"Woe to the Stallion that drinks the blood of another, whither it be pony or of another beast, for I shall set my face against him and he shall be an exile among his kind. For one's life is in their blood." - The words of the Prophet of the Sun
Wondering Wind followed the Blood-Source representative through the bright glass hallways of the Blood-Source facility. Glancing through the transparent walls, Wind could see other ponies in white suits and masks carrying containers filled with blood packs to other areas of the facility. The sight was enough to make his mouth water.
"So where do you find all this blood?" Wondering Wind asked.
"We have various contracts with blood banks throughout Equestria," The Blood-Source Representative answered, "there are also a few ponies out there who volunteer to have their blood drawn to aid vamponies."
"So it is all legit."
"Indeed."
Upon reaching the end of the hall, the representative opened, with a heavy click, two dark oak doors that pointed to a large desk with a rotatably chair facing away from the doorway on the other side.Compared to the rest of the facility, light was scarce and the air was much more humid.The desk had a tray of some expensive alcoholic beverages and two glass cups on one corner and a dim lamp on the other.
"Please take a seat." The representative pulled back a chair in front of the desk for him.
Wondering Wind obeyed reluctantly. His gut regretted coming here, as if it knew it was all a trap.
"Thank you for coming on such short notice," A feminine voice spoke as the chair turned to face Wondering Wind, "but I thought it would be important for us to meet."
Wondering Wind recognized the orange coat that was covered in a black suit and the stetson hat that partially covered her yellow mane. Below her glowing red eyes grew a wide grin.
"You're Applejack!" Wondering Wind spoke out of shock, "The Element of Honesty!"
Applejack bowed her head low in a curtsy manner, "In the flesh."
Looking up from her guest, Applejack motioned to the blood source representative, "Leave us, and close the door behind you."
The representative bowed his head took the light with him.
"Why was I called here?" Wondering Wind asked.
Applejack smiled and gave Wondering Wind and herself a glass cup to pour what looked like to be hard cider, "When a new vampony signs up to take blood from Blood Source in order to maintain their status among ponies, I often do my best to get to know them. Imagine how excited I was when I discovered that your sire was none other than Fluttershy."
"...um... very excited?" Wind tilted his head.
"Yep." Applejack nodded, "After I saw that I just knew I had to have you working for me at Blood Source."
"Wh-what?"
"You see; some pony with talents like yourself would work great in one of our Hunter Squads." Applejack sipped some of her cider while still staring at him.
"What talents?" Wind asked, still puzzled by what was going on.
"Did Fluttershy not tell?" Applejack said nearly choking on her drink, "About how unique your strain of the vampiric curse is?"
"N-No."
Applejack sighed, "I guess I need to explain. Most of the vamponies in Equestria can trace their origins from sire to sire back to one source, Count Black Vein. As a result most vampony strains are not as pure as they once were. However, when my friends and I were turned, we received our blood from the original source and since you received your blood from Fluttershy that means your bloods purity is also much higher than most of the other vamponies in Equestria."
"But what does that have to do with talents?" Wondering Wind asked.
"The purer the vampiric blood the more powerful the talents a vampony can possess," Applejack leaned in closer, "have you ever wondered about those myths about vamponies who could turn into a cloud of bats or who could walk on water came from? They weren't just exaggerated stories but the descriptions of vamponies with unique vampiric talents."
"And you think I may have some of these powers."
"I do." Applejack said her grin returning. "Which is why I want you to come work for Blood Source."
"No thanks." Wondering Wind said standing up abruptly from his chair, "I don't have the time to do that, besides I don't even know what supposed talents I have. You are just going to have to find someone else for the job." He tried smiling off the offer while heading to the door.
"I am sorry that you feel that way." Applejack sighingly said.
"I am sorry too."
"I guess I have no reason to protect you from that vampire hunter that has been searching for you.I believe you know her. She used to be the Element of Loyalty."
Wondering Wind turned around his eyes wide at what Applejack was proposing, "Are you blackmailing me?"
Applejack grimacely shrugged, "Perhaps. If we were friends, I would feel the urge to protect you but since we just met I feel I had no reason."
"Isn't it your duty to protect your customers!" Wind growled.
"It is, but Rainbow Dash is my friend and she has just been so angry lately due to the matters involving your sire, Fluttershy," Applejack took another sip of her drink, "Now Fluttershy is an old friend of mine and at one point she did help Blood Source when it first started out. Therefore I am obligated to protect her from my friend Rainbow Dash, you on the other hoof aren't so lucky."
Wondering Wind just stood there with both anger and disbelief, staring at Applejack as she placed down her empty glass.
"Now how 'bout you sit down and finish your drink?" Applejack said with a bigger smile.
Shade Step lay on the hospital bed surrounded by computers, technicians and Twilight Sparkle who had many dark rings below her eyes. About three hour ago, the stallion had started coughing up blood and was taken to the hospital. After further investigation, the doctors had concluded that the cancer inside of Shade Step's lungs had damaged enough of the surrounding tissue that the stallion would no longer be able to breathe on his own.
They had then hooked him up to a machine that would essentially breath for him, however it would only be temporary. Unless there was some sort of miracle, Shade Step’s candle was flickering. With a large plastic tube shoved down his throat into his lungs, all Shade Step could do was lay there. Unable to speak, the doctors had given him a pen and piece of paper to write down what he wanted to say.
Then about an hour ago, Twilight had shown up seemingly with a change of heart. A few of her technicians had attached various wires to Shade Step's head. Many computers and monitors flooded the room.
"Are you ready to do this?" Twilight placed a hoof on his.
Shade Step nodded, the tube in his throat preventing him from speaking.
"Very well," Twilight hesitated, "then allow me to explain how this will work. Once we start the machine, I will have you attached to mainframe and it will start to scan and download your consciousness. As this is happening, we will turn off the life support, causing you to stop breathing. The process will be long and excruciating, however your mind will be downloaded into the machine, just as you wanted.
A magical glow emanated from Shade Step's horn as he wrote something down on the paper. Turning her head to look at the paper, Twilight's breath nearly caught in her throat as she saw the two words written on it.
Thank You
With a nod, Twilight walked away and the technicians turned on the machine. At the same time, the life support turned off causing Shade Step's eyes to go wide as he was suddenly unable to breath. As panic filled him, Shade Step could hear the heart monitor reacting to his inability to breath as well the sounds of the machine's Twilight had attached to him.
Was it really happening? Was his consciousness actually being downloaded into the digital realm or was this some sort of trick Twilight had concocted as a means to eliminate her rival? A cruel means to end his life.
Either way it didn't matter now. As Shade Step's body began to yield, the world around him slowly faded into complete darkness. As the world around him coned in, Shade Step could hear a strange sound ringing through his ears.
"Now that we have that all straightened out let us introduce you to the team you will be working with." Applejack said standing up from her seat.
Letting out a slight growl, Wondering Wind followed Applejack out of her office back into the hallway. Upon reaching the elevator, Applejack pushed the button and the two of them waited in complete silence. This silence was interrupted when the elevator rang and a few employees stepped out. They gave Applejack a nod of acknowledgement before leaving, allowing Wondering Wind and Applejack to step into the elevator.
Once inside, Applejack pushed a button indicating that they would be descending to floor twelve.
"Now Sugarcube, you really should get that frown off your face," Applejack said, "It doesn't really suit you."
Wondering Wind's eyes became mere slits in response. Applejack let out a deep sigh.
"Very well," Applejack spoke as the elevator doors opened, "but don't blame me if your face stays that way."
The two of them entered another identical hallway. Only after they passed by three doors,Applejack turned to the right and opened another door. Inside the room was a long table with four other ponies standing inside.
"Now Wondering Wind here is the team you have been assigned to," Applejack said, smiling as she pushed Wind inside, "I will allow them to introduce themselves."
A bald stallion with a red coat stepped forward, his muscles stretching the white shirt he was wearing. As the stallion stood next to Wondering Wind, it became very apparent how tall he was. The stallion's Cutie Mark was that of a jawbone.
"I am Broad Jaw," The stallion said in a very rustic accent, "Where I come from it is good to be strong. I am the muscle of the team."
"Ummm... okay." Wind replied, somewhat surprised by Broad Jaw's introduction but still feeling like a mere stick next to him.
Broad Jaw stepped aside and a mare stepped forward. As she drew close, Wondering Wind realized she was wearing a black blindfold and her pale green coat appeared to have a scaly pattern. Over her frame, the mare wore a black dress and each of her legs possessed black stockings. As the mare's white mane began to move it was clear it was made of snakes.
"I am Blind Maw." The blind gorgony said, "It will be a pleasure doing business with you."
"Blind Maw is a gorgony who joined our organization a year back," Applejack explained, "After siding with a vampony, she was blinded by her fellow gorgonies and abandoned. Thankfully the vampony she saved was a member of Blood Source, who did her best to see that Blind Maw was given a safe place to live."
The Gorgony nodded, "Even without my gaze, I can still aid Blood Source in hunting down the vamponies who are performing illegal blood running."
The next pony to step forward was a unicorn stallion wearing a black suit, which concealed his Cutie Mark.
"My name is Nimble Click," The stallion spoke, "if you need something hacked or are too impatient for online help, I'm your stallion."
"Nimble Click has served Blood Source for a few decades and has excellent hacking skills," Applejack explained, "However he isn't too keen on joining teams. You should feel honored to have his company."
A smile spread across Nimble Click's face in response to the complement.
Finally the last pony stepped forth. She was a pegasus mare with a gray coat and a bright red mane. Both of her ears had a round gauge, creating a small hole. There were also a few piercings in her lower lip. Dark eye shadow covered her eyelids, bringing out the red of her vampiric eyes.
As the mare drew closer, something about her seemed familiar to Wondering Wind.
"And this here is..." Before Applejack could finish her introduction the mare interrupted.
"I'm Scarlet Shock," The mare spoke, looking at Wind with piercing red eyes, "but you probably remember me as Scarly from next door."
Wondering Wind's jaw dropped as memories of the mare in front of him returned. Scarly or Scarlet had been one of Wind's neighbors back when Wind was living with his aunt. On occasion the two would sneak into the others yard and play games like hide and seek, tag or some other childhood games. When they were teens the two of them would walk down the street to the nearby gas station and buy slurpees.
However, it was around the time that Wondering Wind started going to high school that the two of them began to drift apart. Then when Wind went to college they stopped communicating completely.
"S-Scarly," Wondering Wind stammered, "what happened? You're a vampony now?"
Scarlet Shock snorted, "That is what you say when we meet again. No, 'wow it's great seeing you again' or 'it's been a long time hasn't it?'"
Applejack chuckled, "You kind of have to admit that wasn't very nice Wind."
Wondering Wind merely frowned as his employer laughed, then his stomach began to churn nervously. Something was telling him that Scarly was going to be making his life way more difficult.
Crystal Clover awoke with a yawn. The sun was already up and soon she would have to make breakfast for Puzzling Peach, who had undoubtedly come home to fall asleep on the couch after work. After stepping out of bed and stretching her limbs, Clover left her bedroom, ready to make breakfast.
However, as she made her way to the kitchen she noticed that nopony was sprawled out on the couch.
"Peach are you home?" Clover called out, but there was no response.
'Maybe she is in her bed sleeping.' Clover thought, 'Well, let's make breakfast and then see if she wants some.'
After looking through the cupboards, Clover decided to make some blueberry pancakes. Pulling the flour from the cupboard, she poured the contents into a large glass measuring cup. Clover then took a carton of milk and a small container of milk from the refrigerator.
With her supplies set out, Clover put on her apron and began the process of cooking some pancakes. It took a half hour for her to finish making breakfast.
"Peach, breakfast is ready!" Crystal Clover called out as she finished making her fifth pancake. The meant two for her and three for Peach.
There was no response.
"Peach it is time to wake up!" Clover said as she took off her apron and walked over to Peach's room.
Clover opened the door and expecting to see her friend sprawled out across the bed, was shocked to find the room completely vacant. Nothing was disturbed. Everything was in its place, just how Clover had cleaned it the day before. Worry began to settle inside Crystal Clover's stomach.
"It's okay," Clover tried to convince herself, "perhaps Peach worked late. I'll call her work and check."
With quick steps, Clover made her way to the kitchen where her cellpone was sitting on the charger. Taking the phone off the charger, Clover dialed in the number to Peach's work.
"Hello?" The receptionist replied.
"Hi this is Clover," Clover spoke, "my friend Puzzling Peach works there and I was wondering when she finished work."
"Miss Clover I'm not a babysitter." the receptionist spoke, "if you what to check on your friend..."
Clover cut the receptionist off, "look she hasn't come home and she usually has the night shift! I was just calling to see if she was there!"
The receptionist let out an annoyed sigh, "One moment please."
There was a pause as the receptionist went about her search.
"I am sorry miss," the receptionist spoke, "but records show that your friend Puzzling Peach timed out late last night."
Crystal Clover's heart froze as she hung up the phone and in a panic dialed Peach's number.
"Oh please answer."
An audio message spoke over the phone, "We are terribly sorry but the owner of this phone hasn't setup a messaging service yet... goodbye."
With that said the phone beeped. Filled with dismay, Clover slumped to the floor, tears falling from her eyes. Where was Peach?
Wondering Wind let out an exasperated sigh as he returned to his apartment. Could this day become any more awkward? First he was forced to join some sort of death squad, which contained an old friend he hadn't seen in ages and now he was going to actually have to buy a large mirror so he could travel between his apartment and his new "job." What else could go wrong?
"Wondering Wind is that you?" Fluttershy said, from the living room.
"Why hello," Wondering Wind said as he closed the door and walked into the living room, "what do I owe for this pleasure?"
Wondering Wind's smile immediately turned into a frown once he saw the package, Fluttershy was holding. It was the same package he had demanded she destroy. The same package that had been sent to him by his father.
"What is that doing here in my home?" Wind growled. Fluttershy had a weary smile.
"I looked through the contents of this box," Fluttershy explained, "and I believe that it is important that you see it's contents."
"I don't want to," Wondering Wind protested, "my father abandoned me the day that I was born."
"Your father loved you Wind," Fluttershy spoke, "despite what you might think, your father did everything that was in his power to take care of you."
"That isn't true!" Wondering Wind barked.
Despite the rude outburst, Fluttershy could only give Wind a sad smile, "If you want proof all you need to do is read this letter."
Fluttershy set the package on the coffee table, and carried the letter over to Wondering Wind.
"If after you finish reading that letter you still want to destroy the box you may," Fluttershy said, "but please read it. At least do it for some closure."
Wondering Wind growled as he roughly took the letter, "Get out!"
Fluttershy nodded and walked out the front door. When Fluttershy was gone, Wondering Wind placed the letter down on the coffee table and pretended it wasn’t there. He tried to preoccupy his time and mind by cleaning up the house and taking a shower. However, like a sore thumb, it bugged him at the back of his mind. . Did he really have to read this dumb letter?
Annoyed by this new chain of events, Wondering Wind sat down on the couch and began to read the letter his sire had given him.
Dear Wondering Wind,
I almost can't believe I am writing this letter. It really pains me that it has come to something like this. I truly wish I could tell you this in person, however, it would seem that you believe I have wronged you, so doing so would be difficult. Especially in my current condition.
Though I wouldn't say that you are wrong to feel mad at me, you have every right to be mad. As far as you know after your birth I gave you to the care of your aunt and never came back. Please allow me to explain myself.
When your mother told me that she was pregnant it really was the happiest day of my life. I swore to her that I would do everything I could to insure that both of you would be safe. Then the accident happened and your mother died giving birth to you. At that time, I barely had enough money to support myself and with the lose of your mother there was no way that I could take care of you personally.
That was when I contacted my sister, your aunt to see if she could take care of you. It wasn't supposed to be permanent, just long enough for me to find a job with a better salary, so that I could support the two of us. However, despite all my hard efforts I wasn't able to find any solid work. Despite all my hard work, I always tried to be there for you on your birthday. However it would seem that fate had other ideas.
I was on my way to your tenth birthday when I came down terribly ill. My employer at the time had me admitted to the hospital. After a thorough investigation, the doctor concluded that I had cancer and that if I wished to live I would have to go through various treatments. I went through with them gladly, hoping that when it was all done and over I would be able to see my son.
However, despite taking numerous therapies, I was still weak and ill. About a year ago, the doctors had thought that I had beat the cancer and so I had tried to find a way to meet you. Unfortunately your aunt had moved and of course you had gone off to college, so finding you was difficult.
When I had finally managed to find you, I tried to meet with you, but I was called back. Apparently the cancer had gone into remission and had spread. I tried to contact you but it would seem that you weren't at that time interested in speaking with me. I don't blame you. If my old man had run out on me and then seemingly disappeared without a trace, I would hate him too.
Now there is a good chance that by the time you read this letter, that I may have already passed on. So I have included with this letter a package. This package contains my most prized possessions, however even they pale in comparison to my son.
I love you son and I am so sorry. I am sorry I was never there to see you get your Cutie Mark. To see you learn how to fly or even to take you fishing. I am sorry and I hope you can find it within your heart to forgive me, but even if you can't the fact that I was able to tell you that I love you, one last time is good enough for me.
Sincerely,
Whispering Wind
Shade Step opened his eyes and found himself suspended in a strange landscape. It was like he was submersed underwater, his movements feeling slow and hindered. The world around him seemed to glow and shift in various colors. The constant stream of ones and zeros flowing horizontally and vertically.
"Where am I?" Shade Step asked as Starlight Glimmer materialized in front of him.
"Why you are in the digital realm," Glimmer replied, "just like you wanted."
As Starlight said this, Shade Step remembered the operation that had resulted in him arriving here.
"I see." Shade Step said still floating among the digital data, "So I guess I need to learn to walk again."
Glimmer pondered this statement and nodded, "You could say that. Moving on this plane is drastically different than moving through the physical plane."
"Will you assist me?" Shade Step asked. Glimmer gave him a cue look.
"I don't know," Glimmer said, "I guess it really depends."
"Depends? Upon what?"
"On if you plan to cause trouble." Starlight answered.
"Glimmer, my duty is to insure the national security of Equestria," Shade Step was completely upside down now, "whatever rivalry Twilight and I have can wait. As of now I am more interested in the whole vampony issue."
Starlight squinted her eyes at Shade Step before nodding, "Very well, think of the binary code as a molecular surface, with that in mind attempt to have the binary code of the soles of your hooves adhere to the binary code beneath you."
After a few excruciating attempts, Shade Step managed to do as Glimmer said, and was able to root himself to the "ground."
"Hmmm... I must say that was a rather interesting sensation," Shade Step said with a mean smile, "I wonder if Twilight would have had such difficulty."
"I thought you said you wouldn't let your rivalry come between your work." Glimmer growled.
"I did and I intend to do my job accordingly," Shade Step replied, "however that doesn't mean I can't express my opinions. Now can you show me the records pertaining to the vampony presence here in Equestria."
Binary code flowed across Starlight's horn as various folders appeared before Shade Step.
"Let me guess," Shade Step spoke, "In order to view these I have to bind my binary code with theirs as well?"
"That is correct." Glimmer nodded.
Placing a hoof upon one of the folders and having his binary code merge with the contents, Shade Step was able to absorb the information the folders contained. As Glimmer watched Shade Step, she noticed that his appearance was much healthier than the recent digital photos she had observed.
"I see." Shade Step spoke pulling a hoof away from a file, "It would seem that Twilight is the only Element of Harmony that hasn't been tainted by vampirism. No wonder she is being so irresponsible with her treatment of the vamponies. She fears she might hurt her friends."
"You seem to despise her for her loyalty." Glimmer spoke.
"On the contrary," Shade Step replied, "it is hard to hate someone over something you never had."
"You never had friends?" Glimmer asked. Using incognito tabs, Glimmer quickly began to look through documents pertaining to Shade Step's history.
Shade Step chuckled, "Not really. Friends are rather distracting. Probably the closest person I had to a friend was Twilight. We both wanted to be the next Starswirl the Bearded. However, only one could claim such a title."
"It must have been heartbreaking when Celestia choose Twilight over you."
"Heartbreaking. No." Shade Step replied, "Infuriating. Yes. However, I am not one to admit defeat easily. So I continued to study, it wasn't long before I realized that Twilight had one significant flaw."
"And that was?" Glimmer asked.
"Twilight was a jack of all trades," Shade Step answered with a wicked smile, "while she trained in many forms of magic she was a master of none. Seeing this I decided I would master a single arcana, one that Twilight wouldn't dream of learning."
"War magic." Glimmer spoke. Such magics were deemed unorthodox and even forbidden by some. Due to Equestria's friendliness to the surrounding countries, the thought of such magic was repulsive. Even when Starlight Glimmer had sought revenge upon Twilight and her friends, she had never dreamed of resorting to this form of magic.
The study of war magic involved forming combat spells to the point of dealing massive amounts of damage, causing multiple casualties. There were even spells focused on spreading disease and pestilence within enemy lines. However it wasn't just the study of magic, but how to effectively use it against an opposing country. This was a form of magic used by the unicorn tribe long ago when the three pony tribes waged war with one another. After the three tribes had made peace in Equestria, this arcana was abandoned in the hopes of bringing about a better future.
"You are correct," Shade Step answered, "which is why my knowledge is valuable to the safety of Equestria."
"Such spells won't keep Equestria safe," Glimmer protested, "just because you have a large sword, doesn't mean you can use it as a shield."
"Doesn't it?" Shade Step asked, "You are mistaken if you believe that war magic is purely offensive. That was where my studies came into play. Not only did I learn how to create such devastating spells but I learned how to protect Equestria from such spells as well. In the case of your analogy, I took the sword and after looking at it developed a shield."
Further insight on Shade Step's files, showed that what he said was true. It would seem that the unicorn had received a few rewards by the royal guard for improving Equestria's security.
"Now enough about me." Shade Step spoke, "Now that I have seen the files pertaining to the vamponies in Equestria, I would like to ask, what exactly is our beloved princess's plan to insure that they don't get out of control?"
Glimmer moved through the files before passing a folder to Shade Step. A folder that was titled, Glyph-Blinder.
Opening the folder, Shade Step examined its contents.
"I see," Shade Step spoke, "that is a rather creative plan."
Wondering Wind stared at the letter in his hooves. Conflicting emotions boiled within his blood. Could what his father had said in his letter be true? That he had always desired to care for Wondering Wind and only wanted what was best for him. Hatred and sorrow continued to flow through his mind.
"No it can't be true!" Wind growled, "H-he abandoned me!"
Glancing at the box, Wind knew that the only way for him to know the truth would be to see the contents of that package.
With trembling hooves, Wondering Wind opened the package. Inside was a blue tin box with a latch. Unlatching it, Wind perceived the contents within. It was a collection of photographs, several of which were of Wondering Wind during various activities including the times he had gone on field trips with his aunt and cousins. There were even photographs of him on his birthday.
"H-he kept these." Wondering Wind spoke as tears began to well up in his eyes.
Each photograph had writing on the back, noting how it was a picture of Wondering Wind and what he was doing in the image.
As he looked through the photographs, Wondering Wind found a photo at the bottom that was flipped face down in the box, however Wondering Wind could read the words on the back.
A photo of my wife, Scootaloo and I as we await our beloved child.
Flipping over the photo, Wondering Wind saw an image of his father, Whispering Wind. Whispering Wind was a pegasus with a tan coat like Wondering Wind's and an azure blue mane. The mare next to him had a swollen belly. Her coat was orange and her mane was purple... and she looked strikingly familiar.
Wondering Wind looked over the photo a few times before he realized that he had seen this mare before. It was the same homeless mare, Wind had bumped into on the way home the other day.
The only resemblance that was off were the eyes. Could they perhaps be related.
Pondering this, Wind was surprised as he heard his cellpone going off. Looking at the caller ID, Wind recognized the number as the one belonging to Crystal Clover. Wiping away his tears, Wondering Wind picked up the phone and pushed the 'accept call' button.
"Hey Crystal," Wind spoke, trying to hide his sadness, "what’s going on?"
"Its Puzzling Peach," Crystal Clover replied in a panic, "I can't get a hold of her! She hasn’t come home and she isn't answering her phone!"
"So Scootaloo is still alive." Discord said as he watched Fluttershy grab some supplies, which she placed inside a large bag.
As Fluttershy packed her bags, various cubes and pyramids could be seen floating outside her bedroom window. Some even had rows of sharp teeth and glistening eyes.
"Yes," Fluttershy answered, "It would seem that I didn't kill her."
"Well isn't that a good thing?" Discord asked, "Surely Rainbow Dash will forgive you once she learns that her pupil survived. Perhaps you can be friends again?"
"No," Fluttershy replied, "even if I could convince Rainbow Dash that Scootaloo was still alive that wouldn't change the fact that I am responsible for turning her into a vampony. Furthermore, I doubt Rainbow Dash would believe me unless Scootaloo was beside me."
"So are you going out to find Scootaloo?" Discord inquired.
Fluttershy shook her head, "No, I am going to finish what I started."