The frigid night air flowed around Rainbow Dash's form as she soared through the dark landscape before her. She banked to the right heading for a place she had no place being at night and gently glided through Sweet Apple Acres. The cyan mare let the swaying trees whisper to her in the breeze as a haunting melody was struck up between them and the crickets that were starting to come out.

Rainbow Dash would have admired the sturdy trees bearing bright red fruits were her worsening hunger not driving her insane at the moment. Rainbow couldn't stand her hunger any longer and pilfered one of the plump fruits and devoured it before proceeding on to the next one. After a large number of once fruit bearing branches had been plundered and the spoils devoured, Rainbow Dash made her way back to were she had been aiming to go as the gnarled and twisted trees of the Everfree came into view.

Rainbow Dash wasted no time in changing her altitude as she opted to fly above the sinister forest. The forest below passed under the pegasus as if it were nothing more than a dark colored river flowing along an unseen path. The moonlight overhead soaked the forest in an eerie pale light that only emphasized the forests dark inhabitants.

As a clearing in the trees grew nearer Rainbow Dash gently sloped down to land allowing the cool winds flow over her like an invisible stream. When she landed she noticed the other ponies waiting for her as the pale moon's light illuminated the area. She wasn't surprised to find them here, for they had all been meeting here for as long as Rainbow Dash could remember. By now they were all as close as family, and it showed when they worked together to get things done.

“Late as usual Rainbow Dash? At least Vinyl and Ditzy here showed up on time.” One of the mares said to the pegasus as she landed.

The mare who had spoken was a well known pony to most who were buffs in classical music. Her dark mane flowed down her neck currently giving an alluring look to her. Her light gray coat completed her dark color scheme as it glistened under the eerie light of the meadow, bringing out the pink bow tie she was currently wearing.

“Sorry Octy, I got hungry and stopped for a snack. When you're as awesome as me you need a lot of fuel.” Rainbow said while offering up one of the fruits to the mare.

“So it would seem. Well now that we are all here we can resume the hunt...yes Derpy?” Octavia said noticing the pegasus holding her hoof in the air.

“It's Ditzy mam, but what are we hunting for again?” The wall eyed mare asked.

“May the stars and moon give me strength...Ditzy we've told you this every night for over a year, are you sure you don't remember?”

The mare's face scrunched up in concentration as she thought about it, “I think I remember.”

“Well if you ever get confused pleases don't be afraid to ask any of us alright?”

“Yes mam.”

Even though Rainbow Dash, Ditzy, and Octavia have been best friends since they were young they played things professionally when in front of other ponies as of late. Each of the ponies had a different reason for being here but they all knew what their goal was.

Each section had it's own job and directives concerning their mission in the Everfree forest. One section was tasked with finding and cataloging any rare magical creatures or anything of interest. Another was tasked with gathering supplies that the whole group needed during its nightly excursions into the twisted boughs of the Everfree. The third section that usually found itself dispersed among all of the other groups made accurate maps of the areas they had explored and were constantly busy as years ago their group had found out that the Everfree had a problem concerning dimensional folding and gateways.

To put it simply from the air and from the outside the Everfree wasn't the largest piece of forest in existence, a title owned by most of the Zebrican jungles. Instead the Everfree's true size lay within, or as a certain earth pony Ditzy knew would say, the forest is bigger on the inside than the outside. This has lead the entire group to be in the Everfree for far longer than they had ever anticipated, and quite frankly they were getting tired of accidentally finding holes into dimensions filled with eldritch entities, or wandering around a tree that looked exactly the same from all angles.

The last team among the group was after their primary objective, which was finding the location of a group of highly dangerous criminals that had foalnapped several of the family members of those present. Rainbow was adamant about this mission as the colt that took advantage of her younger sister had foalnapped the mare nearly two years later. It was only through the shear arrogance of the ponies who took their family members that any of those present knew that their loved ones were being held in the dark shadows of the forest known as Everfree.

Rainbow idly waited as the members of the third group compared their observations of what had been mapped and where everything fit together. It still surprised Rainbow that to this day only the northern arts of the Everfree forest were searched. Sometimes the mare wondered if their searching was pointless, for even if they found her sister none of those present were capable of taking on the ones that had taken her.

Rainbow watched as Octavia paced waiting for all of the groups to check their supplies and prepare for the nightly routine. Octavia had a personal vendetta with a particular pony in the group that had not only killed her brother but foalnapped her sister as well, but only Octavia's sister was taken when Scarlet was abducted.

Ditzy was in the search group with Rainbow and was really only there because of their ties. Although Ditzy claims the emotional trauma inflicted on everypony else was a good enough reason to help, especially after her daughter Amethyst started having reoccurring nightmares about what happened. Rainbow remembered the little filly screaming all too well about how she was afraid they'd come and take her too. To Rainbow Dash this whole ordeal was personal as she wasn't about to let anypony terrorize her friends and especially her family.

(_o_============================================_o_)

“Rainbow Dash! What are ya doin' sleepin' in mah trees again!?” Apple Jack yelled at the mare who had dozed off in a tree that she was getting ready to harvest, well if there were any apples left in the tree.

“Hey AJ chill out! It's not like a was hurting the thing.” The pegasus said nonchalantly while only garnering a stern glare from the apple farmer.

“I'd better be off anyways, watching you buck trees all day is a waste of my time.” The pegasus said as she took off for the town.

“One of these days ah'll find a way to keep her from sleepin' on mah crops, now ah got ta get back ta work...”

“Talkin' to yerself again sis?”

“Oh, hey there Bloom. Shouldn't ya be in school?”

“It's Saturday sis.”

“Oh right, well how was yer week then?”

“It was alright, that royal pain Diamond Tiara's been behaving herself, fer now.”

“Ya sure do talk about that filly a lot Bloom, ya sure ya don't like her.”

“Well she causes a lot of trouble in the classes.”

“So Ah've heard, but yer not entirely blameless either. Ah heard ya got into a heated argument with little Dinky.”

“Right... We'll ah was just really passionate about the subject.”

“Really? Yer passionate about why the moon ain't made of cheese?”

“Ah may have gotten a little carried away.”

“Ya think? Well if yer home just go out and play, but stay away from where Mac was workin'. Ah don't want ya getting' hurt ya hear?”

“Yes sis.” As her little sister scampered off to wherever she goes to on days like this, Apple Jack took a small moment to appreciate the small amount of rest she had received before continuing with her work.

(_o_============================================_o_)

“Twilight! Somepony's at our door.” Spike called to the mare as she perused a tome that had been assigned to her.

“Can't you answer it Spike, I'm a little preoccupied right now.” An answer to which Spike just looked at her before placing a bookmark in the tome and closing the cover.

“Hey what was that for?”

“The pony at the door said they want to see you.”

“Fine I'll see who it is.” The mare said as she made her way down the hall and into the foyer, to talk to the pony that had decided to interrupt her reading.

“Hello, Miss. Twilight Sparkle I presume?” The pony on the other side of the door asked.

To Twilight it looked like the pony had stepped out of an old novel about the Nightmare war. The pony was dressed head to hoof in what could only be described as a brown leather trench coat with several satchels attached to a belt around his middle. The strange stallion wore a wide brimmed hat that meshed with his odd outfit and a small set of spectacles adorned his face.

“Uhm...yes. May I help you?”

“Yes in fact. I happen to be here from the throne to acquire the assistance of your brother to help the Knights of Solaris with an investigation going on concerning your town.”

“Why is Celestia's personal vampony extermination squad looking into Ponyville?”

“It's nothing really, but we've been tracking the movement of a few clans and they've been showing up in Ponyville recently. Celestia is very adamant about rooting out all clans currently present in Equestria, and it would make sense that they would choose a rather run down town to settle near.”

“I always thought that was a main concern of Celestia's.”

“Well yes, but with Artemis back, Empress Cadance finally has enough backing to have the vampire hunting profession shut down. Celestia wishes this to be sort of a final job before we all get fired in a way, she's hoping to have us stick around with an altered agenda.”

“Well I'm not exactly okay with murdering the innocent and Dusk isn't either so you can count us out.”

“Well, as it would happen we're currently tracking down a criminal organization within the clans. The Blackheart clan specifically. Dusk would be assigned to these squadrons, there also happens to be word that the famous vampire known as Moon Flower has been spotted hunting in the area.”

“Dusk would be happy to fight with Blackheart considering the threat they pose, but Moon Flower is a vampire that's got a little over a thousand years of experience right now, not to mention she actually managed to get into Celestia's private chambers and fed on her. The mare is of a threat level that has kept on the most wanted list for over a century.”

“Well, I'm getting a bit tired of theoretical musing, so if you would please fetch your brother I'd like to discuss this with the stallion himself. Not that a lovely mare such as yourself needs to bother with our profession.”

“Of course! Hold on he'll be here in a minute, hey Dusk! There's a stallion here for you!” The mare said while closing the door, before giving the stallion an angry look.

The stallion standing out front just stood there waiting as the sound of hoofsteps went throughout the building. The mare seemed a little miffed at him, but he couldn't understand exactly what was upsetting her. He had been a true gentlecolt and had been utterly pleasant, so there was no reason for her to hold any hostility to him.

“My sister said you needed me.”

“Oh! Yes quite true. I was wondering if you would assist the Knights of Solaris in investigating the Blackheart clan, and possibly with detaining the mare known as Moon Flower.”

“With how many foalknappings and murders Blackheart is responsible for I'd certainly be interested, but Moon Flower has only been cornered five times and none of those that have fought her survived. Not to mention the only way we have of knowing her are through sketches of her performances when she was still young.”

“Great I'll tell the captain that you're on board.”

“I never said that.”

“Ah! But you did say you would like to investigate Blackheart. To which we'd highly appreciate it if you said yes, as for Moon Flower you don't have to engage her, but we'll still give you our material concerning her in case you happen too run into her during the investigation.”

“Alright.”

“So I'm to assume that the mare of the house is to receive twenty percent of any earnings correct?”

“Give her all of the money, I don't want anything to do with your ilk.”

“Alright, the princess will appreciate your help good stallion. But what would your sister say to being associated with us as she has said that she doesn't like our group.”

“Don't mention her then, it's as simple as that really, now if you wouldn't mind, I might as well start my rounds early.”

“Hm... I wonder why ponies don't seem to like me in this town? Well I better get back to the barracks.”

(_o_============================================_o_)

“Ah what a... lovely little city don't you think Cadence, and to think that Celestia was okay with having me outside the castle during the night. Sometimes I wonder if she believes that I'll turn the entire town into thestrals if not attended to.”

“Well Aunty has been known to be a little wary of potential threats. Not to mention that the original population of Trottingham didn't consist of almost nothing but thestrals.”

“As if relapsing is something that I'd willingly do. Thankfully that parasite Nightmare couldn't assume full control, but that makes me wonder as to who sent the little abomination after me in the first place.”

“You mean it didn't arise from your jealousy and anger at your sister?”

“Hardly, dark magic entities like that have to be summoned, but that creature does feed off of negative emotions to bolster its strength. Thankfully I was able to convince the element bearers that, for the most part, I was a good stallion on the inside.”

“Why? Was that important?”

“Oh, yes! If I hadn't done that my true self would have been purged along with the Nightmare. I would have still been sapient, but I would hardly be what one would call truly alive anymore as what I truly was would have been destroyed. I would liken it to being a ceramic doll that has been painted. My mind would be the layer of paint and the Nightmare would have been some ink spilled on it. Now if the elements were to have purged us both it would be akin to scraping away the paint and ink then painting a similar image over top of the now blank doll.”

“That... sounds horrible.”

“Yes, not much more horrible as being frozen in place for millennial on end watching the world change around you, as you literally can't do anything while no small amount of horrible names were slung your way. Couple that with no hope of escaping your prison and you shall know a semblance of what true despair is. Now that I think about it at least you'd be dead in the first choice.”

“Was... was that what it was like on the moon?”

“Somewhat, but at least the Nightmare was sapient enough to grunt whenever I talked to it. Although I did get a lot of philosophical musing done during my exile, it was probably the only thing that kept me sane. Enough about me though fair empress, what is it that you are called to do?”

“Oh you want to know what my special talent is? Well... I'm pretty sure it has to do with spreading love and helping ponies realize these feelings.”

“Hm... Seams that you would be a changelings best friend, or a priestess. With a predisposition like that ponies must think that your rather... sweet.”

“Yeah, oh hey here's an excellent opportunity to show you what I can do.” The alicorn said as she spotted an arguing couple.

Artemis merely wondered what the mare would do, as her special talent would put her more in the position to counsel the young couple. As the mare began to funnel magic into her horn Artemis began to frown at the though of what the mare might be up to. The stallion merely watched as a cloud of heart shaped magic bubbled from the mare's horn and descended on the arguing couple, effectively quelling the argument and causing the two ponies to gaze lovingly into each others eyes.

“What was that?” Artemis said to the mare.

“I was just helping that couple over there.”

“Helping or hurting? That was a mental and emotive magic Cadence, a very dangerous kind of magic.”

“But I was just helping them, see look how happy they are right now.” The mare said while gesturing to the ponies that were now prenching in public.

“Cadence a ponies mind is a sacred place that another ponies magic is not supposed to touch. They may be happy, but that was essentially brainwashing, and mental magic is the blackest of magic.”

“B-but it doesn't last that long, they'll be back to normal in an hour.”

“Doesn't matter, the principle outweighs the possible good in this situation. Mind magic may not be dark magic, but the power it gives a pony over others leads to corruption. As you know there are groups of magic that are on the border of being dark magic. I don't want to wake up one day to find that you've plunged the empire into a permanent love trance just because they weren't happy. Your willingness to cast a spell like that on ponies without their consent is enough to let me know that you've already started heading down that route. Sombra was a tyrant, but what you're doing will one day drive you to a worse position. Yet, I must wonder if you were ever warned about using magic on ponies without their consent.”

“It never came up.”

“Figures, only the Draconic species have the use of magic like that as illegal, but I was certain that I managed to get it taught not to use magic on another pony without consent. In fact if you break that law you get executed in the Draconic lands. You never get anything quite like that in other lands, not even the griffons are that strict.”

“Well, after your banishment Celestia had to rewrite a few laws so maybe it was discarded.”

“Figures, but lets move on from this.”

“Hey, Artemis. Why are the Draconic laws so severe?”

“It's because they are fully aware of the dangers magic presents. Even using telekinesis on another without consent is illegal there.”

“Why?”

“This is why.” Artemis said as his telekinesis reached into the mares body and gently squeezed at her heart causing the mare to shudder, “They know that any magic used on another is a weapon and that they can easily kill another with it. This is also why the Draconic species view ponies as pathetic and naive foals.” He said before releasing his grip.

“Normal magic can do that?”

“Indeed, I traveled quite a bit when I was younger and I was more than willing to leave my sister as the sole ruler were it not for her... more volatile nature at the time. You may not be able to imagine it, but she was quite the spoiled little filly back then, but she's grown quite a bit since then. During my travels I stayed an extensive portion of my time in the draconic lands. It wasn't entirely by choice mind you, as I had made the unfortunate mistake of offending the longma princess and had to do community service for quite a while. Most of this was spent helping the princess with tending to, on palace animals and acting as a servant. The rest of my time was spent sparring with the trainees going into the military, it was there that I picked up a ruthless battle style that I've never used since. When there they opened up my mind to the greater workings of magic as well as its dangers. Then I went on my merry way before the king found out that I kissed his daughter.”

“Wow... I never knew.”

“I can understand, now you see why you need another pony's consent and nothing more, however there was another part of what you did which was misguided. You wished to stop their arguing and mend their relationship, but if they aren't able to handle a small argument then they really aren't meant for each other. Your spell is really doing more harm than good Cadenza, as fights help the ponies involved learn more about each other and how to overcome their differences, it's as much an essential part of the relationship as love is. It's like your telling these ponies to search after a treasure made of pure gold, and when they find it, it looks like gold on the surface, but inside is nothing but silver. If you were to find your treasure like that you would feel cheated and angry even though it is a perfectly good treasure. However, by the time you find the treasure you're too old to find the real gold that you were searching for.”

“So you're saying I'm essentially lying to them, and fooling them into believing they've found the one, when in reality they're just a passing crush that was never meant to be.”

“In essence. Don't worry Cadence, your heart was in the right place. Love is a rather chaotic emotion and no two ponies ever find it in quite the same way.”

“Thanks.”

“What for?”

“Thanks for helping me realize more about my domain and for helping me keep from hurting others. I would hate to think that I've caused problems with that spell. Why didn't Aunty tell me that could happen, did she not trust me with that knowledge?”

“She's never been known to think that far ahead unless it deals with strictly personal matters. Now there was something I was wanting to ask, ah yes. I've heard rumors that the vamponies Nightmare created still exist. Is this true?”

“Yes, Celestia had been trying to wipe them out though. I hate to think of that though. One of the little fillies I foalsat when I was younger was a vampony. I feared her at first, but then I realized she was like any other pony that I cared for and that they got blood from non-sapient creatures or through donations. One day when I was taking care of her, Celestia's goons showed up to wipe out her family. I saved the little filly, but her parents didn't make it. It was so horrible. I ended up taking the little filly in until Celestia found out I was harboring her. To save her I took her to the Empire where Celestia wasn't allowed to follow without having war declared on her. She still asks about the filly from time to time, but she can't have her, I've started to love the little filly as if she were my own daughter. With you here now and Blueblood on my side, we now have enough power to disband her vampire hunting squads and make hunting vamponies illegal. However Auntie makes several good points.”

“So it's true then, my biggest success and failure survived after all of these years. Don't worry about me, I won't let my sister take a foal away from its mother, even if it's adopted. She's truly doing what she believes is best, but sometimes it's not always a good thing. She may very well believe that vamponies are an evil race.”

“Your telling me. She does have reasons though, Blackheart being a major one. I'm not sure if you've been briefed on them yet, but Blackheart is a criminal vampony organization. Nopony knows what they truly want, they seem content to just capture as many ponies as they want and then make their family and friends suffer for as long as possible... Celestia believes that they are trying to open the eldritch gate, a gateway to a realm of nighmares and horrors beyond imagining. Why they would want to do such a thing is beyond me, but Celestai says if they're that deep into dark magic they're very likely insane, her reasons for this belief are the amounts of negative emotion needed for the rituals required for dark magic. Normal vamponies... They don't do much outside of their covens, but they still have a blood lust that can drive them to do horrible things when provoked. I...It hurt when the pony I love like a daughter had to be escorted from prison for having killed a bully that was harassing her...” The mare sighed while heading down the street, oblivious to the fact that Artemis was scanning her love spell.

“So did you like this princess?” Cadence asked Artemis in an attempt to improve her mood.

“What?”

“The longma princess, you said you kissed her.”

“Oh her. I suppose I did. It was a long time ago and she was as shy as she was fierce. Sometimes I wondered which one was the front or if her shyness stemmed from her fear of being cruel to others. She was truly kind though, only resorting to violence when there was no other option. She's probably been killed during a skirmish by now though, otherwise I might have tried contacting her again.”

“Really? Who would they fight?”

“The dragons of course. The two species view each other as brothers in a sense. They are friends most of the time, but every now and then they like to beat the tar out of each other. It's oddly tragic that these fights are the sole reason these two creatures experience death outside of starvation.”

“Okay...”

(_o_============================================_o_)

“Ladies and Gentlecolts! It is my great pleasure to be announcing the awards to the ponies who have helped the most this year. Now before I start I'd like to say that everypony has done a great job this year, and without further ado I present Apple Jack with the most valued pony award for not only stopping a stampede, but helping around the town all year!” The mayor said in front of a crowd of applauding ponies.

“Sheesh! You'd think she was giving away PWNY awards with that speech.” Rainbow Dash said to the rest of her friends minus one orange mare.

“Well this only happens once a year deary, and besides a little dramatic flare is what this event needed.”

“Oh I just loved it, maybe the children enjoyed it too. But, where's Apple Jack?”

“Sorry ah'm late everypony ah got held up a little.” Apple Jack said while looking like an absolute mess.

“Nonsense your right on time, now just come up on stage and accept your reward and say a few things if you want to.”

The obviously exhausted mare staggered onto the stage lightly tripping up the stairs a few times. A few ponies in the crowd could have sworn the mare apologized to the steps, right before the tired apple farmer knocked the railing on the stairs over. The fact that the railing was now missing didn't faze the orange mare as she made her way to the large trophy meant for her.

“Woah! Ah look funny. Woo! Woo! Woo! Woo!” The giggling mare said while bobbing her head.

“Hey that looks fun! Woo! Woo! Woo! Woo!” Pinkie chimed in while hopping up on stage.

“Pinkie, while your up here, here's your award for helping so much around the town and helping everypony have a bit of fun once in a while.”

“Thanks Mayor Mare! Hey Dashie what are you doing here!? Are you here for your reward for being the most adorable eight year old, because you totally deserve it!”

“Ahem, you do know she's not eight right?” Mayor mare said.

“Well of course she is, otherwise she wouldn't be so adorable.”

“You've known her for ten years.”

“I have? Well she's just too adorable to age. Tell Celestia I said hi in a thousand years Dashie! Oh and Apple Jack you promised me to help with the store tomorrow.”

“Ah did?”

“Yepperoonie, but you don't look so good right now AJ, maybe you can help me some other time.”

“Ya callin' me a coward?”

“Nope.”

“Well ah'll be there.”

“But you said you'd help me with a trick tomorrow!”

“Then ah'll do that too... uh... little filly.”

“AJ I'm over twenty years old.”

“Ah knew that, Ah just didn't recognize ya right away... who are ya again?”

“Maybe you should go home and take a nap AJ, you look kinda tired.”

“Sleep is for the weak.”

“That's it I'm outta here I have places to be, if I win something cover for me and talk about my awesomeness. Also... if any of you see Gilda tell her I'm sorry for not hanging out with her today I was preoccupied.”

“Wait you're not going to accept an award?”

“I would normally, but I'm starving and I have better things to do right now, mainly being awesome where it counts.”

“Okay Dash I guess we'll catch you later.” Twilight said to the retreating blur.

“Hey isn't your brother supposed to help those weird ponies tonight? I didn't see him around and one of those ponies is asking around for him.”

“Oh my I completely forgot, sorry I've got to go get my blockhead of a brother. He's probably still patrolling for wolves and forgot about the vampony hunters.” Twilight said before running off.

“Oh my, if Dusk is involved with hunters he's in trouble. Think of all the little vampire colts and fillies that will look for him in their closets and under their beds at night... hic.”

“Oh my, that does sound rather upsetting.”

“Really darling, I doubt that vamponies have much to fear. It is us that should be more afraid of them.”

“I don't know Rarity, they can be really cute and adorable. Maybe we're being a little hard on them.”

“Really, those horrendous things are about as cute as a snake in a crib. They're blood thirsty monsters that enjoy the pain of others.”

“I'm sure it's all just a big misunderstanding, why I bet some of them even have similar interests to you Rarity. Maybe you could be friends?”

“Darling you can't be seriously comparing me to those ruffians.”

“Did I offend you? I'm sorry, I just wanted to say that maybe they aren't as bad as you think they are.”

“Sometimes you are just too innocent deary, but perhaps I am being a bit harsh.”

“O-okay. Where's your sister?”

“Oh she's out playing with Spike and Cheerilee's daughter, Sooterloo was it? Anyways that little drake and my sister are just getting along splendidly, if only he could realize I'm too old for him.”

“Her name is Scootaloo and isn't it getting a little late?”

“Don't worry Big Macintosh is taking care of them.”

“Isn't he injured?”

“Yes, but it's not like their going to kick him in the ribs or something. The filly's do have some sense of restraint.”

“I don't know, Sweetie Belle can be kind of scary.”

“My sister, Sweetie Belle, Scary? She's a little passionate at times, and has a habit of keeping around some questionably named imaginary figures... Then there was some chanting in the middle of the night when she was watching an anime... Other than that she's a little angel.”

“I guess Mac is alright then...”

(_o_============================================_o_)

“Hey Scootaloo, do you think Spike likes me?”

“Sweetie you ask me this almost everyday, I'm beginning to think that you're obsessed with him.”

“Hey, at least I like somepony.”

“I... I like somepony.”

“Really Scootaloo? It had better not be Spike.”

“Ew gross!”

“So, who is it?”

“er... um...”

“She's probably too busy dreaming of Rainbow Dash to get a crush on anypony.”

“Hey! I-I don't dream of Rainbow Dash.”

“Then who do you dream of then?”

“Like I would tell you.”

“Are all of ya playing nice in there?”

“Yes Big Mac!” All three fillies chimed in at once.

“Now can we please do something cool, and not mushy?”

“Why are ya admittin' that nopony likes ya?”

“Your one to talk Bloom, where's your colt-friend huh?”

“He's back in the town ah come from, ah stay with mah siblings on the farm during the school year, Ma says it's good to spend time wit them. So uh Sweetie why are ya so deep in thought, ya look kinda down?”

“I was just thinking about Spike's longevity, since dragons stop aging after reaching maturity he'll have to marry somepony else eventually. If he falls in love with me it'll break his heart, which means he'll probably choose a dragoness over me. It'd be easier to forget the silly little mortals like me that way, otherwise the constant loss would get to be too much.”

“Sweetie why are ya thinkin' about stuff like that?”

“My... Iron Hoof has been talking with me about my relationship.”

“Iron who?”

“Forget it Bloom she won't tell me anything about that guy, all I know is that he's some sort of imaginary friend. Hey wasn't Dusk going around mumbling about vampire hunters or something?”

“Ma sister says he's been recruited by some vampire hunters to track down some criminals, and a few regular vampires that were wondering around the Everfree.”

“How does that help me?”

“Aren't vampires immortal?”

“Yup.”

“But, I don't want to die in sunlight!”

“Um Sweetie, sunlight doesn't kill them.”

“Really?! Then lets find some vampires!”

“Wait, wait, wait, if I become a vampire my mom will never let me live it down.”

“Why? Does she hate vampires?”

“No... she... she thinks they're adorable, and I seriously don't want that kind of attention.”

“Says the pony who idolizes an eight year old filly, besides ya don't have ta let her know right away.”

“Dash was injured when she was younger, she's way older than eight, and she has more talent in one hoof than most ponies have in their whole body.”

“Uh huh. Well Mac look's like he's dozed off, those painkillers must be pretty strong.” Apple Bloom noticed.

“Then let's go, we can't waste anymore time.” Sweetie Belle announced.

“Wait why should ah go with ya? This sounds like a whole heap a trouble.”

“”We could get our cutie-marks in exploration, or maybe we could get cutie-marks in being vamponies.”

“Yeah, or we could get ourselves killed in the middle of the Everfree.” Apple Bloom said.

“Seems like an even trade to me, besides now that I think about it I'd get to see every single Wonderbolt that makes the team from now on... and maybe I'll be able to fly, even if it's only during the night.”

“Scootaloo what about your mother, or a potential special somepony?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“I'll just turn 'em when the time comes.”

“What if they refuse?”

“I'll get over it.”

“Come on we have an eternity to shoot for! We'll have plenty of time to find our special talents after that.”

“Ah guess when ya put it that way it does sound kinda nice...” Apple Bloom said while looking to her unmarked backside.

After a little bit more convincing Apple Bloom was finally ushered out the door and into the forest as the entire world slowly descended into the dark depths of night. Unfortunately for the three fillies they soon found out what horrors lay within the dark forest. During their trek through the eerie darkness with only their lantern to light their way they ran into an untold number of horrors, the most scarring being a performance by a clown who called herself Penny.

“Ah told ya we shouldn't have come in here!” Apple Bloom yelled.

“Hey, Sweetie was the one who decided that entering a black portal with demonic chanting coming from it was a good idea.”

“Hey! At least I knew the clown was bad news!”

Unbeknownst to the three arguing fillies a mare was walking through the forest and happened to overhear their conversation. Now the mare normally ran into the random lost pony now and then, as she kept an eye on the forest's perimeter while making sure nopony suspicious was wondering around, but seeing three fillies wondering around was something the mare never thought that she'd see. Knowing that the forest was definitely not a place for fillies, the mare quickly made her way towards them.

“Hey ya'll lost!?” The mare called out.

“Erm... No! We were just looking for some vamponies!”

“Scootaloo, what are ya doin' ya just talk to strange ponies in tha' middle of a forest! ” Apple Bloom whispered to the pegasus.

“Ya'll made a bad choice then, most ponies try to avoid the forest.”

“Well we're tough and we're on a quest for our cutie-marks!”

“And love!”

“Ugh Sweetie, I was trying to sound cool, now we just sound lame.”

“No need ta worry ya'll are cool enough for three mares each, now why are ya lookin' fer vamponies little fillies?” The mare said in a smooth voice that sounded as maternal as it did self confident.

“It's so my colt-friend won't have to remarry when the time comes, he's an immortal.”

“Hey I'm not a filly!” Scootaloo shouted.

“Hm... Admiral in a sense, misguided maybe, but admirable. As for you young pegasus, everypony under two hundred is a child ta me, now why do the rest of ya want to find vamponies?”

“I... I... don't really have a reason other than wanting to be around longer, and... to possibly fly.”

“Those two dragged me inta this, all ah said was that ah wanted mah cutie-mark.”

“Flight... Hm, ah once knew a filly who walked the same path you are setting down, she made a horrible mistake that got her taken away, but she loved flying after she could finally reach the clouds. As fer you, little earthpony, all ya need ta do is have a little patience and what ya want will come in the end, now how about a walk home hm?”

“Not until I'm a vampony!” Sweetie Belle shouted.

“Ya mean like me?” The mare said flashing a fanged smile.

“Woah! Who are you?” Sweetie asked in awe.

“Ya can call me Moon Flower, little filly.”

“Well, will you... you know... turn me?” Sweetie Belle said sheepishly.

“No. Ah highly doubt yer sister would appreciate the fact that her little sister will live to see her great grandchildren.”

“Right... well you could turn her too.”

“...I'd love to, I really would... but now isn't the right time for this. Listen if ya want me ta turn ya then ya can find me once yer eighteen.”

“But I want to be a vampony now!” Sweetie Belle whined like a foal.

“Listen kid, do ya know how long it takes fer vampony children ta mature? Ah had ta take care of my sister's son fer over fifty years before he could live on his own. Not ta mention this was during the great Depression and the Great Famine.”

“Wait, you're over one-thousand years old!?”

“Yup, and ah ain't getting' any younger.”

“Ya, kinda remind me of an older pony by the way ya talk.”

“Oh I was nearing the end of my life when I let myself get turned, my body may still be youthful in appearance, but my hair never regained it's original color.” The mare said throwing off the hood of her cloak revealing a mane that was pure white.

“Wait, Rainbow Dash!?”

“Are ya'll daft, The Great and Powerful Trixie could impersonate that mare if she wanted ponies ta believe Dash was a normal sized unicorn fer a day.”

“Erm, sorry. You just looked like her, and you are kinda short.”

“What, have ya never seen a Shetland?” The mare said while strutting around in a fashion that made her appear older.

“Well... If Sweetie's worried about maturing, then I want to be turned now. I'm already old enough ta be considered a pegasus mare.”

“Sorry kid, ah'm puttin' the same restriction on ya as well.”

“Well I'll find another pony who will turn me then, I don't need you to do it.” Scootaloo said in defiance.

“W-wait, please I-I'll do it. I don't want ya makin' the mistake mah sister did.”

“Yes! Okay so what do we do?”

“Well... Ah need ta drain ya pretty dry first, then ah have to give ya some of mah blood ta complete the process.”

“Well get on with it then!”

“Well, well, well... Mmm... Oh my, a little trio of fillies all for the taking. A pubescent pegasus, a little earthpony with some lovely
thighs...O~oh and a delightful little unicorn that will be a drop dead goddess once she's reached the peak of her beauty. The other two will be good brood mares... But the unicorn... Mmm that unicorn will make a lovely concubine, ruling with me over the others that I control, and bringing forth strong heirs.”

“Back off Blackheart scum!...YOU!!! I'll Rip your intestines out through your throat and rip your nuts off using a rusty spoon you bastard!”

“Oh, my, my, my... Iris was it? I must say your sister was quite the catch, she's brought forth quite a few lines that I didn't immediately sacrifice, and one child that's currently wandering through an endless maze hoping to escape the forest. She asks about you ya know. Screaming and begging for her dear sister to forgive her for allowing you to pass on not knowing what happened to her. Of course I don't tell her or any of the others that you took on vampirism because your loyalty to her wouldn't let you pass on until you sought out revenge, or justice... whatever you've decided to call it.”

“Shut up! You talk too much swine, and I'll enjoy draining you dry and assimilating your memories to find your hideout and free those there from your bondage.” The mare said as Scootaloo shivered in fear of the other pony, as Moon Flower's ear twitched having heard voices in the distance.

“Of course, you and your what? Two, maybe three split personalities will just take on the lesser coven members that work for me and manage to get away. I'd take you just for your vibrant array of personalities and toned body, if binding a vampony weren't impossible unless you are the one that turned them... O~oh that little pegasus over there is so sexy, do that little wiggle again for me and maybe I'll turn you right now. Fresh meat is always a welcome addition. Iris's sister is starting to get a little too loose in the caboose if ya know what I mean, although that's what happens when you let your half starved drakes take your favorite toy for a spin.”

“I'll kill you for talking about my sister that way!”

“You keep talking, and you keep not killing me. Now how about you let me take the three fillies I've been keeping an eye for a while.”

“Figures, you're only here because you were watching these three. Probably because their affiliated with me no doubt.”

“Bravo, give the little vampiric dog a bone. Yes I've been spying on your little group, I can't let a pony that we've already made miserable have any semblance of happiness for too long. How many has it been that I own now, five fillies, four colts, sixteen mares, and ten stallions from your past? How many of those friends that you made died of old age, or at the hooves of Blackheart? I know we've murdered over a hundred of your friends and thousands of your fans, destroyed your reputation multiple times, your old career is the only thing that truly survived our attacks... but nopony wants to see Moon Flower perform anymore... Now I can't wait to let that little unicorn age like a fine wine.”

“Leave these fillies out of it, if you come anywhere near them I'll hang your corpse from the highest point in Ponyville!”

“Again with the threats and no action, are you trying to keep those three from seeing a bloodbath? Hm... no. You know there are others near don't you? You were always a very intelligent pony, not smart enough to save your sister though. Can you save these three fillies now? Or will my ponies cultivate these three cuties until they bloom into mares more beautiful than they would if left with you.”

“Shut it sleazebag! As long as I live you won't touch these fillies.”

“Yes, about that. I'm tiring of our little chat. I know you're one to appreciate gloating and I find it quite fun when I know I can get away with it... but now it's time for filly number one to be bound. Let's see... how about the little... earthpony, I do love pegasi, and unicorns... well they sure do a have a lot of tricks, but earthponies... delectable.”

“Stay behind me, I'll keep ya safe... Apple Bloom, where are ya!”

“Oh, so that's what this little filly's name is... Such a firm neck, I so hope that you taste like apples.”

The vampony that had been talking to the enraged Moon Flower held up the struggling Apple Bloom in a sickeningly black aura. As Moon Flower continued to try and figure out what to do without getting the three fillies killed, the vampony bit into his own leg and drew a mouthful of blood. After he was done he plunged his fangs into Apple Bloom eliciting a scream from the little filly before he let her go, sending the scared filly scrambling behind the pony who was trying to protect her.

For Apple Bloom the entire experience was utterly terrifying. One moment she was next to a pony that was trying to keep her safe, the next thing she new she was hurtling through a miasma of colors before appearing next to the one pony she didn't want to be next to. When she was bitten into she felt a searing pain in her neck as the vampony's brutally sharp fangs ripped into the tender flesh of her tiny body. When she was sent back to the group she was more or less thrown at them and barely managed to keep from face planting the dirt.

“Only two left... and still no way out for the flies that are caught in my little trap... How about a two for one deal hm...” A sickening aura caught Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle and drew them close to the vampony where he did the same to them as he did for Apple Bloom.

“Now that I've taken care of those three, all I have to do is remove you from the equation... What are you doing?”

As Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle made it back to their protector they found themselves immediately trapped in small dome of ice. Moon Flower then proceeded to force lightning that was arching from her body into a strange collection of sigils that arced with the latent energy held within. The vampony that had previously been gloating over his previous situation, began to back away and headed for what cover he could find as reality around the pegasus began to warp... and as the spell continued it collapsed and sent out an explosive blast wave that launched any hidden Blackheart operatives flying deep into the forest. As the smoke cleared a singed Moon Flower and a shivering and highly frightened trio of fillies looked at the panting pegasus.

“T-that didn't go as I planned.”

“Well what were ya tryin' ta do, kill us!”

“It was meant to be a form of teleportation... I'm kinda glad that didn't work... Probably would have been trapped in some form of Limbo...”

“I thought only unicorns could teleport.” Sweetie Belle chimed in.

“Well, I'm tryin' ta prove 'em wrong... still workin' on it... even after a thousand years of practicing to get as good as ah am.”

“Ah can tell, well at least they're gone... but what about us?”

“Yeah, you said you'd have to drain us then give us your blood, he didn't do that at all.” Scootaloo added.

“That's the normal way to do it, it's also safer. He mixed his blood with yours, that means that what causes vampirirsm is inside of you, but it'll take roughly a fortnight to finish the conversion process.”

“So how's it more dangerous?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“The cravings are insane and you'll need me keeping an eye on you unless you want to accidentally kill somepony in a fit of blood lust. The good thing is that they're gone, for now. All I have to do is keep you in town until the process is done or you're cured and you're home free as far as enslavement goes.”

“So do you really have split personalities?” Scootaloo asked the cyan mare.

“No... I act fer a living, I like to keep specific personalities going for specific disguises, it's one of the ways I've avoided getting caught while hiding in plain sight for over a thousand years. Although ah do occasionally... screw the accent ya already know it's me Scoots, but yeah the disguise I use out in the open changes. Every few hundred years I take up my old name and cutie-mark again. You would not believe how much magic hair-dye I go through to get my hair looking like it did when I was younger.”

“So what was with the accent? It sounded really well rehearsed.”

“I grew up on a carrot farm and I... I wanted to distance myself as much as I could from the farm because of the sad memories, when that didn't work I decided that I needed to change. I didn't even fight it when I picked up the accent and I even embraced it, ah still catch myself falling into it on occasion. Now you three come here I need to finish what that disgrace to society started so you don't end up accidentally draining somepony... I wish it didn't have to come to this.”

“Well why didn't you stop him from biting us then!?” Scootaloo yelled.

“We were surrounded Scoots, and Blackheart is just too tough for me to face head on. If I defended you when he was paying attention... he wouldn't have hesitated to make this your last night alive. As much as he talks about getting slaves, he ends up killing most ponies he wants to turn in a fit of rage during confrontations, doing nothing and secretly charging that attack... it was the only course of action that would have gotten you out alive and as free mares.”

“Sis is gonna kill me! Granny has a thing about vamponies, ah secretly believe she's a lycan, but there are a few vampony hunters in mah family on mah ma's side.”

“Ouch, AJ didn't make her family seem to be that way.” Sweetie Belle said.

“That's because she grew up at home with ma and pa like me when she was young. Every other Apple will likely try taking a stake to my heart if they find out.”

“Easy, just don't tell anypony you're a vampony, also stay away from garlic, all of you. Vampires are highly allergic to garlic and we tend to swell up and movement becomes painful, most ponies tend to forget the garlic thing, which is good as it's good at crippling a vampony. As for blood, feeding only needs to occur once a week, normal food does nothing, but sugar filled items will allow you to stretch out the time needed to feed by about a day. In fact this eating of constant sugar is the only way a vampony can actually gain weight. You should be able to retract your fangs, but just in case try not to smile too much until you've got that down. I think that's it... oh and vamponies have a tendency to be OCD, especially when it comes to knowing the exact number of things there are, just try not to count salt grains too often.”

“Aw come on! How am I supposed to have a romantic dinner with Spike now if I'm allergic to garlic!?”

“Use a garlic flavored substitute, I happen to know of a brand that tastes just like garlic... although I never had much garlic before becoming a vampony.”

“I guess I'm the only one that gets the cute treatment huh?”

“It's not that bad kiddo, I got used to it. I also exploit it for some freebies at random theaters in other towns.”

“Okay but what about that OCD thing? Mah family is definitely goin' to notice if ah suddenly have an interest in knowing the amount of salt they just threw on their hay fries.”

“The OCD is rather annoying, but older vampires can count really fast and in larger groups of numbers than most ponies. For young vampires all you have to remember is that nopony cares and you should be able to resist the urge better.”

“So when ya were talkin' to mah sis about the trees...”

“Yes there are exactly three-thousand nine-hundred and thirty-two trees with ripe fruit, and staying up all night keeps me from being an early riser.”

“So now that our questions have been answered you're going to turn us right?”

“Eh... it's the safest thing to do, but you'll be targeted by Blackheart just like I am. Thankfully they'll wait until you're fully grown to start that crap, they may be horrible but they do have some standards. Not that they'll leave you alone if you stay as a normal pony.”

“Hey, Rainbow... A-are those ponies going to be stopped?”

“It's hard to say kiddo, they play a tough game. Celestia pretty much blames the actions of Blackheart on vamponies in general, but she's started to wise up about it, not that it will keep me from being hunted by her.”

“Oh! Because you fed on her.”

“Right... I'd rather not talk about that incident, it's not something that I'm proud of, although I've done several other things that I could say I'm not proud of. So since you'll be immortal your families will figure this out sooner or later, most likely in three years concerning Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle.”

“This sucks, ah was never supposed to be a vampony!”

“Well... Since your just starting to turn I can cure you, but Blackheart is still going to be a problem, hopefully I can give you a normal life with the help of the rest of the members of my coven.. ”

“So your saying that I'm F##### no matter what ah do, that's it I'm leaving this stupid cursed forest, just turn me now.”

“Woah, language kid, if you were my child you'd be eating a bar of soap right now. You're also pretty smart for your age, not that I'm calling you dumb or anything. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle I can understand considering their tribes mentally mature faster, especially pegasi.”

“Ya callin' earth ponies dumb?” Apple Bloom asked, seemingly forgetting what the mare in question had already stated.

“Ugh, no. They just take longer to mature. Now I'm taking all of you to a friend I met out here during one of my searches.”

As the three frightened fillies followed the mare that they thought they knew they found themselves being led along a path that looked rarely trodden upon. As the three fillies continued on they would occasionally spot something scurrying in the darkness. Soon enough a large tree came into view that had a door carved into its aging trunk. The mare known as Rainbow Dash knocked on the door five times and stood back, waiting for the trees occupant to come out.

“Who is pounding at my door, any harder and it will hit the floor. Ah Iris and three young fillies I see, do you care to explain why you want to see me?”

“Zecora, ah need these three cured of vampirism before it becomes permanent, we had a run in with some Blackheart agents. This is Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, and Apple Bloom, three fillies who need ta learn not ta just run into a forest.” Rainbow Dash said slipping back into her accent while Zecora rushed to apply a paste to the three fillies.

“Hey why would you tell us all of that stuff back there if you were just going to cure us!” Sweetie Belle complained.

“To let ya know what vampirism means. Ya may think it gives a lot in return fer what it is, but it takes just as much if not more. A vampire constantly deals with blood lust kiddo, and you're a nice filly that doesn't need to constantly have an urge to hurt others. Now like ah said come back when yer eighteen and ah'll turn ya if yer still wantin' ta be a vampony.”

“Mrs. Moon is quite right Sweetie Belle, pardon my language but immortality can be h###. Now drink this brew and you'll be cured and walk away as good as new. Unfortunately for dear Apple Bloom, the time for a cure has met its doom. The paste tells an unfortunate tale; her body is so far gone the cure will fail.”

“What do ya mean Apple Bloom can't be cured, she's got a weak at most before she turns.”

“Normally for these circumstances that would be the case, unfortunately the infection in her is working at a feverish pace. Her stubbornness, anger, and jealousy make good fuels for vampiric magic to burn, in almost an hour she will turn. Take the filly and finish the job, otherwise her soul Blackheart will rob. I'll cure these two and take them home before their families start to worry, but when turning the young filly make sure you hurry.”

“Yeah, yeah ah got it Zecora. Come on Bloom these two have already seen enough tonight, I'll turn ya outside and then take ya home.”

“It's not like ah have a choice now do ah? An' why did ya bring the accent back?”

“When ah'm Moon Flower, or Iris the accent stays. Now come on we don't have all night.” The semi-cloaked mare said while leading Apple Bloom outside of the hut.

For the second time that night Apple Bloom felt the fangs of a vampony sink into her tender flesh. Unlike before where her flesh burned there was merely a dull pain and a small pinching feeling. As the blood left her body Apple Bloom began to feel dizzy and the forest began to spin around her. As she blacked out the little filly could vaguely feel a light pressure building in her mouth just under her gums.

After the vampony that called herself many things finished turning the filly she heard the sound of hoofsteps approaching. As Moon Flower looked up she saw the one pony she was hoping she wouldn't run into. As the armored stallion stepped into the moonlight the emblem of the sun eclipsing a crescent moon emblazoned on his chest glinted in the low light. There was no doubt in Moon Flower's mind who this pony was once she looked upon his face, this pony was Dusk Shine.

“Oh s### this looks bad.”

Author's Note

Well I think this story just earned the dark tag. For those of you bemoaning Apple bloom's turning, this becomes a major plot point for her character development later. I'm also learning to hate episodic chapters as certain things that feel like they should have been dropped start reoccurring more than you like.

Blackheart: So that's where all the evil ended up... oops.

Moon Flower is a stage name RD took up when performing shows.

This story is starting too feel a little too much like a Tumblr series, so I completely understand if you hate me for this chapter.

As for mental maturation unicorns and pegasi mentally mature at a young age, Sweetie Belle is a little unusual in this regard as she is an early bloomer.

Fun Fact: The most common typo I fix is Winderbolts, Winderblots, or Wonderblots.

Even more philosophical discussions involving Artemis. Even though he is underhooved and trying to overthrow his sister he does have other ulterior motives that have only been lightly alluded to. As for all the good stuff he does he's not entirely bad, but he isn't in this for the good of everypony either. The Draconic lands get mentioned way too much, but they will come into play later.

The next chapter will officially end this stories delving into vamponies in depth until the Gala, no Fluttershy is not a longma or a princess, and no she didn't grow up in the Draconic lands. This should also end our trip along a Rainbow Dash centered set of chapters that were supposed to focus on Apple Jack, but the original plot of that episode had too little for me to work with to make it interesting and unique...

Magic Classes for light Magic.

Laughter- Contains magic made of what one would assume to be joy. Not much is known about this class other than its ability to energize the target and allow for some abilities that were once attributed to chaos magic.

Generosity- Contains magic of what would be assumed the spirit of giving. This magic class has not been extensively looked into but it is considered one of the most powerful classes. This magic mostly works on others and is attributed with spells giving strength, vitality, and inspiration among other things.

Loyalty- This magic is generally thought to be comprised of the essence of loyalty and even valor. This magic works mostly on the caster and holds spells that greatly empower the user both physically and mentally.

Kindness- This magic is said to be the made of the essence of caring. This class holds all major spells meant to heal injuries and there is rumored to be a spell here that can pull a pony back from the brink of death no matter what the cause.

Honesty-Magic said to be maid of distilled truth resides in this domain. Not much is known about this branch of light magic other than it favors those who hold a strong integrity with those who know the value of hard work. It is said that only those who hold this integrity know what this magic can do. But there are a few spells that are known to open your eyes to the lies presented before you, it is believed even illusion magic is powerless against this.

Faith- An odd class of magic to be sure, and it is often referred to as friendship, as erroneous as that is. This branch of magic is said to promote bonding with others and most of the spells present within are spells meant to calm an opponent and get them in a mood where they are willing to hold a conversation.

Love-The last known class of light magic is love and is pretty much unexplored. Most of what is known about it suggests that it promotes healthier relationships with a spouse. Some scholars have went into this field hoping to possibly find something for their filthy minds to latch onto, luckily there doesn't seem to be anything like that in this branch of magic.

I feel like delving into Rainbow's past has started to derail this story, thankfully it was never meant to last in this story more than three chapters.

Well I'm done talking, please tell me how this turned out. If you have an comments as to what you didn't like specifically or how this story can be improved please tell me I'm all ears.