was leaning over him. Web however had none of this.

"Oh no. Here. Look at it." Web said. She grabbed the armor piece and shoved into Rainy's face, parting his hooves so she could stare down at him. Rainy let out another whimper.

"Are you still going to eat me?"

"Do you know why my armor is special?" Web asked, ignoring Rainy's question. Without waiting for an answer, Web continued, "It's so I can hide, and watch, and see every little thing the bad little ponies are doing. Do you know what happens when I find a bad little pony?"

Rainy's heart was now slamming against his chest. His vision was going all blurry and he could feel his head rolling around inside itself. Web leaned down, pressing her chest against Rainy's and for a few moments, just allowing herself to feel that little heart pounding. At any moment, it felt like the colt's chest could implode, each hammering bending the fearful body against Web's ribcage. These feelings...

They excited her.

Rainy managed a soft, tiny "What?" that died in his throat.

"Ehehehe..." Web cooed. "Would you like to find out what happens?" Rainy stared up at her, petrified and whimpering.

"What's that, 'Yes, please show me?'" Web pressed her head down to Rainy's neck, her teeth brushing against his fur. Rainy tried to shake his head, but it was already too late. Web jerked her head back and bared her fangs, moving in for a bite!

Web stopped short of Rainy's neck, her eyes darting over her shoulder. Rainy could not see this, and continued to quake underneath the mare as he waited for his inevitable doom. After a few seconds had passed, Rainy peeked through his hooves, to see Web apparently frozen like a stillframe. There was a shout from the castle, ringing out over the horror scene,

"Web, what the fuck are you doing?"

Somepony who can save me! "Help!" Rainy screamed, suddenly kicking and screaming as loud as he could. "Help I'm being eaten! I'm being eaten!" Rainy's heart sank as the voice came into view. The most massive, biggest bat pony he had ever seen flew out and landed beside Web, looking down at the scene. Rainy choked on his own tears. Oh god, they're going to fight over my dead body... no... my alive body!

Rainy descended into soft crying again, shutting his eyes and sniveling uncontrollably.

"Fuck, you've been here for three hours and you're assaulting children. Celestia's tits what's wrong with you?" The massive bat pony's voice boomed, echoing from his muscular diaphragm.

"This child," Web's voice was curt and surly, "Stole some of my armor. Where you're from, you'd probably cut off one of his hooves for that." Rainy let out a yip and pulled his hooves in, protecting them from any dangerous blades.

"Hey you shut the hell up, that's better than what you'd probably do to him." Bruiser retorted. "I don't know if you noticed, but here ain't where I'm from!"

"You absolute monsters! We don't cut off hooves-- that's some-- horrible Equestrian thing! You monsters cut them off and EAT them, I bet-- M-Monsters-" Rainy blubbered between half insults, half sobs.

"Nopony is eating anypony." Bruiser said, looking down at Rainy. Rainy instantly fell silent, staring up at the giant bat pony. "Hey, did you take her stuff?"

"N-No, I found it. I-I -... with the rest." Rainy corrected his lie quickly at the end, looking away from Web and starting to scootch behind the Bruiser.

"He found it." Bruiser told Web.

"He was in my room and took it." Web confirmed the tort.

"Sounds like you took her stuff." Bruiser said, rounding on Rainy.

"It's in my castle though!" Rainy hollered, his eyes brimming with tears again. "I picked it up to put it awa-away! And then she attacked me! I- Look at that piece of armor- and she was going to eat me for it! Equestrians are insane!"

Brusier shook his head down at the little colt, giving a sigh. "Horsefeathers, you must be one dense idiot. Kid, you don't pick up stuff that ain't yours." Web gave Rainy a furtive grin, but shifted it away as Bruiser rounded on her. "Web, you're a crazy bitch, stay away from the kid."

Web mumbled something under her breathe as she backed off, picking up her armor and flying towards the keep.

"Hey you shut the fuck up!" Bruiser yelled at her. "Yeah, get outta here." Web for her part vacated the premises, vanishing with a hateful glare at the little colt and Bruiser.

"Fucking crazy Equestrians." Rainy breathed, taking a few deep breaths before sinking even lower into the ground. He had wiped away the tears from his eyes and was only now fully taking in the size of the full stallion in front of him. "What- sort of creature-- what kind of animal are you? You're- huge." Rainy said, glancing over Bruiser. One of the stallion's legs was the size of the small colt.

"I ate my vegetables." Bruiser snarked.

"So that means you don't eat meat?" Rainy asked carefully.

Bruiser grimaced, looking down at the kid and then glancing over his shoulder. "It takes a special kind of crazy to like that shit, and you just met her." Rainy let out a huge sigh of relief, stretching out into the grass. At least this pony wouldn't eat him.

"I'm going back to bed. We've been through hell the past few days-- horsefeathers, sometimes literally." Bruiser said, starting to lumber back for the keep. Rainy took a few minutes to gather himself, organizing his mind and reliving the events of what had just happened-- as well as why it had happened to begin with. He still needed something, any sort of armor. Rainy picked up a rock and put it in his mouth, sucking on it as he casually chewed grass and hugged the ground, reminding himself he was lucky to be alive, and questioning if it was worth the risk of trying to steal armor again.

The Silverfieldian grass was cold, dry, and tasteless. The grew shards were dusty and smelled of dirt. Rainy began to think of some sort of plan this time-- obviously he wasn't going to try and cross that mare again, she was absolutely nuts. Rainy spent his time into the afternoon pacing back and forth, trying to think of what he could possibly do. He couldn't tell Reddling, as Reddling was all of the best things in the world-- smart, quick to see the error of his ways, able to pick out horrible plots against him within seconds--, all things that Rainy knew would make him know something was up. He didn't really need much, just a little help from somepony who would be willing to be good to him and keep him far away from "Web."

"The royal bitch! That pink one!" Rainy's horn shot a few sparks of magic as he jumped up, rushing for the front of the castle. If he could get inside and find the pretty pink princess, he could get her to help him. Checking room after room feverishly and quietly, Rainy finally located the princess sleeping with one of the normal unicorns, snuggled up against a fighty-looking white pony.

Rainy mulled shortly over how strange that was. They looked so happy together, and that was absolutely gross. Rainy checked around the room and saw by a little light from his horn the gleam of Princess Cadance's Crown and hoofshoes. The gold bounced light around the room, but Rainy knew better than to chance stealing one of those. No, it might be better to avoid being eaten. Rainy opened the door all the way and trotted inside, poking Princess Cadance on her snout.

"Pst, Princess Pony. Pink Princess Pony." Rainy said, keeping his horn lit up. Cadance squeezed her eyes shut for a moment, then opened them sleepily. She was still very much not awake, but tried her best to make sense of what was happening.

"Oh-- is something wrong?" Cadance asked.

"A bat pony tried to eat me!" Rainy said, sweeping a hoof across the ground.

"--Excuse me?" Princess Cadance said, totally taken aback. she opened her eyes wider now, rubbing them awake. Although she kept her voice quiet, it was clear this had alarmed her.

"Some purple maned evil Equestrian thestral tried to drink my blood." Rainy said. "The big monster called her Web! Can't you go do Princess things and punish her? She threatened to cut my hooves off. She did that, she said that they cut hooves off in Equestria."

"...Web?" Cadance said, sighing. "Yes, Web can be... overzealous, from what I've heard. But you will have to talk to Luna about her. There's not much I can do."

"Where is Luna then?" Rainy asked intently. He was not pleased that Cadance had proven to be entirely useless to him. Indeed this almost felt like a waste of time now.

"I'm not certain-- I believe she may be resting further down the hall, near the rest of the Guard-- But I am sure she is very tired. Perhaps you should give her time to rest?"

Rainy mumbled and turned to go look for Luna, but stopped as Cadance addressed him again, "I can assure you everything will be fine. You may stay here if you wish. Everypony will be more active tonight, and I can make sure you are safe until then. You could rest with us." Rainy turned, looking around the room. Giving a little shake of his head, Rainy backed out of the room. What creepy creature, this Princess. Why would he want to stay in there with her?

"Are you alright?" Cadance said, concern flitting across her face. Rainy just gave a little nod, running out of the room and slamming the door sharply in Cadance's face.

It was not but a few minutes later when Rainy burst out of the gatehouse, galloping towards Fervor. He had woken up many bats, but finally, in Princess Luna's room, he had managed to steal a helmet. The helmet was much too big for him, but he hardly needed to worry about that. This was his key to doing away with all those bats. He could save Reddling, he could keep Silverfield safe, he could unmake those horrible Equestrians-- at any cost.

Rainy stopped only to catch his breath, and it was still dusk by the time he reached the church in Fervor. Ponies were beginning to clear off the streets, either retiring to their homes or to their favorite bars. The oppressive hustle and bustle of a city filled with a few hundred ponies was now giving way to a more peaceful night. Rainy had no time to spare for the citizens of Fervor as he strode straight towards the church, lighting up his horn and holding aloft the helmet that he had stolen. The church was more busy now that ponies had retired for comfort and finished their work, but with this crowd came ease of passage inside. A lone Templar guard stood outside the doors, but made no move to stop Rainy as he strode inside the church, passing through a opening room and moving into the preaching hall. Rows and rows of pews led up to a large stage where sermons, plays, and choirs gave spirit and hope to the citizens of Silverfield. Rainy stopped short of the pews as hoof tapped him on the shoulder. Rainy turned to see a Templar eyeing the helmet oddly, almost, curiously.

It took Rainy a few moments to figure out what he wanted to say, but finally he found his words and looked grimly at the Templar, saying, "The demon ponies are here with Princess Luna! Go make them go away!"

"Excuse me?" The Templar said, obviously taken aback. He had not been expecting this reasoning for the strange helmet. When Rainy stared at the Templar expectantly, the guard continued, "What are you talking about?"

Rainy threw the helmet at the guard, who caught it on one of his hooves. "The Equestrians have taken over my castle!"

"Mind your manners you little--" The guard broke off, giving a little shake of his head. "Equestrians?"

"There is at least five score of them! Yes, scores of them!" Rainy said pleadingly.

"Five score--" The Templar was sweating under his armor now, but outwardly tried his best to not seem nervous. He eyed the armor, his eyes frantically looking over it and hoping it would suddenly turn familiar. "This is-- I've never seen armor like this. And you said-- Princess Luna is there?"

"They have "Princess Luna" with them. Nightmare Moon, but not as scary!" Rainy stomped a hoof, trying to urge this sweaty Templar into action.

"Nightmare--" The guard brushed back his greasy hair.

"Yes, she is leading them! You have to help! Reddling is with them too!" Rainy kept wishing in his head that This Templar would see the light.

The Templar spared a half a moments thought as everything finally registered in his head before he have a nod, motioning for Rainy to follow him down a side hallway with a "come" motion. Rainy followed the guard, staying close to the candles that kept the world well lit and safe-- safe from all manner of evil ponies. Finally, Rainy felt well enough to let out a long sigh of relief. They could save Reddling, and get rid of those nasty bats all at once.

The two kept up a quick pace, moving through hallways, thick doors, and moving deeper into the church. Rainy couldn't even tell if they were still on ground level or not, as the place zig zagged with perplexing slopes and geometry. The colt had never actually been this deep in the church, and he could not help but be struck by how different the architecture was. It was not Equestrian for sure, but nor was it Silverfieldian. It had to be something older, but he could not fathom what. The thoughts of odd candle holders and strange shapes shifted into thoughts of what was to come next for Rainy-- he was a VIP-- a very important pony-- now, and he might have even saved the entire town. Surely, he was going to be a hero for this...

Finally, The Templar took a set of stairs upwards, leading Rainy past other Templars and priests who eyes lingered curiously on the intruding colt that had been brought to their inner sanctum. The two stopped in front of a grand looking door decorated with silver and platinum. Two Templars dressed in fine purple silk and shiny, perhaps brand new, suits of white armor stared at the Templar before them, who almost looked small in comparison to their grand garb.

Rainy did a little strut as he approached them, kicking his hooves out happily. This was what the monsters get for trying to eat him! These Templars could totally take down the demon ponies.

"Sir!" The templar with the helmet cried, looking up to his superior, "Requesting an audience with High Templar Blind Justice, regarding a possible Equestrian intrusion at Castle Celes!"

"Possible? They're napping in all the rooms! Hanging from the ceiling and sleeping like bats!" Rainy interjected. The lowly Templar offered over the helmet to the two heavy Templars. There was a brief moment of silent thinking between the two, and then they all leaned closer so that Rainy could not hear, talking about "Equestrians" and "Hundreds." Rainy saw a few hooves gestured towards him before the conversation broke off. He was being more or less ignored now, like he was simply there, and not some sort of savior. Finally the two heavy Templars nodded and opened the doors magically with their horns, motioning for Rainy to follow them.

The inside of this room was possibly more grand than the door for it, with rich wooden paneling that seemed to shine like gold. Magical lights brightened the entire room with a nigh glaring glow, casting shades across the room and flickering soft and hard lights against each other like fireflies. Great tapestries were hung alongside portraits of famous Silverfieldians, proud and regal in their posture and design. Rich purples graced the platinum trim on the carpets and curtains, all of the designs showing craftsponiship of the highest quality. The center of the room was taken up with a great desk that was lined with equally great chairs, and at the end of the desk, lounging in a throne of purple and green cushions finished with silver trim was the esteemed High Templar himself. In front of him sat cooked carrots, with the lower parts chopped and put on sticks with tomatoes, potatoes, and celery. The green tops had been minced and used as garnish for a salad containing exotic kiwi and dragonfruits mixed with pineapple. Rainy was certain that none of this was grown in Silverfield, but he was not one to question what sort of ne'er-do-well deeds were practices to obtain such fine foods.

The high Templar rose, displaying a radiant suit of armor that hung thick on his shoulders and torso. Aquamarine and Jade encrusted many surfaces, making the armor seem more ornamental than functional, but dazzling nonetheless. It was a suit of armor to be the ire of kings and the coveted prize of the most daring rouges. The high Templar magically lifted a napkin that had been woven of wool and lined with baby goose feathers to clean off his mouth, pulling up a dark cloak to cover his armor in a shroud and hide his face with shadows lest he be seen.

Blind Justice threw down irovy utensils glaring from under his hood at the guards who had entered with a small colt. "Are you not aware that I am not to be disturbed?! And what is this? Children?" Blind Justice gestured angrily at Rainy. "Do I look like some foalsitter?"

Rainy had been trying to offer a little wave to the High Templar, but his vigor died and he slowly dropped the hoof. The High Templar was supposed to be a paragon of virtue... Rainy considered telling the High Templar for a few moments that he was a big pony and not a foal, but felt that was unwise when he was obviously already in a foul mood.

The Heavy Templars flanking Rainy stammered over their words. "S-Sir, this child brings evidence that there may be-- an Equestrian incursion."

Blind Justice looked starled for a moment, gaping. "Equestrians! -- Here?!"

"In Celes Castle--! Five score!" Rainy stammered, trying to be helpful. The Templar with the helmet moved forward, offering it to Blind Justice. Blind Justice simply walked forward, around the table before smacking away the helmet and rounding on the foal under him.

"What did you see!?" Blind Justice hissed, his words reeking of disdain and cruelty.

"Princess Luna and Cadance! And scores of thestrals!" Rainy piped fearfully. "And-- and they had a big black bug thing with them, too. It had big fangs!"

"Princesses--!" Blind Justice cursed under his cowl.

"Reddling says the bug is okay though--" Rainy tried to continue, but was cut off.

"Reddling?" Blind Justice asked, clearly very put off by this development. "That's impossible--"

"Reddling brought the princesses here!"

Blind Justice stammered, his eyes growing wide enough that Rainy could make them out under the shadow of his hood. "He what! St-Start at the beginning. Explain everything!" Rainy quickly recounted everything that he could remember-- everything from Reddling being a bat pony and stopping by to visit shortly before the mare had been murdered and washed up on the river banks. Rainy put the blame on Nightshed for this murder mostly because of spite, and also because he knew she was a bitch. The tale continued with explaining how Reddling had showed up with battered looking guards complaining about having been through hell-- however, Reddling had told Rainy not to hurt any of them. Rainy did not however, let a single word of Reddling's potential betrayal be part of the story.

"--And you still say there's a hundred of them?" Blind Justice asked fearfully.

"Well, maybe not a hundred, but it looked like it! Not all of them are armored or have weapons though. I know that the armored bat ponies were at least more than four score, but not more than five scores! There were a bucking lot, okay!?"

"Between forty and a hundred! Is that the best count you can give!?" Blind Justice demanded. Rainy gave a nod.

"Useless child!" Blind Justice's words bit at Rainy as he recoiled at the sudden uptake in cruelty. "And Reddling-- with them, that traitorous heathen!"

Rainy took a few steps back, but looked up bravely at Blind Justice. His legs were quivering, but he had to speak out. "He's not a traitor! Reddling would fight for us! He'd never-- I mean-- I asked Luna! Yeah uh- I asked her and she said he is still the same pony!" This was not wholly untrue-- while Rainy had been stealing the helmet from the bats, he had also awoken Princess Luna in order to get Web in trouble, but that had just been a fleeting memory in his mind. Still, her words echoed back to him-- The two of them, Rainy and Reddling, still had the same bond as they did growing up. Princess Luna had assured him that family always sticks together and-- Rainy believed her, despite his better judgement.

"Silence!" Blind Justice screamed. "He is a traitor to Silverfield! He has given himself, mind, body, and soul, to those filthy monsters! You spoke with the wicked Princess, and you would believe her poisonous lies that he has not turned on us!?" Rainy cowered. He had done all he could to cover for Reddling, and yet...

"But-- But he--" Rainy's was crestfallen. He had to stand up, something had to be said. "But he hasn't done anything wrong..."

"I would question your devotion to Silverfield..." Blind Justice glared down at the colt, the fierceness of his voice draining all colour and heat from the room. "Hold your tongue if you wish to speak well of traitors and Silverfield's enemies, lest you lose it!" With a flourish of his cowl, Blind Justice rounded on his Templars. "Relay the order! The Templars are to assemble immediately! Alert the town, should those fiends step hoof within our town they shall find naught but steel to greet them!"

Rainy felt his rump hit the stone floor as he stared in disbelief at what was going on. They were actually going to fight-- and probably, kill... What... what did I just do?

"And you--" Blind Justice made a shooing motion at Rainy. "Go-- go away."

Rainy couldn't control his legs as they urged him up, his body blindly stumbling out of the room. Templars took off in all directions to do the bidding of their leader, leaving Rainy to simply... wander.

Fervor became a flurry of activity in an instant, springing to life without warning. Rainy did all that he could-- he fled the Church, running towards his home. He had to at least warn Reddling-- he couldn't let Blind Justice get ahold of either of them, the-- the cruel pony.

Rainy galloped as fast as he could back to the Celes, but when he arrived he found the gatehouse had it's doors closed tight. Perplexed, Rainy banged hard on the front door. "God Dammit! Reddling, Reddling open up! I have to talk to you!"

From on top of the old stone gatehouse, a voice echoed down, saturated with sickly sweetness. It was a familiar voice to Rainy-- unfortunately familiar. "Well, our little lost foal has found his way home."

Rainy's head snapped up as a shiver went down his spine. He drew his sword, knowing that only one pony would talk like that. The silhouette of a pony looking down at Rainy broke the moonlight above, her glowing amber eyes looking devilishly down at her prey.

"Let me in, I live here!" Rainy screamed up at her.

Web ignored Rainy. "The good Captain Lunar was oh so upset at my terrible behaviour-- but he was a little more sympathetic when he found that our little thief's sticky hooves got stuck to his own personal helmet."

Rainy felt a shiver move into his stomach. They had noticed the missing helmet.

Web smirked, showing teeth even at this distance. "Oh, I would love to, but the door's a bit too heavy for me to move myself."

"Damn you!" Rainy screamed up at Web.

Web tilted her head, giggling. "I am on guard duty, not door opening duty. Anyway, how was your walk?"

"You bitch!" Rainy screamed, his voice cracking as he threw the best curse words he had learned from Reddling together. "You psychotic, evil, bloodsucking whore! Stupid cold blooded vampiric slut! Open this fucking door or I swear I will open you up with this sword!"

Rainy glared at Web, and winced as she suddenly swooped down. In one swift motion, Web grabbed Rainy's sword from his magic and pinned it to the ground, staring at him. Her words were dry as she addressed him, "Look, kid. Lunar and I closed this door before he stuck me on guard duty, and he went back to bed. I'll help you in, since I was ordered to be nice and pleasant, but the door's not opening."

"Give me my sword back!" Rainy said, lunging for his weapon. he attempted to tug it out from under Web's hoof. "How the hell am I supposed to get inside if you won't open the door!? Climb?"

Web lifted one of her hooves, giggling at the little colt. "C'mon. I'll even give you your sword back."

Rainy bit his sword free and put it in it's sheathe, lest she try to steal it again. "You just want to suck my blood!"

"Ah, if only--" Web said bitterly. "orders... be nice to you, or..." she ran a hoof across her throat and made a sickening squelching sound with her mouth. Not missing a beat, Web took a casual step towards Rainy. Rainy returned the smirk, taking a step towards her until they were both standing inches away. Hah, Web was in trouble, and no threat to him...

"I'd kill you myself, if I didn't need you to get inside. Fly up there and get me inside." Rainy demanded.

Web let out a giggle again, "ehehe, Oh, no doubt. So fearsome." Rainy felt his hooves leave the ground as Web suddenly grabbed him. Pony anatomy demanded that she practically be straddling the little colt at this moment. Web began flying back towards the top of the gatehouse with Rainy kicking and screaming the entire way.

"Stop kicking, or I will drop you-- and neither of us want that." Web smirked, although Rainy could not see it.

"If you drop me, I will kill you!" Rainy screamed up at the bat. A few seconds later, Web did indeed drop Rainy. The colt fell two inches onto the top of the gatehouse, where he landed smartly on all four legs. There was a few moments of silence between the two, and Rainy nodded a little thanks to her, albeit grudgingly. Web was still breathing heavily-- although Rainy wasn't particularly heavy, she had obviously had difficulty lifting him.

"Tsk, such a sensitive flower." Web huffed, giving Rainy an evil eye. Rainy inched away from her, looking down at the courtyard. Yes, he had to hurry, he couldn't waste more time on Web. Turning and making a dash for it, Rainy hurried down the stairs that lined the side of the gatehouse. The staircases created a neat trapizoid that mirrored the front of the castle. Making short time of the courtyard, Rainy skidded to a stop in front of the door as Web landed in front of him, her breath caught.

"So, little mister sticky-hooves, where is Lunar's helmet?" Web asked, sneering down at the ungrateful colt.

"It's with The Divine High Templar, Blind Justice. I have to go find Reddling." Rainy said sternly, trying to duck past Web and finding no opening.

"It's... what?" Web asked, her playful expression draining.

"It's with the church." Rainy said.

"And-- what does that mean?" Web leaned forward.

"They took it away from me. It means I got mugged-- what do you think it means!" Rainy yelled at her, still trying to duck away.

"Mugged." Web repeated, raising an eyebrow.

"It's called a joke!" Rainy groaned, sweeping his tail across the ground. "They took it away from me. Do you have jokes in Equestria? Uh, just forget it. The church wants you to leave. You got to sleep and now it is time to go home. Now I need to find Reddling, I'm going now."

"Uh, yes, you do that." Web said. "You can open up the gate yourself."

Rainy looked curiously at Web. Web simply blinked at him before turning. "Reddling flew out to the town only a few minutes ago."

"No!" Rainy screamed at her in panic. Web waved a hoof nonchalantly.

"That purple unicorn will be going towards the town soon too-- perhaps she will accompany you to save Reddling from the trap you set?"

Rainy could only stare as Web let out a weak giggle, turning and trotting for Princess Luna's quarters.

"So, after nightfall?" Twilight Sparkle asked the dark, mysterious bat pony in front of her.

"T'will be easier for myself, and the darkness will provide you cover as well." Midnight Tales replied through his helmet."

"Well, twilight is almost here, we should prepare." Twilight replied.

Rainy's ear pricked up as he heard the last words of this conversation. Midnight Tales, Tops, Nightshade, and Bruiser stepped outside with Twilight Sparkle, the group making their way across the courtyard. Rainy quickly ducked into a silvery bush, looking out at the group

"Are we finished then?" Nightshade asked. Tops gave little nod, none of them noticing Rainy glaring at the group as they went past.

"Well, good luck then." Nightshade turned and flew towards the castle, gliding inside before closing her wings and trotting into the darkness. Rainy, for his part, watched as Midnight Tales and Bruiser waved farewell to Tops and continued with Twilight Sparkle, chatting among themselves.

"While... your friend attempts to deal with the town, we will be flying and looping around the south side of the town. One of our groups shall be providing a distraction, whilest the other shall deal with the town for supplies. You spoke of a certain destination before, while we are flying show us your destination. Should you require assistance we will be able to provide you support or extraction."

Rainy pondered for a bit what they might be talking about. How was Twilight Sparkle supposed to know what she was looking for? Rainy might be able to point out the buildings from the air, but an Equestrian? No chance.

Twilight bit her lip in the dying light, looking at the fading sun. "I'm not sure that I know what the place looks like, although-- I will try--"

"It sounds like you need a guide!" Rainy yelled, a lightbulb popping up in his head. Maybe they could fly him to Reddling-- yes, it was going to be scary, probably the worst thing-- but now it was his only chance of getting to the town.

The two bat ponies eyed the little unicorn suspiciously, but Twilight approached him, giving him a happy smile. "You are-- you are Rainy, aren't you? I've heard about you from your uncle." She tilted her head, "You can guide us?"

Rainy's nod rang with vigor as he trotted towards the dirty Equestria. She was buying it! "Take me with you to the town, and I can show you to wherever you want to go!" Twilight Sparkle grinned at the bat ponies. Other than their bright eyes, nothing was visible behind their war helmets.

"Midnight may carry you." Twilight motioned to the darker of the two bat ponies, and Rainy gulped.

An hour later, Midnight hissed at Rainy as the unicorn put undo pressure on his wings. Rainy gave a little yip and pulled his legs back, not wanting to upset the scary looking bat pony. There was something off about him, as if he was not normally so unfriendly and yet some spell had been cast upon him.

"Don't drop me." Rainy hissed to the bat pony.

"Do I look like a murderer to you?" Midnight asked.

"Will you drop me if I say yes?" Rainy asked. Midnight did not answer.

The bat ponies looped around with the two unicorns in tow, beginning to carefully circle the southern side of the town. Although a guard had been suddenly summoned to patrol the town, there were plenty of areas where it was easy to pass them. When they settled into the town, safely hidden in an alleyway behind a store open late, Rainy fell off Midnight and kissed the dirt. "That was so unnatural! Oh, I thought I'd never see dirt again."

Twilight rolled her eyes, turning to the two bat stallions. "Hopefully it will not take long to locate the 'bugs' that live in this town."

"There is a chance there could be Changelings living in this town, and yet you are choosing to seek them out." Midnight's words were a statement, not a question.

"I don't think they are Changelings, they are something else, based on the books Reddling had." Twilight said, pulling out a small book she had borrowed.

Rainy raised an eyebrow, but the two bat ponies gave nods and took off, leaving Twilight and Rainy in the dust from their wings and the darkness of the night. Both unicorns lit up their horn, looking at the book.

"Signal us if you need help." Midnight said, pointing at their horns. "Bright lights, yelling, whatever it takes to get our attention. Otherwise, when you have achieved your goal meet with us straight south of the town."

"Won't that draw the attention of everypony else, too?" Twilight asked.

"If you are in a situation where you require aid, I would believe that you would have their attention regardless." With that, Midnight turned, wasting no more time on the unicorns.

Rainy followed Twilight and she sighed, trotting through the alleyway and towards the store.

"So where are you going again?" Rainy asked, following her.

"I'm going to look for the pony that used to own this book. The address said to return it here, and I want to ask them some questions." Twilight explained. She held up a book-- which to Rainy, looked like no more than a storybook... "This book details a great war between Bug-Ponies, according to the translations inside."

"First you invade my home, then you start going through my things?" Rainy said tersely at her. Twilight's ears laid back slightly.

"Reddling told me it was fine, so I poked around and... well, I've never seen books like this. They're not in very good condition."

"You're not in very good condition..." Rainy said under his breath as he and Twilight stepped out into the street. It was a cobblestone road had steps that led up to the shops, which largely sat on raised foundations. This was the richer and newer part of town, with gardens that were vibrant and flowering, teeming with growth. Windows weren't covered with boards but instead had nice shutters that looked imported from elsewhere. The store Twilight was eying was the local tailor's shop, a small building with a warehouse attached to it. Rainy knew this place, and he had been there many times before.

"Are you sure that book goes to this store?" Rainy asked Twilight suspiciously.

"Of course!" Twilight chimed. "Why wouldn't it?"

"Because the pony there cannot read." Rainy looked grimly over at the store, which had weak lights trickling out into the street, the soft flickering of candles in lanterns dancing to their own tune. Twilight Sparkle was silent as she went up the stairs.

"We need to go warn Reddling about the guards." Rainy said. "You should come with me, he'll listen to you-- he might not listen to me." Rainy put a hoof on the cobblestone strongly. He had considered this on the trip over-- what if Reddling didn't believe him? No, he needed Twilight to go with him.

"It will be a quick visit, we just need to return the book and ask a few questions. We can go warn Reddling then. They will be fine." Twilight whispered, opening the door to the shop. "My brother went with Reddling-- I know it's important to warn them, but this could be important too. Besides, if they walked here, they probably aren't even in town by now." This shut Rainy up. He had not been aware that Shining Armor had gone with Reddling to town. Why had he not passed them on the road?

The store seemed empty right now, but the storekeeper had to be around somewhere. A bell chimed overhead as they stepped in and Rainy quickly hissed up at Twilight. Twilight Sparkle practically bounced with giddiness.

"Can you at least try to talk like a normal pony while you're here?" Rainy hissed at Twilight. "You're acting all weird."

"I'm-- I mean, I'm just a bit nervous is all." Twilight admitted.

"See, can you not talk like that and speak the proper way? You sound like an idiot." Rainy rolled his eyes at the Equestrian accent.

"An idiot!" Twilight exclaimed, the foal having her attention now as she picked her head up indignantly. "I'll have you know, by most objective measures I am quite intelligent!"

"But you talk dumb." Rainy said, stopping and hitting Twilight's hoof as they rounded a shelf of coats. A young unicorn filly smiled at both of them, her hooves crossed at the desk. Rainy could have sworn she wasn't there a few seconds ago.

"Um- hello?" Twilight said to the pony, approaching the counter.

"Hello! Uh, Apricot will be back- later." The filly gave Twilight a weird look, obviously perturbed by the accent. "Can I help you two find some clothes?"

"Sure, why don't you show us your latest fashions." Rainy said mockingly.

Before Twilight could actually get to her point, the filly had sprung up with unusual vigor for a citizen of Silverfield and was showing off clothes in the most convincing manner ever, rounding on Twilight and smiling. "We don't normally make clothes to order, but everything should still fit well! Would you like to try something on?"

"Um- no thank you-" Twilight was cut off.

"...Is there something I can help you with then?" The filly stared up at Twilight with huge eyes.

"Well, actually!" Twilight began, Rainy covering his ears and burying his head in the ground. She wasn't actually serious was she? No, no this pony was serious. Seriously crazy. "Goodness, this might sound silly- We're looking for- hmm. Um, Some very- special ponies."

"We believe that all ponies are special in our shop!" The filly beamed. "But uh, very special? Like how?"

"Well miss- You'll have to excuse me, what is your name?"

"Sweet Needle." the filly blinked, her beam fading slightly.

"Well Sweet Needle- this might sound ridiculous, I know, but we found a story about some bug-like equines, and we thought, you know... We'd like to- meet one!" Twilight brandished the storybook, magically holding it in front of the filly. "The book came from this store originally, and I was hoping... well, you know."

The filly stared blankly up at Twilight, giving her a slow nod and sniffing the air. "Have you perhaps had too much to drink?"

Twilight blushes slightly in embarrassment at this ridiculous idea, but was eager none-the-less. "Oh I know it sounds ridiculous but I've found that a lot of old-mare's tales can sometimes be a little true. Would you mind if we looked around a little bit?" Twilight looked over the filly, smiling out at the moon. Without an old mare's tale, Princess Luna...

"Ah, of course. It's not like there is anything hidden in here..." The filly said, looking cautiously up at the strange pony. "Please don't steal anything."

"Oh, of course not! And thank you very much!" Twilight said. The filly pulled her forelegs in and sat on her rump, carefully watching the duo. Rainy also took a seat, looking back at the filly.

"Where are you gunna look, Twilight? Behind a coat or something? We need to hurry." Rainy said.

"Do you have a basement?" Twilight asked, patting Rainy on the head with a smirk.

"Yeah, we use it to store a lot of extra cloth and other things." The filly nodded. "It's a very boring storage area..."

"May we look down there?" Twilight asked.

"Uhm..." The filly twiddled her hooves. "I mean, sure. Not that there is much to look at... we just keep clothes down there."

"Well, lead the way!" Twilight proclaimed, picking up Rainy by the tail and dropping him on all fours. The filly stood up and trotted behind the desk, heading down a small hallway. There was a back door leading outside and a door straight in front of her leading downstairs. The filly opened up the door without using magic and started down the steps.

"Uhm, this way." The filly said, motioning for the two to follow her downstairs into a large area with various large boxes. The filly did not light up her horn, and it was difficult to see more than a few exposed areas of stone here and there. Twilight lit up her horn, illuminating the downstairs area brightly and bringing all of it's contents-- which was true to it's story of being a storage area, full of boxes; It seemed Silverfield only had three sizes-- Child, Stallion, and Mare.

The filly kept a marked distance from Twilight, who examined the walls, looking behind boxes. "I imagine they would keep the entrance to their homes well hidden. Oh this is exciting..."

"Twilight!" Rainy hissed in alarm, darting over to her. "You don't think there are bug equines right here, right? I would have seen them! We should leave, this is against the rules!"

"Hmm..." Twilight said, looking tersely around the room. If the stone walls or boxes held any secrets, they sure weren't sharing them. Twilight took her time, tapping on the walls, firing sonic magic around the room to see if she could detect anything that didn't make sense... Something had to work, right?

Rainy was almost seething by the time Twilight looked down sadly. "Maybe... maybe we were wrong?" Twilight lit up her horn powerfully, making it as light as day in the room as she looked around, sweating a little from the strain of maintaining the magic. Imperfections in the stone wall were now apparent, but then, it would have been alarming if the walls were perfectly smooth. Although there seemed to be some patterns here and there, Twilight couldn't make out anything from them.

"Well-- they have plumbing, they must get their water from somewhere... Rainy, which direction is the river?" Twilight asked.

"Ugh, it's a little south of town. I thought you were smart." Rainy groaned. "But we have-- creeks? They bring water from the river into town... Maybe we could go upstairs--"

"No, the stories explicitly mentioned living underground!" Twilight groaned in return. "Sweet Needle, are there any other skilled craftsponies in town? Any that exhibit uncharacteristic... passivity?"

"Twilight, she's not going to know any better than me." Rainy said. "Please, let's just leave, this is making me really uncomfortable."

Sweet Needle, however, remained silent. She was looking directly at Twilight's forehead, but otherwise seemed a little distanced from the world. Twilight looked over her head, then gave her head a little shake. "Sweet... Needle?"

The unicorn blinked a few times, and then suddenly seemed to be lucid again. "Uh- yeah, yeah-- sorry, what was that, you are done down here?"

"What were you looking at?" Twilight asked, looking over her shoulder.

"Uh, the elegance of your mane. It's very- stylish." Sweet Needle said, waving a hoof at Twilight's hair.

"Oh!" Twilight said knowingly, like she knew how elegant her mane was, putting a hoof to her chin and smirking. "You- are you sure it wasn't my horn?"

"Oh yes, it certainly wasn't the light." Said the filly. Rainy's jaw dropped a little as he watched the scene that followed. Twilight lit up her horn even brighter, watching as the unicorn blinked a little and then followed the light. Twilight walked around the room, bobbing her head too and fro, watching the small filly moving her head along with the motions.

"The literature stated they enjoyed... light shows..." Twilight's voice was rising with her excitement. "Oh my goodness! I think she might be one! Oh this is so exciting!"

"You're saying she's a bug." Rainy asked, looking at the completely normal filly. Lighting up his horn, Rainy brought it up to be quite bright, and even though it could not compete with Twilight, it was enough to distract the pony for a few moments, their head snapping to the new light source, but her expression remaining very blank and peaceful. "If you could defeat the Changelings with lights, why didn't you do that in the first place? It's seems pretty simple! -- I didn't know that Changelings had foals, though."

"She's not a Changeling." Twilight hissed, moving closer to the filly. "Perhaps these ponies don't grow very large. Miss Sweet Needle?"

"Uh- da- I mean, are you da- done?" Sweet Needle asked, finally able to pull her gaze away from the lights and closing her eyes.

"It's alright, we'd just like to talk." Twilight was positively beaming.

"I like talking- uhm, ...what would you like to talk about? Clothes?" Sweet Needle asked nervously.

Twilight fiddled with her hooves, almost unable to contain her excitement. "You're a- well, we don't know the proper word, I'm afraid but, you're a 'bug-pony,' aren't you?"

"A bug pony?" Sweet Needle stammered. "No, I'm-- that's very rude, actually. Do I look like a bug?" Sweet Needle took a gulp, taking a large step back and keeping her eyes forcibly averted from the bright lights. Her tone had changed now, it was not an innocent filly, but rather a cautious filly, one that seemed to feel the situation had become dangerous and they were unsure how to get out.

"There's a terrible-- invasion in Equestria. We came to Silverfield to prepare for a counter-attack. But in the library of the keep, I found evidence suggesting that-- well, for lack of a better word, "bug-equines" of Silverfield are natural enemies of-- how was it worded? The "deadly black bug?"

"Changelings." Sweet Needle hissed.

"Yes! Exactly! You know about them!" Twilight's voice cracked slightly in joy.

"Well yes..." Sweet Needle was a bit more diplomatic now, but still being very careful. "What help are you seeking though? maybe you can just leave them alone? I'm sure they'll leave eventually."

"No, they've completely displaced the higher level leadership of the capital." Twilight explained.

Sweet Needle sighed bitterly, brushing her mane back. "Oh my... I guess asking them to stop didn't work, not that it would work on their ilk..."

"Twilight, I'm scared." Rainy said, tugging on Twilight's arm. He had been fully unable to follow what was happening for some time now, and indeed didn't understand why they were still here. "What the hell are you two babbling on about?"

"What do you want me to do though? Make them leave?" Sweet Needle asked, not talking over Rainy but keeping her voice lowered.

"I- well. No, but... I was hoping, if- well, first of all, I can't quite keep referring to you as a "bug pony" if that is rude. If you don't mind me asking... what exactly are you?" Twilight leaned forward, dimming her horn slightly.

"I'm a pony, like you." Sweet Needle said, looking between Rainy and Twilight, carefully biting her lip and considering an idea. "I might get in trouble for this, so don't tell the others okay? You two have been much nicer than other ponies in this town."

"Well, it wouldn't make much sense to be rude if we are asking for help." Twilight chimed.

The filly gave herself a full shaking, like they were trying to get water out of their coat after a swim. From the outside, the removal of the facade was like a Changeling transformation but without the fire. The little pony now lacked her horn, and instead her form shimmered into sporting a set of almost transparent wings that had deep blue hues across them. Purple and blue veined colours were stained across her wings, giving them a bit of a dazzle like a stained glass window. They sure didn't look good enough to be used for flying, but they were pretty nonetheless. Two black antennae sprouted from the top of the filly's head, with little rings of white near the tip. The filly smiled up at Twilight, blinking two hexagonal blue eyes.

Rainy jumped behind a box, letting out a scream of panic and hiding from the horrifying thing in front of him. He barely dared to peek out at the monster, trying to make out just what had happened right in front of his eyes. Meanwhile, Twilight gave an excited gasp as her excitement almost bubbled over.

"Oh my goodness this is amazing!" Twilight instantly descended upon the filly, looking her over. "The disguise- oh you'll have to explain the mechanism- and I've never seen an eye structure like that- are the wings functional? - two, channeling magic from two sources, there must be some attunement. Oh, the spells you could cast, it must be like having two horns!" Twilight gave a little skip around the pony, totally enthralled. "Oh wow!"

"I um, am glad you are so excited..." The pony said, watching Twilight carefully.

"What do you refer to your own race as?" Twilight asked eagerly.

Sweet Needle considered this for a few moments, talking under her breathe to herself for a few seconds. "Why don't you call me a "moth-pony." I think it'll be best to leave it like that. We're not bug-ponies, just, ponies. Ponies will work."

"Are there other moth-ponies in this town? What is your social standing amongst them?" Twilight almost couldn't keep herself from drooling over the new discovery.

"uhm, I'm-- well, I have parents, some ponies don't have parents, some do... I guess I'm a-- foal, among the others?" Sweet Needle said.

"Oh, okay!" Twilight chirped, her interest not waning at all. "Goodness, I hope we're not putting undue pressure on you, I'm just- this is amazing! Is it possible that we could speak with some more moth-ponies?"

"Well, I don't know if they'd like that but..." The filly squinted her eyes at Twilight. "I guess it would be okay?"

"Oh my gosh, should we wait here, or-?"

"We can go downstairs." Sweet Neelde turned and began digging into a box of foal's clothing, throwing out various items. A pair of overalls blanketed Twilight's face, and a sock smacked Rainy on his horn.

"Oh Rainy, we might be the first ponies to meet moth-ponies face-to-face-, let- oof!" Twilight let out a break in her sentence as a coat smacked her in the chest, discarded by Sweet Needle as she did her digging.

"Yeah great." Rainy rolled his eyes, removing the sock from his horn. "This almost seems to easy, and you're taking advantage of a kid." There was a sharp clicking noise from the box, and then Sweet Needle emerged from the pile of clothes. clearing herself of random foals clothing, she trotted over to a wall that Twilight had previously examined. Running her hoof over the wall, Sweet Needle traced her hoof along the wall, making four triangle in seemingly random places. With a little flourish, Sweet Needle gestured to the wall beside her where she had been drawing triangles with her hoof.

"Okay, you can enter now." The filly said plainly. Twilight glanced over the wall, letting out little umms of uncertainty. Twilight put her hoof on the wall, and it suddenly fell through, causing Twilight to fall forward and bump her head on the top of the invisible doorway.

"Idiot Equestrian." Rainy snarked, trotting towards the invisible door and stepping through the stone as Twilight lamented the bump on her head. Quickly casting a spell, Twilight's horn lit up with her native magic and she stared at the door in shock.

"You have a concealing spell cast on the door-- on, everything here, really. How did I not notice it before?" Twilight trotted through the door, looking around wondrously at the world.

"Because I didn't draw the triangles." Sweet Needle chirped. She quickly followed the two of them, taking the lead.

"Oh my goodness..." Twilight stopped dead when she had passed through the stone slab. The floors, walls, and ceiling seemed to have some soft illumination in them, making everything visible enough to the naked eye, but only just wanting enough that close details could not be made out. Along the walls were engravings of hundreds of ponies, depicting countless stories. the floor and ceiling were smooth and polished, while at the far end another stone wall stood, but unlike the last, this one was shimmer, almost like a mirror reflecting a river's ripples.

Twilight is barely able to stop gaping at the sights before the shimmering wall engulfs Sweet Needle in front of the two unicorns. Rainy rolls his eyes again as Twilight examines the engravings. They were in a language long since lost to common ponies, but the pictures depicted heroic looking moth ponies writing books or drawing things. There were even engravings of moth ponies making engravings of ponies looking at the engravings of moth ponies.

"Oh, this is all almost making my head hurt." Twilight said, giving it a little shake and trotting to follow Sweet Needle. Taking a deep breath, Twilight stepped through the second stone wall. Rainy, not one to be left behind, quickly followed her, running right into her leg. Twilight fell forward, her head smacking into some hard stone in front of her. it was warm to the touch, and has a smoothness about it she had not come to expect from this land.

"Are you okay? You should be more careful, you might hurt yourself!" A voice said. Twilight dizzily looked up and accepted an extended hoof, rising to her hooves. A middle aged moth pony stood in front of her. She could not tell their gender, but they had long, glorious wings that covered their entire sides and reached down past the thigh on their flank. Each blue wing was like a glorious ocean, shimmering just like a mirror. Just as Twilight was able to tear her gaze away from the wings, she felt thin, needle-like black antennae tapping and rubbing along her forehead and cheekbones.

"Oh! Hello! and um- excuse me?" Twilight said, looking a little nervously at the antennae running over her face. Rainy simply let out a whimper, hiding behind Twilight and covering his head.

The moth-pony gave a little nod to Twilight Sparkle, turning towards Sweet Needle once the former was on her hooves steady. Sweet Needle was grasping at the ground with her hoof, grinding against the floor with shrill shrieks that echoed the look on her face. As Twilight got her senses together, she saw that there was not one, but many moth-ponies staring at Sweet Needle-- far too many for her to count-- most of them with hues of blue or purple splashed with white.

"Yes, Miss?" The blue moth asked her. They were not hostile, but there was a certain coldness, indeed, nothing short of quiet nervousness creeping in the voice. It was as if the only thing the moth feared more than asking the question was the answer to his question.

"I am Twilight Sparkle." Twilight Sparkle announced. "You'll have to excuse our-- intrusion-- but, uh-- I thought it might be important to um-- talk to you all." Twilight was able to count them this time. Ten sets of hexagonal eyes all turned to her, locking in on her figure from all sides. Rainy pushed himself between all four of Twilight's legs, hiding under her for safety from the eyes. Twilight dusted herself off before continuing, gulping and staying resolute. if she couldn't do this, then there might not be anypony who could.

"I was hoping maybe you would be able to help us. Equestria has a- a Changeling problem, and we were hoping to find something-- anything-- that could help us."

The moth-ponies instantly descended into conversation among each other. A louder one of the bunch seem concerned about having a foreigner in their midst, while others called attention to the fact that this foe was likely beyond the feeble ponies of Equestria. The blue moth that had first helped Twilight up broke from the rest of the group, clearing his throat for silence before speaking, "I am afraid that we try to limit our involvement with... such creatures. We drive them away and subdue those that come close but-- Equestria? That is a long ways from here."

Twilight quickly considered how little these moth-ponies must get out if a day's journey was considered a very long way, but nevertheless cleared her mind to focus on the goal. "But you know about them! How they work, how they operate! And you know how to get rid of them!"

"Well, yes but..."

"Even if it's just information, that would be invaluable!" Twilight pleaded. For a moment, the moths were silent. They turned to each other, watching Twilight carefully. They were carefully tracing their antennae across each other, communicating in some language unknown to the greater world. With a nod, the blue moth stepped forward, giving Twilight a little bow.

"We could give you information, yes. Will you perhaps sit down, and have some drink with us while we talk?" The moth gave a little sign, looking at Twilight in dismay, "You're very trusting-- we have concurred you do not seem cunning enough to hurt us."

"I- yes, of course, that would be lovely." Twilight sighed, feeling the tension wash off her. A friendly face wasn't something she had been used to in the dark days she had seen as of late. Twilight found the moths leading her down a slope, which ended in a studylike cavern. There were tables, basking areas where the heat from the stones was stronger, and a small bar stand with various fruits, veggies, and bottles of liquid were lined up. Many of the moths dispersed here, scattering around the room while Twilight took a seat at a table with the blue moth.

Twilight took her time to gaze in wonder at the underground cavern-- and finally, realized what seemed so off about it. No, it was not the fact she couldn't understand how such a place existed in the first place, but the fact that it's architecture was not congruent with the rest of Silverfield. Many houses were simple, often with pillars that paid some homage to the pegasus tribe. The moth ponies had no pillars in their architecture, and the vaulted ceilings suggested that they perhaps encountered the unicorn tribe, but nothing more than that.

"Twilight." Rainy whispered from next to her. She tore her eyes away from the confusion and turned to Rainy, who was looking fearfully at the moth ponies. "Twilight, they're still all watching us." Rainy was correct. Even as the moth ponies had dispersed around the room, they were all keeping their eyes towards Twilight and Rainy, not letting their guard down even an inch. Although Twilight tried to remain gracious in front of the moths, she couldn't help but rub her hooves together in nervousness.

For nigh a minute, there was silence in the room. Twilight perked up as she heard hoofsteps from a hallway that branched off from this large room. A moth pony appeared with a plate balanced on their head, four wine glasses of white, milky looking liquid. Twilight watched as the table was set for 4, although one glass was left without it's pony. The moths communicated wordlessly, the delivery moth breaking off into a gallop as they left.

"It may to be to your tastes, but I promise it is the best Silverfield has to offer." The blue moth said, sipping his own drink.

"Oh, thank you sir-- there really is no need to be so generous--" Twilight began, but was quickly cut off.

"It's nothing, please, you're guests-- and we do not get many of those. Please, tell us more about how Changelings came to be a problem in Equestria." Twilight looked around for the "us" mentioned by the blue moth, peering over the table to see if somepony was hidden from her. Sure enough, a little moth pony who looked not much older than Sweet Needle had joined them at the table, a pair of large oval glasses sitting smartly on her face.

"Tell us everything you know about the Changelings." Said the little moth, looking up at Twilight with a businesspony's vigor. Twilight drew her head back, a little surprised at the small moth's forwardness, but quickly gathered herself and began to explain the situation. She explained how she could tell that something was off with Cadance, and when she confronted her, she had used a spell to bind her -- Shadowbind, the little moth pony called it, -- and confined her to the catacombs below. While she was trapped, Twilight encountered Princess Cadance-- now a changeling queen-- and went to confront Cadance before the wedding. Now that Twilight knew what she was up against, she had recalled another instance where a Changeling queen had tried to disguise themselves within the military and attack some guards.

What she had not known was that already a systematic breakdown of Canterlot had begun within the guard system. Twilight didn't know anything was wrong for the longest time, as she was busy gathering regents for Princess Luna's spell to change Cadance back. Quickly detailing her capture and escape when she returned, Twilight retraced the steps that had brought her to the moth-pony's home in a flurry.

The moth-ponies hung on her every word, totally stunned when they heard that Princess Luna had removed the Changeling effects from Princess Cadance. The two moths nodded between each other worriedly.

"I think we will need to meet with this "Princess Cadance" ourselves." Said the little moth. "We should make sure that she really, truly, is cured. We would learn more of this technique.

"None of us will make any hasty choices to join your cause-- we must gather more information first." The blue moth said. "If indeed there is trouble that we must intervene with-- we can, looking into regulating the balance of things."

"Oh thank you!" Twilight cried out happily. Finally, progress with somepony.

"Don't be thankful. We said we'll help, but we won't fight." Said a purple and grey moth from the drinks bar.

"That is all we could ask of you. I am sure Princess Luna and Cadance will be very eager to meet you, and thankful for anything-- advice or otherwise-- you could have for us. And I am sure they will do whatever they can to repay you for your kindness."

The blue moth held up a hoof, waving at Twilight. "We do not require repayment, Twilight Sparkle, although we will not deny you the gift of giving. Please do not think of this as a debt."

Twilight looked down at the milk served to her, which had grown just a little warmer, smiling into the white liquid, Twilight slurped some of it down, quite happy with herself.

At least, until she realized that the milk didn't taste anything like milk. It was like sugar and water, but with the thickness of milk that left a coating on your teeth and mouth akin to the stickiness of booze. Very good to taste, yet odd on the tongue. Although she was surprised, Twilight continued to drink the liquid-- she needed to be polite, and it didn't taste terrible. Rainy, meanwhile, had not even touched his glass.

The little pony cleared her throat, placing her hooves on the table and lifting herself up so she was at eye level with Twilight before speaking. "Twilight Sparkle, address me as Lapis Lazuli. with the leave of my kin, I want to meet with your Princesses. We may discuss-- terms."

"Oh thank you, thank you-- and this-- this is delicious." Twilight pointed sheepishly to the milky water she had been given. The filly barely gave a nod before jumping off the table. Twilight motioned for Rainy to follow the little moth with her as she stood up, saying, "I'm sure that everyone will be happy to meet you. Cadance, Luna-- oh, and I have to tell my brother and all the bat guards! How Reddling couldn't have mentioned this to me before--"

"Is because they didn't know." The little moth said harshly, looking over her shoulder. "We will speak to as few ponies as we must. A secret isn't a secret if you tell everyone."

Twilight sighed, nodding knowingly. Of course, these moth ponies would want to keep their secrecy if they could. The group stopped at the shimmering rock that led back to the clothing store, Lapis looking pointedly at the wall. Twilight glanced around and noticed that a few more moths had joined them, keeping a circle around her and Rainy. They were a cautious race, always keeping several pairs of eyes on the intruders.

"Well, let's make this quick." Lapis said, preparing to step through the door. She stopped short as another moth in the crowd spoke up.

"Excuse me, unicorn? uh, Twilight?" Twilight turned to face the voice. A white pony with a mop of grey mane had stepped forward. She looked quite sheepish, like she was unsure if she was speaking out of turn or not.

"Uh, you'll be coming back, right?" The moth asked. Twilight gave her a confused look but nodded. She figured that she would be coming back at some point for whatever help the moths could offer. The white pony brightened at this.

"I was wondering-- if you'd request for me to go with you back to Equestria. To show you how to work whatever help we give you, of course!" The white moth gave Twilight a convincing smile, trying to dispell the idea that she might have ulterior motives.

"Well, okay, I suppose?" Twilight said. Lapis let out a little growl and the white moth fell back into line.

"Can we please be done with this?" Lapis asked. Twilight gave the filly a short nod, and held her breath as she stepped through the shimmering door.

Three ponies hooves crunched through the Silverfieldian countryside. Above the three were two bat ponies, silently gliding through the night and keeping an eye on the group below. At the forefront of the group was Reddling, wearing his long dark coat around all his armor and concealing most of his features. Flanking him were Shining Armor and Princess Cadance, all three of them carrying hefty amounts of money on their sides. Rainy had saved some of the money Reddling had sent back, and he had opted to borrow it from the colt in order to secure some supplies from Fervor. Princess Cadance and Shining Armor had both come for their ability to blend in and look like regular ponies. Reddling had not learned of Princess Cadance until he arrived in Equestria, and he was certain that given the circumstances in Silverfield, they had no chance of knowing she existed-- and even if they did, there was absolutely zero chance they knew what she looked like. Still, not to throw caution to the wind, Reddling had both unicorns wearing hoods over their faces. Shining Armor's jaw was a dead giveaway, and Cadance's height was, to say the least, suspicious.

Reddling had taken the long way into town, avoiding the roads lest he encounter a patrol, and led the group up a hill from the western side. this road, which looped around and led south to Winterlight, had only two token guards standing watch on it, both of them looking tired. Giving a nod to his group, Reddling put on his sunglasses and began to approach the guards, the other four ponies staying back.

As soon as the Templars could make out a pony approaching them by the light of their horns, Reddling heard one of them cry for him to halt. Stopping, Reddling stood still and watched as the Templars grew near. They were very cautious-- almost, too cautious. Indeed, when Reddling thought more about it, it seemed odd that they were even on guard here at all-- normally the road to Winterlight was not patrolled as it was not used by traders. They often simply took a direct path towards Winterlight and bypassed Fervor if they could altogether.

"I'm here to talk, not to fight." Reddling called out to them, staying still and drawing his coat around himself more. Both unicorns have levitated crossbows, and were keeping them aimed in his direction.

"Yeah sure, I bet you're one of the-- wait-- say that again?" The Templar stopped mid sentence, confusion crossing his mind.

One of what? "I said we're here to talk, not to fight. Aim those things someplace else, you're not going to hit me with one of those in the middle of the night anyway." Unless they were the top markspony in Silverfield, Reddling doubted they could hit a tree in the darkness with their little repeating crossbows. At the same time, it was incredibly unnerving to know they were pointed at him.

Both Templars lowered their crossbows, peering at the darkness to make out more of the features of the pony talking to them.

"You're not Equestrian." One of the Templars pointed out.

"No, I'm not." Reddling replied with a sigh.

"I'm sure you haven't heard then. There's Equestrians about. It is not safe to be wandering about in the dark." The other Templar shared, standing aside a little so that the road was clear towards the town.

...That's not good. "Look, we're just hoping to do some trading. The only Equestrian I've seen is some of their gold we have with us. I think they call them bits."

"You have-- gold." One of the Templars said in disbelief, "And you're thinking about spending them-- in the middle of the night-- when they could attack at any moment? Are you crazy?"

"I do not fear degenerate Equestrians. Do you, Templars of all ponies, fear them? Surely we are safe enough with you on patrol." Reddling glared through his glasses at the Templars, hoping they could not see his displeasure at their questions.

"Fear them!?" The indignant Templar cried, "of course not! But who knows what atrocities they would commit if they got their hooves on you?"

"We must take our chances." Reddling said. "We need food, and a wagon or cart to carry it in. Does Fervor have any such goods to trade?"

"Well-- of course but-- a wagon? You should really just stay in Fervor."

Reddling pondered his options for a few seconds, then jerked his head back, giving a pitiless laugh. "Where are the Equestrians? Just-- prowling around? We're going south from here, and I'd like to make it home to Winterlight by tomorrow."

"They're holed up in Castle Celes, that little fort north of town." The first Templar said.

"That's to the north, we'll be fine." Reddling began trotting closer, close enough that he could toss something at the Templars.

"Very well. Travel safe then. Most stores are closed, but I am sure ponies are still awake."

"Ah, would it be possible to fetch a merchant and have them come here?" Reddling asked, reaching into his coat and pulling out a few bits that faintly gleamed by the light of the unicorn's horns. Both looked at the coins with greed, one actually licking his lips. "How many coins does it take to find a merchant?"

"We've a patrol to stick to--" the first Templar said, but was cut off by the second.

"I'm sure one of us could fetch somepony-- while the other kept patrolling." said the second.

"Fine! I'll fetch your merchant while he keeps working." The first one said.

"Whoa! I'll fetch this gentlecolt his merchant, you can keep watching!" The second one argued back. Reddling simply waited for a few moments, listening to them arguing about what was really a pittance of money. This was a stipend, not a real paycheck-- a few bits was chump change up north.

"It doesn't matter which of you does it, just don't keep me waiting. It's a long trot back to Winterlight."

"Ah screw it, C'mon, hand over the bits. We'll both go." the first pony said. Reddling tossed two coins at each Templar, watching them as they turned and vanished into the town's streets. Once Reddling was sure they were gone, he turned and gave a little shrug to the rest of his group. He hadn't actually thought they'd make it this far, especially after he had learned that Silverfield was aware Equestrians were present.

What tipped them off? We should have seen somepony long before they saw us. Minutes ticked by, and still, nopony approached. Reddling closed his eyes for a bit, trying to listen in for the sound of anypony. He could sense movement far in the distance, but he couldn't make out much more than a few ponies. After a few seconds, the group turned away, taking a different road.

It feels like this is almost, taking too long. We should probably leave. Reddling idled on the street as more minutes ticked by. He could see Two Templars approaching him now, but they didn't seem to have a merchant with them. Preparing to turn away and retreat to Shining and cadance before having to speak with the Templars again, Reddling heard a panicked squeak above him. he hurriedly took a jump back, looking at the two Templars as they slowly became, four, then eight, and finally ten, emerging from different burned out buildings and streetways and trotting quickly in unison, the click of their armor filling the air.. The ten of them fanned out, all unicorns, all with crossbows raised. There was a burst of light, and suddenly ten spotlights were running down the side of the hill.

"Run!" Reddling yelled over his shoulder at the other four, standing his ground and watching the armed ponies slowly begin to encircle him. If he turned now, he'd find multiple bolts in his back before he got out of range. Even if all they could manage was a semicircle to surround him while keeping distance, It was more than enough to prevent escape.

Reddling glanced over his shoulder, staring back at his group of four ponies. Now, there were no longer four ponies there-- but six. Reddling blinked at the sight, watching as Shining and Cadance fled with Tops and Bruiser, leaving Nightshade and Midnight covering the rear. Although Reddling wasn't sure why the two of them were here, it was good to see that Cadance and Shining would safely make it back.

It was a sudden flash. As soon as they felt it was safe to do so, Nightshade and Midnight turned to run, and a sword materalized out of thin air, slicing him along the shoulder and coating the ground with crimson. Reddling took a few steps towards Midnight, but found the crossbows raised and refocused on him.

"Not another step!" cried the first Templar. Reddling just looked over his shoulder helplessly as Midnight took to the air, flying away from the sword that was apparently holding itself aloft by nothing but air. The sword did not give chase to the fleeing ponies, but instead began to approach the Templars.

"You don't have any quarrel with them-- they're just hungry, let them go!" Reddling yelled at the sword in the distance.

"Get on the ground!" One of the Templars yelled. Reddling slowly lowered himself to the ground as he watched the others retreat out of the corner of his eye. Nightshade had fired a large fireball at the sword, which struck and engulfed the ground, leaving grass on fire and the ground scorched. The sword, and whatever was holding it, simply continued to float in midair, unaffected.

Once Reddling was on the ground, he saw some of the Templars turn and fire arrows at the others, but they whizzed harmlessly into the night. There were some curses, and Reddling heard the Templars all encircle him, crossbows aimed at his back. The other bats were too far out of range. Reddling unfurled his wings slightly, making sure he was free to fly if he got the chance.

"Shooting me won't help you." Reddling muttered. He watched the area in front of him, and could see the grass parting as a pony approached him. This creature was totally immaterial, and Reddling would not have been sure of where it was standing if it's sides were not flanked by the swords. Yes, this creature, was the famous swordspony of Fervor.

An unfortunately familiar figure suddenly shimmered into view. Blind Justice sneered down at the captured bat pony. "Well, well, well. What have we here?" Clearly the Captain was reveling in this, his voice shaking with contempt and excitement. A starved lion that could not resist playing with it's food before eating it.

"Just somepony who w-wants to talk. Trade." Reddling mentally cursed himself. He had expected there to be more patrols, but the idea of the Captain of Silverfield leaving his cushion in the Church? It was indeed rare for him to leave his cozy room.

"Talk?" Blind Justice blustered, "Spread your dirty Equestrian lies, is more like it." Blind Justice took a step forward and his horn lit up brighter, tearing the sunglasses off Reddling's face.

"A heathen thestral! They send their spies here under the premise of trade and talk! Look at this monster!" Blind Justice cried to the heavens, tossing the sunglasses onto the ground and crushing them into the dirt. Several Templars took a step back with a gasp, leaving Reddling to simply whince and whine at the pain from the bright lights in his face.

"Bring it to the church!" Blind Justice ordered the other Templars. "We will let Fervor see that not even beasts can hope to stand against Silverfield's holy Templars.

"Not that I don't know how to get there myself."Reddling said, slowly rising as the Templars kept crossbows aimed at him, beginning to march towards the center of Fervor. The only noise other than the crunching of their hoofsteps was a pair of faint wingbeats above. Reddling glanced up and could see somepony flying up there-- but who, he could not tell.

"Can we hurry this walk up, Blindie?" Reddling asked dismissively. Blind justice stopped, turning with a look of indignant shock and hate twisting his face.

"How- how dare you! You- you-" Blind justice extended the sword that was still wet with Midnight's blood. "I should put you down here and now!"

"The entire Night Guard is minutes away. Don't poke that beehive." Reddling gulped, his voice cracking. Despite his best attempts, he was starting to lose his nerve.

"Take him to church! If he puts a single hoof out of line, cut him down!" Blind Justice screamed at his templars, marching forward again. The Templars began prodding him along, one putting their hoof on Reddling's shoulder to push him forward.

"Don't touch me!" Reddling said fiercely, pushing the Templar away from him. "I know the damn way!"

Blind Justice stopped again, but this time he was not hostile. Reddling saw his ears lay down flat as he slowly turned around, brightening up his horn so that it was completely blinding. Reddling let out an angry hiss at the light, looking away in pain.

"...Reddling, Reddling Rain?" Blind Justice asked.

Reddling flinched at his own name. "--of Silverfield, yeah. And you're Blind Justice, High Templar."

The other Templars were dead silent, staring at the prisoner they had taken. Their expressions were unreadable because of the bright lights, but Reddling could tell that they seemed off put by arresting one of their own.

"My God, what did they do to you?" Blind Justice asked.

You're still going to kill me."Does it really matter? You won't help me." Reddling dug his face under a wing, trying to blot out the lights.

"Help you? If you be a true son of Silverfield, then there is no curse the church cannot undo. But if it is as your nephew said, and you have given yourself willingly to this fate--"

Rainy! How much did he tell them, everything?

"-- Then there is only one end for one who has turned his back to Silverfield. For a betrayer, death at the stake!"

Biting his lip, Reddling shot back at the High Templar, "I lure the only two Princesses left in Equestria to the front lines of combat and the thanks I get is that you will cut me down? You're more worried about blowing my cover than focusing on what matters!"

For a moment Blind Justice stammered, confused. "The only two-- left?"

"Luna and Cadance." Reddling said as bitterly as possible, struggling to come up with something through the pain surrounding him. "Celestia hasn't been an issue for some time-- can you please darken the lights?"

The other Templars began muttering, but fell quiet as Blind Justice snapped at them. "Quiet! You can tell us more at the church, and if you are truly faithful undo that disgusting curse!" Blind Justice wheeled around, once more moving the group towards the center of town.

The Templars did not dim the lights, but Reddling knew he couldn't be focused on that. He let out a few pained squeaks, calling for help to whoever was above him. If it's Nightshade, she can shadowstep us out of here. If it's any of the others, I'm dying in one holy hell of a bloodbath.

"Silence!" Blind Justice yelled as he looked over his shoulder. "Stop that retched noise!"

Reddling kept his eyes locked on building rooftops, looking for some sort of break. He had no intention of entering the church with these Templars. "Did I miss anything in Silvefield, 'Justice?"

"Is this how you speak to the High Templar?" Blind Justice's tone was mocking and angry. "Your time in Equestria has made you lose your manners."

"It's the curse, not me." Reddling lied. "Can we at least take a darker road there? Make this curse bearable, at least?"

Blind Justice looked over his shoulder, and Reddling squinted his eyes at him, doing his best to look like he was in terrible pain. "No. But have no fear-- it will all be over soon." Reddling let out another squeak, calling upwards for help.

A high pitched, female squeal from above answered. Reddling felt his heart soar. Nightshade. Now all he needed was some shadow.

"I told you to stop that! Stop it you damn creature! Keep your cursed eyes closed if it hurts!" Blind Justice was irrational in his demands and demeanour, raving like a zealous madman.

"It still burns." Reddling complained, shaking his head and shutting his eyes. Silverfield. Templars. Priests. Once they have me, Inquisitors.

"Enough of this." Blind Justice turned, his brow lowered. Reddling felt his airway constrict as magic rushed over his neck, Blind Justice holding his windpipe in a vice with magic. Before Reddling could do more the n gag, he felt himself being dragged forward, unable to do more than draw the most shallow of breaths. Fervor was starting to become washed out and shimmery. Another block or so, and they would be at the church.gulping, Reddling put some force into the magic, moving forward. He was being pulled along, but not pushed back.

"'Justice, look at me!" Reddling croaked out. Blind Justice turned for a moment, and that was all Reddling needed. he lunged forward, aiming for Blind Justice's horn. The blow missed, but Reddling wasn't done-- giving his wings a great flap, the other Templars took a few steps back in alarm. By the time Blind Justice had his weapons at the ready, Reddling had headbutted him in the chest. This wasn't as good of an idea as Reddling had hoped it would be, as his head connected with a steel plate.

It did, however, provide the distraction needed for Nightshade to divebomb at the group of Templars. There was a great chaos of blades as Reddling slammed Ausfall into Justice's side, giving him a long wound as Blind Justice himself landed a slash into Reddling's shoulder. The flurry ended when Nightshade exploded with dark magic, casting a forced shadow over the street. Blind Justice let out a startled, undignified yelp and dropped his sword, stumbling back from the darkness as the Templars fell into disarray. Although the Templars now had their aim ready, they dared not fire into the darkness, lest they hit their own commander.

Landing another cut on Blind Justice, Reddling could see blood run down the High Templar's armor. As everypony scrambled to disengage, Nightshade fired another fireball. The world was bright and violent, and then filled with the sound of Blind Justice's screaming. The smell of burning hair and skin filled the air as Blind Justice dropped his second sword. There was no time to see if Nightshade had finished the job, as both she and Reddling took off onto a nearby roof as Templars drew swords, closing in on them with both bolts and blade.

Both Nightshade and Reddling landed together, sliding down the roof and out of range from the bolts, if only for a few seconds. Nightshade had a fury in her eyes, one lit up by two bolts that seemed to be stopped by her armor and a slice on her hoof from a Templar's blade. She had not been as fast to take off as Reddling had been. Taking a deep breath, he called over the roof to the Templars, "Can you hear me, Templars? Every one of you will be murdered a horrible death for this!"

Nightshade made a move to stand up and go back to the fight, but Reddling put a hoof on her shoulder, shaking his head. Tonight was not the night to make their stand. For a few seconds, Reddling wasn't entirely sure if she was going to jump back into the fray or leave, but she finally nodded, the dark shroud gathering around her again as the two of them took off into the sky, flying low and using the roofs for cover.

"Why did you stay behind? You got hurt" Reddling asked Nightshade once they had reached the outskirts of town and he felt safe enough to talk. My fault, again...

"Why did I stay behind!?" Nightshade repeated, incredulous. "Why did you walk us into a death trap?"

"I-- I thought they would--" Reddling stopped. I thought they'd still treat me like one of them... "I didn't think they'd attack if I did the speaking."

"Well, you were wrong." Nightshade hissed.

"Yeah, I know! Thanks for reminding me, I didn't notice!" Reddling rolled his eyes harshly, glaring at the night sky passing over them. This had not been what he had dreamed about-- even before joining the Night Guard-- when he returned to Silverfield. He was supposed to have been a hero to the Templars, and instead, they saw him only as a monster. Just the way Rainy must now see him, too.

For the rest of the course back to Celes, the two bat ponies proceeded in silence. Only when the castle came into view did Reddling finally speak, "Thank you for saving my wings, Nightshade."

The two landed, and Web was already outside with Midnight and Tops, only one of whom seemed to have genuine worry on their face. Tops moved forward to help Nightshade as soon as she was done, Web bouncing over happily with the tools of her trade handy.

"Reddling." Midnight said, stepping forward and ignoring the obvious shoulder wound. "What sorcery was it, that they struck us so unaware?"

"Blind Justice." Reddling breathed, catching his breath from the flight. His wound had mostly clotted over, but it was still going to need Web's healing. "He warps the light around himself so he can change how he looks-- invisible. I did not believe he would come out tonight. The town is very on edge. Terrified, even."

"--And you did not think to warn us of this?" Midnight continued darkly.

"I did not think he would leave his cushion. I didn't think they'd attack us when I was here. I'm supposed to be one of them." Reddling glared up at Midnight, feeling something angry rise in his throat. Why did Midnight have to pick this time to be so heated? Could it not wait?

"Perhaps you should think more before you act. Of course you are not one of them. A simple glance at your side reveals this." There was a pause and Reddling bit his tongue, refusing to entertain Midnight more. The dark pony was insistent however, continuing, "Is that truly how you feel? Perhaps you should petition Luna for your release?"

Never! "I refuse to be a wingless dirtpony again. But- they are supposed to be-- almost family? And they shot at me!"

"The blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb." Midnight's glare continued.

Huh? "Yeah, sure." He glanced away, looking up at the castle as Shining Armor and Princesses Luna and Cadance joined the crowd outside. Luna and Shining Armor seemed to be locked in a quiet conversation that Reddling could not hear over the hoofsteps clicking on the old stone. Cadance proceeded to him, motioning for Reddling to lay down. Reddling took a spot on the ground, a little taken aback as Princess Cadance leaned over him, pulling back his coat and armor to view the wound. Although he did feel uncomfortable with her touching him, he dared not try and tell her what to do.

Although Cadance's actions had seemed sudden, the look on her face was yet more perplexing for Reddling. She had a look of concern on her face. With faint light from her horn, the wound came into clearer view. Nightshade had an equally bad gash on her leg as Reddling had on his shoulder. They were long, deep cuts that continued to ooze, almost as thought they were reopening even after clotting.

"These slashes look serious. You're lucky you made it this far." Princess Cadance seemed shocked at the brutality of the wounds, and the fact they had made it as far as they had without bleeding out.

"Yeah, Silverfieldian weapons are serious business. Can you fix them?" Reddling asked.

"I-- I can use needle and thread, and then bandage it." Princess Cadance offered.

"It just needs some of Web's salve and it will be fine." Reddling protested. Web put a little salve on Nightshade's wounds, and gave Princess Cadance a little shake of her head.

"I don't know that we have much to spare." Princess Cadance sighed.

She used it all up? Why isn't she sharing any with me? How banged up did this guard manage to get, anyway? Reddling bit his lip as he watched Princess Cadance take out a needle and thread, beginning to prick at his skin and sow it back together. The Princess struck up a maddening tune, humming to herself as she worked.

Reddling tried his best to not focus on this. He was going to need a new coat.