Section 1: Von Bludde Lives
section 1: Von Bludde lives
Today, after many years of service to all the land, a pegasus will be awarded the highest honor possible: the status of alicorn and the title of revered.
"Hey man, you nervous?" A slate blue unicorn asked a black pegasus.
"Nervousness Tone Mix? I do not understand. I'm as calm as ever." The pegasus, Blackthorn responded.
"You and your logic dude. Do you feel any emotion?" The unicorn, Tone Mix asked.
"Define, 'emotion.'" Was Blackthorn’s response.
"Dude, we'll talk later you're on!" Tone Mix said, ushering him to the balcony.
"Right." Blackthorn said. "My fellow Equestrians, you have gathered in this specific area to witness a grand event."
"Oh jeez, this can only go well." Tone Mix said.
"I, after many years of scientific and militaristic service, have been awarded this highest honor. The status of revered and the power of alicorn. I believe that I can serve you all better with these new powers, and better protect all of this beautiful land. I wish to see you all in the future." After this he was gifted with his powers, got his title, blah blah blah.
Party for a Legend
"A club? Hardly my style. Oh well, this is in my honor, I should show up." He then opened the doors and entered to hear loud music that he was unfamiliar to. "What is this?!" He asked in shock.
"It's Vinyl Scratch and Neon Lights!" Said a random pony near him. Blackthorn had never heard of these two. As a small unicorn was walking by she tripped and bumped into Blackthorn.
“What- who was that?!” He said, brushing himself off.
The little unicorn looked up at Blackthorn and whispered “Sorry” so quietly it was almost inaudible.
“And who might you be?” Blackthorn asked the unicorn.
The little unicorn whispered “Tiki.”
Blackthorn smiled. “Greetings. I am Blackthorn.”
Tiki nodded “The new Alicorn.” She whispered
“Indeed.” Blackthorn replied.
“How did you become an Alicorn?” Tiki asked.
“Hard work and great service.”
Tiki nodded “Sounds hard.” She whispered
“It took many years to accomplish my tasks.” Blackthorn replied.
Tiki looked at the ground “Have you ever been to Ponyville?” she asked, still whispering.
"Can't say I have been. Not for long anyway. I’ve been there a few times to borrow a book or potion ingredient from Twilight Sparkle, but other than that, no. Sometimes experiments can be... explosive, so I live far from any towns."
Suddenly, there was a flash in the DJ booth, and the sound of a record scratching.
"I understand this party is for my main man Blackthorn! Everypony put your hooves together for this dude!" The DJ said. "Now, my names Tone Mix! And I'm here to make this the biggest party of this year!" At this some of the most complex music started playing and Tone Mix said nothing more all night.
Tiki bit her lip and looked around. “M-Mister Blackthorn would you like to help me find my friend?” she asked then looked at the ground “You don’t have to.”
He bowed “It would be my pleasure.” He said.
Tiki smiled and gave Blackthorn a hug “Thank you.” She whispered.
“Let’s go. What does your friend look like?” He said, caught slightly off-guard by Tiki’s hug.
“Well she’s not here at the party…” Tiki said, looking at the ground
“This party maybe in my honor, but I can’t turn my back while I know somepony may be in trouble.” Blackthorn said.
“I don’t think she’s in trouble she’s just alone…” Tiki said
“Let us go.”
“Really?” Tiki asked, tilting her head slightly.
“Yes.”
“Thank you.” Tiki said, smiling.
“After you.” He said, pointing to the door.
Tiki smiled then she walked out the door “How are we going to get to Ponyville?”
“Well… I can fly...” he said spreading his wings. “And if you have the skill, you can teleport.”
“My mom says I’m too young to learn magic.” Tiki whispered.
“Never too young to learn your natural abilities.” Blackthorn said.
Tiki nodded. “That’s why I go to the library and talk to Twilight.”
"She is a good pony." Blackthorn said.
“Yep.” Tiki said “Where do you want to meet when we get there?”
"How about Twilight’s library?"
“Ok.” Tiki said nodding then with a pop she was gone.
“Good thing I used to be a pegasus.” He said to himself. “Flying is my specialty.” At this he took off with such force, it left a small indent behind. When he arrived, he recalled what he knew as the “good old days” back when he wasn’t so secluded and stern. Just a young pegasus trying to make his way in a foreign land. But his experiments grew dangerous, so he donated his lab to the town of Ponyville, apparently they turned it into the library where Twilight Sparkle lives to this day. He recalled the fun he used to have before his exile for everyone’s safety. He had managed to just barely rival Rainbow Dash in races.
As he was recollecting his past he didn’t notice a black pony with brown hair racing towards him. It was too late when he did notice. He took a single feather from his wing and yelled “VON BLUDDE LIVES” as he ran to the woods.
A blue Pegasus was sitting alone at a table with a pencil in her mouth that she continuously dropped as she spoke out words and then picked up the pencil again, while continuing to write down the idea. Her cutie mark was a large ink splatter that curled at the ends with an antique pen in the middle of the splatter. She was really sucked into her thoughts, when she paused and turned towards Blackthorn.
“Uh, herro?” she asked with a pencil between her teeth looking at him oddly and tilting her head to the side.
"Greetings." He said, still rubbing his wing. "What's that pony's deal?"
Tiki walked over to the two. "Hi." She whispered smiling shyly.
“Ah Tiki, you’ve arrived. I was just speaking to… who are you? do you know her Tiki?”
“I’ve heard of her I think she’s Ink-splatter” Tiki said
“Yeah my name is Ink Splatter I am sorry I just-YES I REMEMBER!!!” Ink Splatter had looked up and greeted, before her eyes widened and she went back to writing with the pencil in her mouth.
“Well, it was good to meet you Ink Splatter, may we meet again in the future. Let’s go find your friend Tiki.”
Tiki nodded “Bye Ink-splatter.”
“Bye” Ink Splatter said absent absentmindedly, but put down the pencil to wave goodbye and watch as they walked off.
“After you” Tiki nodded then walked towards the everfree forest.
“The everfree forest? If you say so.”
“It’s where she lives.”
“Ok...” He said remembering the ‘horrible’ stories about the place
“The forest isn’t too bad.” Tiki said
“Let us depart.” he said walking in the opposite direction of the woods. “It is this way, right?”
“Are you scared?” Tiki asked tilting her head
“Define: ‘scared’” He said looking slightly confused. “I feel no fear for an unaltered forest.”
“Then why are you going the opposite way of it?”
He looked around “I haven’t been here in years...” He said staring into space as he began to recall his past once more.
“What’s wrong?” Tiki asked
He shook himself out of it. “Nothing… nothing. just… remembering.” Tiki nodded “Right.” He said turning the right way. “Let’s go. Come to think of it, I only know of one pony who lives in the everfree forest, but you don’t seem like the type to socialize with Zecora.”
“No I don’t know Zecora…”
“Just as I thought.”
“I got lost in this forest one day and that’s how I met her.” Tiki said
“Well, in any event, this appears to be the forests edge.”
“Yep and I’m going in to find my friend.” Tiki said then she walked into the forest
“Wait up!” he said walking after her Tiki waited then when he caught up to her she continued to walk. “So… do you know where she is? Or is this a pony hunt?”
“She’s most likely by the lake that looks like blood…” Tiki muttered
“Never heard of that place. but then again I haven’t really gone into the everfree forest.”
“Its said that that’s where a vampiric alicorn was trapped…”
“I wonder why I haven’t heard of this legend...”
“I don’t know…”
“We are deep in the woods aren’t we? It’s quiet, peaceful here. On an unrelated note, you know Twilight Sparkle’s library?”
“Yes?”
“That was once my lab.”
“Cool.”
“How much further do you think it is?”
“Tiki did you get lost again?” A pony’s voice said behind them
Tiki quickly turned around “Hi Mayra.”
Blackthorn jumped. “Don’t sneak up on me like that!”
“Who is your friend Tiki?” Mayra asked looking at Blackthorn
Blackthorn recollected himself. “My name is Blackthorn.” He said placing a hoof on his chest and bowing with one wing stretched.
“Nice to meet you.” Mayra said, smiling slightly, the tip of her fangs showing. Blackthorn pretended not to notice, as he thought it would be rude to ask why two of her teeth appeared to be razor sharp.
“How can I help you two?” Mayra asked
“I was assisting Tiki in her quest. Now it is done. I hope we meet again.”
“Same.” Mayra said then she bowed “Tiki I hope you didn’t run away from your mother again.”
Tiki’s eyes widened “Oops…”
“You ran away?”
“No I was with you but I left my mom at the party…” Tiki answered
Blackthorn face-hoofed. “Does she know you’re here?”
“No…”
“Great. She’s probably worried.”
“Yep but she doesn’t like Mayra.”
“Hmm… I wonder why.” He said finally putting two and two together about the blood lake, which had a strong history with vampires, and Mayra’s teeth.
“I think I’ll go take a nap since I can’t take you back home without getting attacked.” Mayra muttered yawning.
“B-but…” Tiki started to say, giving Mayra the puppy eyes.
“Hold on. What would attack you?”
“This time of year ponies don’t like my type.” Mayra said looking at the ground.
“You seem to have a pure heart, despite your curse. If anyone has a problem with you, they must answer to me.”
Mayra smiled slightly. “Thanks for the offer but I doubt you will follow me around twenty four seven.”
“Well… no.” He said looking at the ground.
“I’m not really a tattle-tale so I won’t go tell you.” Mayra said, then she shrugged slightly.
Blackthorn sighed with sorrow. “I guess that’s it. as much as equality will give order, I don’t think society will accept the accursed.”
“I found that out a long time ago.”
“It is an unfortunate side effect of this ‘normal’ everyone’s so accustomed to.”
“They’re just afraid of the different” Mayra said, smiling.
“Is that not what I said?”
“Pretty much. Well we better get little Tiki home.”
“Right. Care for a flight?”
“I don’t normally fly but sure.” Mayra said then she knelt down helped Tiki onto her back and spread her bat-like wings wide ready for lift off.
“Three… two… one… go!” Blackthorn took off with his ground indenting force once more. Mayra followed but not so fast, trying not to let the tiny unicorn on her back fall.
Blackthorn slowed down. “Sorry. Flashbacks of racing Rainbow Dash.”
“It’s fine.” Mayra answered gliding gracefully.
“It’s been awhile since I’ve flown and not been in a formation with heavy black armor” he said.
“It’s been a while since anyone’s accepted me.” Mayra said back.
“I can only hope with time they may. But with this black pony who stole a feather earlier, and these tales of the blood lake, it doesn’t look like that will be happening anytime soon.” He said piecing together a grim puzzle. “Not anytime at all. Look! It’s my lab.” He said, pointing out a tree in a field near the road to Ponyville.
“So that’s where you live.” Mayra said, then she glanced back at Tiki who was asleep on her back. “Figures.”
“What do you mean? It’s a nice place.”
“It seems nice, I only said figures because little Tiki is asleep.”
“Oh, uh, didn’t notice that.”
“Yeah, she’s cute but I keep finding her lost in the woods.”
“She seems like quite the mouthful. Wonder why she keeps running away?”
“She says its because she wants to explore, I think it's because she needs a friend and it seems I’m her only one...”
“How did such a young unicorn meet a pegasus such as yourself?”
“She was lost in the forest, I found her took her home and she’s followed me ever since.”
“How did you… you know, I know that isn’t something you’re born with.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m going to be blunt. How did you become a vampire?”
“I was born a vampire. Why do you ask?”
“It’s just… I’ve never heard of vampirism being passed through genes. Never heard of someone being ‘born a vampire.’ Sorry if I’m digging too deep here. I’m curious.”
“I can tell. I’m fine with you asking I just don’t like people freaking out about it.”
“Were your parents vampires?”
“I never knew my parents.”
“Oh. Um… well… this just keeps getting more mysterious.”
“Why do you say that?”
“You were born a vampire, which doesn’t happen, and you never knew your parents.” He said, thinking of a vampire he’d heard of only recently that could hold the key…
“Yeah doesn’t really happen, that’s what makes me different.”
Blackthorn was deep in thought now. ”Hmm… interesting. I do know who could be your father, but if he is, you may need to pick a side if I think what is going to happen will.” He looked to the moon, now full and nearing its lunar eclipse. “Von Bludde.”
“Who in the world is Bludde Von?”
“If I’m right, he’s the vampire trapped in the blood lake. And possibly your father. think about it. Tiki told me you spend a lot of time at the blood lake, which houses his weakened spirit. You say you were born a vampire and didn’t know your parents… The evidence is.. irrefutable.”
“I’m not going to pick a side unless there’s a good reason behind it.”
“Sometimes the best thing you can do in a war is stay neutral.” He said, remembering when he was in training how he was told to stay out of two warring nations.
“Yep. Now where are we taking Tiki again?”
“Home.”
“Ok.” Mayra said then she began to glide down little circlets above Ponyville.
Blackthorn followed. “Such an adventurous soul for someone so young...”
“Yep.” Mayra said smiling slightly then she landed making hardly a sound.
Blackthorn was equally quiet. “Rule #197: Stealth above all else.” He said.
Mayra nodded then she folded up her wings and nudged Tiki gently “I’m awake mama.” Tiki muttered lifting her head slightly
Blackthorn chuckled. “Not exactly. Although, I’m sure she’s quite worried about you.”
“Oh I fell asleep…” Tiki said sadly then she smiled “Thank you for taking me home.”
“It was a pleasure, I learned quite a bit about Mayra.”
Tiki’s eyes widened “Aw, and I missed it?” Mayra smiled slightly
“You didn’t miss much” he said thinking about the revelation he received. “Well, it’s late, and you’re home safely, so I’ll be on my way.” he said taking off at high speeds.
“Bye.” Mayra whispered
“See you soon!” Tiki called as quietly as she could then Mayra walked her over to her house helped her off of her back and walked back into the everfree forest. when she arrived at the blood lake, she heard a voice that seemed to come from nowhere and everywhere. a deep, booming voice like thunder
“What the alicorn says is true.” The voice said.
Mayra sighed “Voices are annoying.” she muttered then laid down and closed her eyes.
As she closed her eyes, a red spirit rose from the lake and walked to her. “My daughter. I will make this world safe, for us both. Those who shunned us will know our agony. All I want, is the world, on fire, with it’s citizens kneeling before us. You and I my sweet daughter.” At this, the spirit rubbed her head softly and disappeared.
A tear gently slipped down her cheek “I wish I knew who you were dad.”
meanwhile, in the Everfree Forest...
Deep in the forest, there is a red lake. A pony approaches the lake. From his bags he draws a bowl and crusher not unlike the ones used for medicine, a book, two flint stones for lighting fires, Blackthorn's feather, and a broken unicorn horn.
"I have all the ingredients... now, to wait until the blood moon. VON BLUDDE SHALL LIVE AGAIN!!!" He said, his book open to a page with a summoning spell and a lunar eclipse… a bat flew over to the pony and perched on a tree nearby. Then a deep blue pegasus walked over to the pony
“Um excuse me but who are you?”
“The more proper question here is, who are YOU?! This is the lake where the great Von Bludde shall be brought back to life. This concerns you not pegasus.”
the pegasus smirked revealing fangs “This is my napping place. I think it does concern me.”
He then raised his hooves into the air “VON BLUDDE LIVES” his expression grew dark. “None shall interfere.”
The pegasus sighed. “I never said I would now stop yelling.” she muttered then she curled up and closed her eyes.
“Now, the day of the lunar eclipse festival is coming soon… what better way to celebrate than with the herald of the blood moon? VON BLUDDE LIVES!” He then repacked everything and disappeared into the woods.
“Thank you.” the pegasus muttered then went back to napping.
“Von Bludde, my master, you WILL live, whether or not this vampiric pegasus will allow me the spell or not. Although, she is a vampire, she should side with you.”
“You know I can still hear you.” the pegasus muttered
“Right, vampiric super hearing.”
“Yep.” the pegasus said smirking
“Spread the word, Von Bludde and Defiance shall rule all! Pick a side. Vampire. Von Bludde is a vampire, why not side with him?” At this, he seemed to disappear.
“I don’t know who this Von Bludde is that’s why.” the pegasus muttered.
Blackthorn meets the artists/Von Bludde's first appearance
Ink Splatter started not being able to see her paper and finally looked up to see the sky had turned to a deep purple. She sighed, before taking her teacup and drinking the rest of the now cold drink, before getting up and started walking
“I wonder who those two were” she said out loud to no one in particular. That’s when she felt a chill go up her spine, it felt like someone was watching her. She started moving a little faster, even though she could fly being a pegasus and all, she still wanted to just think she was imagining it. It wasn’t until she had walked into an alley without meaning to, that IT striked. She tried to fend it off, but it kept coming at her and then when she flew up to see what it was, it was gone. She was out of breath. She did not know how to fight it all had been just trying to get the THING away from her. She flew out of the dark alley and landed on the road. Something wasn’t right and she wasn’t going to stay to figure out WHAT it was.
The next morning Ink Splatter walked around, she was happy. It was a bright morning and ponies just seemed to be happy. That’s when she spotted the Alicorn she had seen the other night
“Hey how are you right now?” She asked walking over the him.
“I am well. how are you?”
“Quite well actu- Oh look a butterfly” her head snapped to the side to see a butterfly fly away.
“Indeed.” He said a little confused.
She turned back to him smiling brightly like nothing had happened “So what are you doing here?”
“Just… reminiscing. I haven’t been to Ponyville in years.”
Ink Splatter nodded “That’s good to hear you wish to remember things that once escaped you.” She smiled sadly like it reminded her of something, before looking up closing her eyes and tilting her head to the side “I’m getting groceries, would you like to help me? It would help you see more of Ponyville” she asked.
“Sure. You know, I used to be a scientist here before I enlisted in the royal guard.”
Ink Splatter smiled “That’s really cool, I used to be- Oh yeah I need to get cake!” she then made a gesture with her head “Come on we need to go to the Cake’s sweet shop to get a cake”
“That’s where Pinkie Pie works is it not?”
She nodded, before realizing something “Which reminds me that I need to get her that poster I drew for her” At this, a black pony with brown hair and blue eyes came walking through. “Make way.” He said. “Defiance, the herald of the great Von Bludde is coming through!” He examined a stage that was being built. “The stage for the Festival of the Blood Moon. A great setting for the appearance of the great Von Bludde.” He then walked away, not even noticing Ink Splatter and Blackthorn as he bumped into them.
“That’s the one who stole my feather yesterday! What’s this he said about the Blood Moon festival?”
Ink Splatter shrugged unsure what was going on, before looking upon the pony who had bumped into them and was now walking away “What did he do anyway?” She asked looking over to Blackthorn.
“Not sure. looked like he was examining the stage. So, what is the Blood Moon festival?”
A blue pony walked up to them “The Festival of the Blood Moon is the name vampires have given the Lunar Eclipse festival.”
Ink Splatter perked up “A festival? That sounds fun” she started bouncing up and down, before stopping and smiling brightly “Are you going Blackthorn?” she asked.
“Yes. If only to make sure nothing happens. How long is it until this festival?” He asked the blue one who was familiar to him but he couldn't quite figure out why.
"Tomorrow night of course!" He said, a hint of nervousness in his voice. "My name's Pencil Snap by the way. Good to see you again Ink Splatter."
Ink Splatter smiled brightly “It’s always good to see you again Pen, what are you doing as of late?”
"Oh, nothing much. I tried my best to make it to your party Blackthorn, honest. I just couldn't." He said.
"And how did you know my name?" Blackthorn asked.
"Uh... err.. you're something of a celebrity, everypony knows your name."
"Really?" Blackthorn said. "You remind me of someone I know..."
Pencil was sweating now. "I just remembered! The posters for the Lunar festival!" He said opening his bags to reveal a lot of poorly drawn posters. "I gotta put these up since someone forgot to, Inky!" He said looking at Ink Splatter. He then walked off, tripped, and spilled all his posters. "Oh jeez." He said levitating them back in his bags and leaving to put up the posters.
"I swear I know him..."
Ink Splatter’s eyes widened in shock “I completely forgot!” she pulled out a pencil and paper. She placed the paper on her hoof and started to use her hoof as a surface. She then scribbled quickly then pulled out another paper and did the same repeatedly until she had a huge stack within 7 minutes. “Let’s catch up to him. Pency! Wait up!” She then quickly ran over to Pencil Snap.
He jumped in shock. “What does it take to get rid of these guys?” he said to himself. “Blackthorn’s going to expose just who Tone Mix really is. Err… hello inky. How goes it? I see you’ve drawn some posters. It confounds me that you can draw so beautifully in such little time, while I can draw all day and it still won’t turn out good. It’s a curse really.”
Ink Splatter smiled, “I think your art is totally fine. Here I’ll help you pin these up”
“Err… thanks. there’s a reason you’re Ink Splatter and I’m Pencil Snap. My art is in writing. Let’s get these put up.” He said looking nervously at Blackthorn, who was noticing another cutie mark underneath his bag. He noticed this and turned on Blackthorn. “Oi! what are you staring at?!” He said, a bit of Tone Mix coming out.
Ink Splatter looked between the two in confusion “Do you two know each other?” she asked curiously.
“No… I’ve never met him before in my life.” Pencil Snap said nervously.
“I swear I know you from somewhere.” Blackthorn said.
“Ha ha nope. No. Never seen you before” pencil Snap said. “Let’s ah… get to work. This is tomorrow night after all.”
Ink Splatter smiled brightly “Yes sir!” She then rushed around giving people posters and sometimes pasting them to people’s faces. “COME ONE AND ALL!!!” she cheered continuing her rounds, before grabbing Pencil Snap and continuing on.
“Slow down!”
“Oh come on Pencil Snap. It’s tomorrow we need to be quick” then she seemed to pause and mumble something, before looking at him with a smile “Are you any good with music?” she asked innocently.
“Well… er...” he then dipped his head “Can you keep a secret?”
Ink Splatter thought about it for a moment then nodded, knowing she would die with the secret if she must.
“You know that DJ Tone Mix?”
She nodded “Everyone does” she stated and it was true. He used telekinesis on his bags revealing another cutie mark. A record with the player’s pin on it. Tone Mix’s cutie mark. Ink Splatter’s eyes widened impossibly wide “You have two cutie marks?!” she squeaked quietly so no one would hear.
“Yes. Not only that. I am Tone Mix.”
Her eyes widened even more, before smiling and giving him a tight hug “I’m so proud of you for doing so well!” She then pulled back.
Pencil was blushing “Well… thanks.. honestly you are the only person who knows this. Blackthorn’s on to me though. Honestly, I was thinking of showing up to DJ whether or not they invited me.”
“You should. Don’t worry I’ll get him off of your tail” she smiled at him. “Now let’s go get those posters done”
“Right” he said whipping his glasses out of his bag and speaking with Tome Mix’s voice “Let’s get to biz”
the night of the Lunar Eclipse festival
*the blood lake of the everfree forest*
Defiance took all the ingredients and placed them into the medicine bowl listing them off one by one.
“Burned feather of an alicorn” he then placed the broken unicorn horn in the bowl and crushed them together “Crushed horn of Von Bludde. Now we just put these in the lake and the magic will happen.” He dumped the powdered contents of the bowl into the lake. The lake immediately began to boil and a great black and red vampyric alicorn burst out of the lake… with yellow wings. “VON BLUDDE LIVES!!! why are you wings yellow?”
Von Bludde’s eyes widened. “You grabbed a yellow feather didn't you?! If I wasn't bound by the summoners code, you would be dead for that!”
"Speaking of which, what is the summoners code?"
Von Bludde sighed. "I have free will, but I cannot harm you and I cannot deny an order from you. Otherwise I go right back in the lake."
"Enough talk let's go greet the ponyvillians who sealed you in that lake..."
------------------------scene change marker-------------------
"I don't see pencil Snap anywhere. I wonder where he is..."
Ink Splatter looked over at him “You never know. I thought he said something about needing to go find something at Twilight Sparkle’s house.
"Oh well"
then a random voice shouted out "Hey! It's Tone Mix!" At this the crowd went nuts as Tone Mix made his way to the DJ Booth.
"Let's get this party started!!" He shouted putting on his headphones and beginning the music.
A pony walked onstage "Fillies and gentlecolts, tonight's the night of the blood moon! When that evil vampire, Von Bludde was sealed away in a lake, deep in the everfree forest- what is that?!" He pointed to something behind the crowd. Ink Splatter looked over to where he was pointing. There was an alicorn flying towards the stage, the blood moon silhouetting him. Tone Mix took off his sunglasses.
"Is that?"
"Von Bludde." Concluded Blackthorn. "Jeez, I wish Pencil Snap was here."
Tone Mix walked offstage.
Ink Splatter went behind to the backstage and saw Tone Mix “What are we going to do?” she asked panicky.
"I... don't know. He's too powerful for me. The Elements aren't here, I just... don't know."
She looked at him worried “I don’t know either. Maybe we should contact Princess Celestia? Or Twilight Sparkle?” she suggested, running out of options.
"Without Spike or a pegasus, it wouldn't get there in time." Meanwhile, outside, Blackthorn was locked in combat with Von Bludde.
"My duty, is to protect. And I will fight to my last breath." He said launching a rock at him.
Von Bludde blocked and said "When you die, you will join me in my new hierarchy of vampires."
"NEVER!!" Blackthorn yelled, launching a large black anvil at him. I'm running out of ideas... he thought. I do have one idea though... it's risky but... "My duty is to protect until my last breath." He said building up energy in his horn. One of his eyes glowed yellow, the other black.
"What sort of mediocre magic trick are you pulling now?!" Yelled Von Bludde. Blackthorn didn't respond. His face was contorted with concentration and pain. Von Bludde tried to attack him, but it was deflected by a field.
"What is that noise?!" Tone Mix asked.
Ink Splatter looked around “Oh dear. This can’t be good” she muttered seeing Blackthorn starting to glow oddly and energy around himself.
Blackthorn finally spoke. "You shall not harm another" at this a beam of reflecting yellow and black energy was fired at Von Bludde. This struck him, and all that was left was a pile of ash and a broken unicorn horn. Blackthorn passed out. Tone Mix rushed to his side, ditching his CD player and revealing his other cutie mark.
"IS THERE A DOCTOR HERE?!" People came out of hiding and began to murmur:
"Do you see him?"
"Two cutie marks?"
"Is that alicorn alright?"
"Isn't that Pencil Snap?" Were some of these remarks
"I repeat myself is there a doctor here?!" He shouted, tears streaming down his face "SOMEPONY HELP!!!"
After Ink Splatter got over the shock she started rushing to find a doctor and finally found one “I-I got one!” she shouted, not sure if she had made it in time. This seemed to go beyond a simple passing out. Things were about to change.
After examining him, the doctor announced "He is alive. But just barely. He needs rest."
Tone Mix said "I know where his lab is. I will take him home." He said levitating his leg. "Uh... a little help?" He said looking at Ink Splatter.
three days later/pony hunt for Defiance
Blackthorn awoke in his lab. "How did I- ugh. Everything hurts."
"Ink! He's awake!” Tone Mix said. “You were out for three days man! You had us so worried!" Ink Splatter had been making Get Well Cards while she was waiting and now had a huge pile that she was sitting on, if she tried she could touch the ceiling. Blackthorn had a burning... well, everything. But there was a question on his mind. Something he noticed before he blacked out.
"What about Von Bludde's horn?"
"Defiance made off with it. No one's seen him since"
This shook Blackthorn out of his daze "HE DID WHAT?! YOU CHECKED ME BEFORE YOU SECURED THE HORN?! AND JUDGING BY THIS," he said pointing to another feather missing in his wing "HE NOW HAS EVERYTHING HE NEEDS TO RESUMMON HIM! MY LIFE IS NOTHING!! I AM TO DEFEND THE CITIZENS! WHAT HAPPENS NEXT TIME WHEN I MISS? OR WHEN I POUR TOO MUCH ENERGY INTO IT?! What. Happens. then?" Ink Splatter looked worriedly at him, not knowing what would reassure him, she finally decided to fly over and placed on his hoof a get well card she had done when she had been really worried about him and stated everything she thought would help him. His expression softened. "You... made this? Your art.. it's beautiful." He then attempted to get up, but was held down by Pencil Snap.
"Where are you going?"
She smiled gently “Glad you like it, but you shouldn’t get up. You’re still weak.”
"My health doesn't matter. I have to find him" he said nearing the door. When he opened it, he was nearly blinded by camera flashes and was bombarded with questions
"Did you have any idea that Pencil Snap was really Tone Mix?!"
"Do you think Von Bludde will be returning?"
He then slammed the door "What... is that?!"
He turned to Pencil Snap. "Tone?"
"Yeah... all of Equestria now knows my secret identity." Ink Splatter nodded sadly. While cutting out some paper
"Kinda sucks, I wanted to keep a low profile while on DJ-ing. Now I can't leave without being bombarded by reporters."
“We could always tell them you’re using a special paint for remembrance of something?” Ink Splatter suggested, unsure of how to the make the situation better.
"A broken pencil? Underneath my CD player? While I have a bag over my record when I'm Pencil Snap? Seems likely."
Ink Splatter looked down at the chain of people she had made. This entire thing was going from bad to worse. “What are we going to do about Von Bludde, what does he want?”
"I can't leave this lab! And blackthorn is still too weak! That just leaves you."
Ink Splatter’s eyes widened “What can I do?” she asked confused.
"You know what?! We have someone powerful enough, let's cast a memory wipe spell" Tone said.
"I refuse."
"But-but I-"
"No. I will not betray the people I am meant to protect."
“Then tell me what you call protecting them? Not fixing this little problem so we can deal with Von Bludde from most likely killing your people you are meant to protect or fixing this problem and dealing with him and saving your people” Ink Splatter stated, not harshly, but not scaredy cat shyly.
"I can't believe I'm doing this" he focused, his horn shone yellow and he opened his eyes, dizzy. "There. That should work get your bag on."
Ink Splatter flew over and hugged Blackthorn “Thank you so much Blackthorn. You have a good heart ” she thanked
"Don't let go, I may fall over again."
She laughed a little, “Alright Blackthorn”
“Are you ok mister Blackthorn?” Tiki asked opening the door
Pencil looked straight at her. "Are they gone?!" He said panickedly "Please tell me they left!"
“Who?” Tiki asked “The only person I see is my friend Mayra.”
Pencil sighed. "Thank goodness. Blackthorn's spell worked."
“Do you wanna meet Mayra?” Tiki asked
Pencil shrugged. "Sure."
“More people to meet little Tiki?” Mayra asked walking over to the door rolling her eyes slightly
"Hello Mayra." Blackthorn Said. "You haven't seen Defiance return to the blood lake have you?"
“You mean the yelling pony right?” Mayra asked “No.”
"He has to return there. That's the only place that Von Bludde can be re-summoned."
"I don't mean to go off topic here," Pencil Snap said. "But uh, who are these two?"
"They are Mayra and Tiki. And these two are Pencil Snap and Ink Splatter."
“Nice to meet you.” Mayra said smiling revealing her fangs.
Pencil Snap freaked out, levitating the entire stack of get well cards above Mayra's head "she's a vampire! Are you sure you don't support Von Bludde?"
Mayra glared “Tiki if you don’t mind I’m going to go back to my napping place.” she muttered as she turned around “I do not support people I don’t know by the way.”
Ink Splatter looked disappointed “It’s very nice to meet you Mayra. I am Ink Splatter” she then pulled out a piece of paper and her pencil, placed it into her mouth, the paper on her hoof and started to draw. She then handed over the drawing to Mayra, then did another picture to Tiki “Sorry for not meeting you very well earlier” she then smiled at the two happily. After looking at the picture Mayra’s ears flattened against her head. Tiki smiled
“It’s fine it was kinda my fault because I was so worried about Mayra. Don’t worry she’ll warm up to you eventually, she’s just a little… sore about people freaking out that she’s a you know what.” Tiki said, smiling slightly.
“Um… Ink Splatter, thanks for the picture.” Mayra said turning around, smiling slightly.
"Right, sorry." Pencilsnap said, dropping the stack next to Mayra. “Mayra, do you have any information on Von Bludde. all the books I read were… ambiguous to say the least. anything helps.”
Mayra looked at the ground and muttered “He’s my dad and he plans to make this world fitting for ponies like us…” she whispered
“WHAT?!” Pencil screamed out jumping onto the top of the stack of cards. “Y-y-y-you mean- Von Bludde is your FATHER?! and he wants to force us all to accept you?! no offense of course. Blackthorn would never do that right?!”
Blackthorn’s ears went back “Well...”
“You-you’re kidding me right?! you don’t actually agree with this whackjob’s motives do you?!” Tone mix was becoming very evident in his speech now.
“Well…I merely wish for those like Mayra to be accepted. although, not in the way Von Bludde wants.”
Mayra looked at the ground her ears back “I’m going to go take a nap.” she muttered obviously hurt
Blackthorn scowled at Pencil Snap “Wait Mayra! did he say how he would do this?”
“He said something about fire and burning…” Mayra said then she walked out the door.
Pencil looked ashamed “Oh, we’re talking later.” he attempted to send a telepathic message to Mayra saying:
“Let us know if you find anything at the blood lake” but wasn’t sure how it went through seeing as it was his first message and he was still weak.
Mayra smiled “Ok.” she thought then went to take a nap and lick her wounds.
“Pencil you scared away Mayra!” Tiki cried
“Not all of us have had good experiences with vampires alright?!”
“No it isn’t alright. Mayra already said she was good and you hurt her feelings anyways.” Tiki said
“Well, I wasn’t expecting that curve ball!”
“Neither was I but I think Blackthorn was…” Tiki said turning to look at Blackthorn
“I had already deduced this fact based on what I learned. I just wanted confirmation.”
Tiki nodded “You need to have a little chat with Pencil about how easily hurt Mayra can be.” Tiki said then she ran out to catch up with Mayra
“You.” Blackthorn said with his most intimidating stare. “You need to calm down. you’re outta line. Mayra didn’t have the choice. not many of her kind do.” his voice was angry, but not yelling. all in all, Blackthorn can be really frightening when he wants to be. “She didn’t even know who Von Bludde was until recently, let alone her father! she’s probably just as shocked as you are!”
Pencil looked very ashamed “Yes sir.” he said quietly.
“What was that cadet?!” he shouted at him
“SIR YES SIR!!” he said saluting so hard, he flung himself in the air slightly and fell off the large stack of cards. he sent a message to Tiki.
“I don’t know if you can hear me, but if you can, I straightened out Pencil. to respond to this, think of what you want to say and think real hard of me, or whoever you want to speak to. it should send your thoughts to them. that’s telepathy”
After hearing that message in her head Tiki almost screamed “Mayra I hear Blackthorn's voice in my head!” she cried and Mayra smiled.
“Tiki, he’s probably using telepathy.”
Blackthorn’s voice echoed in her head again “Concentrate on what you want me to hear and my image.”
Tiki’s eyes widened “Blackthorn, Would you like me to bring Mayra back then?” she asked focusing as hard as she could
Blackthorn received a garbled message. just enough to get her meaning “Don’t force her to do anything she doesn't want to”
“Ok.” Tiki thought back then turned to Mayra “Hey Mayra, come back to the lab with me.”
“Why?”
“Because, because because I want you too.”
“Fine but one harsh word directed at me or something and I’m gone.” Mayra said then she and Tiki walked back to the lab
the lake whispered to her again "Cry not my daughter. For the time shall come when we can walk proudly through the streets of Equestria again." When they arrived at the lab Blackthorn pushed Pencil to Mayra.
"He has something to say to you." He said, scowling.
Pencil stared at the floor. "Sorry." He muttered.
Mayra smiled slightly “I forgive you but remember I can be evil if I want to.” She said smiling
"Heh heh... right." Pencil said nervously.
Tiki smiled “And everyone’s happy.” she said smiling
“Fantastic.” Blackthorn said. “We should get to hunting Defiance and retrieving that horn” he added, strapping on some bags and almost collapsing. “Pain… is just weakness leaving the body.” he said through clenched teeth. Pencil came to his aid, taking off his own bag, to reveal for a split second the mark of Tone Mix before putting on Blackthorn’s bags. he set his bag down, and it spilled, revealing a pair of black sunglasses. this was quickly picked up by Pencil. who was staring at Tiki nervously.
“Pencil has two cutie marks?” Tiki asked excitedly
“No he doesn’t” Pencil said.
“Talking in third person reveals many things.” Mayra said smiling
"I don't know what you're talking about." He said, his face getting slightly red, which was obvious considering he's slate blue.
“If I am good would I be able to have two cutie marks too?” Tiki asked jumping up and down.
"I don't know what you're talking about. I only have the one cutie mark. A broken pencil. And the sunglasses? It gets sunny in Ponyville."
“She didn’t ask about the sunglasses and neither did I.” Mayra said
Pencil's eyes widened. "I didn't say anything about sunglasses either. You two are hearing things. Jeez, you guys are more bothersome than Blackthorn." He was speaking nervously.
“Hey wait I recognize your other cutie mark… Your Tone mix!” Tiki said smiling “I win.”
"Feh. Who is Tone Mix? Never heard of him." He said, sweating.
Mayra was slightly enjoying this but when he started sweating she decided to intervene. “Hey Tiki how bout you go help Blackthorn.”
Blackthorn had left to get more supplies and take inventory. "We may need some gunpowder charges... five ought to do. How about some smoke bombs? Hmm... yes. Ten. And a container" he said grabbing a small glass box. "For the horn."
“That’s a good idea.” Tiki said then walked over to Blackthorn and tried to help as best she could he handed her the gunpowder charges absentmindedly.
"Put those in the bags please, and don't drop them whatever you do." He said to her, hardly acknowledging she was probably not qualified to handle high explosives. "Hmm... tranquilizer darts? Maybe... maybe. What do you think?" He said turning to Tiki, who had already left to give Pencil the explosives. Pencil noticed this, and started to get a little scared of the little unicorn walking towards him with five high explosives.
“I have explosives I have explosives” Tiki chanted as she skipped over to him handing them over to Pencil.
"Heh heh, thanks." He said taking them with telekinesis and putting them in the bags. "Don't you think you should help Blackthorn some more?"
"No need." He said coming downstairs in black and gold armor that looked like he had just poked a hole in it for his horn. "I'm ready" he said placing the rest of the supplies in the bags.
Tiki smiled “So did I guess right?” she asked excitedly.
"I'm not Tone Mix!" Pencil said.
"We should move out before the next eclipse, which is two days from now." Blackthorn said.
Mayra nodded “Yep.” she said then smiled slightly “Shall I lead the way or do you want to Blackthorn?”
"You know your way easiest to the Blood Lake, you should lead." He stated, heading to the door.
“Ok.” Mayra said then opened the door and walked off towards the forest.
"Move out!" Said the armored alicorn "To the Blood Lake!"
"Sir yes sir!" Said Pencil.
“It would be wise to be quiet as we get farther into the woods.” Mayra said smiling
"Rule #197 people! Stealth above all else!" Blackthorn ordered. As they walked, Blackthorn spoke with Mayra. “I understand how difficult this must be for you. we’re asking you to betray your own father. If you don’t want to take part in this battle, it’s your decision. Von Bludde and I, we’re two sides of the same card in a way. We both want equality, a world where ponies like you can walk free on the streets of Ponyville, Von Bludde and I don’t have the same methods however. He wishes to overthrow the balance, and create Equestria in his own vampiric image.”
Mayra smiled slightly “It’s not really betrayal. I don’t plan on taking part in any battle either I’m just here to help when needed.”
"Mayra. When all this business is done with Von Bludde, I will call a press conference and see what I can't do to help vampires come to the light. So to speak."
Mayra nodded “Thanks.” then she pointed “Just walk that way three more steps and you’ll be there.” she said then disappeared into the trees when they arrived, the found Defiance sleeping near the lake, the ingredients in front of him.
“Too easy” Pencil said, walking forward. He stepped on a stick which broke. Blackthorn glared at him while Defiance woke up
“What? Whozat?” He then noticed the party of ponies in front of him “You?! I thought you died!” he said getting on his guard.
“Stand down.” Blackthorn said. “Hand over the horn, and you will not be harmed. You must’ve been a good pony once.”
Defiance looked at the ground “No.” he said “Not good. never… good. after all, I'm just an earth pony.” he then charged. Blackthorn summoned a wall which Defiance ran straight into. Mayra watched this quietly from her perch on a branch.
“That, was too easy.” Blackthorn said, walking to the lake to grab the ingredients. “The box for the horn...” he said levitating the glass box out of Pencil’s bags. Pencil stared nervously at Tiki. As Blackthorn was putting the horn in the box, Defiance headbutted him.
“Jeez that hurt.” he said brushing himself off. “We, are leaving. You will not stop us.” Blackthorn’s stare narrowed.
“Not. A. Chance.” said Defiance. Defiance was then kicked into the Blood Lake. “Jeez he’s annoying.” Pencil said.
“Let’s get out of here before he swims out of there.” Blackthorn said “Move out! objective secure!” he said grabbing his feather, the summoning book, and the medicine bowl.
“You’re free to follow us if you want Mayra.” Blackthorn said looking at her on her branch. he then followed them out of the forest.
Mayra flew to the ground “I think I’m going to go take a nap.” she said then laid down at the edge of the lake staring into its blood red water.
Defiance finally broke the surface. he felt different. faster, stronger. then he noticed it. two fangs. he chuckled. “A final gift from the great Von Bludde” he said now opening his now red eyes. he then noticed Mayra. “You. you lead them here.” Mayra stood up then laid back down her back now facing him, feeling like she wanted to cry.
“What’s your deal?”
“Just go away.” Mayra muttered
“And to think, you are the only daughter of the great Von Bludde!”
With that sentence Mayra was suddenly on top of him “Listen I have decided to stay neutral until one side or the other gives me a good reason to be on theirs. Right now… I just want to know who my parents are.” Mayra said then she got off him and laid down in the place she was at before.
Defiance cooked up a scheme. “You want to know your parents? Then stick with me”
“You give me no better reason than Blackthorn did I’m just going to stay here.” Mayra said
“You sure you’re neutral? you seem pretty buddy buddy with those opposers of Von Bludde, who is your father I might add.”
“Tiki is the only one who seems to understand me, she hangs with the others, normally I wouldn’t but I do it for her.” Mayra said then she stood up “Go have fun finding the ingredients. I’m going to stay here and make sure they don’t come back…”
Defiance smiled, revealing his new fangs, his red eyes gleaming “Oh, don’t worry. all good things, to those who wait...” He then vanished into shadows. the red spirit rose from the lake, nodded Mayra’s way, then disappeared.
Mayra looked up before it disappeared “I’m sorry.” She whispered as tears filled her eyes
“Your time will come.” Said the voice.
Mayra sighed “To be punished or finally know who my parents are?”
“My daughter. You already know your father. the sooner you accept it, the better we will all be. My servant Defiance plans to steal my horn tonight. I wish to see my daughter again. Will you be there tomorrow when I am summoned?”
“It depends where there is, I prefer not to be in public…” Mayra said
“This lake houses my spirit. whatever projection I make is bound to this clearing. I can only be summoned at this lake of blood.”
“I’ll be here.” Mayra said then she yawned “Night.”
“Goodnight, my daughter.” Mayra nodded slightly then closed her eyes and fell asleep.
------------------ Scene Change Marker ----------------
when everybody got back to the lab, Blackthorn went to work on making a safe. “Tumblers there, steel plate here.” He muttered as he pieced everything together. “Done. this will protect the horn.” He said placing the glass box inside and locking the safe. “It is well protected behind a 25 digit combo lock.”
“Got enough security there?” Pencil said.
“I doubt it.” Blackthorn said. “Defiance seems desperate to get this. who knows how he found it the first time”
“I bet he found it in a rock.” Tiki said smiling
“In any event, it’s getting late, you should be heading home Tiki.”
“Aww! I can stay up.” Tiki said
“I’m going. see ya later.” Pencil said, leaving.
“I guess you could help me guard the horn.” Blackthorn said to Tiki. “But it’s going to be a long night. guards are trained to stay up for hours without drowsiness. How about you?”
“I’m not trained to stay up but once I stayed up for two days straight .” Tiki said smiling
“Try twelve days.” Blackthorn said with a smirk
“You win.” Tiki said smiling “How long do you think Mayra has stayed up for?”
“She seems to sleep a lot.” He smiled “Probably a max of two hours.”
“I say at least… a day.” Tiki countered smiling Blackthorn chuckled, which is rare for him. “You’re very nice Blackthorn.” Tiki said smiling
“What did you think? Royal guards were mean? Quite the contrary.”
“I’ve never met any.” Tiki said “I said that because you're so nice to Mayra…”
“The problem with this world is ponies are too quick to judge. I just believe it’s about time to change.”
“Same.” Tiki said then there was a knock at the door.
“Be on your guard. it could be anyone.” he said walking to the door. Tiki nodded. He opened the door. “Hello?” he asked. there was a cold wind, and he noticed a unicorn. “Tiki’s mother I assume?”
“Yes, I was told by somepony that my daughter was here.”
Blackthorn smiled. “Yes, she is. My name is Blackthorn.”
“The new Alicorn?” She asked surprised
“Indeed.” He turned around. “Tiki, your mother’s here.”
“Tell her I’m not here!” Tiki said, hiding under the table “Tiki you’ve bothered this nice alicorn enough its time to come home.”
“She’s not any trouble, but it is getting late, and I assume she’s in school.”
“She’s home schooled.” Tiki’s mom said
“Ah. I noticed that Tiki is very skilled with magic. I could teach her if you wish.”
Tiki’s mom turned to Tiki, “I didn’t know she even knew any magic.” Tiki looked at the ground
Blackthorn realized what sort of a corner he had backed them into “Nothing combat oriented. I’ve only seen her do teleportation and telepathy.”
“Oh that’s good.” Tiki’s mom said smiling, Tiki’s ears flattened against her head “Bye Blackthorn.” She whispered then walked over to her mom
“Farewell Tiki.” he said smiling. “It was nice meeting you miss...”
“Miss Tart.” Tiki’s mom said smiling once more “Nice to meet you.” and with that she led Tiki out the door.
Blackthorn turned around to see the safe and his window open “Darn. back to square one. And with the eclipse tomorrow night, there’s no time to contact Mayra.”
Defiance returned to the Blood Lake rejoicing. he retrieved all the ingredients. “Yes! Too easy!” He shouted despite Mayra sleeping.
Mayra lifted her head and groaned slightly “Do you really have to yell every time you come here?”
“Tomorrow night, Von Bludde will return.”
“You’ve said that multiple times” Mayra muttered sighing
“You’re no fun.”
“I’m never fun when I’m repeatedly woken up.”
“Feh.”
“I’m going back to sleep.” Mayra muttered closing her eyes
Von Bludde’s return
“Wake up Mayra. Von Bludde wants you to see his summoning. Let’s see… ingredients, crushed horn, pegasus feather, lunar eclipse, blood lake, and to make him stronger, the tear of a blood relative. Mayra, with your tear, Von Bludde will be too strong for the alicorn by himself! Because of his value of life, he will not dare to have anypony else face him. He will die, and vampires will rule Equestria from tonight onward!”
Mayra sighed slightly “I don’t want anyone to die.” She said looking at the ground, then a single tear slid down her cheek. Defiance lunged to catch it in the medicine bowl. He raised it into the air and said,
“The tear of a blood relative. Von Bludde shall be invincible!”
Mayra nodded “Is it time yet?”
Defiance looked to the sky. "Soon Mayra. The Blood Moon is rising. Would you like to do the honors of performing the spell?"
“No, I think you should since you’ve done it before.” Mayra said
“You don’t want to summon your own father? The spell is all in this book.” He said placing his hoof on a book.
“Is it hard to summon him?” Mayra asked looking at the book
“All you need to do is crush the horn in the bowl, then place the feather on top and burn it, when this is done pour the contents into the lake quickly, before your tear dries.”
“Ok I’ll try, but I what happens if I do it wrong?” Mayra asked
“It’ll work, after all. I did it on my first try” Mayra nodded then took the bowl and did as Defiance had said. After she emptied the bowl in the lake, the lake erupted in a vertical pillar, the sky and clouds turned red, and it exploded to reveal Von Bludde who immediately looked at Mayra.
“My daughter. You have summoned me” he said, smiling warmly.
Mayra smiled slightly “And you just realized that when?”
“I feel the summoner’s code binding me to you.”
“Yeah.” Mayra said then she sighed “Now what do we do d-dad?”
He smiled “Let’s make a bit of a mess...”
“What do you mean?” Mayra asked
“Today is the day that vampires come to the light. and more importantly, it is the day I get revenge on that alicorn who killed me.”
“Someone killed you?” Mayra asked
“That black and yellow alicorn.”
“Blackthorn?” Mayra asked
“Is that his name? Blackthorn.”
“Yeah.” Mayra said looking at the ground
“Let’s go.” He said taking off for Ponyville. Mayra followed flying at a somewhat slow pace
meanwhile, in Ponyville...
Blackthorn was pacing in front of everybody in his armor, militaristically.
“Tonight is another lunar eclipse, and I regretfully inform you all that the ingredients have been stolen, so I have called in the cavalry… so to speak.” Blackthorn then whistled a small tune, and a red unicorn walked to his side wearing red and gold armor, while a blue pegasus dropped down at high speeds with lightning all around him, he was wearing blue and gold armor.
“Flashy entrance as always Lightning.” Said The Red One.
“And where were you Fire? Hiding in the shadows?” Said The One Known as Lightning.
“Calm down you two. Everypony, this is Firestorm” He said, gesturing to the red one. “And this is Lightning Blaze.” He said, gesturing to the other.
"Ya see," started Firestorm. "We were in a special squadron back in our royal guard days, and Blackthorn called us in for this mission."
"Indeed Firestorm. I already have a game plan. Lightning Blaze, you and Ink Splatter are to patrol the skies and look for Von Bludde. When you see him, find and alert Firestorm who will be disguised in the crowd. You will know it's him because I've arranged for Tone Mix to be with him." Pencil looked down at this, as he had hoped to try and DJ this party too. Lightning's jaw dropped, and one of the lenses on his goggles cracked
"Wait, you know Tone Mix?!" He said "He's the best! I have all his albums!"
"Great, this is my fan-base" Pencil thought.
"Once they are alerted," Blackthorn continued, "They will come for me, and we will set up our defenses. As for fighting him, we three will handle it. You either get help, or find safety. Am I clear?"
"SIR YES SIR!!!" said Lightning and Firestorm in unison, saluting.
Tiki walked over to them “Hi Blackthorn.” she said smiling
Blackthorn smiled back “Greetings Tiki.” He knelt down to her. “Tonight may get very dangerous very quickly. I need you to find shelter when you hear the alarm raised.” Blackthorn turned to Lightning Blaze and Firestorm “You two are to detain Defiance before you come to help me.”
“SIR YES SIR!” They repeated
“So I can’t help?” Tiki asked smiling
"I don't want to risk any innocents. Tell you what, you get a very important job. You get to make sure everypony gets out of Ponyville safely." He said smiling.
"I can't help but notice the fact that there are two pegasi and only one unicorn." Pencil said. Firestorm looked at the ground, his ears against his head.
"We used to have four members..." He said
"No! You said we were never talking about Forest again!" Lightning said.
"Poor unicorn..." He added.
"What happened to him?" Pencil asked. Lightning and Fire both shifted nervously.
"Oh, for goodness sake you two!" Blackthorn said. He then sighed."Forest Striker, was the fourth and final member of our squadron. He was a brave unicorn, never flinched in the face of danger. He was investigating a facility in Cloudsdale, a mission he insisted he could handle himself... we still don't know what happened to him. He was pronounced KIA two years ago." He said solemnly.
"Oh." Pencil said, flattening his ears. "Sorry, I-I didn't know." Blackthorn wiped the tears away that had built up during the three's moment of silence.
"The past is in the past. We must carry on." He said.
Tiki looked from Blackthorn to Lightning Blaze to Firestorm then back to Blackthorn. “That's sad… but you know he’s still with you.” Tiki said smiling then she gave each a separate hug. “Once you meet someone they never really leave you.”
“I still feel his presence sometimes...” Said Lightning Blaze.
“Yep.” Tiki said smiling then she hugged each of them separately again for no apparent reason.
“Move out!” Blackthorn said leading the group in a march “I don’t know what I’ve been told!” Lightning and Firestorm joined in
“I don’t know what I’ve been told!”
“this blood moon is gettin’ old!”
“This blood moon is gettin’ old!”
“I don’t know, but it’s been said!”
“I don’t know but it’s been said!”
“We’re putting Von Bludde to bed!”
“We’re putting Von Bludde to bed!”
“Sound off!”
“1”
“2"
“Sound off”
“3”
“4”
“Hoo ah!”
“Hyah!!!” Tiki smiled and followed them feeling over excited.
“Guess I’d better take off.” Lightning said taking off in a flash of thunder.
“Bye!” Tiki called smiling
“Remember Tiki, escort the ponies to safety.”
“Ok, when do you want me to?” Tiki asked
“As soon as you hear Tone and Fire raise the alarm”
“Ok.” Tiki said smiling Blackthorn then parted ways to patrol for the vampire “Bye.” Tiki said then she walked off towards Ponyville. The program for the blood moon festival began again
“Fillies and gentlecolts. Tonight is the night a vampire was sealed… away… gosh darn it, when will I get to finish my speech.” He said looking to the blood moon again.
Then the sound of Tone Mix and Firestorm shouting. “HE’S HERE! EVACUATE THE TOWN!” Was heard. Not long after, Von Bludde slammed into blackthorn and began to hit him.
“I’m going to kill you now, then everypony else.” He said. Von Bludde was blown away by a large explosion.
“Not on my watch, vampire!” Firestorm said. “Drop the hammer Lightning!” He said looking to the skies as dark clouds gathered and lightning struck Von Bludde as Lightning Blaze dive-bombed him.
Von Bludde got up. “Be it three or three thousand. This world will burn.” he then charged Blackthorn, who summoned a brick wall to stop him.
“You two! I said to get Defiance before coming to assist me!” Blackthorn said.
“We can’t leave you to die commander!” said Firestorm
“Not like forest!” Lightning shouted.
“Leave!” Blackthorn said pushing them away “This is my fight, and all death that can be avoided will be.”
Von Bludde then charged Blackthorn and pinned him against a rock. “You. Die. NOW!!!” He said headbutting him multiple times, then throwing his nearly unconscious body to the side.
“You… will… not...” Blackthorn said, his face bleeding and lapsing in consciousness.
“Oh, but I will Blackthorn. Everypony will die, and be reborn as vampires.” he said, raising his hoof for a final blow.
After Tiki had gotten everyone out of the town she ran back into it to help Blackthorn “Hey leave him alone!” Tiki, cried charging at Von Bludde.
“A child?” He said tossing blackthorn to the side and turning on Tiki. “You have courage little one, but you will die later” He then struck her with enough force to send her flying.
“Now, Blackthorn” he said pinning him against a ruined house. “You will die.” He said, raising his hoof again.
Mayra landed quietly behind him “You’ve already won please don’t kill him.” She said then walked over to where Tiki had landed.
“He must die. Vengeance will be mine!” He said moving for the strike, but stopped short. “The summoner’s code!” He said, trying again and again to kill the unconscious alicorn. “No! Vengeance will be mine!”
Mayra sighed then gently helped Tiki up “I’m sorry dad but killing for vengeance isn’t right and anyways you hurt my only friend.”
"Blackthorn, we've detained Defiance." Lightning said, hauling an unconscious Defiance. Lightning dropped him on his face "Holy crap! Blackthorn!" He said, rushing to blackthorn's side. "He's so close to death..." He said examining his vitals. He then turned to Von Bludde "You did this." He said flapping his wings furiously, generating electricity.
"And what are you going to do, pegasus?" Von Bludde asked turning on him.
"I'm going to show you my equivalent of the sonic rainboom, the lightning flash!" He said releasing all his charged electricity and flying at top speed straight into Von Bludde. He flew straight through him and filled him with millions of volts of electricity. "Zippity zap zap kablamo!" He said, looking over the ashes of Von Bludde and his horn. He then rushed back to Blackthorn's side. "Commander!" He shouted checking his pulse. "No pulse, no time to get a doctor, I just hope I remember how to do this." He said flapping his wings and putting his hooves on his chest. "Clear!" He said, releasing the electricity like a defibrillator. "Come on commander! Clear!" He said repeating the process. He then breathed a sigh of relief. "We have a pulse. However faint." He then turned to Mayra. "Who... are you?" He said
Mayra looked at the ground “No one of great importance.” She said then sighed
"Get over here and lend a hoof. We gotta stop this bleeding" He said ripping the leather strap off his goggles.
"Wish I had some cloth. This will have to do." He said using it as a bandage.
Firestorm then showed up. "I didn't have any luck finding him, did y- WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?!" He said.
"The commander's hurt real bad. What can you do pegasus?" Lightning asked Mayra.
Mayra sighed “I can fly.” She said then walked over to blackthorn “But I’m not fast.”
"We probably don't want fast. The gentler the better. We need to get him to his lab so I can staunch the bleeding. I'm way too fast."
Mayra nodded slightly “I’ll take Blackthorn to his house could you bring Tiki?” she asked
"Right." He said walking over to Tiki. "Take these." He said, giving her his broken goggles. "Hold them to your face. And hold on. I'll go as slow as I can." Tiki nodded taking the goggles and holding them over her eyes. "Get on my back, and hold on tight." He said kneeling. Tiki got on his back and held on.
Mayra smiled “Be careful.” She said then put Blackthorn on her back.
"Is his armor too heavy for you?" He asked.
“Don’t worry, I’m stronger than I look.” Mayra said, she walked over to where Von Bludde’s horn sat and picked it up.
"Alright kid, you ready for the ride of your life? Here we go!" At this he took off. He was going fast, but was being careful of Tiki. "How ya feeling kid?" He asked her. "You look pretty banged up. Let me tell ya, you must be very brave to face that alicorn."
Tiki smiled “Well he was mean and he doesn’t deserve to be my friends dad.”
"We'll get a good look at you after I get Blackthorn stable."
“Ok.” Tiki said then she yawned slightly
“Look’s like we’re almost there.” He said descending on his tree. Tiki nodded smiling slightly. They landed outside of the tree, and Lightning addressed Mayra. “We need to get him to the medical bay. Stat. I know where it is.” He said walking in the lab. Mayra landed quietly outside the door then followed him in “Just up here.” He said walking upstairs and through a door. “Place him on the table.” He said. Mayra followed his instructions and placed Blackthorn onto the table. “Help me find some bandages.”
Mayra set the horn next to Blackthorn. “Ok I’ll look.” She said, then began looking through some drawers.
“I’ll find the splints. Looks like we got some broken limbs here.”
“Ok” Mayra said
“Did you find the bandages?” he asked placing a splint on the tray next to the table.
“Yeah.” Mayra said picking up some bandages.
“Good.” He said dressing his wounds. “Just as I thought. Broken leg.” He said binding his leg. “Let’s get this armor off him. If it’s in this bad of shape, it is doing more harm than good.” He said trying to remove the twisted mass of metal that was now blackthorn’s armor ”So, this is the strength of a vampire...” He said. “Our armor is made of the sturdiest metal you can get. And this bent like tinfoil! There, that’s the last of it.” He said, removing the rest of his armor. “Now to dress these wounds...” He said wrapping bandages around his legs and body. “Now, for the head. Jeez he did a number on this one.” After a good few hours, he finally said. “That’s all I can do. All we can do now is wait. I’ll go check on the kid.” He then went out to see Tiki. “Hey kid.” He said when he found Tiki. “I’ve finally got him stable. How are you holding up?”
Tiki smiled slightly “I’m tired.” she said.
He then looked at her “Looks like we’ve got a large bruise here. What did he do to you?”
“Hit me hard enough to make me fly.” Tiki answered
“Do you hurt anywhere besides this bruise?”
“No.” Tiki said smiling
Lightning smiled. “Good. Just glad I remembered my years of field medicine”
“Is Blackthorn going to be ok?”
“He’s got the longest list of injuries I’ve ever seen, but I’m sure he’ll pull through.”
“That’s good” Tiki said smiling
“Does he always take this bad a beating?”
“I don’t know.”
“He’ll probably be out for a few days.”
“Last time he fought Von Bludde he was out for three days.”
“That pegasus is with him now.”
“Her names Mayra and she’s very nice.”
“Good to know.” Tiki smiled
Lightning laid down next to Tiki. “Hey, I just noticed, you don’t have your cutie mark yet. You don’t know what you’re good at?”
“Yeah. I don’t know much magic either.” Tiki said
“I just realized, first, I’m still wearing my armor, and second” he said getting the bloodstained goggle strap out “Could I have my goggles back? I have sewing to do.” He said, taking off his helmet.
“Sure.” Tiki said handing him his goggles
“Thanks.” He said. “Now, where does he keep his needle and thread. Ah, there we go”
“Good you found it.” Tiki said smiling
“There, good as new.” He said putting them on his head. “I think I might just stick around for a bit.” He said taking off the rest of his armor. The door burst open
“I had to deal with that pony myself thank you very much.” Firestorm said.
“Blackthorn was in really bad shape.”
“You’re just lucky I had Tone Mix to help”
the other lens on Lightning’s goggles cracked. “Tone Mix?! Here?! Where is he?” He said, grabbing his goggles. “Will he sign these?!”
“My adoring public” thought Tone Mix. “Yeah, I’ll sign those, you got a pen?”
“Hi Tone Mix.” Tiki said smiling
Tone looked nervously at her. "Do I know you?"
“Probably not but my mom thinks she’s your greatest fan.” Tiki said
"I found a pen!" Lightning said rushing over to a slightly displeased Tone Mix. He signed the strap, and handed them back to Lightning, who put them back on and grinned.
“I think this is funny.” Tiki said smiling then she gave Tone Mix a hug. His sunglasses fell off, and Tiki saw something familiar about his eyes.
"Please don't say anything please don't say anything." He thought as he put them back on. "Right, um... how's Blackthorn?"
"He'll pull through."
"Phew, that's a relief."
"He'll be out for about a week or two though."
“I think I’ll go check and see how Mayra’s doing.” Tiki said then went to find Mayra.
"I'm just glad he's breathing on his own. I'm not sure how well the life support systems are working, if at all."
“I’m going to go see him” Tone Mix said, heading upstairs. “Hello?” he said when he got there to see Mayra and Tiki looking at the heavily bandaged and splinted Blackthorn. ”Oh my gosh. You did take a pounding didn’t you?”
“Yeah he did.” Mayra said
“Tone Mix why do you have two cutie marks?” Tiki asked
“I only have one cutie mark. I just really like my CD player.”
“Your as silly as Pencil Snap.” Tiki said smiling
“who’s Pencil Snap? I’ve never heard of him.”
“That’s what he said about you.” Tiki said smiling
“Really? Somepony who hasn’t heard of me?”
“Tiki leave the celebrity alone.” Mayra muttered
“Courageous sucker isn’t he? Taking on an alicorn all by himself, a vampire no less.” He said taking off his sunglasses in respect. “No offense to you of course Mayra. he just won’t go down no matter how much you kick him will he?”
“No. He won’t.” Mayra said smiling
“I knew it!” Tiki said jumping a little “You have Pencil’s eyes!”
“What? Green eyes? Isn’t that a normal color amongst ponies?”
“Yes but his and yours are a special color of green!” Tiki said smiling brightly
“Next you’re going to get me to take off my CD player to see if I have two cutie marks.”
“That’s a great idea!” Tiki said excitedly
“Nope! nopony touches the CD player!”
“I wasn’t going to. You said that you’d do it.” Tiki said smiling while Mayra who was lying on the ground was trying hard not to laugh.
“You know what? fine” he said, trying to disguise his horn glowing and taking off his CD player “See, the exact same.” he said, replacing it after she got a look. he then breathed outward, exhausted.
“You used magic!” Tiki said
“Pfft. did not!” he said, looking around nervously.
“You're a bad liar.” Mayra muttered
“Well, we got Defiance put away at last.” he said, changing the subject.
“Good.” Tiki said smiling while Mayra sighed
“And by the looks of that broken horn on the tray, we’ve also got Von Bludde under wraps.”
“Yeah.” Mayra said looking at the ground
“Don’t feel bad. he may have been your father, but he was nothing like you. he was an evil dude. in fact, I will gladly help blackthorn in his campaign to assist you.”
“That’s nice of you.” Mayra said “But I don’t deserve it.”
“Least I could do. I feel like a jerk for what I said-” he suddenly caught himself mid sentence.
“Give it up Pencil its obviously you.” Mayra muttered
“Fine. just… don’t tell anypony alright?”
“The only people I would tell already know.”Mayra said then smiled “Plus if you haven’t notice Tiki fell asleep half way into this conversation.”
“Wait, what?” he said looking around. noticing the sleeping unicorn, he breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank goodness.”
“I don’t see why you kept pretending you weren’t Pencil, Tiki doesn’t even like her mom and I’m her only friend other than well, you guys.” Mayra said
“All this because of an alicorn.” he then looked at Tiki “how old is she? she’s about the age most ponies get their cutie marks right?”
“I think so.” Mayra said smiling
“I wonder what it will be.”
“Same here.” Mayra said smiling
“I bet, if she wasn’t either here, with her mother, or in the forest, she would know her talent by now.”
“Why do you think that?”
“I was always the nerd in school. but the day I got my cutie mark was the day we had a poetry presentation. I was a couple grades late for mine, so I really was the last person in my class without their cutie mark. then bam!I got a broken pencil. then, a couple of years later,I was volunteered to do music for a dance, and found I did not know what I was doing. I found a beat, lost myself in it, and when I woke up, the entire auditorium was applauding and I had a second cutie mark. that’s when I made the separation between Tone Mix and Pencil Snap.”
Mayra smiled “Those are nice ways to get cutie marks.”
"Thanks" he said. "Tiki is brave for someone so young, she charged Von Bludde on her own, even after seeing what he did to Blackthorn?"
“Yeah she is brave.” Mayra said smiling.
"So, she dislikes her own mother?"
“You probably wouldn’t like your mother if she said you were too young for practically everything and wouldn’t let you say hi to anyone.” Mayra said sighing
"Ouch. Overprotective much?"
“Yep.” Mayra said smiling
"Its just life. You make friends, you stumble, you fall. It happens to everypony."
“Yep.” Mayra said smiling “Although some stumble more than others.”
“True, but one must learn from their mistakes to become stronger”
“Yep.”
then Lightning Blaze walked in “He took a pounding. I’m just lucky I could revive him. if he wasn’t trained or didn’t have armor… umm, it’s getting late. Should go find some blankets for you three? I have to find them anyway, since Fire and I don’t have anywhere to go.”
“I’m going to take Tiki home then go home myself, thanks for the offer though.” Mayra said smiling as she stood up.
“I think I’ll head out of here.” Pencil said.
“Oh… ok.” Lightning said leaving the room.
“Well Mayra, see you later” Pencil said walking to the door.
“Yeah see ya.” Mayra said smiling as she gently put Tiki on her back
“Blackthorn is going to be out for weeks. what do we do?”
“Do about what?”
“More importantly, what are you going to do with the horn?”
“I’ll leave it here for the moment.” Mayra said
“Glad we’re done fighting vampires...”
“Yeah.” Mayra agreed looking at the ground
"I'm sorry... about your dad." He said leaving.
“It’s fine.” Mayra whispered quietly then she smiled slightly “Bye take good care of Blackthorn.” she said then walked out the door and flew away towards Ponyville that night, when Tone Mix got home, he autographed a photo to Mrs. Tart. he had asked around and learned her name from the citizens of Ponyville. On the back, he wrote a message "Mrs. Tart, let me tell you, Tiki is the bravest unicorn I've ever met (I would hope you would know what happened on the second night of the lunar eclipse). Loosen up a little. maybe if you do, she'll finally learn her talent." Is what he wrote. He then left his autograph on the front and put it in the postbox. The next day when Mrs. Tart got the mail she almost screamed with excitement her excitement seemed to die when she read the back
“Tiki what did you do yesterday?” she asked walking into
Tiki’s room where she sat doodling on a paper “I tried to save an alicorn.” Tiki said smiling.
