Twilight Walkers

Twilight and Gaius arrived in a flash. It was a bit disorientating for Twilight, but she was okay. Gaius summoned a few enemies of various strengths. Each one was different and there were nineteen in total.

"What are those for?" Twilight asked as Gaius seemed to be grouping them together.

"They're the enemies you'll be fighting. The first six rounds will test a different aspect of fighting in order to test your overall skill. Each one will have different rules to them, and you'll need to follow every one of them to succeed in the round. Once you beat a round, you can either advance or do it again to refine your skills. To advance to the next round, you need a score of thirty."

"And the max is?"

"Fifty." Gaius lied.

"You're lying."

"Fine, it's one hundred, but I don't expect you to be able to reach that yet. If the round seems way too easy, just say ‘recalibrate.’"

"Where are you going?" Twilight asked as Gaius lit his horn. She could hear a very high pitched sound, but couldn't make out what it was. Nor could she understand it. To her, it sounded fearful.

"I was planning to watch you, but I think something is wrong. I'm going to check the outer perimeter." With that, Gaius slipped a pendant around Twilight’s neck and left.

Twilight started on round one. For her, it looked far too easy. Its rules were simple, no wings or magic. All she had to do was get to the blue flag fifty paces away. About twenty paces out, there was a large hole covering twenty paces. She would need forty paces before jumping before now. Looking around, she didn't see anything out of the ordinary, but she wouldn't use her magical sight. So thirdy should be plenty.

Twilight gave herself some room before breaking out into a jog.   A pendulum trap clipped her flank, causing her to be turned around. When on its return path, Twilight was looking straight at it. It slammed into her muzzle because her first response was to teleport backwards.

Twilight was not pleased. Her jaw hurt as though Applejack had bucked her instead of the tree she was next to. Now wiser, when she tried again, she ducked under the pendulum, but the next trap swept her hooves from under her. Her jaw hit the floor.

As she slowly progressed through the round, the number of bruises she received increased. The last trap before she had to jump was a combo trap. There were three parts and the trap managed to hit her eight times before she got through.

Reaching the blue flag, her score was 29, causing her to reset to the beginning. She continued to play through round one, improving each time. However, her top score was only thirty-eight. After the tenth time, and a few hard hits, she took a rest before moving on to the next stage.

Gaius stayed just long enough out of view to watch Twilight's first attempt. Like her, he fell to the same trap. Although, each part was moving at triple the speed and had double the weight. When he did leave, he stalked through the cave, his eyes glowing red as he tried to resist the temptation of a meal, even though his stomach was growling at him.

"Sweet Luna..."

*    *    *    *    *

"Silver Eyes, you know we can't go back to that cave," Dim Eyes spoke.

"It might be the only option, if things go horrible," Silver said. Thirteen of them was way too much to guard in the Everfree forest. “Do you want us to fly out of here?”

"Not yet, that will sap our energy, but it might be the lesser of two evils."

Silver looked at the others. He could easily carry two, so could Night. Redwing, Ruby, and Fluttershy, nopony. Rainbow could carry at least one. Winter Arc could carry one or two, depending on the distance.

"Let's do this. Redwing, Ruby, Fluttershy, you go ahead and get in the air and try to slow down the mists with your magic. Rainbow, Winter Arc, get a partner or two you can carry for when we decide to evacuate out of here. We may need to fly out. Night, grab two; I'll get the other two."

The group of ponies and thestrals divided themselves up. Rainbow went to Dim Eyes; Night went to Armored Spear and Bronze Shield; Silver went to Applejack and Pinkie Pie; Winter went to Rarity. Fluttershy stayed on the ground, while Redwing and Ruby hovered just in front and above them, bending their magic to create gusts of wind. The mist wasn't even slowing down.

“Redwing, Ruby, go higher. We’re going to evacuate now.”

Redwing nodded and flew ahead of Ruby, nearly avoiding the moving branch that was close to hitting her. A third branch, however, clipped her side. The first one that missed didn’t the second time. It knocked her into the mist, and severely fractured her wing. Ruby stopped, out of the reach of the branches.

“What the… “ Ruby gaped as a red blur passed by her.

She could barely make out Redwing, but it gave her time to dodge below the branch that swung at her. Ruby heard the hard impact and saw a pony sized hole in the mist. As she turned to recover Redwing, Silver called out to her.

“Ruby, don’t.” Silver could see Redwing clearly. His eyes were glowing, but they weren’t looking in anypony’s eyes. They were focused on Redwing. “Everyone, into the cave.”

“Are you mad? Silver Eyes, you just finished telling us about the pair living in there.”

“I know, but this is worse —” Silver stopped as he saw movement in the mist.

Darting forward, something crashed into his side, something that wasn’t expecting him. He was knocked back and his attacker was stunned for the moment. Silver, coughing from the mist, made his way to Redwing, seeing what hit him. It was an overgrown venus fly trap.

Once he got to Redwing, he found her coughing. Her eyes were drooping, and she was struggling to stand. Silver hooked one of her hooves around his torso. Redwing was still coughing, but it wasn’t as bad as when he got there.

“Redwing, come on, we need to go.”

Redwing looked at him. She could understand him, but she was falling unconscious. She barely registered the stabbing pain that burned up her back hoof. Silver saw the look and saw the retreating snake. His wing moved faster, slicing its head off. Due the reach, Redwing stumbled down onto something soft, wet and squishy. Silver Eyes pulled her away, just as the trap sprang.

Looking directly at it, Silver’s eyes widened. They weren’t overgrown venus fly traps, but mature venus pegasus traps. Silver draped Redwing on him and ran. It was then that he realized the death trap they were in. Thankfully, only a few of the traps were awake and the mist was dissipating slowly.

Breaking into the clearing, Silver saw that everypony was still out in the open,and the mist was still encroaching on them. Opening his mouth, he shouted, “Go into the cave.”

The mist muffled his voice as it started to affect him. He started coughing, but he could control it. What he didn’t realize was that a plant was following him and that Redwing was slipping off.

The plant timed its strike just right. Firstly, it slipped close to Silver and barely grabbed the pegasus of its desire. It dragged her off Silver and then whipped up. Silver was sent sprawling head over tail forward, while the pegasus was flipped upwards. The venus trap formed a slide for the pegasus into its mouth. It snapped shut once the pegasus was in. Going fully vertical, it tried to finish its dinner. Unfortunately, it had no such luck.

For everybody else, it seemed as though it was happening in slow motion. Silver being knocked away. Redwing flipping through the air. The plant snapping up the pegasus. The bulge, Redwing they assumed, sliding down towards the stem. The “mouth” of the plant falling, which they missed as more of the plants tried to grab their own meal from the ground. The fireball that shortly started around them all also distracted them.

Seeing that Silver was at the heart of where the fireball was starting, Rainbow bent the air, forming a pocket for herself and Silver. Breathing in the clean air, Silver was able to recover some of his strength and draped a wing on Rainbow. They felt a weight being placed onto their backs. A simple magic charm convinced them to ignore it.

Rainbow and Silver were both coughing violently now. She had received a heavy dose of the mist; they had to get to safety as quickly as possible. They headed for the cave before the fire could consume them. Once inside, all of them slumped down. The effects of the mist, though the others only had a small dose, knocked them all out.

He just watched as the carnivorous plants continued to rapidly approach their target. After a few seconds of watching the Everfree's other top hunter, his eyes looked to where they were headed. One plant was already working on capturing Redwing.

He was slow. The plant snapped up the pegasus. He moved, slicing into the plant's stem. In it's leaves, you had to be still, or its enzymes would release and break you down. In its stem, you were liquefied within ten minutes. With them being asleep, he wasn't worried about that, but it allowed the plants to swallow you faster. That was the trade off.

Silver was still struggling to stand, the mist having severely weakened him. Rainbow was heading for Silver. This would be his chance. More flowers opened up, and Silver began coughing. Gaius now had to work fast before the mist killed them. Lighting his horn, a flame was conjured at the top. It easily ignited the mist, burning it in a bright flash. The fire then scorched the plants around them, and some of their flesh. Grabbing everypony in his straining magic, he got them into the cave and sealed it. Those flowers were very dangerous when paired with the venus pegasus traps, especially the snapping ones he saw.

Gaius breathed a sigh of relief. He was able to force the plants back and recover Redwing. It was best that Silver and Rainbow took her in while he cleaned up the mess. He could always recover the pegasus later. All of them would be out for around four to six hours.

The plants, on the other hoof, were troubling. They were organized and efficient. First the plants produced a mist of the strongest sleeping powder and relaxant. Then, they corralled the ponies. Finally, the ‘hunters’ tried to capture all the prey. He counted seven of the pegasi trappers. Each one only needed one pony to be satisfied. The other eight should feed the other plants. Only a few things he knew could control the plants that attacked. The good thing was that all of the plants would be asleep again in three days. Nothing but divine magic could force them out of that.

Once in the cave, his first task was to free Redwing. It didn't take long, since his magic had severely weakened the plant. Pulling Redwing out, there was minimal damage to her fur, but there were slices in it. It seemed the trap had misjudged the distance. Closer inspection revealed that there was enzyme damage, but he couldn't tell without a blood sample. Something he was unwilling to retrieve at the moment. His stomach was growling loudly at him and his nature was still staring at the pegasus. Silver must have seen Redwing get captured, it supplied. You'd be able to blame her there.

The other thing he saw in his inspection was a bite mark on her back hoof. Two holes, but no swelling. Any other time, he would brush that off as a non-venomous bite, but not this time. Reaching into his bag, he pulled a syringe out. Stabbing it into one of the fang marks he took a sample and some blood. The wound didn’t heal when he licked it, which was what he was expecting. Adding the marker to the contents of the syringe, he shook it up. It stayed the same, which meant no venoms.

“This is looking great,” his mind spoke to him. Gaius resisted the temptation. He went over the others, most having light burns and Silver having some charred fur. They were all still out cold and he would have to wait to see about them. In the meantime, he got them comfortable, planning to play it off as a bad dream. After they were all comfortable, Gaius retreated away from them, intent on silently watching Twilight train.

*     *             *             *             *

In a flash, Gaius landed in the training area. Twilight was breathing hard with a myriad of bruises and minor cuts. Looking around, he made sure the runes were all correct before activating a few. He then landed near Twilight, causing her to look as he walked over to a locked trunk. After unlocking it, he grabbed a sword in a black sheath and a couple other weapons. "Which weapon would you like?"

"Why am I choosing a weapon?" Twilight asked.

"We’re going to spar first so I can gauge the best course of training for you, besides what you’re doing now."

Twilight looked at the spread of weapons. There was a quarterstaff, partisan, long sword, great sword, rapier, battle axe, scythe, and an executioner’s sword. The great sword and executioner’s sword were longer than the long sword. She picked up both the quarterstaff and partisan. Even though the quarterstaff was lighter, she went with the partisan. Once she chose, the other weapons were returned to the trunk.

Once the weapons were away, Gaius flapped away, landing twenty paces from Twilight. “Twilight, this test is simple. All you have to do is land a blow on me. I want to see how adept you are at combat. Nod when you are ready, Twilight. Be prepared.” With the hilt of the sword held in his magic, Gaius waited for Twilight’s nod.

Twilight held the staff in her magic. She would have the advantage of reach over her opponent. With a nod, Twilight barely blocked Gaius’s first attack. She felt the power behind his strike and staggered back. He moved to attack, but this time, she was ready for his speed and parried the attack. That’s odd, the sheath is still on his sword, Twilight thought as she failed to block the next attack. The broadside hit her in the flank.

“Why are you fighting with your sword in the sheath?” Twilight shouted over the clang of the weapons.

“Don’t be distracted,” Gaius said as he hit her for a second time, “...questioning my motives leaves holes in your defenses. Read my attacks and block.” To a guard, like Shining Armor, Gaius’ attacks were an open book. To the stallion’s amazement, it was the first book Twilight seemed unable to read. He broke off from hitting her, putting distance between the two. Twilight felt the pain of each of his strikes that she had failed to either block or avoid. Each one was a sting to her pride, each a failure to his test. No! I’ve never failed a test before and I won’t start now!

Seeing that the hits weren’t having any effect on Twilight, he unsheathed his sword. It had a double edged blade made of pure argentum. He launched his attack, avoiding Twilight’s attempts at blocking, and cut her lightly across the side. Her retaliation strike, which Gaius had to block, loudly cracked against his weapon and pushed him backwards. Twilight screamed from the pain and launched another attack, which Gaius dodged.

“What is that blade made of? That really stings.”

“Then avoid my attacks, parry them, stop them with a shield. Land a strike on me, make me bleed.”

Twilight tightened her grip and launched a flurry of attacks. Gaius expertly dodged, redirected or parried each attack. As he did so, he found an opening and cut her again then he sank into the shadows to avoid the next attack. Twilight saw herself slipping, drifting into the same state she had been in when Dim Eyes had been cut. I am not going to become her again! she resolved.

Gaius reappeared a bit away. “Nice try, Twilight. You almost had me there.” Gaius then looked towards Twilight, trying to assess the fight. Twilight was breathing hard, but that was expected. He had cut her twice with his blade.

Twilight tried to focus on the fight, but an appetizing scent was distracting her. Twice she had been cut by that sword and she still hadn’t managed to hit him a single time. When she attacked this time, she noticed that she was slower, but, more importantly, she was thirsty. If she didn’t end the fight soon, she might fall to…that again. With renewed resolve, Twilight pressed her attack. She was careful not to leave openings. He matched her blow for blow. Blocking and attacking, he tried to make an opening for himself, but there were none on the ground. Maybe not on the ground, he mused, but both of us can fly.

Gaius blocked Twilight’s next blow and created a smoke screen with the shadows. In the air, he hovered as Twilight tried to find him. He saw the opening and took it. They clashed.

Landing across from each other, they both had landed a hit on the other. “Good job, Twilight —”

Gaius was cut off as another strike came. He blocked, but the blow moved faster than before. Looking towards Twilight, he saw why. Seems that I may have pushed my luck with her. Thinking quickly, Gaius was able to knock away Twilight’s weapons and put both out of reach. He then pinned Twilight and summoned a glass of a clear liquid.

“Drink,” he said.

Twilight complied and allowed the rush to die down, but her eyes remained the same crimson color.

While she enjoyed her glass, Gaius prepared the next test. He created a pony-like golem and added a surprise inside. The golem wasn’t typical and had veins and arteries within it. This one was a unicorn mare. Next, he created a replica of Canterlot Castle with fake day-guards patrolling. Once all that was done, he set the rules and watched.

His stomach still growled and gnawed at him. He would need a meal soon. Turning an alicorn, taking a barrier made of light magic and a ray of sunlight were taxing to him. Watching Twilight take her first drink of blood only reminded him of his need. And the cherry was: Twilight didn't kill him, so he couldn't cook and enjoy the meat of the unicorn. He vanished and Twilight's next round of training began.

Before he could, though, Twilight asked a simple question. “What was the delicious smell?”

Gaius tilted his head in confusion. The scents he smelled were the same as before, the only one changing was the injured pegasus’. He wasn’t worried about that. “What do you mean?”

“There was a smell distracting me and now, I can tell the general direction it’s coming from.”

“Describe the smell.”

“It seems cold, but warm at the same time, kinda like the mountains.”

“Ah… Okay, I understand now. Your new senses will come with time, so you’re not overloaded and immediately kill when they sense something knew. It’ll also distract you less as you begin to master yourself. As for what you smell, the traits you described are that of a pegasus close to death.”

“Okay…” Twilight looked towards where the smell was coming. She started to lick her lips at the thought of a meal so close, but stopped quickly.

“Twilight… Be very careful. Don’t let your instincts cloud your judgement and your sense of what is right and wrong. Stay away from the dying, unless you have a good reason to approach them.”

Twilight looked at his stance. His weight seemed shifted backwards, and his muscles were tensed. Twilight charged her horn, trying to teleport near the pegasus she smelled. Gaius stood there, smirking as he relaxed.

“You’re getting better at reading others. This is a good thing, but don’t you dare teleport. If you do, you’re a step closer to me killing you. I don’t play around with vampires that attack for sport.”

Twilight nodded, understanding his words. That pegasus was a hook, and if you bit, you would get caught. Pegasus, her mind repeated. She darted towards what was a bathroom in the illusion. She shouldn’t be thinking like that.

After a couple hours of watching and giving pointers to Twilight, Gaius left her on her own. Grabbing one of his medical kits, and some smelling sticks, he checked on the ponies he had saved. The good thing was, none of them were worse for wear. Silver had a slight fever, but that was to be expected of him. Redwing, on the other hoof, was not looking so well. Something he missed was affecting her now.

He went over to her and listened. Her heartbeat was slower than normal. Poking at her, her muscles seemed tender to the touch. Her smell was very appetizing too. Giving a lick across some of the cuts on her, he was able to taste her. His horn was aglow with magic as it circled around him, his fangs growing to their full length as he contemplated where to start.

He never did. A resounding crash from Twilight derailed his train of thought.  He decided the best course of action, besides taking care of the red-winged pegasus under his nose, was to view Twilight’s progress. That way, he could decide whether he was needed or not. Twilight was currently taking the challenge he knew would give her a hard time. The actual trick to it was to allow the first one to hit you to your advantage. It was easier said than done.

Turning back to the pegasus, he used his magic to give him a more in depth view of the condition of the pegasus. Once that was done, he just stared at her. His magic revealed that she would be a very fine meal. It also revealed that if he did nothing, Redwing would painfully die and there was nothing short of a restoration spell that would help her. Celestia could pull it off, but it was a very draining spell and this was for a guard. A guard that got chomped up.

Or… His grin returned as a plan formed. He could just plainly eat her and his magic should work on Silver to make him remember that he wasn’t able to save Redwing. But that would be directly breaking his own rule and Twilight would be really angry at him. Plus, he wouldn’t be able to fool her if she learned that he had eaten a pony.

Channeling a spell, he touched his horn to the center of Redwing’s head. Like sand in the wind, he disappeared. His medical bag and supplies remained where they were. Blinking the weariness from his eyes, he found himself where he wanted to be.

Taking wing, he searched for the pegasus. He found her, and she saw him. Wind blew him into the ground. Vines tried to tie him, but he remembered that part. Looking out, he saw the pegasus advance and tied himself up, mimicking her plans.

“What in tartarus are you doing here!?” Redwing shouted.

“Looking for you, actually.”

“How did you get here? I thought only Luna could dreamwalk, and she needs permission to do so. You invaded my dream, and my privacy!.”

“You think Luna could just dreamwalk? No. Someone taught her how do it once she got her mark. I also learned how to do it, too, but unlike Luna, it’s a very draining spell for me.”

“Are you distracting me while you kill me?”

“Nope. Won’t do that. How do you feel?”

“Why the Tartarus do you care? You’ll just have me no matter what.”

“Redwing... If I was just going to kill you, why would I cast a very draining dreamwalking spell?”

“Because your bite would wake me up.”

“I could fire a cannon right next to your ear and you wouldn’t wake up. The plants you ran into have some of the most powerful sleeping powder. In most alchemically-inclined cultures, using that powder is illegal because of its strength.”

“How do I know you are saying the truth?”

“Well… what would you like me to do to prove that I’m neutral, that you can trust me?”

“I don’t know.”

“Then have faith. Like I’ve said before, you somehow taste better if you’re willing.”

“Can you tell me what the plant that grabbed me was?”

“Venus pegasus snapping trap. Would you mind removing the bindings from my wings? I hate them there, more so than most pegasi.”

Redwing looked at him. She could, but wouldn’t he just fly away?

“I promise not to fly away.”

Redwing glared at him. How would he know to say that? “Why should I?”

“It’ll show our trust towards each other. I’m trusting you not to tighten and to remove the vines binding my wings. You’re trusting me to stay, to not return to the waking world and kill you. Then and there.”

Redwing glared at him. That was more reason to bind him. Maybe if she could keep him here, he wouldn’t do that. “I’m going to regret this aren’t I?”

“No, you won’t, and thank you very much.” Gaius spoke with gratitude. He seriously didn’t like his wings being bounded. It pulled up memories he wanted to forget. And the last one that bound his wings... He spit-roasted the gryphon after painfully tearing  their wings out.

“So then, in all honesty, do you want to eat me?”

Gaius answered in a snap. “Yes.” After that, he looked away from the pegasus, viewing her dream. She was enjoying a picnic it seemed. Looking over, Gaius tried to find who she was sharing the picnic with.

“Why? What reason do you have for killing me?”

“Besides ‘you taste good’? I don’t know. All I know is how powerful I am, and what happens when I lose control. When I don’t eat. I’d rather it not happen when I’m so close to a good-sized town.”

“How long will a meal last for you?”

“Depending on what I do, from six weeks to six months. But I very much try not to have equines, like yourself.”

“What happens if you don’t have a meal and lose control?”

“It depends on the other vampire here, and her choices. If she can beat me and realizes that I’m gone, then less than twenty die. If she can’t beat me and I beat her, I could kill Ponyville’s entire population. If she can’t beat me and I can’t beat her, I either kill enough to satisfy myself, or someone hits me hard enough that I can gain control back.”

“Wait, if the vampire had killed Dim Eyes, wou… would… you… ?”

“Be satisfied with him? Very much for the time being. I would be fine until she had to kill and eat a whole equine. Then, I would join her.”

“What will happen to my family?”

“If I have you with your complete permission, I will give your family a hefty reward. I still keep my bank full. Maybe a couple of very rare and priceless artifacts or spells.”

“Can you do something for me?”

“Depends on what you want me to do.”

“I want to be able to visit someone I’ve lost.”

“Okay… that’s a bit of a harder request than most. Who do you want to see?”

“A gryphon that I wanted to be with. Forever. I found out from his friend he was killed in a fight, and no one dared to pursue the perpetrator.”

“Do you know the perpetrator? I could always find him or her.”

“No one does. All they remember is the situation before and its aftermath.”

“Then form a memory of the gryphon.”

Redwing concentrated on the gryphon. She remembered him for his personality, his playfulness and the times they enjoyed. The races they had. Anything from him, including the worst times.

Gaius watched as the gryphon formed, surprised as he recognized who was forming. He had met the gryphon about a year and a half ago. He was mostly good, but had a habit of touching his wings. The first time, he got a warning. A swipe of his wing, which cut the gryphon. The second time, it was his hoof into the gryphon’s hide. The third time… Well, outside the wall, there was a cart full of sharp spears and one was sticking out too much.

“So, this is who you would like to talk to before going on?”

“Yes. I want to speak to him one last time before I find out what's on the other side.”

“And for doing this, I can have you completely?”

“Yes, but no tricks. You will allow me to go to the afterlife.”

“If it exists.”

“No tricks.”

“Understood. But one final question for you. If you had the chance to spend eternity with him, would you?”

Redwing thought for a few minutes. In her mind, it was a very hard choice. Yes, she did very much like or love him, but spend eternity with him? That, she might not be able to. “As long as I have a place to escape to.”

“Very well,” Gaius spoke in a mannered tone. On the inside, he had a very large grin. Larger than a foal’s grin after finding the holiday presents’ stash. “Redwing, this last thing is a formality, but still is important. Here is a binding document that outlines what you and I will do for each other. If you find the terms agreeable, then you can sign it. I’ll sign it after that.”

Redwing looked at the contract. Giving it a quick read, she found that it was in legal jargon, but the main points were directly from what had been said. There were two comments in the document. The first one was pertaining to the definition of completely, which she skipped, and the second one explained the lack of monetary compensation. All in all, it was all agreeable to her. Taking the golden quill, Redwing dipped it in the ink and placed it on the paper, before removing it.

Before she could sign it, the gryphon spoke up. “How do you know that she’s dying? And how does she know that you’re telling the truth. You’re a vampire and a very good fox.”

“Thank you for your charming compliment, but I don’t swing that way. But to answer your question, I know the plant that tried to eat you is very deadly.”

“What proves that I’m dying?”

“I can’t directly give proof that you are or aren’t, but the contract is always open to you. Thank you for your time.” Gaius hung his head down. He knew that she was dying, but what could he truly say to prove that she was dying? It was better to leave it open and allow her to make the choice. He closed his eyes and disappeared.

Once he was back in the waking world, Gaius looked at the clock. Thirty minutes. He decided it would be best to wake either Dim Eyes or Silver up. Since Dim Eyes is the one that knows the most, he made his was to him. Pulling out a smelling salt and cracking it over Dim Eyes’ head, it got the result he was going for. Dim Eyes bolted up, while Gaius asked, “How you feeling?"

“Well, the vampire’s back. You’re the one that saved us.”

“Yup. Rather not have to explain seven dead guards and five element bearers. Aren’t I nice?”

“You save your own tail. How injured is everypony?”

“Not very injured.”

“What about Redwing, did you save her?”

Gaius carefully thought and looked away. Yes, he did, but he was planning to have her.

“Oh… Then she’s dead or you killed her after saving her.” Dim Eyes looked away from the vampire. He could tell that the vampire ate from his larger form, his elongated fangs and the emotions of his eyes. There was satisfaction in them.

“No, she’s not dead yet, nor have I don’t anything to her, but she’ll die. Painfully and agonizingly. I don’t know when though.”

“Can’t you do anything to help her?”

“Of course I can, but that’s not the answer you want.”

“Then why —” Dim Eyes started to shout. “You can’t save her.”

“Depends on what I’m saving her from, but everyone can only delay death.”

“You’re a twister of words.”

“I know. Can you scan Redwing for me? And will you talk to her?”

“Why?”

“Because she won’t listen to me, and I don’t know how long the vampire can resist her smell.”

“Why does that matter?”

“Because I think she’ll just tear right into Redwing. Or have her in a way that causes inconceivable pain for her.”

Dim Eyes glowered at him. The vampire was going to use him to convince his meal to agree. “Why am I going throught this?”

“You know the risks.” It was a short walk for the unicorn and vampire to reach Redwing. Dim Eyes could tell that he keeps to his word due to the bedding under Redwing. Her muzzle was serene.

“She’s asleep,” Dim Eyes commented as he scanned Redwing. His magic easily picked up the disturbances in Redwing. It wasn’t looking good for her. She had maybe a day or three.

“Thanks captain, the vampire couldn’t tell,” Gaius remarked as he gathered his magic. Touching his horn to Dim Eyes, then Redwing, Dim Eyes slumped to the floor, and Gaius disappeared.

The spell took longer this time, but they were fine. Redwing was looking over a cliff, the sun setting over the ocean. A once in a lifetime view.

“Redwing…” Dim Eyes spoke. Redwing turned herself around, wings flared.

Once she saw Dim Eyes, her wings closed. “Dim Eyes, what are you doing here?”

“He’s here to tell you your diagnostics. And here is my word that I am in no form affecting his results.” A piece of paper floated to Redwing. She could feel the power of it.

“How are you feeling, Redwing?”

"Well, it feels like someone put me under a meat tenderizer combined with a candy puller. It was not pleasant at all. My insides feel like they're burning up and my head feels light, as though I took a dive in Luna’s dragon moonshine."

“Will you please try to move your hoof?” Gaius asked. She grimaced, but obeyed. She couldn’t do it. Her forehoof was leathery and it barely moved. Gaius watched carefully. He pulled out a syringe and inserted it into Redwing. Withdrawing a little bit, he found what he was looking for.

“So, Redwing, I’ve figured out what’s happened to you,” he said, sadly.

“That whatever caught me injected an incurable venom?”

“Well that, and there’s traces of a foreign enzyme in you. You must have swallowed some of the plant’s enzymes trying to break free. Thankfully, the conditions of your body were hazardous to its function, so it didn’t outright kill you.”

“So then, I’ll live?”

“Not completely. I don’t think I can slow it down, but he might be able to, once he knows how to counter it.”

“Then give me that,” Redwing interrupted.

Gaius looked at her. Yes, he realised that he could counter the venom, but that would include injecting his own. The problem was, what would happen after. Would he inject a paralyzer and her that way or just give her a venom version of a ‘want it, need it spell.’

“You don’t have to kill me?”

“Redwing, you have to understand what this will cost. My venom can and will make you come to me. And when you do, I can and will eat you, however I please. The venom will also fight the poison in you and I think it will win.”

“So then I’d be a servant to you?” Redwing spat.

“Not really. You’re a reservation. The problem with what you were injected with is that I don’t know if an antidote can be made. I will give six weeks to try to prepare an antidote. After that, you’ll come here. If you’ve gotten worse from when you leave here, you’ll be my meal. Do you understand these are the rules of the contract?”

“This is a contract? What good does that do me? How do I know that you won’t kill me as soon as I agree?”

“Because I’m just as bound as you are. I’ve given you six weeks from when you leave to help yourself. If you want, I can have no hoof in directly affecting your life.”

“Can we use plain terms?”

“Sure. I can not do anything that will actively sabotage our agreement in my favor.”

“And if I can cure myself?”

“Five years, but at anytime, if both of us are masters of our own minds, we can discuss the points of the deal further.”

“What happens if you break the deal?”

“I have to give twenty years.”

“And if I do nothing?”

“Nothing will kill you in the day or two, I think.”  Dim Eyes nodded his agreement to this statement.

“How can I craft the antidote?”

“You can take a sample from the plant that caught you. I’ve taken a few samples as well.”

“May I consider this?”

“Yes, but while you consider, I can have you if death has come for you.”

“I will agree to that.”

“Thank you.”

“Is there a reason we’re all still here?”

“Yes. You’re all here since those plants are too dangerous. They’ll be here for about a couple more hours while they feed.”

“Dim Eyes, you believe I’m going to die. Painfully. And there’s nothing you can do about it? If that is so, I have a request. What is your opinion of him?”

“My opinion of him is that he’s implicatively deceptive when he wants to be. He’s eluded all hunters set after him. He’s one of Princess Celestia’s reserved hunter, and has tricked her well enough about who he is.” Dim Eyes paused, when he realized what he had said. He knew that, even though he could be very deceptive, he always had a purpose. With the vampire he was hiding, she needed to remain anonymous to remain safe.

Redwing was about to voice her opinion about why in Tartarus he was allowing a deceptive, manipulative vampire live. Not to mention the killer vampire who loves ponies for meals. Why would he ever leave somepony like that alive.

“But on the other hoof, he is very loyal…”

She could understand that.

“...kind...”

That’s a blatant lie and a red flag that the vampire is controlling you.

“... honest and truthful. Before you think the last three are false, think about him. He was open with use about being a vampire. Though he deceived you, he didn’t lie about myself, and if you knew he was a vampire, would you have done it?”

Redwing looked away from Dim Eyes. He was right. If the vampire had been open, she and Silver would have been very suspicious of the vampire. They would have denied him the blood he wanted. Dim Eyes saw Redwing look away, and began to speak again.

“He told you exactly what he’d do, too. Not to mention that since he’s hungry for a full course, you have to consider how long he has been hungry for.”

“Oh that’s easy. Since I turned the vampire. She was very strong and resistant, and I got caught in a ray of sunlight, too.”

“Then I have a question. When we first came in, if the other vampire wasn’t here, would you have fed from one of us?”

“The reason I need to feed now is that I’ve exhausted my reserves. If I hadn’t done that, between three and four weeks would pass. Even then, I wouldn’t have to kill you. I’d take as much as I had.”

“When would you have to kill?”

“Couple months, and I don’t go for Equestrians,” Gaius answered casually.

“Do you enjoy killing?”

“I don’t get much enjoyment out of it. I’m just surviving. It’s what I’ve always done.”

“What if the princess asked for help locating a  prisoner wanted dead or alive. What would you do then?”

“Capture and restrain, if I’m not hungry for it. Otherwise, kill the fugitive and send Celestia its skeleton for her to identify.”

“If it was alive only?”

“Still capture. You do remember that I’m one of Celestia’s few hunters, even though she almost never contacts me.”

“Dim Eyes, did everypony, besides Silver, saw me get eaten?” Silently and unnoticed by Dim Eyes, Redwing tried to get the vampire’s attention. It took him a moment, but he pointed to her and then his mouth. Redwing nodded. He smiled and was gone without a flash of magic.

“I think no one besides me saw that you’re ok. Silver and Rainbow Dash, I think, may know that you had a chance.” Dim Eyes hoped she wasn’t about to kill herself. Yes, the venom digesting her from the inside would be a very painful way to go, but a hospital could help her.

“Rest. For now. You should too.”

“Not when you’re injured. I don’t want you leaving us yet.” Dim Eyes plopped down where he stood. He was wary of the vampire and Redwing. It wasn’t right for her to admit death so easily. It was the ultimate fate and she was young.

Stepping out from the mind of Redwing and to the shadows near Twilight, Gaius looked over the progress of Twilight’s training. She was progressing well, but there were some very bad scores on some of her runs. On her current one, she was doing below average. In the previous runs of this task, they weren’t even close. Looking at Twilight, he could see her problem. Something about this she wasn’t liking.

With a simple flap of his wings, he pinned Twilight to the ground, using the same technique of her training.

“Gaius. What are you doing here?” Twilight asked, unhappy that he had her pinned.

“Reviewing your learning of the skills. Seems like you're scraping by on some of them, and on others, you’re failing miserably. Like on this one.”

“This one has no purpose for me. It’s training me to hunt! To hunt sentient creatures, including zebras, pegasi, gryphons, unicorns, and earth ponies. I even think I saw a young drake.”

“Well, what about now? Can you actually free yourself?” Gaius challenged.

“Easily.” Twilight lit up her horn and before she could finish casting, Gaius licked it. Twilight lost the spell completely. The reason being was that hitting the horn forcibly disrupts the magic, causing pain from the feedback that was created. Licking, on the other hof, disrupts the concentration and doesn’t create feedback. Also, he could gather and taste her magic, staving off his own hunger. It tasted very good, just as when he had originally tasted her.

“Did you really have to do that?”

“Would you rather that I hit your horn instead?”

Twilight shrank back at that. That was something you don’t do very often, especially during spell casting. She’d seen some of the guards when they were training that got hit on the horn. They looked like someone apple-bucked you in the head. “No… no… I’d rather not have that, but please find some other way… That was…”

How could she describe it? The first thing that came was completely unexpected, and rude. You just didn’t do that either. It was gross. Who knew, besides him, where that tongue had been. It was… how could she describe a mix of ‘weird’ and ‘pleasurable’? That was what it was.

Next, she tried to move to hit him in a vulnerable spot. However, he had her pinned too well. Even her wings could only just barely move. “Fine, I can’t get out.”

“You could, you just don’t want to use the way you can get out with.” Gaius got off her and offered her a hoof. “Back to the reason for this training. It has a dual purpose. One is teaching combat maneuvers… “

“And hunting. You’re trying to teach me how to kill our prey. How to find it.”

“Well, if you want to take it that way, that’s partially true. But if I’m teaching you how to kill, can’t you disable just as easily? If you know how to track, then you can find missing ponies or escaped convicts.

“Like in magic, it’s your decision on how you use the skills I’m teaching you. Never forget that. Also, sometimes in battle, you may not have a choice. If you or somepony is in immediate danger, please do your best, but don’t let somepony die from your reluctance about killing. That’s what I ask.”

Twilight wanted to dispute him, to tell him that killing was wrong, that she would never use it, but his argument was sound. He knew exactly when it should be used. When another life was in immediate danger. “You saw more than you said.”

“You won’t get the answer from me today. Please, continue, learn, and practice until the skills are close to second nature to you. You’ll then be able to get out of what I did to you.” Gaius smiled at her, encouraging her to succeed.

“Gaius, how often do you have to kill a pony?” Twilight asked.

“Won’t answer that yet. You still have a lot to learn about what we are, and about our history.”As Gaius was walking away, she noticed a slight bounce in his steps. He seemed happy about something.

“What has you all jittery?”

With an amused smile, he responded, “You. Your magic tastes of the finest delicacies. I wish I could get more, but that’ll weaken you and may speed up the time before you have to feed again. Could go for a bite too.”

The last part he was grinning at the stammering, blushing Twilight. His elongated fangs could be seen, glistening with saliva and venom. Unlike before, Twilight noticed that he seemed to tower over her, while before, he was only a head taller. His shoulders were wider and his neck thicker. “Gaius, why do you look different from when we ate the dinner?”

“Oh, that. That’s simple. I don’t like to look like I’m towering over everypony. Last time I could compare Celestia and I, I was a head and a half taller than her.”

“Will I get as tall as you, once… you know…” Twilight couldn’t admit it yet. She was still trying to decide what it all meant and how far she would go.

“Ah… no. I think you might end up being taller than Celestia, but that’s a good hundred years down the road. I do know, however, that you’ll be taller than Luna within the year.” Gaius nodded to her and began to trot away. He knew Twilight would continue to improve, she just had to adjust to herself. Just as she had to adjust to being an alicorn.

Before she knew it, her teacher was out of sight. Twilight took a moment and looked back on the training. She had concentrated on just getting through, when it was teaching her skills. She got the concepts and application of each one. Although, looking at it now, she saw some of her own mistakes. The skills built on each other, that’s why it was only thirty. She would have to go back to get the higher scores he wanted when she understood. Sighing, she started at the beginning, concentrating on the hidden skills it needed and honed.

After a good few hours of training, Twilight reached the final stretch of the agility course. She made it past the first three obstacles with little problems. The fourth one barely clipped her, and the fifth one tripped her up. On the sixth one, it collided hard. It smashed against her muzzle, sending her spinning into the air. Two more hit her, one of them on her wing, flipping her into an uncontrolled barrel roll. By the end, she had multiple bruises, an injured wing and back, and was unconscious on the floor of the cave.

Gaius made his way to the group of ponies that was still sleeping. All of them, except Redwing and Dim Eyes. Dim Eyes was watching Redwing. “Seems like he doesn’t trust her. Oh well. I guess I could just knock the memory out of him.” Gaius thought to himself.

Gaius grinned and took flight. As he approached the ceiling of the cave, he flipped himself over and carefully fed magic into his hooves, allowing him to hang upside down from the ceiling. Walking above to his target, he dropped as soon as he took a second look. The coast was clear. With a good round house kick, Dim Eyes dropped, stars above him, memory fading, and out.

Redwing watched as the stallion fell. “Won’t that leave a mark?”

“One that I can heal easily. So then, are you completely sure that you want to do this?” he asked, as he contemplated doing it himself, and healed Dim Eyes bruise. There were advantages and disadvantages. His body definitely wanted him to go with having her, and his mind was still on the fence, but leaning towards having her. He didn’t know how much longer he could push himself or whether he would have to fight. If he had to fight, he knew that whatever was attacking him would be eaten. Maybe eaten alive as he tore the foe apart.

Redwing hesitated in her answer. He towered over her. “I… I… “

Gaius shook his head and spread his wings. Before he left her, he watched. He watched as her eyes shifted away from him. He watched as her heart rate increased, sweat forming on her brow. She was petrified. He turn around and set himself to fly away. Just as he started his downward power stroke, a mare’s hoof brushed his wing.

That power stroke became a power strike as he jutted the wing into her. He did a ninety degree turn and pushed off with his hooves. His shoulder knocked all the air out as it hit. He hoof pinned her to the ground. The sheer pressure was starting to compress the bones of her ribcage before they broke.

His red eyes bore into her. She could feel his fangs and teeth as they grazed her ear. Her eyes never left him. They never wavered. “I’m sorry.”

She finally spoke. Her voice though weak, was strong. “So then, you won’t sway from your path. You will see it ‘til the end.”

“No, I won’t.”

Leaning down, he spoke, “You’ll endure.”

“I will.” Her eyes met his, challenging him.

He laughed. He laughed at her as his tongue licked her. It licked her ears, her neck, her chin, and finally her muzzle. His eyes were no longer held the laughter he’d distracted her with. The mild irritation she now felt. He’d done something to her. Her mind screamed at her to run. Run! Run like the WIND!

She couldn’t. He had her. He would decide her fate. Whether it be a simple snap of the neck, the piercing pain as his fangs tore into her or the slow drain of all her energy. Maybe even the burning venom that could melt her from within, turning her into those melting truffles. She could not change it now.

Moving a bit away from the mare, Gaius parted his lips, pressing them to Redwing’s muzzle. It was tender, like a mare to her foal, and she opened it in surprise. His tongue darted in, controlling her own. It explored her mouth. Feeling her. Tasting her. It was even long enough to reach the back of her muzzle. And above all, it felt good. Redwing’s body relaxed. This vampire was a good thing.

“Ready to be the main?” Gaius asked in sly tone as he pulled away. Then his horn lit. A flash. Something comfortable, relaxing, and therapeutic beneath them. They were now secluded away from everypony.

Redwing just nodded, but there was a question on her mind. He could see it it, plain as night. Taking a few moments, he tried to remember if there was anything that outlined when he had a meal in his home. As a minute ticked by, Redwing finally spoke.

“How are we going to explain the death to my friends and what if you get caught?”

Caught… caught… Then it hit him. There was a form he had to fill out. It was frivolous, but, if needed, very important. “You’re right… there is a form for you.”

Lighting his magic, he dusted off the box that had the forms in. The dust coating it showed that he, in fact, hadn’t had a pony in a while, or at least hadn’t documented having pony. He pulled out the contract and turned it so that Redwing could read it. He only had one change. She could influence how she died instead of directly choosing.

The other parts indicated and checked that she had the free will to decide. Even the paper had spells drawn in special ink to still work. If he tampered with them, the bottom seal would disappear, nulling the contract, and voiding his life.

Redwing signed it and asked how she could decide on her death.

“That’s easy.” There was a bright flash, completely blinding to her. She felt as though she lived her life in a snap. The fantastic, good, bad, horrible, and horrific times past. When it all stopped, she was in her dream. She could see her dream-self as a massive, pony-swallowing creature was chasing her.

"You ready?" spoke a voice beside her.

"Yeah…”

“Is that how you want to die? Being swallowed whole."

"Never thought I'd have to answer this, but... no. I would rather not want to feel anything as acid liquefies my still living, breathing body. That would be too painful."

"What if you never felt the pain of the acid?"

The pegasus gave it some thought as the dream changed again. It wasn't much different. Just what was chasing her. This time, it was a dragon. "I think that I wouldn't enjoy it. I would say snap my neck, or just drain me, if you were going to do it."

"Okay then. Are you completely sure that you want to do this? And can you confirm that I have had no influence whatsoever over you?"

"Yes, and yes. I can also attest that I'm doing this of my own free will." Redwing handed him a piece of paper. On it was a simple 3 digit number.

"For whom?"

"Winter Arc. It was nice meeting you."

"It'll be nice enjoying you, too." Gaius simply faded and Redwing watched as the scene changed again. It was peaceful. A setting sun below the cliff-line, reflecting off the sea, its light painting a beautiful scene. One you’d only see once in a lifetime.

Gaius returned to the waking world, while Redwing remained in the half dreamlike state. He opened his muzzle, just barely enclosing Redwing’s neck as his horn glowed again. Her eyes looked up at his and he winked.

Opening her own muzzle, she let her tongue snake out and taste him. He tasted good, though she couldn’t tell what he tasted like. What surprised her, however, was that she couldn’t feel any fangs or pointed teeth for tearing. His tongue was just barely flicking her ear, annoying it. She swallowed some of his saliva by mistake, but it seemed to have no effects.

Gaius leaned down, his fangs barely touching the pegasus's neck. With a snap, he bit down, but didn't draw a single droplet of blood. He had something better planned. As he found what he was looking for, he pulled on it. It sat just barely above  her head. Taking a larger bite, he pushed more of her muzzle into his. It collided with the back of his closed throat. He had retracted his fangs so that when he applied pressure, they wouldn’t pierce and kill his meal just yet.

Redwing felt a head-splitting migraine. It wasn’t pleasant and was unrelenting. She could feel her teeth as they were ground together. Her jaw started to hurt as though there was a giant clamp on her. Then she heard cracking noises. The pain she felt tripled in that instant. She tried to jerk backwards, but instead moved forward. In another instant, some of the pain subsided. Now, her muzzle was pushed against something weird. It would collapse, but was ridged and pushed against her in a downward motion. To her, it felt like it was kneading her like dough.

Once Gaius had crushed the skull enough to his liking, he swallowed just as she jerked forward. Redwing’s muzzle slipped into his throat. He knew that it wouldn’t take much. The reason for crushing the skull was to start to break it down. Slowly, but surely, he pulled on Redwing as he moved down Redwing’s neck, he stretched the forehooves out, but close in a super mare way. That was when Redwing squirmed. She realized what was happening and Gaius just let her. It would do nothing for her. Only push her further along the line.

With the tip of her hoof barely in his neck, and the shoulders mostly in his muzzle, he rotated his muzzle. Then he bit down harder. Bones splintered from the compression. He reveled in the sensation as they cracked. With a good bit now in, Gaius used his strength and lifted Redwing into the air. Now parallel with his neck and muzzle, Redwing truly began to slip in.

Lighting his magic, he sped up the process. He allowed the chest to slip in. His tongue, ever curious, explored. There were two spots that he continued to play as Redwing moved herself downward. He bit again, breaking and compressing the chest cavity. Redwing practically screamed at that and her movements pushed her further down. Now her muzzle was curling under as a solid wall blocked movement. As he swallowed more of her, the pressure began to build. Soon, it would break her neck, truly killing her.

Gaius was almost reaching the end of his pegasus, her flower coming into view. Now it was the time for her injustice to be reaped. His tongue cupped the delicate flower, teasing it with its rigid structure. Then it struck, barely entering before retreating.

Redwing’s body shuddered at the touch. Her mind was awash with pleasure she felt for the briefest of instants. Her lower half moistened as it tried to push forward. She only pushed herself downward, her neck straining not to be broken.

Gaius tasted the moisture on his tongue. He felt her body as it strained not to be broken by his pulsating muscles. He could feel her mane at the bottom of his throat. Then he felt her slip a little more.

Then Redwing felt the pain. She felt the pressure reach the critical point. The point where her neck would break, silencing her forever. The pressure faded as something was opening and Redwing craned her neck out straight, trying to alleviate the pain she felt. She felt some resistance, but it parted for her muzzle. Below her, she could feel the acidic air she could breathe. It didn’t quite burn her as she expected, but it wasn’t pleasant either.

Gaius felt his neck with a hoof. He was pleased to find that the pegasus had stretched out. With a devilish grin, if you could grin with a muzzle stuffed with a pony, he licked the flower again. Then plunged in. His tongue moved within it, tasting the new flavor to grace it. His meal found the musing of his tongue to be very enjoyable. He didn’t really have to “push” her downwards, for her own movements did that. It reached as far as it could, meeting a barrier he wouldn’t breech. Flicking his tongue about for a minute or two longer, he felt the pegasus arch her back, something that compressed and broke her ribs further.

Redwing was in heaven. His tongue a master of playing with her. She shuddered as the ridges and bumps ground in her. She didn’t care that her muzzle was getting ever so closer, that her arching back began to break. She just wanted to finish. Her hips moved forward, wanting him to finish her off.  But it seemed he was messing with her, pushing her to the edge, only for the appendage to retreat.

Gaius retreated his tongue out of her and stood up. He needed all the room he could get. Her tail was sticking out, and he left it. Bending his tongue into a spring, he lined up. And struck home in the mare as his muzzle tilted back.

Redwing felt the mind-blowing shudder as it racked her body. She screamed from the feeling and pleasure that exploded in her. As the pleasure blocked her mind, she did not feel what was happening. Her open muzzle plunged into the vampire’s stomach as the rest of her body started slipping in. The acid of his stomach filled into her mouth, her esophagus and stomach. It burned.

Gaius was grinning like a foal as the pegasus landed in his stomach. If he timed it right, her body had filled with his stomach acid, increasing the pain she felt as it destroyed her. It also sped up his digestion of her. An after fact in his opinion. He enjoyed as Redwing pushed and twisted to get herself out of the acidic bath she found herself in. She kicked. And nothing would work. She’d die as either her brain turned to mush or his breathing spell wore off. It didn’t matter to him which fate the pegasus succumbed to, she was in his belly. Gaius laid down on his side and started to nap, giving the pegasus time to be digested. It would take a good day or two, given the strength it took to break her down, and that he didn’t inject her with predigestion venoms that would catalyse the digestion.

It took about ten minutes of agonizing pain, frivolous fighting, screaming, and pounding before she let go. Her soul wasn’t nearly as lucky. It was trapped. She didn’t mark that he couldn’t have it too. That would take the longest to digest and would give a very appetizing and filling meal. It would replenish most of his magic and sate his hunger of them for weeks to come. He smiled, feeling the radiating heat he was using as a pillow, and began to rest.

By the time Silver woke from the ordeal, it was an hour or two before sunrise. He looked around, seeing the familiar cave structure they had left. Getting up, he wanted to check to see if everypony was alright. As he did, he found nine more. Dim Eyes and Redwing were missing, but Redwing got eaten. Listening closely, Silver heard a weak heart beat. It was separate from all the rest. Making his way over, Dim Eyes was slumped on the ground. As he tried to wake him up, Dim Eyes didn’t budge.

Well, at least we’re accounted for. They didn't decide to eat any of them. Before he left, he draped Dim Eyes on his back, and took him near the others. It wasn't good to be alone. Going over the supply situation, they still had three days rations for eight. Silver, seeing nothing wrong, went to see if the vampire was awake. He could be good conversation.

As he took wing, he remembered who the pony he hadn’t seen was. Redwing. Silver paused. Redwing had been caught by one of the plants. One he believed had the poisonous enzymes. If swallowed, you’d die, but on the outside, it made a terrific greaser. Once she was out from lack of air, it would swallow and digest her. The problem was, she had been saved? And if she, where was she? The vampire must have known something was wrong and checked on them. Once he saw the plants, he acted, killing them, and maybe rescued Redwing.

So the question was, did the vampire just plainly take her, hoping to make him forget? Or was Redwing injured badly that she willingly gave her life to the vampire? Or was she just eaten by the plant that caught her? In any case, he had to find the vampire. Going towards the ledge, he landed and slowly approached. As he walked towards the vampires' home, he got himself lost. The passage way was completely different than before. Not wanting to be lost forever, he backtracked out.

*    *    *    *    *

As the morning arrived, the others started to awake. All of them found it odd to have blankets, but knowing Pinkie Pie, she may have been the one to give them the blankets. Silver was laying on Dim Eyes. Both looked very comfortable, and needed to be awake.

Applejack gave Silver a good shake against his wing. His back hoof kicked out at the pony pushing against his wing. It hit her forehoof, right where it bends and she hit her muzzle on the ground. Having one hoof in the air and another kicked from out of her made it difficult to stand.

Dim Eyes was awaked when the apple mare cursed in his ear. Gently, he woke Silver up. Silver looked to the mare. His mind was barely awake, and his eyes were drooping. Looking around, Silver decided to go back to sleep. Dim Eyes would explain why the apple mare was it pain.

Once Applejack recovered, Dim Eyes blocked her from waking the stallion again. It wasn’t a good idea to wake him right now, he explained. Applejack huffed at his reasons, but definitely didn’t want to get hit again. She moved over to Fluttershy, to see how she was doing.

“Is everypony here and in good condition?” Dim Eyes asked. He couldn’t see everypony, but he knew that they would check on each other.

“Redwing isn’t here, and there’s no trace of her if she did in fact make it,” Armored Spear spoke.

When they heard that Redwing was gone, Silver Eyes was promptly opened his eyes, but fell asleep soon after. Dim Eyes convinced everypony that Silver was okay and that they should let him rest.

They divided into squads, scouring the caves for Redwing, while Rainbow and Dim Eyes remained to watch over Silver Eyes. The others continued until noon, when they had to stop for food. Silver was still asleep and Rainbow was very tired, and fell asleep near each other. Both were left in peace, for they'd been affected the most and needed to recover.

"This ain't good. How did Redwing or something slip by you?" Applejack asked.

“I don’t know. When I first awoke, it was a stallion to wake me. He wanted me to check on Redwing and tell her the condition she was in. Since he suggested it was a bad idea to wake her, I think he used a dream-walking spell. The three of us talked and I don’t remember what happened after that.”

"So then something put you to sleep."

"I guess so. I didn't hear anything."

"It could have been the vampire lord stallion that put you to sleep, talked and got her willing approval, and devoured her. That would explain why she's gone without a trace," Pinkie said.

"Pinkie Pie. There ain't a way that's true. One, ponies bleed, they scream, they kick, they survive. No pony dying or healthy would willingly give their life up. Especially not to a no-good, life-stealing, pony murdering, leaches of the vamponies. I have no respect to those that do. Two, it's rumored that all the vampire pony lords were slaughtered during the first solar war. None survived," Applejack retorted.

Dim Eyes was glad that Silver wasn't awake, or Applejack would be on the ground, bleeding. He was able to hide the fact that the words stung him. "I think it's time we leave and contact the sisters. We're getting low on supplies, and we shouldn't spend the night here. We've already lost one to the forest."

They were hesitant to agree. The upper level of the cave hadn’t been explored. Winter Arc and Night Wind refused to go any where near where a vampire might reside. “Well, we shouldn’t give up hope yet. Redwing could have made it, since Ah know that Rainbow wouldn’t give up, no matter what.”

“Applejack, Redwing didn’t make it. A venus pegasus trap ate her. She’s dead.”

Everypony was surprised when they heard the thestral stallion speak. They all thought he’d be out for a little longer, not when it was close to noon.

“What you talkin’ about, Silver Eyes?” Applejack asked.

“I said that Redwing has been devoured by a predator of the forest. There’s nothing advanced in that. I couldn’t and didn’t save her. Rainbow had to help me instead. As for what we should do, we need to remain. We’re safe here.”

“How are we safe in the den of a pony killing predator?” Applejack questioned.

“Because we know that he’s here. The venus pegasus traps wait. They are calculative. And excellent at hiding. Do you want to end up like Redwing?”

All the others agreed. Ending up dead was not an option, but staying where a predator lived wasn’t a good option either. The best option would be to contact the princesses.

“Dim Eyes, Silver Eyes, would it be best if a small group tried to use the communicators to contact the princesses?” Bronze Shield asked.

"Yes, that would be good, but very risky. We have a bit of supplies here, and our host might be willing to part with some of his. Dim Eyes, if it is safe, go with Bronze Shield and try to establish communications. Night Wind, stay here with Armored Spear and make camp. Rainbow, you’re coming with me. The others help with camp or preparing a meal.”

The guards didn't like the idea of saying, but the forest was very dangerous. They definitely didn’t want to run into more of the plants that could have very easily killed them. They will just have to live with being stuck in a cave where a two predators resided, one who could easily steal them in the middle of the night. Rarity was especially infuriated at staying here. The two  thestrals were a bit happy. They could get for some more rest. After taking stock of all supplies, they didn't have much. It would take two days to return to Ponyville, and they barely had enough rations for two days.

When Dim Eyes and Bronze Shield found the exit, they spotted three of the plants. They high tailed it back.