A Council of Shadows

"Twilight, I've done some research, and-" Lone Blaze stopped in her tracks, several feet from the castle. All around her, ponies were going about their evening routines, completely unable to see what Lone Blaze was staring at.

A shimmering...darkness had enveloped Twilight's castle. "Stupid. Stupid stupid stupid!" she said, stomping a hoof and drawing a few curious glances. She should have vetted the castle to begin with, should have stayed with the Princess. A brief glimmer of hope remained in her mind that Twilight would still be alive, but it had been hours. If the killer was in there, both Twilight Sparkle and her friend were dead. This wasn't going to be fun to explain to the council...or to Luna, for that matter. Perhaps if she dealt with the killer herself...it had been months since she'd fed, but she still had enough strength to...she started as she felt a hoof on her shoulder. Oh no...

"We can see it as well." Luna remarked, somber. She studied the castle for what felt like hours, then turned away, taking a deep breath. "We have made...a terrible mistake."

"Yes. You have."

Both ponies froze, turning back to look at the castle. A white unicorn was standing there...flanked by a pale yellow batpony and light purple alicorn, both with red eyes.

"I've been working for years to rectify your mistake." the unicorn said, grinning as she approached the two. "How you defanged my kind, stole our rightful throne."

"Sanguine Glow...? You're on the council. You've supported the reform, spoke out against the old ways." Lone Blaze said, shaking her head; she was taking position in front of Princess Luna. "Why?"

Sanguine laughed. "Oh, poor innocent Lone Blaze. In a better world, you would have been quite influential, perhaps even made it to Royal...given proper tutelage." she looked to Luna again. "I knew I couldn't overcome the Equestrian Army on my own, nor the more moderate Vampires. So I waited, and moved my pieces into position. One by one, the other Royals fell, and now this entire kingdom will be mine. You can rule under me, Princess. I know that you still crave the darkness, in your heart."

Concerned, Lone Blaze looked over her shoulder, knowing how persuasive Sanguine could be. It seemed like she didn't have anything to worry about, though, as the look of pure fury on Luna's face told it all.

"You speak of things you know ill about. You have this one chance to remove whatever spell you have on Twilight and Fluttershy and submit yourself to the judgement of the council." Luna's voice was flat and cold.

"Spell?" Sanguine said, looking stunned for a moment before laughing again. "This isn't a spell, this is me graciously accepting the gift you've offered." she nodded at Twilight, who stepped forward. "Twilight Sparkle has been reborn this night, and she will serve me now. Isn't that right?" she asked, ruffling Twilight's hair.

Twilight made no motion to escape the attack on her styled mane, merely responding. "That's right, my Queen. I am yours to command..."

"Well! We have a lot to do, so it won't do to linger here." Sanguine said, looking back at Lone and Luna. "Last chance to join me before the big show!"

"Whatever you have planned, we will stop it." Luna said, horn glowing. Before she could lower her head and cast the spell, there was a bright flash, and all three were gone.

Twilight stood by her Queens side, looking out over the milling ponies.

"Choose one. Any you like." Her queen commanded, and Twilight's eyes scanned the throng. Her gaze finally fell on a passing blue mare, and she followed her; her queen was nearby, in the shadows. It seemed as if Twilight had chosen well: the mare soon turned down a street on her own.

"Do it." her queen whispered in her ear, and Twilight pounced. In a single tackle, she had pinned the pony to the ground, and her fangs grew out; in another moment, she had latched onto the ponies neck, drinking her blood. It tasted so warm, so sweet...

As she drank, feeling the life of the pony being drawn into her, Twilight could also feel the coldness settling into her, the haze slipping from her mind. In it's place were sharp, simple truths. She was a vampire, a thrall blessed to be under the direct command of her queen. She didn't have a former life, she was...

"Twi...light?" The mare looked up at her with wide pink eyes and a shocked expression. Friend. This was her friend, her...Twilight stumbled back, the blood dripping from her lips. She could sense her Queen's disappointment, but the once sweet taste burned her mouth now. She couldn't drink from this mare...

"Finish it...kill her, or I will. Slowly." her Queen stated, taking a step forward to make good on her word, before the shuffling of steps caught their attention. "Bah! You're strong enough yet. Let's proceed with the plan."

Twilight transported herself and her Queen to the next location, getting just a glimpse of the three ponies rushing to the scene. She shook her head quickly, trying to clear the haze that had come back. If she could just think clearly, she could save her friends...