Assassin in Service to the Sun

"Toland is Tartarus walking on earth." Luna explained. A few hours had pasted since she had returned from dream walking, in a vain attempt to peer into Toland's inner thoughts. She was still shaken, but at least had her mind in order.

"For one thing, he is most certainly clever. I have no idea how he knew I was entering his mind, but the place we were... It was not memory, I think. He had been alerted to my presence, and in place of memories, or even a normal dream, was the worst nightmare I think he could think up." Princess Luna shuddered. "I hope that was the worse he could think of. I have fought nightmares for so long, I thought I had seen the worst this world could offer. He is something else entirely."

Princess Celestia sighed deeply. "I put you through all that, and all we have learned is that he is indeed a monster. One that is not to be trifled with. I am so sorry Luna." Luna merely laughed.

"I agreed to it, I have none to blame but my own curiosity. Still there is one thing I noted."

"Oh?" That got Celestia's attention.

"That nightmare, it retained so much emotion. I could feel it as if moisture in the air." Luna elaborated.

"What kind of emotion?"

"Pain, hatred, mostly directed at himself. He blames himself for something. More than anything, there was...longing. Sister I feel as though he does all this because he is afraid of being alone." She explained. Celestia shook her head sadly.

"What are we to do with him, with Toland?" Celestia asked. "I cannot simply arrest him, in fear he wounds somepony else."

"We request his presence, and have him explain himself. All of it. The nightmare, his weapons, what exactly the goal of his little game is. The purpose of the knife he so graciously gifted you." Princess Luna said. "I was not sure how I felt about Toland before, but as of now, I feel horribly wary of him."

Toland casually strode into the Princesses' throne room. He noticed neither Celestia nor Luna looked happy to see him, but that was to be expected. He bowed politely, much to Princess Celestia's confusion. Toland never bowed.

"You called?" He asked.

"Explain yourself." Princess Luna stated bluntly. Toland gave her a saddened look.

"I sincerely apologize, for what happened in the dream, your Highness. My dream was invaded without my consent, and I merely lashed out in self defense." Toland shook his head sadly. "I don't want you to hate me, but you seem to want me to be some sort of villain. That is a role I refuse to play." Toland said. "My nightmares are just that, nightmares. They don't mean anything, they don't make me evil."

"What of your weapons, and this promise to my sister?" Princess Luna asked.

"Consider my promise of a favor a last resort, nothing more. Should you need it, I will be there, but should the need never arise then I will consider it a good day." Toland explained. "It is simply a gift. Can we move on, end these absolutely pointless hostilities?"

"Why should we trust you?" Princess Celestia asked.

"Because I have not lied yet." Toland stated. "Why would I now?"

"Why do you continue to offer your service to my sister, when she has gone against you now twice?" Luna asked. Toland responded with an odd smile.

"Personal reasons. Nothing sinister I assure you, but I cannot tell you. Not yet at least. All that matters is that I mean you, and everything else, absolutely no harm. Unless you say otherwise."

Princess Celestia stared at Toland with a mix of contempt and mistrust. "What do you even get out of all this?" Toland merely smiled, and placed one hand on his chest, proceeding to bow politely.

"What I get is your attention, and that is all I truly need." Celestia shuddered for a moment, and she felt herself blush. What did he mean by that? She straightened her back, her face a blank slate. She projected authority.

"As long as you insist you mean no harm, I will allow your freedom. However, if you so much as contemplate harming my little ponies, your punishment will be swift and without pity."

Toland smiled sincerely. "You have my word." With that he turned and left.

Toland more or less collapsed in his chair. Wiping away a thin layer of dust that was beginning to accumulate on his workshop desk, he sighed heavily.

"I knew that being in service to her was going to be eventful, but I wasn't expecting it to be this exhausting." He said to no one in particular. He rubbed the back of his neck with his right hand. "Still could be worse. She has been rather forgiving all things considered."

Toland reached for a tool, intent on at least being productive in his off time.

"Sometimes I wonder if it would be for the best to just scrap the whole thing and start over. Either that or leave." Toland rambled on, "Still I chose the path this would head a long while back now. Wouldn't feel right to not see it through. Not when the overture is nearly over."

Toland poured black powder carefully into a casing. "I just hope I live long enough to hear the applause, and see the curtain fall." He screwed the bullet one to the round, and carefully inspected it for any faults. Any flaws could cause the gun to misfire. Content the round was good enough to use, he set it aside.

"I doubt I will though. An assassin rarely lives long enough to enjoy the fruits of his labor."

Toland chuckled sadly.