Silence filled the throne room, to the point it was suffocating. The rest of us were confused beyond words, and so I waited for her to continue her explanation.
"Sister, What is this 'Purge'?" Luna asks from somewhere to my right.
With a sigh she started. "It is a time I do not wish to relive, But for this it is necessary. Several months after the Nightmare Moon incident there was a group of ponies who believed Luna's fall from grace was because of the, and I quote, Abomination from Tartaraus and lead a campaign to rid Equestria of it's evil. Unfortunately this meant killing or driving away those who shared Alucard's heritage. If you are wondering as to why I did not step in and stop this... I have no excuse for my lack of action. My grief had blinded me and I simply did not care at the time. By the time I recovered and tried to do something to stop them it was already too late, they had already killed or driven off those who Alucard shared his powers with."
"And what does this have to do with Millennium? " I ask not really seeing the point of this tale.
"The different groups who were exterminating those who were turned into Vampires by you were actually organised by an organization known as Millennium. I felt like I had failed those who looked up to us for guidance. I... I hunted them like animals, I turned into a bloodthirsty tyrant on a war path. It was during that time Chrysalis was created and subsequently banished." On the verge of tears she continues. "I thought I had eradicated them back then, though it seems I missed some and they have come back to finish what they started. Though I don't know who their target is. As the only ones with Vampire powers now are us royals and soon Blueblood." suddenly there were two impacts behind me. Turning around I saw that both Fluttershy and Rarity had fainted, the later onto a sofa that wasn't there previously. I merely arch my brow and turn back to Celestia.
Now I was getting somewhere with this, "Do you know where they would be? I intend to take the fight to them and wipe them out completely before they can even muster any defense." At this Celestia shook her head. "Damn, I guess that would be too easy. I guess I should go prepare." And with that I turn and start making my way to the courtyard.
It wasn't long before I heard the entire group following me, not that I cared. If they wanted to watch me train, then let them. Reaching the courtyard I walk to the center where there aren't any trees. Reaching into my jacket I grab hold of the crystal I've kept there since the day I received it.
POV Rainbow Dash
So when we get outside Alucard stops and looks around for something. I still don't fully trust him yet even though everyone else has forgotten how brutal he was at the wedding a few weeks ago. The way he killed the changelings was almost evil, he seemed to enjoy killing and it still sends chills through my wings.
He started reaching into his coat and pulled some kind of gem out, It was a chunk of black crystal with savagely sharp jagged edges and seemed to suck the very light from around it. Then without warning he plunged the crystal into his chest!
POV Alucard
After a moment of reflecting I plunge the object into my chest as far as possible. At first there is no pain... But after a few seconds it happens. It feels like my very life force is being ripped in two. The agony seemed to last forever but I knew it was mere moments When it was over my breath came in ragged heaves. I look up from the ground and saw the results of my pain, there standing in front of me was myself. I took a moment to steady my breathing before I spoke anything.
"Hello Ally... It's been quite a while since you last called upon my skills. Though I can't say it was long enough considering how pathetic you have become. look at you! Summoning me never took this much out of you, you've grown weak and frail since my last visit. If only Star could see you now, he would be very disappointed in how far you've fallen.: My double spat with venom dripping from his voice, there was a barely noticeable echo as well.
Now I had gotten my breathing under control and I stood to my full height and stared my double down, "Well, it seems you still haven't dropped your grudge with me then. I had hoped you would help me today but I guess we'll have to settle things once and for all first."
"Finally something we can both agree on!" My doppelganger replied with a manic grin and without another word he charged at blinding speeds closing the distance between us in mere seconds.
POV Alucard Clone
I close in before he can even defend himself from me and land a devastating straight right on his face knocking him off his feet and sending him tumbling across the dirt. Knowing that if I let him recover it could make things harder for me I rush him before he could get to his feet. He barely gets his guard up in time for my barrage of punches and even then a few slipped through and did some damage. This continued for some time and eventually he was too tired to keep his defenses up and he was now vulnerable. I brought my right arm back and prepared for a final attack that would send him to the ground. Using as much force as I could put behind it I slammed my right fist into his gut and drove the air from his lungs.
He crashed to the ground and laid there, Disgusting... you pathetic fool. WHEN WILL YOU EVER LEARN!? even if he is down for the count he will receive now mercy from me! With this thought I slammed my heavy boot into his side earning a sickeningly sweet snap as his ribs were broken under my heel.
"You pathetic worm! How do you plan on protecting these ponies when you can't even protect yourself FROM yourself!" Slamming my foot into him again earned another crunching squelch. "YOU ARE WEAK, INSIGNIFICANT, WORTHLESS! you do not belong here yet you are too stubborn to realize this! How many times must I teach you this? You never had any true power-"
"YOU'RE WRONG!"
Looking over to my left I see a group of ponies though one was marching over here, It was Luna... Not wanting to deal with it right now I threw up a barrier to keep them out. It was then I saw Alucard twitch under my boot.
"S-she's right. Y-you are wrong." With this he started to stand his hand gripping the side I stomped in. "You are the weak one here, but I don't think that's a bad thing. We are weak creatures by nature. Our insecurities are the reason we form bonds and are also why we have friends. When we are surrounded by allies it is easier to stay positive about the future. Think of it this way, if we are clumsy we may stumble and bump into things. But as long as we have faith in our future, and our inner strength emerges on its own. But we have to choose that path and vow to live life to the fullest and not let things like anger or sadness get in our way." He finished with a soft smile
I don't get it, how can he say things like this even when he's being beaten into a pulp? Maybe... Maybe there is more to strength than raw power after all.
"That is a rather profound answer my friend, stay your path and you will not fail." With that said I reach forward and grasp the crystal still embedded into his chest and let myself return to him, this time without pain.
POV Alucard
With him gone and this session complete I start to pull the crystal from my chest. Once it's out it appears to have not left any mark behind as usual. Turning to look at the small audience I take note of their expressions. most of them had soft smiles though there were ones that worried me a bit, mostly Twilight's crazy grin and twitching left eye. then there were the worried looks from Celestia and Luna not much surprise there.
"I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS!!" this came from the lavender mare before she fainted.
"Well who wants to get some lunch?" I ask nonchalantly.