The Vampony Chronicles

The Vampony Chronicles
Chapter 11: Creatures of The Night

(A/N: Special thanks to DoomManta for editing again.)

Once again I trotted towards Carousel Boutique, but this time I had a lot more on my mind than just a casual visit with a friend.

I know how he spotted me, but why was he here? Would Celestia really send in a Sunblessed at just a hint from Rainbow that there was a vampony in town? Especially considering that Pinkie is a Sunblessed... It doesn't make much sense... Perhaps he was here as backup in case we didn't win against Nightmare Moon?

I really should talk this over with Pinkie before I go and see him; I have little doubt that if she’s there things will go much smoother. At least Berry was able to help me, I know the others have been saying that I need to move on, but Berry actually drove the point home... I suppose if problems are nails, my problems make for one damn big nail, and you need a damn big hammer to drive the point home. I chuckled at my analogy, I needed something to smile about tonight. I think the advice on regret helped as well, after all, if I keep dwelling on the past, how can I get over things? It feels like a load off my shoulders... she should get a job as a psychiatrist. While rather blunt, she's damn good at it. I smiled as I rounded the corner to Carousel Boutique. I noticed that there was a weak scent of blood on me. Must have gotten it on me when carrying that Sunblessed, that's going to be fun to get out... Geze, I sound like Rarity, worrying about clothes after I nearly killed somepony... I frowned at the thought, as the feelings of guilt started to come back after my short, but welcomed reprise from that particular monkey on my back. His life is out of my hooves now, I couldn't help him even if I tried... actually I'd probably only make things worse. I reasoned as I knocked on the door.

“Coming!” I heard Rarity say, accompanied by the sound of hooves as she trotted over to the door and opened it. “Twilight, I wasn't expecting you tonight...” She paused as she sniffed the air. “Come inside, and don't worry about noise darling, Sweetie's awake, I just finished telling her about what happened actually.”

“That's good, how'd she take it?” I asked, curious.

“Surprisingly well, she didn't try to bolt, although I think she's still processing the facts...” Rarity gave a weak smile, I could see that her eyeteeth were elongated, although not to the point mine were. “Anyhow, come on in.”

I stepped inside, smiling slightly at the smell of an herbal tea in the air. I saw Sweetie Belle sitting on a couch off to one side of the boutique in an alcove. “H-hi Miss Sparkle.” She said, putting on a fake smile.

“Please, just call me Twilight.” I said, smiling. I turned to Rarity and asked, “You told her about me right?”

“Yes I did dear.” Rarity said with a sigh. “And Sweetie, I must admit, I'm surprised at how well you took the information.” I joined Sweetie Belle at the table as Rarity went to fetch another cup.

I didn't really know what to say, so I sat quietly, and somewhat awkwardly, until Sweetie spoke up. “So... you were the one who stopped that timberwolf the other night?”

“Yeah...” I said sheepishly.

“Thanks... I... We were all scared, I think I was the worst though, I couldn't stop crying once we were down there, then when the fight started...” She started to tear up.

I moved over and laid beside Sweetie, putting a foreleg around her. “There there, it's over now.” I said. “You're safe and so are your friends.”

“I just felt so helpless...” She sobbed. I saw Rarity standing in the doorway, unsure of what to say.

I hesitated a moment before speaking. “Sweetie, you're young. I hate to say it, but the fact that you aren’t as strong, magically or physically, isn't something that can be changed quickly.” I thought for a moment before continuing, “However, don't let that hold you back. We all were little once, even Princess Celestia. It just takes time and patience, but soon you won't feel that way anymore.”

“But I'm still a blank flank...” She said.

“We all were at one point, it just means you have yet to find your special talent, until then, you just have to try different things to find out what you like.”

“Huh, that's a good idea...” Sweetie said, yawning, and smiling a little.

“I think it's time for you to head off to bed.” Rarity said to Sweetie Belle as she joined us at the table. “Would you be alright tucking yourself in?”

“Siiiiis...” Sweetie groaned, “I'm old enough to tuck myself in.”

“I'm just teasing Sweetie.” Rarity giggled a little as her younger sister trotted off after saying a quick goodnight.

“She did take the news rather well, although I suppose youthful ignorance would have something to do with it...” I said, sipping my tea.

“Yes, ah the days of our youth... I wish I could go back, but I know the charm of it would be ruined.”

“Isn't that the truth...” I sighed.

“Now spill it darling, you smell like blood, what happened.” Rarity demanded.

“I found out what Celestia's version of the Blessing was... they're called Sunblessed. One attacked me tonight.” Rarity gasped at the revelation.

“How did you get away?”

“I couldn't... He's in Ponyville Urgent Care right now... I'm sure news of it will be all over by tomorrow.”

“Oh my...” Rarity said, looking a little sick. “Please, spare me the details.”

“I will... also, Berry Punch knows about me, I had to keep her out of the crossfire. The Sunblessed didn't care that she wasn't a part of it.”

“Oh... well Berry will keep it a secret.”

“Yeah, she talked me through some of the problems I’ve been having of late. It really helped...”

“She is rather good at helping ponies with their problems from what I've heard.” Rarity said with a smile. “Although... I'll admit I'm having a slight problem myself...”

“What is that?” I think I know where this is going.

“Well... it's the issue of blood...”

“I had a suspicion.” I said with a sigh. “I don't really know how to help you with that... AJ may help, but you'd have to ask her.” I said. “Aside from that, I have nothing on leads. I think I'm probably just going to disguise myself and see if I can find a donor somewhere in Ponyville.”

“Hmm... yes that's a good idea.” Rarity said. “I think I will talk to Applejack next time I see her, after all-”

I cut her off by raising a hoof and hiding my fangs. I could hear hoofbeats just outside of the store. She hid her fangs as well as there was a heavy knock on the door.

“I'll get it.” Rarity said as she trotted over and opened the door. “Rainbow? What are you doing here at this time of night?” Rarity asked, stepping out of the way to let the visibly shaken pegasus in. She still hadn't noticed me as she started speaking.

“You're not going to believe what I just saw... I think Twilight isn't telling us something about her...”

“I'm right here Rainbow.” I said with a sigh. “But please go on.”

Rainbow shot up and slammed into the roof in surprise. “H-hi T-twilight...”

“Out with it, what do you mean?” I asked. “I won't hold anything against you, and neither will Rarity, just be honest.”

“Well... was that you in the town square?” She asked, clearly very scared.

I frowned. “Yes, it was, and if you want to discuss it, Rarity's asked to be spared the details.” I said. “I was going to tell you tomorrow anyhow... although I was hoping you hadn't seen that.”

Rainbow looked like she was about to bolt for the door, and she nearly slammed into the roof again when Rarity put a hoof on her shoulder. “Rainbow, Dear, please calm down and get the full story first?”

Rainbow was still shaking a little, but she managed to nod.

“First off, know that he attacked me first, and nearly killed Berry Punch in the process.”

“I saw that...” Rainbow said. “I was going to come help you when you just... picked her up and took off across the roofs... how?”

“I'll explain.” I motioned for Rainbow to sit down on one of the couches. “First off, I'm not going to hurt you so please stop being scared of me.” I pleaded, “It hurts to see that, you'll understand why soon.”

Rainbow nodded and she took a seat across from me as Rarity locked the door.

“I'll be blunt... there's really no other way to put it, but thanks to Nightmare Moon, I'm a vampony. I'm not going to go attacking anypony like a bloodthirsty monster though, that's just a story, probably from an experience somepony had with a false vampony.” Rainbow seemed to be a bit more scared than before, but, surprisingly, stayed put. “Luna created the spell for vamponies before Equestria was as safe as it is now, and the Nightmare tried to use it to harm me, not knowing what it was.” I said, summing up the rather long explanation. “In short, I'm faster, stronger, and have better senses than before, although I'm weak to holy magic and I lose some of that edge during the day. I also need to drink a few mouthfuls of blood every month or so, or else I'll die.” I said before releasing the spell that hid my fangs.

“So that was you... Why'd you lie to me about it?” Rainbow asked, sounding offended.

“I was scared... but now that I've had a chance to think things over, I realize that lying was a mistake.” I looked down at the tea in my hooves. “Will you forgive me?”

Dash seemed taken aback at that. “Wh-what?”

“I asked if you would forgive me for lying to you.” I said. “If you have any questions, ask away, I won't lie.” I looked up at Dash.

“Does Celestia know?”

“Not yet... and I would like to keep it that way for now.” I said with a frown. “Luna is trying to figure out how she'll react, and until I know, I'd like to delay the inevitability of her finding out for as long as I can.”

Dash sat in silence a few moments before speaking up. “Well... I forgive you. You're my friend, and you've admitted to your mistake, and I'm nothing if not loyal.”

“Thanks Dash, although you should know one other thing...” I said.

“Oh and what's that?” She asked, sounding worried again.

“When Rarity and I went into the Everfree yesterday, we took a trip to the castle where we fought Nightmare Moon, we were attacked by a manticore though.” Dash gasped at that. “It stabbed Rarity with its tail...”

“How is she still- oh...” Dash said, that last word more of a squeak, as she turned around to face Rarity, who had stopped hiding her fangs.

“Yeah...” I looked back down into my tea.

“What happened to the manticore?” Dash asked.

“Twilight... well let's just say it's no longer going to bother any living thing.” Rarity said, causing an awkward silence. I looked up to find Dash staring at me, her eyes the size of dinner plates.

“Y-you k-killed it?” She stammered.

“Yeah...” I muttered guiltily. “I didn't want to... but it kept attacking.”

“That's... that's...”

“Horrible? Terrifying?” I offered.

“AWESOME!” Dash said, perking up.

“Rainbow would you mind keeping it down? Sweetie's trying to sleep.”

“Sorry...” Dash said, chuckling slightly, “But seriously, I don't think anypony's single-hoofedly taken down a manticore since before Luna's stay on the moon.”

Dash continued to go on asking about what had happened, so I retold the story, leaving out a few details to speed things up. I noticed Rarity eying Dash near the end and decided to see if it was thirst or something else.

“Everything okay Rarity?”

“Just that... issue we were discussing earlier...”

“Ah...” I said. “Er, Dash?” I started.

“Let me guess... she needs,” Dash gulped, her voice growing quiet, “Blood?”

“Yeah... I hate to ask you, but you know about us, and you happen to be here.” I said apologetically. “It won't turn you into a vampony, but it is rather... intense.” I said, blushing a little. “For both the donor and the recipient.”

“What do you... ohhhh...” Dash said giggling. “Did you find that out the hard way?”

“Yeah...”

“With who?”

“...”

“It was AJ wasn't it?” Rainbow said with a smirk.

“Wha? How did you?” I stammered.

“I didn't, but now I do.”

“...Go buck yourself dash.” I said jokingly.

“In any case, yeah, I’ll help ya’ Rares, just not here... Twilight, do you know that cloud-walking spell they use at the Weather Factory?”

“I do, but I'm a little out of practice.” I admitted.

“Well, I'll go grab a cloud, you cast it on Rarity, and make it last till at least this time tomorrow. If things get... steamy...” Dash trailed off, both she and Rarity were blushing, “I'll admit, I'm not the quietest filly in town. Plus, Sweetie's upstairs. My place is far enough out that nopony will hear it.”

“G-good idea.” Rarity said.

“Okay, you go find a cloud.” I said, picking up a gem from a nearby table, it was a small blue gem about the size of a bottle cap. “Perfect.” I muttered. “Rarity, do you have some gold on hoof?”

“Why?” She asked, trotting over to a safe in the wall and pulling out a gold bar.

“I'm going to put the cloud-walking spell in this gem and make an amulet from it so it’s powered by the wearer's own magic. The spell will last for as long as they are wearing it and not drained of magic.” I said. “I'll compensate you for the gold and gem.”

“Oh, don't worry about it Twilight, the usefulness of it will be more than enough. Here, use this to hang it from.” She said as she levitated a gold-colored chain out of a drawer.

“Thanks.” Once she had given me the materials, I started crafting, shaping the soft metal around the amulet with my magic. I then bound the chain to it and began weaving the spell into the gem. It took me about five minutes to finish, and by that time Rainbow had returned with a cloud.

“Okay, put this on and try stepping onto the cloud.” I instructed Rarity, hoofing over the necklace. She did so and stepped onto the cloud as if she were a pegasus.

“Sweet, see ya’ tomorrow Twi'.” With a quick farewell, Rainbow started pushing the cloud with Rarity on it off towards her house. I quickly wrote a note for Sweetie, explaining that her sister was over at Rainbow's helping her with some clothing designs.

I stepped out into the street, and decided to head over to Fluttershy's. I had my doubts she'd be awake, but decided to go check. As I turned onto the path towards her house, I began to run again.

My thoughts ceased as I ran, only my destination in mind, alongside my route. I never had realized how nice it was to just run full tilt for a while. I suppose it was similar to Rainbow's flying. I slowed as I neared Fluttershy's house, surprised to see that the lights were still on despite it being fairly late at night. I trotted up to the door and, after I made sure my fangs were hidden, knocked lightly so as not to startle the timid pegasus.

I heard a small “Eep!” and the sound of somepony jumping. I heard her hooves touch the floor and a quiet “Coming...” before a whoosh, as if a fire had suddenly caught.

I didn't have much time to dwell on it as Fluttershy opened the door right then. “Oh, hi Twilight.” She said smiling. “I didn't expect you to show up this late... um... not that I mind and-”

“It's not a problem Fluttershy.” I said, giggling a little. “I couldn't sleep so I decided to go out, and everypony else was asleep. If your lights hadn't been on I wouldn't have knocked.”

“Oh, I don't mind.” She said, sounding a little relieved. “Come on in, I'll make some tea.”

“Okay.” I remembered somepony saying Fluttershy grew her own tea leaves, and that it was very good tea, while I was at the welcoming party. I stepped in and heard the door shut behind me as I took a seat on a large cushion she had set out, presumably for company as well as some of the various animals she helped.

There was a hint of light incense in the air, alongside the scents of various animals, and another odd scent that I hadn't noticed before. Fluttershy had smelled of the animals she took care of when I had first met her, due to training her birds and not washing, however this was a scent I didn't recognize from back then, probably due to my improved senses. It smelled a bit like mint combined with the smell of a rose.

I decided it was probably nothing as Fluttershy came back into the room with a tea tray balanced on her back, her wings holding it steady. I helped by levitating the tray over to the table and set it down.

“Thanks.” She said, lying down on another cushion. “Um... how have you been?” She asked.

“Stressed, to say the least.” I replied as I sipped my tea. “There's been quite a bit going on of late.”

“Really? I haven't been in town lately so I wouldn't know. Um... Sorry about that.”

“It's not a problem Fluttershy.” I said with a smile at my friend. “Anyhow, I was wondering if you knew your way around the Everfree. I'm looking for someone to brew some potions, and I heard that there was a Zebra who was good at that living nearby in the woods. I think her name was Zecora.”

“Oh... um... I know where she lives.” Fluttershy said quietly. “But please don't tell anypony that I get the medicine for my animals from her, everypony is afraid of her and I'd probably loose what little income I have... um if that's alright with you.”

“Really? They’re that afraid of her that they'd stop bringing their pets to be helped by you?”

“Yes... um please don't tell them I said that.” She said worriedly.

“Fluttershy, don't worry. I know to keep what others tell me to myself, especially with opinions.” I said with a chuckle. I sniffed the air again. “Fluttershy are you cooking anything with mint in it? I smell some and I can't figure out where it's coming from.”

“Um... no I'm not.” She said. “I did just shower so that may be it though, I have some mint shampoo.”

Okay that's suspicious. She wouldn’t smell like her animals after she showered. I thought back to the surprise party. Fluttershy hadn't smelled like her animals then, and when Spike had asked her about it, she had told him that she only showered when there was something important going on. “Really? Spike told me that you told him that you don't shower unless there's a reason to.”

She gave off a small eep, realizing her mistake. “Um... I... What I meant to say was...”

“Fluttershy, trust me when I say I can keep a secret for other ponies.” I said. “My own, well I haven't been doing the best job of late, but I don't tell other pony's secrets if they don't want me to.”

“You wouldn't trust me if I told you...” she muttered.

“Tell you what Fluttershy,” I said, finally figuring out how I’d tell her. “If you tell me yours, I'll tell you my biggest one right now.”

“I... I don't know...” She muttered.

“Would you rather I go first?” I asked and she nodded.

“Well... to put it simply, I was turned into a vampony by Nightmare Moon while we were using the Elements.” I said as I let my fangs show. This is becoming a little too routine... “Don't worry, I'm not a bloodthirsty monster, but I do still need a little every now and then, but that probably won't be for a while.”

Fluttershy's eyes went wide. “I... um...” A goat bleated outside and she locked up from the surprise and fear before toppling over.

I poked her with a hoof. “Fluttershy? You okay?”

“Yeah... Sorry it's just... that was a bit of a shock...” She apologized.

“You handled it better than Applejack.” I said with a sigh.

“R-really?”

“Yeah, she ran for the door... but forgot it was closed.”

Fluttershy giggled a bit at that. “Um... well I guess it's my turn... first, has anypony told you my cutie mark story?”

“No, I can't say they have.” I said.

“Well... the story everypony knows is that while at Cloudsdale Flight Camp, Rainbow challenged some bullies to a race to stop them from picking on me.” She said, smiling at the memory. “At the start of the race, one of the bullies knocked me off the cloud I had been sitting on by accident. I fell to the ground and I was caught by a large swarm of butterflies, and after realizing how much I loved working with animals, I got my cutie mark.”

“Okay... but what does this have to do with your secret?”

“Everything.” She said with a sigh.