The Eternal Rainbow

Chapters

Prologue: Bitten
The First Rainboom
The Rainbow Factory
The Apple Family
Meet Rainbow Dash

Prologue: Bitten

Manehattan, New Yolk-999 years after Luna’s banishment

Tick Tock, a green Unicorn with a black mane and tail wearing a tan trench coat over a black suit and tie, was running as fast as he could through the soaking wet streets, crisscrossing and evading cars, the drivers of which had to slam on the brakes in order to avoid hitting him. Tick Tock was trying to put as much distance between himself and the creature that was chasing him as possible. That evil, evil son of a bitch had already pounced upon his date for the night and sucked her blood until poor Eclair Cream was no more than a fleshy raisin with two puncture wounds in her neck.

Tell me something. Is there truly something to fear in the dark? A monster, who will kill you as soon as it lays its blood-red eyes on you, and tear your throat out? A blood thirsty creature of the night, who will see to it that you are torn to pieces after every last drop of blood has been sucked from your body?

He kept running. He HAD to keep running. If not then the creature would soon corner him and… and then he’d be dead just… just like Eclair.

Yes. Yes, there is. I should know because... I'm one of them.

Tick Tock was not far away from the police station when he heard… something growl nearby. He slowly looked over at the two glowing red eyes staring at him.

But... this is NOT me... not anymore.

As the creature, who was a bat-winged pony with a black coat and mane wearing a red jacket, black jeans, a mud-colored shirt, and dirty shoes emerged from the shadows, Tick Tock found himself unable to move, staring into the unforgiving eyes of the creature that would now kill him... or, worse yet, condem him to a fate worse than death as a monster just like itself.

"No... please... d-don't!" begged Tick in fear as the monster crept closer to him, ready to pounce and sink its fangs into its second course of the night.

Then, something completely unexpected happened: a spike of what appeared to be highly decorative wood broke through the vampire's chest, right through his heart. The vampire's head turned to find that a figure wearing a long black hooded overcoat with a red lining; black pants with a belt holding five other wooden staffs, each a different color combination; and a black shirt that exposed the upper part of her chest, but kept her breasts hidden; and a pair of black leather gloves and boots. Two cyan blue wings could be seen protruding from the figure's back

That's me.

"You... you bitch! You bucking worthless, pathetic, monster of a bitch!" snarled the vampire.

"Takes one to know one," replied the hooded pony, a mare by the sound of it, as a small smirk crept over her face. The creature she just impaled began to turn a stone gray color at a rapid pace, before finally, it was nothing more than a statue of dust that blew away from a slight gust of wind, all as Tick Tock looked on in a mixture of shock and horror.

"You're welcome," replied the hooded mare as she turned away from the wide-eyed stallion.

"W-wait!"

The hooded mare stopped in her tracks. "Yes?" she asked.

"Y-you saved my life... there has to be some way I can repay you... anything," said Tick Tock as he shakily stood up.

The hooded mare paused for a moment. She was a little... thirsty...

“Actually there is something I need… but you’re not going to like it,” said the hooded mare.

“W-what is it?”

“That creature you just saw die? I’m like it…. and that means I need some blood… technically my species shouldn’t HAVE to drain a pony dry unless they’re really thirsty…. he was just a binge drinker.”

“Wait… you and that… you’re-”

“Vampires yes.”

“Then… then you’re-”

HERE WE GO AGAIN.

“-MONSTERS! Y-YOU’RE A MONSTER!”

“Wow that’s... yeah okay I just saved your ass and I just told you I’m a nocturnal beast that drains ponies till they’re a husk. Would you care to rephrase that sentence?” threatened the hooded pony.

Tick Tock gulped in fear. He REALLY wished he hadn’t said that. But, all the same, he needed help to get away from this monster.

“I thought so. Now, hold still, because this might sting a bit,” said the hooded pony, before she took a bite out of Tick Tock, her hood falling down in the process, revealing herself to have a rainbow-patterned mane with bits of gray in it. As she drank the stallion’s blood, the bits of gray in her hair vanished, and her wrinkles began to disappear. In a matter for moments, the vampire looked like she was an ordinary mare in her mid-teens.

My name is Achroma Burst, but these days I go by the alias Rainbow Dash. I’m sure you’re wondering how I wound up like this. Well, let me take you back 999 years ago…

…

Trottingham- Three months after Luna’s banishment

Achroma Burst, a young pegasus filly with a rainbow-patterned mane and tail wearing old-fashioned clothes, hurried down the street. She was almost late to her parent's dinner party and she always loved them. She was turning around a corner when she tripped and fell cutting her leg.

Achroma looked down at the wound. It didn't seem to be deep, nor did anything appear to be broken. All she needed was a bandage and she'd be right as rain.

Unless, of course, the scent of the blood attracted a foul beast.

Behind her was a figure cloaked in a brown robe with a hood that hid its face. The scent of blood entered it's nose. It tried to fight the urge... it really did... but it had gone for two months of no draining.... it HAD to feed. Slowly, steadily, and as quietly as it could the hooded figure approached the wounded pegasus filly.

Hearing the noises, Achroma looked behind her, and saw the figure. As Achroma let out a scream of fear and tried to scoot away from the figure, it pounced upon her, sinking what Achroma immediately recognized as fangs into her throat, drawing blood through the wound.

"AH! S-SOMEPONY HE-MMMPHH!" screamed Achroma but her screams were silenced as the figure covered her mouth with a clawed gloved hand. Within moments the figure was finished and left the now dead filly.

"Forgive me child... may we one day meet again... or perhaps it would be better if you stay dead," said the figure as it disappeared into the night.

As Achroma lay on the ground, with what little blood was left in her leaking out of the two puncture marks on her neck, she began to feel cold. Was this the same cold that was often described before a loved one's death? But, if it truly was... then why did her teeth hurt?

"Achroma? Where art thou?" called a voice Achroma recognized as one of her servants. The last thing Achroma Burst heard before everything went black was the servant's voice shouting, "Oh, my stars! Hang in there, Miss Burst! Somepony get a doctor! Or a priest!”

…

Achroma woke up again but... in a hospital. She wanted to say something to show she was finally awake but... her eyes wouldn't open and her body was rigged and cold... and she... she couldn't feel it... her heart had stopped beating... she was no longer alive. "My dear Achroma... what's happened to my beloved daughter?" she heard her mother ask one of the doctors and right beside her she could feel someone crying... her father. He was a doctor and once she entered the hospital he was her surgeon... and they tried everything to save her but... they had failed.

"I'm... I'm sorry my love... I-I... I couldn't... I couldn't save her."

No! Mother! Father! I am not dead! Achroma tried to yell, only for her cries to fall on deaf ears, including her own. Never in her life had Achroma been so scared... this couldn't be the end for her...

She wouldn't let it be so. She struggled to move several times over the next few days with the only success being a pinkie which sadly wasn’t enough to stop her parents from putting her into a casket. From what she heard the funeral was closed casket as they all went by her and said many good things about her… and then she heard THEM.

BA BUM.

What the buck? she asked herself mentally as the sound was ALMOST a enough to get a jolt out of her.

BA BUM.

Achroma frowned as she began to recognize that noise from the many times she’d been to her father’s office: heartbeats. She didn’t know how or why, but she was somehow able to hear the beating of the many hearts that attended her funeral as they pumped blood through their bodies.

Blood… on that word, Achroma began to feel a little thirsty. But, before she could do much of anything about it, her casket began to move… she was being lowered into the ground, and she could still hardly move her fingers, much less her arm or mouth. So, what else was there to do, but take a nap until she could figure out what to do about her predicament?

…

Achroma woke up again, still trapped in the confines of what she immediately recognized as her casket, and intense heat washing over her... she must be buried already. An immense thirst was slowly consuming her mind, but what could she do about it?

Achroma attempted to move her arms so she could try to get free, and, to her amazement, they not only moved, but they'd change somehow... they seemed to be far more muscular.

W-what's happened to me? Achroma asked herself as she slowly pressed her hands against the coffin. She then began pushing.... and then she started to punch it in an attempt to break through... after several punches she finally made a hole and began clawing her way up to the surface. As she finally broke through she felt the moon’s embrace wash over her. The cool night air flowing over her but it didn’t change how she felt. She still felt… empty… she needed something, anything, to fill this void.

Again, she heard the thumping of beating hearts. The very sound of those thumps made her drool for some reason, and she felt as though she wanted... no... she NEEDED to find where it was coming from.

After a quick look around the graveyard, she was able to find the source of the heartbeat: a disheveled old mare. Achroma recognized the old mare as a widow who had lost her husband and children in an accident. Inexplicably, Achroma was drawn to the widow, like an animal was drawn to its prey. Suddenly Achroma felt her mind just shut down… all except one part… her savage primal instinct. With a growl she tackled the mare kept her face to the ground. She opened her mouth and out came two razor sharp fangs and she proceeded to bite down on the mare. It was as though a wild animal had taken over.

She hadn’t just started draining the old mare, however... she started to EAT her as she tore off chunks of flesh and began eating them as though she couldn’t stand to waste one bit of the old mare. The blood gushed everywhere as the old mare tried to scream for help but was silenced once Achroma severed her head from her body. The new vampire then began to eat into the head to the point that the only thing left was the skull… but even then she crushed it so as to get into the marrow. By the time she was done there was barely anything resembling the old mare but blood spattered walls and ripped out intestines.

As her conscious mind and rationality began to return, Achroma slowly began to realize what she had done and, more importantly, what she had become. Several thoughts began to run through her mind, but chief among them was: GET THE BUCK OUT OF THERE!

Achroma, seeing no other choice, did precisely that, and ran away from the graveyard, faster than she ever thought possible, and vowed to never come back, no matter what happened. As she continued to run, she eventually found an unattended carriage.

After using her new hearing, she heard no heartbeats. So, of course, she stole the carriage and left for...

Achroma's mind jolted at the thought. Where WOULD she go now that she was a monster? Who would take her in? She crushed the thoughts. Those things didn't truly matter... all that mattered now was one word.

Survive.

The First Rainboom

As the sun arched across the morning sky, Achroma groaned as the beams of light shined into her face, causing her to stir and slowly open her eyes.

"Ugh... what happened last night?" she grumbled. Sitting up, Achroma looked around the room, immediately realizing that this was not her room... in fact, it probably wasn't even her house. Slowly but surely, memories of what she had done and what she had become began to creep back into her mind... and she felt sick to her stomach, which probably still had the bloodied meat of that poor old mare in it.

Then, something occurred to Achroma... if she was a blood-sucking vampire now, then she should probably get as far away from the sunlight as possible, lest she turned into dust and truly die.

Do not worry about the sun, my child, a voice said to Achroma in her head. Immediately the filly yelped in surprise. While it is true the sun is dangerous, it will not kill you. Instead, it merely turns you back into a normal mortal… albeit one whose skin will feel like it's on fire.

“W-who are you?” asked the young vampire before a shadowy after-image with glowing orange eyes appeared before her. When it spoke, the inside of its mouth was glowing orange as well.

My name is Shade. I am one of the first of the vampires… and it is to my regret to admit I am the one who bit you.

"Y-you are the one who did this to me?" asked Achroma in shock as she gestured at the wound in her neck, which had already become nothing more than faint scar tissue.

Yes... I have brought a fate worse than death upon you... and for that, I am truly sorry. However, in order to right my wrongs, I have taken it upon myself to teach you how to adapt to your new abilities. said Shade.

Achroma cast a furious look at the shadow. "And what makes you think I'd want to learn how to be an immortal murderer from you? I ATE a pony last night for crying out loud!" she yelled.

Shade looked at the young vampire. I understand that you are angry with me. But, fate has casted upon you and every other vampire who has ever been born or turned an eternal mission: to protect ponykind from fearsome creatures that they cannot stop, and who wish to harm them. she calmly replied.

"What creatures?"

Werewolves, ghouls, Dark Vampires, binge drinkers, and wraiths amongst other things. You should really get moving, your crimes will not go unnoticed for long.

Achroma was about to retort but thought back on that idea as she soon looked outside and saw the constable and several guards looking into an alleyway nearby, and they were muttering something about blood in the carriage she'd stolen.

“Okay... okay so... what are my powers then? Do I turn into a bat or something?”

No, that’s... that’s idiotic, where did you hear that? Of course you don’t turn into a bat…. you turn into a SWARM of bats.

“Right... because that makes SO much more sense."

I cannot stay much longer. Forgive me but we shall meet again. said Shade as she vanished into thin air.

"Okay," muttered Achroma as she turned her attention to the problem at hand. "Now, how am I going to get out of here unseen?"

Looking around the room she found a set of black robes that seemed very out of place. She immediately grabbed them and put them on and quickly pulled the hood over her head and carefully walked out of the house while trying to avoid being detected.

Unfortunately, as she walked past the constable and the guards, one of them spotted her, and thought she seemed suspicious. "Hey, you! Halt!" he called after her.

"Oh, buck!" yelled Achroma as she turned on her heel and began to run as fast as she could. The guard was barely able to keep her in his sight on foot, so, he resorted to using his wings.

Well, that's just cheating! thought Achroma as she looked behind her to see that a few other other guards, including the constable, flying after her, and they were actually gaining on her. Well, if you wanna fly, then I will too!

And with that, Achroma flapped her wings, and flew off like a rocket, the acceleration nearly throwing her off-course. WHOA! What the buck?! Since when could I fly like this?!

The guards behind her, meanwhile, were thinking the exact same thing.

"Whoa, that pony's even faster in the air!"

"No way we can keep up with them now!"

"Quiet, all of you!" barked the constable. "I don't care how fast that pony is, they're our only lead to that murder-theft case... although, I must say, what kind of twisted being would steal a filly's corpse, rip an old mare to shreds, and steal a carriage? NOW AFTER THAT PONY!"

"Yes, sir!" barked the guards, before they started flying with every last ounce of energy they could muster.

Achroma looked over her shoulder, and saw that somehow, the guards were STILL keeping up with her. Out of sheer desperation, Achroma flapped her wings as hard as she could, steadily picking up speed. As she did, new sensations began to tickle her mind. The speed... the adrenaline pumping through her body... the wind in her mane... she was liking this... A LOT. It felt almost as intoxicating as drugs to her. The faster Achroma flew, the more it seemed like the air itself began to warp around her, making a flexible, multi-colored wall that seemed determined to hold her back.

However, Achroma's determination was proving stronger as the wall began stretch to its very limits. "I will not be captured by mere mortal slowpokes! I will not be put to death again! I... WILL... NOT!!!" she screamed, before, finally, the wall broke.

Every single eye in Equestria was turned to the sky at the sight of what appeared to be a rainbow explosion of some kind, and trailing from the center of the blast was what appeared to be a rainbow, while the multi-colored shockwave expanded for nearly a 2,000 mile radius, shattering windows and boulders, and even creating fissures in the ground. Of course, some ponies were under the impression that Equestria was under attack and ran inside their homes, grabbed their children, and hid under their dining room tables. Others simply couldn't move a single muscle, nor look away from the spectacle. And others still were talking rapidly about it with those nearby.

"What the buck was that?!"

"Was that a weapon of some kind?"

"No, is it- is it a rainbow?"

"No, it looked more like a sonic boom!"

"No way! It was a rainbow sonic boom... a Sonic Rainboom!"

What kind of idiotic name is that?!Achroma thought to herself as she flew away from the scene. However she soon felt herself tire out and that her body was burning up from the sun itself. She soon felt her wings give out and she fell into an empty home.

"Oh, man... that was... that was... AMAZING!" laughed Achroma as she rested her head against the floor. "Maybe this whole vampire thing won't be so bad after all."

Oh, yes. Aside from the killing innocent ponies for the sake of self-preservation and being hunted by misguided fools who see you for the monster you truly are, it is truly a joy to be a creature of the night.

Achroma groaned as she turned her head to face the shadow that was Shade. "Thanks for killing the mood. I just flew faster than anypony ever has in the history of Equestria and made some kind of rainbow explosion in the sky!" she snapped at Shade.

Ah, yes. The mortals will be talking about that so-called "Sonic Rainboom," for millennia. It seems as though you are extraordinarily fast, even for a vampire.

"Gee, thanks."

As it were, I have a little assignment for you. I need you to go to Cloudsdale, the City of the Pegasi. Make sure it's dark out when you get into the city. There is a secret location I want you to find for me. said Shade.

“Uh huh. And what is that place called?”

The mortals have come to calling it the Rainbow Factory. Really I figure Rainbow Producers and Weather Maker Facility was good enough but the name stuck.

“And…. what do I do when I get there?”

Get a job.

“Funny.”

I am serious. You get a working job there. No need for you to attract more attention as somepony who has no family and still counts as a filly… though in two days that would’ve been different.

Achroma frowned in sadness... two days from now would've been her 18th birthday, had she still been mortal, that is. "All right, I'll get a job at this Rainbow Factory place, and keep my head down for a bit," said Achroma.

Oh, you'll be doing more than that when you get there.

Achroma frowned. "What do you-" she began to ask, but it was too late. Shade had gone. Heaving a sigh, Achroma collected herself off of the floor and slowly flew out of the hole she'd made in the roof. If she was going to get to Cloudsdale by nightfall, she had better get a move on.

The Rainbow Factory

Achroma gazed up at Cloudsdale, and felt her jaw drop like a sack of cement at its glory. When she was a little filly, she had always wanted to visit the cloud city. And now, here she was, a newly turned vampire, ready to enter the city and locate the Rainbow Factory.

All right, let's do this thing, thought Achroma as she took to the clouds with her powerful new wings. As the first glimpse of the moon peeked out on the horizon, Achroma began to feel strange. Almost like there was something inside her that was beginning to stir once again. The higher the moon climbed, the more intense the feeling became, until, finally, the moon's full glory became visible and the feeling Achroma was experiencing grew to an extraordinairly painful peak, nearly causing her to crash into somepony's cloud home if it hadn't been for a well-timed flutter of her wings, which caused her to land upon a soft cloud instead.

As Achroma lay there upon the cloud and writhed in agony, her feathery wings began to change into leather ones of the same color while her fingers began to turn into claws, the canines of her teeth grew into razor sharp fangs, and her eyes turned a deep shade of crimson.

In a matter of excruciatingly painful moments, where once stood an ordinary pegasus was a monstrous and bloodthirsty creature of the night... and she'd just caught sight of her first meal of the night. A fine pegasus mare whose skin was pure as snow and a fiery yellow mane style clad in what appeared to be a businessmare's attire. Achroma smirked and giggled a little as she leapt forward to try and attack her... only for the mare to duck in an almost nonchalant manner.

“First thing to learn child? Never giggle with delight if you go on a hunt.”

“What the buck?!”

"Stealth is the name of the predator game, Miss Burst. Also, it is most unwise to attack other vampires. They don't take it too well, most of the time, save for during..." the mare said before trying to find the right word. "... relations."

"Other vampires? You mean you're a vampire too?" asked Achroma, before she realized something. "Hey, how do you know my name?"

The mare chuckled. "Why, Mother told me who you were, child. My name is Aurora Dawn. I am the founder and owner of the Rainbow Factory." said Aurora, a small smile on her face, before she suddenly exploded into a swarm of bats that appeared to have a shimmering white glow around them.

“Whoa… okay that is AMAZING!” shouted Achroma as she followed the swarm. They flew a bit before arriving at a surprisingly big and high tech factory.

As Achroma drew near to the Factory, she quickly began to realize there was one problem: there wasn't a door.

"Who the hay builds a factory WITHOUT a door?" Achroma muttered to herself as she began to circle the Factory, but was unsuccessful at finding a way inside the facility.

You want inside the factory, Achroma? Then you'll need to truly open your eyes as a vampire. This nation of ours is full of secrets that mortals completely overlook. Of course, some of that was the doing of our own kind, but even then it's amazing what you can find with truly clear vision. a voice that Achroma recognized to be Aurora's said in her mind.

"Right... now, how the buck am I supposed to do that?"

Think long and hard… imagine trying to find a thing of blood. said Aurora’s voice. Achroma took a deep breath and thought long and hard... before she opened her eyes. Instantly, a new world opened up to her.

“Holy... this is... how did I see none of this before?”

You were never truly seeing before.

“Fair enough.” said Achroma. She looked around and saw a pipe that was glowing rather brightly… a little TOO bright, in fact. It seemed as though it was hiding something.

There's my way inside the facility, thought Achroma, before she swooped in towards the pipe. As she grew closer to the pipe, Achroma began to realize that it had some kind of markings on it. Landing next to it, Achroma began to examine the markings using her newly enhanced vision. As she did, more marks seemed to light up in her mind, before they suddenly disappeared and a voice Achroma immediately recognized as Shade's began to speak in her mind.

Welcome, newly-turned, to the Rainbow Producers and Weather Maker Facility, or as I'm sure you've heard it called, the Rainbow Factory, Shade said in Achroma's mind. You may have heard some... unsettling rumors about what happens within the Factory, particularly in regards to the fate of those Cloudsdale Pegasi who are not terribly gifted fliers.

A sudden chill ran through Achroma at these words. She had indeed heard the stories of a terrible machine supposedly deep within the bowels of the Factory known as the Pegasus Device that killed thousands of Cloudsdale Pegasi a day and used their blood to help create the beautiful rainbows that arched across the sky. Although, nopony was really certain what happened to the bodies. Two friends of hers had said different things, one stating the bodies are turned into glue, the other claiming they're sold off to a psychopathic pony, and are used for cupcakes.

Well, I can safely assure you that, while there IS a Pegasus Device in the facility, it's merely a giant chemical mixing chamber, and that while those who fail their final flight examination are indeed shipped to this Factory, they are NOT in any way used in the rainbow-making process, nor is their blood. We instead give them something far greater than those who manage to pass. I'm sure you want to see for yourself. As you can see, this pipe is far too small for even a foal to enter, so you will need to use your Shadow Swarm power.

“Right… Shadow Swarm… what the buck is a Shadow Swarm?”

The Shadow Swarm is how a vampire is able to move freely and without any trouble. Simply embrace the shadows in your mind, allow yourself to melt into them, and you'll transform into a swarm of bats. said Aurora's voice in Achroma's mind.

"Okay... if you say so."

No sooner had Achroma started to channel in so-called inner darkness, than she exploded into a swarm of bats, which had an eerie blue glow to them. To Achroma, it felt as if her mind had been splintered along with her body, yet it all still seemed to be connected somehow.

Unfortunately, it proved to be VERY difficult to steer a swarm of bats.

The Shadow Swarm is very difficult to control if you do not focus on where it is you wish to go. For instance if you wish to go down the chimney of the factory you must think that it’s where you want to go.

“Right… would’ve been nice to know that BEFORE hand!” growled Achroma… and it sounded rather… distorted. Not at all what she was used to… and then she remembered she had some training to do so she did as Shade told her to and soon the swarm went down the chimney and she found herself reassembling into a normal pony... several feet off the ground.

"WHAT THE BUCK?! SOMEPONY, ANYPONY HELP ME-OOF!" screamed Achroma as she desperately tried to get her wings going, only to crash into a nearby wall, earning a groan from some of the workers below as she dizzily fluttered down to the ground.

Nearby, Aurora suppressed a giggle. "Oh, I never get tired of that," she said.

"What the buck just happened?" asked Achroma as she pulled herself up and wobbled around a little.

"You ran out of blood," said Aurora as if Achroma had just asked what time it was.

"What do you mean, I ran out of blood? Vampires drink blood to survive, not fly around as a flock of bats," said Achroma.

"Vampires need blood for more reasons than mere survival, young one. Nearly every single power at your disposal, save for your Vampire Vision, enhanced physical capabilities, and Hypnosis are fueled by the blood of mortals. From Shadow Swarm right down to the most complex of Necromancy spells, blood drives everything in a vampire's life. Now, come. Let me give you the tour," said Aurora. Achroma followed right behind her as the tour began.

All around Achroma were high-tech pieces of technological equipment, far, far in advance for their time. Dominating the scene was a massive machine that Achroma recognized as a chemical mixing chamber, with paint on it dubbing the machine the Power Efficient Gem Augmented Sky Unicolor Synthesizer.

"So, that's the Pegasus Device?" asked Achroma.

"Indeed it is," said Aurora. "It's the Rainbow Factory's central mixing chamber for the chemicals we need in order to make the beautiful rainbows that color the sky after a rainstorm. However, rainbow production is merely a front that pays our expenses for the true purpose of this facility."

Achroma couldn't help but watch as hoards of young Pegasi, both mares and stallions, were in total states of panic, from rocking back and forth in the fetal position, to crying uncontrollably, to muttering, "This can't be happening, this can't be happening, this can't be happening..." over and over again, to simply staring straight ahead, only moving when the crowd moved.

"And... what exactly is that purpose?" the new vampire asked Aurora as they entered an elevator.

"You'll see in a moment," said Aurora as she pressed an elevator button and it started going down.

“Wait all this tech is advanced….. so why can’t you all just sell some on it to the public? You know kinda HELP THEM OUT A BIT?!” complained Achroma.

“The world isn’t ready for this kind of tech yet… when it is THEN we’ll share but for now it’s not ready.” replied the more senior vampire. They finally reached the bottom and Achroma was surprised by what she saw.

Everywhere she looked, Achroma saw countless Pegasi vampires, lifting massive weights, meditating, fighting with both their bare hands and with weapons such as swords, long spikes that seemed to be made out of decorative wood, and, unless her new Vampire Vision was making her hallucinate, a few vampires were summoning fireballs, freezing barrels of water, and powering robots with what seemed to be black lightning with a red glow around it, amongst other magic that seemed too dark to be normal Unicorn magic, all while heavy metal rock music played overhead.

Achroma's jaw dropped as she watched the spectacle. Aurora smiled at the filly. "Welcome to the Cave, young Achroma," she said.

As she and Aurora walked along the walkway, a few heads turned toward Achroma. More than once she thought she heard someone mutter, "New girl."

"What IS this place?" asked Achroma.

"The Rainbow Factory on the surface is where the students work during the day, when they're mortal. During the night, when the mind of the vampire emerges, they come down here to learn how to better use their powers, and develop the self control needed to better control the primal bloodlust all vampires have," explained Achroma.

“Then what’s with all the panicking ones above us?”

“Oh, they just got told they’re going to be working overtime without pay.”

“...that is horrible.”

“Yes, well, you showed up and we have to keep up appearances now don’t we?” asked Aurora, before she stopped in front of Apartment 618. "Here we are... welcome to your new home for the duration of your training."

And with that, Aurora opened the door, revealing a somewhat decent studio apartment. On a coat hanger near the door, Achroma caught sight of a shirt that matched the color of her fur, a black tie, black slacks, black leather boots, a long white lab coat, a black mask of some kind, and goggles.

“Whoa... looks like something out of a horror story. Some kinda mad doctor outfit.”

“You will need to wear it here. Asbestos practically runs the upper floors.” said Aurora. "You should get some rest, Achroma. You've got a big day tomorrow."

Achroma nodded, before she thought of something. "Hey, wait. What exactly will I be doing during the day?" she asked Aurora, who chuckled.

"Ah, yes, I almost forgot. You'll be helping operate the Pegasus Device. Fair warning, though. It's a pretty messy job, what with all the chemicals and whatnot. Anymore questions?" she asked Achroma, who shook her head. "Well, then good night."

And with that, Aurora left Achroma with her thoughts. And damn, were those thoughts tumbling around in her mind. Even now, she could hardly believe what she'd become and where she was.

That doesn't matter now, Achroma, the young vampire thought to herself as she made her way into the bedroom and began to remove her robes, before crawling into bed wearing her bra and panties. What matters now is how you go about dealing with your new life in the morning. Because Aurora's right. I have a big day tomorrow.

And with that, Achroma closed her eyes and fell asleep to the mixture of rock music and thumping from machinery overhead.

...

During my decades at the Rainbow Factory, I eventually rose to the rank of Supervisor of the Production line. They paid very, very well, and within twenty years I had more money than I knew what to do with, and then some.

My vampire studies were interesting to say the least. I learned about binge drinkers, disgusting monsters that drink more than they need, and Dark Vampires. These guys? Scare me. I’ve never met one but they still terrify me on the idea of them alone. While unlike binge drinkers they drink only what they need, they are pure evil to the point of taking advantage of a mortal’s generosity and hospitality so they can kill said mortal’s entire family, stallion or mare, adult or a newborn foal. And to top it off, they’re more proficient with Necromancy due to their natural connection to the so-called Nightmare Forces. And of course, I learned about werewolves, but if truth be told, they’re not all that different from the legends.

Of course, I didn’t merely learn about the enemies of vampire-kind. I managed to learn a few combat techniques. In fact, I was top of my class in weapons combat and hand-to-hand combat.

Vampire Magic, on the other hand, I’m no great shakes at. I mean, I can throw fireballs, freeze ponies, and shoot bolts of black lightning that had a red glow to it, but I can only really do the basic attacks.

But, the one thing I was downright, no-way-around-it terrible at was Necromancy. I tried bringing back a GERBIL and I sucked epically at it. I repeat. A GERBIL. But that’s not the point of this… the real point is because I want to tell about how I saved Granny Smith’s ass one time.

The Apple Family

Everfree Forest, Equestria-899 Years after Luna's Banishment

"Well, slap me an' call me sassafrass! There's apples growing in this here forest!" said a young Earth Pony filly with a light green coat who seemed to be around the age of 10 with a blonde mane and tail that was braided together, and who was wearing a nightgown and brown work boots as she stood before a small grove of trees that seemed to be shaped like bolts of lightning. Each tree bore a fruit that resembled an apple, but were every color of the rainbow.

Setting down the burlap sack she was carrying, the filly began to pick the trees clean of their fruit as quick as a whip. After a few moments of collecting fruit, the mare heard something: a wolf's howl. Thinking nothing of it at first, the mare continued picking apples.

Until, out of the corner of her eye, the filly caught something moving lightning-quick in the shadows. She turned around faster than she could think she saw two yellow eyes glaring at her and growling. The creature stepped forward a little more revealing itself to be none other than a monstrous Timber Wolf.

“Hey! Get lost ya varmint!” the young filly yelled at the Timber Wolf. The wooden monstrosity, unfortunately, did NOT heed the young filly's command, and instead let out a loud howl. Beckoning the call, several more Timber Wolves joined up with the other one, growling as they approached the increasingly frightened filly, who decided that maybe she should start running.

And so, that's what Ginger Smith did, with a pack of flesh-eating Timber Wolves hot on her heels. Unfortunately, she was was starting to run out of running room. As she found herself backed against the side of an impassable boulder with a pack of hungry monsters closing in on her, she began to come to terms with what could only be described as failure. She'd come into these woods to find some food for her family, despite them being the best Monster Hunters in the entire world and perfectly capable of fending for themselves, and instead she'd gone and gotten herself eaten.

What Ginger Smith DIDN'T realize, however, was that another shadow was watching her and the wolves, waiting for the perfect opportunity to pounce on the wolf pack.

And now... here comes food. thought Achroma as she leaped down to the pack, and landed behind the Timber Wolves.

"Hey, dogs!" Achroma called out to the pack. The Timber Wolves turned their heads to face the mysterious black robed figure that had come in their midst, and snarled at her. "Leave the kid alone, and come and play with me!" she said, drawing a sword in one hand while holding a stake with the other.

Ginger Smith could only gaze on in horror as three of the wolves jumped at what she could only assume was another Monster Hunter. The figure managed to slice through one of the beasts with her sword and impaled a second with her stake. However, the third managed to sink its teeth into her shoulder. Achroma managed to tear the creature, and a piece of her flesh, off of her, causing blood to start to gush out from the wound. To make matters worse, the damn mutt had managed to make her arm go numb, thus preventing it from being of much use in even holding the stake, which fell at Achroma's feet.

Achroma shot a quick glance around, sizing up her enemies and taking note that that kid was still here, standing around like an idiot. I can't cut loose with that filly around... she'd go and get some misguided fool with a crossbow and Holy Water. Or worse, a Hunter. So, I've got two options: drain her dry and kill these monsters, which would be VERY counterproductive since I'm trying to save her, or get the kid to start running, she thought to herself, before shouting out to Ginger.

"Hey, kid, what are you waiting for?! Go and get some help!" Achroma yelled as another Timber Wolf jumped at her, sinking its fangs into her other arm.

"But-"

"Get going! I can't take these-ARRRRGH!" screamed Achroma as a Timber Wolf swiped its claw into her back, leaving a large scratch.

Ginger, seeing no other option, quickly hefted her bag full of apples and started running as fast as she could towards what she hoped was home.

As two Timber Wolves took off after the mare, who was long gone and out of earshot, a dark and devious grin spread across Achroma's face as her eyes turned black and crimson, channeling the dark energy she needed for her Vampire Magic.

“Now you mutts are dead meat,” said Achroma as with one quick slash she cut a Timber Wolf in two with utter ease. The other three growled and circled her with glowering eyes. The first one charged and managed to bring its jaws down on her arm causing more blood to spray on the ground. Achroma roared in pain as she snapped its neck and ripped the head off, causing the body to shudder to a halt and die. The second wolf got an even better deal as it managed to slash her gut causing Achroma to stagger for a bit.

Damn. If I don’t pick up the pace soon these wooden mother buckers are going to tear me apart,

Growling in sheer anger, Achroma fired a blast of jagged black and red lightning at one of the wolves, causing it to explode in a blast of splintered wood and flames. No doubt horrified by the utter destruction of its pack mates, the final Timber Wolf whimpered in fear a Achroma advanced upon it, blood and sweat dripping off of her, before it decided to turn and run away.

The battle won, Achroma fell to the ground and crawled up to a nearby tree, weak and weary. As her eyes began to close from the loss of blood, even though her superpony healing factor was already kicking in, she silently wished that she wouldn't wake up again, and that she'd finally be reunited with her family.

Fat chance, thought Achroma as unconsciousness took hold of her mind.

...

Achroma found herself floating in a dark void, almost as though her spirit had finally been released from her body. After blinking a couple of times, a small bright white light appeared that she felt herself being drawn towards. Finally, she reached the end of the tunnel, and found a most wonderful sight before her: her mother, father, and little sister were sitting at a table with all of her favorite things and an empty seat.

“M-Mom… D-Dad….. I-I’m home.” said Achroma with a smile on her face as she walked to the table. They were all beckoning her to come to them but suddenly Achroma started slowing down.

“No… NO! NO PLEASE! DON’T! LET ME MEET THEM! PLEASE!”she yelled, desperately reaching out for her mother's hand as her mother reached out for hers.

But, alas, it was no use as finally, Achroma was pulled backwards with a sharp yank, and plunged into the darkness once again...

...

Achroma groaned as her eyelids fluttered open... and NOTHING made sense.

She appeared to be lying on a bed in a house. Sunlight poured in from the open window nearby, which obviously meant she was mortal again. She wore a dressing gown of some kind, and bloodied bandages covered her arm, back, and midsection.

Wha... where am I? thought Achroma.

Not even a split second later, an Earth Pony mare dressed in a brown shirt, blue jeans, and brown cowboy boots entered her room, before she turned and shouted, "Ma! Pa! She's awake!"

“Ma? P-Pa?” asked Achroma as she tried standing up but her stomach ached something fierce. Just then, an orange Earth Pony stallion with a blonde mane and tail entered the room wearing a red checkered shirt, blue jeans, and his own brown cowboy boots entered but he had a tan cowboy hat on his head.

“Well… nice to see you awake, there, ma’am. Had us a might worried when we found you in them there woods. Thought you might not make it, if’n the truth be told,” he said.

“Who are you? Where am I?” asked Achroma, as she tried sitting up at least, only for the stallion’s hand to force her back down.

“Easy there, pard. Them Timber Wolves used you as a claw an’ tooth sharpener. You’d best take ‘er easy for awhile,” said the stallion.

“But, that doesn’t answer my questions. Where am I, and how did I get here?” asked Achroma.

“You’re at the Sweet Apple Acres plantation. Mah name’s Applejack, but most folks call me Jack. Mah daughter, Ginger Smith, came and got us after you went and rescued her from the Timber Wolves… mighty interesting haul, she had, too, them rainbow apples,” Jack said.

Rainbow apples… those sound like… thought Achroma, her mouth watering at the thought of that sweet, sweet lightning fruit. “Zap Apples…” she muttered.

Jack raised an eyebrow. “Pardon me? What’s a ‘Zap Apple?’” he asked Achroma.

“Huh? Oh… those rainbow apples your daughter found. They’re called Zap Apples. They’re some of the best, and not to mention rarest, apples in Equestria, maybe even the world. Don’t worry, they’re not poisonous,” said Achroma, answering the question Jack had on his mind. “Oh, just you wait, though. Plant those seeds, and the trees will grow like lightning. Then, if you can pick them all in time, you’ll be able to have Zap Apple Pies, Zap Apple Crepes, and even… Zap Apple Jam.”

“Uh-huh… and I take it you know how to make those, uh, Zap Apple goodies?” asked Jack, raising an eyebrow.

“Not entirely but I’ve tasted some versions made by machines. It’s...okay. But a plain Zap Apple… oh yes please.” said Achroma as she once again tried to stand up only to have her body ache once again.

“You need rest is what you need,” said Jack as Achroma sighed.

“I know… and I hate resting.”

…

A few weeks later, Achroma had managed to gain enough of her strength back to start helping out around the farm. She figured it was the least she could do after the Apples had taken her in. Oddly enough, though, there had been a few mysterious deaths that seemed to be the work of a vampire, or some form of dark creature not long after Achroma arrived.

It was then Achroma learned the Apple family’s “side job,” as they called it; Monster Hunters. The Apples had been Hunters since their great-great-Granny Smith over 600 years ago. But, even though the risks of staying with the Apples were great, Achroma couldn’t help it. They were starting to become the family she’d once had all those centuries ago.

Jack was a dependable, hard-working stallion who’d give an entire bumper crop of apples to a mare just so they could feed their starving children for a while. His wife, Ida, was the perfect mother to her children, giving her kids enough room to run, but just enough leash to run. Red Delicious was a stallion of few words, but boy, was he powerful, even if he wasn't the brightest bulb on the Hearth’s Warming Tree.

And then, there was Ginger Smith. Ever since she and her father had planted those Zap Apple seeds and grown the trees, she’d made it her mission in life to perfect the Zap Apple Jam recipe. So, far, she’d become convinced that you had to be extra friendly with bees, otherwise their honey wouldn’t be right to mix in with the jam, and that you needed to talk to glass jars like they were soldiers in a boot camp.

It was true, the Apple Family was everything Achroma could ever ask for in a family… but, just as she’d lost her first family, there was tragedy on the horizon… and it was coming fast.

…

You remember what I told you?

It’s just a family. What does it matter to you?

They’re a family for HER. SHE doesn’t deserve her happiness… she gets NOTHING. Understood?

You’re jealous of ONE vampire?

She took MY place. She stole what should have been MINE! Now I’ll take from her another family.

Someone sounds jealo-ACK!

Keep talking… I’ll remove your head and stake you faster than you can react. Now, go. And remember: no mortal gets off that farm alive!

...

Meanwhile, Achroma sat in her bedroom, dreading what was about to come that night. Tonight was the night of the New Moon, the night where all vampires threw rationality and sanity out the window... and tonight, she was in a house full of mortals. Mortals who'd cared for her and trusted her... and now, unless she got out of here, they would be nothing more than a meal.

Suddenly, something caught Achroma's attention: three new presences, vampiric ones, just outside the front door. As if on cue, the doorbell rang.

"Now, who in the wide, wide world of Equestria would be calling at this time of night?" asked Ida as she went downstairs. Acting as quickly as she could, Achroma got out of bed, pulled on her clothes, and followed her... only to find she was too late.

Ida screamed before one of the Dark Vampires, as Achroma immediately recognized them to be, sank its teeth into her, draining her dry. “NO!” screamed Achroma as she pulled out a stake and threw it at the vampire who turned to dust instantly. All over the barn she began feeling the Dark Vampires enter the home which meant that the family still had a chance if they could just stab them in the heart or cut their heads off. However tonight was also a New Moon meaning that these Dark Vampires were more or less rabid animals. She flew fast as she got upstairs and saw that Jack was fighting a rabid Vampire who was bearing a set of teeth instead of just two fangs. Suddenly Achroma felt a pang in her head and she realized... she was starting to lose control to her dark side.

No! I can't give in... not yet! Achroma thought desperately, using her willpower to try to maintain control.

"Achroma! Get Ginger out of here! Me and Red will try to hold them off!" yelled Jack. Barely registering this, Achroma made her way to Ginger's room, staggering towards the door... only to find that it was empty, and that a window was open with a lasso rope dangling out of it, indicating that Ginger had made a clean getaway.

Smart... kid... thought Achroma, before she was pounced upon from behind by a Dark Vampire. Managing to somehow toss the monster onto the floor, Achroma wasted no time in stabbing him in the heart.

"Bastard!" snarled the vampire before he turned to dust.

No sooner had Achroma done this did she feel another pang in her head, followed by an intense thirst for blood. A second scream from a voice she recognized as Jack's meant that only Red was left standing.

However, one glance behind her would prove this to be false, as it turned out that Red... had been turned into a Dark Vampire, with a little blood leaking out of a wound on his neck. She growled as she rushed forward roaring like a wild beast as she tackled Red and tried to stake him. However he kicked her off into the fields outside. Achroma used her wings to slow down her fall, before using her Shadow Swarm to fly back into the farmhouse and stake a vampire as she began to reform.

This didn't go unnoticed by Red, however, and he pounced upon her, only to get his head severed from his body by Achroma's sword, causing both the body and the severed head to disintegrate into dust.

"Anypony else want some?" snarled Achroma. The vampires hissed at her in response. “Okay, then… let’s party.”

Achroma to this day couldn’t really remember what happened next. Stakes, swords, and crossbows flared, blood was spilled, and in the midst of it all, was Achroma enjoying every last bit of it with a demonic sense of pleasure.

In the end, it was Achroma who stood supreme among the piles of dust and ashes. She chuckled a little... but then fell down having lost consciousness.

I admit it wasn’t my proudest moment, but I tried my hardest to save them... I was lucky that Ginger was able to survive though. She nursed me back to health... for awhile though we didn’t talk… we both knew why. It wasn’t just Ginger who'd lost her family to a bunch of bloodthirsty monsters. Jack, Ida, and Red had been my family too. Or, at least the closest thing I'd had to family for nearly a thousand years.

A couple of relatives moved into Sweet Apple Acres to watch over Ginger, who finally perfected her Zap Apple Jam recipe. Turns out the apples really like pink polka dots. But, as Ginger always said, "Magic is as magic does. It's just funny that way."

I, meanwhile, had decided that it was time for Achroma Burst to disappear. But, I couldn't just leave Ginger alone to fend off those Dark Vampires if they came back to finish the job. So, I began to fake my own mortality. As far as anyone from Granny Smith's fillyhood and early marehood knows, Achroma Burst is dead and buried.

With my Achroma identity gone, I had to make up a new one. After considering names like Firefly and Rainbow Blitz, I eventually adopted the name... Rainbow Dash. After I had my new mask picked out, I moved to Cloudsdale, and began the nearly impossible task of faking my fillyhood, using my Vampire Hypnosis and Illusion abilities. So, when the other colts, fillies, and griffons looked at me, they thought they saw a cocky filly who could fly at supersonic speeds, rather than an immortal vampire pegasus.

I "earned" my Cutie Mark when I proved my own legend of the Sonic Rainboom to be true. And before I knew it, a hundred years had passed, and it was time for the 1,000th Summer Sun Celebration.

And, well... you know the rest.

Meet Rainbow Dash

Ponyville-Now.

Inside a large cloud home with many rainbow falls forming multi-colored pools around it, we find a cyan blue pegasus mare with a rainbow-patterned mane and tail wearing nothing but a cloud white bra with matching panties fast asleep on a large, comfy, cloud bed. This was Rainbow Mirham Dash, member of the Wonderbolt Reserve, Weather Manager in the employ of the Cloudsdale Weather Corporation, and the self-proclaimed "Fastest Flier To Ever Come Out Of Cloudsdale." Of course, her vampire abilities certainly helped back up her claims.

As Rainbow snoozed on her bed, and alarm clock suddenly went off. Rainbow sat bolt upright in her bed, a disoriented look on her face. After a moment, she pressed the off button on her alarm, before she got out of bed and went over to her closet, and picked out a white shirt with a picture of her Cutie Mark, a white cloud with a rainbow lightning bolt, on it, a dark blue short sleeved shirt, and blue jeans.

Her outfit selected, Rainbow made her way downstairs and got herself some cereal and milk. As she ate breakfast, Rainbow's cell phone went off.

"Yello?" she asked into the phone.

"Hey, Rainbow Dash!" said the voice of a certain young filly who Rainbow had taken under her wing a while back.

"Hey, squirt. How's it hanging?" Rainbow asked Scootaloo.

“Nothing much! Hey uh... do you think you can give me some flying lessons today?”

“Sorry little fella. I have a REALLY busy schedule today but I promise the first moment I get time off? I’ll help teach ya.”

“REALLY!? OH THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!” squealed the little filly before the she ended the phone call.

“Love ya too, squirt.” said Rainbow as she began stretching and popping her neck a few times. she walked over to a nearby door and pulled it open. On the other side of the door was, to all appearances, a blank wall. Rainbow had always told anyone who’d asked about it that she had no idea what it was there for. But, Rainbow’s eyes told a different story. To her, the wall wasn’t truly there at all, but was a rather impressive bit of Vampire Magic… at least, for her it was.

Passing through the trick wall, Rainbow Dash made her way down into a secret basement that was hidden from eyes of mortal ponies. As she reached the bottom of the spiraling staircase, she stopped before a large high-tech looking door and pulled on the handle.

“What is the passcode?” asked a synthesized computer voice.

“Qui vult in sempiternum vivent?” said Rainbow.

“Access granted. Welcome, Lady Achroma.”

And with that, the doors swung open, revealing what was unmistakably a vast training complex of some kind, complete with robotic training dummies called Life-Model Decoys, which were not only capable of self-repair, allowing them to only rarely be replaced, but they could mimic any form of warrior or enemy combatant. And, as the RainFac technology improved, so did the robots’ capablities, and the harder the challenge for Rainbow/Achroma.

This place, and the house within which it was contained, had all been a gift from Shade on her 800th birthday… “A place to rest when the dawn arises,” she had called it. Rainbow smirked as she found what she was looking for. Her outfit. A simple attire of a white shirt and vest concealed by a black leather overcoat with a hood Her face would be concealed by both the hood and a mask that the outfit hid just under her chin. Her hands were protected by gloves that had slits for when she used her claws. Strapped to the suit’s coat were stakes and below them were dark grey pants and dark brown boots.

“All righty, now… let’s get to work,” said Rainbow as she finished putting her suit on and pressed a button that activated the LMDs. The robots’ eyes lit up as they focused their attention on Rainbow.

“Target Aquired,” the machines said in unison before transforming into a variety of warriors, ranging from Monster Hunters to members of the Royal Guard for some strange reason. With a smirk, Rainbow lunged forward, pulling out one of her stakes and attempting to impale one of the robots, only for it to jump backwards out of the way.

“See you guys got an update huh?” said Rainbow as she turned into a mist and got near the robot that dodged her and stabbed it in the heart. However in a unique idea thought up by Shade the LMDs had a slot over their heart. This was in place of the heart since each time a Vampire went full force they broke the LMD they were working with… that stuff is a LOT more expensive then ponies think.

“1 down. Five more to go Achroma.” thought Rainbow as she turned to the others. She grinned as she swiftly moved through the machines before coming to the last one. This one has given her more trouble than any of the others… mostly because she happened to have been given the only LMD that adapted to a fighting style.

“READY FOR A REMATCH?” The machine asked as it took a stance.

“Always,” said Rainbow.

And with that, Rainbow turned into a swarm of bats and surged towards the LMD, which barely ducked in time to avoid the partially reformed vampire’s stake.

“YOU’LL HAVE TO DO BETTER THAN THAT!” taunted the robot.

“Oh, don’t worry, I will,” said Rainbow, before she looped back around and flew up towards the ceiling, and out of the robot’s scanners.

“Hmm… running away? But your daily training session isn’t over y-y--e--t,” stammered the robot before a stake rammed directly through the top of its head.

“And that’s all she wrote!” said Rainbow.

As the training facility powered down, Rainbow made her way over to a concealed freezer door and pulled it open. Inside of it there were multiple full bags of blood. Rainbow grabbed one and cut it open, grabbing a wine goblet as she did so before pouring the blood into the goblet. “A toast to myself for a kick ass work out,” said the vampire as she began drinking the blood. Once she finished the goblet Rainbow put the goblet in the sink and began washing it off. As soon as that was done, Rainbow sighed.

“Time to go and hang out with my friends in the sunshine, I guess.”

…

As Rainbow walked to her friends she couldn’t help but scream internally as the sun felt like it was baking her skin but she had to muscle through it. She soon arrived near the picnic grounds and saw her friends. Applejack, a tan earth pony with a blonde mane and tail, was wearing a red and white pinstriped farmer’s outfit and her pants were dirtied from the day’s farm work. Pinkie Pie, a pink earth pony with a bushy pink mane and tail, wore a green t-shirt that was tied together showing off some cleavage and blue jeans that had cake batter splattered on them. Fluttershy, a butter-yellow pegasus with a soft pink mane and tail, was wearing a white t-shirt with a green skirt and sandals. Rarity, a pale white unicorn with a purple mane and tail, wore a simple blue t-shirt and a purple skirt with black shoes. Twilight Sparkle, a lavender unicorn with a dark blue mane and tail, both of which had a magenta stripe, wore a purple t-shirt, blue jeans, and sneakers.

Rainbow never knew exactly why, but every time she laid her eyes on Twilight, she felt all warm and toasty inside. Part of her wondered if she was developing a crush on Twilight, but every time this thought came to mind, Rainbow shoved it aside. Even if she felt the same way, Twilight and her couldn’t be together. At least, not without turning her into a bloodsucker like herself, and there were lots of risks with that idea.

“Hey, Rainbow! Hurry it up and sit down!” called Pinkie as she waved Rainbow Dash over.

Rainbow Dash smiled and sat down by her friends. “So, how’s it hanging girls?” she asked her five closest friends in the world.

“So nice that you could join us on such a marvelous day, Rainbow Dash,” said Rarity.

“Hey, you know me, I’ll always be there when my friends need me,” said Rainbow with a cocky smirk, helping herself to a Pixie cup of dandelion wine and one of the daisy sandwiches that Applejack had prepared.

“So, how are things at the Wonderbolts Academy now that you’re one of the Reserves?” asked Twilight with interest.

“Well, Captain Spitfire’s been pushing us all harder, that’s for certain… but, it’s nothing I can’t handle,” said Rainbow, taking a sip of wine. She wanted to vomit but kept it down. “So, what’s new with you girls?”

One by one, each of Rainbow’s friends told her what had been happening with them while Rainbow had been at the Academy. Rarity’s new fashion line was the talk of the town at both the Canterlot Boutique and the corporate headquarters, The Carousel Boutique. Twilight’s efforts to rebuild the Golden Oaks Library were going quite well in her opinion, even while she was helping Spike with some girl trouble, having developed a new crush on Sweetie Belle, who, as Rarity revealed to Rainbow, actually had similar feelings for the young drake herself. Thanks to the Vampire Fruit Bats, Applejack’s crop of apples had actually quadrupled, and they actually had a bit of a buffer in the stock, meaning more cider for cider season, which made Rainbow very happy, as cider was one of the few things that she could actually keep down, besides blood and meat. As far as Pinkie and Fluttershy were concerned, nothing much had really changed for them.

As the sun began to set, Rainbow Dash bid her friends farewell and returned home, awaiting the transformation that came with the nightfall.

...

What a beautiful night, Rainbow thought to herself as her bat wings carried her through the moonlit night sky to the bustling metropolis that was Manehattan at breakneck speeds, clad in her vampire outfit. She’d heard rumors that there was increased Dark Vampire and Werewolf activity in the city, so she’d figured that she’d better keep an eye on things there.

It wasn’t too long, however, before the sounds of somepony screaming as sharp teeth tore into their flesh reached her ears thanks to her enhanced hearing abilities.

Well, time to go play hero, I suppose, thought Rainbow as she began to descend, using her hearing to pinpoint the location of the screaming. Once she had, she landed on a nearby rooftop overlooking the alleyway where the poor sons of bitches were being killed.

Only to find something very unusual waiting for her.

Thanks to her enhanced vision, Rainbow was able to find three Dark Vampires, who appeared to be working alongside what was unmistakably two Werewolves as they feasted upon the flesh of four ponies, a small family by the looks of it.

What the buck is going on around here? Werewolves and Dark Vampires NEVER work together, Rainbow thought to herself. I’ll get answers from anyone lucky enough to survive, right now… it’s time to get my kicks in.

True to her word, Rainbow flew down from her perch and drop kicked one of the Dark Vampires in the chest before impaling him with her stake before pulling out her silver-bladed rapier, which she used against Werewolves.

“She’s here!” snarled one of the other Dark Vampires as they and the Werewolves circled around her, clearly having expected her.

“All right, bozos, start talking! Why the buck are you guys working together? Even in shitty romance novels, vampires and werewolves don’t work together,” demanded Rainbow, making her voice sound deep and raspy, in case any onlooker recognized her.

“Hmph. Our Mistress formed an alliance with these mongrel dogs,” snarled a Dark Vampire, causing one of the werewolves to growl at him.

“Yeah, all so we could finally drive a stake into that heart of yours,” replied the second.

Rainbow chuckled, her fangs evident under her smile. “Bring it on,” she said.

The ensuing fight took almost a half an hour, but when it was over, a bloodied up and desperately thirsty Rainbow Dash stood victorious over the corpses of her fallen enemies, a million thoughts running through her mind. What kind of Dark Vampire would ally themselves with a Werewolf Alpha? Why would they DO such a thing in the first place? And… was that a mortal standing right behind her?

“For Faust,” said the Earth Pony stallion, who was clad in an entirely black outfit with various stakes, knives, guns, and weapons strapped to him. But, before he could impale Rainbow Dash from behind, the vampire turned around like lightning, kicked him in the face making what Rainbow immediately recognized as a Hunter drop his stake. Before the Hunter could recover and grab another weapon, Rainbow’s primal instinct took hold and she lunged for him, sinking her fangs into his neck. As Rainbow Dash drained the Hunter of his ripe, juicy blood, healing her injuries at a remarkable pace, she couldn’t help but worry that the very same Dark Vampire who had been behind the murders of Granny Smith’s family was still very much alive.

And, whoever they were, they still had their sights set firmly on her demise.