Crimson Night

“Twilight you're drunk.” Luna giggled as they stumbled into their room.

“So are you.” Twilight retorted.

“No...wait...yes.” Luna said with a laugh.

“Drunk isn't the only thing that I am.” Twilight said as she locked Luna in a kiss. Luna responded by pushing her lover onto the large bed without breaking the kiss.

“I think we're on the same page.” Luna said as she stood over the slightly larger Mare.

“Then let's get studying.” Twilight replied. Luna replied with a giggle as she started kissing down Twilight's body. Right before she reached her intended target, she was lifted into the air in lavender magic. Luna grinned as she found herself on top of Twilight now.

“Can't leave you alone.” Twilight said. Luna shivered when she felt Twilight's breath on her sensitive area, and moaned lightly as she felt her tongue. She quickly cast a noise block around the room and dove into her lover.

Minutes later they were lying next to each other, panting after the string of ecstatic releases.

“I'm definitely going to miss this...” Luna mumbled.

“Yeah...pretty soon we'll be lucky to see each other alone.” Twilight said.

“I know...but it is necessary. We'll have all the time in the world when this is over.” Luna said.

“...if we both survive this.” Twilight retorted.

“Twilight...I cannot tell the future...but I will do everything in my power to make sure everypony survives...” Luna said, embracing the Mare.

“But ponies will die. That's a fact we can't ignore.” Twilight said.

“Yes...yes it is. We shouldn't end such a night on such a note...all that matters now is that we are at peace and happy.” Luna said, nuzzling the solemn unicorn.

“And together...” Twilight said tiredly.

“And together.” Luna repeated as they fell into a light sleep.

“so his name is Jericho. A Unicorn Stallion that asked to join multiple times and has even been recorded killing a single ghoul on multiple occasions.” Twilight read off the port folio before the team left.

“What's so important about him?” Chrysalis asked curiously.

“He has a history involving centuries of slaying evil creatures. And as this says, he's killed ghouls without any help.” Twilight replied.

“There's also a Ghoul threat near his current location, he may be hunting them.” Luna started. “Twilight. As the General and leader of your team you will be forced to make decisions you hate...if you ever feel your heart is turning to stone, tell me right away and I will help you.” she continued lowly to Twilight.

“Alright...and as my boss, same to you.” Twilight replied, giving the Princess a quick peck on the lips.

“Alright team, headset check.” Twilight said. Everyone sounded off with their names and Twilight nodded. “Alright, Hecarim you're in charge of the runners. Fliers with me.” Twilight said as they left the library. All of them with wings launched into the air while those without sped out of the town. They had decided the fliers would recruit Jericho quicker while the runners arrive in time to assist with eliminating the threat. They now sported Rarity's new armor as well.

Apparently Rarity had modeled it after Twilight's armor before it was destroyed and modified, but it was jet black with silver secondaries.

“Appleoosa...doesn't really look the same...” Twilight said as they descended.

“What do you mean?” Chrysalis asked.

“I was here not too long ago...it was a happy and thriving town...now look at it.” Twilight said as her helmet melted away and she landed. The once thriving town was almost a ghost town. There was still the sounds of life and lights in all the windows, but some of hem were boarded shut and only a few drunkards were stumbling around.

“Let's just get this over with.” Talon mumbled.

“For once I agree...” Twilight replied and they walked towards the saloon. Twilight had the others stay outside as she walked in and took a seat next to a stallion with a black trench coat.

“I'll take what he's got.” Twilight said, dropping bits on the table. The Bartender took most of them and put a small bottle and a shot glass in front of her.

“What's a fine young mare doin' out here in a place like this?” Jericho asked.

“was that a shitty pick up line or a serious question?” Twilight asked as she took a shot, cider mixed with whiskey.

“Well that depends, if it was a pick up line did it work?” Jericho asked with a laugh.

“Hm...it might have, but I'm taken.” Twilight replied.

“Well then it was a serious question.” he said.

“I'm here for you Jericho.” Twilight said.

“I thought you said you were taken.” Jericho replied with a laugh.

“I suppose you've heard of the Dawn Guard. Correct?” Twilight asked.

“Been trying to get in there since they started.” Jericho said.

“Could you tell me why?” Twilight asked.

“Sure. I'm in a family of hunters. We hunt evil things, the last few centuries have been rather void of evil so most like us quit...but we kept to our ways. We used to hunt Vamponies and whatever else was evil way back when. When I found out the Vamponies were back, I prepared. You know the old saying if you can't beat em, join em? Well that's what I thought when I found out they were on our side and the evil was something else. But the Princesses wouldn't let me in. so now I just go around tracking down solo Ghouls. It's all I can handle easily.” Jericho explained.

“That is a feat worthy of admiration. If you haven't guessed already, I'm one of those. I'm actually pretty important. We need more Vamponies or creatures to help with the fight. If you prove your worth and still want to join I make you a Vampony, give you a powered blood pack and send you to Canterlot for assignment.” Twilight explained.

“And how do I prove my worth?” Jericho asked. Twilight's ears flickered as she heard the sound of galloping on one side of town and smelled rotting flesh on the other.

“There are thirty Ghouls on one side of town and Ten more of us right outside. Join us in the battle, live and you're in.” Twilight said.

“Alright, but shouldn't there be more of you for such a high threat level?” Jericho said as he payed his bill and followed Twilight.

“Normally yeah, but I did say I'm pretty important.” Twilight said.

“Well who are you?” Jericho asked.

“Name's Twilight Sparkle, General of the Dawn Guards. Alright Team, you know what to do!” Twilight said, finishing with a yell as she came into view of the ten team mates.

“This is going to be fun.” Talon said with a grin.

“I'll make first strike. Jericho do what you can, the rest of you know the plan.” Twilight said as she let her wings out. The ghouls growled and began a charge, but Twilight fanned her wings out to their maximum length and dashed through them. The wings sliced through their bodies like a knife through butter. Once she completed her run nearly half of them had fallen. She jumped back to her team as they charged and a flurry of arrows and necromancy smashed into the Ghouls. Jericho used a crossbow that had a sort of auto loader so it shot quickly.

In moments the force was decimated. But there was a distant roar. A very familiar distant roar.

“That what I think it is?” Vayne asked.

“Yep...Wraith, only sounds like an Adolescent though. Jericho looks like you get a real test. Let's see how good your aim is. Shoot it down.” Twilight said, sending a glowing bolt of light shooting at the Wraith so it could be seen.

“Uh...right.” Jericho said and put the bow in his shoulder to have a more solid aim. After a few moments of lining his shot up he fired bolt after bolt at the beast. He hit the wing joints at all the right places, locking them up and causing it to tumble to the ground. Infuriated, it launched a blast of fire at them. Twilight simply charged into the fireball. Jericho yelped as it engulfed her, but was amazed to see her wings crash through the sides of the burning ball and watch it dissipate. Twilight walked out covered in the black crystals.

“Good job Jericho, you're in.” Twilight said as Moon appeared. As she walked towards them again the beast lunged at her, but had it's head staked to the ground by Moon's blade, killing it instantly.

“But that was just an adolescent. An adult nearly killed me a couple weeks ago.” Twilight said as Moon attached to her back as her armor melted away. “up to you. Head to Canterlot or not.” Twilight said as she prepared to take off.

“That was amazing. But what about the vampirism thing?” he asked.

“I slipped it into your drink.” Twilight said as Vlad tossed a scarlet pack at him.

“Sly Mare...I'll go then.” Jericho said, poking his new fangs he hadn't noticed.

“Alright then, let's go team.” Twilight said. Jericho was nearly blown off his feet at the force the group of winged creatures made on their super powered take off and coughed at the cloud of dust the runners made.