A young mare on the run for her dear life, she just regained her freedom but her life is in danger. And so anyone who try to help her, associated in any ways. Will she able to get through this mess alive or be ripped shreds by the cult.
A young mare on the run for her dear life, she just regained her freedom, but her life is in danger. And so anyone who try to help her, associated in any ways. Will she able to get through this mess alive or be ripped shreds by the cult. Soon a secret war will blow through all of Equestria, and the borders of good and evil become meaningless.
Please give me constructive critics, and those who favorite the story give a like as well, it does give more inspiration.
Manehatten. A city home to almost a million ponies. A city that never rests and never sleeps, and tonight it was especially alive. A group of ponies, hidden by the dark and shadows, chased their target through the streets. The silence was only broken by hoofbeats hitting the ground and rapid breathing.
A mare ran for dear life, knowing full well what would happen if they caught her. She willed every ounce of her strength to run and look forward. A glance back could be her end, whether it be tripping or the sheer terror paralyzing her. Now that she was free, she was in control of her body once more. She was going to fight for this freedom, for this life she regained. And if fighting wasn’t an option, she’d run.
She heard something in the distance. After a moment, she recognized it was a locomotive. An idea struck her, and that might be her best chance to escape.
It was a passenger train that sped away from the massive coastal city, glinting under the full moon. Unseen to the operators and passengers, something outside soared into the air with unreal strength. The mare became visible in the bright moonlight, her strength revealed in the muscles showing under her white coat. Her crimson mane and tail were blown back by the sheer speed at which she ran and jumped. Her piercing eyes were just as red, and shone with determination and hope as she flew towards the train.
They also shone with pain. The muscles on her back tensed up to move her now severed wings, lost not too long ago when the chase began. Blood still steadily oozed out of them, leaving behind a trail that glowed red in the reflected moonlight.
She forced her legs to move and braced for a landing, shifting them forward accordingly. Time slowed down as she got closer, but even so, the train moved quickly she had a growing fear that she wouldn’t make it. The moment felt like a tormenting eternity, but her hooves reached the top of the speeding vehicle.
She’d been able to land, more or less, but she was still dangerously close to falling. Her eyes moved rapidly, searching for something to cling on as she hit the roof. At the last moment she saw what she needed and reached for it, all the while the locomotive threatening to run away from her. She was able to latch onto a small ventilation pipe, clinging to it like her life depended on it.
The mare opened her eyes, tears of joy, tears of fear, and tears from the strong wind flowing as she held onto the pipe, watching the urban landscape fly by on both sides of her. She let out the breath she was holding, finally being safe. As she winded down, the adrenaline began to fade away, and with it came the pain which she’d avoided until now.
There were many bruises and small cuts, but the most painful of all were the still-bleeding stubs of her wings. She closes her eyes as the immense pain swept over her. It consumed her world, and pain was all that went through her mind as her body gave up, and exhaustion beyond any measure took over. She let out labored breaths while drifting in and out of consciousness.
A loud thud snapped her back to reality. Her eyes quickly focused on what had appeared before her, and she desperately wished it to be a dream. Her heart pounded in her chest and she began hyperventilate, shaking in sheer terror.
Before her stood a pegasus, but not just any pegasus. He had a gray, silvery coat, and wore a vest and hoodie. Within the darkness of the hoodie she watched a sadistic smile creep upon his face, and with a quick move he unfolded two blades that had been tucked under his wings. Ever so slowly, he began his advance on the frightened mare.
The blades were drenched in blood, and the tips sparked as they cut into the train roof. The pegasus stopped on her right side, his blue eyes shining with hatred and sick satisfaction. He held his nose in the air as he stared down his victim. She had long closed her eyes, refusing to watch her end.
The pegasus then shouted over the strong wind of the train, “Thank you for those wings! They will make a perfect trophy on my wall. Though, I hope you don't mind if I take your head as well.”
She looked to him with resignation. He let out a shrill cackle as he lifted the blades, licking his lips as he could taste his kill. The mare closed her eyes again and waited for the end, but only felt a sharp pain in her neck. It was a small cut, then the blade was removed. She winced, praying that it would be over quick and she’d at least be granted a swift death.
As she waited, she felt the air current change for a moment. She also thought she heard a sickening splatter and crunch of flesh and bones, but there was only the rush of air around her. Hesitantly she opened her eyes and blinked. Terror coursed through her veins, but now confusion creeped in, and she didn't believe to her eyes.
The stallion who was about to kill her was gone. She turned around and caught a glimpse of a railway bridge in the distance before it vanished among the forest where the train now travelled. The mare tried to remain awake, to flee if she must, but in her current condition she couldn’t do so. Soon, the darkness swept over and claimed her.
The world slowly came back to her, along with all the pain. She slowly cracked her eyelids open and stared ahead, watching the brightening sky signal dawn’s arrival.
She felt like an old, abused rag, but she was alive, and for that she was grateful. Even still, she could only frown as she noticed the first rays of the sun shining out. The mare looked to her side, seeing that the train was still moving at high speed. Jumping off would be a suicide, and she didn't need any more injuries than she already had.
“Today is going to be perfect… Ugh...”
She closed her sensitive eyes before the sun blinded her. She wasn’t pleased, but she endured the discomfort, trying to enjoy the wind ruffling her red mane and reminding herself that this train was her key to freedom.
The mare wasn't sure how much time had passed, but the sun was high and bright. With one foreleg she covered her head, ears perking up. She was waiting patiently for the locomotive to slow down before she tried her luck jumping, and not a moment before that. At long last, the metal beast began to decelerate. Once the rhythm of the wheels resembled a slow heart beat, she forced herself to climb over to the edge of the roof.
“Here we go, Crimson… just a small leap...”
She winced, already knowing the the pain she was about to feel. She dangled over the edge, not waiting long before she let go. However, something was wrong. She didn't fall like expected. One glance to the side, though, and she found her answer.
“Oh dear Celestia! Whatever’s happened to you!?”
“Yep… Today’s gonna be perfect…”
She ignored the unicorn mare’s question. In a moment’s time, the window slid open she was yanked inside of the train, then placed on something soft, likely the seating of the cabin. She didn't hear anypony else inside, other than the panicked mare. After a mental sigh, Crimson spoke up.
“I’m fine… heh, all things considered.”
“F-Fine?! Your wings have been mutilated, and you’re covered in blood!”
She winced in pain to the loud shout of the other mare.
“Please, keep it down… your shouting isn’t helping at all.”
There was no reply, but Crimson suddenly felt a hoof rest on her back and the other mare's breath close to her face. It was a surprisingly clean, mint-like scent, and the touch was tender, yet shaky. Her voice was quiet, but still full of anxiety nonetheless.
“And your eyes, love, are they hurt as well?”
“No, thankfully. But they’re very sensitive to light.”
She was petting Crimson reassuringly, but the mysterious unicorn mare needed some reassuring of her own that things were alright.
“I have to take you to the hospi—”
“Don’t! Please, don't. I have to remain hidden, or they’ll hunt me down… trust me on this.”
She plead to her savior, and not just for her safety, but this mare’s as well. If the cult caught any hint that she had been helped, Crimson and her immediate associates would be in grave danger.
“Please. You have to trust me.”
There was quiet again, save for the clacking of wheels on railroad tracks.
“Hmph… Alright. I don’t like this one bit, though, but I’ll take your word for it, judging by what you’ve been through.”
“Thank you, Miss...”
“Rarity. The name is Rarity.”
Crimson gave a weak but sincere smile.
“Crimson.”
“Well, I certainly can’t leave you in this state, Crimson. If you won’t be taken to the hospital, then I must insist I take you to my home. Now hold on, this may be a bit of a rough ride. It’s not often I teleport, you see, and I’ve only recently learned it from a good friend.”
She nodded, expecting the world to start spinning. A moment later a jolt of magic flowed through her and her head spun. As suddenly as it came, the feeling was gone, leaving behind a bit of dizziness. She could hear the mare beside her stumble a bit, a clear sign that the teleportation took quite a bit out of her.
“Note to self… ask Twilight for tips on how to increase magical stamina...” Rarity groaned, shaking her head. As she recovered, she heard the sound of hoofsteps, followed by curtains being pulled.
Finally, Crimson risked a peek at the world around her with those red orbs of hers. The light was still strong, but in the bearable levels. As her vision got clearer as more curtains were pulled shut by Rarity, Crimson was stunned. The interior was beautiful, lavish even, and the whole place was covered by dresses and textiles. Before she could fully observe the scenery, Rarity rushed back with water and bandages.
“Thank you, Rarity, for helping me. I never thought somepony would go out of their way for me...”
“Of course I’d help you, darling. Now I just hope the ruffians who did this to you will get the justice they deserve.”
Time passed as Rarity tended Crimson’s wounds as best she could, cleaning her of dried blood and dirt. Now, she rested on a couch, and what a couch it was. Crimson could swear it was as comfortable as a cloud, and there was nothing that could beat a cloud in that regard. Soon, Rarity returned with a tray floating beside her, and a large, delicious looking salad and glass of water upon it.
“I hope the salad is to your liking, and do tell if you need anything else.”
“Thank you so much, Rarity. You’re very generous.”
“What kind of Element of Generosity would I be, otherwise?”
She smiled, though Crimson knew what came next was inevitable. It's better if this is out of the way. If she’s willing to help me after this, then the gods have finally listened to my plea. With this, she took a deep breath.
Rarity had been watching her, and noticed as the injured mare went into deep thought about something.
“Rarity... I must tell you something. If you choose to leave me to my fate, I will not blame you for it.”
The white unicorn tilted her head to the side, a momentary confusion settling over her. She was about to inquire when Crimson continued.
“You see… my kin are hunted. I’m… a vampony.” She looked up to the unicorn, staring deep into the blue eyes with her red ones. Crimson was truly detached from the world. She had been through enough, and deep down, all she wanted was a simple life and normalcy. That was taken from her when she been turned by her master. A true monster, and he had made her into one as well.
She was a mere puppet to him. A toy. A tool, used to commit acts of terror. It was a nightmare that she was forced to watch, and couldn’t do anything about until last night. The monster was killed and she broke free of his iron grip, but it didn't change the fact that she was a bloodsucker, a vampony, a living myth that was feared by ponies.
The silence returned once again, long and painful. She slowly closed her eyes, hiding the powerful, yet fragile orbs, and let out the breath she been holding.
Rarity hadn’t moved, and she couldn’t. Not with the inner conflict broiling inside her. Everything made sense now, especially the strange appearance of this pony, her red eyes, and her cutie mark: two snakes twisted around a pin, the lower half like a symmetric blood stain flowing down and the upper one like burning red flame. Then there were her sharp canines, large and pointy, perfect do draw blood or cause horrible injury in a fight.
Rarity now saw all this with perfect clarity, yet she only found a tired, broken mare in front of her. Crimson suffered more than enough, and the pain reflected in those red eyes felt like a black hole, threatening to drag her down with her wounds. She couldn’t even fathom what it’d be like to have wings cut off. It would be as if her horn was removed, and she was forced to live a life without magic.
The thought chilled Rarity to the bone.
She sighed, watching the runaway fall into sleep, still unsure of what to do.
Crimson slowly awoke from her exhaustion-induced slumber, cracking her eyes open. She was surprised to find a change in her surroundings. She wasn’t in Rarity’s large workshop anymore, but in a smaller bedroom, lying on her belly and tucked into bed. Before she could look more closely at things, hunger struck her. She wasn't sure how long she had been out, but it was clearly daytime as the light from outside leaked through the room’s thick curtains. Crimson lifted her head and called for Rarity.
“Rarity?”
She waited a few moments before calling out again, louder this time.
“Rarity, are you there?”
A minute or so passed, and she was about to call out once more before she heard trotting through the building.
“Yes dear, I’m coming!”
Crimson smiled, but shortly after her sensitive ears picked up something strange. With her mind still foggy from her recent trials, mixed with sleepiness and hunger, she couldn't put a hoof on it what it was.
“Good morning! I hope you’re faring better today.”
Rarity smiled to her guest as she entered the room. Crimson nodded, but then another figure entered the room, then another, and more still. Her expression was blank, and she felt like a boulder hurtling down an endless abyss.
“Don't be alarmed. These are my friends, and they’d like to help,”
Rarity said, to the stunned batpony’s unspoken question. Before her stood five mares. The first one was a white earth pony with a red cross on her nurse cap, the second an orange earth pony with a stetson, followed by a light blue pegasus with a rainbow mane, and lastly a lavender… unicorn, wait! That’s… she’s an alicorn!' Crimson mentally screamed. The five stood around her bed where she was frozen, and closest to her on the right was Rarity, whose back was illuminated by the light coming through the window. On the other side stood the nurse, and behind them were the pegasus and the farmer. At the foot of the bed stood the alicorn princess who she now recognized. Twilight Sparkle... Her full crimson eyes darted around the room, meeting the eyes of each pony for a moment. Light blue. Green. Blue. Magenta. Purple. She was utterly frozen.
“Ple—”
Crimson jumped up in fright when the princess spoke to her, as the only thing on her mind was imminent death. As she jerked up, her muscles tensed and she instinctively tried to flare her wings. This resulted in an incredible pain that shot through her back, partly from her muscles being stiff and partly because of the damage. From the strain and nature of the injury, the wounds reopened on her ravaged stumps.
Unceremoniously she fell back to the bed, body stiff from the pain and tears rolling down her face as a silent scream echoed through the room. Everypony present winced at the display, the pegasus and princess most affected as they had a guess of how painful it must have been. There was a moment's pause as Twilight bit her lip and addressed the mare lying on the bed before her. This time she used a soft, quiet voice.
“Please... remain calm. We won't harm you.”
Twilight nodded towards the nurse.
“That’s nurse Redheart. She’ll tend to your wounds, and she brought blood for you to drink.”
Crimson wasn't sure she heard that right, or if she was hallucinating from the combined torment of all her troubles. She was stunned when a bag was produced, full of the red liquid she despised with every ounce of her mind and soul, yet her body craved so much.
Redheart placed the bag before her and Crimson quickly grabbed it. She held it in her front hooves, eying the pack of blood, then looking up into the light blue eyes of the nurse pony. She saw fear, awe, and warm compassion. She returned gratitude, raw hunger, hope, and uncertainty. Crimson composed herself and looked for the end of the bag, a small nozzle.
She ripped a bit of the end and began to drink from the bag. I might be a vampony, but I’m not an animal. She controlled herself and kept the hunger at bay, drinking the blood slowly, tasting it’s flavor. Crimson was careful not to stain the bed—well, not more than her bloodied wings already had. She felt the nurse rest a hoof on her back, and their eyes meet.
“Relax. I’ll tend to your back now, but it’ll likely be very... uncomfortable. I'd like to give you some pain killers, if that’s alright with you.”
Crimson nodded reluctantly. She didn't feel safe just yet, but she knew that even if she wanted to run away, she couldn’t. Not from so many ponies, during the daytime, and with a broken body. She watched as the nurse took out an injection gun and filled it with a green liquid, sprayed some of the contents out into the open air, then administered the shot with practiced ease and speed. Crimson only felt a short sting.
Soon, the empty medical blood bag lit up in a blue aura of magic and levitated away.
“Let me take this away, dear.”
“What... will happen to me?”
Twilight walked up beside Redheart and sat on her haunches before answering.
“We’ll take good care of you, heal your wounds, and shelter you.”
There was a short pause, but the tone was clear and authoritative as she looked into Crimson eyes.
“But you must tell us everything truthfully, from where you’re from to how you become a vampony, and who’s after you. Even the crimes you’ve committed, no exceptions.”
Crimson felt like she was being grilled alive by the purple orbs, full of power and will, but she didn't break her gaze. She could see that the alicorn spoke the truth, and she would be safe and nursed back to health. She also saw that there was no backing out, and she’d tell everything from start to finish.
Crimson didn't look forward to it, as she wanted more than anything to bleach the nightmarish memories from her mind, but part of her knew she could never erase her past. She couldn’t turn back to a normal pony, so the only thing left was face things head on, like it or not, and take on whatever life would throw at her.
“Yes, your highness.”
Twilight gave a sly smile in return, but her eyes shone with unbroken determination in them.
“That’s good to hear, Crimson. And please, just call me Twilight.”
After an hour or so, Redheart finished her work of properly patching up the stumps. It wasn’t a pleasant experience for the now panting Crimson, as even with the large dose of painkillers she could feel everything the nurse been doing, especially the part when she cut off the loose bits flesh that had began to rot. Now, both stumps were shorter and the skin was seamed together and thoroughly bandaged up.
Crimson had been held down by Twilight’s magic ever since she tried to crawl away and escape the pain. It was a taxing hour for everypony present, both mentally and physically. The vampony was glad it was over, and made sure not to move an inch, happily inhaling the air to satisfy her lungs thirst for much needed oxygen. As Redheart began to caress her mane, Crimson’s ears perked up.
“It's all done, dear. Just rest. I’ll give you another bag in a little bit.”
Crimson was too tired to even lift her head and look back at the nurse, but she shifted her eyes as much she could to meet Redheart’s. She silently thanked her and Twilight, but mostly Rarity. A small smile crept on her fanged muzzle as she mused to herself about receiving a blood transfusion as a vampony. It was a truly strange occurrence. She never imagined it would happen, and was sure nopony else in the room had, either.
“Here, drink this.”
Redheart carefully opened the bag and placed it before her with care. Crimson took the tubing and quickly emptied the bag, even trying to suck out every last trace of blood. The mares around her gave friendly chuckles.
“Well, y'all are one thirsty fella’, sugarcube.”
“Applejack, have some consideration for the poor mare,”
Rarity chimed in, and they all chuckled again. Crimson just sighed. Heh... you'd drink out a river too if you couldn't drink for two or so days she thought, but smiled regardless. It was indeed a funny moment, and there’d be no point in taking offense for something so trivial. Crimson became surprised she was lifted into the air by Rarity’s blue magic aura. The bed covers beneath her were removed, and in mere moments replaced with clean ones.
“Can't have you resting in a dirty bed, can we?”
“Thank you, Rarity... Thank you, everypony. I… I just don't know how I could ever pay back your kindness.”
Twilight smiled and rested her hoof on Crimson’s shoulder.
“Don't worry about it, Crimson. Though, we’d like to hear your story when you feel ready.”
“Of course. Let me a bit compose myself. It's all but a fairy tale, and it's not a short one, either...”
Twilight nodded at this, and Crimson continued.
“But, before I get into it this… You must understand, you are all in danger now by hiding and helping me...”
The other ponies shared a concerned look among themselves, then returned their attention to the weak vampony.
“There is a cult of vampony hunters. They have been around longer than the princesses, and their sole purpose is to kill any and all tainted by vamponies. They are not afraid to use any means necessary to accomplish this… ‘holy task’ of theirs.”
“Heh, don't worry too much about us. We aren't stupid, and we aren’t ponies to be messed with. I'll kick their flanks in one second flat.”
Crimson’s red eyes met with blazing magenta ones.
“I hope you are right. I may be in a miserable state now, but back at my full strength I was lightning fast and could shatter solid rock, and just the thought of them sends chills down my back.”
“I hear you, but you hear me too. No one messes with Rainbow 'Bucking' Dash, nor with the elements of Harmony.”
The prismatic mare gave a confident, aggressive smirk, with not even a trace of fear or hesitation in her eyes. Crimson was impressed by the determination of the pegasus in front of her, but still she kept her reservation of how things would happen. Then she looked up to Twilight, who nodded in both understanding of the threat and for Crimson to continue. She took a deep breath and began.
“Then... I guess I better start at the beginning.”
Crimson closed her eyes, and a tear rolled down her white cheek.
“So… the beginning.” Crimson sighed and looked up at the ponies around her.
Manehatten. A dangerous city, especially if you were one of the less fortunate ones. Every corner of the city’s slums hid danger.
“Hey, Vinyl, wait up!”
“Oh come on, you slowpoke!” the white unicorn filly taunted her friend. “Crimson, you’d think you were faster with your fancy bat wings and all.”
“You say that so easily, Vinyl. At least you can see where you’re going!”
“Aww, sorry about that. Though you’re still good at moving around just by hearing and using your memory.” Vinyl gave a sheepish smile as she rubbed her head. “I keep forgetting you can’t see.”
“Yeah...”
“Look, sorry. I’ll make it up to you. What do you say I mix something up for you once we get to my place, huh?”
“That sounds alright. Will that prissy friend of yours be there? She’s annoying… though when she plays, it’s beautiful.”
“Meh. That is so not my style of music, but she’s brilliant. And you can bet she’ll be there, so no fighting!”
Crimson rolled her eyes and followed Vinyl. Her two musician friends lived in the same apartment block, and today their parents planned to meet. The Scratch family invited both the Philharmonicas and Blazes to an afternoon get together. The two young fillies had to run out to bring some last minute goods, though Octavia had yet to arrive. Her cello class was all but short, and she loved every bit of it.
“Vinyl... do you smell that as well?”
The little unicorn filly perked up at her friend's question. “What do you… Oh… It smells like burning.”
They continued their trot, but soon the yelling and strength of the smell, along with the dark smoke in the air, made the young ones uneasy. Their fear was justified, as when they turned the corner, Vinyl immediately wished she hadn’t.
Though she couldn’t see anything, Crimson could hear and feel the intense heat radiating. “Wh-What's happening, Vinyl?” The small tomcolt couldn’t form words. The building where they lived was nothing more than a tall, slowly crumbling inferno. Everything was melded together by panic and chaos.
By the time things had calmed down, it was already night. The three young fillies sat together, shivering in the chilly night air as police colt look after them. The news hit them, and hit them hard, that their beloved parents had been trapped and perished in the raging fire. They cried, as they could do nothing else while their young souls crumbled under the pressure of harsh reality.
If fate offered any comfort, it was the fact that they ended up in the same orphanage together. They adapted fairly quickly to the new life that they couldn’t leave. Deep down, they were hurt. Even the rough tomcolt Vinyl, who earned quite a reputation among the orphans, struggled to keep her emotions in control.
Eventually, the years flew by and the deep scars closed up. They bonded together as true sisters, with all their love and antics. It was around the time their studies finished when Vinyl and Octavia went to pursue their dreams as musicians. Crimson had chosen a different field altogether, studying biology and engineering. She had plans to help those who were in need of help; who lost something life took.
The three gathered to celebrate and say goodbye to each other in a small, but quiet bar. Vinyl originally protested but had gotten shot down, but not in regards to the booze, and both Octavia and Crimson knew well that was a battle they couldn’t win. “Alright everypony, bottoms up!” Vinyl let loose a battle cry to rally her more timid friends against the endless hordes of drinks before them.
“Vinyl... you are simply mad,” Octavia said, looking over the glasses.
“Octi is right. I mean, thirty shots for... three of us?” The blind bat pony frowned. She could hold her liquor, but this was ridiculous.
“Oh come on, softies, this is just a warm-up. It's party time!” Suddenly, the grin on Vinyl’s face grew even bigger. “Oh, I know how to make this more fun. Drink or dare!”
Crimson heard Octavia facehoof, and had a feeling she was being given a pleading look.
“Hey Cree, you first. Pick one of us!” Vinyl chuckled.
Crimson smiled, the game sounding more and more of a good idea. She heard Octavia’s hooves meet her face once more, and she laughed. “Sorry Octi, hehe. You have your violin, don't you?”
“Yes, yes, I have it with me.” Octavia raised an eyebrow, and though Crimson couldn’t see it, she heard it perfectly in Octavia’s voice. Crimson got a devious smile on her face. As Vinyl shared the look, Octavia’s ears drooped.
“Alright, simple then. Play your favourite song on it. Something not too short or long, but...”
“I dread to hear what comes next,” Octavia mumbled, ears still down, and with a sigh of resignation.
“Play it upside down. Vinyl could work it with her magic, or dangle it down from the bar while we hold you up.” The two white mares smirked, while the game’s first victim rolled her eyes.
“Fine... And the bar. I don't trust Vinyl and magic when alcohol is involved... and don’t you dare drop me or you’ll both get it.”
“Sure!” The mares giggled, and even Octavia shook her head and chuckled. It was just a ridiculous dare, but one she could enjoy. They moved the tray full of drinks to the side and helped their friend get in the awkward, dangling position upside down on the edge of the bar. Vinyl quickly fetched Octavia’s violin, which was her second choice after the trusted cello. With one last roll of the eyes, she began playing her song, falling into a trance whilst doing so. By the time she finished the piece, the few visitors in the bar cheered and applauded. Octavia blushed, knowing full well how ridiculous she looked, yet enjoying the praise nonetheless. After a bit of shuffling, she was back on her hooves.
“Well, that was interesting,” Octavia finally said, but was quickly reduced to giggling as she realized it was her turn. “So, Vinyl. I wonder what sort of dare I can dare a daredevil such as yourself.” She put a hoof to her chin in deep thought.
“Come on, Octi, or I’ll just have a drink.” The two chuckled.
“Well, I guess I have one.” Octavia gave a devious smile over the elegance, simplicity, and sure victory over her rival friend. “Have a bottled drink each time you choose to drink. I’ll even pay for it.”
“Aha! You wanna knock me out, hmm?”
“Seems that way, Scratchy,” Crimson said, with a smirk.
“Oh, I know you support this, Cree, but you just wait,” Vinyl replied, flashing a grin of her own.
“Shush, you. Now down with the bottle, mare!” Crimson snapped.
Octavia handed the bottle to Vinyl with a sly smile that said ‘this’ll be good by the end of the night.”' The unicorn eagerly took the bottle and downed it in one go, gasping for air once she finished. This resulted in the perfect shock of not just her two friends, but the others around who had gotten engrossed in the three mare’s game.
“Sweet Celestia... Vinyl, you are just... mad,” snapped Octavia, half in concern and half in disbelief. Crimson merely blinked, having heard Vinyl all but inhale the entire drink.
“Oh, well, yeah, that was nothing... Though, here comes Cree.”
Crimson quickly put on a big nervous smile and gulped, knowing she was in for it if she didn’t act quickly. She sure knew her stomach and head would hate her later. “Drink!”
“Hey, spoilsport, that's not fair. You didn't even hear what I wanted to dare you with!”
“Vinyl, I know you. I think it’s safer to drink than go through your craziness.”
Vinyl shook her head and smiled deviously. Meanwhile, Crimson quickly cleared one of the shot glasses.
The game went on, and steadily all the three friends blushed from the drinks they consumed. As could be expected, Vinyl took the prize with five bottles down, when she skipped a dare. Octavia and Crimson were tipsy as well, as when it came to Vinyl’s dares, some were truly daring, like having flank shots off the strong stallion who worked at the bar. Needless to say, Octavia’s gray coat turned red, blushing furiously just from the proposal. The stallion had been a bit disappointed she didn't go through with the dare, but had a laugh nonetheless.
With only four shots remaining on the tray, they knew it was time to get home before they fell asleep under the chairs. Vinyl protested at first, claiming it was too early to spoil the party, but from her position on the floor, she had failed to persuade them.
They carried the comatose party animal, who at that point was loudly snoring, out of the bar. Octavia and Crimson shared a final hug, as the musical duo would be on a train to Canterlot early in the morning while Crimson would be working at the hospital. Once broke the hug, they waved farewell and went their separate ways.
Crimson walked with ease, as her memory was brilliant and once she had gone somewhere, she could find it again easily. Her hearing aided her as well, though drinking so much had started to throw her off, and she quickly found herself lost.
Unbeknownst to her, a horrific figure watched her from atop a nearby building. It began to follow her, and once she had wandered into the shadier part of the district, the fiend made its move.
From a moment of quiet and dizziness to another of complete disorientation and shooting pain in her neck, Crimson had no idea what happened. When things finally registered, she tried to break free with all the might of her hooves and wings, but strained in vain. She was locked in an iron grip, and the attacker didn't even budge from her efforts. Her muzzle was covered as she tried to scream for help, and utter terror flooded her as she felt the blood being sucked from her. Then, the monster pulled away, unphased by Crimson bleeding to death, and spoke.
“Mmm... you. You will be a perfect servant.” Sadistic, sinister laughter was all she heard before it bit down again and sucked her blood. She screamed silently, more so when her blood began to burn like liquid fire, and she slipped into unconsciousness. Crimson half awoke. She could hear the world and feel it, but she wasn't in control. She couldn’t speak, nor control her body at all. It was like her mind was tied up and her body was nothing more than a mere puppet.
“Oh, I see you are awake in there. Most delightful.”
She couldn’t answer back, and suddenly her limbs began moving. Crimson could feel herself jump and run with astonishing speed and grace. Then, things blacked out again and returned at random. She was trapped in a lucid dream-like state, with flashes of memory bringing silenced screams, futile struggles, and hot, fresh, erupting blood with the sinister echo of laughter in her mind and feral predator instincts burning through her veins.
Crimson witnessed herself drift through this nightmare until she could feel again. Awake, the laughter of the monster welcomed her return.
“You're such a perfect little pawn. And most amusing, you're still in there, somehow. Well, why not make things more interesting for you, shall we? After all, you’re sure to be bored after two years of hunting.”
Crimson felt her body finally respond, but was met with an incredible burning in her eye sockets. She cried out in pain and fell to the ground, covering her eyes as she rolled on the floor uncontrollably.
After long last, the pain finally began to die down. She felt something strange, an odd, new sensation. She couldn't comprehend it at first, but when things began to align with her other senses, she realized she was able to see.
With every passing moment, objects became more and more defined, but a headache struck her. The sensory impulses were overwhelming, yet she had just been glancing around. Then, her other senses began to kick in. She was laying in a pool, and she could feel her fur drenched in the liquid. It smelled of blood. She felt it in her nostrils, so she focused her new sight where she felt her muzzle, and while she couldn’t place the colors, the texture of the liquid she lay in matched.
Crimson froze when realization hit her. She was in a pool of blood. A lot of blood. Her ears perked up at the sadistic snickering around her and she began to hyperventilate. The vision was alien to her as, but she began grasp it, and in doing so wished she wouldn’t. She would do anything to be unconscious or worse.
Time lost its meaning, and with rapid breath, heart in her throat, and shivering, tears began to stream down her face. She blinked, eyes in an unfocused stare as she laid in the gore on her side.
“...Why...”
It was all she had the strength to say. The demon merely laughed. Soon, she heard a strange yet familiar sound. It was a sound of a magic aura, and then she heard a quiet wail as well. Crimson saw something small move into her vision, accompanied by hoof steps, splashing the blood and making ripples. A massive figure stood before her, and in the aura a smaller one. Tears began to stream heavier, and her heart stopped, as if crushed in an iron fist.
She couldn’t breath. She felt like a statue, caught in a moment that lasted an eternity. The shady figure finally showed itself as it lowered before Crimson. A soulless eye glowed the same shade as the pool around her, with a sickening, piercing, burning look. The demon’s smirk grew as it bared a row of sharp teeth and revealed fur drenched in blood, dripping down from his muzzle.
The quiet wail continued as the small levitated thing came to view. Crimson screamed in her mind with all her strength. Her burning muscles flexed, and she was on her hooves faster than she could register it. Every fiber of her body wanted to lash out at the filth before her, but she suddenly stopped.
A magic field appeared around her and she began floating in the air. It was the same aura that encompassed the small filly and the horn of the beast, and the same that leaked out from the monster’s eyes. Crimson felt more pain with every passing second. Her motherly instincts lashed out and her body tensed, but all were in vain. All she could feel was madness, and nothing would register. She could not bear it or process it.
Crimson was then struck by silence. A deathly quiet. She tried to cry, but there were no tears left. She held the filly’s lifeless body in her hooves and stared. It was drained of all life. Drained of all blood. Cold and limp. The once soft, shining fur was now matted with blood. Crystalline eyes were blurred and frozen in horror and pain.
The broken mare did the one thing she could do while in control of her body. She trotted outside and buried the filly.
“...That was...” She swallowed hard, eyes full of tears and not daring to look at anypony around her. Then, she reluctantly continued, “a year ago... Ever since then I’ve been in control of my consciousness. Black Blood... used me as a mere puppet. To amuse himself with how I...” Her words run dry, Crimson shivered as she laid on the bed. Digging up those memories was painful, and to share them, even more so.
The room was silent. All five mares around her were rendered speechless. They couldn’t believe such evil could exist in their world. Even Sombra sounded nicer in comparison to this feral monster of Black Blood.
And then there was Crimson. She was a victim of the horror. A tool, a toy, a mere trinket for entertainment, used to butcher others, witness it, know it, and be helpless to do anything about it, drenched in the blood of all the victims. Even if it wasn't her will to do it, that blood stuck on her hooves forever. But now she was free from the monster and had a small glimmer of hope. It was a second chance, but she couldn’t escape what she turned into, and her past would always torture her and try to drag her down.
After some time, Twilight stepped closer to Crimson and rested a hoof on her head. The vampony shuddered at the unexpected contact.
Twilight attempted to calm her down and reassure her. “Crimson, I... I don't know how you could cope with even a fraction of what you told us, being a puppet to that monster… But understand this: It is his fault. He used you to do all those horrible things. You are the victim here, and you’ve suffered the most. Others have been killed, but with their death it was over... You’ve been forced to go through the torture every second. I promise we will protect you, help you, and try to give you a liveable life.”
The young princess paused, closing her eyes as a tear made it's way down her cheek.
“You've never ever done anything to deserve the fate you’ve been cursed with... Forced to endure.”
Everypony nodded in agreement, fighting back their own tears. They felt sorry for her, and at the same time their blood boiled, wishing they could give a piece of their own to that monster.
Surrounded by those who cared, Crimson began to calm down, and slowly drifted away into blissful darkness.
Cold breeze blow through the room, Rarity eyes shot open in fright, in an instant she were on her hooves in her bed. The night was bright and cold, the window was open, she shiver from primordial fear. She chuckled nervously in an attempt to calm herself. With a quick though she light up her horn to illuminate the room. She looks at the window and close it with her telekinesis. She couldn't sleep well. Images, that her imagination brought to life after Crimson story. She calm herself and took the courage to get out of her bed. She slowly began trotting upstairs. Each hoof softly clop on each steps of the stairs in a slow beat. Ever so slowly she made her way to the upper floor of her home.
Once she was upstairs she looking around from instinct, gulp loudly. She never fear the night, the dark, not like this. All the things that happened in the past day been all but normal, and outright terrifying, the very truth such legends, vamponies were real. She thirstily inhales the air, but forced herself to a slower and steady rate. She reached the room, and put her right hoof on the door. She hesitated.
Once she pushes the door in, slow the inside of the room came to view. Her horn illuminated the room with her blue light and ever so slowly trot in. She froze for a moment when the occupant of the room moved, face her, look into her eyes. Her eyes glow crimson red and radiate fear. But as she looked better, moments passed, she could see the solemn eyes filled with sorrow, both the feral beast and the victim of torture at once stare back at her. Rarity slowly calms down, she was scared still, but the overpowering instinct have subdue at least. She finally spoke up.
“How are you holding up dear?”
There was silence, just the eyes weakly look back at her. Crimson breathing slowly, lying there limply, not even move a muscle.
“..alive..”
Rarity blink first, the quiet and passiveness of the mare left her to think she wouldn't get any reply from her. Awkward pause, but she began trot closer to her as she reply.
“That's good to hear Crimson..” She bites her lower lips for a split second as her eyes darted to the ground to her left, before return to the mare. “Sorry.. being honest... I am very much scared.. It's something.. today.. your story.. I could not phantom before... It shocks me to the core.”
Crimson expression haven't changed, one bit as she answered.
“I know Rarity.. it is a burden that I never wish to carry, never wish to any one to learn about.”
“That is true.. but now you have a chance to a better life.. and no I'm not foolish to say the past would disappear, but I'm sure after some time you can move past it and live again anew and full.”
The Fashionista sat beside Crimson on the bed, looking into her eyes.
“I do wish I could see happiness in those red orbs instead of pain as it is now...” Rarity look at the window, the curtain was still blocking the view, but the bright moon light did shine through the gaps. Then lock eyes with Crimson.
“Dear.. if you feel hungry, or need anything.. do tell me..”
“Thank you Rarity... I... I feel hungry.”
The white unicorn gave a sad smile. Part that somepony had to drink blood to live was baffling, then that said blood she so far got meant a life lost, and even now, being free from that monsters will she have no other choice then drink blood to live while the very red liquid constant reminder to her dark past.
“Say no more dear, I be right back with two bag. I'm sure you need it to heal.”
Crimson gave a small smile of her own. The care she now received was so needed for her soul, her mind that's been in a constant assault for 3 years. The one thing that kept her sane perhaps the time she share with her friends, she wonders where they could be now. Mean time Rarity got up and left to bring her cursed nourishment.
She smiles at the memory of that last night in the bar, and couldn't help it, wonder how it could look like. Now that she could see, she wishes she could see her friends again. But knew well she could get them in grave danger. The trot become louder and she turns to face the door before Rarity got back to the room, carrying two bags of blood as well illuminate the room brightly. Bright for Crimson that is. Rarity sat beside her, now calmer as well with her nightmares evaporating for the time being.
“Hope this will be enough for you, dear.”
“Thank you.. heh.. I think I prefer my meal cold for sure.”
The unicorn follows perfectly what the bat pony meant by the cold blood. She opened the first bag for Crimson and with care gave it her. She drank the first bag fairly quick. Rarity eyes suddenly shine.”
“Idea!” She said in a sing song voice, Crimson blink to this, nor know the Fashionista antics yet.
“Um... okey.” Replied a bit unsure the bat pony as the other mare quickly trot out, only to return a minute later with a gramophone in her magic.
“I'm sure this will cheer you up.” Smile rarity as she put the record in the trust worth music player.
“I do like music yes.” Smile Crimson. Then the tune began play. The bat pony slowly lost in the music, she couldn't put her hoof, but the music had some strange properties, calm her. Once it finished she could see Rarity beam with a smile. “That was wonderful.”
“I knew this would be perfect and there is more! But there is a bigger surprise, maybe you could guess it.”
Crimson just chuckle to this, felt good to laugh, but she was still beat. “Rarity, please don't tease me.”
The Fashionista gave a genuine smile. “Oh I guess still need some good rest there. So I spoil it for you. The performer is no other then the famous.” She kept a short pause for the dramatic effect “Octavia Phirhamonica!” She was giggling.
Crimson just stare, she replay again and again what the other mare just said in her head.
“Octi?”
“Yes, I remember your friends names, and they both famous, and Octavia is my favorite.” Beam Rarity with glee then gave a sheepish smile.”Wish though I realize this sooner, my apologies for that darling.
This rendered Crimson speechless for long minutes, she began smiling and tear drop on the bed sheet. She didn't know how her friends being, or alive at all, she was so glad they got a good life, and true it could not equal to meet Octavia again then just hear a song she play from a gramophone it was still a very warm feeling. Crimson close tilts her head to the side a bit and her eye lids drop halfway. Rarity smile and start the player once more, and the next song began. Smoothing the troubled mare, allow her to drift away to peaceful slumber.
Rarity watch over her but even she could feel the call of the dreams, she was thinking about things to be done tomorrow. It was clear she would need a more secure place, and Twilight library has been just the perfect place where she could be hidden and be safeguarded by Twilight and her powerful magic. Ever since the changeling invasion she had powerful wards installed, now she even had more powerful ones as she ascended to a Princes a few months ago. As well her status allows her to order various items and not be questioned about them, considering she done lots of experimenting in her laboratory so Crimson wouldn't need to worry about blood supplies. On the other hoof though Twilight could get really inquisitive, that part did worry her, but trust her friend enough that she wouldn't drive the mare insane.
As she was lost in her thoughts she finally joins Crimson in the lands of dreams beside her while the elegant classical tunes of Octavia play from the gramophone. Sure not a very ladylike nor to comfortable position she passes out, but she at least felt free from her worries for the time being.
A dark, cloaked figure trot through the pitch black part of Manehatten, stop at a seemingly abundant old storehouse. With care look around, before slip inside through the door. The place was cold and no light got inside the building even though it was a bright night. The figure quietly but steadily trots to the center where a soil column of light illuminated the dusty floor of the complex. Once stood in the middle 5 other cloaked figures emerged from the shadows. The loner bow before them.
“Welcome, hunter.” Spoke the middle one of the five.
“We sorry for you loss.” Said the one on the utmost right.
“And we understand your desire for revenge.” The middle left one.
“As so we bless you to fulfil your call.” Now the right missile one.
“Take the envelope and the pureness shall watch over you.” The utmost left one, and with this an envelop slide on the dusty ground before the loner, filled with documents, and photos.. one slip out halfway. With a happy gray earth pony mare visible on it. The shady figure picked up the envelope with it's hooves, seal it. Gave a final bow, but by the time did so the others have vanished into thin air. Unphased made a turn around and left the building, dash into the darkness, only the sounds of hooves could be heard till it fade into the ambient silence of the night.
Few days have passed, Crimson been moved in secret to Twilight library’s underground laboratory. The place been setup properly, with bed, blood supply, as well fully soundproof and powerful wards. The young bat pony was happy, considering how things went down so far. Safety and she was almost back to full health. Sure she felt some what bored at points but that got fixed as well by Twilight provide books for her to read and the gramophone that Rarity provide with music of her friends and some others. She was impressed of her friends success in life, and she did envy them a bit, but truly happy for them. She hope deep down in her hearth that at some point she could meet them, be it for a short time and hidden.
But more, she did yarn to be fully free, free to go anywhere with out the worry being chased, hunted for what she is now. For the time being she kept her mind occupied with studies, refresh all her knowledge from before at astonishing speeds as well expand her horizons in other sciences, no longer blind.
She got up on and stretch out her hooves, her back and she proceed to stretch her wings, that was gone. She bitterly kick the dust wincing, anger bubble in her, but keep her cool mostly, and slowly calm down.
“You though you can take everything... just like Black Blood have.. all of them are monsters..”
She return to her table and continue her work on blue prints. She been working a few hours now on an impressive design, mechanical wings. It was a difficult endeavour, but she knew if she can make it work, it wouldn't just help her on the long run, but others as well who lost there wings. She intend this as a gift for pony kind to try make up for the blood shred she been forced to commit in the past while controlled by Black Blood. Suddenly the world erupt in white light. Crimson force her eyes shut and tear up from the burning pain.
“Hello Crimson, how are you..” Twilight stop, then she realised, teleporting might not been the best of ideas, she sat on her hunches and rub her head. “Uh... sorry.” She gave a sheepish smile I keep forgetting how sensitive your eyes are.
The bat pony sit down and sigh, each time the princes teleport, it was like a flash bang go of in the not so big room.
“It's alright Twilight.”
“Actually I just got something for you to help with that.”
“oh.”
She turn around the world still a bit blurry, the lavender mare levitated a box into her hooves. She open the box with care, bit baffled what could be, but was surprised. It was a special shade, one that reminded her to Vinyl's.
“Pinky suggested this one, this is the newest shades and have infused magic, you can change how much light it let through.”
Crimson was about to protest she got far more already then what she deserves but was interrupted by Twilight.
“Not a word, it is yours, you need it.”
“But..” She look up, into the lavender orbs of the other mare “I can't go outside.”
Twilight smile turn into a frown for a moment. “That.. might be true, for now that is. But nothing is set in stone, and might never know when you need it. Also I enchanted so it doesn't brake, well you need some serious force to brake it.” She rest her hoof on her shoulder. “Go on, try it.” Twilight suddenly found her self in a bone cracking hug that rivalled pinkies, despite Crimson being gentile, her strength was something to behold. Twilight force a smile, then a moment later spoke up. “Need to breath.”
Crimson let Twilight go and it was her turn to give a sheepish smile. “Uppss” They laugh then the bat mare tried on the shade, it fit her perfectly. Once she had it on, Twilight turn up the light in the laboratory, Crimson close her eyes in reflex, but open them, she saw the world in red now, the magic in the shade doing it's wonders filter the strong light and paint the scenery red. “Whoaaa.. this is amazing!”
The princes gave a genuine smile in return, but now that the room been illuminated she noticed Crimson work on the table, and she been quickly amazed what she saw. They quickly sat down and go over the blueprints together, with Twilight being the element of Magic, and Crimson engineering skills they managed to come up with solutions to many issues, such as the lightweight but durable, flexible frame and blades of the wing. Though the part where the wings would be implanted disturbed Twilight quite much. Crimson agreed it have the risks, but if done right she could fly again, perhaps as good as she could before, or better.
It's been another mundane day for Octavia, she got up early, do her morning trot and warm up. Got home, made breakfast then once finished with it began her daily rephrase with her trusted cello. She been getting ready for a concert in a few days, but she got tired to practice the same melody all over and over. It was midday and her stomach rumble in a true unladylike fashion.
“Oh dear, I suppose it's time for lunch.”
She packed up her cello, and with it on her back went out to the nearby park where her favourite restaurant stood. It was a warm sunny day with a mild wind, just the way the esteem musician like it. On her way many pony wave or gave her a respectful bow. She love this part of Canterlot, residents here been more modest and down to earth here then at the centre where most nobel live. They did, as well great her, and regard her talent among the highest, but it never felt real to Octavia, and it wasn't far from truth either. Most nobeles, with a few exception, was only for the class and wealth, and not intend to get involve with anypony for there true selves, only and only for more wealth, power and fame.
The sun shine through the canopy of the trees all along the avenue. The park came into view and on the corner stood a small but prestige restaurant she frequent ever since move to her current house. Once she arrived the waiter just nod and lead the grey mare to her favourite spot on the balcony, a table near the rail, overlooking the park scenery. Octavia with practised ease rest her heavy cello on the side behind her and took a sit. The waiter pony return with a note and quill.
“Miss Octavia, would you like the usual?”
“Oh Silver Ware, just call me Octavia, and yes please, could I have a large platen for today though, I'm afraid I got some appetite after my morning practise today.”
“Certainly Miss.”
The waiter bow respectfully. Octavia shook her head side to side with a smile 'Some things just don't change around here'. She turn around to do her daily pony watch from the balcony. Small foals run across the park, playfully chase one another while there mothers follow them not far behind talking. Not to far a pegasie been doing her warm ups. She knew her by name, an brash athlete, named Lightning Dust. Her attitude was horrible towards others, but her sheer determination to improve her self was astonishing on it's own, and her moves even so. Then she took off in a flash, leave behind her trade mark trail. She flew high and away, that meant it was one of her endurance run and she won't be back for hours. Moments later the waiter return with her favourite. Salad with phrench omelet and toast, glass of red whine on the side.
Once Octavia finish with her meal she thank the waiter and she gone out to the park. She comfortably trot up to a small rise, right under an ancient, huge oak tree. Once there she took a deep breath, enjoy the fresh air, the mild wind, warm sun rays, and the melody of the leafs. Set got out her cello and began play a daring melody, full of life, one she been planning to play with Vinyl once they can catch up. All other instruments play out in her mind as she pull the string. With a swift move swing her head, main flown out of the way as she was became one with the music. Opposite of popular belief Octavia loved to experiment, but she strictly go with stringed instruments, even if this song meant to be played by a violin, did not phase her at all.
Once the song finished she drink some refreshment, when a very cold breeze hit her. She shivered, it was freezing, and surprisingly frightening. She blink then calm her self, and lock her in thoughts, 'that was certainly disturbing, guess time to play an uplifting tune' and so she start her next melody. The song quickly renew her spirits and she though it's just silly to get scared from a cold breeze.
The cellist play for hours on her cello, make all ponies nearby stop and listen to her music so long they had time. It was an regular occurrence in this park that the famous mare gave free concert to every one while practising.
Once the sun fall under the horizon, the air become cold quick, she pack up and began trot back home. The moon began rise higher on the night sky, each star twinkle like billion small dimond. But soon storm clouds appear, cover the land in pitch blackness. It even felt somewhat unrealistic for Octavia how dark it was, and what a sharp contrast was between the darkness of the night and the beacons of light of the street lamps, like small islands in orderly lines along the avenue.
Octavia walk up to her door and look for her house keys, she got frustrated, for some reason she could not find her keys.
“Blasted keys! Where are they!”
She was about to throw a tantrum due her stupidity, how could she, of all mares, lose something such as her own house keys when she finally found it. She heard hoof steps behind her, and with in the dark. She turn around to see who it could be, when she did her eye lock with pitch blackness, blackness of a hooded stallion towering above her. The cellist stare at the figure before her, frightened, her grey coat became lighter, and could not give any sound, this last for a minute when finally she gathered her self enough to address the shady figure. She open her mouth when a sudden, sharp, burning pain hit her throat, and no voice came out of her mouth, she blink, as the pain fully register and felt something hot race down on her neck, her pupils shrunk and began shiver in total terror, the stallion turn around and teleport away in a bright flash.
Octavia began feel dizzy and she began realise what just happened, and that she may not have much time left, she began race across the street to bang on the door franticly, fighting to stay. She felt her heart pump, she been gasping for air and coughing blood. With tears and blood find way to the ground. Weaker and more detached from the world, desperately fighting to stay awake, to not die. Suddenly the door open and a scream echo trough the street, but all this been muffled to her, her legs already give out and drift away into the darkness, the last thing she remember was bright flash.
Crimson sat quietly in the library, listening to her friend music when she felt something disturbing for a moment, a flash of pain on her neck and so did the music stop, the vinyl disk some how broken on the gramophone. She felt suddenly very uneasy and trembling from fear, and she didn't know how to take this sudden sensation, but as fast came, as fast was gone, leave confusion in it's wake.
It was early morning and Twilight got up, stretch out, and groggily walked downstairs to get some coffee. The day promised to be a long one, beside her new obligations as a princess, she had also agreed to help Crimson with her project. A replacement for her lost wings was an ambitious project, and could've changed the life’s of many. She began to fully wake up as the hot coffee in her hooves began work it's wonder.
Twilight levitated her first task for the day over to her. It was a stack of reports of changeling activity and intel they gathered over the past months. Even to this very day little was known of the shape shifters, and true, In spite of her own hatred for the shape shifters, a part of her continued to hope things could be worked out in the long run and that perhaps they could eventually become a part of Equestria alongside the other pony species. The dominant unicorns, pegasie, and earth ponies and the somewhat less numerous bat ponies and crystal ponies. Based on ancient myths, the changelings had traits once attributed to a branch of the now extinct flutter ponies, who had been known to have held the ability to alter their appearances, mainly the colors of their mane and coat and who were rumored to be able to boost the power of their magic by changeling emotions into energy. But who could not drain it from others by force, opposed to the changelings whose sole survival depend on draining emotional energy. The clues were there and clear, but no real evidence been available to confirm this with a hundred percent certainty.
Twilight read through the pile quickly, her pace was such in fact that some could say, if she hadn’t become the element of magic, she would have doubtlessly become an avatar of the element of reading. Unfortunately the report wasn't as informative as she would have liked. Most of it listed false flags, and the ones that actually reported real sightings, held little to no importance in the grand scheme of things. To better understand these elusive beings and perhaps come up with a solution, other than a genocide of the species, which was a surprisingly popular idea, considering the fact that gryphons and dragons had, in the past, caused more damage, suffering and death than the changings. She felt troubled by how the bloodthirstiness of the general populace, but there was no way around it, she had to prove her point and hope that they would consider it at least.
And now, she had to find a way to add the vamponies to the mix. She had an inkling that they were responsible for a fair number of disappearances. And the only ones who held any information about them were members of a violent cult, the existence of which wasn't even known until a couple days prior. A cult which sought only the extermination of the vamponies. She had tried inquiring at the Canterlot library about records pertaining to the cult but her search proved unfruitful. She had a feeling she would need to talk with Luna and Celestia about the matter, She also needed to figure out a twofold solution, one which would eliminate the need for the dangerous predatory ways of the vamponies, and one which would at the same time find them a viable source of sustenance. All this while trying to minimize a panic that was sure to erupt if any of this were to be revealed. She was more leaning towards keeping them a secret, hidden from the populace but a part of Equestria in the shadows. Both races unique abilities would be a great advantage to Equestria. Changeling would be perfect spies while vamponies would be the fiercest fighters akin to like shock troopers if a situation requires such, And once they are part of Equestria they could eventually slowly emerge from the shadows in a process that would take generations, but in the long run prove as the best solution for everpony.
Twilight sniffed the air, which was now filled with the smell of pancakes currently in the making and smiled. She had been so engrossed with the documents that she hadn't even noticed Spike come downstairs and begin to make breakfast.
“Good morning Spike!”
“Good morning Twilight, heh, about time you noticed me.”
The princes couldn't help but give a sheepish smile. “Sorry about that.. but you know me.”
“Yeah, yeah, I know you Twilight. I guess I just need to make pancakes more often so I can snap you out of your trance.” He waved the wooden spoon towards her with a teasing smile. Twilight just chuckled at this.
“I'm sure not against that idea spike.”
But the pancakes didn't bring just Twilight back from her thoughts, but also lured upstairs a certain, hidden guest. In the basement door creaking open, Crimson's head appeared as she looked around.
“Good morning Crimson, will you join us for breakfast?” The lavender alicorn greeted her. Crimson smiled and walked the stairs and closer to Twilight giving a small wave to Spike.
“Good morning everypony, I guess. I haven't had pancakes for breakfast in, like, forever.” Spike gave her a questioning look. “But. Don't vamponies drink only blood?”
“Oh yea, we do drink blood, that is our main 'food source'..” She rubbed the back of her head. “But we can also eat normal food, though that's kind of optional you see.”
“Oh okay.” answered the baby dragon.
“That's interesting to know.” Twilight noted, now quite curious of the diet of vamponies. “So what can and can’t you eat, exactly? “ As she was asking this question, she had levitated over several empty scrolls, ink and a quill. Seeing this Spike just rolled his eyes while Crimson gave a sheepish smile.
“Twilight is just being Twilight...” noted the baby dragon with a wink towards Crimson could only chuckle.
“Hey! I heard that! This is of scientific importance, and not a joking matter, or would you prefer your diamonds revoked for a week?” Said the princes with a fake threatening, serious manner.
Spike just gave raspberries to Twilight with a sly smile and continue his cooking. “Well, if that would happen, Id be worried for the steady supply of pancakes your Majesty.”
“Touché.” Crimson chipped in with a wide smirk, which, combined with her sunglasses made her resemble a certain DJ pony, minus one obvious difference,which was the sight of her impressive fangs now at full display.
The small group soon gathered around the table with a large stack of pancakes in the middle with some special additions for everypony on their own side. Spike had one large topaz, Twilight, another cup of coffee, while Crimson had her medical blood bag prepared.
“So.. what can you eat.” asked Twilight as she began eating her first pancake.
“Well for starters I can't eat most of the plants, there are some exceptions of course... I know I’m alright with baked goods and other protein based food, like eggs, or... meat.” She chuckled a bit nervously as she mentioned this last part. “Well then, guess that makes you an omnivore.” said Spike, finishing his first pancake.
“In a sense yes, but I must have blood, I could eat as much I 'normal' food as I want and still die from hunger, albeit slowly slower, though not much more slowly than a normal pony.”
Twilight was now deep in thought. “Well perhaps we could figure out what compounds present in blood your body needs, and make them artificially, reducing or even altogether making the consumption of blood obsolete.”
Crimson nodded to this. “That would be wonderful, I really despise the fact I have to drink... this.” she lifted the bag of blood. “But unless you can make artificial blood, I sadly can't sustain on anything else. One thing I know for sure is that it contains some special magical properties that we need. If I had to describe them I would say they are what makes the essence of the life force flowing through the blood system of the, ahem, donor ”
Twilight and Spike both nodded in understanding.
“So that must be there as well... and fresh blood retains life force for a while. This bag has it too, but about 3-4 times less already than the blood coursing through your veins.”
“I.. see.” Twilight felt a bit of concerned by this information, but it did make sense after all. “By this you are kind of alike to changelings.”
“I suppose so.. It makes us very strong, and even able to perform magic.”
“You can perform magic?!?” Snapped Twilight in disbelief. Crimson just nodded. “How are you able to do that?”
“Well... It's isn’t for sure.. but there was one another vampony when we met with Black Blood, it was brief, but I saw him preform magic, he somehow discharged red lightning from his hooves and struck down cult members who tried to kill us.. He.. He was a fair bat pony I suppose, he didn't have that sadistic, soulless aura about him, and he felt sorry he had to strike down those ponies.”
“Whoa.” was all Spike could say, but Twilight was in deeper thought now. Her hunch that vamponies would make terrifying warriors were obviously to her, and now she had a new theory forming in her head.
“So.. he was a bat pony like yourself?”
“Yes, nod Crimson.”
“And Black Blood was a unicorn if I recall your story.”
“.. Yes.. He was.. Where are you going with this?”
“I think I have a theory of a sort.. think of bat ponies in general, you are born with fangs, and you are naturally nocturnal. On the other hand other ponies aren't like this. It's a hunch, but I’m pretty sure there is a connection there, one way or another.”
Crimson though about this for a minute and she nodded, it did make sense and was worth looking into. They talked about more possibilities as they finished off the breakfast. Once done Spike proceeded to take care of the dishes while Twilight and Crimson went downstairs to the laboratory and began work on the wings.
Meanwhile, in Canterlot Castle princes Luna sat in her study, massaging her temples with her hooves while levitating a mug of coffee with her magic. She had a serious headache, and not one without a reason either. Before her lay folders, documents and reports of different cases of mysterious murders, all committed during the night, and they all had connections, such as small marks, stigmas burned into the victims at various spaces.
And Luna was now engrossed in the reports of last night's attack, when the famous Octavia Philharmonica had almost been killed, for her safety the fact of her attack and her survival had been kept secret, as from all others who had been attacked in the past, none remained alive to tell the tale, and those who were still kept silent, as they would likely be quickly silenced if they did.
She had been placed under the direct protection and care of the princess of the night. The poor musician was still unconscious, kept in her secret laboratory, and only her highest and most trusted guards knew about it.
It was obvious that an elusive group was responsible for thousands of brutal murders all across Equestria, and their motives were still being unclear. Luna had taken this task from Celestia because all these had been happening in the night for many centuries, or even longer, and the night was her domain, it was a true insult how these acts fouled her beautiful creation in a way she could not tolerate. Even as Nightmare Moon commits numerous crimes herself, she had never done anything like these murders which like oil on fire now fuelled her determination to put an end to them.
The case description was almost unreal, no pony saw the attack, the neighbor of Octavia was only been alerted by the gravely injured mare when she banged on her front door, and when she had opened the door all she saw was Octavia who collapsed inside and lost consciousness from blood loss. It was an incredible luck the mare worked for the Canterlot Hospital and she always had a charm that allowed her to teleport to the hospital in case of emergency, as well that Luna herself had been in the hospital and she spotted the stigma right away, burned into her on her slit throat.
If she hadn't been there Octavia would have died, but she had been and she was able to cast a time dilation bubble around her so the doctors had time to tend to her grave injury, it was a very taxing spell, and one, which use was questioned morally as it fell under the classification of manipulation of time, but which she used regardless as this had been a vital chance to have a witness and maybe garner some useful information. And even if Octavia was unable to give information on the reason behind her attack, Luna knew the criminals would try to get her. It was a very cruel idea to use the poor, genuine soul as a bait if she agreed to it. But already too much blood had been spilled, as if in an invisible that war raged on in her night the thought of which infuriated the Lunar goddess beyond measure.
In the mean time Luna ordered her guards to shadow others who had been close to Octavia, she could feel in her guts that more blood was yet to be spilled.
She grunted, no matter how many times she’d gone through all the documents, she couldn't get closer to the truth, not until Octavia woke up or more evidence surfaced. With this thought she gave up for the day and proceeded towards bed to get some much needed sleep. She hoped, deep down that no pony would get harmed or killed while she slept.
At first, she only felt numbness and a cold darkness about her, then she surfaced from the blackness, like one emerged from deep water. Feeling as slowly all her senses returned, pain began to register beside the numbness of her weak body. Octavia forced her eyes to crack open, and was met with a world that was blurry at best, and the pulsing of pain in her neck that spiked to near agony when she tried to swallow. The cellist tried to raise her hoof to her neck but she couldn't, something was holding her back, she realized she was restrained. This fact with being in pain and the last night's events slowly coming back terrified the musician into full awareness crystallizing her sight and revealing her surrounding to her
Octavia could hear hoof steps approaching her, pulse spiking as she panic, but once the pony came into her view she regains her calm. It was a night guard of princess Luna and she knew them, as not once had the Lunar goddess request personal concepts, being a big fan of her music.
“Welcome back, miss Octavia. Please remain calm, you are safe now and no harm will come to you.” Spoke the Lunar guard in a calming manner. “My name is Shadow Eye, princes Luna personal assistant. She has tasked me to personally look after your well being. As for the time being refrain yourself from any movements. The attacker gravely injured you and was sheer luck and a miracle they managed to save your life.” He pauses for a moment. “Your injury will take a few weeks to heal properly, and you won't be able to speak any more as the attack and the following operation to preserve your life destroyed your vocal cords.”
Octavia could feel how she pale, and felt dizzy, but tried to calm herself, and tried not to move her head, or swallow, as much as possible. She silently sums up her situation, she was badly hurt, but alive, no longer able to talk or sing. It was a bitter sweet pill to swallow, but she knew she can manage that.
The guard turns around and walk off, to return with some water in a bottle, he proceeds to give her water with the use of a flexible nozzle. Octavia tears up as she tried to swallow down the refreshing liquid, took several minutes but she managed it. The guard places the now half empty bottle beside the bed and sit on his hunches beside the bed so she could see him from the bed. And continue.
“You should feel better in a few days, miss Octavia. The blade did extensive damage to your neck indeed, severing your windpipe and important arteries, but it didn't reach your throttle or cut deep enough to damage most muscles that support your head. If refrain from moving your head it should heal properly, and some weakness and slight soreness will be the most of your discomfort once this few days passed. You'll be able to consume food too, though nothing solid for a little while.”
Octavia tried to lift her left hoof and shake it some, indicate to Shadow Eye to undo her bound.
“My apologise miss Octavia, I have specific orders from the doctor and princess Luna herself that you must stay restrained for the time being for several reasons, but mainly due prevent you touch your bandages on your neck. This stands until further notice either by the doctor or by the princes. In the mean time I try to tend to all your needs and comfort in best of my ability.”
Octavia closes her eyes for a few seconds, she wasn't happy hearing this, but there was no arguing about it. She locks her eyes with Shadow, questioningly, that she may learn what could have happened, and why is she tended by Luna's own servants instead of a normal hospital.
“I do see you have many questions, and we do have many questions our selves regarding this attempt on your life.” Spoke the guard, this didn't ease Octavia concerns. “I would like to share more information, but the princess will do personally soon.” Shadow looks up at the clock on the wall. “She should be expected in less than 2 hours and will give you a detailed explanation of the events, including the attack on your life.”
Octavia blink and her mind began to race at a million miles a minute, others been attacked? How many? When? Where? And most importantly, Why? She tried to think what could be the answer, but nothing she could think off could be a good enough reason to some one attack her, and then others. She had a gut feeling this is something big, and even thought in safety now it is way far from over. She sighs slowly, shutting out the constant pain from her neck, but something was odd when she unwillingly pays more attention to her neck. It wasn't only the slash wound, about the height where her cravat usually rests. Somewhat lower, she could feel a fair sized spot in pain, a burn, and not the little kind when cooking and not being careful enough, this was a strong burn. She filed it away in her mind to ask latter, and find out what is this other wound on her neck.
After some though she decided best she sleeps, she felt very weak still, and knew she needed her 'beauty sleep' now more than ever. Octavia closed her eyes and began to drift away into her dreams.
About the same time in Canterlot, one white unicorn with a messy electric blue mane wander around on the streets. She was aimless, and broken, the news that her best friend been killed last night shattered her. The normally carefree, daring daredevil DJ was a shadow of herself. Now Octavia, and years before their mutual friend, Crimson. She regrets she could not say goodbye to her friend Crimson, and blame herself for her disappearance deep down in her heart, even if in truth it was nothing to do with her. She felt responsible, and now this guilty resurfaced, burning and dissolve her from the inside.
She was dizzy, have more than 3 or 4 bottles down with several shots along the side. Despite this she was still standing steadily. Vinyl bump into ponies who walk on the evening street, not because she could not avoid them, she simply did not give anypony any buck at the moment 'They move or I move them.'. Some of the ponies knew the mare, and what was eating her. It was well known fact Vinyl and Octavia has been close friends, some even rumored they are an item, and it was true. They they are an item, and it was true. They haven't been a couple due their carriers they simply had no time, but they love each other more then friends do.
As Vinyl cuts through the mass of the ponies she suddenly felt a sharp pain near the base of her neck impact her. Deeply burn into her skin under her fur. She winces as a tear roll of her cheeks from the unexpected pain, and quickly look around who might be responsible for this, but she saw no one, but then at her feet she saw a piece of metal, like a stamp, but glow from the heat. Vinyl was drunk, but she quickly sobers up from the pain and what she recognized, she saw this symbol before, it was burned on her door a year ago, and now the very same symbol, a stigma burned on her. She was frozen right there and then.
Moments later she turns around and began running, as fast as her hooves could carry her, she knocks many ponies over, ignore them completely. She runs down a mile easily when the main road took a right turn, with only a small alley continue forward. The frightened mare made her mistake by run straight into the shadows of the alley. It was a very long, and narrow path, she knocks over empty boxes and trash until she has been forced to stop. It was a dead end. Vinyls heart pounds heavily, like trying to break through her ribcage and run off. She turned around quickly, only to meet with the aggressor on the other side not to far off, well hidden in the shadows of the night and the dark alley.
“Wha..What d-do youu want!” Scream Vinyl as she rare into the brick wall behind her.
“Your Blood.” Answered the cloaked stallion as began inching closer to the trembling mare “Vampony worshipper.”
Vinyl couldn't make heads or tails of what the stallion said to her right there and then. Before Vinyl could say or do anything else, a bat pony flew in, a Lunar guard, and dead on to tackle the cultist with deadly claws on her front hooves. The stallion reacted in a flash and grab the bat pony in his aura, slamming her into the wall with incredible force, crack and dent in the thick brick wall. The guards pony mare cry out in angst, then peeled off from the wall and fall to the ground in a form of an unorganized heap of mess. Broken, but still alive somehow. The other Lunar guard tried to tackle the Unicorn from behind but swiftly been of mess. Broken, but still alive somehow. The other Lunar guard tried to tackle the Unicorn from behind but swiftly been lift into the air and with a sickening crunch his spine was snapped then tossed aside into a large rubbish container, the lid of the metal contraption fell down, enclose the still warm corpse of the bat pony stallion unceremoniously.
The stallion continues his slow advance on the terrified Vinyl who desperately tried to rare out from this situation, like crawl up on the wall as facing her executioner getting closer and closer. Tears stream down on her cheeks, being stared down by those, colder than death itself, like eyes. The stallion rise his front hoof, ready to bring down the knife, obscure that little light that illuminated the DJ. Her shade fell on the ground and shattered reveal her . It was the end, was Vinyl last thoughts run through her mind before she passes out from the sheer fright.
Overwhelming pain, through every fiber, every muscle and bone. The world spinning without a stop with unbearable rings in her ears Midnight Blossom finally managed to crack her eyes open and see blurred darkness of the alley. She knew it was quiet despite her ears ring, there was no movement at all. Then suddenly a pegasie appears in her vision. He looks deeply into her yellow draconian orbs with his red eyes.
“Oh mare, look at you, you have been swap like a fly. Don't you know to not get involved in the game of adults.” He shook his head side to side, then a smile began to creep on his face, end up in a scary feral smirk, showing large fangs.
Midnight wasn't the type who gets overwhelmed by fear, not easily, but she silently panicked now. She could see traces of blood on the teeth of the stallion before her.
“Oh! My manners..” He link slowly his mouth and teeth clean of the last of the blood. “He was delicious I must admit.”
Midnight gathered all her strength to speak. “..Who... are you..” She blinked, compose herself agents all the torment of her state. “..What..happened..”
The stallion raises his right hoof to his chin in a fake thoughts as answered with a sly smile plastered on his face. “Oh nothing special, I just killed the vampony hunter.. there is nothing better when the hunter becomes the hunted.” His laugh at his own antics and look at the broken guard. “Names Rave , now with the pleasantries out of the way, let's get down to business babe.” His red eyes shine, his wings flare out. “I think I’m still picky.”
“..please.. don't.. kill me..”
“But you're technically dead already, why wait, the afterlife awaits you.”
“..I don't.. want...to die.. not... this way..”
“So how you wanna die babe?” Rave stare deeply into Midnight eyes, his mood all carefree and childish, but then she saw well the other side within him.
“In a... honourable.. fight..” the bat pony was searching for the spark in him, that he let her off.
“Tell you what, fine.. but you own me one.” A moment of relief, but once the moment was over the vampony bite down on her neck. She tried to scream but the combination of her injuries and now the burning pain through her system knock her out.
“hehe, welcome to the Club babe, see you soon.” Rave wink towards the unconscious mare and trot away, he just gave an off glare to the now awake and totally dumbfound Vinyl. “And hey, cool new album, do a song for me, your blood knight deserves such awesomeness after all.” The vampony vanished into the darkness of the alley. Vinyl turn her head towards Midnight who was shaking, her eyes slightly open, pupils asymmetric, in total shock, and she could see how her yellow draconian eyes change color to crimson red. The DJ began to comprehend what could have gone down while she was unconscious.
Then her eye meets the corpse of the killer who wanted to kill her. Laying in a large pool of blood, his head was ripped off, blood was still oozing, no, she froze, blood was still pumping out weakly now and then through the severed arteries with muscles tense up then relax. Vinyls eyes began to wander upwards, and the second time the night faint where she stood.
Many hours later, in the midst of the night deep with in Canterlot Castle, princes Luna made her way to her secret laboratory. She pushed the large double door open and enter. Her very own elite night guard present, alert. She continues her march towards the sub levels of the facility, passing through several heavily reinforced metal doors and immensely powerful magical barriers the Lunar goddess reached her destination. Inside the room now not one, but three bed welcome her, with three occupants.
Shadow Eye welcomes the princes with a bow. Luna waves her hoof dismissively, that this gesture is not necessary. On the right of the room lay Vinyl, now calm and feel safe, but the events that transpired in the past 24 or so hours have left their toll on the otherwise energetic and cheerful DJ. On her left, at the middle was Octavia, resting and visibly still sore, still restrained and tended by a nurse, just finished up the new bandage on her neck. On the other corner rest Midnight Blossom, one of her prodigy officers of the night guard who somewhat resembled a mummy now. She was in great pain but awake, and been fed with medical blood. For anyone else this would be bizarre if not outright terrifying, but Luna lives a long life, and true she personally never encounters vamponies, back then they been far more common and considered reality instead of modern times legends.
Luna walks closer to the mares then sat down before Octavia's bed, gave another glare on them as she spoke.
“Better evening to all.. I suppose we all can agree with this.” She paused for a moment then continue. “The situation we are all in is complex at best if not outright chaotic. Though your unfortunate situation did grant us crucial pieces of the puzzle we been trying to solve now hundreds of years.” Luna's eyes now meet Vinyls, the shaken unicorn knew already what was about to be said, asked from her. “Vinyl, I do understand, the things you've witnessed just a few hours ago will haunt you for the rest of your life, yet I'm forced to ask you to tell us about the events transpire this evening.”
Vinyl closed her eyes, they have been painful, she cried, a lot. She bit her lower lips, took a large breath to calm herself. Then she begins her tell her side of the story, how she got burned among the crowd and run off and end up in the desolate dark alley. How she passed out right before the unicorn wanted to kill her, how she woke up and saw a pegasie and Midnight, and how he bite her. Then how passed out again from the horror of the gored unicorn corpse. After a little pause she said about the mark they burn on her, that in fact a year ago the same mark was burned into her door. She finished her story, recalling everything she could for the time being, then she asked.
“..wh..what going to happen to us?” Fear and uncertainty dripping from her words, tears in her eyes, and she wasn't alone, this very question echoes through the minds of the others, Octavia with renewed fear and depression as she felt like her life over, while Midnight with bitterness, unsure about her new 'condition' she been cursed with hours ago.
“You all may rest, your safety is guaranteed by me.” Spoke the Lunar princess “But I'm afraid you will be staying here for a long time, you all been announced to be dead for your own and relatives safety. And at least now we have some information what is happening.” Luna paused for a few minutes in concentration with her horn aglow. This puzzled the two musicians but Midnight knows well what was happening. After this pause Luna continue.
“My trusted guards will tend your needs as best as possible. I know it will be harsh being locked away like this, but until we can't get to the bottom of this hidden war, there is no other choice. Both factions, by the current evidence, are extremely strong...” She trailed off for a short time “The unicorn killed Midnight partner on her mission and almost kill her as well with a single counter attack, while that vampony disposed that unicorn, without signs of much of the struggle or fight.”
“Princess Luna.” Everypony turn towards the source, Midnight Blossom. “Forgive me, but I would like to reenter service later on. I'm... aware of my condition.. but I want to make use of it, if I’m cursed to live with it.” As demonstration she bends the metal rail on the side of her bed than meets the eyes of the Lunar goddess with her own, now turned red draconian orbs.
Luna was in though for a few moments. “Very well, I see the reasoning and it is sound, but let us not rush ahead of things. We need more information, and I believe my sister, Cadance and Twilight assistance will be required. As this carnage of secret war has been raging under our nose for centuries if not millenniums, calming the lives of innocent ponies by both factions, vamponies, and this group. And surprisingly, the cult is more troubling.”
Luna's glaze move across the room, meet with everypony presents. “Most of you not aware of this, but a month ago those cultist, butchered an entire orphanage up north, they killed everypony without mercy.”
If anypony felt sleepy or bored, they sure snap awake after this statement made by the goddess, not that any of them would be at ease at given time.
“The..did.. what!?!?” Squeaked the white mare, impossibly so, paled more.
“Yes.. they have killed everypony, every little innocent fillies there, butchered them...” Anger was bubbling in the eyes of Luna. Vinyls just hung open, unable to form words to make any response then and there. Octavia mimics her friend, they are being totally dumbfounded. The heart rate monitor of Octavia was spiking indicating how hard the mare's heart pound in her chest.
Luna gave a sigh and excused herself. There were simply to many things to consider, more information to be gathered, and the moves to be planned. She head towards her sister's room to discuss the matter with her.
Crimson was awake a while and had a conversion with Rainbow Dash and nurse Redheart in the laboratory.
“So let me get this straight, this thing would let you fly?” Said the very skeptical cyan mare.
“Yes, though not sure will be the first model work flawlessly, I'm sure I can make something with the help of Twilight and you.”
“I don't like to sound harsh, but I am agents to implant metal pieces into your back, not just because it is not my expertise but the very fact it carries a tons of dangers.”
“Dangers I am aware of.” Replied Crimson to Redheart. “And believe me, being a vampony makes me endure far more punishment than average ponies, it is a fact.”
“I don't believe I saying this, being a dare devil myself, but this is crazy!” Rainbow throw up her front hooves into the air to emphases this. Crimson just smiled at pegasie reaction but instead of try make her point with mere words, she placed the metal wing before her so she could inspect it. “Crazy it is then.” Rainbow picks up the wing and thoroughly inspect it, rotate it, and flare it out, close it, then return it to the bat pony.
“So what you think.” Crimson rise an eyebrow
“Okey, I’ll give you that it's impressive and might work, it's light, strong and have flexibility... I’m not an egghead, but even I see this be one painful thing.” Dash wince just from the merge though how this be implanted into the flesh, wings are the most sensitive for pegasie. “..and there is still a chance it's won't work.”
“That's true...” Crimson winced too, truth be told, it was still quite painful when she moved around, especially flexed her back, but she mostly got used to the pain. “But I think I can deal with it.. and I made the design such way, that the part implanted is a base and the wings can be interchanged.”
Redheart was going through the designs in the meantime quietly. “Crimson...”
“Yes?”
“We can do it, BUT.” Redheart rise her hoof and silenced any words that was about to form on the other mare's mouth. “The implant part will need to be designed better and I will be the part of it at every step.” She locks eyes with Crimson, a true stern, unmovable look. Crimson only nod to this. “And WHEN... I deem ready and safe, only THEN, we will consider the operation. Are we clear?”
“Crystal.”
“Good. Now I try to get some time off from work to help you with this, with Twilight back it up, sure won't be an issue. I recommend you sit down with Rainbow Dash and go through the wings mechanical workings so we can have a perfect design for the base, especially we don't just need the bone and the metal base merged, but muscles attached to metal strings that move different parts of the wings, and that will give a new meaning of pain when we do.”
Crimson bite her lower lip and looked away as the reality sink in, that this operation will be anything but a simple walk in a park. The three mares stood there in perfect silence when a sudden bright light and a loud pop signalled the return of a certain alicorn. Crimson cringe, the noise was to loud for her, but at least she didn't get blinded thanks to her new shades. But when things register to her, she was stunned, so the other two and they bow quickly, Crimson however was taken aback as she saw the Lunar princess beside Twilight, staring at her. Then panic took over her, it was plane obvious the princess not in a good mood, and she bows quickly.
“Things are getting more complicated.” Spoke Twilight, her tone carry worry within.
After a quick recap of events that occurred in the past days, and especially this morning when Twilight has been summoned by the elder princesses to discuss something urgently along side with Cadance. They sat down. Crimson was mixed up, not that all the princesses now know about her, and could possibly lock her up, but that her dearest friends, adopted sisters, Octavia and Vinyl cough up in the cross fire and their lives ruined.
“I believe so it be best if we return to Canterlot, everypony who is involved, for your own safety, as this cult seems to be everywhere, likely even reach up to the highest levels of the government.” Then Luna looks at Crimson, now with a mix of pity and anger. “As for you Crimson... I agree you are a victim, but I cannot overlook the blood stuck on your hooves. By laws you should be executed... but we won't do that. For now you will be under our watch with your friends, as to how things move on afterwards, that time will only tell, but I can assure you already, you will be under our watch for the rest of your life, be it imprisoned, or allowed to be free.”
The bat pony nodded, unable to meet the eyes of the Lunar princess. Twilight the same, staring at the floor beside her.
“Rainbow Dash, fly out and gather all the elements and the three little fillies, I will teleport everypony back to Canterlot, and will have guards called in to look after their properties and work.”
The future Wonderbolt salute and speed out, leaving a rainbow trail behind.
An hour later, everypony was in the laboratory of Luna. The group had mixed feelings of the situation, the young ones were more excited about this adventure, not fully cope the gravity just yet. Fluttershy was terrified of course. Applejack was annoyed and concerned for her family. Rarity surprisingly took things well, she trust the princesses protection and judgement. Twilight was still somewhat ashamed, she did receive some scolding from both Celestia and Luna of why she did not contact them in the first space. Pinkie Pie was Pinkie Pie, happily hop along the others. Rainbow Dash was more of bored to death, she wanted to soar the skies, which she could not do inside this close structure. Redheart was excited, as she could continue her studies in the fields of medicine and learn more of vamponies here.
They arrived in the room where the others already await, Luna turns around to address the group. “We have arrived, this place will be your sanctum until we can provide a better, safe place for everypony.” Luna had a short pause then look at the three little fillies. “Apple Bloom, Sweety Belle, Scootalo, i'd like to ask you to behave, especially not bother miss Octavia and Midnight Blossom. They need lots of rest.
“YES PRINCESS LUNA!”
The reply arrived in a volume that rivalled the Royal Canterlot Voice, Luna was taken aback for a few moments, she never expected such display from little fillies. Rarity and Applejack smiled sheepishly while Rainbow Dash laugh so hard that it was a challenge to remain airborne. Crimson ears been flat and a tear drop hit the ground, biting her lips. Seeing this the trouble makers run up to her and plea for forgive them. Crimson shook her head rapidly to clear her mind, she has gone deaf for a short time, but even though, she could not be mad at the CMC, not against the pure weaponised cuteness they possessed, and not fret to use either. She sat on her haunches and with both hooves began to calm down the fillies that no harm done, thought her raised voice gave away she can't hear a thing at the moment. At the end every giggle on the antics of the fillies.
When the doors opened, two of the room's occupants had quite a surprise when they lay their eye on their long lost friend. Crimson couldn't even make a step forward as a Vinyl literally dive at her, embrace her in one bone cracking hug with tears flow from her eyes. Octavia goes out from her bed as well, a nurse tried to stop her but she sweeps her hoof away as she made her way to the pony pile made up from her best friends to join them, though carefully due her still fresh injury. The trio share liquid happiness, and once they settle down a little, they walked back inside, the others follow. It was a heart warming moment to witness, old friends reunite after a long time.
“Oh Cree... where have you been all this time?” Vinyl asked her bat friend, though this question chill the other mare mood.
“It's... a long story.. and not a good one Vinyl.” She raises her head and look into the eyes of the other pony, with a weak smile. “I'm just happy I can see you girls again.”
“....” A painful gasp earn the two attention, in time to see Octavia place her hoof gently to her neck, fighting back some tears. Crimson heart felt seeing this. She felt responsible for her delicate earth pony friend's injury. Octavia fight off the nurse once more, raise her hoof to show she is alright enough, and gestured for something to write with. Twilight been the one help her out, as always she been armed with scrolls, ink and quills.
As Octavia began to write her message to her friend, things began to sink in for Vinyl, how her friend actually see her with the now blood red orbs of hers, her now larger and sharper fangs, and the bandaged up back side where her wings would be. Her friend been turned into a vampony, as happened to the night guard, Midnight Blossom. Then mutilation of her wings.
“Oh mare...” Crimson turn towards her DJ friend who gave her a gentle hug. No more words needed to be said there, the vampony knew her friend's thoughts already, she rests her head on Vinyls shoulder and exhale.
“Cree... I never let you out of my sight.. ever again.” Declared the white unicorn with a sad smile as rub the back of her friend, with care not to cause pain.
“Whoa.. seems the mighty tomcolt has a soft spot after all.” Chuckled Crimson as she bumped her head playfully into Vinyls, as looking far ahead, into the distance of the far past when all was simple and pure.
“You bet.. you and Octi can melt this heart of hard core wubs you know.”
The two got surprised when bumped at top of their head by two gray hooves of the cellist, not to strong of course. Vinyl took the scroll out from Octavia hoof and levitated before the trio, so they could read it what their now mute friend tried to say all the while Octavia embraced Crimson.
~I can't simply find the words how happy I, we are, we though the worst Crimson. We fear we hurt your feelings by moving to Canterlot to peruse our dreams and both though you died after you disappeared for so long without any trace and hate us Celestia what have happened to you!?! Your wings. Your eyes. You turned into a vampony?~
“There's so much... just to much...” Crimson close her eyes. “I wish we could meet normally, and I not be a monster.”
“Cree you are..” She was interrupted by Crimson hoof high in the air.
“..Vinyl.. I know you mean well and all of you, but I am, what I committed, even if wasn't my will... I was a tool for murder...”
“And that's why you are not a monster, you been used, and you have been powerless, for most of that time you haven't even had your consciences.” She turns to the mare who spoke, and now sat before her, Twilight Sparkle. “You feel regret, love, compassion, fear... It's true what they have done and used your body to, that spilled so much blood... but you are a pony deep...” She rest her hoof on Crimson chest.”Inside here...”
“That I see as well, but blood doesn’t turn to water either, Twilight.” Spoke Luna “This... is a unique case... sure we can't punish you, but can't let it go neither.” She sigh deeply “What I can think of now, you would be enrolled to the guard to repay a degree what happened in the past 3 years.”
“Hold on a sec..” Vinyl butt in. “What's all this blood spilled you yammering about.” The Princesses haven't been set back the bluntness of the DJ, Octavia however had her hoof land square on top of the white mare's head, with quite a force. “HEY!” Vinyl stare dagger to her friend, Crimson shook her head, at least some things haven't changed.
“Vinyl, it's true.. when I was turned into a vampony, the fiend, Black Blood posses my body. I was a mere puppet for him and compiled it do his bidding.. capture or outright kill ponies.. So to satisfy his hunger, and out of mere entertainment.. for two years I wasn't even aware of it, then he let me slip back conscienceness, but the fact remained I could do nothing against his will until he been killed a few days ago.” She saw her friend, she could not comprehend this, not just yet, Octavia however did. If a look could torn, rip one's soul to shreds while try to embrace and heal at the same time, Octavia would have just done that there and then.
“I think you all should rest now. And miss Octavia, you should remain your bed for now or I be forced to restrain you. I recommend to settle down and let out the bubbling emotions and catch up for today. There will be lot to consider besides these, as seems we are forced to enter to this secret war that been raging under our very nose al this time.” Everypony bow as Luna made her leave, Twilight.
The group settles around Octavia's bed as they began to talk, Midnight Blossom joins in as well after a short time. They had mixed feelings, but they all agreed things will be difficult, but they had hoped in the end all would be resolved. One by one they have gone to sleep, wonder what the tomorrow bring.
This chapter is truly optimal, it's a brain food of how I imagen things about various pony races. So to speak it's my own head cannon more or less. Also heres a pic for all, Octi feeding her friend
Originally there been six pony races, unicorns, pegasie, earth ponies, crystal ponies, bat ponies and flutter ponies. The six race coexisted for a long time, with mild conflict between each other.
Over time three become dominant, the unicorns, pegasie and the earth ponies as their natural abilities and attributes gave them an advantage over the others. The constant fight among ponies who tap into the natural magic poll, unsettle the balance. This gave birth to Discord first, and with disharmony now has a manifestation, at that time not physically. Things began change more rapidly.
Discord feed off the distress and chaos and work to increase it, and to further this he tried to taint the ponies, and been successful with two race, the flutter ponies and the bat ponies. The flutter ponies gone extinct and the bat ponies diminish severely, result in the birth of the 'tainted races' of vamponies and changelings.
With the balance toppled the other side came to existence, the alicorns, who very few in numbers always, but immensely powerful and began work to bring harmony and order.
The tainted been hunted down systemically, force the changelings and vamponies to evolve. Changelings better in mimic and adapt in order to survive while vamponies transgress the actual species barrier and able to infect, turn other ponies into vamponies in order to avoid extinction.
About this time the cult came to existence, members of the three and 'pure' of ponies consist it, united under the goal to exterminate the tainted ones, including the bat ponies. However they never succeeded due their low numbers and the rift, distrust among their respective species and ranks.
The world gone to hell once Discord gain physical manifestation, almost kill off all the alicorns, but before that could happen two alicorns born, Celestia and Luna, alongside the mysterious artifacts appear, the Elements of Harmony and tip the balance towards order.
Canterlot, the city of the demi goddesses, capital of all Equestria, had been stirred up once more. The death of the two famous musicians has shock it to the core. The ponies had questions, but no answers to these questions. Who? Why? Coincidence or Conspiracy? Will be there more killings? All but a few had answers, but none had all the answers. And it was doomed to stay such way, as it was before through all the countless centuries.
One pony, who possessed half the answers, was trotting up the age old streets of Canterlot under the cloudy night sky. It was surely the Lunar goddess was in a bad mood. The mare stopped near a large turn of the road and gave a quick look towards the alley which been soaked in blood not so long ago. Like the night become curious to this mare, the light of Luna pierced through the clouds, illuminated her. The moonlight shone on her almost white, ice blue mane and tail. The sweat drops on her azure fur coat sparkled, and just like a deer cough in the light of a torch or a magical light she froze. She could feel in her veins the very spirit of the night burning through, paralyzing her. It's unthinkable piercing look sweep all her strength from her limbs, all courage from her heart, all coherent thoughts from her mind. The light disappeared shortly after, hidden by the thick clouds. Trixie shuddered from the sensation she just experienced, but quickly she continued her trot on the desolated street.
While the cold night air rushed over her azure coat on the dimly lit streets of the city, Trixies mind was racing, conflicted what was right and what was wrong. She got herself into some serious mess by joining the mysterious group of cultists in pursuit for more magical powers. She did acquire even greater powers, but at what cost. Killing monsters were a true cause in her book, killing innocent was not, even if it was in order to get said monsters down. The last two murders were done by the cult, and she fear for her own life, ever since she abandon them, ever since they crossed all lines by that unspeakable act of horror.
Trixie suddenly felt something pass beside her head, at incredible speeds, and give out a loud clang as embedded into the ground. Her heart skipped a beat as all those registered, a dagger just missed her head by inches. Trixie jumped and did a 180 turn while doing so. She could see a pegasie pony descend to the ground. She sport a large cloak covering up most of her features, but she had a light gray fur coat with black mane.
“Trixie Lulamoon, you are a shame, before, now and would be. And such shame must be washed away with blood.”
The azure unicorn gulped, fully aware she might not see the next sunrise. She had only one slight hope, that they sent only one cultist after her and not more.
“Lay down at once and I make death fast and merciful, try to fight back and I shall grant you a whole new world of pain before let you pass to Tartarus.”
She stood still as the pegasie began her advance, unfolding twin blades tucked under her wings. Unbeknown to her, Trixie began to charge her horn. One thing she came up with based on the cult age old spells to hide their presence. She almost perfected it, and could hide her magic, render it invisible to the naked eye.
“So you stand and fight? Very well, i'll make it extra slow for you, traitor!”
Trixie jumped away, but not one way, there was suddenly 10 Trixies go in 10 different directions at high speed. The assassin was surprised but continue her charge aiming for the nearest illusion. She slashed and the sound of flesh, blood and bone, cutting nearly half the reared up Trixie, spilling her innards and mass amount of blood, the body began to fall back down the ground while having a satisfied sick smirk on her face. Then it disappeared in a puff of smoke. Everything, even the spilled blood, from the ground, from the blade she struck with, from her cloak and muzzle. Whirlwind Dancer was shocked, this was an illusion far surpassing anything ever she witnessed or knew of. Snapping out from her shock saw all the remaining 9 Trixies bolt in different directions. She could curse only, thick and heavy curse poor from her lips as she darted after the nearest clone to take it down.
Trixie was scared, she was an illusionist, not a fighter, sure she learned the basics while among the cult, but she was unarmed, and she didn't know any good combat magic, not one that could take down a magically enchanted cult warrior, and one of the most experienced one at that. To make things more nasty for her, she could feel all of her clones, so she got a perfect glimpse what’s like being torn nearly half by a wing blade of Whirlwind Dancer. She ran faster for her dear life, zig zag now between narrow alleyways behind the main streets in the hope she can shake off the assailant.
Whirlwind Dancer was truly enraged, a shame, a failure, a traitor make a total fool out of her with her illusions. She now had worse in-store for the azure mare than death, even if would go against the will of the cult elders. Suddenly she saw one clone in her vision, make her way out from the alleyway bellow and run beside a drunk earth pony stallion. Faster than one could blink she dived down, with both her blades out. Only a loud explosion could be heard as winds rushed out carry dust, gore and blood. The ground dent in with deep cracks where Whirlwind stood now, rising to her full height slowly as both ponies beside her fall to the ground, cut in half. Both gave a surprised and shocked look as life left them. Tears forming in their eyes as they rapidly become milky, lifeless. Then a sudden puff on the right side signalled it was yet another clone, while the poor sod stallion on the left land in a heavy, and wet, blood soaked splatter, twitching occasionally as blood still pumped out by it's heart alongside all possible body fluids.
The neighborhood stirred up by this ruckus. And now Whirlwind Dancer found herself soaked with the real blood of the pink stallion. Biting her lip she crouched down while spread her wings upwards, followed by another sudden explosion force as launched herself high into the sky, stirred up large amount of dust once again to mask her escape.
From high above she could see as light came to life in the homes below. She also noticed two other clones from the distance. The pegasie inhaled deeply, closed her eyes, and threw two blades at sickening speed towards the distant targets, both dropped to the ground, and shortly after vanished in a cloud of smoke. She cursed again silently, why she did not aim to kill right away, why she had to give the speech to that miserable unicorn mare. Then she shot off into the distant dark night, her target got away, she had failed her cult, her masters.
The unicorn still run, not aware her assassin gave up, she was way terrified down to the very soul, the images from her clones, haunt her. That poor pink stallion had nothing to do with all this, yet was slain like a worthless soul. Tears flowing down from her eyes in thick streams, they supposed to protect the ponies from horrors, instead they become horrors killing them. It didn't even registrate to Trixie as she rammed into a group of night guards who been just sent out to investigate the chaos, effectively knock of larger, stronger stallions of their hooves before the others took down the panicking unicorn mare. Took four guards to pin her down and tie her up, apply more than one magic restrainer rings on her. Trixie gave up, she stopped struggling, all shouts, all around her blurred out, the magical backslash, the memories of the clones flooding back into her, the fatigue of running for her very life have taken their full tool on the azure illusionist as she descended into full shock then and there.
Several dozen of clopping hooves echoed through the Royal Castle at the middle of the chaotic night. Outside Night Guards everywhere where one could look, as well Royal Sun Guards began swarm the place, walls, the garden, all entrances as the group made its way towards the throne room of the royal sisters, dragging along the azure mare unceremoniously on the ground.
Trixies side hurt, hurt badly as she been dragged on the ground. Regardless all the pain, soreness she was kind of relieved. It was over for her, and even so, in her final moments she might be able to do something good to atone for her crimes by fully exposing the cult and their secrets she have learned.
The group of Elite Night Guards reached the throne room, and it's massive golden gates opened swiftly, swiftly, without hindering them even for a moment. As Trixie looked up the massive doors and arch as the marble floor kept assaulting her bruised and burnt side, a new found dread sank into the young mare's heart. Slowly she level her look forward, away from the ceiling and it's comforting heights, towards the dual throne. Both being occupied by it's respective owners, princes Celestia, and princes Luna. And the very moment Trixie's eyes meet Luna's, which was filled with unimaginable rage as shone solid white, the poor azure mare couldn't even swallow from the sheer horror. She feared she might been better off being cut down by Whirlwind Dancer. Trixie tried to will herself as small as she could, trembled in pure fear before the demi goddesses of the land.
“Rise my loyal subjects.”
Spoke Celestia with a calm but commanding voice, and so the guards rose from their bow which the unicorn haven't even notice. Then the Sun goddess continued.
“I would never though I see you again Trixie Lulamoon, not such way, especially after you take on better ways to my knowledge.”
“THE FILT SHALL BE ERADICATED WHO DARE TO HURT OUR SUBJECTS AND TAINT OUR BEAUTIFUL NIGHT!”
Luna howl in her Royal Canterlot Voice, louder than ever before anypony could remember, shattering the throne room windows with sheer strength and send the poor guards, along side with Trixie, blown away as far as the middle of the large throne room. Luna was ready to rush at the defenseless mare and only stopped by her elder sisters calm white hoof. Luna eyes glow white, muscles ripple on her body that nopony ever witnessed. The Elite Guards were truly terrified, it was a spectacle to behold, and fear with right. After a few long moments Celestia spoke again, quietly, calmly to her younger sister.
“Lulu, let me try short this out for you. She may very well hold vital information for us that could aid us stopping this age old madness.”
There was no response at all from the Dark Alicorn of the Night, nor any movement. That was the clue for Celestia to move forward with regal steps, each golden shoes echo through the painfully silent throne room. Trixie suddenly felt she been lifted into the air, a golden aura of Celestia encompasses her with it's warm and tingling sensation of the summer sun.
“Trixie, we need answers, and I’m afraid I will take them as our subject's life hangs in the balance, do not try to fight it, as if you do, you will experience a fate worse than 100 agonizing slow death.”
And as she finished what she wished to say to Trixie, Celestia touched her horn to her forehead, Trixie could see herself in the pink eyes of the White Alicorn, the reflection of her own worn out, tear filled eyes, bags underneath, pleading for mercy, full of regret, without the spark of life, future ahead. Then slowly a blinding ball of light engulfed both of them as Celestia searched the very mind, the very soul of this, at best, troubled mare.
The strong, blinding light illuminated the night near the throne room of the castle as flooded through the now shattered windows.
Bat Ponies always been a miss understood race, nocturnal cousins of the Pegasie Ponies. This race has good physic, stronger muscles than they're Pegasie counterparts, but their magic less refined, less affinity towards the winds, but better grasp towards elemental magic, especially lightning based magic’s. Born with superb locator like ears and superb, yet sensitive to strong light eyes they are naturally gifted warriors of the night skies, but their strength suffered against the pegasie higher speed and the ability to control the clouds and winds. Also Pegasie have the advantage to recover quicker from any wounds on their wings. However once the battle forced to the ground or in an enclosed area, be it a cave or the streets of a city, the Bat Ponies would tear the Pegasie to shreds at ease.
One on one a Bat Pony win a fight, but if things come down to fight in teams the pages come out as victors, able to setup traps, and quickly outmaneuver, even dodge the attacks the Bat Ponies throw at them.
Bat Ponies and Pegasie shared an age old conflict which only subdues with the near extinction of the Bat Ponies and Princes Luna appearance, share a special kind of love for them, make them her own special shock troopers of the night.
Unlike the false belief, Bat ponies don't consume blood, but do eat smaller animals occasionally, being unique with their omnivore diet among the pony races. Non less for this very reason they have been deemed monsters and feared even to this day beside many other reasons.
Magic, and Unicorns are almost come in a pair, considered the most gifted pony race among all the pony races due their natural grasp for arcane energies, their horn being the ultimate tool, be that anything, just lift something or create a shield. Unicorns due this tends to be eccentric in nature most of the time, and think they are higher than the other pony races, this of course always been a source of conflict, even in the modern days of Equestria. However where they have strengths, they have weaknesses. They lack passive magic or senses, as well the weakest physically among the existing ponies both in strength and endurance. A fact that indeed bite them in the flank many times over in the past in this present day when a smart opponent could trick, exhaust, or surprise there unicorn foe in close combat.
Unicorns consist the bulk of the modern Equestrian high society, the sciences and other aspects of life where magic is superior doing work, requiring high precision then stamina or quantity.
Certain unicorns even have grasp for magical fields that otherwise be exclusive to a pony race, such as weather manipulation of the Pegasie or the control over the crystals, though such is rare and far in between.
Unicorns combat is versatile but mainly builds to avoid close combat with their opponents, employing defensive barriers, the use of magical missiles, telekinesis, and teleportation. In certain cases of more gifted unicorns illusions or mind spells.
In any case, a skilled and powerful unicorn is a bad news to any foe if they can not ambush it or overwhelm it quickly.
This new “dark” race is one of Discord legacy. He transcended them from Bat Ponies, make them a magical plague, but they continue to evolve. The very first Vamponies were nothing more the feral beast hungry only for the blood of the living ponies, occasionally turn ponies into Vamponies with their blood magic. Their strength and feral brutality peek over the reign of Discord, and this was the time when the cult appeared to halt the menace. Things change though once Discord got sealed away. The very even killed many feral Vamponies, but a few survived, and not only that, they regain their own will and mind over time. With only the strongest survive they evolve at a rapid rate for centuries until a few hundred remained scattered across the land.
When Vamponies evolve, their strength and stamina increased mostly at enormous levels, of course there are varieties to how strong they are based on which race they been converted from, but the strongest ones remain the ones turned from Bat Ponies, and considered the pure blood line.
The survival of the fittest soon made them resistant against the sun, though they still suffer from it's effects, mainly blind by the strong light or easily get a heat stroke.
It's very hard to kill them and requires a perfectly coordinated team specialized in dealing with them, at the current time only the Cult have the practice and skills in it's possession to hunt down Vamponies with minimal or acceptable losses.
Vamponies also regained the ability to consume normal food after some strict self conditioning and meditation, but only liquid based foods, milk, or egg for example, any other food they unable to digest properly and result in agonizing pain, or even death.
Consuming blood at regular basis is mandatory, even ones who able to consume other nourishments to boost their strength. When they digest blood, they aren't just processing the physical materials, but also extract the ambient life magic stored in cells at an incredible efficiency as well store said energies in their own cells far more effectively than any other known race. This however makes them weak against poisons, while weak poisons that might leave a pony weak, and effects takes days to manifest, quickly overcome Vamponies, and it's one of the favorite tactic of the cult have ambient poison in their own blood, even if they fall, the Vampony would fall with them. Though some managed to adapt to certain poisons, and able to survive, it does render them vulnerable and paralyzed at most cases.
Their fate, extinction was a true loss for the world. They have been the most peaceful and harmless among all the races and the victims of the crossfire of all the other race conflicts. The largest of the flutter ponies was just about a size of a smaller file, and this could be one of the main reasons why they been “stomped out” by the others.
Flutter ponies true been small and had really no means to fight the larger ponies, but they were one of the fastest, and defiantly the most agile ponies ever roam the lands. Also due to their small size, they needed minimal food and water compared to the others, due this they have been able to survive for a very long time, against all odds.
Their diet mostly consisted flowers and nectar, but if needed they could feed on the emotions of other ponies, this however was undesirable. Not mainly for the negative reaction, but it wasn't healthy, doing it to many times had serious backslash for these small beings.
Flutter ponies also been one of the most colorful pony races, especially with the ability to change their colors, fur, main, wings, and eyes. Some of the most skilled and magically gifted Flutter Ponies were even able to blend in to the environment around them, mimic the very colors around them.
The last sighting of these small ponies happened in the midst of discord reign.
