> Fanged Feathers > by Fanged Rainbow > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > A disastrous night > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter One: A disastrous night It was a quiet night and Rainbow Dash was flying back to ponyville, above the Everfree forest. Problem was it was too quiet. And that silence worried the cyan pegasus, alot, looking around Rainbow Dash saw a silhouette flying right at her. This silhouette quickly because a midnight black pegasus with crimson red eyes and a messy Navy Blue mane. As quickly as she could Rainbow Dash swooped to the side in an attempt to dodge her assailant, but she was not fast enough. The 'pony' moved unnaturally fast, pinning Rainbow Dash to the ground. Weakly Rainbow Dash asked "Who- What are you?" fear coursing through her body as she felt the dark creature that lay above her, its breath stank of death and decay, and she knew this was no ordinary pony. The 'pony' chuckled "My name is Midnight eclipse, and I'm your worst fear" he was indeed quite fearsome from Rainbow Dash's perspective as he bared a pair of needle sharp fangs, and brought them down on the cowering Pegasus. Everything blacked out and Rainbow Dash fell unconscious, a piercing agony in her neck. And a sinking feeling of dread followed with it. It had to have been at least 5 hours, and now the forests life was starting to become active again... Rainbow got to her hooves and looked around, she was in a clearing, and starving. "Hello?" A young voice called, it was fairly familiar. Scootaloo. The filly looked terrified by the surroundings but kept muttering to herself "Rainbow Dash is never late, nopony that awesome is" Rainbow Dash smirked knowing how brave the filly had been, especially considering where they were. "Well look who woke up, sleepy 'ead" a familiar voice called causing Rainbow Dash to spin around and stare a familiar assailant right in the eyes "You!" Rainbow Dash yelled aggressively lunging at a crimson eyed shadow. The figure was just to quick though laughing at Rainbow Dash's futile attempt to attack him, mockingly the pony pulled his head into view close enough to bite, but as soon as Rainbow struck pulled it back dodging the attack. "Calm down" the voice snapped "Or the filly dies" a midnight black wing pointing to Scootaloo who was getting closer and closer... Scootaloo saw Rainbow Dash and started running towards her "Rainbow Dash! Are you okay?" And again Rainbow felt a sharp pain... and passed out. Scootaloo watched in horror as her idols blood spilt on the floor as the pegasus that attacked Rainbow Dash flew away to safety. Scootaloo began to cry as her idol died in front of her, but help arrived. Derpy Hooves. > Changes > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter Two : Changes Rainbow Dash awoke in the hospital bed feeling drowsy and unsure of herself, she had passed out again apparently. looking around the room it became evident that she currently was the only patient in the room, but she had visitors. Derpy was watching Rainbow Dash with a look of concern on her face as she spoke in a soothing voice "Sleep child of the night" Rainbow Dash quickly refused and asked "Derpy, what is going on, what do you mean?" her voice was agitated and nervous compared to Derpy's but not quite panicked -yet. Derpy gave the bluntest reply she could "You were attacked by a rogue Vampony called Midnight Eclipse, and your one of us, im sorry Rainbow Dash, but there is no going back" this was followed by an akward silence as Rainbow Dash tried to process what she had been told. Sighing Derpy revealed a pair of fangs protrudeing from her jaws "Rainbow Dash you're a Vampony" "WHAT!" Rainbow Dash yelled, and it was loud enough to alert the entire hospital to the fact Rainbow Dash was still alive, something that brought joy to Scootaloo as the young filly started hugging Rainbow Dash tightly. Rainbow Dash's simply let her anger die as she hugged the filly back, who seemed completely oblivious to Rainbow's current predicament. Something Rainbow Dash was glad about to be truely honest. After convincing the hospital to let her go Rainbow Dash and Derpy talked on the way back to their homes, and it suddenly began raining which steered Rainbow Dash to ask "What's going to happen to me Derpy?" she could already feel her new fangs on her lips as the chilling breeze flowed by. "And why me?" Rainbow Dash continued. Her life had just been turned upside down and she had so many questions, but so little time. "Well your going to get hungry soon enough, and the sunlight is going to hurt a lot, so try avoid it for the first three weeks" Derpy replied enjoying the breeze in her mane. it was getting colder suddenly and the rain became heavier, but neither pegasi seemed to be bothered by it was Rainbow Dash sighed. "Hey, Derpy could you perhaps teach me how to survive this... curse?" Rainbow asked reluctantly as she looked up at the night sky. "And will hunters be a problem?" she added. Derpy extended her wings to took to the sky her eyes the same crimson as Midnight's and her own "I will speak with you later Rainbow, and you can meet my coven tomorrow" taking flight Rainbow Dash nodded and flew to her own home, but her mind told too feed, so that is what she did... The next morning ponyville had double the guards and journalists were everywhere and some detectives could also be seen. Derpy landed next to Rainbow Dash in the shade and gave her a displeased glance "We need to talk about self-discipline new blood, or at least how you hide a victim" Derpy asked a guard what happened, even though she already knew, to help her fit in. > Meeting the coven > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter Three: Meeting the coven Rainbow Dash sat down in the alleyway she had decided to take shelter in and, watched the commotion. Several ponies had noticed her there with Derpy, but none so far had paid them any heed. And Derpy wanted it to stay that way angrily saying "You need to be more carefull, you nearly killed Berry Punch, and you also left all the evidence behind too" Derpy's voice then shifted to a more peaceful tone " anyway that wasn't why i wanted to see you, it's time you met the coven" Derpy lead Rainbow Dash down the streets of Ponyville to Lyra's house where the floor opened to a secret cave beneath the town, and it was absolutely huge. Rainbow Dash couldn't help but gasp at its size. Inside the cave Rainbow Dash recognised Lyra, Vinyl, Bon Bon and Soarin, whom she immediately attempted to flirt with but getting dragged away to a darker corner of the cave by Derpy who then said "Concentrate Rainbow Dash, you will need to know how things work around here" . Rainbow Dash was taken by surprise at Derpy's authority "You're not the klutz I thought you were, are you?" was all Rainbow Dash could muster. Sighing Derpy explained the situation to Rainbow Dash, how everypony there's lives were faked as a cover, how the coven was being hunted, and how Rainbow Dash would be forced to adapt to every single situation life could throw at her. it was a lot to take in for Rainbow Dash, and she knew it would be best to do as she was told. Derpy turned away from Rainbow Dash and went to talk with Lyra and Bon Bon leaving Rainbow Dash to herself. Soarin had left and now Rainbow could only see Vinyl as a suitable partner for conversation, but she was busy tearing a mannequin to shreds, and seeing as nopony else was around she sat in the corner and thought about what her new life would bring. By the next morning Rainbow Dash had truly grown into her new nature, she was hanging upside down when she awoke and found that she was being watched by an impressed looking Derpy "Morning, it would appear that you managed not to almost kill anyone last night" Derpy chuckled softly before continuing "However you do need to feed, so Lyra and Bon Bon went and got some extra blood bags for you". Derpy then gestured Rainbow Dash to walk, which Rainbow quickly did. "So? What am I going to have to do to be prepared for 'anything' as you said?" Rainbow Dash asked inquisitively. "First you must learn to fight, then to flee, then to hide, and then who your enemies truly are" Derpy replied darkly "And one other thing, keep Scootaloo safe, she is close to you, and that makers her their target too" "Who are you talking about?" Rainbow Dash asked her tone of voice showing worry to the filly. Derpy gave Rainbow Dash a stern look "The knights of the silver sun, they're a group of extremists determined to wipe out all connections to the supernatural, luckily for the other elements they are considered too important, especially princess twilight" Rainbow Dash had to break eye contact, not because of what had been said but because Derpy's crimson eyes were hypnotic, and painful to look at, like her own. "So i have to learn to fight first? that sound easy enough" Rainbow Dash said in an unsure voice, something Derpy noticed. With a quick bash Derpy knocked Rainbow Dash to the cavern floor. "What hay Derpy? Why did you do that to me?" Rainbow Dash yelled causing Vinyl to burst into laughter. "Lesson one: always be prepared for anything, you failed that already" Derpy chuckled. Helping Rainbow Dash up Derpy attempted to catch Rainbow Dash of guard but was easily countered. "Not bad, rookie" Derpy exclaimed seeing how promising Rainbow Dash could be. For hours on end Rainbow Dash trained, learning a onies every weakspot, how to counter every strike, and most importantly for her how to feed of a pony safely. It was simpler than Rainbow Dash anticipated, and as long as she didn't fall into blood lust her victim's life was entirely Rainbow Dash's choice. Suddenly a worried looking Unicorn burst in taking everypony present by suprise, except for Derpy who ran over to inspect the newcomer and asked him "Amethyst are you alright? What's going on?" worry covering her face. Rainbow Dash wandered over to Derpy and Amethyst, who was on the vege of shock. Derpy looked to Rainbow Dash and commanded "Get a medical kit, now" Rainbow Dash simply nodded and ran off to what looked like a medical ward. Rainbow Dash returned with several pieces of medical equipment and asked "Will any of these do?" Derpy nodded taking a knife and cutting her own wrist letting the blood seep into Amethyst's fanged jaws. "Amethyst you better pull through, so i can kill you myself" Derpy said through gritted teeth. Rainbow Dash was enticed by the liquid on Derpy's left foreleg but was pulled away by Vinyl. Derpy had started yelling at Amethyst by this point, and had said every curse that existed by the time the vampony awoke "Oh thank Luna, you're okay" Derpy sighed in relief. After five minutes of rest Amethyst began to explain what was happening and why everypony was in danger... > Training's cancled > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter Four: Training's cancled Everypony gathered around Amethyst and listened to his tale, it turned out the The knights of the silver sun had joined forces with another hunting group, and how that they were currently in Ponyville. It was a disaster, and possibly the covens end If they could not fight back. Derpy turned to Rainbow Dash "Your going to have to leave, its too risky to stay in your current state, and its going too get to hectic to train here, and too risky. Rainbow Dash, you are to leave tonight under cover of darkness, and remember to get into cover before sunrise, at your age its going to hurt, a lot." Rainbow nodded at this and went to prepare her things, leaving the others to their business. However, while packing Rainbow Dash began to break down "Bitten by some stupid Vampony and now I'm forced to leave my friends behind, this is unbelievable!" Meanwhile on the surface hunters began to watch the sun set, determined to find the Vamponies, Lycans and any other supernatural living within the town... Rainbow Dash was in Derpy's house pretending to be ending a visit, when a hunter passed by giving the pair a distrusting glance."That's going to give me nightmares," Rainbow Dash mumbled when the hunter left earshot. After preparing everything and drinking a blood bag dry, out of sight, Rainbow Dash hovered at the edge of the Everfree forest, only to hear a familiar fillies voice calling to her. "Rainbow Dash, wait, where are you going?" Scootaloo called, causing Rainbow Dash to turn to the sound of the voice "You can't be leaving again already, can you?" Scootaloo continued. "Sorry kid, it's just to risky right now, this is for your own good," Rainbow Dash replied sadly. As Rainbow Dash left the town Scootaloo began to break down sobbing about her idol leaving her again. After a good half an hour or so Rainbow Dash had gotten hungry. "Stupid hunger, why can't I eat normal foods!" Rainbow Dash yelled angrily as her stomach continued to growl in hunger. Rainbow Dash began to wander aimlessly, she was hungry and alone. She had no where to go, Ponyville was too dangerous, so was this forest, she knew it. Rainbow Dash continued to wander, looking for shelter, but more urgently a meal she knew she would have to feed of an animal. She had no choice. She found her meal "Eh, a Timberwolf, should work," she groaned watching the prey she had found "Life is cruel, so very cruel." And Rainbow Dash lunged at the wooden canine, tearing through its neck into the sap it used as blood. It was disgusting, but blood non the less, so she drank it all, and hated every drop. Then Rainbow Dash felt a sharp pain, it was the rising sun, Rainbow Dash immediately ran into the shade, yawning she looked into the burning sunrise, and retreated further into the darkness of the forest. By the next night, after rumors had spread through the town, hunters were searching the forest, and one was close, so close Rainbow Dash could hear them "Come on out Vampony, I know your here somewhere," it was a male voice,it sounded irritated and tired. "Come on, lets go Eclipse, you can hunt Vamponies later," another voice called, it was a female voice, and was much more elegant than its owner's irritated companion. As the pair of hunters left earshot Rainbow Dash sighed, but unwittingly walked right into a trap, causing her to scream in agony as the unbearable pain surged through her rear leg, and dragging her straight to the ground. As her scream echoed throughout the Everfree forest it attracted the hunters attention. "Eclipse, I think we found one." The hunters gathered around the trapped Vampony, one of them paused and inquisitively asked her companions "This is an element of harmony, right? what's she doing here?" Rainbow Dash responded by glaring her teeth and attempting to grab the mare, but she was not quick enough as the mare glared angrily back at the Vampony. "Perhaps she could be of use," another said darkly, taking a rope from his saddle bag and slowly walking toward Rainbow Dash, and chukling "They called us crazy for believing the rumours, they were wrong," he added as he tied Rainbow Dash up. As he tied he noticed the fresh bite mark on Rainbow Dash's neck "Not even a week old are you," he started, tightening the rope as he did so. "Feel sorry for ya, I lost my sister to her best friend, stupid DJ had it coming though, sometimes I miss Vinyl though," as he continued he noticed Rainbow Dash was paying absolutely no attention. "Ya gonna listen to me?" "Nope," Rainbow Dash replied cheekily, looking for a way to escape. She found it. Biting into the hunters neck, forcing him to drop the rope as he screamed in pain Rainbow Dash broke the trap apart and ran, far, so very, very far. She hoped she had lost them, but she didn't check, not until she reached the other end of the forest. Bursting right into the Ghastly Gorge. As she fell Rainbow Dash desperately tried to lose momentum, but crashed into the bottom of the gorge, quickly followed by the mare hunter, who was unlucky enough to not be a Pegasus, causing her to meet an unfortunate fate. The groups unicorn, who has attempted to tie her skidded to a halt at the edge of the gorge, but the Pegasus, with a wooden stake at arms swooped down ready to kill Rainbow Dash, who took her only choice, fly to safety, but the hunter blocked her way, so she flew fast, so fast she created a sonic rainboom, swooping over Ponyville and crashing right into Canterlot Mountain. Luckily for her however she was a immortal that can only die from few methods, one of which was not crashing into mountains. However she did leave a trail to follow, which meant she had to move, and fast, so she flew to Manehatten, where she could easily hide. > Manehatten > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter Five: Manehatten As Rainbow Dash reached Manehatten she was greeted by a problem, the sun was rising, and she had no shelter, so she immediately flew into an alleyway hoping to get some sleep. But she was woken by a foolish colt, who's curiosity had gotten the best of him. Politely he asked "Excuse me miss, but why are ya sleepin' in an alleyway?" his accent was notably southern, almost like Applebloom's. But all Rainbow Dash could do was cover her eyes and redirect her vision from the inquisitive colt, who simply repeated his question, before sighing as he trotted away leaving a Bit behind, as a gift. Rainbow Dash however was too deep in thought to notice, she wished she hadn't been bitten, that she didn't have to kill, and part of her felt guilty for the mare that fell to her death, she could still see the scene, and hear the scream. So Rainbow Dash kept on thinking about her new life, but her thoughts did eventually change, as she came to her senses she noticed the golden Bit the colt had left her, so she sat up to reach it. As the chilling winds blew through the alleyway Rainbow Dash began to observe her surroundings more, the chilling winds, the squeaking birds, and the bustling city outside of the shadows. Yet something was missing, joy, all that Rainbow Dash could do when she realized this was sulk, at least until that same colt arrived again, this time however with a nervous looking filly, her navy blue eyes shone like crystals, and her midnight black mane left Rainbow Dash with a horrific memory of Midnight Eclipse, as the mane styles matched perfectly. As Rainbow Dash came back to her senses, she realized that the filly was cowering in fear and that the colt was staring with awe, then Rainbow Dash realized that her fangs were unsheathed, so she let her instinct and hunger take over, knowing that they knew too much she decided they would have to die. But something was stopping her, and that something was reason, they were foals, no one would really believe them. so she turned her head away and wandered further into the shadows, yet she felt something tugging at her leg. It was the colt."Get lost kid, you don't want to be near me," Rainbow Dash hissed in response, causing the colt to quickly back away. Rainbow Dash just wandered into the darkness then, waiting for the night. When she awoke the moon was high in the darkened skies, and the frigid winds blew,howling in the night. Then she noticed the colt was still their. "Miss, its nighttime, are ya gonna' wake up? Oh ya awake now!" Rainbow Dash snapped at the colt, and told him to leave. Which he did. Then she noticed Derpy staring down at her with a surprised look on her bloody face. "Wow, i thought you were going to eat him," she said in an impressed tone, as she gestured Rainbow Dash to follow her. Derpy took Rainbow dash to an apartment building where several other Vamponies where hiding out. "We have been staying here for the last couple of days, did you know you were asleep for over a week?" As Rainbow Dash heard that sentence a horrified look ran across her face "A w-week?" Derpy simply nodded and smiled chucking Rainbow Dash a carton. "Drink" Derpy commanded, which Rainbow did, sucking the carton dry she savored the metallic tasting blood, a fact Derpy noticed. "I see you have taken a liking to your new food source then?" Derpy asked as if she already knew the answer. "Tastes nice, but I don't like where it came from" Rainbow Dash gloomily replied before going to sulk in a corner, noticing Rainbow Dash's sorrow Derpy went and asked what was the bother, it was as expected, Rainbow Dash was still getting over being bitten, and how badly it has affected her. But that was a problem for another time. There were hunters outside, several of them, two of whom were at Rainbow Dash's previous encounter, and the group chattered to themselves, and seemed to be able to track Rainbow Dash to the alley way she was previously occupying. Vinyl called Derpy over to look, and Rainbow Dash joined them at the window, her curiosity getting the better if her. "For buck sake" Rainbow muttered angrily seeing the Pegasus that had chased her threw the Ghastly Gorge who was currently scratching his head in confusion as he looked for clues. Derpy gave Vinyl a stern look, and Vinyl could immediately read Derpy's face nodded and trotted into another room before leaving with Lyra and Amethyst. As she watched the others leave Rainbow Dash caught Derpy's smirk out of the corner of her eye. "Watch and learn Rainbow Dash," Derpy chuckled before continuing "Lesson five: Dealing with hunters, take notes Rainbow Dash, what their about to do outside is going to be crucial to know," Rainbow Dash nodded to that and began to watch the group of hunters, when Vinyl, Lyra and Amethyst walked into to view and quickly dispatch of the hunters, as brutally, and clean as possible. Rainbow Dash looked down at the seven corpses of the hunters, broken limbs and smashed skulls was most of the damage that had to be done, before they were drained dry like dying animals. As Vinyl and Lyra walked back into the building Amethyst started cleaning up the corpses. As Rainbow Dash's mouth broke into a frown Derpy sighed. "Im sorry Rainbow Dash, but this is vital for our survival, you know that, don't you," Rainbow Dash nodded sadly and looked Derpy in the eyes, but quickly broke her gaze and left to her room. Rainbow Dash's room was small, a bunk bed that she shared with Amethyst, made of stainless steel, and navy blue walls lined the room, it was very basic, but it served its purpose. Amethyst walked in shortly after Rainbow Dash and sat on his bed, crying, it seems odd to Rainbow Dash so she asked what the matter was, Amethyst gloomily replied between sobs "I just had to kill my sister," Rainbow Dash didn't understand that, she had no experience to understand it with, so she lay in her bed as slept as the bright light called the sun rose in the frigid city skies. > Dealing with problems > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter six: Dealing with problems As the waning moon rose into the night sky Rainbow Dash woke with a muffled yawn noticing the chilling cold see looked to see the bedroom window open and the blinds raised. Rubbing her eyes Rainbow Dash found the scene to be very much real, calling Derpy in she checked Amethyst's bunk to find it barren, no bedding, or Amethyst... Derpy ran in hurriedly bursting the door down loudly yelling "Amethyst you twat, I swear to Luna your dead when i get my-" seeing that Amethyst was gone Derpy gave a worried expression "W-Where's Amethyst?" Rainbow Dash shook her head and pointed to the window as Lyra and Vinyl walked in sleepily. "Amethyst is gone, find him!" Derpy commanded sending the other two Vamponies into a hurry as they woke Soarin and Bon Bon and the four went out looking for Amethyst. "So what do we do?" Rainbow Dash asked her tone expressing sorrow and doubt. Derpy shook her head sadly, and turned to face Rainbow Dash. "Leave the others to find him," Derpy replied sternly and left Rainbow Dash alone in the room. Rainbow Dash however ignored what Derpy had said and flew out the window in search of Amethyst, just as Derpy had intended her too. As she flew Rainbow Dash saw the young colt below her along with a a few ponies heading home. But as she kept flying she saw more and more of the grand city, and the ponies that lived there. Meanwhile Amethyst was hurrying through the city with Soarin in pursuit, dashing through Manehatten's towering buildings under Luna's moon. Unfortunately for Amethyst, and Rainbow Dash, Amethyst came crashing round a corner right into the rainbow maned Pegasus sending the both down the the ground. As everypony gathered round the two grounded Vamponies Amethyst tried to make his escape, only to be floor by Spitfire and Fleetfoot, who were thanked by Soarin as they took of to get back to their own business. "Wow, being in the Wonderbolts has its advantages," Rainbow Dash commented happily as the others tided Amethyst and took him back to the covens hideout. When the group returned Derpy immediately pinned Amethyst to the wall angrily and demanded they be left alone, so they were. As Rainbow Dash and Vinyl trained all they could hear besides their kicks was Amethyst's bloodcurdling screams of agony. "That's really distracting," Rainbow dash complained causing Vinyl to nod, the two Vamponies simply kept practicing however, until Vinyl's stomach protested "I'm hungry, wanna go grab a bite to eat?" Vinyl asked, Rainbow Dash knew she didn't want to, be she was too hungry to say no, accepting the offer they climbed out of the window quietly and made their way down the street, hoping to find somepony to snack on. They found their victim about ten minutes later as they quietly climbed into a mares bedroom, it looked simple, plain pink walls and a simple wooden floor, a bed that lacked decoration and a set of draws on the other side. Vinyl looked displeased with the room. "Come on, lets see the rest of the house," Vinyl whispered as she quietly pushed to door open as the pair left the mare to sleep. Led by her nose Vinyl opened another door to find a sleeping filly the room was a mess of toys and contraptions, the draws covered in crayon marks and the walls awash with vibrant colors. "This is more like it," Rainbow Dash commented but was shushed by Vinyl as the filly tossed and turned, as Vinyl quietly wandered closer, making sure not to take to heavy steps as a door creaked open, Vinyl and Rainbow Dash quickly hid using their magic and wings respectively. When the doors closed again the pair continued their hunt. Vinyl had gotten close enough to strike and called Rainbow Dash over "The first bite is yours," Vinyl whispered, so Rainbow Dash gently put her fangs over the filly's neck, urged by her hunger to continue, so she did piercing the filly's throat she began to feed, savoring every drop. After she had her fill Rainbow Dash was pulled of the filly by Vinyl who then took her fill, all while keeping a savage Rainbow Dash from killing their victim. After she had finished Vinyl slapped Rainbow Dash, hard, knocking the Pegasus to her senses. so the pair quietly made their way back to the door, which was as messy as the rest of the room. As they closed the door behind them they realized they were being watched by the mare from the simple room, and she looked angry... As Vinyl assessed the situation the mare just stared the them angrily. "Whats the fabled DJ-Pon3 and element of loyalty doing in my house? oh that's right eating my sister, the mare spat. When Vinyl suddenly charged the mare as she commanded Rainbow Dash to leave. When Rainbow Dash had left the building Vinyl teleported herself outside the house. "That was close," Rainbow Dash said exhaustively. Vinyl nodded in reply as the pair quietly made their way back into the training room, only to hear Derpy was still yelling at Amethyst. seeing as the sunrise was still in two hours the pair continued their training early into the morning. As the next night arrived the Vamponies all gathered in the main room of their hideout, which was in reality the apartment's living room. Amethyst was cowering behind a sleepy looking Bon Bon and a cheerful Lyra, while Soarin and Vinyl were packing saddlebags full of supplies, Derpy meanwhile was staring Rainbow Dash in the eye's with an annoyed expression on her face. "You're late, Rainbow," Derpy exclaimed. "Sorry Derpy," Rainbow yawned "why are we up this early anyway?" Derpy sighed hearing the question and explained that the group were preparing to leave the city and return to Ponyville, this sparked joy into Rainbow Dashes face "Really? That's so awesome!" she exclaimed in joy. Only to be made to pack her things and get ready to leave. When she had finished packing Rainbow Dash and Vinyl started talking about the previous nights events, and what they were going to do in Ponyville. "We're so going to annihilate the Knights Of The Silver Sun!" Vinyl said confidently as Rainbow burst into laughter "What?" Vinyl asked. Rainbow Dash just kept laughing an Vinyl noticed that Derpy was silently hovering above her. "Alright everypony, we're ready to go!" Derpy exclaimed as the group made their way out of the apartment and headed out in the direction of Ponyville. > Returning to Ponyville > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter Seven: Returning to Ponyville As the group left Manehatten they began discussing their plans for when they reached Ponyville. "So, we're going to just trot in there and kick flank?" Vinyl asked happily, as Lyra and Bon Bon had their own discussion on how to tear the leader of the Knights of the Silver Sun apart. As the group wandered through Hallow Shades they noticed how quiet and peaceful it was, the wind blew gentley through the woodland canopies, and the wildlife chirped a chittered as they went about their lives. "No Vinyl, while we are going to kick their flanks in, we are going to try to end this without bloodshed first," Derpy replied to Vinyl's question, Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes to that and made her comment. "I doubt that will work at all" Rainbow Dash exclaimed angrily "I just want to tear them apart!" Derpy sighed hearing that. Vinyl chuckled and Soarin finally began to pay attention. When suddenly the Vamponies walked into the large clearing with a rocky crater siting right in the centre of it. Looking down everypony noticed the vast amount of gems, and the diamond dogs that guarded them, their was at least thirty of them. "Heh, no problem," Derpy chuckled as the group slid down the cliff side under the cover of moonlight, and engaged the Diamond dogs in combat. Swiftly and cunningly Vinyl swooped down and tore into the canines flesh, while Lyra and Bon Bon beat the dogs to near death, finishing them of with a bite to the neck, Soarin was grabbing the dogs and pulling them into the air, letting them fall to their bloody death, while Derpy and Rainbow Dash ripped their canine foe to pieces. "This... should make... a good... practice session," Vinyl said between breaths, Derpy nodded but was too busy to answer with words. Rainbow meanwhile was making quite a mess with the snack she had made out of one of the diamond dogs, but when the dogs knew they couldn't win, they ran. Derpy looked around to see that everypony was still present, and then noticed the bloody mess that Rainbow Dash had made on the cold stone floor of the crater. Vinyl and Bon Bon burst into laughter while Lyra went and began to lap up the crimson red puddle. Noticing the time Derpy pointed towards the Foal Mountains "Come on you lot, we need to reach the Foal Mountains before sunrise. So the group continued their journey towards the mountain range, but their journey was cut short by the sunrise creeping over the horizon and causing Lyra, Rainbow Dash and Soarin agonizing pain, while the others protected their eyes from the blinding sun, having built up an immunity over the course of time. "We're almost there!" Derpy called out, making sure the others could hear. When they arrived the group found a cave to shelter in, Derpy went to asses the burns on the younger vamponies, and Vinyl unpacked her supplies and began to light a fire. By the next night a new challenge faced the group, the mountain, Rainbow Dash's left wing was too burnt for flight, Soarin's right wing was also incapable of flight. Lyra was also too injured to travel, and had to be carried by Bon Bon. Vinyl and Derpy were having their own conversation so Rainbow Dash slipped to the back and talked to Amethyst, who was certainly shyer since the events from a couple of nights ago. "Hey Amethyst, may I ask what it was Derpy was yelling at you for?" But instead of getting the reply she wanted Amethyst just shook his head. The mountain was a steep and difficult climb, sheer cliffs and deep canyons, covered by snow littered the mountainside, Rainbow Dash nearly fell down one, but Vinyl managed to catch with her magic, just before Rainbow Dash fell into the dark cold abyss. There wasn't much else there, snow, ice, rock, and hidden dangers were all the group had to face. As the group reached the peak they could see Ponyville in the distance, along with Canterlot, and a hunting party... "Can somepony please remind me why we didn't take the train?" Amethyst asked nervously, not wanting to get in trouble. Vinyl shrugged, not having an answer, and looked to the hunting party attempting to identify it's members. "Nopony I know in there, Derpy," Vinyl commented "But i count eight of them." "Conceal you fangs, and your burns," Derpy commanded as she did so herself "Perhaps we can avoid detection..." "Derpy, i hate to break it to you, but we've been spotted!" Rainbow Dash stated in panic, seeing the hunters walking towards them with eyes gazing curiously to the group. "What do we do?" "We confront them ,Dashie" Derpy replied sternly "Derpy you know I don't like that name" "Come on, their nearly here." Vinyl said, butting in on the conversation, and she was right. As they approached Bon Bon took the blackened Lyra from her back and started treating the burns, using only the moonlight to aid her, and she was interrupted by a black and blue maned hunter with a ruby red coat who gazed at Lyra for one moment before turning his head away in disgust. Another hunter, who had a similar manestyle to Rainbow Dash began trying to chat her up. "So your the famous Rainbow Dash I presu-" "Shut it" Rainbow Dash snapped angrily causing the hunter to back to quickly, along with several others" "Calm down ,Rainbow we have a job to do and you know that" Derpy said with an annoyed tone while the hunter examining her blanked everypony entirely. Derpy meanwhile eyed up each hunter, but found that even with seven vamponies they could not win. "What do you want hunters?" Derpy asked cautiously, receiving a surprised look from her examiner. "So you know what we are? do you know that we know what you are vamponies?" the hunter replied darkly. Imediately Vinyl bucked a hunter in the face causing his skull to cave in, and began running towards Ponyville yelling "Run!" Which was exactly what the group did, unfortunatly for Lyra and Bon Bon however they were unable to escape and were left to whatever fate the hunters left them. "Let them go" the hunters leader exclaimed as he stood in the snowy hills, having Lyra and Bon Bont tied up. > Chaos at Ponyville > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 8: Chaos at Ponyville As the group reached Ponyville they were met by the same hunters from the foal mountains. "Took you long enough, vamponies" one of them spat, but he was calmed by the leader, a hooded pony with a yellow mane and tail. "Rainbow, ya' can't be a vampony can ya?" the hooded pony called "A-Applejack?" Rainbow Dash replied grimly, horror across her face, her best friend now was her worst enemy. "Well then, if ya are, ya gotta die," Applejack replied. Now Scootaloo ran to protect Rainbow Dash. "Your not going to hurt her!" Scootaloo yelled, surprising all of the hunters. Her aggression was like a Lycans, her courage that of a hunter. "Kid, get out of here," Rainbow Dash commanded, which Scootaloo did. "Telissa, Zanshi, Boroso, Paronte, Get them!" Applejack ordered, and the vamponies were suddenly charged by four hooded zebra, while Applejack and four other hunters ran back away from the fight, leaving Lyra and Bon Bon tied up in the moonlight. As the zebras charged Vinyl and Derpy fought back, while Soarin untied Lyra and Bon Bon. Rainbow Dash and Amethyst meanwhile gave chase to the fleeing hunters. "Stop 'em!" Applejack ordered the other four fleeing hunters suddenly turned around and charged back at Rainbow Dash and Amethyst. "You get the orange one, I can handle these," Amethyst yelled. "Got it," Rainbow Dash replied, taking flight swiftly and decisively turning right and flying above the building tops, stalking Applejack from above. The chase was long and tiresome for the hunter, but she had become the prey now. "Come on AJ, what's the matter," Rainbow Dash cooed tauntingly. "Darn... you... Rainbow" Applejack replied in between breaths exhaustion beginning taking effect. "What? You started this fight," Rainbow commented smugly, bearing her fangs as Applejack ran into a corner. Applejack looked on in disbelief at her friend. "Fight it Rainbow Dash! Fight it for buck sake!" Applejack ordered. "Why would I do that AJ? I'm a vampony, that means I gotta die right? I'm not going without a fight," Rainbow Dash replied "But-" "But nothing AJ" Rainbow Dash Roared causing Applejack to cower in fear. "Rainbow Dash!" Scootaloo's familiar voice called. Her scooter screeched to a halt besides Rainbow Dash "You can't kill her!" "Kill her? I never intended to kill her," Rainbow Dash replied, her voice showed concern. "Scootaloo, I'm a vampony, that means I need to drink blood, and you would make a treat yourself, but I have control, and I wouldn't harm a filly ever" Scootaloo smiled and left the hunter and vampony to their fight. The cold winds blew as Rainbow Dash stood over her fallen foe. "And I will never harm a friend either," Rainbow Dash remarked. "But... you're ah va-" "Vampony? Yeah, so what? I'm the element of loyalty AJ I won't turn on you because of what I am." Applejack smiled as Rainbow Dash helped her up. Something however, was amiss, Applejack sprung at the chance shoving a knife through Rainbow Dash's neck. Suprised Rainbow Dash couldn't react in time to dodge the attack, but she knew immediately how to repay. Applejack's neck began to gush blood while her forces were decimated. "You lost AJ," Rainbow Dash commented. She was right, no hunters remained, Ponyville was a mess of fallen hunters, no match for the vamponies. "We won!" Derpy cheered as the group celebrated. Most of Ponyville were completely unaware the battle had even taken place. Sleeping happily in their beds. "Rainbow?" Vinyl asked, but she couldn't finish the question. "She will be okay... hopefully" Rainbow Dash answered. Scootaloo however had been fully aware as she jumped Rainbow Dash, hugging her happily. "Scoots, you can never tell anypony of this, understood?" "Yeah, I understand Rainbow Dash." "Good, now get some sleep, we have to clear up," Rainbow Dash said gloomily taking Applejack's knife from her throat. Letting the wound close over time, even if I was easy to heal as a vampony. It wasn't half an hour before the hunters awoke, if they were still alive. Those that did wake ran quickly making their escape into the forests. The blood stained pathways were washed several times over, and the weapons were all packed and hidden at Derpy's house. Soarin had to leave on Wonderbolt business, Spitfire actually even looked impressed by the bloodbaths results. Finally the corpse's were hauled away. By the sunrise everything had been cleared, but Applejack was still unconscious, but breathing. "She's going to become a vampony isn't she?" Rainbow Dash asked. "Yeah" Derpy replied, unless we get this down her in the next five minutes," Derpy replied. "Wait? There's a cure? Why didn't anypony tell me?" "Your beyond it's help is why." Rainbow Dash sighed hearing that, she really did want her mortal life back, even if she never said it. It was a sad fate for her in the end... but not one she could avoid. It had been a month, yet nothing had gone wrong since Rainbow Dash's bite, it was actually calm. In the dark musty cave under derpy's house the coven got on with their undead lives, not much happened and to them, it was nice. Of course someone had planed it from the star though... And he was watching the town from the everfree, floating high above the spot where Rainbow Dash had been bitten. Smirking he clapped his hooves. "Well, she passed the trials, and now I know what would have happened if Loyalty was turned." That pony was Midnight Eclipse, the one who turned Rainbow Dash's turner. "But questions remain unanswered."