A Vampire's Lullaby

It was scorching hot. Homes were set ablaze and smoke filled the air. Everypony ran around in a panic as debris crushed or fire burned their loved ones. In the middle of it all stood a stallion.

Me.

I heard their agonizing cries of pain and torment. My eyes were wide and I had tears streaming down my face.

And what’s worse: I couldn’t do a damn thing about it.

I slightly turned my head and moved my gaze over just in time to see a little filly trip. And the moment she tripped, the beam hovering over her could no longer stand, as the fire burned away too much of its base. The beam fell, and the poor little one couldn’t move out of the way in time. The only thing she could do was close her eyes tightly and brace herself for impact. I was in too much shock to move and try to help.

And so it happened.

Her blood splattered everywhere. I was close enough that some covered my cheek with a red streak.

I heard a terrified scream and saw a mare standing above the now crushed filly. I’m assuming it was her mother. Whimpers escaped her lips and tears built up in her eyes as she reached out, hoping for any sign of life.

Only, there was none.

She screamed yet again and fell to her knees, clutching her head in her forelegs

I know that look in her eyes. The look in the eyes that says regret, because you couldn’t protect what was precious to you. The look that says pain, because you had just lost someone so dear to you.

“You brought this upon us, Cursed One!” I hear a voice say. I turn my head and my eyes catch those of an angry stallion.

Did I really do this?

I can’t remember.

I haven’t done anything wrong… have I?

More voices began to shout. At me.

I couldn’t understand what they were saying—all of the voices mixed together.

But I did know one thing: The voices were filled with anger and hatred, pain and sorrow.

“I… I’m sorry…” I manage to whimper out. But it’s not loud enough to be audible by the ponies. The voices still shouted, and they got louder as more joined in.

“I’m sorry!” This time it’s much louder. As I spoke, I immediately cowered down, closing my eyes tightly and covered my ears with my hooves. I no longer wanted to see their angry and pained expressions. I no longer wanted to hear the hatred and sorrow filled voices.

I didn’t like this; being seen as nothing but a monster.

If only I could’ve done something—anything—to help.

Maybe I could’ve proven myself to them. I could've proven I wasn’t the thoughtless monster they sought me out to be.

But I didn’t. And now, they can only feel hatred towards me.

Screams of agony still filled the air.

I hated this. I just wanted it to end.

Let it be over already.

Please.

And so it was.

I woke up in a pool of sweat, breathing heavily.

It was only a dream.

No, it wasn’t a dream. It was a nightmare.

I sat up, and stared at my hooves, searching for any sign of monstrosity.

Of course I didn’t find any. The proof was in my mouth. My fangs.

It was still night, the time when most vampires are active.The moon hung high in the sky with stars twinkling brightly beside it. My mind traced back to the thoughts of 300 years ago.

I don’t know remember what happened 300 years ago. I’m not sure I even want to remember.

All I know for sure is I’m the Vampire King.

But of course, why wouldn’t I remember something like that?

Ever since I was a colt, I’ve always known it. My father, the old king, told me that I would be the new king. I would be in charge. I would have to protect our race.

But, I can’t help but feel as if there’s something more.

I knew I wouldn’t be able to fall back asleep, so I threw off the covers and walked over to my window, resting my forelegs on the windowsill and laying my head on them.

I looked up at the moon. I was told long ago by my mother stories of Princess Luna, and how her she transformed into Nightmare Moon, someone who wanted to cast the land of Equestria in eternal night. Then, her sister Princess Celestia sealed her in the moon.

I was also informed that after 1,000 years, she would be released from her prison on the moon.

I know it has been over 1,000 years since she’s been trapped. I wonder where Princess Luna is now…

Perhaps I can ask Twilight later.

I wonder though, was Princess Luna lonely? Sure, she had her sister and all, but that didn't mean her sister was awake throughout the night like she was. Immortal princesses need their sleep too, right?

I guess I can relate to Princess Luna pretty well if she was. I was lonely myself back then. I still am. I only had my sister and parents. I tried to befriend other ponies, but they all feared me, and I knew their parents warned them to stay away from me.

I simply sat there, looking at the moon as my mind raced with millions of questions.

I must’ve dozed off at some point. I awoke, drool covering one of my forelegs. I was a bit surprised as to why I was in that position, and where I was, but it all came back to me in a few moments’ time.

The sun had risen by then. Clouds floated gently across the sky as ponies trotted by on the streets below.

Not long after waking, I heard a knock at my door.  I knew who it was immediately.

I walked over and opened my door, not surprised at all to see Twilight Sparkle standing there.

“Good morning!” She greeted me with a smile. I only nodded in reply. It grew awkward, and she must’ve noticed the awkward tension in the air because her kind smile changed into a nervous one.

“So,” she began. “How’d you sleep?”

“Okay, I guess.” My mind replayed the events of that nightmare I had.

“Alright. Well, breakfast is ready so come on downstairs!” And with that, she turned around and began walking downstairs. I followed shortly after.

As descended, a scent wafted towards my nose. A scent I recognized… Pancakes? To be honest, I never would’ve thought pancakes would’ve lasted so long.

Reaching my destination at the bottom of the stairs, I saw a baby purple dragon seated at the table. A plate with a couple of pancakes sat on the table in front of him, while two other plates with some pancakes lay in front of two other chairs. The dragon must’ve heard the clopping of my hooves, for he turned his head and looked at me, eyes widening a bit as he saw me. I didn’t wince or cringe or anything really. I was used to getting this kind of reaction.

“Hey… are you really a…” he gulped. “Vampire?” I nodded my head in reply.

“Don’t worry Spike,” Twilight said. So this little guy’s name was Spike, eh? “I don’t think he’ll hurt us. Not when I have his sword.” I scowled a bit at this. I didn’t need to be reminded she had it.

“Alright, if you’re sure.” Twilight trotted over and took the sit across from him, leaving me to sit in between the two.

I stared down at my food a bit, studying my pancakes before lifting my fork and knife and eating a piece of it.

It was delicious. I wanted to dive right into it, eating it all up quickly. But I didn’t want to make a fool of myself.

So I ate as casually as I could, resisting the urges to eat it all quickly.

Who knew a baby dragon could make such good pancakes?

I guess today was just sort of a relax day because after we ate, Twilight went to reading her books and studying the sword while Spike cleaned around the library, leaving me to do nothing.

I simply lay on my back, looking at the ceiling, my forelegs crossed over my chest.

I was thinking. I didn’t know about what exactly. I remembered a face. I recognized the face, but I couldn’t tell who it was. I didn’t know if they had a connection to me, or if they were simply one of the many ponies that were frightened of me.

But still, why would I remember it so clearly? Why at such a random time? Too many things were confusing me.

I was pretty lost in thought, so I jumped quite a bit when a loud crash and a groan of pain were heard.

I shot straight up and turned my head in the direction, my ears perking up. My eyes landed on a cyan Pegasus with a rainbow mane and tail. She had pink eyes and a cloud with a three-colored lightning bolt for a cutie mark.

Judging by the look on Twilight’s face, this was a usual occurrence.

“Rainbow Dash!” she scolded. “That’s the fifth time this week!”

“Eh,” the pony I guess was named Rainbow Dash groaned once again as she stood up, holding a hoof to her head. “Sorry Twi.”

She created quite a mess. Books now lay scattered across the library. Twilight sighed in frustration as she and Spike got to work on cleaning up, Twilight using her magic to levitate all the books back into their place. While she was cleaning, Rainbow caught eye of my sword. “Whoa, what’s this?” she said, getting closer, examining it. I resisted the urge to tackle her and keep her from getting any closer.

“My sword,” I answered. Rainbow turned to look at me.

“Whoa, who’s the new dude?” Rainbow turned to Twilight expecting an answer. Twilight had just finished putting all the books back in their rightful places.

“That is Shadow Chaser,” said Twilight. “He is—“ I looked at Twilight, a look of desperation in my eyes begging her not to spill my secret about what I was. Should it be told, I’d either be getting too much attention or none at all. She caught my eye, gave a slight nod of her head saying she understood, and turned back to Rainbow. “—the owner of that sword.” I sighed in relief, my secret kept safe for at least one more day.

“Name’s Rainbow Dash,” she said, giving an official introduction to me. I nodded my head, feeling no need to state my name since Twilight had done so for me already.

“How’s that new trick coming along?” Twilight asked Rainbow.

“Awesomely!” she exclaimed, flying up into the air. “I think I almost got it down!” A look of determination crossed her features.

“Rainbow Dash,” Twilight groaned. “You’ve been saying that for a while now.”

“I know, but I’m serious this time!”

“Really?” Twilight sounded unamused.

“Of course I am! I’ll get it next time for sure!”

I couldn’t hear the rest. Out of boredom, I slipped out through the front door and decided to explore a bit. I left a note saying where I had gone.

Sunlight hurting vampires is just an ol’ ponies’ tale. We just prefer to sleep during the day and hunt during the night because at night it’s easier to stalk your prey.

Throughout my walk, I saw ponies conversing and fillies and colts playing together, bright smiles adorning their features.

I wish I could smile like that. I suppose I did when I still had my sister around, but other than that…

I lost my train of thought when I saw the pony I had attacked—or rather, fed on—walking with a friend of hers.

I figured she probably wouldn’t recognize me if she saw me, but yet, it’s better to be safe than sorry right? Besides, with my blood red eyes and red-dyed tips on my hair, it probably wouldn’t be hard for her to see me as the one who bit her neck last night.

I hid behind a building, keeping an eye on her to watch when she was gone and I could step out from the shadows. Once she was gone, I gave a sigh of relief and walked out, only to have my thoughts immediately trail back to my little sister. I don’t know why they did, but I suppose everyone has a random thought appear in their head at some point. I thought about a memory. Like when she first asked me about the floating lights in the sky…

xxx

“Big Brother, what are those lights in the sky?” A little filly which was a light pink color with a white mane and tail pointed upward to the sky. She and her brother were sitting on the grass. A cool breeze rustled the leaves on the trees surrounding the two as the moon hung high in the night sky.

The stallion next to the filly chuckled a bit. “No one’s ever told you?” The filly shook her head. “They’re called stars.”

“Stars?”

“Yes, stars. They shine evey night, even if you can’t see them. You can even wish on them.” The filly grinned brightly before closing her eyes. When she opened them again, her brother asked her “Did you make a wish?” The filly eagerly nodded her head. “May I know what it is?”

The filly giggled and shook her head. “Of course not, silly! If I told you, it might not come true!”

The stallion then chuckled. “I suppose it wouldn’t, now would it?”

“Damien! Iris! Come on you two! It’s time to come inside!” A mare called.

“Mommy!” Iris called out and quickly hopped to her feet, running to the door, stopping at the doorstop. “Guess what!” she said as she and her mom walked inside. “Big Brother taught me about the stars!”

xxx

I shook my head to snap myself out of the memory. As much as I loved my sister, I didn’t want to think of any memories while she wasn’t around. It only made me miss her more.

I looked around a bit. I was still standing in the middle of the hustle and bustle of ponies walking and trotting about, buying and chatting.

I looked at them. Just about everypony was smiling. Laughing…

I shook my head again. No, enough of that.

Once I regained my posture, I decided to head back to the library.

I was done with touring the town for the day.