Crimson Night

“Now Darling, tell me the truth. Magic can't make you that strong in such a short time...and your horn didn't glow...” Rarity said.

“Eh...you wouldn't believe me if I told you...” Twilight said tiredly as she took a seat on the couch of the house section of the Boutique.

“I just watched my friend hoist a stone wall with nothing but her own strength...try me.” Rarity said, crossing her forelegs as she too took a seat.

“Well I'm a Vampony...” Twilight started and told her what she told Applejack, but refrained from telling her about what Applejack did for her.

“Well...that is quite a tale, I believe it...” Rarity said.

“Thanks...you're not scared or anything are you?” Twilight asked.

“Oh of course I'm a little scared, but I know you. And also, if you were a bloodthirsty monster you wouldn't have saved me nor would you be talking to me instead of trying to eat me right now.” Rarity said. Twilight hugged her.

“Thanks Rarity...that means a whole lot to me.” Twilight said. She looked out of the window and noticed it was dark.

“Wow...that explanation took much longer than it did Applejack...I went to tell her at around Ten...left at twelve and we came here at around four. What time is it now...ten?” Twilight asked.

“About so. So it took three times longer to tell me the tale than AJ...I guess it was because of my constant questions.” Rarity said.

“Maybe...hey, sorry to impose but could I sleep here tonight? I'm exhausted after all of that work...” Twilight said, yawning wide.

“Oh of course Darling! You can use the spare room, though I thought Vamponies are supposed to be nocturnal.” Rarity commented as she brought Twilight to said spare room.

“I think it's because I'm only just starting, and I'm nowhere near full power.” Twilight rationalized.

“I guess that makes sense. Well good night Darling.” Rarity said and left the room.

When Twilight slept, she did not dream of the endurance course, she just dreamed. She dreamed of Luna. Nothing extraordinary, it was just her and Luna floating through the sky.

“Hello Twilight Sparkle, am I interrupting something?” Luna's voice asked as the first Luna disappeared with the scenery as a new one appeared. Twilight recognized it as the real Luna visiting her dreams.

“Just a dream.” Twilight responded with a smile and a hidden blush.

“You look more powerful. Did you...?” Luna started.

“Applejack, after I told her.” Twilight said.

“Ah, it doesn't seem like you drank much though...only enough to gain the attributes...you still look a little drained.” Luna commented.

“I'm not going to risk weakening a friend just so I can be super powerful. She offered, I wasn't going to take advantage of it.” Twilight said.

“Fair enough. Celestia wishes to speak with you pony to pony, but she knows you will be busy until Ponyville has recovered.” Luna said.

“Alright...hey, I've got a feeling that Rarity is going to offer me her blood...she is the element of Generosity, and she looked like she had something on her mind when I told her I needed blood to get stronger...and that's the kind of thing she would do.” Twilight said.

“And you want to know if it would be worth it?” Luna asked with a smile. Twilight looked a bit guilty, but she nodded.

“Rarity has an extreme attention to detail, and like I said she has natural charm...her ability to magically find gems could also influence you, but I have no idea...my guess, based on some experiments some other Vampony scientists have done in the past, your eyesight would improve greatly...further than that I know not.” Luna guessed.

“So that's something I should look out for if she does?” Twilight asked.

“I'd imagine so. Also, that mental course. All you need to do is think of it before you sleep and it will appear if you wish to practice more. Also, on the outskirts of Ponyville about a quarter of a mile into the everfree, about a mile east of Zecora's hut, is a much more challenging course I made for when you perfect the mental one.” Luna said.

“Ok, I'll remember that. Thank you.” Twilight said.

“I will leave you to your dreams then, though that dream version of me seemed rather boring. I wouldn't be able to keep such a stoic face while flying through the sky with you.” Luna said with a smile, nuzzling Twilight, and then faded.

Twilight's dream returned to normal and she was soaring through the sky with a dream Luna again, though this time she had the same smile the real Luna had when she left.

“What's wrong Rarity?” Twilight asked when she entered the kitchen to see Rarity with a slightly solemn face while sipping her morning coffee.

“Oh, Hello Darling...nothing, nothing...” Rarity replied halfheartedly.

“...that just makes me think you're lieing Rarity. Come on tell me, I told you what was up with me.” Twilight said.

“Fine...it's just...you need blood...I am the Element of Harmony right?...it would be my pleasure to let you drink some of mine.” Rarity said.

“Rarity I only need it once a month...” Twilight said, she had been saying that a lot lately.

“I know Darling, but it can help you get stronger, so do it.” Rarity said.

“That's what Applejack said. She already gave me some of hers.” Twilight said.

“Oh...still, it can help you get stronger and understand more about your change. I would be a terrible friend to be selfish and withhold a few sips of blood.” Rarity said.

“Thank you rarity...” Twilight said with a chuckle. “It won't hurt.” Twilight said. Rarity nodded and closed her eyes, and Twilight bit.

“That's something that isn't in myths...I didn't know your Saliva could heal wounds...” Rarity said afterwards.

“I didn't know it either.” Twilight said.

“So do you know what you'll get?” Rarity asked. Twilight didn't want her to know she knew Rarity was going to offer so she half-lied.

“Well, you have a lot of natural charm...that could have gone over...There's also your extreme eye for detail, I can already feel my eyesight getting better.” Twilight said.

“Oh but what about my special talent?” Rarity asked curiously.

“I hope that doesn't come over, that's your talent...it might do something though...I have no idea.” Twilight said.

“I see. Well, I'd hate to end the morning on such a sudden note but I won't be able to help with the reconstruction, so I will simply help with replacing curtains or clothes that were lost and I'd like to get to work.” Rarity said.

“I understand. See you around, and thank you again.” Twilight said. Rarity waved her out, materials already floating around the shop.

Twilight decided she wanted to go pay Zecora a visit as she left the Boutique so she set off on a trot towards the outskirts of Ponyville. Once she was out of Ponyville she let her fangs out.

“Please wait, whoever knocks. While I undue all the locks.” Zecora's voice called when Twilight knocked on the door.

“I apologize for the wait, now who is it in my gait?” the Zebra asked politely when she opened the door.

“It's Twilight Sparkle, why the locks?” Twilight asked.

“Ah, come in with me. The locks are so I may work interruption free. I have finished though, so I invite you in with glee.” Zecora replied.

“Thank you. There's something I wanted to talk about.” Twilight said stepping in. Zecora smiled as she saw how Twilight looked. She noticed the scar, but decided against deciding against it.

“By your look I can guess your reason for visiting me. Is the reason, you being a Vampony?” Zecora asked.

“Yes. Luna told me you had the Vampirism too so I thought I should come over and let you know, as well as ask a few questions.

“Ask away my young friend, for information I can lend.” Zecora replied.

“Do you drink regularly?” Twilight asked.

“I do not drink, for I do not wish to last. But by your look, I can tell you did not fast.” Zecora replied.

“Applejack and Rarity offered and they wouldn't take no for an answer after I explained everything...what do you mean you don't wish to last?” Twilight asked.

Zecora told her a story of her people, how they shunned her for being what she was. Her Vampirism was completely accidental in a burst of magic her lover had no knowledge he had. She was exactly two hundred years old last week, Twilight apologized for not knowing, and if it weren't for her new friends in Ponyville she would have allowed her life to end. But after the Ponies of Ponyville befriended her she drank just enough to live the rest of her original natural life. Twilight was nearly in tears at the end of tale and she was hugging the Zebra, who was also in tears.

“Thank you for helping me as I weep. I have been awake for long, I am afraid now I must sleep.” Zecora said when she calmed down, smiling at Twilight.

“Alright. I'm always happy to help Zecora. You're a friend too. Now we have a common situation I guess.” Twilight said. Zecora nodded and made her way to her room as Twilight left.

When Twilight returned to town, she realized that her eyesight had indeed improved. She noticed the little things much, much easier now. Just like how that wall had a crack where the Pulley was attached to it!

“Hey, what's wrong with you?” the Night Guard hoisting the wall with the help of two unicorns called when Twilight forced the wall back down.

“If you hoist it up, the hook will break off and fall. Look.” Twilight said, pointing a hoof to the crack. He looked at it and his jaw dropped. The crack had spider webbed when he attempted to hoist it before.

“How did you catch that?” He asked, instantly setting an assistant to fill in the cracks and use his magic to strengthen it.

“I don't know, I just saw it.” Twilight replied.

“Really?...oh hey you're Twilight Sparkle aren't you? The one who saved the town and that Unicorn yesterday?” he asked.

“Uh yeah.” Twilight replied.

“Well I have to say good job on all of that. I've heard whispers about your scar too. Most ponies won't say anything because they're afraid you might get offended or something...but personally, I think it looks really cool.” the Guard said.

“Thank you, I guessed as much.” Twilight said.

“Oh hey Twilight, we can't tank you enough for what you did with that Ursa.” Mrs. Cake said, coming by to give lunch to the workers.

“Oh thank you so much Cup Cake. I'm actually surprised everypony hasn't said something, not that I mind it.” Twilight replied.

“Well we've all been so busy...but now things have started to quiet down. Oh! I almost forgot, Pinkie Pie said that Fluttershy was looking for you.” Cup Cake said.

“Thank you.” Twilight said and began walking towards the Cottage. On her way, however, she took a look at Town Hall and quickly called over the Guard overseeing the repairs.

“What is it?” he asked.

“On the main support for Town Hall, it's crooked a little bit...and there are some cracks going through it...and look up there.” she started, pointing to where it met the ceiling. The wood that would normally be hugging the top of the pillar tightly was splintered and loose.

“Whoa, good eye miss sparkle...you just saved Town hall I believe!” the Guard said. “i can't believe you caught that.” he continued.

“I've been looking out for that kind of thing lately, glad to help. I'd help fix it, but I need to be somewhere.” Twilight said.

“No worries, Wood Work, Stone Work, come on over here!” He called, waving over a brown unicorn and a gray unicorn.