//------------------------------// // Burning Hatred // Story: Bloody Tears // by NintenES //------------------------------// Part 10: Burning Hatred Princess Celestia sat on her throne in Canterlot, with only a single unicorn standing in her presence. While she wanted privacy, it didn’t help that their conversation was carried out of the room by echoing in the large, mostly empty, halls.         “Princess Celestia, I’m sorry, but... there’s nothing we can do.” the unicorn said. “No, you’re wrong!” Celestia shouted, “You’re not doing enough! There has to be a way!” “Your highness, I’m sorry, but we are, and I’m telling you we can’t cure this... ‘vampirism!’”         “Do you mean to tell me that a thousand years worth of major advances in medical sciences and magics is completely worthless?”         “No.” the unicorn furrowed his eyebrows together as he wiped his glasses, “We’ve pinpointed the problem. The problem is that its dark magic. In every test we have done, there was no permanent change, and the subject would always revert back to becoming infected. Even when we completely replaced their blood, they were ‘clean’ for a week at most. Even if that had worked, there’s no guarantee that a full-sized pony would survive the process.”         “Dark magic.” Celestia repeated, “The very same dark magic that could only be reversed by the Elements of Harmony, correct?”         “As far as we know? Yes.” Celestia took off her tiara, rubbing her now unburdened head with her hoof. “...Excuse me, I need to go and vent a little bit.” Princess Celestia said as her horn glowed yellow, before she winked out of the room. “I hate you! I never want to see you again!” Rainbow Dash spat in Twilight Sparkle’s face. She turned around and kicked dirt into Twilight’s face before walking away.         Wiping off her face, Twilight tried to reach out Rainbow Dash, “No wait! I didn’t-”         “Didn’t mean to kill her? Suuure.” Applejack sarcastically replied, “You were just givin’ her a hickey, that’s all.”         Twilight blushed, and sputtered “But I... I...”         “I should have known, I wish I had never associated myself with such an ugly, foul, uncouth monster such as yourself.” Rarity dismissively turned up her nose.         “But I’m not a monster! Really!” Twilight sputtered.         “You broke a promise!” Pinkie Pie shouted at her, eyes seeming to glow with a raging fire, “You said you would never try to eat us and now look what happened!”         “But I didn’t mean to! Honest! It was all the blood!” Twilight pleaded.         “Excuses, excuses, excuses,” Fluttershy dismissed, “you’re just making up petty excuses for the fact that you killed her, and you enjoyed it!”         “NO! No, please! I’m sorry!” She tried to reach out to touch them, but when she did a wall of flame erupted and separated her from them.         “Twilight Sparkle!” boomed Princess Celestia. Twilight turned to see her, but was blinded by the great light from her. Princess Celestia was gigantic, now easily eight times her normal size. Twilight cowered and covered her eyes.         “Twilight Sparkle, you are hereby-”         “No...”         “-found guilty of Treason and Murder. In accordance with the laws of Equestria set forth a thousand years ago, you are to be executed.”          “No! Wait! Please, no! I-” Twilight reached out, but then her entire body suddenly combusted, flames starting to eat every bit of flesh she had. Twilight screamed out in pain, writhing on the ground and looking up at her former friends. Twilight squirmed, her limbs kicking the air, “Put me out, put me out!!!” she whimpered.         “Whatever you say Twi,” Rainbow Dash smiled, laying on a low cloud hovering only a meter and a half above Twilight. Rainbow Dash jumped up and down hard on the cloud, forcing every drop of water to pour out. Twilight sputtered, now awake and soaking wet. It took a moment  for her to realize that it was thankfully only a dream. Princess Celestia never had to suffer this sort of thing. Rainbow Dash looked under the cloud, “Rise and shine Twilight. I was starting to wonder how long you would nap. You know, with you having a big snack before bed.” Rainbow Dash’s sudden appearance made Twilight stumble back a bit. “Woah there, egghead, I’m not gonna hurt you.” Rainbow Dash said, jumping off of the cloud. “You... don’t hate me?” Twilight cautiously inquired. Rainbow Dash’s face grew a bit dark, “What gave you that idea?” “You’re not trying to kill me out of revenge for me killing you? Er, drinking your blood?” “I’m going to be blunt with you: I hate you. A whole lot.” Rainbow Dash said, her eyes locked with Twilight’s, “But before I could like, strangle you in your sleep, drown you in that stream over there, or toss you into a Timber Wolf den, or something like that, I realized that none of those are really productive, nor am I the proper judge for deciding punishments. You know, since I’m a victim here, it would kinda make me biased.” “Oh.” Twilight’s eyes widened, “Okay...” “And that’s why we’re going straight to Princess Celestia and have you explain everything to her.” “WHAT? No!” Twilight shouted, “No, no she’ll kill me!” “Huh, that’s funny, maybe you should’ve thought of that before you went all ‘you girls are delicious!’ on MY FLIPPIN’ NECK.” “I’m not doing it!” “Did someone seriously scramble that egghead of yours? What choice do you have?! Camp out here for the rest of your life?” “...Yes?” “Ugh.” Rainbow Dash groaned as she slapped herself in the face, “Look, sooner or later you’re going have to walk up to the Princess and owe up to everything you’ve done, whether you want to or not. Preferably before this snowballs into something worse, got it?” “I... I just can’t!” “Really? Give me one good reason why you can’t. One.” Rainbow Dash dared. “Look, I’m changing Dash, I have been for, what, three weeks now? After Applejack had told me about how I scared you, I was scared of myself, mostly because from my perspective, I was in control of myself. Part of the reason why I wanted to go to Nightmare Night was to sort of prove to myself that I’m still me, just you know, with fangs and a strange diet. But after last night I’m starting to think it’s affecting my brain. I don’t know when or if I’ll stop changing. What if I start feeding off of everyone else? What if I don’t feel any remorse about it? I’m scared for everyone else about what I’ll become. Even if” “...Really? That’s it?” Rainbow Dash said flatly, “Know what? Forget it, we’ll talk about this later when you’re more reasonable. I’m going to go find something to eat.” And with that, Rainbow Dash flew off. Her eggs really got scrambled if she thinks I’ll fall for that. Rainbow Dash thought to herself. Then an odd but rather pleasent smell reached Rainbow Dash’s nostrils. Huh? What is that? She slowed down so that she could accurately pinpoint its source. It wasn’t anything like Rainbow Dash had smelled before, it was slightly metallic, maybe salty? Rainbow Dash wasn’t sure. The as smell grew stronger, and stronger, Rainbow Dash began to drift closer to the ground until she began to slowly trot towards the source. For a moment, Rainbow Dash’s world seemed to only contain herself and the smell. For a moment, she forgot all about the world she was leaving behind. Then she walked into a tree. “Ow.” Rainbow Dash muttered as she rubbed her snout. Maybe she shouldn’t have closed her eyes while fantasizing about the most wonderful scent in all of Equestria. However, she found that her nose hadn’t failed it bringing her closer to the source. Lying down next to a fallen log, that was only a stone's throw from where Rainbow Dash’s postition, was a deer. Judging from the large bloody gash on it’s neck, and it’s face frozen in sheer horror, the deer had ceased to be and gone to meet her maker. Rainbow Dash let out a small yelp of surprise as she jumped back a step. Inhaling the air had confirmed that, yes, this ex-deer was the source of the most wonderful smell in the world. Rainbow Dash hesitated, not completely sure of her next course of action. The blood-odor took this as an opportunity to invade and seduce Rainbow Dash’s senses once more. Her stomach growled, her mouth watered, and her legs began to slowly move a foot closer to the deer. And then another. Then another. Again and again until Rainbow Dash found herself standing above the carcass. It was a bit unfair really, the more Rainbow Dash looked at it, the less gruesome and tragic the deer’s death had become. Instead, it seemed... beautiful. Delicious even. Swallowing some of her rapidly replenishing spit, Rainbow Dash bent down closer to the wound. She discovered that this “beautiful meal” was in fact untouched by insects or any other scavenger, and was quite warm and fresh. She opened her mouth and cautiously licked the offending gash. Her eyes shot wide open when she tasted blood. This. is... AWESOME! Rainbow Dash smiled... perhaps a little too wide... Rainbow Dash then proceeded to throw any last shred of of subtlety out the window as she lunged at the deer’s throat once more. Licking and slurping the wound, Rainbow Dash found herself starting to bite at the wound, tearing it open. Celestia send it to the moon, MORE! Rainbow Dash thought to herself as she chewed the neck-meat, Wow, Twi wasn’t kidding, this is amazing! So juicy... I wonder what buffalo tastes like... the thought caused her to salivate a bit. So large and muscular, I bet tons of this is running through their... wait. OHMYGOSH WHAT AM I THINKING?! She looked down on the deer, it’s head now barely connected to the rest of the body, blood pouring freely from what was the neck. WHAT AM I DOING?! This... This is exactly what Twilight was talking about, isn’t it?! Aw crapcrapcrap!!! Twi was right to think that this is affecting her brain! Soon she’s going to want to eat everyone! I’m starting to want to eat everyone!!! Rainbow Dash spit out the meat and backed away slowly from the deer. Wait, how did the deer die in the first place? If an animal had killed it, shouldn’t it be near it defending it’s meal? A jet of flame flared right next to Rainbow Dash’s head, causing her to give a startled jump. “Hmph, I missed. I must be getting rusty.” Rainbow Dash turned around to see... Princess Celestia?!?! Ooh this isn’t good at all. “What in the- jeb-ed-ah...” Rainbow Dash stuttered, before taking a deep breath, “You could’ve killed me!” “That was the idea, yes.” Celestia nonchalantly replied. “Um, ‘kay, listen, I know this looks really bad, but the deer was already dead when I got here, I swear!” “Silence vermin.” Princess Celestia sternly replied, her horn glowing a sinister dark red. Fire once more seared through the air towards Rainbow Dash. Rainbow dash swiftly dodged it, then another, and the one following that. Shoot, Rainbow Dash thought to herself, She’s really serious about this, I got to find Twilight! She took off, with Celestia in pursuit. Rainbow Dash began to duck, weave, and roll around past the trees, in hopes of losing Celestia. Celestia on the other hand just brute-forced her way after Rainbow Dash, burning any trees between her and Dash. I can’t shake her! Rainbow Dash started to panic, Oh come on wings, fly faster!!!       Princess Celestia teleported into her room. She slipped out of her regalia, casting it aside onto her bed. She walked up into a mirror and gazed into it. A thousand years, and I still can’t do anything about it. she reflected She shook her head, walked to the balcony, and looked over the kingdom under the sun. If only...         She stopped, noticing something over the horizon, towards Everfree Forest. She walked over to the telescope she had attached to the railing, adjusted it so it pointed towards the forest. Is that smoke? she thought as she looked through, getting a better picture. What was it, another rampaging dragon? Careless campfire gone wild? No matter the case, if it was left unattended, it might reach Ponyville.         Princess Celestia ran towards the door, “Guards!”         “Yes your Highness?” one of the guards responded in record time.         “Get the Wonderbolts, there’s a forest fire in Everfree Forest. I want it contained or eliminated before it reaches Ponyville. Quickly!”         “Of course your Highness.” the guard ran as fast as his legs could carry him to the barracks. Back in Everfree Forest, Rainbow Dash had gained some distance between herself and the white alicorn chasing her. Gathering her bearings, Rainbow Dash knew that she was close to where she left Twilight. She flew low to the ground and glomped/crashed into Twilight. “TWILIGHT! I’m so, so, sorry! You were right!” she hastily apologized. “Wait, about what?” Twilight said, slightly confused and slightly dazed from impact. “A lot of things.” Rainbow Dash replied. A fireball flew over their heads. Rainbow Dash quickly moved herself and Twilight into a bush. “My little ponies.~  Where are you?~ Come out, come out wherever you are.~” said the soothing voice of the ivory-colored princess. “But mostly that thing about Princess Celestia wanting to kill us.” Rainbow Dash whispered quietly. “WHAT?!?!” Twilight screamed. “Oh,” “Celestia” stopped and turned towards Twilight and Dash, “There you are.” Rainbow Dash held Twilight tight as she flew out of the bush as it burst into flames to behind a rock. “Why is Celestia trying to kill you?” Twilight asked, “If anything she should be trying to kill only me! Afterall, I sort of killed you.” “I don’t know!” Rainbow Dash shouted, “She just saw me eating a deer and the next thing I know, she’s trying to burn me alive!” “Wait a minute, you were eating a deer?!” Twilight asked, “...Okay, not as bad as eating a pony, per say, but you were only a vampire for all of what, half a day?” “It was dead when I found it, I swear to Celestia!” “Hello.” said a certain Princess as she looked over them on top of the boulder. Twilight and Rainbow Dash screamed as they ran out the way of another fireball. No, no this can’t be right! Twilight thought to herself. “Princess, please stop!” Twilight begged, “Why are you trying to kill Rainbow Dash? She’s innocent, I’m the one you want.” “I’m doing this out of mercy Twilight Sparkle.” “Celestia” replied, “This is what I should have done with you earlier, before vampirism spreads any further.” “But you were trying to make a cure! There shouldn’t be a need for you to kill us!” “There isn’t a cure. Never was. It was only motivation for you to be a good little pony. But you failed. And to think I had such high hopes for you.” “No...” Twilight whispered, “No, no, you’re... you’re lying! There has to be a way!” “Celestia” approached her, eyes and horn glowing red, “The only cure for vampirism is death. Goodbye Twilight Sparkle.” “NO!” Rainbow Dash flew and bucked “Princess Celestia,” causing her spell spark and sizzle. “FYI Princess, you mess with Twi, you mess with... me?” She stopped for a second as she looked at Princess Celestia’s face. Rainbow could have sworn that “Celestia” frizzled a little bit from the impact, like an old tv with bad reception. For the briefest of moments, “Celestia” had a greying beard and moustache, golden eyes, and her cutie mark became black and heart shaped. But Rainbow’s hesitation was all “Celestia” needed to kick her away. “Have you lost your mind?!” Twilight screamed, exasperated at Rainbow Dash. “Hey, you’re welcome I saved your butt back there.” Rainbow Dash replied, grumbling, as she picked herself up. “Celestia” got back up, eyes and horn once more glowing red as she snarled at them. “Insolent VERMIN.” She unleashed a swarm of fireballs at Twilight and Dash’s general location. In response, Twilight erected a barrier around herself. “No you didn’t, you just made her angrier!” Twilight screamed at Rainbow Dash over the sound of the explosions as the flames pounded on her shield. Rainbow Dash flew upwards to dodge the barrage, flying past the cover of the trees. As in, she flew right into a bright, clear afternoon sky. Which considering that this was Everfree Forest in early November, this probably should be considered unnatural weather. “GAAAAAAH!!” Rainbow Dash screamed in pain, covering her eyes from the oppressive rays of light, her skin feeling like it was burning up. “Gotcha.” “Princess Celestia” smiled as she looked up at the sky, horn glowing. “Rainbow Dash! Look out!” Twilight shouted. “Celestia” once more sent a fireball, flying towards the cyan pegasus. Thinking quickly, Twilight fired a her own bolt of magic to intercept the flame. However, after Twilight cast it, she realized that she was entirely unused to her newfound dark powers, and put too much force behind it. Rainbow Dash looked down just in time to see “Celestia” and Twilight’s magic collide with each other a few feet below her. She didn't have time to brace herself from the resulting explosion and was sent spiraling uncontrollably. “NO!” Twilight screamed. “Yes.” uttered “Celestia,” horn still glowing red, “Now it’s your turn.” “Twilight, what is going on?” echoed the voice of Bleeding Heart in Twilight’s mind, “I heard an explosion. What are you trying to do, burn down the whole forest?”  Twilight created a barrier to counter “Celestia’s” renewed assault. But instead of aiming directly at her, “Celestia” aimed at the ground near her, knocking Twilight off balance. “I’m kinda busy right now Bleeding Heart...” Twilight muttered. A fireball that came too close for comfort made her squeal in fear. “Is that... Princess Celestia?!” Bleeding Heart exclaimed, “I’m getting you out of there Twilight, she’s too powerful for you right now!” "Gee, thanks for the pro-tip. Never would've guessed." Twilight Sparkle sarcastically replied. “Celestia” pointed her horn at Twilight, firing a stream of fire. Twilight quickly countered with her own beam of magic. Amazingly, it seemed to Twilight, that they were relatively matched in terms of power. Even stranger, the she wasn’t the only one sweating from the heat caused “Celestia’s” fire, as she could have sworn she saw her sweat a little. Perhaps it was the distortions in the light from heat, playing tricks on her mind. Another thing bothered Twilight though; so far, “Celestia” has only used (relatively) basic conflagratory spells, nothing explicitly solar powered. Did “Celestia” not expect her and Rainbow Dash to be worth the effort or was she simply toying with them? Twilight quickly dismissed the latter option; Celestia isn’t the type who relishes killing someone, that’s for sure, so she’s not toying with her. It had to be something else. But whatever it is, it would have to wait, as the pressure and heat from the streams was getting intense. Just when it seemed Twilight had the upper-hand, “Celestia” quickly stopped her stream, stepped to the side, and fired a blast at Twilight. It happened too fast for Twilight respond, and was hit right on the horn. Unicorns, for all their supposed superiority over the other ponies, have a glaring weakness: anything that hits their horn hurts a LOT. Twilight of course screamed and writhed on the grass in pain because of this fact. “Celestia” slowly walked up towards Twilight. “Not to rush you or anything, but can you be a little quick about it?” Twilight whispered as “Celestia” now ominously stood before her. “Hold on a second...” Bleeding Heart replied. “Goodbye my student.” said “Celestia” as she pointed her horn at Twilight. Twilight closed her eyes, expecting to die. Instead, she heard a loud popping noise. When she opened her eyes again, she looked around. It took a moment, but she realized that she was in the old castle ruins deep in Everfree. For the moment, she was safe. Meanwhile, back in the forest, “Celestia” smiled at the spot Twilight was lying a few seconds ago. Slowly, she giggled, chuckled, then broke out in uproarious laughter, in a much deeper voice. The image of the holy alicorn shimmered and faded to reveal Bleeding Heart. “My my, how does she stay so serious all the time?” he mused to himself. He heard a whooshing sound above him, and so he looked up to see several pegasi with blue uniforms. “Wonderbolts,” he growled, “So it seems I made too much of a commotion over here. Oh well, I did what I set out to do. And now, adieu.” With a flash and a pop of red light, Bleeding Heart winked out of the forest. In the skies above, the Wonderbolts flew in formation over the smoke and flames. “Did you see the size of the explosion? No way that’s an accident.” said Soarin, a dark blue-maned pegasus. “Agreed. Soarin, Blitzwing, you two control the flames with the wind currents. Try to direct the fire to choke itself out.” said Spitfire, a yellow pegasus with flame-colored mane. She then turned towards one of her wingmates, “Rapidfire, you’re with me. We’re going to search the area for clues. Who or what caused this can’t be too far from here.” The Wonderbolts nodded in affirmation, and went to work. “Spitfire! I found someone over here!” shouted Rapidfire, hovering right above a tree, “And you’re not gonna believe it!” Spitfire flew over. “Well, well, well, if it isn't the Wonderbolts #1 Fan. What’s she doing here?” “I don’t know, but I think she’s dead. I can’t seem to get a pulse.” “No, wait, look at her neck. Bite marks. She’s probably a vampire right now. Remember the whole notice that Shining gave us? She could be unconscious. Let’s take her home and hope she wakes up.” Carefully lifting Rainbow Dash up and out of the tree branches she was tangled in, they flew back towards Canterlot.