//------------------------------// // Sins of the Past // Story: Bloody Tears // by NintenES //------------------------------// ~A Thousand Years Ago...~         “Stay with me Golden Heart!” Princess Celestia pleaded. The blond and white coated pegasus tried to gasp for air as his life seeped out of the wounds from his neck. Wounds inflicted by a strange menace. The blood ran down his coat and onto his golden armor. He was propped up against a wall, the once great stallion that had mountainous strength, now unable to even stand up on his own accord. The stink of death was all around them, with bodies strewn across the floor, staining the carpets with blood. The attack came from out of nowhere, nearly decimated the Guards. Had not Golden Heart managed to rally everyone together, Canterlot would have been lost. However, it seemed that brave act was paid with his life.         “I apologize, your Highness,” coughed Golden Heart, “but it appears that I can no longer follow your orders.” He gasped for more air. “But whatever happens, I want you to know that has been an honor serving under you, Princess.”         “The pleasure was all mine.” Celestia said as she placed a hoof over Golden Heart’s chest. He was an honorable knight, a role model for Captains of the Royal Guards that would come after him.         “Then kill me now.”         “What!?” Princess Celestia was shocked. She could never willingly take another life. It was unthinkable for her! Such barbarous act...         “Bloody hell Princess, kill me! I’d rather die a free pony, than to live as a monster.” He looked up and stared into her eyes, “I do not want to betray you, your Highness. If you kill me now, I will not wake up as a vampire.”         Princess Celestia closed her eyes, tears welling up. She did not wish to see the horrors that she would create with her own hands. She reached the powers within her, the very powers that commanded the sun in the sky to create a blade of light. Golden Armor closed his eyes as he felt the warmth of the light from the blade. The only regret that he had was that he could not live longer. “Thank you, your Highness.” whispered Golden Heart. It was a swift stroke, and clean. His head rolled off of his neck, and fell onto the floor, eyes still closed with a calm smile on his face. Without a mind or soul to command it to hold itself up, the body slumped over on its side with a sickly thud as it fell on the floor next to its head. Princess Celestia dismissed the sword, and wept bitterly, for Golden Heart, for everyone who had died needlessly this night. When she opened her eyes again, she made up her mind and looked towards Castle Everfree. The grim fortress reached up towards the starry night, with the full moon shining its light into the keep. Princess Luna, no, “Nightmare Moon” must answer for her crimes. Part 3: Sins of the Past ~Back to the present, as recounted by Twilight’s Diary~         Dear diary, When I last left off, Princess Celestia was passed out on the floor of the hospital as everyone else was trying to wake her back up. She groaned as she got back up on her feet, “Ha ha hah, Luna that was a hilarious prank. I don’t think I could top you on that one. Telling me that my favorite student of all Equestria is a blood-sucking abomination of all ponykind. Do that again and I know just the perfect place to banish you to...” She weakly laughed.         “Sister, I wasn’t joking.” There was a long pause, before there was suddenly another loud thump on the floor, which implied that Princess Celestia had fainted yet again. “And would you stop that, you’re starting to embarrass me.”         Rainbow Dash groaned, “We don’t have time for this! And I’m not leaving without answers!” She flew out of the room. I was puzzled about that, until I heard some water running. Rainbow Dash flew back into the room and splashed a cup of water onto Princess Celestia’s face.         “Oh no! NO! How long was I out!? Did she escape? How many survivors are left!? Do you have any garlic on you? Or a wooden stake? A good blade might work too. No, wait, we need the Elements of Harmony! Second thought, scratch that, Twilight is a vampire, so it probably won’t work. Oh no, please don’t tell me I was turned into a vampire too!” Princess Celestia screamed. To be perfectly honest, I had never seen Princess Celestia so... freaked out about anything. She’s usually the paragon of self-control and serenity.         “I’m still here your Highness.” I said. “You were out for ten seconds, tops.”         “I was?” she asked, sighing in relief.         “Okay, it’s obvious at this point that you two know what the hay is going on here, so why don’t you spill the beans here and now?” Applejack asked, rather pointedly.         “Well it’s quite simple actually...” Luna started.         “Don’t answer that Luna, they don’t need to know.” Celestia pleaded.         “I made them.” Luna stated, ignoring her sister as she slapped her own face.         A moment of silence passed between everyone. Various forms and expressions of shock were written on their faces. “Mind running that by me again, because I could have sworn that you said that you created what your sister had just called ‘blood-sucking abominations of ponykind.’” Applejack asked.         “No, sounds about right.” Luna replied dryly. That loud thump you heard back then? That was the sound of everyone’s jaws hitting the floor. She took a deep breath. “Let me backtrack a bit. Everyone here remembers what happened a thousand years ago between me and my sister, right?” Everyone nodded. “Good, because then you should also already know that I really... resented my sister back then. I was jealous of her, the ponies that praised her, and her control of the daytime. I started to hate her and everything she represented. So I dipped into the black arts. I had heard of legends of Changlings, and I thought that they would be a good army, but difficult to control, since they presumably already have their own Queen to rule over them. And even if I were to find a hive and then convince them to join my cause, it would still be their army, not mine, so it would be too easy for them to turn around and stab me in the back once I’ve conquered Equestria. Then a new idea struck me; ‘what if I were to create my own Changling army, one that was quicker, stronger, than anyone could hope to be?’ Wheels started to turn in the dark depths of my mind and heart; ‘I will make the very people that she loves into her worst nightmare.’ And so, I created them. I called them Vampires, my own vassals and army of the night.” She held up the syringe that held my blood. “I didn’t make them out of nothing though. In order to have slaves, one must have someone to enslave first. So I went out into the night, while everypony was asleep, and took from them their very lives and freedoms. Every single one of those vampires believed that they loved me, and were willing to die for me, but they were enchanted to follow my will.” “Wait, so all the old Nightmare Night legends about you gobbling up ponies...” Rarity said, horrified. “Are actually distortions of how I made my dark army, yes.” Luna said. “That’s horrible!” Fluttershy shouted. When she realized that she just shouted at probably the second most powerful being of Equestria, she shrank and started to apologize profusely. “No, stop that, you have nothing to apologize for, Fluttershy.” Luna somberly said as she walked towards the window in the room, and gazed outside. “If anyone is to apologize, it should be me. I know that none of you hold a grudge against me but... sometimes, the hardest person to live with is yourself. I have caused the deaths of thousands, tried to usurp and kill my own sister, and for what? A childish fit of jealousy.” “Is it this... vampire disease... contagious?” Rarity said, as she inched farther and farther away from me. “Not by normal contact, it only transmits through exchange of bodily fluids.” Luna said, turning back towards us. “So please don’t have exposed wounds when you’re taking care of her, it would only... get her ‘excited’ and might make her try to feed off of you.” “What?!” I mouthed. “I... I would never think of hurting anyone! Especially not my friends!” Luna looked straight into my eyes when I said that, and I heard Celestia take a sharp breath. “Maybe you wouldn’t, but we fear the day when your disposition changes about that matter.” “So... what should we do?” Spike asked. “We can’t keep her in the hospital. It’s too risky.” Luna said. “Even if these medical facilities are as sanitary as my sister assures me, the smell of blood and death still might become too much for Twilight. However, keeping her at home on the other hand...” “No, that is still too risky!” Princess Celestia stated. “She needs to be monitored! While I have the utmost faith in you, my student, I’ve seen the darkness consume many a brave soul... and it’s never pretty.” “I know that, but she needs a pony who know her best, somepony that knows what makes her tick. Who can report back to us if anything changes about her.” Luna turned towards my friends, with a grin creeping up her face. “Or should I say someponies?” “Who, us?” Rarity said. “But we couldn’t possibly...” “Oh don’t be modest, it’ll be like babysitting.” Luna smiled, assuredly. I could have sworn that Pinkie Pie flinched though. Princess Celestia was not so assured, “Babysitting!?” she shouted, exasperated, “Are you serious? Do you honestly think it would be that simple!?” “Okay so it might not be exactly like babysitting...” “She’s a ticking time bomb!” Princess Celestia slammed her hooves on the floor, “It’s waiting to explode and take everyone with her!” Luna raised a hoof, but couldn’t respond. After a few seconds of thinking, she replied, “What is this ‘time-bomb’ that you speak of?” Princess Celestia smacked herself again, muttering something along the lines of “While you were on the moon.” “Regardless,” Luna said, turning back towards us, “it is important that you keep a record.” “Of course, your High-” Applejack started before Luna started to stare at her from only a few inches from her face. “No, I cannot stress this enough: it is important, for Twilight’s sake, neigh, your own sake, that you keep a detailed record. I want to know if she starts looking at anyone longingly, and if so, for how long, if she starts to talk in her sleep, what sort of things does she say, and if she starts drooling while looking at you while she thinks no one else is looking, or Father and Mother help us all, she starts drooling and she KNOWS you’re looking at her.” “Y-yes your Highness.” Applejack said, as sweat rolled down her brow. “Drooling?!” sputtered Rarity. If her coat wasn’t already white, I would’ve said that she’d gone pale. “And YOU!” Luna said, turning towards the doctor. He stammered as she got close to him like she did with Applejack, “Do not tell ANYONE what transpired here. If you have to give an answer for what happened, say that Twilight Sparkle had nothing more than a miraculous recovery and that she should be fine in a few months, but no one is to disturb her while she is at her home. If any word gets out, even if it’s an idle whisper when one relieves themselves, that Twilight is a vampire, I promise you PAIN. WITHOUT. END.” There was an omnious boom of thunder outside. Just how on earth does Luna summon lightning storms like that on command!? Last time I was outside, it was a clear day without a single cloud in the sky! She must have a special weather pegasus squad on-command. The doctor whimpered and stuttered, unable to form a coherent sentence. “Luna,” Celestia said sternly, “what have I said about threatening civilians? That was a little over the top, don’t you think?” “Oh I’m sorry, I thought you wanted me to be serious about the matter at hand sister.” Luna said with a slight smirk, “Besides, it got the point across, right?” The doctor whimpered again, shaking his head. “Excellent.” Luna said, sitting up. “I will be sending you further instructions when I return to Canterlot. See to it that they are followed to the letter. That goes for you five as well.” she said, turning her head towards my friends. “Hey! You forgot one!” shouted Spike. Luna sighed, “Pardon me, you six. Be sure that Twilight does not go outside at anytime without some form of escort. If her behavior worsens, see to it that she does not go outside at all.” She stood up and started to walk towards the door. “I’m leaving, but don’t hesitate to send me letters with questions. The better understanding everyone has of Twilight’s current condition, the better.” Princess Celestia also walked out of the room. “So uh, Sugarcube, how are you holding up?” Applejack said, trying to smile. Anyone could tell when she forcing herself, to lie or to smile. Not a great thing for playing Poker. Though I wouldn’t recommend playing against her brother, his face is stone solid. I think Rainbow Dash is still sore over losing tickets to a Wonderbolts Show to him. “I don’t know...” I answered. To be honest, I’m still not sure. I mean, I should be glad that I am at least alive (In a manner of speaking...) But what about how Princess Celestia of all ponies feels scared!? Like I’ll become something worse, and that it would’ve been better if I had died. What if they’re right? “I have a lot to think about.” I said, as I crawled off the bed. “I’ll take you home Twilight.” Fluttershy spoke up. “Are you sure ‘Shy? ‘Cause you look like you yourself could use some rest. Heck, I think we could all use some rest. This is just... heavy.” Applejack said. “I’ll be fine, thank you.” Fluttershy mumbled. “Yeah, we all heard Twilight, there’s no way that she’ll hurt anybody!” Pinkie Pie said. To be honest, I appreciated the vote of confidence, but there was this nagging fear at the back of my mind... “I appreciate the offer, but if I go outside, I get a skin rash and go blind.” I said. “Ooh! I got an idea! Just wait right here!” Pinkie Pie ran out the room. She returned with her rainbow-colored umbrella hat. “This will at least keep the sun out of your eyes.” I took the hat, thanked her and put it on. Sure, it kinda looks silly, but it looks silly on anyone. I walked out of the room when I realized that Rarity wasn’t moving. “Hey are you alright?” “Drooling!?” She sputtered, not moving from her spot. “Right, you all go on ahead. I’ll try to snap Miss Drama Queen of the Universe out of it.” Applejack said. The trip home was pretty uneventful. Sure, the itchiness from my skin was irritating, but I tried to soldier on. At least I could see where I was going. When we got home, Fluttershy left to take care of her animals. I however, tried to sleep. Emphasis on tried, since I was pretty much kept awake by my thoughts. With the turn of events as it is, I got curious and decided to read what vampire legends that I had in the Library. Considering that Princess Luna stated her creation of the vampires to be the same time as her rebellion, I kind of knew that it wasn’t going to get anything concrete. After several hours of reading, I haven’t found a good common thread as to what Luna’s vampires are like and from there ascertain what sort of traits I would get, other than the bloodsucking bit. It’s getting late, I'm getting frustrated, so I should go get some sleep. I’ll try to write more once I ask Luna about what changes have occurred. After I have a nice nap. ~Twilight Sparkle.