A Wolf Among Ponies

Quick Shot and Lightning Dust were sitting back to back in a dark room with a single light above their heads.

"Damn what the heck is going on and who was that?" Lightning asked trying to get the ropes tying her hands behind her back loose.

"I think that was the shadow vigilante," Quick Shot said.

"Shadow vigilante?" Lightning asked confused.

"Don't you read the newspapers the shadow vigilante is a pony who managed to save Princess Twilight Sparkle and the Elements of Harmony. It also killed Ornate Chest because he was involved with the assassination attempt and stealing from the royal treasury," Quick Shot said.

"Ok anything else?" Lightning asked.

"They say he is but a shadow of a vengeful pony and will do nothing but see the ones who wronged him suffer," Quick Shot said.

"Sorry to disappoint you Quick Shot but that rumour is false."

A shadowed spectre then stepped into the light seeming to materialize out of the dark itself.

"Who are you?" Lightning demanded.

"It's kinda dumb to ask a masked pony who they are don't you think."

"Why did you kidnap us?" Quick Shot asked.

"My apologies for having to bring you here like this but believe me if there was a more polite option I would have taken it."

"Why did you bring us here?" Quick Shot asked.

"I'm sure you’re both aware of the ponies I have killed yes?" the shadow asked getting them both to nod. "Well these ponies are responsible for a lot of bad things lately like evicting good ponies from their homes. Also attacking the S.S. Storm Breaker and killing everypony on board," the shadow said earning looks of shock from the two.

"What're you getting at," Lightning asked.

"What I'm getting at Lightning Dust is that I have been secretly working in the shadows to stop them these ponies. They call themselves Templars and will stop at nothing to claim power and bring absolute order by ruling us in fear."

"So why do you need us?" Quick Shot asked.

"You both have suffered at the hands of what the Templars did and I'm offering you a choice you can join me and help bring them down. Or I simply wipe your memory of what happened tonight and you'll both wake up in your beds tomorrow morning like this never happened. I give you my word you won't be harmed in anyway,"

The two looked at each other before Lightning spoke.

"If what you say is true then these Templars killed my grandfather and I will seek vengeance against them I’m in," Lightning said.

The shadow nodded before it looked at Quick Shot who nodded as well the shadow flicked its head and the ropes on the pair fell off and two mannequins out of the shadows. in front of them the mannequin in front of Lightning had indigo and golden yellow robes with a single sword on the hip. The one if front of Quick Shot was black and grey like his fur and had a revolver rifle with a scope attached to the back and a dagger in the belt.

"Welcome to the brotherhood," the shadow said the darkness of the shadow retreated to the figures feet and removed the disguise ring and mask to reveal Ash.

I woke up in my bed and rubbed a sore spot in my side from where Lightning punched me after I revealed myself but in the end I managed to get her to calm down. I sent them home I got out of bed and stretched myself out and got changed and let Dust out. I then walked down stairs for breakfast.

"Excuse me Ash do you have anything you want us to do today?" Feather asked.

"Oh yes not that you mention it Luna is moving in with us today at around noon," I said.

"Wait moving in!?" Feather asked in shock.

"Yes weren't you informed that I was dating Luna?" I asked in a confused tone.

"I was told Ash but I just didn't expect her to be moving in so early in your relationship," Feather said.

"Luna told me she doesn't like it up in Canterlot what with the loud noises airs a little nasty and all the complaining nobles," I said.

"That I can understand," Feather said.

"Anyway Luna will be here at around noon so don't make a big deal about anything ok," I said.

"Understood should I go tell Silver Tray and the guards about this?" Feather asked.

"Please that would be helpful," I said as I stood up and went to the kitchen with my dish.

"What will you be doing in the meantime?" Feather asked.

"I'll probably head down to Sweet Apple Acers if I remember correctly its apple bucking day and I want to see if I can lend a hand," I said.

"I see well I guess I'll see you at around noon," Feather said.

"Definitely," I said.

I was walking along the dirt path to Sweet Apple Acres when I heard the warning bell coming from the barn. Not wasting a second I ran over to the barn to see Applejack was ringing the bell in the bell tower above the barn.

"This is a Sweet Apple Acers code red I need all hands and claws on deck?" Applejack yelled as I arrived with the rest of the mane 6, 5 of the stallions and Spike.

"Calm down Applejack," Rarity said.

"Calm down how can I calm down at a time like this?" Applejack asked rhetorically as she had her face inches from Rarity as she walked forward while Rarity walked backward.

Maybe if you tell us what's going on we can help," Soarin asked.

"Fruit bats are attacking Sweet Apple Acers," Applejack said.

"But I thought the fruit bats usually stayed put in the west orchid," Twilight said.

"The fruit bats do but these aren't your everyday ordinary fruit bats there're vampire fruit bats," Applejack said with a spooky voice at the end.

I couldn't hold in my laughter for long before it erupted from my mouth gaining odd glances from the group.

"I'm...I'm sorry AJ but vampire fruit bats come on," I said in between laughs.

"Laugh if you want but I'll be darned if they think their gonna sink their fangs into my blue ribboned apple," Applejack said as she pulled a sheet off a bending tree and attached to the tree was and apple three times the size as the ones Discord made when we first met. As a bonus the thing was so shiny I could see my own reflection in it causing the group to wow at it. “This here is our entry for the Appaloosa state fair prods competition. You know how much TLC goes into getting an apple to grow like this," Applejack said.

"Colour me impressed Applejack," I said.

"Them vampire bats want to shrivel it up like a raison," Applejack said.

"Oh I'm sure if we let them know how special that particular apple is to you they'll leave it alone," Fluttershy said.

"Yeah right be my guest," Applejack said gesturing her to give it a try which Fluttershy beamed.

We were waiting for Fluttershy to come back and I managed to get a look at the bats. They were large and came in an assortment of dark colours with red eyes. their main feature were the bleach white fangs the size of toothpicks.

"Well what'd he say?" Applejack asked when Fluttershy returned with seeds in her hair.

"Um yes," Fluttershy said getting rid of the seeds. "But it could have been a no," Fluttershy said causing Applejack to groan. "This is the first vampire fruit bat I've ever met and it might take some time to really understand their language," Fluttershy said.

"Uh huh meanwhile this pest and his vermin friends are gonna go after my prized apple and while they’re at it every apple in the orchid. These vampire bats are nothing but a bunch of monsters," Applejack said.

"Monsters that's a bit harsh don't you think," Fluttershy said.

"No I do not," Applejack said before she before she began to sing.

After the song Fluttershy was cowering on the ground under the stern gaze of everyone while I stood off to the side.

I'm sorry Fluttershy but I believe Applejack has made a better argument these vampire fruit bats sound downright dreadful," Rarity said helping Fluttershy up.

"So let's get to rounding them up so they don't destroy the rest of my orchid," Applejack said.

"Um excuse me but instead of rounding them up we let them have part of the orchid," Fluttershy suggested.

"Have you lost your pest loving mind," Applejack said angrily.

"They're only here because their hungry if we built a sanctuary for them they can have their own apples to enjoy. After a while they can help the rest of the orchid the vampire bats don't eat the seeds of the apples. And when they spit them out they grow into more productive apple trees," Fluttershy said.

"Listen Fluttershy that sounds real nice and all but every minute we spend building this so called sanctuary is a second they'll spend destroying the orchid," Applejack said

"I agree with Fluttershy if we do build a sanctuary the bats get to eat and Sweet Apple Acers production goes up by a ton I don't actually see a loss here," I said.

"You’re siding with Fluttershy," Applejack said turning on me.

"Yes and if you have a problem with it then I'm sorry but you need to deal with it," I said.

"Ok you two back up here," Caramel said stepping in between us.

"Ash you don't know what it was like the last time we had an infestation Granny Smith has told me enough stories about it just the thought of it gives me nightmares. Granny said we lost a huge section of the orchid that year they had to ration out apples all winter," Applejack said.

"What about the cider there was still cider right?" Rainbow asked.

"Not a drop," Applejack replied.

"No cider no cider we need to round up these monsters and we need to do it now," Rainbow cried.

"If Granny Smith wasn't with Apple Bloom and Big Mac checking out the competition in Appaloosa she'd be here telling us to do just that," Applejack said.

"I'm sorry guys but I believe Applejack is right I just wish there was another way to convince them in the first place *gasp* maybe there is," Twilight said with a grin that I knew meant trouble. I gave a worried look at Fluttershy which she returned with one of her own.

We were inside the Golden Oaks Library I was sitting on top of a bookshelf watching while Twilight was looking through her books for something before she spoke.

"Well I have good news and bad news the good news is I found a spell that can stop the vampire fruit bats from sucking the juice out of the apples. But in order for the spell to work I need the bats full and complete attention," Twilight said looking at Fluttershy.

"Oh no," Fluttershy whimpered.

"Fluttershy I need you to do your stare on the bats," Twilight said.

"Oh gosh I don't know," Fluttershy said.

"What's the problem you've used the stare plenty of times before," Rainbow said.

"Yes but it’s not something I take lightly I've made a vow not to use it except in dire circumstances," Fluttershy said.

"This circumstance is plenty dire to me," Applejack said.

"Wait what is this stare you lot keep talking about?" I asked confused.

"Oh that's right you weren't here when Fluttershy last did her stare think of it as a form of hypnotism," Twilight said.

"What by staring at them?" I asked confused

"Fluttershy would you be a dear and demonstrate on Ash please?" Rarity asked.

"Oh I couldn't do that," Fluttershy said.

"It's okay Fluttershy you don't have to but it would help me understand this better," I said.

"Well as long as you’re okay with it I suppose," Fluttershy said hesitantly.

Fluttershy flew up to me and took a few deep breaths before her eyes opened wide I got a small tingly feeling running along my back but apart from that nothing.

"Uh should something be happening by now?" I asked.

"Wait you’re not affected," Fluttershy said confused as she broke her stare.

"No except for a small tingle going across my back," I said.

"I need to write a report about this it's quite interesting," Twilight said writing something down in a note book.

"Twilight I noticed this a lot but what are you writing down in that," I asked gesturing to the notebook.

"Oh just some small studying material about you small info nothing big," Twilight said.

"Ok well back to the main topic when you do you spell Twilight what will you change their diet to?" I asked.

"Oh I haven't really thought about that one," Twilight said.

"Twilight you can't just do that those guys need to eat as well and their system only allows the juices of apples to be processed. If you take away the desire to eat apples without switching the diet to something else then they'll starve," I said.

"Well what about all of us we need apples to and if those varmints eat the orchid we starve," Applejack said.

"Your also forgetting Applejack that you guys also eat hay, flowers, grass along with other fruit and vegetables these bats don't have that luxury," I said.

"Oh what would you know you’re just a dumb human," Applejack said causing the group to gasp at what was said.

I was shocked at what Applejack said but I held my anger in as best as I could and jumped off bookshelf and walked past Applejack. My hand was clenched so tight I could feel pain and blood seep through my fingers thanks to how hard my fist was clenched as I walked over to the door.

"True I may be a dumb human Applejack but at least I know what I'm saying is right your too stubborn to admit it. Or maybe your more concerned about winning a damn competition to care about your friends feelings," I said as I opened the door and walked out slamming the door closed with enough force to crack the wood.

"Applejack what the hay was that!?" Comet shouted.

"I...I don't know where that came from I was just so mad that I...," Applejack started.

"That's no excuse AJ if Mac were here he would be fuming at you for what you just said. You know as much as anyone that there are those in town that still think of Ash as a monster. Even after everything he's done and been through," Twilight said.

"Your right I'm a fool I'd better go apologise to him," Applejack said as she walked to the door only to be stopped by Spike.

"I don't think right now is the best time Applejack," Spike said.

"Why not Spike?" Applejack asked.

"Didn't you see how hard his fist was clenched?" Spike asked.

"What do you mean Spike?" Soarin asked.

Spike just showed them the droplets of blood that fell from Ash's hand and the bloody handprint on the doorhandle causing them to gasp.

"We'd best leave Ash alone for him to blow of some steam unless you plan on making him angrier by just being there. Meanwhile we should go deal with the bat problem while we wait for Ash's anger to calm down," Spike said earning nods of agreement from the group.

I let out another cry of anger as my fist destroyed another tree in White Tail Woods once I was done I sat against the tree stump and cried. I sat there for a while before I looked at the clock on my IPod to see it was 11:54 am. I stood up and dried my eyes before walked back towards my home. Once I arrived I walked inside and I received a surprise kiss from the moon alicorn. I was surprised from the kiss but quickly adapted to it. Luna then prodded my mouth with her tongue requesting entrance which I didn't deny. As our tongues danced Luna grabbed my hands with hers but when she touched the palm of my left hand I felt a sting rush through me causing me to hiss in pain.

"Ow," Luna jumped back holding the area where I bit her tongue.

"Sorry Luna," I said as I examined the nail shaped cuts on my hand.

"Ash what happened?" Luna asked as she noticed my hand.

"Uh held in my anger when one of the girls said something then took my anger out on a few trees,' I said.

"You come with me mister so I can help get that fixed," Luna said as she led me into the lounge room where she used her magic on my hand. "What got you so angry you broke the skin of your hand with your fingernails?" Luna asked.

"It's nothing," I said.

Luna gave me a glare which told me she wasn't taking no for an answer. I let out a sigh before I told her about what happened at Sweet Apple Acers and at the Golden Oaks Library.

"I never thought Applejack would be the one to say something like that," Luna said as she finished applying the magic.

"I hear you there but my guess she's just steamed about what's happening down at the farm," I said as I tested my hands movement.

"Still I say both you and Miss Fluttershy are in the right these vampire fruit bats do not deserve to have this done to them," Luna said.

"Glad to see someone shares our opinion," I said.

"I thought this is where you ask me if I could use my authority to help you," Luna said confused.

"That would be playing dirty they may have Twilight on their side but I'm not going to ask for your help. Otherwise it could break our friendship permanently also this is an issue that must be resolved with words," I said.

"You are truly wise Ash are you sure you’re not an ancient royal being or perhaps you were one in your old life," Luna said with a cheeky smile.

“I was actually using common logic," I said as I picked Luna up carrying her bridal style before I kissed her cheek. I went down her neck to her collarbone earning little squeaks and moans of pleasure.

"Um excuse me,"

I snapped my head to the doorway to see Silver Tray standing there with a blush on her face.

"What can I help you with Silver?" I asked as I put Luna down.

"I just came to inform you that her majesty's bags have been placed in your room upstairs," Silver said.

"Thank you Silver and please call me Luna," Luna requested.

Silver gave us a nod before she left I then turned to Luna and gestured her to enter the dining room for lunch. As we sat down to eat Luna told me how Discord took it pretty hard when she found out she wanted to leave. Chrysalis wished her the best and Dream Catcher and Celestia were in-between happy and sad. After lunch I went upstairs with Luna to help her unpack and I saw Tibbies playing with Dust. When that was done I got bored and decided to play a few rounds of angry birds which Luna took great interest in immediately. It was a miracle I managed to get my IPod back from her and then I had a realization that I turned one of the princesses of Equestria, and my girlfriend/marefriend into a gamer not that I was complaining. I then took Pip out to do some more meditation with Zecora while Luna watched. After that we both snuggled into bed and I could tell Luna was having dreams of angry birds. Dawn came quickly and we were sitting down eating breakfast when there was a knock at the door.

"I’ll get it," Feather said as she went to the door after a while she returned. "Miss Rarity Belle wishes to see you Ash," Feather said.

"You can tell her to come in," I said.

Feather nodded before she left and returned a little while later with Rarity.

"Oh Ash I'm so sorry for interrupting your breakfast," Rarity said.

"Nonsense Rarity please come in," Luna said with her mouth full.

"*gasp*Princess Luna I was not aware you would be here," Rarity said as she bowed.

"Please Rarity there's need bow and I thought Ash told you all I would be moving in yesterday," Luna said.

"It was pushed out of my mind when the incident arose," I said.

"Yes and Ash we need your help," Rarity said.

"If it's about taking away the bats desire for apples then I'm afraid you're wasting your time Rarity,' I said.

"No that part has been done already," Rarity said causing me to grown in annoyance.

"I hope Twilight Sparkle has found a new source of food for the bats," Luna said sternly.

"I believe so yes but the problem is that now someone or something else is eating the apples and we're planning on having a stake out tonight so we can find out what it is," Rarity said.

"So what you can take away that thing’s desire to eat as well?" I asked.

"No we would like you there in case this thing is a threat," Rarity said.

I sat in silence weighing the options over in my head before I let out a sigh and spoke.

"I'll help but only if this thing is a threat," I said.

"Thank you Ash I know we'd all feel a little safer with you there," Rarity said causing Luna to give her a raised eye brow.

"I think I shall accompany on this it sounds entertaining," Luna said.

"Alright Rarity where do we meet?" I asked.

"Witching hour," Rainbow said as we walked through the abandoned creepy area of the farm while part of the full moon was hidden behind clouds.

"Ok this place is giving me a Dracula vibe right now," I said.

"Dracula?" Thunderlane asked.

"Prince of darkness king of the vampires," I said.

"The vampire fruit bats have a king," Rainbow asked in surprise.

"If he was I would have said king of the vampire fruit bats," I said.

"So what's the difference between a vampire and a vampire fruit bat," Soarin asked.

"Simple vampire fruit bats suck juice out of apples while vampires suck out blood of animals and humans," I said causing the group to turn green.

"Ok that's just sick," Rainbow said.

"It gets worse," I said.

"How so?" Fluttershy squeaked.

"Vampires are creatures of the night and undead they look human but once they pounce your dead. They have insane speed superhuman strength and if they stay out in the sunlight they turn to dust. Their fangs are retractable so they can hide them easily and can turn into a bat at will and once you’re in their grip there are two options on what happens to you. They drain you of any blood in your body killing you or you turn into a vampire as well. But really they are nothing more than a myth," said to the spooked group.

"Truly your world is one filled with all kinds of fantasies," Luna said.

"So vampires don't really exist?" Caramel asked.

"No idea but vampire bats do these guys don't suck out all the blood though or turn you into a vampire they just give you a nick and lap up any blood that flows out of the skin," I said.

"How are you able to live with such creatures," Twilight asked in shock.

"We manage," I said with a shrug.

"Alright ya'll have your signals?" Applejack asked.

Each one of us pulled out a torch or beams of magic and shun them into the sky showing our cutie marks.

"Now nopony leaves this orchid until we solve this mystery," Twilight said.

"Let's just prey we actually leave at all," I thought.

"Scared are we," Luna said in my head.

"Get out or I tell everyone your pet name Faust gave you and also I ain't scared," I thought with a sneer which Luna gave me a look of surprise then grumbled.

"Alright everypony split up we'll each patrol our own row of the orchid," Applejack said.

"Wait split up that is the worst idea in this situation," I said.

"Alright what do you suggest smart guy?" Applejack asked.

"Watch it Applejack you haven't earned my forgiveness after what happened yesterday. Also the only reason I'm here is to make sure you lot aren't dead by the end of the night," I growled.

"Ok you two stop please we'll split up in groups of two couples and Spike can go with Fluttershy since Mac isn't here," Twilight suggested separating us.

I gave a sigh before I nodded and Luna and I walked off. I kept my hand ready to reach for Whispering Wind in case things got ugly soon later I saw a shadowed figure move between the trees. But before I could turn my head it was gone I looked at Luna to see her give me a nod before we continued. I heard movement from the bushes and gave a signal to Luna to stop before I rested my hand on Whispering Wind's handle. I kept my gaze on the large bush and I saw Spike suddenly push himself out just as I drew Whispering Wind.

"Spike what are you doing over here and where's Fluttershy," Luna asked.

"I don't know she just vanished and I ended up getting lost," Spike said.

"Stay with us we'll find her," I said.

Just then Applejack's and Caramel's signal shun in the sky alerting us that she found something.

"C'mon guys let's go check it out," I said before we ran to the signal.

Once we arrived I saw Applejack and Caramel looking at something in a tree.

"Applejack what is it?" Twilight asked as she and Comet arrived.

"Hey," I said as something hit me in the head.

I looked at what hit me to see a dried up apple with fang marks in it before I looked at the tree where it came from. I then saw a large leather like cocoon hanging on a branch and with Pinkie hanging on the end of the branch.

"Suspicious!" Pinkie cried as she shun her torch at the cocoon.

All of a sudden the cocoon unwrapped itself revealing two large bat wings and attached to those wings was a familiar buttercup yellow mare with a pink mane and tail. Difference was she had red eyes and a pair of fangs and let out a hiss of annoyance.

"Sweet mother of Faust," I said in shock.

"Fluttershy yoo-hoo Fluttershy," Pinkie said receding a hiss from the bat mare that startled Pinkie out of the tree and fall to the ground.

"That's not Fluttershy that's Flutterbat," Rarity gasped.

"We've gotta get her down from there," Twilight said.

Fluttershy sweetness please come down from there and do stop being a vampire bat," Rarity said earning a hiss from Fluttershy.

"Well that didn't work," I said.

"Fluttershy it's me Rainbow Dash why don't you cut the bat act and come on down?" Rainbow said Fluttershy then spread her wings and hissed and knocked Rainbow back with a flap of her wings. "Maybe we should let her come down when she's ready," Rainbow said.

All of a sudden I saw Fluttershy dived out of the tree and lunged at us.

"Down!" I shouted getting everyone to duck below Fluttershy as she swooped over us.

"Flutterbat on the loose run for your lives," Pinkie said as she spun her legs around so fast they looked like wheels but instead of going anywhere she dug a hole in the dirt.

"Pinkie Pie calm down she's back on her branch," Twilight said gesturing to Fluttershy who was hanging upside down on her branch watching us.

"She's just buying her time waiting for the perfect moment to pounce," Pinkie assumed.

"Pinkie Pie bats don't eat ponies not even vampire bats except the ones in Ash's world," Applejack said.

"Correction I said they go for a small amount of blood not a whole pony," I said.

"But maybe vampire ponies eat other ponies I'm not taking any chances," Pinkie said before the front of her mane turned into a drill and dove further into the ground.

"Well that just happened," I said.

"Indeed," Luna said.

"How did this happen that's what I don't understand," Rarity said.

"I think this was actually our fault," Twilight said.

"Our fault," Rainbow said.

"And how'd you figure that?" Applejack asked.

Twilight went into lecture mode with a grid explaining that when Fluttershy was doing her stare on the bats, and Twilight did her spell the desire of being vampire fruit bats was transferred to Fluttershy.

"C'mon we'll reverse the spell and make it right," Twilight said.

All of a sudden Pinkie drilled out of the ground before she spoke.

"Then what are we waiting for let's save Fluttershy before that thing eats us all!" Pinkie shouted pointing at a hovering Fluttershy.

Fluttershy then dived at us with a predator look in her eyes.

"Hit the deck!" Rainbow shouted.

I was too late to duck as Fluttershy slammed into me and I was sent flying into a tree. The tree shook from the impact and an apple fell f a branch and landed on my chest. I shook my head and I had a split second to react as Fluttershy pounced on me with a hungry look in her eyes. While I used my arms to hold her at bay.

"Fluttershy stop it's me Ash," I cried.

I didn't receive a response from her if anything she was putting more effort into what she was doing. All of a sudden a spell shot past us and startled Fluttershy she leapt off of me and into the air and was gone.

"Are you alright Ash," Spike asked.

"Did you forget to tell your friends that I'm the only one who can bite you Ash," Luna said with a sly smirk.

"Didn’t think any of my friends were the biting type," I said as I stood up and the apple on my chest slid off me but I caught it and gave it a curious look. “Hey Twilight you said you can change her back right?" I asked.

"Yes but I need her attention," Twilight said.

"Alright Rarity I'm gonna need a large mirror," I said.

"Darling now isn't the time to admire yourself in a mirror I should know," Rarity said.

"It's not for me I've got a plan," I said.

I was leaning patently in the orchid with a large bag of apples with cuts in them so the scent of the apples could lure Fluttershy to me. I waited for a while before I saw Fluttershy position herself on a branch. I then walked over to her calmly and without spooking her before I reached into the bag and pulled out an apple. Fluttershy gave a few sniffs before she hissed as she did I tossed the apple to her which she devoured in a second. I tossed another one to her before I stepped back a bit once she was done I held the last apple out to her. She flew down from the tree and carefully crept closer to me. Once she was close enough I tossed the apple high into the air as Fluttershy was distracted I teleported behind her and wrapped my arms around her. She couldn't use her arms or wings but Fluttershy's squirming made it difficult to hold her. The others stepped out of their hiding places and Rarity placed the mirror down in front of us. Rainbow held her head and aimed it at the mirror so Fluttershy was looking at herself. As Fluttershy gazed Twilight signalled for us to let go and move back so we did. Once we were back safely Twilight performed her spell. The magic wrapped itself around Fluttershy and in a flash Fluttershy slowly floated to the ground unconscious. Her wings and teeth back to normal. When Fluttershy opened her eyes I saw they were back to their original blue colour.

"Uh where am I?" Fluttershy asked.

"Thank goodness you’re ok," Applejack said wrapping her arms around Fluttershy.

"But what happened to me?" Fluttershy asked.

"You turned into a vampire pony," Pinkie said cutting between the two.

"I tried to eat ponies?" Fluttershy panicked.

"Of course not," Pinkie said.

"So I wasn't a vampire?" Fluttershy asked.

"Yes," Pinkie said.

"Yes I was or yes I wasn't?" Fluttershy asked.

"Yes you were," Pinkie said.

"But I didn't try to eat ponies?" Fluttershy asked.

"Yes," Pinkie said.

"I did," Fluttershy panicked again.

"No," Pinkie said.

"I'm confused," Fluttershy said.

"Me too and I was there," Rarity said.

"I'll explain everything to you tomorrow but right now I need some sleep," I said as I yawned and stretched my limbs.

"Wait Ash," Applejack said.

"What is it?" I asked casually.

"I just wanted to say how sorry I am about what I said yesterday. What I said was completely out of order and should never have been said and I hope someday you'll forgive me," Applejack said as she took off her hat and hung her head.

I walked over to the mare and gave her a hug and a warm smile.

"I already do AJ," I said.

"But how can you say that aren't you the least bit mad right now?" Applejack asked.

"You’re my friend Applejack and friends forgive each other no matter what's been said or done," I said as I placed her hat back on her head while she had a few tears in her eyes.

The next day Twilight reversed her spell on the bats and received a strong lecture from Luna and a few days later we built a sanctuary for the vampire fruit bats. Applejack apologized to Fluttershy about not going along with the suggestion which led to Fluttershy forgiving her. Now we're sitting in Fluttershy's lounge room while Spike was writing in a journal the girls decided to keep to record their adventures so they can share it with others.

"Ok got the part about the spell Fluttershy turning into a bat building a sanctuary," Spike said.

"Be sure to put in there that I came to realize that my short term solution was a little short sided," Applejack said.

"And that you shouldn't let anypony pressure you into doing something you don't think is right. Sometimes you have to tell you have to tell even your closest friends no," Fluttershy added.

"Well said Fluttershy," I said.

"Should I add something about you Ash?" Spike asked.

"Last I checked Spike this journal is for the girls only not me," I said.

"C'mon Ash you should be able to write something in here," Twilight said.

"*sigh* Ok add that no matter what lines have been crossed between you and your friends even with old enemies you should forgive them to build stronger friendships," I said earning nods from the group.

"No how about we celebrate our stronger than ever friendship with a nice ripe juicy apple," Applejack said holding an apple out to Fluttershy.

"Stand back I want to suck its juuuice," Pinkie said with a vampire accent and fake fangs.

Pinkie grabbed the apple and bit into it but once she pulled back the fake fangs were still attached to the apple and fell out of Pinkie's mouth causing her to smile sheepishly. Everyone laughed and as we all laughed I looked at Fluttershy and I swear I could still see fangs in her mouth. But I shook it off as me seeing things.

"I must say your antics never cease to make me laugh Pinkie Pie," Luna said as she calmed down from her laughter.

"Aw thanks Princess Luna," Pinkie said with a smile.

"Just Luna please," Luna said.

"So Luna you’re going to be living in Ponyville from now on right?" Thunderlane asked.

"Yes I am," Luna said.

"*gasp* I need to throw you a welcome to Ponyville party," Pinkie said.

"Wait Pinkie," I called out getting the mare to freeze in her tracks. "If we reveal Luna to everyone here then there are going to be severe problems," I said.

"I'm afraid Ash is right Pinkie but you can hold me a party once we announce to Equestria that I'm dating Ash," Luna said snuggling up to me.

"Alright but after that I'm throwing a party," Pinkie Pie said giving us a stern gaze.

"Fair enough Pinkie now I gotta go take care of something inside the Everfree forest so I'll see you all later," I said.

Everyone was slightly worried but they all knew I was more than enough for anything in the forest. I walked out of the cottage and into the forest following the directions Faust gave me last night. She told me that inside a cave I'll find something useful for me and my immortals could use I was told it was the only one of its kind and that Faust ordered to have it made for the ponies. But the project was forgotten over time now Faust wants me to finish it so it could be put to use. I continued to follow the directions till I reached a small square shaped tunnel. I walked inside and into the dark until I came across a white curtain. I pulled the curtain to the side to see only pitch black I looked around and on the wall next to me in the available light was a leaver. I walked over to it and pulled the leaver downward and I suddenly braziers lit up with fire all around the room. The room was extremely large but the main attraction was a sailing ship. Only thing that made this ship different were the large engines on either side of the rudder. Along with other parts indicating that this ship could fly.

I stared in wonder at the beautiful piece of work I looked at the bow above the ramming spikes to see a wooden horse rearing on its hind legs with a pale colour. I then looked at a tower in front of the ship before I flew to the top to see a bottle of champagne on a string. I then realized that Faust wanted me to name her. A ship is never completed and can't sail without a name I picked up the bottle and looked at the ship before an idea struck me. I remembered a line someone spoke when I was a slave he was reading out loud from a book and the line echoed in my head.

"And there before me stood a pale horse and the riders name was death,"

I repeated the line a few times in my head before I decided.

"I hereby christen you The Pale Horse," I said before I swung the bottle at the ship.

The bottle swung at the ship and broke on contact spilling its contents I gave a smile as the ship gave a small noise of approval.