I've been waiting for a thousand years, And now it's finally time to come back to the one I loved.
Hi! My name is Joshua, or at least it was before The Merchant got his hands on me. Now I'm just another Displaced. and to top it off the first ever time I fell in love... she was taken from me by outside forces. Now exactly one thousand years later, I'm reunited with the one i love with all my black heart.
WOOO FEATURED 8-16-17 thank you guys so much for all the support!
A lone figure woke in a dilapidated castle that stood silently in a forest, rising from a bed decorated with the night sky the figure moves over to the mirror to fix their hair and get ready for another lonely day spent inside the empty castle. After the hair situation is taken care of the figure moves to the other side of the room to an old armor stand that holds an old and dusty set of mat black plate armor. Taking the time to put it on for the first time in almost a millennium, the figure walks out of the room and proceeds to wander the old stone halls that seem to get worse day by day. When the figure passes by a window, the moon lights up their face. The figure is in fact a human male with pale skin, long black hair and crimson red eyes that seem to shine in the darkness.
While walking around the empty halls and rooms, he looks off at one of the towers on a whim. While looking out the window he sees a bright flash coming from the old throne room, and starts walking there casually. He didn't really care what was going on, the truth is he had stopped caring about anything for the last thousand years after his love was stripped away from him. While he was walking he decided to start singing a song that conveyed how he seemed to feel ever since she was taken away all those years ago.
As he finished the song he reached the doors to what remains of the throne room. Throwing the doors open he walks into the large room that seemed even bigger due to the roof missing several pieces, only to see a group of ponies standing around the other end of the long room by the throne.
A few minutes prior
"Twilight, my most faithful student. I knew you could do it!" Princess Celestia said to the lavender unicorn.
"But princess! You said it was just an old pony's tale!" Twilight replied.
"I told you that you needed to make some friends, nothing more." The white alicorn replied. "If only another would as well." she turns an walks over to a cobalt blue pony that the rest of them just now seemed to notice. "It has been a thousand years since i have seen you like this, we were meant to rule together little sister. Do you accept my friendship?"
"I missed you so much big sister!" The smaller alicorn jumped up and nuzzled her older sister.
Just then the group heard singing, accompanied by the sound of armored stomping heading down the corridor towards the room they were currently in.
Just when the singing and stomping got to the other side of the door, it stopped... leaving the group standing there in silence. After a full three seconds of nothing, the doors were flung open to reveal a large bipedal figure wearing black armor with a two handed longsword strapped to it's hip. the figure just stood there staring at the ponies before turning around and walking back the way it came from.
POV Celestia
How can he still be alive after all this time? i thought he was dead and gone all those years ago.
The alabaster alicorn couldn't believe her eyes, the prince lives to this day!
POV Luna
The dark alicorn couldn't believe what she was seeing, the prince of darkness himself was still alive after her banishment, she had resigned herself to the fate that the only one who ever understood her was dead and gone all those years ago.
POV third following the prince
He just stood there staring at the group before him,I didn't sign up for this today. I'm going back to bed. After turning and walking back the way he came he started going over just what he saw back in the old throne room, first there was a group of six that he did not recognize. Then there were two that he DID know, but he had long since come to terms with the reality that they were gone for good. The Celestia and Luna he knew, were long since dead and gone...
Reaching the bed chambers e woke up in this morning he relieved himself of his armor and placed it back on the stand in the corning of the room. Only when this was done did he remember what day it was, it was the thousandth anniversary of when she was taken form him. With that one crippling thought he climbed back into the bed and did the one thing he hadn't done in almost a full millennium... he cried. He cried there until there were no more tears t shed, and sleep slowly took him into darkness once more.
It has been almost a week since the conflict with Nightmare Moon, and the princess has asked for me and the other girls to come to Canterlot to discuss a few things regarding that night in its entirety. The chariot arrived early this morning and has been flying for the past fifteen minutes, looking over the side I noticed the Ivory colored city spread out below us. The chariot tilts forwards as the ones pulling it come into the royal gardens for a landing.
Upon landing, we start heading for the throne room with me leading the way because I was the only one in the group familiar with the layout of the castle. After a good five minutes of walking through the brightly lit hallways we come to a set of massive oak doors, one with the sun emblazoned upon it while the other had crescent moon on it. When the two guards spotted us coming towards the doors they quickly pulled it open with their magic to allow us entry to the room.
"Twilight my faithful student! It's good to see you again." Princess Celestia said while sweeping her gaze over the group.
"It feels good to be back in the castle, but why did you call us here in the first place princess?" I replied tilting my head in confusion.
"As my note explained, I wish to speak with the six of you about what happened at the old castle a week ago. Or more specifically what you saw while we were there." She stated while her eyes seems to stare at something the rest of them couldn't see.
"Yea, like what in the hay was that thing that walked in on us in the throne room!" Says Rainbow Dash.
"Yes, about that." The princess looked a bit uneasy with this topic and I was curious as to why that would be so.
"What was it princess?" I ask.
"That was one of the oldest living beings on this planet Twilight, and before you go storming off to question him i would advise against it. He can be very easily angered, I've seen him burn an entire forest when somepony set him off before." Celestia stated giving me a hard look that meant she was serious. Truth be told right before she said that i was planing on going back to the castle to talk to him and try to get him to answer some of my questions about him.
"Now, before i start telling you about that being... i must have you all know something. Nothing leaves this room after it has been said, nopony besides the seven of us plus Luna knows this being is even still alive. The reason for this is because if somepony were to anger him, Equestria would be destroyed by his wrath..." She continued with a grim look upon her face.
"But you could stop him right princess?" i ask, hoping against hope that she said yes.
"I'm afraid I am no match for him Twilight." she said with a heavy sigh. "The reason being that I cannot being myself to harm him. I am unable to hurt those i see as friends, and he is one of my oldest. You must understand that i haven't seen him since before Luna's banishment, so seeing him still there at the old castle brought back some old memories of when we all would spend time together." She said looking off into space for a few minutes.
"Who is he anyway? We don't even know his name yet!" Rainbow Dash complained.
"I'm sorry, I haven't ever told anypony his name. So I'm not use to starting with that bit. His name is Alucard, and though he may have many titles. There was one that rose above the rest, Prince of Darkness..." Celestia stated, her gaze once again coming into focus. "However, That was not his oldest title, that was just what he was known as for the last millennium or so. His oldest and most fitting title, is Vampire King."
Hearing that last part made everypony in the room save the princess gasp, and Fluttershy even fell over unconscious from fright.
"Vampire King?! So he's a ruler as well? I never saw anything written about a King of the Vampires... wait, what are vampires? " I ask, my mind a whirlwind of questions without any answers.
"A vampire, my young student... is a very strange being indeed and I know you haven't read anything about them. Simply put they do not exist here." The solar princess stated.
"But if they don't exist... how can he be the king of them? That doesn't make any sense!" Rainbow Dash said from somewhere to my left, I on the other hoof couldn't comprehend what the princess was trying to say to me right now.
"He is the King because of one simple fact, before he came to Equestria... he was the oldest living among his entire race." She claimed.
"What d'ya mean 'before he came ta Equestria?'? Wasn't he born here like everypony else?" The farm mare asks.
"No, Alucard simply appeared one day out of the blue and has just stuck around. He even helped during a few of Equestrias key moments, like when me and my sister defeated tyrants and the like, he would stand by our side and fight with us to make this country safe and whole once more." Celestia said as the accepted a cup of tea a servant has brought in from the side door off to the right of the thrones.
"As I said before his story is a long one, how about i tell you all over some lunch?" She continued upon looking at a clock hanging in the room and finding it to almost be noon.
With that the group headed off to the dining hall for some food while they continued listening to the story about the creature known as Alucard.
POV Alucard the night before
The dream realm, it was something the monarch both admired and despised. He admired it for its ability to take away the stress of a hard day and allow a being to be in total bliss, However there are always two sides to a coin. The other things that the dream realm can do to a person is that it can make them relive their most painful memories time and time again.
In Alucard's case, it happened to be the latter of the two. Blood soaked dirt, fire and ash everywhere he looked. Bodies of his comrades laying on the ground horribly disfigured and mutilated beyond recognition. He himself was covered head to toe in blood and his armor had chunks of flesh that was shredded from his enemies lodged in the spaces between the plates. His sword was completely covered in blood and gore after a full half hour of fighting on the battlefield.
Unbeknownst to him or anypony else, somepony was trying desperately to enter his dream realm and relieve him of the images that were forced to the front of his mind. However because she was still weak from her recent return from the moon, Princess Luna didn't have enough power to force her way into his mind from all the way in Canterlot..
The following morning he awoke to yet another lonely day in the castle. He then began to think about what he saw earlier that week, Celestia and Luna standing in his throne room with a group of unknown ponies.. what did it mean? He has seen hallucinations during his brief madness after Luna's banishment, but nothing quite like this. During his insanity he would imagine Luna coming home after a short vacation or something, but the visions never included Celestia or other random ponies. Maybe this wasn't him just seeing things?
He was so lost in his musing that e didn't notice the sun dip below the horizon to allow the moon to take its place in the night sky. However when he looked up he nearly passed out from shear happiness, the image of the Mare in the Moon was gone from the face of the lunar object. This could only mean one thing for him... Luna has finally returned.
POV Celestia present time
As we enter the dining hall, we find seats at the long table I normally use to entertain foreign diplomats. After the food was ordered and we are all settled the six mares in front of me look towards me expectantly.
"Well I believe I should begin at the start. Now listen closely my little ponies, this tale is one I do not tell often and don't like to repeat." the Solar Alicorn explained.
"Now before you judge Ally by what I'm about to tell you, You must understand the times we were in when he showed up in our land." Said the alabaster princess.
"I'm sure it can't be that bad, can it?" The lavender unicorn sitting at the table spoke up.
"I assure you, if you were to know all of what happened you might never sleep again for fear of the nightmares it would give you. Now, when Alucard appeared Equestria was at war with the allied forces of the Minotaurs and Griffons. At first we thought he was a spy sent to gather information on our troop placements and such, but after some time we noticed that he wasn't trying to escape his imprisonment. Luna thought he was just buying time to make us drop our guard, however I had a feeling that he wasn't here for evil. So one day i took a stroll down into the dungeons and confronted him about it, and the answers I received were most disturbing. It turns out he was NOT a spy, but he was sent to our land albeit against his will." Celestia explained while they all waited for their lunches to arrive.
"Wait, what do you mean he was sent here against his will?" Twilight asked.
"What I mean is that he is not of our world, Twilight. He was sent here by chance and he is stranded here for all eternity, considering he is immortal like Luna and I."
"How did you know he wasn't lying to you to get you to let him out?" Rainbow Dash asked looking skeptical.
"If you all remember, both me and my sister were the embodiment's of the Elements of Harmony. While Luna was the holder of Magic, Laughter and Generosity. I was the Holder of Loyalty, Kindness and Honesty, and I'm sure Applejack here knows what being the Element of Honesty means."
"Ah do, ah can spot a lie from a mile away." the farm pony confirms.
"So I could tell he was telling the truth when he explained his situation to me. He was sent here after he purchased a set of armor from a merchant in his home dimension, and he ended up landing in our old castle's courtyard nearly giving poor Lulu here a heart attack." Celestia said with a giggle.
"Tia! That's not funny!I thought the griffons were attacking or something!" The lunar mare replied.
"Anyway, once he told me of his plight, we released him from our custody. Once he was free, he did the most unexpected thing ever! He thanked us, and when we asked him why he told us that back where he was from... prisoners were tortured or mutilated for information and he was grateful we didn't do anything like that to him." Celestia continued. "After that, he asked if there was anything he could do in exchange for a place to live. so we asked him what kinds of skills and abilities he possessed. Turns out that he used to be a prince back where he came from and was well versed in war tactics, he even knew how to lead troops into battle properly. Something very few ponies knew how to do considering how our morality is shifted towards the lighter end of the spectrum."
"Once we learned this we offered him the position of General and full command of our forces. Normally we were careful who we entrusted with this job, mainly because of how one mistake can bring about the deaths of so many soldiers. After his first confrontation with the griffon army however we saw a side of him that still frightens us to this day. When the killing started,he did not stay back and command from a distance like most officers would. He charged into combat along side the ponies who served under him as if he were one of them! The sight of him tearing through countless enemies with such ferocity can still give me nightmares sometimes." Said the solar princess.
"But I'm afraid that isn't what is most disturbing about Alucard, It's his supernatural abilities that are most frightening. When we first saw his wreak havoc on the field of battle, we were appalled at what we saw! Alucard consumed those who fell to his blade... and then when he was finished they would rise again and start slaughtering their own brothers in arms. It was truly terrifying to say the least."
"And so, after a full year of war after he arrived, the allied forces agreed to make peace with us to stop further bloodshed. So started the Era of Peace that is still going to this very day." Celestia concluded. "Any questions, my little ponies?"
Twilight raised her hoof in the air. "How long ago did he get here?"
"He appeared in our courtyard just over 1,023 years ago." Luna answered.
This time it was Rainbow Dash that spoke up. "So you mean to say that this guy eats MEAT? Wasn't letting a carnivore live with you guys dangerous?!"
"He isn't strictly a carnivore miss Dash. He happens to be an Omnivore, capable of eating both animal and plant matter. And to answer your second question, not really no." Luna replied.
"What other powers did he have?!" Pinkie asks.
"Well he was able to do a lot of things, he would even mimic unicorn magic and levitate objects." Celestia explained.
"Princess, can I talk to him? I would love to gather information about his old world and what is was like to live there!" Twilight said with stars dancing in her eyes.
"No! I forbid any of you from approaching him. We don't know what his mental state is like, he lived in isolation for a thousand years remember? If he knows Luna is free from her banishment, he will come to us eventually. Then you may ask him all the questions you like, Twilight." Celestia exclaimed. "Now if there aren't anymore questions, you might want to head on back to Ponyville."
And with no more questions to ask, mainly because those who didn't speak were too shocked or disturbed to do so, they all left the castle and boarded a train heading back t the small rural town.
Two months have passed, and in that time Equestria has had a couple major events. The first was The Grand Galloping Gala, and this year... it was truly entertaining. It might have even made Discord proud. Speaking of Discord, He's already been released and sealed again. Alucard barely noticed Discords magic before it was gone.
During this time everypony, including Alucard, went about their business as usual. Unless you don't count having a nervous breakdown and shutting down for almost two months to be usual business for Alucard. He felt that he failed as a friend and as a husband, so he stayed at the castle and barely left to do anything besides hunt.
Now, the entire city of Canterlot was preparing for the next big event that would change the lives of many. However none of them were working as hard as the six mares left in charge of major parts of the event. This event was none other than the Royal Wedding... and things might just take a turn for the worst this time.
It's now the day before the ceremony, and things are going according to everypony's plans. Including those who aren't so great... But there was a storm brewing in the distance, and at its front was a tall biped shrouded in polished black armor and murderous intent written upon its face. How did this storm come about? It happened several nights ago when Alucard was sitting upon this stone throne looking at the clear night sky and full moon.
Darkness fell on the castle just like any other night, and the lone biped sat on his old throne just like any other night. But unlike any other night he was about to be visited by someone he thought dead. Sitting with his eyes closed as they were, he heard her before he saw her.
"Hello Ally, it's been a while hasn't it?" Before him stood the one being that could overpower him if she so chose, Queen Faust herself, although she wasn't completely here right now. It was more like a ghostly apparition. "Ally, listen to me, In a few days time your wife and sister will be invaded by a species of Celestia's own creation. I can't tell you how they came into being, Cell has to tell you that part, but I can tell you that many will die if you don't assist in the city's defense, including your wife and sister. I believe it is time for the Nightwalker to make his appearance, don't you?" she said with a smirk etched into her muzzle.
"If my family and subjects are put in harms way, I will raze entire kingdoms if I must." The shadowy biped replied.
"You must prepare for the attack my son, nopony deserves what is coming. Also, Don't forget, anypony can change. You just need to give them a chance to try.
The morning of the wedding found everypony getting last minute preparations in order, they were so busy that they failed to notice one important thing. Somepony was missing... Twilight Sparkle was nowhere to be found in the castle or even the city. Only one other being knew of the insidious plot brewing right under the noses of the royals, and he was on his way to end it before it even started.
Covered in his polished black armor and crimson red cloak, Alucard lead his undead troops toward Canterlot, where he could already see the amassing army ready to lay siege to the ivory city. Among his troops were Griffons with varying states of decay, some were even missing limbs or were disemboweled. One of the undead birds was bigger than the others, a former officer. He carried the Vampire King on his back as the group flew towards the white and gold spires that made up Canterlot.
In the distance Alucard could see the dome surrounding the city started to shatter in the combined force of the enemy forces, urging his troops to move faster they arrived minutes after the start of the attack. Fortunately there were no casualties so far. and without hesitating he ordered his nearly two hundred griffons to start taking down the enemy, which turned out to be insectoid ponies.
He jumped off the griffons back and plummeted toward the castle, aiming for one of the windows.
A few minutes prior, Throne Room
"Twilight here was suspicious of my behavior all along!" Chrysalis exclaimed. "but that won't even matter soon enough. My changeling army will soon descend upon this worthless city! And there's nothing any of you can do about it!"
Then the shield surrounding the city starts to crumble, allowing the insects to rain from the skies and lay waste to the city below. the sounds of screaming and destruction could be heard all the way inside the castle.
Just then one of the windows shattered and a tall cloaked being fell through and rolled to its feet. When it stood to its full height, everypony in the room could tell it was bipedal. They could also see that it was just as tall as the princesses.
POV Alucard
After crashing through the window, I stand to my full height and look around the room from under the hood of my cloak. One glance revealed everything i needed to know about the situation so far, one hostile and several hostages, including the princess. The hostile was one of the insectoid ponies like the ones outside, but this one looked more powerful. The Queen maybe? Then the giant double doors burst open causing three dozen insectoids to come flooding into the room.
"I don't know who you think you are creature, but you are no match for me and my army. Surrender now o die!" Shouted he bug queen.
"You don't seem to realize just who you're threatening BUG!" i replied while scanning the room for any hidden hostiles that could make things harder for me.
"you insolent MONGREL!" She screamed, blinded by anger. "KILL THIS INSIGNIFICANT ANIMAL!"
The three dozen insectoids all charge me at once, and when they all get within several feet of where I'm standing they drop to the ground and start cowering like newborns.
"My my, it seems that your troops can sense things you cannot... They can sense what another beings feelings. Would you like to know what I'm feeling right now? I wouldn't mind telling you, you know." I say not breaking eye contact with the bug queen.
"Why should I care about what you're feeling, mongrel?" She answers.
"Because when you're dead, I want you to know why..." I say before taking a step towards the group of subdued ponies. The queen gets in front of me to halt my advance.
"Stay right where you are creature, these ponies are mine. Go find your own, before you get hurt... now SCRAM!" She shouts in my direction.
"Ya know, that would be intimidating... if you were, well... intimidating." I say from under my hood.
"Are you mocking me?!" I can see I'm starting to get to her.
"Oh no, no no pffft yea!" I can barely hold my laughter in check as I continue trying to provoke her into attacking.
"RRAAAAAAHHHH!!" Seething with anger she launches a massive blast of magic at me, easily the size of a small house.
With the huge blast heading my way I stand my ground and don't move. Taking the blast full in the face I get thrown to the other end of the room. When I try to get up I find that I can't feel one of my arms and legs... upon inspection I see that my left arm and right leg are both completely missing.
POV Twilight
The tall biped was now slumped against the wall at the far end of the room, and blood was seeping out from under its cloak! Why? Why did he have to fight her?
Tears starting forming in my eyes, I hated seeing others suffer like this! I almost didn't notice the blood moving almost in reverse, flowing back into the creatures body! How is it doing that?!
Once all of the blood had returned to the creature its limbs suddenly grew back! How is this happening?!? Now the creature was standing back up, like nothing even happened!
Looking at Chrysalis I could see that she was flabbergasted by what she was seeing, and I can agree with her on this. That amount of magic could hand killed the princess, and this unknown creature just walked it off as if it were nothing!
"Now that we have that out of the way. I will tell you why you should be afraid of me..." The biped spoke in a tone that could freeze water solid in seconds. It reached up to its hood and gripped the edges, pulling back the fabric.
Once the creatures face was clear of the hood I almost couldn't believe what I was seeing. Standing where i thought maybe a Diamond Dog or small dragon would have been, was none other than Alucard!
Now that my face is visible, the mares that are tied up along side the princess recognize me for who I am... the one they saw at the castle a few months ago. I walk over to one of the changelings that are still on the floor shaking like leaves. Reaching down, I pick one up by the neck.
"The reason you should fear me, is because i don't take kindly to those who try to hurt my loved ones and/or subjects." By now the sounds outside the castle are gone and the fighting has stopped, and only ten of my hundred or so griffons are destroyed. " Oh, and your army? It's gone, completely wiped out by my griffons." Just as i finish speaking the doors to the room are thrown open once again and this time half of my undead forces march into the room to stand behind me.
Still holding the changeling in my left hand, I reach for its horn. Gripping the horn in my right hand, i give it a sharp wrench to the side. The sharp snapping sound it gave off is music to my ears! I then reach down to my belt and withdraw a wicked six inch black steel dagger with a serrated edge, and without warning I plunge the blade into the chest of my captive all the way to the hilt. After a few seconds, I withdraw my blade from the dead changeling.
"Now, before i make my decision on weather I should kill you or not, I have to ask. What did you hope to accomplish by doing this?" I say as a run my tongue along the blade, strangely enough the blood tasted sour. "also tell me your name, I don't feel like calling you bug all the time."
POV Chrysalis
"My subjects and I were starving... our food source isn't something we can obtain from just foraging or farming. My species is called 'Changeling' by the other races of this foul world. They label us as monsters and shun us where ever we go because of what we eat to survive. We eat raw unaltered emotions, the most powerful being love. We feed on the energy that other creatures give off when they are feeling strong emotions, but others see us as parasites that steal these things from them. When we feed on the emotions that leak out, nothing happens to the other creature, it is only when we actively feed on another that there are negative effects. Simply being in the presence of strong emotions can sustain us, But ponies never listened to us. They just saw a monster ruining their town or city!
Where ever we went we were either hunted like animals or driven from society for trying to survive like everyone else. This land has so much love leaking from it our food shortage could have been solved in less than a month if we were allowed to speak for ourselves without being discriminated against like we were. This isn't what I wanted to do in order to save my children, but these heartless ponies forced me to take more drastic measures. If I had waited any longer to get help my kind would have died to starvation by today. Also, my name is Queen Chrysalis, may I have your name?"
"I have many names, but my true name is Alucard." The creature stated.
POV Alucard
"So you never wanted to do all of this but the ponies of this kingdom forced you to near extinction?" I almost couldn't believe what i was hearing but i knew first hand how stubborn and fearful these ponies could be.
"yes, I regret having to shed innocent blood because of a few bad apples."
I look at one of the changelings still on the floor and approach it, once it sees me coming closer it starts shaking more violently. "It's okay, I'm not going to hurt you, I need you to do something. I want you to remove the gag from the princess so she can talk, okay?"
The changeling looks at me then to Chrysalis, "why should he do what you say?"
"I want to hear Celestia's excuse, I already know she's going to deny it though." I reply giving Celestia a look that could sour milk. "So just do it already, it's getting late and i haven't slept in a a while so lets wrap this up before i start getting cranky."
The changeling gets up on its shaky hooves and moves over to where Celestia is tied up, lighting its horn it pulls the green substance away from her mouth so she can speak freely.
"Alucard you traitor! When I get free I'll send you personally to the SUN for this!" She screams from her spot on the floor.
I walk up to her and kneel down a bit so that I'm on eye level with her. *SMACK* I slap her upside the head to shut her up. "Be quiet Sunbutt, and give us all your side of the story here, I don't have all day."
Shock, that's what I see on her face after I slap her. "Her kind are nothing more than leeches that destroy lives. Why should I try to explain something everypony here already knows?"
"Ya know Cell, that right there. That's why you are no longer the Element of Honesty." I deadpan right in her face.
"What are you talking about?"
"I'm saying that you just told a lie, princess." I say with a smug smile on my face.
"I didn't lie you traitor, I'm disappointed in you. Normally my sister is a good judge of character, I should have believed her long ago when she said you were nothing but trouble!"
"I suppose I should tell you How I knew about this invasion before hand shouldn't I? Well to make a long story short, I didn't. That is until a certain somepony came to me with a warning about it. That somepony also told me a little secret, a very dark secret about you Cell." I say as I stand up and move back towards my griffons.
"What I learned deeply disturbed me, and you of all ponies should know what it takes to disturb me Celestia." I say as a turn back to face the ponies and changeling queen in front of me. "Chrysalis isn't just the Queen of some random insectoid ponies that appeared out of nowhere Celestia, I know the truth."
Celestia's eye widen in fear as her ears become plastered to her skull. "Y-you know? But h-how?"
"One word, Mother." I say with as little emotion on my face as possible. "Mother came to me a few days ago and warned me of this attack, she also told me how the changeling race came into existence. YOU CREATED THEM CELESTIA! Then from what Chrysalis has told me you had the gall the banish them out of prejudice hate! I'm ashamed of you Celestia, I thought the Element of Kindness would be more compassionate towards those less fortunate than herself!" By the end of my rant I was nearly out of breath.
After I catch my breath, I continue. "So, now that your little secret is out Celestia are you going to act your age and solve this peacefully like it SHOULD HAVE BEEN at the start? Or will there be more pointless bloodshed?"
"I-I'm willing to try, that is if Chrysalis can forgive me." she replied looking utterly defeated for the second time since I've met her.
I look to Chrysalis for her answer. "As long as she keeps her word and no more of my subjects are killed, I can forgive her."
"Well there's your answer Celestia, if you had talked this out at the beginning, who knows how many live you could have saved. But you didn't and their deaths are on your shoulders Celestia." And with that said i go over to a pillar and lay down resting my back against it. "Now get your talks done, and if i so much as catch a whiff of hostility I'LL RIP YOU FUCKING THROATS OUT. Goodnight Cell." and with that i close my eye and drift f to sleep.
As I rejoin the waking world I feel something poking me in the leg. Cracking one eye open I see a maid of some sort trying to wake me for something I dunno.
"Um, sir... the princess asked me to fetch you. She said she wishes to discuss something that happened earlier, If you will please follow me." The maid explained.
*yawn* "So, what's your name miss...?" I ask trying to be polite even though every fiber of my being wants to throw up.
"My name is Silver Platter, I work as a serving maid in the kitchens." She replied not looking away from where she was going. She seems to be scared of something.
"Are you afraid of me Silver?" I ask already knowing the answer.
"W-well it's just t-that I've n-never s-seen something like y-you before." Yep, completely scared out of her fur.
"Well don't be, I'm not about to eat one of my subjects. Rest assured that I don't eat sapient beings, heck I rarely eat meat much anymore." I say absentmindedly.
"Y-y-you e-eat m-m-meat?!" The mare looks downright terrified now, thanks mouth you always know just what to say!
"Indeed I do, But like I said, I don't eat ponies. I haven't eaten another sentient being in over a thousand years so don't be afraid of me. It almost hurts my feelings that one of my subjects fears me so!" I give a mock pout after that last bit.
"Um, Sir? Why do you call me one of your subjects? Are you related to the princesses or something? Oh, um, if you want to share..." Aaaand back to being nervous, I was hoping she would start opening up when I heard those questions come out. Even though I'm not very keen on answering them.
"Well I am related to them, But I can't say how. I'm sorry, I wish I could tell you but I don't want to make Celestia angry at me again." At this point we reach another room and she waves for me to go inside.
Opening the door I see a very large wooden table that looked like it could seat two dozen comfortably. Walking inside I take note of my surroundings, sitting at the table are the six mares from earlier along with Celestia and Chrysalis, I guess they really kept their promise then. I still haven't seen Luna since that night two months ago at the old castle. I might ask Celestia about that. Seeing that the seat next to Chrysalis is empty, I take my place there.
"So, how did the talk go sister?" I ask.
"Well I have to apologize to you and Chrysalis, I was being rather foalish. Can you forgive me little brother?" Celestia replied trying to look apologetic.
"I can so long as Chrissy here does, oh and you better accept our new family member Tia, or I might be upset with you for shunning one of our own." I say without looking away from Celestia.
It was at this time that the purple unicorn on the other side of the table spoke up, she seemed rather peeved about something too.
"How dare you speak to the princess like that, I don't believe for one second that you're related to her in ANY WAY. I can't believe the extreme disrespect I am seeing right now."
At this I look at Celestia with a raised eyebrow. "You didn't tell her did you?"
"It might have slipped my mind at the time, Ally... sorry about that." She gave a sheepish smile.
"Might I know your names? The only ones I know currently at this table are Celestia and Chrissy here."
After a quick introduction of the group I learned that the purple one from earlier is Celestia's personal student. Go figure... I also found out that these mares were the new wielders of the Elements, and I think they couldn't be in better hooves.
"Well miss Sparkle, I can speak this way to sunbutt here because of one simple fact. I'm related to her." The only jaw tat wasn't on the table was Celestia's since she already knew about me.
"How? I've read every book on the history of Equestria and it never mentioned a Royal Wedding before today's!" Twilight said, not understanding what really happened and I couldn't really blame her.
"You wouldn't be able to read about a Royal Wedding before this one simply because there never was one before now. Me and my wife eloped instead of having a big drawn out ceremony."
Then she asked the one question I wasn't ready to answer yet. "And who was your wife anyway? I mean you keep calling Princess Celestia 'sister' does that mean your wife is-"
"Me..." Oh god please not now! We look over to the door of the dining room to see a midnight blue pony with a deep blue mane standing there. Standing right there was none other than Lunicae Nebula, my wife... and boy did she look pissed. This won't end well.
The silence in the dining room was so thick, it was nearly visible... or maybe that was the huge blue beam of magic flying at me from the doorway.
The beam slammed into me and ripped me from my chair, it then carried me across the room to the other wall. I hit the wall and slumped down to the floor racked with pain. Nearly losing consciousness I assess the damage and it looks like I have several broken ribs and internal bruises. Although the majority of my injuries were from the attack I took from Chrysalis earlier it seems like the blast I just took compounded them.
Looking up from my position on the floor I was greeted by the sight of the midnight blue alicorn looking down at me. "Oh shit!" She then picks me up with magic and throws me back across the room to the other side. I land short of the wall and slide against the floor a bit before coming to a stop. Struggling to my feet I frantically look around for the enraged blue demon. Then something whispers into my ear.
"Behind you..."
Whirling around I met with a hoof to the face and I was sent to the floor once again. During the entire exchange so far the rest of the rooms occupants were too stunned or unsure what was going on to do anything to help me... not that they could help me anyway but I digress. I lay face down on the floor hoping that she would give up and quit this assault soon, oh how wrong I was.
"You can't fool me into stopping dear Ally. She said, her voice positively dripping with anger. She then proceeded to punt me through the air once more causing me to land on the table, promptly crushing it into kindling and splinters. Boy am I lucky I decided to keep my armor on after the battle with Chrysalis earlier, I might not be here right now if i hadn't.
If I was struggling to stand before, now it was nearly impossible to even attempt it. It looked like she was going in for the finisher with her hoof raised above my head ready to stomp me into oblivion. Then I heard Celestia speak up. "I think he has had enough dear sister, don't you? If you continue he might not survive this time." Her statement was punctuated by a giggle.
"I believe you are correct sister, GUARDS!" Just then almost a dozen armored unicorns and pegasi burst into the room with spears at the ready. "I would like you to take our guest here to the infirmary, it seems his injuries are more severe than we had previously anticipated."
As I was being carried away I turned my head to look at the blue monstrosity that had reduced me to a pile of jelly on the floor. "Yea, love you too hun..." I then passed out from the pain.
POV Celestia
As I watched Ally being carted away to the infirmary I looked around the now destroyed table at the six other ponies that just witnessed the one sided battle.
It took nearly five minutes for Twilight to recover enough to turn to me and ask a single question.
"What was that about princess?"
"I believe Luna can answer this question far better than I can. If you wouldn't mind Lulu." I replied, turning to look at my sister who had taken Ally's old seat. I then turn my attention to the smashed table before me, lighting up my horn it is engulfed in a bright flash of light. Once the light subsides the table looks like it was never destroyed to begin with.
"It is very simple dear Twilight, I was merely keeping a promise I had made to him before my banishment." The blue alicorn said not looking away from the menu a servant had placed in front of her.
"And that promise was to beat him to a pulp the next time you saw him, correct princess?" Twilight asked looking a tad green at the scene she had just seen.
"Why of course not twilight... I told him the next time he got himself hurt in one of his stupid ideas, THEN I would beat him to a pulp." She said finally choosing her meal, which consisted of a grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup. After the servant had left to fulfill the order she turned back to the group at the table.
"So what exactly did he do this time dear sister? Considering the condition he was in before my beating he must have been put through the ringer quite thoroughly."
I told her about what had happened at the ceremony and how he had taken Chrysalis's blast head on. The rest of the group started to look a bit ill when i described his injuries from the blast. Right after I had finished recounting the ordeal the doors to the room opened and Shining and Cadence walked in, they were so absorbed in one another they hadn't noticed Chrysalis sitting at the table.
They sat down taking seats next to one another beside Twilight and her friends, completely oblivious to the Changeling queen sitting across the table from them. Once they had been seated and made their choices on food, they finally noticed her.
Shining Armor was the first to speak up. "What is she doing here princess?" Venom nearly pouring our of his tone.
"I see you have noticed our guest Shining. May I introduce you to your cousin Chrysalis." I say in a matter of fact kind of voice.
It took Shining a full minute to recover, "COUSIN!? How is she related to us?!"
"I will explain it all to you, but first I feel I must once again apologize to you Chrissy. If you were to hate me for all the pain and suffering I've caused you I would understand entirely." I say, then I turn back to the couple in front of me. "I must apologize to you two as well, I wasn't always the kind ruler you see before you now, I use to be full of insecurities and the like. One of them involved young Chrysalis here. You see, When I had banished my sister a piece of the Limelight remained. The Limelight was a parasitic being that could sense and siphon emotions to feed itself and when it was sent to the moon along with Luna, it left a portion of its power behind. I found this scrap of energy and contained it. I had hoped that by studying it, I could find a way to destroy it and cleanse my sister of it's influence once and for all."
"However, after several years of testing and experimentation, I made a mistake. During another experiment, one that was along side Starswirl the Bearded, an Animation spell went astray and struck the energy. When the smoke cleared we checked on the energy to make sure it hadn't gotten out, but when we looked into the container we had placed it in... we saw nothing except a tiny Chrysalis. Just to make sure nothing would happen, I took the child into my care. That is until I found out that it had inherited the Limelight's emotion siphoning ability. I immediately banished her from the kingdom out of fear that she would turn out to be the same power hungry parasite like its predecessor had."
"I see now, that I had wrongfully sent a child into a very unforgiving and hostile world. It was because of me that Chrysalis turned out how she had and I have no excuse for it." I say letting my ears droop.
"Is that all true aunt Celestia?" I look up and see Cadence nearly crying. Something I hadn't expected, I thought both her and Shining would hate me for what I did.
"Yes, I am to blame for what has happened here today. And since I was the one who created her, The makes me her mother." I say hanging my head in shame.
It was then I felt a leg wrap around me, pulling me into a hug. "I already told you that I forgive you, is it really so hard to forgive yourself?" Chrysalis said stroking my mane. I felt another set of hooves around me, followed by another, then another until every pony in the room had joined in.
"Thank you, thank you all so much." Was all I could say before the tears started falling from my eyes. Today had started out horrible, but all it really takes is one friend to make your worst day seem so much brighter. It seems I learned something about friendship this time, maybe Twilight would like to hear it sometime.
POV Alucard
The feeling of coming back to the waking world was not very pleasant this time around, simply because body felt like it had been hit with a mountain... twice! Now that my vision is starting to come back, lets look at where they put me... yup infirmary alright. This sucks, I know what nurses are like in these places. A shiver runs down my spine just thinking of Nurse Injection from the war staff, that mare sure loved her needles.
The door opens and a pure white mare with a pale pink mane and tail walked in. "Good morning sir, I hope you are feeling okay now. Our medical staff couldn't work on you last night due to your unique biology so we left you alone after our scans showed your body was slowly healing itself."
"that's fine nurse..."
"Oh, my name is Nurse Snowheart, pleasure to meet you." She replied giving me her name at last. If you feel like you can walk around just fine, your more than welcome to leave if you wish."
"Thank you miss Snowheart, I'll be seeing you around then." I say as I stand from the bed and make my way out into the hall. Turning back to the door I poke my head in, "How long was I out for anyway?"
"Oh, you were out for about fourteen hours."
With that knowledge I quickly found a nearby guard, who thankfully didn't try to attack me. Maybe Tia told them about me already. I had him escort me to the throne room, he informed me that everypony was in the dining hall eating breakfast. Upon arriving at the throne room I entered and allowed the guard to return to his previous task.
Since neither of the princesses were in the room the guards weren't in here at the moment, so without hesitating I walked up the stairs and sat on the throne. A few minutes later I had fallen asleep.
I awoke to the sound of cracking glass. Raising my head I see a crimson dome with a spiderweb of cracks spread out on the front. Looking past the barrier I see a white unicorn stallion with a blond mane and sky blue eyes.
"Who, pray tell, are you young unicorn?" I say letting my barrier slowly repair itself. It's a good thing I put one up after before I dozed off that second time. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice shame on me. I was not going to get hit with magic a third time so soon. though I do have to give this stallion some respect, for him to have damaged it so badly speaks volumes for his prowess as a unicorn. But something felt off about this one, and I aim to find out what.
"I am Prince Blueblood, and I have allowed your vile presence in this castle for too long creature!" Blueblood replied with a scowl.
"Well young prince, I'm afraid you simply do not have the authority to make me leave. Only my wife has that power." During the conversation I was analyzing the strange energy that seems to be affecting the young stallion. After a few seconds I nearly bolted from the throne, I knew that magic felt familiar!
"I have all the authority I need to make you disappear, monster." He continues, but I've already stopped listening to him and started forming a plan to pull the energy out of his system. Finally I just decide to knock him out first.
Standing from the throne, I start to make my way towards the young prince. I get withing striking distance and decide to take the easy route for a change, I slam a sleep spell into his face! Not very elegant but it gets the job done as he slumps to the floor snoring slightly. I then grip his horn and lift his head from the ground. Channeling a bit of power I use it to draw in the offending energy and concentrate it in his horn so that I can pull it out without harming him too badly. Once it was all centered in his horn I start drawing out the energy as carefully as i can.
Needless to say this process isn't very pleasant. In fact it is quite painful to have done. However it is the only way to remove every last bit, so I have no choice.
Once the energy is all drained out of him I pick him up and sling him over my left shoulder. I take him out into the hallway where i flag down a passing guard, Handing the stallion to the guard I have him take the prince to the infirmary for me. Once that is taken care of I head back into the throne room and sit back down on the gold and ivory throne.
One hour later
The door to the rooms opens and the six mares, Tia and Lulu walk in. They're followed by two ponies I don't recognize. One is a white unicorn stallion with a two tone blue mane and a shield with a six pointed arcane star for a cutie mark. The other is surprisingly an alicorn! She's pink with a three tone mane of pink, purple, and pale yellow. and a cutie mark of... the Crystal Heart, now I'm confused.
"hello dear family and subjects, I hope breakfast was a pleasant affair today." I say not getting up from the chair. "I hope you are doing okay this fine morning, because I have some serious news."
"And what would that be little brother?" Tia replied from off to the side.
"It appears our local Chaos Mage sank his claws into young prince Blueblood. I've already taken care of him, but he'll be waking up in the infirmary with a headache and wondering what happened to him."
"Thank you Ally, I'm glad to have you back. Little brother." Tia said with a smile.
POV ???
A cloaked figure stood in the back of a pitch black cave, located somewhere to the east of Canterlot. In front of him stands a pedestal which holds a clear crystal ball. After a few seconds of standing still the figure's horn starts to glow an eerie, almost sickly green color. The unicorn's aura surrounds the crystal ball for a moment and then fades. Then a voice issues forth from the clear ball.
"Have you made any progress with the test subjects I sent you?" The voice was deep and had an ominous boom to it, making it sound like it was coming form multiple directions from within the cave system.
"Of course sire, this batch of test subjects have taken quite well to the injections we've been applying. But some were still failures, and we may require more subjects in order to perfect the serum before we make our final preparations, my Lord." The unicorn replied in a slightly nasally voice.
"If it's more guinea pigs you need, then you shall have them. Expect a fresh group in four days time my loyal servant." And with that the connection drops with an rumbling, echoing chuckle that reverberated throughout the caves
POV Faust
The scene fades from her mind, having just witnessed the conversation between the unicorn and it's master. She needed to prepare a scroll and send it to Alucard before it was too late. What ever those two had planned, she knew Alucard wouldn't res until he put a sop to it if it would put his family and subjects in danger.
POV Alucard
Since our little conversation in the throne room me and the princesses have retired to the private sitting room to begin discussing more important matters
"So Ally, can I ask you something?"Tia says taking a sip of her Chai tea.
"I believe you just asked me one sister." I respond with a smirk.
"I meant a serious one, I wanted to know how you discovered the Chaos magic in young Blueblood's body."
"Indeed Al, how did you know?" Luna asks while leaning against my side and resting her head on my shoulder.
"How much do you two know about Chaos magic?" I ask while pouring myself another cup of tea.
"We don't know all that much, since Discord if the only being with near full control of it." Luna replies from my shoulder.
"Then let me tell you a little more about it, I've come to understand it quite well over these last thousand years. Chaos magic isn't obtained through ordinary means, in order of gain the ability to use Chaos magic... one must understand more than what is possible for a single mind. This form of magic draws its power not from within... but from everything around us. For example, if Discord were here and the two of you got into an argument... he would gain more power. That's how it works fundamentally."
"Now, in order to understand more than what most accept as reality, the mind must first be broken. Once the mind of a being has been shattered, one of two things can happen. Option one it that their mind slowly repairs itself back to the way it was by putting itself into a comatose like state. Once the individual is in this state no outside force can interrupt the process until it is finished."
"The other option is one that is better off never being experienced by mortals. Option two involves a much darker set of circumstances. Once the mind of an individual is shattered like this... one has to make a choice. The choice to accept reality or to reject it. And for those who choose to rehect the reality around them, they remain as they are. Shattered until they come to an understanding. This can take as little time as a day, or as long as a lifetime. But eventually the individual comes to a conclusion, and that conclusion is always the same for everyone."
"The conclusion all Chaos mages come to, is that reality is what we make of it. And it makes sense that way, if one of them were to believe that something is so, then the forces of the magic bend to that individuals will to make it so. For example, if I wanted to turn your crowns into chocolate, all I would need to do is apply enough willpower and the magic that built up inside of me would mix with that willpower and change your crowns into chocolate wrapped in gold foil."
"But there is another facet of Chaos magic that is what you two are already aware of. It is called Chaos Explosion, this happens when a Chaos magic user stops using their magic for a certain length of time. At which point the magic they have been accumulating will start to overflow into their immediate surroundings. Forcing the magic to take random effects and live up to its name sake, Chaos."
"Discord is a prime example of this affliction. His buildup of Chaos magic is extremely fast, so do the two of you know what that means?"
"That his magic would start to overflow faster?" Luna responds with her head still resting on my shoulder.
"Indeed, now you two understand why he uses his magic so frequently. If he stopped I dare say his overflow would destroy the planet. When Chaos magic starts to overflow like that, there is no will driving it for a singular purpose like always. So in turn the magic does what ever it wants regardless of what the consequences might be. It would reverse gravity for the whole planet if it wanted, or it could turn all your gold into lead. do you see what I'm getting at?"
"I think I understand, but I want to know how you found out all of this." Tia asks from the other side of the table.
"Well how about I show you?" I say while slipping off one of my black steel gauntlets. Once it's free I snap my fingers and in a burst of red light a glass of strawberry milk appears on the table. "I know all of this because I myself have acquired Chaos magic dear sister. And before you ask, no I won't explain it to you right now. It is getting quite late and I haven't gotten proper sleep in a while. I will however tell you over breakfast in the morning."
A short walk later found me and Luna outside her bedchambers. The doors were painted black with a depiction of a crescent moon and starry night, how very fitting.
After a quick shower I magicked up some night clothes for myself and climbed into bed beside my beautiful moon goddess. Within minutes I was sucked into a dreamless sleep.
However unbeknownst either of us a scroll appeared in a black flash with a magenta ribbon tied around it and fell onto Luna's writing desk on the far side of the room.
Morning swiftly approached the gleaming city of Canterlot. Small birds fluttered and chirped about as if nothing was wrong... while in fact there was something terribly wrong. The princess of the night was almost late setting the moon to make way for the morn.
Fortunately she has a sister to help her when she herself falls short, and today is one of those days. After all, who wouldn't want to sleep in the day after their husband decides to drop in? So when one of the figures in the Lunar princesses bedchambers starts to stir, it's no surprise that it's Alucard himself. The vampire looked around the room with his bleary eyes and tried to shake the sleep from his head, once that was accomplished he peered around the room until his eyes settled on the note resting upon the writing desk opposite the bed.
Getting up while trying not to wake his sleeping wife, Alucard made his way over to the desk and carefully picked up the scroll. tip toeing to the balcony he steps out into the cold morning air. As the moon slowly dips below the horizon and the sun slowly takes its place in the brisk morning sky, Alucard stood there enjoying the cool breeze for a few moments he turns his attention back to the scroll still clutched in his hand. It was a rather small roll pf parchment from the look of it, but from his experience small never meant it wasn't bad news. With an almost crippling feeling of trepidation he broke the seal and unfurled the roll of paper. There written dead center of the parchment was a single word, one that in fact meant nothing to the man holding it.
Millennium
Deciding not to think too hard about it he put it in his pocket dimension with a flash of crimson light. After which he re-entered the room and made preparations for his day... and the first stop was to get something to eat. While he could just find something to drain of blood he would rather wait until he needed it before resorting to such drastic measures.
Making his way to the dining hall he passed through the infirmary, and he had the sudden urge to check in on the young prince that was currently there being treated. After talking to a few terrified nurses, go figure, he discovered that the stallion was placed in the private wing reserved for members of the royal family.
Entering the room he spotted the one he was there to see almost instantly, and to his surprise the stallion was awake and reading a book of some kind!
"Ahem... Good morning nephew, I hope your recovery is going well?"
"Are you the creature everypony has been talking about? The one that single hoofedly stopped the changeling invasion?" The young prince exclaimed, Alucard was expecting fear to be present in his eyes. However upon closer inspection he saw nothing but admiration in them, almost as if this stallion looked up to him, though he could not fathom why.
"I don't think you received the whole story young Blueblood, I was not alone. I had a small army of my own that did most of the work. I just handled things before they got too hectic." The vampire responded. "Also, I have to ask... Why do you not fear me like the majority of the castle staff?"
"Well... I think the main reason I don't fear you is because you helped free me from my prison. Being locked inside ones own mind is the most unbearable feeling I've ever known. I saw my body doing and saying things that I would never dream of doing, all while being powerless to stop it from happening." The white stallion replied from his hospital bed.
"I know how you feel, I was almost possessed by the same entity that claimed Luna so long ago. However it found my mind to be quite a terrible place to be and fled to a more usable host. Namely Luna herself. The Limelight was in control of me for a total of an hour before it fled my mind in search of a more suitable host. That was an hour where i was trapped inside my own mind waiting for it all to end. At one point I was hoping that either one of the guards or Celestia would end my torment and by extension destroy the Limelight as well." He explained, looking off into space as if remembering it as he was speaking. "Well I must be going young Blueblood, Do try and get better quickly, hm?"
Leaving the Infirmary area of the castle, he made his way to the dining hall and was met with a rather odd sight, sitting alone at the table was the same lavender unicorn from the previous night.
"Good morning Twilight Sparkle, May I ask to why you're up so early? I would think the majority of ponies would still be sleeping as the sun only rose a half hour ago." He said as he approached the table and sat down opposite the unicorn.
"Oh! Good morning prince Alucard, i just couldn't sleep very well last night, mostly because of all the questions I wanted to ask you!" She replied energetically.
"Well once I have some sort of breakfast, we can move to the castle library and you can ask me all the questions you like, miss Sparkle."
"Please, call me Twilight... I'm not all that comfortable with formalities." She said, returning to the papers she had around her. They looked to be letters of some kind.
"What are those, if you don't mind my asking that is." He spoke up after letting the servant know what he wanted to eat.
'oh. these are just past reports I've sent to the princess over the last two months, telling her what I've learned about friendship and such. I like to re-read them to remind myself how much my life has changed for the better ever since I let friendship into my life." She said with a sweet smile.
After a few minutes of small talk Alucards food arrived and he ate rather quickly, he had a lot to do today and needed all the time he could get after all. Though it looked like he would be spending most of his day with Twilight here answering and possibly asking questions. Finishing his food he waited for Twilight to pack her papers up and they wandered out into the corridors. After about fifteen minutes of idle chatter and walking they arrived at the library. The librarian , a unicorn by the name of Leather Bindings, led them to the far back where they could talk undisturbed for a while.
So for the next several hours Twilight grilled the prince on several subject matters, like what is was like living during the founding of Equestria and weather or not he knew Starswirl the Bearded. However one question caught him off guard...
"I've been meaning to ask, Why did princess Luna attack you in the dining hall last night? It seemed like she wasn't holding back at all!" The lavender unicorn exclaimed.
"Ah... that is a story indeed. It goes back to the Griffin Minotaur war..."
Two armies gathered on opposite sides of a ravaged valley, some would later say that the battle had placed a curse on that very place, but as the two forces prepared for the massive battle that would surely put all previous ones to shame there was one being who was more anxious than the rest. His name was Alucard Nebula, now most stallions would scoff at the male taking the females name during marriage. But what happens when the "stallion" doesn't have a last name to pass to the mare?
Now, this wasn't the average grunt of the military... no he was in command of the massive army on his side of the valley. With all that was going on, any other commander would be nervous... but this wasn't his first battle as commander. By now he had participated in over a dozen major conflicts over the last several months. Now only hours away from possibly ending the entire war on the battlefield below, he preps his armor and weapons. On a rack of armor rested a set of matte black armor that gleamed in the soft lantern light inside of the tent. Next to the armor leaning against the wall was a polished longsword that looks far too large to handle by the average pony. Then again this wasn't your average pony, in fact he wasn't a pony at all! He was in reality an immortal vampire from another dimension, sounds insane to the average passerby. But one thing anyone must know about Alucard is the word insane... because that was his personality just about half of the time. Now getting ready for battle was something he as accustomed to by now as the war has been raging for the past few months. And in that time there have been many close calls.
With the rest of the camp buzzing with activity Alucard finished placing his armor on and strapped his sword to his side. Stepping out of his tent he made his way to the staging area to brief his second in command on the plan, which in fact was nearly suicidal even for Alucard.
Entering the tent a maroon pegasus stallion looked up from the map and saw him. "Good day commander, I hope preparations are coming together nicely?"
"Indeed they are Striker however there has been a change in the plan, a rather large change I must say." Alucard replied to the warrior.
"What has changed? From what I can see of the enemy they haven't changed course yet." Striker asked looking rather confused.
"That's the reason for the change in plans. I have a feeling, I can't quite place it but I don't like it one bit. That's why I'm going down there alone to fight them while you all stay here and fight from a distance." The vampire explained.
"Now hold on a minute sir, you mean to tell me you intend to fight that army by yourself? It's not that I don't think you can. I'm just trying to remind you what Princess Luna would do if she found out about this." Striker said with a bit of fear mixed in his voice.
"I know perfectly well what she would do Steel, she would probably beat me to within an inch of my immortal life then heal me and start over again." Alucard said with a wide grin and walked out of the tent.
He walked to the edge of the camp and continued to walk down into the valley down below the two massive armies, from where he was he would estimate the opposing army to be around fifty thousand strong. He could easily take that himself if he could release his full power, but his wife and her sister asked him to not use it after that first time as it still gave his soldiers nightmares.
As he approached the center of the valley a darkness spread from his location. As it spread forms began to rise from the ground and slowly take shape. As the figures began to take their full forms they were revealed to be the rotting corpses of battles prior to the one about to commence, among their ranks were various griffons and minotaurs, but there was another shape rising above the rest. In the back of the undead army rose a massive shadow that easily towered above anything in sight, and that shadow solidified to unveil a massive reptilian beast with four heads.
A hydra now stood over the battlefield and towered over the undead force massed underneath it. By now the griffons and minotaurs have seen the vampire and his army down below them in the valley and had started mobilizing their own forces, if they thought they could win with a couple of rotting corpses then let them try.
Back on the battlefield the two opposing armies gathered ready to end this war once and for all. The griffons and minotaurs hoped they could bring down Alucard while Alucard was hoping to completely destroy their forces here and cripple their advances elsewhere.
POV Alucard
I watch as the avian and bovine army approached my location once both of our armies were in position... they charged.
"GO FORTH MY CHILDREN AND TEAR THEM ASUNDER, LEAVE NOTHING LEFT AS WE RIP THEM TO PIECES!!" I bellow as my undead troops follow suit. I charge along side my men as we clash with the enemy in front of us, the sounds of battle ring out across the valley. Cries of pain and death along with the crashing of metal on metal fills my ears as I rip and tear through countless enemies as I continue my path toward the center of the massive melee. Off to my right I can see my hydra devouring minotaurs and griffons without any stopping in sight. That made me chuckle a little as I imagined those poor bastards being dissolved in the potent acid hydras brewed in their digestive track.
Turning my attention to my foes in front of me I notice a particularly tough looking minotaur wielding a large double bladed battle axe and was wearing armor adorned with the skulls of ponies, possibly his trophies from previous victories. Too bad for him I was about to end him once and for all. With a small bust of speed I reach the minotaur in seconds with my sword drawn for combat, until now I had been ripping apart my enemies bare handed so as to not soil my weapon with their filthy blood, but this opponent might just be worthy of falling to my blade.
The minotaur barely sees me in time to dodge my first attack, giving him some breathing room. However I won't allow him any time to recover from it as I charge forward to close the gap. Bringing my sword up in a vertical swipe I knock his axe up out the of the way so that I can get to his torso and start carving him apart. Swiping left, right diagonally, I leave him in pieces on the ground as another quickly takes its place in front of me.
This minotaur has a large way hammer and is clad in what looks like heavy steel plate armor. As opposed to my armor which is made of metal strips that do not hinder my movement, his will make him slow and easy to kill. As he raises his hammer I quickly dart forward and use my sword deadly sharp point to punch a hole in his chest piece. My sword struck his left lung and made him drop his weapon in pain, pulling my sword fre of his chest I then stab it back in and pull to the right slicing through his upper body and spraying blood on my armor.
The carnage continued for what felt like an eternity but was in reality only a half an hour, near the ed of the battle both of our forces were dwindling down to almost nothing. Leaving me with fifteen griffons and four minotaurs on my side, about half way through the fight my hydra had fallen. In front of me a mere seven griffons and five minotaurs remained. With a battle cry I charged the remaining enemies while my undead followed along with me. Knowing they wouldn't be able to get away, the griffons and minotaurs that were still alive charged with all they had intent on going down fighting instead of running away.
Within minutes the final confrontation was over and the only one left standing was me in the middle of a massive battlefield coated in blood and chunks of dead soldiers. Looking at my armor I noticed some of the spaces in my armor now had small pieces of flesh and gore stuck in them. I turn as I make my way back to the camp on my side of the valley.
As I enter camp Steel Striker approaches me with a hint of fear in his eyes. "Sir, The Princesses are here to speak with you."
"Well that was fast, I guess I better get this over with." I say as I make my way towards the tent in the center of the camp. As I enter I'm blasted in the chest with a cerulean beam of magic.
"HOW. DARE. YOU. DO. SOMETHING. SO. STUPID!" Each word was punctuated by a beam hitting me as I was sent flying back out of the tent. Once I skid to a stop on the dirt I lay there in pain unable to move. I hear the sounds of hooves coming towards me as I lay there.
"The next time you do something like this, or anything stupid for that matter. This is the punishment you will receive from me." The voice of my wife sounded from somewhere above me. Then the world slowly fades as I slip into unconsciousness.
End flashback
"And that's why Luna beat me nearly to death last night at dinner." I say as I finish my story and look at the purple unicorn sitting at the table, although she looked more green than purple at this point. She quickly bolted for the nearest restroom. I mentally shrug and get up from the library table. Making my way back towards the throne room I enter and find Celestia talking with Luna during a break in what I assume was court.
"Hello Ally, how has your day been so far?" Celestia asks with a smile on her face.
"It has been rather nice I must admit, though I don't think Twilight will be joining us for dinner tonight." I respond with a wave of my hand.
"OH, and why would that be Ally?" Luna inquires.
"She wanted to know why you attacked me an dinner last night, so I told her the battle at Blood Valley, and what you did to me plus the promise you made to me." I say as I sit on the Dias next to the throne in the center.
"No you didn;t... That kind of story isn't meant for ponies to hear Alucard! She's probably going to be having nightmares for weeks now!" Luna exclaimed while Celestia looked rather pale.
"I'm sorry but when somepony asks me a question I don't sugar coat it. You of al ponies should know that by now." I say with a shrug.
Two days later found me in the castle archives looking for anything that may pertain to the note he received. I pulled everything from world history to newspaper clippings hoping to find something to ease this feeling of apprehension towards the note. About four hours into my search the door to the library opens up and Prince Blueblood walks in, after a moment of looking around he spots me and comes over.
"Ah, Prince Alucard. I have been looking for you." He exclaims as he takes a seat on the opposite side of the table I was using for my research.
"Have you now? And what would a Prince have need of another Prince for young Blueblood?" I say without looking up from the book I was currently searching through.
"Yes, I've been thinking about the Discord fiasco and I came to the same conclusion every time I tried. I'm simply not strong enough to protect the things I hold dear to me, my aunts Celestia and Luna." At this I look up in bewilderment as he had just admitted that he was weak, back before Luna's banishment royalty were suppose to never show weakness as it was the sign of an incompetent ruler. "I also overheard auntie Celestia talking to the element bearers the other afternoon and one of them asked how you were so powerful, She said that was mostly because of you being a vampire that you had so much power."
"Well, seems you know your stuff. But I'm afraid I don't know how this involves me young Prince." I say as I turn my attention back to the book in my hands.
"I want you to turn me into a vampire, if possible." He says as I'm turning a page, my hand jerks in surprise and the page tears halfway out.
After a few seconds of silence I manage to compose myself. "And why would you wish to take the form of one of the most hated demons in existence?"
"I want the power to protect those I care about, no matter the cost. How can I call myself a Prince if I can't even keep my subjects safe in times of strife?!" He cried, I wanted to say yes right then and there... but I needed to talk it over with Celestia and Luna first to see if they were okay with it.
"Well, I need to speak with Celestia and Luna about this matter before I can agree of disagree with this plan of yours young Blueblood." I say as I get ready to place the books and other items back where I found them.
"Um, If you don't mind me asking what were you looking up?" He asks looking around and noticing that most of the information pertained to the last thousand years.
"I received an anonymous note a few days ago with a single word written on it. I was hoping to find something out about it here, but alas my efforts were in vain as there appears to be no mention of Millennium that I've found thus far." I say as I place a book back on a nearby shelf. After a few minutes I finish placing the tomes back and I inform the keeper that I am finished. "Lets go have a chat with your aunties."
It took us about five minutes to reach the throne room and the guards swung the doors open as we approached. Both Celestia and Luna were there talking to one of the 'Nobles' who had completely unrealistic requests. "Alright everypony court is done for today." I say as we enter the room.
The other ponies in the room looked at me and nearly fainted from fright as they had never seen me before now. While being mildly amusing it didn't help my situation in the slightest.
"And why should we listen to a monstrosity like you?" One of the nobles asks from the back of the crowd. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Celestia and Luna both grow worried I would make a scene or something... and they were entirely correct in their assumptions.
"You should listen to me because if you don't leave you will end up either dead on this pretty marble floor or teleported somewhere on the other side of the planet with no way home, and trust me I intend on following up on these threats." I reply as I make my way slowly towards the thrones which just so happened to be behind the group of now scared shitless nobles.
As I got close they all surged by me and made for the door... and the entire time I couldn't wipe the grin off of my face. With all of them now gone I approached the Dias and looked up at my wife and sister. "Good Afternoon to the both of you." I say with a small bow, but not without a smirk.
"I hope you have a good reason for interrupting Court Husband Dearest?" Luna complains as she stands up and makes her way down the steps. The entire time Blueblood hasn't moved from his spot from when we entered the room and I threatened the Snobles. "Not that I'm truly upset over not having to deal with those brats, But I would like to get done with them in a timely manner so that I have at least a little time to myself this afternoon."
"I believe what I have to say is more important then the entire nobility combined Lovely Luna. Young Blueblood has made a request of me... One that I'm afraid concerns all of us in this room at the moment." I respond while dropping the smirks and smiles and becoming serious enough to make even Starswirl nervous. "I'll let him explain it to the two of you and let you be the judge of what is to happen. Just know, Blueblood that I will respect their decision and nothing you say can affect it once it is made. So your job is to convince them that it is worth the effort."
"You see aunties, I feel that with the latest crisis along with the Discord incident that I don't have the power to protect what I love and care about. These past few days I have just been sitting in my chambers thinking about how to become strong enough to help others when another situation arises. I don't want to sit on the sidelines while you or the Elements or Prince Alucard go off to fight. It makes me feel worthless when I can't fight for my subjects and have to cower among them... I honestly feel like I owe it to them to fight to keep them safe from these kinds of things." Prince Blueblood exclaimed garnering shocked expressions from both Celestia and Luna.
"We had no idea you felt this strongly about protecting those around you nephew. But I don't know how to help you gain the kind of power you seek, short of making you an Alicorn. But even then because of Cadence recently ascending another Alicorn appearing would throw the magical balance off too far, the earliest it could happen is a year from now I'm afraid." Celestia says as she walks down the steps and stops in front of Blueblood. "I wish there was more we can do."
"There may not be anything you can do Aunt Celestia, Uncle Alucard can. I overheard that he is a Vampire and I did some research and found out that fully turned Vampires can turn others so long as they are a virgin, and as far as I know I haven't bedded any mares yet. So with your permission I wish for him to turn me into a Vampire so that I have the power to protect my subjects!" He declared, Once again receiving stunned looks from both Alicorns standing in front of him.
"You know that by doing so you give up your title as Prince of Equestria and you become a citizen of the Sanguine Empire and must follow all the laws and customs therein?" Celestia asks once she had recovered from her shock.
"I am willing to accept those conditions so long as I can protect those I care about." He replies as he looks expectantly between the two.
"So long as you know what you are getting into we see no reason to stop you, your motives are pure hearted and noble." Luna declared while extending her wings for emphasis.
"So it is decided, and feel free to invite your Element Bearers Sister. I have no qualms if they wish to observe. We shall reconvene in four hours so I can begin young Blueblood's transformation." I say as I turn around and make my way to the door. I only take a few steps toward the large wooden gates.
"Wait a moment Ally, We wish to speak with you about a few things regarding Chaos Magic and Discord. We want to know if it was possible for him to live in peace with us... You seem to have your magic under complete control so perhaps you could help him adjust to his?" Luna asks with a worried look while Celestia is just standing there staring off into space for some reason.
"If only it were that easy Luna, the one thing that I never mentioned is that Chaos Magic is alive like other magic. However it goes a litter further than that but I can't talk about that now. As for if I think Discord can live among us without conflict, I believe it is possible if both parties were to give each other a fair chance. We must work together with each other and find an outlet for his magic so that it doesn't overflow quite as much." I answer as I turn around to face them once again. "If you want we can go let him out again?"
"As long you are there to keep him in line I see no harm in letting him speak for himself. What say you sister?" Luna says as she turns towards her Solar counterpart.
"I guess it couldn't hurt." She replies almost as if in a daze.
"What's the matter sister?" Luna reaches out to grasp her sister's shoulder. "You seem distant."
"I am not sure Lulu, I just got this feeling of foreboding all of a sudden but I can't understand it." This doesn't sound good... Looks like I'll need to have my guards ready in the near future.
Just then a scroll materialized directly in front of me and although I don't look it I am quite startled indeed. I grab the scroll out of the air and ready to break the seal only for a wave of cold to wash over me, it seems that the others don't feel it so I just shrug it off and open the scroll anyway. What I find written on the parchment is one of the last things I wanted to see until after I had died.
POV Celestia
I saw him hesitate to open the scroll for a full three seconds before breaking the seal and unfurling the scroll only for him to stop and stare blankly at the words written on it. But then I noticed a change, however subtle it was, as his breathing became harsher and more labored. in mere moments the air in the room had bitten into every one of us right down to the bone and infected our very beings with numbness. The next thing I know Alucard is screaming in what appears to be agony after having dropped the scroll. We could do nothing but watch as he writhed in pain and flailed his arms about, any attempt to get closer was met with a surge of his chaos magic turning those who dared into inanimate objects. This continued for almost three minutes before his screams subsided and he seemed to calm down, and them he looked at us... His eyes had gone from their piercing blue to a violent crimson red. I knew then that unless I did something none of us would live much longer, the last time I had seen him in this state was when an assassin was sent after Luna.
Throwing the strongest shield I could manage around the group. I had only gotten the barrier set up before he started pounding on it with his fists making small cracks start appearing after the fourth hit. Sister I need you to cast a sleep spell on his NOW!"
"Right..." It seems that this is affecting her, But she manages to cast the spell before my shield can fully break under the force of Alucard's attacks which were now becoming les powerful as the sleep spell took hold over him. In all it took about 4 minutes for him to fall to the floor unconscious.
After getting some guards to take him to the infirmary I walk over to the scroll he had dropped and pick it up. Flipping it over so I could see what was written on it that could make him go berserk like that. But I wasn't prepared for what I saw... there written on the middle of the parchment was a name I hadn't heard in over a thousand years.
The Medical wing of the castle was buzzing with activity one evening in mid fall... as a new life would soon enter this world for all to see. The mare who was to being this life into the world was none other than the younger of the two regal sisters. As the Nurses and Doctors hurried around the room with different pieces of equipment meant for various things. Though standing in the corner trying not to faint from the situation I was being placed in and somehow looking even more pale and lifeless than anyone thought possible.
Soon the screaming of the regal figure gave way to the quieter screaming of newborn lungs taking their first breaths of air. The nurses cleaning the newly born foal off to the side. I slowly move closer to my wife and take her hoof in my hand. We each give one another a reassuring smile and turn to face the Doctor now holding our child in a pink blanket. Luna took the small bundle in her hooves while I stood by her side and watched. I had been told of the pony naming process but had not seen it in person until now. Holding her horn to the foals forehead which also sported a lump indicating she would grow her own horn later. Luna's give off a brief glow before she smiles and whispers to herself. Then she turns to face up at me and through a teary smile she says, "Ally, say hi to our daughter Shadow Lily!" It was then I black out as the gravity of what just happened hit me like a freight train. But as the darkness consumed me I thought I heard the Doctors scrambling and making noise, oh how I wanted to tell them to shut up and let my wife and newborn daughter rest.
POV Luna
After Alucard had been carried from the room I hadn't moved from the spot I was standing. It was that look in his eyes again... I never thought I would have to see that again. The bloodlust behind them still terrifies me to this day but... I can't bring myself to fear my Ally. His desire to protect those he cares about is one of the reasons I fell for him in the first place. "Sister you should call Twilight and her friends back up here in case the elements are needed to calm him down like the last time this happened"
"I fear you may b correct Luna." Celestia replied while a scroll appeared and she started writing the summons for her student. Within seconds it was done and sent off to Ponyville. "I propose we talk to Ally when he wakes sister. He might not be okay when he wakes up and remembers what happened."
"That sounds like a good idea Tia." And with that we make our way off to the infirmary with Blueblood in tow. Though after a few minutes of walking he asks the question we were most expecting and something I was wondering as well since I didn't know either.
"What was on the scroll Aunt Celestia? It must have been pretty bad to get to Uncle like that."
At this Celestia tensed and nearly tripped over her hooves. "It was a name... One that reminded him of his greatest failure both as a prince and father." After that nothing more was said as we made our way to the room where he as resting. Of course I knew that only meant one of two names... Which one however I don't know. We enter the room they placed him in and saw his sleeping peacefully.
"Why?"
This got my attention as I didn't know what Celestia was asking. "What is it sister?"
"Why did this have to happen so soon after getting him back?" Looking in her eyes I could see tears almost ready to spill out.
"I don't know Tia, but you can bet I'll find out."
After a little while the Elements arrived back at the throne room and were waiting for the two of us. though a few didn't look like they were happy to be called here so soon after going home to rest. I can't blame them in that regard, I too wish I could curl up and sleep... but Alucard needs me right now.
"I am sure all of you are wondering why we have called you back so soon, I'm afraid an incident has occurred involving Prince Alucard." Celestia started explaining to the group gathered below.
"What happened Princess?" It was Twilight who spoke up first, though the rest of them looked like they had questions of their own.
"It seems somepony decided to contact him today during an impromptu meeting between myself, Luna, Blueblood and himself. The message had been sent with the sole purpose of setting his anger off... with rather violent results. Thankfully nopony got hurt but I am concerned that somepony may be targeting Alucard." She continued.
This time I stepped in to offer some information. "The message that arrived via teleportation contained only two words, two words that can send him off the deep end almost instantly as they remind him of his greatest failure. Both as a male and a ruler."
This time the meek pegasus spoke up from the back of the group, "What were they... If you don't mind me asking that is..."
"I don't have any problem with sharing such information so long as it doesn't leave this room as it is a secret kept from all but family. The two words were-"
"Shadow Lily"
Nearly everyone in the room jumped out of their fur as the sound of Alucard's voice echoed from the doorway . Looking up I saw him standing there looking at us from the entryway. Looking even closer I saw his eye still had the piercing red color instead of the calming blue he normally has.
"Dear what are you doing up already? You should be resting after your ordeal!" I call to him from were I was standing.
"No Luna... It seems I have taken too long to solve the riddle set before me. I must finish what has been presented to me before I can truly rest." He says while taking long strides to reach us quickly. "Tell me Celestia, Luna... does the word Millennium mean anything to you?" He continued with an almost steely gaze fixed on us.
Looking to my left I saw Tia sweating profusely. What could she know about it that could cause her to act this way?
"Now hold on, Weren't we gonna learn what this Shadow Lily was all about?" A voice spoke up from the gathered mares, the voice belonging to Rainbow Dash.
"I suppose you all should know, but be warned I won't tolerate being interrupted during this... To start with I should explain just who Shadow Lily was. In her time she was the most talented unicorn when it came to illusion magic and conjuring magical constructs, like physical objects constructed purely out of raw magic. She was also going to be a teacher at my magic school but that's another story altogether. However the most important of her titles was one of her least known, She was the daughter of Luna and I." He explained in an almost monotone voice devoid of emotion.
"WHAT?!" The group collectively shouted.
"But if she was your daughter then why haven't we seen or heard anything about her before?" Twilight questioned looking like her brain was melting.
"That's simple Twilight, I didn't want anyone knowing. So I hide or destroyed everything pertaining to her existence."
"But why would you do that?" Fluttershy asked looking about ready to cry.
POV Alucard
"It all started around her second birthday, her doctor had asked to see both Luna and I in private and explained to us something that would eventually add to the reasons Luna turned into Nightmare Moon. According to Doctor Pulse at the time it appeared that her health was on a steady decline with very fe causes possible. The most likely was simple biology, meaning that while Luna and I could have children they likely wouldn't survive past their tenth birthday. And so we were forced to watch as our daughter withered away. We had thought long and hard about our situation, As Luna still wanted to have children we came to a decision. We agreed to let another into our relationship and form a herd of sorts, while back then it wasn't as common as it likely is now... We allowed a Unicorn stallion who had been seeking Luna's affection before I arrived to join us. It was a year later when Luna was found to be carrying another foal. This time a healthy unicorn colt. The major difference being the body structure or both the colt and Shadow. While the colt was born as an ordinary pony Shadow was a hybrid of sorts. She was born bipedal like me but with features of her unicorn heritage."
"Who was the unicorn that joined the two of you?" Rarity asked, though I don't know why because it isn't relevant right now.
"His name was Star Gazer, Unfortunately He is no longer with us." Luna spoke from behind me.
"Anyway moving on and skipping seven years down the line, It is now Shadow's ninth birthday and she was already bed ridden, Even her magic which had been almost as strong as Luna's was too weak to help her move under her own power at that point. It was three days after her birthday that she passed from this world and moved on to the other side. That day marked my biggest failure as a father. Two days later the service was held and the entire castle staff was present. That is who Shadow Lily was." With that I turn around and address Celestia. "You have been rather quiet sister, Something you wish to share with the rest of us?"
She was practically sweating bullets now. "That name, Millennium. I haven't heard it in almost seven hundred years. Not since The Purge."
Silence filled the throne room, to the point it was suffocating. The rest of us were confused beyond words, and so I waited for her to continue her explanation.
"Sister, What is this 'Purge'?" Luna asks from somewhere to my right.
With a sigh she started. "It is a time I do not wish to relive, But for this it is necessary. Several months after the Nightmare Moon incident there was a group of ponies who believed Luna's fall from grace was because of the, and I quote, Abomination from Tartaraus and lead a campaign to rid Equestria of it's evil. Unfortunately this meant killing or driving away those who shared Alucard's heritage. If you are wondering as to why I did not step in and stop this... I have no excuse for my lack of action. My grief had blinded me and I simply did not care at the time. By the time I recovered and tried to do something to stop them it was already too late, they had already killed or driven off those who Alucard shared his powers with."
"And what does this have to do with Millennium? " I ask not really seeing the point of this tale.
"The different groups who were exterminating those who were turned into Vampires by you were actually organised by an organization known as Millennium. I felt like I had failed those who looked up to us for guidance. I... I hunted them like animals, I turned into a bloodthirsty tyrant on a war path. It was during that time Chrysalis was created and subsequently banished." On the verge of tears she continues. "I thought I had eradicated them back then, though it seems I missed some and they have come back to finish what they started. Though I don't know who their target is. As the only ones with Vampire powers now are us royals and soon Blueblood." suddenly there were two impacts behind me. Turning around I saw that both Fluttershy and Rarity had fainted, the later onto a sofa that wasn't there previously. I merely arch my brow and turn back to Celestia.
Now I was getting somewhere with this, "Do you know where they would be? I intend to take the fight to them and wipe them out completely before they can even muster any defense." At this Celestia shook her head. "Damn, I guess that would be too easy. I guess I should go prepare." And with that I turn and start making my way to the courtyard.
It wasn't long before I heard the entire group following me, not that I cared. If they wanted to watch me train, then let them. Reaching the courtyard I walk to the center where there aren't any trees. Reaching into my jacket I grab hold of the crystal I've kept there since the day I received it.
POV Rainbow Dash
So when we get outside Alucard stops and looks around for something. I still don't fully trust him yet even though everyone else has forgotten how brutal he was at the wedding a few weeks ago. The way he killed the changelings was almost evil, he seemed to enjoy killing and it still sends chills through my wings.
He started reaching into his coat and pulled some kind of gem out, It was a chunk of black crystal with savagely sharp jagged edges and seemed to suck the very light from around it. Then without warning he plunged the crystal into his chest!
POV Alucard
After a moment of reflecting I plunge the object into my chest as far as possible. At first there is no pain... But after a few seconds it happens. It feels like my very life force is being ripped in two. The agony seemed to last forever but I knew it was mere moments When it was over my breath came in ragged heaves. I look up from the ground and saw the results of my pain, there standing in front of me was myself. I took a moment to steady my breathing before I spoke anything.
"Hello Ally... It's been quite a while since you last called upon my skills. Though I can't say it was long enough considering how pathetic you have become. look at you! Summoning me never took this much out of you, you've grown weak and frail since my last visit. If only Star could see you now, he would be very disappointed in how far you've fallen.: My double spat with venom dripping from his voice, there was a barely noticeable echo as well.
Now I had gotten my breathing under control and I stood to my full height and stared my double down, "Well, it seems you still haven't dropped your grudge with me then. I had hoped you would help me today but I guess we'll have to settle things once and for all first."
"Finally something we can both agree on!" My doppelganger replied with a manic grin and without another word he charged at blinding speeds closing the distance between us in mere seconds.
POV Alucard Clone
I close in before he can even defend himself from me and land a devastating straight right on his face knocking him off his feet and sending him tumbling across the dirt. Knowing that if I let him recover it could make things harder for me I rush him before he could get to his feet. He barely gets his guard up in time for my barrage of punches and even then a few slipped through and did some damage. This continued for some time and eventually he was too tired to keep his defenses up and he was now vulnerable. I brought my right arm back and prepared for a final attack that would send him to the ground. Using as much force as I could put behind it I slammed my right fist into his gut and drove the air from his lungs.
He crashed to the ground and laid there, Disgusting... you pathetic fool. WHEN WILL YOU EVER LEARN!? even if he is down for the count he will receive now mercy from me! With this thought I slammed my heavy boot into his side earning a sickeningly sweet snap as his ribs were broken under my heel.
"You pathetic worm! How do you plan on protecting these ponies when you can't even protect yourself FROM yourself!" Slamming my foot into him again earned another crunching squelch. "YOU ARE WEAK, INSIGNIFICANT, WORTHLESS! you do not belong here yet you are too stubborn to realize this! How many times must I teach you this? You never had any true power-"
"YOU'RE WRONG!"
Looking over to my left I see a group of ponies though one was marching over here, It was Luna... Not wanting to deal with it right now I threw up a barrier to keep them out. It was then I saw Alucard twitch under my boot.
"S-she's right. Y-you are wrong." With this he started to stand his hand gripping the side I stomped in. "You are the weak one here, but I don't think that's a bad thing. We are weak creatures by nature. Our insecurities are the reason we form bonds and are also why we have friends. When we are surrounded by allies it is easier to stay positive about the future. Think of it this way, if we are clumsy we may stumble and bump into things. But as long as we have faith in our future, and our inner strength emerges on its own. But we have to choose that path and vow to live life to the fullest and not let things like anger or sadness get in our way." He finished with a soft smile
I don't get it, how can he say things like this even when he's being beaten into a pulp? Maybe... Maybe there is more to strength than raw power after all.
"That is a rather profound answer my friend, stay your path and you will not fail." With that said I reach forward and grasp the crystal still embedded into his chest and let myself return to him, this time without pain.
POV Alucard
With him gone and this session complete I start to pull the crystal from my chest. Once it's out it appears to have not left any mark behind as usual. Turning to look at the small audience I take note of their expressions. most of them had soft smiles though there were ones that worried me a bit, mostly Twilight's crazy grin and twitching left eye. then there were the worried looks from Celestia and Luna not much surprise there.
"I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS!!" this came from the lavender mare before she fainted.
"Well who wants to get some lunch?" I ask nonchalantly.
And so with Tia leading them we make it back to the dining hall. The entire time I can see many questions forming in the young mares minds, even a few from my wife and sister. I knew I wasn't going to get away with not answering them so I resigned myself for a game of twenty questions. We make it to the dining hall and everyone takes a seat, the servants come and take orders. I myself have nothing as I have no real need of solid food, most of the time I eat out of a need to make others feel at ease. Dining with someone who never eats is rather unnerving... Or so I've been told.
The first one to speak is Twilight or course. "What was that back there? It looked like Dark magic."
What? "Dark magic?"
"Yes, spells normal unicorns are forbidden from casting as they tend to corrupt the user or those around them. What you did looks like an advanced form of Soul magic."
"Well that is certainly news to me... You see before my exile such magic was common knowledge. I myself established a University based around Shadow, Soul and Memory magic. In fact Shadow Lily was a practitioner of Shadow magic, and was quite good at it too." As I was talking a majority of the mares were taking a drink and started sputtering.
The first to recover was Pinkie. "So does that make you evil Ally?" Immediately all eyes were fixed on either her or me waiting for something to happen.
"I don't see why it would Pinkie Pie... Since I was the one who created such magic I can control it properly. That was the basis for one of the main rules at my school. Any pony who wished to learn had to have a proctor with them at all times so that they can prevent total disasters. Now that I have returned I should look into bringing the old magic back. I'm afraid the only masters os Shadow magic are myself and Luna. And only I remember Soul and Memory magic." Seeing as I wasn't going to do anything to Pinkie they calmed down.
The next to speak up was Rarity. "I don't mean to be rude dear but... What are you wearing? It looks rather ghastly if you ask me." I was wearing my normal clothing, I hardly ever changed unless my clothes became damaged in some way, being pseudo undead means you don't sweat or smell after a workout so I didn't feel the need. Currently I was wearing my long coat with matching wide brim hat both in an eerie shade of red. Under that was a black vest with a white long sleeve underneath. I also had a pair of white gloves with a pentagram seal on the backs. Pants made of a rough black material that I forget the name of. And lastly a pair of black boots with bits of iron plating on the tops.
"I don't see what's wrong with it to be honest with you Lady Rarity, This is actually what I wear to formal gatherings as a show of my titles." I Don't quite understand how the conversation shifted to my clothing...
It was then Fluttershy of all ponies spoke up. "Will you tell us what that other you was out there? Um... That is i-if you want to..." She started but trailed off as she gained the attention of the tall man.
"Of course Fluttershy, That was the result of this." I say before pulling the crystal out again causing a few to cringe at the sight of it. "This is called a Reflection Gem, it is imbued with a spell that make;s the users deepest fears take on a physical form. We used this as a tool at the school to help the students overcome their fears. As the magic taught there could only corrupt them through said fears. Though Memory magic is the safest out of all three, the biggest threat there is getting lost inside of ones own mind and never leaving."
"Can I try it then?" Everyone turns to look at the mare that spoke, landing our gazes on the rainbow maned athlete. "What?"
I however was curious... What could she be afraid of? "I will allow it under the rules set forth in my school. Which are as follows. One, The trainee must have a qualified proctor with them at all times for practice. Two, Trainee must follow all commands given by said proctor. Three, Trainee must concede to the judgement of the proctor if they feel it necessary to stop the test immediately and give no protest afterwards. Do you agree to these conditions miss Dash?"
"I guess? I don't really get that stuff but I wanna try this so yeah." The others looked a bit worried, and I guess it's for a good reason. They don't want to see their friend get hurt. So I have to make sure that doesn't happen.
With that I get up and walk to an open space on the room, motioning for Rainbow to follow I give the crystal to her. "To begin you must focus magic into the Reflection Gem, then you will plunge it into your body. The spell with take care of the rest. Any questions?"
"Yeah I'm not a unicorn I can't do magic."
With a hearty chuckle I shake my head. "If magic was limited to Unicorns Equestria would've fallen apart ages ago Rainbow. Pegasi and Earth ponies can do magic. You just need to learn how. For pegasi it manifest naturally when you manipulate the weather or fly, that stuff happens without you controlling it. But if you learn to focus it consciously it lets you do extraordinary things. Using this power I've seen a single pony stop a raging hurricane that would have destroyed Manehatten, this feat normally would require every pegasus in the kingdom to accomplish. But she was true to her namesake, Commander Hurricane obliterated the storm with a mere five beats of her wings."
"You knew Commander Hurricane!?" Now there was a twinkle in her eyes.
"I did, she was one of my closest friends. I knew all of Equestria's founding members, Starswirl, Pansy, Cookie, Clover, Puddinghead, Platinum, I knew them all."
"YOU KNEW STARSWIRL!?" This was as far as I got before Twilight tackled me into the marble floor. "Tell me EVERYTHING! What was he like, what was his favorite food, what were his hobbies, did he have a special somepony, did he-" I closed her mouth with my hand and forced her to be quiet.
"First of all can I stand up? I don't mind laying with a pretty mare but not on hard marble floors generally if I can help it." looking down she found she had me straddled with her fore hooves planted on my chest pinning me to the floor. She jumped up with a tiny 'eep' and back a few steps away while her face turned a bright red. The rest of the mare in the room having trouble keeping their laughter in check, the worst were Pinkie and Rainbow who were rolling on the floor laughing uncontrollably. "Yes I knew that doddering old fool. He and I didn't ever fully agree on anything. He was always too engrossed in his research that he made no attempt at making any friends. His spells are the result of him working every day of his life. Though if yu wish to know more then you can ask me another time, right now I would like to begin Rainbows test."
"That there crystal won't hurt her will it? Ah don't wanna have ta run this featherbrain ta the hospital cause you gone an' did somethin foolish now." Applejack asked worriedly. I can tell she cares deeply for her friends.
"It's perfectly safe, when she stabs herself it doesn't harm her physically. It's her mental state you should all worry about. It will bring her deepest darkest fear out and she will have to confront it in order to pass. And to make things clear none of us are allowed to help her no matter what. The only time someone on the outside can interfere is if she is in danger of being taken over by her darkness. If that should start to happen I will step in and end the test. Also this test is open for any of you, Just make sure I am there to watch over you.." And with that I turn back to Rainbow who was waiting rather patiently for some reason.
"You ready?"
"Yeah, about as ready as I can be I suppose. But I still don't know how to use this thing." She says looking at the hunk of black crystal gripped in her fetlock.
"Very simple, Do you remember how it feels when you shape a cloud? That feeling of warmth that builds up in your chest, That is the key, when you shape a cloud you subconsciously channel magic into your hooves and use it to mold the cloud into what ever you want it to be. Just remember that feeling and bring it forward."
"With that she closes her eyes and looks to be concentrating. Backing off I create a transparent dome over her with enough room to move around inside. Once I see the crystal glow a dark sickly blue indicating she succeeded, she opens her eyes and looks at it. Hesitating for only a second she drives it into her chest. At first nothing seems to happen.
Then the screaming started...
Her friends immediately went forward and pounded on the barrier I put up. Twilight turns back and glares at me. "I thought she wouldn't get hurt! What's going on?!"
"This is normal Twilight, the pain she's feeling is temporary. It happens to everyone when they take this test." It took almost thirty seconds for the screams to die down and devolve into faint whimpers. Once she stands back up something strange starts happening, six shadows begin to form on the inside of the barrier. These shadows slowly take shape and form into twisted copies of the same mares outside of the shield with herself included the entire group now stood in front of her...
The mares shied away from the shield at the sight of their doppelgangers and looked back at me. Each of them with more worry than ever etched onto their faces. I motion for them to look back at the scene before them.
(From here until the end of the test the dark versions of the mane six will be named as follows, Twi AJ Pinks Flutters Rares and RD)
The group of corrupted mare all begin to move around Rainbow and surround her giggling mirthlessly.
"Look what we have here girls, the little rainbow bitch wants to see us now..." The first one to speak was RD, her voice filled with hate.
Rainbow was quick to respond. "What's happening... Who are you guys suppose to be?"
"Why... We're yer friends o' course..." AJ said with an innocent sounding giggle.
"Now now Applejack, you mustn't lie to the poor filly..." Rares scolded the dingy farm mare. "We shouldn't even dignify her with a response... But I guess that's just how generous I am Darling."
The dark mares were now circling the rainbow maned mare, chanting hurtful words and sowing dark thoughts inside of her head.
"We could never be friends with somepony as selfish as you..."
"Loser!"
"N-no... That isn't true!"
Showoff!"
"Rainbow Crash!"
"Don't you see? We all hate you... You multicolored freak!"
"No... Please... Stop!" By now she was shaking visibly. Her eyes shrunk into pinpricks.
"Oh but it is true Rainbow Dash. Would we ever lie ta you?" AJ put in.
"Freak!"
"You're nothing"
"Fake"
"Stupid"
"Please! Stop!" Now her eyes had turned a sickly green and were emitting faint wisps of violet smoke. She was on the verge of tears from the verbal assault from her friends dark counterparts. I had seen enough. It was clear this was a deep seeded fear that she could not handle in her current state.
"ENOUGH! I have seen quite enough here!" I remove the shield and advance towards the false mares striking each of them down and reducing them to black mist which dissipated into nothing. Reaching the rainbow pegasus I remove the crystal. Within second she was snapped from her daze and upon realizing what just happened, she ran. Without looking back she bolted from the room startling the guards posted on the outside and took off down the hall to where ever it lead.
That left me with five angry mares and two slightly confused Princesses who I have noticed were unnaturally quiet throughout the whole ordeal.
So here I am with a group of ticked off mares and my wife and sister just staring at me with blank faces... Best get to work I suppose.
"What do you all wanna know?" I ask as I fall back into my seat preparing myself for the tongue lashing I'm about to receive.
"What I want to know is why those things were so hard on her like that!" came a voice from the back, and honestly the last one I thought would yell like that, Fluttershy.
"What do you mean? You mean the images of the five of you? Well that's kind of difficult to give an answer for. But... If I had to say it would be that's what she truly believes deep inside, even if she doesn't admit it to herself. She believes you all hate her and no longer wish to be her friends, and before you say that the Gem is lying. It has never been wrong, Her deepest fear is the most valid one. She fears being abandoned by you all. Why that is I do not know." with this I turn to Celestia. "The two of you have been rather quiet so far, my question is why?"
"Honestly I am at a loss for what just happened..." Celestia comments.
"Indeed sister." Luna adds
"Well I need to go take care of this now, you all should stay here for now. Just do what ever I'll take care of her for now." I get up and make my way o the hall asking the guards which way she flew off, they pointed towards the south end of the castle. About a hall into my journey I here the clopping of hooves behind me. "You should stay away for now girls, do you really think she wishes to see the objects of her fear? Especially so soon after being put trough that ordeal?" And with that they stay behind.
Walking a few more corridors I try something different, I push my magic out and search this way. Feeling, for lack of a better term, where every single pony is in the structure. Doing this I quickly find her at the top of one of the west towers. With a destination I set off to find the distraught mare.
Climbing the last few steps I see her sitting on the balcony looking over and out into the sprawling city below us. "They care you know..."
She jumps a bit at the sound of my voice but doesn't turn around. "Do they though? I ask myself that almost everyday now... Do they really wanna be my friends?"
Moving forwards I sit next to her and look out with her. "Why do you feel this way Rainbow? What caused you to lose faith in your friends like this?"
"Why do you care? You don't have to ya know..."
"But I do, I care for all my subjects. Should they need me for anything, I will be there no matter what. Right now, that's you Rainbow. Let me help you."
We do nothing but sit in silence for nearly five minutes. "The betrayed me, I thought they cared back then. They could have done something,anything. But they thought humiliating me like they did was the right thing to do."
I pull her in for a hug. "Tell me what happened, I'm here for you right now, Say what ever you wish."
"I admit what I did, I was getting so full of myself then, I let my accomplishments go to my head. I know I've always had a bit of an ego... But I never let it go too far before then. But when I started getting recognition for what I did. All that attention changed me. But that doesn't excuse what they did to me. They all were in on it... Making me look like a little child at every chance they got. It just make me so mad, I mean how could they DO that to me. I thought we were friends and yet they tried to make me look bad on purpose. At the time I... I hated them. Maybe I still do a little, I just don't know if I can trust them anymore." By now the normally calm and collected mare was sobbing into my coat, utterly destroyed by what had happened.
"Let it out Dash, You don't have to act tough around me or Celestia and Luna. We understand what you're going through. I once went through this same feeling, and even now it weighs heavily on my soul. Having to imprison somepony I once loved, it... Felt like my world had ended, being forced to seal him away like that. In a way I felt as if I had failed somehow."
"...Who was he?" She asks not bringing her face up from my jacket.
"It was Star Gazer, the other stallion in mine and Luna's herd before Nightmare Moon surfaced. He was using advanced Scrying magic and forgot to shield himself. He went insane and developed Chaos magic. He turned into what is now known as Discord. Myself and Luna tried to reason with him... But it seemed like he just...forgot we existed. Like he didn't know us anymore." looking down at her I see she's trembling, I take my coat off and drape it around her to shield her from the cold, with it being nearly winter the weather is less forgiving.
"Thanks..." She mumbled out from the crimson fabric. "What was he like, Discord I mean. Before he got like that."
"He was... A gentle soul. Wouldn't harm a fly even if said fly had killed his entire family. He.. Would have loved to see Equestria as it is now, before we founded this land he was fearful. Not for himself no... But for others, He always put others first, When his son was born he did everything he could for Luna. He fetched her meals, made her comfortable in bed while she recovered. He loved her, and in turn I loved him because he cared so must for the mare I cared for. But I could tell he was troubled, you see he had a brother. While Star Gazer got the looks in his family, his brother got the brains. Starswirl was always so busy, But I can't hate him. We may not be here if it weren't for him."
"What do you mean? I still don't know how this involves my trust issues Your Highness."
"I was getting to that, Back then old beardy did nothing but study. Now I just wish I could thank him for saving us. Dash have you heard the joke that goes 'We'll take the town and PUSH it somewhere else'?" To which she nods and chuckles. "Well, would it surprise you that Starswirl succeeded in doing just that? He managed to teleport the entirety of pony kind and moves them here to this valley. He sent us to the other side of the planet Dash, because there was no other choice. The cold was getting worse, the bickering escalated among our people feeding the Wendigoes more power. But that entire time I had doubts and I looked at him like I couldn't trust him, Yet he saved us all and payed the priced for his choice."
"What happened?" Looking down as her I didn't see her as Rainbow Dash, no... She looked like a completely different mare thanks to that multicolored mane.
"The spell he used was powerful yes, but he didn't have the power to cast it by himself normally. But with my own research into Soul magic, He used his soul as the catalyst for it, he burnt himself to ashes to make sure those he cared about were safe. It was then I knew then I had judged the stallion unfairly. What I'm getting at Dash is to give them another chance to earn your trust back. For if you don't have friends, you have nothing in this world of ours." And with that silence once again dominated the balcony. By now the sun was beginning to set and it looked like Rainbow was getting plenty tired I didn't wanna move her as she had just fallen asleep leaning into my side letting out cute little snores. Reaching out with my magic I placed a shield over the balcony to keep the wind off of us and wove a heat spell into the air around us to stave off the worst of the night chill.
"Looky here Sister, our dear Ally is getting cozy with miss Dash" I could hear Luna speaking through a telepathy spell
"Indeed Luna... Should we ready the wedding bells?" Celestia chimed in.
""Oh ha ha ha. You two know as well as I that I wouldn't take advantage of a mare like this, We shall meet you and the others in the morning Lulu." I think back to them.
After the connection drops I start drifting off to sleep with the prismatic pegasus snuggled into my side.
POV Rainbow Dash
Morning came all too quickly as the first rays peaked over the edge of the balcony and landed on our faces stirring us from our slumber. The first to get up from the floor was Rainbow Dash, looking around and rubbing the sleep from her eyes she looks down and finds the bipedal prince laying there where she was previously snuggled into him. Oh no! Princess Luna is gonna be so pissed! I gotta get outta here before he wakes up. Stretching I get ready to take off when I slam face first into a shield spell I didn't notice before.
Shaking the dizziness from my head I hear a groan from behind me that makes me freeze.
POV Alucard
The first thing I feel as I come to is my shield taking a hit. Probably Rainbow wanting out to stretch her wings. I sit up with a groan and drop the shield letting the heat dissipate in the cool morning air. Opening my eyes I see her sitting there with wide eyes frozen in fear of something. "Something wrong Rainbow?"
She jumps a bot at my voice and turns away. "Won't Princess Luna be upset I slept with you? And you for that matter aren't you mad that I took advantage of you like that?"
well isn't this a tad strange, so she thinks we would be upset over this?"Not really Rainbow, besides you fell asleep first and I didn't want to wake you after what you went through. Oh and Luna already knows. She and Tia last night decided to rub it in last night before I followed you to dreamland."
"Why?"
"What?" Confused I lean forward.
"Why did you care so much about me?" She looked down at the floor.
"You remind me of somepony I knew, She was part of my herd with Luna back then. I didn't know her all too well but we got along for the sake of the others happiness. We became good friends, and I regret not giving her a chance like I did to Star Gazer. Ha look at me getting all sentimental. If Hurricane saw me now she'd never let it go."
Rainbow looked up into my face and said the four words I hoped she wouldn't. "What was her name?"
Letting out a sigh I look out at the sunrise. "It was Spectrum Blitz. Ya know it's funny really, you have so many of her traits. The multicolor mane, rough and tough attitude most of the time and lastly your name is so similar to hers. That and she was as loyal a friend as anypony could be back then."
"No... That can't be right. I have an ancestor named Spectrum Blitz! I thought my mom and dad were crazy or it was just some story that go messed up over the years. Now I dunno, Knowing she could have existed for real."
"Y-your descended from Spec...?" I couldn't believe it... After all these years I never thought she had any children. Maybe this won't be so bad after all...
"What's wrong?" She looks worried seeing me not moving and shaking slightly.
"Come with me Dash..." I get up and make my way down the stairs. I have to know for sure, and if I remember Tia she keeps detail records of family trees in the archives.
"Where are we going big guy?"
"I need information so we're off to the archives for a few minutes while I looks something up. It won't take very long."
We make it to the archives and enter past the guards, They give Rainbow a hard look but I wave them off. Moving over to the Are where Census information is kept I rifle through the parchment until I come across the one labeled Spectrum Blitz. Nopony writes these as they are enchanted to update when a new pony is born into the family line. And there at the very bottom of the scroll are two names, one is in fact Rainbow Dash. The other is one I don't recognize. I'll have to ask around about it.
I may have missed out before Spectrum, But I promise you I won't do it again. I turn around and grab Rainbow in a tight hug startling her and making her wings lock up in fright. "Welcome home Dash... My granddaughter.
We stood like that in the archives for I don't know how long, but eventually we separated and smile at each other. For some reason I can't really explain this just felt... right. Like this was to be my second chance at being part of a family again. "So what do you say Dash, wanna give this old man a chance at being a granddad?"
She sat there thinking for a moment before she grins and nods. With that we start making our way towards the throne room as that's where I assume where her friends are gathered. "Hey gramps?"
"Hm?"
"I thought about what you said last night and... I've decided to give them another chance. Just because they made a mistake doesn't mean I should hate them for it. Everypony makes mistakes, even me. I can admit that much. This doesn't mean i forgive them right now, they have to prove that they should be forgiven first, but I'll give them a chance."
I smile knowing that at the very least she'll give them that much. "So anything you wanna share with me? Any stories from your life you think I would like to hear?"
"Oh do I... Have you heard of the mirror pool...?"
"...And so Twilight decides to make them all watch paint dry!" The entire walk she was telling me how her hyper pink friend had managed to clone herself into an army.
"Sounds like this Ponyville see's a lot of odd things, I wonder how they would react to me visiting some time?" I muse out loud, this gets a gasp from up ahead. Looking to where it came from there was Pinkie Pie standing in the corridor with the biggest grin I've ever seen... This doesn't bode well.
"Well looks like you'll have a Pinkie party to look forward to when you do show up." Rainbow says with her own grin. Yeah definitely doesn't bode well...
"Should I be worried about it? This Pinkie Pie is rather frightening. She reminds me of an old friend. Several in fact... Now that's terrifying." Just then I feel a shiver run down my spine.
We continue walking in silence. Upon entering the throne room we find Twilight and the others chatting with Celestia. Luna must still be sleeping. "Dash, don't tell them what we found. I wish to surprise them with it later."
She looks confused for a moment before smiling up at me. "Alright."
With that I set off for somewhere else, letting them work things out for themselves. After some time of just wandering the halls I find myself outside in some kind of garden. Fountains and statues depicting ponies long passed here and there. As I continue wandering along the path I notice more and more faces I recognize. I kept my eyes on the path lost in thought remembering all my old friends and I bump into one of the statues and almost fall over. Looking up at it my mind grinds to a halt. There, right in front of me was someone I thought about on a regular basis. He was one of the few friends who never truly faded from time, though I tribute that fact to his legendary stubbornness. Before me stands the statue of the mismatched creature known as Discord to most... But to me he has a different name. As I stood there looking upon what has become of him a song comes to my mind from somewhere through the constant static. As it becomes clearer I let a small smile form.
It feels like it's been forever Since you told me our time wasn't going to last And now I'm wishing I could save you From your sickness now, and whatever comes to pass
No, this is not the end It's the beginning of our story Tales of wonder and of glory Where we would save the world again Do you remember when We fought the monsters all away Now here we are today And I won't let our story end
I've been counting days we have left And at this point it's twenty-four at best So I'm going to make the last the greatest Let's live our own adventure for the rest
I guess our fairytale is over Because I'm watching you slowly fade away It's like an angel's here to take you now Because I'm feeling something dark about this day But I won't let go I'll make these last few hours memories No I won't let go Our chapter isn't closing yet it seems
So I guess this is the end But I'll remember you forever And in my heart we'll be together You will always be my friend I'll still think of you when I need a hand upon my shoulder Because I know it isn't over Someday I'll see you again....
As the song finished and the magic faded allowing the music to fade as well. I wipe the tears from my eyes and make my way out into the city proper. Unknown to me the Draconiquus had heard every word.
Making my way around the streets I begin to notice that the ponies around me give me a wide berth. Can't blame them since they had never seen me before now, hell I should consider it a miracle they aren't running around in a panic. Looking up at the sun I find it to almost be mid day so I start looking around for a cafe to relax inside and maybe have a cup of tea. During my search however I'm interrupted by a cry of alarm and a light tug on the bottom of my jacket. Looking down I see a little midnight blue colt looking back up at me in wonder.
"What are you?" Was all he could say before his mother got to him.
"Oh I'm so sorry, please to don't mind him-"
"Miss, It's quite alright. I bear no ill will towards you or your son." I say with a warm smile. "Now might I ask for your names? I wish to know who this brave young lad is."
"I'm Shade Song, and this is my mommy Shady Pines!" The colt was grinning ear to ear, though now that I look closer I notice little wings on his sides. Though these aren't the wings of a Pegasus... But a Thestral. While the mare was a unicorn, so I assume the father was a thestral then.
"Well, would the two of you like to join me for some lunch? I was actually looking for a good place but I seem to be a little lost." I ask looking towards Shady.
"I wouldn't want to impose on y-" She started before I silenced her placing a finger over her mouth.
"Nonsense miss Pines, I would like to get to know you a little more. If I am to stay here would it not work in my favor to know who my neighbors are? Now since I do not know where any good cafes are I shall let you decide on the place." I then smile down to Shade Song and pick him up much to the horror of the other ponies who had stopped what they were doing to watch the exchange. Each of them looked on as if I were about to devour the colt right in front of them. Instead I reach up and place him on my shoulders letting his front hooves rest on my head while placing my hat on his. "Here ya go bud." Though the hat engulfed his whole head making him giggle happily.
With Shady Pines leading the way we come to a small cafe that looked like it hardly saw any business as it was a little run down but still manages to look cozy.
"Well lets not just stand here, lets go in so you can get some food, and I can finally get some tea." I say as I walk into the place and a bell chimes above my head. I guess the best part about Canterlot is that it was standard to build doorways so that dignitaries could visit shops and places like this. So the frame was high enough I didn't have to duck to enter.
We walk over to a corner booth and take our seats while we wait for somepony to come and take our orders. "So I believe I have yet to answer Song's question. Well what I am is a little complicated. What you are seeing is my true form, but I can shift into any creature known on this planet and a few that aren't. I guess I should introduce myself as well. I am Alucard Nebula, Husband of Luna Nebula and co ruler of Equestria." Pines looked like a fish out of water with her mouth opening and closing trying and failing to make a sound, but Song looked like he was about to faint from happiness.
"You know the Princess?" He asks looking at me in awe. To which I nod my head. "That's so cool!"
I chuckle and turn back to Pines seeing she has calmed down a bit and is just staring wide eyed at me. Just then a waitress trots up floating a note pad and pencil in her magic.
"Hello and welcome, what can I get... For..... You...?" She trails off when she notices me sitting at the booth with the mare and her son.
"I'd like an earl grey tea please." I say with a smile to the mare. Turning to Pines and Song. "You two can order what ever you want to, my treat." To which Song beams.
Song orders a hayburger with a strawberry smoothie while Shady asks for a salad with steamed veggies on the side with a glass of lemonade. once our orders were taken the waitress takes them back to the kitchen to get them filled.
"Your Highness, may I ask you something?" Pines asks looking down at the table.
"Sure go ahead."
"Why are you being so nice to us? We're just random ponies you bumped into on the street. Why ask us to join you and then pay for our meal like this? It just doesn't seem like something a ruler would do."
"It's actually rather simple, I don't want to be a cruel tyrant. I actually care for my subjects enough to the point I would lay my life down for them. From fighting their battles to just being there to listen to their problems." I say just our food arrives.
Once we finish with our meal we head out into the street, Pines turns to address me. "So sorry, but Song and I must finish shopping for dinner tonight."
"Allow me to assist you Pines. I feel like I'd get lost otherwise." I say with a mirthful laugh. "It doesn't help that I haven't left the castle since I got back, I need to familiarize myself with the layout of the city, I'd be happy to pay you for a tour Shady."
She looks hopeful at this. "Really? To tell you the truth bits are rather hard to come by these days. My job as a grounds keeper at the local cemeteries doesn't pay all that much. I've had to take up a part time job at the tavern across town to help make enough to keep food on the table for Song here."
"I'd be glad to help Pines, You shouldn't feel the need to carry everything yourself. I learned that the hard way a long time ago, it only took Luna beating me into the ground a dozen times." And with that she starts leading me around the city while stopping at the market for food, which I insisted I help pay for, and we continued onward. She asks if we can make a stop at her house to drop the food off.
Once the shack is in site, I call it that is because it looks more like Swiss Cheese than a house, I notice a dark gray pegasus stallion standing out in front of the stoop. Something doesn't sit right with me and I place my magic on high alert looking for anything out of the ordinary.
Reaching down I pick Song up and hold him to my chest getting ready to teleport both Shady and us to the palace if the need presents itself. As we drew closer the stallion noticed Shady and started walking towards us with a glint in his eyes, one I rarely saw anymore. Red flags start going off as he get into Shady's face and starts laying into her for no apparent reason.
"THERE YOU ARE... I WANT MY RENT NOW. IF YOU DON'T PAY UP I SWEAR TO CELESTIA I WILL KICK BOTH YOU AND THAT MONSTROSITY OUT ONTO THE STREET."
Then without warning he raised his hoof and struck Shady on the face leaving a cut on her cheek. In an instant I levitate him off the ground and slam him down stunning him just long enough for my long strides to get me standing right over his prone form.
When he looks up he finally notices me and his eyes shrink to pinpricks at the sight of an unknown biped standing over him. Though that isnt all I had done on my brisk walk over to him.
From my shadow rose another biped, though unlike me it has armor and a large lawgiver on its back in between two massive brown feathered wings. Once it steps free of the darkness it turns to me. "You called Master?"
"Indeed, I need to you take this scum into custody for the assault of Shady Pines. Present him before Princess Celestia and deliver this message. I don't care how you get him there, you can drag him if you want."
I turn and walk back towards Shady and Song, who I had deposited on her back as I passed her, and got down on one knee so that I was eye level with them. "I won't allow you two to stay in that dump, go collect what you want to keep and then we can go." But before she can move I bring my hand to her cut and pass a little magic into it, sealing it shut and removing the scar that would have persisted. "There you go. I'll wait out here, just shout if you need help Pines."
The two go inside for about ten minute before they re emerge with saddle bags filled to the brim with personal belongings. Shady nods to me indicating she's ready to go and I start leading them back to the palace. After a few minutes of silence I here Shady speak up.
"Thank you Prince, if you hadn't stopped him then... I don't even want to think about that. But what about the rest of our stuff? I doubt it will remain there for long once he gets out." She looks down at the cobble road making our way up the main drag where all the high class snobs live.
I life her chin to look at me. "I shall send for them later today, for the present the two of you shall be staying in the castle as my personal guests."
We enter the castle, the guards informing me of a strange creature dragging a stallion in by his hind legs. That gets a grin out of me and I swear I could see the guards faces pale a little. Once inside my top priority is to find a pair of rooms for these two, stopping a guard I have him escort us to the guest section of the castle.
After the guard goes back to his patrols I move over to one of the doors and look inside. The room beyond seems to be a common room of sorts while other doors are individual bedrooms with two bathrooms for the eight person lodging. Perfect.
"You two can stay here, just pick out a room and ask a guard if you wish to go anywhere." I say as I turn to leave I feel something latch onto my right leg. Looking down I find Shade Song hugging me while tears flowed from his eyes.
"Thank you for saving my mommy."
"You don't need to thank me little one, How can I call myself a Prince if I don't help those in need eh?" I say and ruffle his mane.
I make my way back t the throne room and find pandemonium as the Solar guard are engaged in a struggle with my guard.... and they were losing.
"Steel Wing, Stand down. I don't need you putting my sisters guards in the infirmary right now." And at once he leaps back to stand beside me in a relaxed manner.
"Alucard, who is this? He dragged a stallion in a bit ago and dumped him on the Dias mentioning you giving him orders to do so." Celestia called up from the raised platform, said stallion having been untied and the gag removed.
"That's the creature that attacked me Princess!" He exclaimed pointing at me from where he stood.
"Is this true Dear?" Came a voice from behind me. Turning I spot Luna trotting up the steps and taking her throne.
"He seems to be missing some details but yes I struck him earlier today, I quite enjoyed it too. Also, Love do you mind informing the guard of the mare and her son staying in the guard quarters. I don't want any misunderstandings happening." I say turning to the dark mare. "Also he must have conveniently left out te part where he assaulted the aforementioned mare while in sight of her son and myself... directly outside of their home on the outskirts of the city." At this the Stallions eyes shrunk as even I could feel the anger in the room, you could cut it with a knife.
"GUARDS! Take this scum to the holding cells while Luna and I decide upon his fate." Celestia all but bellows.
Once the screaming stallion was out of sight they both turn to me. "So where are Twilight and the others?"
Sparks... flashing in an endless dark void. Appearing and vanishing in the blink of an eye but no less revealing.
Blood stained snow... mountain ranges... war cries sounding out through the darkness. A cloaked figure approaching uttering one word before everything shatters and I bolt awake lying next to Luna. Forgive.
It has been three days since my meeting Miss Pines, and things have been going well for them here at the castle. Though there was one mishap with a noble... fortunately that was dealt with by a passing guard. For those three nights always the same dream, I've told Luna about them but she doesn't have any idea what they could mean yet.
Today is the date set for Blueblood's Ceremony, unfortunately only Rainbow Dash and Twilight were able to stay for it since the others have jobs or obligations back in Ponyville.
Typical morning activities continue until eleven when court is stopped, much to the disdain of the nobles and my amusement at their discomfort. Once we all are gathered in the throne room those who are present besides myself and the princesses are Rainbow, Twilight, and medical staff should something go wrong. Though I doubt it...
"Welcome to all of you, this is... an event that hasn't happened to my knowledge in over a thousand years. Today we witness the birth of a new Vampire!" I announce from the Dias.
Only the medical staff are surprised by this, as one of the nurses speaks up. "How is that possible?"
"Young prince Blueblood has come to me seeking the answer to a problem he faces, He has noticed that he has not had the power to fight and protect those he holds dear... His subjects. Fortunately I had the solution though drastic it may be. I will be converting him today. He will be the first Vampire I will have personally created in more than a thousand years." I say to them gauging each of their reactions. The medical team at least seems satisfied. Though once I get to Twilight, She has that look in her eyes... one I haven't seen since Starswirl was around. Such a thirst for knowledge, maybe I should speak with her more?
I step down from the Dias and approach Blueblood with measured strides until I stand directly in front of him, "By aggreeing to this Ceremony you will no longer be known as Blueblood unless you decide to keep the name. Furthermore you will lose Citizenship of Equestria and be given Citizenship as a Vampire in the Sanguine Empire!" To this he nods in agreement. I turn to the crowd gathered off to the side in order to address them once more.
"Under no circumstances are any of you to help Blueblood, no matter how much pain he looks to be in. If any of you who are not Vampires try to assist him you will be killed on the spot. That is no threat I assure you, his transformation requires a lot of magic that he will pull from the air and other life forms around him. Imagine getting too close and having all your magic ripped from your body by force."
I turn back to Blueblood not waiting for any response from the crowd. "if you are ready Blueblood I will now begin the Ritual..." To this he nods. "Good."
Then I shock everyone present besides my wife and sister... I sink my fangs into his neck and start drinking. His blood tastes sweet, and to my almost disappointment it is in fact NOT blue...
I continue drinking for almost three minutes, by now his coat is stained red with his own blood even as I continue draining it. Within a few more minutes he is completely drained of blood, and this is the start of the second phase as I begin filling him with my raw power instead. This is when his whimpering transforms into outright screams of agony. Out of the corner of my eye I can see the majority of the group watching flinching with every scream, unfortunately the worst has yet to come as i finish pumping raw energy into his system to jump start phase three, the final phase of the transformation.
Releasing his neck from my jaws I gently lower him to the bloodstained marble floor and then start backing away to the Dias. Using my magic I strip his clothing off to preserve it, all was quiet. The silence hung in the air and nopony dared make a move. That's when Blueblood started screaming in earnest. The sound of bones splintering fills the room as the former prince flails around on the ground, his legs slamming into the marble breaking even faster as a result.
Glancing over at the assembled crows of onlookers all but Celestia and Luna are extremely uncomfortable and I honestly cannot blame them for being so... mostly because Blueblood is technically dying on the throne room floor while we all watch. Focusing back to the former prince as he continues to scream bloody murder... get it? Ah fuck you that was funny!
Moving on... thankfully we only have to endure this for a few more minutes before he blacks out from the pain and goes still. Now without him thrashing around and snapping bones left and right the transformation begins to shape his body now that his soul has finished absorbing enough magic. His spine straightens out and his neck shortens, After which his shoulders shift and broaden while the ends of his fore hooves morph and start growing hands, although now I realize we should have gotten him some clothes before hand... Yeah... his junk just shifted positions and is now on full display for the crowd who is ninety five percent mares.
Within a few minutes his transformation is fully complete and all is silent in the cavernous room. Turning to look at the group behind me I see the majority of them looking away because of the changes to his nether regions... I guess we better get him someplace private so he can sleep for a while... also get him some clothes.
Snapping my fingers I send him off to his quarters with a flash of crimson light and address the quiet mob.
"So... Any questions?" This was the worst thing to say as not even two seconds later I'm tackled to the ground by a lavender blur. "I guess that's a yes then?" Looking up at the mare who has now straddled me twice since she's been here... If I didn't know better I might start getting ideas in my head about this one... This in turn getting the rest of the group laughing at both our expense making her blush profusely. Standing up I decide the have a little fun So as I get up I cradle her in my left arm and start walking off.
"Are the rest of you coming along?" With that I start making my way to the dining hall for lunch.
