//------------------------------// // Blood is Thicker than Water (Edited) // Story: The Bats Return // by MetalBrony823 //------------------------------// Discord appeared out of nowhere just in the Everfree forest, hopefully, he lost those monsters that just captured Spike, Pip, Zecora, and Big Mac. Luckily, the trail had gone cold for the bat ponies to track the master of chaos down, either that, or Spike was Fluttershy's top priority. He didn't believe for the bat ponies to know that he and his friends were coming to stop this madness, but on the positive side, he still had the antidote in his grasp, so not all hope is lost for Discord, or all of Equestria. However, he was still in a tone of panic. The master of Chaos however, felt guilty just leaving Spike and his friends there to be held prisoner when they were compromised on their mission. He felt like a terrible friend, but then he realized that if he stayed there longer, he would have been a victim and became a vampire himself, and he was more powerful than any other creature in Equestria besides Celestia and Luna. He then focused at the matter at hand; saving Equestria. "Oh, what do I do? What do I do?" he thought out loud, pacing to and fro for a solution to come into his brain. "Think, Discord! Think!" He said to himself, tapping his first finger on his head. He really wished that Celestia and Luna were with him to help, but sadly, they were not, for Discord was on his own, and Blueblood is a no-account substitute for his aunts. He then thought of an idea at last. "No worries." He said. "I just need to get Spike and the freedom fighters out of Fluttershy's grasp, and I can cure her and all her friends." It sounded suicide, and he was greatly outnumbered almost all the population of Ponyville to one Drancequus. Sadly, he has no choice; for all he knew, Spike, and his friends that were not vampires could be on grave danger right now. Also, this must require patience, and the appropriate time to do it. He looked at the new red castle, towering over the rest of Ponyville. "Don't worry, Spike. " said Discord looking on. "I will save you. Just stay strong." He does know Spike, and indeed, he was a very strong dragon. Not in body, of course, but strong-willed. Four hours later; five hours later to be exact, in the Blood Red castle towering all of Ponyville, Spike was sleeping on a nice, soft, warm bed under these... Very soft covers. He sighed while he was sleeping, and the bed was really comfortable for him. The baby dragon begin to stir, and heard a soft voice whispering "sh, sh, sh. He's waking up." It sounded alot like Fluttershy's voice. The baby dragon wiped his eyes, so he can see, and saw his friends, Fluttershy, Applejack, Twilight, Rainbow, Pinkie, and Rarity, still as bat-ponies, looking at him. Half of them have evil smiles, and the other half had regular smiled. The baby dragon gasped, and screamed very loudly, seeing his evil friends, he hid under the covers, shaking very violently. He was really scared. "Looks like this is the end." Spike thought. It definitely looked like they were going to have a cooked baby dragon for dinner, with Spike on the menu, in fact the only thing on the menu. The girls looked surprised by his reaction. Regardless, Fluttershy came up to him on the bed. "Spike?" said Fluttershy. "What's... what's wrong?" she placed her hoof on the baby dragon's body while he was shaking with fear under the covers. The touch from her hoof only seemed to made Spike whimper a small cry. "Are you okay, Spike?" Said Fluttershy. She slowly, and gently lifted the covers so that she and her servants can see him. "Ple- please." Spike whimpered. "Please don't eat me." He covered his face in terror. He was so scared that a few tears escaped his eyes. Fluttershy and her friends gasped with shock to hear Spike said that. "What? Eat you?" Said Fluttershy. "Why would we even do that?" "Yes, Spike." Said bat Rarity. "We would never dream of such a horrible thing like that." "Why would you even think of such a horrible thing like that?" Said Applejack. Spike showed most of his face to his brainwashed friends, and answered while whimpering "I- I- I don't know. You... You said that you had some special plans for me." He covered his small body, and continued shaking, and cried really loudly. He felt the soft hoof of Fluttershy touch him once again. "Ssssshhhhh. It's okay." Said Fluttershy, really gently. He gently picked Spike up from the bed so that he can look at him. "Please.... Don't hurt me." Spike whimpered. The yellow pegasus then pulled Spike into a hug. "Ssssssshhhhh. Ssshhhhhhh. don't cry." Fluttershy whispered. Very softly and gently. It took a little while, but Spike was calming down slowly. Somehow, even though almost all his friends were evil bat-ponies, they were suddenly.... Very nice to him, like they usually were. Fluttershy kept stroking his back, and gently shushing him while she was still hugging him. At last, Spike stopped his crying and calmed himself down. Just like that, she let him go. "Better?" She asked him "Yeah." Was all Spike replied. "So... You're not gonna eat me?" "Of course not." Said Fluttershy. "We would never." Said Twilight, coming up to join Fluttershy to comfort the baby dragon "We do have special plans for you, Sugarcube." Said Applejack. "But eating you is definitely not one of them." Said Rarity "Even though your blood will taste pretty good, like everypony else's." said Pinkie Pie. Her statement didn't help at all. Fluttershy came off from the bed, and slapped Pinkie Pie across her face. "Ow. What was that for?" Said Pinkie Pie. "His blood does not taste good!" Fluttershy scolded. "Don't even think about drinking from Spike again, or you'll be thrown in the dungeon! And then whip you until your back bleeds! Do you understand, Pinkie?" Pinkie nodded a nervous yes, still trying to ease the pain Fluttershy inflicted on her face. "Good." Said Fluttershy, who changed her tone from angry to happy. She turned her attention back to Spike, and said "Sorry about her Spike. Don't listen to her." "O...okay." Spike replied. "So... So... What do you mean by... Special plans then?" The girls smiled at him. "Come with me, Spike." Said Fluttershy, extending her hoof like she wanted him to hold her hoof. "I want to show you something." Spike was very nervous by the offer, a d thought it was a trick. "We promise we won't hurt you. Please come hold Fluttershy's hoof." Said Rainbow Dash. The baby dragon still had a little doubt about this, but he slowly, and cowardly reached his arm and latched his hand on Fluttershy's hoof. "See, that wasn't so bad. " said Fluttershy. She and Spike, with the others following behind them walked to wherever Fluttershy could possibly go to. "So... where's Pip, Big Macintosh and Zecora?" Spike asked nervously. "Oh, Pip is with the girls." Fluttershy answered. "Please don't worry about him. We would never hurt him either. As for Zecora and Big Mac, they... they're in the dungeon." Spike was so relieved to here that his comrades were all okay, and he wondered how Discord was after he left them. Spike had a mixed emotion of anger and concern for Discord for leaving them, and concerned for his safety. Fluttershy and her friends stopped walking, and the leader said to him "here we are." There was the throne room with one large blood red demonic looking throne, and another one that was just like it, but a little smaller. The large one had to be Fluttershy's throne, and the smaller one next to it had to be... Spike's. Spike looked really amazed by what he was seeing. "Wow." He said. "Do you like it?" Said Fluttershy "Well yeah, but... but... what is this?" The baby dragon asked "Isn't it obvious, Spike?" Said Twilight. "Your Fluttershy's new king." Spike could hardly believe what Twilight just said. "A... king?" He said in disbelief. He turned his face back to Fluttershy, and asked her. "I... I thank you for the throne but... why are you being so nice to me?" Fluttershy bent down to Spike's height, and answered "because, I like you, Spike. You are the sweetest, most kindest baby dragon ever. You deserve something special for being so nice to me." the baby dragon was touched, and didn't know what to say by Fluttershy's very kind words. "Wow, and... this is all... for me?" He finally said at last. "Of course." Said Fluttershy with a smile. Suddenly, a guard came running up to the group and said to her while bowing to his queen. "Your highness, dinner's ready." "Excellent." said Fluttershy. "We'll be over in a minute. Just wait for us." "Yes, my queen." Said the guard, returning to his regular duties. Fluttershy turned back to Spike and her friends, and said to the baby dragon "Would you like me to show you this new castle? After we eat" "I... i guess." Spike replied timidly. Fluttershy smiled at his answer. "Good." she said. The vampire elements, with Spike following behind them. The baby dragon really admired the beauty of this new castle, even though it is filled with evil, and the fact that this is the lair of the beast, a really cute and kind beast. When they arrived in the dining room, their was a long dinner table, and the last one, had a larger chair with a smaller one next to it. It was obviously of course, Spike and Fluttershy's seats. Everypony settles themselves in, and Fluttershy moved Spike's small seat so that he wouldn't have to do it himself. "Here you go, my king." said Fluttershy kindly. "Thanks?" said Spike. "You're welcome, Spike." Fluttershy replied sweetly. The baby dragon sat up on the chair, and like his brainwashed friends, waited for food to come on the table so they can eat. After waiting patiently for a few minutes, the waiters came and sat their plates in front of the girls and Spike. The girls plates were just many large apples on them, with Fluttershy's the biggest out of them all. Spike's plate however was far too different, It was a tower of many colorful gems and jewels. Spike gasped with surprise and his mouth went open, drooling with excitement. Fluttershy giggled at his reaction. "I knew you would love it." she said. "Are these really for...?" Spike was so speechless by the beautiful sight of his dinner, that he was speechless. "Yep, they are all for you, Spike." Twilight said. "Bon appetite, mon ami." said the waiter. Spike jumped and he dove into his large pile of gems and jewels, eating almost everyone of them. After he was finished, he laid back on his chair, patting his already full stomach. "Did you enjoy those gems, Spike?" said Rainbow dash. "Yes, i hope you really enjoyed them." said Rarity "Yeah. I did." said Spike. He gave out a really loud burp that shook the whole dining room. He covered his mouth in embarrassment, and said "Sorry." "That's okay, Spike." said Fluttershy. "Yeah, that was a good one." said Rainbow Dash, admiring Spike's incredible burp. "Are you full?" asked Twilight. "Yeah." Spike replied with a hiccup. "My stomach kind of hurts." "Here, let me carry you." said Fluttershy. She gently picked up Spike and carried him to her throne room, making the baby dragon worry about what will happen with him next. While Fluttershy was carrying him, Spike asked "so.. you're not going to hurt Pip, are you?" "Of course not." said Fluttershy. "I promise you he is in good hooves with the girls. I told them not to hurt them, and make him comfortable." The baby dragon didn't really trust her completely, but he really hoped that Pip was alright. "I'm pretty sure he's still asleep right now." said Fluttershy. "Why don't you take it easy for a little while, and... Maybe we'll give you a castle tour then." "Okay." Spike replied. Pip was still fast asleep on a different bed. Like Spike, he was very peaceful while he was in his sleep. "Piiiiipppp." said a familiar filly's voice. it sounded alot like Sweetie Belle's. "Wake up." it said again. The young colt did what the familiar voice told him, and he slowly got up. He yawn, and opened his eyes. "What just..." he stopped his sentence to see the vampirized Scootaloo, Applebloom, and Sweetie Belle looking at him. "Did you sleep well?" Ask Scootaloo. Pip's only answer was "Aaaaaaaaaahhhhhh!!!!" He swiftly got out of the bed, and quickly looked for an exit. He found the door, and ran as fast as he could, but was tackled by Scootaloo, who stopped him from escaping. She held him down for as much as she could, but with a quick spurt, Pip broke free of her grasp, and ran up to the door, but sadly, it was locked tighter than a regular bank safe. He kicked the door with all his might, and with all his strength, but alas, it was no use at all. "Pip wait." Said Applebloom. Pip looked back, and saw the three vampire fillies, walking up to him. Now, he didn't know what to do. He cowardly scooted away from the three and began to cry a few tears. Without thinking, he jumped on the bed, and covered himself with the covers. "Please!" Said Pip. "Please don't eat me!" The crusaders were confused, and deeply concerned for the deeply scared Pip. The three went up to the really scared Pip, and Applebloom slowly removed the sheet. Pip felt the covers being pulled off and covered himself as he was crying. "Pip? Are you okay?" Asked Sweetie Belle softly. "No." Pip sniveled. "Please don't" he felt something gently pulling him, and felt himself being hugged by Scootaloo, gently patting his back "Shhhh...." Scootaloo cooed. "It's okay, buddy." She continued hugging him to make him feel better. "Yeah, Pip." Said Applebloom softly, who joined in Scootaloo's way to calm Pip down. "We're not going to eat you." "We just want to make you feel comfortable." Said Sweetie Belle "You're.... You're not going to eat me, or kill me?" Pip sobbed. "Shhh. Of course we're not." Said Scootaloo soothing Pip. The colt started to calm down, but was still a little terrified. "What do you mean by... Making me comfortable?" Pip asked. Scootaloo broke her hug with him The fillies smiled at him. Applebloom answered by saying "Fluttershy told us that you were becoming scared when you got captured." "Which you are." The two fillies glared at her. Scootaloo gave a nervous look. "So- sorry." Said Scootaloo. "I was just making a point." "Anywho." Applebloom continued. "We just want to show you that you have nothing to be afraid of, and show you around the castle top." "So... Are you feeling okay, Pip?" Sweetie asked. "We're worried about you." "I.... I don't know." Pip said honestly. "It's okay if you're scared, Pip." Said Scootaloo, placing her hoof softly on his shoulder. "Yeah. We understand." Sweetie added. "We were... He he, we... kind of expecting that." "Where is Spike, Big Mac, and Zecora.?" Pip asked "Spike's with Fluttershy. He's Fluttershy's new king." Sweetie answered. Pip's eyes went wide. Spike as a new king of the vampir ponies? Didn't expect to see that coming to him. "Zecora, and Big Mac are locked up in the dungeon." Applebloom answered after Sweetie Belle. Pip began to worry about the two, for he remembered that them, Spike, and Discord were by his side when they were sneaking into the castle. "Son't worry, we won't hurt them." Said Scootaloo. "Spike is being crowned a king?" Said Pip in disbelief "Uh-huh." Said all three fillies in unison. "So... Now that you got me.... Please don't bite me at least." Pip said. "I don't want be a vampire." "Don't worry, Pip." Said Scootaloo kindly. "We won't. Pip gave a whew sound, relieved to hear that. "Thank you." He said. The three fillies smiled at him in return for his complement. "So, we would like to give you a tour." Said Sweetie Belle. Pip gave a nervous look while wiping his eyes. "Don't worry." Said Applebloom. "It will be fine." "We won't hurt you." Scootaloo added. "We promise." Pip was a little skeptical, but... He reluctantly decided to go with it, and slowly got out of bed."okay. I'll come with you." Pip said The girls smiled at him. "Delightful!" Sweetie squeaked. "Come on, Pip." The colt followed the three fillies as Sweetie unlocked the door, and began Pip's tour. In the dungeon, Big Mac and Zecora were held prisoners, and were indeed, placed in different jail cells. "Pst! Hey, Zecora!" Big Mac whispered. "Are you there?" "Yes, and don't worry, Big Mac. I am alright, but I feel like I just got knocked down by a head smack." Zecora replied. Big Mac sighed in relief. "I'm so glad you're play." He whispered. "Now where are Pip and Spike, for I am very worried about those brainwashed tikes." Said Zecora. "I don't know." Big Mac admitted. "Hopefully, they're okay. "I am also concerned about Discord. I just hope he's okay." "That statement I understood, but for we must get out of these hellish cells while the going is still good." The zebra stated. "I don't honk we can get out so easily." Said Big Mac. "The security is tight like a bunch of Watusi cows guarding a farm trough." For Big Mac was right, and Zecora knew that as well as anypony would. This sounds like this requires patience and precision. They both prayed for Discord's arrival, for he could make the best out of any situation as the princess' could do. Rights for this song go to Black Label Society.