Under a full moon

Special thanks to Alexstrazsa and Warrior Kitten for editing the story.

Manehatten. A city home to almost a million ponies. A city that never rests and never sleeps, and tonight it was especially alive. A group of ponies, hidden by the dark and shadows, chased their target through the streets. The silence was only broken by hoofbeats hitting the ground and rapid breathing.

A mare ran for dear life, knowing full well what would happen if they caught her. She willed every ounce of her strength to run and look forward. A glance back could be her end, whether it be tripping or the sheer terror paralyzing her. Now that she was free, she was in control of her body once more. She was going to fight for this freedom, for this life she regained. And if fighting wasn’t an option, she’d run.

She heard something in the distance. After a moment, she recognized it was a locomotive. An idea struck her, and that might be her best chance to escape.

It was a passenger train that sped away from the massive coastal city, glinting under the full moon. Unseen to the operators and passengers, something outside soared into the air with unreal strength. The mare became visible in the bright moonlight, her strength revealed in the muscles showing under her white coat. Her crimson mane and tail were blown back by the sheer speed at which she ran and jumped. Her piercing eyes were just as red, and shone with determination and hope as she flew towards the train.

They also shone with pain. The muscles on her back tensed up to move her now severed wings, lost not too long ago when the chase began. Blood still steadily oozed out of them, leaving behind a trail that glowed red in the reflected moonlight.

She forced her legs to move and braced for a landing, shifting them forward accordingly. Time slowed down as she got closer, but even so, the train moved quickly she had a growing fear that she wouldn’t make it. The moment felt like a tormenting eternity, but her hooves reached the top of the speeding vehicle.

She’d been able to land, more or less, but she was still dangerously close to falling. Her eyes moved rapidly, searching for something to cling on as she hit the roof. At the last moment she saw what she needed and reached for it, all the while the locomotive threatening to run away from her. She was able to latch onto a small ventilation pipe, clinging to it like her life depended on it.

The mare opened her eyes, tears of joy, tears of fear, and tears from the strong wind flowing as she held onto the pipe, watching the urban landscape fly by on both sides of her. She let out the breath she was holding, finally being safe. As she winded down, the adrenaline began to fade away, and with it came the pain which she’d avoided until now.

There were many bruises and small cuts, but the most painful of all were the still-bleeding stubs of her wings. She closes her eyes as the immense pain swept over her. It consumed her world, and pain was all that went through her mind as her body gave up, and exhaustion beyond any measure took over. She let out labored breaths while drifting in and out of consciousness.

A loud thud snapped her back to reality. Her eyes quickly focused on what had appeared before her, and she desperately wished it to be a dream. Her heart pounded in her chest and she began hyperventilate, shaking in sheer terror.

Before her stood a pegasus, but not just any pegasus. He had a gray, silvery coat, and wore a vest and hoodie. Within the darkness of the hoodie she watched a sadistic smile creep upon his face, and with a quick move he unfolded two blades that had been tucked under his wings. Ever so slowly, he began his advance on the frightened mare.

The blades were drenched in blood, and the tips sparked as they cut into the train roof. The pegasus stopped on her right side, his blue eyes shining with hatred and sick satisfaction. He held his nose in the air as he stared down his victim. She had long closed her eyes, refusing to watch her end.

The pegasus then shouted over the strong wind of the train, “Thank you for those wings! They will make a perfect trophy on my wall. Though, I hope you don't mind if I take your head as well.”

She looked to him with resignation. He let out a shrill cackle as he lifted the blades, licking his lips as he could taste his kill. The mare closed her eyes again and waited for the end, but only felt a sharp pain in her neck. It was a small cut, then the blade was removed. She winced, praying that it would be over quick and she’d at least be granted a swift death.

As she waited, she felt the air current change for a moment. She also thought she heard a sickening splatter and crunch of flesh and bones, but there was only the rush of air around her. Hesitantly she opened her eyes and blinked. Terror coursed through her veins, but now confusion creeped in, and she didn't believe to her eyes.

The stallion who was about to kill her was gone. She turned around and caught a glimpse of a railway bridge in the distance before it vanished among the forest where the train now travelled. The mare tried to remain awake, to flee if she must, but in her current condition she couldn’t do so. Soon, the darkness swept over and claimed her.

The world slowly came back to her, along with all the pain. She slowly cracked her eyelids open and stared ahead, watching the brightening sky signal dawn’s arrival.

She felt like an old, abused rag, but she was alive, and for that she was grateful. Even still, she could only frown as she noticed the first rays of the sun shining out. The mare looked to her side, seeing that the train was still moving at high speed. Jumping off would be a suicide, and she didn't need any more injuries than she already had.

“Today is going to be perfect… Ugh...”

She closed her sensitive eyes before the sun blinded her. She wasn’t pleased, but she endured the discomfort, trying to enjoy the wind ruffling her red mane and reminding herself that this train was her key to freedom.

The mare wasn't sure how much time had passed, but the sun was high and bright. With one foreleg she covered her head, ears perking up. She was waiting patiently for the locomotive to slow down before she tried her luck jumping, and not a moment before that. At long last, the metal beast began to decelerate. Once the rhythm of the wheels resembled a slow heart beat, she forced herself to climb over to the edge of the roof.

“Here we go, Crimson… just a small leap...”

She winced, already knowing the the pain she was about to feel. She dangled over the edge, not waiting long before she let go. However, something was wrong. She didn't fall like expected. One glance to the side, though, and she found her answer.

“Oh dear Celestia! Whatever’s happened to you!?”

“Yep… Today’s gonna be perfect…”

She ignored the unicorn mare’s question. In a moment’s time, the window slid open she was yanked inside of the train, then placed on something soft, likely the seating of the cabin. She didn't hear anypony else inside, other than the panicked mare. After a mental sigh, Crimson spoke up.

“I’m fine… heh, all things considered.”

“F-Fine?! Your wings have been mutilated, and you’re covered in blood!”

She winced in pain to the loud shout of the other mare.

“Please, keep it down… your shouting isn’t helping at all.”

There was no reply, but Crimson suddenly felt a hoof rest on her back and the other mare's breath close to her face. It was a surprisingly clean, mint-like scent, and the touch was tender, yet shaky. Her voice was quiet, but still full of anxiety nonetheless.

“And your eyes, love, are they hurt as well?”

“No, thankfully. But they’re very sensitive to light.”

She was petting Crimson reassuringly, but the mysterious unicorn mare needed some reassuring of her own that things were alright.

“I have to take you to the hospi—”

“Don’t! Please, don't. I have to remain hidden, or they’ll hunt me down… trust me on this.”

She plead to her savior, and not just for her safety, but this mare’s as well. If the cult caught any hint that she had been helped, Crimson and her immediate associates would be in grave danger.

“Please. You have to trust me.”

There was quiet again, save for the clacking of wheels on railroad tracks.

“Hmph… Alright. I don’t like this one bit, though, but I’ll take your word for it, judging by what you’ve been through.”

“Thank you, Miss...”

“Rarity. The name is Rarity.”

Crimson gave a weak but sincere smile.

“Crimson.”

“Well, I certainly can’t leave you in this state, Crimson. If you won’t be taken to the hospital, then I must insist I take you to my home. Now hold on, this may be a bit of a rough ride. It’s not often I teleport, you see, and I’ve only recently learned it from a good friend.”

She nodded, expecting the world to start spinning. A moment later a jolt of magic flowed through her and her head spun. As suddenly as it came, the feeling was gone, leaving behind a bit of dizziness. She could hear the mare beside her stumble a bit, a clear sign that the teleportation took quite a bit out of her.

“Note to self… ask Twilight for tips on how to increase magical stamina...” Rarity groaned, shaking her head. As she recovered, she heard the sound of hoofsteps, followed by curtains being pulled.

Finally, Crimson risked a peek at the world around her with those red orbs of hers. The light was still strong, but in the bearable levels. As her vision got clearer as more curtains were pulled shut by Rarity, Crimson was stunned. The interior was beautiful, lavish even, and the whole place was covered by dresses and textiles. Before she could fully observe the scenery, Rarity rushed back with water and bandages.

“Thank you, Rarity, for helping me. I never thought somepony would go out of their way for me...”

“Of course I’d help you, darling. Now I just hope the ruffians who did this to you will get the justice they deserve.”

Time passed as Rarity tended Crimson’s wounds as best she could, cleaning her of dried blood and dirt. Now, she rested on a couch, and what a couch it was. Crimson could swear it was as comfortable as a cloud, and there was nothing that could beat a cloud in that regard. Soon, Rarity returned with a tray floating beside her, and a large, delicious looking salad and glass of water upon it.

“I hope the salad is to your liking, and do tell if you need anything else.”

“Thank you so much, Rarity. You’re very generous.”

“What kind of Element of Generosity would I be, otherwise?”

She smiled, though Crimson knew what came next was inevitable. It's better if this is out of the way. If she’s willing to help me after this, then the gods have finally listened to my plea. With this, she took a deep breath.

Rarity had been watching her, and noticed as the injured mare went into deep thought about something.

“Rarity... I must tell you something. If you choose to leave me to my fate, I will not blame you for it.”

The white unicorn tilted her head to the side, a momentary confusion settling over her. She was about to inquire when Crimson continued.

“You see… my kin are hunted. I’m… a vampony.” She looked up to the unicorn, staring deep into the blue eyes with her red ones. Crimson was truly detached from the world. She had been through enough, and deep down, all she wanted was a simple life and normalcy. That was taken from her when she been turned by her master. A true monster, and he had made her into one as well.

She was a mere puppet to him. A toy. A tool, used to commit acts of terror. It was a nightmare that she was forced to watch, and couldn’t do anything about until last night. The monster was killed and she broke free of his iron grip, but it didn't change the fact that she was a bloodsucker, a vampony, a living myth that was feared by ponies.

The silence returned once again, long and painful. She slowly closed her eyes, hiding the powerful, yet fragile orbs, and let out the breath she been holding.

Rarity hadn’t moved, and she couldn’t. Not with the inner conflict broiling inside her. Everything made sense now, especially the strange appearance of this pony, her red eyes, and her cutie mark: two snakes twisted around a pin, the lower half like a symmetric blood stain flowing down and the upper one like burning red flame. Then there were her sharp canines, large and pointy, perfect do draw blood or cause horrible injury in a fight.

Rarity now saw all this with perfect clarity, yet she only found a tired, broken mare in front of her. Crimson suffered more than enough, and the pain reflected in those red eyes felt like a black hole, threatening to drag her down with her wounds. She couldn’t even fathom what it’d be like to have wings cut off. It would be as if her horn was removed, and she was forced to live a life without magic.

The thought chilled Rarity to the bone.

She sighed, watching the runaway fall into sleep, still unsure of what to do.

Author's Note

Lets say, i just love vamponies, and no, she is not made from sugar that she can't walk in the sun light like any other creature, thought her eyes can not take the bright light.

EDIT: Chapter been edited by Alexstrazsa and Warroir Kitten, and special thanks for time you spend on helping!