> Embrace of the Night > by KingofBronies > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Immortality > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- The deep dark night, covered in a cloak of stars that shrouded Equestria. The princess of the night gazed atop of Canterlot's highest tower at the night sky. Though she ruled the night for so long she could not help see how the night effected pony and creatures alike. For some a time of sleep and for others a time of hunting. The night usually brought upon the more suspicious and shady characters. The stars and the sight of her former prison made her think of her time on the moon. She had practiced a very dark art when she was trapped on the moon. One very powerful type of magic that became forbidden nearly the first moments it was discovered, Necromancy. It was a grim ability allowing on to bring the back the dead as mindless husks. Her reason for not using it when she was Nightmare Moon was simple, though she scorned her sister for imprisoning her so long on the moon she could not take it upon herself to threaten all life in Ponyville with the dark art. Though she still felt the need to hone the forbidden art away from prying eyes. She took flight from atop of the castle and flew until she found a cave far enough not to draw eyes from ponies that might still be awake. She trotted into the cave hoping it was not inhabited. It was simple. Dark gray and made of stone with stalagmites ever so often. To her luck it was not inhabited. The princess then created wisps of purple fire to light her practice cave. She focused her magic once again using it for a long range transportation spell causing corpses to drop in front of her from a graveyard. “Everything is ready, it is time we summon thine subjects.” The dark alicorn raised her horn once more focusing her magic creating a dark aura as well as causing her eyes to glow. The corpses of rotting flesh rose from the ground on all fours. They moaned, still husks and mindless compared to their once colorful demeanor. The zombies were merely at their masters command. No more alive than the corpses they once were. Ever since Luna had turned over a new leaf she wanted to do something, she wanted to revolutionize magic. Being immortal she obtained endless amounts of knowledge, she now wanted to use that knowledge to more permanently restore life. Necromancy thus far only restored the body, but not the soul. If she could harness that power the possibilities could be endless. She needed an assistant. Someone she knew she could trust.. She couldn't use Celestia for she had forbid this dark power..Then she thought of her faithful student Twilight Sparkle! She knew it would be a big risk considering she was the sun princess's student, but she was the only one she knew with the knowledge and trust she need. She was her first friend upon coming to Ponyville! Though she couldn't just teleport her here, long range teleport spells were much more effective on inanimate objects or the dead. She extinguished the life from the walking dead and hid the corpses. Luna walked out looking onto the moon. The night was still young she thought, she had plenty of time. The night princess flew towards Ponyville. She landed atop of Twilight's Library and warped inside. She was very careful not to wake Owloysius or Spike. She was close enough to warp her and teleported them back to the cave. Twilight was still sleeping until Luna nudged her. She woke looking with widened eyes upon the night princess jumping with a slight yelp out of surprise. “Princess Luna?! W-where am I?!” the lavender pony questioned gazing at the cave lit with purple fire. “Twilight Sparkle! We require thine assistance in a task we cannot accomplish alone!” The princess respond in her Royal Canterlot voice. “Was all this really necessary though? Couldn't you have just knocked?” Twilight asked. She was very curious as to why she was practically abducted from her house. Luna was not going to hide why. “Yes it was, it was required we not alert anypony of our presence or our plans.” The moon riser responded. “Now we shall show thee why.” She levitated a single corpse from hiding and using her powerful magic brought it to life. Twilight had a look of fear on her face, but at the same time she was also astonished by the resurrection. She now understood why it had to be so secret. “Do not be afraid, Twilight Sparkle. We have it completely under our command!” She assured. The zombies groans uneased the faithful student, but she trusted Luna's intentions were not of the evil nature. “Alright, I trust you on that, Luna. Isn't necromancy a forbidden art?” “Very much so Twilight, but we have a much greater use for it. We want to learn how to grant immortality to mortals. We which to learn to twist the very limits of life and revolutionize science as well as magic as a whole.” the immortal explained. She never really had much of an experience to learn about magic with anyone, besides the sun princess. She felt honored, but scared. She was very much willing to listen even though what she knew. Though she had some may things to make sure of. “Luna, I know you want to grant immortality, but think of the risks.” The unicorn asked. “We have thought about this for well over a thousand years Twilight Sparkle. Life is short and everypony we once knew is dead. We do not wish to dream of a day where we cannot make friends simply because of the fear of losing them..” The alicorn said coldly. It was clear Luna had strong reason to want to bring forth the lives of her friends and to preserve the new ones that she had made in Equestria. She knew better than anypony she was using a dark art to do it, but she saw no other way that came this close to full resurrection only that in storybooks. “What about Celestia? What if somepony finds out about all of this?” It was clear that Twilight was scared. Practicing dark arts? She had no idea what the consequences were for such an action. She could be banish or worse. Her reputation would be ruined, all of Ponyville would know of her deed.. But what could she do now that she was here? Luna could easily stop her. “Celestia knows not what we are up to. We plan to keep it that way. This cave is far from prying eyes, nopony should know of us being here. It's far to late for most and too far from any civilization. We believe ourselves to be safe.” the alicorn reassured, avoiding the penalty question. The lavender unicorn was still a bit shaky, but was beginning to calm down. She did have interests in this as well. The ability to grant immortality. It was purely fascinating to extend ones life to such a degree and keep appearance intact. She was deeply intrigued, but very scared of the risks. She knew though all good scientists in order to prove their work they risk failure. One detail still bothered her though. “Out of everypony why me? I'm honored you think of me highly enough to consider bringing me here, but why not some other pony with more knowledge of magic and science?” Twilight questioned. “Well that is simple. We do not know anypony we could trust more then thine self. Besides, thou art the element of magic which means thou must know extensive knowledge about it. We have still to make many friends as well. We count on thee because thou wast the first to be kind and not afraid of us.” Luna looked a bit sad from the words she spoke, but it was all true. Twilight began to slowly stop shaking. Even with all the risk and labor this would be her friend needed her. She wanted to do everything she could for both her and her own interests. “Is there anything you need me to do now, princess?” the element of magic looked up at her. “We desire thee to better analyzed the corpse of the animated one.” The princess asked. Twilight got right on it. She analyzed the many features of the corpse. She listened for several functions of life, but it felt as dead as it looked. The magic did nothing to give the zombie life only make it a husk to command by the Necromancer. “Umm..Princess, I’m not sure if magic alone can fully reanimate a corpse and grant it function. We need some science to enable the life form stable function. These corpses are drained of the vital liquids an average pony needs, also their organs could not possibly function with all this damage.” The student analyzed. “What art thou suggesting we do then?” Luna asked as she walked over to look at the undead. Twilight hesitated a bit, she didn't like thinking about what would have to be done. “We are either going to need to restore the undeads organs or going to need a living subject.” “No spell exists of that caliber, at least not to heal this much damage.”Luna was hoping that this could be avoided as well but, they needed a living subject and she couldn't imagine giving up on this. She needed to solve this mystery. “We have no other options, then we must find one!” Twilight couldn't bear the thought of being responsible for the possible death and horror of someponyelse. Her thoughts became clouded with the thought of her friends being used as subjects for the experiments. She wasn't fully sure of how far the princess was willing to go for the results she wanted or even if she would get them. She didn't want anypony to suffer, but she knew better than to turn on Luna and this experiment was too much to let go. She had to give it a try. “Use me, I'll be your subject and assistant.” The lavender pony said trembling with slight fear. She felt there was no other way around this. She knew Luna was too determined to give up. The astral princess blinked. “What? We couldn't possibly ask of thee to go through with this.” Twilight's shaking ceased. “I couldn't let any other pony suffer or ever die on my behalf and I must do this in the name of science.” Luna frowned she didn't want to experiment on her friend, but it seemed she had little choice. “Very well than Twilight Sparkle, but know we take no joy in seeing thee in pain.” “I understand.” Twilight thought to herself trotting back and forth thinking of something that may work. She needed to find a way to keep the body alive. Blood, was what brought life to the body and its organs. The Blood of Immortals, Luna's very blood could be the key to immortality. “Luna, your blood. Your blood could be the very key ingredient to immortality.” The night princess thought that Twilight maybe right, but was her blood all that was necessary to bring eternal life? Luna conjured a large syringe, stabbing it in herself and draining a good amount of blood. “Twilight..Art thou sure? Our blood and body are made different then yours. You have a frail body compared to mine. This might even kill thee..” The princess dreaded the thought of her friend meeting an early end because of her obsession. She even began to doubt herself and grew more fearful of the outcome. Twilight was nervous looking at the the needle. She took a deep breath. “I knew the risks, this is something far beyond where others have gotten. Even Starswirl the Bearded can't claim to know the outcome. Don't hesitate so much, I’m scared to, but we have come to far to simply give up now. If your blood is the key then we have to know.” Twilight's words calmed her. She was still scared, but had come to far to abandon all she had hoped for. “Lay on your back.” the dark alicorn instructed. Twilight did as she was told. She was then injected with the blood through her chest. After a few moments Twilight's eyes widened as she screamed in immense pain. The blood was rejecting her body and destroying it. Luna was focusing her magic, trying to control her blood to keep it from killing her friend. Tears rolled down the princess's eyes as she heard bones crack. Twilight's skin was crackling in a fiery pain as ever sensation she had before slowly became replaced with pure agony. She saw her life flash before her eyes as her vision grew dark. The only sound she could hear was screaming shattering her memories like glass. She gazed at Luna's tearing face as her vision faded into blackness. Her screams were now silent, her body motionless. No sense of life left in the once faithful student. Luna cried over the body of her fallen friend. She blamed herself, she wanted to toy with life's limits. She wanted to bring immortality so that she could make an impact on magic, but there was more to it than that. She wanted a friend that could live as long as she could. Sure she had her sister and the other alicorn, but no one she could spend time with and have fun like she did Nightmare Night. She cried more, but wasn’t going to give up. She focused her arts of Necromancy on Twilight. Her horn glowed black as the magic swirled around the corpse. The unicorn's body flailed around as loud cracks were heard, but no screams of pain. Twilight rose from the ground like the husks from before. But something was different this time around. The resurrected pony looked paler as if her blood had been devoured. Her eyes were also red as the blood of a pony. Luna could not sense any life in her. “Luna..What happened?” Twilight asked rubbing her head with her hoof. Luna was surprised at what she just did. Had she done it? Had she saved her friend? Had she discovered how to create an immortal? She cared not at the moment. All she cared about was that Twilight was back to normal. She wrapped her hooves around her friend. She noticed she did not feel the same either. She felt cold, as if she had no body heat. “Twilight Sparkle, you worried us so! Now you are back!” Luna smiled still tearing slightly squeezing her tight. “Luna, did I die?” The lavender unicorn looked confused. “Yes, thou was gone for a few minutes until we resurrected thee. Doth thou remember anything?” The princess asked looking at her still tearing. “I-I remember the pain, the screaming..and you crying as my vision faded. It was so chilling and scary.” the faithful student explained with a shiver. Luna noticed something while Twilight was talking. Her front fangs were long like a Changling's. Some sort of mutation mush have occurred. The astral princess knew she needed to run some tests. “Twilight, we need to run some tests on thee. Your current state is different then we first anticipated.” Luna explained letting her go from the hug. Twilight nodded as the night princess used her horn to look into her. Her bones were still broken, but she seemed to be suffering no intense pain. Her organs were working, but only just barely. They were being fueled by Luna’s blood. Oddly enough she could not find a trace of Twilight's blood. She wondered if maybe it was converted into more of Luna's blood. She was mutating into something different than a mortal pony and alicorn. The princess put what she knew together. She was cold, suffer little pain, her blood was gone, red eyes, pale skin, and she had long fangs. She recalled countless lores of a creature that shared these aspects and was immortal. Had she created a real vampire? “Twilight Sparkle, we art not sure how to tell you this..We believe thou art a vampire.” Luna said trying to sound as calming as possible. Twilight's eyes shot open wide upon hearing this. It was so shocking to hear this. She had only read of them in books and believed them to not be real. She knew Luna wasn't kidding about this, the situation was far too serious. “Your body must be mutating to adapt to what you are. Vampires need blood to survive so you have grown fangs. What other changes have occurred.” Luna thought to herself. She recalled other things about vampires, super strength, speed, she also recalled the ability to retract their fangs. These were things she needed to know if they were possible. She dashed quick as sound and smashed a hole in the wall of the cave with her hoof. Her fangs were also retractable. “This is incredible.” Twilight said nearly speechless. “That was, such incredible abilities. We only read books about them, but if the books art true then doth that mean thou hath to feed?” The alicorn asked. It was too late for going on a hunt, Celestia's sun has risen. The light came seeping into the cave, but it had its limits. Twilight took several steps back fearing the pain the sun could bring her. “Twilight, I can cast a spell on you to make you resistant to the light, but it will likely still drain you of your power so avoid the sun as much as possible today. I will come and get you tomorrow.” Luna said still a bit worried about what could happen and hoped no one was awake to see her. “O-ok.” Twilight agreed a little scared. She casted a spell the Sunlight Resistance spell and sent her back to her bed. She flew off back to Canterlot. Afraid of receiving questions from her sister and for Twilight's safety as a vampire. She reached the castle meeting up with her sister. “Good morning Luna.” Celestia smiled. Luna did her best to hide her tension and nerves. “Good morning, sister. It has been a long night, we art off to bed!” “Rest well sister.” The princess of the sun smiled. Luna trotted to bed and went so sleep not without difficulty of the things that had just happened, but eventually she just dozed off and fell fast asleep. Dreaming only of what it would be like to have an immortal friend of her own. > Consumed > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- -Twilight- The unicorn couldn't sleep, not in the slightest. The feeling of being surrounded by the murderous rays of Celestia's sun dawned over her. She could stay inside she thought, it's not like she hadn't isolated herself before. She sighed with relief, but realized she couldn't always do this. Luna had not explain much about her appearance, though she did fear if she could not look upon herself in the mirror for in some lores Vampires could not be seen in mirrors. Without that very feature she could draw attention especially to Rarity. She trotted from her bed to the mirror and gazed upon herself. She sighed with relief as she could see herself, but was shocked by her change. Her eyes and her skin mainly. The once lavender pony was now a pale amethyst color, and her eyes from violet to blood red. She was surprised her mane was fine. She knew her appearance could draw suspicion of something. She paced in thought of what she could do. “Twilight?” she heard the voice of her assistant, Spike. Her eyes widen as she heard him rising from his bed. The thoughts of her new power consumed her so much she had forgotten about the baby dragon she cared for. She had to come up with an excuse for her appearance. She turned around to face him. He looked at her with a shocked face. “Whoa, what happened to you?” the dragon looked at her shocked at her appearance. “I think I might be sick.. I don't think I'm going to be going much of anywhere today..” the unicorn said putting on an act of fake coughing and dizziness. She wasn't the perfect liar, not by a long shot, but it was enough to fool Spike. She knew she could fool some of her friends, but Applejack would be the real challenge. She needed Luna's help, they needed to come up with a plan to deal with this. She knew that Luna couldn't see her without arising suspicion. All of the factors of her change were driving her insane. She needed answers. She was hoping to hide in her house the rest of the day until the night princess's return, but she had little choice if she were to find out about her disease. “On second thought, Spike I think a walk might do me so good.” She smiled falsely. “Alright, Twilight hope you get better soon.” The assistant waved as she walked out the door. Even with the spell protecting her she still felt a crackling fiery pain on her flesh. It wasn't unbearable, but it was still painful. She felt her physical abilities draining to normal before her the dark gift was given to her. Her eyes were also much more sensitive to the sun's light. She needed to get something to cover herself or to get to shade soon. She trotted to Rarity's Boutique using her magic to open the door thankful the sun had no effect on her magic. Entering the Boutique she noticed Rarity levitating clothes onto pony shaped mannequins. She looked at Twilight with surprise as the door closed behind her. The ivory mare wasn't expecting her. She trotted to her friend. “Twilight I wasn't expecting you today.” Rarity smiled, her smile changed to a look of concern as she noticed the ponies completion. “Oh my Twilight, what happened? You look terrible!” “I think I'm coming down with something..I'm getting heat flashes from the sun and I need to pick up somethings. Do you have anything that could help protect me from the sun?” Twilight pulled off the same act with Spike with matching results. “Oh, of course darling! I'll get you some of my finest cloaks right away.” The white unicorn dashed off into another part of her boutique. The vampire pony sighed with relief, she didn't like lying to her friends, but she had no idea as to how they would react to such a change. The very thought of her friends turning on her sparked fear in her heart. She had to keep it a secret or she could be in grave danger. The fashion pony return with a violet cloak with burgundy trim floating from her magic. She put it on Twilight and tightened it around the neck. “Thank you so much, Rarity. How much do I owe you?” The now cloak mare smiled. “No charge, darling. So long as you look fabulous and get well soon. If there's anything else I can do do not hesitate to ask.” The ivory pony smiled. With that Twilight left entering the suns rays again beating harshly upon her. Her cloak kept her hidden from it minimizing the the pain further. Her powers returned, but not to their full ability as the sun still drained her. She thought now that she had her cloak she could go to the Everfree Forest and ask Zecora about what she knew. The zebra was an outsider and perhaps knew a bit more than she could find in books that were limited to Equestria. She trotted at an average pace to get away from Ponyville until she was out of sight then used her vampire speed to bolt off into the forest. The forest was much farther from the light of the sun with the dense trees blocking it. Even so she wasn't at her strongest, but she felt great. She slowed down to an average pony pace not wanting to crash into the trees. The forest had a few paths, but she knew how to get to Zecora's hut from where she was. Thought it was a path she was taking the forest was still terribly dangerous. She showed little fear to it now with her new found power. In fact, she almost wanted to fight something..to hunt. She continued along the path until she heard a roaring noise. She heard each step as it got closer and dodged as it went to attack her. It was a Manticore! It's lion head roared again as its scorpions tail arched up to prepare to strike. The stinger slammed down where Twilight was, but she sidestepped in time. The stinger was stuck, the unicorn took advantage of this by jumping high and smashed hard on the tails exposed center tearing it off. The monster roared in pain at the lose of its tail the acids oozing to the floor from its remains. The beast swatted the vampire unicorn into the trees her hard body taking a few down. She got up her cloak torn with scratches of blood. She could feel her powers amplify with her rage. She grunted angrily as she levitated the fallen trees over the beast it look up in surprise as it was crushed under the impact and weight of the trees. A crushed lifeless mess remained of the half breed monstrosity. The blood seeped from the corpse painting the ground red. Twilight's blood boiled and her hunger grew as she saw the creatures blood her fangs shot out as she instinctively drank the blood of the animal. Her mind returned to normal when she drank enough to satisfy her bloodlust, her fangs retracted. She noticed the taste of blood and took some slightly terrified steps back. “W-what did I just do?” Twilight shook in fear of what she had become. She had killed the monster and drank its blood, but what scared her most was the lack of control she had over herself. It was like she slipped out of consciousness completely and became a whole different pony.. She had never killed anything like that. She knew it was in self defense it was just shocking to her to see the way she had killed it. Twilight trotted away from the scene licking the blood clean from her lips. What had she become? Her hunger was only satisfied for now..but what if she killed again? Or worse, what if she killed somepony close to her? She reached the hut when she felt no pain from the wounds she had. She looked to see they were gone, only the slight tears in her cloak revealed where the wounds once were. Her skin as well, while still dull was more colored than before. The blood seemed to be what kept her away from looking like an undead. She wasn't happy with this realization, but she now knew she couldn't avoid feeding or possibly risk insanity and losing her appearance. She entered through the door of the hut her mind heavy with the thoughts of the power she bestowed. Zecora was there looking upon Twilight as she walked in. “Hello there Twilight, it looks like you've been in a fight.” The zebra said taking note of the tears in her cloak. “It's just some tears nothing to worry about.” Twilight smiled to hide her true feelings. “So what brings you here this fine day? You have got me curious I must say.” the witchdoctor returned the smile. “Well Zecora, I want to know about the ones we call Vampires.” the unicorn said not thinking straight enough to approach the subject with more guile. “Why do you which to know? Surely you library has more to show?” Zecora responded in rhyme. Twilight was hoping she wouldn't ask questions, but she knew how to respond. “Umm..well, I have been studying with Princess Luna and learning about the creatures of the night. I wanted to know more about Vampire lore even though they aren't real. You might know more then what I have learned in the Canterlot library, because your not from around here.” Zecora seemed to believe what Twilight said. “Wise to seek me you are Twilight, fine I shall tell you about the creatures of the night. They have much strength and speed, but blood and darkness are their need. The sun their enemy while they will scare, they will not approach it if their lives they do care. The blood they crave is not all as you say, for one hunts more for their own kind as prey. For a feast of ones kind will keep their form longer, they will grow fiercer and even stronger. The sun grows weaker as they feed on blood they taste, but even so they must make haste. For the sun still burns the dead who wake, only the pure darkness will give them a true break. Skin as cold and as hard as dragon scales, make these monsters as tough as nails. Monsters of the night they will hide, to fight one alone would be suicide. So use a weapon enchanted in light and swing it strong with all of your might. I wouldn't be so sure if they are real or not, because they are a creature history could not have forgot. Whether real or story I cannot say, but if real I will find a way to keep them at bay.” The rest Zecora spoke was common lore Twilight already knew. Twilight thanked the zebra and left. She learned much and was glad for the trip. Some of the fact uneased her. “Own kind as prey..” She thought sadly. Pony blood would make her strong, that she was afraid of. Other animal blood was one thing, but the blood of her own kind.. It sent shivers down her spine to think she might have to hurt somepony like that just to survive. She trotted out of the forest with no more problems from the other creatures. The sun was already falling, so she trotted back to her home. “Welcome back, Twilight. You look much better than this morning.” the baby dragon said. “Why thank you, Spike. I guess I just needed to get out a bit.” The unicorn smiled. She trotted upstairs to gaze upon her mirror. Her eyes had returned to their normal violet color as well. She knew not how long her state of a mortal would last only that it would not be as strong as if she had feed on a pony. With the past two days awake she decided sleep early and wait for Luna's return. “Goodnight, Spike.” The recolored unicorn smiled as she dozed off. “Night, Twilight.” the dragon smiled. -Luna- It was dark, she was surrounded by blood and corpses as she entered the ruins of Ponyville. Luna stood in shock gazing at the carnage and destruction noticing one pony standing amongst it all. The pony turned around revealing it to be Twilight. She grinned darkly revealing her ghastly fangs as she trotted towards the alicorn. The princess took several steps back this new fear overcoming even the night princess. Twilight then rushed to her seeing only her fangs before waking up screaming. A black bat winged pegasus guard walked in through the large dark doors of her bedroom. “Is everything ok, mama?” He asked in very stern tone. “We art doing well, twas merely a bad dream.” the alicorn of the night responded. The guard shut the door and returned to his post. Luna sighed with relief. It was still day as she saw, but every happy dream she had been having had become a nightmare as of today. She couldn't the fact even thought she had granted immortality to Twilight, that it would drive her to do things she couldn't control. She wasn't sure of the amount of danger everypony was in now with a Vampire. She did trust Twilight, but they only had books that were of mythos of vampire lore. She knew that the books could not be spot on..unless this had occurred before. She hadn't ruled out the possibility that Twilight wasn't the first, but she did know the other two alicorns she knew would never conduct such forbidden arts. But what of the other immortals? Alicorns were not the only immortal creatures, Draconequus being the only one know could have created some, he was of course the spirit of Disharmony and Chaos. Vampires could be very chaotic and cause extreme panic among the masses. Chrysalis and the Changlings as well, considering little was known about them and like some lore vampire could turn to bats, Changling's also had fangs, but they responded normally to the sun. Maybe similar experiments were taken and created this type of vampire. For Changling's already drew power from love, but what if they could instead draw power from blood? This theory intrigued Luna. She arose from her bed pondering about what she could learn about the Changlings. They could learn a lot if there was more information about vampirism and if not she needed an excuse to get Twilight out of Ponyville for a few days. She needed to study her closely and not draw the attention of other ponies. Chrysalis and the other Changlings were not exactly on good terms with the ponies, especially after the attack at the Royal Wedding. She needed answers, besides making peace with the Changlings would be the perfect excuse to visit them for her other needs. It would be a peaceful visit so she could bring Twilight and no guards. It seemed like the perfect plan. She would of course need to tell her sister where she would be and that she would need to take her responsibilities while she was away. She trotted around in thought of where the shapeshifters were located. Perhaps her sister knew. She trotted out of her room into the hallway asking a unicorn guard where her sister was. He pointed at the balcony. Luna trotted over to the balcony to confront her the sun princess. Celestia turned her head to look at her younger sister with a smile. “Hello dearest sister, you are awake fairly early. One of the guards told me you were having troubles resting.” The sun princess said. “We did, we could not sleep. Twas for the nightmare that escapes us at the moment.” The night princess lied, she knew very much so what the dream was, but could not risk her sister gain knowledge of it. “Oh, very well than. What brings you to me sister? Surely you have more pressing matters than speaking to me about you dreams.” Celestia giggled. “We wish to go to the kingdom of to which the Changlings reside to mayhaps strike peace with them.” Luna asked. Celestia look at her sister with a confused look. It made no sense to her as to why Luna would like to make peace with the Changlings. “Luna, may I ask as to why you desire peace with them?” “There is much information we could learn about them as well as the things they studied that we may not have had chance to. Such as dragons, we know little about them, but mayhaps they can fill in the gaps. We also wish to prove thineself to thee that we can spread friendship as well.” Luna explained in her usual tone. Celestia still looked a bit uneasy by this. “Sister, you don't need to prove yourself to me.” “We are not only doing it for thee, we our doing it for ourselves as well. We still feel the need to redeem ourselves for the trouble we have caused you, when the...incident occurred.” the night princess looked away to look more convincing. Celestia looked sadly at what she saw as a still hurt Luna. She also figured this may have been what her sisters nightmare was about. She came closer to her sister and extended a wing over her. “Very well sister, if it will put your mind at ease so be it.” The night princess smiled for a moment still under the wing, but change back to her serious expression. “There is another thing we do require. Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle. She would not only be very knowledgeable, but also one of the only ponies I trust to accompany me.” The sun princess recalled them becoming friends Nightmare Night. She was also the first pony to become friends with her since she was banished. “Very well then, when will you be leaving?” “Tonight, we will not be bringing anypony else. We do not want the Queen to feel threatened. We also need a map to their kingdom.” Luna explained. “I understand. I'll have the map sent to your room momentarily. The kingdom is the Emerald Quartz Hive.” Celestia respond with a smile. “Very well, we shall be off to our room to prepare. Thank you, sister.” Luna trotted back to her room slowly. “Keep me updated on your journey, I need to know you two are safe.” The white alicorn smiled watching her sister as she left. The dark alicorn made it back to her room. She searched through her room for vital things she need such as her chemical set, notebook and other things putting them into her saddle bag which she had laid onto her bed. She smiled, she was happy she would be able to get out of Ponyville and be with Twilight. However she was still worried about her friend's current state and what may occur once they go to Quartz Hive. It was a great risk to go there, but with no powerful love to give them power, as well as herself being a powerful alicorn that could raise the dead and Twilight being a vampire. She knew if worse came to worse they could defend themselves. She sighed with relief, but it wasn't without its own fear. Besides the possibility of being attacked by the Changlings she also had the daunting fact that they could also learn of Twilight's power. Though Chrysalis was no match for a duel of magic with Luna without her succubus like powers, she imagined she could sense the life in things like she could. Her train of thought collapsed as the door to her room opened with a levitating map placed on her bed. “Thank you!” She said noticing the unicorn guard at the other side of the door. “Your welcome.” He responded. She rolled up the map and tucked it into her saddle bag. She had everything she needed now. It was still day. She had best get some sleep she had a long venture ahead of her. She levitated her packed saddlebag to the foot of her bed then laid in her bed and dozed off. She dreamt peacefully for once. There were lush green trees in a fall day with the leaves gently flowing in the breeze. She looked up at the dawning sun. Twilight was next to her, normal not a single sign of vampirism. The turned to one another an smiled, then they galloped. Through the forest laughing together and playing with the pile of autumn leaves. The lavender unicorn turned to her. “Friends forever?” She said before the dream faded. “Friends forever..” Luna said as she awoke. She looked down saddened a bit. She wished it had been that simple. That Twilight was just immortal, but she wasn't. She was a vampire now and for that very reason she had to protect her. She finally had a friend that would last as long as she would and she would not give her up to anypony. The alicorn couldn't help worry about Twilight, the change was a lot for her. She was just glad at least with this trip she could be there to help her. She smiled as a tear rolled down her face. She then gathered her things and walked to the balcony. Luna admired the night sky. She blushed in embarrassment noticing that her sister took care of her duty because she slept too long. “Thanks sis.” She smiled and took flight headed towards Twilight's house.. > Undead Nightmare > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Luna viewed the countless stars in her night sky as she flew. She thought of the very day her rage took her and she became the very monster known as Nightmare Moon. She wished not to return to that, yet she couldn't help, but think that it could be what was going through Twilight's mind. She wanted not her to worry about this all, she wanted it all to come together, but she knew not if it was possible. That's why she had to go on this journey, She had to find all there was to know about the dark gift so that she could aid her friend in need. She reached the house shortly not realizing how lost she was in thought almost skipping it. She landed in front of the door and knocked, she needed not hide her motives this time being she even spoke to her sister of it. Twilight answered the door she looked up at her alicorn friend with a curious look on her face. Probably wondering why she knocked instead of teleporting in like last time and why she had so much packed. "Twilight Sparkle, we have urgent news." The princess of the night spoke low enough to not disturb Spike. The currently light lavander colored pony was happy to see her friend again. She looked at her with a now even more curious look. She had no idea what this urgent news could mean. A trip perhaps?Would explain the saddle. She let her into her house. "Um, what is it Luna?" Twilight asked. She was a bit out of it just waking up and all. "Well, we have spoken to our sister. She has given us permission to go to the Emerald Quartz Hive. Tis the home to the Changlings." This news painted a look of shock on the unicorn's face. Changlings? What the hay was going on? They were mortal enemies of the princess and ponies in general. What was Luna thinking? She took a deep breath and sighed. What choice did she have, but to go along with her? "Why are we going there exacally?" The studious unicorn asked curious of her friend's intention. "We art to establish a mutual understanding with them so that they shall know not to attack us. A treaty if you will, Twilight Sparkle. We of course have different reason we shall explain on the way." Luna smiled assuringly. She knew the night princess only had good intentions and getting away from other ponies sounded like a good idea. So at the very least it would help her a bit. She really did need somepony to talk to about this and Luna was the only one that could know. She couldn't risk anyponyelse not even her closest friends. Twilight looked up at the astral mare. "I'll get my things and leave a letter, for the girls and Spike." "Very well, make haste Twilight. Let them know we will be sending update of our travels." Luna responded. The vampire pony trotted further into her dark home. She could see much better in the dark with her new found powers. Navigating as if it was still day. She levitated to herself a parchment and a quill and wrote: Dear everypony, I am going on a trip to the Emerald Quartz Hive with Luna. It's where the Changlings reside. Don't worry we will be sending you updates so that everypony doesn't have to worry. We are trying to make peace with them to prevent another attack. Sincerely yours, Twilight Sparkle She left the note on the table for Spike to see. She trotted around and found her saddlebag levitating ink, quills. and parchments with snacks. She also took her element of harmony Tiara and threw on her cloak. She wanted to keep it on her just in case the Changelings attacked. She strapped on her saddlebag and was ready to go. She would miss everypony and Spike, but she needed to learn what Luna had planned. The two trotted out the door and began to move toward the exit out of Ponyville. The astral princess levitated her map and opened it. Several places appeared on the map, but the most important were Canterlot and the Emerald Quartz Hive. The Hive was far East of Canterlot. The two were finally far enough from anypony. Twilight looked at Luna while they moved. The path was open with bushes and trees ever so often. The path they tread on was dark green in the time of day with a brown road they followed. “What exactly do you have planned?” The faithful student asked. “We plan on finding out what the Changelings know about this. Their powers art very much vampire like, with the exception of love instead of blood. If they know anything we must learn it so that we may better helpeth thee.” The night princess said with a look of worry. She was of course worried about Twilight, but also herself. This was no small feat approaching an enemy kingdom and asking for peace and knowledge. She had faith in her and Twilight’s combine might. “This is a big risk, Luna. I'm just glad we can at least get out of Ponyville. I was just so scared somepony would find out..about my power.” Twilight looked down. She disliked all off this hiding. She disliked lying to her friends. It bothered her, but she knew there was no use worrying about something that was done. What is done is done. Luna stopped for a moment. “What is it?” The unicorn asked. Several bushes shook as unruly looking ponies jump out in front of them. There were five stallions, two unicorns, two pegasi, and an earth pony. They had bandit like appearance, the pegasi were gray, the unicorn were both a dulled brown. The leader was the earth pony. He was was built with a black coat and an eye patch, with shaggy long and brown hair. He looked upon the two immortals with a piercing green eye and a dark grin. “Well what do we 'ave 'ear then lads?” The earth pony said roughly. “Looks like a couple of ladies that lost their way.” One of the unicorns spoke. “Um, boss. T-that's Princess Luna!” A pegasus pointed out. “Ah yes, Luna! You dumb mug that’s who we've been searchin' fer!” He knocked the pegasus on the head with his front hoof. “Fool! You dare to challenge us! We have powers you could never imagine!” The night princess glared. “I think you boys better move on before you get hurt now.” Twilight grinned. Her head was pulsing with her power. Dark thoughts of dismemberment and destruction plagued her mind. She couldn't control her emotions, she was scared, but she spoke so bravely even a little arrogant. Something was driving her.. “Who the hay is this girl!? Who does she think she is?!” The leader grew angry from the taunt. “I am Twilight Sparkle, royal student of Princess Celestia.” the lavender unicorn said with an arrogant smile. The team of bandits laughed at the faithful student. When their laughing stopped they just smiled. “Think yer so tough with your fancy teachin's? We ain't no ordinary bandits, just like you ain't not ordinary girl, lass.” The leader grinned. Bones cracked as the other ponies underwent a wicked transformation tearing their clothes. Their structures formed something more feral. Their fangs extended and their eyes dyed red with hunger. They were Vampires, but something was a bit different. Their skin was dried and wrinkle. Their flesh torn and degrading exposing bone. Decaying wings for the pegasi and crackled horns for the unicorn. “We sensed you Princess and you too young vampire.” They trotted around the two speaking with sinister tones. “We lured you, we hunger for your immortal blood..” A unicorn licked his fangs. “We born as mortal vampires will drain you dry and no longer fear the sun!” They hissed at the two. They were both trembling. It was horrifying the thought of being drained dry by the fiendish monstrosities that laid before them. A sound pulsed in Twilight's head. “Twilight Sparkle..Cowardice will not save you..Let your fear become your power! The cornered become lions do they not? I gift you the powers of nightmares! Exterminate these pests!” Twilight's eyes flared with red as her blood boiled. Her fangs extended with a malicious grin. She threw her saddle bag to the floor and stared into one of the pegasi's eyes. An endless shadow of nightmarish images cloaked the once terrifying Vampire causing him to paralyze in fear. He looked around noticing time itself had seemingly stopped. She trotted slowly step by step, hearing an amplified version of her walk. He looked at her only to notice her pupils glowed red and a mist of matching color seeped out of them. Her grin was wide and unsettling. His feelings of fear and helplessness came to him as tears rolled down his eyes. When she reached him she whispered. “Goodnight.” And sunk her teeth into his neck draining his blood before ripping out his jugular. She licked her lips of the flavor of blood as she looked at the other scared pegasus who tried to fly away. “And just where do you think your going?” She used her magic to grab hold of him and slam him to the ground. The other bandits tried to stop her, but Luna was holding them off. She stepped on top of the fallen pegasus and smirked darkly as he trembled trying to get away. “You won't be needing these.” the dark unicorn said as she ripped off his wings mercilessly with her fangs. She heard the screams of the now wingless pony and smashed her hoof onto the back of his neck executing him. A blood red aura swirled around, the young vampire pony. She began to scream aimlessly into the sky as if in pain. The alicorn gazed upon the nightmarish sight of her seemingly lost friend. What was happening? This grim feeling that covered her body causing her chest to tighten and caused her body to shiver. “Do you feel it Luna?” A voice echoed in the astral princesses mind. “You...What have you done to her!” She yelled. “Mearly given her the power to defeat those who threaten her. You should be grateful, you'd both be dead if I had not intervened.” She was right. What could even an alicorn do against five wicked vampires? She needed her power..She needed Nightmare Moon. But to be part of Twilight..That she would not allow! “Get out of Twilight Sparkle! We demand it!”Laughter echoed through her head. “You do not command me, fool! I cannot leave her as I cannot leave you! I am part of you, in your very blood! Now that she has your blood we are one!” Luna growled, but knew she had no choice, but to accept it. She was frustrated and the enemy was on assault. The two unicorns and the leader were left. A unicorn amplified the magic around its horn creating a magic blade swinging it at the alicorn which she dodged, but received a powerful buck from the earth pony to her mid section sending her tumbling. She raised from the ground her horn glowing with an angry look on her face. She took flight then took a powerful horn first dive through a unicorn's skull. She throws off the corpse to the ground. She notices the corpses being dragged towards Twilight as the body's very essence seemingly drains away. The second unicorn charge to avenge his fallen comrade. Luna retaliates by bucking it hard enough to shatter its skull. The leader charged enraged by his fallen allies deaths jumping and slamming his front hoof into the night princesses face sending her harshly into the ground. The sharps stones and rough dirt scared the night princess's body weakening her as she struggled to stand. “Stay down!” the earth pony yelled as he jumped and slammed four hoofed on her back. Blood spat from her mouth as her eyes widened. Her consciousness began to slip as she noticed the earth pony grin as he dropped down to her level. “Now, your blood its mine!” He readied his fangs to the dark alicorns neck, but was stopped by a serpent like monster snapping at his lower mid section. He let out a scream of agony as the now helpless leader was tossed into the are and devoured by the hellish beast. Luna looked up to see a horrifying image of her friend. Hell beasts come out of the dark aura as if it was a portal to the very source of horror. Twilight trotted closer to her friend as she levitated her with magic. “Go on Twilight..Take her power! Make us one again.” Nightmare Moon echoed in her mind. Twilight resisted screaming from the intense pain of her actions of refusal. Luna looked at her weakly. “Twilight..Snap out of it...You must not give in...” The dark red aura dissipated with a final scream as the vampire mare fell dropping Luna. “Noooo!” the dark voice called before fading into her consciousness. The battlefield was clear. No blood, no bodies. All was drained by Twilight's fear filled powers. The two laid on the field weakened, but victorious. Twilight rose first remembering the power she unleashed. She looked at the now unconscious Luna. She tried to mend her wounds with magic, but in her state she couldn't completely restore her. The unicorn's expression dimmed with sadness. All of this power she now had and she had no idea how to control it. She was scared it could come at anytime and hurt, or possibly kill Luna. The thought made her tear up as she began to sob over the darkness that was inside her. Nightmare Moon was now a part of her and there wasn't anything she could do to stop it. She laid next to the fallen alicorn and rested. She awoke to the sizzling burn of her flesh in the sunlight with a yelp of pain. Sure she had fed, but the sun was still painful to her. The sunlight resistance spell had also worn off. Luna awoke to the noise. Luna casted the sun resistance spell on her again. Twilight sighed with the slow dismissal of the pain. “Thanks Luna.” She smiled the pain fading now feeling a warm, but not burning presence of the sun. “Twilight, what was that power yesterday? Nightmare Moon has never granted me powers like that before.” the night princess said in a concerned. “She took over me..I couldn't control her only feed her with my fear..All I could see was the fear I instilled on those vampire ponies and I couldn't stop her.. The power was just so overwhelming. It was so terrible, so evil..” The element of magic explained. Questions came of this new presence. Was this the power and terror Luna felt? The power of nightmares, to make the greatest of fears reality and to devour the bodies of the fallen and living alike. Such power was just insane. It was as if she was a true monster! “The dead we have devoured will forever become a part of you. Like any part they are your thralls to command and control.” The familiar voice echoed again. What? She thought. Could she control the ones she had killed, the ones she had absorbed? “She has become a part of you, but since thou art not as strong as us she can take further control of thee. We fear for thee Twilight, we wish to learn more of this horror that has befallen thee since your transformation so that we may aid you. We will do our best to protect thee from her treachery!” The alicorn vowed. More and more, her anger stacked mixed in with the fear that grew. She wanted to protect her new immortal friend, but she felt not strong enough without the power of Nightmare Moon. “How can you protect me? She nearly killed you during the attack.” Twilight said recalling the near consumption of her friend. “True, she refuses to give us power against thee in a wish to consume us and become whole at her full power. If she were to absorb us..all of Equestria could be in terrible danger. As Discord rained chaos she would bring forth living nightmares to all the land. Believe you us Twilight Sparkle, though thou hast grown stronger since your transformation and only a small amount of her blood flows through thee. She grows ever powerful from the being thou hast become the living nightmare know as a vampire.” Luna looked down. The lavender vampire was hurt by the words of her friend. She did not like the though of being called a living nightmare. She frown looking down. Luna looked at her friend noticing the error of which she spoke and came to her. “Twilight..We meant no ill words with what we spoke..” the astral pony spoke calmly to her friend putting a wing around her. “I am a monster though! Look at what I have become! I fed off the terror of those ponies!” She yelled trembling as tears began to well up in her eyes. Luna looked at her closest friend now tearing away. She brought her close into a embrace. “Twilight..Thou art no monster. Thou art our dearest friend and kindest pony we know. We bear the same mark of Nightmare Moon. Thou mayest be different now, with your new found powers, but thou art still Twilight Sparkle and Twilight Sparkle is no monster.” She smiled holding her close. “Thanks Princess.” She returned the smile not knowing what else to say. Her smile was genuine glad to hear that Luna though her not as a monster. She was happy that even through all of the chaos she still had a friend she could rely on. “Tis nothing Twilight, you were the one that did the same for us during Nightmare Night.” The night princess let her go from the embrace. “But another question.. What were those other vampires? Wasn't I the only one?” The vampire pony asked. “We do not know. Perhaps another lore of vampire pony. They came in search of our immortal blood. Possibly because they could not regenerate as you can without it. Your powers are different then theirs Twilight. I also assume you are more resilient to light. Though you do not explode into ash you do still suffer pain.. This is most confusing.” The night princess frowned in thought. “Hmmmm..I guess they were what they said, mortal vampires. Though there transformation seemed more vicious. Definatly created differently then I was and definatly not with immortal blood. I'm honestly very curious as to how these ponies were created.. Well we best go to the Emerald Quartz Cave and perhaps learn a thing or two.” The element of magic smiled. “Perhaps thou art right. We should get a move on. Let us be off!” Luna smiled with her friend. The lavender unicorn was excited. Sure she was still uneasy, but with all the new questions she wanted to answer it further motivated her to go to see the changelings. Luna was also happy to see her friend in high spirits especially considering the hell they just went through. The two trotted off following the road to Canterlot their next stop.. > Holy Knights > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- The two reached Canterlot. It was still bright, but getting darker. The streets of Canterlot were as busy as ever, with very poshly dress ponies, mainly unicorns roaming the streets. The ponies bowed at Luna's arrival, she was royality after all. Through the street she notice some of the Royal Guards and Celestia trotting toward the two. Luna froze in shock. She hoped Celestia would not suspect anything of her faithful student attire. Celestia could also sense the life within creatures. She knew she couldn't just run and hoped to avoid this situation, but she had no choice, she had to confront it. The astral princess looked at her sister keeping a straight face. Twilight was shivering though. She was scared what the sun princess might do if she found out that she had joined the undead ranks. Celestia reached the two immortal ponies. "Twilight Sparkle, my faithful student and Luna my dearest sister. I am so glad you could stop by Canterlot while on your travels. It is your first checkpoint to the Emerald Quartz Cave is it not?" Celestia smiled, however in the mood the two ponies were in it was very unsettling. "Tis, dearest sister. We would love to stay, but we wish to end these turmoils as soon as possible." the night princess responded. "Is that so? Then why did you not take the midnight train to Canterlot?" the white alicorn questioned. Luna couldn't think of much a response to the question. She needed more time to think of an apropriate lie. "It was my suggestion princess, we needed more time to think of a plan of what we were going to do about the changelings." The lavender pony spoke saving Luna. The dark alicorn sighed mentally. "Your student was very helpful devising a plan to assist us against the changelings." "Very well sister. I wish you safe travels." Celestia smiled yet again. Celestia and her sister parted ways. The dark alicorn and vampire went east to begin their final travel to the changeling kingdom. -Celestia- Something was wrong with her faithful student. Her attire was most odd, but it was something more. She felt Luna's immortal blood flowing in her, but at the same time she gave off no sense of life. While she reached the castle she growled angerly. That cursed sister and her experiments! That had to be it! Necromancy! She had killed Twilight and brought her back as an immortal using her blood. She thought it not to be possible, but now with murder and Necromancy. Luna had gone too far, she tampered with lifes very limits and would have to pay the ultimate price. However she knew better then to kill her and her creation in the streets of Canterlot. That would draw question to her own motive and she had no proof mearly what she sensed. She knew that this was far bigger than last time. She knew Luna would do everything to prevent her death even raise an undead army. She needed to call upon her knights enlisted for just such an occasion, the Paladins. Holy knights that fought against the undead with holy weapons forged using silver and enchanted with solar magic. Most questioned why there was such a lack of earth ponies in the royal guards, it was because earth ponies were mostly in the secret division of Paladins. Their natural born strengths and abilities made them the perfect canidates for the use of large weaponary and heavy armor. Sure there were some exceptions for this, but none the less unicorns and pegasi were in the minority in the paladins. Whatever Twilight was now she needed her captured to find out. She would not have her killed yet, but her sister needed to pay for her vile crimes. The sun princess looked over the balcony watching her sister and Twilight still in sight. Celestia called in her advisor, she was a cobalt unicorn with long green mane and red rimmed glasses with quill and ink cutie mark. "You called, princess?" the unicorn asked. "Yes Veronica, we desire the Paladins to hunt my sister and bring back Twilight Sparkle." Celestia said darkly. She was very much angered by her sister, feeling betrayed when she clearly forbid her from using Necromancy. "The paladins?! And you sister?! Princess this is a very sudden order. May I ask why?" Veronica asked. "All you need to know is that undead is involved and my sister has disobeyed a forbidden command." The sun princess said in a cold voice. The advisor caught on fast. She did not wish to anger the princess. "Very well Princess.." The cobalt unicorn trotted away from her ruler to rally up the Paladins. -Luna and Twilight- The two had gotten a good distance away from Canterlot. They were both still nervous from the unexpected confrontation from Celestia. It could not be mere coincidence, or was it? They knew not what to think of the thoughts that went throught the sun princesses head. Could she already know? What was to happen to them they thought? They trotted through the grass as there was no clear path towards their destination. The area of which they were was dense and forested. Creatures of carnivorious natures usually lived in parts such as these so the immortals needed to be prepare. Twilight however was at ease from the lack of sun hitting her. "This forest makes us very uneasy." the night princess heard rattling in the trees above. "Don't worry princess. I'm sure we can handle any challenge that will come our way." Twilight smiled. She was very confident with her new powers along with Luna there she felt she could not be stopped by some mear animal. Her confidence made Luna smile. "Your confidence is warming, Twilight Sparkle. It reminds us of when we were young. We believe thou to be right, there must be little to fear for two immortals such as us." Twilight looked down. "Well there is one thing I fear., What if Princess Celestia found out about me.." Luna frowned at the thought. "We would be in horrible danger. Even us immortals can be slain if wounded greatly. We would protect you Twilight, we cannot let our friend die for an error we have commited." She looked down. It was still eating away at her all the trouble and pain she had caused Twilight. She wanted a friend to live forever, but she didn't want this existance for her. The vampire pony trotted next to the night princess. She nuzzled the princess's neck. "That's all it is Princess, its an error. Science has plenty of errors. We learn from those and become better because of it. Sure its going to be hard to live with, but I'll adapt to it. Besides, being a vampire has its benefits." "But do they out weight the negatives?" Luna looked at her with saddened eyes. "I believe so, yes. I mean I can live forever now and you've been a wonderful friend to me. With all this power I'm stronger than anypony I know! I just hope one day I can tell my other friends about this and that they will accept me as they did before." The palish lavender unicorn looked up at the trees. She thought of the times she was with her friends. She did miss them greatly and she would tell them the truth one day, but for now she needed to wait. "We art sure your friends will accept thee. Thou art still Twilight Sparkle, thou may seek the blood of others, but thou art no different then thou was before." The alicorn of the night smiled. Twilight yawned. "Yeah, I think you're right." Though she had slept earlier that night, the abrupt awakening of the light forced her awake. It was very temporary and the fact she was in the sun tired her even more. Luna joined her in a yawn. "Doth thou wishest to rest?" The night princess was used to sleeping during the day and had also missed quite a bit of it. The unicorn blushed a little embarassed. "If you wouldn't mind.." The alicorn layed on the grass of the forest. "We do not, truth be told we art very tired as well." Twilight followed what the princess did. "Sweet dreams." She said as she dozed off. The moon pony smiled. "Same to thee, Twilight." The two both fell soundly asleep. Though the forest held monsters they were not afriad. -Twilight- The unicorn was in a space like area with no planets only darkness littered with stars. The darkness swirled like a black hole with violet, black and sapphire. "Hello Twilight Sparkle." A voice spoke from the darkness. It was the voice of Nightmare Moon. "What do you want?" The mare yelled back. "Mearly to speak with you Twilight. Do I frighten you?" The voice laughed. "No, do I? Show yourself you coward!" Twilight growled growing tired of her games. The maniacal laughter could be heard. "Very well." The night terror appeared in front of her with a toothed grin. "You act so tough Twilight Sparkle, but know that you are still a frail pony without my powers." "Maybe so, but this frail pony still defeated you!" The vampire smirked. Nightmare Moon laughed. "Maybe, but only together with your friends were you able to accoplish such a feat. Alone you could never hope to defeat me." She had a point. Twilight even as a vampire could not hope to defeat her alone. "You may be right, but I hope you had a better reason to interupt my sleep then to just gloat about your power." "Oh, but I have Twilight. I have, but an offer." She smirked. "I'm listening." The lavender unicorn looked up at her. "You wish to protect the one I wish to devour, that I cannot control, but I am more free in you body then I am in her's. You see, you hold a part of Nightmare Moon while she holds the rest. Even so I could make great use of your body and in fact give you more power than even Luna can imagine. You have already recieved a taste of my dark powers, when you slaughters those other vampires. I ask for you to stop resisting me so that I may grant you my full power." The malicious pony smirked. "Are you crazy?! If I were to do that you would just take over and control over me. I am not stupid enough to give myself to you! You would just devour Luna!" the element of magic yelled. "Silly foal, I ask you not to answer this question now. Think about it, let your desires eat away at you.. Now begone!" The nightmare grinned. A black hole appeared under Twilight and swallowed her as she screamed. -Luna- The night princess stood in a blackened Canterlot Castle. She was in her bedroom when Nightmare Moon appeared in front of her with a stern look. “Why doth thou wishest to interrupt our slumber?” the night princess spoke calmly. The two hated each other, but Luna still showed respect to her. “Oh, I feared you to yell at me again.” She chucked. “I have come with an offer, one you cannot refuse.” “Oh? What would that be?” The curious alicorn asked. “Simple, if you continue to resist my powers so greatly I will be forced to do what has nearly been done. I will have Twilight devour you. Now Luna, I ask do you think one small unicorn such as her can control all of our power?” The malicious pony grinned. “You bastard! You threaten her in our own slumber! We should eliminate you!” the night princess growled. The Nightmare laughed. “I'm sure you would like to try, but you can't not without destroying yourself! You have no choice, but to submit to my offer. Do not worry, you will have more power so your sacrifice will not go without reward.” “Very well, but doth thou thinketh us as simple enough to go without a fail safe? If you lay a single hoof on Twilight, we shall not hesitate to destroy ourselves and our blood to save her.” The astral princess grinned. Nightmare Moon looked shocked. What?! Was this one unicorn really worth her own immortal life? “You are bluffing! You must be! Besides how do you plan to destroy yourself and our blood?” Nightmare Moon yelled in a slight panic for control. “We art no more bluffing then when we offer ourselves to thee to gain power the first time. We will simply scorch this body to such a temperature that even our bones shall melt, none of your blood will remain. Only a weakened version of yourself will reside in Twilight. Now we ask thee, doth thou want to play nice or doth thou want all chances of thee reaching ultimate power set ablaze?” Luna yelled in a serious and demanding tone. The living nightmare scoffed. It was just like last time when she offered her power. The night princess would never go into a deal without a fail safe. She knew better than to just give into her power. On the moon during those one thousand years Nightmare Moon was born. She spoke to the night princess making her hate and was her only friend, a being created from pure utter malice and destruction. Her original purpose was to use her powers to destroy all of Equestria, but Luna held onto her pain for so long that she never gave into the new purpose Nightmare Moon tried to instill upon her. The second the moon had given her freedom she controlled as much dark power as she could. Though they were not synced with each others powers, so the ultimately failed to make eternal night. She knew better than to challenge Luna, but she would never give up on one day overriding her. “I have little choice, but trust me! I will find a way to get to you!” The Nightmare promised. “So long as thou knows better than to lay a hoof on Twilight, we very much desire thee to try.” She smirked. Nightmare Moon growled. “How dare you mock me! Begone!” The colors of Luna's dream faded as she awoke with a smile. Twilight woke shortly for with a different expression, one of fear and with a scream. The two heard heavy footsteps coming their way. “What is that noise?” Luna looked at her friend. "It sounds like a beast of some sort, but I hear several footsteps.." Twilight looked to the right. The two got on their feet as they noticed a few large earth ponies wearing helmets and heavy silver colored metal armor covering ever inch of the body and legs only leaving room for mobility reasons. The three had a different weapon strapped to them. Each weapon was forged of silver and had a blinding sheen to them. The weapons they had were a longsword, a battle axe, and a spear. “So we found them, by order of Princess Celestia we sentence you Luna to death for crimes of Necromancy, murder, treason.” The armored earth pony with a sword said. "What?! Who art thou to claim thou art from our sister!?" Luna demanded answers. She had a feeling Celestia knew, she just hoped it wasn't true. However, even if her sister had found out she did not expect herself to be sentanced to death without trail. Treason? She had no such intention of betraying her country! What was going on here? "We are the holy warriors known as the Paladins, a unit focused on slaying the undead and their Necromancers. However we have orders to take your unicorn friend back, alive." The axe paladin responded. The Paladins drew their weapons holding them in their mouths. The two immortals stood ready for combat. “You have no idea what you are messing with!” Twilight smirked. The knights charged at the two. The swordsman swung his blade at Luna, she jumped away, but still received a scratch on her right front hoof. The small cut burned as if crackling with the fires of the sun. The night princess yelped at the burning pain. “Twilight! Be careful they are using sun enchanted weapons!” Twilight nodded in response. The unicorn shot an energy beam at the axe wielding paladin sending him into a tree. The spear wielding one struck her with the back end of his weapon in her face sending her tumbling on the ground. “Twilight!” Luna yelled. “You're going to pay for that!” Her eyes glowed with great power as undead animals rose from their slumber. A large dragon, a pack of wolves, and a bear pulled themselves up from the dirt. The risen army roared readying their attack. The dragon took flight raining fire upon the Paladins. When the fires ceased the earth ponies still remained intact, but the pony with the spear was missing. He fell atop the large lizard thrusting the spear into its skull causing it to roar in pain as it turned to ash. The pack of wolves charged into the axe wielder not doing much damage but keeping him distracted. He crushed the wolves one by one with heavy swings and once he was done It was too late for him to notice that the alicorn had decapitated him with a magical blade created with her horn. Blood spilled from the mortals neck mixing with the ash of the wolves as he collapsed lifelessly to the grass. The bear swung its large paws at the sword wielding knight, but stopped as it felt its heart become pierced with the silver sword, reducing its essence to ash. Twilight charged at the sword wielder thrusting him with a horned skull bash sending him crashing into the forest. The spear wielder jumped and thrusting his spear into Twilight’s back. She screamed in pure pain ash escaping the wound instead of blood. The unicorn collapses, the pain from the burning wound causing her to blackout. A dark and vicious roar came from Luna as darkness enveloped her and she transformed into Nightmare Moon, but still in control of her anger and hate. “How darest thee lay a hoof on her!?!” She yelled in a distorted voice violently. She magically raised the spear wielding knight who dropped his spear as his teeth chattered in fear. She grinned darkly as she forced his armor to tighten around him crushing him within it leaving a mess of blood and metal as she dropped him. “And as for you..” She turned her now glowing eyes to the final warrior returning from his fall. The Paladin charged at her only to be captured by undead fangs and claws from underground, which held onto his hind legs. He screamed dropping his sword as he struggled to escape from the undead that were trying to drag him down, holding on for dear life with his front hooves. The night princess trotted towards him. “Now feed my subjects!” She raised on her hind legs and smashes her front hoofs down onto his causing him to fall into the undead pit. She could hear terrorized screams and piercing cuts as the monsters made their way through his armor and to his flesh. She closed up the holes of summoning with magic and trotted away returning to her usual form. She lifted the wounded Twilight onto her back and feed her the blood of the fallen paladins levitating it to her mouth with magic. She hoped that that would work. The small cut Luna had still had not healed. It was strange, ash. The weapons had the same effects on Twilight as they did a normal undead. She cleared the ash out of her wound. She then eyed the sword of the fallen Paladin, thinking it might be useful she took it with her. She trotted through the forest reaching the end. The ground much more lifeless like a wasteland very few trees and the dirt was a brownish gray were in view. She notice it was nightfall upon leaving.. -Celestia- Veronica trotted toward Celestia who was rising the moon on the balcony. “Princess I have a report..” “Is it on my sister?” Celestia had finished her spell and now gave her full attention to her adviser. “Y-yes you see, one of the paladin teams was eliminated.” She stuttered with fear of angering her ruler. “I honestly didn't expect her to go down so easy, she is my sister after all. How were they killed?” the sun princess asked. Veronica sighed with relief, relieved she did not anger the princess. “One decapitation, one crushed in his armor, and the last on is missing, but presumed dead. Ashes were scattered around the site, but one odd thing. The report states there is no blood at the scene at all.” Celestia blinked in shock of the unusual statement. “What? Well it didn't just walk off! Where did it go?!” “I-It's just gone, we believe they took it for some reason..” She looked away scared to make eye contact. Celestia grinned. “Well I guess this goes far beyond simple immortality. We have two options in this matter, either Luna is offering the blood to the Changelings as a sign of trust or Twilight has joined the undead ranks as a vampire!” The cobalt unicorn almost dared not ask. “What?! Vampire? Why are you smiling princess?” “Because Veronica, everything adds up! I know her plan! Shes going to the Changelings to learn about vampire like beings. They feed on love the same way vampires feed on blood. But what to do..Hmmmm.. Yes, send the Paladins to the Emerald Quartz Cave.” Celestia smirked. “B-but that will make our soldiers targets! They will be slaughtered!” The unicorn screamed. “Sacrifices must be made! It should be all we need to turn the Changelings on them. They will think they are bringing forth an army for war.” She responded. “No! I will give no such order! What happened to friendship? Fair trial and all that! This is going to far!” Veronica yelled. This angered the sun princess. She bucked the unicorn sending her tumbling through the hall. She trotted towards her. “You dare question my moral intention? Do you think I want to do this?! I can't help it! Vampires must be destroyed at all cost! This is bigger than a few lives! And my sister has found a way to create them! If such knowledge became common, all of Equestria could be doomed! Don't you ever speak to me as if I am some lowly foal! I have no choice in this manner!” The unicorn struggled to rise to her hooves. “Y-yes..Forgive me, princess.. I shall give the order..” She trotted away leaving the princess alone to her thoughts. -Luna- She had been trotting with Twilight on her back for hours. She wished she could fly but alas the weight of both their saddlebags and Twilight was far too much to bear, least for flight. Carrying her was not hard. She looked at the map and noticed the cave was in sight. Twilight woke and the astral princess let her off her back. The unicorn looked up at the moon. “How long have I been out?” She asked. “A few hours now, Twilight Sparkle. The cave is over there!” The princess of the night pointed her hoof in its direction. Twilight smiled viewing the cave. She tasted blood on her lips. “Luna, why do I taste blood on my lip. I thought I was unconscious?” Luna blushed a bit. “Umm..We feed thee blood of the fallen while thou was out. We hope it was fine, we worried because of the blood thou lost.” Twilight also blushed a bit. “Oh..It's fine princess. Um.. Thank you. “Oh it was nothing, Twilight Sparkle.” The alicorn smiled. The two reached the entrance of the cave. “Art thou ready?” Luna asked. “As I'll ever be.” Twilight smiled. The two trotted into the cave not knowing what may await them... > Enter the Kingdom > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- -Celestia- The noble princess returned to her room feeling her head in a daze causing her to collapse on to her bed. What was going on? She felt different and unwell as if she was drifting in and out of conscientiousness..Her memories were becoming one.. Luna..Twilight.. Luna had created a vampire of her dear assistant or so her thoughts told her. She knew she was not mortal anymore.. A red image of blood soaked fangs haunted the princess. Piercing red eyes entered her mind. These images only came to her head soon after Luna’s departure. She felt feelings that something was swaying her judgment almost controlling at first causing her head to split with intense pain when she decided against her action..but then there was time when she saw naught.. when she would mearly blank out of existence to her conscious, only to awake unaware of anything she had done to reach her location. What had she done this time? Last she remember her head burning with hate for what her sister did. She did not hate her sister..She was however angered and disappointed in her actions..She was scared for Twilight as well wondering what she may be going through..Vampire or not she was no mortal and for a normal pony to be granted that power there must have been sacrifice. Veronica..perhaps she knew what had happened. She must! She was her adviser after all. Celestia rose from her bed and called out. “Veroni-!” Celestia froze before she could finish. Her body felt filled with lead as if no strength she had could possibly move her. Her eyes being all she could control. The sun princess noticed a cloaked figure trotting towards her. “Ah, caught you at the perfect time, I need you for your sister to pay for her crime.” The figure said holding a stance. -Twilight and Luna- The two trotted down into the kingdom looking on to the glowing green quartz wall with a center gate of iron bars that surrounded a black castle. Twilight unhooded herself since she was in the cave. The two found it harder to breath in the cave, but it became easier as the got used to the air. They approached the gate but, were quickly surrounded by Changelings. “I expected no less a reception from our enemies.” Twilight sighed at the predictable aggressive actions. “What brings you here to our kingdom?” One of them hissed. “We wish to speak with thine queen.” The lunar princess asked. From the crowd of stood a taller changeling that came to the front analyzing the two trespassers. He shared similar characteristics as the other changelings, but his eyes were a pale green. He was also dressed in a very dark set of steel armor. It was however only covering his torso with light leg padding. “You two, come with me.” He said in a deep distorted voice. They kept cool, even if execution was to be their fate Chrysalis would almost certainty wish to know their business. Though they didn't know much about her, but she was a Queen and it was her duty to know when a threat was at her door. The two had no choice, but to follow him so they did so. Twilight was a bit confused, not having seen him in the past battle when Canterlot was attacked. She thought, a warrior type like him could surly do more damage than the type of soldiers that were used in the assault. “Were you in the attack on Canterlot? I don't really recall seeing you there.” The vampire pony asked hoping his answer would satisfy her curiosity. “No, I was under strict orders to keep this place safe while in the Queen's absence. I am the Captain of the Guard and will not leave this kingdom unprotected. You are not our only enemies.” The captain answered. The gate opened slowly as he lead the two beyond the crystal wall. The interior of the wall was filled with houses and shops made of stone and wood of very dark nature. The crystals seemed to have a very faint glow that kept the dark lights of the place lit, but various other means of lighting were still there such as torches and lanterns. There were a lot of citizens in the town gawking at the ponies. The further they were led into the place the more Changelings came to surround them. They yelled many things but the ones that stood out were: “Ponies?” “Kill them!” and hissing noises. The two ponies broke out into a cold sweat hoping their luck with the Queen would not be as bad as with the townsfolk. “What brings you ponies here? I must say it is unusual to get your kind around here. Especially a Princess.” The armored changeling asked. Luna took it in slight shock, feeling a bit flattered to be know as a princess to a race such as the Changelings. “We art here to attempt to establish peace between our two races. Tis why we seek audience with thine Queen.” the alicorn responded. This seemed to come as a surprise to the Changeling, but it explained the small party. Otherwise they would be fools to announce an attack on the large force, princess or not. They eventually reached the end of the road and now were at the castle door. The castle was large made of what looked to be Onyx gemstone fused into a single solid mass. It stood tall with large stain glass windows and green flag décor. They entered. Through the entrance the two immortals gazed at the foreign design. The room was lit with green fire candles and chandeliers made out of ivory. The floor stairs and wall were composed out of the same Onyx as the castle. A red carpet led to the throne as to where the Queen sat. She was surrounded by armed guards. The throne was composed of fused emerald quartz with a crystallized feel and decorated with glowing sapphires. They were led in front of the Queen, where the Captain bowed to her. “Ponies?” She glared at them remembering Twilight's face. “Why have you brought me them, Stone?” Stone looked up at his leader. “They came here seeking audience with you, my Queen.” She grinned darkly and looked at Twilight. “You two, what brings you here. Out with it.” Luna took a step forward. “We wish to speak to you in order to form a peace between us and the Changelings.” Peace? Chrysalis was in a bit of confusion. She thought that the two were captured perhaps planning a larger assault. She did not completely trust them however. She knew not if they were telling truth or masking lies. It was very strange to her, peace..No nation ever asked for it to her probably because of the way they fed on emotions and how aggressive they were to get their food. “Peace?..” the queen looked at them. “I shall have to think this over.. In the meantime you should stay here in the castle.” The emotion parasite said. She kept them in the castle only so she could keep an eye on them. The two trotted off with Captain Stone leading them. Before they could completely exit Chrysalis called out. “Purple one, you stay.” The two friends looked at each other with saddened looks. Neither of them wanting to leave each other especially in the foreign land. They both departed, then Twilight approached again before the throne. Chrysalis signaled her other guards to leave. As soon as the two were alone Chrysalis smiled. The unicorn knew something must be up. It felt rather odd for her to be singled out from her friend and left all alone with the Queen. “Is something amiss?” Twilight tried to hide her fear as the Queen came closer. “No, just a little something I remembered about you..” She looked at her unnerved by her long fangs. “W-what is that?” the vampire unicorn began to tremble a bit. She put her hoof under her chin. “I remember you being..mortal..” She knew?! How did she know? Twilight's eyes filled with panic not knowing what she could do. The shapeshifting queen grinned as she noticed this. “H-how did you know?” Twilight took a few steps back. “Why simple, I am a being of change. I can tell because of the way you look and smell. I mean I must be able to tell my subjects apart when they are transformed after all. After I caught your scent I was able to tell you weren't the same girl who foiled my plans..” Chrysalis smiled coming closer with an evil laugh. “Wait, how does that explain you know I'm a vampire? That's oddly specific.. Besides how can you tell I’m immortal just by looking at me and how I smell?” The unicorn was becoming more intrigued by her knowledge more so than scared. Luna and Celestia can sense life with magic. She assumed Chrysalis might be able to, but then remembered that love was required to amplify an changelings magic as well as changeling magic was likely to work different than unicorn or alicorn magic. She admitted to herself the library held little information about changelings so anything could be possible. The leader laughed again. “Do you really think you're the only vampire I have ever seen? You ponies aren't the only ones who have stumbled onto the dark gift. Your scent and appearance are much like our own kind when they are infected. You look pale and cold with the scent of death and blood. Changelings have enhanced senses, but they come at a cost of the way we feed..” Changeling vampires as well? What did this mean? How long had these creatures existed? Vampires, so much written on them., what was true? What was false? All this scattered knowledge was giving the mare a headache, but she had to know! She had to understand what this was..what she was and how to control it all. She feared being taken by her hunger and hurting anyone. And what of immortal blood? Would it truly end the hunger? “How does it feel to feed?” She grinned darkly. “To drain the very life out of a once living being in order to sustain your own. What do you think of the creature you have become? ” Twilight began to tear up, feeling her emotions being brought out on how the horror she instilled upon the ones she had killed. Even other vampires cowarded in fear as she crushed their hopes of life and drained their life away with her fangs. All the horror through Nightmare Moon's eyes she committed. But that wasn't her, she thought.. She was controlled! She remembered what Luna told her, that she was still Twilight..She was no monster, she had one inside her, but that was not her! She was the same pony she was before the transformation. She wiped her tears and stood up to the Queen. “It's horrible the things I've done..But I need to survive! I am Twilight Sparkle, I may now be a creature of the night, but I am still the same pony I was before. I have not let myself become a monster like you!” She yelled in her defense and smiled. The Queen was indeed a little shocked. She growled angrily at being call a monster. She had been called it before, but a vampire calling her it? She was insulted! “What makes you think you're any better bloodsucker!? You do the same if not worse for subsistence!” The leader of the changelings stomp her hoof in front of her with a new look of rage. “It's true I drink blood, but I don't inflict horror on purpose! You stormed an innocent kingdom, crashed my brother's wedding, Stole him away with intent of making him your love slave for what I imagine is until he expires. You were willing to capture all of the ponies in Equestria just to feed your hive. I’m sure there are other ways you changelings have survived until now that you don't require a country. That is what we call evil, Chrysalis. I was right from the very beginning!” the unicorn growled in disgust. The dark ruler smacked her across the face. “How dare you?! You have no idea how to rule a kingdom! You and your petty existence wouldn't understand what its like..” She trotted looking away from the unicorn. “The stress alone of ruling this kingdom and having to find food for my hungry subjects! We have done horrible things to find ways to control our hunger even converting it to a hunger for blood..not all were successful. You claim your kingdom is innocent?! Innocent is a word you mortals made up to make you feel less guilty than others! You're all guilty of various crimes as are we, but we are true to it! We don’t hide behind words! You and your pony kind are nothing, but cowards that can't face that you are no better then the so called 'monsters' we are!” Twilight rubbed her face to where she was smacked and came closer. “You're right..But in our actions we seek redemption. We try to do more kind than good. The way you justify what you do by feeding makes sense. Its the way you're doing it that is wrong, but maybe you could be more cooperative then just attacking a place without question. The knowledge of your enemies maybe what you need to survive. The Canterlot library may have something that may help you and everyone else here.” The Queens eyes widened. Was this possible? Could it be possible that the mortal enemies of the changelings had what they need? Even if it was just a shot she had to know if it was possible for these ponies to help her. “Very well..If it is true and you can indeed help us with our hunger then our nation shall be peaceful..to yours. I offer you a temporary truce for the time. Perhaps even in my immortal life even I still can learn a few things..” She never declared peace with another nation not even a temporary one. She was too busy view other nations as food, with limited or temporary success. “Now, is it possible you can tell me of the vampires here?” The unicorn asked. “Very well. Changeling's are made vampires through manipulation with their mind and chemical balance. The first few were made with a surgery and magic mental tampering. Though only one survived. In rewriting the desires of a changelings mind it has different effects on the body. The desire for blood causes the body to think the blood within the changeling was food so it releases digestive acids causing the hunger. As the acid and blood mix they become more and more acidic, even eating away through the body. That’s how the first few died. However if the body adapts to the change quickly enough they can resist the effects of the acid. The adaptation is like a quickened evolution causing enhanced physical abilities and life expansion however I am uncertain of immortality. From other tests the survival rate for a changeling is one in three. With the low rate of transformation we stopped the experiments. There is one change that is an odd change that after that changelings can only change into bats when vampiric. This is likely due to the way the brain was tampered with in limiting transformation. They infect with bite though survival is still an issue. Their eyes also become an emerald green which naturally is very rare for anyone besides the Queens to have green eyes in general. From what we have learned they are weak to heat. Heat causes there blood to boil melting through their skin. That is all we know.” The Queen explained. Wow, it was an interesting amount of lore that the Queen knew. It all wasn't very useful to her. The lores of her vampirism and the changeling vampirism were not similar. Besides drinking blood and powerful physical abilities they were hardly similar. Her mind then wandered to Luna, she felt strangely close to the goddess of the night. However it wasn't love..it was a type of desire to be with her of which she could not explain. “May I see Luna?” She completely forgot to comment on the lore of the changeling vampirism. “Stone!” Chrysalis yelled as her subject came to her quickly. “Yes?” “Take her to see her friend.” The princess commanded. Twilight left with Captain Stone to Luna's room. Chrysalis smiled thinking of the possibility Twilight had mentioned. -Celestia- Veronica came through the door hearing the call and caught the hooded pony in the act of stopping her. She look at her princess whoms eyes widened upon her arrival. The cobalt unicorns horn glowed until she was bucked from behind and sent tumbling to the ground. The pony that kicked her was revealed to be a unicorn as the door was shut and locked with magic. “Trixie it looks like you're here, not a second late my dear.” The hooded one said holding a stance to keep Celestia in place. “Witch, the Great and Powerful Trixie is never late, time can just come too early for her.” She smiled arrogantly. She was wearing her hat and cape. “Zecora is my name on with the cape, do not let the blue one escape.” The zebra said with distaste. The caped unicorn caught the other unicorn with her magic raising her to a great height and slamming her in front of her. Veronica tried to get up, but was held down by Trixie's front hoof. “And just where do you think you're going?” “Why..are you..doing this?” the cobalt pony said as blood dripped to the floor from her mouth. “Simple blue pony, I am doing it to be free. Free of this pain and thirst, that was our goal at first. Luna your sister is the key to this, to give us no thirst would be eternal bliss. Vampires we are if you cannot see, our lives forever they will be. But, there was a rule broken in this all, a new vampire made a thrall. Your sister created an immortal with her blood, the scent of eternal night is now thicker than mud. Even my desire to never thirst, I must make this sacrifice for better or for worse. For I am not vampire without care, for the chaotic death toll of mortals is too much to bare. So to quell this hell we must kill them both blood or not, it is the only option that we have got. Vampire approach to storm your city, so I must kill my friend it truly is a pity. I did not wish this upon Twilight, she had to be infected by that princess of the night...” Zecora said not happy with this. She had little choice but to kill them both or the vampires would ravage their path to get to her killing countless innocents in the crossfire. The paladins she had forced Celestia to send were her only hope. To turn the two already enemy nations against each other would not be too grand a lose compared to whats coming. She had know choice and knew what needed to be done for the lives of many were nothing compared to the two that would be lost. Still it brought a tear to Zecora's eye. The show mare laughed. “Trixie for one have no problem with killing Twilight. That mare made a foal out of Trixie! So Trixie came to Zecora who gave her this power! She needed me for my Great and Powerful magic so Trixie agreed to help her for this. Whoever would have known that magic wannabe would be a target for my feats beyond imagination? Trixie just wishes she could deal with the execution more personally!” “I am truly sorry princess, but it must be done I'm sure you can guess.” The zebra said. Veronica spoke weakly. “The paladins... how did you know?” “As ashamed as Trixie is to admit it we didn't. Zecora and I found out when she controlled Celestia. The Great and Powerful Trixie found out through reading her mind a power of Trixie's new form. Trixie was going to send the royal guards, but when she learned about the paladins it was much better almost perfect for the plan. So Trixie thanks you in helping her vanquish that talentless foal!” She mocked her. Celestia broke free from the control just long enough to speak. “Please! You mustn’t! You can't kill Twilight or Luna their must be another way!” Zecora shut her mouth for her. “I wish I could, but unfortunately I should.. Now sleep princess let me take you, I will let you go when we are through.” The princess's eyes grew numb and heavy as she slipped out of consciousness and into a deep slumber...