Night Crawlersby Starlight ShadowChaptersChapter OneChapter TwoChapter ThreeChapter FourPrologueChapter OneRarity felt sick. She was laying on her back on the floor for some reason. Her memory of the night before was fuzzy, but she remembered somepony being on top of her. Oh, Celestia, she hoped she hadn't done anything too embarrassing. Okay, Rarity, time to get up and face the day! Just roll over onto your stomach, put your front hooves on the ground, then your back hooves. Roll over, front hooves on the ground, back hooves, stand up... She stumbled and crashed into her spare mannequins. Her legs felt lighter, almost sticklike. Why was it so hard to just put one hoof in front of the other? She had to get some work done today. Sweetie Belle poked her head in the doorway. "Is something wrong, Rarity? I heard you crash into something, so I came up here to check on you. I made some breakfast if you want to eat, and I didn't burn it this time." "That's awfully nice of you, Sweetie Belle, but I'm just fine. I think I might be coming down with something, though." "Oh. Well, there's breakfast on the table." Sweetie Belle skipped down the hallway. Rarity stood up again, and headed out the door, slowly but surely. Then down the stairs, stumbling again and almost falling. She clutched the railway for a moment, catching her breath. "Rarity, are you sure you're okay?" "Yes, Sweetie Belle, I'm fine, no need to worry." Sweetie Belle raised a suspicious eyebrow, but finished setting the table. Rarity sat where she normally did, using her magic to eat. Her magic faltered as she ate, earning her more suspicious looks from Sweetie Belle. "So what are you doing at school today, Sweetie?" Rarity asked to ward off the silence that permeated the room. "Oh, Moondancer was going to come in and teach a magic class today!" Sweetie Belle brightened up considerably. "And I'm going to learn how to levitate more stuff at once, just like you can! And maybe I'll get my cutie mark!" "That's wonderful, darling!" Rarity nuzzled Sweetie Belle before putting her school bag on her back. "Maybe you'll be as good as Miss Twilight!" "Nopony can be as good as Miss Twilight, Rarity. She's the best magic user ever to use magic! Anyway, I have to go. Scootaloo was going to take us to school in the Crusader wagon. I'll see you this afternoon!" Rarity waved somewhat feebly at Sweetie Belle, who had dashed off. A quick check of the kitchen revealed that a trip to the marketplace was in order. She fetched her own saddlebags and headed out, stopping at Applejack's stand first. "Oh, hey there, Rarity!" Applejack gave Rarity what she usually came for-the Honeycrisp apples both Rarity and her sister had a preference for. "Say, you don't look so good. You sure you should be out and about?" "Applejack, I promise I'm fine-" She stumbled again, not crashing into anything this time. "I'm just a bit tired." Applejack wasn't convinced. "Ah don't think you're fine. Lemme at least take you to Twilight's so she can make sure." "If you insist." Applejack hung up the "CLOSED" sign on the little hook that stuck out, then went to support Rarity, who's legs were shaking. Together, slowly but surely, they made their way to Golden Oaks, Twilight's home. Twilight herself answered the door. "Oh, hello Applejack, Rarity." She nodded to the two. "So what's up?" "Rarity here is sick or somethin'. She nearly collapsed when she was at mah stall in the market." Applejack shifted Rarity a little. "Applejack, I insist, I'm fine-" Rarity protested, only for a sharp bolt of pain to cut through her head. She fell onto Twilight's floor, dimly hearing the other two girls shout in surprise and Spike run up to her. A flurry of motion and magic replaced Twilight as all manner of objects were thrown about. The purple light was all of a sudden gone, except for Twilight levitating a small bottle of something. Twilight skidded along the floor for a few inches and also sat near Rarity. Rarity shivered. She felt cold now, so, so cold. "Rarity, Rare, can you speak? Answer me." "Y-yes..." "That's good." Twilight encouraged. "I'm glad you're still in there. But don't try to talk if it hurts." Rarity nodded. It did hurt, a small twinge of pain in her chest, like she had been running. She was dimly aware of Spike bringing her tea, she didn't want to drink it, she didn't want to do anything. She just wanted to rest....she was alright...Twilight would help her, so would Applejack and Spike....but what if they couldn't? Was she going to die? "You're not goin' to die, Rare." Applejack's voice cut through her haze. "You're not goin' to die. Ah'm just goin' to stay right here with you until Twilight can make those changes to her potion.." Potion? That bottle looked like it had water in it... "and we can get you to the hospital. You're n-not goin' to die. Ah w-won't let you." She turned toward Applejack, and the country mare's eyes shone with unshed tears. "Applejack..." she murmured, letting Applejack help her upright, as she leaned against her. Twilight ran back over with the bottle, the liquid inside now lavender-colored and shimmering. "Rarity, drink this for me, it will make you feel better. Spike, write a letter to Rainbow Dash telling her to come. Actually, write a letter to the other girls as well. We need to get Rarity to the hospital." Rarity gulped the potion down, it tasted like grape juice and Pinkie's frosting. She started to feel a bit better. Applejack held Rarity a little closer. "Is she going to die, Twilight?" "No, not if she gets proper care as soon as possible. I...I hope we can get her that care." ******* "That's right, Sweetie Belle, now see if you can pick up another book." Sweetie Belle concentrated and lifted another book from the pile. She had clearly inherited her sister's talent for levitation magic, as she was now levitating five with relative ease. They had learned a bit of offensive magic as well, even though they would likely never need to use it. Sweetie wasn't as good at that, but she could certainly hold her own in a friendly duel. Rainbow Dash shot into the classroom, the door smacking against the wall and then slamming, producing two loud bangs. She was panting a little. "Rainbow Dash, what are you doing here?" Cheerilee stood up, looking somewhat unnerved. "I..came to tell Sweetie Belle that Rarity...she's in the hospital." Sweetie Belle's pupils shrank to pinpricks and she bolted for the door. Chapter TwoSweetie Belle shot through the double doors, using her newfound magic to fling them open. "Where's Rarity?! Where's my sister?!" She panted, then ran to Twilight. "Tell me!" "Your sister isn't dead, Sweetie." Twilight pulled the little filly close to her. "She's just very sick. The doctors don't know what's wrong with her, but we'll be able to go see her in a minute. Okay?" "Okay." Seeing Sweetie Belle for the helpless and vulnerable filly she was nearly broke Twilight's heart. She sniffed and hugged her a little tighter. But that's nothing on Applejack's condition. Twilight thought. I haven't seen her this worried since the Flim Flam brothers incident. Applejack was staring vacantly at the floor, as if it was the most interesting thing in the world. Her jade eyes held no emotion except pain and fear. She hadn't even looked up when Sweetie Belle flung the doors open. Twilight went over to sit with Applejack, maybe provide some comfort. "Hey, Rarity's going to be okay, Applejack." Twilight put on her brave face. "She's awake, at least." "Twilight, can I tell ya somethin'?" Applejack said suddenly. "Sure, what's up?" "Ah've had a crush on Rarity for a few months now." AJ blushed. "I mean, I would go out of my way to stop and talk to her when she passed by. And...seein' her like this...Ah hope you understand a little better why Ah'm so upset." Twilight patted her friend on the shoulder. Sweetie Belle joined the two in waiting after a moment, and curled up on AJ's other side. Nothing was said. They merely sat there, waiting to see their sick friend. "Miss Sparkle, Miss Apple, you may now see Rarity. Her room number is 2-24." They ran up the stairs and down a hall until they found Rarity's room. She lay propped on a large number of pillows, weakly smiling when they came in. "Rarity! I thought you were dead or something!" Sweetie Belle skittered up onto her sister's bed and lay there with her, staring into Rarity's eyes with a gleeful expression. "Sweetie, you'd best get down, and I'm not dead." Rarity's laugh quickly morphed into a coughing fit, and Applejack ran to assist her. Sweetie Belle climbed down from Rarity's bed. Applejack gave Rarity a glass of water, which she managed to gulp down through her coughs. "Thank-cough-thank you Applejack." "No trouble, Rares. How do you think you got this way, anyhow? Yesterday you were bright an' sunny, an' now you're lyin' in a hospital bed." Applejack sat on the rim of Rarity's cot, looking at her. Rarity's gaze turned down. Eventually she spoke, but quietly; "Last night somepony attacked me." It was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. "Who attacked you? I want to find out so we can report it to the police." Twilight piped up. The others nodded. "I heard Opal yowling, then a thin shriek, and I woke up to see the pony smack Opal against the wall. I told them to leave or I'd use the pair of sewing scissors I was levitating. The pony pinned me down first, I remember her-its nose was curved like a mare's-leaning down as if to kiss me on the neck, then I woke up on the floor this morning." "..." "..." "..." "Well, I'll go report this to the mayor, everypony should be on high alert." Twilight was the first to break the silence. She headed out. "I'll visit again in a bit, alright, Rares? Oh, and what did this mystery pony look like?" "Pale coat, not pure white, but creamy-colored. Dark mane and tail, scruffy like Rainbow's. It had wings like a bat." "I'll tell the mayor. Thanks for the description." Rarity waved as the last of Twi's tail disappeared through the door. "Ah've gotta go as well, Rare, chores and such. See ya." Rarity waved for Applejack as well. She turned to look at Sweetie Belle, who was looking up at her. "Rarity, please don't say I have to go. I wanna stay here with you. It's scary being all alone in my room at your store." "Sweetie, I don't think they'll let you stay." Rarity caressed Sweetie's face. "Be a good girl and go on home." Sweetie Belle gave Rarity one last adoring glance before leaving, her tail and ears drooping. She told the receptionist lady that she was leaving, and she gave her a lollipop. "I know how it is, honey." **************** "Alright, I'll tell everypony to look out for these creatures. Thank you for informing me, Twilight." "No problem, Mayor." Twilight headed out, on her way back to the library, when Sweetie Belle bumped into her. "Sorry, Miss Twilight, I wasn't looking where I was going." "Oh, no trouble, Sweetie. Coming back from the hospital?" "Mhm. Rarity said the hospital wouldn't let me stay with her, and I'd have to go home. But...I don't want to. What if the same thing that attacked Rarity comes for me?" Twilight took a deep breath. "You know...Sweetie Belle, you can stay at the library for a bit. If you wanted to." Sweetie instantly perked up. "Really, Twilight? You mean it?" "Yep. I'll set up my extra bed. Why don't you go and get your things that you think you'll need. It'll be like an extra-long sleepover." Sweetie jumped in the air with excitement. "Oh, thank you Twilight! I'll make myself useful, I promise!" She ran off to get her things. Twilight watched her endearingly, then headed home to set up her cot. ***************** Sweetie Belle appeared in the doorway just as Twilight was finishing up. "Could you get that for me, Spike?" Twilight yelled down the stairs. Spike opened the door. Sweetie Belle looked surprised, but then looked down. "Oh, hi there Spike! Twilight said I could stay with you guys until it was safe again." "Oh, okay. Twilight's pretty much done setting up the extra bed. You can go on up." Sweetie headed up the stairs as Twilight draped a pink blanket over the cot. "Oh, Sweetie Belle! You go ahead and make yourself at home, I'll be downstairs studying." Sweetie Belle nodded. Twilight could tell she was still shaken, giving her a hug and a small kiss, then heading down. Once she was sure nopony could hear her, the dam broke. The hug and kiss...that was so Rarity it hurt. She was certain that Twilight didn't know that, and just wanted to show her she cared, but it still ached. She cried harder. After about 7 minutes, her sobs turned to deep, shuddering hiccups. She curled up on the bed next to her saddlebags, and pulled out the little doll Rarity had made her, Bunny. It was a little pink dog-like plush, and she equalled it to a blankie. She hugged it close. "Bunny, I'm scared. Even though I'm with Twilight and she'll keep me safe, I'm still scared that whatever got Rarity's going to get me. And what about Scootaloo? Or Apple Bloom? What if it gets them? They're my only friends, I don't want to lose them." Sweetie pressed her face into the pillow, a fresh flood of tears spilling onto it. A knock on the door jolted her out of her weeping, and she peeked downstairs to see who it was. "Hey, Sweets! We heard about Rarity, and we wanted to come see if you were okay. We've been looking everywhere for you!" Sweetie Belle perked up and bounced down the stairs. "Scoots, I'm okay. Rarity's in the hospital, but she's feeling better. I'm going to be staying at Miss Twilight's until it's safe again." "You feel like crusadin' today, Sweets? We're tryin' for...what was it called, Scoot?" "Parasailing cutie marks! You want to, Sweets?" "I don't really feel like it today. But you girls can go ahead and try for them. Let me know if either of you get your marks." "Alright, we will! See you, Sweetie!" Sweetie leaned against the doorframe and waved goodbye. Then she headed back up to her room. "Sweetie, you want to read for a bit with me? You can take a book up to your room if you want to be alone." Twilight held up a book in her magic. Sweetie read the title aloud. "The Standard Book of Spells, Grade One." "I have all 7 volumes. Since you started learning about magic today in school, I think a bit of follow-up studying is good for you, plus it'll help you keep your mind off things." "Yeah, I think I'll read this for a little while. Thanks again, Twilight." She took the tome in her own olive-green aura, then headed upstairs, her hoofalls noticeably heavier. She climbed up on the bed, and flipped to Chapter 5, Offensive Magic. Might as well learn a few good offensive spells beyond weak lasers. Sweets thought. I might need to defend myself in the future. Chapter ThreeA flight over the village revealed a group of ponies heading home from somewhere, talking and laughing. Oh, how Spirit envied their freedom. A purple earth pony, a pale yellow unicorn, and a pink earth pony. The pink one bounced instead of walked. She stopped and slowly began to circle the three like a bird of prey. This would be tricky. She'd have to somehow get two of them away from a third, then the rest would be easy. She descended further, so her dry, ominous wing beats could be heard. The yellow unicorn was the first to turn around, her eyes growing wide in panic. "Um, guys, I think I'm going to head home." She then ran at a full on gallop. The purple one was the second to say she was going, then ran after the unicorn, her heart pumping faster. Spirit could feel it. "Hey! Wait for me, you guys!" The pink one called after them. When they wouldn't stop, she slumped a little. "Bummer." Then she caught sight of Spirit. Spirit bared her fangs in a smile. This one would be easy pickings. The pink one slowly began to back away, then started running as fast as her legs could carry her. She was no match for Spirit's aerial speed, however, and the vampony quickly closed in on her, tackling her to the ground. "Oh, I do love a good chase." Spirit licked her lips. "D-don't hurt me, please-we can be friends, can't we? I'm Pinkie Pie!" The pink pony perked up. Spirit leaned down to feed. She brushed aside a bit of her prey's curly mane. "Wait...you're going to kiss me? That's pretty forward, but maybe that's how you greet ponies where you're from-" The rest of her words were drowned in a scream. ****************************** Sweetie Belle was reading. Reading was pretty much the only thing to do, and it was all she really felt like doing besides sitting and looking out the window. She glanced at the clock. It was barely three in the morning. There was a knock on the door, and Sweetie Belle yawned and assumed her usual position; peeking around the wall to see who it was, and hear the conversation. "Twilight?" It was Mrs. Cake. "Yes?" Twilight looked up from her book, yawning, and headed over to the door. Mrs. Cake looked disheveled and flustered. "Pinkie's been attacked. We thought you'd like to know." Twilight's pupils shrank. "Sweetie Belle! We're going to the hospital." Sweetie dashed down the stairs, abandoning the book she'd been reading on her bed. They ran until they got to the hospital. Blinking magical lights were everywhere. Pinkie Pie was being carried on a stretcher. She looked so fragile, so weak. Emergency workers were everywhere, but Pinkie was oblivious; the only sign she was even alive was the occasional whine of pain and the steady rise and fall of her chest as she breathed in and out. Twilight whipped her head around, searching for some pony who could tell them what was going on. She barely noticed Sweetie Belle clinging to her leg. "Ah! Excuse me! Nurse Redheart!" Redheart heard Twilight's shouts and came over. "Do you know anything about what happened to Pinkie Pie?" "She was attacked. We don't know by what, but she's very weak from blood loss and that was made worse by her running. She should be fine, but I really must get back. You'll be able to see her tomorrow." Nurse Redheart dashed off. Twilight looked down at Sweetie with a gentle gaze. "Come on, Sweets. Let's go home. Nurse Redheart said we can see her tomorrow." The two headed home, the sirens following them away. ************** They headed into the hospital. "You go ahead and sit down, Sweetie, I'll tell them we want to see Pinkie Pie." Twilight walked over to the desk and began talking to the receptionist. Sweetie took her book and sat down. She had been reading about vamponies and various other supernatural creatures in the hopes of discovering what attacked Rarity. She found the book rather interesting, 'Vamponies and Other Members of the Occult'. Flipping through the pages, one caught her eye. She flipped back and found a blurry picture of a winged pony. The caption read; "Supposed sighting of a vampony in northwest Fillydelphia" She continued reading, but she didn't get very far when Twilight signaled for her to come over. "Pinkie is in the same room as Rarity. We'll be able to see her while we're here." Sweetie Belle gave a little bounce of glee. They entered the room. Rarity waved. She was looking a lot better, but she was still weak. Pinkie Pie looked terrible. Her hair was no longer poofed up, and was instead messy and wavy, not quite Pinkamena style. Her eyes were closed, but Sweetie Belle would bet her flank they were bloodshot and tired-looking. Her coat was pale, and she barely moved par breathing. The heartbeat monitor next to her bed beeped, but even her heartbeat seemed faint, as if it wasn't sure the next beat was worth it. She was asleep. She suddenly jolted awake, her heart beating faster as indicated by the monitor. Breathing hard, she caught sight of the two visitors. "Oh, hi guys." Her voice had lost its usual pep and speed, instead talking a little slower than a normal pony, and she sounded sad. Sweetie was right; her eyes were bloodshot. She was unrecognizable. "Did you have a nightmare?" Sweetie Belle pulled out the strongest weapon in her arsenal - her sheer fillylike cuteness. Pinkie reached out a hoof and patted Sweetie absently. "Yeah." "I remember going out with Vinyl and Berry... Vinyl was in Ponyville for a while, and we wanted to do something special... then Vinyl said she was going to go, and started running... then Berry started running.... I didn't see... that thing...that was following us.... I saw it behind me.... I started running.... it caught up to me and tackled me.... it leaned down... then I remember screaming.... then some pony picked me up on a stretcher and carried me here...I must have fallen asleep at some point." Pinkie stared vacantly at the wall behind her. Sweetie Belle climbed up on Pinkie's bed, and quietly began to sing. "It's true some days are dark and lonely..." Rarity joined in, her voice somewhat hoarse. "And maybe you feel sad, but Pinkie will be there to show you that it isn't that bad." She started coughing. Twilight patted her. Pinkie perked up. "There's one thing that makes me happy, and makes my whole life worthwhile! And that's when I talk to my friends and get them to smile!" She giggled. "I can't believe you still know the words. Here's some water, Rares." She pushed Rarity's water cup a little closer to her. "Thank you, darling." Rarity went to pick it up with her hooves. "No, bad Rarity!" Pinkie shook her head. "You're supposed to try and use your magic more, so you can build your strength back up. Doctor's orders!" Rarity sighed and levitated her cup. The glow around it was dim and flickering a little, but steady. Pinkie clapped. "That's progress! She almost dropped it earlier." Pinkie added. Rarity smiled weakly. "Yay." She sipped her water. "Pinkie, do you know what attacked you?" Twilight took on a serious tone, or as her friends called it, "her Canterlot voice". Pinkie instantly deflated, like a pink pony-shaped balloon. "It...was a pegasus, but at the same time it wasn't. You know Luna's guards last Nightmare Night?" The three ponies listening nodded. "She looked like that. I could tell it was a she, because her nose was curved. Her coat was pale, like buttermilk." Silence filled the room. The same creature that attacked Rarity. "The plot thickens." Rarity whispered, then began coughing again. Chapter Four"Sweetie Belle, wake up." Sweetie stirred and looked up at Twilight, who smiled tenderly. "Do you think you're ready to go to school today?" Sweets had taken the rest of the day off every since Rarity was in the hospital, and then gotten a Mental Health Day the day after. "Mhm." "Okay, school starts in a half hour, why don't you get ready and we can have breakfast together." Sweetie Belle nodded and fished her mane brush out of her bag, and got to work while Twilight headed downstairs. Untangling a curly mane in the morning was a daunting task at times, but after nine and three-quarters years of dealing with it, it wasn't as hard. After a few minutes she was skipping down the stairs, mane all brushed. They all sat at the low table in the middle of the library to eat, Spike digging into his allowance of gems, and Twilight and Sweetie Belle having crispy hay and syrup. This is so much like home. Sweetie thought, looking around at Twilight and Spike. It feels like what happened was just a bad dream. Once she was finished, she got her saddlebags and headed out, Twilight waving as she left. "Hey, Sweetie Belle!" Scootaloo pulled up next to her on her scooter. Apple Bloom was running along behind her. "We heard Pinkie's been attacked too. Have you seen her? Is she okay?" "Pinkie's been better, but the doctors say she'll be alright." Sweetie responded somewhat flatly. So much for it being a bad dream. The attacks were a hot topic of conversation, and every single time it came up, she was reminded of the fact her sister was in the hospital. "I guess it's a sensitive topic, though." Scoot's smile was now a guilty one. "Let's go, we're going to be late!" The three dashed off to the little schoolhouse. They had a few minutes before the bell sounded, so students were out of their desks and instead clumped in little knots of chatter. Sweetie Belle slunk over to her desk, desperately trying to avoid Diamond Tiara and her lackey. Keep your head low, Sweetie, pretend you aren't here, they're too busy talking anyway, just sit down and hide your face in the book. She took a chance and ran the last few steps, then sat down and started to read. The bell rang, and the class instantly became a flurry of flying papers, pencils, bags, and for all Sweetie knew textbooks as everypony scrambled to get in their seat. "Alright, class, today I'm going to teach you a bit about vamponies, and various other supernatural creatures." Cheerilee's tone was a little less peppy than normal. Just a little. "Now, I'm sure most of you have heard of at least a few of the creatures I'm about to describe. So, can anypony tell me what they know about vamponies?" Cheerilee asked politely as three or four students thrust their hooves in the air. "Cotton Cloudy?" "Don't they suck your blood?" "Mhm, that's one of the most common facts known about them. It's also common knowledge that they burn in sunlight, and have a weakness to fire." Cheerilee wrote these things down on the board as she said them. "Sweetie Belle? What do you know about vamponies?" Sweetie Belle shut her book and started rattling off everything she had read. "They're supposedly immortal unless you kill them, they won't die of natural causes, they don't like garlic, they can't process normal food, they'll throw it up the minute they eat it-" This got several "ewww!"s from her classmates. "Other spices that supposedly repel them are star anise, aloe vera, chive-" "You know quite a bit, then!" Cheerilee cut Sweetie Belle off. She put the chalk down and let out a little gasp. "I've been reading about them." Sweetie Belle pointed to the book she had been reading. "That's interesting. Would you mind if I borrowed that book after you finish it?" Sweetie shook her head. "Thank you. Now, who can tell me what vamponies are rumored to look like?" *************** "Outside, everypony!" Cheerilee rang the little bell signaling recess, and Sweetie nearly got trampled under the wave of excited foals. The Crusaders met up under their favorite tree and started to discuss the lesson. "Why do you think she'd teach us about that randomly of all things? It's not close to Nightmare Night or anything." Scoots said as she bounced a ball on her head. She was trying to beat Rainbow Dash's record. "Maybe it's because of the attacks." Sweetie whispered, sketching a picture in the dirt with a wayward stick. "Maybe. Or she just thought it was interesting." Apple Bloom glanced over at Diamond Tiara, who was heading over to them, Silver Spoon in tow. She sighed. "This is getting old." "What?" Sweetie stopped her sketching and looked where Apple Bloom was looking. "Oh, no." But instead of looking upset, she looked bored and annoyed. "Whatever shall we do." "Hey, losers!" DT strolled up to them, her trademark snobby smile (more like sneer) in place. Silver Spoon merely stared at the ground. "What do you want, DT?" Scootaloo's expression was flat, and her ball sat next to her. "Oh, I don't want anything to do with Little Miss Chicken." Diamond snarked. "I just want to talk to Elizabeth." Scootaloo's wings instinctively spread in anger. "Elizabeth! Hey, Elizabeth!" Sweetie stiffened up. She hated her proper name. It was just so dull and boring. She had adopted the first name "Sweetie" due to what her parents always called her. Thus, her name became Sweetie Belle. "What?" "Just wondering how you were doing after Rarity got sent to the hospital. I mean, she obviously faked it to get away from you." Diamond Tiara examined the back of her hoof. Silver Spoon's cheeks burned red, but Sweetie couldn't tell if it was from anger or embarrassment. "No, okay!? Just. No." Scootaloo was all up in Diamond's face. "There are lines you don't cross." Diamond laughed mirthlessly. "What if it's true? Elizabeth here is too ugly for anypony to actually love her." Diamond shoved Sweetie, who fell. She laughed again. Scoots and Apple Bloom were about two seconds away from throwing punches. "DT, I'm going to highlight your mouth-" "Screw you, Diamond Tiara." All heads turned in Silver Spoon's direction. She was shaking with rage. "Screw. You." She stomped up to the little pink filly. "Like Scootaloo said, there are lines you don't cross. I don't care if I owe my life to your family! Screw you anyway, Diamond Tiara! Everypony has somepony out there that loves and cares about them. Mine isn't you or your father. I don't care about his 'I love you both equally' stuff. Sweetie Belle has Rarity, and she's sick. It's not very nice to kick a pony when she's down." Silver trotted up to the Crusaders. "I'm on their side now." Diamond looked about to explode with rage. "FINE! I don't need you! Just watch, Silver, I'll make your life worse than you could ever imagine." She stormed off. Silver stared at the little filly until she was out of sight. "I can't believe I actually had the nerve to do that." She glanced back at the crusaders. Apple Bloom nodded in approval. "Welcome to the team, Sil." Scootaloo ran up to the silver filly and squeezed her tight. "Welcome back, Silver." Silver hugged back, tears streaming down her face. "It's good to be back." Sweetie and Apple Bloom voiced their thoughts at the same time. "What?!" "Scoots, explain." Apple Bloom leaned up against the tree. Scoots let go of Silver and began to tell their story. "Once upon a time, Silver lived at the same orphanage as I do. She was a lot different. A lot more rough-and-tumble, she didn't have her hair in a braid. We were pretty good friends ever since I shared my lunch tray with her- long story -and we played together a lot. We even slept in the same room together. Then DT and her dad came looking for somepony to adopt. They chose Sil, and the rest is history." Silver nodded. "I was always less than Diamond in Daddy's eyes, but he always said he loved us both equally. It hurt to look deep in his eyes and find disgust. I helped the servants, I played in the dirt, I did the things your average filly liked to do. I wasn't the pristine little neat-and-tidy girl he wanted to be associated with. I didn't belong." She sniffled, and hugged Scootaloo again. She closed her eyes. "It feels good to be free from Diamond Tiara." The Crusaders decided to test out their latest creation; pony pile hugs. PrologueSpirit dashed along the border of a small hamlet. She scampered up a hill and looked down at the small town. "Another place to feed. Excellent." The backwater town was no Manehatten, to be sure, but it had a decent amount of ponies living in it to keep her and her brethren well-fed and happy for a while before ponies got suspicious. Its layout was simple, blocks of neat country-esque houses, with hay roofs. There was a tall reddish-brown tower in the middle that Spirit assumed was their town hall. Another building that looked similar, but had a much larger amount of pastels decorating it, sat near the edge of town. She spread her wings and flew, scanning the place for any late-night stragglers headed home. None. Looks like she'd have to break in for dinner tonight. Alighting on the roof of the pastel tower, she peered in the window at the top to see a white unicorn sleeping peacefully. She had a cat. That could be troublesome, but if Spirit was quiet, she could feed with little to no fuss. Opening the window, she crept in, tiptoeing over to the canopy bed where the pony slept. It was a comfortable and plush room, like a spoiled filly's. An opulent rug lay on the floor, and a cat's bed lay near the unicorn's, the cat in question snoozing there comfortably. She took a few moments to look at the innocent unicorn, her tail curled around her flank. She was pretty. If she was in Canterlot, Spirit would have mistaken her for a native. Then the cat woke up. Spirit let out a thin shriek as the white Persian clawed at her sides. She whipped around and smacked the creature. It hit the wall and had the wind knocked out of it. This unfortunately woke the unicorn. "What are you doing in my home?! Get out!!" She took a pair of sewing scissors from the table in one corner and levitated them with her magic. "I'll use these if you don't leave right now!" Spirit took on a fighting stance. They stared each other down for a moment before Spirit tackled the unicorn and pinned her to the ground. "I was hoping for no fuss." she hissed as the unicorn squirmed. "But this was a minor inconvenience. I hope the rest of my time here, I have an easier time feeding. Oh well. This won't hurt."
Chapter OneRarity felt sick. She was laying on her back on the floor for some reason. Her memory of the night before was fuzzy, but she remembered somepony being on top of her. Oh, Celestia, she hoped she hadn't done anything too embarrassing. Okay, Rarity, time to get up and face the day! Just roll over onto your stomach, put your front hooves on the ground, then your back hooves. Roll over, front hooves on the ground, back hooves, stand up... She stumbled and crashed into her spare mannequins. Her legs felt lighter, almost sticklike. Why was it so hard to just put one hoof in front of the other? She had to get some work done today. Sweetie Belle poked her head in the doorway. "Is something wrong, Rarity? I heard you crash into something, so I came up here to check on you. I made some breakfast if you want to eat, and I didn't burn it this time." "That's awfully nice of you, Sweetie Belle, but I'm just fine. I think I might be coming down with something, though." "Oh. Well, there's breakfast on the table." Sweetie Belle skipped down the hallway. Rarity stood up again, and headed out the door, slowly but surely. Then down the stairs, stumbling again and almost falling. She clutched the railway for a moment, catching her breath. "Rarity, are you sure you're okay?" "Yes, Sweetie Belle, I'm fine, no need to worry." Sweetie Belle raised a suspicious eyebrow, but finished setting the table. Rarity sat where she normally did, using her magic to eat. Her magic faltered as she ate, earning her more suspicious looks from Sweetie Belle. "So what are you doing at school today, Sweetie?" Rarity asked to ward off the silence that permeated the room. "Oh, Moondancer was going to come in and teach a magic class today!" Sweetie Belle brightened up considerably. "And I'm going to learn how to levitate more stuff at once, just like you can! And maybe I'll get my cutie mark!" "That's wonderful, darling!" Rarity nuzzled Sweetie Belle before putting her school bag on her back. "Maybe you'll be as good as Miss Twilight!" "Nopony can be as good as Miss Twilight, Rarity. She's the best magic user ever to use magic! Anyway, I have to go. Scootaloo was going to take us to school in the Crusader wagon. I'll see you this afternoon!" Rarity waved somewhat feebly at Sweetie Belle, who had dashed off. A quick check of the kitchen revealed that a trip to the marketplace was in order. She fetched her own saddlebags and headed out, stopping at Applejack's stand first. "Oh, hey there, Rarity!" Applejack gave Rarity what she usually came for-the Honeycrisp apples both Rarity and her sister had a preference for. "Say, you don't look so good. You sure you should be out and about?" "Applejack, I promise I'm fine-" She stumbled again, not crashing into anything this time. "I'm just a bit tired." Applejack wasn't convinced. "Ah don't think you're fine. Lemme at least take you to Twilight's so she can make sure." "If you insist." Applejack hung up the "CLOSED" sign on the little hook that stuck out, then went to support Rarity, who's legs were shaking. Together, slowly but surely, they made their way to Golden Oaks, Twilight's home. Twilight herself answered the door. "Oh, hello Applejack, Rarity." She nodded to the two. "So what's up?" "Rarity here is sick or somethin'. She nearly collapsed when she was at mah stall in the market." Applejack shifted Rarity a little. "Applejack, I insist, I'm fine-" Rarity protested, only for a sharp bolt of pain to cut through her head. She fell onto Twilight's floor, dimly hearing the other two girls shout in surprise and Spike run up to her. A flurry of motion and magic replaced Twilight as all manner of objects were thrown about. The purple light was all of a sudden gone, except for Twilight levitating a small bottle of something. Twilight skidded along the floor for a few inches and also sat near Rarity. Rarity shivered. She felt cold now, so, so cold. "Rarity, Rare, can you speak? Answer me." "Y-yes..." "That's good." Twilight encouraged. "I'm glad you're still in there. But don't try to talk if it hurts." Rarity nodded. It did hurt, a small twinge of pain in her chest, like she had been running. She was dimly aware of Spike bringing her tea, she didn't want to drink it, she didn't want to do anything. She just wanted to rest....she was alright...Twilight would help her, so would Applejack and Spike....but what if they couldn't? Was she going to die? "You're not goin' to die, Rare." Applejack's voice cut through her haze. "You're not goin' to die. Ah'm just goin' to stay right here with you until Twilight can make those changes to her potion.." Potion? That bottle looked like it had water in it... "and we can get you to the hospital. You're n-not goin' to die. Ah w-won't let you." She turned toward Applejack, and the country mare's eyes shone with unshed tears. "Applejack..." she murmured, letting Applejack help her upright, as she leaned against her. Twilight ran back over with the bottle, the liquid inside now lavender-colored and shimmering. "Rarity, drink this for me, it will make you feel better. Spike, write a letter to Rainbow Dash telling her to come. Actually, write a letter to the other girls as well. We need to get Rarity to the hospital." Rarity gulped the potion down, it tasted like grape juice and Pinkie's frosting. She started to feel a bit better. Applejack held Rarity a little closer. "Is she going to die, Twilight?" "No, not if she gets proper care as soon as possible. I...I hope we can get her that care." ******* "That's right, Sweetie Belle, now see if you can pick up another book." Sweetie Belle concentrated and lifted another book from the pile. She had clearly inherited her sister's talent for levitation magic, as she was now levitating five with relative ease. They had learned a bit of offensive magic as well, even though they would likely never need to use it. Sweetie wasn't as good at that, but she could certainly hold her own in a friendly duel. Rainbow Dash shot into the classroom, the door smacking against the wall and then slamming, producing two loud bangs. She was panting a little. "Rainbow Dash, what are you doing here?" Cheerilee stood up, looking somewhat unnerved. "I..came to tell Sweetie Belle that Rarity...she's in the hospital." Sweetie Belle's pupils shrank to pinpricks and she bolted for the door.
Chapter TwoSweetie Belle shot through the double doors, using her newfound magic to fling them open. "Where's Rarity?! Where's my sister?!" She panted, then ran to Twilight. "Tell me!" "Your sister isn't dead, Sweetie." Twilight pulled the little filly close to her. "She's just very sick. The doctors don't know what's wrong with her, but we'll be able to go see her in a minute. Okay?" "Okay." Seeing Sweetie Belle for the helpless and vulnerable filly she was nearly broke Twilight's heart. She sniffed and hugged her a little tighter. But that's nothing on Applejack's condition. Twilight thought. I haven't seen her this worried since the Flim Flam brothers incident. Applejack was staring vacantly at the floor, as if it was the most interesting thing in the world. Her jade eyes held no emotion except pain and fear. She hadn't even looked up when Sweetie Belle flung the doors open. Twilight went over to sit with Applejack, maybe provide some comfort. "Hey, Rarity's going to be okay, Applejack." Twilight put on her brave face. "She's awake, at least." "Twilight, can I tell ya somethin'?" Applejack said suddenly. "Sure, what's up?" "Ah've had a crush on Rarity for a few months now." AJ blushed. "I mean, I would go out of my way to stop and talk to her when she passed by. And...seein' her like this...Ah hope you understand a little better why Ah'm so upset." Twilight patted her friend on the shoulder. Sweetie Belle joined the two in waiting after a moment, and curled up on AJ's other side. Nothing was said. They merely sat there, waiting to see their sick friend. "Miss Sparkle, Miss Apple, you may now see Rarity. Her room number is 2-24." They ran up the stairs and down a hall until they found Rarity's room. She lay propped on a large number of pillows, weakly smiling when they came in. "Rarity! I thought you were dead or something!" Sweetie Belle skittered up onto her sister's bed and lay there with her, staring into Rarity's eyes with a gleeful expression. "Sweetie, you'd best get down, and I'm not dead." Rarity's laugh quickly morphed into a coughing fit, and Applejack ran to assist her. Sweetie Belle climbed down from Rarity's bed. Applejack gave Rarity a glass of water, which she managed to gulp down through her coughs. "Thank-cough-thank you Applejack." "No trouble, Rares. How do you think you got this way, anyhow? Yesterday you were bright an' sunny, an' now you're lyin' in a hospital bed." Applejack sat on the rim of Rarity's cot, looking at her. Rarity's gaze turned down. Eventually she spoke, but quietly; "Last night somepony attacked me." It was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. "Who attacked you? I want to find out so we can report it to the police." Twilight piped up. The others nodded. "I heard Opal yowling, then a thin shriek, and I woke up to see the pony smack Opal against the wall. I told them to leave or I'd use the pair of sewing scissors I was levitating. The pony pinned me down first, I remember her-its nose was curved like a mare's-leaning down as if to kiss me on the neck, then I woke up on the floor this morning." "..." "..." "..." "Well, I'll go report this to the mayor, everypony should be on high alert." Twilight was the first to break the silence. She headed out. "I'll visit again in a bit, alright, Rares? Oh, and what did this mystery pony look like?" "Pale coat, not pure white, but creamy-colored. Dark mane and tail, scruffy like Rainbow's. It had wings like a bat." "I'll tell the mayor. Thanks for the description." Rarity waved as the last of Twi's tail disappeared through the door. "Ah've gotta go as well, Rare, chores and such. See ya." Rarity waved for Applejack as well. She turned to look at Sweetie Belle, who was looking up at her. "Rarity, please don't say I have to go. I wanna stay here with you. It's scary being all alone in my room at your store." "Sweetie, I don't think they'll let you stay." Rarity caressed Sweetie's face. "Be a good girl and go on home." Sweetie Belle gave Rarity one last adoring glance before leaving, her tail and ears drooping. She told the receptionist lady that she was leaving, and she gave her a lollipop. "I know how it is, honey." **************** "Alright, I'll tell everypony to look out for these creatures. Thank you for informing me, Twilight." "No problem, Mayor." Twilight headed out, on her way back to the library, when Sweetie Belle bumped into her. "Sorry, Miss Twilight, I wasn't looking where I was going." "Oh, no trouble, Sweetie. Coming back from the hospital?" "Mhm. Rarity said the hospital wouldn't let me stay with her, and I'd have to go home. But...I don't want to. What if the same thing that attacked Rarity comes for me?" Twilight took a deep breath. "You know...Sweetie Belle, you can stay at the library for a bit. If you wanted to." Sweetie instantly perked up. "Really, Twilight? You mean it?" "Yep. I'll set up my extra bed. Why don't you go and get your things that you think you'll need. It'll be like an extra-long sleepover." Sweetie jumped in the air with excitement. "Oh, thank you Twilight! I'll make myself useful, I promise!" She ran off to get her things. Twilight watched her endearingly, then headed home to set up her cot. ***************** Sweetie Belle appeared in the doorway just as Twilight was finishing up. "Could you get that for me, Spike?" Twilight yelled down the stairs. Spike opened the door. Sweetie Belle looked surprised, but then looked down. "Oh, hi there Spike! Twilight said I could stay with you guys until it was safe again." "Oh, okay. Twilight's pretty much done setting up the extra bed. You can go on up." Sweetie headed up the stairs as Twilight draped a pink blanket over the cot. "Oh, Sweetie Belle! You go ahead and make yourself at home, I'll be downstairs studying." Sweetie Belle nodded. Twilight could tell she was still shaken, giving her a hug and a small kiss, then heading down. Once she was sure nopony could hear her, the dam broke. The hug and kiss...that was so Rarity it hurt. She was certain that Twilight didn't know that, and just wanted to show her she cared, but it still ached. She cried harder. After about 7 minutes, her sobs turned to deep, shuddering hiccups. She curled up on the bed next to her saddlebags, and pulled out the little doll Rarity had made her, Bunny. It was a little pink dog-like plush, and she equalled it to a blankie. She hugged it close. "Bunny, I'm scared. Even though I'm with Twilight and she'll keep me safe, I'm still scared that whatever got Rarity's going to get me. And what about Scootaloo? Or Apple Bloom? What if it gets them? They're my only friends, I don't want to lose them." Sweetie pressed her face into the pillow, a fresh flood of tears spilling onto it. A knock on the door jolted her out of her weeping, and she peeked downstairs to see who it was. "Hey, Sweets! We heard about Rarity, and we wanted to come see if you were okay. We've been looking everywhere for you!" Sweetie Belle perked up and bounced down the stairs. "Scoots, I'm okay. Rarity's in the hospital, but she's feeling better. I'm going to be staying at Miss Twilight's until it's safe again." "You feel like crusadin' today, Sweets? We're tryin' for...what was it called, Scoot?" "Parasailing cutie marks! You want to, Sweets?" "I don't really feel like it today. But you girls can go ahead and try for them. Let me know if either of you get your marks." "Alright, we will! See you, Sweetie!" Sweetie leaned against the doorframe and waved goodbye. Then she headed back up to her room. "Sweetie, you want to read for a bit with me? You can take a book up to your room if you want to be alone." Twilight held up a book in her magic. Sweetie read the title aloud. "The Standard Book of Spells, Grade One." "I have all 7 volumes. Since you started learning about magic today in school, I think a bit of follow-up studying is good for you, plus it'll help you keep your mind off things." "Yeah, I think I'll read this for a little while. Thanks again, Twilight." She took the tome in her own olive-green aura, then headed upstairs, her hoofalls noticeably heavier. She climbed up on the bed, and flipped to Chapter 5, Offensive Magic. Might as well learn a few good offensive spells beyond weak lasers. Sweets thought. I might need to defend myself in the future.
Chapter ThreeA flight over the village revealed a group of ponies heading home from somewhere, talking and laughing. Oh, how Spirit envied their freedom. A purple earth pony, a pale yellow unicorn, and a pink earth pony. The pink one bounced instead of walked. She stopped and slowly began to circle the three like a bird of prey. This would be tricky. She'd have to somehow get two of them away from a third, then the rest would be easy. She descended further, so her dry, ominous wing beats could be heard. The yellow unicorn was the first to turn around, her eyes growing wide in panic. "Um, guys, I think I'm going to head home." She then ran at a full on gallop. The purple one was the second to say she was going, then ran after the unicorn, her heart pumping faster. Spirit could feel it. "Hey! Wait for me, you guys!" The pink one called after them. When they wouldn't stop, she slumped a little. "Bummer." Then she caught sight of Spirit. Spirit bared her fangs in a smile. This one would be easy pickings. The pink one slowly began to back away, then started running as fast as her legs could carry her. She was no match for Spirit's aerial speed, however, and the vampony quickly closed in on her, tackling her to the ground. "Oh, I do love a good chase." Spirit licked her lips. "D-don't hurt me, please-we can be friends, can't we? I'm Pinkie Pie!" The pink pony perked up. Spirit leaned down to feed. She brushed aside a bit of her prey's curly mane. "Wait...you're going to kiss me? That's pretty forward, but maybe that's how you greet ponies where you're from-" The rest of her words were drowned in a scream. ****************************** Sweetie Belle was reading. Reading was pretty much the only thing to do, and it was all she really felt like doing besides sitting and looking out the window. She glanced at the clock. It was barely three in the morning. There was a knock on the door, and Sweetie Belle yawned and assumed her usual position; peeking around the wall to see who it was, and hear the conversation. "Twilight?" It was Mrs. Cake. "Yes?" Twilight looked up from her book, yawning, and headed over to the door. Mrs. Cake looked disheveled and flustered. "Pinkie's been attacked. We thought you'd like to know." Twilight's pupils shrank. "Sweetie Belle! We're going to the hospital." Sweetie dashed down the stairs, abandoning the book she'd been reading on her bed. They ran until they got to the hospital. Blinking magical lights were everywhere. Pinkie Pie was being carried on a stretcher. She looked so fragile, so weak. Emergency workers were everywhere, but Pinkie was oblivious; the only sign she was even alive was the occasional whine of pain and the steady rise and fall of her chest as she breathed in and out. Twilight whipped her head around, searching for some pony who could tell them what was going on. She barely noticed Sweetie Belle clinging to her leg. "Ah! Excuse me! Nurse Redheart!" Redheart heard Twilight's shouts and came over. "Do you know anything about what happened to Pinkie Pie?" "She was attacked. We don't know by what, but she's very weak from blood loss and that was made worse by her running. She should be fine, but I really must get back. You'll be able to see her tomorrow." Nurse Redheart dashed off. Twilight looked down at Sweetie with a gentle gaze. "Come on, Sweets. Let's go home. Nurse Redheart said we can see her tomorrow." The two headed home, the sirens following them away. ************** They headed into the hospital. "You go ahead and sit down, Sweetie, I'll tell them we want to see Pinkie Pie." Twilight walked over to the desk and began talking to the receptionist. Sweetie took her book and sat down. She had been reading about vamponies and various other supernatural creatures in the hopes of discovering what attacked Rarity. She found the book rather interesting, 'Vamponies and Other Members of the Occult'. Flipping through the pages, one caught her eye. She flipped back and found a blurry picture of a winged pony. The caption read; "Supposed sighting of a vampony in northwest Fillydelphia" She continued reading, but she didn't get very far when Twilight signaled for her to come over. "Pinkie is in the same room as Rarity. We'll be able to see her while we're here." Sweetie Belle gave a little bounce of glee. They entered the room. Rarity waved. She was looking a lot better, but she was still weak. Pinkie Pie looked terrible. Her hair was no longer poofed up, and was instead messy and wavy, not quite Pinkamena style. Her eyes were closed, but Sweetie Belle would bet her flank they were bloodshot and tired-looking. Her coat was pale, and she barely moved par breathing. The heartbeat monitor next to her bed beeped, but even her heartbeat seemed faint, as if it wasn't sure the next beat was worth it. She was asleep. She suddenly jolted awake, her heart beating faster as indicated by the monitor. Breathing hard, she caught sight of the two visitors. "Oh, hi guys." Her voice had lost its usual pep and speed, instead talking a little slower than a normal pony, and she sounded sad. Sweetie was right; her eyes were bloodshot. She was unrecognizable. "Did you have a nightmare?" Sweetie Belle pulled out the strongest weapon in her arsenal - her sheer fillylike cuteness. Pinkie reached out a hoof and patted Sweetie absently. "Yeah." "I remember going out with Vinyl and Berry... Vinyl was in Ponyville for a while, and we wanted to do something special... then Vinyl said she was going to go, and started running... then Berry started running.... I didn't see... that thing...that was following us.... I saw it behind me.... I started running.... it caught up to me and tackled me.... it leaned down... then I remember screaming.... then some pony picked me up on a stretcher and carried me here...I must have fallen asleep at some point." Pinkie stared vacantly at the wall behind her. Sweetie Belle climbed up on Pinkie's bed, and quietly began to sing. "It's true some days are dark and lonely..." Rarity joined in, her voice somewhat hoarse. "And maybe you feel sad, but Pinkie will be there to show you that it isn't that bad." She started coughing. Twilight patted her. Pinkie perked up. "There's one thing that makes me happy, and makes my whole life worthwhile! And that's when I talk to my friends and get them to smile!" She giggled. "I can't believe you still know the words. Here's some water, Rares." She pushed Rarity's water cup a little closer to her. "Thank you, darling." Rarity went to pick it up with her hooves. "No, bad Rarity!" Pinkie shook her head. "You're supposed to try and use your magic more, so you can build your strength back up. Doctor's orders!" Rarity sighed and levitated her cup. The glow around it was dim and flickering a little, but steady. Pinkie clapped. "That's progress! She almost dropped it earlier." Pinkie added. Rarity smiled weakly. "Yay." She sipped her water. "Pinkie, do you know what attacked you?" Twilight took on a serious tone, or as her friends called it, "her Canterlot voice". Pinkie instantly deflated, like a pink pony-shaped balloon. "It...was a pegasus, but at the same time it wasn't. You know Luna's guards last Nightmare Night?" The three ponies listening nodded. "She looked like that. I could tell it was a she, because her nose was curved. Her coat was pale, like buttermilk." Silence filled the room. The same creature that attacked Rarity. "The plot thickens." Rarity whispered, then began coughing again.
Chapter Four"Sweetie Belle, wake up." Sweetie stirred and looked up at Twilight, who smiled tenderly. "Do you think you're ready to go to school today?" Sweets had taken the rest of the day off every since Rarity was in the hospital, and then gotten a Mental Health Day the day after. "Mhm." "Okay, school starts in a half hour, why don't you get ready and we can have breakfast together." Sweetie Belle nodded and fished her mane brush out of her bag, and got to work while Twilight headed downstairs. Untangling a curly mane in the morning was a daunting task at times, but after nine and three-quarters years of dealing with it, it wasn't as hard. After a few minutes she was skipping down the stairs, mane all brushed. They all sat at the low table in the middle of the library to eat, Spike digging into his allowance of gems, and Twilight and Sweetie Belle having crispy hay and syrup. This is so much like home. Sweetie thought, looking around at Twilight and Spike. It feels like what happened was just a bad dream. Once she was finished, she got her saddlebags and headed out, Twilight waving as she left. "Hey, Sweetie Belle!" Scootaloo pulled up next to her on her scooter. Apple Bloom was running along behind her. "We heard Pinkie's been attacked too. Have you seen her? Is she okay?" "Pinkie's been better, but the doctors say she'll be alright." Sweetie responded somewhat flatly. So much for it being a bad dream. The attacks were a hot topic of conversation, and every single time it came up, she was reminded of the fact her sister was in the hospital. "I guess it's a sensitive topic, though." Scoot's smile was now a guilty one. "Let's go, we're going to be late!" The three dashed off to the little schoolhouse. They had a few minutes before the bell sounded, so students were out of their desks and instead clumped in little knots of chatter. Sweetie Belle slunk over to her desk, desperately trying to avoid Diamond Tiara and her lackey. Keep your head low, Sweetie, pretend you aren't here, they're too busy talking anyway, just sit down and hide your face in the book. She took a chance and ran the last few steps, then sat down and started to read. The bell rang, and the class instantly became a flurry of flying papers, pencils, bags, and for all Sweetie knew textbooks as everypony scrambled to get in their seat. "Alright, class, today I'm going to teach you a bit about vamponies, and various other supernatural creatures." Cheerilee's tone was a little less peppy than normal. Just a little. "Now, I'm sure most of you have heard of at least a few of the creatures I'm about to describe. So, can anypony tell me what they know about vamponies?" Cheerilee asked politely as three or four students thrust their hooves in the air. "Cotton Cloudy?" "Don't they suck your blood?" "Mhm, that's one of the most common facts known about them. It's also common knowledge that they burn in sunlight, and have a weakness to fire." Cheerilee wrote these things down on the board as she said them. "Sweetie Belle? What do you know about vamponies?" Sweetie Belle shut her book and started rattling off everything she had read. "They're supposedly immortal unless you kill them, they won't die of natural causes, they don't like garlic, they can't process normal food, they'll throw it up the minute they eat it-" This got several "ewww!"s from her classmates. "Other spices that supposedly repel them are star anise, aloe vera, chive-" "You know quite a bit, then!" Cheerilee cut Sweetie Belle off. She put the chalk down and let out a little gasp. "I've been reading about them." Sweetie Belle pointed to the book she had been reading. "That's interesting. Would you mind if I borrowed that book after you finish it?" Sweetie shook her head. "Thank you. Now, who can tell me what vamponies are rumored to look like?" *************** "Outside, everypony!" Cheerilee rang the little bell signaling recess, and Sweetie nearly got trampled under the wave of excited foals. The Crusaders met up under their favorite tree and started to discuss the lesson. "Why do you think she'd teach us about that randomly of all things? It's not close to Nightmare Night or anything." Scoots said as she bounced a ball on her head. She was trying to beat Rainbow Dash's record. "Maybe it's because of the attacks." Sweetie whispered, sketching a picture in the dirt with a wayward stick. "Maybe. Or she just thought it was interesting." Apple Bloom glanced over at Diamond Tiara, who was heading over to them, Silver Spoon in tow. She sighed. "This is getting old." "What?" Sweetie stopped her sketching and looked where Apple Bloom was looking. "Oh, no." But instead of looking upset, she looked bored and annoyed. "Whatever shall we do." "Hey, losers!" DT strolled up to them, her trademark snobby smile (more like sneer) in place. Silver Spoon merely stared at the ground. "What do you want, DT?" Scootaloo's expression was flat, and her ball sat next to her. "Oh, I don't want anything to do with Little Miss Chicken." Diamond snarked. "I just want to talk to Elizabeth." Scootaloo's wings instinctively spread in anger. "Elizabeth! Hey, Elizabeth!" Sweetie stiffened up. She hated her proper name. It was just so dull and boring. She had adopted the first name "Sweetie" due to what her parents always called her. Thus, her name became Sweetie Belle. "What?" "Just wondering how you were doing after Rarity got sent to the hospital. I mean, she obviously faked it to get away from you." Diamond Tiara examined the back of her hoof. Silver Spoon's cheeks burned red, but Sweetie couldn't tell if it was from anger or embarrassment. "No, okay!? Just. No." Scootaloo was all up in Diamond's face. "There are lines you don't cross." Diamond laughed mirthlessly. "What if it's true? Elizabeth here is too ugly for anypony to actually love her." Diamond shoved Sweetie, who fell. She laughed again. Scoots and Apple Bloom were about two seconds away from throwing punches. "DT, I'm going to highlight your mouth-" "Screw you, Diamond Tiara." All heads turned in Silver Spoon's direction. She was shaking with rage. "Screw. You." She stomped up to the little pink filly. "Like Scootaloo said, there are lines you don't cross. I don't care if I owe my life to your family! Screw you anyway, Diamond Tiara! Everypony has somepony out there that loves and cares about them. Mine isn't you or your father. I don't care about his 'I love you both equally' stuff. Sweetie Belle has Rarity, and she's sick. It's not very nice to kick a pony when she's down." Silver trotted up to the Crusaders. "I'm on their side now." Diamond looked about to explode with rage. "FINE! I don't need you! Just watch, Silver, I'll make your life worse than you could ever imagine." She stormed off. Silver stared at the little filly until she was out of sight. "I can't believe I actually had the nerve to do that." She glanced back at the crusaders. Apple Bloom nodded in approval. "Welcome to the team, Sil." Scootaloo ran up to the silver filly and squeezed her tight. "Welcome back, Silver." Silver hugged back, tears streaming down her face. "It's good to be back." Sweetie and Apple Bloom voiced their thoughts at the same time. "What?!" "Scoots, explain." Apple Bloom leaned up against the tree. Scoots let go of Silver and began to tell their story. "Once upon a time, Silver lived at the same orphanage as I do. She was a lot different. A lot more rough-and-tumble, she didn't have her hair in a braid. We were pretty good friends ever since I shared my lunch tray with her- long story -and we played together a lot. We even slept in the same room together. Then DT and her dad came looking for somepony to adopt. They chose Sil, and the rest is history." Silver nodded. "I was always less than Diamond in Daddy's eyes, but he always said he loved us both equally. It hurt to look deep in his eyes and find disgust. I helped the servants, I played in the dirt, I did the things your average filly liked to do. I wasn't the pristine little neat-and-tidy girl he wanted to be associated with. I didn't belong." She sniffled, and hugged Scootaloo again. She closed her eyes. "It feels good to be free from Diamond Tiara." The Crusaders decided to test out their latest creation; pony pile hugs.
PrologueSpirit dashed along the border of a small hamlet. She scampered up a hill and looked down at the small town. "Another place to feed. Excellent." The backwater town was no Manehatten, to be sure, but it had a decent amount of ponies living in it to keep her and her brethren well-fed and happy for a while before ponies got suspicious. Its layout was simple, blocks of neat country-esque houses, with hay roofs. There was a tall reddish-brown tower in the middle that Spirit assumed was their town hall. Another building that looked similar, but had a much larger amount of pastels decorating it, sat near the edge of town. She spread her wings and flew, scanning the place for any late-night stragglers headed home. None. Looks like she'd have to break in for dinner tonight. Alighting on the roof of the pastel tower, she peered in the window at the top to see a white unicorn sleeping peacefully. She had a cat. That could be troublesome, but if Spirit was quiet, she could feed with little to no fuss. Opening the window, she crept in, tiptoeing over to the canopy bed where the pony slept. It was a comfortable and plush room, like a spoiled filly's. An opulent rug lay on the floor, and a cat's bed lay near the unicorn's, the cat in question snoozing there comfortably. She took a few moments to look at the innocent unicorn, her tail curled around her flank. She was pretty. If she was in Canterlot, Spirit would have mistaken her for a native. Then the cat woke up. Spirit let out a thin shriek as the white Persian clawed at her sides. She whipped around and smacked the creature. It hit the wall and had the wind knocked out of it. This unfortunately woke the unicorn. "What are you doing in my home?! Get out!!" She took a pair of sewing scissors from the table in one corner and levitated them with her magic. "I'll use these if you don't leave right now!" Spirit took on a fighting stance. They stared each other down for a moment before Spirit tackled the unicorn and pinned her to the ground. "I was hoping for no fuss." she hissed as the unicorn squirmed. "But this was a minor inconvenience. I hope the rest of my time here, I have an easier time feeding. Oh well. This won't hurt."
