The Vampony Chronicles

The Vampony Chronicles
Chapter 14: Reconciliation

By: SteampunkBrony

(thanks again to doom for editing, and reminding me to post this... )

We all hugged for a good five minutes after that, sharing a moment for the original Fluttershy. I think Abia cried the hardest, both out of sadness for the poor filly and relief, finally able to tell the secret which had haunted her for so long.

When the hug finally broke we sat there for a while longer, drying out tears.

“Uh... Which one of y’all is bleedin'?” Applejack asked, seeing a small crimson spot on the hospital sheets.

I raised a hoof sheepishly. “Apparently crying blood is a side effect of turning a fledgling.”

“Now that's just plain weird...” Applejack said, frowning at the red stain on the sheets. “Y'all got a way to hide that?”

“I'll just say I didn't notice a cut from the hydra and it opened,” I said with a shrug. “I mean, it did drop a roof on us.”

“...Fair enough... Ah guess...” Applejack sighed. “Ah just hope they don't ask me anything, I couldn't lie if my life depended upon it.”

“Oh trust us AJ,” Dash cut in, “we know.” This drew laughter from the rest of us as Applejack deadpanned at Rainbow.

When we finished laughing, Pinkie brought up a very interesting question, causing us all to disguise our various abnormalities. “Say, did anypony actually check to see if the other patient was asleep?”

“No... why?” Fluttershy asked.

“Because I feel light magic in that direction...”

After a moment of staring at each other, all of our heads swiveled towards the privacy curtain as I dropped my silence spell around the other patient.

Apparently fate decided that today was going to be awkward for all parties involved, because the curtain was pulled back, and we found ourselves face to face with the Sunblessed from earlier in the night.

"Just my luck... may as well get this crap over with..." I muttered to myself. "You don't recognize me do you?"

"N-no..." he seemed taken aback at that. I looked over at Pinke who simple shrugged.

"Get it over with, i don't want him hospitalized again." I nodded and disguised myself for a moment before returning myself to normal, albeit leaving my fangs out.

“Y-you!” He stammered looking at me.

“Me.”

“What are you doing here!”

“Visiting a friend in the hospital after helping her save the town from a hydra,” I said without missing a beat.

“B-b-b-b-but you're a... and she's a...”

“And?” Pinkie cut in, raising an eyebrow. “Just because she's a vampony doesn't mean she's evil. She’s a Moonblessed, don't you remember the lessons on them from training?”

“Of course I... er... um... oh... I think I kinda... slept... through that class...” I think it was evident to everypony in the room that he was getting that unique feeling when you realize just how badly you screwed up because you slept through something important.

“And you paid for that with a trip to the hospital, because she was trying not to use lethal force.” Pinkie said facehoofing. “I'm not gonna say anything to the commander about this, so long as you keep your trap shut about Twilight.”

Upon the mention of my name, all of the color drained from his face, and I mean all of it. His coat had been a golden yellow before, now it looked as if he had stuck his face in bleach.

“T-t-t-twilight... as in... Twilight Sparkle?” He stammered. By now Rainbow had a hoof covering her mouth to hold in her laughter at the Schadenfreude. I decided to let Pinkie have her moment. For a mare that would normally be laughing her flank off right now, she was keeping a pretty good deadpan.

“Yup.”

“The st-student of,” He gulped loudly at the point, “P-princess Celestia?” He squeaked out.

“Yup, and you tried to kill her a few hours ago.”

“Say what now?” Applejack had a look on her face told me exactly how many walls she wanted to buck him through right then.

“I... attacked... and... and...” a third 'and' trailed off as he flopped back onto the hospital bed. “I'm so fucked.”

Pinkie only held the deadpan for a moment longer before she burst out giggling. “Naaah. I won't tell the boss, and I don't think Twi' will either.”

“Nope,” I said with a chuckle.

“But... what was all that about then?” He said, sitting up again.

“To teach you a lesson.” Pinkie said. “Anyhow, this is Lance, Prince Blueblood's kid.”

“Really?” Rarity asked, sitting up

“Yeah, his illegitimate one,” Lance said with a sigh. “My full name's Golden Lance, turns out dad had an affair with one of the female guards assigned to him, she had me. Blueblood only took an interest in me after I entered the Royal Guard Academy,” he said with a sigh. “You were right... he convinced Celestia that I should be a Sunblessed and started treating me like a son...”

Pinkie sighed, “And I've told you time and time again that he only cares about your status as a Sunblessed, with that the nobles ask less questions.” I nodded as she said this, remembering the politics of Canterlot.

“Bunch of stuck up busybodies if ya ask me.” Applejack said. “What kind of father treats his kid like that?”

“One who didn't want a kid in the first place.” Lance said bitterly.

I took a moment to butt in before things escalated any farther. “Hey Lance, um... sorry about earlier. I didn't want to hurt you that badly...”

He chuckled. “Don't worry about it Miss Sparkle, I've had worse.” He said, shuddering. “Still hurt like hell though.”

“Worse?”

“Yeah... Sunblessed training is brutal.” Pinkie nodded sagely at the statement.

“I don't think I want to know.” Rarity said before Lance could continue.

“I won't say then,” He said.

“You're taking this whole 'being in a room with the pony that hospitalized you' thing pretty well.” Rainbow said with a chuckle.

“Oh I'm on edge, but I trust Paladin Pie's judgment.” Lance said. “I'm just an Acolyte after all.”

“And a stupid one at that,” Pinkie said with a sigh. “Didn't I say if you were given the chance to resolve something peacefully to take it? Especially when your opponent can perform high-level dark magic?”

“Y-yeah...”

“Wait, high-level?” I asked, “What spell are you talking about?”

“The blades and that lightning spell you used.” Pinkie was looking at me as if I had just said the dumbest thing possible.

“Those are high level spells?”

“Er... yeah. Duh.” Lance said as Pinkie facehoofed.

“How can't you know what those spells are?” She asked. “Didn't it mention that in the tome you must have found those in?”

“Er... I didn't learn them from a book. Luna taught them to me.”

“So you're saying that, in a matter of days, you learned two high-level dark magic spells without needing to see them in any kind of spell diagram?” Pinkie asked.

“…well, she did teach them to me by showing me her memories on how to cast them. After that it was easy...”

Lance's jaw was almost on the floor and Pinkie's eyebrow had risen. “Okay cast the blade spell, I have to see this in detail.”

“Um... okay.” I said, the black mist gathering around me as the blades formed.

“Woah...” Rainbow's eyes were wide at the sight of the blades.

“Can you pass one please?” Pinkie asked, and I floated one over to her. “Spell structure is stable, the spell is strong enough to hold a physical form... geez Twilight I know you're special talent is magic, but this is just ridiculous.”

“Those look different...” Rarity muttered, “they weren’t that fancy when you fought the manticore, if my memory serves me right.”

“I was a little surprised myself, when I cast that spell the second time they just formed like that.” I decided that it was probably better if I didn’t tell them about Crescent.

“I'm not even going to go into how difficult that spell should be...” Pinkie said with a dry chuckle. “Seriously Twilight, I'm impressed, and that takes a lot.”

“I'll take your word for it.” I said, dispelling the blades.

“Now hold up a minute.” Applejack cut in. “Ah'm confused here. Twi' you're just gonna let him go even though he tried to kill ya?”

“Well yeah, what's the problem?” I replied.

“What's the problem? He tried to murder ya'! He should be thrown in prison!” Applejack nearly yelled.

“Normally I'd agree with that darling, but I think having a leg and wing cut off is enough.” Rarity said causing the rest of us to nod.

“Well that and the fact that if we let our commander know what happened, we would be up to our manes in Sunblessed before you could say cupcakes.” Pinkie said.

“So y’all are just gonna do nothing?” Applejack said.

“Well I suppose he could use a bit of punishment... Any ideas girls?” Pinkie asked.

“Well, what are you good at Lance?” I asked, an idea forming.

“I used to work in the castle gardens, minding the animals there before I signed up for guard duty.” He said sheepishly. “I loved working with them, and my cutie mark appeared after I saved a pair of jackalopes from some animal thieves.”

“One moment.” I re-cast the sound barrier. “Well now that we know that, any thoughts?”

“Well... er... um... I could always use an extra hoof around my place. Angel helps out a lot, but he's only one bunny.” Fluttershy said, hugging the rabbit.

“Ah don't trust him around ya 'shy...” Applejack said. “What about the whole changelin' thing?”

“Oh... um... right...” She said with a small frown and a blush.

“He won't hurt her if he knows I know about you 'shy.” Pinkie said with a smile. “He may not make the best decisions, but he follows orders to a tee.”

“Are ya sure about that sugarcube? Ah still don't trust him.” Applejack said.

“Well I can lock his power in an amulet and give it to 'shy.” Pinkie said after a moment of thought. “While you can't take away the blessing of the sun completely, Princess Celestia put a bit in the spell so a Sunblessed's power could be locked away in an amulet by somepony who outranks them. He's an acolyte, and I'm the paladin training him, so I can do that.”

“Now why would Celestia do that darling?” Rarity asked.

“One of the Moonblessed turned against Equestria a long time ago. I think Celestia was trying to prevent repeat incidents.” I said with a frown.

“Yeppers.” Pinkie said with a smile. “I take it you've been talking to the guardian of that tower?”

“Wait, how did you know?” I asked.

“Same way I knew where the book on the Elements of Harmony was, I checked the place out beforehoof. I recognized the spell on that dais as one to hold a spirit as a guardian. Ooh... do you think that they'd like a party?”

“Pinkie Pie, you are so random...” Rainbow Dash muttered, the sudden mention of a party catching everypony off guard.

“In any case, I think we could have him stay at Fluttershy's.” I said after shaking my head.

“Yeah besides, I think Flutters has a crush on him.” Pinkie said in between giggles.

We turned to look at Fluttershy, who had managed to blush a bright red through her coat, and was now trying to hide in her mane. “Eep! D-d-don't tell him.”

“Don't worry Flutters, your auntie Pinkie won't tell Lance.” Pinkie said, patting her on the head.

“but... um... I'm a year older than you...” Fluttershy muttered. “How should we tell him?”

“Let me handle it. Just drop the illusion when I say.” She nodded to me and I dropped the silence spell as she started speaking. “Okay Lancie, we've decided what's going to happen.”

“Well... lay it on me since I can't really stop you.” Lance said with a sigh.

“Okay, first things first. You're going to be helping Fluttershy here take care of the animals at her cottage, and assist with rebuilding it. You'll also be responsible for helping fend off any nasties from the Everfree that come by. In short, while helping Fluttershy and the builders, you'll be their defense from anything that is looking to make some pony flavored cupcakes.” Pinkie continued on without missing a beat. “Secondly, you're going to be stripped of your powers whenever you don't need them. Fluttershy will be in charge of the amulet while you're there.”

“I can't say that I didn't see that one coming.”

“Lastly, you are not to attack Fluttershy.” Pinkie said, suppressing a grin as she nodded to Fluttershy.

“Now why would I do thaaaaahohsweetcelestiaachangeling!” He had somehow managed to climb up to the corner between the wall and ceiling without using his wings as his eyes hit the size of dinner plates.

All of us started laughing at that, aside from Fluttershy who was apologizing profusely. Once we managed to coax him back down into his bed we were able to explain Fluttershy's situation.

“So she's not going to try to drain me of love?”

“Noppers.” Pinkie said before taking a bite out of a cupcake.

“Pinkie where did you get that?” I asked, confused.

I was just thinking the same thing... Crescent said, still chuckling from Lance's reaction

“Get what?” She said as she finished the cupcake.

“That cupcake!”

“Sugarcube, it's best not to question that kinda' thing around Pinkie Pie.” Applejack said as everypony else in the room nodded sagely.

“But it doesn't make any sense! Pocket dimensions are only accessible by unicorns!”

“Pocket dimensions?” Rainbow asked.

“You know, a way to store small objects without saddlebags. A lot of unicorns use them.” I pulled a quill and some paper out of one to demonstrate.

“That... actually explains a lot.” Rainbow said chuckling. “I was wondering where the hay you guys kept pulling stuff like that from.”

I was about to say something when Rarity cut in. “Well I hate to cut things short, but if the window is any indication, it's almost daytime.”

“Crazy night huh?” Rainbow said with a chuckle. “I'm just glad nopony was hurt too badly.”

“Yeah no kidding, that would just ruin everypony's next day, like that time I accidentally mixed up the sugar and salt with that batch of cupc-” Applejack cut Pinkie off by stuffing a hoof into her mouth.

“Ah best be off then, Ah got a farm to tend to after all. Say Twi', Mac was wonderin' when you'd have the design for him for that chair.”

“Oh I completely forgot, here Twilight.” Rarity said, pulling out some sheets of paper. “I finished the designs for the chair and desk while at Rainbow's. I'm sure by tomorrow night I'll have the bookshelf designs fleshed out, and the wine rack and cabinet shouldn't take long after that.” She said. “I do suggest getting some carpet down there though, it will help with the acoustics.”

“I'll look into it. I think Celestia may have a few spares lying around.” I said as I floated the chair design over to Applejack. “That looks like it will work. Hmm... Say Pinkie,”

“Yeah?”

“Would it be possible to move the dais Ceres is in?”

“Hmm... I don't know... Celestia or Luna might, but that kind of magic just isn't used anymore so I'm not too familiar with it. I can recognize it, but I don't know much about it aside from 'if it's hostile, crack the stone and hope for the best.’” She said with an apologetic shrug.

“Oh... well I'll have to ask Luna then.” I said, adding it to a mental list of things to ask Luna. “Well I think we all have places to be. Lance, come to the library after you're released and Pinkie’s done the amulet thing. I'll take you to Fluttershy's from there.”

“Yeah, I should probably get some rest, I got weather patrol this afternoon.” Rainbow said. “Hope the doctors let you out of here soon Pinks.”

We all said our various goodbyes, and in my case, final apologies before trotting out the door.