//------------------------------//
// Chapter 40 
// Story: The Inheritors of Friendship 
// by NgKQ 
//------------------------------//

In the midst of her unconsciousness, Platinum Royale found herself in a vast meadow.

“Wh-where am I?” she thought to herself. “Is this the afterlife?”

Suddenly, she heard the sound of hoofsteps wandering.

“Who’s that?” she asked, shocked from the attack she had earlier.

“I’ve found you, my savior,” a mare’s voice called.

Platinum turned around to see a tan-brown earth pony mare, with blonde mane and tail, giving her a beautiful and youthful look, and she had a marigold as a cutie mark.

“You must be Platinum Royale, aren’t you?”

“Who are you, and how did you know my name?”

“My name is Marigold Scent. I am here to express my thanks for caring Bloodthirst…”

“Wait, are you related with Bloodthirst?”

“He is the dearest son I’ve ever had. I need to offer you some piece of advice…”

“What is it?”

Marigold looked at her with sad eyes. “Please take care of him nicely. He’s a sensitive boy, he just needs affection.”

“But he did a lot of killings in the past…”

“I know. Merciless Fanger doesn’t care anything. I sense a heart of pure and innocence within my son. He only became a slave to his uncle…”

“How did you know?”

“I am watching him, all the while. I deeply love him. Even if he’s a good boy or a bad one, I still love him, and I'm looking forward to meet him again…”

“When?”

“Only time will tell. My husband wants to see him, too.”

“Then why didn’t he come with you to see me?”

“I volunteered to see you myself. I feel that it’s better to let my husband rest nicely.”

“I see. Don’t worry, I’ll try to take care of Bloodthirst.”

“I’ll be watching you, too from now on.” Marigold’s body began to fade. “I’m counting on you now. Good luck…”

“Uh… where am I?” Platinum woke up with a start.

“Platinum Royale! Are you alright?” The first one she saw was her mother. She hugged her tightly.

“Mom…?” Then she looked around, finding herself in a hospital ward, with her friends surrounding her. “What just happened?… Ow!” She felt a stinging pain at the back of her neck.

“I’m glad that you’re fine. I was worried to learn about what happened,” said an emotional Rarity.

“Wait a minute, so Bloodthirst’s uncle was…”

“We’ve taken care of him already,” finished Chaos. “Bloodthirst was able to deal with the finishing blow, thanks to me and Melody.”

“But, how?”

“I was unconfident at first, but after Chaos showed me courage, we managed to weaken him.”

“I see…” As she turned over her head, she still felt the stinging pain.

“Easy there, Platinum,” said Malinae.

“You should thank Bloodthirst. His uncle injected deadly venom into your body! If it wasn’t for him, your funeral would have taken place now!” explained Prudence.

“Eek!” exclaimed Platinum when she knew her other fate.

“Relax, Platinum,” calmed Twilight Sparkle, who went up to her. “As long as you’re conscious by now, you will be discharged by tomorrow. What matters is the wound on the back of your neck.”

“Okay…” Platinum stretched herself before looking around again. “Where’s Bloodthirst?”

“He was outside just now,” replied Beryl.

“Mom,” asked Platinum. “Do you know everything already?”

“Apparently, I do. When I arrived at the train station, I saw Twilight, her friends and Sweetie Belle looking anxious. Then they told me everything.”

“We just came back from Canterlot to find Sweetie Belle nervous,” continued Twilight. “When she told us what happened, we tried to search for you everywhere, and we finally found you all in all sorts at the hospital.”

“Prudence was able to explain to us about the real situation, and also some help from Malinae, Chaos and Beryl,” said Fluttershy. “Then we finally knew who Bloodthirst really is.”

“I get it… Have you seen him? What are you going to do with him?”

Before Twilight could answer, the door opened, and Bloodthirst stood there.

“Bloodthirst! I was looking for you!” cried Platinum.

“Oh,” began Bloodthirst. “I see, you’re finally alright…”

“What’s wrong, Bloodthirst? You seem to look down,” asked Beryl.

“I was hoping I could stay longer at Ponyville. But now, Platinum’s mother has returned and my uncle defeated, I guess that all my troubles should be over. I know, I’ll be missing those good days when Platinum, Prudence and those who cared for me. I’m going back to Dodge Junction. It was happy while it lasted…”

As he turned to leave, Rarity called him.

“Hey darling.”

“What?”

“Come here.”

Bloodthirst just stared at Rarity. He didn’t know what to do.

“Don’t worry,” assured Twilight. “Rarity won’t hurt you!”

Bloodthirst nervously inched forward towards her. Just as he came face to face with her, Rarity put her hoof on his shoulder.

“Thank you for saving my daughter’s life,” she began. “I just couldn’t know how to thank you…”

“You’re… welcome?”

“As a token of gratitude,” added Twilight. “I have decided that you can stay with Platinum and her family in Ponyville.”

Bloodthirst could not believe his ears.

“Wait, I get to live in… Ponyville?”

“You can drop by with us anytime, Sugarcube,” replied Applejack. “I got lots of sweet apples waiting for ya!”

“Bloodthirst,” said Fiji, approaching him. “I’m sorry that I tried to avoid you with intention. After learning everything about you, I guess that it’s time that I learn everything over.”

“Nice to meet you, Bloodthirst,” said Melody Aurora, shaking his hoof. “I know how you feel. I was born without a father…” She forced herself a weak smile. “But anyhow, I learned how to cope with it.”

“You… don’t have a father?”

“Her father died on her birthday,” explained Twilight. “But he’s watching over us. My son told me that.”

“A son… You’ve got a brother?”

“He currently lives in Canterlot,” said Melody. “I can take you to see him if you like.”

“Man, how I wish I had a sibling. I don’t want to be so lonely…”

“You won’t be so lonely anymore,” said Platinum.

“Huh?”

“Didn’t Princess Twilight said that? You’re going to stay with me!”

“She’s right,” added Rarity.

“Are you going to treat me like a slave or servant?”

“Oh, don’t worry,” she chuckled. “I don’t have a son, so I can treat you as if I have one. You can get to help us out and socialize with them.”

“Don’t worry, we’re not those ponies who treated you badly,” added Prudence.

“Welcome to Ponyville, fella,” said Thunder Clash.

“You’re now part of our friendship crusade,” added Raisin.

“Why… you all…” cried Bloodthirst, touched.

“Friendship is Magic, Bloodthirst,” finished Melody, and they engaged themselves into a group hug.

All of a sudden, Pepper Flake shot out, pulling a party popper.

“Let’s party, everypony!”

“Party? A party for what?” asked Bloodthirst.

“We’re gonna arrange a two-in-one party, that is a ‘Happy Recovery to Platinum Royale’ and ‘Bloodthirst, Welcome to Ponyville!’ party! Whaddaya think?” said Pinkie Pie.

“Don’t be surprised by Pinkie Pie and her family,” said Twilight. “They’re excellent party-planners.”

“Wait, what’s that did I just saw?” asked Platinum, noticing Bloodthirst’s flank.

“I just got my cutie mark,” replied Bloodthirst. “The moment I was done removing the venom, it just came out… by itself…”

“Looks like I forgot to explain what that means,” said Melody. “You see, you had a lot of evil in the past, but now, you’re looking forward to a change, and affection. Your devotion towards Platinum was so great that this is merely your first step in changing yourself into a better pony.”

“Wait, he’s in love with Platinum?” cried a shocked Greenie Hats.

“Yes, I can deny that no longer,” answered Bloodthirst. “Ever since the night I came into Ponyville, she was the one who cared me the most. I just couldn’t know how to be grateful to her…”

Everyone all gave oohs upon hearing the revelation.

“I am surprised,” replied Platinum. “Come here, Bloodthirst.”

“What?” As he neared Platinum, she grabbed his head and pulled him towards her mouth and began to kiss.

There was a moment of silence and excitement as everypony watched them kiss. Love had already blossomed between a reformed vampire pony and the daughter of the most famous fashion designer of Ponyville.

“I know your mother’s spirit is watching you and I,” said Platinum once they finished kissing. “I saw her in my dream, and she wants to see you again.”

“Oh, that’s nice… She was my best mother…”

Suddenly, a tummy growl came from the room.

“Uh, that was me,” apologized Chaos. “I just wanna find something to eat now…”

Everyone laughed. For the first time in his life, Bloodthirst was ready to be with Melody and her friends to learn everything about friendship…