Assassin in Service to the Sun

Toland frowned deeply as he stood in front of the front door to his apartment, or rather the shattered remains of his front door. He had hoped that they would have been kind enough to fix the damages the guards had done to his home. Walking inside, he headed straight to his workshop. Sitting on his table, were his tools, ammunition, and guns, laid out and organized. Toland began to laugh.

"So she trusts me, more so than even her own ponies." He said to no one in particular. He laughed again. Checking over his weapons to ensure they were not tampered with, he noticed a note placed amongst his belongings.

Toland,

Your advice and guidance was a strong asset and aided in the successful operation that saved the life of a noble Solar Guard. I see in you an academic mind, and I believe that your continued assistance could greatly benefit our medical community. So I personally invite you to join the staff of the Canterlot General Hospital as a medical advisor. Help us save lives.

Sincerely, Doctor Sweet Stitch

Toland smirked, bemused at the thought of him being a doctor. "Don't think I could keep the Hippocratic Oath for long." He muttered. Setting the letter aside, he began cleaning his guns.

Princess Celestia lay in her bedchamber, struggling to hold back sobs. How could she just give him back his weapons like that? After he had used them to harm two of her guards, one critically? Should she have just locked them away, or had them destroyed? She felt Toland would have done something far worse if it had come to that. The Princess shuddered at the thought.

Toland had explained that the black powder he had been purchasing powered his weapons, yet she felt as if he was using it for other things as well. Celestia debated just locking him away and throwing away the key. If he escaped however... She sobbed again. Never had she feared a creature quite like this. He was just too unpredictable. As chaotic as he was, even Discord was predictable once you understood his motives. Toland however? Toland could be a friend one moment, and a monster the next.

How could she possibly predict what he was thinking? A thought struck her. It wasn't exactly moral, and could prove futile anyhow. Yet it might grant the insight the Princess so desperately needed.

"Guards!" Celestia called out. One guard meekly approached, mindful of what happens the last time Princess Celestia had called for her Solar Guard so abruptly.

"Fetch my dear sister, I require her assistance."

"Sister, surely you are not asking me to perform such a deed." Princess Luna asked, mildly shocked. "To invade poor Toland's dreams, in a vain attempt to peer into his thoughts?"

"Please Luna, he is dangerous. We need to know what he is planning. I fear Equestria may be in danger if he is allowed to continue unchecked." Princess Celestia begged. Luna mulled it over for a moment.

"So be it. I am actually quite curious as to what he dreams about." Princess Luna admitted.

"Thank you, this could be exactly what we need."

Immediately after entering Toland's dream, Princess Luna could detect something was off. She had arrived in a hallway, or some sort of tunnel. The tunnel was square, equal lengths in the walls, floor and ceiling, all which appeared to be made of concrete. The concrete looked...aged. Bits broken off, cracks everywhere. The tunnel seemed to stretch in both directions for eternity, and it was dark, the only light being a dim red glow in the distance coming from both directions.

Luna shivered, though the air was hot, and mildly humid.

"...not...be..." Came a muffled voice behind her. She spun around, to see Toland kneeling, his head hung low.

"What?" Luna asked. Toland lifted his head, his brown hair still hiding his eyes. He was clothed in rags, and Luna could see he was soaked in sweat.

"Your not suppose to be here." He muttered darkly.

"Toland, your having a nightmare, I can help you." Princess Luna offered sincerely. Toland ran his heads through his hair, and clutched at the top of his head. He pulled them back down and looked at them, and Luna was mortified to see they were now slick with blood.

"Get out." Toland seethed.

"T-toland I..." Princess Luna sputtered.

"Luna. Get out!" He choked out. Blood ran down his face, and was beginning to pool on the ground around him. An invisible force grabbed the shaken Princess by the horn, and dragged her away.

Princess Luna lurched awake, screaming and choking. Princess Celestia was immediately at her side, panicked.

"Luna! Are you OK?" Celestia asked. Intense sobbing was her only reply. "Luna?"

"Doesn't... deserve..." She mumbled. "Never...deserved..."

"Luna, what did you see?" Princess Celestia begged.

"He...pain...so much...I..." Luna moaned. She had taken an emotional beating, her eyes bloodshot, her body shaking.

"Sister, please get some rest, tell me what happened when your feeling better." Celestia said. Luna weakly nodded, and simply layed there on the floor. Celestia let out a heavy sigh, in her desperate attempt to stay one step ahead of Toland, she had endangered her poor sister. She hated herself for that. But what could have happened in the dream to do this to her?

Toland lurched awake, rubbing the side of his head. "Not good."

Toland was prepared for nearly any eventuality. He had expected that at some point Princess Luna would attempt to enter his dreams. Princess Luna had seen him so...weak. Seen him in such a vulnerable state. Everything had gone as planned. All she had seen was a nightmare. Nothing more. He was glad she had not attempted to tap into any memories, or other corners of his mind. She had been too distracted with...well...that. Toland chuckled to himself.

"Can't stand the heat, don't enter the cauldron."