Crimson Night

“I can see five ponies and a young dragon coming this way, everypony else is just forming on the outskirts.” Vayne said, her eyes being the sharpest of the group.

“Those are my friends then.” Twilight said. They were all running, but they heard each other over wireless headsets that went into one ear. Luna had distributed them at one point during the meeting.

“We can slow down, how are you holding up Galio?” Hecarim asked.

“I can keep going at this pace for hours.” Galio replied, though his breath was slightly more labored than the others'. They slowed down to a brisk walk.

The team couldn't help but chuckle when Pinkie pie didn't stop running and instead tackled Twilight in a hug.

“Twilight oh my gosh I'm so glad you're back you're just in time for the 'Yay we have new friends!' Party!” Pinkie exclaimed.

“Whoa that's new.” Dash said, pointing at Twilight's wings.

“I'll tell you all at once, but we all need to catch our breath.” Twilight said.

“By thuh way Sugar Cube, Everypony knows we're havin' some Vamponies stayin' with us but they don't know yer one of em.” Applejack said.

“Ugh...can somepony besides be take car of that one?...I explained it so many times before I don't think I can take another one.” Twilight said, standing up.

“I'll take care of it Twi.” Spike said.

“Thanks.” Twilight said.

“Well Twilight. Are you going to introduce us?” Hecarim asked with a chuckle.

“Oh sorry! Girls, this is Hecarim, the team leader and my teacher, Galio, Vayne and Vlad. Team, this is Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Applejack, Rarity and Spike.” Twilight said, pointing to each of the ponies. They each gave greetings and shook hooves at random.

“Now, I am sorry to interrupt but we must see to where we will sleep.” Hecarim said with a small smile.

“We already got that figured out.” Applejack started. “Ah've got space in thuh barn if yuh can handle a more traditional livin' place.” she continued.

“I have a free bedroom in the Boutique Darlings.” Rarity said.

“And I got the Cakes' permission to put our spare bedroom up! As long as you're great with kids!” Pinkie exclaimed.

“if it's alright with you Spike one of you can join me in the Library.” Twilight said.

“Well I am to train you, and receive assignments through you, so I will take you up on that.” Hecarim said.

“This traditional town fascinates me. I must take you up on your offer AJ, farm life sounds fun!” Vlad said.

“Well miss Rarity, I can tell by your posture and looks you are no stranger to fashion. I would like to see this Boutique of yours.” Vayne said.

“I enjoy the company of Children, and by the names I imagine you speak of the bakery. I've always wanted to learn how to bake.” Galio said.

“Then it's settled now Everypony let's get to town and Party!” Pinkie exclaimed.

“Hey isn't that Twilight?” Somepony asked.

“Twilight's a Vampony? That's so cool! That means she's gonna help fight the bad things!” Scootaloo exclaimed.

“Pinkie set up this ridiculous party for a bunch of freaks...” a Stallion started, but was smacked on the head by his wife.

“Shut it! They're not freaks. I'm sure they're all very nice ponies and if you talked to them you'd find them victims of circumstance.” she huffed.

“But that one has a scythe.” somepony else said.

“And that one has a crossbow...a really big crossbow.” another said.

“Quiet everypony. They have them things 'cuz they fight evil things.” Big Mac said.

“They're close now Everypony quiet!” somepony hissed.

Everypony was nervous, frightened, resentful, or in the CMC's case excited, as the group arrived at the town officially.

“We all welcome you into our home. We thank you for protecting Equestria from this new evil threat.” The mayor said. She seemed to be the only adult, besides the apple family, that was sincere about that statement though.

“We thank you for housing us. Our stays will be for an undefined amount of time, but while we are here we will not simply leech off of your generosity. We will work.” Hecarim said.

“It's getting' late Y'all, sorry Pinkie but that party's gunna hav'ta wait. Even Vamponies get tired.” Applejack said after a moment of awkward silence.

“Aww! Well fine as long as we still have it though and I get to see one of the new friends too!” Pinkie exclaimed. “Come on Mister Galio!” she continued, grabbing his hoof and dragging the laughing Gargoyle towards Sugar Cube corner.

“Come along Darling. I simply must get the design for that stylish suit!” Rarity exclaimed. Vayne walked alongside the white Unicorn, chatting about some sort of design.

“Well, we rise with thuh sun so if'n yuh want any sleep yuh should come along Mister Vlad.” Applejack said.

“Oh just Vlad my friend, no taste for pleasantries “ Vlad said, following the orange mare.

“Well that leaves us. Thanks Everypony for everything, and uh...sorry for not telling all of you.” Twilight said as she led Hecarim to the Library.

“Oh hey Twi! Sometime soon wanna go Flying?” Dash called.

“Sure!” Twilight replied. The Pegasus did a hoof pump and shot off happily towards her cloud house.

Well that was quite a scare.” Mrs. Cake said to Pinkie the next morning, having checked on Galio in the night to find an actual stone Gargoyle in front of the bed, It didn't look like a pony and it had startled her.

“He did tell you he was a Gargoyle, did you not hear him?” Pinkie asked happily.

“I did not really believe him...I guess that skin really is stone.” Mrs. Cake replied with a chuckle.

“Pinkie, aren't you supposed to be watching the Foals?” Mr. Cake asked.

“Yeah but Mister Galio insisted that I come and get breakfast and that he could handle watching them!” Pinkie exclaimed as she finished the giant pancake she had made for breakfast. She had made some for the Cakes as well, but they dropped it and quickly rushed to the Foals' room. Pinkie stopped them before they burst in and instead opened the door normally. They found Galio happily laughing as the Pound Cake was floating around him and Pumpkin Cake was chewing on a tip of his wing.

“You need not worry, I would never think of allowing such innocent creatures to come to harm.” Galio said without turning around.

“I was created to safeguard my master as he traveled, he was a traveling Enchanter you see. One day I could not perform my duty due to my lack of speed and I was left without a master. I chose to stand sentinel over the most traveled road of what is technically my home town. The little foals would always play on me, so naturally I would grow to enjoy their company, they were the only ones who did not see a scary face, but a stone friend.” Galio explained, chuckling the two foals looked up to hear the story.

“My duty and instinct is to protect what deserves to be protected. You never need worry for the safety of anypony while I am here. I am the centurion defender of wherever I may be.” he continued.

“Oh Dearie, I'm sorry we doubted you. It's just, we only recently found out about the whole Vampony thing...we're all a bit, on edge.” Mrs. Cake said.

“I understand, this one will grow to be a strong pegasus indeed.” Galio said with a laugh when Pound Cake started pushing against Galio's guiding hoof as he steered the Pegasus away from the open window. This gained a laugh from the cakes and Pinkie.

“Oh you literally rise with the sun don't you? I thought it was a metaphor.” Vlad said tiredly as Applejack woke him bright and early.

“Eeyup. Miss Hecarim told us yuh were gunna work and thuh Apples need a buckin'” Applejack said.

“Oh I've heard of the practice. Don't worry about me not being able to handle it though, I can take quite the beating.” Vlad said as he got up.

“Yeah, well let's see how yuh fare durin' the prime of Applebuck season.” Applejack said.

Contrary to what Applejack had originally thought, Vlad was keeping up with her. They both had collected a full cart load quicker than she and Mac would normally take.

“Ah gotta go drop these ones off...be back in ten.” Applejack said and began hauling the cart.

“Alright.” Vlad simply replied.

“Don' even think about it.” Vlad suddenly heard. He turned around and cleanly avoided a kick to the head.

“Whoa there, mind telling me why you're trying to hit me?” Vlad asked, jumping back from the two Farm Hands that were standing there with angry looks on their face.

“You know why...you and her out here alone...you're just dieing for a chance to get at her neck and suck her dry.” one of them said.

“really now?...not even the Abominations would drink a pony dry. Why would I try and bite her when she can buck my head clean off?” Vlad said.

“You freaks don't fool me. You're all just mon-” one started, but an apple smashed into his head.

“That's enough now y'hear? Yuh know full well Vamponies aren't monsters...Twilight Sparkle saved yer flank last week and she was a Vampony even then. Mister Vlad here is helpin' with thuh work to earn his place!” Big Macintosh yelled. The farm hands lowered themselves in fear at the larger red Stallion.

“Ah'm mighty sorry Mister Vlad. Some ponies are jus' too thick skulled fer their own good...” Mac said when they scurried off.

“Not a problem. That was actually one of the less violent reactions I've gotten in my time. For the record, I won't need to feed for another two weeks, and I could have easily just evaded them until they got tired.” Vlad said.

“Maybe so, if'n they start that up again yuh got mah permission tuh ruff em up a bit. If it comes tuh that let Granny Smith know. We don't tolerate such Foalish things as Prejudice here.” Mac said.

“Thanks big guy, but I think resorting to violence over such a small thing would only make it worse, I'll just let Granny know.” Vlad said. Mac nodded as Applejack came back with an empty cart.

“What'd ah miss?”

“Wow, I'm impressed...in just a few hours you put together something that fits me perfectly.” Vayne said to Rarity, looking at the design with a grin.

“Oh yes Darling. I had originally intended the base for Twilight and based it on the ideological 'seductress' role the Female Vampony would always play in media...but that didn't fit her at all. Though with a few modifications to the Design, it fits you rather perfectly I must say. I even copied and integrated the strap and mechanism for your Leg bow and Cross bow.” Rarity explained. Vayne's response was cut off by an angry looking fancy Mare storming in.

“I can't believe you are working for such a foul Being! Vamponies stay in the shadows for a Reason!” she exclaimed to Rarity, who didn't even look up.

“Whoa, standing right here.” Vayne said.

“is that all?” Rarity asked.

“You've lost my Business. I've never liked this Filthy shop anyways!” she exclaimed. Apparently the mare was expecting an argument, or begging, but was surprised by Rarity giving her absolutely no attention.

“Well Darling, if you think of such a Lovely peoples as such then this 'Filthy Shop' doesn't want your business.” Rarity said. The Mare was left speechless and rooted to the spot.

“Unless you're going to Apologize, leave before I hoist you out of the door.” Rarity said, looking up with a bored expression. The Mare huffed and stormed out.

“Rarity...you don't need to stick up for my kind like that...You shouldn't be doing this if it's costing you business.” Vayne said.

“Nonsense Darling. I do this because I enjoy my work. The business and cash is just an added bonus. And besides, I can't deal with somepony who called my best friend and new favorite customer a 'Foul being' and do a good job.” Rarity said, dropping her working glasses form it's magical hold and smiling at the mare. Vayne grinned in return.

“Damn, you wake early.” Hecarim said when she came downstairs to where Twilight had already eaten breakfast and was reading.

“Old habit.” Twilight responded halfheartedly. Hecarim noticed she was reading something.

“What are you reading?” she asked.

“Well, Luna sent me over a few books she thought might help. There is a Necromancy spell book, a Do and Don't guide that goes with it and a book explaining and detailing a vast array of different weapons.” Twilight said.

“Those will actually be a huge convenience in your training so I don't have to spend a few days teaching you about all kinds of weapons, and you'd have at least a basic understanding of Necromancy. Oh, thank you spike.” Hecarim said as Spike put a plate of waffles in front of her.

“No problem.” he replied.

“So what kind of weapon you think sounds most like you?” Hecarim asked.

“Well, there are a few...apparently I'd be most compatible with a short range weapon, but with long reach. I flipped to that section of the book and found a lot of things...a lot of them were types of spears or long axes and all that kind of heavy stuff I don't really like. So I flipped back to the shorter weapons, but none of them seemed right. Then I remembered your scythe and turned to that page.” Twilight started and flipped to a page that had 'Battle Scythe' on it and an illustration.

“ 'The Battle Scythe is a close range bladed weapon with long reach. Depending on the wielder, it can take on roles of attack, defense, support and withholds a popular concept of channeling spells through the weapon. There are many uses for the battle Scythe in and outside of combat.' and then it goes on about some other stuff. I don't really want to be right in the face of a Ghoul when I fight it like Vayne likes...but I don't want to be just supporting, and I've always been kind of a bad shot with physical projectiles...so it's kind of perfect...” Twilight explained, reciting a part of the book's description.

“I see. You've fired a Physical Projectile weapon before?” Hecarim asked.

“yeah, this one camp I went to we had an activity to test our manipulation skills with archery...I almost hit the instructor.” Twilight said sheepishly.

“Well, nopony can be good at everything. This actually takes out even more of the time needed for your training...I know exactly what to train you in, and I can do it with extreme prowess.” Hecarim said.

“Yeah...I think we should go check on the rest of the team though.” Twilight said.

“Good idea.” Hecarim replied.