//------------------------------// // Chapter 5: Contacts and Contracts // Story: Follower of the Night // by Nova_Wings //------------------------------// Chapter 5: Contacts and Contracts Night groggily opened his eyes, the room was pitch black. It took a moment to remember where he was, after the show last night he and Storm had gone with Emerald to a local bar for drinks. It was after the third 'Night Buck' (a combination of blood, vodka, and a few other things Night wasn't sure he wanted to know), that things got rather fuzzy. But between the fuzzy patches he remembered making it home with Storm and Emerald, now the question, where were they? Stretching slightly Night moved about where he was laying, it was soft if a bit lumpy. Lighting his horn he could finally see, he was on a couch. Looking around he could make out enough of the room to tell he was in his parents apartment, but again that begged the question, where were they? Squeak squeak squeak Night could hear a a repetitive sound from somewhere. Squeak squeak squeak Looking around he still couldn’t find the source. What the buck is making that noise? It's kinda like something bounc... OH BUCK! Realization hit like ten cups of coffee and a sack of apples. Their bucking, now I remember why I moved back to Ponyville. OK need to get out now, comeback latter to say goodbye, but right now GET THE BUCK OUT! Night reached out with his magic and grabbed his saddle bag, the moment they touched his back he turned into a smoke cloud. Using the shadows he phased his way threw the door (while all vamponies could use 'smoke shadow' unicorns could phase through objects using shadows), and out into the hall and away from his horny parents. Checking his saddle bag to see that he had enough bits on him, he headed off into Canterlot to occupy his time until he left latter that night. After stopping at donut Joe's for breakfast, Night walked the shopping district for a time, not really interested in anything just admiring the different items for sale. A few hours latter Night finally tempted fate and returned to his parents apartment, thankfully as he opened the door he could hear conversation rather then shameless bucking. Storm and Emerald were sitting at the kitchen table chatting when Night walked in. “We were wondering if you skipped town on us.” Emerald said with a teasing pout. “You know I'd never leave with out saying goodbye, but I wasn't sticking around this evening.” “Ya, sorry about that son. Guess we kinda forgot you were here tonight.” Storm said while rubbing the back of his head. “Its ok, but I got to get going soon, I have work back in Ponyville.” Night lifted a small round stone out of his saddle bag, it glowed with a soft pink light. Guild members were given these enchanted stones, so the guild could alert them to contracts waiting for them. “Ah yes, work calls, literally.” Storm noted. “Well we wont keep you then, but you should come by more often, we do miss you.” Emerald added. “I will.” Night said as he hugged both his parents. With goodbyes said Night headed off to the train station to catch a train back to Ponyville, the trip back was as uneventful as the other night, with the exception of conversation around him. From what he gathered the hunters had hit Manehattan already, but there was talk about a siege, he would have to get more information when he got to the guild. As he thought about the guild he wondered who had requested him, it wasn't unusual for a contract to be for a specific pony, reputation was everything in the guild, but he didn't think he had that kind of reputation yet. The train pulled into a busy Ponyville station, it was about midnight now and those who lived in the night were out and about now. Slowly making his way through the crowd, Night heard a lot of conversation revolving around the hunters and Manehattan. Soon he was out in the streets of Ponyville, the guild was across from the town hall in the middle of town, still a good distance away. About twenty minuets, a few distractions, and an apple latter Night walked into the guild hall, the main room was a large open room set up with benches and tables in neat rows, on the far right wall was the contract board where open contracts were posted. In the back was a long bar that took up almost the entire back wall, Night walked up to one of the mares working the bar, a pale yellow pegasus with white mane. “Hey Stardust.” Stardust turned to look at Night. “Oh hello Night Shade, here about that request that came in?” “Yep, guess with all the big timers out at Manehattan the rest of us get to have a little fun, speaking of I'm hearing some whispers about Manehattan, whats the word?” “Seems the Blood Wings were ready, there is some magic shield up over all of their city's, we can't get in but they can't get out ether, so its a stale mate till something changes.” “What about the ponies trapped in the city’s?” “Not sure, I did hear something about trying to get them out, but all that talk is real hush-hush.” “I can imagine, don't want somepony hearing that might tell the Blood Wings.” Night said with a bit of disgust. “So where the contract?” He said changing the subject. “Here you go.” Starlight hoofed over a scroll and a small sack. “They paid half up front, guess you got to take it now.” Night rolled his eyes. “I really hate that rule sometimes, I got stuck looking for some colts stuffed pony for three days because if it.” Night took the scroll and sack in his magic, he opened the scroll and barely read the first line before his face scrunched up like he just ate a lemon. “Oh buck...” “What?” Asked Starlight a little concerned. “Its from them... I really don't like where this is going.” “Who?” Starlight tilted her head a little confused. Night looked up from the scroll giving her a look of 'think', when she was silent for a moment he barred his fangs and pointed at his neck. “Ohhh...” * * * Night stood in front of one building he really didn't like to go into, not because of what was inside but rather who. Heaving a heavy sigh he walked in, the air inside was warm smelled of candy and sweets. There were a few ponies milling about the shop, one was catting up a mint green unicorn behind the counter, the same mint green unicorn from back then. Walking towards the counter he decided to wait until they were done talking, he was absently looking about the shop and didn't notice somepony walk up behind him. “So it takes a contract to make you come around here anymore.” Night didn't even need to turnaround to know who is was. “You know why Sweetie Drop.” Night said as he turned to look at the pony behind him, a dark cream earth pony with curly royal purple-magenta mane. Sweetie Drop rolled her eyes. “Your the only one brooding about that fifteen years latter, besides Lyra is over it, has been for years, why are you still hung up on it?” “You know why, still you sent me a contract, I'm assuming it's not to make small talk.” “Hardly, come with me.” She lead Night into the back of the shop, she waved Lyra to follow them. Lyra nodded and called over an assistant to watch the counter, the three of them made their way to the back entrance of the shop. Sitting next to the back door was a small sack, Sweetie picked up the sack and hoofed it over to Night who just looked at it with a puzzled expression. Lyra spoke up before Sweetie could explain. “If I didn't know better I'd say you were avoiding us for... oh I don't know, ten or so years.” Night rolled his eyes. “Are we really going to get into that, again?” “Yes.” Both mares said in unison. “Seriously Night,” Lyra began. “I don't hold anything against you.” “But you should, that's what I don't get. Both of you should hate me!” --15 years ago--- Lyra felt panic rise in her as the pair of fangs sunk into her neck, she tried struggling again but it was useless against the ropes binding her. She was able to mover her head just enough to look up at Bonbon, if she was going to die she wanted her to be the last thing she saw. Bonbon locked eyes with her, trying to give her any comfort she could. Lyra felt her body become warm and tingly, she had thought she would become cold from the loss of blood. Lyra's eyes went wide as she felt the fangs in her neck slowly withdraw, she started to look back at the vampony that had just bit her, but she felt a hoof hold her head down as the spot on her neck where she had been bitten was licked clean. Lyra was thoroughly puzzled at this point, weren't these vamponies? Weren't they going to kill them just like in all those story's they had been told as filly's and colts? So why wasn't he? Or any of them for that matter? Lyra's mind began to spin her web of theories and ideas, maybe they didn't need to drain a pony? Perhaps they were going to be kept as a food supply? Two of them were stallions, were their intent more sexual? Or... Before Lyra could come up with anymore theories panic swept over her again, before her the same vampony that had just fed on her was advancing on Bonbon, Lyra struggled once again. She would rather be drained then let them hurt her Bonbon, she tried to voice her protest but failed. She watched helplessly as Bonbon was rolled over onto her side, Lyra could no longer see her eyes and she struggled to move to where she could meet Bonbons gaze. With out warning Bonbon was wrapped in a field of orange magic and turned so she was looking at Lyra, nether of them had time to processes what had happened as the dark orange vampony bit down on Bonbon's neck. Bonbon's eyes were wide with shock and fear, they both locked eyes as before hoping and praying that they would survive. Bonbon received the same treatment as Lyra, after a few minuets of feeding her neck was cleaned and then, nothing. The room was still for a moment, nothing moved and not a sound was made, until a sharp gasp came from behind Lyra and Bonbon. “What...” “Well I'm impressed, I didn't even need to stop you.” Lyra looked 'down' from her position. She saw the two other vamponies who had been silent until now. “What did... did I just...” The voice was coming from the vampony that had just fed on on her and Bonbon, he sounded... scared? “Yes you fed on them, its only natural.” the voice came from the pegasus stallion. “Natural! I just hurt somepony!” “Night Shade, try and calm down. It's necessary, for both you and them.” That last statement caught Lyra's attention, why would it be 'necessary' for them? “What the bucking hay are you on about?!” “Loo--” With out warning Night stood over Lyra and Bonbon and cast a shield spell over the three of them. “Start explaining, NOW” Night barked. The other two vamponies just stood a moment slightly shocked, before sitting down and beginning their story. --Present-- “Even if we did hold something against you for then, you protected us once you were yourself again, how many ponies can say that?” Lyra countered Night's argument. Night's ears drooped, it was an argument she had been using for sometime now, and it was starting to sink in. “Look your a good pony, even counting what happened that day. And that's why we need your help, because you regret it and your a good pony.” Sighing Night looked between Lyra and Sweetie Drop, ten years and they were still trying to convince him what he did that day was something 'good', ya right. “Yes, why did you place a contract that only said 'need assistance', and you paid half up front, rather clock and dagger.” “Look in the bag.” Sweetie said. Night looked in the bag and found... three half eaten dirty sweet rolls. Lyra and Sweetie Drop ran one of the night time bakery and candy shops in Ponyville, despite trying to compete with Surprise Pie and the Cakes sometimes Ponyville was more then large enough now to support multiple establishments. In fact there was high demand for such shops at the moment, making the three sweet rolls in the bag even more puzzling. “Ok I give,” Night said after a few moment. “What's up with these? Don't tell me this is about some 'dissatisfied customer'.” “Hardly,” Sweetie replied with an eye roll. “Tell me if you smell anything odd about them.” All vamponies could detect sent far better then even most animals of pray, taking the bait Night sniffed the rolls. Everything mostly seemed normal, except... Night sniffed again, he smelled something very fain, something that shouldn't be there. It was a sent, the sent of a pony. By its self that wasn't too add, but there was something he couldn't put his hoof on. After a few minuets deliberation and a few more sniffs to mull the sent over, it hit him. “A stray!?” “At lest we think so.” Lyra said with a hint of concern. Strays were ponies living outside of pony/vampony Equestria (or just New Equestra for short), about nine years ago both Celestia and Luna ordered peaceful ponies and vamponies alike to try and find anypony still living outside the new society, while it was beleaved that most 'strays' had been found and brought into one of the more peaceful clans, one or two popped up every so often, but none in the past five years. Night thought about the ramifications of this, if there was one pony out there, it was possible there was more, ponies were social creatures, not good at being isolated. “But why me?” Night asked. “There are still a few experienced hunters nearby, why not get one of them?” Lyra and Sweetie exchanged looks. “We saw her, or at least we think it was a mare, and she looked petrified... --Last Night--- “Hun are you almost done? Its going to be light soon, you know what happened last time you got too much sun.” “I know, I know I'm almost done. Would you gather up that trash from earlier, I'll be done by them.” “Alright, but if you get burnt again I'm not listing to you complain all day again.” “Or what?” Sweetie Drops poked her head out of the office. “Or no sex.” Lyra said looking over her shoulder with a slight grin. Sweeties ears went flat. “You wouldn't.” “After last time, yes I would. And not just for one night ether.” “Your evil you know that.” Sweetie glared are Lyra. “And yet your still with me.” Lyra smirked as he began to clean up a few stale sweet rolls from earlier. “Fine, then I wont bite you... for a month.” Lyra froze at that. “Now who is evil.” She said looking back at Sweetie with an equally hard glare. “Tit for tat my dear.” They were silent for a moment before Lyra sighed and rolled her eyes. “Fine just hurry up will you, I would like to get home some time tonight.” Sweetie just stuck her tong out as Lyra levitated a bag of garbage passed her and out the back door. Setting the bag down in one of the garbage can sitting next to the back door, Lyra looked up at the horizon. The sun would be up in maybe less then an hour, while not deadly to vamponies right away it still hurt them, last time Sweetie took too long to lock up she had wound up with a rather bad burn under her fur, she had complained about it for days. Turning to go back inside Lyra thought she heard something in the ally, looking around she didn't see anypony. Flicking her ear she tried to pick up the sound again, nothing. Shrugging Lyra went back inside, unknown to her as she shut the door a shadow moved towards the bag she had just left. “Everything's all set hun.” “Same here, ready to get out of here?” “Been waiting for you.” Lyra retorted with a playful boop on Sweeties nose. Both mares giggled as they opened the back door to head home, no sooner did the door open all the way then a crash came from the ally beyond. Both Lyra and Sweetie jumped in surprise before dashing into the ally, both looked around assuming somepony was hurt. “There.” Lyra pointed down the ally at a figure running away. Sweetie squinted using her heightened vision to see who or what was running, the figure looked back just long enough to see what looked like the frightened face of an earth pony. The pony darted into another ally and out of sight, both mares looked around before Lyra's eyes came to rest on the bag she had taken out just a few minuets ago. It was torn open and its contents all over the ally, what stood out were a few sweet rolls just a little ways from the mess, they were farther then if they had spilled, and they had been partly eaten. “What the hay?” Lyra asked as she cocked her head looking at the mess. “Was, was that somepony eating out of the garbage?” Sweetie asked a little shocked. There was no such thing as 'a hungry pony' in Ponyville, at least not in almost fifteen years. Lyra and Sweetie exchanged glances. “A stray?” Lyra asked. “Well it was certainly a pony, an earth pony too, I didn't see a horn or wings. And it looked a bit like a mare, couldn't see much before she made the corner.” “So now what?” “Grab the rolls, but don't touch them, we need her sent.” “Are we going after her?” Lyra asked levitating three rolls in her magic. “No, nether of us knows enough tracking, and this isn't a job for the guard, not after that one time.” “Guild?” Lyra asked. “Guild.” “Most of the hunters are in Manehattan right now, but I guess we don't have much choice.” “Actually I think we do.” Lyra looked puzzled at Sweetie Drop. “She's a stray, probably for the last fifteen years, the one thing I did get a good look at was her fear, and she had a lot of it. Most would probably bite her and drag her back the moment they found her, probably scare her more.” “Right bad idea there, so what do we do?” “I can think of one pony in the guild who would be more 'sensitive' about this, like he was fifteen years ago.” Lyra's eyes went wide, she knew exactly who she meant. “But would he agree to? I mean I know he's bitten since then, but a stray?” “Unless you have a better idea?” Lyra was silent, she didn't. “We'll put in a contract for him in the evening on our way in, hopefully he's not busy.” “But what if he refuses, they can do that you know.” “Not if you pay up front.” Lyra gave Sweetie a knowing smile. --Present-- “...then this evening we stopped at the guild and placed the contract. We asked if you were in, they said you had gone to Canterlot but would probably be back before sunrise.” Sweetie finished. Night had been listening intently not interrupting, after sweetie finished her story he finally spoke. “Well I agree that telling the guard would have been a mistake, but why me again?” Lyra sighed heavily. “Because you know what its like to be forced.” “So do a lot of vamponies who were turned on convergence.” “But none who's first reaction was to protect the pony they just bit.” Night went to reply, but his argument fell short, she had a point. “Alright, you make a convincing argument. And I do have to fulfill the contract after all, witch way did she run? I can at least start there.” “The Everfree Forest, I know it will be a needle in a hay stack, but you have her sent, that should help right?” Sweetie answered. “True, alright I'll see what I can do, but I'm not Luna I can only do so much.” “We know.” Night left out the back entrance and turned for the Everfree Forest, he could already tell it was going to be a long night.