//------------------------------// // Prologue // Story: Applejack the Vampony Slayer // by Immanuel //------------------------------// Prologue "Even before the Rise of Nightmare, we Apples were the Defenders of Orchards, protectors of all that grew and flourished under Celestia's light. As anow, we held the line against beasts of darkness that would feed upon the good, the holy and the innocent. We sacrifice our lives in the fight against the Dark; it is our sacred duty, trust given unto us by Her Holiness Herself as She spent Her life to defeat the wicked Mare in the Moon. As She gave Her life to protect Equestria from eternal darkness, so too we will give ours to protect Her children against the spawn of Nightmare. ”This Duty has passed from generation to generation, in unbroken line for a thousand years. We are but a few, and our enemies are legion. The Church would call us Heretics, even as we defend their lives. Other ponies would laugh at our Trust, even as they fear the Night without knowing why. Even as we die in battle, no one knows of our task and our sacrifice. ”That is the price we pay: that our Duty is secret, thankless and deadly. Our beliefs are True, and as such shirked by the ignorant. And ignorance of others is assurance that we remain vigilant in our task. And to die in battle is to fulfill that Duty without a doubt. Ya die with the knowledge that others live because of yer sacrifice. But know this, daughter: ye'll never be alone. Yer Family stands with ya. In Apples, ye'll always have friends. And in yer Duty, ye'll have the Blessings of the Old to help ya. No pony will be as strong, as fast and as enduring as ya. No other pony would stand against our enemies. And as long as we retain our secrets, they will not see ya coming. ”Today, on the day of yer Cutie Mark, ah pass these secrets unto ya, child, and call ya to join the ranks of Slayers as a true Apple. Will ya accept yer Duty, to hunt and oppose all the creatures of the Dark, to give yer life in that struggle if so required and to uphold our secrecy to the best of yer ability?” ”Ah sure do, Pa.” ”Then, Applejack Christine Apple, ye'll be henceforth known amongst the Apples as Applejack the Vampony Slayer! ”Now, everypony, put yer hooves up, and git it on with this here shindig! Mah daughter's a Slayer! Yee-haw!” Applejack woke from her slumber with tears in her eyes and a lump in her throat. ”Ah miss ya, Pa. Ah miss ya, Ma.”