Scootaloo, Dark Angel

Chapters

Leaving Baltimare
One Night In Ponyville
Shepard Moons
Only If
Take Good Care of My Baby

Leaving Baltimare

DARK ANGEL –Scootaloo’s Story

Chapter 1

Hey. My name’s Scootaloo. I think it is anyway. Haven't used it in a while. She calls me Dark Angel, or just Angel. Funny that, she calls me Angel, but I'm not. I'm a killer. This diary was her idea. Since I've lived so long she thought it'd be an idea to write it all down. Don't ask me why. I just go with it, as if I could refuse her anything.

So, here we are. I'm sat in her bedroom, at her desk with an empty book in front of me waiting for me to write. Feels weird, haven't felt the need to write anything for a long time.

Where to start?

Suppose I should tell you about me. It's 2014, so that'd make me 105. I was born a Pegasus in 1891, in the city of Trottingham. My mum was a Pegasus, my dad was an Earth pony. I was just 18 in 1909, barely out of fillyhood, but not quite a full mare, when I was born again. Oh screw it that makes me technically 123. Hell I was never very good with math. Go with whatever you like. The twist? I'm a vampony. Don't believe me? Couldn't care less, I'm not begging you to read this.

So yeah, I'm a vampony. An immortal, undying vampony. No, I don't know Dracula, and no I don't sparkle in the sun like those idiotic movies all the colts and fillies seem to love. I mean, why for Celestia's sake do they watch such rubbish?

I don't remember much about the mare who made me. She was a Unicorn, I remember that, and her name was Nightfall. I don't know why she chose to turn me. I remember her drinking from me, my life force being drawn into her. As I neared death, Nightfall gave me a choice, die or join her. Given the alternative I chose to become like her. It was a simple thing she did. She bled me a little more to the very point of death itself then she bit herself, then let her blood drip into my mouth. All I had to do was drink it. I did, slowly at first then more urgently as I got the taste of it. She held me as I died, her arms were like iron, keeping me on my hooves. The pain of it was excruciating.

Just a mortal death. That's how she described it as it was happening. Nightfall stayed with me as the magic in her blood wrought it's changes upon me. As soon as it was done however she was gone. I never saw her again.

Now we have that out the way, back to me. I'm an 18 year old filly, or so I look it to the world. I'm 5” 7, which was tall for back then. I used to have a deep orange coat, my fur has paled over the years. My purple hair and tail remain the same though, although since my change the texture is finer. Or my sense of touch is more refined. You decide. My eyes changed when I did, I used to have such lovely green eyes. They're a deep red now, hence the need for shades. Shame, I do miss my old eyes.

Clothes. I wear leather. Black leather. Have done since ‘74. Thank Vocal Chord for that. That mare knew her way around a microphone, and boy could she rock a guitar! Shame I have to make holes in the jacket for my wings, but hey we can't have everything. Should also tell you about my bike. My bike is my baby. A Harley Davidson Thunderbike. Black with cute little flames everywhere. I remember seeing her for the first time back in ’03 in the showroom. Love at first sight is such a cliché but, man when I saw that bike it almost made my heart beat. It's one of the few things I own that's actually mine, that I paid for with money. Not that I don't have any money, but usually I just take what I want. This was different. Me and that bike have been together 11 years now, and I love it almost as much as I love her.

Right that's the boring introduction out the way. I'm going to tell you how I came to be in this toilet of a town called Ponyville, and about how I met her. This part of my story starts in 2011, three years ago.

Ha! You thought I was going to detail every one of my 123 years didn't ya? Well tough shit ‘cos I ain't. Mainly ‘cos I can't remember most of my early years. You get to 123 and tell me what you did over a century ago then we’ll talk. I might go back and tell you about it another time, then again I might not. Who knows?

Anyway. 2011. It was February I think, or maybe March. One of the two. I loved the winter months ‘cos the nights were longer, so more darkness the more I get to ride. Seeing as the royal sisters raise the sun and the moon in Equestria, I never did understand why the winter nights were longer. I'd been in Baltimare for a few weeks. Figured it was time to move on. I don't tend to stay in one place too long. I learnt long ago authorities get suspicious when ponies suddenly go missing, and too many kills in one place soon draws attention, attention I can do without.

So here I was, leathered up and about to get underway. It was a shame really. I'd miss Baltimare. I remember checking my little map, noticing this little speck called Ponyville that I'd never been to before. Seemed ideal. I'd follow my usual routine, secure an empty building, use it as a base, kill a few ponies, then leave before too much heat built up. Simple but effective. Mind you, I didn't have to work so hard to remain hidden these days. Now I was over a hundred I didn't need to feed every night. Hell sometimes I could go as much as three days before the thirst overtook me. I'd try and push myself to last it out, the more time between kills meant less victims, and the more time I could spend before moving on.

I had fed earlier that night. Some Pegasus stallion drug pusher had tried to assault me as I left my empty apartment and walked towards the garage that held my bike. I saw him as soon as I'd shut my door, pretended not to notice him crossing the street towards me as I turned my back on him. He must've thought I was making it easy. I love to play along. I could hear the stallions hooves on the pavement behind me, could smell the drugs in his system. They'd make his blood taste delicious when I took him. I was about to put the keys in the garage door when I felt the blade of the knife against my back, his fetid breath issuing threats, telling me to give him my money or he'd kill me.

Good luck with that I thought.

Anyway I wanted some fun so I suppressed a smile, turning to him I put on my best ‘shocked little filly’ face and ran down the alleyway next to the garage. He chased me of course. Idiot. He didn't realise his mistake until I'd stopped running and turned on him. He was expecting a scared little filly, what he got was my fangs around his neck. I remember he struggled, even stabbed me a couple of times in the belly. Didn't save him. I overpowered him easy enough. He was still trying to fight me when my teeth broke the skin of his neck, right up until I started drinking his blood. Then he stopped fighting, like he was accepting it. He let me take him.

I started sucking gently, drawing his blood up through the ruptured artery. I loved this part. All his past was in his blood, his wickedness, his cruelty. We connected then, as I slowly drained him. I made sure to take my time, I savoured his taste, the feeling of his heart trying to beat ever harder to pump more blood, and then gradually starting to beat slower and slower. Hmmmm the tangy copper flavour of his blood was mixed with the drugs in his system, it was quite intoxicating, I could feel his fluids coursing through my own body. Such a rush. All too soon though it was over. I had drained him to the point of death and it was time to let him go. I pulled my teeth away, biting my tongue I used my own blood to seal the wounds on his neck, I felt him gasp as I licked him, tasting his sweat. He died in my arms, his body going limp as I laid him on the ground. I wondered for a moment if he knew how intimate that had been.

Probably not. Picking out a cigarette I lit up and took a long hard drag I went back to the garage and got my bike ready. Turning the ignition I pumped the throttle, and she burst into life with a roar. Casually flicking the cigarette away I accelerated away from Baltimare, towards whatever Ponyville had to offer.

The three hour ride was uneventful, there wasn't much traffic at that time of night. Suited me though as I was able to keep my speed at a steady 100 miles an hour. I couldn't help grinning like a filly. I loved speed, the adrenalin kept my preternatural reflexes sharp. I was never much good at flying, despite my wings. The speed of the bike gave me a similar release though. I never bothered with a helmet, not as if a crash was going to kill me. Anyway the wind rushing through my mane just added to the euphoric feeling, especially has I'd just fed not long before.

Before long I started seeing lights in the distance, getting closer. I eased of the gas and began slowing down. No point drawing police attention by speeding. I remember pulling up on the outskirts of the town.

The first thing I noticed about Ponyville was the smell. Baltimare and Fillydelphia before it had both been on the east coast, the fresh tang of the ocean was everywhere. They were beautiful places, bright and clean, the salty air from the sea overpowered even the exhausts from all the cars. By contrast Ponyville stank. It reeked of exhaust fumes and factories. Maybe it was my heightened sense of smell. I cursed being a vampony then. I could only imagine it didn't smell as bad to the mortal ponies who lived here. Maybe it did and they didn't notice anymore.

I stand by my earlier statement at the start of this diary, Ponyville was a toilet of a town.

To be honest I was tempted to throttle up my bike and carry on. I would have if the night wasn't almost over. Luna had been generous with her night, however the inky black of night was giving way to a royal blue smudge on the horizon, I knew dawn was coming and Celestia would be raising her sun any time now. I also knew I had no chance of reaching anywhere else before it got here. So, burdened by the need to find shelter I rode further into this reeking cesspit trying not to throw up as I gagged slightly. This smell was going to get everywhere, I just knew it. It was almost as if the aroma had a physical presence.

Oh well. Needs must when the devil shits on your eiderdown, as my old dad used to say.

I rode slowly through the streets, looking for an abandoned house. Hopefully one would present itself soon, there was a definite yellow glow on the horizon now. Desperation was setting in when I rounded the corner of what I saw was a street of shops, or what used to be a street of shops. Most of them were shut down, left empty. Only a couple showed signs of life. I rode past one, a three story building obviously still being used as its façade was in better repair than the others around it. I pulled up and gave a look. White and purple paint shone even in the half light of early morning. It was well cared for. “Carousel Boutique” was painted on the front in fancy writing. A clothes shop then. Breathing through my nose I caught the scent of perfumes and spices. Whoever lived here liked expense certainly. I passed it by, not my thing and besides I wasn't hungry.

Next door to it though was an ideal candidate. Two story building, faded paintwork and chipped plaster showing bricks underneath. Windows boarded up and a small alley at the side. Not perfect but it'd suffice for today at least. Dismounting my bike I pushed it down the alley, and chained her securely to a drainpipe. Round the back there was another boarded up door, which opened easily to a quick punch. Once inside I quickly piled some furniture in front of the door, barricading it shut.

A quick listen and a sniff told me the place was in fact empty, save a few rats. Ignoring the downstairs I hurried to the first floor, hoping to find a bed. I was in luck, sort of. While there was a bed the mattress smelt of some unimaginable incident even I was reluctant to think about.

I was wishing now I hadn't killed that family of four in Baltimare the other night. I got greedy, but by the goddesses the mare, her stallion and two fillies were delicious.

Oh well. As I said needs must.

I remember that first day in Ponyville like it was yesterday. I wrinkled my nose in utter disgust as I laid on the bed in the darkness, feeling the weariness of dawn coming to claim me. I needed sleep, and no matter where I was I was going to get it.

That's when I first heard her. I was settling on the bed, almost asleep when I caught the single most beautiful sound I'd ever heard. It was a mare singing. In my drowsy state I couldn't place where the sound was coming from, only that it was close. Unknowingly she sung me to my slumber that morning, as a mother would a troublesome foal. Three years later I can recall perfectly the song. It was simply beautiful, and whoever it was sung it perfectly. I resolved when I woke up later that night I would find whoever it was. I wanted to meet her, to know her. Not to eat, no, hers was a voice too beautiful to silence. Such a thing would be unthinkable. With that thought on my mind, I slept.

There. That's how I arrived here three years ago. As for the rest, and why I'm still here, you'll have to wait till tomorrow. The sun is almost up, and I've been sat here all night writing this. She's been sat with me of course. Not a night passes when she isn't at my side. I'll finish off with the song she sang that morning. It's kind of our song. Sweetie Belle sings it to me whenever I'm upset or in a temper. She knows it calms me.

Here I walk, here I walk

Looking for an Angels wings in the den of the hawk.

Here I am, here I am

With a choice between an also ran and a sunbed tan.

You think you found your own little look?

How I misjudged, how I mistook

You think you found the style of your hair?

I guess tonight I'll take, take these troubles to,

The rocking chair.

So I'll take these high heeled shoes,

And yes I'll take these traditional views.

I'll take this deep despair, of a thirty year old square,

To the rocking chair.

Here I sit, here I sit

Looking for a warm smile in the house of cold wit.

Here I stand, here I stand

Torn between a balding drunk and no-man’s land.

They let you know when you reached your peak,

Where the wolf whistle rung there's a deafening shriek.

Blowing kisses into thin air,

I guess tonight I'll take, take these troubles to

The rocking chair.

So I'll take this awkward stance,

And I'll take this sexless dance

I'll take this deep despair, of a thirty year old square

To the rocking chair.

I’m lying next to her now, Sweetie Belle. my Sweetie. A more perfect Unicorn mare you will never meet. She cuddles me as drapes her warm arm over my cold body. Curtains drawn to keep out in the invading sun. I snuggle – shut up your laughing. I snuggle ok? Right, I snuggle next to her and drift off to a contented sleep, as Sweetie gently snores into my neck. Not for the first time I'm tempted to turn her. She's asked me plenty of times and I always refuse her. Maybe I will one day, I want her to live first, and to take that life away from her will break whatever heart I have left.

One Night In Ponyville

Right. Still with me? Hope so, ‘cause this is where it starts to get good. Then again for all I know you buggered off after the first page. Your loss if you did. I'm gonna tell you about that first night I awoke in Ponyville. That's when everything changed for me. That was the night I met Sweetie Belle.

I awoke that evening on the fetid bed in the dingy hovel where I'd been forced to seek refuge earlier that morning. The first thing I noticed was the smell had diminished during the day. This either meant the place was smelling better or I was getting accustomed to it. I was inclined to believe the latter. Checking my watch I saw it was just after eight. Celestia had already lowered her sun, and the glorious moon was hanging low in the sky. Just dark enough for me to go outside.

Interesting side note here, not very important but one to remember. The older you get the more you can tolerate exposure to the sun. When I was younger I'd have to wait another couple of hours at least. Hell, I'd heard tales of the very oldest vamponies being able to spend whole mornings out in the sunlight. Fucking cool or what?

Anyway, where was I? Yeah, woke up, wasn’t sick. Awesome.

Next thing on my list, breakfast. Damn if I wasn’t hungry. I'd only had the drug pusher the night before, and while sometimes a fully grown stallion can keep the thirst at bay for a day or two tonight I was thirsty. I mean really thirsty. I'd need more than one tonight, that was for sure.

Yay for me, I get to remove two pieces of scum from the face of Equestria. Ain't I nice? Well no, not particularly. Just something, the one thing really, that Nightfall told me the night she made me. “Always drink from the nasty ones darling.” I remember asking her why, and she gave me this peal of laughter, she had a really high class tilt to her laugh. “Because Niblet, while the innocents do taste nice, taking them every night will drive you insane. Best for the conscience to take the nasty ones, the ones who deserve it as t’were.” She had left me after that pearl of wisdom.

So, here I was, in the dirty alley unchaining my baby getting ready to hunt. The hunt was, and is, my favourite part of feeding. Some vamponies like the act itself, others prefer the moment the victim dies, hell I remember one guy who was so good at it he could draw the moment of death out and make it last up to ten minutes.

Me? I prefer the hunt, the thrill of the chase. Doesn't matter, I always catch my prey in the end, what matters to me is the hunt. I even turned it into a game, I learned over time to vary up my techniques to keep the game fresh. Sometimes I'd play the scared little lost girl, like I did with the druggie in Baltimare. Sometimes I'd stalk my prey for hours, hiding in the shadows, never being seen until the moment came to feed. Other times I'd play with my victim, let them see me coming, showing them the death that awaited them before letting them run away, I'd give chase, never too close. I'd let them think they'd escaped before dropping on them and snuffing out their lives.

Call me cruel if you want, you'd be right. But hey, you do the same thing every night for 123 years. You'd soon get bored right? So I spice up my routine. Don't feel too sorry for them, they all had it comin’, well nearly all, I just couldn't resist that little filly in Manehatten that one time. Did she ever squeal! You should’a seen her, all wide eyed and terrified! Ha! I love it when they get scared, fear adds flavour ya know.

Sorry. Sweetie’s just made me apologise. She knows full well what I am, and what I'm capable of doing, she just hates it when I talk about killing the odd innocent. Bless her she prefers not to think about it. She asked me not to do it anymore once, she said that, to me! Who does she think she is? (Mare of my dreams that's who) I ignored her once, she took away cuddle privelidges for a week. That was a hard week I'll tell ya.

Anyway. I'm getting off topic. Where was I? Ah yeah, breakfast. I was on my baby, cruising through the streets looking for some food. I wasn't really paying attention to where I was going, I had that song from that morning on my mind too. Second on my priority list after feeding was finding the mare with that voice. Third on my list was getting that voice alone, pinning it against a wall and running my tongue all over that voice’s neck, back and other areas. Hmmmmmm what me and my libido could do to that voice.

Had to swerve my baby at that point or I'd have hit a parked car. Lucky for me I have preternatural senses. “Focus Scoots, belly first body second.” I chided myself with a sly smile. “And maybe third and fourth,” my horny mind added for me.

I'd just rounded a corner when I heard a piercing scream from somewhere nearby. Not that I mind a decent scream mind, as long as I'm the cause of it. Slowly, I revved my baby forward, hunting for the source of the scream. Didn't take me long to find it. Just over the road ahead in the entrance to an alleyway under a street lamp two figures were threatening a third.

Jackpot, I thought.

I bought my baby to a stop, and flipped out the kickstand. Dismounting I began my approach, hugging the walls of buildings as I did so. I needn't have bothered being stealthy, all their attentions were on each other. As I got closer I was able to make out more details of the scene in front of me. The two attackers, a stallion and a colt I assumed, ‘cause one larger than the other had knives drawn on a plainly terrified young unicorn mare. From where I was I was able to make out their voices easily.

“For the last time, ya cloth eared bint, we want ya money, an’ we want it now!”

“I – I don't – I haven't…please, please let me go…”

“Don't lie ya bitch! We saw ya on that stage songbird, ya got paid now pay us!” To make his point, the stallion drew his knife down the left side of the mares face, leaving a red line in its wake.

The scared mare then fumbled in her jacket, and handed over a large looking purse to the gloating muggers.

I was incensed! Not at the mugging itself, that was textbook, but at their brazen attitude. They weren't even trying to hide! All the times I had to be careful and here they were, bold as you please! Before I knew what I was doing my legs were carrying me over to the muggers.

Don't get me wrong, readers, you should know me well enough by now. I wasn't being charitable. I was hungry. And besides, the mare looked like she could be fun to play with after I was done.

Within a few seconds I was behind the earth pony stallion, he hadn't even heard my approach. He never knew I was there as I reached up, an orange hand either side of his head and with a deft movement spun it 180 degrees, breaking his neck with a very loud crack. He dropped lifeless to the floor as I rounded on the colt. The poor little thing barely had time to realise what was happening as I pulled his mane back with my left hand, wrapped my right around his waist and sunk my teeth into his neck and bit down hard. Honestly the mood I was in I could've ripped his throat out right there. Little shit never stood a chance. I drained him in seconds, dropping his tiny body in the dirt.

All this time, the mare never moved. She stood, trembling with fear, looking at me like I had five heads.

Rifling through the stallions pockets I found the silk (silk!) purse, I looked it over to see an embroidered "S B". It was heavy too. How thick was she to be carrying this around?

I turned to her and she seemed to shrink against the wall. “This yours?” She nodded as I sat on some wooden pallets. Pulling out my cigarettes I lit one and took a heavy drag, inhaling the sweet nicotine. Breathing out the smoke I tossed the purse over to the quaking mare. She didn't even try and catch it, letting it land on her hooves.

Looking her over, she was very easy on the eyes, especially mine. She stood about 5”, had a pale pink off white coat with a deeper pink mane with purple shooting through it. She was wearing a red sweater, black pants and a black scarf. Damn if she wasn't pretty.

“Y– you s– saved me..” She found her voice at last.

I regarded her for a moment, taking another drag on my cigarette. “Nope,” I corrected her, “I just haven't killed you yet.”

She let out an adorable little “eeep” at that. I gotta say I was enjoying this. She cast frightened eyes over to the two bodies of her former attackers, before looking back to me.

"You’re going to k – kill me too?”

Did I mention she was adorable? “Well,” I said between drags, “that depends now doesn’t it?”

“On w– what?”

I gave a low chuckle, I could play her all night long. “On you toots. You got a name?” I flicked the used ciggy to the ground and plucked out another, lighting it up while she answered.

“S– s– sweetie B– b– belle.” She managed to stutter out. At this rate she'd kill herself of a heart attack.

Cute name. Cute mare. I took another deep inhale, breathing out more smoke. “Well Sweetie Belle. I heard this jack off here say you were a singer. Right?” She nodded again. “Well, sing then.”

For once, Sweetie Belle didn't look scared, more confused now than anything else. “You, you want me to sing, for you, now?”

“Uh huh. Whenever you're ready, Sweetie.” I took a few more drags of the cigarette as I watched Sweetie prepare herself. Just as I was about to get bored and kill her then and there she opened her mouth and began to sing.

And just like that, everything changed.

“Suddenly before my eyes,

hues of indigo arise

With them how my spirit sighs,

Paint the sky with stars.

Only night will ever know,

Why the heavens never show

All the dreams there are to know,

Paint the sky with stars.

Who has placed the midnight sky,

So our spirit has to fly

Must the heavens seem so far,

Now who will paint the midnight star?

Night had brought to those who sleep,

Only dreams they cannot keep

Like our legends in the deep,

Paint the sky with stars.

Who has placed the midnight sky,

So our spirit has to fly

Must the heavens seem so far,

Now who will paint the midnight star?

Place a name upon the night,

One to set your heart alight

One to make the darkness bright,

Paint the sky with stars."

Sweetie Belle finished her song. It took me a full two minutes to realise she had stopped singing. I merely sat dumbfounded on the stack of wooden pallets, mouth hanging open. I only came back to reality when my cigarette burned down to the nub and burnt my fingers.

Now, it may have escaped your notice, but I've always had a thing for music. It's my one and only weakness. Back when I was alive I loved the orchestras, especially the cello, and my love of music has progressed over the years, with the magic that was rock and roll in the fifties and pop in the sixties. I can't explain it, music just does ‘something’ to me, to my soul. Except dub step, that shit just sounds like a gameboy gangbang and I cannot and will not accept it as anything other than noise. Play that near me, expect to die horribly. Very horribly.

But this, that sound, that voice. I was in heaven then, no, I was in love.

Sweetie Belle started to shift uncomfortably under my gaze, and I was vaguely aware I was staring like an idiot.

“You…it was you!”

“Um, sorry, but what was me?”

I quickly explained about arriving in Ponyville earlier this morning just as the sun was rising, about finding this disused old shop, and settling down to sleep as I heard this beautiful song about a rocking chair, and how I wanted to find the singer.

“So, um, you're gonna kill me now, huh?”

What?? Kill her? Was she serious? Nonononono! I wanted to reassure her, tell her nothing would ever hurt her ever again. I would make sure of that. I wanted to tell her so many things, but I've never been a good one with words. Instead I stood, walked over to Sweetie Belle and simply took her in my arms, planting a kiss on her perfect lips. Sweetie pulled back slightly, a red blush on her cheeks.

“Not gonna kill me?” Sweetie asked with a small smile

"Not gonna kill you.” I replied breathlessly, lost in her perfect green eyes.

Sweetie Belle kissed me then, pressing her lips to mine. This was a fuller, more passionate kiss than the one I gave her, her tongue darted over my lips, gaining entry to my mouth. Without thinking I allowed her access, and Sweetie’s tongue went to work exploring my mouth with a passion. I felt it run over my fangs and she froze, pulling back from me. “Oh no!”

"What, what are you?”

Now it was my turn to blush, “I- I'm a vampony.” I said quietly, hoping she wouldn't hear me.

"A vampony?"

“Yeah, pretty much kitten.”

“That. Is. So. Cool!” Sweetie almost squealed in delight, before kissing me again. This time her tongue didn't freeze up as it went everywhere inside my mouth. Of all the reactions I was expecting, that wasn't one of them I'll tell you.

So, there you have it. That was my first night in Ponyville, how I met Sweetie Belle, and how my life changed forever afterwards. To say she's my marefriend is doing her an injustice. She's so much more than that, she's my soulmate, my confidant and my saviour, all wrapped up in one gorgeous package. I sometimes wonder how the last three years would be if I hadn't come here, or if I'd have taken a different turning when I was cruising the streets. To be honest I don't know, and I never will.

But that's a chapter for another time, as the sun is making a fool of me again. I've whiled away the entire night at this desk writing this. Sweeties been here with me of course, she's never very far away, planting welcome (if distracting) kisses whenever I pause for thought. I'll bid you and this book good day for now, so kindly sod off and let me get my sleep.

Shepard Moons

Shepherd Moons

Hey. So here we are again. The third entry in this little journal Sweetie asked me to write. I hope you're all still reading, ‘cause if you aren't I'm wasting my time. Not that I haven't got that to waste, there are just better things I could be doing, like feeding.

So, where'd I leave off last time? Oh yeah, the night I first met my Sweetie Belle. That was one hell of a night. I gave her a ride home after we kissed. Sweetie was hesitant at first to go anywhere near my baby, it seemed bigger than she was. I remember getting on and patting the seat behind me impatiently. Poor thing just stood there and shook her head. After ten minutes I lost my cool with her, getting off my baby I grabbed by the arms and bodily lifted her onto the passenger seat. She just squeaked at how strong I was. Getting back on I revved her up and cast a glance over my shoulder at Sweetie.

“Where to Sweets?”

“C– carousel B– boutique.” She managed to squeak out, trying to overcome her fear. To be fair to the poor mare, it had been a strange night, she had a lot to take in.

“No way,” I thought, “no fucking way, she lives right next to where I've been sleeping? What are the chances?” I had to chuckle at the wierdness of the universe then. Life sure did have a sense of humour huh? Little did I know at that point just how humourous the universe could be, and that very shortly I would be the butt of one of its despicable practical jokes.

“Hold on to me.” Sweetie did as instructed, wrapping her arms around my waist. I could've told her to hold the handle at the back, but hey, may as well enjoy the ride, right? Sweetie leant into me far more than was necessary, but I wasn't going to complain to her about her breasts being squashed into my back.

“Hmmmmhmm. It sure did feel nice.” I had to shake myself a little, “focus Scoots, you pervert.”

Revving my baby’s engine once more I took off, racing back towards that clothes shop. I'll grant you I didn't know where I was going but it was a simple matter to follow my own scent back the way I had come. Presently, within fifteen minutes we were parked outside the Boutique, Sweetie was shivering as I helped her off my baby, either from the cold or from excitement, mind you, when she put her hand in mine I was the one shivering.

I just couldn't understand it. Why in the name of all the Goddesses did this mare affect me like this? Now, I'm no tender virgin readers, you may have picked up on that. Over the past 123 years I've had my share (heh, some might say more than my share) of stallions and mares, even before I was turned I had more than a few colts and fillies. I know my way around bodies, how to use mine to get what I want, how to use others too, and I know more than a bit about sex. Yeah, I've had a bit of it, though I never thought I put myself about, just after living so long a mare gets lonely ya know? Plus the odd orgasm here and there never fails to liven up a dull night.

So yeah, I'd been intimate before on physical levels, sure. But this, with Sweetie, this was… what was this? All she had done was take my hand and suddenly I was like a trembling filly. I gripped her hand outside the Boutique. That moment, it was weird. I felt weird. I didn't know why she made me feel like this. Was it love? Did I love her? To be honest right then I didn't know. I loved her voice I knew that much, and she was easy on the eyes sure, but was it more?

Anyway, while I was stood there zoned out like an idiot, her hand in mine, I was totally unaware Sweetie had asked me something. I only realised as much when she turned to look at me with those beautiful eyes.

“I said, would you like to come in and meet my sister?”

"To eat, ya mean?”

I tried to walk off towards the Boutique but was halted by an unmoving Sweetie. I turned back to her and she was frozen in place, a look of utter horror on her perfect face.

“Y– you wouldn't, would you?”

I shrugged my shoulders, “maybe.” I said with a wink, hoping she’d catch on. I loved playing with her.

“You are awful!” She said with a delightful giggle as she swatted my arm.

“Uh huh, that's why ya love me babe.” I inwardly cringed, love? Where did that come from? Ugh. Lame! I reached into my jacket for the cigarettes, taking one out I lit up and took a long drag, calming my nerves.

“Um, I don't think my sister approves of smoking.”

"Fuck your sister," I thought darkly, taking another drag before blowing the smoke out. “Look Sweets if she don't like it I'll put it out, ‘Kay?”

With that she nodded and lead the way up the steps to the front doors, pushing them open and inviting me in. We just got inside when Sweetie called out to the empty room.

“Sis! I'm back, where are you?”

“Upstairs Sweetie darling.” A voice answered. The sound of this voice stopped me cold, I'd heard it before somewhere, but where? Certainly nopony I knew or could remember spoke like that. It sounded like it belonged in Canterlot high society, not the slums of nowhere town. Sweetie took off for the stairs, and disappeared upstairs, telling me to wait for her.

Since I was alone, I took the chance to have a look around. The inside of the boutique was very nice, I thought. It certainly was a large space. Opposite the doors was a large counter with a cash register on it, behind which on the wall was a large glass cabinet holding various accessories. I personally had no idea what they were, as I said before fashion wasn't my thing. Along the left wall were five life size mannequins, all wearing different dresses and outfits. I assumed these were for customers, two had name tags on them. One was for “Shadow Weaver” the other for someone called “Rarity”. The opposite wall was lined with shelving holding various materials and equipment. A set of stairs to the left of these shelves went to the darkened upstairs.

I wandered back over to the dresses on the mannequins. They really were of exquisite quality. Whomever had done this was skilled indeed. Try as I might my mind kept wandering to that voice I heard from upstairs. I couldn't shake the weird feeling I'd heard it before. Nor could I shake the feeling of unease that voice instilled. What was it with me tonight? I could hear muffled voices upstairs, still on my own I took another cigarette and began to inhale the smoke. I watched the smoke from the tip make little rings as it wafted away. Distracted by the smoke I didn't hear the hoofsteps coming down the stairs behind me. Just as I lifted the ciggy to my lips for a drag I heard what I assumed was Sweetie's sister.

“I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to put that out, darling.”

I spun on my heel, ready to tell this stuck up mare where I wanted to shove my ciggy, but the insult died on my lips. She stalked down the stairs like a predator after a wounded animal, never once taking her eyes off me. She literally took my breath from me, this unicorn mare. I felt the spark of recognition instantly, even after all these years. She looked exactly the same as the last time I saw her. Alabaster white coat, and a lustrous purple mane and tail, perfectly styled ‘coiffed’ I think is the right term. Her elegant beauty was astounding, made more so by the simple black dress she was wearing. Accented by her cutie mark of three blue diamonds on the left side.

Absentmindedly I squeezed the cigarette between my fingers, snuffing it out as I continued to stare at the last mare in the world I expected to see again. She reached the bottom of the stairs, looking me over like I would someponie’s neck.

“Darling, it is rude to stare.” The disdain in her voice was almost palpable.

“Nightfall.” My voice was a low growl, as full of anger and hate as I could manage. It had been 120 years since I last set eyes on this mare, her image burned into my brain. There was no chance I had this wrong. 120 years, and here she stood before me, a look on her face like she didn't recognise me. How could Nightfall not recognise me? ME!

“I do sometimes go by that name, yes. And you are?”

“Where's Sweetie Belle?” I was angry sure, but also concerned as to Sweeties safety around Nightfall. Did Sweetie know about her? What in Tartarus was the set up here?

“Sweetie, my sister, is upstairs showering as we speak. Now, for the sake of good manners, I shall ask once more. Whom are you?”

“You don't recognise me at all, do you Nightfall?” Anger was building in me, I could feel the rage in the pit of my gut. How dare she not recognise me, after everything she did? And how was Sweetie Belle this monsters sister?

“Dear, is there a special reason I should?” Nightfall barely managed to suppress her irritation, clearly bored by the situation.

“Oh I'll give you a reason. You killed my parents.”

Nightfall casually made her way over to a weird sofa looking thing next to the counter, and reclined on it, not bothering to keep eye contact anymore. Smoothing her dress around her legs she turned to look me over once more, clearly not impressed with the leather clad me on front of her.

"I am afraid you will have to be more specific darling, I have killed a lot of people's parents.” Her casual tone infuriated me ever more. She wasn't even denying it!

With a supreme effort I pushed my anger to one side, and in an even a voice as I could manage I said to her,

“Trottingham, 1909. Middle of a thunderstorm, you knocked on the door of our house. My parents took you in, gave you shelter, food, warm clothes and a clean bed for the night. In return for their hospitality and charity you slaughtered them! You– you forced me to watch as you ripped out their throats and drank them dry before discarding them like used toys! T– then you held me in your arms, and drank from me, a– and you gave me the choice they never got, join them in death or live forever, like you.” I flashed my fangs at her in proof, “I chose the latter, and you made me.”

“I see.” That same tone of voice again. Not once in my tirade did she lose her composure. Nightfall merely looked at me as if we were discussing the weather. “When I spoke to Sweetie upstairs, she mentioned to me that you saved her life earlier tonight, and that the two of you kissed. Is this correct?”

Her question caught me squarely off guard. It was all I could do to offer her a sullen ‘yes’ as a response.

“Then I am in your debt. My sister is very precious to me. As such, to you, I apologise for the hurt I caused to you and your family.”

“That's it? You're sorry? YOU’RE SORRY?” I rushed at her, my rage wanting to tear her apart.

A blue light emanated from her horn and caught me in a magical field, halting my movement towards her and pinning me in place. I thrashed about like a fish out of water to no avail, I was caught and going nowhere. Once more, I was at her mercy. If she had any that is.

“Do not misunderstand me. In three hundred and seventy two years I have not apologised to anypony or anything. I merely did what I had to do to survive, as I am sure you yourself have done over the years.”

I had to admit, she had a point there. Begrudgingly I stopped trying to fight her magical hold on me, and with a thought she ceased the spell.

"Now, I have no trouble allowing you to continue seeing Sweetie Belle. However I have rules. Do you agree?”

I nodded to her, knowing full well she could overpower me in a heartbeat should she so chose.

“Very well. Number one, I will accept no violence under my roof. Two, Sweetie does not know about Nightfall. To her I am her sister Rarity, and that is how it will stay. Three, should any harm come to her by your doing I will dismember you where you stand, drink your carcass dry and scatter the remains to the four winds. Are we clear on these rules?”

I spat in my left hand and extended it to her, only for her to wrinkle her nose in disgust and use her magic to clean my hand thoroughly before she took it in her own and gave it a shake.

“Yeah, ‘Rarity’, I reckon I can live with that.” Don't get me wrong, I was still angry with her, very much so, but Nightf…’Rarity’ had demonstrated her power and dominance quite well. I may not be the smartest pegasus in Equestria but I knew which way my bread was buttered. Here she was giving me her blessing to be with Sweetie, and I wasn’t about to let a grudge get in the way of that.

“Thank you, for apologising. It– it means a lot, I guess. My name is Scootaloo, by the way.”

“You are very welcome, Scootaloo.” For the first time in our exchange, she offered me a smile. “Now, I hear Sweetie has finally finished in the shower and is on her way down to us. One last time, you agree to my rules?”

I merely nodded in agreement.

“Excellent, then let us never speak of this again.” Rarity then raised her voice to Sweetie in greeting as the young mare came bounding down the stairs. “Ah Sweetie, enjoy the shower did we?”

“Yeah sis it was great! You two been okay down here? I thought I heard shouting…” Sweetie skipped over to me and planted a soft kiss on my lips, looking over at Rarity I could’ve sworn I saw the ghost of an eye twitch as she did so.

"Nonsense darling myself and Scootaloo have gotten along famously haven’t we, dear?”

“Sure we have Sweets,” I pulled her into a huge hug and looked Rarity square in the eyes, “your sister’s something else babe.”

With that I noticed the time was fast approaching four am. Time to make my excuses and bail back to next door, although I had a feeling I wouldn't be there many more nights. Sweetie looked disappointed I was leaving but I did offer to pick her up for a date later, which she seemed thrilled at. I was on my way to the main doors when Rarity stopped me.

“IDEA!” She all but squealed out at us, “my marefriend Shadow Weaver and I have a dinner date at a restaurant later tonight. Why don't you two join us, we can double date?”

I was about to respectfully decline when Rarity dropped her secret weapon. Vocal Chord would be performing there. The Vocal Chord! My idol herself! Now I couldn't refuse, regardless of how weird this double date would be, I'd be there with Sweetie, listening to Vocal Chord! I had to accept, there was no other choice. I gave Sweetie a last lingering kiss as I left the Boutique and hurriedly pushed my baby around the corner out of sight down the alleyway.

Have to admit, I felt really good as I settled down to sleep that morning. Yes I was nervous about the upcoming date, but it was nothing I couldn't handle surely? I mean, it was only dinner right? What could possibly go wrong? Nothing I thought, except upsetting Sweetie and being horribly murdered by her insanely powerful vampony sister. See? Nothing to worry about at all…

Only If

Only If…

I was pissed off. Properly, royally pissed off. The dinner double date was a few hours away and to be honest, I really didn't want to go. Not only would I have to meet and make nice with Nigh… ’Rarity’s’ marefriend Shadow Weaver, but I'd be under close scrutiny by Rarity herself, which I wasn't too keen on I'll admit. She had demonstrated her power and superiority quite well to me earlier, and I was under no uncertainty that should the mood take her, she could end my existence without breaking a sweat. There was only two things that had convinced me to go at all, seeing Vocal Chord perform live, even if the mare wasn't in her prime anymore she could still rock, and Sweetie Belle’s puppy dog eyes. Seriously! Those things should be listed in the Equestrian military under deadly weapons. One day, I was determined to find out her secret, bottle it and become rich!

So yeah, here I was outside the Carousel Boutique, pissed off and waiting for my marefriend and her sister, the angel of death itself, to make their appearance. Fuck knows what Rarity was thinking, inviting me to a dinner of all things. I haven’t eaten anything other than blood for one hundred and twenty years! I didn't know I could eat anything else. My body was dead for all purposes that matter, can I manage ‘regular’ food? How would I cope with it? Guess I'd find out soon enough.

I reached for ever present cigarettes, trusting to Mother Nicotine to sooth my nerves, which the Good Mother always did, Luna rot her soul. I lit one up as I reflected on my conflicted thoughts regarding Sweetie Belle. I was in love with her voice, no doubt, but was I in love with her? I thought so, but how could I be sure? Did I deserve her after all the ponies I'd killed? Definitely not. This introspection bought me to Nightfall and my feelings towards her. True she had killed my parents and I hated her then, but did I hate her now? I thought I did, but after sleeping on it I had to say no, not really. Heh, it'd be pretty hypocritical of me if I did, after all how many families had I killed over the years? How many orphans had I created to sate my hunger? I honestly didn't know. Too many to count certainly. I was no better than her, and I certainly had no right to judge her anymore.

Flicking the spent cigarette away the doors of the Boutique opened and the two mares descended the steps towards me. Sweetie was dressed in a very simple purple number that perfectly accented her light pink mane and tail, and which was cut low enough in front to hold my, ahem, attention, and which was low enough at the bottom to keep my attention. Rarity was wearing a similarly simple black shoulderless dress which went all the way down to her hooves, my imagination didn't have to work in the slightest on her curves, it was all on display beneath the black fabric. As you can imagine, I felt distinctly like the odd one out dressed in my old leathers. Meh, never bothered me before, wasn't gonna start giving a shit now.

“Darling, it is impolite to stare.” Rarity turned her withering gaze upon me, and extended a delicate hand to flip my hanging jaw closed. Sweetie merely giggled at me mentally undressing her.

"So, where's this restaurant then?” I huffed, I was still annoyed I wasn’t out eating somepony, but my mood had been made considerably better since Sweetie’s appearance. Especially as she ‘casually’ flicked her tail against my leg.

“Other side of town dear, we will be leaving presently.”

“We aren't walking are we?” Not that I was bothered much, but Sweetie and Rarity in those outfits were gonna draw attention, and not the nice kind.

“Well of course we are not!” Rarity exclaimed, in a manner of one explaining something very simple to a foal, “Shadow Weaver is bringing the car, my Pet should be here very soon.”

Now that caught my attention. “Your pet? I thought she was your date?” Confused was I.

“My dear, she is both, and I will thank you to be respectful when she arrives, which will be in a few moments. My Pet is never late.”

Sweetie leant in to me at this point, and whispered “my big sis has a ‘unique’ relationship, it's cute, really.”

Uh huh.

I was about to comment further but the sound of an engine growing louder put the thought out of my mind. I checked my watch, it was a minute past eight, Shadow Weaver was a minute late. “So much for not being late,” I thought with a sly grin.

Just then a beautiful flame red Chevrolet Chevelle SS turned the corner and parked up in front of us. Engine still running the drivers door opened and out stepped the mare I assumed was Shadow Weaver.

At this point in the evening I was convinced of a universal conspiracy to get me wet, and it was working.

Shadow Weaver stood 6" 5' if she was an inch, which put her almost a foot taller than me, and certainly made her the tallest amongst us. She had a slight build for a unicorn, thin but not gaunt. She had a lavender coat, and jet black mane and tail shot through with red streaks. She had on a very elegant floor length crimson dress, what drew my eyes though was the leather collar she wore, in matching crimson, which even at this distance I could see had ‘PET’ engraved upon it.

She made her way around to the passenger door and opened it for Rarity while me and Sweetie got in the back. Rarity paused on her way into the car, and turned to face Shadow Weaver, who had her eyes glued firmly on the floor in front of her.

“You are three minutes late, Pet. See that it does not happen again.”

"No, Mistress, it will not.” Spoken in a voice so quiet it took my preternatural ears to actually hear she’d said anything at all.

Mistress and Pet huh? New one on me anyway. Each to their own though I say, after all when I do get blood bags I like to mix in some weetabix to give it texture sometimes so I can't judge what's weird. Didn't mean I couldn't have some fun with them both though, despite Rarity’s warning earlier.

The drive to the restaurant was uneventful, dull and boring. Took about fifteen minutes. A quarter of an hour I could've been on my baby or eating somepony. Still, it did give me an opportunity to come up with various means of winding up Rarity and her pet. Maybe tonight wouldn't be a total waste after all.

We made our way up to the doors of this fancy place, I can't begin to tell you it's name, probably french. Definitely foreign and unpronounceable. I held Sweetie’s hand in mine as Rarity lead the way, Shadow Weaver walking a few paces behind her Mistress, eyes down as usual. The suit at the door greeted us and was about to let us in when I spotted my first opportunity.

“Um, Rarity, are you sure we’re okay to go in here?” I kept my voice as even as I could, despite a small smirk playing on my lips.

“Perfectly sure dear, why do you ask?”

"Cause that sign says 'no PETS allowed'.” Sweetie giggled slightly, while Shadow Weaver’s cheeks went as red as her dress. A single glare from Rarity silenced Sweetie in a heartbeat, while an eye twitch in my direction told me I wouldn't be getting away with many more of these. Let's just see how many shall we?

After that we were shown to our table. It was one of those types of places where you had three different sized forks for Celestia knows what dish. Not my kind of thing. The waiter hovered over us taking our first course orders. Me, Rarity and Sweetie went for a soup, while Weaver just sat silent, eyes cast down to the table, then spoke in her quiet tone.

“Mistress?”

“Ah yes, Shadow Weaver, you shall have the goats cheese salad with dandelion dressing.” Rarity ordered for her before sending the waiter away.

“Yes, Mistress.” A tiny little smile ghosted across her lips, I realised she was totally getting off on this! Mind you, I have to admit it was pretty hot.

I leant back in my seat, taking Sweetie’s hand in mine. Giving the back of her hand a kiss I heard a little whine come from Shadow Weaver, whose hand remained untouched. “Jealous much?” Rarity picked up on this immediately, running her right hand delicately over Shadow’s hand and forearm, drawing out sighs of contentment from Shadow. “Just like you would stroke a pet,” I thought to myself.

“So, how long you been with Rarity then Shadow Weaver?”

Shadow’s cheeks coloured up again at being addressed directly – this was almost too easy – Rarity glared poisoned daggers at me before addressing Shadow.

“You may speak.”

“Thank you Mistress. Well, we have been together as marefriends for two years now, Mistress has been interested in me for a long time, you see I am a witch.”

Witch huh? Tonight is just full of surprises.

“Witch? How's that different to a regular unicorn using magic?” Now I was genuinely interested. A nod from Rarity prompted her to continue, Sweetie looked engrossed in the story.

“A unicorn merely uses magic as a tool, manipulating it’s brute force to do as they please, be it levitation, telekinesis and in some instances teleportation. I on the other hand use it more subtley, I can see everypony’s magic aura, the strands of fate that connect us all to each other. I can freeze time itself, change your future, or if I was so ordered, boil your brain in its own fluids while you believe you are sunbathing.”

At this point the soups and salad had arrived, Sweetie and Rarity began eating theirs immediately. I raised the spoon to try a bit and was surprised when it wasn't all that bad. Tasted very ‘odd’, then again I wasn't surprised by this really. Of course, Shadow Weaver was sat patiently awaiting her command.

“One last dig,” I thought. I couldn't resist, plus winding up Rarity was worth it.

“Pet, you may begin.”

“Yes Mistress.” Shadow Weaver had picked up her knife and fork and was about to start eating when I went for it. In hindsight I wish I hadn't.

“Sure you wouldn't be more comfortable with feeding bowls on the floor? Could mark one ‘witch’ and the other ‘bi…’.”

Several things happened at once at this point to cut me off, Sweetie Belle gasped, her mouth hanging open in shock at what I'd been about to say. Shadow Weaver actually had tears running down her lavender cheeks, streaking her fur as she started to rock back and forth in her chair. The silver spoon Rarity held in her left hand hit the side of her bowl with a ringing clang as she dropped it. She tapped Weaver’s left hand twice, she nodded at the signal and I felt a gentle wave of power emanate from her, spreading over the entire restaurant. Looking around I was stunned, there must've been at least a hundred ponies there that night, and each and every one was frozen in place. Some in midstep, some in the act of eating or drinking. Each one still and lifeless as statues, even Sweetie next to me, was frozen in mid gasp. Everyone except Shadow Weaver, me and Rarity.

Uh oh.

The split second I took to realise I was in danger was all the time Rarity required. She was up and over the table between us so fast, I swear to this day I never saw her move, even with my eyes. In the time it took me to blink I was hoisted from my chair like a rag doll, her hand around my neck thrust me backwards into the wall behind me, her magic pinning my arms and legs in place, the pressure crushing my wings into my back.

Her eyes glowed blood red, her lips pulled back in a feral snarl such as I'd never seen, exposing her deadly fangs. This wasn't Rarity anymore, this was Nightfall, pure undiluted Nightfall, and man was she pissed. Her finger nails extended into talons, digging into the flesh of my neck, drawing blood that flowed over her hand.

“That. Is. Enough!” Nightfall’s voice was little more than a savage hiss, but I caught every syllable. She released my throat, brought her fingers to her lips and sucked them clean of my blood, relishing the coppery taste on her lips. Quick as a flash her mouth was at my exposed jugular, and I tried then failed to suppress the gasp of pain as her fangs penetrated me for the second time in my life. Nightfall wasn't gentle this time, no, oh no. I could feel her very magic pulling my blood out of me, ripping it from my veins against my will. She was brutal in her ministrations, and I knew I deserved it. I tried to struggle against the magical bonds, but it was useless. I was as helpless now as I was when I was eighteen.

"P - please...s - stop...please.." I begged her, barely forming the words in my weakened state. Nightfall ignored me utterly, merely continuing her violation of my body. It was pathetic how quickly she had dominated me, as powerful as I thought I was this was a whole different league. I had foolishly whacked the hive one too many times, now I was paying the ultimate price for it.

“Mistress please stop.”

Nightfall turned to look at Shadow Weaver, not believing what she had just heard. I couldn't either to be honest, I mean, why would she help me?

“Give. Me. A. Reason.” Nightfall panted through heavy breaths.

"Sweetie loves her.”

That was enough. Nightfall, through a supreme effort of will, brought herself under control. Rarity turned back to face me, and ripped open her wrist, forcing it against my mouth and poured her blood into me as she released the magical hold over my limbs. I stumbled to the floor, unable to stand. Thanks to her powerful blood my body was recovering, albeit slowly. I felt Rarity’s magic roughly seize my mane as she thrust my muzzle into Shadow Weaver’s hooves. I heard her voice, cold and calculating.

“Thank her.”

“T – thank y – you, Shadow Weaver…” I barely had the energy to form the coherent thought, let alone the words.

“No, thank her properly.”

More magic poured from Rarity, forcing my mouth open and my tongue out, as Rarity ran it over her Pet’s hooves. The sheer humiliation almost killed me, and I wished the floor would open and consume me there and then. Her magical hold let go of my lips, I held them in place on Weaver’s hooves. I knew better than to move before I was instructed.

After a few seconds Rarity lifted me to my own hooves, and I stood shaking before her. “Insult my Pet ever again, and you will spend eternity believing you are a two year old filly. I'll even have Sweetie braid your mane. Am I clear?”

A hesitant nod was all I could muster in response. Rarity had made her point.

“Then take Sweetie Belle home and put her to bed. The exertion of the evening has quite worn her out.” I looked over at Sweetie, she had indeed been put to sleep. “Do not be at the Boutique when we get back. I do not want to see you till the end of the week.”

As I picked Sweetie up in my arms Shadow Weaver released her hold over the rest of the restaurant, the diners and staff going about their business as if nothing had happened.

I heard Rarity one last time before I reached the doors. “As for you, Pet, we will ‘discuss’ your actions later…” I didn't stop to hear Shadow Weaver’s whimpered reply, I only prayed Nightfall would go easy on her, after all the mare had just saved my life.

Take Good Care of My Baby

Well here we are. How we got here I don't know. I was there, and it's still a mystery to me. A lot happened today, none of it pleasant, and it's gonna take some getting used to, for everypony involved. To say this has been the weirdest day of my life would be a huge understatement boys and girls.

I should probably explain myself before I lose you dear reader.

Now, I left you last time with Rarity dealing me the ass kicking of my life, after the disastrous dinner date. I'm not gonna say I didn't deserve it, happen I probably did. Then again maybe not. That's for you to decide, I'm just telling you lot what happened. As instructed I took a sleeping Sweetie Belle home, and placed her in her bed, all comfy like.

Then I left, and as instructed came back at the end of the week. Contrary to popular belief I know when to do as I'm told. So, I knocked on the Carousel Boutique door, Rarity answered. Let me in as if nothing untoward had occurred between us just a few days earlier. All sweetness and light personified. Shadow Weaver was nowhere to be seen, and no I didn't ask, the less we dwelt on that night the better I thought, regardless of my feelings towards the mare.

We carried on as if nothing had happened, which suited me just fine. Rarity allowed me to take Sweetie out on a few solo dates, to various places around town. I'll tell you about them sometime, maybe. If I feel like it. No matter where we went we had a great time, whether it was the theatre, the all night arcade place – although to be honest Sweetie wasn't a huge fan of the noise, she prefered our quiet walks in the park. Romantic bint, ha!

You'll remember my earlier statement that Ponyville stank something awful. Now, it must have been my constant exposure to the smell, or rather if you ask Sweetie it was my exposure to her perfume, but after a few weeks of our dates I had to admit I wasn't noticing it almost at all anymore. Let that be a lesson guys, if you end up in a cess pit town, drag around a sweet smelling piece of ass ( Owww! Dammit Sweets! ), ahem, I mean, a beautiful young lady whose company you enjoy.

In our third week of dating, we even started getting adventurous – no, not that way you filthy lot, well not yet anyway – Sweetie Belle wanted to watch me hunt, she wanted to see me feed. I'll admit here folks, her fascination with my feeding was a little disturbing. I didn't really want her to see that facet of my being, as much as she knew it was there, I tried to keep it separate from our lives together as much as I could. The last thing I wanted was a slip of the tongue to big sis Rarity, especially as we were getting along almost amicably these days. Well, if you call quiet resentment amicable. It was preferable to outright hostility anyway.

You can imagine my surprise then one night when we were out walking when Sweetie suggested she help me hunt. She wanted to help me! At first I was a bit indignant, I mean, I'm capable of getting my own meal for Luna's sake! I was more than hesitant at first, but she wore me down, damn those adorable cute eyes! I said before how they should be classed as dangerous weapons, and they should. Nopony has ever gotten under my fur like Sweetie has. It's entirely unfair how she has me under her spell.

Tell you what though, she plays the ‘stranded damsel in distress’ act very well, almost too bloody well. Then again, we did make a pretty awesome team. My hunting has never been so easy. The muggers and murderers were so distracted by Sweeties faux screams and whimpers they never even knew I was there at all until my fangs were at their throats and their blood was drained. It was such an awesome thrill.

This unexpected ‘partnership’ if you like, brought me to our fifth week of dating. It also brought me to the day before the weirdest day of my life, which I'll get to in a moment. What you lot need to understand is, it's not entirely my fault, not this time. After tonight things, events, happened that were out of my control, try as I might. Usually when shit happens like this then yes it's my fault. I'm sure you'll blame me anyway regardless, but you know what? Fuck you. You weren't there that night or that morning. No this time the blame is entirely Sweeties, believe it or not. You don't believe me do you? You're blaming me aren't you? I hate you right now.

Right. Here we are. Fifth week of dating. We'd finally gotten physical. Our location, Sweetie Belle’s bedroom. Rarity's location, downstairs doing boring dress things. My location, head first between Sweeties perfect thighs, my tongues location, alternating between her slick juicy pussy and tight ass. Sweeties location? Fucking heaven judging by the sounds mewling out of her cute mouth.

Sweetie let out a particularly loud scream as I filled her up with my tongue, she was leaking juice all over my muzzle. Withdrawing my tongue I started gently nibbling around her swollen lips and outer folds, eliciting further groans and gasps. Smiling to myself I then started on her gorgeous ass, running my wet tongue all over her puckered hole. I rimmed her like that for a few minutes, savouring Sweeties low moans.

I'd waited five weeks to get this far, and I was going to enjoy it, and I was going to make damn sure Sweetie enjoyed her first time.

I went for it, spreading her cheeks with my hands I speared Sweeties asshole with my tongue. She squirmed as I explored her, my nose brushed against her clit as I managed to get myself all the way inside her. I had a really devilish thought then. Without warning I breathed out through my nose, the warm air rushing over her sensitive nub sent her into spasms, making her legs shake around my head. At this rate I knew she wouldn't be able to hold out much longer.

"S – sco – scoots, bite me, I think I'm cumming!”

Now this was new. Never tried that before. Pulling my tongue from her ass I licked all the way up her soaked slit to her clit, and taking it in my mouth I sucked on it for all I was worth, and I was rewarded with a screaming thrashing marefriend as her first ever proper orgasm wracked her body. Releasing her clit I positioned my fangs just above her wet mound and bit down hard, breaking her skin and sending Sweetie into another frenzy as I swirled my tongue around her button, greedily drinking in a heavenly mixture of my marefriends blood and cum. In all my years I've never tasted anything like it, I knew this much though, we'd be doing this again, and damn soon.

At least, that was the plan. Now, remember what I said about it being not entirely my fault? Well, making Sweetie scream my name over and over again, ok yeah, that was my fault. But Sweetie really should have kept her voice down and locked her door. She really should have locked her door. Something I reflected on immediately as said door was suddenly and violently flung open, revealing a stunned Rarity in the doorway, staring daggers first at Sweetie then at me. Specifically a very sweaty exhausted Sweetie leaking blood and me, with my face and muzzle covered in Sweeties blood, amongst other things.

Ever had that thought, that you are suddenly, well and truly, fucked? I had that thought right then. This was not going to end well, for me anyway.

“R – rarity, this, isn't exactly what it looks like…” Lame. It was almost exactly what it looked like.

"Not. What. It. Looks. Like?" Rarity’s voice was low, cold, and each syllable was undercut with pure power. She was shaking with barely contained rage, and any minute now it was going to snap, at me. “Tell me then, what does it look like?” Rarity took one step closer to the bed.

Oh this was so not gonna end well, especially with Sweetie still out of it in the afterglows of her orgasm. “Well, we were fuckin’…”

“And?” Another step closer. I really wanted to run, but like a rabbit in the headlights, I couldn't move.

“And, and well, Sweetie, she asked me to…er, b – bite her…” Here it comes. Nightfall in three, two, one…

“You bit her. You. Bit. Sweetie?” Rarity was on top of me now. No escape even if I wanted to. I knew what was coming.

I looked up at Rarity, looked her square in those cold red eyes and summoning the last of my nerve I answered her, not a flinch in my voice. If I was going out, it wouldn't be shirking away. I've never shied from anything in my life. “Yeah. I bit her. I was eating her out and then I bit her, and I ate that too.”

Okay, maybe not the best choice of words but right then I figured I was screwed no matter what I said.

You know what? I was right too. I hate being right.

Nightfall had her right hand around my throat, hoisting me to my feet. She curled her left hand into a fist, then said fist hit my face. It felt like being hit by an articulated lorry, and hurt just as bad. The first punch drew blood from my nose, the second felt like it dislocated my jaw. The third and fourth drew blood from above and below my right eye.

The right side of my face was already swelling up, forcing my eye shut, I had blood pouring from at least four cuts. I didn't offer any resistance. Besides being utterly pointless it would've just pissed her off even more. No, my best hope of surviving this was to let her get it out of her system and hope there was enough of me left to heal myself afterwards. Good plan huh?

Nightfall pulled her left arm back for a fifth blow, aimed at my bruised right eye. This was really gonna hurt. I tried to brace for it as much as I could, not that it would help much.

"Stop it! Leave her alone!"

I don't know if I was punch drunk, but the sight that greeted me now was so surreal I almost laughed out loud, and probably would have done if my jaw didn't hurt so damn much. My marefriend Sweetie, my half naked marefriend Sweetie, clad in just her t shirt, blood still trickling down the inside of her thighs, was hanging off of her sisters left arm, attempting to wrestle her. The sight was absurd, she may as well have tried to put out a forest fire with her piss.

“Rarity! Sis, stop it, leave her alone!”

Nightfall managed to shake her arm free of Sweetie Belles grasp, and in one snarling motion of utter rage swung her left arm against her sister, connecting with Sweeties chest and sending her flying backwards into the wall above her bed. Connecting with a dull thud Sweetie slid unconscious down the wall, coming to rest in a heap on the pillows of the bed.

Now it's my turn, I thought. At this point I just wanted it over with. What I wanted to do was check on Sweetie but that was impossible given my current predicament.

The blow I was waiting for didn’t come. What was Nightfall waiting for?

I chanced a glance at Nightfall, no…not any more, this was Rarity now. She released her grip on me, dropping me to my knees as she stood breathing heavily, looking aghast at Sweetie's barely breathing crumpled body.

A full five minutes Rarity stood there, her breathing coming under control, staring mutely at her fallen sibling. At this point I'm sure I was forgotten on the bedroom floor.

“S – Sweetie…wh – what have I done?” With that Rarity turned and fled from her sisters bedroom, leaving me to gather myself together.

This was easier said than done, though, as I was in a considerable amount of pain. Using the bedsheets I clawed my way to my feet. Damn I hate being weak. That's when I noticed, not for the first time, the fresh blood coming from Sweetie. I'm not proud of what I did next. But I did it anyway. Yes okay! I lapped up the blood. I did it, feel free to judge, I know you want to. I told myself I was doing her a favour, after all I couldn't leave Sweetie bleeding could I? Think what you like.

It did me the world of good though, I could feel Sweetie's blood working within me almost straight away, as the cuts on my eye healed and the pain in my jaw eased somewhat. While no where near my best, I felt able to follow Rarity down the stairs. I laid Sweetie under her covers, making sure she was comfortable before leaving her room.

I wasn't expecting the sight that greeted me when I got down the stairs.

Rarity, huddled on her side on the floor of the Boutique, knees drawn to her chest with her arms wrapped around them crying like a new born foal. Hesitantly I took a few steps towards her, and if she knew I was there she gave no sign of it, though surely she heard my hoofsteps and I certainly wasn’t being quiet about it. The closer I got to her, the louder and more pathetic her sobbing whimpers became. Rarity really did look a wreck.

“Rarity?” No response, except for more tears.

I hunkered down next to her on the floor, and tried taking her hand in mine. She didn't fight it, but she didn't move to get up either, seemingly content to lay there snivelling on the floor.

“Rarity, get up.” Damn it ya know if she didn't do as she was told. She allowed me to lift her off the floor and guide her to that weird looking sofa thing she had in the Boutique. She sat there in silence for a few minutes, before rubbing her hands over her eyes in an attempt to dry her eyes but which just served to smear her makeup even more.

“Darling, I'm afraid I must ask you for a favour.” She said through her sniffles.

“Yeah? What's that then, Rares?” I wasn’t really feeling in the mood, as you can imagine.

“Kill me…”

Okaaaaay. Wasn't expecting that. I made a show of shoving a finger in my ear to clean it. “Say that again?”

“Kill me darling. I need you to kill me.” Yeah, I thought that's what she said. Now I was confused, and in pain.

“Err…sorry, but why do I need to kill you?” Not that I wasn't tempted, given recent events.

Rarity looked at me then, I mean she really looked at me. I was shocked to be honest by what I saw. I've never seen anypony look so broken before or since. When she spoke, it wasn't with the usual confident tone I had come to expect.

“Remember that night, all those years ago, when I turned you?” I nodded, wondering where she was going with this, but I allowed her to continue, “the one piece of advice I gave you? Always take the nasty ones? Why do you think that was darling?”

I shook my head, I honestly didn't know, beyond the fact they tasted better, that was all.

“It's a matter of conscience. Simple as that. Endless killing night after night takes its toll on the mind dear, I'm sure deep down you yourself must be feeling it as well. It's a way to keep yourself sane, if nothing else. You tell yourself you're doing the world a favour by taking the evil doer, the mugger or the murderer. It's a lie Scootaloo. Eventually the lie catches up with you. No matter how we dress it up we are killers you and I.”

Rarity’s voice had regained her calm demeanour while she spoke, her confidence returning to her as she continued.

"Nightfall is my way of coping with an eternity of killing, an alter ego if you will. When I go to hunt, it is Nightfall who kills, not I. It is she who has the blood of three hundred and seventy two years of nameless victims on her hands, not I. I thought my plan was foolproof, and for a long time it was. But, alas, the mind is a fickle thing darling. The more I relied on Nightfall to assuage my guilt, the more she began to take over, to bleed through into my daily life.”

I got it, all of a sudden in that moment I got it.

"You saw the result a few moments ago upstairs. Nightfall and myself are so intertwined now I cannot tell us apart anymore. I cannot see where she ends and I begin. Nightfall, she…scares me Scootaloo. The things she, I, is capable of scares me… once I was able to keep control, to keep her separate from me. That I attacked Sweetie Belle is unforgivable. I dare not contemplate what could happen the next time, or the time after that, just because I can no longer control the madness within me. It is fitting, is it not, that the persona I created to keep me sane has itself driven me insane? It is what I deserve. That is why you must kill me darling.”

I let all that sink in, her reasons why she wanted to die seemed sound enough, to me anyway, but there was a pretty big argument against it.

“What about Sweetie? She loves you Rarity.”

“And believe me Scootaloo, Rarity loves her too, but Nightfall doesn't. You saw what I'm capable of doing, to one I swore never to harm. The next time Sweetie may not be so lucky. I leave her to you, she is in your care now, as is Shadow Weaver.”

“Hang on, me? You want me to care for them? Me?”

"Yes, you. Sweetie Belle loves you, and Shadow cares enough to speak out against me on your behalf, remember? So yes, I leave them in your care.”

“You really are crazy.”

Rarity snorted a most unladylike laugh, “I told you so. Now, the sun will be up in a few moments. I need you to drink from me, drain me almost completely. Then I will walk out there, and the sun will finish the job, as t’were.”

“Okay. I can do that.”

"Thank you darling. I am…sorry things couldn't have been different between us.”

Rarity extended her slender arm to me, offering her wrist to my lips. As much as I wanted to resist, the demon in me smelled blood for the taking. I took her arm in my hands, my lips smoothed her white fur and I bared my fangs. A second of indecision passed and I sank my teeth into her, Rarity gasped despite herself as I bit roughly into her skin, as my teeth severed her vein and I began drinking her into me.

The feeling was like nothing I can ever describe in words adequate enough. It wasn't so much blood I was drinking as it was raw power. Even that doesn't do it justice. The texture, the taste, it was pure strength, I knew vampony blood became more potent with age, I worked that much out for myself, but this, this was the essence of one more than triple my age. I've never felt anything like it in my life, it was like drinking from the sun itself.

Rarity's powerful blood flowed through my veins, restoring my battered body, instantly healing my remaining wounds. It invigorated me, the more I drank the more I could feel its effects on my body. Muscles formed, sinews strengthened. I could literally feel every single sense become sharper, faster, stronger. In taking so much of her vitality I was becoming like her.

All too soon this well began to dry up, and a strangled cry from Rarity made me look away from her arm to her. It shocked me, to see her like that. Rarity looked shrivelled, ancient, she looked like she had lived every single one of her three hundred and seventy two years. Deep lines and scars were etched across every visible part of her. Once she had been pure white, she was a dull grey, the only part of her that showed any sign of life was her blue eyes. Shining brightly against her aged skin.

“Help me…” Rarity lifted a crone like hand towards the door, where the light of the dawn could be seen through the drapes.

I stood and immediately lifted Rarity up, I had to be careful, she was slim before, she weighed almost nothing as she was now. I supported her under her arms, for she could barely walk on her hooves anymore. Her claw of a hand reached the door handle, I had to help her pull it open, she was so weak.

“Thank you, Scootaloo. Please, take good care of my baby…” With those final words Rarity mustered what strength she had left in her withered body and she stood proudly before turning her back on me and walking into the sunlight.

I watched in morbid fascination as she burnt up, the ethereal fire consuming her body before the morning wind scattered her ashes. I had known my maker in the end, truly known her, in every sense that you can know somepony else. I knew her well enough not to mourn her passing.

I made my way away from the door to the stairs and to Sweetie laying there waiting for me. I wasn't looking forward to waking that night, but right now? I needed sleep like I've never needed it in my life.