Twilight Sparkle and Rainy had barely exited the tailor's shop when they ran right into two Templars patrolling the streets. Twilight, Rainy, and the Lapis Lazuli-- now disguised as a small unicorn with her glamour-- stopped dead, both groups staring at each other.

"You should be indoors, mare." One of the guards sneered. "Now isn't the time to be running about." The two leaned in to take a closer look at the group they had nearly run into when there was a loud cry from the center of town. Although they could just barely get a view of him, Midnight Tales appeared to be standing on top of the Silverfield Church, perched on a balcony that overlooked the town from the Church's third floor.

"What- What is he doing?" Twilight whispered to herself. Rainy and the Templars simply gaped as Midnight leaned over the railing and began to rant at the townsfolks, his voice booming across the land. If ever a pony came close to mimicking the royal Canterlot voice, it was Midnight Tales, addressing the population of Fervor right now.

"We should go." Lapis said, tugging on Twilight and Rainy. Both gave a nod and began to head for the exit to the town-- the southern side, where hopefully Bruiser would be waiting for them, and where Midnight should have been waiting for them. The Templars hurried towards the church, gallopping through the streets as fast as they could.

"Ponies of Silverfield!" Midnight proclaimed, his voice booming across the entire town. "It is with great anger that I come to you this night! My kin came seeking hospitality, and what hospitality did we find? When one of your own came to barter, paying for our needs with what we had?"

"Knives in our back! Swords in the dark! Arrows aimed at innocents whose only crime was to seek to speak with any who would listen! My lady has the patience of a stone and kindness of a saint, yet your unwarranted crimes against us test our patience! Below Midnight, Templars were gathering with crossbows out. There was confusion and yelling as more Templars broke onto the scene. Blind Justice was at the forefront, leading the group and holding his blades aloft. clumps of fur on his back and sides had melted to his hide and he appeared to be bleeding in multiple places as he screamed at his soldiers to take aim.

"I fear you not!" Midnight cried down at them, stepping back from the railing so that it would be harder to get a clear shot from the ground. "Yet you would be wise to fear my Lady's judgement! So long as the night sky hangs in the air, so long as the moon's light shines upon your heads, so too are you judged! Pray you are not judged wanting!

The town had become an absolute frenzy of activity as bolts began to fly up at Midnight. Midnight simply raised his shield, watching as most missiles missed. The remaining few that did hit him were deflected harmlessly off his armor and shield.

By this time Twilight and the two foals had cleared the few direlect buildings on Fervor's outskirts and were approaching Bruiser, who gave a little huff as he looked at the church in the distance. Midnight had now flown from his perch and was speeding towards their location, far outpacing the few Templars that tried to give chase through the streets. Twilight and Rainy had both climbed onto Bruiser's back by the time Midnight touched down. He eyed the filly that accompanied Twilight with suspicion, but after a quick nod allowed her to ride on his back.

The way back to Celes castle seemed like it took forever. Rainy had simply let his head slump against Twilight Sparkle sleepily as the two bat ponies carried them to safety. Lapis Lazuli had, amazingly, remained calm on Midnight Tales back, looking like she was right at home in the night sky. Twilight Sparkle had wrapped a hoof over Rainy's head and was keeping him close so that he did not fall. Despite any protests from the foal, he was a quite shell shocked from the events of the evening.

Rainy couldn't look at any of the ponies around him as he dismounted Bruiser and began to slink off towards his room. He was both tired and guilt-ridden, and the last thing he wanted was for those hurtful, scary eyes to all be staring at him. All the trouble at the town was his fault-- at least, that was what Rainy believed.

"Unh." Reddling scratched his brain as he came to. He'd passed out while his wounds were being treated, and wasn't sure what had happened after that. Somehow, he had been relocated to Web's room-- dark and scary as it normally was, and yet moreso as it should have been a familiar place. Now what was home looked frightening and foreign with Web's trinkets and jars spread out.

Web had mentioned something about the mission to kill Chrysalis and end all this madness, but his memories were foggy. There was going to be a meeting soon. Luna's quarters, after she talked to Twilight Sparkle-- We were waiting for Twilight Sparkle to return. Reddling creaked open the door to Celes hallway. Carefully trotting towards Princess Luna's quarters, he stopped and knocked.

"Who is it?" Luna's voice asked. Reddling answered, and then entered when she told him to come inside. Luna, a brown bat with helmet hair, and Web were all sitting and had apparently been talking. It took a few moments for Reddling to figure out just who the bat pony sitting next to Princess Luna was-- it was Captain Lunar, but without his helmet. He had light hazel eyes that nearly matched his pale brown coat and a very short brown mane that barely fell to his eyes. If it was not for the fact that he was a bat pony, he would look like any regular, unremarkable stallion on a street corner.

"We were just discussing our plan of action." Lunar said. "We wished to invite everypony involved in Twilight's rescue, though it is still a bit premature. Additionally, Bruiser is unavailable as he is assisting Twilight Sparkle in a potential discovery."

Reddling wondered if such a big group of ponies would fit in the room. "I wished to know what the plan of action is, so it seems I am just in time. -- wait, what discovery?" She's been here for less than a day and already discovered a new kind of plant, I'm sure.

"We have yet to see if it will bear fruit." Lunar said.

"Right, so let's not get our hopes up." Reddling nodded.

"Web has advocated a solution similar to what you proposed, Reddling. A small force dedicated to slaying the Changeling Queen." Princess Luna spoke, quieting the room. "However, I fear that even without a Queen, the Changelings may still cling to their claim of Canterlot."

That is why Cadance should have stayed a queen.

Luna continued, "Lunar has suggested a reconnaissance mission to discover the location of their queen, followed by a crushing assault. They will be unable to hide this act, and we may use it to dislodge their hold on the minds of the common ponies."

"Common Equestrians are dumber than common Silverfieldians, and that's saying something, really.

"Alternatively, I have been entertaining the thought of avoiding direct confrontation, and finding some way to reveal their treachery. Though they no doubt have some hold on the minds of ponies in Equestria, clear and plain proof will no doubt sway them to our cause. I shall not lie, the latter two approaches do appeal to me, as I wish to have some hoof in this resolution... though your words after... after last night have swayed my mind on this issue, and I see the wisdom in avoiding conflict via subterfuge."

Reddling put a hoof on his chin. "There isn't any reason to rule out the latter two plans. If the small group fails to eliminate the Queen, then there is still a chance for one of the other two plans to be used. If something goes wrong when we throw our full force down with the other two plans, then all of our cards are played."

Luna gave a short nod. "A small group who, should they find themselves unable to kill the Queen themselves, or finding that an alternative plan may be more effective, may initiate an alternative plan."

Any plan that involves a direct attack is probably suicide. If only it was so easy... "Silverfield would have done it." Reddling blurted out. "If a direct attack was all it took to kill a leader in Canterlot, it would have been done a long time ago."

"To be fair-- without wings, a surprise attack on Canterlot is significantly less realistic." Luna's voice was only slightly solemn.

"Trust me, we could get into the town pretty easily. I got into the military without any real issues." Reddling considered holding his tongue on this, but finally decided against it. Truly, Equestrian security must have seen better days. "If a small group is going in we should decide how big it will be."

"Web has suggested a group of three; herself, Ether, and Nightlight." Princess Luna said. It took Reddling a few moments to realize the group...

It lacks me...? I don't even know those ponies she mentioned... Reddling looked up, glancing over at Web and remaining silent. Web had a slight smile on her face, as if she was hiding a grin.

"I would like to be included within this group as well." Reddling exclaimed.

"On a mission like this, it's especially important we be able to follow directions, and work together." Web's smile wavered, threatening to give away her grin. "I picked ponies who I know are able to do this."

Reddling gritted his teeth for a second, trying to think of a comeback before Luna interrupted, "Reddling, you have proven yourself an invaluable asset. You are well grounded and able to cut to the heart of complicated issues. However, based on the reports of your previous missions, I do feel that this is best left to Web and her group."

So very suddenly, they have not one, but three ponies who can kill royalty better than me!? No, I won't have it. If they won't listen to me, I'll just listen to me. Reddling said nothing, keeping his face as blank as possible. There was something more to this here. There just had to be something that was not... right. He knew the story wasn't supposed to go this way.

"I believe we have some more to discuss, before a more formal plan is in place. Reddling, do you have any additional information to share?" Princes Luna asked.

"Nothing comes to mind for me. Should I go?" Reddling asked, the gears in his head beginning to turn. This had to be fast. He had to leave as soon as possible. Now, it was a race to beat Web to Canterlot and eliminate Chrysalis first.

"We have little of substance to discuss until Twilight's return. I would rather not bore you with the details."

Reddling gave a nod. "Very well. Let me know if you need anything."

"Thank you, Reddling." Princess Luna said kindly.

"The pleasure's mine..." Reddling felt his hooves mechanically trot him out of the room, and he slammed the door shut coldly. The nerve! To seek asylum here in my home, and then not put me on the mission!? I cannot believe this. Nopony ever trust me-- and I guess that's fair, because I don't trust them! Every time I've left something in their hooves, it goes badly! At least I don't make the situation much worse than it already is... usually. Damnation! No, no I'm not letting this happen. I never follow orders anyway, so I don't know why I'd start now. I'll do this my way, and make sure it gets done right. Even if I have to lie to get this done. Reddling took a deep breath, collecting himself and trotting around the castle to formulate some sort of plan. he did a full lap around the place, visiting the throne room, the kitchen, and Web's room.

No time was wasted in Web's room. quickly rifling through her things, Reddling pulled out some vials. He knew exactly what these were; a thin black liquid that was Black Agnosia, a sickly red liquid that was Red Agnosia, Widow's Kiss, and some sort of random oil. Discarding the fourth one, Reddling shoved the other three vials into his coat and escaped Web's room with her saddlebag, lest she come back and discover him taking her things. He knew what he had to do now, and--

Reddling turned sharply, a flash of purple catching his eye. Twilight Sparkle had entered through the castle's front door, but turned and headed towards the further end of the castle, where the library and Reddling's room was. Stalking the hallways, Reddling followed Twilight Sparkle and-- much to his surprise-- a small silverfieldian filly. Reddling waited for Twilight and the filly to enter the library, and then slipped in behind her. Before either could close the door, he slipped a hoof in the way, stopping it.

"I heard you went on a trip." Reddling said, his brow raised slightly as he sized up the mare. Twilight quickly picked up a book and folded it into her satchel-- Reddling knew this book, it was an old story that he had understood little of when he was younger. Anastasis, it was titled.

"Oh my goodness, you have no idea!" Twilight brightened up, "You'd be amazed what legends end up being true if you just do a little digging- we-" She could not contain her giggling and let out a fit of happy laughter, "We may have made a breakthrough! If we can actually secure the aid them-- we've got a chance!"

A breakthrough? What, in my own backyard? Reddling shook his head. She had to be playing a trick on him. "Princess Luna was just in a very important meeting with some ponies going to Canterlot. Twilight, please, tell me everything they said while I was not there."

"Ooh! But-- hm, I should really check with Lapis first. I'm not sure how much we should share outside of Princess Luna." Twilight said, taking a seat and thinking this over.

"I talked with Princess Luna and she told me to come speak with you." Reddling lied before gesturing at the filly with Twilight, "Are you kidnapping foals from the town or something?"

"Oh, of course not!" Twilight exclaimed. "Lapis is it alright if we tell Reddling about things?"

"It isn't a secret if you tell everypony." Lapis said blandly, emotionlessly, almost as if she did not actually care if Twilight said something one way or the other.

"Well, I'm sure we could go talk to Luna and see what she thinks-"

"Miss Twilight, Princess Luna does not need to be continuously interrupted by foals. I'm sure that She, Web, and that other mare will be doing more very serious planning soon."

"Lapis isn't just a kid, Reddling." Twilight chuckled, "She is an official emissary of- well, you'll know soon! Come on Lapis, we must go see Princess Luna."

"I must protest." Reddling said, blocking the door.

"Reddling, if Luna is planning something, then she needs to know everything Lapis can tell her. It could make a big difference." Twilight walked past Reddling, using the other door and trotting down the hallway.

"But it is a formal meeting!" Reddling said, trotting with Twilight. "Things should be presented in a -- normal manner. If everypony keeps barging in with a random idea or breakthrough they'll never get any plans made. Besides that, Luna knows she can trust me. She can't trust-- a random kid, even if you say they're some diplomat. If there is something you haven't told her, you should tell me and I can relay the message to her."

They were just in a meeting, why didn't they share it then? What are these ponies hiding?

"Lapis was selected specially to meet with Luna. Her impression of Luna so far will determine if we receive aid or not."

Reddling let out a groan. "Fine, but I need your help. I'm risking getting in trouble, so you owe me a favor for that."

"Getting into trouble? Why would you be in trouble?" Twilight cocked her head.

"Because you are interrupting the meeting!" Reddling said, stomping a hoof. "Just trust me. We'll talk after Lapis goes in to meet Princess Luna."

"Hmph. Very well." Twilight trotted off to Princess Luna's chambers, and Reddlinf followed, stopping at the doors with them and beckoning. "Alright, right through there kid. Lapis, you go in there, and we'll talk while you talk to Princess Luna."

"Excuse me?" Twilight Sparkle said, offhandedly. "I'll be introducing her, at the very least." Reddling bit his tongue, trying to hide his frustration.

"If you'll excuse us." Twilight said, pushing into the room and leaving Reddling out in the hallway.

"I'll wait for you back at the library." Reddling said, stepping away and vanishing into the shadows of the hallway. Surely Web would not spend forever in that meeting, and he wanted to be gone by the time she realized that she had been robbed. Wasting no time at all, Reddling hurried outside, scooping up bags that had been discarded when the previous mission had failed. Reddling scooped up at least a hundred bits, throwing them all into one sack. Stuffing the bits into the stolen saddlebag, Reddling returned to the library, pacing around and waiting, waiting.

A plan was beginning to take shape. Reddling tapped his hoof. Maybe Chrysalis wasn't the only target. maybe, he could convince Twilight, and anypony he wanted really, that Celestia was a second target. That's why they have Widow's Kiss, a poison designed to kill Changelings. Even if Twilight argued that Luna would never kill her sister, he could argue that she wouldn't tell Twilight if she was going to do it. Twilight was close to Celestia, after all-- there would be no reason to make her privy to the plot. Twilight Sparkle would have to help him, and so would anypony else, or things would get unimaginably worse. And if everything went totally wrong, he could just cut her and give her a little drop of Red Agnosia. Sometimes, you have to do bad things to get good results.

Minutes ticked by, and Reddling opted to take a fly. Perhaps if he could find his friends, they'd help him. After all, he wanted a small group, not him alone. Besides, Twilight and Lapis were obviously going to take their sweet time with whatever they were telling Princess Luna. It hadn't taken long to find Bruiser- who had flown up to chat up Reddling when he saw him come outside, but Reddling had no time for simple talk. Reddling began explaining things that he said were odd- Web acting weird, some secrets, and proof that he had-- but he wanted to get everypony together first.

Bruiser had been skeptical at first, but when Reddling pointed out that every time before he had predicted these issues far ahead of others, Bruiser gave a little nod, buying it. They were all to meet in the library, and once everypony was there, Reddling would explain what had happened.

"I'm supposed to be on guard duty Reddling, so we have to talk fast." Tops said. A still hurt but swiftly healing Nightshade entered behind Tops, with bruiser bringing up the rear. Reddling waited for the door to close before leaning over a table, looking at his friends darkly.

"This better be good." Nightshade hissed.

Reddling gave her a little sarcastic nod. "If it was good I wouldn't have asked for you guys. You know that, it's never good."

"You know what I mean." Nightshade snarked, sitting down and crossing her forehooves.

"Yeah, I do." Reddling said, giving a whistle. Star Shine exited from his room, still looking rather beaten up. He leaned over and whispered quickly to Star Shine that this was going to hurt, then removed widows kiss from his coat, uncorking the vial. "Sniff it."

Star Shine gave the cork a little sniff, inhaling the vaoprs before recoiling, grabbing his face and letting out a pained shriek. Green blood flowed freely from his nose and mouth, dripping all over the ground and table. Star Shine dived for a rug, wrapping it around his nose and mouth to start to clot the bleeding.

"Shit- Reddling!" Bruiser said, taking a step forward.

"The hell- what did you do to him?" All three bats were alarmed now, but Reddling simply recorked the vial and put it on the table calmly. Star Shine had not inhaled enough to cause permanent damage.

"Accidents happen." Reddling pulled up a chair, sitting down.

"He uh-- he okay?" Bruiser asked, peering over the group at the bleeding Changeling.

"Yeah, he'll be fine." Reddling said, glancing down at Star Shine. "Have any of you heard about the plan to go retake Canterlot?"

"Last I heard, Twilight found something to help, and everypony is still decided." Nightshade said, glaring poisonously at the vial of white liquid.

Bruiser gave a nod, "Yup, we found some-- some ponies, I guess. I dunno." Bruiser confirmed.

What? Found some ponies? useless bastards. If there was anything important in Silverfield to help us don't they think I would know? "That's not what Web has been saying-- and no matter what they decide, I don't get the feeling that's what is going to happen. I have proof otherwise." Reddling gestured grandly at the vial, and everypony looked down at it. The vial, for it's part, was simply a vial holding liquid, and did nothing. Reddling continued, smirking a little bit, "This is what made Star Shine bleed all over the place. All he did was sniff it and he's down for the count. I've shown it off before. Poison for killing Changelings. One of Web's designer poisons. She's got enough here to take out a few changelings. See what I am getting at here?"

"No." Nightshade groaned. "Get to the point."

"The ponies that are going to carry out this mission don't include any of us. It's Web, and some... Ether? and some other bat. A lot of strange choices are being made not by Princess Luna, but by Web. I don't think that Chrysalis is going to be the only Queen that gets taken out in Canterlot." Now he had done it. Reddling had stirred the pot in a way that there was no stepping back from. "This is more than enough poison to violently kill two or three queens, and Celestia is a Changeling queen too. I don't know how much you guys really trust Web, but I don't trust her running amok in Canterlot with deadly poisons and two cronies that I didn't even know existed until an hour ago."

Reddling locked himself in a glare with Nightshade, waiting for her dissenting opinion. "I don't Trust her either." Nightshade said, quickly following it with, "--But it seems like a stretch to think she'd do something like that. Luna has made it very clear not to hurt her sister."

"How is Web supposed to know she's killing Celestia? I mean, they're all changelings, maybe Celestia was in disguise?" Reddling did his best bubbly mare's voice-- a rather convincing tone and pitch. Switching back to his normal tone, Redlding glared at his friends harshly, "Web's got great excuses she can use."

"What about the other two. They can't be as crazy as her." Nightshade said.

"Anyone know an Ether?" Reddling asked, looking around to each of them.

"So-- you're going to assume she is crazy too." Nightshade said plaintively.

Reddling sighed. "Who isn't a little crazy in this guard? Anyone who Web trusts, I don't think we should trust if we don't trust her. Does that make sense?"

"You can't just- ugh." Nightshade let out a loud sigh, throwing up her hooves. "So what do you suggest?"

"I suggest that we do something." Reddling said, pounding a hoof on the table.

"We should tell Princess Luna." Nightshade said.

"Luna isn't going to listen to us. She trusts that Web will carry out her orders, and I doubt Web is going to very easily let her learn about anything like this."

"She really cares about her sister. She isn't going to let something like this slide. " Nightshade sighed. "What would you suggest instead then?"

"I think we should do it ourselves." Reddling's voice was ripe with determination. "Screw Web, screw her plan, we carry it out without her. If we want this done right, we'll have to do it ourselves."

"That's crazy." Nightshade said, shaking her head.

"No, you know what is crazy?" Reddling said, leaning forward and glaring at her. Nightshade leaned forward as well, the tension palpable to their two friends. "The fact that two Princesses are sitting around as bug Queens and the only royalty left in Equestria is inside a panic room with a sociopath like me." Reddling waited for Nightshade to realize what he was talking about, and when he saw it dawn on her face, he pushed onward. "I could have done it once. I could have ended Equestria's leadership, alone. I promise that we can do it again."

Reddling picked up the vial and put it in his coat, drawing back and standing up. "Are you in, or not?"

Nightshade let out a snort, leaning back as well. "I saw how you behaved on our last outting. You're going to be captured, and I'm sure our jobs will be a lot harder if they have hostages-- or if they coerce all of our secrets out of you. Which I'm sure they can." Nightshade turned to leave.

"I behave well enough to fool you." Reddling yelled at her.

"Bullshit." Nightshade snorted, still trotting for the door.

"And yet, there you were at the wedding. And there you were at Canterlot when we got back and Luna was poisoned. And let's not forget the first time, I didn't eat any poisoned food when a Changeling slipped us some at the training camp. You have been skeptical every fucking time. and every fucking time I have been right."

"Yeah, you're right all the time." Nightshade said, audibly rolling her eyes. "I suppose that's your talent-- but when it's time to get shit done, you fall on your face. I remember the wedding, you stayed behind to be the hero and nearly got yourself and Midnight killed. And when we were trying to protect Twilight, you were jerking around. I don't even know how you got out of Canterlot, and you nearly died in that training field. You have had your chances to prove yourself, and you fucked them up."

Nightshade flipped around, her mane flying like a tornado. "You're probably right, Web probably has something horrible planned. I don't know how you know it, if you just make this shit up as you go along or if you have some sort of special talent for it, but we need to let Luna know. You've got your hunch, now let somepony else deal with it. We know you cannot."

Reddling did not move for a few moments. He could feel a twitching in his ear start up as he glared angrily at the mare, somewhere between punching her and murdering her.

"Nightshade, you don't have to-- ugh..." Tops sighed, "Reddling, I know you want to do something-- do you have some sort of plan?"

Reddling gave a nod, glad for the change of subject. "Of course I have a plan, and it starts right now. We need maps of Canterlot Castle-- I figure Twilight Sparkle can draw those up for us from memory. She is very detail oriented and could help us. After we have those maps we'll go to Canterlot. We're going to take some vodka, grab some money, and go to Canterlot. We'll use the vodka to set some buildings on fire, draw the guards away from the castle and leave it almost deserted so we can sneak in."

"You're going to burn down the city?" Nightsahde asked, incredulous.

"Canterlot is mostly made of stone. Damage should be minimal, but panic should be high." Reddling nodded.

"That is-- that is exactly what Web would do." Nightshade yelled.

"It works, doesn't it?" Reddling asked.

"If you're trying to prove you're less crazy you are doing a terrible job." Nightshade's voice cut like knives through the room.

"We're doing this to make sure Web doesn't take on any extra targets of her own." Reddling said. "Not trying to decide how crazy it is."

"How do we know you don't want to kill Celestia. Can you tell her apart from the other Queen?" Nightshade hissed.

"Yeah, I can." Reddling said, ignoring the comment about Celestia. "--Because I've got a way to make Chrysalis identify herself to me. Something that Web, and all the rest of you, can't do."

"And what is that?" Nightshade rolled her eyes.

"Chrysalis invited me to join her hive when we slept with her and the other bugs on our way back to Canterlot." Bruiser gave a look of disgust at the mental picture, but Reddling continued regardless, "They have to bite you and get their venom in you, just like Balefly. Chrysalis will have to come meet me to make things--... for things to you know, happen. Once she's revealed herself for that, we'll know which one she is and we'll be able to take her out. It's a lot better than randomly hoping we find and pick the right Queen, since that's what Web will be doing with no way to tell them apart."

"...Okay. that-- that seems like it would work?" Nightshade questioned herself.

"Of course, I'm not going to be able to fight Chrysalis alone, even if I am allowed to stay armed. Once she is singled out, we will all need to ambush and kill her." Reddling said.

"But you've still-- proved you're terrible at working with others. Why not-- why not just tell Luna nad make her make Web work with you?" Nightshade asked.

"Because I don't trust Web to work with me. I wouldn't know about any of this had I not broken into Web's room and stolen her stuff." Reddling explained.

"You STOLE her stuff? Are you CRAZY?" Nightshade seemed to stagger a bit at the idea of being near a pony that dared steal from Web.

Reddling sat back down, leaning back in his chair and balancing himself with a hoofleg so he could look up at the ceiling. "Yeah, a little bit."

"You cannot just-- just leave and do this on your own!" Nightshade seemed absolutely aghast.

"Well, I could." Reddling reasoned. "I really don't want to though."

"i mean-- without telling everypony else what you're doing!" Nightshade sat down, staring at the madpony in front of her.

"Star Shine or Twilight can tell them after we leave. After Web has no chance to fuck things up." Reddling sighed happily at that thought. Oh yes, Web would certainly be in for a bitter surprise when she found out he had robbed her of this . She would not be stealing the day this time.

"What do you think the Princess would do if you just-- abandoned us and went to Canterlot! She'd try to send a rescue party or something, and who knows what could happen next! What if she has-- plans-- or-- or something!" Nightshade slumped onto the table now, still staring.

"The rescue party will arrive just in time to see us finish the job. That will be excellent, they can help us clean up." Reddling smiled, bringing himself back down to look at the tortured form of Nightshade.

"Why do you have to go and do this horseshit, Reddling..." Nightshade sighed.

"I have a fundamental distrust of everything around me."

"Yeah, well I don't know if you've noticed, but other ponies have feelings and plans too, and you're pretty terrible at respecting them." Nightshade said, looking away.

Reddling flattened his ears, hurt, but still knew he had to continue. "Are you in or not, Nightshade? Bickering is just wasting time, and I'm not going to be sitting around when Web finds out I took her stuff."

"Going behind the Princess's back is practically treason." Nightshade sighed. "Find some way of telling her before you leave, and I'll consider it. Otherwise the second I see you've gone I'm telling her everything myself."

Reddling jumped at the chance. "Fine, I'll tell her before we leave personally, but you can't just consider it. You have to be in on the plan-- otherwise, I'm getting ready to leave right now.

"Fine!" Nightshade threw up her hooves angrily as she sat back down. "I'm 'in,' but I want to see you tell her myself."

"Great, glad you'll be coming along. How about you two, how do you feel?" Reddling said, looking over Tops and Bruiser.

"I- well, I'll feel comfortable if Nightshade is there, so I'll help." Tops nodded to Nightshade meekly.

"I'm in, but what about Midnight?" Bruiser asked.

"I'm sure that Midnight is in on the conspiracy with Web." Reddling lied. This raised eyebrows, but no dared question it. Midnight had become even colder and more jaded than Reddling had been when they all first met.

"Whenever Twilight Sparkle breaks from that meeting, we'll have her draw up maps and then go talk to Princess Luna, Nightshade." Reddling sighed, looking up at the ceiling of the room. he could feel his heart both sinking and rising at the same time. He had lied to his friends-- and gotten away with it. He wasn't even sure it was a lie anymore, now that he had told it to himself enough.

Reddling fell out of his stupor as he jerked his head with all the other bats towards the doorway. they could hear distant hoofsteps approaching, and then somepony pushing the door open with magic. A flash of purple stuck it's head in.

"Oh! There you are!" Twilight Sparkle said, stepping through the doorway. "I thought when you meant library maybe-- your personal one, in the room with the throne. I knew I should have checked here first."

"Oh, uh, well yes." Reddling stammered. Perhaps he could have been a bit more clear.

"You've been-- Oh, what- what happened here!?" Twilight pointed past Reddling at the pool of green blood from Star Shine.

"Oh, dammit yeah, that's what I needed to talk to you about. Get inside, quickly." Reddling almost pulled Twilight through the door, slamming it shut behind her in case that damn filly was with her.

"What happened here?" Twilight demanded, looking over at Star Shine's pained form as her face drained of all colour. "Oh, this is downright gruesome how did this happen?"

"Star Shine is fine, Just slow down, I can explain if you give me one second." Reddling pulled out the vial of liquid, holding it up for Twilight to see. "Do you know what this is?"

"It's some sort of vial of white liquid-- Perhaps some kind of sap?" Twilight said nervously, looking from Reddling to the other bat ponies in the room, none of whom offered her any kind of warmth.

"It's called Widow's Kiss, and it's Web's special poison for killing Changelings. That bloody mess on the ground," Reddling gestured to the abused Star Shine "is what happens if they sniff this stuff. Never mind forcing them to drink it or getting it into the bloodstream." Reddling pushed Twilight into a chair, leaning back and looking at her fiercely.

"I-I came to inform you-- Luna would like a word with..." Twilight kept trying to talk, doing her best to change the subject, but this was a scary situation. She just wished to be done with it so she could quit this awful room. "With everypony who rescued me, earlier, she would-- I mean, that is, that is something," she pointed at the vial of Widow's Kiss, "But we shouldn't keep her waiting--"

"Celestia could die if you don't be quiet and listen to us. help us help her, and be quiet." Reddling's voice was dark, shallow. He'd convinced himself it wasn't a lie, but would Twilight Sparkle buy it?

"What!"Twilight yelped, "What do you mean, Celestia could die!?"

"I could explain if you'd shut up!" Reddling hissed at her. "Didn't your teachers tell you that you cannot learn if you always talk?"

"If this is so important just explain it!" Twilight's voice was now panicked, and Reddling knew he had her. She would buy almost whatever was said next.

"Web Weaver makes this poison by torturing Changelings to death. She's got no way to know which Changeling is Celestia or not, so she is going to go to Canterlot and take out Celestia and Chrysalis. She's got enough poison to kill both. The only ponies who would be able to tell Celestia and Chrysalis apart aren't assigned to the mission, Web has hand picked her own crew. We are trying to make sure that Web does not-- on purpose or otherwise-- even have a chance to get close to Celestia."

"They're--" Twilight's voice died. Reddling was puffing and panting, and could feel his head swimming. Twilight looked little better, her face pale and her hooves weak. It was a good thing she was sitting down, because otherwise she might have simply fallen over from the shock. The last few days had been hard on her, and she could barely stay upright in her chair.

"I have a -- plan." Reddling panted. "But I need your help, and I really, really, don't need Web knowing what we're up to. if she finds out you'll see another pony looking like Star Shine over there."

"Stop it!" Twilight yelled, looking away from the pool of blood. Reddling leaned in, knowing it was time to go for the kill.

"Will you help us? Please?" Reddling asked.

"If I can-- but there have been some new developments." Twilight tried to offer, but Reddling cut her off. He couldn't let these developments stop his plan.

"Yes yes, there are always new developments, I know you went digging around in my backyard, but really, we already have a working plan and we're short on time. In order to expose Web's plot, I sort of stole her stuff."

Twilight Sparkle pushed Reddling back, putting her head up and beginning to just cry her heart out in earnest. "We have discovered a race of ponies living within Silverfield who have agreed to help us! They have unique ways of sealing with Changelings and that poison you have is probably completely unnecessary."

Bruiser specifically perked up at the idea of no poison being required, but Reddling had to work hard to stifle a giggle as he watched Twilight talk.

"Do you have any idea how crazy this sounds? You just happened to discover a race of ponies-- in Silverfield no less, the most xenophoibic place I can think of-- that I wouldn't know about?"

"They're good at hiding!" Twilight exclaimed.

"And they just happen to have unique ways of dealing with Changelings... Right, right, they're good at hiding, I'm sure..." Reddling rolled his eyes at her.

"Lapis is still with the Princess, you can ask her yourself!" Twilight rose up from her chair, stronger though her indigence. "She can help you-- all of you!"

"Alright, alright fine. I'll talk to her. But right now can you help us with the original plan? I don't want anything that is too difficult from you, just a map of Canterlot Castle-- and besides, we saved you. it's the least you can do."

"I'll help-- but the Princess is looking for you right now." Reddling gave Twilight a demeaning pat on the shoulder, encouraging her to sit down.

"That's enough, Miss Sparkle. Now, there is some loose paper in here, it is a library after all, and I need you to draw up some maps of Canterlot Castle for me, as well as any details you can recall about guard patrols." Twilight continued to try to argue with Reddling about this meeting, but he waved his hoof at her, furrowing his brow. "Fine, Fine, we will go see Princess Luna. Okay? But if we have to leave in a hurry after this without the maps, I hope you understand the risks."

Twilight only gave a quick nod before jumping out of her chair, trotting quickly for the hallway as the bats followed, leaving Star Shine to stem the bleeding from his face. Twilight looked relieved to have just escaped the tension, but Reddling was far from it. He knew full well that Nightshade would want him to tell Princess Luna bout their plan during or right after this meeting, and he suspected Princess Luna would not be happy about it one bit. He didn't plan to stick around much longer, and was going to have to draw the maps out of his own memory for his friends instead of having Twilight Sparkle's probably more expert map.

Princess Luna's room had her normal cadre-- Princess Luna herself flanked by Lunar and Web. Princess Luna spoke as everypony took their seat, her voice bright-- a marked change from her normal tone. "My friends, for once, we have hopeful news. This filly here, Lapis Lazuli, has agreed to aid us in our cause. Though she may seem small, her and her kin shall no doubt prove invaluable to our efforts against those occupying Canterlot."

Reddling glanced over his shoulder at Lapis, who appeared to be a normal unicorn filly.

"There is no need to be so guarded before our guests." Princess Luna gave the filly a little smile. "I can assure you they are all quite trustworthy."

"I'd rather not." The filly's response was short, leaving no room for argument.

"Oh... well, may I reveal to them--"

"No." Lapis said, as unblinking and cold as Reddling. he couldn't help but feel a little chill in his spine-- no child should be so far removed from the world. Luna tightened her lip, obviously both annoyed and taken aback by the filly's curtness.

"Very well then." Princess Luna said begrudgingly.

"Princess Luna," Reddling began, "It is not that I doubt you, but are you feeling alright? This is ...awkward."
Reddling motioned to the child sitting in the corner of the room.

"She has provided ample proof of her-- abilities. It is understandable that she chooses to maintain her current appearance." Princess Luna retorted.

"Reddling, I can assure you that Lapis is one hundred percent legitimate!" Twilight Sparkle said, giving her throat a little clearing before continuing, "Err- but, Princess Luna, will you need me for long? I'm afraid I really must go soon-- I have some-- some things to take care of."

Twilight locked eyes with Reddling for a moment, and he felt a huge grin break out on the inside. With a good map of Canterlot Castle, they'd be able to plan out their assassination step by step.

"You understand, Miss Twilight." Reddling nodded to her. "I'm just a little skeptical that some awesome solution just happens to have been growing in my backyard. --just out of curiosity, how long will you be?" Reddling added the last part hastily, hoping it wouldn't raise eyebrows from Princess Luna.

"Oh, just-- not long." Twilight was interrupted by Princess Luna before she could give a timeframe.

"You are free to go, Twilight Sparkle, although before you do I would ask that you share your experiences in Canterlot. I ask this of all of you, so that I may better understand the situation moving forward." Princess Luna sat back, waiting to hear the tale of Twilight Sparkle's incarceration by the Changelings-- and of her rescue. There was nothing added that the bats did not already know, although Princess Luna was obviously pensively collecting all her thoughts as everypony took their turn. Twilight Sparkle left the room and gave Reddling a nod and a smile, raising an eyebrow from Web, but nothing more.

"Do we know if they are holding any captives?" Luna asked the bats after their stories had been recounted.

"Other than Celestia, probably not. Does your sister and whoever her drones used to be count as hostages?" Reddling asked. Princess Luna's face twisted in a pained expression, as if she had just been stabbed. It had not been but a few days since Reddling had seen that in a moment of madness, and it looked exactly how he imagined-- tortured and lacking any grace.

"I am sure my sister-- whatever has happened to her-- is remaining strong. She has a strength unlike any other pony I have ever met, and will bend knee to no-thing."

Reddling gave Luna a knowing nod, but decided to press this topic further, "Yes, she is noted for her stubbornness even in Silverfield. her stubbornness aside though, I did have a question princess Luna. How will the task force in Canterlot know what she looks like? What's the plan for telling your sister apart from Queen Chrysalis?" Reddling held his breath. Sure, he was digging deeper and deeper into the hole that was his lie, but he did have a card left to play. One trick Web couldn't weasel away from.

"I assumed she would make some appeal to me, hence my desire to participate myself." Princess Luna said with an annoyed expression on her face.

Web simply shrugged, "Well, of course if it makes an effort to disguise itself then things won't be obvious, but with an experienced group of ponies working together it wouldn't be hard to make somepony slip up."

"So you don't actually have a plan, you're just hoping things work out and betting on luck?" Reddling was a little floored by this. It didn't seem like Web- and, even less like Princess Luna, to simply leave things to chance.

"That's not what I said at all." Web said, still giving a little shrug.

"You didn't really say much of anything." Reddling retorted.

Web flipped her hoof at him, narrowing her eyes. "That's because the plan doesn't concern you." Reddling turned to Nightshade and gave her one of his Do you see what I mean this really doesn't seem right looks. Nightshade simply shook her head, rolling her eyes in frustration with both of the ponies before her.

"That is enough." Lunar said. Even without his helmet, his voice carried across the room effortlessly, intimidating anyone who dared to make a sound.

"Regardless--" Princess Luna said, scooting forward so that Web was pushed to the wayside, "The m- lapis has agreed to secure for us a dust of sorts. it acts as a sedative although it's effect--"

"Pardon me your majesty," Web interrupted, "But I believe for the sake of Lapis, perhaps that should remain private?"

Reddling rolled his eyes and gave Nightshade another glance, the latter of whom took that chance to pique up, "Actually, Princess Luna, could Reddling and I have a word with you later? Privately?"

"Sooner rather than later." Reddling said, straightening up and steeling his resolve. "it shouldn't take too long, right Nightshade?"

Princess Luna gave a nod to both of them, looking to the rest of the group. There were some nods as everypony except for Princess Luna, Reddling, and Nightshade moved for the door. Reddling tapped Tops and Bruiser on the shoulders separately, quickly mouthing for them to get ready, and wait outside. Lunar held open the door for everypony to exit, Web being the last to leave before him. She turned her head at the last moment, shooting a cold, dry look in Reddling's direction before exiting slowly. Reddling stood up and closed the door, watching the creaky old door slam shut right in front of Web's dark and stormy face.

"What is it this time, Reddling?" Princess Luna asked. she was obviously annoyed from the earlier points in the conversation, but Reddling paid this no heed. He simply waited for the other ponies to be out of earshot before speaking.

"I'm sorry." Reddling confessed truthfully, looking down at the ground.

Princess Luna blinked. "For what?"

"A lot of things." Reddling said, shaking his head and doing his best to look apologetic. "Web's actions mostly, though. Also, the fact that I've stowed all my money into some saddlebags from Web's room."

Princess Luna stood up a little, looking down at Reddling with bemusement. "What?"

"I broke into Web's room earlier and found enough poison to kill Queen chrysalis and your sister. Web doesn't have a plan to take out Chrysalis, she's just hoping she doesn't kill Celestia in the process." Reddling could feel his hooves shaking slightly against the cobblestone floor.

"She's a resourceful girl, despite her flaws." Princess Luna said, "By who's leave did you pillaging things from others?"

Reddling opened up a wing slightly. "By my leave. Princess Luna, I'm taking myself, Tops, Bruiser, and Nightshade to Canterlot, with Web's poisons. I'm not letting you take the risk of doing something you'll hate yourself for later. Web needs this poison to kill them--" Reddling put a hoof on his chest , right where the vial was. "If you do anything to stop me, I'll smash it. Then you don't have any plan to take the Changelings out."

"What the hell are you doing, Reddling?" Nightshade didn't dare take a step forward, but she was obviously shocked and alarmed.

The kindness of Princess Luna's face had vanished. She now wore a mask of fury, her eyes narrowed and her nostrils flared. "You would scheme behind our backs and threaten us!?"

"Truly a poor servant next to Web." he hissed. "Think about this-- I can make chrysalis reveal herself to me. You are taking the chance that Celestia won' get hurt here, when I can remove the risk altogether.

"You had your time to make contributions to our course, and it is long past!" Princess Luna's voice struck like thunder as she towered above the bat ponies before her. Reddling took a step back, catching his balance as he stared into the face of the night and gulping as she continued, "Patience is a virtue of my sister, and in me but a shadow-- if you have a piece to say, say it."

"Chrysalis will out herself to me, and then I'll eliminate her. With my friends if they'll help me, and alone if they won't. Even if you don't see it right now, I'm keeping your sister's life out of danger."

Princess Luna stomped a hoof, shaking the world around them. "Explain yourself!"

Reddling took a deep breath. Even if Princess Luna didn't buy this lie, there was no turning back at this point, "Web means to kill Celestia-- by intention or not, I don't know! I can eliminate Chrysalis by agreeing to join her hive. She offered to let me join her hive once, and in order to do this she needs to bite me. She will have to reveal herself in order to recruit me, and that is when she can be taken out. I know more about Changelings than any of your guards or you can pretend to know!" Reddling took a deep breath, standing his ground to Princess Luna. "I'm keeping you from doing something you'll regret, Princess Luna."

"He- He's right." Nightshade recoiled as Princess Luna rounded on her. "He knows more about Changelings and they seem to like him! -- If anypony can draw her out, he can do it. Just--- please, excuse his absolutely horrible manners. He cannot help being an asshole."

Reddling took a step forward, looking up at Princess Luna and giving her a nod. "Nopony in this castle has stayed alive this long because I followed orders. No reason to start now. But Web is going to be angry when she finds out I went through her things. We need to leave right now."

Princess Luna gave a sigh and nodded, seeming to calm down a bit. Waving her hoof, she gestured for Reddling to come hither. he approached carefully, unsure of Princess Luna's intentions.

"You believe Web will bring harm to my sister?" Princess Luna asked through a voice of forced calmness.

"Not on purpose, I don't think so, but accidents seem to happen all the time in the Night Guard." Reddling said, stopping as Nightshade interjected,

"She's crazy. Likes the Nightmare stuff too much. She had us butcher anypony in our way to Twilight Sparkle." Nightshade had-- withheld this before, but seemed much more willing to speak her mind without Web in the room.

"and after our courtyard fun in the forest she just sat on the ground and grinned to herself." Reddling paused and mimicked a girly, bubbly voice, "It's like the first time. When she first returned!~"

"No." Princess Luna said firmly. "That is enough. Very well, you have my leave. Know that Web and her cadre shall follow shortly after you, should you be successful or not. You may keep Web's poison, but we shall have words about others property when next we meet." Princess Luna looked at the door. "Web should have no need of the poison regardless."

"Then we should leave." Reddling said solemnly.

"You have my leave. Go." Princess Luna stood, trotting between Reddling and Nightshade, pushing open the door to the room and leaving with a stormy scowl on her face, dark as the night. Nightshade visibly exhaled when Princess Luna had left, exiting the room with Reddling as they headed in the direction of the library. Hopefully, Twilight Sparkle would be there with her completed maps.

Although Princess Luna may hate me for this-- and it is disgraceful-- it is what I had to do, regardless of what the others think. If I've learned anything, it's that truly heroic actions are seldom rewarded.

"Holy shit, Reddling-- could you have worded that any worse?" Nightshade hissed to him, checking to make sure noponies were in earshot. Lapis and the bats had vanished.

"What?" Reddling asked, almost defensively.

"I'm sorry Luna, for insulting your sister, also I'm stealing from Web and threatening your entire plan because I said so?" Nightshade mimicked Reddling's voice-- hardly a challenge.

"Well, let's hurry and get out of here. I don't want to be around when Web has one of her episodes." Reddling pushed open the door to the library, galloping inside. He quickly grabbed Web's saddlebags and slung them over his back before looking around for Twilight. The bookworm had situated herself at a large table and had her horn aglow as she overlooking several sheets of paper with fresh ink on them.

"They'll all done." Twilight commented, blowing on some of the ink and rolling up the papers, offering them in a bundle to Reddling, who quickly took them in his mouth and shoved them into the saddlebag.

"Thank you." Reddling said, nodding to Nightshade for the two of them to head outside.

"Wait, just- one moment." Twilight waved her hoof a bit, stopping the two bats. She pointed at Reddling, adding, "Uhm, alone."

Nightshade gave the two of them a sideways glance before exiting, leaving Reddling alone in the library with Twilight Sparkle. Alone, except for books, old rugs, and a changeling with rags on his nose in the corner.

"You have a-- a lot of books, here." Twilight said, trotting over slowly and pulling a couple out from their shelves.

"I copied them all over by quill myself." Should he be proud of that, or embarrassed? It was hard to tell.

"So, you were a writer before the Night Guard then?" Twilight Sparkle asked. Reddling shook his head simply.

"No, not a writer-- just a-- student, I suppose." Whatever Twilight was doing, Reddling hoped it ended soon.

Twilight idly slid the books along the ground, letting them rest at Reddling's hooves. Several were books about assassination, and the different ways to kill ponies. Some were about ponies with moth wings-- moth ponies, and the last one was--

"--You should not have read this." Reddling picked up his old journal. There was something nostalgic here-- Some place in your past that you loved with all your heart, but could never get back to.

"I know why you joined the Night Guard." Twilight Sparkle said. Reddling glanced back up at her and could see her horn still glowing. In his head, Reddling prayed that this was not some horrible Nightmare dream he had slipped into. Twilight Sparkle was only a few inches from Reddling now, and he could feel dangerous waves of heat and energy radiating off her forehead.

"If you lay a hoof on Celestia, you'll wish you never joined." Twilight pressed Reddling's journal against his chest, then slid it around his shoulder and let it smack one of his wings. Reddling backpedaled multiple steps, recoiling at the sudden fury. He had no intention of hurting Celestia but-- having read these books...

"Miss Twilight-- look, these books, that-- journal, it's exactly what it looks like, but that's not who I am anymore." Reddling offered, edging towards the door.

"Nopony can trust you-- after, after how you talked to me earlier-- It's all of you Night Guard. I thought you were the good guys." Twilight seemed to be biting back tears now. Or perhaps it was just disappointment, it was sometimes hard to tell with her. "Try not to hurt anypony needlessly...?"

"Twilight Sparkle," Reddling opened the door to the library. "I will see you in Canterlot-- with Princess Celestia." Reddling closed the door with his wing as Twilight tried to offer him a nervous, hopeful smile. It wasn't worth making promises that probably wouldn't be kept.

The takeoff was a fast and wordless one as the four bats turned north, flying against the fading stars and setting a path for Canterlot. When the grass had turned green and small forests broke up the plains, Nightshade finally piped up.

"So Reddling, what's the plan." Nightshade asked. "You do have a plan right?"

"We're going to break into the shop of the mare who makes my coats." Reddling huffed. "We'll stay there today, and as soon as the moon rises, we're going into Canterlot Castle. I'll explain the entire plan on the maps.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBjQ9tuuTJQ