> Twin Night Terror's
>  by FluffyDoom
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Reading before Bed-Time
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 1: The Pony Tale.


Twins Astra and Shimmer eagerly read the book they had borrowed from Princess Twilight Sparkle, who still insisted on being a librarian in her spare time. The twins were not identical, but they were close enough to being identical that many ponies got them mixed up. They lived a few miles from Ponyville in an abandoned farm house. What many ponies didn’t know about the young twins was that they had no parents.
Astra was a pure white unicorn mare with a pure black mane and light blue eyes. Her pegasus sister, Shimmer, had light silvery fur that could be seen as white. Her mane was a dark grey, but not jet black like Astra’s and she had piercing yellow eyes thats oddly made ponies shiver in fear when she got angry and turned her furious eyes on them. Both lacked cutie marks, despite their age.
The twins were 15, soon to be 16, and they hoped that would make their lives easier, but for now they escaped their harsh world by reading fantasy books and legends. The current one they were reading was suggested by the Princess of Friendship herself. It was titled, The Night Gems.
It told of a place deep in the hidden bowels of the Everfree, and in the forest there was a cave that held three types of treasures. Gold and gems, knowledge, and power. The girls wonder about this place, the gold would be useful, and with the knowledge they could educate themselves, but what was this power?
The story didn’t say much about it, simply that it was an untapped power, and various, but weaker forms of it, would sometimes escape into the world. Animals could also represent both powers. It only hinted at wolves though.
“Timber Wolves?” Shimmer pondered.
“Or maybe their unseen cousins, grey wolves.” Astra shuddered in fear. She heard they were ten times worse, highly aggressive and stronger than a timber wolf who was more likely to flee.
Shimmer shrugged. “I heard that not all grey wolves are actually grey, some are brown, while others are black.”
“Wow, well, as long as I don’t run into them, I don’t care!” Astra announced, than an idea popped into her head. “Though… Say this power is real, and grey wolves do represent it. Wouldn’t that make it an awesomely strong power?”
Shimmer widened her eyes in wonder. “Woah Astra, and if we got our hooves on that power? Think of all the good we could do!”
“Not only that, we could get a new home!” Astra squealed in happiness.
Shimmer grinned, but it quickly faded. “But who says this cave is even real?” She whispered. “I don’t want to get my hopes up for nothing, Astra.” She looked at her sister sadly. “This is just a book, and it simply holds an untrue fable.”
Astra looked at her frowning. “We don’t know that!” She argued. “We don’t know if it is true or not!” Astra wanted to continue, but a large yawn escaped her.
Shimmer grinned slightly. “Come on Astra, we can talk in the morning. Lets go to bed now.” The pegasus suggested.
Astra didn’t hesitate to nod her head. “Ok, lets go.” She agreed.
They made their way up the creaky stairs that lead to what used to be a master bedroom, but was now a dusty moth-ridden room that held  rickety bed big enough to fit them both. This was the only room with a bed, they preferred to share one anyway, it made them feel safer. It had one lamp that didn’t work, a closet full of destroyed cloth, and a nearby bathroom they preferred to only use in emergencies. Considering they had to hoof-clean it because there was no plumbing in the abandoned house.
The two sisters got on the old wooden bed and spring mattress that made their backs ache in the morning, though it was still better than the disgusting carpet floor that had changed colors from pure white to a disturbing brown and gray. They settled into bed and soon were sleeping. The day had taken it out of them: they had traveled to Ponyville which was three miles from their home, waited in a long line just to get a book from the princess herself, and then were forced to walk back home on empty stomachs, and still were unable to eat for the rest of the day because there was nothing to eat that day!
The day was behind them though, and hurting stomachs were soon forgotten in the bliss of soft slumber.

Astra floated around in the dark sky. She didn’t wonder why she could fly, let alone why she had wings in the first place, and why these wings were bat wings. She still had her horn, and in her amused dreamscape, she wondered to herself, Heheh, does this make me some type of batty alicorn? Or just batty!
Her body rose above her home and alighted just before the Everfree forest. In her dream she didn’t want to go in there, and would much rather have visited canterlot, or some other grand place, but it was like she had suddenly lost control of her dream. Her beautiful white hooves clip-clopped their way down an underused path. As she walked the Night Gems book appeared next to her.
Lines from it came back to memory, and she let herself be swept up in the dream of adventure.
“Adventure!” She chuckled as she used her horn to open the book and read from it. “First, my little pony, WAKE UP!”
Her voice did not screech that last two words, in fact the last two words belonged to an oddly familiar voice.
“WAKE UP!” The voice screeched again and she was thrust from her dream.

Confused and dazed Astra bolted up and looked around in fear, but could only see her very angry sister.
“Sh-Shimmer?” She grinned weakly, then saw what made her so angry.
Astra had been sleep casting her magic.

> Making Plans
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 2: Getting Started


“Heh, oh dear, how long has this been going on?” Astra asked innocently.
“One hour. It’s surprising how fast one unicorn can mess up my sleep, considering you have only been sleeping for, one hour!” Shimmer yelled.
Astra felt guilty for accidentally levitating her sister and having the books fly off the shelves to pelt her. “Listen, I really am sorry, just, I was having an unusual dream, I was some sort of bat-alicorn.” She apologized.
“Bat alicorn?” Shimmer demanded. “Well, before you went all sleep crazy, I took another sneak-peek at the book Princess Twilight lent us, and well, just listen to this passage.” Shimmer said.
As her sister spoke, Astra leaned.
“The power is so amazing that it can give Earth and Unicorn ponies, wings, though these wings are different, these wings belong to those of a bat. They are fragile, but are faster than your normal pegasus and heal quicker than feathered wings too.” Shimmer read from the book aloud.
Astra jumped from the bed and donned a cloak after fetching it from the bed-post. “Sister, we need to find that power, and now.” She growled.
Shimmer stared at her wide-eyed. “Astra, don’t you think you are going to fast, and taking this dream a little bit seriously? Besides, that seems like a horrible spontaneous decision.” She said while getting up from the bed too. “I mean, I could have been speaking aloud without knowing it, and that could have processed into your dream.”
Astra hesitated, then admitted, “The book did yell at me in your voice.” She lowered her ears and bit her tongue. “When the book appeared next to me, it yelled at me to wake up in your voice.”
Shimmer walked closer to her sister and gently took off her cloak. “See Astra?” She asked, putting the cloak back on the bed-post. “It was just me all along, on accident. Go back to bed. If you still want to talk about this in the morning, we can, but right now? I am exhausted, and so are you, which is why you are being so rash.”
Astra sighed and relaxed. “You are right, sis.” She yawned to prove her point. “Lets go back to sleep.”
They both got comfortable on the old bed once more, and soon both were fast asleep.

Astra awoke to find her sister missing from the bed. With a groan she forced the rest of herself awake, though he mind was still fairly groggy. Snippets of last night came back to her and she blushed lightly, how stupid she was acting! You don’t simply storm into Everfree Forest in the middle of the night without a plan!
She slowly got up and made her way down-stairs, all the while wondering how her sister was doing and how she would react to the fact that yes, Astra still wished to talk about it. Exiting the last step of the stairs she walked to the back-yard/garden area where they attempted to grow a few tomato seeds they managed to swap and the water pump was.
She activated the pump by hoof and watched happily as water came out of it. She thrusted her hooves under it and washed her face with the freezing water, effectively getting the rest of the grogginess out of her system. Cupping her hooves she drank her fill of water and shut off the pump. Refreshed and rehydrated she went back inside to find her sister at the kitchen table.
The table, like everything except for the young ponies in this house, was old and over-used. It was wobbly and dull, its once pristine white paint chipped and greyed with age. She sat down at an equally rough looking chair.
“Morning Astra, you seemed refresh despite last nights magic tantrum.” Shimmer grinned.
“It wasn’t a tantrum and you know it.” Astra snorted. “Now, what is for breakfast?”
“Nothing.” Shimmer said coldly. “We have no food, again.”
“I-I thought you got some though!” Astra said. “You told me yourself, you would get something by today!”
“I know.” Shimmer said, looking down in shame.
Astra peered closely at her sister and noticed a few spilled tears. Shimmer was barely holding back tears of rage and shame.
Shimmer went on to speak, “I know, I promised I would get us some food, and I didn’t! I failed us, again! I can never get food! All I can do is beat up things!” She exploded.
“No, Shimmer, you have other talents! You can be so strong when things look so down.” Astra soothed. “Now come on, lets just turn this morning around. Please, lets not cry!” She pleaded. Astra had gotten up to stand near her sister.
Shimmer still had managed to hold back tears, despite a few leaking out and the rest threatening to follow. “Ye-yeah.” She said. “So um, that book. Lets, lets talk about that.”
Astra sat down. “So, considering we have nothing here,” She didn’t mention food, “Why don’t we go look for it? We are barely scraping by, and by the time we are 16? Well, I admit, even then the future doesn’t seem to bright. We have no job skills, all we were taught was basic survival. Basic survival does not mean counting change and delivering food that we would want to eat.”
Shimmer didn’t ponder it for long, she was too afraid of becoming sad again. “Ok, you are right, but how will we even get there, and will it be dangerous? Can you summon the book so we can find out?” She asked.
Astra looked a bit offended. “Summoning things is easy! I only had trouble with that as a filly.” Her horn glowed pinkish-red as the book magically floated downstairs and into her hooves. “So, now what?”
“Look at the table of contents, it tells us how to get there, and where to start. It doesn’t tell us everything, like the trails we will have to pass, but it does hint at them.”
“How do you know about the trials, and aren’t those things usually dangerous? You wanted to know if the trip will be hard.” Astra looked at her hard.
“I told you, late night reading until you decided to hit me with books.” Shimmer shrugged. “And as for it being dangerous, I simply want to know the danger level. I think we can handle some danger on our own, but if a manticore comes charging at us, well, it probably won’t be pretty.”
“Ok, so lets read.” Astra suggested, opening it to the told page.

To begin the quest to the Cave of the Night Gems you must enter the forest at a certain point, and in a certain way. Magick to light the way, and a wing of wind to clear it. Go along the path until you meet a boulder in which you will need the strength of the earth to move it. When you move it beware the cry of a wolf’s howl.
Follow the path until you meet a fork in the road. Only those with an adventurous heart can choose correctly. After th-

The page smeared for a few lines, much to their annoyance.

You know you are near the cave after all five challenges are complete and the trees have thinned. A shimmering cave will greet you, and so will the knowing rock.

“Knowing rock? And how will we even find the entrance point!” Astra demanded.
“It doesn’t say much about this rock, but if you read on it will tell you, though I can’t make heads or tails of it.” Shimmer huffed. “Annoying riddle.”
Skipping a paragraph they couldn’t read due to blurred lines, faded text, and more smearing, they read on.

To begin your quest you will need magick, feathers, and earth blood. When you begin the quest, you will have already completed the first trial.

That was all the page said. How annoying.
“Magick, feathers, and earth blood. What is earth blood?” Shimmer demanded, stomping her hoof on the table.
Astra clicked it together quite easily. “Dear sister, earth blood is the blood that belongs to an Earth pony. We lack that though, and therefore can not begin our quest without it.”
“What!” Shimmer growled and stood up, her silvery white coat flashing in the mornings light. “Well we can’t exactly ask from some Earth pony’s blood! That would be awkward and creepy.”
Astra snorted. “We don’t really need their blood, or at least I don’t think we do… Anyway, read back, magick to light the way, a wing to clear it, and some strength that could only belong to an earth pony to move it. Perhaps those two are connected?” She suggested.
“Pegasi are strong too! The element of loyalty is as strong as any Earth pony!” Shimmer claimed.
“Point, but Earth ponies are just naturally stronger so they can till the land, Pegasi are usually faster, though they are naturally the second strongest. While Unicorns like me, have magick.” Astra grinned at the last sentence.
“And are naturally the weakest.” Shimmer finished, then continued. “Now, lets go hire an Earth pony to help us on this.”
“Wha?!” Astra was now standing too. “This was supposed to be an, us, thing!” She gestured her hooves frantically between her and her sister.
“We never talked about it, and besides. You said it yourself, we will need an Earth pony.” Shimmer reminded her.
Astra made a sour face. “Fine, we can get another pony in on this.”

The two sisters had washed up and donned their best clothing for this. They now wore clean t-shirts without holes in them and blue jeans. On their backs were backpacks that held bottles of water and sleeping bags in case they were forced to spend the night out in the Everfree forest.
Astra had come up with the idea on how to attract a pony.

“Step on up my little ponies!” Her clear crystal voice rang out. “Who dares an adventure into the Everfree Forest, on the search for hidden treasure and knowledge.”
She stepped back, and that was Shimmers que to say her lines. “We know the way, but need one more pony to get there. Come on up, and join us in the epic quest for Gems and new knowledge!”
They were advertising this in Ponyville, the closest town that was always getting newcomers by the second, because Twilight lived there.
They continued to advertise for a while longer until a guard took one of them backstage.

“Sorry… Uh.”
“Astra.”
“Astra, sorry, ponies can advertise things for free in town, but they have time limits. You and your sister-”
“Shimmer”
He went on like she didn’t interrupt. “Have reached it. You need to take this elsewhere, and wrap it up right now.” He said, scratching an ear.
She nodded and sighed. “Ok, ok. I will tell my sister.” She stood up and trotted to Shimmer, who was taking a tiny break.
“What’s up sis?” Shimmer asked.
“We gotta stop it now, guard says we only have one hour of free advertising in public.”
“Aw, that is ridiculous!” She protested.
Astra shrugged in disagreement. “Actually, it isn’t. The town needs money some way, after all it does get damaged every now and then. Plus, money helps pay for roads, schools, par-”
“I get it.” Shimmer snapped. “No money in the town means no stuff for the town. Ok, I can wrap it up, meet me at the park, and get ready to question a lot of ponies.”
Astra nodded. “Time to choose the Earth pony who will help us complete this quest.”

Astra set up the little tent quickly. She and her sister had spent the rest of their bits on the thing, and the backpacks. They were investing what little money they had into the quest, in hopes they could get rich from the cave that may or may not exist.
She noticed her sister marching up five minutes later with a nice sized group of ponies, each type in the group. They had avoided saying they needed an Earth pony exclusively in case somepony called them racist. Lucky for them, this was still mainly an Earth pony town, and the other two types were outmatched in the group following Shimmer.
“Oh sister!” Shimmer called out.
“Over here.” Astra called out and waved a hoof.
Shimmer trotted to her sister and both gazed at the ponies before them. Many of them were older than 15, which was how old the twins were. While there were a few who were around their age, they looked like they would be hard to work with, or wouldn’t fit the bill.
Astra finally cleared her throat. “Please make two equal lines and stay in them. We are looking for a certain type of pony for this adventure. Trustworthy, brave, and not looking to get paid if this adventure does fail, though it probably won’t!”
With that two thirds of the ponies left and the twins winced mentally. A good chunk of those who stayed looked about as ragged as them.
Beginning the questioning both sisters entered the tent that had a thick blanket down the middle and began the questioning.

Astra looked at the nervous Pegasus and her heart tugged with guilt. Oh well.
“So, your name?”
“Triple Boom.” He spoke.
“Any special moves that gave you such a name?”
He nodded. “Used to just be Boom, but I have a talent for making three lighting strikes in a row, and the thunder that follows is the loudest thing you will ever hear!” He padded his cutie mark that showed a rain cloud and three lighting strikes.
“Ah…”

“So, as you know, I am Shimmer, and my sister and I need a real special pony for this. Do you think you have what it takes?” She demanded, narrowing her eyes.
The Earth pony gave her a look that suggested, back off before I make you. “It’s just a stupid walk into the forest, and yeah, I do. I have money enough to even make this thing comfortable if we have to camp.” He smirked.
“Yeah, it’s easy to see your aren’t taking this seriously. NEXT PONY!”

“And you are doing this again why..?”
“To prove to Daring Do that I am a worthy side-kick!” The Unicorn declared, jumping up and striking a ridiculous pose.
She wore a hat just like the famous character, and put a picture of a compass over her cutie mark. She did a horrible coat-job and dyed her originally purple coat a brownish-orange color that looked more like puked up mud. A crazy glint danced around in her blue eyes as she smiled horrifically wide.
“Miss, may I see your true cutie mark?” Astra asked.
That made her cross and she slapped her cutie mark, or rather the picture over it. “That is my true cutie mark!” She insisted.
The slap however was just enough force to make the tape on her fur give way and reveal her true mark. It was a camera taking a picture of a rabbit, yet there was writing underneath it that did not belong to it originally.
“May, I uh, get a better look at it so I can uh, admire it better?” Astra asked.
The mare shook her head enthusiastically. “Of course!”
Astra looked at the tattoo print and read,
Medical patient: River. Return to nearest hospital if found.

Shimmer sighed as her sister gently escorted the patient to a hospital and left her to question the rest of the ponies. It would take longer, and be an extremely boring afternoon. Not only that, she wasn’t like her sister, who was sweet, graceful, and able to tell ponies in a gentle manner that they would not be accepted and head into the Everfree Forest with them to find treasure.
Shimmer was a rough gal, who flew at dangerous speeds for the joy of it and adrenaline. She liked to wrestle with ponies, and get into fights. She enjoyed her own blunt ways, and not dancing around with fancy words, yet that was what those Unicorns and Pegasi needed. A soft hoof to tell them that they didn’t make it.
She sighed and nibbled on her tongue as the last Earth pony there came in.
She was a gentle looking Mare, with looked like a red circle for a cutie mark on her dark blue coat. She had a slightly lighter blue mane that hung on the sides of her neck and curtained her face from Shimmers bored gaze. When Shimmer was able to see the ponies face, she saw the pony has silver eyes and a shy look on her.
“Hey, I’m Shimmer as you know, who are you?”
“Eclipse” The mare murmured and swished her short tail. “I got my cutie mark for studying them too, well, them and everything about the night. I am a follower of Luna instead of Celestia.”
Shimmer glanced at it closer and saw the craters on a moon that was red, just like some areas in the night sky during a lunar eclipse.
“Interesting, that could actually be useful. See, the treasure my sister and I seek it in a very precise location, and we don’t want to get lost. If we travel during the night, you could guide us by the stars, I bet!” She said excitedly.
“Don’t you have a map?” The mare asked curiously.
Shimmer shook her head sadly. “No, the map that belonged to the book that told us about the treasure is missing. It gave us some written directions, but a lot of it is smudged out with various stains.”
“Oh.” She said. “Well, do you need to know anything else?”
“Are you willing to walk away from this empty-hoofed if we can’t find this treasure, and can you stand being in the forest during the night time?” Shimmer asked.
“Yes, and…” She gulped in fear, “Yes.”
“Ok, last thing, why do you want to search for this treasure?”
Eclipse took a deep breath and spoke. “I have always wanted to do something brave, but never had the chance, and when the chance did arrive… I couldn’t do it. I sat in the crowd with everypony and watched someone else be brave, cool, and simply amazing. I want to be brave too though, and I have a feeling in my gut telling me that, if I don’t take this opportunity now, I will never be brave.
“Impressive, I can respect that. Well, that’s it, thank you for putting up with the long line. Come back here tomorrow at 8:00AM sharp. Bring a backpack full of camping things, because you might just be the pony for the job.” Shimmer grinned, and shook her hoof.

Astra got back in time to interview the last five ponies, and as she was interviewing the last one she was unsure if he was creepy, or she was tired and hungry from the days work.
The tan colored stallion had an odd look in his bronze colored eyes. They looked over Astra hungrily, but she had never seen the type of hunger in his eyes before. He wasn’t starved of food, but instead something else. His body was fit, or at least fit for a pony who didn’t appear to be into extreme weight lifting, and he had a cutie mark that pictured a looming shadow over a teddy bear.
“Hello, Astra.” The stallion grinned slyly. “My name is Marcus, how old are you?”
Astra looked at him oddly. “I am the one who is supposed to be asking the questions, but I am 15.” She informed him.
He nodded and laughed an easy laid back chuckle. “Of course, of course. Please, continue.”
She cleared her throat and put on a professional face, suddenly feeling young in front of him, despite all the struggles she had gone through with being an orphan. “Ok, I already know your name, so how did you get your cutie mark?” She asked the Earth pony.
“I hunt treasure from story books for a living!” He grinned. “The shadow is me hunting, and the bear represents the first treasure I ever found.”
“How interesting.” She feigned a smile, her gut screaming at her not to believe him. “Then you will probably come in handy if you are picked. Next question, why do you want to find this treasure?”
“Why, I live for finding treasure, as my cutie mark tells you.” He said, scratching his dark grey mane.
“Thanks, well that is it. Marcus, I am sorry, but I have meet a lot of ponies like you today.” She lied. “Claiming that their cutie marks represented treasure hunting, when it was plain to see, they didn’t. You won’t be coming on this trip. Sorry.”
He looked down in disappointment. “Oh well, I can find other treasures to chase.” He said and left.
After leaving she cleaned up the tent which had some wrappers in it, and called over Shimmer to help her pack it.
“So, anypony interest you out of the last five?” Shimmer asked.
“No, and that last one, Marcus, just gave me the creeps.” Astra shivered.
“What type of creeps?”
“Filly fondler.”
“No one touches my sister!” Shimmer growled.
“Don’t worry, he won’t, I am already going through all the protection spells I have learned.” Astra assured her sister. “Besides, we live way out of town, he won’t find us.” She grinned.
“Point, point. So, anyone you had your eye on to help us?” Shimmer asked.
“No, but I told a few Pegasi and Unicorns to show up anyway, so we don’t appear racist.” Astra replied as she finished packing up the tent. “You?”
“One. Her name is Eclipse, and she studies the night sky. I figured that if we bring some paper she can map the night sky and help us get our bearings.” She said proudly.
Grinning Astra nuzzled her cheek. “And you said you weren’t smart! That is a brilliant plan, oh sister of mine! Now lets get home, darkness is going to fall soon and I wanna scrounge up some food from the everfree. Ponyville has managed to tame a part of it so ponies can hike.”
“Ok, you have your plants memorized?”
Astra nodded. “Of course. We don’t need a repeat with that poison joke.”
“Here here!”
The twins set off as the sun inched down the sky like a sun-starved lizard. With light backpacks on their backs they entered the hiking trails and veered a bit off the path, though not much. While they walked they had the sense of being watched.
The part of the forest near town was much unlike the rest of the forest. It had thinned trees and friendly animals like squirrels and bunnies and the odd beaver thrown in. The trees were light oak trees and coniferous pines. Evergreen shrubs littered the ground, mixing in with poison joke, blackberry bushes, and beautiful flowers such as sunflowers and others. Set paths of dirt and stone suggested you hike on them, instead of simply venturing into the forest and possibly getting lost.
Astra looked on the ground for mushrooms and berries, while her sister looked in the trees for apples, which were more common in this area of the everfree forest thanks to the Apple Family. Shimmer fluttered above the ground, also acting as lookout that evening as she couldn’t shake that creepy feeling. When she turned her head she swore she saw a pair of bronze eyes looking right at her.
Landing after 15 more minutes of twitching around in the treetops and making small talk, she had gathered five apples she placed them in her backpack.
“These were the only non-wormy ones.” Shimmer explained. “Also, I think we should go. I think something is planning on hunting us. I saw bronze eyes in those bushes.” She shuddered, remembering the hungry eyes.
“If you want to.” Astra said, putting the squashable berries carefully in Shimmer’s pack too. “I do have the vague feeling of being stalk- wait did you say bronze eyes?” She demanded.
“Uh yeah, why?”
“Because that pony who looked like a filly fondler had bronze eyes!” She whispered in a hiss, glancing around nervously.
“Oh geez, lets bounce!”
Nodding stiffly. astra lead the way out of the forest, taking a dirt and gravel path. As the two mares walked they glanced around suspiciously, looking for any sign of a possible enemy who was most likely Marcus. They were safe throughout the walk through town, but 10 minutes into their walk home from the town they heard a curious rustling in the bush.
“Double speed!” Astra muttered under her breath to Shimmer, who wordlessly nodded back to her.
They power walked for a good five minutes before having to slow down a bit, their hungry bodies unable to handle any overexertion. Their bodies could, but the mares didn’t want to push it in case they were being followed by the evil pony.
15 minutes passed and their house was coming into view, but they still had the feeling of being watched, and Shimmer knew they could not give their home location away, not to their stalker.
“Walk slower.” She said as they walked on the dirt road. “We need to figure out how to stop the stalker, he is too persistent for our own safety and privacy.”
“Indeed, and I have an idea.” She smirked and “accidentally” tripped her sister. “Oh geez! Sorry Shims!” Under her breath she added. “Look around while I pretend to look you over.” Louder, “Are you hurt anywhere?”
“Yeah! I scraped my front right leg!” She snapped, holding up her leg. It indeed had a scratch and Astra felt guilty.
“Sorry, but you are no actor.” She informed her sister as she examined the scratch. “See our target anywhere?”
“In the juniper bush to our right.”
“Thanks, I will get to your booboo later.”
“Don’t call it a booboo! I am not a filly!” Shimmer blushed in embarrassment.
Astra didn’t hear as she suddenly spun her head at the juniper bush and saw the bronze eyes that could only belong to Marcus. Marcus had not seemed to notice her though, as he concentrated on her hurt sister, which only confirmed her suspicions of his motives for following them.
“FILLY FONDLER!” She screeched and used her magick to levitate him. “Why are you following us?” She panted as she worked her magick. Levitating light books was one things, but full grown stallions was another!
Marcus was truly surprised as he let out a yelp of fear. “I am no filly fondler, now release me you mare!”
Shimmer jumped right up, taking over the talking for her sister as she struggled to keep him in her magickal grasp. “Yeah right! Finding out our ages, stalking us in the forest and to our homes, and your extremely unusual cutie mark! Seriously, that cutie mark is obviously you going after kids, and we know it!” She snorted. “Now tell us why my sister shouldn’t slam you into the ground!”
“Because this is a misunderstanding!” Marcus yelled. “Please, don’t make me give out the real explanation.” He whined, bronze eyes begging as he slowly rotated in the magick bubble of Astra’s rose pink colored magic.
“Oh, but this isn’t a misunderstanding. Astra, slam this sicko into the ground before he preys on us and others!” Shimmer ordered.
With a grunt Astra began to float him higher, and when he reached the peak she released him from her magick, though she still had it ready to grip him again in case he did something. To their surprise though, a green fiery flash happened and a flying changeling was in the place of a falling stallion. Quicker than the changeling changing, it was back in Astra’s strained grip.
“Bug!” Both sisters gasped.
“Oh come on.” It complained, returning to its slow rotation in her magick bubble.
“What are you doing, bug!” Shimmer screeched, her yellow eyes furious and casting an eerie glow, or so it appeared to the bug, who froze the best he could, but the bubble still making him rotate.
“St-st-stop that gaze!” The changeling coward the best he could, though floating. 
“No!” Shimmer yelled and stomped on the ground, leaving a dirty imprint on it. “Now tell us, why were you stalking us! Why were your stalking us!” She screeched.
“Shimmer, calm down! I can’t concentrate with that yelling!” Astra yelled.
Shimmer growled as her wings flapped in fury, but she kept her anger, and voice, in check. “Answer us, bug, or we will squash you like one.” She threatened.
The changeling gulped and began. “So, like your pony food, love also has different flavors, or more like, energy. Sisterly love is one of the strongest, and you guys being twins makes it stronger, but despite both those factors, it is still unusually strong. I stalked you both to feed and find out why your love is so strong, but I think I can put two and two together now. You guys are hobos.”
Shimmer calmed down a bit at this reasonable explanation. “Rude way of putting it, I prefer orphans who weren’t accepted into a foster home, though.” She paused, then asked. “Why that cutie mark though? That cutie mark was simply scary.”
It made an offended noise. “Unlike some of my brethren and sisters, I find morphing to be an art, and cutie marks help me express my true form. The shadow is me hunting for love, and the worn out teddy bear is a much loved object! Right, you ponies love teddies?”
“Only as foals!” Shimmer protested, cheeks burning slightly.
The changeling chuckled at her reaction. “Suuuure. I have seen plenty of adults sleep with stuffed toys, mainly teddy bears.”
“So we aren’t your first victims of feeding huh?”
“Nope.” The changeling went to say more but he suddenly fell on his face as Astra’s magick gave out.
“Oh gosh, sorry!” She squeaked. “I just couldn’t hold you anymore, mister bug!”
The changeling sat up, rubbing his nose.”Just because I changed forms it does not mean my name has changed. I am still Marcus, and bug is an offensive slang when used by you ponies.”
“Sorry!” She gasped, rubbing sweat from her forehead.
“Hey, don’t act high and mighty! You are the one stalking us, and feeding from us!”
“Well feeding from you guys isn’t a bad thing, so don’t act so offended! I need to feed and I wasn’t harming you guys!” The changeling snarled back.
Shimmer snorted and dug her hoof into the ground as warning, an ancient sign that told that a pony wanted to charge. The changeling copied, taking her shape and confusing Astra.
“Hey, get out of that shape!” Astra yowled and charged the fake Shimmer, her horn down.
Green fire flared and Marcus jumped over Astra, his wings flapping. “Ok, ok, but tell her to calm down! Survival says to take your enemies shape when battling.” He landed a ways away.
Astra swung her head to her sister. “C’mon Shims, lets leave this bug.” She glared at him. “He isn’t worth the energy and I want to eat some berries.”
He growled. “Yeah, yeah, kill me over the stupid misunderstanding.” He growled and floated off.
Enemy defeated, or at least discovered, the sisters were satisfied as they set off for home once more and gladly entered it just as the settled and Luna’s moon took over the starry sky. That night they feasted on all the berries, knowing they would not survive the night without proper storing, and they lacked that.

> Action
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Chapter 3: Action.

They had gone to sleep with full stomachs’ for once, so they would think no nightmare would appear that night, or nothing beyond normal dreaming. Disappointingly for Astra, that would not be the case.

Once more Astra trotted into the Everfree with the Night Gems book floating at her side. She glanced around eagerly, and her eyes leapt to the book. With a cocky grin she opened it up, but only found a shocking surprise within its’ pages instead of knowledge.
A disapproving Luna face stared back at her.
“AHHHH!” She screeched and dropped the book, which sadly did not close shut upon impact with the ground.
Instead Luna pulled her self from the book and gave her fur a quick shake before speaking in a commanding voice.
“How did thee find this book?” She demanded, eyes serious, yet calm.
“I-is this real?” Astra squeaked instead of answering.
Her frown deepened. “This dreamscape is only as real as you make it, but yes, I am the one and only Princess of the Night!” Upon saying her title she used the royal voice.
Astra was stunned into silence for only a few brief moments before speaking once again. “Wh-what is it, my princess?” She asked.
“I have heard of you proposing adventure in Ponyville, where not only the Princess of Friendship lives, but one of my more active subjects too. Top it off with some strange dreams you have been having, I felt the need to investigate.” Eyeing the book on the ground her face grew into one of distaste. “I see I have chosen wisely in interfering with your dreams, young orphan. Where did you get this book?” She demanded once more.
Astra backed up as the question was fiercely asked. “Oh um, Princess Twilight was giving out books, I could not resist, even if the walk was long.”
Luna facehoofed. Of course Twilight would do something like that, not taking things like what would be in that book seriously. It was typical Twilight Sparkle to not believe that what was in that book was even true, because it had no proof! She had not been around long enough to know, she was only 116 years old, after all. That was like, a kid’s age compared to her and her sister.
“Astra, I am here to warn you about the consequences of that book, and why you having it worries me so.” Luna concentrated slightly and the dreamscape changed.
Luna and Astra were no longer alone as a paranoid Night Princess sat hunched in a seat before them. She was reading Night Gems. An accidental hoof movement spilled over some of the pages, but them paranoid princess merely snorted, “Bah, I no longer need instructions! Nightmare Moon, what next to create my new friends?”
Astra flinched at the demons name. “Wh-what is this?”
“Look on. It is known that once upon a time I was very lonely, what ponies do not know is that the nightmare offered more than her friendship, she offered a whole race’s friendship. A race that I could create by myself, with the help of some stolen power.” Luna shook her head at her past chooses. “It didn’t end badly, but I still regret how I did it. What it cost.”
A different voice came from past Luna, this voice most likely belonged to the Nightmare. “Now, you need three special sacrifices…”
The scene was cut off as it transferred to two withering ponies on the ground. One was an Earth pony,while the other was a Pegasus.
“Our loyal minions, do not fear us!” Luna begged with Nightmare Moons voice. “We give you a gift! You will be the ponies of the night, and you shall enjoy the beauty of it to its fullest extent.”
They continued to wither in agonizing pain but nothing was happening.
“Nothing is happening, what now?” Luna turned her head and hissed in a whisper so they wouldn’t hear.
“Now, you add the power that I showed you. Simply draw on it and transfer it. No other pony even uses this power, they have been long dead!” Luna answered herself with Nightmare Moon’s voice.
Nodding grimly, she put on a concentrating face and her horn began to glow with red magick that didn’t belong to her, but rather the power source. It flowed slowly from her, and she seemed to be struggling with it, but she managed to direct it on the pegasus first. The power attacked him, or so it seemed, as she blasted it at him.
He howled in pain, and Astra clearly saw his teeth, they all turned pointy, one by one. His wings stretched out and the feathers fell from them, flesh was replaced by leather that was in to a bats’. His eyes seemed to fight for which color would remain dominate, his original green, or a new blood red; eventually they came to a truce at a striking yellow with slitted pupils.
Luna from the pasted stopped the magick and panted, a weak, yet victorious grin plastered on her face. “Welcome to the night, our minion. You were once a loyal pony of the Night Guard, but you will now be of the elite knights, where only the most loyal and trustworthy ponies are positioned.”
He got up painfully and bowed. “Yes, princess.”

Luna cut off the scenes in total. “I borrowed only a little of its power, yet I had the proper training to use it. I beg of you, brave Astra, do not use this power on somepony else! I made a once free-spirited guard into my loyal servant, and before that forced him to undergo painful transformations, and did the same to many more guard ponies.” She hung her head in shame. “The ancestors of the bat ponies were like fighting slaves to Nightmare Moon. She figured that once she had control of Equestria they could be like her police force, and army. Any who disobeyed were brought in by them and became like them. 
Luckily for me, after I was banished they regained a small portion of their free-will, and a few found their soul mates. They had baby Bat ponies, and those were born with free-will. That aside, please, Astra, never use the power from there on somepony else. Please!”
The frantic moon princess had a worried look upon her face and Astra took a deep breath. “I, Astra the Unicorn, swear to an oath, that I will never ever do what you did, and use the power on somepony else.” She crossed her heart with a hoof.
Luna sighed with relief. “My little pony, the ways of them have been lost for so long with only a few leaks of power here and there… I shudder to think of its whole power…”

The dream ended, and as Astra wook she saw it was a little before dawn. She didn’t remember a thing from it, but she had a feeling of seriousness from her slumber.
“Sister, wake up! Quick!” Astra shook the slumbering Pegasus.
“Wha?”
“The adventure!” She yelled at the top of her lungs to wake her sleeping sister.
“Aaaaie! I don’t want to be late to that!” Shimmer jumped up with her wings abuzz. She zoomed down stairs yelling of her shoulder, “I will get everything ready, you go wash up and bring the book! Also, fill the water bottles!”
Rushing with speed to match the fastest flyer Astra opened her bedroom window and jumped from it. Praying she had this spell down, she casted a light landing spell and floated down gently. It was much quicker than using the door and running through the house with her sister rushing around it. She pumped water from the pump and soaked her body to clean off any grime and dirt.
Ignoring her now shivering body she used a quick heat spell to get most of the moisture off and sprinted quickly inside to grab a the two water bottles. One was fairly old, but still useable, while one was brand new, bought with the bits they had spent on this trip. She filled both with the freezing water from the pump and turned it off.
“Shimmer, I can take over, you go wash up!” She told her sister as she began to finish packing the objects that Shimmer had brought out.
“On it, Sis!”
Checking everything was there, Astra levitated the Night Gems book towards he and began to pack it in her bag carefully. That was when a flash hit her.

Astra couldn’t see much, just some busy hooves. One of the hooves accidentally spilled some strange liquids on a page.

She shook her head to clear it. Where did that come from? Well, she could look into it later. For now the ponies were running a bit later, as they had hoped to wake up earlier. She packed the book and closed both bags. Astra grabbed an apple for the road, and place one of the apples on her sisters bag. They would share the last apple later that day.
She was finishing her apple when her sister rushed in and hurried to put on her bags.
“What took you forever?” Astra demanded.
Shimmer flapped her wings. “Wings are harder to clean than horns, miss Unicorn. Besides, it has been forever since they got a decent cleaning. Now are you ready to get going? We can’t be later to this, we run this!”
“Eat your apple on the fly. You are lucky I used to be in track before we had to leave school.” Astra answered, tossing her the apple. “Now lets, Shimmy, on out of here.” She winked at her own horrible joke.
“Nooo, you are forbidden to make puns with my name.” Shimmer groaned as she exited the house.
While Shimmer flew at break-neck speeds, Astra ran as swiftly as her hooves would take her. The whole apple for breakfast gave them energy, while skill and endurance alone kept them going for so long at such paces. Only around two and half miles was Astra forced to take a breather and walk.
She had began to slow to a job around the two mile mark, and at the one mile mark she was running, but not as fast as she was that first mile. Her sister was lucky, being able to have wings meant she could go longer and faster naturally. Unicorns had grabbed the short end of the stick when it came to physical fitness. Sure, they could become stronger with training, but they were simply built for magick. Most of their energy went into controlling and making it, for Celestia’s sake!
Huffing she glanced at the sun and tried to guess the time. It was climbing at a steady pace, but was still fairly close to the horizon. She estimated that it was at least 7:30, but she didn’t know for sure. She prayed to Celestia that her sister was in the park at least. Three minutes of sweaty walking later, she set off at a trot, her horn lit to have her magick help her forward.

Shimmer looked at the clock of some pony she asked. 7:52. Where was her sister? Both of them needed to be present for this, when they finally choose the pony who would accompany them!
Five minutes passed and she heard a huffing sound nearby, turning her head she saw her sister come wheezing in.
“Track pony, eh?”
“Shut. Up.” She managed to gasp, using the rest of her magick to clear off the sweat.
Shimmer snickered. “You can tell me later, come on now. I found a rock to stand on, since we can’t afford a stage.”
Breathlessly, Astra nodded and followed.
The twins struggled up onto the rock, well more like Astra struggled. Shimmer flew up easily and landed with grace as her sister used her remaining energy to reach the top.
Slowly, the ponies gathered around as 8:00 drew closer, the minutes inching by as slowly as a snail. When the clock tower dinged the passing hour, Shimmer began the opening speech.
“Greetings!” She boomed. “I would like to thank you all for meeting here so early, sadly though, we only have one spot open. My sister and I discussed who to pick, and we will be dismissing those who are not to join us shortly.”
Both gazed at the ponies that they other choose. While it was easier to eliminate all Pegasi and Unicorns, they agreed to keep two of each kind in the last group to choose from, along with four choice Earth ponies, two picked by each sister.
Finally Astra called out the names. “Eclipse, Harold, Banana Splits, Seabreeze, Quick Hoof, Yellow Lemon, Green Lime, and Lisa!”
Two were sisters, while the rest were strangers to one another. Lisa, Quick Hoof, Seabreeze, and Harold were the Unicorns and Pegasi, while the sisters and other two were Earth ponies. Quickly each sister took the ponies aside and dismissed the non Earth ponies, then looked at the rest.
The two sisters left a bad taste in Astra’s mouth. While they were eager, and seemed ready to go on an adventure, they had greedy and sly look’s in their eyes. That left them with the mellow Eclipse, and a joking Banana Splits.

“So, My twin Shimmer interviewed you, but today I will be asking you questions. I want to see the personality of our possible future traveling buddy.” She grinned.
“Possible, future, traveling buddy. Never thought to get a title like that!” The cheeky brown stallion grinned.
Banana Splits had a banana peel as his cutie mark, and throughout Shimmer’s interview he had been cracking jokes. He had yellow eyes that oddly complimented his shaggy dark brown coat. His build wasn’t as muscular as other Earth ponies, as he seemed to favor jokes instead of gardening, or other jobs that were usually left to them.
As she asked her questions, she felt a general liking for this pony, but she felt he was simply not serious enough for the adventure. He flew threw any of her semi-serious questions with corny puns (and why must you watch what you say in a corn field? Astra didn’t get it!) and laughs. Any questions that were 100% serious, he merely chuckled and diverted the topic. She could understand why Shimmer liked him, he was the missing humor in their all to serious and real life.
“I am sorry Mr.Splits, but I don’t think you are the Stallion for the job. I feel that you could have been a stress reliever for this journey, but I want someone who can talk business, and be a bit more real when they have to be.” Astra sighed.
He waved a hoof nonchalantly. “No big deal!” He grinned. “I didn’t even expect to make it this far, but that’s ok! I only signed up out of mere curiosity, though I assure you, I have given this my best shot. Well, I wish you and your sister luck, Astra. You will need it.” He nodded, and walked off smiling.
She let out a sigh of relief. So many ponies had exploded in the last two days at not getting picked, and he was perhaps the most at ease one who was not picked! He even wished them luck! What a nice stallion, she hoped to cross paths with him again some day.
After telling her sister her decision, with wide grins they approached Eclipse.
“Congratulations, Eclipse, you are the mare who is going to help us!” Shimmer grinned. “And when we find that treasure, if it is real, you will be getting a good chunk of it. 50-50.”
“50-50? I mean no offense, but that sounds like a scam…” She murmured, looking at them both.
Astra understood quickly. “Oh, no, see, because my sister and I live together we only want half of it. Besides, there are a few obstacles we left out, that, and another part of the treasure.” She grinned slyly. “We just didn’t want to tell the public, ‘cause we didn’t want to attract overly ambitious ponies who would use this thing negatively.”
Eclipse drew back. “You guys aren’t secret psycho’s, are you?” She whimpered.
Their faces fell, and while Shimmer struggled to hold back laughter, Astra rushed to sooth her. “Celestia no!” She looked around and whispered, “The thing we left out? Power. There are three things we are looking for, treasure of gold, treasure of knowledge, and power that can be used by any pony race, we think.”
“You think?” Eclipse asked. “Why do you “think”?”
“Well, some things in the book are clear, other things are iffy, but I promise, even if this treasure isn’t still there, we will have a fantastic time! Think about it, not many ponies want to go adventuring into the Everfree, so think of this experience as just that! A unique experience you will never get anywhere else!”
Eclipse stood taller and attempted to assert herself. “I want more proof.” She said. “Show me more proof of this treasure, or that this experience will be a positive one or I will back out.”
Shimmer and Astra looked at one another. They didn’t want to talk about this in public, so that left only one choice. They had to bring Eclipse to their house and show them why they thought this was real, or more like, needed this to be real.
Astra looked at her seriously. “To do that, you need to see our home, and see why we would never lie about something like this. Thing is, I don’t want you to see our home.”
“Because you guys are crazy?” Eclipse wimmered. “And you keep scary things there?”
Shimmer gave her an annoyed look. “That was funny the first time, but now I am feeling insulted. No, it isn’t that, and I don’t wanna tell you. Astra, you can tell this crazy mare that we aren’t psycho’s. I am going to ready our home for a guest and clean up your book mess.” With a snort she flew off.
Astra watched her silvery sister fly away, and turned her head to Eclipse. “I- I really hope you don’t think less of us but… We are homeless.” She said, looking down.
“Is that it?” Eclipse demanded gently. “This whole scene because of that?”
“Ma-maybe.”
Eclipse let out a breath and glanced at her. “I don’t see why you were so worried about it. Though, why aren’t you in an orphanarium?”
Astra growled at the word. “Because nopony checks on them. They assume that all of them are ok, and have the occasional monthly checkup, a scheduled checkup! On that day the pony who runs it simply yells at the foals to clean faster, and they do, and it doesn’t get shut down.” She raved.
“Not all are like that.” Eclipse said, highly confused.
“Around here they are.” She sneered. “I checked.” Her tone and face returning to their normal pleasantness, she asked, “Now, why don’t we walk to my home?”
She went out on a hoof and trusted the young pony. Eclipse nodded her head and they walked the three miles to the abandoned home.

Shimmer hummed as she cleaned. Being a pegasus, her wings let her travel faster than any Earth of Unicorn on hoof. Though she wasn’t the fastest, she was still fairly fast compared to a pony who occasionally worked out.
She cleaned the down stairs and upstairs as thoroughly as she could in a short amount of time. The cleaning helped to deal with the things that Eclipse had said, mainly calling them crazy. The reasonable part of Shimmers’ mind knew that Eclipse didn’t mean to call them crazy for searching for a treasure that might not exist, or possibly had already been plundered. Sadly the anxious part of her thoughts spoke louder that day.They told her that Eclipse was calling them crazy for searching for this treasure that may or may not exist, and if it did, may or may not have already been found.
She sighed and put the last book down and looked around her room. It was cleaner than it had been in a few days, considering there was nothing lying around on the floor now. The kitchen, where the twins most often hung out, was as very clean too, and she was sure her sister would be impressed with her efforts.
After floating around the house for a few minutes she decided to go outside and relax in the early morning sun before they had to go off on their adventure. The Everfree forest was a cold dank place most of the time, so now would be prime time to soak up any sun rays she could.
Sigh she lay on the huge rock that was near her house. Astra and Shimmer never knew why, but there were about four different boulders close to home, and they never bothered to figure out why they were there in the first place. Besides, warmed sun-rocks was the best, and something both sisters looked forward too in fall, summer, and spring days.


Astra walked up the road half an hour later. Eclipse had insisted that they jog some of the way to make better time, and Astra did not complain. Compared to her frenzied sprint that morning, the jog was a mellow, relaxing, walk.
When they finally got to her home, she assumed it was around 9:30 AM, maybe 9:15, but she didn’t know for sure. As they rounded a corner she spotted her sister.
“Stop lazing about, Shims, and get the book.” Astra ordered.
Shimmer cracked open an eye. “A please would be nice.” She grumbled, but flew off to get the book anyway.

Eclipse watched the sisters anxiously, not knowing what to truly make of these near strangers. They did seem really nice, but she sensed they had a thick layer of distrust they refused to show. Astra had proved that when she practically growled and hissed at the word orphanage.
The Earth mare felt like she could trust them not to harm or betray her though, and surely that was what mattered?
The devoted follower of Luna walked calmly after the Unicorn twin and began to wonder how that even happened. She wanted to ask, but she supposed that asking her would be bad, they barely knew each other and were only judging that they trust one another by both appearances and what they had managed to gather from the interviews. If Eclipse really wanted to know more about this odd mare and her equally as odd sister, she would have to befriend them.
Well, at least friendship is magick.

The three gathered in the kitchen and Eclipse had to force herself from flinching at the state of the furniture when she sat down. A splintery, hard, wooden seat bug into her backside as they began to speak.
“The book is called, The Night Gems. It has the written instructions, but we need the map, and the book said the only way to get it was to get a Unicorn, Pegasus, and Earth pony together.” Astra grinned and pushed the book towards her. “We were actually aiming to only get an Earth pony from the interviews, but didn’t have the heart to tell the other ponies they wouldn’t make it.”
She picked up the book gingerly. It had a worn cover, but it appeared to be in OK shape. She figured it was fairly old, and the fact that it wrote about some ancient treasure and power only proved her theory that this was one old book.
“What page?” She asked.
“I think page 121.” Shimmer suggested.
It took a few minutes, but Eclipse finally read all she wanted too, and still holding the interesting book, she spoke. “Ok, this book is fairly interesting, but I still feel like you guys are going on hope.”
“Astra had a dream after reading it!” Shimmer blurted out, then hurried on, “And it wasn’t a normal dream either. She began to sleep cast in her sleep, and she was dreaming about the book. She had dreamed that she was a bat-pony!”
That piqued her curiosity. “Like one of Luna’s?”
Astra fidgeted. “Sorta. I could feel in my mouth I had fangs though, and fangs I could retract. It was… Odd. I also felt like I had heightened senses too. Do regular bat-ponies have that?”
“Ok, first they are actually called Thestrals.” Eclipse chuckled lightly, “And secondly, no.” Her face grew serious. “Have you had any other dreams?”
Astra looked down. “I don’t know,” The Unicorn admitted, “I might have, but I don’t remembered if I dreamed at all last night.”
Eclipse nodded her head. “I could see…. Or no, maybe not. When do you guys plan on leaving for this adventure?”
“Noon today!” The twins replied in unison.
She nodded. “Ok. Astra, if we camp out in the woods, would you mind terribly if I entered your dreams?”
The mare looked at her confused. “I guess not, but how can you?”
“Luna’s followers are all taught how to dream-walk, and because you don’t need magick for simply exploring anothers dream, anypony can do it. Though, if I wanted to say, see if your dream was about to become a nightmare, I would be unable to.”
“Interesting, we can talk about that later though, for now, we need to get ready!” Shimmer announced.
“I am already ready.” Astra informed.
“Ditto.” Eclipse replied.
“Huh, same.” Shimmer scratched her head. “Then how about we work on getting that map. Astra, you have a plan?”
“You know it.” She smirked. “Eclipse, sorry about this.” She said and yanked a hair from the Earth pony’s mane.
“Ow.” Was the simple reply as she put the book down.
Astra proceeded to pluck a feather from her sister, and placed both next to the book.
“My turn.” She grinned and lit up her horn. Magick surrounded the book and the two objects, yet nothing happened.
Eclipse looked at the scene with slight confusion. “I fear I have skimmed past that part. Why do you need to do this?” She inquired.
“We need something from an Earth pony, a Pegasus, and a Unicorn, but it isn’t working!” Astra groaned and set the book down, realising it from her magick.
“Odd, let me read.” She said and picked it up. As she turned a page she got a paper cut.
“Ouch!” She yelped and dropped the book on the floor. “Oh geez, sorry about dropping it!” She said and went to pick it up.
As her hooves hovered over the book a few drops of blood got on to it, and suddenly it glowed a dark green. All three mares gasped and Eclipse quickly set it on the table. “What did I do?” She wondered aloud.
The bright red drops on the book cover caught Astra’s attention. “Your blood! We needed the Earths blood!” She yelped and lightly shot harmless magick at the book.
Sadly it did nothing, but that didn’t stop her from putting the feather back on the books cover. Another color, this one a dark blue, joined the green. It symbolized the Pegasus part. Astra bit her lip, confused on what to do next.
“I- I have already tried to use my magick on the book. Why wont it work? I don’t know what to do!”
“Thirds time the charm?” Shimmer asked. Eclipse nodded her head in agreement.
Letting out a breath she laid harmless magick on the book, and it glowed in a tri-color light of beauty. Green, blue, and dark purple now surrounded. The colors swirled and the book began to float in the dramatic lighting. It opened, and the written pages of instructions flew and and began to morph together. When they did that, it formed a map.
“Quick, grab it!” Astra yelled.
Quick as a whistle, Eclipse snatched it from the air, rolled it up, and placed it in her bag. As she was doing that, the twins saw the book wasn’t done with its shenanigans. It floated slightly higher, than out the door.
“Follow that book!” Shimmer demanded and flew after it, Astra and Eclipse hot on her trail.
They followed it for a good five minutes, and every time Shimmer caught up, it would fly right out of the Pegasus’s reach. Frustrated with the teasing literature, she added on speed and forgot her companions, who thankfully had not taken their backpacks off yet. She left them in a trail of dust and followed the book as it lead the way to the looming forest.

Astra and Eclipsed huffed as they finally caught up to the young emotional hothead.
“Thanks for leaving us back there, sis.” Astra coughed as she sat down.
The book was lifeless and useless on the ground, but a slight glow came from the bag that belonged to Eclipse. Undoing the latch she drew out the map that had a faint glowing dot, that soon disappeared.
“If my guess is correct, then it lead us to the beginning of the trail to the cave.” The Earth mare spoke quietly.
Astra stood up wobbly. Two long runs… Unicorns weren’t even built for physical activities, yet here she was, running like a mad mare! Pushing her aches aside, she acknowledged Eclipse’s claim with a slight nod. “I guess we are a little early, but that probably means we will be out of here by tonight. I hope.”
Shimmer, not even out of breath unlike the two runners, picked up the map. “And if we are, our Earth pony friend here can show us back home by the night sky. Only if our map disappears though.” She said rolling it shut.
Spontaneously, Astra broke into a wide grin. “Hey girls… Guess what we just did?”
“Solve a stupid, and bloody riddle?” SHimmer guessed sarcastically, not in the mood for guessing games.
“Um, find our trail?” Eclipse added.
“We have completed the first out of five tasks!” Whopped Astra. Her breathlessness forgotten, and aching legs ignored, she stood at the trail-head, and peered in. “Now we just gotta finish the other four.” She muttered. “Eclipse, you control the map, Shimmer, you watch us from the air, I will lead.”
Eclipse had second thoughts about following the orders of a 15 year old pony, even if she was unnaturally bright despite her lack of school, but didn’t voice them. Dipping her head she scooped up the map, and Shimmer floated above them. Astra lit her horn against the untamed darkness of the Everfree forest, and the trio entered the wild, self-controlled, jungle.

> The Wolves, the Bats, and the Knowing Stone, Part 1
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Chapter 4: The Wolves, the Bats, and the Knowing Stone.

On and on they walked, Astra looking worriedly at the bag which held the book every now and then. Eclipse was thankful that she took the advice Shimmer had given her yesterday, to arrive with a bag for camping. Lucky for her, none of the present ponies had thought to take off their bags when they arrived at the twins home.
Shimmer gazed at the ground, slightly imagining her vision to be sharper than a hawks, or eagles, though she knew that was not the case. She was incredibly lucky with 20/20 vision, while her sisters was slightly worse, but it wasn’t overly horrible, and she could still make out some of the finer details farther away.
As they traveled on in deadly silence, a mist began to appear. Thicker and thicker, it began to clog even Shimmers perfect sight, until she couldn’t even see her sister below her. With a start, she looked around wildly, white clouds surrounding her. When did this happen? And why so quickly?
“Sister!” She cried out in fear. “Astra!”
“We are over here!” Came the muffled reply of Eclipse. “Where are you Shimmer?”
“I don’t know.” She sniffled, feeling sudden loneliness. All she saw was the eerie white fog, and nothing, not even the ground, in sight. “Sister!” She cried out, panic setting in faster than a fleeing rabbit.
“I am fine, Shimmer, but but I can’t clear this fog away with my magick!” She yelled. “Just, come over to my voice, follow it.”
Shimmer attempted to, but the more Astra hummed, the farther away she felt she got. Getting desperate, she called on her own Pegasus magick to help her find her way. Pegasus magick was also a great help with navigation, but this odd fog seemed to have diminished not only her physical senses but her magickal ones too!
“I can’t!” She finally cried out. “Not even my pegasus magick can make head or tails of this!”
No reply.
“Astra? Did you hear me?”
Nothing.
“Sister?”
…
“Sissy?” She whimpered.
All that greeted her was the horrible, suffocating fog.
Her wings stopped buzzing and a panic attack threatened to happen any second. As she fell, her rump hit what surely was the ground, but she couldn’t see it. She was surrounded by white, nothing but horrific whiteness. “Sister!” She screeched.
Shivers of fear rocked her body, and in a vain attempt she called upon the power she used least of all, despite it being the most common, her weathering skills. Her wings pumped once again, but this time at a whirlwind pace. They slightly glowed as she concentrated on just clearing the fog.
Everfree fog came from the Everfree forest, not ponies, but it was still a type of weather, and she prayed with all her might it would react to her weather magick, and it did. The death still whiteness moved slowly but surely, and the forest began to reveal itself one more. Tears slid down Shimmers face, betraying both her fear and relief at what just happened. When the last traces of it moved, she was tackled by a warm body.
“Oh Shimmer, hearing you yell and cry like that was awful!” Astra cried, nuzzling her twin. “I never want to be separated from you like that! Never! We were there for each other during birth, and our parents death, and being orphans, and not being there for you during that stupid fog? It was just terrible!”
As sister cried for sister, Eclipse couldn’t help but hear the breath taking howl of a wolf in the distance, and she was nearly positive that a timberwolf had heard all three ponies yelling.
“I hate to interrupt,” She said softly yet firmly, but we must hush. Predators lurk.”
Both nodded, and sniffles recided, and after a bit, Shimmer could finally speak.
“A-Astra, if you could hear me, then why didn’t you respond?”
“Oh but we did!” Astra said as the three began to walk forward once more. “We yelled for you at the top of our lungs.” She promised. “I even tried to run to you, but all I could see was your faint outline, and when I tried moving, it was like I was moving through jello.”
“Really?” She asked. “I had no trouble moving at all, and I couldn’t hear you guys, I couldn’t even see your outlines! To think of it, I didn’t even see the ground when I fell.”
“You fell?” Astra squeaked.
“On purpose!” Shimmer defended herself. “Well, sorta… See, I just… I was.” She couldn’t bring herself to admit how terrified she was, but this was her sister, and she could trust her not to make fun of her in this weak moment. “I was absolutely shell-shocked. Not even my navigational Pegasus magick could understand what was happening.” She looked at the ground bitterly.
Astra nuzzled her cheek gently. “I am so sorry, that must have been horrible for you.” She whispered. “I promise though, we will never let a thing happen to you, not me, not even Eclipse. She may seem distant and tame, but I feel she is a good pony at heart, and would always protect a friend in need.”
Shimmer held back tears. “Thanks Astra, I really needed to hear that.”
“I am your sister, and I am there for you.” The Unicorn sighed.

Eclipse purposefully ignored their conversation, not wanting to eavesdrop on anything personal. Instead, the Earth pony looked straight ahead and focused on the path, which was not clear thanks to Shimmer. Sadly though, her vision was failing once more thanks to something possibly worse than the white fog, a black darkness thanks to the trees.
Eclipse shuddered, not wanting to repeat what had just happened, with a scared filly crying out for the help of her sister, while Eclipse could only protect said sister, and not the other. It had been about as bad for her as the twins. Eclipse was not an adventurer at heart, she was a studious mare, and that fog nearly drove her from the Everfree Forest.
She would have run away too, if it weren’t for the fact she felt the need to protect those twins. Eclipse wanted to tell them to turn back too, but she knew deep down those two would not listen. They were raised-hard orphans, stubborn as any pony from the apple family, and probably just as tough. Besides, why would they listen to a stranger who just became their friend?
She felt she had only one thing to do, and that was to protect them both, so she braved the darkening forest.

Astra grinned as they neared the end of their discussion, not noticing the darkening forest, and confident that they still had plenty of daylight left. “I think I understand what happened with the fog!” She chuckled. “It was the second test!”
Shimmer did not smile though, her eye merely twitched. “What?” She hissed. “I went through hell, I can not have you, or Eclipse, go through the same thing.”
Astra waved her tail. “Relax, Shims, I think it is different each test.”
Shimmer glanced around. “Speaking of tests, look at the forest. Despite it being noon at the latest, it appears we have entered night…”
Astra gulped. “Lets catch up to Eclipse and not stray from her.”
Shimmer nodded and they walked on her sides.
Steadily it grew darker, faster than that though, the ponies grew scareder. What if they were separated again?
A screech from above made each of them screech, but a shaky laugh escaped Shimmer as she managed to see what made the noise.
“Hehe.” She tried to laugh, but her nerves easily got the better of her. “It, it was just a vampire fruit bat guys.” She grinned weakly. “I should know, the apples have a tiny section cut off for them, and once I got a temporary job there to put up discarded apples.”
It was only temporary until Applebloom got better from her sickness.
“Yeah.” Astra nodded, and looked at them.
Despite the failing light she could see the details of them as more and more appeared in the darkness. They had extremely sharp fangs, grey, black, and brown colors, and flickering tongues. What struck her as odd though, was that there tongues lacked the frog-like stretchiness of most of their kind. Their frog-like tongues were able to grab, wrap around, and bring an apple straight to them, while the rest of the body hung still. There tongues seemed to lack that, and the hunger in their eyes told a different story.
Eclipse seemed to be the most nervous out of them. She knew all about friendly creatures, or at least creatures who didn’t attack ponies, of the night. These did not have uncaring eyes of those who were not bothered by ponies, but rather eyes than hungered and blamed the ponies. As more and more came, the darkness grew thicker, and to her, began to take a solid shape made of bats. Could these vermin be the reason darkness was descending faster than normal?
“Astra, can you light up that horn of yours?” Eclipse muttered as the area around them grew wetter, and the plants around them looked like they belonged in a marsh.
Astra nodded, and gladly brought some light to the area.
Hisses met her actions, and finally the waiting predators struck. With screeches the ponies finally saw why they were not like the run of the mill vampire fruit bat. The ears were smaller and sharper, the tongues slitted, and pointers, and their eyes grew red. Not just red with fury, but a physical reaction was taking place as they began to swarm the ponies, and their fangs growing longer so they might pierce their hides.
“These aren’t vampire fruit bats!” Eclipse yelled, “They are vampire cattle bats! They feed on the blood of livestock, but learned to ignore ancient griffins, because they wielded fire!”
The marsh-like plants, their hatred of her light that looked like fire. It all clicked in the brilliant mind of Astra. She gritted her teeth and summoned a spell she only used for small things. She summoned her fire making spell, but on a bigger scale.
“Stand back, everypony!” She hollered as a real-life fireball exploded from her horn.
The other two stood behind her as the mini ball of fire shot not once, but twice, from her horn. The first one was medium sized and appeared to drain her, while the second one was much smaller, but had the desired effects just like the medium sized one. The usually wet plants had been dried by the medium sized fire-ball, while the smaller one emitted just enough heat to light them on fire.
“Follow the trail!” Shimmer ordered, resisting the urge to run before them.
“Keep low to the ground, no flying, Shimmer.” Eclipse ordered.
Shimmer figured she had a good reason for ordering her around, and copied her. They swiftly crawled from the blazing forest fire that wasn’t spreading too far thanks to the wet conditions. When they felt they were a safe distance, Eclipse stood up and the followed.
She coughed a bit and banged on her chest, then got water from her backpack. “You guys need a drink too.” She said and guzzled down the bottle.
Numbly, the twins nodded, and drank the water from their bottles. While they focused on taking the older mares calm orders, Eclipse herself studied the conditions of all three of them.
Her own dark blue coat had soot covering it, and one tiny burn mark from an overly friendly ember. Her throat was sore from the smoke too, but that was expected and didn’t pose any real harm. Looking at the twins, she noticed they looked fine, though Astra appeared drained, and Shimmer had signed the edges of feathers when she almost flew off like an idiot. Both appeared a bit mind-blown too, but that would be taken care of, she hoped, with some kind words and an understanding demeanour.
“Hey, girls.” She said. “Why don’t we eat some lunch? We could dig into my supplied.” She said and opened her back pack.
Everything in it was fine, though some soot leaked into its edges, nothing was harmed. She took out three wrapped hay sandwiches. She gave one to each sister and unwrapped hers. Chowing down she watched the twins carefully. They appeared to take comfort in each other, but the Unicorn still sagged a bit.
Gulping down her most recent bite, she decided to take out an apple and hang it to them. “Split it in half.” She suggested in a motherly voice. “You both need it after what you two had to do.”
Astra had recovered enough wit to speak. “You should have it though!” She protested. “This is your food.”
Eclipse grinned kindly. “It might come from my supplies, but this is a group effort, besides, I haven’t done much besides walk and run today. Both of you though, you girls have worked hard. Take it.” She intsisted.
Shimmer didn’t need much convincing to take a huge chunk from the apple, and finish her half of it in a second bite. Chewing and swallowing a smile replaced her lips, though it was slightly bitter.
“What a disaster this has turned out to be.”
Eclipse couldn’t help but agree verbally. “Yeah… I would understand if you girls wish to turn back.” She said, and right after that a second, and much closer howl sounded, sending shivers down all three of their spines.
Astra gained a hard look in her eye despite that. “No.” She said curtly. “I refuse to go back, we have made it this far, and I think that was our third challenge.”
Shimmer glared at her. “Sister, I really do hate to fight with you, but if you are right, than we almost died in that test. You heard Eclipse, those things were cattle bats. Granted, cattle is raised by griffins, known omnivores, they have been known to travel to Equestria.”
Eclipse finished her sandwich. “Actually, we weren’t in too much danger.” She admitted. “Yes. they would have fed a little from us, but soon they would have fled after the first few bats informed the rest that we were known to wield fire. They make special notes of species that use fire, considering they hate it the most. They can also make a dark-like lighting appear by spreading their wings and casting shadows everywhere.”
“That is nice to know after the bat attack.” Shimmer snorted.
Eclipse fixed her with a stern gaze. “Hey, we were under attack and I couldn’t see them before they shoved their bodies in my face.”
Astra swiftly finished the apple and drank the rest of the water from her bottle. “Enough of this.” She stood up and stomped a hoof on the ground. “I am not going back.”
Shimmer sighed and stood up and stretched. “I guess where you go, I go, Sis.” Grins graced both of their features.
Eclipse groaned and stood up. “I am the only adult here, it is my responsibility to protect ifiot foals like you.”
“Hey!” THey both protested with slight grins on their faces.
“Yeah, only my sister acts like a hotheaded foal!” Astra giggled.
“Oh, shush you.” Shimmer said with mock scorn. “Lets just get going.
Eclipse allowed a wry grin on her face and the three continued stretching to move forward once more. Judging from the sky, they only have five more hours until the sun set.

To be continued...

> The Wolves, The Bats, and the Knowing Stone, Part 2
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Chapter 4: The Wolves, the Bats, and the Knowing Stone. Part 2.

They had been walking for a whole hour straight, but after the two incidents they no longer stayed silent. To increase moral, they bickered amongst each other like old friends, and with their friendship helping them get through the scary forest, the time seemed to go faster. When they were finally stopped by something, not even the map helped them with this.
It was an incredibly annoying fork in the road, with only a stone that had gibberish written on it to help them.
“Out of all the challenges today, this one is the most annoying!” Astra growled as the other two sat down and took a break from the exhausting walk.
“Calm down, Sis.” Shimmer called out.
“No, Shimmer, I won’t calm down.” She snorted, though did stop her pacing. “Even Eclipse is stumped by this, and she knows a lot.”
“Right here.” The adult reminded them.
“Sorry.” Astra said and sat down to glare at the gibberish stone.
On the round stone that sat between the path, there was only one thing the three ponies could understand, the arrows. One arrow pointed one way, the other arrow to the left path. The stone demanded that they choose a path, and yet it told them nothing!
Growling she wondered what to do, and decided to trust her gut. As she was about to choose, another thought crossed her mind, the book, and map. She wondered if the words were transferred to the map.
Bringing the map from Eclipse’s bag, she heard her say, “Astra, you know that wont help.”
“It might though.” Astra insisted as she looked all over the front.
Finding nothing but the regular map and key, she glanced at the back, and a smile broke on her face.


“A foggy path needs some clearing winds that only a pair of wings could create.


Beware the dark bringing beasts that lie in wait.


Come across two paths that only an adventurers heart shall know.


The plants must wither, the ones no pony, but only the Everfree can grow.


Entrance to the cave, holds the treasure, everything promised is there.”




She finished reading the last line and looked up in triumph. “That’s my sister!”
Shimmer let out a small laugh while Eclipsed sat there stunned. Finally she spoke. “Ok, well, I know that this isn’t my test. I am no true adventurer.”
Astra mused. “What about you, Shims?”
“Hate to say it, but ditto, Sis. I don’t think I will want to go on another adventure after we are done with all of this.”
Astra got up and looked at them both. “Well I think that, I, have the heart of an adventurer!” She flashed a grin. “Besides, I am determined to get that treasure. Heck, I may even get my cutie mark for it.” She swished her tail of her sadly blank flank.
“Then you go, choose our path, Astra!” Eclipse urged.
“And don’t choose wrong, I don’t want to end up in a manticores cave!” Shimmer added.
Astra glared at her sister, who only gave her a goofy grin. Sighing she faced the path and looked at them. Now how to go about this? She doubted her magick could help her this time.
She closed her eyes and searched her heart, despite feeling a bit silly about it. The book did say her heart would know the way though, and almost like she had cast a spell herself, her legs began to move. Down the left path she walked.
She knew why she was going this way now. Her heart beat fiercely, and though it lacked a mouth, it told her why the left was best. On the right path, though it looked identical, her ears could suddenly hear the screeching animals. Her nose some how smelled a hauntingly scary metallic tang in the air that hovered over right path. When she opened her eyes, they saw nothing, but she knew the eyes could lie.
“Come on girls, the correct path is left.” She informed them. “Trust me, I’m a- ok, well, I am not a professional, but just trust me. Would I lead us to certain doom?”
“I am beginning to question that myself.” Mused Eclipse.
As they walked on a wolf howled in the distance, but they didn't notice.
They had spent a good 30 minutes or so there, and they continued to walk in a friendly silence for about two hours, with a few breaks in between.
“We have been walking for forever!” Shimmer complained, taking a sip of water from one of Eclipses extra bottles.
“Nonsense,” Eclipse spoke, “It has only been about two hours. We can take another rest if you want to though.”
Shimmer was about to agree when Astra pipped up. “Uh, no we can’t! We will already have to spend the night here, look at the sun!”
They did just that and to their dismay, it was sinking faster than expected. “How long have we been in here for?” Eclipse asked.
“At least 8 hours. Seriously, those challenges may seem like they take a few extremely scarey minutes of our time, but really? They took a good ten minutes or so each. Time flies when you’re terrified.” Informed Astra.
Eclipse rubbed her nose with her hoof. “Wonderful. Maybe on the way home our lovely little map can give us a shortcut, if we don’t cramp up so badly tomorrow morning.”
“Well, my sister and I are kinda used to walking long distances, even if they aren’t this long.” Shimmer shrugged. “Plus, I can fly.” With that she flapped her wings and hovered over them.
“Shimmer, get done here!” Astra hissed. “What if something separates us again?” It ended in a whimper.
Immediately her wings stopped buzzing and she flopped down next to her walking sister. Those words were all that were needed to strike fear into their hearts.

Half an hour later they began to stumble upon unruly plants. A few were mere vines, while others were foul smelling flowers, or had thorns attached to them. Quickly there numbers grews, and the path became covered.
Astra was holding the map ever so carefully in her magickal grasp as they were forced to duck under one low hanging thick vine.
“I think the Everfree forest has grown in on itself!” Astra growled as she swatted a nasty smelling flower away.
“Agreed!” Shimmer said, bare managing to avoid planting her hoof on a poky plant.
“Do you girls think this is the last trial?” Eclipse wondered.
As they walked on the vines grew thicker, longer, and more numerous, soon they stopped seeing the trunks of the tree altogether as the dark green plants overtook everything.
Just then all the flowers spurted out obnoxious smelling green pollen. Astra stumbled as this happened, and Shimmer resorted to her second nature, flying. As more pollen was spat out though, the harder Shimmer appeared to be flapping her wings, and astra’s eyes grew dimmer. Eclipse felt just fine though, and she merely felt annoyed by the pollen.
“Girls, are you ok?” She asked as Shimmer crashed to the ground and Astra collapsed.
“Noooo.” They moaned.
“I can’t fly!” Shimmer wailed, flapping her wings uselessly.
Eclipse rushed to Astra first, as she stopped moving. Lifting up her head she gasped.
The tiny Unicorn had aged ten years, her spotless white fur turned grey, and her lovely dark blue eyes dimmed to a mere grey-blue. She checked Shimmers too, but the Pegasus couldn’t use her wings, and that was about it.
“Why aren’t I affected?” Eclipse murmured.
“That last... test.” Astra struggled to say.
“Shimmer, protect Astra, I think the plant pollen is the cause of your loss of powers.” She said fearfully.
Shimmer nodded, her strength waning by the second. but not as quickly as Astra’s. Panicked, the grown mare looked around not knowing what to do. She was no adventurer, just a book mare. She couldn’t fly like a Pegasus, or create fire like a Unicorn, tartarus, she didn’t even delve into her Earth pony powers!
That was it, her earth pony powers! She hesitated for a few seconds to look at her friends. Astra had passed out, and Shimmer was on the verge of losing herself too. Eclipse had no time to waste trying to figure out which power to use on these plants, which grew by themselves!
She concentrated on her tiny ball of Earth pony power that allowed her to not only grow plants, but be stronger than the average pony. She didn’t even use that much, so her power was weak, dim, and nearly useless. But it still worked.
She called on it and didn’t even need to move to touch a plant, as the vines had moved on their own to surround them. A trickle of knowledge about them came to her, and it was just enough. It told her one thing, these weren’t separate plants of the same species, but one large plant that had its roots nearby.
Gasping she opened her eyes and rushed from her spot. The vines attacked her, but she managed to dodge them as she drew closer to its center. These things were feeding from a power source, and all she had to do was deliver one strong buck to its stem to disrupt everything.
She stopped as she found the uncharacteristically small stem that had thousands upon thousands of vines leaving it. At the base, it was bare, and there she would buck that monster plant out of the ground!
It may have been small, but it was thick, and when Eclipse called upon her power and bucked it, nothing happened.
She looked back and saw the vines entrapping her immobile friend and gave it another buck.
“Dang it!” She growled.
Calling upon everything her power could give her, she struck out with her back legs at the stem and it shuddered upon impact. She had disrupted its power feeding! As that happened she bucked it once more to make sure it couldn’t reconnect, and the plan grew tiny splits all over. The vines stopped moving, and many fell off. and only 25% of them still had their normal color while the rest withered and blackened. The pollen that once polluted the air stopped floating around and the wind was able to clear itself.
“Astra, Shimmer!” She shrieked and pushed the now dead vines off of the girls.
As she spoke, they began to regain themselves and their strength. Hurriedly, Eclipse grabbed food from her bag and handed it to them. She didn't notice the piercing howl of a wolf as the vines died.

Astra woke slowly to a pounding headache. The fuzzy world came into view and stopped rocking back and forth. She felt like she had just used all her power on a new spell.
Shimmer was not much better, but unlike Unicorns, Pegasi did not have horns that were easily accessed, instead she had wings that were slightly harder to get too. When she opened her eyes, she was greeted with a worried Eclipse.
“I am so sorry that took so long.” She said, and then a small grin lit her face. “But there is good news yet. I think I just found our Night Gems cave.”
She pointed her muzzle to a stone that said in their language, “The Knowing Stone.” And beneath it was gibberish.

> All You Ever Wanted
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Chapter 5: All you ever wanted.

In their excitement they only spent a short time examining the stone, and they agreed that the gibberish was the same language that was on the stone during the forked path trial. They could only read those three words on it anyway, and they felt that their prizes were nearby and well deserved, so the trio entered the cave.

Inside it was breath-taking beauty. Crystal walls greeted their eyes, and two miniature crystal trees surrounded by millions of golden bits showed one part of their promised treasure. Near the back, Shimmers near-perfect vision caught sight of what she thought was a scroll, which obviously held knowledge. So where was the power?
Usually the three were not so power hungry, but after going through terrifying blood sucking bats, blinding fog, killer plants, and not to mention crazy riddles, they wanted all the prizes.
Astra put a hoof forward, but was stopped by Eclipse.
“Wait, there might be tricks yet.” She warned.
The twins nodded and continued to examine the crystal cave. They began to notice more about the trees, and that they were more than just crystals. The left tree was surrounded by a pool of red liquid, but thankfully it looked too thin to be blood. The roots appeared to be made of purple crystal, and it slowly grew to the normal light blue stuff. The branches were bare, and in the woven basket of hard branches there was a glowing red gem.
The other tree was also surrounded by a miniature pool of liquid, though this one appeared to be just plain water. Its roots where a pleasant light yellow, but like its sister tree, it slowly reverted to the most common color, blue. Inside its bare branches was one glowing yellow gem.
“Could that be…” Astra started.
“Our power?” FInished Shimmer.
“Perhaps.” Eclipse said, but a sinking feeling entered her stomach. “I think though, there is enough for only two.”
“What do you mean, only two?” Shimmer demanded, still looking at the trees.
“Two trees, two glowing gems, and two ponies to take it. I think it should be you two.” Eclipse explained.
“What? You put just as much effort into this as us! Besides, we practically ate all your food!” Astra shrieked.
“Calm, Astra.” Eclipse said. “You guys deserve it. You had the gall to hope, and than to do. Me? I barely came along, and the whole time I was on the verge of telling you guys to go back, that this is hopeless.”
Shimmer looked at her seriously. “Eclipse, are you sure you don’t want one of those gems?”
“Positive.” Eclipse grinned. “I will however, take my fair share of knowledge and gold.”
“Good enough!” Astra stated, planning on giving Eclipse a bit more bits than them. “So Shimmer, which gem do you want?”
“I uh, I think I will take the yellow one. That red stuff is kinda creeping me out…”
Astra nodded. “I really doubt it is blood though, I can’t smell anything that would suggest it is blood.”
The dark blue mare sat back as the twins figured it out. It was interesting to see how they would divide everything up.
Finally, they nodded and each approached their selected gems,
Astra figured she would have to climb the trunk of the tree to get to her prize, but as she stepped hoof in the red liquid, it began to glow slightly. She gasped as the glow spread to its roots and up the trunk in one thin line. All over the beautiful rock tree, a faint red glow spread even to the tiniest crystal twig. Suddenly, the branches snapped, crackled, and moved, the gem dropping.
It dropped into the water, and fearfully, Astra shoved her face into the red liquid that felt so soft and light she could have sworn it was air instead. Ignoring the fact that she had to get a mouth full of the tasteless stuff while bobbing for it, she retrieved her prize with a wide grin.

Eclipse gasped as Astra stood straight, gem in mouth, and red covering her muzzle. The second her mouth touched the odd liquid, her eyes had turned red, and the medium sized gem in her mouth grew even bright. That did not make her gasp though, it was how the bone white mare looked that did. The red dripped off her muzzle slowly, like blood falling from a predators snout after a successful hunt. The grin she wore looked like it belonged to a psychopath in the lighting, and the gem in her mouth appeared to look like a heart.
Shaking her head and closing her eyes for a few seconds she looked back at the now red-eyed Unicorn. The illusion had worn off, Astra no longer looked like a murderer, but like her friend who had some red-dyed water on her.

While Eclipse and Astra focused on her, Shimmer was experiencing something else. The second her hoof touched the air-like liquid, a similar reaction happened with the tree. Yellow shot through it at an amazing pace, and the gem dropped, but Shimmer had Pegasus fast reflexes.
In nimbl hooves she caught it with a smug grin, but as if magick forced her body, she had the sudden urge to quench a thirst in her throat. She had no idea where this unbearable thirst came from, but all she knew was that she needed to silence it. The closest liquid sloshed about her hooves. Dipping her head in she greedily slurped down the liquid.
A yell broke through her drinking though. “Shimmer, get your face out of that!” Eclipse demanded harshly.
Confused, the still yellow-eyed Pegasus jumped from the water.
“Sorry!” She gasped, surprised at herself too. Shimmer could be called reckless, but she didn’t usually stick her face in strange liquids! “I just don’t know what came over me! I was just so thirsty, and the thirst burned, and my throat itched. It was just unbearable.”
Astra came over and hugged her sister, despite her bodys tiredness that swooped down from nowhere. “It’s ok, Sis.” She yawned. “Lets just get some sleep now.”
Shimmer also felt her eyes grow droopy at the mention of sleep. “Yeah…” She mumbled.
They both managed to stagger a few feet before passing out.
Eclipse tried to help them into some sleeping bags, but a new wind was blowing softly through the cave. It suggested warm-beds and beautiful nights. Without warning, she too dropped to the ground next to them.

The trio woke up, but not in the cave. They were surrounded by mist and appeared to be sitting on grass, but beyond that, there was nothing.
“Where are we?” Mumbled Astra, still slightly sleepy.
Eclipse however was highly alert. “A dream!” She exclaimed. “This is a dream, but nothing like I have ever felt before!”
“How d’you know?” Shimmer demanded, her speech slight slurred.
“Dream walker, remember?” She chimmed.
The twins nodded, still fairly tired.
Just a Eclipse was about to go on, a booming voice sounded from nowhere.
“YOU FOALS!” It shouted.
Eclipse’s eyes grew small in fear and her ears dropped. She knew that voice, but she had never heard it so angry before. She bowed it nothing and the dazed twins looked on confused.
From the misty sky, a form descended. It was elegant and a head higher than even the tallest stallion. It had fur darker than Eclipse’s, yet still blue like an early night-sky. The raging eyes were a teal-color, and she her starry hair whipped violently in the windless area. The alicorn landed, and the twins could see, even in their half-wit state, that this was the princess of the night. And she was furious.
“P-P-Princess Luna!” Eclipse squeaked, still bowing.
Luna fixed her with a stern gaze, but it soon softened and she sighed. “How were you three to know, though?” She mumbled to herself. “When I only gave one the warning that which she could not remember.”
“Excuse me princess?” Astra asked. “But what is this all about?”
Luna sighed in defeat, and fixed her with her icy gaze. It wasn’t unfriendly, but the night was colder than the day. “My dear little Unicorn, you have stumbled upon a most unknown power that I wish to forbid, but cannot. I suppose I should explain that too. And you, Eclipse, stop bowing please.”
Hesitantly she stopped, and asked. “Princess Luna, what brings you to our dreaming worlds?”
Luna sighed. “I forced upon you three a sleep spell so I may explain something quickly, and then visit you in the waking world.”
“Please explain then.” Astra bowed her head as she spoke.
Luna didn’t understand why she like ponies being so informal with her, and it was obvious they had grown used to it, but she didn’t protest the lack of use of her title. Instead, she did what the pony politely asked her to do. “My little ponies, you two are a ticking timebomb. Not in the sense that you shall explode into confetti like the often do, but in the sense that you two have delved into powers that only I know a little about.”
“Oh most wonderful Princess Luna, I mean no disrespect by this, but then wouldn’t Discord or Celestia know then?” Eclipsed inquired.
Luna let a tiny grin slip onto her face, though it wasn’t from her being called by such a flattering title. “No, not even Discord, master of noseiness and chaos has found out, though he will soon. You three have probably disrupted the balance of the world- er not in such a horrible way though!” She quickly added when she saw the trio shrink in fear. Luna remembered, she had to be more careful with these new aged ponies, they weren’t as tough as the old ones.
“My little ponies, please stop with the questions for now and let me explain everything.” Luna let out a gusty breath. “You three have reawakened an ancient species lost for hundreds upon thousands of years. These ponies didn’t even live when Discord ruled and was evil. They lived before ponies found Equestria all together.
“They were called vampires and lycans. Creatures you now may hear rarely, and the fed on blood. Both species did. Do not fear though, my little ponies, these creatures didn’t need to kill for it, and lycans it was more of, they could feed on it instead of need to.” She hesitated to continue. “Any questions so far?”
“Why did they need blood, and are we going to turn into these… Vampires and lycans?” Astra squeaked.
“Eclipse certainly won't, for she did not touch those accursed night gems. For you two? I think not, for despite your red eyes Astra, any pony who willingly let vampires feed from them got red eyes too. You simply stepped into that pound and swallowed a bit of the liquid there, however I think the bacteria is long dead.
“As for them needing blood? Well, vampires were undead, to put it. They lived, and their heart beat, but for it to continue to beat and them to keep their sanity, they needed the blood of others to sustain themselves. Lycans are a bit more complex than that, but they didn’t need blood really, they could simply feed on it by accident. Lycans are ponies who can transform into the flesh and blood type of wolves, grey wolves, but usually they weren’t grey. More often than not, these ponies had brown fur as their lycan counterpart.” Luna finished. “Questions on that?”
Shimmer raised her hoof as if she were in school. “So what power belonged to which gem?”
“Alas, I do not know. Even my knowledge is limited on them, the only pony who had the knowledge on them was…” She shuddered as a dramatic pause ensued. “Was, Nightmare Moon.”
They gasped. The wicked mare from the moon?
“Does that make these power evil?” Astra asked, her voice growing higher in pitch as it often did when she was distressed.
Luna rushed to reassure the Unicorn. “No, of course not! Nightmare moon is merely a tricky demon who looked for god-hood, and was in the end purified and weakened. Whether the elements could convince her to remain good is a mystery to me, but she did not control these beings. She only lived in a time when they, along with many other things, were more abundant.”
Sighs of relief escaped their lips.
Luna suddenly winced. “I must go, my little ponies. Other nightmares crawl in the dreams of young ones and old ones alike, and they need my protection. Remember, the things that were meant to turn you are dead, Astra, your eyes will return to normal in days. Bye my loyal subjects, and Eclipse.” She faced the blue mare. “Never doubt in the path the stars guide you in!” With that the dreamscape faded.

They woke up with a start.
“Di-did we just dream that?” Shimmer ask.
Eclipse looked at her seriously. “Yep.”

> Change, in more ways than one.
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Chapter 6: Change, In More Ways than One.

Everything had turned around since that fateful day and night. They stayed a few extra days in the cave, with the twins occasionally going out to gather some extra food. As Luna had promised, on their fourth day there, Astra’s eyes turned blue again, and nothing else had changed with the twins.
While they stayed in the gorgeous cave, they studied the knowledge there, and found some extra bags in the back with the rest of the scrolls. The scrolls mainly spoke about codes of ancient chivalry, the thoughts about the ever-lasting war between the wiped out species, and the hunting habits of vampires, and the changing patterns of lycans.
While there, they filled one saddle bag with bits and jewels, this one Astra would hold, and the other one that Shimmer would hold, with some scrolls on the habits of their lives and the war. The longer they stayed there, the more convinced everypony became that it was the war, and the angry mobs, that had gotten them in the end. The war had weakened their numbers and made the innocents angry, and the innocents formed mobs to wipe out the rest. That was their theory at least.
They soon had to go though, after stayed a week within the cave, their supplies were exhausted and were dangerously low on water.

“Girls, we must go now.” Eclipse mumbled, stuffing her own bag with the rest of the knowledge and bits she wanted. “If we want to get out of here without too many scratches, than we must leave now, while we have the water to go on.”
“I hate to say it, but you are right about that, Eclipse.” Astra yawned. “Besides, we haven’t bathed in what, a week? Lets not forget ponies might send a search and rescue out after you.”
“Doubt it.” She mumbled, looking down. “Though her influence grows stronger everyday, my beloved Princess still has few followers, and her followers are my only friends, save for you two.”
“D’aw, it’s ok.” Shimmer nuzzled her side. “I am thinking of becoming a follower of her myself, you guys are so interesting!”
Eclipse grinned. “We can talk about it later… I would like to keep in touch with you both. At first I was hesitant to even follow your leads, but now I see that you both are wonderful mares! Even if you are 15, and can act like complete goofballs,” A giggle escaped her, “You are mature, more so than any youngun I have meet.”
“Younguns? Careful, Eclipse, you don’t want to start sounding like an old pony now!” Astra laughed.
“Me, old? I am only 27!” Eclipsed grinned.
The twins returned her grin as they set out.

Shockingly enough, they encountered nothing on the way home, not even a wolf howling in the distance as if to warn them. They had made what was supposed to be two days at most, turn into a week long stay in the Everfree forest, and they had grown accustomed to hearing the uncontrolled wind and animals in it. The fact that they were lacking put them more on edge than with noises coming from the forest.
Finally after five hours of travel and no interruptions besides the occasional rest, they exited it’s woods and emerged near the trail-head.

“I guess this is where we split.” Eclipse said somewhat sorrowfully.
“Yeah.” Nodded Astra.
They exchanged goodbyes and went on their ways. The twins to their run-down home, which would soon be getting a fixer-upper, and Eclipse to her tiny out of the way home in Ponyville. Before she had left, she had given her address to them incase they needed something.

Days passed, the ponies visited each other every now and then. Soon it was a week, than two, and nothing major happened. In those two weeks Astra and Shimmer had bought a new bed, rust cleaner, some books, and new kitchen furnishings. With the rest of the bits, they hid in there old storage cellar so they could last them the rest of the year until they could get jobs.
Everytime Eclipse visited them, she insisted on a short lesson to teach them some knowledge they would have trouble learning from their new books, or about complex math that they struggled to pick apart.
Eclipse soon found out that despite Astra being unusually smart, she still had gaping holes in her learning, and needed a strong hoof to guide her back to course when she got distracted. Shimmer was also eager to learn, but struggled even more than her sister. Whenever Shimmer was meet with a difficult problem for too long, she grew cross and impatient.
Eclipse did not falter though, they needed her if they wanted to not only get jobs in life, but exceed at them!

Three days before the full moon, which she planned on spending with Astra and Shimmer to teach them some about the stars, as they had mention a few times they were interested in taking Luna on as their main princess. She planned on teaching them all about how they could guide your future, or show you where you are. Everything from scientific to mystical.
As she began packing her newest telescope, because she wanted to bring it with her, carefully she heard a knock at her door. She pondered who it was, figuring it was odd considering it was so late at night. Cautiously she approached, ready to flee incase it was a thief, as cruel ponies did have a horrible thing for misusing the beautiful night to commit their law-breaking crimes.
Instead she got something that scared her even more than a thief. A tiny purple and green dragon who seemed out of breath, and the lavender Princess Twilight right behind him. A princess, was she in trouble?
“Pri-princess Twilight!” She gasped and bowed.
Twilight looked at her with a slightly stern face for only a few second before speaking. “Please, rise. I would rather be seen as a friend.” She finally spoke. “After all, I am the princess of friendship, and if I didn’t want to make friends with ponies, then what use would my title be? Say, what is your name?”
“Uh… Eclipse…” The usually well-worded Eclipse was caught slightly off-guard.
“Now, please explain to me why Princess Luna is requesting to send private messages to you through my number one assistant here, Spike.” She patted the dragon on the back.
“Oh, oh!” Eclipse’s eyes widened, as she had forgotten about Luna promising to meet them in the waking world. “Well, see, I am a follower of the night, and Luna is my Patron. She spoke to me in a dream about something that has occurred, however it is night-related, and a fairly small problem.”
Twilight easily became suspicious, being smart as she was. “Interesting, would you mind explaining this problem to me? I love helping out my friends, and I was one of her first friends here when she had returned from being banished.”
Eclipse cursed herself. With what she had said, Twilight would surely know, even if it wasn’t a complete lie. The princess was smart, perhaps even smarter than the famed sun goddess, yet Eclipse felt she could fool her if she played her cards just right.
“I honestly do not know, Princess.” She spoke carefully, “Luna didn’t tell me that she wanted this to be kept secret, but she made it out like she wished it to be secret anyway. Maybe so she would not worry you and her sister?”
“Perhaps.” Twilight relented. “And Luna has a streak of impulsiveness. If it was serious, I think she would have come here herself.”
“Indeed.” Eclipse agreed readily.
“However, I insist that you at least ask if I help when you send her a message back. May I wait here while you read and write it? Being an alicorn, I can stay up longer without feeling so drowsy.”
“I would never mind you staying here, Princess! It is an honor!” Eclipse gasped as she moved aside to to let her in.
“Thankyou.” She said, entering with the tiny dragon. “And I hope you don’t mind Spike entering either.”
“Not at all. Warning though, I don’t get many visitors so my house is a bit… Messy.”
Twilight Sparkle looked around with a neutral expression, neither judging, nor scornful. When her eyes landed upon the scrolls that Eclipse had gotten however, her eyes lit with interest. “Ah! I see I am in the presence of a studious mare, such as myself.” She grinned, putting a hoof on her chest. “Mind if I look at those?”
“Actually, I do mind, Princess. I am very sorry, but that is part of the thing Luna is probably writing me about. I do have some books on stars though, and both their magickal and scientific influence on this world. Would you like to read that as I examine the message?”
“Very much, thank you.” Twilight said excitedly, almost like a filly getting a present. “I love learning about new things, and sadly I lack knowledge in the field of stars!”
Eclipse pointed a hoof towards her star books and reports that she had written, then finally broke the wax royal seal to the letter and began to read.

Dear, Eclipse,


This letter must be short, for I fear that a certain pony may be a bit curious as to what is going on. I do not blame her for that, but we mustn't let her find out about this, I would prefer it to be secret, and for my own reasons. Namely that if Twilight found out she would tell Celestia, and that would ruin the surprise! To make sure the surprise is not ruined, I wish to visit you a day before the full moon, considering the stars are much easier to read on that day.


Sincerely, Princess Luna.

“Hmm.” Eclipse quickly deduced that her princess was speaking in code in case this was found out, but she couldn’t understand it very well, and she didn’t even say where she would visit them.

Dear, Princess Luna,


Oh what a pity it would be if we were found out, though you haven’t even told me what we shall be doing for Princess Celestia. Is it a cake? Where shall we bake it?




Sincerely, Eclipse

“Princess Twilight, I am finished.” She called out softly.
“Ah, good.” Twilight mumbled, semi-distracted and with her nose in a book. “Have Spike send it, if he is asleep, wake him up.”
Eclipse nodded, and found the tiny dragon in her kitchen wearing an adorable pink apron.
“Sorry for not asking permission, but I took it upon myself to make some tea!” He exclaimed, a large grin on his cute little face.
She couldn’t help but let out a tiny laugh. “Oh, it is ok. Why don’t you let me take over though? I have to send this letter to Princess Luna, and I think she will be replying shortly.”
He nodded his chubby face and jumped down from the chair he had been using to see the teapot. As he waddled up to her she handed him the letter and he merely breathed fire on it. In a wosh, is disappeared.
“I’ll be in the living room until she re-” A large belch erupted from his mouth, along with harmless green fire and a scroll. “I will never get used to how fast they reply!” He complained and handed her the letter. “I guess I will be finishing that tea after all.”
She grinned and nodded her thanks, before rushing to the kitchen table. It was a plain yellow table, that could fit four ponies at most, and considering she only had five friends at most, and that was including the twins, it was fine for her. She sat down in a comfy brown chair to read.


With the twins.


It was far from formal, and that suggested why the reply was so swift. She nodded her head in satisfaction and got up to go inform the other princess at her home.
Another princess at her home! How was it that she had suddenly attracted the attention of not only her favored princess, but of the other one too? She looked around her home in fright. Twilight must have had a calming spell or something, because suddenly she was very worried about what the esteemed princess of friendship would think about her messy home!
Walking nervously to the princess, she felt her nerves calmed and her suspicions true. Princess Twilight had put a calming aura around her, but why?
“Princess Twilight, I am done.” She said, bowing her head. “And I regret to inform you that, Princess Luna does not wish for you to be involved.”
“Intriguing. I will have to speak to her about that, but for now, I really should take my leave.” She levitated a cup to her mouth and finished it. “Spike has left some tea for you too.”
She gaped. The Princesses number one assistant had left tea for her! “I mean no disrespect, but why?”
“Because you don’t have any of it in your home, silly!” Twilight grinned.
As she grinned, Eclipse couldn’t help but laugh along. “That is a very good point! Oh one more question before you go, if I may?”
Twilight nodded.
“Why is it that you are casting a calming spell?”
Her face fell, and the spell was cut off, and Eclipse was no longer mellowed out.
“Tha-that, how did you figure that out?” Twilight spluttered.
Eclipse was confused. “Did I speak out of term, Princess?” She whimpered.
Twilight paused, let out a deep breath, than spoke. “No… I just, ever since I have become princess making friends is harder, and since you were smart enough to figure out my little spell, I guess I could reward you.” Relented Twilight. “As I said, making friends is a lot harder, and I find a simple calming spell always helps. After all, if friendship is magick, then surely you could reverse it?”
Eclipse hesitated, this was a bit deeper than she wanted to go. “I guess?”
“Oh, look at me rambling!” Twilight sighed. “Well, I must get going, Spike does need his sleep.” She looked towards the dragon who arrived in the room affectionately.

After Twilight had left, Eclipse had gone to sleep, so she could get up and stay up the next day. Being nocturnal had very few perks, but such was the life when somepony like her was devoted to being a loyal subject to the misunderstood Princess of the Night.
When the night had gone and the morning sun woke her, she set off to the twins home with a quick trot. She had to inform them that a princess would be visiting them!
When she arrived she knocked on the door harshly, hoping to wake them from their slumber. They often mentioned to her that their new bed was so comfortable that they never wanted to get up.
The door opened and revealed a grouchy looking Shimmer. “What is it?” She practically growled.
Eclipse was taken aback by her mean behavior, but brushed it off. “Princess Luna wishes to visit us, tonight.”
Shimmer rolled her eyes to Eclipse’s surprise. “Finally, after two weeks she made that damn statement to come see us!”
Eclipse looked at her worriedly. “Are you ok Shimmer?”
“Yes, why do I look ugly? Well, you’re ugly!” She yelled and ran off.
Eclipse was absolutely stunned, but the door was open, and she still needed to tell Astra.
“Astra!” She called to the upstairs.
“Coming…” Came her light voice softly floated down.
Eclipse felt her ears dropping, Astra sounded sick, Shimmer was acting wildly, and Luna was coming that night!
She waited anxiously as Astra wobbled down stairs, a glazed look over her eyes, and a bruise on one arm.
“Did goodness child, what has happened!” Eclipse rushed to meet her halfway.
“What are you talking about, Eclipse?” She smiled weakly.
“You are obviously sick.” Eclipse felt an argument hovering nearby as she guided the young Unicorn to the kitchen, where an apologetic Shimmer was waiting.
“Hi Eclipse…” Shimmer muttered, looking down. “I am, um, sorry about the little scene at the door.”
Astra’s face dropped. “You yelled at her at the door? I thought you were going to try and actually control yourself near her!” She hissed. “Because the last time you threw a little hissy fit over me bumping your shoulder, you bruised my arm!” She waved the hurt leg.
Eclipse looked at them in dismay, what was happening to her young friends?
“I said, it was a freaking accident!” Shimmer yelled, banging on the table. With that she growled at both and left the room, her grey tail swishing in fury.
“What has been going on here?” Eclipse finally demanded sharply.
Astra looked down, tiny tears of rage and confusion forming in her blue eyes. “I don’t know, it all started about a week ago. She just started to get these horrible mood swings. Even with the better food we have been getting she has also gained this large appetite. I don’t lie this type of Shimmer, she eats nearly all the food and yells at me! Yesterday, she bumped me into the wall so hard I bruised!” She wailed, the tiny trickle of tears becoming a flowing river. “And me? I have been sick all week!”
Eclipse looked at her alarmed. “You never sent Shimmer to tell me?”
“No, we both agreed you have done too much already.” She sniffled.
Eclipse sighed and enveloped her in a hug. “I am going to go after you sister and see what is wrong. No need to worry about her bumping me into any walls either, I am not sick, and she is nearly half my age. Oh, and lets not forget, Earth ponies are fairly strong. You stay here and just sit, maybe get a glass of water.” She forgot that the water pump was outside.
Astra nodded as she left.
Eclipse roamed the house for only three minutes before finding the tiny Pegasus inside her room glowering at the wall.
“Friggen sister, friggen sickness, friggen everything!” Shimmer muttered to herself.
Eclipse cleared her throat. “Shimmer.” She said softly.
Shimmer whirled around, her eyes furious. “What do you want Eclipse? You aren’t my mother, don’t check up on me!” She snarled.
Eclipse was taken aback, and for some reasons her words did hurt. Eclipse had known them for only half a month, yet the bond she had formed with those two was incredibly strong, and she had taken on a guiding role in their lives. She looked at the Pegasus with hurt eyes, and whimpered, “All of your harmful actions are uncalled for. Your sister probably has the flu, and you bruising her on purpose was a horrible thing to do. Now you are snapping at me for zero reason and I will not tolerate it!” By the end of it her voice had grown strong and she had taken a dominate pose.
Something seemed to happen to Shimmer as her ears went back and a slight whimper escaped her mouth. “S-sorry!”
Eclipse relented on her disapproving gaze, but kept her looming pose. “Shimmer, I think you need to apologize to Astra, not me.”
Shimmer nodded, and finally broke eye-contact. “Yes ma’am.” She murmured and walked downstairs.
The late afternoon sun streamed into the empty kitchen. Eclipse had slept in fairly late, and taken a while to get there, and add on all the things with the twins, time was traveling quickly. To their dismay, Astra was not there, but an open door hinted to where she was.
“Oh dear!” Eclipse gasped. “I have forgotten, your only water source is outside, and Astra was struggling to walk earlier today.” She bolted out the door, Shimmer following.
They found Astra collapsed a few feet from the pump, a changeling looking over her.
“Marcus!” Shimmer howled and bowled into him. “How dare you attack my sick sister!” She yelled, pummeling him.
“Ow, ow ow!” The changeling yowled in pain, his hard chitin cracking under her furious hooves. “I didn’t attack her!” He pleaded. “You guys are always attacking me first!”
Eclipse wanted to stand there, wondering how the twins knew a changeling, but she knew she had to intervene, and fast. “Shimmer, get off him, now!” The Earth mare hissed.
The pegasus hesitated, heavy tears slipping from her eyes. “He… He is always stalking us!” She protested.
Eclipse gently pushed her off, but only to replace an iron hoof on his chest. “Marcus is it?” He nodded his head vigorously. “Well, Marcus, you really should explain the whole story to me. I fear my little friends have neglected to mention you much.”
He gulped. “Well, I just follow them and collect love from them, I swear! Thing is, they always seem to find me, first they found me together, than Shimmer found me alone. They also attacked first, and I swear, I have never hit them back!” He wailed the last part. His body ached from the angry blows of Shimmer, and this stranger with the intimidating glare only worsened his fear with his frazzled mind.
She let her hoof up. “I believe you. Why were you out here though, instead of hiding?”
“The Unicorn collapsed.” He whimpered.
Eclipse let out her own growl of anger, but it was directed at herself. “Shimmer, help your sister inside. You, Marcus, best buzz off bug.”
His face grew offended. “You dang ponies and your offensive slang.” He growled and few off.
The changeling taken care of once more, Eclipse walked into the house with a worried face. Upon entering the kitchen she found Shimmer fretting over Astra like nothing had happened that week between the twins.
“Eclipse, what do we do?” She whined. “She won’t wake up!”
Eclipse knew it would be useless trying to get her to the hospital in Ponyville, and getting help would just take longer. She looked at the sky and saw the sun sinking slowly, and guessed the time.
“What shall we do? We shall wait for night, and for the princess to come.” She said, and went to go get a glass of water for Astra.

Time passed, and the two mares kept a silent watch over the ill Unicorn. The sun sank at a snail pace, too slow for the worrying Shimmer. Finally Eclipse found something for her to do instead of sitting there and making herself sick with worry.
“Look, it’s twilight, why don’t you go see if the princess got here early?” Eclipse suggested gently. “Your sister is safe in my hooves.”
Shimmer nodded and zoomed off, her wings fluttering faster than a speeding rabbit running.
The pegasus zoomed around and around the house, refusing to let her thoughts catch up with her speed. Even when her wings began to ache from such over-exerting them, she refused to stop, refused to slow down. Instead, she counted the laps around the house, knowing she would see Luna when she appeared.
Around lap 53, the moon princess made her appearance in a rather odd way, or at least odd to Shimmer. Instead of appearing in a flash of light, or teleporting, she flew so quietly next to Shimmer she didn’t notice her for about three laps.
“Ahem, Shimmer.” Luna finally said to the speeding Pegasus.
Saying that Shimmer was surprised was an understatement. When the Mare looked to the side she saw Luna flying softly next to her. Jumping a few feet in the air, she slowed down.
“Oh, uh, greetings Princess Luna!” She said, try to bow in mid-air.
Luna smiled gently. “Greetings to you, Miss Shimmer, tell me, what troubles you?”
Shimmer tried to play it off. “Nothing bothers me, Princess, and nothing should.” She said.
Luna sighed. “My loyal subject, I am the protector of the night, vanquisher of nightmares, I know when a pony is troubled by something.”
She looked away. “You wouldn’t want to hear it, lets just go greet the others.” She went to land.
Luna knew that she wouldn’t get anything out of Shimmer by asking her questions so suddenly, so she followed her instead. They both landed gently, despite Shimmer beginning to feel a fierce ache in her wings again, and her wanting to simply plummet. She lead the princess to the kitchen and hoped that she wouldn’t be offended by the decor, or lack of it.
“Welcome to my house.” She muttered.
Inside the kitchen, Eclipse saw her princess, and got up to bow. “Greetings, Princess Luna, before you begin anything, I beg you, please heal this filly, she has become dangerously ill and won’t wake up!”
Luna’s eyes widened and rested on the slumped form of Astra. “Why did you not get help?” She demanded.
“This is three miles from town, it would be quicker to wait for you than to run there, and back with all their equipment, because we simply can not carry Astra.” Eclipse explained.
“You are an earth pony, are you not?” Luna demanded. “Strongest of the three pony kinds?”
“I seek out knowledge instead of strength. I do not farm, or do anything. I work night shift at a local bar as the bartender for my bits.”
Luna sighed. “Ok then. Step aside, and I will do what I can for this child.”
The two mortals stepped back as Luna confronted Astra, who still lay on the table. Luna closed her eyes and touched her horn to the sick Unicorn, searching for signs of infection or sickness, but found something that worried her even more. It was alive, the bacteria that was in the gem had been activated by the red liquid, and it now her body was rejecting the Vampire change.
Luna pulled her horn away and shook her head. “I can heal her… But at a cost.” She said. Turning to Eclipse and Shimmer she went on to explain. “I came here to see if the twins were about to change into the lost species, and Astra is about to change, but her body is rejecting it. I can coax her body to accept the change, but that means she will be a vampire, and needs you two to help her.”
They gasped, and Shimmer gently approached her sister. “Sissy?” She whimpered.
Astra did not wake, but her body seemed to jerk weakly at Shimmers touch as horn hoof was held in her hoof.
“In the end, this is your call Shimmer. You are her only blood relative.” Luna said.
Shimmer looked up and nodded, holding back her tears. “Do it, so my sister, my twin, can live.”
“Then step back child, this is going to be a delicate maneuver of magick.” Luna ordered. “I will need my space and concentration.
Shimmer obeyed and Luna walked up, her shoes clinking lightly on the hard tile floor. She touched her horn to Astra once more and let her power explore the sick body.
She easily found the source of what was rejecting the change. It was Astra’s unicorn magick, it did not want to make room and shrink for this foreign magick, and therefore fought the vampire powers. Luna had forgotten about that, in order for a body to make room for the new changes, it had to be rid of some of its original powers, namely magick.
She regretted doing this, but it had to be done. She forcefully extracted Astra’s power, hoping that she did not die from the shock of it, or loss of it. She wouldn’t take it all, if she could help it, but soon a good chunk of it would be missing as she drained it. Luna would also have to carry this guilty burden forever, because the stolen power simply could not run wild.
Minutes passed, her deed was done, the Unicorn mare was left with only her basic abilities, though soon her horn would shrink to nothing and the power would go wherever vampire powers were stored. Maybe in her bat wings.
Luna gasped. “The deed is done. Your sister will survive, but her Unicorn powers are weakened greatly.” She said nothing else, and the look on her face made sure it stayed that way.
Shimmer let a small sob escape her. “Thank you, Princess Luna. Thank you for saving my sister.”
“Think nothing of it child.” Luna frowned, the new power in her easily being tamed. “I should scan you too, though. If your sister is sick and about to turn, then you could be at risk for Lycanthropy too. Oh, and to clear up confusion, Lycanthropy is the name of the bacteria that changes you into a Lycan.”
Shimmer nodded numbly and sat down as the princess began a very thorough scan.
“Princess, you keep mentioning this, bacteria. What is it exactly?”
Luna was able to multitask and engaged in the conversation while her horn glowed blue. “Oh, it is simply a small part of the infection. If you get it in your bloodstream, you have little worry. It is when the magick gets into it that you must worry. The magick activates it. That is really how ponies are turned, to my understanding.”
A minute passed and Luna let out a sigh of relief. “Your bacteria has not been activated, and thanks to my own disabling magick, it never will be. I should take my leave soon, but before I do, you will need these.” She summoned five red bags filled with suspicious liquid. “Vampires do need blood.”
Eclipse gulped and took them. “I uh, I can find a way to store these. They lack a fridge.”
Luna snorted. “You know, I think I can spare some magick for you twins.” Her horn glowed once more, and a working fridge appeared where one was missing. “Those are the perks of knowing a princess.” She let out a tiny giggle. “I should really get going now. Bye, my loyal subjects. Take care of Astra, she will be very weak for a while.”
“Bye, Princess.” They said and bowed as she left.
Princess Luna exited the house, and they were left alone with the now, somewhat cured, Astra.

After Luna had left Eclipse offered to spend the night. She insisted that she be there to help relieve the stress, and that the next night they could use her telescope to view the full moon and all its glory. A little treat to help Shimmer get through it all.
Eclipse had slept near the bed, but let the twins share it, and when she woke up she felt stiff, but didn’t complain.
“Shimmer, you should wake up.” Eclipse shook the pegasus awake, noticing how late it was in the day.
When she gazed out the window, the sun was already half-way up the sky, and climbing higher by the second!
“Leave me alone!” Shimmer groaned. “I don’t wanna move.”
Confused, Eclipse put a hoof to her head and felt it burning hot. Fearing Astra had contracted a sickness in her delicate state and given it to her sister, she check the Unicorn too. It was not burning hot though, it was freezing cold, colder than a pony should be.
“Dear Celestia, how do I deal with this!” She exclaimed. “I know nothing about the sick, or vampires! Shimmer, is there anything I could do for you?”
“Body aches.” She grumbled.
Eclipse nodded and went downstairs. She looked around for anything that could suffice as a tub. The best she found though was an apple create, luckily, it would be big enough to hold the teen. She dragged it outside and filled it with the freezing water from the pump. Carefully, she brought it back into the bathroom, though she didn’t dump it into the tub. That thing was filthy.
She went back up stairs. “Shimmer, I am going to move you, but this is for your own good.” She said, nudging the Pegasus.
“Nooooo.” Shimmer moaned.
“Now Shimmer, you are sick.” Eclipse chidded.
“Nooo!”
“Shimmer, I am going to pick you up. You need a bath to cool down.”
Shimmer cracked open a furious eye. “I said, NO!” With the last word she lashed a hoof out and smacked the Earth mare.
The strength that the teen held stunned not only Eclipse, but Shimmer herself too. Tentatively, she raised a hoof up to the aching area where she had been smacked and winced in pain.
“Shimmer… Why?”
Shimmer looked at her in horror. “No.” She whimpered. “Eclipse… I didn’t mean too, I am sorry! I promise I will never smack you again, I will even take that bath. Just don’t hate me!” She begged.
As much as Eclipse wanted to yell at her, she was an adult. And adult who was dealing with a stressed out, sick teen. She had to keep her cool, everyone slipped up, especially teenagers.
“You are forgiven.” She finally said. “But you best take that bath. I think your fever is getting to your head.”
Shimmer nodded painfully and got from the bed. The stiffness in her movements was obvious, but with the help of Eclipse she made it to the bath. When she settled into it a loud sigh of relief escaped her lips.
“I am sorry for the trouble, this really is helping me. I feel better already, just having this cool water wash over me.” Shimmer said.
Eclipse nodded her head. “Sometimes we just need to wash away the negative energy before we can feel better. Why don’t you finish up here and I try to rouse your sister for the moon-gazing tonight.”
“Moon shouldn’t be up for another couple of hours.” Shimmer said.
“Two at most. We slept in late, and me getting that tube filled with water took a while. I had to find one first, then I had to clean it.” Eclipse grinned. “Now finish up in here, towel is right next to the door.
Shimmer yawned as Eclipse trotted back up stairs again.

> PART 2: Surprise
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Part2
Chapter 7: The Surprise

Astra had awoken as the sun began to set and twilight came. She woke up feeling a little sick, but insisted on seeing the moon with them. Even when she was informed on what was happening.
“I don’t care that I am turning into a vampire, I just want one last moment of normality before I become one big secret to the world!” She insisted.
Eclipse and Shimmer had easily given in after that, not wishing to deny her that before she became a recluse and lived during the night, and only to hunt at that time too. So Shimmer filled her sister in on what happened, and Eclipse began to set up the telescope.
“Luna stopped your body from rejecting it, but she didn’t really mention how.” Shimmer admitted. “Only that it was the only way or something.”
Astra gulped. “I think I know how she did it.” She finally said. “I… I think she removed my Unicorn powers, or at least most of them.”
“That’s horrible!” Shimmer gasped, her rage easily returning. “How dare that so-called princes-”
“Shimmer, shush.” Astra said sternly. “This magick, or power, infection? See, we aren’t even sure what it is. It is foreign, and unknown. Luna herself said she had limited knowledge on it. Maybe this really was the only way?”
Shimmer bit her lips, and finally replied. “Yeah, maybe it was.” She growled.
“Girls. The moon is rising!” Eclipse called from outside, near the boulders.
“Coming!” Shimmer chimmed. “I can’t wait to see that night sky through the telescope.” She said excitedly.
They ran outside and skidded to a halt as they neared the boulders near their home. They still weren’t sure why boulder were there, but they planned on sitting on top of them. As the moon slowly rose higher and higher, Astra sighed with content.
She may have been changing into an undead freak, but her sister seemed to accept the fact, and Eclipse was always supportive. Along with the knowledge from the past, and the bags of blood that had been given to them (along with the forever-working fridge), she believed things may just be alright.
“Now girls, the moon is going to peak around midnight tonight, not exactly that time, but after we look at it for a few minutes it is off to bed for both of you.” Eclipse said sternly.
“Yes, mom.” Shimmer smirked.
Eclipse stared at her dumbfounded, then facehoofed. “Dear Luna, I really do sound like a mother!” She groaned.
They sat their, bickering and joking, mostly trying to make Astra comfortable. They both knew her time was limited to being a regular pony. How much time? They were unsure, but whatever time was left, they planned on making it the best for her. Shimmer was putting in extra effort to keep her unexplained rage down.

“Looks girls, the moon is as high as it can get tonight!” Eclipse squeaked with joy and brought her telescope to her eye.
She gazed at the beautiful night sky, everything enhanced with her wonderful object. She felt herself going into a trance at the large luminous object in the sky, and would have if it had not been for the low groan of pain on her left.
“Shimmer?” She handed the telescope to Astra, or tried too.
Astra was now mewling in pain too, as her hooves touched her head.
“What a splitting headache!” She managed to get out.
Shimmer had no words as her pain grew. When she opened her eyes to beg silently for help from Eclipse, all she saw was clear surprise and worry.
“Shimmer, dear!” She said, not knowing what to do. “Astra?”
Both twins merely groaned in pain, and then Shimmers body began to twitch. Her legs spazzed with pain as shakes racked her body. The fur on her began to take a black color, while her mane recided to regular fur length. As that happened her bones began to crack and pop. That was when the screaming started.
Loud shrieks of pain frightened Eclipse badly, bad enough that she jumped right off the boulder. Astra seemed oblivious to them though as she rolled right off the boulder.
Shimmer felt her bones breaking, her teeth growing. Her hoof split and cracked. Her chest widened, and her snout lengthened. Her high-pitched girlish creams of agony turned to low growling complaints of aches. As soon as it had begun, it was over, but instead of a pony writhing on the rocks in pain, there was a grey-wolf standing on them, ready for the hunt.

Eclipse gasped at the sudden transformation, and the first feeling she felt was betrayal. Luna had not cured Shimmer, and now Shimmer had gone through unbearable agony only to come bounce back from it as a wolf. An angry looking wolf who was hungry.
The black wolf turned its yellow glare on her and howled, causing her to shriek in fear, while Astra continued to groan next to her. She picked up the Unicorn and began to back away slowly, her thoughts turning to the house. She knew Shimmer could break down that door, so where else could she hide?
The cellar! Her mind screeched.
Suddenly the Earth pony mare turned tail and ran, hoping she could outpace the werewolf child. Sadly, the ‘child’ had longer legs and more muscle in her new form. Easily, the predator caught up to the prey, and it looked like she was about to catch them.
Wham! Something black and holey slammed into the wolf. “Run you idiots!” A voice screeched as it was easily batted aside. It was Marcus, the changeling!
“Mar-”
Eclipse was cut off as the bug painfully got up and tried to fly in circles around it. “Run, I said! I got this thing under control for now! The faster you get to safety, the faster I can flee!”
She did not pause to wait for the brave bug to fly off, she obeyed him instead and finally reached the cellar. She entered it swiftly and locked the doors. Now that she was in a relatively safe place, she prepared to hunker down for the night.

Astra was in pain, and it wasn’t the agonizing type that went away swiftly, no, it was far different from her sisters.
It had started out soft, an easily ignorable ache that was off and on. Then it stopped disappearing, but that was ok, she could still ignore it. It grew on though, refusing to leave her, not even for a second. Than out of no where, sharp pains exploded not only in her head, but in her back and a fire burned within her.
This fire was all consuming, it consumed a little more of her Unicorn powers, and then in continued to consume her life-force. The sharp pains in her head seemed to be rewiring her very brain and its wants and needs. It no longer wanted to hunger for food, nor thirst for water, it demanded something else. A strange substance she couldn’t make out through the pain. The pain the withered over her back was like a giant bear using her back for pincushions for its claws. At least it was only in two spots.
What she was unable to see though, was that her back had slit open and two wet things were sliding out. She did not see the blood starting to pool around her from them emerging, and she could not hear Eclipse’s cries of panic, nor Shimmers growlings of rage. She could not feel anything besides the pain, the the fire, or the stabs in her head. She didn’t even feel as her heart slowed down. Thump, thump, thump, it softly continued, slower and slower until it stopped completely.
Soon the fire left her body, and the pain in her back dulled down to a simmering ache. Her head had stopped its painful changing, and when she tried to lick her mouth, desperately searching for something to water her parched tongue, she felt tiny spikes for teeth.
This stuff did not worry her though, and through instinct alone she stopped making noises of pain to lift up her nose in search of food.

Eclipse stood in fear as Astra stopped making noises completely while she lay in a puddle of gore and pain. Around her, blood softly spread out as her back bleed profusely and wings popped out. They hadn’t exactly popped out, it was really more like a slow, sickening, emerging. When Astra stopped moving for a few seconds, her adrenaline began to leave her body, but Astra twitched and it came back in a rush.
The Unicorn, with her eyes still closed, lifted her nose and made a loud sniffing sound. Unknowingly, her mouth swung open, and her tongue lolled out. Seconds later she stopped smelling the air and an annoyed, yet animalistic, look sprawled out on her face. Her blood-red eyes popped open and she hissed.
She hissed right at Eclipse and backed up, her still wet wings flaring out in either fear, or anger. The terrified adult could not tell. At least Astra did not seem to be in the attacking mood. In fact, it appeared to her that Astra was trying to escape Eclipse, but why?
Sensing the stand-still they had come too, the mare let out her breath she had unknowingly been holding. She sat down and a sharp streak ran through her leg. She bit back a yelp of pain and looked down, then nearly fainted on the spot.
Her adrenaline had distracted her from the blood-gushing wound on her leg, and to her it was a mystery why Astra never attacked considering she needed blood and such. Keeping one wary eye on the feral Vampire, she took a closer look at her leg an winced.
It gushed blood from a long, deep scratch that would probably need stitches.As she thought about it she felt her self beginning to become dizzy with the loss of blood. Looking around the cellar frantically, she hoped to spy some spare cloth. Sadly, without any type of light, she could hardly see, and that meant she would have to get up to look.
Gingerly, she stood on three legs, and whimpered at any abrupt movement made on her part. Slowly and carefully, still half-watching the wild Astra, she made her way to the nearest crate and rummaged around it. To her relief there was a strand of old cloth, though it was fairly dirty and moth-eaten. Sighing defeatedly she beat out all of the dirt she could and wiped off the rest. Knowing she would be able to get anything better for the rest of the night she found a stick and made a decent troquet. At least her first-aid skills were being put to use, though she might lose a limb from it.

For the rest of the night Astra stayed in the darkness of the cellar hissing at Eclipse, who fought off blood-loss and death, while Shimmer ran wild around the house.

> As the Sun Rises
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Chapter 8: As the Sun Rises.

Eclipse was jolted awake, not by noise though, by silence. The howling had stopped, the hissing had ceased.
Gently struggling out of her dazed light half-sleep, she struggled to keep her eyes open from the exhausting night.
Has the sun finally risen? Is it safe, will I be fine, will the twins be fine? She wondered to herself as she got up unsteadily and proceeded to barf. She would have been surprised if she wasn’t feeling so crappy. Dizzily she managed to open the cellar doors.
Sunlight meet her eyes and woke up Astra, who hissed all the louder.
At the end of her wit and patience she glared at the vampire. “Oh shut up, will you? You have no room to complain, I might lose a limb!” She growled, shaking the sloppily made bandage that cut off her blood.
She paused to examine it slowly and realised, half with relief, that during the night it had come somewhat undone, allowing some of her blood flow to return. Still in a foul mood besides that she grumbled as she left the cellar and closed it behind her, tightly. No need for Astra to get out.
Minutes later she found herself in their yard, and wildly pumping water on her wounded leg. It had soaked the bandages, but the bleeding had stopped. After a few soft scrubs her head cleared. The cold water rejuvenated her and she felt encouraged to stick her muzzle under its steady stream and gulp it down greedily. It rewarded her with a clean head, clear now of any fuzz from the night.
She proceeded to check her leg for any signs of infection, dirt, or yucky things that could cause her trouble in the future. With great relief she saw nothing of the source, though the movement had reopened it and slight trickles of blood ran down it slightly. Cursing she got up on three legs and hobbled inside.
Her motherly instincts over the twins told them to take care of them first, but her well of patience and love had run out with the shenanigans of last night. She assured herself that she could take care of any guilt from neglect when she took care of herself first. She entered the house and grabbed the first clean cloth in sight and made it into a bandage. It was tight, but not so tight it would cut off her blood circulation.
She sighed in major relief. “Now, time for me to care for Astra.” She yawned.

Shimmer woke up and barfed up some very scary things, and traumatizing was a disgusting understatement for the horror she felt when she examined the red-colored barf.
It is were chunks of half-digested meat, and blood that surely belonged to the creature that the lycan in her had devoured. She tried to scream for help, but the uproar in her stomach and throat refused to let her gurgle out one word over the vomit. She simply cried her silent tears until it was all over and she could audibly sob out to the world and curl up into a mushy pile of fear, stink, and uncertainty.

Astra didn’t fare better, still stuck in her animalistic state.
The unicorn Vampire growled at what little sunlight that could enter, and hissed at every movement that was made, either by her, or the rats. She easily ignored the bad-scent blood pool, as it had dried up anyway, and the one time she tried a sip from it it made her gag and gave her a headache.
Her stomach growled, and her mouth was burning as she sunk lower and lower into her own insanity of pain, fire, and a hurting heart that beat out what blood she did have left in her body. Her heart moved, and it didn’t move. It needed blood to work, though it didn’t really work. It no longer held emotions, it would no longer hurt in depression. All that was literally all in her head, or it would be once she got some good blood into her. At the moment though, she was stuck in an animal-like hell. All her thoughts reduced by 75%, and all movements made by instinct. All because she needed blood.
A squeaked rounded in the corner.
Blood was blood, and Astra could not hold herself back as she mutilated the mouse.

Eclipse was ready. She could deal with it now, she had psyched herself up for the worst possible outcomes. Even a dead changeling, but she prayed to every deity in mind that Marcus had not died. What a tragic end that would be to the brave changelings life. She stepped out with blood-bags in hand, but dropped them at the sight that beheld her.
“Oh dear Luna!” She moaned, seeing Shimmer covered in blood vomit and sobbing uncontrollably.

> Another Time
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Chapter 9: Another Time

Astra heard crying in the distance as she finished the pitifully small mouse. She licked bloody teeth as her head cleared only a little. Who was crying, why did it tug at her memory? She stood up and wobbled to the closed doors.
A tiny stream of sunlight came through the door and touched her face. Red eyes narrowed in dislike as she scuttled back from the shining light. Not only did it blind her momentarily, it felt like hot water was being poured on her. Not steaming water, but it was just hot enough to cause discomfort and perhaps a few stings of pain.
She growled and paced around in the dark. The dried bad-blood was beginning to bother her again with its disgusting stench. When could she escape to get good-blood? It wasn’t like she was uncomfortable in the dark, which she could see in perfectly fine, but the burn was already coming back. Mice blood did little to help her.

Eclipse had finally managed to sooth Shimmer
“Now, you go wash up, and I will be back with your sister.” She said softly.
Shimmer nodded as she crawled off.
Eclipse picked up the blood bags and let her whole body shudder in disgust finally. She felt her suppressed gag reflex trying to activate again at the puddle of stomach acids and blood before her. She had to get away from it quickly or else her own stomach fluids may join it.
She ran to the cellar on the other side of the house. Opening it she saw Astra, an in all her feral glory.
The moment Astra caught sight of Eclipse she ignored the blood packets and instead zeroed in on the fresh pony meat before her. Her fangs jumped out of her teeth, and she hissed loudly. A warning, the vampire wanted to attack, and feast.
Eclipse did the only thing she could do, as Astra prepared to jump at her, she threw the bags of blood at her face and closed the cellar door just as she sprang forward. A thud on the other side told her Astra had been unable to stop herself from colliding with the door and a string of pity went through her. Astra had been reduced to nothing, her intelligence that of a wild boar.

She fled away from the door, too stupid, too feral and unable to think, to know any better. She really thought that the door attacked her. After all, it had been keeping her prisoner down there, and refusing to budge until that pony who once smelled bad came by. With that leg healed though, and the blood gone, most of her smelled really good. Painstakingly, hungrily, good.
Astra growled at the thought of her prey getting away, and would have continued to growl if she had not noticed that her prey had left something behind. Red caught her eyes. Beautiful red liquids floating innocently in the bags. Her fangs still unhinged, she approached one and tore it open, loving the feel of its insides splashing on her muzzle. This stupid unmoving prey was just fine! Even if its blood was bad-tasting. At least it wasn’t bad-smelling.
One by one, Astra greedily guzzled down the bags of blood, each new bag she began, the cleaner it was. By the last bag she was able to think clearly, and when she had finished with it, she threw it away in utter disgust.
“Blugh.” She snorted. “What a headache… Is it still night time?” She wondered aloud.
Absentmindedly she licked her lips, feeling a cool liquid on them. It tasted good, better than good actually. It tasted great. She licked her muzzle again. What was that liquid? All she remembered was drinking something from a bag.
She put a muzzle to her mouth and brought it back, nearly fainting at its sight.
Red stained her muzzle, chest, and hooves. Her eyes shrunk in fear and panic. Where had that blood come from? Looking around the lightless room, she was somehow able to see in the dark. Her eyes fell upon the mouse and a sob escaped her.
It was a tiny, bloody, ripped up mouse. Nearby there lay another one. It was as mutilated as the first, but it looked just as bad to the once-innocent pony.
“I’m sorry.” She squeaked, unable to comprehend that they would never hear her to-late apology.
Tears leaked from her eyes, the nights events finally catching up to her. The smell was literally the only thing that had kept her from mauling Eclipse just like she attacked those mice. Where had that stench come from though? And where had the Earth pony mare gone?

Shimmer finished washing her pelt for the third time, using the cold freezing water as a way to ground herself back with reality.
Last night had been unreal for her. It was scary, devastating for the blows she barely remembered dealing out, and… Exciting. Despite everything, she had felt pure-adrenaline pump though her veins along with strong smells hitting her advanced nose. She had catched every-single noise, and all the animals shook in terror at her mighty howls. For the first time in her life she had been strong.
Still though, she  wasn’t sure that newfound strength was worth it. More and more memories made themselves noticed, as they flashed before her eyes. The fight with the changeling, though he had survived with mere scratches thanks to his chitin and wings, the devouring of the poor bunny, and rampaging around like the wild animal she had transformed into.
All the thrills she had felt disappeared quickly, and she soon felt that the dangerous overran the perks, if there were any perks to turning into an unchecked monster once a month. She got up stiffly and shut off the water.
I need to think of something else… I need to- hey, what was that? She thought as a tingling sensation on her flank interrupted her thoughts. She looked down and gasped. Upon her flank there was a full moon, her cutie mark.
A dark, yet secretly happy thought, crossed her mind. Is this my destiny?

Astra exited from the cellar, walking shamefully next to the oblivious Eclipse, who was wrapped up in her own thoughts. Astra was easily able to hold back her complaints of discomfort in the morning sunlight, though her skin seemed to grow warmer by the second.
As they neared the yard, she finally spoke. “What happened last night? I can’t believe what happened, and yet I was there.”
Astra held back a sob. “I nearly killed you, is what happened.” Her voice cracked on the last word.
“You didn’t though.” Eclipse reminded her, trying to be energetic, but the power was not there. “I mean, here I am, without a scratch from you.”
“But my sister scratched you…”
“I am fine now.” Eclipse insisted, more life in her voice. “Lets just check up on your sister...” She trailed off as Shimmer ran at them, a large grin on her face.
“I got my cutie mark! All I have done my entire life is survive, and I finally found my destiny!” She cried out in joy. She skidded to a halt and showed them her grey flank. “I mean, once I read that ponies in our situation don’t always get their cutie marks, but I did!” She squeaked.
A weary grin appeared on Eclipses face, even after all that had happened, the tiny Pegasus had found a reason to grin. Her cutie mark! “That is fabulous, Shimmer!” Eclipse exclaimed, happy to hear some good news.
Astra looked at them, unsure whether or not to smile. Her sister had gotten her cutie mark, but at what cost? Eclipse seemed so eager to find something good that she was ignoring the obvious. Astra had killed mice, Shimmer had killed something and Eclipse had nearly bleed out but insisted that she was fine.
“I can’t take this!” She screeched as the other two got into a conversation. “You insane mares are acting like this is all fine, but it isn’t! It isn’t fine!” She yelled and backed away, her body quivering from the tiredness that dragged at her, and the anger that suddenly pumped through her. “Nothing is fine!” She screeched again and turned tail to flee.

Shimmer watched her sister flee, dumbfounded by her response. No congratulations, no smiles, no cheers, just a bunch of yelling and then running. Who put a stick up her bum?
No, bad Shimmer! She scolded herself. We do not think like that about our sister! She is obviously frazzled from last night, she just needs understanding… Even if she overeacted a little.
The Pegasus looked down and growled. “What the hell did we do wrong?”
Eclipse bit her tongue before answering, “Nothing. Well, I did. I ignored the fact that she had a very hard night, that both of you did, because right now I can’t cope with the truth.” She admitted. “I thought, hey, I’m an adult. I can handle this, but I wasn’t ready to help her, I wasn’t even ready to help you.” She sighed and looked down. “I don’t think I am ready now either… Shimmer, will you be alright if I just go home for he night, maybe the week? My leg is hurting me…” A whine escaped her.
Anger coursed through the young lycan. No it isn’t alright! You are the only adult who can help us, and now you are running away, but it is even worse than my own sister running! Coward! Yet as the thoughts coursed through her head, she plastered a believable smile of reassurance on her face.
“It’s ok Eclipse.” She whispered. “I understand.” That was a lie, but the Earth pony didn’t need to know. “Go home, rest, come back next week. Everything will be cleaned up and under control by then.” The promise was true though.
Eclipse grinned at her weakly. “Thanks… Shims.” She had never used her nickname before, or at least she didn’t remember using it.
Shimmer didn’t know why, but she despised Eclipse using her sisters nickname. The adult couldn’t know though, she just couldn’t! So another smile slid onto her face. “You’re welcome.”
Eclipse limped away painfully, no longer trying to block out the pain, but now trying to stave off the exhaustion that plagued her.
Shimmer could deal with this on her own, and she could help Astra too. Astra needed her, and was not to be blamed for running off, but Eclipse? Something about her suddenly ticked her off, and she welcomed the anger. It convinced her to go on.
She lifted her nose to the air and allowed the new smells to hit it, and the hunt for her sister began.

Astra could no longer stand the sunlight, she needed out of it, and right away. But where, where could that vamp-pony flee too? In the distance, crazed red eyes caught sight of the shady forest and a cool breeze played gently with her hair. Yes… The place of the beasts was perfect for a night monster like her.
Unaware of the passing world she opened her wings for the first time and clumsily flapped onto a branch. Instinct took over as her wings finally found a rhythm just when she found her branch. With a less-than graceful landing, she sat on the heavy oak branch and let out a breath.
She was somewhere dark and the fact that it wasn’t that cellar made her all the happier. She let out a gusty breath that she had been holding, and a simple thought pushed her overboard into hysterical laughter.
Do undead things even need to breath?
“Hehehehe!” She laughed at the thought, if only to relieve some of her own stress with humor. “I need blood to make my heart pump, and yet, technically, I am not really alive! I guess being undead includes being ironic for the rest of my undead life! I am living irony, dead, yet not dead! Hahahaha!”
It was weird, but the laughter helped her calm down. The more she laughed the more her nerves settled, and soon she was reduced to giggles, which slipped away into a simple smile. A sane smile, and now that she had gotten the nerves out of her system, she could think about her predicament.
Eclipse and Shimmer were probably worried sick for her and searching for her at the moment, but at least she was safe. Thanks to the stroll in the sun though, her body demanded liquids, and she knew that it wasn’t water which she craved. She needed blood, like all vampires she had read about.
Didn’t all vampires have some sort of spell to attract small creatures to them if ponies weren’t around? She remembered glimpsing over it, but she couldn’t be sure. Maybe she had to delve into her new powers…
She gasped in pain at what she found. The powers didn’t hurt her, but it was the lack of them that left a scorching reminder. She was a Unicorn without magick. Well no, that wasn’t right. The horn on her head was useless now, her previous power drained to make room for the new ones. The new powers she didn’t want, but had to use now if she wanted to spare her sister the sight of her feeding.
She closed her eyes and gathered a new concentration. Delving into her once pink power she found that it had changed into a purple one, with a something little extra in it that she couldn’t quite name. Assuming that the little extra was meant to be there, she slowly threaded it through her horn, praying that it could still work like a conductor for magick. If it couldn’t however…. Well, astra would get one nasty headache, or worse.
Different pony types used different body parts to conduct their special racial magick. Unicorns used their horns, Pegasi there wings, and Earth ponies used their whole bodies in one spread out thin sheet of magick, while their hooves held most of it. Thankfully, her new vampire powers seemed to accept her horn for at least using it as a conductor.
It spread out and beckoned every little animal, though because she was so new at it, and it was spread so far, only a few heeded her calls. One bird landed right next to her, and the second she heard the little, thump, thump, of its heart, instincts took over and her hooved flashed out. She broke its neck and forced it to her mouth, sucking the poor creature dry.
Sadly, she dropped the animal, but she refused to cry despite her racing thoughts screaming at her.
You’re a freak! The thoughts yelled. You don’t belong in this world, ponies are not hunters! They are animals who eat hay and grass, and yummy things like that. You though… You suck blood like a carnivore! Her own mind was against her, and it was all she could do to not whimper in devastation.
“Astra, was that some of your new powers?” An amazed voice broke through her thoughts. “Well, what I wouldn’t give to be able to do that! Collecting love would be so much easier.”
She turned her head shyly to the now well-known voice. “What do you even know about my situation? How do you know?”
Marcus sat next to her and rubbed a hoof on his leg. “Well… Um, I only know a little. After you all went into hiding last night I sorta went inside your house, read your stuff, and connected the dots.”
She studied his chest and flinched. “Where did you get those scars? I didn’t even know chitin could scar.”
His frown deepened. “Well, it does and your sister gave them to me. She really loves you though, so I healed fastly. You two guys fighting against the world and struggling to survive? It has given you both the strongest bond I have ever tasted… Ok, that last part came out a bit weird, sorry.”
She gave him a bitter grin. “Weird?” She laughed. “I am queen weirdo. I am a prey animal who hunts! Hunts like a carnivore!” The last sentence came out louder than she meant.
He put a hoof up. “Woah, no need to attack me. Are you ok?”
Her shy glancing turned into a full-out glare. “Ok?” She hissed, lifting her new bat-like wings slightly. “OK!?! I am not OK, I will never be, OK, again! I just want to be normal!” Her voice cried out as she lashed out at the bug. “I am a freak of nature, an undead being who hunts innocents so I might go on. I will never, ever, be ok again, Marcus. Just… Just leave me. If Shimmer finds you here with me she will be furious.”
Marcus flinched at Shimmers name. “I have tangled with her one too many times for my liking.” He stated before buzzing off.
As he left she let her tears run freely from her face. Freak of nature, hunter, undead, not meant to be… She was all of that, and yet there she was. Living, somewhat, and defying nature. Before she had changed into a vampire, she thought that maybe she could live like that, but now that she was one and was slaying little innocent animals so she didn’t attack those she loved, she felt hollow.
Tiny creatures died so she might protect her family. Was that ever ok, if you were a prey animal?
Once more her self-loathing thoughts were cut off by a pony, but this one was more welcomed.
“Oh sister, are you ok?”Shimmer called up the tree, immediately noticing her state.
“No.” Astra sniffled. “And I don’t wanna come down, the sun hurts me…”
“Then I’m coming up!” Declared Shimmer as she flew up with practiced ease and grace, a prettier sight than her newly winged twin. “So, what’s wrong?” She plopped down on the branch, shaking it somewhat.
“How can you be so cheery?” Astra demanded weakly. “We are both freaks now, but I think you got the better end of the bargain. Can I even live in normal society now?”
Shimmer looked at her, a concerned look crossing her face. “That doesn’t sound like my sister.” She said. “That sounds like some selfish pony. A mean one too! Astra, listen to your words.”
Astra bit her lip, but regretted it the second her newly pointed teeth touched the bottom one. Holding back another whimper she thought back to the words she had just uttered and visibly flinched at them.
“Oh Shimmer, I am so sorry!” She squeaked. “I feel so awful, it is getting to my head. Please, forgive my horrible words?”
Shimmer rested against her twin. “There, there, Sissy.” She whispered. “I am here for you, unlike Eclipse.”
“Eclipse?”
A scowl crossed her face. “Yeah, that normal pony,” She spat the word out, “Can’t deal with us. She had gone off to Ponyville to forget about us for a week.”
Astra jerked away from the comforting grip of her sister. “Shimmer, that is so rude!” She scolded, momentarily forgetting about her own downpour of self-pity. “Eclipse has just gone through Tartarus and back for us! She took care of us when we needed her, and comforted both of us when she could have simply stepped back and let us flounder around. Oh, and lets not forget that she went out on a limb to go adventure with us! I don’t even want to hear you say that about her again!” She ordered firmly.
Shimmer let a big grin crack on her face. “A bit overboard, but there is my sister!” She chuckled.
Astra blinked a couple of times. “Did my own sister… just trick me out of my own self-hating?”
“Yes, and I think it worked perfectly.” Shimmer announced. “Because I would rather have you yelling than crying, because when you cry it means you are hurt, and then I hurt.”
Astra sighed and hugged her twin. “We hurt for each other.” She whispered. “Because we are always there for each other, and have the deepest bonds.” Marcus’s words came back to her.
“That’s right sister.” Shimmer grinned. “We have the deepest bonds, and nothing can sever them!”

> Freaks Like Us.
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Chapter 10: Freaks like us.

The week went by at a slow dragging pace. Everyday Shimmer and Astra tried to get used to a new nocturnal schedule. When they were up at the new correct hours, they were worrying about Astra and her getting blood. It was slow going, but by the time the week was up, they felt they had their new schedule worked out.
“So, I go into the forest to hunt three times a night. Once after I get up, once at midnight, and again when I go to sleep.” Astra stated confidently.
“Are you sure you don’t want to go in there more often for… I dunno, snacks?” Shimmer wanted to confirm.
“Yes, I’m sure. It might make me uncomfortable to stay to such a strict diet of small animals, but, I really don’t like hurting them…”
Shimmer grinned gently. “Well, remember, now that we have our sleeping schedules down, we can work on your new vampire powers. You can learn to control yourself when feeding, and then you can let the animal go before it dies.”
Astra paused in her pacing in front of the bed. “Yeah, but for now I am sticking to that diet.” She said and sat down on the floor. “I… I still feel horrible.”
Shimmer lent her a loving hoof. “Relax my sister, you can’t help what you ate now. Besides, this was my destiny, maybe it could be yours too?”
Astra looked at her with a suspicious look. “Why are you so into this?”
“Into what?”
“The whole Lycan thing!”
Shimmer shrugged. “Well, I kinda liked it, and then I realized no pony died, and it seemed to be ok for me.”
“Eclipse seems to be the only sane pony around, and she won’t be around until tomorrow.” Astra grumbled.
A glare from Shimmers yellow eyes quickly shut her up. “Oh, so now I am insane for liking my destiny, which you seem to despise?” Shimmer snapped, only willing to offer so much support after a week of it.
Astra shrunk. “Sorry, I shouldn’t take my disliking of this out on you, especially if you like it.” She looked down shamefully.
Shimmer sighed and walked up to her, lifting her head up. “Astra, this is a big shock for you, you are traumatized, but I am trying to make this work for you. Unlike Eclipse.”
Astra showed feelings once more at the last two words. “Why have you been so against her all week?” She asked furiously. “Every single day, uh, night, you have been saying that she is a coward for abandoning us. She isn’t a coward though, and she hasn’t left us. She is on leave for now, and tomorrow she will return to us, fully prepared and able to help better than ever.”
Shimmer refused to believe the words. “How can she understand us! She is nothing like us now.” A hoof stomped onto the floor. “Eclipse will never understand us until she becomes like us, and she never will. Not willingly.”
Astra looked at her tiredly. “Can we just leave this subject for now? Everyday this thing is brought up, and everyday we fight, I am getting tired of it.”
Unwillingly Shimmer nodded. “Fine. You wanna hunt then? ‘Cause it’s about midnight.”
Slowly she nodded. “Yeah, lets go, my throat is already parched. It gets so annoying.” The last part was growled darkly.
They trotted down the stairs and out the kitchen doors. The nearby Everfree forest beckoned to the two sisters and they gladly accepted its call. Stealthy Shimmer flew into a nearby tree while Astra stayed grounded and called upon her new powers.
Being the genius Astra was, she had quickly gotten a hoofhold on her base summoning powers. She threaded it through her horn once more and beckoned the fattest, juiciest, rabbit to her. Soon a big brown bunny jumped steadily through the trees until mere inches from her.
With a sure hoof she struck out and pushed its neck to her fangs. Shimmer watched from the tree with a dark fascination. She didn’t understand how her sister could not appreciate her new powers. Who cared if a stupid bunny or two died for her? Apparently her sister did, but Shimmer was beginning to find it annoying. It was like her sister would rather die than kill again, which was ridiculous to the Pegasus!
She gave a large grin as her sister finished, and flew down nearby, knowing better than to get too close while her sister slurped down her meal.
“Astra, you are getting so good with your powers!” Shimmer congratulated her. “I congratulate you.” She laughed.
Astra didn’t join in her sisters joy or pride. She felt twisted and ashamed. And thirsty. Still so thirsty. The bunnies weren’t cutting it, in truth, they never did, but they had done an ok job holding it back, until now. With bloodlust still fogging some of her mind, her voice husky as she spoke.
“I need more, Shims.”
“More what, blood? Because you know what the notes said, lycan blood is bad for you…”
“Obviously not your blood!” The unicorn snapped, glaring at her with darker than usual eyes. “I just need more.”
Shimmer sensed an opportunity, for what, she was unsure of, but she knew she had to jump on this. A sly smile appeared on her face. “Of course, sister. Why don’t we try for a nice big deer?”
Astra nodded mutely and swished her tail, indicating that Shimmer should lead, with her advanced nose. Happily taking lead point the two trotted deeper into the Everfree.
Dark trees surrounded them, but they were not hostile like before. Now in their element, and as hunters of the night, they no longer feared the wild woods. They revealed in them.
Shimmer paused at a trail to sniff the air, and deer drifted past her nose, it was faint, but only by a few hours or so, and she was confident the deer would return to such lush grazing spots. Grinning she lead her sister into the meadow.
There before them was an old Doe, too ancient to give birth, and kicked out of the herd because she could no longer keep up. The deer was on her last legs, and that would be perfect for the softer hearted Astra.
“There.” Shimmer growled, an odd feeling overcoming her. Ponies never hunter, and ever since she got her cutie mark, she felt out of place with her destiny.
Astra however seemed to have no second thoughts as her glowed slightly with power. It was stronger than before, driven by need for blood, and the current cloud that stayed over her mind. The old deer wobbled up onto her legs, as if she no longer wanted to rest. She stumbled across the field to Astra. An unwitting mouse falling into the cats trap.
Shimmer watched the blur of movement with satisfaction. Her sister jumping from the bushes, her bat wings spread open in primal need. The usually retracted fangs were bared, made to pierce even the toughest and oldest flesh, like the deer before them. With slight envy she watched her sister feed until the deer died.

The irritating burnwas gone! For the first time that week, it had left her! A week laugh escaped her at first, but it was soon replaced by sobs as she fell into confusion. It had felt so perfect to feed, but at what cost? First tens of rodents, and now this elderly doe?
“Shimmer,” She croaked, “What am I?”
Shimmer felt like an outside force guuided her words, begging her to say the right thing. “You are a new and old species sister.” She began. “Once lost to time, and now brought back. The ancient vampires of old, and now all of their power resides in you. Yet you should not fear it, you must embrace it, and your destiny. We were born together, grew up together, survived together, and found this together. Now we deal with it together, as nightly twins, but we are not terrors, we are simply an old thing, coming back new.” She offered her hoof to her crying sister, and with a caring whisper she added, “Come on Astra. We have each other, and need nothing more. We can face our destiny, together.”

Astra felt something like a blog clear in her. Knots she had not even noticed untied themselves as her sister spoke more and more words. They were true, genuine, and loving. They cared not what she was, only who she was, and she was Astra the vampire, sister of Shimmer the Lycan, and that was all that mattered. They were sisters, twins, destined to be together.
With the first true grin she had felt all week, she accepted the hoof and stood up on for once strong legs. “You’re right Shimmer, I can deal with whatever the future throws at me, at us!” A tingle on her leg caught her attention.
She looked at her flank and gasped, but Shimmer beat her to speaking what was on their minds. “Your cutie mark, Astra!” She squealed with joy. “I think it appeared because you no longer fought who you truly were!”
“And found what I am meant to be.” She grinned gently.

The evening light did not bother Eclipse, she in fact, welcomed it. She just hoped that the twins didn’t mind her coming over a bit early for a long overdue visit to their place.
What originally had been a week, turned into a whole month, and to Eclipses worry, been postponed to the full moon.
Three weeks ago both girls had appeared mysteriously on her doorstep, begging her to come on that night, and on it only. They explained that they missed her dearly, but Astra was still struggling with her need for blood. Though to Eclipse the newly appeared cutie mark told another story. On the blank white pony, her flank proudly bore a pitch black horn with a single blood-drop appearing from its tip.
Eclipse shrugged off her worries though, she was too anxious to see her little friends. They had been so fragile when she left them, and acting strange when they told her to postpone until that night. She desperately wanted to get to the bottom of it.
Nothing would keep her from them that night, not even the fever that had developed over night. One day she was feeling fine, and the next she was grouchier than a manticore with a thorn in it’s paw, and feeling hotter than a sunbathing lizard. The girls didn’t need to know that though, only that she still cared about them.
She jolted in surprise, not realizing how fast time had passed. Before her stood the door to their home. Three strong knocks later an an excited Astra appeared.
“Eclipse!” She cried out in joy, fangs flashing in the dim light of her home and candles.
“Astra, hello!” She greeted the Unicorn with warmth, ignoring the unsettling feeling she got at Astras teeth. “How have you been?”
Astra grinned lessened slightly, but remained strong. “Better, but I have missed you a lot. Shimmer convinced me this was for the best though.”
“What is for the best?” Eclipse asked, curious.
Astra dug her hoof lightly into the ground. “You will see.” She promised. “Enter though, we have sooo much to tell you!”
The mounting feelings of unease and suspicion grew, but she pushed it back with a stick. “Ok Astra, I am eager to hear your stories.” She gave a teasing smile.
Inside the house it was better lit with candles, though not as nicely when she used to visit. Maybe they need more candles? They had probably been stuck out there all month anyway. Glad I brought them some food. She thought.
Shimmer was waiting patiently at the table, a friendlier demeanor than last time encasing her smile. “Heya, Eclipse.”
“Shimmer.” She nodded happily, taking her own seat. “So, how have my two favorite girls been?”
Shimmer let out a small chuckled. “Pretty good, while Astra stayed home, I went out to view some classes. Astra still doesn’t trust heself around ponies, but she is working on it, which is why we asked you over here on tonight.”
Eclipse frowned. There were holes in her logic, very big holes that her suspicion leaked through. “Why not yesterday though? She argued. “I doubt one day would have made a difference.”
Shimmer sighed like the obvious was in front of her. “To test our friendship. Eclipse… I have had doubts that you can accept us now, but Astra is adamant in her belief that you stilll trust us.”
Her blood ran cold at those words. “What is going on Shimmer?” Eclipse finally demanded. “You know I love you girls.”
Ast5ra pipped up. “I know, but my sister has trust issues, so she decided that she needed to test you…”
Eclipse flinched back in hurt. “Shimmer, that is horrible!” She scolded. “Do you really think that I, a pony who lives in the town of the princess of friendship, would take such a thing lightly?”
Shimmers eyes opened widely. “No, of course not! Just, Astra kills rodents to eat, and I turn into a murdering beast once a month. Can you really accept that?”
Astra let out a whimper. “Shimmer… We don’t murder, we do it because we have too. Besides, you agreed to go into the cellar tonight. You know, after we test her.”
Shimmer frowned. “You’re right. Sorry sis.”
Eclipse was sorely confused. Shimmer appeared friendly to her, but had an underlayer of hostility, but when addressing her sister she became the Pegasus she knew and loved. What had happened to her friend to split her into two ponies, one horrible, and one good?
“What is the test?” She snapped. “I dislike you doubting that I would abandon my friends in their time of need.” She knew it was immature, but she directed the words at Shimmer.
Shimmer took it as a challange, and accepted it gratefully. “Then become like us.” She said.
As she spoke Eclipse absentmindedly put a hoof to her scar from last moons frantic run. It had been bugging her the whole week. “What do you mean?” She asked, ignoring the ache emitting from it.
“I said, become like us.” Shimmer lost her fake smile, a serious frown replacing it. “A lycan or vampire, trully it is your choice, but to understand us, you need to be like us.”
“Shimmer, that is absurbed.” She said, shaking her head and scratching her scar. It was starting to really bug her. “I guess you were never taught this, no offense, but, to understand a creature, you don’t need to be like them. Do you girls have ice in that fridge?” She asked and began to scratch her closed wound even more. “My scar, and no I am not mad about that, is just bugging the crap out of me. Pardon my language.”
Astra gave it a concerned look, but a gasp of wonder came from her instead of an answer.
“What is it, Astra?” She snapped, everything getting to her. The unexplained heat, nerves, and that damn itching scar! Why was it so demanded?
“You’re fur is turning black!” She whimperd.
“Nonsense, don’t be stupid, it’s blue, dark blue.” She growled.
Shimmer wasn’t angry at her, oddly enough, instead she leaned over and looked at the scar she had left. Instinctually she sniffed the air.
Wolf.
“Eclipse… I am actually sorry for this, but I think I choose for you…” She spoke carefully. “Last month, I clawed you, but I guess it can spread though our claws.”
“Our?” She asked, eyes dilating. “Our?!”
Shimmer nodded grimly. “Yes Eclipse. Our claws. Because you are becoming a lycan.”
Eclipse didn’t want to look. Looking at her itching wound would break everything for her, yet she had too. Tearing her gaze from Shimmers weirdly concerned, yet happy face, she gazed down.
Nausea swamped her, but she pushed it away. Where once blue fur was, black fur surrounded the pulsating wound. The scratch was an angry red, while the rest of her body began to feel warmer and warmer…
Then the pain hit, faster and harder than the newest made train. She was physically knocked from her chair. Shimmer was hit with it too, and the pain wasn’t much better for her.
“Run Astra!” She screeched. “I don’t think we will make it to the Cellar.”
Astra gulped, wanting to stay. She better though. A vampire never belonged near a shifting lycan. “I love you sister, sorry that I must leave you.” She whispered and ran.



Gone… Absent. Noise.
Check noise, other wolf. Growl. It larger, deadlier… Original? Smell.
Check. Original, best, alpha. Alpha wolf. Alpha wolf!
Pack? Whimper, lower ears. Tuck tail. Pack!
Follow. Follow alpha wolf, follow alpha wolf! Howl, growl, smell, summon the… No others. Need more pack. Not yet. Need territory. Hunt with Alpha. Establish territory. Hunt with Alpha. Hunt with Alpha.
Run. Scent mark. Growl at stick wolves. KILL stick wolves. Howl. Territory. Hunt with Alpha. Hunt with Alpha.
Hunt the ponies. Hunt the prey.

> Aftermath
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Chapter 11: Aftermath

Shimmer and Eclipse woke up near the house, like their lycan instincts knew that the home was their base. The first thing Eclipse did after waking up was vomiting up a scary number of what looked like twigs, some blood and rabbit. Shimmer copied her, but unlike last time she wasn’t puking up everything. She knew deep inside her body was already adjusting.
After they were done with that Eclipse raised a groggy head, but her usually soft silver eyes burning with anger. “Happy?” She spat.
Shimmers dopey smile faded. “Now I’m not. Eclipse, I really am sorry that you had no choice in what happened last night, but now you can truly understand us!”
Eclipse got up on wobbly legs, and pushed away her fear from last night. Her eyes were a fountain of anger and hurt. “Understand?” She asked in a low voice. “Understand? ANYPONY could see that you two were different. Like the infamous cake twins, one of you had a horn while the other a pair of wings. Those two grew up to become famous thieves, and anypony who read history could see that twins like you guys grew up with great destiny. It takes magick to birth not only two foals, but have the foals be different species. Most ponies don’t have the energy in them to even do it.
“But I derail from my point. You guys were different to begin with, yet you were special, and I loved you guys even without that. I looked into the real you, and I saw bright young ponies. I also saw two wonderful friends. Shimmer, you have changed in the past two months. I don’t know what happened to you, but this power has made you different, more untrusting. Can’t we have our old, innocent, Shimmer back?”
Shimmer was beginning to crack under her words, but at the last sentence she toughened up. “Innocent?” She snarled softly. “I will never be innocent again! I have seen my sister kill animals to survive, and the wolf in me wants to kill. I will never be innocent again.”
Adult and teen glared at one another for a few more seconds, but Eclipse knew she would have to be the better pony. “Lets go tell Astra we are ok.” She suggested icly.
“Good idea.” Shimmer gave a curt nod.
Stiffly, both walked to the cellar to retrieve the vampire from her hiding place.

“Hello girls, have a good bonding time?” Astra smiled weakly, hoping to lighten the obvious tension between the two lycans.
“We ran around and played with the nearby timber wolves.” Shimmer said seriously. “It was fine.”
Half lies, half truths. Eclipse felt Astra would be better off not knowing about the fight.
Astra gave them both a true grin. “Good, everything seemed really weird last night.”
Eclipse gave a light laugh. “Everything is weird with you girls.” She ruffled Astra’s mane.
“Hey, I am not a foal!” She protested, smoothing it down.
“Sorry.” Eclipse gave her a wicked grin of good humor.
Astra rolled her eyes, but smiled back. “So girls, I have been thinking. Tomorrow night we should revisit the cave and look for ways of improving our current living conditions. I have read all the information that the scrolls can offer, and so have you two.”
Shimmer sighed. “To bad I have been unable to put any of it to good use, being that your life was in danger both times.”
“Yeah, that is sad.” Astra agreed.
Eclipse bit her cheek as they spoke. When there was a lull in the conversation she jumped at it. “What if we have to retake those tests again?” She asked.
“Then we turn back.” Shimmer shrugged.
Astra looked like she wanted to protest for the sake of adventuring once more, even if they had already done it, but she did not protest. “Yes, we turn back.” She sighed, which was followed by a yawn. “For now, I need to turn in.”
“Yes, same.” Shimmer rubbed her eyes. “Sticking to a nocturnal schedule is kind of hard.”
Eclipse scuffed at the ground with her hoof. “Mind if I crash here? It is an hour past my usual bedtime I think.”
Astra and Shimmer nodded. They left the cellar and entered the house to crash. Astra did not follow suit though, not until she had hunted.

Eclipse woke up to giggling girls, and the sound of things clattering. As the strange environment surrounded her she wondered somewhat fearfully how she had ended up in a strangers dusty living room. As consciousness came back to her, she began to remember.
Last night, technically day, she had washed up and spoke with Astra and Shimmer after a surprise transformation. Groaning with effort she also began to remember what she had not the day before. In her lycan form she and Shimmer had hunted the nearby timberwolf pack, and demolishing them had been scary easy. With powerful paw swipes they easily dismembered them again and again, until there were no more branches and sap on the ground for them to use.
Shaking her head to clear the thoughts, she refocused on the voices in the kitchen, and was a bit shocked to hear them so clearly.
“I think Eclipse will make a fine Lycan.”
“I don’t know, she seemed a bit strained when you guys greeted me.” Astra concluded.
“Aw don’t worry, even if she doesn’t like it, it is only once a month.”
“Point.” A sigh  escaped her.
Deciding eavesdropping was a bit too rude for her taste she got up and trotted into the kitchen.
In it Astra and Shimmer sat at the table. Shimmer was eating, while Astra fiddled with her hooves. “Night girls.” Eclipse greetining.
“Yo.” Shimmer said, chewing her food happily.
“Hi Eclipse. You just caught me, I was about to go out to hunt. I think a deer is in order for tonight too.” The vampire spoke as she stood up. “Though deer is beginning to become a bit too dry for me… Kinda like the rodents did.” She wrinkled her muzzle in distaste and walked out.
Eclipse watched her go, and let out a gusty breath.
Shimmer’s demeanor changed, luckily it only differed slightly to the adults relief. “So Eclipse, how do you feel about that? My sister kills deer.”
She spoke it like she was proud, which irked her, but she only replied in a friendly tone. “I feel sorry for the deer, but this is who Astra is now. I only hope she can be around other ponies soon.”
Shimmer didn’t seem disappointed with the answer, which helped Eclipses confirm, that deep down hope that Shimmer still wanted to be her friend. Visibly relaxing, she sat down at the table, enjoying the moonlight that streamed in.
“So, it was mentioned that you’re taking school?” She asked.
Shimmer nodded. “Yeah, turns out Luna has loads of schools for nocturnal ponies, and homeless ponies.”
Eclipse smiled gently. “Our night mother is a caring, loving, pony.” She amended. “Though few still know it today, even after 6 decades.”
Shimmer was silent for a moment, but when she spoke, she did so slowly. “Night mother, I like that term.”
Eclipse knew why too, from her knowledge, Shimmer had only had a mother for a few years.
After that the dam broke, and each pony told one another apologies. Shimmer apologized for being so suspicious and untrusting, while Eclipse said sorry for running away. They told one another of their month, and bonded over the moment.
For the whole month Astra had indeed stayed home, perfecting her skill and coming to term with herself. Shimmer found herself jumping to more advanced classes in the homeless school, and hoped that she could soon get to a high school grade education. Eclipse had worked silently at her job, and throughout the whole month fretted over the twins with deep concern. It was a loving moment for each.
As they finished, Astra returned. She stumbled into the room and laughed lightly.
“Heya girls!”
Shimmer scrunched her eyebrows together, while Eclipsed raised one questioning manner. It appeared that Astra was drunk, yet there was not a whiff of whiskey or any other beverage on her.
“Astra dear, are you ok?” Eclipse asked.
“Yeah, peachy, just got a talk with that bug guy. Marcus.” She giggled. “Didya know that when he changes form it ain’t just an illusion, he actually becomes a pony!”
Shimmer jumped up, yellow eyes serious and casting off an old glow. “Astra, what happened?” She growled, all seriousness.
Astra did not lose her air of humor yet. Staring right at her sister she revealed bloody fangs. “An equal trade! Blood for love! Haha!” Her laugh was high pitched.
Eclipse cursed. “Astra, how do changelings take love?” She prayed it wasn’t like the rumor. If so, Eclipse wasn’t sure if she would even want to hold Shimmer back.
“Easy.” She snorted. “He took the form of Shims, and began to act like her, really good acting. I bought it. And then He offered his leg to me, and I drank his blood! Yumyumyum!” She giggled airily. “While I drank his blood, I guess his horn returned, cause it rested on my forehead and I felt myself lose a bit of energy, but not too much. Next thing I knows, he is taking his leg away claiming that was enough, and flying off!” She ended in a grumpy child-like frown.
Breaths of relief were let out. “Astra, I think you should rest. We can go adventuring tomorrow.” Eclipse said. “The night is young yet, but I have no idea when your… State will wear off.”
Astra looked at her crossly. ‘No, I wanna adventure now!” She whined, like a foal throwing a tantrum.
“No Astra, back to bed.” Shimmer ordered.
“Advencha!”
“Bed!”
“Advancha!!”
“Bed!” The two sober ponies shouted.
“ADVENCHA!” Like a flash of lightning, Astra had rushed out the door.
“Dear Luna!” Eclipse gasped, running after her. “She is drunk off of blood!”
The two raced after her, Shimmer by air and Eclipse by hoof. Shimmer was obviously the faster of the two as they tracked down the laughing vampire.
“Hahaha! I love tag!” Astra giggled like a kid. Suddenly her wings snapped open. “Only fair is fair!” She called to her flying sister.
Pumping her bat wings, she shoot into the air and then to the trailhead.
“Astra, no!” Shimmer shouted. “You can barely even fly, and FUI is a serious offense!” She doubled her speed.
Astra giggled. “I wonder what this power does?” She pondered loudly as she began to cast some of her vampire power around wildly. To answer her question, the vampire disappeared from sight.
Shimmer groaned and scented the air, though she found the act useless.
“Woah!” Came the breath from a nearby, yet unseeable, Astra. “Where’d I go?”
“You tell me, Astra.” Shimmer answered, irritation obvious in her voice.
“You don’t wanna let me adventure though!” Astra cried, and with a whoosh sound of her wings, Shimmer could tell she had fled.
Following a drunk pony was hard enough, following a drunk invisible pony by scent alone was near impossible. Good thing Shimmer had an amazing sniffer, and it allowed Eclipse to catch up with them.
“They can’t catch me!” A voice giggled from farther away than Shimmer would have preferred.

The chase went on for longer than anypony would think reasonable. Wouldn’t her blood-high, or whatever it was, have worn off after thirty minutes at least? Nope, it appeared that Astra’s blood-high was going to last a while, and the farther they went into the Everfree, the angrier Shimmer became.
Along with her intensifying anger, she began to feel uncomfortable prickles along her spine, but easily ignored them in her hot pursuit.
Finally, after what appeared to be a good three hours, Eclipse called up, obviously unable to go on.
“I… can’t… fly… Can’t… run… far…” She gasped and panted between each word as Shimmer flew down. “You.. Pull… Ahead…” She gulped.
Shimmer sighed as she saw the sweat beading the ponies forehead. “No, you are going to keep up, Eclipse.” She snarled, letting her anger rule her words, but keeping a filter on.
Something in Eclipse seemed to change as her fears flipped downward. She flinched from the yellow gaze of Shimmer, but nodded in obedience.
Shimmer nodded and flew up once more, knowing that Earth ponies weren’t made to run for long, but rather work hard. She zoomed off, regaining the scent trail.
As she tracked the scent trail she realized the scent had changed. It lost a metallic scent and gained a less flavory stench. It was sour, but something in it appealed to her. Unable to pin it down, the Pegasus shrugged and flew on. At least the appealing scent calmed her nerves and stopped that incessant tingling in her back.
While they were chasing the errant Vampire, she had lost track of time, so when she checked the moon, it appeared to her that three hours had passed. Three hours? Why so long? It was unreasonable that a blood-high could last so long!
Unless… Shimmer snarled, her anger lighting up once more. Her sister was leading them on the chase, clean sober, and on purpose!
“Double your efforts, Eclipse!” She hollered down. “My idiot sister is missing on purpose now!”
Eclipse only answered with a cough.
Hesitating, she slowed down and landed. When Eclipse saw her floating down, she collapsed on the spot.
“You aren’t going to die, are ya?”
Eclipse only spluttered out another cough.
Worriedly, she put a hoof around the Earth pony. “I bet you were never this active before you met me and my sister, huh? Listen, why don’t you continue at a hobble to the Night Cave, because she appears to be going in that direction. I think we are getting there at a faster rate because we ran most the thing without any stops too.” She patted Eclipse on the back. “When you get the energy though, I hope you can start running again.”
“Imma cramp so bad…” She moaned. “Not fun” She coughed again.
“Yeah, wings take ponies father than hooves, commonly known.” She giggled. “Well, cya, Eclipse, try not to get eaten by the animals here.”
Eclipse breathed heavily and glared at Shimmer, who merely grinned in protest. SHe zipped off from the ground and was back in the sky with a flash.

Astra huddled in the Night Cave, not even bothering to check her surroundings. She wasn’t sure how she got there, and she was soon regretting her continuous flight. Just, her sister could be hard to deal with when she got angry. And nowadays she was easily angered.
Astra wasn’t sure what had changed in her beloved sister, and Astra wasn’t sure what had changed in her, but ever since that first full moon, things had been different. Astra was more submissive to her sister, who seemed to cast her yellow glowing eyes around like candy to foals. Astra wasn’t even sure her sister noticed, which was scary. Scarier still, even Eclipse seemed to be affected by it.
Was it a lycan thing, or had Shimmer simply changed from a head strong, yet sweet filly, to a bossy bully who terrified those who didn’t agree with her? Or did the night classes she receive make her feel more cocky? Astra could not tell, and usually she would try to ignore the thoughts, but when she had become stupid on blood, they surfaced to the top.
Shimmer may have stopped Astra from drowning in self-loathing, but she had also changed from a loving creature, to one who would rather take charge and lash out at those who disagree. She was bullying Astra into doing things she didn’t want to, like turning Eclipse, though it had been unneeded anyway.
Damn that blood-high, and her lack of thinking or control while during it! After it had worn off after a good ten minutes, she had simply flown away because she was scared of her sisters fury.
A noise dragged her attention away from her confusing thoughts.
“Twin!”
She rolled her red eyes. “Shimmer.”
Shimmer walked into view and glared at her sister. “You really are something, ya know? Why did did you keep flying?” She demanded.
“Because I hate it when you yell at me! And you are going to do it again!” Astra stated harshly.
“I only yell at you, because sometimes you act like an imbecile!” Shimmer growled, yellow eyes flowing yellow. “Like you just did! Eclipse is still struggling to get here, you know?”
“Alone, why?” Astra asked. “Why not wait for her?”
“Because we both love you, and agreed that in order to catch up to you, I, the fastest, should pull forward.”
“It’s dangerous out there! You say I don’t make smart decisions, but leaving her alone out there is dumber than anything I could do!” Exclaimed Astra.
Shimmer shrugged. “Oh well.”
They waited in a stony silence until Eclipse finally walked up, choking down air and sweat glistening all over her fur.
“Never. Again.” She choked out, glaring at them both.
“Yes, Eclipse.” Astra murmured.
Nopony said a word as they all sat there quietly. Slowly Eclipse’s breathing began to regulate again, but that encouraged nopony to start talking. They all ignored their surroundings instead as they lost themselves in thought.

The night passed at a quick pace, and only Eclipse moved, or muttered occasionally about cramping, but besides her, nothing happened. The twins were as still as stone, while Astra hid amongst the shadows, Shimmer stared at the slowly lightening sky. As the sun touched the horizon, Shimmer finally broke the night-long silence.
“I hate all this fighting.”
The other two murmured agreement.
“So I am going to end it.”
They gave her questioning looks.
Stiffly, the Pegasus stood up. “I… I know I am the cause of all the fighting.” She murmured, and went on when they tried to protest. “I have grown bossy with my powers, and arrogant with my knowledge. Just, Astra, we have been homeless our entire lives. When I finally had money to spend, a nice bed to sleep on, constant food, and power, I let it get to me. I was in control of my life for the very first time. I was no longer scrounging for food, fighting off rats, or looking over my shoulders for unwanted ponies who would try to manipulate me. I loved it. Too much.
“So I tried to control you two also. I tried to force our… is it a gift or curse, on Eclipse, and I have been bossing you, my lovely sister, around all months, forcing you to do what I think is best. I did help you, once, but now I keep messing up. I have thought the entire night on this, on all my actions. Astra I might have convinced you that you are special, and you deserve to live, but now I am holding you back. I am the voice in your ear, saying you can’t see other ponies. And why? Not because you won’t control yourself, but because I want to control you.”
As she spoke more an more, tears began to trickle from her eyes. “I am sorry. To both of you. Please don’t protest, but I have to go away now. If you don’t see me by the next full moon, well then I guess you can say I got lost.” She took a deep breath in to finish. “While I was thinking about it, I also thought about where I was going to stay, and I know the perfect place. Getting food shouldn't be difficult either, considering I have lived as a homeless pony for my whole life. I need to leave now.”
“Shimmer… No.” Astra whimpered. “I can help. I am your twin.”
Shimmer looked her dead in the eyes, and Astra felt her soul being splintered slightly as her sister began to mentally drift away, and soon physically. “You can’t though. Only I can. I realised I needed to change on my own, and granted with you pointing it out in a kinder way than I deserved. Now I must change, and on my own. I don’t think a month will be long enough for me, but it will show me what I need to do.” With that she flapped her wings and sped out of the cave, and possibly the Everfree forest.

> Scrolls of Lumino the 4th.
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Chapter 12: The Scientific Scrolls of Lumino the 4th.

She had one place in mind, but knew that at the moment she could not go there. It wasn’t because her wings were aching and both heart and head hurt, it was because Astra had been taught to track. Ponies, dears, it wouldn’t make a difference, especially when Astra knew her scent by heart.
She zig-zagged through the trees, splashed through the mud, dipped herself in some water, and flew just above a nearby patch of poison joke. That should hide her scent from the most sensitive of noses, and only an expert Pegasus could track her through the air, and neither of them were even a Pegasus! Being a vampire was different, Shimmer could see that.
She flew higher and higher, until she reached cloud cover. For the rest of her flight she flew through them, thinking of not only her rotten behavior the last month, but trying to figure out why she had turned into a control freak. Yes, it was true, the power had gone to her head, but why so suddenly? If only she had bothered to grab a few scrolls before leaving. Heck, if only she had bothered to grab anything before leaving. But nooo, she just had to fly right on out of there, frantically trying to flee them.

“I… Shimmer!” Astra screeched and flew after her sister, even though she knew she would never catch up. The only reason she had out flown Shimmer in the first was because she turned invisible.
Eclipse watched the Vampire give chase, even though it was useless. She let a sad sigh escape her, and decided to turn her attention to the things at hoof. The scroll and some extra bits. She was alone in the cave, might as well try to read and plunge her mind in the past instead of the present and future. Taking down a nearby scroll marked, To Change. An account on Vampires and Lycans change into the supernatural. It seemed pretty stupid, but hey, the expert themselves wrote it.


	Part one, the effects.


	


	Both species are affected not only mentally, but physically in the first three moons of their change. Sometimes it is drastic, and other times it is minimal. Most of the time it can hardly be noticed, unless the being is sired by a very strong Vampyre or Lycan. Usually the older a Vampyre of Lycan, the stronger they are.


	The mental changing effects often wear off around the third moon, but such is not always the case. An example is, if a Vampyre is not corrected in its behavior, it is wired into the brain that it is ok to act like so. It takes either strong magick, determination, or life changing experiences, for them to set to rights.


	General observation shows that Lycans are the more emotional of the two species, and as a Vampyre I wish to tell my readers that I am not being bias. Any science that you can bring into this large mess of supernatural states that because Lycans are closer to being untamed animals than Vampyres, they are more emotional. They would be harder to be put to rights if any major mental changes were not corrected before the third moon. Sometimes though, a Lycan might recognize it themselves, and more often than not, the problem is sorted out right then and there.


	


	I would like to continue onto the physical differences now. Three is a highly common number between the rival species, it appears. For both species they will slowly gain the benefits until their third moon strikes, in which both will be considered fully “fledged”, or, “adults”. Vampires prefer the term fledged, and the Lycans often call those before three moons, pups, and after three moons, adults.


	Both species are strong, and though Lycans are stronger than Vampyres naturally, they gain extra muscle and mass is put on every time they transform, and after three moons they can learn to transform on will. (I would like to state, that before three moons if they are angered to the point of blind fury they WILL transform from high emotions.)


	Vampyres get different powers and longer lives instead, though they can easily overpower the everyday pony. It is often believed that when the Vampyres kill ponies, Lycans are naturally attracted to the area to kill off any horrific Vampyres. Almost like they guard ponykind.


	In the separate parts for the two species, I shall explain their powers.


	


	Part two, Vampyres.


	


	The bites.


	A Vampyre can feed on a pony without turning them, and if a pony isn’t a drudge, they can wipe their memory with a bit of practice. A drudge is a pony that allows only one vampire to feed on them. You can sometimes spot a drudge because their eyes will turn red, but a few ponies are born with red eyes, so it is important to never accuse anypony of being a drudge.


	To turn a fellow pony and give them the immortal “gift” you simply bite them, and they bite you back. When you bite the pony though, you must insert your venom, unlike a Lycan who can transfer it through bite or claws when they have turned into their wolf counterpart.


	Vampyres can feed off of any mammal, but eventually they will need the blood of ponies to satisfy them instead of striking off the hunger. They will slowly go for bigger and bigger prey until eventually they lunge at the nearest pony. It is important for Vampyres to have a drudge if they don’t plan on living in pony society, or if they plan on it but aren’t not yet masters at the mind-wiping technique.


	Vampyres have many powers, and many more undiscovered. Some rumor they were supposed to be the unicorns of the night, but something went wrong and turned them into the undead instead. I choose not to dwell on rumors though, I look into the facts of my newly made “life”. Bah, life, I preferred my old one, with a beating heart!


	I digress. The most common powers are-


	

She opened up the next scroll.


	Are as listed:


	Teleportation, mind-wipe, hypnotise, blood-sting, and blood-stone.


	Teleportation is just that, though sometimes I feel Vampyres use it needlessly, considering we grow new wings upon transformation. Mind-wipe has been mentioned before, but for those of you with thick-skulls, it is where any short-term memory of feeding is wiped from your mind. Hypnotise can force a pony to do your bidding, but it is an ify ify power, unless you don’t mind killing your slave afterwards. Sometimes they remember what they are forced to do, and other times they do not, but it can be highly useful if you wish for a pony to do a short term activity, because then you can use your mind-wipe on them. Blood-sting and stone are offensive powers to be used in fights against either Lycans or hunters.


	Blood-sting is more advised for hunters, because if you accidentally swallow their blood, even if it is laden in garlic, it won’t leave you sick for three days afterwards if you accidentally drink more than a cup-full. Blood-sting is where you bite your victim and insert only one part of your venom into their blood, the part that brings the pain. It is said Vampyres simply know how to separate the parts of their venom… And we do, even a pacifist like I can.


	Blood-stone is very simple and can be used against anything. It works especially well against Lycans if you can get a good chunk of silver. You simply grab a rock/mineral, and you bleed on it with the weapon in mind. While it is active it will slowly sap your blood-stores though, so if you want it out for more than a day, keep your drudge close by and feed from it at least four times a day.


	If you must hunt, remember the mind-wipe. If you haven’t perfected it yet, have an experienced Vampyre with you.


	Yet, these powers for Vampyres seem to remove the original powers you had when you were living. Very little remains after you turn. This is unlike the Lycan, where they only lose their species power when in wolf form, or three days revolving around the full moon. Pegasi can still fly though, and Unicorns can cast a bit of magick.


	

That scroll was shorter, on to the third one. Eclipse was glad she was learning so much. Even if this writer seemed to hate himself.

	


	Part three, Lycans.


	


	The Moon.


	Ponies are right to fear the full moon, but they should always be wary for when night creatures might strike! I should have been wary when those lovely ladies approached an old stallion like me. To bad I didn’t know I shouldn’t bite back.


	Lycans, as mentioned before, can be trained to shift on will, but only after three moons.  Before three moons they are pups, and must be watched for any bad behavior so they don’t grow into it. If spotted, you must try to stomp it out, and without angering the Lycan if possible. To much anger can cause a forced transformation. They should also be kept out of public’s eye if possible.


	After three moons, and if kept in a good environment, though sometimes a for a Lycan this isn’t even needed, they will become a good adult. Vampyres have recently begun experimenting with pups, snatching them away after tracking down any Lycan attacks. The crueler Vampyres wish to use them as guard wolves, and I fear they may succeeded with younger ponies, who are the most impressionable. Adult ponies appear to resist and have sway over pups when the two are in contact.


	There is only one thing that can force a Lycan to transform, for not even anger has this type of sway. Anger transformations can be resisted, but not the moon. No one can resist the moon, and therefore no one can resist Lunarbeam, its current avatar. She controls the moon cycles, and therefore has sway over both Vampyres and Lycans. She is the mother of the night.


	I hate Lunarbeam, current avatar of the moon.


	I never wanted to be apart of this nightly world, but I am. After I finish this last scroll may I never see the dark again! I will only see the white blinding light of Solarbeam, bringer of joy, light, and the sun!


	Ah but these scrolls aren’t about me, they are about the Lycans now. I do say, I wish I could undo what I have just written.


	As I was writing, no Lycan, not even an original (if any still live) can not resist the full moon, and a few special Lycans can not resist other moon phases. Through careful study, infiltration, spying, and bribes, we are finding a new species of Lycan, well not so new, but very rare and previously unknown to Vampyres.


	A few Lycans, and this is extremely rare, transform during the time of new moon, when not even a sliver hangs in the sky. There is nothing different about them except for the fact that they transform at a different time. Then there are the rarest of all. The Blue Moon Wolf. Only two have been seen in known history. The Vampyre who spotted them razing a town from afar was terrified for his life. Even from that great distance, the Blue Wolves seemed to have noticed him.


	His report was, these Lycans were stronger, faster, and had better equipped senses. He called them the Blue Wolves for they appeared on a blue moon and their pelts were tinted with a blue coloring. That is all that is known about them, IF they even exist. Perhaps he merely spot two temporarily awakened originals?


	


	Written by, Lumino the 4th.


	

The scrolls ended. Was that it?
Quickly Eclipse got up, despite her legs still protesting, and searched around for more of this self-hating author. Much to her dislike, there was no more of his work that she could find, and he was one of the few that gave straight out information about the two species!
“Drat.” She murmured, and began to keep watch for Astra now that she had nothing else that caught her eyes.

A week past since the chaotic and spontaneous night in the Everfree. Astra had soon fallen into a gloom upon re-entering the cave. She had not returned with her sister, instead her sister had expertly hidden her scents in a number of things.
“I though I found a bit of her scent over some poison joke, but who would go near that?” Astra whimpered.
“No one with brains, and your sister has brains.” Eclipse answered. “Brains enough to be fine.” She neglected to tell her that her sister may still be in danger of being influenced by bad.
That had not cheered her up though, Astra had been so glum that she had not even gone hunting, and was starting to get atrocious cramps. So when they got a tiny package from Shimmer, that appeared there in a flash of Unicorn magick, to say they were pleasantly surprised was a gross understatement.
“Shimmer! Shimmer sent this!” Astra screeched in joy. “I would know my twins scent anywhere!” She gave a fangy grin.
Eclipse chuckled. The night after the cave she had spent the night there, but she had to go to work the next day and explain that an emergency drew her away. At the moment she was visiting before she had to go off to work. “Well hurry and open it, I must leave soon. After all one of us does work.”
Astra nodded and inhaled the scent once more. A hauntingly tempting smell also enwrapped the cardboard box. It made her mouth water, what was it? It also seemed to wish for her fangs to unsheath.
With a shaking hoof she opened the top, and the scent source was soon spotted. Somehow Shimmer had sent her ponies blood in a bag. With uncaring hooves, the Vampire tore it from the box, turned around, and guzzled it down. The blood soothed the long-since ignored fire, and did other wonders for her. Her mind seemed to clear, and her spirits uplifted. The cramps stopped.
“Ah, my twin knows me well.” Astra purred, mouth covered in blood.
“You got a little blood…”
Astra blushed slightly. “Oops. Well, I will wash it off later, I need to read that letter!”
Checking for clean hooves, she grabbed the second to the top object, a piece of paper.

Dear Astra,

Hi sissy! It is me Shimmer, did you like your gift? I had a hunch you would need it. I hope you are hunting though. Anyway, I am fine, and I meet some friends. Dig around the box and you will find a picture. The picture is in black and white though, considering these guys are um. Well, they are hobos too. I guess my idea hiding place wasn’t as vacant as I hoped it would be. It is an abandoned project though, recently abandoned, so the area is nice.
Anyway,these two ponies are the only ones, well, there is a third pony but she is like, super distant. Odd little Unicorn she is. Anyway, the female I met is called Heartsong, and her husband is Paper Poet. Silly mushy names, aren’t they? However, they don’t act like their names, they act more crass than anything, they tell me it comes with being treated like dirt for so long. Used to live in Canterlot apparently.
Anyway, as I said, all is fine with me. I miss you, but I will send you another letter next week, promise! And I will visit when I said I would so you don’t worry about me, but I think I am going to stay here for three months… I feel oddly accepted here, and at peace. One last thing, I am sorry I won't be there for our sixteenth birthday, but I will only be a week late!

Love, Shimmer.

P.S. I did get the unsocial Unicorn to send this for me.

Curious about the company her sister was now keeping, she rummaged around in the box which held a bit of ripped up paper. Digging under it she found said black and white picture.
In it, two adult ponies held a widely grinning Shimmer between them, while in the distance you could see a pony-like figure with a horn, though it was blurry. Probably the Unicorn. The female, Heartsong, had a straight mane with two colors, though her colors were impossible to tell. Her mane was long and ungroomed, but Astra could see a hint of unhideable beauty. Her cutiemark looked like some dust, but Astra guessed that if it had color, it would be something like powdered blush.
The guy on her left also had a lange mane, though his hair was much neater. It too was straight. Poet Paper appeared to have friendly eyes, and his grin was smaller than the two females in the picture. His curtiemark featured a piece of paper, and heart, and a quil.
The blur was just that, a blur with a tiny horn on it. Kinda sketchy to Astra, but as long as that Unicorn did not harm her sister, she was fine with it.
“Oh, Eclipse did you read this! Shimmer is ok!” Astra ignored the tiny hurt part of her. It was like Shimmer had already found a family, yet Astra knew she was being stupid and unreasonable with those thoughts.

Shimmer was better than ok, she was ecstatic. As the Unicron. who finally revealed her name, sent the package.
“OH thank you so much, Ashta!” Shimmer grinned.
Ashta squinted her eyes at the dark, and replied without looking at Shimmer. “No problemo, just don’t go telling those nosey hobos mah name, you here?” The female let out a tiny glare.
Her accent was slightly country twang, yet it also hinted at a high-society one too. When Shimmer inquired about it, she was rewarded with a glare and one word, traveler.
“Huh, your name is a lot like my sisters.” She sighed.
Ashta snorted. “Not surprised, if y’all hail from the Canterlot region. Lots o’ Ashta’s and Astra’s and Ash’s. A-S is a popular thing there.”
Shimmer shrugged. “I think we are from there, I know my parents were. All I remember from my younger days is traveling really.”
Without another word, Ashta wandered off, abruptly leaving Shimmer alone.
Shimmer finally let her friendly mask fall off, though it wasn’t replaced by complete scorn, a mixture of curiosity and annoyance now covered her face. The dark pink Unicorn was a mystery to her. Even her cutiemark held no information, it was simply a cloak.
Ashta was more of a magenta colored pony, with short black straight hair, and a streak of red going down the middle. Her mane was dull, which seemed to match the outer personality of the pony, and everything about her spoke secretive and uncaring. Like a rock.
The married couple were a bipolar difference compared to her, why even the timid Poet had more spunk than she! Poet was a shy Earth Pony with a creamy orange pelt, and a white splotch on his chest. He had large innocent eyes that could even make the most aggressive ponies calm down. His mane was orange just like most of him.
His wife was definitely the creative, experimentive one in the relationship. Song loved to go exploring, and though she was homeless, it did not stop her from following her passion, even if it had shanged her slightly. She did indeed have a blush dust cutiemark, made out of yellow, green, and blue dust. Her pelt was light green, and she had a strawberry red mane with a pink streak in it. She was also an Earth Pony.
Her current place of habitance was the old Pony Sisters castle. What had once upon a time been a project for repairs, was long since abandoned when a supposed shadow pony started to show her face again.
“Yeah, she likes to feast on tiny fillies!” Song had given a giggle, and smiled evilly at Shimmer.
Shimmer had merely scoffed. “I am no more a filly, than you are a Pegasus!” That had earned the sensible’s mare respect.
Speaking of the mare, Song called out from the dark. “Ey Shims, food’s ready!”
Shimmer trotted up happily. “Thanks, Song. You guys barely even know me, yet you have been so kind.” She gave them a grin.
Poet was already sitting down at the once fine table. He gave a slight shrug. “You are just a filly, Shimmer, and you seemed so distraught when you arrived a week ago.” His calm quiet voice seemed to fly over to her, despite his lack of strength behind it. “We simply felt the need to help you, like all good ponies.”
“Yeah, Shims, so pop a squat and dig in. There is plenty of food here thanks to you! Say, how do you know all the good food finding tips, when my hubby and I have been alive longer than you homeless?”
She shrugged. “Astra is super smart. I told you how my twin is a Unicorn, and because Unicorns don’t have speed or strength, they have magick and smarts. Really, Astra figured it all out, even wrote down things she noticed.”
“Well, count yourself lucky you have such a fine twin.” Song nodded her head as she bit into a sweet apple. “And from what you told us yesterday about her and that Eclipse lady, I still can’t see why you ran away. You maybe wanna tell us tonight?”
Poet shot a glance at Heart. “You don’t have to though.” He said firmly. “Afterall, you only meet us a week ago. You even said yourself, what you told us isn’t half of what is going on between you three mares, and I would hate to pry.” He shot another glance at Song, who sighed.
Shimmer nodded her thanks to the soft-spoken stallion. “Much thanks, Poet. I think I will keep it to myself for now. Maybe as the month draws to an end I will tell you. Maybe.”
Song gave a grin. “Well, if I ever get to pushy just tell me, or Poet.” She finished the apple. “For now though, nighty. Never like to stay up late, y'know?”
Poet nodded agreement. “Same, though I suspect your half-night classes start soon. Do you want me to escort you there?”
Shimmer stretched her wings. THey no longer ached after the night of flying away from her family and problems. Sometimes a mare simply needed a vacation, even if she disliked running away. “Nah, my wings will get me there tonight!” She promised and floated into the air. “Cya!”



> The Curse of Curiosity
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Chapter 13: The Curse of Curiosity.

The day of her sixteenth birthday was upon her, and the package she got from Shimmer was the best yet.

Hi sister! I suppose I can drop that formal letter stuff with you, huh? Anyway, in one weeks time you will see me after the full moon, and don’t worry, I plan on sneaking away before the two ponies can catch me, and Ashta (the Unicorn). Anyway, Ashta has grown slightly friendlier, but she is still pretty cold, and can be kind of hostile when Song and Poet walk up and try to talk with her. The only word she has ever said to them was, “Shimmer is smart, you brainless idiots.” I kind of felt bad she said I was superior to them, and I had to explain to her not to treat me above them because I have a control problem, but she just shrugged it off.
Off that topic, happy birthday! They are throwing me a party, well, not Ashta, but she wants to talk about something super important afterwards. Wonder what. Anyway, it was like I hit a growth spurt this past month, and as the full moon grows nearer, I feel more certain in my actions.
Lots of love, Shims.

P.S. There is a thing from where I live in the box as a present.

Astra squeed, and dug further into the box to find a strange rune carving. She poked and prodded at it with her Vampire powers, considering her Unicorn ones were shot and only good for levitating objects like pencils or silverware.
The information she managed to glean from it increased her curiosity. The stone the rune was carved on looked like a crescent moon, and the power in it suggested a type of special protection. But what? Maybe Eclipse would know.
“Eclipse, come check out my cool birthday present, Shimmer never explained what it was!” She called upstairs.
Eclipse trotted down the steps, placing her hooves with care. Earlier that day she had stumbled upon a thorn patch, and it and it had been the most unforgiving of plants. “What can you tell me about it?” She inquired softly as she reached for it.
“Well, from what I can tell, it is a rune of protection, but I have never encountered this type before.” Astra admitted.
Eclipse let a large grin split on her face. “Astra, lets go into town tomorrow, my treat.” She chuckled.
Astra was abruptly taken aback. “Huh?! What is that rune, Eclipse!”
“Protection from the sun, silly. Just fuel it with your Vampire powers.” Eclipse handed it to her. “Though it was originally made for Bat Ponies, I think it will work for you too. Same base power, after all.”
Astra nodded. She called the pure power within her and carefully threaded it into the rune until it was about to burst. Grinning, she ignored the light sheen of sweat on her face, as she was still practicing her powers. With a giggle, she spoke .“Oh, this will be the best birthday ever! But, will the ponies in town activate my need for blood?”
“No they won’t.” A male voice spoke, annoyingly familiar.

“Ah, this was totally worth the bits!” Song sighed happily.
“She did give us a discount.” Poet reminded her.
“Can we please not talk money on my birthday?” Shimmer pleaded.
“Of course, dear!” They agreed in unison.
Shimmer grinned happily and shoved a slice of cake in her mouth. It was a tiny cake, but it was delicious, and a rare treat that everypony enjoyed. Even Ashta had grabbed a slice and wished Shimmer a happy birthday before walking off. The gift she gave Shimmer was a silver necklace found in the old ruins of the castle.
“Not a penny spent on it.” Heartsong had complained. “Zero thought at all. She literally just scrounged it up.”
“Oh, dear, at least she was nice enough to give her a present. She only glares at us.” Poet had protested.
“Fine, whatever.” She shrugged.
Shimmer did admire her present for its beauty, but she didn’t like it much. It didn’t burn her hooves exactly, but it was uncomfortably warm when she held it. Putting a warm object around her throat seemed like a bad move. She thought it would explode into burning heat any second.
“Thanks, Ashta!” She had grinned anyway. “I will have to put this on later when I find a mirror.” Shimmer set it down near the cake so it wouldn’t get lost.
That day was a day for feasts, and though Shimmer had to alter her sleeping schedule a bit to hang out with her new friends, she didn’t mind. The homeless ponies pranced around, joked, and Paper Poet even wrote her a poet! As the drew to an end though, Ashta began to come out of her shell once more.
“Shimmer, when your party is done, meet me in Luna’s old room.” She instructed and walked off to Celestia knows where.

“Marcus, you are a real pain, you know that?” Eclipse snapped. “Getting Astra drunk off blood, and you are still stalking the twins!.”
“Changelings are stalkers, get over it.” He growled, and let himself in. “Besides, I want to help Astra, and if she gets drunk off my blood, well, don’t blame me. She needs it. I can tell, because she kind of looks like a starved changeling.” He inspected her.
She flinched. “No I don’t! Go away Marcus, I acted like an imbecile after that feeding incident.”
“Yeah, and you turned my eyes ed, and I couldn’t change them back for two days.” He snorted. “A changeling needs to change, and I couldn’t change the color of my eyes. You are lucky I am offering you my blood right now.” A flash of green and he was replaced by Shimmer. “So what do you say, sis?” Her voice rocked in Astra’s ears.
“Love for blood, I am having no part of this. Come get me Astra, when you are done here.” Eclipse sighed and ran upstairs.
“Well…” Astra trailed off and gulped.

20 minutes later Eclipse and Astra set off, a still-woozy changeling flew off into the distance.
“He was write, I am sorry.” Astra murmured, finally getting the stench of blood from her mouth.
“It’s ok.” Eclipse sighed. “You can only hold off your thirst for so long. Now lets hurry, only a few places are open this late. Besides you wanted to see if you could handle being around a few ponies.”
“Yeah, because during the day, Ponyville is packed to the seams.” Astra nodded.
They walked to the town in complete silence, wondering what would happen when Astra finally meet a pony, and not a changeling who was like a pony.

Shimmer climbed the old stone stairs, trusting them not to fail her, and even if they did she had wings. Descending the last step she went right, and to two large obsidian doors that were now open. Curious as to why Ashta even wanted this meeting, she walked in.
“Are you wearing the necklace?” A voice greeted her.
“Oh, uh, no.” Shimmer admitted, though she held it in one hoof.
Ashta walked from the shadows, her face curious this time. “Why not don it on top of thou head?”
Taken slightly aback she studied Ashta. “Um, why are you speaking like an old timey pony.”
Her eyes grew hard. “Old time? I am young, I simply assumed you were old. The power you have is ancient, and I know ancient powers.”
Shimmer held up a hoof. “Sorry, but I am confused here. What is ancient power?” She demanded. Surely Ashta didn’t know about her Lycanness… Lycan curse, disease? She would have to think upon it.
Ashta sighed. “Put on the necklace, and I will explain.”
Her fur stood up. “Did you curse it!” She spluttered, throwing it at the ground.
The glare intensified, seeming as she had few other expressions. “No, you idiot.” She growled. “I only wanted to confirm my theory, but I think I have all the proof I need.”
Shimmers fur began to prickle. “Explain yourself!” She growled. “I have no idea what you are even talking about, and it is making me angry!”
A worried glint finally entered the eyes of Ashta. “Calm down, Lycan!” She hissed, rushing up and scooping up the necklace. “You are no longer a pup, you could hurt somepony with that anger!”
“Explain yourself then, before I hurt you!”
Ashta snorted. “I do not like threats, moon child, but I shall explain. You have a power, and this at least makes me curious.” She straightened up and threw the silver necklace against a wall, out of reach. “I am truly called Ashta, but I am not a Unicorn, well, at least not a full blooded one.”
Shimmer cocked her head and sniffed the air. “Your scent, I can’t place it. What are you, Ashta?”
“I am the distant relative of pure darkness, hate, and evil. I am a shadow pony, in a sense, and now I carry her curse.”
Shimmers ears fell back as a legend played through her mind.

“Some ponies say that when Celestia banished Nightmare Moon to the moon, she didn’t get all of her. Some say, that some of her power remains in the old castle to this very day, and she is the Shadow Pony! She will lead you into the castle and make you her unwilling slave, forever stuck there until you die and become a husk also!”

“I am not going-!” She began to shriek, but a hard hoof clamped over her mouth.
“Oh shut your mouth, will you?” Ashta spat. “I don’t even have the powers they did, the blood has been diluted by ponies for generations now. All I have is information, and to my knowledge, I am the only pony who does.”
Shimmer shook her head. “Luna knows what I am!” She gasped as she pulled her muzzle away.
“Luna does not know what I do.” Ashta answered smugly. “She doesn’t even know how to check for the Lycan curse like I do. Which is how I found out about your predicament, of course.”
“Ok, one, why even check me? Two, how do you know all this!”
“When you flew in here, I sensed your power. Living in the Everfree for most of my life has given me an advantage, and I am more tuned to check for odd unique powers, rather than the normal everyday ones. You were practically humming with Lycanthropy, which meant you were close to becoming a Lycan adult. For your second question, I already told you. I am the x10 great great great granddaughter of the Shadow Mare, or Pony. Everypony in my bloodline is female truthfully.”
“Lycan adult? And, I didn’t even know the Shadow Mare had a physical body.” Shimmer sighed and sat down, her head slightly swimming as the anger passed.
“Originally she didn’t, but as time passed her energy began to naturally purify itself. She longed for a real life around the half-mark time of Luna’s banishment, so she gave up her immortality and became a pony over a few years. When she got a physical body, she married, settled down in the ruins, and thus began the Shadow Mare pedigree.” She gave a small shrug. “Yet… She was not a true pony, no one with my blood, no matter how diluted it is, is ever going to be a true pony. That is a curse, for if we let even the slightest bit of dark magick influence us, we turn back into a shadow pony.”
Shimmer gave her a sympathetic look. “I can’t have power.” She murmured. “The first time I actually had control over my life, I turned into the biggest jerk ever, and was influencing those around me to do mean things, mainly my twin. Though I suppose that can’t compare with your curse.”
Ashta nodded. “Well, now that we are done with sharing things about our lives… How did you become a Lycan, and how many times have you transformed?”
“Two times, and my sister and I read about a mysterious power. It never said what it was, but we went for it anyway. It also promised knowledge and wealth, and we got both. That was about three months ago. My sister became a Vampire, and I a Lycan. Eclipse was the pony who helped us, and never got the power, but I ended up turning her anyway on accident. Princess Luna thought I wasn’t going to turn into a Lycan, but she was wrong.” It ended with an indifferent shrug.
“Book? I thought they had all disappeared under Discords rule.” Shadow tapped her hoof to her chin.
A stray thought popped up in Shimmers mind. “Wait… Your bloodline is older than discord, yet you came from Nightmare Moon?”
She gave a tiny jolt. “Oh, well, sort of. See, Nightmare Moon was originally a parasitic demon who looked for a godly host, not wanting to settle for the normal mortal. So in a sense, Nightmare Moon actually started my family when our power was separated from her. We are clean now, though! I promise.” Ashta assured her. “Natural process took care of it. Besides, magick is only evil if you make it evil, like any tool.”
Shimmer shrugged. “Confusing, we should clear that up later. Why are you confronting me on this?” She changed the topic.
“I…” A flash of shadow seemed to cross her face, and it made her fur prickle in distaste. “I need to find the olden powers to break my curse. If I am even tempted in the slightest by dark forces, I shall become the original Shadow Mare once more. That, or I need to somehow give birth to a stallion, which is impossible. Everypony who has been born into this family is a mare. I don’t know why, and the only known way is to give birth to a stallion.”
“Odd, and kind of disturbing.” Shimmer made a face.
Ashta shrugged. “That is elder magick for you. Anyway, I was hoping there was a male of your kind. I might curse my child with Lycanthropy, but it wouldn’t show until she, hopefully he, is thirteen. Three is a very magickal number.”
Shimmer backed up a step. “You keep your weird need for Lycan stallions to yourself, please. I am still trying to clean up my own act without helping you with your family curse.” She snapped. “I ask you kindly not to involve me.”
Ashta let a slightly hurt look on to her face. “Shimmer, I know we barely know one another, but you are the first person I have ever reached out to.” She pleaded. “Please, just find me a male of your kind, I can do the rest!”
Shimmer let cold eyes fall on Ashta. “I can’t find you a male. I mentioned that only Eclipse, Astra, and I found that cave. Only Eclipse shares my curse, and until I feel I am cured of any possible desire to become a lunatic control freak again, I don’t plan on sharing my Lycan powers.”

Astra and Eclipse had slept  at an inn in town, deeming that Astra was safe in public. The night before had been fun, even if they had mainly hung out in the hotel lobby, now though, they were up and Astra was ready to test out her new rune.
Tucking it into a saddlebag she now carried, Astra exited the room with the noon-light streaming in.
“Oh Eclipse!” She whispered. “I am soso happy!”
Eclipse chuckled. “I know, so I figured, you can get a little treat at the best cake-making place in town…” She winked.
“Sugar Cube Corner!” Astra squeaked. “Oh Shimmer will be so jealous.”
They trotted out of the hotel and went on their way.
The mares entered the bakery a few minutes later. Luckily it was a slow afternoon, so they only had to wait five minutes for the line to end.

Ashta ground her teeth in anger as the stuck up Pegasus left her, sitting there on the ground begging. No pony made her beg! Any yet, that bitch had the cure, and wouldn’t even help ponykind! Instead nooo, she had to go and deny her, her cure! Why? Because she was having some stupid mid-life crisis!
Well that little pony wasn’t going to get away with it! As Shimmer left her, Ashta began cooking up a devious plan for her own form of revenge, and cure.

The night of the full-moon was upon Shimmer, and she nervously approached the married couple. She prayed to Luna that they would understand her, and so she began.
“Hiya, Heartsong, Paper Poet.” She greeted them in a casual manner, yet her body posture betrayed her feelings.
“What’s up, hun?” Song asked, her eyes weary.
“I need to ask you two a favor, and not question it.” She nibbled her lip. “It isn’t anything illegal, but I have a secret, and I wish for it to remain that way.”
Song raised an eye and leaned over, placing her pony elbows on the table. Both adults had been sitting down. “Well Shims, it depends what the favor is.”
“Just… Whatever you hear, do not come after me tonight. I will come back safe tomorrow, I promise, but you can’t come looking for me tonight. Just stay here, please.” Shimmer pleaded, her eyes begging.
Poet took a turn to speak. “That is a very odd, and suspicious favor. How do we know you aren’t doing anything illegal?” He accused. “We like you Shimmer, but you make it sound like we will be in danger from your, “secret”.” He informed her.
“You won’t be!” She promised, anxiously glancing up at the sky. Soon the moon would begin to rise, and that was when she would have to start running. When it peaked it would be too late. “I must go soon though. Please, just stay here?”
Song studied her for a while before answering, and when she did, Shimmer let out a loud sigh of relief. “We will stay here, and we won’t ask questions.”
“Thank you!” Shimmer said fervently. “Now, I gotta get going, bye you two!” She opened up her wings and flew from the ruined castle.

Ashta took her que and stepped from the shadows as Shimmer fled. “You really won’t go after her?” She deadpanned. “She could be getting blackmailed.” Being an expert at hidden feelings, she easily made both voice and posture seem uncaring. “And if she got hurt, well, you two adults would be to blame.”
Surprised, Song swiveled her head at the Unicorn. “What’dya mean?” She demanded. “Shimmer promised she would be safe.”
“So will a shady pony!” Ashta snapped. “Listen,” She went on in a calmer voice, “All I am saying that Shimmer is probably getting into something over her head. You should follow her.” The married couple failed to see the slight shimmer around the horn of Ashta.
Paper Poet nodded his head. “We should follow her.” He agreed.
Song seemed to only be halfway convinced. “Yeah, but don’t we trust her?”
The dark pink-purple glow became stronger. “Yeah, but rather safe than sorry, no?”
Song gained a determined look. “Point taken, we should follow her, but how? You simply can’t track a Pegasus from the air unless you two are a Pegasus.”
“Or a Unicorn who has strong tracking magick.” Ashta switched from subtle mind-influence to tracing the Lycan energy that was practically gushing from the young Pegasus. She gave a grin when she found her target, the young idiot had not flown too far, in fact it was just a mere twenty minute run away. “Bingo.” She said and hid the grin once more as the Earth ponies shoke free of the last of her mind-influence.
“Ok…” Song nodded slowly. “Lead the way?” She asked, still slightly unsure of what was happening.
“Of course, though we shouldn't engage with whatever activities she is doing if they really are harmless.” Ashta really hoped these two didn’t die tonight, she needed them to unwittingly spread the curse to some ponies so she could break her curse.

Shimmer didn’t know what was going on, the pains were happening early. Why was that? Already she could feel her wings shrinking as she fled from her friends, attempting to get deeper into the woods, but finding it more and more immpossible with each wing-beat, until she suddenly crashed into the ground, which was thankfully close by.
“Ow…” She complained as she accidentally scratched her hoof and it began to trickled blood slowly. “Good thing I was flying low to th-” It was cut short as a spasm of pain shook her body.
She gritted her teeth, but found it wasn’t as bad as before, and it actually started to feel good. Sadly though, the good feelings were still battling with what pain remained. Was her cursed body growing used to the transformations, or were her Lycan powers growing stronger? She was unable to tell as the shifting began.
She felt odd as her muzzle began to elongate. From the last two transformations, she knew she usually lacked out around then, but she felt as if some of her mind still remained, and she held back a loud grunt. What was happening this time? Shimmer didn’t hate the changes, but she was slightly annoyed that they were there. Couldn’t she get a break from changes?
As he ears began to grow longer and shaggier she hear a hoof crack a twig in the distance. In a panic, she turned her head with wide and fearful eyes. She sniffed the air, and the all-too familiar scent met her nose.
They had followed her when she begged them not to, Paper Poet and Heartsong had followed her. But what was that third scent?
Ashta.
“Noooo!” She growled.


> All According to Plan.
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Chapter 14: All according to plan.

“Ashta, how could you!” Her words bellowed out, and in desperation she found herself somehow slowing the change, but not stopping it. “They aren't safe!”
Ashta blinked. “No one denies me a way to break my curse.” She stated simply and teleported out of there, not bothering to explain herself.
Fearfully, Heartsong jumped from the bushes. “Shimmer dear, what is happening to your body!” She cried.
Shimmer could not stop her body as it grew long and larger. Already her face had taken on wolfier qualities. A long snout and wolf ears, stilted eyes replaced her regular pony ones. When she spoke, it was with a growl and sharp teeth. “Run!” She managed. “Lycan curse!” Curse, surely she would understand curse?
Song did not run, and Poet joined her in the clearing. “No, not until you tell me what is happening!” Song stated, stomping a hoof.
Closing her eyes, Shimmer fought off the wolf, she found it easier since the last two times, but it was still hard to resist. “Idiots!” She snapped, and in a guttural roar, she slammed into them both, claws first. As she made impact with them, her hooves broke and the claws came out, leaving small scratches on them, but Shimmer failed to notice that. “RUN!” She snarled and ran off, wishing to lose them.

They didn't follow, and the wolf ran free that night, but this time Shimmer kept half of her mind, but she hated it. She hated the fact that she could still remember the looks of potent fear on their faces, the betrayal she saw when she ran them over. The fear she loved to smell as they let out frightened whimpers.
Shimmer loved the wolf, and she hated it, and now she began to feel that she would be unable to live without it. It would always interfere with her life, and she was beginning to see that as she chewed on a timber wolf that had foolishly challenged her.
She reveled in the strong fluid swipes of her paws, and howled joy when the timber wolf broke like an ill-built toy. The wolf chewed on its remains, preventing it from forming again, crushed its green heart, making sure it would forever stay dead. Shimmer couldn't outrun the wolf, it was too fast.
So she could only accept the wolf, and the fact she wouldn't be able to have friends with it. It became clear to her on that night as she forced herself to keep busy with the dead timber wolf, and its companions when they showed up for revenge.
So she could only do one thing. Change her name, and go away. Maybe hide in the house like her sister, or maybe she would leave her sister and Eclipse too…
Wait, Eclipse was a Lycan, her beta! The wolf in her began to take over what little of her pony mind remained. Where was her beta.
“Other!” She howled as loud as she could.
“Alpha!” the faint howl answered her ears, it was so far away even her own sensitive ears had trouble picking it up.
Using the new found power of control within her, she snarled the command. “YOU ARE SUMMONED!”
It was only slightly louder, showing beta was already on the move. It was nothing more than a simple howl to show where she was.

The two ponies woke up near the castle. Shimmer had a sinking feeling she would always wake up near the area of her current residence. It was like an internal instinct that yelled home was there.
She got up on stiff wobbly legs, but nothing came up that time. Unfortunately for Eclipse though, she was barfing twigs once more. It had been another night of timber wolf killing for the two.
“Shimmer.” She finally managed with a cough. “Where are we?”
“Near my current home.” She answered bitterly. “Where I thought I would be safe!”
Eclipse forgot her own condition for a second. “Wait, you aren't safe here? Than we need to go! I won’t let them lay another hoof-” She was silenced when Shimmer put a hoof to her mouth.
“Not like that.” She sighed wearily, and took her hoof away to wipe it on the grass. Eclipse still had barf on her mouth “They are nice…. Though I don’t know if they will accept me anymore.”
“Why not?” Eclipse asked.
“Ashta.” She growled. “She went all crazy, demanding I turn a male pony to break her curse. I won’t even get into it at the moment.” She warned. “Ashta is a crazy Unicorn, with an even crazier ancestry. Leave it at that, please, just for now.”
Eclipse nodded numbly before changing the topic. “Did you uh… Accidentally hurt them last night?”
“No, I don’t think so.” She closed her eyes to call up the memory.
She threw her outrageously large body at them just as the rest of the transformation began to take hold… Her hoofs/paws had felt nothing more than a tingle as she barreled into them, claws first… Claws first! She saw the sheen of her bone-white claws in the moonlight, but she wasn't sure if she clawed them.
Whimpering she opened her eyes. “I might have! We have to go to them!”
Eclipse got up and stumbled after Shimmer as they went to the nearby ruined castle. Her eyes widened at their destination, but she followed her friend nonetheless when she entered.  They saw two Earth ponies being treated by a static Unicorn.
“No!” Shimmer shrieked. “No, no, no!” Tears began to form in her eyes.
They two sleeping ponies jolted awake while Ashta blended into the shadows once more.
“Shimmer..?” Song managed to mutter as she sat up. “We forgive you for attacking us. Ashta explained you have a condition…”
Poet forced himself up too, rubbing his uncovered and newly-gained scars. “Yeah, she said you couldn’t control yourself. She didn’t say much more than that you were a Lycan though, which means you are a pony wolf.”
Shimmer cried. “I don’t deserve your forgiveness.” She crawled over to them. “Because this situation is much worse than you two think. Why did you follow me?”
Song narrowed her eyes in concentration. “It’s a bit hazy, but Ashta convinced us too. Hey, who’s the newcomer?” She asked, scratching her own light scar.
“Eclipse, but focus please. Ashta convinced you two to follow me?” She wiped away the tears, letting anger take their place. “She tricked you! Ticked me! She lead you to me so I would infect you!” She snarled. “And I probably did too!”
Song jolted back, and Poet stared wide-eyed. “Infected? With what?” Heartsong demanded.
“Lycanthropy…” Eclipse murmured. She gazed at their scratched. “It is spread when a pony transforms into their wolf counterpart. You can get it through their claws clawing you, or them biting you. OH um… Heh, I am also a Lycan.”
Ashta reemerged from the shadows and chuckled. “Looks like we got the whole pack here.”
Shimer growled as she stood up and began to advance. “We are not a pack!” She growled, not realizing she was equal to the older ponies height.
“Your stature says otherwise, alpha.” Ashta replied loftily.
Shimmer paused mid-stride and looked around. She was was advancing like an angry wolf! She straightened up and spoke. “Joke is on you Ashta. Last night I noticed I was more aware than ever, for half of the night I managed to keep in one spot and maintain a good chunk of my pony mind. After that I was still more cunning than the average wolf. I think that if those two do turn I will be able to reel them in, after all you said it yourself. I am an alpha.”
Ashta’s eye twitched. “The curse will spread! You can’t keep three pups in line! You are too new at it!”
Eclipse stepped forward. She wasn’t completely sure what was going on, but she knew the term pup. “Ah, but next full moon I won’t be a pup. It will be my third turn, and my position currently is beta, which won’t be threatened for another three moons.”
Ashta began to shake all over, but she made no move. “You all are lucky I can’t hex you!” She shouted and teleported off.
Shimmer relaxed her shoulders and looked down, she was so drained.
“Will somepony explain what is going on!” Paper Poet finally snapped. “You three were talking in riddles and acting like you were all part wolf, which I guess you are!” The usually timid stallion had been made bold with fear and anger at the unknown situation.
Still looking down, Shimmer spoke. “I suppose I should explain… Oh, and from now on I want to be called Silver Howl. Shimmer is a happy pony of the past, one who had a normal life. I can never have that.”
Shimmer spared no useful details in her explanation, but those not relevant to the story were either left out or shortened. She started at the beginning and gave a chopped up version of the journey to the cave with the gems, then went into depth on the last three moons. From her control problems with Astra, to the accidental turning of Eclipse, and the truth about Ashta. She went on to explain the first two transformations, and at the end Eclipse butted in with her newly found knowledge she gained after Shimmer flew off. Soon the two nearly-unbelieving Earth ponies had been caught up.
“That’s… A lot to take in.” Song finally spoke after a few minutes of silence.
“I know, but it is true!” Shimmer, or now known as Silver Howl informed.
“It’s nothing to change your name over though.” Poet said gently to Silver Howl.
“I must though, so I don’t let myself be fooled into the thought of having a normal life.” She sighed. “My name is now a reminder, a reminder I am a Lycan, not your average pony.”
“What about us?” Song demanded, waving a hoof at her and the other two. “Do we not live the normal life also?”
“Live it if you can, but I can’t.” Shimmer said. “I can’t cope with it.”
“If you can’t then what makes you think we can?” She demanded.
“Eclipse can cope with it.” Silver nodded her head to the blue pony.
Eclipse shrugged. “It takes a bit of getting used to, but yes, I have learned. Shim-Silver, so could you. You are only 16, 16 year olds are always making rash decisions.” She urged.
Silver Howl looked at her. “Yeah, but I am a 16 year old who can kill.” She sighed. “Aren’t I special?”
“Don’t talk that way! We can get… Princess Luna, she could help these fine folks.” Eclipse nodded her head to the other two. “And, I bet she could get a job for you, maybe special guard duty.”
Silver shook her head no. “I won’t take guard duty, I hate being commanded and controlled. I can’t be in a position of power either, we saw what happens.”
Eclipse was not willing to let Silver run away again. “Shimmer.” She said, using the name she knew her by. “Don’t let this craziness go to your head. Please, don’t run away again. What about Astra?”
Silver sighed. “Astra… Maybe my twin will be better off without me? I just don’t think I can cope in pony society… Eclipse, I love being a wolf. I love my Lycan counterpart. I enjoy the strength, increased senses, and everything that comes with it. And last night? It was even better because I regained some of my pony mind. I don’t think I could live a normal life and always know that in a few weeks or nights, I will be a wolf anyway. Listen, I know I don’t have good reasons for you, but I just need some time for me. So I can plan my life, find good places to hide in the woods if I do decide to get a regular life.”
“What about your friends then? Hmm? You saw last night, you can’t stop being alpha, and I can’t stop being beta. Stay long enough to teach them at least, please?” Eclipse persuaded.
“Fine!” Silver suddenly snapped. “I will stay long enough to teach them, and I guess we will be meeting every full moon anyway. But, I want you to do something.” She sat down in an old chair.
“What?”
“Get every scrap of Lycan information from that cave and bring it here. Please.” Silver sighed. “I don’t want anymore surprises.”
“Deal. What should I tell your sister?”
“Bring her here, because this will be the last time she sees me for a while.” Silver informed her.
“Ok, also, I think I will be bringing Luna with her. Princess Luna will want to keep track of every new Lycan or Vampire.” Eclipse nodded.
The silent couple spoke up, and Song let out a huff of annoyance. “Silver hun, this is getting too wild for me! Poet and I are going to sleep in another room. When you can make this a bit more sane, come and get us.” She snapped and dragged her husband up. Each limped off, supporting one another.
Silver watched them go. “See? I shouldn’t even have contact with ponies. That happens. Come get me when you find Luna, I will be in the woods nearby, experimenting.”
“Experimenting with what?”
“My Lycan powers.” Was the simple answer and she walked off.

> Gathering the Ponies
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Chapter 15: Gathering the Ponies.

Eclipse had made for a frenzied gallop to the only pony who could contact Luna at a moment notice, and she prayed that Twilight would be home. Huffing with effort at the long run, she forced herself to go on.
At this rate, she thought to herself with a grim chuckle, I should join a track team.
The Everfree creatures were not fast enough to bother her as dusty hooves hit the ground, propelling the freshly cleaned, but now once more dirtied mare. A pity she would have to be meeting Princess Twilight in such a state, she even attempted to get washed up before her mad dash!
The trail came to an end, but she didn't slow her pace as she barreled into town. Ignoring the murmurs that whipped past her ears, she dodged pony after pony as the crystal library came into view. Not many princesses could claim to live in a castle library.
Finally allowing herself a break, she let out a long breath and limped up to the doors on wobbly legs. A guard stopped her though.
“Halt, citizen, why were you running here?” The friendship guard asked, his face serious.
She let out a breath. “Need… To see… Princess Twilight Sparkle.” She tried to smooth out her hair. “Very… Important.”
The guards eyed her, disbelief plain to see. “We hear that a lot miss, what is so important Princess Twilight must see it?”
Eclipse racked her mind, only Princess Luna knew, but surely she could tell them something? Wait, wasn’t Ashta related to the shadow pony? Nah, they wouldn’t buy a rumor.
Straining up the best she could, she gave them a steely glance. “Princess Twilight Sparkle has met me once upon a time, and that was requested by Princess Luna. Princess Luna has top secret things going on in the destroyed castle of the Royal Pony Sisters.” She informed them. “I have found something there that could risk Equestrias safety! If you do not believe me, ask Princess Twilight herself if she has ever met a pony named Eclipse.”
“I think I will ask her.” The left guard snorted.
Ponyville was known for many wacky, and dangerous things, happening nearby. Sadly, that castle was nearby too, and if this were any other city that held a princess, the guards would not budge, yet it was Ponyville, and when a pony made that type of claim the guards at least investigated it.
Minutes later, a guard who wore a look of disbelief was followed by the regal princess herself. Eclipse made a small bow, but quickly got back to all fours. “Princess, I am so sorry this is such short notice.” She said.
Twilight looked her over with an observing eye. “Come with me.” She suggested. “Luna obviously wants this to be top secret.” At her last few words all four ponies heard a loud pop.
“Top secret! I love secrets!” A male voice laughed behind Eclipse.
Glancing behind her, she let out a small eep as she tilted her head upwards to get the full view of the chaos lord, Discord.
“Sorry Discord, but this is not for you.” Twilight raised a hoof, her face annoyed. “Besides, weren’t you planning parties with Pinkie?”
He stuck out a tongue. “Oh you just want to distract me!” He pouted,then his face changed to that of interest. “Say Twi-twi, do you have a magickal scanner on you?” He spontaneously asked.
“Of course I do, Discord.” She snorted. “But why don’t you simply scan with your own magick?”
Discord did a little loop in the air. “I told you, my magick is chaotic, it might get out of hand!” A snap of his fingers and one of the guards had two heads.
Much to Discords disappointment, the guard did not react.
“Discord, please turn me back to normal.” He sighed like it happened all the time.
Eclipse swallowed. “Princess Twilight, I do hate to interrupt, but we must get on.” She said politely.
“Agreed. Discord, fix my guard so I can attend to this matter.”
Discord gave an evil smile as hedge clippers appeared. “Gladly!” He chuckled. “Now mister guard, your heard the princess, give your stallion hood to me!”
“DISCORD!” Twilight shouted in a most un-princess like way.
The shears disappeared as the guard whimpered and Discord gave a sigh. “I was just joking.” He grumbled and poked the guard in his extra head, making it float off like a balloon and pop. “Anyway Twilight, my point has been made. Magickal scanner please.”
Twilight growled as she summoned one and threw it at him.
“Thank you ever so kindly, princess of friendship!” He laughed and waved at her before teleporting off.
“Princess?” Eclipse murmured.
“Yes, sorry sorry!” Twilight gasped. “Close your eyes, I am teleporting us!”
Obeying, Eclipse felt the ground move from underneath her one second, and the next she was on her rump on a cold crystal floor. She opened her eyes, and gasped in awe. The prettiest blue and green colors floated around her, light dancing off the glorious walls. Next to her, eight majestic thrones sat, all made out of the same beautiful minerals.
A hoof snapped in front of her face. “Eclipse, you needed something? I can only hold Discord and his curiosity off for so long.”
Eclipse cleared her head with a shake and spoke after clearing her throat. “Oh, yes, I need to give a leader to Princess Luna. It is of grave matters.”
Twilight nodded, and paper and quill appeared. “Ok, is it still forbidden from me?” The princess asked.
Eclipse nodded her head sadly. “I am afraid so, very sorry prin-” A loud pop announced Discord once more.
“I knew it!” He yelled in victory, pointing an accusing hoof at Eclipse. “That pony has ancient magick practically oozing from her. Seriously Twilight, you must scan your guests more often.” He added, giving a snort her direction.
Twilight narrowed her eyes and a warm wave erupted from her horn. It splashed over Eclipse, and a giddy look appeared on her face.
“Oh. My. Gosh.” She said. “I need to study you! How do you have grey wolf DNA? I thought they were extinct!”
Eclipse panicked and raised her voice, even if she could have been banished for it. “No!” She yelled. “I must get a letter to Luna, she doesn’t want you guys to know! I refuse to tell you!”
Twilight was not deterred though, and stopping the lord of chaos was near impossible.
“Nonsense, Celestia demands that any experiments like you be done with only volunteers, and that she and every princess has knowledge about it. Is Princess Luna doing something illegal?”
“Yes, is she?” Discord butted in.
Eclipse bristled at the idea. “She did not make this happen! This was beyond her control.” Glaring at Twilight and at the end of her patience with the day already, she pointed her hoof at the newest princess. “You made it happen when you gave the some twins a forbidden book! Luna said you wouldn’t believe its contents and felt it posed no danger, but it did. Now Luna wishes to clean up your mess, so may I please write to her!” At the end of her rant her eyes grew big and she covered her mouth with her hooves. “Please don’t banish me.” She whimpered.
Twilight was stunned, and rarely was she speechless such as now. Discord however was clawing his chin in thought.
“I think we should get Luna.” He finally said and snapped his fingers.
The night princess who had been sitting and apparently eating, fell onto the floor, and she got up in a rage.
“Discord, you are to warn us before that!” She snapped, not taking note of where she was.
He shrugged. “Put up better shields, now, care to tell us about Eclipse?”
Luna cocked an eyebrow and finally looked around, then a rather loud groan escaped her. “Eclipse, did you really have to tell them?”
Eclipse bowed. “I am sorry, Princess Luna, but this is an emergency. Shimmer, who is now Silver Howl, plans on running off because some decent of the Shadow Mare tricked her into turning two homeless ponies.”
Luna’s ears perked. “I don’t want to know, just, where is this happening?”
“The castle of the Two Pony Sisters.” Eclipse had stopped bowing. “I also request we get Astra.”
Luna nodded and glanced at the other immortals in the room. “Twilight, have Spike send this letter to my sister.” She said as she got a letter from out underneath her wing. “Do not read this. Discord, do not read this.” She ordered. “I feared this would be beyond my control.” She sighed. “Twilight Sparkled, unless Celestia orders so, do not follow us, same for you Discord.” She growled the name.
“Oh, you guys are on fun!” He snorted. “When you want to involve me, I will be with Pinkie!” He plopped a party hat on his head.
Luna suddenly scooped Eclipse onto her back. “I can teleport up to 50 miles with a pony on my back.” She assured the nervous Earth mare who already hated teleportation.
A flash of blue later.
“Astra, we demand you get out here!” The royal voice echoed through the house.
A dazed, and frightened Vampire stumbled out of her home. “Princess Luna? I swear, I told nopony!”
Luna nodded. “We know, but we are in a hurry, hop on my back, and hang onto Eclipse.”
Surprised, Astra jumped on. “What’s happening?” The teenager asked.
Luna wore a grim face. “Shimmer, now Silver Howl apparently, has accidentally turned other ponies, but did so under the influence of a certain shadow mare.” She said. “Now ready for teleportation!” She reared.
Another flash of blue and they appeared at the entrance of the palace. Eclipse slid off and groaned. “I never want to teleport again!” She said.
Luna waved a hoof. “No time for stomach troubles, my little pony, where are the newly made Lycans and Silver?”
“Follow me, I guess.” Eclipse sighed.
“Somepony please inform me in depth!” Astra shouted.
“I do not know the full details yet, either.” Luna shrugged. “Though I suppose I could get them right now. Eclipse, please hold still.”
Unsure of what Luna wanted, she did as asked. Luna touched her horn to Eclipse and a headache rang through her head as the princesses eyes flashed blow. When all was done, she nodded her head, a worried look on her face. Another flash of her horn and scrolls appeared, floating above them.
“These are the scrolls of Lycan information.” She explained to them. “Lead the way now.”
Dizzily she walked into the room where Silver last was.
“Silver?” She called out.
“Here.” Came a deep growl.
Frightened, the ponies, save for the princess, flinched in fear.
“Please, do not shy away. I learned how to shift on will!” A wolf bounded into view. “See?” The wolf gave a grin.
A flash of yellow announced the appearance of the sun princess. “I came as soon as possible Luna!” Celestia said as she bounded to her smaller sister. “Why did you try to keep this from me? You may not remember your past avatar thanks to your time on the moon, but I do, and this needs to be stopped now!”


> SolarBeam & the Extinction of Vampyres and Lycans
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Chapter 16: SolarBeam and the Extinction of Vampyres and Lycans.

“Sister, I am confused, what do you mean, past avatars?” Luna asked. “How do you know of this? I kept it hidden even from Discord!”
Celestia nodded. “Yes, you did do a good job on it, up until now.” Celestia admitted. “Considering only Nightmare Moon supposedly had the knowledge, but shortly after I banished you, I began to get visions of the past. There the avatar of the sun before me came and told me all about the past. She said her sister LunarBeam would have gone to luna, if she had not been corrupted.”
Luna took a step back. “Why hasn’t she appeared yet?” She demanded.
“Solarbeam said that they had only so many chances to go to you.” Celestia shrugged. “She first explained to me that though I am immortal, some day I shall die like any other being, and when that happens, a new patron of the sun shall be born. Alicorns like us? We are only born every new era, when something world changing happens. Currently, we are the fourth pair of avatars.”
“Celestia, sister, please start from the beginning.” Luna pleaded. “I still do not quite understand.
The sun princess nodded, but before continuing she looked at Silver with a sad face. “Oh, my pony, please, that is not your true form.”
The wolf paused, before smoothly turning back into her silvery grey self, which was taller than Astra.
“Shimmer, did you hit a growth spurt?” The Vampire asked dumbfoundedly.
Shimmer looked at her taller legs. “I don’t know why I am so tall.” She admitted. “I am already t full grown height.”
Celestia sighed. “And you will only continue to grow until you are about five inches taller than the normal adult stallion, such is the stature of alphas. Were your beta to dethrone you, she would gain the height over a few days, while you, if you lived, would revert back to your normal height. Now, on to other matters, I guess I should tell you about why your two current species became extinct.” She sighed.
“Please do.” The twins said in unison.
Celestia sat down, and Luna followed. “One night recently after Luna’s banishment, the past Avatar of the Sun came to me. She explained to me all about avatars, her past, and that past of other avatars before me. It is common knowledge that ponies once upon a time traveled in small herds, which eventually became tribes. From tribes, into territories, and so on.
What ponies don’t know is that alicorns existed back then too, but they were the only ponies with a lick of knowledge for the longest time, because they had the duty to raise and lower the run. If ponies were to go extinct at this very moment, Alicorn avatars would still live on so we may help the sun and moon on their courses.” Celestia paused before continuing.
“The first two were simply called Fireball and Icerock. They were very primitive, but loners. As the ponies began to make the first cities and developed weapons, they disappeared, but to be replaced. Bright and Shade were the second pair. They were social, unlike the first two, and helped ponies progress at a faster speed than they could have on their own, but by doing so they shortened their own lives. They knew what would happen, but they introduced the a new age.” Before she continued she gave them a warning.
“You may think our world has its own dangers now, but what we have is only a small comparison to the magick that used to roam the planet before Discord came about, and SolarBeam destroyed the two species.” Celestia hung her head. “Lunarbeam couldn’t though, and went into hiding, for she couldn’t bare to lift a hoof against the two species that loved her so, nor could she protect the innocent ponies who needed her too.”
Luna spoke up. “Those two species loved her? I guess that makes sense.
Celestia nodded and went on. “Yes, SolarBeam single hoofedly ended the Vampyres, while LunarBeam instead went out to slay the demons other monstrous creatures. The ponies of that time hunted the Lycans to nothing at the command of the Sun Avatar. What had happened was, for the first 500 years they had lived, they mainly kept to themselves, and did not involve others with their wars, but as time went on, Vampyres began to recruit. They would kidnap and brainwash foals. It was a dark time, and they were overstepping their species limits, trying to eradicate the Lycans. So the Lycans in turn, tried to copy them, but their pups were killed before they could even get past their second moon. As the Lycans went down, the Vampyres grew cocky and started to take over regular villages despite the warning of SolarBeam. She decided to end it once and for all as they killed more and more. For three whole moons, the sun shone, and she traveled the land to uproot any Vampyres taking shelter underground. She of course, had Lycan to help, but the Lycans began to go crazy without their rivals to push them down.” She took a breath.
“How did the ponies survive three moons of sunlight?” Luna demanded. “That is worse than nighttime, no offense!”
“It is, but she figured out that as long as the Pegasus create continually blowing breezes and made them rain down twice the normal amount it would work, and it did.” Celestia informed her. “Though, a few farmers did lose their crops when rain was not presented on time, and the Pegasi were overworked. Anyway, as soon as the Vampyres were destroyed, the Lycans acted up and began to attack the towns also, and overpopulated through breeding. They began to deplete the wild-life and SolarBeam sent out hunters. Every Lycan who survived went feral, and lot their pony minds. They soon devolved into non-infecting wolves, but they too died out from being hunted because they regular ponies couldn’t stand the thought of another Lycan outbreak.”
“So how did the gems get in that cave?” Luna demanded.
“LunarBeam couldn’t stand the thought of not doing anything, and preserved the two species in the gems, and thought she could go back to them, but SolarBeam and her had created a new Era. Over two hundred years they had cracked down, killed thousands of demons, destroyed to races, and a strange new creature had appeared right from the chaos. Discord. Discord struck down the weary Alicorns, and then I was born. A few years later, so was my sister.” Celestia sighed.
Astra felt honored that she was able to hear the story of Celestia’s past lives, but she was also confused. Bowing, she asked the question, “Princess, why did you tell my sister and I though?”
Celestia finally stood up, her hair waving in the astral winds that no pony but her and the alicorns might feel. “Because Astra, I am kinder than the last Avatar of the Sun, and I will never destroy an entire race. Astra, you and your sister now represent the Lycans and Vampyres, you are the first two ponies of a long lost species, and in three days time I will introduce you to the world. Along with that, you have my royal permission to turn five ponies for the time being so you may not be alone. Shimmer, you may not turn anymore ponies, for I fear your species is easier to spread, and you already have two pups here, from what I can tell.”
Silver had gone rigid in fear. “No, I can’t!” She growled, ears flattened. “I don’t want to live in pony society anymore!” The words blurted out from her mouth. I agreed to stay here for one more month so I may help Heartsong and Paper Poet, but after that I leave! Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, I promise I will not be a burden to the regular ponies, but I can not live with them, let Eclipse represent me.” She begged. “Let Eclipse play my part. I am not meant to play that role, I just want to live out of sight.”
Celestia pondered over this. “How do you plan to do that?” She finally asked.
Silver shrugged. “I think I will live near the border of the Crystal Empire. The lands are cold and barren of common plants except for summer grass, but I can hunt in my Lycan form, and if I must, I can fly places with my wings.”
“Do you fear going wild? Sometimes a pony would stay a wolf for too long and go crazy.” Celestia said softly.
Shimmer straightened her back. “I do not fear it, I can’t. Please, just let me.”
the sun princess sighed. “Very well. Shimmer of Equestria, unless you are in need of food, medical help, or any emergencies, you are to not make contact with anypony, even if they reach out first. If they insist on befriending you, you must either tell them the truth or move. Do you swear to these terms? I will not have my ponies put in any type of danger.”
“I swear to those terms.” She bowed her head. “And, um, my name is now Silver Howl.” She grinned gently.
Celestia gave her a mother's smile. “I will only address you with your birth name, but ok. When do you wish to leave?”
“I guess after my sister is introduced to the ponies for what she is, Eclipse too.” Silver said. “I will be in the crowd when it happens, then leave. I wanted to take this time to say goodbye to my only friends.” She became slightly teary, and suddenly hugged her sister. “Astra, I love you!” She pulled Eclipse over. “You too Eclipse, you may not be related to me, but you were kinda like the mother I never had.” She sniffled. “After this though, you guys can’t come back, I won’t be able to bear it.”
Celestia gave them five minutes of heartfelt goodbyes before interrupting. “Before I take your family with me Shimmer, why not introduce me to the newest Lycans?”
Shimmer nodded and wiped her tears away. “This way, Princess Celestia.” She said.

Half an hour later, Celestia had left the homeless ponies with 1,000 bits to spend wisely, and Shimmer with a bag, that was bigger on the inside, holding 300 bits for her travels. She and Luna combined their magick and teleported them all to Canterlot to go over the new rules of their lives, and how they would be granted the titles of nobles so they would be better respected. After that Celestia told the press that in three days she would be making royal announcements for the public to hear.


> The New Nobles!
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Chapter 17: The New Nobles.

Rarely Celestia used her royal voice, and now was the time, she felt, to grace them all and burst their ear drums.
“CITIZENS OF CANTERLOT! I SUMMON YOU ALL HERE TODAY FOR A FEW GRAND ANNOUNCEMENTS.” There, that would grab their attention all the way from the palace to the badlands. Her own voice had created shockwaves! No wonder Luna loved to use it so much, it felt powerful.
Beside her stood a freshly groomed Astra and Eclipse. Astra had to have most of her horn removed so ponies didn’t think her an alicorn, but enough remained so she could harness her Vampyre powers, and it was all hidden by her hair.
On that day, Astra wore a large black hat, and a lovely black velvet dress with tiny diamonds in it. The dress arms covered her front legs, while the back gracefully drapped across her back legs. Her front hooves had gloves, so only a little skin showed, and she wore a necklace with a rune carved into it so the sunlight wouldn’t bother her eyes. Whatever skin was left bare was covered by her lovely large hat with a feather sticking out of it, and a diamonds circling the rim.
Eclipse was dressed in a dress that matched her silver eyes. It was a shiny fabric that rippled in the bright sunlight on the cloud-free day. All the way down it, slightly darker silver vines had been stitched into it, and though they were barely noticeable it prevented her from seeming monotonous in color. Around her neck she wore a golden necklace that had tiny strings of golden beads hanging off its front. Her hair had grown longer since the first time she met the twins in their little tent.
Both stood on the right side of the Sun Princess, while Luna stood on her left as her equal. The princesses needed no fancy gard to be fabulous, their astral manes provided any sort of awe-inspiring fabric that they needed.
In the crowd, a pony stood near the front, yet apart from others. On her she was a dark heavy cape that no one would be able to see past, yet when Astra laid eyes on it she already knew it was her twin.
Celestia began, enhancing her voice so all could hear, but not lose their hearing in the process, unlike her overpowered royal voice. “Greetings, my loyal subjects!” She said, staring at them all with love and warmth, while Luna remained silent, but carrying the same look of happiness and love.
They all waved back, and suppressing a giggle she got on with the announcements they all wished to hear. “Today, I have the pleasure of introducing not just two new nobles, but two new species to our wonderful, and accepting lands.” She stressed that part. “Astra, please step forward.”
The covered Vampyre stepped up and flared her leathery wings and had been laying against her sides.
“Eclipse, please step forward.”
Eclipse walked closer to the princess gracefully, and got into view for the whole country to see and judge.
“These two worked together with a third pony who could not make it today, to discover a new species. Yet, the ancient powers they found stuck to them instead.” She couldn’t tell them everything, but she didn’t have to. All they really needed to know was who they were, and what they were. “Astra had been transformed into a creature known as a Vampyre, extinct, along with the next species I shall announce soon, for over 1,000 years. Though she can stand to be in the sunlight, it bothers Vampyres greatly. Astra, I dub you a noble of Equestria, and grant you the private land, which location I shall announce later when you are settled. I have had workers working on an old house we found so you may live there in peace.”
“Thankyou, Princess Celestia.” She bowed and stepped back.
“Eclipse is a Lycan, a type of shapeshifter that must turn into a grey wolf on the full moon, but after three months of being one, can turn on will. She will live alongside Astra, on the private property that will be granted to them along with their nobility. Eclipse, I dub you a noble of Equestria.”
Mimicking Astra, she bowed and thank the princess.
Celestia spread her wings wide and began to wrap it up. “I have already had five different ponies start on creating books to inform you all about these two new species to our lands. Inside, you will find briefings on them so you can get the basic knowledge. I thank you all for gathering here today.”
It was a clear dismissal, but ponies wanted questions answer, and when they tried to speak, Luna stepped up.
“I am sorry, but that is all for today. Your questions might be answered inside, if you go look at the knowledge we have presented.” She said and the four ponies and four guards left the balcony.
Inside the castle and away from public eyes, Astra collapsed in relief.
“Thank goodness I made it through that!” She gasped, taking off her very expensive hat. “I was sweating like race pony, with all this black sun absorbing velvet!”
Celestia chuckled, but her face grew stern. “Focus please.” She chimmed. “I have cloaked your house with my magick for a few moons as the pony population gets used to you. No pony will be able to find you, not even by random chance. Only Shimmer will be able to, if she wishes. If they walk to the edge of your land, they will suddenly find themselves going the other way, and not sure why. I have given you a starter treasury along with all the bits and information, save for the Lycan stuff, from the Night Cave. The information will be in your added on Library, and your treasury can only be accessed by you two, not Shimmer.”
Astra bowed low to the ground. “Thank you so much Princess, but why all the trouble?”
Celestia looked down at the ground, her face shadowed. “Ponies are frightened easily, and I fear that after the changeling attack, though it happened over 50 years ago, those still alive will have some sore feelings for new species. Also, I plan on sending the two other Lycans your way at the end of the month. I have also put up money making ideas in your study rooms. You two have no idea how to be nobles, so I plan on helping you anyway I can. So does Luna.” She grinned. Already her sister had gone off to bed, that night owl.
“Thanks, Princess Celestia.” They said together.
“No need for thanks, my little ponies, I simply want your species to join the world as calmly as possible, and sometimes secrecy is needed.”

> Epilogue
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Epilogue.

Astra overlooked her lands. It had taken five more days but her house was finally done, or more like, redone. It was the same old farmhouse she had lived in, but fancified, and she loved it more than ever. She had her own private tutor, a delightful mare who she was quickly befriending, while Eclipse was learning the rules of nobility. That had been going on for about a month.
If a pony wanted to become a Vampyre or Lycan, they had to fill out a sheet of paper, which was evaluated by the princesses themselves (each princess was working on it so they could go through the paperwork faster) and it was a fairly strict process. Only a few would be chosen, five to be exact, and they would have to leave their lives behind for four months. The princesses wanted no pony to ruin the good name of these new species.
As Celestia predicted, not everypony was thrilled, but so far they had nothing to use against them, and those that tried to make up rumors were quickly silenced with strict discipline.
The land given to them was twice as big than the normal noble starter kit, but it was so Eclipse had a wide range of area to run around in, along with the other two Lycans. Astra had a little Lycan proof room in case they somehow got into the house, though it would be unlikely they could.

“Hey Eclipse.” She greeted her friend happily as the Earth pony walked into the room and they went over the ways nobles usually gained money. Sadly, they weren’t totally normal, but Celestia had taken care of that too. In Ponyville a little cafe had suddenly opened a day before the announcements. It was called the Bat Cave, and it served spooky themed drinks.
Eclipse had hired a pony after careful consideration to help them run the business. It had been going along swimmingly for the one month it had opened, and began to get treats from Sugar Cube Conor.
“Greetings Astra, listen, tonight your sister leaves for the cold north and we get our first Lycan guests. What should they do here?” Eclipse asked. “Also, as you are aware tonight is the full moon.”
“Which is why I got up early.” Astra reminded her. “So we could take business, then relax before you go out. Say, have you grown in height?”
Eclipse looked at her legs. “Dunno, I am already taller than you because I am an adult.” She said. “We will see when the other two come over… Though, it is possible, because Shim-Silver Howl is leaving tonight, perhaps that means she relinquishes her title as alpha?”
“Possibly. Well, onto the two new Lycans. I say we find out what they can do first, then help them find jobs.” Astra said. “Shimmer, and I refuse to call her by anyother name, was unable to tell us too much before cutting off connections with us.” She ended sadly.”
“Yeah. Well, sun is going down, and Celestia said she would be teleporting them in here right about now. I should welcome them, considering our only maid is leaving early.” Eclipse shrugged and went to leave.
“Wait, Eclipse?”
“Yeah?”
“Can you sense Shimmer as a wolf?” She whispered.
“Only is she is close by.” Eclipse stated and left, knowing she had just crushed Astra’s dream of making contact with her sister.

Midnight came, and they transformed. Eclipse was indeed taller than them, and because she was now an Alpha she was able to keep them from leaving the property, and leaving the house alone, even if she couldn’t stop them from marking the “territory”.
Time passed, and more little cafes owned by mysterious mares opened up. Each one was small and refused to grow too much, but they attracted a lot of attention with different fun themes. Five new Vampyres joined Astra and they began to experiment with their powers, but it was obvious that Astra was the strongest out of them all, as she was the original, and the universe recognized her as such.
Silver Howl remained in the north, not bothering anypony, though there were some rumors for a while about some wolf running around up there. They were soon silenced though.
Astra and Eclipse lived the good life, making money, and employing the married couple as recorders and taking card of the garden outback.
Ponies would donate blood to the Vampyres, and it seemed all was ok, and Celestia opened up the noble house grounds, except for on the full moons.