//------------------------------// // Ashes in my mouth // Story: Bloody Tears // by NintenES //------------------------------// ~Powers and Abilities of a Vampire~ 1. Vampires exist in a state of limbo between Life and Death, neither truly living nor truly dead. 2. Because of this, vampires require a more specialized method of execution. Beheading, burning, and piercing the heart are the most common forms, but there are other possible methods as well, such as draining their “blood” faster than they can recover it. 3. The only way a vampire can maintain their state of undeath is to feast on the flesh and blood of living things. Should a vampire neglect to feed themselves, the natural process of decay and death will eventually resume, killing the vampire. Also, weaknesses to the Sun and powers associated with it becomes more severe. 4. Conversely, a well-fed vampire can be virtually indistinguishable from a living being to the naked eye, depending on how recently they are fed. The more flesh and blood a vampire consumes, the more they look like what they were before their conversion. In addition, well-fed vampires have only a mild weakness to the Sun and its powers. Part 4: Ashes in my mouth         Dear Diary,         I was woken up today by the smell of cooking. Spike sometimes makes breakfast for us when I fail to wake up to make it myself. But there seemed to be a lot more activity going on downstairs than usual. I looked at the clock, because trying to judge the time by the sun’s position while I’m... like this is pretty much suicidal. According to the clock it was noon. Apparently, I had slept through breakfast in time for lunch. I walked downstairs, following the noise to the kitchen, not even bothering try to clean myself up. All of my friends were in there, trying to make lunch.         “What the... What are all of you doing?” I said.         “Um... we’re making lunch.” said Rainbow Dash, carrying the plates, “I thought it was kinda obvious.”         “No, I mean why is every single one of you here?” I replied.         “What? We can’t all decide at the same time to help make you lunch?” Applejack asked back, pouring the milk.         “Yeah, I do it all the time!” Pinkie Pie piped up, “Except usually, they’re for parties. But you can think of this as a ‘We’re glad you’re still alive’ party!” I shot back an incredulous look at them. Applejack sighed, “Okay, maybe there is a bit of an underlying motive to why we’re all here. I’ll tell you about it when after we eat.” “In the meantime though darling, you need to clean up. You look like a mess.” Rarity said, “...No offense. It’s just that you look like you haven’t looked at yourself in the mirror.” She grabbed me and practically dragged me away from the kitchen to the bathroom. “Um, yeah, about that. There’s a small problem about it Rarity...” I said. “Oh hush darling, you’re dealing with a professional, there’s nothing I can’t fix.” she said as she pushed me past the door, into the bathroom. “Now, let’s see wha... Guh.” She paused, mouth gaping, staring into the mirror. It showed the bathroom, with its blue wallpaper. It showed Rarity, with her white coat, her purple mane, and her cyan eyeshadow. But not me. “Yeah, that’s why.” I said. Rarity didn’t respond at first, instead started to move her hooves behind my head, moving them up and down. Her flipped duplicate mimicked her actions, only my head wasn’t blocking the view of her hooves. She then pushed down, onto my back. Again, the mirror did the same, only that it looked like her hoof was suspended in the air. I coughed, snapping Rarity’s attention back to me. “Oh, so sorry darling. It’s just... how do I put it... Peculiar.” “No need, just get me ready.” I said. She nodded, looking a bit... unsettled, perhaps because she rediscovered that while we’re friends, I’m not quite a pony anymore. Even so, she felt... nice. So warm and soft. Really, REALLY warm. It reminded me of the day before when Pinkie Pie hugged me. I think I started to blush as she brushed my mane and tail. I don’t think she noticed, seeing on how she was preoccupied with her own thoughts. Though this is really starting to bother me; what is this that I was feeling about Pinkie Pie? And now the same thing towards Rarity! Can there be a worst time for this to happen?!? After she combed my hair straight, Rarity and I walked back to the kitchen. “Lunch” it seemed had a lot more breakfast foods than I remembered, with stacks of waffles, lots of applebutter (courtesy of the Apple Family,) and plenty of haybacon strips. The sight of it all reminded me of how hungry I was. What had it been, a full day without any food? “So,” I said, as I helped myself to a waffle, some applebutter, and some of that crispy haybacon, “What exactly is the reason for all of this?” Applejack took several scoops of the applebutter, spreading it on her waffle, “Spike got the letter from Princess Luna. It’s kinda a long one, and we all figured that we better discuss this together. Mostly it’s stuff about how this... disease affect your day to day life. I had a hard time reading it though, she seems to pull out words that I don’t think are used anymore.” “Yeah,” I nodded, cutting a bite-sized portion of the waffle, “This does affect everyone, even if I don’t try to eat you guys.” I shuddered, “Princess forbid that I do that.” I took the waffle and ate it. It didn’t taste what I expected. The sweet applebutter, with the hint of cinnamon, the fluffy texture of the insides of the waffle... just wasn’t there. It tasted like... nothing. It was simply a mushy, tasteless mass inside my mouth. “Twilight? Are you okay?” Fluttershy spoke up, noticing my expression. “I... I don’t know!” I said, “I think there’s something wrong with the food...” “Let me have a taste,” Rainbow Dash said, taking the rest of the waffle and stuffing it down. Have a taste, my flank. “Nope, nothing wrong here, tastes like waffles and applebutter.” “Try the haybacon, everypony loves haybacon!” Pinkie Pie suggested. I took a strip, bit it and chewed. It certainly crunched like fried haybacon, but it didn’t taste like it at all. “What the hay is going on!?” I spat out the tasteless mass. “Try the milk?” Fluttershy asked, handing me a glass. I took it, thirsty and desperate to taste something. Nothing. “Cupcakes?” Pinkie Pie held up a purple and pink confectionery. I greedily shoved it into my mouth, expecting it the be sweet and tasty. NOTHING. “What is wrong with me?!” I cried out to the heavens. “I think the question should be what isn’t wrong with you at this point.” Spike pointed out. Rarity glared at him on my behalf. “Mother of Celestia,” Pinkie said, with genuine sadness, “Not being able to taste cupcakes? That must... suck. Big time. Like, a world without any parties. Or chocolate. Or pizza...” she drifted. In the middle of my bout of depression, there was a knock on the door. Applejack excused herself to go and open it, which revealed a Royal Guard. “Um, anything I can help with sir?” Applejack asked. “I’m under strict orders to deliver a package to Lady Twilight Sparkle. Is she available at the moment? Princess Luna... erm... stressed that it’s for her eyes only, and that no one is to see what’s inside it.” “I’m here,” I said, walking over to the door, being extra sure that I didn’t blind myself with the sun, while still being within his line of sight, “They’re fine.” I said, nodding towards my friends. “Of course my lady,” the guard said, reaching into his saddle sacks, and then produced a small box wrapped in brown paper. I took the box with my magic, and carried into the kitchen. The guard then left, closing the door behind him. “What do you think is in that box?” Rainbow Dash asked. I started to unwrap the brown paper, revealing the box to be made of styrofoam. I carefully took off the lid and peered inside. It was a blood donation bag, filled with about a pint of blood. “Why would Princess Luna send you a blood donation?” Rarity spoke up. “Maybe we should read Luna’s letter, maybe it mentions something about this.” Applejack said. Spike pulled out a letter from his pockets, and opened it. Applejack wasn’t kidding about it being long. “Let’s see...” Spike muttered as he skimmed the letter, “Ah ha! Here it is, under ‘Nutrition.’” He pointed to the heading. We started to read through it; “Twilight Sparkle is to consume around 240 milliliters, or ½ of a pint of blood every two weeks, starting from when you receive your first blood donation.  Do not feed her any more than that, otherwise she might start to develop withdrawals and require more blood. It is also important that you feed her in a timely manner. When not in use, refrigerate the blood to preserve it. Use ONLY the blood that you receive from the mail/royal guards, and do not offer her any of your own blood. Cover any open wounds you might have, especially before and after Twilight Sparkle has had her blood rations, otherwise the scent might drive her to consume your blood. Twilight is unfortunately unable to consume or taste other foods, except possibly meat products.” “Great, just great!” I shouted. “Huh, the only thing you can eat is meat.” Applejack said. “That reminds me of this one time, in flight camp, me and Gilda...” Rainbow Dash said. “How you supposed to take the blood? I don’t see an IV cord anywhere in this box.” Fluttershy asked. “Does she honestly think you’re going to be drinking this straight out of the bag, does she?” Rarity shuddered slightly, as she levitated the bag of blood. I sighed, “Well, if this is the only thing that’s going to keep me alive, I might as well get over it.” I levitated an empty glass, took the bag, opened it and then poured it into the glass. A new scent hit my nose, like a bit of metal, and slightly salty. But for some reason, it felt... pleasant. I closed the bag, and put it in the fridge. I held up the glass, now full of the red liquid. I took the glass and took a cautious sip. When fluid hit my tongue, I put the glass down, eyes wide open. It was the best Princess-Celestia-banish-it-to-the-dungeons-in-the-place-she-banished-you-to drink I’ve ever had. Okay, I might be slightly biased, considering that I can no longer eat anything else, but that tasted better than what I expected. It’s hard to describe, but it’s sort of like a cherry soda with a slight metallic taste... I don’t know, it’s just amazing! Everyone was staring at me in expectation, waiting for me to say something. “Twilight? Are you okay?” Spike asked. “This is absolutely delicious.” I said. Then I realized that I took only a sip, so then I took a gulp of blood. It was so refreshing! For some reason, everyone else looked even more worried. Except for Pinkie Pie, who seemed to have zoned out for a while. “... or chocolate. Wait, did I already mention chocolate? Wait, What did you say was so delicious? Oh wait, is that punch?! Let me have some!” Before anyone could stop her, she took my glass and took a gulp, almost finishing the glass. Her eyes bugged out and then spat all back out onto my face. “Bleh! This isn’t punch at all! It tastes like blood!” she spat, trying to get all the blood out. “That’s because that’s what it is, but you didn’t stop to listen to us!” Applejack reprimanded Pinkie, “And now you can clean up the mess.” “No need!” I shouted as I got a cloth rag and wiped it over my face and then wiped the floor. I could still smell the blood from the rag. It felt so good... so intoxicating... no wonder Princess Luna didn’t want me to be near any open wounds... I might have decided to suck all the blood out the rag when no one else was looking. And maybe I also liked the taste despite it being on my face and on the floor or it being from a dirty old piece of cloth. Just maybe. “Uh right, I think we should discuss over the matter of who can watch Twilight Sparkle.” Applejack said. “I’m telling you, I’m fine!” I said. I may or may not have said it with a rag stuffed in my mouth, muffling my words. “...Anyway, I can’t watch her all the time, the farm needs me, especially now because it’s Apple Season.” Applejack said, turning back towards everyone else. “I can’t always help either,” Fluttershy spoke up, “I have to take care of all the animals. Maybe in the afternoons...” “I could help in the evening on the weekends,” Rarity said, “I usually close up shop early.” “How many ponies go by your shop anyway?” Rainbow Dash pointed out, “Why not close shop early on the weekdays too?” “You’re forgetting that some ponies like having a nice warm saddle before winter comes. I have a fall sale coming up, and it always a rush to get orders filled.” Rarity explained, “On top of that, what if an important business pony stops by? I would miss an important opportunity if I were to close up shop on the weekdays.” “That leaves Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash.” said Applejack. “Well...” Pinkie Pie started. “Oh for heaven’s sake, what is it?” Applejack shouted. “Sometimes the Cakes have to go cater for an event, so I have to babysit the kids.” “Oh right...” Applejack said, placing her hoof on her face, trying to think, “Not much we can do about that, considering that Twilight...’s house isn’t child proof. Just try to tell us ahead of time okay?” Applejack finished, as Pinkie nodded. “Wait, that just leaves me!” Rainbow Dash said, “That isn’t fair!” “You have the most flexible job out of all of us.” Rarity pointed. “I know, but there’s so many times I can read the entire Daring Do series all day before it becomes dull and boring.” sighed Rainbow Dash. “It won’t be for the entire day, just part of it, okay?” Applejack said. “But I like to sleep!” shouted Rainbow Dash. “I’ll personally give you the first gallon of apple cider this year if you do it.” Applejack smiled. “Throw in the next two years and you got yourself a deal.” “Done.” Rainbow Dash and Applejack shook hooves to seal the agreement. “So it’s settled. Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy will all take turns helping Spike watch Twilight during the weekdays.” Applejack said, “Rarity and I will take care of her on the weekends. The Princess emphasized that it’s important that we report to her any changes about Twilight’s behavior.” Everyone agreed, and Rainbow Dash was chosen to take the first shift. She immediately started reading the latest Daring Do book that came out. Everypony else left to do whatever chores they had left. Not that this bothers me, since it gives me time to look over Princess Luna’s notes about the exact nature of my vampirism. Most of the notes talk about how I’m now stuck undead, and how blood fuels it. Though it doesn’t seem to mention a whole lot about if I can consume any blood other than pony. Wait, would it be possible for other animals to become vampires? I doubt that Princess Luna would want me to attempt at experimenting on this, but I don’t think the thought hadn’t crossed her mind either. I should probably ask her about it instead. I also wonder how long Vampirism can sustain a host. All the tales that I’ve found usually have the villain a being that lived for hundreds of years, but being works of fiction, I of course take them with several grains of salt. I need answers, hopefully Princess Luna can provide them. I had Spike send a letter to her tonight, along with a description of my assailant. ~Twilight Sparkle ~Elsewhere...~         The barn door creaked open as Applejack entered the dark and large room. Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and Fluttershy followed her inside. Since the Apple family doesn’t usually hire extra farmhands, either out of family pride or financial difficulties (possibly both,) this place was perfect for a secret meeting. They entered silently, and closed the door behind them. Since it was still daytime, the sunlight from the windows provided enough light for them to hold their meeting. “Right then, now that we’re alone, we can properly plan around what’s going to happen.” Applejack said, turning to face the others, “Pinkie, you setup the emergency garlic and wooden stakes. While we don’t want to kill her, we have to have some form of defense in case she goes blood crazy or that other vampire returns.” “Silly, I already have emergency garlic and stakes setup before Twilight became a vampire.” Pinkie Pie said. “Wait, seriously?” Applejack said, surprised. “Why on Equestria would you have emergency garlic and stakes all over Ponyville?” Rarity asked. “In case of garlic or stake emergencies, duh.” Pinkie Pie said, as if it was obvious, “They’re for if I want to add spices to my bread, go camping, or stop a vampire pony apocalypse.” “But... it wasn’t until yesterday that everyone thought that vampires were entirely fictitious.” Applejack pointed out. “Except the last pony who thought vampires don’t exist ended up becoming a vampire.” Pinkie replied. Applejack stuttered and stumbled, unable to form words to counter Pinkie’s argument. Shaking her head, she conceded, deciding that it would be a useless endeavor to pursue her line of thinking. “Anyhoo, is there anything else that needs to be done?” Applejack spoke up. “I think it’s important that we find the vampire that bit Twilight.” Rarity said, “Even if we do manage to keep Twilight stable, we still have at least one vampire running around.” “Princess Luna explicitly stated that we should not try to hunt him down.” Applejack stated, “But what we can do instead is to stay on the look out for him.” “Speaking of Princess Luna, should we really trust her?” Rarity asked. “Excuse me?” Applejack asked, incredulously. “I mean, how do we know if this isn’t another coup against Princess Celestia?” Rarity said, “If we take into account what Luna has said, she has full control over the vampires. For all we could know, this was a planned assassination to take out the Elements of Harmony. With even one element out of the picture, Luna could easily become Nightmare Moon again, except this time with no one to oppose her.” “...I don’t know,” Applejack said, “While it does seem a little suspicious, I have a hard time believing that Princess Luna had a hand to what’s happening. Besides, you haven’t seen her on Nightmare Night last year. She may be a little bit creepy, maybe spooky even, but she’s trying hard to distance herself from what she did as Nightmare Moon.” “Well, if I were an usurper, I wouldn’t be shouting from the rooftops about how I want to take over the world either.” Rarity stated, “I’m just saying that we should be cautious. I highly doubt this was entirely an accident that Twilight Sparkle got attacked. If that vampire knows who we are, even if it is just limited to us being friends with Twilight, we could very well be next on the menu, regardless of Luna’s intentions.” “Yeah, the last thing we need is to take care of any more of us as vampires.” Pinkie Pie said, “Now that I think about it, did the Princesses say anything about a cure?” “I didn’t hear anything about it.” Applejack shook her head, “Could mean that they’re working on it...” “Or it could mean that there is no cure.” Rarity finished. “That would mean Twilight is a vampire... Forever!” Pinkie Pie wailed. A moment of silence passed.         “I guess we’ll just have to pray that it isn’t the case. I’ll brief Dash after her shift. However, I don’t think anyone else needs to know, especially Twilight.” Applejack said.         “I don’t know, is it really necessary?” Fluttershy asked, “I mean, Twilight’s still our friend. Shouldn’t she know a little about what’s going on at least?”         “I’m sorry, but it might be for the best dear.” Rarity said.         “You saw her, she’s in denial. She may think she has control over herself, but she could easily go over the edge.” Applejack said, “If she was here, she would think that this is entirely unnecessary.” Fluttershy looked down on the ground, now trying to distract herself by shuffling and shifting the straw on the floor with her hooves. “If there’s nothing else that we need to talk about, I guess this concludes the meeting. The next meeting will be at the same time at the Sugarcube Corner.”         Each pony stood up and left to their separate ways. While the sun still shone, and the world around them was alive, they each felt ill, and did not notice.