Fangs of the Moon

Chapter 1: Sleeping Demons

It was your average night, as most nights were in the relatively peaceful land of Equestria.

Princess Luna was leaned over her porch, gazing up at the stars, alone as usual. Whenever she found herself in moments such as this, she truly felt she got the short end of the stick. She'd never resort to becoming Nightmare Moon again of course, yet she still couldn't help but feel envious of her older sister, who had such a lively crowd to rule over and even livelier enemies to contend with. The Princess didn't want to admit it, but sometimes, even she wished some sort of dastardly villain would appear that she could deal with, just so she could re-instill her purpose of guarding the night. "Is there not one who wishes to spend their time dancing about beneath the moonlight? Is there not one who finds themselves unable to resist the shine of my stars, unable to close their eyes, forever lost in their tiny yet mesmerizing glow?" The Princess exhaled heavily, before closing her eyes and lowering her head further. "Is there not one?"

Princess Luna removed herself from the porch at that moment, heading back into her private quarters as she made her way over to a desk with a picture laid out atop the surface. She eyed the picture grumpily, before levitating it before her in which it was revealed to be a photo of Celestia and her during Twilight's coronation. Princess Luna groaned softly; yes she loved Celestia, but she was still a pony with ordinary feelings, feelings of jealousy which she felt stirring up once again. She knew it was childish, she knew maturity was one of the most important traits that should be instilled in any Princess, yet she couldn't stop herself from feeling this way either. Yes, she helped rid young ponies of their nightmares. Yes, she helped differ the times of day between when one was to sleep, and one was to remain awake, and majority of the time that was a thankless job as well. She wasn't being selfish though! She was just, she was just- she sighed, yeah, she was being selfish. She was acting childish, even for an ancient being with thousands of years of experience.

Princess Luna gently placed down the photograph of Celestia and her, then made her way back over to the porch tiredly. She leaned back over it letting her hooves dangle over the railing for a bit, allowing them to sway limply from left to right as she gazed back up at her stars. However, even though it was her night sky, she saw something that caught her attention for a fleeting moment. It was a shooting star, one that was gone in practically an instant, but one she didn't expect either. She knew the game, and she knew how this worked, so the night princess immediately closed her eyes tight and muttered a private wish to herself. She found herself blushing a little bit due to how desperate she seemed, but one had to preoccupy themselves somehow if they were forced to guard the time of day when nopony usually did anything. She bit her lower lip and gulped, looking back up with wide eyes, "Oh please please please mean something."

Coincidentally, it was at that moment a Lunar Guard had burst open the door to the Princess' chamber room.

The guard was having some trouble catching his breath, as if he'd just gotten done sprinting a cross country marathon. He attempted to speak, and disappointingly to no avail, he raised a hoof afterwords. "A second, if I may Princess..."

Princess Luna was obvious a little thrown off about this Guard's demeanor, as her gaze shifted awkwardly to the left and right, and she let off hushed coughs almost to break the unpleasant feeling that stirred about the chamber. "Ahem," She waited a few more seconds, just glancing down at her Lunar Guard as he was taking his merry time in explaining his unexpected intrusion. After another moment passed, Princess Luna couldn't stand the sudden suspense any longer, she stomped a hoof before inquiring more information from him. "So, will thou explain why he intrudes upon my private chambers? What is the emergency my loyal subject!? Why such haste!?"

The guard looked up at the Princess apologetically before taking a deep breath and then swallowing out of nervousness. He finally let out some words regarding the matter hurriedly, "M-Monster Princess!"

Princess Luna looked at him, unsure of what he meant. "What?"

The guard continued, fully aware that his pathetic sliver of a report wouldn't be enough. "A-A monster, Princess! A monster has appeared in the town of Hollow Shades! It's attacked their livestock, and is now fending off the guards! We cannot stop it alone, we-" the guard then looked ashamed, unable to look his Princess in the eyes. "We r-require your assistance."

A playful wide smile slowly crept onto Luna's face when she'd heard those words. They, required her assistance? They actually, required her help!? There was actually an incident her mighty guard could not resolve alone!? There was actually something for her to do besides dream watch!? She felt as if she were going to bounce off her hooves due to the joy that coursed through her very being. Jeez, she'd definitely be star-gazing a lot more often, the wish worked! Well, it worked somewhat, there was still more to it. Even Princess Luna found it strange, as she tapped her lower lip with her hoof thinking about it, oh no matter. She chuckled as she closed her eyes and raised a hoof, "Let us go stop this monster then!" She paused as she looked dumbfounded for a second, before she looked back down to her guard once again. "Ah yes, before we head off, what is this monster exactly my loyal subject? Surely it must be familiar in some way."

The guard fell silent once again. His breaths were hushed and barely audible as he shook his head slowly. He spoke with a tremble in his voice, which'd caused Princess Luna to gaze upon him worriedly with concern. He spoke in an awfully dramatic tone, one befitting of a horrible proclamation, "We, we've never seen anything like this before Princess. We had it outnumbered, yet it still overpowered us. It is unlike any monster previously encountered during our duties. It even refuses to take us seriously, treating our efforts like a child's game. We fear there is no way to best it." The guard broke into cowardly trembles, unable to hold himself still.

Princess Luna no longer looked as if she were treating this like a child's game herself. What could've possibly threatened her royal guard in such a manner to cause them to react like this? This must've certainly been quite the monster to cause such fear, and it worried her greatly. Should she go and inform her sister of this news before she herself embarked on the dangerous journey to Hollow Shades? She thought about it, and as she did, the feelings in which she experienced earlier returned once again. This caused the alicorn to shake her head in frustration. She didn't want to be foolish about this whole mess but she also didn't want to involve Celestia. She wanted to deal with this herself, to prove her being the guardian of the night still meant something. No, she would deal with this herself no matter what! She wouldn't fail her subjects. She put on a serious expression trotting past her frightened guard stating, "Let us go see what this monster's made of."

The Lunar Guard felt his confidence building up once again, basking in the glory of Princess Luna. It was no wonder she was their ruler, she was graceful, strong, brave, she was everything they could hope for. His trembling steadily died down before he regarded Princess Luna with a salute from behind, out of natural instinct as he nodded. "Of course Princess!"

Princess Luna's determination was that much more obvious with each trot she took. She wouldn't let this mysterious creature harm her subjects anymore, she'd put a stop to it. She pitied the idea of it somewhat, how could any individual creature prepare for the power of the night itself. This wouldn't end pretty, she felt quite certain of that at least. A slight smirk crept onto her face in amusement.

The town of Hollow Shades, it certainly provided the perfectly creepy atmosphere for the situation. As Princess Luna and her guard escort touched down upon the beaten dirt trail which lead further into town, there was already an ominous feeling that hung about the air. Princess Luna glanced around at the area which surrounded them, a dense fog covering most of it while dead trees surrounded them at all sides. It was also silent, the only ambient sounds being that of the whistling winds, which wasn't comforting to say the least. Where were all her guards, where was the sounds of fighting? Although they weren't in town they were close enough to the point where they should've at least heard the battle taking place, unless, the battle was already over by this point.

The lunar guard was trembling once again, his armor letting off an irritating rattling sound.

Princess Luna glared back at him, before looking ahead and rolling her eyes, continuing on ahead.

The two ponies soon made their way into the desolate little town of Hollow Shades, where all was still quiet.

Princess Luna proceeded to glance around for any signs of a grand battle. Yet what she saw would only leave her speechless, as laying about the courtyard motionless and defeated, would be what could've been considered a small army of her guards. Princess Luna couldn't find any words for that particular moment, she just couldn't believe it, even if the scene was laid out right in front of her. She expected to see some sign of struggle based on the report her guard gave, but this was a little too much. The Lunar Guard were some of the most skilled warriors in Equestria, there was just no way they could've been defeated so easily. Yet here they were, beaten to a pulp, laid down in the dirt. The Princess's heart was almost immediately overcome with dread as she hurried over to one of her guards.

One of the guards groaned as he turned on his side, looking over at Princess Luna who'd arrived at the scene. "Princess?"

Princess Luna put on a smile as she gave him a nod of acknowledgement, comforting him. "Yes it is I, please, would you tell me where the one who committed these acts went? I shall deal with it thoroughly."

The guard shook his head, drifting off into a peaceful sleep. "Forgive me, Princess..."

The guard escort then pointed his hoof up towards the inn of the town hurriedly, "P-Princess! Up there!"

Princess Luna's eyes shot upward, straight towards the top of the inn where her guard had been referring to. There she'd finally caught sight of it, the mysterious creature who'd managed to best such a large amount of her guards. Yet, she couldn't really identify it by shape, and majority of its features were masked in shadow. She could take notice of its blood red eyes however, which were fastened on the Princess. Princess Luna looked furiously at the strange creature, unsure of what she was dealing with. She stood and prepared her magical defenses with a flash of her horn. A bright luminescent blue light surrounded her to which she stated, "Come down here! You'll pay for threatening my subjects monster!"

The creature spoke softly, revealing a childish, feminine tone. "Is that so?"

Princess Luna nodded, "Yes, it is! Tell me, why're you doing this? What's in it for you?"

The creature let off a deep groan before rolling its red eyes. It began to trail back and forth casually from atop the Inn. "Hm, I don't know, let me think about it." It paused, "Oh! The fear. I enjoy making ponies scared, in watching them squirm bweheheheh."

The Princess formed a frown of obvious discern for the despicable villain. "How dare you."

There was a lasting silence between them, as the guard ponies, and even the citizens of the small town all watched from their distant positions. The citizens of Hollow Shades hid within their homes, too afraid to step outside or have any of involvement in the oncoming battle. It wasn't hard to notice a cast of silhouettes spread about the town from within windows, to small nooks between houses. They were there and watching, they just decided not to reveal themselves.

One of the guards laying on the ground struggled to reach Princess Luna, attempting to warn her. "Careful Princess, it's very dangerous! You don't want to get too close, keep your distance!"

A young foal hopped up and down between two houses as his mother stood behind him. He pointed a hoof at Princess Luna, "Look Mommy! It's Princess Luna, isn't she amazing?"

The mother covered her foal's mouth with a hoof before pulling him back closer into her embrace. "Hush now Sweetie, this is serious."

The monster raised its tiny palms to the air in a crude yet confident manner. "Mwahahahahaha! Foolish ponies! Nothing can stop me, I shall take over this world, and I shall rule it with blood, death, and fear as my greatest ally!"

A shiver ran down Princess Luna's spine as she took a few trots forward. "Not if I have anything to say about it!"

The creature lowered its arms before cocking its head observingly at the Princess. "Anything to say? Anything, to, saaaay?" She took a few steps forward, out of the shadows and into the moonlight, revealing her appearance.

Princess Luna looked upon the creature in disbelief, due to the fact she didn't recognize it at all. It stood upright on two legs in a similar manner to a minotaur, it didn't have any sort of coat but it did have a mane. It also had two small visible fangs sticking out its mouth and was quite short. Its skin was pale like that of dead oak, giving off a sickeningly gray texture although it had a very young, smooth complexion. Its mane was like that of freshly fallen snow, glistening in the moonlight and almost blinding to the eyes due to how clean it looked. It wore rags for clothing, and even had strange appendages sticking out on its hooves, like a dragon with its claws. What was this thing?

The creature placed its hands on its hips, looking down at the Princess. "Well, I'll tell you what I have to say." She took in a deep breath and leaned back, as if about to shout something.

Princess Luna gasped! Oh no, was it some sort of attack she was preparing for!?

The creature then cheered, "Good job! You really must really be the protector of these lands then!" She placed her finger on her lip, looking down at the Princess in an embarrassed manner. "Did I do okay? I think i did pretty good, I mean, that's how it's supposed to go I think." She scratched the back of her head in contemplation, "I guess I might need some more practice." She leaned forward, smiling at Princess Luna. "But you were great! After so many decades I guess I shouldn't be surprised to see things are so different. Ponies can talk and everything! It's like a dream come true!"

Princess Luna once again, looked at a loss for words. She literally couldn't wrap her mind around the situation in any way, since it made absolutely no sense whatsoever. She muttered, "What?...What's?" She looked to one of her guards, as if expecting some form of explanation, while her guards just shrugged at her looking just as confused. She looked back to the creature, baffled, feeling practically compelled to listen just to gain some sense of understanding.

The creature hopped from the roof of the inn, as it shrugged at Princess Luna, "Hey! They were the ones who attacked first." She suddenly scowled at one of the guards, causing him to flinch before looking back at Princess Luna. "I was only trying to get something to eat." She approached the Princess without a hint of fear. "What was I supposed to do, just let them come and beat me up, I had the right to defend myself." She paused, crossing her arms and looking up, "Well um, I mean, at least I think I did." She sighed, "Eh, sorry, I have no idea how things work around here."

It was at this point many of the town's citizens started emerging from their homes, looking on in curiosity.

Princess Luna continued, "B-But you killed the livestock!"

Then the cows rose in the background, looking a little dizzy as they emerged from their small pins towards the back of the town. One of the cows raised her hoof, "W-We're, we're okay! Surprisingly." They nodded to one another. One cow attempted to glance down at two puncture holes on its neck to no avail, before it cringed. "At least-" its eye twitched, "I think we're okay?"

The creature just sighed again, glaring up at the Princess grumpily. "Listen pony!" She pointed a finger straight at Princess Luna's muzzle, "Killing is against my morale code! I only take what I need and go! I didn't have time to just roam around and look for the perfect meal, which wouldn't have been cows mind you! I've been sleeping for a long time and I needed to satisfy my quench for blood so give me a break! I was waiting forever for you to show up, seeing as these guys wouldn't stop attacking me until some superior ordered em to." She placed her hands back on her hips, smiling up at Princess Luna. "Can't say I'm disappointed though, I've definitely never seen anything like you before in my entire life. You're so beautiful, like the night itself. It all feels so unreal! Glad I decided to take a long nap!"

Princess Luna took a few trots back, reasonably skeptical about the creature. "What, are you?"

The creature smiled, not hesitating to embrace Princess Luna in a hug, looking up at her. "Never heard of a vampire before?"

The guard escort from earlier burst forth, attempting to attack the creature, "P-Princess!"

Before the creature could react, Princess Luna raised a hoof halting her guard, remaining focused on the child before her. "A vampire? Can't say that I have. Does this vampire have a name?" She raised a brow at it, just as suspicious but no longer wanting to be the assailant.

The little vampire girl nodded, smirking. "It's Sylvia, what's yours? And I'm not little, I'm over a thousand years old."

Princess Luna's eyes widened, "A-A, A thousand years old!?"

The vampire girl smiled softly as she placed her head against the Princess, closing her eyes. "Looks like you ponies got a lot to learn."

Princess Luna had been so thrown off by the appearance and the personality of the creature, that she barely even took notice of the fact it was so close to her. It had its arms wrapped around her and was embracing her affectionately, it was strange, and although she found it off putting at first, she now felt a little, comforted, herself. She frowned a little, looking down at the vampire curiously before hesitantly raising her own hoof, and cautiously wrapping it around her. What was this feeling? She wasn't actually enjoying having this creature act in such a way was she? Nor did she fail to notice its remark regarding her beauty. Princess Luna gulped, unsure of what she was doing, or how to accurately describe her emotions, so she just reacted naturally, returning the hug. "Yes, that we do little um, vampire. If you are truly unfamiliar with the way these lands operate, then I must ask you come with us." Princess Luna sighed, looking down at the vampire questioningly as her cheeks were a hint of faint crimson. "My name it's-" she sighed, "It's Princess Luna, by the way."