A Fate Changing Encounter

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"If you had a chance to reach out and save somepony from the grasp of death would you take it? Would you be willing to accept the consequences? Even fate has its price. Even if the payment can last for eternity." -Time Turner

Two ponies walked beside each other along the crowded Manehattan streets as the day slowly reached its end. One was a stallion while the other was a mare. The stallion's name was Wondering Wind. His brown wings matched his tan mane and pale blue eyes. The Cutie Mark on his flank was of two leaves being blown by a gust of air into a circular motion. The mare's name was Crystal Clover and she was a unicorn. Her pale green mane fluttered in the breeze, caressing her white coat. Seeing Wondering Wind looking at her, she smiled back, her green eyes looking contently at her friend. Her smile caused butterflies to flutter within Wind's stomach.

Due to the cool fall air, both of them had bought some windbreakers to insure that they could stay warm. Wind had purchased a black windbreaker with gray trimming along the sleeves and Clover had purchased a red green one with white trim. Clover's coat framed her form quite well. Around Wondering Wind's neck was a necklace that had been given to him as a gift by his mother. The necklace was made of steel and was carved to bear the symbol of the Elements of Harmony. It was a relic from back when the Elements of Harmony still existed.

About forty years all but one of the legendary Elements of Harmony had disappeared by unknown means. Now the only Element that remained was Twilight Sparkle, the Element of Magic and the Princess of Friendship. While there were many theories as to why or how the Elements of Harmony had disappeared there was no evidence to prove any of them and Twilight Sparkle wasn't talking. Perhaps no pony would ever know.

While he had difficulty admitting it, Wondering Wind really enjoyed Crystal Clover's company. She was kind gentle and above all a very caring pony. Sure, she wasn't the prettiest pony in Equestria but to Wondering Wind she was beautiful.

"So how is your nursing program working out?" Wind asked curious about her progress.

"It is going quite well," Clover answered, "and how are you doing with your Associates Degree?"

"It could be going better," Wind replied nervously scratching the back of his head, "but at this point in time I do have a passing grade. I might be able to push it up a little bit if I do some extra credit work."

"That would probably help." Clover said with a grin.

"So have you heard any new rumors or myths that you would like to discuss?" Wind asked. Clover put a hoof to her chin as she contemplated Wondering Wind's inquiry.

Right after their college classes, Wondering Wind would always walk Crystal Clover home, before taking the subway to his apartment. The walk was relaxing in the fall air and the two of the enjoyed talking with one another. One of the things they normally liked to talk about were the rumors of mythical and ancient creatures within Equestria. At one point they had even discussed the differences between a Ponaga and a Gorgony. It was during one of these discussions that the topic of vamponies had come up.

"Have you heard the rumor about sparkling vamponies?" Crystal Clover asked.

Wondering Wind shook his head, "I can't say that I have. What is it?"

"Well, supposedly it is the theory that vamponies are actually not weak to sunlight," Clover giggled, "but choose to stay out of it because they sparkle like diamonds in the sunlight."

"Sounds kind of stupid if you ask me." Wind smirked, sniffing the air as they passed by a food vendor.

Clover laughed. "I suppose but, still you have to admit that such a rumor is amusing."

"I guess, but then wouldn't that mean that the crystal ponies could in fact be vamponies?" Wind said this teasingly.

"No, because crystal ponies only sparkle in the Crystal Empire when events pertaining to the Crystal Heart or Princess Cadence and her daughter Flurry Heart are commencing." Clover said defensively.

"I was only joking." Wind said a little ashamed of the comment.

Clover giggled, putting a hoof to her mouth, "It's okay. So what do you think about vamponies?"

“What do you mean?” Wind asked.

“Well, do you like them?” Clover replied, “I know some ponies that at some point in time went through a vampony stage. Even to the point of total ridiculousness. So do you like them?”

Wind shrugged, “I guess they're okay but if you think about it those weaknesses would be such a hassle. So what do you think of them?”

Clover smiled, “Personally I think their very interesting. I think it might be kind of fun to meet one up close.”

“Even with the possibility of being bitten by one?” Wind asked with a slight grin.

“Why not?” Clover grinned, “After all what mare hasn’t at least imagined the idea of having a vampony as their special somepony?”

Hearing this Wondering Wind’s smile disappeared and the stallion began to look down at his hooves. When it come to matters concerning love, Wind was hopeless.

If Wondering Wind could, he would gladly propose his love to her and seek her hoof in marriage. However, these days the union of two different pony species was generally frowned upon, even if they didn't express such emotions. It was almost an unspoken rule that one should always try to marry a pony of the same species. Thus with Wondering Wind being a pegasus and Crystal Clover being a unicorn it was very unlikely that the two of them would ever get married. On top of that Crystal Clover was a crystal pony from the crystal empire, who was living in Manehattan as a part of her classes.

Perhaps one day Wind would have the strength, both to ask for Clover's hoof and perhaps even the strength to accept her rejection with dignity if it came to that. Returning from his thoughts, Wondering Wind realized that he had been staring at Crystal Clover the whole time. It also seemed that Clover was aware of this as she stared back at him with questioning eyes.Embarrassed by this, Wind looked away and Clover did the same.

"Wind there is something I need to talk to you about." Clover said still looking at the concrete ground as they walked.

"What is it?"

"I... I just thought you should know that when this quarter is over in a few weeks, I will have finished my degree."

"That is great." Wondering Wind said happy for her accomplishment. There was a pregnant pause before Crystal Clover spoke again.

"Once my degree is finishing I will be going home. Going back to the Crystal Empire."

For a moment Wondering Wind's heart seemed to stop. While Wind had always figured that Clover would eventually return to her home country, Wind had expected that he would have more time with her.

"I'm glad for you." Wind spoke being careful to cover up the fact that he was lying. While he was proud of her, Wind didn't want her to leave.

The rest of the walk to Clover's home was quiet. Even the other pedestrians on the Manehattan streets seemed to prefer to not speak. Either that or Wondering Wind had blocked it all out in his sadness.

"Well, we're here."

Crystal Clover's statement brought Wind back to reality. Looking around, Wondering Wind realized that they were in fact in front of Clover's home. It was a three story red brick building with white window frames. Five concrete steps lead up to the buildings large green door. Around the house was a brick wall with a white wooden gate, protecting the building and the potted plants in front from the street. Crystal Clover shared the house with a few other crystal mares who were visiting Manehattan for their education.

There was a long pause as the two of them just looked at each other.

"Well... good night." Clover said before turning toward the door. Opening the wooden gate to her home.

Now was Wondering Wind's chance. It was now the time for him to express his love for her. To tell her how he truly felt about her.

"Clover..."

Hearing Wind speak her name Clover turned around, "Yes?"

However, the words Wondering Wind desperately wished to speak got caught in his throat.

"H-Have a good evening."

"You too, Wind."

Once Crystal Clover had passed through the green door into the house, Wondering Wind began his journey home. The stallion's stomach felt as if it had been tied up in knots. His head limped both that his friend would be leaving and that he couldn't confess that he loved her. The idea of asking Crystal Clover out for the weekend crossed Wind's mind but he soon dismissed the idea as he went down the block.

His despair distracted Wondering Wind, blind to the world around him. Only an ad for an Apploosa Grand Apple Cider played in the background from a nearby bulletin board.

As Wondering Wind turned to descend the steps to the subway station, another mare with a large black jacket and a large black duffle bag bumped into him.

"Excuse me." The mare called out not even looking back at Wondering Wind as she went on her way. A few strands of a bleached white mane fluttered from behind her black hood. Having not been injured by the stranger, Wind just brushed it aside and descended the stairway into the subway station.

As he walked, he noticed that the place seemed eerily quiet. Most days there were ponies going home after a long day's work or going out to a party with friends. However, today no pony was around. The subway was completely vacant.

The entrance to the subway station was covered by a canopy made of made of sheets of glass and a steel framework. Hoof rails ran along the side of the steps as well as a hoof railing in the center of the stairway. All descending down into the facility below. Above, the sun was setting indicated that it would be night in a couple of hours.

Stepping down the steps, Wind passed through the doorway into the subway stations main lobby. The lobby consisted of tiled walls and flooring which were supported by concrete and a steel framework. The tiles on the floor and walls were white with stains indicating wear and tear. Benches made of recycled plastic were set about the area so that waiting ponies could sit. In the center of the room was an escalator leading to the floor with the train stop. There were also metal stands with computer screens showing the train schedule. An ad for the Glimmer App flickered in a corner of the screen.

Glimmer was a very popular app for the smartpone that could do numerous tasks for the owner. The task could be as simple as turning on some music, mapping out your path to a new location, calling some pony on the phone, etc. There were even a few spells installed onto the program that would allow its user to cast some spells whither they were unicorns or not. These spells varied from a mere flashlight spell to a levitation spells. Of course there were restrictions to insure that no pony cast spells that could endanger Equestrian citizens. Wondering Wind himself had the Glimmer app on his smartphone.

Something caught Wind's attention out of the corner of his eye. There was a red stain on the ground. Closer examination showed that the stain was a deep crimson and that it was leading down the escalator to the next floor.

"Hello!" Wondering Wind called out looking down to the next floor. He couldn't tell for sure but Wind thought he heard a moan from the lower floor. Unsure what might happen, Wind stepped onto the escalator and descended down to the next floor. The lights above seemed to flicker as Wind reached the bottom. Here Wondering Wind could see a path of the red stain on the floor and by now he had a pretty good idea what it was.

The loading dock for the train station had the same tiled floor and walls like the floor above. Eight columns supported the room, with four on each side. Some mirrors had been placed onto the support pillars as a means to make it difficult for thieves and pickpockets to go unnoticed. The lights above continued to flicker creating an uneasy atmosphere.

The path of blood progressed to the very center of the room, where a crumpled shape lay. From a distance the shape resembled a disfigured body surrounded in a puddle of its own blood.

"By Celestia!" Seeing the Wondering Wind pulled out his smartpone and activated the Glimmer App. The green Glimmer icon appeared on his smartpone's screen.

"This is Glimmer," A female voice spoke through the pone's speakers, "how may I help you?"

"Glimmer call an ambulance," Wondering Wind spoke, "some pony appears to be injured in the subway station."

A couple beeping sounds came over the speaker, "I have triggered the GPS and alerted the authorities to your position. Please remain calm and attempt to keep the injured pony safe in the meantime."

Following Glimmer's directions, Wind slowly walked over to the body in the middle of the floor. It was a pegasus mare with a yellow coat and pink mane and tail. Strands of her pink mane seemed to move through the air like seaweed moving with the tide. A tattered red dress covered her frame. From what Wind could tell three of the mare's legs had been cut off and were the source of the blood puddle. Only her front right leg was still attached. Her wings didn't look like the feathered wings of a pegasus, more like leathery wings. A large steel rod with the sigil of the Celestial Sun pierced the mare's flesh from behind. Closer examination showed that the mare wasn't breathing.

"Oh Celestia!" The mare was dead wasn't she.

Suddenly the mare's eyes shot up, startling Wind and causing the stallion to fall back on his behind. Slowly the injured mare pulled herself up with her one intact limb. She groaned as she moved her body with the stake that pierced through much of her intestines. Looking up at Wondering Wind, the mare gave him a weak smile. A smile tainted by the small amount of blood staining the corners of her mouth.

"Hey do you think you can help me?" The mare asked softly as Wind noticed the fangs in her mouth. If it wasn’t for those perilous fangs, she might have been as beautiful as Clover.

"Your... Your..." Wind kept pushing himself back increasing the distance between himself and the mare.

The mare let out a deep sigh, "Look I know you used Glimmer just a little while ago so we don't have much time and right now I really need your help."

"But your..." Wind took another step away from the mare.

"A vampony!" The desperate mare coughed, "Yes, I am indeed a vampony and I need you help. I need your blood in order to repair the damage that was done to my body.If the authorities discover me I will suffer a fate worse than death and you will be no better off!"

“But…” No paying attention to where he was going, Wind tripped falling onto his flank.

“Please,” Tears flowed from the vamponies eyes, “You have to trust me!”

Wondering Wind kept his distance as he contemplated the matter. At first the thought of the creature drinking his blood was repulsive. However, as Wind looked on, he pondered what Crystal Clover would do in such a situation. No doubt she would gladly give her blood to the monster, even if it cost her her own life. Sure she would probably hesitate on the matter but eventually she would come to terms with it.

Plus if what the vampony said was true, the authorities would take him away from his normal life. Perhaps he would be taken to live the rest of his life in an asylum or perhaps even an underground facility where only the worst of monsters were taken. Sure it wouldn’t be like Tartarus but it would still be bad.

Carefully, Wind picked himself off the ground and continued to step backwards not letting the vampony out of his sight.

“PLEASE,” the vampony yelled, “DON’T FORCE ME TO DO THIS AGAINST YOUR WILL!”

While Wind did consider the vampony’s remark to be unsettling, he continued to examine his options. He could try to run but what if someone saw him fleeing the scene? What were the odds that there would be an investigation leading back to him? He had also had the Glimmer app call the emergency number. Could they track the GPS in his phone?

Even with the prospect of Clover leaving once she had her degree, if Wind did what the vampony asked there was a chance he would be able to see her again. It would be unlikely that such a thing would happen if the authorities took him into custody. However, there was also a good chance that he could end up dead due to blood loss.

Hearing hoof steps near the stairs, Wind turned to face them. As he looked away the vampony let out a painful gasp. Turning back around, Wind saw that the mare had managed to pull herself out off the ground. While the movement had dislodged the stake, it still rested within her body. Slowly she walked over to Wondering Wind and as she did he noticed that her eyes had changed to a vibrant green.

Suddenly the muscles in Wind’s neck began to move against his will, presenting his throat to the vampony. As she moved forward, Wind could see tears falling from her eyes.

The vampony raised herself up enough to be able to bit down on Wind's neck, "I am very sorry it had to come to this. I had hoped you would give your blood freely, but now I have no choice."

At first all Wondering Wind could feel was the pain of the vampony's fangs sinking into his neck, however as the vampony drank a euphoric sensation washed over Wind. The sensation was rather pleasurable for the stallion even as the world before him faded into darkness.

As Wondering Wind slept, his life seemed to flash before his eyes as burning hot coals burned his flesh. He tried to move his limbs but he couldn't. It was as if the muscles in his legs, core and neck had disintegrated, preventing him from brushing off the burning coals. The pain of thousands of sharp needles pierced his stomach cutting and slashing him from the inside out. As the pain went on all Wondering Wind could hope for was the cruel clutches of death to embrace him. Yet as time went on it was clear that death had forsaken him.

The pain was so unbearable to that even the flames of Tartarus would be merciful. Wind's throat was dry and sore from his deathly screams. His screams went silent as soon as he heard the laughing. It was a low cruel chuckle. Despite not being able to see anything, Wind saw the source of the evil laughter in his mind's eye. It was a hooded figure with a cloak made of leathery skin. Thousands of tiny limbs covered in fangs moved within the dark recesses of the hood. A long proboscis stretched out from the cloak drinking from the bodies that had been strewn about in a sea of blood. A creature with hundreds of legs ran across the blood drenched waves.

Looking up into that dark cloak, Wondering Wind felt the feeling that he was being watched by a primordial entity. By a creature that existed long before the reunion of the pony tribes. Older than even the Wendigo of legend. The laughter grew louder drowning out the stallion's thoughts.

Another shape emerged from the monster's chest. A smaller shape with the wings of a bat and two blood red eyes. It swooped down from above, landing in front of Wondering Wind. The creature raised its head, red orbs looking deep into Wind's eyes. It's eyes gazed into him with malicious intent. Drowning out his hopes. Filling him with complete despair.

Suddenly Wind's eyes shot open as he awoke from his fevered dream. Aside from the grumbling stomach, the pain Wondering Wind had felt was now completely gone. Relief flowed through Wind as he moved his limbs.

Looking around Wondering Wind was surprised to see that the vampony was gone. All that remained was the stake that had impaled her. Even her blood was gone with no sign of any of the stains, Wind had seen.

"Was it a dream?" Wind asked touching his face with his hooves, "Or some strange hallucination?"

However, if it was some sort of hallucination then why was the stake still in the ground and where was every pony? The sound of a gurgling stomach echoed through the halls, the achy feeling in Wondering Wind's belly indicating its source. Looking at one of the electronic signs for the train schedule, Wind was surprised to see that the screen was completely black. There was also no sound of train movement.

"Seriously!" Wind groaned, he was going to have to fly all the way home, wasn't he?

Annoyed by the realization, Wondering Wind began his journey up the steps of the subway station up into the Manehattan streets. Walking up the steps, Wondering Wind could tell that had risen behind the cloudy sky. His skin itched. His breathing grew heavier. His wings ached. Reaching the top of the steps the sight before Wind mortified him. Manehattan was gone, replaced by ruins and debris.

"What..."

As Wondering Wind tried to contemplate what had happened, as he tried to figure out how much devastation could have happened so suddenly without affecting him, his skin grew more sensitive. Fading from an itchy sensation to that of a full on rash.

'Stay out of the sun.' A voice in Wondering Wind's head spoke. It was almost like his conscience only sinister.

Checking his smartpone, Wind discovered that not only was there no signal but that his battery had diminished to five percent and was close to dying.

Wanting to uncover a better view of his surroundings, Wondering Wind stretched out his wings and flew upwards toward the tallest structure he could find. The wind that blew against Wind's body was dry and rough. After a few minutes Wondering Wind managed to land on top of a tall skyscraper. It was tall and rigid, its many windows broken and shattered, their broken shards covering the concrete below.

Looking out across the expanse, Wondering Wind could clearly see that all of Manehattan was in ruins. To the north much of the city had been destroyed replaced by a flat plain.

'Stay out of the sun.'

Looking up Wondering Wind could see the clouds floating away to unveil the sun. Wind stretched out a wing to shield his eyes from the bright light, when he noticed something horrifying. Something he hadn't noticed before. His wings were now long and leathery like the membraned wing of a bat.

'STAY OUT OF THE SUN!'

As the sun's rays touched Wind's body, a terrible sensation swept over him. The itching sensation changed to a burning sensation as if Wondering Wind's body was completely submerged in a boiling cauldron. Smoke began to roll from Wind's vampiric wing before it and the pegasus's entire body was enveloped in hot, red flame.

Screaming and writhing from the burning flame, Wondering Wind lost his footing and fell off the side of the skyscraper toward the street below. Flailing his limbs Wind continued to scream as he descended. However Wondering Wind's screams did not go unnoticed.

Despite hitting the cement street below, Wind's body remained intact and undamaged aside from the flame writhing over his body. On his back, Wondering Wind looked up at the sky and raised a burning hoof toward the sun, as if perhaps just blotting out the burning sun with his hoof could ease his suffering. If it were not for the flames burning him, tears would have ran down Wondering Wind's face. Now he was never going to see Crystal Clover ever again.

As Wondering Wind lay dying on the concrete, burning in the sun's rays he saw something shatter one of the remaining windows of the structure above. It dove toward him like a hawk ready to catch its prey. As the shape descended toward the stallion it too burst into pink flames. The burning form descended towards him faster and faster.

Stretching out its burning wings the small creature pulled up and landed beside Wondering Wind's burning body. The impact of the landing created a large blast of air that shattered the windows of some abandoned vehicles nearby. Both of the taloned wings grabbed one of wind's forelegs and started to pull him toward a structure that had once been a parking garage. Wondering Wind continued to scream as the creature continued to pull.

Wondering Wind felt himself flying through the air as the creature threw him into the parking garage. As the stallion's body entered the shadows of the structure, the flames around his body flickered out. The small figure trotted into the garage, the flames covering its body also dissipated.

The sensation of burning flesh faded away from Wondering Wind's nerves replaced by the itchy feeling he had before. Wind looked up from the concrete floor to see his savior. The creature before him was a small, yellow filly with a pink mane that was framed by a red bow. Small bat like wings rested at the filly's sides. On her flank was a Cutie Mark comprised of three pink bats. Was this the vampony from before?

"Who are you?" Wind asked.

The yellow filly looked down at her hooves, "I'm sorry. It seems that when I was trying to reconstruct my body I drank too much of your blood. As a result you... well... died."

"WHAT!" Wondering Wind yelled, "YOU DID THIS TO ME!"

She continued to stare at her own hooves, "Yeah, sorry."

Wind contemplated this when something hit him, "Wait, but if I am still alive... does that mean that?"

"Yes, I am afraid so."

Well, at least now all the other things that had just happened to Wondering Wind made sense now. The change in wings. The itchy sensation of his skin. The voice inside his head warning him not to go out into the sunlight. His body erupting into flame when instead of heeding the voice's warning he stood out in the open. He was now... a vampony!

"I am not a pony anymore. Am I?" Wondering Wind said looking at his new wings.

The vampony filly shook her head. Tears began to fall from Wondering Wind's eyes. He was a monster now and now there was no way he would ever be able to tell Crystal Clover how he felt about her. Wind held his head in his hooves and rocked back and forth.

"What's your name?" The vampony filly asked.

Wind looked up from his hooves, "Wondering Wind."

The filly held out a hoof, "I'm Fluttershy and there are somethings I need to tell you."

This new information puzzled Wondering Wind. Wasn't Fluttershy the Element of Kindness? Why was she a vampony? What was she doing here? How was this possible?

Fluttershy rolled her eyes at Wind's confused face, "Look I can explain that later but right now there are some more important things that we need to discuss."

"O... Okay."

Motioning for Wind to follow, Fluttershy walked further into the garage, "First things first, let's talk about what happened to you. Normally when a pony is bitten by a vampony the only symptom the pony will suffer is the loss of blood experienced by the vampony's feeding."

Following Fluttershy, Wondering Wind discovered a doorway that lead from the parking garage into another building.

"However, due to the significant damage I was dealt from the hunter that attacked me, I needed a large amount of blood to restore my body to its original state." Fluttershy spoke, "Unfortunately even after I unconsciously drained your body of blood I was only able to restore my body to a smaller vessel."

That explained why she looked more like a filly instead of a mare now.

"Sadly by doing so I also bleed you dry resulting in your transformation. Once you died I thought it would be able fair to save you as you had saved me."

"So this was an accident then?"

"Yes," Fluttershy replied as they walked into the next building, "I had thought I could control myself when I drank but I failed to control the thirst. Now you're a vampony... just like me."

"But you forced yourself on me!" Wind yelled, "You somehow forced me to give you my blood!"

Fluttershy just continued to walk forward, "I will not deny that what I did was wrong. However, I was not lying about what the Equestrian authorities would do if they were to find me."

Entering the building, Wondering Wind realized that the building used to be a shopping mall. Despite being three times larger than the filly sized Fluttershy, Wind found it difficult to keep up with the vampony. Passing by a store window, Wind stopped to examine his own reflection but there was nothing there to look at.

"Glass and mirrors don't show our reflection," Fluttershy explained, "that is because for vamponies mirrors can serve as a doorway between here and Equestria."

"Doorways?"

Fluttershy nodded as she touched the glass. As her hoof made contact with the glass, a rippling effect appeared over the glass as if she had stepped in a puddle of water.

"If you actually want to see your own reflection," Fluttershy removed her hoof from the glass, "You will need a bowl or bathtub painted black and filled with water. This is because water is the only reflective surface that we vamponies can't travel through."

"Wait so we are not in Equestria?" Wondering Wind asked waving his hoof around.

"No, this is the mirror world," Fluttershy answered as she resumed walking, "a world that can only be accessed by vamponies and individuals with access to special artifacts, that allow them to traverse here. While this world resembles a ruined reflection of our world, that is all it is. When I realized you had been turned, I brought you here hoping to keep you safe from the hunter who attacked me."

"Speaking of which, who was that hunter?"

Fluttershy merely lowered her eyes refusing to speak on the matter. Seeing that there was no way Fluttershy would answer, Wondering Wind sighed and left the topic. The two of them walked past various stores all of which appeared to be abandoned. In one part of the mall was an area with a large paned window looking toward the outside, that was fortunately shaded from the sun. Judging by the the expanding plain beyond the window, it must be facing to the north. There were a couple of benches facing toward the window.

"So what is the plan now?" Wind asked.

Walking over to a sheltered window, Fluttershy pointed toward a small shape in the distance. Despite trying to focus his eyes, Wondering Wind could not make out the shape that Fluttershy was pointing to.

"There is an old friend of mine that we need to meet." Fluttershy spoke, "When the night arrives we shall head that way."

Wondering Wind nodded and sat down at a bench. Fluttershy followed suite and sat down beside him.

"So who is this friend you speak of?" Wind asked.

"He is... well... complicated." Fluttershy said, "It would probably be easier if you saw him first hand rather than having me explain him. What I can see is that I was going to meet him when I was attacked."

As they sat there waiting for the hours to pass by, Wondering Wind asked Fluttershy a few questions about vamponies.

"So how do photos work with vamponies?" Wondering Wind asked as he stretched, "Are they invisible in photographs and film?"

Fluttershy shook her head, "Technically no. While our form can be seen in photographs and on camera, we will often appear as a blurry shape."

"Why is that?"

"I really can't say."

Eventually Fluttershy grew tired of answering Wondering Wind's questions. While being kind of bored of just sitting there on the bench, Wondering Wind decided to take a nap. A couple hours later the stallion felt some pony tapping him on the shoulder. Wind opened his eyes to see Fluttershy standing in front of him.

"It is time for us to go."

Finding a door, the two of them began their journey north. It was night outside with a large moon illuminating the plains above in a blue hue. Closer inspection showed that the plains consisted of pale, sun bleached grass. Fluttershy began to flap her wings and Wondering Wind followed suite, flying beside her toward their destination. It wasn't much different from flying with normal wings.

"Where are we going exactly?" Wind asked.

"My friend lives in a small hut in the distance." Fluttershy answered, "After he and I discovered this realm he made a home for himself there."

"Is he a vampony?"

Fluttershy shook her head, "No, like I said, it will be easier for you to understand when you meet him."

Thus the two vamponies flew off into the night. The light of the moon guiding their way.

A Bizarre Friend Indeed

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"The origins of vamponies is a mystery that has puzzled the minds of ponies for centuries. Some say they were created by Nightmare Moon to be a pest for her sister, others say it was a spell gone horribly wrong and then there are of course those who refuse to accept the possibility that vamponies actually do exist. However, the real question shouldn't be if vamponies exist but is there something worse." -The Count

Forty One Years Ago...

Twilight Sparkle paced back and forth inside her crystal library trying to solve a difficult problem. What would happen when her friends were gone? How would their deaths affect the Elements of Harmony, or even the Tree of Harmony?

It had been a few months after becoming an alicorn that Twilight came to the realization that she was immortal. Thus, while the Element of Magic would continue to thrive, the other Elements would fade away with the deaths of her friends. What if the loss of the Element of Kindness resulted in Discord resuming his rule of chaos? What if another threat like Tirek appeared and no pony could do anything because the Elements were no longer present?

While all these questions rolled around in Twilight's head she pushed them aside, knowing all too well the reason why she asked them. In the end, it really had nothing to do with the Elements of Harmony. It was because they were her friends. They had been her friends for so long, through thick and thin. How could Twilight live without them? While her friends died of old age around her, Twilight would continue to live on for eternity.

The realization had come to her earlier that week when she and Rarity had gone on a walk through Canterlot. As they were walking through the market, a stray carriage had nearly hit Rarity. Thankfully she had managed to dodge the cart with only a few scraps to show for the event. However, the feeling of horror Twilight felt for the loss of her friend had continued to stalk her. The horror that none of her friends would be able to dodge death's cold embrace forever.

On the train ride home, Twilight held onto her tears until she reached the castle. Lying down in her bed, Twilight sobbed and sobbed until there were few tears left to cry.

Many ideas came to Twilight's mind, however none of them would solve the problem. Even with her improved knowledge on time travel, thanks to Starlight Glimmer's efforts to stop the Elements before, Twilight knew that time travel and time looping was out of the question. More often the not messing with the fabric of space and time had serious consequences.

"Twilight, are you ok?"

Spike's question brought Twilight back to reality. Looking down Twilight saw the purple dragon standing by the door to the library. Apparently, he was heading off to sleep.

"Sorry Spike, I was just contemplating a difficult dilemma."

"Okay, well try not to stay up too late thinking about it." Spike said before closing the door to the library and heading toward his bedroom.

Twilight smiled as she resumed her pacing. If any of her friends would survive the longest it would be Spike. After all, one of the benefits of being a dragon was that your overall lifespan was ten times that of a pony. If only her other friends could live for as long. This thought caused Twilight to stop pacing. What if she could stretch the lifespan of her friends. What if she could extend it by five or six generations? What if she could extend it indefinitely.

Immediately Twilight began to look through the books within her library for anything pertaining to the continuation of life. Perhaps there was a way she could extend the lives of her friends. Perhaps they too could live forever. There would need to be experiments and tests but this was something that Twilight would be fine with as long as the final product was a desirable one.

In the Present... In the Mirror World

Day one since the transformation

Wondering Wind was walking in a meadow with Crystal Clover by his side. The two of them trotted playfully through the flowery field, laughing as they did. Wind smiled knowing Clover was beside him.

They rolled down a hill and rested by a weeping willow. Wind laid in the grass feeling the gentle heat from the sun above. Smelling the fresh air blowing through the grass. It was wonderful. It was paradise.

Wind turned his head to look at Clover and she turned to face him.

"Clover..."

She smiled at him, "What is it, Wind?"

The scent of strawberries entered Wondering Wind's nostrils. On more than one occasion, Crystal Clover had told him about how she loved strawberries, that they were her favorite fruit.

"I love you." Wind said gathering the strength to speak, "Will you marry me?"

A large grin grew on Clover's face, however when she spoke her voice was not her own, "Wind... Wind... It's time to wake up!"

Wondering Wind awoke to see the filly sized Fluttershy standing over him. Through a nearby window, Wind could see that the sun was going down and that it would be night in a few minutes.

"Still having pleasant dreams I see." Fluttershy said as Wind picked himself off the floor. His body ached from laying on the cold wooden floor for a few hours. While Fluttershy had told him that vamponies didn't need sleep, Wind found that the slumber helped him clear his head, it also helped pass the time.

"It's such a shame," Wondering Wind stretched, "I was having such a good dream."

"Enjoy them while they're still pleasant." Fluttershy said, her words causing Wind to purse his lips.

Despite his anger toward Fluttershy for converting him, Wind had decided not to antagonize her over it. What was done, was done and there was nothing either of them could do about it. If Wind was to survive, Fluttershy's knowledge would be a valuable asset to have.

Now that the sun was down it was time for them to move, if everything went smoothly they should arrive at Fluttershy's friend's place tonight. Wind and Fluttershy exited the abandoned gas station and continued to head north, the bell above the door jingling as they left. According to Fluttershy there was a small town with a train yard that was going to be between their current destination and their final destination.

"We are going to bypass that town." Fluttershy had said.

"Why?"

"There are things in this world that you want to avoid," Fluttershy spoke, "and more often than not they make their homes in towns like that."

Thus, they found themselves walking down a long dirt road.

As they walked forward, the two vamponies passed by a small puddle of murky water. While glancing into the water, Wondering Wind was able to examine himself. His ribs showed through his coat making him appear malnourished. Opening his mouth he could see his fangs, there were two on top and two on the bottom. They looked like they could tear through a pony's flesh, making it easy for him to acquire sustenance. Looking back at him were two red eyes. His own eyes.

When Wondering Wind was little he had been afraid of monsters in the closet and under the bed. As a result his aunt would have to come in and assure him he was safe. Now he was the monster that little fillies and colts shaking in fear.

A gurgling sound echoed from Wondering Wind's stomach. He knew why, but he also knew there really wasn't anything he could do about it. Earlier Wondering Wind had tried to satisfy his hunger with some stale food he had found in the gas station, however the food tasted like sand in his mouth. It was clear now that normal pony food would not be able to satiate his hunger. As he sat there mopping, Fluttershy had walked over with a dust covered bottle of apple juice.

"Drink this." Fluttershy had said handing him the glass bottle.

Pulling off the bottle cap and downing the juice bottles contents, Wind discovered that they drink was at least somewhat flavorful.

"Vamponies must drink blood in order to survive," Fluttershy had told him, "however apple juice does seem to temporarily satisfy one's hunger."

"Why do you suppose that is?" Wind asked curiously.

"I'm not entirely sure," Fluttershy replied scratching her chin with a hoof, "one thought is that vamponies may have some sort of link to vampire fruit bats. However since we require blood and they do not, I don't believe that is entirely accurate."

Now as the two of them walked to their destination, Wondering Wind kind of wished he had saved some of that apple juice. As they walked, the sun-bleached grass slowly gave way to sand and dirt. While Wondering Wind wanted to talk, it was clear by the way Fluttershy walked that she wasn't in the mood, so he decided to occupy his time by looking at the stars above. Having lived in the city for most of his life, Wind had no idea how beautiful the stars could be. Perhaps if he had known, Wind would have tried to find more opportunities to leave town to see them. Perhaps one day when he returned to Equestria, he might be able to show Crystal Clover the beauty of the stars, before she returned home.

However, his heart sank as he thought, 'Crystal Clover is from the Crystal Empire so more likely than not she has already seen them. Perhaps not from within the city but perhaps from one of the outer regions or at least on the train ride to Manehattan.'

Wind was so lost in this thought that he hadn't noticed that Fluttershy had stopped in her tracks until he nearly ran over her.

"Hey, why did you stop?" As Wind spoke Fluttershy raised a hoof.

"We are being watched." Fluttershy said, "Without turning your head try to look over to your right and tell me if you spot something peculiar there."

Obeying Fluttershy's command, Wondering Wind adjusted his eyes and looked to the east. At first all he saw was just barren wasteland as far as the eye could see. However, he soon saw what appeared to be a robed figure standing in the distance.

"Who do you suppose that is?" Wondering Wind asked staying as still as possible.

"I am not entirely sure," Fluttershy answered, "however it wouldn't surprise me if it was the hunter who attacked me in the subway."

"What should we do?"

Fluttershy glanced over at the abandoned town. "I guess we have no choice."

In a flash, Fluttershy charged toward the abandoned town, Wind attempted to follow despite finding it difficult to keep up with her. This was rather surprising seeing as Fluttershy was the size of a young filly. Dirt, clay and cement chipped and cracked under their hooves as they ran to the town as fast as they could. Looking over his shoulder, Wondering Wind saw that the robed figure was following them. Wings outstretched as the figure soared in their direction.

With their enhanced speed it didn't take long for Fluttershy and Wind to reached the streets of the small town. Dirt and debris filled the streets with old newspapers fluttering about. Their articles so faded that its text appeared to be that of an unknown language.

"We need to hide." Fluttershy ran to a nearby building. It appeared that the structure had once been a department store with many of its windows shattered and its goods ransacked. Broken glass clicked underneath their hooves.

"Why, can't we fight off the hunter?" Wind asked as they both hid in one of the store aisles.

"No," Fluttershy answered, "In the state my body is currently I am unable to fight and you haven't had any blood so your body is malnourished. There is no way we could combat her directly."

Her? How did she know that the hunter was female?

As they left the aisle and headed toward the freezers at the end of the store, Wind realized something, "You know who it is that is hunting us don't you."

Suddenly the sound of something fast smashing into a dumpster outside resonated through the streets outside. Fluttershy motioned for Wondering Wind to stay quiet.

"FLUTTERSHY!" A tomboyish voice called out from the streets, "COME OUT! THERE IS MUCH YOU NEED TO ACCOUNT FOR!"

Listening intently, Wind felt uneasy as he was certain he could hear the hunter coming toward the store. If the hunter found out where they were, there would be nothing they could do to stop her. Wind held his breath as he heard the hunter stop in her tracks. The sound of the hunter sniffing the air was audible. After what felt like an eternity the hunter stopped sniffing and ran down the street at high speeds. Fluttershy didn't speak until she was certain the hunter was gone.

"Yes, I know her." Fluttershy spoke walking over to Wind, "I know her from a long time ago, and I also know that she won't stop hunting us until we're both dead. That is why we need to find my friend."

"Why would she care about me?" Wind asked, "Isn't she supposed to be hunting you?"

"Well for one you're a vampony," Fluttershy said giving him an annoyed glance, "vampony hunters aren't called that for no reason. Also since I sired you more likely she would deem you guilty of whatever crimes she is accusing me of, due to association."

"What crimes did you do to warrant her attention?" Whither Fluttershy didn't hear or refused to answer, Wind couldn't tell.

When the coast was clear, Fluttershy and Wondering Wind left the store.

"Do you think we are safe?" As the words left Wind's mouth a series of silver daggers flew through the air hitting the ground just inches away from the two vamponies. Instinctively Wind looked upwards to see another figure standing on a nearby building. However, this was not the hunter that had been chasing them. This hunter was an earth pony stallion with a yellow mane and a white coat, which was covered by a black uniform bearing the celestial seal of the sun.

"It seems I missed my attack but don't worry," As the stallion spoke the daggers were pulled from the ground by some invisible force, "I won't miss a second time."

Out of the frying pan and into the fire.

Discord stood on the porch of his small mansion looking out across the moonlit landscape. He had been waiting there for a couple days. This of course had given him plenty of time to tan in the sun, fish for land sharks, scuba dive in the sand and even work on his autobiography. He had even bought a new shirt through an inter-dimensional portal.

This new shirt was red and was covered with white flowers. According to the zebra salesmen, it was the fashion on the island. Now if only Rarity were here, the poor thing would have had a heart attack, seeing him wear a summer shirt in the middle of the fall. It just wasn't fashionable, which was why Discord had found it so appealing.

"I wonder what is taking you so long my dear Fluttershy." Discord said as he summoned a cup of tea into existence beside him. It was uncommon for Fluttershy to be late to their meetings. Was something wrong?

Almost on cue, a large explosion erupted from the town nearby. Seeing the explosion Discord let out a slight chuckle as he started to fly to the city. It seems that someone was messing around over there and perhaps they were the ones responsible for Fluttershy being late.

"I guess it is time for me to join in on the fun." Discord tapped his fingers together.

Wondering Wind felt himself being hurled into a building as a nearby oil tanker exploded. The sensation of one's back slamming through a window into a brick wall wasn't very pleasant. Looking up from his crash landing site, Wind saw that Fluttershy hadn't landed too far away.

"That idiot!" Fluttershy yelled as she picked herself off the floor, "Surely if there are any chupacabra in the area, they will now know where we are?"

Chupacabra?

The sound of something howling in the distance drew Wondering Wind's attention. Whatever it was it's screeching howl was enough to set even the bravest pony on edge. In a matter of seconds, more howling could be heard. Fluttershy managed to stand albeit with some difficulty. Clearly there was no way she would be walking away from here in a hurry. As this realization dawned on Wind, he knew what he needed to do.

"Fluttershy you stay here and hide," Wind spoke as he left the building, "I'll draw them away."

While she wanted to protest, Fluttershy was too weak to do so. Thus she moved deeper into the building as Wondering Wind walked outside. He wasn't sure why but despite her turning him into a vampony against his will, Wind sought to protect her.

Once outside, Wind began to run as fast as he could, trying to draw away the attention of the hunters and whatever these Chupacabra were. Not looking back, Wind could hear something flying in at high speeds. Ducking to the side, Wind narrowly dodged the hunter as she swooped by, long red blades attached to the feathers of her blue wings.

Running through the streets and alleyways, Wind could hear the hunter pursuing him. If it wasn't for the narrow alleyways and the cramped streets the hunter would have caught up with him. While the temptation to fly was great, Wondering Wind knew that attempting to fly away would be suicide. He would be out in the open and it would be easy for the hunter to catch him, especially considering how fast they were. As Wind ran he jumped over trashcans, stray chairs, dumpsters, cars and the occasional scooter.

Even as his legs grew tired, Wind continued to push forward. Weren't vamponies supposed to have amazing stamina? Perhaps it was the fact that Wind hadn't drunken any blood since his transformation. Immediately, Wondering Wind tried to push the thought of drinking another ponies's blood from his mind but with some difficulty he managed to do so. After running for a short while, Wondering Wind noticed that he couldn't hear the flapping wings of his pursuer. Had he managed to lose the hunter?

Wind turned a corner and headed toward the train station, zigzagging as he ran. As he passed the train tracks, Wind saw a flash out of the corner of his eye. Turning he saw that one of the watchtower's supports had been slashed and it was now falling toward him. Ducking and rolling, Wondering Wind nearly found himself a pancake as the watchtower landed next to him, the impact throwing him forward onto his stomach.

Standing up Wondering Wind noticed the hunter standing before him. Her body was covered in a black cloak and hood. Her mane and tail were bleached white and her coat was a cyan blue. Blue wings stretched outward revealing the long red blades that were attached. Pulling back her hood the hunter revealed her short disheveled mane and bright red eyes. She held her wings outstretched revealing the sharp, red blades that were attached to the main feathers.

"You were pretty good at dodging my attacks," Wondering Wind could see the hunter's fangs as she spoke. "If you had been out in the open I could have defeated you much easier. Now tell me. Where is Fluttershy!"

Wind kept his mouth closed not wanting to betray his sire. His body ached from the pain and it took him all his strength just to keep standing up. The hunter frowned.

"I see. I guess I'll have to kill you," The red blades increased in length, "perhaps that will draw Fluttershy out."

Closing his eyes, Wondering Wind braced himself for the killing blow.

There was the sound of metal striking metal. When Wondering Wind opened his eyes, he was surprised to see a bizarre oddity floating before him, holding the red blades in various talons and claws. The hunter withdrew her attack, enraged by the intruder.

To Wondering Wind the creature resembled a feathered snake with the limbs of other creatures making up its anatomical structure. However it was difficult to make perceive the creature's full form from Wind's perspective. It had one leg like a lizard and another like a goat. On it's back were two separate wings, one of which was that of a bird while the other was like a bat. These two wings popped out of small holes in the back of a very bizarre looking shirt.

"DISCORD!" The hunter yelled, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE!"

"Oh, isn't it obvious Rainbow Dash," The creature spoke, "I am here to retrieve my friend Fluttershy and it seems that this poor, helpless fellow is the only one who can tell me."

At this point Wondering Wind didn't know what emotions to feel. Should he be relieved for being saved? Annoyed for being called and poor, helpless fellow? Confusion for whatever this creature? Or shock at the discovery that the mare that had been hunting him and Fluttershy was none other than Rainbow Dash the greatest flyer in Equestria? It was rather difficult to believe seeing as the hunter didn't have the rainbow colored mane she was known for or the fact that she still looked young despite being somewhere around the age of sixty or seventy. Of course the age could be explained away by her vampiric features.

"Well, you can't have her." Rainbow Dash growled, "There are crimes against pony kind that she must pay for and I am going to insure that she is punished!"

Discord yawned, "While I would just love to stay and continue this pathetic argument with you Rainbow Dash, there are other matters I must attend to."

The Draconequus snapped his fingers and a deep, blue fog filled the alleyway. The mist obscured all sight making it difficult for even Wind's enhanced vision to see. Blurred shapes twisted and moved through the fog. A clawed talon reached through the fog and grabbed Wondering Wind by the neck before pulling him through the alleyway. Rainbow Dash could be heard cursing through the mist as the sound of howling could be heard. The Chupacabras were drawing near.

Wondering Wind felt himself being slammed against a brick wall as a sinister face glared at him. It was a gray face with a single fang protruding from his mouth. On it's head was a single horn and a single antler. The entity glared at Wind with yellow eyes that framed red pupils.

"Tell me." Discord spoke, "Where is Fluttershy!"

As Fluttershy hid in the back of the abandoned store, she listened to the world around her. Listening for any indication that Wondering Wind had returned. It had been a few minutes since Wind had left to draw away the hunters.

Suddenly the sound of hoof steps could be heard walking into the store. The sound of broken glass cracking under hoof echoed throughout the building. Was it Wondering Wind?

Peaking out of the darkness Fluttershy saw that it was not Wondering Wind but instead it was another hunter. This hunter looked like a young earth pony wearing a black cloak. Her coat was yellow and she had a short brown mane that framed her green eyes. In her hoof she held a javelin with a silver tip.

While a part of her wanted to hide a greater part of Fluttershy wanted to feed. The scent of the mare's blood coursing through her veins made Fluttershy's weak body very thirsty. Would the risk of feeding outweigh the risk of death? As she contemplated this a thought occurred to her. Perhaps it wouldn't be so hard.

"Hello." Fluttershy said stepping out of the shadows startling the hunter.

"Halt, stay still!" The hunter barked aiming the javelin at Fluttershy.

"It is okay," Fluttershy spoke, "I just want to talk."

As Fluttershy spoke something grabbed the hunter's attention. This small yellow filly had the most beautiful green eyes the hunter had ever seen. Even the whites of her eyes seemed to be glowing. If there had been a reflective surface around the hunter would have realized her eyes were also glowing.

"Wh...What is it?" The hunter asked keep her eyes locked on Fluttershy's.

"Could you do something for me?" Fluttershy asked as she stepped closer.

"Certainly," The mare spoke, "Wh...What is it that you need?"

"First could you drop your weapon?"

"Of course." The hunter said, throwing the javelin aside without hesitation. It just felt like the natural thing to do. Surely this little filly was no threat to her.

"Thank you." Fluttershy said moving closer, "do you have a radio or microphone on you?"

"I do." The hunter answered honestly, moving her hood to reveal the small earbud she had. All that mattered were those glowing green eyes and the filly that possessed them.

"Could you please destroy it?"

Once again the hunter did as Fluttershy asked. Taking the earbud out of her ear, throwing it to the ground before crushing it with her hoof. The hunter looked up and smiled at Fluttershy as she continued to admire the filly's beautiful glowing eyes. With the earbud gone, Fluttershy stepped forward, now only a leg's length away from the hunter.

"I'm... sorry."

Fangs pierced the mare's neck as Fluttershy lunged forward biting down on her victim. Even as her life's blood was being taken away from her the hunter didn't resist. It felt almost natural having the small filly biting into her throat. It wasn't long before her vision blurred and the darkness of death drifted her away.

Forty Years Prior...

Twilight shook her head at the books before her. Sadly, none of them had addressed the issue she was trying to solve. She had searched her own library as well as the Canterlot Library, the archives of the Crystal Empire and even some of the libraries in Manehattan. However, none of them seemed to possess the answer she wanted. The means to give her friends long longevity if not immortality. Some of the books would have small myths here and there but none seemed to be based off of actual fact.

Annoyed and tired, Twilight leaned her head on the crystal table in front of her as Spike walked in.

"Twilight are you okay?" The little dragon asked.

"I'm fine," Twilight answered without opening her eyes, "I'm just trying to solve a terrible problem. It is nothing that you need to worry about."

"Oh, well this letter came in the mail earlier," Spike said bring the envelope over to the table, "It is address to you."

Opening her eyes, Twilight examined the letter that was laid out before her. The envelope was made of yellow parchment with a black seal over the opening. On the front of the envelope was the address to the crystal castle along with Twilight's name. Further examination of the seal showed that it had the shape of an apple surrounded by several draconic wings in a circular formation.

Tearing open the seal, Twilight pulled out the letter and began to read it.

"Dear Twilight Sparkle,

It has come to my attention that you are looking into matters pertaining to immortality. No doubt your research has reached a dead end seeing as the search for immortality was deemed to be taboo back since the founding of the three pony tribes, with only a few daring to explore this dark path.

However, rather than dissuade you from your adventure I have some information that could be of use to you.

Meet me at the Canterlot Boutique in a week at nine in the evening. I trust that you know where this location is since one of your friends owns it. When we meet you there I will provide you with the information you need.

I look forward to meeting you.

Sincerely,

-BV"

While the letter did seem off to Twilight, she did find the fact that someone else had discovered her intentions to be quite curious. Perhaps it wouldn't be a bad idea to visit this BV. Of course Spike it would be wise to bring Spike along. That way if BV tried anything suspicious, Twilight could have Spike send a message to Celestia. Also Spike's defensive skills were not to be underestimated.

Thus Twilight Sparkle prepared for her meeting.

Back to the Present

Discord and Wondering Wind walked through the blue fog slowly moving toward the building where Wind had left Fluttershy. Discord had been very skeptical of Wind and was keeping an eye on him... literally, Discord had pulled out one of his eyes, which in turn sprouted legs and was resting on Wind's shoulder. Seeing the thing out of the corner of his eye made Wondering Wind feel uneasy.

"No funny business," Discord spoke watching Wind with sinister eyes, "that is my line of work."

From what Wondering Wind could guess, this Draconequus was probably a friend of Fluttershy. It made sense that Fluttershy would have waited for Wind to meet him rather than describe Discord's features to him. Wind probably wouldn't have believed her.

As they made their way to Fluttershy's location, the strange fragrance entered Wind's nostrils. It was sweet like fragrant wine, which made Wind's mouth water. Drawing near to their destination the scent grew stronger. The sound of someone drinking could be heard.

"Fluttershy are you here?" Discord called out as he and Wind entered the building. The was no response.

Nearing the end of the building they found the source of the slurping sound. Fluttershy sat on the ground, the corpse of a mare in hunter attire before her. Two small lines of red dripped down the mare's neck from where Fluttershy had bitten her. Soon Wind realized that the scent he smelled before was the mare's blood and he wanted to drink it very badly. He wanted to fill his veins with the blood of the deceased mare. While this thought revolted, Wind he found it difficult to think of anything else.

Fluttershy glanced up at Discord and Wondering Wind before resuming her feeding. However, as Wind stepped closer, Fluttershy let out a shrill hiss. Despite only being a vampony for a couple days, Wondering Wind knew what it meant. Fluttershy was both an older vampony and the one responsible for siring Wondering Wind, as a result she would drink her fill first and it would be up to her whether or not, Wind partook in the meal. Instinctively, Wondering Wind sat down awaiting his turn.

Seeing that her authority was no longer threatened, Fluttershy resumed her meal. This went on for a minute but for Wind it felt almost like an eternity. Having had her fill, Fluttershy stepped away from the body, allowing Wondering Wind to drink. His hunger overtaking him, Wind trotted forward and bit down on the neck of the dead mare. As the blood flowed from the hunter's body into Wondering Wind's maw, he could feel his energy returning to him. As repulsive as it was to be drinking the life's blood of another creature, Wind couldn’t help himself as he sucked the body dry. The blood itself didn't taste at all like how Wind expected. It was like the flavor of red wine mixed with a caffeinated beverage.

Wondering Wind sighed as he finished his meal only to jump as he glanced down at the crumpled body before him. The body of the hunter mare was now a shriveled husk like a mummified corpse. Stepping back from the corpse, Wind looked up at Fluttershy who gave him a cautious glance before walking from the area.

"Let's go." Fluttershy spoke waving for Wind to follow. Wondering Wind obeyed.

Discord lead the way, keeping the blue fog in place. In the distance the sound of fighting could be heard. Dog like shapes could be seen running through the fog. On occasion Wind would hear yelling as one of the hunters was attacked by one of the monsters. Their life coming to an end.

After walking for a while through the mist, Wind realized that they were no longer in the town. Eventually the fog faded away revealing the field and the sand on the ground. Before them was a small mansion that almost appeared to be composed partially of a tree. In front of the house were various lawn ornaments strewn about. One such ornament was of a ceramic white rabbit holding a carrot.

"Well, here we are." Discord said as he ascended the steps before opening the door for Fluttershy. "After you."

Fluttershy entered the house, seemingly disappearing inside. Wondering Wind looked inside feeling very uncomfortable. Discord lowered both of his eyebrows.

"Come on now," Discord grumbled, "We don't have all day. The sun will be up soon."

Wondering Wind gulped before finally walking into the mansion.

Author's Notes:

Behind the Scenes:
Chase Scenes
As I am certain all you writers out there will agree, chase scenes are a pain to write. They are scenes that are difficult to give detail. Too little detail and everyone thinks your lazy. Too much detail and it takes away from the experience.

If your running from someone or chasing someone your not going to stop to smell the flowers or to describe in detail a painting on the wall.

Chupacabra
I've always liked to think of these creatures as having some sort of connection with vampires due to their vampiric nature of feeding. Are they working with a certain clan of vamponies or are they merely wild animals? You'll just have to wait and see.

And the Hunter is...
Rainbow Dash! Surprise! At least I kind of hope it was. Most fics I have seen out there generally depict Applejack as the main vampony hunter so I decided to swap the roles around with some of the characters in order to be more original.

Plus it kind of makes sense that she would be a vampony hunter. At least that is my opinion.

Blood and Chocolate Rain

View Online

"Chaos is a very interesting matter. Some may look at the effects of chaos and find humor. Others may look at chaos and feel dread. Often, chaos and harmony are viewed as polar opposites. However, why is it possible that an Element of Harmony can be allied with the physical embodiment of chaos?" -Time Turner

Stepping into the mansion, Wondering Wind felt his world turn upside down... literally. Upon passing over the threshold, the pegasus found himself falling upwards. As he flailed his legs, Wind looked up and noticed that there was a bright light shining from above. Between him and the source of that light was Fluttershy, her wings outstretched as if she was flying toward it. Discord flew past Wondering Wind in a serpentine fashion.

"Come on now!" Discord spoke beckoning toward Wind, "Flap your little wings. Otherwise you'll splash against the ground."

Considering how fast the light was growing closer, Discord's statement was very likely. Stretching out his wings, Wind attempted to fly, however the unbalanced atmosphere made it difficult. Soon both Fluttershy and Discord were gone, disappearing beyond the light. As Wondering Wind drew closer to the light, he realized that the source of the light was some sort of hole.

Reaching the hole, Wondering Wind felt forces weighing him down, like toothpaste being squeezed through a tube. Thankfully, none of his organs were squished or bones broken as he was pulled through the passage into another bizarre expanse. Upon entering the extraterrestrial plane, Wondering Wind found it easier for him to fly. It was almost like a night sky filled with strange objects, landscapes and creatures. One of these creatures resembled a blue badgers with large mouths and small wings. Discord hadn't been lying either, the "ground" appeared to be an expansive ceiling consisting of black and white tiles. Some of the tiles were broken allowing bubbles to leak through.

What appeared to be planets with faces seemed to float in the void, their large broad smiles making Wind feel jittery. Their eyes followed him like some horrifying monstrosity watching its prey from a distance. Large hand like creatures moved through the void like cuttlefish contracting their tentacles in order to move through the sea. Dice of various shapes and sizes flew through the world like comets.

There were cotton candy cloud islands that had various creatures resting upon them. One island had what appeared to be dragons. Only these were covered from head to toe with eyes. Another had a giant squid that had two great wings and thousands of tendrils, the creature bathed in the chocolate milk produced by a pink cotton candy cloud.

Eventually Wind caught sight of Fluttershy and Discord, as well as the location they were heading to. It appeared to be an island, which may have once been apart of a grass field that had been torn away from the earth. In the center of this island was what appeared to be another house. In front of the house was a garden composed of blue flowers. Around the strange island were more pink cotton candy cloud, which released chocolate rain into the void. Fluttershy and Discord hovered over the island waiting for Wind to arrive.

Once Wondering Wind was reunited with Fluttershy and Discord both of them landed on the island. The grass felt soft against Wind's hooves. All three of them walked toward the house with Discord leading the way with Fluttershy following behind. Wondering Wind cautiously stepped into the room fearing that gravity might change again or perhaps something worse would happen. Thankfully no such thing happened.

The interior was made of oak wood with a blue carpet covering the floor. From this room there were two doorways leading to separate rooms as well as a winding staircase that both lead to the floor above and the basement below. In the center of the room was an oak table, which was encircled by a few strangely shaped uncomfortable chairs and a lounging bench, all of which had green cushions. Fluttershy sat down on the lounging bench and motioned for Wondering Wind to sit in one of the chairs.

On the walls and ceiling were various doors and windows revealing different landscapes behind them. One window showed a radioactive wasteland while another revealed another world where ponies harvested trees that sprouted from giant, red apples. There was even one with giant pony shaped robots walking about.

"Please sit," Fluttershy spoke, "there are something I need to tell you if you wish to return to your ordinary life."

Wondering Wind obeyed and sat in the chair. Once Wind had attempted and then failed to find a comfortable position, Fluttershy turned to Discord.

"Discord could you please make some tea?"

The Draconequus nodded his head in acknowledgement before snapping his fingers and disappearing, only to reappear seconds later. This time he wore a tuxedo with a fake, black mustache attached to his snout. In his hands was a tray with a teapot, three teacups and a sugar cube holder. After setting the tray down on the table, Discord snapped his fingers returning to his original attire and sitting down in another chair as the teapot floated through the air pouring the tea into all three cups. The cups then hovered in the air and moved gently toward their intended drinkers.

"I recommend you take one of the cubes." Fluttershy spoke as the lid to the sugar cube holder removed itself revealing small red cubes within. Two cubes hovered in the air. One floated over to Fluttershy who placed it in her tea. Wind followed suite taking the cube and putting it in his cup. The cube resolved and the tea took on a red appearance. A sweet fragrance wafted up from the tea into Wind's nostrils. Sipping the tear, Wind tasted a familiar flavor as his thirst grew.

"Don't drink it too quickly," Fluttershy spoke, "one thing you will need to learn is the ability to control your thirst as it is a vamponies greatest weakness. If they can't control it they will feed indiscriminately and draw attention to themselves resulting in a swift death either from a hunter or from a vampire who doesn't want the attention."

Hearing Fluttershy's words, Wind tried to control his drinking taking only a sip of his blood tinged tea and pushing away the temptation to drink further. Once Fluttershy was certain that Wondering Wind was heeding her words she continued.

Discord snapped his fingers and a small pink cloud appeared above his palm. Grabbing the cloud, Discord squeezed it over his cup causing chocolate rain to drip down from the cloud into the tea. Holding the cup to his lips, Discord drank causing the cup to slowly drain away leaving behind a chocolate tea mixture, which floated in the air.

"Your next greatest weakness is the day." Fluttershy took a sip of her tea, "As you know first hoof the sun causes us to burst into flames and unfortunately due to the colorful way our flames burn, spontaneous combustion isn't a good excuse. This can be easily avoided by applying sunscreen or by wearing extra clothing. However you should be careful as applying sunscreen during the winter or wearing heavy clothing during the summer may hint at your vampiric origins Also you will have to find time during your day to reapply your sunscreen and during such times you will be vulnerable to attacks from any hunters that are aware of your vampirism."

"So vamponies can walk out in the sunlight." Wind said taking a sip of his tea.

"Yes," Discord spoke, "however as Fluttershy stated you will need sunscreen or an umbrella. Both of which can easily draw a hunter's attention if you're not careful."

Finishing a sip, Fluttershy continued, "Decapitation will kill you but that is pretty obvious since that will kill any pony. Fire burns just like sunlight. Wooden stakes can't really pierce our skin but a metal beam with the celestial sigil of Celestia, the princess of the sun, can damage us and negate our healing abilities. It is believed that the sigil was crafted by Celestia herself for this task but nopony knows for sure. Also garlic doesn't hurt us, it just makes it difficult to smell ponies that are nearby."

"So that is why you needed my blood," Wondering Wind spoke, "The stake that had pierced you was preventing you from healing."

Fluttershy nodded, "Yes, the hunter had underestimated me and thought that her stake would keep me from healing and that I would bleed out. Thankfully you showed up and helped me."

"So is that it?" Wind asked sipping his tea, "Is that all the information I need to know?"

"That is all you will need to know if all you wish to do is blend into society and resume you normal life." Fluttershy answered.

“But what about my wings?” Wind lifted his wing and was surprised to see that they looked normal.

“As long as you don’t go too long without maintaining your thirst, your wings should appear normal.” Fluttershy replied motioning to his wings, “Otherwise your wings and fangs will become more apparent.”

A smile grew on Wondering Wind's face. While he might still be a vampony at least he could try to maintain his life. Perhaps he would be able to confess his love to Crystal Clover after all. It would be difficult but it could be done.

"But remember," Fluttershy interrupted his thoughts, "be careful around the ponies you love. The beast within is always hungry and the blood of those you love is the most delicious. If you can't control your hunger, it will consume you and everypony you love."

Wondering Wind bit his bottom lip. What if he couldn't control his hunger? What if he bit Crystal Clover? What if he killed her? Seeing Wind's sullen expression, Fluttershy placed what appeared to be a business card onto the table.

"There is a company called Blood-Source that will supply you with the blood you need." Fluttershy said gesturing toward the card, "They specifically ship blood to those who were unwillingly turned into vamponies and just want a normal life. When you return home try to contact their number on your smartpone."

To Wondering Wind, Fluttershy's actions felt like that of a doting mother, trying her best to insure the safety of her child. It reminded him of his aunt who was the closest thing Wind ever had to a mother. His biological mother had died shortly after giving birth to him and as for his father... Any thoughts of his father were filled with contempt.

Wind took the card off of the table, "So what happens now?"

Discord smiled, "Once you're ready I will teleport you back to Manehattan. Where ever you want to go?"

"Can you teleport me to my apartment?" Wind asked.

"Let me see." Discord spoke pulling a map seamlessly out of nowhere, "Your apartment should be... ah! Right here!"

Discord indicated the location of Wind's home on the map with a talon. The dimensions on the map seemed rather bizarre to Wondering Wind. The fact that the map had two Norths and five Wests on the compass made Wind question Discord’s abilities.

"Well, then I should be leaving." Wind stood up from the chair and moved over to where Discord was standing. Bracing himself for the magic of Discord's teleportation magic.

"Before you go," Fluttershy spoke raising a hoof, "As a vampony you also have the ability to hypnotically control other ponies. This can be helpful in covering your tracks or even obtaining some blood in an emergency. However it has some restrictions. First, it can only work on one pony at a time. Second you need to make eye contact with the pony and concentrate on your commands. Any major distractions can break the hypnotic gaze. Also be careful what you tell the pony under your command as they will do exactly what you tell them to."

"Is that it?" Wind asked. Fluttershy nodded and Discord snapped his fingers causing Wondering Wind to blink into total blackness.

Wondering Wind stumbled around in the darkness feeling around for anything? After tripping over some fabric and banging into a wall, Wind discovered a light switch. Flipping it up, Wind found himself blinded by the light bulb above. Once his eyes had adjusted, Wind realized that he was back in his apartment or more specifically in his living room.

Home sweet home.

The floor was covered with a brown looking carpet, which was frame by the white walls and ceiling. There was a brown leather coach which sat in front of a wide screen television with a small, wooden table in between. Some discarded clothes piled on the ground.

The first thing Wind did was pull out the card for Blood-Source and called the company’s number on his smartpone. The number was 1-256-637-6697. With the number typed in, Wind hit the "call" button and held the phone up to his ear. The call rang twice before an electronically masked voice spoke over the phone.

"Hello."

"Yes, my name is Wondering Wind," Wind spoke nervously over the phone, "I was given this card and I was told you could help me with a problem I have."

There was a long pause that made Wind sweat. Finally the voice answered.

"Very well. We shall send a representative to your location soon."

"Wait don't you need to know my..." Before Wondering Wind could finish, the call ended. Not sure what to do next, Wind instinctively went into the kitchen. After looking through the refrigerator, Wind remembered that normal food would no longer sustain him. Upon closing the fridge a thought occurred in Wind's mind.

Pulling out his smartpone, Wind went through his contacts and found Clover's number. The two of them had exchanged numbers when they had been working together on a group project together for a history assignment.

Wind was about to push the "call" button but changed his mind as he realized that it was five in the morning. However, he did noticed a few text messages on his smartpone. Apparently one of Wondering Wind's friends, Shot Glass had been trying to get in contact with him. Shot Glass was a young earth pony stallion who very computer savvy.

"Where r u? I hav something cool 2 show u?" said one of the text messages.

Realizing that he would have to go to school, Wind remembered what Fluttershy had said about the sunlight. Going into his bathroom, Wind examined his cabinets for any sunscreen. Wind could talk to Shot Glass later.

The room itself was small, comprised of a toilet, bathtub, sink and a mirror with a drug cabinet inside. Like the rest of the apartment, the walls were white which framed a blue tiled linoleum floor.

After looking through the drug cabinet, Wondering Wind managed to find a small bottle containing some sun screen. It wasn't a lot but it should be enough to protect him the sun long enough for him to buy some more. Closing the cabinet door, Wondering Wind jumped when he saw another pony's face in the mirror. The pony appeared to be a stallion wearing a pair of black sunglasses that covered his eyes. He wore a black suit, which matched his black mane and gray coat.

Slowly the stallion pulled himself through the mirror into the bathroom. Judging by the stallion's grunts this was no easy task.

"Okay, next time I'll just take the front door." The stallion grumbled as he tried to catch his breath.

"Who are you?" Wind asked, concerned by the intrusion.

"I am a representative from Blood-Source," The stallion answered, "I believe you called requesting for some help."

"Ye-Yes."

Wondering Wind escorted the Blood-Source representative out of the bathroom into the main room of the apartment. The representative pulled up a chair next to the table in the living room.

"Please grab a bowl of water and bring it here," The representative spoke, "once you return with the bowl we can proceed."

Following the representative's orders, Wondering Wind went into the kitchen and pulled a ceramic bowl out of one of the cabinets. After filling the bowl using the tap water from the sink, Wind returned to the living room and sat it down on the table.

"Alright. First things first." The representative pulled out small lamp of sorts and after holding it over one of Wind's hooves, it turned on. A purple light from the lamp touched Wind's hoof causing it to burst into flames. Naturally, he screamed as the flames engulf his hoof. It felt as if his hoof was being eaten away. Turning off the light, the representative took Wind's hoof and placed it in the water causing the flames to disappear. As Wondering Wind recovered, the representative jotted some notes down on a notepad.

"Now that I know that you are indeed a vampony and not some imposter," The representative spoke, "Can you give me your name?"

"Wondering Wind." Wind answered rubbing his hoof.

"Very good." The representative continued to write. "Now tell me, would you prefer your blood in liquid or powdered form?"

"What is the difference exactly?" Wind asked. The representative pulled out a packet containing a red powder and a vial containing what Wind was sure to be blood.

The representative explained, "While blood in its liquid form is purer and would provide you with more strength, it also decays very quickly under the inappropriate circumstances and is easier to be detected by others. Powdered blood while lacking some of the flavor can be stored and concealed easily. It can be mixed with water or some other form of drink and with the additional ingredients that have been added nopony will be able to tell that it is blood. So which one would you prefer?"

Wondering Wind contemplated this matter. While the liquid blood would be useful as he would have to drink less often. What if something happened and he had to miss a drink? Would his hunger consume him? Perhaps it would be better to take the blood in powdered form as it would be easier for him conceal his need for blood.

"I'll try powdered." Wind answered.

"An excellent choice," the representative spoke, brandishing a box containing thirty packs of powdered blood, "I will have some more delivered here tomorrow."

Leaving the box on the table, the representative stood up and started to head toward the door.

"Wait," Wind called out, "what is your name?"

The representative turned to face Wind, "I don't give out my real name due to safety reasons. However, if we meet again you may refer to me as BSR-3129."

With that being said, BSR-3129 left out the front door.

A little tired from the day, Wind took a packet from the box and went into the kitchen and poured the contents of the packet inside. With the packet completely empty, Wind filled the glass with water, which changed to a reddish magenta color. Putting the glass to his lips, Wind gulped down the precious liquid. While the taste wasn't as strong as it had been when he partake in Fluttershy's meal, the drink did nourish him and Wondering Wind could feel his energy returning.

Once Wondering Wind finished his drink he began the task of preparing for his college classes. At least from now on he wouldn’t have to worry about sleep when cramming for a test.

Rainbow Dash sat at her table examining the file presented before her. Out of the twenty hunters sent to incapacitate Fluttershy, only four returned. Most of the casualties were killed by the Chupacabras, which had been alerted to their presence by an explosion that was suspected of being caused by a rookie hunter. However, one of the casualties was suspected of being killed and feed on by two vampires, which Rainbow Dash suspected to be Fluttershy and the stallion she had seen.

While on the record it wasn't her fault, Rainbow Dash didn't feel any better. The day before Dash had the chance to kill Fluttershy in the Manehattan subway system, however her feelings of friendship had disturbed Rainbow Dash, causing her to leave Fluttershy behind. For once in her life, Rainbow Dash had regretted being the Element of Loyalty. It was her loyalty for old friend that had cost sixteen hunters their lives. Dash took a sip from the glass in her hoof, its red contents trickling down her throat.

Closing the folder, Dash blew her bleached mane from her eyes. After being turned into a vampony, Rainbow Dash had realized that it would be difficult for her to conceal her identity over the decades with her rainbow colored mane. As a result she regularly bleached her mane and tail so that nopony would know that Rainbow Dash, one of the greatest Wonderbolts in Equestrian history was a vampony.

Changing her identity had also been a helpful means of protecting herself and her family, ten years ago during what was referred to in Equestria as the Changeling Wars. They were a series of long drawn out battles between Thorax, the new king of the Changelings; and Queen Chrysalis, who had spawned a brand new hive and had sworn to use it to destroy Thorax and to achieve control over Equestria. Now, while both sides were no longer fighting, they were still waged in a cold war, gathering resources until one could defeat the other with certainty.

Standing up from her desk, Dash walked over to a bulletin board with various pictures and documents connected by various colored strings, taking her glass of blood with her. The various documents included information on the illegal Vampony Blood Trade. While there were various legal sources for vamponies to receive blood there were some who sought out more exotic tastes. Often, these vamponies would hire other vamponies to kidnap ponies for use in the illegal Blood Farms or as a personal blood slave.

It wasn't just ponies from Equestria. Zebras from the Zebra home country and horses from Saddle Arabia were also taken into the trade. Often these vamponies would pretend to be recruiters seeking out talented individuals to work for them. Most of these ponies were impoverished and would jump eagerly in joining one of the recruiters or sending one of their children with the recruiter if it meant putting food on the table. However, it was all lies. Once these ponies were in their grasp, the vamponies would take their captives and drag them into the mirror-world.

In the center of the arrangement was a picture of Fluttershy. From the various sources Rainbow Dash had been given it would seem that Fluttershy was high on the ladder of the illegal Vampony Blood Trade.

"Why?" Rainbow Dash asked rubbing a hoof against the picture. Why would Fluttershy do something like this. She was the Element of Kindness, so why would she be willing to harm so many ponies?

However, to Rainbow Dash and the Equestrian authorities it didn't matter. What mattered was insuring that Fluttershy's trade was stopped and woe to anypony that stood in Dash's way. The fact that Fluttershy had also harmed Scootaloo didn't help Rainbow Dash's mood either.

Dash took another sip of liquid blood from her glass. Out of all the ways to acquire blood, Blood-Source was probably the most legal and best means of doing so. The company would take the excess blood from the various bloodbanks around Equestria and give it to the few vamponies living in Equestrian society for free. The only thing Rainbow Dash didn't like about the company was how strict they were when it came to concealing the identities of their customers. Even if given a warrant by the Equestrian Royal Guard, Blood-Source would have refused to give up the names of their clients. Well, at least they had integrity working for them.

Remembering back to her encounter in the mirror-world Rainbow Dash remembered the stallion she had seen walking with Fluttershy. He was a youthful pony, and was kind of cute. However, judging my the scent he left in her nostrils, he was a new addition to vampony society.

Suddenly Rainbow Dash's glass fell to the ground, shattering and splattering the remaining blood upon the wooden floor. That was the solution to her problem. If this stallion had recently been sired by Fluttershy then no doubt she would be watching from afar to make sure that he was safe. That was the window Rainbow Dash had been looking for.

Wondering Wind sat in the cafeteria eating his lunch during the two hour break he had between classes. Algebra and Biology. During this two hour break, he had studied for half an hour before buying an apple from the cafeteria along with a soda. After sitting down, Wind careful slid the contents of one of his powdered blood packets into the soda before drinking it.

The cafeteria was filled with the sounds of other students talking and eating. The floor consisted of yellow and brown tiles with the walls painted a pale yellow. Looking down at the soda in his hooves, Wind could see the red glow of the blood within.

One thing Wondering Wind had noticed was how blood now seemed to have a radiant glow to it. An inviting aura that felt like the fluid was alive, encouraging him to drink it. Thankfully this glow didn't pass through pony flesh.

Lifting his eyes from the drink, Wind saw Shot Glass walking toward him. The earth pony had a blue coat and white mane, which were covered by a puffy, red jacket.

"Where have you been?" Shot Glass asked sitting down across from where Wind sat, "I have been trying to contact you all weekend!"

"Why should I tell you?" Wind said jokingly, "You're not my keeper."

A disheartened look appeared on Shot Glass's face, after a moment of silence, Wind smiled. Hopefully this little distraction would keep Shot Glass from asking too many questions.

"What is it you want to share with me?" Wind asked.

Smiling Shot Glass pulled out his smartpone, "So I have been doing some coding and I believe I may have a means of hacking into the Glimmer app."

A frown crossed Wind's face and his eyes narrowed, "Is that a good thing?"

"It sure is." Shot Glass answered, "If I can manage to hack into Glimmer and show the access point to the company responsible for making the app, I could be hired for a anti-hacking agency."

"Alright I guess that could be a little bit cool," Wind spoke his worry easing away, "but why the Glimmer app?"

"Why not," Shot Glass indicated toward the Glimmer app's spell menu, "if somepony were to hack the system they might be able to use spells that they were not authorized to use on the app. Besides Glimmer is the most popular app out there."

Proud of himself, Shot Glass sat back in his seat, a large smile stretching across his face. Pleased to see his friend happy, Wondering Wind took a bit out of his apple. While the apple itself did nothing for him, the juices from the apple were refreshing.

Looking up from his plate, Wind was pleased to see Crystal Clover walking over holding a tray of food with her magic. Crystal Clover smiled as Wind waved her over to sit down next to them. She sat down sitting her tray before her. Her tray consisted of an apple, three celery sticks, a mass of carrots and a container of ranch dressing.

"Hello, Wondering Wind." Clover said taking a bit out of a celery stick. Wind was about to respond but Shot Glass beat him to the punch.

"Clover, how are you doing today?"

"I'm doing great." Crystal Clover said smiling, "I just completed an exam, which I am sure I passed."

Hearing a bit of commotion, Wondering Wind looked up from his plate to see that a purple unicorn mare with a red mane, tripped and dropped her tray of food onto the floor. Embarrassed by the incident, the mare did her best to clean up the mess.

A thought entered Wondering Wind's mind. Perhaps this was the time for him to ask Crystal Clover out. Gathering up his courage Wind began to speak, "Clover I have a question to ask you?"

The mare turned to look at Wind, "What is it?"

Wind scratched the back of his head, "I was wondering if maybe you would like to go see the gallery with me, later this week? I heard they have a really interesting exhibit this weekend."

Feeling certain that Clover would say no, Wondering Wind braced himself for the worst.

"Sure," Clover said eating another celery stick, "It sounds like it could be fun."

Shock washed over Wondering Wind. She had accepted his offer. It took him all his energy to keep his jaw from dropping.

"That is great."

Wondering Wind couldn't believe it. Crystal Clover had actually said yes. Now Wind just needed to prepare for the trip for date. Perhaps a new set of clothes would be good.

"So, Wind why is there so little food on your plate?" Shot Glass asked.

Wondering Wind's heart stopped for a second. It was true he did usually order more food. Perhaps it was his new "diet" that caused him to change his routine without noticing the attention it would have.

"I just wasn't feeling all that hungry today." Wind answered smiling in order to cover up his worry.

"Okay." Shot Glass shrugged.

"Hmmm..." Crystal Clover said looking at Wondering Wind.

"What is it?" Wind asked.

"I just hadn't noticed how red your eyes were." Clover said. This statement temporarily caused Wind's heart to stop. He had planned on trying to find some contact lens to disguise his new eyes but must have forgotten.

"Really?" Wind said trying to play it off as if it was nothing unusual.

Clover nodded, "They are a little unusual. Sort of gives you a strong, assertive look."

"I'm sorry." Wind said looking down at his food.

"Don't be," Clover placed a hoof out to touch his, "some mares like that in a stallion."

Wind blushed at the comment, which made Clover chuckle a little. Out of the corner of Wind's eye he would have sworn he saw Shot Glass give him a weird glance, however when he looked over Shot Glass seemed to just be eating his food.

Looking up from his food, Wondering Wind realized it was five minutes until his next class. Standing up from the table, Wind ate the last of the apple, picked up his bags and left the cafeteria. A slight dance in his step as he walked to class.

Fluttershy sat underneath a tree at the edge of the forest, with the bright sun overhead. The sound of birds chirping along with the sound of rushing water from a nearby creek could be heard. This was the dream, Fluttershy had been having for several years now. A dream that always ended badly.

"Hello," A masculine voice spoke from the shadows of the forest, continually echoing off the fabric of her mind, "Its been a long time."

Standing up Fluttershy stared into the dark forest to see a shadowy shape with red eyes staring back at her. The birds had stopped singing. Fluttershy knew who it was and she knew she had to run or else be consumed by it.

As Fluttershy ran, the sun above turned blood red. She jumped over a creek, which no longer flowed with water but instead with a thick, red fluid. The shape followed, unaffected by the terrain.

"Oh come on now." The shadow said as it changed its form to resemble that of Fluttershy, only with all her vampiric attributes exaggerated, "I just want to talk."

Eventually Fluttershy found her old cottage she had once lived in back when she lived near Ponyville. Back when she was mortal. Running inside, Fluttershy slammed the wooden door shut and locked the door. Looking through the peephole in the door, Fluttershy saw the shadowy mockery of herself standing in front of the door.

"Fluttershy, Fluttershy let me in," The monstrosity spoke, trying to squint back at her through the hole, "Let me into the deepest recesses of your mind."

The doorknob jiggled.

"No!" Fluttershy yelled, "I'm not letting you in!"

"Come on now," The shadow whispered temptingly, "Let me into your mind. Let me take control."

The jiggling of the door knob grew louder. Fluttershy slouched to the floor, terror filling the very fiber of her being.

"Just think, if you let me in you can forget all the pain you caused." The shadow spoke seductively, "You can forget the pain you caused, Scootaloo and that one stallion. What was his name again? Of yes, Wondering Wind, that's it!"

"BUCK OFF!" Fluttershy screamed holding her hooves to her ears.

"Buck? Oh yes, that is a word your kind uses to express anger and extreme annoyance, isn't it."

Fluttershy could almost feel the shadowy tendrils touching her house. Touching her mental sanctuary. Continually prodding for a small crack in her defenses. She could feel the cottage trembling as if it were doll being shaken by a filly.

Eventually the shaking stopped and Fluttershy could feel the shapes tendrils withdraw.

"Fine, you win for now," The shape spoke, "I can't breach your defenses..."

A sigh of relief left Fluttershy's mouth. Perhaps this nightmare might finally end. However, looking through the peephole, Fluttershy could see that the figure was still there, only this time it was taking on Wondering Wind's form.

The monster smiled, "Perhaps you will be more willing to let me in if I take over his mind. What price will you pay for me to set him free?"

"You-you," Fluttershy stammered, "You better leave him alone!"

"Or what Fluttershy," The shadow spoke as it changed its form once more this time into a unicorn stallion who was clearly of a vampiric nature. He had a blue coat along with a gray mane and tail. The Cutie Mark of a heart broken in half being held together by two hooves rested on his flank, "You couldn't even save him, so what makes you think you can save this little colt."

Fluttershy stared in horror at the monster's new form.

Smiling the shadow faded away, "See you later."

Fluttershy jerked awake from the nightmare to find herself covered in sweat. A sharp sound rang throughout the room. It was merely second before Fluttershy realized that she was screaming. Tears streaming down her face.

Discord burst into the room, "Fluttershy, whats wrong? Are you all right?"

Sobbing Fluttershy pulled Discord toward her, pulling him in for a hug. She cried softly into his shoulder. The Draconequus patted her on the head, "It's okay, Fluttershy. You're safe here."

Lifting her head from Discord's shoulder, Fluttershy looking into his eyes, "We need to warn Wondering Wind. It is coming for him!"

Author's Notes:

Behind the Scenes:
The Title
For those of you who are going to ask, yes, the title is a joking reference to the movie, Blood and Chocolate.

Writing for Discord
In my opinion Discord is both the most difficult mlp character to write for as well as the most fun character to write for. All that chaos can be so much fun to write.

However, it should be noted that I had actually considered not having Discord in this story and had tried to think up some crazy excuse for his absence. Eventually I started thinking to myself... why? If you think about it if anyone would be accepting of Fluttershy being a vampony it would be Discord.

Thus Discord wormed his why into becoming a major character in this story.

The OC at the End

The oc seen at the end of Fluttershy's nightmare is in fact an oc I had created for the Use our OCs group, named Kind Heart.

Whither he will have a bigger role in the rest of the series we will just have to wait and see. I'm still experimenting around with the idea at the time I am writing this.

Gallery of Stone and Screams

View Online

"It is a common misconception that Batponies and Vamponies are one and the same. First off a batpony is merely a pegasus with a genetic mutation that results in it having leathery, bat like wings instead of the regular pegasus wings. A batpony can either be born with this mutation active or it can be activated either by the pegasus's environment or by Lunar magic. Either way this trait is exclusive to pegasi.

Vamponies on the other hoof are ponies that have been touched by the vampiric curse. Unlike the mutation in batponies, vampony traits can be seen in all three species of pony who have suffered the curse. The vampiric curse is truly an odd one for while it provides many weakness like the continuous thirst for pony blood (something batponies don't possess) they also have various traits that improve their chances of survival. This curse seems to have spawned from some eldritch magic from a dimension outside of our own, which I like to refer to as the Fourth Veil. From what I have been able to gather their are creatures within the Fourth Veil that desire to enter our world for reasons we can't totally understand at this time." -Star Swirl the Bearded, quoted from his book, The Blood of Beasts - Part Two

Forty Years Earlier...

Twilight sat outside of a Canterlot cafe drinking some tea as she waited for this BV fellow to show up. Seeing as it was the middle of the day and Spike was sitting next to her, it was unlikely that anything could go wrong.

The cafe was called the Dragon Princeling, named after a certain event where a small, purple dragon went too far in ‘aiding’ his princess. Due to his pride, Spike wasn't sure if he should be insulted or amused by having a shop named after one of his exploits.

Earlier she had gone to the Canterlot Boutique as the letter had instructed her, only to receive another letter from BV stating that he was going to be late and that perhaps they should meet at the cafe instead.

Taking a sip of her tea, Twilight looked up to see a cloaked stallion walking toward them. Sitting down in the seat next to Twilight the pony removed his hood.

"Hello," the stallion spoke dispassionately, "you're Twilight Sparkle I presume."

"I am." Twilight replied, "and you must be BV."

The stallion nodded, "Indeed. I see you also brought your loyal companion Spike along."

"I'm sorry," Twilight spoke keeping her eyes on the stallion, "however I wanted to make sure that you weren't trying to cause any trouble"

"No, it is perfectly understandable," The stallion raised a hoof, "I am aware that my earlier message may seem a little questionable. The fact that you didn't have any of your royal guard accompany you truly makes me feel honored."

Observing the stallion, Twilight noticed that he spoke in a monotone manner with little emotion in his voice. This shouldn't have made Twilight feel uncomfortable due to her interactions with Pinkie Pie's sister, Maud Pie. However, the way the stallion looked at her with his green eyes made her feel uneasy.

"You said you had some information for the topic I am studying?" Twilight asked.

"Indeed," The BV pulled a folder from his cloak and placed it on the table, "this is a folder containing information on an artifact that might help you achieve the goal you seek."

Twilight picked up the folder and examined its contents. What she saw within was rather bizarre.

"And you are sure this will help me with my objective?" Twilight asked unsure whether or not she could trust BV.

The stallion nodded, "Certainly. It would be unwise for one like myself to lie to an Alicorn."

Having finished his delivery, BV stood up from the table and walked away. Once the stallion was gone, Twilight put the folder into her satchel and motioned to Spike to leave, "Come on Spike, we have some work to do."

In the Present at the Gallery...

Wondering Wind walked through the gallery with a proud expression on his face. He had actually managed to ask Crystal Clover out on a date and now here they were enjoying this beautiful scenery together. Could anything be more perfect? Wind had managed to find a black suit that made him seem a bit larger than his frame actually was.

Crystal Clover wore a black dress that framed her body quite well. She had also pulled her green mane back into a ponytail. He eyes seemed to shimmer from the light in the room. She was gorgeous.

On various podiums placed around the large room were stone statues of ponies in various poses. Some in pain, some in pleasure and some in complete and total ignorance. Hanging from the walls were sculpted masks. Some that carried horrified expressions, while there were others that seemed to look out at the world with contempt. This gallery referred to by a few reviewers as "The Screaming Gallery" was a new attraction in Manehattan that promoted a very promising artist. An artist by the name of Madam Scales.

There were all sorts of various statues. One was of an earth pony stallion with a mechanical leg, which seemed to have parts that were not made of stone. Another was of a unicorn who wore a cloak and hood with a stuffed pony doll held in its stone grasp. There was another unicorn statue, which appeared to be wearing some vintage clothing that would have belonged in a museum. And still there were others placed throughout the exhibit.

However there was something about these statues that made Wind feel uncomfortable. He especially found the statue he was currently looking at as unsettling. It was a statue of an earth pony mare with a short mane and tail. On her head was a round cap. Her expression was that of pure terror as she seemed to be back peddling from something.

"This sculpture is quite unsettling." Clover said. Wind merely nodded in agreement.

"I call it, 'The Entertainer's Demise.'" spoke some mare that was standing next to them.

Turning to face the pony, Wind and Clover were startled by what they saw. The pony wore a purple hoodie that concealed many of her physical features. Her face was also concealed by a mask not to different from the one's mounted on the walls. It was a plain, white mask with two holes for eyes and some golden filigree around the edges. Seeing Wind and Clover's startled response, the mare bowed her head to them.

"Forgive me if the mask makes you feel uncomfortable," The masked mare spoke, "I have a variation of scopophobia, or the fear of being stared at by others and the mask kind of helps to ease my fears."

"Our apologies." Crystal Clover spoke apologetically, "You merely startled us is all."

"I will graciously accept your apology." The masked pony said bowing her head to the two of them.

"So you referred to this sculpture as 'The Entertainer's Demise,'" Wind spoke motioning toward the sculpture, "might I take it that you are it's creator?"

The mare did a mock movement of a curtsy, "Guilty as charged. I am Madam Scales."

"Would you mind telling us the story behind this sculpture?" Clover asked.

Madam Scales nodded, "The story is that this character was once a famous writer who wrote various books and stories. However wasn't very good at taking criticism. One day she insulted a stallion, who was not only an aspiring author but had been inspired to write by her. After receiving such a cruel insult the stallion went away with the intention of returning for revenge. Ever since then she can never have peace for her continues to kill her over and over again. A never ending cycle of death that will continue to go on until the end of time."

"That is rather dark." Clover spoke an uneasy tone in her voice. The idea of suffering a continuous cycle of pain and suffering was a very unsettling concept.

While Wind couldn't see it, he knew by her tone of voice that Madam Scales was smiling under her mask, "Of course it is my darling, the world is a dark place."

Madam Scales escorted them to another statue, this one of an earth pony stallion, wearing a lab coat and scarf while holding a chainsaw in his front hooves. A maniacal grin covered his stony face.

"What's his story?" Wind asked pointing to the statue.

"Oh just some nut who really enjoyed reading horror fiction."

As Wondering Wind examined the statue, a silent grumble rolled through his body. He needed to feed. The sound of blood pumping through the veins of those around him, filled Wind's ears. Turning to Crystal Clover he said, "Please excuse me. I need to use the facilities, I will return shortly."

"Okay." Clover smiled and Wind walked away toward the restroom. As he left there was a pregnant pause.

Madam Scales broke the silence, "So what do you think of him?"

"I don't know." Clover said blushing, "I suppose he is kind of cute."

The thought had on more than one occasion crossed Clover's mind that Wondering Wind would actually make a great husband. He was kind and gentle. Perhaps a little shy but that wasn't too bad. However some other thoughts had intervened. He was a pegasus and she was a unicorn, how would that work? Would they even be genetically compatible? If they were to have any fillies or colts would they possess any genetic defects due to the different traits their parents possessed?

With a nod, Madam Scales spoke, "Come let me show you something."

"Shouldn't we wait for Wondering Wind?" Clover objected.

"Don't worry." Madam Scales spoke, gesturing for Clover to follow, "I'm sure he'll catch up."

Crystal Clover followed Madam Scales to what appeared to be the central exhibit. On a white podium in the center was what appeared to be a pony skull, suspended by golden serpentine heads that were attached to the top of the skull before curling down to create a platform for the rest of the skull to rest on. The heads of the golden serpents as well as the pony skull appeared to be holding rubies. Two golden fangs stuck out of the skull's upper jaw.

The central exhibit was surrounded by some velvet rope dividers to ensure that nopony walked up to it without permission. Madam Scales unclipped one of the dividers and stepped through before motioning for Clover to follow. Clover followed not wanting to disrespect, Scales' hospitality.

"What do you think?" Madam Scales asked motioning toward the display.

"Well," Clover felt a little nervous, "It is beautiful in a weird sort of way."

Madam Scales nodded, "I call it the 'Skull of the Snake Goddess.' If you want you can touch it."

This seemed rather unusual to Crystal Clover. Not only had Madam Scales taken an interest in Clover and Wind, and given them both some history on her exhibits but she was even letting Clover interact with one of her most prized exhibits. Something about this just seemed off to Clover, but she couldn't put a hoof on why.

"Are you sure?" Crystal Clover asked, "What if I break it?"

"Don't worry," Madam Scales shock her hoof, "I am sure it will be fine."

Looking around, Clover was surprised to see that they had an audience. That a few of the other gallery goers were watching them. Some with envy, others with curiosity. Now with such an audience, it would be rude to reject, Madam Scales kindness.

Slowly, Clover walked up to the exhibit and touched it. The bone of the skull felt almost like how one would imagine the sensation that bone would feel like. The golden snakes felt cool to the touch. As she stroked the head of one of the serpents, a sharp pain stabbed through Clover's hoof. Pulling her hoof away, Clover discovered that there was a small cut on her hoof.

There was a murmur from the crowd as Crystal Clover withdrew her bleeding hoof for the exhibit. Upon seeing the blood one of the mares fainted and dramatically collapsed to the floor. Clover could have sworn she heard a baby rattle somewhere, however she couldn't tell where and it seemed that no other pony had noticed.

"Are you alright?" Madam Scales asked.

"Ummm... I think so." Clover held her hoof aloft, "I'm sorry if I damaged your art piece."

"The fault is mine. Please don't worry yourself."

As Crystal Clover stepped past the barrier guarding the exhibit a stallion walked up with a bandage for her hoof. Clover graciously accepted the bandage and applied it to her hoof, however an odd thought went through her mind. Had one of the snakes bitten her?

A couple minutes prior...

Wondering Wind made his way to one of the bathroom stalls and closed the door. Earlier that day he had prepared just in case something like this happened and had filled a canteen with some of the powdered blood along with a small vial of water. Emptying the water into the canteen, Wind could smell the blood as the powder mixed with the water.

Once the mixture was complete, Wind proceeded to drink the concoction down in large gulps. Fear gripped him as he remembered what had happened. How as he had left to satisfy his thirst, Wind's eyes had caught a glimpse of the veins on Clover's neck. So soft, so tender, so delicious. The thought of him piercing her neck with his sharp fangs terrified Wondering Wind.

With his thirst now satiated, Wind put the view and now empty canteen back into his suit, flushed the toilet in order to make it seem to any pony outside that he had done his business and opened the stall door. Walking over to the sink he washed his hooves before drying them with a paper towel. Upon disposing of the towel in a garbage bin, Wind left the restroom and returned to the gallery.

Stepping out into the gallery, Wind was pleased to see Crystal Clover. However this changed once he noticed the bandage on her hoof. For a moment Wind's heart stopped as he realized that Clover had been injured while he was away. Immediately, Wind ran over to Clover's side.

"What happened?" Wind asked looking Clover over for any other injuries, "How were you injured?"

Clover merely smiled, "Everything is fine. Madam Scales was showing me one of her exhibits and I accidentally cut my hoof. Nothing to worry about."

Out of the corner of his eye, Wind could see Madam Scales talking to some other ponies. Among them was a stallion that seemed to be giving her a hard time about her artwork. He was a tall stallion with a brown coat and orange mane, which he had clearly paid a whole lot of attention to styling. Over his broad frame he wore a black suit with a red tie.

"Are you sure?"

"I'm fine," Crystal Clover nodded, "However, if you don't mind I think I'll go clean up."

Wind watched as Clover walked away to the mares' restroom.

"It would seem that ill luck follows you." Madam Scales said startling Wondering Wind once again. This statement made his heart sink. Indeed ill luck did seem to follow him. No only was he now a blood soaking monster forced to hide in order to feed his habit but he had gone on a date where he was tempted to feed on his love and even though he wasn't responsible she had been injured anyway.

"Perhaps you're right." Wind frowned. The feeling of complete failure filling his stomach. This had been his chance to impress, Crystal Clover and considering her injury, Wind doubted that she would be interested in going out on a date with him again.

The Present at the Crystal Castle...

There was a knock to her door leading to the balcony outside, alerting Twilight that some pony was out there. Pulling herself out of bed, Twilight moved toward the balcony door and opened it. On the balcony stood a white unicorn mare with a purple mane and tail. Over her frame she wore a black dress. The mare turned to look at Twilight and smiled showing her teeth.

"Hello dear." The unicorn spoke her red eyes glowing in the moonlight.

"Rarity it is good to see you." Twilight said her lack of sleep forgotten, "Please come inside."

Being invited, Rarity followed Twilight into the bedroom. The room consisted of a bed, a closet, a table and a couple chairs in the way of furniture. There was also a few book shelves along the walls. Twilight pulled out a seat at the table for Rarity to sit at, which Rarity accepted.

Once Rarity was seated, Twilight sat down in the chair across from her, "So how are things going? Have you heard any news about the others?"

"Well, they've been about," Rarity spoke motioning with her hoof, "Rainbow Dash has dedicated her time to fighting other vamponies. Fluttershy has somehow done something to offend Rainbow Dash, which has resulted in her being hunted by Rainbow Dash. As for Applejack I haven't been able to locate any information on her. And Pinkie Pie has taken to spending her nightlife throwing various underground parties."

Twilight frowned, "It is a shame that both Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash are in a squabble. They both used to be such good friends."

Rarity humphed, "Don't you say that. You know perfectly well why such a thing came about."

"I had no knowledge that this was going to happened to you," A sullen look swept across Twilight's face, "I didn't know that what I was doing would turn you all into the creatures you are now."

"Yes, but you didn't tell us what your intentions were either," Rarity spoke harshly, "You told us it was going to be a simple expedition to help us become closer friends. You didn't tell us anything about your desire to give us immortality."

A tear fell from Twilight's eye, "I know I was selfish and dishonest with all of you and for that I am sorry."

Rarity sighed, "Look I didn't come here to make you upset. However, you have to realize how traumatic it is, to wake up, see your younger sister now looking much older then you, not only married but pregnant with her third child. Yet, all the while you can't go talk to them or even interact with them out of fear that if you touch their wonderful world,it will shatter around you. That you will harm those you love most."

The was a long pregnant pause as Rarity's statement hung in the air.

Another sigh escaped Rarity's lips, "Anyway darling, you had asked me to provide you with more feedback on the activities of the politicians in vampony society, so I will relay my report. It would seem that there is a lot of discussion about the rise of a vampiric society that calls themselves, 'The Black Rose Society.' It would seem that their emergence has caused quite an uproar."

"What kind of uproar?" Twilight asked.

"Assassination attempts, sabotage," Rarity said shrugging her shoulders, "trying to resurrect an old vampony lord. All that ridiculous sort of things. I tried to find out more, however the vamponies I talked to either had no knowledge on the matter or refused to talk. Aside from that everything is going according to normal."

"What about Blood-Source?"

"Look I've already told you before," Rarity spoke in a perturbed manner, "I worked hard to become friends with the managers of that company. I am not just going to tell you the information they want kept secret."

"You're right I'm sorry," Twilight said raising a hoof, "I won't ask again."

"Look Twilight," Rarity said after calming down a bit, "If Blood-Source was up to something to would endanger Equestria, I would tell you. However they’re not. They are just trying to help feed an entire species, which consists largely of victims, who have been excommunicated from our world."

"I suppose you're right, Rarity."

Rarity stood up from her chair, "That concludes my report. I will be leaving now."

"Are you sure?" Twilight arouse from her seat, "You just arrived. I could fetch us both some tea if you would like?"

"Thank you Twilight but sadly I have some business I must attend to elsewhere." Rarity said stepping toward the balcony, "Perhaps we can share a cup of tea another time."

After walking out to the balcony, Rarity activated a spell and teleported away, leaving Twilight alone. Once more a feeling of loneliness swept over Twilight. Ever since the expedition, the rest of the Elements of Harmony had gone their own way, away from her. On top of that, recently, Spike had become romantically involved with Princess Ember the current Dragon Lord, so Twilight found herself spending most of her time alone in her castle.

On occasion she would have some documents to tend to at the Ponyville city hall or she would be invited to a ball in Canterlot. But generally she was always alone, forced to reminisce on what had happened to her friends. On what she had forced her friends to become. Now most of them couldn't tolerate to be around her.

While Celestia and Luna had no idea what had happened, Twilight was certain that they knew that something was amiss. How would they respond if they knew what had happened? Would they reject her, like her friends had done? Thus Twilight had decided not to involve them. Perhaps someday she would have the courage to speak about it the her sister in law, Cadance but for now, that didn’t seem likely.

This wasn't at all what Twilight had wanted.

Wondering Wind escorted Crystal Clover back to her home. Shortly after her hoof was injured, the two of them had decided to head home. The small limp, Clover had filled Wind's heart with regret. Perhaps they should have gone to something else. Why hadn't they gone to a movie or even a cafe?

Clover caught Wind eying her hoof, "Don't worry Wind I'll be fine."

"I'm just so sorry I suggested it." Wind said giving her a sorrowful glance, "If we hadn't gone out to the gallery, you wouldn't have been hurt."

"Everything was fine," Clover said, "I really enjoyed myself and I'm glad you suggested it."

Wind's ears popped up, "You did?"

"I did." Clover smiled and Wind smiled in return.

The streets were brightly lit from the light of various neon signs and advertisement screens. On a nearby screen, an interview could be seen with a Poni-tech spokesman discussing the future of prosthetic pony limbs. Poni-Tech was a company leading the way in replacement limbs for injured ponies. While still in the trial stage many of these prosthetics seemed to be working. Even their horn and wing replacements appeared to be functioning properly.

Along the way to her home, Clover stepped in a puddle of water causing her to wince. Despite her efforts to hide her pain, Wind noticed.

"Are you okay?" Wind asked worriedly.

"Yes," Clover answered, "I was merely startled by the cold water is all."

Clover didn't want to lie to Wind, but she knew he was already beating himself up over the whole incident, aside from it not being his fault, so she decided to keep her pain to herself.

After a few more steps, they arrived at Clover's house. Slowly, she walked up to the gate leading to the front yard.

"Thank you very much Wind for the date," Clover said, "We should do it again sometime."

Clover blushed a little as she realized her tongue had slipped. Had it really been a date? Perhaps Wind had just wanted to hang out. Technically he had never specified that it was a date. Would her statement deter him?

The statement lifted Wondering Wind's spirits, "Thank you. I hope we can do it again soon too."

Wondering Wind gallantly stayed by the gate until Crystal Clover had stepped into her house and had closed the door behind her. Once she was safely inside, Wind began his walk back home. The feeling of being watched made Wind feel uncomfortable as he road the subway. Considering that he was on the subway shouldn't have made this so surprising, however this sensation continued even after he had stepped out of the subway back onto the streets. Had Rainbow Dash discovered his whereabouts?

Cautiously Wind made his way home, wary of any strange ponies walking about. Carefully analyzing any movement out of the corner of his eyes. However, none of them seemed to be following him. So then why did Wind have this feeling?

More advertisements flickered on the digital panels along the way home. One of them included an advertisement by Twilight Sparkle to encourage fillies and colts to do more reading. On occasions, a homeless pony could be seen sticking their head out of an alleyway.

Stepping into the apartment complex, Wind took the elevator to the floor his apartment was on. He lived in apartment three-one-four on the third floor. Stepping out of the elevator, Wind looked around to see if there was an ambush. But no pony was there. Making his way to his apartment, he unlocked the door and once inside locked the deadbolt.

"Wind, I need to talk to you!"

The statement startled Wondering Wind making him jump and hit the ceiling with his head. Looking up from his landing place, Wind saw Fluttershy's small filly frame standing over him. It would seem that she was slowly returning to her original form.

"Fluttershy, what are you doing here?" Wind asked rubbing the sore spot on the top of his head.

"I need to talk to you." Fluttershy spoke, "it is urgent!"

"Fine but let me at least grab something to drink." As Wind pulled a powdered blood packet from a drawer and a cup, Fluttershy walked into the living room and sat down on the couch. Once Wind had finished pouring the glass, he walked out into the living room and sat in the chair across from Fluttershy.

"So what is it you need to talk to me about?" Wind asked taking a sip of powdered blood.

"Wind, do you remember the statement I made to you in the mirror world," Fluttershy asked, "You know the one about how you were still having pleasant dreams?"

"I do," Wind nodded, "What about it?"

"Well," Fluttershy stammered, not entirely sure how to explain what she needed to say, "the reason I said that was because I was afraid that eventually 'it' would come for you. Now I believe 'it' will."

Fluttershy's statement puzzled Wind, "'It?' What do you mean by that?"

"I'm not exactly sure what 'it' is." Fluttershy replied, "All I know is that it started stalking my mind because I used to be one of the Elements of Harmony. Now that it can break through my mental barriers it is coming for you."

"Why me?" Wind asked seemingly forgetting his drink, "I'm not one of the Elements."

"No, but I did sire you and because of that I am responsible for your well being." Fluttershy continued, "'it' knows this and it knows that if it manages to take control of your mind that I would have no choice to sacrifice my own mind to save you. We can't let that happen. I don't want to hurt anypony else."

Tears fell from Fluttershy's eyes as she lowered her head into her hooves. Her ears drooping to the sides of her head. Wind stretch out a hoof to comfort her.

"It's okay." Wind felt as if he was caring for his own child, "I am listening. Tell me what I need to know."

Wiping away a few of her tears, Fluttershy raised her head and continued, "This monstrosity will try to invade your mind through your nightmares. When you are within your dreamscape you will have to find your mental safe-room. Think of it as a sanctuary within your mind. Once you are inside it won't be able to touch you, however it won't hesitate in trying to deceive you to open your defenses. It will take on the form of those you love most and using that form it will torment your mind. However, you must endure its trials otherwise it will win."

Wind sighed slumping back into his chair, "First Clover was injured in the art gallery and now there is some mental invader who wants control of my mind. Madam Scales was right, ill luck does seem to follow me."

Hearing this, Fluttershy's ears popped up, "Madam Scales you say."

"Yes," Wind nodded, "She is a new artist that creates very unsettling sculptures and masks. She even wears one of them."

"Did she have an exhibit with what appeared to be a pony skull intertwined with golden snakes." Fluttershy inquired her tears now replaced with a look of caution.

"Actually, yes she did." Wind was puzzled, "How did you know?"

Fluttershy stood up from her seat, preparing to depart, "Oh just a hunch."

"So how was it?" Clover's roommate asked as she entered their apartment.

The walls were covered in a peach colored wallpaper, which was framed by some wooden framework. The floor was composed and stained oak wood. On the couch sitting in front of the television with a laptop in her lap was her roommate, Puzzling Peach.

She was a unicorn mare with an orange coat and a red mane. Her eyes were a bright pink and the mark on her flank was that of a peach composed of various puzzle pieces. Like Crystal Clover she too was a transfer student from the Crystal Empire.

"It went very well." Clover said as she closed the door behind her and walked into the living room. Upon entered Peach noticed the bandage on Clover's hoof.

"What happened?" Peach said a dark look in her eyes, "Did that stallion hurt you?"

Clover shook her head, "No, it was an accident. I accidentally cut my hoof is all."

Peach's expression softened a little bit, "That better be the case. If that stallion lays a hoof on you, I'll kill him myself."

"You couldn't hurt a fly." Clover teased.

"I could too," Peach protested, "I just haven't had a reason to yet."

Chuckling, Clover walked down the small hallway, past the bathroom to her bedroom. Once inside she proceed to remove the nice dress she had worn and prepare for bed.

Despite the accident, the night had been very enjoyable for Clover. Hopefully in the future Wondering Wind and her could go out to an official date.

With her dress removed, Clover placed it in a laundry basket to be cleaned, and left her room to brush her teeth. Once inside the bathroom, Clover pulled out a tube of toothpaste and a toothbrush. Squeezing a small amount of the past onto the bristles of her brush, Clover proceeded to brush her teeth from the top of her mouth to the bottom, brushing from her gums first. Such a task would have been difficult if she were a pegasus or an Earth pony, however being a unicorn it was easier for her to hold the brush using her magic.

Granted there were ways pegasi and Earth ponies could brush their teeth, they were just generally very difficult and sometimes they involved various apparatuses that resembled old torture devices.

After fully brushing her mouth, Clover rinsed the toothbrush in the sink before putting it into a cup to be thoroughly cleaned later. Taking a glass of water, Clover rinsed her mouth before spitting the water down the sink. Having her teeth cleaned, Clover walked back to her room. Feeling refreshed the unicorn lay down on her bed and pulled the sheets over her. As she drifted off the sleep the sound of a baby rattle could be heard in the distance.

Fluttershy flew down from the sky, landing carefully on the roof of the art gallery below. The night sky was cloudy with the lights of the city making it difficult to see the stars above. After hearing what Wind had told her, Fluttershy was suspicious that something was amiss.

Examining the rooftop, Fluttershy managed to find a skylight that she could use to enter the gallery. Carefully she pulled the skylight open and gracefully she flew down into the gallery on her leathery wings. Her landing was silent as she landed gently on the tiled floor.

Looking around, Fluttershy saw various stone statues arranged around the gallery with creepy looking masks mounted on the wall, just like Wind had described to her. This all seemed to familiar to her. Another glance around the room, revealed to Fluttershy a room to what she guessed was were some of the newer exhibits were being prepared for viewing. Without creating a sound, Fluttershy walked over to the door.

Listening intently, Fluttershy heard nothing on the other side. Feeling certain that no pony was waiting for her on the other side, Fluttershy gently opened the door and entered the room, more statues littered the room, some in various states of disrepair. In the center of the room was a new statue, this one of a stallion wearing a suit and possessing a very fancy looking mane. A look of horror stretched across his face.

"Hello there," a sinister feminine voice spoke from the darkness, "It isn't proper to enter a gallery uninvited."

Fluttershy turned to see a pony standing just outside of the shadows of the room. She wore a purple hoodie and a white mask.

"But of course you already know that, don't you?" The mare spoke as she walked toward Fluttershy, "Vampony!"

Author's Notes:

Behind the Scenes:
Vamponies vs. Batponies
So one of the reasons I had this quote in the beginning is because I see a lot of people using these words interchangeably. Even one of my editors who is a great editor by the way would do this too, referring to the vamponies in my story as batponies.

However, in my mind vamponies and batponies are two different creatures and that is why this quote exist. So I could share my opinion on the matter.

The Statues
Some of the statues in this fic were actually OCs from a few members of the Use our ocs group. They are as follows:
-Techno: Techno Rustic Heart
-Magpie: Fetch
-Eclipse: typervader

The other OCs that were used as statues were implemented by me.

Romance?
I hope I am doing okay when it comes to writing the romance in this story. Due to the lack of experience of a romantic love life, due to normal lifestyle I am merely going off of what I have observed, both from my parents, relatives and what I hope would happen when I finally have a job, house and car, and thus am able to go out and find someone I love and who is willing to love me in return and share a happy life with me.

Yes, being single is lonely. On the flip side it does make going to college a lot easier.

Anyway if you have any tips for how to progress Wind and Clover's relationship feel free to suggest them, either in the comments below or via personal message. Just make sure to keep it clean okay.

WAIT A SHIP!
For those of you who don't know me very well it may come as a shock to you all that I am not a big fan of ships or shipping. Which is why it may come as a surprise to some of you as to why I have a ship between Spike and Princess Ember.

Again like I said I am not a big fan of ships and truth be told it hasn't been until recently that I have actually discovered a few ships I like. Those ships being Spike and Ember, and Starlight Glimmer with Sunburst.

However I can assure you that out of these two ships the only present is the one with Spike and Ember. There are already plans set in motion for Starlight.

A Petrifing Stare

View Online

"At this point in time, my research on the Gorgony has resulted in a stalemate. Even after encountering one of these creatures first hand, I only know what the myths have to say about them. They appear to be some sort of mutation of pony, that occurs only in mares. How this mutation originally occurred is unknown with the only hint to an answer being the myth proposed by Humorous Creek about four hundred years ago.

All I have discovered so far is their affinity for 'sculpting' statues and their hatred of mirrors."-Star Swirl the Bearded, quoted from his book, The Blood of Beasts - Part One

Fluttershy watched as a figure stepped out of the shadows toward her. A rattling sound seemed to emanate from the pony as she drew closer.

"But of course you already know that don't you?" Madam Scales said as she stepped forward, "Vampony!"

Madam Scales removed her mask and Fluttershy immediately averted her eyes as soon as she saw something slithering from underneath the hoodie. With the mask discarded onto the floor, Scales pulled back her hood revealing her mane consisting of long, slithering serpents. Next to her temples were what appeared to be two rattlesnake tails, which emerged from the writhing mass of her slithering mane. Their violet scales framing the mare's pale gray coat.

Instead of having a tail like a normal pony, her tail was also comprised of various serpentine heads. The Cutie Mark on her flank was that of three sculpted faces connected by the bodies of intertwining snakes. Her turquoise, serpentine eyes gazed over the filly shaped Fluttershy in the center of the room.

"I suppose you know what I am?" Scales chuckled as she advanced slowly toward Fluttershy.

"You’re a gorgony." Fluttershy said, keeping an eye on Scales' body, not looking into the its eyes. By keeping her vision on Scales’ frame she could easily estimate the gorgony’s body movements and adjust her gaze to know where Scales was without looking at her face. Smiling, the gorgony slowly advanced toward Fluttershy like a timberwolf preparing to pounce on a poor, helpless rabbit.

The sound of hissing and rattling grew louder, "Was it that obvious?"

Both of them began to move in a circular motion, not letting the other get behind them.

"It wasn't hard," Fluttershy answered, "not very many artist have a habit for sculpting grim statues or possess masks in order to hide their faces from the mirror."

There were two major facts, Fluttershy knew about gorgonies. The first was that by gazing into their eyes one would be turned to stone. The other was that they often viewed themselves as hideous and would generally cover their faces with a mask in case the were to come across a mirror or any other reflective surface. The mask would conceal their face, making it easier for them to avoid screaming or lashing out at the reflective surface.

Scales growled, "I see. So you must have heard about me from that other vampony, I meet in the gallery earlier today. He and his marefriend make a lovely pair. It is a shame it will never work out!"

Three serpentine heads lunged forward snapping at Fluttershy as she dodged the attack. Using a vampiric ability she had learned a decade ago, Fluttershy performed what she knew as a shadow dodge, a move where the vampony would mysteriously disappear into a power of smoke only to appear in another puff of smoke some distance away. The statue of the stallion in the suit shattered from the attack.

"What did you do?" Fluttershy growled as she landed to Scales' right. The gorgony glanced over her shoulder to look at Fluttershy, her serpentine hair hissing.

The gorgony giggled, "I merely shared the blessing of my kind with her."

Another statue was destroyed, as more of Scales' snakes shot forward trying to snag Fluttershy as she dodged.

Discord sat in the void playing a bizarre version of chess with a creature with the body of a pony but instead of having a pony head it had some weird sort of slimy goop that moved in the fashion of a lava lamp. Floating inside the slime was what appeared to be eyeballs with fins.

The room appeared to be upside down with only a few windows revealing the crazy world outside. Bouncing around inside were various boxes that would change into the shapes of different objects before eventually returning to the box form. Outside, a herd of creatures which appeared to be reverse mermares could be seen chasing a butterfly. Five seconds later the butterfly exploded in a flash of orange and blue.

As they played, the two of them moved chess pieces composed of small diamond dogs and vampire fruit bats, all of which trembled in fear whenever they were moved. The board itself seemed to move with black squares of obsidian rock swapping places with white squares made of cotton candy. The diamond dogs would groan in annoyance whenever they made contact with the sugary surface.

The two of them were had been playing this game ever since Fluttershy had left. That was nine thousand three hundred seventy two games ago and now Discord was starting to worry.

"I wonder what is taking her so long," Discord said moving a piece, "how long can it take to warn some pony?"

While Fluttershy as a vampony was more than capable of taking care of herself, she had suffered severe damage from the recent hunter attack, that had resulted in her healing into a less powerful form. Would she be able to take care of herself in such a small form?

Outside the window, the same herd of reverse mermares were fleeing from an oversized chicken with the wings of a tiny moth. Their mouths gulping for air almost in a screaming manner as the ran away from the chicken monstrosity.

"Blub. Blub. Blub. Blub." The lava lamp creature said as it moved a screaming vampire fruit bat to another square.

Discord nodded moving another squealing puzzle piece, "Yes, I suppose you are right, Horshlegoth. I do need to have more faith in Fluttershy's abilities. I can wait until after another thousand games before checking in on her."

Thus Discord and Horshlegoth resumed their game.

At this point in time, the casualties were five statues and three masks. One such statue being of a pony dressed in mafia attire met a sudden demise. Well, if anything was going to be destroyed, Fluttershy would have it be these lifeless statues then her small frame. The vampony and the gorgony continued to fight on.

"So you're trying to turn Wind's friend into one of your kind." Fluttershy growled as she walked through the debris of a statue she had been flung through, "How cruel can you be?"

"Now dear, that isn't fair." The gorgony hissed, "Surely you know that most relationships between a vampony and a normal one never work out. Eventually his thirst will consume him and he will greedily devour her. I am merely giving her a means to protect herself. Providing her with a means to kill my enemy. Two birds and one stone." She cruelly laughed.

Fluttershy jumped back as one of Scale's snakes swung from the left side narrowly missing the vampony's neck. The snake let out a hiss as it flew by.

"It doesn't have to be like that!" Fluttershy shouted, "If he can maintain his thirst then both of them can live happily together!"

There was some truth to the Fluttershy's statement. They could live together peacefully, but due to Wind now being undead there was no chance that the two of them could ever have any offspring of their own. Also unless Wind turned her into a vampony like him, she would eventually die, leaving him forever alone.

"Even if such a thing were true," Scales growled, "why should I allow a vampony to be happy? Your kind is a blight upon this world. A blight my kind is determined to squelch!"

"Why has your kind returned?" Fluttershy asked dodging another attack from four snakes that swung in from both sides.

"Because 'he' is returning and we can feel 'his' energy." The gorgon roared, "Equestria was almost lost because of 'him.' We will not let his offspring revive 'him.' Thus all vamponies must be destroyed before it is too late!"

Him? Wait did she mean the Count? No, she couldn't be!

Dwub. Dwub. Dwub. Dwub. Dwub. Dwub.

Fancy lighting effects flashed throughout the night club. Ponies danced to the loud music being projected by the DJ on stage. The speaker's vibrating to the rhythm of the music. The DJ was a young stallion named Drama Jockey, and he was the youngest soon of the original DJ pony, Vinyl Scratch.

Dwub. Dwub. Dwub. Dwub. Dwub. Dwub.

The scent of the blood pumping through the ponies veins filled Pinkie's nostrils as she walked among the crowd of dancing ponies. It was she that owned "The Pink Letter" night club. It was this underground night club that was Pinkie Pie's new home. As long as the blood flowed she could host parties every night for ponies and vamponies alike.

However, no pony would have guess that she was once the Element of Laughter. Becoming a vampony had changed her Cutie Mark turning it into three blacken balloons with outstretched wings and red eyes. Her eyes too had turned red. Pinkie had consciously made the decision to have her mane straightened and to have a blue highlight dyed in her mane outline where her mane served as a certain for her eyes. On her legs she wore stockings that possessed blue and black strips. Her left ear had a three silver piercings.

She had even abandoned her old name for another. Very few knew her old name and very few were allowed to speak it.

Dwub. Dwub. Dwub. Dwub. Dwub. Dwub.

Eventually Pinkie Pie made her way to a door in the back of the room, this was where the pony portion of the club ended and the vampony portion began. The only reason a normal pony would be past these doors would be if they were deemed special, food or both. In front of the door was a guard, a gray stallion wearing black sunglasses.

"Miss P." The guard whispered, "It would seem you have a visitor waiting for you."

Pinkie Pie nodded happily, "Of course, I am sure I know who it is."

Stepping past the guard, Pinkie Pie walked up the stairs to the next area of the club. Reaching the next floor she walked along its length to the room at the very end. On this floor there were two way mirrors that looked out toward the dance floor and the party goers outside. Here the vamponies lounged drinking blood either by the bottle or by the veins of some pony they had hypnotized.

The eyes of the vamponies and their hypnotized victims glowed in unison, as the vamponies drank. Glowing green in the dim red lighting of the room. This method of feasting was allowed as long as the pony had enough blood to walk safely home. If a pony was found dead on the other hand, the vampony would have to pay a hefty price in order to continue to be welcomed back to the club. This was to pay for the disposal of the body and to clean up any mess left behind. However, most generally avoid doing this due to the steep price and the fact that those who had refused to pay were often never heard from again.

Walking past her clients, Pinkie made her way to her private room. The entrance itself was composed to two large metal doors with the image of balloons and bats engraved in the metal, with two metal rings serving as door handles. On each side of the door were two guards who both pulled the door open when they saw Pinkie draw near.

Once she was inside, the two guards closed the door behind her. The room looked almost like a fancy apartment only with a large amount of television screens on one wall showing all the security footage in the club. It also had been designed to the soundproofed so that it would be difficult for any intruders to sneak up on her, as well as make it difficult for anypony to hear the intruder's screams. In the living room surrounded by the screens was a glass table and a couple couches, one of which was occupied.

The vampony stood up revealing herself to be Rarity, the Element of Generosity. After her appointment with Twilight, Rarity had gone home to change into a red satin dress and a black shawl before coming to see Pinkie Pie. Seeing her friend almost made Pinkie's hair return to its original puffy form.

"Hey Rarity, how is it going?" Pinkie Pie asked bouncing over to her friend.

"Hello Pinkie," Rarity said, "I had some questions I wanted to ask you."

"Okai Doki," Pinkie answered as she walked over to the kitchen, "but first would you like something to drink? I have some fresh blood if you want."

Rarity shook her head, "Thanks dear but I am not thirsty right now."

"As you wish." Pinkie said opening the fridge and looking through its contents. Pleased to see a bottle of O+ blood, Pinkie pulled out the bottle and took a glass from the cabinet before sitting down in the couch across from Rarity. Sitting the glass down on the table in the center, Pinkie opened the bottle and filled her glass with its contents.

When it came to the flavor of blood it was O+ that Pinkie Pie enjoyed most. It was both free and yet restricted. Just like her.

Another thing she enjoyed to eat was blood pudding but that was merely because it reminded her of when she was much younger and could enjoy the taste of regular pudding.

Pinkie Pie took a sip of the blood before setting the glass down, "So what is it you needed to ask?"

"You know why Rainbow Dash is chasing Fluttershy right?"

"I believe so," Pinkie said holding a hoof to her head as she recalled the information, "she thinks Fluttershy bite Scootaloo and killed her. That was about thirty years ago. Certainly a long time to hold a grudge."

Rarity nodded, "Indeed, which is why I tried to do some research on a means of ending this dispute. Eventually, I determined that the best way to determine what happened was to examine the body. So I did some talking and arranged for Scootaloo's body to be dug up. You know what I found?"

"What?" Pinkie asked bouncing with curiosity.

"Nothing," Rarity answered, "the grave was empty."

"Just look at me and die already!" Scales growled as she lunged forward and hit Fluttershy in the side with a hoof. With the air knocked out of her, Fluttershy fled behind another statue. The statue of a hippogriff lay shattered upon the ground.

The battle had moved from the backroom into the exhibition room where hours earlier ponies had been examining Madam Scales sculptures. A statue that Fluttershy had been using as cover shattered, causing the vampony to flee behind a statue of a terrified looking mare with a cap. Despite her use of the shadow dodge, it was clear that the gorgony could calculate where Fluttershy was going.

As the statue shattered, Fluttershy was smacked hard in the chest by one of Scales' serpents. The taste of blood filled Fluttershy's mouth. This fight needed to end soon, but how?

Using her snake mane, Scales lifted up one of her statues and threw it at Fluttershy. Without a single ounce of energy, Fluttershy found herself being slammed into a wall. The statue shattering around her, making her breathing difficult.

"You vamponies are pathetic!" Scales hissed walking toward Fluttershy, "Without your hypnotic powers you are not a threat!"

While the statement was partially true, Fluttershy wasn't going to let it get to her. She did have one idea, however she doubted it would work? While the hypnotic abilities she gained as a vampony wouldn't work on the gorgony, would the stare work? Did she really have a choice?

Pulling herself out of the rubble, Fluttershy braced herself preparing for what was about to happen. With her eyes closed she lifted her head toward the gorgony and slowly opened her eyes.

"Yes, DIE!!!" The gorgony yelled as she charged toward Fluttershy, however as soon as their eyes made contact it wasn’t the vampony that turned to stone but instead Scales found herself paralyzed by Fluttershy's gaze.

'What is this?' Scales thought as she was unable to move and her heart was filled with terror. She felt like an animal being stared at by an apex predator.

Taking advantage of her shocked foe, Fluttershy lunged forward and headbutted Scales in the mouth, causing one of her fangs to fall out. In a daze, Scales stumbled back no longer affected by Fluttershy's stare. Feeling weak from the encounter and not feeling so sure of herself, the gorgony made her way to the backdoor. The sound of rattling tails drifted away.

"This isn't over vampony," Scales growled, "one of these days I will kill you!"

With the gorgony gone, Fluttershy moved forward and picked up the fang that was lying on the floor. If there was anyway to insure that Wondering Wind's friend didn't become a gorgony, this would be the key.

Weakly, Fluttershy lifted herself off the ground with her battered wings and flew through the skylight back out into the night sky. How much time had elapsed? Could it possibly be nearing sunrise. If so, she would need to be finding some place to hide. Perhaps Wondering Wind's place would do?

While she was there Fluttershy would also have to let Wondering Wind know about his friend’s predicament. Fluttershy pulled out the gorgony fang and examined it in her hoof. Thankfully there was still hope.

"WHAT!!!" Pinkie Pie's outburst was loud enough to strain Rarity's eardrums, "What do you mean it was empty!"

"Exactly that," Rarity answered rubbing her ears, "The coffin was opened and there was nothing inside. I even examined the coffin myself. There was no sign of there being a corpse anywhere inside. It was almost as if the coffin had been buried with no contents."

"But how could that be?" Pinkie said perplexed, "I remember seeing her in the coffin myself."

Rarity sat up from her chair, "I believe that it is possible that Scootaloo's coffin may have been removed, perhaps by somepony who desired to study her. A secondary coffin was then used to disguise the theft."

Pinkie wasn't pleased, "Why would anypony want Scootaloo's body?"

"Remember how Fluttershy was responsible for biting poor Scootaloo," Rarity had a slight grin, "who isn't to say that out of shame she didn't give Scootaloo some of her blood?"

Pacing the room, Pinkie Pie tried to consider the matter, "So you're suggesting that somepony took Scootaloo's body to study it, but why would her body be so important?"

"Because her body would have been going through the transition from a normal pony into a vampony," Rarity said standing up from her seat, "something that many Equestrian scientist would die to be able to observe and document."

"Where are you going?" Pinkie asked pointed to Rarity as she started to leave, "You can't just leave after telling me something as important as this!"

"That is all the information I can give you on the matter at this time dear," Rarity said as she walked to the door, "but be assured if I find out any more information you will be one of the first ponies I talk to."

With that said, Rarity stepped through the large doorway back into the club, leaving behind an annoyed Pinkie Pie. The party vampony paced contemplating what Rarity had told her. What purpose would anypony have of studying a pony in the middle of an embrace. A cure perhaps. No, if there was such a thing, Twilight probably would have discovered it by now.

Now that she was in a dark mood, Pinkie's crimson eyes shown brightly, her fangs were more apparent and her mane seemed to take on a thorny appearance.

Annoyed, Pinkie walked over to the intercom on the wall and pushed the button, "Butterscotch, bring me a cupcake immediately!"

After making her order on the intercom, Pinkie Pie sat down on one of the couches and waited. It didn't take long for the stallion known as Butterscotch to enter the room with a tray holding a cupcake with crimson frosting. Butterscotch was a unicorn stallion with a yellow coat and brown mane, his horn glowed a golden yellow as it held the plate. His crimson eyes were the only clue of his vampiric origin.

The stallion set the tray with the cupcake down on the glass table before leaving back through the double doors from which he came. Pinkie didn't touch the cupcake until she heard the door close shut. With Butterscotch gone, Pinkie began to nibble on the cupcake. The metallic taste of the frosting's contents brought warmth to Pinkie Pie's heart.

Why did things have to be so complicated? Even back when she was one of the Elements of Harmony, things weren't this complicated. Perhaps it was the fact that back then they were a team and maybe all the difficult tasks seemed so easy with the other elements backing them up.

Now due to Twilight's actions they had separated. Perhaps if she had told them about her fears. Perhaps if she had told them her intentions then maybe they could have talked her out of it. Perhaps they could have showed her that everything would be okai doki loki even when they were gone. Instead she kept her feelings to herself and now they were all stuck like this.

And now one of the main reasons two of her friends were fighting had suddenly just disappeared from the grave. What else could go wrong?

Contemplating the matter, Pinkie Pie licked what few crumbs had fallen from the cupcake off of her hooves. Sure it provided little nutritional value now due to her vampiric diet and the flavor was akin to sand, but old habits died hard and Pinkie didn't mind it. She then licked her lips clean of the blood laced frosting.

Wondering Wind was in the middle of a wonderful dream with him and Crystal Clover walking along the beach, when the sound of something knocking on the door awoke him. Who would be coming to his door this late in the evening? As he arose from his bed, Wind remembered a poem of an old poet that would fit the occasion, The Crow by Edge Peon. Though technically only the line of 'something knocking on his chamber door' really applied in this situation.

Walking to the door, Wind yawned before he opened it. His eyes widened as he saw that it was Fluttershy that stood before him. Her body was bruised and bloody and yet despite all of this she smiled up at him.

"Sorry," Fluttershy gave a weak smile, "I hope I'm not disturbing you. Is okay if I come in?"

Logically she didn't have to ask. She could simply command him to let her in if she truly desired to.

"Yes, please come in." Wind answered holding the door open for her. Fluttershy dragged her sore aching body through the doorway into Wind's apartment. Once inside, she walked into the living room and laid down on the couch.

Before closing the door, Wind noticed a package next to the door. Picking it up, Wind set the package down on the counter by the rest of his mail and closed the door.

As Fluttershy rested, Wind went into the kitchen and grabbed a packet of powdered blood, which he placed into a glass and filled with water. Judging by the amount in the box, he would have to contact Blood-Source to acquire some more later. Once the concoction was finished, Wind brought the glass out to the living room for Fluttershy to drink.

"Here have some of this." Wind said put the glass of blood before her. Graciously, Fluttershy took the glass and drank down the crimson liquid. From the audible gulping sounds, Wind could tell that she was very thirsty after whatever scuffle she had been involved in.

Once the glass was empty, Fluttershy placed it down on the table, before licking her lips clean of any residual blood, "Thank you, I really needed that."

"I could tell," Wind said picking up the glass and placing it into the sink to be washed, "Is there anything else I can do for you?"

"Yes," Fluttershy replied as she rubbed her eyes, "but first there are some important things I need to discuss with you."

Wind sat down across from the vampony who sired him, "What do you need to tell me?"

"A long time ago all three of the pony tribes refused to get along..." Fluttershy stopped when she noticed that Wondering Wind had his hoof raised, "Yes, what is it?"

"I already know this." Wind said, "I learned about this when I was a young colt, about how three tribes hated each other and in order to survive discovered Equestria due to the plight from the Wendigo."

Fluttershy was quiet for a moment and then nodded, "Of course, how silly of me. For the sake of argument can you tell me why the three tribes united?"

"They realized that if they worked together they could make Equestria a great place for their kind and that the Wendigo would disappear." Wind said smiling at how he remembered the story.

"Yes," Fluttershy said nervously, "that is partially true."

"Partially!" Wind said surprised, "What do you mean partially!"

Fluttershy's eyes squinted making Wind feel uncomfortable, "What I mean is that the Wendigos were not the only reason the three tribes united."

"Wha... What was the other reason?" Wondering Wind asked leaning on the edge of his seat.

"The Count. The first vampony to step forward into our world." Fluttershy spoke, "A vampony so powerful that all those he sired could bear to stand before his might. Count Black Vein. While he desired to unify the pony tribes his intentions were to due it under the vampony curse. While vamponies would be serve at the top the rest would serve as livestock to be feed upon..."

"Wait!" Wind interrupted warranting a snarl from Fluttershy, "I... I just wanted to say that I don't understand how that could be possible. If such a threat existed why aren't there any stories documenting it?"

"That is largely because most consider Count Black Vein and his dominion to be a myth," Fluttershy answered, "and in all honesty that doesn't surprise me. Due to his immense power there were a lot of horrific things he did that most ponies would seek to discard as myth. Now if you are finished interrupting I would like to finish speaking."

Wondering Wind nodded making it clear that he was going to stop interrupting her. Once her eyes softened, Fluttershy continued, "The combination of both the Wendigos and the Count’s rise to power struck fear into the three pony tribes and it wasn't until they aligned themselves together and the Wendigos had dispersed that they were able to counter the vampony threat. However, the conflict was difficult for every soldier that fell before the Count's army arose a vampony in servitude to their new master. It was around this time that certain mares from each of the pony tribes started to take on various traits. They could turn anypony into stone so long as they made eye contact. With this new weapon, the pony tribes pressed forward using these mares as a weapon. Eventually the tribes would succeed in defeating the Count, however so much blood had been spilled in doing so. Victory was bittersweet. With the count defeated the mares returned to normal and slowly the world healed."

Finishing her tale, Fluttershy looked at Wind permitting him to speak.

"Okay, but why is that important for me to know?" Wind asked.

"Because you and your friend met one of these mares last night." Fluttershy answered, "Last night you came in contact with a gorgony."

Madam Scales walked silently through the streets of Manehattan, as she slowly made her way to the "Entry Way." Rats scurried along the alley feeling the power emanating from the gorgony. Annoyed by their presence, Scales glared at a few of the rats turning them into stone.

Reluctantly she had given up the battle against the vampony. Somehow that vampony's horrific stare had paralyzed her. How could any vampony be that powerful? Scales had defeated many vamponies in her lifetime and many of them had tried to use their hypnotic gaze upon her only to find themselves turned to stone. So how was this one able to inflict her with such dread without being turned to stone herself? No doubt, Scales would have to do some research on this vampony.

Reaching her destination, Madam Scales neared a part of the alley where the redbrick wall was discolored, the gorgony reached out a hoof and touched the wall. Speaking in a language long forgotten, the gorgony’s eyes and those of her serpentine hair began to glow a bright yellow. The snake heads moving in a rhythmic pattern. Soon the bricks began to move outward as they were pushed by long black vines with blue thorns. Once a space large enough for a pony was available, the vines began to move in a circular fashion, before creating a glowing green portal.

Scales’ chant stopped and her eyes returned to normal. Stepping forward, Scales walked into the portal. Someday, she would have her revenge. Once the gorgony had pass completely through the portal, the magic supporting the portal stopped and the vines withdrew, dragging the bricks back to their former place until there was no sign that they had ever existed.

Shot Glass lay on his bed looking up at the ceiling above. Something wasn't right? There was something wrong with Wondering Wind and Shot Glass could feel it. He could have sworn that Wind had blue eyes. Why were they now red? On top of that it seemed more often then not that Shot Glass had to order Wondering Wind to eat. Why was that?

What puzzled, Shot Glass was Crystal Clover's willingness to accept this. While Shot Glass knew that Wondering Wind liked Clover and vice versa, 'it didn't take rocket science to find that out.' the fact that Clover was so willing to accept it seemed off to him.

Something was off and Shot Glass could feel it. It was as if there was some coding that had been placed in the improper order and yet the program worked. There had to be a reason for all this but what? Sitting up from his bed, Shot Glass walked over to his computer.

The Changeling War had every pony on edge, despite Princess Twilight creating various security measures around Equestria to insure that any of the changelings sent by Queen Crysalis would have difficulty invading, there was always the fear that these security measures were only 100% efficient because the changeling's had already discovered a way to bypass them.

Was it possible that a changeling had replaced his friend? If Wondering Wind had indeed been replaced with a changeling, then Crystal Clover as well as the inhabitants of Manehattan were in danger.

The walls were an olive green with wooden trimming. Posters of various video games including: Pac-Mare, Super Pony World, and the Haunting of Cutie Mark Mansion, were attached to the walls with tacks. His bed had a wooden frame and was covered in sky blue bed sheets.

On the desk where his computer sat were various electronic device in different stages of disrepair and development. They all had a wires that allowed them to be attached to Shot Glasses smartpone if he needed them. The chair in front of the computer was an old office chair that Shot Glass had found in a back alley, which despite being old was in good, working condition.

Sitting at his desk, Shot Glass turned on his monitor and typed in the password: DrumR0LL495. Once the password was typed in Shot Glass's desktop popped up. The background image was that of a pink mare with long hair, lying in a provocative position in a field of glowing, red roses. Clicking on one of the icons on the desktop, Shot Glass started the coding program that he used.

As the green lines of code moved along the black background of the program, Shot Glass plugged one of his devices into the computer. Perhaps if he was able to bug Wondering Wind's apartment then he should be able to discover the truth. As the device was being programed, Shot Glass began to work on hacking into the security cameras of the apartment complex. The firewall hadn't been to difficult to bypass and it was easy for Shot Glass to install a backdoor for future observation.

A screen opened up on Wind's computer, showing the footage from the various different cameras around the apartment complex. Having been to Wondering Wind's apartment in the past, Shot Glass was able to find the camera that was observing the floor where Wind resided. While it wasn't a camera within Wind's room, it would have to do. Clicking another icon on his computer, Shot Glass opened up another program so that he could record the footage from the camera.

Shot Glass would discover the truth sooner or later.

Author's Notes:

Behind the Scenes:
Why Gorgonies?
Rather then wait for someone to ask this question I figured I would go ahead and answer it. One of the reasons I picked this creature was to try to go outside of the norm that we see in most vampire fics. Think about it, in most stories with vampires what mythical creature serves as the antagonistic race for the vampire species? If you answered, Werewolf you would be correct.

In most fics werewolves serve as the anti for the vampire. Even the Twilight series does this, with Edward being a vampire and Jacob being a werewolf. It is such a common trope that we see when it comes to vampire fiction. Thus I decided to try to find another creature to be the vamponies vice.

That is one reason I picked gorgonies. The other reason being that vampires and gorgons are two of my favorite mythical creatures. And seeing that gorgonies aren't very popular (aside from a few stories where the author mislabeled a Lamia and claimed it to be a gorgon) here on FiMFiction merely due to the lack of stories involving them I decided to make the gorgonies the vice to the vamponies in my story.

Pinkie Pie has a Straight Mane?
Why you may ask. Well, I have a very simple answer. Because I like her better with a straight mane. This may have to do with the fact that it was the various cupcake based comics that got me into watching MLP in the first place.

Shot Glass Games
While it shouldn't be hard to tell the three gaming posters on Shot Glass's wall are based off of three different games. Pac-Mare is Pac Man, Super Pony World is Super Mario World, and the Haunting of Cutie Mark Mansion is supposed to be a reference to Luigi's mansion. Out of these games I have actually placed all but Luigi's Mansion (never got a Gamecube and never really liked the Wii, no offense).

The background image on Shot Glass's computer is also supposed to be a slight reference to another story I wrote, Laughter in the Night, all though it isn't terribly obvious.

Invasion of the Killer Apples

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"Often times our worst secrets are those that can harm others. However, does holding onto such secrets keep our friends safe or merely make those secrets deadlier?" -Time Turner.

Wondering Wind and Crystal Clover sat in the movie theater watching a B-horror movie called, "Invasion of the Killer Apples." The movie was about how interstellar radiation corrupted apples on an apple farm, turning them into giant carnivorous... apples. The effects were of moderate quality and the death scenes were hilariously made. This was definitely the kind of movie that Discord would enjoy.

The apples in the movie bounced around bearing their large, razor sharp teeth at any pony they came across. Their red skin reminded Wondering Wind of blood. This thought made some sense to Wind as apple juice did have a tendency to temporarily satisfy a vampony's thirst but that was temporary and the vampony would still need to feast on blood.

Before the movie had started Wind had bought a bucket of popcorn and a drink for the two of them to share. Wind had also made sure to have a drink of some powdered blood in the bathroom in order to insure that his hunger wouldn't affect him during the movie. The popcorn itself felt like sand going down his throat but he ate it in order to prevent Clover from growing suspicious of his true nature.

Both of them laughed as the main protagonist, Ash Coldmane, who had recently had his hoof bitten off by one of the apples, had it replaced with a flamethrower. Spoofy.

As the two then sat there, Clover began to nuzzle her head on Wind's shoulder. Glancing over to her, Wind noticed one of the veins along her neck. The blood within seemed to be calling out to him like a temptress. The sensation was so distracting that Wind accidentally knocked over some popcorn.

"Oh... I'm sorry," Wind said nervously, "how about I go grab a refill."

Crystal Clover raised her head letting Wind leave. As Wind left various other ponies gave him annoyed looks as he obstructed their view of the movie. Leaving the movie room, Wind walked out to the cashier. Upon arriving he notices that both of the stallion and the mare who are supposed to be tending to the counter are kissing each other rather ferociously.

"Ummm... can I have a refill on my popcorn?" Wondering Wind asked placing the bucket down on the counter.

The two theater cashiers pulled themselves away from one another, a little annoyed at the interruption. As the young mare went to the back room to gather supplies the young stallion walked to the counter and roughly took the bucket over to the popcorn maker.

"Do you want butter on your popcorn?" The clerk asked in an annoyed tone.

"Uhh... yes please."

As the cashier refilled his popcorn, Wind remembered back to the events that had happened earlier that day.

Wondering Wind awoke with a crick in his back and found himself lying on the couch. Out of the generosity of his heart, Wind had given Fluttershy his bed while he slept out on the coach.

"Hello."

The sound of Discord speaking made Wind jump. Now that he was wide awake he noticed that both Discord and Fluttershy were in the living room. Both them seemed to be looking at something in Fluttershy's hoof.

"Wha... What is he doing here?"

Discord gave Wind an annoyed look, "I'm here solving a little problem you have. Of course seeing as my presence isn't appreciated I could always leave."

"Please don't." Fluttershy said giving Discord a bright smile, "I really do need your help with this."

Fluttershy wore a small red dress that covered her small frame. From what Wind could tell her body was gradually returning to its original shape, something which made Wind feel a bit uneasy. Next to Fluttershy's seat was what appeared to be the stuffed doll of a white rabbit.

"Oh alright," Discord signed, "but only because you ask me nicely."

This strange sequence of events puzzled Wind, "What are you two doing exactly?"

"We are addressing your gorgony problem," Discord said taking a small necklace from Fluttershy's hoof, "or more specifically preventing one."

Fluttershy turned her attention to Wondering Wind, "You remember what we discussed last night?"

Wind nodded, "That Crystal Clover and I had meet a gorgony last night."

"Yes," Fluttershy looked at the necklace, "and if what that gorgony said is true it is possible that Crystal Clover may be in grave danger of becoming one herself."

"So you have a means of keeping her normal?" Wind spoke.

"Sort of," Discord said giving the necklace back to Fluttershy, "I have created this talisman using my chaotic energy that will absorb the transformation magic used by that Gorgon's artifact."

Fluttershy stood up and brought the necklace over to Wondering Wind. Closer examination showed that the necklace consisted of a large serpentine fang with various markings etched into it.

"All you need to do is have Crystal Clover wear this talisman, once she has worn it, it will absorb the gorgony magic that is inside her." Fluttershy spoke, "As long as the talisman remains unharmed she will remain the same, however as time goes on if the talisman is destroyed the transformation magic will return to her body and she will become a gorgony."

"So what are you suggesting I do?" Wind asked.

"Why give it to her of course." Discord said with a humph, "Were you not paying attention?"

"No, I figured that," Wind replied, "the question is how do I go about doing that? I took her out for a date last night."

"Why not take her out on another date," Fluttershy said while putting the talisman in his hoof, "it doesn't have to be anything too fancy. Just go out to a movie and then afterwards give her the amulet. Just tell her that you saw it somewhere and you thought she would like it."

Another date would be nice. However, what if she were to say no. As the thought echoed through Wind's mind, Fluttershy sighed.

"Look Wind," Fluttershy spoke as she sat back down in her chair, "even if Clover wasn't going to turn into a gorgony, the fact of the matter is that you will never know what will happen if you never ask. Then you'll look back and wish you had."

The statement was true. Time was running out and soon Crystal Clover would be returning home to the Crystal Empire. If he wanted to spend time with her it was now or never. On top of that it would probably be really bad if Clover work up one day only to discover that her hair had changed to snake only to discover that Wind had the means of preventing such a thing but didn't. That would definitely put a dampener on any relationship they were having.

"Very well," Wondering Wind said walking over to the wall mounted phone, "I'll give her a phone call and see if she will come."

As Wind began dialing Clover's phone number, Discord began gathering his things, "I guess I will be leaving."

"Take care." Fluttershy said as Discord created a door in the middle of the room and walked through it. Once the door slammed shut it disappeared in the blink of an eye.

The phone rang twice before a familiar voice answered the call, "Hello, Crystal Clover speaking."

"Hey Clover its me, Wondering Wind." A smile crossed his face as Clover answered the phone.

"Oh hey Wind," Clover answered, "so what is going on?"

There was a moment of silence as Wind dealt with the frog in his throat.

"Wind?"

Looking over, Wind saw Fluttershy sitting on her chair giving him an expectant look while she held the bunny doll against her chest.

"I'm sorry," Wind coughed, "I was just wondering if you would be willing to go out on another date with me?"

"Well, what did you have in mind?" Clover asked.

"What about a movie," Wind suggested, "I heard there was some goofy B-movie in the north town mall at around five."

"Sound like fun." Clover answered, "I guess I can meet you there."

"Uh... yes, I guess I'll see you there."

With the plans finished, both of them hung up the phone.

"It is done." Wind spoke, "We'll be going to see a movie tonight. After the movie is over I will try to give her the talisman."

Wind walked into the bathroom and began to prepare for the date. After locking the door and turning on the fan, Wind walked into the shower and turned on the water. At first it was frigid but gradually it heated up as Wind scrubbed his body with a bar of soap. After all the sweat and grime was removed he rinsed his body clean. Turning off the shower, Wind stepped out and dried himself off before applying some deodorant.

Now that his body was clean, Wondering Wind stepped out of the shower and walked back into the main room.

"So who's the box from?" Fluttershy asked pointing at the package among Wind's mail. That was right, when Wind had opened the door to let Fluttershy in there had been a package by the door.

"I don't know." Curious, Wondering Wind walked over to the mail and picked up the package and examined it. His heart nearly froze when he saw who it was from. However, soon his shock was replaced with anger and Wind dropped the package. The sound of the box hitting the floor drew Fluttershy's attention.

"What is it?" Fluttershy asked noticing Wind's bad mood.

"It's just a useless package from somepony I once knew," Wind answered, "I'll throw it away when I return."

Fluttershy eyed the box, "Would you mind if I took a look at it first?"

Wind picked up the package and lightly tossed it so Fluttershy could catch it, "Just make sure to destroy it when your done. I don't care how you do it, so long as I never see it again."

With his statement finished, Wind put on his coat and walked out the door, slammed it behind him.

Looking at the box, Fluttershy examined the name of the pony who sent it.

Whispering Wind.

"Hey dude!"

Wind was brought back to the present with a grumpy looking cashier holding his popcorn bucket, "Your popcorn is finished."

"Thank you."

As Wondering Wind returned to his seat a purple mare with a red mane walked past in order to refill her popcorn as well. The sound of blood pumping through her veins filled Wind's ears. There was something else he would have to do first.

Carefully Wondering Wind walked back into the main room and walked down some steps toward the stallion's room. Once inside he found an empty stall. Setting the popcorn bucket down on the floor, Wind felt around one of his coat pockets for some powdered blood packets. There were none left. He must have forgotten to refill his pocket.

An exasperated sigh left Wondering Wind's lips. What was he going to do?

Crystal Clover sat in her seat feeling very a bit worried. Wind had been gone for a while now. Clover hoped she hadn't actually scared him off when she had nuzzled against him earlier.

The scene of a giant apple biting it's way through a building with its dreadful teeth rolled across the screen. Little did the apple know, that a bomb had been placed within the building so that the giant apple would swallow it. It might have been a humorous scene if it wasn't for the nervous feeling that Clover was happening.

Had taking advice from Peach been such a good idea?

"So going out for another date I see." Puzzling Peach remarked as Clover put the phone back on its stand.

"That is the plan." Clover said walking down toward her room to put on something nice. Peach followed a wide smile on her face.

"You really like him don't you?" Peach said teasingly. Clover blushed a little in response to Peach's statement.

"Well... He is nice and he is kind of cute," Clover replied picking a nice casual jacket out of her closet, "so yeah I guess you could say that I like him."

Peach smiled, "As long as he treats you well, I have no objection to you seeing him."

"I don't think you have much control over the matter." Crystal Clover giggled.

"Hey that's not fair!"

A chuckle escaped Clover's lips, "Oh come on you know I'm only teasing you. You should know that by now. We've been friends for over eight years."

"Eight years, three months and seven days." Peach said with a smile.

Clover arched her brow, "I am not sure if I should be impressed or concerned."

Peach shook her head, "That doesn't matter. What matters is I am your friend and I want what is best for you. So if you like this stallion then I want him to be the best stallion you find."

"Thank you." Clover replied, "I appreciate it."

"So you really like this guy." Puzzling Peach spoke as Clover combed her mane.

"I do." As Clover combed away her smile began to fade, "However, I'm not sure if he really knows how much I like him."

"Perhaps you just need to show him." Puzzled Peach said, "Do something to let him know how much you care about him."

"Like what?" Clover asked placing her comb down on the bathroom table.

"Well, your going to a movie right?" Peach spoke, "Perhaps you could nuzzle up against him during the movie. Or maybe you can give him a peck on the cheek later."

"You think that would actually work?" Said Crystal Clover blushing at the thought.

"Why not?" Peach asked, "You'll never know if you don't try."

"I... I suppose your right."

Wondering Wind stood up from the seat, he only had two options and only one option was really a good one. Either he abandoned Clover here at the movie and look like a total jerk or he worked hard to maintain control of his instincts and return to the movie and give her the talisman.

Opening the door, Wind left the restroom and returned to his seat with the bucket of popcorn.

"What took you so long?" Crystal Clover whispered. Wind could smell her scent and could still hear the sound of her blood pumping through her veins.

"I'm sorry," Wind replied, "I had to make a quick stop at the restroom."

With that issue resolved the two of them resumed watching, however Wind was still uncomfortable due to his heightened senses being fully aware of Clover's blood. Once the movie had ended the two of them stood up from their seats and started to head toward the exit.

"So what did you think of the movie?" Wind asked.

"Well, it was a little goofy," Clover said putting a hoof to her chin, "but I kind of liked that about the movie. Even the scarier scenes weren't too bad. Personally I really enjoyed it."

"I'm glad," Wind said smiling before his features returned to that of some pony deep in thought. This made Clover feel nervous. Had she said something wrong?

The two of them continued walking before they reached Clover's home.

"Thank you for the video." Clover said before turning to go up the steps.

"Wait," Wind spoke causing Crystal Clover to stand still, "before you go I have a gift for you."

Clover turned around, "You do?"

Wondering Wind pulled out the necklace, Fluttershy and Discord had constructed and presented it to Clover.

"I happened to walk by a store earlier," Wind said, "and I thought it would great on you."

While he knew it was a lie, that he had seen it in a store, it was much more believable then that it had been created from the tooth of a Gorgony and had been enchanted by the lord of chaos himself. It also wasn't a lie that he thought it might look nice on her.

"Well, then how about you go ahead and put it on." Clover smiled before raising her neck so Wind could put on the necklace.

Hearing the sound of her blood pumping through Clover's veins, it took all of Wind's strength to ignore the urge to feast and gently place the necklace around her neck and lock the clasp. Once the necklace sat firmly against her neck, Crystal Clover looked down to examine the necklace. Stepping back a shocked gasp escaped Wondering Wind's lips.

"Is something wrong?" Asked Crystal Clover a look of concern on her face.

"No, no," Wind apologized, "I was just rather surprised by how beautiful it looked on you."

Clover smiled, "Well, thank you Wind."

The two of them looked at each other for a long time. Clover felt as if she should try to kiss him or something cheesy like that, however she wasn't sure how wise that would be.

"I guess I best be going." Wind said nervously before turning to walk away.

"WAIT!"

Clover's outburst caused Wind to stop walking and to turn back around. Was something wrong?

"Before you go," Clover stepped forward the distance between the two of them shrank as she drew closer, "I just wanted you to know that I really do like you."

Upon finishing the statement, Clover planted a little kiss on Wind's cheek. The kiss caused Wind's cheeks to turn a bright red in response.

"Well, ummm... that was really nice." Wind said with a nervous smile.

"Yeah, I guess it was." Clover said blushing a little.

"Ummm... good night."

"Good night."

Still nervous from what had happened, Crystal Clover walked back into her house and Wondering Wind began to make his way home. A small smile crossed Wind's muzzle on his walk.

Applejack sat at her desk, sipping a red liquid from a glass. As the director of Blood Source it was her duty to insure that the blood flowed to where it was needed most. Yet there were other secretive tasks that had been passed down to her by the previous director. Tasks that some vampony factions would seek to sabotage if they knew.

Setting the glass down on the table, Applejack turned around an looked through the observation window into the laboratory below. Numerous vampony scientist were examining various chemicals and compounds relating to the subject of apples and their effects on vamponies.

Years ago Applejack and Fluttershy had come in contact with the first director of Blood Source. His name was Kind Heart and he sought to make it so that one day vamponies could receive nourishment from something other then the blood of ponies. Due to Fluttershy's past of once having similar properties to a vampony after Twilight had cast a spell improperly resorting in Fluttershy taking on the characteristics of a vampire fruit bat, Kind Heart had grown interested in Fluttershy's tale. Perhaps there was a way that apples could be modified to provide vamponies the nourishment they would need.

As a result Kind Heart had been eager to recruit both Applejack and Fluttershy's help on the matter. However, after Kind Heart's death Fluttershy had abandoned the project. Applejack on the other hoof embraced it, seeking to create a strain of apple that vamponies could feed on.

Sadly despite multiple years of working on the project, the success rate was still low and very unfruitful. Still Applejack could feel that she was getting closer to a breakthrough. All it would take was patience.

In an effort to make Kind Heart's dream a reality, Applejack had recruited various researchers and scientist to assist her. Including the Slim Slap sisters, the two twin daughters of Flim one of the Flim Flam twins.

As Applejack contemplated this matter there was a knocking at the door, "Come in."

What appeared to be a zebra entered the room. Applejack knew him all to well as Nekoran, a vampony zebra who had been assigned to investigate the various abductions that had been going on as of late.

"What have you found?" Applejack asked returning to her seat.

Nekoran placed a folder down on Applejack's desk, "After some investigation we have reason to believe that the Black Rose Society may be the ones abducting ponies from blood harvesting."

"That isn't too surprising." Applejack answered leaning back in her chair, "Them Black Rose Society grunts have riled up everyone quite a bit with their talk about bringin' a dead vampony lord back from the dead."

"There is something else," Nekoran said opening the folder and presenting a photograph to Applejack, "recently this figure has been seen around the abduction sites. She has been given many names but we have started to refer to her as the Umbrella Mare."

Applejack took the photograph and examined it. In the photo stood what appeared to be a mare standing in the middle of an alleyway. She wore a tight yellow raincoat and her face was covered with a full faced gas mask. With her right hoof she held a black umbrella over her frame.

"Have you shared this information with the hunters?" Applejack asked.

"Not yet," Nekoran answered, "I wanted to show this before doing so."

Applejack nodded, "I suggest we give this to the hunters. They always like it when their given a bone."

It was actually a lot more then just that. Applejack knew all to well about the rivalry that Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash were having. If Applejack could give Rainbow Dash something to distract her from Fluttershy then perhaps a solution could be discovered.

"As you wish." Nekoran said before leaving Applejack's office.

Upon arriving home, Wind immediately walked over to the cabinet and pulled out one of the remaining packets. Wind could hear his heartbeat as tore the packet open and pored its contents into a glass. His mouth seemed to water as the glass was filled with water and merged with the powdered blood.

The scent of the mixture, wafted its way into Wind's nostrils.

As Wondering Wind mixed the drink, he heard some pony knocking on his door. Taking a quick sip of his drink, Wind tried to hide the glass next the refrigerator before walking over to the door. Looking through the peephole, Wind could see that it was Shot Glass waiting in front of the door. Slowly Wind opened the door.

"Hey Shot Glass," Wind said nervously, "what are you doing here?"

Lifting a hoof, Shot Glass revealed a white plastic bag containing various contents.

"I just thought that it would be nice to celebrate my best friends departure from the life of being single." Shot Glass spoke, "So I brought some video games and a case of beer so that we could celebrate."

"I'm not sure how accurate that statement is." Wind answered, "Are you sure you want to play here."

Shot Glass shrugged, "Why not? We used to hang out like this all the time. Besides you deserve some sort of reward for taking a mare out and not having her kick you in the face."

Wondering Wind sighed. While this wasn't something he expected, Wind was certain he could work around it.

"Very well," Wind replied, "give me the beer and I can put it into the refrigerator to cool while you set up the game console."

A large smile crossed Shot Glasses face as he pulled the six pack of beer out of the bank and gave it to Wind, "Deal!"

Taking the beer with him into the kitchen, Wind watched Shot Glass walk into the living room out of the corner of his eye, in order to make sure that he wasn't being watched. With the coast clear, Wind finished his glass of blood and after placing it in the sink, turned on the tap to clean the glass, while he grabbed a couple glasses for the beers. Taking the ice tray out of the freezer, Wondering Wind added a few ice cubes to two glasses before pouring a can of beer into each one.

Once the glasses were full, Wind picked up the beer and brought them out to the living room, where Shot Glass had finished setting up the game console. It was a X-Pon 3 game system that Shot Glass had purchased during a Hearth's Warming sales event, last year. The game that Shot Glass brought over was Elements of War, a futuristic third person, shooter where ponies that had colonized other planets had to deal with the treat of large, insectile monsters that intended to whip out all pony-kind. In the game the ponies would use some unique weapons including guns with circular saws attached.

"You didn't spend all the money from your intuition for this game did you?" Wind asked as he shot one of the aliens in the game with some sort of liquid shotgun.

"Of course not!" Shot Glass answered, "If I did, I wouldn't have enough money to buy any equipment for the gadgets I like to make."

Wind let out a deep sigh, "You do know the whole reason you have a tuition is so you can pass through college and survive. Not so you can build bizarre gadgets, hack into cellphone apps and play video games."

"Well, at least I have hobbies." Shot Glass grinned, "Speaking of which I am surprised that you have abandoned some of yours."

Shot Glass was right. After becoming a vampony, Wondering Wind had quite some of his usual hobbies like martial arts, buckball and even video games. Mostly due to the fact that he no longer needed to maintain his physique and the fear that during one of these events he might accidentally bite some pony.

"I'm thinking of trying some new things." Wind answered as another alien splattered across the screen.

"Like what?" Shot Glass asked. Clearly he was asking only to annoy Wind, however instead of letting Shot Glass win, Wind decided to think over it. What hobbies could he take up that would work with his new life as a vampony?

"I'm not sure." Wind replied, "Maybe writing perhaps."

"What do you mean?" Inquired Shot Glass, "Like a novel?"

"Perhaps." Writing a novel would indeed be an interesting task.

"Well, your already one step of the way there." Shot Glass chuckled.

"How so."

Shot Glass held up a beer can, "You already drink."

The atmosphere in the Underdepths was dark and dismal with only the green light of the strange underground moss providing any sort of light. As Madam Scales moved toward the central cavern where all her fellow gorgonies resided a familiar shape stepped out of the darkness toward her.

"What do you want Scarlet Coral?" Madam Scales sneered.

The gorgony possessed colored scales that went in unique pattern. Red, yellow, black, yellow, red, etc... Much like the old nursery rhythm about the color patterns of some seaside serpents, Scarlet Coral's bite was deadly. Blind in one eye, Scarlet focuses her remaining eye on Madam Scales.

"Might I guess that you disobeyed the Blind Counsels orders and tried to go hunting on the surface again?" Scarlet asked seemingly oblivious to Scale's distaste for her.

"What of it?" Scales growled.

The two of them continued to walk toward the central chamber, the light growing brighter as the drew near.

"You know there is going to come a day that they will punish you for your disobedience." Scarlet Coral spoke, "They have made it boldly clear that it isn't time for our war against the vamponies to start. The Blind Council has strict plans to insure our victory and they don't need your impatience ruining it."

The two gorgony began to walk along the wall as Madam Scales headed toward her alcove.

"Whatever!" Madam Scales snarled before coming to the alcove that was her home. Stepping inside she slammed the door shut and walked over to her chair. It was composed of a few statues that had been combined. One was of a female earth pony with mid length swirly mane with zig zag endings and her tail was wavy. She stood next to another statue of a stallion that had a petrified chipmunk on his shoulder. Both were oriented so that they were holding a seat cushion for Scales to sit on.

The chair was a gift from another gorgony named Modeling Clay, who had made the chair by having some blinded diamond dogs hold the two ponies in place before turning them into stone.

Sitting down on the chair, Madam Scales picked up a glass jar of pickle juice and with some difficulty removed the cap. With the cap removed, Scales slowly began to drink the contents of the jar. The pickle juice moved smoothly down her throat, its sour vinegar taste resting upon her tongue. The gorgony found pickle juice to be a very tasty beverage as she contemplated over what she would do next.

Scales almost screamed as some pickle juice splashed into the cavity where he fang had once been. A loud hiss escaped the gorgony's lips.

"One of these days I'm going to make that vampony bitch pay!"

"Thank you for coming." Wind spoke as Shot Glass began to leave, "I enjoyed the game tonight."

"No sweat." Shot Glass said with a wide grin, "I had fun. Maybe we should do this again sometime."

"I suppose so." Wind said before closing the door.

Walking away from Wind's apartment, Shot Glass was careful not to let his excitement show. While Wondering Wind had been preparing the beers in the kitchen, Shot Glass had managed to plant the bug in Wind's residence. Now that the bug was planted it would be easy for him to discover what was really going on with Wondering Wind.

"Have a good night." The apartment manager said as Shot Glass left the building.

"Good night." Shot Glass called back before stepping out into the rain.

Now it was time to return home and listen to what ever the channel had to offer. As he walked home Shot Glass was oblivious to the hooded pony watching from atop another building.

Pinpointing the Original Blood

View Online

"It is said that the worst sin is to lie. Even the smallest of lies can harm others. We may convince ourselves that we are telling the lie to protect the other person but in the end we are only doing it to protect ourselves." - Princess Luna, the Herald of the Moon

Twilight moved restlessly in her sleep. Sweat dripped from her pores as she rocked back and forth under the sheets.

As she dreamed, her mind wandered back to when it all came crashing down. When all her friends became monsters and they abandoned her. Why did it have to end like that?...

Forty Years Earlier...

"So, why’d we come here?" Applejack asked as she examined the excavation site that she and her friends were standing in.

It was a location in southern Equestria known as Haysead Swamps, just east of Dodge City and north of the Badlands. They had taken the train from Ponyville all the way to Dodge City to gather supplies before meeting with the welcoming party that showed them the way.

"I thought this would be a great friendship retreat," Twilight said, a bright smile on her face.

Aside from Twilight and her six friends, there were a few other ponies standing around, working on the excavation site. These were ponies that Twilight had specifically hired to insure the success of the expedition.

"Like what sort of exercise, dear?" Rarity asked, doing her best not to get her hooves dirty.

As Rarity asked this, a unicorn stallion stepped forward.

"Princess, all the preparations to open the doorway into the catacombs are in place and we await your instructions."

Twilight nodded, "I just thought you all might enjoy sharing this discovery with me."

"I suppose," Fluttershy said, feeling unsure of the situation.

Something just felt off somehow, but Fluttershy couldn’t put her hoof on why.

Rainbow Dash, on the other hoof, was really excited.

"This is totally like something out of a Daring Do book!" she exclaimed.

"Yeah!" Pinkie Pie shouted happily, bouncing in place.

Eager to enter the ruins, Twilight lead the way and her friends followed. Upon reaching the sealed entryway, Twilight gave the excavator a nod and he began to open the door using a crane to pull away the large stone. A couple of ponies approached the opening, holding devices that monitored the contents of the air that seeped from within.

"The air appears to be safe," one of the inspectors spoke. "Still, I would suggest bringing a gas mask as a precaution."

"Thank you for you help, Brown Root," Twilight spoke. "I am sure we can take it from here."

"Are you sure, Princess?" the archeologist inquired. "It could be dangerous inside."

"Yes," Twilight nodded, "I am quite sure."

"I'm not," a shrewd voice spoke from behind, alerting Twilight to the stallion.

Twilight recognized the stallion as Shade Step, a unicorn that had been Twilight's rival back in magic school and had always strived to prove himself superior to Twilight's accomplishments. Of all the mages in Celestia's court, Shade Step had been the only who refused to attend Twilight's coronation after she became an Alicorn. Instead he had insisted on staying in the castle and studying spells based on War Magic.

Shade Step's coat was a dark, grayish blue, much like the Moonlight Court, which he participated in. He had a dark gray mane with neon green highlights, which seemed to be turning white as he grew older. However, growing older had not changed that cruel sparkle that glimmered in Shade Step's neon green eyes.

"What is it that you want, Shade Step?" Twilight said, a tinge of anger in her tone.

"Oh, it isn't what I want," Shade Step said with a slight smile, "I just think that this expedition of yours is a waste of the Celestial Court’s resources."

"This expedition is to help gather historical data on Equestria," Twilight replied angrily. "It is much better than simply saving resources for any 'potential threats' as you like to call them."

While ponies could be paranoid of their neighboring countries, Twilight had since learned that most were not a threat and could easily become allies with the power of friendship. However, it was not this paranoia that motivated Shade Step’s defensive countermeasures. On the contrary, Twilight was certain that Shade Step wanted a war. A conflict that would make his talents feel useful and would prove that Twilight's beliefs on friendship and harmony were false.

"Is it really historical data you are searching for”-Shade Step's eyes turned into slits-"or is it something else?"

Twilight glared at him. She couldn't wait for this annoying stallion to die from old age.

Shade Step chuckled, "It would seem I have struck a cord. Fine. I will let you have your fun, but I want a scroll on my desk with all your findings or else you will hear from my comrades and I in regards to your budget. I hope I made myself clear."

Upon finishing his statement, Shade Step turned and walked away, his black cloak flapping in the wind. How Luna had accepted such a pain in the plot as one of her personal councilors truly puzzled Twilight. Turning around, Shade Step gave Twilight another wicked smile before his horn glowed a neon green and he teleported elsewhere.

"Is everything alright?" Applejack asked.

"Yes, I'll be fine," Twilight replied in annoyance. "Let's just finish this."

"Before you go," Inspector Brown Root spoke, "perhaps we should all take a photograph to document this event."

"That would be great!" Pinkie Pie said, bouncing up and down.

Rolling her eyes, Twilight replied, "Sure, why not."

All of the ponies grouped up with Twilight and her friends in the center with the rest of the excavation crew surrounding them. A camera was set up with a timer, so that the photographer could take the picture and have enough time to jump in before the picture was taken. All the ponies smiled, with the exception of Fluttershy, who just looked at the camera nervously.

"Say cheesecake!" Pinkie Pie said with a broad smile.

"Cheesecake!" everypony except Fluttershy said as the camera snapped.

With the picture taken, Twilight guided her friends into the ruins. Ancient runes lined the walls with various hieroglyphs depicting ponies with what appeared to be two curved horns. Seeing the runes, a wide smile sprouted on Twilight's face.

"Girls, do you realize what this is?!" Twilight asked excitedly.

"No," Applejack answered, shaking her head. "Can't say that I do."

"These ruins belonged to the ancient pony tribe of the Bicorns!" Twilight exclaimed excitedly.

"Bicorns?" Rarity repeated, a confused look on her face.

Twilight nodded, "According to various legends, there was once a subterranean race of ponies known as the Bicorns. How they came to live underground is unknown. However, it wasn't long after they appeared that the Bicorns faded away for some unknown reason."

"Why did they live underground?" Rainbow Dash asked curiously.

"Nopony knows for certain," Twilight answered. "Some historians say that they had appeared there through magical means, possibly even from another universe altogether. A few Bicorns have been documented as being seen on the surface, however they either disappeared or perished."

As they walked along the hallway, Twilight began to examine the runes along the wall.

"Can ya read any of this?" Applejack asked.

Twilight smiled, "While I was studying in Magic School, we had to pick one of five ancient languages of extinct races to learn. I picked the Bicorn language for this category."

After examining the runes on the wall to her left, Twilight began to speak, "It states that there was a plague that seemed to be wiping out their tribe. Shortly after, somepony referred to as the Winged One appeared who was immune to the disease. In an attempt to survive, they gave him their blood so that he could commune with... Ashferatu?"

"What's Ashferatu?" Pinkie asked tearing apart the pronunciation.

"I-I don't actually know," Twilight answered. "I haven't read any documents that I could remember that mention who or what Asferatu is."

They walked further down the corridor until eventually they came to a large, circular room. In the center was a fountain that was no longer filled any water. Across from the entrance was a diamond-shaped gateway with what appeared to be a dark mirror built inside.

More runes were arranged along the wall, some of which formed various hieroglyphic images. Twilight walked over to a series of hieroglyphs that had two bicorns raising their heads to a golden sun surrounded by black tendrils and crimson eyes. Below the the two bicorns was some sort of stone wheel built into the wall. In the center of the wheel was a slot.

"What was this place for?" Applejack asked, examining the empty fountain.

"Perhaps it was meant as a place for greeting ponies from the surface," Pinkie Pie suggested.

"Or perhaps a place of new beginnings," Twilight said, pulling a small box out of one of her saddlebags.

Opening the wooden box, Twilight pulled forth a black, curved object.

"What is that, dear?" Rarity inquired as she observed Twilight holding the device with her magic.

The object was made of a strange material, having the reflective properties of a mirror, only with a strange, dark tinge to it. It was almost like obsidian, only much stronger and far less fragile. It was a material similar to that within the mirror in the diamond shaped gateway. At one end it was a round sphere with various tendrils branching off to unite with another smaller sphere, which had what seemed to be four fangs poking out of it. Like the maw of a vampire fruit bat ready to bite into the flesh of an apple and drink it dry.

"This is just an artifact that I had discovered in a previous expedition." Twilight answered, "while many of my colleagues thought it was a ceremonial dagger, I had and a few others had theorized that it was a key. Judging by the markings on this wheel, I would say that we were right."

Twilight moved the key toward the circle, but was stopped by Rarity who placed a hoof on Twilight's shoulder, "Twilight, are you sure this is safe?"

The statement echoed through Twilight's mind. Was this safe? Was it safe for her to risk the lives of her friends if it meant making them immortal? After a moment of pondering the question a smile stretched across Twilight's face.

"Yes," Twilight replied with a smile, "I am certain it will be safe."

Guiding the key with her magic, Twilight inserted it into the slot. As the four fangs made contact with the indents in the stone, all the mares in the room could feel a strange wave wash over them from the fountain. It was like they were being felt, smelled, and tasted by some strange ethereal force. Almost as if some sort of eldritch machine was scanning them.

Once the wave passed, the room began to shift and change. The sound of internal gears could be heard as segments of the chamber rotated and five pedestals arose from around the fountain. Once the pedestals had risen a transparent watery fluid began to trickle forth and fill the central fountain.

"Now, could the rest of you please place your hooves on the pedestals?" Twilight asked. "Once that is done, this should complete the process."

"Process?" Fluttershy asked worriedly.

"Don't worry," Twilight smiled. "Think of it as a pleasant little surprise."

"Ooh, I love surprises!" Pinkie Pie said, before running over to the pedestal and placing her left hoof on the pedestal.

Cautiously, the rest of the Elements of Harmony with the exception of Twilight Sparkle made their way to the pedestals.

"Well, I am fine with it," Rainbow Dash said, "so long as this surprise is awesome."

With their hooves on the pedestals, the mares waited as Twilight once again touched the key with her magic and almost naturally shifted it sharply to the left. More gears could be heard as the room shifted once more and then stopped.

"Well, that was la-"

Before Rainbow Dash could finish her statement, a large spike shot up from the pedestal and pierced her hoof. Due to the sudden shock of the situation, Rainbow Dash didn't feel any pain from the injury but just stared at it with a confused look on her face.

Looking around Twilight realized that all the pedestals had activated, piercing the hooves of her friends.

"Wh-what is going on?" Applejack asked.

Suddenly the water in the fountain changed color, turning into a bright crimson. As the water became like blood, slowly the bodies of Twilight's friends began to wither like apples shriveling on the ground after falling from their tree. Fluttershy screamed, trying to pull her hoof free from the spike that had pierced it but to no avail.

"This isn't what I..."

Twilight fell to her knees, watching as her friends were drained by the chamber. Soon all that was left was shriveled husks leaning against the pedestals.

Tears fell from Twilight's eyes. She only did this because she thought this would save her friends. Twilight had not intended for such a cruel fate to befall them.

The crimson water began to change, turning from a deep crimson into a pitch black before the water seemed to reverse, returning to the fountain from which it had come. The bodies of Twilight's friends twitched as the dark substance was pumped by the pedestals into their veins.

Rarity let out a loud gasp as the mare felt her life returning to her. The others also began to breath heavily as they too returned from the grasp of death.

A smile crept across Twilight's face, "I-I knew it. It's working!"

Once Twilight's friends were returned to normal, the spikes in the pedestal withdrew, causing the five mares to fall to the ground. For a moment, they were still, but soon all of them arose from the ground.

"I-It worked." Twilight said, almost chuckling hysterically. "I have found the Fountain of Life! Now you are all immortal!"

"W-why?" Fluttershy spoke, the sound of her voice causing Twilight to stop. "Why did you do this to us?"

Twilight looked down at her friend and noticed a cruel hatred in Fluttershy's eyes. This confused Twilight. Why was her friend mad at her? Maybe she just needed to better explain the situation.

"I was just trying to make it so that we could continue to be together," Twilight explained. "Due to me being an Alicorn, I am immortal. However, none of you are and so over time you will all age and die. B-but now you all are immortal. Now we can all live together forever."

"Do you honestly think death is worse than this?" Applejack hissed as she walked toward Twilight.

It was at this moment that Twilight realized that something was wrong. Her friends had long, sharp fangs and they glared at Twilight with bright red eyes. They stepped toward her, with looks of malice on their faces.

"N-no!" Twilight screamed, "T-this isn't what I wanted!"

Twilight shot up in bed, her bed sheets drenched in sweat. Breathing heavily, she stepped out of bed and made her way to the bathroom, where she splashed some cold water onto her face. Looking into the mirror, Twilight saw rings under her eyes, no doubt the result of stress and the nightmare she had just experienced. A nightmare that continuously reminded her of the terrible fate she had placed upon her friends.

Perhaps the issue wasn't the fact that Twilight had sought to bring them immortal life, so much as she had tried to grant them this blessing against their will.

"Maybe I should have just told them how I felt," Twilight said sadly as she walked out of the bathroom back into the bedroom.

Looking at the bookshelf, she saw the photograph that had been taken that day.

Examining the photograph, images of what had happened flashed before Twilight's eyes. Of the attack that followed her tragic discovery.

Twilight ran through the ruins toward the exit. Whether her friends were following her or not, Twilight didn't know.

Stepping outside, it soon became clear that night had fallen. The excavation site seemed oddly vacant. Even if everypony had gone to bed, there would have been at least two guards at the entrance in case of an emergency. It almost seemed as if the site had been abandoned in a hurry.

Hearing the sound of a few ponies running in her direction, Twilight scuttled behind a wagon containing excavated rock for cover. As Twilight hid there, she watched as one of the mares from the expedition crew ran down the path toward the expedition site with two other ponies giving chase. They wore black robes and on their wings were jagged crimson blades.

The mare screamed as the two robed pegasi cut her down with their blades. Landing next to the dying mare, the two pegasi cackled maniacally before opening their jaws wide and plunging their fangs into the mare’s neck. Twilight bit her tongue, not wanting these monsters to know where she was.

In the middle of their feasting, the two pegasi raised their heads and turned their gaze toward the entrance to the ruins, almost as if they had heard something. Soon, Twilight heard what it was that drew their attention. It was the sound of hoofsteps, of something running through the ruins.

Twilight watched in horror as her five friends stepped out of the ruins, their crimson eyes burning in the darkness. The two pegasi let out a terrifying screech and charged toward the Elements of Harmony.

Applejack turned and bucked on of the pegasi in the teeth, causing the monster's fangs to fall from his mouth. With her speed, Rainbow Dash flew forth and delivered a swift uppercut with her hoof.

Fluttershy let out a terrible screech as she lunged forward and drove her fangs into the pegasi's throat before pulling away, severing the creature's head from its body. The body slowly erupted into green flames before it completely turned into ash. Rarity drove her hoof down into the other monster's head, crushing its skull causing it to erupt into orange flames before it too became ash.

Twilight was about to step out to her friends, but stopped once all five of them turned their attention to the corpse of the mare lying on the ground, her crimson blood leaking out onto the ground. All five mares walked over to the red puddle and began to lap at it with their tongues.

"Get them!" Another voice called out in the darkness, "The master wants those five contained!"

Realizing that they would soon be outnumbered, the five Elements of Harmony split up, doing their best to draw the hunters away.

"Don't let them escape!" the voice called out again.

Twilight waited as the voices dissipated and her friends disappeared into the night. With the coast clear, Twilight began to look around the expedition sight, carefully searching for any survivors. For about an hour, the Princess wandered but found nothing. All the members of the excavation team had been killed, their bodies drained of blood.

"Why it is a pleasure to see you again, Twilight Sparkle," a familiar voice spoke.

Turning around, Twilight saw the stallion that had given her the instructions on how to find this place. The stallion who had told her that here, Twilight would find the means to make her friends immortal. BV.

"It's you!" Twilight spoke, "What are you doing here?"

The stallion smiled, his green eyes glowing very brightly, "Oh, just making sure that my plan went as I had intended."

"You planned this!" Twilight shouted, her tone growing angry. "You knew this would happen?"

That smile grew wider, becoming ever so annoying, "Indeed."

"So you're the one that turned my friends to monsters!" Twilight exclaimed.

"On the contrary, Twilight Sparkle, I didn't turn your friends into monsters," BV spoke. "You did."

Twilight just stood there, unsure what to say. She could make all the excuses but in the end this creature was right. Twilight herself was the one responsible for turning her friends into whatever they had become.

"For the record," BV spoke, "they aren't monsters. They are vamponies. There is a major difference."

Her eyes grew wide as the puzzle pieces connected in Twilight's mind. Why the pedestals drained her friends of their blood. Why they had red eyes and elongated canine teeth. Why they drank the blood of the deceased mare. They had been given immortality, but as a result of vampirism.

Looking up at the stallion, Twilight saw that his body was turning into ash. BV also seemed to notice it too as he raised a hoof to examine as it decayed.

"It would seem that this vessel has expired." BV said as he glanced over his decaying frame, "No matter, when the time comes, Twilight Sparkle, we shall meet again."

The green glow faded from the stallion's eyes and the body collapsed to the ground. Twilight simply watched as the body decayed into dust before it was swept away by the wind, leaving behind a blackened skeletal structure. Soon this too was taken away by the zephyrs.

Setting the photograph back down on the stand, Twilight walked over to her desk and started up her computer. Once the computer was up, the Princess activated the Glimmer app. The face of a mare with purple and green hair appeared on the screen.

"Glimmer, can you tell me about my appointments tomorrow?" Twilight asked.

"Why, certainly, Twilight!" the app replied as various files appeared on screen. "Tomorrow you have an appointment with the war councilor, Shade Step in regards to the Yaks of Yakyakistan and their current civil war. He also said he wished to speak to you about a secret threat that he has become aware of."

Twilight growled. She seriously wished that stallion would just retire or grow old and die.

"Thank you for your help, Glimmer," Twilight said, small tears forming in her eyes, "Ummm... so how have you been feeling, Starlight?"

The face on the screen seemed to contemplate the question, "Well, it certainly beats being dead. Plus, I am able to help other ponies in their daily lives. Even my spells are of some use to rest of Equestria."

Twilight nodded, "I suppose, but how do you feel? I mean it couldn't have been an easy adjustment to living without a body of your own."

"It was startling at first," the digitized consciousness of Starlight Glimmer replied, "It felt as if my mind was stretched in numerous directions, always present whenever someone turned on the app. However, as nanoseconds went on I soon adjusted to it and grew to view these smartphones as if they were extensions of myself."

"Do you miss having a body?" Twilight asked.

"Sometimes." Glimmer answered, "However, I have come to accept this new form I now possess and truth be told I actually like it."

Twilight did her best to wipe away the tears that were falling from her eyes.

"Don't be sad," The Glimmer app spoke, "You did what you thought was right. You sacrificed everything to save me."

While Twilight knew this to be true, it didn't change the fact that her friend's mind was now trapped inside a machine. It also didn't change the fact that in her attempt to be happy she had changed her oldest friends into vamponies. It was almost like everything she did was backfiring.

The mare on the screen gave Twilight a sad face, no doubt if Glimmer could she would reach through the monitor and give her friend a hug, however such things were impossible at the moment. That was one reason why Twilight had been working with a few other companies to create robotic limbs for medical purposes. Perhaps one day she could use the technology to build a new body for Starlight Glimmer. A body that wouldn't be vulnerable to vampirism or death.

However, would it even matter? It had been thirty eight years since Glimmer's consciousness had been transferred into the network. Her friends Trixie and Sunburst were older now and it would be difficult for Starlight to reunite with them even in a new mechanical body. Sunburst had proposed to Starlight the exact same day that she had been bitten and Trixie had been good friends with her for a while. Would such a reunion be wise after thinking that she was dead for so long?

"Twilight, I strongly suggest you sleep," Glimmer spoke. "You will probably feel better in the morning."

"Yes," Twilight sniffled. "I suppose you're right. However, before I do, there is one more task I have for you."

"What is it, Twilight?" Glimmer asked.

"Start protocol, Glyph-Blinder."

As Wandering Wind walked home, a wide smile covered his face. He had worried that somehow the kiss, Crystal Clover had given him two days ago would have somehow distanced the two of them. However, both of them still hung around for lunch and Wandering Wind had just finished walking Clover home. Things were going rather smoothly.

While Wandering Wind was lost in his thoughts, a mare stepped out of a nearby alley and bumped into him. Returning to reality, Wind saw that the mare had fallen to the ground.

"Are you okay?" Wondering Wind asked, "Let me help you up."

Wondering Wind offered the mare a hoof to help her stand up. The mare was a pegasus wearing a black and purple hoodie. Her coat was orange and her mane was purple. Her fur and clothing seemed to be smudged with dirt, like she had been living in the streets for a while. With a puzzled look, the mare examined Wind's hoof before smiling and taking it.

"Thank you," the mare said as she stood back up.

Now on her hooves, the mare resumed her walk through the streets. Something about the encounter seemed off to Wind but he couldn't place a hoof on it.

Returning home, Wandering Wind placed his satchel with it's school contents on the couch before going to the fridge to examine its contents.

"Looks like I need another shipment," Wind said as he pulled out his cell phone.

Wandering Wind carefully typed in the phone number onto his cell phone and placed it against his ear. He was running low on blood and he needed some more if he wished to keep his life as normal as possible. The tone rang twice before a feminine voice answered.

"Thank you for calling Blood-Source," the voice spoke, "How may I help you?"

"Yes, my name is Wandering Wind," the stallion answered, "I am running low on my supply of blood and I was hoping to restock."

"Most certainly," the receptionist replied, "I will send one of our staff to you shortly."

"Uh… okay," Wandering Wind replied nervously as the receptionist hung up.

Wondering Wind sat there, waiting for a minute before he heard movement from his bathroom. Standing up, Wind walked over to the hallway to see an annoyed stallion in a suit walking out of the bathroom.

"Seriously, you really should buy a bigger mirror," The Blood-Source representative, BSR-3129 groaned.

"Couldn't you just use the door like normal people?" Wandering Wind asked.

"If we did it would be easier for the Equestrian authorities to find us and our clients," BSR-3129 replied, "Which would result in both us and clients like yourself being taken in for... observation. Let's just say you don't want that to happen."

While Wandering Wind didn't know the full details, it was clear that the section of the Equestrian Government that know about vamponies didn't view the race merely as ponies who need to drink blood and who burned in the sunlight.

"So, do you have the dried blood packets that I need?" Wandering Wind inquired.

"I do," BSR-3129 answered, "however, I also have an inquiry for you from Blood-Source."

"Uh… okay?"

Opening his suitcase, the Blood-Source representative pulled out a small plastic container, which seemed to have a crimson fluid inside.

"So, Blood-Source has been working on creating another way of packaging blood for vampony use." BSR-3129 explained, "What we have here is what is referred to as a twisty top. Basically you twist the top off of the tube, pour the contents into a glass or bottle and mix."

"Okay, but why are you offering this to me?" Wind asked.

"Because you look like the kind of pony who would be willing to try new things," BSR-3129 spoke, "As opposed to some of our much older clients that prefer to stick to blood bags."

Wandering Wind examined the tube, before raising an eyebrow and looking at BSR-3129.

"I assume this is a test sample, right?" Wandering Wind asked, "Meaning it is free."

"Uh, yes, I suppose."

Judging by the representative's attitude, Wind could tell that BSR-3129 hadn't originally intended to give it away for free.

"Look, I am going to college," Wandering Wind spoke, "and while being a vampony means I no longer need to eat aside from moments when I need to blend in, I don't really have a lot of cash."

"Fine," the representative said putting twist tube of blood back into the box. "I will sell you the dried blood packs for our usual price and I will accept your feedback as payment for one box of the twisty top blood containers. Do we have a deal?"

A satisfied smile stretched across Wind's face.

"Yes, I believe we have a deal."

Crystal Clover stood next to the oven, cooking a meal for herself and her roommate, Puzzling Peach, who was coming home late from work. While Puzzling Peach had originally had the day off, one of the other employees had called in sick, resulting in Peach's employer calling her in.

Wanting to help her friend after such a stressful endeavor, Clover had pulled out some onions, sweet potatoes, carrots and vegetable broth to make some soup. After stirring the ingredients, the Crystal Pony took a sip before concluding that a sprinkle of garlic salt would help increase the flavor.

With her magic, Crystal Clover lifted the container and shook it twice to add the spice to the soup. As Clover sat the container down she could hear the sound of the door opening as Puzzling Peach returned home.

"That was exhausting," Peach growled as she walked into the kitchen and sat down at the table.

There was a wooden thump as Peach crudely rested her head on the table.

"May I assume that work was busy today?" Clover asked, still stirring the soup.

"Remind me to punch Strong Back the next time I see him," Peach growled, "It should be a crime to come down ill and not call in until just before work."

Clover giggled, "Well, then perhaps my soup will help once it is finished."

Five silent minutes passed by with Crystal Clover finishing her soup and Puzzling Peach sitting with her head resting on the table. Upon determining that the soup had cooked long enough, Clover brought the pot of soup over to the dining table and placed it on top of a hot pad. After turning off the oven, Clover picked up two bowls from the cupboard and a pair of spoons before bringing them to the table.

Peach raised her weary head so that Clover could finish setting the table. Once all the utensils are in place, Clover sat down at the table and began pouring bowls of soup.

"So how did your date go the other night?" Peach asked placing a spoonful of soup in her mouth.

"Well... we watched a movie and after he dropped me off... I kissed him," Clover answered.

Puzzled Peach smiled, "I am glad to see that you two are making progress."

Crystal Clover blushed. Of course, she had neglected to say that the kiss was a mere peck on the cheek.

"So, when are you both going out again?" Peach asked, sipping some of her soup.

"Uh... I'm not sure yet," Clover replied, taking another spoonful of soup.

The sound of Peach's spoon slamming onto the table caused Clover to jump in her seat.

"If you really love this stallion than you need to take the initiative!" Puzzled Peach exclaimed in annoyance. "Tomorrow, we are going to go dress shopping!"

"But I don't need anything!" Clover protested.

Her statement was unheard as Peach stormed off to her room.

The wooden ship sailed through the ocean with the moon hanging overhead. Fluttershy felt somewhat confused as to how she arrived on the boat. The movement out of the corner of her eye was her answer.

"Hello Fluttershy," A shadowy figure spoke, "isn't this growing old?"

"Leave me alone!" Fluttershy growled. Despite her warning, the figure continued to move toward her.

Fluttershy fell to the ground as an explosion rocked the ship. The shadowy figure remained unflinching and continued to walk toward his prey.

"Given time you will come to accept my ideals," The shadow spoke, "whether it be by your own decision or not is your choice."

Standing up, Fluttershy turned to leave only to find another pony standing next to her on the ship. It was Wondering Wind, only now his coat was drenched in blood and next to him was the corpse of a dying mare, her blood flowing freely from two large gashes in her white neck.

"N-no." Fluttershy stuttered, "Stop showing me this."

The shadowy figure chuckled, "Perhaps this is more to your liking."

Immediately, Wondering Wind and Crystal Clover's body disappeared, only to be replaced with Fluttershy standing over the corpse of a young mare, her belly swollen bearing a child. There were two holes in the mare’s orange neck, her blood leaking out into a puddle that enveloped her purple mane.

"Please stop!" Fluttershy cried.

"That is enough!" A strong feminine voice spoke, drawing Fluttershy's gaze away from the vision. To the mare's shock it was Princess Luna, who was now standing next to her.

"Oh, I see the herald of the moon has decided to join in."

A door opened in the dreamscape, and Luna motioned for Fluttershy to step through, "This will take you back to your mental safe-room. I'll take care of this aberration."

Not feeling like arguing, Fluttershy did as she was told and took the door to her safe-room. Once the door closed, Princess Luna turned her attention to the shadowy shape.

"I don't like that you have been invading the dreams of my subjects," Luna scowled, "nor that you have been controlling and manipulating their minds!"

"They aren't your subjects princess," The shadow hissed, "I am the first immortal! The king of vampony kind, therefore they are my subjects. Not yours, and I can do with them as I please."

Another explosion erupted on the ship, but neither the princess nor the shadow wavered.

"I presume this means that your real identity is Black Vein." Princess Luna spoke, "The first vampony and the great traitor. The stallion who sought to bring unity by turning all pony-kind into monsters like you."

The shadow chuckled and it changed shape, turning into a mirror image of Luna. The copy gave Luna a grim smile before curtsying, "I am honored that my reputation proceeds me. To think that Luna, the herald of the moon, knows who I am. It brings a shiver of joy to my heart."

"Why have you been wondering the dreamscape?" Luna asked with a tone of annoyance.

"Oh, I have my reasons." The copy of Luna turned to examine the moon that rested over the ocean.

Luna stomped her hoof, "Enough! Tell me what you are scheming!"

Another explosion occurred and it soon became apparent that the ship was sinking. The shadow turned back to Luna, only now Black Vein possessed the form of Nightmare Moon. Fear shot through Luna as she recognized the ghost of her sin. With a cruel grin, Nightmare Moon began to walk toward Luna.

"Isn't it obvious?" Nightmare Moon chuckled, "I am going to kill the sun."

"Stop!" Princess Luna barked, "I know perfectly well that you are merely imitating what I once was! That form no longer frightens me!"

"It may not frighten you." Black Vein spoke as he returned to his shadowy form, "But be warned, I will unite all of pony-kind as I intended and soon I will walk under a sunless sky."

The shadow chuckled wickedly as it disappeared and the dreamscape collapsed.

Four Leaves and One Clover

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"A dress isn't supposed to cover a ponies beauty but rather to magnify it. A dress in the hooves of the right sempstress can be a reflection of the pony's heart, of her soul." - Rarity, the Element of Generosity

"Come on Clover!" Puzzling Peach called out, "The store is over here!"

"Uh coming." Crystal Clover said as she followed her roommate through the crowded streets.

After Clover told Peach about her date with Wondering Wind, the other mare had demanded that they go clothes shopping. Despite her attempts to tell Peach that she had plenty of clothes, Clover found that her roommate couldn't be persuaded and found herself walking in downtown Manehattan.

"Okay, this is it!" Puzzling Peach said pointing at the clothing store sign. It was the Manehattan Carousel Boutique, a clothing store once created by the Element of Generosity, Rarity.

Crystal Clover's mouth almost dropped open. "Are you sure we can afford anything here?"

"I'm certain we can find something within our price range." Peach said with a smile.

Twilight sat in the Ponyville cafe, waiting for Shade Step to arrive. She had ordered an espresso while she waited. The sound of heavy hoof steps toward her table alerted her to the advisor's arrival.

"Why hello Princess Twilight," Shade Step spoke as he sat down across from her, "It is good *cough* to see the Princess of Friendship outside of her glass bobble."

Looking up from her beverage, Twilight examined the advisor's features. It would seem that Shade Step wasn't aging very well, probably due to the cancer he had been diagnosed with a year ago. His mane and tail were now completely white and his features were almost skeletal, possibly a side effect caused by the chemotherapy he had gone through.

"I was told you had some matters you wished to discuss with me." Twilight said, holding back any resentment she had for her rival.

"Indeed." The advisor answered, brandishing a folder, "As I am certain you are aware of there has been news of Changelings in Yakyakistan that have learned how to take on the physical appearance of the yak population. I would strongly recommend that we close our borders to the occupants of Yakyakistan until we discover a means to uncover the imposters. *cough* I would also like to recommend that you have someone talk with Thorax and see if he has any ideas *cough* on this matter."

The request that Shade Step made did seem reasonable, so Twilight nodded.

"I can agree to that."

"There is also another matter *cough* I would like to discuss." Shade Step said while coughing into a napkin.

"And that is?" Twilight inquired.

"It pertains to that expedition you took *cough* a while back," Shade Step answered, "however, I first need to ask you a quick *cough* question. What do you know about vamponies?"

The advisor's question caused Twilight's heart to stop. How did he know about them? From the gleam in Shade Step's eye, Twilight's response hadn't gone unnoticed.

"Apparently a fair bit." The advisor spoke, "Truth of the matter, it wasn't until recently that I began to believe *cough* that such creatures existed either. However, my sources *cough* indicate not only that they have been around for a while, but that their activities *cough* increased shortly after that little excavation of yours."

"What are you saying?" Twilight growled.

Shade Step smiled, "I am merely pointing out the facts, which is that there is an enemy force within our borders that *cough* must be dealt with."

At least he wasn't trying to say that Twilight was somehow responsible.

"And I believe I can help *cough*," Shade Step spoke, "however, it would be difficult for me to do so if I am dead."

"Why are you bring this up to me?" Twilight inquired. In response, Shade Step pulled out his smartpone.

"Glimmer activate." Shade Step said giving the voice command.

"This is Glimmer at your service." The App replied.

"Glimmer *cough* what is your name?" The advisor asked a wicked smile growing on his face as he held the phone up to his mouth. Soon it dawned on Twilight what Shade Step was trying to do.

"I don't understand your inquiry." Glimmer replied.

"Tell me Glimmer, isn't your full name, Starlight Glimmer?" Shade Step asked, "The same Starlight Glimmer that wiped a whole town *cough* of their Cutie Marks and then later defeated Queen Chrysalis?"

"I-I don't understand what you mean." The App stuttered.

"Enough!" Twilight exclaimed, "What is it that you want Shade Step?"

Shade Step set the phone down on the table.

"Isn't it rather obvious." The advisor spoke, "I wish to continue to serve Equestria's needs. I want what Glimmer possesses. A digital body of my own."

"Try this one on!" Puzzling Peach said giving Clover another dress to try.

For the past half hour Crystal Clover had been stuck in the changing room, while Peach ran all over the store finding clothes for Clover to try out. This had resulted in Clover trying on various dresses... some of which she wasn't too fond of.

"Oh you look so cute in that!" Peach exclaimed.

"I-I'm not so sure about that." Clover replied.

The current outfit that Peach had forced Clover to wear was some sort of sweater, only it lacked any sleeves and an opening in the back, which left her legs and back exposed. Apparently this type of outfit had been called, Stud Killer. While Crystal Clover thought it looked nice it wasn't something she would want to wear in public, perhaps in the privacy of her own home. Maybe it would be something nice to wear for her husband.

This stirred up thoughts of her and Wind being a married couple and living under the same roof. Such thoughts made her blush.

"Fine." Peach answered, "I'll go find something else."

"T-thanks." Clover said as Peach walked away.

While Puzzling Peach might feel like an annoyance at times, she was the closest thing Clover had to a sibling. When Crystal Clover had still been living in the Crystal Empire she had an older brother named Emerald Leaf. Sadly her brother had been diagnosed with a bizarre mental disease that slowly deteriorated his mind. Clover's family had done everything they could to halt Emerald Leaf's mental deterioration and while they did manage to stall the illness, it still continued to decay his mind.

After a year, Emerald Leaf was no longer himself but instead possessed the mindset of a ravenous animal. The hospital staff had to restrain him and give him medication to keep him passive. Then about five years ago, Clover's family had awoken to a phone call from the hospital saying that Emerald's heart had stopped and that the young stallion had passed away.

It was because of what had happened to her brother that Crystal Clover had decided to become a nurse. That way Clover might be able to save other ponies from suffering the same fate as her brother. However, as her studies went on, Clover realized that she would need to travel to Manehattan in order to further her education. So she transferred with a few of her other students and in the process, Crystal Clover met Puzzling Peach.

"Try this one!" Peach exclaimed, pulling Clover from her thoughts.

It was a red dress with some green strings in the back. Taking the garment, Clover went back into the dressing room and tried it on.

"It looks okay." Clover said.

"I don't know," Peach said stroking her chin, "I think it makes you look like a strawberry."

"But I like strawberries." Crystal Clover answered.

"That doesn't mean you should look like one." Peach said, "Let's try something else."

Puzzling Peach took the dress and walked away to search for another dress. As Crystal Clover waited she pondered the fact that she had never shared any of her family matters with Wondering Wind. Granted she didn't know much about his family either, aside from the fact that he was raised by his aunt.

'Now that I think about it.' Thinking back, Clover realized that Wondering Wind would often try to dance around the subject when questions pertaining to his parents came up. If they were going to be in a serious relationship together they shouldn't be holding any secrets from one another.

'Perhaps if I talk to him about my family, he will be more willing to discuss it.' Clover thought.

"Here try this on." Puzzling Peach said as she returned. The dress, Peach presented was sleek and black with patterns resembling scales embroidered into the fabric. It covered her body, with only her arms exposed along with a short slit that went up the side of the dress, to give a slight view of Clover's Cutie Mark.

Putting the dress on, Clover was surprised by how well it fit her frame. It almost felt like another layer of skin.

"What do you think?" Clover asked as she stepped out of the dressing room. Puzzling Peach smiled seeing her friend in the black dress.

"It looks great on you," Peach said, "we are definitely buying that dress. I am sure your stallion friend will love it."

Thinking about what Peach said made Clover frown a bit, "But when I graduate I plan on returning to the Crystal Empire. How can Wondering Wind and I continue this relationship when we are that far apart?"

"Who knows," Peach spoke as she put the dress back onto the hanger, "nopony is saying you guys have to stay where you are. Perhaps one day you can return Manehatten or maybe Wondering Wind could arrange to go with you to the Crystal Empire."

"I suppose," Clover sighed, "but that seems like an awful lot to ask of him."

The two mares walked to the front counter, where a mare with blue fur and an orange mane tended to the cash register. Puzzling Peach set the dress down on the counter and began rummaging through her purse for her wallet.

"Start small," Puzzling Peach said as she pulled out her Bit Card, "perhaps make him something to eat, after all you know what they say about stallions and food."

"What?" Clover asked a bit confused by Peach's statement.

"The way to a stallions heart is through his stomach." Peach replied as she finished paying for the dress.

"Ohh... I suppose I have heard of that saying." Crystal Clover answered, "I wonder what I should make?"

"Why not make him some sort of dessert?" Peach suggested as she took the bag containing the dress from the cashier and gave it to Clover, "You do make a really nice pie. Perhaps Wind would like some."

"Yeah, I am sure he would like that." Crystal Clover said as Peach and her left the clothing store, "I'll stop by the supermarket to pick up some supplies."

"Well, it is time for me to head off to work." Peach said with a smile, "Make sure to save me a piece."

"Are you insane!" Twilight yelled, causing some of the other ponies at the nearby tables to stare at her and Shade Step. Shade Step continued to focus his attention on Twilight, ignoring the observers entirely.

"I don't think so," The advisor replied calmly, "I think it is very logical *cough* that as an advisor of the celestial court, that if any pony's mind *cough* should be preserved it should be mine."

While Twilight could see were Shade Step's statement was logical, as far as she was concerned this could just be another attempt of his to rival her actions.

"I am not going to store your consciousness for your selfish reasons!" Twilight growled.

"Are you saying your reasons for storing Starlight Glimmer's mind were for *cough* unselfish reasons?" Shade Step inquired.

"Tha-that was different." Twilight replied.

"Really?" Shade Step smiled. "How so?"

"She was bitten," Twilight answered, "if I didn't do it, she would have become a vampony!"

"And I have a fatal cancer." Shade Step scowled, "Not only that but I contain knowledge on war strategies and war magic, that far exceeds the knowledge of my predecessors. My mind is necessary for the preservation of Equestria, whither you believe so or not! *cough* The friendship you like to talk about isn't going to keep all the monsters at bay! More will come and when they do *cough* you will need the knowledge that I possess!"

"Look I did it to save Glimmer but even now I feel that it might have been a mistake to do so," Twilight replied, "I am not going to put another pony through that!"

Shade Step's eyes were filled with rage. He was about to protest when another coughing fit hit him, causing him to pull out his handkerchief and cover his muzzle. Once he was done, Shade Step stuffed the fabric away but not before Twilight caught of glimpse of the small amount of blood on it.

"Fine!" Shade Step said standing up from his chair, "However, when the vamponies and changelings join forces, and come knocking on your crystal door, don't come to me for help!"

Shot Glass's stomach was tied in a knot as he walked down the Manehattan street. His little bug had picked up a conversation inside Wondering Wind's apartment and it had unsettled him. While a part of Shot Glass was grateful that Wondering Wind hadn’t been replaced with one of Chrysalis's changelings, the fact that his friend was now a vampony was troubling.

Just thinking that his friend was some supernatural creature that viewed ponies like a juice box made Shot Glass sick. However, had Wondering Wind really changed? He seemed to be the same pony as before. Could Wind really be a blood sucking menace?

As Shot Glass pondered this, his smartpone made a soft beep. Pulling out the phone, the Glimmer App turned on.

"Good afternoon Shot Glass," The purple maned mare on the app spoke, "I am pleased to inform you, that you qualified to partake in a beta test of the game, Glyph-Blinder."

Once Glimmer finished speaking another app appeared on the main menu screen of Glass's smartpone. The image was of a white pony head wearing a red blindfold. On the center of the blindfold was emblazoned the number six.

"What is this?" Shot Glass asked.

"It is a game setup by the creators to work in conjunction with the Glimmer app," Glimmer explained, "Those with this app will have access to certain activities and spells that other Glimmer users will not have access to."

So it was an extension to the Glimmer app. Shot Glass looked through the list of spells and his heart nearly froze as he read the list. Fireball, Sun Ray, Water Transference, Mirror-Gate, Mirror-Blade, Mirror-Shards; all these were spells that Shot Glass had seen locked behind layers of code. Even with all his hacking attempts, Shot Glass hadn't been able to unlock this spell list and now here it was for him to access.

"Find the necessary targets," Glimmer spoke, "and you might be able to unlock more spells for your disposal."

This was a rather bizarre situation. Not only was it kind of odd that Shot Glass had been chosen to partake in some beta test that gave him access to some unique spells but this had occurred shortly after learning about Wondering Wind's condition.

"What sort of targets are you talking about?" Shot Glass asked skeptically.

"At this point in time I can't speak of their true nature." Glimmer replied, "What I can say is that all you need to do is take a picture of them using your smartpone. Perhaps after you have made some progress, I can share with you their true nature."

Shot Glass frowned, "That seems off to me."

"It is a part of the game." Glimmer giggled, "The story would be pointless if I gave away the twist in the beginning levels. You will just have to figure it out as you play along."

While the game did seem a bit off, the fact that it would allow Shot Glass to unlock some exclusive spells on the Glimmer app was exciting.

"How do I start?" Shot Glass asked with a broad smile.

Seven Hours Later...

There was a knocking at the apartment door alerting Wondering Wind to a stranger's presence.

"Just a minute!" Wind called out as he looked around the room, making sure there were no blood products lying about. No signs of the glowing aura that the blood seemed to radiate was present.

It would seem that this vampiric curse was slowly changing, Wind's eyes as well. At times his vision would change allowing Wind to see traces of blood along with the auras of others. It would shake and waver with each heartbeat. Most of the time, Wondering Wind could choose when this vision happened and could turn it off or on with his thoughts.

However, at times when his thirst for blood grew strong this blood sight would trigger without warning. It was during those moments that he could see the red glow of blood pulsing through the veins of the ponies around him and the urge to feed would grow.

Walking over to the door, Wondering Wind looked through the peephole to see Crystal Clover standing outside.

Crystal Clover's aura wasn't a pale blue like most of the other ponies, Wind had seen. Instead her aura was a putrid green that wavered in a sickly manner. Occasionally a pattern would shimmer across Clover’s aura resembling thick scales. Perhaps this was a side effect of her receive the gorgony's blessing. Wondering Wind turned off his blood sight and took a deep breath before opening the door.

"Oh hello, Clover!" Wondering Wind said with a smile, "It is a pleasure to see you here."

"I-I just thought I might make you something." Crystal Clover said as she revealed a tupperware container, "It isn't much but I thought you would like it."

Wondering Wind took the container from Clover's hooves, "T-thank you."

"Do you mind if I come inside?" Clover asked.

"N-no, I don't mind." Wind answered, "Please come inside."

Wondering Wind held the door open and motioned for Crystal Clover to enter. Looking around the apartment Clover noted that with the exception of a few piles of homework and college books the room was rather tidy. That was nice to see when compared to the messy room her roommate had.

"Can I offer you something to drink?" Wind asked before realizing that he really didn't have anything to offer her besides water... and well... blood. Perhaps in the future he should try to save some juice or tea packets in case visitors show up.

"No, thanks." Clover answered much to Wind's relief.

"Is there anything you would like to talk about?" Wind asked as he placed the tupperware container in the kitchen before returning to his guest.

"Actually yes," Crystal Clover replied her smile fading away, "I wanted to talk about... us."

"Okay." Wind gulped, "Did I do something wrong?"

"No, nothing like that." Clover answered, "It is just that in the last few weeks the two of us have been growing rather close. However, that doesn't change the fact that when I graduate I will need to return home."

Wind felt a lump in his throat. He was aware of this but he had hoped that perhaps something would work out.

"So I was wondering if maybe you would like to come with me after the graduation." Clover said with a small smile, "I am sure you would love it in the Crystal Empire."

"I-I don't know." Wind spoke nervously, "I honestly hadn't planned anything after receiving my Associates degree."

The truth of the matter was that Wind hadn't considered much after he had been turned into a vampony by Fluttershy. He had just tried to live life as normal as possible and to spend as much time with Crystal Clover as he could before she departed. There once had been the thought of following her to the Crystal Empire but somehow that had felt a bit... creepy to Wondering Wind. Now Clover was sort of inviting him to come along.

"Will you at least think about it?" Clover asked.

"I can do that." Wind nodded.

"Thank you." Clover smiled, "Now I should be going."

"Allow me to show you out." Wondering Wind said motioning for Clover to proceed toward the door.

Upon opening the door, Clover stepped outside into the hallway.

"Well, have a good evening," Clover said as she turned toward the elevator, "Puzzling Peach is working late tonight, so I would like to be home to welcome her back from work."

"Oh... okay." Wondering Wind said as Clover walked away.

Not sure what to say, Wondering Wind closed the door and walked into the kitchen. Sitting the tupperware container down on the counter, Wind opened it to reveal that its contents was a slice of strawberry pie. While Wind's mind wanted to eat it, he knew all too well that the food would taste like sand on his tongue.

"Should I eat it?"

Sure his taste buds would reject it, but Crystal Clover had worked so hard to make it for him. Perhaps a few bites wouldn't be so bad.

Taking the piece of pie out of the container and setting it on a plate, Wondering Wind pulled a fork out of the silverware drawer and set it by the food. With a deep breath, Wind broke a piece of the pie off with his fork and took a bite. As soon as the taste touched his tongue tears began to flow from his eyes.

"It tastes like sand."

Despite the horrible flavor, Wondering Wind continued to eat the strawberry pie. It felt as if he was swallowing large quantities of sand and while each grain of sand scrapped against the side of his throat, Wind continued to eat. As Wind cried over the meal the sound of his smartpone rang.

Wiping away the tears, Wondering Wind turned to look at the phone and saw that it was an unknown number. Both curious and looking for a distraction from the half eaten pie on his plate.

"Hello, who is this?" Wind asked.

"Wondering Wind," A familiar voice spoke, "This is BSR-3129 from Blood-Source, my employer wishes to speak with you."

"It actually wouldn't be such a bad idea, Twilight." Glimmer said as Twilight returned to the castle in Ponyville. She sat in the back of a chariot driven by two royal guard pegasi. They moved through the clouds as the sun set behind them.

"What?" Twilight asked.

"Converting Shade Step's mind into a digital consciousness." Glimmer replied. Twilight was shocked by Glimmer’s statement.

"Glimmer if Shade Step was transferred into the digital realm who knows what he could do," Twilight answered with a twinge of annoyance in her voice, "besides he would probably just try to annoy me further."

Technically Shade Step could only cause any damage if he was given access to certain programs or applications. While Twilight was certain Glimmer already knew this, Twilight just wanted to latch onto any excuse she could.

"Still he is dying and his knowledge could be helpful if the Changelings or the Vamponies become too dangerous a threat."

"What do you propose I do?" Twilight asked.

"Set him up under my supervision," Glimmer answered, "That way if he steps out of line I can do what I can to stop him and alert you to his activity."

"Glimmer I saved you because you are my friend." Twilight said.

"I understand that," Glimmer replied, "but shouldn't you try to forgive Shade Step. Sure he can be a nuisance and he has stepped out of his way to rival you and your accomplishments but perhaps that is why you should store his consciousness in the digital realm. There may come a time when the voice of reason is one that rivals your own."

"I will think on it."

Glimmer seemed to smile, "I hope you will make the right decision."

Fluttershy sat back in the chair made of jello and sighed. She had finally managed to finish looking through the box that Wondering Wind had given her. If only Wind knew what his father had written to him.

Still some of the photographs that were in the box had troubled Fluttershy greatly.

"Why did she have to be involved in this?" Fluttershy asked herself as tears dripped down her eyes.

As Puzzling Peach walked home from work, something caught her attention. In the alleyway next to her was a pony wearing a bright yellow raincoat and holding an open, black umbrella in one hoof. This was especially odd considering that it hadn't rained today. The pony adjusted their umbrella revealing that they were wearing a full face gasmask.

"Hello there." The pony said in a feminine voice that was partially obscured by the mask.

"Uh... hello." Peach replied, trying not to be rude. Aside from the odd clothing, the umbrella and well the gasmask, something felt off about this mare.

The mare with the gasmask reached into her raincoat and pulled out a ripe apple, "Care for a bite?"

A New Occupation

View Online

"Woe to the Stallion that drinks the blood of another, whither it be pony or of another beast, for I shall set my face against him and he shall be an exile among his kind. For one's life is in their blood." - The words of the Prophet of the Sun

Wondering Wind followed the Blood-Source representative through the bright glass hallways of the Blood-Source facility. Glancing through the transparent walls, Wind could see other ponies in white suits and masks carrying containers filled with blood packs to other areas of the facility. The sight was enough to make his mouth water.

"So where do you find all this blood?" Wondering Wind asked.

"We have various contracts with blood banks throughout Equestria," The Blood-Source Representative answered, "there are also a few ponies out there who volunteer to have their blood drawn to aid vamponies."

"So it is all legit."

"Indeed."

Upon reaching the end of the hall, the representative opened, with a heavy click, two dark oak doors that pointed to a large desk with a rotatably chair facing away from the doorway on the other side.Compared to the rest of the facility, light was scarce and the air was much more humid.The desk had a tray of some expensive alcoholic beverages and two glass cups on one corner and a dim lamp on the other.

"Please take a seat." The representative pulled back a chair in front of the desk for him.

Wondering Wind obeyed reluctantly. His gut regretted coming here, as if it knew it was all a trap.

"Thank you for coming on such short notice," A feminine voice spoke as the chair turned to face Wondering Wind, "but I thought it would be important for us to meet."

Wondering Wind recognized the orange coat that was covered in a black suit and the stetson hat that partially covered her yellow mane. Below her glowing red eyes grew a wide grin.

"You're Applejack!" Wondering Wind spoke out of shock, "The Element of Honesty!"

Applejack bowed her head low in a curtsy manner, "In the flesh."

Looking up from her guest, Applejack motioned to the blood source representative, "Leave us, and close the door behind you."

The representative bowed his head took the light with him.

"Why was I called here?" Wondering Wind asked.

Applejack smiled and gave Wondering Wind and herself a glass cup to pour what looked like to be hard cider, "When a new vampony signs up to take blood from Blood Source in order to maintain their status among ponies, I often do my best to get to know them. Imagine how excited I was when I discovered that your sire was none other than Fluttershy."

"...um... very excited?" Wind tilted his head.

"Yep." Applejack nodded, "After I saw that I just knew I had to have you working for me at Blood Source."

"Wh-what?"

"You see; some pony with talents like yourself would work great in one of our Hunter Squads." Applejack sipped some of her cider while still staring at him.

"What talents?" Wind asked, still puzzled by what was going on.

"Did Fluttershy not tell?" Applejack said nearly choking on her drink, "About how unique your strain of the vampiric curse is?"

"N-No."

Applejack sighed, "I guess I need to explain. Most of the vamponies in Equestria can trace their origins from sire to sire back to one source, Count Black Vein. As a result most vampony strains are not as pure as they once were. However, when my friends and I were turned, we received our blood from the original source and since you received your blood from Fluttershy that means your bloods purity is also much higher than most of the other vamponies in Equestria."

"But what does that have to do with talents?" Wondering Wind asked.

"The purer the vampiric blood the more powerful the talents a vampony can possess," Applejack leaned in closer, "have you ever wondered about those myths about vamponies who could turn into a cloud of bats or who could walk on water came from? They weren't just exaggerated stories but the descriptions of vamponies with unique vampiric talents."

"And you think I may have some of these powers."

"I do." Applejack said her grin returning. "Which is why I want you to come work for Blood Source."

"No thanks." Wondering Wind said standing up abruptly from his chair, "I don't have the time to do that, besides I don't even know what supposed talents I have. You are just going to have to find someone else for the job." He tried smiling off the offer while heading to the door.

"I am sorry that you feel that way." Applejack sighingly said.

"I am sorry too."

"I guess I have no reason to protect you from that vampire hunter that has been searching for you.I believe you know her. She used to be the Element of Loyalty."

Wondering Wind turned around his eyes wide at what Applejack was proposing, "Are you blackmailing me?"

Applejack grimacely shrugged, "Perhaps. If we were friends, I would feel the urge to protect you but since we just met I feel I had no reason."

"Isn't it your duty to protect your customers!" Wind growled.

"It is, but Rainbow Dash is my friend and she has just been so angry lately due to the matters involving your sire, Fluttershy," Applejack took another sip of her drink, "Now Fluttershy is an old friend of mine and at one point she did help Blood Source when it first started out. Therefore I am obligated to protect her from my friend Rainbow Dash, you on the other hoof aren't so lucky."

Wondering Wind just stood there with both anger and disbelief, staring at Applejack as she placed down her empty glass.

"Now how 'bout you sit down and finish your drink?" Applejack said with a bigger smile.

Shade Step lay on the hospital bed surrounded by computers, technicians and Twilight Sparkle who had many dark rings below her eyes. About three hour ago, the stallion had started coughing up blood and was taken to the hospital. After further investigation, the doctors had concluded that the cancer inside of Shade Step's lungs had damaged enough of the surrounding tissue that the stallion would no longer be able to breathe on his own.

They had then hooked him up to a machine that would essentially breath for him, however it would only be temporary. Unless there was some sort of miracle, Shade Step’s candle was flickering. With a large plastic tube shoved down his throat into his lungs, all Shade Step could do was lay there. Unable to speak, the doctors had given him a pen and piece of paper to write down what he wanted to say.

Then about an hour ago, Twilight had shown up seemingly with a change of heart. A few of her technicians had attached various wires to Shade Step's head. Many computers and monitors flooded the room.

"Are you ready to do this?" Twilight placed a hoof on his.

Shade Step nodded, the tube in his throat preventing him from speaking.

"Very well," Twilight hesitated, "then allow me to explain how this will work. Once we start the machine, I will have you attached to mainframe and it will start to scan and download your consciousness. As this is happening, we will turn off the life support, causing you to stop breathing. The process will be long and excruciating, however your mind will be downloaded into the machine, just as you wanted.

A magical glow emanated from Shade Step's horn as he wrote something down on the paper. Turning her head to look at the paper, Twilight's breath nearly caught in her throat as she saw the two words written on it.

Thank You

With a nod, Twilight walked away and the technicians turned on the machine. At the same time, the life support turned off causing Shade Step's eyes to go wide as he was suddenly unable to breath. As panic filled him, Shade Step could hear the heart monitor reacting to his inability to breath as well the sounds of the machine's Twilight had attached to him.

Was it really happening? Was his consciousness actually being downloaded into the digital realm or was this some sort of trick Twilight had concocted as a means to eliminate her rival? A cruel means to end his life.

Either way it didn't matter now. As Shade Step's body began to yield, the world around him slowly faded into complete darkness. As the world around him coned in, Shade Step could hear a strange sound ringing through his ears.

"Now that we have that all straightened out let us introduce you to the team you will be working with." Applejack said standing up from her seat.

Letting out a slight growl, Wondering Wind followed Applejack out of her office back into the hallway. Upon reaching the elevator, Applejack pushed the button and the two of them waited in complete silence. This silence was interrupted when the elevator rang and a few employees stepped out. They gave Applejack a nod of acknowledgement before leaving, allowing Wondering Wind and Applejack to step into the elevator.

Once inside, Applejack pushed a button indicating that they would be descending to floor twelve.

"Now Sugarcube, you really should get that frown off your face," Applejack said, "It doesn't really suit you."

Wondering Wind's eyes became mere slits in response. Applejack let out a deep sigh.

"Very well," Applejack spoke as the elevator doors opened, "but don't blame me if your face stays that way."

The two of them entered another identical hallway. Only after they passed by three doors,Applejack turned to the right and opened another door. Inside the room was a long table with four other ponies standing inside.

"Now Wondering Wind here is the team you have been assigned to," Applejack said, smiling as she pushed Wind inside, "I will allow them to introduce themselves."

A bald stallion with a red coat stepped forward, his muscles stretching the white shirt he was wearing. As the stallion stood next to Wondering Wind, it became very apparent how tall he was. The stallion's Cutie Mark was that of a jawbone.

"I am Broad Jaw," The stallion said in a very rustic accent, "Where I come from it is good to be strong. I am the muscle of the team."

"Ummm... okay." Wind replied, somewhat surprised by Broad Jaw's introduction but still feeling like a mere stick next to him.

Broad Jaw stepped aside and a mare stepped forward. As she drew close, Wondering Wind realized she was wearing a black blindfold and her pale green coat appeared to have a scaly pattern. Over her frame, the mare wore a black dress and each of her legs possessed black stockings. As the mare's white mane began to move it was clear it was made of snakes.

"I am Blind Maw." The blind gorgony said, "It will be a pleasure doing business with you."

"Blind Maw is a gorgony who joined our organization a year back," Applejack explained, "After siding with a vampony, she was blinded by her fellow gorgonies and abandoned. Thankfully the vampony she saved was a member of Blood Source, who did her best to see that Blind Maw was given a safe place to live."

The Gorgony nodded, "Even without my gaze, I can still aid Blood Source in hunting down the vamponies who are performing illegal blood running."

The next pony to step forward was a unicorn stallion wearing a black suit, which concealed his Cutie Mark.

"My name is Nimble Click," The stallion spoke, "if you need something hacked or are too impatient for online help, I'm your stallion."

"Nimble Click has served Blood Source for a few decades and has excellent hacking skills," Applejack explained, "However he isn't too keen on joining teams. You should feel honored to have his company."

A smile spread across Nimble Click's face in response to the complement.

Finally the last pony stepped forth. She was a pegasus mare with a gray coat and a bright red mane. Both of her ears had a round gauge, creating a small hole. There were also a few piercings in her lower lip. Dark eye shadow covered her eyelids, bringing out the red of her vampiric eyes.

As the mare drew closer, something about her seemed familiar to Wondering Wind.

"And this here is..." Before Applejack could finish her introduction the mare interrupted.

"I'm Scarlet Shock," The mare spoke, looking at Wind with piercing red eyes, "but you probably remember me as Scarly from next door."

Wondering Wind's jaw dropped as memories of the mare in front of him returned. Scarly or Scarlet had been one of Wind's neighbors back when Wind was living with his aunt. On occasion the two would sneak into the others yard and play games like hide and seek, tag or some other childhood games. When they were teens the two of them would walk down the street to the nearby gas station and buy slurpees.

However, it was around the time that Wondering Wind started going to high school that the two of them began to drift apart. Then when Wind went to college they stopped communicating completely.

"S-Scarly," Wondering Wind stammered, "what happened? You're a vampony now?"

Scarlet Shock snorted, "That is what you say when we meet again. No, 'wow it's great seeing you again' or 'it's been a long time hasn't it?'"

Applejack chuckled, "You kind of have to admit that wasn't very nice Wind."

Wondering Wind merely frowned as his employer laughed, then his stomach began to churn nervously. Something was telling him that Scarly was going to be making his life way more difficult.

Crystal Clover awoke with a yawn. The sun was already up and soon she would have to make breakfast for Puzzling Peach, who had undoubtedly come home to fall asleep on the couch after work. After stepping out of bed and stretching her limbs, Clover left her bedroom, ready to make breakfast.

However, as she made her way to the kitchen she noticed that nopony was sprawled out on the couch.

"Peach are you home?" Clover called out, but there was no response.

'Maybe she is in her bed sleeping.' Clover thought, 'Well, let's make breakfast and then see if she wants some.'

After looking through the cupboards, Clover decided to make some blueberry pancakes. Pulling the flour from the cupboard, she poured the contents into a large glass measuring cup. Clover then took a carton of milk and a small container of milk from the refrigerator.

With her supplies set out, Clover put on her apron and began the process of cooking some pancakes. It took a half hour for her to finish making breakfast.

"Peach, breakfast is ready!" Crystal Clover called out as she finished making her fifth pancake. The meant two for her and three for Peach.

There was no response.

"Peach it is time to wake up!" Clover said as she took off her apron and walked over to Peach's room.

Clover opened the door and expecting to see her friend sprawled out across the bed, was shocked to find the room completely vacant. Nothing was disturbed. Everything was in its place, just how Clover had cleaned it the day before. Worry began to settle inside Crystal Clover's stomach.

"It's okay," Clover tried to convince herself, "perhaps Peach worked late. I'll call her work and check."

With quick steps, Clover made her way to the kitchen where her cellpone was sitting on the charger. Taking the phone off the charger, Clover dialed in the number to Peach's work.

"Hello?" The receptionist replied.

"Hi this is Clover," Clover spoke, "my friend Puzzling Peach works there and I was wondering when she finished work."

"Miss Clover I'm not a babysitter." the receptionist spoke, "if you what to check on your friend..."

Clover cut the receptionist off, "look she hasn't come home and she usually has the night shift! I was just calling to see if she was there!"

The receptionist let out an annoyed sigh, "One moment please."

There was a pause as the receptionist went about her search.

"I am sorry miss," the receptionist spoke, "but records show that your friend Puzzling Peach timed out late last night."

Crystal Clover's heart froze as she hung up the phone and in a panic dialed Peach's number.

"Oh please answer."

An audio message spoke over the phone, "We are terribly sorry but the owner of this phone hasn't setup a messaging service yet... goodbye."

With that said the phone beeped. Filled with dismay, Clover slumped to the floor, tears falling from her eyes. Where was Peach?

Wondering Wind let out an exasperated sigh as he returned to his apartment. Could this day become any more awkward? First he was forced to join some sort of death squad, which contained an old friend he hadn't seen in ages and now he was going to actually have to buy a large mirror so he could travel between his apartment and his new "job." What else could go wrong?

"Wondering Wind is that you?" Fluttershy said, from the living room.

"Why hello," Wondering Wind said as he closed the door and walked into the living room, "what do I owe for this pleasure?"

Wondering Wind's smile immediately turned into a frown once he saw the package, Fluttershy was holding. It was the same package he had demanded she destroy. The same package that had been sent to him by his father.

"What is that doing here in my home?" Wind growled. Fluttershy had a weary smile.

"I looked through the contents of this box," Fluttershy explained, "and I believe that it is important that you see it's contents."

"I don't want to," Wondering Wind protested, "my father abandoned me the day that I was born."

"Your father loved you Wind," Fluttershy spoke, "despite what you might think, your father did everything that was in his power to take care of you."

"That isn't true!" Wondering Wind barked.

Despite the rude outburst, Fluttershy could only give Wind a sad smile, "If you want proof all you need to do is read this letter."

Fluttershy set the package on the coffee table, and carried the letter over to Wondering Wind.

"If after you finish reading that letter you still want to destroy the box you may," Fluttershy said, "but please read it. At least do it for some closure."

Wondering Wind growled as he roughly took the letter, "Get out!"

Fluttershy nodded and walked out the front door. When Fluttershy was gone, Wondering Wind placed the letter down on the coffee table and pretended it wasn’t there. He tried to preoccupy his time and mind by cleaning up the house and taking a shower. However, like a sore thumb, it bugged him at the back of his mind. . Did he really have to read this dumb letter?

Annoyed by this new chain of events, Wondering Wind sat down on the couch and began to read the letter his sire had given him.

Dear Wondering Wind,

I almost can't believe I am writing this letter. It really pains me that it has come to something like this. I truly wish I could tell you this in person, however, it would seem that you believe I have wronged you, so doing so would be difficult. Especially in my current condition.

Though I wouldn't say that you are wrong to feel mad at me, you have every right to be mad. As far as you know after your birth I gave you to the care of your aunt and never came back. Please allow me to explain myself.

When your mother told me that she was pregnant it really was the happiest day of my life. I swore to her that I would do everything I could to insure that both of you would be safe. Then the accident happened and your mother died giving birth to you. At that time, I barely had enough money to support myself and with the lose of your mother there was no way that I could take care of you personally.

That was when I contacted my sister, your aunt to see if she could take care of you. It wasn't supposed to be permanent, just long enough for me to find a job with a better salary, so that I could support the two of us. However, despite all my hard efforts I wasn't able to find any solid work. Despite all my hard work, I always tried to be there for you on your birthday. However it would seem that fate had other ideas.

I was on my way to your tenth birthday when I came down terribly ill. My employer at the time had me admitted to the hospital. After a thorough investigation, the doctor concluded that I had cancer and that if I wished to live I would have to go through various treatments. I went through with them gladly, hoping that when it was all done and over I would be able to see my son.

However, despite taking numerous therapies, I was still weak and ill. About a year ago, the doctors had thought that I had beat the cancer and so I had tried to find a way to meet you. Unfortunately your aunt had moved and of course you had gone off to college, so finding you was difficult.

When I had finally managed to find you, I tried to meet with you, but I was called back. Apparently the cancer had gone into remission and had spread. I tried to contact you but it would seem that you weren't at that time interested in speaking with me. I don't blame you. If my old man had run out on me and then seemingly disappeared without a trace, I would hate him too.

Now there is a good chance that by the time you read this letter, that I may have already passed on. So I have included with this letter a package. This package contains my most prized possessions, however even they pale in comparison to my son.

I love you son and I am so sorry. I am sorry I was never there to see you get your Cutie Mark. To see you learn how to fly or even to take you fishing. I am sorry and I hope you can find it within your heart to forgive me, but even if you can't the fact that I was able to tell you that I love you, one last time is good enough for me.

Sincerely,

Whispering Wind

Shade Step opened his eyes and found himself suspended in a strange landscape. It was like he was submersed underwater, his movements feeling slow and hindered. The world around him seemed to glow and shift in various colors. The constant stream of ones and zeros flowing horizontally and vertically.

"Where am I?" Shade Step asked as Starlight Glimmer materialized in front of him.

"Why you are in the digital realm," Glimmer replied, "just like you wanted."

As Starlight said this, Shade Step remembered the operation that had resulted in him arriving here.

"I see." Shade Step said still floating among the digital data, "So I guess I need to learn to walk again."

Glimmer pondered this statement and nodded, "You could say that. Moving on this plane is drastically different than moving through the physical plane."

"Will you assist me?" Shade Step asked. Glimmer gave him a cue look.

"I don't know," Glimmer said, "I guess it really depends."

"Depends? Upon what?"

"On if you plan to cause trouble." Starlight answered.

"Glimmer, my duty is to insure the national security of Equestria," Shade Step was completely upside down now, "whatever rivalry Twilight and I have can wait. As of now I am more interested in the whole vampony issue."

Starlight squinted her eyes at Shade Step before nodding, "Very well, think of the binary code as a molecular surface, with that in mind attempt to have the binary code of the soles of your hooves adhere to the binary code beneath you."

After a few excruciating attempts, Shade Step managed to do as Glimmer said, and was able to root himself to the "ground."

"Hmmm... I must say that was a rather interesting sensation," Shade Step said with a mean smile, "I wonder if Twilight would have had such difficulty."

"I thought you said you wouldn't let your rivalry come between your work." Glimmer growled.

"I did and I intend to do my job accordingly," Shade Step replied, "however that doesn't mean I can't express my opinions. Now can you show me the records pertaining to the vampony presence here in Equestria."

Binary code flowed across Starlight's horn as various folders appeared before Shade Step.

"Let me guess," Shade Step spoke, "In order to view these I have to bind my binary code with theirs as well?"

"That is correct." Glimmer nodded.

Placing a hoof upon one of the folders and having his binary code merge with the contents, Shade Step was able to absorb the information the folders contained. As Glimmer watched Shade Step, she noticed that his appearance was much healthier than the recent digital photos she had observed.

"I see." Shade Step spoke pulling a hoof away from a file, "It would seem that Twilight is the only Element of Harmony that hasn't been tainted by vampirism. No wonder she is being so irresponsible with her treatment of the vamponies. She fears she might hurt her friends."

"You seem to despise her for her loyalty." Glimmer spoke.

"On the contrary," Shade Step replied, "it is hard to hate someone over something you never had."

"You never had friends?" Glimmer asked. Using incognito tabs, Glimmer quickly began to look through documents pertaining to Shade Step's history.

Shade Step chuckled, "Not really. Friends are rather distracting. Probably the closest person I had to a friend was Twilight. We both wanted to be the next Starswirl the Bearded. However, only one could claim such a title."

"It must have been heartbreaking when Celestia choose Twilight over you."

"Heartbreaking. No." Shade Step replied, "Infuriating. Yes. However, I am not one to admit defeat easily. So I continued to study, it wasn't long before I realized that Twilight had one significant flaw."

"And that was?" Glimmer asked.

"Twilight was a jack of all trades," Shade Step answered with a wicked smile, "while she trained in many forms of magic she was a master of none. Seeing this I decided I would master a single arcana, one that Twilight wouldn't dream of learning."

"War magic." Glimmer spoke. Such magics were deemed unorthodox and even forbidden by some. Due to Equestria's friendliness to the surrounding countries, the thought of such magic was repulsive. Even when Starlight Glimmer had sought revenge upon Twilight and her friends, she had never dreamed of resorting to this form of magic.

The study of war magic involved forming combat spells to the point of dealing massive amounts of damage, causing multiple casualties. There were even spells focused on spreading disease and pestilence within enemy lines. However it wasn't just the study of magic, but how to effectively use it against an opposing country. This was a form of magic used by the unicorn tribe long ago when the three pony tribes waged war with one another. After the three tribes had made peace in Equestria, this arcana was abandoned in the hopes of bringing about a better future.

"You are correct," Shade Step answered, "which is why my knowledge is valuable to the safety of Equestria."

"Such spells won't keep Equestria safe," Glimmer protested, "just because you have a large sword, doesn't mean you can use it as a shield."

"Doesn't it?" Shade Step asked, "You are mistaken if you believe that war magic is purely offensive. That was where my studies came into play. Not only did I learn how to create such devastating spells but I learned how to protect Equestria from such spells as well. In the case of your analogy, I took the sword and after looking at it developed a shield."

Further insight on Shade Step's files, showed that what he said was true. It would seem that the unicorn had received a few rewards by the royal guard for improving Equestria's security.

"Now enough about me." Shade Step spoke, "Now that I have seen the files pertaining to the vamponies in Equestria, I would like to ask, what exactly is our beloved princess's plan to insure that they don't get out of control?"

Glimmer moved through the files before passing a folder to Shade Step. A folder that was titled, Glyph-Blinder.

Opening the folder, Shade Step examined its contents.

"I see," Shade Step spoke, "that is a rather creative plan."

Wondering Wind stared at the letter in his hooves. Conflicting emotions boiled within his blood. Could what his father had said in his letter be true? That he had always desired to care for Wondering Wind and only wanted what was best for him. Hatred and sorrow continued to flow through his mind.

"No it can't be true!" Wind growled, "H-he abandoned me!"

Glancing at the box, Wind knew that the only way for him to know the truth would be to see the contents of that package.

With trembling hooves, Wondering Wind opened the package. Inside was a blue tin box with a latch. Unlatching it, Wind perceived the contents within. It was a collection of photographs, several of which were of Wondering Wind during various activities including the times he had gone on field trips with his aunt and cousins. There were even photographs of him on his birthday.

"H-he kept these." Wondering Wind spoke as tears began to well up in his eyes.

Each photograph had writing on the back, noting how it was a picture of Wondering Wind and what he was doing in the image.

As he looked through the photographs, Wondering Wind found a photo at the bottom that was flipped face down in the box, however Wondering Wind could read the words on the back.

A photo of my wife, Scootaloo and I as we await our beloved child.

Flipping over the photo, Wondering Wind saw an image of his father, Whispering Wind. Whispering Wind was a pegasus with a tan coat like Wondering Wind's and an azure blue mane. The mare next to him had a swollen belly. Her coat was orange and her mane was purple... and she looked strikingly familiar.

Wondering Wind looked over the photo a few times before he realized that he had seen this mare before. It was the same homeless mare, Wind had bumped into on the way home the other day.

The only resemblance that was off were the eyes. Could they perhaps be related.

Pondering this, Wind was surprised as he heard his cellpone going off. Looking at the caller ID, Wind recognized the number as the one belonging to Crystal Clover. Wiping away his tears, Wondering Wind picked up the phone and pushed the 'accept call' button.

"Hey Crystal," Wind spoke, trying to hide his sadness, "what’s going on?"

"Its Puzzling Peach," Crystal Clover replied in a panic, "I can't get a hold of her! She hasn’t come home and she isn't answering her phone!"

"So Scootaloo is still alive." Discord said as he watched Fluttershy grab some supplies, which she placed inside a large bag.

As Fluttershy packed her bags, various cubes and pyramids could be seen floating outside her bedroom window. Some even had rows of sharp teeth and glistening eyes.

"Yes," Fluttershy answered, "It would seem that I didn't kill her."

"Well isn't that a good thing?" Discord asked, "Surely Rainbow Dash will forgive you once she learns that her pupil survived. Perhaps you can be friends again?"

"No," Fluttershy replied, "even if I could convince Rainbow Dash that Scootaloo was still alive that wouldn't change the fact that I am responsible for turning her into a vampony. Furthermore, I doubt Rainbow Dash would believe me unless Scootaloo was beside me."

"So are you going out to find Scootaloo?" Discord inquired.

Fluttershy shook her head, "No, I am going to finish what I started."

Author's Notes:

Quotation Note:
The Quote at the beginning is inspired by Leviticus 17:10-14 from the Old Testament. It should be noted that when I was younger I had been working on a story based around vampires searching for their messiah who would save them from their greatest sin. The consumption of blood. So I thought it might be cool to revisit the idea with this "quote."

Your Face!
The statement Applejack makes to Wondering Wind in the elevator is a reference to the old saying, "If you keep doing that your face might get stuck looking like that." which is a statement, that parents would say back in my day (cuz I'm old) when their kids made goofy or mad looking faces.

Scarly
Kind of throwing another gear into the machine. Sure it is a common cliche to introduce another love interest into stories like this, but I thought it would provide more conflict and make the story more interesting.

Feel free to tell me what you think about Scarly in the comments below.

You're the Mother!
Please note that I had not originally planned on Scootaloo being Wondering Wind's mother. In fact Wind's mother was originally just an OC that would exist for this moment in the series and never be heard/seen again.

However, after much pondering I thought it would be kind of poetic if perhaps Fluttershy was not only responsible for the death of Scootaloo, but that because of her actions, Fluttershy would indirectly be the source of Wind's hatred for his father.

Also it gives Scootaloo a bigger role in the story. Can't really bet that.

Immortal Blood and Tears

by Robipony

A Fate Changing Encounter

A Bizarre Friend Indeed

Blood and Chocolate Rain

Gallery of Stone and Screams

A Petrifing Stare

Invasion of the Killer Apples

Pinpointing the Original Blood

Four Leaves and One Clover

A New Occupation