//------------------------------// // Pinpointing the Original Blood // Story: Immortal Blood and Tears // by Robipony //------------------------------// "It is said that the worst sin is to lie. Even the smallest of lies can harm others. We may convince ourselves that we are telling the lie to protect the other person but in the end we are only doing it to protect ourselves." - Princess Luna, the Herald of the Moon Twilight moved restlessly in her sleep. Sweat dripped from her pores as she rocked back and forth under the sheets. As she dreamed, her mind wandered back to when it all came crashing down. When all her friends became monsters and they abandoned her. Why did it have to end like that?... Forty Years Earlier... "So, why’d we come here?" Applejack asked as she examined the excavation site that she and her friends were standing in. It was a location in southern Equestria known as Haysead Swamps, just east of Dodge City and north of the Badlands. They had taken the train from Ponyville all the way to Dodge City to gather supplies before meeting with the welcoming party that showed them the way. "I thought this would be a great friendship retreat," Twilight said, a bright smile on her face. Aside from Twilight and her six friends, there were a few other ponies standing around, working on the excavation site. These were ponies that Twilight had specifically hired to insure the success of the expedition. "Like what sort of exercise, dear?" Rarity asked, doing her best not to get her hooves dirty. As Rarity asked this, a unicorn stallion stepped forward. "Princess, all the preparations to open the doorway into the catacombs are in place and we await your instructions." Twilight nodded, "I just thought you all might enjoy sharing this discovery with me." "I suppose," Fluttershy said, feeling unsure of the situation. Something just felt off somehow, but Fluttershy couldn’t put her hoof on why. Rainbow Dash, on the other hoof, was really excited. "This is totally like something out of a Daring Do book!" she exclaimed. "Yeah!" Pinkie Pie shouted happily, bouncing in place. Eager to enter the ruins, Twilight lead the way and her friends followed. Upon reaching the sealed entryway, Twilight gave the excavator a nod and he began to open the door using a crane to pull away the large stone. A couple of ponies approached the opening, holding devices that monitored the contents of the air that seeped from within. "The air appears to be safe," one of the inspectors spoke. "Still, I would suggest bringing a gas mask as a precaution." "Thank you for you help, Brown Root," Twilight spoke. "I am sure we can take it from here." "Are you sure, Princess?" the archeologist inquired. "It could be dangerous inside." "Yes," Twilight nodded, "I am quite sure." "I'm not," a shrewd voice spoke from behind, alerting Twilight to the stallion. Twilight recognized the stallion as Shade Step, a unicorn that had been Twilight's rival back in magic school and had always strived to prove himself superior to Twilight's accomplishments. Of all the mages in Celestia's court, Shade Step had been the only who refused to attend Twilight's coronation after she became an Alicorn. Instead he had insisted on staying in the castle and studying spells based on War Magic. Shade Step's coat was a dark, grayish blue, much like the Moonlight Court, which he participated in. He had a dark gray mane with neon green highlights, which seemed to be turning white as he grew older. However, growing older had not changed that cruel sparkle that glimmered in Shade Step's neon green eyes. "What is it that you want, Shade Step?" Twilight said, a tinge of anger in her tone. "Oh, it isn't what I want," Shade Step said with a slight smile, "I just think that this expedition of yours is a waste of the Celestial Court’s resources." "This expedition is to help gather historical data on Equestria," Twilight replied angrily. "It is much better than simply saving resources for any 'potential threats' as you like to call them." While ponies could be paranoid of their neighboring countries, Twilight had since learned that most were not a threat and could easily become allies with the power of friendship. However, it was not this paranoia that motivated Shade Step’s defensive countermeasures. On the contrary, Twilight was certain that Shade Step wanted a war. A conflict that would make his talents feel useful and would prove that Twilight's beliefs on friendship and harmony were false. "Is it really historical data you are searching for”-Shade Step's eyes turned into slits-"or is it something else?" Twilight glared at him. She couldn't wait for this annoying stallion to die from old age. Shade Step chuckled, "It would seem I have struck a cord. Fine. I will let you have your fun, but I want a scroll on my desk with all your findings or else you will hear from my comrades and I in regards to your budget. I hope I made myself clear." Upon finishing his statement, Shade Step turned and walked away, his black cloak flapping in the wind. How Luna had accepted such a pain in the plot as one of her personal councilors truly puzzled Twilight. Turning around, Shade Step gave Twilight another wicked smile before his horn glowed a neon green and he teleported elsewhere. "Is everything alright?" Applejack asked. "Yes, I'll be fine," Twilight replied in annoyance. "Let's just finish this." "Before you go," Inspector Brown Root spoke, "perhaps we should all take a photograph to document this event." "That would be great!" Pinkie Pie said, bouncing up and down. Rolling her eyes, Twilight replied, "Sure, why not." All of the ponies grouped up with Twilight and her friends in the center with the rest of the excavation crew surrounding them. A camera was set up with a timer, so that the photographer could take the picture and have enough time to jump in before the picture was taken. All the ponies smiled, with the exception of Fluttershy, who just looked at the camera nervously. "Say cheesecake!" Pinkie Pie said with a broad smile. "Cheesecake!" everypony except Fluttershy said as the camera snapped. With the picture taken, Twilight guided her friends into the ruins. Ancient runes lined the walls with various hieroglyphs depicting ponies with what appeared to be two curved horns. Seeing the runes, a wide smile sprouted on Twilight's face. "Girls, do you realize what this is?!" Twilight asked excitedly. "No," Applejack answered, shaking her head. "Can't say that I do." "These ruins belonged to the ancient pony tribe of the Bicorns!" Twilight exclaimed excitedly. "Bicorns?" Rarity repeated, a confused look on her face. Twilight nodded, "According to various legends, there was once a subterranean race of ponies known as the Bicorns. How they came to live underground is unknown. However, it wasn't long after they appeared that the Bicorns faded away for some unknown reason." "Why did they live underground?" Rainbow Dash asked curiously. "Nopony knows for certain," Twilight answered. "Some historians say that they had appeared there through magical means, possibly even from another universe altogether. A few Bicorns have been documented as being seen on the surface, however they either disappeared or perished." As they walked along the hallway, Twilight began to examine the runes along the wall. "Can ya read any of this?" Applejack asked. Twilight smiled, "While I was studying in Magic School, we had to pick one of five ancient languages of extinct races to learn. I picked the Bicorn language for this category." After examining the runes on the wall to her left, Twilight began to speak, "It states that there was a plague that seemed to be wiping out their tribe. Shortly after, somepony referred to as the Winged One appeared who was immune to the disease. In an attempt to survive, they gave him their blood so that he could commune with... Ashferatu?" "What's Ashferatu?" Pinkie asked tearing apart the pronunciation. "I-I don't actually know," Twilight answered. "I haven't read any documents that I could remember that mention who or what Asferatu is." They walked further down the corridor until eventually they came to a large, circular room. In the center was a fountain that was no longer filled any water. Across from the entrance was a diamond-shaped gateway with what appeared to be a dark mirror built inside. More runes were arranged along the wall, some of which formed various hieroglyphic images. Twilight walked over to a series of hieroglyphs that had two bicorns raising their heads to a golden sun surrounded by black tendrils and crimson eyes. Below the the two bicorns was some sort of stone wheel built into the wall. In the center of the wheel was a slot. "What was this place for?" Applejack asked, examining the empty fountain. "Perhaps it was meant as a place for greeting ponies from the surface," Pinkie Pie suggested. "Or perhaps a place of new beginnings," Twilight said, pulling a small box out of one of her saddlebags. Opening the wooden box, Twilight pulled forth a black, curved object. "What is that, dear?" Rarity inquired as she observed Twilight holding the device with her magic. The object was made of a strange material, having the reflective properties of a mirror, only with a strange, dark tinge to it. It was almost like obsidian, only much stronger and far less fragile. It was a material similar to that within the mirror in the diamond shaped gateway. At one end it was a round sphere with various tendrils branching off to unite with another smaller sphere, which had what seemed to be four fangs poking out of it. Like the maw of a vampire fruit bat ready to bite into the flesh of an apple and drink it dry. "This is just an artifact that I had discovered in a previous expedition." Twilight answered, "while many of my colleagues thought it was a ceremonial dagger, I had and a few others had theorized that it was a key. Judging by the markings on this wheel, I would say that we were right." Twilight moved the key toward the circle, but was stopped by Rarity who placed a hoof on Twilight's shoulder, "Twilight, are you sure this is safe?" The statement echoed through Twilight's mind. Was this safe? Was it safe for her to risk the lives of her friends if it meant making them immortal? After a moment of pondering the question a smile stretched across Twilight's face. "Yes," Twilight replied with a smile, "I am certain it will be safe." Guiding the key with her magic, Twilight inserted it into the slot. As the four fangs made contact with the indents in the stone, all the mares in the room could feel a strange wave wash over them from the fountain. It was like they were being felt, smelled, and tasted by some strange ethereal force. Almost as if some sort of eldritch machine was scanning them. Once the wave passed, the room began to shift and change. The sound of internal gears could be heard as segments of the chamber rotated and five pedestals arose from around the fountain. Once the pedestals had risen a transparent watery fluid began to trickle forth and fill the central fountain. "Now, could the rest of you please place your hooves on the pedestals?" Twilight asked. "Once that is done, this should complete the process." "Process?" Fluttershy asked worriedly. "Don't worry," Twilight smiled. "Think of it as a pleasant little surprise." "Ooh, I love surprises!" Pinkie Pie said, before running over to the pedestal and placing her left hoof on the pedestal. Cautiously, the rest of the Elements of Harmony with the exception of Twilight Sparkle made their way to the pedestals. "Well, I am fine with it," Rainbow Dash said, "so long as this surprise is awesome." With their hooves on the pedestals, the mares waited as Twilight once again touched the key with her magic and almost naturally shifted it sharply to the left. More gears could be heard as the room shifted once more and then stopped. "Well, that was la-" Before Rainbow Dash could finish her statement, a large spike shot up from the pedestal and pierced her hoof. Due to the sudden shock of the situation, Rainbow Dash didn't feel any pain from the injury but just stared at it with a confused look on her face. Looking around Twilight realized that all the pedestals had activated, piercing the hooves of her friends. "Wh-what is going on?" Applejack asked. Suddenly the water in the fountain changed color, turning into a bright crimson. As the water became like blood, slowly the bodies of Twilight's friends began to wither like apples shriveling on the ground after falling from their tree. Fluttershy screamed, trying to pull her hoof free from the spike that had pierced it but to no avail. "This isn't what I..." Twilight fell to her knees, watching as her friends were drained by the chamber. Soon all that was left was shriveled husks leaning against the pedestals. Tears fell from Twilight's eyes. She only did this because she thought this would save her friends. Twilight had not intended for such a cruel fate to befall them. The crimson water began to change, turning from a deep crimson into a pitch black before the water seemed to reverse, returning to the fountain from which it had come. The bodies of Twilight's friends twitched as the dark substance was pumped by the pedestals into their veins. Rarity let out a loud gasp as the mare felt her life returning to her. The others also began to breath heavily as they too returned from the grasp of death. A smile crept across Twilight's face, "I-I knew it. It's working!" Once Twilight's friends were returned to normal, the spikes in the pedestal withdrew, causing the five mares to fall to the ground. For a moment, they were still, but soon all of them arose from the ground. "I-It worked." Twilight said, almost chuckling hysterically. "I have found the Fountain of Life! Now you are all immortal!" "W-why?" Fluttershy spoke, the sound of her voice causing Twilight to stop. "Why did you do this to us?" Twilight looked down at her friend and noticed a cruel hatred in Fluttershy's eyes. This confused Twilight. Why was her friend mad at her? Maybe she just needed to better explain the situation. "I was just trying to make it so that we could continue to be together," Twilight explained. "Due to me being an Alicorn, I am immortal. However, none of you are and so over time you will all age and die. B-but now you all are immortal. Now we can all live together forever." "Do you honestly think death is worse than this?" Applejack hissed as she walked toward Twilight. It was at this moment that Twilight realized that something was wrong. Her friends had long, sharp fangs and they glared at Twilight with bright red eyes. They stepped toward her, with looks of malice on their faces. "N-no!" Twilight screamed, "T-this isn't what I wanted!" Twilight shot up in bed, her bed sheets drenched in sweat. Breathing heavily, she stepped out of bed and made her way to the bathroom, where she splashed some cold water onto her face. Looking into the mirror, Twilight saw rings under her eyes, no doubt the result of stress and the nightmare she had just experienced. A nightmare that continuously reminded her of the terrible fate she had placed upon her friends. Perhaps the issue wasn't the fact that Twilight had sought to bring them immortal life, so much as she had tried to grant them this blessing against their will. "Maybe I should have just told them how I felt," Twilight said sadly as she walked out of the bathroom back into the bedroom. Looking at the bookshelf, she saw the photograph that had been taken that day. Examining the photograph, images of what had happened flashed before Twilight's eyes. Of the attack that followed her tragic discovery. Twilight ran through the ruins toward the exit. Whether her friends were following her or not, Twilight didn't know. Stepping outside, it soon became clear that night had fallen. The excavation site seemed oddly vacant. Even if everypony had gone to bed, there would have been at least two guards at the entrance in case of an emergency. It almost seemed as if the site had been abandoned in a hurry. Hearing the sound of a few ponies running in her direction, Twilight scuttled behind a wagon containing excavated rock for cover. As Twilight hid there, she watched as one of the mares from the expedition crew ran down the path toward the expedition site with two other ponies giving chase. They wore black robes and on their wings were jagged crimson blades. The mare screamed as the two robed pegasi cut her down with their blades. Landing next to the dying mare, the two pegasi cackled maniacally before opening their jaws wide and plunging their fangs into the mare’s neck. Twilight bit her tongue, not wanting these monsters to know where she was. In the middle of their feasting, the two pegasi raised their heads and turned their gaze toward the entrance to the ruins, almost as if they had heard something. Soon, Twilight heard what it was that drew their attention. It was the sound of hoofsteps, of something running through the ruins. Twilight watched in horror as her five friends stepped out of the ruins, their crimson eyes burning in the darkness. The two pegasi let out a terrifying screech and charged toward the Elements of Harmony. Applejack turned and bucked on of the pegasi in the teeth, causing the monster's fangs to fall from his mouth. With her speed, Rainbow Dash flew forth and delivered a swift uppercut with her hoof. Fluttershy let out a terrible screech as she lunged forward and drove her fangs into the pegasi's throat before pulling away, severing the creature's head from its body. The body slowly erupted into green flames before it completely turned into ash. Rarity drove her hoof down into the other monster's head, crushing its skull causing it to erupt into orange flames before it too became ash. Twilight was about to step out to her friends, but stopped once all five of them turned their attention to the corpse of the mare lying on the ground, her crimson blood leaking out onto the ground. All five mares walked over to the red puddle and began to lap at it with their tongues. "Get them!" Another voice called out in the darkness, "The master wants those five contained!" Realizing that they would soon be outnumbered, the five Elements of Harmony split up, doing their best to draw the hunters away. "Don't let them escape!" the voice called out again. Twilight waited as the voices dissipated and her friends disappeared into the night. With the coast clear, Twilight began to look around the expedition sight, carefully searching for any survivors. For about an hour, the Princess wandered but found nothing. All the members of the excavation team had been killed, their bodies drained of blood. "Why it is a pleasure to see you again, Twilight Sparkle," a familiar voice spoke. Turning around, Twilight saw the stallion that had given her the instructions on how to find this place. The stallion who had told her that here, Twilight would find the means to make her friends immortal. BV. "It's you!" Twilight spoke, "What are you doing here?" The stallion smiled, his green eyes glowing very brightly, "Oh, just making sure that my plan went as I had intended." "You planned this!" Twilight shouted, her tone growing angry. "You knew this would happen?" That smile grew wider, becoming ever so annoying, "Indeed." "So you're the one that turned my friends to monsters!" Twilight exclaimed. "On the contrary, Twilight Sparkle, I didn't turn your friends into monsters," BV spoke. "You did." Twilight just stood there, unsure what to say. She could make all the excuses but in the end this creature was right. Twilight herself was the one responsible for turning her friends into whatever they had become. "For the record," BV spoke, "they aren't monsters. They are vamponies. There is a major difference." Her eyes grew wide as the puzzle pieces connected in Twilight's mind. Why the pedestals drained her friends of their blood. Why they had red eyes and elongated canine teeth. Why they drank the blood of the deceased mare. They had been given immortality, but as a result of vampirism. Looking up at the stallion, Twilight saw that his body was turning into ash. BV also seemed to notice it too as he raised a hoof to examine as it decayed. "It would seem that this vessel has expired." BV said as he glanced over his decaying frame, "No matter, when the time comes, Twilight Sparkle, we shall meet again." The green glow faded from the stallion's eyes and the body collapsed to the ground. Twilight simply watched as the body decayed into dust before it was swept away by the wind, leaving behind a blackened skeletal structure. Soon this too was taken away by the zephyrs. Setting the photograph back down on the stand, Twilight walked over to her desk and started up her computer. Once the computer was up, the Princess activated the Glimmer app. The face of a mare with purple and green hair appeared on the screen. "Glimmer, can you tell me about my appointments tomorrow?" Twilight asked. "Why, certainly, Twilight!" the app replied as various files appeared on screen. "Tomorrow you have an appointment with the war councilor, Shade Step in regards to the Yaks of Yakyakistan and their current civil war. He also said he wished to speak to you about a secret threat that he has become aware of." Twilight growled. She seriously wished that stallion would just retire or grow old and die. "Thank you for your help, Glimmer," Twilight said, small tears forming in her eyes, "Ummm... so how have you been feeling, Starlight?" The face on the screen seemed to contemplate the question, "Well, it certainly beats being dead. Plus, I am able to help other ponies in their daily lives. Even my spells are of some use to rest of Equestria." Twilight nodded, "I suppose, but how do you feel? I mean it couldn't have been an easy adjustment to living without a body of your own." "It was startling at first," the digitized consciousness of Starlight Glimmer replied, "It felt as if my mind was stretched in numerous directions, always present whenever someone turned on the app. However, as nanoseconds went on I soon adjusted to it and grew to view these smartphones as if they were extensions of myself." "Do you miss having a body?" Twilight asked. "Sometimes." Glimmer answered, "However, I have come to accept this new form I now possess and truth be told I actually like it." Twilight did her best to wipe away the tears that were falling from her eyes. "Don't be sad," The Glimmer app spoke, "You did what you thought was right. You sacrificed everything to save me." While Twilight knew this to be true, it didn't change the fact that her friend's mind was now trapped inside a machine. It also didn't change the fact that in her attempt to be happy she had changed her oldest friends into vamponies. It was almost like everything she did was backfiring. The mare on the screen gave Twilight a sad face, no doubt if Glimmer could she would reach through the monitor and give her friend a hug, however such things were impossible at the moment. That was one reason why Twilight had been working with a few other companies to create robotic limbs for medical purposes. Perhaps one day she could use the technology to build a new body for Starlight Glimmer. A body that wouldn't be vulnerable to vampirism or death. However, would it even matter? It had been thirty eight years since Glimmer's consciousness had been transferred into the network. Her friends Trixie and Sunburst were older now and it would be difficult for Starlight to reunite with them even in a new mechanical body. Sunburst had proposed to Starlight the exact same day that she had been bitten and Trixie had been good friends with her for a while. Would such a reunion be wise after thinking that she was dead for so long? "Twilight, I strongly suggest you sleep," Glimmer spoke. "You will probably feel better in the morning." "Yes," Twilight sniffled. "I suppose you're right. However, before I do, there is one more task I have for you." "What is it, Twilight?" Glimmer asked. "Start protocol, Glyph-Blinder." As Wandering Wind walked home, a wide smile covered his face. He had worried that somehow the kiss, Crystal Clover had given him two days ago would have somehow distanced the two of them. However, both of them still hung around for lunch and Wandering Wind had just finished walking Clover home. Things were going rather smoothly. While Wandering Wind was lost in his thoughts, a mare stepped out of a nearby alley and bumped into him. Returning to reality, Wind saw that the mare had fallen to the ground. "Are you okay?" Wondering Wind asked, "Let me help you up." Wondering Wind offered the mare a hoof to help her stand up. The mare was a pegasus wearing a black and purple hoodie. Her coat was orange and her mane was purple. Her fur and clothing seemed to be smudged with dirt, like she had been living in the streets for a while. With a puzzled look, the mare examined Wind's hoof before smiling and taking it. "Thank you," the mare said as she stood back up. Now on her hooves, the mare resumed her walk through the streets. Something about the encounter seemed off to Wind but he couldn't place a hoof on it. Returning home, Wandering Wind placed his satchel with it's school contents on the couch before going to the fridge to examine its contents. "Looks like I need another shipment," Wind said as he pulled out his cell phone. Wandering Wind carefully typed in the phone number onto his cell phone and placed it against his ear. He was running low on blood and he needed some more if he wished to keep his life as normal as possible. The tone rang twice before a feminine voice answered. "Thank you for calling Blood-Source," the voice spoke, "How may I help you?" "Yes, my name is Wandering Wind," the stallion answered, "I am running low on my supply of blood and I was hoping to restock." "Most certainly," the receptionist replied, "I will send one of our staff to you shortly." "Uh… okay," Wandering Wind replied nervously as the receptionist hung up. Wondering Wind sat there, waiting for a minute before he heard movement from his bathroom. Standing up, Wind walked over to the hallway to see an annoyed stallion in a suit walking out of the bathroom. "Seriously, you really should buy a bigger mirror," The Blood-Source representative, BSR-3129 groaned. "Couldn't you just use the door like normal people?" Wandering Wind asked. "If we did it would be easier for the Equestrian authorities to find us and our clients," BSR-3129 replied, "Which would result in both us and clients like yourself being taken in for... observation. Let's just say you don't want that to happen." While Wandering Wind didn't know the full details, it was clear that the section of the Equestrian Government that know about vamponies didn't view the race merely as ponies who need to drink blood and who burned in the sunlight. "So, do you have the dried blood packets that I need?" Wandering Wind inquired. "I do," BSR-3129 answered, "however, I also have an inquiry for you from Blood-Source." "Uh… okay?" Opening his suitcase, the Blood-Source representative pulled out a small plastic container, which seemed to have a crimson fluid inside. "So, Blood-Source has been working on creating another way of packaging blood for vampony use." BSR-3129 explained, "What we have here is what is referred to as a twisty top. Basically you twist the top off of the tube, pour the contents into a glass or bottle and mix." "Okay, but why are you offering this to me?" Wind asked. "Because you look like the kind of pony who would be willing to try new things," BSR-3129 spoke, "As opposed to some of our much older clients that prefer to stick to blood bags." Wandering Wind examined the tube, before raising an eyebrow and looking at BSR-3129. "I assume this is a test sample, right?" Wandering Wind asked, "Meaning it is free." "Uh, yes, I suppose." Judging by the representative's attitude, Wind could tell that BSR-3129 hadn't originally intended to give it away for free. "Look, I am going to college," Wandering Wind spoke, "and while being a vampony means I no longer need to eat aside from moments when I need to blend in, I don't really have a lot of cash." "Fine," the representative said putting twist tube of blood back into the box. "I will sell you the dried blood packs for our usual price and I will accept your feedback as payment for one box of the twisty top blood containers. Do we have a deal?" A satisfied smile stretched across Wind's face. "Yes, I believe we have a deal." Crystal Clover stood next to the oven, cooking a meal for herself and her roommate, Puzzling Peach, who was coming home late from work. While Puzzling Peach had originally had the day off, one of the other employees had called in sick, resulting in Peach's employer calling her in. Wanting to help her friend after such a stressful endeavor, Clover had pulled out some onions, sweet potatoes, carrots and vegetable broth to make some soup. After stirring the ingredients, the Crystal Pony took a sip before concluding that a sprinkle of garlic salt would help increase the flavor. With her magic, Crystal Clover lifted the container and shook it twice to add the spice to the soup. As Clover sat the container down she could hear the sound of the door opening as Puzzling Peach returned home. "That was exhausting," Peach growled as she walked into the kitchen and sat down at the table. There was a wooden thump as Peach crudely rested her head on the table. "May I assume that work was busy today?" Clover asked, still stirring the soup. "Remind me to punch Strong Back the next time I see him," Peach growled, "It should be a crime to come down ill and not call in until just before work." Clover giggled, "Well, then perhaps my soup will help once it is finished." Five silent minutes passed by with Crystal Clover finishing her soup and Puzzling Peach sitting with her head resting on the table. Upon determining that the soup had cooked long enough, Clover brought the pot of soup over to the dining table and placed it on top of a hot pad. After turning off the oven, Clover picked up two bowls from the cupboard and a pair of spoons before bringing them to the table. Peach raised her weary head so that Clover could finish setting the table. Once all the utensils are in place, Clover sat down at the table and began pouring bowls of soup. "So how did your date go the other night?" Peach asked placing a spoonful of soup in her mouth. "Well... we watched a movie and after he dropped me off... I kissed him," Clover answered. Puzzled Peach smiled, "I am glad to see that you two are making progress." Crystal Clover blushed. Of course, she had neglected to say that the kiss was a mere peck on the cheek. "So, when are you both going out again?" Peach asked, sipping some of her soup. "Uh... I'm not sure yet," Clover replied, taking another spoonful of soup. The sound of Peach's spoon slamming onto the table caused Clover to jump in her seat. "If you really love this stallion than you need to take the initiative!" Puzzled Peach exclaimed in annoyance. "Tomorrow, we are going to go dress shopping!" "But I don't need anything!" Clover protested. Her statement was unheard as Peach stormed off to her room. The wooden ship sailed through the ocean with the moon hanging overhead. Fluttershy felt somewhat confused as to how she arrived on the boat. The movement out of the corner of her eye was her answer. "Hello Fluttershy," A shadowy figure spoke, "isn't this growing old?" "Leave me alone!" Fluttershy growled. Despite her warning, the figure continued to move toward her. Fluttershy fell to the ground as an explosion rocked the ship. The shadowy figure remained unflinching and continued to walk toward his prey. "Given time you will come to accept my ideals," The shadow spoke, "whether it be by your own decision or not is your choice." Standing up, Fluttershy turned to leave only to find another pony standing next to her on the ship. It was Wondering Wind, only now his coat was drenched in blood and next to him was the corpse of a dying mare, her blood flowing freely from two large gashes in her white neck. "N-no." Fluttershy stuttered, "Stop showing me this." The shadowy figure chuckled, "Perhaps this is more to your liking." Immediately, Wondering Wind and Crystal Clover's body disappeared, only to be replaced with Fluttershy standing over the corpse of a young mare, her belly swollen bearing a child. There were two holes in the mare’s orange neck, her blood leaking out into a puddle that enveloped her purple mane. "Please stop!" Fluttershy cried. "That is enough!" A strong feminine voice spoke, drawing Fluttershy's gaze away from the vision. To the mare's shock it was Princess Luna, who was now standing next to her. "Oh, I see the herald of the moon has decided to join in." A door opened in the dreamscape, and Luna motioned for Fluttershy to step through, "This will take you back to your mental safe-room. I'll take care of this aberration." Not feeling like arguing, Fluttershy did as she was told and took the door to her safe-room. Once the door closed, Princess Luna turned her attention to the shadowy shape. "I don't like that you have been invading the dreams of my subjects," Luna scowled, "nor that you have been controlling and manipulating their minds!" "They aren't your subjects princess," The shadow hissed, "I am the first immortal! The king of vampony kind, therefore they are my subjects. Not yours, and I can do with them as I please." Another explosion erupted on the ship, but neither the princess nor the shadow wavered. "I presume this means that your real identity is Black Vein." Princess Luna spoke, "The first vampony and the great traitor. The stallion who sought to bring unity by turning all pony-kind into monsters like you." The shadow chuckled and it changed shape, turning into a mirror image of Luna. The copy gave Luna a grim smile before curtsying, "I am honored that my reputation proceeds me. To think that Luna, the herald of the moon, knows who I am. It brings a shiver of joy to my heart." "Why have you been wondering the dreamscape?" Luna asked with a tone of annoyance. "Oh, I have my reasons." The copy of Luna turned to examine the moon that rested over the ocean. Luna stomped her hoof, "Enough! Tell me what you are scheming!" Another explosion occurred and it soon became apparent that the ship was sinking. The shadow turned back to Luna, only now Black Vein possessed the form of Nightmare Moon. Fear shot through Luna as she recognized the ghost of her sin. With a cruel grin, Nightmare Moon began to walk toward Luna. "Isn't it obvious?" Nightmare Moon chuckled, "I am going to kill the sun." "Stop!" Princess Luna barked, "I know perfectly well that you are merely imitating what I once was! That form no longer frightens me!" "It may not frighten you." Black Vein spoke as he returned to his shadowy form, "But be warned, I will unite all of pony-kind as I intended and soon I will walk under a sunless sky." The shadow chuckled wickedly as it disappeared and the dreamscape collapsed.