//------------------------------// // Secret Meeting - Nobility // Story: Path of Kindness and Blood // by CommanderX5 //------------------------------// Path of Kindness and Blood - Chapter 6 Secret Meeting Part 1 - Nobility Sadness, betrayal, pain. A mixture of emotions assaulted Fluttershy’s mind as her warm heart now felt empty and cold. After years of visiting Applejack to buy supplies, tending to farm her animals, foalsitting Apple Bloom, and after a day filled with games she spent with the apple family, she found out that her friend was a monster hunter all along. To make matters worse, Applejack learned about her secret as well and no longer saw a friend, but a blood sucking monster that deserved nothing but death. Now waging a battle with her emotions inside her mind, Fluttershy barely heard the voices of those around her. Ignoring the two newcomers that attacked Applejack from behind. “Take this, you bloody hunter!” “We are in the presence of a pureblood. Watch your language and show some respect.” “Like I’m going to respect some young, inexperienced brat. She’s not even a century old, pureblood or not.” “Professional, truly professional.” A frown followed. “Lady Flutterbat, are you hurt? Has this huntress injured you in any way?” Fluttershy raised her head and looked to the side, her attention now focused on two cloaked figures as they took off their hoods. She quickly noticed horns on their heads. Without saying a word, she shook her head. “How are you feeling, Lady Flutterbat? Is there any way we can assist you?” The bronze thestral asked politely, his big mustache proudly presented itself on his mouth. “N-no,” she responded before wiping tears from her face as her bat-like wings were dropped, nearly touching the ground. She pointed at the probably unconscious Applejack and asked in a depressed tone, “What did you do to her?” “Sleeping spell,” the grey unicorn thestral replied as he delivered a punch into Applejack’s chest, causing the wound on her stomach to open again. “Normally more skilled hunters are trained or have specific potion that make them resistant to these kinds of spells. This one must either be a rookie or the battle made her very vulnerable. She should stay asleep for half an hour.” Fluttershy looked at her former friend with worry, but didn’t speak a word. “Where are my manners?” the mustached thestral said, capturing her attention as he pointed at himself. “My name is Hot Tea, I am my master’s personal butler and assistant.” He pointed towards his partner whose attention still focused on beating up the sleeping farm pony. “His name is Sharp Eye. He is our master’s personal spy.” “And assassin,” Sharp Eye added. Hot Tea cleared his throat with a cough. “Ah, right. The master didn’t require any killing services for such a long time that this title slipped my mind.” His head turned back to Fluttershy as he bowed in respect. “It is our pleasure to meet you, Lady Flutterbat, though I must say I had not expect to meet you in midway. We were sent to escort you and your company to the meeting location from your home.” He looked at her in worry. “May I ask why such a sudden change of plans?” “...” Upon not receiving any response as the pureblood mare looked to the side, Hot Tea glanced at the huntress. “Regardless, I can see that you have encountered some unexpected company on your way.” “And who would have thought that in the end, we would end up saving your careless flank. Though I should expect nothing less from a filly,” Sharp Eye commented in an annoyed tone, only to frown the moment his companion punched him in the shoulder. “Actually, we had it covered… after we caught up with Fluttershy, ” said an approaching mare in a pink cloak as she took off her hood, the thestral next to her as well. “I’m sorry,” Fluttershy murmured. “I went on a stroll through the Everfree Forest to clear my mind… I didn’t expect to be attacked on my way back.” Rarity nodded and said, “It’s alright. I know this meeting must have put a fair bit of strain on you.” She turned towards the escort. “My name is Rarity. Ponyville’s fashionista and owner of Carousel Boutique, at your service,” she said with a polite half-bow before pointing at the pony next to her. “Am I to assume both of you know Vinyl Scratch?” "Of course they do, I’m a big deal. Everypony in the Canterlot clan knows me as DJ Pon-3," she said before aiming her foreleg up at the sky. “I am a star afterall!” “Yeah, we know her,” Sharp Eye pointed out before turning towards Vinyl. “I participated in a few of your night parties in Canterlot, and I must say, I really like your style. Never really got to chat with you before though,” he said with a smug smile while Hot Tea and Rarity rolled their eyes. “Forgive me my boldness, but I cannot help but notice that your mistress is very depressed. The fight against the huntress must have really scared her,” Hot Tea said, his attention focused on Fluttershy as his professional posture barely hid the worry in his eyes. “Scared after a fight against a common hunter? Shame. Such embarrassment for an entire proud pureblood's bloodline.” Fluttershy stared at the ground in silence, continuously ignoring her surroundings. Rarity placed a hoof on her shoulder and said, “She is not scared, but sad.” The fashionista pointed towards the unconscious pony. “Just a moment ago she fought for her life, only to find out that the huntress who tried to kill her was one of her friends. And the moment Applejack found out that Fluttershy–” “Call her Mistress Flutterbat,” Hot Tea interrupted. “Please, be professional.” Rarity nodded hesitantly. Surely now wasn’t the best time for formalities, but she didn’t want to seem like Sharp Eye. “–Mistress Fluttershy is a pureblood vampo–” “Thestral. Vampony is a term used by ponies and is considered disrespectful.” Rarity put a hoof over her mouth and nodded again. There was still a lot she had to learn. “After Applejack found out that Flut- erm, uh, Mistress Fluttershy is a pureblood thestral, a few hurtful and unladylike words were said by her.” Her ears dropped as she continued in a saddened tone, “She wounded the poor dear’s heart.” “I… see…” Hot Tea responded. Sharp Eye kicked the huntress a few more times. “Fool. Many can only dream about being friends with a pureblood. You could be blessed with a long life, honor, power.” He swung his legs for one more decisive kick and added, “But in the end it turned out that you’re nothing but a worthless witch!” Upon hearing the insult, Fluttershy raised to look at her former friend, only to see her being kicked to the side with a bone crushing strength, her ears twitched with each hit. She opened her mouth to stop it, but closed a moment later as memories of her parent's death surfaced in her mind. The hunters. We showed them mercy, and in return they took everything away from me. My peaceful life, my home, my family! Her glare sharpened as she stomped her hoof against the ground. And they took away my friend. Applejack… how could you? she thought before murmuring, “How could you?” “Darling?” Rarity said towards her angered friend while Hot Tea shot the fashionista an annoyed glare. “You were my friend Applejack. Why did you have to be part of the organization that ruined my life? Why did you betray me?” she asked, her voice louder with every word. “She is your friend no more,” Sharp Eye said firmly and took out a dagger from his cloak. “May I have the honor?” Fluttershy’s anger and hate vanished in an instant as her brain reacted to the spoken words. She may despise Applejack for breaking her heart, the farm mare may have betrayed their friendship by siding with those who murdered her parents and by trying to murder her as well, but she didn’t wanted her to die. “Wait!” The assassin turned towards Fluttershy before placing the dagger between her hooves. He took a few steps back and pointed at Applejack as if she was an animal waiting to be eaten. “She is all yours, Lady Flutterbat.” Fluttershy looked at the weapon and next at Sharp Eye before dropping it. “I’m not going to kill her, nor will you.” “Excuse me?” asked Sharp Eye. Vinyl took off her purple glasses and Hot Tea’s eyes opened widely. Rarity blinked a few times before sighing in relief. She may have barely known Applejack, but didn’t wish anypony’s death. “I said, I’m not going to kill her, and neither will you,” Fluttershy said with determination and authority. “She may have betrayed me, and she may hate me, but she was still my friend. I refuse. I won’t betray what my parents taught me.” Sharp Eye hissed. “Weak-minded fool. It seems I was right about you after all.” He pointed at her accusingly before continuing with sharp voice, “You’re not a mighty pureblood, but just an immature brat. No wonder your parents are dead if they had the same mindset as you.” Fluttershy hissed back and stood her ground as she exchanged angered glare with the assassin. “Silence!” Hot Tea shouted at his companion before slapping him. “I have had enough of your attitude.” After staring at each other for few seconds, Sharp Eye walked towards a nearby tree while Hot Tea approached Fluttershy and spoke with pleading tone, “Lady Flutterbat–” “Fluttershy. The name Flutterbat died alongside my parents,” she corrected. Her legs trembled slightly as she tried to keep firm and commanding posture. “As you wish. Lady Fluttershy, I plead, be reasonable.” He pointed at Applejack. “She belongs to an organization that we have been fighting for centuries, an organization that took away your parents. She even dared to lay her hoof against you. Surely death is all she deserves.” “I said no,” she said with a firm stomp as her hoof sank into the ground from the impact. Her pupils predatory and filled with confidence. “She attacked me on my territory, her life is mine to do as I please!” Hot Tea sighed before shaking his head. “With all due respect, Lady Fluttershy, your territory has not been yet decided. And while I agree that you have all rights to decide this huntress’s fate, my master is still awaiting your arrival.” He took a slow breath. “This meeting will determine your stand in Ponyville and diplomatic relationships with other purebloods. You would not want to upset my master by sparing a hunter’s life without seeking his opinion. You are still young and inexperienced. You should seek wisdom and the approval of your elders.” Fluttershy approached, her steps firm and strong. She turned her head towards Rarity and Vinyl and spoke with ordering tone, ”Rarity, please pick up Applejack with your magic and follow us to the meeting location. Vinyl, would you get something to tie her up?” Rarity did as ordered while Vinyl looked at her fellow vampony and said hesitantly, "I dunno, I don’t think any rope or chain will manage to keep Rarity's ego tied up." “Excuse me?” Rarity took a step back and raised her foreleg defensively. “I doubt even trapping her in a block of cement would last long.” Rarity hissed. “Why you…” “Just kidding,” Vinyl cut her off before saluting to Fluttershy, “consider it done.” Not wasting a moment, she galloped in the direction of Ponyville at a high speed. Hot Tea took out tissue from his cloak and wiped sweat from his head. “You want to take… the huntress with you to the meeting?” “Yes I do,” she responded firmly. “I will meet with your master as originally planned, and I will present him my solution as well as ask for his blessing in deciding Applejack’s fate.” The butler responded with a weak nod and walked deeper into the forest, Fluttershy and Rarity right behind him. Sharp Eye kept a few meters distance from the group and murmured to himself. Rarity trotted to catch up with Fluttershy and asked, “What about Vinyl Scratch? You asked her to get you something to tie Applejack with and she ran towards Ponyville. Will she be able join us before we arrive at the meeting spot?” “Of course she will,” Hot Tea interrupted as both mares looked at him. “From my encounters with her in Canterlot, I learned that she is very energetic and resourceful. If she said she will fulfill Lady Fluttershy’s wishes, I could put my reputation on her keeping her word.” “Oh yes, of course,” she responded with a weak blush. Rarity looked back at Fluttershy, ready to complement her for standing up as she did, only to see Shy’s confidence crumbing before her very eyes. She whispered, “Are you alright, darling?” The pureblood thestral looked back at Rarity and bit her lips, careful not to pierce them with her fangs. She let out a deep breath and responded quietly, “Rarity… I’m…” she gulped, “scared.” “Halt!” said two gray guards in violet horseshoes, violet helmets and black-violet chest armor with an eye shaped on it. Their bat-like wings spread like two blades ready to strike as they guarded at the entrance into the ruins of an old castle. “Who goes there?” Hot Tea approached and said, “Lady Flutterbat and her escort have arrived as requested.” Both guards bowed to Fluttershy before scanning the group, their eyes fixing on the levitated unconscious earth pony. “And who’s she?” “She is a monster hunter who tried to eliminate our guest during a stroll through the forest,” he responded, his words quickly resulted in aggressive glares and exposed teeths directed towards Applejack. “Lady Flutterbat would like to discuss this huntress’s fate with our masters.” The guards nodded. “Should we get the ropes?” “There’s no need, I got this,” a relaxed voice echoed from above as Vinyl dropped like an anvil in front of the guards, dust spread from the impact while several heavy chains were present on her back. She quickly took one and presented to them. “With these babies, AJ isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.” The guards stared back for a moment motionlessly, impressed and surprised by Vinyl’s sudden arrival while wondering how she pulled it off without wings. They nodded and shackled Applejack, Rarity’s midnight-blue aura replaced by the guards’ hooves. The fashionista lit her horn again and looked at it, still not used to the darker aura whenever she was in her thestral form. Sharp Eye bypassed Fluttershy while whispering, “Why’d you even bother licking the huntress’s wounds to heal them? She’s going to die anyway.” We will see about that, Fluttershy thought before gulping and whimpering like a puppy. What have I gotten myself into? She followed the guards and walked through the ruined hallway, climbing up the stairs before finally reaching a huge open area. The moon shined brightly through a hole in the ceiling as stars decorated the sky. The area was filled with dining tables and all kinds of goods; from fancy food and glasses of blood to tied animals. Fluttershy flinched at the sight of a ferret being sucked, but before she could decide to interfere, the poor animal was released a moment later with enough blood to survive. The pureblood mare closed her eyes and took a deep breath. While she was afraid that thestrals would drink too much and hurt the poor critters, she herself drank regularly from her own animal friends who always volunteered to feed her. All she could do is hope that others are at least half as gentle as her. She quickly noticed the lack of the presence of animals that could speak like cows, donkeys and zebras, and that most of the guests were turned unicorns. Their draconic eyes were flashing in the darkness. Is this really a secret meeting? It looks more like one of Canterlot’s parties, poor animals present as a blood source excluded. Fluttershy looked around with curiosity and awe. A majority of the party decorations and all tables were most likely brought from Canterlot on short notice. Whoever organized this meeting no doubt would have to be very influential. She could see two guards placing the unconscious huntress on the table as more chains were added to tie her up, as well as blindfolding her. She sensed the fast beating hearts of the guards and noticed their shaking forelegs, making it clear to her that they wanted to punch Applejack while struggling to restrain themselves. As she went further into the open, more and more thestrals looked at her and bowed in respect. It did nothing to calm her nerves though, quite the opposite as her legs trembled from the overwhelming attention. Step by step, Fluttershy walked backward with her head hidden behind her mane, a sight clearly confusing for the crowd. Rarity and Vinyl slowly entered the room and flanked her from both sides. *** “We are here for you, darling. Stand strong and firm and everything will be fine,” Rarity said encouragingly as she placed hoof on Fluttershy’s shoulder. “This party is boring, where’s the action, where’re the beats?” Vinyl asked before feeling a weak punch from Rarity. “Oh, I mean: go for it tiger, you’re incredible, you can win, you feel great, you-can-do-it… wait, what were we talking about?” The fashion mare facehooved. “You’re so pointless, Vinyl, completely pointless.” “It’s DJ Pon-3 to you.” *** Fluttershy ignored her arguing friends and took a deep breath before releasing it in a calming gesture, foreleg pressed against her chest. Come on Fluttershy, it’s just a meeting that will decide the direction of your life for the next century or two, no pressure. Suddenly, every thestral in the room became silent while those in the middle stepped to the side. Their heads dropped in respect as their masters passed them, heading towards Fluttershy. The young pureblood looked up at much older ones who towered over her, their regal posture betraying their experience and position. Even though they both looked like unicorns, she could easily tell it was a disguise. As a pureblood thestral, she knew that each member of her kind possessed bat-like wings, a bit longer than a turned pegasus, yet none had a horn as they could use their magic with just their eyes. While all purebloods could turn into a pegasus to disguise themselves, more experienced ones could use their powers to take on the form of a unicorn or an earth pony. “I say. I have not had the pleasure of seeing you ever since I visited the pet center in Cloudsdale. You are as charming as ever, young lady. I expected nothing less from a daughter of my old friend, Sample Taker, and his beautiful wife, Clean Mouth.” His words triggered a memory of a tall white pegasus in elegant uniform visiting her pet center, most likely disguised as a pegasus during his visit. He gently raised Fluttershy’s foreleg and stroke her lightly. “Our deepest condolences for your loss. I would like to assure you that we will do our best to help you past those harsh times and move forward.” He kissed her foreleg before she retreated it. A large blush appeared on her cheeks as she couldn’t look anywhere but into his eyes. “In case you may not remember me among many of your customers, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Fancy Pants. I’m a nine hundred year old pureblood and a leader of the Canterlot clan.” He turned his head to the side to look at a tall and elegant white mare wearing a blue cape. “And this is Fleur de Lis, my very beautiful and even more loyal wife. She leads the Canterlot clan by my side, and while I officially work in politics and the fashion business, my dear Fleur is a well respected model.” “It is a pleasure to meet you. Please take my deepest condolences. If you will ever need a favour, do not hesitate to ask,” Fleur said while maintaining a balanced pose, her left foreleg and right hind leg raised above the floor. “I… I’ll keep that in mind, thank you for your kind words,” she responded with a weak smile. Fleur smiled back ever so warmly. “Forgive me for asking, but was deciding my territory the only reason I called here, or is there more?” Fancy Pants and Fleur looked at each other and nodded before they started explaining the situation.