Red has never been able to defeat Midnight at swordplay, and once more he is defeated by Midnight Tales. Midnight has no taste for wannabe assassins or dishonorable ponies like the one laying before him. Now he needs only finish the job, and move on to the rest of the Night Guard, who are all unworthy to serve Princess Luna.
Reddling still considers Midnight a friend, and knows what it's like to be a well intentioned extremist. He's got to get up and stop his friend before he hurts himself or anyone else.