Afterdark
Chapter 45: Re:Silverfield
Previous Chapter Next ChapterThe time after Nightshade arrived at the hospital was a blur to Reddling. He had stayed loyally by her side until the doctors had pulled his unconscious form away from the operating table.
When the world came back into focus, Reddling was unsure how long he had been out. He appeared to be in-- a cave of some sort. It looked much like the other bat pony homes, although with a finer bed than some others. Soft, warm linen hugged Reddling's chest and legs, some comforting gel applied to where he had possessed injuries before.
The room was less spartan than the enclave's rooms had been, and now possessed more flair befitting of a Night Guard room. On either side of the door leading away from the room were banners with Princess Luna's cutie mark on it. In two far corners of the room lamps emitting faint blue light gave the room a dimness that was enough for only bat ponies to see by. A rug on the floor was emblazoned with a large bat blue bat pony eye, which was reflected by a full body mirror that rested in a corner of the room. There were two shelves, a desk with a cushion, and a small table with two chairs for dining. A basket of fresh fruit had been put on an end table right next to Reddling's head, with a handwritten note folded in half and tucked in between two apples.
Struggling to sit up, Reddling gazed down at the end of the bed. A footlocker had most of his effects resting on it-- All of his armor, his vest of throwing knives, two night Guard knives, Ausfall, and one long Night Guard bastard sword. In the middle of the effects was what looked like a light blue sweater, the symbol of two crescent moons intersecting a black circle with another white waxing moon emblazoned in the middle.
Reddling wasn't sure if this was real or not-- bat pony dreams tended to do this-- but this dream did not seem so bad. Reddling pulled free the note and glanced it over, tracing the words over twice to make sure he understood all of them.
Dear Reddling Rain of Silverfield, Night Guard of Equestria,
We have not met properly, but I think you can call me your new boss, in a matter of speaking. I'm dictating this to you as a informal letter as that seems to be more your style of dealing with things. Firstly and above all else, allow me to be the first of the Night Guard to thank you for all you've done. Although Princess Luna is downright furious with you, this vigor will fade when she has seen her sister safe once again and life returns to normal in Canterlot.
You and all of the other recruits who stayed with us have been afforded rooms befitting of a full member of the Night Guard for your services. This full status will now entitle you to all the opportunities and privilege afforded to our guard-- Although, you took advantage of most of them already. Rather baseless seizure of property, assaults and possibly murders that were not authorized by the Night Guard, so on and so forth--
And somehow, your inability to follow even the simplest of instructions and instead follow your intuition has helped save Equestria in no small part. This said, your constant threatening of ponies almost amounts to an abuse of power, and won't be tolerated in peace time. Please ensure you control yourself, or we will do it for you.
Final note, I'm sure you are worried about your friend that was gruesomely injured in the fighting against Chrysalis-- and I commend you for beating us to the chase-- is fine. Nightshade is expected to make a full recovery, although most of her body will probably be permanently burned. Wee have done what we could to make it-- bearable for her.
Report to Captain Lunar when you have a chance, he is usually in the Canterlot Guard's barracks sorting things out there. You may report to my office at your leisure-- just ask for Equinox and he will get an appointment set up.
Signed,
Ether
P.S. Your new flankstamp is very batty, quite fitting for the work you'll be doing. You should also go visit your friend, Ward 4, Bed 5. You can take your time, I doubt she'll die today.
Reddling set the letter down and tossed what seemed to be fur covers off, trotting over hastily to the mirror and looking his body over from mane to tail. His fur covered up most of his scars, except for the one where Balefly had gored him in the chest, which would be visible at some angles.
He was not a bad looking bat, although the soft features would never make anypony first assume he was a stallion before a mare. turning himself around, Reddling stopped as he stared at his mark. No longer was it a quill crossed with Ausfall. Now, a new mark was emblazoned on his side-- a silver crescent moon resting with points facing upwards and it's curve downwards. Three drops of silver rain dripped from the underside of the curve-- one near each tip, and one near the center.
In another life, this was the part where Reddling fell onto the floor, collapsing in shock. But tonight was not that night, it was not that life. Trotting over to his effects, Reddling put on the sweater and tightened on Ausfall and his sword. Putting aside his things and opening up the footlocker, he gazed around inside. There were two coats in here-- one that looked practically ruined, and one that looked brand new. Reddling lifted up the coat, gazing over the careful stitches and skillful crafting. Knowing there was no way that the mare in Canterlot could have done this, Reddling checked the pockets, looking for some note. He did uncover a little note, which was barely more than a line in Twilight Sparkle's penmanship.
Rarity says this one is fire-proof. Thank you to you and all your friends for saving us.
Reddling donned the coat, wrapping it around himself as he headed for the door of his home. He couldn't wait to see what his friends had been given for their efforts-- or indeed, to just see his friends at all.
He also could not stop dreading what state Nightshade must be in.
"Ward five?" Reddling asked a nurse in the hall of the Canterlot infirmary. He was amazed that there were so many wards here, but given all of the horrible magical accidents and terrifying horrors that crawled out of the depths in and around Equestria, this really should not have been too much of a shock.
The nurse gave him a little nod, motioning for him to go inside of his own accord. Reddling stepped through the door and peeked around, afraid of what gruesome injuries were on the ponies. The ward was however almost entirely empty, with shades drawn over the windows and a few ponies huddled around the fifth bed. Reddling trotted over, coming up behind Bruiser and sitting across from Tops as he weakly gazed down at what remained of Nightshade.
Most of her body was not visible under the bandages. Each of her hooves looked like they could be as gnarled as any changelings hoof, the skin rough and disfigured, the fur completely melted away. Her belly and torso were a medical mystery, for despite their apparent collapsed state she was still able to breathe. She did not appear to have a tail or a mane, and only one eye was visible under her dressings. A deep yet stunning amethyst eye surrounded by slightly charred, dead looking flesh was the only accent for the shell of a mare. Peering slightly under her, one would have been able to observe the remains of her wings-- webless, useless things that had been burnt to the bone, and were not unlike the corpse that had been in the Enclave's forest so long ago.
For many long minutes, nopony dared say anything. Nightshade did not seem to be capable of speech, or Reddling was sure she would have some choice words for him.
"Tops hasn't slept since he got here." Bruiser said quietly to Reddling.
"Nightshade-- I'm so sorry. I didn't-- I thought you were right behind me." Reddling put a hoof on the bed, looking down at her. Nightshade's eye flicked over to him. There was no way to read what kind of look he was giving her-- or indeed if she could even see him through the pain that must be blinding.
"She- She understands, Reddling." Tops said quietly. "She gets it, even if she can't say it right now."
Reddling continued to look down at his friend. "It was worth it, Nightshade. Chrysalis will never threaten Equestria again." He searched for some words of comfort to give her, but nothing came. he couldn't even be sure that Nightshade could hear him.
The four of them sat in silence for what could have been hours, simply having each other's company was comforting. When Reddling was sure that the fifth of their group would not be joining them, he finally asked the question.
"Where's Midnight?"
"At the barracks, I think." Bruiser said. "He came by earlier to pay respects, like he thought Nightshade was dead or something. The doctors think she'll pull through." Reddling glanced down at Nightshade. He'd never put much faith in doctors. Rising up, Reddling patted Bruiser on the shoulder and gave Tops a nod, leaving them with Nightshade as he set out for the barracks. Perhaps he and Midnight would have a talk-- after all, he was Nightshade's friend too. They should all be there for her.
The barracks was gloomy and in disarray. Obviously nopony had bothered to clean it lately, although with the Changelings working their magics on them this was hardly their fault. Reddling turned down a dark hallway and trotted into the Night Guard's barracks, stopping in the door to watch Midnight Tales. Midnight had two saddlebags tied to either side of his body, with all his belongings apparently contained inside them. Reddling blinked at the curious lack of adornments on Midnight Tales-- He did not appear to have his sword with him, nor did he have any of his armor.
"Midnight-- what is going on?" Reddling got his answer as shadows jumped from the ground, grabbing Midnight and stepping him through the darkness of the room.
"I'm leaving." Midnight said plainly. Reddling moved to stop Midnight from stepping through the doorway, but the latter had already shadowstepped past Reddling and was trotting down the hallway without much to say.
"Midnight-- leaving for where?" Reddling chased after him, feeling a shiver run down his spine. There was a sudden spike of palpable fear that seemed to infect the world, darkening the already gloomy surroundings.
"I'm gone." Midnight's voice was filled with purpose and yet-- empty and hallow, as if he was not really saying what he was saying. "I already resigned to Lunar."
Midnight took a few steps forward, little shadows moving up and rooting Reddling in place so he could not pursue. "Pray you do not find me again." Midnight said, and with a turn of the shadows, he vanished outside and into the night.
Reddling trotted quickly from the barracks, shuddering slightly as the chilly wind of an autumn night grabbed at his fur. Try as he might, he could not unhear Midnight's words. The gardens and grounds of Canterlot palace were silent tonight, but when the wind was quiet enough the plants all seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. Moving slowly past some flowers, the click of Reddling's hooves on cobblestone joined the feelings in the night. The flora of the palace had no need to worry about the problems of the world or it's inhabitants and their friends, they simply slept in the quiet of the night. He stiffened up as he continued to head for the practice fields, keeping an eye on the sky. There was another feeling out here tonight- again, among the plants. It was autumn for now, but the trees were beginning to shed their somber clothes. Many of the flowers in the garden would not survive the winter, and the cold air was nothing more than death's breath before the embrace.
Reddling shook his head, trying to push these thoughts out of his head. The night felt bad enough already without the plants adding to it. For a time, the sky was quiet, the waning moon smiling a crescent smile down at the world. Faint beams caught the steel of a carriage as it passed overhead, and Reddling stopped, standing silently among some flowers as the carriage made one full circle before moving down for a landing.
The guard that always made Reddling pity him came out first. Buzzleleaf hit the ground, instantly losing what looked like his lunch of potatoes. There was a pause, and then other ponies began exiting from the opposite side of the carriage. Princess Cadance and Shining Armor exited, Cadance's wing wrapped around her fiancé. Both softly lit their horns, keeping the lights dim as other ponies began to exit the carriage.
Luna emerged next, followed closely by a very odd guard. the mare appeared to be wearing some sort of suit, but Reddling couldn't get a good look at her face before she vanished. Twilight followed after the guard, a dark looking pony with no cutie mark bringing up the rear.
Reddling dipped his head slightly. Still no Web-
"It's not poisonous! Ugh!" Twilight stomped a hoof, looking back in the carriage.
"Maybe I like it in the carriage." Came a brash, young voice from inside the carriage. Reddling's ears perked up as he took a step forward, breaking into a quick trot towards the carriage.
"You didn't want to get into the carriage when we were leaving in the first place." Twilight retorted, sighing heavily. She looked up as Reddling drew near, but he cut her off before she could say anything.
"-You brought Rainy here? Why?" Reddling demanded, looking from her, to Cadance, to Princess Luna. "Equestria is not a safe place for a foal!"
"Hold your tongue, Reddling Rain!" Luna bellowed, causing the other ponies near her to shrink away, as if they should be ready to jump for cover. "We knew what we were doing, and will explain the situation later." Luna's voice tapered off as she turned, heading for the castle. Reddling exchanged quick glances with the other ponies before they shrugged, leaving him with the carriage containing Rainy and the still puking Buzzleleaf. A few moments passed before Rainy stuck his head out the carriage door, looking around cautiously before jumping out and running to hide under Reddling, his head sticking out from between the bat pony's forelegs.
"They kidnapped me!" Rainy declared, shaking a hoof at the Equestrians from safely behind Reddling. "Why'd you have to bring an entire town of ponies with you!? Can I go home now!?"
Reddling glanced down, biting his tongue. To be honest he wasn't sure what to tell Rainy right now, although it was nice to be on the same page for once- even if that page was being confused and disorientated.
"Enjoy the stay for awhile Rainy, we can't leave just yet." Reddling said quietly.
Rainy grunted his anger. "Okay fine. Where's your gang of batfuckers?" Reddling glanced down at Rainy, who glared right back up, snorting out of his nostrils.
"Not here. They should all be with Nightshade- she got hurt really badly... she almost didn't make it." Reddling mumbled. Rainy let out a little laugh, crawling out from under Reddling.
"That's karma, bitch!" Rainy said, giving Reddling a little grin. "Maybe-"
Reddling shook his head angrily, snarling at Rainy. The little colt backed up fearfully, falling backwards and landing in a sitting position. "Rainy. Stop talking, and get on my back."
"but-"
"Rainy!" Reddling almost shouted, his voice straining and cracking. The foal jumped up, scrambling to get onto his back. For a moment they both took deep breaths, and then Reddling began to trot for the castle, following along the path that Luna had been taking. Sticking to the left of the castle, Reddling soon found himself going up stairs and gaining on the group.
There were shrill shrieks in front of Reddling as the stairs turned to a landing. The shrieks turns to crying from Cadance and Twilight, with Shining Armor standing outside of the room, averting his eyes from the entire scene. Taking a deep breath, Reddling trotted past the captain, entering into the room and standing next to Luna and the crying sister in laws.
Luna and Celestia were both hugging, the room full of tears, but also some sort of happiness. Luna broke the hug, looking around the room with tears and a smile. Rainy and Reddling both let out eeps as magic grabbed them and Luna pulled them both into a quick hug. Reddling brushed himself off as soon as he was free, his heart beating quickly at all of the emotions in the room.
"Uh, should we be here?" Rainy asked, tapping Reddling's armor. Reddling shushed him, waiting for the ponies to actually talk.
"Oh sister- I- I am so glad you are alive!" Luna's voice was mingled with tears as she hugged her sister once more. "And soon we shall remove this horrible curse and you shall be well again!" There was a little push from Celestia as she broke the hug, pulling back from Luna and looking curiously at the ponies in the room.
"But- sister- I am well." Celestia said. the tears began slowing to a stop as ponies began exchanging glances. Reddling closed his eyes and trotted past Princess Luna, standing beside Celestia, the changeling queen. There was a flash of fire, and then another Changeling was in the room- Star Shine, positioning himself defensively on Celestia's other side. Luna's face was no longer full of tearful joy and instead now bore a perturbed, serious look.
"Sister, I am aware that the bugs- the Changelings- have altered your mind, and this may be hard to understand, but you need to trust me to make you better again."
"Dear Luna, I am better!" Celestia said, running a hoof along one of Star Shine's ears. "While I have been distraught for many weeks now-- If you have come here just to-- to take this away from me..."
"Take away!" Luna's voice was changing from some royal mistress to that of some child who has not gotten their way. "I'm not taking anything away from you! I'm giving you back what you have lost! Purifying you!" Star Shine gave a little hiss at Luna's last comment, the Changeling digging in as if he expected a fight.
"You aught to respect her decision, Princess Luna." Reddling said quietly. Luna shot him an angry snarl, her face filled with rage now.
"And you, you are taking her side? She is sick, disillusion! A monster! And you would have her remain this way?" Reddling took a step back from Luna, looking over the other ponies in the room. A few minutes prior this had been a room of joyful tears, and now it seemed set for yet more fighting. Luna's insults continued to pour out, rattling off every sin of the changelings. Countless dead, hundreds brain damaged, and still others- even less than pony. The Night Guard had it's honor tarnished, and the ruling class of Canterlot had been declared outlaws in a coup de tae by the now slain Changeling Queens. Shining Armor, Twilight, and Cadance all began nodding their heads in agreement.
"Enough!" Reddling said, stomping his hoof. "You're not the only ones that have suffered here! In fact, you've hardly lost anything at all!" Reddling stared at the princesses and princes in the room- it was his turn to snarl now. "It is the other ponies who have fought and died for your namesake- your protection. The true victims are those who have fought and lost for you!"
"All of your own free will." Luna retorted. "Stand aside, and I will forget you were even here tonight." Luna's face shifted suddenly from anger to one of slight confusion. Looking down, she seemed almost bemused at a tugging on her mane. Rainy walked between the two groups, looking back and Reddling then up at Luna.
"Why are you acting this way?" Rainy asked innocently. Luna blinked.
"Why, I am simply trying to return my sister to her right mind!" Luna said, regaining her regal air. "She is not herself!"
"No, she's still your sister." Rainy said, turning and looking at Celestia with a distasteful expression. Everypony began exchanging glances, unsure of what exactly was going on here.
"Well, yes, that is true, she is my sister." Luna nodded, smiling at Celestia, then down at Rainy. "But right now she needs my help, you know this."
Rainy nodded, agreeing. "You're right. Can we make Reddling better while we are at it?" Luna's face was confused again, but Reddling cracked a smile of realization at what Rainy was doing. Even if the young colt didn't understand what his words would mean, all the other ponies in the room would.
"He's an evil monster now, one of those thestrals." Rainy said.
"Bat ponies are not monsters." Luna snapped. Rainy trotted over to Reddling, grabbing his muzzle and pulling his head down so they were at eye level.
"Scary eyes that glow in the dark, forked tongue, fangs, extra amounts of fur added needlessly to odd places, demon wings, drinks blood, and scared of the light." Rainy lit his horn up as bright as he could at the end, causing Reddling to tear his face away as the lights burned into his eyes. The room filled with spots of burned vision as Rainy continued, "Your sister is less sinister than a bat pony-- if she is a pony?"
"But they can-" Luna began, looking down at Rainy in contempt. Lakewater blue eyes stared back up at her, waiting for an honest reply. "But this is not how she is meant to be!"
"-So fix things. Make her normal again and make him an earth pony." Rainy stared up at Luna determinedly. Reddling took a deep breath, narrowing his eyes and getting ready to run, should he need to do so. Rainy continued, "You turned him into a monster! but- but I still... he's still the only family I have." The little colt had tears in his eyes now. "Even though he's a horrible demon pony that flies and has monster wings and fangs he is still Reddling Rain, he's still a Silverfieldian just like me, and I was so happy when he came to visit, even if he brought other fucking vampire bats with him."
There was a long silence from Princess Luna. Her expression had become dark and stormy, her eyes lost in the dim light of the room. Celestia reached out a gnarled hoof to her sister with a plea, "Luna, please..."
Princess Luna pulled away, backing up to the door and looking at the other ponies in the room. Actual tears were ready to flow from her eyes, and her voice cracked as she began to speak. "I shall be outside- I..."
Everypony looked away as Luna trailed off, turning tail and running from the room. There was a moment of stunned silence in the tower. The royalty of the room could not seem to believe what had happened.
Feeling a large grin come over his face, Reddling rushed forward, grabbing Rainy from behind and pulling the tiny unicorn into a tight hug. Rainy let out a sudden breath as he was grabbed and pulled into a hug, but offered no resistance as the two began to smother each other in a hug.
"Rainy!" Reddling whispered, nuzzling the unicorn's cheek hard enough to elicit giggles, "That was amazing!"
"Reddling- St-stop!" Rainy pushed at Reddling playfully, "I just asked a question!"
You can tell they're related... Princess Luna had finally recovered herself and returned to her room. It had been left a horrible mess-- she assumed this was due to all the fighting,-- but by some miracle most of her worldly possessions had been spared the worst of the wear. Everything broken could be easily repaired or replaced...
Reaching under her bed, Princess Luna pulled out a large book. The leather on the book was broken, melted, or just missing in most places, and a metal plate that had been under it was covered in rust. Opening up the cover, Luna began to flip through the pages. She hadn't dared look at this book when she returned from her banishment, but the last several days had led her curiosity on. Near the back of the book, she stopped and looked at a sketch. Coloured pencils had been used to add rich colour and shaded detail to a stillframe. It was a portrait of Princess Luna hugging a small, feminine looking pony. Cool blue hooves were wrapped around her neck in an embrace, his long grey mane falling across Luna's shoulders. The princess set the book down, crawling onto the ruins of her bed and staring at the picture. In another ten years, Rainy would surely be a mirror image.
Turning through the next few pages with magic, Luna carefully traced copies of letters that had been added to the book. Carefully detailed accounts of Silverfield's recovering economy, some minor cultists trying to stir up trouble, and general news about life filled each letter. With each letter, it seemed as though the pony had a grander and grander name- Lord, General, and finally Lord-Commander Drizzle.
Luna stole herself, staring hard at the page. Yes, she had been friends with the head of a house that was composed mostly of pegasi and unicorns who ruled over the north-western fiefs of Silverfield. Through years of marriage with other houses, they had eventually controlled most of the country- but this was all undone in the war. After the fighting had abated, Drizzle Rain took over the governance all Western Silverfield with the support of Equestria, struggling to hold a coalition of nobles together. He had been an incredible war hero, but his skills at policymaking were lackluster.
My pen pal, until like all ponies, death took him. Luna stood up, trying to hold back another round of tears. This was the way of things in her world- the young grew old and perished, and she remained forever young and forever watchful.
And now, with Celestia's transformation, was she to face this world alone for the rest of time? Civilizations rose and fell around her, and yet she was as young as the day she had first come to Equestria.
Celestia had been the same, until tonight. Perhaps she would live on- but Luna knew that was a chance she couldn't possibly take. With the overseers, the moth ponies, of Silverfield preparing to move many operations to Equestria as payment and Celestia unyielding in her ground...
I need a distraction, I need more time to make my sister come around. I have to delay things long enough for ...a change in the world. I shall do what I always do; bide.