The Vampony Chronicles

The Vampony Chronicles
Chapter 17: An Unexpected Note

By: SteampunkBrony
Edited By: DoomManta

“Come again?” I asked, not quite sure I heard correctly. “Did you say monster hunter?”

“Yes, I have made it my life's work to hunt down the less visible threats to ponykind,” he said, “And I believe there is one such threat, a vampony, within Ponyville and I would like your assistance to catch the culprit.”

“And why do you believe this?” I asked, silently thanking the theatre courses I took at the Academy for my ability to not completely freak out at shocking information.

“There have been, over the past few months, six disappearances within the Ponyville area, all at regular intervals, there is no correlation between gender, race, or age, and all had no signs of a struggle. I'm not completely sure it is a vampony, however, I have found very similar situations in the past have turned out to be just that.” He said.

“Pardon my skepticism, but everypony knows that vamponies don't exist,” I said with a frown.

“Oh they are very real, and very dangerous when provoked,” he said. “Er... do you mind if we sit down, I've been walking for the past four days to get here from Manehattan, and as you can imagine, my legs are very sore.”

“I guess,” I said. “Spike, can you make breakfast, and some coffee? I have a feeling this will take a while.”

“Okay,” he said, heading towards the kitchen.

“He seems well trained,” Silver Stake said as we sat down.

“Spike isn't a pet, he's my assistant and may as well be my little brother. I hatched him as part of the entrance exams for Princess Celes-”

“Yes, I know what school's you've attended,” he said with a smirk. “I also know that you're Celestia's star pupil, and judging from Princess Luna's recent return, one of the Elements of Harmony. I was worried I'd have to get involved in that situation when the time came.”

“That... isn't exactly common knowledge.”

“Common knowledge doesn't help in my line of work, Miss Sparkle. You'd be surprised the truths you can find while sifting through old myth. After all, all myths are based in reality.”

“I'm still not convinced that you're a monster hunter,” I said flatly. “It will take more than some facts to convince me.”

“Very well then, here's my license,” he said, levitating over a scroll tube, it had Celestia's insignia on the brass end cap, which I unscrewed and removed the tube's contents.

“By order of Her Majesty Princess D. Celestia, Silver Stake is to be recognized as a registered occult investigator and monster hunter in service of the crown...” It went on to explain the various levels of authority that his position granted, and situations where it could be exercised. At the bottom it was signed by seven representatives of the Noble Court, the captain of the Royal Guard, the Commander of the Equestrian Military, and Princess Celestia herself.

After a few quick verification spells, I could find no flaws in the legitimacy of the scroll. “This is either the best forgery I have ever seen, or Celestia hasn't told me a few rather important things.” I said as Spike walked back into the room with a plate of eggs and hay bacon alongside a cup of coffee for each of us. I took the plate and cups from him.

“I assure you it is legitimate.”

“Again, pardon my skepticism. Spike, take a letter.” He quickly grabbed a sheet of parchment and a quill. “Dear Princess Celestia, I am writing to verify that the unicorn Silver Stake is a 'Registered Occult Investigator and Monster Hunter'. He has presented a license, and it appears to be official, however, I am skeptical. He believes there is a vampony somewhere in the Ponyville area and has asked for my help in stopping it.” Spike finished writing, then proceeded to sign and send the letter. “Assuming she isn't too busy we should have a response shortly.”

“Very well.” He took a sip of his coffee. “I hope she doesn't deny it to keep you in the dark. That has happened before, but wouldn’t be much of a setback.” Spike gave a belch of green flame and a letter from Princess Celestia materialized.

I took it and opened it, reading it aloud. “To my faithful student, yes the license is legitimate, however, while it is up to you whether you help or not, I ask that you decide carefully, Silver's line of work is very dangerous, and more than a few ponies have lost their lives trying to defeat threats such as vamponies. I also ask that you do not reveal Silver's occupation to your friends, or the fact that vamponies do exist, as others in the past have done so only to find their friends 'crying wolf' when it comes to such creatures. Sincerely, Princess Celestia.” I sighed as I put the letter down. “Well it appears you check out... What do you know so far about what's going on.”

“Admittedly, very little. As I said, I just got into town and haven't had much time to investigate. Whoever has been kidnapping these unfortunate ponies has been rather smart about it. All of the ponies who disappeared have been reclusive, and all of them have lived at least a mile out of town. The only reason the disappearances have been noticed at all is that they all checked in regularly with the Guard, so we only have a rough timeframe for their kidnapping. Before I came here I obtained a list of ponies who fit the vague profiles of the previous disappearances, and I have a guess as to who is the next target.”

“How good of a guess?” I asked as I took in the information. If there is another vampony around harming ponies, he or she needs to be stopped... but I'll have to be careful to not reveal my own vampirism...

“A very good one, there is only one easy target left in the Ponyville area. A zebra named Zecora. She currently resides a short ways into the Everfree forest, alone, and does not come into town often. I'll be honest, I'd be inclined to believe that she was the one behind all this if it weren’t for the fact that only Nosferatu, a type of vampony created by Luna to help defend Equestria before her banishment, can turn zebras and they died off long ago.”

“I’ve spoken to her actually,” I said, quickly thinking up a cover story. “I needed some potion ingredients and the local apothecary was out of them. He suggested I go to her because he gets most of his stock from her. We can travel there later today if you want, I know where her house is.”

“That... is rather fortunate actually. I was worried I wouldn't be able to find anypony who knew the way to her home and I'd rather not get lost in that forest. It will also give me time to find the local inn, what time would you like to travel there?”

“Come back at around three, I have a few things to do around the library, and I need to change clothes, late night study sessions tend to lead to one passing out reading.”

“Very well, thank you for the coffee,” he said as we stood.

“You're welcome. Spike will show you out,” I said as I headed back upstairs to my room.

As soon as the door was shut and latched behind me, I got to work. “Dusk, are you here?” I received a yip in response as he faded into view on my bed. “Good, do you remember the way to Zecora's?” I pulled out a sheet of paper and wrote a quick note to Zecora explaining the situation, and the cover story for our meeting up previously. Dusk nodded as I rolled up the letter and tied it shut before putting it a small tube and passed it to him. “Take that to her as quickly as you can. If she has a reply, bring it back to me, if not just wait there. If she isn't in, return with the letter. Above all, don't be seen, but I don't think we have to worry about that.” I said with a smile as I petted him a few times. “Now get going.”

He raised a paw to his forehead in a salute before disappearing from sight. A moment later, I saw my balcony door open and shut as he left the room. I got changed out of the clothes I had been wearing the previous night and double checked that my fangs were hidden before heading back downstairs.

“That was too close...” Spike said as I sat down and started eating breakfast.

“That it was. At least he hasn't found out about Rarity or the incident at the hospital,” I said, taking a bite of the eggs. “I've sent Dusk ahead to warn Zecora we're coming later, she should have plenty of warning, but I'd like for you to go warn our friends about Silver, and the possibility of another vampony in town. Pinkie and Lance may be able to help out with this.”

“On it,” Spike said, heading for the door.

“Oh and Spike?”

“Yeah?”

“We're out of milk, so pick some up on the way back.”

“Heh, ok, warn friends of vampony and pick up the milk... my jobs have gotten weird.” He said before running out the door, not noticing the pair of eyes watching him from a nearby alleyway.

“Ready to go?” Silver Stake asked as I trotted down the stairs, my saddlebags packed with a few necessities in case we had to stay for longer than expected. Dusk hadn't returned, so that was a good sign.

“I've been ready for an hour,” I said as I followed him out the door.

“How far out is her home?” he asked as we neared the edge of town. “Not far I hope...”

“It's at least an hour's trot, less if you can keep up a good pace,” I said with a smirk at him.

“I can run for quite a while, but I may need my energy later. I'm guessing that if Zecora hasn't already been kidnapped, it will happen soon, there seems to be one every few weeks on average.

While I could have easily run the whole way there, probably while carrying him, that would raise questions.

The conversation trailed off as we walked, so I decided to see what Luna thought of the whole situation. Luna, are you awake?

I just awoke, some kind of commotion in the courtyard, apparently 'Tia's nephew needed to be taken down a few pegs by the captain of the Guard.

Good old Shining. I replied with a small smile. Blueblood had always been a stuck up pain in my flank and my brother was always willing to remind him exactly how little power he had. In any case, an interesting bit of news has popped up, a royal monster hunter by the name of Silver Stake thinks there's a hostile vampony in town, and that Zecora's the next target. He's not onto Rarity or myself yet. I sent Dusk ahead to warn Zecora of the vampony, and our arrival.

I am sure whatever the other Vampony can throw at thee will be easy enough to handle, most of the non-moonblessed vamponies are weaker than a moonblessed. Thou will only have to worry about a Sombrian vampony, but royal records say they've been wiped out.

Sombrian?

King Sombra Oscura, an evil unicorn who enslaved the Crystal Empire to the north of Equestria, created them. They were his shock troops, and probably the closest to Nosferatu in terms of power and magical ability. Celestia sealed Sombra away long ago, and gave a search and destroy order to the sunblessed of the time.

Well... that's good news I suppose, I just hope the ponies that were kidnapped are alright...

Luna sighed. Do not get thine hopes up Twilight, 'tis not often that such victims are left alive.

One can hope...

Indeed, when this business with the monster hunter is done with, Crescent has arranged a small surprise for thee. I would have given it to you last night, but when I arrived back, Zecora was busy fighting a minor eldritch horror and thy level of consciousness was nonexistent, Luna said with a small laugh.

She... didn't say anything about that...

Do not worry, Twilight, everypony summons something nasty on their first try, I made sure Zecora was well prepared.

I'm not even going to get into how insane learning summoning is...

Oh that's nothing, let me tell you about my first endeavor into summoning...

... And that's how ghastly gorge came to be.

I... don't even know what to say to that... I replied to Luna's tale.

Yes, well... trust me when I say any of thy mistakes will be smaller than a good deal of mine, she replied as Zecora's house came into view.

I'll try to remember that... anyhow we've arrived so I'll chat later. Merry met, and merry part...

... Until we merry meet again. Luna finished the farewell and cut the connection.

“Is this the place?” Silver Stake asked as he eyed the masks hanging from the tree.

“I do believe that this is the place you are searching for. Come in, do not linger at the door,” came Zecora's voice from inside. I opened the door and led the way in, smiling a little as I felt Dusk jump onto my back with a soft yip. “I am Zecora, healer and shaman from the Zebrecain land, although healing does not seem to be what you demand.”

“I am Silver Stake, Occult Investigator and Monster Hunter in service to the crown. I believe that you may be the next target of a vampony that has been attacking the local population. I asked Miss Sparkle here for assistance.”

“Well, of your occupation I have no doubt, and my fighting skills, I do not wish to test out. What method, do you suggest, to put this dark apparition to rest?”

“A little light magic goes a long way, most vamponies are brought pain by the light of day.” Silver said with a smirk.

Zecora grinned back. “I see you have done this in the past, let us hope this mission is not your last.”

“I assure you I am capable and knowledgeable when it comes to my job. My life is not something a simple vampony can from me rob.”

“That is good, but perhaps we should prepare, after all nighttime draws near.” I chimed in, hoping to end the pointless rhyming duel before something decided to sneak up on us.

The two looked at me then out the window, before agreeing simultaneously, “Good idea.”

“Not to be that guy, but I take it you have some form of combat training?” Silver said as he turned to Zecora.

“As is the custom, all are trained where I come from,” Zecora said, reaching beside one of the cabinets that held potion ingredients and withdrawing the bladed staff from the night before. Now that I could see it better I was impressed at the elegance of the weapon.

Its blades were a blueish silver and had many small runes etched into their faces. The shaft was made of bubinga stained in an intricate striped pattern, similar to Zecora's natural stripes. At the base of each blade, a bundle of dried, woven grass secured the blades to the staff.

“I have not seen a starsteel weapon in quite some time, where did you get that?” Silver asked.

“A warrior's staff such as this is not simply found, they are passed from teacher to student. My teacher decided on his death that my receiving of this staff would be prudent. He died when against a dragon in battle he fell, yet with him he dragged that green monster to hell.”

“He must have been quite the warrior then. Dragons are very difficult to kill.”

“That he was.” Zecora said picking up a small jar and dumping some of the powder within it into the fire pit in the middle of her hut. She then took a bottle and poured a little of the liquid inside onto the powder and in a few moments a fire was crackling merrily in the fire pit.

“Twilight, let's stay quiet, if we want to catch the vampony we'll have to take it by surprise,” Silver said. I nodded and backed into a shadowed corner, levitating one of the larger masks in front of my hiding spot. Silver did the same in a different part of the room. “Zecora, just go about business as usual.”

I felt Dusk hop off my back and looked down as he started nuzzling my foreleg. I lifted a hoof and petted him, enjoying the Imp's company as I waited. This is going to be the hard part, not falling asleep while waiting.

Light purple eyes glinted in the darkness of the Everfree as a figure moved closer to Zecora's hut. If one listened closely they would have been able to hear as it sniffed.

They are in there... no matter, as long as I can remove Stake from the equation, a unicorn and a zebra won't be difficult to deal with.

It had been an hour since we hid and I was starting to feel drowsy. Zecora had been brewing a complex potion to pass the time and I found watching her work was interesting enough to keep me awake.

The drowsiness disappeared as Dusk suddenly sat up and looked towards the door, giving my hoof a nudge with his paw to get my attention. Something, or someone, was coming. I nodded in Zecora's direction and Dusk turned invisible. A moment later, Zecora stood and moved over to where her staff was hidden. I could hear Silver drawing a blade in his hiding spot as I got ready to burst out from behind the mask. I could hear the hoofbeats now, it was definitely a pony.

The hoofbeats stopped, as if whoever it was was thinking, and then there were two quick impacts on the ground, shortly followed by the sound of Zecora's window shattering.

A cloaked figure plowed into the mask Silver was behind, throwing it out of the way and delivering a quick jab to Silver's jaw, knocking him out cold as I shoved the mask I was behind aside. As the figure turned, letting Silver flop to the ground, Zecora and I dropped into fighting stances.

The pony rushed me, aiming to slam me backwards and pin me to the wall so I sidestepped the charge and used their own momentum to knock their legs out. There was a thud as the vampony managed to kick off the wall and charge at Zecora, only to be beaten back with the flat side of her staff's blades.

“It seems I underestimated you...” the vampony said, her voice carrying a Canterlot accent.

“You could say that.” I replied, smirking as I let my fangs appear, my blades whooshing into existence as Zecora laughed.

“You fight with the skill of one who has been in many a brawl, however you haven't yet learned that sheer strength cannot win them all,” Zecora said, her staff's blades igniting in black flame.

The Vampony took a step back, right into the corner. “Now... let's not do anything drastic... I'm just hungry...” She looked towards me, “You at least should understand that, right?”

“That doesn't make it right to just barge in.” I said.

“And you did not think to ask before making me your next meal? For me at least that seems quite the poor deal.” Zecora added.

“Besides, I intend to find out what happened to the rest of your victims, one way or another.” I said.

A sigh came from under the cloak, “Almost one thousand years free of problems, then I try to feed off of someone who not only can fight back, but also has a vampony as a friend... Fuck it, you win, I don't have a death wish.” She lowered the hood and shook her head. A dark grey mane tumbled out and settled in place to reveal a pony whom I have run into on a few occasions.

“O-octavia?” I stammered.

“Unfortunately yes,” she said, “Although your condition is a touch more shocking. I guess what they say about it always being the ones you least expect is true.”

“You can say that again...” I replied thinking back to the events of the past few days.

“I haven’t killed or turned anypony around Ponyville. To be honest, I'm not sure where my past meals have gotten to.”

“I find that hard to believe, although no lies do I perceive...” Zecora said. “This causes more questions than it answers...”

“I can understand that...” she said with a sigh. “It's been a long time since I killed anypony by accidentally drinking too much. Can you not tell Stake? He's been a thorn in my side for a few years now, and I doubt he will show any mercy if he finds out who I am.”

“He didn't seem that vengeful...”

“His parents were killed by a vampony that wanted to have some fun torturing somepony, it's painted us in a poor light for him.”

“Oh...” I said, glancing over to the unconscious monster hunter.

“It's led him to not always do things the right way, and he has... made mistakes when it comes to figuring out who is a vampony in the past. I don't want him to have any reason to come after me, or Lyra...”

“Is she-”

“No.” Octavia interrupted. “Not unless she chooses it, she knows though.”

“If you don't mind the question, how did she act to that revelation?” Zecora asked as she picked up a few jars and lit a fire.

“She dazed herself trying to run through a closed door.” Octavia answered with a smirk while I started laughing.

“Applejack did the same thing when I told her,” I said as we shared a moment of laughter at the odd coincidence.

“So how did you end up a vampony, Twilight? The student of Celestia seems to be one who would avoid such things...”

“Nightmare Moon cast a spell that turned me into one, thinking it was some kind of combat spell from what Luna's told me. Ever hear of a Moonblessed?”

“I’ve been friends with some of them and had to kill others...” Octavia said with a frown, “But I suppose when you've lived a life, or unlife, as I have, things like that are bound to happen.”

“It is nothing to worry about, those days have long passed. I have learned not to worry too much about one's past, and while we're on the topic, what is yours?” Zecora said, mixing a brew she was making.

“Well, I grew up in Trottowa until my parents and I moved to the Crystal Empire, a year later, Sombra took over. He chose about four hundred of us and used some kind of curse to turn us into vamponies. Since I was released from his control by one of the old Moonblessed I've been wandering the world, learning as I go, and staying mostly out of trouble. Er, if you don't mind me asking what are you brewing?”

“Two things, ironically from the same potion mix. The first, a truth elixir because I want to be sure you're not lying. The second a knockout draught for Silver because in we don't want him to wake too soon and start prying.” Zecora said.

“I understand, there have been disappearances and I am an obvious suspect,” Octavia said. “I hope you two won't tell anypony about my... condition. I rather like Ponyville and I don't want to put Lyra through running from an angry mob, it's not a pleasant experience.”

“I know that is how those things usually go, I've had some experience in that field so I know.” Zecora said with a smile. “Dark Shamans are not always welcome where we travel, and sometimes leads to that occurrence as our path unravels.”

“I was wondering why you had nightshade...” Octavia said with a chuckle. “I take it you know some black magic as well Twilight?”

“Yeah...” I said, looking at my blades. “It's useful, and since white magic is out of the question now I thought I may as well learn it.”

“There,” Zecora laid down the wooden rod she had been stirring the cauldron with. “Now we just have to wait for the brews to separate. Until then, some tales of your wanderings, do you care to relate?” She said as she turned to Octavia.

“I guess I could share a few, I haven't always been a cellist after all.” Octavia said as we sat down beside the fire pit.