The Death of Kindness

Sanguine Kindness

Written by Rated Ponystar

***

Applejack knew Fluttershy had a kind heart. It was one of the reasons she respected the animal caretaker. She honestly understood her side, and if this crisis arose on any other day besides Apple Bucking Day Applejack would have considered other means to peacefully solve the problem. However, she had already lost a good portion of her fields to these varmints, and her prized blue ribbon apple was also at risk as long as they were around. When expressing her desire to stop these vampire bats by any means necessary, even in a violent approach if they had to, she could see the look of disappointment and hurt in Fluttershy’s eyes.

Sometimes there was such a thing as being too kind, and this was a time when one had to buckle. She remembered all the horror stories Granny told her about vampire bats and how close they came to losing the farm. She was not going to let that happen. This entire farm was the lifeblood of her family, and if it died then they did too.

And Applejack Apple would not let that happen as long as she breathed. Thankfully, they had found a way, thanks to Twilight’s spell casting abilities, to make sure the varmints stopped eating her apples. Although Fluttershy was reluctant to use her stare to help, Applejack and the others eventually persuaded her to accept their plan.

She watched as Rainbow Dash brought in the last of the vampire fruit bats via tornado and made sure they stayed in their place. It hurt seeing that she had to sacrifice so many apples to keep them in line, but it was all for the greater good. “Good work, everypony!” shouted Applejack as she looked over her friends, all of whom appeared proud of their achievement. All of them, except for Fluttershy.

Facing her reluctant friend, Applejack stated, “Now all we need is yer stare, Fluttershy.”

Fluttershy nervously pawed the ground, guilt lingering in her eyes as she asked, “A-are you sure about this? It’s not too late to build that shelter...”

For a split second, Applejack looked into the pleading face of one of her best friends and doubt crept into her mind. She knew Fluttershy didn’t like to use The Stare unless she really needed to, and even then she hated forcing animals of their own free will to obey her. However, the moment Applejack saw all the bare trees the bats wiped out, she put such doubts to rest and nodded her head firmly.

With a heavy sigh, Fluttershy turned around and flew to the bats, who spotted her at once and hissed, their tiny talons and wings protectively covering their fresh apple food source. While Applejack and the rest of the gang tensed up, ready to come in should they attack, Fluttershy shook her head with pity. “I really really really hate to do this to you. I just hope you can forgive me.”

She closed her eyes and everypony held their breath. Then, Fluttershy opened her eyes and released the special skill known only as The Stare. Applejack had seen it used many times before, but each time, she couldn’t help but be both afraid and amazed at its power. Just seeing the bats freeze up as their willpower was sucked away sent a shiver down her spine. Fluttershy had said that she never tested The Stare on ponies before, and quite frankly Applejack didn’t want to find out if it was possible or not.

Applejack was so mesmerized by the use of The Stare’s power that she almost forgot the next part of their plan. Turning to Twilight, she nodded at the alicorn, who quickly stepped forward, horn glowing. Twilight’s magic reached out and surrounded the bats with a purple glow, while Fluttershy maintained her stare to make sure they didn’t move an inch.

However, as Twilight continued to cast the spell something happened that none of them expected. They twitched and convulsed involuntarily as though in pain, and Applejack almost jumped out of her hooves when the wailing cacophony pitched higher. It was like the shriek of the damned howling in the air as the bats began to tear up. Although her eyes were still in Stare mode, Fluttershy gasped in horror. “Twilight stop! You’re hurting them!”

“I... I can’t...” Twilight muttered, gritting her teeth. “If I stop, I don’t know what will happen! Keep them still!”

Fluttershy bit her lip. “But...”

“Darn it, Fluttershy! Keep them varmints still!” Applejack ordered, stomping her hoof. This was enough for Fluttershy as she continued to focus back on the bats, but Applejack noticed a single teardrop fall from her eye. Once again, Applejack began to doubt their actions, but more specifically her own. She had just yelled at Fluttershy and worse, made her cry. Whether this worked out for the better or worse, she knew she was going to have to make it up to Fluttershy later.

Just as she turned her eyes back on the bats, she began to see what was actually going on. They were transforming. A purple wave of light began to shine over each of the bats, turning their dark black coats into different hues and shades of color. The spectrum perfectly matched the various colorings of the fruit bats out in the west orchard. Applejack didn’t know how this was possible, but it didn’t matter since she and her family had no problem with normal fruit bats. They lived in fruit trees, feeding off the insects they found. The fruit itself was eaten sparingly and only by the females for reproduction purposes, giving them the strength to bear more fruit bats. That was why they were born half fruit and half bat.

A few minutes passed until the energy surrounding the bats disappeared in a bright flash that made everypony cover their eyes. Applejack heard a loud yelp and the sound of something crashing nearby before the glow evaporated. She looked up at the tree to see her suspicions were correct. Each vampire bat on the tree had been turned into a normal fruit bat, ranging from apples to strawberries to pumpkins. Confused and startled, the fruit bats fled from the tree and scattered.

Applejack was about to do a cheer in celebration for saving her farm, but she heard her friends cry out Fluttershy’s name. She quickly turned around and gasped. Fluttershy had crashed into the ground and lay on her side, twitching in pain. She and the gang wasted no time rushing towards her and helping her up.

“Fluttershy, are you okay?” Twilight asked, placing a hoof on Fluttershy’s shoulder and steadying the wobbling pegasus.

Fluttershy opened her eyes and, for a split second, Applejack thought they had suddenly changed to the color red, but it was gone as soon as she saw it. Chalking it up to a trick of the light, Applejack pushed the thought away before turning to Rainbow Dash. “Dash, get some water from the farm.”

“On it!” Dash shouted before zooming like a rocket towards the main barn.

Fluttershy sat on her haunches as she clutched her head and moaned in pain. “My head... What happened? Are the bats okay?”

“They’re fine, darling,” Rarity assured her worried friend while nuzzling her. “They turned back into fruit bats, normal ones might I add.”

“I don’t understand how that happened. Maybe I did the spell wrong?” Twilight asked out loud while rubbing her chin.

“Who cares?! We managed to save Applejack’s farm! This calls for a celebration!” Pinkie Pie shouted while spreading her front legs and throwing confetti into the air. It was blown away when Dash flew back at top speed, holding a mug of water in her hoof.

Twilight levitated it to Fluttershy, who began to drink the whole thing like she had been trapped in a desert for days. “Well, I’m worried about Fluttershy. She doesn’t look so good,” Twilight pointed out.

“She is starting to look a bit pale,” Spike commented as Fluttershy finished her drink with a sigh of relief. The others got a closer look at her and nodded in agreement upon seeing her yellow fur slowly lose its color.

Applejack took her hat off and placed it over her heart before looking at Fluttershy with regret. “Fluttershy... Ah... Ah’m sorry. Ah didn’t want ya to get hurt on account of me askin’ ya to do somethin’ ya didn’t want to do. Ah’m really sorry.”

Fluttershy shook her head and gave Applejack a weak smile. “It’s.. it’s okay. I’m sure I just strained myself from using The Stare for so long. I’ve never held it like that before. Maybe a good night’s rest will help me.”

“Sounds like a good plan. I’ll take her home,” Rarity said as she helped Fluttershy back to her hooves, guiding her towards the direction of the exit of Sweet Apple Acres. The others quickly said their goodbyes and well wishes for Fluttershy’s recovery before they began to walk back to the barn.

“So how did you transform them into normal fruit bats, Twilight?” Spike asked, riding on her back. “I thought the plan was to make them not like apples anymore.”

“I don’t know, Spike,” Twilight answered, her eyes narrowed as she went into that “serious study” face that Applejack had always seen her with whenever she was using that big brain of hers. “There are spells that can transform creatures into another, but that spell I used didn’t feel like any of those at all. Now that I think about it, I think this was a better outcome for the bats than our original plan.”

“How so? So the bats don’t eat apples. What’s the big deal?” Rainbow Dash asked, lazily flying above them.

“Because, Dash, if we made the vampire bats stop eating apples, then what else were they gonna eat?”

This made the whole group stop in realization. Without anything to eat, the bats would have starved to death and would have been wiped out. Applejack was only grateful that Fluttershy wasn’t here or she would have fainted on the spot. And as much as she hated vampire bats and saw them as monsters, she wasn’t the type of pony who wanted to go and kill a bunch of animals.

“Wow, good thing that spell worked as it did huh,” Spike commented.

“Yeah... but I’m still a bit concerned about Fluttershy. I hope the spell didn’t do anything to her,” Twilight muttered, her ears flat against her head. “If something happens to her...”

“Come on, Twilight,” Pinkie Pie said, wrapped her foreleg around Twilight’s neck. She smiled and continued, “It’s was a transformation spell, right? So unless Fluttershy starts turning into a dragon or snail or some other type of animal, she’s going to be alright, right?”

“I guess...”

“So let’s stop worrying about such gloomy thoughts and have ourselves some apple pie to celebrate saving Applejack’s farm!” Pinkie Pie suggested, pulling out such a pie, still freshly baked and warm too, from wherever it was that Pinkie Pie stored her endless supply of items. The smell soon had everypony’s stomachs grumbling, and they couldn’t help but nod their heads in agreement.

They made their way to the barn, but their worries of Fluttershy still lingered in their mind.

***

Three days had passed since the vampire bats turned back into fruit bats, and Applejack thought the worst of her troubles were over. That was until she found out from Apple Bloom that the new fruit bats had been fighting with the old ones over territory and killing each other. She couldn’t leave dead animals on her farm, and picking up their bodies for burial was starting to interrupt her other chores.

With no other choice, Applejack had to ask Fluttershy for help again. The farmer reluctantly made her way down the path where she spotted the lonely cottage near the Everfree Forest. She still felt guilty for forcing Fluttershy to use her stare on the bats and would rather let a few days come between them so she could fully recover. However, she was running out of options.

Arriving at the front door, Applejack knocked on it as quietly as she could, knowing that her timid friend still got spooked by the simplest of unexpected noises. “Fluttershy? It’s Applejack. Ah need to talk to ya.” There was no reply. She could hear a few animals inside scuttering around but nothing else. Applejack knocked again, this time with a bit more force. “Fluttershy? Everything okay in there?”

Maybe she’s out? Applejack thought when she got no reply a second time. She was about ready to turn around and head home when the door unlocked and opened. Applejack looked down and saw Angel peering back with relief on his face. Applejack raised an eyebrow at the sight of this. Normally, the rabbit wore of look of annoyance at everypony, so seeing any other expression on his face made her suspicious.

“Howdy, Angel. Fluttershy home?” Applejack asked.

The little rabbit waved his paw for Applejack to follow him as he made his way towards the stairs. Applejack shrugged and closed the door behind her, making sure not to step on any one of the dozens of critters Fluttershy took care of while she walked. She quickly looked around and saw that most of the animals were quiet; too quiet in fact. Somethin’s wrong and Ah don’t like it.

Applejack followed Angel up the stairs until they reached Fluttershy’s room where he knocked on the door. A few coughs were heard that sounded so painful it made Applejack wince. “W-who... is it?”

“Fluttershy? Ya feelin’ alright, sugarcube?” Applejack asked, now worried herself.

The door slowly opened and Applejack reared back in both shock and dismay at what had become of her good friend. She had seen sick ponies before with both common and serious illnesses, but she had never seen anypony as sick as Fluttershy.

The poor mare appeared half dead from the condition of her faded yellow fur. It almost looked like she’d been dipped in bleach. Her eyes were completely bloodshot, and she wiped away tears that slowly slid down her face and into her runny nose. Her mane was an absolute mess, something that would give Rarity an aneurysm if she ever saw it. Fluttershy’s wings looked like they hadn’t been preened and she was barely standing, ready to collapse at a moment’s notice.

Fluttershy opened her mouth to speak when her eyes widened and she started to cough again. Applejack made sure she was out of the way as Fluttershy covered her mouth with her hoof, saliva spitting out with each hack. It went on for a good while, longer than most coughing fits Applejack had heard, and she was forced to watch as each cough dragged Fluttershy closer to the ground while Angel patted her back.

Finally, she stopped and began to catch her breath while Applejack shook her head. “Land sakes, Fluttershy! Why didn’t ya tell anypony y’all were this sick? I could have sworn ya were gonna cough up a lung.”

“It’s... it’s okay, Applejack. I’m... I’m...” Fluttershy tried to finish, but she moaned and placed a hoof on her head, wincing in pain.

Applejack stepped forward and placed her hoof on Fluttershy’s forehead before shaking her head. “Yer burning up, that’s what. Come on, let’s get ya back to bed.” With little resistance, Applejack was able to guide Fluttershy to her pillow and sheets, covering her up nice and warm. “Darn it, girl. Yer sicker than a dog left out in the rain for too long. Ah’m gonna get the girls, and we’re gonna make sure ya get better, okay?”

“O-okay...” Fluttershy whispered as she laid her head down and closed her eyes. Applejack could hear faint whispers of pain as she exited the room and made a beeline for the door. She already planned out the route that would lead to each of her friends’ houses as well as the hospital to see if they could have a doctor make an emergency house call.

There was something about this sickness that Applejack didn’t like this one single bit, and she had a feeling that it wasn’t something simple like a fever or a cold. She only hoped it wasn't fatal or contagious.

***

Needless to say, when the rest of the girls learned about Fluttershy’s illness they were quick to drop everything they were doing and rush straight to her aid. Doctor Stable, along with Nurse Redheart, hastily arrived via Princess Twilight’s orders. She rarely liked using her powers as a princess, but when it came to her friend’s well-being she had no problem using whatever resources she had.

Unfortunately, the two medical ponies were unable to properly diagnose what was wrong with Fluttershy. She had no bacteria or virus that they knew of, but proper scans showed that her inner body was failing her. Despite her pleas that she would be fine, Doctor Stable suggested moving Fluttershy into the intensive care unit of the hospital while they tried to figure out what was wrong with her and hopefully cure it. Fluttershy, however, refused to go. She didn’t like the idea of being in a hospital or leaving her animals behind and unattended. However, she agreed that if she didn’t get better in a few days, she would come straight to the hospital for treatment.

The gang had no choice but to make sure they kept a close eye on Fluttershy and care for her. Doctor Stable did recommend that the girls come for checkups almost every day, to make sure it was not contagious and wear protective masks and gloves. It had been three days since then, and none of them showed any of the symptoms Fluttershy had, nor did her own ill signs fade in time either. They had tried contacting Fluttershy’s parents, in case this was a genetic disease from the family, but when Rainbow Dash went to find them in Cloudsdale they had learned they were vacationing in the Griffin Kingdom.

Despite a lack of improvement, Fluttershy’s friends did everything they could to help her feel better. Rainbow Dash would sit down and read every Daring Do book she had, and sometimes the others would join in to reenact certain scenes for Fluttershy’s amusement. Rarity sewed a specially-made quilt for Fluttershy to warm herself with, using the best fabrics she had. Applejack and Pinkie Pie brought lots of healthy food for Fluttershy like porridge and soup, although she ate very little. One of the first things that disappeared was her appetite, although she was often quite thirsty. And finally, Twilight made sure she and Spike attended to Fluttershy’s animals to reassure her that everything was okay.

Even the town pitched in to help when they heard one of their premier members was seriously ill. They brought get well cards or gifts for Fluttershy and visited as often as they could. Seeing the love and concern so many ponies had for her made her smile, knowing that she was blessed to live with such good friends.

Fluttershy was wearing such a smile while watching Pinkie Pie and Spike perform an impressive dance routine with some of her animal friends. Finishing their final musical number, Fluttershy and all her friends clapped their hooves in applause as the dancing group bowed.

After the animals left one by one, though not without small, goodbye kisses to their caretaker, Fluttershy. “Thank you. It was very lovely.”

“Aw, shucks it was all Pinkie’s idea,” Spike said, pointing his thumb at the party mare.

“Yup, but I couldn’t have done it without you, Spikey!” Pinkie Pie complimented while giving the little dragon a noogie.

“You both did great. And I think it’s helped put an even bigger smile on Fluttershy,” pointed out Twilight while Fluttershy blushed. “Why I bet she’s already on the road to recovery right now.”

Fluttershy sighed before grabbing a glass of water and chucking it down greedily. Rarity took the glass and started to clean it with a few supplies she brought with her. “Honestly, Fluttershy, you shouldn’t drink so fast. It’s bad enough you get those coughing fits as it is. You don’t want to start choking on the water, now do you?”

“Sorry, Rarity,” Fluttershy whispered, licking her lips as her eyes drooped. “I just feel so thirsty all the time and I can’t explain it. Water’s just not doing it and neither is juice.” Her eyes widened as she then suddenly went into another series of painful coughs, but only a few this time. The gang winced with each she let out one as Applejack quickly patted her back to help her out.

“Ah think Fluttershy needs some bed rest, y’all,” Applejack suggested, which led to five heads nodding in agreement. She tucked Fluttershy in bed as they all wished her a good night’s rest before leaving the room as quietly as they could while the dreary pegasus slowly closed her eyes.

That small peaceful moment only lasted for a short while until the gang could heard Fluttershy coughing again. Their previous gentle smiles faded into frowns as they looked at each other, more worried than ever for their sick friend. “It’s been days and she’s still looking like horseapples,” Rainbow Dash whispered, kicking the floor with a growl. “Is there any sort of medical magical stuff you can do, Twilight?”

“I’m not well versed in healing arts, Dash,” Twilight answered, lowering her head in shame. “Even if I was, Doctor Stable said that magical exposure could make Fluttershy worse. Maybe it might make her better, but nopony knows what we're dealing with.”

Rainbow Dash crossed her hooves while glaring at the floor, but Twilight placed a hoof on her shoulder and smiled. “But I have good news. I contacted Princess Celestia yesterday, and she promised to send her own personal doctor to help Fluttershy out. Doctor Gold Heart is one of the top medical professionals in all of Equestria.”

Everypony’s eyes lit up with hope upon hearing this and Twilight couldn’t blame them. She herself was starting to really worry about this illness that Fluttershy had. She had researched for days, but found no recorded incidents similar to this one. She could only hope the princess’s doctor could help. They had tried everything they knew, from home remedies to even potions by Zecora, but nothing seemed to help. There were nurmous illnesses that showed symptoms like these, but there was no sign yet of how it developed and without a proper idea on what disease it was they couldn’t really do treatment. A dark though in Twilight’s mind made her wonder if there was even a way to cure her at all. What if this disease was fatal? What if—

“Hey, girls?” Spike asked, eyes focused on the door in front of them. “Fluttershy hasn’t stopped coughing... and it’s been five minutes.”

Twilight felt her heart freeze in her chest as fear gripped it. Another moment passed, enough to catch the looks from the others, and then the bedroom door slammed open so hard it was almost ripped off its hinges. Inside, Twilight released her magical hold on the door and skidded to a stop at the sight before her. Fluttershy was coughing into her hoof over and over again, but now her entire body was shaking as she struggled under the covers. It was like something inside her was twisting and turning.

Twilight fought down her fear as she quickly looked to her friends who were as equally horrified as her. “Quick!” Twilight, shouted, snapping them out of it. “Hold her down and get something to calm her down!”

Rainbow Dash and Rarity quickly left the room while she, Pinkie, and Applejack rushed to Fluttershy, who was coughing so hard it almost sounded like a lung was trying to come out. They grabbed and held her down, saliva coming out of Fluttershy’s mouth and splattering all over their faces.

“Girls...” Fluttershy whimpered between her coughs, her eyes tearing up,” ...H-help...”

“She’s turning blue!” Spike pointed out as he watched from a distance, shaking with fear.

Rarity soon returned, Rainbow Dash behind her, as she carried in her magic a needle shot. “Take this! It’s one of her sedatives! I’ve seen her use it before on Opal and it calmed her down in an instant!”

“Fluttershy ain’t some animal! She’s a pony! Won’t that kill her?!” Applejack argued, doing her best to keep Fluttershy’s foreleg from smacking her.

“It’s only a small dose! Enough to calm her down and nothing more!” Rarity, with the shot ready, moved to Fluttershy’s flank and turned to Twilight, steely resolve behind her eyes. “I can do this.

Twilight looked at Rarity and then at Fluttershy before nodding. Rarity carefully poked Fluttershy’s cutie mark as the gang did their best to keep her still. The drug soon entered Fluttershy’s bloodstream, and she began to shake less and less until it, and her coughing, finally abated.

Everypony started to breathe again as Fluttershy fell onto her pillow, taking in deep breaths. Sweat poured down her brow, along with tears, as she tried to speak, but all that came out were gurgles and gasps.

Twilight laid her hoof over her heart, expecting it to burst out of her chest any second now. That was too close...

The others looked to be just as relieved and tired as her, each of them eyeing Fluttershy like she was a time bomb ready to explode. Not a single sound was heard inside the room as Fluttershy wrapped the covers around her like a lifeline. There was a flicker of newborn hope in the room that perhaps she could finally rest, a hope erased when she put her hoof over her mouth and started coughing again. Everypony got up, ready to assist, when something came out of Fluttershy’s mouth that froze them all in their tracks.

Now, Twilight was pretty sure her heart had just stopped.

Fluttershy’s eyes widen as she stared at her hoof. “Is... that...”

Nopony answered because there was no need to say it. It was red and sticky. Its very smell made every hair on Twilight’s body stand up straight. She knew what it was. They all did.

Blood.

Fluttershy stared at her blood-covered hoof until her eyes rolled back in her head and she fainted on her pillow. Instincts kicked in as Twilight rushed to Fluttershy, charged her horn, and the two of them were gone in a flash.

A split second later, everypony was rushing out of the house.

***

Applejack had been in this situation before many years ago. She was only seven when they brought her Ma and Pa into the hospital after the attack. The smell of the blood all over them from the timberwolf bites that had haunted her entire fillyhood was now coming back to her. But that wasn’t the worst part. The worst part was the ending to it all. That moment when the doctor walked up to her and her family and shook her head, saying that she would never see her parents open their eyes ever again.

It shattered her world and she swore never to suffer such a devastating blow again if she could help it. Now it looked like her promise was going to be broken and her world would crumble into dust once more. She didn’t dare look at the faces of the ones she called friends, sisters and family in the same breath, because she knew they were feeling that same fear.

Rainbow Dash had already flown ahead of them, faster than she had ever seen the pegasus fly, leaving the rest of them to gallop by hoof. For the first time in her life, Applejack cursed being an earth pony and not a teleporting unicorn or flying pegasus. It took them only twenty minutes to gallop all the way from Fluttershy’s cottage to the hospital at the other side of town, a feat Applejack would have taken pride in if she wasn’t so worried about Fluttershy. The group didn’t even bother giving their names, nor did they need directions to find out where Fluttershy was being taken.

The trail of blood was enough.

By the time they entered the ICU, she saw Rainbow Dash comforting a crying Twilight, who looked pale as death itself. The effects of their run finally hit the group, and they collapsed, breathing heavily. Only Spike, who rode on Pinkie Pie, was unaffected.

“How... is... Fluttershy?” Rarity demanded as she summoned air into her lungs. Her mane was ruined and her body was covered in sweat, having never pulled her body through such grueling exercises until now. The primed up mare would have normally complained about such a look on her, but right now it was the last thing on her mind. All she wanted was to know if one of her best friends was alright.

“I...” Twilight hiccupped a few times through the tears before she managed to continue. “I... brought her in... the nurse shouted ‘Code Blue’ and took her away. She was still coughing up blood as they took her inside and I... I don’t know what to do!”

They watched as the strongest of them, their leader through every trial, fell to the floor in shambles and bawled her eyes out. Rainbow Dash was the first to hold her, then Spike, then the others. They held each other, crying alongside her, trying to be strong together. They hoped, they prayed, they begged the powers that be that one of their own would not be taken from them. None of them ever thought, in all the dangerous adventures they had gone through, that they could die. They were the Elements of Harmony: the six invincible friends who could deal with any evil.

But now they were a small group of weak and crying mares, who wanted nothing more than the gentlest of them to come home.

***

Inside the ICU, a single sound was heard. Doctor Stable and the nurses all looked at the pony laid out on the table. Her eyes were closed for all of eternity, her suffering had come to an end.

They had tried to find out what was wrong. Every scan and piece of medical equipment they used turned up negative. No internal bleeding. No pathogens of any kind. Not a single sign of what had happened that caused her body to completely shut down.

Doctor Stable closed his eyes and cursed the sound ringing in his ears. He hated that sound. It was a sound of failure. The sound of sorrow to come. Stable had heard it many times, both during his internship and when he graduated from school. It was a sound he never got used to. Every doctor feared they would hear a special sound that let them know it was over for them. They couldn’t go on anymore.

For Doctor Stable this was his. This single, depressing, sorrowful sound was the sign that his career was over. He could never find it in his heart to continue practicing medicine. A short career of ten years as a doctor and it was all over because he failed to save this one mare who was so sweet and innocent, a hero to everypony alive in Equestria.

His nurses looked at him, to ask him to say the words that none of them wanted to hear. With every ounce of his being he uttered a single sentence. “Call it.”

Nurse Redheart, with tears in her eyes nodded. “Time of death... six forty-two.” She slowly covered Fluttershy’s head with a white sheet.

Another nurse shut off the pulse reader and then all that was left was silence.

End of Chapter

Link to Illustration 1
Link to Illustration 2

Sorrow and Resurection

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Sanguine Kindness

Written by Rated Ponystar

Drawn by James Corck

Edited by First_Down

***

Silence.

Utter silence.

That was the only sound everypony could hear as they waited for news of Fluttershy. Twilight normally didn’t mind silence, it made it easier to study and focus on her work. But this time she wished something would happen to break it: Pinkie Pie singing another random song, a belch from Spike signaling a letter from the princess, even the ticking of a clock would have been welcomed. But there was nothing.

Twilight looked over her friends, who shared the same emotions on her face: fear, sorrow, hopelessness and, above all, worry. It was not long ago that they had watched the most gentle of them coughing blood into her hoof, but Twilight saw more of that when she teleported Fluttershy to the hospital. A river of blood had poured out of Fluttershy’s nose and mouth as she coughed, so much so that it seemed artificial, a grotesque impossibility. Twilight had to remind herself how much blood a pony’s body could actually hold.

The images that flashed her in mind made her hug Spike closer to her chest as her little brother continued to cry silently. Only minutes ago he’d sent a letter to Princess Celestia to let her know of Fluttershy’s horrible change of condition and to send help immediately. Twilight could only pray that her mentor and fellow princess could make it in time. She and her friends were barely hanging on themselves.

Applejack leaned against a wall for support, her hat covering her face to hide the tears dripping from her eyes. Twilight saw them anyway. Out of all the ponies here who had to deal with - dare she say it - hardship, Applejack was the most experienced. Still, that didn’t make it any easier.

Rarity was right beside her, being comforted by Pinkie Pie, whose mane was completely flat. She had barely been able to stay standing thanks to her tireless run and the revelation that one of her best friends was dying. Pinkie Pie, bless her soul, supported Rarity and hugged her tight, saying everything would be okay. Twilight was surprised by Pinkie’s mature attitude in all of this, but then again nopony surprised her more than Pinkie Pie.

Perhaps the one taking it the worst was Rainbow Dash, whose eyes never left the doors that Fluttershy was taken into. Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash had been best friends since they were fillies and knew each other the longest. Although Dash wasn’t crying like the rest of them, Twilight knew that, deep inside, her heart was breaking into tiny pieces.

Twilight could relate. She was the Element of Magic, an alicorn, and one of the most powerful mages since the time of Starswirl the Bearded himself. How was it that she couldn’t help her best friend now when she needed her the most?

Suddenly, there were hoofsteps. Twilight’s ears listened closely as hope began to grow in her chest. She knew those metal protected hooves from anywhere. Looking towards the hall, she and the girls saw the one pony that Twilight could turn to should anything go wrong. The one who had always been there for her.

“Princess Celestia!” shouted Twilight, rushing to her mentor. She disregarded all sense of manners to the princess and hugged her as tight as she could, laying her teary-eyed face on Celestia’s shoulder. “I’m so glad you're here.”

The princess didn’t reprimand Twilight. She simply hugged Twilight back, warming her like the sun that she raised. “I’m so sorry, Twilight. I came as fast as I could when I got your message. I only wish I came sooner,” said Princess Celestia, sorrow emitting from her tone. “Doctor Gold Heart is on his way soon with his best team. They’ll help Fluttershy as best as they can.”

The uneasiness in Twilight’s heart faded a bit upon hearing this. If anypony could help Fluttershy now it was Princess Celestia.

“Girls, look!” said Rainbow Dash, catching their attention. They saw Doctor Stable coming out of the ICU doors with an emotionless expression on his face. When they turned, there were hopeful looks in their eyes that everything was okay.

He was about to say something when he noticed Princess Celestia. “P-princess! W-we didn’t know you would be here.”

“One of my friends and an Element of Harmony is in critical condition. I would be here even if Canterlot itself was on fire,” stated Princess Celestia. “Please, tell us Fluttershy’s condition.”

The moment Doctor Stable lowered his head and closed his eyes Twilight felt her heart sink into her stomach, and she was sure she wasn’t the only one. “I... I’m sorry, everypony. We lost her. F-F-Fluttershy is gone.”

Rarity gasped as she held her hooves to her lips before falling to the floor in tears, her cries of woe echoing across the hall. Pinkie Pie carefully held onto Rarity as she wept alongside her friend. The only thing louder than Rarity’s screams was Applejack hitting the wall with her rear hooves over and over again.

She hit them a few more times before falling to her haunches and started moaning with the rest of them. “Not Fluttershy! Please not her!”

Spike had already tackled into Twilight’s embrace as the two of them held onto each other and cried together. An emptiness in Twilight’s heart began to grow inside of her, like a piece of her soul had been torn away and she was left to fill the void with nothing but her tears. She was gone. One of her best friends in the world was gone. Twilight would never hear Fluttershy’s sweet voice sing a song, or watch her pick flowers alongside her animal companions. For over five years, Fluttershy had been with her through the most challenging events in her life, from Nightmare Moon to her own ascension into becoming an princess. And she never would have done all this, became the mare she was today, without her.

If Twilight had the power, she would sacrifice all the magic she had in her body just for a chance to bring her back. But no magic could do such a thing. Fluttershy was dead and would never return. She slowly turned to her mentor and felt a gasp escape her lips as she saw Princess Celestia’s cheeks covered with fresh tears. She had rarely seen the princess cry before.

“Liar!”

Twilight nearly jumped when she heard the sound of Doctor Stable being slammed against the wall by Rainbow Dash, whose furious face made Twilight tremble. “She’s not dead! You hear me! Fluttershy can’t be dead! Who's gonna look after all her animals?! Who’s gonna be there to cheer for me when I make it to the Wonderbolts?! Who... who...” Rainbow Dash continued to huff and puff as Doctor Stable, bleeding from the lip, trembled in Dash’s grip. “You’re going to go back in there and you’re going to save her! You hear me! Save my best friend! Save her now!”

“Rainbow Dash! Enough!” shouted Celestia. “I know you are in grief, but do not attack Doctor Stable! He did his best and—”

“Buck you, Celestia!” shouted Dash, earning a gasp from Twilight and Rarity at her choice of language towards Princess Celestia herself. Before anypony could respond, Rainbow Dash flew into the ICU.

“Rainbow, wait!” shouted Twilight as she followed her friend, leaving the rest behind.

***

Rainbow Dash had never told anypony that she was friendless before she met Fluttershy. She didn’t tell them because the memories of being alone for so long hurt. She hated being alone. It only got worse after her parents divorced. Her mother left her and she never saw her again. Her father had to work most of the day just to pay their rent. No friends. No family. Rainbow Dash felt like the loneliest pony in the world.

Until, one day, another filly with a pink mane sat down beside her and asked if she could join her for lunch. When asked why, the filly had said that their eyes were the same. Dash didn’t know what she meant at first, but she then realized that Fluttershy had also been alone. And that was how they first met. Two lonely fillies searching for friendship that had found each other in their darkest hour.

Rainbow Dash swore to never lose her friendship with Fluttershy, protecting her from bullies and doing everything with her, from watching clouds pass by to even butterfly migrations. They were more than friends in her mind, they were sisters of the sky.

And now her sister needed her more than ever.

Rainbow Dash burst through every door in her way, knocking them off their hinges with the power behind her speed. She didn’t care about what was in her way or who was in her way. All her mind could focus on was finding Fluttershy. She finally saw the operation room and kicked the doors open. “Where is she?!”

The nurses all stopped their cleaning and stared at Rainbow Dash in shock. She scanned her eyes around the room, noticing the medical equipment that the nurses were putting away, before she stopped at the sight in the center. On the operating table was a pony figure covered with a bloody, white sheet.

“Fluttershy!” screamed Rainbow Dash as she flew towards the body. Tears in her eyes, she froze upon seeing the faint outline of her friend’s face. With a shaking hoof, she lowered the blanket and choked.

Fluttershy's eyes were closed like she was in a deep sleep, but Dash couldn’t hear her breathing. Blood lingered on the edges of her mouth and nose, its smell overcoming Dash’s senses and making her woozy. “No, no, no... oh please, no...” whispered Dash as she caressed Fluttershy’s cold cheek. “Please wake up, Fluttershy. Don’t do this to me. You still have to see me get into the Wonderbolts.” She growled before taking her by the shoulder and shaking the departed pegasus. “That was our promise! Our promise! You’d be there for my first Wonderbolt show and I would be your best mare for your wedding! We promised we’d live our dreams together and die happy! Don’t you dare break that promise now! Don’t you dare die on me!”

“Miss! Please! You must get away from—”

“Get back!” screamed Rainbow Dash at the nurses viciously. She held onto Fluttershy, eyes wild with promises of hurt should any of them come near her. “S-stay away from us! Just leave us alone!”

“Rainbow Dash!”

Dash turned towards the door as Twilight, huffing and puffing, entered. She stopped in place and a hoof came to her mouth at the sight before her, tears silently beginning to fall. Shaking her head, Twilight walked over to Rainbow Dash, who hugged Fluttershy even tighter. “Dash... please, we have to go. Let them do their job.”

“No! I won’t leave her, Twilight! She needs me!” cried Dash, who was finding it harder to see with all the blurry water in her vision.

“Rainbow...” Twilight began to choke up as she took a deep breath to calm down. “There’s nothing you can do for her anymore. She’s... she’s...”

“Don’t say it!”

“...Fluttershy is dead.”

Dash screamed. She screamed so loud it could be heard even outside of the ICU. She cried out Fluttershy’s name over and over again, begging her to come back, only to be answered with silence save for the imperceptible, arrhythmic patter of tears upon the sterile floor. Rainbow Dash sniffed and looked once more at the peaceful expression of Fluttershy, her sister in the sky, before she gently laid her back on the table. “Fluttershy... I’m so sorry. I’m so, so sorry...”

Twilight finally walked forward and hugged her friend from behind. She used her horn to slowly slip the sheet over Fluttershy’s face as Rainbow Dash collapsed into her hooves, her energy all but gone. Nurse Redheart stepped forward and bowed her head. “I am sorry for your loss, truly. But we need to give her an autopsy.”

“No!” yelled Rainbow Dash as she grabbed Twilight and looked into her eyes, pleading. “Don’t let them cut her up, Twilight! She deserves better!”

Twilight closed her eyes and nodded before turning to Nurse Redheart. “Please, just clean her up and put a stasis spell on her.”

“But we don’t know what she died from, Princess. This could be something that has to be researched so it doesn’t happen again!” argued Nurse Redheart.

Twilight shook her head. “If this was anypony else I would be fine with it. But not Fluttershy. Not her. I won’t let her beautiful body be ruined anymore than it already has. Princess’s orders.”

Sighing in defeat, Nurse Redheart nodded as Twilight helped Rainbow Dash out of the room. The pegasus took one more glance at Fluttershy’s body before she whispered, “Goodbye...”

***

None of their friends spoke a word as Twilight and Rainbow Dash returned from the ICU. A hollow silence filled the air as Twilight looked up and saw everypony look at her with their teary eyes. She lowered her head, wishing that she was all alone right now to mourn privately.

I don’t know what to do, thought Twilight, whose ears folded back. They want me to do something, anything, but what can I do? I can’t bring her back. I can’t stop this. I can’t... what am I going to do?

Twilight’s worries were put to rest once Princess Celestia cleared her throat. She didn't even flinch when everypony's eyes shifted to her and away from Twilight. Despite not crying like the rest of them, Twilight could see just how much pain Princess Celestia herself was in by looking into her eyes. Is Celestia being strong for us? Or has she seen so much loss that she’s used to it?

“My little ponies,” said Princess Celestia, lowering her head in grief. “Words cannot express the tragedy that has happened to us today. I may not have been close to Fluttershy like the rest of you, but I still saw her as a friend. I will miss her, as will all of Equestria.” Rarity cried harder as Celestia continued, “I know you may feel at a loss for what to do, so I suggest you each head home for now. It has been a long and tiring day for you all.”

“W-what about her... f-f-funeral?” questioned Spike, rubbing his snot-dripping nose. “A-and her family?”

A sob escaped Rainbow Dash as she let her hooves cover her face. “W-what am I going to tell her parents? H-how can I t-tell them th-that their o-only daughter is d-dead?”

“I will take care of everything, everypony,” assured Princess Celestia. “Fluttershy was a hero to this nation and we will honor her as best as we can. I’ll notify her parents while arranging a proper service. If you wish to offer suggestions, or help out, please see me in a few days. For now, try to get some rest.”

A great weight felt like it was released from Twilight’s back as she sighed in relief. Much as she would have loved to be involved in the preparations for Fluttershy’s funeral, Twilight knew she was not in the right state of mind to do so. Rainbow Dash slowly left Twilight’s comforting wing before she bolted out of the room at top speed. Nopony saw any point in stopping her.

Rarity, finding the strength to move on her own four legs, wiped her tears before turning to Pinkie, nodding in thanks. She bowed to the princess one more time before making her way out the hallway. Applejack was right beside her, saying nothing and not evening glancing at anypony as she walked off in a hurry.

Spike slowly walked up to Twilight and jumped onto her back, hugging her neck tight. Twilight didn’t mind as she felt the warm, wet tears from her little dragon damp the back of her neck. She looked at the princess and quickly nuzzled her neck. “Please come by my place later?”

“I will, Twilight. I promise,” vowed Princess Celestia.

Twilight nodded and slowly walked away, her thoughts still on her dearly departed friend.

When Twilight left, only Pinkie Pie remained as she turned to Princess Celestia and whispered. “Princess?”

“Yes, Pinkie?” asked Celestia.

“C-can... can you give me a hug? I gave all my hugs to Rarity and... and...” Pinkie lifted her head, her bangs clearing her face as tears fell down her muzzle. “...and I could really use a hug right now.”

Princess Celestia closed her eyes and nodded, walking over and gently embracing Pinkie Pie. A single droplet of water dripped down the cheek of the sun princess as she held onto Pinkie Pie for a long time.

***

The past three days flew by so quickly for Twilight that she found it hard to believe that it was the day of the funeral already. It had been hotly debated among the five of them and Fluttershy’s parents what her final arrangements would be since Fluttershy left no will. Most pegasi cremated their dead and scattered their ashes among the winds, the loved ones keeping a single feather of the deceased so they could put it in a shrine. However, some of them argued that since Fluttershy loved nature and its wonders so much that she should be buried and become one with it. In the end, Celestia offered a third solution. She would build a tomb for Fluttershy at the spot where she received her cutie mark years ago, a place Rainbow Dash said she visited once a year.

The tomb was built in a single day by the finest architects and stonemasons of Equestria who wished to honor one of the heroes of their great nation. It was a fitting size with smooth, white marble and flowers decorating its walls and columns. There were carvings of all the animals that Fluttershy had taken care of over her many years. They ranged from soft and cute animals like bunnies, birds, dogs and chipmunks to larger creatures like manticores and dragons. Even a carving of Cerberus was present. Statues of angels were placed at the corner, looking up into the sky as their wings spread out, as if they were ready to guide Fluttershy’s soul into the great beyond.

Finally, there was the door. it was open for now, ready for the casket to be delivered inside and Fluttershy placed in her final rest. But above it read something that made Twilight realize that this was actually happening. She was saying farewell to one of her best friends:

Here lies the tomb of Fluttershy, Element of Kindness

May the love in her heart always be known to all creatures of the earth

May the heavens themselves sing as they welcome her into their embrace

May all know of Equestria’s own angel who will never be forgotten

Rest in peace beloved pony of Equestria

Twilight had never believed much in the prospect of an afterlife, nor had she ever thought about the concept of death itself before. In all the adventures she and her fellow Elements had, there was always a chance they could have been killed by the powerful evils they faced. Yet each time they had triumphed with victory after victory.

But now she had lost one of the five most important ponies in her life, ponies whom she loved dearly and shared with a bond like no other. Turning her gaze from the tomb in the distance, she looked at all five of her friends who sat next to her on the cushions given to them as they focused on the service. Like her, they were dressed in mourning black, a color Twilight was starting to hate after seeing so much of it today. Every single one of them was feeling the same pain she was feeling if their expressions told her anything.

No matter how much makeup she put on, nothing could prevent Rarity from looking ten years older, with mascara dripping down her bloodshot eyes that would not stop crying. Applejack had lost all the warmth in her eyes, just staring at the ground looking ready to either break down or rip a pony’s head off. Maybe both. She could barely see Pinkie because her flat, drooping mane was covering her entire face. Even Rainbow Dash was barely holding it in as she kept batting her eyes with tissue after tissue given to her by Spike, who looked like his whole world had crumbled. His entire innocence had been lost with what had happened to Fluttershy, and Twilight wished she could have protected him from it.

Then again, Twilight wished somepony else could have protected her as well.

Her sorrows were somewhat lifted when she felt the wing of her mentor, sitting right beside her, wrap around her back. She turned to the other side of the row, where Celestia, Luna, her brother and Cadance were all there for support. Each of them had contributed in someway to the funeral: Celestia with the tomb’s construction, Luna with the flowers, and Cadance and Shining Armor with the glass casket.

And yet they were only a small part. There was a reason why the funeral was in a field. Almost all of Ponyville had come to say their final farewells along with every animal in the entire area. Every creature from her cottage, White Tail Woods, and even the Everfree Forest had come. Even dangerous beasts like tigers, bears, and manticores were all sitting in silence, mourning for the mare who took care of them. Even Angel, the bunny who always had an attitude, had more than once bounced on the casket, crying and pounding it as if he was begging for Fluttershy to wake up.

Turning towards the service itself, Twilight tried her best to ignore the sobbing mother and father of Fluttershy while they talked about their beloved daughter’s life. She wondered if either of them were wishing they were dead right now instead of Fluttershy. Her own parents told her the day Discord had put his curse on them, they saw their own children lying dead with nothing either of them could do.They said the worst experience a parent can go through is outliving their children, forced to know that they are still alive to suffer for it.

Breaking away from the sobbing parents, Twilight focused on the actual casket itself with Fluttershy lying inside.

Since Rarity was in her shop for many hours in the days preceding the funeral, Twilight knew Fluttershy’s final dress was going to be spectacular. And indeed it was. She wore a laced dress of green and blue, with fine pink ribbons embroidered along the sleeves. The flower and butterfly patches went well with the bottom of the dress, stitched to a series of growing vines in pale tones of green. Fluttershy herself looked primed and prepared with her mane combed and flowered while her fur was soft and clean. In accordance with Twilight’s wishes, she hadn’t been cut up, and while part of her logical side knew Fluttershy should have been examined for disease, she couldn’t find it in her heart to do so. Days had passed and the only illness that she and her friends suffered from, the ones who had the most risk to exposure, was a broken heart.

She looks so beautiful. So calm and peaceful... thought Twilight as she gazed upon Fluttershy’s unmoving face. The casket was perfect. It held not only Fluttershy’s cutie mark, but also the rest of her friends’, including Twilight’s. Because the truth was all of them were in that casket. Each of them was lying on the silk bed, hooves folded, as they waited to be put to rest forever. When Fluttershy died, a part of them died with her.

Twilight’s thoughts were soon put to an end when she felt Spike nudge her. She looked around and saw that everypony was waiting for her speech while Fluttershy’s parents walked back to their seats. Twilight sighed and sat up, ready to deliver her speech when she suddenly heard a loud and booming voice.

“TWILIGHT SPARKLE!”

Twilight nearly lost control of her bladder at the sound of the booming, masculine voice. She looked up as the sky grew dark and black clouds began to circulate above. Lightning shot out from the center as ponies and animals all began to scream or yipe. A serpent-like figure flew down and landed between Twilight and the casket.

Her mouth dropped as she realized there was one other individual who she had forgotten to tell about Fluttershy’s death, one who treasured Fluttershy as a true friend like the rest of them.

“Discord...”

Standing before her was the Spirit of Chaos himself, with a look that Twilight had never seen on his face before. It was one of utter rage, like he was willing to unleash all his powers upon the world and destroy it all. Looking into his eyes was like looking into the center of an inferno, and his chaotic aura washed over Twilight like a tsunami. And there was a very good reason.

“Why didn’t you tell me? Why didn’t you summon me or call me or anything?” screamed Discord, spit coming out of his mouth. “I am the fricken spirit of chaos! Almost nothing is beyond my power! I could have healed her! I could have done something! Why didn’t you let me save her?!”

Twilight didn’t think she could have felt more guilty than she did now. Never once did she consider that Discord would be saddened by Fluttershy’s death, possibly because there was always a part of her that still never trusted him. But then something happened that made her realize just how close Discord and Fluttershy were.

Discord... was crying.

Not a single breath was heard except for Discord, the monster who almost took over Equestria, who slowly turned around and gently touched the glass cover. He stared into the one pony who treated him with friendship, like a real individual instead of a monster. And he wept. For the first time perhaps in his life, he was crying real tears. Twilight, crying herself, found herself hugging her former enemy. Neither of them had anything in common. She was an orderly princess who was dedicated to harmony. He was a spirit of chaos who reveled in anarchy. Yet they held one thing in common. The love of one pony.

Fluttershy.

Discord hugged Twilight back. For the first time ever, they embraced as equals. There was no need for words. This simple act was enough to show just how important Fluttershy was to them, how she had affected every one of them.

And now she was gone.

***

Twilight never thought she would hate classical music, having grown to hear it all the time in her house. But now she never wanted to hear the song Depart Young Soul again for as long as she lived. The professional orchestra that Celestia hired played this as she and her fellow Elements carried the casket towards the tomb’s entrance. The sobbing from the crowd grew louder as every pony and animal watched Fluttershy laid at her final resting place.

Twilight would have loved to just run away more than anything else, but every time she gazed at Fluttershy’s still face she steered herself onward. Slowly, after what seemed like an eternity, the five, carrying their sixth, entered the tomb. It was very spacious, with a magically lit chandelier that would burn for a thousand years.

Finally, in the center of the room was the alter where Fluttershy would be placed. The five of them managed to place her gently and that was it. Fluttershy was officially laid to rest.

The five of them stood there, staring at her. No one made an effort to leave, even when the music ended and silence came. Twilight spent her last moments conjuring up memories of Fluttershy, ranging from their first meeting, to the dragon she stared down, to her efforts to become a stronger flyer. All the smiles, laughter, nervous looks, even that tiny, cute “yay” she did when she was excited, all of it, all of her, was now a precious memory.

“We... we need to go...” muttered Applejack, speaking at last. “We need to let her r-rest...”

“Just... can’t we say goodbye?” asked Rainbow Dash, pleading with her eyes misty.

Applejack nodded and stepped forward. “Fluttershy... y’all were a special friend to me. The way ya always helped me with mah farm animals and willin’ to do whatever it takes to make sure yer friends were happy, even when it was something y’all were against doin’. All five of ya are like family to me and losin’ ya... it’s just as hard as losing mah Pa and Ma...” Applejack wiped her eyes and lowered her head to kiss the casket’s glass covering. “Ah’m sorry Ah pushed ya so hard that time with the vampire bats. Ah’m sorry Ah forced ya into somethin’ ya didn’t want to do. Ah know yer already gonna forgive me, but Ah just needed to say that... goodbye. And say hello to mah folks for me...”

Rarity was next as she struggled to say something, but only managed to say. “I love you... so much, Fluttershy. I just... will miss you so much...”

Unable to take anymore, Rarity bolted towards the exit, wailing. The others looked at her with sympathy before turning their eyes back to Fluttershy. Pinkie came next as she gave a small smile and began to sing:

“And even though you walk into the shadows

Know that a light shall always be there for you

As you sing, dear sweet angel

Know that we will always love you true.

Smile above in the skies above, holy with eternal grace

Our time will come when we will join you

‘Till then we shall always sing at your grave”

Pinkie also kissed the casket before letting Twilight step forward.

Twilight had made many speeches in her life. Sometimes she practiced them for hours on end. Now that she was here, saying goodbye to one of her closest friends in this life, she had nothing to say. All she could do was kiss the glass and smile. “Goodbye, Fluttershy. Rest in peace.”

Rainbow was the last as she kissed the casket three times before lowering her head in shame. “Fluttershy... you know how you said you wished you were braver than me? Well, you were already so. True courage is knowing your fears and facing them. You did that with every challenge you faced in your life and that made you cool. Maybe even cooler than me.” She sighed and looked towards one of the windows of the tomb where the sun was setting. “Do you remember when we were fillies? We promised to be best friends forever? ‘Till the day we die... I can’t believe you of all ponies broke our promise.” Wiping her eyes, she turned back and smiled. “You better hope I die of old age or else I’m going to give you quite the lashing.”

She kissed the casket one more time. “I love you, Fluttershy. My sister and friend. I’ll never forget you.”

The four bowed one more time before their friend, silently wishing her a happy afterlife before they each left the tomb one by one. Slowly, the entrance was sealed shut. And all was silent as a grave.

***(Five Days Later)***

First Blood

View Online

Dear Princess Celestia,

It’s been five days since the funeral we last saw each other and I thought you might like to know how I was doing the girls and I were doing. We are doing well, okay, fine...

Twilight put the quill down and collapsed onto the desk on top of her forelegs. She was not okay. She was not well. She was very far from fine. It had been three days since Princess Celestia had sent her a message asking how she was doing and to contact her if she needed anything; even visiting Canterlot was an option, saying that she would put everything on hold just for her.

That was why she admired the princess so much. She was not just Twilight's teacher, but also her second mother. The princess loved her and would go to Tartarus for her if need be. Yet the one thing Twilight wanted, a second chance to fix everything that had happened the past two weeks, she could never have again.

It was still too painful to think that for the rest of her life there would be only four best friends in her world instead of five. She wasn’t a fool; life had to end at some point. She was going to die someday. Spike would die eventually. All her friends would die at one point. Death was the one fate no living being on the earth could avoid. Even Princess Celestia, Luna, and Discord would someday meet their end. It was only logical that everything died, and what happened after was debatable.

But she never expected to lose a pony so precious to her so soon. Not like that, not when she was so young.

Many ponies believed in some kind of afterlife, but Twilight never really thought there was one, only an overwhelming sense of peace at the end. Like sleeping, only you never woke up. And if there really was an afterlife, then no pony deserved it more than Fluttershy.

The events leading to Fluttershy's demise played in her head over and over again. Alternate suggestions on to how she could have prevented the incident from occurring eluded her during the day and at night in her dreams. From summoning Discord to bringing her to a hospital sooner despite Fluttershy’s objections, Twilight had wasted nearly three hundred sheets of paper just writing down the ideas themselves. A part of her wanted to know what killed her friend, but it was too late. The body was entombed without an autopsy, and it would be a crime to open the tomb and interrupt her best friend’s sleep. No, Fluttershy deserved her rest.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the door knocking. She already knew who it was, but she nevertheless called out, “Spike?! The door!”

She heard his little feet walk over to the window and sure enough his answer was the same as it had been for the past five days. “It’s Pinkie Pie.”

Twilight sighed and got up from her desk. “Let her in.”

“Twilight, don’t you think you should—”

“Just let her in, Spike.”

Spike hesitated but soon nodded and opened the door for Pinkie. Like always, Pinkie hopped and smiled and greeted Spike with a pat on the head. Normal for Pinkie Pie... except her hair was still not poofy. It hadn’t been poofy for days.

“Twilight! There you are, my favorite unicorn magic user! I finally figured out how we can get Fluttershy back!” proclaimed Pinkie Pie.

Twilight didn’t say anything. She had stopped trying to convince Pinkie Pie it was useless until she heard the idea first. “I’m surprised you’ve forgiven me for last time,” said Twilight as she rubbed her cheek where Pinkie’s hoof met her after she refused to learn the dark art of necromancy.

Lowering her head in shame, Pinkie muttered, “I’m sorry. That wasn’t right.” But then she smiled again. “But I have good news! This one isn’t so much forbidden! In fact, we have already used it before.” She pointed her hoof up into the air dramatically. “Time travel!”

“Time travel...”

“Yeah! You went back in time once, right?! And it ended up creating a paradox that made you obsessed with the future and some great disaster that only turned out to be your own misunderstanding, said Pinkie Pie. “Well, why don’t we just travel back in time, warn Fluttershy of her disease, and then that should save her life!”

“Pinkie... I can’t...” answered Twilight, and quickly raised her hoof before Pinkie could start. “Not because I don’t want to; believe me I would do that if I had the chance. But I read the Time Travel spells after that incident and learned that the one who casts the spell can only go back in time once. It was a failsafe by Starswirl to prevent abuse of the spell and there are very few unicorns who have the power to cast it.”

Pinkie didn’t respond, but her smile soon faded into a frown as her eyes began to water. “S-so... so, we can’t...”

“No, Pinkie Pie. We can’t...”

“B-b-but what about Discord?! Surely he can use his godlike powers to do something!”

“They haven’t found him yet. And trust me, the princesses are looking,” answered Twilight with a sigh.

Nopony had seen the chaotic spirit since the funeral, and it brought them worry to no end. Despite being “good” for a short time, nopony was willing to risk Discord loose again without Fluttershy to keep him in line. But despite this, nopony had found hide nor hair of him, and there were no signs of any chaos in Equestria. No strange checkerboard skies. No pink clouds of cotton candy raining chocolate milk. Not even a tree dancing around to rap music.

Nothing.

It was like he vanished into thin air. While most ponies might think that was a good thing, Twilight saw just how hurt he was at the funeral. The sorrow in his eyes was as real as her own and for once she held nothing but sympathy for her old foe. He was a being who had learned the value of true friendship only to have it violently snatched away. It was unfair for all of them to have lost Fluttershy, and that included Discord.

“Pinkie, even if we found Discord, why hasn’t he just resurrected Fluttershy already? I don’t think even he as the power to bring her back,” pointed out Twilight. “Pinkie, I know you don’t want to hear this but... Fluttershy’s gone. She’s not coming back.”

Twilight expected her friend to scream or stomp out of the room in a fury. It was not the first time that Twilight had said this to Pinkie and they ended up having a fight afterwards. She had accused Twilight of giving up and being a bad friend when all Twilight was trying to do was move on. Yet this time Pinkie didn’t yell or accuse, but rather she sat on her haunches and lowered her head, hiding behind her droopy mane. “It’s not fair. There has to be something... anything, Twilight...” whispered Pinkie, sniffling. She looked up with her teary eyes and asked, “Why did she have to die?”

The two embraced just as Twilight noticed Spike silently crying nearby. He shook his head and ran upstairs, most likely to sob quietly on his bed. Pinkie continued to weep on Twilight’s shoulder as the latter couldn’t help but ask Pinkie’s question in her own head. Why did she have to die? I just don’t get it? Why? Why her? And even if I did know the answer, would anything change? Would all of us still be as miserable as we are now?

She thought about her other friends, each dealing with the grief in their own way. Rainbow Dash had completely shut herself from the world, only flying out occasionally towards the direction of Cloudsdale. Why she did this Twilight didn’t know but she respected her friend’s privacy. Rarity had been the most surprising and destructive. She had yet to open her shop again and Spike told Twilight, when he went to visit, that the curtains were all closed and he could hear noises inside. It sounded like somepony was both crying and yelling at the same time. However, the thing that stood out the most was the smell of alcohol, which was pervasive even from outside. Twilight made a mental note to check up on Rarity tomorrow morning. At least Applejack was still working on her farm, but it was all she was doing. She barely spoke to anypony and instead just put her mind into the farm. A few times Twilight had conversed with AJ, but it was clear from her apathetic attitude that AJ just wanted to be left alone.

The isolated and self-destructive behavior of all her friends reminded her of the day Discord got released. Each of them broke in some way thanks to the formerly evil spirit of chaos. Now they were in such a state again, but there was no spell to save them and their friendship. Twilight knew she had to do something for all of them, but she didn’t know what. How could she save her friends from grief when she couldn’t save herself?

All I can do is hug them and cry with them, thought Twilight as she continued to hold onto Pinkie Pie

***

Worst. Night. Ever, thought Roseluck as she made her way through Whitetail Woods. She was grateful that the moon was full tonight or else she would have had trouble finding the path home. Normally, she wouldn’t be in the woods alone at night, but after what happened she wasn’t in the mood to see anypony unless they wanted a tongue lashing.

Rage filled Roseluck before she turned around and bucked the nearest tree, imagining it was her stupid coltfriend’s face. Stupid Lucky. When I’m not ready to mate it means I’m not ready to mate! Colts! That’s all they ever think about!

She leaned on the back of her tree and sighed. It wasn’t that she hated Lucky. He was a sweet colt and a part of her felt bad for yelling at him during their fight. The problem was he kept pushing for their relationship to go into a direction Roseluck was not ready for. Hay, she and her sisters all vowed to never have sex until they were married, and she was not going to break that. Not even for even Lucky.

And he wanted to do it in the woods?! Ugh, gross, thought Roseluck sticking her tongue out.

Pushing her thoughts away, Roseluck continued following the path that led back into Ponyville. No doubt Daisy will say I should dump Lucky for the fifth time. Seriously, every time we have a fight it’s like she wants me to break up with him. Just because her last coltfriend was an absolute flankhole doesn’t mean—

Roseluck paused in her steps and her ears lifted up. There was a small rustling sound coming from the bushes. Doing her best not to panic, she stood still and waited for whatever it was to come out, but there was nothing. Just my imagination? An animal?

Even if this wasn’t the Everfree, any forest at night was still a dangerous place to tread. Roseluck took a deep breath and continued on her way, trying her best to ignore whatever it was that—

Snap!

“Who's there?!” demanded Roseluck turning around, eyes widening as she felt her heart beat faster with each passing split second. Now she was starting to worry. “I-is that you, Lucky? This isn’t funny! So... s-stop it!”

Roseluck froze when she felt a cold, icy breath wave down her neck. Her mouth dried up as she slowly turned her head around... and saw nothing. Tail between her legs, Roseluck began to shiver as she turned in every direction she could think of. Somepony or something had been right behind her, and she was now sure she was being followed. “Oh, Luna, please let me be alright,” she whispered as she cautiously made her way backwards, shivering at every inch of her body.

“Hissssss....”

Eyes widening, Roseluck slowly looked up towards the nearby tree where she saw something that nearly turned her mane white with fear.

Blood red eyes.

Eyes as red as hellfire and as dark as a starless night. Roseluck saw only death behind their intense, malevolent gaze. They were neither the eyes of a pony nor an animal. They were the eyes of a demon.

Roseluck snapped out of it and screamed, running as fast as her four legs could carry her. A terrifying screech, one that rung in her ears and spoke of hunger and carnage, echoed across the night along with the sound of wings flapping in the air. With fear guiding her every move, Roseluck kept changing her direction, dodging behind trees, jumping over rocks and roots, and crying for help whenever she could.

She didn’t care where she was going as long as she was away from whatever foul beast was hunting her. Gazing behind her, she couldn't see it but she knew it was still after her. She now regretted leaving Lucky in her rage, if only to have somepony around to help her deal with this creature.

A worrying thought entered her mind. What if this beast had taken Lucky as well? Despite their fight, she still loved him and would never want to see anything happen to him.

If it did, then was she its next meal?

Roseluck ran as hard as she could but soon she felt her legs cramp up and her breath growing shorter. Sweat dripped down her face to the point where she could barely see through it. Unable to move any longer, Roseluck fell to her stomach and gasped for air. Her brain kept telling her to move,but her body refused to obey.

Nearby, she heard something land on the ground. The wind suddenly died down, and all the sounds of the forest seemed to come to a halt as though it were holding in a collective breath. Her body froze as she did her best to not only cry out in shock and hold on to her weakening bladder. It was here.

She could sense it slowly walking towards her, step by step. It toyed with Roseluck while she continued to linger, still too fatigued to move after her lengthy sprint. Her mind went into overdrive as she tried to figure out why the beast hadn’t already killed her yet. She was completely defenseless. Maybe it thinks I’m dead! thought Roseluck with hope. If I play dead maybe I can fool it! Like you can with a bear!

Seeing no other choice, Roseluck closed her eyes and did her best to still her breathing, only taking a small sip of air through her nose. She didn’t move a muscle as she felt it inch closer and closer until she could smell it right next to her face. It smelled of flowers, various kinds she recognized all mixed together, but also of blood.

Please think I’m dead! Please think I’m dead! thought Roseluck over and over.

She nearly jumped when she felt its hoof touch her back. Wait... hoof?!

Roseluck nearly opened her eyes upon the revelation that whatever had chased her down was a pony or something of equine physiology. It couldn’t have been Lucky because he was an earth pony and couldn't fly. She also didn’t know any pegasi in the area with red eyes of death. A thresal, perhaps? But they don’t even live close to here except for those in Princess Luna’s service.

Either way, she had to remain still until whatever or whoever it was left her for dead or attacked regardless.

It prodded her for a few more minutes until it stopped and flew into the air. Roseluck heard its powerful wings flap through the sky. She continued to play dead for a bit longer, just in case it came back. When she was absolutely sure she was alone, Roseluck opened her eyes and slowly got up. A sigh of relief escaped her as did a few tears of joy.

And then she screamed as something swooped down and picked her off the ground.

Roseluck screamed, struggled, and tried anything and everything to free herself from her captor. She looked down upon the ground and saw they were going higher and higher up, to the point where any fall would be fatal. Soon they stopped, nearly seventy feet in the air. She turned to face her captor, and her mind froze in recognition.

Its red eyes and white fangs were new, but the pink mane and yellow coat, even if wild and untamed, were familiar. Roseluck had been there at the funeral days ago. She was there when they brought her into the tomb. She was there when she buried her face into Lucky's chest and cried for one of her favorite customers.

“I-impossible... you're dead! You’re dead! I saw your corpse! I placed flowers on your grave! How can you even be alive?!”

She stared into Fluttershy’s face, the red eyes staring back at her with only one need: hunger.

Before Roseluck knew it she was screaming in pain as Fluttershy bit into her neck, ripping out the flesh and muscle as blood erupted from her wound. The pain was unbearable, a hurt that she had never experienced before in her life. A thousand thorns could have pierced her body and she never would have screamed as much as she was now. Roseluck begged Fluttershy to stop but was cut off by Fluttershy biting her again, only this time she could hear the sound of slurping and realized what was going on.

Her blood was being drained from her body. Fluttershy, the kindest mare ever, who often came to the store to talk about gardening, was eating her.

Roseluck tried to struggle, but she was beginning to feel cold. The pain was leaving, but now her fears of pain were replacing with a new one: the fear of dying. Tears leaked from her eyes as she turned towards the sky, the last thing she would ever see with her ever-darkening vision. She could barely feel Fluttershy ripping her arteries apart for more blood.

The moon was so bright. And so beautiful. Had Roseluck known this was her last night, she would have accepted Lucky’s proposal. Now she would never again speak to him, to make up their fight. They would never say “I love you” to one another ever again. She would never see her parents or sisters again.

Goodbye...everypony...

These were Roseluck’s last thoughts as her eyes gently closed.

She felt no pain. No sorrow.

Only silence.

***

Something was wrong with the forest today. Sweetie Belle didn’t know what it was, but she had this bad feeling in her stomach the moment they stepped into it. “I’m starting to think maybe being Cutie Mark Woodcutters isn’t a good thing to try today.”

“Why not?” asked Apple Bloom as she carried the axe and other tools they had taken from her family's shed.

“Just... doesn’t feel right,” said Sweetie Belle, shivering.

“Come on, quit being a foal in diapers and let’s go! I’ve got a feeling we’ll get our cutie marks for sure!” shouted Scootaloo, jumping in the air and levitating a bit with her buzzing wings.

While her two friends were busy chatting away, Sweetie Belle brought up the rear and sighed to herself. It had been tough for her the past few days, especially with her sister. Ever since Fluttershy died, Rarity had been, for lack of a better word, a wreck. She was ill tempered and always in her room crying, barely getting anything to eat or sleep. She was even drinking a lot, and it got so bad that she once spent an entire afternoon puking in the toilet.

Her parents had taken Sweetie Belle back to their place, seeing as Rarity was in no condition to take care of her. And while it hurt to think so, she had to agree with them. The sight of her sick and depressed sister still brought a chill to Sweetie's heart, to the point where she was even worried about both their safeties. Her parents promised they would get Rarity some help and Sweetie Belle could only hope it would work.

“Hey, Sweetie? Bit for yer thoughts?” asked Apple Bloom, spotting her friend lagging behind.

“Just... thinking about my sister,” answered Sweetie, truthfully.

Apple Bloom frowned and lowered her head. “Yeah, Ah hear ya. Mah big sis hasn’t been the same since the funeral. She just works all day or sleeps. Ah never thought Applejack would beat Big Macintosh in silence.”

“I haven’t seen Rainbow Dash either,” said Scootaloo, growling. The three of them stood together, mourning in silence over the pain their sisters were going through as well as their town’s loss. “Do you guys think she’s happy? Fluttershy, I mean. My mom says ponies go to heaven when they die and become angels.”

“I think she’s flying around with a bunch of angel animals and all her family,” replied Sweetie Belle with a smile. She then frowned again as a thought came to her. “You know, we really didn’t hang out with her that much. I wish we did. She was so nice and sweet. She even let us sleep over at her place sometimes.”

“Yeah, remember the time we tried to catch her chicken and ended up nearly gettin’ turned to stone thanks to that cockatrice?” reminded Apple Bloom with a soft smile. “She stared it down and made it turn her, the chicken, and Twilight back to normal. It was amazin’.”

“Yeah, she was, like, almost as cool as Rainbow Dash!” shouted Scootaloo. “I just wish... she was here right now.”

The three stood once again in silence, thinking about the few times they were with the Element of Kindness. They were few but memorable, and three vowed to always keep those memories alive. Sweetie Belle then hugged her friends and smiled at them. “We'll see her again someday. Maybe we can have another sleepover at her house up in heaven, if they even have houses up there."

“Yeah, but I don't plan on seeing her just yet. Not until I at least get my cutie mark,” said Scootaloo as she picked up an axe. “And speaking of which, let’s do this tree first!”

She ran over to thick and tall, red-leafed tree while the others looked at it with uncertainty. “Are ya sure we should do this one first? It looks mighty strong. Could take forever to take it down,” commented Apple Bloom as she looked up.

She then narrowed her eyes and whispered to Sweetie Belle while pointing up at the tree. “Is there somethin’ inside there?”

Sweetie Belle leaned forward. It did look like something was laying inside the branches, but she couldn’t tell what. “Maybe an animal?”

“Hey, Scoots! Ah think somethin’s up in that tree! Could be a critter!” cried out Apple Bloom.

Scootaloo paused and lowered her axe just as she was about to strike the tree. Looking up with the others, she tried to adjust her head so she could see what it was, but the branches were too thick. Rubbing her chin, Scootaloo looked at the tools they brought with them and then got an idea when she saw a certain one. “Give me that hammer over there.”

Sweetie wondered why they brought a hammer in the first place when they were trying to become Cutie Mark Crusader Woodcutters, but decided to ask later. She picked up the hammer with her limited telekinesis and passed it over to Scootaloo, who took it with her hooves. Positioning herself as if she was ready to get up at bat in baseball, Scootaloo swung the hammer as hard as she could against the trunk of the tree. The slam of the hammer hitting the wood echoed across the forest as Scootaloo shook from the impact.

She dropped the hammer just as whatever it was that was stuck in the tree fell down. When it landed in front of the crusaders they felt their blood turn to ice and the color leave their faces.

It was Roseluck, one of the Flower Sisters of Ponyville.

She was dead.

The Crusaders all screamed.

Murder

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The moment Pinkie Pie finished her sentence about what happened out in White Tail Woods, Applejack was already running. She could not have run any faster, not if a hundred timberwolves were on her tail. It wasn’t the fact that Pinkie Pie told her that Roseluck had been found dead in the woods, throat slashed, that made her run. It was who had found her.

Applejack knew she was an overprotective sister. It was hard not to be when Apple Bloom and her crusading friends almost ended up demolishing something every week in their search for cutie marks. It also largely had to do with the fact that their mama -- rest her soul -- begged Applejack on her dying breath to look after little Apple Bloom. It was this memory that burned brightest in her mind whenever she thought of her mama, that vow to be the mother in Apple Bloom’s life when she needed to be.

Applejack had lost her childhood innocence that day, and she vowed not to let Apple Bloom suffer her own loss for as long as possible. Now it seemed fate had decided to end that period of joyful fillyhood. Applejack had seen death before. She had been to funerals for family members, saw cows and farm animals pass away, and watched her mama die before her eyes.

But she never saw a murdered pony before.

Just the thought of that horrible word made Applejack gallop faster.

Crime in Ponyville was low, but it still existed. Most of it was basic vandalism or petty thievery, unlike the high crime areas of Canterlot or Manehatten. Murder was rare, but it had happened a few times in the town’s history. The last time was when Mr. Doo killed his wife in a drunken rage after he thought she was cheating on him. Derpy, their only daughter at the age of seven, saw it all, including the moment her father was taken away to jail for life. It was because of that traumatizing event that her eyes were the way they were; some kind of psychological break that also affected her physically. Nopony made fun of her once they learned the true story behind her ditzy eyes, and nopony dared bring up the subject to Derpy, who still spaced out whenever she thought about that night.

Applejack did not want her little sister to go through that.

Applejack found the crime scene easily enough. At least a dozen royal guards had cordoned off a large section of forest and were diligently manning the perimeter. Beyond, Applejack could see several more ponies in lab coats setting up a bunch of fancy looking equipment. The letters "CSI" were printed on the backs of each coat, an abbreviation she'd never seen before. She was about to step forward when two unicorn guards saw her and blocked her path with such quickness it startled her.

“Halt! This is a crime scene! Nopony allowed!”

Applejack was about to respond when a voice called out, “Wait! Let her through!” Twilight Sparkle, in full princess attitude, trotted up to the guards. “She’s the sister of one of the witnesses. She’s allowed to pass.”

“Very well, your majesty,” said one of the guards as they walked away.

Twilight nervously rubbed the back of her head. “Sorry. They’re all on edge. And I can’t blame them.”

“Is it true, Twi? Is Roseluck…” Applejack gulped, “…dead?”

The solemn sadness in Twilight’s eyes followed by a lone tear already gave the answer before the alicorn could say it. “I’m sorry, Applejack. She is.”

“Damnit,” cursed Applejack, shaking her head. “First we lose Fluttershy… now this? Is Faust just deciding to be cruel this week?”

“If I believed in gods, I would say so,” answered Twilight honestly. “Apple Bloom and her friends are already being cared for by a few doctors and Rainbow Dash. Don’t worry, they’re not hurt.” Applejack closed her mouth and sighed in relief. “It’s just standard procedure. You should go see your sister, she really needs you. I can’t imagine what it’s like to just find a…” Twilight shuddered before raising an eyebrow. “Have you seen Rarity?”

“Ah’m sure Pinkie’s already gettin’ her. Ah just hope she’s sober at least,” snarled Applejack. She knew of Rarity’s little drinking escapade ever since Fluttershy died. While a part of her couldn’t blame the mare for hitting the bottle, Rarity had been neglecting her sister and work ever since. Applejack may have buried herself into her own work to deal with the pain, but she knew that she had a responsibility towards her family still.

Twilight looked ready to leave when Applejack cried out, “Twi? Was she… murdered?”

Twilight paused and didn’t say anything before sighing. “We don’t know. Her throat was completely ripped out, but she was found in a tree, on a branch so high no animal could reach it from the ground. And any winged predator large enough to kill a pony would have taken Roseluck to their nest rather than abandon her body. She turned to Applejack with a certain rage that the earth pony rarely ever saw. “If I had to guess… yes, this was murder.”

With that said, Twilight walked away and began shouting instructions to a nearby CSI pony. Applejack didn’t bother focusing on it and headed for the other end of the crime scene. There, right by a medical tent, she saw Rainbow Dash comforting a crying Scootaloo while Sweetie Belle, looking green, was holding a bucket that had some bile around the edges. Apple Bloom, who had been in tears as well, saw Applejack and the two sisters rushed over for an embrace.

“Applejack!” cried out Apple Bloom, crying into her big sister’s chest. “Ah saw… Roseluck… she… she… so much blood…”

Applejack stroked her sister’s head, whispering soothing ‘shh’s’ into her ear. “It’s okay, Apple Bloom. Don’t think about it. Just let it out.”

Wrapping her forelegs around Apple Bloom, the older sister wished she could take her away from here and back to the safety of their home. However, she knew that her sister and friends would have to be questioned for what they saw. That meant reliving this horrible nightmare over and over again. She already knew Apple Bloom was going to have sleepless nights, terrible guilt, and feel sick at times for reasons she couldn’t explain. It was what Applejack felt when their mama died.

Already she was making plans to send Apple Bloom to Aunt Orange, who was a psychologist, and one of the ponies in Manehatten who helped Applejack get over the loss of both her parents that year. That was, of course, once the guards released her sister as a witness.

“The… the guards say she was… m-m-m-murdered…” whispered Scootaloo, just loud enough for everypony around to hear and look at her. Looking up from Rainbow Dash’s embrace, she stared into her big sister figure’s eyes. “Is… is it true?”

Rainbow Dash bit her lip and turned to Applejack who didn’t know what to say. She felt sorry for Rainbow, having to be in that position, because she didn’t know what to say either. Would it be worse for the fillies than it already was to let them know they found a murdered pony?

“He-hey, squirt?” replied Rainbow Dash with a forced smile. “Let’s not talk about it, okay? Save the questions for Twilight and her guards. After this is over, we can go back to my place, and you can stay for the rest of the day. Hay, stay for the night too instead of going back to the orphanage. Sound good?”

A brief smile appeared on Scootaloo’s lips before she nodded, allowing Applejack to sigh. Rainbow Dash may have been a brash and egotistical pony with a hint of selfishness streak in her, but she had a good heart and was a good big sister to the orphaned pegasus.

“Ah wanna go home…” whispered Apple Bloom, her voice sounding like it was about to break. Applejack nodded, already planning on it regardless of what was needed or not for the investigation. If they wanted to ask questions they could ask them back at the farm, or else she would buck each and every guard if she had to.

“Where is she?!”

The scream must have alerted every pony in the forest, because they all turned to see a frantic Daisy and Lily galloping towards the middle of the crime scene. The instant she saw them, Applejack's heart went out to both mares. Despite any physical differences, the three were actually half-sisters, sharing the same father with different mothers. Their family was one of the few who still practiced herding, which, though still a legal lifestyle, was considered taboo within modern society.

Daisy had a wild look in her eyes, one of complete desperation, as she rushed towards a guard and kept screaming for answers. Lily, who was crying her eyes out, tried her best to calm her sister but was no match for the panicking mare.

“Can we go home, please?” asked Apple Bloom, who started crying again upon seeing the sisters. “Ah… Ah don’t want to see anymore…”

“Of course, Sugarcube,” said Applejack, nuzzling her. “Ya get to have whatever ya want and do whatever ya want when we get home.”

“Ah want Mr. Snuffles,” whispered Apple Bloom, sniffing.

Applejack knew things were bad if Apple Bloom wanted her old stuffed animal, the same one she once demanded be put away because, "big ponies don't need stuffed animals."

Applejack was ready to go, but she looked at Sweetie Belle, who was waiting for her sister to arrive. She cursed Rarity again for drinking. “Sweetie Belle, do ya want to come home with us?”

Sweetie Belle considered it a bit, but before she could answer another pony was screaming her name. The five of them turned around to see Rarity, bloodshot eyes and unkempt hair worse than Rainbow Dash on a bad mane day, rushing towards the tent. Within seconds upon seeing her, Sweetie Belle leapt from her seat and tackled her sister. “Rarity!”

“Oh, my dear sweet sister! I’m so sorry! I’m so sorry!” cried out Rarity, tears running down her face as quickly as Sweetie’s were. “Oh, darling. I’m so sorry… for you to see that…”

“She’s dead…” muttered Sweetie Belle, but Rarity kissed her on the forehead.

“No! Not a word about it. We’re going home to make tea, and relax. We’ll talk about it later, but for the moment I want you safe in my house before the guards come. Okay?” asked Rarity, staring into her sister’s eyes.

“You’re… gonna stop drinking, right?” asked Sweetie Belle, which made Rarity freeze up a bit.

Biting her lip, Rarity lowered her head in shame. “I’m so sorry for my behavior this week, Sweetie Belle. Fluttershy’s death… it… it just upset me so much I…” she hugged her sister and sobbed on her shoulder. “I promise. I won’t drink. Not anymore. You’re more important to me, and I want to keep you safe.”

Sweetie Belle seemed to accept this as she hugged back and didn’t let go, even when Rarity levitated her sister onto her back. Applejack turned to Rarity with an approving smile. “Why don’t we all head back home together?”

“Good idea. Safety in numbers and all that,” said Rainbow Dash, standing up.

Applejack raised an eyebrow. “Why would we need to do that?”

Rainbow Dash narrowed her eyes. With a dark tone, she whispered, “Because the pony who did… that to Roseluck? They’re still out there.”

***

Twilight Sparkle knew that becoming a princess, much less an Element of Harmony, had come with certain responsibilities. Normally, Twilight was fine with such a thing. She loved doing whatever task she could to help her fellow ponies and make Princess Celestia proud. However, this was one such duty that she never wanted to experience. She knew about murder and about crime scenes. Her brother was a guard after all.

She just never imagined she’d be involved in the investigation of one. She could have left it to somepony else, but this was a subject of hers. A friend. Roseluck may not have been a close friend, but in Ponyville everypony was a friend to everypony. She owed it to Roseluck to help. She owed it to Ponyville.

While Twilight was doing her best to give out a strong and commanding aura, deep down she wanted to hide in her bed and cry. over the past few days she had seen more death than she ever had in her entire lifetime. First Fluttershy, and now this, thought Twilight bitterly as she guided Daisy and Lily to the body of the deceased Roseluck. If I was a superstitious pony I would say I broke a mirror a few days ago.

She glanced at the two remaining Flower sisters, who were looking paler each minute as they got closer to the blue sheet that held their sibling underneath. The medical professionals had just finished looking at the body, but the full autopsy would have to be done in town. The cause of death was easy to see, but the type of weapon was the real question. It didn’t look like any animal attack Twilight had seen before. If it had been an animal, there would be additional open wounds on Roseluck. But there was only the one at the neck.

Daisy gasped and held her sister for support as she saw the covered body. “Is that… is that…”

Twilight closed her eyes and nodded her head. When she opened them, she looked at them straight in the eyes. “Are you sure you want to see this? We can wait until she’s cleaned… It might be better…”

The sisters didn’t say anything. All they could do was stare at the sheet. With a soft sigh of regret, Twilight used her magic to remove the sheet.

Daisy screamed in despair before falling to her knees, grabbing her sister’s corpse as she wailed louder and louder with each passing second. It was as though the entire world had ended for her in a single moment. Lily was crying just as badly, but seemed to be holding onto her sister’s shoulders. Whether to support herself, Daisy, or both Twilight didn’t know.

Twilight did her best to avoid the pale-faced Roseluck, whose expression was like that of peace, like she accepted her grim fate in the end before she died. Twilight walked over to the two sisters and muttered, “I’m sorry for your loss.”

“How… how did this happen?” asked Lily, speaking for them both as Daisy was too distraught to say anything.

“We don’t fully know the details, but her throat was torn apart and her body left in a tree. The Cutie Mark Crusaders found her,” said Twilight. She hated the idea that those three fillies were involved now in such a horrible event. They would forever be scarred by this. “Can you give us details about what happened last night? The last time you saw her?” Twilight winced after saying that. It seemed so final to just say that. And a bit cruel too.

“She… she was working the stand with us as always,” whispered Lily as she stopped crying, but the shock of having lost her sister was still evident in her voice and wide eyes. “It was just the usual orders. Then that night she went to have a date with her coltfriend, Lucky. They were supposed to be in these woods, I think…”

“…It was him…” Both Twilight and Lily turned to Daisy, whose face was hidden by her mane. “…He did it. He killed her and left her to rot…”

Lily's eyes widened. “Daisy! You can’t mean to say Lucky did this! He loved Roseluck! He would never-“

“Who else could it be?!” shouted Daisy as she turned around with tears and rage in her eyes. “Who else could it be, Lily?! He was in the woods with her, they had been arguing recently, and where is that bastard now that everypony in town knows Roseluck is dead?! He’s hiding because he did it! I know he did it! And I knew he was a bastard ever since I saw him!”

Daisy then sobbed and lowered her head so that her forehead was touching Roseluck's. “But she didn’t listen to me. She should have… buck every colt in this world. They don’t love us. They just see us as objects to be used and disposed of at their whim. Buck them, buck them all…”

Twilight bit her lip.She could tell that Daisy was losing control and needed to keep calm. Walking over, she put her hoof on Daisy’s shoulder. “Daisy, I’ll look into Lucky. I promise, but I need you to let us take the body for a full autopsy. I promise we’ll give her back so you can make funeral arrangements soon. Head home and take solitude there.”

Daisy didn’t answer for a few minutes, but soon nodded and wiped her eyes clean. “Okay, Twilight. I will.” She gently put Roseluck down on the ground and folded her hooves on her stomach. After putting the blanket on her, she got up and then looked at Twilight in the eyes. “But when you do arrest Lucky, I want to be there when they hang him in town square.” With that said, Daisy slowly walked away.

Lily sighed as she shook her head. “I’m sorry, your majesty. Ever since her boyfriend was caught cheating on her, Daisy's been in a sort of… anti-stallion mind.”

“It’s fine,” said Twilight. “What about Lucky though? Should we consider him a possible suspect?”

Lily bit her lip. “I don’t know. Despite what Daisy just said, Lucky has been very sweet to Roseluck ever since they met. They were friends ever since our school days.” She closed her eyes as a tear fell from her cheek. “It’s going to break him to learn that she is dead…” Her eyes opened in horror. “My Faust, what if Lucky was also attacked by whatever did this?!”

Twilight nearly cursed herself for not thinking of the possibility and quickly summoned a guard. “I want you to form a search party for a possible second body. There was one other pony in these woods. We’ll check his house soon, but just in case keep a lookout for him. He’s an earth pony with a four leaf clover as a cutie mark.”

“Yes, Ma’am!” replied the saluting guard before taking off to round up others to join him.

“I’ll go check up on Lucky at his house,” replied Twilight to Lily. “But I need to know something. Daisy said they were fighting. Anything in particular?”

“They fight just like any couple does. It’s nothing serious, but lately Lucky’s been asking Roseluck to… well…” Lily blushed a bit. “Do the deed if you get my drift.” The blush on Twilight’s face indicated a yes. “Roseluck didn’t want to since we all made a vow to not do it until we were married. Lucky never forced Roseluck, but he did always seem disappointed.” Lily raised her hoof and shook her head in dismissal. “I know that sounds like a motive, but again, I doubt he would go so far as to do this.”

Twilight made a mental note to request a rape kit tested on Roseluck, just in case. “Alright, Lily, I’ll ask the guards to take you home.”

“I… I’d rather be with her… just for a little while…” whispered Lily as she stared at the sheet that covered her sister’s body.

“Of course…” whispered Twilight as she made her way down the crime scene, guards accompanying her.

The more she thought about what Lily said, the more she had to agree that Lucky didn’t seem like the type to murder Roseluck over a lack of sex. Still, she had to investigate any and all angles for this. A grim thought entered her mind as she began to wonder if Lucky wasn’t the culprit. That would mean that the killer is still among us… probably in Ponyville…

There were over seven hundred residents living in the town.

And one of them was a murderer.

***

Rarity swore that the next time Zecora came into town she was going to designer the zebra whatever outfit she wanted for free. The dreamless potion that she had to use at one point after being Discorded had put Sweetie Belle out like a light. A lot of ponies needed it after turning back to normal to deal with the nightmares. There was just enough for Sweetie Belle to get a good rest without dreaming of horrible visions of Roseluck’s dead body. She didn’t see it for herself, but the thought of somepony she had known for years lying dead in a pool of blood with their throat cut out…

It was like looking at Fluttershy’s dying moment in her bed all over again.

Rarity felt her heart weep at the thought of her dead friend. It was almost a week since the funeral. Time was passing by as if there was no care that the kindness and sweetest mare in the world had just died. The only thing she tried to remember was that Fluttershy was in Elysium with the goddess Faust.; happy in ever lasting peace. It was the only comfort she had now.

Well, there was the drinking, but at the moment she was draining every bottle she had in the sink.

When the last bottle was finally empty, Rarity tossed it into the recycling and sighed in relief that every last bottle was gone. A good three hundred bits down the drain. Literally…

Taking a glass of water she had made for herself, Rarity sat down on a chair in her kitchen and closed her eyes. Murder. She hadn’t heard that word often in Ponyville, but the last time it was spoke was when she was a filly. She didn’t know much about it at the time, not until she learned the story of what happened to Derpy when she was young. She couldn’t even imagine how the crossed-eyed pegasus was taking it.

Now they had some crazy pony going around killing ponies. Or maybe Roseluck was the intended target. She would have to ask Twilight for the details later. Already she was making plans to have Sweeite Belle live in her house with a quick planned visit to the library to look up magical wards for protection. She was also going to walk Sweetie Belle to school and make sure she was always in a public place. At least until the killer was caught. Her sister might not take it well, but she wasn’t going to lose her like she lost Fluttershy.

There was also what to do with the remaining flowers sisters. Obviosly she would need to send flowers and offer to make Roseluck’s funeral dress. I’d offer advice on how to deal with this loss, but I’m clearly not the best example as the past few days have shown.

She thought about what Fluttershy would do in a situation like this. She’d be there to listen to them. When they were ready to talk.

Vowing to do the same thing, Rarity thanked her friend in a small prayer before going up to double check on her sister once again.

***

Word must have spread fast about the incident as Twilight saw the streets mostly deserted. A few ponies were milling about, but they all stared at Twilight and the two guards accompanying her down the streets. She didn’t blame most of them for locking themselves sup. With such a small population, everypony knew practically everypony; especially thanks to Pinkie Pie and her parties. Now a fog of distrust was going to spread across the town as everypony will wonder who did the deed.

I’ll have to make a public statement later, thought Twilight as she made her way towards Lucky’s house. Although she still had doubts that he was the killer, protocol said that she had to investigate every possible lead. Plus, Lucky could have seen something that could help prove who was the real killer. If he’s home that is.

Knocking on his door, she waited for a few minutes before the door opened and a yawning Lucky strolled out. His mane was a complete mess and he was barely standing. Hissing in pain, he rubbed his head while struggling to keep his eyes focused on Twilight. Combined with a certain smell coming from his breath, Twilight could easily tell that he had been drinking last night and was dealing with a hangover.

“Ehhh, Princess Twilight? What are you doing here?” asked Lucky, shaking his head to get a better focus.

“I’m here because I need to ask a few questions, Lucky,” said Twilight, trying to ignore his horrible breath. “We’re you with Roseluck last night on a date?”

“Yeah, but it ended early because I was an idiot…” muttered Lucky, growling before he raised an eyebrow. “What about it?” He then noticed the guards and his face began to show worry. “Is… is something wrong?”

Twilight bit her lip. She hated doing this, but he had a right to know. “I’m sorry, Lucky. Roseluck was found dead this morning. I’m so sorry.”

Lucky’s eyes slowly widen as he held his breath. Staring at Twilight, he began to hyperventilate as he opened his mouth several times but nothing came out. He shook his head, as if denying the news that had just come before him. “N-no… she… she can’t be… I saw just last night, Twilight!”

“I’m sorry, Lucky. But it was her,” whispered Twilight, a tear dripping down her eyes.

Lucky quickly went to one of his rose bushes and lost his lunch. Twilight winced at the sight of him barfing out all the alcohol he had in his stomach. Tears began to leak out of Lucky’s eyes as he held onto his stomach, sobbing as loudly as he could. A few ponies who were nearby turned to the poor stallion with sympathetic glances. Twilight’s doubts were becoming stronger with each passing moment. If he was guilty, he wouldn’t be able to fake such physical reactions.

“Roseluck! Fause, please no! Not her! Oh my goddess, why?!” cried out Lucky, sobbing into his hooves. “I should have walked her home! Maybe I could have… I could have…” He looked at Twilight and whimpered. “How?”

“We’re still checking it out… but we think she might have been murdered…” whispered Twilight which made Lucky choke and sob again. “Lucky, I need you to come with me to the police station.”

“W-why?” asked Lucky.

“… I’m not going to lie. You’re the only suspect we have. Although I doubt you did it, we have to ask you questions nonetheless,” replied Twilight.

“W-wait? You think I did it?! You think I murdered my own marefriend?!” shouted Lucky as he got up, his teary eyes now showing rage. “I. Love. Roseluck. I would never do something like that to her!”

“I said I don’t think you did it! But I need to make it official and go through everything to make sure! It’s better we do this now before ponies suspect you since you were the last one to see Roseluck alive,” pointed out Twilight, keeping Lily’s accusations out of conversation for now. “I promise it won’t take long.”

Lucky turned to a growing crowd that was whispering among one another and sighed. “Alright, let’s get this over with.”

Nodding, she had the guards escort Lucky down the street. She still couldn’t believe that he killed her. But if he didn’t….then who did?

Aftermath

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Rainbow Dash watched as the guards that came to question Scootaloo flew away. Thankfully, they didn’t show any of their usual hard flank attitude and were very patient with Scootaloo answering them as best as she could. She was proud of the little squirt for being so strong despite what she had seen. That didn’t mean she wasn’t bothered by it, having cried in Rainbow Dash’s embrace when they arrived at her home. She had to convince the little pegasus that it was alright to do so at first.

She might not have been the brightest of her friends, but she was far from blind. Dash knew that Scootaloo practically worshiped her and wanted to be just like her when she grew up. She also knew that Scootaloo wanted nopony else but her idol to adopt her as well. While Dash herself was flattered by the praise, she knew that she was far from responsible enough to be taking care of a filly. She was still learning how to take care of a pet turtle for crying out loud.

Pausing mid-step, Rainbow Dash half expected Fluttershy to say the word “tortoise”, but there was nothing but the wind and the sound of a sleeping filly in her room. Eyes misting, she gazed over at a photo of her and Fluttershy with their families, celebrating after graduating Flight School. Dash had never told anypony this, but she almost didn’t graduate due to written exam.

If it hadn’t been for Fluttershy helping her study late into the night on the final day, she might have failed. You’ve done so much for me, yet I never repaid it all... thought Rainbow Dash as she lowered her head.

Pegasi faith was different from that of the other two races/ Ignoring the old religions from Pre-Equestrian days, most believed in the Goddess Faust and instead believing in Elysium like Unicorns and Earth Ponies, Pegasi followed the idea of reincarnation, a belief that everything continues on even after death. Your soul, your essence, becomes something else and is reborn again. A place in the world for you even after your old life was gone.

Rainbow Dash herself, to the shock of some who knew her, was very religious. She flew to Cloudsdale every Sunday for church with her mother and father, Fluttershy sometimes joining her. She said prayers in her head before and after every flight, and despite her wild, party crazed ways, she still had her chastity vow card somewhere in her room (lost among her junk of course).

Even so, she hadn’t once prayed to Faust for Fluttershy’s soul since she died. Not because she was angry, but because she was afraid. To finally say a prayer for her departed soul would be finally admitting that Fluttershy, her sister in all but blood, was gone. Even though she believed she had been reborn somewhere, probably as a rabbit knowing her, it still hurt to know she would have to wait years and years and who knows how many lifetimes to see her again.

And now she had more ponies to pray for: Roseluck,her sister, Scootaloo, the rest of the CMC. Heck, all of Ponyville at this point might need a prayer at this point.

Growling, she punched a hole in her wall and cursed. Whoever did this... this murderer... he or she better hope I never get my hooves on him or her...

She calmed herself down and was about to check up on Scootaloo when the doorbell rang. Thinking it was the guards, she went to her door and opened it but was surprised to find Derpy Hooves on her doorstep. “Is she okay?” asked Derpy, a worried look on her face despite her eyes going in different directions.

It took Dash a minute to realize why Derpy was here. That’s right... her parents...

“Yeah, she went to sleep awhile ago. I think everything must have been too much for her,” said Dash as she let her in. The two of them went to cloud chairs and sat down facing each other.

“She’s going to have nightmares,” said Derpy, “and she’ll probably start asking herself ‘what if’.”

“What if’s?” inquired Dash, tilting her head.

“What if I had been a few minutes earlier? What if I saw the whole thing? What if I never saw it? What if...” Derpy took a moment to take a deep breath. “What if I could have prevented it?”

There was a long silence between the two as Derpy did a few breathing exercises to keep herself calm. Dash waited until she was settled again before asking, “Did you ask those questions?”

“Yes,” whispered Derpy, closing her eyes and leaning back. “Some nights I still do. It never leaves you, Dash. It stays a part of you no matter how happy you are in life.” She chuckled. “I have two great daughters, despite losing my husband I’m seeing a new stallion who I love, and I love my job. Yet, every time I hear the word... murder ...I’m an eight year old filly hiding in the closet as her father stabs her mother to death with a knife.”

“...I’m sorry, this must be hard for you,” said Dash, shaking her head.

“It is... but it’s going to be harder for Daisy, Lily, and the Crusaders,” muttered Derpy, shaking her head. “I hope that Lucky is the killer or else I’m afraid what’s going to happen next.”

“Lucky is the killer? Isn’t that Roseluck’s colfriend?” asked Rainbow Dash.

“They haven’t said anything, but I heard they took him down to the station for questioning,” said Derpy as she got up. She then saw a notepad and pen and began writing on it. “This is the address of the one who helped me after my father killed my mother. Tell him I sent you and he’ll help Scootaloo.”

“I’m not her mother,” said Rainbow Dash, who accepted it.

“No, but you’re the closest thing she has to one,” said Derpy with a smile. “I’m going to offer the same thing to Applejack and Rarity. Tell Scootaloo I’m also free to talk if need be.”

Derpy made her way out of the house before Dash asked, “Hey, Derpy? Did you ever forgive him?”

Derpy stopped and kept her back turned. “The last time I saw my dad was at his funeral... I spat in his face and left before the service even finished.”

And with that she flew away.

***

“So you’re sure you saw nothing?” asked Twilight for the sixth time. She was grateful they were almost at the end of her questions, her butt was getting sore from sitting on these chairs. Lucky, still looking a bit sick, was looking even more frustrated having been kept in this interrogation room for over three hours.

“Yes, Twilight, I saw nothing!” shouted Lucky, growling. “We went to our favorite spot for a picnic. We ate, watch the stars. I wanted... I wanted us to have sex... we argued... she left... I left... and I just...” He started to tear up as he placed his hooves in front of him. “I wish I could take it all back... I wish I could tell her I love her one last time... oh, Roseluck.”

Twilight frowned and slowly placed her hoof on his shoulder, squeezing it. A few knocks on the door alerted her and she got up before leaving. Two of the guards, looking nervous, saluted. “Something wrong?” asked Twilight.

“Press is here, they want answers,” answered one guard.

“Great,” muttered Twilight, facehoofing. “This is the last thing I need.”

Another guard walked up to her and saluted. “Your Majesty? Dr. Stiff is done with his autopsy and would like to see you.”

“I’ll take seeing a dead body over the press any day,” said Twilight with a little chuckle. It was morbid humor, but she needed some laughs. Remind me to ask Pinkie Pie to plan a big party to help deal with moral.

“What should we do about the sharks outside?” asked the first guard.

“Tell them we’re still investigating and I will answer their questions later. If they ask about Lucky tell them he’s just a pony of interest in our investigation,” said Twilight.

“So he’s no longer a suspect?”

“Personally, I think he didn’t do it, but I’ll know shortly,” said Twilight as she followed the third guard to the morgue in the police station.

***

Twilight had only visited a morgue once before today. It was for a biology class where they were going to study pony anatomy first hoof with a corpse that died recently and donated his body to science. Needless to say it wasn’t a favorite experience of Twilight's, being next to a dead body and all, but she did learn a lot.

Dr. Stiff, a middle-aged unicorn, was scrubbing his hooves at a nearby sink before turning around and bowing to Princess Twilight. “Glad you could come, your majesty.”

“I’m surprised you were able to finish so quickly,” said Twilight as she walked over to the dead body of Roseluck laid out on a table, a thin white cloth covering her entire self except for her head. A small tear dripped down Twilight’s cheek as she stared at Roseluck’s peaceful expression. She could remember the first time she and Roseluck actually spoke one on one. It was three days after she moved to Ponyville, where Roseluck offered to help her with her tree house’s garden. Since then, she had turned to Roseluck and the other Flower Sisters for help in maintaining it. I’ll have to give her one of my flowers for the funeral.

“What was the cause of death?” asked Twilight, turning back to Dr. Stiff.

“Her throat was slashed, just like we thought,” said Dr. Stiff, levitating a small ruler and pointing it at the giant neck wound that was on Roseluck. “Or should I say, torn apart.”

“Any... sexual assault?” asked Twilight, holding her breath.

“None, this poor mare died a virgin,” said Dr. Stiff which made Twilight relax. She wouldn’t wish such a fate on anypony, living or dead. Plus if her studies on criminal psychology books were right (she read them over one summer for light reading), if Lucky was the murderer he would have sexually assaulted her before murdering her since sex, or lack of it, was the main cause of their fight.

Twilight held back her bile as she looked at the neck wound. It was clear that no knife did this, it was too jagged, ripped up, like multiple sharp objects were at work. “It looks like some kind of animal did this.”

“Yes, but the question is what kind of animal did this?” asked Dr. Stiff as he walked over to a small board and activated the light now shining on it, revealing a bunch of photos. Each photo was of a dead pony, some young, some old, all on the very same table Roseluck was on but with different gashes, bite marks, and torn up limbs. “All of these are recorded bites, claw marks, and similar wounds caused by the wildlife nearby. We got timberwolves, hydras, bears, alligators and so on. None of these wounds, or the tooth markings, match with this. Plus, these are the only bodies not eaten by their killers since most wildlife in the area, including the Everfree Forest, would just devour the pony whole. This one didn’t...”

“Could it be some kind of new creature? Or a beast from outside of Ponyville’s area that wandered in?” asked Twilight Sparkle, trying to think of a list in her mind.

“Possibly, but I have yet to see a creature that just leaves its prey in a tree like poor Roseluck. Chances are it’s either really tall or it flies,” said Dr. Stiff.

“And there is no way a pony could have done this?” asked Twilight, probing for something that would allow her to release poor Lucky.

“No, I can’t see any pony doing this. Not even the right teeth marks,” said Dr. Stiff, levitating a chart and looking at it.

This was unfortunately both relaxing and worrying for Twilight. What was good was not only was Lucky free from any suspicion because of this, but the chances of a pony having done this had dwindled to insignificance, so she could effectively rule out murder. On the other hand, they had some kind of monster of reasonable intelligence that may have done this and it might be still around. She would need to keep some of the guards here for protection while she and her friends tried to find a way to stop this monster.

If only Fluttershy was here, she would be able to help solve this, Twilight thought somberly.

“Send your findings to Professor Zooling of Canterlot University. She’s seen every monster there is in Equestria, she might be able to find out what kind of creature we are dealing with,” said Twilight as she left the morgue.

***

Twilight made it back to the main building of the police station when she heard arguing and rushed forward. She had hoped none of the reporters had managed to get through and start demanding questions. When she turned the corner she saw it was Daisy arguing with some of the guards who were blocking her path. Lily was trying her best to calm her sister down it seems, but was obviously failing.

“I demand to see him! I want to look him in the eyes and get him to tell me why he killed my sister!” shouted Daisy, as she tried to push away the guard, but he was obviously stronger than her.

“Ma’am, I am under orders to not let anypony see the suspect! Now stand down or I will arrest you for assaulting an officer!” shouted the guard.

“Buck you! I don’t care if you’re in charge just because you’re wearing that shiny armor!! I will see the murderer of my sister and-!” shouted Daisy.

“Enough!” shouted Twilight teleporting between the two. “Corporal, stand down. Daisy, calm yourself!”

Daisy, growling, obeyed, albeit while keeping up a glaring match with the guard. She turned to Twilight. “So have you arrested him yet?”

Twilight sighed, knowing this was only going to create more problems. “Daisy, we’ve looked at the evidence and the body. There is no way Lucky could have done this. He’s innocent.”

Daisy showed shock for a moment before glaring at Twilight. “I thought you were on our side.”

“I am on your side,” said Twilight, narrowing her eyes, “but I’m also on the side of justice. I’m not putting an innocent pony into the fire when the evidence is clear that Lucky is innocent in this. In fact, this isn’t murder. At least not by a pony. We have reason to believe this is a type of monster new to Ponyville.”

“To hay with that! You’re just protecting him!” growled Daisy, a fanatical look in her eyes as she got up in Twilight’s face. “You can’t trust stallions, Twilight! None of them! I bet he raped my sister over and over again and then killed her! And all of these dickwads are part of that! They just don’t want to see us mares get justice because they think we are nothing more than rut toys to them!” Her eyes then widened as she gave a lewd smile to Twilight. “Oh I see, you’re bucking him in bed aren’t you?”

“What did you say?!” shouted Twilight, now done with pity and her horn glowing. The guards also looked ready to attack for the sinister accusation that this mare had given to their princess.

“You heard me! You’re bucking him in bed! Lucky, and maybe all these damn guards! You slu-”

SMACK!

The blow didn’t come from Twilight or from her guards. Instead, the hard slap that knocked Daisy to the ground came from Lily herself. Holding her red cheek, she slowly looked up and trembled upon seeing the furious look her sister was giving her.

“Go home. Now,” said Lily, lowering her hoof.

“B-but... sister...”

“I said go home. Now.”

Daisy slowly got up and faced everypony, glaring at her sister before running away in tears. When she was out of the building Lily sighed heavily and bowed before Twilight and the guards. “I’m sorry. What my sister said was inexcusable. Please forgive us.”

One of the guards couldn’t help but ask, “What is wrong with that mare?”

Lily sighed. “She has... stallion issues. I thought if time passed she would get over it, but it seems I have no choice but to get her help now. I’ll make sure she’s taken care of.” She then turned to Twilight. “Can I see Lucky, please? And... can I have my sister’s body back for her funeral?”

“We need to hold it for a few more days, but when we’re done with it completely we can give it back to you,” said Twilight. “Do you want help with the preparations?”

“No, Twilight,” said Lily, shaking her head. “You’re still recovering from Fluttershy’s funeral. My family and I can handle it, and I’m sure Lucky would want to help too. If you want, can you lead the funeral? You can do that, being a princess and all.”

“I’m... afraid I’m not really religious, Lily,” confessed Twilight, shaking her head.

“That’s fine. We can get a priest to do it, but we would like you to come anyway.”

“Of course,” said Twilight, as he told the guards to guide Lily to Lucky while she had to deal with the press and announce the new news.

***

Applejack was getting sick of funerals. She had seen too many in her lifetime, but she knew that it was a sad fact of life that there would be more coming. More deaths would come, mostly from natural causes. Granny Smith was getting on in years and would be called to the big barn in the sky at some point in the future, a fate she had often told AJ in secret that she was ready for.

Now she was at another funeral for another friend. Roseluck and her sisters were fellow farm ponies like them, even if they did flowers instead of food like the Apples. Ponyville was founded by earth ponies originally and there was always that sense of kinship in the community, even a hundred years later, between those whose magic was tied to the earth around them.

Sitting in her pew at the only church in Ponyville, Applejack continued to listen to the priest read a passage about death and Elysium at his podium. It was right next to Roseluck’s open casket, where she was laid out without a dress on, most Earth Ponies didn’t believe in fancying yourself up when you kicked the bucket, unlike the Unicorns and Pegasi, and surrounded by roses. Lily and Daisy worked all night to make the entire church covered with roses and rose-themed decorations.

Ah’m sure she’s happy that her sisters loved her so much, thought Applejack as she turned to the Flower Family. The two sisters were sobbing as they held onto each other, their father and all three of his wives were just as torn up over the loss of their filly.

While the number of attendants weren’t as large as Fluttershy’s funeral, a good portion of Ponyville was here including her friends. All except for Rarity that is. Sweetie Belle choose at the last second not to attend the funeral, still haunted by what she saw and Rarity had to cancel her appearance. Applejack didn’t blame her; right now their sisters were more important. She looked over at the crying Apple Bloom who held both her old teddy bear and a rose flower she intended to put in the casket later on. Ah’m glad Aunty and Uncle Orange agreed to help take care of her. Although she would miss her sister for a few weeks or months, it was a necessary evil if it meant Apple Bloom could deal with her trauma.

The rest of her friends were right beside her, from a crying Pinkie Pie, to a praying Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo. Twilight was also there with Spike, who was burying his face into her chest. The poor dragon had been crying for days and with the death of Roseluck so soon after Fluttershy, he asked if he could go home to Canterlot for a few days or weeks.

It seemed the angel of death was upon Ponyville this year, and all were suffering. Faust, why us? Why allow this to happen to us? Applejack prayed. She had her faith in her goddess, but there were times when she sometimes wondered what her reasonings were. Just please take Roseluck into your embrace as you have done with Fluttershy.

The priest had ended his passage and then, to the surprise of some, Lucky came up next. Twilight’s announcement that he was no longer a suspect managed to convince most ponies of his innocence, but a few still believed him guilty thanks to Daisy’s rambling. Applejack had learned what she had said to Twilight and put her name on the list of those to refuse service to in the future. She could sympathize with Daisy for having both been cheated on by her coltfriend and losing her sister. However, to keep harassing an innocent pony because he was a stallion and accuse Twilight of sleeping around like a slut? You were on Applejack’s-pardon the language since she was in a church-manure list for that.

Lucky, dressed in a black suit, calmly cleared his throat before speaking into the microphone. “Roseluck and I had been friends since we were in the second grade. I can remember us first meeting when she offered her brownie to me when some bullies stole mine. From there we met every lunch period and slowly became the best of friends.” A smile decorated his face as he chuckled. “We managed to get back at those bullies by making brownie out of dog poop and letting the bullies steal them. Needless to say it was quite a sight.”

The audience laughed at this before Lucky continued. “Over time... I saw Roseluck as somepony more than a friend. I saw her as a mare. I beautiful mare who I felt my heart sing to every time I was near her. Telling her my feelings was the greatest day of my life because that’s when she kissed me and told me she felt the same way.” He paused and glanced over at Roseluck before closing his eyes and muttering something the audience couldn’t hear. “I... I can’t express the words about how much I love her... and... fate is cruel... because I was... I was ready to...”

He started to weep as he slowly pulled something from out of his jacket pocket and opened it. Those in front, including Applejack, gasped upon seeing what it was. A ring. A beautiful rose shaped diamond ring.

“I saved... so much for this... and it was all a waste...” he muttered as he walked over to the casket and stared at the mare he loved so much. Even though he wasn’t at the mike, the church was quiet enough now so that all could hear him. “I want you to have this, Roseluck... so that while I can’t give this to you in this life... I can give it to you in the next...” He placed the ring in the casket and slowly lowered himself to kiss her on the forehead. “I love you Roseluck Flower. And I hope you will wait for me.”

He sniffed and walked away, silent and in tears.

***

“And thus, we lay Roseluck down to her earthly bed so that she may rest for eternity. May Faust guide her into the everlasting summer field of Elysium and bless her eternal life in paradise. Her sins be forgiven, our prayers to her soul, and know that death is not the end, but the start of a new life free from pain and suffering. May we all one day join Roseluck as we say farewell and bid her soul a peaceful rest. Amen.”

“Amen,” said Applejack and those in attendance as the casket was lowered. Ponies tossed flowers onto the grave as the wooden box continued until a final thud was sounded. With the funeral officially over, ponies slowly began to make for the cemetery’s exit one by one. Applejack stared at the grave and the gravestone that held Roseluck’s name before closing her eyes. Whatever monster that did this to ya, Roseluck. Ah swear Ah will make it pay.

With her promise made, Applejack followed the rest of her friends to the reception party that Pinkie Pie made at Town Hall.

***

They had buried it. They had buried the pray she had eaten only a few short days ago. The creature once known as Fluttershy, now something else, slowly made its way to the grave. It remembered that ponies did this. For their dead. It didn’t know why, the memories were hazy. Memories both of this body and something else. Somepony else. It could remember fire. Hatred. Blood. Burning. Screaming. But nothing clear.

It needed more.

It needed to feed more.

Pony blood was the key. Animal blood didn’t do enough.

Yes, pony blood. Blood of the pony.

It’s fangs glistened in the moonlight as it thought about its next victim.

Rip and Tear

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Applejack calmly watched as her little sister slept in her bed, holding Mr. Snuffles tight in her grip. The past few nights Apple Bloom had been plagued with nightmares. Staying up so late put a toll on her work in the morning, but Applejack's duties as big sister always came first. Except for when the guards came to question her, Apple Bloom hadn’t spoken at all about the event, nor did she leave home. Not even the idea of seeing her friends made her want to step outside. From what Applejack learned, Scootaloo was the only one coping, thanks to Rainbow Dash's constant presence. She was also going to see someone in Canterlot to help with the emotional trauma, and the crown would cover the cost. Sweetie Belle was just like Apple Bloom, too scared and nervous to deal with what she witnessed. Her parents and Rarity were considering taking the family on a vacation. They were hoping that being away from Ponyville for a stretch would help Sweetie Belle recover.

Despite official word from Twilight that Roseluck was killed in an animal attack, Applejack couldn’t help but feel this entire situation was heading south in a hurry. Applejack had seen animal attacks before, but nothing like this. Applejack had seen animal attacks around these parts before, but nothing like this. They didn't leave their kills behind and definitely not in a tree. Still, she had nothing except her gut feelings and the last thing she wanted to do was start a panic by spreading her thoughts around.

Not much Ah can do anyway, thought Applejack as she slowly closed the door to her sister’s room and made for the stairs. Big Macintosh was already in bed, while Granny Smith watched the fireplace from her rocking chair with a glare that made her seem older than usual.

“She’s asleep,” said Applejack as she took a seat on the couch. “Ah think she’ll sleep well tonight. Ah asked Twilight to send a message to Princess Luna to make sure she gets no bad dreams.”

“It ain’t the dreams durin’ the night that scare her,” whispered Granny Smith, shaking her head. “It’s the visions she sees durin’ the day.”

“Are ya sure ya want to go with her to Manehatten?” asked Applejack.

“AJ, Ah’m old but when an Apple needs help Ah’m as fit as a fiddle,” smirked Granny Smith. “Besides, been awhile since Ah’ve seen yer Aunt and Uncle Orange. It would be nice to catch up while they help Apple Bloom.”

Applejack nodded. “Ah just hope we can put this behind us.”

“Tragedies are never put behind us,” said Granny Smith with a sorrowful sigh. “They stay with us and we just have to live with it. Apple Bloom will move on. Yer brother and ya did when yer ma and pa died.”

But I didn’t see their bleeding corpses... thought Applejack bitterly. Her last view of her parents was at their funeral, all primed and proper for their final rest. She would rather take that than what Apple Bloom had seen.

“Be careful when we leave tomorrow,” warned Granny Smith as she glared back into the fire. “There's a darkness in these parts now... somethin’ is happenin’ and it ain’t good. Ah fear when me and Bloom come back... a few new graves will be added along with Roseluck.”

Applejack’s eyes widened as she stared at her grandmother with knowing eyes. “Ya think this ain’t over too, huh?”

“Yer friend Twilight is a smart pony, but Ah fear she focuses too much on her brain and not her instincts,” said Granny Smith, shaking her head. “There are some things in this world that neither logic nor science can explain. Things in the dark that are as evil as they come. Ah don’t know what it is, but my instincts have never lied to me before when events such as this happen.”

She then stared into Applejack’s eyes. “This, Ah fear, is only the beginnin'...”

***

Pokey Pierce hated the dark. Ever since he was a little colt, he was always terrified of the crawling darkness whenever nighttime came around. He even kept a nightlight in his room despite being in his mid-twenties. He wasn’t ashamed of it, and it was the only way he was able to get any sleep. Roseluck's death had seen to that.

It made him wonder what the hay he was doing out here trying to head home so late in the evening. Oh, right. Because my boss is an uptight flankhole! thought Pokey and he growled out loud.

Most ponies assumed that Pokey was involved in something that, well, poked things, but that was far from the truth. Pierce was his family’s last name, common for unicorns, and Pokey was because his parents were fans of Polka music. The truth was his special talent was baby care, a responsibility that gave him love while he worked in the neonatal unit as a nurse at Ponyville hospital. He always worked during the day, until one of his coworkers quit and he was stuck dealing with his new shift.

A late night shift.

Pokey begged for someone else to take it, from Nurse Redheart to Nurse Loving Care, but he was the only one flexible to do it. While it was an uneventful night, it was a long walk from the hospital to his house. And there was a new moon tonight, meaning little to no light.

In other words, Pokey was in his own little tartarus.

Walking through town, Pokey felt his hair stand straight up as he nervously looked around the streets. Even though Ponyville had a very low crime rate, the recent attack on Roseluck had put everypony on edge. A few trashcans nearby shook and he jumped, ready to run, until he saw a stray cat scamper from behind them.

Taking a deep breath, Pokey sighed in relief, but still felt like something was watching him. He looked to his left and then his right, even behind his flank, but there was nopony. Come on, Pokey. You’re not far from home. Just keep going. Just keep going.

He made his way through the shopping district, and he was about to turn the corner when he heard something flapping above. Looking up, he saw a retreating figure fly past him in a split second. Pokey let out a silent gasp and gulped. M-m-maybe it’s Rainbow Dash doing some late night exercises?

It took Pokey five minutes to finally put energy into his legs as he tried keeping his wits about him in an effort to get home. However, just as he turned around, something grabbed him by the neck and threw him into an alley. He slammed his back against a brick wall and staggered, dazed, unable to see what it was that had attacked him.

That’s when he felt something sharp bite into his neck. For only a split second he felt immense pain... and then nothing as the life drained from his eyes and spilled blood red trails down his neck.

***

It was a scream that all of Ponyville heard, so loud that even those who slept in late were awakened. It continued and amplified as more voices joined like some unholy chorus. Rainbow Dash heard the screaming get louder as she flew towards Ponyville as fast as she could. She was doing her morning exercises when she first heard it.

The seriousness of the situation hit her when she saw the guards pushing ponies away from an alley and Twilight was already there, a small pile of vomit next to her as she took deep breaths. Rainbow Dash’s eyes widened. No... not again...

She landed in an instant and was at Twilight’s side. The unicorn looked at her with both relief and terror. A guard stepped forward, but Twilight held her hoof out and let him know it was okay. When that was done, Rainbow Dash looked towards the alley, which was blocked by two pegasi guards with their wings fully extended. “Is... is it...”

“Yes,” muttered Twilight, closing her eyes. “It’s Pokey... a pony found him when she was taking out her trash.”

“No,” whispered Dash, closing her eyes as she stomped her hoof on the ground. Another life taken. Another townspony dead. Someone or something was killing her friends and she wasn’t around to stop it again. I’ll hunt this monster down, and I will kill it... I swear to Faust, to St. Megan and all the other gods in this world that I will end its life!

“How bad?” asked Rainbow Dash.

“W-worse...” muttered Twilight, shaking her head. “It’s too horrible.” Rainbow Dash stared at her friend for a bit before she walked over the guards blocking the entrance to the alley. “Dash! Don’t!”

Rainbow Dash ignored her. She had to see it. She had to have it burned inside her memory, so she could think about Pokey and Roseluck once she found this monster. The guards stared at her, but she glared back with a look that said not to mess with her. The two looked at each other before reluctantly lowering their wings and allowing her to pass.

Rainbow Dash only stepped forward a few steps before she felt all the blood in her body turn to ice based on what she saw.

***

Everything had turned into a nightmare. Twilight had hoped that Roseluck’s death would be an isolated incident, but now, as she looked at Pokey’s half eaten corpse on the morgue table, she began to curse herself for not taking steps to prevent this just in case she was wrong. Just by looking at the body it was clear that this was done in a more savage manner than with Roseluck. The earth pony had had a clear, clean cut on her throat when she died. This... this is just brutal...

Twilight had faced great evils before such as Nightmare Moon, Discord, and changelings. None of them showed this kind of savagery though. Dr. Stiff walked in and rushed towards Twilight with fear in his eyes. “I need to talk to you,” said Dr. Stiff.

“I do as well, doctor,” said Twilight, nodding. “You first though.”

Dr. Stiff sighed and rubbed his forehead. “You aren’t going to believe this. I’m struggling to believe this, but I’m afraid that after concluding my autopsy report on Pokey Pierce... this wasn’t an animal attack.” Twilight’s eyes widened. “I took your advice and sent my findings to your friend, Professor Zooling. He said that the bite mark on Roseluck was not from an animal... at least not entirely.”

“W-what are you saying?” asked Twilight.

Dr. Stiff walked over to his desk and retrieved two photos. One of the bite mark on Roseluck, and another that was on Pokey’s body. “The bite marks... they’re closest to one type of race... ponies.”

The silence that followed was so quiet a pin could drop and it would have had the same impact as a bomb. Twilight’s brain completely froze for a good few minutes as she tried to process what was going on. A pony had done this. A pony had killed both Roseluck and Pokey Pierce. A pony had eaten their flesh.

There was a word for this. A word that was only used by griffins, dragons, minotaurs, and other predator-like races: cannibalism.

“T-that’s not possible! That’s just impossible!” shouted Twilight, stomping her hoof. “Pony teeth are not designed to eat flesh! Hay, we’re not designed to eat meat in general! Any pony that tries would be sick to their stomach or even die! Even bat ponies can’t do it!”

“My Princess,” Dr. Stiff bowed, “I’m sorry, but the two of us have reached the same conclusion. While it’s not a familiar set of teeth, we are sorry to say that the closest resemblance is equine. We would say bat pony, but the fangs that were used to rip and tear the flesh were too long to be one of theirs. Maybe it’s a mutation or something, but we are looking for a pony. Bat or otherwise”

Twilight bit her lip and lowered her head. If this was true then everything was going to change. This wasn’t an animal anymore. This was a sentient being. This was murder. Serial murder now, thought Twilight as she glanced at Pokey.

“Can you tell me how he died?” asked Twilight, turning away from everything and focusing on the wall in front of her.

“Slashed in the throat first, most likely to prevent him from screaming. The murderer then proceeded to rip his intestines out. He’s... missing some organs,” grumbled Dr. Stiff. “He or she also ripped out his legs with their teeth before feasting... most likely to preserve some of the body for later.”

“No pony should have that much strength to rip out a limb,” muttered Twilight. “Even Princess Celestia doesn’t have that unless she used magic.”

“We found no unicorn magic in the area, meaning this was all done by hoof or by teeth,” answered Dr. Stiff.

Again, impossible. Not even Applejack or Big Macintosh could rip a limb off. Snap a neck, break a bone, rupture an organ, but not rip a limb off, thought Twilight as she closed her eyes. Impossibility after impossibility was being shoved into her face, and she was trying to find a way to make sense of it all. Maybe I need some time to think on my own.

“Dr. Stiff, for now I would like this information to not be shared yet. I need to figure out a proper time to explain all of this to the public,” ordered Twilight.

“Of course, Princess,” said Dr. Stiff as Twilight began to exit the room. “I just hope we can catch whoever is responsible for this before more lives are lost.”

“We will,” whispered Twilight. “We will...”

***

Not wanting to deal with the gathering press outside the morgue, Twilight teleported back to her treehouse where, thankfully, nopony was nearby. Most likely, they were hiding in their homes and praying that whatever danger was around would go away. All Twilight wanted to do now was head inside, get some tea, and pretend all was right in the world for a few minutes before she had to back to work.

Requesting new guards, patrol schedules, curfew, buddy system, Pokey’s obituary, and the statements to the press... how does Celestia do it all? She thought as she entered into her home. “I’m home.”

“Good, because time is not on my side. I must speak to you, Twilight, of an evil that resides.”

Twilight blinked a few times before realizing that she had company. Zecora sat on her reading chair, putting away a book as she got up and walked towards Twilight with fearful determination in her eyes. “Zecora? What are you doing here? I haven’t seen you since Fluttershy’s funeral.”

“A sad day that was indeed. But come here I have for the danger we have seen,” whispered Zecora as she and Twilight sat down. Tea was already made for them and Twilight gladly welcomed it. After a few sips, she allowed Zecora to continue. “Because of the serious nature of the situation, I must speak plainly with no hesitation. There is darkness growing, Twilight Sparkle. Evil so foul that even nature itself is whispering in fear. Something perverted and unholy has come and it is very near.”

“Are you talking about the murders? Do you know who is doing them?” asked Twilight with wide eyes.

“No, but I fear this evil that walks among us is not something normal. Infact, I fear it may be paranormal,” spoke Zecora as she stared into her cup. “As a shaman, I have a connection with spirits of all kinds. The earth, water, and air all speak to me and they are afraid of the darkening signs. Something ancient... something evil... is lurking and causing an upheavel.”

“Are you saying this is something supernatural, Zecora?” sighed Twilight as she rubbed her forehead.

“Yes” said Zecora, shaking her head. “I know you are not a believer in things you cannot see, but this book may be your only key.”

Twilight sighed. “Zecora, I respect you greatly, but you know that such things like this don’t exist. Spirits and Gods were thought up by ponies who didn’t know how things worked in the world before science and reason made it possible to understand,” explained Twilight. “I’m not saying you don’t have a right to believe in things like this, but I don’t. I just... don’t...”

Zecora tilted her head. “May I ask why you are so sure that things such as gods, spirits, curses, and the like are not real? You believe in magic that can cause damage as well as heal.”

“I guess I just always believed that something needs proof to exist,” said Twilight, shrugging her shoulders. “That’s why I don’t believe in Faust. They say there is proof, but I don’t see it or at least not enough of it exists. Same reason I don’t believe in zombies or any of that mythical stuff. It’s just lore and stories from ancient times. We live in the modern era where we can explain everything.”

“Can we?” asked Zecora, raising an eyebrow. “Can you explain why we live and why we pass away? Can you explain why magic exists in the first place in any essay? Can you explain Pinkie Sense and Elements of Harmony? Why is Discord able to do what he can do in all forms of disharmony? Why do these myths and legends even exist in the first place, even in societies well advanced for their prime? Why do so many still believe in miracles today if we have learned so much as you have said all this time?” She placed a hoof on Twilight’s shoulder. “Sometimes faith provides more than proof. Sometimes one needs to believe that there unnatural truths.”

“Then why did Fluttershy die?” asked Twilight, growling. “If there is a Faust goddess, why did she let the kindest and most gentle pony in the world die in her prime?”

“Of that, I cannot say,” said Zecora sighing. “The gods are mysterious in their ways.” She slowly got up and made for the door. “Head my words, Twilight Sparkle. I have a feeling faith will be your shield. To end this evil before we are all buried in the flowery fields.”

Twilight stared at Zecora as she shut the door behind her. She sat there for a long time, thinking on what Zecora said before deciding to take a bath to clear her head.

Author's Notes:

I might as well say this now since I know somebody is going to say something about what I've been doing with Twilight. I am not using her as some kind of shot against people who are in anyway disbelieving in religion. Yes, I have established that Twilight is an atheist but this is in no way trying to challenge atheist beliefs. I am simply taking Twilight who focuses on logic and science and putting her into a situation where that isn't going to help her because this is supernatural and logic is thrown out the window, in a sense. Yes, I am religious but I am friends with many atheists and this is in no way trying to insult or cause harm in any way.

I wanted to get that out of the way because I'm sure there will be at least one reader who will think that.

You can find the artwork here.

Nightmare Night Slaughter

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Despite the grim deaths of Roseluck and Porky Price being only a month ago, most ponies were looking forward to Nightmare Night as a chance to finally have something to clear their minds. It had been a long month since the last death. Most were convinced that the murderer or monster or whoever it was that caused such a horrible thing was gone. That, and everyone wanted to move on from their deaths.

Some weren’t able to though, such as Daisy and Lucky. The former had kept accusing the latter of murdering her sister until Twilight was forced to have Daisy arrested for harassment. Her parents took her away the next day to get her help and nobody had heard from her since. Lucky, meanwhile, had been reserved and quiet since the funeral of his beloved Roseluck. He barely spoke to anypony, and any mentioning of his lost girlfriend would send him running home with tears in his eyes.

Porky’s death wasn’t taken so well either, especially in the horrible way he was killed. Some families even went up and moved away much to the disappointment of many. Almost everypony in Ponyville knew each other and treated one another like family. To lose members of their community to tragedy, murder, and fear was heartbreaking.

That was why Pinkie and Dash went all out in making Nightmare Night this year extra amazing. The entire town felt like one giant haunted house with webs, fake spiders, moss covering the walls, smoke machines, decorations on every street and corner, and even managed to convince the costume stores to give out big discounts.

The festivities such as pumpkin catapulting, ghoul dancing, trick or treating, pranking, and bobbing for apples were in full form tonight. Slowly, but surely, everypony was beginning to have a good time and feel joyful again.

Well, almost everypony.

“Come on, Twilight,” asked Spike as he put on the helmet to go with his knight costume he bought. “Aren’t you going to come to Pinkie’s Nightmare Night Party?”

“Sorry, Spike. I got a lot of work to do,” answered Twilight as she continued to read reports and write into a notebook she had beside her.

“You’re still investigating the murders? Twilight, it’s a holiday. A day where your suppose to relax and be with your friends,” pointed out Spike.

“I know that, Spike,” sighed Twilight, looking behind her shoulder. “But it’s also my job to protect my friends. Whatever killed Roseluck and Porky is still out there.”

“It’s been a month, maybe he, she, or it walked away and vanished,” said Spike as he walked over and placed a claw on her shoulder. “They’re gone, Twilight. Resting in peace. I’m sure they’ll forgive you if you take one day off. Besides, it’s not like you’re any closer to the truth.”

Twilight wanted to say something in return, but she just looked down at her notes. Spike’s statement was right. A month had passed and she was no closer to figuring out this mystery than she was when she started. She had already sent most of the guards home after they had searched both crime scenes over a dozen times. She had looked at all possible angles with the evidence and information she had, but found no reasonable conclusion. Sometimes she thought back to her talk with Zecora when she was stuck in a rut. Some part of her wanted to ask the wise zebra for advice, but chances were she wouldn’t agree with what Zecora said. The zebra had Twilight’s respect, but she just couldn’t accept a ‘superstitious’ reasoning without proof.

Still, there was no harm in taking a break. Roseluck and Porky were dead and gone. They weren’t coming back. Nothing can bring the dead back to life, not even magic, thought Twilight as she got up and smiled at her number one assistant. “Okay, Spike. You win. I’ll go to the party. I’ll need a costume though.”

“We can just use your last costume from last year’s,” said Spike as he rushed out of the room as fast as his little legs could carry him.

Twilight shook her head in amusement before turning to her notes and slammed the book shut. Yeah, it’s not like anything is gonna happen now of all days.

***

It took a lot of convincing from Dinky to convince her mother to go out for Nightmare Night tonight. Ever since Roseluck’s death, she had been strict on curfew and wanted to know where her daughter was at all times. Dinky knew her mother was just doing it to protect her, but she wasn’t a baby anymore. She deserved to have at least one night of fun.

Thankfully, her mother accepted that tonight was the one night fillies were suppose to be children and allowed her daughter to go out in the grim reaper costume she saved her money to buy, complete with a plastic scythe she carried around with her magic. When other fillies and colts wanted to hang out with her, she was excited because she thought it meant trick or treating.

Not leaving the town to visit some haunted mine as a courage test.

“I still think this is a bad idea,” voiced Twist, dressed up in her Wonderbolts costume, complete with fake wings. “My mom says that I shouldn’t leave town without a grownup.”

“Oh, please. What are you four?” asked Diamond Tiara with a snort. The rich brat ironically was in an angel costume with real feathered wings, glittery robe, and a halo attached on the back. “It’s just a stupid old mine where a bunch of ponies died once. It’s not really haunted.”

“Then why are we going?” asked Rumble, who had dressed like a pirate, raising an eyebrow.

“Because it’s a tradition for us Ponyville fillies and colts. You go to the mines, find a helmet or something a miner wore, and bring it back up for all to see.,” said Silver Spoon, dressed in a princess costume.

“Remind me why we are going with you again?” asked Dinky. As far as she, and most of the children in Ponyville were concerned, Diamond Tiara was not a friendly pony to be with unless you were rich or popular like Silver Spoon.

“Because I promised to pay one Hearth's Warming Eve present for you all no matter the charge,” said Diamond Tiara.

“... you are so lucky that I want a new skateboard,” grumbled Rumble.

Dinky personally didn’t care about getting a present or not, but she was concerned about the others. The mine was shut down because of gas leaks and cave in’s. Ponies had died in it and it was ultimately shut down. What really made Dinky feel worried was the fact that she was getting in danger when her mother asked her not to do anything reckless. She’s going to tan my hide if she finds out I’m doing this. Ugh, why did I decide to hang out with Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon for Nightmare Night this year?

It wasn’t for the first time that Dinky wished the Crusaders were back together. They always seemed to be having fun and it was always fun to hang out with them in return. However, Apple Bloom was still in Manehatten getting help and Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle were staying home this Nightmare Night. I guess seeing a real dead murdered body does that to you... I wonder if that’s how mom felt at that age?

Dinky wasn’t stupid. She knew of what happened to her mother when she was a child thanks to whispers and rumors that lead her to researching the murder of her grandmother by her grandfather. She never told her mother that she knew, but one day she knew they were going to talk about it. I wonder if whoever murdered Roseluck and Porky Pierce is the same as grandfather?

Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard something in the bushes rustle. She froze and looked to her left. The cold wind chilled her neck as she gulped. The forest they were in was no Everfree, but it was still creepy this time at night. She felt a hoof touched her back and it made her jump, but she soon calmed down when she that it was just Tender Taps.

“You okay?” asked the dancing colt who was dressed as a tap dancer.

“Y-yeah,” whispered Dinky. “Just shadows and the wind I guess.”

The group continued on as a figure in the night followed them stealthy.

***

The mine entrance was as big as Dinky’s house, only it looked ready to collapse at any moment. There was a warning sign to not go inside, but Diamond Tiara just kicked it away before pointing to the entrance. “Taps. Rumble. You go first.”

“Why?” asked Tender Taps.

“Because, you’re the big strong colts, and you have to go first to protect us from anything bad in there. Like spiders,” replied Diamond Tiara, giving a shiver.

“Wow, way to promote girl power, Diamond,” said Dinky, rolling her eyes as she stepped forward first.

The others soon followed and they were instantly hit with a horrible smell. “Ugh, what died in here?” asked Silver Spoon.

“Sixteen miners about thirty years ago.”

“That was rhetorical, Twist.”

Dinky just wanted to leave for the smell alone, but they pressed on until they found an old mining elevator that lead down a big hole. Rumble hit a rock near the ledge and it went down into the abyss, continuing onward until at least a few minutes later they heard a small ‘thunk’ sound.

“Woah, big drop,” said Tender Taps. “You fall down there without wings and you might as well kiss your butt goodbye.”

“Good thing we’re taking the elevator,” said Silver Spoon as they all got in one by one. Dinky was about to enter when she heard another noise near the entrance that sounded like hoofsteps. She turned around, narrowing her eyes to get a better view of whoever was there.

“What’s the hold up?” asked an annoyed Diamond Tiara.

“I... I thought I heard somepony following us,” said Dinky.

The others all looked at each other before Silver Spoon answered, “Oh, quit trying to scare us. It’s not going to work.”

“But I’m not-”

“Come on! Let’s do this already!”

Sighing, Dinky got in as the button for down was pressed and the elevator went down into the abyss.

***

It took a long time for the elevator to reach the bottom. When it did, it was pitch black which forced Dinky to activate her horn to light up the area. Immediately, a sinister chill went through everyone’s spine as they shivered upon feeling how cold it was down here.

“Okay, I think this is a bad idea. Let’s just head home and never come back here again,” said Tender Taps.

“Second!” shouted Twist, whose voice echoed across the mine.

“Quiet!” hissed Rumble, placing a hoof on Twist’s mouth. “Don’t shout!”

“Why? Afraid a ghost is going to get us?” asked Diamond Tiara, rolling her eyes.

“No, but I don’t want to cause a cave in,” pointed out Rumble as some bits of the ceiling fell. “This place is old and there were cave ins that caused some deaths. So unless you want to be buried alive with a first class ticket to the afterlife, I suggest we stay quiet.”

Sighing, Diamond Tiara, nodded. “Fine, you make a good point. Dinky, you lead since you got a light.”

Dinky nodded and walked forward, shining her magic down the path. Hopefully, we won’t get lost down here.

***

“Oh, Faust. We’re lost down here aren’t we?” asked Dinky, looking at a old torn up crate that she swore she had passed by twice.

“We should have brought breadcrumbs to act as a way to leave a trail,” said Twist, shaking in fear. “A-are we gonna get out?”

“O-o-o-of course we w-w-will,” said Diamond Tiara, keeping up a smile while shifting her eyes at the various pathways. “We just need to keep calm. We’ll find a way out.”

“You did tell somepony we were coming here, right? Just in case we got lost?” asked Tender Taps.

There was a nervous silence from Diamond Tiara which resulted in the rest of them, minus Silver Spoon, to facehoof. Blushing, Tiara shouted, “W-w-well, we wouldn’t have been able to come if we told anypony now would we.”

“Great, so we’re lost. Nopony knows we’re down here. And we got only enough candy to last us a day or two at most if we end up stuck her with no water,” listed Dinky, shaking her head. “We are so screwed.”

“A-a-a-are we gonna die here?” asked Twist, shaking her knees.

“N-no! Well, maybe,” whispered Silver Spoon.

“I... I can’t handle this!” shouted Twist, as tears streamed down her cheeks. “I want to go home! I want my mom and dad! Please!”

Dinky moved from her spot and hugged Twist as close as she could, letting the filly cry on her chest. She wanted her mom also, even swearing to never go out past eight at night for the rest of her life if it meant getting out of here in one piece. “It’s okay. We’re going to be okay. We just need to come up with a plan.”

“I’m all for that, but first I gotta take a leak,” said Rumble as he began to move towards another hallway.

“Ew, TMI!” shouted Silver and Tiara while sticking their tongues out.

“Just don’t go too far,” warned Tender Taps.

“Relax, it’s just a quick wizz,” said Rumble as he disappeared into the darkness.

“Shouldn’t somebody go with him?” asked Dinky. “To make sure he’s okay.”

“If you want to see a colt pee you are welcomed to do so,” replied Diamond Tiara, shaking her head.

Dinky didn’t respond. For some reason, she just felt like something was wrong.

***
“Stupid costume... can’t get the zipper...” muttered Rumble as she tried to free himself so he could release his bladder. “Why did this costume make it so hard to relieve yourself?”

After a few minutes, he finally managed to open his fly and sighed in relief as he did his business. Just as he was halfway done, he heard something behind him. He froze in place as he slowly turned around, staring at the deep end of the tunnel that continued into the earth. Gulping, he whispered, “Um, guys? You there?”

No response.

“S-seriously, you shouldn’t do this when I’m taking a leak!” shouted Rumble, but there was no response again. Needless to say, the utter silence made him finish very quickly. Zipping himself up, he got up and turned around one more time for one last look.

That’s when he saw the red eyes.

***

“AAAAAAAAAAAAUUUUUGGGGHHHH!”

“What the hay?!” shouted Diamond Tiara as the the entire gang turned to the path Rumble went.

More screams came from there, sounding at first of terror and then of pain before one last painful cry was heard... and then silence.

Everypony just stood there, frozen solid as they waited for any sign or word of Rumble. “R-Rumble?” asked Tender Taps. “Y-you there?! J-just say something!”

Something was then heard... it was distant at first and none of the children knew what it was at first. Then it finally hit them. They were hearing teeth... teeth that were eating something soft and squishy.

“Run!” shouted Twist in a panic as she ran back the way they came. None of the others argued and just followed suit.

For some reason, Dinky held her fake Scythe closer even though it was a useless weapon. She briefly found it ironic that here she was, dressed as death, now scared of such a thing happening to her. She tried to remember which way was where, but all she could think of was the sound of hoofsteps rushing behind them.

The sound of the hoofsteps were getting closer. Dinky was tempted to just look behind her, but she continued running forward without any stop. Suddenly, they came to a point where there were three paths to take.

Without even thinking, she took the left path along with Tender Taps while Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon took the right one. Twist just kept running forward, tears in her eyes and sobbing hysterically. Dinky, her horn shining with light, lead the way for her and Tender Taps as they continued to run, echoes of Twist’s crying ringing in their ears.

Then came a scream. A short one but it was loud enough for both Taps and Dinky to freeze and look behind them. There was nothing chasing them. There was no sound.

“D-did it catch someone?” asked Tender Taps, unable to stop shaking.

Dinky didn’t answer, because the scream already answered for them.

***

Twist wanted to go home. She wanted her mom and dad. She wanted her stuffed animals. She just wanted to be in bed, close the door, hide under the covers, and wait for Nightmare Night to end. Tears blurred her eyes as she felt her stamina wane, but desperation and fear continued to push her forward. She didn’t want to die. She wanted to do so much in life. She wanted to become a famous candy maker. Get married. Have a family.

Faust couldn’t have been so cruel as to let her die at such an early age. She had been a good filly all her life. She followed the Lexicon of Virtue and the Disciplines of St. Megan. She prayed every day she got up and went to bed. She even helped out at the Church of St. Posey on Saturdays.

Even now as death chased after her she was in prayer. Although my time may now come to an end, I shall be mindful that death is not final. For beyond lies the Summer Lands, from which all ponies who are good rest peacefully and happy with one another. My soul will shine like a star and my smile forever wide as the goddess, Faust, holy mother of all equines, welcomes me into her embrace to free me from pain and suffering. I pray to St. Megan, for... for... dang it! Goddess don’t let me die! Please don’t let me die! Send your angels to protect me if you are up there! Please!

That’s when she felt her tail grabbed and stopped in her tracks before landing face first on the ground. Her glasses fell off as the world became a blur and she screamed for help. Dragged painfully from her rear, Twist struggled and tried to grab onto something as she cried and begged for whatever was that had to her spare her life.

That’s when it lifted her up into the air before bringing her down. In a split second, Twist felt like her chest had burst apart as she was left hanging at the top of a stalagmite with the pointy part right through her back and chest. Twist briefly stared at her guts and blood decorating the sharp rock, before her eyes rolled into the back of her head in a faint. In this brief moment of unconsciousness, she soon stopped moving as her blood and guts slowly decorated the rest of the stalagmite and her open mouth filled up with her insides before dripping out of her mouth.

Twist’s prayers had gone unanswered.

***

Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon gasped for breath as they sat down. If this were any other situation, Diamond would have complained about her mane being ruined, but all she cared about was getting the hay out of here. “W-what are we going to do, Diamond?” asked Silver Spoon, who had taken off her glasses to wipe her tears.

“We’re going to get out of here. The two of us. Then we’re going to get our dad to blow this place up if they have to,” whispered Diamond Tiara, holding a hoof to her chest to calm her beating heart. “I... I can’t believe this is happening...”

“... that was Twist screaming, right?” asked Silver Spoon, lips quivering. “She’s dead isn't she? Like Rumble?”

Diamond didn’t say anything, but she knew the geek was a goner. Better her then us at least.

“A-are we gonna die here?” asked Silver Spoon.

“No!” yelled Diamond Tiara as she grabbed Silver Spoon by the shoulders. “We are not going to die here! You and I are going to live until old age and then we die together in our beds, surrounded by our grandchildren and husbands. We’re going to get a big fancy funeral, get cremated, and have our ashes scattered in the wind before going to the Summer Lands together.” She took a deep breath and smiled, “But before that, we are going to live. Okay?”

“O-okay,” whispered Silver Spoon, slowly embracing her best friend.

Diamond Tiara smiled as she held the only true friend she had in the world. Hay, the only true pony she had in the world. Her mother was an outright bitch who did nothing but put Diamond down while forcing her to act in a certain matter that had all but alienated her from her classmates. She wasn’t stupid. She knew what they thought of her as a pony: a bully, a rich brat, a jerk. She didn’t want to be these things, but when your mother smacks you in the face when you don’t obey...

Her father was no better. He was kinder, sweeter, but he was a doormat under his wife. Funny how her father was such a good and intimidating business pony, yet cowered before his wife. She also knew her mother was unfaithful, but had no real proof. If anything she would have loved to nail her, expose her, and have her Daddy divorce her so she could leave them alone.

If I live through this, I’m going to give that mare a piece of my mind, thought Diamond Tiara as she tried to think of a way out of this.

“What do we do?” asked Silver Spoon, thinking the same thing.

“Okay, first off. You and I are what’s important,” said Diamond Tiara, gritting her teeth. “I hate to say this, I really do, but if Dinky and Taps aren’t dead yet then chances are they will be. If we have too... we sacrifice them for ourselves.”

“B-But Diamond that-”

“I know it seems cruel, but we have to focus on ourselves here!” shouted Diamond Tiara. “I’ll... I’ll take the blame for it Silver Spoon. Half the town already thinks the worst of me so I’ll take the blame. No matter what, we have to survive! Got it?!”

Silver gulped and slowly nodded. “Okay... I unders-”

SLICE!

It happened in just one single second, but Diamond Tiara felt like it lasted a full hour. Something faster than she could blink had appeared near her best friend. Silver’s eyes widened as a trickle of blood dripped out of her mouth...

and then her head slowly slide off and landed beside her hooves.

“S-Silver?”

Her best friend’s lifeless eyes stared at her from the ground as her body soon crumbled to the ground. Diamond stared at it for one more second before running as fast as she could. Silver’s eyes watching her as she faded away into the darkness.

***

Unable to run anymore, Dinky and Tender Taps huddled near a wall and began to catch their breaths. They hadn’t heard anything since that scream which sounded a lot like Twist. Dinky was doing her best to not think that she was dead, but it was a futile effort.

“Oh, Faust,” whispered Tender, tears streaming down his eyes. “We’re gonna die. We’re gonna die. We’re gonna die.”

Dinky wanted to says something to tell him that they weren’t going to meet their end, but she didn’t have the strength. She just sat there and bit her lip, wondering if she was going to see her mother again. Mom...

Closing her eyes, Dinky imagined she was at home, her mother holding her tight as they sat by the fireplace with a bowl of popcorn and warm hot cocoa. Warm and safe; a feeling she would give anything to feel right now.

“D-Dinky?” asked Tender Taps, waking her from her dream. “I-If I don’t make it... tell my parents I love them...”

“... only if you tell my Mom I love her too,” whispered Dinky with a soft smile.

Tender Taps nodded as he wiped away the tears in his eyes and looked up. “... do you think it hurts?”

“What does?”

“Dying?” asked Tender Taps, sighing. “I mean... let’s face it. We’re gonna be most likely killed by... whatever it is that’s chasing us...”

“You really are depressing today, huh,” joked Dinky, with a small giggle.

“I just don’t want it to hurt...” whispered Tender Taps, shivering. “I mean... I don’t want to die... but if I am... I just want it to be quick before I go... wherever dead ponies go.”

“Summer lands? Heaven?” asked Dinky. “We’re not too religious in my family, but isn’t that where all the dead go?”

“I guess. To be honest, I just pretend I’m listening to the priest in church. Wish I paid attention more,” said Tender Taps. “You have any regrets?”

“... I never got a chance to ask my mom who my dad is,” whispered Dinky, closing her eyes. “We never talk about him...”

“... I’ve always wanted to kiss a girl,” answered Tender Taps, which made both ponies blush. An awkward silence built up between the two as they stared into each others face. “D-d-d-do... you mind if... if I...”

Dinky silenced him by pressing her lips against his. It wasn’t a long kiss, but Dinky felt a spark go through her as pulled away her lips and gave a small smile at Tender. “Good?”

“... y-yeah,” whispered the stunned colt.

Getting up, Dinky held out her hoof and helped him up. “Look, we should be close to the exit. We can still make it.”

“... if we do, can we go on a date?” asked Tender with hope in his eyes for the first time since the got her.

“We get out of here and I’ll let you even propose,” joked Dinky.

Tender nodded and puffed out his chest. “Then let’s go.” He started to lead the way as it got darker and darker further on.

“Hang on,” said Dinky as she activated her horn. “Let me turn on... so...so...so...”

“Dinky?” asked Tender as he looked at her with a raised eyebrow.

Dinky felt all the blood drain from her face at the impossible scene that was right in front of her. She had been to the funeral. All of Ponyville did. She remember placing a flower at her coffin and whispering her goodbyes. She had seen her peaceful expression while she lay in her dress. It was known throughout the entire nation of Equestria that Fluttershy, Element of Kindness, had died nearly a month and half ago.

Yet there she was. Inches away from Tender, with eyes as red as blood, teeth as sharp as knives, and a look of pure evil that made a part of Dinky’s soul shrivel up and die inside. The dead didn’t come back to life. It was impossible. Yet the impossible was happening right in front of Dinky right now as Fluttershy was hanging upside down like a living bat.

So shocked and horrified at what she was seeing that Dinky didn’t have time to warn Tender as he turned around. His own scared expression soon mirrored that of Dinky’s as he stared at the one thought dead pegasus whose mouth was dripping with blood.

The two little ponies were so struck in terror that Tender didn’t even scream as Fluttershy dived for his neck. Dinky just watched as the first boy she ever kissed was quickly attacked and his throat ripped apart to silence his screams. Blood sprayed out of his neck wound and fell upon Dinky’s face.

In his final moments, he looked upward at Dinky as the last light in his eyes began to fade. He mouthed one word before his eyes shut forever: “Run.”

Dinky responded a second later, silently crying for her friend as Fluttershy didn’t follow her. Rather, she continued to feast on her kill by ripping his chest apart and diving in.

***

Dinky didn’t know how far she ran or how long. All that mattered was running away from... whatever Fluttershy was now. Monster... monster... monster...

Running in fear was all that kept her from falling into despair over the fact that Tender Taps was dead. However, if paid off as she soon saw a sight that made her nearly cry out for joy: the elevator. With a burst of speed, Dinky arrived at the mining elevator that would take her to the surface and hopefully to safety. A part of her didn’t want to leave Tender and the others behind, especially if they were dead in such brutal states, but it was better then ending up like the rest of them.

She was about to push the up button when a cry went out. “Wait!” Dinky paused and looked up. From the other end of the tunnel was Diamond Tiara, running as fast as her legs could carry. “Wait for me!”

Dinky looked behind Diamond to see if there was any sign of Silver Spoon, but found nothing at first. Then something appeared out of the darkness, but it wasn’t Silver Spoon. It was Fluttershy... or whatever Fluttershy was now. Even in the darkness, she could see the sinister smile and hungry look in her eyes.

The monster that looked like Fluttershy was getting closer to Diamond Tiara who in turn was closer to the elevator. Dinky felt her hoof shake as they both got closer. If she shut the door now, she would be safe from death but it would leave Diamond Tiara to join the others in their fate. If she didn’t, there was a risk they both would die horrible and gruesome deaths.

Tears started to form in Dinky’s eyes. She thought about her friends, all of them dying one by one, the pleading look in Diamond Tiara’s eyes that begged for her to stay, Fluttershy’s blood dripping mouth and evil looking eyes, her mother sweet smile... and then crying tears of sorrow over a grave that held her name on it.

Her hoof hit the button before she knew it. The doors shut just as Diamond slammed into them. “No! Let me in! Let me in!” Dinky didn’t say anything. She just fell to her haunches and looked away as Diamond’s voice continued to scream. “Don’t leave me! Pleaseeee! I don't want to die!”

The elevator was already moving upward as Diamond continued for Dinky to scream for her to come down. All Dinky could do was rock back and forth with her eyes closed and her hooves covering her ears.

“Stay back! No! Don’t come closer! D-D-Don’t!” screamed Diamond Tiara down below. “Nooooo!”

It was then that she knew Fluttershy had gotten her final victim of the night.

***

When the mine shaft elevator finally hit the surface, Dinky ran screaming. She continued to scream all the way to Ponyville. At first, those who saw her rushing and screaming while covered in blood thought this was a prank or some Nightmare Night skit. When she never stopped, it became clear that it wasn’t.

At last she had found her mother, who held her and begged her for answers while holding her hysterical daughter. All she could do was cry and scream.

Darkness Rises

View Online

Crime was small in Equestria, but it happened. Most of the time it was the occasional theft or assault or even use of illegal substance. Not to mention the occasional prostitute who was down on their luck and used sex as a means to survive. Occasionally, there would be a murder, but those were rare. Rape? Even rarer.

But the one thing that almost never happened, or at least was unthinkable to happen, was crimes against children. Even the most cold blooded murderer in Equestrian history, Ripper Scissors, didn’t target children. And yet, here Applejack was. Watching five closed coffins being carried on carts towards the ceremony. They were decorated with flowers and pictures of each of the deceased, all smiling and full of life. It was wrong. It was wrong on all levels that this was happening. And in Ponyville no less.

Applejack was just thankful that Apple Bloom was still in Manehatten. If it had been her in those mines? If her casket was being carried around town with mourners on every street? No, don’t think about it...

When Dinky told them, through all the screaming, crying and hysterics, what had happened, everypony who could help went to the mines. Applejack remembered seeing the bloody spots of where Dinky said Diamond Tiara and Tender Taps had been killed. There was no body, no remains of any kind; unlike the others. Silver Spoon decapitated. Twist impaled. And Rumble... the poor colt has his wings torn off and his throat ripped apart and chewed on. They searched the mines for the remaining two bodies, or even the killer, but there was nothing. Nopony had any doubt they were dead, but it would have been better to bury something instead of an empty casket with just a few toys and pictures.

The news had spread across all of Equestria. A mass murderer was on the loose, in Ponyville, killing anypony regardless of age. Either he was the sickest bastard in the world, or a demon in pony skin. Families with fillies and colts of their own were already leaving town. Rarity’s parents were already planning on moving and taking Sweetie Belle with them; Rarity only staying to support her friends and be there for the town she loved so much. Scootaloo was heartbroken to not have her friends around, but staying with Rainbow Dash was the only thing keeping her happy.

The carts passed AJ now as the families of the deceased followed, sobbing their hearts out and wailing so loud even the dead could hear them. Every parent or sibling was there for the five, except for one. Filthy Rich, to his credit, was keeping himself as poised as possible but it was clear he was ready to fall to the ground and cry any moment. Her heart went out to him as he and his family had been close friends with the Apples for generations. Now he was all alone.

Far as I’m concerned Spoiled Rich doesn’t even deserve to be here, thought Applejack bitterly. If she was, I’d kick her flank. Situation be damned.

When Diamond Tiara’s blood was found, Filthy Rich actually went into the mines to find his daughter and didn’t come out for three days. All the while, Spoiled Rich was out of town, bucking some other rich folk who was also married if the rumors were correct. Even though a letter was sent, she didn’t come home until the day before the funeral itself. There was shouting heard at the Rich House like none had ever been heard before, and there had been plenty. In the end, it ended with Spoiled being kicked out with nothing but the clothes on her back and a promise for a divorce soon to follow. Not that anypony was crying crocodile tears for Spoiled. She left town two hours after she was kicked out, hopefully never to return again.

“... this is insane,” whispered Rainbow Dash, who was right next to her along with Rarity. Pinkie Pie was unable to handle the funeral midway and just left in tears. “We’re the Elements of Harmony. We should be able to stop this...”

“... how do ya stop this?” asked Applejack, wishing for an answer as the progression continued on.

***

Twilight was in a nightmare and it was one she couldn’t wake up from. Five more dead bodies. All children. Ponyville was beyond a state of panic. Many were demanding action or questions, overwhelming Twilight until she had the guard force everyone out of the police station. It hurt worse when the news reported the top headline as “Newest Princess Fails Ponyville’s Safety”.

It hurt because it was true. She hadn’t been able to protect her ponies. The town she loved so much was now either angry, terrified, or both. They wanted answers. They wanted protection. It was only a matter of time before something horrible happened as a result of this. She had doubled her guards, ordering them to search everywhere in and around Ponyville from the Everfree to Ghastly Gorge. The cave was to be constantly guarded in case the murderer returned. Even Princess Celestia and Luna were offering any resources to help Twilight.

But the most frustrating thing was the little filly in front of her. The only one who knew what had happened in the caves.

“Dinky,” began Twilight as she pushed forward a muffin and some milk. “Please, try to say something.”

After Dinky had gone on screaming for two hours, she fell asleep from exhaustion and hadn’t been able to talk after walking up. There was a terrifying look in her eyes, as if speaking would somehow bring about the murderer to appear and kill her. Even her mother, comforting her and never leaving her side, couldn’t bring her to talk.

“Dinky, if you know anything, please tell Princess Twilight,” urged Derpy as she caressed her daughter’s mane. “Please, my little muffin? You have to say something. Even if it’s nothing related, I just want to hear your voice.”

Dinky just continued to stare forward with her eyes staring into oblivion. Sighing, Twilight got out of her seat and motioned to Derpy as they walked across the room that the station held. “I don’t think we’re going to get anything out of her... not unless we get it out of her memory directly.”

“No,” said Derpy, firmly. “My daughter is scared for life, Twilight. I won’t let anything affect her.”

“Derpy, we’re talking about finding and stopping a killer,” growled Twilight. “I will stop this pony from killing any more of my subjects and our friends. For Equestria’s sake, five innocent fillies and colts are dead!”

“You think I don’t know that?! You think I don’t thank Faust every day my daughter isn’t one of them?” growled Derpy. “But my daughter needs help. She needs to get away from here. The killer could even come after her because she survived and escaped.”

“All the more reason to go into her mind and get the memory!” said Twilight, rubbing her forehead. “I will even issue this as a princess order if I have to, Derpy. I cannot be soft on this case like dealing with a butterfly!”

“... not butterflies... they were bats...”

Both mares stopped and quickly turned to Dinky who continued to stare at the wall in front of her, but her mouth was finally moving. “They weren’t butterflies anymore. They changed into bats. Just like her.”

Twilight quickly took back her seat. “Bats? Dinky was this a bat pony who did this?”

“... it was Fluttershy.”

Twilight blinked. Then she blinked again. “Fluttershy? You mean she looked like Fluttershy?”

Dinky shook her head. “No… she was Fluttershy…”

Derpy bit her lip as Twilight did everything she could to not rub her forehead. “Muffin, Fluttershy passed away. We were at the funeral.”

“She came back… came back wrong… a monster… she… looked a bat… with eyes as red as fire… with teeth as sharp as daggers… evil…” muttered Dinky as she began to shake. “I know what she is… I read about them… Aunt Orange even dressed as one last year…”

“What?” asked Twilight.

Dinky took a few deep breaths and only uttered one word.

“Vampire.”

***

“Vampire? Fluttershy did this as a vampire?” asked Applejack in disbelief as she and the other girls meet at Twilight’s treehouse.

“That’s what Dinky said,” said Twilight, shrugging.

The girls and Spike were silent. Until Rainbow Dash said what they were all thinking. “That’s… that’s impossible. Fluttershy is d-dead…” she took a moment to regain herself from saying that. “And vampires don’t exist… do they?”

“No, they don’t. It’s just a bunch of superstition,” replied Twilight, rolling her eyes. “Vampires were just a made up story to scare ponies.”

“But Dinky’s still sticking to that story? Is there… maybe a chance of truth to it?” asked Spike.

“I think what Dinky saw was a bat pony, they’ve been mistaken for ‘vampires’ in the past, but they don’t eat blood or flesh,” pointed out Twilight.

“This one does. I mean, you did say that somepony is acting like a cannibal,” replied Pinkie Pie.

“Yes… well I think this pony is either suffering from some sort of mental illness or mutation. Maybe a magical effect gone wrong?” asked Twilight. “I’ve already reported to the princesses on what I’ve found and I think that we’re looking at a bat pony, female, who may look a bit like Fluttershy, hence why Dinky was thinking such a thing in her state of mind.”

“No bat ponies live here, so they must be an outsider,” pointed out Applejack. “But if this a batpony, then we should be careful around nighttime.”

“Right, I’ve already requested a division of the best Lunar Guards to come and keep our streets safe. Bat ponies live in cave-like cities so we should search places where caves are. I’ve mapped a few logical locations,” said Twilight, showing a map with some circles. A thought then came to her. “By the way, has anypony seen Zecora? I was hoping we could use a potion to help calm Dinky down so she can explain more details.”

“She went to visit her homeland for something,” said Rarity, shrugging her shoulders. “I asked what it was, but she said it was objects and items that would prove useful in the dark days to come.”

Twilight rolled her eyes again. She’ll probably believe it’s a vampire too. Once we capture this murderer it should put everything to rest.

But there was an even better way to get proof.

***

Nopony had been to Fluttershy’s tomb for awhile now. A few of the flowers left by her friends and some members of Ponyville were already dying by the time Twilight arrived. She couldn’t help but marvel at the architecture once again. It was sad, yet beautiful at the same time. I wonder what mine will be like when I die? Wondered Twilight as she thought back to her discussion with Princess Celestia regarding her alicorn abilities, including Immortality.

While there was no such thing as a “true immortal” some beings lived longer lives than others or didn’t age at all. Alicorns were such creatures as they were given the blessing of eternal youth by magic itself. Princess Celestia and Luna were over three thousand years old, even though they only ruled Equestria for half that time. There had been other alicorns, but they were all born once as normal ponies before achieving a new form of magic and being reborn as an alicorn. Cadence did so when she created love magic and Twilight did so when she made friendship magic.

While they could live as long as Princess Celestia and Luna, neither wanted to, and there was a way out of it. According to Celestia, an alicorn could “will” herself to die if she wanted to. It was called “letting go” and while Twilight did not know the process herself, she had been told it was painless and peaceful. Cadance had planned to do it once Shining Armor had died. She would follow him even to the grave. Twilight had planned to do it when Spike had passed away, promising to stay with him until the end.

Why is it that I seem to think more about death these days? asked Twilight as she used her magic to open the front stone door. Nopony had been in here since Fluttershy was laid to rest and Twilight had hoped to keep it that way. Fluttershy deserved to remain untouched with her body forever still in the beautiful state as it had been.

Upon entering the chamber, the torches lit up, but it wasn’t needed as Twilight lit up her horn. Relief and satisfaction filled her heart upon seeing the coffin and its container, still untouched and undamaged. Frowning at the sight of Fluttershy’s corpse once more, Twilight wondered if all her string of bad luck and the recent deaths started with Fluttershy.

It’s like my life’s just gotten harder since you passed away, thought Twilight as she put her hoof against the glass. She wished she could feel that warm touch and see that soft smile that was so pure that it could even challenge the cheerful smile of Princess Celestia. What am I doing here? I have my proof…

She turned around and quickly made for the exit. There was no way Fluttershy was a vampire or alive. She was dead and gone as she had been since.

***

I knew they’d come to check on this body sooner or later, he thought as he opened his eyes, feeling the moon’s presence through the walls. Opening the glass coffin, he slid out and took off the dress his host had worn at the funeral. Once his blood crazy had sired upon drinking the blood of those four brats he realized that one got away.

Dinky Hooves I believe her name was, he thought as he searched through the memories of his host. It had been very easy to force them from her mind and soul, and learned quite the information. Twelve hundred years since that day I was forced to sacrifice by body to live on in spirit. That most likely meant his castle, his minions, and his army of vampires and undead were long gone. The sisters must have done that. They will pay. Once I regain my true strength.

It would take more time. He was already growing strong and stronger the more he drank blood and feasted on the living. Those five foals were enough to finally regain his memories and remember who he truly was. Not to mention two of those bodies were intact enough for the future.

One advantage that I have is that vampires are thought to be myths. That other princess most likely came to check to see if my host's body was dead or missing. Good thing I’ve been laying here every day for this, he thought with a smirk before frowning. However, I’m worried about this new alicorn. Plus her friends are the new Elements of Harmony. While I do have this host as one, I’d rather have them further weakened. Plus, the sisters are no doubt growing suspicious.

What he needed to do was weaken the Elements first, then he could plant a trap for the sisters. Perhaps it’s time to see if I can turn one to my side. He then grinned as he looked upon the glass reflections of Fluttershy. Normally, I do this with a male body… but a female one should be quite interesting indeed.

***

When Princess Celestia read the report that Twilight gave she was relieved that Fluttershy’s body was untouched since the funeral. Yet, it still did not cast away her worst fears of what could be causing the murders in Ponyville. Twilight had said that Dinky believed a vampire was behind the killings, but dismissed them. Oh, Twilight. How wrong you might be.

The door to her chambers opened and Celestia turned to see her sister walking towards her. “Taking a break from Night Court?”

“Yes, I’ve been getting too many requests and demands for ponies to investigate various Bat Ponies,” replied Luna. “Not to mention that Bat Ponies are demanding protection from the other pony races who are accusing them of being murderers while also outright attacking them. The guards have already broken five different fights in different areas of the city.”

Princess Celestia sighed, knowing that the rise of anti-bat pony voices would come sooner or later. The fear of them had been around even after they were officially declared, by her own voice, to be citizens of Equestria. Even before Nightmare Moon, they had been feared due to the actions of those who truly were monsters of darkness.

It had been so long since the last vampire. She and Luna had personally killed him, but for some reason she cannot help but wonder if he had survived.

“I know what you are thinking, sister,” thought Luna as she walked over and stared at her straight in the eyes. “Perhaps we should get involved.”

“I would, but the nobles are criticizing my decision to make Twilight a princess. Many of them believe that she wasn’t worthy due to not having noble blood in her. Even though she has been my apprentice for many years and saved Equestria so many times, they are too blinded by status and class to see anything,” replied Celestia. “I’ve argued with them that she is strong enough to be one. If I help her now, in a town that she has claimed as her own, then it will mean she is not strong enough to stand on her own as a ruler and they could use that to challenge her position.”

“Sister, I understand you need to let her stand on her own, but have we not done that with Sombra? We sent her there for that purpose,” replied Luna, shaking her head. “Innocent ponies have died. Children have died. What will take for you to act?”

“... if it's one of them,” replied Celestia with a tone that she rarely used. A tone of utter hate. “If one of them survived here in Equestria…”

“They are all dead, sister. We slew the last of them ourselves,” replied Luna. “The vampires, werewolves, succubus, and more. They are all dead here in Equestria. Forever resting in the eternal darkness they were formed in. We agreed to let them become myths so the methods of making them and the horrors they brought were forever forgotten. If we go out saying that its all true...”

“What about Nosferatu?” asked Celestia bitterly. A name she cursed since the day she heard of it.

“... we killed him, sister,” replied Luna, rubbing her leg.

“... yet I cannot help but wonder if we did,” whispered Celestia as she thought back to the great battle against the Last Vampire of Equestria. How thousands died from the forces of pure evil and how before they could face the vampire lord. Even though they found his corpse, there was always some kind of feeling with Celestia that never satisfied her, even as they burned his body to ashes.

“Sister, it is not a vampire. Merely, a twisted murderer that Twilight and her friends will stop…” said Luna as she turned away to leave.

“And if it is?” asked Celestia, stopping her sister in place.

“... then Faust help us all.”

Bleeding Diamonds

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Like many little fillies her age, Rarity was always afraid of the dark when she was growing up. She often asked for her night light to be turned on and her parents to check her closet and bed for monsters. The night was always scary with strange sounds, creepy shadows, and the occasional nightmare you had due to Princess Luna being trapped in the moon at the time. When she got older, Rarity started to feel less afraid of the dark, and even found some wonder in it thanks to the stars and mysterious aura that was the inspiration for more than a few designs.

She never thought she would be afraid of the dark like she was today. Ever since the murders started, Rarity kept all her doors and windows locked while keeping the lights on. She even invested in a learning a ward spell or two just in case from Twilight. She went to bed every morning, praying Faust to keep her safe and woke up thanking Faust every morning for it. Thankfully, her sister was with her parents outside of Ponyville, and safe from whatever dangers were happening in their town although they were coming by to visit for a bit before leaving again. Apparently, her sister missed her and wanted to see her.

Rarity liked to think she a brave pony; not as brave as Applejack or Rainbow Dash, but decent enough. She had faced many evil being in her short life since meeting Twilight Sparkle. All those times, she had been fearful of her life, but each time nopony came out worse for wear except maybe the villains. Now? They were dealing with something that had no heart or soul. Something that was able to take lives, even little ones, with ease. Rarity didn’t know if it was a vampire, like Dinky kept saying, or a pony, like Twilight believed, but either way this beast was a monster.

Resting in her bathtub, Rarity stared at the ceiling as the bubbles began to work their magic on her coat. She had to work extra hard to make up for all the days she didn’t work after Fluttershy’s death. Not all her clients were understanding, and she had to work twice as hard just to make up what she owed. Seriously, see if I cry tears if any of your loved ones pass away, she bitterly thought. She really wished Fluttershy was here right now. Even if she would be terrified and hysterical, Fluttershy’s soothing empathy and kindness was what she really needed right now.

It still felt wrong that there was only five of them instead of six.

Feeling she had bathed enough, Rarity slowly got out of her bathtub and drained the water while summoning a towel with her magic. Drying herself off, she summoned her robe and went to go brush her teeth when she felt a strange chill go through her spine. She paused for a moment and looked around, trying to sense if there was anypony there. “Oh, left the window open. Silly me,” replied Rarity, giving a short laugh as she went to the other end and closed it.

After finishing up in the restroom, she made her way to her bed and tried to find Opal so she could wish her goodnight. “Opal? Opal, darling?” asked Rarity, looking for her favorite cat. She tried checking her luxurious cat sized bed, but found not a single hair. “Hmm, maybe using her litterbox downstairs.”

Shrugging her shoulders, Rarity turned the lights off and began to make her way into her queen sized bed with velvet curtains and sheets. With a small sigh, she rested her head against her pillow and got her sleep mask on. Before she shut her eyes, she realized she didn’t pray to Faust, but decided against it due to feeling tired.

When she closed her eyes, Rarity’s ears perek upon hearing what sounded like her door opening, but assumed it was just Opal coming back in. She began to doze off when she began to feel something get on top of her and naturally assumed it was her cat. However, the moment she felt hooves, she instantly tore off her mask only to gasp as all the breath in her lungs left her.

Before she could scream, she stared into those glowing red eyes that nearly scared her soul out of her body… and suddenly felt relaxed. The red was so… calm… and relaxing. She felt a strange heat slowly entering inside of her, one of both warm and pleasure. She let the gazer of those luscious eyes undress her rope both slowly, and carefully. Rarity felt sweat slowly begin to drip from her brow. It was like she was being exposed to the world despite running around naked without clothing all the time.

By the time her robe was on the floor, that burning fire had found itself all the way between her loins. A gasp escaped her lips as her new master slowly placed a hoof between her legs, touching her most sacred place as if knowing her desires. She moaned and flopped out her tongue as it was slowly rubbed from edge to edge. Her ears flat as roadkill and her eyes closed in pleasure. Already she was slowly getting wet as the figure stopped, much to her whimpering disappointment.

That was soon forgiven the moment her master’s lips pressed against hers and took her breath away. Rarity had been with plenty of stallions, and the occasional mare or two, but this was nothing compared to any of them. She let her new master crawl on top of her, slowly pressing her weight against Rarity’s own body; their coats becoming one. Rarity slowly lifted her forehooves to touch the lower back of her kisser before slowly moving down to the soft cheeks on her master’s rump. She slowly rubbed them as if they were precious gems while her new master opened her lips and pressed her teeth against Rarity’s jaw. There was a brief pinch of pain, but was soon replaced with a subtle touch of ease as blood dripped from her mouth down to her cheeks.

Rarity didn’t know what this was, but she was feeling her heart racing and wanted more. Her master then moved towards her neck as both their lower lips touch and Rarity screamed both in pain and pleasure as both ends pressed forward.

***

Spike tried his best to focus on the comic that he had in front of him, but the constant talk between Twilight and the guards was getting too much for him to handle. So without a single sentence, he walked out of the treehouse and made his way down the streets of Ponyville, trying to find a place to read his comic in peace. There weren’t many ponies out on the street, even the markets were only half filled. Spike didn’t say this often, but Ponyville was more of a home to him then Canterlot ever was.

It wasn’t that he didn’t love Canterlot, but it wasn’t always sunshine and rainbows for him. Being a dragon, he wasn’t exactly treated the best with most either just treating him suspiciously or trying to suck up to him due to being Twilight’s charge (The worst was when they assumed he was her pet). He once tried to go to school on his own, but with a lot of fillies and colts making fun of him, he settled being schooled by Celestia and Twilight instead. Still, there were good memories he had like with Twilight’s early friends, Princess Celestia, Pony Joe, Twilight’s Family, Princess Celestia and her guards and so forth.

Yet in Ponyville, everypony just accepted him as one of their own. They didn’t see a dragon, they saw Spike.

It hurt to see his town turning into a state of fear and panic, but with all the deaths that had been occurring it wasn’t a complete surprise. Twilight even offered to send him to her parents for his protection, but Spike refused. He wasn’t leaving Twilight or his friends. Not now, not ever.

He continued onward until he stopped at the most beautiful house in the world that was home to the most beautiful pony in the world. Spike had been worried about Rarity ever since Fluttershy died. She had been working herself to death and the stress of what was happening had forced the poor mare into a horrible state. Combined with her helping her sister deal with what she saw and the fact that there was a murderer of all things in her town? Rarity could use as much toothpaste as she liked, but Spike’s nose could pick up the booze in her breath easily.

Thinking he should give her a check up, Spike walked up to the door and knocked on it, only to find it open at the slightest touch. A really bad feeling came to Spike as he entered the home. “Rarity? You in here? It’s me! Spike!”

He paused, hoping to hear from her, but there was nothing.

“Hello?” He walked around a bit more, hoping to hear or see something. “Did she go out?”

“Meow!”

“Woah!” shouted Spike, nearly jumping off his feet when he saw Opal rushing towards him. “Geez, don’t scare me like that cat.” To his surprise, Opal was grabbing his tail and began pulling it as if she was encouraging him to follow her. “Do you want me to follow you?”

She continued to pull until Spike got the message and began to follow the cat. They went up the stairs and stopped at Rarity’s bedroom. The look in the cat’s eyes made Spike pause. Opal rarely ever showed such fear in her eyes. Usually it was indifference or anger.

Gulping, Spike opened the door only to feel the comic slip from his claw. On the floor, gasping for breath, was Rarity covered in sweat with blood dripping out of her nose and mouth.

***

When Rainbow Dash had started begging for a distraction from all the madness that was going on because of the murders this wasn’t what she had in mind. She looked around the waiting room where all her friends, Rarity’s family, and Scootaloo, who was comforted a crying Sweetie Belle. Sweetie and her family, who had just returned for a visit only to learn of this incident, were the only ones visibly crying while the rest of them were too drained to do it. Even Pinkie Pie, despite her hair now being fully down ever since Nightmare Night, wasn’t crying and just hiding behind her mane.

Memories of that awful day went through Dash’s mind as she did her best not to think about it. Losing Fluttershy was hard enough, but if she lost another friend to... whatever this disease was...

Faust, I’ll give you whatever you want. I’ll stop trying to be a Wonderbolt even. I’ll even become a sister for your church! Just please don’t let Rarity die!

Twilight spared no expense. She demanded the best doctor in the hospital treat Rarity this time and check for everything. Anything physical, biological, mental, magical and otherwise. She even teleported to Canterlot and got Doctor Gold Heart from Canterlot despite the trip being draining. For hours, the entire group waited in silence with their companions only being fear and tears.

“Twilight... she’s going to be okay, right?” asked Spike for the sixteenth time that night.

“She will be... she will be...” replied Twilight, muttering the same words also the sixteenth time.

Rainbow Dash wanted to believe that, and tried to keep such a positive thought in her head. Fluttershy didn’t start coughing blood until the day she died and that was long after she started getting sick. There was time to find a cure by that logic, but Spike had found Rarity already in a pool of her own blood and she overheard the doctors saying she was suffering from severe blood loss. Meaning, there was a good chance she was going to die today.

They stood by waiting for a bit longer until a golden maned unicorn with a red coat exited the emergency room with Nurse Redheart behind him. Everypony stood up and waited as Doctor Gold Heart, wiping sweat from his forehead with a tissue, took a deep breath. “She’s stable for now...”

A sigh of relief was heard from every mouth in the area, but Applejack then asked, “I feel a ‘but’ comin’ along there, doc.”

“We have her on life support, and she’s very very weak in both breathing and heartbeat. She’s lost a large amount of blood as well, if it wasn’t for the fact we had her in transfusion so soon we would have lost her,” replied Doctor Gold Heart, shaking his head. “I’ve been in medicine for over forty years and I’ve never seen anything like this before. It’s like something... something inside of Rarity is rejecting all her organs... I suspect it to be magical.”

“But we did magic scans when Fluttershy was sick when she got this... disease. How did you come to that conclusion?” asked Twilight.

“Well, with Fluttershy, the magical scans were based on her wings, mind, hooves, and lungs. Each of them an important part of a pegasi’s magical structure. However, I decided to try a full magic scan during the operation. I discovered something in Rarity’s blood.”

“So it’s a blood disease?” asked Rarity’s father.

“Possibly. It’s like her blood cells are changing... or more like to say dying and coming back to life again. I’ve never seen such a thing before,” replied Doctor Gold Heart, scratching his chin. “At first, I assumed that she caught this from touching Fluttershy’s blood, but none of you have been affected at all and she started coughing blood around the same time. I did notice one thing that might explain it...”

Taking out a picture, he showed the group Rarity’s neck... with two puncture holes in it. In an instant, everypony’s mind turned to what Dinky said about a vampire. Nopony said anything at first. Then Pinkie said, “Is that... a bite mark?”

“Looks like it. It could also be an injection mark too, but it’s unlikely. Maybe she was bit by an animal carrying some unknown disease recently?” asked Doctor Gold Heart.

“She was fine all day yesterday,” replied Applejack, shaking her head. “Ah saw her come into market and didn’t have a bite mark like that on her neck.”

“Maybe it was Opal?” asked Twilight. “I’ll have some guards bring her to be examined.”

“What if it was a vamp-” Spike was stopped by Twilight who gave him a glare. “Never mind.”

“I’ll see if we can get a swap of saliva from the bite mark as well as examine her blood. Maybe we can find a way to cure her. I also want to get blood samples from all of you in case you might show signs of this disease happening too,” replied Doctor Gold Heart. “I’ll let you know if anything changes.”

“Doctor, is my daughter going to be alright?” asked Rarity’s mother, deciding to ask the one question that was on all their minds.

Doctor Gold Heart was quiet for a moment before answering. “I don’t know.”

***

“Why did you silence me, Twilight?” asked Spike as he and Twilight walked down the halls of the hospital. They had just taken their blood samples and were now heading home. “I was just going to suggest...”

“You were going to suggest that Rarity was bitten by a vampire,” replied Twilight, rolling her eyes. “Spike, there are no such thing as vampires. Or werewolves. Or zombies. Or any of that stuff. It’s all superstition.”

“What if it’s not?!” cried out Spike, stopping in place as Twilight glanced at him. “Look, Twilight. I get that you don’t believe in that stuff, but that doesn’t rule out the possibility of it being true! Look what’s been happening! Look at all these deaths and all these strange things happening?! We’ve tried science, and logic, and nothing’s been solved, the only answer we have is a witness who saw everything that happened, but you and everyone are just dismissing it because it sounded ludicrous, but so far it seems like the most likely thing happening!”

“Spike, if vampires were real, Princess Celestia would have told me a long time ago,” replied Twilight, sighing. “She’s been around for over a thousand years. Princess Luna too. If there were such creatures I would have been told, especially since I’m a princess now.” She walked over to Spike and pressed her hoof against his cheek. “Listen, I know like blaming a vampire Fluttershy might seem like an easy thing to believe, but there is no proof of it. We’re going to get to the bottom of this, both Rarity’s condition and the murderers. I think the reason you’re assuming this vampire theory is because Rarity’s life is in danger and you want some answers. I do too, but we have to think rational about this and not lose our heads in a moment of panic.”

Spike looked up at his big sister figure and let out a grumble. “I just... I feel like there is something we're missing, Twilight.... I mean first Roseluck had her throat ripped out and she had the same bite marks if I remember reading your notes and then-”

“Wait a minutes,” replied Twilight, eyes widening. “What did you say?”

“Huh, oh yeah, I read in your report that Roseluck had the same bite marks as Rarity does. Doesn’t it seem a little odd?” asked Spike.

Twilight was silent for a moment. Before Spike had a chance to ask what was wrong, he suddenly found himself teleported back to the treehouse. Fighting the sudden daze of what happened, he was about to ask Twilight what was wrong before she rushed to her desk and started putting out files.

Twilight took out reports and started rushing through them, levitating a few while discarding some on the desk. Which left Spike to grumble about cleaning them up. Finally, Twilight stopped as she stare at the ones in front of her with wide eyes. “They all have them...”

“Who?” asked Spike.

“Roseluck. Pokey. Diamond Tiara. Rumble. They all had them too...” replied Twilight “They all had the same marks on their necks... she didn’t...”

“Who didn’t?” asked Spike as Twilight turned to face him.

“Fluttershy...”

***

Nurse Redheart hated days like these. Days when ponies you knew personally were going to die and there was nothing you could do about it. Redheart had gone to school with Rarity when they were younger, despite not really being close friends she did hang out with them once and awhile. She always envied how beautiful Rarity looked and often asked for advice on how to look nice for dates. Of course, she saw less and less of Rarity when she became a full time nurse except on days when she or her sister had to have checkups.

Still, in a town where everypony pretty much knew everypony, you saw each other in a somewhat close manner, especially when you worked in the only hospital in town. It hurt Nurse Redheart to think that so many ponies she knew were gone, especially the children.

Doctor Gold Heart had done his best, but the truth was he didn’t think Rarity was going to pull through. All they could do was make her passing as comfortable as possible. Redheart thought it was wrong to not let her family and friends say goodbye, but she obeyed his judgement.

She didn’t pray that Rarity would recover. She lost her faith years ago in this business, accepting reality that prayers did nothing. She still felt a little guilty about it, having been raised since birth to believe in Faust, but when Rarity’s lifeline went dead at 12:32AM it only furthered her believe that there was no kind goddess in this universe.

She stood there, watching them disconnect her from the machines and placed her hooves over her chest before covering her with the white sheet of her bed. The morticians would come in half and hour to claim the body and do a full examination of it. Nurse Redheart did her best to hide her tears, but couldn’t help it. Another Element of Harmony was gone from this damn illness. She could barely stand going through the loss of Fluttershy. Hay, the whole town was still depressed about that. This was only going to make matters worse.

Doctor Gold Heart said something, but Nurse Redheart only pretended to listen. She just nodded and let the other ponies leave. Left alone with the body, Nurse Redheart slowly made her way to the corpse and lifted the sheet off to see the pale and peaceful expression Rarity held in death.

She didn’t know how Twilight and her friends were going to take it. Not to mention Rarity’s family. Nurse Redheart tearfully pressed her forehead against her cold cheek. “At least your suffering has ended…”

That was when she felt the body move. A second later, she watched in both fascination and horror as Rarity’s body slowly lifted itself from the bed. Choking on air, Nurse Redheart slapped herself to see if this was real and upon seeing Rarity’s body sitting up as straight as an arrow, she quickly realized that she was alive. “Doctor! Doctor! Get in here! She’s alive!” shouted Nurse Redheart with joy before training kicked in and she placed her hooves on Rarity. “Rarity! Listen, I need you to relax. Open your eyes and look at me.”

Rarity slowly did so before turning her gaze on Nurse Redheart who suddenly froze as she saw a set of pure red slitted eyes that gazed into her very soul. Redheart’s heart suddenly began to be faster and faster as all instincts inside her head screamed for her to run away. She felt a trickle of urine escape her bladder as she tried to say something but in an instant Rarity showed her sharp teeth and was upon her like a predator.

She screamed and begged for her to stop. Between these cries she felt her throat ripped open as her life flashed through her eyes while painted with her own blood.

She heard the door open and other voices cry out, letting Rarity forgo her current meal and seek the new prey. Losing the ability to talk, Nurse Redheart could only cry as her vision got darker, her ears picking up new screams of pain, shock, and dying. Death soon claimed her as she shut her eyes for the final time and found herself in a void of nothing. No pain. No feeling. Pure nothing.

Then a warm light. A shining light from above that she was slowly going towards without her control. It embraced her and she embraced it with joy that she didn’t know she had. She welcomed the light and she welcomed her death.

A Dark Time So Long Ago

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1200 Years Ago

The soldiers were getting restless. Celestia could see it in their eyes as she watched them salute and return to their duties. Many were barely able to stand, both out of fear and from tiredness. Sixteen days of endless sieging and constant attacks from dark forces combined would drain anypony, but her army stood strong. Her ponies stood united.

It had been a long campaign. One that lasted over three hundred years, but at long last the end was finally here. All the sacrifices would be for naught. All the poor souls put to death would finally be able to rest in peace. Only one more of the accursed vampires remained. The last, and more powerful of them all, Lord Nosferatu. With him dead, Equestria would finally be free of the dark creatures that covered their kingdom with blood and horror. The werewolves, dark mages, undead, abominations of all kinds, and more would forever lay in the darkness of the void forever. Not another child would see their parents slaughters or sacrificed to dark powers. Never again would entire villages be empty and filled with only graves. No more staying up at night, praying that you wouldn’t be dragged into the darkest pits of nowhere and never found again.

Soon, it would all end.

“Sister, has't thee given thought of the strategy that We provided?” asked Luna, walking towards her with her grimminger silver and dark blue armor. Her cutie mark was on the center plate that protected her barrel with white star like constellations on the side as well as on her greaves. Beside her were two twin swords, both with crescent shaped blades made of pure dark crystals while the handles were pure white like pearls with blue stars as the guards.

Princess Celestia shook her head of her thoughts. “Forgive me, Luna. We was bestraught. Please, repeat thy plan again.”

Luna huffed before using her horn to levitate the pieces representing their units on the map. “As thee knoweth, we've only managed to breaketh the shield big enough to sendeth our forces hither, hither, and hither.” She placed some of their legion pieces in the precise location of the surrounding wall that had protected the giant rook shaped target in the center of the map. “Our legions wilt fighting a tough hurlyburly. The foe wilt beest using everything they hast to finish us hither and anon. However, we can increase our chances by sending in the heavy buckler and partisan units first to push any resistance we visage back. Our swordsponies can then beest unleashed from the sides to attack in pincer movement to deal heavy damage. We did win't maketh shift did lie-to giant crossbows or catapults due to the side of the holes, but we can endue in the range units after we receiveth enow space.”

Celestia nodded for her to continue. “Our main objective is to taketh our most wondrous fighters and cleave through the dark forces so we may enter the castle. We'll slay aught in our way until we finally reacheth the throne cubiculo whence Nosferatu wilt beest waiting for us.”

“At which hour shalt we attack?” asked Celestia

“At dawn, although the sun wilt beest of nay did lie-to to us gramercy to this alas cloud spell,” grumbled Luna as she stared outside of the tent.

Princess Celestia nodded in agreement. The tower was producing some foul magic that had blocked the sun and moon from showing in the sky thanks to the dark ominous clouds of red and black. It expanded all over the region providing a protection from the sun while being a psychological blow to the troops. Truly, this is just like Tartarus is for the damned.

“'t's most wondrous if 't be true we receiveth some catch but a wink then. Hast the troops receiveth some as well. Arrange some patrols and see to 't yond those coming with us art did prepare. Hast the augurer prepare blessings for us all. We wilt needeth all of Faust's holiness to overcome this evil yond lies 'ere us,” ordered Celestia to which her sister saluted and left, leaving her to be alone.

She eyed the nearby mirror, staring at the golden and white armor that matched her sister’s yet she had the designs of the sun. Her sides and greaves held golden leaves instead of stars, to remind her of the trees back home where she ached to see once more. Her weapon was not by her side, but resting from the previous battle in her personal tent. Staring at the reflection before her, Celestia muttered, “How long hath 't been since I've seen myself without the attire of a warrior, but as a simple princess?”

She longed to be with her subjects again. To dance, frolic, and speak to them as they cried out her name. This accursed crusade had costed her times, friends, and more. “Once this is ov'r, I shalt see to 't yond such a time nev'r cometh again. I gage 't upon mine kin's graves.” She turned away to make of her bed. She would need her strength for the battle to come.

Exiting the tent, she paused to glare that the demonic castle that stood before her armies. It was bigger than any castle seen in Equestria, made of black stone with skeletons of the deceased layed around it. Bats of all shapes and sizes flew around it like vultures upon a meal, while the army of ghouls and monsters continued to roar and screech for blood before its fields. Even from this distance you could hear it in your ears. The castle’s lights gave an unearthly green flow of flames, similar to that of the changelings who had been banished to the Badlands not two summers ago.

But the most disturbing part was the waterfall coming down from the left and right side. It was pure red. Made from fresh blood. Celestia did not know how, or where such a thing could be possible, but she cared not. Once its master was dead, the castle would be torn down brick by brick until not even rubble remained.

Only then, could Equestria find peace from its darkest times.

***

Celestia had to give credit where credit was due. Her sister was a much better at fighting war then she ever would be. Celestia could handle battles in the political scale with no problems, but when it came to tactics and troop commandments there was no better than Luna. Already they had pushed back against the army of darkness that stood before them, taking six of their kind for every soldier they lost. Each of them would be remembered for their sacrifice in someway, she swore on her golden spear.

She too had already had her weapon soaked in enemy blood, joining beside her younger sister as they carved their way through the enemy until they managed to fly to a balcony near the third floor. Using her magic, Celestia had brought with her the unicorns and earth pony centurions who couldn’t fly like their pegasi brethren. Awaiting them was a squad of ghouls, armed with black armor and weapons. Celestia sneered upon seeing them and their deformed forms. If not for the fact they walked and moaned, one could mistake them for being dead with their rotten flesh, open wounds, and lidless eyes.

Diving down with her spear up front, Celestia sank her edge into the skull of one before shaking it off. Spinning around she backed kicked two more with her greaves before swing the spear around like a deadly whirlwind. Any limb in her way was lost and no armor could defend itself from her blade. All attempts to attack back were met with with quick blocks and counter attacks. Focusing her magic into the spear, she raised it up and unleashed its energy. Five rays of light emerged from the tip of the spear, shining down on the surrounding foes who were instantly turned to ash from the intensity of the heat.

Checking up on her sister, Celestia felt her worries wash away when Luna sliced two heads off simultaneously with her blades. Quick on her hooves, she dashed from end to end of the platform with each bust of speed followed by soundless cut. It was like she cut through the very air itself and left not even a sound in its wake. Horn glowing, she summoned lightning into her horn and unleashed a chain of thunderbolts among the few surviving ghouls were lit on fire due to the intensity of the heat.

Their finest centurions finished off the remaining ones, but Celestia bit her lip upon seeing one of them lying on the ground with an axe in his neck; nearly chopping it off. She made no word of it, merely motioning them to enter the castle with haste.

Breaking down the door with a blast, the group rushed forward as fast as they could either on hooves or with wings. They expected enemy forces to meet them head on, but as they traveled through the darkened halls they saw nopony. No ambushes. No traps. Nothing but the gothic decorations and spartan coloring.

Either all of Nosferatu's forces art out fighting, or he's wanteth to visage us without any interruptions, thought Celestia. In truth, Nosferatu himself needed no armies if he wanted. The creature of evil was certainly powerful enough to face both her and Luna without fear of defeat. Having clashed many times over the centuries, the two sides never managed to get one over the other. This time, however, 'twill end once and for all.

Thankfully, they didn’t need a map to guide them to the throne room. The very presence of Nosferatu could be felt like a beacon calling for them. The further they went in, the stronger it got. Until at last they made it to a large set of double set doors with demonic faces on it made of stone with rubies for eyes.

Glancing at one another, the two sisters nodded their heads and opened the doors with their magic. A grand room, as large as their throne room, was before them. Red curtains, rugs, and drapes filled the area lit only by red and green flames on torches. Pictures of macabre settings could be seen on the walls, showing ponies and other races bathed in their own blood as they were torn apart by each other or monsterous versions of themselves. Statues of brutal acts of slaughter from a pony losing her head to a pegasi losing her wings were on the side.

The most disturbing part of the sinister art was that it was bleeding. Be it on the paintings or the statues, wherever blood was supposed to be designed it actually spilled real blood. It pooled under the designs, but was absorbed into the floor which itself turned blood red.

Gazing upon them all on his throne was the monster of this hellish room himself. He was taller than your average pony, and much slimmer too. His wings were like that of a dragon, pure black and sinister. Upon his entire body were the veins of blood vessels seared onto his flesh, yet no blood could be seen pumping through them. His unicorn horn was tall, pointy, and as grey as his coat while his eyes of red slits stared at them. He merely glanced at them before his eyes started to shine white and the doors behind them closed with a locking sound.

The last vampire lord. Nosferatu.

“What did take thou so long?” He smirked as he levitated a small glass of blood. “I wast beginning to bethink thou wast nev'r to arrive.”

“We art hither anon, fiend. And we shalt end thy reign of terror once and for all. Thy dark ways hast cometh to an end,” boasted Luna, growling.

“For thy crimes 'gainst our people, 'gainst the goddess, 'gainst nature herself! Death awaits thou!” proclaimed Celestia, pointing her spear at him.

“Crimes?” The vampire laughed. “Betoken me. What crimes hast I committed yond nay other living being hath done in the past? Murder? Those befall every day. Rape? We all hast yond inner beast inside of us yond demands pleasure. Destruction? War? Chaos? What maketh thou bethink Discord wast the only being capable of doing such horrible things? Or Tirek? Or the Dragon Lord? Mine crime?”

With a smile that showed every inch of his pure white fangs, he gazed over to the princesses. “Betoken me Princess Of The Moon, how many dark dreams hast thou seen in the subconsciousness of thy subjects? The inner demons and desires they wish or hast done yond haunt thou to gaze every night? A mother wishing to strangle their filly for costing that lady food? A son wishing to did beat his drunken father to death for beating him every afternoon? The subjects who is't plot thy death, or bethink of thy rear end for their sick pleasure. Hoping to dominate thou and maketh thou their bitch? The backstabbing politicians. The falsing criminals. The sick twisted minds of the insane, depraved, and deplorable? How many figures of twisted macabre and innocence taken from ones hast thou since seen in thy so call quite quaint nights? How dost 't feeleth knowing yond behind those smiles art the darker desires of those thou claim to beest innocent?”

A flinch was all he needed to chuckle before turning to Celestia. “And thou? Princess Of The Sun? How dost 't feeleth knowing yond nay matter how many times thou tryeth to teachest these foolish mortals they only end up disappointing thou? How many hast did turn aroint from thy light with promises of power, riches, and fortune? Thy way of Harmony is nothing but a farce.Rebellion after rebellion. Dark wizard after dark wizard. Betrayal after betrayal. They receiveth close to thou, not because they love thou, but because they love the power yond cometh with 't. The title, the fame, and wealth. Those nobles thou cater to only seek to befriend thou so they can but softly steal from thou. They entertain thy power they can from thou and did lie-to 't their own ends. Shouldst thou beest in danger, or bewray signs of misfortune, they wilt abandon thou in a heartbeat. Thou hast nay true friends. An immortal did lose to loseth and loseth each time they tryeth. I, who is't rule by fear, nev'r worry about such weakness. All who ally with me wot their lodging and nev'r tryeth to betray for their own ends in fear of their life.”

His eyes began to glow as he returned his gaze to Luna. “Thou art so blind in thy own foolishness yond thou doth not see the growing darkness beside thou.”

“Silence!” shouted Celestia as she threw her spear towards the vampire. He merely activated a red shield and blocked it. Retrieving it with her magic, Celestia growled, “Thou only speaketh in lies. I wilt nay longer heareth thy dark words in mine ears, monster. This end anon.”

After chuckling a bit more, Nosferatu’s eyes began to glow as white as his mane. “Very well. Cometh and visage death himself.”

He slowly rose from his throne as his cape floated beside him as the air in the room grew colder. Celestia gripped her spear with her magic as she prepared to charge and-

“SISTER! WAKE UP!”
***

Gasping, Celestia shot out of her bed while pressing her hoof against her chest to still her beating heart. Wiping the sweat from her forehead, she turned towards her sister who looked out of breath as well. “Luna, what is-”

“What we fear has happened, Sister! Rarity has turned into a vampire!” shouted Luna.

Celestia’s eyes widened as she felt her mind drift to her dream. No, it was her memory of that night. “Are we sure?”

“She was pronounced dead before coming back to life and murdering several hospital staff.” Luna lowered her eyes in sorrow. “She... drank... their blood before fleeing into the Everfree Forest.”

Taking a few deep breaths to collect herself, Celestia got up and used her magic to activate a secret chamber she never wished to open again. A part of her wall opened up, revealing the very same armor and spear she wore so long ago to vanquish the last of the vampire lords. Yet, it seems I must use this armor and spear of mine once more.

“Luna, get every guard you can assembled and ready to fight. I’ll be going on ahead to Ponyville,” ordered Celestia as she began to suit up. “If Rarity is a vampire, then I fear that Fluttershy is indeed not dead and a vampire as well. We must be prepared to kill them.”

“What do we tell Twilight and her friends?” asked Luna.

“Something we should have done a long time ago,” replied Celestia as she stared at the golden spear with her reflection looking back at her. “We tell the truth.”

The Monster of Diamonds

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How could this have happened?

That was all Twilight could think in her head as she watched her guards do their best to keep order in the hospital. She had looking further into the medical files of all the victims until the guards rushed in and told her what happened. First, she was told that Rarity had awakened bring joy to her heart. Then, she heard she had murdered at least a dozen other ponies in the hospital before fleeing through a window. Finally, she had been told that Rarity drank the blood of her victims.

A certain “V” letter word entered into Twilight’s brain, but she did everything in her power to accept that wasn’t the case. Because if one of her best friends had become such a thing it would have finally broken the last thread of sanity she had been holding for months. Call it denial, but to her it was just a way to stay sane.

Watching the body bags be wrapped up, Twilight walked passed the bloody hallway where guards were talking to the staff as witnesses or helping them deal with the wounded. A few months ago, she would have been disgusted seeing such a gory sight yet she no longer flinched when she saw a male doctor, missing his right foreleg, screaming bloody murder for the pain to end. She didn’t know if that was a good thing or a bad thing.

Doing her best to ignore the blood stained walls, Twilight arrived at the room where Rarity’s body was held before she “returned” back from the dead. She heard that Nurse Redheart had been killed after discovering her, another familiar face she would no longer see walking down the streets of Ponyville. How many faces will have to be buried for this... nightmare to end?

Three of her guards, including the Captain, were there with Dr. Gold Heart looking as pale as a ghost; his eyes staring into the abyss. The guards saluted her while Dr. Gold Heart just stood there, unable to do anything but breath. Twilight turned to face him, doing her best to ignore the stain between his rear legs of his pants, and cleared her hoof. “Dr. Gold Heart. I need you-”

“She was dead.” Twilight didn’t even get a chance to finish as Dr. Gold Heart rubbed his forehead and sat down, tears coming out of her eyes. “I checked. I double checked. The mare was as dead as a doornail. I... I don’t... the dead don’t come back to life... it’s medically impossible.”

“Doctor, I understand what you saw was... unnatural, but are you sure,” Twilight leaned forward, her own lips trembling. “Are you sure you didn’t make a mistake?”

Dr. Gold Heart slowly lifted his head and huffed. “Princess Twilight, I have checked dead bodies before. I know death. It’s hard not to in this profession. But I can assure you that Rarity was dead. She wasn’t breathing. Had no heartbeat. Her brain wasn’t active. The mare was as dead as could be.” He took off his glasses and began to trumble. “Then I saw her... alive... with fangs... fangs as sharp as knives. She used them to... shred those in her way. I saw her devour their flesh, drink their blood, and any who got in her way was dead in an instant. Her kicks were as strong as a dragon’s punch.” Standing up, he looked at Twilight Sparkle with narrow eyes. “I’m no religious pony. In fact I despise such things... but whatever that... thing that just escaped was...” He leaned forward, matching Twilight’s frightened eyes to his own. “It wasn’t equine, but a demon.”

***

Applejack had heard of many tales when she was growing up. Some of them she believed like ghosts, imps, zombies, and witches. Other things like those strange human creatures Lyra goes on about were the stuff of imagination. Yet, when she heard that Rarity had done something straight out of the holy book of Faust itself it made Applejack want to throw up. Twilight had summoned Dash, Pinkie, Spike, and Applejack to let them know what had happened in the Hospital. When she was done, all of them couldn’t say a word for a long time.

Despite the stunned silence that echoed in the treehouse, Applejack was sure she could hear the heart beats of everyone in the room skipping ten times a beat. Her own knees were shaking at the prospect that her friend, the most generous of them all, had become a killing machine.

Spike, hands clenched and teary eyed, asked, “Is it true?”

“...yes,” Twilight sighed, closing her eyes. “I don’t know... what Rarity had become... but all those witnesses said the same story. I have no reason to doubt them.”

“... then is she a vampire?” Dash asked.

Twilight looked ready to deny it, her mouth open to shut it down, but she just growled and shook her head. “I don’t know. Okay?! I don’t know! I don’t know if she’s possessed! I don’t know if she’s got some kind of mental illness! I don’t know if Discord went insane again and decided to just reappear and make her into a pony eating, blood drinking, abomination! I DON’T KNOW”!

The rest of the group stepped back and stared at Twilight as she rubbed her head through her hooves and took a few deep breaths. Turning to her assistant, she asked, “Did the Princess respond to my letter?”

“I just sent it three minutes ago, Twilight,” Spike replied, earning a glare. Gulping, he quickly said, “Uh, no.”

Closing her eyes, Twilight sat down in silence doing her best to hold her tears as she continued to breath in and out. Applejack looked at the rest of her concerned friends. She had known that the losses had been taking its toll on Twilight, but she didn’t know it was this bad. Her own concern had been for her sister, her family, and even hunting in secret to find the thing responsible for all this. She had seen Twilight’s baggy eyes, tired walking, and even sorrow filled pupils, but to her shame she didn’t do anything to help her. What kind of Apple leaves a family member to suffer alone?

Pinkie Pie, as if sensing the despair, walked over and hugged Twilight, stroking her mane. “Twilight... it’s okay... it's going to be okay.”

“How?” Twilight whimpered. “How in Celestia name can it be okay?”

“I don’t know, but we’ll find one,” Pinkie Pie replied, softly smiling as she lifted Twilight’s chin. “You said it yourself. You don’t know what’s become of Rarity, but that doesn’t mean we can’t save her. Whatever she is, I’m sure if we get her, and find her help, we can save our friend. Because friends don’t give up on each other.”

A smile began to spread on Applejack’s face as she turned to Rainbow Dash who was nodding in agreement as well. The two of them walked over and placed their hooves on Twilight’s shoulders to show their commitment as well. Even Spike rushed over to give his guardian a hug. Sniffling, the misty eyed alicorn rubbed her eyes and nodded. “Thank you.”

“Yeah, well. You’re not alone in this egghead,” Dash said, stepping back. “So what do you say we go find Rarity, hogtie her, and figure out what the heck is going on.”

Twilight nodded as she turned to Spike. “Spike, the girls and I are going to find Rarity. You stay here incase the Princess comes and let her know where we went to.” Turning to the others, she summoned her saddlebags while placing some potions inside them. While doing so, she turned to each of her friends for instructions. “Dash, get a group of guards to follow us. The best you can get. Make sure they know what we’re doing and to arm themselves. Rarity, for whatever reason, is dangerous and we’ll need protection. But our priority is to capture Rarity and bring her back here.”

“You got it!” Dash replied with a salute.

“Applejack,” Twilight continued as the farmer stood in attention, “get the best and sturdiest rope, chains, and whatever else can be used to hold Rarity down. She’s super strong, so don’t hold back if you have to use physical force.”

Although the idea of hurting her friend didn’t seem right in Applejack’s mind, she knew getting hurt or killed by this Rarity was worse. “Gotcha. We got some tranquilizers for the occasional timber wolf so we can use them to help.”

Twilight nodded in agreement before addressing Pinkie Pie. “Pinkie, whatever insane, crazy, or otherwise Pinkieish thing you can do to help us stop or slow down Rarity? Do it.”

“Okie Dokie Loki!”

Taking a deep breath, Twilight looked all her remaining friends and gave them a smile. “I’m glad we’re doing this together. I... I really need you girls.” A certain dragon coughed in his claw. “And you too, Spike.”

Applejack and the others nodded. That’s right. We might not be a full team, but even the few of us can do anything.

***

Rainbow Dash had managed to gather five guards to accompany the remaining Elements on their quest to find and capture the wild Rarity. They were armed with their heaviest armor and weapons, circling the girls as they walked through the Everfree Forest with as much caution as they could muster. Twilight kept her horn ready for anything, sometimes jumping at shadows from nearby corners or bushes. Rainbow Dash was flying above as their scout while Applejack and Pinkie Pie stood side by side with her to cover their flanks.

“Are you sure you wish to capture the mon-I mean Miss Rarity, Princess?” One of the unicorn guards asked, his spear poking nearby bushes. “It would be easier to just kill her.”

“I want that to be a last resort, Corporal,” Twilight replied sternly. She had lost one friend already and she wasn’t going to lose a second. “Whatever condition Rarity is under, I refuse to believe that it cannot be treated if we were to study it carefully and find a cure to her madness.”

“She killed ponies, your Majesty,” he replied back, shaking his head. “By right of law, she should be put to death.”

“The real Rarity ain’t a mindless killer that murders ponies for insane reasons,” Applejack growled.

“Applejack is right,” Twilight said, nodding her head. “The law states that any pony who committed crimes against their will is found not responsible for those crimes. Just like everypony’s actions when Discord discorded everyone.”

“Tell that to the families of the dead,” the guard muttered before trotting ahead.

“Meany pants,” Pinkie whispered, but Twilight shook her head.

It won’t do any good to fight among ourselves. We just need to find Rarity and get out of here, thought Twilight. Once they got Rarity, they could take her to a lab in Canterlot and get her examined by the best professionals possible. She wasn’t going to accept that Rarity was a vampire. At least not yet. Not until every possible angle had been found and researched. Again, this could all be some illness. Or a spell. Or even a mutation.

Yet it was getting harder to convince herself each time she tried.

“So, Twilight, what were the potions you put in the bag?” Rainbow Dash asked, up above.

“Well, since we seem to get dragged into danger a lot, I decided to keep a couple of potions around just in case for quick adventures. The green ones will cause anyone hit by it to sleep with a powerful sleep powder mixed with various chemicals. The blue ones are for paralyzation thanks to a nerve agent that was originally created to stun mentally ill ponies. The red ones produce liquid fire.”

“Woah, you can make water turn into fire?” Dash asked, eyes wide open.

“It’s a special formula that only needs oxygen to ignite it. It’s very dangerous and I’ve burned more than a few eyebrows at times mastering it,” Twilight answered, “but I only want to use it as a last resort.”

A snap of a twing made the group freeze up as the guard quickly made a protective oval around the group. The three on the ground had their flanks against each other while Dash soared high into the air to get a better look. Silence filled the air, yet it seemed to get heavier around them. Already Pinkie Pie’s mane started to deflate as she looked around with worry while Applejack’s tail flicked around a twitch per second. The guards, despite their professionalism were shivering a bit too from the silence as Twilight felt a bead of sweat go down her neck.

“Do ya hear that?” Applejack whispered.

“No, I don’t,” Twilight replied.

“That’s just it... even during this late at night the owls, crickets, and some critters would be makin’ noise... it’s all silent around here,” Applejack muttered, narrowing her eyes. “Ah didn’t even notice until now.”

Twilight perked her ears to listen and they soon bent backwards upon hearing nothing as well. “I’ll cast a spell that can detect anything with a heartbeat.”

Closing her eyes, Twilight’s horn glowed as the magic from inside entered into her eyes which began to glow a purple redish aura. She scanned all around them, finding the yellow aura of life for ponies around her friends and the guards. There was blue aura for the flora and trees, but it was dim for some reason even though this was the middle of spring. It seemed like they had been... dying for sometime. She tried searching for the green aura for animals, but there were none to be found. Not even insect life. Still, there didn’t seem to be anything around them.

After reporting this, the guards lowered their weapons as one sighed in relief. “Good, for a second there I thought we were going to be ambu-” Before he could finish, something landed right on his throat and pierced right through his skin and fur. The rest gasped as he clutched a piece of sharp wood that had found itself speared right through his neck in a blink of an eye. He gurgled as blood spilled out of his mouth before landing motionless on his back with his eyes rolled into his head.

Pinkie Pie screamed as the guards drew their weapons again, ready for anything. Suddenly, Rainbow Dash screamed, “Look out! Scatter!”

The group looked up and soon saw why. A giant tree, ripped out of its roots, was heading straight for them. Twilight teleported herself, Pinkie Pie, and one of the guards out of the way while Applejack and two other guards managed to run fast enough to avoid it. One was too stunned at the sight and by the time he managed to get his act together, he had be crushed in an instant.

Doing her best to ignore the shattering of bones, Twilight looked up at Rainbow Dash and shouted, “Dash! Where did it come from?!”

“A few feet ahead! I think I see something retreating! I’m going after it!” Dash shouted and took off before Twilight could stop her.

“We better follow her. Whatever threw that thing is super strong!” Applejack shouted.

“Right, let’s goooooooooaaaaaaa!” One of the guards cried out as something small bit him in the leg from under a bush and began to drag him into the woods, his screams for help echoing as he was dragged deeper into the darkness.

“Vigilant! Hold on!” The other guard shouted as he ran after his friend.

Applejack cursed and ran after him. “Ah’ll get the guards! Meet up later!”

“Wait!” Twilight shouted as she took off her saddlebags and teleported them onto AJ’s back. “Take these just in case! Remember the color of the potions!”

“Ah will!” Applejack shouted before she too disappeared into the darkened woods.

“Come on, let’s hurry and catch up!” Twilight said to Pinkie Pie and their last guard as they galloped as hard as they could while hoping Applejack would be safe.

***

Rainbow Dash didn’t know who it was that threw that huge tree, but whoever they were was fast at running. Faster than Dash had ever seen and she had raced with Applejack multiple times. This couldn’t have been the same Rarity who always thought she was dying every time she broke a sweat. Still, they didn’t count of the world’s fastest flyer!

With a burst of speed, Rainbow Dash dived down and skidded across the ground, kicking up dirt before coming to a stop. “Alright, you! Stop right... there...”

Rainbow Dash didn’t often say it, but she had a good sense of sight that could tell her what she needed to know especially when she was flying. Sometimes, she could tell a pony’s character just by looking at them in the eyes. She had looked into the eyes of villains before, each of them unique in their own way. With Nightmare Moon, it was rage and sorrow. Discord’s eyes held madness and cunning. Chrysalis’ eyes always had held a gaze of lust and envy.

When Rainbow Dash looked at Rarity there was no sparkle of the observant, graceful, and noble look in her eyes that she always held a respect for.

No, what she looked at this time was pure bucking evil.

It was a word she didn’t often associate with others, but this time she had no choice. It was the only word in her head that reflected the blood red eyes of a monster. A monster that wore the skin of one of her best friends in the whole world. That monster, grinning with teeth as sharp as a shark, lept at her with a inequine like hiss that it sounded like that of a snake. Although surprised by the sudden burst of agility, Rainbow Dash was able to jump out of the way as Rarity continued to try to tackle her.

“Stop it, Rarity! I don’t want to hurt you!” Dash shouted, using her wings to avoid the attacks. When Rarity started firing magic blasts at her, Rainbow Dash growled. “Alright, you asked for it.”

Swooping down, Rainbow Dash spun around to deliver a powerful spinning kick towards Rarity’s face. However, the mare in pain didn’t turn out to be the unicorn, but Dash herself as she felt like she had just kicked a stone. “Yeow!” shouted Dash, hear her bone nearly break upon the smirking face of Rarity.

Before she could question what happened, Rarity used her moment of weakness to sink her teeth deep into Dash’s stretched leg. Screaming, Dash felt like knives had been sent down her limb as she tried to get Rarity to let go from flapping her wings to kicking the face. Rarity wasn’t phased by the slightest and simple spun around to throw Dash into a nearby tree which resulted in her nearly throwing up from the impact.

Now she knew this wasn’t her friend at all. Rarity was never this strong both physically and magically. Groaning, she raised her head to see Rarity’s lower face covered in her blood. With a long, slithering tongue she began to clean the blood off while moaning in escasy from the taste. Rainbow Dash felt her entire blood turn to ice upon seeing this as the red-eyed mare now looked at her as if she was dinner. Oh Faust. Swee Faust above. She really is a vampire!

“STOP!”

The voice of Pinkie Pie alerted the two as she, a frightened looking Twilight and a stunned guard rushed into the area. The two froze upon seeing their former friend who was now eyeing them with a lustful and hungry gaze. “Run!” shouted Rainbow Dash, struggling to get up. “She’s... she’s not normal!”

“Dashie! It’s okay! I got this!” Pinkie shouted as she smiled at her with a nod. Her hair managed to poof up a little as she looked at Twilight, hesitantly doing nothing. “Let me try to speak to her?”

“But Pinkie-”

“She’s our friend, Twilight! I know we can reach into her! No matter how badly she needs Dry Eyes,” Pinkie replied as she faced an emotionless Rarity. Slowly, she began to walk forward as Rainbow stood still and unsure of what to do. She wanted to tell Pinkie Pie to get out of there, or drag her away, but she was worried about what this... evil Rarity would do.

I just hope she does something Pinkish to not get any of us killed, Dash hoped.

“Rarity, it’s me... Pinkie Pie,” the party pony slowly said, raising her hoof as if to calm her. “Remember? Me, Twilight, and the other girls? You’re friends? What about your sister, Sweetie Belle? She’s really worried for you.” This actually made Rarity flinch a bit. “See, you remember. And you know who I am. You’re my friend. I made all those Birthday parties for you! I’ve even thrown “You’re Still Awesome” parties when your made mistakes in your designs!” She was now fully smiling while getting closer and closer. To her credit, Rarity hadn’t acted at all and was just watching Pinkie Pie with her cold, red eyes.

“I don’t know what’s wrong, but the Rarity I know... the Rarity you are... she wouldn’t want to do this. I know something is wrong. She’s a sweet, gentle, and generous mare whose made some amazing designs that made everyone’s life happier! In a way, you’re just like me! Only less candy, balloons, streamers, pinatas, cakes, cupcakes, pies-”

“Pinkie!”

“Sorry, Twilight!” She quickly centered herself and was now face to face to Rarity with one hoof on her shoulder. “I know that deep inside, you want help. We can help you, Rarity. Because that’s what friends are for. So what do you say we get out of this creepy forest, get you cured, and have a big party to celebrate!”

Rarity stared at that big smile that Pinkie Pie was giving as everypony held their breath. For a while, nothing happened and then Rarity lowered her head, bangs hiding her face. Pinkie’s eyes softened as the unicorn’s hooves touched the Element of Laughter’s cheeks with such a gentle touch that it was like caring for a baby. “There. There. It’s oka-”

And then Rarity twisted her hooves as Pinkie’s head suddenly snapped in the opposite direction as the sound of a spine breaking echoed in Rainbow Dash and Twilight’s ears. The legs of the pink pony sumbled for a bit before falling to her side with a surprised look on its face. Yet her eyes hold no mirth, only a lifeless gaze.

***

Applejack had found herself muttering more prayers to Faust then she had ever had in her life save the time her parents died. While she wanted to see them once more, she had no intention of letting Big Macintosh, Apple Bloom, or Granny Smith go through that kind of pain once more. Yet here she was heading straight into danger once again. If Ah live through this Ah’ll take a nice vacation down to Appleloosa.

The screams of the taken guard had ended not to long ago with a blood chilling wail that soon ended abruptly. It didn’t take a genius to know that it was now pointless to try and rescue a corpse. Yet the other guard, who Applejack lost track off, didn’t stop running for his friend. It was foolish to run off like that, but Applejack wouldn’t deny that she would do the same for her friends if the situation was different.

At last, she came to a clearing, but froze upon the sight that nearly made her gag. The guards, both of them, were well dead by this point as evidence by the torn guts, pool of blood, and intestines being ripped apart by a set of jaws. Jaws that were tiny, yet held the teeth that could be mistaken for knives. Skin that was rotten and peeling of, with dried blood covering parts of their body. Their eyes, sullen and pupiless as they rolled in the sockets without a care. The dank smell or decay, death, and disease filled Applejack’s nostrils, but that was nothing compared to who, or rather what, she was looking at.

They didn’t find the bodies of Diamond Tiara and Tender Taps that night when Dinky screamed about her friends being killed. They assumed the monster devoured them whole, but a much more sinister and foul outcome seemed to have occurred that none could have for seen. She knew a dead pony when she saw a dead pony, and Diamond Tiara and Tender Taps were quite dead. Yet as they continued to feast on the remains of their new victims, it was clear that they were not as dead as they should have been.

What unholy abominations are they?! Thought Applejack, slowly stepping back as her spine shook with agast. A single snap of a twig from AJ’s rear hoof caused the two dead foals to raise their heads and slowly turn around with their bloody guts filled jaws slowly opening up. Applejack did her best to hold her bile upon seeing the torn throats and open chest cavity in Diamond Tiara while Tender Taps was missing his entire adam’s apple and nose.

Upon realizing there was fresh prey to be eaten, the two darted faster then any normal pony should ever have. Yet, Applejack wasn’t one of the most athletic ponies in Ponyville for nothing. With regret in her heart, she turned around and bucked both foals with enough force to shatter bones. They were sent flying, the cracking of their bodies echoing in the night as they landed in a near broken state. However, this didn’t keep them down for long.

Applejack watched in silent horror as the bodies began to fix their bones and slowly repair themselves as if nothing happened. The sound of a neck twisting back to its right position made AJ wince before realizing she was going to get attacked again. Realizing she needed to make sure they stayed down permanently, Applejack decided to charge first.

When she was close enough to Tender Taps, she reared back and hit him as hard as she could with both her rear hooves. Her efforts paid off as his head was instantly torn from his head, blood squirting out like a hose from his gaping neck before his body fell to the ground like a puppet cut from it’s strings.

This move came at a cost as Diamond Tiara was free to tackle Applejack, sending her to the ground with strength that the real Diamond Tiara would never have had. It took all of Applejack’s strength to keep Diamond Tiara from biting her. She could smell the gut reached breath and rotten teeth inches away from tearing her face off.

“Darn it!” she screamed, feeling her strength losing to a filly of all things. “Ah ain’t dying here!”

She then noticed a red potion bottle out of the corner of her eyes, dropped from her saddle bags when she landed on her back. Remembering Twilight’s words from earlier, she used her tail to wrap it around the potion before flicking it into Applejack’s mouth. Praying she had great aim, Applejack spat the potion into the wide mouth of Diamond Tiara, which got stuck in her throat. Distracted by the object in her mouth, Applejack used this chance to bring up her left rear leg and kicked the filly in the jaw to knock her back.

An added bonus was achieved when the potion shattered in the walking corpse as the liquid soon became aflamed with oxygen. In an instant, Diamond Tiara was lit on fire from her head to her tail as she shrieked in agony, wailing her limbs around in a futile effort to stop the flames. Gasping for breath, Applejack backed up as she saw the corpse filly slowly fall to the ground motionless, burning slowly to ash.

Unable to hold it in, Applejack let lose her lunch and tears as she realized she just killed two younglings. No, they were dead... they were already dead...

But something made them undead.

***

Pinkie Pie was dead.

That was all Twilight's brain could think as she saw the corpse on the ground of the once smiling party pony whose head was twisted and spine broken. The first pony she actually met in Ponyville. The one who always stood by her even in the worst of times. Always making a joke, a laugh, or a party to ensure that no matter how dark things got there was always a smile to shine through. Pinkie Pie had brought the joy of love and life to all she came across.

Now she was dead.

And Twilight was screaming.

First it was of despair. Then it was with rage. No longer did she see her friend Rarity before her. She saw a murderer.

Magic blast after magic blast was fired at Rarity which sent her to tree after tree. Each one turned to ash by the intensity of the magic’s heat. Tears fell from her hate filled eyes as she charged forward, using her alicorn strength to kick Rarity across the forest with each blow ruler by pure anger.

She couldn’t hold back anymore. She had enough. Enough death. Enough loss. Enough was enough. Fluttershy. Roseluck. Porky Peirce. Twist. Tender Taps. Diamond Tiara. Silver Spoon. Rumble. Nurse Redheart.

And now Pinkie Pie.

No more! NO MORE! NO BUCKING MORE!

Roaring with rage, she trapped the murder in her telekinesis before throwing her hard into the ground over and over again to make a huge crater. Flying in the air, she created purple swords with her magic and shot them one by one into the body of the beast that lay before her.

“BUCK YOU!”

Three in each limb.

“BUCK YOU TO TARTARUS!”

Two in the chest.

“YOU BUCKING MURDER!

A single one between the legs.

“JUST! BUCKING!”

Two in the head.

“DIE!”

An one in the throat for good measure.

Gasping for air, Twilight stared at the body of Rarity which was was nothing more than a pincushion. She waited for anything. A breath of air. A twitch. A nod of the head. Anything to indicate that it was alive. She continued to breath in and out until she was sure that it was finally dead. Her rage subsided as she slowly levitated herself down, the whiplash of the magic she used finally getting to her.

Landing on her haunches, she slowly turned to Pinkie Pie’s body which already being held by a disbelieving Rainbow Dash as the guard stood there in a stunned state. With tears dripping down her face, Dash slowly adjusted Pinkie’s head so that it looked like it was normal before gently closing her eyes. A sob escaped the rainbow maned flyer as she held her pink head close to her blue chest, tears waterfalling onto the now flat pink mane that once bounced with life.

Pinkie Pie was dead.

Rarity was surely dead now.

Fluttershy was still dead.

In less then a few months, Twilight Sparkle had lost half of her best friends in the world. The hole in her chest that had been growing since Fluttershy’s funeral had now all but took over. Nothing was ever going to be the same again. No more animals rushing to Fluttershy’s cottage for food and warmth. No more dresses to be made at Rarity’s shop. No more parties to be held at Sugarcube Corner by Pinkie Pie. She sat there, the last of her will finally unable to take it and screamed into the heavens.

It wasn’t fair.

It wasn’t right.

It wasn’t over.

Before Twilight knew it, a powerful blow knocked her back twenty feet where she felt her jaw nearly come off. Turning to her side, she spat out blood and a few loose teeth before raising her head only to find her mind shut down from the impossibility of it all. Even Rainbow Dash looked like she lost all her color as she sat there, frozen at the sight. The guard, upon seeing what lay before him, took of screaming back in the direction of town without a care for his duty. Twilight had given Rarity enough holes that would make a changeling blush and yet before her was Rarity, holes still there, looking at her with a sinister smile.

“You... you can’t... I don’t...” Twilight gasped, struggling to get up, but the sight of what should be a corpse still walking towards had all but paralyzed her nerves. “Monster... monster...”

She aimed at the head. The limbs. The chest. The throat. And yet the creature before her still walked as if it was just a paper cut. Twilight’s eyes widened as slowly the wounds began to heal. Flesh, organs, and bone began to restructure itself like building blocks put back together. It was faster than any healing spell could have done. She had heard of things like regeneration, but never before had she seen it done in such a powerful manner.

Twilight knew that this thing was going to try and kill her. Rainbow Dash was screaming at her to run, but she couldn’t. Her body wouldn’t move. Her brain had all but froze up. Her nerves were solid. She was going to die. She was going to die just like Pinkie Pie.

The monster opened up its jaws, revealing her teeth, but just before it could launch itself at Twilight something broke between the two of them as a green and white oder began to spread across the air. Twilight finally blinked as the smell restarted her mind. It came up with a single word to describe the unique smell that she was scenting.

Garlic?

“RAAAAAAAAAGGGGGHHHH!”

The scream had come out of nowhere. It was so chilling and demonic that in made Twilight jump and finally get her nerves working again. She watched in fascination as Rarity, who had taken magical blows like they were tickles, shriek with terror as she did her best to hold her nose. Her body began to shake and twist as if her blood was on fire, her hooves kicking in the air as she screamed in agony.

The creature that held her friend’s skin began to hack out blood, eyes turning bloodshot as the skin began to pale. It was hurting her. The garlic was actually hurting her. Something so harmless was a terror to this thing that her magic was all but immune too.

A figure jumped between them, sheltered by the aroma. The black and white stripes were all that Twilight needed to see to recognize that the one who was saving her was Zecora. Rarity, glaring with hatred in her eyes, snarled at the unflinching zebra who slowly reached into her cloak and pulled out a large braided necklace. It held wooden carved charms and dead animal bones on it. “Mabaya roho Hayawi! Kutupwa tena kwenye vivuli na kamwe kurudi! Kutuma wao kurudi katika eneo lako kulaaniwa! Hayawi milele zaidi! Mabaya roho Hayawi!” she chanted which seemed to cause Rarity to freeze up and struggle as if she was having a stroke. She continued to hiss even as Zecora repeated the chant over and over until she was directly above Rarity’s spit giving face.

Then, in the blink of an eye, Zecora pulled out a wooden stake and slammed it right into Rarity’s chest.

A unholy scream was unleashed as blood sprayed out of the wound as well as Rarity’s eyes and mouth. So much so that Twilight even doubted a body could hold so much blood. Rarity squirmed and gasped as she struggled to stay still but it was futile as Zecora retreated with regret in her eyes.

“I am sorry, Rarity. For a peaceful sleep, I now give to thee.”

Twilight and Rainbow Dash watched in horror as Rarity’s skin began to slowly melt away, her face becoming puddy as her fur and flesh evaporated into smoke as her organs rotted away in an instant and her horn shattered into pieces. It was like watching a body decompose with a fast forward button. Eventually, all that was left was a blackened skeleton that soon crumble to dust and left only a wooden stake in a pile of ashes.

Just like that. Rarity was gone.

Turned to nothing.

In that moment, everything Twilight had ever believed in was shattered. This was not normal, logical, or made any scientific sense whatsoever. A single wooden stick could not have not done that much damage while her magic barely affected the creature that was once her best friend.

“H-how?” was all she could whisper as Zecora walked over and helped her up.

“Garlic is like poison to these creatures of darkness. Not enough to kill, but enough to make them harmless,” Zecora explained before lifting her charm. “A holy charm called a grigri from my homeland. A prayer to ward off evil that is so simple and yet results are so grand.”

Garlic. Charms. Prayers.

If Twilight had the strength, she would have denied such things yet her eyes saw them work as clear as day.

“And while your magic is enough to make anything expire,” Zecora said, looking into Twilight’s confused eyes. “I’m afraid a blow to the heart or cutting off the head is needed to kill a vampire.”

Vampire.

That word again.

That word that she ignored ever since she first heard it.

How many times did she dismiss it?

How many times did she roll her eyes when Dinky, Zecora, or Spike suggested the possibility?

Celestia had told her that vampires were not real.

But she was wrong.

Celestia was wrong.

Twilight was wrong.

Because Rarity had turned into a vampire.

Falling to her haunches, Twilight lowered her head and felt like a veil had been lifted from her eyes. A veil that now opened her to the possibility that everything she once knew about this world was wrong. Vampires were real. Did that mean werewolves too? Zombies? Gods? Souls? Heaven and hell?

It was like being a filly again. Not knowing anything about the world that was big and scary. For the first time in a long time, Twilight Sparkle was scared because she was facing something she knew nothing about out of her own ignorance. Suddenly, it seemed as if she was nothing more than an insignificant speck in a darker world that had shadows around every corner.

The logical and reasonable world she had build for herself over the years had crumbled like a cracker. I thought it was all fake... just supernatural fiction ponies told each other over the years... not seeing the reality we all lived in. And yet... I was the one who was blind.

“W-wait a sec,” Rainbow Dash said, speaking up as she continued to hold Pinkie’s body. “If... if Rarity was a vampire... then doesn’t that mean... Fluttershy...”

“I was wondering when you were going to figure it out.”

The three of them all turned around to a voice they hadn’t heard in a long time. Twilight felt her heart sink as she saw what she had dreamed of in her deepest desires yet what she looked at was not the Fluttershy she knew.

It was the source of all this evil.

Broken

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How long had Twilight wished for this moment to occur? How many times did she dream of finding one of her best friends in the world alive and in front of her? For months, Twilight had to deal with the hole in her heart since Fluttershy’s funeral that she would never see the kind pegasus again. Yet now all she could do was wish she never once made that wish in her mind. Before her stood the body of her best friend, but just one look into those evil red eyes and she could tell that this wasn’t the real Fluttershy. Not when she looked something that crawled out of the deepest parts of Tartarus. Her bat like wings. Bat like cutie marks. Her sharp glittering fangs. Her voice. Her terrible, darkening voice that made Twilight’s spine shiver in fear.

This was no innocent friend. This was a demon.

“Surprised?” the monster said, slowly turning over the branch and hanging on it like a possum. Yet only her hooves were holding her back from falling to the floor. “Does the sight of me scare you that much? Are you still processing the fact that I am alive? Or are you going mad? Maybe you’ve cracked?”

“F-Fluttershy?” Dash whispered, slowly turning white.

“This one before us is not your friend. It is a spirit of evil whose body is his to bend,” Zecora warned, huffing at the creature while lowering herself in preparation.

“A zebra shaman. How wonderful. I’ve never had the pleasure of facing one, but it seems little has changed of your kind even after a thousand years,” The possessed pegasus stated before flipping off the tree an onto the ground. It gazed at the spot of where Rarity’s ashes remain and smirked. “I had hoped my little pet could have killed at least more of you, but killing the Element of Laughter is enough. With two Elements dead and the one currently in my possession, I don’t need to fear the Elements of Harmony anymore.”

“W-w-who are you?!” Twilight demanded, slowly getting up.

The grin it sported with Fluttershy’s face nearly made Twilight wet herself. It was wrong seeing such a bloodthirsty and insane look upon the face of one who was once so sweet and gentle. “I am the one who makes the blood of mortals chill into ice. I am the lord of the darkest corners of the earth, where light never materializes. I am he who has outlasted death’s cold grip. I am the last of the vampires, Nosferatu. Soon to be your ruler, master, and ender of all that you hold dear, my little ponies.”

In the blink of an eye, it was gone and Twilight watched as Zecora was knocked aside, crashing into a nearby tree. Twilight felt her muscles cramp up when in the zebra’s place was Fluttershy who didn’t even look winded by the burst of speed. The smiling demon before her made Twilight want to run, but she couldn’t move. Something was keeping her in place and preventing her from even moving an inch. Rainbow Dash yelled at her to run, but she couldn’t. Whatever force was holding her slowly lifted her up from the ground by her neck. Twilight tried gasping for air, but it was like a noose hung around her neck, crushing her throat inch by inch. She couldn’t resist, her body had all but surrendered to the force as her mind realize that it was dying without oxygen.

“I must thank you, Twilight Sparkle. It is because of you and your friend Applejack that I was able to return to life,” Nosferatu said as Twilight felt her lungs burn for air. “Although you shall pass away knowing that your home, friends, and family will suffer unending torment by my hoof. I will grant you a quick death into Faust’s embrace. Consider it a reward for your services.”

Darkness began to cloud Twilight’s sight as she realized she was going to die here and now. Visions of her life flashed before her eyes from her first word to this very moment. A life she loved, and lived, all shown in such a blink of an eye. Soon she began to not feel anything anymore as her vision all but dark as the last of her life began to fade away.

Then a bright light.

At first she thought it was the light that was said to appear before those who died. Faust’s angels taking you to the gates of her holy kingdom where eternity awaited. But this was not the light of the heavens, but the light of the sun.

A bright burst of energy erupted and tore away the darkness. The force holding her had let go and, in an instant, air flooded her lungs like a gust of wind. Gasping, Twilight fell to her stomach, hacking and coughing up fluid before slowly calming down. There was warmth in the area. No longer was it dead and cold, but warm like like...

The sun... thought Twilight as she slowly looked up. “P-P-Princess?”

“Twilight, forgive me, I nearly did not make it in time,” Celestia apologizes as she stood protectively over her with her armor. Her giant wings spread out like a cloak while the biggest spear that Twilight ever saw was pointing right at Nosferatu who was now flying in the air. “Do not worry. I’ll handle this.”

“Well, well, well. If it isn’t my old friend Princess Celestia. How have the centuries been for you?” Nosferatu asked, smiling in comfort.

Glaring at the flying figure with hatred that nopony had ever seen from her, Celestia shouted, “Nosferatu!” Her energy began to make the spear glow as the very earth around her began to crack from the intensity of the energy. “I have no idea how you survived, but I will send you back to the depths of oblivion!”

The creature smirked, laughing for a few seconds before turning away. “As much as I would like to have a rematch for the loss you and your sister gave me I intended not to fight yet. I still have a few things I must do before I reclaim my reign. Until we meet again, old friend.”

With that said, Nosferatu disappeared in a flash of dark light. Something no pegasus should have been able to do. Twilight, unable to take anymore, closed her eyes and allowed sleep to finally take her.

***

When the Royal Princesses arrived, Luna found herself swarmed with ponies begging them to fix their cursed town or do something to stop the onslaught of suffering they had been under for months. Her Night Guard restored order as quickly as they could and ordered that Ponyville was to be evacuated by the morning when it was safest to move the innocent. If there was a vampire in these parts, just as they feared, there was no telling who else had been thralled or raised as a ghoul. Many were shocked to learn they were leaving their homes for Canterlot, but none complained. Everypony was just too eager to leave their cursed town; some were even saying they refused to come back.

If only I took my sister’s worries more seriously. Perhaps we could have stopped this before it became so bad, Princess Luna thought as she watched the guards pile the bodies of the dead from Rarity’s attack into a burning funeral pyre. The families were angry and confused why they couldn’t properly mourn or bury them, but Luna silenced them stating it was a royal order. In truth, they could not risk anypony being resurrected as ghoul. Thankfully, none were thralls, evidenced by the lack of fang piercings, but ghouls were just as bad.

“Princess Luna?” One of her guards arrived and saluted her. “Princess Celestia as returned with the... survivors...”

Hiding her grim look, Luna asked, “Who didn’t survive?”

“Four guards. They said a fifth one fled, but they haven’t found him yet.” Luna doubted they would find a body. “Rarity has been killed but... Pinkie Pie has been lost.”

This time Luna couldn’t hide her sorrow and shed a single tear in grief. She had failed two of those who had saved her from her darkness. Rarity was doomed the moment she was bitten, there was no cure for her except freedom in death. Yet the loss of Pinkie Pie would break the moral of the entire town. She had seen the joy Pinkie had given every pony with her smiles, laughter, and parties both in person and in the dreams of the restful. When the town learned that their shining light was gone it would all but break them into a sorrow that may never recover.

“What is my sister intending to do with the body?” Luna whispered, unable to keep her regal voice steady.
“It’s already being sent to Canterlot. A letter will be sent to the Pies for their loss. For now, Princess Celestia wants everything to remain quiet until the situation is over,” the guard replied. “The other Elements are being treated at the local hospital. The princess will meet up with you soon.”

“I understand. Make sure the body is treated with the utmost care. Use the secret entrance in the mountains to avoid the public eye,” Luna ordered, dismissing the guard before summoning another. “I want round the clock patrols. Nopony is to get in or out, use lethal force if required, even if they are as young as a foal.”

“A f-foal, your majesty?” the guard asked, surprised.

“We are dealing with a monster that can turn even the most harmless of ponies into a psychotic soulless killer,” Luna answered, narrowing her eyes. “I don’t care if they are the Elements of Harmony or my Sister’s nephew. None are to enter or leave this town until tomorrow morning. Understood?”

“Yes, Ma’am!” The guard saluted and left to report to the various companies.

“I fear that even such discipline will not be enough, Sister,” Princess Celestia replied, landing from the air next to Luna. The look on Celestia’s face made Luna’s eyebrows raise up as it looked like her sister had seen both a ghost and a hated foe at the same time. “The worst we feared has happened. Fluttershy has become a vampire.” She closed her eyes and sighed. “No, it is more accurate to say she has become possessed by one instead.”

“Possessed?” Luna asked, tilting her head.

Sighing, Celestia growled and opened her eyes. A fury that Luna hadn’t seen in a thousand years shinned inside her pupils like the fires of her sun. “Luna... it’s Nosferatu.”

Luna gasped. Memories of the hardest battle she had ever fought in her life echoed in her mind. The amount of life lost during the war against the last vampire of Equestria was something that haunted even her during her time as Nightmare Moon. “H-how! Impossible! He died! We killed him!”

“And yet I heard his voice. I felt his evil, Luna,” Celestia said. “It is something you do not forget. Not after a thousand years.

“...If this is indeed true then the situation is worse than we thought,” Luna muttered, shaking her head as her wings flared. “We must declare a state of emergency. Warn the public. Ready the army. If he even comes into half his strength I fear that what is happening in Ponyville will pale compared to whatever sinister plan he has set up.”

“Chances are he’s hiding in the Everfree Forest,” Celestia muttered, turning to the direction of that accursed forest that stood untouched by ponies since time immortal. “I’m tempted to just burn it to the ground, but I fear he’ll escape and hide for as long as he needs too.”

“And we will lose track of him,” Luna cursed. “This is not like the old days, Sister. The Hunter Guilds are all gone. Our army is nothing like the legions we once had. The entire population is unprepared for a return to the dark ages.”

“Yes,” Celestia said, lowering her head. “It seems our efforts to rid Equestria of its darkest and bloodiest days worked too well. I cannot help but kick myself for thinking they were all gone for good.”

“... what do we tell the Elements?” Luna asked.

“... The truth, Luna. We have no choice, but to tell the truth.”

***

Rarity was dead.

Pinkie Pie was dead.

Spike had lost more of his family.

He was starting to wonder if Twilight was right about there being no goddess because no kind and loving deity would do this to him. He had a been a good dragon all his life and this is what he was rewarded with. His crush turned to ashes. The most happy-go-lucky pony in the world a cold corpse. And the kindest pony he had ever met was possessed by a blood sucking abomination.

It was not fair. He wanted to burn something. Claw something to pieces. Just scream until the night fell. The only thing holding him back were the tears in his eyes, and the pain in his heart. He was just grateful that his other friends were still alive, especially Twilight. If he lost her... if he lost his mother...

He had never said that word out loud. Not to Twilight or anyone. Some said Twilight was like a guardian or a sister for Spike, but he saw it one step further. She was his mother. The one that hatched him. The one that loved and cared for him all his life. He was loyal to her and her alone in this world. If all of Equestria was to go to war against his mother he would gladly become a monster just to protect her and burn everything to the ground. Just to keep Twilight safe.

Yet he was powerless now to protect her. There was something in Twilight’s eyes when she woke up in her hospital bed. Something inside that broke and wasn’t coming back. It was even more evident when she demanded something from Spike when he asked if he could get her anything.

Alcohol.

Lost of alcohol.

She never asked nor drank the stuff before. Dulled the mind. Wasted the brain cells. Made ponies act stupid if they took to much.

He came back with cases and she took to drinking like a camel in a desert while ordering him to leave her alone. That had been forty minutes ago and, as far as Spike knew, she was still drinking and sobbing to herself. He wanted to hug her. Talk to her. Tell her everything was going to be alright, but he was too afraid to enter. He was afraid of what would happen. He knew Twilight, knew her like the back of his claw. She was going to burst and it wasn’t going to be pretty.

“Spike?” He raised his teary eyes from his seat and saw both Princesses, in armor, looking at him with sympathy. Luna stepped forward and asked, “Is Twilight Sparkle inside her room?”

“Yeah... she’s... drinking...” Spike muttered, wiping his tears.

Princess Celestia winced and sighed. “I’ll talk to her. We might... be awhile.”

“Are you sure, sister?” Luna asked.

“It’s my fault for not warning her... or informing her. She’s my student so I will bare her rage,” Celestia answered as she slowly made her way towards the door and opened it before closing it behind her.

Spike and Luna held their breath as they heard Celestia through the soft walls. “Twilight? It’s me. I-”

The sound of a bottle smashing echoed from inside, making the outside occupiers wince.

“Buck you...” Twilight said before her voice turn to that one Luna would have been proud of. “BUCK YOU!”

Spike couldn’t help but drop his jaw upon hearing his mother figure curse at Princess Celestia. It was something that never even once entered the young dragon’s mind as a possibility. Insulting Princess Celestia, even on a joking level, was something Twilight didn’t take lightly. To her, Princess Celestia was the perfect representation on how a pony should be. The close thing that Twilight actually worshiped spiritually. And now Twilight was cursing her like a renounced priest to their uncaring god.

“YOU LIED TO ME!” Twilight shouted in the Royal Canterlot voice. “YOU SAID THAT THERE WERE NO SUCH THING AS VAMPIRES! YOU BUCKING LIED! I SAW ONE! I BUCKING SAW ONE STARING RIGHT AT MY SOUL WITH THE EYES OF ONE OF MY BEST FRIENDS! WHAT THE BUCK IS NEXT? WEREWOLVES?! ZOMBIES?! I MIGHT AS WELL JUST BELIEVE IN EVERYTHING AT THIS POINT BECAUSE I DON’T KNOW WHAT THE HAY IS REAL ANYMORE! NO THANKS TO YOU, YOU FAUSTDAMNED CUNT BITCH OF DECEPTION!”

Another broken bottle sound made Spike immediately make for the door knob, but Luna stopped him with her magic. He glared at her, but she shook her head as they continued to listen.

“IF YOU HAD TOLD ME! JUST TOLD ME THAT THERE WERE SUCH THINGS AS VAMPIRES I WOULD HAVE BELIEVED IT! BUT NO! YOU LIED! LIED! NOW I HAVE A BUNCH OF DEAD PONIES, INCLUDING TWO OF MY BEST FRIENDS, THAT I COULD HAVE SAVED IF YOU BUCKING TOLD ME THE TRUTH! I HAVE ONE OF MY FRIENDS MIND RAPED OR SOULS RAPED OR WHATEVER THE CRAP SHE’S BECOME BY SOMETHING MORE EVIL THEN EVEN BUCKING NIGHTMARE MOON! BUT NO, I KNEW NOTHING! EVEN WHEN I BECAME A PRINCESS YOU STILL DIDN’T TRUST ME WITH THE TRUTH! WELL, YOU CAN TAKE CROWN AND SHOVE IT UP YOUR FAT FLANK, CELESTIA!”

A few bursts of purple magic blew past the walls as well as the windows before Twilight continued her rampage. “I COULD HAVE DIED! RAINBOW DASH AND AJ COULD HAVE DIED! I SAW PONIES GET EATEN! TORN APART! DECAPITATED! AND MORE! I HAD TO BURY FOALS WHO WILL NEVER GET TO LIVE THEIR LIVES! I’VE HAD TO SEE FAMILIES RUINED BECAUSE OF THE TRAGEDIES IN THEIR LIFE! I’VE BEEN TO MORE FUNERALS THAN I EVER WANTED TO! I SAW PINKIE PIE GET HER! NECK! TWISTED! LIKE! A! PRETZEL! AND RARITY?! THERE IS NOTHING BUCKING LEFT OF HER BUT ASHES SCATTERED IN THE WIND AFTER SHE MELTED IN FRONT OF ME LIKE SHE WAS POURED INTO LAVA!”

“Oh Faust,” Spike whispered, wrapping his arms around Luna as she gently hugged him.

“SO WHATEVER IT IS YOU WANT TO SAY I DON’T WANT TO HEAR IT! TAKE IT TO THE SUN AND BURN FOR ALL I CARE! I’M DONE! I WANT OUT! I’M DONE SAVING THE BUCKING WORLD FOR YOU! FIND SOME OTHER HERO OR LACKY OR SLAVE TO DO YOUR WORK THAT CAN TAKE WHATEVER LIE YOU GIVE THEM BECAUSE I DON’T WANT TO DO IT ANYMORE! I HATE YOU! I! HATE! YOU!”

There was a long silence. Not just from the room, but everywhere in the hospital. It was as if everypony was holding their breath to hear what would happen next.

Then, to Spike’s surprise, there came a sob. Followed by tears and wailing. Pushing off Luna, Spike opened the door and saw a scene that he didn’t expect. Twilight, who had just cursed Celestia off in a way nopony had ever done, was sobbing into her mentors shoulder with no resistance.

Celestia, slowly shedding tears of her own, held Twilight like a newborn, gently rubbing her back and nuzzling her. There was no anger in Celestia’s expression, only regret and sympathy as she held her broken child. “I’m sorry, Twilight. I am so sorry.”

Spike just stared at the duo as Twilight let out months of frustration out with her walls finally broken and turned to rubble.

***

It was only a matter of time before Celestia and Luna arrived. Nosferatu wasn’t an idiot. He had already achieved his first goal of getting strong enough to completely control this body, but he also managed to neutralize the use of the Elements of Harmony. What he needed to do next was prepare to regain his power. He didn’t have any of his castles, minions, monsters, or armies. Yet this was a world that had all but forgotten the old ways. Where creatures such as he were nothing more then myths. Myths!

It would be easy to manipulate things to his favor. Slowly corrupt cities and towns that were far more ignorant than before. Celestia and Luna’s attempts to erase the past would be their undoing.

However, I have to cause a distraction to get away safely, Thought Nosferatu as he calmly walked through the gravestones of Ponyville’s largest graveyard. The guards easily taken care of and joining the dead below. I believe I am strong enough to do this. I wonder, how will the residents of the town react when their beloved dead ones come to devour them all!

His eyes began to glow a dark bloody red as his hooves began to glow a mixture of red and black. Lifting his front legs, he slammed them down upon the ground as an energy ring of dark energy spread across the graveyard, followed by small red rootlike energy lines that began to dig into the graves themselves.

For a moment, all was silent as normal for the cemetery.

Then the piles of dirt began to shift. Slowly, decaying and boney hooves pushed through the dirt and roots. Figures, long deceased of various ages, some with skin, some without, exited their once earthly bed and began to moan and hiss. Their bodies no longer controlled by the souls that once occupied them, but by the will of the being who raised them, a wicked smirk strewn across his face. He gave them one simple command. A command that would cause the chaos he wanted.

“Feed.”

The Truth

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Applejack had never thought there would be a day that would ever trump her parents death as the worst day of her life, but tonight was coming very close to being it. It was still hard to believe that everything she had ever believed in had changed in the last few hours, but no matter how many times she closed her eyes, the images were still there. She had seen the undead. Undead children. And she killed them with her own hooves.

She could only pray that Diamond Tiara and Tender Taps were at peace now. Nopony deserved such a fate. Her prayers didn’t just go to them, but to Rarity and Pinkie Pie too.

Applejack would be lying to herself if she didn’t say that Rarity was the one pony out of their group of friends she had problems connecting with at times. Sure, she and Rainbow Dash argued but that was because of the competitive and stubborn nature they both had. Rarity was different because she was AJ’s opposite in every way. They were both raised in the same quiet little down, but had grown up with such a difference that it was hard to believe they were friends. Yet despite their differences, the two had loved each other like sisters. Applejack always respected Rarity for who she was and that was being a diamond. Not just in appearance but also inside. There was always a generous soul in Rarity that believed everypony had the means to shine in their own way. To stand up and be unique among each other. Sometimes it needed a dress, other times it needed words, or a combination of both. Yet, Rarity would always ensure you looked, and felt, special for you no matter what.

Pinkie Pie, however, was a pony nopony could really ever not be friends with. She may have been loud, weird, and sometimes annoying, but a smile from Pinkie Pie was a cure for almost anything. The party pony made quite an entrance the first time Applejack saw her with the biggest party she had ever seen and one of the most fun days ever. Since then, Pinkie Pie had been a part of Ponyville with her job to make sure everyone smiled and had fun even during the darkest days. Got sick? Pinkie Pie was there to make you feel better with balloons and cards. Broke up with your special somepony? Pinkie would make you a special cake and introduce you to new ponies to court. Lost somepony you cared about? Pinkie would host a memorial party for them so you could talk about the good times you had. Everypony loved her and that included Applejack.

Now they were both gone. Two more of her family was gone. Done in by the kindest of them all.

When Princess Celestia told her that Fluttershy was possessed by a vampire, Applejack didn’t want to believe it, but when Rainbow Dash told her it was true it felt like a sword had gone through her chest. She didn’t know what was worse, that Fluttershy had done all these horrible things or that she was being forced against her will to do it. When they finally made it to the hospital, Twilight and Rainbow Dash were sent to be medically evaluated while Luna and Celestia went to keep the peace. They promised to explain everything and Applejack was going to hold them up to that. She wanted answers and if she had to kick the princesses in the face to get it then by Faust that was what she was going to do.

After taking sometime to shed tears for the fallen, and collect herself, Applejack made her way to Rainbow Dash’s room. She had been scared for turning into a vampire upon realizing she was bitten by Rarity, but Princess Celestia said she couldn’t feel any evil from the bite so there was no risk. It didn’t mean it didn’t hurt like hell though.

Knocking on the door, Applejack waited for an answer, but didn’t hear anything. Sighing, she opened the door and saw Rainbow Dash staring up at the ceiling from her bed. Walking inside, she sat down next to her and stayed silent.

It was like this for what had to be nearly a half an hour until Dash finally said something that made Applejack’s stomach sink to her bottom. “I saw her neck get twisted.”

“Rainbow...”

“I saw her neck... twisted... snapped like a twig. By Rarity’s own hooves...” A few tears were dripping down Rainbow’s cheek. “I just sat there and did nothing. Me. The fastest pegasus alive. I’ve saved her multiple times before and the one time she needed me and I was there I just...” Rainbow Dash closed her eyes and gave a harsh laugh. “I didn’t think Rarity even had the strength to lift anything more than a dress.”

“Rainbow, stop it-”

“And the worst part of it is that she didn’t expect it at all. Like Pinkie Pie expected Rarity to just leave her alone and hug her. Instead she got herself killed... idiot... stupid fricken idiot...” Rainbow continued.

“Rainbow, please!” Applejack said desperately.

“We’re gonna die...” Rainbow whispered, crying. “I saw that thing... that thing in Fluttershy’s body that... evil... We can’t stop it. We’re useless and it's going to kill us-”

Applejack’s hoof met Rainbow Dash’s face so hard you could hear it a mile away. The two friends stared at each other. Rainbow Dash in shock while Applejack just glared.

“We’re not going to die... and if we are we’re takin’ that abomination with us...” Applejack growled, fighting her own tears. “That thin’ killed our friends, our townmates, and hurt our families. It’s hurting Fluttershy and ruined all our lives. Ah’m gonna kill that vampire even if Ah have to do it alone.”

“... Are you scared?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“Sugarcube, Ah’m ready to just piss mahself right now, but Ah’m not gonna be, and excuse mah language, a pussy about it,” Applejack answered, lowering her hat. “Ah’m ready to just curl up in a circle and cry mah eyes out, but as long at that damn demon exists, Ah’m not gonna mourn yet. First vengeance, then mournin’.”

Rainbow Dash stayed quiet until she sighed and gave a small smirk. “Guess I wouldn’t be the Element of Loyalty if I let you do this without me, huh?”

“Couldn’t think of a better pony to do it with,” Applejack replied back with a smirk of her own.

Both smirks quickly faded when Rainbow Dash then asked, “I take it you heard Twilight earlier?”

Applejack winced before she started rubbing her ears. “Kinda hard not to. Didn’t think the girl had it in her to be so... angry.”

“Well, I can’t blame her,” Rainbow Dash said, huffing as she glared at the wall. “If the, and forgive my blasphemy, stupid princesses told us about vampires being real earlier then maybe we could have prevented this from happening.”

“I fear that perhaps it was our error to keep such a thing secret.” The two ponies turned to see Princess Luna entering while closing the door behind her. They made an effort to bow, but Luna held her hoof. “No, my sister and I do not deserve to be bow this day. Rather, we desire to ask for your forgiveness in failing to react to this situation properly.”

“How’s Twilight?” Applejack asked.

“Honestly, I fear that she is broken. Not beyond repair, but upon losing her two best friends and having her beliefs shattered about the world as she knew it I fear she will need time to recover,” Princess Luna answered, shaking her head. “My sister and young Spike are taking care of her now. The former telling the truth as I am here to tell you as well.”

“Yeah, so vampires are real? Great to know by the way,” Rainbow Dash hissed.

“Rainbow!” Applejack scolded.

“No, she is right to be upset. You all are,” Princess Luna answered. “You must understand. My sister and I believed that all the vampires in Equestria were destroyed. Along with all the other dark creatures and nightmares that existed so long ago.”

“Maybe y’all can explain everythin’ then? And Ah mean everythin’?” Applejack asked, sitting down.

Princess Luna nodded and cleared her throat. “Long ago, the world was... a much darker place then it originally way. And I don’t mean because of beings like Discord or Sombra. There were forces beyond any evil you have never met. Vampires. Werewolves. Demons. Zombies. Dark magic. Even abominations from other worlds. Imagine almost every scary myth you grew up knowing when you were a filly. Every one of them was real.”

“Wait, so... if everything is true... why is it all taught to be fake?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“My sister and I worked many years to wipe such filth from Equestria,” Princess Luna said, lowering her head as rage began to show in her eyes. “Every day it was a new atrocity. Many lives were lost. None were spared for any reasons. There are evils in this world that cannot be defeated by friendship. Only by cold steel to the heart.” She paused before continuing. “If I must be honest, my sister has weakened Equestria’s military considerable. We do not have the once proud Legions that stood against darkness and brought the warm light to our subjects. We do not have our Inquisition to make sure all stand pure before the holiness of Faust. Nor are the Hunter Guilds, filled with heroes that risked their lives to defeat evil, around anymore. I understand why such things were dissolved over time, but I cannot help but fear it was a mistake in the long run to lose our vigilance.”

“Ya make it sound like it was a war back then,” Applejack pointed out.

“It was a war, Applejack. A war between darkness and light. A war that saw many dead, and some suffer fates worse than death,” Luna answered in a harsh tone. “However, the worst were the vampires. Soulless abominations that feed on the blood of the living. Murdering and raping their victiums before feasting on them, turning them into corpses or ghouls like your friend, Rarity. They had the blackest of magic, armies of the dead at their command, and could strike without warning. They see us living as cattle. Good to harvest and feast on. It was a miracle we found ways to exterminate them at all.”

“So how did this one survive?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“I do not know, but I fear this is the worst of them all,” Luna answered with a heavy tone. A tone that spoke of someone who had seen the worst the world could offer and came out less of themselves. “His name is Nosferatu. He was the last of the Vampire Lord's my sister and I faced nearly a thousand years ago. This being... no he is not even a being. He is a monster in the purest form. Whatever villains you have faced are nothing compared to him. He is even older than my sister and I, technically.”

This made the two friends looked at each other with wide eyes. The Princesses were some of the oldest creatures in the world, and it was rare to hear about anything else older than them.

“He was the last and most powerful Vampire my sister and I had to face... I thought for sure we destroyed him all those years ago...”

***
1200 Years ago

Princess Luna was a warrior at heart. While her sister, Celestia, was the one who preferred to fight in the political battles with the nobility and delegates from other nations, the princess of the night preferred her fights up close and personal. With her magic gripping the handles of her twin blades, she charged forward with her sister against their most hated enemy since Discord himself: Vampire Lord Nosferatu. The last of the vampires and the final enemy to end the darkness in Equestria once and for all.

Long had she dreamed of this moment, this final battle against the greatest murderer of her ponies. This would only end in death be it her and her sister or the demon before them. Luna did not fear death, as did any true warrior, but she feared failure. Should she and her sister die all of Equestria would fall.

Thus, she couldn’t fall. She had to win.

Celestia had struck first with her spear, unleashing the energy of the sun that choose her to be their champion. Nosferatu had all but easily dodge the blow by floating back to his throne and landing on top of it. Raising his hooves, the blood flowing through the room began to take the form of spears and swords which levitated before him. With a flicker of magic, the now sharp blood blades began making their way towards the two sisters. Together, they activated their shields with their magic, wincing as the dark magic struck hard. Luna nearly lost her focus when she heard the dying screams and painful cries of their centurions behind them. She had nearly forgotten them in her foolishness. She turned around and quickly turned away, not waiting to see their ruined corpses.

Nosferatu summoned two more of his blood swords and charged at Celestia, clashing his blades against her spear as she twirled around like a dancer of death. Yet for all her skill, Celestia was only to match even with the dark lord who moved swifter than any normal pony should. With a war cry, Luna joined in the fray, her blades singing in the air as she tried to strike their damned foe.

Nosferatu narrowed his eyes and summoned more blood weapons to his side while fighting both sisters on opposite sides. While Nosferatu may have been older than Celestia and Luna, the two sisters knew each other’s moves without even speaking. When Celestia swung high, Luna would swing low. Luna would fake a strike while Celestia went for a killing blow. It went on like this for what seemed like hours.

Pushed back by a kick, Luna summoned her magic as white star like energy spheres began to appear around her. She threw them one by one, each hitting the vampires which pushed him further back. Celestia summoned her spear and struck the ground, unleashing a wave of fire that burned most of the cloak and skin off of their foe. Any other creature could have been killed by either attack, but upon landing back on his feet, Nosferatu summoned the blood in his throne room and wrapped it around his body. In a few seconds, he was all but healed.

“Thou cannot killeth me. I am immortal. I am a god.” Nosferatu said, calmly.

“Th're is only one god. And thou art not h'r!” Celestia cried out charging forward, but Nosferatu struck back with his horn. Dark red lightning struck out and hit Celestia dead center in the chest, causing her to fly back while yelling pain.

“Sister!” Luna cried in horror before growling at her attacker. “Fiend!”

However, something small and black managed to get in her face, distracting her. Another then appeared. Then another. Soon she was being swarmed by the creatures who began to pick at her flesh with her bites. She tried shooing them away with her swords, but the creatures, recognizing them as bats, continued to attack her.

Their distraction worked for their master, as a wave of dark energy struck Luna and sent her across the throne room, right next to her sister. Helping each other up, Luna took a good look at her sister's armor which had a bit of a melt to it in the center thanks to the last blast while she was bleeding on her limbs and shoulders. Nosferatu, however, stood calm and collected with his bat minions swarming around him.

“We art at a disadvantage, Sister,” Celestia whispered, growling as they helped each other up. “This entire throne cubiculo is liketh a weapon f'r that gent to useth.”

“Then shalt we proce'd with the planeth?” Luna asked, mentioning the idea the two of them came up with to defeat Nosferatu.

“Forsooth. We shalt appeareth to beest dead from the next attack and slain. At which hour that gent gets closeth enow we shalt striketh that gent,” Celestia muttered.

“Then alloweth us desire our training hath paid off, Celestia,” Luna whispered as the two charged again.

Nosferatu grinned and unleashed another wave of dark energy that nearly swallowed the two sisters whole had they not teleported away. However, before either could recover, a blast of magic from his horn hit Luna right in the center of her chest. Her armor too most of the damage, but she screamed for real from the pain as she was sent her into a corner where she pretended to go limp and act slain. Using the training she learned from a Zebra Shaman, she slowed her heart to the point where it could barely beat, but still she remained alive. While there were spells that could feign one’s death, any magic used the vampire could have sensed immediately, so they had to learn how to physically do it.

Praying to Faust that it would work, Luna kept one eye slightly open to watch the events before her. Her sister was also pretending while lying down on her back, doing her best to appear dead. She could see blood dripping down from a wound to her side and feared, for a split second, her sister had been killed for real, but Luna still kept up her act as Nosferatu glided over to Celestia’s body.

“Yond is't? How disappointing. I did expect m're from thee two...” He looked down at Celestia with a grin, slowly inching his mouth close to her neck. “I hath't nev'r did hath't alicorn blood ere. I wonder how thee taste...”

That’s when she saw Celestia’s magic slowly raising her spear before plunging it straight into the back of the vampire lord. He howled in agony and anger as Celestia opened her eyes and blasted him point blank with her magic. Luna used this change to get up and fly towards her foe, aiming her swords for his heart to end his life once and for all. Nosferatu, however, would not die so easily as he barely managed to maneuver out of the way so that the blades missed his heart by inches, but still did enough damage with their holy magic at work.

Teleporting in a burst of blood to his throne room, the dark lord held his bleeding chest as blood dripped out of his mouth. Any mortal would have died from such a blow, but it was useless unless they got his heart or head. Glaring at the two with hatred, he raised his hooves as his vampire bats began to circle around him. Tendrils of dark magic erupted from his body and began to leach onto the vampire bats one by one.

“What is he doing?” Luna asked.

"It doest not matt'r! Gath'r thy pow'r, Sist'r! Alloweth us endeth this!” Celestia cried as she began to summon her power into her horn.

Luna closed her eyes, summoning the full power of the moon to her. She could feel it's cold yet powerful energy fill her veins and vigor her. Her eyes began to glow while her magic levitated her and her sister into the air. Their combined power, sun and moon, began to mix together as they stood side by side. Nosferatu just stared at them with an impassive expression as the two sisters unleashed their attack. From their horns, twin beams of light and shadow blasted towards the vampire.

Due to the bright light, the sisters couldn’t see what was being done against their foe but they heard his screaming nonetheless. The force of the blow was too much for the wall of the castle and so it was blown apart from the inside.

When the last of their magic was drained, Luna fell back to the floor, nearly collapsed with exhaustion as did Celestia. Sweating, the two looked up and saw that they had completely demolished the once blood filled room into near rubble with the throne and its wall obliterated. The giant hole in the castle opened the sisters to the fresh air of the outside world as they looked around for any sign of their foe, but there were only vampire bats trying to escape from the danger.

“Any signeth of Nosferatu, sist'r?” Celestia asked as the two of them flew towards the edge of the room.

Luna looked around before noticing the dust and blood filled cloak that their hate foe wore. “Look.” She levitated it to her sister before giving a soft smile. I believeth this is all yond remains.”

The two sisters then began to hear cheering from the outside and looked out the window. Hope and joy filled their hearts as they saw the ghoul army dying in huge numbers while their soldiers cheered in victory. Without their master alive, the magic keeping them under his thrall was no more. Light began to shine through the dark clouds and upon the two sisters as if Faust herself was saying how proud she was of them for ridding such evil.

Celestia and Luna stared at each other with smiles before holding each other close with their wings. Their armies below cheering for the two sisters as the darkness began to seep away.

***

“That day my sister and I did our best to help heal Equestria from its dark history,” Princess Luna finished her story. “It was feared that others would seek to harness the powers of the vampires and other sinister creatures for their own so over time they were made into myths and stories with some facts being wiped out entirely. Yet, I fear that our actions have only worsened our situation.”

Neither of the two Elements said anything, just stared at each other in silence as Princess Luna continued, “Nosferatu is not like the other enemies you have faced. Therefore, my sister and I will deal with him while you and the rest of the town shall be safe away from Ponyville. Hopefully, we can put an end to him before he goes underground.”

“How bad would that be?” Applejack asked.

“He could spend the next hundred or so years slowly turning others into ghouls or vampires. Causing chaos in Equestria while building up his forces. Nosferatu could even wait a thousand years if it means rising to his former power,” Princess Luna answered. “To a vampire, time is meaningless.”

“There’s just one thing I don’t understand,” Rainbow Dash asked out loud. “How did he survive your battle? You said it yourself there was nothing that remained of him when you two did your final attack so how did he survive?”

“... The bats...” Applejack realized in horror. Princess Luna raised an eyebrow before her own eyes widened.

Moaning, she slammed her head against the wall and cursed. “Of course! The vampire bats! I thought he was trying to drain them of energy to heal himself, but what if he was putting his own essence into the bats themselves to survive?! Stupid! Stupid!”

“Wait, I’m lost,” Dash asked, scratching her head.

“Dash, Fluttershy started going sick after Twilight dragged their essence out of their bodies,” Applejack explained. “What if Nosferatu kept a part of himself inside the vampire bats during his battle against the Princesses, and it continues to spread among the vampire bats over the centuries as they continued to breed?”

“And when Twilight Sparkle dragged their essence out as one, they combined and searched for a new host...” Luna continued.

“... which was Fluttershy,” Dash realized in horror. “So then...”

“... Ah did this,” Applejack whispered lowered her head in shame. “Ah refused to listen to Fluttershy and had Twilight to do it in the first place... this is... this is...”

“No, you didn’t know,” Luna said, walking over and nuzzling the teary-eyed farmed. “This is not your fault, Applejack. It is ours for not finishing this fight right the first time.”

“Who cares whose fault it is!” Rainbow Dash shouted, pounding her hooves together. “All that matters is beating this guy and stopping him.”

Princess Luna nodded. “You speak the truth, Rainbow Dash. For now we must-”

The door slammed opened as one of the Night Guards looked as pale as a ghost. He struggled to say something, but he looked to scared to do so. Princess Luna, sensing something was wrong, asked, “What is it? Speak!”

“The dead... the dead are attacking!” he shouted as he pointed to the window.

Princess Luna immediately looked out the window and she gasped upon seeing the horror outside...

The dead had come to feast.

One Last Crusade

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All members of the Royal Guard were trained to prepare for anything. In their long history since its inception, both the Solar and Night Guards had trained themselves to deal with every situation one could expect. From dealing with criminals to fighting invaders, they were the best and most skilled military force in the known world. They had survived countless trials in their history from the Dragon Invasion Wars to the Rise of the Nightmare Cult. They had always stood their ground and prepared for anything.

Yet, this was a new one even for them.

The dead had risen and with it came a force that felt neither pain, got tired, or feared death. A force that could take arrows to the face, axes to the chest, and magical blasts that would have shattered organs. Yet they continued on with their ravaging hunger and unnatural strength.

Captain Halo Wing of the 3rd Night Guard Regiment ordered Beta Squad to hold fast on the right side of the street while Gamma Squad continued to help nearby civilians escape. Already a good portion of the town had been lost with the outside garrison all but devoured. The enemy was numerous with the undead still growing as reports from their scouts indicated they weren’t just coming from the graveyards but the Everfree Forest too. Equestria had tried to settle the unnatural forest many times in its history and failed each time with high casualties. Now those lost souls were returning with a craving for flesh.

“Focus on the heads! That seems to kill them for good! Unicorns, burn the bodies! Pegasi, watch your wings and don’t get bit!” Captain Halo Wing ordered as he lifted his automatic crossbow, strapped to his foreleg, and fired at the legs of a half rotten earth pony. It fell to the ground, but then began to crawl towards an already half eaten guard before feasting on his liver.

“Damn it, this is just like one of my son’s horror comics,” Captain Halo Wing muttered as he cursed over and over again. Turning to his second in command, he asked, “Where is our back up?!”

“Should be here soon, sir!” She said, blasting an undead filly so hard its head exploded like a baked potato. “Sir, we can’t keep this street anymore! We need to-”

Suddenly, a bright light soared through the air. Streaking like a burning missile from the heavens. It struck down against the middle of the invading undead while spreading a ring of fire that turned each of the abominations into piles of ashes instantly. It was like seeing a falling star impact upon the earth and crush all around it. Buildings were destroyed, and roads nearby were ruined as the flames began to spread a bit more before slowly dying down. In the middle of the impact, Princess Celestia raised her spear and glanced further down the street where, slowly, another horde was coming.

Captain Halo Wing flew over to Princess Celestia and saluted. “Thank you, your Majesty, but I fear that’s only going to give us a bit of breathing room at best.”

“How many have we lost already, Captain?” Princess Celestia asked.

“Of our men? I’ve lost four squads. Of civilians we couldn’t save? Too many,” Captain Halo Wing answered, shaking his head. “We think there might still be some ponies trapped in their homes, but the undead have surrounded them. It would be suicide to go in and rescue them with our numbers. Not to mention there are too many farms and homes outside of the town that are isolated.”

“I see,” Celestia answered bitterly. She was silent for a while before speaking, “I must speak with my sister. We are abandoning what we can of Ponyville. Have your guards pull back two blocks and prepare to hold the line. We’ll be setting up teleport glyphs to send what civilians we have to Canterlot. I’ve already sent a message for reinforcements, but it will take time for them to get here.”

“Don’t worry, Princess,” Captain Halo Wing said, saluting. “We’ll give our lives for them if need be.”

“Aim for their heads. Destroy the brain or the spine and the undead are defeated for good. Destroying the body with fire or means of complete obliteration will also work,” Princess Celestia advised before pausing as her expression went grim. “Captain. The bite of the undead is infectious and there is no cure. Should you experience a bite, no matter how small, y will become one of them in an hour. If this happens, the one bitten... must be killed as soon as possible before they turn.”

Captain Halo Wing opened his mouth a bit before turning to an area where he saw some of his soldiers nursing the bite marks they had already. Some of them he had known for years. “I...I...” He gulped, trying to come to terms with what he was being told. Sacrifice was one thing, but to slay his own guard ponies? Their Captain? He looked back at the Princess who shared both regret and sorrow in her eyes, but behind it was a masked steel of iron will. He closed his eyes and did his best to keep his emotions calm before nodding. “I... I understand...”

“I can do it if you wish, Captain,” Princess Celestia said, nuzzling his cheek. “It can be quick, so long as they... perish before the curse kicks in.”

“No... they are my ponies. I will do it,” Captain Halo muttered before the Princess nodded and flew off. He sighed and steered himself before preparing to follow the Princess’ orders. Orders he would never forgive himself for following.

He swore that should he survive this day he would personally apologize to their families before handing in his resignation papers. But for now, he had a town to defend.

***

It was a nightmare for Applejack. Her home. Her entire community was in chaos. She could hear the screams of everypony from all directions. Her mind was unsure of what to do or how to deal with this. It felt bigger than anything she had to deal with before. Upon hearing that the undead were invading, Applejack’s fear turned to her family. Big Macintosh and Granny Smith were still at her farm and it was taking every bit of her willpower not to rush over and save them right then and there. She just followed Princess Luna out of the Hospital with Rainbow Dash rushing beside her as well. She wished Dash hadn’t followed. Her friend’s wincing showed she hadn’t fully healed yet, but it was too late to focus on that. Her town was going through a disaster not seen since Discord escaped.

The Royal Guards were rushing everywhere with hordes of civilians rushing away with tears in their eyes and faces pale as ghosts. Dead ponies were already being laid out with unicorns setting them on fire regardless of their race. Even foals weren’t spared from being burned. Fires could be seen burning in the distant edges of the town. The moaning, roaring, and devouring of the undead as they feasted on blood and flesh could be heard from there as well.

It was a living hell and Applejack felt trapped in it.

“W-What do we do?” Rainbow Dash asked, looking around in a frenzy. Sweat was pouring down her blue face as she prance in a panic. “Do...do we fight? Flee?! What?!”

“Calm down, Rainbow Dash,” Luna ordered, getting the pegasus to freeze. “We must get through this with a calm mind.”

Seconds later, Princess Celestia, her spear drenched in blood, arrived from the air and landed in front of them. “Luna, the entire south west side has been overrun. I got the guards preparing to enact wards and shields to slow the zombies down, but I fear it's only a matter of time before they overrun the town.”

“What about mah farm! Granny Smith and Big Macintosh are still there! Ah can’t just leave them!” Applejack screamed, her heart pounding out of her chest. “Ah... Ah can’t lose them...”

Princess Celestia opened her mouth, closed it, and then turned to some of her pegasi guards. “Sergeant!” One of them flew over. “Take your best and fastest fliers to Sweet Apple Acres and save whoever is there! Priority one! Order other squads to do the same for the other homes!”

“Yes, Ma’am!” He saluted before ordering his group to follow him into the sky.

Applejack sighed in relief before bowing to the Princess of the sun. “Thank ya kindly, yer Majesty.”

“You’re welcome, Applejack. Let us pray they will be there to save them in time,” Princess Celestia answered before turning to her sister. “Have you already started preparing the teleportation glyphs?”

“I ordered it before you left,” Luna answered, drawing her blades. “It seems Nosferatu wishes to distract us with these fowl undead before making his getaway in Fluttershy’s body. Thus, allowing him to go underground for however long he wishes.”

“He must be at our old castle. It’s the only structure I can think of where he might be residing,” Celestia said, cursing out loud. “Damn him. Either we go after him and risk more lives or we focus our efforts here and let him escape.”

“Sister, as much as I wish to face our old foe and end this once and for all, we cannot. We didn’t bring enough ponies to hold off an invasion and we are ill prepared as it is,” Princess Luna said, growling. “It seems we have no choice but to stay here and hold the line until the evacuation is complete.”

“So that flankhole is just gonna get away with all this?!” Rainbow Dash yelled, growling.

“We have no choice, Rainbow Dash. The curse of the undead spreads to those bitten by it! If any of these undead spread across Equestria it will be like a new plague that will not end until they are all dead or they’re master is dead,” Princess Luan argued, shaking her head. “I’m afraid we must abandon the town with whoever we can take with us...before destroying the entire town.”

Applejack felt her jaw drop and she was pretty sure Rainbow Dash’s had as well. “D-Destroy Ponyvillle?”

“Yes,” Celestia said with a heavy heart. “I’m sorry, Applejack, but there is a legion of thousands coming from the graveyards and the Everfree Forest. We must destroy them all and that means the town as well.”

“Ya can’t! This is our home! Mah family’s home! We’ve been here for generations!” Applejack shouted, fighting the tears. “Are ya tellin’ me nothin’ can be done to save it?!”

“The only other way to stop this madness is to destroy Nosferatu, but my Sister and I must stay here to lead the evacuation and destroy the town if need be,” Celestia answered, placing a hoof on Applejack’s shoulders. “I am sorry, Applejack, but I swear that when this is over and the entire land is clear once again I will do everything in my power to restore it to its glory once more.”

Applejack closed her eyes and nodded. She was only glad Apple Bloom wasn’t here to see or hear this. Guess we’ll need to stay with our relatives for awhile... if we make it out of here.

“Wait, you said that the master vampire needs to be destroyed to kill the undead, right?!” Rainbow Dash shouted, her eyes lit up. “So let’s just kill the damn bastard and end this once and for all!”

“Rainbow, my sister and I are the only one strong enough to stop Nosferatu,” Luna chided, glaring at the pegasus. “You have no idea the power he processes nor should you risk it! It’s too much and-”

“I can do it.”

Everypony turned around to see Twilight, fire in her eyes, walking along side with Zecora and Spike. She stood in front of her fellow princesses and stared at them with conviction before repeating. “I can do it.”

“Twilight-” Celestia started to speak, but Twilight held up her hoof.

“No. I’m doing this. I don’t care what you do or what you say. My home, my friends, and my ponies have suffered enough. This has to end now or else Nosferatu will just continue to regain his power and return at a later date. You two can stay here and defend Ponyville. I’ll go with my friends to fight Nosferatu. It’s the best chance we have.”

“Twilight, it’s too dangerous!” Luna shouted. “Without Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and Fluttershy the Elements of Harmony are useless to you.”

“I know that, but it's best if I risk it rather than you two,” Princess Twilight answered with steel in her resolved tone. “You two are more important than me. Even if I fail, you’ll still be around to help Equestria.”

“Twilight, don’t be foolish!” Celestia shouted, looking down at her apprentice with narrowed eyes, but got the same look back. “Nosferatu is a demon, Twilight. He will kill you and without mercy. I will not see you suffer and die at his hooves, I command it.”

“Princess,” Twilight closed her eyes and lowered her head for a moment before looking back at her mentor. “Will all due respect? Buck your command.”

Again, Applejack felt her jaw drop as did everypony save for Twilight and a wide eyed Celestia. Twilight turned her back to her mentor and started to walk away before pausing. Keeping her eyes focused on the town she had grown to love as a second home, she continued to speak.

“I lost three of my best friends to this bastard. I’ve seen suffering and death for months. I’ve had my entire world shattered because someone,” Celestia winced knowing who she meant, “thought it best to hide the truth from me. A truth that could have saved all those lives. These are my ponies. My subjects. You told me I had a responsibility to lead them when I gained my status as an alicorn. Well, I’m going to do it now.”

Twilight sighed before turning to Celestia. “Don’t get me wrong. I’m scared. I’m about to cry and I want to hide away from all this. I’ve seen true evil tonight and even I don’t think I can survive against it, but I am willing to try. I need to try. Because if there is a chance to end this madness tonight I’m going to do it. With or without your approval.”

Everypony looked at Princess Celestia who stood there in silence. Then she levitated her spear to Twilight. “Here. Take this. It will help you.”

Twilight took it with her magic and nodded before turning to Applejack and Rainbow Dash. “You two don’t have to-”

“Save it, we’re going,” Rainbow Dash said, grinning before walking by her side.

“We might die this time, Rainbow Dash. For real,” Twilight warned.

“Eh, I’ve always wanted to go out in a blaze of glory,” Rainbow Dash replied, struggling to keep her smile up.

Twilight smiled back before turning to Applejack with a frown. “You still have your family, Applejack.”

“Ah know... but yer family too, Twilight,” Applejack said, lowering her hat. “If ah can save mah farm... mah home...it’s a cause worth dyin’ for.”

The three looked at each other and embraced. It felt weird with just the three of them, but even if they were half their strength, they were still the Elements of Harmony. They were still friends. And Friendship was their greatest strength.

“Accompany you to your fate I shall be. To glory or death, we shall see,” Zecora said, standing by their side.

“I want to come too!” Spike shouted, but Twilight shook her head.

“No, Spike. Where I am going, you cannot come with me.”

“But...but Twilight!” Spike shouted before he was suddenly hugged by the young alicorn with tears in her eyes.

“Spike...you may not be my son by blood but you are the son I raised. Since you came to this world you have always stood by my side and I couldn’t have asked for a better friend... a better son. If the worst happens, I want you to promise me that you’ll grow up strong and be happy. Promise me that you’ll always be a good dragon. And know that I love you more than anyone else in this world, my child,” Twilight said as she kissed him on the forehead as he looked at her with a sob. “I’ll do my best to come home... if I don’t...know that I will always love you. My sweet number one assistant.”

“N-no! You can’t do this! I won’t leave you, Mo-” Before Spike could finish, Twilight hit him with a spell that instantly put the little dragon to sleep. Wiping the tears from her eyes, she gently kissed him again before handing him over to Princess Luna.

“If I don’t make it back...tell him I’m sorry and look after him?” Twilight asked to which Luna could only nod. “I...I guess this is it...wish us luck.”

“Twilight, wait!” Princess Celestia said, walking up to her apprentice before she could leave. “I...I know you are angry at me...but I want you to know...you are the greatest pony I have ever had the pleasure of teaching. You have always been like a daughter to me and I will always love you. If...If you come back I promise there will be no more secrets between us, I will tell you everything...over tea.”

Twilight looked at her mentor before closing her eyes and gently nuzzled her as the two embraced perhaps for the last time. “I’d like that...”

They stayed in such a position for awhile until Twilight ended it and turned to her three companions. With one last nod, Twilight began to summon her magic before the three disappeared in a flash.

“Faust be with them...” Luna whispered, closing her eyes.

“Faust be with us all,” Celestia said, doing the same.

***

The moment the teleportation ended, the four of them prepared for anything as they found themselves not far from the Castle of the Two Pony Sisters. It didn’t look anything out of the ordinary save for how quiet it was. No sounds of animals or anything. Just as silent as the dead.

“So what’s the plan?” Rainbow Dash asked, gulping.

“We go in, stay together, find Nosferatu, and kill him,” Twilight said, simply as she stepped forward.

“That’s your big brilliant plan?” Rainbow Dash hissed.

“Well, I wasn’t planning on taking on an ancient vampire lord tonight, Rainbow! I’m improvising!”

Sighing, Applejack got between them and raised a hoof. “Alright, calm the hay down. We need to work together on this and no sense lettin’ us get the fear messin’ with us.” The two friends looked at each other and nodded. “Good. Now how can we kill this monster?”

“Destroy the heart or the head is the quickest way. Sunlight will do too, but it is not yet day,” Zecora answered for them.

“Why doesn’t Celestia just summon the sun and fry his sorry flank?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“Dash, she can’t just summon the sun and banish the moon away for her own whims. It causes disasters in places other than Equestria that could cost lives,” Twilight answered, shaking her head. “Why do you think the idea of eternal night is so scary? Not only would it lower survival rates, but it would change everything in the world from the weather to agriculture. The Princesses need to keep the sun and moon going the proper way at all times, even if it would be in our advantage to have the sun out.”

“Ugh, fine. Guess we just do this the hard way,” Rainbow Dash said, leading the group towards the direction of the castle.

The forest continued to haunt over them as they made their way forward, their hooves kicking up dirt as the silence around them made them sweat. Twilight kept Celestia’s spear close to her while Rainbow Dash lead the team while up in the air yet close enough for her to act if need be. She winced as her wounds kept messing with her nerves, but she did her best to ignore them. Applejack was beside Twilight, keeping herself ever alert in case she needed to buck something, and Zecora was bringing in the rear.

Finally, they made it to the wooden bridge that would take them across the gap towards the castle. The four stared at it with their bodies shivering as it seemed to be more sinister looking despite appearing no different then the first time they arrived at it years ago.

Twilight could still remember her first adventure with her friends to stop Nightmare Moon. How simple that seemed compared to now, especially with two of her friends dead and one possessed by evil. “You girls ready?”

The three nodded, but Zecora then stepped forward. “Just remembered what I have in my pack. A chance to help us from becoming a blood sucking snack.” She reached inside and presented two necklaces made of garlic. “Garlic will weaken the vampire and keep it away. Might be the difference between life and death you might say.”

“Okay, but there are only two of them,” Twilight said. “Who gets the two?”

“Applejack, you take one,” Rainbow Dash said much to the earth pony’s surprise. “I’m the faster one between the two of us so I got one advantage. Twilight’s got alicorn powers and a magic spear. Zecora knows more about vampires than all of us. You may have your earth pony strength, but trust me when I say that if this guy is as strong as...Rarity was you’ll need it if he gets close to you.”

Applejack opened her mouth to protest, but closed and decided it wasn’t worth the argument. Time was being wasted just standing here so she nodded and let Zecora put it around her neck.

“Alright, now let’s get-” Twilight took one step forward onto the bridge before she found herself covering her eyes from a bright red glow. The others reacted the same way as the ground beneath them began to shine. Runes and gypys began to appear as a blood red circle surrounded them. Gasping, Twilight recognized it and was about to say something but before she could even get a word out, a bright flash erupted and all four of them were gone.

***

Rainbow Dash felt her chest connect with cold hard rock as she rubbed her eyes to get rid of the flashes in front of her. Moaning, she got up on all fours before opening her eyes. Gasping, she realized she was no longer in the forest anymore, but in some big empty ball like room with broken statues around. The grim dust covered flag that were half moldy were raised high above as a testament to their old glory.

“H-how did I get here? Wait, where is everypony?!” Rainbow Dash asked, looking around for any sign of her friends, but she found nopony around.

That was until she heard a scream. Turning to the window, Rainbow Dash just barely had time to see a figure stripped in black and white fall down outside. “Zecora!”

Putting all her wing power into her back limbs, she rushed forward towards the window, intending on breaking through it. Instead, she bounced off it as it glowed red and knocked her back down. “What the?! No!” Dash pounded the window again and again but her limbs just pounced off the shield. She tried another window and another, but nothing worked as the barrier kept preventing her from escaping.

Zecora’s screaming then came to a sudden end. Too sudden. Like it was cut off without warning.

Rainbow Dash froze before looking down at what happened only to throw up upon the sight.

“No... No...” Rainbow Dash muttered as she fell to her knees and covered her eyes. Zecora was... Zecora was...

“Nosferatu!” Dash screamed as she flew down the hall with rage in her eyes. Left and right she went. Searching for any sign of the vampire. She smashed down whatever was in her way. Doors. Armor sets. Flags. If it was in her path, she knocked it down.

“Where are you! Coward!” Rainbow Dash shouted, foam coming out of her mouth as she thought of everypony she had lost to this abomination. Fluttershy. Pinkie Pie. Rarity. Now Zecora. Not another soul! Not another soul you Faust forsaken bastard!

“Where the buck are you!” Dash screamed with fury.

“I’m right here.”

Dash turned around, only to get smacked in the face and knocked right into a wall. Shaking her head, she growled upon seeing the red-eyed demonic body of her once good friend Fluttershy. The creature before her just smirked and looked at Rainbow Dash as if she was an insect not worth the trouble. “Did you really think I would just let you in here together? Please, I’m not stupid.”

“Where are Applejack and Twilight!” Dash shouted, huffing as she spat out a bit of blood.

“Somewhere in the castle. I’ll kill them after I kill you,” Nosferatu answered with a shrug as if it was the same as saying what the weather was today.

“Never you flankhole!” Rainbow Dash shouted diving forward as fast as she could. “This is for my friends!”

Rainbow Dash was inches away from Nosferatu’s face with her hoof ready to smack into it when she suddenly found herself frozen in the sky. The vampire’s eyes glowing as Dash felt her body unable to move; trapped in an aura of red and black magic. Smirking, Nosferatu walked around Rainbow Dash; circling her like a viper with its prey trapped in its grasp. Rainbow Dash realized that she was unable to escape and her fury began to quickly be replaced with fear.

“You know, I should give you a quick death considering you are my host body’s best friend,” Nosferatu whispered into her ear. His tone sounded like venom coursing through Dash’s veins. “But where is the fun in that?”

Dash suddenly felt pressure being added to her wings as something similar to the feeling of a hook piercing her skin sank deep into her wingbone. She wanted to scream but found her mouth unable to open even a bit. All she could mutter was a muffled yell as the magical aura began to wrap around her wings, slowly crushing it. The sound of bone and feathers crumbling from the pressure echoed in the empty halls and into Dash’s ears as she closed her eyes, screaming in her mind as tears dripped down her cheeks. Then the magic began to pull upward at a slow but powerful pace. Dash now really wanted to scream, her throat and lungs on fire as bits of her fur and bone were ripped off slowly one by one, inch by inch.

At that moment, Dash lost control of her bladder and peed on the floor, her tears bawling uncontrollably as her wings close to peeling off. Then, with one great twist and pull, her precious wings were ripped from her back.

This time, Dash was allowed to scream. A scream so painful and agonizing it echoed across the entire castle. Her blood spewed out of her back as Dash continued her screaming until there was enough blood below her body that it made a small pool. When there was enough, Nosferatu lifted a hoof and spears of blood rose from the blood. Dash’s cries were silent as her eyes widened upon feeling multiple point objects pierce her chest, head, and limbs.

It was only for a few seconds that she felt the new pain before she felt nothing at all.

Sensing her soul leave her body, Nosferatu ended the spell and let Dash’s limp and broken body plop onto the floor in a pool of her own blood. Licking a bit of it off their hoof, Nosferatu only grinned.

“Two down. Two to go.”

Dawn of Tears

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Luna hated dealing with the undead. It was one of the worst enemies that you could deal with on the battlefield. They felt no fear nor did they feel pain. Nothing hindered them from moving forward with an unlimited desire to tear flesh apart and feast on it with vigor. Worse, if you even got bit by one of them you were already dead. Thus, it was better to kill the bitten victim before they joined the horde. She had already had to end six of her own Night Guards the moment they were infected.

The blades she wielded danced in the air with waves of blood raining down around her. Long ago, they called her Luna the Nightblade Mistress. The number of graves she had filled in war could cover most of Canterlot. Even years of not using her swords for near millennia had not diminished her skill.

Slicing the head off another undead foal, Luna coldly glared at the upcoming army of the undead. Some of them were wearing uniforms long before her banishment that she recognized from previous times. How many died around Ponyville and the Everfree Forest in the years since ponies first arrived onto Equestrian lands?

Already they had lost a fourth of the guards they had brought with them to defend the town, and they were only halfway through with evacuating the civilians. Worse, the barrier that she and her sister had put into the outskirts of the town to keep the undead from escaping wouldn’t last forever. They did not have the talent that Shining Armor was blessed with sadly. And if even one of these things escapes...

She could already see the fires burning in the cities all across Equestria. The growing horde like a virus that couldn't be stopped. Chaos the likes which had not been seen in a thousand years. This had to be stopped no matter the cost.

Taking a moment to catch her breath, Luna turned to the direction of the old castle that she and Celestia once occupied. They still had no hint if Twilight and her friends had managed to slay Nosferatu, or if they were already dead. Twilight, if you still live, you must hurry!

“Sister!” Celestia shouted, landing in front of Luna with a royal guard’s spear raised. “How's your side?”

“Holding, but we cannot hold forever,” Luna said, pointing to the horde of undead still coming despite being under constant fire from magic and arrows. “We’re running low on ammunition and magic. I’m fine, but my guards are growing tired with each passing minute.”

“Same for mine,” Celestia bitterly whispered. “The undead are slowly finding their way around our barrier. I had to split my forces off to stop them in their tracks, but for how long until they are overwhelmed?”

“Sister.” Luna took a deep breath. “I feel we have no choice. We must destroy Ponyville. Wipe it out together.” Celestia’s eyes widened. “If Twilight fails then Nosferatu will keep sending more undead. With our combined power we should be enough to destroy the town and most of the surrounding area. Enough to wipe out the zombies or at least most of them so we can finish them off by ourselves...”

“...We still haven’t evacuated everyone, Luna,” Celestia pointed out, stone-faced.

“Yes, but the longer we wait the bigger the risk we have of losing control of this,” Luna pointed out as she put her hoof on Celestia’s shoulder. “Sister. Losing one town is better than the alternative. An outbreak of the undead, combined with Nosferatu manipulating things in the shadows, will only cause more harm. The citizens of Ponyville will curse us, alive or dead, but the rest of Equestria will at least be out of danger.”

“...Have we failed, Luna?” Celestia asked, looking at the town with regret. “We tried to end the dark times so that we would never again have to deal with situations like this...and yet here we are about to condemn an innocent town and a good portion of its citizens to death. A sacrifice that is no different from the ones we made a thousand or so years ago. Was it all just futile in the end?”

“We will only fail if we give up or lose, Sister,” Luna said, narrowing her eyes. “And we have not lost yet.”

“...Half an hour,” Princess Celestia said, raising her spear. “We give Twilight half an hour to end this and gather what forces and civilians we can out of the town. Then...we’ll do it.”

Celestia flew away without a word leaving Luna to sigh before issuing orders to her captain.

***

The moment she saw the trap, Twilight knew everything was going to go wrong. One moment she was about to enter the grounds for the castle and the next minute she was in some kind of ancient armory. She raised the spear of her mentor just in case but it seemed like it was just herself in the room. Here and rusty armor that had long since been abandoned. Twilight cursed as she opened the nearby door and entered into the main hallway. She didn’t know where any of her friends were nor did she know where to look for them. If they’re alive that is... Twilight thought as she slowly walked down the corridor. Normally, she would chastise herself for even thinking such a thing, but Twilight held no illusions of their chances.

It’s funny. I’ve faced Nightmare Moon, Discord, Changelings, and Tirek. Yet, I’ve always held some hope of winning, but now? Twilight looked at her shaking hoof. The only thing I can picture in my head is my gravestone.

She looked at the spear that Celestia had given her. Despite her family having served the Royal Guards for centuries, Twilight showed no interest in learning weaponry even when her brother offered to teach her. Times like this I wish I was more interested in physical activities when I was younger instead of just books.

Not that she didn’t think it might matter. She had dealt enough damage to...that thing Rarity had become that could have killed Queen Chrysalis ten times over. What was its master going to be like compared to her? The only thing I know now is its weakness. Aim for the heart. Aim for the heart. Just gotta remember that.

She finally found herself in a familiar corner from her previous visits to the castle and began to wonder where she should go. Then she heard a noise and heard a door opening. Preparing herself for a blast of magic, Twilight was ready to fire until she saw a familiar hat poke out followed by an orange coat.

“Twi? Is that you?” Applejack asked, looking relieved.

“Applejack,” Twilight whispered as the two rushed to each other and hugged. “Thank goodness you’re safe. Is Rainbow or Zecora with you?”

“No, Ah ain’t see hair or hide of ‘em,” Applejack answered, shaking her head. “Think they’re okay?”

“I don’t know,” Twilight admitted, biting her lip. “I’m guessing we got teleported all over the castle. The others could be anywhere.”

“Well, where should we go?” Applejack asked.

“The throne room,” Twilight answered. “If Nosferatu is a Vampire Lord then he’ll want to be in a place where he feels like one. Especially if it’s Princess Celestia and Luna’s former throne room.”

Nodding, Applejack followed Twilight up the nearby stairs to the second floor where the throne room was supposed to be. The ghostly silence had all but flared the tips of their hairs as they looked around, carefully observing every shadow. Twilight made sure to have the spear ready for anything. Hit the heart. Hit the heart. Hit the heart.

“Twilight? Do ya think Ponyville’s okay?” Applejack asked.

“I don’t know. I can only hope the Princesses can hold out for as long as possible. That’s if we can succeed,” Twilight answered. “Worst case scenario I can think of is the town is abandoned and destroyed because of the undead overwhelming them.”

Applejack let out a heavy sigh. “Either way, Ah can’t see the Apple Family livin’ in Ponyville anymore. Even if we survive this nopony is gonna want to do business with us out of fear of what’s happened. Might even be the best scenario all around. Just get away from all this and start anew.”

“Where will you go?” Twilight asked.

“Appleloosa probably,” Applejack answered. “Braeburn and the others will be more than happy to help us restart again.” Applejack paused and stopped which made Twilight halt as well. “What about you? Are ya gonna give up being a princess?”

“...I can’t do this anymore, Applejack,” Twilight said, her voice near breaking up. She lowered her head and shed a tear. “I’ve lost too much. I’m tired. I just want to be a librarian again. Live somewhere nice and quiet. Away from fighting evil and destiny and...and...”

“And Princess Celestia?” Applejack finished.

“...yes,” Twilight nodded. “I can’t forgive her. Not now. Maybe in the future. But after this, I never want to see her again for a long time.”

Applejack put her hoof on Twilight’s shoulder. “Twilight, it ain’t my place to tell you how to handle yer affairs. Frankly, Ah can’t blame ya for feelin’ angry. But for all the harm she’s done ya gotta remember she's also done a lot of good for you, me, and everypony. Just don’t be blinded by that anger is all Ah’m sayin’...”

Twilight gave a small smile and touched Applejack’s hoof. “You remember that day we first met? When I was dangling from that cliff and you held on to me before telling me to let go? Because you knew I would be safe thanks to Dash and Fluttershy?”

“Yeah, Ah remember,” Applejack whispered, smirking.

“That was the moment I realized just how much I could depend on you, Applejack,” Twilight said, blushing. “If...if we don’t make it out of this alive...I want you to know you’ve been a good friend.”

“Twilight.” Applejack leaned over and hugged her. “Yer also a good friend, Twi. Ah’m proud to fight by yer side.”

***

They had finally reached the throne room. Opening it, the two Elements looked around for any sign of their friends or Nosferatu, but there was nothing. Walking inside, the two couldn’t help but get a dark feeling that their foe was here but hidden from their sight.

“Where is he?” Applejack asked, looking up ahead. “Maybe we’re lookin’ in the wrong spot?”

“It was a guess to see if he was here,” Twilight said, lowering the spear. “Maybe we should-”

A burning blast of black lightning crackled onto Twilight’s side that sent her flying into the wall before she could finish. The spear dropped from her broken concentration as she felt her wing bone shatter from the impact. A cry of pain screeched out of her mouth as she heard Applejack yell her name.

Opening her eyes, doing her best to ignore the pain, she saw him across from the hall. Emerging from the wall like a ghost, Nosferatu, still in Fluttershy’s body, levitated himself as he continued to pulse with dark magic. His red eyes of hellfire gazing into Twilight’s as she felt her nerves freeze up. He was smirking at her, like that of a predator that was about to finish its prey.

“Did you honestly think I would just wait here for you to come and try to kill me? I’m not a stupid villain from one of those fantasy stories written with happy endings,” Nosferatu spoke, his very tone dripping with evil. “The reason I’ve survived for so long is that I kill my foes quickly and brutally. Like I did with your other two friends.”

No...Rainbow Dash...Zecora...I’m so sorry, Twilight thought, tears shedding for her fallen friends. Looks like I’ll be joining you shortly...

“Ah’ll kill ya, abomination!” Applejack shouted as she rushed at an unfazed Nosferatu.

“Applejack! Run!” Twilight shouted, but her friend ignored her.

The apple farmer rushed as fast as she could and turned her body around to deliver the hardest kick she had ever delivered in her life. The sound of it echoed across the room as it landed perfectly into Nosferatu’s face. However, the vampire didn’t even flinch. Not a single muscle moved. It was as if he got a simple bug bite and didn’t even react to it. Instead, he just smirked and levitated Applejack into the air who struggled to move under the blood-red glow. “That didn’t hurt. But this will.”

With a flick of his magic, Applejack was slammed onto the stone floor with a sickening crunch. A yell escaped Applejack’s mouth but it was cut short when she got slammed down again. Then again. And again.

Every blow caused a louder smashing of the bones. Blood started to fly across the floor; painting the stones bright red. Splashes and body marks of red-stained pony shaped figures began to appear as the throws got faster and stronger. Desperate, Twilight fired magical blasts of energy at Nosferatu, but he deflected it with one of Fluttershy’s wings each time. He eventually managed to reflect one of them to Twilight who felt it her chest burn upon getting hit. The smell of her fur and flesh melting, digging into her insides, made her gasp out blood and saliva.

Slumping over to her side, Twilight tried to get up but all she could do was continue to watch. Watch as Applejack, who had stopped screaming, get pounded into mush. Applejack...I’m so sorry...forgive me...

At last, he stopped and tossed Applejack limp and broken body across the room. Twilight didn’t even bother to check if her friend was still alive. Deep in her heart, she knew that she was the last Element alive, but not for much longer.

Closing her eyes, Twilight waited for the end as Nosferatu slowly walked towards her. His every clop like that of a funeral bell ringing for her upcoming passing. Her life began to flash in her eyes. Her fillyhood. Her family. Princess Celestia. Spike. All her friends and citizens of Ponyville. Her adventures and all she had learned. All of which she failed in her final hour.

She felt her body being lifted by the foul and evil magic of the vampire. It was like a dozen needles oozing into your bloodstream with the feeling of nausea. Opening her eyes, she saw the look of satisfaction and hunger on the face of the one who was once the kindest pony in the world. A friend who wouldn't have hurt a single fly yet now held a river of blood on her hooves against her will. Twilight briefly wondered if any part of Fluttershy was still in there. Whatever pain the princess had gone through it had to be worse for Fluttershy. Seeing her body perform such horrible actions and killing those she loved without any control over it. A living hell. One which death might have been more preferred.

“This was the best Celestia could bring? This was her prized pupil? The ones of the past were much more of a challenge than you ever were,” Nosferatu chuckled, as he stroked Twilight’s cheek. “Still, you have talent. A lot of it. I believe I shall preserve you as one of my own. It would be wondrous to see Celestia’s face as I turn you into a creature of the night that shall kill the very ponies she swore to protect.”

He leaned into her ear. “In fact? I think I’ll have you go after that little dragon of yours? What did you call him? Spike? Well, soon you’ll be calling him dinner.”

A second later, she felt him bite into her neck. She didn’t bother to scream or yell in pain. The bite was almost pleasurable. Like a combination of hot and cold. Painful, and yet she couldn’t help but feel relaxed and at peace. The arms of her best friend were wrapped around her as her...master...began to feast. She felt his teeth sink deep into her veins, drinking her like a spring of pure mana. Her limbs were completely limp and her eyes were slowly closing. Such frigid coldness was developing over her. Was she dying? No, she wasn’t dying.

Twilight...focus...A part of her thought. A part of her that still was fighting inside. Spike...he’ll make me hurt...Spike...your son!

Son.

Her son.

Her Spike.

This thing took her home. It took her friends. It would not take her boy.

“...b...u...y...” Twilight whispered, her eyes focusing on the ceiling. One of the spiked edges that were pointing directly at them. Her horn slowly glowing with the last of her magic.

“Hmm?” Nosferatu asked, stopping his feasting.

“...bu...k...you...” Her magic was slowly freeing it. The cracks of the edge slowly began to come loose. Just a few more seconds and it would be free.

“Oh? Some final words before you become my slave?” Nosferatu chuckled before looking at Twilight eye to eye. “Go ahead. I love hearing these.”

A second later. It was finally loose. Twilight smirked and stared at the monster before uttering her final words. “Buck you.”

She wrapped her arms around him and summoned the spiked ceiling edge towards them with all her mind. It missed directly towards them without stop and before Nosferatu could figure it out...

...it was already too late for him.

For both of them.

Nosferatu screamed and it was music to Twilight’s ears. It drowned out the pain she felt in her chest as the spike entered deep. Her mouth began to fill up with blood and drip onto her chin, but it didn’t matter. She was smiling at the sight before her.

Nosferatu screamed, howled, and shrieked as he flailed around in the air, his eyes pure red with rage and mouth twisted in agony. His chest, bursting with blood and guts, was like a waterfall of red with the spike ripping through his torso like a spear. From the very tip, shriving up like a dried prune, was the heart. Red liquid began to salivate from his mouth as crimson rivers began pouring out of his eyes. Fluttershy’s wings began to turn grey as the feathers came off one by one. The very skin and fur of the body melting like acid had been poured on it.

Twilight collapsed on the floor, her very breath leaving her as she lifted her head one last time. To see her foe finally die and end the nightmare that had haunted her for months. Fluttershy’s body bent backward as a giant red and black essence escaped from her mouth. It was shirking while moving around in a panic.

It tried to find a host but there was none. None but two dead bodies and a soon to be third beyond saving. Twilight couldn’t help but chuckle as it continued to contort itself and shake with fury before finally disappearing all together like a puff of smoke with one last rageful cry of hate.

And then there was nothing but silence.

Twilight coughed as she turned to the body of her once sweet and kind friend. It was now nothing but a pile of bones and rotting flesh that would soon be dust in the wind. All Twilight could hope was that Fluttershy was finally at peace.

Peace...that sounds...about nice...Twilight thought as she slowly closed her eyes. I could use... a little...peace...

***

“Princess! Look!”

Princess Celestia was about to order a final retreat when she looked back and felt her heart nearly stop. The undead had stopped moving. They were just frozen in place with their sullen eyes and rotten faces staring at them without a single move. One of her soldiers even bravely decided to poke one only for it to collapse.

Like dominos, they all collapsed. Piles upon piles of the dead laid on the streets of Ponyville. All of them unmoving. It took nearly ten minutes for everypony to realize that the dead were once again fully dead.

A great cry of victory went out from every street as both soldiers and citizens cried in relief. They had won. They had survived. Some residents even began kissing their saviors, thanking them, and hugging them for saving them. Others still mourned for who they had lost in the darkest crisis of their lives, but many more were just thankful to be alive.

The only one who did not move or celebrate was Princess Celestia. She just stared in the direction of the forest and quickly began to fly towards it.

Twilight...

***

It had taken Luna four hours, but she had managed to restore order once again in Ponyville. They had decided to make refugee camps for Ponyville’s remaining citizens until they were sure it was safe to enter their homes again. The dead were being burned, regardless of race, but nopony was complaining. Luna wouldn’t be surprised if that would soon be the custom of Ponyville after tonight.

There had been many losses from both civilians and soldiers. Some of which she knew from her time spent here. The heaviest loss had to be the Apple Family. Her soldiers returned to find both Big Macintosh and Granny Smith dead. The former eaten by two figures whose cutie marks residents said were the ones the former Bright Mac and Pear Butter had when they were alive. Big Mac didn’t even appear to resist, according to her guards, he just embraced them as they devoured him. Granny Smith didn’t give the zombies a chance to get her. They found her hanging from the ceiling with a rope around her neck which had been snapped in an instant. She was not looking forward to letting Apple Bloom know she was the last of her family now.

How cruel are you, Faust? Luna thought as he walked through the halls of where her greatest sin was committed. How is it that I, a traitor, live while six of the noblest ponies, and those they loved, die horribly?

She didn’t need to use her magic to sense that the party that went into the woods to destroy Nosferatu was dead. It was a gut instinct and no sooner had she arrived did she realize how right it was. She had taken Zecora’s body and placed it somewhere to rest with a shield spell over it to protect it from wildlife. She didn’t know how the zebra’s honored their dead, but she would make sure her body was returned to her homeland. Using a spell, she tried to sense any other life in the castle, but all she could sense was her sister in the throne room.

Arriving, she saw one of her old flags covering a body with a brown seton hat on top and one of her sister’s old flags covering another whose rainbow tail was sticking out. Pausing a moment to wish them peace in the afterlife, Luna turned to her sister who held the unmoving body of Equestria’s newest princess. Luna did her best to stay strong, but she could feel her eyes beginning to water and before she knew it she sobbed.

Twilight Sparkle, her hero, and friend was dead. The last of the Elements were now in Faust’s embrace.

Luna had expected to see Celestia sobbing or mourning, but instead, she was just staring at Twilight’s peaceful face. It was a strange sight to see. The damage to Twilight’s body indicated she died under immense pain, but her expression was one of content. Like she welcomed it...

“Sister,” Luna said, stepping forward. Celestia didn’t move or even look at her. “I...I’m so sorry...”

She didn’t answer at first. She just stared at Twilight and said nothing. Finally, after what seemed like minutes, she asked, “Luna...could you raise the sun?” Luna wiped her eyes. “I...can’t find it in me to do it...”

Luna nodded as she closed her eyes and began to move the celestial bodies of Equestria.

It was a new dawn for the nation...yet there was nothing but darkness that came with it.

***Fifteen Years Later***

The Garden of Heroes.

Where the best of Equestria’s greatest champions were immortalized. To be mourned, loved, and remembered. Princess Celestia could recall every one of them and how they died be it via natural causes, battle, assassination, accident, illness, or more. She had been at every funeral, every wake, and every memorial. Every statue she paid for from Clover the Clever to Sir Morning Dawn of Hopeville. It never got easier each time, but she always moved on.

Until that horrible day fifteen years ago.

Fifteen years ago she revealed the statue of the six ponies who died due to her mistake. A mistake Celestia, and many others, had never forgiven herself for. The six’s parents all but spat in her face after the funeral. Princess Cadence and Shining Armor now only spoke to her for diplomatic reasons and nothing more. They didn’t even let her or Luna come to Flurry Heart’s birth. Not to mention Ponyville all but forbid her from stepping on their borders again when the truth of everything came out. Even the Apple Family deemed her dirt in their eyes. They wouldn’t even let her pay for Apple Bloom’s funeral after she killed herself upon learning her family’s fate.

“You’ve done more than enough...” Was all Braeburn Apple said before shutting the door in her face.

Yet there were still many who called her hero. That she had prevented a zombie infestation. Yet, the insults and harsh barbs from those who hated her felt more true then praise. Her efforts to hide the true darkness of this world had greatly costed not just her, but others innocently unaware. After Ponyville, she and Luna revealed it all and took all the blame. Yet they would make it right. Even if it took a thousand years, they would make it right again.

Laying the flowers at the statue, Princess Celestia looked at the six faces of Elements of Harmony before focusing on Twilight’s face. Twilight...do you still hate me up there in Elysium? When I finally join you will you forgive me? Or shun me?

“Sister.” Princess Celestia turned around to find Luna looking at her. “You missed the graduation ceremony for the new Dawn Knights.”

It had been Celestia’s idea not long after the funeral. A special order of knights dedicated to hunting down and destroying the very worst of the dark creatures from vampires to werewolves to undead and more. Already, they had proven to be successful in hunting down terrible threats similar to Nosferatu yet not close to his power. Equestria would no longer let the darkness crawl back from the shadows. They would bring the light and banish them back to oblivion. Yet, this set of graduates was one she decided not to personally go see. Mainly, because there was one creature now among them.

“I didn’t feel like I deserved to be there,” Princess Celestia said, turning away as she lowered her head. “Did he say anything?”

“Yes,” Princess Luna whispered, sighing. “He did want me to tell you he...will do his best to protect Equestria.”

“But?” Celestia asked, raising an eyebrow.

“...But he’s doing it in honor of Twilight, not for either of us,” Luna said, shaking his head. “One day, Sister. Spike will forgive us.”

“But will we ever forgive ourselves?” Celestia asked, looking back up at Twilight’s face. “Could I have prevented this? If I had not hidden those dark days in fear of them returning...could this have been prevented?"

“...Sister, what can we do?” Luna asked, walking over to her side and putting a wing over her older sibling. “We cannot go back and fix our mistakes. I, of all ponies, know this better than anyone. However, we must do what we can to prevent such a mistake from happening. Perhaps, those who hate us will never forgive us, but we can at least ensure that we do everything in our power to never let it happen again.” She then nuzzled her sister. “And we’ll do it together.”

Celestia closed her eyes and let a few tears slowly drip down her cheeks before returning the nuzzle to her little sister.

***

Meanwhile, in a little graveyard in a small town called Horsedale. Residents were leaving the graveyard after burying one of their own. She had been a young and healthy mare. One that they all enjoyed as a friend until she got sick from a bat bite. She had put it off as nothing more than that of an itch and scratch, but days later she had been found dead with blood coming out of her mouth.

It was believed she had died of an infection caused by the bite and so many simply mourned it as a tragic fate...but it was so much more... more than they ever dreamed...

The End?