As I stood and looked at the small object in my hand. An idea formed in my head. One last ditch effort to find them. If this didn’t lead me to the final destination. I didn’t know what would.
I knew what that thing could do. The Scarlett Queen. She, in one night had managed to turn two of the brightest mares I know into her personal flying monkeys. Her intent was no doubt to overthrow the Sun. Pausing for a moment before I departed, I replayed the crime scene.
It all suddenly made sense in my mind. Why she chose the time she did. Why now, and why not later. It was the first time in a millennia when all of the Alicorns in existence with the kind of power required to move the celestial bodies were under one roof. The perfect time to strike.
She had used me as a Trojan horse to gain access to the Amulet Vault. She surely couldn’t take on the full might of Luna or Celestia on her own. Once inside the study, she waited until all were asleep to begin her plan. As the last light faded, she transformed herself from the bat. Taking the mission of hypnotizing Twilight to do her bidding and open the vault. Luckily... or rather, unluckily I heard the deed being performed. On top of that, it appeared that the mighty Queen was thirsty. What kind of Queen would she be if she did not partake in rare delicacies? A Human? How many of those do you find? She was more than happy to eat me.
Obviously, I got lucky and her thirst was quenched before my body was completely drained of life. A further attempt to get rid of me was in order. Once she retrieved the amulet from my cold, dead hands, she chucked me over the railing. Like a broken toy. Leaving the room to herself and Twilight.
Somewhere in between she managed to take the entire castle. Whether by quiet force, or stealthy take downs. So far, however, it seemed I was the only fatality. At least one other came close. And he was laying a few feet to my left. His heart was beating strongly. I knew he would be ok.
One thing did worry me. When would I have to feed again? How often do these urges set in?
I look back down at the feather. That little miracle laying in my hand was my only lead. The last chance I had at finding my friends.
I knew what I had to do. I took one last look at my weapons before I departed. I had a dulled knife, supernatural strength in my hands, and three chances at the Vampony’s heart.
I pull one wooden stake out to test its sharpness.
Placing its tip against my skin, I feel my skin crawl. I knew it would work. This method of killing. Of killing... Would also work on my own body.
Taking a deep breath, I sheath the stake and refocus my attention to the feather. I close my eyes, bring it to my nose, and inhale deeply.
It smelled of soft linen. And lilac. Twilights perfume had stuck to her well. Using my newly found bloodhound-like sense of smell, I began to follow a trail. What was truly amazing, was something I couldn’t explain. I still had my eyes tight shut, yet I saw the smell. Like. I could visually SEE it. It was a subtle cloud of purple floating in front of me. Still using my nostrils I looked down at the bright purple cloud around where the feather was. I couldn’t see my hand specifically, but I could smell the skin, I could smell the death on it. I looked around, eyes still closed, at the room around me.
I looked at the throne. A faint blue aura appeared from that area. I knew it was Luna. I turned towards the guards. They each had a smell of their own.
Returning to the feather, I took another whiff. The smell became distinct in my mind as I began to follow it. The trail of scent was very subtle.
It seemed to permeate faintly from the castle walls. My guess would be because she lived here from time to time. The smell shifted to the left, and I followed it.
The purple trail began to grow more and more apparent as I traversed the hallways. The scents I was seeing began to paint the hallways themselves around me. It was like having the ultimate night vision. I followed it up the stairs. Up and up and up. As my footsteps rang out in the dark room, I began to see the sound reverberating. I saw it bounce off the walls and return to my ears.
Echolocation.
I stopped and stared at what I was seeing. It was beautiful. It was like nothing I had ever seen. Seeing without sight. Hearing where I was going. Smelling the entire room into my sight. Not needing the sense of sight. It was a terrible privilege.
Stooping down to feel the floor, I noticed each individual crack in the floor. My senses were heightened to the degree of which I had never heard of. And I was still sane.
I reached the top of the stairs. It was where my plight had first started, back at the study. I opened the door quietly. I could hear each of the hinges squeaking inaudibly. At least to the regular human ear. I went down to the lock. I could hear the tiny pins clicking as I turned the lock.
I took another deep inhale and reassessed the room. I could smell the smell of new books, I could smell my corner of the room. Which was not a pretty smell by the way. I wasn’t dirtier than the average human. I was just a teenager. We tend to do that.
I turned to Twilights upper portion of the room where the scent that had been permeating strongest from. I walk to the strongest corner of the room where all I could “see” was purple.
I open my eyes to find.. not Twilight but her bed.
I was severely disheartened by this. If Twilight wasn’t here? Then where? This is where the trail ended.
I close my eyes and take another breath. I could smell remnants of my blood all over the place. The balcony door hung open. The carpet slightly damp from the water that was raining outside. Then I noticed something else. The trail didn’t quite end at her bed.
On the floor, I saw a slight coloration. I stooped lower to get a better sense of the smell. Running my hands against the carpet I disturbed some more particles.
It looked like a trail that you find when a bloody body had been dragged off in a horror film. Except this was real, and a scent rather than blood. The trail led from two points. From the entrance to the vault, out the door of the balcony.
Stepping outside I noticed another wonder. The rain had caused the smell to be blurred. It was more spread out and less distinct. But the rain brought another thing. It echoed off of every object. All things in “sight”. The entire castle was in my view. The whole city revealed itself to me as far as I could hear. Which was pretty far.
As I looked at the balcony edge. Though I couldn’t see extremely clearly I knew where Twilight had gone. Or in what direction. The air was filled with a slight purple aura. Barely visible. But distinct when you compared it to the darkness of the night.
She flew.
I opened my eyes and looked over the balcony. The drop that I had experienced but a few hours earlier. I was scared, but deep down I knew I could do it.
I began to walk backwards. Back until I was almost in the doorway.
I closed my eyes. I let my hearing guide me. I saw the dark world reveal itself to me. I smelt Twilights trail in the wind. I knew what I had to do. In order to find them all. I could feel it in my bones. The wind flowed through my hair, coursed across my skin. My nostrils flared. My instincts began to drive me.
My fear that had once captured me was gone. I was ready. I let the hunt begin.
I took off running as fast as I could towards the balcony edge. Landing my foot on the railing I jumped.
I jumped far. Farther than any Olympic long jumper.
I felt like Superman. I broke into a swan dive towards the ground. It was approaching fast. At the last second, my body in complete control, I spread my wings.
The rain my sight, the smell my guide, I took off into the night. I was a bat.
I wasn’t a super-sonic jet mind you. But I could fly. I could bucking fly.
I flew over the town, I could hear all the sleeping ponies as I flew through the streets. The tiny flaps of my wings the only sound other than raindrops in the silent night.
Looking right and left I scanned for life. Or lack thereof. The scent seemed to disperse itself all over the town. I couldn’t seem to find Twilight anywhere. Flapping my wings harder, I flew towards the sky. Higher and higher until the whole city was in view. Twilights smell was fading faster and faster with each passing minute. I was running out of time.
What I did see though. Was the concentrations of the scent. She was up in the Northern part of town. She wasn’t that far from the castle gates. Picking up my wings I hurtled as fast as I could for Twilight. I could feel the tension in the air growing as I neared her. My stomach told me I was growing closer and closer to Twilight and the final showdown.
As I grew nearer, I slowed down. I stopped near the marketplace, just outside of the general area that Twilight was in. Losing my wings I dropped to the ground. I landed hard and then tucked and rolled. The scent was much more distinct here. I could faintly smell the others at well. Luna’s scent, Twilight, and two others. One smelled faintly of shampoo and citrus. Taste the power of the Sun. Celestia was near. Cadence smelled of roses and lilies. Fitting for a Princess of love.
I walked forward through the streets. The night grew quiet as the midnight creatures took note of my presence. The crickets continued to chirp. Crickets don’t care.
I opened my eyes to view the world as it was. The castle gates loomed in front of me. Hanging open, unguarded. The soldiers slept in the bow nests above. She sure was thorough. It seemed not a single soul was spared the sleep spell.
I walked into the Castle Courtyard again. I suppose I got caught up in the fact of flying that I flew away from the destination I was looking for. I walked forward and heard an abandoned swing set swaying in the breeze, giving off a quiet *creak-creak* as it went. The rain was still coming down, but much more gently than it had been before. The dark storm clouds had yielded all the water they could retain and would be cleared in the morning. Provided morning ever came.
I open my eyes and notice that I can’t actually see in front of me. I had been fumbling around with my newly discovered powers that I hadn’t even noticed the thick fog that now hindered any vision around me. Lucky for me. Vision wasn’t a problem.
I continued along the abandoned path. The wind howled as it swept between the castle towers. All was quiet, all was tranquil, as is the sound of Death. Twilights scent grew stronger and stronger the closer I got to the final destination on my nightly journey. I soon smelled the scent of young flowers and lush greenery. I knew what lied in front of me, even if my eyes could not tell me.
I closed my eyes once again and snapped my fingers. Soon I “saw” a wave of sound eject from the area my hands were in and rebound off of the walls and ground. I was in the Maze Garden. The same place that all of this got started. I should've been surprised, but I had seen enough horror movies to know that this was to be expected. I considered doing a flyover as a bat but that would give away my position to any unwanted parties with their eyes (and ears) to the sky. Plus I was always more confident on my feet.
I set foot in the God forsaken maze. I could see the scent of Twilight along all sides of the path, where she had been brushed up against the sides of the hedges. Her stench, sticking faintly to the leaves. The smells of the others were strong as well. I could smell the flowery-sweet stench of Cadence and the Vitamin C of Celestia, Luna as well who smelled of Tulips and Moon cakes.
Not really Moon cakes, the author just thought it would be funny to add that because... Uhh...- never mind.
Where was I? Right the path. The deeper I got into the Maze, the smells began to mix together as they all became stronger. Plus there were a few new smells added to the mix. I realized that when I was in the garden earlier, the smell of decomposition wasn’t my imagination. The death was growing apparent in this. Whatever was dead was drawing near.
Though I could smell the scents of the others drawing nearer. If I had a heartbeat it would be pumping louder than ever. I was afraid. I was strong, with new power that I had never fathomed would be placed on my shoulders, but so did my enemy. She was strong, she was ancient, she had a plan. I have anything, I knew not whether the others were already dead and that the stench was their corpses. All I knew is that I had three stakes and a vengeance.
I reach a clearing, eyes still closed I “see” that I am at that tower I had stumbled on earlier that same day. My luck seemed to have run low on this day. My dead heart skipped a metaphorical beat when I heard faint pounding coming from inside. Four faint Heartbeats. Somepony was alive in there.
I cautiously take a silent step forward but am disappointed when my footstep echoes across the courtyard. I stop and hold my breath. Had anypony heard that? For a full minute I stood stock-still. Unsure of what to do, until an idea struck me. I kicked off my shoes and began to tread barefoot. The resulting silence satisfied me. Being a vampire has its perks. You turn into a literal super-hunter. It even ups your ability to be silent. I was a ghost.
I scanned the pillars leading up to the entrance of the tower. The pillars hid nothing, they yielded no signs of life or anything otherwise. Step by step I realized that if I could be so quiet. So could she. This thought sent chills down my spine. I checked my belt and counted three stakes. I take on out along with the knife to be safe.
I reach the iron doors of the tower and silently place my ear against the door in an attempt to hear how far they living were. Their heartbeats were far. Barely in earshot. But maybe it was the heavy iron door between us muffling the sound.
Stepping back I open my eyes and look up at the tower. I could see its silhouette in the fog. Was this the chamber that the old ponies tale talked about? Was this the very spot that the unknown soldier had barely escaped with his life? If so, why was it here? It couldn’t have moved. Could it?
Realizing that there was no quiet way to do this next part, at least not without WD-40, which I don’t exactly have access to in Equestria, I reach for the iron handles. With a tug, I notice that the doors don’t want to budge. Not an inch. I realize I was going to need to try a different approach.
I move to the edges of the large iron doors. I locate the six hinges, three for each door. I take a firm grip on the hinge and shear it clean off. I repeat the process for the other five hinges. I had ripped a lock off by accident earlier. Why not a hinge?
Upon completing this task I prepare to unleash hell. The large iron doors now stand with nothing holding them in their place. Using my ungodly powers I take grip of the door... Using the flat part. The doors bent and snapped as I took grip. With a grunt and not without some strain, I take one door in each hand and tear them away from the entrance and throw them ten feet back. For the second time that night. It should have been amazing. I should have felt like Superman. But I felt like a monster.
Once the dust settled, and the noise that resulted from bent metal and nightmarish strength quieted. I set foot in the ancient tomb. I beheld the steps that were in the legend. I should have been afraid. But I was ready. Ready to take on the darkness with its own weapon.
I could see in the dark where nopony else could. The stairwell was long. The sound of heartbeats grew stronger. I stepped on busted glass unexpectedly. I pull up my foot to pull shards out of it. Looking down once again I see that it’s a smashed lantern, thus confirming my horrifying theory. This was the very place that the legend talked about. Dead center in the heart of Canterlot. How long had this nightmare been laying at the bottom of this place with noponies knowledge.
I reached the bottom of the stairwell with no incident. There was no sign of movement around me, my primary goal was to find the vanished royalty. The stairwell broke off into a straight and narrow hallway. The heartbeats were echoing from the end. I couldn’t see that far yet. My clicks and snaps in effort to see led to no avail. I had to press on.
I began to feel a presence as I marched forward. I knew that it would all end here. No matter what was to happen, I had to free them. The morning had to come, for if it didn’t. This creature would have free reign on the ponies of Equestria. This could not happen. If I am to die in order for them to get away I will take this monster down with me.
I began to near the end of the hallway. I could “see” the end of the hallway. Though I wasn’t there yet I could tell there was a large room that opened up at the end. On the walls above me were collections of ancient shields. I largely ignored them. I felt like in a fight against a vampony, they would be largely useless... until I saw one that caught my eye. It was a metallic circle. Almost disc-like.
This was the one. I knew in my heart that if I were to die, I wanted to die with a shield in hand. I reach up and pull it off of its hinges. It was very simple. It was well made. Probably kept from some ancient war that was lost to history. I knew what I would be using it for. Pulling it to the floor I force my thumb into the claw form it had involuntarily taken earlier and begin carving an incantation on the back of the shield.
Incantations weren’t always magic based, though if they are they are typically stronger. With or without, there is power in words. The incantation I would be using was temporary. It would strengthen the metal. To the degree of which, I wasn’t sure. Whether this shield would crumple after a single hit or hold strong, we would soon see.
I turn the shield around to the front. Where the defending side would be and cant help myself. I carefully carve a crude star on the front.
I take one of the stakes and put stuff it on the belt look around my back. Just in case.
I stand up and face the end of the hallway. Shield on one arm, stake in the other. I take the final steps towards my unseen enemy.
The room opens, and I am in a large expanse. I open my eyes to find the room lit by torches. The room is an arena. In the dead center I see an alter. Tied to it are the four alicorns. All appear physically unharmed, but out cold.
I rush to the altar where it appears they have been made into some sort of sacrifice.
“Thank God you are all ok.” I whisper to myself, knowing that they couldn’t hear me. The only response I get is the comfort in their still beating hearts. I look around and see nopony. I can’t decide which pony I should set free first. They are all equally under a spell that I have no knowledge of how to break. Using my supernatural strength I begin tearing at the ropes.
This process only takes a few seconds. One by one the Princesses drop to the floor. I start with the biggest of them. I hoist Celestia over my shoulders. A feat I would never be able to accomplish as a human. I take off down the hallway at supernatural speeds not taking the time to be silent. I needed to get them out as quick as possible.
Within a span of 30 seconds I am near the exit of the Garden. I deposit the ruler of the sun on a bench not sure whether she would be safe or not. But I didn’t time to search for a better one while the others were still down there.
I sprint back even faster this time. The hedges rush past me as I bolt around corners at speeds that Rainbow Dash would admire. I jump all the way down the stairwell and take 3 strides to reach the end of the hall. This time with speed in mind I grab Twilight who is the smallest and lightest. I turn tail and snatch her from the jaws of death. Placing her down next to her mentor near the entrance to the Garden. I return to the tower a few seconds later.
This whole vampire thing is kinda cool. If everypony wasn’t in imminent danger from an enemy who is most likely watching my every move, I would probably be kinda psyched. Also discounting the whole urge to kill everything.
Looking down at who is left. I can choose either Luna or Cadence... Cadence appears to be in the worst shape of the two. There must have been some sort of struggle. Luna was in a struggle but I feel like Luna held her own better. Cadence had a small trail of blood dripping off of her forehead and that sealed that.
Hoisting Cadence high I run at blinding speeds to the exit. I can feel that it’s almost morning. Dawn should be happening soon. If I can’t figure out a way to wake these ponies in time. Equestria will enter a panic.
I deposit Cadence down next to the other two outside. Far from what was about to go down. Little did I know it. But this was going to get very messy.
I return to the chamber of the night to grab my last passenger. I look at Luna, asleep and in danger. She is beautiful even in the hands of death. I would not let any harm fall upon her. I would defend her or die trying. Same goes for any of my friends.
As I reach down to grab her. She stirs.
“Luna? Are you alright? Luna talk to me.” I whisper urgently. “Come on. We have to get out of here. We are in danger.”
I begin to hear whispers that seem to come from nowhere. Were they my echoes? Were they ghosts of those already victim to her? Either way, a chill was sent down my spine.
“Come on. Wake up. Wake up.” I shake her. “If you’re in there I need you to listen carefully. The Sun must come up. Or lots of ponies are going to die. Do you understand me?”
Her eyes flutter open. She looks at me in a daze. “B- B- Ben?...” She whispers quietly.
“Yes it’s me...” I smile, “Now we have to get-” I felt something. Something was different. It was something. It was a smell... I smelled her.
Luna’s eyes grow wide as she peers over me.
“...”
I hear that same beautiful voice.
“It lives?” she whispers from behind me. “Perhaps I have made a mistake.”
I stand slowly and turn around. Standing on the opposite side of the room is the Scarlett Queen. I can see her plainly now. Her fur is white. Eyes red. Not bad looking honestly.
I whisper to Luna. “The hallway behind us leads to the exit. As soon as you get there. Get the Sun in the air. Do you understand me?”
“But what about you? If you face her. You’ll die.” She says
I look at her with my glowing red eyes to emphasize the fact that, “I’m already dead.”
Without another word Luna bolts towards the door.
The Scarlett Queen explodes in a burst of speed to intercept, but in a second I tackle her to the other side of the room and throw her back to where she started.
I stand in front of the hallway exit. She wasn’t going to leave this place.
She stands back up from the force of the hit.
“You’re strong.” She notes. “Why have you come here?”
I begin my monologue.
“I know who you are... I know what you want... I know what kind of powers you have. I have experienced them myself. I know that I cannot let you leave this place. I do not know why or for what reasons you have come. I do know this. If you live, Equestria will never see the light of day. This is something I cannot allow.”
She says nothing.
“You have hurt so many already. You have tried and succeeded in killing me. You have scared and hurt the ponies that I call friend. You fight for the dark and all for yourself. You prey on the innocent and corrupt the pure.”
She stays silent.
“It’s true. I am not one of them. But these ponies are my family. These are my people. I have only been here a short time but this. This is where I belong. I will defend my home from all those who seek to destroy it.”
“...”
“Is that all?” she asks.
“You’ve taken something from me.” I point my stake and raise my shield, “I’ve come to take it back.”
She sprints towards me. I charge.
We clash at the center of the room. Using my shield I block a swing at my head and rebound her. The force knocks us both to the opposite sides of the room.
I pull myself from the wall and look at the shield which survived the hit. I smile at my good work and look up in time to duck under a hoof. She swings at my temple, which I block with my forearm and counter with a swipe from my stake. Which she proceeds to dodge and flips her body around behind me and kick me in the process. Sending me sailing straight towards a wall.
I plant in the wall face first and hear a crack.
I step out and grab my leg which had broken in the hit, I snap it back into place and it mends almost instantly.
I turn and we face each other once more.
This time I shout, “For the Captain!” and hurl the shield much like the Star-Spangled hero. I give chase. In split second, she ducks under the shield which imbeds itself in the stone wall. In that same split second, her motion of ducking allows me a shot at her face. My fist comes crashing down on her and sends her careening in the opposite direction.
She lands at the other end of the room and looks at me like an angry tiger.
I pop my knuckles, take my jacket off and get ready for the real fight.
She stands and drops her cloak, pops her neck, and flares her horn.
We walk casually to the center of the room where we square off. Stake in one hand, I hold it out to her. I’m an honorable fighter.
Using her magic she takes it and holds it in a fencing position in front of her.
“On the count of three.. we..”
She strikes out at me and I quickly parry. I quickly return with swipes of my own. The force of the hits are tremendous. The stake I am using quickly shatters.
Laughing in triumph she now stabs at me freely. Using my expert dodgeball skills I move like a ninja. Ducking and dashing underneath her stake. With footwork that Michael Jordan would be proud of, I sidestep her stake and tackle her to the ground, where she immediately throws me off and into a wall. I am stunned for a second before my shield drops onto my chest.
I look down and see a chunk of wood shatter across the surface of my shield. I had been .07 seconds from death. Sheer luck saved me.
Not taking time to think over figures I throw my shield on and keep fighting. I bring my shield down on her head and send her straight to the ground. Grabbing her by the mane I yank her up and punch her as hard as I can in the temple, sending her tumbling down the long hallway. She stands up and winks at me.
I feel rage beginning to take hold. I charge down the hallway shouting at the top of my lungs. She lowers her horn and hisses loudly.
Our collision sends a shockwave down both directions. The ground shakes as we careen back into the arena. I jump up quickly but am met with a hoof to the temple. My head shoots one way and another hoof connects at that point.
Raising my shield provides no comfort from the onslaught as its yanked off of my arm and smashed onto my forehead. For a brief moment as she raises the shield for a second swing I see an opening in her defense and kick her hind legs out from under her, causing her to lose her balance.
Now’s your chance.
Taking advantage for a split second I blast her in the chest but grab her by the tail before she goes. My eyes glow red from anger and magic.
“You...”
I throw her into the wall.
“Will not...”
I meet her before she can recover. She gets a jab between the eyes.
“Hurt! Anypony!”
Grabbing her by the throat I punt her like a football and she bounces off the ceiling and rebounds off the floor. Sprinting at speeds I couldn’t even begin to comprehend I blast her with a left hook and plant her into the wall once more.
The angrier I grow the stronger I feel. I look over and can tell she’s the same way. Her face is contorted to that of a beast. Her fangs were now bared and she had grown bat wings. It made me wonder what I looked like.
I could feel the claws on my arms and the fangs sticking out of my mouth. I felt like a true monster. For a moment, that’s exactly what I wanted to be.
Letting out an ungodly howl I charged. She did the same.
This time however, I was thinking smart. Instead of clashing like we usually did. I baseball slid. In slow motion she went flying over me. She looked down at me as I went under. Her wings were spread. Fangs bared, and mane flowing in the air as she moved. It was really quite amazing. Despite the fact the were meant for me.
As I was sliding I grabbed her tail. Our momentums canceled out at I yanked and she landed smack on the ground. I whip around and jump on top of her. She proceeds to buck. But when she bucks, it’s like... superpowered. So I easily get slammed off of the ceiling. She smacks me. I slide a few feet but stay up. She swings at my left. I block with my left arm. We both swing with our opposing forelimb.
My fist and her hoof meet and there’s the sound of bones crunching.
The Queen and I back off for a second. I crack my broken forearm back into the proper position. She does the same.
Now I’m beginning to fight more carefully. I begin to see her patterns of attacks. Her left hoof hooks. Followed by a right jab.
Taking note of this I block her left hook and quickly sidestep. I do a quick leg sweep and trip her. Wrapping my arm around neck I throw her on the ground and get in between her flailing hooves so she cant throw me off this time.
In protest she hisses violently. Swinging at me any chance she got. I kept my guard up towards my face. Holding my face like an MMA fighter. Instead of punching her. I get low and sock her in the jaw with my elbow. She cannot move now. Sweat runs down my brow as I continue the cycle of blocks to attacks.
Beat her down.
It would go *block-block-block* followed by my fists and elbows crashing into her temple and jaw. Bit by bit I felt her getting weaker. She couldn’t take much more. There were sure sign of fatigue on her. Cuts and scrapes were beginning to appear and stay on her skin the more the cycle dragged on.
I was breathing deeply even though I didn’t need to. I sat up straight. I stratal her belly and bring my arms full swing and full power. The crashes reverberated through the chamber as her strength dwindled. She finally stopped swinging.
Now is the time.
With one final swing I connect with her jaw. Knocking her head to the ground. She isn’t unconscious, but she’s in no mood to move. I stop and look at her. Her vampirism had faded. Her wings gone, fangs sank back into her jaw. Not moving her head, she turns her eyes towards me.
Kill her. Kill her. End it now.
I reach back into my belt and pull out the final stake. I look at it in my hand. Then look at the pony underneath me.
“Are you..” She asks with sadness in her voice, “going to kill me?”
I thought for a moment.
I thought like a sane human being. I just stopped and thought: What have I done?
She looked like death. No pun intended. If she were living she would’ve already been dead by blunt trauma. Looking at her I could see a tear in her eye. She didn’t want to die. Who did?
Who am I kidding. I’m no killer. This world doesn’t need murder or vengeance in it. Like the atom bomb. Those are human creations. I’m better than that. If I kill her now. I’d be no better than her. What would the point of my magic studies be for? What’s the greatest magic of all?
“...No...” I admit. “No I’m not.”
I drop the stake and smash it under my foot.
“I’m sorry this happened.” I say.
I lean down and pick up the poor pony I had just been wailing on and carry her over my shoulder.
I walk towards the exit.
The vampony says nothing.
...
“You know. There are other ways of dealing with Vampirism than eating ponies?”
She still says nothing.
...
“Hey. Now I don’t know who you are exactly. I don’t know what kind of background you had. I know you were Queen at one point. What happened down here to cause you to go vampony and kill ponies?”
“... A dark magic...” She said.
“What kind of dark magic?”
“I don’t really want to talk about it...” she says.
Not wanting to interrogate much more, it’s my turn to be silent.
“How can you show me mercy?” She asks, “I would’ve killed you without a second thought. How can you forgive me?”
“We all make mistakes.” I tell her. “Let me tell you a short story. A story from where I come from.”
“There was a man. He was a very special man. He was blameless. Some would say he was perfect. He had many followers... Though, the authorities didn’t appreciate him as much as the people.”
“What happened to the man?” She asks.
“... They killed him...”
“...”
“What kind of a story was-”
“But... he forgave them for what they did. And because he was perfect. He was the sacrifice that the world needed.”
“...really?”
“Yup... at least thats what some believe. I just needed a parable of some sort to emphasize forgiveness and I couldn’t think of a better one. Point is. I forgive you. Everyone can be forgiven. Look at Princess Luna. She was locked away for 1000 years, but she forgave her sister. I’m sure they’ll forgive you too.”
“Who... who.. are you?” She asks.
“The names Short, Ben Short. But some call me Iron Man, Two Legs, back on Earth they call me SHOOOOOOOOOOOORTS.” I shout, “Just depends on your taste really.”
The Vampony Queen laughs quietly. “I like you. Maybe I misjudged you.”
“Now I suppose I should ask for your forgiveness as well.”
“For what?”
“For beating your flank to a bloody pulp.” I say with a sly smile.
She smiles back, “I can forgive you.”
“Thanks. I’m not a bad guy. You don’t have to be either.”
“...”
“What should I call you?” I ask
“Call me Scarlett.” she says, “Just Scarlett.”
“Well then Scarlett. I suppose theres just one more order of business. I will be your friend. I will stand with you. Will you be my friend as well?”
“...” She is quiet. “Why? Why would befriend a creature like me?”
“Because Friendship is Magic.” I say with a smile. “Now pardon me. But is there a chance I would be human again?”
-----------------------------------------------------
By the time we reached the exit of the Garden. Scarlett was able to walk again. We talked quietly of the night. We talked of the weather. I even complimented her on the thought and skill behind her plan.
We stepped out and the night was clear. The moon was setting, the Sun about to come up. Luna was probably taking care of that. Still sitting on the bench were the three Alicorns. Snoozing away.
“Oh yes.” Says Scarlett. “I almost forgot.”
She flairs her horn and the ponies begin to stir.
“I believe this is yours.” She says floating me the Amulet she stole.
I take it in my hand and look at it. It was Erin Hypno’s Amulet. The father of true hypnosis. Probably should’ve known that. Never got a good look at it.
Celestia raised her head and yawned.
“Oh.. my what has happened he-” She spies the Vampony and flares her horn ready to attack.
I step in front of Scarlett.
“That won’t be necessary.” I say
The Princess lowers her horn.
“...”
“Please don’t hurt my friend.” I ask
Her first look is one of confusion. Then it fades to a small smile.
“...”
“I’ll have a Friendship report ready ASAP.” I report proudly.
--------------------------------------------------------------
“We’ve only got a few minutes till dawn.” Says Scarlett to me. “Are you sure you’re ready?”
“100%” I say, biting down on a stick. “Lee’r riff” (Let her rip)
Scarlett bites my cold wrist.
A slight pain enters my arm as Life flows back into my body. I feel warm fluids enter my body as my blood returns. I take a deep breath and it actually had purpose. Never before had I ever appreciated the beating of my own heart.
Scarlett releases my arm. And smiles at me.
I move my muscles. Get the fluid running through my body.
I look at Scarlett. She looks at me.
“Thank you.” We say in unison.
“...”
“Wanna go watch the Sunrise?” I ask
“No.. I burn easy.”
We both laugh.
“Come on. Go put on a cloak and sun hat. You’ll be fine.” I say
----------------------------------------------
Celestia had made it back in time to take over the Sun rise. Twilight, Scarlett, Luna, and myself were on Luna’s balcony watching.
Luna flared her horn and we watched the Moon fall from its position in the sky.
I hear Scarlett let out a nervous gulp.
I wrap my arm around her neck, like a good friend.
“Hey, you’ll be ok.” I say
“You don’t know that.” She says.
“But I do.”
In the distance, I see a light. The Sun begins to rise. As the sun peaks its orange face over the horizon, I feel the first rays hit my face. The warm spring wind blows across the valley and it’s morning. It is truly a great day to be alive.
Scarlett put on her shades. She seemed more at ease when she didn’t burst into flames.
We all stand there for a moment. Happy to see the Sun.
Twilight is the first to speak. “So you’re a vampony? That’s really something. Do you mind if I ask you a few questions?” She says pulling out a quill and notebook.
“Not at all.” Says Scarlett, “May we go inside though?”
“Of course. How silly of me.”
They go inside. Scarlett now the source of everyponies interest.
I watch them go inside and turn back towards the balcony.
Luna is busy looking out towards the Sun. She leans against the balcony, occupied with feeling the warmth of its light.
I walk over to the balcony and join her in just watching, and listening to the birds. The wind blowing gently on our faces.
All is peaceful as of now.
...
...
“You know..” I say, “When you were on the moon there was this little mountain country called uhh... Transylmania.”
Luna turns her attention to me, I continue staring onto the horizon as the sun climbs higher in the sky.
“While everypony was getting prepped for the Sunrise, Scarlett and I were in the Library digging up records. Transylmania was a mountain country that collapsed after their Queen mysteriously vanished. There was an old ponies tale. But I feel like everypony here knows how it ended. Anyway, once the small mountain kingdom collapsed it was thrown into a state of utter chaos. At least until it ceded with the Celestial Empire. Now as I understand it, you and Celestia didn’t always have Canterlot. You used to live in a Castle in what’s now the Everfree?”
“Correct”
“Well... I haven’t talked to Celestia about it, but the records say your sister was distraught after what happened and couldn’t stand the sight of the old castle. She insisted that the capitol be moved. Well once Transylmania got ceded, the beautiful mountain ranges caught her eye. She ordered the Capitol moved there. When they began clearing the land in preparation for building they found this little chamber. Nopony really cared what it was or what it contained so they asked what was to be done with it. Whenever Celestia saw it she loved it. Knowing and caring nothing of what was inside of it or what might come out, she ordered the Castle Garden be built straight around this beautiful spire in the mountains. Once it was all said and done the spire quickly forgotten.
I spent most of the night trying to figure out why the Scarlett Queen would travel from beyond the edge of the Equestrian border in order to get to Canterlot. That’s when the thought occurred to me, the boundaries probably didn’t look the same a millennia ago.”
“What does this mean?” She asks
“Well... you see. Scarlett didn’t come to Canterlot. Canterlot came to her. Transylmania IS Canterlot. The Chamber from the Legend is what Canterlot’s entire city structure was built around. That Vampony right in there? She basically built Canterlot. Isn’t that the coolest thing?”
“I suppose it’s something to think about.” Says Luna
“History. I love it.” I say
...
“So it turns out I had everything all wrong.” I start, “At least to an extent.”
“About what?” Luna asks.
“Her intent and planning. One thing that didn’t make sense was why she chose now to come out. Earlier that night, I thought it was because of the Summit.” I say, “Was it purely coincidence that she comes out at the one time when all of Equestrias Royalty is under one roof? I mean, why not a year ago? Or a year in the future? You have this same stupid meeting every year... I didn’t take into account she’s always been here.
So what was different this time?” I ask
Luna remains silent.
I point to myself, “Me. I was present. It was the only difference. Scarlett says I was just collateral damage but it seemed almost too perfect. I mean. Number 1. I was the only would-be fatality. She didn’t bite anypony else. 2. What I just happened to turn into became the only thing standing in her way. She would have won if it happened any other way. Period. If she sucked me dry. I’m dead. She wins. If she left me alone and then hypnotized me and killed me later. I’m dead. She wins.
As far as timing, I asked her about it but she didn’t seem to know much more than me. She just walked out one night and planned from there. No rhyme or reason. It seems almost too good to be true. Did she get tired of being in there? She doesn’t remember much past sealing herself in all those years ago. Call me crazy but I don’t think this is a coincidence. I almost wonder if she was under orders and didn’t know it. A literal sleeper agent. My gut is telling me something else is at play. Something bigger.”
“Are you suggesting there’s a third party?” She asks.
“I don’t know. In the story, there was a stallion who knew of the chamber. He vanished once the Queen entered. He never shows up again. I went through his description from the legend. Nothing turns up. No census records. Nothing.
I don’t know who. But Someone knew about the chamber. What if they still do? What if this was a plan years in the making? And Scarlett was just a pawn?”
“If she was a pawn, then what is the big agenda? Why didn’t the puppet masters take Canterlot when they easily could’ve. They had us where they wanted us.”
“I don’t know. It doesn’t make any sense. Some would say zero sense. I can’t draw conclusions without every piece of the puzzle. Wait.. It was easy wasn’t it?”
I stop and run my hands through my head. “It was too easy. They didn’t like the way it played out, so they folded. Waited for not a better hand, but a more interesting hand.”
“An interesting hand?” Asks Luna confused
“Well you see, in Poker. Would you rather win the pot with a good hand? Or win with a decent hand and a really good poker face? Which victory is more satisfying?
...
“That’s quite the theory.” She says flatly
I start laughing when I realize how dumb that sounds, “Don’t listen to me. I’m talking crazy and I’ve had a long night.”
But I give one last bit of crazy.
“The worst part. Going into the fight, there was this little voice in the back of my head that wanted me to kill her. Someone wanted me to kill her. I think I was supposed to kill her.”
“Why?” Asked Luna
“I don’t know. To prove a point? But that’s part of the reason I’ve been spitting this crazy talk. Last night I experienced some pretty crazy things. That little voice, it wasn’t my own... And I was so close to actually doing it, it scared me.”
...
...
“You think she’ll be alright?” Asks Luna
...
“Scarlett? She’ll be fine now that she’s away from that dark Chamber.” I say
“How can you be sure?”
...
“Because I believe in her...” I pause “The same way I believe in you.”
Luna smiles and uses her body to shove me aside playfully. Which I return the gesture.
“I’m glad I met you Princess. I miss my home, but I feel like this is where I need to be now. This place is amazing. I never would have imagined in a million years that I would be able to befriend a Vampire.”
“Welcome to Equestria, where anything is possible.” She says.
“...”
“Thank you for saving me.” She says.
“I was wondering when you’d thank me.” I laugh, “Gee, I mean you didn’t even shout for help, what kind of damsel in distress are you?”
“How’s about we throw you over the railing of this balcony?” She says jokingly.
“Been there. Done that.” I laugh
We both laugh.
We stop and smile at each other.
She steps closer and rubs her head in my chest.
I embrace her warmly.
....
....
“Things are going to be different now aren’t they?”
“Eeyup..”
I let her go and bid her farewell. “It’s been nice but I’d like to get some sleep. Been up all night and Got Lucky...”
I walk over to pick up my “new” shield and nearly drop it.
“Dang, its a lot heavier than I remember.”
Luna lets out a giggle.