Luna hated dealing with the undead. It was one of the worst enemies that you could deal with on the battlefield. They felt no fear nor did they feel pain. Nothing hindered them from moving forward with an unlimited desire to tear flesh apart and feast on it with vigor. Worse, if you even got bit by one of them you were already dead. Thus, it was better to kill the bitten victim before they joined the horde. She had already had to end six of her own Night Guards the moment they were infected.

The blades she wielded danced in the air with waves of blood raining down around her. Long ago, they called her Luna the Nightblade Mistress. The number of graves she had filled in war could cover most of Canterlot. Even years of not using her swords for near millennia had not diminished her skill.

Slicing the head off another undead foal, Luna coldly glared at the upcoming army of the undead. Some of them were wearing uniforms long before her banishment that she recognized from previous times. How many died around Ponyville and the Everfree Forest in the years since ponies first arrived onto Equestrian lands?

Already they had lost a fourth of the guards they had brought with them to defend the town, and they were only halfway through with evacuating the civilians. Worse, the barrier that she and her sister had put into the outskirts of the town to keep the undead from escaping wouldn’t last forever. They did not have the talent that Shining Armor was blessed with sadly. And if even one of these things escapes...

She could already see the fires burning in the cities all across Equestria. The growing horde like a virus that couldn't be stopped. Chaos the likes which had not been seen in a thousand years. This had to be stopped no matter the cost.

Taking a moment to catch her breath, Luna turned to the direction of the old castle that she and Celestia once occupied. They still had no hint if Twilight and her friends had managed to slay Nosferatu, or if they were already dead. Twilight, if you still live, you must hurry!

“Sister!” Celestia shouted, landing in front of Luna with a royal guard’s spear raised. “How's your side?”

“Holding, but we cannot hold forever,” Luna said, pointing to the horde of undead still coming despite being under constant fire from magic and arrows. “We’re running low on ammunition and magic. I’m fine, but my guards are growing tired with each passing minute.”

“Same for mine,” Celestia bitterly whispered. “The undead are slowly finding their way around our barrier. I had to split my forces off to stop them in their tracks, but for how long until they are overwhelmed?”

“Sister.” Luna took a deep breath. “I feel we have no choice. We must destroy Ponyville. Wipe it out together.” Celestia’s eyes widened. “If Twilight fails then Nosferatu will keep sending more undead. With our combined power we should be enough to destroy the town and most of the surrounding area. Enough to wipe out the zombies or at least most of them so we can finish them off by ourselves...”

“...We still haven’t evacuated everyone, Luna,” Celestia pointed out, stone-faced.

“Yes, but the longer we wait the bigger the risk we have of losing control of this,” Luna pointed out as she put her hoof on Celestia’s shoulder. “Sister. Losing one town is better than the alternative. An outbreak of the undead, combined with Nosferatu manipulating things in the shadows, will only cause more harm. The citizens of Ponyville will curse us, alive or dead, but the rest of Equestria will at least be out of danger.”

“...Have we failed, Luna?” Celestia asked, looking at the town with regret. “We tried to end the dark times so that we would never again have to deal with situations like this...and yet here we are about to condemn an innocent town and a good portion of its citizens to death. A sacrifice that is no different from the ones we made a thousand or so years ago. Was it all just futile in the end?”

“We will only fail if we give up or lose, Sister,” Luna said, narrowing her eyes. “And we have not lost yet.”

“...Half an hour,” Princess Celestia said, raising her spear. “We give Twilight half an hour to end this and gather what forces and civilians we can out of the town. Then...we’ll do it.”

Celestia flew away without a word leaving Luna to sigh before issuing orders to her captain.

***

The moment she saw the trap, Twilight knew everything was going to go wrong. One moment she was about to enter the grounds for the castle and the next minute she was in some kind of ancient armory. She raised the spear of her mentor just in case but it seemed like it was just herself in the room. Here and rusty armor that had long since been abandoned. Twilight cursed as she opened the nearby door and entered into the main hallway. She didn’t know where any of her friends were nor did she know where to look for them. If they’re alive that is... Twilight thought as she slowly walked down the corridor. Normally, she would chastise herself for even thinking such a thing, but Twilight held no illusions of their chances.

It’s funny. I’ve faced Nightmare Moon, Discord, Changelings, and Tirek. Yet, I’ve always held some hope of winning, but now? Twilight looked at her shaking hoof. The only thing I can picture in my head is my gravestone.

She looked at the spear that Celestia had given her. Despite her family having served the Royal Guards for centuries, Twilight showed no interest in learning weaponry even when her brother offered to teach her. Times like this I wish I was more interested in physical activities when I was younger instead of just books.

Not that she didn’t think it might matter. She had dealt enough damage to...that thing Rarity had become that could have killed Queen Chrysalis ten times over. What was its master going to be like compared to her? The only thing I know now is its weakness. Aim for the heart. Aim for the heart. Just gotta remember that.

She finally found herself in a familiar corner from her previous visits to the castle and began to wonder where she should go. Then she heard a noise and heard a door opening. Preparing herself for a blast of magic, Twilight was ready to fire until she saw a familiar hat poke out followed by an orange coat.

“Twi? Is that you?” Applejack asked, looking relieved.

“Applejack,” Twilight whispered as the two rushed to each other and hugged. “Thank goodness you’re safe. Is Rainbow or Zecora with you?”

“No, Ah ain’t see hair or hide of ‘em,” Applejack answered, shaking her head. “Think they’re okay?”

“I don’t know,” Twilight admitted, biting her lip. “I’m guessing we got teleported all over the castle. The others could be anywhere.”

“Well, where should we go?” Applejack asked.

“The throne room,” Twilight answered. “If Nosferatu is a Vampire Lord then he’ll want to be in a place where he feels like one. Especially if it’s Princess Celestia and Luna’s former throne room.”

Nodding, Applejack followed Twilight up the nearby stairs to the second floor where the throne room was supposed to be. The ghostly silence had all but flared the tips of their hairs as they looked around, carefully observing every shadow. Twilight made sure to have the spear ready for anything. Hit the heart. Hit the heart. Hit the heart.

“Twilight? Do ya think Ponyville’s okay?” Applejack asked.

“I don’t know. I can only hope the Princesses can hold out for as long as possible. That’s if we can succeed,” Twilight answered. “Worst case scenario I can think of is the town is abandoned and destroyed because of the undead overwhelming them.”

Applejack let out a heavy sigh. “Either way, Ah can’t see the Apple Family livin’ in Ponyville anymore. Even if we survive this nopony is gonna want to do business with us out of fear of what’s happened. Might even be the best scenario all around. Just get away from all this and start anew.”

“Where will you go?” Twilight asked.

“Appleloosa probably,” Applejack answered. “Braeburn and the others will be more than happy to help us restart again.” Applejack paused and stopped which made Twilight halt as well. “What about you? Are ya gonna give up being a princess?”

“...I can’t do this anymore, Applejack,” Twilight said, her voice near breaking up. She lowered her head and shed a tear. “I’ve lost too much. I’m tired. I just want to be a librarian again. Live somewhere nice and quiet. Away from fighting evil and destiny and...and...”

“And Princess Celestia?” Applejack finished.

“...yes,” Twilight nodded. “I can’t forgive her. Not now. Maybe in the future. But after this, I never want to see her again for a long time.”

Applejack put her hoof on Twilight’s shoulder. “Twilight, it ain’t my place to tell you how to handle yer affairs. Frankly, Ah can’t blame ya for feelin’ angry. But for all the harm she’s done ya gotta remember she's also done a lot of good for you, me, and everypony. Just don’t be blinded by that anger is all Ah’m sayin’...”

Twilight gave a small smile and touched Applejack’s hoof. “You remember that day we first met? When I was dangling from that cliff and you held on to me before telling me to let go? Because you knew I would be safe thanks to Dash and Fluttershy?”

“Yeah, Ah remember,” Applejack whispered, smirking.

“That was the moment I realized just how much I could depend on you, Applejack,” Twilight said, blushing. “If...if we don’t make it out of this alive...I want you to know you’ve been a good friend.”

“Twilight.” Applejack leaned over and hugged her. “Yer also a good friend, Twi. Ah’m proud to fight by yer side.”

***

They had finally reached the throne room. Opening it, the two Elements looked around for any sign of their friends or Nosferatu, but there was nothing. Walking inside, the two couldn’t help but get a dark feeling that their foe was here but hidden from their sight.

“Where is he?” Applejack asked, looking up ahead. “Maybe we’re lookin’ in the wrong spot?”

“It was a guess to see if he was here,” Twilight said, lowering the spear. “Maybe we should-”

A burning blast of black lightning crackled onto Twilight’s side that sent her flying into the wall before she could finish. The spear dropped from her broken concentration as she felt her wing bone shatter from the impact. A cry of pain screeched out of her mouth as she heard Applejack yell her name.

Opening her eyes, doing her best to ignore the pain, she saw him across from the hall. Emerging from the wall like a ghost, Nosferatu, still in Fluttershy’s body, levitated himself as he continued to pulse with dark magic. His red eyes of hellfire gazing into Twilight’s as she felt her nerves freeze up. He was smirking at her, like that of a predator that was about to finish its prey.

“Did you honestly think I would just wait here for you to come and try to kill me? I’m not a stupid villain from one of those fantasy stories written with happy endings,” Nosferatu spoke, his very tone dripping with evil. “The reason I’ve survived for so long is that I kill my foes quickly and brutally. Like I did with your other two friends.”

No...Rainbow Dash...Zecora...I’m so sorry, Twilight thought, tears shedding for her fallen friends. Looks like I’ll be joining you shortly...

“Ah’ll kill ya, abomination!” Applejack shouted as she rushed at an unfazed Nosferatu.

“Applejack! Run!” Twilight shouted, but her friend ignored her.

The apple farmer rushed as fast as she could and turned her body around to deliver the hardest kick she had ever delivered in her life. The sound of it echoed across the room as it landed perfectly into Nosferatu’s face. However, the vampire didn’t even flinch. Not a single muscle moved. It was as if he got a simple bug bite and didn’t even react to it. Instead, he just smirked and levitated Applejack into the air who struggled to move under the blood-red glow. “That didn’t hurt. But this will.”

With a flick of his magic, Applejack was slammed onto the stone floor with a sickening crunch. A yell escaped Applejack’s mouth but it was cut short when she got slammed down again. Then again. And again.

Every blow caused a louder smashing of the bones. Blood started to fly across the floor; painting the stones bright red. Splashes and body marks of red-stained pony shaped figures began to appear as the throws got faster and stronger. Desperate, Twilight fired magical blasts of energy at Nosferatu, but he deflected it with one of Fluttershy’s wings each time. He eventually managed to reflect one of them to Twilight who felt it her chest burn upon getting hit. The smell of her fur and flesh melting, digging into her insides, made her gasp out blood and saliva.

Slumping over to her side, Twilight tried to get up but all she could do was continue to watch. Watch as Applejack, who had stopped screaming, get pounded into mush. Applejack...I’m so sorry...forgive me...

At last, he stopped and tossed Applejack limp and broken body across the room. Twilight didn’t even bother to check if her friend was still alive. Deep in her heart, she knew that she was the last Element alive, but not for much longer.

Closing her eyes, Twilight waited for the end as Nosferatu slowly walked towards her. His every clop like that of a funeral bell ringing for her upcoming passing. Her life began to flash in her eyes. Her fillyhood. Her family. Princess Celestia. Spike. All her friends and citizens of Ponyville. Her adventures and all she had learned. All of which she failed in her final hour.

She felt her body being lifted by the foul and evil magic of the vampire. It was like a dozen needles oozing into your bloodstream with the feeling of nausea. Opening her eyes, she saw the look of satisfaction and hunger on the face of the one who was once the kindest pony in the world. A friend who wouldn't have hurt a single fly yet now held a river of blood on her hooves against her will. Twilight briefly wondered if any part of Fluttershy was still in there. Whatever pain the princess had gone through it had to be worse for Fluttershy. Seeing her body perform such horrible actions and killing those she loved without any control over it. A living hell. One which death might have been more preferred.

“This was the best Celestia could bring? This was her prized pupil? The ones of the past were much more of a challenge than you ever were,” Nosferatu chuckled, as he stroked Twilight’s cheek. “Still, you have talent. A lot of it. I believe I shall preserve you as one of my own. It would be wondrous to see Celestia’s face as I turn you into a creature of the night that shall kill the very ponies she swore to protect.”

He leaned into her ear. “In fact? I think I’ll have you go after that little dragon of yours? What did you call him? Spike? Well, soon you’ll be calling him dinner.”

A second later, she felt him bite into her neck. She didn’t bother to scream or yell in pain. The bite was almost pleasurable. Like a combination of hot and cold. Painful, and yet she couldn’t help but feel relaxed and at peace. The arms of her best friend were wrapped around her as her...master...began to feast. She felt his teeth sink deep into her veins, drinking her like a spring of pure mana. Her limbs were completely limp and her eyes were slowly closing. Such frigid coldness was developing over her. Was she dying? No, she wasn’t dying.

Twilight...focus...A part of her thought. A part of her that still was fighting inside. Spike...he’ll make me hurt...Spike...your son!

Son.

Her son.

Her Spike.

This thing took her home. It took her friends. It would not take her boy.

“...b...u...y...” Twilight whispered, her eyes focusing on the ceiling. One of the spiked edges that were pointing directly at them. Her horn slowly glowing with the last of her magic.

“Hmm?” Nosferatu asked, stopping his feasting.

“...bu...k...you...” Her magic was slowly freeing it. The cracks of the edge slowly began to come loose. Just a few more seconds and it would be free.

“Oh? Some final words before you become my slave?” Nosferatu chuckled before looking at Twilight eye to eye. “Go ahead. I love hearing these.”

A second later. It was finally loose. Twilight smirked and stared at the monster before uttering her final words. “Buck you.”

She wrapped her arms around him and summoned the spiked ceiling edge towards them with all her mind. It missed directly towards them without stop and before Nosferatu could figure it out...

...it was already too late for him.

For both of them.

Nosferatu screamed and it was music to Twilight’s ears. It drowned out the pain she felt in her chest as the spike entered deep. Her mouth began to fill up with blood and drip onto her chin, but it didn’t matter. She was smiling at the sight before her.

Nosferatu screamed, howled, and shrieked as he flailed around in the air, his eyes pure red with rage and mouth twisted in agony. His chest, bursting with blood and guts, was like a waterfall of red with the spike ripping through his torso like a spear. From the very tip, shriving up like a dried prune, was the heart. Red liquid began to salivate from his mouth as crimson rivers began pouring out of his eyes. Fluttershy’s wings began to turn grey as the feathers came off one by one. The very skin and fur of the body melting like acid had been poured on it.

Twilight collapsed on the floor, her very breath leaving her as she lifted her head one last time. To see her foe finally die and end the nightmare that had haunted her for months. Fluttershy’s body bent backward as a giant red and black essence escaped from her mouth. It was shirking while moving around in a panic.

It tried to find a host but there was none. None but two dead bodies and a soon to be third beyond saving. Twilight couldn’t help but chuckle as it continued to contort itself and shake with fury before finally disappearing all together like a puff of smoke with one last rageful cry of hate.

And then there was nothing but silence.

Twilight coughed as she turned to the body of her once sweet and kind friend. It was now nothing but a pile of bones and rotting flesh that would soon be dust in the wind. All Twilight could hope was that Fluttershy was finally at peace.

Peace...that sounds...about nice...Twilight thought as she slowly closed her eyes. I could use... a little...peace...

***

“Princess! Look!”

Princess Celestia was about to order a final retreat when she looked back and felt her heart nearly stop. The undead had stopped moving. They were just frozen in place with their sullen eyes and rotten faces staring at them without a single move. One of her soldiers even bravely decided to poke one only for it to collapse.

Like dominos, they all collapsed. Piles upon piles of the dead laid on the streets of Ponyville. All of them unmoving. It took nearly ten minutes for everypony to realize that the dead were once again fully dead.

A great cry of victory went out from every street as both soldiers and citizens cried in relief. They had won. They had survived. Some residents even began kissing their saviors, thanking them, and hugging them for saving them. Others still mourned for who they had lost in the darkest crisis of their lives, but many more were just thankful to be alive.

The only one who did not move or celebrate was Princess Celestia. She just stared in the direction of the forest and quickly began to fly towards it.

Twilight...

***

It had taken Luna four hours, but she had managed to restore order once again in Ponyville. They had decided to make refugee camps for Ponyville’s remaining citizens until they were sure it was safe to enter their homes again. The dead were being burned, regardless of race, but nopony was complaining. Luna wouldn’t be surprised if that would soon be the custom of Ponyville after tonight.

There had been many losses from both civilians and soldiers. Some of which she knew from her time spent here. The heaviest loss had to be the Apple Family. Her soldiers returned to find both Big Macintosh and Granny Smith dead. The former eaten by two figures whose cutie marks residents said were the ones the former Bright Mac and Pear Butter had when they were alive. Big Mac didn’t even appear to resist, according to her guards, he just embraced them as they devoured him. Granny Smith didn’t give the zombies a chance to get her. They found her hanging from the ceiling with a rope around her neck which had been snapped in an instant. She was not looking forward to letting Apple Bloom know she was the last of her family now.

How cruel are you, Faust? Luna thought as he walked through the halls of where her greatest sin was committed. How is it that I, a traitor, live while six of the noblest ponies, and those they loved, die horribly?

She didn’t need to use her magic to sense that the party that went into the woods to destroy Nosferatu was dead. It was a gut instinct and no sooner had she arrived did she realize how right it was. She had taken Zecora’s body and placed it somewhere to rest with a shield spell over it to protect it from wildlife. She didn’t know how the zebra’s honored their dead, but she would make sure her body was returned to her homeland. Using a spell, she tried to sense any other life in the castle, but all she could sense was her sister in the throne room.

Arriving, she saw one of her old flags covering a body with a brown seton hat on top and one of her sister’s old flags covering another whose rainbow tail was sticking out. Pausing a moment to wish them peace in the afterlife, Luna turned to her sister who held the unmoving body of Equestria’s newest princess. Luna did her best to stay strong, but she could feel her eyes beginning to water and before she knew it she sobbed.

Twilight Sparkle, her hero, and friend was dead. The last of the Elements were now in Faust’s embrace.

Luna had expected to see Celestia sobbing or mourning, but instead, she was just staring at Twilight’s peaceful face. It was a strange sight to see. The damage to Twilight’s body indicated she died under immense pain, but her expression was one of content. Like she welcomed it...

“Sister,” Luna said, stepping forward. Celestia didn’t move or even look at her. “I...I’m so sorry...”

She didn’t answer at first. She just stared at Twilight and said nothing. Finally, after what seemed like minutes, she asked, “Luna...could you raise the sun?” Luna wiped her eyes. “I...can’t find it in me to do it...”

Luna nodded as she closed her eyes and began to move the celestial bodies of Equestria.

It was a new dawn for the nation...yet there was nothing but darkness that came with it.

***Fifteen Years Later***

The Garden of Heroes.

Where the best of Equestria’s greatest champions were immortalized. To be mourned, loved, and remembered. Princess Celestia could recall every one of them and how they died be it via natural causes, battle, assassination, accident, illness, or more. She had been at every funeral, every wake, and every memorial. Every statue she paid for from Clover the Clever to Sir Morning Dawn of Hopeville. It never got easier each time, but she always moved on.

Until that horrible day fifteen years ago.

Fifteen years ago she revealed the statue of the six ponies who died due to her mistake. A mistake Celestia, and many others, had never forgiven herself for. The six’s parents all but spat in her face after the funeral. Princess Cadence and Shining Armor now only spoke to her for diplomatic reasons and nothing more. They didn’t even let her or Luna come to Flurry Heart’s birth. Not to mention Ponyville all but forbid her from stepping on their borders again when the truth of everything came out. Even the Apple Family deemed her dirt in their eyes. They wouldn’t even let her pay for Apple Bloom’s funeral after she killed herself upon learning her family’s fate.

“You’ve done more than enough...” Was all Braeburn Apple said before shutting the door in her face.

Yet there were still many who called her hero. That she had prevented a zombie infestation. Yet, the insults and harsh barbs from those who hated her felt more true then praise. Her efforts to hide the true darkness of this world had greatly costed not just her, but others innocently unaware. After Ponyville, she and Luna revealed it all and took all the blame. Yet they would make it right. Even if it took a thousand years, they would make it right again.

Laying the flowers at the statue, Princess Celestia looked at the six faces of Elements of Harmony before focusing on Twilight’s face. Twilight...do you still hate me up there in Elysium? When I finally join you will you forgive me? Or shun me?

“Sister.” Princess Celestia turned around to find Luna looking at her. “You missed the graduation ceremony for the new Dawn Knights.”

It had been Celestia’s idea not long after the funeral. A special order of knights dedicated to hunting down and destroying the very worst of the dark creatures from vampires to werewolves to undead and more. Already, they had proven to be successful in hunting down terrible threats similar to Nosferatu yet not close to his power. Equestria would no longer let the darkness crawl back from the shadows. They would bring the light and banish them back to oblivion. Yet, this set of graduates was one she decided not to personally go see. Mainly, because there was one creature now among them.

“I didn’t feel like I deserved to be there,” Princess Celestia said, turning away as she lowered her head. “Did he say anything?”

“Yes,” Princess Luna whispered, sighing. “He did want me to tell you he...will do his best to protect Equestria.”

“But?” Celestia asked, raising an eyebrow.

“...But he’s doing it in honor of Twilight, not for either of us,” Luna said, shaking his head. “One day, Sister. Spike will forgive us.”

“But will we ever forgive ourselves?” Celestia asked, looking back up at Twilight’s face. “Could I have prevented this? If I had not hidden those dark days in fear of them returning...could this have been prevented?"

“...Sister, what can we do?” Luna asked, walking over to her side and putting a wing over her older sibling. “We cannot go back and fix our mistakes. I, of all ponies, know this better than anyone. However, we must do what we can to prevent such a mistake from happening. Perhaps, those who hate us will never forgive us, but we can at least ensure that we do everything in our power to never let it happen again.” She then nuzzled her sister. “And we’ll do it together.”

Celestia closed her eyes and let a few tears slowly drip down her cheeks before returning the nuzzle to her little sister.

***

Meanwhile, in a little graveyard in a small town called Horsedale. Residents were leaving the graveyard after burying one of their own. She had been a young and healthy mare. One that they all enjoyed as a friend until she got sick from a bat bite. She had put it off as nothing more than that of an itch and scratch, but days later she had been found dead with blood coming out of her mouth.

It was believed she had died of an infection caused by the bite and so many simply mourned it as a tragic fate...but it was so much more... more than they ever dreamed...

The End?

Author's Note

And the end! At last we have reached the ending of this story. Yes, it was always going to end this way with all six dead. I have no plans on doing a follow up story, but others are more then free to do so.

Once again I would like to thank James Corck for helping me with the artwork! You can check him on DA at: https://www.deviantart.com/jamescorck

PLease help out at the Sanguine Kindess TV Tropes Page!