Blood Lust

Hooves pounded against the wet earth below, rain drenching anything and everything in the Everfree Forest. Hoof prints were left behind the dashing mare, her breath coming out in heavy pants. Lightning cracked over head. Red eyes scanned the scene in front of her, but it soon past her and was left behind her as she ran. Every tree, bush, and branch was a blur to the running vampony. The only source of light came from her cream colored horn, which illuminated everything within a five foot radius. Her milky coat was drenched in rain water and blood.

Her wing and legs ached, her left wing was broken and tucked painfully against her side. That crossed out the option of trying to fly away. Her messy braided mane whipped beside her, the dark blue hue mixing in the darkness and making it hard to see. Her tail would have fanned out behind her as well had it not been for the pony tail holding it near the end.

How long had she been running?

How far behind was her pursuer?

Scarlet Fangs skidded to a halt, hearing the crumbling sound. Several small stones fell down the cliff and into the foggy abyss in front of her. She turned and looked around, finding no where else to run. Hearing the sound of hoof steps come closer, Scarlet held herself proudly. Even if in the face of death, she was still a queen! Her eyes flashed and sharp fangs were bared at the oncoming threat.

Soon, a rain soaked vampony hunter stood before her. The mare's breathing was a bit heavy from the chase. Beside her was a brown and white border collie. The dog barked and growled, narrowing her eyes.

"You really thought you could get away from me, sugar cube?" a sickeningly sweet country voice asked, green eyes, staring into red ones.

Raising her hat, Applejack pushed her wet mane out of her face. "I have to admit, you did put up a good chase there," she said, looking at Winona. "Though I reckon getting you on hoof is better than you flying away." The earth pony had a triumphant look in her eyes as Scarlet's eyes glanced at her injured wing. "Good job Winona, good girl." AJ praised her dog.

"Your dumb animal has caused me nothing but trouble." the vampony spoke, a regal air about her. Applejack glared.

"Well, my dumb animal tracked you down so I could get rid of you. We already killed the king, so it's just you and the heir." she said, looking the queen over and eyeing the bag on her back. "Why don't you hand the little filly over? I don't enjoy killing the young ones, but being a Hunter has its ups and downs." the orange mare sighed.

"And just what will you do after my daughter and I are gone? What will you do then, Applejack?" Scarlet Fang spat, a soft hiss in her voice. Not wanting to stall any longer, the Hunter sent Winona after the bat pony.

The collie snarled and jumped at Scarlet, who in turn shielded herself with her good wing. Winona grabbed a hold of the bat appendage with her teeth and claws and held on. A hiss sounded from under the wing as blood dripped from the fresh wounds.  The added pain made Scarlet dizzy, but she wouldn't let Applejack and her dog win. Raising her head with a cry, she made a move to bite the dog. The canine jumped out of the way just in time, a few hairs only being lost in the attack. Just as she turned, the bat pony lashed out at her with her hind hooves and kicked the dog.  A howl left the animal's throat as she fell against the base of a tree.

Blood that left the fresh injuries of Winona stained the grass. Several gashes were stripped into the dog's skin like claw marks. The coppery scent rose into the air and flowed into the vampony's nose, making her lick her lips.

"You mangy bat!" Applejack let out a muffled cry, charging Scarlet. Her black cloak flowed behind her and she held a wooden stake in her mouth. Scarlet wasn't so great in timing though, as the sharpened piece of wood scratched her right across her right flank. Crimson liquid dripped down her cutie mark; a drop of blood with a fang going across it. She hissed and lunged at the Hunter, attempting to bite her. Aiming for her neck, she smirked.

Turning her would be too light a punishment. No, she deserved to have her blood drained slowly. She would watch it happen, watch as she bled do death in front of the one she was supposed to kill.

Suddenly, pain bloomed like a flower in Scarlet's chest. Her red eyes widened and she gasped, her fangs a few mere inches from the earth pony's throat. Applejack smirked. "Got ya." she said in a hushed tone, shoving the queen off her. Scarlet Fang fell to the damp ground as light was cast across the grass. The moon shone over head, illuminating the last few falling drops of rain. Several shuddering pants left the bat pony's throat as the mare stood before her. "Now, for the filly." she nudged the pack open. A low, weak chuckle left the throat of the dying queen.

"Y-you think I'd let you get my daughter so easily?" Scarlet breathed out. "You fool. You stupid hunter." she smirked weakly as a small filly's toy fell out of the orange mare's teeth. Green eyes glared as the queen of the bat ponies turned to dust and blew away in the breeze. With the king and queen left, there was only one more job for the Hunter to complete. Grabbing her hat and setting the barely breathing Winona on her back, Applejack started back for Sweet Apple Acres.

A soft filly's cry was heard in a cave a good distance away. Red eyes looked around sleepily and she yawned. The princess awaited her mother's return patiently, unaware that the queen would never return to her beloved daughter. Curling up on the stone floor and tucking her tiny bat wings against herself, the purple filly slowly fell asleep, her black mane falling over her eyes.

Applejack's last job would begin soon.

Find the last vampony.

And kill it.