> The Legend of Spike: Dracula
>  by DiabloGuapo
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> One Thousand Years Ago
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------





One Thousand Years Ago


A Unicorn walked down the halls of Canterlot Palace. His coat was gray and his mane was black with a matching goatee. His cutie mark was a sword circled by a dragon. His eyes were icy blue and he was wearing armor that signified that he was a member of Princess Luna’s Lunar Guard. Unlike the other two members of the Lunar Guard that followed behind him, his armor was black and silver instead of shades of blue, distinguishing him as Princess Luna’s Captain of the Guard. His name was Vlad Vanguard. He was from the Province of Trotsylania in the Arctic North, near the Crystal Empire. Years ago, he and his best friend Sombra were once students in Princess Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns. They were both at top of their class, but Sombra went into politics and became an advisor to the Princesses. Vlad was a warrior. 

His mind flashed back to the day he joined the Lunar Guard. He was hoofpicked by Princess Luna herself for his valor, his unmatchable combat skills, and his talent with magic. Perhaps the most important reason was that he favored the night over the day. Vlad saw the beauty in the starry sky and found solace in the somber silence of night. For him, it was a time for contemplation and reflection. Princess Luna noticed his appreciation and decided he would be a perfect candidate for her personal guard, and he was honored by her recognition. 

He remembered how he was summoned to the Night Court to be offered the position by the princess herself. As a member of the Royal Guard, he had seen Princess Luna before, but this was the first time she spoke to him personally. She stood before him, staring at him with her teal eyes as he stood at attention. Being in her presence, he could see the beauty of the night embodied within her. The way she spoke, the way she walked, and the way she presented herself displayed the grace of the night.

Graceful, Vlad mused upon the word. Yes, that was the best was to describe the midnight blue Alicorn’s beauty. Princess Celestia’s was also beautiful and everypony agree upon that fact. However, the white Alicorn’s beauty would be best described as “radiant.” She could light up a room with her radiance and uplifting demeanor. Unfortunately, it was easy to overlook the beauty of the younger sister in her presence just like it was easy to forget the gentle moon compared to the brilliant sun. Now that Vlad was looking her in the eye, he could see her true beauty. When she offered him a position in her personal guard, he accepted without hesitation.  

As Vlad quickly rose through the ranks, his devotion for the princess that he served grew. It started as mere respect for the Princess of the Night, but it grew into something more as the years passed by. Every time she would pass by, his heart would soar. When he was made captain, he would frequently meet in council with her. At first, it was a pleasure to be near his princess so often, but it became torture when he convinced himself that he could never be worthy of her. How could she ever have feelings for somepony as lowly as he? She was a princess; a goddess amongst mares. He was just a soldier.

One fateful day, his best friend and colleague Sombra fell to the way of darkness and took over the Crystal Empire. Sombra offered Vlad a chance to join in his conquest, but Princess Luna ordered him to lead his soldiers into battle against Sombra’s. It was at that moment when Vlad of Trotsylvania vowed to follow his princess, no matter what. Nothing would come before his princess, not even his own best friend. Vlad Vanguard personally led the charge against Sombra’s army of traitors as the Princesses faced the self-proclaimed king himself. For his strength and ferocity, he was called by many “the Dragon.”

Suddenly, the palace trembled, snapping him out of his thoughts. A surge of magic could be felt reverberating through the marble walls. The servants froze in place with terror and the guards stood at attention, anticipating an attack. The soldiers that were marching behind Vlad looked to him for orders.

“I shall protect Princess Luna! Thou rouse the Solar Guard and thou wake Princess Celestia! Secure the palace!” he ordered his aide-de-camps. 

“Yes sir!” they shouted as they saluted before they ran off to carry out his orders. He then ran down the halls, headed to the chambers of Princess Luna. As the Unicorn ran, he wondered what possible threat could have descended upon the Royal Palace at midnight. Was it the Changelings? Could Sombra the Traitor have returned from his imprisonment within the ice in the Arctic North? No, it couldn’t be any of them, for the aura he felt was more powerful than any of them. He rounded a corner and raced to a large set of double doors that bore the symbol of the Princess of the Night. Using his magic, he opened the doors and ran inside the chambers of Princess Luna. His eyes quickly scanned the room and found the Alicorn on the balcony. He sighed with relief when he saw that his princess was safe. 

“Your Highness,” he began as he approached the princess, but then frozen when he noticed that the Alicorn before him wasn’t Luna. She had an ethereal mane that resembled the night sky like Luna, but her coat was black. She also stood as tall as Princess Celestia and wore light blue armor. The captain took a combat stance and drew his sword, ready to battle this intruder. “Who art thou and what hast thou done with Princess Luna!?”

“Why, does thou not recognize your Princess?” the dark Alicorn asked as she turned to face the gray stallion. As she locked eyes with him, he saw that her teal eyes had slits like a dragon. She looked down at him with a smug look of superiority, yet her smirk was somewhat inviting. The way she looked at him with her half-lidded eyes and the small smile on her lips made it seem like she was pleased to see him. “Thou raise thine sword towards thine princess?”  

“Thou… thou cannot be Princess Luna,” he said, unnerved by her seductive smile and her mocking tone. She chuckled as she approached him, swaying her hips as she gracefully walked towards him.

“Oh, but it is, Vlad,” she said with a honey-coated voice. It was Princess Luna’s voice, but she had never spoken to him in that tone before. She had always been professional and authoritative when addressing all of her subjects, even him. To hear her speak to him in such way was startling and his instincts told him that something was amiss, but her voice and appearance had him locked in place. “We assure thee, ‘tis us and so much more.”

“…More?” Vlad managed to utter. The Alicorn’s smirk grew into a grin, exposing her teeth and he could see that her teeth have become fangs. 

“Yes…” she purred as she stood before him, staring into his eyes with her draconic bedroom-eyes. “We have become more than our sister’s shadow. More than the lesser princess. More than the forsaken Luna. We have become Nightmare Moon, the Queen of the Night. No longer will we be shunned and ignored by those sun-worshipping fools. Finally, we will be known. Finally, we will be appreciated. …Finally, we will be loved. ”

As she said that last sentence, Vlad Vanguard saw the dark Alicorn’s confidence shift to a forlorn look of loneliness and sorrow. She broke eye contact with the captain and looked down at the floor between them. It was at that moment that he could see past the dark visage of Nightmare Moon and see his Luna standing in front him. Something gripped at his heart as he saw the downcast expression of the powerful being before him. He knew that Luna was resentful that most ponies slept through her night and that they didn’t appreciate her night. It had pained him to see his princess suffer for their ingratitude over the years. As he saw Nightmare Moon’s sorrowful expression, he lowered his sword.

“We know how thou feel for us,” a silky voice broke Vlad away from his thoughts and brought him back to the present situation. After a brief moment, Nightmare Moon had regained her composure and was again looking Vlad in the eyes. 

“I…” he started to speak, but shock had robbed him of the capability of speech. She chuckled at his surprise.

“Yes Vlad, we know of thine infatuation,” she told him with a pleased look on her voice. “And we confess that we shared thine amorous feelings. Now, we are offering thee an opportunity.  We are giving thee a chance to stand by us as we bring about eternal night. We will build a glorious new kingdom and we want thee by our side forever. Will thou be our Prince of Darkness?” 

Vlad heard her offer and knew it would be treason to accept it. He would be betraying Equestria and Princess Celestia. He would be just like Sombra; a traitor. In fact, his friend had offered him a very similar offer before he had enslaved the Crystal Empire. However, this was his Luna. The same mare for whom he had vowed to himself follow no matter what. He would choose her over his comrades, Princess Celestia, and even over all of the Kingdom of Equestria.  Before, he had believed that he never had a chance to be with the princess that he loved so much and now he learned that she loved him back and wanted him to be with her forever! His sword fell from his hoof to the tiled floor with a clatter and simply said “Yes.”

Nightmare Moon smiled with both joy and triumph. She closed her eyes and leaned forward to give him a passionate kiss. Vlad’s heart leaped within his chest for joy and he wished that the moment would never end. Even though she had become a mare of darkness and was planning to bring about eternal night and to overthrow her sister, Vlad didn’t care; she was his and he was hers. He would go through Tartatus for her, and that’s what he was about to do. She broke the kiss and raised a hoof to cut herself with her long horn on her fetlock.  She raised the bleeding limb to his face and he saw her blood running down her hoof.

“Drink,” she commanded Vlad. Without thinking he brought his lips to the wound and began to drink her blood. The coppery taste of blood filled his mouth and he fought back nausea as he fulfilled his queen’s command. Nightmare Moon smiled lovingly as she watched him gulp down her blood. She pulled her hoof away from his mouth after she was convinced that he had enough. Vlad breathed deeply to steady himself and to suppress his queasiness. The black Alicorn’s horn glowed blue with her magic and Vlad’s body locked up. His lungs struggled to expand, his blood froze in his veins, and it felt as something was squeezing his heart. He collapsed to floor and started to convulsed. He would have screamed in agony if he had the breath to do so. He feebly looked up at her with pleading eyes, wishing for the pain to cease. As the gray stallion twitched on the floor, Nightmare Moon caressed his cheek and soothingly shushed him. “Ssshhh… All is well, dear valiant Vlad . We are simply infusing our blood with thine and bestowing the powers of darkness upon thee.”

The agony overwhelmed him, but he would endure it for his queen willed it. His vision darkened and his heartbeat slowed. As unconsciousness began to claim him, Nightmare Moon leaned down and gave him another kiss. She then heard the sound of the guards running through the halls. She knew that this moment was inevitable and she had to confront them and her sister sooner than later. At least Vlad had come to her before the impending battle as she had hoped. 

“Rest now, Vlad,” she said to him. “When thou awaken, thou shalt be reborn as Dracula; the Dragon.” He wearily watched her as she walked towards the door, ready to build her kingdom. 

She left, leaving him alone on the cold tile floor. Before the darkness claimed him, he licked the remaining blood on his lips and whispered, “…Blood is the life…” 

> Movie Night
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	“Hurry or we're gonna be late!” a yellow mare with a bow in her mane called back to her friends.

“We’re ain’t gonna be late Apple Bloom,” responded her elder sister, Applejack. “It doesn’t start for another ten minutes.”

“Yeah, but all the seats will be taken by then!” complained an orange Pegasus named Scootaloo.

“This is the most anticipated film of the year,” Sweetie Belle, a pink and purple maned Unicorn, added.

“I don’t see why,” a purple dragon muttered underneath his breath in response to the Unicorn.

“What was that, Spike?” Sweetie Belle’s sister, Rarity, asked, not quite hearing what he had said.

“I said ‘I hope the line isn’t long.’” Spike told his marefriend.

“I hope so too,” the alabaster Unicorn with a purple mane agreed. Spike exhaled, relieved to having dodged that one. He was the only male in the group of friends and he was already being dragged to see a “chick flick.” He didn’t want to have to hear why this movie was going to be, according to every female pony, “the best movie ever” again. Even though everypony (that is, every mare) tried to convince him that this movie and the book series it was based off on was great, he still couldn’t understand its appeal. What surprised him was that everyone in his eclectic group of friends enjoyed the books to some degree. Spike rolled his eyes as he gave up trying to understand on how the female mind worked and looked at his friends as they walked down the streets of Ponyville to the movie theater.

The “leader” of the group was the lavender Alicorn, Twilight Sparkle. Even though she had become a princess a couple of years ago, she preferred the company of friends over the politicians and elite of Canterlot. That is, except for her mentor, Princess Celestia, and Princess Luna. Ever since she had ascended from a Unicorn to an Alicorn princess, countless brown-nosing social climbers tried to become friends with her to elevate their standings in the high class society. Fortunately, Twilight is smart enough to see through their selfish motives.

One thing that hasn’t changed was her relationship with Spike. Well, it did change, but for the better. Spike had feared that her duties as a Princess of Equestria would strain her relationship with her friends and with him. He was afraid that she would get her own staff and wouldn’t need him as her assistant anymore. However, she reassured him as she had done before that she would never send him away. He was more than her number one assistant; he was her son. When Spike went to the parallel world of Trotina, she had discovered what the dragon whom she had raised since he hatched meant to her. In fact, everyone learned something from Spike’s adventure.

The thrill-seeking blue Pegasus, Rainbow Dash, was overjoyed and somewhat envious that her counterpart was a member of that world’s aerial stunt team, the Wonderbolts. What surprised her and everypony else was that she had taken in Scootaloo as an adoptive sister. When Spike told them this at his welcome home party at Sugarcube Corner, Scootaloo was beyond thrilled and couldn’t stop talking about “how cool it would be to have Rainbow Dash as a big sister.” That part of the story had caused Rainbow Dash to stop her daydreaming about being a Wonderbolt and she watched Scootaloo in stunned silence as Spike told the rest of his story. She knew that the filly was her biggest fan and wanted her to take her under her wing. Scootaloo had even told her that she wanted the multicolored maned mare to be like a big sister to her, but she never realized that her fan wanted her to be literally become her big sister. When she tried to recall a moment when she had met Scootaloo’s family or a time when she had even mentioned them, she couldn’t think of one. She began to suspect that Scootaloo didn’t have a family. Sure, she had given her lifts to her neighborhood before, but never had actually seen where she lived.

When the party had ended, Dash volunteered to take the filly home. As usual, Scootaloo told her to drop her off in a random spot near where she said she lived and said that she would walk to rest of the way. Dash complied but secretly followed her as she walked down the streets and rounded a few corners. The whole time she was following her, she wished that her suspicions would be proven wrong. From the rooftops of Ponyville, she watched as Scootaloo passed house after house until she entered a large building: the orphanage. Rainbow Dash had always bragged about being tough and too cool for sappy sentimental moments, but when realized that her young friend was all alone, she bolted home and wept. It was then when Rainbow Dash learned why she was envious of her counterpart; she had a family. Spike told her that the other Rainbow Dash had a sister and a coltfriend and that meant more to her alternate self than being a Wonderbolt. Upon that revelation, she did some soul-searching and found that was also what she really wanted. It wasn’t long after that when Rainbow Dash actually did take Scootaloo in as her legal ward and adoptive sister. She still trained hard and eventually did become a Wonderbolt, but it wasn’t as important to her as having a family.

Everypony was happy for the two Pegasi, especial Applejack. The hardworking Earth Pony was the only one who didn’t really learn a lesson from Spike’s story. If anything, it just confirmed what she already knew. Out of the group of friends, her life was the least altered in the parallel world. She still worked hard on her family farm, Sweet Apple Acres, and her family was the most important thing in the world to her. To see her good friend discover the happiness that having family brings caused the blond mare’s heart to swell with pride.

As for the Cutie Mark Crusaders, they are now teenagers and had discovered that their special talent was helping other foals to understand their own talents. Upon discovering this, the trio earned a matching set of cutie marks at the same time; a red, pink, and purple shield bearing their own identifying symbol. However, they discovered that they also had a secondary talent. With Rainbow Dash’s guidance, Scootaloo learned that her cutie mark of a lightning bolt within a wing meant that she loved racing and doing tricks on her scooter. Sweetie Belle’s music note within in star meant that she was destined to be a great singer. Apple Bloom’s mark within her cutie mark was a heart within an apple bloom. It represented the young mare’s talent in artwork and her love of her family. They are still apart of the Cutie Mark Crusaders, which has grown to a considerable size, as leaders helping other foals to discover their special talents. 

Over the past few years, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy hadn’t changed much. The pink party pony still is random as ever and yellow Pegasus still cares for her animals in her cottage by the Everfree Forest. However, their friend Rarity has certainly changed. She is now a well-known fashionista across Equestria and has begun a relationship with Spike the dragon. When he disappeared, she was consumed with regret for not returning his affection before. When he had returned, she confessed that she had feelings for him. They both agreed to start off slowly, for he was still rather small in size and often was mistaken for a baby due to his slow growth rate. Even though he was only a few years younger than her, ponies would assume that she was dating an infant. Fortunately, he has grown over the past few years. Even though he has not grown wings yet, he is now the size of a pony but still walks on his hind legs. Now that his body resembled his chronological and mental age, he and Rarity are able to be more open about their relationship.  

Thankfully, nopony outright criticized Rarity for dating Spike. However, Spike would catch glimpse of ponies staring at them and would hear them whispering behind their backs. He realized that ponies weren’t talking about Rarity dating someone younger, but rather they were talking about her dating a dragon. Rarity simply brushed it off as mere gossip. In fact, she has been able to use the gossip to her advantage and increased her popularity within the high class society. The idea of her dating dragon gave her a special flair that the social elite seemed to rave about. However, Spike felt a little uneasy about the gossip. It wasn’t that he cared what other ponies thought about them, but it did remind him of something he experienced in Trotina. Something he longed to forget about. Something that still haunted his nightmares.

Spike shook his head to clear his thoughts. He was going to the movies with his marefirend and their friends and he didn’t want those memories to pester him while he enjoyed the film. Well, tried to enjoy it anyways. He could understand why Rarity and Fluttershy enjoyed the book series the film was adapted from. Rarity was a romantic and Fluttershy also enjoyed romance, even though she would be too shy to admit it. Twilight was a literary enthusiast, so naturally she would be excited to see a film version of any novel. The Cutie Mark Crusaders were going because the film starred teenaged heartthrobs and Spike assumed Rainbow Dash and Applejack were being dragged by Scootaloo and Apple Bloom into seeing the movie. Sure, Rainbow Dash enjoyed reading, but she normally detested anything lovey-dovey and he didn’t take Applejack for the “romantic” type. Spike knew Pinkie Pie would never miss an opportunity to have fun with her friends.

Sure enough, there was a line extending from the movie theater, but it wasn’t too long since Ponyville was a small town. It was growing late in the afternoon when the group took their place in the line. Spike sighed slightly disgruntled as he watched teenaged mares bounce up in down in anticipation as they waited in line. His only consolation was that Rarity was holding on to his arm affectionately.  He saw the poster of the film on the outside wall of the theater. It had a teenaged mare standing between two young stallions. From what Spike had heard, the books were about a love triangle between a normal mare and a vampire and a wolfpony. Spike scoffed at the idea; how could vampires and wolfponies be love interests? 

After a few minutes, the group was at the ticket booth. One by one, they paid the price for the tickets and headed into the theater. The place was rather packed and they had a hard time finding ten seats in a row. Spike took his seat by Rarity and braced himself for a very long two hours.


***


Meanwhile, a team of archeologists where making their way through the wilds of Trotsylvania. It was a region of Equestria in the Arctic North, in the mountains just east of the Crystal Empire. The valleys were filled with deep river chasms and vast forests and were covered in near perpetual winter. The province was scarcely populated and not just due to the cold. A dark history haunts the land from which many legends have emerged. 

In around about way, those legends are what have brought the team of archeologists. A middle-aged Unicorn named Professor Dig Site led the team. He had a sandy coat and a graying brown mane. However, his mustache had complete turned gray. His cutie mark was of a hammer and chisel. He was accompanied by two assistants; Bedrock and Renny Field. Bedrock was a blue Earth Pony with a slate mane and he had a cutie mark of a two crossed pickaxes. Renny Field was a red Pegasus with a blond mane and her cutie mark was of a map and compass. The trio was wearing heavy coats and their saddles were filled with excavation tools. Bedrock was also pulling a cart so they could haul down some of the artifacts they hoped to find.





As they made their way through a remote mountain village, the trio could see their destination in the distance; an ominous castle on top of a dark mountain. The legends that surround the castle speak of a devil in the form of a pony that ruled this wintry land for centuries. It is Dig Site’s goal to disprove these myths and find the truth behind the historical figure known as “Dracula.”

“Are you going to the castle?” a gruff voice asked Dig Site. The sandy Unicorn turned to see an Earth Pony standing in the doorway of one of the houses.

“Why yes, my good sir,” he answered. 

“No, you mustn’t go!” the villager warned. “There is an evil that sleeps there.”

“Oh please,” Bedrock scoffed as he rolled his eyes. “Don’t tell me you believe that Drac…”

“Ssshhh!” the villager urgently shushed the archeologist. “Do not speak his name!”

“Dracula, Dracula, Dracula!” Bedrock spiteful shouted. When he did this, Renny Field could hear a murmur. She looked around and could see a few ponies looking out from their doorways at the three explorers. 

“Please, don’t go,” begged the stallion. “Our ancestors may have stopped the Beast long ago, but we fear that his evil still haunts the castle.”

“Oh come now.” It was Dig Site’s time to scoff. “Even if there was a monster living there at one point, you just said it was dead and I certainly don’t believe in ghosts!”

“You can’t kill what is already dead,” the villager said to the professor in a warning tone. “It is there, waiting for somepony foolish enough to waken it from its slumber.”

“Whatever,” the blue Earth Pony said with little interest. “We’re wasting time.”

“Right, let’s move on,” Professor Site said to his team and they continued down the path that lead out of the village and up to the mountain. Renny took one last look behind her and saw that a crowd had gather at the edge of the town, watching them with pleading looks as they left.

“Please, young filly,” an elderly mare called to her. “Don’t go! At least wait until morning!”

“I’m sorry, but we’re going to set up camp in the castle and we don’t want to hike up the trail in the dark,” she explained before she ran to catch up with her partners. It would take a couple hours to walk up the path and set up camp and the sun was already heading towards the western horizon.

> What's Bothering Spike?
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	As Spike sat in the theater, he practiced the art of sleeping with his eyes open. He was sitting slouched in his seat and was leaning to one side, propping his head up with one claw. A look of pure disinterest was plastered on his face. His other claw was clutching a large bag of popcorn in his lap. Somehow, he was designated to hold it during the movie. Technically, he was still awake, but just barely. He was tuning out everything he saw and heard coming from the screen in front of him. The lights were on but Spike was not at home at the moment. Every so often, somepony would ask him to pass the popcorn. He would do so halfheartedly. The only part of him that would react would be that one arm, which moved mechanically to deliver the popcorn and then return to its default position. 

As the movie went on and on, Spike vaguely recalled something he had heard about how some animals would gnaw off their own leg to escape if it was stuck. At the moment, that didn’t sound like too bad of an idea. Spike looked down at his arm and raised a brow with mild curiosity. He looked up from his arm, back at the screen, and back down to his arm again. He repeated this process a few more times and then decided it wasn’t worth it. He sighed and looked over to Rarity. His only consolation was that she was nuzzled against him the whole time.

The purple dragon was brought out of his stupor when his chair suddenly lurched forward. Annoyed, he looked over his shoulder to look at the teenaged filly who had accidentally kicked his seat for the fifth time. Yes, he was counting.

“Oops, sorry,” the pink Unicorn whispered. Spike grunted and turned back around. He could hear the filly whispering to her green Earth Pony friend, thinking that nopony could hear them. Well, somedragon could. “I don’t know how she could ever want to be with a monster.”

Spike silently agreed with her, thinking that she was referring to the onscreen relationship.

“I know, right,” her friend responded.

“What mare could ever love a dragon?” Spike didn’t react, at least not externally.

Celestia’s sun had started to sink below the western horizon, painting the sky in lovely shades of purple and orange as the movie-going group exited the theater. Their response to film they had just finished watching was mixed.

“Edmond is so dreamy,” Sweetie Belle swooned.

“No way! Jack is so much cooler than Edmond!” contended Scootaloo.

“What!?” Sweetie Belle squeaked. “Which movie were you watching? Edmond is so much better for Becky than Jack!”

“Did ya see Jack’s abs? He’s way better looking than Edmond.”

“Can’t we like them both?” Apple Bloom suggested in attempt to resolve the conflict.

“No!” the Unicorn and Pegasus shouted simultaneously. Spike just rolled his eyes at their petty argument. He had to hear teenaged fillies debate over who was “hotter” all week. It was torture for the dragon to sit in a crowded theater amongst a sea of fan-fillies fawning over the two love interests. Personally, he didn’t get it; one was an age-old vampire and the other could turn into a wolf. Did mares really find that attractive? Spike was always a movie fan and enjoyed monster films. Since he grew up in a library, he was also very familiar with the classic horror novels.

When did vampires and wolfponies become so attractive? he asked himself. He remembers when they used to inspire fear and terror. Vampires were these horrible bloodsucking fiends from beyond the grave and lycanthropes were ponies cursed to become ravenous monsters that fed on the flesh of other ponies. How did they end up sparkling in sunlight and having abs like a washboard? Not wanting to suffer the wrath of the fan-fillies, Spike kept his thoughts to himself. At least that was what he had hoped for.

“So, Spike. Did you enjoy the movie?” his marefriend asked. Spike groaned inwardly to himself and then turned to face Rarity. She was smiling expectantly at him as she waited for his response. He debated on how he should answer her question. He really hated the film. At the halfway point of the film, he had to suppress the overwhelming urge to stand up, raise his arms, say “Done” to the rest of the audience, and exit the building. One on claw, he didn’t want to offend Rarity or the rest of his friends. On the other claw, he didn’t want to lie to them. Also, they might drag him to see the sequels if he said that he liked it. He didn’t know if he could stop himself from gnawing his own arm if he had to sit through another one. Ultimately, he decided to take the middle path.

“It was alright, but it’s not for me,” he causally shrugged, trying to act as neutral as possible.

“Aawww,” Rarity moaned in disappointment. “I’d thought you would like it. But, I suppose, everyone has their own taste in movies.”

“I liked it,” announced Twilight. “Though I wished it was more like the books. They cut too much out. That’s the problem with movie adaptations; they have to leave out so much detail to fit into a two hour film. I defiantly like the books better.”

“Is that supposed to surprise us?” Rainbow Dash teased. “You like books over everything else.”

This got a laugh out of everypony and dragon. The Alicorn blushed with embarrassment, but then closed her eyes, raised her head, and took on a more dignified demeanor. “I simply know a good book when I see one. I even remember when I saw it for the first time. There was something about the title that really spoke to me. It was though it was made just for me, like it had my name written all over it.”

“You shouldn’t write all over books,” commented Pinkie Pie. “It makes them harder to read. But I guess books already have words written all over them. Over wise, they’ll be blank, and blank books are so boring.” 

“Ah don’t think that was what she meant,” Applejack said to her pink friend. “Anyway, it was decent movie.”

“Meh, I’ll have to agree with Spike on this one,” Rainbow Dash stated. “Romantic stuff really doesn't interest me that much. What about you, Fluttershy?”

“Um… It was… nice,” the shy mare responded in an unenthusiastic tone, which meant she actually didn’t like it but was trying to avoid confrontation. Her friends immediately caught on to her act.

“You didn’t like it?” Twilight asked in surprised. “But I thought you enjoyed the books.”

“Oh, but I do. I love the books,” Fluttershy passionately explained before returning to her non-confrontational tone. “It’s just…”

“Just what, darling?” Rarity asked. “Was there something wrong with the theater? Was it too crowded for you?”

“Well, yes,” the yellow Pegasus admitted, embarrassed. “But that wasn’t the problem.”

“Then what was it?” asked Twilight.

“Oh, it’s not a big deal,” Fluttershy tried to deflect.

“Come on, Fluttershy. Everypony is entitled to their own opinion,” Applejack reassured her.

“Well… it was boring. The pacing dragged on too slowly. There was little to no character development. The acting was flat. They hardly expressed any emotions. The filtering and lighting they used made all of the ponies’ coats look pale and muted. They didn’t have to keep showing off the wolfponies’ abs. The lead actress always had her mouth distractingly slightly open the whole time, and the romance seemed lifeless,” Fluttershy quickly listed off her complaints before reverting back to her meek self again. “But… that’s just my opinion.”

Everypony was stunned by Fluttershy’s critique, their mouths ajar in shock. Spike wanted to applaud, but thought better of it.

“Well… um… Ah guess me and Apple Bloom better head back home,” Applejack said to break the awkward silence. Everypony came back to their senses and said their goodbyes. Applejack and her little sister headed back to Sweet Apple Acres, Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo flew off to their home, Fluttershy returned to her cottage, and Pinkie Pie trotted off to Sugarcube Corner. All that remained were Twilight, Spike, Sweetie Belle, and Rarity.

“Do you want me to walk you home?” Spike offered to Rarity.

“I would like that, but I have to make sure Sweetie Belle makes it our parents’ house,” the alabaster Unicorn explained. “Besides, we wouldn’t want Twilight to have to walk by herself.”

“I’m not a foal anymore,” Sweetie Belle protested.

“Yes, but you know the rules.”

“I know, I know,” the younger sister muttered.

“Well then, how about we go out for dinner sometime this week?” the dragon asked.

“That sounds divine. We can talk more about it when I see you tomorrow,” Rarity told him. After giving her a kiss, which caused Sweetie Belle to giggle with amusement, Spike escorted Twilight back to her palace.

“Well, well, well,” Twilight said to Spike with a raised brow and an amused smirk as they walked down the road. “The two of you really seem to be doing well.”

Spike blushed but tried to play it cool. “Well, what can I say? I am quite the catch, aren’t I?” Twilight smiled and shook her head at her son’s boast. 

“Well, I think Rarity is a lucky mare to have a dragon like you,” Twilight complemented.

A dragon like me… Spike repeated her words to himself.

What mare could ever love a dragon? he heard the filly’s words echoing in his head.

Twilight noticed Spike’s frown. She started to think about what she had said. She knew that some ponies were gossiping, but it never seemed to bother Spike or Rarity. She then thought back to the theater. Unbeknownst to anypony else, Twilight also heard what those teenagers had said. 





As they continued to walk, Twilight could see the cemetery in the distance. She frowned and looked over to Spike with concern. To her dismay, she could see that Spike had become even more distraught. Ever since he had gone through the Trials of the Elements of Harmony and his battle with Discord in Trotina, he had recurring nightmares about what he saw. Out of all the things he had seen, the Trial of Laughter seemed to haunt him the most. There Spike was taken to a future where Twilight, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and Applejack had already passed away and were buried on top of the hill in Ponyville Cemetery, leaving him alone. He hasn’t spoken of it since he told them about it when he returned a couple of years ago, but she knew it still bothered him. She also knew him well enough to know that seeing the cemetery after hearing what those fillies said was a bad combination.

“Spike, are you okay?” she asked him in a motherly tone.

“I’m fine,” he said causally, trying to avoid the upcoming conversation.

Typical, she thought disheartened to herself. She didn’t want to upset him, but she had to say something. “I heard what those girls said at the theater.”

He made a sound of recognition, but didn’t say anything.

“You know you can talk to me about anything, right?”

“Yeah, I know.” She sighed, knowing from experience that this is as far it would go. Every time she tried to talk to him about it, he would just change the subject.

I think I should write a letter to Princess Celestia, she thought as they reached her castle in the center of Ponyville. Twilight went upstairs to her desk and pulled out a quill and parchment with her magic. Normally, she would dictate to Spike and he would write it, but she didn’t want him to read this letter. If he did, he probably wouldn’t send it. After finishing it, she went to Spike’s bedroom, where he was sitting in deep thought on his chair. “Spike, do you mind sending this to Celestia for me?”

“Huh? Oh sure thing, Mom,” he said as he was brought out of his thoughts. Ever since he returned, the bond between them strengthened and he would call her “Mom” from time to time. It always warmed her heart and she would “squee” every time he did it. It was a small victory, but she would take what she could get. Thankfully, he didn’t bother to read the letter, but rather sent to Princess Celestia with a puff of his magical fire breath and went back to his thinking. She nuzzled him affectionately and then returned to her own room.

> The Castle
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	The sun had just set when Professor Dig Site, Bedrock, and Renny Field had reached the gates of the supposed castle of Dracula and set up camp within the castle’s courtyard. Now that their camp was made, they looked up at the ominous building.

“So what are we waiting for?” asked Bedrock impatiently. “Let’s do this.”

“Um, maybe we should wait until morning,” Renny suggested.

“Don’t tell me those superstitious villagers have got you spooked,” the blue stallion mocked.

“I’m not spooked!” she denied. “But maybe we should wait until tomorrow. After all, we did have to hike all the way from the Crystal Empire get here. Why don’t we rest for a bit?”

“We’ve made it this far,” the professor said as he used to magic to wipe his glassed with a rag. “I want to at least take a look around before we settle in for the night.”

“Besides, why do you need to rest?” Bedrock snidely asked the red Pegasus as he and the sandy Unicorn headed to the castle’s doors. “You flew most of the way while I was the one hauling the cart.” Renny wanted to protest, but followed her partners instead.

“So, what do you know of Dracula, other than legends?” quizzed Dig Site.

“Well, there was at least a historical figure known as Vlad Dracula,” answered Renny.

“Yes, but his real name was Vlad Vanguard,” lectured the professor. The trio reached the doors and Bedrock pushed against them. There was a loud, rusty creak as the doors only moved on its hinges an inch. Bedrock braced himself and pushed hard, causing the hinges to groan more. “What else?”

“Uummm… He wasn’t a count, like he is in the movies, but a prince.”

“Actually…” Bedrock groaned as pushed against the doors. “He was… a voivode.”

“What’s a voivode?” Renny asked.

“It means ‘warlord,’” explained Dig Site. “You see, he used to be the Captain of the Lunar Guard, but he was banished from Canterlot along with the other guards that sided with Nightmare Moon. He returned to Trotsylvania and conquered it. He tried to raise an army to fight Princess Celestia.”

“You know… this would go… a lot faster… if you two helped,” complained Bedrock.

“A lot of the events that happened during the battle between Princess Celestia’s guards and his have been obscured by myths and legends,” continued the Unicorn, ignoring the Earth Pony. “But from what I can tell, the battle was intense but didn’t last long. His forces were greatly numbered, but he was able to cause heavy losses for the Solar Guard. The battle only ended when Princess Celestia herself intervened and struck Vlad down.”

“Celestia herself entered the fight?” Renny asked in astonishment. The Princess of the Day was peaceful and only fought when there was no other choice. For her to face this warlord himself would have meant that he had to be serious threat. “But what about his reign over this region?”

“It was brief, but he was a cruel and vicious tyrant.”

“Yeah… they say that he would… impale all that angered him,” Bedrock added. The door hinges were almost loose enough to open the door. With one final push, the doors opened. “But I think that is… a… bunch… of… oh sweet Celestia’s technicolored mane.”





What the three ponies saw before them was unnerving. The light from outside had filled the main hall of the castle and they could see dozens of rotten wooden posts lined up in rows throughout the hall. On each of these poles was a skeleton of a pony. The poles went through the ribcages of each skeleton and out through collar bones. Some of them came out of the mouths of the skeletons. Others skeletons simply hung from the poles as it went through their ribcages and out of their backs.

Renny’s eyes slowly scanned the morbid scene, taking in each terrible sight. She screamed and nearly jumped out of her skin when a hoof was placed on her shoulder. Her heart pounded from within her chest and she snapped her head to see that it was only Professor Site.

“Renny, calm yourself,” he told her. She was hyperventilating but tried to slow her breathing down. "They're just skeletons. They can’t hurt us. Get a grip.”

“B-but…” she stammered. 

“Listen, whatever happened here is over. There are no ghost, ghouls, and certainly no vampires here. Come on, you’ve done this before.”

“A-alright.” She took in a deep breath and exhaled. “I’m okay.”

“Alright, let’s move on.”

They pulled out their lanterns from their packs and headed deeper into the bowels of the castle. As they walked down the halls of the ancient ruin, Renny kept reminding herself that she had seen skeletons during other excavations. Though she has never seen them impaled like that, she has seen more in one spot before. One time, they had explored a catacomb that was filled to the brim with skeletons. She started to laugh at herself for being so scared. She always tried to be brave like her idol, Daring Do. It was because of those books that she decided to join Dig Site and Bedrock, who were archeologists from Ponyville like she was. If Daring Do was there, she would be disappointed in her. Daring Do faced all sorts of peril in her adventures and Renny can’t stand a few piles of bones.

Eventually, they came across a large tomb. Inside it were large stone pillars and an altar in the center of the room. Tapestries were hung from the walls, golden candlesticks lined the edges of altar, and golden coins were scattered across the floor. On top of the altar was a stone sarcophagus. Using his lantern, Dig Site lit the candles to give more light to the chamber.

“Look at all of this gold,” Bedrock exclaimed with excitement. Even though every archeologist dreamed of being Daring Do and finding treasure, very few actually found the treasure they were looking for. They mostly found artifacts, bones, and little clues about the past. It was almost too much for Bedrock to handle. He pulled out a crowbar and began to pry open the sarcophagus.

“Bedrock, what are you doing?” asked Dig Site, shocked at his partner’s lust for gold.

“I bet this thing is load with gold,” he answered as the sarcophagus started to open. “And I’m going to help myself.”

As the stone slab slid off of the sarcophagus, a cloud of dust billowed out. The three coughed and Renny flapped her wings to clear the air. When they looked inside the sarcophagus, there was dust still floating around. They couldn’t see any gold through the dust. Instead, they saw another skeleton. Sticking out from its ribcage was a dagger.

“Fillies and colts, I present to you Vlad Dracula,” Dig Site said as they looked at the skeleton.

“Why did the villagers stab a pony that was already dead?” asked Renny.

“Superstition perhaps. It was common to blame unexplained sicknesses or deaths on a supernatural being. An accident probably happened a while back, they needed something blame, they remembered the stories of a cruel tyrant, thought he was the cause, and then stabbed his corpse to make bad things go away.”

Bedrock grasped the dagger’s handle and dislodged it from the skeleton’s chest. He studied it, and when he saw it wasn’t gold or jewel incrusted, he passed it to Renny. As she held the dagger in her hoof, she looked back down at the skeleton. For a brief moment, the cloud of dust that was obscuring the dead pony’s face parted. She gawked at what she saw; the teeth looked like they belonged in a dragon’s maw. As quickly as the dust parted, the cloud once again covered the face and Renny wonder if what she saw was real or just her imagination.

Her distraction caused her to let the dagger slip from her hoof and it sliced her fetlock. She yelped in pain and the dagger clattered as it hit the stone floor. Renny clutched her forelimb to her chest and gritted her teeth in pain. 

“Here, let me see,” Dig Site said urgently from the other side of the sarcophagus. Renny held her hoof over the sarcophagus so that he could inspect the wound. “Oh, it’s just a scratch. But we should clean and bind it anyway. Come on, the medical supplies are back at camp.”





As he was inspecting the cut, a trickle of the mare’s blood fell from her outstretched limb onto the ribcage of the deceased warlord. The drops of blood ran down the curve of the ribs and dripped onto the black, withered heart that laid within. The blood soaked into the heart like water into a sponge and it swelled. The hole where the dagger was lodged sealed itself shut and flesh began to spread from the heart. Slowly, the flesh crept along the bones of the ribcage and down the limbs. Pale, hairless skin barely covered the body and two red lights glowed from within the eye sockets.

Renny leaned into Dig Site as he helped her out of the tomb. They stopped at the door and the professor called back to Bedrock, who was gathering some of the scattered bits on the floor. “Bedrock, I’m taking Miss Field back to camp. Are you coming?”

“Yeah, I’ll be right there,” the blue earth pony answered. “I’m just gathering some artifacts to study when we get back to camp.”

“Yeah right,” Dig Site muttered beneath his breath. “More like hoarding treasure like a greedy dragon.”

After his colleagues had left, Bedrock went back to “gathering artifacts.” As he stuffed gold bits into his pack, he could see something from his peripheral. He quickly snapped his head up to see an ancient face with red eyes glaring at him. The thing had a skeletal frame and its skin was so thin that it barely hid the muscles beneath it. The creature opened its mouth to reveal its deadly teeth and Bedrock hardly had time to scream.

Just down the hallway, Renny and Dig Site heard the bloodcurdling shriek of their partner. Dig Site ran back to the tomb as Renny flew after him, still clutching her wounded leg to her chest. When they arrived at the doorway, they could see Bedrock laying on the floor. They rushed to his side and Dig Site rolled him over onto his back. Renny gasped and covered her mouth with her hooves when she saw Bedrock’s face. His eyes were wide open and his mouth was stuck in a frozen scream. His throat was torn open as if it had been mauled by a manticore. Bedrock was dead. 

As Dig Site stared down at the body of his former pupil, he felt something wet drip on to his head. Wiping his head with his hoof, he saw it was blood! Startled, he looked up and saw a horrible creature hanging from the ceiling like a bat with Bedrock’s blood dripping from its mouth. With a deep, feral roar, the creature dropped from the ceiling in front of Dig Site and Renny.

“Run, run!” the Unicorn shouted as he the beast opened its terrible maw and roared again. The blond Pegasus and graying unicorn ran out of the room as fast as they could and into the hallway. They turned corner after corner in a panic until they realized that they had gone the wrong way. In their desperation, they had forgotten the path out and now they were lost in a dark castle with a monster chasing them! Dig Site looked around and saw another room. “There! Maybe there’s a window we can climb out of.”

They ran in, but too their dismay, there was no window. Dig Site turned to exit the room, but he could see the thing down the hallway. He ran back into the room and shut the door. He grabbed Renny by the foreleg and pulled her behind one of the pillars.

“Listen to me, Renny,” he whispered to the crying mare. “We don’t have much time. It saw me, but I don’t think it saw you. I’m going to buy you some time.”

“Professor, no…” she started to argue.

“Listen,” he cut her off. “I’m going to run for it. When it comes after me, you run. Understand?”

“But…”

“Understand?” She sobbed, but she nodded. He left the cover of the pillar and headed towards the door. As he made it halfway across the room, the door burst open and the fiend was standing before Dig Site. Before the professor could react, the monster lunged at him and pinned him to the floor. From her position behind the pillar, she could hear Dig Site’s screams and the horrible sounds flesh being torn and blood being guzzled. Renny dared not to move from her hiding spot. The only way out was being blocked by that creature. All she could do was to wait until that thing went way.

“I know you are there,” a dark voice echoed throughout the room, filling Renny’s heart with despair. “I can smell the blood from your wound. I can hear your heart beating from within your chest. It calls out to me like thunder.”

Renny was out of options. Either she would die cowering behind a pillar or she could try to run. She braced herself, for she knew that she would have to fight that demon to escape. She jumped out from behind the pillar, ready to flee. However, she came face to face with a gray Unicorn stallion with a black mane and goatee. His eyes were an icy blue that seemed to glow in the dark. She didn’t expect him to be standing just on the other side of the pillar and she fell back in surprise. She scurried back to the wall as the stallion approached her. Behind him, she could see Professor Site’s lifeless body on the floor and she looked up at the figure before her. She could see strands of white hair in his mane turn black and wrinkles disappearing from his coat until he looked young again. She realized that this creature must be a vampire, for he rejuvenated himself by drinking the blood of her friends. If this was a vampire, then he must be Dracula.

“Please don’t kill me,” she pleaded as tears fell from her eyes. He smiled and she could see that his teeth were no longer fangs, except his canine teeth were more pointed than a normal pony’s.

“Fear not, I will not kill you,” he told her. As he spoke, he stared into her eyes with his seemingly glowing blue ones. As he stared, she felt a strange calmness overcome her. She started to relax, despite being cornered by a monster and her thoughts became hazy. The more she looked into his eyes, the more a sense of euphoria seemed to fill her. With her fear melted away, she smiled at him with a drunken grin. “I need somepony to serve me. Tell me, why are you here?

“We’re archeologists,” she answered in a dreamy tone. “We came to study history and to bring back artifacts from the castle to research.”

“Where are you from?”

“Ponyville.”

“I am not familiar with that place. Where is it, my dear?”

“Just south of Canterlot.”

“Hhhmmm…” he mused. Just south of Canterlot. That would be an ideal location to rebuild my strength and to plan my revenge. He then turned to the body of Professor Dig Site and his horn glowed. “Rise.” The body slowly stood on its hooves and it let out a moan. Soon, the body of Bedrock walked into the room to join them. Dracula returned his attention to the mesmerized Renny. “In the morning, you will take us to Ponyville. These two will prepare coffins for us to travel in. One of them will contain treasure. If you are asked what is in the boxes, you will show them the treasure. When we arrive in Ponyville, you will take my coffin to a secluded place. Do you understand?”

“Yes master.” He smiled with satisfaction. With a wave of his hoof, his undead servants went to fulfill their master’s wishes. Now that they were alone, he beckoned Renny to come closer. She got up close to him, looking up into his eyes.

“I said that I would not kill you and that is true,” he whispered to her. He caressed the side of her face with his hoof. “However, I am still quite thirsty and I need to ensure your continued service.” He gently tilted her head to the side to expose her neck. She gasped slightly as he leaned in and carefully bit her neck.

> Kindred Spirits
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	A figure stood alone atop of the hill in Ponyville Cemetery as rain fell from the gray skies. The figure was Spike and before him were six graves. The cutie marks of his closest and dearest friends were engraved on the stone monuments that marked each grave. Spike read the names on the plaques on each monument: Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, and Twilight Sparkle.

The young dragon somberly sighed in despair as he looked at the scene before him. He then looked down at his own claws, which then started to grow in size as he rapidly matured. He already knew that he would not like what he would see if he looked over to Ponyville, but he did anyway. The residents of the small town were also affected by the sudden increase of the flow of time. Cheerilee, Big Macintosh, the Cutie Mark Crusaders, and many other ponies he knew very well were not spared from time’s relentless passing. Each stallion, mare, and foal rapidly aged and then laid down to crumble into dust.

Spike closed his eyes and sighed again as he knew the next act of this terrible scene was approaching. He could hear ponies crying out in fear and screaming “Dragon!” He wanted to leave, but found himself unable to do so. Soon enough, cries of terror were replaced by screams of hatred and a mob had formed to drive the large dragon away. Whatever force that had prevented Spike from leaving had finally allowed him to take flight and depart from the town he had once called home.

He landed at the mouth of a cave on top of a mountain that over looked Ponyville. He slowly dragged himself into the cave and collapsed in defeat and despair to the floor. He raised his eyes from the ground and out of the entrance of the cave. He could see Ponyville far below him. He could see the Everfree Forest to the south and Canterlot to the north. He could also see the cemetery just outside of the town. The sight of it made Spike squeezed his eyes shut in a vain attempt to block out the painful reminder.





“Greetings Spike,” a reverberating voice called out to the purple dragon. Spike’s eyes snapped open and he raised his head from the cave’s floor. There was a flash of light and Princess Luna materialized before him at the cave’s entrance.

“Welcome to my nightmare,” the dragon said to the midnight blue Alicorn in a defeated tone.

“Then I take it you realize that this all just a dream?” Luna asked for clarification. Spike answered with a nod. “Why don’t you resume your natural form? Perhaps you will feel more comfortable.”

“I don’t see the point,” Spike shrugged. “I’m doomed to look like this sooner or later. I might as well get used to it.”

Princess Luna frowned as she gazed upon the sorrowful dragon with compassion. She walked over to his side and sat down. As she sat beside Spike, she looked over the terrain of his dreamscape. She had seen it all; the graves, the rapidly aging ponies, the angry mob. She looked up at the towering dragon and used her mastery over the world of dreams to change him back into the young dragon that he should be.

“See, isn’t that better?” she asked, trying to get a positive response out of him. She looked over to him with a hopeful smile. However, he continued to look out over the town. She frowned again and also looked back to the town below.

“Why are you here?” he asked after a few moments of painful silence passed.

“As Princess of the Night, it is my duty to come into your dreams,” she explained to him.

“I know, but why? What made you decide to come to me?” he questioned.

“Princess Twilight Sparkle sent a letter to my sister earlier this night.”

“Ah,” responded as he thought back to the letter Twilight made him send.

“The letter said that you were troubled and had reoccurring nightmares of the Trials you faced in Trotina. My sister thought it would best that I should speak to you.”

“They’re just nightmares,” he brushed off her concerns. “Nothing more.”

“You and I both know that there is more to these dreams,” she told him sternly. “And I also know that there is something else that troubles you.” 

Spike’s only response was that he turned his head away from her piercing gaze.

“Spike…” she spoke again as one of her blue wings draped around the young dragon’s shoulders and pulled him closer to her. “Listen to me. I know better than anypony what you are feeling. Perhaps that’s why my sister sent me to you. I too know the bitter pain of loneliness. I have known it all of my very long life.”

“I guess loneliness is the price of immortality,” Spike muttered.

“Unfortunately,” Luna agreed. “My sister and I had to watch over the ages as our dear ones grow old and die before our very eyes. It hurts every time I lose someone.”

“How?” Spike asked in a trembling voice. “How do you do it? How can you go on? How can I go on knowing that I will lose them all? And don’t tell me I’ll just make new friends.”

“I would never ask you replace or forget your friends,” Luna reassured him, pulling him closer into her embrace with her wing. “But you must not let the pain consume you. You must not be afraid to let others in to help you.”

“Let others in?” he quoted. “I have no problem letting others in. It’s others that won’t let me in. I know what ponies are saying about me and Rarity. You’ve seen how they’ll react to me one day.” He waved a claw at the dream version of Ponyville and the angry mob of ponies that drove him from there.

“Yes, ponies do fear change,” Luna admitted. “But change is inevitable. It may be painful to begin with. It may take time, but change always happens.” It was now the mare’s turn to look away and mutter sadly to herself, “Whether you’re there to see it or not.” Spike glanced over to her with a raised brow, understanding what she meant. 

“Does it still bother you?” he asked, referring to when she was being possessed by Nightmare Moon and banished to the moon for a thousand years.

“A lot of things still bother me,” she said in a cold tone.

“Do you want talk about it?” he offered. She shook her head, as both an answer and to clear her head.

“No, I am here to help you, remember?” she said in a lighter tone. “Spike, do you remember what Celestia told Twilight when she thought she had lost you?”

“Yes,” he answered. “She said that death is painful, but it is not the end.”

“Take comfort in the knowledge that you will be reunited with them,” she told the dragon. “However, now is not the time to mourn. You still have plenty of years before you to be with the ones you love. You act as though they are already gone. Be thankful for the time you are given. If you spend it all only worrying what the future may bring, then you won’t be able to use to make the most of it."

Spike reflected upon her words and knew them to be true. He mentally kicked himself for hours he had already wasted on brooding and feeling sorry for himself over the past couple of years. He could have used them to make happy memories for the time when his friends won’t be there.

“Mirage Pinkie Pie would be ashamed of me,” he said to himself. “They all would. After everything I went through during the Trials, I had almost forgotten the lessons they were trying to teach me. Thank you, Your Highness. Thank you for reminding me.”

“You are very much welcome,” Luna said to him with a warm smile, but then noticed the concerned look on his face. “What’s wrong?”

“I… I need to talk to Twilight,” he said to her.

“You will have plenty of time when the morning comes.”

“No, I can’t wait. I want to talk to her now. I need to wake up.” As soon as he said these words, Spike’s dream world started to disappear. Luna took to the air and prepared to exit Spike’s ending dream.

“Fare thee well, Spike,” her voice echoed as she vanished in flash. 

Spike’s eyes opened and he was back in his bedroom. He looked over to the clock on the wall and it was almost one in the morning. Spike got out of his bed and went down the small hallway to Twilight Sparkle’s bedroom. He could see a light coming from under the door and took it as a sign that Twilight was up doing some late night research. He opened the door to see his mother figure at her desk writing something down with a quill. Owlowiscious, who was sitting on his perch by the lavender Alicorn’s desk, hooted to alert her to Spike presence. 

“Oh, what are you doing up Spike?” she asked as she laid her quill down.

“I just had a visit from Princess Luna,” he told her. A sympathetic look formed on her face and she left her desk to walk up to her son.

“Did she…” she started to ask.

“Did she tell me that you wrote to Princess Celestia about me?” he finished for her. “Yes.”

“Spike, I was concerned and I want to help you, but you keep pushing me away.”

“I know, I know,” he confessed. “That’s what I want to talk to you about.”

“Come,” Twilight said as she sat down on the edge on her bed and patted to the space beside her. “Have a seat.”

Spike obliged and joined her on the edge on the bed, looking at his claws that were folded on his lap. Due to his size, Twilight had to slightly look up at his face. Though she was so proud of him and amazed at how big he had become, she actually missed him being small to a degree. She missed the days when he could ride on her back and the nights where he would sleep in a basket at the foot of her bed.

“Twilight… Mom, I’m sorry,” he apologized.

“Sorry?” she asked in confusion. “Sorry for what?”

“For not telling you what’s wrong. Well, I guess you do know what’s wrong, but I’m sorry for not letting you help me. It’s just… I was afraid.”

“Afraid? Afraid of what those fillies said in the theater?”

“Oh, you heard that too?”

“Spike, you mustn’t let what…”

“That’s not what I’m afraid of,” he interrupted. “Well, kind of, but that’s not the main problem. What really scares me is losing you, all of you.”

“I understand,” she told him as she place a hoof on his back. 

“No, you don’t understand!” Spike looked to her with anguish in his eyes. “It’s you. How can I go on without you? Any of you? Who’s going to take care of me when I get sick? Who’s going to tell me to stop eating junk food and to go to bed on time? Who’s going to be there for me when I need someone to comfort me? I love you Twilight. You’re my mother. I don’t want to lose you.”

Twilight wrapped her forelegs around Spike and pulled him into a hug, which he returned. “I love you too, son,” she told Spike. Spike had been able to maintain his composure up until now, but he lost it when she started to cry. “But, you know, death isn’t the end.”

“I know. ‘Death is painful, but it is not the end.’ That’s what Celestia told you. That’s what Luna told me. That’s what the Trials taught me. I know it’s true. I know I should be happy, but I can’t help feeling sad.”

“I know it’s still hard to say goodbye,” she told him. “But you don’t have to worry about  that for long time. I may not be immortal like Celestia and Luna, but I’m not going anywhere for a while.” She broke the embrace and looked him in the eye. “And when the time does come, I want you to be strong. I want you to be happy. Understand?”

“Yes Mom.”

“Pinkie Promise?”

“Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye,” he said as he went through the motions of the Pinkie Pie enforced vow. Twilight noticed the clock on the wall and saw how late it was.

“It’s time for bed,” she announced with a yawn and Spike nodded in agreement.

“Sorry for dragging you through my existential crisis,” he said jokingly as he headed back to his own room.

“What are mothers for?” she asked rhetorically as she pulled back the covers of her own bed.

Meanwhile, Princess Luna smiled as she hovered outside the crystal tree palace, relieved that Spike was on his way to recovery. Now that her work there was done, she teleported back to Canterlot Castle. She emerged in her private chambers and noticed that her sister was waiting for her.

“How did it go?” the white Alicorn asked.

“It went well,” the younger sister reported as she headed towards the door, her sister following her. “It was enjoyable being able to help a kindred spirit; to speak with someone who knows my pain.”

“You are referring to your past loneliness, am I right?” By the way how Luna paused mid-step, Celestia knew the answer to her question. “Luna…”

“I have matters to attend to and you should get some sleep,” Luna deflected without looking back. In a flash of golden light, Celestia blocked her path with a concerned scowl on her regal face. Luna sighed, seeing the irony of the situation. “My room or yours?”

“Mine preferably,” the elder sister responded. “After all, I am up later than I normally would be.”

The Royal Alicorn Sisters relocated their conversation to Celestia’s bed chamber. Both sisters were lying on the large bed, side by side. The aurora maned Alicorn waited patiently until her sister was ready to talk. For a while, Luna simply stared at the floor of the bedchamber, but then took a deep breath and exhaled. 

“I’m lonely, sister,” Luna sadly stated. “I’ve been alone for so long that I can barely remember what happiness feels like. True happiness.”

Even though the midnight blue sister had stop speaking, Celestia knew she had more to say. She calmly waited for Luna to gather her thoughts and continue.

“I remember everything,” Luna said as she looked out the window at the moon.

“Excuse me?”

“Everything that Nightmare Moon made me do, I remember it. Everything she thought, everything she said, everything she did, I remember. Oh yes, I also remember the moon. But most importantly, I remember the terror our subjects felt when they saw me, the same terror that many still feel when they see me. I truth, Nightmare Moon is a hybrid that was created from me and the Nightmare Forces. She was both me and the Nightmare.”

“But she’s gone,”Celestia told her. “Nightmare Moon is gone.”

“No, Tia,” Luna corrected. “The Nightmare may be gone, but Nightmare Moon is still alive. She is there… in my head. She is a part of me, forever. She is my anger, my sorrow, my jealously. Everyone has these emotions, but mine were given a name. And that name will forever stain mine. I will always be known as the princess who fell, the traitor, the Mare in the Moon, the one who had to be redeemed.”

“Nopony thinks that of you,” Celestia reassured, wrapping her wing around her sister to comfort her. “They know that it was not your fault. Remember that, dear sister. It was the Nightmare and the Nightmare alone who was responsible.”

“I just wish that I could undo all that has been done,” Luna lamented. “I wish I never became Nightmare Moon.”

Princess Celestia nuzzled her sister affectionately. Luna didn’t say anything further and the two sat in silence. Perhaps changing the subject would help.

“So, I understand that Spike is in love with Rarity, though that is hardly new information,” Celestia said with a slight chuckle.

“Ah yes,” Luna said with a smile. “If I recall correctly, he was quite surprised that nopony was surprised when he told them he had been infatuated with her for quite some time.” The sisters laughed together at the story. “Speaking of love, have you ever been in love? And don’t say you love all of your little ponies.”

“Oh, all right,” Celestia responded in feign disappointment. “Yes, I have been in love before. Quite a few times, actually. Even though I keep promising myself that I’ll never take another consort, I can’t help meeting a wonderful stallion every few hundred years. What about you? Have you ever been in love?” 

Suddenly, the mirthful smile on Luna’s lips disappeared and it was replaced by mournful frown. After she had returned from her imprisonment on the moon, the Princess of the Night fervently read the books in the Canterlot Library, desperate to catch up on the thousand years of history she had missed out on. During her studies, she discovered the fate of her former Captain of the Lunar Guard.

“Yes,” Luna answered quietly. “His name was Vlad Vanguard. You killed him.”

> The Two Dinners
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	It was another beautiful morning in Ponyville as usual. The birds were chirping merrily as they flew through the sky, the ponies were up and about their daily business, Celestia’s sun was shining brightly from above, and a clear sky was scheduled for all of the day. 	

Spike the dragon stepped outside the castle and smiled at the wonderful sight of a new day. Truly, he thought, nothing could go wrong today. He hummed a cheerful tune as he walked down the streets of the humble, yet danger prone, town. He felt like a new dragon after his heart to heart talks last night with Princess Luna and Twilight Sparkle. It was as though a great burden was lifted from his heart. In fact, he felt almost ashamed of himself for letting fear and doubt get the better of him.

After a quick walk, the purple dragon had arrived at his destination; Carousel Boutique. He opened the door of the clothing store and heard the bells above the door announce his arrival.

“Coming!” he could hear Rarity call from around the corner in a singsong tone. The alabaster mare came into view and her face light up as she saw her special somedragon standing in the waiting room of her house/store. “Oh, good morning, Spikey-Wikey.”

Spike smirked at the sound of his nickname. Even though he had grown a lot since he had first arrived in Ponyville, he still enjoyed the cute pet name she had given him all those years ago. “Good morning to you too.”

“What can I do for you?”

“Actually, I’m here to discuss our plans for dinner sometime this week,” he explained. “After all, it was your idea.”

“Yes, of course,” she said, remembering their conversation after the movie last night. “Let me see…” The Unicorn with the violet mane lifted her scheduling book to her with her light blue magic and flipped through the pages. She looked up from her book with a smirk and said, “How about today?”

“Wow, that’s convenient,” he said as he smiled back at her. “Good thing you had an opening in your schedule.”

“Oh, Spike,” she laughed as she returned to her workroom. “I always have time for you.”

Oh, yes. Nothing could go wrong today, he once again thought to himself, already planning out his evening with Rarity.

*****




	
Snow was falling outside as a train made its way south from the Crystal Empire. Its destination was Ponyville and it would be arriving around sunset. The engineer was busy shoveling coal and the conductor was making his way through the passenger cars. The conductor was an Earth Pony by the name of All Aboard. He had a gray coat and a brown mane. His cutie mark was a pocket watch and he wore a hat and jacket as his uniform. He also wore glasses and had a large handlebar mustache. So far, everything was in order; the passengers had their tickets, they were on time, and nothing was out of place.

However, this changed when he walked into the baggage car. Along with the suitcases and trunks of the passengers were four large wooden crates. There was nothing unusual about the crates. Ponies transported cargo by train every day. What was unusual was the red Pegasus mare sitting behind the crates. All Aboard did recall punching her ticket earlier, so she wasn’t a stowaway, but why was she hiding back here?

“Excuse me, ma’am,” the conductor called to the blonde mare. She jumped a bit and looked over the crates at the conductor.

“Yes?” she asked nervously.

“Please come out from there, Miss…”

“Field. Renny Field,” she introduced herself as she stepped out from behind the crates. The Earth Pony briefly noticed two little marks on her neck, but thought nothing of it.

“Miss Field, passengers are not allowed in the baggage car,” he explained.

“Oh… um… you see…” she stumbled for an excuse. She then pointed to the crates and said, “I’m shipping these crates to Ponyville and they contain very valuable and important archeological discoveries. I just wanted to make sure that they don’t get damaged or stolen during the trip.”

“I can understand that, Miss Field, but I’m afraid I’m going to have to ask you to return to your seat,” he sternly told her. She braced herself against one of the crates, looking like a foal trying to hide something behind their backs from their parents.

“But…” she tried to argue, but he shook his head and led her towards the passenger cars. She reluctantly let go of the crate as he escorted her to the nearest baggage car that was named “Demeter.”

“I’m sorry, but it’s railroad policy,” he explained.

“But the crates…” she tried to resist again and looked back at that one particular crate.

“I assure you, Miss Field, they will be fine,” he told her as he opened the door to the “Demeter” passenger car. She relented and entered the car without further argument. 

With the Pegasus returning to her seat, All Aboard resumed making his rounds. As he walked down the baggage car, he paused by the crates that the blonde passenger was hiding behind. Suspicious of the passenger, the Earth Pony conductor decided to investigate a little further. He inspected the tags on all of the crates but found that they all read: “Property of Renny Field. Ship to Ponyville from Crystal Empire.”

“At least they are hers,” he said to himself, relieved a little bit. However, suspicion was still nagging in his head. She simply could just be nervous about the safety of her artifacts. Then again, maybe she was trying to hide something. Maybe I should take a peek inside one for the security of the train. 

All Aboard looked around to see if anypony was watching him. Finding himself alone, the mustached stallion grabbed a pry bar and went to the crate that Renny Field was clinging on to. Something important had to be in this one. Why else would she so desperately try to protect it? He placed the pry bar under the lid of wooden crate and put his weight on the other end. There was a creaking sound as the nails in the lid pulled away from the crate. After a few more times, the lid was free. 

“Alright, let’s have a look,” All Aboard said as he pushed the lid away. What the Earth Pony conductor found inside the crate was dirt. However, lying in the dirt was the body of a gray Unicorn stallion. All Aboard gawked at the sight of the corpse. A body? Why is she shipping a body to Ponyville? And why did she say it was an archeological discovery? He had heard of mummies before, but this wasn’t an ancient preserved body of a pony. This one still looked fresh. He looked to the other crates and began to wonder if the Pegasus was some sort of maniac and if these were her victims.

As the conductor tried to figure out what exactly was going on, he looked back down at the body of Unicorn in front of him. Without warning, the corpse’s eyes snapped open! All Aboard made a startled gasp as the dead pony looked up at him with blood colored eyes. Its face contorted into that of a demon’s and it gave an annoyed snarl for having been so rudely awakened from its slumber. All Aboard started to back away from the creature as it bared its dragon like teeth at him, but before he could flee, he was caught in the vampire’s grip and screamed as he was pulled into the coffin. The lid was lifted from the baggage car’s floor by the red aura of the vampire’s magic and slammed back into its proper place on top of the coffin.

*****


Rarity sat at a table at one of Ponyville’s finest restaurants. Actually, since it was a small town, it was Ponyville’s only fancy restaurant. She was wearing an elegant red dress and mane was done up in a fancy style. To go along with her dress, she wore her beloved fire ruby necklace that was given to her by the dragon that was sitting across from her. Spike was wearing his gem covered bow-tie that she had made for him. The couple was looking over their menus, trying to decided what to order. Spiked hummed as he tapped his chin in contemplation.

“It sounds like you’re in a good mood today,” Rarity commented.

“I am in good mood,” he confirmed. “A lot better than yesterday.”

“Was the movie that awful?” she teased as she raised a brow at him.

“Ha! No, that wasn’t the problem,” he chuckled. “I was just concerned about something.”

“About what?”

“Oh, nothing,” he tried to brush it off.

“Oh, do go on. You know you can tell me anything,” she urged.

“I was just concerned about, you know, being… a dragon,” he confessed. Her eyes shot up from her menu to carefully observe him. She remembered what he had told her about what he experienced in the parallel world of Trotina and what mental ordeals he had to endure.

“Is it about… that?” she asked Spike with concern. “You know Spike, you shouldn’t keep it bottled up inside. You really ought to talk to somepony about it.”

“I have, I have,” he told her. “In fact, I’ve talked to Princess Luna and Twilight about it. Don’t worry, I’m over it. I’ll tell you what they told me: If I only focus on the bad, then I can’t enjoy the good. Well, more or less.”

“Knowing them, I’d imagine that it would be quite a bit more rather than less,” the Unicorn mare laughed.

“Yeah, you’re right,” Spike agreed, also laughing.

“May I take your order?” asked the waiter.

“Yes, I’ll have the rose petal salad,” Rarity replied.

“Excellent choice, and for you sir?” the waiter asked Spike. Being a dragon, Spike would have preferred some gems, but restaurants usually don’t have dragon customers. He instead ordered a bowel of jalapeño soup with extra peppers.

“As I was saying,” the young dragon continued. “I’m not going to let it bother me. I shouldn’t let it bother me, and I don’t care what other ponies think of me. I should only care about what I think and what my friends and family think. I mean, does it bother you?”

“Not at all, Darling,” she reassured him while smiling. “Actually, I am quite honored to have such a wonderful dragon such as yourself in my life.”

“You mean you don’t care what a lot of ponies are saying behind our backs? You know, about you being a pony and me being a dragon?”

“Not in the slightest,” the alabaster mare said confidently. “At least it gives them something to gossip about. Spike, ponies fear change. That’s a fact. Just give them time, they’ll come around. In fact, did you know that even after the founding of Equestria that the three tribes had a hard time socializing with each other?”

“Really?” Spike asked.

“Why yes,” she answered. “They were so accustomed to their segregation that they continued to only associate themselves only with members of their own tribe and it continued like that for the first few years.”

“What caused the change?” Spike’s question caused Rarity to smirk.

“The marriage of Princess Platinum and Commander Hurricane, the first inner tribe marriage in the history of Equestria.”

“Really, I didn’t know that,” Spike replied.

“That’s surprising,” Rarity teased. “Considering that you grew up in Canterlot with Twilight Sparkle, the most knowledgeable unicorn in all of Equestria.”

“Hey, just because I grew up in libraries doesn’t mean that I have read every book in them,” he defended himself. “Unlike somepony I know.”

“I imagine that she has,” Rarity agreed with a giggle.

“Multiple times,” Spike added.

“Multiple? How many times exactly?

“I’ve lost count,” Spike half admitted and half joked. 

“Anyway, Princess Platinum and Commander Hurricane became Queen Platinum and King Hurricane,” Rarity continued.

“Wait a minute, I think I remember this one,” Spike said thoughtfully. “That’s right; they were the parents of Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. Though I wonder why their daughters were born Alicorns. It’s never happened since. There are many Unicorn and Pegasus couples, but they don’t have any Alicorn children. Twilight was a unicorn and Cadance was a Pegasus before they became Alicorns, and they are certainly not immortal like Celestia and Luna.”

“Nopony really knows for certain,” the Unicorn said thoughtfully. “I suppose it has something to do with their destiny and their connection to the sun and moon.”

“Regardless, it was still a pony marrying a pony,” Spike said.

“Should that really matter?” retorted Rarity. There are other examples of inner tribe marriages.”

“I assume you mean zebroids and mules.”

“Exactly.”

“But those are still equines marrying equines,” Spike noted. “Has there ever been an example of… well… a pony… and…”

“A dragon?” Rarity finished for him with an amused look as Spike blushed. A little embarrassed, Spike took a drink from his glass. “As a matter of fact, there is.”

This nearly caused Spike to choke on his drink. “W-What? Really?” he asked as he coughed. Rarity slyly smiled and took a drink from her own glass.

“Well, don’t leave me hanging,” Spike urged her to continue. “What happened and how did you find out about it?”

“To answer your second question,” Rarity began. “I found out from Twilight. When she became a princess, she gained access to more historical documents and ancient tomes. In them were some rather interesting tales and legends. As for the first question, one of the legends I asked her to research for me spoke of the kirin.”

“The kirin?” Spike repeated. “What’s a kirin?”

“The kirin is a half dragon and half Unicorn. Apparently, dragons, due to their powerful magical nature, can have children with just about any creature, though it is quite rare and hard to do so. However, it is said to be easier for a Unicorn and dragon to have a child due to them both having a strong affinity towards magic.”

“And why did you ask Twilight to research such a tale for you?” Spike asked amused as he raised a brow and smirked. It was Rarity’s turn to blush and take an embarrassed drink from her glass. 

*****


Renny Field sat fretfully in her seat and looked out the as the sun lowered beneath the horizon. From the window, she could see that the train would be at its destination soon. As she sat, she wondered if that meddlesome conductor discovered what she was hiding in the crates from Trotsylvania. Her master wouldn’t be pleased if anything got in the way of his plans.

Renny Field, a dark voice echoed in her mind. Answering the call, she headed back to the baggage car. Once inside, she found her master standing in the center of the car, staring at her with his ice blue eyes. The conductor stood by his side with two marks on his throat and a glazed look in his eyes. 

“I’m sorry master, he…” she started to explain.

“Be silent,” he calmly, but firmly ordered. She immediately closed her mouth and lowered her head. Dracula turned to All Aboard and said in a commanding voice, “Forget all that you have seen here and go about your business as if nothing has happened.”

“Yes master,” the conductor droned then left the car. After he was gone Dracula returned his attention to his thrall, staring into her eyes with his hypnotic gaze.

“When we arrive at this Ponyville, you will take the coffins to the residence of Professor Dig Site and await for me there.” Dracula turned his head to look at the crate that contained the body of said professor. “When I arrive, we shall then search for a more secluded location.”

“Yes master,” Renny Field said mindlessly under the power of the vampire’s spell. Dracula’s horn glowed and dark clouds gathered over the train. He thought it would be best to have a little distraction to cover his arrival.

They will be too preoccupied with the storm to even notice that the Dragon has come, he thought as he grinned with sinister intent.

*****


Meanwhile, Spike and Rarity had just finished their meal and were leaving the restaurant. Spike was being the noble dragon and was escorting his lady back to her home. As they were walking, they were enjoying a pleasant conversation until Spike noticed something strange. To the north, the dragon saw that there were large black storm clouds rolling in fast.

“That’s weird,” Spike said, looking at on coming clouds. Hearing this, Rarity looked to the north to see what he was talking about.

“I didn’t know the Pegasi scheduled a storm for this evening,” she remarked.

“They didn’t,” he replied. By chance, he saw Rainbow Dash along with some other Pegasi flying overhead. “Hey Rainbow Dash!”

The blue mare swooped down from the sky when she heard her friend calling her and said while hovering, “Hey guys. Sorry, but we’re in a hurry.”

“What’s up with the weather?” the purple dragon asked. “There shouldn’t be a storm tonight.”

“That’s why we’re in a hurry,” she responded with a look that was a mixture of confusion, frustration, and a hint of concern. “We’ve gotta find out what’s going on.” She then sped off towards the storm with the rest of the weather team. Spike and Rarity stood there in the street and watched with concern as their friend head towards the ominous clouds.
	 

> The Storm
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	


“Come along little ones,” Fluttershy said to her animal friends as she ushered them into her cottage. Squirrels, chipmunks, birds, and other small animals hurried inside to take cover in the houses that the tenderhearted Pegasus built for them located throughout her home. “There’s a storm coming and I don’t want anyone to be caught out in the rain.”

After the woodland critters were safe in her cottage, she went out back to make sure her chickens were secure. As she made her way to the coops, a sudden flash of lightning and the sound of thunder caught her by surprise and she gave a loud yelp and nearly fell over from fright. She looked in the direction the noise came from and saw that black clouds were coming in more violently than she expected.

“Oh, I hope Rainbow Dash and the weather team will be alright,” she fretted as her long pink mane blew in the wind. After making sure her chickens would be safe, she hurried back inside her own home. Angel, her rabbit companion, hopped on her back and they both gave worried looks to each other as the storm continued to cover Ponyville.

At Sweet Apple Acres, the Apple family was also battening down the hatches. Big Macintosh made sure the storm shutters were up and Applejack was rounding up the cows with her dog Winona.

“Get a move on!” the farm pony called to the cattle as she herded them into the barn. “We ain’t  got much time!” As the bovines entered the safety of the barn, Applejack glanced back over to the direction of the town. Normally, she would see to it that all the trees in Ponyville were clear of any large loose branches before any major storm. However, there was no warning this time. She put it on her mental checklist to give the Pegasi a piece of her mind afterwards about the unscheduled thunderstorm.  

At the storm front, said Pegasi were busy trying to break up the rogue storm. Like Applejack herding cattle, the weather team was trying to herd the clouds so that they can break them up. They were divided into teams so that a few Pegasi would break off pieces of the storm and bundle them up while a few others would buck them to make them dissipate. 

“Alright, keep it up!” Rainbow Dash shouted over the wind to her crew. “We can do this!”

“But Rainbow Dash,” a dark gray Pegasus named Thunderlane called back to her. “It just keeps coming! It seems like for every cloud we bust, two more take its place!”

“Suck it up, Thunderlane!” Rainbow Dash barked. “We have to keep at it! This storm has to run out eventually!”

“But he’s right,” another Pegasus called back. “More clouds just keep on popping up!”

“Come on, team! We can’t let this storm get the better of us!” the multicolored maned mare tried to motivate her crew. “Let’s do this!”

“Yeah!” a burly white stallion cheered as the weather team doubled their efforts. 

At Sugarcube Corner, the sound of two upset foals could be heard. Pound Cake and his sister, Pumpkin Cake, were woken by the sound of thunder and started to cry up a storm of their own. Their parents, Cup Cake and Carrot Cake, held their children and tried to get them to calm down. Pinkie Pie was also trying to help her landlords by making funny faces in attempt to get the crying foals to stop and calm down.

“Look at Pinkie. Look at the funny face,” the pink Earth Pony said as she made silly sounds and scrunched her face into all sorts of strange configurations that the Cakes didn’t know were possible. Sometimes they wondered if Pinkie was made out of rubber. There were a lot of things they wondered about Pinkie, but they were almost afraid to ask. Most of the time, when they would try to ask her they would only walk away with more questions. They, like most of Ponyville, decided to leave the matter alone and just let Pinkie Pie be Pinkie Pie.

Despite Pinkie Pie’s efforts, the foals continued to wail. Taking drastic measures, Pinkie pulled out a bag of flour and held it over her head. She opened the bag and dumped the powdery substance over herself. After being covered with flour, Pinkie Pie was pure white and let out a sneeze that formed a little white cloud. The young Unicorn and Pegasus stopped crying and giggled at the pink pony’s antics. However, another crash of thunder caused the twins to resume their crying, much to the chagrin of the three adult earth ponies.  

Rarity and Spike were able to make it back to Carrousel Boutique before they got too wet from the rain. Well, at least Spike did. Any drop of rain on the white Unicorn’s tidy mane caused her to fret over it. As soon as she got inside, she ran to the nearest mirror to make sure she was still presentable.

“Had I known it would rain, I would have brought an umbrella,” she said to Spike as she did little touch-ups to her mane. After a few moments, she was satisfied with how she looked and she stepped away from the mirror. “Other than that minor complaint, I had a wonderful time.”

“Me too,” Spike agreed as the mare of his dreams smiled up at him. He couldn’t help but to smile back at her as they looked into each other’s eyes. They leaned in closer to each other and closed their eyes as their lips began to touch.

“Rarity!” a voice called from upstairs. The couple quickly pulled away from each other in surprise as Sweetie Belle came down the stairs.

“Sweetie Belle,” Rarity acknowledged her teenager sister in a forced tone that had a ton off annoyance being suppressed beneath it. “What are you doing here?”

“Mom and Dad went out of town for a few days,” the young mare explained. Rarity, while happy to be able to spend time with her one and only sister, wished that her parents would give her some notification in advance before dropping her off at the boutique.

“Very well,” Rarity sighed in acceptance and turned back to Spike with an apologetic smile. The mood being officially dead, it was time for Spike to head home. “Thank you again for the lovely evening.”

“You’re welcome.” Spike and gave her a quick kiss and started to leave. “I’ll see you soon. Good night, Rarity. Sweetie Belle.”

“Do be careful heading home,” she called after him as the dragon ran out into the storm. 

“Bye Spike,” Sweetie Belle waved after Spike. “So, what were you two up to?” The elder sister’s response was an annoyed groan.

Back at the storm front, Rainbow Dash was still leading the charge against the wild weather. The wind was picking up and the rain began to sting from the intensity. Lightning would frequently crackle nearby and the Pegasi often had to dodge incoming bolts. However, she refused to be bested by a bunch of clouds! With a burst of energy, she put her all into her task. Cloud and after cloud, she fought her way through the storm. 

With one last kick, she finished her assault and wiped her brow as she paused to evaluate the situation. Her jaw dropped when she saw that they had hardly put a dent into the storm, much to her dismay. Rainbow Dash realized that Thunderlane was right; more clouds seemed to keep coming no matter how many the weather team busted.

“This… this is impossible,” the blue mare stated as she hovered in the air in front of the black mass of clouds.

“Rainbow Dash!” she heard a voice calling to her. She turned around and saw Twilight Sparkle flying up to her.

“Twilight!” she called to the lavender Alicorn over the wind. “I don’t understand it! This storm doesn’t seem to end!”

“Here! I have an idea!” Twilight’s horn glowed magenta as she summoned her magic to combat the out of control weather.  Twilight used her magic to cast a spell that would dissolve the storm from its center. However, she felt something strange; the storm was resisting her spell! It was like she was wrestling another force over control over the storm.

Twilight gritted her teeth and her horn flared with more magenta magic as she put more into her spell. As she did so, the opposing force met her challenge and also put more effort into resisting her. The princess strained to keep up with her invisible opponent, but felt her power being overwhelmed by the mysterious force. With a cry of alarm and exhaustion, Twilight Sparkle was nearly knocked out of the sky when the power of the unseen force flooded over her as she released her spell.	 

“Twilight!” Rainbow Dash cried out in concern as she rushed to her weary friend’s side. “Are you okay?”

“I-I’m fine,” Twilight panted as she reassured her friend. “I don’t understand it. It felt like there was something else behind that storm.”

“What do you mean?”

“It was like the storm had a mind of its own and was fighting back,” the Alicorn tried to explain.

“What can we do Twilight?”

Twilight looked from her friend back to the storm and said, “There’s nothing we can do.”

“But…” Rainbow Dash started to argue, but stopped and also looked at the storm.

“The best we can do it just wait it out.”

“Ugh, I hate to lose to a stupid storm!” the Pegasus complained.

“I know, but there’s nothing else we can do. The best thing you can do is go home to Scootaloo.” 

Rainbow Dash nodded in compliance and addressed her team. “I’m sorry guys, but we have to call it quits.” The exhausted, the weather ponies sighed in relief and headed home. Rainbow Dash took one last look over her shoulder at the rumbling dark clouds and frowned. Stop mocking me!

Meanwhile, the ponies at the Ponyville train station were in a hurry to recover their luggage and to head home to seek shelter in their homes from the storm that seemed to follow their train to its destination. Renny Field was watching as a group of stallions unload her crates from the baggage car and onto a delivery cart. Nearby was All Aboard, who was sitting on the platform next to the engineer. The conductor held a hoof to his head and wearily wobbled side to side.

“Hey, are you feeling alright?” the engineer asked his coworker. “You’re looking kind of pale.”

“I don’t… What happened…” All Aboard mumbled in a daze. “Where am…” Before he could say anything else, the mustached conductor passed out and fell face first to floor.

“Hey!” the engineer shouted in alarm. “Come on, wake up!” He tried shaking his unconscious friend, but All Aboard only muttered incoherently. A group of onlookers stepped forward to see if he needed assistance and helped the engineer place the conductor on his back and took him towards Ponyville Hospital. During the commotion, nopony noticed that Renny Field had left with her cart of crates.

What they also didn’t notice was a black maned Unicorn leave the baggage car and walk off the platform into the rain. Unaffected by the weather, he stood on the street and observed his surroundings. He noted the dirt roads, the thatched roofed buildings, and the smaller size of the community.

A village, he observed. Filled with simple minded peasants. He grinned, showing his two pointy canine teeth. Perfect.

He vanished from sight and reappeared atop one of the thatched roofed house. Like a predator stalking his prey, he paced along the rooftop as he watched the ponies scurry about the streets as they ran to seek shelter. He patiently studied each one as they ran beneath him, evaluating his options.

He looked back at the train station and thought it would be wiser to seek a more secluded location. His form blurred and in its place was a swarm of black bats. The swarm flew from the station headed another roof that was located towards the heart of the town. The bats merged into one and resumed the form of Dracula. Again, he watched the streets from his perch. Unfortunately for him, he only managed to catch a glimpse of a pony as they closed the door of their house behind them. After waiting to see if any other ponies might come down that particular street, the vampire’s form shifted again as he searched for another perch. 

This time, Dracula landed on top a building across from city hall. From there, he saw a tan Earth Pony mare with a gray mane exit the building and stand under the terrace. She wore glasses and a neckerchief. Dracula looked around to see if anypony was watching and crouched down on the roof like a large cat ready to pounce. Before the vampire could act, another pony carrying a flashlight and an umbrella walked outside to join her and then hurried away together. Frustrated, the creature once again vanished.

Just on the outskirts of Ponyville, Cheerilee was just finishing locking up the schoolhouse. It had been quite a frustrating day for the dark magenta Earth Pony with a two-toned pink mane. Since she was the only school teacher in the only school in Ponyville, she had to teach all of the students of the small town. Even though she loved her students, a few of them seemed to make it their mission to make Cheerilee’s job hard for all of the years they were there. Almost every day, somepony would get into a fight with another student or cause some sort of accident. Today it was both.

Cheerilee sighed and shook her head as she reflected on today’s misadventure. Snips and Snails had almost burnt down the schoolhouse during their science assignment of the day. She had given them very precise instructions on which chemicals they should not mix, but they forgot which ones to mix and decided to mix all the chemicals together. Needless to say it’s going to be a few weeks for their manes to grow back. It was innocent, but stupid, mistake. Unfortunately, it didn’t end there. Diamond Tiara, even though her attitude had improved over the years ever since the Cutie Mark Crusaders had befriended her, just had to make the mistake of laughing at them. The dimwitted young stallions’ embarrassment quickly became anger and they poured a container of chemicals on the violet and white mane of the affluent student. Thankfully, it was only bleach and her mane will only be a blinding bright white for a little while. Also thankfully, Cheerilee was able to catch Diamond Tiara as leaped at them and prevented her from ripping their heads off.

She didn’t punish Diamond Tiara, having her mane bleached was punishment enough, so Cheerille sent the sniffling Diamond Tiara home and gave Snips and Snail detention. After detention, Cheerilee had a conference with both of the boys’ parents. After that meeting was over, Cheerilee remembered that she had a stack of assignments to grade. When the whole ordeal was finished, the sun had just set and a storm just rolled in.

The school teacher made her way along the road to her home. Thankfully, she didn’t live too far away from the schoolhouse. She passed by a few stores that were on the way to her neighborhood. As she walked in front of an alleyway, she happened to notice a pair of glowing red eyes coming from the shadows. Her heart skipped a beat from fright thinking that there might be some sort of monster lurking in the darkened alley, but when she did a double take, she only saw a gray stallion smiling pleasantly at her.

“Good evening,” the unicorn greeted warmly in a strange accent.

“Oh… heh heh… Good evening to you too,” she chuckled, slightly embarrassed. Cheerilee felt silly for ever thinking she saw red eyes, for she could clearly see he had blue eyes. “Are you lost, sir? This isn’t the type of weather you want to be out and about in.”

“The rain does not bother me in the slightest,” the stallion told her. “However, I have just arrived to your fair city and I do not know my way around.”

“Maybe I can help you,” Cheerilee offered, trying to be courteous to the newcomer. After she had said those words, the unicorn smiled and stared into her green eyes with his icy blue eyes that seemed to glow. The mare was instantly transfixed by the sight of the glowing eyes and couldn’t help but to stare back into them. Her mind became hazy and she smiled with a dazed look on her face.

“Yes, you can help me,” the dark stallion whispered to her in an insidious voice. He walked backwards into the darkness of the alleyway and Cheerilee followed him mindlessly into the shadows. Now that they were concealed in the shadows, the dark unicorn approached the mesmerized earth pony, staring into her eyes. Slowly, he tilted her head to the side, exposing her neck to him. He opened his mouth and she was dimly aware of the feel of his two fangs against her throat. She winced at the pain of the sharp teeth piercing her neck and quietly gasped, but soon forgot the pain as a wave of euphoria washed over her as she felt the sensation of blood being drain from her body. With each beat of her heart, more and more blood was siphoned away. She was becoming lightheaded and her knees wobbled. Her legs gave out and she fell to the ground of the alleyway unconscious. The creature standing over her smiled as he looked down at her sleeping form and then he vanished into the night.

> Impossible
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	A bunch of impatient and confused foals and teenaged ponies were gathered outside the front doors of Ponyville’s schoolhouse. Some sat with bored expressions on the steps while others paced back and forth. A pink young mare with a bleached mane tapped her hoof and huffed along with her silver colored cohort.

“Ugh! This is so unprofessional!” Diamond Tiara whined.

“Yeah, I know,” Silver Spoon agreed. “I mean, it’s been two hours already!”

“I hate to say it, but I agree with Diamond Tiara,” Scootaloo whispered to her two best friends. “Ms. Cheerilee is never late.”

“And if she’s sick or out of town, she always has a substitute teacher for us,” Sweetie Belle added.

“Y’all don’t think that somethin’ bad happened to her?” asked Apple Bloom.

“I hope not, but we can’t just wait here all day,” said Scootaloo. The orange Pegasus looked up from their group huddle and saw that some of the other students had already gone home and others were debating with themselves whether to go or not. 

“We got to do something,” Sweetie Belle suggested.

“Agreed,” the yellow earth pony nodded. “Girls, Ah think we have to pull out our old Cutie Mark Crusaders detective hats again. We have a missin’ teacher to find.”

“Yeah, but we already have our cutie marks,” Scootaloo pointed out.

“And our crusade to be detectives didn’t turn out so well,” reminded Sweetie Belle.

“Yes, yes, Ah know,” Apple Bloom said with slight exasperation. “But we’re still the Cutie Mark Crusaders and we've got a job to do! So let’s get goin’!”

“Cutie Mark Crusaders Detectives, ho!” the trio of teenagers cheered as they ran off with enthusiasm to find their missing teacher. As they ran the path away from the schoolhouse, the three nearly collided into each other as Scootaloo came to a sudden stop.

“Wait a minute!” she called out. “Where are we running to? I mean where should we start?”

“Oh yeah, ummmm…” the white Unicorn thought for a moment. “Oh! At Ms. Cheerilee’s house, of course!”

“Alright then, let’s give this another try,” Apple Bloom said as they began the charge again.

“Cutie Mark Crusaders Detectives, ho!” With a destination in mind, the three ran down the street to Cheerilee’s house. When they arrived at the small residence, nopony answered the door when they knocked.

“Ms. Cheerilee?” Apple Bloom called as she knocked. She waited a moment or two before she tried again. “Ms. Cheerilee? Are you home?” The girls waited for an answer, but none came.

“I don’t think she’s home, Apple Bloom,” Sweetie Belle said to her friend.

“And can’t see any sign of her from here,” Scootaloo announced as she gazed into a nearby window.

“Scootaloo, you shouldn’t be peeping through other ponies’ windows like that!” scolded Sweetie Belle.

“It’s okay, we’re detectives remember?” the Pegasus brushed her comment off with a nonchalant wave of a hoof and leaned in closer to the glass to get a better look.

“Alright, let’s check all the windows, but be quick about it,” Apple Bloom said to her friends in a hushed tone. “Ah don’t want anypony thinkin’ we’re Peeping Toms.”

The three ran around the house, peering into every window, but didn’t see their educator. They met back in front of the house to discuss their next plan of action.

“So now what?” Scootaloo impatiently asked.

“Whenever I lose something, I retrace my steps until I find it,” Sweetie Belle told them.

“So then, we should retrace Ms. Cheerilee’s steps,” concluded Apple Bloom. “We know she had to walk down this road to get from her home to school, we just have to keep our eyes opened for clues.” 

The three headed back down the road in the direction of the schoolhouse. As they did so, they inspected every stone on the road in search for any sign of Cheerilee. As they passed by the stores that were near Cheerilee’s house, they asked everypony they met if they had seen the dark pink mare.

“Thanks anyways,” Scootaloo said halfheartedly to a stallion as he was walking away. “Let us know if…” 

Suddenly, she heard the high pitched scream of Sweetie Belle and turned around to see her friend standing by an alleyway. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo ran to their partner and saw that her eyes were wide with terror and she was pointing down the alley with her front hoof. The two followed the hoof and saw the body of their beloved teacher lying on the ground.

“Ms. Cheerilee!” they all cried out and then ran to fallen mare. They cautiously approached the body and saw that her coat was matted and her mane was a mess from last night’s storm. She was lying so still that the three instantly thought the worse.

“Is…Is she...” Sweetie Belle asked as tears ran down her face.

“Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh…” Scootaloo kept saying over and over to herself as she nearly hyperventilated.

“M-Ms. Cheerile?” Apple Bloom nervously asked as she carefully leaned in closer to their teacher. To the young Earth Pony’s relief, she saw that the adult mare was still breathing. However, it was labored and raspy sounding. “She’s alive!”

Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle exhaled the breath that they were holding in anticipation at Apple Bloom’s announcement, but remained on edge. As they looked down at the teacher, they noticed something on her neck that looked like two spider bites.

“What’s wrong with her? What is that on her neck?” Sweetie Belle asked, her eyes still wet with tears.

“Ah don’t know,” Apple Bloom confessed as she continued to watch Cheerilee’s chest slowly rise and fall with each strained breath. “But she needs help. Scootaloo, go find help.”

“On it!” the young Pegasus announced as she ran out of the alley and into the street. She looked around for an adult, but the few that they had seen before had already moved on. She considered knocking a nearby store’s door, but she saw Twilight Sparkle and Spike walking in her direction. As she ran towards the alicorn and dragon she called out, “Twilight!”

“Oh, good morning, Scootaloo,” the lavender mare greeted. “Spike and I were shopping for supplies when we heard that Cheerilee wasn’t at the school. Is everything…”

“Come quick!” Scootaloo interrupted her. “It’s Cheerilee! She needs help!”

Twilight Sparkle and Spike ran as they followed the teenager back to the alleyway where they found Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle standing by the unconscious Cheerilee with worried looks. The Alicorn knelt down to the Earth Pony and gently tried to rouse her.

“Cheerilee? Cheerilee, can you hear me?” the princess asked as she gently shook the dark pink mare. Cheerilee’s only response was an incoherent collection of mumbles. Frowning with concern, Twilight Sparkle looked from the teacher to the dragon standing behind her. “Spike, I need you to carry Cheerilee to the hospital. I’ll run over to the school and tell any remaining students to go home. I’ll meet you at the hospital immediately afterwards.”

“Right,” Spike confirmed as his adoptive mother ran towards the schoolhouse. He carefully slid a arm underneath Cheerilee’s head and another underneath her lower back as he lifted her from the ground. As he cradled the unconscious mare in his arms, he looked down at her and saw something very peculiar. On her neck were two little marks.

“What’s wrong, Spike?” Sweetie Belle asked when she saw the bewildered look on the dragon’s face.

“I’ll tell you later. Let’s just hurry and get her to the hospital.” The three young mares followed Spike as he hurried to Ponyville Hospital. 

*****





Contrary to popular belief, the vampire, like any other night creature, can move about by day, but it is not its natural time. It becomes vulnerable, weakened, and deprived of most of its dark powers.

The lid of Dracula’s coffin creaked as it rose by itself and the body of the undead stallion defied gravity as it rose stiff as a board from lying on its back to standing on its hind legs. The dark stallion studied his surroundings as he left his coffin and stood on all four legs on the floor. Standing on either side of the vampire’s coffin were the bodies of Bedrock and Professor Dig Site. The two zombies had a blank expression on their faces, their eyes gazed lifelessly into the distance, and their mouths hung ajar as they slightly moaned. Dracula sneered at the two reanimated corpses. Zombies were not the best of minions; they were thoughtless, slow, and uncoordinated. However, they were unwaveringly loyal to their master. Dracula only assigned them with the simplest of tasks, such as standing guard or to serve as cannon fodder. 

These two will have to do for now, Dracula thought as he observed the pair of corpses that guarded his precious resting place. Or until I make more suitable replacements. Dracula left the room that contained the crates and headed upstairs to explore the rest of the building. The building was located near the outer rim of Ponyville and belonged to Professor Dig Site, or at least it used to before the professor’s untimely demise. The building served as the archeological team’s headquarters, office, and apartment. On the second floor, Dracula found Renny Field’s room and entered to find his thrall asleep in her bed.

“Renny Field, awaken,” the king vampire commanded the sleeping red Pegasus. Wearily, the mare arose from her bed and stood before her master.

“Yes master,” she said in a groggy tone. She looked around the room and noticed that sunlight was pouring in from the window and panicked. “Master! What are you doing up in the daytime!? Won’t the sunlight burn you!?”

“Calm yourself, Renny Field,” Dracula ordered. “As you can see, I am quite alright. I wish to explore this ‘Ponyville.’ If I am to reside in this hamlet, then I must find a suitable residence for one such as I.” He paused and then he gave the mare a confused look. “What do you mean by me burning in the sunlight?”

“In a lot of the movies, vampires are killed by sunlight,” Renny explained, but it only gave the vampire more questions.

“What is a ‘movie?’” he asked.

“It’s short for ‘motion picture,’” she told him, but he only raised a brow. “Um, do you know what a photograph is?”

“Yes,” he confirmed, still waiting for explanation.

“Well, a movie is a bunch of photographs projected by light onto a screen in rapid progression to create the illusion of movement along with recordings of music and sounds to tell stories.”

“Stories?”

“Yes, it’s like a play. They film actors acting out their roles and then show the movies at theaters for ponies’ entertainment.”

“Ingenious,” Dracula said, impressed. “A recorded play that can be viewed multiple times a day with the actors having to perform only once! Brilliant! My dear, would you care to join me in a day at the theater?”

“I would be honored, master,” she said amused by the ancient being’s enthusiasm.

“Now what did you mean by vampires being killed in a lot of the movies by sunlight?” Dracula asked as he escorted the mare out of the room.

*****


Spike the dragon, Princess Twilight Sparkle, and three teenaged mares sat in the waiting room of Ponyville Hospital. It has been awhile since they had brought Cheerilee in and were anxiously awaiting and news about the teacher’s condition. When the doctor walked into the waiting room, the three young mares immediately rushed him.

“How is she? Is she gonna be alright? What’s wrong with her?” they asked in rapid succession, nearly overwhelming the poor unicorn stallion wearing a white coat and glasses.

“Girls, why don’t you wait by Spike and I’ll talk to the doctor,” suggested Twilight Sparkle. Unhappy with the Alicorn’s command that disguised as a suggestion, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo return to their seats by Spike. However, they noticed that the purple dragon’s brow was furrowed with thought. As Spike thought about the marks on Cheerilee’s neck, his mind couldn’t help but jump to the conclusion that anyone who has seen a horror film would jump to. It was obvious, but it should be impossible. 

It just can’t be, Spike thought. He started to chide himself for even thinking about for how silly it seemed. They’re only legends. As he continued to think, a image flashed in his head that nearly caused the dragon’s heart to skip a beat. It was a memory; a memory from years ago when Spike traveled to a parallel world. In the image, Spike saw red eyes, a gnarled face, and a mouth filled with razor sharp fangs that thirsted for his blood. During his adventures in the land of Trotina, Spike had encountered many horrible monsters, especially in the valley of the undead. There, he had encountered monsters that Twilight had assured him were only imaginary. However, Spike now knew there were indeed foul things that did go bump in the night, for he had seen them. If they existed in the parallel world of Trotina, then that means…vampires are real, Spike thought to himself with a grim realization.

Spike turned to the trio of friends that were sitting beside them and asked, “Girls. Did you happen to notice those marks on Cheerilee’s neck?” The girls looked to each other for a moment and then nodded. “What’s the first thing that comes to your minds?”

The three gave each other unsure looks before Apple Bloom quietly said, “V-Vampire?”

“But… Rarity said that there were no such things as vampires,” Sweetie Belle meekly squeaked.

“No, Sweetie Belle,” Spike firmly corrected. “Vampires are real. One tried to have me for lunch in Trotina.” This caused Sweetie Belle to whimper in fear. Apple Bloom wrapped a comforting foreleg her unicorn friend. 

“Y-You’re just trying to scare us, Spike,” Scootaloo tried to deny, but was obviously trying to suppress her own fear. 

“If I’m right, and I hope that I’m not, you should be,” Spike told her in a serious tone.

“The doctor says that Cheerilee is going to be okay,” Twilight suddenly announced happily, causing the three young mares to nearly jump out of their seats.

“Oh, um…” Apple Bloom stammered, trying to recompose herself. “Did he say what was wrong with her?”

“He said that she’s a little sick from being outside in the rain all night. She’ll spend a few days here then she can go home,” Twilight relayed what the doctor had told her.

“But what about the marks on her neck?” Sweetie Belle asked, still shaken up after the conversation she had with Spike. “Spike says it’s a vampire bite!”

“A vampire?” Twilight skeptically asks as she gives her adopted son an unamused look. “Spike, you should know better than to scare them like that after what they’ve been through. There’s no such thing as vampires.”

“No, there is,” Spike countered.

“No, there isn’t,” the lavender Alicorn retorted. “Girls, he’s just pulling your leg. There’s no such thing as vampires.”

“No,” Spike said a little louder. “There is.”

“Spike, stop it,” Twilight scolded. “There are no such thing vampires.”

“No, there is,” Spike said while staring at Twilight Sparkle with an adamant look. “I’m dead serious about this. I’ve have seen them.” Twilight was taken back by the conviction in the dragon’s voice. As Spike continued to stare at her, she remembered the stories that Spike shared with her about Trotina. However, she was convinced that that could never happen in Equestria. 

“That was a special case; a powerful Alicorn that was possessed by an entity of pure malice wearing a cursed mask that contained the spirit of chaos created those vampires. The odds of that happening here are practically impossible,” she said to reassure her son, the three frightened teenagers, and herself.

“I hope you’re right,” Spike said, unconvinced. 

I hope I am, too, she thought as she looked at their worried faces before saying, “Come on, we should go home. Cheerilee will be fine. We’ll come visit her later.” As they left the waiting room, Twilight couldn’t help but fret over the possibility of a blood sucking fiend from beyond the grave. Don’t be silly, Twilight. I mean, it’s impossible… right?

*****


Walking out of Ponyville’s movie theater was a tall dark gray Unicorn stallion that was accompanied by a red Pegasus mare with a blond mane. The stallion wasn’t pleased. After learning about the wonder of motion pictures, he just had to see one for himself. He had also been told that vampires were a popular subject in motion pictures and wanted to see how they were portrayed.

“What was that?” Dracula said with the most disgusted tone in his voice.

“I thought the story was quite lovely,” Renny tried to defend the films merits.

“What was that?” he reiterated. “That is how my children are represented in this age? When you told me that the common belief of vampires being killed in sunlight came from motion pictures, I was insulted. But after seeing this…this…slander, I am outraged! I would rather be incinerated by the rays of the accursed sun than sparkle!”

“Well, we have a saying here, ‘it’s just a movie,’” Renny said in attempt to calm her ranting master.

“Perhaps you are right,” Dracula said as he calmed himself. The pair the left the theater and headed down the streets of Ponyville. “However, I must say that I am indeed impressed with the art of motion pictures. I just hope that the acting is better in others. I must say that is the worst acting I have ever seen.”

As Dracula walked down one street with Renny Field, Spike, along with Twilight and the three former Cutie Mark Crusaders, happened to pass unseen behind them down another street. However, Spike happened to overhear the last sentence that Dracula said to Renny and said over his shoulder as they went around the corner, “You’ve got that right.”

Dracula smirked with satisfaction as whoever it was agreed with him. 

> Unwelcomed Guests
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	“Vampires?” Rarity asked skeptically. “Honestly, Sweetie, do you really believe that?”

“I’m telling you, that’s what it looked like!” Sweetie Belle whined as she tried to convince her elder sister of what she saw.

“And I’m telling you, dear; Cheerilee wasn’t attacked by a vampire,” Rarity refuted, not even looking away from her current project. “Just because she had marks on her neck, it doesn’t mean they were made by a vampire. Maybe she was bitten by a venomous spider. It was probably just a coincidence.”

“But Spike said…” the younger white Unicorn tried to say, but her sister stopped her before she could continued.

“Yes, yes, I know what Spike said, but what are the chances of a vampire being here in Ponyville, let alone all of Equestria.” Rarity looked over her shoulder at her baby sister to see her looking down at the floor of the boutique with a troubled look on her face. Seeing her sister so distressed, the violet maned mare was filled with concern and empathy and left her work to walk over and comfort her younger sibling. “I’m sure that everything will be alright. The doctors did say that Cheerilee is going to be alright and that she can leave the hospital in a few days and Twilight did say that she will substitute for Cheerilee while she is in the hospital. Won’t that be fun? Why, you are going to be taught by the Princess of Friendship!”

Her spirits being raised, Sweetie Belle giggled and said, “Yeah, but she still doesn’t want anypony to treat her like one, though.”

“Ah, yes. She is the ever humble scholar and librarian, isn’t she?” Rarity agreed with an amused giggle of her own. Twilight Sparkle was never the one to flaunt her title about, unlike Prince Blueblood. “Trust me, darling. There is nothing to fear and there is certainly isn’t a vampire in Ponyville.” At that moment, a bell chimed as the door to Carousel Boutique opened and a gray Unicorn with a black mane and goatee entered the store followed by a red Pegasus. Seeing that she had customers, Rarity turned to the pair and recited her practiced welcome, “Welcome to Carousel Boutique, where every garment is chic, unique, and magnifique.”

“Good afternoon,” the dark stallion replied with a polite bow of the head. Rarity noted his manners and dignified tone of voice, which had a unique accent, and instantly knew this was a pony of class. “I have recently arrived to this charming village and I am in need of clothing suitable of one such as myself.” 

“Oh, then come this way, my good sir. Step in front of this mirror and I will get your measurements so I can make you a custom order,” Rarity said as she tried to lead him to a mirror, but the stallion didn’t follow her.

“That is very kind of you,” the stallion started to decline. “But I am sure that I can find something to my liking.”

“Oh, but sir, I insist!”   

“No, I would not want to trouble you. I am sure whatever you already have here will be fine.”

“Then allow me to help you to pick out a suitable wardrobe,” Rarity offered, trying to urge the stallion to step in front of a mirror. However, he was adamant not to step in front of any mirror.

“Madam, I thank you for your generosity, but I can dress myself,” the dark stallion politely declined. “Besides, I have an assistant to help me.”

“Well, if you’re sure,” Rarity said as she conceded. “Let me know if you need anything.”

“Yes, I most definitely will,” the stallion said as he and the red mare disappeared amongst the selections of clothing. 

As the pair was searching for clothing, Rarity went back to her work. She put on her red rimmed glasses that she would wear whenever she was working and faced the mannequin with an half finished ensemble. She tapped her chin with a hoof and pursed her lips as she pondered on what the outfit needed. Inspiration struck and she immediately levitated her needle with magic and went to work. Unfortunately, she found that she was running low on one of the certain fabrics that she needed. “Sweetie Belle, would you be a dear and fetch me some more cerulean fabric from upstairs?”

“The what fabric?” Sweetie Belle asked in confusion as she titled her head to the side.

“This one,” Rarity said as she held it out in front of her.

“Oh, the blue one. Why didn’t you say so?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“Not blue; cerulean,” Rarity corrected.

“Yeah, like I said, the blue one,” she said as she headed upstairs. Rarity rolled her eyes at her sister’s ignorance of the different shades of colors. She was about to return to her work, but the doorbell chimed again.




“Welcome to Carousel Boutique, where every…” Rarity stopped and gasped as soon as she turned around and saw the horrible sight before her. There was a Unicorn stallion with a red coat and a deep purple mane that was slicked back. His eyes were yellow and his cutie mark was of a golden scepter. He wore a pinstriped navy jacket and had a look of superiority on his face. Behind him was an entourage of well dressed and groomed ponies. Rarity knew who he was, and it made her blood boil at the sight of him. 

“Hello, Rarity,” greeted the fancy pony. “It’s been too long.”

“N’Mighty,” she addressed him with an almost growl.

“That’s Count High N’Mighty, if you don’t mind,” the count told her in a faux Trottingham accent that many of the Canterlot elite seemed to imitate.

“What are you doing here?” questioned the dressmaker while standing as if she was ready to attack him at any moment.

“I was on my way to Las Pegasus,” N’Mighty explained. “You see, I have just purchased a diamond mine in the San Palomino Desert and I have invited some of my friends to join me in a little excursion to inspect the mine and to enjoy ourselves at the resort.”

“But what are you doing here?” the white mare reiterated. 

“Oh, since we don’t leave until tomorrow, I just wanted to drop by and say hello to an old friend while I was in town and share with her the good news,” he said with a gloating grin.

“We are not friends,” she told him icily.

“Ah yes, that unfortunate encounter all those years ago,” he said with feigned regret as he held a foreleg over his forehead in an overly dramatic pose. “I have always regretted it and remember you as the one who got away.” A smug grin appeared on his face as he looked again at Rarity. “However, I am willing forgive you and let bygones be bygones.”

“You forgive me!?” Rarity cried out, shock by the gall of the count. A few years ago, Count High N’Mighty invited her to his estate in order to get to know her. Rarity had thought she had finally found her “Prince Charming,” but instead discovered that he was only interested in satisfying his lustful tastes and tried to take advantage of her. Their courtship, which only lasted for a few hours, ended with her slapping him and storming back to her home. “You forgive me!? How dare you! If anypony should be apologizing, it should be you apologizing to me!”

“I think not,” N’Mighty countered. “After all, you were the one who struck me. I offered you chance to escape this…” He stopped to wave a hoof around with a contemptuous sneer. “This… backwater town of uncouth yokels and how do you thank me; with an uncalled for and brutish assault.”  

The pompous pony’s collection of cohorts gasped in shock and one of the mares cried out, “My word, how uncivilized!” Rarity’s face flushed red, not with embarrassment but with rage.

“But I am beyond such pettiness as holding a grudge…” N’Mighty announced in an air of superiority, which once again regressed into look of smugness. “…Unlike somepony. Being the generous pony that I am, I am willing to offer you another chance to be at my side. Surely, you would not refuse me the honor of having the most beautiful mare in all of Equestria as my bride. What do you say my dear? I am giving you the chance to be ‘Countess N’Mighty.’ It would be a shame to keep a lovely rose surrounded by a bunch of weeds.”

“I am quite happy where I am now, thank you very much,” Rarity rejected as she turned away from the arrogant aristocrat. “Besides, I am already in a relationship with someone wonderful.”

“Oh, you mean the dragon?” N’Mighty spat in disgust. Rarity snapped her head around to see the group of Canterlot ponies gazing at her with disapproving and judging stares. “So the rumors are true; you are in love with a monster.”

“Now see here!” Rarity raised her voice in defense of her special somedragon. “You may insult me, but I will not tolerate you insulting Spike!”

“Spike?” one of the ponies questioned. “Isn’t that adorable? She actually has a name for the beast.”   

“How quaint,” another mare laughed. “I once had a pet dog named ‘Spike.’”

“I think it’s quite sad, actually,” N’Mighty sighed as he shook his head. “She couldn’t find a real stallion after me, so she found an animal instead. How pathetic. How truly pathetic and abominable.” 

“He is more of a gentlecolt than you will ever hope to be!” Rarity passionately declared. N’mighty laughed loudly at Rarity claim as it was the funniest joke he had ever heard.

“Oh, that is too rich,” he said after catching his breath. “How deluded can you pony be? A dragon being more of a gentlecolt than me, how preposterous!” The count again started to laugh mockingly at the fashionista and his peers joined him. It was the laugh that only rich ponies have; that nasally condescending laugh that irritates anyone who listens to it. Rarity hung her head and closed her eyes as fury became sorrow. Tears escaped from her closed eyes and fell to the floor of the boutique.




“That is quite enough,” a dark voice echoed from behind the cluster of bigoted ponies. Count High N’Mighty and his posse jumped at the menacing sounding voice and turned around to see the gray Unicorn that had entered Rarity’s store before they had arrived. He was now dressed in a jacket, a dress shirt, an ascot tie, and a cape that were all black. With the dark colors of his coat and mane, the black clothing made him look as though as if he were a living shadow. The only bit of color on him was his glaring ice blue eyes, which chilled the ponies to their cores. Rarity thought only Fluttershy knew how to use “the Stare,” but this stallion was doing his own version of it. However, Fluttershy’s was more of that of scolding mother’s disapproving look. His was that of a warrior challenging an opponent to mortal combat. “How dare you?” As he approached Count High N’Mighty, the group of social climbing snobs hid behind their leader. “How dare you insult her, you detestable cur?”

Recovering from his initial shock, High N’Nighty’s face contorted in anger as this unknown pony dared to call him a ‘detestable cur.’ Trying to take the high ground in the verbal battle, the red Unicorn puffed out his chest and retorted, “How dare you, sir? Do you know who I am? I am Count High N’Mighty! Nopony addresses me in such a disrespectful tone! Who do you think you are!? I ought to have you whipped for your insolence!”

“Silence,” the mysterious stallion said forcefully, causing the noble to close his yapping mouth. Even though N’Mighty was shouting, the dark Unicorn’s words had more power behind them. “You came to this town and entered this fine lady’s store out of spite to berate and dishonor her with your calumny. She saw past your façade and saw you for the loathsome insect that you are. You tempt mares with promises of wealth and titles in order to seduce them. This is what passes as nobility in Canterlot these days? Where is the chivalry of the days of old? Where are the valiant knights, the respectable lords, and the gracious nobles that have been replaced by these vain usurpers?  Now that is what is truly pathetic. You are not worthy of the title that you bare. Leave now, you miserable worms.” 

The well groomed ponies that were cowering behind Count High N’Mighty quietly slunk out from behind their ringleader and left the boutique with their tails tucked and heads down looking like scolded foals. Count High N’Mighty stood where he was paralyzed by anger and by fear. He wanted to flee with the others, but his wounded pride forced him to stand his ground.

“Y-You… you insult my honor!” he said through gritted teeth.

“You have no honor. Be gone,” the dark stallion commanded. Unable to endure the piercing gaze of the dark figure before him, Count High N’Mighty left Carousel Boutique. After the Canterlot ponies had left, the stallion in the dark clothing turned to Rarity. “Are you alright, madam?”

“I’m okay,” she told him with a sniff as she wiped the tears from her eyes. Sweetie Belle, who had heard the entire confrontation while hiding out of sight in the stairwell, came running to comfort her sister.

“I’m sorry they said those things, sis,” Sweetie Belle said as she nuzzled against her distressed elder sister.

“Don’t worry about it, Sweetie Belle. It was just hot air coming from a buffoon,” Rarity told her with a sad smile and then turned to the stallion that defended her honor. “Thank you so much for standing up for me.”

“You are welcome,” he replied. “Now, about the price of these clothes.”

“Oh, of course!” Rarity exclaimed, remembering his reason for being there. “For coming to my aid, consider them as a gift.”

“I could not possibly allow that,” the stallion tried to decline.

“I insist. It would mean a lot to me,” she encouraged.

“Very well then, I must thank you, Madam Rarity,” he thanked with a nod of the head.

“It is I who must thank you, umm…” Rarity bit her lip as she thought. “Forgive me; I didn’t catch your name.”

“Permit me to introduce myself,” he started. “I am Prince Vlad of Trotsylvania.”

“Wow, a prince!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed.

“Thank you so much, Prince Vlad,” Rarity thanked.

“I am pleased to meet you, Madam Rarity and Miss Sweetie Belle. I must say, this is a lovely store,” Vlad complemented as he looked about. Noticing the stairs, he asked, “What is upstairs?”

“The rest of my house, of course,” the mare with the violet mane answered.

“You mean this is also your home?” Vlad asked with surprise.

“Why yes, many ponies here in Ponyville live in apartments above their stores,” Rarity explained.

“Yeah, like Sugarcube Corner, the library, the Quill and Sofa Store, the…” Sweetie Belle started to list off names of various stores, but Vlad wasn’t listening.

I have entered a home without being invited, he thought to himself. He recalled that Renny Field also lived above Professor Dig Site’s store. If a pony lives a place that is opened to the public, I do not need an invitation. Interesting… 

“Thank you again. And now, I must take my leave. Miss Field,” the Trotsylvanian called to the mare that had accompanied him. With one last nod of respect, the pair left the store. As they left, Sweetie Belle happened to notice the marks on Renny Field’s neck. Her heart started to race with fear as she remembered that she saw the same marks on Cheerilee’s neck.

There are no vampires in Ponyville. There are no vampires in Ponyville. There are no vampires in Ponyville, Sweetie Belle thought over and over to calm herself.    


*****

At Ponyville Castle, Twilight Sparkle and Spike were both busy doing research in the castle's library. Since the lavender Alicorn volunteered to be a substitute teacher while Cheerilee was in the hospital, she would need to plan out lessons for the next few days. She was in a bit of a rush due to the unexpected nature of Cheerilee’s absence. She had less than a day to plan out a week’s worth of teaching material and was also determined to fit in today’s lesson, not wanting the students to miss out on any opportunity to learn. She couldn’t imagine what it must be like to miss a day of school. Twilight had never missed a day of school, was never late on an assignment, and was always prepared for any test. As she thought about it, she wonders if she should have a pop quiz first thing tomorrow morning. Twilight clapped her hooves and giggled to herself in excitement. She may be a princess, but she still is a scholar at heart.

Twilight took a break from her planning and looked over to her number one assistant. She smiled when she saw that the dragon was also surrounded by pile of books. He didn’t love books as much as she did, but it made her so proud to see him so caught up in his own reading. Content, she returned to her own books.

What Twilight didn’t know was that the purple dragon was reading every book they had on the supernatural. Twilight is a pony of facts and figures and has a hard time understanding what she can’t observe. For this reason, she wasn’t inclined to believe in the possibility of a vampire being in Ponyville and had reassured him it was impossible. However, Spike wanted to be prepared. If there was a vampire here, how could he stop it? 

> The Nightclub
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	The sky over Ponyville was painted in hues of orange and purple as Celestia lowered the sun to make way for Luna’s moon. Dracula looked to the western horizon with a feeling of triumph. The Celestia’s accursed sun could no longer inhibit his dark powers and he had spent most of the afternoon visiting various stores. The undead unicorn reveled in his own cunning, for he just found a loophole and had exploited it. No longer would he need an invitation to enter a home as long they were also stores and he had entered them during business hours.   

The bakery, the clothing store, the blacksmith, the furniture store... Dracula mentally listed some of the various buildings he had gained access to. As he walked with his thrall, Renny Field, down the street, he glanced over to the side and saw a castle that was made out of a crystal tree; the castle. The crystalline tree not only served as a home for the Princess of Friendship, but as the public library. Dracula smirked to himself and wondered if he could squeeze in another location onto his list. As he approached the tree castle, he devious smile changed into a disappointed scowl as he saw the doors encased a magenta light and close.

“Is something wrong, master?” Renny asked, noticing the look on Dracula’s face.

“A minor setback,” he told her. “But no matter, there will be more time to visit more homes. In the meantime, I do need a drink. Being out in the sun all day has left me rather drained.”

“Are you going to revisit one of the houses from today? The dressmaker, perhaps?” Renny suggested.

“No, not yet,” the dark stallion thought as he thought to himself. As he pondered, he could help but to notice the low, rhythmic, thumping sound coming from a building down the street. Never in his centuries long life (or rather undeath) had he heard such a sound. He could see multiple colors flashing out from the windows of the building and ponies entering into it. “What is that?”

“That? Oh, that’s just a nightclub,” the red mare explained.

“What is the purpose of a ‘nightclub’?”

“It’s a place where ponies get together and socialize, listen to music, dance, have a few drinks, you know, stuff like that,” Renny explained.

“Have a few drinks you say?” Dracula smiled as an idea formed in his head. “Come, my dear. Let us go to this nightclub.” 

The master and servant walked away from the castle and headed to the nightclub. Inside the crystal tree, Twilight Sparkle had just finished her lesson plan for the next few days. She looked at her massive piles of papers and books and said contently, “There, that should cover it.” Spike, hearing Twilight’s statement, looked up from his book and gawked at the massive stack on the Alicorn’s desk. 

“Sweet Celestia’s technicolored mane, mom,” Spike sardonically said. “You’re only going to teach for a few days.”

“What? Do you think this isn’t enough?” she asked with honest concern as she looked back to her teaching material. Spike rolled his eyes at his mother’s over preparedness. 

“Yeah, I think that’ll be enough,” he answered dryly. 

“I just want to be prepared.”

“Yeah, prepared for the whole school year,” the dragon mutter under his breath. She had like this for as long as the young dragon could remember. Sometimes it could be a burden, especially when it crossed over into the realm of paranoia and obsession. The mare would have him make checklists in order to make checklists which they would triple check after everything was checked off. Twilight would simply say that she was being organized. Spike called it OCD. 

“So, what have you been reading about?” Twilight asked as she trotted over to Spike’s pile of books. She levitated a few up and frowned with contempt as she read the titles. “Ghost, Goblins and Ghoulish Figures... Haunts, Horrors and Hideous Creatures... the Necronomicon Ex-Mortis!? Good heavens, Spike! Why in Equestria are you reading these (where did this last one even come from)? Are you still going on about this vampire business?”

“Hey, I know what I saw,” Spike said in his defense. “And like you, I want to be ready.”

Twilight opened her mouth to argue, but the words caught in her throat. Though she didn’t want to believe in vampires, she knew her son wasn’t going to let this go without a fight. Besides, if there really was something out there that nopony had encountered before, who better to find it than her? Also, if it really a bloodsucking monster, it would be her royal duty to stop it from harming her subjects.

“Alright Spike,” she said with a sigh. “Let’s go investigate this supposed ‘vampire.’”

“Really?” Spike asked cheerfully, but then was confused. “But I thought you didn’t believe in vampires.”

“I don’t, but I know you won’t let this go until you get some answers.” The lavender Alicorn headed towards the door.

“Where are you going?”

Twilight looked back at the dragon and said, “It’s nighttime. If we’re looking for a vampire, we’re not going to find one during the day.”

“Hhmmm, good point. Let’s go.” Spike followed Twilight out the door and down the street. “Any idea on where to start looking? I mean, how do you find a vampire?”

“I don’t know,” confessed Twilight. “But we know where to start looking.”

“You mean the hospital.”

“Precisely. We’ll check to see if there’s anypony else with the same symptoms as Cheerilee,” Twilight stated.

“But aren’t visiting hours over?” Spike asked.

“They are, but we’re not visiting,” she explained. “We’re doing a royal investigation. I’m sure the doctors will be able to give us some answers.” 

“I hope you’re right,” Spike said with a double meaning.

“Me too,” Twilight agreed, also with a double meaning.




As they headed down the road towards Ponyville Hospital, they passed by the nightclub. Inside sat a dark Unicorn in dark clothing. He observed the crowd of partying ponies as he sat at a table in the corner. As he was watching, something very pink with curly hair popped out of nowhere and nearly caught him off guard. He suppressed a startled yell as he saw this pink mass had blue eyes and a large grin.

“Hi!” the pink thing, which he could now tell was an Earth Pony mare, greeted him happily.

“Good evening,” he said cautiously as he wondered how she managed to sneak up on him like that.

“I’m Pinkie Pie! What’s your name?” she asked with an expectant grin.

“I am Vlad, Prince of...” Dracula started, but stopped when the pink mare got even closer to his face.

“Nice to meet you Vlad!” she greeted once again and then proceeded to ramble off at a hundred miles per hour. “I saw you come into Sugarcube Corner earlier yesterday with Renny, but you didn’t buy anything, but then I realized that you must be new to Ponyville, because I figured that Renny must be showing you around, and also I’ve never seen you here before, and I know everypony in Ponyville, because I’m friends with everypony.”

Dear Luna, there are things worse than death, Dracula thought to himself as he listened to this pink nightmare continue her assault of words that never seemed to end.

“I’m here tonight with one of my best friends, Rainbow Dash, over there,” Pinkie said as she pointed over to another table where a sky blue Pegasus mare with a mane to match her name sat. “You see, she had a busy day and really needed something to cheer her up. First, she had to deal with that wild storm yesterday, and then had to report it Cloudsdale, which was nothing more than a ‘who’s to blame for letting a huge storm loose over Ponyville’ game, and then get to the Wonderbolts training exercises on time.”

“Yes, well I think you should go and be with your friend, don’t you think?” Dracula asked in hopes to be rid of the chatterbox. “After all, she is the one who needs to be cheered up.”

“You’re right!” Pinkie agreed with a large grin. “I just wanted to say ‘hi’ to the new pony in town!” In a flash of pink, the mare was gone and Dracula was mercifully alone. As Pinkie left, Renny Field came to the table carrying two mugs of apple cider.  

“I’ve brought you some cider,” Renny said as she placed a mug on the table in front of her master.

“I never drink... cider,” he said as he declined the beverage. Renny shrugged and took the drink for herself. At least she wouldn’t have to get up for a refill. Dracula glanced back to the dance floor. It astounded the ancient stallion that whatever those strange motions those ponies were doing with their limbs and bodies passed as “dancing” in this age. However, he must admit that he was impressed by how much technology had advanced. Machines could now be used to produce lights and record sounds. Before, an entire orchestra or choir had to be assembled for a performance. Now, the music is being control by single pony known as a “DJ.”

Speaking of “DJ,” a certain young Unicorn mare with an electric blue mane just caught the eye of a certain Prince of Darkness. A grin appeared on Dracula’s face as he just found something he was thirsty for. He stood up, turned to Renny, and said, “My dear, do not wait up for me. I will see you back at your home.”

Dracula made his way across the nightclub to his potential prey. As he approached the mare, he wondered why a pony would wear colored spectacles. Perhaps they were to lessen the glare from the sun? If that is the case, then why would she be wearing them at night and indoors? The colored lights from the stage are not that bright. In fact, the lighting in the room is surprisingly dim. It must be the fashion of time. Regardless, she is a decent candidate to join my family. She seems to have an appreciation of the night. Why else would she choose the life of a ‘DJ?’ From what I have been told, these festivities can last all night.

“Alright everypony,” the mare with the shades announced over the microphone. “I’m gonna take a quick break, but don’t nopony go nowhere.”

This is going to be easier than I thought, Dracula thought to himself amused. He watched as the mare went off to the side and pulled out a bottle of water out from a cooler. As she took a drink from the bottle, a dark figure appeared before her. “I must say, you are very talented.”

“Talented? Well thanks,” she said as she took the compliment. “My friend, Octavia, says it’s nothing but noise. But, what does she know? Well, besides being an accomplished cellist in the Canterlot Orchestra.” 

“About music, I would imagine quite a lot then.”

“Ha, yeah,” the DJ agreed with a chuckle. “I’m DJ PON-3.”

“That... is an unusual name,” Dracula said cautiously.

“That’s my stage name,” she explained.

“What is your real name?”

“It’s Vinyl. Vinyl Scratch.”

“That is a relief. I could not imagine a parent naming their child DJ PON-3.”

“Ya know, you’re kinda funny,” she laughed before taking another drink from her water bottle.

“I will take that as a compliment,” Dracula said with a slight nod. “I am Vlad.”

“Enjoying the night life, Vlad?”

“I always do.”

“Me too. I don’t know, but it seems like I was born to do this. Sleep all day and party all night long! Who could ask for more?”

“Indeed,” Dracula agreed as his grin grew every second. He had heard exactly what he wanted to hear. “Why do you wear those spectacles, may I ask?”

“What, these?” Vinyl asked as she slid her sunglasses to her forehead, revealing her rose colored eyes. “I dunno. They look good, I guess.”

“It would be a shame for a lovely mare with such beautiful eyes, like yourself, to hide them from the world,” he told her as he gazed into her eyes.

“...Beautiful?” Vinyl mumbled with a goofy smile as her mind started to cloud over.

“Yes,” he whispered as his eyes glowed icy blue. “Follow me.”

With her eyes locked on to the glowing ones before her, she obediently followed the dark unicorn through the back door of the nightclub and into the alleyway. Under the vampire’s power, Vinyl Scratch back up against the wall of the alley as Dracula stood over her, mesmerizing her with his hypnotic eyes.

“You can see the beauty of the night,” he told her in a voice that she seemed to hear with her ears and also in her head. “I can give it to you. Never again will you have to be a slave to Celestia and her wretched sun. You will be free to make the night your dominion and relish in immortality. As you said, you will be able to sleep all day and party all night. All you have to do is say yes.”

“Yes...” Vinyl dreamily said in trance. Dracula smiled, showing his two sharp teeth, and titled Vinyl’s head to the side, exposing her white neck. He opened his mouth and leaned towards the dazed mare, his fangs pressing against her tender neck.


*****

A few minutes ago, a group of posh ponies were sitting in the nightclub. They looked rather out of place sitting at a table in fine clothing as the other patrons danced to the exhilarating beat of the music. These Canterlot ponies sneered at the “peasants.” This music was atrocious and their dancing was uncouth and chaotic. Even the drinks they served at this club were beneath them. They preferred the fine wines and champagnes they were accustomed to having in their own parties and galas in Canterlot. However, since this was the “best” nightclub in this Podunk village, they would have to make do with the ciders that they served here. To their surprise and disappointment, the cider wasn’t even alcoholic. Apparently, the hard cider was rare and only served on special occasions. So there sat Count High N’Mighty and his posse in a nightclub in Ponyville with mugs of apple (nonalcoholic)cider after being humiliated earlier that day by some mysterious, disrespectful commoner. Things couldn’t be worse.

“Hi!” a pink mare greeted on queue. The count looked at the pink pony with disdain. “I’m Pinkie Pie!” The posh ponies didn’t respond. “You must be new here.” Again, she waited for a response, but they continued to give her the silent treatment. “Where are you from?” Again, nothing. “You must be from Canterlot, judging by your fancy clothes.” 

“Young lady,” one of the snooty mares finally spoke. “You happen to be in the presence of Count High N’Mighty.” Hearing the name of the arrogant noble, Pinkie Pie eyed him cautiously, gave him a distrustful look, and quietly walked away. There was no way she would be able to befriend a stallion so unpleasant so quickly.

While grateful the pink mare was gone, Count High N’Mighty looked back down at his mug with contempt. He wondered how he could be in such a situation. He had planned to come down to Ponyville, persuade Rarity into coming with him to the resort, seduce her, maybe even have a Las Pegasus wedding, and if he still wanted her in the morning, he would have the perfect trophy wife. If not, then he could have the marriage annulled in a heartbeat. However, that insolent peasant just had to interfere.

“Well, look who it is,” one of his cohorts said. The count looked up to see the unicorn with the goatee walk across the club. He could feel the rage building up in his chest. He might have gotten the better of him earlier, but now he will show that upstart his place.

“I think we need to remind somepony of where they belong,” he growled menacingly as he stood up to follow the dark stallion. The group watched as the Unicorn talked with DJ and then went out back with her. They followed suit and as they opened the backdoor, they saw the black maned stallion embracing the mare.


*****

Hearing the backdoor open, Dracula looked up from his almost victim and saw the same foolish count from earlier. 

“Well, well,” the count with the slicked back purple mane said mockingly. “I hope we’re not interrupting.”

“As a matter of fact...” Dracula said with an annoyed growl. “I was not able to begin.”

“Oh, I’m sorry for ruining the moment with your marefriend,” N’Mighty continued to mock. “But you and I have unfinished business.”

“I have nothing else to say to you,” Dracula stated impatiently. “Now, if you will excuse us.” Dracula started to lead the enthralled Vinyl Scratch away, but some of N’Mighty’s stallions blocked their way.

“You’re not going anywhere,” the count declared as he took out a hoofglove from his pocket and approached the undead stallion. “You, sir, have insulted my honor. I challenge you to a duel.” A loud smack echoed throughout the alley as N’Mighty slapped Dracula in the face with the white glove. It didn’t hurt the vampire in the slightest, but it did succeed in rousing his legendary rage.

“Very well,” Dracula said calmly with a patient look on his face. “I accept.”

In an instant, all of Count High N’Mighty’s worse nightmares were put to shame as he saw the face before him twist and contort. Cheekbones and brow lines protruded and blue eyes became black and red as they sunk in. The mouth opened to reveal the maw of a ravenous beast and Count High N’Mighty didn’t even have time to scream as those dragon teeth pierced his neck. The posh ponies gasped in terror as they watched their leader gargle his own blood as the monster drained the life out of him. The count fell to the floor dead as the fiend turned towards them, blood dripping his fangs and his eyes glowing red. They screamed and turned to flee, but found themselves lost in a fog that seemed to have come out of nowhere. A dark laugh filled the alley and the panicked ponies looked around hopelessly. One by one, they would hear another pony cry out in agony followed by the awful sound of that thing feeding.

Eventually, the fog lifted and Vinyl Scratch found herself standing in the alley behind the nightclub. She shook her head as a wave of dizziness passed. “Wha...? What happened?” she mumbled as she held a hoof to her head as she returned to her sense. She looked around and her heart nearly jumped into her throat as she looked around and saw the carnage before her. Well dressed ponies lay dead on the ground in puddles of blood with their throats torn out and expressions of terror on their face. Vinyl hyperventilated and then screamed at the top of her lungs before passing out from fright. On the rooftops above the alley, Dracula looked down at Vinyl with regret. 

I suppose you will have to wait for another night, he thought. After such a feast, he didn’t know if he could drink another drop of blood that night. I would not want to start what I could not finish. The vampire then vanished into the night without a trace. Vinyl Scratch laid on unconscious on the ground, unaware of how lucky she was.

> Escalation
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	“Thank you doctor,” Twilight said to the Unicorn in the white coat. 

“You’re welcome. Let me know if you need anything else, your highness,” he said with a bow before walking away to return to his work. Twilight inwardly groan at being called “your highness.” She had known the ponies of Ponyville for years. Before her accession, she was just another citizen of the small town. She worked, played, and laughed with these ponies like any other normal pony would. But things were different ever since she became an Alicorn princess. The ponies would bow in her presence, call her by overly fancy titles, and some even seemed afraid of her. At least the other Elements of Harmony bearers and Spike still treated her the same as they did before. However, she tried to avoid meeting with the aristocracy of Canterlot as much as possible. For the most part, they were nothing but a bunch of scheming, brown-nosing, social climbing, self-promoters. She hadn’t noticed it before, but now could see the polite smile that Princess Celestia would wear on her face during her royal court was nothing but a mask. How she could stand to listen to their annoying whining and bickering for centuries was beyond her.

“Alright Spike, are you satisfied now?” she asked the dragon as they headed toward the hospital’s exit. The doctor reassured them that there was nothing wrong with Cheerilee other than the fact she seemed a little anemic. When they asked if there were any other patients with the same symptoms as her, the doctor showed them the train conductor named All Aboard. He had come in the day before and he also had strange marks on his neck, but the doctor dismissed it as a coincidence. 

“Not really,” Spike answered. “But I guess there’s no other way to prove it.”

“Perhaps it’s all just an influence from the movie,” Twilight suggested. “I mean, we all had vampires freshly on our minds.”

“Maybe.” Spike then smiled and shook his head. “Maybe it was all in our heads.”

“Our heads? Don’t you mean yours?” Twilight teasingly accused the young dragon.

“Oh come on! You see somepony passed out with two marks on their neck. What’s the first idea that pops in your head?”

Twilight giggled at her son’s justification and stated, “Well, you certainly didn’t help by getting Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, and Apple Bloom all riled up like that.”

“Whatever,” he said with a roll of his eyes. “At least I was trying to be prepared.”

“While that was responsible of you, you should always try to find a rational explanation first before jumping to conclusions,” she lectured.

“Oh yeah, like the time you wildly accused the mare your brother was marrying of being evil and was casting spells on him?” Spike sarcastically countered.

“That was different,” Twilight defended herself with an embarrassed blush. “Besides, it turns out I was right all along!” Spike gave her a deadpan look and she suddenly knew what he was driving at. “Oh...”

“Yeah, that’s how I feel.”

“Okay, okay, I get your point,” she conceded. “But it’s over now. The doctor said that they’re going to be fine and there is nothing to worry about. We can all relax.” She took in a deep breath and prompted Spike to join her in the breathing exercise that Cadance taught Twilight to help her relax. Spike inhaled and then they exhaled as they moved a limb away from their chests. “Feel better now?”

“Yeah, I guess so,” he told her as they headed down the street. “I’m going to check up with Rarity and let her and Sweetie Belle know everything is going to be okay.”

“Alright, I’ll see you back home,” she said to her son. Her motherly instincts kicked in and forced her to call to him as he walked away, “Just don’t be out too late.”

“Yeah, sure thing Mom,” he called back. No matter how many times she heard him call her that, it always made her “squee.”

When Spike arrived at Carousel Boutique, he knocked on the door and waited for Rarity to answer.

“Coming!” he heard her angelic voice call out in a singsong tone. In a moment, the door opened and the white Unicorn appeared before the dragon and smiled when she saw it was him. “Spike! Oh, do come in. What brings you here this evening?”

“Other than wanting to see the most beautiful mare in Equestria?” he asked with a cocky smile.

“Oh, you!” she exclaimed with a blush. They shared a laugh and then Rarity led him to the sofa.

“I just wanted to let you and Sweetie Belle know that I went with Twilight to get more information about Cheerilee’s condition,” he explained as they sat down on the extremely soft sofa.

“Is that so?” she asked. “And did the doctor have anything new to say?”

“No. He said that everything was going to be okay,” Spike reported.

“Well, that’s wonderful to hear,” Rarity said with relief.

“We also checked to see if anypony else had the same symptoms as her.”

“Oh,” Rarity gave Spike a curious look. “You don’t mean those marks do you?”

Spike nodded and said, “I wanted to be sure. It turns out that there was another patient with similar marks, but the doctors brushed it off as nothing more than a coincidence and said that they were bug bites. So I guess we all can rest well knowing that there isn’t a vampire in Ponyville.”

“Well I’m glad that I can tell Sweetie Belle to relax. We certainly needed that good news after what happened this morning and this afternoon.”

“What happened this afternoon?” Spike asked in confusion.

“Oh, it was dreadful,” Rarity said as she dramatically reclined on the sofa. “A horrible monster invaded my home. It was so terrible and frightening. I didn’t know how I would ever survive.”

“Oh my gosh,” Spike exclaimed in concern. “What was it? What happened?”

“It was the... worst... possible... thing!” the violet maned unicorn declared.

“Yes, what was it? What was it?” Spike urged her to continue with growing anxiety.

“It was... Count High N’Mighty!” she declared and then draped her foreleg over her face.

“What? Him?” Spike asked, taken back with surprise. “What was he was doing here?”

“It was awful,” Rarity said as she rolled onto her belly and stared sadly at the floor. “He came with his friends to humiliate me.” As she explained to her special somedragon the encounter, her sorrow became outrage. “He even had the gall to try to seduce me! But that wasn’t the worst part! He even dared to say that our love was an abomin...” She tried to stop herself and looked over to Spike with concern. Even though he had claimed he didn’t care what other ponies thought about them being together, she knew that he had only recently came to that resolve. It was like freshly mended wound; it was still sensitive and could be easily reopened. She saw that Spike had indeed been affected by the information, but he wasn’t disheartened. Instead, Spike was furious.

“What did he call our love?” he coldly asked, already knowing the answer.

“It doesn’t matter,” she told him, trying to quell Spike’s anger. He was still young and could act impulsively at times. The last thing she wanted to happen was for her Spikey Wikey to assault a noble. That would only prove them right and Spike would be branded as a monster. “A customer came to my aide and told them off.” Despite Rarity telling him this, Spike still look angry.

“I ought to give him a piece of my mind,” Spike grumbled.

“There’s no need, darling,” she tried to reassure him. “He’s gone now. Besides, we don’t care what other ponies think about us, am I right?” Spike looked at her pleading face and repeated the calming exercise.

“Yes, you’re right,” he sighed. Rarity also sighed, happy to see that he calmed down. “So, who was it that stood up to him?”

“His name was Prince Vlad,” she told him as she smiled. “Oh, you should have seen it. He marched up to them and berated them for their behavior, claiming that they didn’t live up to the chivalry of old and that they had no honor. They then tucked tail and scurried off in shame.”

“You’re right,” Spike agreed. “I wish I had seen that. This Prince Vlad sounds like an alright guy to me.” A clock chimed and Spike saw how late it was getting. “I had better go. Twilight will have a fit if I’m out too late.”

“And I need to get my beauty sleep,” she added. She walked him to the door and gave him a kiss before he left. “Remember; don’t do anything rash about what N’mighty said.”

“Don’t worry,” he reassured. “I won’t let it get to me.”


*****





Back at Professor Dig Site’s house, Renny Field had just returned from partying at the nightclub. The red Pegasus wearily made her way upstairs to her room. As she was about to turn in for the night, a dark presence enter the building and materialized in her bedroom.

“Renny Field,” Dracula addressed his thrall. Renny was halfway in bed when she heard his voice and turned around to see him standing there in the middle of his room.

“Master,” she said as she got back out of bed.

“It is time for me to find a more suitable location to reside,” he told her.

“But master, we haven’t even started to look for a new place for you,” she reminded him.

“I know,” he acknowledged. “But due to collection of fools interrupting me as I was about to convert another, we must escalate our plans.”

“What happened master?”

“I was about to feed on a mare when those fools from the dressmakers challenged me to a duel,” the dark pony explained. “I decided to make them my meal instead. Needless to say, ponies will start to ask questions when their bodies are discovered.”

“Why don’t you use your necromancy to make them zombies?” Renny suggested.

“Though it is earlier than I expected, this is a part of the plan. It is time to send a message,” Dracula said with sinister sneer. “The ponies of Equestria need to know that they have reason to fear the dark. Besides, they are nobles. Sooner or later, their disappearance will not go unnoticed. I may have need of them later, but for now they will remain where they lie.”  

“But where are you going to hide?” Renny reiterated.

“I had thought about that,” he told her as he walked over to a window. Renny followed him and also looked out the window. From there, they could see the Everfree Forest bordering Ponyville to the south.

“The Everfree Forest?” Renny gulped as she asked nervously. “But it’s dangerous and full of deadly monsters!”

“And I am the worst one of them all,” the vampire proudly remind her as he grinned, baring his fangs.

“Oh, right,” Renny meekly said as she remembered that her master was an undead terror. “But still, where are you going to live?”

“Long ago, the Royal Alicorn Sisters dwelt in a castle that is now surrounded by the forest,” Dracula explained. “When Discord, the spirit of chaos, came to Equestria, one of the things he did was to cause the forest to grow wild and consume the castle. The Royal Sisters were forced to abandon their home. Even after they had defeated them, they could not reclaim their former home from the enchanted castle. That is why they built a new capital over the location where the founders of Equestria had united to repel the Windigos. Now I will take the castle as my own.”

“But the castle is lost in the forest. How will you find it?” Renny asked.

“Do not forget that I used to be the Captain of the Night Guard. I had access to a lot of privileged information, including the location of the ancient castle,” Dracula explained. “Now, I need you to prepare the cart. I will have the servants haul my coffin and the other crates to the castle as I lead them through the forest under the cover of night.”

“I’ll pack my things,” Renny announced. “If I’m going to live in the Everfree Forest, then I’ll...”

“No, Renny Field,” Dracula interrupted her. “You will not be coming with me.”

“But... master...” Renny was at a loss for words. She wondered if she had displeased her master and he was abandoning her.

“I need you to remain here in Ponyville,” he told her. “I am certain investigators will come and I need you to report to me on their doings.”

“I... I understand master,” she reluctantly said, not wanting to be separated from her master. She lowered her head in a bow while she looked downcast at the floor.

“Despair not, my dear,” Dracula comforted her as he raised her head with a hoof. “Serve me well, and I shall reward you.”

“Really?” she said with renewed hope.

“Yes, when the time comes, you shall become one of my children of the night,” he promised her as he looked at the marks on her neck. He smiled to himself as he recalled that it was her blood that reawakened him. It only seemed right to him that he properly awarded her.

“Oh, thank you master,” she said as she humbly bowed again. “You’re very generous.”

“Go now and earn your reward.”

“Yes master,” she said before running often to prepare the cart. Dracula turned again to the window and gazed upon the sleeping town and then up to the moon above in the night sky.

Soon, Dracula thought. Soon I will avenge you, my love. She will pay for what she did to us. First, I will make her precious sun worshiping followers my own and then I will raise an army to bring the walls of her castle down. After she sees the ruins that her kingdom has become, the dark will finally blot out the light.  

After Renny had prepared the cart, the reanimated bodies of Dig Site and Bedrock were hitched up to the cart and the cargo was loaded on. The vampire then led the two zombies down the trail that headed towards the Everfree Forest. Though it was late at night, Dracula was cautious. His form shifted and he took the appearance of a bat that hovered just in front of the lumbering and moaning corpses.

Fluttershy was out in her yard tending some of her nocturnal animals before she retired to bed. She was finishing feeding an owl when she noticed a cart being pulled by two ponies in the distance. They were walking down the trail that went by her cottage that led into the forest. 

“Why would they possibly be going into the Everfree Forest this late at night?” she asked the owl, which hooted in response. The yellow Pegasus was confused; nopony would dare to enter the forest, especially at night. She debated with herself on whether she should say something to them. “They should know better than to enter the forest. But maybe they know what they are doing. They do seem to have supplies with them. But what if they don’t know what they’re doing? They get themselves into trouble. I should say something. But what if they get mad at me for bothering them?” 

As Fluttershy debated with herself, the cart headed closer and closer to the forest. Finally, her urge to warn the travelers overcame her social anxiety and she flew after the cart.

Almost out of sight, the bat thought. He then heard a voice calling from behind him.

“Excuse me, sirs?” Dracula turned around to see a timid yellow pony with a light pink mane approaching them. “I don’t mean to bother you, but I must warn you, the forest is very dangerous and full of monsters. You shouldn’t be going in there while it’s nighttime.” Dracula thought quickly and came up with an idea. He transformed into a shadow and reappeared behind the Pegasus mare.  

“Do not worry,” Dracula said behind Fluttershy, causing her jump at the unexpected sound. “We are quite capable of looking out for ourselves.”

“Oh!” Fluttershy exclaimed. “Forgive me, but I didn’t see you with them before. It must be your dark clothes.” As she talked, she started to feel uneasy.

“Thank you for your concern, miss...”

“I’m Fluttershy,” she timidly introduced herself. There was something about this Unicorn that she found intimidating, even though she didn’t exactly what it was. Maybe it was the way his icy blue eyes seemed to pierce her to her soul.

“Do you live in that cottage?” Dracula asked, his eyes glancing over to her home.

“Y-yes,” she squeaked.

“And what is it that you do, Madam Fluttershy?”

“I-I take care of animals.” With each passing question, she seemed to shrink lower to the ground and her voice became quieter.

“Interesting,” Dracula commented. “I also have a way with animals. That is why we are in no danger going into the forest.” Despite his calm explanation, she still trembled like a leaf. Obviously he would have to use more than words. He gazed into her eyes and said, “Do not worry, everything is fine.”

“Everything is fine,” she repeated. A strange calm overcame Fluttershy as she looked into the glowing eyes. Her fears started to leave her and she smiled at the stallion. She started to wonder why she was ever frightened by this pony. He seemed to be nice and friendly.

“Go home, Madam Fluttershy,” he encouraged her. “It is late.”

“Yes, I should go to bed,” she agreed.

“Perhaps I shall come to visit you soon.”

“Maybe we can have a cup of tea,” she suggested and then headed back to her cottage.

“Yes, I could go for a drink later,” he chuckled to himself as she walked away. He turned his attention to his slaves and they continued down the path into the forest.  As Fluttershy made it back to the cottage, she suddenly felt confused and lightheaded. She stopped, shook her head, and looked over her shoulder. The three ponies were already out of sight.

“What just happened?” she asked herself. One moment, she was scared out of her mind, and the next, she was having a pleasant conversation. She shrugged it off and went inside.

> The Crime Scene
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	The next morning in Ponyville began with a scream of terror. A mob of ponies were gathered in the streets by a certain nightclub gawking at a horrific scene of carnage. An unfortunate mare had been trotting down the road when she came across the bodies of Count High N’Mighty and his associates. Along with the dead nobles, Vinyl Scratch was found unconscious at the crime scene. Since Ponyville was a small town, the word spread quickly and most of the towns’ citizens appeared to investigate within the hour.

Twilight Sparkle, who was on her way to the schoolhouse to substitute for Cheerilee, was immediately notified. As a Princess of Equestria, it was her royal duty to resolve the situation. The Alicorn stood by the mayor as they looked at the dreadful scene. Nearly a dozen ponies, mostly unicorns, laid dead in puddles of their own blood with their throats torn out and multiple bites and slashes on the their bodies. What disturbed Twilight the most was the look of utter terror on the deceased’s faces. Their eyes were wide open and their mouths were agape in frozen screams. Whatever had happened was sudden and brutal.

“I think I’m going to be sick...” the Mayor’s aide said weakly to herself as her face turned green. Twilight didn’t say anything because she had to maintain a strong face for the frightened citizens, but she did silently agree with the poor aide.

“Officer,” Twilight addressed one the guards that had been called in to handle the situation. “Please usher the crowd away from the crime scene. We have important work to do and they don’t need to see this.” The white Pegasus in gold armor saluted and turned his attention to the crowd. Twilight looked over to the side and saw the doctor examining the body of the late Count High N’Mighty. “Doctor, do you know what could have done this?”

The brown Unicorn stallion looked up and said, “So far, I can tell that this was done by a predatory animal of some sort. My initial thought would be a manticore, but they never come into civilization. Besides, I’m not an expert on wildlife.”

“Thank you doctor,” Twilight said with a nod before heading over to Vinyl Scratch. The mare with the electric blue mane was sitting against the wall of the alley shaking with a shock blanket wrapped around her. On both sides of her were guards and they were asking her questions. However, she hadn’t spoken word since she woke up and saw the bodies surrounding her.

“Miss Scratch, please tell us what you saw,” one of the guards urged her. The DJ remained silent and continued to tremble. Twilight noticed her sunglasses were on top her head and she gazed off into the distance with an empty stare.

“Let me try,” the princess said to the questioning officers. Twilight Sparkle sat in front of the stunned mare and took her hoof in hers and gently spoke. “Vinyl.” At first, the Unicorn didn’t respond, but after her friend caressed her hoof, she slowly looked Twilight in the eye. “Vinyl, I need you to tell me what you remember.”

Vinyl Scratch looked down at the ground and after a moment quietly said, “I don’t remember much.”

“That’s okay, every little bit helps. Just tell us what you do remember,” the lavender Alicorn encouraged. 

“I remember finishing a song last night,” she slowly began. “I went to get a drink and I must have decided to get some fresh air because I somehow ended up outside. I don’t really remember leaving the club. Anyway, I ended up outside and I saw... them...” She stopped to shakily point to the dead bodies with her free hoof. “I guess I passed out because I don’t remember anything else until somepony found me this morning.”

“Thank you Vinyl,” Twilight said as she patted her hoof. She turned to the guards and asked, “Could you escort Miss Scratch to her home?” The guards nodded and helped the witness to her hooves. “If you happen to remember anything else Vinyl, be sure to let me know.” As Twilight watched the guards walk Vinyl Scratch from the alley, the mayor approached her.

“Your Highness,” the gray maned Earth Pony formally addressed Twilight. “I have been told that an investigation team has arrived.”

“Thank you Miss Mayor.” Normally, she would have told Mayor Mare to not call her “Your Highness” or the like, but she ignored it due to the severity of the situation. She followed the mayor out of the alley and saw a group of ponies waiting for her. The leader was an olive Unicorn stallion with a brown mane and a magnifying glass cutie mark. Behind him were a pink Earth Pony mare with a mint green mane and another Unicorn stallion with a gray coat and a pale blue mane. 

“Princess Twilight, Mayor” the olive stallion greeted with a slight nod of the head. His associates followed his example and also nodded to the Alicorn. “I’m Clue Finder. This is Gum Shoe and Cold Case.”

“Thank you for coming so quickly,” Mayor Mare thanked the investigator.

“So what do we have here?” asked Clue Finder.

“A supposed monster attack,” answered the mayor. “The doctor suggested a manticore, but wasn’t sure.” Hearing this, Clue Finder turned his head to Cold Case and gestured towards the dead bodies. Cold Case wordlessly acknowledged the order with a nod and went straight to work.

“Where there any witnesses?” Gum Shoe asked as Cold Case inspected the wounds on the bodies.

“Sort of. A DJ named Vinyl Scratch was found unconscious at the scene this morning,” Twilight explained.

“Has she been taken into custody?” Gum Shoe eagerly questioned. “She could be a witness or even the perpetrator!”

“Unless she’s secretly a wolfpony, I doubt she did it,” the mayor answered, dismissing the thought that a pony could do such a terrible thing.

“You never know!” responded the excitable pink mare. “It could all be an elaborate ruse to cover what she did! You might even be in on it!”

“Why, I’d never!” the spectacled mare shouted, insulted at the accusation.

“Calm down, Gum Shoe,” ordered Clue Finder. “I doubt this is part of an elaborate cover up.”

“But, remember the time...” Gum Shoe countered while pouting.

“Yes, but that didn’t involve a manticore attack.”

“It wasn’t a manticore,” Cold Case called from the alley. The group of ponies turned their attention to the gray stallion that was kneeling over Count High N’Mighty’s body. “Come here and I’ll show you.” Twilight and the mayor reluctantly followed the investigators to the grisly scene and stood around the corpse. “Take a look. This isn’t a manticore bite. One; the bite radius is too small. Two; manticores actually have multiple rows of teeth. As you can see, whatever made these only had one row.”

“What else could have done this? Timberwolves?” the mayor asked. Cold Case shook his head and continued.

“No. The bite pattern is different from a timberwolf’s,” he explained. “Also, there are usually splinters found in timberwolf bites. Does Ponyville have a history of monster attacks?”

“No, of course not!” the mayor answered.

“Well...” Twilight interjected. “I wouldn’t say that.”

“Don’t forget about the parasprites!” Pinkie Pie reminded. Everypony quickly turned around in surprised at the sudden arrival of the pink party pony. They could see the other bearers of the Elements of Harmony walking up.

“I’m sorry, this is a crime scene. You’ll have to leave,” a guard sternly barked as he blocked the girls’ way with outstretched wings.

“It’s okay, they’re with me,” Twilight covered for her friends. “These are the Elements of Harmony. Besides, she’s right about the parasprites.” The guards cleared a path and the other five mares joined twilight.

“Don’t forget about the giant timberwolf,” reminded Applejack.

“Or Cerberus,” added Fluttershy.

“Or the Ursa Minor,” Rarity also added.

“Or Nightmare Moon,” Rainbow Dash added as well.

“Alright, we get it,” the mayor said with exasperation. “Ponyville is disaster prone.”

“Well, we can rule out all of those things,” Clue Finder remarked. “Most of them could eat a pony whole. No, whatever made these bites had to be about pony sized.”

As the Elements looked at the bodies, each of them reacted differently. Pinkie’s mane nearly deflated. She had never seen anything as horrible as this. It was beyond her that something could be this mean. Fluttershy started crying and actually turned away as soon as she got a good look at the bodies. Rainbow Dash was secretly sick to her stomach and was struggling not to vomit all over the crime scene. Applejack simply covered her eyes with her hat to block out the awful sight. Rarity stood in stunned silence with her mouth agape as she looked down at N’Mighty’s mangled corpse. She remembered the encounter she had with this stuck up ponies yesterday and she remembered how angry Spike became when he had heard about it.

“Remember; don’t do anything rash about what N’mighty said.”

“Don’t worry. I won’t let it get to me.”

Rarity quickly dispelled the thought. He said that he wouldn’t do anything, so that meant he couldn’t possible have done it, right?

“To think, we were at this club last night,” Rainbow said to Pinkie.

“I remember talking to them,” Pinkie said, remembering how rude they were.

“Really?” Clue Finder said with sudden interest. “Do you remember what time it was?”

“It was just before ten,” Pinkie recalled. “I noticed they were new in town and I walked over to say ‘hi’ to them.”

“Anything else?”

“Not really. They didn’t want to talk to me, so I left them alone.”

“Did you happen to see them leave the club last night?”

“No. Dashie and I left around midnight. Come to think of it, I remember there wasn’t a DJ when we left. Vinyl must have left the music on shuffle before she left.”

“I remember that too,” the blue Pegasus chimed in. “About eleven, I went to request a song, but Vinyl wasn’t there.”

“Hhmmm,” Twilight hummed as she thought. “She said she passed out from fright when she found the bodies when she took her break.”

“That must mean the attack happened after ten and before eleven o’clock,” Clue Finder summarized. 

“Where where all of you at that time?” questioned Gum Shoe. Each pony thought about what they were doing that night. 

“Ah was already asleep by that time,” answered the farmpony. “Since Ah live on a farm, it’s early to bed and early to rise for me.” Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash could account for each other. They already explained that they were together having cider at that time inside the club.  

“I was about to turn in after feeding the nocturnal animals at my cottage by the forest,” Fluttershy reported. 

“Are you sure about the time?” Gum Shoe asked.

“Oh yes. I always feed them before going to bed by eleven o’clock.”

“And what was on the menu that night, hhmmm?” Gum Shoe asked with suspicion; get up in Fluttershy’s face. The shy Pegasus whimpered and shrank under the questioning look of the overzealous pink investigator. 

“I...I...I just feed them worms and stuff...” she stammered. “I take care of woodland critters.”

“And a bear,” Pinkie Pie added on impulse. Rainbow Dash quickly elbowed Pinkie in the side to shut her up.

“A bear you say?” Gum Shoe said with even more suspicion. “What do you feed him, hhmmm? A pony or two a day!?”

“Harry would never!” Fluttershy exclaimed in the bear’s defense. “He only eats fish. Besides he was already asleep by then.”

“Again, this was a pony sized creature,” Cold Case reminded.

“Okay, but what else do you know?” Gum Shoe asked, still not trusting the yellow Pegasus.

“Right before I went to bed, I saw three ponies heading into the Everfree forest hauling a cart.”

“That peculiar,” commented Clue Finder. “We’ll have to look into that.” 

“I was heading back to the library just before ten with Spike... no.” Twilight stopped to think about it. “Spike had gone to see Rarity and wasn’t home until closer to eleven.”

“That’s right,” Rarity confirmed. “He dropped by my house just before ten and we talked for a little bit.”

“Who’s Spike?” Clue Finder asked the mares.

“He’s my assistant,” Twilight explained. “He lives with me at the castle. Oh, here he comes now!” Everypony looked in the direction the lavender Alicorn was pointing and saw the purple dragon headed in their direction. The investigators’ eyes widened and their jaws slightly dropped in surprise. There was a dragon living in the middle of a populated area!

“I just heard what happened,” Spike slighted panted, a sign that he had rushed over as soon as he found out about the attack. As the Elements of Harmony filled him in on the details, Clue Finder noticed the sharp claws on the dragon’s hands.

Those could make gashes like that, Clue Finder thought. Cold Case starred at the fangs poking out of the dragon’s mouth.

Those teeth are the right size and shape, Cold Case thought to himself, narrowing his eyes in suspicion.

“Where were you between ten and eleven last night?” asked Gum Shoe.

“I was at Carousel Boutique with Rarity and then I headed home to the castle,” Spike explained.

He would have passed near here then, Gum Shoe excitedly thought to herself. 

“Thank you, that will be all for now,” Clue Finder announced.

“If you have any more questions, be sure to let us know,” Twilight Sparkle told the investigation team. “In the meantime, Spike and I have a report to send to Princess Celestia. She needs to know what happened here.”

“Certainly,” Clue Finder said with a strange smile as he watched the group walk out of the alley. Once they were gone, he turned to his team. “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”

“Oh yeah!” Gum Shoe eagerly agreed.

“I don’t want to jump to conclusions, but the dragon is the prime suspect,” declared Cold Case. “I mean all of the signs point to him. The gashes and bite marks, only he could have made them.”

“He would have been at the right place at the right time,” Gum Shoe pointed out.

“All we need is a motive,” Clue Finder stated.

“A motive?” the green maned mare asked in disbelief. “He’s a dragon! That’s your motive right there. He could have got hungry and decided to have a late night snack!”

“Yes, but we should do a little more poking around first,” Clue Finder told them. “I want enough evidence to bring this dragon down. So we’ll do more interviews, especially with that Rarity. I bet we can dig up something more.”

“What about the ponies that went into the Everfree Forest?” asked the gray unicorn. “That’s highly questionable to me.”

“Right, we’ll send some guards in to check it out to be sure.” As they discussed their plans, they failed to notice the red Pegasus with a blond mane watching from the rooftops.


*****





“Vlad... Vlad...” a familiar voice called from the darkness. An image materialized and Vlad Vanguard could see a figure standing on a balcony facing way from him. It was a black Alicorn with an ethereal mane like the night sky. She turned to face him with her teal draconic eyes. She smiled seductively at him and he approached her. As he drew closer to her, her black coat became a midnight blue and her eyes became like a normal pony’s.

“Luna...” he whispered as he raised a hoof to touch her. As he reached out his hoof, she was pulled away from his reach. He ran to catch up with her, but she drew farther and farther away until she disappeared into the darkness. He then could see something shining from the point where she vanished; it was the moon. On its surface was the silhouette of the Princess of the Night.

“Help me...” he heard a pleading voice echoing from the moon. Vlad wept, helpless to do anything. A blinding light radiated from behind him and he turned to see the brilliant white figure of his enemy before him with her accursed sun rising behind her. The Alicorn was arrayed in golden armor and her eyes blazed as the sun. They were suddenly surrounded by soldiers, both her Solar Guard and those of the Night Guard that remained loyal to him.

“Vlad Vanguard!” the white Alicorn called over the battlefield to him in the Royal Canterlot voice. “Enough blood has been shed! End this pointless war!”

“Never!” he shouted back in defiance before rushing at her while armed with a sword, spear, and magic. There was a flash of blinding light followed by searing agony and Vlad Vanguard howled in pain.

Dracula awoke in his coffin. He moved the lid away and sat up to look out the window of the ruined castle. The sky was orange and he could see the last rays of the sun as it disappeared below the tree line. He felt something wet on his face and wiped it with a hoof. He looked at his hoof to see bloody tears staining it.

“A dream... It was just a dream...” Dracula rose from his coffin and looked to the two zombies that stood on either side of it. The moaned as they always did and Dracula then looked towards the direction of Ponyville. He dissolved into shadows and left the castle. It wasn’t long until he appeared in Renny Field’s room where he found his thrall waiting for him. “What news do you have?”

“As you predicted, an investigation team has arrived here in Ponyville,” she reported. “However, they believe it was the dragon that killed those ponies.” This caused the vampire to raise his brow in surprise.

“You do not mean the one that the dressmaker is in love with?”

“The same,” she confirmed.

“How unfortunate,” he said to himself. “What else?”

“Fluttershy told them that she’s saw you head into the forest, but took little notice to it. But, they do plan on sending some guards into the forest.”

“The castle is well hidden,” Dracula said with little concern. “Besides, the sun loving fools are cowards. They will not venture far into the forest. Tell me more about the investigators.”

“There were two unicorn stallions and an earth pony mare,” she reported. “Their names are Clue Finder, Cold Case, and Gum Shoe. They asked a lot of questions to the mayor and the princess...”

“Princess?” Dracula interrupted, a twinge of panic briefly filling his dead heart.

“Yes, Princess Twilight Sparkle. She was Princess Celestia’s...”

“Do not say that name!” Dracula roared in fury. Renny Field cowered in fear before her enraged master. Seeing her fear, Dracula soften his expression. “Please, continue.”

“S-She used to be her student and she was granted alicorn status a few years ago,” Renny cautiously told him. “She acts as regent over the Ponyville area.”

“Where does she live?” Dracula asked as he let the information sink in.

“The castle.” Without a word, Dracula vanished. This was a serious threat to his plan and he needed to eliminate it as soon as possible. In moments, he reappeared in front of Twilight's castle. Thankfully, the palace was still opened to the public. He opened the door and entered the tree castle.

“Just a minute please!” a feminine voice called from up stairs. A second later, Twilight Sparkle was walking down the stairs to the throne room of the castle, but she didn’t see anypony there. “Hello? Is someone there? I could have sworn I heard the door open.” Unbeknownst to her, Dracula turned invisible and was observing her. She wasn’t nearly as tall and regal as the Royal Alicorn Sisters and her magical aura, though it was impressive, wasn’t as powerful.

So, this is the Alicorn, Dracula thought, both amused and impressed at what he saw. She must be quite the mare to have ascended to Alicorn status. As he thought, he watched Twilight pace around the room. She didn’t know why, but she felt like a dark force was present. She passed by seven thrones surrounding a crest of a star burst on the floor. As soon as the undead stallion saw it, his eyes widen in terror. The power of the Elements of Harmony resided in the crest before him and he could feel their wholesome power radiating from it. Laughter, kindness, generosity, loyalty, honesty, and the magic of friendship filled the air and the vampire fled from them with revulsion. As soon as he left, Twilight immediately felt more at ease. She soon forgot about it and went back up stairs to finish her report.

> A Drink with Fluttershy
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	It wasn’t long before the dark figure of the vampire king reappeared in the apartment of Renny Field. His eyes glowed red in fury and his face was contorted with rage. The blond Pegasus cowered in her master’s presence for she feared that his wrath would be directed at her. Fortunately for her, Dracula restrained his anger and calmed himself, his face returning to normal.

“The Elements of Harmony,” the dark stallion addressed his thrall. “Tell me everything you know about them.”

“Um, well...” Renny stammered as she gathered her thoughts. “I know that Princess Twilight Sparkle and her friends are the ones who used them to save Equestria a few times.”

“Explain,” Dracula impatiently ordered. “I need to know how this is possible. They can only be used by ponies who are in harmony with each other and were connected to the Royal Alicorn Sisters, but they turned into stone when she used them against Queen Nightmare Moon and broke the harmony between them.”

“I don’t know too much about their adventures or how they found them,” Renny confessed. “But I do know that there are six of them and that each of them represent a different aspect of harmony.”

“Honesty, Kindness, Laughter, Generosity, Loyalty, and the Magic of Friendship,” Dracula listed, grimly recalling how Celestia used them on the love of his life to take her away from him. “They somehow must have represented the Elements so well that they reawakened their power. I assume Twilight Sparkle is the Element of Magic, due to her being a princess. What of the others? I need to know who they are.”

“I don’t know what Elements they represent, but I do know their names,” Renny Field reported. “There is Applejack, she an Earth Pony that works on Sweet Apple Acres. Rainbow Dash, she’s the weather pony here and a Wonderbolt. Pinkie Pie works at Sugarcube Corner.” Dracula suddenly remembered the very talkative pony he met at the nightclub the previous night. He wondered which of the Elements that she represented. “We already met Rarity. She’s the dressmaker.”

“Ah, Rarity,” Dracula said with recognition. “The one who is love with the dragon. It is a shame that she is one the Bearers. It would be dishonorable to harm her after defending her honor. Also, you told me that her love is under suspicion for my actions. Perhaps...” Dracula started to form a plan in his head on how to deal with the fashonista and the young dragon. “Never mind that for now, who is the sixth Element?”

“A Pegasus named Fluttershy.”

“Fluttershy,” Dracula repeated with amusement. He had already seen half of Elements without even realizing it. The vampire smiled with a sinister grin as he remembered his encounter with the yellow Pegasus. “Thank you, my dear. You are indeed earning your reward.”

“Really?” the thrall asked with joy. “Oh, thank you master.”

“Now, if you will excuse me, I believe I will go visit Fluttershy. After all, she did suggest that we should have a drink together.” A sinister smiled appeared on the undead unicorn’s face and he vanished, leaving a dark chuckle echoing in Renny Field’s bedroom.  


*****


“Thank you for grooming Owlowiscious’s feathers,” Spike said to Fluttershy as they sat in her cottage.

“Who?” hooted the owl as he sat perched on Spike’s scaly shoulder.

“Fluttershy, I... oh,” Spike exclaimed as he realized that he fell for the classic blunder again. The owl gave Fluttershy a knowing wink and the soft yellow mare lightly giggled at the pair’s antics.

“You’re quite welcome, Spike,” she said to her dragon friend with a smile. However, Fluttershy looked down and the smile faded into a look of worry.

“What’s wrong, Fluttershy?” Spike asked after seeing the concerned look on his friend’s face.

“It’s just that I’m so sad after what happened today,” she told him. “I know that Count High N’Mighty wasn’t a nice pony...” 

That’s an understatement, Spike wanted to say, but held his tongue. Instead, he only made a slight scoffing sound.

“...and his friends were also very rude to Rarity,” Fluttershy continued, not taking notice of Spike’s sound of contempt for the Count. “But they didn’t deserve what happened to them. Nopony does.” She was silent for a moment and then a few tears formed in her eyes.

“Fluttershy, are you alright?” Spike asked, seeing her tears. Fluttershy only teared up more and nodded her head as she made an unintelligible response. Spike quickly moved from the armchair to sofa to wrap a comforting arm around the whimpering mare. In the safety of the dragon’s embrace, Fluttershy buried her face into Spike’s chest and let her tears fall freely. Sympathetically, Spike stroked her mane and patted her back as he let his friend let it all out.

“I-I’m sorry, Spike,” she apologized between sobs. “It’s just...after what happened to Cheerilee... and what could have happened... to Vinyl... I-I just couldn’t imagine what I would do if... if I lost one of my friends...” Spike patiently continued to hold Fluttershy as she cried even harder as she thought about the possibility of losing even one of her friends. Before Twilight Sparkle and Spike moved to Ponyville from Canterlot, she didn’t have many friends. Sure, she had her animals that she took care of, but she was too shy and introverted to make many pony friends. Of course she had known Rainbow Dash since they were fillies and she had met the others when she moved to Ponyville, but they didn’t become best friends until that fateful night all those years ago. After crying for a few minutes, Fluttershy finally regained her composure. She sniffled and she wiped the tears from her face.

“Are you okay now?” Spike asked as Fluttershy sat up straight again.

“Yes, I’m going to be alright,” she told him. “I’m sorry for crying on you like that.”

“Don’t worry about it,” he reassured her. “What are friends for?”

“Thank you,” she said to him gratefully. 

“You’re welcome.” Owlowiscious hooted and Spike looked up to the owl and then the clock. “Well, I have better be going. I have other errands to run for Twilight.”

“And I had better get ready as well,” Fluttershy replied. “Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo are coming over for a sleepover soon.”

“See you later, Fluttershy,” the purple dragon said as he headed out the door.

“Who,” Owlowiscious hooted as a farewell.

“Good night you two,” she said with a smile as she waved to the pair as they walked down the path that headed back to Ponyville. A high pitched whistle came from the kitchen and she let out a surprised “Oh!” She hurried to the kitchen and saw steam coming from the teapot on the stove. Before Spike had come over to pick up Owlowiscious, she had started to make tea for the girls for the sleepover. The former Cutie Mark Crusaders often came over for their slumber parties after they had bonded with the animal caretaker when they were still little fillies. Fluttershy chuckled to herself as she recalled the mischief the three got themselves into during that first sleepover.




There was a knock on the door and Fluttershy turned to Angel, who was standing on the counter, and asked, “Could you answer the door for me? I bet that’s the girls.” The rabbit nodded happily and jumped off the counter and hopped to the front door as the Pegasus finished preparing the tea. Fluttershy heard the door open and then suddenly slam as she carried the tea set from the kitchen to the living room. “Angel! You know better than to slam the door shut in ponies’ faces,” she scolded as she set down the tea set on the coffee table, but then she noticed the rabbit was braced up against the door with a terrified look on his face. It was as though he was desperately trying to keep something horrible out. She was a little concerned, but she decided that she should see what was going on. She tried to scoot Angel out of the way, but the rabbit protested and vigorously shook his head. Fluttershy cautiously opened the door and saw the tall dark figure of the stallion with the piercing blue eyes she had met the night before.

“Good evening, Madame Fluttershy,” the mysterious stallion greeted in a cool collected voice.

“Oh, it’s you,” Fluttershy said with recognition. “It’s nice to see you again.”

“Indeed,” the towering unicorn agreed. “I was hoping that we could have a drink. I hope that this is not a bad time.”

“Oh, no. Not at all,” she told him. “I just made some tea. Would you care for some?” Angel Bunny pounded at Fluttershy’s leg and hopped up and down, trying to dissuade his caretaker from inviting the dark unicorn to enter the cottage.

“I would love to have a drink,” he answered, but made no sign of entering.

“Angel, don’t be rude,” Fluttershy told the rabbit as she looked down. As she looked away from the visitor, his eyes glowed red and the rabbit’s body immediately seized up and he turned about face and marched out of the living room. “I’m sorry about that, please come in.” As the yellow mare turned to walk to the sofa, the stallion smiled deviously as he walked through the threshold of the cottage and the door closed behind him by itself. Fluttershy lifted the teapot and started to pour her guest a cup and said, “I’m sorry, but I don’t remember your name.”

“I am Vlad, Prince of Trotsylvania,” the dark unicorn answered, still standing by the door.

“Oh, really? What brings you to Ponyville?” she asked as she poured herself a cup.

“Do you believe in destiny?” Vlad asked. “That even the powers of time can be altered for a single purpose?”

“I guess so,” Fluttershy responded to the question, confused by the stallion’s cryptic statement. “So, how do you like you like your tea?”

“I never drink... tea,” he told her, suddenly standing behind her. Fluttershy gave a startled yelp and quickly turned around, not understanding how he could move so quickly. She looked up into his icy blue eyes and started to feel the same fear from the first time she had met him.

“I-Is there something else I could offer you?” she timidly asked. As she continued to look, she started to feel dizzy. Just like the other night, she found that her mind was clouding over and was being filled with a sense of euphoria. Vlad smiled and the lights in the cottage went out by themselves, leaving both ponies in the dark with the only sources of light being the moonlight coming in from the windows and his glowing blue eyes.

“Yes...” he whispered. He stepped forward as she lay down on the couch, a drunken smile on her face. “Your precious blood.” He leaned over her reclining form and opened his mouth, revealing two pointed fangs. Fluttershy gasped softly as his fangs punctured her throat and began to siphon blood from her body.


*****


Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo were walking down the path that led to Fluttershy’s cottage. They were carrying saddlebags that contained their overnight gear and they giggled to themselves as they merrily discussed their plans for their evening with Fluttershy.

“Maybe she’ll let us groom Angel,” suggested Apple Bloom.

“He’s so cute,” Sweetie Belle cooed at the mention of fluffy white rabbit.

“Who’s cute?” A familiar voice called from down the path. The teenaged mares looked forward and saw Spike and Owlowiscious walking in their direction. 

“Hey Spike!” Scootaloo greeted their friend. 

“Angel Bunny,” Sweetie Belle answered Spike’s question.

“Oh him,” Spike said as he rolled his eyes. Though his relationship with the rabbit wasn’t as bad as it was when he first moved to Ponyville, Spike still wasn’t particularly fond of the snooty and stuck up rabbit. “For a second there, I thought you had a coltfriend, Sweetie Belle.” The young Unicorn’s white face turn as red as a tomato and her eyes bulged out so much that Spike thought they might fall out at any moment.

“What!?” she squeaked in surprise and embarrassment. “No, I don’t have a coltfriend.”Apple Bloom and Scootaloo snickered at their friend’s expense. Sweetie Belle’s embarrassment quickly changed into irritation at the sound of friends mocking laughter. “What are you laughing at, Scootaloo? We’ve all seen how you look at Rumble.” At this, Scootaloo’s mouth sealed shut and her eyes also bugged out, a tinge of pink staining her cheeks.

“What... I... I...” the orange Pegasus stammered.

“Wow, Rumble? Really?” Spike teasingly asked.

“I-I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Scootaloo denied. 

“Oh, sure you don’t,” Sweetie Belle sarcastically remarked. “You just flutter you eyelashes and get a goofy grin every time he passes by.”

“S-shut up!” Scootaloo shouted. 

“Does Rainbow Dash know about you and Rumble?” Spike teased. Scootaloo turned white at the thought of her adoptive sister hearing that she had a crush. Apple Bloom laughed harder and harder. 

“You think that’s funny!? How about the time you kissed... mmmph!” Scootaloo couldn’t finish the sentence due to Apple Bloom’s hoof being shoved into her mouth.

“Don’t y’all even dare,” Apple Bloom coldly threatened.

“Yeah, but...” Sweetie Belle started, but the yellow Earth Pony silenced her with a menacing glare.

“Don’t y’all even dare,” Apple Bloom repeated with more force.

“Alright, alright, I was just messing with you girls,” Spike said to ease the tension. The three young mares stood side by side in awkward silence, avoiding eye contact with each other.

“So, you were at Fluttershy’s?” Sweetie Belle asked to break the silence.

“Yeah, I was picking up Owlowiscious here,” Spike confirmed, nodding over to the owl. “I guess I’ll see you three later.”

“Yeah, see you later,” the trio said as they parted ways with the dragon. What they didn’t know was that they were being watched. Hiding behind a tree was an olive Unicorn with a magnifying glass cutie mark, a gray Unicorn with a paper file cutie mark, and pink Earth Pony with hoofprints for a cutie mark. Clue Finder, Cold Case, and Gum Shoe were heading towards Fluttershy’s cottage when they noticed their number one suspect walking down the path. Not wanting the dragon realizing that they were on to him, they hid behind the tree and listened as he talked with three young mares.

“So, what do we do now?” asked Cold Case. “Do we follow the dragon?”

“No, we stick to the plan and interview Fluttershy,” answered Clue Finder. “I want to get more information about those ponies she saw going into the forest before we send the guards into it.”

“But, the dragon could be on his way to his next victim!” Gum Shoe protested.

“Or just coming from it. Come on!” The three investigators remained out of sight and followed the former Cutie Mark Crusaders to Fluttershy’s cottage. 

As Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo approached the cottage by the Everfree Forest, they noticed something peculiar; there were no lights on in the house.

“Huh, that’s strange,” Apple Bloom remarked at the strange sight. “Why are the lights off?” The three walked up to the front door and open it. Except for the moonlight coming through the doorway, the house was completely dark. The three walked inside and started looking for a lamp. As they searched, Apple Bloom eyes started to adjust to the darkness and noticed something at the sofa. She could make out the figure Fluttershy’s body and her soft yellow coat. Apparently, the mare was lying on the sofa, but there was something else. A dark mass was hovering over her and Apple Bloom could hardly hear the muffled sounds of Fluttershy gasping and moaning softly. Suddenly, the shadowy mass quickly turned around and Apple Bloom could see a pair of eyes that resembled two dark pools of blood with a fiery light shining from within them staring at her. Beneath the eyes were a set of teeth that had two fangs with blood dripping from them. The mouth of this creature was snarling at Apple Bloom and she was about to scream until those glowing red eyes locked with hers. She was instantly transfixed and stood with a dazed expression on her face. Under the shadow fiend’s power, her mind was open to it and it saw various images: apple trees, a farm, her grandmother, her brother, and her sister named... Applejack. It beast smiled with delight from the knowledge it gained and flew through the window as a cloud of mist, unseen by the other two teenagers.

“Here it is!” announced Sweetie Belle as she clicked on the Discord shaped lamp that stood on the end table. Light flooded the cottage and Apple Bloom snapped back to reality. She blinked her eyes and shook her head while trying to remember what happened and where she was.

“Hey, Fluttershy,” Scootaloo called to the Pegasus that was lying on the sofa. “Did you fall asleep on the couch or something? Fluttershy?” When Fluttershy didn’t respond, the three walked around the sofa and saw that she was unconscious, but was gasping for air with a hoof to her neck.

“Fluttershy?” Sweetie Belle nervously asked as she reached out to move Fluttershy’s hoof away. When the hoof was moved away, all three of them jumped back and gasped when they saw two puncture marks on her neck. “Are... Are those...?”

“It sure does look like it,” stated Apple Bloom with her eyes with fear.

“Just like Cheerilee,” added Scootaloo. When she had said that, all three of them looked at each other and remembered what Spike had told them. This couldn’t just be a coincidence, but it couldn’t be real. It was impossible. “What are we going to do!? What are we going to do!? What are we going to do!?” Scootaloo asked as she ran in place in a panic.

“Calm down, we gotta get help,” Apple Bloom told her, at the brink of panicking herself. Sweetie Belle stood there and started to hyperventilate. 

“Miss Fluttershy?” a voice called from outside, causing the three teenagers to scream. Soon, the three investigators appeared at the doorway. The screams caused them to rush to the cottage, think there was an emergency. “What is it!? What’s wrong!?” Clue Finder asked.

The Cutie Mark Crusaders ran up to them and Apple Bloom pointed to Fluttershy and shouted, “It’s Fluttershy! Something’s happened to her!” The investigators rushed to the sofa and inspected the unconscious Pegasus.

“We got to get her to the hospital,” declared Clue Finder. He turned to the three teenagers that were anxiously watching them and said, “I need you three to go get the princess. Tell her we’ll meet her at the hospital.” Not needing to be told twice, the three sped out of the cottage and raced to Twilight's castle. Clue Finder looked at the marks of Fluttershy’s neck. “What do you think, Cold Case?”

“They seem to be the same size and shape as the dragon’s,” analyzed the gray Unicorn with the light blue mane. “But I’ll need exact measurements to be one hundred percent sure.”

“The dragon said he was just here,” Gum Shoe added. “I think that pretty much confirms it.”

“That’ll have to wait, we got to get her to the hospital,” Clue Finder said as he carefully lifted Fluttershy on to his back with his yellow magic. “We’ll deal with the dragon later.”  

> Hide and Seek with Applejack
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	The only sound that Twilight Sparkle could hear was a heart monitor beeping as she and her friends surrounded Fluttershy’s bed. When the lavender Alicorn princess was told by a panicking Cutie Mark Crusaders that Fluttershy was being taken to the hospital, she immediately abandoned her experiment and rushed to Ponyville Hospital to be with her dear friend. The other Bearers of the Elements of Harmony were also alerted by the teenaged mares and soon joined her. Twilight looked to the window and saw the morning sun rising over the rooftops. She sighed, realizing she had been awake all night watching over her unconscious friend. Her eyes scanned the room and she observed her friends. Pinkie Pie was curled up like a dog asleep on the floor. Her pink coat was duller than usual and her normally curly mane was straight signifying that she was severely distressed. Twilight couldn’t blame her for she felt the same way. Rainbow Dash was lying in a chair, her back braced against one arm and her hind legs were hanging over the other. Her front legs were crossed over her chest and she was staring at Fluttershy with bloodshot eyes. Like Twilight, Rainbow Dash didn’t sleep at all last night. Fluttershy was one of her oldest and dearest friends. To see her like this was almost too much for her. Rarity was sitting on the floor by Fluttershy’s side, holding her hoof. She had been gently stroking her friend’s hoof until she fell asleep with her head resting against the edge of the bed. Applejack was sitting with her back in the corner of the room with her hat pulled over her eyes telling Twilight that she was also asleep.

The door opened and Twilight and Rainbow Dash’s eyes jumped to the doctor entering the room. Applejack lifted her hat from her eyes to see who it was. When she saw the doctor, she got to her hooves and joined Twilight Sparkle and Rainbow Dash at the doorway with the doctor.

“What is it, doctor?” Twilight Sparkle asked.

“She’s going to be fine,” the brown Unicorn in the white coat reassured them. The three immediately released a sigh of relief.

“But doc, why did my sister and her friends find her unconscious on her couch?” Rainbow Dash questioned impatiently. “And where did those marks come from?”

“I’m not certain,” confessed the doctor. “Two other patients have already come in with similar symptoms.”

“Cheerilee and the train conductor,” Twilight said, remembering her investigation with Spike the day before the deaths of Count High N’Mighty. “Do you think there could be a connection?”

“It is possible,” the doctor admitted. “Maybe the conductor caught a new disease at one of the train’s stops and brought it here to Ponyville. The marks could be rash caused by the sickness. Perhaps it was passed on to Cheerilee and Fluttershy. But, then again, all tests show no sign of infection or disease.” 

“How are the other two doing?” Twilight asked. By this point, their talking had wakened Pinkie Pie and Rarity and they had joined them. Rarity rubbed her neck which was sore from sleeping in an awkward position.

“They’ve regained consciousness and are getting stronger each day,” the doctor told them. “They are to be released in a few more days.”

“No,” Twilight Sparkle said with a shake of her head. “Don’t release them yet. If this is a new disease, then they need to be quarantined and put under observation. And do the same to anypony else that comes in with the same symptoms.”

“Yes, Your Highness,” the doctor complied and then left the room.

“Twilight?” a barely audible voice whispered from behind them. The five snapped their heads around and saw Fluttershy weakly opening her eyes.

“Fluttershy!” the all exclaimed with joy as they rushed to her side.

“How are you feeling, Darling?” Rarity asked as she resumed her position at the bed, holding with one hoof her friend’s and gently caressing her mane with the other.

“I feel so tired,” the yellow Pegasus quietly said. “Like all the energy was drained from my body. What happened to me?”

“We were hopin’ you could tell us that, sugar cube” Applejack told her.

“I don’t remember,” Fluttershy admitted.

“What is the last thing you remember?” Pinkie Pie asked, her mane regaining its natural curliness from seeing her friend awake and talking.   

“Spike was picking up Owlowiscious and then I was making tea for... oh!” she weakly exclaimed. “What happened to the girls? They were coming over for a sleepover.”

“They were the ones who found you and told us you were being taken to the hospital,” Rainbow Dash explained.

“Oh, I’m glad they’re okay,” Fluttershy sighed with relief. “But who brought me here?”

“I can answer that,” a voice said from the doorway. The Elements of Harmony looked to the door and saw Clue Finder, Cold Case, and Gum Shoe walking in.

“Inspector Clue Finder,” Twilight Sparkle said with recognition.

“Your Highness,” the olive unicorn greeted with a small bow of the head. “We were on our way to ask Miss Fluttershy a few questions when we saw those three young mares heading to her house. When we got there, we found them screaming and we found you out cold on your couch and then brought you here.”

“Thank you,” Fluttershy gratefully said to the investigators.

“Where were you since you brought her here?” Twilight asked them.

“The doctors wouldn’t let us in,” Cold Case explained. “I guess they let you stay past visiting hours because you’re a princess.”

“Now if you don’t mind, we have some questions,” Gum Shoe said in an interrogating voice.

“Questions? What do you want to know?” Twilight asked.

“We want to know about the ponies she saw heading into the Everfree Forest on the night of Count High N’Mighty’s murder,” Gum Shoe explained. All eyes were on Fluttershy, but unfortunately, she had fallen back to sleep, her energy spent. She looked so peaceful as she slept. She had a serene look on her face and she was breathing softly. Everypony almost “d’awwed” at the sight. “Miss Fluttershy? Miss Fluttershy!?”

“Let her rest, Gum Shoe,” Clue Finder told his subordinate. Disappointed, the bubblegum pink mare with the minty green mane huffed but said no more. “As we understand it, the dragon was the last one at the cottage before we arrived. Where can we find him?”

“Spike? I told him to stay at the castle and keep an eye on things while I was gone,” Twilight answered the question. As they were talking Cold Case went over to examine Fluttershy. He discretely pulled out a tape measure from his pack and measured the marks on her neck. He pulled a notepad and pencil out with his silvery magic and wrote a few numbers down.

“Uh huh and when would be good time to get a hold of him?” Clue Finder asked.    

“I’m certain he will be by as soon as visiting hours began,” Twilight told him. “He’ll want to see his friend if they’re in the hospital. Though, you might be able to catch him before he leaves the castle.”

“Thank you, Your Highness,” Clue Finder thanked as he and his team left. I’m sure we’ll be seeing him real soon, he thought to himself with a triumphant smirk. As they walked down the hallways of the hospital, Clue Finder turned to Cold Case. “Got the measurements?”

“You know I do,” the blue Unicorn confirmed.

“Good.”

“How do you plan on us getting the suspect’s measurements?” Cold Case asked. 

“We simply tell him to open his mouth and say ‘ah,’” Gum Shoe answered. “Once we get the measurements of his teeth, we’ll have evidence that we need. If doesn’t want to cooperate, we’ll have the guards detain him for failing to cooperate in an investigation and get them anyway.”

“He was the last one at Fluttershy house,” explained Clue Finder. “Unless something else swooped in and attacked her within the few minutes from the time he left and the time we got there, then that pretty much confirms it.”

“Yeah, but I still think we need a little more evidence,” protested Cold Case. “We should ask the townsponies about the dragon and see if he has a history of violent behavior.”

“Right, and we should interview each of those mares,” agreed Clue Finder. “I have a feeling they might have something else we can use.”

“Well, don’t we want to go back and do it right now?” questioned Gum Shoe. “We’ve got them all in one place.”

“No, we’ll wait until they go home so we can interview them one by one. For now, let them be there for their friend. In the meantime, I want you to go around and ask about the dragon. I will tell the guard to round up a search party to check the forest. I’m afraid we can’t wait any longer. Three ponies went in and we don’t know if they ever came out. Cold Case, I want you to go to the library and get the dragon’s teeth measurements. We’ll meet back at the inn.”

As the three investigators left the hospital, they went their separate ways to fulfill their respective tasks. Cold Case headed straight to the palace and knocked on the door of the castle grown from crystalline tree. It wasn’t long before the door opened and Spike was standing in the doorway.

“Hello,” the dragon greeted and then looked to the sign in the window. “The castle is opened to the public, you didn’t have to knock.”

“I know, but I prefer to knock first,” Cold Case responded.

“Fair enough. Can I help you?” Spike asked and then pointed to the hall behind him that led to the public library. “We have lots of books. Do you need one?”

“No, I’m Cold Case. I’m part of the investigation team,” he introduced himself.

“Oh right, I saw you and your partners the other day.”

“I just came from visiting Fluttershy in the hospital and I...”

“Is she alright?” Spike interrupted. “I heard something happened to her last night and I was about to go visit her.”

“She’s fine. She was resting when we were there,” the investigator explained. Cold Case pulled out his tape measure from his pack and looked at the two fangs protruding from Spike’s mouth. “Do you mind opening your mouth for a second?”

“Um... not at all. Why?” Spike asked before opening his mouth wide, revealing the sharp teeth within. The tape measure immediately went to the teeth and Cold Case quickly jotted down some notes.

“Thank you, that will be all,” Cold Case said as he packed his equipment away and left Spike standing in the doorway confused by the pony’s strange actions. Spike shrugged and went back inside to the study. He walked by the desk that had Twilight’s latest experiments on it. Various beakers, burners, books, notes, and test tubes cluttered the desktop. Rarity would call it “organized chaos.” One of the various objects was a strange metal ball with a bunch of wires and glass tubes filled with different colored liquids sticking out of it. Spike didn’t exactly know what his mother figure was working on, but as far as he could remember from her scientific rambling, it was some sort of solar energy capacitor. It was supposed to be a small model for a future solar powered generator.

Imagine, Spike thought as he looked at the strange device. Being able to have sunlight in the middle of the night. Spike looked over at Owlowiscious on his perch and said, “Hey, I’m going to the hospital to see Fluttershy. Can you keep an eye on things until Twilight and I get back?”

“Who,” the owl hooted which Spike took to mean “yes.”  

At the Ponyville Inn, the team of investigators regrouped.

“I’ve sent the guards into the forest,” announced Clue Finder.

“I’ve got the measurements of the dragon’s teeth,” Cold Case reported. “With the size of the bite radius and the shape of the teeth, it’s very likely the bites on the bodies were made by the dragon.”

“And I went around and asked some questions,” added Gum Shoe. “Apparently, the dragon went out of control and nearly destroyed the town a few years ago!”

“Alright, there’s just one last thing I want to do,” Clue Finder told his partners. “Tomorrow, we’ll interview Rarity. He was at her house on the night of the murder. We’ll find out what exactly they talked about and then we’ll go on from there.” 


*****


Late that night at Sweet Apple Acres, Apple Bloom laid in her bed tossing in turning as she slept. In her dreams, she saw two red eyes staring at her from the darkness. She could also see a set of teeth just below those fiery eyes. Blood was dripping from them and the corners of the mouth of this unseen creature curled up in a malevolent smile. The red maned teenager didn’t know why she was seeing this in her dreams. She had also seen it in her dreams last night. What she didn’t know, or rather didn’t remember, was that she had actually seen those eyes last night in Fluttershy’s cottage.

Frightened by the nightmare and unable to bare the sight of those awful eyes anymore, Apple Bloom awoke with a start. She panted as sweat rolled down her forehead. She looked around her room and saw all was as it should be and no red eyes were to be found. She laid back down and tried to fall back to sleep, but found herself unable to do so due to the adrenaline rush caused by her nightmare. After rolling around in her bed restlessly for half an hour, she let out a frustrated groan and got out of bed. If she couldn’t sleep, she might as well find something to do. She walked over to her bedroom window and opened it. She rested her chin on her forelegs as she gazed up at the starry night sky. Her gaze turned downward and she looked over her family’s farm. She could see the silos, the picket fence, and the countless apple trees in the orchard. Amongst the endless rows of apple trees, she saw two red eyes looking back at her! It was the same eyes from her dreams. Apple Bloom gasped as she stared down in terror at the eyes.

Apple Bloom, a compelling voice echoed in her head. Apple Bloom, come to me.

Apple Bloom was about to scream, but when she heard the voice in her head, her eyes glazed over and she said in a dreamy voice, “Yes, Master.” She left the window and headed out her bedroom door. In a trance, she head down the hallway, passing her siblings’ bedrooms and walked down the stairs. She opened the front door and walked outside.




Applejack was sleeping soundly until she heard a door shut. She mumbled and opened her eyes, trying to figure out what the sound was. She got out of bed and opened her bedroom door. She noticed that Apple Bloom’s bedroom door was opened and went to investigate. She found the bed unmade and Apple Bloom was nowhere to be found. Realizing that the sound she heard was her little sister walking out the front door, she ran to the window and saw her walking away from the farm house.

“Now where does she think she’s goin’ at this time of night?” Applejack asked herself. Grumbling in irritation, the orange pony ran down the stairs to follow her sister. “Ah bet she’s sneakin’ out see her coltfriend, whatever his name is. When Ah catch them, Ah swear Ah’ll tan both their hides.” When Applejack opened the front door, she saw that her sister was already heading into the orchard. “Apple Bloom! Apple Bloom, you come back here right now!” However, her sister didn’t heed her call and disappeared into the maze of trees. “Dagnabbit!”

Applejack sprinted to the orchard in pursuit of the yellow young mare. When she entered the rows of trees, she strained her eyes to see in the dark. In the distance, she saw something yellow and red walk amongst the trees. She raced in the direction of the figure, but when she got there, she didn’t find Apple Bloom. Again Applejack looked through the rows of apple trees and caught a glimpse of Apple Bloom as she disappeared behind another tree. Applejack growled in frustration, thinking her younger sister was playing a childish prank on her. She sprinted to the last place she saw Apple Bloom but to once again come up empty hoofed. Applejack stamped her hoofs and snorted in aggravation, but then saw Apple Bloom again. This time, she was headed deeper into the orchard, getting closer and closer to the Everfree Forest. Applejack continued to play her sister’s game of hide and seek until she came to the edge of the Everfree Forest. There she found her sister with her back towards her and staring into the creepy forest.

“Apple Bloom! What’s the meanin’ of runnin’ out into the orchard in the middle of the night!?” Applejack demanded. Apple Bloom remained silent. “Apple Bloom! Answer me when Ah’m speakin’ to you!” Apple Bloom finally turned around and looked at her with half lidded eyes that had a vacant expression in them and she had a small goofy smile on her lips. “Apple Bloom? What are...?” Before she could finish her question, a dark stallion walked out the shadows and stood by the yellow teenager. 

“Good evening, Applejack,” the dark gray Unicorn greeted her. He was wearing all black clothing and had a black mane with a matching goatee. His eyes were glowing blue and for some reason, they gave Applejack the chills.

“Who are you? Get away from my sister!” Applejack demanded. Angrily, Applejack charged the stallion and lunged at him. To her surprise, the blond Earth Pony fell through the mysterious stallion as though he wasn’t there. Applejack landed face first onto the ground and she got up and spat out a mouthful of dirt. Turning around, she saw that the Unicorn was looking down at her with a smug look.

“Amusing,” the stallion mocked. “But I would not try that again.” He placed a hoof on Apple Bloom’s chin. 

“Don’t touch my sister or Ah’ll...” Applejack started to threaten.

“Or you will do what?” the dark Unicorn challenged. His hoof changed into a monster’s claw and he pressed a sharp talon into Apple Bloom’s chin, her yellow coat being indented by the pressure.

“If you hurt her Ah’ll make sure you’ll pay!” Applejack darkly growled, angered by seeing that her sister’s safety was in jeopardy. 

“What an empty threat,” gloated the Unicorn. “It seems that you do not comprehend the situation you are in. If I wanted to, I could kill the both of you.”

“Then why don’t you? What do you want?” Applejack asked.

“I want... you,” the black maned stallion told her.

“What?” Applejack asked in confusion and surprise.

“I used your sister to draw you to me,” he explained. “Surrender now or I will take your sister and then I will take you anyway.” Applejack looked at her sister’s dazed face. The creature tapped his claw on her chin impatiently. Seeing no way out, she closed her eyes and hung her head.

“Do whatever you want to me, but please, don’t hurt her,” Applejack pleaded as a tear fell from her closed eyes.

“A smart decision,” the fiend commented and released his claw from Apple Bloom’s chin. “Return to your bed.”

“Yes, Master,” Apple Bloom droned in a hollow tone as she walked back to the farm house. It sickened Applejack to hear her baby sister speak in such a lifeless way. Once Apple Bloom was out of sight, the dark stallion approached Applejack, circling her like a hungry predator.

“I commend you for dedication to your sister,” he complimented. “I would not be surprised if you were the Element of Loyalty.” Hear this, Applejack’s eyes snapped opened with a revelation; the marks on the neck, the attacks, and Fluttershy was an Element of Harmony. He was a vampire and he was targeting the Elements of Harmony! Before she could react, Applejack felt a searing pain in her neck as the vampire sneaked his teeth into her. Unlike Fluttershy or Cheerilee, Applejack wasn’t hypnotized when Dracula began to feed on her. She felt the extreme pressure of his mouth clamping down on her neck and the pain of his fangs cutting into her flesh. Applejack tried to buck him off, but he had her lock into his vice like grip and her strength was quickly fading. She tried to scream but couldn’t find the breath to do so. Her head started to spin as she felt the blood being drained from her body. Her eyelids drooped and her limbs went limp. As the vampire continued to drink her blood, the pain went away and was replaced by pleasure as his power overtook her mind. Her thoughts clouded over and a dreamy smile appeared on her face as she gave into his control. When he had his fill, he laid Applejack’s sleeping body on the ground. “Fear not, my dear. In the morning, you will not remember this encounter. For now, sleep well.” 

> Breakfast at Pinkie Pie's
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Everything was quite during the small hours in the morning at Sugarcube Corner. Everything that is, except for Pinkie Pie, who was snoring in a comedic fashion. The pink party loving pony was snuggled up in her fluffy bed with her quilt that had balloon patterns sewed onto it. Her room was the cupcake shaped loft of the confectionery that resembled a giant gingerbread house. Just outside the sleeping mare’s window was a hovering shadowy mass. Red eyes glowed from the shapeless black fog and then it vanished. The living shadow reappeared inside the bedroom and it took the form of the undead Unicorn from Trotsylvania. He grinned, baring his sharp fang, as he stood beside the bed and looked down at the sleeping Pinkie Pie.

“Wah!” a wailing cry pierced the silence of the bakery. Mrs. Cake stirred as she was woken by the sound of her twin children crying from the other room. 

“Carrot,” the blue Earth Pony mare with the swirly pink mane mumbled to her husband.

“Mmm,” the amber Earth Pony stallion grunted, barely acknowledging his wife.

“Carrot,” Cup Cake mumbled a little louder.

“Hmm?” he groggily responded, now paying attention to her somewhat.

“Missit urturn?” she asked, her words running together.

“Hmm?” he grunted, not understanding her jumbled words.

“Is it your turn?” she ask more slowly and with a little more force.

“It’s Pinkie’s...” he answered with a yawn.

“Oh... m’kay...” Cup Cake said as she tried to go back sleep. One of the good things about having a pony like Pinkie Pie living with them was that she was willing to help with the children. Even when Pound and Pumpkin were foals, Pinkie would take a turn and check on them when they cried in the middle of the night. Now that they were toddlers, they would only occasionally wake up from having scary dreams. However, this time the twins continued crying for a few minutes before the Cakes realized that their employee wasn’t going to take care of the problem. Mrs. Cake elbowed her husband and he grumpily groan as he got out of bed.

“Alright. Alright, I’m coming,” he said as he walked to the twins’ room. He opened the door and saw his son and daughter sitting up in their beds with their bed sheets pulled up to their chins as they screamed and cried.

“Daddy!” the twins cried together. Carrot Cake sat on Pumpkin’s bed and placed the little unicorn filly on his lap and Pound left his bed and hugged his father’s side.

“There there,” he hushed his frightened children. “Everything’s alright.”

“There was a monster outside!” Pumpkin cried.

“There’s no monster,” Carrot tried to reassure her.

“Yes there is!” she insisted.

“No there’s not,” he told her. “You were just having a nightmare.”

“There is a monster!” the Pegasus colt claimed. “I saw it too! It was all black and it had glowing red eyes and razor sharp teeth!”

“It flew by the window!” Pumpkin said as she pointed at the bedroom window. Carrot set his daughter back down on the bed and went to the window. He opened it and stuck his head out.

“See? There’s no monster out there,” he said as pulled his head back inside. “There’s nothing to be afraid of.” 

Meanwhile, a dark creature had just pulled his fangs out of the neck of Pinkie Pie, leaving behind two red bite marks. The Element of Laughter was no longer snoring, but softly gasping and moaning.

Three down, three to go, Dracula thought to himself as he smiled with victory. His shape dissolved into an amorphous black shadow and phased through the wall the building. He flew past the window which Mr. Cake was standing by as he was telling his children that there was no monster. What Carrot Cake didn’t see, but his children totally saw, was the black mass passing right behind him. Pound and Pumpkin shrieked with terror and hid under the covers of Pumpkin’s bed.

As Dracula flew away he ran his tongue across his teeth, trying to analyze the flavor of Pinkie Pie’s blood. Since he hadn’t eaten mortal food in centuries, he became quite the connoisseur of ponies’ blood. The vampire had noticed that certain ponies had certain flavors. Normally, it was faint or just a hint of flavor. For example, Count High N’Mighty and his social climbing collection of nobles had the faint taste of wine and champagne, which was typical of the aristocrats. Applejack’s blood, appropriately, slightly tasted like apples. But this mare, her blood was something else. Instead of being a subtle hint of flavor, Pinkie Pie’s blood was definitely sweeter than other that he tasted before. It was as though the mare ate so much candy, pastries, cakes, and other confectioneries that Dracula swore that sugar ran through her veins.   

Now, what to do about the other three? he asked himself, still licking his fangs. The one known as Rainbow Dash lives in a house, not a store. I will need to draw her out. Twilight Sparkle dwells in the castle, but it is protected by the Elements of Harmony. Again, I will need to draw her out. Rarity... I will save her for last.


*****


The next morning, Clue Finder, Cold Case, and Gum Shoe knocked on the door of Carousel Boutique.

“Coming!” the singsong voice of Rarity called from behind the door. In a moment, the door opened and the fashionista appeared at the door. “Oh, good morning, inspectors. I’m afraid the store isn’t opened yet. You will have to come back in a couple of hours.”

“We’re not here to shop, Miss Rarity,” Clue Finder explained. “We need to ask you a few questions.”

“I was about to meet up with the girls for breakfast at Sugarcube Corner,” Rarity told them. “And I don’t want to be late. So, if you will excuse.” She walked passed them and used her blue magic to close her door behind her. “Perhaps you could come by after I have opened the boutique. I’ll be more than happy to speak with you then.”

“Actually, it’s really important that we speak now,” Cold Case said as he block her path.

“I’m sorry, but you’ll just have to wait,” Rarity said as she tried to walk around the gray Unicorn, but was stopped by Gum Shoe.

“Listen, lady,” Gum Shoe said as she got up close to Rarity’s face. The white Unicorn was taken aback by how pushy the investigators were being and felt rather threatened. “Either you can talk to us now, or we can bring you in and make you talk to us there. Either way, you’re going to tell what you know.”

“Y-you can’t do that,” Rarity stammered as she nervously stepped back.

“No? Try me,” Gum Shoe challenged.

“Back down, Gum Shoe,” Clue Finder ordered. “I know your special talent is interrogation, but save it for the right time.” Gum Shoe grumbled, but she did as she was told and stood down. “I apologize, Miss Rarity, but we’re close to solving this case and we just need to ask you a few questions to help us wrap it up.”

“O-okay,” Rarity said, still shaken from Gum Shoe’s confrontation. 

“We appreciate your cooperation,” Clue Finder told her. It was clear to Rarity that Clue Finder was the “good cop” to Gum Shoe’s “bad cop” in the classic “Good Cop Bad Cop” routine. “It won’t take long. We can even talk as we walk you to Sugarcube Corner.”

“Very well,” Rarity conceded, relaxing a bit. Clue Finder walked beside her as they walked down the road with Cold Case and Gum Shoe following them.

“So tell me,” the olive Unicorn began. “Where were you on the night of Count High N’Mighty’s murder from ten o’clock to eleven o’clock?”

“As I told you before, I was home at Carousel Boutique,” the violet maned mare answered.

“Oh, that’s right,” Clue Finder said as though he completely forgot, but in fact was leading up to the next question. “You were with the dragon... Spike, was it?”

“Yes, that’s right,” Rarity confirmed.

“And what exactly was he doing there?”

“We were just talking.”

“Just talking,” Clue Finder repeated. “Talking about what?”

“About how our days went.” 

“And how did your days go?” Clue Finder urged. “What did you and Spike do that day?”

“Well, Spike went with Twilight to the hospital to check on Cheerilee,” Rarity recounted.

“Uh huh. Go on.”

“And I told him about the encounter I had with Count High N’Mighty earlier that day.”

“Oh! So you knew the Count,” Clue Finder said with interest.

“Unfortunately, yes I did,” Rarity muttered. “We had met a few years ago. He invited me to his estate in order to ‘get to know me better.’ But when I arrived at his mansion, I quickly discovered that his interest in me was, shall we say, less than honorable.”

“Please explain,” Clue Finder requested. “We need to know the details. It might be important.”

Rarity gave a less than thrilled moan with an accompanying eye roll, but said, “He wanted to seduce me. From the moment I had arrived, he was making crude remarks and suggestive comments. I slapped him and immediately boarded the next available train back to Ponyville.”

“So what happened at your store the other day?”

“He came by and was just as boorish as ever. His plan this time was to either seduce me or humiliate me if I didn’t take his offer.”

“How exactly did he try to humiliate you?”

“I told him that I was in a relationship with Spike and that I was happy, which he and his associates openly mocked.”

“I can’t imagine why,” Gum Shoe said under her breath, but Rarity didn’t hear her.

“So you told Spike all about this?” Clue Finder asked.

“Yes I did.” Rarity confirmed.

“And how did he react?” Clue Finder asked, hiding his excitement. She was so close to saying what he needed to hear. “Was he angry?”

“Of course he was angry,” Rarity told the investigator. “If somepony called your relationship with your special somepony an abomination, wouldn’t you be angry?”

“I certainly would,” he said with a satisfied smile. That’s it. We got our motive.

“I told him not to let it get to him and he promised not to do anything about it,” Rarity told the investigation team.

“Well, it looks like we’ve arrived at our destination,” Clue Finder announced, seeing the bakery come into sight. “See, that wasn’t so bad, was it?”

“I suppose not,” Rarity admitted as she approached the door of Sugarcube Corner.

“Here, let me get that for you,” Clue Finder said as he opened the door for the fashionista.

“Thank you,” she said. She walked inside, followed by the three investigators, and saw her friends sitting around a table. Rarity walked up to Spike and gave him a kiss on the cheek, causing him to blush, and sat down beside the dragon. On Spike’s other side was Twilight Sparkle. Across from them were Rainbow Dash, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle.

“What took you so long, sis?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“You know better than anypony that I take my time to make sure that I look my best,” Rarity answered, closing her eyes and turning her nose up.

“Yeah, I know,” the younger mare said, rolling her eyes. “But where’s Apple Bloom and Applejack? I know they live out on Sweet Apple Acres, but they’re usually here way before Rarity.”

“And where is Pinkie Pie?” Rainbow Dash asked, looking over to the counter at Mrs. Cake. “Isn’t she up yet?”

“I don’t know,” she responded with a concerned look. “She should be already up and helping in the kitchen. Carrot?”

“Yes, dear?” Mr. Cake called from the back.

“Is Pinkie back there with you?”

“No, she isn’t. Kids, go up and see if she is awake,” he told the twins. The little Unicorn and Pegasus ran out of the kitchen and up the stairs.




At that moment, the door burst open, causing the bell to ring loudly, and Apple Bloom came in panting.

“Apple Bloom,” Mrs. Cake said, about to scold the yellow young mare for coming in so violently. “Don’t go bursting...”

“Twilight!” Apple Bloom shouted as she ran up to the Alicorn. “Come quick! It’s Applejack!”

“Calm down,” the princess tried to settle the panicked red maned Earth Pony down. “Tell us what happened”

“Big Macintosh found her in the orchard this mornin’! She wouldn’t wake up and she had marks on her neck!” she explained as her eyes filled with frightened tears. At this point, everypony was already on their hooves.

“Did he already take her to the hospital?” Twilight asked her urgently.

“Yes, and he sent me to find y’all!”

“Alright, let’s...” Twilight started to say but was interrupted by the sound of hooves running down the stairs.

“Mommy! Daddy!” the foals shouted.

“What is it?” Mrs. Cake asked, already on edge. 

“Pinkie won’t wake up!”

In a flash, everypony was in Pinkie Pie’s bedroom, surrounding her bed. They saw that the pink mare was breathing softly and no matter what they did, she wouldn’t respond to them. Twilight pulled back the covers and they all gasped when they saw the marks on her neck.

“Quick, we got to get her to the hospital!” Twilight declared. Spike bent down and scooped the unconscious Pinkie Pie up in his arms and her limbs dangled limply to the side. Cradling his friend, Spike rush down stairs and out of the bakery, followed closely by the others. What they didn’t notice was that the three investigators had left long before they did.

Not long afterwards, five ponies lay in beds in a special observation room in Ponyville Hospital: All Aboard the train conductor, Cheerilee the school teacher, Fluttershy the Element of Kindness, Applejack the Element of Honest, and Pinkie Pie the Element of Laughter. Twilight, Spike, Rarity, Sweetie Belle, Rainbow Dash, and Scootaloo looked on as Granny Smith, Big Macintosh, and Apple Bloom surrounded Applejack and the Cake family stood by Pinkie Pie’s bed.

“They have the same symptoms as the others,” the doctor noted as he looked at his chart. “Perhaps this is the start of an epidemic. I fear it may be airborne.” However, Spike didn’t think so nor did some of his friends. It couldn’t be mere coincidence that all five of them had the same two marks on their necks. Though they may not want to believe it, they were all starting to wonder it; could there really be a vampire in Ponyville?

“Cheerilee,” Twilight asked the magenta Earth Pony, who had regained consciousness yesterday. “Do you remember anything about that night? The night of the storm?”

“No. I’m sorry,” Cheerilee said as she shook her head. “All I remember was that I was headed home after grading some papers and the wind and the rain were very strong. The next thing I know, I’m here waking up three days later.”

“Mr. Aboard,” Twilight addressed the stallion with the bushy mustache. “You were the first patient brought in. Do you remember what happened?”

“Not really,” he shrugged. “We were headed down from the Crystal Empire and the next thing I know, I’m being taken to the hospital and didn’t wake up until the other day.”

“This there anything else? Anything at all?” the lavender princess asked, desperate for information.

“No, noth... Wait,” the conductor paused as he suddenly recalled something. “I remember something about crates.”

“Crates?” Rainbow Dash repeated incredulously.

“Yes, and something about a passenger. I’m sorry, but I can’t seem to remember exactly what it was.” The group of friends looked to each other with looks of confusion and worry. Rainbow Dash started to head towards the window with a determined look on her face.

“Rainbow Dash,” Twilight Sparkle called after her multicolored maned friend. “Where are you going?”

“I’m going to headquarters,” the blue Pegasus announced. “I’m rounding up the other Wonderbolts and we’re gonna find who’s responsible for this and make them pay.”

“But we don’t even know what it is that’s doing this,” the Alicorn stated.

“Oh come on, Twilight!” Rainbow Dash said in exasperation as she held up her forelegs to emphasize her point. “Anypony can see what’s going on! It’s obvious that someone, or something, is taking out the Elements of Harmony and I’m gonna make sure that doesn’t happen!”

“You’re right,” Twilight admitted. “Just hurry and get back here quick. If you’re right, then you are a target also.” Rainbow Dash nodded and opened a window. In a blur of color, she took off and sped out of sight.

“What are we going to do now, Twilight?” Spiked asked. All eyes were on the princess. She thought to herself, and then came up with an idea. She went over to Fluttershy and gently roused her.

“Fluttershy?” Twilight whispered to her sleeping friend. The Pegasus’s eyes weakly fluttered and then barely opened. 

“Twilight?” she tiredly whispered. “Is something wrong?”

“No, Fluttershy,” she told her not wanting to trouble her friend while she was in a delicate condition. “I just want to know about those ponies you saw heading into the Everfree Forest.”

“I didn’t get a good look at the first two,” she quietly told her. “But the third was a Unicorn. He was gray and he wore all black.”

“All black?” Rarity asked with recognition. Fluttershy feebly nodded her head.

“Anything else?” Twilight asked. 

“His eyes,” Fluttershy said and her eyes grew wide with fear as she remembered. “They were the scariest eyes ever. They were such an icy blue that they seemed to chill me to my bones.”

“That sounds like that prince guy!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed.

“The one that defended Rarity’s honor from N’Mighty?” Spike asked.

“Yes, Prince Vlad,” Rarity confirmed. “Prince Vlad of Trotsylvania.” Something clicked in both Spike and Twilight Sparkle’s minds. There was something familiar about what the fashionista said, but they couldn’t quite remember what it was.

“Thank you, Fluttershy,” Twilight said soothingly to the yellow Pegasus. “You can go back to sleep now. Come on, Spike. We have research to do.”

Outside city hall, a crowd was gathering. On the platform were Clue Finder and his team of investigators. With them on the stand was the group of guards that had accompanied them on their assignment.

“Sir, we’ve searched the forest as much as we reasonably could, but we didn’t find any ponies,” one of the white Unicorns in golden armor reported. “Only a zebra that talks in rhyme.”

“Never mind that. We have more important things to take care of,” Clue Finder dismissed before turning to the crowd. “Citizens of Ponyville! A monster has been living in your midst!” The crowd gasped and murmured to each other at this revelation. “Yes, this town has been harboring a dragon!”

“You mean Spike?” an anonymous pony called out from the crowd. “He isn’t dangerous. He’s been living here since he was a baby dragon.”

“Yes, but what happens when they grow up?” Clue Finder countered. “They may be cute when they’re small, but they’re dangerous when they get big! As I understand it, he has already caused serious damage to your town! He almost destroyed it and he was still a baby!” The crowd all muttered in agreement as they remembered the incident during the dragon’s first birthday in Ponyville. “We also have evidence that he is the one behind of the murder of Count High N’Mighty and his associates! He is also the one who has been attacking ponies! His teeth match up with the marks on the bodies and he was at the scene of the crimes!” Again, the crowd gasped at the news. “Are you going to let this threat continue to live in your peaceful town!?”

“No!” the crowd answered.

“Are you going to let him attack another pony!?”

“No!”

“Are you going to defend your town!?”

“Yes!”

“Then follow me and let’s get that dragon!”

> A Flight with Rainbow Dash
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Books began to pile up on the floor of the palace library as Twilight Sparkle and her number one assistant searched book after book for the information they needed. What Fluttershy and Rarity told them at the hospital had reminded them of something. For Twilight, it was something she remembered reading about in a history book. For Spike, it was something from those books of monsters he had read after Cheerilee was attacked.

“I got it!” they both shouted in unison. They stared at each other in surprise when they realized they spoke at the same time. “You go first.” They paused to let each other speak, but when no one did, they continued. “Alright, I…”

“After you,” Spike said, letting Twilight share her discovery first.

“Alright, when Rarity mentioned Trotsylvania and Prince Vlad, those names rang a bell,” the Alicorn started. “I remember seeing those names in a book before, but I couldn’t remember where.” Using her magenta magic, she lifted a dusty looking tome from the pile of books.

“Obscure Equestrian History,” Spike read the title aloud.

“Yes, immediately after Princess Luna became Nightmare Moon and was banished to the moon, there was a short but violent conflict in northern Equestria,” Twilight explained as she flipped through the pages until she came to the one she was looking for. “Where is it? Where is it? Ah, here it is: ‘Princess Celestia used the Elements of Harmony and banished Nightmare Moon permanently in the moon. Though the Mare of Darkness was vanquished, her followers remained. A number of royal guards had defected and joined Nightmare Moon’s cause. Lead by Vlad Vanguard, a captain of the guard, they abandoned their posts and fled to Vanguard’s home in the northern province of Trotsylvania. Vanguard was the heir of the house of nobles that governed the region and he proclaimed himself Voivode, or Warlord, of the province and made his family’s ancestral castle his headquarters. From there, he mounted a war in hopes to overthrow Princess Celestia. Despite being fewer in number than the Royal Guard of Canterlot, they provided heavy resistance. It wasn’t until the Princess’s intervention did the battle finally end with the death of Vanguard. After his short reign, Vanguard was remembered as a ruthless tyrant and a relentless warrior.’

“From what we learned from the hospital is that a Unicorn named Prince Vlad has arrived in Ponyville from Trotsylvania. We know the first victim was All Aboard, and apparently, he was attack on the train that was coming down from the Crystal Empire. Look here.” Twilight pulled out a map of Equestria and pointed to the Crystal Empire in the Arctic North. “See, the Crystal Empire is here and Trotsylvania is here…” She slid her hoof to the mountains that were just to the east of the Crystal Empire. “…Right next to the Crystal Empire. Now, Cheerilee was the second victim, and she was attacked the same night the train arrived. The next night, Count High N’Mighty and his friends were killed.” 

“According to Rarity, they had an argument with this Prince Vlad earlier that day at her store,” Spike added.

“Yes, and do you remember what else that happened that night?” Twilight asked. Spike thought for a moment and then remembered what Fluttershy had told them.

“Fluttershy saw him heading into the Everfree Forest!”

“Exactly, and she was the next one attacked!”

Spike had a look of confusion on his face and then asked, “But what about Applejack and Pinkie Pie?”

Twilight pondered about this for a second before saying, “I’m not sure, but I remember hearing the door opening the night Fluttershy was attacked. I came down stairs to see who it was, but nopony was there. But, I felt like I was being watched. It was like a dark presence was lingering in the castle, but then it vanished.” Twilight paced across the floor of the palace library as she tried to make a connection between these events. She stopped and looked over to a bookcase. On it was the journal in which she and her friends had written the lesson they had learned about friendship. Seeing it, hers eyes lit up with understanding. “The Elements of Harmony! Whatever it was, it must have noticed the Elements' power and they drove it away! Rainbow Dash was right; it must be targeting the Elements because it knows they can stop them! And from what we can tell from the marks on the victims’ necks, I think the answer is obvious to what it is. Though I hate to admit it, there is a vampire here in Ponyville.”

“See, I told you!” Spike shouted in exasperation.

“Yes, Spike. You were right,” Twilight conceded. “But how are we going to stop it?”

“That’s what I was reading about,” Spike announced, holding up a book that read “Nosferatu” on the cover. “I knew the name Trotsylvania sounded familiar. It’s where most vampire stories and movies take place.”

“But those are just stories to scare and entertain little ponies,” Twilight dismissed.

“Mom, you should know better than anypony that some legends are true,” Spike reminded her. He then went to the fiction section of the library and pulled out another book.  

“Dracula by Buck Stoker?” Twilight read the title. “But Spike, Dracula is just a fictional character. Sweetie Belle even dressed up like him for one Nightmare Night. There may be a real vampire here, but it’s a thousand year old warlord, not a character from a book.”

“Don’t be too sure about that,” the dragon corrected her, holding up “Nosferatu.” “According to this, Buck Stoker got his inspiration for the character and the location for his book from the historical Vlad Vanguard. He was even called ‘Dracula,’ which means ‘the Dragon.’”

“We have got to warn the others,” the lavender mare said adamantly. “I’ll go to Carousel Boutique and tell Rarity what we discovered and then try to find Rainbow Dash.”

“I’m coming with you,” Spike told her.

“No, I need you to stay here,” Twilight ordered. “Check every book we have and look for every way to stop a vampire. Over the years, there have been hundreds of books and movies about vampires and each had their own way of killing them. We can already rule out sunlight, because Rarity saw him out and about during the day. I need you to check up on garlic, stake through the heart, and anything else you can find.”

“Yes, ma’am!” he saluted and then turned to the piles of books. Twilight nodded and then teleported out of the palace in a flash of magenta light.


*****


Rainbow Dash finally arrived at the Wonderbolts’ training facility. Below her, she could see recruits running drills under their instructors’ orders. Various Pegasi wearing blue flight suits with gold trimming and goggles flew in formation through rings made of clouds and practicing making sharp turns. Some were practicing maneuvers that involved impressive dives followed by sudden flips and rolls.

Rainbow Dash scanned the training field, looking for a certain pony. She touched down on the training course and ran up to a light blue stallion with a navy blue mane and green eyes. He wasn’t wearing a flight suit, but an officer’s uniform with a whistle around his neck.

“Hey, Soarin!” the mare with the rainbow mane called to the stallion as she galloped up to him.

“Ah, Rainbow Dash,” he said, acknowledging his junior teammate. “Spitfire was looking for you.”

“That’s good, because I really need to talk to her and probably you too,” she told him.  

“What’s going on?” he asked curiously.

“Come on, I’ll explain when we get to Spitfire’s office,” she said before running off towards the main building with Soarin following her.

“So, how’s Scootaloo doing?” he asked as they ran, trying to make small talk.

“Soarin, we can talk later, but now, something big is happening,” she shot him down. He frowned a bit in disappointment. Maybe he could try again over some pie.

They reached the office of the Wonderbolts’ captain and knock, to which a voice answered, “Come in!” They opened the door and saw a golden mare with a fiery mane sitting at the desk. Like Soarin, she was wearing an officer uniform, but she was also wearing her trademark aviator sunglasses. “Ah, Rainbow Dash, just the pony I wanted to see.”

“Captain, I…” Rainbow Dash began.

“I got a paper here from Canterlot,” Spitfire says, holding up said paper in her hooves. “It says that there is an island off the coast of the zebra homeland. Apparently, they’ve been receiving messages from there that say they need help. They’re even offering quite a generous reward to anypony that can help them. From what I understand, they’ve also been sending the same offer to any bounty hunter and mercenary they can get a hold of. The higher ups at Canterlot want us to take care of it and I think you’re the right mare for the job.”

“I appreciate the offer, ma’am, but it will have to wait,” Rainbow Dash declined.

“Wait?” Spitfire repeated in disbelief. “Come on, Rookie. I would have thought you would’ve jumped at the opportunity.”

“I would, ma’am, but there’s a situation in Ponyville,” Rainbow Dash reported.

“When isn’t there a situation in Ponyville?” Soarin sarcastically asked.

“What kind of situation?” Spitfire asked, leaning back in her chair and bridging her hooves in front of her mouth contemplatively.

“Something has been attacking the civilians,” Rainbow Dash explained. “It even killed a count and his companions and appears to be now targeting the Elements of Harmony, myself included.”

“What kind of ‘thing?’” the captain asked.

“We believe…” Rainbow Dash paused to take a breath to prepare for the reaction she knew was inevitable. “…it’s a vampire, ma’am.” There was a moment of silence, but then the two senior Wonderbolts busted out laughing. The blue mare sighed in frustration as they continued to laugh.

“That’s a good one, Dash,” Soarin said, still chuckling.

“Yeah, you had me going there,” Spitfire commented as she steadied her breathing. “But seriously, about that assignment…”

“Ma’am, I wasn’t joking,” Rainbow Dash interrupted her in a serious tone. “I know it sounds crazy, but five ponies are in the hospital, four of them are my friends, and they all have two bite marks on their necks, and there’s about a dozen dead nobles down in the morgue that look like they’ve been chewed up by a manticore.”

“Come on, Dash. A vampire?” Spitfire asked, still not buying it.

“Regardless,” Soarin stepped in. “Ponies have been killed. Doesn’t that deserve looking in to?” Spitfire took off her aviators and exhaled as she placed a hoof to her face.

“Has Canterlot already sent an investigation team?” the golden mare asked.

“Yes, ma’am,” Rainbow Dash answered.

“Are they already on the case?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Then there is nothing else I can do.”

“But…” Rainbow Dash started to protest, but Spitfire held up a hoof.

“Canterlot has already sent a team in. Murder isn’t something we normally handle. This ‘Krazoa Island’ situation is,” she said holding up the paper again. “If we stepped in now, we’ll be up to our necks in red tape. Look, I know this is important to you, but unless I hear otherwise from Canterlot, we can’t do anything about it.”

“But... Yes, ma’am,” Rainbow Dash said in defeat and then turned to leave the office.

“Rookie,” Spitfire said as the blue mare opened the door. Rainbow Dash stopped and looked back to see her captain giving her a sympathetic look. “I’m sorry. Just go and do what you got to do.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Rainbow Dash said as she closed the door behind her.

“Take care of yourself,” Soarin called after her with concern.


*****


Back at the castle, Spike was scanning book after book trying to find a consistent way to kill a vampire. He had a quill and was taking notes as he read.

Garlic seems to keep them away in most sources, he thought as he scribbled the information on the paper. They can’t enter a house unless invited. But how did he get into Pinkie or Fluttershy’s house? Did they invite him? Twilight said he may have been in here, but I know for certain I didn’t invite him. This says they can’t cross running water. What's up with that? But what’s the proper way to kill them? This one says to drive a wooden stake in the heart. This one says to drive an iron stake in the heart. This one just says to stab the heart and then cut off the head. Ew…

A noise that was coming from outside the castle broke the purple dragon’s concentration. He looked up from his notes and saw a strange glow outside the window. He placed his quill down and moved the books to the side. As he headed towards the door, he heard the sound of many ponies rambling. He opened the door of the palace that was built inside a crystal tree and saw a mob of angry looking ponies armed with torches and pitchforks headed towards the building. At the front of the mob, he saw Clue Finder, Cold Case, Gum Shoe, and a bunch of soldiers that looked like they meant business.

“What?” Spike asked himself. The guards halted the crowd, but the three investigators continued to walk towards him. Clue Finder had a triumphant smirk on his face.

“Spike the Dragon,” the olive colored unicorn investigator said in an authoritative voice.

“What?” Spike said back to him.

“You’re under arrest!” Clue Finder declared. His smirk grew when he saw the panicked look on the dragon’s face. To him, bringing a murderous dragon down meant a major career boost. He would be famous for saving Ponyville from the threat of an evil monster. Maybe Princess Celestia herself will recognize his achievement and give him his own stain glass window in her palace.

“What?” Spike shouted in disbelief.

“You’re wanted for the murder of Count High N’Mighty,” Cold Case explained.

“What?”

“And also for the murders of ten of his associates,” the gray investigator continued.

“What?”

“And also for the assault on All Aboard, Cheerilee, Fluttershy, Applejack, and Pinkamena Diane Pie,” Gum Shoe added.

“What?” Spike shouted with even more confusion.

“So, are you going to come quietly?” Clue Finder asked as his smirk turned into a grin. “Or are we going have to do this the hard way?”

“…WHAT!?”   


*****


Renny Field watched as the sun lowered behind the western horizon from her apartment’s window as she waited. Outside, she could hear a commotion and saw groups of ponies running through streets carrying pitchforks and torches. She realized that the investigators had set up search parties to find the dragon known as Spike.

As she continued to watch the dragonhunt from her apartment, her master appeared behind her. The vampire king silently walked across the room and stood behind his thrall.

“Renny Field,” he whispered in her ear.

“Master,” she answered his call and turned to face the undead stallion with the piercing blue eyes.

“The time of my vengeance draws near,” he declared. “Soon, the Elements of Harmony will not be a threat to my plan any longer and then I will build an army of darkness.” His eyes looked down and his attention went to the marks on the mare’s neck. “It is time, my dear.”

“Really?” the red Pegasus asked hopefully.

“Yes, you have served me faithfully and you shall receive your reward,” Dracula told her, his eyes going back to her's. As she looked into his glowing eyes, her mind became hazy as her will was bent to his. Her eyes became half lidded and the corners of her mouth curled up into a smile. She titled her head to the side and moved her mane away with a hoof, exposing her neck. Dracula wrapped a foreleg around her and drew her in close to him and opened his mouth. The entranced mare moaned with delight as his fangs punctured her neck again, reopening the marks on her neck. She sighed contently as he feed off her lifeblood, but something was different this time. He wasn’t stopping when he did when he fed off of Cheerilee or the Elements. Renny’s strength was leaving her, her breathing was labored, and her heart, which had been rapidly beating to compensate for the loss of blood, was now slowly down.

Dracula pulled away from Renny's neck and carried the dying mare to her bed and laid her gently down. Her eyes were half open and her mouth was slightly agape as she stared at the ceiling with an empty look on her face. Dracula raised his foreleg and bit his own fetlock. He stretched the bleeding limb over Renny’s mouth and her eyes blankly stared at it. She opened her mouth wider and weakly grabbed Dracula’s foreleg pulled it to the waiting mouth. She closed her eyes as she began to drink the cursed blood. Dracula smiled proudly as he watched as his thrall became his fledgling. After a few moments, Renny’s legs fell from Dracula’s foreleg and her head rolled to the side, blood still on her lips. Her eyes closed and her chest stopped rising up and down as she succumbed to blood loss.

“Rest now, my dear child,” Dracula said to the dead mare. “When you awaken, you will be reborn into the world of night.” Dracula looked up from Renny’s body and saw a rainbow colored streak fly across the sky through the window. The vampire grinned, baring his monstrous teeth, and flew out the window in pursuit of his prey.

The sun had just set as Rainbow Dash was drawing near to Ponyville. She looked down at the streets of the town and could see the flickering light of fire. She stopped and hovered over the town and scratched her head in confusion. As she continued to watch, she saw that ponies were going around in groups carrying torches along with pitchforks.

“Torches and pitchforks?” she scoffed. “How cliché.” However, she began to wonder what was going on. Did Twilight organize a mob to go hunting for the vampire?




From the corner of her eye, she happened to see something headed her way. Turning her head, she saw a bunch of shrieking black bats with beady blood red eyes flying right at her!

“Woah!” she exclaimed as she flew straight up to avoid the swarm, but they circled around and came right back at her. They surrounded her and angrily shrieked at her. She tried to swat them away as she shouted, “Hey, cut it out!”

The blue Pegasus bolted out of the midst of the swarm and sped away. She wiped her forehead and exhaled in relief, but then turned her head back around. Behind her, the swarm of bats was following her, but they couldn’t keep up.

“Nice try, guys!” she called back to the bats mockingly. “But you’re gonna have to do better than that!” Accepting her challenged, the swarm swirled together and formed one giant monstrous bat with a gnarled face that let out a bloodcurdling shriek of rage. “Oh, horseapples.”

The Pegasus took evasive maneuvers as she tried to ditch the hideous bat. She made sharp turns, dizzying rolls, and numerous loops, but the creature wouldn’t give up. As she flew over the Everfree Forest, she got an idea. As the bat drew closer, she suddenly turned around and flew past it in the opposite direction.

“Ha! That outta shake him!” she gloated to herself. When she looked over shoulder to see if it was still following her, it wasn’t there. She then stopped and panned around, but couldn’t see it anywhere. She decided she better take this opportunity and get out of there before it came back. Before she could leave, something appeared in a swirl of dark mist and grabbed her from behind, pinning her wings to her side. Instead of falling from the sky, the two of them floated in the sky above the forest as Rainbow Dash struggled to fight her captor off. “Let go of me! Get off!”

The monster turned her around and Rainbow Dash could see the face of a gray unicorn stallion with icy blue eyes and a black mane and goatee. He grinned and she could see his two pointed fangs. Her eyes widen as she realized that she was now the grasp of the vampire. He lunged his head forward, bit Rainbow Dash on the neck, and started to suck her blood. She shouted in pain, but then started to feel lightheaded and dizzy. With the last remaining ounce of will she had before she fell completely under his spell, she pushed away and fell to the forest below.

> The Confrontation with Twilight Sparkle
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	The shadows lengthened in the Everfree Forest as the last remaining light of twilight started to fade away into night and Zecora was in a hurry to return to her tree hut in the depths of the wild and unpredictable forest before the more dangerous animals began to hunt. The zebra had been gathering mushrooms, herbs, roots, and other various materials in order to make her potions and her dinner. She was wearing her traveling cloak and a saddle where she contained the ingredients. Looking up through the thick canopy of the forest, she saw that the day was spent and decided that she had better be going. She returned to the path that would lead her to her home and started to walk until she noticed something on the side of the trail.

“Oh, what luck has come to me?” She exclaimed happily as she crouched down to look at a lovely red flower that had golden flame-like patterns speckled on the petals. “Could this be the rare Phoenix Flower that I see?” Overjoyed at discovery, Zecora pulled out a bag from her pack and collected a few trimmings from the beautiful scarlet flower. She smiled contently at her good fortune as she returned the bag to her pack and once again headed home. She started to hum a merry tune from her homeland as she walked, thinking of how the flower could be put to good use. However, she stopped humming when she heard a noise coming from the trees above:

Crack!

Snap!

Thud! 

A blue figure fell from the trees and landed in front the surprised zebra in a heap of branches, leaves, and feathers. When Zecora saw a mane of many colors, she realized that what had landed in front of her was the Pegasus Rainbow Dash. The herbalist ran to the pony and pulled the broken branches off of her.

“Dear friend of mine,” Zecora said urgently to Rainbow Dash as she untangled her from the branches. “Please tell me you’re fine!” As Zecora removed the debris, she saw that the blue mare was in one piece, but she was covered in scraps and bruises, leaves and twigs were tangled in her mane, and she was unconscious. Zecora started to brush the leaves away, but then noticing on her friend’s neck when she moved the mane. On her neck were two still bleeding bite marks. The zebra was confused by the strange marks, but tried to awaken her friend. “Rainbow Dash, can you hear me?” Despite Zecora gently shaking her, the Wonderbolt remained unresponsive. Seeing that she wasn’t waking up, Zecora lifted the unconscious mare onto her back and started to carry her to her hut. “I will take you home to find a remedy.”

As she lifted Rainbow Dash onto her back, a sound broke the silence of the forest. It was a sound that Zecora knew well from living in the Everfree Forest for these past few years. It was a howl, and that could only mean one thing: Timberwolves. Cautiously, Zecora scanned the trees for any sign of the enchanted wooden canines. However, she couldn’t see anything in the darkness between the trees. Timberwolves’ eyes glow green, but she didn’t see the luminescent eyes. She stretched forward her muzzle and sniffed. She knew Timberwolves had horrible breath that could be smelled from afar, but she could only smell the normal earthy scent of the forest.

She came to the conclusion that the Timberwolves must be far off and figured it was safe to move on. Although there was no sign of the enchanted predators, Zecora remained cautious as she made her way down the path. Her eyes darted from one side of the trail to the other as she carefully watched for any sign of movement within the trees. She paid close attention to every little sound that she heard, freezing every time a bird would take flight or a rabbit would rustle in a bush. Zecora let out a cry of alarm and stepped back as something jumped out from behind a tree and stood in the middle of the path in front of her! After taking a few deep breathes, she saw that this creature was small, had brown fur, and a bushy tail. Zecora laughed at herself her letting a squirrel startle her.

“Oh one so small,” she said to the squirrel that was looking up at her with its big black eyes. “You shouldn’t be here at all. It is late and those were Timberwolves I fear. You should find shelter somewhere near.”

It the little squirrel made a chattering sound and then scurried off. Zecora resumed on her way and it wasn’t long before she could see through the trees the glow of her home in the distance. It would only be a few more minutes before her hut would appear around the bend of the trail. The zebra sighed with relief, knowing that safety was only a short distance away.

Just as Zecora’s concerns faded away, they came immediately back with the blood chilling sound of a howl. Zecora froze mid-step, and slowly turned in the direction of the sound: behind her. It had grown darker since she found Rainbow Dash, but she could definitely see something standing in the middle of the path in the distance. It walked on four legs, had black fur, and a canine snout. Zecora recognized the shape of the animal’s silhouette as a wolf’s, not a Timberwolf, but a real wolf. It was a strange sight to see a non-enchanted wooden wolf in the Everfree Forest, and to see one made Zecora apprehensive. She wondered why a lone wolf would be doing in the middle of a forest that was filled with of all sorts of dangerous supernatural creatures.

Regardless, it was an animal and Zecora had a trick to deal with situations such as this. She reached into her cloak and pulled out a green powder. She blew the powder in the direction of the wolf and it swirled in the air until it took the form of a manticore in a threatening stance. Zecora smirked, thinking that the bluff would scare off the predator, but to her surprise, she saw that the wolf remained where it was. Again, she reached into her cloak and pulled out another powder. By this point, the wolf started to approach the zebra carrying the Pegasus. Trying another trick, Zecora threw the powder down at the ground before her and there was a loud pop along with a flash of light. To her dismay, the wolf continued its approach. It was then that Zecora could see that the wolf’s eyes were glowing red. Her eyes widened as she came to the realization that this was no normal wolf and she turned to run down the path in the direction of her home. She knew she wasn’t far away and that she had a lead on the wolf, but she was weighed down from carrying an unconscious pony on her back.

Zecora’s heart raced and she panted as she ran for her life and for Rainbow Dash’s as well. She glanced behind her and saw that the red eyed wolf was gaining on her. Looking back ahead, she could see her tree hut coming into view as she rounded the bend. Again, she looked back and the wolf was nearly bearing down on her. Its lips were curled back into a feral snarl and drool dripped from its white fangs. Judging by the rate it was gaining on her, Zecora wasn’t sure if should would make it. She faced straight ahead, put all of her energy into her legs, and sprinted as fast as she could. She ducked her head in and crashed into the door of her home with her shoulder. 

With a loud bang, the door swung open and Zecora tumbled onto the floor of her hut with Rainbow Dash landing beside her. Recovering from the collision, Zecora frantically search around for a weapon, but saw the wolf standing outside the door. She gasped and protectively shielded Rainbow Dash with her own body. Instead of entering the tree and finishing them off, the wolf looked about the threshold of the hut. After looking at the door-frame, the wolf glared at Zecora and snarled at her with hatred. Foiled, it turned and walked away, vanishing into thin air as it left. Zecora closed her eyes and exhaled in relief as she hugged Rainbow Dash’s unconscious body.


*****
   

Spike panted and sweated nervously as he hid behind a few trashcans in an alleyway. The dragon cautiously peaked over the metal cans and saw a group of ponies carrying torches and pitchforks run by. Thankfully, they didn’t see him. Taking the opportunity, the purple dragon ran down the alley and hid behind another corner. On his back, he was carrying a bag. He couldn’t believe this was happening. First, he discovers that a vampire, Dracula none the less, was there in Ponyville, and now he was being blamed for the murders.

Carefully looking around the corner, Spike looked to see if the coast was clear. He looked both ways, but he didn’t see anypony out in the street, not yet at least. He waited and heard the sound of another group coming down the road. He could see their shadows casted on the sides of the thatched roofed buildings by the light of the torches. He ducked behind the corner and waited for them to pass.

This group was lead by Clue Finder. He stood at the opening of the alleyway, followed by a few guards, and looked down it. At the other end, he could see another group pass by the other opening. Not seeing the dragon, he motioned for his group to continue onwards. After they were gone, Spike poked his head out from between two buildings and moved to the exit of the alley again. He watched Clue Finder’s group walked down the road and then looked the other way. Seeing that nopony was coming, he quickly ran across the street to the alleyway on the other side. He made his way toward the other end, trying to make it out of Ponyville undetected. Ducking by another building, Spike slumped against the wall and sighed.

“Psst!” he heard a familiar voice whisper from the entrance of the alley. “Spike, are ya down there?”

“It’s us!” another familiar voice whispered in a more high pitched tone. Spike recognized the voices as Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle. He stuck his head out from behind the building and saw the three founding members of the Cutie Mark Crusaders.

“Hurry!” he whispered as he urgently beckoned them to come to him. They looked around first to make sure they weren’t being watched and then ran to the dragon’s hiding place.

“Boy, are we glad to see you’re okay,” Scootaloo told him. “We don’t believe you could hurt anypony!”

“Ssh! Keep your voices down,” he told the three teenagers.

“Spike, what’s going on?” Sweetie Belle asked with concern for her scaly friend. “Those police ponies are saying you murdered somepony, but we know you wouldn’t do that.” Spike looked at the concerned Unicorn’s big watering eyes and quivering lip and lamented for having to tell them the terrifying news.

“Girls, I was right,” he started with a heavy sigh. “There is a vampire in Ponyville.” The girls immediately were frightened and whimpered. “He attack Cheerilee, killed that Count guy, and now is going after the Elements of Harmony.”

“Ya mean he’s the one who attack mah sister?” Apple Bloom asked, shocked at the information.

“Yes,” Spike confirmed. “And he’ll be after the others next.”

“You mean Rarity?” Sweetie Belle squeaked.

“And Rainbow Dash?” Scootaloo added, just as concerned as her friends.

“Yes, and my mother as well,” Spike told them, thinking about Twilight. 

“What are we going to do Spike?” Sweetie Belle asked, near panicking.

“First, I got to get out of Ponyville and find a safe house,” the dragon explained.

“A safe house?” Sweetie Belle repeated, unfamiliar with the term.

“You know, a place where ponies hide out when they’re in trouble,” Scootaloo clarified. “Like in those cop movies.”

“Oh yeah,” Sweetie Belle said as she remember all of the crime dramas she had seen.

“Hey, Ah know a place,” Apple Bloom announced. “The clubhouse! It’s out in the orchard out where nopony can see it. Even if they come lookin’ for ya our home, they wouldn’t know about the clubhouse.”

“That’s prefect, Apple Bloom!” Spike exclaimed.

“Come on, this way!” she said as she headed off in the direction of Sweet Apple Acres. “We’ll sneak out through here.”

The trio and the fugitive made their way down the alleys until they reached the edge of town. They could see the path to the apple orchards, but waited until no one was looking before dashing out from behind the building. Instead of taking the road to the farm, they ran through the trees so that they wouldn’t be seen. It became easier to hide the closer they got the farm due to the abundance of apple trees providing cover.

They reached the clubhouse in a backfield of the farm and closed the door behind them. The three teenaged mares closed the blinds and Spike opened the pack he had been carrying. He looked at the contents, making sure that nothing had been damaged in his escape.

“Whatcha got in there?” Scootaloo asked in curiosity. 

“Actually, I’m not sure myself,” Spike admitted to the orange Pegasus. “When they came to arrest me, I grabbed what I could and made a break for it.”

The guards started to approach Spike and he nervously backed away. Clue Finder smirked with anticipation as he watched the guards draw their weapons. Before they could reach the retreating dragon, the door slammed and Spike locked it. Spike ran upstairs and grabbed a spar pack and went back down to stuff it with all that he thought he would need. He crammed his vampire search notes, a few books, that strange metal ball Twilight had on the desk, a few gems for food, garlic, some bits, and other miscellaneous items. He heard the guards banging on the door to the library and saw that it was about to give way. Out of time, he ran up stairs and opened the balcony window. The mob was still gathered out in front of the tree, but they noticed the dragon jump down from the back balcony and then run away from them.

“You got to find Twilight and the others. Here,” Spike said as he pulled the garlands of garlic and the notes from the bag. “Take these. Give the notes to Twilight and make sure everypony has some garlic. I’ll wait here.” The three took the supplies and ran off of to find the others.


*****
 

Twilight returned to her palace in a flash of magenta magic. She had been at Carousel Boutique, warning Rarity of the vampire.

“You mean the vampire was in my home?” Rarity asked in alarm once she heard that Prince Vlad was none other than the infamous Dracula.

“Yes, and that’s why you have got to leave and stay somewhere safe,” Twilight explained to her. “I don’t know that much about vampire lore, but I know in some stories that they can’t enter a house unless they’re invited.”

“But then how was he able to enter mine?” the white Unicorn questioned. “I certainly didn’t invite him.” Twilight thought about this, but couldn’t come up with an explanation.

“It doesn’t matter now. He knows where you live and will be coming after you. You have got to go somewhere safe.”

After thinking for a second, Rarity said, “I’ll go to my parents. I’m sure they’ll be glad to have me there for awhile. But what about you? What are you going to do next?”

“I’ll drop back by the castle and tell Spike to help me find Rainbow Dash. While he’s doing that, I’ll go see Professor Dig Site. He and his assistants are experts in ancient Equestrian history, including Trotsylvania. Maybe they’ll know something useful about vampire lore.”

“Dig Site?” Rarity asked, suddenly remembering something. “Is one of his assistants a red Pegasus with blond mane and a cutie mark of a map and compass?”

“That’s Renny Field,” Twilight identified the pony Rarity described. “Yes she is. Why do you ask?”

“She was here… with Dracula.”

Now that the Alicorn had returned to her home, she saw that the door was busted open and there were books and papers scattered everywhere. On top of that, there were two guards and Gum Shoe searching the castle.

“What’s the meaning of this?” the princess demanded.

“Your Highness,” guard said as he marched up to Twilight. “I’m afraid I’m going to ask you to leave as we search the premises.”

“What do you mean? This is my home!” Twilight told the guard, very agitated by the intrusion.

“Did you know that you were harboring a murderer?” Gum Shoe questioned.

“What are you talking about?” Twilight asked, both confused and shocked.

“Ah, you’re back,” Clue Finder said as he and Cold Case walked through the busted in door. “Excellent.”

“Would somepony care to explain to me what’s going on!?” Twilight shouted.

“We have evidence that links the dragon to the murder of Count High N’Mighty,” Cold Case told her flatly.

“…What!?” 

“I’m sorry to say, but it seems your pet lizard has gone on a rampage,” Clue Finder said to Twilight, still riding on his ambition fueled high. 

“Spike is not a pet!”

“Look, I can understand that you’ve grown attached to the animal,” Clue Finder said patronizingly. “They may be 
cute when they’re small, but do get bigger. Don’t forget, he is a fire breathing dragon. It’s in their nature to be dangerous predators.”

“Don’t you dare speak about my son that way!” Twilight Sparkle screamed, her maternal instincts kicking into overdrive. “I know Spike! I’ve known him since the day I hatched his egg, and he is not dangerous!”

“I know you want to defend him, Princess, but we have evidence,” Clue Finder told her, becoming annoyed by her stubbornness. “Even you, a Princess of Equestria, are subject to the law.”

“But he didn’t do it!” the princess protested.

“Princess, you can’t protect him like this. He’s a murderer, and it’s only a matter of time before kills again. We’ve already formed search parties to find him.” Hearing this, Twilight ran to the open door and saw groups of ponies searching the town. It shocked her to see ponies she knew very well carrying torches and pitchforks as they hunted her son as though he were a monster.

“You’ve assembled a mob!? I can’t believe you! This has to stop right now!”

“Now listen here, Princess!” the olive Unicorn raised his voice, irritated by the mare’s lack of cooperation.  

“I am the princess. You listen to me!” Clue Finder had heard of the Royal Canterlot Voice, but never had experienced it. The room fell silent as the three investigators and their accompanying guards were paralyzed by the intensity of the enrage Alicorn’s voice. Their eyes widened, their mouths clamped shut, and the guards stood at attention as the angry Alicorn addressed their stupidity. “Spike is innocent, I can prove it. The first victim, All Aboard, was on a train when he was attacked. Spike was here in Ponyville when that happened. When Cheerilee was attacked, Spike was here at home taking shelter from the storm. He didn’t attack Fluttershy, because Owlowiscious with him the whole time!” The mentioned owl hooted in confirmation. “He didn’t attack Applejack or Pinkie Pie, because he was home all night asleep in his bed. I know, because I was up all night doing research!”

“But... What about...” Clue Finder timidly tried to interject.

“The murders? I know he didn’t do it, because I know who did them!” Twilight declared. “It was a vampire!”

“Don’t ridiculous,” Clue Finder scoffed, regaining some of his confidence. “These murders were done by a dragon, not an imaginary creature.”

“Vampires are real,” Twilight proclaimed. “It was him who Fluttershy saw go into the Everfree Forest. Rarity saw him have an argument with the Count in her store, and I sensed him here in the library the other night! Don’t you understand? You’re hunting the wrong suspect!” 

“But...” Clue Finder tried again tried to squeeze in a word.

“Shut up!” Twilight then grabbed a quill and a piece of parchment in her magic aura and began to angrily write a letter. After finishing the letter, she groaned in anger when she remembered her son wasn’t there to send the letter, and it was the investigators’ fault! She turned to one the guards, who were still standing nervously at attention. “You!” she barked, causing the guard to flinch. “Take this to Princess Celestia immediately and tell her it’s urgent!”

“But, what about...” the guard started to protest, but was cut off when he was encased by a magical magenta aura and was dragged out of the castle by Twilight Sparkle. In a rage, Twilight used her magic to hurl the guard into the air in the direction of the castle with a shout of fury. Luckily, the guard she grabbed was a Pegasus and he started to fly off in the direction of Canterlot.

“Tell the search parties to bring Spike home to me,” Twilight ordered the remaining guard. “He is not to be harmed in any way. Tell him that I’m looking for him. And for heaven’s sake, tell them to lose the torches and pitchforks!”

“Where are you going, Your Highness?” the guards cautiously asked as she walked away.

“To see somepony who might know something!” she said, not even looking back. “Oh, and tell Clue Finder he’s paying to fix my door!” 

Twilight made her way to the residence of Professor Dig Site. She had met the sandy colored unicorn a few times and remembered him being quite knowledgeable on the subjects of history and folklore. She looked up at the houses, but didn’t see any lights on.

“Professor Site? Renny Field?” she called as she knocked on the door, but there was no answer. She tried the handle, and found the door to be unlocked. “Hello, anypony home?” She stepped into the waiting room and used her magic to light a lamp. “It’s an emergency and I really need to talk with you!” Her voice echoed throughout the building. She walked into another room and saw a few opened crates. Inside one, she found a bunch of golden chalices, artifacts, and bits. Curious, she levitated one of the golden coins and saw it was an ancient Equestrian bit. She flipped the coin around and saw the image of a sword circled by a dragon; the symbol of Vlad Vanguard. Dread filled her heart as it was confirmed that Rarity did indeed see Renny with Dracula. 

Fearing for their safety, she rushed up stairs, seeking the archeologists. When she got to the second level, she franticly opened the bedroom doors of Dig Site and Bedrock, but found them empty. When she open Renny Field’s door, Twilight saw the red Pegasus in her bed.

“Miss Field!” she shouted as she ran to the mare’s bedside, but then gasped when she was that she was lying very still. Her eyes were closed and her head was turned to the side, exposing her neck and revealing the two bite marks. Twilight placed an ear to Renny’s chest and had her fears confirmed when she found no heartbeat.





“It is very rude to enter uninvited, Princess Twilight Sparkle,” a dark voice said from behind her. Twilight spun around and saw the vampire standing in the middle room, his eyes glowing blue.

“Voivode Vlad Vanguard, I presume,” the princess addressed the undead warlord.

“You have done your research. I am honored,” Dracula said impressed. “I cannot enter a home unless I am invited. I wish you ponies had the same courtesy as me.”

“How did you enter Rarity’s home or mine, for that matter?” Twilight asked as she took a defensive pose.

“The sign said ‘open,’ so I came in,” the dark stallion explained. In her mind, Twilight was impressed by his cleverness for finding that loophole and cursed him for exploiting it. Dracula noticed the Alicorn’s stance and sneered. “Do you really think that you can challenge me? I am impressed that you are an Alicorn, but I can also sense that you are not as powerful as the Royal Sisters.”

“I’m powerful enough,” Twilight declared as she charged her horn. She shot barrage of magical blasts at the vampire, but he moved with an unnatural sped and avoided the attack. The shots left smoldering holes in the wall behind the vampire.

“Tell me, how is it that you are an Alicorn?” Dracula asked, honestly curious.

“I personified the Magic of Friendship so I was chosen to be raised from a Unicorn to Alicorn status just like my sister-in-law before me,” Twilight explained. “She was a Pegasus, but she represented the Magic of Love so much that she was made an Alicorn. We understood these aspects of magic so well and demonstrated great leadership capabilities that my mentor, Princess Celestia, made us Princesses of Equestria.”

“Celestia,” Dracula snarled at the name. “The Solar Tyrant of the Accursed Day.” With a deep roar, the vampire lunged at the lavender Alicorn, but she generated a force field around her. The attacking monster collided against the magenta sphere and dissipated into shadows. Twilight lowered the shield and looked about the room for her adversary. The shadows formed together and the fiend reappeared in the corner of the ceiling, looking down at Twilight. “You think you can destroy me with your spells?” Her eyes snapped up to the ceiling and saw the vampire looking down at her with red eyes, a gnarled face, and a mouth filled with razor-sharp fangs. “I, who served the crown! I, who commanded armies hundreds of years before you were born!”

“Your armies were defeated!” she shouted up at the red eyed monster. “You tortured and impaled thousands of ponies!”

“I was betrayed,” Dracula growled. “Look what your princess has done to me!”  

“No, your war with Celestia is over. It is time you paid for your crimes!” Twilight yelled as she shot another blast at Dracula. His body dissolved into mist and the blast passed harmless through him and burnt the wall behind him. The mist filled the room and Twilight used her magic to generate a breeze to clear the fog, revealing the vampire towering over her with his glowing eyes. Twilight gasped and immediately back away, averting her eyes. She knew vampires had the power of hypnotism and didn’t dare to risk looking into his eyes. However, the distraction proved disastrous as she felt his hoof smack across her face with the strength of twenty stallions. Twilight crashed through the wall and land in the hallway with a groan of pain. Before she could recover, she found herself being lifted by a red magical aura and saw Dracula walking out of the room with his horn glowing red. Her body was then pinned to the wall by the magic and Dracula stood before her.

“You may be an Alicorn,” he whispered to her. “But you are not like your precious mentor. You are not as powerful as her, you are not as experienced as her, and...” he stopped to bare his teeth at her. “You are not immortal like her.”

Twilight screamed as two fangs pierced her neck. She tried to struggle, but her strength was leaving her and her mind was clouding over. Mustn’t give in... she thought as she fought the vampire’s spell, but found her will weakening. Mustn’t... give... in... Her muscles went limp, her eyes grew heavy, and she smiled drunkenly as she succumbed to intoxicating feeling of the vampire’s influence. The red aura vanished and the Alicorn slumped to the floor asleep.

“With you out of the way, there is just one more order of business to attend to before I can begin,” Dracula said to the sleeping Twilight before he again vanished into the night.       

> A Deal for Rarity
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	“Thank you for allowing me to stay here, Mother,” Rarity said to the pink Unicorn with the indigo mane.

“Oh, don’t think anything about it,” the older mare cheerfully replied. “It’s nice to have you back home.”

Rarity followed her mother upstairs to her old room. She opened the door and saw that it had not changed since she moved out years ago.

“I kept it exactly the way you left it,” Rarity’s mother said while beaming with joy.

“Yes, I can see that,” Rarity said as she scanned the room with amazement. It was like looking into a time capsule. As a fashionista, she was always developing new styles and perfecting her craft. To see her work from her teenage years brought back so many memories, some good and some embarrassing. A Purple and orange bedspread, what was I thinking? she thought as she slightly shook her head with a small smile as she looked at the out of fashioned bed cover. This shade of purple would go some much better with green... This thought caused her to pause and then a concerned expression came to her face. I do hope Spike is okay. He and Twilight are out there while a vampire is on the loose.

“...anything, Rarity?” she caught the tail end of something her mother was asking her.

“Huh, excuse me?” the alabaster Unicorn asked as she was brought out of her thoughts.

“I asked if you needed anything.” Her mother repeated.

“Oh... no, I’m fine as I am,” Rarity responded. 

“Alrighty then, let me know if you change your mind,” she said as she left the room. Rarity briefly smiled at her mother as she left, but then frowned again as she grimly reflected on her situation. She set down Opalescense’s pet carrier and let the fluffy white cat out. The feline exited the carrier with her nose turned upward as she strutted across the room in her typical stuck up demeanor.

“Oh, Opal,” the cat’s owner fretted. “I’m so worried.”


*****


Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo raced down the streets of Ponyville with the supplies they received from Spike on their backs. As they made their way through town, they could see the search parties that were still hunting Spike. They were now holding lanterns instead of torches and they had lost the pitchforks. The girls thought this was odd, but ignored it as they continued to run.

As they were running towards Twilight's castle, they came to an abrupt halt when they saw guards standing outside a building with paramedics. They gasped when they saw the paramedics haul a stretcher out of the building with pony covered in a white sheet. The girls knew instantly that it meant the unfortunate pony underneath the sheet was dead. Then they saw a second stretcher that had an unconscious lavender Alicorn on it.

“Twilight!” the three cried out in unison after seeing their friend. They started to run to her, but they were blocked by two royal guards. When Twilight had stormed off from the library, a few guards thought it was best to follow her. They found her along with a dead mare in the building.

“Halt!” the white Pegasi ordered, stretching out their wings to prevent the teenagers from approaching Twilight Sparkle. “The princess is injured; we need you to stand clear as we transport her to the hospital!”

“But we have somethin’ important to give to her!” Apple Bloom said to the guards.

“I’m sorry, miss. But you and your friends had better leave,” one of the guards sternly ordered.

“But we’re her friends!” Scootaloo tried to explain.

“Then you’ll just have to visit her later at the hospital,” a guard said dismissively. The paramedics loaded the two stretchers onto an ambulance carriage and headed off towards Ponyville hospital.

“Now what are we gonna do!?” Scootaloo shouted in frustration.

“We still need to get this stuff to Twilight and the others,” Apple Bloom told her orange friend.

“What about Spike?” Scootaloo asked. “He’ll want to know that Twilight’s been attacked!”

“And Rarity,” Sweetie Belle added. Apple Bloom thought about the situation for a moment.

“Okay, this is what we’re gonna do,” the yellow Earth Pony announced. “Ah’m goin’ to take the notes and stuff to Twilight in the hospital with the garlic. Here, give me those,” she said as she relieved Scootaloo of her portion of the load. “Sweetie, ya take the garlic ya have to Rarity. Tell her not to leave where she’s at!”

“What about me?” Scootaloo asked.

“Go back to the clubhouse and let Spike know, but don’t let him leave! He’ll most likely try to run off without thinkin’ and get himself caught when he hears.”

“How do I stop a dragon from running past me?” Scootaloo asked with a deadpan look on her face.

“Use your imagination,” Apple Bloom retorted as she ran off, following the ambulance. 


*****


Rarity was unpacking her clothes in her old bedroom. Since she didn’t know when she would be able to return home to Carousel Boutique, she packed the essentials. For her, that meant an entire wardrobe of clothes and accessories. She was almost done settling in when she looked out of the window and at the moon. It frightened her to think that such a horrible creature could be lurking somewhere out there in her hometown. Her thoughts then turned to Sweetie Belle. Her one and only sister wasn’t home yet and it was getting late. At least her sister wasn’t the vampire’s target, not yet anyway.

“Good evening, Madam Rarity,” a cold voice said from behind her. The violet maned Unicorn’s blood ran cold and her breath caught in her throat. She turned from the window and saw the vampire standing in her room.

“H-how... How did...” Rarity tried to speak, but was too afraid to form a complete sentence.

“Your mother was so kind to let me in,” Dracula answered Rarity’s incomplete question. “I told her that I was an acquaintance of yours and she gladly invited me into her home. She is quite a hospitable mare.”

“What have you done to her and my father!?” Rarity demanded.

“I have not harmed them,” Dracula reassured her as he stepped forward. “I simply told them to retire to their bed and fall asleep. Besides, I am not here for them. I am here for you.”

“W-what are you going to me?” she fearfully asked, feeling extremely vulnerable. She knew quite well what he could do to her, and it terrified her.

“Do not be afraid,” the vampire tried put her mind at ease. “I come offering a gift.”

“I doubt that,” she said, not at all at ease. “You attacked my friends, killed ponies, and framed Spike for it.”

“It was not my intention to have the blame for my actions fall upon him. It was the incompetence of those meddlesome interlopers that brought about that, and I would have thought you would have been grateful for disposing those dishonorable cowards for you.”

“How dare you? They may have been rude and despicable, but they were still ponies.” It shock Rarity to hear how callous this fiend could be.

“No matter,” Dracula dismissed. “They were just another hindrance to my plans. As were your friends, but fear not, no further harm shall come to them. I just needed them out of my way.”

“You speak as though we are just pawns in a game of chess.” Rarity couldn’t believe how little regard he had for ponies’ lives.

“That is because we all are, my dear. Can you honestly tell me your precious princess has not used you for her own means?” 

He had a good point, and Rarity had to admit it. Princess Celestia had indeed orchestrated many of the events of her and her friends’ lives, especially Twilight’s. All of the tests and lessons were to groom the lavender mare from being a socially awkward bookworm into a Princess of Equestia. In fact, the way she had met her best friends, the redemption of Luna, and even Spike’s birth was all the Solar Princess’s doing. Celestia knew that Nightmare Moon would return in a thousand years, but the harmony between her and her sister was broken and so the Elements of Harmony abandoned them. In order to save Equestria and her sister, she would need new bearers for the Elements. She used an abandoned dragon egg as entrance exam for her school for gifted unicorns knowing that only the Element of Magic could hatch the egg. She also knew that the Elements could only be used by ponies that were united by the Magic of Friendship, so she sent her prized pupil to Ponyville under the pretenses she was to prepare for the Summer Sun Celebration. In reality, it was so that Twilight would make some true friends. If she had explained her plan to Twilight, it would have just been another assignment and she wouldn’t have made any friends.

“Does Princess Celestia manipulate us? Yes,” Rarity admitted, but she had conviction in her voice. Dracula’s eyes briefly turned red and narrowed at the mention of Celestia’s name. “But everything she has done has been and always will be for the good of her subjects! All your plans have caused is misery and death!”

“That is not true,” Dracula defended himself. “Remember, I come offering a gift.”

“Let me guess, you want to turn me into a vampire?” Rarity dryly asked. “Ha! As though I would ever accept that!” 

“I am offering you immortality,” Dracula calmly clarified. “Think of it. You will never grow old, your beauty will last throughout the centuries, and you will have power beyond your wildest dreams.”

The offering was tempting. What mortal doesn’t want eternal youth? She could be a goddess amongst mares and be admired throughout the ages, but at what cost? She would become undead; a living corpse. She would have to forsake the light and embrace the darkness. She would be feared and would have to survive by feasting upon the blood of the living like a dreadful parasite.

“No, I won’t... I can’t accept it! I am a pony, and all ponies have to grow old and die some day.”

“And what of Spike?’ Dracula questioned.

“...Spike?” The vampire’s question caught her off guard.

“He will not grow old and die, but will have to endure the millennia... alone... without you.” Dracula smiled inwardly when he saw the distraught look on Rarity’s face. “How can you live with yourself knowing you will abandon him someday?”

“I... I...” the white Unicorn struggled to find words to speak.

“If not for yourself, then do it for him. Spare him the pain of loneliness. Trust me, I too know the awful pain of losing the one I love and have to endure the empty years without her.”

“Spike...” she whispered, her sapphire eyes filling with tears as she imagined him sitting atop a hoard of gems in dark cave all alone as he mourned for her centuries into the future. 

“You can be with him... forever,” Dracula tempted her, his blue eyes glowing in the darkness.

“... Forever?” Rarity quietly asked. Dracula nodded as he saw the hopeful look in Rarity’s eyes.

“All you have to do is say yes.”  

“...Yes.”

The dark stallion approached the white mare, looking down at her, and said, “Then look into my eyes.” 

She obediently looked up, the moonlight shimmering on the tears in her eyes, and gazed into the vampire’s ice cold eyes. She immediately felt her mind become hazy and the world around her seemed to fade away into darkness, leaving only the two of them. A peaceful euphoric feeling washed over her and she smiled dreamily as she allowed it to envelope her. She let out a small cry as she felt two fangs pierce her neck. As he drank, she closed her eyes and moaned blissfully. The strength left her legs and she collapsed onto the bed.

“Drink,” the voice of the vampire commanded and she opened her eyes and saw a bleeding fetlock being held over her mouth. Without questioning the order, she opened her mouth and a few drops of cursed blood fell in.

“Rarity!” a high pitched voice called from down stairs. After checking Carousel Boutique, Sweetie Belle had finally arrived home in search of her older sister. “Rarity, are you here?” The younger white Unicorn ran upstairs and opened her sister’s old room and found her lying on the bed. “Thank goodness I found you! I’ve brought some... Rarity?” When her big sister didn’t answer her, she approached the bed with rising fear. When she saw the two red marks that had been freshly made on her neck, Sweetie Belle shrieked. “Rarity!” 


*****


Back at the clubhouse, Scootaloo found Spike impatiently waiting.

“Spike!” the orange Pegasus shouted as she ran in the small room.

“What? What is it?” the dragon asked, sensing the urgency in her voice.

“He got Twilight!” she told him. His heart almost stopped and he looked towards the door and started to move. The orange teenager tried in vain to stop the dragon, but he went right pass her. “Wait! Spike, you’re supposed to stay here! Spike!”

Spike ran down the road back to Ponyville. Even though the guards were looking for him, he didn’t care; his mother had been attacked. However, he wasn’t completely devoid of caution. He used his sharp claws to scale the side of a building and leaped from rooftop to rooftop as avoided the search parties. He made it to Ponyville Hospital and carefully opened the window to the room where his friends were being kept in observation. To his dismay, not only was Twilight in a bed, but Rarity was there too. Over the hospital bed, the garlands of garlic were hanging over the bitten ponies.

“No... no...” he lamented as he looked upon the two most important mares in his life.

“Spike? Whatcha doin’ here!?” Apple Bloom, who was standing in the room with Sweetie Belle, asked him. “Ah told Scootaloo to keep you hidden at the clubhouse!”

Spike wasn’t paying attention, but ran to Rarity’s bedside.

“Rarity,” he said, hoping she would hear him.

“... Spike,” she answered, weakly opening her eyes to look at him with apologetic eyes. “I’m sorry... I did it for you.”

“What? What did you do?” he asked, fearing the answer.

“I did so we could be together... I drank the blood...” she confessed as she started to cry. “Please forgive me...”

The door opened and a nurse walked in. The white Earth Pony mare with the pink mane done up in a bun gawked at the dragon that was standing by the beds. Scootaloo followed the nurse in and it was obvious that she was out of breath from chasing after Spike.

“Spike!?” the stunned Nurse Redheart exclaimed. The dragon wasted no time and bolted for the window. “Wait, Spike! Come back! They’re not hunting you anymore!”

It was too late. The dragon was already out the window and running towards the Everfree Forest. Since everypony was busy looking for Spike, no one noticed that the bodies in the morgue had disappeared. 


 *****





In the heart of the Everfree Forest, Dracula stood atop of a balcony that overlooked the forest from a ruined castle. Behind him were the reanimated bodies of Dig Site and Bedrock. They were then joined by eleven others. Dracula had summoned the bodies of Count High N’ Mighty and his cohorts to the castle. Their eyes lolled about in their sockets and their mouths were agape. Their bodies were covered in deep slashes and their necks were torn open. Their coats were stained with dried blood and their fancy clothes had been removed by the doctor from the hospital. There was a sense of poetic justice to see these once prideful ponies stripped of their possessions. The group of thirteen pony corpses moaned lifelessly and lumbered about the castle. 

“It is time,” Dracula declared as he rose in the air, calling upon his dark powers. The ground rumbled and deep within castle’s catacombs, tombs opened. The skeletal remains of long dead pony soldiers crawled out from their resting place and headed up the stairs to the main hall. Red pinpoints of light shined from their empty eye sockets. Their armor was old and cracked. The ancient swords and spears they carried were rusted. Their white bones rattled as they moved.

Multiple howls were heard from outside and the green glow of Timberwolf eyes could be seen coming from the dark forest. The enchanted lupines entered through the main gate of the castle and sat before the vampire. Dracula looked at the beginnings of his army of darkness and smiled evilly. 

Soon, I will have my army and Celestia will fall.


*****


Rainbow Dash awoke to something warm and delicious being poured down her throat. She slowly opened her eyes and saw a blurry black and white figure in front of her. As her eyes cleared, she saw that the blur was no other than Zecora.

“Zecora...?” the blue Pegasus mumbled, trying to figure out what was happening. She looked around and discovered that she was lying in the zebra’s bed and the herbalist was spoon feeding her a soup of some sort. “W-what... what happened?”

“Easy now, you need to rest,” Zecora urged as she feed her another spoonful of the soup. “I found you when you crashed into the forest.”

“What is this stuff?” Rainbow Dash asked after taking another sip. Whatever it was, it tasted spicy, but not overwhelmingly so. It warmed her to her core, and she could feel strength returning to her body. “It’s pretty good.” 

Zecora smiled and walked over to her cauldron. Inside it was a red liquid was swirls of gold, orange, and yellow. It almost resembled liquid fire.

“This is Phoenix Flower Brew,” the zebra explained as she motioned to the table with her hoof. Rainbow Dash saw the petals of a red and gold flower on the tabletop. “It is a potion that can heal most injuries and your health renew.”

“Injuries?” Rainbow Dash asked. “How bad was I hurt?”

“When I found you, you where badly bruised and beaten,” Zecora explained. “To make matters worse, by a wolf, we were almost eaten. You were very lucky I was walking nearby, but what caused you to fall from the sky?”

Rainbow Dash though hard as she tried to remember what happened. She remembered talking to Twilight in the hospital. Then she talked to Spitfire. As she was flying back, there were... bats! The vampire! She remembered her fight with the bat monster and how the vampire bit her on the neck. With a feeling of panic in the pit of her stomach, she jumped out the bed and ran to Zecora’s dresser. To her luck, she found a hoof mirror and looked at her neck. There weren’t any bite marks on her throat. In fact, Rainbow Dash carefully inspected herself and discovered that there were no bruises or scratches on her body. The Phoenix Flower Brew had completely healed her, and if it could heal her, then it could heal her friends!

“Zecora, can you make that potion to go?” the Pegasus urgently asked the zebra.

“I can easily put it a pot or a flask,” Zecora answered. “Why do you ask?”

“There’s no time. I’ll explain on the way to the hospital.”  

> The Battle of the Dragons
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	


Spike’s heart was pumping as he ran through the Everfree Forest with only one thought on his mind: to destroy Dracula. The vampire had already attacked his friends and murdered other ponies. He had to be stopped before anypony else was killed or worse. He just had to find the vampire’s hiding place and Spike had a hunch were it could be. Fluttershy had told him that she saw Dracula heading into the forest the other night. There were only a few notable places with the uncontrollable forest; they were Zecora’s hut, the Mirror Pool, and the Ancient Castle of the Royal Sisters. If Dracula was a self-respecting vampire, and if all those comic books and horror movie were to be trusted, then he would indubitably be at the castle.

Spike had been to the old palace before. It was the same castle that Twilight and the rest of their friends ventured into the forest to find in hopes of locating the Elements of Harmony that fateful night all those years ago. If he recalled correctly, the castle laid in the center of the forest, directly south of Ponyville. As Spike brushed tree branches out of his way while he ran, he recalled the landmarks that led the way to the crumbling castle were based on the trials his friends had faced to get there the first time.

Okay, let’s see if I remember, the dragon thought. The trials they faced on the way represented each of their respective Elements. I think Applejack’s was first. What was it? Oh yeah! It was the… 

“Cliff!” Spike yelled as he nearly ran straight off the edge of the fifty foot drop. Spike skid to a stop and waved his arms wildly to keep his balance as he teetered over the edge. His toes were hanging over the edge and he leaned back to move his center of gravity away from the cliff. He regained his balance and exhaled with relief. Then the edge gave away and Spike found himself in gravity’s merciless grasp.

“Horseapples!” Thinking quickly, Spike reached out with an arm and stuck his claws into cliff face. His claws left four long streaks as Spike’s descent was slowed by his quick thinking. He came to a stop as he safely landed on the ground at the bottom. He cautiously opened an eye that had been squeezed shut and looked around. Seeing that he was safe, Spike relinquished his grip on the wall. “Woohoo! Oh man, I wish the girls could have seen that!”

A manticore was snoring as it slept in its cave when it was woken by a purple and green blur when it sped past it. The lion like beast with a scorpion tail and bat wings snorted and opened its eyes, looking around in confusion. It saw the dragon running down the path and it shrugged as it went back to sleep.

Spike ran through a grove of trees and came to a river. Without hesitation, he splashed into the river and wadded to the other side. A sea serpent with a well groomed head of hair looked on with curiosity. He would have offered the young dragon assistance, but the dragon had already reached the opposite shore and darted away.

In the distance, Spike could see a dark castle looming in the distance. Its crumbling towers rose above the mist and fog that surrounded the ruins. There was a moat surrounding the castle and Spike looked over the edge to see nothing but more fog in the depths. He also spotted a rickety wooden bridge than spanned across the ravine. Extending a foot out, Spike tested the stability of the bridge. The wooden board creaked ominously as he put his weight into the step, but it remained intact. He repeated the process with the next board. Again, it creaked and the ropes stretched, but nothing happened. With each board, Spike’s confidence grew and he moved faster across the bridge. He made it to the other side and looked up at the misty ruins. He braced himself and ran up the stairs of the castle, ready to face his adversary.  


*****


In the Royal Palace of Canterlot, Princess Luna sat on the throne of the main hall of the castle. Her Night Guard were standing at the foot the dais and an assistant was at her side, holding a stack of documents, bills, and other papers that needed her signature. 

The Princess of the Night sighed. Sometimes she envied her elder sister for having more petitioners coming before her during the Day Court, but then remembered that the majority of them were conceded nobles that only asked for petty and trivial things. Just the other day, her very distant nephew, Prince Blueblood, was here pestering Celestia by asking for money so that he could purchase a new yacht to host a “charity” party. 

‘Prince’ Blueblood indeed, the midnight blue Alicorn with an ethereal mane that resembled the night sky sarcastically thought. He’s only a prince because he shares a common ancestor with Celestia and me. Cadance, Shining Armor, and Twilight Sparkle are more royal than he will ever will be. They may not have been born royalty, but they have earned their crowns. What has he ever done besides abuse his title and bring shame to the Royal Family? Why can’t all of the nobles by like Sir Fancy Pants?




As Luna finished signing the last piece of paper from the stack, she heard the sound of a piano being played. With no other business to attend to at the moment, the princess descended from the throne and headed towards the door, followed by her devoted Night Guard. She walked down the grand hallways of the palace to find the source of the music. She walked along the red carpets that ran down the center of the blue and white tiled floors. The walls were shades of purple and white with elegant tapestries and grand columns supporting the vaulted ceilings.

Luna was lead to a large conference room that was usually used for galas. It was empty save for a grand piano and its player. The mare playing the piano was none other than the Princess of Sun, Celestia. It was almost comical for Luna to see her sister sitting on a piano bench that wasn’t built for Alicorn-sized pianists, but her amusement was suppressed by the melancholy sounding piece her sister was playing. It sounded so soothing that Luna just stood there at the doorway of the ballroom and closed her eyes as she absorbed the music.

After a moment, Luna slowly approached her sister. Celestia had her back turned to her younger sister, but could hear the clip clop of her horseshoes against the tiled floor. 

“Good evening, sister,” Celestia greeted as she turned her head and looked at her younger sister with a small and almost sad looking smile.

“Good evening,” Luna returned. “Is something wrong?” Celestia shook her head and continued to play.

“No, I was just playing for a bit before I retired for the night.”

“What was that piece?”

“It’s my favorite song. It’s called Clair de Lune,” Celestia told her.

“‘Light of the Moon’...” Luna translated, astounded and touched that such a beautiful piece of music was composed about her moon. “Who, may I ask, composed this lovely song?”

“I did...” Celestia revealed, her sad smile becoming a sad frown. “...one thousand years ago.” 

This shocked Luna and her mouth opened a little in surprise. She wanted to say something, but couldn’t quite find the words.

“...Why?” Luna finally managed to whisper.

“I because I had just lost somepony very dear to me,” the white Alicorn quietly told her. “I realized far too late that she was suffering and I couldn’t do anything to help her.”

Luna was speechless. Ever since she had returned from her imprisonment on the moon, the two sisters had tried to move on and let bygones be bygones. For the most part, it had been working and they were happy again, but every so often, the pains from the past would return. The conversation they had a few nights ago after Luna had comforted Spike brought back those bitter memories from a millennium ago. Celestia understood that some wounds just run too deep, a thousand years too deep, to be healed in the few short years that Luna has been home.

As Celestia continued to play her song, she sadly recalled when she first presented it to her subjects. They cheered and applauded, thinking the song was to commemorate their princess’s victory over Nightmare Moon. What they fail to comprehend was that it was in fact a song of mourning for Equestria’s lost Princess of the Night and Celestia’s beloved baby sister.

Celestia finished the song and turned to face Luna. The younger Alicorn stood before her, her teal eyes filling with tears. Luna squeezed her eyes shut, trying to force back the tears, but a few leaked out and ran down her dark blue cheeks.

“Luna...” Celestia began in an almost pleading tone. Unable to deal with her overwhelming emotions, the Lunar Princess left the ballroom without a word. Celestia hung her head with a troubled sigh, her own emotions weighing heavily upon her heart.

“Princess Celestia!” a voice called. The Alicorn with the ethereal mane that resembled the auroras looked up from the piano bench and saw an out of breath Pegasus guard running towards her carrying a letter. “I have an urgent letter from Princess Twilight Sparkle!”

Celestia’s ears perked up when she heard the words “urgent” and “Twilight.” As she took the letter in her golden aura, she wondered why Spike didn’t send it with his fire breath. She unrolled the scroll and read the contents. Her eyes widened and gasped at what her former student had to say.

“Summon a squadron quickly and quietly and head to Ponyville,” Celestia ordered in an uncharacteristically serious tone. “I’ll go ahead.”

“What about Princess Luna?” the guard asked. “Should I alert her as well?”

“No,” Celestia said adamantly. “She must never know of this. It would destroy her. Now go.” 

The guard bowed and ran to the door as Celestia teleported in a flash of sunlight. As soon as the Pegasus exited the room, he came face to face with Princess Luna. Unbeknownst to him and Celestia, she had heard the entire conversation.

“What is happening in Ponyville?” she asked sternly.

“I-I’m not allowed to say,” the guard stammered nervously under the glare of the Alicorn. He then found himself lifted from the floor in a blue aura and the letter floated to the Night Princess in a matching glow. Luna read the letter and the guard fell to the floor with an “oof” when she lost her grip due to the shock of read its contents.     

Princess Celestia,

We have discovered that a vampire has come to Ponyville. He has attacked Fluttershy, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, wounded two others, and killed another eleven. Spike has been framed for these attacks and the investigators that have been sent are hunting him down like an animal. I believe this vampire to be none other than Vlad Vanguard, returned from the grave. Please send help immediately.


~Princess Twilight Sparkle


“Vlad...” whispered Luna before she too disappeared in a flash of moonlight.

“I’m thinking of transferring,” grumbled the Pegasus to the pair of Night Guards that had been accompanying Luna.

There was a brilliant flash and Princess Celestia was hovering over Ponyville’s town hall. Ponies that had been searching the town for the missing the Spike looked up and gasped when they saw their Princess of the Day. They bowed as the Alicorn touched down and she looked about. She saw a guard bowing and addressed him.

“Where is Princess Twilight Sparkle?”

“She is at Ponyville Hospital, Your Majesty,” he replied with his head still lowered. With another flash of magic, she teleported to the hospital. When she arrived, she was lead to the room where the victims were recovering. Upon entering the room, Celestia saw Zecora spooning feeding Rarity the Phoenix Flower Brew. The other Elements, along with Cheerilee and All Aboard, were awake and moving about.

“Celestia!” Twilight exclaimed when she saw her fellow princess.

“Twilight, I’m so glad to see that you’re okay.” The two Alicorns nuzzled each other and then turned to Zecora.

“Zecora found Rainbow Dash in the forest with bite marks on her neck and made Phoenix Flower Brew to heal her,” Twilight explained. “They then came here and gave us some and our bites were healed as well, but Rarity doesn’t seem to be getting better.”

Celestia walked over to the afflicted white Unicorn and saw that her external wounds were healed, but she still appeared to be in a weaken state. The Alicorn reached out with her magic and she could sense that a powerful curse had been placed on the fashionista.

“The vampire has infected her with its own blood,” Celestia grimly announced. “If she dies, she will become one herself.”

“But, you can cure her, can’t you Princess?” asked Fluttershy with pleading eyes.

“The curse is strong; it is coursing through her veins in her blood,” Celestia explained. “It can be cured, but it will take time. The only way to instantly cure her is to destroy the vampire that infected her. His destruction is her salvation.”


*****
 

Spike’s footsteps echoed as he entered the dark hall of the castle. Thanks to his draconic eyesight, he could see well in low-light environments. However, he almost wished he couldn’t see in the dark. Before him was a pack of Timberwolves, a group who zombie ponies, and worst of all, an army of skeleton soldiers. The Timberwolves growled as they started to circle the dragon. Since his adventure in the parallel world of Trotina, Spike had overcome his fear of the wooden beasts, but he had to admit that he still couldn’t stand the smell of their breath. The enchanted constructs crouched down, ready to pounce and Spike took a combative stance.

“Stop,” a voice echoed in the darkness. The Timberwolves halted their attack and backed away from Spike. The dragon looked around, but couldn’t find the source of the voice. Then he saw the glowing blue eyes of the vampire looking down from a dais. Outside, the moon shone through a cracked window and illuminated the hall and Spike could clearly see a dark gray Unicorn with a black mane and goatee standing atop of the dais. He was wearing a black suit and a black cape that flowed around him like a living shadow. The vampire looked down at the young dragon, who was wearing a backpack. The vampire studied him and then smirked. “I commend you for your bravery. You must be Spike.”

“And you must be Dracula,” Spike said back to the undead stallion.

“I am Dracula,” the vampire said slowly with a polite nod of the head. “And I bid you welcome.”

“I’m here to destroy you!” Spike declared, still in the combative stance.

“Is that so?” Dracula raised a brow with amusement. As he descended the dais, Spike noticed that the light from the moon behind the vampire didn’t cause him to cast a shadow. Spike shudder at bit at the unnerving sight as Dracula reached the bottom of the dais. “Why?”

“Because of what you are and what you have done!”

“We must all do what we must to survive. Hay and apples for ponies. The blood of ponies for me. What is the difference?” the vampire rationalized.

“The difference between good and evil.” Dracula scoffed at Spike’s explanation. 

“Good and evil are just points of view,” the vampire told the dragon.

“You attacked my friends! You attacked my family! You murdered innocent ponies!” Spike shouted. The Timberwolves growled at the dragon, being protective of their master.

“Innocent, ha!” Dracula laughed contemptuously and looked over to the remains of Count High N’Mighty and his cohorts. Dracula pointed a hoof the zombified count. “These dishonorable vermin? You do realize that this is the same insect that once tried to seduce your beloved?”

Spike’s gaze left the vampire and looked at the moaning red Unicorn corpse with a deep purple mane. The once haughty look that belonged to those lifeless yellow eyes was nowhere to be found.

“It doesn’t matter. They didn’t deserve to die,” Spike claimed, causing Dracula to chuckle.

“Truly, you must be a noble dragon. I do not wish to harm you, but I cannot have you interfering in my plans. Go now and return your home,” Dracula told him as he turned and walked back up the dais.

“No,” Spike refused. “I must stop you!”

“As you wish,” Dracula causally said as he looked down at Spike.

There was a snarl and Spike turned his head in time to see a Timberwolf leaping at him. Spike ducked and it went sailing over his head. Immediately, another one pounced at the dragon, but Spike was ready for it. An emerald flame leapt from the dragon’s mouth and incinerated the Timberwolf midair. A pile of burning wood landed at Spike’s feet and he looked up to give a cocky smirk to the remaining Timberwoves. He took a deep breath and exhaled a torrent of green fire as he spun around. The Timberwolves that were closest to him burst into flames and crumbled. The ones that were not caught in the fiery tornado yelped in fear and made a run for it.

Spike watched as the remaining Timberwolves fled out of the castle, but turned to see the thirteen zombies lumbering towards him. The green glow of the flames bathed their undead bodies in an eerie light. The first zombie to reach him was none other than N’Mighty. Spike balled his claw into a fist and delivered an uppercut to the zombie’s jaw. As the zombie was knocked onto his back, Spike felt a sense of satisfaction for finally being able to hit the sleaze that dare to harass Rarity. However, the moment was short lived because the zombie got back up and the other twelve joined him. Spike then remembered that zombies were relentless and didn’t have a sense of pain to hold them back. He was hesitant to use his fire breath because, even though they were monsters, they still looked like ponies. He also thought the Elements of Harmony could revive them. The Crystal Ponies in Trotina were turned into zombies, but the Elements there were able to heal them.

No, Spike thought. Those ponies were still alive. They were only zombies because of a curse. These ponies are already dead.

With that concern put to rest, Spike unleashed another blast of green fire. The fire consumed the zombies and Spike watched in pity and disgust as their once colorful coats were burnt away. He could see what used to mares and stallions burn and wither away before his eyes. A sandy colored Unicorn with a mustache and a blue Earth Pony with a slate colored mane were among the burning corpses. Spike closed his eyes and turned his head as the last of them fell, feeling remorse for the fallen.

The sound of rattling bones got Spike’s attention and saw the army of skeleton warriors raise their weapons. They opened their mouths and a let out a raspy cry. Two pinpoints of red lights shined from their eye sockets. They marched towards the dragon and Spike prepared himself. One of them raised their sword and brought it down. Spike dodged the attack, causing the blade to clang against the stone floor. He had no time to rest and had to roll away from a spear that was thrust at him. He grabbed a hold of the spear and pulled it from the skeletal pony’s grasp. He swung the end of the shaft against its owner, shattering the dry bones of the reanimated warrior.

Spike hissed in pain and winced when he felt a sharp sting in his side. He looked down saw that a skeleton had slashed at his side. Thankfully, Spike’s hard dragon scales saved him and there was no damage. Angered by the attack, Spike brought the spear down on the warrior’s head and shattered the skull. Knowing that their weapons couldn’t do any lasting damage to him, Spike threw himself into the midst of the skeletons, smashing them left and right with the spear.

“Enough!” The skeletons retreated from Spike, who was surrounded by shattered bones and rusted armor, and looked back up to Dracula. The vampire didn’t want to waste anymore of his forces on the dragon. “You fight well, as the dragon that you are should, but you have caused me enough trouble. Again, I ask you; leave now while you still can.”

“And again, I tell you; I’m here to destroy you!” Spike retorted. The purple dragon growled with anger at the vampire. “You attacked my mother and you forced the mare I love to drink your blood.”

“I did not force her to drink,” Dracula corrected. “I gave her a choice. I gave her the opportunity to live forever. I would have thought that you would appreciate that. She could have been yours forever. Do you not want this?”

“Yes, but not like this,” Spike said with a shake of his head. “I don’t want her to become a monster like you just to be with me. It’s not worth it. Nothing is worth it. Now, I must save her and to do that, I must destroy you.”

“So, this is how it has to be,” Dracula said with disappointment. Those icy blue eyes narrowed as they looked down at Spike from the dais. “What a shame. It would have been an honor to have one such as yourself fighting by my side. We could have been brothers-in-arms. We could have built a new kingdom together with your beloved at your side as your bride throughout all eternity. Truly, it is a pity, but I am afraid I cannot let you stand in my way, and if you will not stand aside, you will be struck down.”

“I’m not going anywhere,” Spike declared, gripping the spear tighter. “I won’t let you harm another pony.”

“What is a pony!?” the vampire challenged, his face contorting and his eyes glowing red. “A miserable little pile of secrets, but enough talk! Have at you!”




Before Spike could react, Dracula launched a red bolt of magic from his horn and struck Spike in the chest. The force of the attack sent Spike sprawling on the floor. With a groan, Spike sat up and reached for his spear, but a hoof came down on the weapon, shattering it. Spike looked up and saw the bared fangs and burning eyes of the vampire. It roared and lashed out with a hoof that turned into a claw. The blow struck Spike across the face, causing him to fall back to the floor. The vampire immediately grabbed him by the shoulders, lifted him off the floor, and threw him across the room with another roar. The purple dragon skid and tumbled across the stone floor. He grabbed his head with a claw and looked up to see the room was spinning. When everything came back into focus, he saw the snarling master of darkness stomping towards him.

Spike remembered his backpack and reached into it. The vampire was only a few feet away, but froze in its tracks when it saw Spike pull out a garland of garlic. Dracula howled in displeasure and Spike waved the garlic in front of him to keep the vampire at bay. Dracula growled, and then roared at the garlic, causing it to burst into flames.

“Uh-oh,” Spike said to himself as he looked at the ashy remains of the floor. Desperate, he sprung himself at Dracula, but fell through the vampire as though he wasn’t there. As he raised himself off the floor, he felt something grab his tail. His body lurched as it was swung off the floor and then slammed into the wall behind him. Pain shot through Spike’s body and the walls reverberated from the impact. With a roar, Dracula pulled Spike from the wall and again threw him across the room. 

“Spike, you disappoint me,” the vampire taunted the dragon that was trying to get back on his feet. “Surely, you can do better.”

With a frustrated growl of his own, Spike got up and slashed at the vampire with his claws. Dracula easily avoided each blow with his supernatural speed. Agitated by his failure to hit the vampire, Spike took a deep breath and blew a large jet of green fire at the vampire, but it turned into mist and disappeared. The mist gathered together again and Dracula was now floating in the air.

“Very good,” Dracula called down to Spike. “Now, see why they call me ‘the dragon.’”

Dark clouds of evil magic swirled around Dracula and the room was filled with a vortex of the shadowy mass. The mass of dark clouds came together to form a shape and a hellish red light glowed within. From the storm of dark magic, a dragon made of shadows emerged, the red light glowing from its eyes, nostrils, and maw. The incorporeal beast roared and Spike backed away from the towering monster. It spread its wings, reared back on its hind legs, and came back down with its maw opened. 

Spike realized what was about to happen and ran as hellfire burst from the shadow dragon’s mouth. He knew that he was fireproof, but he didn’t want to test his scales against the vampire. Spike ran out of the blast radius, but ran into the range of the shadowy giant’s tail. The black mass that made up the tail struck Spike, sending him flying again. He crashed into the wall and fell floor with a thud.

The battered purple dragon tried to get up, but his body refused. With more effort, he tried again. His limbs protested, but they begrudgingly obeyed. Spike propped himself up against the wall and panted as he looked up to see the dark dragon approach him. He hung his head in defeat. It was hopeless; it was like trying to fight a shadow. No matter what he did, he couldn’t harm the vampire. Dracula was untouchable during the night. If only if it was day.

If only if it was day? Spike suddenly thought of something. He reached into his bag and felt around. To his joy, he found that the strange metal ball that Twilight was working on was still in one piece. Yes! Now all I need is… He looked around and saw a sword of a fallen skeleton warrior at his feet, but a shadowy claw stepped on it. Spike looked up and saw the vampire dragon glaring down at him with its fiery eyes. It was now or never. Spike raised the device and smashed it down on the castle floor.

The shadow dragon roared in fury as a blinding light filled the castle. The solar energy that was stored within Twilight’s experiment was unleashed and it dispelled the dark magic that formed the dark dragon, leaving Dracula standing before Spike. Dracula’s body trembled, his strength drained by the light of day and his powers weakened. The vampire roared and rubbed its blinded eyes. Seizing the opportunity, Spike grabbed the broken sword at his feet and ran it through the distracted vampire’s chest. The jagged blade went through the vampire’s black dress coat, between its ribcage, and pierced its lifeless heart.

Dracula’s red eyes widened with shock and disbelief. He looked down at the hilt of the sword that stuck out of his chest and staggered away from Spike. His dark blood spilled out from the wound. He looked up at the dragon that had run him through then fell onto his back.

It cannot end this way… Dracula thought. My quest for vengeance… 

Spike groaned as he lifted himself from the floor and stood over Dracula, his body throbbing with pain. The vampire looked up at the one who defeated him and smiled as he coughed up blood. For some strange reason, he felt no malice toward the young dragon. Like himself, the young dragon was fighting for his loved one.

“Well played… Spike…” Dracula managed to wheeze out between coughs. “Well… played…” 

The vampire fell silent and the skeletal army crumbled to dust. Spike turned, staggered over to his backpack and slung it over his shoulder. He took one last look at the fallen warlord and walked away. It was a hollow victory for him. He saved Ponyville… no, all of Equestria from the threat of the vampire king, but he couldn’t return home, for he was a wanted criminal. Clue Finder, Cold Case, and Gum Shoe had turned the ponies of his home against him. Ponies that he once thought were his friends chased him with torches and pitchforks! No matter what, they wouldn’t let him live in peace, for he was a dragon.

At least Rarity, Mother, and the girls are safe now, he thought as he walked out of the castle. Where was he going, he did not know.

> Farewell
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Rarity opened her eyes and inhaled sharply. The alabaster Unicorn panted as though a weight had been lifted from her chest. She looked around and saw that she was lying in a hospital bed.

“Rarity!” The mare looked to her left and saw a beaming Pinkie Pie beside her. The rest of her friends quickly gathered around her. “You’re all better!”

“Oh, I’m so relieved,” sighed Fluttershy.

Rarity sat up in the bed and felt the rejuvenating properties of Zecora’s Phoenix Flower Brew course through her body. She carefully got out of the bed and was pulled into a crushing hug by Pinkie Pie.

“Take it easy, Pinkie,” Twilight told the overjoyed pink mare. “Give her some space.”

Pinkie reluctantly relinquished her grip on the fashionista and pouted, “But I’m so happy she’s okay!”

“So are we, Sugar cube,” Applejack replied. “But give her time to recuperate.”

“With Rarity getting better and all, it must mean that someone took out that vampire,” Rainbow Dash commented.

“Ah bet it was Spike,” Apple Bloom said.

“Spike?” Rarity asked with surprise as she turned to the younger of the Apple Sisters.

“Yeah, he jumped out the window and started running towards the Everfree Forest when he found out that you had been attacked,” Scootaloo explained and pointed to the window that Spike crawled out of.  

“Oh my goodness!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed. “Spike still thinks the guards are after him!”

“Good heavens, she’s right!” Twilight gasped, remembering what those arrogant investigators have caused.

“What do you mean?” Rarity asked, out of the loop.

“Yeah, why are the guards after Spike?” Rainbow Dash also asked.

“The investigators thought he was the one attacking ponies and tried to arrest him!” Twilight told her friends. “They even organized an angry mob and chased him with torches and pitchforks!”

“So that was all that was about!?” Rainbow Dash shouted, remembering seeing the search parties before she was bit.

“How terrible!” Fluttershy couldn’t believe what she was hearing. How could the ponies she knew so well form a mob and hunt after anyone?

“Outrageous!” Rarity cried out in fury. “How dare they accuse my Spikey Wikey!?”

“Come on girls! We need to find Princess Celestia!” Twilight declared. The Elements of Harmony and the Cutie Mark Crusaders out of the hospital, leaving the doctors and nurse calling after them, saying that they hadn’t properly released.

The nine ponies ran down the streets of Ponyville and saw that an emergency town meeting had been called during the middle of the night. On the platform in front of town hall was Celestia, not looking too pleased. The white Alicorn saw Twilight Sparkle and the others approaching the crowd.

“Princess Twilight Sparkle,” the Solar Princess called to her graduated student. The lavender Alicorn along with the others Elements of Harmony joined her on the stage. “I’m glad to see that Rarity has recovered. That must mean that Spike has defeated the Voivode.”

“Yes, Princess. We think so too,” Twilight agreed with a nod.

“I’m glad you all are here. I was about to make an announcement.” The group of friends left the stage so that Princess Celestia could address the town. As Twilight left the stage, she noticed a squadron of Royal Guards surrounding the platform. Beside the guards were Clue Finder, Cold Case, and Gum Shoe. Their tails were tucked between their legs, their ears drooped, and their heads hung low in shame.

“Citizens of Ponyville,” Celestia spoke to the crowd. The characteristic warmth of her voice was absent and it was replaced by a serious tone. Celestia had always been a motherly figure to all of her little ponies, but this wasn’t the “doting mother” Celestia. This was the “scolding mother” Celestia. “I am very disappointed in all of you.”

Hearing her reprimanding words, the entire crowd imitated the three investigators’ looks of shame. 

“I have been informed that you have been lead by misinformed ponies into hunting down Spike the Dragon,” Celestia continued. The three investigators flinched when the princess mentioned them. “What saddens me is that you blindly followed these ponies into forming a lynch mob. It shocks me that you could so easily be led into rioting. This is shameful. I had hoped you all were more civilized than that. You allowed fear and hatred cloud to your minds and chased Spike, someone you all know very well, out of your town. You all know Spike; he is a hero! It was because of him that King Sombra was vanquished and the Crystal Empire was freed from his curse. Spike valiantly fought by my side when giant cockatrices invaded Canterlot. He played an essential role in stopping the Nightmare Forces when it returned to Ponyville. You all mourned for him when he was lost in a parallel world and everypony thought he was dead! How could you so easily forget what he has done for you and what he meant to all of you? Did you not question why you were being led to hunt him? Did you not trust him enough to investigate the matter for yourselves?”

Her words stung at their guilty consciences. They all averted their eyes and some of them cried in shame and humiliation. They shuffled their hooves uncomfortably and looked at the ground.

“You’re not going to find him by looking at your hooves,” Celestia told them sternly. “You are going to find him and bring him home safely. When he returns, you are all going to beg for his forgiveness. Now, go and find him.”

With the princess’s command, the crowd dispersed and went off to find the falsely accused dragon. Princess Celestia walked down the steps of the platform and looked over to Clue Finder and his associates. 

“Inspector Clue Finder,” Princess Celestia firmly said to the olive Unicorn.

“Y-yes, Y-Your Majesty?” he timidly whispered.

“You and your team are hereby suspended until Spike is brought safely home. When he does return, the three of you shall return to your positions under probation and with reduced pay.”

“We understand, Your Majesty,” the trio said with their heads bowed. Celestia started to walk away, but stopped and looked back them again.

“Clue Finder.”

“Yes, Your Majesty?”

“I love Spike, Clue Finder. I personally cared for his egg for decades. I was there the day he was born. I helped Princess Twilight Sparkle raise him. He is the closest thing I have to a son.” There was a flash of anger in the Alicorn’s eyes and her voice lowered to a menacing tone. “For your sake, pray that he returns safely.”

Without another word, Princess Celestia left the trio of trembling shamed ponies and joined the Elements of Harmony to go to make preparations for the search for the missing dragon. 


*****





Vlad Dracula laid on the stone floor of the ruined castle that once belonged to the Royal Alicorn Sisters. Moonlight fell through the cracked window and surrounded the vanquished vampire. The hilt of the broken sword stuck out from his ribcage and blood ran down his chest, staining his black clothes, to the floor. He laid perfectly still and his eyes stared unblinkingly up to the ceiling of the great hall of the castle. Blood came out of his mouth as the vampire coughed.

“Where is my princess…” he lamented with a strained voice. He coughed up more blood and wheezed. He could feel the darkness of death coming to claim him once again. “… She has forsaken me…”

His eyes slowly rolled in his head and he looked out the window. For the first time since Renny Field had revived him, he looked at the moon. He noticed the image of the Mare in Moon was absent from the lunar surface. He wondered how it could be so. The image of a dark mare had been on the surface of the moon ever since Nightmare Moon was banished there by Celestia.

A flash of moonlight filled the hall of the ruined castle and Princess Luna hovered over Dracula. She gently touched down and stood over the defeated vampire. Tears ran down her midnight blue face as she saw what had become of the stallion she loved.

“…Luna…” Vlad managed to whisper in a rasp.

“Vlad… my poor Vlad,” Luna sobbed as she knelt down beside him. She held one of his hooves in hers and he reached up and caressed the side of her face with his other. His rasping breath stopped and his hoof fell lifelessly to the floor. His eyes closed and Luna touched his forehead with hers and sobbed in despair. Her crying echoed throughout the castle as the moon shone its light on the heartbroken Princess of the Night as she wept over her beloved’s body. 


*****


In a seedy bar in Manehattan, Clue Finder, Cold Case, and Gum Shoe sat around a table. They stared at their empty mugs of hard cider and contemplated their situation. They had been suspend from their jobs and would be in for a hard time when, if ever, they would be allowed back to their positions. The dragon they had so passionately pursued had been missing for a couple days now and no leads have been found. One would think that finding a purple dragon would be easy.

“This stinks,” the bubblegum pink mare with the mint green mane muttered as she played with her empty mug. Cold Case was slowly banging his head on the table. Clue Finder was resting his head on his folded forelegs on the table.

“We should have gathered more evidence…” Cold Case mumbled as the gray stallion continued to hit his head on the table. “We should have conducted more interviews…”

How could this happened? the olive Unicorn thought. Everything was working out so well. I was going to be a hero! It’s all that stupid dragon’s fault! How was I supposed to know that there was a real vampire!?

His thoughts were interrupted when a tan Earth Pony waitress with an auburn mane place three fresh mugs of hard cider on the table. The trio looked at the mugs and then back up to the mare with confusion.

“Complements of the mare in the corner booth,” she said with a nod in the direction of the corner of the bar as she gathered the empty mugs from the table. The three looked in the direction indicated by the waitress and saw a mare sitting in the shadows. She was red Pegasus mare with a blond mane and was watching them with green eyes that seemed to glow in the dark. They grabbed the mugs, lifted them up, and nodded to the mystery mare. The mare smiled back at that them, but they failed to notice her two pointed teeth. They downed their drinks and placed the mugs back on the table.

“I’m going to go thank her for the drinks,” Gum Shoe announced as she got up from the table.

“Yeah, you go do that,” Clue Finder mumbled. Gum Shoe trotted over to the booth and sat down beside the red mare. She noticed that her cutie mark was of a map and compass.

“Hey, thanks for the drinks,” the pink Earth Pony said to the unknown mare.

“You’re welcome,” she said with a predatory smile. “You looked like you needed it.”

“Yeah, we hit some hard times recently,” Gum Shoe told her. “I’m Gum Shoe. What’s your name?”

“Call me Lady Crimson,” the red mare introduced herself.

“Is there anything I can do to thank you for the drinks?” The question made Lady Crimson’s grin grow.

“Why yes, since you asked,” she said, looking into Gum Shoe’s eyes with her glowing green ones. The pink mare’s mind began to become hazy as she stared into the mesmerizing eyes. She started to think she had one too many mugs of cider, but her thoughts completely clouded over and a euphoric feeling filled her. “I gave you a drink, so how about you return the favor, hm?”

“Mmmhmmm…” Gum Shoe dreamily responded as she bobbed her head up and down with a drunken smile on her face.

“Good, then follow me.” The Pegasus left the table and Gum Shoe obediently followed her outside. 

It was closing time and the patrons were asked to leave. Clue Finder and Cold Case swayed a bit as they also made their way out of the bar. Then they remembered Gum Shoe wasn’t with them.

“Hey, where’s Gum Shoe?” asked Cold Case with a slight slur.

“I dunno, let’s find her,” Clue Finder answered. 

The two inebriated stallions walked around, looking for their partner. As they searched, they made their way around the corner into the alley that went behind the bar. There, they found Gum Shoe slumped against the wall. She had her eyes closed and she was moaning blissfully. The two stallions noticed she had a hoof to her neck.

“Gum Shoe, what are…” Clue Finder started to ask as he moved her hoof away from her neck to find two fresh bite marks on her throat.

“Good evening, gentlecolts,” a sultry voice said from behind them. Clue Finder and Cold Case turned around to come face to face with the hypnotic green eyes of the mysterious red Pegasus from the bar. They were immediately caught in her spell. A fog filled the alley and the mare’s sinister laugh could be heard echoing into the night.


*****


In Trotsylvania to the far north, a lonely castle stood on a snowy mountain top. Everything was silent for no one dared to enter the cursed fortress. The only inhabitants were the skeletons of long dead ponies, impaled on wooden pikes.

In a dark tomb of the castle laid a sarcophagus. A flash of magic illuminated the room and Princess Luna appeared. Floating beside her, wrapped in her blue magic, was the body of Vlad Vanguard. The broken blade that which Spike stabbed him with was still embedded in his chest.

With a solemn expression on her face, the midnight blue Alicorn moved the stone lid away with her magic and carefully placed the body into the sarcophagus. She stared down at the dead stallion and then slowly moved the lid back into place.

“Good night, my sweet prince,” she quietly whispered to the closed casket. A few tears ran down her face as she closed her eyes and teleported back to Canterlot.


*****


Spike sat in a dinner in Fillydelphia. He was self conscious as he was receiving stares from the other patrons. Every time he would look up, ponies would quickly avert their eyes from him. It was obvious that these ponies were not accustomed to seeing a young dragon in their midst. Spike tried to ignore them as he waited for the waitress to take his order. He rubbed his aching back, still sore from the beating he received a few nights ago during his fight with Dracula.

“Sir,” a rough sounding voice said to him. Spike looked up and saw the owner, a gruff looking gray Earth Pony with a balding brown mane, standing beside his table. “I’m going to have to ask you to leave. You’re bothering the other customers.”

Spike looked around and saw more ponies hide behind their menus. Again, he was being discriminated against for being a dragon. He knew there was no point in arguing, so he let out a sigh and quietly left the table. As he headed out the door, he heard the ponies cheer and applaud for the owner for driving the “scary” dragon away. Spike shook his head and walked to the docks.

The purple dragon sat on a post and pulled out a few gems that he had stashed in his pack. He munched on a topaz as he watched the ships in the harbor. He then felt pressure in his stomach and belched green flames. A letter that bore the crest of Princess Celestia landed in front of Spike. He looked sadly at the letter in his claw.

The Princess must be looking for me, he bitterly thought. She must have heard what those investigators said I did and already sent her guards after me. Even if I did turn myself in, those investigators said they had enough evidence to put me away forever. Even though she is a princess, she isn’t above the law and would have to condemn me.

“We saw what happened in the dinner,” a voice said behind him. Turning around, Spike saw three stallions. The foremost one was a light brown Unicorn with a buzzed gray mane and blue eyes. He wore a red officer cap that signified that he had served in the military at one point and his cutie mark was a medal. “We thought what that pony did was terrible.”

“Oh, thanks,” Spike halfheartedly replied.

“I’m Captain Pepper,” the Unicorn introduced himself as he extended his hoof.

“I’m Spike.” He shook Pepper’s hoof and looked at the other two. One was an older gray Earth Pony with a white mane and mustache. His eyes were red and he wore glasses and a trench coat. His cutie mark was a rolled up map. The other one was a younger Unicorn, probably about the same age as Spike. He had a lime green coat, a yellow mane, blue eyes, and a cutie mark of an oil slick. He wore a purple choker and a red and white ball cap that said “Slippy” on it.

“This is my navigator, Peppy…” Pepper pointed to the older Earth Pony.

“How do you do?” the gray pony greeted and shook Spike’s claw.

“…And my mechanic, Slippy.”

“Nice to meet ya!” the lime green stallion said in a way too high pitched voice.

“We’re mercenaries,” the captain explained. “We just got this letter saying that some island to the east is in need of assistance and is offering a reward to anyone that can help them.”

“So what do you want with me?” Spike asked, failing to see the Unicorn’s point.

“We’re short on team members,” Pepper clarified. “Our last fighter, Mac Cloud, got married and decided to settle down and who knows where Falco is. Now we need a capable warrior to fill in. You look tough, would you be interested? I would fill the spot myself, but ever since I got injured and discharged from the army, I can’t fight anymore.”

“So what do you do?” Spike asked.

“I may be unable to fight, but I’m still a skilled tactician,” Pepper said in his own defense. “I also steer the ship. So how about it? You’ll get a large chuck of the money for being the one going out and doing to dirty work.”

Spike thought about the offer. He only had a few gems and bits in his backpack and he doubted anypony else would hire a dragon. He looked at the letter in his claw and remembered that he was also a wanted criminal in Equestria. It was only a matter of time before the word spread throughout the kingdom and every guard in the country would be looking for him. Besides, it wasn’t like he had anything better to do.

“Alright, I’m in.” Spike clasped the Unicorn’s hoof and shook it to seal the deal.

“Excellent!” Pepper said with a friendly smile.

“Woohoo! Welcome to the team!” Slippy cheered.

“Welcome aboard,” Peppy said with a nod.

“Come on, let me show you our vessel.” Pepper led Spike down the pier to where their ship was docked. Spike saw a large yacht and was impressed by the fancy ship. “Well, are coming or not?”

Spike looked over and saw the mercenaries board a small decommissioned war boat. It was rickety and rusty, and Spike could swear it was held together in places by duct tape. On its side, the words “Great Fox” were painted on the hull. The dragon face palmed, but boarded the ironically named vessel. As he walked on the deck, he took one last look at the unopened letter and crumpled it up before tossing it overboard.

“I know she doesn’t look like much,” the captain admitted. “But this baby is still as good as she was back when she was still in the service. And here’s the best part; she’s an airship.”

“Great,” Spike said under his breath. It’s scary enough think I had to go on the water with this thing, now it flies!

The crew of the Great Fox entered the cabin and took their seats. Pepper took the helm and his horned glowed yellow. His magic started the magic power source of the ship. The engines roared and propellers spun as the ship came to life.

“Ready for take off!” Captain Pepper announced. He pulled some levers and flipped a few switches. The airship shook as it rose from the water. Spike braced himself as the Great Fox lurched forward, heading off towards the east. “Next stop: Krazoa Island!”

“Here we go,” Spike said to himself as he headed off to his next adventure.

> Chapter Notes
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Hey everybody! Just to let you know, I'll be starting on the next installment of the Legend of Spike very soon. It will be called the Legend of Spike: Krazoa Island and it will be based on the Nintendo game Star Fox Adventures. Until next time, have some notes, trivia, and commentary.

Chapter One

•	I used the music from the movie “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” to help narrate this chapter.
Paragraph 6-9 from 1:41-2:37
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Paragraph 11-20 from 3:05-4:15 (the woman vocalizing is Nightmare Moon seducing Vlad)
Paragraph 21 from 4:15-4:48
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•	“Blood is the life” is a popular Dracula line.
•	“Dracula” means “the Son of the Dragon,” but in this story, it just means “Dragon.”
•	This first chapter was directly inspired by the opening scene of the 1992 film.

Chapter Two

•	Following up with Discord’s Mask, I had Rainbow Dash adopt Scootaloo.
•	Since the CMC are teenagers now, I wanted to give them Cutie Marks that I think works best for them.
•	To clarify, this story takes places about five years after Discord’s Mask and when the show would have ended.
•	The movie they’re going to see is obliviously an Equestrian version of “Twilight.”
•	Renny Field is based off the character from “Dracula,” Renfield. 
•	The music I use is from Castlevania 64. Though most gamers hate it, I enjoy it. You actually fight vampires in it, and I don’t mean the occasional boss like in most of other Castlevania games, but as normal enemies.
•	Of course I had to include the required scene of the mountain villagers trying to warn the travelers of the spooky castle, but just to have them ignore the warning and go anyway.

Chapter Three

•	Spike’s reaction to the movie sums up my reaction to it.
•	Even though Spike and Rarity are in a relationship, some of the ponies are not too keen to the idea of a pony being with a dragon.
•	Apparently, Sweetie Belle supports Team Edward and Scootaloo is on Team Jacob.
•	“When did vampires and wolfponies become so attractive?” Spike’s thoughts is a commentary on how vampires and werewolves went from being strictly horror monsters to being the subjects of cheesy teen love stories. 
•	“I simply know a good book when I see one. I even remember when I saw it for the first time. There was something about the title that really spoke to me. It was though it was made just for me, like it had my name written all over it.” A Twilight and “Twilight” joke.
•	Fluttershy’s complaints of the movie are the same as mine.
•	“The Song of Healing” returns from Discord’s Mask as Twilight and Spike’s mother/son theme.
•	 Twilight “squees” in this chapter.

Chapter Four

•	The conversation between Dig Site, Bedrock, and Renny Field is a little real life history lesson. The real Dracula, Vlad III, wasn’t a Count or a Prince. He was a Voivode, which was both the political and military leader of a province. Translated, it means “Warlord.”
•	The songs in this chapter are from “Ogre Battle 64.” It’s a great game that no one seems to know anything about. The first song is to set an eerie mood when they see the impaled pony skeletons, another reference to Vlad Tepes.
•	The scene of Renny’s blood falling on Dracula’s heart and causing to regrow his flesh was inspired by a scene from “The Batman vs. Dracula.” The song from “Ogre Battle 64” playing in this scene was to give the impression that something terrible and powerful had been unleashed.	
•	Vampires roar in this story. I can’t stand it when they hiss in movies. I face palm whenever I hear them do it. They’re supposed to be these savage man-beasts from beyond the grave, not snakes. Again, I drew inspiration from the 1992 Dracula film. In it, Dracula makes unearthly snarls, howls, and roars.
•	Instead of just having just two sharp canine teeth, my vampires’ incisors are almost as long and pointed as their fangs, but only use all of them when they want to kill. 

Chapter Five

•	Spike’s nightmare is the same as the Trial of Laughter during the Depression Cycle of Discord’s Mask and his nightmare from the last chapter.
•	Luna’s theme is “the Goddess Appears,” also known as “the Fairy Fountain Theme,” from the Zelda games. In the previous game, I used it as Celestia’s theme because she was playing the part of the Great Fairy. Here, I used the “Twilight Princess” version called “Recover the Light” because I wanted Luna’s version of the song to be more dreamlike.  
•	It was hard for me to write Spike’s conversation with Twilight about having to lose her because I had recently lost my own mother.
•	Even though Luna has reconciled with Celestia and is accepted by the ponies of Equestria, she is still harboring a great deal of pain and emotional baggage.

Chapter Six

•	The title of this chapter refers to Spike’s dinner with Rarity and Dracula’s dinner on the train.
•	The train scene was based off of the ship scene from “Dracula.” The passenger car is even named the “Demeter.”
•	The conductor is the character All Aboard, who is seen in a few episodes of the show.
•	All Aboard does the Wilhelm Scream when Dracula pulls him into the coffin.
•	In my head canon, Commander Hurricane married Princess Platinum and became the King and Queen of Equestria with Celestia and Luna being their daughters. 
•	Rarity telling Spike that dragons can breed with about any creature due to their magical nature is a concept from Dungeons & Dragons. In this case, Kirins are dragon-unicorn hybrids. In the context of the story, it is easier for a dragon to breed with unicorns than with other ponies because of the unicorn’s magic. Why is all this Kirin stuff important? You’ll see someday.
•	The most often forgotten of a vampire’s powers is the ability to command the weather.

Chapter Seven

•	The name of the chapter is the same as the song from the movie, and yes, it made me jump when I listened to it the for the first time.
•	Snowflake/Roid Rage and Thunderlane make an appearance as a member of the weather team. 
•	Pound and Pumpkin are youngsters now in this story.
•	This chapter was based on the scene where Lucy was attacked by Dracula.

Chapter Eight

•	Seriously, if you saw two marks on someone’s neck, what is the first thing that comes to mind?
•	The song I used here is from “Swan Lake,” the theme of the 1931 film.•	Remember, Spike met a vampirized Vinyl Scratch and Octavia in Discord’s Mask.
•	Dracula watching “Twilight.” 

Chapter Nine

•	Rarity uses her line from “A Dog and Pony Show.”
•	Dracula avoided standing in front of a mirror because his lack of a reflection would give him away.
•	Count High N’Mighty, who was only mentioned in Discord’s Mask, makes his entrance in this chapter. For his theme, I looked for sophisticated, yet pompous sounding music.
•	The music that plays when Dracula confronts N’Mighty is Golbez’s theme from Final Fantasy 4.
•	Like in the book, Dracula wears all black, has a goatee, and blue eyes that become red.  

Chapter Ten

•	Dracula finds a loophole in the “can’t enter unless invited” rule and exploits it.
•	One of the books Spike was reading was the “Necronomicon Ex-Mortis” from the “Evil Dead” series.
•	The song playing in the club is “Dracula” by the Gorillaz.
•	“I never drink... cider.” This is homage to another famous Dracula line.
•	Vinyl Scratch almost became a vampire like her counterpart in Discord’s Mask.

Chapter Eleven

•	Spike references the Canterlot Wedding in this chapter.
•	Twilight “squees” again.  She’s so adorkable.
•	Rarity uses her “worst possible thing” line.
•	I wanted to use a different Dracula theme for this chapter. Even though it’s from Mel Brooks’ Dracula parody, it still fits.

Chapter Twelve

•	We’re introduced to Clue Finder, Cold Case, and Gum Shoe in this chapter. 
•	Fun Fact: Cold Case mentions that manticores have multiple rows of teeth. This comes from mythology. 
•	The Mane Six mention the disasters from “Swarm of the Century,” “Spike at your Service,” “It’s About Time,” “Boast Busters,” and “Friendship is Magic.”  
•	Fluttershy’s friend, Harry the Bear, is mentioned.
•	It’s clear from the start that the investigators are prejudice against Spike.
•	The song I used is a reprise of part of the introduction song. It played in the first chapter when Vlad Vanguard was seduced by Nightmare Moon into becoming Dracula. I used it here as Vlad and Luna’s theme.
•	Dracula’s dream sequence was inspired by Alucard’s dream from “Hellsing.” Warning: It's very bloody.
•	The Elements of Harmony take the place of crosses in this story.

Chapter Thirteen

•	The titles for the next six chapters are spoilers for who was going to be bitten in them. This one was Fluttershy.
•	Since Discord’s Mask was based on a Zelda game, I decided to use some Zelda music in this story as well.
•	I originally planned on having Dracula pretend to be a wounded animal so Fluttershy would take him into her home. I also planned on him killing Angel. Even though I hate that rabbit, it would have been too cruel to Fluttershy. Besides, I’m reluctant in killing off any characters from the show. That’s why most of the deaths are OCs.
•	Again, Dracula uses the “I never drink...” line.  
•	“Your precious blood,” is another famous Dracula line.
•	I don’t actually ship Rumble with Scootaloo. I was just doing it up for laughs.
•	Dracula hypnotizes Apple Bloom to set up for the next chapter.
•	I get the gnarled face with protruding eyebrow ridges and cheeks from a lot of modern vampire movies, at least the scary ones. It’s even used in the 1992 film. The eyes that look like “two dark pools of blood with a fiery light shining from within them” was inspired by the book “It” by Stephen King. When Pennywise turns into Dracula, his eyes are described as two blood clots. 

Chapter Fourteen

•	As indicated by the title, Applejack gets bit in this chapter.
•	The solar energy capacitor is a setup for the final battle. 
•	Dracula uses the hypnotic spell he placed on Apple Bloom in the last chapter to use her to lure Applejack to him.
•	Again, I referenced the Zelda series with the music for this chapter. I wanted a creepy song that had a disorientating sound to it represent Applejack’s frantic search for her sister in the orchard. It also fits because it’s the “Forest Temple Theme”. Is it me, or is it creepier than the “Shadow Temple Theme?”
•	Applejack falling through Dracula is another reference to the book. The first mate of the ship tried to stab Dracula, but went through him as though he was made of air. During the night time, vampires can become intangible and are invulnerable to attack.  
•	Dracula’s comment about how Applejack could be the Element of Loyalty is a nod to those who think Rainbow Dash and Applejack’s Element are mixed up. In a way, I could see RD being the Element of Honesty due to her bluntness and AJ being Loyalty due to her dependability.  

Chapter Fifteen

•	The title is a reference to “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.” It also points out that Pinkie is the one that going to be bit.
•	I use the cliché of the adult not seeing the monster just to have it go right behind them when they look away. 
•	Rarity sees the investigators’ true colors when they confront her.
•	I used music here that would show the urgency of the situation.
•	The group is finally convinced that there is a vampire at this point.
•	If anybody think the townspony are acting out of character by forming a mob, just remember “A Friend in Deed” and “Putting Your Hoof Down.” In one episode, the ponies are the friendliest things ever. In the very next episode, they are complete jerks. Yeah, ponies are fickle. 

Chapter Sixteen

•	Judging by the title, RD gets it.
•	The book “Dracula” by Bram Stoker itself gets referenced here as “Dracula” by Buck Stoker.
•	Spitfire foreshadows the next story, Krazoa Island, in this chapter.
•	Rainbow Dash and Soarin were a couple in Trotina. I kind of hinted that they had something between in this world as well. Soarin was also one of Spike’s partners, along with the Trotinan Spike and Big Macintosh, in Discord’s Mask.
•	All the “what’s” are a reference to Doctor Who, indicated by the link in the chapter. 
•	Since this is a Dracula story, I just had to have a bat scene. Rainbow Dash fights it to the music from Castlevania  64 that plays when you fight vampire bosses. It’s called “First Struggle” or “Nosferatu,” which fits because this is the first of three fight scenes with Dracula.

Chapter Seventeen

•	This is Twilight’s chapter to get bitten.
•	Zecora finding the Phoenix Flower is foreshadowing for how the victims are healed.
•	The wolf chase scene was one of the first scenes I planned for the story, along with Twilight’s confrontation with Dracula, Dracula’s awakening, Dracula’s death scene, and Spike going “...What!?”
•	The music that plays when Twilight fights Dracula is called “Second Struggle (Hellish Hallucinations),” follow the example set by RD’s fight.
•	The dialogue between Dracula and Twilight comes from the 1992 film.
•	Though I didn’t plan it that way, Dracula defeating Twilight is symbolic of my preference of “Dracula” the book over the “Twilight” series.

Chapter Eighteen

•	The final of “the Mane Six Get Bitten” chapters. It’s Rarity’s turn.
•	The music I used is from “Zombies Ate my Neighbors.” It is based on the song “Dies Irae,” better known as the opening theme from “The Shining.”  In the game, it’s the castle theme. What can I say? Organ music goes great with vampire stories.

Chapter Nineteen

•	The title is a reference to Spike vs. Dracula. Spike’s a dragon and Dracula means “the Dragon.”
•	I used the Castlevania Judgment version of “Bloody Tears” because Spike is going vampire hunting and the song helps to paint an image of Spike running to save the mare he loves. But, I was very tempted to use this version: 
•	On the way to the castle, Spike passes by the challenges the Mane Six face in the second episode.
•	“Clair de Lune” is my favorite piece of classical music.
•	“His destruction is her salvation.” This is also from the 1992 film.
•	Dracula says his “I am Dracula” line to Spike.
•	I couldn’t resist. I just had to use the “What is a man?” line from Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. 
•	For the third and final battle, I used “Third Struggle (Dance of Illusions)” from Castlevania 64. “Dance of Illusion” is often Dracula’s battle theme in the Castlevania series. I thought of using another version, but I already use First and Second Struggle, so why not Third Struggle as well? Besides, this version as an organ and a choir.
•	Just like a Castlevania game, Dracula has a final form. Jump to 2:19 to get an idea what the shadow dragon kind of looks like.  

Chapter Twenty

•	The title refers to Luna’s farewell to Dracula and Spike’s farewell to Equestria.
•	The scene where Luna witnesses Dracula’s death and the music that plays is from the final scene of the 1992 film.
•	Renny Field changed her name to Lady Crimson just like her sire changed his name from Vlad Vanguard to Dracula.
•	There are three possibilities to what happens to Clue Finder, Cold Case, and Gum Shoe; either Lady Crimson simply feeds on them and then leaves them be, she drains them dry, or she turns them into vampires. Each option gets progressively worse for them. Maybe there’s even a different fate per investigator. I’ll leave it up to the readers to decide which fate they like best.
•	Technically, Dracula is still ''alive.'' I use that term loosely since he really has been dead for a thousand years. The only way to truly slay a vampire is to cut off its head. I thought about having Luna finishing him off, but I decided to let there be the possibility of Dracula returning because he always seems to come back.
•	The mercenaries are obviously General Pepper, Peppy Hare, and Slippy Toad from the “Star Fox” series. Even Fox McCloud is mentioned as “Mac Cloud.” Their airship is based off the Star Fox Team’s flagship, “The Great Fox.”
•	This ending is direct lead into my next story.