> Equestria's Dark Shadow
>  by InTheStands
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> The Shadow is Cast
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Disclaimer: I claim no ownership of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. Nor do I claim it for Dark Shadows. Both are property of Hasbro (and Lauren Faust) and Warner Brothers, respectively. I also claim no rights to any franchises mentioned as the story progresses - credit will be given once the properties appear. All I claim, however, are the story and the original characters that will appear.
And now, without further ado....


EQUESTRIA'S DARK SHADOW


Chapter 1: The Shadow is Cast


An air of excitement could be felt around Ponyville if one were to travel the leaf-covered land. It was still at least a month away, but no one could quell the anticipation of one of the more celebrated Equestrian holidays: Night Mare Night.
It was a night of food, fun, candy, and costumes. A night that, originally reserved for the infamous Night Mare Moon, now served as observance of the return of Princess Luna, sister of the reigning Princess Celestia.
Depending on the pony asked, Night Mare Night was also the night of mischief and pranks. The only question was what prank to pull - a question one unicorn and her friends were close to answering...


§§§


Ponyville's library was all aglow as the occupants inside gathered around, waiting for their friend as she prepared upstairs. A total of five ponies were there:
Rarity, a unicorn with a curled, purple mane and a white coat.
Rainbow Dash, a cyan pegasus with a rainbow-colored mane and tail.
Fluttershy, a yellow pegasus with a pink mane long enough to hide her face in, which she often did.
Applejack, an orange earth pony sporting a small cowpony hat and bands at the end of her yellow mane and tail.
And lastly, Pinkie Pie, an all-pink earth pony with a perpetually cheery outlook.

As the group quetly conversed amongst themselves, they heard the upstairs door close. Their attention was now focused on the unicorn they've been waiting for: Twilight Sparkle.
"Where's Spike?" Rarity asked aloud, referring to Twilight's young dragon assistant.
Twilight promptly answered as she descended the staircase. "He's back in the bedroom. It's part of the trick."
"A trick I hope we'll finally get to know about?" Rainbow Dash asked. "You've been talking about it all week."
"Just relax," Twilight lifted a foreleg in defense. "Yes, I'm going to tell you about it. You ready?" They all answered positively. "Okay. Now, I know I basically mastered teleportation. But there's still so many other techiques that can be learned."
"Like what?" Dash asked, her interest piqued.
"How about changing the effect of the teleport?" The librarian questioned in response. "Having it take on more than a standard flash? Such as...fading in from nowhere? And on top of that, having it combined with another ability like hovering?"
"...Pinkie?" Rainbow Dash smirked. "You thinking what I'm thinking?"
"That depends," The pink pony began. "Are you thinking of what to get Gummy for his birthday, too?"
"Should've known," Dash muttered. She spike up. "No. I mean Twilight giving us the ultimate setup for a ghost prank for Night Mare Night!"
"Ohh...okay, NOW I'm thinking what you're thinking! And I think it's neato!"
"But..."
"But?" The pegasus and earth pony's spirit dropped only slightly as Twilight interjected.
The unicorn rubberd one foreleg with the other. "I've only just started testing the effect. I don't want to promise anything, but I also don't want you disappointed if it fails."
Applejack vocalized with a huff. "Well how're you gonna know unless you do it, sugarcube?"
"Wasn't practicing magic the reason you got so good?" Fluttershy asked before lowering her head, whispering, "if you don't mind my saying..."
"Besides," Rainbow Dash waved off the warning, "It's not like all of my Night Mare Night plans depend on this working. Just show us!"
"Very well," Twilight decided after hearing her friends. "Spike set up some things upstairs in my room. If this goes right, not only should they slowly fade in, but they should be floating as well." She backed up from the seated group of ponies. "Ready?"
As they answered with a 'yes', Twilight's horn began to glow. Her friends watched as her brow furrowed in concentration, then as she closed her eyes. To their surprise, her horn started growing brighter and brighter.
"Uh...Twilight?" Rainbow Dash asked, but was shushed by Rarity.
"These things take concentration," The dressmaker explained.
"But THAT much?" Dash shot back.
At this point, Twilight was gritting her teeth, her mind focusing on the effect of the teleportation, how much she was teleporting, and making sure they all floated. As her horn reached nearly-blinding levels of brightness, the five ponies thought they could faintly see a feather quill, a drinking mug, and a book hovering in the air near the unicorn.
"It's working!" Pinkie Pie sprang up and bounced on her hooves. Her boucing slowed to a stop, however, when the ghostly images promptly disappeared.
And a shot of bright purple light shot out straight from Twilight's horn and through the ceiling. A loud crack filled the air of not only the room, but all of Ponyville.
The library showed no damage from the practical laser of magic. But the five equines were more concerned for the purple unicorn that was catching her breath and sitting on the floor, exhausted.
They clamored around her, asking questions in unison. Twilight waved them away.
"I'm fine!" She panted. "Really. I was...afraid this would happen?"
"You knew?" Rarity asked, dumbfounded. "You KNEW about the magic blast happening?!"
"Huh?" The purple pony mumbled. "No...I meant the spell not working. What about a blast of magic?"
"Are you kidding?!" Rainbow Dash shouted in a mixture of astonishment and offense. "You didn't FEEL it shooting out? There was a HUGE shot of magic that blasted out of your horn and into the-"
The pegasus was interrupted. Not by anypony in the room, but by the extremely loud, sharp 'thud' they heard outside from up above. It sounded like something large had just hit the tree that the library was in. A second later, another, softer thud was heard. This one sounding as though it landed right outside.
After they recovered from the startling noise, they looked at one another. Twilight stood up, and led them out of the front door.
Outside was a clear night, save for a few clouds. Soft glows emanated from the nearby houses, as well as the large tree that was the town library. Twilight and the others carefully walked outside, looking for any unusual sights.
Soon enough, they found it.
And it was completely unnerving to the six of them.
"Holy..." Rainbow Dash whispered loud enough for them to hear.
The ponies found themselves staring at a large, black casket. It was rectangular, with the lid facing upwards. It was covered with ornate and intricate designs. On the front was large, decorative 'C'.
But what was the most disturbing thing of all was its size. No pony - not even an alicorn, the largest equine there is - needed a casket this large. Of course, the question of why it was so big was quickly replaced with the question of...
"...Why is this here?" Fluttershy timidly asked, growing more fearful every second she stared at the object. "Why is there a coffin here? Outside the library?"
"You think it's what made the noises?" Applejack asked, looking up. "You...think you got it here, Twilight?"
"I...might have," Was the answer. Even she was unsure of how and why the casket was laying in front of them. She also wondered why the casket landed face up. Almost as if it was weighted, if something was inside it.
If something.
Was.
INSIDE IT.
The air was pierced with another sound. A sound that, along with the sight, none of them wanted to hear or see at this point in time: The sound of the casket banging.
And the sight of it jarring with each sharp knock.
The ponies responded by shouting, screaming, and darting backwards, staring on in horror. Finally, with one last knock, the casket's lid flew open, hanging lazily on its hinges.
Then it appeared.
Something rose out of the coffin into a sitting position. It was almost completely black, and looked as though it was hunched over. The six ponies felt themselves growing cold with fear as the watched a hand grasping the side of the coffin. A sheet-white hand, looking slightly decayed, sporting five fingers and nails sharpened to a point. They could only respond by slight whimpering. Unfortunately, it heard them.
It showed its face to them. A bizarre, pale, round face unlike any of them had seen in their lives. What looked to be black hair covered the top of its head, and ended just above its eyes in a strange curled pattern. It looked at them in a combination of shock, surprise, and anger. Then it bared its teeth at them.
Teeth that bore sharp, white fangs.
It rose up fully out of its coffin, towering over them. It clenched its teeth before finally shouting at them in a masculine voice:
"WHAT IS THIS?!?!"
The six of them could only respond by shrieking and running. Whatever it was, it was large, menacing, and absolutely furious. They took off as fast as they could - Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash even helped to push the other four as they glided away - leaving behind what could only be described as a monster.
The monster breathed heavily. He looked up at the tree, then to his casket. Bending down, he pulled out what looked to be a cane, decorated in ebony and intricate designs, ending at the ivory handle carved to look like a canine of some kind.
Realizing it took no damage, he held onto it as he stepped away from his coffin, gazing at the scene around him. The questions raced through his head, each fighting to be the one he asked aloud. Before he could do any such thing, he heard a loud creaking. He turned his head sharply.
And what he saw only spawned even more questions.
"Hello?" The tiny scaled being called out, sounding like a young boy. The purple dragon stepped out of the building, his eyes adjusting to the night environment. "Twilight? I thought we were trying out your new tricks!" He walked further, looking around. Upon turning towards the dark, pale-skinned creature, he froze. His eyes widened as the towering figure slowly approached, one hand raised and outstretched towards him. As Spike felt himself hit against the tree building, he stared up in horror as the creature neared. He gulped before feebly calling out one last time:
"Twilight?!"


§§§


"Is it following us?!"
Fluttershy's head darted backwards. They had traveled a formidable distance in escaping the creature. Though from the look of it, nothing seemed to be chasing them. She looked to the others and shook her head.
Rarity let out a loud sigh. "Oh, thank heavens."
They caught their breath as they rested at the fountain that marked the center of town. After a moment, Rainbow Dash shook her head.
"What did you DO, Twilight?"
"I don't know!" The purple unicorn gave her only answer. "Nothing I read said that this would happen!"
"Well obviously it did!" Rainbow Dash replied, gesturing towards the library. 
"Both of you, calm down!" Applejack intervened. "Now why don't we stop fixing the blame and start figuring out what to do?"
"Right," Twilight sighed. "What about Princess Celestia? Maybe she would know what this thing is, and how to deal with it. We just need Spike to send..." Then it dawned on her. Her pupils shrank as she let out a sharp gasp. "SPIKE!"
Within a second, she bolted away from her friends and back to the direction of the library. The others followed, their fears quickly overcome by their determination to save the young dragon from whatever peril the creature put him in. 
Their only fear at that point was the possibility that they would be too late. But they hoped to the heavens their fears were unjustified.
> To Wonder and Wander
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 2: To Wonder and Wander


My name is Twilight Sparkle. What had started out as a harmless way to pull a prank ended up as a creature that may be capable of causing great harm. What had started as a night of fun quickly turned into a night of terror as my friends and I struggled between finding an explanation...and finding whether or not the creature chose its first victim as Spike.


§§§


The six ponies skidded to a halt as they returned to the library. They frantically looked around. The casket remained in its place, opened. But the creature was nowhere to be found.
Suddenly, they heard somepony groaning. Looking to the doorway inside, their sight fixed onto the young dragon laying on the ground.
"Spike!" Twilight shouted out as she ran up to him. She quickly looked him over. No scratches or bruises, or anything else that would suggest he was harmed in any way. She stood over him as he groaned again, blinking awake and clutching his head.
"Mmmuh...Twilight? What...what happened?"
"That's what we ought to ask you!" Applejack answered. "Where'd that monster get to?"
"Monster?" Spike asked as he sat up. "What monster?"
Twilight grew frustrated. She had enough things to be scared of. Spike having brain damage was not about to be added to that list. "What monster? The one outside! The one with the white skin and the dark clothes!"
Spike could only groan louder and hold his head tighter. "I...I can't remember. Ugh...my head..."
Twilight could see shouting wasn't going to get anypony anywhere. Spike needed to be taken care of. "Pinkie? Go get Spike to his bed. Make sure he has some ice to cool down."
"Right away!" Pinkie beamed, then moved the little dragon onto her back. "Come on, Spikey. Let's get you to your nice warm bed and treat your head to a nice cold ice bag." As Pinkie ascended the stairs, the other five looked between themselves.
"What do you think happened?" Fluttershy spoke up, though not by much. "Is...is it loose?"
"Is there any doubt at this point?" Rarity grew fearful. She then gasped. "Sweetie Belle! Opal! Oh, I HAVE to make sure they're safe!"
"Well get going!" Applejack ordered. The white dressmaker sped off towards her home.
"What about Apple Bloom?" Rainbow Dash asked. Applejack gave her a dubious look.
"I don't know anything with so much as half a brain willing to take on Big Macintosh. Springs up like a gopher whenever something keeps him from sleeping."
Twilight simply stared out into Ponyville, watching the glowing windows going dark as ponies put out their lights. She sat down and scoffed at herself. "What have I done?" She shook her head. "What did I bring here? What hurt Spike?!"
"Twilight!" Rainbow Dash stepped in. "Knock it off! Whatever the hay it is, there's no way you brought it here on purpose. You know it, I know it, all of us know it!"
Twilight sighed, regained her composure some, and nodded. "There is one thing I know: We need to find it. We have to catch it before it hurts anypony! Or worse!"
"Sugarcube," Applejack fixed her hat, "You ain't gotta tell us twice."
As they quickly delved into discussions on how to capture the unwelcome monster, the four ponies standing outside failed to notice a large bat, larger than usual, springing out of the large tree's brances and darting off into Ponyville. It wouldn't have been to noticeable either way.
If not for the fact that it carried a black, ivory-handled cane between its feet as it flew.


§§§


Ponies sleeping meant lights needed to be put out. No lights meant plenty of dark spaces, despite an ever-glowing moon.
And in these spaces - a pitch-black alleyway, to be precise - an enormous bat carrying a cane made its landing. Several seconds passed, and a being stepped out into the moonlight.
A tall, pale, dark-clothed being, instead of the large bat. clutching his cane, the individual slowly walked out further, checking and double-checking to be certain he wasn't followed or being watched. He sighed, and repeated his earlier question to himself: "What is this?" 
He now began walking, his long coat lightly billowing, as he fixed the cowl draped over his shoulders. He glanced up at the moon.
He stopped and stared at it, confused. For some unfathomable reason, the craters seemed to perfectly make the shape of a unicorn.
Shaking his head, he continued his journey, despite having no clear destination. He quickly reasoned that if he was in this strange world for long, he may as well grow familiar with his surroundings. As he walked, he thought back to the events that transpired moments ago.
"Twilight?!"
The young dragon grew fearful as he grew closer and closer. He backed up into the library and grabbed the door. The dragon then began to threaten him, looking straight into his eyes. "Get away from me! I'm warning you! I'm-"
He stopped. The newcomer had raised his free hand, waving it slightly, putting the dragon in a trance-like state. Satisfied, the stranger spoke. "What is your name?"
"...Spike," was the blunt response.
"Tell me, Spike...where are we at the moment?"
"Ponyville."
"And this 'Ponyville', where is it located?"
"Equestria."
The intruder began to sense a general horse theme recurring throughout the world around him, through the names and the inhabitants. He asked another question, one he felt was more important than the others. "Are any citizens of this Equestira familiar with the supernatural being...known as the vampire?"
"Some," the dragon known as Spike replied. "Not everyone."
So there's a possibility of finding safety, the intruder thought. But then again... "Are any of the citizens aware of a being known as a...human?"
"...A what?"
The dragon's reply helped his hopes drop sharply. He knelt down to the dragon, hand still outstretched and maintaining the hypnosis. "I have one last question, young dragon. Upon arriving, I was met with six of these ponies." He paused, making sure the sentence sank in. "What are their names?"
The vampire grew concerned. The other questions Spike answered immediately. This one resulted in him being silent. His face also showed signs of resistance. The vampire, growing irritated, waved his hand several more times. "What are their names, dragon?" He asked, louder.
"...T...Twilight Sparkle..." Spike muttered, "Rainbow Dash...Fluttershy...Applejack...Pinkie Pie...Rarity."
Perfect, the vampire reasoned. Now he knew which names to avoid. But there was one last thing he needed to do. "Now, dragon. I shall break my spell. And once I do, you shall fall asleep. You will forget ever seeing me. You will forget my questions, and your answers. You will remember nothing after stepping outside of your tree. Do you understand? Now...Sleep."
Indeed, his questions were answered. But as he traveled, several more arose. What would he do for shelter? For safety from ponies who would no doubt be hostile to a vampire?
He froze.
How would he feed?
He then began to curse himself for thinking that. Already he could feel the undeniable thirst itching from within. He couldn't harm any of the inhabitants directly - he could feel there was a greater sense of community here than back in his true home.
He then stopped again. He barely understood how he got here. But perhaps he knew why he was brought here.
"Angelique."
The name felt like a rotten fruit spilling out of his mouth. The witch. He remembered the books he would read. Books and chapters and paragraphs on the supernatural. On mythical creatures. On possible worlds between worlds. And he was certain Angelique Bouchard, the bane of his existence, read many similar pieces of literature.
That was it, then! A final act of revenge! A way to separate him from his family forever!
"Is that it, then?" He whispered aloud. He stomped out of the shadows, basking in the moonlight, staring up at the clear white orb in the sky. "Is that it?!" He shouted. "You have made a deal that will end only in your misery! Your mistress has been vanquished! Hear me now, you foolish creatures - none have threatened Barnabas Collins and lived!"
He gasped as he saw a light in a nearby house flash. He ducked back into cover as a male pony cracked the window open and looked out, seeing nothing. "Hmph. Blasted colts. Normal ponies are trying to sleep!" With that, the stallion shut the window tight.
Barnabas made certain the coast was clear before fleeing. He began panting as his thirst began to grow. He could feel his composure slipping. His fangs aching. His mind trying desperately to avoid a senseless bloodbath.
Finally, a breakthrough.
Most towns had hospitals.
Most hospitals...had blood banks.
Baring his teeth, Barnabas Collins stuck to the shadows, his senses on full alert for any signs of a hospital. First he would feed.
Then he would plan.
> Settling In
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	
Chapter 3: Settling In


Pinkie descended the stairs, leaving the bedroom of the library and rejoining her friends. "Okie dokie! Spike's taken care of, Twilight! What do you want me to do...now?"
Pinkie realized she was the only one in the library. Then she heard noises coming from outside; The voices of her friends. The pink pony quickly went outside. "There you are!"
"Pinkie, shush!" Rainbow Dash quickly quieted her. "Ponies are still sleeping!"
The party mare paused for a moment, then whispered, "There you are. What are we doing now?"
"What's it look like?" Dash responded. "Whatever that...thing was..." The pegasus moved out of the way for Pinkie to see. "It left it's coffin."
The five ponies surrounded the casket. It seemed to be old, with traces of recent refurbishing. Twilight stepped closer to it, talking to her friends as she inspected it. "What could it have been doing in here?"
"Suppose someone buried it before making sure it was dead," Applejack guessed. "But then there'd be a lot more dirt..."
"...Hey, wait a minute," Rainbow Dash murmured aloud. She stared at the coffin, then widened her eyes before darting back into the library. The other four followed the pegasus in time to see her gliding around the room, past the bookshelves, searching for something.
"Aha!" Dash grinned as she plucked out a book from one of the rows. She quickly skimmed through it, muttering as she turned page after page. "There we are! M-hm...m-hm..."
"Rainbow Dash, what is it?" Fluttershy asked. "Is it...something we need to know about?"
"Oh yes it is!" Dash touched down, placing the open book on the floor for the others to see. "It all makes sense! The pale skin, the sharp teeth, the coffin..." She used a hoof to point at a picture next to a block of text. A picture that, while being that of a pony, contained the same characteristics as that of the new creature. Rainbow Dash then announced, "It looks to me...like we're dealing with a bona-fide VAMPIRE!"
Three of the ponies gasped. One, however, did not.
"Dash," Twilight shook her head, "I thought we all learned not to jump to conclusions like this."
"Who's jumping to conclusions?" Dash grew offended. "Look at this picture. Then think about that...thing. Now tell me they don't look almost exactly alike!"
"A lot of things look alike, Rainbow Dash," Twilight reasoned. "That doesn't mean they act alike. Or for that matter, are even the same thing."
Rainbow Dash simply huffed and shut the book. "Of all the times to be a skeptic, Twilight...why are you choosing now?"
"I'm just saying we need to go on more than appearances. We can't just prance around and make accusations. Maybe there's even a way to get it back from wherever it is it came from."
"Um..." Fluttershy grew timid. "Wouldn't that mean getting close to it? As in, within grabbing distance?"
"She's got a point, sugarcube," Applejack spoke up. "Whatever it was, I reckon it ain't too happy with us right now."
Twilight thought for a moment before sighing and shook her head. "Alright. Obviously we're all getting tired. We need to get home, get some rest, and think about this when our heads clear up."
"Fine by me," Dash placed the book back in its original spot. "But I sure as Tartarus am not going out alone. Applejack? How about I follow you home before I head back myself?"
"Ooh, ooh! I get to pick Fluttershy to follow me back!" Pinkie declared.
"That's....a bit obvious, Pinkie," Fluttershy pointed out. "I'm the only other pegasus."
"And that's why I picked you, silly! Come on, let's go!"
"Wait," Twilight stopped them before they departed. "Can you all do one thing when you get home?" The four nodded their answer as the unicorn continued. "Lock everything. Your doors, your windows, EVERYTHING. Somepony tell Rarity, too. As little as we know about this creature, Applejack's right in saying it's extremely angry at us. There's no telling what it would do. Or even what it may be doing now."


§§§


Ponyville Hospital had ended visiting hours a while ago. The night staff went about their duties, patrolling the halls and tending to whoever needed care at the moment. Most of the lights had been put out to both save energy and so as not to disturb anypony sleeping.
Doctor Stable, as usual, sat in his office, reading, completing, and organizing whatever paperwork needed to be dealt with. The calm that usually came during nighttime was the optimal time to get something like this done.
Tonight, however, the calm was interrupted by a sharp scream that echoed across the hospital.
The tan-coated unicorn stallion darted upwards, dropping his papers and running out into the hallway. He quickly laid eyes on one of the nurses, a white earth pony with a flashlight in front of her.
"Redheart!" Stable breathed out. "What's going on? What was that?"
"One of the patients," Nurse Redheart answered. "He says he saw something watching him."
"Is this any of the known hallucinators?"
Redheart shook her head. "But that's not all. He says...he says it's in the hospital."
"What?" Stable grew even more concerned.
They then gasped when they heard a second sound; The sound of glass being broken. Stable turned back to the Redheart. "Get the other nurses! We're finding whatever's doing this!"
The white mare immediately took her flashlight and ran down one end of the hall. Stable retrieved his light source just as the nurse returned with several of the hospital staff.
As one, the group kept a steady pace as they marched through the hospital, searching for the intruder. They turned a corner when their lights reflected off of several objects on the floor.
Looking closer, they saw it was broken shards of glass.
Glass and blood.
Immediately, Stable moved his light beam from the floor to a nearby door - one that clearly was the source of the broken glass. Inside, the group could see shelves of clear plastic packets holding a red substance.
"Blood?" Redheart grew surprised. "They were after the blood?"
Another scream pierced the air, followed by a shout for help. Their lights were turned in such a way that the blood puddle on the floor was revealed to be part of a long, coagulating trail of the fluid.
"COME ON!" Stable shouted to the others, who immediately obeyed. Bounding down the hallway, they flashed their lights into the rooms they passed, seeing only unharmed (but terrified) patients. In time, they noticed a dark blue glow emanating from the next turn: One of the larger windows of the hospital.
They also noticed the trail of blood turning the same corner.
Taking no chances of letting the thief escape, the group made the turn and shone their flashlights at the direction of the window. Stable began to call out. "Stop right there! You...you..." His voice degraded from a courageous boom to a horrified stammer. "What in Equestria ARE you?!"
The offender gave no response as it glared over its shoulder, crouched at the window and ready to jump. It merely bared its teeth, mouth running with the same red color as on the floor. Much like the plastic packets it grasped in its arms, its fangs shone in the lantern-like light, silently warning them to stay back. Then, without warning, the creature leapt from the window, disappearing from sight as it fell.
The group was frozen in place. Doctor Stable let his mouth hang open for several seconds before falling sharply to the ground, having fainted.
The rest ran screaming, searching for the quickest route to a law-enforcement official - and perhaps a news reporter. Whatever had happened, the word had to be spread as quickly as possible, before somepony was actually harmed by this monstrous, bloodthirsty being.
	
> Finding Out, Hiding Out
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 4: Finding Out, Hiding Out


My name is Spike. Last night, I went from leaving the library to waking up on the floor with Twilight talking about a monster having popped up out of nowhere. Now, this morning, she's been darting left and right for books on the shelves. It would be a regular day...if it weren't for the topics of the books she was looking for.


§§§


"Vampires?!"
The young dragon couldn't believe his ears. The purple unicorn he spoke to turned to him as he repeated the answer to his question.
"Yes, Spike. But not just vampires - any book about any creature that may take on similar characteristics of a vampire."
Spike heard none of the explanation, his mind focused on one more question. That was when he decided to ask it. "Wait. Wait. That...thing you said showed up...I was attacked by a...vampire?"
Twilight stopped in her tracks. She could hear the fear in Spike's voice; A variation of his speaking pattern that she did not enjoy in any way. She levitated her stack of books onto a table and walked up to the dragon. "I don't know. It could've been anything. Whatever it was, you have my word that we'll find it. But in order to do that, we need to look up as much as we-"
Her speech was interrupted by a sharp knocking on the front door. The two looked at each other for a moment, only for the knocking to grow harder and louder. Twilight quickly responded to the second set of knocks, opening the door. "Hello? How can I-"
She was met by somepony shoving paper into her face. Stumbling backwards, she removed the paper to let her eyes rest on Rainbow Dash, followed by Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Applejack and Rarity. "Uh...what's going on?" Twilight asked.
Dash simply pointed a hoof. "Read today's paper and find out."
Twilight looked down at her own forelegs. Sure enough, it was the most recent edition of the Ponyville Express. Her eyes passed over the main story headline until they widened in horror. "'Monster Steals Blood from Hospital'?! 'Doctors, nurses and security guards working in Ponyville Hospital last night responded to an intruder, only to find a large, monstrous creature making off with several blood packs. The thief escaped, leaving no trace behind except a trail of blood across the hospital and strange, long hoofprints that disappear several horshoe lengths away from the building'". She looked up at her friends, face flushed with worry. "Oh NO..."
"The hospital was as occupied as could be!" Rarity despaired. "It could've drained every last one of them if it had the mind to!"
"And Old Hay Bale Brown said somepony was screaming outside his house!" Pinkie Pie admitted. "It looks like they're getting even angrier! And I can't throw a party for them because they're angry at US! We HAVE to do something!"
"PLEASE, calm down!" Twilight dropped the paper and pleaded to her friends, who immediately obliged. "Alright. Now...I started this research with healthy skepticism. But now this...this just throws everything out the window. Maybe...we ARE dealing with a vampire." She sighed, her breathing growing shaky. "A vampire that could come to get anypony at any time of the night."
"But what do we DO about it, sugarcube?" Applejack stepped forward. "One life lost to some bloodsucker is one life too many! We gotta get going before IT does!"
"But how, is the question," Twilight retorted before thinking to herself. "First, we have to keep locking things up. Then...maybe we should alert the Princesses."
"And tell them what?" Rainbow Dash asked. "Tell them that we brought something here that could kill us all?!"
"If we don't tell them anything, it would just make things worse!" The unicorn pointed out. "But then there's the last problem: If we're going to stop a vampire...we need to find it first."
The five ponies and one dragon felt their blood run cold. Fluttershy spoke up, shivering like a twig. "Find it? Look for it? H-having to go n-near it?" Dash quickly moved to let Fluttershy lean against her for support.
"No, no, nothing like that," Twilight assured the yellow pegasus. "I was thinking more along the line of...your animal friends. Especially the ones that don't have much blood in them for them to be attacked."
Fluttershy stopped her deep breathing to think. "I...suppose some of the birds can look around. But then what?"
"Then we just make sure. If we go at this without being absolutely certain we'll find him, then it may be the last chance we'll get. And considering what it might do to us, we can't in ANY way, ruin this chance. Understand?" Every one of them voiced their acknowledgement. "Good. Now...to do something I should've done last night." She walked over to a table and used her magic to pull out a piece of paper and a quill. "'Dear Princess Celestia...'"


§§§


Barnabas awoke, staring at the mouth of the cave. The thick leaves of the trees shaded most of the sunlight, but several rays bled out and onto the ground. Trying to raise himself up, he remembered that he had draped himself upside down from the cave's ceiling.
Sighing, Barnabas dropped down, stepping close enough to the cave's opening so as to still be shielded from the sunlight. He turned back to the interior to glance at his bounty from last night: Several blood packs from the town's hospital.
One had already been drained. He rationalized before going to sleep that he would need to make this supply last; No doubt they increased security after his intrusion.
He sat down on a rock, thinking to himself. He had deduced that the multicolored ponies he first saw upon opening his casket may have had something to do with his arrival here. But the question remained: Would there be a way to return?
For all he knew, the equines were little more than bounty hunters, under orders to capture him. He began to grow tense as his mind began to imagine what they might do to him if they found him. Torture him? Kill him?
Or perhaps they would follow the lead of Angelique and bury him once more?
Barnabas stood up and began to pace. This situation was proving to be the most dire. Anyone could be an enemy. Anyone could be missed if he were to feed on them.
Anyone could be searching for him. Right now.
He gasped slightly. A twig had snapped somewhere outside. Quickly, he retreated to the darkest part of his shelter, staring intently at the cave's mouth. After several moments, he could hear a low growling. Definitely not the ponies. He could see darkened shadows nearing the cave, the rustling of leaves growing louder.
Then he saw them. At least five wolf-like animals, peering into the shelter with glowing yellow eyes.
He grew confused when he truly studied them. When he noticed there was no trace of fur on any of them. Only bark.
The tree-like wolves then snarled. They had seen him. They had cornered him. But he knew he had an advantage.
"I warn you now, beasts. You do not have me trapped. You have trapped yourselves. Stay back! For your survival, stay-"
Barnabas was interrupted as one of them dove for him. He jumped out of the way, and spun around to face the wolf. Promptly, he gathered his strength and kicked it in the head, sending it flying into the cave wall. It fell over, dead.
The others quickly sped towards him, undeterred. Quickly, he noticed his cane propped up on a rock. Jumping upwards to avoid the beasts, he landed, gripped his cane between his hands, and struck one of the wolves across the face. He heard an audible crack as a response, followed by the wolf crumpling to the floor.
A third one tried to jump at him again, followed by the vampire quickly gripping it by the neck and throwing it into the wall. He turned. Only two left.
They continued to growl, but were now backing away from him. Defiant, Barnabas strode towards them. "Now you fear me. Now you realize this was the last mistake you shall make. If only you realized this sooner."
Then, in a flash, he plucked one of the two wooden wolves from the ground, lifting it in the air. It thrashed, it clawed, it bit at the air, struggling to break free. Barnabas gripped the handle of his cane in his other hand as the one holding the wolf tightened. A moment passed before he began to bare his teeth. To show the animal his own fangs.
To bite down hard on the beast's neck, a loud yelp escaping its mouth as he began to draw its life essence.
Coughing, he dropped the dead animal on the ground as he finished. The bitter taste filled his mouth; A bizarre mixture of blood and what he assumed to be tree sap. He looked around the cave. Four of these creatures, dead. The fifth, he assumed, escaped.
He sat down to bury his face in his hands, his mind reeling. Unicorns, dragons...and now these wooden wolves. Ordinary men would be driven insane by this point. But Barnabas had one thing that kept him fighting.
His family.
The family that needed him to fight for them. To survive for them. To return to them.
He sat upright, staring into space as he thought to himself. Concentrating on his mental quest for an escape from this world, he blocked out all outside distractions.
As such, he ignored a small group of birds perched nearby, having watched his ordeal with the wolves. Seeing enough, they flew off as one, returning to the shy yellow pegasus pony that sent them out.
> Flushed Out
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 5: Flushed Out


It had been almost two days since the vampire had broken into the hospital. Since then, vampire sightings at night have skyrocketed, leaving Ponyville paranoid and fearful, and in the case of some ponies, angered at the apparent inaction.
Twilight and her friends had come up with a plan to try and find the creature and attempt to return it to wherever it may have come from. But they had guessed correctly that the former half of the plan would be the most difficult. They would be the last ones the vampire would want to see, after all. To accomplish this, Rainbow Dash would set time aside to scout the area, flying high enough to avoid detection. At the same time, Fluttershy would send out various animals to search the woods for suspicious activity.
On the first day, a group of birds had witnessed the vampire kill several timberwolves. Today, the birds watched as it left a cave to wander, keeping out of the sunlight that poked through the treetops.
They had found where it lived.
"How deep in the forest?" Fluttershy asked one of the feathery beings. A series of chirps was the answer, which she quickly deciphered. "And...how many Timberwolves?" Another series of chirps. "Oh my..."
"What is it?" Rainbow Dash asked, sitting at an outdoor table belonging to one of Ponyville's restaurants. With them were the other four ponies, along with Spike. Fluttershy turned to her friends.
"They...saw it kill five Timberwolves...in less than a minute. They saw it drain one of them, but they flew away before it did anything to the others."
"Well...good thing is, there aren't many caves in the Everfree Forest," Twilight reasoned. "And as long as we're careful, maybe we can finally get at it. But just in case...Spike, did you send the letter?"
"When did I ever not send anything you write to the princesses?" The dragon responded.
"Letter for what?" Dash asked. "I thought you already wrote to Celestia."
"Yes, but that was to warn them. This is something else entirely. And hopefully we won't have to hear about it again, if we do this right."
"I don't believe it," Applejack shook her head. "Never in my life would I be expecting to be hunting down an honest-to-goodness vampire."
They continued to plan their course of action. Unbeknownst to them, however, they weren't the only ones drawing plans.
"D'you hear that?" A tan earth stallion nudged his pegasus companion. They were sitting at another table, one just close enough to listen in on the conversation. "I told you it was a vampire. And it sounds like they found it!"
"Okay," The dark yellow pegasus male nodded. "But what are YOU gonna do about it?"
"It's not just what I'm going to do," The earth pony pointed at himself. "It's what me, you, and as many ponies as we can get are going to do to help them stop this bloodsucker once and for all! Now listen...go round up your neighbors tonight. Meet me and mine at the hardware store..."


§§§


Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy used their wings to float above the trees of the forest. Through the leaves and branches, and despite the moon's dim light, they followed their other four friends as they treaded along the ground.
"It should be just to the east," Fluttershy called out to them. Making the necessary turn, the continued their journey, keeping a sharp lookout.
Suddenly, Applejack called out to the two pegasi. "Looks like we found something! Get down here!"
Instantly, they touched down through a gap in the branches, turning to see what the other four found: One of the few caves in the forest.
"So...uh..." Spike spoke up. "Who's going in first?"
"We ALL go in," Twilight answered."if it's in here, we'll need every one of us to subdue it."
"Subdue it? As in fight it," Dash gave a look that mixed deadpan with utter disbelief. "You want to fight a vampire. Are you listening to yourself, Twilight?!"
"I don't WANT to fight it," Twilight stated. "In fact, I'd rather have nothing to do with it. But I know I have to undo whatever mistake I made, and at the very least send it back where it came from. The sooner we do that, the better. Now," She cleared her throat. "Follow me."
Trying their best to calm themselves down - Fluttershy was starting to feel her breath shortening - they gently stepped into the mouth of the cave.
Inside, they found only darkness. Spike reached into the bag Twilight carried on her side, pulling out a flashlight. Quickly turning it on, he waved the beam of light around the rocky shelter. Then they gasped.
"Holy..." Dash whispered.
Five timberwolves, dead, lined up side by side on the cave floor. Tiny pools of blood could be seen emanating from their necks. Fluttershy bit down on one hoof, trying not to whimper.
Moving the flashlight, Spike noticed that something was reflecting. Focusing the beam, they found the stolen blood packs - almost half of which were empty.
"It would seem it's not a complete brute," Rarity tried to soothe the group. "At the very least, it's organized."
"Yeah..." Dash began. "But wait until it gets thirsty. OR when it finds out you're trying to kill it."
As soon as she said this, the seven of them jumped and exclaimed; They heard a sharp crack, a sound that meant something hit a rock.
And the noise sounded awfully close to them.
Spike panicked, flashing the beam of light around the cave. They could feel their fear rising, but tried their best to retain it.
Twilight turned to the two pegasi in the group. "Rainbow, Fluttershy, check the cave mouth! Make sure nopony's there!"
The two quickly obeyed, turning slowly towards the opening of the cave.
Then they screamed at the top of their lungs as something lifted them up by their necks.
The other five spun around to see what happened, with Spike shining the flashlight in their direction. They froze, mouths open in horror.
Standing in front of them, with Rainbow Dash in one hand and Fluttershy in the other, was the vampire, in the same clothes as it was in when they first saw it (cane included, the walking aid hanging from its arm).
And, as expected, it was NOT happy.
"Take one step closer," The creature warned, its voice confirming it was male, "And I shall see to it that mine is the last face either of your bounty hunter companions gaze upon."
"...Bounty hunters?" Twilight asked. "What made you-"
"Your feigned innocence is wasted upon me, foul creature!" The vampire sneered as the two pegasi continued to struggle their way out of his grip. "I have long ago deduced my reason of being in this otherworldly realm: You have been hired to capture me! All for the coin of a wretched witch!"
"You have it all wrong!" Twilight shook her head. The vampire began to back away, nearing the outside.
"And I dare say YOU have it wrong. Your quest and your toil has been for nothing! Angelique Bouchard is no more - I saw to that. How do you feel, then? Angry? Humiliated? Defeated?"
They were silent for a second, until Pinkie Pie called out, "Confused!"
At this, the being furrowed his brow. Twilight spoke up once more.
"Whoever this 'Angelique' is, we never met ANYPONY who told us to hunt for you. For goodness' sake, we don't even know your name! If you have one, I mean." Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash, meanwhile, had given up on escaping, and instead watched the look of deep thought on their captor's face. Twilight sat down, looking up at the bipedal being. "All we want is to get you back to wherever you came from. No hunting. No killing. Just getting you back home."
The vampire thought for a moment more, then, without dropping the pegasi, he began to step back into the cave.
The ponies and the dragon felt relief for the first time after three days.
Then, as they heard voices from the outside, and as the vampire turned to her them better, the relief was quickly drained out of them.
"They flew over here!"
"A cave?"
"That's gotta be where it is! Come ON!"
"Horseapples," Applejack whispered in fear. "How'd they find us?"
Rarity quickly reasoned, "They must have followed Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash."
"Followed?" The vampire turned back to them. They grew terrified once more as they saw the anger in his eyes. "You LED them here?!"
"No, NO!" Twilight raised her forelegs in defense. "We were supposed to be the only ones!"
"The only ones to destroy me?! To gain my trust only to dash it against the stones?!" He bared his fangs and raised the pegasi higher in the air. "Then I'm afraid your plans have taken a wrong turn." The other five of them feared for the worst as he opened his mouth, The cyan and yellow pegasi starting to tremble and silently cry.
Suddenly, at the last minute, he threw the two of them into the nearest tree with a force large enough to tilt it back as the two ponies made contact with the bark. He turned to flash the others one last glare before he immediately sped off, leaving a blur in his wake.
The five beings who were still standing quickly ran to the two pegasi on the ground. Twilight began to whimper to herself. "No, no no no, this can't be happening..."
"Ngh..." Rainbow Dash groaned, trying to sit up. "Where...is he?"
"He got away," Applejack answered her. "But we're gonna look for him, don't you worry."
"Look!"
They quickly looked up to see the surprisingly large mob of ponies from the village, all carrying a light source or some sharp object. In front of them stood a tan male earth pony. "It attacked them!" he said. "It's got to be nearby!"
"I thought I saw something running over there!" A female voice announced. The angry mob then moved away, with several unseen ponies screaming death threats to the vampire. The five ponies and one dragon merely sat there, dumbfounded.
"It's like something wants EVERYTHING to go wrong tonight," Pinkie Pie grew forlorn. "And we never got to know his name."
Twilight sighed, turning to the group. "Maybe we still can know it, if we hurry. Applejack, check to make sure Rainbow and Fluttershy are alright. If they are, then we all spread out by threes - Spike and I'll count as one. And Spike - get out the letter."
"ANOTHER one?" They all asked.
"The first one was a warning," The purple unicorn explained. "The second was telling them to watch for another letter if things get out of hoof." She waited until Spike pulled out the ready-to-deliver parchment from her saddlebag. "And this is that other letter."
"Firing away," The dragon said as he engulfed the letter in a green blaze, letting it disappear into the night air.
Rarity and Pinkie quickly helped Fluttershy up. Rainbow Dash, having had her fair share of collisions in her lifetime, managed to stand on her own accord. The team looked out into the woods, listening to the dimming noise of the angry mob.
"So..." Rainbow Dash spoke aloud, "Are we standing here, or are we rescuing a vampire from a rampaging group of townsponies?"
> At the Last Minute
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 6: At the Last Minute


He stopped in the middle of his running to observe his surroundings. He could no longer hear the crowd of horses out for his life. Nor could he hear those who he was certain led them to him.
Immediately, though, that silence was broken.
He was suddenly thrust down onto the ground, as if something fell directly on top of him. Blinking, he swore he could see traces of a rainbow.
"Got you!"
He then realized what had hit him: The blue winged pony, a foreleg on either of his arms, pinning him down.
He grunted. "I had hoped that I hurt you enough, winged one," He then readjusted his leg. "But it appears that is not the case."
Driving his foot upwards, the blue pony shrieked as she shot up into the air on no accord of her own. The vampire started up his running once more as the pegasus was able to get herself into a flying stance. She silently cursed as she saw nothing but leaves and branches obstructing her view. Looking down, she shouted. "He's heading to the south!"
Below, Rarity and Pinkie Pie shouted back their acknowledgements before turning to each other, quickly discussing their next course of action.
The vampire, meanwhile, had traveled a considerable distance. He only wished he knew where he was going. He kept going until, out of nowhere, something burst forth from a knothole in one of the trees, startling him enough to make him trip and fall. Backing away from the tree, he realized, to great confusion, that it was the pink one of the group of bounty hunters.
"Wait!" It called out. "We just wanna talk to you!"
"I already know your plans for me, and they are wasted!" He sharply replied, grabbing a dead piece of wood and throwing it at the knothole. The pony yelped out in surprise, ducking in time for the wood to only pierce her mane. By the time she opened her eyes, the creature had sped off. Pulling the wood from her mane, she sighed. "With an attitude like that I guess any game involving throwing is out of the question..."
Once again, the vampire was alone. Though he was certain it wouldn't last - these horses were craftier than he thought. As luck (or lack thereof) would have it, he ran into the other of the two unicorns.
Or to be more specific, he ran into a trap it happened to lay for him.
"And Rainbow Dash kept saying my leaf patterns made no sense!" The white-coated, lavender-maned pony announced, staring down at the being trapped in the hole she had found and covered up. "Now, perhaps you'll see reason once that brutish crowd is directed away from us." She leaned in closer as she spoke. "Everything will be fine. All we have to do is-"
"Look into my eyes," The vampire interrupted her, hand outstretched and motioning in a waving, open-and-close pattern. She stopped speaking, mouth slightly open as she stared down at him with wide eyes. "Now...you will lift me from this makeshift grave of yours. After that, you shall merely sit. Nothing else. Only after twenty - no - thirty seconds have passed, shall you regain your free will. Now...assist me."
He gasped slightly as he felt himself being lifted, a light blue aura surrounding him. He noticed the unicorn's horn glowing the exact same color. Before he knew it, he was back on the ground, the white unicorn simply sitting and staring blankly into space. Gripping his cane in one hand, he waved his other hand over her face. No response. Smirking, he walked before running all over again.
After a percieved few moments of running, he realized he could see lights in the distance. Running further, the trees suddenly disappeared. He stopped, turning to look behind him. He had reached the end of the forest, and had returned to the small town. One complete circle; Where he appeared in this world...to where he most likely will be leaving it, one way or another.
Past a nearby bridge, he could see a large, cylindrical building - the tallest one in the town, perhaps serving as town hall. He walked across the bridge and made it to the large front doors of the structure when...
"There he is!"
"But I thought-"
"Then where were you taking us?"
Filled with dread, he turned to see the angry mob of ponies. In front of them stood the purple unicorn (dragon in tow), the yellow pegasus, and the orange earth pony. Soon afterward, the three ponies he evaded in the forest emerged as well, through the focus seemed to be on the unicorn with the dragon.
"You don't understand!" She shook her head. "All of this is scaring him! We need to keep him unharmed!"
"So he can hurt innocent townsponies?" An amber-coated mare with a gray mane, glasses and a green ascot stepped toward her. "Twilight, you know what has to be done about something as dangerous as a vampire."
"Mayor, please!" The unicorn grew desperate. "Leave him to me and my friends, we'll make sure he goes away!"
"There's only one sure-fire way of making sure a vampire stays away!" A voice in the mob shouted before the mass of ponies moved toward the vampire in question. With a flash, Twilight and Spike teleported right next to him, with Twilight's horn glowing. The other five ponies ran or flew to their side as well.
The vampire sputtered. "What...what are you doing?"
"Keeping them away," Twilight answered, "Until she comes."
"She?"
In an instant, the shouts of anger from the mob changed to shouts of surprise and confusion as a brilliant flash of light erupted from between them and the group standing at the doors. Their exclamations then changed to one of awe.
The seven-member group smiled in relief and hopefulness. The vampire, however, stood in shock at the figure that stood before them.
"Citizens of Ponyville!" The figure boomed, obviously female. "What is it you intend to accomplish through such violence and hate?"
The figure was another pony, at least twice as large as the others, more or less. She was a dark blue, and her mane was a flowing, glittering mass that reminded one of the night sky. A dark blue crown rested on her head, along with armor on her chest that depicted a crescent moon, a mark much like the one on her flank. But what was most incredible about this new pony, at least to the vampire, was the unicorn horn and her pair of wings - almost as if she was an amalgamation of the three different kinds of ponies put together.
The crowd, meanwhile, was silent. She grew angry, and shouted even louder. "Why does nopony answer my question?!"
"P-Princess," The mayor stammered. "We...were hoping to be rid of a...vampire."
"And where is this vampire of whom you speak of?"
The crowd collectively pointed their hooves behind her. She turned, rested her eyes on the creature, and widened them in surprise. The vampire quickly straightened himself out, the bottom of his cane touching the ground as he held onto it.
"We had to stop it from hurting innocent ponies!" Somepony shouted. "And killing it was the only way!"
"I see," The 'princess' responded before turning back to the mob. "But has it harmed anypony? Has it drained any blood from any one of you? Your neighbors? Has it done anything to deserve such malice, other than the affliction of vampirism?"
The crowd muttered to themselves. After a moment, the princess' eyes narrowed. "So it has not done any of this. It has done nothing to anypony." She paused. "Despite it having been able to feed all of this time. Instead of reverting to its instincts, of hunting you all down for your life essence, it has attempted to avoid such actions. And this is how it is rewarded?" The once-angry mob was now growing uncomfortable, ashamed even, as she continued. "True, property was damaged and stolen, but it is easy to repair and replace. A pony life is not. And it has chosen to spare your lives. It is then greeted with mistrust and violence."
The mayor hung her head before looking back up at her. "Princess...we apologize greatly."
The blue unicorn pegasus gazed down at her. "And it is accepted. But not required. What IS required is for you to return to your homes and your businesses. Leave this so-called vampire to your princess."
And just like that, the mob began to disperse, slowly breaking apart as the ponies heeded her words. After several minutes, the crowd was gone, leaving the now nine-member group at the front of the town hall. The vampire, after a moment, looked down at the purple unicorn before speaking.
"Twilight Sparkle, is it?" He asked. "Why did you do this?"
"I told you," Twilight raised a forleg from the ground as she turned to look at him. "We want to help you go back home. We wanted to keep you safe. Which is why, as a precaution, I sent a letter to our princesses in case things took a turn for the worse."
"And did they!" The pink one, Pinkie Pie, agreed.
The vampire then looked to the unicorn pegasus before them, now having turned towards the group. "They referred to you as a princess. Is this correct?"
"Indeed, it is," The tall blue equine nodded, putting a hoof on her chest. "I am Princess Luna. Ruler of the Equestrian night. I was sent to bring safety. And it seems I arrived just in time. But now that you know my name, and no doubt the names of those with us tonight...perhaps it is time we learned yours." She held out her foreleg with her hoof facing upward.
He pursed his lips. He looked down at all of them in thought. Their faces, their eyes, showed no signs of harmful intent. And the mere act of standing by him when the villagers advanced provided credibility to Twilight's explanation. He turned to Luna, her hoof still held out. Finally, he reached out a white, sharp-nailed hand, holding onto Luna's hoof in a way that showed off the black opal ring on his finger. "My name...is Barnabas Collins. And if you all truly mean what you say...then safety will certainly be welcomed."
The hoof-shaking was broken as Luna spoke again. "Before we make certain you are secure, there are matters that must be discussed. When you are ready, I shall take you to the castle in Canterlot."
Barnabas looked back at Twilight, who said, "It's for the best. Canterlot castle is one of the most heavily guarded spots in Equestria."
The vampire nodded. "Then it shall be so. How soon can we expect to arrive?"
"Instantaneously," Luna answered. "Celestia is waiting for us."
"Celestia?"
"Just go!" Rainbow Dash declared, "Before any more angry mobs show up!"
That was all the motivation needed for Barnabas to stand next to Luna, disappearing with her in a flash of light, leaving the Mane Six and Spike at town hall.
"...What's gonna happen now?" Pinkie Pie asked the others.
Twilight cleared her throat. "Now we start the second half of the plan: Getting Barnabas back home. And I'm going to need all the help I can get pulling out every book I have on the subject of teleportation. That and...the possibility of alternate universes."
"Alternate...huh?" Applejack widened her eyes. "You mean a whole other world?"
"It's a possibility that we can't overlook," The purple unicorn shook her head. "What it might mean for sending him back, I have no idea."
"If we gotta pull out books..." Spike yawned, "Can we do it tomorrow? He's safe with Luna, and he's not going anywhere without the Princesses telling us."
The others quickly agreed with the dragon, going their separate ways. Half of their minds wondered what they would find in the books, while the other half worried over what would transpire between Barnabas and the Princesses; It didn't take much of an imagination to create a rather morbid scenario between a vampire and a being responsible for lifting the sun...
> Just In Case
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 7: Just In Case


The trip to Canterlot was over before Barnabas realized it began. Darting his head around, the vampire found himself indoors, in a long hallway. Chandeliers overhead gave off the light needed to see in the nighttime hours. Rows of slender pillars lined either side of the hall. On one side were several windows, in which, despite the lack of sunlight, Barnabas could see stained glass designs.
"Follow me, please." Barnabas was instantly reminded of Princess Luna, who had teleported him here and who was still standing at his side. She led him down the hall, speaking to him as they walked. "Welcome to Canterlot Castle. It is from here that Equestria is given its leadership. Both in the form of me, and in equal part, my sister, Princess Celestia."
"...Two princesses?" Barnabas asked. "But what of a queen or king?"
"Neither of us felt the need to step any higher up the ladder of order," Luna responded. "And as for queens and kings...most such rulers in Equestria were less than admirable for their actions."
They had reached the end of the hall, coming across a large set of double doors guarded by two white stallions in golden body armor. They opened the doors, allowing the alicorn and the vampire inside.
Carrying his cane in both hands now, Barnabas again surveyed his surroundings. Judging by the enormous table lined with chairs and seats of all varieties, as well as various kitchenware and dishes, it was a sort of dining hall. Numerous paintings lined the walls, and in the middle of one wall was a white fireplace, a small blaze already set in its space.
"Luna," Announced a voice from across the room. "Welcome back."
"Celestia," Luna gladly replied. Barnabas turned to where Luna was looking. His heart was immediately flooded with surprise and slight fear.
The surprise came from the fact that it was another winged unicorn like Luna, only slightly larger. Instead of various shades of blue, this one had a white coat, with an eternally flowing mane striped with blue, green, purple, and pink. Both her crown and chest plate were gold with a purple gem in the center.
But the last part of her was where his fear came from: The mark on her flank was that of the sun.
She spoke again, this time to him. "We've been expecting you. Come, sit anywhere you like."
Worried about a possible side effect would he sit too close to her, Barnabas chose a seat two chairs down from the two alicorns, who were seated next to each other at the head of the long table. He rested his cane on the chosen seat and looked at the two beings in silence.
The white alicorn began again. "I'm sure my sister Luna told you who I am. But to be sure...I am Princess Celestia. As Luna rules the night, I rule the day." Barnabas nodded slightly.
"And I am Barnabas Collins. May I ask...do you and your sister often directly respond to the messages of your subjects?"
"We try to reply to any suggestions to the best of our ability, yes," Celestia said. "But you see, Twilight Sparkle is my student, and with her and her friends, they make up a group known as the Elements of Harmony. It is their duty, whenever called on, to aid in the protection, and, if necessary, rescue of Equestria."
"And these...elements," Barnabas began, "Are not hired mercenaries, bounty hunters of any kind?"
"Absolutely not," Celestia shook her head. "They do what is right in their hearts and the hearts of all ponies, not their wallets. But we're beginning to stray. Once Twilight informed me of your accidental arrival in Equestria, Barnabas, Luna and I made it a priority to keep you away from any ponies that may wish to harm you."
"We've arranged for one of the rooms in the castle to accomodate you," Luna spoke up. "And we are sending for your casket tomorrow - it still rests at Twilight Sparkle's residence."
Barnabas stared down at his empty plate. Luna took note of this. "The servants will be arriving with our food soon."
"No, I fear that's not what's troubling me," The vampire looked back up at the two princesses.
Celestia offered her guess. "If it's...other forms of nourishment you need, we can arrange for access to the Canterlot blood bank - though rations will be strictly enforced."
"I've learned a long while ago to make every drop of blood count, Your Highness. Thank you," Barnabas smiled slightly. "But that still is not what bothers me. It bothers me...that both you and your sister are speaking as though I will be staying in this world for quite an extended period of time."
Luna and Celestia looked at each other worriedly before Celestia sighed. "Mr. Collins...I understand that this world is completely foreign to you. And you have my assurance that Twilight is working on a way to bring you home as we speak...but..."
"But?"
"...We must be realistic about this," Celestia hung her head. "How you got here is as much of a mystery as how to send you back. Luna and I are...merely preparing for the worst-case scenario."
Barnabas rose out of his seat, staring directly at the two alicorns. "And this would be...?"
The white princess looked back up at him, finishing his question with her answer: "That there may be no way to bring you back."
Barnabas could swear he heard something within him shatter like glass. "No...no, this can't be!"
"As I said, it's only the worst that could happen," Celestia tried to calm him down. "But it may be plausible."
"I don't believe this," He whispered. He then turned back to them, a fury within him rising. "I WON'T believe it!" He quickly grabbed his cane. "The room, the blood - All of this is merely a ploy! A GAME to you! I should've seen this - you plan to do nothing to help me! You instead conspire to humiliate me! To trap me here and gawk at me like a caged animal!" He strode towards them, raising the cane, poised to strike.
He collapsed, hissed, and shielded his eyes as a flash of light erupted from Celestia's horn. Sunlight. Feeling his skin boiling, Barnabas backed away as the light died down, revealing an angered Celestia and a worried Luna.
Celestia stood up and walked towards the vampire, who peered up at her in confusion and fear. "You trouble me, Barnabas Collins. But it isn't your vampirism. That can be worked around. What troubles me...is your lack of trust in us. In me. In my sister. And especially in our little ponies. Tonight, eight of us had helped save you from certain doom at the hooves of an angry mob. If they were willing to do that, wouldn't you think they would be willing to help you get home?" She paused, but wasn't waiting for an answer. Barnabas, propping himself up with his cane, stood up slowly as Celestia sat back down. "We want to help you, Barnabas. Me, Luna, Twilight and her friends...we all do. But you need to let us."
The vampire quietly absorbed these words as he trodded back to his seat, listening as the doors to the dining hall creaked open and several ponies stepped in carrying various covered dishes. Letting the servants fill his plate, he thought to himself. Celestia's words rang true - the ones he thought wanted to harm him actually wanted to help him.
But would their help be enough to undo such damage as this?


§§§


Barnabas had, a while back, learned to ignore the fearful staring of the unicorn servant escorting him to the room the Princesses prepared for him. He had realized there was no point in telling her not to fear him; She simply wanted to lead him to his room, close the door, and be done with it.
They came to a large door, stopped walking, and turned to each other. Barnabas held out his hand, saying, "I would offer you compensation for your assistance, but I fear my journey has rendered whatever coinage I have on my person useless. I hope you accept a simple hand - er - hoof, shake."
Unsure of the gesture, the mare shakily raised a foreleg, only to lightly tap the vampire's hand, withdraw sharply, and back away slightly before turning to leave. Sighing, Barnabas opened the door and stepped inside.
Instantly, he noticed the large window, the moonlight shining through (He also noticed the long curtains, allowing for darkness once the moon gave way to the sun). He then let his eyes wander, taking in the room's cylindrical shape, the dark rug on the floor, the ornate wooden armoire and vanity dresser, and finally the four-post bed, its size larger than necessary for a pony, but not large enough for him.
Not that it mattered to him. Immediately he found himself assessing the size and possible carrying capacity of the chandelier above him.
He removed all loose articles on him, from his medallion to his aforementioned useless change (and watching as the vanity mirror's reflection only gave off the impression of these objects freely floating). He took off his inverness coat, folding it and placing it on the small bed. He closed the curtains, plunging the room into darkness. Lastly, he cleared his throat, looked up at the chandelier, bent his legs slightly, and sprang up into the air.
Letting the light fixture swing, Barnabas grunted as he repositioned himself to hang freely from his feet. Waiting until the chandelier ceased its moving, he folded his arms across his chest, his palms resting on his shoulders. He let his mind wander as he waited for sleep, filling it with questions he wasn't sure he wanted answers to. Would any progress be made by Twilight and her friends? Was his family looking for him?
Would he have to accept the regrettably real scenario of forever being the only human vampire in a world populated by colorful, talking horses?
> Change of Scenery
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 8: Change of Scenery


My name is Barnabas Collins. Over the course of one night, I had been spirited away from a rampaging mob of miniature horses, and into the castle grounds of the two ruling sisters, Celestia and Luna. Having retired to sleep, a new day brings with it new concerns for what this world may have in store...

Barnabas mumbled as he awoke. Looking around him, at the castle chamber that served as his bedroom, he quickly remembered his upside-down position, hanging from the chandelier. Flipping himself over, he grunted as he landed on the floor. Then, after standing in the silence, noticing the sunlight blotted out by the window curtains, he realized what had woken him up: Voices from the other side of the chamber door.
Curious, he crept towards the door, pressing his ear against the wood.
"...Up in the mountains," One voice finished, sounding out-of-breath.
The second voice sported a sense of authority as it stated, "You know this information is not to be discussed outside of the barracks."
"I know, Captain. But all those dragons...they've checked every last one, and their bodies-"
"This is not the place," The second voice pressed, "To talk about this. Return to the barracks and have a written report ready for me. Stand here and keep talking, and expect a demotion."
"...Yes, Captain." There was a brief silence before Barnabas could hear hooves against stone, the sound quieting. A second later came the sharp click of the doorknob. The startled vampire jumped back, body tensed, as the door opened.
In front of the doorway stood another pony, a white-coated stallion, if its build was to be guessed correctly. He sported body armor, like the guards, only this armor was purple in color, with gold trim and a small shield with a purple star on the pony's chest. On the ground next to him was a helmet with the same color and trim, with a large blue brush. Looking back at the stallion, Barnabas noticed the brush color matched the color of his mane. Leaning to the side, the vampire noticed something else behind the small horse: A large, rectangular casket on a wheeled cart. His casket.
"I take it you're Barnabas Collins?" The stallion brought the being's attention to him. "The vampire?"
"...Perhaps," was the answer. "Do either of the Princesses know of your presence here?"
The stallion, using his magic, floated a parchment of paper to the vampire, stating, "This might answer your question."
Barnabas plucked the paper out of the air and began to read aloud. "'Barnabas. Circumstances have allowed me to provide two things for you: One is your coffin. The other is the opportunity to introduce you to the Captain of the Royal Guard, Shining Armor. I have requested that he bring your coffin to you so that you may meet each other. As daylight now shines upon Equestria, I do not expect you to go anywhere until Luna raises the moon, but for now you have your usual place of rest back again. Regards, Princess Celestia.'" The vampire looked back to the white armored pony. "I did not realize I was priveliged enough to be allowed to meet the Captain of the Guard."
"I heard what happened last night...that and the past several nights," Shining Armor explained. "At first I thought it was some joke, since it's getting close to Night Mare Night...but then Celestia told me what happened." He paused, then spoke up again. "Twilight Sparkle? The pony that brought you here?" Barnabas nodded. "Would you believe me if I tell you she's my baby sister?"
Barnabas became incredulous, until he noticed the shield design on the stallion's armor. The six-pronged star that bore a resemblance to the star on the flank of the pony in question.
"That's another reason why I decided to be the one to bring you your coffin," Shining admitted. "Barnabas? Take it from somepony who knows Twilight: She's going to find a way to get you back."
"The Princesses made it clear to me earlier of the possibility of there not being a way," was the response.
"Yeah, there's that...but we don't know that yet. Not unless we try." Shining moved to the wheeled cart carrying the coffin, and began to push it towards the doorway. "You either want to step out of the way or come help me out?"
Barnabas quickly decided, aiding the stallion in pushing the cart into the room, then setting the coffin down on the floor, in the middle of the circular rug.
The man turned to the pony, bowing slightly. "Your decision to help return my coffin is appreciated, Captain. But may I suggest lowering your voice if you must speak outside the door? You understand sleep is as important for me as it is for you."
"You heard that, didn't you?" Shining Armor put a hoof to his head and sighed, irritated. "How much of it?"
Barnabas thought of his answer, then decided to be honest about it. "Mentions of mountains, dragons...and bodies. Was there an attack on your soldiers by dragons?"
"I'm afraid that's information given on a 'need-to-know' basis," Shining shook his head. "And with as much authority as you may have had in your world, in this world, that intelligence is barred from anypony outside of the Guard."
"I see...I will hold you no further. Again, I thank you for returning my one true bed."
"You're welcome." The white stallion exited the room, turning to shut the door and say, "See you when I see you."
Barnabas sighed. So Twilight was the student of one of the Princesses, and her brother is Captain of the Guard. Exactly how close are these ponies in rank in regards to their rulers?
Shaking his head, he turned to his casket, wasting no time in opening the lid. Just before he sank into his place of rest, however, he noticed a foreign object: Another note. Picking up the paper, he then read his second message of the day:
Barnabas,
After Princess Luna took you to Canterlot, I spent the better half of last night looking up several topics that might help in sending you back. I think I've made a bit of progress, but I'm afraid to fully explain it is to meet face-to-face.
If any arrangements can be made, please make them. I look forward to seeing you and I hope this is a step in the right direction.
Sincerely,
Twilight Sparkle
He placed the note on the vanity table, thinking to himself. Of course, if he could, he would immediatley get to her as soon as possible. But he knew, from Celestia's message, that it was daylight. 
Sensing that Twilight's summoning of him may become a recurrence, he decided an invaluable investment would be made in curtailing the sun's effects on him. He looked to his coat, still folded on the bed. He was instantly reminded of several articles of clothing that proved to be assets to his survival in any time of day.
But how could he get them back?


§§§


"I don't understand. Why have you waited until now to request travel into Ponyville?"
Luna raised an eyebrow at the vampire as she asked her question. Sporting his coat and walking with his cane, Barnabas stared through the windows at the glowing moon as the two walked down the hall.
He inhaled before giving his answer. "A great many reasons. The greatest one being my unfortunate reaction to your sister's sun. Understand, I only recieved Twilight Sparkle's letter when it still shone high. Secondly - while I do not know how many of your subjects are aware of my presence here, to have your guards cover me as they escort me in public may not bode well for others." He placed his thumb and index finger on his medallion as he continued. "Back home, I had a specially-made uniform. Clothing that completely shielded me from the sunlight. If I were to have such a uniform again, perhaps my quality of life here will be greatly improved."
Luna listed to Barnabas, letting him finish when an idea hit her. "Perhaps we can try - oh, no."
"Try what?"
"I was about to make a suggestion," The blue alicorn explained. "The Element of Generosity, Rarity. She's a dressmaker for both stallions and mares. But I just remembered she's in Ponyville."
The vampire nodded. "I see." He turned his whole body to one of the hall's windows. With Luna's permission, he found the lock that allowed him to push the glass open. "Tell me, Your Highness. What would you say is the general direction of Ponyville?"
Luna stood next to him, pointing out the window. "Around there. Why do you ask?"
He smirked as he looked down at her. "I simply wish to spare you and your sister of expending on any mode of transportation for myself. I only wish that you return my cane to my room."
"Your...what?"
Her confustion turned to surprise as the supernatural being then erupted in smoke. Clearing as soon as it had appeared, the blue alicorn's mouth hung open as she saw, floating in the air, a giant dark bat. The animal then bolted through the open window, disappearing into the night.
"Buh...Barnabas! WAIT!" Luna shouted into the air before shaking her head in astonishment, anxiety, and anger. Weakly, she asked, "What is Celestia going to say?"
The bat, meanwhile, bolted away from the castle, maintaining his straight-ahead direction. Within a few minutes, Barnabas could see the glow from the windows of the familiar-looking buildings. He began planning for once he reached the village. Which of the ponies would he go to first? Twilight Sparkle? Rarity? 
...What was coming towards him?
Being a bat, he was able to do nothing but screech in surprise. A humongous swarm of other bats was flying straight for him. Before he knew it, he was engulfed in the chittering mass. Individually, the bats quickly flew past him, but it was no less disorienting. Suddenly, he realized too late that he was on a collision course with several more of them.
Within a second, he found himself spinning and the ground coming up to meet him. Quickly, he regained control of his wings, took back his balance, and flew into what he assumed were the woods.
As soon as he flew past the trees, however, he found himself in a small clearing surrounded by various bird houses of all shapes and sizes. Up ahead was a small bridge over a stream, leading up to a small cottage with the rooftop covered in grass.
Realizing he was still flying straight for the small structure, Barnabas immediately attempted to avert a second collision. Putting his feet out before him, the bat landed into the door with a loud knock before landing harmlessly on the ground.
Silently, he cursed the swarm of bats for disorienting him. Now he had no idea where he was in regards to Ponyville. He could only hope to find shelter in time before the night turned to day.
His ears perked up as he realized something was opening the cottage door. Light poured out from the building's interior, partly blocked by a figure he instantly recognized as another female pony. A winged one, it looked to be.
A winged pony that looked rather familiar. Especially the yellow coat and the long, pink mane.
"Oh my!" The mare gasped. "You poor thing. Are you lost?" Feeling a mixure of both relief and confusion, Barnabas shook his head. The pegasus sighed in relief. "Oh, but you look tired. Hm...I don't have many bats come here." She then looked as though an idea hit her. "Let's bring you up to the attic. It's perfectly dark up there. Would you like that?"
The bat chittered, and, to his surprise, the pony understood. "Alright then. Come in."
Barnabas flapped his wings and glided inside, letting the pegasus mare shut the door as he entered his (hopefully) temporary sanctuary.
> Unexpected Company
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 9: Unexpected Company


If Barnabas, bat or otherwise, could describe the cottage's interior in one word, it would be warm. Warm not only in regards to temperature, but the general air of comfort and contentment that it seemed to bring. This, combined with the pegasus' readiness in welcoming him in, and the various animal shelters outside, indicated to him that needy creatures were a frequent occurence at this dwelling.
As he continued to mentally struggle for the pegasus' name, the equine in question spoke up again, her voice slightly above a whisper. "Now...usually I don't like going up to the attic. But I know lots of bats like to stay up there. Just follow me." She began to walk towards the stairs before realizing the flying mammal remained sitting on the floor, looking at her with his head tilted. She walked back up to him. "You're not tired? Then...maybe you're hungry. Could you please wait here? I'm sorry, but it's been so long since I last fed a bat." With that, the pegasus turned and stepped into a doorway, which Barnabas assumed was the kitchen. Turning back to where she was, however, gave him a startle.
There, standing where she was not a second ago, was a small white rabbit. And it didn't look happy to see him.
Before Barnabas could squeak out a response, the rabbit began making several gestures and movements. The bat reasoned that it was some sort of sign language, and the message was clear: Harm the pegasus, and suffer the consequences.
The bat chittered, accusing the rabbit of not knowing what he was dealing with. The rabbit's response was to silently laugh. Narrowing his eyes, the bat outstretched his wings and let an enormous cloud of smoke rise up from around him. The rabbit's amusement quickly turned to shock, then horror, as a new, taller being replaced the small bat.
The lapine stared up, his mouth open, before jumping into the air and letting out a shrill squeak before bounding into the same doorway the yellow mare stepped into a moment earlier. Barnabas simply stood as he heard the declaration of, "Angel? What are - wait! What's gotten you so scared?" The vampire then heard the sound of wood slamming; The rabbit had shut itself into a cabinet, he had assumed. 
He then listened as the pony spoke again. "Oh, Angel. You're not scared of the bat, are you? We've had bats before, and they never bothered you." Barnabas braced himself as he saw the shadow moving from the doorway, followed by the appearance of the pegasus, her head turning away from the kitchen and into the living room as she spoke. "I'm so sorry. Angel usually isn't like that around - AAAAAAAHHH!!!"
The vampire raised his hands in defense. "Please! Don't be alarmed! I've seemed to have had a travel accident and only ask if you could be so kind as to-"
Thud.
"...Faint." Barnabas finished his sentence, but he feared the unconscious pegasus now laying before him heard none of it. Exhaling, he spied a flower pot on a table. Gently tipping it over his hand, he let the water seep out before setting the pot down, kneeling over the yellow pegasus, and splashing the liquid on her face.
Gasping, the mare sat up sharply, looked up at the intruder, and screamed again. "What do you want?! I thought Princess Luna took you to Canterlot!"
"She did," Barnabas answered, stepping back. "But I left and found my way here."
"For what?!" She trembled. "I don't have anything! Except my...blood...oh no!" She began to cry. "Please! Don't hurt me! Who'll look after the animals?!"
"Harming you was the last thing-"
"What about my friends?!"
"Your friends will wake another-"
"I know you have to do it, but PLEASE-"
"Look into my eyes!"
The pony stopped, her mouth agape and her eyes tear-stained, as she stared at the waving hand in front of her. The vampire continued. "Now...I only wish one thing of you. In the name of all that is rational...please...calm...down."
Letting out a sniffle, she shut her eyes, shook her head, and gasped. "I...I'm sorry." She rubbed her eyes with a hoof. "I should've let you talk."
Barnabas stood back up. "It is forgiven...of course, if you pardon my rather unusual way of entrance."
She gave a look of confusion before it dawned on her. "The bat! It was you!"
"Indeed."
The pegasus stood back up, hiding part of her face in her pink mane. "Barnabas? Is that your name?" He nodded. "Mine's Fluttershy."
"Well...Fluttershy," Barnabas practiced the name, putting emphasis on the 'T's. "Before I explain myself, I believe there's still the matter of a rabbit in your cupboard."
"Angel!" Fluttershy gasped, then sped back into the kitchen, leaving the vampire to wait for her return.
That and the possible retribution at the hands of a small forest animal.


§§§


After a few minutes of Fluttershy keeping Angel from lashing out at their guest (with Barnabas watching in wonder as the pegasus overpowered the rabbit simply by staring at him), she sat down on the couch, inviting him to sit next to him. Barnabas obliged, despite the obvious fact that the piece of furniture, while sturdy, wasn't built to accomodate somone of his figure.
The next minute was comprised of the pony and vampire simply looking at each other. Finally, Fluttershy whispered out. "If...you're not here to...drink my blood...what are you here for?"
Barnabas cleared his throat, fixing his ascot. "As I was starting to say before you had fainted, I had left Canterlot as a bat, on my way to Ponyville. Unfortunately, a swarm of bats had knocked me off course, and to your home, here."
"What's in Ponyville? Um...if I could ask."
"I seek the service of a dressmaker - and one of your friends, I believe. Rarity?"
"Rarity?" Fluttershy seemed to brighten up, standing up from the couch. "I know where she is! I could take you there!"
"In plain sight of other ponies?"
"...Oh. Um..." The pegasus thought for a moment. "Do you think you could turn back into a bat?"
The vampire stood up. "I'll need to rest for a short moment. But it is possible."
"Okay. Wait here, I'll go find a cage big enough for you to spread your wings." She moved to a stairway in the room.
"One more thing before you go," She heard him say. She turned to face him. Stepping closer, he stated, "I understand you and your friends wanting to help me...but it seems out of all of them, you would be the one most hesitant to do so. If I recall, upon our first meeting, I threw you into a tree."
Fluttershy let her mane hide her face as she recalled this incident. But she then moved it away as she responded. "To be honest...you didn't have any idea what we were going to do to you. I've met lots of animals that got angry when they were scared." She paused. "And I forgave you for it last night."
Barnabas was taken aback. "So quickly?"
Fluttershy only nodded as she gave the tiniest smile before moving back to the stairs, ascending the steps this time. Barnabas, meanwhile, sat back down and pondered. He knew now of their wanting to help him.
But what should he think about their (or, at the very least, Fluttershy's) ability to so easily pardon him?


§§§


Ponyville at night was a familiar sight to Barnabas. However, it looked quite different in the perspective of a bat hanging upside-down in a cage carried by a yellow pegasus.
Fluttershy carried the morphed vampire through the village, making sure to stay close to the street lamps. Fortunately for the both of them, the mare knew a practical bee line for their destination, and arrived much sooner than Barnabas had anticipated.
Even with the ground where the sky should be, the vampire gazed at the strange building. The closest object he could compare it to was a large, towering merry-go-round converted into living space. Near the top of the building were the trademark horses of a carousel. And judging from the two large, circular windows, there was activity in the structure.
Fluttershy put down the cage, checked to see if anypony was looking, and opened the small door, letting the bat out. In a blast of smoke, the supernatural being was on two feet once more.
The pegasus approached the door, putting a hoof to her chin in worry. She brought the hoof to the door, only to lightly tap on it. No answer. She tapped it again. No answer.
"Might I ask what you're doing?"
Fluttershy looked up at the vampire. "I don't want to disturb her is all."
Looking at her with incredulity, Barnabas replied, "I believe the idea is to make certain they hear the knocking. Here - allow me." The mare stepped aside as the vampire knelt slightly so as to be at level with the door, and gave three sharp knocks on the wood.
"Just a moment!" Came a feminine voice from within. A second later, light seeped out as the door opened slightly, a white hoof gripping it. "Fluttershy?" The same voice asked. "What's the matter, darling? Is one of your animals loose again?"
"It's...not so much something left. More somepony came back," Fluttershy answered. Putting her hoof on the door, she opened it wider to reveal to Barnabas a familiar white unicorn mare with a curled, purple mane. Her blue eyes widened and her irises shrank as she noticed Barnabas standing right next to the pegasus. She stammered in horror before putting a hoof to her mouth. Fluttershy continued. "He came to my house and said he was looking for-"
Fluttershy squeaked as Rarity shot out from the house and flew straight into Barnabas, pinning him onto the ground. The vampire was startled as he felt the burning hate emanating from the unicorn. "You absolute RUFFIAN," Rarity growled out. "If you've harmed a hair on Fluttershy's head..."
"He didn't!" The pegasus protested. "Check me over if you have to. He didn't bite me or anything!"
Rarity looked at Fluttershy. Realizing she was telling the truth, Rarity's glare softened. "So then why is he here?"
Barnabas grunted at the pressure of a full-grown pony on his chest, getting her attention. "I seek your tailoring services. I am in need of clothing to shield me from the sunlight."
Barnabas wasn't quite sure what happened next, other than the following: Rarity gasped in realization, jumped off of him, helped him up, and began apologizing profusely.
"You must forgive me!" She pleaded after her laundry list of almost every possible way to say 'I'm sorry'. "I just...expected the worst is all."
The vampire simply nodded. "To be honest...madame, being pinned to the ground isn't quite as insufferable as being buried underneath it."
Rarity sighed in relief. "Oh, but where are my manners? Come in, if you wish."
Barnabas turned to Fluttershy, who said, "Go on. I have to get home and...see if Angel's going to have any nightmares tonight." Fluttershy picked up the cage she used to transport the vampire, and walked away, again sticking to the lamp posts.
As the vampire turned, knelt slightly, and entered the doorway, Rarity led him through the foyer and into a rather large room. All around him were bits and pieces of fabric, a sewing machine, three round mirrors, and several horse-shaped mannequins.
Rarity cleared her throat, making sure Barnabas was watching her. "Normally, I don't take orders at this late hour, but for you...welcome to the Carousel Boutique, where everything is chic, unique, and magnifique!"
He continued to look around the spacious room. "It certainly is unique, I will admit. Most horses I've seen don't quite have as much of a selection of attire as you seem to have laid out." He furrowed his brow in realization. "Now that I think of it...not many ponies I've seen HERE so far have clothes at all."
Rarity brushed this off immediately. "Most of my commissions come from Canterlot and those seeking that extra flair for any parties they may be going to. But enough about they're here for..." The white unicorn's horn glowed a light blue as a red pair of glasses floated from a desk and onto the bridge of her nose. "Why don't we talk about what you've come here for, darling?"
"Ah, yes..." Barnabas thought for a second. "As I said before, there were several articles of clothing that helped protect me from the...unfortunate effects the sun has on those of my kind. Obviously, those clothes were not with me when I was spirited away in this...Equestria. But Princess Luna referred me to you by name."
"Princess Luna?" Rarity beamed slightly at this recongition, but then thought of something. "But...they know you're here, don't they?"
"...Princess Luna does," Was his answer.
Rarity was skeptical, but nonetheless trotted to her sewing machine, making sure it was in working condition. "Very well. Now, obviously, I can't create anything without knowing what it is I'm creating. Could you be a dear and fetch that sketch pad? I need at most a basic drawing of what to make."
Barnabas quickly found the pad in question. Picking up a pencil and taking a seat, he tried his best to remember the outfit, letting his memory guide the pencil on the paper. "It shouldn't be too hard. The coat I'm wearing now? Imagine that, but all black instead of this dark green."
Rarity turned around to look at him, more specifically, his coat. "Black, you say? Hmm...I should have enough for a coat like that, but...no, no."
"No what?" He looked up at her, his sketch almost complete.
"Well..." The mare sighed. "As much as I want to help you, I can see I'll be using quite a bit of fabric. And I simply must have a way to recuperate those costs."
"Ah...monetary recuperation, I assume?"
"Please don't be angry with me, it's just-"
"What sense is it to be angry at someone who simply demands payment for their work?" He stood back up. "You've done a great kindness in being willing to help me alone. I will find a way to repay you. Remember that. But also remember that this..." He held out the finished sketch for her to see. "Is the only thing that helped me retain a sense of normalcy after being...turned."
Rarity, listening to his promise, nodded in understanding. "Alright then. Mr..."
"Collins. Barnabas Collins."
"Collins. I'm afraid I'll need your coat for tonight - just to make the necessary measurements."
The vampire swiftly removed his coat, folded it, and handed it to the unicorn, who encased it with her magic. Looking over the coat, something else popped into Rarity's mind, causing her to gasp. "Oh! They already took your coffin to Canterlot! Where are you going to rest until I'm done?"
His response was to look up at the ceiling. "Simply direct me to where your fixtures are the most sturdy. I'll take care of the rest."
Rarity again looked at him in disbelief until caving in and directing him to the quietest route to the attic.
> Dressed and Impressed
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 10: Dressed and Impressed


"Whoa...this is so cool!"
"I told you it was in here!"
"Don't we have to go tell somepony?" A Western accent asked.
"And get Rarity in trouble?! Are you crazy?!"
Barnabas squeezed his eyes tightly shut before opening them, looking down from his upside-down position to see the source of the conversation that woke him up. His frustration grew to one of surprise: Three tiny ponies, possibly foals, staring up at him with wide eyes.
One was a tiny yellow earth pony, sporting a long red mane with an enormous pink bow.
The second was another unicorn, white with a curly mane of pink and purple stripes.
Lastly, an orange pegasus filly with purple hair.
He expected them to start screaming, running out of the room. Instead, amazingly, they stepped even closer, the three of them simultaneously speaking and asking questions.
Startled, Barnabas slipped off of the rafter he hung from, acting quickly to land on his feet and back himself up against a wall.
"How long have you been a vampire?" The pegasus filly asked, showing the accent was hers.
"Do you get sorry for biting anypony?" The earth pony went next.
"Are you why Rarity came home so freaked out a few days ago?" Went the unicorn.
"Girls!"
The three fillies and one vampire looked to the attic's opening. Barnabas let out a sighed. "Oh, thank mercy."
Peering out of the opening was Rarity, along with the second pegasus Barnabas encountered upon his arrival; The blue-coated one with a rainbow of a mane.
Rarity looked less than pleased with the three young ponies. Her voice was one with a tone of disapproval. "How dare you bother him, any of you! Now get down from here! For the next few minutes, he belongs with me! Rainbow Dash!"
The pegasus flapped her wings, coming into the attic and gathering the three foals. "This never happened," She whispered to them, loud enough for Barnabas to hear. Looking back to the vampire, and with the still-lingering possibility of Rarity getting in trouble if word got out, the trio nodded in agreement before following Rainbow Dash back down from the attic. Shaking her head as she followed with her eyes, she turned back to Barnabas.
"I know I've aplogized enough already, but know that this warrants yet another one. My sister must have followed me in here last night."
"Sister?"
"Yes - the unicorn, Sweetie Belle."
"...Followed you in here last night?"
"Oh. Um...yes," She grew sheepish. "I finished your coat when it occured to me I needed to make more measurements for the rest. So I...rather...made them while you were sleeping."
Barnabas felt no anger or shock. He simply stared at Rarity in disbelief. Approaching a sleeping vampire? She was either one of the bravest in this land, or the most foolish. "...I trust you got your measurements, then?"
"Oh yes!" Her expression brightened. "It's all waiting for you downstairs!" She began to descend back down when she called up, "And don't worry - every curtain in the house is closed!"
After a moment, the vampire squeezed his way out of the attic and into the house proper, following Rarity back down into her workroom.
But as soon as they got down the stairs, a hissing noise was heard. Darting his head around, Barnabas asked. "Is there a leak?"
Rarity, instead of answering, put a hoof to her mouth as she gasped. "Opal!"
Immediately afterwards, a shrill screeching could be heard as the vampire noticed a small, white cat jumping at him, claws extended.
Quickly, though, its look of determination grew to one of shock as a sharp-nailed hand quickly caught it by the neck. The cat began frantically scratching its captor's hand, but his grip didn't falter in the slightest. Realizing it was getting nowhere, its scratching slowed to a stop as it stared at him in horror.
Feeling a sense of triumph, Barnabas whispered out, "Bad kitty."
Finally, he let go. The frightened cat ran at the front door of the building, exiting via a diamond-shaped flap.
"Oh, of all the worst things to happen," Rarity put a hoof to her forehead as if she was about to faint. "That was the worst. Possible. Thing!" She faced him. "Thank you so dearly for not harming my little Opal."
"Though it would have been best if you informed me of there being a cat in the house."
"I honestly don't know where she was last night!" Rarity confessed, still leading him into the workroom. "She must have been hiding from you. Planning...something."
Barnabas couldn't help but smirk. "If those plans culminated in scratching me, then they were all for naught."
For the second time since his arrival here, Barnabas was back in the workroom. On a chair, he could see his original coat, neatly folded. But as he looked to the other end of the room...
"Well?" The unicorn asked. "What do you think?"
The vampire was aghast. The black coat. The black hat. The black gloves. All nearly perfect duplicates of the ones he had back home. Except for one thing.
"What of the sunglasses?"
"Sun-? Oh!" The mare trotted over to another table, pushed several fabrics aside, and used her magic to levitate a large pair of sunglasses. "You're lucky the eyewear store closes as late as it does," She pointed out to him. "AND that they sell pairs as tiny as this for novelties."
She floated the glasses over to him, letting him grab them in mid-air. Carefully, he inspected them. A metal frame housed oval, purple lenses, with half-circle lenses on the sides to block out light coming from the sides. Once again, they were perfect imitations of his original pair.
He looked back to Rarity, realizing she was still waiting for him to try them all on. Nodding in gratitude, he slowly placed the sunglasses over his eyes. A perfect fit.


§§§


"You attention to detail is extraordinary," Barnabas muttered to the unicorn as he pulled the black gloves over his hands, making sure not to be so hard as to have his nails rip open the tips. 
"You wouldn't be the first to say that," Rarity admitted. With his glasses, his coat and his hat, Barnabas was now perfectly shielded from the daylight.
Or was he? There was only one way to find out.
He walked out of the workroom, causing Rarity to follow him in curiosity. She quickly found him standing in front of one of the large, round windows of the building, the curtains closed tight. Turning to the mare, he simply stated, "Open the curtains."
Rarity widened her eyes, but nonetheless obeyed. Pulling a cord, the cloth parted, the gap growing wider and wider until they were fully opened up.
A flood of light poured in through the window, as if the curtains were a dam holding them back. Barnabas stood square in the center of the beams. But nothing happened. His hat's brim was wide enough to keep his head encased in the shadows. He was still in one piece.
Then he realized something else.
"The window may be blocking out the light's true power," The vampire theorized. "Is there a way to open that as well?"
Rarity began to wonder if her guest simply just snapped and became suicidal. Hesitantly, she found a latch to unlock and swing open the curcular window. Pushing them outwards, she could feel the heat of the sun. She moved back in, watching Barnabas as the rays now came in unimpeded.
Nothing happened.
Slowly, the vampire raised his hands at his sides. No burns. No melting. No fiery eruption of any kind on his person.
For the first time since arriving in Equestria, Barnabas began to laugh.
"Whoa..."
Hearing a familiar voice, he stopped laughing and spun around. In a doorway stood the three foals from earlier, along with Rainbow Dash.
"You came back?" Rarity asked.
"We, uh...never left," Rainbow shrugged. "The girls are getting paranoid that somepony might follow them back here and find...um..."
"Barnabas," the vampire completed her sentence. "Well, if they're going to stay, perhaps I should know their names. Your sister told me your name, little unicorn. But what of-"
"I'm Apple Bloom!" The yellow earth pony surprised the vampire.
The orange pegasus announced, "And I'm Scootaloo!"
"And together, we're..." Sweetie Belle pulled the other two towards her in a group huddle as the trio finished the sentence and shouted, "The CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS!!"
They held the pose, grinning, as Barnabas simply stared at them, his gaze unseen through his sunglasses. They frowned slightly as he asked, "What in the world is a 'cutie mark'?"
The fillies looked at him until Scootaloo said, "Wow. Guess he really HASN'T been here long..."
Apple Bloom stepped forward. "A cutie mark's what a pony has when they find their natural born talent! It's the picture ya see on their flank!" She lifted a hind leg, showing her flank to him. "Ya...can't see it here 'cause I don't have one. But I'm trying! All three of us are!"
"Well," The vampire bowed slightly. "I wish you luck on your...crusade. But if you excuse me, I must find a way to get back to-"
The five ponies gasped as he tensed up, shouted, and grasped the back of his neck. Baring his fangs, he darted from the open window, then turned to see what had hit him. Looking on the floor, his shock and anger, once again, changed to confusion. Walking over to the object, he picked it up, holding it to the light with a gloved hand, letting the equines see it as well.
The projectile that had hit him appeared to be a muffin.
Then, to his surprise, Rainbow groaned. "Oh boy..."
"Oh no!"
A sixth voice joined in. They looked to the window to see a third pegasus mare, gripping the rounded windowsill as she flapped her wings. She sported a gray coat, along with a yellow mane and tail. But what made her especially distinquishable was her yellow eyes; Not for their color, but the fact that one seemed to be looking in the opposite direction of the other. She leaned in towards the interior, showing that she was sporting a kind of saddlebag. "Uh...wait...hey! You're the vampire!"
"Yes I am," Barnabas raised the muffin in one hand and pointed at her with the other. "And I demand an explanation as to why you would think to harm  me with a-"
"Barnabas, BARNABAS!" Rainbow flew to him, putting a hoof on either shoulder as she whispered to him. "Calm down. This is Derpy - and no, I don't know why she's called that. I think it's on account of...the eyes. I know her. Good Celestia, do I know her," she shook her head. "The muffin was an accident. And probably her snack."
"I don't know why you're whispering," Derpy announced, "But I'm sorry about the muffin. I dropped it when I was getting ready to eat it." She smiled as she lifted herself up from the window. "See you, Mr. Vamp-"
"DERPY. Derpy," Rainbow giggled anxiously as she flew up to meet the gray mare. "Listen to me. Nopony can know about Barnabas. Calling out to him means ponies will hear you call to him. And not everypony is as forgiving as you are about him being a vampire. We barely saved him last time. We can't have him AND Rarity getting in trouble."
"But he won't get in trouble, Rainbow Dash! The Mayor said so!"
The cyan pegasus stared blankly at the wall-eyed mare before giving out a flat, "What."
Rainbow having let go of her, Derpy began to explain. "After Princess Luna saved him and talked to the mob, Mayor Mare made it so anypony that hurts him 'just because' would get in trouble. As long as he doesn't hurt anypony, he's okay!"
The five ponies and the vampire looked at the pegasus in silence. Rarity snapped out of it to ask, "And when, pray tell, did all of this happen?"
"Yesterday," Derpy replied. "It was in the newspaper! Oh! Speaking of papers..." Derpy reached into her bag, pulling out various pieces of mail before exclaiming in victory as she pulled out a large brown parcel. "This is addressed to you, Rarity." The dressmaker used her magic to bring the package inside. The gray mare turned around, bid them farewell, and flew off.
"W-wait!" Barnabas suddenly realized something. Leaning out the window, he shouted, "What about your muffin?!" as he held up the baked good in the air.
"Keep it!" was the answer. "There's more where that came from!"
The vampire pulled himself back inside as Rainbow Dash touched down, folding her forelegs. "So...that happened," She shrugged.
"I don't believe it," Barnabas muttered, staring at the muffin. "All this time hiding...and I could've simply walked in as I pleased?"
"Well we had no way of knowing," Dash scoffed. "The Mayor delivers speeches like Pinkie Pie hands out sweets. It gets to a point where you either don't know or care when the next one is."
"Hey Rarity," Sweetie Belle walked to her sister. "What's in the package?"
"We're just going to have to find out, aren't we?" The dressmaker looked at the sender's address, eliciting a gasp from her. "It's from Canterlot Castle! Oh, what could it be?!" She began to carefully yet eagerly undo the string and pull away the brown paper that covered the package. Flipping open the box, her expression of joy turned to one that mixed disappointment with disgust. "Oh. Um...what?" 
Hesitantly, she used a hoof to pull out the box's contents. The other ponies recoiled in surprise and horror, but Barnabas stepped towards the unicorn.
"Blood?" He asked. Sure enough, what Rarity held in her hooves were at least three blood packs. Each had a label identifying their source as a Canterlot hospital. Eager to be ridden of the packets, Rarity quickly gave them to Barnabas. She looked back into the box, only this time noticing a rolled-up piece of paper. Levitating it out of the box, she undid the string around it, unrolled it, and read it aloud.
"Barnabas," Rarity began, "I am disappointed in your departing as abruptly as you did. Had I known, there would have been much safer ways of bringing you to Ponyville instead of flying through a window and leaving my confused sister standing in the hallway." The five ponies glanced towards Barnabas, who shrank back slightly. "You were also lucky in revealing your destination to Luna. I could've only imagined what would transpire had your 'thirst' returned at an inopportune time. I will allow this to occur only this time. Upon your return to Canterlot, all windows and doors will be locked with only myself and Luna to demand them open. And keep in mind your coffin remains with us.
"Any business you have in Ponyville, please complete it as soon as possible. And for your sake and the sake of those expecting you home - be careful. Sincerely, Princess Celestia."
"Sounds like she didn't hear about the Mayor's order either," Dash pointed out. "So what's this mean for you?"
Barnabas, placing the muffin on a table, turned to Rainbow Dash. "That my movement will be drastically restricted. So I will have to make my stay in Ponyville count. Starting with a reunion with one Twilight Sparkle."
"Well why didn't you say so?" Dash puffed out her chest. "I can get you there no problem!"
"What of the Crusaders?"
"The girls?" Dash looked to the three fillies. "How about it? Wanna see if you get a cutie mark in escorting a vampire?"
Scootaloo, like the other two Crusaders, grew nervous. "You sure nopony's gonna try and get to him?"
"Derpy might not be the Element of Honesty, but she's no liar, either," Dash reasoned. "So are you coming or not?"
A moment later, Rarity said her goodbyes as the group left the boutique. She had closed the door, but the five figures simply stood (or floated in Dash's case) in place. Cautiously, they looked at their surroundings. Barnabas pushed the brim of his hat over his face, fully feeling the heat of the sun on him.
Rainbow clicked her tongue absentmindedly. "Well...so far it's been thirty seconds. And nopony's coming. Ready to follow me to Twilight's, or what?"
A sense of dread filling him, Barnabas nonetheless gestured and answered, "Lead the way, ma'am."
> Meanwhile, in Another Universe...
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	

Chapter 11: Meanwhile, in Another Universe...


Everywhere one went, the sound of the sea managed to reach the ear. Seagulls glided in the air constantly. And on the docks stood the inescapable sight of the factory under repairs that sported a sign that read 'Collins Fishing Fleet and Cannery'.
And on the street across from the docks, two men sat in a powder blue car, staring at the building. The man in the passenger's seat turned to the driver. "Collins...I'd say we're in the right place. Then again, the town's called Collinsport, too, but it's nice to have your hopes reinforced."
"Take out the map, Bill," The driver stated. Bill quickly unfolded the map, holding it out for the driver to inspect. "Okay...So if we follow this road, then that...we'll be at Collinwood in no time."
"I'm detecting a bit of an ego trip, Rick," Bill shook his head as he rested the map on the space between the dashboard and the windowshield.
"Just bear with me, Bill. Trust me, the sooner this deal's done, the sooner we can get home."
"And go make the next deal the higher ups make."
"Exactly. Now, remember who we're asking for..."


§§§


"Rick?"
"Bill?"
"I was under the impression that we'd be going to a mansion that - you know - wasn't still being built."
The two looked out from their car at the enormous structure just ahead. Construction workers moved in almost every direction, carrying tools and materials as they worked on the apparently incomplete manor.
Rick leaned out, looking for the closest worker. "Hey there!" He shouted, and was able to get the attention of one of them. "What's going on? What happened?"
"A fire," The worker answered as he walked within hearing distance of the men. "Damn big one, too." He paused. "You looking for the Collins'?"
"You know where they are?" Rick asked.
"Hold on a minute." The worker cupped his hands on either side of his mouth. "WILLIE!"
The men in the car noticed a second man; One that, despite wearing a construction helmet, didn't seem to be anyone involved in repairing the mansion. He wore aged jeans and a long-sleeved, plaid shirt. When he got close enough, the two men seeing his five o'clock shadow, he removed his helmet, showing long, unkempt brown hair. One eyebrow seemed to be perpetually higher than the other as he looked at the construction worker who called him over.
"These two are looking for the Collins'," Was the explanation. The plaid-wearing man looked to the men in the car. He furrowed his brow upon noticing that they were identical twins, both sporting black, combed-back hair and dressed in dark blue. He walked up to the driver's side door and leaned forward.
"May I ask who I'm speaking to?" The driver asked.
"Willie Loomis," the man answered. "Caretaker. You?"
"Willie...you weren't the one who kept answering our phone calls, were you?"
The gears quickly turned in Willie's head. "Oh, you're the ones that want a contract."
"That's right. Rick Lillian. This is my brother, Bill." He gestured to his twin. "Now thankfully, the directions here weren't that bad. But we're a bit confused about the construction going on. Is there somewhere else the Collins' are staying?"
Willie, saying nothing, placed his helmet on a nearby pile of wood. "I got a car. Lemme get into it and follow me."
The twins watched as Willie walked towards a small, sulfur yellow vehicle parked a few feet away. Within minutes, he started up the engine, driving until he was perpendicular to their blue car. He stopped, motioned with his head for them to follow him, and let the car move again, this time with the twins right behind him.
The drive lasted for several minutes, partly due to the slow pace Willie was going; Presumably, to avoid hitting a straying animal or something of the sort. But before the drive began to bore them, they noticed Willie slowing to a stop, which they decided to do as well. Rick and Bill looked out the passenger's side door to take a look at their 'Option B'.
It was another mansion, albeit one much smaller than the one being repaired. The face of the mansion consisted of a projection bow and was supported by several pillars. A single brick chimney jutted from the leftmost half of the roof. Looking through the windows, several small lights could be seen even in the daylight.
The twins stared at the mansion before noticing Willie, having left his car and walking up to theirs. He got closer before speaking to them. "The big mansion back there? Wasn't the first Collinwood Manor." He pointed a thumb to the structure behind him. "This was. We're staying here 'till everything's done back there. Call it the Old House." 
"That's...imaginative," Bill replied.
Rick, however, stepped out of the car, causing his brother to follow suit. "After you, Willie," Rick motioned to the mansion. The plaid-shirted man led them to the front doors before pushing them open, allowing the twins inside.
Immediately, the ambiance of the house was rather foreboding. Candles illuminated the interior, in place of regular electric lights. Despite having looked like it was recently cleaned, cobwebs still decorated the more elevated parts of the ceiling. The designs, overall, looked to be out of the eighteenth century.
"In here," Willie stated, beckoning them as he walked into a doorway. The twins went to him, now finding themselves in a large, decorated parlor. A light brown, patterned rug encompassed most of the room. Several candelabras dotted the room, either sitting on tables or standing on their own. An ornate fireplace was at the center of one wall, with two red lounge chairs facing a glowing fire.
Along with someone else for the two to meet; A young boy, laying on the rug on his stomach, toying with several small dinosaur figurines. He raised his head up from the dinosaurs before turning to the twins in curiosity.
Bill waved at the boy. "Hey there, sport. We're, uh, here to speak with your...?"
"Aunt," The boy finished his sentence. "My name's David."
"Nice to meet you, David," Rick nodded. "I understand you're staying here until the other mansion is finished? How is it?"
David shrugged. "No T.V. or anything. "But I got used to that."
"Miss Collins?" Willie called out as he walked out of the parlor, leaving Rick, Bill and David. But three turned to four as another member of the family looked at a departing Willie before entering the room: A teenage girl with blonde hair, her arms folded as she leaned against the doorframe.
"Hello," Rick lightly waved. "We're the Lillians. We're here for-"
"For a deal with a cannery that's still not done being built," The girl finished the sentence.
Rick shrugged slightly, saying, "We wanted to be there before anyone else. But we do know it's not that long before the repairs are done. And you are?"
"Carolyn," was the answer. She walked into the room before sitting in one of the cushioned chairs.
Bill leaned towards his brother to whisper. "This isn't so bad. They seem normal enough."
"You're one to talk," Rick responded. "You were all ears for those rumors. Witches? Curses?"
"I know, I know," Bill moved his hands in a 'calm down' gesture. "Believe me, I know I shouldn't jump to conclusions in this line of business. But if anything happens to us, what then? Ready for anything, right?"
Rick nodded subtly. "Especially for anything belonging to-"
"Hello?"
The occupants of the room turned to the open doors. There stood Willie and a fifth new face.
It was a woman, of middle-age at least. She sported a dark-colored dress that covered everything save for her head and hands. Her hair, long and a dull blond, was brushed back. Walking to the twins, she extended a hand. "I'm who you're looking for, gentlemen - Elizabeth Collins."
Bill was the first to shake her hand. "It's nice to meet you...Miss? Mrs.?"
"Either or," Elizabeth answered. Rick was the next one to accept her handshake.
"A wonderful house and a fine family, ma'am. Now that we finally have the chance to meet face-to-face, perhaps we can talk about our offers somewhere more business-oriented."
"Absolutely," the matriarch curtsied slightly. "If you would follow me..."



§§§


"As you can see, Ms. Collins," Rick leaned forward in his chair, "Many businesses we've placed contracts with have received moderate to significant boosts for both parties. Unfortunately, for securities' sake, we can't go into any deep detail over what comes about with these contracts, but you can be assured the relationships are symbiotic all the way."
The twins sat opposite Elizabeth at a desk in what seemed to be a study. The woman was flipping through one of several folders the two men gave her, listening to what they had to say as she skimmed over the data.
She began to speak aloud several of the business partners' lines of work. "Medicine...Technology..." She grew confused as she reached one page, looking up at the twins. "...Shower curtains?"
Bill spoke up. "You'd be amazed at how much one's quality of life improves with a well-built curtain. Especially when you choose where to place them..."
Rick interrupted his brother. "Officially, we're listed as an organization trusted with protecting and helping communities. These contracts help us do just that. Especially the...shower curtains."
Elizabeth put her hand to her chin in thought. "And what role will our cannery play?"
"Supplies," Rick answered. "More often than not, several members of our organization may find themselves without immediate access to fresh food. Canned goods, especially those easy to carry, remedy that problem."
Bill, reaching into his suitcase, pulled out an official-looking document with dotted lines at the bottom. "Here's all you need to know and sign," he told Elizabeth. "The payments will be as discussed, and all measures will be taken to ensure said payments get to you ASAP."
Elizabeth looked at the paper placed in her hands, then looked up at the anticipating twins. Their small smiles turned to frowns as she placed the paper on her desk and she slowly stood up.
"There is one thing to be done before I pull our business into something as big as this," the matriarch stated flatly.
"Well," Bill flipped a hand in a shrug-like manner, "We're listening."
Elizabeth motioned for the two to follow her. They did so, quickly finding themselves back in the parlor. The three of them were the only ones there.
She spoke up. "In the documents you've given me, one of the tasks your organization does is listed as 'investigations'. Exactly what does that entail?"
Rick answered. "Possible threats to lives and livelihoods, stolen property, missing persons..." He trailed off. The two, however, noticed her face soften as he mentioned 'missing persons'.
She walked over to the fireplace, placing a hand on the mantle as she told them, "Look at this portrait."
The twins had noticed the painting earlier, but this time they really looked at it. It was a medium-sized portrait of a thin man, sporting short black hair that went across his forehead in a wave-like pattern. He was also dressed in eighteenth century clothing and held in one hand a cane with an ebony handle shaped like some sort of canine.
They were confused for a moment, until Bill let an idea strike him. "Is that...Barnabas?"
Elizabeth turned to them. "It is. Before his arrival, this family was near ruins. But his loyalty and drive brought us back. Not even an arson attempt would keep him from protecting his family and ensuring its survival." She stepped closer as she continued. "Several days ago, he went missing. He went for a rest, and when he didn't come back...we assume someone may have captured him. Or perhaps madness may have taken hold. Either way...we do not expect him to be safe."
Rick asked, "Have you tried the police? They're really the most appropriate people to-"
"No," She suddenly, firmly stated. "As influential as he is, Barnabas won't respond well if policemen came looking for him. This needs to be done by people he knows won't harm him. People he won't be paranoid about." She gestured to the twins. "People like you two."
The two looked at each other before Elizabeth started again. "You bring him back to us - back home - and a deal will be made. Nothing of this much importance passes without Barnabas' approval."
The twins went into thought before Rick spoke up. "Do you mind if I make a phone call? Our superiors need to know about this rather abrupt development."
Elizabeth quickly gave him directions to the room that housed the (recently-added) telephone. Rick followed these directions, found the room, and closed the door behind him. He looked to the phone...
And instead pulled up one of his sleeves, revealing what could best be described as a cellular phone strapped to his wrist. Making sure the small screen was on, Rick began to type out a message.
He was too occupied with his 'call' to notice the thin, pale, dark-haired woman watching through the crack in the door he failed to fully close.


§§§


"She actually said yes?" Bill voiced his disbelief as soon as he and Rick stepped out of the mansion, the growing darkness signaling nighttime. Rick said nothing, knowing that his actions spoke for him.
Their superior had given them the O.K. to find and rescue Barnabas from wherever he may be. A relieved Elizabeth had said her goodbyes, more than willing to let the twins carry out their new task.
Finally, Rick spoke. "As we agreed before, we have to be ready for anything. Especially if there's a possibility that they might have gotten to him before we did."
"You really think so?" Bill asked. "I know information is leaked, but nine times out of ten, it's pretty dated by the time it switches hands. How would they...oh God, tell me that's not a ticket!"
Rick looked to their blue car, finding the source of Bill's sudden anguish in the form of a piece of paper clipped under one of the windshield wipers. Moving closer, Rick grabbed the paper and held it out for Bill to see.
It wasn't a ticket, but a note. A very brief one, at that:

	Blue Whale, 9:00.
Bring only yourselves.

Once more, The brothers looked at each other. "Blue Whale?" Bill asked. "Didn't we pass that somewhere in town? It was a bar, right?"
Folding the paper and placing it in the pocket of his suit, Rick approached the driver's side door as he stated, "After we find a way to kill time...there's only one way to find out."
> Meanwhile, In Another Universe...(Part 2)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 12: Meanwhile, in Another Universe...(Part 2)


My name is Richard Lillian. Not too long ago, my brother Bill and I had our business deal turn into a search-and-rescue mission. To further complicate things, we found a note directing us to the Blue Whale, Collinsport's local pub. However bad jumping to conclusions may be in our business, it seems all too coincidental. Which made my brother and I all the more determined to investigate.

With a jerk, Rick pulled the keys out of the car's ignition. Having spent a few hours taking in the sights of the small fishing town, he and Bill were able to find a perfect parking spot: A space across the street from a building sporting a neon sign that all but confirmed they were at the right location.
The Blue Whale.
The twins exited the car, the lights from the streetlights and buildings illuminating the night air. They quickly crossed the street before feeling safe enough to take pause.
"Say Rick," Bill began, "You curious enough to see if the lobster's really as good as everyone says?"
"Let's get this over with before spending anything on ourselves," Rick shook his head. "We don't know if we have to pay anything for this meeting and we only have so much genuine money. Any of our own and everything goes out the window."
With that, Rick opened the door leading to the pub. The two men stepped inside, the heated interior contrasting with the chilly autumn night outside. Going further, they could see the tables occupied by several people, most of whom appeared to be in the fishing business. To finish it all off, a gentle tune could be heard playing from an unseen location.
The overall setting provided comfort and warmth, were there no business involved. But the twins had no time to fully appreciate the atmosphere, instead beginning their search, until...
"Rick?"
"Bill?"
"It...just occurred to me. We have no idea who we're looking for."
"...It just hit me too, Bill."
"Damn it."
"Hey."
The brothers turned to the voice behind them, only to see a familiar sight. Rick furrowed his brow. "Willie?"
The Collins' caretaker stood before them, sporting a dress coat over his plaid shirt. "You got the message," He pointed out, folding his arms.
"The note? That was you?" Bill asked.
"Yes and no," The long-haired man replied. "Follow me."
"We've been doing that a lot since we got here," Bill muttered.
The three men walked to a table placed near one of the walls. Four seats were placed at this table. With one occupied.
It was clearly a woman, though she had her head down, her pale hands fidgeting with each other in waiting. She heard the footsteps growing louder, then suddenly cease. She looked up at the three of them, revealing her face to be just as pale as her hands, framed by dark brown hair. Her expression was one of concern as she said, "Please, sit."
Rick and Bill took a chair while Willie sat in the one next to the woman. She stared intently at the twins before continuing. "You...don't know me. But I was at the house when you came for the business arrangement." She held out her hand to them. "People know me as Victoria Winters."
"Nice to meet you, Victoria," Rick shook her hand, followed by Bill. "What do you do at the house? Cleaning? Cooking?"
"I took the job of being David's nanny. He wasn't always the boy you saw at the house. He...had difficulties with his parents."
"Sorry to hear that," Bill began, "But I don't think we're here to talk about David, are we? This is just a guess, but I think this has something to do with the note we found on our car."
Victoria nodded. "It was me. And Willie. We needed to talk, away from Collinwood." She sighed, having obvious difficulty continuing. "Elizabeth wasn't telling you everything."
"We know," Bill shrugged. "We could see it. But pressing her - who knows how that could've gone?"
Victoria kept speaking. "There's something about Barnabas you need to know. Whether you believe it or not, you NEED to know this." The twins leaned in, their attention undivided. Victoria sighed, closed her eyes, then opened them. "Barnabas Collins is a vampire."
The din of the pub was all but blocked out, leaving the other patrons to go about their business as the twins sat in a deathly silent world shortly after this reveal.
"A vampire," Bill repeated in disbelief. "A. Vampire. Are you serious?"
"I know it's difficult to believe," The woman agreed, "But it's the honest truth. He was sealed away in a coffin for almost two centuries. He was broken free into this world..." She paused. "And he turned me into one as well."
"This just keeps getting better," Bill remarked to Rick. "Alright, ma'am, is there any proof to this?"
"Willie," Victoria turned to the groundskeeper. The man reached down near his chair, pulling out a shard of a mirror, apparently thrown away. He handed it to Victoria, being careful with the edges. She placed the mirror on the table, between her and the twins. "Look at this mirror. What do you see?"
The two men obeyed, leaning into the reflective glass. Bill shrugged. "Nothing we didn't see before leaving the house today."
Victoria nodded, then reached out a hand. The twins noticed her nails were unusually long and sharp, more so than if she had them manicured. She now had her hand directly over the mirror. The two men looked down.
Rick gasped.
Victoria hovered her hand. She moved her fingers. Waved her hand slightly over the mirror in a horizontal pendulum-like fashion. But the reflection showed only the ceiling of the pub. And nothing more.
Not even her hand.
They looked to Victoria, only to have her open her mouth to reveal a pair of sharp, white teeth.
Rick grunted as he gripped his brother's arm, as Bill tried to bolt upwards from the table. "No, no, no, nope, nope, Rick we can't do this," Bill stammered out, shaking his head. "I don't care how important this is I don't want to die so far from home!"
Victoria, however, remained calm. "And where is your home?"
Rick looked at her as Bill calmed down only slightly. "New York City."
The woman then shook her head slightly. "Not THIS New York City."
Rick, Bill, and even Willie looked at her in surprise. Victoria continued. "I can sense it. I don't know, but...something you're giving off...tells me you're not a part of this world."
Willie grew confused. "So, what? That make them aliens?"
Rick leaned into his chair, sighing. A second passed before he began. "Aliens. Yes, that's the best way to describe it right now."
Victoria nodded. "So we've both been keeping secrets. Unfortunately, it seems to be the only way anything can be done these days." She grew sad. "When Barnabas disappeared...I felt the connection with him break. But before it did, I...was able to see what he could see. I saw...a night sky. A moon. With...craters made in the shape of a unicorn." She leaned in closer, whispering, "With...something after him."
Rick raised his eyebrows. "You think he's in danger?"
"I don't know," Victoria's voice cracked. "I don't know. And I need to. The family needs to. And the police won't be of any help if they knew about his vampirism. Far from it." The tears began to well in her eyes. "Please. You say you help people. I know I need to do horrible things to survive, but the Collins family needs Barnabas. If not for me...then help them."
Rick and Bill looked at the table before Rick looked up and gave their answer. "We need a way to detect him before we can find him. And someone to point him out."
Victoria agreed. "Someone with an attachment to Barnabas. Someone...like Willie."
"Wait, what?" The groundskeeper looked to the vampiress in surprise. "What about-"
"I'll tell them you're helping find Barnabas. It wouldn't be lying." Victoria sighed. She looked back to the men across the table. "I wish you the best of luck. And don't worry - he won't harm you as long as he sees you're with Willie."
A brief moment passed before Bill reached his hand across the table one more time, letting Victoria shake it. "Now," Bill grunted as he readjusted his sitting position, "Before we make any kind of journey..." He pulled out a napkin from one of the holders and tucked it into the collar of his shirt, finishing his sentence with, "We're going to need to fuel up. Want to go Dutch?" 


§§§


"Alright. I'll call in when I can. Until then," Rick pulled his sleeve back down as he turned back to Bill and Willie. The three men stood in the woods near Collinwood, away from curious eyes. The twins' blue car had turned out to be a rental, and had been returned, though the twins now had with them backpacks full to bursting with unknown supplies. Willie was quick to ask how they would look for Barnabas without transportation.
He got his answer in the form of Bill waving his own arm-strapped device over several trees before moving it over the groundskeeper.
"...You ARE aliens, aren't you?" Willie kept a tense posture as he watched Bill wave his arm up and down over him.
"You'll find out, Willie," Rick folded his arms. "All we're doing is scanning for this world's universal signature. This may come as a shock to you, but this is just one of a literally infinite number of universes. Without going too far into specifics, each universe has their own subtle differences in frequencies, genetic makeup, and so on." He stepped closer as Bill pressed several buttons on his wrist device. "We can detect these differences. What's more, we can search other universes and detect whether something - or someone - doesn't belong. But in order to do that, we need to know the signature of this world." He outstretched his arms to the forest. "Understand so far?"
"...Not really," Willie shrugged.
"Well...just letting you know we have an explanation for what the Hell we're doing," Rick waved his hand. "Now about the infinite worlds - there are others like us traveling across universes, scanning for their signatures. Some worlds we stay on and learn more about, such as this one. Others, we have no choice but to go in, scan, and go out. As a result, we know very little about the latter until we can devote more time to it."
"Speak of the ever-loving devil."
"What now, Bill?" Rick asked his brother. Bill held out his wrist communicator, showing an animated screen that displayed several outlined circles.
"Those the other worlds you were talking about?" Willie stepped closer to see for himself.
"Sure is," Bill sighed. "And the whole 'worlds we don't know about' thing Rick just mentioned? I just found a world that's giving off a very small hint of this one's signature, but..."
"It's one of the unknowns," Rick shook his head. "Perfect."
"So...what's that mean?" Willie asked them.
Rick looked back to him. "Anything. Whatever's in this world could be anything you could possibly think of. And beyond."
"And as horrifying as that should be," Bill pressed several more buttons on his wrist device, "There really is only one way to find out." He gulped to himself as he looked up at his brother and Willie. "You guys ready?"
"I got one more question," Willie announced. "Is this gonna hurt?"
"The journey? No," Rick answered. "Whatever we land on when we get there? Possibly."
Making sure their backpacks were strapped tight, the twins stood next to each other, with a now-tense Willie between them. Bill, already having his device out, began to tap the buttons in a sort of pattern, before taking a deep breath and bringing down his finger one last time.
Anyone near the forest would have mistaken the flash of light for a stray lightning bolt, never knowing what created the flash. Or, for that matter, what the flash carried with it when it disappeared.
> A Different Kind of Surprise
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 13: A Different Kind of Surprise


My name is Barnabas Collins. If I've learned anything from my stay so far, it is that these ponies are abnormally forgiving. Thanks to a rather clumsy mail...mare?...I have discovered that this village's mayor had given an order to leave me be unless I harm any of their kind. With the protective clothing Rarity has fitted me with, and with Rainbow Dash and the 'Cutie Mark Crusaders' at my side, I have decided to make the most of my situation and find the one called Twilight Sparkle to inquire on any progress made in sending me back home...

Barnabas had often worn protective clothing for daytime outings, his safety assured. But that was back in Collinsport. Here, he felt in just as much danger as he would be in while exposed to sunlight.
Derpy's explanation did little to calm him down. A handful of ponies watched as he traveled across town with Rainbow Dash and the Cutie Mark Crusaders. The vampire's paranoia was beginning to reach unmanageable levels as he saw more and more equines looking at him. His breathing grew shallow as his eyes darted from pony to pony.
"Hey, uh...are you alright?"
"Huh?" He snapped back to the cyan, rainbow-maned pegasus. "Yes. Yes, of course I am."
"Uh huh," Rainbow Dash didn't buy it. "Look. Anypony tries anything funny, they'll have to get through me to get to you. And nopony gets past the Element of Loyalty."
Barnabas looked back down at the pony, his sunglasses now framed with furrowed brows. "Loyalty? To me?"
"Of course to you!" Scootaloo announced. "Rainbow'd do anything to protect somepony. Even if that somepony isn't a pony to begin with!"
"Even...somepony...who threw her against a tree?"
"...You WHAT?!" The orange filly stopped dead in her tracks, running up in front of the vampire and taking a threatening stance. Or as threatening a stance as a young filly can take. "Why would you do that?!"
He was about to answer the young Crusader, until he heard Rainbow Dash speak first:
"Because we scared him. We wanted to help but he thought we were coming to...get rid of him." She walked to Scootaloo, putting a hoof on the filly's shoulder and calming her down. "It's like what happened a couple of times before, Scoots. Everypony misunderstood. Understand?"
Scootaloo glared up at the vampire before looking back up at her idol. "Yeah...I guess so."
"Listen, squirt," Dash smirked as she let go, "If I don't hate him for the tree thing, neither should you. Okay?"
The orange pegasus filly nodded, moving out of Barnabas' way. The vampire simply stood in thought, absorbing Rainbow's words despite them not being for him. How is it these creatures now view him as a guest, and not a monster?
"...Barnabas? Hello?" Dash waved a hoof in front of him. "You wanna go back inside or something?! Is the heat getting to you?"
"No. No," Barnabas waved away her hoof. "Just me and my thoughts on the situation. How soon will we be reaching Twilight Sparkle's residence?"
"Just up ahead," Apple Bloom pointed in front of them.
"...Little one, that's a tree."
"Yeah, we know," The yellow earth filly looked up at him. "Her house IS the tree!"
Barnabas instantly thought back to his first night in Equestria. The glowing tree he landed near. The small dragon that stepped out of it.
Now, in broad daylight, he saw the entire structure in its glory in the distance. The tree was incredibly tall and enormously wide, more than enough to house an entire building inside of it. He could see several balconies, several windows, and a wooden sign in front of it depicting an open book.
As they marched closer to the tree, the three fillies began to converse among themselves. Barnabas largely ignored the discussion until one sentence reached his ears. Looking down in surprise, he asked, "Who said that?"
The Crusaders glanced up at him, Sweetie Belle giving a hesitant, "Me?"
The vampire knelt down near her level, making sure no stray beam of sunlight reached his skin. "What did you say?"
"That I was dressed up as a vampire one Night Mare Night...?"
"...Oh." Barnabas felt his expectations drop.
"What did you think I said?" Sweetie grew curious.
"Nothing," He waved it off as he stood up, changing the subject. "What is this 'Night Mare Night'?"
"It's a holiday 'bout Princess Luna," Apple Bloom answered as they continued their journey. "Everypony dresses up, plays games, and go door-to-door for candy!"
"Do they have Night Mare Night where you're from?" Scootaloo asked.
"I believe so. Not in name," Barnabas thought aloud. "In my world, such a holiday is known as 'Halloween' or 'All Hallows Eve'."
Rainbow Dash gave off a confused look at the vampire. "What the hay is a hallow?"
"Maybe Twilight knows," Sweetie Belle offered. "We're here!"
The group of five walked up to the now-towering tree, coming up to a red door with a lit candle painted on its front. Rainbow Dash stepped forward, raised a hoof, and gave several sharp knocks on the door.
"Hold on!" Came a voice from within. Suddenly, the lower half of the door - which held two black handles - swung open in two quarters, revealing not only the dark interior, but a small, purple, scaled being.
"Sorry, the library's closed for - DWAH! YOU!" The reptilian child pointed accusingly at the vampire. "Why are...you're not...it's too soon!"
"Spike, calm down!" Came another voice, feminine in nature. "Who is it?"
Spike stammered several more times before turning back inside and shouting, "The Vampire!"
A dead silence followed before the sound of rapidly running hooves grew louder. Spike cautiously stepped aside before the rest of the door flew open, revealing a familiar purple unicorn.
"Barnabas?!" Twilight exclaimed. "Oh, thank goodness! You got here okay!" She stepped aside. "Please, come in. All of you."
"Actually," Apple Bloom kicked at the ground with one hoof, "We got crusading to do."
"Now that everypony knows about Barnabas..." Scootaloo shrugged, not having to finish her sentence.
"You don't want to stay?" Twilight asked. "I found something that might help Barnabas - and it sounds like something you might find incredibly interesting."
"You said the same thing about that book on tree moss," Dash flatly pointed out.
Twilight was unfazed. "This is something far beyond moss this time. Try an entire chapter of lost Equestrian history. How about it, girls?"
Their curiosity piqued, the three fillies quickly decided to stay for a while longer. Twilight looked back up to the vampire.
"I got a message from Princess Celestia this morning telling me to expect you," Twilight explained. "That and...she's waiting for you to get back to Canterlot as soon as you met with me."
"I've received a similar letter through your friend, Rarity," the vampire admitted. "I can tell she's...less than happy about my sudden departure."
"Can we come inside, Twilight?" Dash looked around. "I don't care what the Mayor says, it's not safe leaving him out in the open like this."
"Of course," Twilight stepped aside, showing the nearly pitch-black inside of the building. "I've closed all the blinds for you so daylight doesn't have to be an issue. Come on in."
Rainbow Dash and the Crusaders went in first, followed by Barnabas. The vampire was quick to glance down at Spike, who folded his arms in mild defiance of his entering the tree.
Once inside, Twilight suddenly closed the door, leaving all seven of them in inky darkness. They were all completely blind.
"Twilight Sparkle?" Barnabas called out, hearing a faint echo. "I thank you for your consideration, but it seems to be a bit TOO dark for us."
"You may be right," was his answer. "Just let me get the lights..."
They expected a gradual glow as several light sources became of use. Instead, the room became awash with light, giving no time for their eyes to adjust. It made for quite the surprise.
If not for how abrupt it was, then certainly for the chorus of voices suddenly screaming out "SURPRISE!!"
Barnabas shouted out in shock, backing up against the front door with a thud as Rainbow Dash jumped in front of him, ready to defend him. She calmed down, however, when she saw what she was up against.
Streamers hung from the ceiling. Balloons and confetti littering the floor. All loose books and papers tucked away, making room for several familiar ponies and a large table offering drinks and snacks, along with a large, dark blue cake.
"What is the meaning of this?!" Barnabas finally shouted back at the numerous ponies in the library with the group. He was ready to lash out at them until Rainbow Dash turned to him.
"Wait a minute," Dash pressed a hoof on his chest. "Calm down. It's...a surprise party."
The vampire let his mouth hang open in confusion, revealing his fangs. "Surprise...party? What...? Who...?"
"SURPRISE!" A new voice rang out, followed by the sudden movement of something fuzzy and pink, shooting up in the air before landing in front of them.
Barnabas instantly recognized the pink, overly-excited mare as another one of the six Elements.
Rainbow Dash shook her head in the manner of a mildly amused adult. "Pinkie...I should've known."
"But then you would've known about the surprise party!" Pinkie Pie reasoned. "And then it wouldn't be as big of a surprise! As soon as Twilight told me about the letter I HAD to throw a party!"
"You...had to?" Barnabas asked.
"Of course!" The pink earth pony hopped up in the air as she walked back to the crowd of ponies. "You like it? It's a 'Sorry for Treating You So Badly' party! For you!"
Barnabas said nothing, simply standing in silent awe at the scene around him, coupled with the scenes replaying in his mind. The princesses offering shelter. Fluttershy, Rarity, Rainbow Dash and Twilight Sparkle all forgiving and forgetting his treatment of them. The Mayor ordering all citizens to leave him be.
And now...an entire party focused on apologizing to him?
"...Oh, jeez," Dash put a hoof to her face. "This is like the third time he's zoned out like this. I think we made it too hot outside or something."
"Hello?" Pinkie grew worried. She trotted up to him, jumping up and down to meet his face. "Please don't be angry. Also please don't be in a coma. You didn't even get to eat your 'We're Sorry' cake!"
Barnabas still said nothing, looking back to the eager party guests. To the streamers, the balloons, and the cake. The only other beings to do such a thing for him was his family.People who knew he was a vampire. 
And STILL accepted him.
"Barnabas?" Finding himself back in reality, he looked down at Pinkie, her cottony mane now starting to deflate like a balloon as she grew even more worried, and her lower lip starting to tremble.
He knelt down to Pinkie's level, removing his hat and sunglasses now that the danger of sunlight was temporarily averted. Barnabas remained silent, staring intently at the pony with tears welling in her eyes.
Finally, after a moment of everypony looking on, he spoke to her. "Why must you look so sad, pony?" He muttered aloud. "This is a party, after all."
Gasping, Pinkie's mane rebounded into its fluffed-up self, and every tear in her eye vanished. Her frown curved into the biggest smile as she suddenly began to bounce around the vampire, cheerfully spouting unintelligible exclamations of joy.
"...Best of friends!" She announced as she finished her bouncing, landing in front of him again.
"Now Pinkie," A new voice rang out, a feminine Western accent. Out stepped an orange mare with a yellow mane and a small Western hat. "Why don't we get better acquainted? Make sure he's comfortable with us and all this."
Barnabas stood back up. "Believe me when I say that - now - I am more than comfortable, Ms..."
"Applejack. That little yellow filly ya got with you's my sister."
"Applejack?" Barnabas questioned. "I distinctly recall a drink by that name. Quite refreshing, if memory serves."
"Most apple products are," The cowpony retorted. "Matter of fact, I got Big Mac to bring some samples for ya. Ya wanna follow me?"
The vampire turned to the other ponies he was conversing with. Twilight spoke up. "Go on. The more you get to know us, the easier this'll be for all of us. What I need to show you needs concentration anyway and Celestia knows that's not happening during a party. Spike?"
The dragon walked up to the vampire, looking up at him with a mixture of hesitation and accusation before holding out his hands. Barnabas instantly got the message and handed Spike his sunglasses and hat before removing his gloves, placing them in his coat pockets, and removing the coat before folding it and letting it drape over the dragon. Spike then proceeded to place them neatly on a nearby, bare small table.
Giving a small bow to his guests and companions, Barnabas turned to the crowd of socializing ponies before stepping forward.
> Explanations and Arrivals
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 14: Explanations and Arrivals


"Good bye! Bye! See you tomorrow! And you! Oh, and you definitely!"
"She's been bidding the guests farewell for quite some time. Should we-"
"No, we shouldn't."
Barnabas simply shrugged at Rainbow Dash's answer before looking at the empty plates and floating balloons. Any loose streamers, crumbs and stains were currently being cleaned by Twilight and Spike. Pinkie Pie stood at the door of the library, waving to the departing ponies. The only ones remaining were Barnabas, Twilight, Pinkie, Rainbow, Applejack, the Cutie Mark Crusaders, Spike, and...
"Rarity?" The vampire suddenly took notice of the familiar faces. "Fluttershy?"
"Oh, um...hello," The timid Pegasus replied.
Barnabas asked, "How long have you been here? Did you miss the party?"
"Oh, goodness, no!" Rarity immediately answered. "But we only just found out after you left the boutique. Poor Pinkie ran herself ragged setting it up for you that she must have skipped a few names for invitations without realizing it." The dressmaker then gasped. "And you won't believe this! That package from the Princesses? There was a check inside, at the very bottom! They paid for your outfit, Barnabas!"
"The Princesses?" Barnabas knelt down to their level, as he did earlier for Pinkie. "But how did they know?"
"Didn't you tell Princess Luna?" Fluttershy asked.
"Ah...and she undoubtedly told her sister. I see." It didn't explain how they were willing to pay his debts for him, though.
"Alright," Twilight sighed, looking at the room. "I think we can stop now, Spike. We can take care of the rest later."
The dragon walked up the unicorn, who suggested that the eleven of them sit in a circle so as they all could better see what she had to show them. As they took their spots, Barnabas suddenly spoke up. "For what it may be worth, young dragon...I apologize for my rather forceful interrogation upon my arrival."
"Huh?" Spike raised his eyebrows. "Oh. That. I, uh...guess it's okay. I just...didn't know if you were going to hurt Twilight or the others."
Barnabas was silent. "A rather justifiable fear. Just as I didn't know whether or not you were affiliated with one Angelique Bouchard."
"Who is Angelique, Barnabas?" Twilight asked, this being her second time hearing the name he seemed to dread.
The vampire looked around at the inquiring faces. Now seemed to be as good a time as ever. He sighed, closed his eyes, and opened them as he responded. "A witch. A witch I foolishly had become intimate with. After rejecting her, she swore revenge upon me and my family, damning them with entire generations of curses. Taking way my mother and father. My siblings." He began to struggle with his words. "My love, Josette." The ponies and dragon looked on in awe, shock, and concern.
"How...atrocious..." Rarity held a hoof to her mouth, tears welling in her eyes.
Twilight suddenly put the pieces together. "Angelique...is why you're a vampire, isn't she Barnabas?"
His silence was the only answer she needed. She shook her head in shock and disbelief. Barnabas continued. "She had bewitched Josette. Driven her to fall off of Widow's Peak, into the rocks below. I tried to stop her." He closed his eyes and looked down. "I couldn't. So...I had jumped. To join her."
Rainbow Dash interrupted. "But I thought vampires needed to be staked to die. Why did you...Oh." The realization crept on the pegasus. "Oh holy horseapples."
Barnabas felt his eyes aching. "That was how I...had realized what she had done. The rocks. Josette. Looking up at the cliff...only to see her staring down at me."
Pinkie usually didn't let anything bother her. But this was unavoidable. Her mane began to deflate again as she tried to cheer him up. "But...that was it, right? Angelique stopped, didn't she?"
The vampire simply glared at the part pony. "Far from it. She had sent the townspeople after me. Commanded them to bury me alive. To forget me. To live on as my family suffered at her hands." He sighed again. "I had remained in my prison for nearly two centuries."
The group collectively began to mentally kick themselves. This was no monster. It was merely a soul who had offended the wrong person, and suffered greatly.
They suddenly all turned to Sweetie Belle, who began to cry uncontrollably. Rarity immediately went to comfort her younger sister. "Why?!" Sweetie sobbed out. "Doesn't it get any better?!"
Barnabas stammered before approaching the filly. "Child, of course it does! My resting place was disturbed by several workmen. After...appeasing my hunger..."
"You drank their blood?!" Sweetie began to cry harder.
Fluttershy responded with a timid, "He had no choice, did he? As much as he didn't want to...he NEEDED to."
"And after that, I had returned to my family. What was left of it. I had helped regain the Collins' fortune, their business. Until I had learned Angelique was still alive and still tormenting my family. After one final fight with her, I was rid of the witch...and reunited with my love Josette, having been reincarnated." He paused. "Reincarnation exists in this land, does it not?"
"Only in theory," Twilight answered. "Though some cases show that souls beginning a life after seeing another to the end may be possible."
Barnabas nodded, and continued. "The fight with Angelique left our grand mansion in charred ruins, leaving us to retreat to an older dwelling on the Collinwood property. We've been living there while our home was under construction. We have been for some time, until..." He gestured to the library. "All of this."
It was silent for a moment, the only sound being Sweetie Belle's sniffling as she calmed down. Suddenly, Applejack chimed in with, "You poor, miserable thing."
"Wow..." Scootaloo whispered, feeling bad for lashing out at him earlier; Now she understood why Barnabas was so violent to Rainbow Dash.
Seeing her sister was now fully relaxed, Rarity walked back to her sitting spot. "That was simply dreadful! And after how we just hunted you like some animal!"
"There were many misgivings on both sides," Barnabas simply shook his head. "I was just as much at fault as you all were. I had underestimated the kindness you ponies are capable of giving. For that, I apologize."
The others collectively gave their apologies as well. A moment of silence passed before Twilight cleared her throat. "I'm...really sorry for what happened to you, Barnabas. And sorry for making it look like we were threatening you. But...maybe what I have to show you might cheer you up."
"Celestia knows a good pick-me-up is what we all need," Dash agreed. Spike, at Twilight's request, quickly picked up a large, thick book sticking out of a shelf. He carried it over his head before placing it in the center of the circle the group made by their seating arrangements.
Barnabas leaned in to better see the gold lettering on the dark green book. "Strange. Your written language is exactly like my world's English." He then silently read the title:


EQUESTRIAN ARCHAEOLOGY


"I've been staying up for the better half of the week looking for something to help," Twilight confessed. "I almost shrugged this one off until I came across a very interesting chapter." She then stood over the book, looking directly at Barnabas. "This question may sound strange, but I need to answer it to make sure I actually got somewhere in my research." She leaned in. "Are you...a human?"
Barnabas furrowed his brow. "I would certainly say so. A human inflicted with a curse unlike any other, but a human nonetheless."
Twilight sighed, her tone of breath revealing her relief. "Alright. Good." She laid down, allowing her horn to glow with magic. The book began to glow as well before the cover and several pages flipped open. Immediately, Twilight found what she was looking for. "Ah. See this?" She levitated the book, showing the ponies and Spike before showing Barnabas. She spoke more to her friends than she did to the vampire. "This is a general depiction of an ancient being known as a 'human'. Humans were...well...if I had to make a comparison, they were like monkeys, but they also weren't. They walked on two legs, had hands with five fingers each, had very little hair with most of it on their heads, and so on. At one point, they were all over what would eventually be known as Equestria; Several archaeological digs in isolated areas still yield tools and artwork."
"So what happened to 'em?" Applebloom asked.
Twilight gave a confused look to her friends. "That's...just it. Bizarrely enough, though tools were found, no remains of any human ever were. Any attempt at translating anything has up until now failed. But dig sites near the coastlines show paintings depicting several humans on ships. Scholars theorize that at some point, they left Equestria either to migrate or explore. Some even believe that humans still live on today, living in parts of the world ponies haven't even heard of."
She let them digest this information before noticing Rainbow Dash raising a hoof. "Okay, I admit this beats the hay out of your tree moss book. But what, aside from him being a human, does this all mean?"
"I was getting to that," Twilight patiently said. "You see, nopony has been able to pinpoint exactly how long humans have been in Equestria. For that reason, several researchers have suggested that at some point, humans and ponies lived alongside each other. To what extent is unknown, but this might mean that there was contact between humans and unicorns. Which means that maybe - just maybe - we can find a spell that can help you, Barnabas." She turned to him, only to watch as he stood up to tower over her. Twilight grew nervous. "I know it's not much, but at least now we know that there's a possibility we've found a -"
"Miss Twilight Sparkle," Barnabas began to bow, "You've helped tremendously. The Princesses...have told me of a possibility that I may never return home. But at least now I know that there is a sliver of hope. Thank you."
Twilight felt a slight surge in pride, bowing to the human in kind. "I still need to do more research. Humans might not have had a decipherable language, but ancient  unicorns do." She looked up as she heard one of the Cutie Mark Crusaders speak up - Sweetie Belle.
"So if humans left...does that mean they might come back?"
"It's only a theory," Twilight answered. "Some even say they may have all died at sea, unprepared for the conditions. But it's not like we're not defended. And it's certainly not like more humans are just going to drop in out of nowhere."


§§§


The Everfree Forest was thick with trees. Just as little light entered the forest, somepony looking in would find it impossible to notice any light without traveling deep within.
As such, only the forest dwelling animals noticed the abrupt, brilliant explosion of light, and swiftly fled as a result, not bothering to look back as long as they were escaping the apparent danger.
In a small clearing of the dark forest, laying in the center of a circle made of burnt grass, were three humanoid figures. Two were identical twins, sporting blue overcoats and backpacks. One wore a plaid shirt under a dark brown coat. Grunting, the three of them sat, then finally stood up.
One of the men in blue looked around. "Oh my Lord..."
"I know," The other coated man said. "Everything looks...kind of cartoony. In fact, WE look kind of-"
"The ground!" The first twin declared, arms open to the singed earth. "I thought you did the math, Bill! Take our positions and raise them slightly higher! You know we're not supposed to leave such a blatant trace!"
"Alright," Bill raised his hands. "Calm down, Rick. We can fix this. We have before."
"Oddly enough, that's not the first time you said that," Rick sighed. "We go over this every renewal period. I don't care how safe the ride is for us, something else is always worse for wear when you make the calculations!"
"When I make them?!" Bill grew frustrated. "That's not what you said when I had to crunch the numbers for the company back home!"
"There's a difference between inter-universal travel, and keeping track of how many pounds of dry cat food is produced in a day, Bill," Rick argued. "Bottom line, next time we go over the math: Pay. Attention. There is no margin for error here."
The third man looked behind him. "Uh, fellas-"
"A moment, Willie," Rick waved the third one off. "The whole point is NOT to leave something that can be found."
"Look around you Rick," Bill's tone took on the tone of someone growing impatient with an oblivious friend. "Does it look like there's anyone around to see? Tree falling in the forest and such?" He paused. "Wait a minute..."
"Guys-" Willie spoke again.
Rick placed his fisted hands on his sides. "There's no one NOW. But what about later? A hunter, maybe?"
Willie pointed in a seemingly random direction. "What about the zebra?"
"Hunter, zebra, anyone who needs to travel into - wait, zebra?" Rick and Bill finally looked to where Willie was pointing.
In a short distance away stood a hut that seemed to have been made entirely in the trunk of a still-standing tree. Wooden masks decorated the front, and jars on strings hung from the branches. But the three's attention was primarily drawn to a round, open window, where a small zebra stood. It sported earrings, neck rings, a Mohawk and blue eyes. Blue eyes that were open wide and aimed directly at them, along with a mouth slightly hung open in surprise.
With the animals having fled, the air was dead silent for a moment, until Bill spoke up with a, "Uh...hi? Don't, uh, mind us, we're just...hunters. Making a campfire. That's this...burnt grass you see."
Rick placed a hand to his face. Willie just looked confused at the zebra.
The equine closed its mouth before speaking, emitting a clearly feminine voice. "Any young foal can see that you lie. So may you stop trying to be so sly?"
"...Damn it," Bill lowered his head.
"You can understand us?" Rick asked. "Look, we're not here to hurt you."
"We don't even know where the hell 'here' is," Willie added to no one in particular.
"In the Everfree Forest is where you stand," the zebra explained, "Though by your tones, it's not what you planned."
"No, no," Bill waved a hand. "This was good. No one to see...until...zebra."
"As I said before," Rick said, "We're not going to hurt you. We just...need to get our bearings. What is your name?"
"Zecora is by which I am known. Here in this hut, I live alone, until of course you three appeared in the forest full of creatures feared."
"Why's she rhyming?" Willie whispered to Bill.
"Who cares? If she's throwing rhymes instead of anything else, we're good." Bill looked to Zecora. "You don't suppose we can come in, do you? I mean, would there be enough room? We have our own supplies and I'm starting to worry about that 'creatures feared' line."
The zebra disappeared from her window. A moment passed before the wooden door of the tree hut creaked open, and Zecora revealed herself once more. "I always ensure guests are safe and warm. Even those who are not of Equestria's norm."
The three humans approached the hut, wondering whether it would be wise or not to explain to their hostess what she had seen or was seeing. Zecora checked for any more unusual sights before closing the door.
> Roleplaying
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 15: Roleplaying


"...Next thing we know," Bill began to wrap up his explanation, "We're standing right in what I presume is your lawn, for lack of a better term."
"All I own is all within this tree, and nothing else in the Everfree."
"Right. Sorry."
Rick, Bill and Willie sat in Zecora's surprisingly spacious hut in the tree. They had just finished answering the zebra's question as to who they were and what they were doing so close to her home. But the interrogation wasn't quite over yet.
Zecora began to lightly rub her chin with her hoof. "May you forgive me, but there seems to be some facts you withhold. I sense not all has been told."
Rick sighed in a mix of worry and frustration. "And may you forgive me, but we've told you everything we needed to. If we were going to give you the WHOLE why, where and how, we'd be wasting all of our time. That and there's a possibility your mind will snap trying to make sense of it all."
"Only slightly," Bill made a squeezing motion with his thumb and index finger.
Willie raised an eyebrow. "What you told me made sense."
"Did it?" Rick asked.
"...No, not really. I just know I'm in one piece now. Didn't know if I would be before." Willie leaned in closer to Zecora. "Before these two took me with 'em I thought they were crazy."
"To be honest," Bill interrupted. "Someone told us a year or so ago we'd be doing this, we'd have just as quickly called the nearest mental institution. But...exposition later," The man stood up as far as he could in the comparatively small living space. "Search and rescue now."
"Your means and ends aside," Zecora furrowed her brow. "How is it you plan to hide?"
"Hide?" Bill asked.
"In the Everfree Forest hides many signs of life, be it to cause wonder or strife. But there is no such strange a sight as you three have given me tonight."
"So...no humans, is what you're getting at," Willie concluded. To their dismay, the zebra nodded, frowning as if silently apologizing.
"Well," Bill threw up his hands in exasperation. "That...completely upends every plan I was thinking up."
"Good Lord..." Rick stood up and began to slowly pace. "This...we never went over this. Every other...place...we've been to had ways to blend in. But this?" He gestured to Zecora and her overall size. "Never mind the difference in species, we're at least two times as tall as them here!"
"We noticed," Bill remarked. "You don't need to tell us."
The three humans sat in silence, struggling to see a single upside in being the only humans in a world of miniature equines. They perked their heads up as soon as Zecora began speaking again: "There is...one potion that may give you aid. But there are a few setbacks, I'm afraid."
This got their attention, Bill's especially. "Such as...?"
Zecora walked up to a shelf containing various jars of several colors and sizes. She used her mouth to bring down a few of the jars, stopping as she spoke to them. "This potion requires several parts. And once the final step starts - your consumption of this solution mine - 'adjusting' to it may take time."
"Adjusting..." Rick muttered to himself. He looked to his brother and to Willie, silently asking for his decision. "It...doesn't sound like the best of tactics. But if we're going to be the only ones walking on two legs, it looks like the only tactic available to us."
"Then if you would be so kind," the zebra walked to a cauldron in the middle of the hut, "Please wait for this concoction to bind." She then made sure the coals underneath the cauldron were hot before standing back upright.
The three watched as the zebra moved this way and that, pausing only to search for more ingredients or to move the coals for more heat. A strange mist began forming from the solution as she poured and sprinkled item after item, the concoction changing color with each ingredient. Zecora was in her own little zone, concentrating only on the potion.
After a while, a literal cloud of the potion's mist hung over the occupants of the hut. Zecora began muttering something in what the humans assumed was her native language. The tension in the air was as thick as the mist for several moments, until, finally, the cauldron belted out a final blast of the strange gaseous substance, while Zecora let out a final chant at the exact same moment.
Regaining their composure, the twins and Willie realized the indoor cloud was gone; In it's place was a bright orange glow emanating from the still-steaming cauldron's contents. Smiling to herself, Zecora turned back to her guests.
"The potion is ready, and with no time to waste...who wishes to have the first taste?"
"Not it."
"Not it."
"Not what? Oh damn it," Willie glared at the twins. "The hell? Didn't you hear Victoria? You need me to find...you know," He withdrew his name-dropping, remembering what the twins said.
"I understand you may be scared," Zecora admitted as she collected a cup full of the orange glowing potion, "But though - something - may change, your life will be spared."
The plaid-wearing man sighed before standing up and warily approaching the zebra and the cup she set on a small round table. Hesitantly, he lifted up the cup and brought it to his face, noticing an odor that reminded him of fresh-cut grass. He looked to Rick and Bill, anticipation etched onto their faces.
Exhaling deeply, and closing his eyes, Willie let the liquid touch his lips and pour into his mouth, emptying the cup's contents in one gulp.
He suddenly dropped the wooden cup as he began to groan and clutch his stomach. An orange aura suddenly appeared as the man doubled over onto the floor.
"Willie!" Rick shouted as he and Bill ran up to him. But before they could touch him, a bright orange flash forced them to step back (including Zecora). They shielded their eyes before realizing the flash was already gone. They lowered their arms and looked to where Willie was.
"...What the holy HELL." Bill practically shouted out.
"What?" Willie asked the dumbstruck twins. "Just gas. What was that supposed to...to...two...two hooves." He muttered as he looked down at his arms. Only to realize that, in their place, there were two light brown hooves. "Why are there two hooves?" He looked behind himself. "Four hooves. Tail? And - what the hell is this on my ass?"
"A picture," Rick answered. "Of...a watering can. A rake. And a lot of other gardening tools. Zecora, what's all this mean?"
Zecora, in response, motioned to the spiral sun design on her flanks. "Willie's cutie mark. For all to see a particular pony's destiny. Once they find their true calling, their task to perform, this resultant badge takes form."
"So, wait...it's not gardening," Bill realized. "It's groundskeeping."
"Didn't know there was a difference," Willie shrugged with his new front legs. "Didn't really care anyway."
"You have a mirror nearby?" Bill asked Zecora. "Willie's probably wanting to see himself."
Zecora stepped out of the main room, then returned carrying a small, round mirror. Bill carefully took the reflective glass, knelt down, and held it up to Willie's face.
Willie saw, in place of his human face, the face of a brown stallion. His large blue eyes darted around as he glanced at the lighter brown stubble on his face, then the curly, combed-back mane he now sported. Finally, for reasons unknown, his plaid shirt and black sweater was transformed to fit his new body. "Why's my shirt changed?"
"With a sampling of this potion, no matter how much, your body will change along with any clothing it may touch. It may have to do with your body and your skin absorbing what you take in," Zecora gave her best answer.
"Willie?" Rick asked the human-turned-pony. "Are...you alright?"
"Hmph," Willie raised an eyebrow. "Wasn't too worried before."
"We're sorry, Willie," Rick sincerely replied, "But look at it this way: We were ALL going to drink this sooner or later."
"So why was I sooner?"
"Willie," Rick whispered so as not to have Zecora hear them,  "think back on what Barnabas and Victoria made you do all this time. The blood, the bodies, the stalking. Is this really as bad as everything else?"
The earth pony looked downward in thought. Tapping the ground with a forehoof, he finally let out a sigh. "No. Guess not. In fact, it didn't even hurt, really. Felt like everything was stretching apart, though."
Bill lightly patted Willie's back. "That's the spirit." Bill then stood up and looked to Rick. "So who's up next?"
Rick looked to the cauldron, almost full of the potion. He looked to his brother, raised his eyebrows, and shrugged. "Who said it had to be one after the other? Zecora? Do you have more cups?"
"A rather silly question," The zebra smiled as she shook her head, "But still a fair suggestion." She quickly procured a second cup, then proceeded to fill both with the orange potion. The twins walked up to the table and picked up their cups.
Bill turned to a still-siting pony Willie and raised his cup. "See you on the other side," He announced, then steadily sipped his drink until the cup was empty, with Rick doing the same. Lightly gasping for breath, they brought the cups down onto the table, each with a respective knock of wood on wood.
A moment passed. Nothing happened.
"...Hm," Bill muttered. "Maybe we didn't drink enough. We're both a bit taller than Willie, maybe we need another oh God there it is." Bill suddenly changed his sentence and his tone of voice as he felt a knot forming in his stomach. Just like Willie said, it felt almost just like a gas bubble. Though it didn't hurt so much as ache, Bill still found himself kneeling down onto the floor of the hut.
He looked up, only to see Rick doubled over in discomfort as well. Zecora simply looked on, the look on her face giving off silent reassurance. Rick tried to stand up again, only for a burst of light, just like before, to completely engulf him and his twin brother.
Zecora and Willie shut their eyes, opening them once the flash was gone. Instead of two black-haired humans, there now were two identical, sky-blue coated, brown-eyed, black-maned earth ponies. Their dark blue trench coats and suits, just like Willie's clothes, were refitted for their new pony bodies.
Rick looked at his hooves, his face betraying his amazement. "I...feel exactly the same. No pain. Almost like I always was a pony."
"Hey Rick," Bill suddenly declared. "Look at the mark you have!"
Rick obeyed his brother and turned to look at his flank. On it was a picture of a gold balancing scale, with the left scale appearing to be the heavier one (though nothing was in either tray). Rick then looked to his brother's mark: The exact same scale, only with the right half being heavier.
"You notice it too?" Bill asked. "What's it mean?"
Zecora began her answer. "Twins complete each other in your world, correct? In Equestria, most of their marks complete their own set."
"So...apart, there's no balance..." Rick began.
"But together it all evens out?" Bill finished the question. "Kind of clichéd, to be honest. But I can live with it."
"With that, yes," Rick pointed out. "But living with completely new bodies? How long are we going to stay like this anyway, Zecora?"
"Before you return to your own bodies and ways, these effects remain for seven days."
"A week?" Bill asked. "But by then we'd be used to this!"
"But by then we'd probably find our target," Rick responded. "And we're not going to find anyone sitting here for seven days." He began to stand up from his sitting position. "Let's get the bags and - OOF!" He grunted sharply as he fell straight to the ground. "Ngh...what? Oh. Right. Extra set of legs. Oh God..."
Zecora walked up to the blue pony, outstretching a hoof. "Before going to the target you yearn...there may be something you need to relearn."
"You gotta be kidding," Willie sighed, laying on his back and staring at the ceiling in annoyance.
"Wait a minute," Bill raised his hooves. "This isn't so bad. Rick, we've seen horses walking and running all the time. That and the fact that they practically learn as soon as they're born...this shouldn't take long."
Rick sighed as Zecora helped him back up on his four legs. "All the more reason to get this over with. Okay...Zecora. You've, obviously, been doing this longer than we have. Do you mind showing us?"


§§§


"So here's the plan," Twilight began, looking amongst her guests and the vampire. "When Barnabas goes back to Canterlot Castle, he can request permission to search the libraries for any books, any documents, any little bit of information that suggests ancient unicorns practiced magic on ancient humans at ANY point. I'll look for what I can here."
"Seems as good a plan as any," Rainbow Dash replied, with the others agreeing themselves.
Twilight smiled and stood up, using her magic to levitate the book on archaeology back in it's place. "Perfect. If that's it, then Barnabas, I guess you can-"
She was interrupted by a knock on the library door which grabbed everyone's attention. Twilight looked at it for a moment before asking Spike to answer it. The dragon quickly did as he was told, letting the door lightly swing open.
Outside stood a unicorn and an earth pony, both mares. The unicorn was mint green with yellow eyes, sporting a mint-and-white tail and mane, and a golden lyre for a cutie mark. The earth pony had a cream-colored coat, with a curly mane and tail of pink and purple. Her cutie mark consisted of three pieces of wrapped hard candy, and her blue eyes were half-open as she looked at her companion with apparent exasperation.
"Lyra?" Twilight asked as she saw the two visitors. "Bon Bon? What are you two doing here? I thought you were preparing the big Night Mare Night play."
"Yes." Bon Bon blinked and sighed. "About that."
Lyra spoke next. "That airhead of an actor decided to wait until now to tell us he was too sick to rehearse. At first we thought it was all over, but then I remembered-"
"Lyra, please," Bon Bon pressed a hoof to her forehead. "Reconsider this. He obviously has better things to do than put on a play."
"He?" Twilight asked. As soon as the single-worded question was uttered, she came up with a guess. "You mean...Barnabas?"
"...Yes," Was Lyra's answer. "The play's about a vampire, and he's a REAL vampire along with being a human, so-"
"Wait, what?" Spike spoke up. "How did you know about humans? Isn't that kind of stuff really hard to find?"
"It's only hard to find because Lyra has almost all of it," Bon Bon sighed again. "So far I only got her to give away that book on archaeology; That one she had for the ONE chapter on humans."
"...Are you done?" Lyra asked, growing annoyed with her companion. "Are you done nitpicking just because I happen to find it all fascinating?"
"Can we...please," Twilight interrupted the argument. "Getting back to the subject. You're putting on a vampire play. Barnabas happens to BE a vampire...so that means..."
Lyra lightly kicked the ground with her hoof. "I - we - were wondering if Barnabas could maybe fill in as the main vampire for the play."
The library fell silent as Twilight and the library's occupants stared at Lyra. A second passed before Bon Bon planted her hoof into her forehead a second time.
At five seconds in, Twilight finally spoke. "You're not serious. You...you can't..." She rubbed her head. "What line of thinking led you to believe that THIS was the best solution to your missing actor? No backup plans, no understudies, nothing?" Lyra's ears began to lower as Twilight grew more and more flustered. "And Barnabas. We've been spending the better half of this week looking for a way to get him back home. Did you honestly think he had absolutely nothing better to do than put on a play?"
"Twilight-"
"Please, not now." Twilight refused to turn and speak to whoever called her name. "How would YOU like it if you were stranded somewhere only for somepony to walk up to you and ask if you could help with a play?"
"Ms. Sparkle-"
"No help in getting home, just 'put on a costume and make us laugh'!"
"If I could interrupt-"
"Just what do you think he is? Who do you think you-"
"TWILIGHT SPARKLE!"
The ponies and dragon shrank back as the vampire, now standing upright, shouted at the top of his lungs. He made sure he had their undivided attention, Twilight's included. He walked up to the door, looking down at a now-frightened Lyra and Bon Bon.
Lyra began to stammer. "Uh...Y-you know what? Twilight's right. This was a stupid idea. It was a stupid question. You obviously need to get home, and I obviously need to plan ahead more."
"Yes, you do," Barnabas agreed. "But now that your performance is in peril, it seems you need every bit of assistance you can obtain." He knelt down to the mint pony's level. "And now you have mine."
"Oh Celestia," Bon Bon breathed out.
Spike and the other ponies were shocked. Twilight walked up to him. "Barnabas, what...what about the books? What about getting you home? What about the Princesses who've been waiting for almost three days for you to go back to Canterlot?!"
"I have not forgotten about them," Barnabas kept calm. "Nor the hospitality they and your friends have shown me. It seems only fair that the favor is returned. And barring a sudden fire or flood, the books we seek will stay where they are." He stood back up. "And besides - who knows better of the afflictions of a vampire than one himself?"
"You'll...you'll do it?!" Lyra beamed before hugging his leg, sending him temporarily off-balance. "Oh thank you thank you THANK YOU! Just give me time to get you a copy of the script and I'll see you tomorrow at rehearsal!" The unicorn loudly laughed in delight as she trotted out of the library. Bon Bon stared up at the vampire with a deadpan expression, but her glare softened.
"On one hoof, I'll never hear the end of this. But on the other, it would've killed me to see Lyra so disappointed in not getting to put on her show. So - for what it's worth - thank you. I just wish it were under better circumstances." Bon Bon and Barnabas said their goodbyes before the library door closed. The vampire turned around, only to see the Cutie Mark Crusaders, having been quiet for quite some time, now smiling up at him.
"You just saved the Night Mare Night play!" Sweetie Belle grinned. "AND you get to be in it!"
Twilight shook her head. "Even though we have more important things to take care of."
"Um...Twilight?" Fluttershy asked. "When you think about it...it's not such a bad idea. Barnabas just wants to pay us back for how nice we've been to him."
"Fluttershy's right, darling," Rarity spoke up. "Now seems as good a time as ever to make amends. A little bit of a sendoff before we get him back home. IF we do, I mean."
Twilight listened intently to her friends' words before inhaling softly, calming herself down. "Okay. When you put it that way, I see why he'd agree. But on such short notice? Night Mare Night's only a week away. Most performances are rehearsed long before that."
"A WEEK?!" Pinkie suddenly jumped up. "Oh no...oh no no no..."
"Pinkie?" Dash grew worried. "Pinkie, c-calm down, it's gonna be okay. We can get Barnabas ready in a week, no problem!"
"No, I'm not worried about the play! I'm sure it's gonna be extra-super-fantastic!" Pinkie bounced a little to emphasize her sentence. "I'm worried because I still need to get my costume ready!"
"...Oh HORSEAPPLES!" Dash suddenly gripped her head with her hooves. "Me too!"
"All this time focusing on Barnabas," Applejack reasoned, "Night Mare Night was just about pushed clean outta our heads."
Twilight looked out the window, noticing the sun beginning to go down. "Well, I'm sure we can all get back on track after a good night's sleep. I have books to find, we've got costumes to make, and Barnabas has a play to rehearse. Goodnight, everypony."
They said their farewells as they left the unicorn's library. In a moment, all that remained were Twilight, Spike, and Barnabas.
"We don't go to bed for at least another hour," Twilight told the vampire. "Maybe we can at least find some of the material we need to read. Oh!" A thought struck her before she lightly trotted to the other end of the library, her magic pulling out a small book with a red cover. "I just remembered - I have a copy of the novel the play's based on!"
Barnabas and Spike walked up to her. Shaking his head, Barnabas said, "How is it I haven't heard of this performance until tonight?"
"Well...they made a few posters, but most of it was just word of mouth. It's more for fun than a professional production." Twilight answered as she flipped through the book before bringing it up to Barnabas' level. "Here. You can use this to get yourself familiar with the play's general story. You need me or Spike, we'll be over at the history section."
Barnabas gripped the book as the magic aura around it faded. The unicorn and dragon walked off to the other end of the library, leaving Barnabas to crack open the book to the front page.
Then, fully realizing he'd need to stay here until tomorrow, he silently, exasperatingly exhaled, and almost instinctively glanced upwards, looking for any rafters.
> More Seeking than Hiding
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 16: More Seeking than Hiding


Nopony dared to walk near the Everfree Forest, much less into it. Not unless traveling into the foreboding space was of the utmost importance. Every now and then, however, Zecora would walk out and into Ponyville, often for recipes for her potions.
Tonight, three new ponies stepped out and into the moonlight. Two were almost identical with blue coats (and blue overcoats), backpacks, and black, combed-back manes. One was much shorter, sporting an unkempt brown mane and wearing a plaid shirt. All three seemed to be walking with slight difficulty.
"Well that wasn't so bad," One of the blue stallions shrugged. "I mean, it wasn't good, but it wasn't bad."
"At least the moon's out," The other blue pony looked up into the sky. "...Wait a minute. Do...you two see that?"
"The unicorn?" The first pony spoke again. "Yeah. Huh."
The trio looked out at the town before them, the buildings illuminated both by the moon and the dim glow of whatever lights happened to be in the windows.
"Wow...Rick, do you see this? All of this - built by ponies!"
"I know, Bill. Really, I'm not surprised. If they can talk, they can most certainly build," The second blue pony, Rick, answered his twin brother. "Maybe it's a good thing those walking lessons lasted until night. We just might be able to find him if they didn't drive him away."
"They're ponies," the short one scoffed. "He's gotta be twice, three times their size. How can they take down..."
"...Willie?" Bill asked.
The short, plaid-wearing pony suddenly perked his head up, widened his eyes, and began looking around, almost as if he were in a trance.
"Willie, what's wrong?" Rick asked assertively.
The groundskeeper's mouth gaped slightly before he spoke. "I...feel it. Something I didn't feel...since Barnabas disappeared. I feel...him."
"You do?" Bill asked, confused, before it dawned on him. "You do?! You know where he is?"
"No."
"...Crap."
"But he's nearby," Willie said. "He's...somewhere over there." He pointed a foreleg off in one direction. The twins let Willie lead them into the town, passing the buildings and making sure not to make too much noise.
After a while, Willie perked up again. "It's getting stronger!" He announced. "Wait a minute...there!"
"Where?" Rick and Bill asked. "Behind the tree?"
"IN the tree."
The three found themselves gazing at a large oak tree, a silhouette in the night air. Rick stepped closer to it, squinting. "You mean UP the tree," He deduced.
"I...don't think so, Rick." Bill got his brother's attention. "Look at this sign." The other two turned to see him standing in front of a wooden sign that sported a painting of an open book. "Let's see...'Golden Oaks Library'. A library? What's in a library for a vampire?"
"Information on the town, maybe," Rick reasoned before his face betrayed his dark realization. "Maybe even population numbers." They looked back to the tree. Now realizing it was a building, they could see the windows and doors upon closer inspection.
"How do we get in?" Willie asked. "I'm not seeing a low enough window."
Bill looked to the lock on the front door. "And I don't think we can pick our way in."
Rick backed up and stared up at the tree again. "Then it looks like we're climbing up."
"Climbing?" Bill asked, dumbfounded, before looked at his front hooves. "With these?!"
"No," Rick shook his head. "Look, like this..."
Moments later, the three ponies found themselves standing on top of each other, struggling to keep balance. Rick stood at the bottom, grunting as he held up his brother, who, in turn, had Willie resting on his shoulders. Rick and Bill kept their balance by placing their backs on the trunk of the tree while Willie used his new found height to peer through any window he could reach.
"See anything?" Bill managed to ask the pony above him.
"Just a light. A small one," Was the answer, "A candle, maybe. Wait...I think I just saw someone flipping some page of a book. Fingers."
Rick exhaled as he cracked an open-mouthed smile. "Sounds like our man. Now we just need to-"
"HEY! What do you think you're doing?!"
"Huh, what?" Willie exclaimed as he turned sharply.
"Willie, don't - !" Bill tried to warn him, but it was too late. The loss of balance caused the three ponies to stumble downwards, crashing into the ground. They grunted in pain as they stood up, looking to see that a pony was running towards them.
They had no choice but to flee the scene, galloping as fast as they could away from the tree and the advancing witness, who stopped as soon as he noticed they were getting away.
"Yeah! You better run!" The male shouted at them as the distance between him and the three ponies grew greater and greater.
The trio ran quite a long distance before realizing no one was following them. They stopped to catch their breath while Bill asked, "Who was that?"
"Either a police officer or someone's neighbor," Rick guessed. "We must have looked like we were breaking in."
"Weren't we?" Willie wondered. The twins glared at him for a second.
"Hey, wait," Bill raised a hoof. "Guys, you don't...you don't think some of the ponies KNOW Barnabas is here, do you?"
"If they do, it's all the more reason to find him ASAP," Rick responded.
"No, no. I mean, they know he's here, but...they don't mind. What if, I don't know, they made a deal with a blood bank or something?"
Bill's question was met with dumbfounded stares and the dull chirping of crickets in an otherwise dead silent scene.
"Bill," Rick began. "As your brother, I've heard you say many stupid things on many occasions. But on this occasion, right now, it's quite possible you've allowed the dumbest thing in any world to spill out of your mouth."
"We don't know how they are," Bill began to defend himself. "Maybe they take in strangers no matter how-"
"He's a damn VAMPIRE!" Willie interrupted him. "Me and the Collins', that's one thing, that's family. But these cutesy critters and all the bright colors? All that with what he does to live, and there's no way he's staying alive for long."
"Bill, listen. We can think up things about these ponies all we want after the mission. But right now, we need to hide. Get some rest and get ready to look more tomorrow. We've got all we need in our bags."
Rick led the way as the three walked off to any secluded area they could find first, knowing that their search was all but hampered without sleep. The only question that remained with them was whether or not they had time to save the missing Barnabas once sleep was factored in.


§§§


A sharp knocking awoke Barnabas. He glanced down at the floor, noticing Spike approaching the front door of the library. Swiftly, he jumped down, startling Spike. "Are you gonna do that every time you wake up?" The dragon sighed as the vampire brushed off his coat.
Spike turned the knob of the door, only to have it fly open. A burst of rainbow streams knocked Spike back as Rainbow Dash feverishly looked around.
"Where's Twilight?! Is she okay?!"
"Okay from what, Ms. Dash?" Barnabas asked.
"You didn't hear?!" The pegasus let her mouth hang open. "But you were right here! No loud noises or anything?"
"I'm afraid I was rather preoccupied, Rainbow," Barnabas confessed as Spike called upstairs for Twilight. "I was reading the story of the performance I am to help this...Lyra with."
"Rainbow?" Twilight asked, her purple body appearing as she descended the stairs. "What's going on?"
"Not what's going on - what went on!" Dash declared. "Somepony tried to break into the library last night!"
"What?!" Twilight's eyes widened. "But...why would...Barnabas."
"Yes?"
"No, they must have been trying to get to Barnabas," She explained. "That has to be it."
Rainbow continued. "Somepony walking nearby heard them talking about him. They were gonna bust through the window before the pony chased them away. It was too dark to get any good looks of them, though."
"This is serious," Twilight shook her head. "But what can we do? Bringing in guards will only attract more attention."
"Yeah...hey," Rainbow began to beam. "What if WE were his bodyguards? Taking turns looking out, making sure nopony gets any bright ideas? We can get other ponies to look out too!"
"That's...actually almost perfect." Twilight looked up to the vampire. "Barnabas?"
"Considering the fact that these would-be assassins may possibly be anyone in the village, you would understand I have my reservations."
"Then we remind them that the Princesses are watching out for you," Dash pointed out. "Anypony who messes with you...messes with them. If that doesn't go through their heads, nothing will."
"Then all we have to do is find the ponies willing to be Barnabas' lookout," Twilight said, looking up at a nearby clock. "And if they're not running late, the first candidate should be...now."
Almost immediately, the front door began knocking. Spike quickly answered it, revealing the mint-green unicorn Lyra, and the cream-colored earth pony Bon-Bon, both sporting matching saddlebags.
"Can we come in?" Lyra asked, excitement evident in her voice. The two were quickly welcomed in, and Lyra instantly trotted up to Barnabas. "The others down at my house can't wait to meet you! Here." Lyra used her magic to pull out a thick packet of paper from within her saddlebag, letting it fall into Barnabas' open hands. "The script is all ready. We just need to get the costumes refitted, and we're good to go!"
"Not...exactly, Lyra," Twilight interrupted her. "Before we let Barnabas go outside, we need to talk to you and Bon-Bon about something that happened last night. And steps we're taking to make sure it doesn't happen again."
> Countdown
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 17: Countdown


The dry, dead leaves of autumn littered the ground around Ponyville. Decorations and pumpkins could be seen on and around almost every house. The leaves that weren't raked up into piles crunched as three ponies wandered around the town.
"They have Halloween here, too?" Willie wondered aloud.
"I suppose they do," Rick sighed. "They also have Barnabas. But where? We've seen nothing since last night. No conversations, no clues, nothing in the newspapers..."
"I'm just putting this out here again," Bill sat in the middle of the street, raising a front hoof. "What if they don't care? You know, we saw a minotaur walking around town. Nobody seemed to bat an eye."
Rick shook his head. "There's a difference between a minotaur and a blood-sucking vampire, Bill. Why can't you accept that Barnabas is in danger?"
"Because nothing says he IS," Bill replied, standing on all fours and frowning as the trio continued walking. "And as soon as I see otherwise, Then I'll start worrying."
The three stopped once they saw a flyer posted on one of the street lamps. It had a red background with black letters. But what stood out most of all was the hand (hoof?) drawn portrait of Barnabas Collins staring back at them.
What stood out next was the apparent title of the flyer: 'FALL OF THE VAMPIRE'.
"...well crap," Bill's ears lowered.
"Wait," Rick pulled down the flyer. "This is happening at the end of this week. Son of a...they're going to execute him!"
"In six days?" Bill asked. "Why not now?"
"Probably to make sure he's weak enough," Willie inferred. "He's not gonna be fighting back if he goes dry for that long."
"Alright, this suddenly got ten times worse," Bill sighed. "So we're gonna have to do this ten times as fast."


§§§


"Fall of the Vampire?"
"What?" Lyra grew defensive at Bon Bon. "It's gonna draw them in. And with just the picture, the title, and the date, it's gonna make them curious."
"Don't you think that you could've done something more with those bits I gave you for the printer's shop?"
"...Those were for the print shop?"
Bon Bon stared at the mint green unicorn. "This is going to be the longest week of my life, isn't it?"
Lyra shrugged. "Maybe. But everypony has to wait for something at some point."
"That wasn't what I was talking about and you know it."


§§§


Sugarcube Corner was at its busiest today, tending to the numerous customers inside. One of them being Barnabas.
Mr. and Mrs. Cake gave out the baked goods. The figures involved with the upcoming performance went over everything as their beverages were passed around to them. The only real eyebrow-raiser was Barnabas' drink: A cup of blood, courtesy of Ponyville Hospital.
In the kitchen, Pinkie Pie entertained the Cakes' twin foals as she baked. The window was open wide enough for three certain ponies to check for any signs of vampires.
That is, until a cloud of flour found its way into their eyes, accompained by raucous laughter of two infants. Maybe next time.

Crickets chirped as the moon hung low over Equestria. And Barnabas was hungry.
Fluttershy and he were out on a small lake, an odd time for fishing if one were a normal human being. The pegasus had told him where he could find the biggest fish, and agreed to help him if he agreed not to overindulge.
Quickly, he dove into the water, planning to hold still until an unwary fish swam too close. Fluttershy kept watch in case anything went wrong.
On land, Rick, Bill and Willie glanced out from the bushes. Willie had felt the vampire's presence, and led them to the lake. Bill looked at Fluttershy with binoculars, waiting for any sign of Barnabas.
His view was obstructed by something small, white, and furry. Putting down the binoculars, the trio found themselves now staring at a small, angry rabbit and a moderate herd of various animals. They looked on blankly for a second before giving the animals something to chase.
Meanwhile, Barnabas leapt back into the boat with a fish as big as his front arm as his prize.

With only three days away, the costumes for the play were nearly complete. With Rarity's aid, the finishing touches were added.
Barnabas was fitted with robes best suited for a count. Though he knew it was foolish, he couldn't help but gaze rather longingly at the reflection-less mirror in front of him as he sat, his outfit draped over invisible shoulders. Thankfully, a sketch artist was on hand to quickly draw up the vampire's appearance. Barnabas nodded and smiled, content with how the final costume looked.

The trio was growing desperate. As if their windows of opportune searching weren't small enough, it was only two days before the town would do away with Barnabas for good. Forlornly, they watched as several taxi carriages wheeled by.
Suddenly, Willie perked up, nudging at the twins before pointing at one of the taxis. They raced to the carriage and pulled the blinds open, expecting the taxi to be a cover for smuggling Barnabas.
Instead they found a screaming mare, and next met the hoof of her infuriated husband.
All the while Barnabas and one of the play's actors went over their lines in one of several carriages moving away, their rehearsals distracting them from the commotion behind them.

With only one day remaining, the acting troupe had decided to eat out for the night at one of the finer restaurants in town. Their meals passed around, they were almost all beginning to dig in.
All of them with the exception of Barnabas. The waiter worried if he had brought the wrong meal, but the vampire denied this. Instead, he placed the tip of his index finger on the silver fork, only to withdraw it in pain. The waiter, now understanding, removed the silverware for Barnabas and immediately returned with a plastic fork, knife, and spoon.
Meanwhile, Rick, Bill, and Willie peered inside the restaurant, hoping this time Willie's instincts were working this time. Their behavior caught the attention of one of the outside waiters catering to the outdoor guests, who walked up behind them with a glare. Sheepishly, they backed away from the window, only for Willie to stumble backwards into one of the tables. A loud crash was heard, followed by a splat, followed by an all-too-familiar shriek.
And then an even more familiar hoof to the face from a familiar stallion.

"All right, that's a wrap!" Lyra shouted out to the troupe. In the confines of an empty theater, the group had finished their final rehearsal before the big performance. "Great job, guys! Tonight's play is gonna be something Ponyville will never forget!"


§§§


"This mission is gonna be something I'll never forget."
"Figured all those punches to the head would make you forget something."
"Shut up, Willie."
"Quit it!" Rick shouted at them as they walked through the town. "We've only got a few hours left! And we STILL have no goddamn idea where they have Barnabas!"
"Well, it's gotta be somewhere public, right?" Willie asked. "Wouldn't be a public execution otherwise."
"Right," Rick agreed. "We probably should also look for security. Look - over there! Officer, can we-"
"Rick, that's a costume," Bill stated. He looked to the side. "And they're wearing a costume, too. And over there?"
The three suddenly found themselves standing in the middle of a sudden swarm of costumed ponies, the sun setting as more and more equines filled the streets, carrying bags as they walked. The sheer number of disguises these ponies wore made looking for any real authority nearly impossible.
The twins and the groundskeeper stared numbly at the scene. After a second passed, Rick spoke in a deadpan voice. "Whatever deity these ponies worship - this confirms that they hate us."
> Curtain Call
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 18: Curtain Call


My name is Bill Lillian. In the six days we've been here, we've somehow been able to get every amount of bad luck this universe has to offer. Just when we thought it couldn't get worse, we find the town celebrating their Halloween on the last night we're able to keep these pony forms. Time only knows whether or not we'll find Barnabas among these disguises, but considering our track record...


§§§


The sun had almost completely set. The town was packed with various ponies in various costumes. All seemed to be in good spirits for the night ahead.
Most of them, anyway.
"Look at this," Rick sighed in utter disbelief. "Look at it! It's going to be a nightmare looking for Barnabas now!"
"Even worse," Willie began to think. "We don't know how many ponies he bit."
"What are you talking abou - Oh God, that's what you're talking about," Bill realized the answer to his own question. "He's right, Rick. Any one of these ponies could be a vampire, too.  Maybe they hide it better than humans. Rick - I think I'm having a panic attack."
"Calm down, both of you!" Rick ordered. "We can't handle this if we can't calm down. We just have to slowly look around the town and-"
Rick was cut off by a loud scream. In the distance they could see a stallion, mouth open and leaning back as a mare had its mouth over his neck.
"Sweet Lord no!" Bill shouted out. He immediately sprinted towards the scene, swerving past passers-by before jumping and tackling the attacker. He looked at the pony pinned down...
And was met with a familiar, screaming face. The exact same mare he ran into two times earlier that week. With no fangs whatsoever.
"Oh, you've gotta be KIDDING ME!" Bill growled out as she screamed. Then, remembering what happens next, he looked up at the stallion above him, a newly-formed hickey on his neck. He shut his eyes as he saw the hoof rising up to fall against his face.


§§§


Ponyville's jail was usually empty, save for a common drunk or two. But tonight, three ponies occupied a cell, with two glaring at the third one. The ticking of a clock could be heard as the guard on duty snored away at his desk.
Bill lightly tapped his front hooves together as Rick and Willie turned to stare dejectedly through the bars. He opened his mouth. "At least they're not pressing-"
"Not. Another. Word. Bill," Was his brother's deadpan response.


§§§


A large crowd was gathered around the newly-formed outdoor stage, eager for the play to begin. After a moment or so, the lights on the stage turned on, and music could be heard playing. The crowd quieted down as the curtains were pulled apart.
The backdrop was of a large, ornate foyer, complete with huge double doors. Hoofsteps could be heard in the distance before stopping.
Then, from the side of the stage entered Barnabas - though he wasn't Barnabas tonight. He was dressed in dark red robes, sported shimmering jewelry, and carried a candelabra. He approached the double doors and swung them open, startling the male pony on the other side. "Welcome to my home," The man bowed slightly. "Enter freely, and of your own free will."
The stallion stared up at him, amazed, before obeying, entering the 'room'. He continued to look up at the human before asking, "Count...Night Mist?"
The man bowed again. "Yes. To ponies, I am Night Mist. I bid you welcome to my home, mister Morning Rounds." He exited the room, returning with a suitcase or two. Morning Rounds protested, but Night Mist insisted. "My servants, I fear, are not available at the moment. But you are my guest. Let me see to your comfort..."


§§§


The audience was completely absorbed by the performance, losing track of time. They had seen Morning Rounds discover Night Mist's true past, watched as he avoided capture and death at the hands of his host. They had looked on as a ship's crew were picked off one by one. And now they saw four stallions walking through a graveyard, searching for a pony that 'Night Mist' had turned into a creature of the night.
Clear Sight led the three young stallions into one of the open crypts, stopping at one particular coffin - one lined with lead. Reaching into a toolbag, the unicorn pulled out a screwdriver and removed bolt after bolt until he could lift up the lid with both hooves. Quickly they peered inside the coffin, only for the three colts to gasp.
"Doctor," one of them began. "Your word is all I want. I wouldn't ask this usually, but this goes beyond both honor and dishonor. Is this your doing?"
"I swear by all things sacred I did not move or touch her," Clear Sight shook his head. "We came here two nights ago and opened this coffin, with an equally empty result. The next day - she laid within as if untouched. Is that correct?"
One of the colts nodded nervously.
"And now last night. Nothing moved at all. Though I suspect it were the garlic cloves I had laid out over the coffin. So I removed them. Come - we must hide."
The colts did as they were told as Clear Sight and they kept out of sight from anypony. This went on for a moment until a strange sound filled the air.
Then the crowd finally saw the quartet's target: A white mare with a messy, silvery mane and tattered dress. Blood ran down her front from her mouth, her fangs dripping. She turned her head, sensing something.
Then she spun around to the audience, fully revealing her contorted, vampiric face.
The onlookers screamed in horror at the sight before them, screaming even as she wandered back into the tomb. The group waited a while longer before Clear Sight deemed it safe for them to enact the final part of his plan. Using his magic once again, he pulled out from his saddlebag a wooden stake. He beckoned the others to follow him carefully...


§§§


"Come on..."
Rick, Bill, and Willie had enough of prison. Realizing the guards failed to confiscate everything on their person, they scrounged for anything that could set them free and back on the road to saving Barnabas.
"What're you two doing?" Willie asked as the twins pulled and poked at their suits.
"Looking," Bill replied halfheartedly. "Willie, do us a favor? What kind of lock is on the cell?"
"Huh?" The grizzled pony leaned out to look at the cell door. "Same as any jail door - one that needs a key. Why?"
"Okay," Bill muttered. "Regular old jail key. Where did I put...ah!" Bill stuck his hoof into his opposite sleeve, pulling out a strange-looking stick - a lock pick. He held it in the air...and watched as it fell off his hoof with a clatter. The sleeping guard stirred slightly.
"CHRIST-" Rick grunted through clenched teeth, then calmed down as he saw the guard fail to awaken. He shook his head at Bill before picking up the pick with his mouth.
"You have those on you all the time?" Willie asked Bill.
"All the time," Bill nodded.
"And, you didn't use them earlier because...?"
"Because where we're from, someone usually comes along and lets you free if you explain everything to them," Rick managed to speak through the pick in his mouth. "Apparently not here." Approaching the cell door, Rick spat out the pick and then gripped it between his front hooves. He leaned against the bars as he struggled to fit his hooves through and reach the lock. With a click, the pick found its way in, leading Rick to simply push at the instrument with his hooves. He pressed and jiggled, until, finally, the door opened.
He turned to his brother and Willie, and pressed a hoof against his lips. Slowly he pulled the cell door open, so as not to make too much noise, getting it far enough for them to sneak by one by one. He removed the lock pick as Bill and Willie carefully tread past the still-sleeping guard, with him following suit. Once they were out the door and back outside, they looked around them calmly before bolting away from the police station as fast as they could.
Within a few moments, they found themselves back in town. Now, however, the streets were calmer than earlier, with fewer costumed ponies out and about.
"I guess everyone went home?" Bill suggested.
"Home?" A stallion dressed as a sort of monk asked. "Just about everypony's in the center of town watching the Fall of the Vampire."
"What?!" Rick shouted. "There's still time to get there, right?"
"I dunno," the pony shrugged. "It's just about over."
"Sir, please," Rick walked up to him. "We NEED to be there. Can you lead us there?"
"Hm...don't see why not." The stallion began leading the three to the middle of town, with the trio praying over and over that they weren't too late.


§§§


After so long, the final confrontation between Night Mist and the heroes of the story had commenced. Clear Sight, Morning Rounds and the others managed to intercept the vampire's coffin and force Night Mist out.
With minimal effort, the human vampire tossed off his attackers, dodging their swings and jabs near his chest. Then, jumping into the air, he landed square on Clear Sight, pinning the significantly smaller animal down.
"You cannot fight death, professor," Night Mist sneered at Clear Sight. "Your struggling only makes my hunger stronger."
"Know your feeling of hunger, beast. It'll be the last thing you ever feel." Clear Sight mustered as much strength as he could to keep the weakening vampire from his neck. Meanwhile, Morning Rounds approached Night Mist from behind, raising a wooden stake higher and higher, building enough force to pierce the heart through his back. The crowd sat at the edges of their seat, waiting for the final blow.
"NO!!"
Grunts and shouts of pain followed the ear-splitting outburst before a blue earth pony leapt onto the stage, kicking back 'Morning Rounds'. "Keep your hooves off him, you damn dirty horse!"
'Night Mist' let go of 'Clear Sight', the two of them staring at the intruder. The pony turned to them. "Barnabas! Come on, before they get up!"
"BILL!" A second voice screamed. Two more ponies jumped onstage. Another blue pony shook his head. "What was THAT?!"
"You didn't see that?! They were going to stab him! I-"
"Willie?" Barnabas' mouth hung open slightly, staring at the plaid-wearing pony that bore a striking resemblance to his servant.
"Yeah," Bill nodded. "It's Willie. And WE are getting you out of here before - AHH!"
The intruder was tackled by another pony, running in from backstage. Several more equines stormed the stage, surrounding the three gatecrashers.
But as chaotic as this scene was, it paled in comparison to what occured next.
A light mist began forming over the three ponies, before a quick, sudden flash came and went. Instead of ponies, the actors now found themselves gripping onto three humans, who quickly made use of their newly-restored strength by shaking or punching their captors off.
"Willie!" Barnabas repeated. "It IS you! What are you-"
"If I could explain I would!" Willie shouted as he kicked at several more horses. "But I can't!"
At last, the curtain operators attempted damage control by letting the cloth fall, hiding the brawl from view. The blows, shouts, and crashes, however, were still very much audible.
"The Hell is WRONG with everyone in this world?!" The one called Bill could be heard shrieking, before it all went strangely quiet.
The audience sat, dumbfounded and confused as to what just happened. Lyra stared expressionless at the stage before jumping up, startling the other ponies.
"WHO THE BUCK FORGOT TO TELL ME ABOUT THE HUMANS?!?" The mint green unicorn pointed accusingly as Bon Bon tried to sit her back down.
> Change of Plans
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 19: Change of Plans


My name is Barnabas Collins. What once was a night reserved for a performance for the village has instead turned to a reunion with my loyal servant, Willie Loomis. But with him, one set of twins I have never seen before. I have reason to suspect that the three have, somehow, come for me. Now, as I continue my performance, I anticipate my suspicions to be either confirmed, or denied.


§§§


After a moment of negotiation, it was decided that the play would continue, starting at the beginning of the final scene. As the actors and actresses performed onstage, three humans waited backstage.
Rick, Bill, and Willie sported bumps, bruises, and messed-up hair (Willie more so than usual). They sat in silence, listening to the 'fight' onstage.
At last, Rick exhaled. "So Barnabas was in no danger. None whatsoever." He turned to his brother. "We should've trusted you more, Bill. But you understand, not every world has such loving, happy people."
"You...really don't need to tell me that," Bill shook out the memories of past visits to other universes. "So who are we waiting for again?"
"Barnabas," Willie stated the obvious.
"And the ponies that were helping him cope while he was here," Rick added. "I think they were getting out of their costumes."
The three jumped as a male scream pierced the air; 'Night Mist' had been vanquished. They heard the squeaking of hinges as a trap door on stage opened, sending Barnabas off as dust and smoke filled the stage. Then, after the sound of footsteps on wood, Barnabas joined the trio onstage. Silently, he took a chair and sat opposite them. He turned to Willie. "It is quite the relief to see you once more. How is the family, Willie?"
"Worried, Barnabas," The groundskeeper shook his head. "But they're okay."
"And Josette?"
"She's...why we're here, actually."
Barnabas turned to Bill, letting him continue. "She...somehow knew where we came from. How we got to Collinsport. And she could see where you were. And with Willie the living vampire detector here-"
"Screw you."
"-We tried looking for you before anyone hurt you. Or worse." Bill leaned forward. "DID they come after you?"
Barnabas sighed. "In the beginning. But all concerns were laid to rest quickly. As were fears of my turning on them for...nourishment."
"Hello?"
The four men looked to the side. There stood at least six ponies and one small dragon. From the direction of their eyes, it was clear they were more focused on Willie and the twins than they were on Barnabas.
The vampire among them stood up. "Twilight. Allow me to introduce my trusted servant. Willie Loomis. And I was about to learn the names of the two gentlemen Willie seems to have brought with him."
The two men stood. "Richard Lilian. This is Bill, my brother. We were...sent for Barnabas."
The seven figures looked at them in surprise at this revelation. Then, immediately, one of their party, a pink pony, shot up with a cheer.
"What - Pinkie!" Twilight sputtered as the pony began bouncing around. "What are you doing?! This is serious!"
"Don't you get it, silly?" Pinkie landed right in front of Twilight. "If they were sent for Barnabas, then they know a way back! Barnabas has a way back home!"
The realization hit them like a hail of bricks before they gave their own celebratory exclamations.
"Hey, wait," the pegasus with the rainbow mane interrupted as she stepped forward. She pointed to the twins. "How do we really know you're here to take him home?"
"Willie is as loyal as a servant can be," Barnabas answered her. "He would not have allowed them to come if it meant any harm would come to me. Do not worry."
"You've...made quite a bit of friends here," Bill observed. "You sure you're alright with us taking him back?"
"They've treated me as well as any guest," Barnabas said. "But as you can tell by those rather small chairs you were sitting in, this world is no place for humans." He turned to Twilight. "But first we must retrieve my cane from your Princesses. I'm not about to waste such money after replacing it before."
The other three humans watched the scene in front of them before chirping could be heard emanating from Rick and Bill, catching everyone's attention. Carefully, they looked into their sleeves without revealing what was inside. "Uh..." Bill vocalized. "Could me and Rick step out for a moment? We need to take this."
"Uh...sure?" Twilight grew curious as to what they were looking at their arms for, but shrugged it off as she turned back to Barnabas. The twins stepped into the open, the crowd having left for home, as Twilight and Barnabas discussed retrieving the latter's cane.
Outside, the two typed away on the device on either of their wrists, their faces expressing their worry and frustration at what they seemed to be seeing. Bill whispered to Rick, who replied with whispers of his own. Rick gestured back to the stage,  and the twins quickly reunited with the others.
"Alright," Bill clapped his hands. "Whatever needs to be done has to be done now. As soon as we get our vampire back home, we need to go deal with something elsewhere."
"Your bosses want you in another universe?" Pinkie Pie asked.
"Yes, in another universe," Bill nodded. "Now if you...wait, what? How did you know about-"
"It's not really a secret," Rainbow Dash shook her head. "We know Barnabas isn't from here. So that means you're not from here either."
"But just what the hay are you two, anyway?" Applejack asked.
They were silent before Rick answered. "We...travel universes. Why and for who is a need-to-know situation. But how?" He and Bill pulled up their sleeves, revealing the small screens strapped to both of their wrists. "All right here." Rick brought his device up as he typed into it. "Like Bill said, when we get Barnabas back, we need to go look for someone somewhere else. Someone a lot more..." He fell silent as he read his screen, tilting his head in confusion. "...This can't be right," he concluded. Suddenly, his eyes grew wide before he typed some more, shaking his head. "No..."
"What's wrong?" Fluttershy asked.
"No..." Rick said louder. He looked to them. "There's...no easy way to say this, but...the second person we need to find? The dangerous one? We were sent the frequency of the universe he's in. Coordinates." He swallowed before walking up to the ponies. "They...match the ones we were given to travel here."
The group of horses, along with the little dragon, reacted with shock, fear, and surprise.
"You mean...they're here?" Twilight reasoned. Rick and Bill nodded solemnly.
Bill stepped up to stand beside his brother. "Look, we're in for a hell of a fight once we go after this guy, so if you can say your goodbyes, we can take Barnabas back before-"
"No."
They all looked to the vampire, a look of determination on his pale face. "You may return to Collinwood. Inform my family of my safety. Perhaps I shall even write a letter for them, if need be." He moved in front of the twins. "But after what these ponies have done for me...I am not leaving until they are safe from whomever it is you seek."
"Barnabas," Rick pleaded. "It's not safe for you. If they find out you're a vampire, and if they know how to kill one..."
"Do you honestly think I'm worried?" The vampire's face grew grim. "I've preyed on the strongest men. Men who would believe their abilites lift them above law and order. Men who told me they knew exactly how to strike me down." He stepped back, gesturing with his hands as if awaiting an embrace. "As you can see...they were wrong."
"This just got dark," Spike whispered to Twilight.
"I will tell you again," Barnabas spoke louder. "Until they are safe, I am not leaving. I owe them that much."
Rick and Bill looked to Barnabas, then to Willie, and then, finally, to the ponies and dragon. They breathed deep, exhaled, and hung their heads. Rick looked up. "Fine. Besides, if everything about vampires is true for you, then I can see the benefits of having a vampire for an ally."
"What about us?"
The twins turned back to the ponies and to Spike. Bill rubbed the back of his head. "You know, we never got your names."
Twilight stepped forward. "My name is Twilight Sparkle. This dragon is Spike, my assistant." She gestured to her friends, listing off their names as she moved her hoof.
"Alright," Bill nodded. "So what can you all do?"
"As a matter of fact," Rainbow Dash began to boast, "We're the bearers of the Elements of Harmony."
"Okay," Bill put his hands on his sides. "And that is...?"
"Magic artifacts," Twilight said. "The most powerful in Equestria. As we each exhibit a trait they represent, they work only for us. And perhaps even let us help you stop whoever you're looking for."
"Sounds good," Willie chimed in, stepping beside the twins and his master. "Where are they?"
"Back in Canterlot. With our Princesses," Rarity answered. "And, as Barnabas said, that just so happens to be where he needs to go."
"So that's where we go," Rick looked to Bill. "Maybe we can get the Princesses on our side if he didn't already."
"Hey! I just realized - you never said who you're looking for!" Pinkie declared. "Does he have a name?"
"Yes..." Rick incredulously answered the pink pony. "But he also has connections. Connections that might tell him we're looking for him if we drop names. How many depends on how long he's been here - some information we get can be a bit dated. If we can get an audience with the Princesses, and maybe a closed-door meeting, we can tell you all you need to know."
"We can see about getting a train to Canterlot tomorrow," Twilight decided. "In the meantime - I should have room in my library, if you're looking for somewhere to stay."
"Sleeping in an actual building?" Bill asked aloud. "Rick, I don't care if you're my brother. Pass this up, and I end you."
"Alright, alright," Rick raised a hand in mock defense. "Thank you, Twilight. We'd be more than happy to stay with you."
Bill began turning around. "We just need to get our..."
Rick looked to whatever it was that made Bill stop speaking. Sitting right in front of them - almost directly on top of them - was a mint green unicorn, staring up at them with wide, yellow eyes.
Bill's eyes darted this way and that, as if looking for a response. "...Hi?"
"Can I get an autograph?" The unicorn mare asked almost bluntly, as a notepad flew up in the twins' faces. "Please?"
> Invitation Only
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 20: Invitation Only


The train let out a bellowing whistle as it sped down its predetermined track. Those on board did what they could to pass the time until the locomotive arrived at its destination. What most of the passengers (save for six certain ponies) didn't know was the secret that was kept in a dark, shaded passenger car near the end of the train.
"Is everything okay in here?" Twilight asked as someone from within unlocked the door.
"Bored out of our skulls," was Bill's answer. "But fine otherwise."
Twilight nodded. "We should be reaching Canterlot soon. He's not...thirsty, is he?"
Bill looked back into the car, whispering. He turned back. "He's down to one pack. I hope your Princesses have more for him."
Twilight was about to close the door until the train could be felt slowing down. After the long trip, the passengers could see the terminal that was Canterlot's train station.
A commotion began, however, as they saw something else: Several white stallions, adorned in gold armor, looking to board the train as soon as it fully stopped.
"Those guys...look kind of important," Bill told Twilight. "And threatening."
"It's okay," Twilight raised a hoof. "The Princesses must have sent them. Just close the door and we'll take care of it."
Bill did as he was told, retreating back into the almost ink-black darkness of the passenger car.
"Who looks threatening?" Barnabas' voice asked.
"Guards," Was Bill's answer. "The others are taking care of it, but I'm not too sure they were sent as a welcome party." Bill then leaned towards the car door, pressing his ear against it. "Shh..."
"Twilight?"
"Yes?" She asked the masculine voice.
"It's our understanding you've brought Barnabas Collins with you. Him and three others like him."	
"Not exactly like him. The same species, yes, but not vampires."
"Regardless," The stallion stated. "We've been sent for them. Princess Celestia and Princess Luna wish to speak to them immediately."
"Not without us," Twilight retorted.
"No, of course not."
Bill backed away as he heard the hoofsteps coming closer to the door. A second later, they could see light bleed through as the door opened. Barnabas hid away, hugging against the car as he tried to remain in the shadows.
Quickly, though, the door closed as soon as it opened, followed by a small burst of purple light. The four humans could immediately see the light emanated from a purple horn. A particular horn attached to the head of a particular unicorn, whose face could be seen below the glow. Next to her was a white-coated stallion, apparently older than her. He sported gold and purple armor, and wore a similarly-plated helmet with a blue plume in the middle of it.
"Everypony...er, everyone," Twilight announced. "I want you to meet my brother, Shining Armor, Captain of the Canterlot Royal Guard."
"Ah," Barnabas bowed slightly. "We meet again, Captain."
"We can follow the guards to the castle," Twilight explained. "There you can talk with the Princesses about whatever you need to talk about."
"What..." Bill began. "What are you doing?"
"What, this?" Twilight looked up at her horn. "It's something I could always do."
"So...we DIDN'T have to sit in the dark the whole time."
"Won't we be noticed?" Willie asked. "Especially with guards around us?"
"Such things are inevitable," Shining Armor shook his head. "We can do no more than conceal you in one of our covered wagons."
"We could've had her light up the cabin," Bill added onto his complaints.
"That and get you off the train without anypony seeing your face," Shining continued. "A robe should do."
"A robe?" Rick raised an eyebrow. "Your idea is to use a robe?"
"We had no idea how the lights worked, you know!" Bill still ranted.
"Like they said," Twilight grew exasperated, "They'll all notice something eventually. Besides, Barnabas has a reason to be covered - the sunlight. Just stay close and walk as fast as you can."
"There was a newspaper in here I could've read!" Bill held up the paper in question as his tirade grew louder.
"Bill, enough," Rick shushed his brother. He turned to Shining. "Alright. It's obvious we'll draw some sort of attention no matter what, so...lead the way, Captain."


§§§


The carriage touched down gently, landing on the ground along with the guards pulling it. It was larger than normal, and as such, was able to hold several more ponies. Or at the very least, seven ponies, a young dragon, and four humans.
The humans in question sported dark, hooded robes, their faces hidden in the shadow of the cloth. From the train to the carriage, they watched from their cloaks as onlooking ponies glanced at them, not with fear, but intrigue.
Now the group stepped out of their transportation and stood before the towering castle up ahead.
Following Shining Armor, the team stepped past the guards, through an enormous pair of doors, and walked through the building.
Before long, Shining finally led them to their destination: The throne room. It was a long, ornate, shining room, illuminated by several stained glass windows, each one depicting a different scene or story. A long rug ran the length of the room, stopping at the end, where two thrones stood - and in those thrones, the ruling Princesses of Equestria.
Traversing the room, the group now stood before the two alicorn princesses before bowing.
"Rise," Celestia stated simply. They did as such. The humans removed their hoods, with Barnabas quickly putting on his hat and sunglasses. The white alicorn looked to the vampire. "It's been a while, Barnabas. I trust you were treated well?"
"More than I could have expected, Your Highness," Barnabas nodded.
Luna looked to the other humans. "And who would you three be?"
Rick stepped forward. "My name is Richard Lilian. This is my brother William, and this is Barnabas' servant, Willie Loomis. We've been sent for Barnabas. To try and get him home."
"At first," Bill added. "But then something's come up. That particular something may be dangerous as all Hell to everything in this world."
"What is this 'Hell' he speaks of?" Luna whispered to her sister, who simply shook her head slightly.
"And if we could," Rick outstretched his hand as he spoke, "We would take the time to explain everything to you. But somewhere away from people who would listen."
"People?" Luna again questioned the human's words, putting emphasis on the consonants. "That simply sounds vulgar."
"Vulgar," Celestia agreed as she stood up, letting her everflowing mane move in the air. "But correct. We shall prepare a meeting room for this discussion. But if this is as vital to Equestria's safety as you claim, the Element Bearers must be there with us."
The agreement was immediate and unanimous. Within moments, they were silently walking down the corridors of the castle, coming up to a large door opened by the guard standing beside it. They were ushered inside by the two princesses, finding themselves in an ornate meeting hall, decorated with banners, paintings, and a large table in the center.
"Here is where we discuss matters not meant for the public ear," Luna elaborated. "No dialogue escapes these chambers unless we deem it so."
"Good, good," Rick nodded as he looked around at the room. He moved to the table, as did everyone else. Pulling up his sleeve, he undid the bands that attached his wrist device, placing it on the table as the group gathered around him.
"What we're going to tell you," Rick began, "might sound insane at first. But it's true. As you may know, we're from alternate realities. We're with an agency designed not only to monitor such universes, but to ensure we get to them first before our enemy does. And one member of the enemy is somewhere in this world."
"And who is it?" Shining asked. "Another...human...like you?"
"You could say that," Rick replied, "but after the things he's done, I'd say that term was used pretty loosely." He pressed a few buttons on his device, letting an image pop up, along with several lines of text. The image was of a young man, near his late twenties, with short brown hair combed to the side. It looked like a picture one would use for criminal records, or a wanted poster.
Making sure everyone (including Barnabas and Willie) was looking, Rick continued. "This is David Leskov. He's second-in-command behind a man named Alistair Lessard, Chancellor of their own little 'Ideal Empire'. On the surface, they pass off as an empire for equality, peace, and justice. The problem comes with how they reach those goals: Mass murder of known criminals and anyone they deem unworthy of the world.
"The Idealists have the same access to parallel worlds as we do, and as such, it's our main goal to stop them from spreading their idea of justice and from taking various known items of power. Other times, they just try to send out several pockets of themselves, hoping we don't find them. David may be part of one of those pockets. Our intelligence indicates he's been away from our world for some time - there's no telling what he's up to until we find him."
A moment passed as the residents of Equestria absorbed this information. Celestia spoke up. "How do they recruit others to their cause?"
"They just make sure they get there first," Bill shrugged. "Make it look like they're the best choice for leadership, and everything else falls into place."
"And what if they realize your group is in another world with them?" Celestia asked. Rick answered.
"Then they either do one of two things: They stay and see if they can finish what they're doing without us catching up to them...or they get out as fast as they can, either back home or in another universe. David, in his travels, has switched between the two several times. But he stays more often than not."
"Hm," Celestia vocalized. She paced slightly. "What if...we could get our citizens on your side? Have them support those who would help a vampire instead of one who would kill so wantonly in the name of peace?"
The twins looked at each other in confusion before Bill responded. "Well...that would be great, Princess, but...that would mean letting them see us. Letting them see us would mean letting possible Idealist agents see us. Letting those folks see us means David knowing we're after him."
"And if he does have agents," Luna argued, "It would stand to reason that he would find out about your presence in our world sooner or later."
She was right, the twins thought. Already ponies had seen them. They were hidden of course, but the fact of the matter remained that there were four tall beings, not of their world, wandering around what was basically the capital of their empire. After a moment of thought, they conceded.
"I hate having plans unravel like this," Rick muttered aloud. "But it doesn't look like we have a choice anymore. Very well, Princesses. We'll accept your offer. But if I can ask, what do you have in mind to get your citizens to side with us?"


§§§


"This has to be a joke."
"We're already near the music hall. She's been serious for a while, Rick."
It had been at least two days since discussing the Idealist problem with the Princesses. It was ultimately decided by Celestia that the four humans would attend a social event or two in Canterlot, warming up to some of the more high-ranking members of society.
Luna's moon hung in the air as the carriage rolled down the lamp-lit streets of the city. Inside sat Rick and Bill, opposite Barnabas and Willie. Barnabas, at last, held his cane in his hands, and all four of them wore clean, elegant suits, with a dark blue flower in each of their lapels (and a gold 'R' and 'B' to tell the twins apart).
"I just can't wrap my head around it," Rick sighed. "We've gone over everything with them. Weve shown that the Idealists are some of the most dangerous criminal minds in any world. And here we are doing what basically amounts to P.R.!"
"Twilight Sparkle has confided in me," Barnabas interjected, "That this is similair to how Princess Celestia sent her to Ponyville. If not for that, there would be no bearers of these Elements of Harmony."
"Why couldn't they come again?" Willie asked. "Just seems weird the white one would spend so much time on these suits..."
"They're staying in the castle," Bill replied. "Seems Twilight wants to grab every book on alternate universes she can. Let's just hope she learns responsibly - we've seen folks just as smart as her drive themselves crazy over it all."
"We've arrived," the voice of one of the ponies pulling the carriage announced. A second pony pulled the door open, letting the four men out onto the sidewalk.
Bill whistled as they looked up at the ornate building that served as Canterlot's most revered music hall. Several important-looking ponies, mostly unicorns, stood outside, with some entering the building. "This actually looks like it might be good," Bill said to Rick. "Who's performing again?"
Barnabas had Willie pull out a flyer. "Several performances it seems, Mr. Lilian. But opening with one Octavia Melody and a D...J...did no one proofread this?" The vampire held out the paper. "Someone's confused numbers with letters!"
"Oh, that's supposed to read 'pony'," Bill explained. "DJ PON-3, huh? Well what are we waiting for?" The men pulled out their invitations and walked towards the front doors.
Nearby, a fearful-looking unicorn looked around, checking to make sure no one followed him into the hall. He failed to notice, however, the two ponies from afar who hid their faces, watching him step inside before turning to each other.
"We've got him. We actually got him."
"Well? Let's go! If he wants him, he's getting-"
A forehoof to the face stopped him mid-sentence. He recoiled from his partner. "You're stupid, aren't you? We have to wait. Crowd's going to make it hard for him to get away. He's gonna learn the hard way not to mess with us...or him."
> Front Row Seats
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 21: Front Row Seats


The twins, Barnabas and Willie said nothing as they walked to one of the ushers and handed them their tickets. Immediately, they were welcomed in. The four men stood towering above the numerous ponies that stood in the music hall. The loud chattering was reduced to near-muted whispering as the equines realized exactly who was among them. 
"Uh..." Bill started, clearing his throat and holding up a hand. "Hello there. I, uh, guess you knew we were coming?"
"Who didn't?"
The humans looked down to their side. Two white unicorns were walking up to them; a mare and a stallion. The mare sported a thin frame, pink hair, and three fleur-de-lis designs for a cutie mark. The stallion wore a gray suit, a monocle, blue hair with a moustache, and three gold crowns for his mark.
"Now Fluer, that's no way to talk to the guests of honor," He calmly informed his companion. He looked up to the four humans with a smile. "But yes. Word spread that the Princesses directed you to this little gathering of ours. The first humans in Equestria since....goodness, since time itself it seems." He chuckled. "Let me introduce ourselves. My name is Fancy Pants. This is the lovely Fleur."
Bill knelt down to shake Fleur's extended foreleg. "I'm Bill. This is Rick, my brother, Barnabas, and Willie. Me and Rick were actually sent to get these two, but...things came up."
"The best-laid plans," Fancy shook his head. "But enough excuses. We'll leave you to mingle with whomever."
The couple left, and the four men decided to split up and socialize with the other ponies in the hall. Barnabas and Willie caught up with Fancy and Fleur, Rick began a conversation with an off-duty Royal Guard, and Bill found a small group near the refreshments.
"Oh, look," A mare announced. "It's one of the humans the Princesses invited."
"I'm Bill," The man clarified. "So this is where the food is?"
"Indeed it is," A stallion answered. "Jet Set. And this is my wife, Upper Crust. A rather...strange name, Bill."
"Hm?" Bill turned from his plate. "Mine or yours?"
"Y...yours," Jet Set was confused for a moment.
"Oh. It's short for William. Named me after someone a few of my ancestors knew." He continued to grab several small bits of food. "More specifically, my father's side. My great aunt and her folks seemed to be the epicenter of history. Grew a huge fortune on top of that."
"Fortune?" Upper Crust repeated. "And yet you still go by that abbreviation of a name?"
"Yeah," Bill was quick to reply. "A lot of rich guys I know have simple names. You wouldn't expect a guy named Bruce to own one of the biggest companies in the damn country." He filled up a glass with punch and took a sip. "Besides, it's still been only a little while since the inheritance. I have a company, sure, but It's still rather new."
"Oh," one of the other ponies muttered, thinking Bill didn't hear him. "New money. He certainly looked the part."
Bill, still not turning away from his plate, said aloud, "And you look like someone who had their personality sucked clean out of them."
"Excuse me?" The pony, a unicorn stallion, narrowed his eyes.
"You heard me." Bill turned to glare down at him. "That suit. That mane style. I bet you didn't buy those by yourself. A magazine probably told you, or some high and mighty fashion designer."
"I'll have you know Hoity Toity is the finest in his profession!" The unicorn snapped back.
"Yeah...that didn't help," Bill folded his arms and rolled his eyes. "And you know what?" Bill knelt down to face the angry unicorn. "I'm proud of where I come from. I am not ashamed one bit of the work I did to get to where I am. You have no idea how many people like you I met - trying as hard as they could to fit in with the 'in' crowd and losing what made them them. It's sad, really. I don't have to worry about it whatsoever. You, though..."
"What?!" The stallion began to lose his temper. "What about me?!"
"Alabaster, calm down..." One of the other patrons whispered.
"No! I want to hear what he has to say! I want to know how he thinks he's so much better than me!"
"Well," Bill looked thoughtful. "There's what I just said...and the fact that staying the way I am led me to traveling alternate universes and seeing sights I could otherwise only dream of. Things money can never, NEVER buy. You on the other hand have to buy fancy clothes and sit through concerts and art galleries that you probably don't even like to feel even the slightest bit important."
Alabaster glared at the human for a second or two before he scoffed and walked away.
"Alabaster, wait!" Jet Set tried to call him back before narrowing his eyes up at Bill. "I don't know where you think you got the assumption to speak to someone like that, but it's stopping. Now."
"Tell your friends to drop the 'new money' stuff and it will," Bill looked at the other guests, who averted their eyes.
"What seems to be the matter here?" A familiar voice asked. Fancy Pants and Fleur walked up to the group.
Bill opened his mouth, but Jet Set spoke first. "It seems our guest has trouble keeping personal matters to himself. He unloaded on Alabaster and seems intent on doing the same to us!"
Bill opened and shut his hand in motion with Jet's speaking, but stopped when the unicorn turned to glare at him some more.
"I see," Fancy put a hoof to his chin. "Bill, would you care to join me and Fleur among the others, then?"
"If it means not being here..." The human took his food and walked away, following the stallion and mare unicorns.
"We heard a bit of your little spiel," Fleur finally told Bill, "And we understand completely."
"You do?" Bill grew incredulous.
"One needs to keep up appearances," Fancy elaborated, "And that, unfortunately, comes with interacting with those who believe themselves superior to those around them. Fleur and I have long accepted that."
"But that's it," Bill sighed. "You shouldn't HAVE to accept it. Nothing anyone can do can make these people happy!"
"What are 'people'?" Fleur asked, genuinely confused.
"I was just like you, my boy," Fancy sighed. "Then reality set in. The best one can do is lead by example."
Bill huffed. "They can accept a vampire but not someone whose money hasn't been sitting in a bank as long as they like. Guess our worlds aren't so different after all."
Fancy chuckled. "It would seem so. Here - we'll take you to a few patrons whose beliefs may be more aligned with your own."
"Thanks, I suppose," Bill nodded as they came up to a new group of high society ponies.
Rick, Willie, and Barnabas watched at the other end of the room. "Not a minute in, and already Bill's making guests angry," Rick shook his head. "He does this back home, too."
"Purposefully?" Barnabas asked.
"No. To anyone who doesn't watch what they say around him. They go around their whole lives meeting people with as much money as them, as much property as them, and the same mindset as them. And then they meet Bill."
Willie let out a wheezing laugh. "Sounds like fun."
"Not if it's a fundraiser, it isn't," Rick said. "I actually think we've been agents longer than we've been millionaires at this point. I can't really fault him for thinking the way he does, but there's a time and place for everything."
The lights in the concert hall began to dim. Guests all around them took their seats.
"Speaking of time," Barnabas gestured for the two men to follow him. "Let us find our places."
With all in attendance in their seats, the spotlights shone on the stage as the curtain rose.
In front of the audience stood a gray mare with either a cello (considering the size), or a double bass. Once the audience was quiet, she began to play. The piece sounded classical in nature, a tune none of the four humans recognized, but one they listened intently to anyway.
After a moment of her playing, a second spotlight shone behind her, revealing a turntable captained by a white unicorn mare with a jagged blue mane and opaque purple sunglasses. She began to play a beat in unison with the string instrument's song, combining the two as one.
"Isn't it something?" Fancy Pants asked Bill. "Such a refreshing combination of old and new."
"I suppose," Bill shrugged, having no knowledge of the music being played to come up with an inference of his own.
As time went on, and as the music grew quicker and bolder, not a single soul paid attention to the hidden figures strolling outside the main hall, knocking out guards, positioning traps, and maintaining positions. Three hooded ponies, one of them the leader, were left to walk into the hall.
Inside, Rick looked at his watch and looked to Willie and Barnabas. "I understand how important it is to be here, but is there any way we can speed this up? If we don't make a move, then David's going to."
As if reinforcing his statement, a loud shot echoed across the hall. The two musicians stopped playing, and several ponies in attendance began to panic.
"Now THERE'S  a sound I recognize," Bill turned to the direction of the shot.
In front of the hall's entrance stood three ponies. Their appearance only caused some ponies to scream louder; They were completely disfigured. Facial scars, lopsided eyes, drooping mouths, and other twisted features could be counted among them. One of them stepped forward: A unicorn, bumps on his cheek and blind in one eye, carrying a human-sized pistol with his magic. 
"Fillies and gentle-colts," He announced, brandishing the gun. "We're sorry to interrupt this little gathering...but there's someone here that needs to be dealt with. Tonight."
Several audience members - the humans included -  turned to the only one they could be talking about: The vampire, Barnabas.