> Vamp Pinkie > by Paganbrony > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Part 1: A Vampire in Ponyville. > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Vamp Pinkie. Part 1: A Vampire in Ponyville. Sunset over Ponyville, Twilight Sparkle watched for a moment from her front door and to no-pony in particular sighed. “It sure is beautiful tonight”. As librarian for Ponyville, royal protégé and element of harmony, Twilight had a busy life and thanks to her multitude of friends it was unpredictable, rarely made a lot of sense and was generally exciting. But not this night… Tonight was going be different she swore, tonight she would finally try that spell again. Checking about she saw no pony around, returning inside the part house part library all tree Twilight ran around the house closing all the windows and curtains turning out useless lights until job done she stood in the front room, a full length mirror positioned facing the center of the room she’d left there since her last aborted attempt. Twilight nearly screamed as a knocking sound came from the door, she’d been trying for six weeks to do this… “It’s OK…” Twilight muttered. “Just a little longer… then it’ll be time.” As she reached the door she breathed deeply and opened it, the visitor broke into song as Twilight face hoofed, then screamed. “STOP THAT RIGHT NOW!!!” The pink party pony stopped her song eyes wide in shock. “You OK Twilight… You seem a bit down?” “Not one more party, it’s been four this week I have work I have to do!” SLAM!! Twilight stormed away from the door as she regretted shouting at her friend and fellow element of harmony but this was too important to her, looking up she came face to face with her pink friend. “I’m sorry Twilight! I don’t know what I’ve done but I promise I’ll make it up to you! Hey I could throw a ‘cheer up Twilight’ party or an ‘I’m really sorry Twilight’ party… humph…” Twilight stopped her dead with her hoof to Pinkie’s mouth. “How in Celestia did you get in?” Twilight eyed the still closed front door, “Ugh never mind, Pinkie I have studying to do and I don’t want any interruptions ok”, “Okey dokey” Pinkie looked around the library. “Is Spike here, maybe he’d like to come?” “No he’s on official Canterlot business for Celestia” Twilight cocked her head slightly her inquisitive nature getting the better of her “So… What’s the party for?” Pinkie hesitated, putting a fore hoof to her chin she looked thoughtfully upwards. “I don’t know, my pinkie sense was all a twitchy twitch.” “Uh what do you think it means? Is the sky going to fall on our heads?” Twilight long ago had given up trying to fathom Pinkie’s precognitive abilities or her randomness for that matter. “No silly, it means someone new is coming to town! So I’m organizing the party for when they arrive!” Eyes narrowed and temper returning Twilight stepped behind Pinkie and tried to bundle her back out the door, as she began to push she slipped on the rug beneath her on the floor and in a hoof jerk reaction bit down on Pinkie’s tail to stop herself as she fell. BAM!!! Twilight lay face down hooves splayed, shaking it off she looked up slowly and immediately realized Pinkie was crying! Pinkie was stood looking at her rump and significantly reduced tail, as a slow trickle of blood rand down the back of her leg. Twilight tried to apologize but in doing so nearly choked on the clump of pink tail still in her mouth, “Mph… cough, cough, P-Pinkie... I…” But before Twilight could finish Pinkie had run for the door and with tears streaming behind her opened it and ran away. “Damn it to the moon.” Twilight cursed, should she follow? “No, I’ll apologize tomorrow.” Twilight told herself this as to her this experiment was far more important than her friends feelings she reasoned after all she was about to make history and prove to Equestria that she, she alone was the next great unicorn magician, nay sorceress! On par with; no… Greater than Starswirl the Bearded! Then, then Celestia would treat her as an equal and welcome her with open hooves maybe a k…. Twilight shook herself out of her daydream; after all she had magic to perform! Clearing a suitable space in the room’s center and bolting the front door Twilight fetched the book she had been studying from its safe place hidden in the algebra section of the library. The safest place in Equestria she’d been told by a librarian in Canterlot. It cover tasted horrible in her mouth as she carried it to the room’s center, after all she thought… It WAS made of stretched pony skin… It also was written in blood at the very dawn of time and had a ponies face for a cover. If any pony found out she’d stolen it from Celestia’s hall of forbidden objects (a secret stash of all things evil, malevolent or strange) she was doomed. Laying the book down, she shivered, she hadn’t wanted to use this tome but she’d had no choice, her research clearly showed the spell she needed was contained only within this one book. Carefully she opened it with her magic and skipped to the page she needed, this was the only way since every bookmark she’d tried had burst into flames. After fetching chalk, moving her rug and sweeping the floor haphazardly she carefully etched out the diagram in the book onto the floor, a giant circle adorned with complex runes and symbols and ancient druidic writing. It took a while since using her magic to do this would affect her spell so she gripped the chalk in her teeth, but when she’d finished and dusted herself off (not being a natural artist she was covered in chalk) she looked at the finished product and smiled as she brimmed with excitement. Twilight moved the book and herself outside the circle directly opposite the mirror, bending down she read again the instructions giddy with excitement as she was about to contact another world! A little under a year ago she had read an article where a respected scientist had theorized that other dimensions, ones he called ‘parallel dimensions’ existed alongside theirs where life was the same in some ways and different in others! Twilight had spoken to Princess Celestia about it and she let Twilight into a secret that in the distant past to contact another version of your self was possible, however, the secret had been lost over time. A few months later though Twilight had found a reference in a very old book that said the secret could be found in the darkest of all tomes, the Necroponycon ex mortis! There was only ever one copy of it and Twilight, as student to Celestia, knew where and after researching theft and burglary from her books she had waited till Celestia had gone on an extended world trip and then stolen it. She was sure Celestia would forgive her since she was doing this not only for science and magic, but so she could report on the magic of friendship from other dimensions! She imagined Celestia’s pride in her greatest achievement. Twilight concentrated on the words before her, steadily she began to chant the first part, then when done she awkwardly picked up a small knife in her mouth and with a flinch drew a small amount of blood from the end of one of her forelegs and dripped it onto the circle. Dropping the knife and resuming her chanting starting now on the second part, her heart skipped a beat as the chalk began to glow as small arcs of magical blue lightning started traveling around the circle. ‘This is it!’ She thought as the blue energy jumped to the mirror sporadically hitting things around the room as well, then a strengthening wind began to form whipping around the room catching anything light enough and swirling it around. Finishing the chant Twilight was ecstatic until she noticed a faint glow on the floor, she leaned in close as she dared and squinted past the flashes of light. What was it? She wondered, then she realized… It was a couple of Pinkie’s tail hairs!! Glowing brighter and beginning to levitate they caused Twilight to panic, the instructions had strictly forbidden any trace of a living being within the circle whose lightening was turning a familiar color of pink. ‘Awwww F……’ she managed before the whole room exploded with magic. What felt like hours was no more than seconds as Twilight flew backwards out of the rooms main window she screamed, but even this was cut short by her landing, glass showering down around her. Groggily Twilight dragged herself to her hooves covered in glass and cuts and as black smoke poured from her window, short bursts of magic still sparking here and there, she face hoofed and cried out in anger. “N-NOOO…” Twilight bemoaned the damage but most of all the difficulty hiding such a spectacular failure from other ponies, not only the locals but the royals too, never mind every unicorn for miles around would’ve felt that, magic like cutie marks were unique to the individual, she was screwed. “Oh no… The book…!” Not stopping to think Twilight ran forward and jumped back through the window. The room was obliterated, if she hadn’t gone out the window she would have been toast she realised, all around her books smouldered and small fires were burning all over. Careful not to step on anything sharp or hot she made her way through the thick smoke as she tried to see through the haze, as she neared the remains of the mirror squinting through the smoke she could barely make out the shape of a pony sat on its haunches among the smoking books and papers displaced by the blast. “Um… excuse me hello?” The shape moved and looked in her direction, Twilight saw bright blue eyes pierce the haze. Twilight coughed deeply as the smoke grew thicker, pausing to control her breathing Twilight focused as she knew those eyes. “Pinkie is that you?” The shape didn’t answer as it continued to stare directly at her. “Oh… No...” Twilight wondered if Pinkie had for the lack of a better term ‘teleported’ into the decimated room and been hurt by the blast! Rushing over Twilight skidded to an abrupt halt she saw it was definitely Pinkie, but her mane… Oh Celestia, Twilight swore softly. The last time Pinkie had straight hair hanging to one side like that… Well she’d gone seriously off the deep end. “Hey Pinkie *cough* do you *cough* want to go outside?” Twilight got no response but couldn’t help but twitch as Pinkie stared her up and down with an expression that looked like curiosity. “What’s the time” she asked. Twilight barely heard Pinkie but confused she answered, “About eight o’clock.” “Is that day or night?” “Pinkie, we don’t have time for twenty questions, the place is on fire!” A blue eyed stare was her answer. “What is wrong with you, look it’s night ok, now can we get out of here please!!” Twilight pointed to the window with her hoof, Pinkie slowly rose and stepped past Twilight but uncomfortably close with her eyes only leaving Twilight when she’d passed by but not before she had sniffed her mane causing the unicorn to shudder involuntarily. As they made their way outside, shivers ran down Twilight’s spine as Pinkie once again looked at her, but her attention was drawn to quite the crowd which had gathered outside the library with many carrying buckets of water. Several of the townsfolk asked if Twilight and Pinkie were OK or what happened? It took several minutes to get away from them and the expectant onlookers who eventually let them go sit down away from the hustle and bustle after Twilight told them it had been caused by a fallen candle. As Twilight sat down far from the madding crowd and hung her head in her hooves she wasn’t prepared for what came next. “So are ponies always like that around here, all helpful…?” “…Wherever here is, I suppose?” Giving Pinkie who was sat next to her a funny look her mind slowly caught up… “Oh my… It worked!” Twilight’s mood changed instantly as she remembered what she’d been attempting! “What worked exactly?” Pinkie’s tone was harsh as she poked a hoof at Twilight’s chest “Um, well you see, I was trying to contact parallel dimensions and the spell went wrong! I’m sorry I didn’t mean for you to end up here!” “This is Ponyville.” Twilight swung a hoof around hesitating a little before her mind came up with, “So you have a Ponyville where you come from?” “Yes.” Pinkie paused then replied, “But not like this.” “How do you mean?” “Don’t you have monsters?” Pinkie cocked her head to the side in a childish fashion. “Well … yes, but we beat them with the magic of friendship!” Twilight answered proudly as she held her hoof to her chest. The newcomer leaned forward wide eyed and an incredulous look upon her face. “Huh…? The magic of friendship…? Are you lying to me…?” “Uh no I promise… We really do…” Twilight beamed a nervous smile as the pink pony sniffed her mane again and then sniffed the air. “So… do you have zombies?” “Err… nope.” “Witches do you have witches?” “Um… Well not really like you mean but we have ponies others think are witches?” Twilight began to study this parallel Pinkie, her coat and mane were much less colorful than the Pinkie that Twilight knew, never mind the hair her eyes were just as bright and intense but in a bone chilling way as they never wavered or left her for a second. “Any were-ponies or were-rabbits?” The strange pony continued after she sniffed the air once again, “Or vampires?” “There’s supposed to be were-ponies in the Everfree Forest I heard, among other things.” Laughing Twilight couldn’t look her in the eyes as she nervously looked down, why…? She thought about it… This was Pinkie Pie right? No matter what dimension she told herself. “What’s wrong?” “Oh nothing Pinkie Pie” Twilight lied. “Why do you keep calling me that?” Looking up Twilight replied “Oh! Well that’s because in this dimension our version of you is called Pinkie Pie!” “Your version of me you say?” A dark look flickered across the strange ponies face. “So we look alike?” “Y-yes p-pretty much…” Twilight stammered, her eyes dropped lower and she caught a glimpse of the alternate Pinkie Pie’s cutie mark … but before her mind could process it the ‘other’ Pinkie spoke “You can call me Pink.” Twilight’s head shot up as she realized that ‘Pink’ had moved to only centimeters away. “O-k, uh Pink my name is Twilight Sparkle.” She froze as Pink moved ever closer… Now they were pretty much nose to nose. “Nice to meet you, Twilight…” She whispered that in her ear, moving her head downwards she nuzzled against Twilight causing the unicorn to shudder. “H-hey d-don’t, s-stop that, p-please…” Twilight’s voice broke as Pink gently kissed her neck, “I don’t, I mean not, no I… mean I…” Twilight was beside herself frozen with shock and embarrassment (and curiosity) when she felt something scrape gently across her skin, almost she thought, almost like teeth … pointy teeth … much like fangs kind of pointy … “AAAHHH…” Pushing Pink away Twilight lost her balance and fell on her back looking up at Pink who in the bat of eye now stood over her a playful smile playing across her lips, her hair hung to the left side, her right upper lip curled up revealing a fang, her eyes filled with… hunger! Twilight gasped. “Y-You’re a… But they are not real… Vampires don’t exist…” “They do where I’m from so in that case I’m one of a kind,” Twilight gasped, “So do you want to celebrate over dinner…? By dinner I mean you of course” Pink giggled as she slowly lowered her head towards Twilight’s neck baring her fangs further, stopping only to lick a drop of blood from one of the many cuts Twilight had received on her trip through the library window. “Maybe next time… …Or never…” Twilight cried out as she felt Pinks fangs pierce her skin, panicked she instinctively used her magic to teleport herself away. “Hmmm, promises… Promises” Pink muttered quietly while savoring the taste in her mouth, now that her first meal in months had vanished Pink surveyed the crowd as they fought the growing fire that was consuming the library, she could feel their hearts beating, hear their labored breathing pumping the blood faster around their systems. “Well I guess this is home sweet, new home.” Pink sniffed the air twice then melted backwards into the shadows dancing in the firelight her blue eyes the last to fade to black. > Part Two: The Magic of Friendship under Threat. > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Vamp Pinkie. Part Two: The Magic of Friendship under Threat. Twilight had teleported but without thinking she’d reappeared somewhat randomly outside Ponyville, looking around she saw off in the distance the road that led to Sweet Apple Acres. Applejack, Twilight knew the no-nonsense straight talking southern belle could help her! Setting off at a run she made her way there, thoughts of the trouble she was in ran through her mind. It didn’t take long to reach the farm at the speed she was going and she stumbled breathlessly onto the porch, she began hammering on the door. After a moment or two it opened, her friend and fellow element Rainbow Dash appeared through the door. “Uh hi Dash…?” Twilight managed as she stood catching her breath. “Is Applejack here?” Dash looked at the blackened coat, frazzled mane, numerous cuts and wild eyes and hesitated, “Twilight is that you Hun?” Applejack appeared alongside Dash at the door stopping as she too took in the sight before her. “Yes, I need your help.” Twilight waved her hoof at the door. “Can I come in?” “Uh, now’s not a good time sugar.” Applejack shared a nervous glance with Dash. “Maybe you can tell us on the porch?” Irritated Twilight stomped her hoof, “Look I don’t have time!” Twilight pushed her way past the two nervously protesting ponies, as she entered the living room Twilight realised the room was dimly lit by candles standing on a table in the middle of the room. She blinked… Rose scented candles? On a table covered in a fancy red cloth and laid out for two dinners…? …Not to mention soft music coming from a nearby radio, turning to the now quiet pair Twilight just let her confused/embarrassed expression say it all. “Don’t look at us like that Twilight…” Applejack blushed… “Can’t two friends have a quiet meal together?” “Of course…!” Twilight stuttered turning a deep shade of crimson. “So what’s so important Twilight, you lost a bookmark again?” Dash was visibly upset as Applejack nudged her with a hoof and hissed for her to be nice. “And why the hay do you look like you’ve been rolling around ma coal shed?” “Yeah… And you went backwards through a rose bush?” Dash piped up as she tried to count the scratches on Twilights coat. “Are you still trying to figure out how to go super saiyen without hot sauce?” “No!” Twilight thought back to her failed and arson filled attempts to reach her next level of power and cringed at the memories. “So what then…” Applejack and Dash chimed together frustration showing at their evening not going to plan, and their not so secret anymore secret dinner. Twilight took a deep breath then explained about her experiment. “Para-what now…?” Applejack interrupted mightily confused. “Parallel dimensions like ours but slightly different!!!” “So you made contact with another world?” Dash said excitedly, all too ready to believe in aliens and monsters, the idea of other ‘hers’ in different worlds had her imagining a Rainbow Dash only team that would outshine the Wonderbolts and take Equestria by storm! Nudging her now daydreaming companion to one side Applejack raised an eyebrow. “So if this here spell worked… What’s got you so worried?” “W-Well instead of being able to see the world through the mirror, I kind of maybe sort of summoned some pony.” She paused… “Or thing.” Applejack cocked her head. “Thing…?” “Twilight is there something attacking Ponyville?” Applejack looked off in the direction of the town worriedly. “N-not exactly…” Twilight stammered, seeing Applejack’s face frown as she described her run in with Pinkie Pie, her hurting her friend and the resulting gaff as she forgot to check for traces of anything from a living being within the magic circle. “So a few of Pinkie’s hairs got into your spell… So what…?” Dash huffed as she emerged from her daydream. “What’d you do summon a giant pink party monster or something?” Applejack and Dash laughed at the mental image of a huge pink monster screaming ‘PARTY’ rampaging through Ponyville. “No…” Twilight whined… “I summoned an alternate Pinkie Pie!” “Wait so now we have two Pinkies, I don’t think I can party anymore than I do already!” Applejack said a worried expression on her face as the thought of two Pinkies running about playing pranks crossed her mind. “I don’t think that’s the problem.” Twilight replied, her voice cracking. “So what then” “She calls herself Pink… You remember how Pinkie looked when she was upset with us? Straight hair etc…” Dash blinked… “You mean like that?” Dash pointed a hoof. Twilight slowly turned and looked out the open door in the direction Dash was pointing… …Sat facing the farmhouse was Pink a playful smile across her face. “H-how’d she… Oh screw it!!!” *Poof* Twilight transported the three of them without hesitation she was in a blind panic hoping to end up somewhere far away! However, by rushing it and not focusing Twilight screamed in pain as the unstable spell’s magic tore through her as they disappeared in a cloud of magic smoke. Daylight… The first thing Twilight noticed was how bright everything seemed, daring her eyes to open further… …She quickly shut them again as pain ripped through her skull. As she moved her aching limbs and rubbed her eyes she heard movement next to her she forced her eyes to open as she came face to face with Applejack who was standing next to the bed she was in. Bed…? Twilight panicked sitting up too fast she almost blacked out again. “Now careful sugar cube, you need to rest ok?” Pushing her back down, Applejack’s southern drawl sounded like an explosion in Twilight’s skull. “Where…?” “We’re at Rarity’s you darn near dropped us in the river with that magic of yours last night.” “Oh no...” Twilight forced herself up despite her body’s complaints. “I forgot your family! Oh no I’m sorry Applejack…” Twilight fearing the worse couldn’t bring her self to look up. “Huh, ma family…? Heck Big Mac and Granny Smith are off visiting ma Aunt and Uncle Orange and Applebloom’s staying at Scootaloo’s.” Looking towards the door she continued in a hushed voice… “Uh, that’s why I had that fancy dinner last night on account of having the place to ma self.” Shuffling slightly and turning red Applejack trailed off looking at the floor. “I’m sorry…” Twilight shifted uneasily before continuing… “I didn’t know you two were …” “That way...?” Applejack said it somewhat aggressively but didn’t look up. Twilight tried to say something but couldn’t, after all it was supposed to be unnatural wasn’t it? That’s what her mother had told her after she’d been caught looking at her dad’s play ponies magazines! “I… Like stallions… But I kind of like mares too…” Twilight mumbled her face red as Applejack’s head shot up! “You’re just saying that.” Applejack said it angrily looking away again and before Twilight could continue the door to the room opened and their friend Rarity entered with a look of joy on her face as she saw Twilight was awake. Ignoring the uncomfortable silence she moved to the bedside and began fussing over Twilight. “You gave me quite the shock when Dash and Applejack brought you here!” “Um, where is Dash anyhow?” “She didn’t want to stay I tried an all but she was might upset.” Applejack still didn’t look at Twilight as Rarity sensed melodrama afoot. “I can’t understand why she was so upset, all Applejack will say is that you turned up at the farm looking…” “…Well in a right state my dear.” Rarity gave Applejack a stern look as she continued… “All she said was that you were frantically going on about two Pinkie Pies and then when Pinkie showed up you teleported taking Applejack and Dash with you!” Rarity was giving Twilight a quizzical look before adding. “Not to mention the furor over the library.” Twilight gasped… “The library… I-I forgot…” Tears began to well up in her eyes. “Is it OK?” “Well, it’s pretty much gutted.” Rarity looked at the crestfallen Twilight with sympathy. “But I’m sure it can be fixed… …A bit of redecorating and a lick of paint my dear.” Twilight just sat staring at her fore hooves for a moment before she realized she hadn’t properly warned any pony! “Oh no, we’re in trouble, I mean I’m in trouble, no the whole of Equestria is!” Twilight tried to get off the bed her voice shrill and cracking. “Goodness me, what are you rambling about dear?” Rarity tried to stop her but failed as Twilight unsteadily gained her balance as hoof met floor. “It’s Pink!” Twilight’s head swam as she nearly fell over. “What’s pink dear?” Rarity’s voice mimicked her confusion. “Pink the other Pinkie Pie!” Twilight nearly shouted as she put her hooves on Rarity’s shoulders. “We couldn’t find her, or our Pinkie for that matter, we looked everywhere sugar.” Applejack said as she finally looked up face to face with Twilight again. “Wait! You went looking for her!!!” “Uh sure ah did Hun after all its only Pinkie right?” The hesitation and uncertainty showed in Applejack’s voice as Twilight's face twisted with anger and her tone went shrill. “You went after her at night!!! Are you bloody crazy!!! ” “Now hold on sugar, we’ve dealt with Pinkie when she’s been all crazy before ah think ah know how to deal with Pinkie.” Applejack huffed loudly irritated by Twilight’s reaction. “Nooo you don’t get it, she’s not crazy like our Pinkie… She’s… *pause* …Well she’s crazy but not our Pinkie crazy.” Twilight began pacing nervously as she tried to shake off the feelings of dread and panic that tore at her mind. Rarity ever the generous friendly outgoing pony piped up. “Well I’m sure where ever this pony is she just needs friends to help her, we should find her and show her true friendship solves all problems!” She punctuated this by raising a hoof for dramatic effect. “The only thing she needs taken to heart is a stake.” Twilight muttered as Rarity shot her a strange look. Rarity and Applejack looked on downhearted and bemused as Twilight continued to pace. “Twilight dear, you aren’t making a lot of sense…” Rarity tried to smile as a little panic seeped into her voice at the unusual way Twilight was acting after all she was an odd duck sometimes but this was unusual even for Twilight. Turning to her friends Twilight swallowed her trepidation and fear and blurted out suddenly… “She’s a Vampire!!!” Blinking as her friends burst into laughter Twilight’s anger got the better of her. “I mean it… I’m not joking… Last night I summoned a vampire version of Pinkie Pie from another reality!” Her tone and the anger she showed cut through the laughter leaving her friends stood mouths open unsure how to react. After a moment of silence Applejack said quietly, “Twilight vampires aren’t real you do know that don’t ya?” “Not in this world maybe, but I’m telling you Pinkie Pie… No! I mean Pink is a vampire! She tried to bite me!” “Did she burn the library down too?” Rarity asked jokingly but uncertain which rang clear in her voice as Twilight flinched. “Not exactly… That was me I guess.” She remembered the explosion and her last memory of the library burning. “Oh…” Both her friends in perfect unison managed to make it sound like it wasn’t that big a deal but still were unsure how to react. “But we could say she did right!” Twilight’s mind was now seeing how her eventual salvation lay in covering up as much as possible before any other ponies found out about her true involvement. Seeing the cogs in Twilight’s head turning Applejack piped up quickly, “Ah am not lying to any pony, not even for you Twilight.” Twilight her delusional hopes fading her anger got the better of her she couldn’t help but snap angrily at her friend. “But you’ll lie to us about you and Dash or is that because you take her to bed!” “Oh no…” Twilight gasped as she realized her words, Applejack stood for a moment, the pain and anger evident on her face, “Damn you Twilight…” Applejack left the room without a sound or a glance back as tears flowed down her cheeks. Twilight sank to the floor tears also flowing freely as she knew she’d just seriously hurt her friend. Rarity just stood there, even if she had misheard what Twilight had said… There was no denying that the purple unicorn had just wounded their friend Applejack deeply and it was up to her to help Twilight clean herself up and to get her to sort her problems out, namely the freshly upset Applejack. Vampires or not she huffed mentally not that she believed her friends story of course but as she moved towards her she couldn’t help but wonder. Twilight refused to move so Rarity resorted to using her magic to drag Twilight unceremoniously first to the bath and then her vanity dressing table, after almost two hours of silence Twilight was looking better at least Rarity thought. Despite having to cut away the burned strands of hair from her mane and tail also covering her with plasters for her cuts Rarity finished the last few touches until Twilight was for the most part back to her usual self. Waiting for Twilight to say something had proved futile so Rarity decided to start a conversation herself. “Well dear since your home isn’t suitable to stay at for the foreseeable future. I want you to stay here with me until we can make other arrangements.” Twilight just stared off into space. “So…” Rarity tried again, “Are you sure this isn’t just a big misunderstanding…” “…I mean its not like Pinkie’s pranks haven’t backfired before is it?” Breaking from her trance like state Twilight reacted angrily, “It’s not a prank! She’s out there and it’s my fault!” “Wait…” Twilight’s panic returned. “She’s out there… Oh no… She’s loose and no pony knows!” Turing to Rarity with an intense look in her eyes she continued with her tone rising sharply. “I have to find her… Stop her.” “How exactly do you plan on that, Applejack looked everywhere…” Rarity interjected sharply with a note of tired frustration at the continuation of this silly misunderstanding. Twilight’s now ever present and barely contained anger again got the better of her as she snapped furiously. “That dumb hayseed couldn’t see an Ursa major for apple trees… …I have to find Pink and finish this nightmare!” Rarity had had enough, “I will not allow you to insult one of our dearest friends and especially not after all this nonsense about things that don’t exist!” “She’ll kill any pony she fancies and no-one’s any the wiser to the danger!” Twilight began to rant ever louder. “You didn’t see her eyes! She’s a monster and she’s real!” “If you’re going to say such horrible things, then you can just leave!” Rarity was at a loss, this was beyond anything she’d ever heard and despite her haughty reaction deep down she was beginning to feel scared… Twilight was prone to exaggeration when things seemed dire, but to have invented such a story and to have hurt her friends and then to still cling to her story made Rarity feel very scared indeed. “Fine, don’t believe me…” Twilight’s voice exploded in anger… “But if you have any common sense you’ll lock your doors and windows before nightfall and pray I kill her before she kills you or your sister!!!” At the mention of her sister Sweetie Belle, and the implied fate she’d suffer, Rarity finally lost her temper and in an uncharacteristic show of pure anger pointed her hoof to the door and screamed at Twilight to get out of her home. Calling Rarity a blind foal, an idiot and many other more offensive terms, Twilight shouted at her as Rarity magically threw her out her front door and slammed it in her face. Stood in the street still cursing and with no idea what to do Twilight sat on her haunches and pondered her next move, ignoring the many glances from ponies going about their daily lives in Ponyville. Twilight knew she had to find Pink and stop her but how? She tired to think what would kill a vampire? The only things she could come up with were from old books and the camp fire stories Pinkie and Dash told to scare their friend Fluttershy. Deciding her only hope was an actual account of some pony killing a real vampire she got to her hooves and made her way home to the library. It was a long shot before the place burned down but now… Twilight cursed herself over and over… It was after all her fault for what had happened, and a chill traveled down her spine as she realized, also what could happy, nightmare visions played through her mind!, she quickened her pace. > Part 3: Burned Books and Burning Bridges. > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Vamp Pinkie. Part 3: Burned Books and Burning Bridges. Applejack stormed home as she cried out in frustration. “That stupid Twilight, why’d she have to blurt that out like that, right in front of Rarity no less….” “…Ah can’t believe she’s acting like that.” To no pony but herself she began talking to herself about what she’d tell Dash so the mare didn’t spark Twilight out in anger. As she made her way through Sweet Apple Acres orchard she spied her sister Applebloom and her friends Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo running towards their clubhouse at the far end of the farm making lots of noise and was cheered up by their youthful antics as they raced each other. Applejack sighed she didn’t blame Twilight for reacting like every other pony when it came to two mares together but for everything else, the fire and her silly story about vampires… Applejack knew it would be a while before she could forgive her friend. The farm pony tried to put it out of her mind as she began the farms daily routine, by lunchtime she’d almost quelled her anger when she called loudly to her sister it was dinner time. As she sat down to eat Applejack wondered if she should go and see Rarity and check all was well, but decided against it not sure how to react if she ran into Twilight again. After finishing her lunch alone Applejack wondered where her sister and her friends had gotten to… They were supposed to be having lunch at the farm so she got up and made her way to their clubhouse enjoying the sunshine and even humming as she watched a flock of birds fly overhead. The clubhouse, a base for the trio of ‘Cutie Mark Crusaders’ was situated in a beautiful clearing just on the edge of the Apple family farm… Applejack remembered playing there as a little filly, she smiled as she reached her destination and called up to the tree house. No answer… Applejack called again, again nothing, figuring the trio had gone to one of the others homes for lunch she went back to her chores. The rest of the day passed without incident as Applejack put the previous events out of her mind as best she could. It was approaching dusk when Applejack on her way to put her cart back in the barn spotted a familiar white unicorn making her way towards the farm house. Applejack waited till Rarity had reached her before smiling and welcoming her after all Rarity was one of those that didn’t like being hollered at from a distance Applejack reminded herself. “Howdy Rarity what brings you to the farm…?” “Have you seen Sweetie Belle?” . The fashion designer had a concerned look on her face… Her eyes were looking around the farm as she spoke. “Huh? Well I saw the girls earlier going to the clubhouse, but when ah checked at lunch they weren’t there, ah figured they were at yours or Scootaloo’s.” “Oh dear…” “Is there something on your mind Rarity?” Applejack asked, an uncomfortable feeling beginning in her stomach. Rarity seemed to collect her thoughts as she had one last look around, giving a wavering smile accompanied by a nervous tic as she replied. “I’ve just been looking for the girl’s that’s all dear.” Applejack noticed the slight hesitation in Rarity’s voice giving her the best frown she had Applejack waited for Rarity to continue. Finally Rarity sighed and told Applejack about what Twilight had said, and that her afternoon had been spent looking for Sweetie Belle as she put it, “Just in case…” “Ah reckon Twilight’s just overdone it studying and with the fire an all she’s just venting.” Rarity looked unconvinced an unfamiliar nagging feeling eating away at her. “I don’t’ know it seemed to me she was, oh how to say it… Losing her marbles…” “…But she seemed so convinced that’s all.” “You think she’s gone crazy?” Applejack shook her head slowly, “She just needs to calm down that’s all, Twilight’s going to snap out of it and then she’ll apologize then it’ll be one more letter to Celestia, then we can all laugh about it…” Applejack wished she felt as confident as her words sounded, but between Rarity’s and Twilight’s argument and her belief in her friends to always be as honest as her all of this was beginning to feel wrong… …Very wrong… As the sun began its final phase for the day Applejack told Rarity to wait in the farmhouse as she tried to walk and not to sprint to the girl’s clubhouse as she told herself everything was just a little messed up but was going to work out fine. As soon as she was out of Rarity’s sight she broke into all out running. Applejack neared the clubhouse situated in an old tree, her breathing barely controlled as she forced her mind to stay calm. Hopeful, she reached the door and upon entering stopped dead… The Cutie Mark Crusaders were all stood motionless in the middle of the room a few hooves apart. Silently their heads turned towards Applejack… Their bodies began to slowly move, making silent motions and expressions, from Applejack’s viewpoint they seemed to all move in an unnatural clockwork fashion. Finally, the farm pony managed to process the scene before her. “You girls have been at this all day?” The performance ground to a halt as the three young fillies all took off their costumes and moaned in unison as they realized nothing was doing on the cutie mark front. Stifling a laugh Applejack told them to get cleaned up for dinner and that Rarity would be joining them. Leaving them to it Applejack wondered where in Equestria they had got that idea to be Mime’s from. As the night fell over Sweet Apple Acres the five pones ate a makeshift dinner in fairly high spirits the worries of the two mares forgotten temporarily but there nonetheless. It was as this fairly happy scene played out that nearby in a derelict barn (Rainbow Dash was yet to knock down) a certain party pony was laid out on old straw her hair as straight as a bent arrow as she muttered to herself as she tried to decide what to do... On the other side of town: The library was totaled, everything was either charred, burned or ash. Twilight was as gutted as her home… Gathering what she could find she began her research and by nightfall she was losing the war, not just against herself but her research and her own hunger pangs. The fact she’d found no trustworthy accounts or evidence of vampires existing let alone how to battle one had led her to cry out in frustration. Cracking up, that’s what I am, she thought as she threw the copy of Beasts Myths & Legends that she’d been reading away. Twilight knew running around screaming vampire was sure to end in her incarceration, perhaps even on the moon for what she had done. Now her fragile state of mind and her imagination was going on to imagine unheard levels of punishment for her mistake. She couldn’t just sit there either so summoning her resolve while silently praying to Celestia Twilight stepped forth into the night with nothing but pop culture references fairy tales and her knowledge of magic to aid her as she vowed to send the mistake home. From a short distance watching Twilight leave the library while muttering the dark silhouette lurking in the shadows finally carried out its well thought out plan. “Hey Twilight wait a minute will you!” As Twilight jumped out of her skin the hidden pony landed in front of her. “You and I need to talk…” Regaining her wits Twilight still absorbed with her self imposed mission took one look at the angry Rainbow Dash and dismissed her. “Dash I don’t have time to talk, no pony does.” “Hey wait a minute, I have something to say!” Dash was furious at her friend and more so by the minute as Twilight rolled her eyes and begrudgingly acknowledged her by standing impatiently for her to get on with it. “Yes what is it that’s so important…?” The impatience of Twilight’s answer riled Dash even more. “It’s about Applejack and me…” Dash’s anger failed her as the embarrassment of her chosen subject matter hit home. “What about it? You two are together… You didn’t tell any of your friends about it, you lied to us Dash and furthermore I don’t have time for ponies who won’t believe me.” And with that said Twilight stormed off in the direction of the Everfree Forest. “Wait…! What I mean…” “H-Hey Twilight…?” “Who doesn’t believe you…?” “I-I just wanted to say it was our first date … and are you okay with it…?” A tear slid down Dash’s cheek as her friend continued to disappear into the distance not listening. “…Please…!” Dash whispered that last part as she lost sight of Twilight, upset and at a loss the young mare took off towards Sweet Apple Acres. > Part 4: Blunt Fangs. > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Vamp Pinkie. Part 4: Blunt Fangs. Things were not going well for the newest pony in Ponyville. First she’d ended up in a strange world where ponies walked alone at night and weren’t afraid of strangers and as far as she could tell she was the only ‘monster’ around town. Pink barely acknowledged the ponies that approached her or greeted her as they passed by, failing to notice the stares her mane received because she was hungry… Oh boy she was hungry. After suddenly appearing inside a burning library and the tastiest meal she’d seen in age’s escape her twice… Despite this Pink hadn’t just drained the first pony she’d seen afterwards, oh no she’d forced herself to wait… After all that purple unicorn had said vampires didn’t exist hadn’t she…? Pink figured why spoil it all by dining randomly and changing the status quo…? Besides the daylight hours of today had been spent hiding alone in a potting shed dodging beams of sunshine through the gaps in the wooden walls and trying with no success to tempt the mice that lived there to come out from their hiding places. Dusty, tired and starving Pink didn’t see the pony in front of her until she’d literally banged right into her. “Oh my, are you OK?” The voice was full of concern as the mare helped Pink to her hooves. “Oh dear I’m ever so… …Pinkie Pie!!!” The mare stood in shock as she looked Pink up and down, and then settled on her mane. “Oh dear… Oh my goodness… Oh my…” Pink barely registered the yellow coat and pink mane before being embraced fully amid gasps of, “Look at your coat!” “Are you hurt?” “Did you fall down?” “Was some pony nasty to you?” The tirade of concerned gestures and comments stopped as Pink covered the mare’s mouth with her hoof. “Who are you?” The mare blinked and tried to talk but it sounded muffled behind Pinks hoof so she slowly moved it away. “Me… Oh no did you bang your head? Don’t you recognize me?” “Um sure I guess and no?” Pink was exhausted and in no mood to argue or explain or strangely to bite? And with so many ponies around at night she couldn’t just feed in the open. “W-well, I’m Fluttershy...” “Have you seen Nurse Redheart? I don’t know if she’ll still be at the infirmary? Do you want me to take you there? Do you remember where that is?” “Enough!!!” Pink spoke sharply, noticing the timid flinch and the hurt expression on the yellow mare. “Sorry… I didn’t mean to…” Pink apologized before she realized what she was doing, this mare Fluttershy nodded but was no less shaken her breathing rapid and a hint of fear perhaps? Pink, no stranger to the fear ponies showed around her frowned, this was different it felt awkward. “So we’re friends?” Pink tried hopefully although she couldn’t work out why. Recovering a little Fluttershy nodded. “Oh yes very much so…” Pink moved forward and smiled as she ran her hoof through Fluttershy’s mane… “How much so…?” A seductive edge crept into her voice her senses taking over as she could smell the blood and taste the sudden adrenaline. “N-Not that much…!” Fluttershy made a squeaking sound as she turned a shade of crimson pulling away from Pink’s hoof. “Pity…” Pink grumbled as she once again looked at the timid yet undeniably beautiful mare before her and imagined sinking her fangs into that throat feeling her blood flow her body spasm as it drained… “Pinkie Pie…? Are you OK…?” Fluttershy’s voice was so low that Pink didn’t hear her so Fluttershy moved closer and nudged her with her hoof, as she did so Pink snapped out of it and looked with feral eyes at Fluttershy. …Who incidentally almost stopped breathing when Pink again lent even closer as she asked in a low voice… “Are you sure…?” “Ah… No! …I… I mean yes!” Fluttershy stumbled backwards as Pink’s lips brushed her neck… Looking around frantically to see if any pony was watching them Fluttershy was relieved to see no pony had. Quickly she turned back to Pink and tried to change the subject hurriedly as her breathing was now at dangerous levels. Pink’s whole body felt like it was on fire as she watched the nervous pony panic before her while she spoke. She wondered why she had reacted like that… Hunger perhaps? That had to be it, hunger… She was just acting weird because of hunger wasn’t she? A small voice disturbed her thoughts… “So is that OK?” Fluttershy tried her hardest to sound cheerful and positive as she looked at Pink hopefully. “Huh?” Pink realized she’d missed what the mare had said. Fluttershy had now lost all confidence and was obviously downcast, her voice a mere whisper… “Do you want to go home?” Pink had to even with her extra powerful vampire senses strain to hear her as she spoke. “No…! …I mean no thanks.” Pink knew going to this other versions house might be problematic for her also she was afraid of running into this ‘Pinkie Pie’. Pink was a vampire who hadn’t exactly fitted in with the other ‘monsters’ she’d been shunned for her taste in prey her love of garish bright colors, lethal pranks and big bloody parties that shocked even the Queen of the Damned and the Nightmare Sister!!! Meeting a living breathing copy that had friends like Fluttershy who lived in such an innocent world untouched by the grand horrors of her own made her feel unhappy and confused about her own desires, which up until now had been simple and to the point she mused. These thoughts upset her further as she realized she wanted to be alone for a while… Her hunger forgotten she spoke to the quivering mare before her. “I need to be alone now.” Pink turned to leave but stopped as a hoof touched her hind leg. Pink spun around to face her as she said harshly. “What now!” “I-I just think its dangerous wandering alone with amnesia.” Fluttershy’s voice was as low as it could go, her eyes flicked to Pink and away again as she whimpered at the scowl she had received at her suggestion. “Well what do you suggest then…?” Pink said this as she softened her tone while puzzling why she had. “Maybe you could …” “Yes?” Pink snapped back whilst trying to recover her lost attitude. “M-maybe, I don’t know … M-maybe you could stay at my home tonight?” “Oh?” Pink’s smile and raised eyebrow caused Fluttershy to recoil in embarrassment. “N-no I didn’t mean that…” Pink enjoyed the confused and embarrassed fidgeting of the yellow mare. “Well what did you mean then?” Pink edged closer to Fluttershy. “I just thought we could, I d-don’t know, talk maybe?” Fluttershy paused briefly then continued when Pink didn’t respond. “We could try to help you remember things!” Her confidence growing Fluttershy added, “And in the morning we could go see nurse Redheart if you’re still unwell”. Pink looked unsure what to do or say so Fluttershy gathering her reserves of courage spoke yet again. “You could always come over after you’ve had some time alone?” Pink was confused after all she didn’t usually talk this much with dinner, play yes, but talk? Not really much to say when snacking down on a creature’s life-force... Let alone get invited home by it. “M-My house…” Fluttershy her confidence reserves nearing empty stuttered “It is just down that road, y-you can’t miss it.” Fluttershy pointed a hoof as Pink peered of into the darkness unbeknownst to the yellow mare much further than she could. “You live in the Everfree Forest? Do you live alone?” “Yes” Pink was impressed… In her world that forest was home to things that scared even the biggest scariest vampires in Ponyville. Pink guessed (correctly) that even in this fluffy pony friendly reality it would be home to some of the scariest creatures of this world. “Oh no… Not inside on the edge of it.” The thought of home always made Fluttershy smile but unknowingly she gave Pink the most adorable smile the vampire had ever seen (on account of smiles being few and far between in her reality). Without thinking Pink smiled back then as Fluttershy turned she remembered her fangs and closed her mouth firmly shut no hint of a smile… Then she cursed herself mentally as she tried to control the sudden warm happy feeling in a place that had stopped beating so very long ago. “S-so I’ll see you later?” Fluttershy said smiling apprehensively while getting to her hooves. “F-Fine…” Pink gave up trying to resist as Fluttershy who was running on auto pilot gave her a relieved hug and set off towards her home, her original plan to check on her other friends after she’d heard about the fire forgotten in the bewildering and somewhat scary run in with what she thought was her friend. Pink equally confused watched her go, and when Fluttershy turned and waved before disappearing out of sight Pink cursed yet again after she waved back without thinking. As she resumed walking back towards her potting shed her appetite had definitely been lost as well as losing it mentally she thought as eventually her broken down mess of a hideout came into sight. Meanwhile on the other side of Ponyville… As the stars shone in the night sky Rainbow Dash landed at Sweet Apple Acres, her hooves made small thumping noise as she walked onto the front porch, before she could knock the door flew open as Applejack poked her head out. “Oh hi Dash! Glad you’re here Sugar.” “Wow… …Applejack… Being paranoid much?” Dash asked in her best I’m not surprised at all voice. As she followed the farm pony into the living room Dash was again surprised to find Rarity gently sipping a glass of cider by the fire place. Before she could speak Applejack turned and hugged her closely to her. “Uh is everything OK?” Dash asked with more than a little confusion in her voice and embarrassment as Applejack still hugging her said nothing. After a moment of this soft embrace Rarity cleared her throat nervously while staring into the fire. “Rainbow dear…” The cultured lilt was followed by a slight pause plus another dainty sip of cider. “Have you by any chance see Twilight today since you brought her to my boutique?” “Um yeah, sort of…” Dash replied still confused as she extricated herself from Applejack who spoke next with hesitation in her voice as well. “Was she… I mean did she seem OK to you?” “Well…” Dash noticed the concerned yet sad looking expressions on the pair in front of her… “I spoke to her but …” “Yeah sugar cube?” …Applejack seemed more than a little apprehensive as she interrupted… “She was acting like a complete jerk and flat out ignored what I tried to say.” Both Rarity and Applejack exchanged strange looks as Applejack put a hoof around Dash’s shoulders before she spoke. “You’d better sit down”. It didn’t take long to bring dash up to speed on events concerning Twilight despite Rarity’s constant muttering and disapproving clicks of her tongue. As Applejack finished it was Dash who spoke next about her unsuccessful attempt at conversation missing out the part about the failed attempt at explaining her and Applejack. Rarity just sat there not saying anything, eventually Dash finished and as she digested all she’d missed she just stared in disbelief as the whole ‘I summoned a vampire Pinkie’ idea sank in. Rarity started to bemoan the whole affair as Applejack tried not to show how upset she was at the events. “I don’t think now’s the time but I would like to hear about how well you two have been getting along? After all I am your friend and I do love a bit of gossip, I promise I’ll keep your secret, after all you know you’re not the only ones in town right...?’ This had led to hurried nods and a quick change of subject as Applejack and Dash tried to contain their relief and their anxiety as Rarity tried not to milk her advantage smiling at their reactions before reluctantly continuing their conversation about Twilight. “Did you hear that?” Applebloom whispered excitedly to Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle as the trio hid at the top of the stairs instead of doing their homework quietly in Applebloom’s room. “Your sister and Dash aren’t the only…?” Sweetie Belle asked innocently. “No!!!” Applebloom interrupted Sweetie Belle not willing to admit she had no idea what Rarity had meant when she’d said that to Applejack and Dash… “Ah meant…” Applebloom said as desperate to change the subject as her sister had been, “Did y’all hear that? There’s a vampire that looks like Pinkie Pie in town!” “I don’t know Rarity doesn’t seem too convinced she thinks Twilight’s just gone a little loopy.” “Well ma sister thinks she’s crazy too but we all know Twilight and when have you ever known her to lie or make something up? Who are you gonna believe Twilight or your sister?” “Huh? Rarity of course!!! But Twilight’s never exactly been sane, but vampires? That’s pretty nuts… But Rarity is her friend so she knows her better than us…” Sweetie Belle replied in a hushed tone as her unwavering faith in her sister shone through. It was at this point the pair turned to the third member of their group who was sat starting at the floor, her eyes cast downwards as tears slowly fell. “Uh Scootaloo, did you hear me…? A real vampire…!” Applebloom smiled unconvincingly as she nudged Scootaloo gently. “Y-yeah great…” Scoot answered still focused on the floor, Sweetie Belle had an idea what was bothering her friend but decided that like her sister it was a conversation best left alone for now. Applebloom wanted to ask what was up with Scootaloo but upon seeing Sweetie Belle’s ‘don’t even think about it’ look of warning she quickly reverted to her previous topic. “Hey do ya’ll think there’s a cutie mark for vampire slaying?” This got even Scootaloo’s attention as she wiped away her tears with a hoof. “Maybe…” Scoot sniffed back a last tear as she spoke. Sweetie Belle saw the fire in her friends eyes ignite as the idea not only cemented itself in their minds but overrode all practical or reasoned considerations as she too was swept away by the idea of such a ‘cool’ way to earn her badge despite any notion of it turning into a red badge of courage or worse. Exchanging excited looks the trio hurriedly returned to Applebloom’s room to plan their new careers as fearless vampire hunters. It was as this was happening, across town in a dilapidated potting shed a pink tail began twitching as plans for the owner’s demise were drawn up. It had been a terrible night for Twilight since she’d entered the Everfree forest, her cuts were still fresh and the scent of blood had wafted on the wind until a wild Manticore had appeared and given chase as Twilight hoofed it. After having given it the slip she quickly realized she’d run the wrong way and was now as far from her destination as she was Ponyville so she wearily changed direction and headed once again for her friend Zecora’s house deep in the Everfree. > Part 5: A Shy Victim. > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Vamp Pinkie. Part 5: A Shy Victim. Pink had stopped on the edge of the Everfree… After a moment to sniff the air and enjoy the sensation of the quiet tranquillity she was again steadily approaching the home of Fluttershy. Pink’s temporary shelter in the potting shed had quickly lost its appeal so after deciding to sate her unrelenting hunger Pink chose the one pony she knew for sure she could be alone with. As Pink reached the mare’s home which was a beautiful cottage she marveled at the sight, it was bathed in moonlight and with its lights on stood against the night sky. Pink reached the front door and with her emotions suddenly wavering she prepared to strike quickly before her ‘victim’ could scream or react at all. She knocked firmly and readied to pounce, the door opened wide the light from indoors illuminated Pink bared her fangs as she reared to strike… …And… …Nothing… Confused Pink relaxed back onto four hooves then sensing a pulse glanced down as a small white rabbit stood frozen stiff as it held the door open. “Angel who’s at the door…?” Upon hearing Fluttershy’s voice Pink hesitated then hid her fangs deciding to try to get inside for an easier time of it. “…Pinkie Pie…!” Fluttershy was instantly through the door but hesitated upon seeing her in the light of the doorway before giving a gentle hug to Pink. “Oh you came… I’m so glad…!” Fluttershy turned and went indoors intent on helping ‘Pinkie’ who missed the hesitant sound hidden in Fluttershy’s quiet voice. Pink however stood motionless at the threshold of the door… “Fluttershy…?” “Yes?” “Can I come in…?” “Yes of course…?” Fluttershy looked her over she frowned momentarily then smiled as she apologized for her lack of manners; Pink merely stepped inside and shut the door behind her. Outside after being knocked there by the closing door the little white bunny stood shaking in fear, his animal senses had overloaded and as panic set in he willed his body to move. Time passed slowly that night as a purple unicorn was once again fleeing for her life from a very hungry and determined Manticore. Applejack and company all stayed at the farm bedding down for the night the three Elements of Harmony each alone with their thoughts the cutie mark crusaders asleep dreaming of kung fu and fangs. Pinkie Pie was still alone in the old barn and in the midst of planning something big. Midnight… The witching hour… Also the point that Pink had to call a break. From the moment she had reluctantly sat down all her plans had gone out the window, Pink had decided to play it safe and wait until any chance of a late visitor interrupting her was past, then find a better place to hide afterwards. Fluttershy seemed stronger willed in her own home, her confidence meant Pink didn’t have to strain to hear her talk, but she did just that talk…! Pink’s temples were still hurting as after Fluttershy returned from the kitchen and was disappointed that Pink didn’t want a cup of tea as she once again attempted to jog in her mind what an amnesiac Pinkie Pie would have forgotten. The Elements of Harmony, the Parasprite’s invasion, Zecora, parties oh so many parties, a magician called Trixie, Appleloosa and a quickly skipped over Great Galloping Gala. After all that she’d mentioned Discord, Pink knew Discord from her world and she couldn’t wait to tell him he was a garden ornament, she smiled as Fluttershy told of his defeat. The momentary thought of home caused Fluttershy to ask if she was ok after a pained look crossed her face. Two in the morning and Pink was exhausted beyond anything she’d ever experienced, her nerves were shot as outside the bunny tried yet another method of entrance having gotten exhausted banging on the window, the door and all kinds of things outside from the racket he’d made for hours straight. Pink was surprised as Fluttershy continued to ignore him stating he’d be okay and would only be in the way as he was boisterous around guests. Pink stared straight at him as he gestured pure evil at her through the glass. “Um could I ask you something…” Pink turned away from the window to face Fluttershy as she saw the smiling yet nervous mare take a breath as Pink nodded slowly. “Do you remember anything yet?” Pink tried to come up with an excuse but failed miserably, all that life all those memories that could have been hers! It sounded like this Pinkie Pie was living something Pink had never ever would have conceived not where she was from… Pink realized she’d been quiet too long. “No I don’t…” Fluttershy looked strangely relieved and perked up as she saw her tea cup empty, as she went to the kitchen, Pink followed her. Fluttershy stood in the kitchen getting the kettle ready and preparing the tea for the pot. Pink drew closer slowly, silently, her natural stealth allowing her to get right up next to the unknowing mare. Fangs bared Pink readied to strike… She felt the warmth from her body, could hear her heart beating strong and rhythmic, she could smell her mane, so pure she thought... Pink hesitated as for the first time in her life she felt sympathy…? No… She felt evil…! And wrong, that’s what she was… Wrong. Pink had problems with emotions before this world but since her arrival she had suffered increasingly from conflicting emotions, emotions she knew little about, as she stepped back she knew her kind were demonic but couldn’t shake the feeling she wasn’t purely demonic any more… That was if she truly ever had been… “The teas ready so shall we sit down?” Fluttershy turned and stood facing her guest strangely wasn't surprised at her being in the kitchen or so close, Pink’s mind had failed her, her feelings tearing her apart… Joy, safety, hunger, happiness, lust… Hatred and self loathing…? Joy at what she wondered? Why was she happy? Why did she feel so safe here? Fluttershy sighed deeply, not in frustration but an understanding of sorts at the flicker of confusion on her guests face as she obviously was wrestling with something in her mind. “What’s your name…?” Fluttershy smiled gently as her guest mouthed wordlessly for a moment before looking away eyes closed head down, “What gave me away?” Pink’s voice rang of complete surrender. Fluttershy blushed and shyly pointed at… Pink’s flank where her cutie mark rested… The three little cartoon style bat shaped ballons stared back their little greens eyes and wide mouths fangs and all, in Pinks mind mockingly they laughed at her mistake. “That…” “Oh…” Pink blushed at her stupidity… How could she forget that damn Blood mark…? It had caused no end of amusement to the others of her kind… “Wait how long, have you known…?” “Since you arrived, I didn’t see it when we were outside earlier.” “I’m sorry I lied.” Pink meant it, and it frightened her. “It’s OK, so are you one of Pinkie’s sisters? I haven’t met them yet but you look like her twin, except the mane of course.” “No… I’m… Well I was brought here by magic… From another world…” Fluttershy face hoofed gently as she narrowed down the possibilities… “Let me guess… A pony named Twilight…?” Pink just nodded dumbly as her mind stopped working but still her mouth moved and sound came forth. “I’m from another world…” Tears poured down her face as she broke down, “I’m not meant to be here, I d-don’t want …” She paused briefly then wailed… “I don’t knooow!!!” Fluttershy moved straight away and embraced her guest in one swift motion and made small smoothing noises, Pink just stared into space for a moment then recovered slightly. “Pinkie…” *Sniff* “Just Pink…” “I-Its nice to meet you Pink.” Pink just closed her eyes as Fluttershy continued to soothe the troubled pony. It wasn’t long before they were once again sat in the living room, but this time together on the small sofa Fluttershy owned. As Fluttershy sat quietly listening Pink relayed the story of how she’d been surrounded by magic then appeared inside a burning room, in a library of sorts, then awkwardly lied about why she’d lost track of Twilight afterwards. “Oh dear...” Fluttershy said as a small smile flitted across her face despite her trepidation… “She ran away from you didn’t she?” “N-no… We got separated by the crowd! I’ve been just wandering around exploring this place since!” Pink couldn’t look at the yellow Pegasus as she continued to lie until... “W-Wait…?” Pink’s hearing caught up with her, “W-why would she run away…? …Like I said… I-I lost track of her”. Fluttershy gave her a sympathetic look. “Its alright you know, to admit what you are scared her…” Pink just sat dumbfounded. “What d-do you mean?” “W-Well…” Fluttershy visibly pulled herself together and with every ounce of courage said in her lowest squeakiest voice… “Because you’re a vampire …” Pink just sat stunned, she knew… She knew and she still sat there, no screaming or pleading, just sat there drinking tea and beaming a gentle if slightly forced smile. “Aren’t you scared?” Pink asked confused but curious why such a timid and fearfully shy pony was acting as if she was just talking to a juvenile delinquent instead of a bloodsucking creature of the night. “I’m a monster…” Pink rose up and tried to put on her scary face but failed miserably as Fluttershy put a hoof against her chest and pushed her back down again. “I don’t think you’re a monster, a monster would have just hurt me already…” “But how did you know? I don’t understand, you’re supposed to be afraid of my kind, all ponies are… That Twilight was.” Fluttershy turned away from Pink slightly and pointed to the nearest wall, upon which hung a large mirror that reflected the whole room, especially the sofa with its one visible occupant. Pink just hung her head… “I’m not a very good vampire am I…?” “Oh I wouldn’t say that, I am scared…” Pink frowned. “Not exactly terrified are you… Just scared…” Pink watched Fluttershy have another sip of tea. “I mean you’re not shaking in your hooves screaming for your life.” Fluttershy hesitated a little. “I could run around screaming if you like… I-If it would make you feel better…?” “Make me feel better?” Pink gave one last attempt at looking scary and then as Fluttershy just squeaked slightly so she sank into the sofa her confidence her anger and her evil persona left her again. Fluttershy leaned closer to the now utterly crushed vampire and slipped a hoof around her shoulders, “Its OK, I’m here, you can tell me what’s wrong I’ll listen if that’s OK…?” Pink’s tears continued to flow steadily as they had throughout the conversation, but now they were out of control as she hugged Fluttershy words escaped her. It had been a long night and Fluttershy couldn’t help but yawn as she eventually drew back from the embrace with Pink, the vampire had cried herself out and was now just quietly staring at the mirror as if willing it to reveal her image to the room. “Pink…” Fluttershy whispered softly, “What’s wrong…?” The look her guest gave her nearly broke her heart, “F-Fluttershy, what do I look like?” Fluttershy blinked confused. “Y-You don’t know?” “I can’t remember it’s been so long Pink whispered.” She looked Pink up and down as she realized her guest although the spitting image of Pinkie Pie, was painfully thin, her mane and tail were unkempt and dirty, her coat was decidedly grubby and her tears had left dull pink streaks through the grime. “W-Well you could do with a little cleaning up…” Fluttershy tried jokingly noting the wince from her guest, “I’m sorry, that isn’t what you meant is it.” “No… But I get the point…” Pink replied as she managed to look even more depressed, Fluttershy silently cursed her stupidity before she remembered something! “Wait here…” She said as she moved off the sofa and ran up to her bedroom. Pink waited silently until she returned with a large book in her mouth, as Fluttershy resumed her place on the sofa she opened the book and began leafing through it, Pink saw brief glimpses of photos of a younger Fluttershy, but in every one she was alone until a blue mare with a rainbow mane started to appear then other ponies began to fill out scenes. After a few more flips Fluttershy found what she was looking for. Pink watched as Fluttershy turned the book to face her and pointed a hoof at a picture in the bottom right corner of the page. The photo was of a pink mare sat scowling at the camera, her expression one of pure discomfort, her mane was straight and pink and she noticed she had three balloons for a cutie mark. Fluttershy spoke as the vampire frowned. “That’s Pinkie Pie.” Fluttershy nervously shifted a little as she continued. “Pinkie’s mane isn’t usually like that but when she’s depressed or angry it goes like that… It took ages to convince her to let Rarity straighten it for a picture.” She smiled softly, Fluttershy pointed to another photo where the same pony was smiling and had a mane that looked like an explosion in a cotton candy factory. “That’s what she looks like normally.” Pink pointed a hoof at the previous picture. “But you’re saying that’s what I look like?” Fluttershy nodded then added. “If you weren’t so …” “Vampish…?” Pink said hopefully. “Dirty…” That was the reply as Fluttershy noticed the smudge marks on the sofa. Pink’s expression dropped even further down the ladder of depression. “Sorry…” Pink said as she saw what Fluttershy was trying not to look at. “It’s OK…” Fluttershy hesitated then added. “But you’re not!” “Huh?” Pink looked up as her companion continued. “When did you last eat…?” Pink looked away sharply then replied softly. “A while… Why?” Pink tried to ignore Fluttershy’s look of concern but failed miserably… “OK, OK…” Pink thought for a second then… “About three months.” The gasp from Fluttershy forced Pink to look at her; the yellow Pegasus had a look of horror on her face mixed with confusion. “But why so long? A-Aren’t you any good at hunting?” Pink just sat eyes wide staring at Fluttershy… “O-Of course I am, I just wasn’t in the mood I guess…” Fluttershy was about to question this when Pink spoke first. “Anyway to feed I have to bite a pony, it’s good if I haven’t right?” A brief hopeful smile crossed her face. “Well not if you make yourself ill…” Fluttershy responded angrily as she crossed her forelegs. “But …” Pink tried again. “No buts, isn’t there a way to feed without biting some pony? Can’t you eat other things?” Pink again paused for thought, “Well normal foods out because I have no way for my body to process it, and as far as I know there’s no substitutes, its blood and that’s it.” “It doesn’t have to be pony blood though, mice and rats, bunnies, goats, any warm blooded animal… Otters birds…” Pink’s eyes glazed over slightly as Fluttershy was shocked at the very thought of her multitude of animals served on plates, with tears welling up she silently mouthed ‘bunnies’ … “B-but why can’t you what did you say… Oh yes… Process normal food?” Fluttershy asked hurriedly, her knowledge of vampires severely limited by her inability to watch horror films or read scary stories. “I’m a vampire…” Pink saw the confused look on Fluttershy’s face. “Because I’m dead… No bodily functions…” Pink shuddered, she hated to think about it that way but it was the truth. Flutteshy’s reaction was slow. “Oh!” she said, then “OH!!!” “You really don’t know jack about vampires do you?” Pink waited for her to lose it, to start running around screaming or just to try and get away, what she wasn’t prepared for was Fluttershy to lay a hoof on her chest wait a few seconds, then start weeping and to wrap her forelegs around her and keep repeating over and over. “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry…” “Y-you don’t have to be sorry, it’s OK really, it happened so long ago.” “That not t-the point…” Fluttershy wiped away her tears as she untangled herself and sat back slowly. “S-So what now…?” Pink asked desperate to change the subject. “Now you have a bath.” Fluttershy replied as she composed herself. “A bath…? …Are you serious…?” Pink amazed asked, “How did you get to that idea?” Fluttershy was trying her best to ignore her natural instincts after the whole being dead part had finally sunk in, she knew here was a pony in need of a friend and a little help, she was no Rarity but Fluttershy knew any pony no matter who (or what, her subconscious added) would feel better after a hot bath, especially she thought since she obviously hadn’t had one in a while. “It just came to me.” She replied defiantly, besides she wasn’t sure how much dirtier her sofa could get but it was on its way. “I look that bad huh?” Pink replied a hurt look on her face mixed with resignation as she studied her coat realising it was all matted and filthy. “N-No… It’s just …” Fluttershy neglected to finish, asking instead. “Where did you sleep last night…?” “I’m a vampire Fluttershy…” “S-Sorry I meant yesterday...” Fluttershy blushed as she corrected herself. Pink sighed deeply, embarrassed at the truth she yet again hesitated. “Its okay if you don’t want to …” Fluttershy began but Pink cut her off. “An old shed”. “Oh my, no wonder you’re all dirty.” Then a thought occurred to the Pegasai. “Is it OK for you to have a bath, you won’t melt will you?” “That’s witches.” Pink huffed slightly annoyed. “Oh good, well wait here, I’ll come get you when it’s ready.” And with that the host disappeared leaving Pink to sit bewildered, scared and more than a little shocked at how events had turned out so… …So strange she thought, not at all what she’d planned as she once again looked down at the picture of a straight haired Pinkie and wondered if she really did look like that, a single tear hit the page as the confused vampire waited with no concrete idea why or how it had gotten to this point. Upstairs as she prepared the bath Fluttershy knew that she was doing the right thing, but couldn’t help but silently pray to Celestia for guidance as she wondered what her friends would say about the inner strength and resolve she was showing despite the urge to run to them screaming. All across Ponyville its inhabitants slept peacefully blissfully unaware of the events at Fluttershy’s home or the fate of the town’s librarian who was still deep in the Everfree Forest no longer being chased but still exhausted and now swearing profusely at the note stuck to Zecora’s front door which read… “On vacation, please hold mail until I return from my nation.” As Twilight calmed down a little, she turned towards home and after kicking a random plant pot to pieces to lose some of the pent up aggression she felt she began to walk, all the while hatching a plan to repair the damage done. > Part 6: A Very Shy Bloodbath. > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Vamp Pinkie. Part 6: A Very Shy Bloodbath. It hadn’t taken long to get the bath ready, and as Fluttershy called for Pink, a moment or two passed then the somewhat reluctant vampire stepped into the bathroom and slowly made her way to the tub. Pink looked at the steaming water and the giant mountain of bubbles on top, a vampire having a bubble bath wasn’t exactly in line with the image so to speak she mused, then her next thought… How could any pony manage to get so many bubbles in one bath? As she looked Pink realized Fluttershy was stood watching expectantly. Slowly Pink dipped a hoof in watching the water around it as it turned brown, it was slightly too hot but Pink took a second to clear her mind then got in. Pink had barely settled before Fluttershy appeared in front of her, a loofah in her mouth and a determined look on her face. “W-Wait what are you …?” Fluttershy advanced as even the white bunny outside flinched when Pink screamed. “Noooo…. …Stop!!!” Angel the bunny looked at the hole he was making at the bottom of the front door, his jaw ached from all the chewing but a couple of more inches and he’d be through ready to defend his mistress. That’s of course he thought judging by the scream and following cries for mercy she needed rescuing, shaking his head he knelt once again to continue his work as the night sky began to disappear before the coming dawn. It was hard to scrub the protesting mare in the bath but Fluttershy persevered, Pink however, didn’t like being treated like a filly as she was forced to allow Fluttershy to help her clean up since she couldn’t reach certain places on her own, but when the yellow Pegasus started to scrub near her flanks she wrestled the loofah away from her and did it herself. Finally the deed was done as Pink sat on a towel on the floor dripping Fluttershy stared at the filthy condition of her bath tub back to the bedraggled guest who was looking decidedly better for it. As Fluttershy picked up the towels she’d prepared and began wrapping Pink in them before fetching a brush and igniting a furious battle with the wet, knotted and severely limp mane before her. “Feel any better?” Pink nodded as Fluttershy began to make headway into her fight, more than a few minutes later she began on Pink’s tail having gotten her mane to at least look less of a bird’s nest. Pink slowly dried herself, unwilling to talk she sat quietly head down like a filly who had just been told off by her mother, it wasn’t until Fluttershy finished that Pink looked up and out of the corner of her eye saw the clock on the wall. “Oh no, that can’t be right…” She cried as she ran to the bathroom window and opened it… Outside the first rays of sunlight were beginning to break apart the night sky. “Noooo….” She wailed loudly… It was dawn! Panicking she slipped on the wet floor, (the floor having been covered with water from her bath time battle with a loofah and a crazy pony). As Pink lay on her back she could feel her body cry out for her to rest, to escape the sun and bed down for the day. “Oh my…” Fluttershy had also looked at the clock and spied the sun’s rays advancing towards her home. Pink scrabbled to her hooves and ran for the door but landed face first spreadeagled as she suddenly stopped mid stride, looking behind her she was shocked to see Fluttershy holding her tail in her mouth. “I-I have to go, I have to go now!!!” Pink shouted angry and confused. Letting go of Pink’s tail Fluttershy gave Pink a gentle look before asking. “Where…? …To your old shed?” Pink was becoming frantic but replied. “I don’t have anywhere else to go…?” “You could always stay here?” Fluttershy smiled timidly not looking directly at Pink, who just stared back with a confused fearful look. “You’d let me stay? Here in your house?” Fluttershy nodded. “Why?” Pink asked as she again watched the sunlight through the window as it crept closer. “That’s what friends are for…” “You’re my friend?” Pink’s heart thumped slowly in response but quickened causing her to jump as she felt it. “What’s wrong?” Fluttershy asked concerned at the strange look on Pink’s face. “It’s OK…” Pink managed before she could fully respond… “When a vampire is warm or near a lot of heat… (Pink looked at the dirty bath) Our body’s sort of respond.” She placed a hoof on her chest. “I just forgot it happened is all”. Fluttershy closed the gap between them and placed her cheek on Pink’s chest, as she felt the slow irregular beating within she asked. “Does it hurt…? ”Pink shook her head. “Just weird...” She said looking away. Fluttershy smiled as she stepped back. “Please stay, I promise I’ll keep you safe… And warm…” Pink looked confused again. “Warm?” Fluttershy blushed slightly before continuing… “I only have the one bed and my sofa’s too small to sleep on.” She looked away from Pink as she added, “I hope you don’t bite in your sleep...” She laughed quietly. Pink’s face flushed (thanks to her blood actually flowing for once) before she too smiled. “I don’t know what to say, I’ve never had anyone care about what happens to me before.” “It’s OK, you’ll get used to it, I had to when eventually I made friends too.” Fluttershy paused. “You might not believe me but I used to be very shy and didn’t have any friends before I moved here.” Pink tried to look shocked but gave up as her new friend led her out the bathroom. As the sun burst over the horizon Fluttershy pulled her quilt over Pink as she nervously settled in the bed. “I’ll be doing some cleaning if you need me, but I will be up in a bit.” Brushing a few stray hairs away from Pink’s face with her hoof as the now clean pink mare reluctantly drifted into sleep Fluttershy glanced at the towels draped over her windows that gave the room the extra bit of darkness despite her thick curtains. Satisfied she left the room to tend to her chores before she too retired to bed, her eyes blurry from a very long scary evening, proud with herself for what she’d done Fluttershy slowly made her way downstairs. Sometime later Fluttershy awoke with a start, looking around she realized she’d fallen asleep while cleaning her sofa. Gradually the evenings events came back to her as she searched for the noise that had awoken her, looking around she saw a small hole at the bottom of the her front door. “Angel!!!” She cried in shock, she’d left him outside last night! Desperately she scanned the front room, nothing… Her blood ran cold as she remembered her guest, and her vulnerability. Fluttershy galloped upstairs not stopping at her partly open bedroom door she careened into her room as Angel Bunny finally pulled the towel down and threw open the curtains. In one swift motion Fluttershy crossed the room and swatted Angel Bunny from the window sill as she desperately pulled the curtains closed again. Angel Bunny recovered and jumped at the curtains again, Fluttershy ignored the screams behind her as she swung her hoof batting Angel Bunny to the floor stunning him; recovering the towel she rushed to replace it before picking up the weakly struggling Bunny and hurling him out of the room slamming the door. Fluttershy span around and saw Pink huddled no longer screaming but whimpering loudly beside her bed. The yellow Pegasus ran to her but froze as Pink snarled viciously at her. “I’m sorry… Please I’m sorry, I’m so sorry…” Fluttershy burst into tears as she saw that Pink was cradling her right foreleg that had been above the covers. Pink tried to back away her fangs still bared as the pain tore through her. Fluttershy ran from the room, as she passed a recovering Angel she picked the dazed bunny up and ran downstairs and outside, throwing the new protesting Angel into a nearby animal cage and slammed the door shut, she locked it, swore violently at him, the rage in her eyes quietening him as she turned and ran back indoors, stopping to grab her first aid kit from the kitchen she once again galloped to her room. Inside her room Pink was crying and trying to make herself as small as possible as Fluttershy burst into the room. The two stared at each other… Eventually Pink relented hiding her fangs as she saw how distraught Fluttershy was whilst holding a first aid kit in her mouth unsure if she should move. Fluttershy dropped the box and began to apologize to Pink and crying even harder as Pink hissed at her for trying to approach her again. After several minutes of Fluttershy apologizing and crying Pink finally spoke “Alright enough already just leave me alone.” “But you’re hurt, let me help you…” “No!!!” Pink didn’t look at her as she added, “That stuff’s no good anyway, I’ll heal myself.” “Y-You can do that?” Fluttershy breathed a sight a relief. “Of course I can…” Pink snapped back as she realized Fluttershy had somehow gotten closer when she’d looked away. “H-Hey I never said you could come near me!” Pink cried out in pain as she jerked her foreleg away, the movement sending shooting pains up her leg. Fluttershy closed the gap and sat in front of Pink despite her following threats and protests. “W-Well a-are y-you g-going t-to h-heal y-yourself…” Fluttershy stammered as she saw how badly Pink’s foreleg was burned. “I will when I’m ready…” She mumbled turning her head away as fresh tear rolled down her cheeks. Seconds turned to minutes as the pair sat not looking at each other until Fluttershy finally said. “You can’t can you?” Pink just sat there silently as Fluttershy retrieved her first aid box and began applying burn remedies and bandaged the foreleg. As Fluttershy finished wrapping the bandage around the foreleg, she asked softly. “Is it because you haven’t fed for so long…?” Pinks silence answered for her, Fluttershy put one hoof below Pink’s chin and raised her head forcing Pink to look at her, with the other she brushed her own mane from her neck and smiled weakly as she moved as close to Pink as she could, her head turned away her exposed neck a hairs breath from Pink’s muzzle. “Get away from me…!” Pink’s voice cracked as desire and hunger long battled but never beaten rose within her. “It’s OK…” Fluttershy whispered… “It’s alright.” “No…” Pink couldn’t think straight the temptation making her salivate, she wanted to run to escape but she was trapped against the bed. “Please.” Fluttershy squeaked as her nerves began to fail her. “No…” Pink shouted as she forced Fluttershy away. “D-Don’t, don’t ever do that again you hear me!” Fluttershy just sat there as Pink withdrew into herself. After a few moments Fluttershy stood and without a word forced Pink top get back into bed, the vampire no longer had the strength or will resist and as Fluttershy moved towards the door. Neither made a sound until Fluttershy was out the room and as she slid down the outside of the door crying Pink could hear her and she too cried as the darkness of exhaustion and sleep overcame her pain and the pain from her leg. The sun had risen to its highest point as Twilight finally exited from the Everfree Forest, normally the distance between Zecora’s place and the edge of the forest was fairly quick to traverse but Twilight’s bad luck with the forests inhabitants had continued to cause her grief as she’d been forced to make several detours and to run for her life as her injuries attracted all manner of monsters, several of which she was sure had been previously listed as mythical or extinct! As she once again enjoyed the warmth of Celestia’s sun Twilight looked around to find her bearings and realized it wasn’t that far to Fluttershy’s house. Badly in need of food and rest she stumbled doggedly on determined to put to rest her problems, and as her stomach rumbled yet again she quickened her pace as best she could. It didn’t take long to reach her friends house and as she walked down the path to the front door, a noise nearby made her jump. Angel Bunny had given up hope of escaping and had been sat mourning the loss of his mistress (in his mind anyway) when he’d spotted the purple unicorn approach and had frantically tried to attract her attention. Twilight stared at the imprisoned bunny as he waved and bounced up and down all the while pointing at the house. Twilight ran as fast as her hooves would carry her, as she made it through the door she skidded to a halt, Fluttershy was stood scrubbing brush in mouth by her sofa a bucket of water next to her. The first thing Twilight noticed was she’d been crying, a lot. Fluttershy dropped the brush into the bucket of water, a surprised look on her face… “Twilight…? Is everything OK?” The purple unicorn nodded confused, “Y-yeah are you OK?” Fluttershy nodded back. “Are you sure? You look like you’ve been crying, Angel’s in a cage and he was …” Twilight noticed the hole at the bottom of the door as she looked back. “I’m fine really … Angel was just being difficult that’s all.” She lied. Twilight blinked did Fluttershy just lie to her? Fluttershy out of all of her friends was second only to Applejack in the ‘you make it so obvious when you lie’ stakes. Twilight gave her a stony look as she advanced, Fluttershy backed away timidly as she tried to change the subject. “What happened to the library…?” “I tried to find you to check you were alright but no-one knew where you’d gone?” This time it was only partially untrue since she had indeed gone to check on her friend but had then run into Pink before she had spoken to any pony. Twilight visibly flinched as she remembered her precious dual library and home’s fate. Twilight cut to the chase as she told her what had really happened although she watched her closely, noticing the feigned surprise at the part about a vampire Pinkie. Twilight skipped the parts about upsetting AJ, Dash, Pinkie and Rarity making a mental note to patch things up later when everything was said and done. “So …” Twilight began… “What have you been up to Fluttershy, had any ‘other’ visitors.” She asked as Fluttershy shook her head. “So nothing happened, say in the last day or two?” Twilight’s eyes roamed the room. “That’s what I said, so if you don’t mind I’m a little busy.” Fluttershy attempted to show Twilight the door but froze as her friend gave her an angry look. “You’re lying to me!” “No I’m not, really, I just have to clean up that’s all.” Fluttershy began to panic a little as she said it. “Really then what about that.” Twilight pointed to the two tea cups on the table, one of which was the one Fluttershy used only for Pinkie since it was made of near indestructible materials due to Pinkie Pies tendency to smash lesser foes of the tea cup variety with her antics, Fluttershy having gotten it out while still believing it was Pinkie who was possibly coming to her house. Fluttershy by no means a natural wordsmith tried to lie again but only succeeded in squeaking miserably at Twilight’s suspicious glare. “Is it still here…?” Twilight demanded as she began searching for further clues around the place, “It…?” Fluttershy asked as an edge of frustration and anger crept into her voice, Twilight had entered her home without permission, called her a liar (guilty or not) then proceeded to call her vulnerable new friend ‘it’. Fluttershy who was tired, hungry and upset before Twilight arrived was positively livid as she rose to her full height; she raised a hoof and pointed to the door. “I don’t have time for this, please leave.” Twilight a little surprised and not relishing the idea of being thrown out of another friend’s house almost tried to defend herself until she saw Fluttershy’s eyes flick to a spot behind her before snapping back as she realized Twilight had noticed. Turning around Twilight saw nothing but pictures on the wall, her stairs a bookcase and… Twilight cried out as Fluttershy suddenly started forcing her towards the door. “Thanks for dropping by but I have stuff to do, please come by again soon.” “But not too soon...” Fluttershy added as she pushed harder. “L-Let… Go… Of… …Me…!” Twilight shouted as she used her magic to pull the yellow Pegasus off and then binding her with magic held her in mid air. “Let me go this instant!” Fluttershy squeaked furiously, “OK.” Twilight said as she released her suddenly dropping her hard on the floor as she bounded for the stairs. “No!!!” Fluttershy cried out as she fought to stand and give chase. Twilight barely made it halfway up the stairs when she was pounced on from behind, Fluttershy for her all timid mild mannered and cuddly cute persona had finally lost it. Years of being the quiet one, years of being ignored or teased or stepped on by others boiled over and in the worst display of anger before or since she attended the grand galloping gala she screamed as she hit Twilight in the face hard with her hoof! Twilight’s head shot back hitting the wall, dazed she could only watch as Fluttershy raised her hoof and hit her again, and again screaming like a mad pony for Twilight to leave. Crying at the violence and situation the two normally docile friends were in the pair still had great love for one another and as Twilight refused her life flashed before her eyes as Fluttershy’s hoof hit her like an anvil as the yellow mare yelled in frustration, Twilight felt something hit her shoulder as she snapped back into the wall. It was a picture frame fallen from its nail, using her magic and the last of her willpower she picked it up and lashed out with it before blacking out almost immediately as the effort took what little strength she had left. As she opened her eyes she quickly shut them again, pain and lots of it welcomed Twilight back to reality, as she tried to move her body screamed at the effort, realizing she was still on the stairs Twilight tried to focus on what had happened. Her eyes closed Twilight heard crying, who was crying…? She vaguely wondered this before it all came back, ‘oh no’ she opened her eyes as she realized she’d hit Fluttershy with that picture! Twilight didn’t’ care that Fluttershy had given her little choice or that she’d caused her friend to snap that way, she’d hurt a pony, a friend! Twilight pushed herself to a position so she could look down the stairs and immediately froze. The sight before her took a moment to register that Fluttershy was slumped at the bottom of the stairs her head cradled in the forelegs of ‘Pink’. Twilight forced herself to stand but fell again as her legs slipped on something. Twilight could only gasp in horror as she followed the trail of blood that ran down the stairs all the way to Fluttershy, as Twilight focused on her friend she saw the large shard of glass protruding from her neck and could hear her labored breathing with rasping uneven breaths. Had Twilight known more about medicine she would have realized Fluttershy was going into deep shock but all she could do was watch as the rapidly expanding pool of blood surrounded the pair at the foot of the stairs. As Fluttershy’s eyes flickered randomly and her breathing slowed, the pony who was holding her had stopped crying loudly and was sat rocking back and forth gently whispering ‘it’s OK’ over and over again but as she felt her only friend leaving her she made her decision. Twilight watched as Pink lowered her head and with her teeth pulled the shard free, the purple unicorn tried to scream for her to stop but nothing came forth as she saw Pink drag the glass across her own left foreleg and press the deep cut against the yellow mare’s mouth, looking up as she spat out the glass Pink fixed Twilight with a hate filled stare as she bared her fangs before burying them deep in Fluttershy’s wound staunching the blood flow. As Fluttershy choked on Pink’s and her own blood she coughed once, twice and lay still her last breath a choking death rattle that echoed into the following silence would haunt both Pink and Twilight for the rest of their young lives. As Pink withdrew her fangs her muzzle soaked with her friend’s blood she screamed in anguish. It seemed like hours passed as Pink and Twilight just stared at the limp form of their friend. Twilight’s head hurt as she tried again to stand but instead she once again fell as her hooves failed her and she slid down the last few steps on the floor. Pink’s eyes met hers and Twilight saw nothing but hatred… “You…” Pink breathed her dripping fangs bared as she screamed. “You…!” “It’s your entire fault, this was you!!!” “You did this! You killed her!” The ferocity and truth of her words shocked Twilight’s body to react and as Twilight fought off the pain, the exhaustion and her own shock at what she’d done, she raised a hoof as she tried to speak but recoiled in disgust as she realized she was now sat in her friend’s blood the friend she’d just killed. Not thinking and desperate to escape the nightmare she’d caused, her horn lit up as she teleported leaving Pink to scream in anger at the now gone Twilight. Nothing but pain, worse than anything she could have imagined ripped though Twilight as she teleported herself. Whether merciful or just the overload of pain Twilight collapsed as she reappeared barely registering that she’d done so right on the front porch of Sweet Apple Acres, as she heard screams and shouting her vision faded and she lost consciousness. An unknown amount of time passed but as drifted back to reality she could hear something. Voices, she could hear voices, one sounded like Rainbow Dash… She was crying!!! Twilight heard only snippets of what was said. “… place was smashed to bits … blood everywhere … no sign of her …” Other voices joined in as Twilight faded back into blissful oblivion. > Part 7: Missing Friends and Lost Souls. > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Vamp Pinkie. Part 7: Missing Friends and Lost Souls. Three days in Ponyville, three days Twilight was unconscious and in those days the inhabitants of the town tried to piece together what had happened to their friends. Pinkie Pie was still missing and so was Fluttershy but the state her home had been left in and the sudden reappearance of Twilight had all concerned convinced that maybe she had been telling the truth. The Cutie Mark Crusaders however had been busy too, with the news that Fluttershy was missing and Twilight was hurt they had taken every opportunity to escape their rooms meet up and alternate hunting and searching. It was as the trio met on the third day that things were looking desperate in their adventure since there was no sign of either Pinkie Pie (fangs or not) or Fluttershy… As the three gathered on their way to their clubhouse it was apparent they would have to travel to Fluttershy’s for clues after all… “But Rarity said I mustn’t go anywhere near Fluttershy’s…” “But Sweetie Belle…” “No Scootaloo, it’s too dangerous if any pony sees me and tells Rarity I’ll be history.” Applebloom watched as her friends went back and forth trying to work out what constituted going too far in the CMC manual. It seemed Scootaloo thought it was perfectly ok if only Rarity was worried she reasoned that if some pony like Rainbow dash were worried then it would be too much of a risk. The fact Rainbow Dash wasn’t worried by anything according to Scootaloo didn’t escape Sweetie Belle’s recollection that despite her adventurous side she was having real second thoughts about vampire hunting and had a bad feeling she couldn’t shake… They eventually made their minds up to go after Scootaloo started egging Sweetie Belle on and Applebloom just frowned, but it was obvious the trio weren’t on the same page as they noticed the storm clouds gathering above Ponyville... The storm front had suddenly developed in the past few hours and despite the local weather team attempting to break it up, it was gaining in strength turning the sky dark despite the sun and filling the sky with giant dark clouds that swelled with rain. It was as the first bolt of lightening broke across the sky followed by the deep rumble of thunder that Twilight had awoken. Her friends that were present when she did were shocked by her wailing cry of despair and the tears and sob’s that followed… She was laid out on a bed at the local doctor’s, bandages covering most of her body and the cuts stung a little as her magically rejuvenated body began stiffly to work. “Twilight… Dear… Where’s Fluttershy…?” Rarity was next to her bed as Nurse Redheart Applejack and Mayor Mare looked on silently allowing the fashion mare to speak first and ask what every pony wanted to know. Twilight was alone in her mind as she tried to come to terms with the result of her actions. Twilight thought long and hard about what to say as the others waited in silent frustration, then with much thought and the cold hard realization her freedom to sort this out depended on them not knowing the truth… “…She’s… …She’s…” Tears fell from Twilight’s eyes as she forced her self to speak. “…She’s dead… And now probably one of them…” Twilight sat up in the bed and forced herself to remain calm as the other ponies broke down in unreserved grief at their loss, the apologies from Applejack and Rarity for not believing her were hardest to take after everything… Joined in grief by every pony told, the rest of the day went quickly and despite the arguments with Nurse Redheart, Twilight was getting out of bed and removing any of the generous helping of bandages that she deemed unnecessary. “My… My dear please wait…” Rarity one of Fluttershy’s closest friends hadn’t taken it very well and for quite a while hadn’t spoken but now she found her voice albeit a bit croaky after so many tears. “What will you do…? Maybe you should wait until Mayor Mare’s message reaches Princess Celestia…?” “Who took the message?” “Cloudchaser…” Twilight cocked her head… “Why not Dash…?” “Surely you’ve heard the thunder… She’s leading the weather team in trying to defeat this storm outside…?” “I haven’t and we don’t have the time to wait for her, I’ll do it myself…” Twilight shook her head and walked past her shaken friend and left the place without a word and no pony tried again to stop her. Looking ragged, angry and ignoring all others she went immediately to Sweet Apple Acres and while raiding the tool shed and collecting wood she was confronted by Applejack. “You’re going after that thing… I want a piece of it too.” “No… I have to do this alone…” “But… Twilight you can’t… Not alone… Not again I can help!” Twilight began whittling a small length of wood about the size of a long ruler and about as wide in circumference, whittling a point onto it she gave Applejack a pained look as she avoided lying to the element of honesty. “It's my fault this is happening… It has to be me and only me…” “But…” Twilight rounded on her friend and in as level a voice as she could manage she hesitated before she gently persuaded Applejack that she was needed to keep an eye on Ponyville while she searched for the vampire... After watching her return home to take her sister to Rarity’s, Twilight carried on whittling stakes until she had a sufficient stockpile then fetching a sturdy set of saddlebags from the shed she packed them away and set off for the library again. But before she got too far the sound of hooves running behind her made her turn, surprise etched itself into her face as Applejack skidded to a halt in front of her. “Applebloom isn’t in her room and ah can’t find her anywhere!!!” More hooves sounded behind her from the direction of Ponyville and Twilight turned once more to find Rarity breathless as she said in a panic… “…Sweetie… …Bell… Not in… …Room!!!” Twilight cursed loudly as she shook her head. “Well with this many ponies to look for if I just keep going I’m bound to find one of them…” Twilight followed by the two mares began their search with the farm and at quite the pace since the storm continued to build as the first drops of rain fell, Twilight felt uneasy… There was something unnatural about that storm… > Part 8: Three Little Lambs and Pointy Fangs. > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Vamp Pinkie. Part 8: Three Little Lambs and Pointy Fangs. The storm that had gathered above Ponyville was in full destructive swing as the town battened down the hatches and all but six ponies and two vampires were safely indoors at home. Three of the ponies were hurriedly searching Sweet Apple Acres and one of the vampires was desperately searching for the other, but the remaining three ponies a trio of fillies were sat trapped in their clubhouse sitting out the storm. The remaining vampire however had found just the place to sit out the storm and as she banged on the door the three occupants inside squealed with fright as they rushed about in a panic at the surprise knocking. The vampire listened intently as the sound of an oil lamp being broken preceded the small light coming from the window of the tree house going out. With the rain lashing down and the wind howling through the apple orchards the waiting vampire used her supernatural strength to force the door… As the vampire crossed the threshold into the small wooden structure she smiled warmly at the three sets of eyes looking at her from underneath a table, at any other time a smile from this mare would settle the fears of the three young fillies… …But on this night the sight of fangs amidst that smile made the young fillies scream with fear as the vampire filled with only blood lust sprung forward. It was a flick of a hoof to smash the table to matchsticks and as the fillies underneath scrambled to get away the vampire laughed like a foal as she played like a cat with a mouse swiping and batting them about as they ran around screaming. It only took a matter of moments to catch and subdue them and as pearly white fangs descended on the first victim the screams of the other two were drowned out by the storm as one after another they were drained of their blood… Twilight was livid as she was followed from pillar to post by Applejack and Rarity who despite their desire to find their lost sisters were constantly questioning or berating Twilight for her part in all this and what she thought was the best plan to deal with it… The two panicked ponies were quickly losing all sensibilities confronted with the very real chance something might have happened to their sisters. As the trio were making their way towards the CMC clubhouse since it was the primary hangout for the three fillies, Applejack spotted a pink pony staggering against the wind on a direct course to the clubhouse. “There… There she is!!! …After her!!!” Applejack went running after the pink pony that having heard the extra loud voice of the farm pony did a one eighty and began fleeing the other way albeit in a rather slow awkward way… It wasn’t until Applejack had nearly caught up that she realized the other two hadn’t followed her. Twilight and Rarity having missed due to the wind the shout from Applejack were still making slow progress towards the clubhouse which was now coming into view. As the pair reached the bottom of the tree the clubhouse was built around they could see no light from inside, at first they were disappointed thinking the trio must have gone someplace else… It was then Twilight noticed the farm pony’s absence but as she tried to get Rarity’s attention she saw what the white unicorn was staring at… The clubhouse door was smashed in and hanging from its hinges making them approach with rising fear in their hearts as they ascended the ramp to the destroyed door. Applejack oblivious to this continued chasing the pink pony ahead of her as the mare made a desperate quick turn towards an old barn on the edge of Sweet Apple Acres and as she made it there swung open the doors and then entered promptly closing them again. Applejack undeterred and knowing full well the state of the barn with its rotting timbers and shaky walls didn’t stop and cannoned straight through the closest wall as she reached it… …To be confronted with two pink ponies that were too busy staring open mouthed at each other to notice the farm pony or the whacking great hole she’d busted in the side of the barn. Twilight and Rarity however had just exited the clubhouse they’d just rushed into and after Rarity was sick on the ramp outside she cried and screamed in anguish. Twilight stood numbly as she watched a yellow coated Pegasus mare with a pink mane step into view only hoof steps away having sensed their approach and hidden up until that point around the corner of the clubhouse. Taking a moment to wipe her mouth of the blood that decorated it and lick it from her hoof the mare opened her wings letting herself get swept away by the strong winds, her laughter carried along as she was, far into the distance. Twilight watched as Fluttershy was swallowed by the night and before she collapsed to the floor in shock, Twilight realized there was no going back no chance to fix this, she would have to deal with this or die trying and that even then her death alone could never make up for the damage already done... Fluttershy however was having the night of her UN-life as she was tossed and thrown wildly across the sky by the wind, the rush of fresh blood coursed through her veins as she rode the ebb and flow of the storm… Those three fillies had seemed familiar… Fluttershy’s memory was slowly returning to her after having been driven only by hunger from the moment she’d come back. The vampire licked her fangs as emotions and memories fought to surface as her mind came back to her, spurred on by the pure energy the blood of innocents had given her… It didn’t take long for the bulk of her life’s memories to return and as she eventually touched down outside Ponyville she was wrestling with her emotions as she wondered why exactly she gave a damn about killing those little fillies. Split between the morals of her past life and the desires and hungers of her new one she decided to find shelter and let her dinner go down before she would decide what to do next… Applejack knew exactly what she would do next as she picked up a large piece of wood smashed from the barn wall and steadily approached the pink pony she knew was the vampire. “WHERES MA SISTER AND HER FRIENDS… A-AND WHERES FLUTTERSHY’S BODY!!! AH’M GONNA BEAT YOU TO DUST FOR KILLING MA FRIEND!!!” Pink tried to stumble away but was quickly knocked to the floor by the farm pony and as she tried feebly to get up Applejack with murder in her eyes stood above her ready to strike… “I-I didn’t… I didn’t kill Fluttershy…Twilight… It was her… She killed her…” Applejack’s eyes despite the red mist widened before rage resumed control. “…LIAR!!!” “No… It’s true… I just…” “…YOU… …JUST WHAT!!!” “I… I just turned her…” “…INTO ONE OF YOU!!!” Pink cringed as she relived the sickening moment in her mind when she’d bitten down on her fallen friend. “Y-Yes…” “…DIE YOU VAMPIRE WHORSE…” “…N-Nooo Applejack… …Stop IT!!!” Applejack halted the swing of her head as she plunged the piece of wood towards the chest of Pink and swore loudly as it was knocked from her mouth by the other pink pony in the barn that had quickly moved to her side in support of the defenseless vampire. Pinkie Pie was beside herself, (literally…) first a pony who looked very familiar had appeared and then her friend had burst through the wall trying to kill said pony. Not used to conflict and chilled to the bone by the words spoken Pinkie was crying as she stood unsure what to do as Applejack rounded on her. “Pinkie you stay out of this you hear… That thing killed Fluttershy…” Pinkie heard the words but her mind unable to comprehend such a thing stuck to the issue in hoof, that being Applejack attempting to kill a pony in front of her. As Applejack’s temper got the better of her she started stamping her hooves down on the unfortunate vampire as she bellowed about her sister. Pinkie threw herself against Applejack taking the two of them to the floor as the beaten vampire wailed for mercy against the onslaught… As the two Elements wrestled with each other Pinkie showing phenomenal strength screamed for Applejack to calm down. After taking several hooves to the face for the trouble she managed to get the farm pony to stop kicking and with both breathing heavily Pinkie was shocked by Applejack bursting into tears and curling into a ball as her anger subsided and the fear and loss of the past few days took its toll. Pinkie slid off her friend and as she caught her breath she looked over at the other ‘her’ who was crying and she too began to cry, the sounds punctuated by the wind whistling through the hole that Applejack had made in the wall. > Part 9: One Last Chance for Redemption. > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Vamp Pinkie. Part 9: One Last Chance for Redemption. Fluttershy walked down the main high street of Ponyville with a swing in her hoof despite the awful weather; to her the world was all new with new sensations and smells… Her every instinct was improved as was her strength and her hunger… So much hunger… Noticing a light in a window she flew up to investigate… Inside two ponies were getting into bed and seemed to be arguing. Fluttershy knew these two and she took great pleasure in the feeling of crashing through the window as they fell about screaming… At the clubhouse of the crusaders Twilight had reluctantly left Rarity to her grief and walked in the direction of Ponyville, she had wanted to stay to comfort her dear friend but she knew there was work to be done. The only chance she had was to somehow out-think the monsters but with no point of reference flying blind and going into shock at the contents of the clubhouse Twilight kept walking doggedly as her mind was made up. …Which was good because as she made it to Ponyville she found a pair of stallions from the weather patrol banging on the door of a familiar two story sweet shop? As Twilight questioned the two Pegasus they told her they’d seen a Pegasus smash through the window above and heard screaming but they couldn’t get the door to open and were too beaten by the storm to fly up and no pony was answering… Telling them to get back she used her magic to force the door, preparing by putting a stake in her mouth she ran in the moment it was done leaving them outside, rushing through the shop towards the stairs at the back she prayed she was in time… Twilight went two steps at a time as she made it to the top of the stairs and without stopping she burst through the bedroom door stake in mouth and a fiery expression on her face. Lyra and Bon Bon both looked up at her from their bed as Fluttershy lay between them nuzzling Bon Bons neck as she too looked at the new arrival. “Oh look it’s my murderer… Want to try and finish it teachers pet…” Twilight stood aghast as she failed to respond. “Perhaps you would like to join in…? These two jumped at the chance when I offered them the chance to live forever together in endless pleasure… In my service of course…” “…It’s that or death… They chose…” Bon Bon shuddered as Fluttershy licked the length of her neck Twilight mustered all of her courage as she pointed a hoof at Fluttershy and announced her intent to slay her for the dead fillies as her horn glowed and she bit down on the stake… “You think your feeble magic and a toothpick can overcome me… You forget…” Fluttershy’s voice became laced with anger as her wings spread. “I am the master of animals…” Fluttershy laughed uncontrollably as her head flew back and she opened her mouth in a silent scream… As the vampire mare went back to maniacal laughing Twilight tried to work out what she was up to… After a moment she was disturbed from her thoughts by a sound that was becoming louder by the second… …The sound of… Wings… Lots of wings… Twilight caught on too late as a swarm of bats erupted through the broken window, as if under enchantment they made straight for Twilight and as they began smashing into her biting and scratching she was forced to run for it… Behind her Fluttershy’s triumphant laughter rang in her ears as she beat a hasty retreat from the town still pursued by the swarm that was slowed by the storm. Getting back to her dinner Fluttershy decided it was about time to start the appetizer and as she sunk her fangs into the neck of the cream mare she reveled in the sharp tang of blood and the resulting cries of pain. Meanwhile… …In an old barn not too far away were Applejack and Pinkie Pie standing over Pink. The UN-dead mare herself was totally broken as she lay there, stuck in a different world feeling unfamiliar strong emotions she just couldn’t escape, the only pony who had ever just excepted her in any world was now a vampire and she was about to die… Applejack and Pinkie Pie were arguing again and despite the state they were in after their scuffle and the tears afterward they were still locking horns over Pinks fate. Pinkie Pie was trying to calm Applejack down but the farm pony was resolute towards beating the whereabouts of the missing ponies out of Pink and then as she put it ‘put the thing down permanently’. The party pony was adamant that Applejack should back off and calm down so she could tell Pinkie what was going on, and then they could listen to what Pink had to say… “Damn it Pinkie… There’s nothing to tell, Twilight summoned that thing by accident…” …”It killed Fluttershy and now Applebloom and the other fillies have gone missing.” Pinkie Pie hesitated as she got her mind around the facts as told by Applejack, turning slightly she looked down at Pink who’d recovered enough to stare back with hollow eyes. Pinkie Pie couldn’t think of anything to say so she kept it simple as tried hard to give the vampire a weak smile. “Hi…” Pink didn’t reply but her mind became calmer and she managed to nod a little as she blankly stared at her spitting image. It was strange but as she looked at her counterpart Pink could feel her own mind becoming clearer by the second as the world around her seemed to swim back into focus. It took Pink only a moment to make her decision and when she did, that was final in her mind. “You going to kill me farm pony or are you just going to stand there like a slack jawed yokel…?” Applejack and Pinkie Pie both let their mouths hang open as they struggled to react to the voice that sneered from below them. Pinkie Pie was about to object or say no… Or say anything along those lines but as she floundered Applejack cut in first. “You want to die…? This some sort of trick…?” “I-I killed Fluttershy… So just hurry up and kill me… Or are you chicken…?” Applejack twitched. “Say that again…” “I called you a chicken…?” “No… The first bit.” Pink hesitated slightly as she tried to sound as evil as possible. “I killed Fluttershy.” Applejack’s composure collapsed after Pink spoke, trembling she turned her head so no pony could see her face. “Y-You’re lying…” “No I’m not! What’s the matter aren’t you going to do what needs to be done for your dead friend…? Aren’t you supposed to be the element of loyalty…?” “Silly… Applejack is the element of honesty… It means she can tell the difference between the truth and a lie.” Pinkie Pie watched as Pink swore under her breath. “You were telling the truth… You didn’t kill her… But then who…” Pink could guess what was going through Applejacks mind about her friend Twilight but as she dragged herself up to her hooves and winced as her wounds screamed for attention, she couldn’t give a damn. “Kill me…” Pink picked up the piece of wood Applejack had nearly staked her with and offered it to the farm pony. “Why…?” “It’s the only way you can save Fluttershy…” “Come again…?” Bewildered Applejack refused the proffered stake pushing it away with a hoof as she suspiciously eyed the dirty and beaten vampire. “If a vampire sires another and then is killed within three days of the new vampire rising, the new one will return to normal… Plus…” Applejack narrowed her eyes as she lowered her tone. “What’s the plus…?” “It hasn’t happened too often in my world… But as she rose I preformed a ritual meant to keep her soul in her body, it helps to keep the victim… Pink flinched along with the others at her poor choice of words. “I mean the new vampire under control… Same pony just a vampire the same way I was turned, in vampire high society it’s considered sport to see how long they retain their souls integrity surrounded by unimaginable sights…” “But it can go wrong in the first few days while they adjust and there is a chance their memories won’t return right away and their morals and personality can take even longer.” “Fluttershy got away from me; she was too strong for me… But she’ll be OK, I think it worked! So she should have been fine albeit a very bitter angry Pegasus who was killed in a brutal and violent way by a friend… However I sired her the link should be enough… So I’d say about a fifty to fifty chance.” “If ah kill you now…?” “Yes.” “Why… Why do you want to die so much...?” “I don’t but… I owe her that much.” Applejack even as angry and confused as she was couldn’t ignore the sad look and the teary eyes of the vampire. “Put that thing away before some pony hurts themselves… Ah need time to think about this…” Applejack took a second to look the vampire up and down and was horrified by the state of her, Pink was skin and bone almost, never mind being covered in cuts and bruises the length of her body. It was obvious her right hind leg was broken and because of her almost perfect resemblance to Pinkie Pie it was difficult to ignore all that and decide to kill her instead. Applejack stomped a hoof on the ground as she snorted in frustration due to the fact she just had to ask. “Where’d you get busted up that bad… Ah didn’t hit you that hard… Must’ve been a heck of a tussle…? ” Pink spoke in such a low tone it was difficult to hear but her reply surprised both of her audience. “Fluttershy did this…” “Oh you… Every pony knows Fluttershy wouldn’t hurt a fly!” Pink faced her counterpart and with a hesitant voice she continued. “She kind of went revenant when she woke up…” The blank stares she got made Pink roll her eyes. “She went crazy when she rose and she attacked me, I couldn’t control her like I should… Like I should have been able to...” “Oh…” The pair chorused their joint understanding but Applejack recovered first. “So a crazy vampire Fluttershy is out there and ma little sister is out there with her friends and you can save them by dying…” “Yeah pretty much…” “But why are you being so calm about it… You had some kind of change of heart…?” Pinks laugh was as hollow as her smile as she laughed at Applejacks words. “Now what’s so funny…?” “Yes… I suppose I did… But it was before I came to this world… I got myself banished when I refused to take the life of a mare… I just couldn’t do it… The Queen of the Damned was there at my party, she ordered me outcast from the realm and forever forgotten…” Pinks tone was a lilting far away kind of tone tinged with sadness and regret. Applejack shook her head as she replayed Pinks words in her mind. “So what was so special about this mare…” “N-Nothing… Just like all the others… But I’d been off my food for a while… I was having trouble… Sleeping…” Pink struggled to admit the next part but she knew deep down that in the presence of her would be executioner she would have no other time to say it… “I have a need to party it’s been a desire of mine as long as I can remember… But they never were right… But I did everything I could to make the others happy… But it got out of control… I couldn’t take the horror anymore… I-I lost my appetite for it…” Pink fixed Applejack with a crazed look as all the horror’s played back in her mind. “I’ve always been different… It always felt like I never belonged in that world…” Pink sneered as she said the next part. “Or this one…” “That must’ve been some terrifying parties… Ah don’t reckon ah much fancy the sound of those…” “You said party…?” Pinkie Pie who’d been trying to think of a way to solve the troubles was sat tapping a hoof to her temple feeling strangely hungry for honey. Broken from her random train of thought she brightened up at the mere mention of a party, and without having heard the whole conversation (and before either of the others could stop her) she launched into a breathless stream of questions. “Do you like parties…? I love parties… I like the balloons… and the music… and being surrounded by my friends… Oh and I like the presents! Especially the ones I get for my friends…” “Uh… Pinkie darling…” Applejack was watching as the vampire seemed lost in the picture of color Pinkie Pie was describing, something she herself had never seen but something that had haunted her dreams… “…Oh and I like streamers! And I like cake, lots of cake… And more balloons… Did I say I liked balloons…? Oomph…” Pink removed her hoof from Pinkies mouth and flicking her mane to one side as per her usual style she gave a wicked Cheshire grin as she recounted her parties in the hope that damned hick would finally do what was needed. “Oh… Yes the more the merrier… My parties were the toast of vampire society for the very best in debauchery and sin… I’ve fed hundreds of innocents to the very cream of darkness’s finest followers… The blood would run in rivers down everything as we fulfilled the most evil of desires… I’ve killed countless individuals and bathed in their blood and torn the rests minds to shreds…” As Pink continued Pinkie’s eyes widened and her lips began to tremble as small tears formed at the corners of her rapidly horrified looking eyes. “All right… You’ve had your fun… And made your point… Now I’ll make mine… You’re fixing to die and ah’m going to see to it you do but first ah going to ask… Have you seen ma sister…?” “I… Haven’t… Sorry…” “Will y’all stop with the darn apologizing… …Makes it harder to do this, ah’ve never stuck a vampire afore...” “If it helps I can tell you more about my life…?” “Ah got enough to worry about without anymore nightmares… ‘Sides ah don’t think Pinkie can take too much more of that…” They both gave a sideways glance at the frozen and speechless pony that just kept opening and shutting her mouth. Pink couldn’t help but laugh as she fought back tears as she said ‘Oops…’ Applejack gave the vampire one last look as she stood and bent to pick up the piece of wood, raising her head and getting ready as she lined it up she jumped out of her skin as a voice behind her startled her out of her hooves. “Don’t kill her!!!” Twilight stood being buffeted by the storm outside as she stood breathless in the hole Applejack had made… “Um… Twilight…” “Not now Pinkie Pie… I’m a little busy…” “No… It’s…” “What??? What is it…?” “You have a bat on your butt…” Twilight looked at her flank and the small bat that was busily sucking her blood, her eye twitched as she summoned her magic. Pinkie Pie broke into tears as the heavily cremated remains of the earnest little creature floated to the floor. “I need her to tell me how to fight Fluttershy…” Applejack snorted and reared up, her eyes momentarily met Pink’s as she came down and in that moment she knew then it was the right choice… Pinkie Pies scream and Twilight's yell of ‘No!!!’ were drowned out as Applejack roared as the wood struck home. The farm pony stepped back, Pink looked at the chunk of wood sticking out of her chest and with a feint smile she collapsed sideways as her entire body was engulfed in spiritual flames as it turned to ash before every ponies eyes. Meanwhile back in Ponyville… Fluttershy had just finished sinking her fangs into the neck of the mint green unicorn in front of her as her partner died next to her, the mint mare too caught in Fluttershy’s commanding stare to react followed a moment later… Fluttershy felt something tug at her on a spiritual level… Almost as if it wanted to pull her from her very own body… As she reared and jumped from the bed she was neatly brought to her hooves then to the floor by the shock of pain that ripped through her. Still reeling as another powerful sensation of being pulled back from her body ran through her. “Nooo… Not yet… I… I’m having too much f… …Fun!!!” As the two mare’s dead eyes watched Fluttershy be consumed by a nimbus of light, she screamed… > Part 10: One Last Chance to Escape. > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Vamp Pinkie. Part 10: One Last Chance to Escape. …In a now familiar barn on the edge of Sweet Apple Acres… Pinks demise had caused Twilight to break out in a furious explosion of foul language at the now silent Applejack; the farm pony was sat by the pile of ash that up until moments ago had been a somewhat living being. Pinkie Pie tried her best to explain what had happened but in her saddened state and breaking under the pressure, she couldn’t get through to Twilight who after exhausting her repertoire of expletives had gone silent too. “Twilight…” “She said it was for the best, Fluttershy’s going to be OK… …Right Applejack???” Applejack responded by giving a half hearted nod and an ‘Eeyup’ but her tone was less than hopeful. “Twilight… Did you find the girls…? Tell me their OK… Please.” “I’m sorry… …But their gone.” “All three…?” Applejack stayed sat but as the silent tears fell her trembling frame was engulfed by a confused and frightened Pinkie Pie. Twilight watched the pair cry for a moment and then left, her last real hope gone she headed back to her home an idea had come to mind and she was in a hurry. “Where’s Rarity?” Applejack had surfaced from her grief momentarily as she registered the absence of the white mare. Twilight turned and before she disappeared she said quickly. “I left her at the clubhouse; she was too upset to help me find Fluttershy.” “Y’all went and left her alone… There… With the…” Applejacks surprised and furious tone was lost to the winds as Twilight was long gone by the time she’d spoken. Knowing her friend needed her motivated Applejack and as she convinced Pinkie Pie to stay out of the storm she went into it, her course clear. It seemed to take ages for her to make the short distance across the farm, every hoof step as reluctant as her determination was to drive each one forward. Her hooves met the ramp and her eyes the smashed door ahead of her, the choked cries from inside gave her a notion of the horror ahead. Applejack took a second to adjust her eyes in the dim light of a broken oil lamp sat on a stool that had some how barely survived the destruction of the rest of the interior of the clubhouse. Three small forms lay underneath torn curtains next to which sat Rarity who was inconsolable, in the end Applejack managed to get her to move from her vigil and guide her through the storm to the barn. Upon returning and letting Rarity and Pinkie Pie share their grief for a while Applejack spoke, her voice firm and her mind made up. “Ah got to find Fluttershy, and I don’t reckon Twilight should be left to her own devices neither.” The two crying ponies stared in fear at the thought of her leaving, Rarity who knew nothing of Fluttershy’s resurrection and Pinks sacrifice feared for her friend Applejacks safety. “Ah will be fine ah promise, look just sit a while, ah will be back… …Ah Pinkie promise.” After completing a rather sombre Pinkie promise ritual she headed out for Ponyville, problem was she had no clue where exactly to start and couldn’t finish that thought as she knocked for six after being hit by a cyan colored mare that came from the sky. Picking her self up and shaking her mane out of her face as best she could Apple jack stared down at the exhausted but smiling Rainbow Dash. Unable due to the wind to make a single coherent sound Applejack pointed her hoof towards the town as Dash gave her a confused look as she glanced in the direction of the farm. Applejack shook her head and pointed once again towards Ponyville, this time Dash just shrugged and followed as best she could as her tired aching body soldiered on. Twilight had already made it back to town and after finding Fluttershy unconscious but breathing still in the bedroom where she’d been when Twilight had run away. After sparing a cold moment to reflect on their passing Twilight ignored the pair in bed as she bent over Fluttershy and to her astonishment she was not only breathing but alive? With no sign of fangs either Twilight noticed as she stared into the open mouth of a lightly breathing twitching softly Fluttershy. Twilight was flummoxed but it didn’t take long for her to hypothesize several possible reasons for this. Making sure the yellow mare was OK but stricken in her collective grief and agony, on auto pilot she left the scene and made her way across town to the ruined place she still considered home Twilight noticed some unusual lightning in the sky among the raging storm. After only moments of study it was obvious at least to her that pink lightening was definitely not normal and certainly not when it seemed to be striking only her tree home… Upon reaching her door whilst dodging the increasing bolts of pink lightening Twilight quickly looked through the broken window only days before she had traveled backwards out of. “Uh… Twilight, why’s your house being hit with so much lightening…?” Twilight watched as Rainbow Dash and Applejack both made their way to her through the electrified assault course. “Grrr… What are you two doing here…?” “Ah came to check on Fluttershy… And you…” “She’s fine… I’m fine… Now get out of here.” “What’s going on Twilight…?” “The portal or doorway to the other realm is opening… Something is trying to get through…” Applejack and Dash both jumped as Twilight ducked at the sound of an explosion followed by a popping sound. Raising their heads up to window the three mares watched as the circle burned into the floor raged with magical fire, from which emerged two Pegasus ponies. The first was a mare wearing a dark parody of the Wonderbolts uniform, her coat was yellow and her mane was the color of fire. The second was a stallion with a powder blue coat and dark blue mane; he too wore the same uniform but the way he hesitated when she looked at him left the mares with no doubt who was in charge. Sinking back down behind the windowsill the three were quiet until Rainbow Dash spoke the obvious. “Um Twilight… Why is there two Wonderbolts in your library… …Twilight…?” Dash and Applejack watched as Twilight stormed through her front door and confronted the pair. “Who are you …?” Applejack and Dash rushed to stand beside their friend as the two newcomers turned to face her. “I am Twilight Sparkle… …This is my home so explain yourself.... State your business.” The two ponies shared a glance and a smirk before the mare with a flaming mane stepped forward her companion followed suit stopping a respectful distance behind. “Librarian huh…? Well I’m none of your business and so is he…” As the mare sneered her lip curled and the tip of a petite looking fang poked out from underneath. Twilight gasped as she spotted it and before she could react the flaming mare launched herself at her, knocked to the ground catching her unprepared Twilight cried out as the mare brought her hooves down. The flaming mares hooves left hoof prints in the floor of the library inches from where Twilight's head had been, looking down Twilight smiled at Rainbow Dash who stared up at her from the end of her tail. Applejack had bucked the stallion the moment Twilight had gone down but she was taken out by the fiery mare that was too quick for her. Dash tackled her but as they rolled to the ground another blast of magic tore through the room emanating from the magic circle scorched into the floor by Twilight’s original spell. As she focused Twilight’s eyes fell upon the Necroponycon only hoof steps away from her face It hit Twilight in a flash, if they came through the magic circle… Then they could be sent back through… “Get them into the circle!!! It’s our only hope!!!” Applejack and Dash both struggling with the mare grunted in acknowledgment and began kicking and beating her towards the circle as Twilight summoned the book towards her. As the librarian opened the book mid air with her magic she found the spell she was looking for then connecting with the winds of magic at work in the room she interrupted the flow of the spell, binding it to her control. Twilight could feel the weight of power that consumed every fiber of her being as she wrestled with the sheer scale of the spell. But as she followed the magical link to the other world in her mind; she felt the dark magic controlling it from the other side, barely managing to keep it together as she fought a tide of magic. Applejack and Dash forced the mare into the circle and rolled the stallion in also and stepped back, Twilight gave the pair a weak smile as she too stepped into the circle. “Twilight what are you doing…?” Applejack shouted but too late as Twilight disappeared into the raging magic tears in her eyes, there was a bright flash and then it petered out until the room was dark and the sounds of the storm started to dissipate. For a moment all was still and quiet as the two mares embraced and wept, in only a few days their lives had been turned upside down, as Applejack pulled back from Dash she knew there was plenty to be done… > Part 11 Alternate: The Epilogue of Those Left Behind. > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Vamp Pinkie. Part 11 Alternate: The Epilogue of Those Left Behind. As the dawn broke over Ponyville a sombre mood pervaded the town, the results of Twilight's foray into inter dimensional contact had been three days ago and as the town united in the loss of three of its youngest members all was quiet. Applejack stepped off of the front porch of Sweet Apple Acres and adjusted the black band on her Stetson as she watched Rainbow Dash make her way towards her. “Are you ready Hon?” Dash flicked her mane out of her face and nodded, the last week had been the most difficult in her life since two of her friends had lost their sisters and her own number one fan in the most horrific of circumstances. Dash also had had problems dealing with the truth about who had killed them, only the five remaining elements of harmony knew the real killer was one of them and not the vampire Twilight had summoned. Dash and Applejack had both decided it was for the best that Fluttershy not be named as the killer as it had been difficult enough explaining what had happened in the first place. Since Fluttershy was saved by Pink’s Sacrifice and was no longer a vampire it seemed unfair to blame her or punish her so despite her own protests of needing to be punished for what she’d done the official story was the unnamed vampire with no description given had murdered the girls. Fluttershy hadn’t been seen in days and even the others were worried she might do something irreversible in her depression… Pushing those thoughts to the back of her mind Applejack walked in silence with Dash as they made their way towards the town cemetery, passing other mourners on the way and nodding politely at their commiserations they continued on. The ceremony was attended by the whole town that turned out in both grief and support for those who had lost family, among those who attended were the royals Luna and Celestia. The sun goddess gave a heartfelt speech over the loss of three so young and despite her own grief at the mess created by none other than her own student she preformed her duties and after speaking briefly to the elements she left escorted by her guards. Luna stayed until only the elements remained and after giving her own condolences she returned to the library to continue her analysis of the circle that remained burned into the floor. It had been decided in light of the dark magic’s unleashed that Luna who was most sensitive and familiar with such things would live there from now on with spike as a guard against anything else that might find its way into their dimension or lest Twilight should return. Applejack and Dash returned to the farm with Pinkie who remained silent, her mane as straight as ever as she was gently led towards the homestead she’d been staying at for three days now. Rarity stayed behind despite the concerns of her friends but as they left she sat silently staring at the three small graves before her. Hours passed as she remained sat, talking in low tones she poured her heart out to the stones that stay in vigil over those beneath. As the light began to fade Rarity gently drifted off in exhaustion, the strength of her emotions and her grief had left her a fragile shell that slept as the ground before her shifted and churned. A small white hoof burst up out of the ground and slowly another appeared before they dragged the rest out after them, stood bathed in moonlight the small white unicorn filly hissed as another two small frames forced themselves out of the ground as well. The three faced each other and were happy to see each other except as their memories returned the truth of the situation sank in… Sweetie Belle faced Scootaloo with a strangely distant look on her face as if trying to remember something… “Am… I… Are We… Dead…?” Scootaloo who was watching Applebloom trying to find her own pulse blinked and with a panicked look answered. “Fluttershy… She…” The memories rushed back as they revisited their deaths and the three sat in silence as they tried to understand what had happened, it was Applebloom who made the key discovery. “OUCH!!!” “Uh… You OK Bloom…?” Applebloom curled her lip and prodded the protruding fang with her tongue. “Does it look like Ah’m OK? Ah just bit ma self. ” “I guess that means we’re vampires… This is entirely your fault Applebloom.” “What? How’d yaw figure that Sweetie Belle, Why’s it ma fault?” “It was your stupid idea to go vampire hunting.” Sweetie Belle huffed and turned away from the other two, finally her eyes came to rest on her own grave; tears flowed unbidden as the horrible truth settled in. “Now what do we do, Now we’re dead I mean…?” “Ah don’t know about you but Ah’m starving…” “HEY!!! Don’t even think about it…” Applebloom’s tiny fangs were millimeters from Rarities jugular vein as Sweetie Belle snapped at her, the undead farm pony looked apologetic as she backed away. “S-Sorry Sweetie…” “I-It’s OK… It’s who we are after all…” “Well at least something good came out of all this…” Sweetie Belle and Applebloom cocked their heads as they turned to Scootaloo in confusion…? The orange filly pointed triumphantly at their flanks; upon each were a trio of comical looking bats one white one yellow one orange that made up their brand new cutie marks! This discovery made all three of them jump up with joy as even though it took their combined deaths and transformation into vampires they had finally gotten their marks. After a few moments of bouncing around they settled once more as they considered what it meant to be a vampire. “We need to find somewhere to hide… I don’t want to go poof when the sun comes up.” “We need to eat too… Ah guess…” Applebloom looked away sheepishly as Sweetie Belle once more growled at her for eying up her sister who still slumbered peacefully. “Wow you really have a one track mind…” Blushing as her tummy rumbled loudly the farm filly replied in an uncertain tone. “Ah don’t know what to do… It is wrong ah know that… But it seems so natural… Not evil I mean… Ah kinda wanna try at least… After all we are vampires?” “W-Well I don’t know about you guys but I don’t feel very evil… Or hungry…” Sweetie Belle like the others hung her head caught up in all the emotion but as she did she glanced at the sleeping form of her sister, Rarity had always been good to her… Images from her past began to filter past her eyes as she started to remember all the times she’d cursed her for all the unfairness Rarity had exhibited when preventing her from doing something dangerous, then running off herself with her friends and doing stuff way more dangerous than the CMC had in mind… As she stared at Rarity the rhythmic pulsing of the jugular caught her attention and as she listened with her heightened senses she could make out not only Rarity’s heartbeat but swore she could hear the blood rushing around her body. Scootaloo and Applebloom jumped out of their skins as Sweetie Belle gave a bloodcurdling cry of reluctant resignation as she bit down on her sister’s neck without warning. A shared look and a shared shrug later the other two joined their companion, Rarity literally unconscious from recent events stresses and strains grunted once or twice as her life’s blood was sucked out of her by three sets of hungry mouths their little fangs like needles. It took a bit of practice and blood went everywhere as the three unused to the unfamiliar taste and general all round disgust at what they were actually doing finally had their fill so took the time to catch their breath. “Um is she dead?” Scootaloo blushed underneath all the blood she hadn’t swallowed but instead covered herself nearly head to hoof with, thanks to biting an artery (not that she had a clue what that meant) and the pressure spraying blood everywhere before the heart had slowed down. Sweetie Belle equally covered nudged her sister’s body and pressed her ear against it before sitting up and with sudden tears flowing as she nodded her head. Applebloom burped loudly and laughed nervously as she came under the withering stare of Sweetie Belle who with her own guilt now settling back in but after the fact this time, just harrumphed looking away into the distance unaware yet of just how much further she could see in the darkness than normal. “We should go… We need somewhere to live… Away from town so no pony can find us, then we can decide what to do next.” The others nodded in unison as they began to feel decidedly uncomfortable sitting next to the corpse they were responsible for… Wracking their befuddled minds they set off to find somewhere as they walked in silence… ELSEWHERE IN A FAMILIAR LOOKING BARN… It had taken careful questioning by Fluttershy to ascertain the whereabouts of Pinks ashes and then wait for the opportunity of the funerals so she would be undisturbed as she spilled her own blood from a cut and resurrected her friend. Fluttershy had done this uncertain whether it work but she’d been in luck and the ashes had remained undisturbed and it had worked perfectly… Well except the part about watching Pinks body reform from a pile of ash, Fluttershy may have inadvertently murdered five ponies but she nearly lost her lunch at the sights and sounds of flesh and bone being remade… As she embraced her friend who could only blink and mouth her shock at her unexpected resurrection Fluttershy sniffled as tears flowed. The scene calmed down and they remained close as they whispered to each other in low tones bringing themselves up-to-date before discussing their prospects for the future… …IN ANOTHER PONYVILLE… Twilight finished hammering the stake with her hoof through the chest of the vampire she had magically pinned to the ground. As the body crumbled away in ashes and fire she whirled around and with her magic sent a stake flying into the chest of another that lunged at her. The Queen of the Damned ducked as a stake whistled past her ear as she dove for cover, it had only been moments since the screaming purple unicorn mare had appeared from the magic circle whilst standing over the bodies of the top two enforcers of her court. In that time she’d been relentlessly killing every minion that attacked her and all the while laughing in a broken minded way as her magic overwhelmed the vampires of the court, Twilight quickly realized vampires didn’t have a natural talent for magic and mostly just attacked head on… It was clear also that Twilight had much to learn about hoof to hoof combat but after she used a particularly large table to squish several vamps at once it was a no brainer to the remaining bloodsuckers that they were pretty stuffed if they stayed, so as they booked it for the exits Twilight focused on the familiar looking one hiding behind a upended table across the giant room… Seeing this The Queen of the Damned with her twisted parody of royal regalia and blood soaked sun for a cutie mark broke from cover unwilling to test her limited magic against the oncoming storm that was a parallel universe’s librarian… As the Queen of the Damned and what was left of her court fled it was obvious the undisputed power of the vampires and their rule was now over, there was a new Queen in town and she was on the side of good (a right good kicking that is.) With no pause or regrets Twilight recovered the necroponycon and after making several replacement stakes from the smashed furniture around her she headed out and into her new destiny with no mercy given or taken… Twilight would eventually gather those alive or dead willing to help and organize her new gang of friends and allies for the inevitable war that would be coming… A war she would win… > Part 12 Original Ending: The Epilogue of Those Left Behind. > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Vamp Pinkie. Part 12 Original Ending: The Epilogue of Those Left Behind. As the dawn broke over Ponyville a sombre mood pervaded the town, the results of Twilight's foray into inter dimensional contact had been three days ago and as the town united in the loss of three of its youngest members all was quiet. Applejack stepped off of the front porch of Sweet Apple Acres and adjusted the black band on her Stetson as she watched Rainbow Dash make her way towards her. “Are you ready Hon?” Dash flicked her mane out of her face and nodded, the last week had been the most difficult in her life since two of her friends had lost their sisters in the most horrific of circumstances. Dash also had had problems dealing with the truth about who had killed them, only the five remaining elements of harmony knew the real killer was one of them and not the vampire Twilight had summoned. Dash and Applejack had both decided it was for the best that Fluttershy not be named as the killer as it had been difficult enough explaining what had happened in the first place. Since Fluttershy was saved by Pink’s Sacrifice and was no longer a vampire it seemed unfair to blame her or punish her so despite her own protests of needing to be punished for what she’d done the official story was the unnamed vampire with no description given had murdered the girls. Fluttershy hadn’t been seen in days and even the others were worried she might do something irreversible in her depression… Pushing those thoughts to the back of her mind Applejack walked in silence with Dash as they made their way towards the town cemetery, passing other mourners on the way and nodding politely at their commiserations they continued on. The ceremony was attended by the whole town that turned out in both grief and support for those who had lost family, among those who attended were the royals Luna and Celestia. The sun goddess gave a heartfelt speech over the loss of three so young and despite her own grief at the mess created by none other than her own student she preformed her duties and after speaking briefly to the elements she left escorted by her guards. Luna stayed until only the elements remained and after giving her own condolences she returned to the library to continue her analysis of the circle that remained burned into the floor. It had been decided in light of the dark magic’s unleashed that Luna who was most sensitive and familiar with such things would live there from now on with spike as a guard against anything else that might find its way into their dimension. Applejack and Dash returned to the farm with Pinkie who remained silent, her mane as straight as ever as she was gently led towards the homestead she’d been staying at for three days now. Rarity stayed behind despite the concerns of her friends but as they left she sat silently staring at the three small graves before her. Hours passed as she remained sat, talking in low tones she poured her heart out to the stones that stay in vigil over those beneath. As the light began to fade Rarity gently drifted off in exhaustion, the strength of her emotions and her grief had left her a fragile shell that slept as the ground before her shifted and churned. A small white hoof burst up out of the ground and slowly another appeared before they dragged the rest out after them, stood bathed in moonlight the small white unicorn filly hissed as another two small frames forced themselves out of the ground as well. The three faced each other and were happy to see each other except as their memories returned the truth of the situation sank in… Sweetie Belle faced Scootaloo with a strangely distant look on her face as if trying to remember something… “Am… I… Are We… Dead…?” Scootaloo who was watching Applebloom trying to find her own pulse blinked and with a panicked look answered. “Fluttershy… She…” The memories rushed back as they revisited their deaths and the three sat in silence as they tried to understand what had happened, it was Applebloom who made the key discovery. “OUCH!!!” “Uh… You OK Bloom…?” Applebloom curled her lip and prodded the protruding fang with her tongue. “Does it look like Ah’m OK? Ah just bit ma self. ” “I guess that means we’re vampires… This is entirely your fault Applebloom.” “What? How’d yaw figure that Sweetie Belle, Why’s it ma fault?” “It was your stupid idea to go vampire hunting.” Sweetie Belle huffed and turned away from the other two, finally her eyes came to rest on her own grave; tears flowed unbidden as the horrible truth settled in. “Now what do we do, Now we’re dead I mean…?” “Ah don’t know about you but Ah’m starving…” “HEYYY!!! Don’t even think about it…” Applebloom’s tiny fangs were millimeters from Rarities jugular vein as Sweetie Belle snapped at her, the undead farm pony looked apologetic as she backed away. “S-Sorry Sweetie…” “I-It’s OK… It’s who we are after all…” “Well at least something good came out of all this…” Sweetie Belle and Applebloom cocked their heads as they turned to Scootaloo in confusion…? The orange filly pointed triumphantly at their flanks; upon each were a trio of comical looking bats that made up their brand new cutie marks, the discovery made all three of them jump up with joy as even though it took their combined deaths and transformation into vampires they had finally gotten their marks. After a few moments of bouncing around they settled once more as they considered what it meant to be a vampire. “We need to find somewhere to hide… I don’t want to go poof when the sun comes up.” “We need to eat… I guess…” Applebloom looked away as Sweetie Belle once more growled at Applebloom for eying up her sister who still slumbered peacefully. “W-Well I don’t know about you guys but I don’t feel very evil…” The three nodded in unison but were surprised when a familiar voice whispered nearby. “It’s because you died pure…” The three stood in shock as Fluttershy entered the clearing, her mane hung down over her face as she stood there. Scootaloo got the courage to speak first and she did an accusing tone in her fear laden voice. “You would know…” “Indeed… But I’m no longer one of you…” “H-How… Can we…?” “No… But you don’t have to do this alone…” Applebloom found her voice and she replied in an angry resentful tone. “Oh and I suppose your going to look after us… Is that your way of making up for killing us…?” Fluttershy flinched at the accusation and its truth but shook her head. “Not me…” The three young vampires were more than a little surprised when a familiar looking pink pony entered the clearing. “Is… That…?” “Yes it is…” Pink smiled at the three as she stood the picture of health before them, it had taken careful questioning by Fluttershy to ascertain the whereabouts of Pinks ashes and then wait for the opportunity to dribble her own blood from a cut on them and resurrect her friend. Fluttershy had done this uncertain whether it work but she’d been in luck and the ashes had remained undisturbed and it had worked perfectly. The yellow mare faced her young victims and explained she’d brought Pink back because she knew the three would return and she wouldn’t be able to help them but another vampire could, one that could be trusted. Pink had agreed to Fluttershy’s proposal and despite her reluctance to leave the yellow mare behind planned to take the girls somewhere they could live in peace for eternity. At first the girls wanted to stay in Ponyville, to just go home to their friends and family but it didn’t take much imagination on their part to figure out the result of the three dead fillies turning up at home With reluctance they agreed and as they prepared to set off they shared a moment next to their graves before following the Pink pony away from the clearing. Sweetie Belle lightly kissed her sister on the cheek and whispered her goodbyes before joining the other two and Pink. Fluttershy watched as they disappeared from sight and as she resettled the earth on the graves she wandered over to Rarity and woke her, as they too left the scene once more peace and quiet descended on Ponyville. …IN ANOTHER PONYVILLE… Twilight finished hammering the stake with her hoof through the chest of the vampire she had magically pinned to the ground. As the body crumbled away in ashes and fire she whirled around and with her magic sent a stake flying into the chest of another that leapt at her. The Queen of the Damned ducked as a stake whistled past her ear as she dove for cover, it had only been moments since the screaming purple unicorn mare had appeared from the magic circle whilst standing over the bodies of the top two enforcers of her court. In that time she’d been relentlessly killing every minion that attacked her and all the while laughing in a broken minded way as her magic overwhelmed the vampires of the court, as Twilight quickly realized vampires didn’t have a natural talent for magic and mostly just attacked head on… It was clear Twilight had much to learn about hoof to hoof combat but after she used a particularly large table to squish several vamps at once it was clear to the remaining bloodsuckers they were pretty stuffed if they stayed so as they booked it for the exits Twilight focused on the familiar looking one hiding behind a upended table across the giant room… Seeing this The Queen of the Damned with her twisted parody of royal regalia and blood soaked sun for a cutie mark broke from cover unwilling to test her limited magic against the oncoming storm that was a parallel universe’s librarian… As the Queen of the Damned and what was left of her court fled it was obvious the undisputed power of the vampires and their rule was now over, there was a new Queen in town and she was on the side of good (a right good kicking that is.) With no pause or regrets Twilight recovered the necroponycon and after making several replacement stakes from the smashed furniture around her she headed out and into her new destiny with no mercy given or taken… Twilight would eventually gather those alive or dead willing to help and organized her new gang of friends and allies for the coming war… A war she would win…