Crimson Night

“We need to what?” Applejack exclaimed. The other elements had agreed to the Vampirism and accepted their need for blood to be of any use in the war. But Twilight had just told them they need to drink her blood.

“I want you all to be strong...my blood won't make you all powerful or anything...Vlad taught me to filter it, so to speak, so that I'd made you stronger. Also, I think since you gave me some of your blood you'd get what I got from you in return as well.” Twilight explained.

“Well...Ah guess we got yuh tuh drink ours with thuh same excuse...” Applejack said and took the red liquid in one of the five cups. The others followed suit. Soon they were all standing and radiating power.

“I included most of my knowledge of Necromancy in the transfer, so you don't have to start from scratch. Dash, we have some guests arriving I think you'd want to meet. They were most of team fifteen, you'll be replacing the lost team mate. Fluttershy, I know you don't want to fight unless you have to so I talked to Zecora and the two of you will be based here in ponyville as medical Vamponies with some of the Dryads. AJ, I don't really know what you'd want to do so I'll leave that for you to decide. Rarity, Celestia and Luna admired your designs and want you to create a battle-ready uniform for the Dawn Guards.” Twilight listed off.

“What about me?” Pinkie asked.

“Well...I don't know either...” Twilight admitted.

“C'mon sugar cube, Twilight when yuh made Ponyville all better some uh that magic stuff got into thuh orchard trees. Ah named thuh new fruit Sparkle Fruit, we have two orchards now. They take a might stronger buckin' to get the fruit out and Pinkie here can help me and see if'n they make mighty fine pies or not.” Applejack said.

“Oh that sounds like fun!” Pinkie exclaimed and bounced off after the other earth pony.

“I'll get the designs sketched up right away!” Rarity said, heading for the Boutique.

“Team fifteen huh?...hope they're awesome.” Dash said and hovered away.

“I'll go and um...speak with Zecora then.” Fluttershy said.

“They took it rather well.” Luna commented as she came up next to her.

“Yeah...so when do we leave for our assignment?” Twilight asked.

“We'll start it in three days, we need to gather the information on them.” Luna said.

“Alright. I'm just going to go walk around town and see how I changed it...I don't remember exactly what I did. Care to join me?” Twilight asked.

“I'd love to.” Luna replied.

“Ah've gotta admit with this new strength ah can buck all week. Pinkie's experimentin' with the new stuff in the kitchen.” Applejack said when they stopped by Sweet Apple Acres. They entered the Kitchen, which had pies and cakes and smoothies and...a suspiciously bubbly liquid, scattered about.

“Oh hey you two! I just figured out how to make bubbling Sparkley!” Pinkie exclaimed.

“Bubbling...sparkley?” Twilight asked.

“Or Bubbling Sparkle Juice but I like to say Sparkley! I made it like a soda and hard cider combined. It's really good try it!” Pinkie exclaimed.

“you said hard cider...is it alcoholic?” Luna asked.

“Yep!” Pinkie replied and took a swig from a bottle that said 'BUBBLING SPARKLEY' on the front. How she made all of this stuff and got these bottles in such a short time Twilight would never know, but she tried it. It really was amazing. She didn't think pinkie even put it to justice.

“Wow! That's amazing!” Twilight said.

“It is...and if it weren't for you making the fruit nopony would ever have it and all of this awesome sweets!” Pinkie exclaimed.

“Well...we gotta go Pinkie, mind if we take these ones?” Twilight asked.

“of course not silly they were the test batch and they're a success! See you later!” Pinkie exclaimed.

“Wow the park is so nice...” Twilight commented. They had checked on everypony in the town almost and it was dark. They finally sat on a bench in the park, which was extended and magnificent. They were sitting and enjoying each other's company. Soon Twilight was dozing on Luna's shoulder. Luna frowned at the sleeping Mare.

'Was this right? She is so peaceful. She is still barely a Mare, yet she was almost forced to lead an army against foes that have almost killed her...twice.' she thought to herself. She sighed and levitated the unicorn and walked towards the library.

'Do you even want this Twilight? We tried to make it a gift but it is still a curse...' she continued thinking.

“Calm down Love...I can see it in your eyes and how you are looking at me...right now, I want this. To be able to fight and protect what I love is all I want...” Twilight mumbled tiredly. Luna did not realize she was that readable.

“When all of this is over, would you still want this?” Luna asked.

“...Yes. I would face death thrice over again to be with you in times of peace when we can relax and truly be together.” Twilight said, nuzzling into her neck from where the unicorn floated. Twilight's wings were brushed up against Luna when she placed the once again dozing unicorn on her back. For such strong and dangerous things, they were soft and comfortable.

Luna entered the grand Library to see almost everyone had gone to their quarters to sleep, though Applejack and Rainbow Dash were sleeping cuddled up to each other, as was Fluttershy and Hecarim. Luna smiled at them, happy they could find happiness in this time of war. Luna thought of the source of her own happiness on her back and went up to Twilight's quarters.

Twilight had offered said quarters to her parents to stay the night, so they were taking up a small portion of the massive bed. Smiling, Luna placed Twilight next to them, and then curled up next to her lover. They were in for a rather hilarious surprise in the morning. She was quickly asleep.

“Morning Dusk...oh, Morning dear...and...Princess...” Star said, finishing awkwardly as the four awoke simultaneously.

“Good Morning, I apologize for the inconvenience...I am afraid Twilight forgot to mention our shared bed.” Luna mumbled through her sleep. Twilight had deigned to rise with a yawn, she found nothing wrong with it.

“Twilight Dear, is there a place we could bathe?” Dusk asked.

“Yeah, there's a second bathroom next to the door out, just use your magic to control the flow.” Twilight said and followed Luna into the main bathroom. Luna couldn't help but giggle when she heard the “Oh my heavens this place is magnificent!” from Star.

“A party?...really Pinkie?” Twilight asked when they returned to see the Library covered in party cannon.

“Of course! The alliance went great and we have the new stuff AJ and I made to celebrate! Not to mention all of the announced relationships and your awesome promotion and stuff!” Pinkie exclaimed. Twilight sighed.

“Fine, but only because when this war really starts we won't get one of your parties for a while.” Twilight said with a smile.

“Yay all day party!” Pinkie exclaimed and suddenly a DJ appeared. All day the different races laughed and played games and drank punch. That is, until Night began to fall and Pinkie brought out cases of ice with her new Bubbling Sparkleys in them. After that the party got much more...fun.

Celestia and Chrysalis had gotten so drunk off of the stuff they had kissed right in front of King metamorphosis, but he only laughed and told them both to lay off the alcohol. Pinkie, and somehow Galio, were hanging off of the rafters like bats. Which was damn impressive for a three story building with no floor to break their fall. Spike had gone downstairs and brought a crate of various gems up for the dragons and had soaked them in the fizzy drink. After that though, things got a little out of hand.

“Twilight Sparkle...I challenge you to a Talon and Teeth battle!” Talon exclaimed. His mind was clouded by the drink, but he was fully aware.

“But I don't have teeth and Talons.” Twilight said with a laugh.

“you have Hooves! Just don't use magic.” Talon said with a grin.

“Ok buddy, but yer goin' down!” Twilight said. Luna cleared the table they had chosen to fight on and the party goers split up into two sides of the table. One rooting for Talon, the other for Twilight. Twilight grinned as her side dominated the other.

“Wait! No fire! We're in a tree!” Spike yelled.

“oh...right...” Talon said.

“Fight!” Pinkie yelled.

Twilight and Talon met in the center head to head. Literally. Talon was his full size now, yet he couldn't gain any ground. In fact he was quickly losing it. Twilight gave one large push that sent Talon to the edge of the table. Talon narrowly dodged a flying kick from Twilight, only to have her rebound off of the wall and crash into his back. She continued to do this until Talon lashed out with his tail, knocking the wind out of her. She grinned as she got to her hooves.

When he jumped at her, intent on pinning her, she leaped into the air and splayed her wings out. She landed on his neck, right where he couldn't reach his talons, and began batting his head with her wings. He tried to scratch at those but found them harder than his talons. She used her wings to catch his claws and put them behind his back.

“Argh you win you win!” Talon growled when she began twisting.

“Hah! Told you I can beat you without magic any time any day.” Twilight said.

“Twi you never said that.” Spike muttered.

“Oh...well I just did!” Twilight said after thinking a moment. Everyone was cheering at the victory and laughing at what was said. Twilight was glad her parents had left for Canterlot before it got dark, so now she had her own room to herself with Luna. And she was going to use it tonight.