Crimson Night

The team arrived back at Ponyville right before Everypony went to sleep. They all returned to their respective places of Residence. Hecarim and Twilight were surprised to hear a knock as they made to settle into sleep and found Fluttershy at the door.

“Oh...um...sorry for coming so late but...um...could I spend the night for a day or two? I have an infestation of these mean ants and my Ant Eater friends need time to get rid of them and told me to stay out of the way.” Fluttershy explained.

“Um...you alright with sleeping on a couch?” Twilight asked.

“Oh that's fine, I know you're kind of cramped...but Everywhere else was full.” Fluttershy said, coming in at Twilight's invitation.

“Fluttershy is it?” Hecarim asked. Fluttershy nodded. “I hear you are the Element of Kindness and you care for many animals.” Hecarim said.

“I'm exhausted guys, try not to make too much noise ok?” Twilight said. The two nodded.

“Oh yes...um...you're Training Twilight right?” Fluttershy replied.

“Correct. I would tell you of it, but I am afraid it might scare you- no offense.” Hecarim said.

“Oh please, don't worry about that. And I know I scare easily. Believe it or not I've got a bit of a guilty pleasure of reading some more...action filled books.” Fluttershy assured.

“Very well then. I saw Twilight take down two Ghouls with ease, she is getting much better with her Necromancy and her Scythe. Once she perfects her skill I was thinking I would start her on some of the more advanced skills for both...right now her limit would be intermediate combat skills and about the same with Necromancy, but she has surpassed that by creating her own spell in just a day.” Hecarim explained.

“She's always been a fast learner. But must you train every single day? You just got back from a mission, and by the looks of your armor and Galio's scars it was more than that level 1 or whatever. Couldn't you give her a break?” Fluttershy asked.

“You have a point...I guess with how fast she progresses we can afford a break. My only problem with that is what I would do to pass the time. I can't stay cooped up here all day.” Hecarim replied.

“Well...Twilight mentioned you enjoy teaching others...maybe you can come with me to the School tomorrow. Mrs. Cherilee is still injured from the Ursa attack so I volunteered to teach the little ones...but after thinking about it I may need help. And besides, the Foals don't really know what's going on and you can explain it to them.” Fluttershy suggested.

“That sounds nice, though I should probably not come battle-ready.” Hecarim said with a chuckle.

“Hello Vlad, had a feeling you'd be back.” Red Heart greeted when Vlad entered the hospital.

“Hello Red, care to have the 'scary Vampony' help out today?” He asked with a grin.

“Sure, we need all the help we can get...and by the way, that Blood Drive went well here in Ponyville. The Princesses started one in Canterlot too and a couple other towns across Equestria, but not too many yet. But it's only been a day, we'll let it grow.” Red Heart replied.

“Excellent!” Vlad exclaimed.

“I have to go check on some of the patients, this time can you tell the Patients you're going to help them at least before scaring the hell out of them?” Red asked, only joking a little.

“Alright, but it was fun to see all the different reactions.” Vlad said.

“It was damn Hilarious when that Old Mare hit you with a bed pan though.” Red retorted with a giggle.

“Yeah, yeah...by the way is this normal?” he asked, pointing to a large bruise on his head.

“The hell hit you?” Red asked.

“Galio...the Saliva only heals open wounds and I wouldn't drink just to alleviate a bruise...but damn it hurts.” Vlad said, feigning a pout.

“Oh quiet you big baby. He must have kicked you real hard to make one like this. Want an Ice Pack?” Red asked.

“Sure, and no he just smacked me...his skin is made of stone remember?” Vlad said.

“Yeah I guess so. Gotta run, see you later.” Red aid, levitating the ice pack to have Vlad take it in his own hold.

“Hey Mister Galio, I was wondering. If you're a Gargoyle, how come you're a Vampony too?” Pinkie asked Galio as they baked before the shop opened up.

“My master was like a father, and I was like his child. He was a Vampony, and so created me as one. I was not turned, but I am of pure blood.” Galio said.

“He must have been a really nice Stallion!” Pinkie exclaimed.

“Yes he was. I was not his first creation, but he always told me I was his favorite and his first completely independent one. He created Sentient beings used to protect. They were often commissioned for war to protect troops or towns, or simply bought as security. I guess you could say they are my brothers and sisters, but only in a technical sense.” Galio explained.

“That's cool! I'm sorry for his loss...what happened?” Pinkie asked.

“It was a simple matter of speed. He sent me to do something that brought me away form him. He and the others he brought with him were attacked and destroyed before I could return...I have come to terms with that now, but it still pains me.” he said.

“Well I'm here to make you smile then!” Pinkie exclaimed, hugging the Gargoyle. Galio laughed and hugged her back.

“Yes, apparently you are.” he said.

“I must admit Rarity...I didn't believe you when you told me how good this place was, but now I don't think you did it justice.” Vayne said as Aloe and Vera worked on the two Ponies.

“Fluttershy and I normally come together, but something came up with her so she had to cancel this week so of course I'd bring you along.” Rarity said.

“Come now, time for the Sauna.” Aloe said and led them to the steamy room.

“Oh Luna...I've never been in one of these before but it is amazing...” Vayne said.

“I know Darling. To tell the truth, I imagined you would be a bit less Feminine when I first saw you.” Rarity said.

“Eh, sometimes, normally only when I'm in battle. Outside of it though I'm rather like you, just not as skilled with the creating of fashion.” Vayne said.

“I get it. Serious when you need to be, but when you're free you do whatever.” Rarity said.

“In a nutshell yeah.” Vayne said. “by the way...Working with you at the Boutique has probably been the most fun I've had outside of battle in a very long time.” She continued.

“That reminds me, if it's not too personal a question how did you become a Vampony?” Rarity asked.

“Well...I had a lover. She was a Vampony. We hunted dangerous things, like Timberwolves -which were much more a threat then than now- and one time even a Dragon. Though one time we had a run in with Ghouls and it nearly killed me. She turned me then and decided to hunt Ghouls...I wasn't there when she died, but she left her weapon...” Vayne said, leaning her head back and sighing lightly.

“Is it that large Crossbow?” Rarity asked.

“Yeah...it just appeared on my doorstep covered in blood one day...I was studying the Vampirism so I could learn more about it and what I could do...” she said. She closed her eyes and just sat back for a while.

“I'm sorry I brought up such memories...” Rarity said.

“Don't worry, I need to remember every now and then...she was like you, Lily was her name. If you dropped the 'Darling' thing and knew how to kill a pony in dozens of different ways I'd say you'd be sisters...though she had this terrible green mane just to spite me.” she said.

“Green? Like Emerald green?” Rarity asked.

“Not even close...imagine what grass looks like after it's been chewed up and spit back out.” Vayne said. Rarity made a 'Blergh' noise and they both laughed.

“Good morning Everypony...I'll be your substitute while Mrs. Cherilee is away...um...does anypony remember where she left off?” Fluttershy said.

“Last thing she taught us was the history of town hall...” Sweetie Belle said.

“Oh. um...ok...When I visited her she told me that I could teach whatever I wanted...so...um...I brought in a friend.” Fluttershy said.

“If you're not going to teach us that then why bother asking?” Scootaloo asked.

“It was so she could find out if you were in the middle of something or not.” Hecarim said, joining Fluttershy.

“You're one of those Vampony freaks!” Diamond Tiara exclaimed.

“Hey Vamponies aren't freaks! Twilight's one uh them and they're all helpin' out.” Applebloom said.

“Yeah! They're here to protect us and they do even more than that so don't call them freaks!” Scootaloo exclaimed.

“um...Girls, that's enough. Vamponies are not Freaks, they are just different. Um...this is Miss Hecarim...she's the captain of the Night Guard and um...the team of Vamponies here. She's going to tell everypony here what's going on.” Fluttershy explained.

“Right. I'll warn you, if anypony is scared easily by stories of zombies or things like that I recommend you go home early.” Hecarim said.

“Oh please...Zombies aren't real...” Tiara said. Hecarim just sighed.

“There are things in this world that are unnatural. Vamponies are one of them. Necromancy is another. Necromancy is Dark magic that was originally dubbed evil due to it's dark origins. When a Pony tries to use it, they turn into something called a Lich. Does anypony know what a Lich is?” Hecarim asked.

“Oh! Oh! I do!” Scootaloo said, raising her hoof. Hecarim nodded to her. “A Lich is a Pony who gets corrupted by Dark Magic!” she said.

“How did you know that little one?” Hecarim asked.

“Twilight told me!” Scootaloo replied.

“I see. That is basically right, but that is not all they are. Once the Pony becomes a Lich, they are dead. They use their corrupted Necromancy to turn ponies, dead or alive, into Ghouls. These Ghouls are nasty creatures that have been called zombies before, but they gain strength by eating living Ponies. The reason My team and I are here is because of these creatures. They are amassing and attempting something we can only guess at.” Hecarim explained.

“How come Vamponies are the only ones that can face these things?” one of the Foals asked.

“It is a simple matter of power and experience. Many Vamponies are very old and have fought these creatures before, so they know how to fight them. These creatures were powerful enough in the past to almost wipe the Ursas out completely.” Hecarim said.

“Wait...yer sayin' that they can take on an Ursa Major?” Applebloom asked.

“In great numbers yes, but only in such huge numbers.” Hecarim replied.

“Twilight took one of those out by herself and she wasn't even a Vampony then...if it takes that many to do what one regular pony did, how come only Vamponies can fight them?” a Foal asked.

“Twilight was the most powerful Unicorn in Ponyville, Canterlot and probably all of Equestria...she's not an average pony.” Hecarim said. The questioning and explanations went on for the rest of the school day, but the gray Mare was really enjoying herself educating the foals.

“Hey Twi, need me to send that?” Spike asked when he noticed Twilight writing a letter.

“Oh no, it's for Luna, and I got a direct connection set up with Celestia too so I don't need you to send my letters all the time anymore.” Twilight said.
“oh...ok...” Spike said.

“What's wrong?” Twilight asked.

“Well...I know I always say how annoyed I am with that stuff...but now that you're not here all the time it's one of the only things I can do for you anymore...” Spike explained.

“Oh spike, you don't need to do stuff for me.” Twilight said.

“But I feel like I'm just useless...just dead weight for you to take care of...” Spike said.

“Spike...I can never even think that about you...besides, you're like a little brother to me so I enjoy taking care of you. And from what I hear from the others you've really been helping out a lot around here. You don't need to worry about me.” Twilight said, nuzzling the small dragon.

“But I like to Twi...” Spike said.

“Tell you what...I'll leave you completely in charge of the Library. That way you can help me by making sure Ponyville has a Library and I have someplace to come back to.” Twilight suggested.

“You'd really do that?” Spike asked.

“Of course. I trust you completely.” Twilight said.

“Thanks a million Twilight. So what are you writing?” Spike said.

“Oh just telling Luna that we're fit for another Assignment when needed.” Twilight said.

“You sure it's not a love letter?” Spike asked jokingly. Twilight just sighed.

“Why does everypony think we're writing love letters?” She said.

“Because it's fun to tease you!” Spike replied.

“So help me...if you start singing that song- and I know you want to- I'll go get Galio and make him hit you, and he gave Vlad that bruise you saw.” Twilight said. Spike just laughed, but refrained from singing.