//------------------------------// // Chapter 14: Sunset // Story: Heir To Darkness // by Leafdoggy //------------------------------// The rest of the day went by uneventfully. After leaving the market, Fluttershy decided that things would probably be a lot easier going forward if everyone in town knew who she was, so she spent the day going around to all the stores and popular meeting places and introducing herself.  She stopped first at the magic guild, which was filled largely with unicorns, although some other creatures were mixed in as well. Fluttershy walked in expecting to be met with lots of dark robes and clandestine whispering, but all she really found was a bunch of bookworms. The building was more of a library than a guild, although they explained that there were plenty of back rooms made to do things other than read, and all throughout the front room ponies were sitting at crowded tables surrounded by stacks of heavy tomes. She couldn’t help but think of Twilight. “So,” Fluttershy said to the stallion giving her a tour, “what do the creatures in the guild think of Princess Twilight?” “We don’t have much affection for any Princess,” he replied, “but she does have more appeal than those before her. For a time we thought perhaps she would bring change with her, but that hasn’t happened yet, and many of us have soured on her because of that.” “I don’t think Twilight even knows about this place,” Fluttershy said. “I’m sure she’d want to make things better for you all if she knew more.” “But she doesn’t,” the stallion replied. “She’s content with being blind to what happens in the land she rules.” “I don’t think—” Fluttershy started, but then she decided against that line of thinking. “Well, I’m pretty close to her. If I become Dracula, I’ll make sure she knows what needs to change.” “The Lady thought the same. She was close to Princess Luna when the sisters were crowned, but it soon became clear that the younger sibling was no less of an outcast than the rest of us. The creatures of the night have never been worth the time of those with true power.” Fluttershy didn’t know what to say to that, and the conversation quickly petered out. The tour ended soon after, and Fluttershy found herself back in town. From there she returned to the stage in the center of town to meet the new crowd who had gathered, and then went to get a bite to eat. The food was delicious, and it was clear the chef knew just the right amount of spices to add to a vampire’s dish. She even tasted a hint of garlic that, somehow, didn’t overwhelm her senses. It was quite possibly the best meal she’d ever had, and she left seriously considering hiring the chef on as part of the castle’s staff. The sky was just starting to turn orange with the setting of the sun as she walked up to the stage again. She recognized everyone in the crowd by now, although some of their names escaped her, and they all recognized her. A couple of them watched her intently as she walked up to the side of the stage and waved the crier over. “Well, well, welcome back Heiress,” the crier said loudly as he pranced over to her. His teeth glistened in the sunlight when he smiled. “How can I help you this time?” “Hello,” Fluttershy said, and she smiled back softly. “I was wondering if you knew anywhere notable I haven’t been to yet.” “Well, there’s still the vampires’ guild,” he said. Fluttershy pursed her lips. “Um… Anywhere else?” “Mm…” He put a hoof to his chin and thought for a moment. “No, you got it all, I think. You probably missed a couple hermits here and there, but there’s not much I can do about that, eh?” He laughed. Fluttershy didn’t quite understand why. “Well, thank you for all the help,” she said quietly. “Is there anything you need before I go?” “Oh, I’m just peachy,” he said. “You enjoy your night, and don’t get caught out too late! The castle wakes up at night, they say.” “It does seem that way,” Fluttershy said. “Well, good night, Mr… I don’t think I ever got your name, actually.” “That you did not,” he said pointedly. “Don’t worry about it. Everyone just calls me The Crier, anyway.” “Well, that seems kind of impersonal,” Fluttershy said. “I don’t want to be disrespectful after everything you’ve done.” “Really,” he said, “don’t worry about it.” “Well, if you say so,” Fluttershy said. “Goodnight then, Crier.” She nodded politely to him, then turned and walked away as he strode back to the crowd. She decided not to go the the vampires’ guild. If possible, she really wanted to be back in her room before the lights were turned off. As she walked up to the castle gates, the guards frowned apologetically and crossed their spears. “Sorry, heiress,” one said when she got near. “Still no change.” Fluttershy frowned. “Really? But it’s getting late, where will I sleep?” “The vampires have beds,” the other guard said. Fluttershy made a conflicted noise. “Are you sure you can’t let me in?” “Orders are orders,” the first guard said. Fluttershy sighed. “Well… Could one of you please at least take the cockatrice back to wherever in the castle his nest is?” Fluttershy nodded to the cockatrice, and it hopped off her back and strode up to the guards. They both flinched away from it. “Uh, w-we’re not good with animals like you,” the second guard said. “It’ll just turn us to stone once we’re past the gate.” “Oh, don’t be silly,” Fluttershy said. “He promises not to, right, buddy?” The cockatrice looked back at her, then nodded to the guard. The second guard just stepped back more, so the first guard sighed. “Fine,” he said as he opened the gate, “I’ll do it. Come on, uh… You.” He waved awkwardly, and the cockatrice scurried inside with the guard. The gate swung slowly shut when he let go of it, and closed with a soft, satisfying click. The second guard let out a deep breath and relaxed. “Please don’t scare me like that, Heiress.” Fluttershy put a hoof to her mouth to stifle a chuckle. “Alright, I’ll do my best to not be a scary vampire.” “Please,” the guard said. Fluttershy nodded. “Well, have a good night.” The guard nodded back, and Fluttershy turned and walked away from the gate. It was a short walk to the vampires’ guild. It was only a couple houses down the street from the castle gates, and it was undeniable which building it was. It was one of the very few three story buildings in town, and the walls were all made of a dark, nearly black wood. It looked almost like it was coated in a thin layer of soot. There were no windows to be seen anywhere on it. The roof was covered with blood red shingles and steeply pitched, and the gables were decorated with thick, swirling patterns of wrought iron that were barely visible against the dark wood. Large portions of the third floor were left without walls, using the ceilings of the floor below as the foundation for balconies. They were prominent, and gave the impression that the vampires watched over the entire town from up on high. The door was made entirely of iron, but instead of the swirling tangles that decorated the rest of the house, its only prominent feature was that it was inlaid with a large crescent moon. She walked up and rapped the knocker against the door a few times. It was answered quickly by an earth pony who opened the heavy door with ease. She was tall and sturdily built, with bright yellow fur and a long gray mane, and her black cloak had a showy golden trim around its edges. She stared intensely down at Fluttershy. The mare studied Fluttershy for a long moment. She seemed to be picking apart every bit of Fluttershy, from her scrawny legs to her shaky smile, and the longer she stood there, the more worried Fluttershy got that she was going to be judged harshly for being too weak. Finally, though, the mare grinned wide. Her razor sharp fangs were impossible to ignore. “Heiress, finally! We’ve been expecting you,” she said jovially. “You… Have?” “Well, of course,” the mare said. “You’re the first new vampire in ages. We’ve all been just itching to meet you.” She stood aside and held out a hoof. “Please, come inside.” Fluttershy smiled and walked into the guild. Inside was a warm, pleasant lounge. A fire roared in the center, and vampires were lounging all around it and talking idly. Bookshelves and tables were scattered around, and at the far end of the room was a well-stocked bar, which a pony that Fluttershy thought she recognized was taking advantage of. Besides some candles near the bar, the only light in the room came from the fire, and it wasn’t nearly large enough to light it all up. With the lack of windows, and thus natural lighting, it left the room feeling dim and gloomy, but oddly enough the presence of so many other vampires made that seem like it wasn’t such a bad thing. “My name is Dayfall,” the mare said. “I’m second in command, behind Windbreaker, who you’ll meet later. Of course, we’re all outranked by you.” She laughed and prodded Fluttershy playfully. “Are you really?” Fluttershy asked. “I’m so new, though.” “Yeah, well, we don’t argue with Dracula,” Dayfall said. “You’re The Heiress, so that makes you the second most important vampire in town.” “Huh,” Fluttershy said. “Well, you really don’t need to treat me like I’m anything special.” “But you are special!” Dayfall shook Fluttershy with an unexpected vigor. “I mean, none of us were around when Dracula took out her dad. We get to be there with you from day one, and that’s something we’re all excited for. We’ve got big plans for you, little lady.” “Plans?” Dayfall nodded and gave Fluttershy a shove towards a dark hallway. “Here, let me show you around some more.” Fluttershy followed her instructions and made her way into the hallway. Once the fire was out of view, there was nothing in the way of lighting, and Fluttershy could barely see. Fuzzy outlines of things showed up at the edges of her vision, of paintings and vases and suits of armor, but she couldn’t make anything out distinctly, and if she focused on them they usually seemed to disappear.  She could see well enough to know that this hallway only went to one place, though. It let out into a dark room at the end, with not a single door or passageway along the way. Fluttershy stopped abruptly and turned to where Dayfall was.. “Um, where are we—” “Shh,” Dayfall hissed. She shoved Fluttershy again, this time far less playfully. Fluttershy swallowed hard and went back to walking down the long hallway. Near the end, but still a decent ways from the room, the sturdy wood floor turned into cold tiles. Soon after that, the walls opened up, and she was in a small room. She couldn’t see much, just some shapes she couldn’t quite make out, but she knew the room was small. It was so small, in fact, that as she walked in Fluttershy accidentally kicked something lying on the floor, and she had to stop before Dayfall could even leave the hallway. “Um—” “Heiress.” A gruff, scratchy feminine voice in front of Fluttershy interrupted her. “Welcome.” Without warning, two unicorns who were flanking Fluttershy lit their horns with dim red lights, and at once she could see. The room really was tiny, hardly big enough for two ponies, let alone the four that were in it. The unicorns were wearing long, dark robes that covered their faces, and the mare in front of Fluttershy was wearing a similar outfit, but her hood was pulled down. Her orange fur looked bloodied in the red light, and her short black mane fell down over the top of her eyes. Her face was hard and experienced, with fierce fire in one eye and cold artificiality in the other, and a deep scar ran across the eye that was clearly fake. She was grinning just enough for her fangs to show, and Fluttershy saw that one of them had been broken in half. “I am Windbreaker,” the mare said, “head of the vampires’ guild and second most powerful creature in town, behind only Dracula herself. It is truly a pleasure to have you here.” Fluttershy gulped. “Um, h-hello. I’m... Fluttershy.” “Oh, I know all about you already,” Windbreaker said. She nodded to one of the unicorns. “Here. A token of my hope for you.” The unicorn silently floated a glass over to Fluttershy that held a tiny bit of bright red liquid. “Blood?” Fluttershy asked as she took the glass. “I was told you’ve not had it fresh,” she said. She ran her tongue over her one good fang. “I took the liberty of… Procuring you some.” “Fresh?” Fluttershy looked at the glass in horror. “I-I can’t drink this, it’s… Somepony got hurt! I don’t want—” Windbreaker slammed a hoof down on the ground. Cracks ran through the tiles she hit, and the sound of shattering ceramic sharpened the deafening bang. “Drink.” Fluttershy yelped, and her lip quivered. She looked at the glass, then at Windbreaker, then at the glass, and slowly raised it to her mouth.  Then, in one fast gulp, she drank it all. It hit her hard. It was as if everything from last night came at her all at once, and all that intensity spiked right into her. Her heart went into a frenzy as she inhaled sharply. The glass fell from her grasp and shattered on the tiles below. Her legs were shaking, and her eyes went wide as, without warning, the room around her seemed to get clearer. Not brighter, the lights from the unicorns didn’t change at all, but sharper, less ambiguous.  She’d hardly had a drop, and just that made her stronger. That thought flooded into her mind as her heart sped up more and more. “W-Was…” Fluttershy took a deep breath as she tried to focus enough to get a sentence out. “Was that all you had?” Windbreaker laughed. “I’d forgotten how easy it is to sway the young ones. The get a single drop and all they want is more.” “I… What?” Fluttershy tried to focus on Windbreaker’s words, but her mind would only hear one of them. More. “Okay, now, dear.” Windbreaker stepped over the object on the floor and got nose to nose with Fluttershy. She reared up and put her hooves on either side of Fluttershy’s head, holding her steady as they locked eyes. “I need you to listen very carefully. I have more, but it’s not free. Do you understand me?” Fluttershy tried to nod, but Windbreaker was holding her head too tight for her to move it. “What do you want?” Her voice trembled as she spoke. Windbreaker grinned and stepped back across the room. “Now, you see this?” She pointed at the thing on the floor, and Fluttershy nodded. Now that she could see more clearly, she could tell it was a tarp covering some sort of strange pile. “Good.” Windbreaker grabbed a piece of the tarp, and with one swift motion she ripped it away.  On the floor was a stallion, barely Fluttershy’s age, with his legs tied together and his mouth taped shut. The first thing he saw was Fluttershy, and he quivered in fear and tried to move away from her, only for Windbreaker to push him back with a laugh. Fluttershy gasped. “Wh—” She stumbled backwards, but Dayfall caught her and shoved her back into the room. “W-What’s…” She couldn’t get any words out. Windbreaker grinned wide and pointed down at the defenseless stallion. “Drain him.”