In a world where ponies and vamponies co-exist, the lovely Octavia has fallen for the dashing vampony Vinyl Scratch. Can their love survive the haters? The self proclaimed Vampony Hunter Rainbow Dash? And most importantly Vinyl's alter ego, DJ P
In a world where ponies and vamponies co-exist, the lovely Octavia has fallen for the dashing vampony Vinyl Scratch. Can their love survive those who oppose it? The self proclaimed Vampony Hunter Rainbow Dash? And most importantly Vinyl's alter ego, DJ PON3?
Fic is based off the premise set forth in Charlaine Harris' books "The Southern Vampire Mysteries."
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The characters are still ponies and not humans but this wonderful author specializes in drawing human figures. Go check her out and leave her some love! Thank u so much swift-blaze
Octavia smiled politely into the crowd as she held her bow in position, waiting for the cue to begin. Her eyes scanned the rows of seats, before her gaze locked onto a dashing white unicorn in the middle row. The unicorn was smartly dressed in a white pin-striped long sleeved shirt which was covered by a dark vest. A necktie, the color of blood, completed the ensemble. She gave a smirk and quietly removed her dark glasses as the lights went low. The spotlight drifted over to the middle of the stage, illuminating four musically talented ponies.
Frederick Horsehoepin scowled from his place behind the piano. Octavia had been his friend for a very long time and he not-so-secretly harboured romantic feelings for her. As Frederick continued to watch what he deemed to be subtle flirting between Octavia and the mysterious mare in the crowd, he suddenly remembered all eyes were upon him. He looked up into the concerned face of Parish Nandermane, another long time friend and band member. Parish played the Lyre. Realizing it was his cue, he quickly regained composure, bringing his hooves down in unison as he began to expertly work the piano.
Octavia cast one last glance to her special guest in the middle row and then closed her eyes. Feeling the music with her entire being, she began to play her beautiful cello. Last to join the four part harmony was Beauty Brass, the sousaphone player. As the four ponies played in unison, the crowd, consisting mostly of Canterlot elite, began to applaud wildly.
Vinyl Scratch couldn’t help but continue to grin through the entire performance. She had been around a very, very long time and had come to appreciate most types of music. Although classical was far from her favourite, Vinyl had to admit she enjoyed watching Octavia. She could easily become lost in the soothing sounds of the cello and the sultry sway of Octavia’s body as she played.
Vinyl licked her lips hungrily.
Tonight was going to be a good night.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
“Did you see the way she was looking at that mare?” Frederick ranted, slamming the door to the dressing room behind him.
Parish and Beauty Brass looked up, and quickly scrambled to entangle themselves from each other and the couch. Parish ended up in a sitting position, while Beauty lay curled up beside him, her head on his lap.
“You could try knocking next time.” Parish reprimanded, running a hoof through his light blue mane.
“What’s got you so worked up?” Beauty asked casually.
“At least I found out her name. It’s Vinyl Scratch. ” Frederick mumbled, ignoring his friends.
Parish and Beauty exchanged a concerned glance. This was not lost on Frederick as he looked from one friend to the other.
“Do you know who she is?” He asked.
Parish and Beauty seemed to stall before Beauty elbowed her partner in the ribs lightly. The purple stallion took the hint and cleared his throat before speaking.
“Well I don’t mean to be the bearer of more bad news, but we have heard of a pony named Vinyl Scratch. Now don’t get excited, but I’ve heard she is one of THEM.” Parish said, whispering the last part.
“Them?” Frederick questioned.
“A Vamper!” Beauty exclaimed, her eyes wide.
Frederick looked shocked. “Octavia is hanging around with a vampony? I just can’t believe it!”
“Maybe she’s a closet fangbanger!” Beauty exclaimed, giggling whilst Parish shot her an annoyed glare.
“Now let’s not jump to conclusions.” Parish started. “These rumours are unconfirmed.”
Frederick was no longer listening to his friends. The light brown stallion was beginning to panic.
“What if she IS a vampony? What if she has Octavia under some sort of mind control spell?” he wondered.
“I don’t know if it’s all bad. I heard vamponies make AMAZING lovers. They have incredible stamina and those fangs are kind of sexy in an erotic way.” Beauty mused, suddenly lost in her fantasy.
Beauty missed the whole wave of glares that Parish was sending her way and continued on.
“Just imagine a brute vampony throwing you to the bed, ripping off your clothes and dominating you in every sexual position you could possibly think of.” She said dreamily.
Parish tapped his hoof loudly against the floor, interrupting Beauty’s daydream.
“I mean, if you like that sort of thing.” She said quickly.
“That sounds terrible.” Frederick cried out.
Beauty nodded her head, although it was rather unenthusiastic.
“If you really want to know, you could just ask me?” said Octavia from the doorway. The other three had been so engrossed in the topic of conversation that they had failed to hear her enter.
Frederick wasted no time in rushing to her side. He lifted his hooves to her shoulders. “Tell me it’s not true! There’s no way you would associate with the likes of a disgusting vampony? You realize they only see us earth ponies as feedbags.”
Octavia sighed and removed his hooves. “I have known Vinyl Scratch for a long time. I appreciate all of your concerns, but I am a big mare and it is really none of your business who I see.”
Frederick’s face fell.
“Rainbow Dash has it right.” He muttered. “Vamponies are a plague on us all. We must unite with the pegasi and rid ourselves of these demons.”
Octavia rolled her eyes at his melodramatic speech. Although once only an old mare’s tale, many of the ponies in Equestria had become affected with the vampiric disease. It seemed to only affect the unicorns, uniting with their magical abilities and giving them great power. Although Princess Celestia, the ruler of the land, had decreed that vamponies be treated as regular denizens, there was still much mistrust towards the entire unicorn race by the pegasi and the earth ponies. Rainbow Dash was the charismatic leader of a rebel group of pegasi who wished to unite with earth ponies and eliminate every vampony in Equestria.
Frederick felt a cool breeze of air gust past him and then felt a light tap on his shoulder. As he turned around, he realized too late that he was face to face with the snow white unicorn in question. Vinyl’s eyes gleamed bright red and Frederick felt his blood run cold. His knees began to wobble and before he knew it, he had fallen to the floor. Vinyl leaned in quickly, baring her long sharp fangs. If the brown stallion’s mane had not already been white, it surely would have turned from fear. Instinctively he lifted his hooves to shield himself.
“Hi!” Vinyl exclaimed cheerfully.
Had Frederick not emptied his bladder beforehand, he may have had an issue. Vinyl chuckled as she moved away from him and closer to Octavia.
“Vinyl...”Octavia murmured, gently scolding the unicorn for scaring her friend.
“Aww c’mon Tavi, he started it.” Vinyl grinned.
“Well you know that doesn’t mean you have to finish it.” Octavia said, a smile playing upon her lips. “Now shall we go?”
“Oh, I see how it is.” Vinyl said, a lecherous tone creeping into her voice. “You’re in a rush to get to the good part?”
Frederick stayed frozen on the ground, his mouth agape. Was she really insinuating what he thought she was?”
Octavia smacked Vinyl playfully with a rolled up music sheet.
“Ohhh save that for the bedroom!” Vinyl joked, before bowing to Beauty and Parish. “Forgive my bad manners, I would have liked to get to know you better, but it seems Tavi just wants to use me for my body.” She said, stepping over Frederick as she moved to the door.
As Vinyl reached for Octavia’s outstretched hoof, she stopped and leaned down, placing a soft kiss on the grey mare’s cheek. Octavia’s cheeks burned red and Beauty could be heard in the background gasping.
“Shall we?” Vinyl asked, taking her sunglasses out of her pocket and placing them on her face.
Octavia only nodded as she linked forelegs with Vinyl and they exited the room, leaving the two stallions in shock while Beauty stared at the doorway, secretly envious.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Octavia rested her head against Vinyl’s shoulder as they walked down the dark streets of Canterlot. She couldn’t help but think how different the city was during the dead of night as compared to the noisy activity in the day. She looked up at Vinyl. Her partner’s dark glasses concealed her eyes, leaving Octavia to wonder what the unicorn was thinking.
“I’m thinking, that I’m lucky to be walking hoof and hoof with the most beautiful mare in all of Equestria.” Vinyl stated.
“What?” Octavia asked, wrinkling her muzzle.
“You were wondering what I was thinking weren’t you?”
“Vinyl! What have I said about using your magic to read my mind?” Octavia pouted.
“Silly, I didn’t have to read your mind to know what you were thinking.” Vinyl whispered, once again causing Octavia to blush.
They stayed silent, enjoying each other’s company until they reached Octavia’s penthouse suite. Vinyl looked up and whistled.
“Stop that.” Octavia said, looking up as well. “You will come in won’t you?” She asked, her heart beating faster.
Although they had joked about sexual innuendo back in her dressing room, the truth was that they had agreed to take things slowly. Octavia was not sure how much slower she could go. She wanted Vinyl Scratch, and bad. Vinyl was the one holding back, afraid that somehow she would hurt her new marefriend.
Vinyl checked the time and stepped up to the door. “I suppose there are still a few good hours until I turn into a pumpkin.” She joked.
Octavia’s heart soared. Maybe tonight would be the night that she would finally be able to, pardon the pun, scratch the itch between her legs. She felt herself grow warmer as they rode the elevator up to her suite. As she fiddled for the keys in her bag, she felt Vinyl come up from behind. Octavia could not get the door open fast enough, as Vinyl’s lips made their way across the nape of her sensitive neck. Finally Octavia managed to push the door open, turning to face Vinyl. She reached up to grab Vinyl’s tie, leading her to the bedroom. Octavia fell backwards on the bed, pulling Vinyl on top of her, moaning as she felt Vinyl’s leg brush against her thigh.
Vinyl knew that she should somehow stop Octavia, but her marefriend’s scent was intoxicating. She felt the familiar pain in her mouth as her fangs pierced her gums, poking out from beneath her upper lip. Octavia shivered in delight. Vinyl’s reaction made it clear that she liked what she saw. Octavia wrapped her hooves around Vinyl and brought her down so their faces were inches apart. It was taking every ounce of Vinyl’s willpower not to bite down on the luscious jugular vein that pulsed from Octavia’s neck.
Vinyl could feel herself slowly losing control as Octavia’s mouth moved against her. Vinyl moaned as Octavia’s tongue brushed up against her fangs. Octavia rolled her tongue gently into Vinyl’s mouth and Vinyl closed her eyes. She felt a surge of adrenaline run through her body as she held Octavia down, pinning her at the waist. Vinyl could smell Octavia’s arousal and her muzzle moved downwards, poking between her marefriend’s thighs. Octavia gasped, reaching down to hold Vinyl’s head between her hooves, encouraging her.
“T-Tavi...” Vinyl managed to choke out as she momentarily regained control of her senses.
“It’s okay Vinyl. We can take this slowly. Trust me.” Octavia whispered, stroking Vinyl’s electric blue mane.
As Vinyl’s muzzle was pushed further between Octavia’s gorgeous legs, she happened to turn and her fangs gently grazed the soft flesh just above her marefriend’s femoral vein. Vinyl’s eyes widened as she sensed the flow of warm, sensual blood underneath Octavia’s skin. She couldn’t help herself.
She bit down.
Octavia let out a surprised yelp as Vinyl’s teeth sunk into her hind leg. Not so much because it hurt, she was just taken off guard. After the momentary pain of the bite, she began to relax, allowing Vinyl to suck happily, her tongue lapping up every ounce of blood. Octavia lay back, letting out a low moan. This was all new to her and yet she was completely turned on. She reached down, resting her hooves on both sides of Vinyl’s face, forcing the unicorn to look up. Vinyl continued to roughly suck, still keeping Octavia pinned down with her own body weight. As Octavia forced Vinyl to look at her, Vinyl slowly became aware of what she was doing. Her head snapped up quickly and she covered her blood drenched mouth with a hoof.
“Tavi!” She shouted and rolled off the grey mare.
“Vinyl wait!” Octavia cried out, reaching for her marefriend.
But Vinyl had already backed up off the bed. Her eyes zoned in on the twin gaping fang marks between Octavia’s legs.
“No...” She whispered.
Before Octavia could stop her, she jumped up and ran out of the bedroom. As Octavia called out to her again, Vinyl realized she had no idea where she was running to. She ended up in her marefriend’s bathroom, grabbing the first towel she saw, furiously cleaning her muzzle. As she scrubbed her face with the towel, she looked up into the large mirror on the wall. The mare looking back at her was disturbing. Her eyes were bloodshot, her fangs were still protruding and although she was scrubbing vigorously, it was damn hard to get red blood out of her snow white fur.
Vinyl sighed as she backed up against the door.
“Vinyl...” Octavia called from the other side. “Please don’t shut me out. Let’s talk about this. I’m not upset with you.”
Vinyl looked down. “I’m upset with me.”
Octavia bit her lip. “Please come out and talk to me.”
“No. Can you just move away from the door? I have to go now.” Vinyl said coldly, gritting her teeth.
She hated to hurt Octavia but this was for her own good.
“Vinyl please don’t leave me like this.”
“I could have killed you!” Vinyl snarled, banging her hoof on the door.
“But you didn’t! I’m alive and well and I need you to come out so we can talk. Are you going to give up on me that easily? I know I am not giving up on you.” Octavia said softly, tears beginning to fill her eyes.
Vinyl cringed and let out a sigh. She couldn’t fathom how she had managed to overcome wooden stakes, garlic and silver but Octavia’s tears seemed to do her in so easily.
The door opened slowly and Octavia turned around. Vinyl slowly poked her head out. Octavia immediately threw herself into Vinyl’s arms. Vinyl caught her easily, keeping her tucked into a tight embrace as she kissed Octavia’s forehead. Octavia gently wept into Vinyl’s chest, matting the unicorn’s fur with her tears.
“Hey now...” Vinyl said, trying to break the tension. “Please don’t cry.”
Octavia smiled as she looked up at her lover. “I’m not crying because I’m sad, I’m crying because you stayed. I thought for a moment I’d lost you for good. It was scary Vinyl. Please promise me that no matter what you won’t run away from me.”
Vinyl knew when she was beat. “Forgive me.”
Octavia grabbed a towel from the bathroom and dried her eyes. The two ponies headed back towards the bedroom. Octavia made herself comfortable as she lay beside Vinyl. They stayed like that for a few moments until Vinyl broke the silence.
“Tavi, I have to feed.”
“I have some TruBlood in the fridge. O negative I think.”
Vinyl made a face. “I don’t mind drinking that stuff when I’m with you Tavi but the truth is if I want to stay strong I need fresh blood from the source.”
Octavia nodded. She wondered if Vinyl wanted to feed off her. She felt a small blush creep upon her face as she envisioned what may have happened had Vinyl not stopped earlier. The thought of “feeding” her marefriend made Octavia hot in so many ways. She was beginning to believe everything Beauty Brass had said may be true.
Vinyl looked uncomfortable. She sat up slowly and kissed the tip of Octavia’s hoof.
“There’s a nightclub downtown called Fangtasia. It’s a club for ponies who like to...uhm...associate with vamponies.” She said softly.
“A fangbanger club?” Octavia asked, her interest piqued.
“Uh...” Vinyl looked away. “Something like that.”
Octavia nodded her head.
Vinyl cleared her throat. “It’s a good place for me to feed and I just want to be honest with you about this part of my life.”
Octavia’s eyes narrowed. “Vinyl Scratch! Are you trying to tell me that you go to this club to pick up and feed off of other mares?”
Vinyl gulped. “It’s not like that Tavi. They come to me.”
Oops.
Octavia balled her hoof into a fist and angrily slammed it against Vinyl’s chest.
“No!No!No!” She said, her anger rising.
“Tavi, please don’t be like that. These mares mean nothing.”
Octavia could feel the tears brimming around her eyes for the second time that night. She continued to pound Vinyl’s chest, as the unicorn pulled her into a hug.
“Aren’t I good enough Vinyl?” Octavia whimpered.
“Hey now...” Vinyl said, trying to wipe the tears from her eyes. “Octavia, my feelings for you are so strong. Do you know how much I care for you? How good you smell? I have to use every ounce of my will to stop from feasting on you.”
Octavia looked up through her tears and Vinyl continued on.
“I can’t chance hurting you. What if I can’t stop myself? What if I drain you? I can’t risk it.”
Octavia continued to pout as she leaned into Vinyl’s embrace. Vinyl thought for a moment and then an idea began to form.
“Do you want to see for yourself?” Vinyl asked, slowly rifling through her pockets.
Octavia shot up quickly. “You would let me go with you?”
Vinyl smiled at her eagerness. She handed a small black business card to her marefriend.
“Miss Rarity presents Fangtasia-The Bar with a Bite.” Octavia read out loud.
“Tavi, I have to warn you...” Vinyl said, cupping her marefriend’s cheeks. “You are going to see a VERY different side of me. I may be almost unrecognizable.”
Octavia should have been paying attention to what Vinyl was saying, but she was so excited that her marefriend had invited her to be part of this side of her life that she was slightly zoned out.
“It won’t make sense to you now, but when you get to the club ask for Lyra Hearstrings. She will tell you all you need to know. Again I must warn you about what you may be walking into. Stick with Lyra and you will be safe.”
Octavia cocked her head to the side. “You won’t be coming with me?”
Vinyl shook her head. “It will all be explained when you get there.”
Octavia wanted to ask Vinyl for more but the look in her eyes told her that she shouldn’t press her luck. She placed the business card on the night stand by her bed and turned once more to face Vinyl. Vinyl leaned in, not wasting any more time as she softly pressed her lips against the musician’s. She knew the sun would be rising soon and she needed to get back home before she resembled a burnt marshmallow.
“I don’t want to, but I should probably get going.” Vinyl murmured between kisses.
Octavia panted slowly as their mouths separated.
“I know.” She conceded. “When will I see you again?”
This was the part that Octavia hated. She didn’t want to say goodbye because it always seemed too long until their next meeting.
“Please come tomorrow to the club. And please heed my warnings. I don’t want you to be scared so stick with Lyra and do as she says.” Vinyl warned.
Octavia nodded. She was sure Vinyl was just being overprotective. If other earth ponies and pegasi came to the club to have sexy time with the vamponies than what did she have to worry about?
Vinyl gave Octavia one last kiss before she got up and moved to the sliding glass door that led to the penthouse balcony. The grey mare smiled and lay back, suddenly feeling more tired than she had previously. She watched intently as Vinyl slipped onto the balcony, turning to blow her a kiss, and then jumping from the railing into the street below. The first time Octavia had witnessed this she had ran to the railing, only to find Vinyl had landed without a scratch. She sighed contentedly as she felt sleep begin to overtake her. She curled up into her warm comforter and looked down. She blinked as she moved her hoof to the large red stain that adorned the sheets. She then looked at her hind leg. Blood was now caked and crusted to the open wound.
She knew she should probably clean it and dress it so it didn’t become infected. Octavia wondered if that would leave a scar. The thought of having Vinyl’s fang marks embedded in her skin forever made her absolutely giddy. She wanted Vinyl to own her in every single way that the vampony could. Her mind drifted to the club Vinyl wanted her to check out.
“Vinyl, I’m sorry, I can handle you being a vampony. I can handle not seeing you during the day. I can handle the stares and the whispers we get when we’re out. But I cannot and WILL not stand to share you with any other mares.” She solemnly swore, hugging her pillow tightly.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
As Vinyl made her way home quickly she silently cursed herself. Why had she brought up the club? Was Octavia really ready to handle the things she was about to witness? What if she completely changed her mind and refused to see the vampony anymore. Vinyl shook her head. If there was anything she had learned in the last thousand years it was that honesty was always the best policy. If she really truly wanted to make this work then Octavia needed to know the real Vinyl Scratch. Or rather DJ PON-3.
After all it was better to be rejected for knowing the truth than accepted under the false pretenses of a lie.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Octavia approached the club nervously. There was quite a long lineup outside but she remembered what Vinyl had told her and decided she would ask about Lyra Heartstrings. The club was protected by tight security, all of them wearing black suits, ties and sunglasses. Octavia was unsure if they were vamps or not. She slowly approached a red stallion that was ushering ponies into the building.
“Excuse me sir?” Octavia asked, tapping him on the shoulder.
The stallion looked rather annoyed but answered her anyways. “Eeyup?”
“Would you happen to know a pony named Lyra Heartstrings?” She asked.
“Eeyup.”
“Wonderful. Do you know where I might find her?”
“Eeyup.”
Octavia was beginning to lose her cool. Was this colt just toying with her?
“Macintosh!” yelled a voice from behind him, belonging to an orange earth pony mare.
She was dressed in the same ensemble as the other security ponies but she was wearing a black headset. She seemed to be the one in charge as she directed Macintosh to his new post.
“We got some trouble brewin’ near the DJ stand big brother.” She said. “Ahm gonna’ get Braeburn to switch ya places so y’all can go and take care of that disturbance.”
“Eeyup.” MacIntosh replied, switching out with Braeburn.
Octavia took this opportunity to speak with the mare that seemed to know what was going on.
“Excuse me miss?”
“Applejack’s the name sugarcube.” The mare drawled.
“Miss Applejack ,would you know where I could find Lyra Hearstrings?”
As if on cue, a mint green unicorn appeared before her.
“You must be Octavia.” She said, pulling Octavia past the lineup and security and into the club.
Octavia could only nod as she let Lyra lead her.
“I have heard so much about you from Vinyl Scratch. It’s nice to finally meet the one responsible for making her so happy.
Octavia blushed as they rounded a corner and then she gasped. In the middle of the dance floor was Vinyl Scratch. Except there was something quite different about her. She no longer wore the clothes Octavia was used to seeing her in. Her usually slicked back hair was wild and unruly. She sported a pair of purple wraparound shades on her face. The sign above the DJ booth read DJ PON-3.
Who was DJ PON-3?
“You should probably sit down.” Lyra grinned, leading her to a seat. “We have much to tell you.”
“We?” Octavia managed, feeling her throat tighten.
“Hey Bon Bon, hoof me a couple of shots would ya?” Lyra called to the cream colored bartender with the curled pink and lavender mane.
Bon Bon smiled and quickly whipped up the drinks, placing them both in front of Octavia before sliding into the booth beside Lyra. Octavia looked down at the drinks.
“Both for me?”
“We have a feeling after this you’re going to need them.”
Vinyl Scratch awoke suddenly, sitting up in her bed. She slowly raised a hoof to her forehead, groaning as she tried to remember the events of the previous night. Her head was pounding, and as she looked down she silently cursed. She instantly recognized where she was.
“I’m at this stupid club again?” she wondered aloud.
As her voice echoed off the sound proofed walls, she felt something warm stirring beside her. Vinyl looked down and was shocked to see not one, but two beautiful earth ponies. On her left side lay a blue mare with a soft pink mane and to her right, was an identical looking pink mare with a light blue mane. They both shared the same cutie mark symbol, a white flower blossom. Vinyl shook her head again to make sure she wasn’t seeing things. Both ponies were propped on their sides, sandwiching Vinyl between them. She could hear them breathing softly which automatically made her feel relieved.
Vinyl reached over to the blue mare and gently stroked her hair to the side, revealing two large fang marks in the sleeping pony’s neck. Sure enough the pink mare also had identical bite marks on the side of her neck as well. Underneath the two mares Vinyl caught a glimpse of the blood soaked sheets. Viinyl groaned again, struggling to recall the prior night once more. She wasn’t sure why she even tried as this wasn’t anything new to her. She had been having these blackouts since she was a child.
Vinyl knew that when she blacked out she became somepony else. Somepony that was wild, crazy and irresponsible. A pony that lived for a good time and partied her nights away, waking up with strangers in the morning.
Vinyl shuddered. She needed to get rid of these mares and fast. Vinyl had no trouble snaking her way out from beneath the two sleeping bodies. She got up and walked to the closet, hoping to find her shirt and vest. She wanted desperately to take a shower, but her desire to get the hell out of there was even stronger. She cursed again as she found the closet empty. She supposed it didn’t matter, most ponies walked around naked anyways. Glancing backwards once more to make sure the mares were still asleep, she used her magic to hover above the floor, careful not to make a sound as she floated towards the door.
Once outside Vinyl breathed a sigh of relief and let herself land softly on the dark red carpet underneath her. She mentally tried to remember which way would take her outside the fastest, checking the clock on the wall in the hallway. She still had a good hour before sunrise, plenty of time if she didn’t get distracted.
As she began navigating the hallways, she made her way past room after room. From what she could recall from all the previous times she had woken up in this place, was that it was a nightclub that catered to vamponys. Vinyl was currently underground where the rooms were light proof, so no vampony ever had to worry about partying hard and waking up in the wee hours of the morning. No sunlight could or would reach the depths of this underground safe haven. Finally, after a few missed turns, she found the staircase leading up to the main floor. It was true that a vampony’s senses were heightened, but Vinyl was so disoriented from her blackout that everything seemed to be harder than it usually was.
“I just need to get home.” She muttered.
“There you are. I’ve been looking all over for you.”
Vinyl turned to see her best friend, Lyra Hearstrings approaching.
“Where have you been?” Vinyl hissed, her eyes struggling to focus on her friend.
“I could ask you the same question buddy.” Lyra laughed, handing Vinyl her sunglasses.
Vinyl took the glasses gingerly, slipping them on over her eyes.
“Thanks.” she muttered. “But, I thought I told you to watch over me. How could you let me end up in bed with those two random mares?"
“Hey...” Lyra said, putting up her hooves. “I tried but there’s no stopping the DJ! Actually you should be thanking me for NOT stopping you.”
Vinyl cocked her eyebrow.
“TWINS!” Lyra exclaimed, lifting her hoof up for a high one.
Vinyl rolled her eyes. She was about to say something else when she was interrupted by a loud, shrill voice.
“Why? Why? Why? Of all the worst things that could happen, this is THE WORST POSSIBLE THING.”
Both Vinyl and Lyra trotted towards the door the voice was coming from. As they strolled in, they instantly regretted it, covering their mouths with their hooves. The entire room was drenched in blood. The walls were stained, the sheets were soaked, and there didn’t seem to be one spot in the room that had been left untouched. There were three earth ponies in the room. One on the bed and two on opposites sides of the floor. All three had been completely drained, their bodies splayed rather lewdly.
In the middle of the room was a fashionably dressed unicorn, reclined on what looked to be some sort of small couch. Her coat was the color of snow and her mane was brilliant lavender. She looked up at the two ponies as they approached.
“Rarity? Whoa! What happened in here?” Lyra asked, the smell of blood instantly causing her fangs to extract, making a loud clicking sound.
A similar click was heard from behind her as the blood permeated Vinyl’s muzzle.
“It’s that damned Blueblood.” Rarity said, using her magic to rid the room of the couch as she stood up. “I can’t believe I used to date that ruffian. He has absolutely gone too far this time.”
Rarity’s horned glowed light blue as she began to wash the walls with her magic. “Now I have to find somepony to clean up his mess.”
“Can’t you report him to the authority?” Lyra asked.
The authority was a counsel of elder vamponies, who worked for the vampony Queen, assisting her to make sure that no vampony broke any of the new laws. It had only been a couple of years since vamponies had begun to exist outside of the shadows. As their numbers grew quickly, they began to integrate with the pony population and eventually set laws were made for both ponies and vamponies by Princess Celestia and the Vampony Queen. Princess Twilight Sparkle, Celestia’s most faithful student and herself a centuries old entity, was detrimental in advocating equal rights for all ponies, studying the vampony disease and facilitating talks between Celestia and the Queen. There was a rumor that besides her counsel, Twilight Sparkle was the only pony to ever speak face to face with the Queen.
“Ugh. I’d rather clean this up myself then deal with those idiots.” Rarity said. “Besides, Blueblood has been dodging the authority for years. He gets away with it because he ‘s royalty.”
“Then you need to hire some good help.” Vinyl suggested.
“Oh darling, you’ve read my mind.” Rarity turned, smiling.
“Good help is so hard to find these days.” Lyra joked.
“Especially when a certain horny lyrist happened to accost and defile my newest bartender.” Rarity pouted.
Vinyl watched as Lyra’s minty green muzzle began to turn red. Lyra put her hoof behind her head and began to back up.
“Ehehehe.”
“Tried hard to keep track of me did you?” Vinyl smirked. “Seems to me that you had your hooves full.”
“Oh that she did darling.” Rarity hummed, levitating the lifeless bodies of Blueblood’s victims out of the room and into the hallway. “But anyways, the sun will be rising soon and I have to find somepony to dispose of those bodies. I have a very important business meeting with an apple farmer later, and I need my beauty rest.”
“An apple farmer?” Lyra asked, quickly changing the subject as she felt Vinyl’s ominous stare.
“Yes, isn’t it quaint? Apple cider is THE preferred drink of many ponies. I need to attract a broader clientele if this club is to be successful. We need to keep the earth pony and pegasi coming. She nodded to the door. “That’s why things like this need to be...dealt with.”
Both Lyra and Vinyl nodded, bidding Rarity their goodbyes as they made their way into the hall. Vinyl was careful not to disturb the pile of earth ponies. She had begun to think clearly again and she remembered someone she needed to visit.
“Teleport home?” Lyra asked.
“You go on ahead Lyra.” Vinyl said softly. “There’s somepony important I have to visit.”
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
PRESENT DAY...
Octavia looked down at the two empty shot glasses in front of her. She had been quick to down them as Lyra had explained the mystery of DJ PON-3.
“So...” she said, taking a deep breath. “You’re telling me that Vinyl has a dual personality.”
Lyra and Bon Bon both nodded.
“To better explain, it’s like a mental disturbance in which a pony assumes alternately two different identities, without either personality being consciously aware of the other.” Bon Bon interjected.
Lyra looked at her marefriend. “What Bon Bon is trying to say in English is that DJ PON-3 and Vinyl Scratch are two completely different personalities in the same pony.”
Octavia looked back towards the DJ booth. DJ PON-3 was spinning a sick beat, and Octavia still couldn’t believe that was HER Vinyl Scratch. As she watched, several mares began to crowd the DJ booth, all seeming to enjoy the DJ’s music.
Lyra and Bon Bon exchanged worried glances.
“She’s quite popular.” Bon Bon said, reaching out to grab Octavia’s hoof.
“I think I need another drink.” Octavia said slowly.
Bon Bon nodded and got up to personally make Octavia something strong. Lyra shifted uncomfortably in her seat. She wasn’t good with these sorts of situations and now Bon Bon had left her alone.
“Listen, Vinyl really likes you. She wanted you to know the truth.” Lyra stated matter-of-factly.
Octavia nodded.
“I’ve known her since she was a teenager. She has no control over this and it tears her up.”
Bon Bon made her way back quickly, much to Lyra’s relief. She handed Octavia a foamy, bubbly looking pink drink. Lyra smiled. Her marefriend was known for making the sweetest, most delicious tasting alcoholic beverages in all of Canterlot.
Octavia sipped the drink tentatively, before a smile graced her lips. “This is absolutely delicious.”
Bon Bon grinned. “It’s my specialty, on the house. Listen, I know you’re in shock. This is a lot to take in, but you have to believe us when we say that Vinyl doesn’t want you to get hurt.”
Octavia looked up at Bon Bon as she continued to nurse her drink. The cream colored mare was now snuggling into Lyra’s arms. Lyra had her front hoof wrapped around Bon Bon protectively. As Bon Bon leaned her head down onto Lyra’s shoulder, Octavia gasped. There, adorning the earth pony’s neck was the tell-tale marking of two large fang marks.
“Bon Bon! You’re a fangbang-" she stopped herself before she finished the rest of the unflattering remark. “Oh Celestia, I am so sorry.”
Bon Bon laughed and waved it off. “Octavia, please you don’t have to apologize.” She then looked at Lyra, leaning in to kiss the unicorn on the cheek. “I AM a fangbanger.” She giggled.
Octavia’s mouth hung open for a second as she realized that these two were similar to her and Vinyl. She watched them with great interest as they continued to show affection to each other. She knew it was impolite but she had to ask. She looked back and forth between the two lovers once more.
“Do you two...Hmm...What I mean is...Do you...Well...” Octavia was having a hard time asking her question.
Bon Bon laughed, helping her out. “Yes, I let Lyra feed off me. But only Lyra.”
Lyra smiled big. “Damn right.”
Octavia turned to Lyra, taking this information in. “But weren’t you afraid to drain her?”
Lyra’s smile fell. “Well actually...” she said, rubbing her chin with her hoof. “I think I almost did the first time. Not my fault though. Her blood tastes like candy.” Lyra grinned again.
Bon Bon playfully pushed her marefriend. “She was definitely aggressive, but I kept a frying pan next to the bed and after a few good whacks to the head, she stopped.”
Octavia’s eyes went wide. “Y-You hit her with a frying pan?”
Bon Bon and Lyra both laughed and that’s when Octavia realized that Bon Bon was pulling her leg. She let out a soft sigh, visibly relieved. She couldn’t fathom having to hit poor Vinyl with inanimate objects. Bon Bon leaned in close again.
“The first time, you have to be ready to take a chance and let yourself go. After that, you have to trust your partner.”
Lyra smiled, ruffling Bon Bon’s mane. Octavia finished her drink, setting it down hard onto the table. She had made a decision. She had to talk to Vinyl, no DJ PON-3. Just as she was about to excuse herself from the table, she noticed that DJ PON-3 had left the booth. Her eyes scanned the large crowded dance floor, looking for the white unicorn. Ponies were dancing, drinking, making out with each other and carrying on in every direction. Just as she thought she spotted her mare, she was interrupted by the arrival of Applejack.
“Hey y’all.” she said curtly, nodding to Bon Bon and Lyra. “Just a heads up, Rainbow Dash and her crew have been spotted in the area.”
Bon Bon sighed. “Not again. This is getting ridiculous.”
Lyra narrowed her eyes, her grip on Bon Bon tightened. Applejack looked up and nodded her head as a beautiful white unicorn sashayed onto the floor. The unicorn was wearing a gorgeous velvet cape, sapphire that matched her eyes. Her dark lavender mane was swept up, and her neck was adorned with a lovely gold necklace. At the centre of the necklace hung a sparkling purple diamond. To top it all off, two large translucent butterfly wings protruded from her back. Everypony in the room was in awe of this magnificent creature.
“Ahh Rares, yer always making a scene.” Applejack mumbled, rushing to her side. She escorted the unicorn to her own seat, which looked much like a throne.
“She’s breathtaking.” Octavia exhaled.
“That’s Miss Rarity, the owner of this club.” Bon Bon said. “She always looks amazing. She’s also one of the most powerful vamponies around. Rarity’s got connections, everywhere. ”
As everypony’s attention continued to be pulled in Rarity’s direction, Octavia noticed DJ PON-3 against the south side of the wall. The DJ seemed to be chatting up a buttery yellow pegasus mare.
“Excuse me.” she said politely, getting up from the table before her companions could stop her.
“We have to go after her.” Lyra said, quickly getting up.
She was surprised to feel Bon Bon’s hoof pulling her back down.
“We should let her go. She needs to sort this out on her own.”
“But Vinyl told us to keep an eye on her.
“And we will, but from a distance.”
Lyra slumped back down into her seat. “Vinyl’s gonna kill me.”
Bon Bon laughed, jumping on Lyra’s lap, straddling the unicorn as she whispered into her ear.
“I’ll make it up to you.”
Lyra quickly forgot all about Vinyl and Octavia as she became lost in sweet, candy flavored kisses.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
As the cellist made her way across the room, she could feel the bass booming from the speakers. It shook her entire body, causing her heart to pound even harder than it already was. She had no idea what she was walking into, but she believed in her own love for Vinyl Scratch. It was her optimism and gentle spirit that had attracted Vinyl to her in the first place, all those years ago.
Octavia had made it to her mark, standing just behind the DJ. The DJ had the yellow pegasus pinned tightly to the wall. The pegasus was making tiny mewling sounds and soft squeaks.
“Eep...”
Octavia couldn’t handle it any longer and she softly tapped the DJ on the shoulder. If she had felt it, the DJ ignored her, content to suckle on the neck of the lovely pegasus. Octavia tried again, this time clearing her throat loudly while she tapped a bit harder. Again, the DJ paid her no mind, running her tongue lightly up and down the jugular vein of her current prey.
Now there were a lot of things the cellist would put up with, but this wasn’t one of them. Remembering Bon Bon’s story about the frying pan, she grabbed the closest thing she could find, which happened to be a large microphone stand. Holding it firmly between her hooves, she raised it slightly and smashed the DJ over the head with it. The microphone stand clattered to the floor after it made contact. Horrified Octavia back away, realising what she had done.
The DJ spun around quickly, her full attention on Octavia. Sensing a fight, the pegasus slipped away into the crowd, leaving Octavia alone with the DJ. Before she could speak, Octavia felt a magic aura wrap itself around her neck and pull her roughly against the wall.
It was only then Octavia realised, she may be in over her head.
Vinyl made her way down the dimly lit halls of the Canterlot Hospital. Because it was so early in the morning, there was little to no activity which made it easier for the white unicorn to slip by unnoticed. She floated easily past the on duty nurse, stopping in front of a familiar room. The number on the door read 112. Vinyl let her hoof rest tentatively against the door, before readjusting her glasses. She then strode into the room, careful not to wake its sleeping occupant. Vinyl took a seat beside the bed, leaning backwards as she looked around the room. The room was larger than most in the hospital. It was the hospital’s best private room. The window sill was adorned with multiple bouquets of flowers and the dresser beside the bed held an abundance of cards with well wishes.
Vinyl took a moment to study the form of the sleeping pony in the bed. Her once beautiful blue mane was now streaked with silver and grey. Her face was like a road map of time. Every wrinkle, every line had a memory attached. The unicorn ran her hoof down the side of her sleeping friend’s weathered face. Had it been so long ago?
“Vinyl...” called a weak voice from the bed.
“I’m here, Sapphire.” Vinyl said calmly, reaching out to squeeze her hoof. “How are you feeling? Are you in pain?”
Sapphire Shores smiled up at the unicorn. Her eye sight wasn’t what it used to be, and so she brought her hoof up to search for Vinyl’s face. Vinyl leaned her face into the hoof so Sapphire would know where she was.
“That’s better.” Sapphire murmured. “It does hurt. But I feel better, just hearing your voice.”
Vinyl was about to say more but then Sapphire began to cough, loudly. The unicorn stood up, grabbing a glass of water with her magic, bringing it quickly to her friend’s cracked lips. As Sapphire drank, she tried to catch her breath.
“You’ll have to forgive me, I tire easily.”
“Of course.” Vinyl said, letting go of Sapphire’s hoof. “You should rest anyways. I don’t mind sitting here while you do.”
“The sun will be up soon my darling Vinyl. You should probably go.”
Vinyl shook her head as she moved to the window, pulling the window shades down.
“I’ll be okay. A little sun won’t kill me. I’ll just have to be careful.”
Sapphire moved her lips to protest, but once again she felt a blockage in her lungs and began to cough.
Vinyl levitated the glass back to the sink, filling it with water once again. This time she brought it to her hooves. She knew she couldn’t stop the inevitable, but she could make it much less painless for her friend. Vinyl, trying to be discreet, allowed her fangs to extract from her mouth with a click. Her own blood was mixed with magic and had wonderful healing abilities. In fact it was so potent that some drug dealers had taken to selling vampony blood on the streets.
Vinyl bit down on the inside of her right foreleg, allowing the blood to flow freely from the wound. She then placed her bleeding front leg over the glass of water, allowing only one small drop to fall into the cup. The unicorn knew Sapphire wouldn’t approve and banked on the fact the older pony wouldn’t be able to see clearly into the glass. She then levitated the glass to her friend, who took a good healthy dose. The unicorn smiled as the coughing immediately stopped and Sapphire’s heavy breathing returned to normal. Vinyl looked down at her wound, which was already beginning to heal itself, and silently hoped the small amount of blood would give Sapphire some relief.
“Oh wow! You’re a real, live vampony!” Squealed a small voice.
Vinyl’s head snapped towards the sound. It had come from the door and there in the doorway stood a young charcoal colored filly with a jet black mane.
“Hello there, Ms. Shores!” greeted the filly, walking right up to the side of the bed. “I didn’t know you had a vampony for a friend.”
Vinyl’s eye twitched. She was aware that her fangs were protruding and this little one should be running for her life, and yet there she was, climbing onto the bed beside Sapphire.
“Well hello, Octavia.” Sapphire greeted. “This is my very good friend Vinyl Scratch and yes, she is a vampony, but let’s keep that a secret just between the three of us.”
Octavia nodded happily and looked up at Vinyl.
“So are those real?” she asked, pointing to Vinyl’s fangs. “What does blood taste like? How do you feel about garlic? Do you sleep in a coffin? Oh what about cavities? Have you ever had a cavity?”
Vinyl’s head was spinning. Who was this kid and where did she come from? Or better yet, where could she send her back to.
“Octavia, you must calm down. It’s impolite to ask so many questions. Why don’t you introduce yourself first?” Sapphire said, smiling at the energetic filly.
“Isn’t she precocious?” Sapphire asked.
“Funny, that’s not the word I was thinking.” Vinyl said, letting her fangs retract.
Octavia jumped from the bed and landed on the floor directly in front of Vinyl. She then curtsied, while introducing herself.
“My name is Octavia. I’m nine years old and my mother works at this hospital.” She said, looking up at Sapphire for approval.
“Like that?”
“Very good, Octavia. Now it’s your turn Vinyl.”
Vinyl frowned but offered her hoof to the little one anyways. “Vinyl Scratch. How do you know Sapp...I mean how do you know Ms. Shores?”
“Oh, I’ve watched all of Ms. Shores’ films at least twice. My Fair Filly is my absolute favorite. It’s so romantic.” Octavia sighed.
Vinyl could only nod. She had met Sapphire when her friend had been quite young. Sapphire was an up and coming entertainer. She could sing, dance and act. She went on to star in many films and stage productions. Vinyl had lost touch with her shortly after she had made it big, realizing that she needed to let the young star live her life. Sapphire had so much to give to the world, and Vinyl didn’t want to hold her back.
The unicorn whispered as quietly as she could into Sapphire’s ear. “Why is she here?”
Sapphire smiled again. “Her mother works long hours and brings her to work. Her father is a musician and is on the road a lot. I think she’s just lonely. Let’s humor her for awhile okay?”
Vinyl sighed. She couldn’t argue with Sapphire, even if the filly was a nuisance.
“Well if you’re going to hang around, try to keep the noise down okay?”
Octavia grinned, pulling up a chair next to Vinyl. “You won’t even know I’m here.”
“That’s what I’m hoping.” Vinyl replied.
“Vinyl!” Sapphire scolded.
“Just kidding.” Vinyl said quickly.
“So Vinyl, do you always wear sunglasses? Can you hypnotize ponies with your eyes? Have you ever turned into a bat?” Octavia started up again.
Vinyl smacked a hoof to her forehead. The sun’s rays had begun to shimmer through small cracks in the blinds. Vinyl contemplated excusing herself, using the light as her reason, but as she turned to Sapphire she changed her mind.
Sapphire was smiling. It was a large, genuine smile that Vinyl hadn’t seen in ages. The unicorn looked down at the filly again, who was talking a mile a minute.
Maybe the little ball of energy wasn’t so bad after all.
Maybe.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Octavia’s eyes fluttered open slowly as she struggled to breathe properly. She tried desperately to recall the events of the last few moments before she had lost consciousness. She reached up and felt her neck, aware that some force of magic had been gripping her throat, so tightly in fact that it felt like her windpipe was going to be crushed. She continued to gasp for breath, taking in as much air as she possibly could.
“Hey Octy, you awake?”
Octavia turned her head in the direction of the voice. As she did so, she studied the room she was in. It looked like a large dressing room. There was a mirror, a closet, a large television on the wall and in the corner was a Jacuzzi jet tub. She struggled to sit up, realizing she was on a soft, large bed.
It was then, as she turned to the voice that she realized DJ PON-3 was levitating above her. The DJ swooped down, her face inches away from the cellist’s.
“Octy?” she started, wrinkling her muzzle.
She wasn’t sure she liked the nickname. It made it sound like she had eight forelegs.
“Yep, Octy definitely suits you.” DJ PON-3 grinned, sliding her glasses from her eyes to a spot above her horn.
The DJ hovered dangerously close to Octavia, their muzzles grazing together in the process. Octavia tried to fight back a blush. She knew this was her mare, this was her Vinyl Scratch, and yet this was also a complete and total stranger.
“So Octy, you sort of made me lose my lunch.” DJ PON-3 teased, letting her body float down until she was on top of the cellist. “How do you plan to repay me?”
As the DJ’s horn glowed, Octavia could feel her legs being parted and she gasped. The unicorn’s magic was holding her in place now and she was completely exposed and vulnerable. The DJ lifted a hoof and ran it slowly down Octavia’s chest and to her tummy, stopping to rest above her abdomen. The cellist’s breathing became quicker as she realized exactly what it was the DJ wanted.
“Let’s see how well you can keep up.” The unicorn taunted, baring her fangs with a sharp click.
As the DJ leaned in to Octavia’s neck, a multi-colored blur could be seen entering the room. Before the unicorn could bite down and claim her prey, a cyan colored pegasus with a rainbow mane grabbed the DJ around the neck, holding a large crossbow to the side of her head. The crossbow was loaded with a single, silver tipped arrow.
“Hold it right there Vamper. I’ve got a silver arrow with your name on it.”
Octavia’s mouth dropped open as the DJ released her magic hold on the cellist. Her head jerked towards the one who had the weapon to her head. At the same time, two other large pegasi ponies entered the room.
“Hey Rainbow Dash, there doesn’t seem to be any sign of your friend Fluttershy.”
“Keep looking.” Rainbow Dash shouted at them. “She has to be here somewhere.”
Rainbow Dash turned her attention to Octavia. “Quick, you need to get out of here.”
Octavia shook her head. Everything was happening too fast. DJ PON-3 was twisting and turning, trying to break loose of Rainbow’s grip.
“Stop fighting it. I swear I’ll kill you.” Rainbow threatened.
Octavia began to panic. She remembered that Vinyl had told her there were five ways to kill a vampony. Those being sunlight, a wooden stake to the heart, fire (although you had to be able to keep the vampony burning longer than it took for their healing powers to set in), ripping their head off, and of course silver.
Rainbow shook her head and looked at Octavia. “Listen, these vamps have powerful magic. You’re probably under some hypnotic spell. You need to escape while you can.”
As Rainbow continued to try and get Octavia to leave, DJ PON-3 made her move, turning quickly and flipping the pegasus onto her back. Not one to be outdone, Rainbow Dash pointed the crossbow right at the DJ’s heart and fired.
The deafening shot echoed through the building, as the DJ fell backwards, the silver arrow piercing her skin, coating her fur in crimson. The bow fell from Rainbow’s hooves and clattered to the floor. Octavia screamed loudly, throwing herself to the ground on top of the DJ’s lifeless body.
“No! No! No!”
At that moment, the door was kicked in and Applejack appeared. Rainbow scrambled to get up from the bed, as Applejack bucked at her, landing a kick to the pegasus’ stomach. As Rainbow clenched her gut, she grinned at the orange earth pony.
“Well if it isn’t Applejack, the traitor. How does it feel to betray your own kind?”
Applejack answered by attacking Rainbow’s lackeys. She easily laid them out in the middle of the floor. Rainbow moved a hoof across her mouth, licking her lips.
“Looks like it’s just you and me sugarcube.” Applejack taunted. Rainbow was many things, but stupid wasn’t one of them. She wasn’t going to attempt to take on Applejack all by herself. She flapped her wings furiously and flew right by the angry orange mare, grinning as she rocketed past the doorway, navigating herself towards the exit.
Applejack didn’t bother to chase her. Instead she knelt to the floor, checking on the DJ.
“Listen sugarcube...” she said, addressing Octavia. “Jus’ because ya don’t have fangs, that don’t mean you’re weak. Now go ahead and pull that arrow out of yer marefriend’s chest.”
Octavia looked at Applejack as the orange mare encouraged her. She tentatively grabbed hold of the end of the arrow, pulling with both hooves. The unicorn on the floor beneath her made a sick hissing sound, voicing her displeasure.
“Don’t pay her any mind. Jus’ keep pullin’. Y’all should be happy that Rainbow is a terrible shot.”
Octavia nodded, her body trembling as she gripped the arrow tightly, pulling it as hard as she could from her marefriend’s blood soaked chest.
“Yeehaw! That there is how ya get er’ done. Good job.” Applejack said, congratulating Octavia.
The charcoal earth pony could only tremble in response. She could feel the tears beginning to brim at the corners of her eyes as she knelt down once more, throwing her arms around the DJ’s neck. The DJ made no response as Octavia buried her muzzle into the unicorn’s fur. As Octavia lay there sobbing, she suddenly felt the warmth of the DJ’s arms as they wrapped tightly around her middle. She looked up, and was greeted by a pair of mischievous crimson eyes.
“Whoa Octy, you saved me!” exclaimed DJ PON-3. “You must REALLY like me.”
Octavia managed to sit up and watched in awe as the large open wound that just moments ago covered the DJ’s chest, began to close. The cellist’s heart continued to race as the DJ sat up, still holding Octavia close to her.
“Applejack! Applejack are you okay?” Rarity asked, rushing into the room.
The force of Rarity’s quick movement knocked Applejack onto the bed, with the alabaster unicorn falling on top of her. Rarity began to check Applejack for any injuries, much to the earth pony’s chagrin.
“S-Stop that Rares, Ah’m fine.” Applejack protested, blushing profusely.
“Nonsense. If they harmed one adorable freckle on my Applejack, they will pay dearly.” Rarity declared, shaking a hoof before she proceeded to cover Applejack’s cheeks in tiny kisses.
Despite everything that had just happened, Octavia found herself smiling. DJ PON-3 even laughed softly at the sudden display of affection between the rough and tumble Applejack and her mistress.
“Applejack is SOOO whipped.” The DJ said, making a sound like the cracking of a whip as well as the hoof gesture.
“Ah’m not.” Applejack huffed, trying to escape from Rarity’s arms.
“Come darling.” Rarity whispered. “I think I need to check your body more thoroughly.”
As Rarity pranced out of the room, a very red and blushy Applejack followed, muttering a string of inaudible curse words.
The two remaining occupants of the room were quiet for a few moments, both forgetting that they were curled up on the floor rather intimately. DJ PON-3 was the first to notice as she slowly released Octavia from her grip.
“I still have no idea who you are.” She mused.
Without thinking, Octavia brought her hooves up to the DJ’s face, startling her. The cellist gazed longingly into the eyes of the mare she had come to know so well. The mare that was also a mystery.
“I know it doesn’t make sense to you and I am not sure how to explain it, but I do know that deep down somewhere inside, you remember me.”
DJ PON-3 looked as if she was trying hard to recall something, and then her face went blank.
“I’ll have to take your word for that, Octy. But how do I know you aren’t just some rabid fanmare?”
Octavia’s cheeks flushed. “W-What? No way!”
As the protesting cellist became increasingly flustered, the DJ couldn’t help but give the mare sitting on her lap the once over. She resisted the urge to whistle. Whoever this mare was, she was gorgeous.
“You’re hot.” The unicorn blurted out.
“W-What?” Octavia stammered mouth agape.
It was the second time in thirty seconds that the DJ had completely floored her. As she tried to form a coherent response she couldn’t help but feel a little excited. She knew Vinyl found her attractive, and somehow knowing DJ PON-3 did as well, made her heart beat faster. Octavia didn’t have time to further contemplate that thought as she felt herself being picked up from the floor. DJ PON-3 held her firmly, moving her onto the bed. Octavia said nothing as she let the DJ slide on top of her body. Her eyes closed as she realized how tired her body suddenly was. She heard the familiar clicking sound of the DJ’s fangs close to her ear. The cellist whimpered softly as the DJ took control, feeling the unicorn’s fangs as they pressed roughly against her neck.
“Please...” Octavia moaned.
The DJ didn’t hesitate. Using her magic, she undid the cellist’s signature pink bowtie, letting it drop beside the pillow. In one swift motion she sunk her teeth into the charcoal mare’s soft, warm skin. Instinctively, Octavia wrapped her hind legs forcefully around the DJ, pulling her closer. As the cellist slipped deeper into a lust filled frenzy, her last thought was of her dear Vinyl Scratch.
Vinyl groaned softly as her eyes fluttered open. Her head was pounding, which only meant one thing. As she had come to predict, once again she had blacked out. As she waited for her eyes to adjust, she realized she was not alone in the bed. Again, this was not something new. Vinyl could feel warm breath close to her muzzle and as she listened to the gentle breathing, she also discovered that her companion’s forelegs were draped possessively around her middle. The unicorn twisted uncomfortably, trying to break the vice grip she found herself in.
“Vinyl?” Asked a familiar voice.
Vinyl froze in place. She would know that melodic voice anywhere. The unicorn quickly whipped around, searching the doorway, ready to provide any sort of excuse to make sure the mare she loved knew this wasn’t what it looked like. As her eyes scanned the room, it took a minute before it became clear the voice had come from beneath her.
“Tavi?” she asked incredulously.
The only response was a soft kiss being planted on her muzzle. Anypony else would have been excited to wake up and find a disheveled Octavia in their bed. But Vinyl had other things on her mind.
“Oh no! Did I hurt you?” Vinyl asked, surveying the bed.
She noticed the fang bites right away. Vinyl reached down and moved her hoof slowly across Octavia’s neck, causing the earth pony to whimper. The wound was freshly caked with blood. Before Octavia had a chance to respond, Vinyl had her in a tight embrace. The vampony quickly ran her hooves up and down the cellist’s body, causing a flustered Octavia to blush. She tried to speak but found her throat was parched.
“Damn it Lyra.” Vinyl murmured, cursing her friend. “I’m going to kill her.”
Vinyl could feel her anger rising. Her fangs shot out quickly. Somepony was going to feel her wrath. As she contemplated all the ways she was going to hurt, maim and torture her supposed best friend, Octavia tried her best to get the unicorn’s attention. Vinyl was so enraged that it took a few good hoof pounds to the chest before she acknowledged Octavia.
“Sorry Tavi. Are you okay?”
Octavia nodded but pointed to her throat. Vinyl understood and a glass of water seemed to materialize from thin air and float directly into Octavia’s outstretched hooves. The cellist drank eagerly, downing the glass in mere seconds. It took a few more moments before she could find her voice.
“Please Vinyl don’t get upset. I’m fine.” She said, grasping the unicorn’s hoof between her own. “Just feeling a little tired.”
Vinyl nodded. She sank her fangs into the flesh just above her hoof. The vampony growled as her own blood pooled up and spilled from her leg. She quickly shoved her foreleg towards Octavia.
“Drink.” She urged. “It will help you recover faster.”
Octavia shook her head. “Vinyl...”
But Vinyl was persistent and Octavia had no energy left to fight. Her eyes opened wide as the vampony blood was fed into her mouth. The cellist instantly felt her energy spike and without another thought she grabbed onto Vinyl’s leg and lapped greedily at her marefriend’s offering. A few moments later Vinyl pulled her leg back, watching Octavia intently.
“Thank you.” Octavia said, stretching her hind legs. “I feel better, but I would have been fine. I can handle myself.”
Vinyl scoffed, enjoying the hint of red that was beginning to paint the front of Octavia’s muzzle.
“Okay well, why don’t you start by telling me exactly what you’ve been up to these past few hours.”
Octavia’s blush only deepened. Vinyl’s eyes narrowed as she went over the facts in her head. She had clearly fed on the cellist, and woken up entangled in her forelegs. She was no stranger to waking up next to the body of a willing fangbanger. Two and two were suddenly thrust together in Vinyl’s mind.
How far had things gone? Had she and Octavia been intimate?
“I hope I didn’t force you to...to...you know.” Vinyl stammered, a lump rising in her throat.
Octavia could only shake her head. “No you didn’t force me; I wanted to be with you.”
Vinyl breathed a momentary sigh of relief, until her marefriend’s words settled in her mind. She was too much of a gentlemare to make the obvious accusation, but as she crossed her front legs over her chest, it was quite obvious the vampony had hurt feelings. Octavia scrambled from her spot and into Vinyl’s lap. The unicorn tried to shun her, but the cellist was persistent.
“Vinyl, I wanted to be with you. I didn’t want you to be with any other mares.” She whispered, leaning her head on Vinyl’s shoulder.
Vinyl tried to stay stoic but Octavia's hooves reaches out and grabbed both sides of her face, forcing her to gaze into her marefriend's tearful eyes. She sighed and reluctantly draped a fore leg over Octavia's back. Vinyl could never stay upset with the earth pony for too long.
Besides was it really cheating if your marefriend slept with your alternate personality?
Doubtful.
Still, before last night the unicorn had yet to sleep with her new marefriend. She couldn’t help but be disappointed that she missed out on remembering their first time together.
“Was DJ PON-3 a good lover?” Vinyl asked, her voice a mixture of curiosity and jealousy.
Octavia smiled sheepishly, before nodding her head. Her entire body shivered just remembering the way DJ PON-3 had dominated her all night long. She was going to be sore for awhile. There was definitely something to be said for vampony stamina. The cellist was actually quite proud that she had managed to keep up with the horny, blood thirsty DJ.
Vinyl groaned and threw herself backwards onto the bed. “I don't like this Tavi. I want to remember loving you.."
Octavia managed to climb on top of her marefriend, straddling Vinyl’s waist as she leaned down and let their muzzles touch.
“Well....” she smiled, batting her eyelashes seductively. “I don’t think I can handle any more rough and naughty this morning. But....” she trailed off.
Vinyl moaned as Octavia’s tongue darted out against her lips, teasing the unicorn.
“I’m ready to try slow and sensual.” The cellist finished, slipping her tongue into her marefriend’s open mouth.
Octavia couldn’t be sure, but from the way Vinyl’s legs encircled her body, and the moans coming from the unicorn’s lips, she was going to take those signs as a yes.
Vinyl Scratch let her eyes slowly adjust to the dim lighting inside the rehearsal hall. She silently thanked Celestia for the darkness. It had been a cloudy, overcast day and because of that she had spent most of it outside with Octavia. The cellist had come to love the days that the sun didn’t shine because it meant she and Vinyl could spend more time together. Even though the vampony’s eyes were less sensitive on these types of days, there was still something she found quite calming about the dark.
The unicorn leaned back against the wall, as her marefriend hugged her tightly. It had been a whole day since she had woken up with Octavia wrapped around her body in the basement of Fangtasia. After they had tired themselves out physically, Octavia had shared the night’s events with her lover. Needless to say, Vinyl was not impressed. Between DJ PON-3 and Rainbow Dash, she feared for Octavia’s safety.
If she believed that Octavia would listen to her, she would have told her to stay away from Fangtasia all together, now that she knew Vinyl’s secret. The unicorn was glad she didn’t have to hide that part of herself from the cellist, but at the same time, she wondered if she had made a mistake. The last thing she wanted was to be a burden to her lover.
“Vinyl? Equestria to Vinyl Scratch?”
Vinyl looked up. She had been so lost in thought that she hadn’t heard a word her marefriend had said. Octavia giggled softly at the bewildered look on the unicorn’s face. She couldn’t help but think that confused Vinyl was adorable.
“Sorry Tavi.” Vinyl smiled weakly.
“Are you all right?” Octavia asked, concerned.
“I should probably be asking you that question. You’ve taken in a lot in the past day or so. How are you holding up?” Vinyl asked, stroking Octavia’s cheek.
Octavia leaned into Vinyl’s hoof and sighed happily, feeling the unicorn’s other hoof wrap around her shoulders. Vinyl pulled her close, leaning in to kiss her neck.
“You should know that I don’t scare that easily.” Octavia teased, pressing her lips into Vinyl’s hoof.
If Vinyl had a heart beat, she was sure it would have skipped once or twice. Octavia’s warm body felt so good pressed up against her. She quickly contemplated whisking the cellist off to her dressing room for more sexy times. Octavia looked up at Vinyl and the vampony grinned seductively.
“You know that I can tell when you’re thinking dirty things?”
Vinyl’s smile grew wider, almost predatory.
Octavia playfully smacked her lover’s shoulder.
“Playtime is over for now. Frederick and the others will be here soon.”
Although she was trying to be stern and authoritative, Vinyl could smell the heat rising from between her marefriend’s legs. Heightened senses were definitely one of the better parts of being undead. Speaking of, unbeknownst to Octavia they were not the only ponies in the auditorium at the moment. Vinyl had caught Frederick’s scent, but said nothing, allowing the jealous earth pony to watch them from the balcony. She didn’t want to upset Octavia, considering their last meeting with the pianist, so she had just kept quiet. Also, there was a small part of her that got satisfaction from the fact she knew her presence bothered him.
But she had to admit, he most definitely had good taste. Yes, Octavia was a beautiful, talented mare, but she was also so much more. She had bounced into Vinyl’s life more than a decade ago offering nothing more than an affectionate smile.
But it was more than enough. It always had been, right from the very beginning.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
TEN YEARS EARLIER
Rain or shine I’m happiest When I’m with My Vinyl Scratch
She makes me smiles She makes me laugh I just love My Vinyl Scratch
The musically inclined filly sang happily as she skipped through the puddles on the walkway. She gripped a white unicorn plush doll between her hooves. When she had first seen it in the gift shop it had immediately reminded her of Vinyl Scratch, much to Vinyl’s chagrin. The vampony strongly denied any resemblance she may have had with the plush. She walked slowly behind her young companion, pushing Sapphire’s wheelchair through the hospital grounds. Although the unicorn had advised against it, the ailing mare had wished to come outside today. Sapphire knew it was one of the rare days that her vampony friend could join her outdoors and she wanted to feel the rain on her face, if only for the last time.
“How are you feeling Sapphire?” Vinyl asked cautiously, adjusting the large umbrella she held above them.
“I’m good Vinyl. I’m enjoying the sound and smell of the rain. How about you park me over there under that awning so we can sit and enjoy this together?” She asked, pointing to a bench with her hoof.
Vinyl nodded and headed for the bench. She rolled Sapphire up beside the bench and sat down beside her. In mere seconds Octavia had climbed up onto the vampony’s lap, smiling eagerly as she hugged her plushie. A flicker of annoyance passed over the unicorn’s face before she reached out and wrapped her front leg around the filly’s midsection, steadying her.
“Careful. I wouldn’t want you to fall.” Vinyl said sternly, causing Sapphire to laugh out loud.
“What?” Vinyl asked, looking to her friend.
Sapphire just shook her head, still beaming. Vinyl could feel her lips pursing into a smile as well. And before she knew it she was laughing too. It was something she hadn’t done in such a long time that it felt quite foreign. It also felt good. As she thought harder she realized she couldn’t remember the last time she had shared a genuine laugh with another pony. Vinyl looked down at Octavia and then ruffled her mane. It had been a few short weeks since she had first visited Sapphire in the hospital. In that time she had grown quite fond of their new young friend. It had been over two centuries since Vinyl herself had been a child and seeing life through Octavia’s eyes was like discovering a whole new world. It was a world full of hope, excitement and the innocence of youth.
Sapphire sat back with a twinkle in her eye as Octavia entertained them with more singing and some impromptu dancing. She wasn’t sure quite how it had happened, but the young filly was managing to break the walls down that Vinyl had cemented around her heart.
“Take good care of each other, my dear friends.”
Both Vinyl and Octavia looked up as the simple sentence hung heavy in the air. Her words were followed by a sharp intake of breath and it was in that final moment that Sapphire Shore’s eyes closed for the very last time.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
PRESENT DAY
“So, were on for later then?” Vinyl asked, straightening her vest. “Bon Bon is pretty excited to be cooking for somepony who can appreciate it.”
Octavia laughed. “Yes, of course. I’ll meet you there after rehearsal is over. You mentioned Lyra and Bon Bon earlier, but is there any chance Applejack may stop by? I want to properly thank her for the other night.”
Vinyl gave Octavia a sly smile. “Applejack is completely your type of mare. You sure you just want to thank her?” She teased.
Octavia could feel a small blush forming. “I will admit that Applejack is...hmm...what’s the word I’m looking for?”
“Sexy?”
Octavia nodded, sporting her own devilish grin. “Does that make you jealous?”
“Maybe, just a little.” Vinyl teased, pulling Octavia into another hug. “But you’re MY mare.”
Octavia shivered as Vinyl’s body pressed up against her. She loved it when the unicorn acted jealous, even if she was only joking.
“It wouldn’t matter anyways, Applejack belongs to Rarity.”
“Belongs?”
“Well that’s what Rarity would tell you anyways. I’m sure Applejack would have a different story. They fight like crazy, but at the end of the day, they’re fiercely loyal to each other. I highly doubt Applejack will stop by. She’s quite the workaholic. They both are. But I am sure there will be other opportunities to thank her in the future.” Vinyl said with a wink.
Octavia wrapped her forelegs around Vinyl’s neck one last time, kissing her cheek. She then adjusted her bow-tie, sliding it into place. It was the perfect accessory for hiding the fang marks.
“Be safe please.” Octavia murmured into the unicorn’s ear.
“Of course Tavi, aren’t I always?” Vinyl said, pulling her dark glasses over her eyes. “I’ll see you tonight.”
Octavia nodded as she let go of her marefriend.
“Tonight.” She whispered.
When Octavia turned to make her way to the stage, Vinyl took one last long look at her marefriend’s sexy backside, before slowly trotting towards the exit. While the unicorn made her way to the door, Frederick smiled in his seat. He motioned to a figure in the darkness who slowly unfurled her wings.
“I told you she’d be here.” He said.
“Nice job.” Rainbow Dash said, gesturing further up into the balcony seats.
Within a few seconds, two more pegasi appeared before them, wicked smiles adorning their faces. The pianist watched as all three took off towards the door, knowing what was in store for the unsuspecting unicorn.
“I’m so sorry.” He said, looking down as Octavia graced the stage. “This is going to hurt you, but I promise when it’s all over, you’re going to thank me.”
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Vinyl sensed the three ponies behind her as they mounted their attack. The unicorn turned, fangs bared, ready to fight her attackers. What she wasn’t ready for was the large 12 foot silver chain that was lassoed around her neck. The chain was thick and held together by many links.
“Pull boys! Pull!” Rainbow encouraged, as Hoops and Dumbbell each took an end in their mouths and began to tug.
Vinyl heard a sick, sizzling sound as her skin began to burn. She let out a blood curdling scream as the chain was wrapped tightly around her throat. Her hooves instinctively reached up to paw at the offending object, causing them to become scorched as well.
“Damn it.” The unicorn hissed, as she fell to her knees.
“Quick, she’s getting weaker. Throw her into the wagon with the others.” Rainbow commanded.
Vinyl could only groan in pain as she was roughly pulled towards a small horse drawn cart. As she was shoved face first into it, the two pegasi lackeys threw another large chain over her back, causing the vampony to yelp in agony. She stared straight ahead, her body shaking with anger as the silver continued to burn her skin. It would not be fast enough to kill her, and so it would serve as a wonderful torture device. As her body thrashed wildly against her constraints, she turned and for the first time she saw that she was not alone.
“Get your filthy hooves off me.” Rarity yelled, as she was unceremoniously thrown onto a large slab of rock.
Hoops and Dumbbell just chuckled as they strapped her down, doing the same to the other two struggling unicorns. Although their horns were powerless against the silver, both Lyra and Vinyl fought their attackers as best they could. Their efforts were futile, and all three unicorns found themselves at the mercy of Rainbow Dash and her lackeys.
Vinyl could feel tears forming, as the cold silver singed her skin. Unable to produce real tears, streams of metallic red fell from her eyes, staining her cheeks and muzzle. As far back as she could remember she hadn’t felt pain like this. Not physically anyways.
“What do you want with us?” Lyra hissed.
Hoops trotted over and smacked Lyra hard across the face. Rarity and Vinyl both growled in their friend’s defence.
“Settle down boys.” Rainbow said, addressing her lackeys. “There will be lots of time for that later.”
The cyan colored pegasus turned to the trio of vamponies and sneered.
“Where is SHE? Where’s Fluttershy? And don’t play dumb! I know she was at Fangtasia with all three of you.”
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Octavia brushed her mane quickly, smiling at her reflection in the mirror. She hadn’t noticed how dim the lights in her dressing room were up until that moment. She smiled again, realizing she must be growing accustomed to the dark. The cellist began to hum to herself as she collected her things. Surprisingly, rehearsal had gone well. For the first time since she had brought Vinyl around, everypony had been in good spirits, even Frederick. It was a refreshing change from the recent attitude he seemed to have about her relationship with Vinyl.
Although Octavia had met Vinyl when she was young, their friendship had spanned the last decade. Throughout their past, Vinyl had always been protective and secretive, using the excuse that Octavia was simply too young to understand certain things. As such, Vinyl had never allowed her to set foot near her home, for fear that somepony may spot Octavia and hurt her. Now that they had finally taken their relationship public, Vinyl had relented and tonight was the first night that she would be meeting the unicorn at her residence.
She couldn’t stop herself from smiling. Octavia had dreamed about being close to Vinyl for years and now finally she would get to see those tiny intimate details, like where the unicorn slept or what her living room looked like. To some they may have been silly, trivial things but to Octavia they meant being part of Vinyl’s crazy, exciting and scary world. The cellist sighed inwardly and closed her eyes. She slowly began to remember the first time she knew she had feelings for Vinyl.
How old had she been? Fourteen or fifteen wasn’t it?
FLASHBACK—OCTAVIA—AGE 14
“Okay girls, who’s with me?” A spunky orange pegasus yelled.
“We are!” cheered a group of enthusiastic young mares, all except one.
“Octavia?” Spitfire asked, glaring at her friend.
Octavia cleared her throat. Spitfire had moved to Canterlot from Cloudsdale this year and immediately had won over their small group with her leadership and charisma. It was absolute social suicide to disagree with anything she said, but this time Octavia felt she had a good reason.
“I just don’t feel this is a wise idea.” She said honestly, looking straight at Spitfire.
“Aww c’mon Octavia, you have to live a little. It’s Nightmare Night, the perfect chance to finally see a vampony up close and personal. We’re way too old to go trick or treating like a bunch of foals.”
Beauty Brass put a hoof on Octavia’s shoulder. “She’s right Tavi. I thought for sure you would be up for this plan, considering the fact you’re kind of obsessed with vamponies.”
Octavia could feel her muzzle flush red. It wasn’t vamponies in general that she found exciting. It was just one vampony in particular that she was enamored with. But thinking of that particular pony made her sad. She had not seen Vinyl Scratch since the last time the vampony had visited the hospital to say goodbye, after Sapphire Shores’ death. Vinyl had promised to come and visit Octavia one day soon, but as the years had gone by, she had begun to lose hope that she would ever see her friend again. In her spare time, when she wasn’t practicing her cello, she had begun to research vamponies and vampony legends.
It was because of the research that she didn’t think it was a wise idea to go and provoke a house full of vamponies. Spitfire was adamant that she knew the creepy old house on Elm Street was a secret vampony hideout. She had decided it would be super cool and fun to try and see a real vampony up close and personal. Although the vampony legend was becoming a more widely accepted phenomenon, there were still many ponies who believed the creatures were nothing more than a myth. Octavia herself knew otherwise but her friends wanted to see it for themselves.
“This is the perfect night for vampony hunting.” Spitfire grinned.
“Hunting?” Octavia asked.
“Well, not really. I just mean wouldn’t it be way cool to see a vampony up close and personal? Glowing red eyes? Razor sharp fangs? A thirst for warm earth pony blood? How does this not sound fun to you?”
Octavia had never mentioned her time with Vinyl to her friends. She had never thought they would believe her, and some days she herself wasn’t sure that any of it had ever happened. Maybe Vinyl Scratch was just a figment of her imagination, dreamed up by a lonely child who had no friends of her own. Whatever the case was, she kept those memories locked away, close to her heart.
“Hey wait a minute. Who says they only feast on earth pony blood?” Beauty asked, glaring at Spitfire.
Spitfire shot her a cocky look. “Pegasi are too fast and nimble to be caught by a silly vampony.”
Beauty rolled her eyes.
“Do any of you know the REAL story of Nightmare Moon?” interrupted a brown earth pony, named Fabled Tales.
“Of course, who doesn’t?” Spitfire laughed.
“Sure, we all know the tale of Nightmare Moon’s banishment by Princess Celestia and how she returned one thousand years later for her revenge.” Fabled Tales said nonchalantly.
“And then was defeated by Princess Twilight Sparkle and returned back to her former self of Princess Luna.” Spitfire finished. “What about it?”
Fabled Tales rubbed her hooves together and motioned everyone closer. Curiously, the group inched forward, until they surround her.
“That’s only part of the real story. The truth is much more exciting than that old mare’s tale. Apparently the reason Nightmare Moon was able to return was because of a strange disease she had developed on the moon. When she returned, she was no longer living, but in fact, undead. This is how the vampiric disease was originally brought to Equestria. When Nightmare Moon arrived, she began taking advantage of her newfound power, realizing the effect it had on the unicorn race. She slowly began to turn innocent unicorns one by one into an army of blood thirsty vamponies, who would do whatever their Maker commanded.”
“Wait, what’s a Maker?” Beauty asked, tapping her chin.
“A vampony’s Maker is the one who turned them. The bonds between a Maker and their child are almost impenetrable. And so, these poor unicorns were bound to Nightmare Moon, forced to submit to her will.”
“But wouldn’t ponies notice their friends, siblings, and children had gone missing?”
“Nightmare Moon was smart. She began assembling her army by taking ponies that nopony else would come looking for. She scoured orphanages, asylums and even small villages. She even referred to them as her children of the night. She took her time and her army grew, until the fateful day she was ready to take her revenge.”
“And that’s when Twilight Sparkle took her down?” Spitfire asked.
“Yes. But nopony has ever known how the Princess defeated Nightmare Moon. It’s also said that Princess Luna has no memory of these events and the vampiric disease no longer resides in her body.”
“Freaky.” Spitfire said.
“So what happened to the children?”
“Once again, that’s a mystery in itself. The legend says that because their bond to Nightmare Moon was broken, the ones who survived the battle with Twilight Sparkle were free to go their own separate ways.”
“Okay, I don’t know about the rest of you, but I am SO ready to see a real vampony now.” Spitfire declared. “Octavia are you in or out?”
Octavia wasn’t sure why, but that story had sent a chill up her spine. She looked from Spitfire, to the other anxious and excited mares in the group. She supposed this would probably be better than staying home alone, handing out candy to the little ones.
Reluctantly the charcoal earth pony nodded.
“All right!” Spitfire yelled, bumping hooves with every pony in the group.
Octavia smiled, trying to share their enthusiasm. She was probably overreacting anyways. What could possibly go wrong?
XX SEVERAL HOURS LATER XX
“Are you sure this is the one?” Beauty asked, raising her eyebrow.
“Positive.” Spitfire confirmed.
Octavia gazed up at the large, dark and foreboding house that sat upon the hill. For the second time that day, she felt a chill run up her spine. The house looked old, abandoned and much like a stereotypical haunted house one might see in popular folklore.
“There aren’t any lights on.” Beauty observed.
Spitfire smacked her upside the head. “Well duh! Vamponies HATE bright lights! C’mon gals, let’s take a closer look.”
As Spitfire led the way, Beauty rubbed the side of her head while Octavia giggled. Fabled Tales brought up the rear as the foursome continued up the path to the spooky looking house. Spitfire ducked under the side window and slowly lifted herself up, trying to get a peek inside.
“I’m not tall enough. Fabled can you give me a lift?”
Fabled Tales pushed her head up under Spitfire’s bottom, steadying the pegasus so she could get a better view. Octavia could feel her heart pounding loudly in anticipation. She hadn’t believed they would find any vamponies in the first place, but now she wasn’t so sure and she really didn’t want to be wrong.
“I think I see something.” Spitfire yelled excitedly.
Octavia and Beauty Brass came closer, trying to get a good look as well. Just as Octavia reached the window, a loud booming noise was heard and the door to the front patio swung open wildly. All four mares snapped their heads quickly in the direction of the sound.
Standing at the door was a figure, shrouded in darkness. All four ponies stood frozen as the moonlight seemed to pass over the stranger slowly, revealing large glowing eyes, sharp pointy fangs and a long flowing cape.
“OH SWEET CELESTIA! RUN!” Spitfire yelped, flapping her wings as fast as she could.
Fabled Tales and Beauty Brass took off as fast as their four legs could carry them, each running in a different direction. Octavia screamed silently at her legs to move, but they weren’t listening. The caped figure jumped from the patio and onto the grass, advancing on the poor frightened earth pony. Finally, Octavia’s legs seemed to realize the danger she was in and she began to run as fast as she could across the yard. Unfortunately for her, she was no match for the speed and agility of a vampony and within seconds she could feel herself being tackled to the ground. Octavia could feel the air leaving her lungs as she was hit hard and pushed to the ground. She closed her eyes, her entire body shaking as she waited for what she believed to be her final moments.
“Oh knock it off. You’ve had your fun. I think you’ve proven your point.”
Octavia slowly opened one eye and looked upwards to where this strange new voice was coming from. She watched perplexed as a white hoof grabbed her attacker by the cape, slowly pulling her off the earth mare’s body.
Her attacker grinned, baring her fangs. “The GREAT and POWERFUL Trixie enjoys a good Nightmare Night prank.”
“You got her good. She’s shaking.” The mysterious voice said.
“Well, I just gave those ponies what they wanted. They came to see the Great and Powerful Trixie after all.”
“Yeah, yeah. Why don’t you go back inside? I’ll take care of this one. A little “glamour” should do the trick.”
"Glamouring" was a technique used by the most skilled vamponies. It was a way to hypnotize earth ponies and pegasi, mostly used to make them forget or remember whatever the vampony wanted them to.
Trixie sighed and shrugged her shoulders. “You’re too nice, Vinyl Scratch. Instead of making her forget, I’d make sure she always remembers.”
With that, Trixie swished her cape, making her way back to the house. Octavia’s head was spinning. She had already forgotten about the great and powerful whatshername. All she could comprehend was the name that lingered in the air.
Vinyl Scratch.
Vinyl still had yet to recognize Octavia. She leaned forward and stuck her hoof on the shaking mare’s shoulder.
“Look into my eyes, I promise this won’t hurt.”
Octavia couldn’t believe her eyes. She had waited six years to finally see Vinyl Scratch again. Without thinking she propelled herself forward, catching the vampony off guard.
“Vinyl Scratch!” She yelled, wrapping her front legs around Vinyl’s torso.
Vinyl was completely caught off guard. She looked down, trying to make sense of what was happening. Who was this mare and why was she acting like they knew each other? The white unicorn allowed the hug to continue but made no movements to return the sentiment.
“Vinyl?” Octavia asked, finally looking up.
Vinyl studied the charcoal mare’s face for a moment, looking deep into her eyes. It took a few moments before she was finally able to see into Octavia’s eyes. It took another few moments before her face dawned with recognition.
“Tavi? Is that really you?”
Octavia couldn’t find words, and so she just squeezed Vinyl tighter in response. Vinyl finally wrapped her own forelegs around the young mare in her arms, returning the hug.
“It is you, isn’t it?” The unicorn murmured softly, running a hoof through Octavia’s mane. “I can honestly say you’re the last pony I expected to see tonight.”
Octavia finally looked up again. There were so many things she wanted to say. So many questions she wanted to ask.
“You broke your promise. You forgot about me.”
Octavia swallowed hard as she said the first thing that had come to mind. She silently cursed herself as Vinyl’s smile turned upside down. She wondered if the unicorn even remembered her promise, or if she had just promised a child something silly to pacify her in a moment of haste.
Vinyl could feel Octavia’s heart beating loudly against her chest as she continued to hold her.
“I’m sorry Tavi. I never meant to hurt you. I have kept my distance because it’s unsafe for me to openly be around you. I would never forgive myself if something happened to you because of me.”
The response may have seemed cliché to some, but to Octavia an apology was all she wanted. She had waited six years to see her friend again and she was determined that this time the vampony wouldn’t slip out of her hooves so easily. Octavia laid her head on Vinyl’s chest, closing her eyes. Her eyes opened rather quickly though when she felt Vinyl’s soft hooves running over the sides of her flank, tracing the lines of her treble clef cutie marks.
“So, the cello is your passion?”
Octavia began to nod her head, before she suddenly gasped. “Wait, how did you know?”
Vinyl gave her a smug look, lifting her up from the ground and to her hooves.
“Just because you didn’t see me, doesn’t mean I wasn’t keeping my eye on you.”
She wasn’t sure why, but the thought of Vinyl secretly watching over her, sent her heart fluttering once again.
Vinyl looked Octavia over in the glowing light that emanated from the moon. It had been awhile since she had last checked up on the budding cellist. Vinyl resisted the urge to whistle, as Octavia was still just a teenager, but damn, Vinyl could tell she was going to definitely be a heart breaker in a few short years.
“Octavia? Listen, I know we haven’t seen each other in quite awhile, and it would be presumptuous to assume that you would want to spend any time together because I’m sure you want to get back to your friends, but I—“
Vinyl wasn’t allowed to finish as Octavia cut her off.
“Yes!” She squealed, before regaining her composure. “I mean, yes. I want to spend time with you.”
Vinyl chuckled at her enthusiasm. “Are you sure? You don’t have to be polite. What about your friends?”
Octavia had long forgotten her friends.
“I was thinking, because tonight is the one night of the year I can get away with looking the part of a vampony, maybe we could check out the jazz festival that’s playing in the park? I mean, if you’re into it. I have it on good authority that you’re a lover of the classics.”
Octavia couldn’t believe her ears. Vinyl was here, really here, and now she wanted to actually go somewhere together! The earth pony looked down as her tummy did flip-flops. She silently wondered if this was how Beauty Brass felt when she went out with a new coltfriend, or what Spitfire felt when she talked about her old friend from Cloudsdale, Soarin’.
Was this her very first crush?
“I love music. Yes, I enjoy classical but I’m also a jazz fan as well.” Octavia admitted.
“Great! Let’s do this then.” Vinyl said, reaching for her.
Octavia could feel the electricity flow from Vinyl to herself as she grabbed the unicorn’s hoof.
Octavia?
Octavia?
XX PRESENT DAY XX
Octavia’s eyes flew open at the sound of her name being called. She whipped around quickly to find herself face to face with Beauty Brass.
“Hey Beauty...”
“Octavia, you need to come with me.” Beauty said quickly.
“Is everything okay?” Octavia asked, noting the worry in her friend’s voice.
Beauty just shook her head and motioned the cellist to follow her. Octavia complied and soon found herself outside of Frederick’s dressing room. Beauty knocked but didn’t wait to be let in. Octavia followed her, noticing that Parish was also present, along with Frederick.
“Tell her.” Beauty demanded, as she looked Frederick square in the eye. “Tell her now.”
Octavia looked from Beauty to Frederick.
Parish also gave his marefriend a stern look of concern.
“Parish, if it was you. I’d want to know. He needs to tell her.”
Octavia’s mind was now racing, wondering what the hell they were all talking about. Parish nodded quietly and moved from Frederick’s side, across the room to stand beside Beauty Brass.
“Beauty is right.” Frederick stated, earning a smile from his marefriend. “If she loves Vinyl Scratch, then she needs to know.”
At the mention of Vinyl’s name, Octavia’s heartbeat quickened. She looked at Frederick, bewildered. Frederick looked down, refusing to meet her eyes. Octavia moved forward with purpose, until she was muzzle to muzzle with the pianist.
“What is going on? What has happened to Vinyl?”
Frederick cleared his throat, still refusing to meet her eyes. A sense of overwhelming alarm began to wash over Octavia as she reached out to pound Frederick’s chest with her hooves.
“WHERE IS SHE?”
Frederick sighed, clearly frustrated by the situation. He looked down into Octavia’s fierce and angry eyes, uttering only a single name.
“Rainbow Dash.”
Octavia’s entire body shook with rage. The way her friends were acting was beginning to make sense. Frederick had something to do with it, didn’t he?
“HOW COULD YOU?” The cellist roared, shoving Frederick backwards hard.
“Octavia, it was for your own—“
“MY OWN GOOD? MY OWN GOOD?” Octavia seethed, grabbing the first thing she could, which happened to be her prized cello. “WHAT THE HELL DO YOU KNOW ABOUT WHO IS GOOD FOR ME AND WHO ISN’T?”
Octavia raised her cello and with the force of ten mares, threw it as hard as she could as Frederick’s head. The pianist ducked just in time to avoid major brain damage, and the cello flew angrily into the wall, shattering into small pieces. Beauty and Parish stood there, unable to move as they watched the enraged cellist destroy her beautiful instrument.
“I WILL NEVER FORGIVE YOU!” Octavia spat, looking at her precious decimated cello.
The pieces scattered on the floor, were nothing compared to the pieces of her heart that had just been shattered moments ago. With nothing left for her here, she took one last hateful look at Frederick before bolting for the door. She had no idea where she would go, or who could help her, she just knew she needed to keep running.
As she opened the door to the auditorium, a helpless feeling overcame her. Rainbow Dash had Vinyl, and who knew what she was doing or had already done to her marefriend. She hoped there was still time to save her. But how? There was no way she could take on Rainbow Dash and her lackeys alone.
And then in a single moment of clarity, the answer hit her squarely in the face.
“Applejack...” She murmured, as she spun around and began to gallop towards Fangtasia.
Surely, if anypony could help her now, it would be the blonde earth mare. As she continued running as fast as she could, she could only hope and pray that she would make it before it was too late.
XX FLASHBACK-OCTAVIA AGE 14 XX
Octavia snuggled into the crook of Vinyl’s right front leg. They were currently on the rooftop of a well established bakery, looking down on the jazz festival in the park below. Vinyl had assured her that these were the best seats in the house, so to speak and she had to fully agree. Then again, she really wasn’t paying much attention to the music.
“Hey Tavi, can I tell you something?” Vinyl asked, looking down.
Octavia nodded.
“I just wanted to say thank you, for all those years ago at the hospital. I know you were just a foal, but your excitement for life, really helped me get through that tough time.”
Octavia smiled. “To be honest, I should be thanking you as well. My mom was always working so hard to support us, that I never really had real friends outside of the hospital. Meeting you, and finding out you were a vampony was the coolest thing that happened to me as a foal.”
Vinyl laughed softly as she squeezed Octavia into a tighter embrace. Octavia blushed as Vinyl pulled her closer. She looked up at the unicorn’s muzzle. She then looked down at her lap. She had just had the sudden urge to reach up and kiss the unicorn’s lovely lips. Why was she thinking like this? Vinyl was just her friend and that was it. Besides, she was sure someone like Vinyl already had a special somepony.
The unicorn smiled at the cellist again, before turning her attention back to the music. Unbeknownst to Octavia, Vinyl was having her own internal struggle. She had to keep reminding herself that Octavia was just a teenager. Sure, time and age meant nothing to somepony like Vinyl who had all the time in the world but Octavia was at a very tender age. The teenage years were the hardest, most angst ridden, yet still enjoyable years a pony would ever have. She knew Octavia would have to find her way in the world and she didn’t want to be the one to lead her. If Octavia wanted things in life, she needed to be the one to make those decisions.
Octavia knew it was getting late as she stifled another yawn.
“Sleepy?” Vinyl asked.
Octavia shook her head. She didn’t want this night to ever end. Before she could protest, Vinyl’s legs were around her and she was surrounded by a slight aura of magic. When she opened her eyes, she realized she was now on the balcony of her own house that lead to her bedroom.
“You lie.” Vinyl laughed.
“I just don’t want you to leave.” Octavia confessed, hugging the unicorn again.
“I’ll be back soon.”
“That’s what you said last time.” Octavia murmured.
“You know that I’m only protecting you.”
“I know.” Octavia sighed, leaning forward, so she was upright on her back legs.
Not knowing what had suddenly come over her, the urge to be close to Vinyl Scratch has struck her again. Octavia could not stop herself as she reached up and very slowly brought her lips to meet the unicorn’s. Vinyl was once again caught off guard and didn’t know how to react. This was wrong. So very wrong. And yet, she found herself snaking a hoof into the cellist’s mane and softly returning the kiss.
Octavia couldn’t believe it. She had taken a chance and now here she was, kissing Vinyl and Vinyl was actually kissing her back. As her tongue instinctively darted out to deepen the kiss, the unicorn was forced to pull away. Octavia could feel that familiar rush of redness grace her cheeks. Had she pushed too far?
Suddenly Vinyl was gripping her tightly, whispering gently into her ear. “I’m sorry. We can’t do that. Not because I don’t want to, but you’re fourteen and I’m, well let’s just say I’m much, much older and leave it at that. I’m a gentlemare and I refuse to take advantage of you.”
“Okay...” Octavia whispered, knowing that Vinyl was probably right.
“It’s getting very late. I should probably get back to where I belong, and you need to get some rest.” Vinyl said, finally letting go of Octavia.
“When will I see you again?” Octavia asked, refusing to loosen her grip on the unicorn.
“Soon.” Vinyl whispered, leaning forward to plant a gentle kiss on the young mare’s forehead.
And without another word, Vinyl Scratch disappeared into thin air. Octavia was left standing alone, contemplating the night’s events. She reached up and touched her lips slowly with the tip of her hoof. She had just experienced her first kiss. And what a kiss it was. Even though she had no idea, if or when she would see Vinyl again, somehow she knew their paths would someday cross. In the meantime, she knew it would be a restless night, as she planned to relive those few seconds that her lips touched Vinyl’s over and over again.
Octavia finally understood how her friend’s felt while talking about the colts they liked or the mares they admired. The cellist was finally experiencing her first, real crush.
XX PRESENT DAY XX
Octavia gasped for air, her chest heaving as she began to pound relentlessly on the door.
“APPLEJACK? RARITY? ANYPONY? PLEASE HELP ME!”
Her hooves began to crack and bleed as she pounded harder, determined to find help for Vinyl. She may have looked crazy, standing there at the entrance to Fangtasia, trying to beat the door down, but she didn’t care and she was feeling no pain.
Just as she felt like she could no longer lift her hooves one more time, she door slowly creaked open and a familiar orange mare appeared behind it.
“Applejack...” Octavia moaned thankfully, ready to keel over.
“Well it’s about time you showed up, Sugarcube.” Applejack said, quickly pulling her inside.
Applejack quickly shut the door, double checking to make sure nopony had seen them. Octavia, still trying to catch her breath, noticed Bon Bon behind the bar. Bon Bon flipped a switch and the glasses and bottles against the back wall were flipped out of sight and instead a large wall of weapons, every shape, kind and size appeared behind her.
“Hmm...” Bon Bon mused, checking out the nunchucks.
Octavia’s eyes widened as the cream colored earth pony skillfully displayed her knowledge of the nunchaku, whipping them around quickly and effectively, taking out a barrage of bar stools.
“Not sharp enough.” She seethed. “I really want to hurt them.”
She then moved back to the wall and took down a cross bow.
“Another of my favorites.” She said, stroking the tip of the arrow. “But again, I really, really want to make them hurt.”
Bon Bon returned the cross bow to its place on the wall before smiling sadistically. The earth pony grabbed the large Katana, a japaneighse sword from its sheath on the wall. The blade was sharp and the handle was emblazoned with Lyra Heartstring’s cutie mark.
“Perfect.” Bon Bon muttered, licking her lips.
“Are ya sure y’all can handle that sword? Y'all need incredible balance to use it properly; maybe you should stick to something lighter?”
“Does it look like I don’t know that I’m doing? Lyra’s been training me for a long time. You know I can handle my shit.”
Octavia was surprised by Bon Bon’s newly adapted kick ass attitude. Maybe it wasn’t new, but she never would have guessed the mild mannered earth pony would be a weapons expert.
Applejack turned her attention to Octavia. “Ah spose’ if ah told y’all this was too dangerous and y’all should stay here, y’all probably wouldn’t listen.”
Octavia nodded. There was no way they were going without her.
“Well then. Ah guess y’all need to grab yerself a weapon.”
Octavia gulped, looking from Applejack to Bon Bon and then to the giant wall of sharp, pointy and very dangerous weapons.
Oh Sweet Celestia, what had she gotten herself into now?
Rainbow Dash craned her neck to the left and then to the right, before stepping through the large double doors of the Cloudsdale Mental Hospital. She took a deep breath, gathering herself one last time, before she pressed forward. The walk through the hospital and up to her destination was always the calm before the storm.
Rainbow could feel her stomach begin to tighten, as she slipped inside the elevator going upwards. The cyan colored mare kept reminding herself the importance of being at the hospital, but it did nothing to stop the queasy, nauseous feeling that was beginning to bubble up inside her body. Slowly, her hoof pressed against the button that would take her to the fifth floor. She had always found it silly to take the elevator, considering everyone in Cloudsdale had wings, but unfortunately the hospital staff disagreed.
“DING.”
The elevator signalled that she had arrived at her destination. As the doors opened, Rainbow could feel a small lump forming in her throat. She quickly put her head down, determined not to make eye contact as she exited the elevator and made her way down the hall. As she passed the nursing station, she gave a quick nod to the nurse on duty, signalling her arrival. A long time ago the nurse would have stopped her and insisted she sign in and show identification before proceeding, as was standard hospital policy. Sadly though, Rainbow had been visiting the hospital since she was a child, and so the nurse just smiled, noting the time that the pegasus mare arrived.
Rainbow could feel a trickle of sweat begin to make its way down her forehead, and she quickly wiped it away with her forehoof.
“Keep it together, Rainbow.” she muttered, under her breath.
With renewed determination, she stepped up to the room numbered 512. Taking one final deep breath, her lips automatically mouthed the name of the patient on the door as she quickly passed through it.
“PRISM DASH.”
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Octavia shivered as she struggled to keep up with Applejack. She was currently sandwiched between Applejack and Bon Bon as they traversed upwards into a cave-like structure. Applejack had of course taken the lead, and Bon Bon had quickly volunteered to bring up the rear. Octavia was fine with both of those things as she was now running on pure adrenaline. She knew she was an inexperienced fighter, but she also had that stubborn earth pony determination. Bon Bon, armed and dangerous, had strapped a special sword to Octavia’s backside, claiming it would be light and quick enough for a beginner. The cellist was not convinced. She was hoping that fighting would be a last resort. Applejack had opted out of bringing any sort of weapon, as she claimed she was bringing two of her best friends, Bucky McGuillicuty and Kicks McGee.
Applejack had used Rarity’s network of high powered socialite friends to discover the whereabouts of Rainbow Dash’s hideout. Many of them, unicorns themselves, were quite eager to lend a hoof in locating where Rainbow and her lackeys had taken their friends. It hadn’t taken more than an hour or so, before somepony had spotted Rainbow Dash herself leaving this exact spot, only minutes earlier. Applejack had also mentioned the prospect of “backup”. Although the blond earth pony had not shared any more information with her, Octavia still felt hopeful that they would rescue Vinyl and the others.
“Okay y’all, keep yer eyes peeled, an’ watch yer step.”
Octavia nodded in the darkness.
“Wait for me, Vinyl.”
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
“Dad?” Rainbow Dash called, looking around the seemingly empty room.
When there was no response, Rainbow could feel a sudden attack of panic begin to wash over her. She was just about to alert the nurse when she heard a strangled moan, coming from the other side of the bed. Without hesitation, she flew to the opposite side of the room. Sure enough, her poor father had fallen out of his bed and become tangled in his bed sheets. Disoriented and scared, Prism Dash had been laying on the floor for last twenty minutes, unable to gather himself up or alert the nurses to his condition.
“Dad...” Rainbow sighed, helping her father to his hooves.
Her father looked up at her blankly, before a dopey smile appeared on his weathered face. Rainbow lifted him up so he was sitting on the edge of the bed. She took a place beside him, in the visitor’s chair. Fortunately, because her father showed no signs of violent behavior, Rainbow was allowed to visit him in his room, instead of the visiting area.
“How are you feeling Dad?” Rainbow asked, as her eyes began to roam the room.
Her father said nothing, which she had come to expect. She always found it hard to look him in the eye, and so instead she fixed her sights on the picture displayed upon his night stand. It was picture of her deceased mother, Firefly. As the tears began to fall wet on her cheek, she silently cursed the ones who had taken her family from her.
Prism Dash watched silently, as his daughter began to cry. A small look of concern adorned his face as he slowly reached out and placed his front hoof on top of his daughter’s. Although it was a small gesture, Rainbow smiled through her tears.
“Don’t worry about me, Dad. I’ll be okay.” Rainbow reassured.
Her father’s moment of clarity lasted only a moment, before his eyes became glassy, and a small dollop of drool began to leak from his lips. Rainbow dried her eyes quickly and retrieved a warm face cloth from the bathroom, wiping her father’s face with as much tenderness as she could muster. She then helped her father back into his bed, tucking him in and getting him a glass of cold water.
“Next time I’ll stay longer, I promise.” Rainbow said, getting up slowly. “But, I have something really important to take care of.”
Prism Dash only smiled in response, closing his eyes.
If she had any doubts that what she was doing was wrong, they had now fled her mind. With renewed strength and vigor, Rainbow Dash took to the air. THEY were responsible for destroying her family and THEY would pay!
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Bon Bon had suggested a sneak attack, but Applejack was set on the direct approach. She had confidence in both Kicks and Bucky, and fully felt she could take on any pegasus that crossed her path. Octavia was not so sure about this plan, but she knew she really had no say. Whatever Applejack decided, she would agree to. Although she barely knew the mare, there was something about her that Octavia trusted.
When your entire world is falling apart, you have to have faith in somepony.
“Here goes nothin’.” Applejack said, as she aimed her strong, athletic legs at the door.
As the door went down with a crash, the three earth ponies ran inside, unsure of what exactly they would be up against. As the dust from the broken door settled, one thing became painfully clear.
There was not a pegasus pony to be found.
Octavia was the first to notice Vinyl and the others, trapped by the silver chains that held them to the slabs of rock. The smell of burnt flesh filled their noses as they quickly hurried to pull their vampony friends from their silver restraints. All three vamponies were silent, their faces and coats caked in blood.
“Are they going to be okay?” Octavia asked, surprised at the sound of her own voice.
As if on cue, Vinyl opened her blood red eyes, staring up at Octavia. She lifted her hoof slowly, cradling the cellist’s face as she tried to speak.
“Applejack...the floor...” Rarity whispered, the first of the trio to say anything since they had arrived.
Octavia turned and was surprised to see Rarity, sucking mouthfuls of blood from Applejack’s outstretched foreleg. Applejack’s expression was that of concern, as she tilted Rarity’s head, allowing her to drink more, speeding up the healing process.
Lyra was also being fed by Bon Bon and Octavia quickly offered her own front leg to Vinyl. The vampony shook her head, unsure that she could control herself. The others had been sharing blood for years, and although she and Octavia had done it before, she was in such bad shape, she was afraid she may not be able to stop herself from draining the cellist. Octavia was quiet as she lowered her hoof.
“Relax Rares, jus’ drink up for now.” Applejack drawled.
But Rarity couldn’t relax. Although she could feel her strength returning, she desperately needed Applejack to look down.
“Please...darling...the floor...”
Applejack furrowed her brow, but pulled her hoof from the unicorn’s mouth. As she gazed at the floor, her face went pale. There was a large trail of fresh, sticky blood that led from where they were standing and into the dark corner across the room. The orange mare didn’t even have to second guess what it was, as she had grown accustom to the sight and smell of blood.
“What the hay?” she thought out loud, slowly advancing.
Applejack had seen death many times since moving from the farm into the big city. That didn’t make it any easier for her to handle, when she stumbled across the bloody and battered bodies of Rainbow’s lackeys, Hoops and Dumbbell. The earth mare put a hoof to her forehead as she surveyed the damage.
Hoops’ body had been completely ripped in half. His major organs and entrails lay in a puddle of blood between both halves of his body. Dumbbell hadn’t fared much better. His wings had been savagely pulled off, and all four of his legs were broken. His head had been torn clean off his body at the neck. One thing was for certain, whoever had killed these two pegasi, was incredibly strong.
And ruthless.
“Who in the hay would have done something like this?” Applejack asked, not expecting a response.
“I did.” came a reply, from an unknown female voice.
Instinctively, Applejack backed up. Vinyl, upon hearing the new voice, struggled to sit upright, protectively wrapping a hoof around Octavia.
A cloaked figure emerged from the darkness, walking to the centre of the room. She dramatically paused for a moment, before pulling the cloak from her body, revealing herself to be a gorgeous orange unicorn. Her fiery red hair was streaked with a tinge of yellow and her aqua blue eyes shimmered.
“Now who’s next?” she said, baring her fangs.
“Sunset Shimmer.” Vinyl acknowledged, surprising Octavia. “These earth ponies are our friends. They came to rescue us.”
Sunset Shimmer glared directly at Octavia, before her fangs clicked back up into her mouth.
“Well why didn’t you say so?” Sunset laughed, trotting towards Vinyl. “Oh, and your welcome.” she added, addressing the earth ponies.
Without warning, Sunset shoved her own leg up to Vinyl’s mouth.
“Drink.” she commanded.
Vinyl gave her a disgusted look and refused.
“Well, it’s not as though I enjoy this either, but you need to regain your strength so we can get out of here.”
It was true, Lyra and Rarity were now both on the mend, able to stand and ready to leave, along with their partners. Octavia still had no idea who this Sunset Shimmer was, and why she dared to offer herself to her marefriend. The cellist could feel that all too familiar pang of jealousy as she watched Sunset continue to try and force Vinyl to feed.
Finally, defeated and hungry, Vinyl’s fangs shot downwards from her lip and she began to greedily suck and lap at the bloody offering before her. Octavia couldn’t believe it. Vinyl had refused her, and yet was now eagerly licking and sucking some other mare's blood.
Without thinking, Octavia blurted out the obvious question on her mind.
“Who are you?!”
“Me?” Sunset replied, a devious grin dancing across her lips. “It’s quite sad that I know exactly who you are, and yet you’ve never heard of me.”
Octavia was becoming annoyed quickly. Just who did this Sunset Shimmer think she was anyways?
“Don’t worry your pretty little head about my relationship with Vinyl Scratch. You can have her. That “why can’t we all just get along” attitude is frankly quite annoying.”
Octavia glared daggers at Sunset as the golden unicorn continued.
“I like my mares wild and unpredictable.”
At the same time as Sunset was getting to the point, Octavia put two and two together, realizing that Sunset Shimmer was of course speaking of her marefriend’s alternate personality, DJ PON-3. Sunset could tell by the horrified look on the cellist’s muzzle that now was the perfect time to hammer the final nail into her coffin.
“You may be her marefriend, but I would do anything for DJ PON-3. Look around you, and you’ll see the extent I’ll go to get what I want and protect what I care about.” The unicorn finished, loving the way Octavia’s jaw dropped at the revelation.
“Have you figured it out yet sweetheart? You earth ponies always were a little dumb. I’ll spell it out for you nice and clear.”
Feeling the animosity between the two mares, Lyra and Bon Bon rushed to Octavia’s side, knowing they needed to hold her back before she exploded on Sunset Shimmer and subsequently signed her own death certificate.
With a flip of her mane, Sunset heartily laughed, and her declaration bounced loudly off every wall in the room.
Octavia buried her head in her hooves, her body completely drained from the events of the day. After Sunset Shimmer had shared blood with Vinyl Scratch, her marefriend had then become consumed with an even greater hunger. Her hunger had resulted in a transformation in which her alternate personality, DJ PON3, had emerged and overtaken Vinyl's body.
Sunset Shimmer had been ecstatic.
DJ PON3 had then immediately taken off to feed, with Sunset following suit. Octavia hadn't even had a moment to say goodbye before the two had disappeared, leaving everypony else in awkward silence. Lyra and Bon Bon had tried their best to console Octavia, but their kind words had fallen on deaf ears. The earth pony was still in a state of shock. Rarity had also been concerned, but Applejack had maintained they should stay out of other ponies' affairs and so the unicorn had held her tongue.
The cellist was unsure as to how she had made it to her home and yet here she was, lying on her bed, completely exhausted and yet unable to succumb to sleep. She couldn't understand why she had yet to cry. No matter how much pain and sadness she felt in the bottom of her heart, no tears were able to make their way to the surface.
She kept going over and over the events of the past twenty four hours in her mind. The day was on automatic repeat as she wondered how she had gone from so incredibly happy to so terribly distraught in the course of only mere hours.
In the end, she came to the conclusion that it was all entirely her own fault. Vinyl had warned her long ago that she had secrets. The unicorn had made it quite clear from the beginning that she was not marefriend material. But Octavia had been stubborn. She had stupidly thought her love could conquer every one of Vinyl's demons.
"I'm such a fool..." Octavia trailed off, whispering into her pillow.
Finally, as if something inside of her mentally broke, a wave of fresh, salty tears escaped her eyes, cascading slowly down her cheeks and matting her fur. Her hooves grasped the bed sheets as she began to cry harder, allowing a low moan to escape her lips as her sadness and frustration finally drove her to a breaking point.
The cellist was so distraught that she almost didn't hear the soft knocking on her penthouse door. She blinked momentarily as she lifted her head from the soaked pillow, listening intently as the soft knocking continued. Jumping from the bed, her sadness momentarily forgotten, she had one thought and one thought only.
Could it be HER?
Octavia's heart pounded tightly in her chest as she ran to the door. Even though she had just reminded herself over and over again why it wouldn't work out between them, the all familiar anticipation of seeing Vinyl had infiltrated her mind. If Vinyl had come to sort things out, she owed her the chance to listen.
Right?
Octavia quickly wiped her eyes, hoping to look somewhat presentable as she opened the door. Unfortunately her joy was short lived, as Frederick Horseshoepin was standing on the other side. Octavia's excitement quickly turned to disappointment, and then anger.
"How DARE you show up here?" The cellist growled, trying to push the door closed.
Frederick was too quick and managed to wedge himself between Octavia and the door.
"Please, Octavia I didn't come here to fight. I came to apologize and make sure you were okay."
Octavia continued to try and push the brown earth pony back, but between her exhaustion and Frederick's own strength, he managed to push past her and slip inside her apartment. This only served to fuel the mare's anger, as she slammed the door shut behind him.
"I'm not in the mood to see you. Please leave." Octavia said through clenched teeth.
"Octavia..." Frederick started, reaching out to touch her tear stained cheek.
Octavia flinched and backed away.
"I know what I did was terrible." Frederick began. "So, I came here to make things right."
Octavia sighed as she noted the nervousness in her old friend's voice.
"I was just really jealous of Vinyl Scratch. I mean, you know I've always had feelings for you."
Octavia's head snapped up to meet Frederick's pleading eyes. She wasn't sure if it was because she was mentally and physically exhausted but the earth pony's words seemed sincere.
Awkward. But sincere.
"She could have been killed because of your thoughtlessness." Octavia spat.
"I-I know.."
"Do you have any idea what I've been through these past few hours? Any at all?"
"N-No..."
Octavia sighed and relented. Although his foolishness and jealousy could have gotten her and the others killed, her real anger was more at herself than anypony else. She had gotten involved with Vinyl, knowing full well that ponies were sure to be unaccepting. She thought her friends, would be different but she was quickly learning that nothing on the surface was really what it seemed to be.
"Frederick, just go home. Please?"
Frederick sighed, but oddly enough he didn't move. "You look upset. I'm sure I'm the cause of some of it, if not all of it. If you need somepony to talk to, it's the very least I can do, after how terribly I behaved."
Before she had a chance to speak, Octavia felt Frederick wrap his front hooves around her, pulling her close to his chest. Although she silently wished her was somepony else, she closed her eyes and allowed herself a moment of rest in his forelegs. She knew it was wrong to pretend he was Vinyl, even if it was only for a few fleeting moments.
As the moments continued to pass slowly, Frederick smiled to himself. This was absolutely perfect! It was true he had come by to make sure Octavia hadn't done something irrational, like go after her vampony marefriend, but he never expected to find her like this.
Broken.
And perfectly vulnerable. He knew this was a chance he couldn't pass up. She needed sompeony and why shouldn't it be him? He had waited so long to hold her like this and he wasn't about to squander his opportunity. Gently, he began rubbing his hooves down her back, feeling her shiver beneath him. He waited to see if she would scold him before moving his hooves lower, slowly massaging both sides of her flank in a circular motion.
Octavia was a world away. She had long replaced Frederick with Vinyl and was slowly melting further and further into her vampony lover's embrace. But something was not quite right. Something was nagging at the back of her mind and she just didn't have the strength to deal with it. The cellist could feel herself being pushed forward onto her bed. She landed softly on her tummy, moaning Vinyl's name as she felt Fredricks weight on top of her.
The pianist shook his head as Octavia called out for her marefriend. It wasn't ideal, but he was past the point of caring. He was finally going to make Octavia his mare. As he was about to descend on his prey, he was stopped by the loud shattering of glass. Before he could process what was happenning he felt immense pain as the wind was knocked completely out of him.
The loud noise caused Octavia to snap out of her trance and back into reality. What was going on? She looked to the window of her balcony and saw what was left of it now lying on the ground. It had been completely obliterated. She then heard a strangled moan from the other side of the room and as she looked she was surprised once again.
Vinyl Scratch was ontop of Frederick. She was holding him up high, crushing him against the wall. Her hoof was smashed right against his windpipe, and from the sounds of it, he was having trouble breathing.
Frederick struggled to say something as the vampony continued to crush his throat. He could feel the air being sucked from his lungs as he tried desperately to breathe. The vampony in front of him smiled maniacally, before bringing him down to her mouth. Frederick closed his eyes, resigning himself to his fate as vampony food. He was surprised when he suddenly felt himself dropped to the floor.
"Octy belongs to ME!" The unicorn claimed, opening the door to Octavia's apartment. "She is MINE!"
Frederick felt himself being lifted violently into the air by magic. He tried to grab something, anything, but only succeeded in flailing his legs in every direction.
"Help me, Octavia." He pleaded loudly.
Octavia looked from her marefriend to Frederick, but before she had a chance to stop the crazed unicorn, the pianist was sent from the room in a flash of light, and the door was slammed unceremoniously shut.
The unicorn lifted a hoof and ran it through her wild, untidy mane. She then turned to look at Octavia.
"Sup?"
"V-Vinyl?" Octavia stammered, frozen on the bed.
As she heard her name, a look of confusion passed over the unicorn's face. Her eyes slowly searched Octavia, looking her up and down before she pressed her hoof to her forehead.
"Vinyl! Are you okay?"
Vinyl looked up again, as she moved her lips to speak. No sounds were heard as instead the unicorn's eyes rolled to the back of her head and she fell to the floor.
"Vinyl!" Octavia yelled, rushing to her side, pushing the vampony onto her back.
Unbeknownst to Octavia, Sunset Shimmer watched from the balcony. The vampony sighed as she used her magic to fix the broken glass door. Broken glass was one of her pet peeves. She then continued to watch from beyond the glass, curious as to what sort of hold this earth pony mare seemed to have on her maker.
She and DJ PON3 had been happily feasting on some delicious pegasi one minute, and the next, her maker had torn off in a hurry. The DJ was fast and Sunset had been surprised at how hard it was to keep up with her teleportation spells.
The orange mare continued to watch as Octavia attended to Vinyl Scratch. The distraught look on the cellist's face brought a smile to her own. If this silly mare knew anything, she would have realized this was just another blackout and Vinyl would likely awaken soon.
Octavia pressed a cold cloth to Vinyl's forehead, placing it right underneath her horn. Once again, everything was moving in fast forward and the cellist barely had time to come to terms with things that had happenned. She had almost done something terrible with Frederick! She felt so ashamed just thinking about it. Thankfully DJ PON3 had come in when she had. Still, why had the DJ come to see her? She had only met Vinyl's alternate personality once. Octavia blushed, remembering how that night had ended.
Octavia lay her tired head on Vinyl's chest, wondering how one pony could make her feel so many things at once. Even after everything she knew about the vampony and every dangerous situation she had been in, she knew she couldn't escape it. She loved this unicorn with her entire heart. Distancing herself was never going to change the way she felt.
Sunset watched intently as the two ponies lay in each others forearms. She had to admit she was even more intrigued by Vinyl's earth pony marefriend. She really didn't give up easily did she? The orange unicorn smiled to herself, making her way to the edge of the balcony. For now, she would allow Octavia to have her moment. Sunset felt a smile tugging at her lips. She hadn't felt this good since Celestia had chosen Twilight Sparkle to be her new student. As her horn glowed and she disappeared into the night, she only had one thought.
DJ PON3 swallowed hard as her crimson eyes adjusted to their dark surroundings. She could hear her heart beating loudly against her chest. She took a deep breath, before realizing she didn’t need the oxygen that filled her lungs.
Because she was dead.
But she preferred the term “living impaired”. No, not really. In fact that was a terrible pun she had read on a t-shirt once. She shuddered because the pun on that shirt was far worse than any pain her fangs could possibly inflict. The unicorn DJ sighed as a multitude of mixed up memories suddenly seized her conscious mind.
“Octy...” she whispered softly, as the familiar name graced her lips.
She listened quietly for a moment, concentrating on her surroundings before looking down beside her. The loud pulsing heartbeat she heard earlier continued to ring in her ears as she watched the sleeping form of the grey earth pony beside her. Octavia was curled up tightly against DJ PON3’s midsection, her chest moving up and down with every breath she took. Octavia’s heart continued to thump noisily as the vampony listened intently, slowly licking her lips.
“So very hungry...” the DJ trailed off, baring her fangs.
The hungry DJ descended upon her prey, moving closer to Octavia, her mouth opening wider as she approached the large lovely vein popping out of the cellist’s neck.
“Mmmmmmm...” she murmured as she flicked her tongue hungrily over Octavia’s soft skin.
The sudden movement awakened the cellist and she jumped up, her eyes flashing open. She screamed loudly and instinctively smacked the DJ across the face. The vampony was caught off guard and whimpered when her muzzle was struck so roughly.
“OWWWWW!”
Realizing she had just hit her marefriend, Octavia began to apologize.
“Vinyl? Vinyl, I’m so sorry.” she said, quickly grabbing the unicorn’s muzzle between her hooves.
“WHY WOULD YOU HIT ME?” DJ PON3 cried out angrily. “I ONLY WANTED A LITTLE TASTE!”
Octavia’s eyes lit up as she realized Vinyl had been trying to feed on her.
“WHY WERE YOU TRYING TO FEED WITHOUT ASKING ME?” she demanded.
“I JUST WANTED A SNACK!” the unicorn yelled back.
“WHY ARE YOU YELLING?” Octavia spat.
“WHY ARE YOU YELLING?” the DJ countered.
It was at that moment they both looked down to see Octavia’s hooves, still squeezing the vampony’s muzzle.
“S-Sorry.” Octavia murmured, letting go.
The DJ grinned. “It’s fine. It didn’t actually hurt. I just enjoy yelling for no reason.”
Octavia’s mouth dropped open as the DJ zapped herself up a new pair of shades, quickly concealing her eyes. The cellist could now confirm what she had suspected since the yelling had begun. She was not talking to her beloved Vinyl Scratch.
“DJ PON3?” she asked.
“Heyyyyyy Octy.” The DJ grinned again, waving her hoof in the air randomly.
Octavia narrowed her eyes. She really needed to talk to Vinyl. She needed to explain about last night and she wanted to talk about Sunset Shimmer, but most of all she just wanted to tell Vinyl how much she loved her and hope that Vinyl could forgive her for running away when things got hard. But now it looked like that would have to wait awhile longer.
“So it looks like you ended up in my bed again, huh Octy?” DJ PON3 said smugly.
“This is MY bed!” Octavia huffed, as redness filled her cheeks.
The DJ continued to chuckle as Octavia grabbed the blankets and pulled them up to her chest. She wasn’t sure what purpose this served, but it made her feel less exposed.
“Why aren’t you off with Sunset Shimmer?” Octavia shot back.
“I’d rather be here.” The unicorn said.
For a brief second the unicorn’s smile changed. It happened quickly, but Octavia had managed to see it.
“You like me don’t you?” The cellist said, poking the unicorn’s chest with her hoof.
“N-No...” The DJ stammered as she turned her head away quickly.
“Yes, I think you do. You told Frederick that I belonged to you.”
“You ARE mine.” The vampony replied before crossing her arms. “I mean, you’re Vinyl’s mare right? You were going to cheat on us! Uhh...I mean HER! You were going to cheat on her. You should be thanking me for breaking that up when I did.”
“You don’t know anything about it.” Octavia seethed. “Why don’t you go away so I can have Vinyl back and then she and I will work out those details of our relationship?”
The unicorn looked stunned for a moment. “Ouch. That’s harsh Octy.”
Octavia’s eyes softened. “Why do you care? You just said you didn’t like me.”
“I DO LIKE YOU!” The DJ shouted.
“That’s what I just said and you denied it.” Octavia said exasperated.
“Did I?”
“YES!”
“Hehe, I was just fooling with you. Yep, I like you Octy.”
“GAH...” Octavia gasped.
“Oooh that vein above your forehead looks like it’s about to explode. Have you had your blood pressure checked lately?”
“I’m going to kill you!” Octavia exclaimed as she lunged at the DJ.
The vampony allowed Octavia to pin her to the bed momentarily. She looked up into the fiery eyes of the cellist, as she began to pound the unicorn’s chest with her hooves. The DJ waited as she let the earth pony strike blow after blow and then she silently made her move. She easily flipped the poor cellist onto her back, utilising only a small amount of her amazing strength. The unicorn then hovered over her attacker, never breaking eye contact. Octavia was now at the DJ’s mercy and she waited silently to see how the unicorn would react. Then an idea suddenly came to her and she surprised them both. Octavia reached forward and wrapped her forelegs around the unicorn. She then brought her lips to the side of DJ PON3’s face, kissing the unicorn softly.
“W-Wha?” the DJ questioned as her mouth went wide.
“Thank you for showing up when you did last night. You saved me from myself.” Octavia said sincerely.
The DJ could only nod as Octavia continued.
“And you don’t have to worry. I plan to tell Vinyl Scratch about everything that happened last night. Hopefully she can forgive me and we can move forward.”
Without thinking the Dj found herself reaching out for Octavia. She silently pulled her into a hug. The cellist embraced her as well, holding on tightly, savoring the feel of being in her lover’s arms even if the one sitting on her bed was not technically her love. Or was she? This was getting extremely confusing.
“This feels nice.” Octavia whispered happily.
“You know what else would feel nice?” DJ PON3 asked seductively.
“No.” Octavia deadpanned.
“But I didn’t even get to say...” DJ PON3 was cut off mid-sentence as Octavia clamped a hoof over her mouth.
“No.”
“But I was gonna say sex!”
Octavia smiled and rolled her eyes. Although she hoped Vinyl Scratch would return to herself soon, she was beginning to see DJ PON3 in a new light. Maybe Vinyl’s alter was just a little misunderstood. Whatever the case may be, she knew the ride had only just begun. Sunset Shimmer was still out there somewhere, as was Rainbow Dash. As Octavia looked upwards at the smiling DJ, she couldn’t help but feel comforted. She promised herself that no matter what happened, she would no longer run in the face of adversity. Instead, she would make sure she spent every moment she had, letting the ponies she cared for know how much she adored them.
Rainbow Dash was sleeping soundly in her bed. She was peacefully dreaming about her very favorite thing. The thing that made her the happiest in the world.
Flight.
Rainbow was soaring above the clouds, weaving in and out. She could feel the wind briskly ripple through her mane and against her feathers. Slowly she began to pick up speed as a huge rush of blood and adrenaline began spiralling through her veins.
This was it.
She was going to perform a Sonic Rainboom for the very first time.
The small cyan filly rocketed upwards, her front hooves pointed out in front of her. Just as she was about to take off, she heard a familiar voice calling out to her.
"Help me..."
Rainbow's head whipped around and as she flapped her wings uselessly, she soon realized she was no longer in the sky, but now alone in her bedroom.
"Please...Help me!"
Rainbow pulled back her covers and began to walk quickly to her bedroom door. It sounded like the voice had come from her parent's room. As she entered the hallway she could hear the sound of more voices. Warning bells sounded in the young filly's head. There was no way her parents would be up at this hour and let alone have company.
She raced to the bedroom her parent's shared and quickly flipped open the door. Her eyes surveyed the gruesome scene. It was something no pony let alone a child, should ever have to see in their lifetime.
On the bed was the corpse of her once vibrant mother, Firefly. She had been completely drained of all her blood. On top of her was a large, white male unicorn with a longe golden mane. Rainbow had never been so terrified. The unicorn flashed her a huge smile, showing off his two large pointy canine teeth. After a few moments, she realized he was not alone. In the corner was another white unicorn, this one had a blue mane and sported a fancy moustache. He was sitting in front of her father. His eyes and horn were glowing and he kept repeating the same words over and over again.
"You didn't see anything. You didn't see anypony. You killed your wife."
"Dad!!!" Rainbow yelled, urging her father to snap out of it.
Prism Dash could only rock back and forth as he repeated the phrases the unicorn was cementing into his brain. He was unable to fight the powerful spell that he was under.
Rainbow looked back to her mother, her mouth open wide. She didn't know what to do. Who could help them? Somepony had to help them!
The vampony on top of her mother smiled down at her again as he continued to rut Firefly's lifeless body. Rainbow knew she should run, but her hooves and wings seemed useless. She heard a loud thud and turned as her father's body fell to the floor.
"Did you kill him?"
"No, he's just exhausted and very traumatized."
"Good job."
"Thank you, my prince. Do you wish to have some fun with our new guest?"
The unicorn defiling her mother, finally pulled out. In an instant he was standing next to Rainbow Dash. The filly shook helplessly as he raised his hoof and slowly trailed it down her back and to her flank.
"Although it's true I prefer them young, my dear Fancy Pants, I believe this one is even too young for me."
Fancy Pants nodded. "Then shall I remove her memories as well, Prince Blueblood?"
Blueblood shook his his head. "No, I want this little one to remember me. To know the truth but be too young to be believed by anypony. To remember my name and know that at any time, I could come for her and do the exact same things I did to her mother."
The prince grinned maliciously as Rainbow Dash processed his words.
"Blueblood." the Prince whispered cruelly, sending shivers down Rainbow's spine.
It was a name she would never forget.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"You're suddenly very quiet. That's odd for you. Is everything okay? Octavia asked.
DJ PON3 nodded her head, closing her eyes as she lay very still.
"Are you sure you don't need to feed? Its been awhile and I don't need you to baby-sit me." Octavia said, crossing her forearms.
"I'm fine." the DJ replied. "And you aren't safe, so I'm not going anywhere."
"Seriously, I'll be okay. I can take care of myself."
The DJ just shook her head.
Octavia sighed again loudly. She couldn't help but wonder how much longer Vinyl's alternate would be occupying her body. It had been almost a full day now and Octavia was getting restless. The combination of being stuck in her own apartment and unable to talk to Vinyl Scratch was making her slightly crazy.
DJ PON3 continued to lay silently. She could feel her strength depleting slowly as every hour passed. Being captured and then tortured by Rainbow Dash and her goons had taken alot out of her. When she had woken up she had been extremely disoriented and followed Sunset Shimmer away from the group to feed. Sunset had lured a group of Pegasi to them and they had just begun to feast when the DJ had felt that Octavia was in danger. Abandoning Sunset, she had rushed to this apartment, spurred on by some odd force she could not control.
Now, unmoving, she was listening carefully to the sounds in and around Octavia's apartment complex, making sure there were no signs of trouble. Between Rainbow Dash and possibly Sunset Shimmer, she knew she needed to keep an eye on Octy.
She also needed blood and not the kind that came in a bottle. She decided to take a chance.
"Octy, I'm getting weaker." she murmured.
Octavia raised her eyebrow but got up from the chair she was currently sitting in and made her way over to the bed.
"What's going on? I knew something was wrong!"
"Sorry..." the unicorn looked away.
"What is it?"
"I haven't fed in awhile and my body still hasn't recovered from the attack. Do you like your neighbors? I think I need a snack."
"The neighbours? What? No!"
"I'm kidding." DJ PON3 said, smiling, reaching up to run her hoof gently against Octavia's neck.
Octavia shivered, but allowed the vampony to remove her bow tie.
"I'll make you a deal. Let me feed on you and when I regain my strength, I will teleport us out of here and to Fangtasia. We can meet up with Rarity and the others and decide what to do about our problem. There's safety in numbers."
Octavia looked down at the unicorn. "You make it sound like you've given me a choice."
The grey earth mare climbed up on top of the DJ's body, wrapping her arms around the unicorn's waist. She instantly felt the soft smooth tip of her marefriend's tongue as it was flicked hungrily back and forth across her neck.
"Relax." the vampony commanded, feeling the uneven beating of Octavia's heart against her chest.
Octavia closed her eyes as the sharp fangs pierced her skin. For a moment she felt nothing and then it felt like a flood of warmth had cascaded down around her body, engulfing it completely. She now understood why certain ponies would seek this out. It was an incredibly euphoric experience. For a few mere seconds her mind was connected to her lover's. The first time she had let the DJ feed it had been different. This time she could feel something more. Was it love? Was it Vinyl Scratch coming through?
DJ PON3 held Octavia tightly as she continued to suck on her neck. With every drop of blood she consumed, she could feel herself becoming stronger. She could also feel Octavia. There was something about her that the DJ just couldn't understand. She had fed off hundreds of thousands of mares in this lifetime, and yet this was different. Why did Octavia's blood taste so good?
The DJ held that thought for a moment before slowly letting go of Octavia's neck. Octavia's eyes fluttered open and her breathing became slightly erratic. The vampony gently began to stroke a hoof over the earth mare's chest. The slow and rythmic movement began to calm Octavia's body and soon her breathing returned to normal.
Octavia lifted her head slightly to look up at her unicorn. DJ PON3's mouth and fur were stained dark red, and her fangs were still dripping with fresh blood. It may have been an unsettling sight for many ponies, but Octavia found it oddly comforting. Expecially when the vampony shot her a cheesy grin.
"Are you okay, Octy?
Octavia could only nod as she lay in the DJ's arms waiting to regain her own strength.
"Don't worry Octy, I'll take good care of you." the DJ winked.
Octavia smiled as she felt herself being cradled by the unicorn.
She wasn't sure how long it would take for her body to fully recover. She supposed that this incident would be one more incident to add to the pile of things she needed to divulge to her dear Vinyl Scratch. In the meantime she decided to be content just laying in her Vinyl's arms, even if it wasn't really her Vinyl, even though it was.
This was all too confusing to think about right now. Her eyes closed again when she felt the unicorn's lips on her forehead. As she drifted slowly into sleep she wondered if it was possible to be in love with two ponies at once.
Rainbow Dash felt her stomach lurch as she closed her eyes and tried not to vomit all over her hooves. She had come to check if her lackeys had yet to find any information on her missing friend, Fluttershy. She expected to find three tortured vamponies begging for mercy and their lives, but instead she had found the entrails and remains of her former followers scattered around the room.
Rainbow covered her mouth, attempting to keep down the cucumber sandwich she had eaten at lunch. Unfortunately, her eyes wandered to Dumbbell's crushed, headless carcass and she was no longer able to contain it. She emptied the contents of her stomach on the already wet and bloody floor.
Although she was clearly not in the best shape at the moment, Rainbow still had an amazing ability to move quickly. Which is exactly what she did when she heard the sound of slow, methodical hoofsteps approaching.
"Who is it?" Rainbow asked, wiping her mouth and turning around.
As Rainbow tried to focus on the approaching figure, she went into defense mode and quickly flew up from the ground. She had a feeling she was in danger, and if so, she planned to use her speed to her advantage.
Rainbow's eyes narrowed as a lone mare stepped into the room. She cautiously looked on at the intruder. The light illuminated the stranger's features and for the first time Rainbow was able to get a good look.
The first thing Rainbow noticed was the unicorn mare's stunning aqua green eyes. For a moment it seemed she could not look away. Rainbow blinked, trying to free herself from whatever trickery was afoot. As she was finally able to break the mare's intoxicating gaze, she then noticed the vibrant red, sun-streaked mane and her deep orange coat.
Sunset Shimmer smiled sweetly up at Rainbow Dash.
"Rainbow Dash! I'm so excited to finally meet you. Have you been admiring my work?" Sunset asked, waving her hoof in the direction of Hoops and Dumbbell.
"Y-You did that?" Rainbow gasped, her mouth dropping open.
"I figured your not-so-secret fortress could use a bit of redecorating. A new rug here, a throw pillow there, and my personal favorite, two disgusting pegasi carcasses. I think they give the place some character, don't you agree?"
"You're sick!" Rainbow yelled, striking a defensive pose.
"Maybe."
"If you're going to try to kill me, let's skip the talking and get down to it." Rainbow said, gritting her teeth.
"Oh, relax. If I really wanted to kill you, I would have done it while you were losing your lunch." Sunset grinned, flashing her fangs.
Rainbow felt her cheeks redden.
"What a cute blush." Sunset cooed, giving Rainbow the once over with her eyes. "I didn't expect the big, bad Rainbow Dash to embarrass so easily."
Rainbow wasn't sure what game this vampony was playing, but she didnt like it. Still, her body betrayed her and her cheeks continued to glow a deeper shade of crimson.
"What do you want bloodsucker?"
"I need your help."
"What makes you think I would EVER help a vampony?" Rainbow asked defiantly.
"I've done some research my dear Rainbow Dash, and it seems we have a common enemy."
Rainbow's eyes narrowed.
"Blueblood." Sunset smirked, as she watched the color drain from Rainbow's face.
"W-What? He's dead! I have intel in Transylmania and they told me--"
"He's alive." Sunset interrupted. "Not so long ago, I used to travel with his pack. Until I realized he's even more sick and sadistic than yours truly."
Rainbow swallowed hard. She had always wanted to go after Blueblood. He was the one who had taken her mother from her and torn her family apart.
"He killed my mother, then defiled her while my father was forced to watch." Rainbow murmured. "The other pony he was with, used some sort of hypnotization spell and my father confessed to the police. Even though the police knew my mother's death was the work of vamponies, my father's confession held up. Everypony just wanted to sweep the whole mess under the rug. I tried and tried to tell them the truth, but nopony wanted to believe it."
"I know. Like I said, I did my research." Sunset continued. "I have a propostion for you."
Rainbow looked back at Sunset, feeling slightly vulnerable after admitting what happened to her parents.
"I'm listening..."
"I'll lead you to Blueblood and even help locate your friend Fluttershy, assuming she's still alive. In exchange you and your followers will leave Vinyl Scratch and her marefriend, Octavia Melody alone."
"That's it?" Rainbow furrowed her eyebrows. "Why do you care about them?"
Sunset sighed. "It's hard to explain, but I have my reasons. Vinyl Scratch is off limits. Once we've finished with Blueblood you can do whatever you like to the rest of those losers who hang out at Fangtasia, but Vinyl and Octavia are MINE."
Rainbow shrugged. "Fine. But I won't need your help. I don't trust vamponies, no offense."
"None taken. But even you aren't dumb enough to think you can do this on your own, are you?"
Rainbow crossed her forearms over her chest.
"Seriously?" Sunset laughed loudly. "No, unfortunately neither one of us can do this alone. To defeat Blueblood we will need your voice."
"My voice?" Rainbow asked.
"Yes, you're Rainbow Dash, Vampire Hunter extraordinaire, the voice of all the little powerless ponies. It's time for them to play follow the leader."
Rainbow Dash scratched her head. She wasn't quite sure what Sunset Shimmer had in mind, but if it meant a chance to face Blueblood after all these years, she was in.
"So, do we have a deal?"
"Deal." Rainbow grunted.
Both mares stared each other down, with Rainbow once again being caught in the mysterious glare of the orange vampony. The cyan pegasus shook her head, trying not to think about the vivid green pools that captivated her gaze.
Damn that unicorn magic! Rainbow finally managed to tear her gaze away and clear her head. She didn't trust Sunset Shimmer one bit and it would be a cold day in Tartarus when she worked together with a vampony.
But for now, with the promise of revenge on Blueblood she found herself following Sunset Shimmer out of the cave.
"Where are we going?" Rainbow asked.
"Fangtasia!"
"WHAT?????"
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Octavia Melody yelled loudly. It wasn't something she normally did, but when she had to, she had quite the commanding presence. At the moment she was insanely frustrated, dealing with an insanely frustrating mare.
Vinyl Scratch.
As promised, DJ PON3 had delivered her safely to Fangtasia. She had immediately been welcomed by Bon Bon and Applejack, who were both happy to see her safe and sound. Rarity and Lyra were still regaining their strength and currently resting. Before Octavia had a chance to really talk to anypony else, DJ PON3 had disappeared.
Octavia had frantically searched the basement of the club and finally found her marefriend laying face down on one of the beds in Rarity's fancy guest rooms. A short while later Vinyl was back. Octavia had given her marefriend time to rest and then they had begun a lengthy conversation about the events that had taken place over the past few days.
And now they were fighting.
"Octavia..." Vinyl said, her tone somber. "I can't allow this to continue. You're in danger, and I'm not letting anything happen to you."
"Vinyl!" Octavia sighed, exasperated. "I'm not some silly little filly that you need to take care of. I'm your very capable and loving marefriend, who is tired of you running away. That seems to be your answer for every problem. I know you're just trying to protect me, and I love that valiant and gallant side of you, but I'm tired of this!"
"That's exactly the reason you need to go."
"Shhhh." Octavia said, using her hoof to clamp down on Vinyl's mouth. "Can you just please listen for a moment?"
Vinyl could feel Octavia's hoof as it grazed her muzzle and then moved upwards without warning. The shorter earth pony slowly removed her marefriend's tinted glasses, forcing the vampony to look her straight in the eye.
"I love you. I know those are just three small words that anypony can rattle off, but I know that you know it's true. I don't know when it was that you first started loving me, but I've loved you for a very long time."
Octavia playfully stroked Vinyl's muzzle as she continued. "I want to be an equal partner in this relationship Vinyl, without being scared that you're going to run away or tell me to leave. I've spent my entire life chasing you and now that I've found you, I'm not letting go so easily. Don't you have faith in me? In us?"
Vinyl nodded slowly. It was hard to disagree when Octavia was touching her so gently.
"I know that I messed up with Frederic, and that you have some sort of odd relationship with Sunset Shimmer, not to mention the fact that we are attacked on a daily basis by ponies who don't agree with our relationship and want to separate us."
Vinyl cracked a small smile.
"I just want what every mare wants. I want to come home to my marefriend, and relax in our home, cooking dinner together and then having you watch me eat it." Octavia finished, gently pressing her lips to Vinyl's neck.
The vampony chuckled softly. Her arms made their way instinctively around her lover.
"Living the Equestrian dream huh?"
Octavia snuggled further against Vinyl's chest.
"Vinyl, you're my best friend. You always have been, since those lonely days at the hospital. Please dont give up on us."
"Tavi..." Vinyl groaned, struggling for some words of protest. "I just want to protect you. You can't trust DJ PON3."
"Vinyl, DJ PON3 is just an extension of you. I'm not going to lie and say its not weird, because it is, but she has never put me in danger. In fact, she has been there when I needed her."
"And I haven't?" Vinyl asked.
"Vinyl! She IS you!"
"No, she isn't. I don't expect you to understand what I go through when my alternate personality emerges, but I don't recall or remember one thing about the time spent as DJ PON3. It's scary waking up, not knowing where you've been, what you've done and with who."
"I know that." Octavia said, wrapping her hooves around Vinyl's midsection. "I just meant that, you're always protecting me, no matter which personality is controlling your body."
Vinyl closed her eyes as they held each other closely. Every sane bone in her body was screaming at her to let Octavia go. There was no way that this could end well. She had been down this path before, a long time ago with a young Sapphire Shores. Sapphire had claimed to love Vinyl as well, saying all the right things, but when push came to shove she couldn't handle being the marefriend of a vampony, let alone a vampony with a split personality disorder.
Could it be different this time?
Her back and forth musings were cut short as her best friend Lyra charged the door.
"Hey! You guys gotta see this!"
The mint colored unicorn beckoned them both with her hoof, and as quickly as she came in, she was gone.
