//------------------------------// // Chapter 4 // Story: My Little Hellsing // by Lunafan1k //------------------------------// Chapter 4 The chariots touched down in Canterlot just as the moon was peaking the horizon. From the first, a terrified yellow pegasus leaped to the ground, terrified of the great height, hugging and kissing a stone pillar in relief. Next was Rainbow Dash, cocky as ever, doing several loops to stretch the taunt muscles in her wings. She had flown some of the distance, but the terrified Fluttershy had demanded her attention. Rarity helped sooth the Mayor until they landed on the Canterlot grounds, she could barely contain her excitement as she daintily stepped off, eying the golden halls and glamorous decor. This was not her first time in Canterlot, though in her previous visits she only saw the ball room at the Gala, and recently the medical wing due to Twilight's injury. She was glad to have packed her most glamorous dress for the meeting, she had planned to show them what true fashion really was. With a burst of confetti, streamers, and party balloons, Pinkie Pie hopped out of the chariot wearing a colorfully wrapped box and was adorned with many strange bells, whistles and other odd assortments attached to various parts of her body. Last to leave the chariot was the Mayor, having fully recovered from her ordeal. She made the mental note to not cross Twilight on such matters. The fact alone that she could control such a monstrosity made her all the more powerful and fearsome, but the Mayor doubted Twilight would let it go to her head, She hasn't been flaunting her royal connections to get her way, so the Mayor felt rest assured that nothing terrible would befall the citizens of Ponyville, much less the rest of Equestria. Once all the ponies had departed the chariot, the four pegasai attached to the front pulled it out of the way to be stored next to the others, allowing the second chariot to land in its stead. Alucard was the first to step off, an aura of darkness and foreboding emanating from him. He turned and gazed at the full moon, brilliant and radiant as ever, he allowed himself a moment to bask in its glow. Yet something was amiss, something was eluding his senses. He smiled a dark smile, nothing can elude him, but what did, he had a way to find out. He fazed slightly out of sync with the world, allowing himself to pass through the thick stone toward the lower depths of the castle. This game of hide and seek was going to amuse him, more than being in a room of stuffy politicians. “Where the hay is he going?” Asked Twilight with a raised eyebrow. “Eh, who knows?” Spike said with a shrug from his place on Twilight’s back. “He probably wants to see the castle graveyard and command the dead.” “Spike, that’s not funny.” Twilight chided. ‘He wouldn’t do that, would he?’ She wondered, ‘I’ve only known him for about 2 days, er-nights, I guess you could say.’ She corrected herself. ‘I might mention that to Princess Luna, about my control over him, as well as this....mean streak I’m having. I shouldn’t be this way.’ ‘I’ll say, grumpy Twilight is no fun! What you need is a PARTY!’ Twilight’s head snapped to attention, her inner monologue interrupted by the shrill voice in her head, and she spun to face Pinkie. “Wha-how did you do that?!” She demanded. “Do what silly?” Pinkie giggles as she hopped past Twilight into the castle. Twilight stared after her, dumbfounded, as she rounded a corner, and watched as more confetti flew through the air from around the corner, followed by a terrified shriek and mad giggles. Twilight just shook her head and followed after. Applebloom and Applejack were the last to step off of the chariot, having dried their tears they looked about in awe and fascination. “This’ll be mah first time here! Ah cain't wait ta make Scootaloo jealous!” Applebloom said as she cantered around excitedly, her wide eyes taking in every detail to be re-lived through memory. “Well, it is a mighty fancy place, aint it?” Said Applejack, smiling at her sister. “Ah told you the story about when ah wus here during the Gala, din’t ah?” Applebloom giggled, “Ah remember how mad you was when they said ya was sellen’ ‘commoner food.’ ” Applebloom did her best impersonation of a stuck up pony, a hoof on her chest and her nose straight up into the air, forcing a laugh out of Applejack. “Yer darn toot’n! Them ponies woulden’t know real food if it forced itself down their throats!” Applejack said as they began to follow the other ponies inside. Applebloom gasped in amazement at how grand and majestic the entire hall seemed to be, stopping every few feet to observe a statue, a painting, a stained glass window, a bug. She assumed the last to be a beetle of some sort. It seemed out of place to be the only bug in the castle, so she decided it was the prince beetle, out for a stroll through his kingdom. “Applebloom hurry up, yer fallen behind!” yelled Applejack. Shaken from her musings, Applebloom ran to catch up. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Two pairs of glowing red eyes watched as the group of ponies entered the castle, hidden behind the empty chariots. They looked at each other, that was the last group to arrive. Soon, very soon, all they had to do was wait for the order. They flexed their talons and unfurled their wings, the two griffons, camouflaged in the darkness, floated silently down to the lower city below. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Twilight and the others entered the grand throne room, where they bowed down to Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. “My little ponies, I’m so glad you could make it.” Princess Celestia said, being as regal as ever. “Unfortunately the meeting is not to occur for another hour, so please feel free to explore the castle. Mayor Mare? If you would follow me, the other guests await your arrival.” Princess Celestia led Mayor Mare into a side room, closing the door behind her. Luna then approached the group, “Alright, the meeting will begin in one hour. We will be discussing the recent uprising in vampire attacks, as well as new magics controlling the ghouls, but you all are not needed until we begin discussing how to combat the recent vampire attacks.” She looked around at the group of ponies, noticing Alucard’s absence. “At this point in time we have confirmed reports of entire pony towns being completely destroyed, and all the residents, even little fillies and colts, obviously virgins, being turned to ghouls. Whats more, ghouls have been surviving the death of their master vampire.” Everypony was shocked at the news, but it was Twilight to ask the question, “Princess, how come we haven’t heard of this yet? How can entire towns be devastated in such a way and not cause alarm?” “Just Luna, if you will.” She said with a curt nod. “So far all the attacks have happened beyond our boarders. My spies have not had any success in identifying their leader, but we expect an attack, and soon. That’s the second reason you are all called here today. Should an attack occur we would be the first to know, and we have chariots on standby to be dispatched to the battle immediately.” Luna looked over the silent ponies, slightly paled from their expectations of a wonderful evening. “But until such an incident occurs you are free to go about as you please. Rarity, Down the hall to the left, third door on the right, is the Royal Dressing Room. You may observe some of the finest gowns in the world, most are gifts from foreign nations.” Rarity let out a squeal of delight and wasted no time as she bolted out the door to the right. “I said to the left!” Called Luna, smiling as they saw a white and purple blur fly past the open doorway. Luna then focused her attention to Rainbow Dash, “I hear some ponies are expecting to meet you tonight, they said something about no being able to talk much at the Gala. Anyway, From the balcony you can see a light across the training field, that's the barracks of the Wonderbolts.” “OHMYGOSHOHMYGOSHOHMYGOSH!!!” Blurted Rainbow Dash as she sped off into the night sky to finally spend time with her childhood heroes. “Fluttershy,” Said Luna, “I heard the animals in the garden didn’t take to you very well. But Philomena is here, I’m sure she would be happy to see you.” Luna’s horn glowed and another side door opened to reveal a study. Fluttershy squeaked, then hurried along to meet the phoenix, a big smile plastered on her face. “I’m going to go visit my favorite doughnut shop then.” Said Spike. “See you all in a bit!” “Bye, have fun. Don’t eat too much!” Twilight waved him off. Luna cleared her throat and continued. “Pinkie Pie-” Luna cut off as the pink mare was nowhere to be found. “Where did she go?” Twilight smiled nervously, “I’m sorry Prin-er, Luna. She does that.” Luna pondered this for a moment before sighing deeply. She looked between Twilight, Applejack, and Applebloom. “Now, I have something you all need to hear. Twilight," said Luna, bringing a thick tomb from the bookshelf nearby. "This tomb was hidden away deep within our private collection. Nopony has lain eyes on it in over a thousand years." She moved the old book in front of Twilight, who took it gingerly in her magic. "This book contains all the knowledge of alchemy and ancient magic no longer used today. Use this knowledge, as it is your only weapon to combat this new threat." "But Luna, what about the Elements? Surly they are more than powerful enough to stop the vampires?" Asked Twilight. "The Elements purify the soul and cleanse it of evil and its influence. The ghouls have no souls to purify, and the evil they are cannot be cleansed with the kindness of the elements as it is the instinct of the creatures that drives them, making them immune. The vampires themselves can only be sealed, and doing so requires a tremendous amount of magic. The only type that truly affects a vampire is in that tomb, and that is the type of magic vampires use themselves." “Ah can use magic?!” Exclaimed Applebloom. “Yes, little one,” laughed Luna, “but the effects vary from pony to pony and vampire to vampire. You might be able to punch through solid diamonds, engulf yourself in fel fire and melt the world, or, since you were turned by Alucard’s magic, blast ranged magic like he does, perhaps more powerful, perhaps at a faster rate, or have your target burst into flames. Even all at once, one can never tell.” Applebloom zipped up next to Twilight, trying to look through the book herself, but Twilight held it away from her reach, knowing the amount of damage an excited filly could cause. “So wait, if the Elements are as useless against em as you say, then why’d yall put us in charge of fight'n em?” Asked Applejack, moving the conversation back on track. “You’re right. It’s not the Elements I want, but the teamwork between you and your friends. Together, you can overcome anything, each looking out for the others weakness’s.” Luna took the moment of silence to look them over. Applebloom looked rather board now, and was examining the finish on the floor. Applejack was hopelessly confused, and Twilight was staring wide-eyed at the tomb she held before her, mouth slack and beginning to drool. “Now,” Said Luna, jerking everyone back to reality. “Any questions for me?” “Whell, ah jus plain don understand a lick of this.” Said Applejack, rubbing her sore head, her brain refusing to think so hard. Twilight put a comforting hoof on Applejack’s shoulder, “It’s ok, I’ll explain everything when we're done here.” Applejack nodded. Twilight turned to Luna, “I wanted to ask you something, about Alucard.” Luna nodded in understanding, “Your asking about certain feelings your getting, feelings normally completely alien to you?” Twilight nodded. “Please, tell me what your feeling.” Twilight took in a deep breath to gather her thoughts, “Well, the other day when we were attacked in the forest, I felt a rush of pleasure and glee at the sight of Alucard and Alexander killing each other. Then today before we left Ponyville the Mayor was demanding me to parade Alucard around for her own selfishness. I wanted her to leave me in peace but she just kept asking and demanding. Then when Applebloom accidentally forced the Mayor to have a mental breakdown I was glad, and felt she got her just reward.” Luna sat in silence for several moments, continuing to gaze at Twilight before she said, “Did you know the Alucard is one of the most powerful beings in the world? Did you know that during our alliance he single hoofedly destroyed and consumed entire nations? The Great War is taught as our greatest moment in history, when we overthrew opposing tyrannical nations. The reality is that the Great War was much more dark and sinister.” The ponies sat on several pillows as they listened to Luna tell her tale of times long since past. “My sister and I came here from the farthest reaches of space, to start our own kingdom. Unfortunately the mighty races that dwelled here followed a ‘the strong will lead’ dictatorship, and did not take to pony kind well, as they were seen as weak without tooth and claw. Everyday more and more ponies were hunted down and slaughtered, for food and sport. But there was one pony who stood against the tyranny, a Count by the name of Dracula. He trained and honed his skills, quickly becoming a mighty warrior worthy of legend. He led countless battles, defeated numerous enemies. But for all his might, one enemy he could never defeat sought after him: time. “One day he payed a visit to me during my night, he was old, worn down, no longer fit for battle. He begged to be young again so as to continue the war effort and earn ponies everywhere their freedoms. At first I denied his request, but once I saw that without a mighty warrior to lead them, our armies would fall. I asked my sister for advice in this matter, she felt we would be abusing our powers in a way that would come back to haunt us, and she was right. “I went against my sister's will, quickly using my most powerful, most potent spells and alchemy to create a device that would grant immortality for the one to hold it. But something went wrong, to this day I still cannot explain it. When I presented the artifact to the warrior, he did take it. His flesh melted and bound to it, his warrior’s armor was forged from thin air, his fur paled to a ghastly white while his mane and tail turned the darkest black. He turned to me, with glowing red eyes. Immediately I knew, the warrior was dead, and in his place was the monster Alucard. However, Alucard bowed down and swore fealty to me, and together we led the battles, raining blood upon the land, and forged the Equestria we know today. “However, the war changed me. I grew jealous and resentful of my sister, because ponies would be happy and play in her day, then shun and sleep through my beautiful night. The night I slaughtered thousands upon thousands to make sure it was safe for ponies, to have them no longer fear the darkness. I was soon overtaken by Nightmare Moon, and my sister used the elements to restrain and subdue Alucard, for he alone could destroy the kingdom we built, then with the remaining magic, too weak to properly rid me of nightmare, she banished me to the moon for a thousand years. “Alucard is immensely powerful. His presence alone can affect ponies in any number of ways. For you, Twilight, it seems as though his darker urges and blood thirst are bleeding through between the two of you. This also accounts for his more subdued and laid back attitude. The Alucard I know would sooner wipe Ponyville from Equestria and into the history books than put up with the quaintness.” Luna and the others stood once more. “Just take notice of the way his powers are sealed. Twilight, as his master, only on your orders can he reach full power. He has the discretion to release the other seals should the situation handle it." Luna turned to leave, "I need to return to my sister, but Twilight, before you leave here, let Applebloom read the book. Then should they wish to do so, allow the others to read it as well. The writing itself holds the power to grant the power to anyone, unicorn, vampire or not. Only myself, Celestia, and Alucard truly know what it says, because we wrote it. Should the book fall into the wrong hands, set it aflame with a simple fire spell and its knowledge will do no further harm.” Luna then turned and left to join her sister. Twilight looked over the book's cover carefully, but didn’t see any writing or images detailing what it could possibly be hiding to make the Princesses lock it away for a thousand years. “Comon Twilight, Let meh read it!” Said an excited filly. Twilight couldn’t see the harm of reading a dusty old book, there was no magic in the world that could do the things Luna described. She set it on the ground in front of the grinning filly. Applebloom nosed open the cover, and was suddenly washed over with a brilliant golden light. Her pupils contracted to tiny pinpricks as the world seemed to fall away from her, engulfed in the golden radiance. The pages in the book began to flip through at an insane pace, before stopping as the opposite cover slammed closed. As soon as the book closed, the blinding light faded into nothing, revealing Applebloom in a semi-conscious state with her legs sprawled, her eyes spinning in their sockets. “Applebloom?” Asked Applejack and Twilight at the same time before rushing to her side. “Whut the hay was that Twi?” Applejack said, too worried to be angry at Twilight. “I don’t know AJ, I’ve never heard of this sort of thing.” Said Twilight, a worried look in her eye. Applebloom began to moan and bring a hoof to her head. “Oohhh...Feels like ah wus at the Thinkin' Olympics....”Applebloom said dizzily. “What happened?” Asked Twilight. “Well, it felt like ah was be’en force learned stuff. Some of it was skipped, like it knew what ah needed to know, and other stuff was jammed into mah head.” Said Applebloom, feeling better as time elapsed. “Ok, so what can ya do now?” Applejack asked skeptically. “Well, ah have even more strength for hoof ta hoof fightn', and ah can cast magic like my master, its slower ta cast, but powerful enough with each blast ta easily destroy anythin'. Ah can make it go through things or explode when it hits stuff.” Applebloom said, the pride in her voice swelling to Rainbow Dash proportions. “Whell, ah’ll be.” Said a flabbergasted Applejack, “Let me have a go at that there book.” “No, AJ.” Said Twilight, putting the book in her saddlebags. “I need to study this before we do something we might regret. I only let Applebloom read it because Luna said so. Once I determine if it’s safe for us to use, I will let each of our friends read it should they want to.” Applejack blushed at being so selfish to not think about the others and their safety. Either way she looked at it, Twilight was right. Better safe than sorry. Suddenly a loud bell echoed throughout the castle, marking the hour at half past. One by one, Twilight's friends made their way back to the throne room, a little depressed from being separated from their wonderful time. “Well, duty calls.” Said Twilight as Luna returned to guide them to the conference hall. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ A pair of gryphons walked through the streets of Canterlot side by side, on the right a young gryphoness, to her left, her older brother, more mature and subdue to outweigh the overly loud and obnoxious female. “So this earth pony’s friend, he’s like a real doctor but he does the cosmetic shit on the side, right?” She ranted as they made their way through the streets. “So this crazy fucking earth pony with the horn on his head comes up to the doctor and now he wants a fucking plexiglass plate for his skull, and the doctor fucking does it! He makes a window! You can see the fuckers brain and shit! The pony’s got a big monster horn and his head meat on display! That pony’s a freak! I mean, what the fuck!” She exclaims, laughing at the image. “Shut up,” the elder brother said, annoyed with his sister. “This stream of dribble pours from your beak before every job. Can we just this once try quiet, focused and cool?” “Yeah, yeah. I got it. Same old shit, I know! Fucking A bro!” “Failure is not an option.” “Oh please,” the sister spat, “I can pull this job in my Celestia damned sleep.” The gryphons approached the front gate to the castle, where upon a pair of pegasus guards barred the way with their wings. “Halt!” “Who goes there?” They said. The two gryphons smiled at each other. “Oh, excuse us,” said the older brother, silver tongue at work, “We are the emissaries from the gryphon clans, the Princess requested our presence immediately for today’s meeting.” “All of the Princesses guests have arrived and are accounted for. You are to leave at once!” Demanded one of the guards. The elder brother smirked, “I might be losing my touch.” He swiped with his razor sharp talons with uncanny speed, beheading the guard in front of him. The other guard gasped in horror as he was splashed with blood, and tripped over himself in his hurry to flee for safety. “Yo, dude, you ok?” asked the sister, “I think you might need a nap!” She said as talon ripped pony flesh. The guards dealt with, she gave a sharp whistle. From the alleys and dark streets marched hundreds of ghoul ponies, eyes glowing a bright purple, dressed in plain grey armor, the words BOO DOO PON IES MUR DER PON IES written over the chest plate. As one they marched into formation, standing at attention before the two gryphons. The brother and sister wasted no time, quickly donning blades onto the front edges of their wings, aided by their powerful muscles their wings would be able to cleave stone. “Alright, listen up you maggots!” commanded the sister, “You know the plan! You make the kill, you drink the spill! And if you run into Celestia or the Luna biatch, don’t you quit until their dead, dead, DEAD!” She commanded, leading the march into the castle.