The flashing lights of the club alternated in time to the thumping bass. The electric two tone blue hair of the DJ swayed as she
bobbed her head. Ponies were on the dancefloor jumping around with little skill involved. Across the club sat a lone mare in black. Her orange and blond hair looked messy as it framed her orange cream face. She had black deserado hat adorned with three skulls and crossbones on the hat band. Her hand held tumbler that was half filled with an amber liquid. The mare next to her groaned. The mare was grey with dark smoke colored hair. The lighter mare smirked slightly glanicing over. "Not your type of music? Am I correct in assuming that you are Octavia?" she had a heavy country accent as she spoke.
Octavia blinked looking at the mare who had spoke. "Yes on both accounts I'm afraid. How did you... Oh that's right." She rolled her
eyes as she remembered her own fame. "I swear Vinyl just loves to torture me by having me come to some of her shows." There was a soft chuckle from the mare beside her. Octavia glared at her then sighed. "You know my name but what is yours I wonder."
"Kira Stoneheart." The answer was short and followed by the sound of her glass dropping onto the counter. "We need to talk and I
mean Vinyl as well." Octavia gave the mare a quizical look. Kira wasn't even looking at her or even at the DJ. "Something's gone down and it is going to get very messy." That was when Octavia noticed the sword that Kira wore at her side. The trench coat would hide it completely if she were standing, but from this angle Octavia could make out the hilt. "There are some who know of certain things that shouldn't be spoke of in the open. Not all of us want it revealed."
Octavia nodded looking down at the bar. It was clear to her now the mare beside her was a hunter. "I take it that you are telling me
this to make me feel better. I do not take comfort in having to clean up somepony's mess." She was rewarded with a soft chuckle. She looked at the mare who wore a pair of dark shades that were pulled down. Light blue eyes looked over the rims at her. Kira promptly pushed the shades up hiding her eyes.
"Not yet sugar. Let's hope there is no need to clean up though." Kira's face was thoughtful and sincere. Behind them the music had
changed as another DJ had taken the stage. The white mare who had been on stage now walking towards them. "We'll continue once we're
someplace less obvious." She stood turning to face the unicorn. "Long time Vinyl. I see you still like to show off." Kira's face now bore a slight
smile. Vinyl cocked an eyebrow looking over at Octavia then at Kira.
"What's up Kira? Haven't seen you since Manehatten." Vinyl crossed her arms wearing a cocky smile. Octavia now stood looking
back at Vinyl. Kira lifted a hand to straighten her hat and cleared her throat motioning towards the door. "I see. Let's head home and catch up then." Somehow Vinyl didn't lose her carefree smile or stance. The three made their way to the door leaving the club behind.
It was a short trip before the three sat in the kitchen of Vinyl's and Octavia's apartment. Kira had a small glass of the same amber
drink she had at the club. "Vi I'm not gonna sugar coat it. We got some rouges in the area. You know I'm not the normal one they have here. I was summoned." Vinyl frowned now. Octavia listened as her own concern grew. "Normally I wouldn't come this far but...." Now Kira took off her shades setting them on the table. "This was a summon I can't rightly refuse. She said I had to make haste. You know no pony refuses a royal summons."
"You mean it's that bad Kira?" Vinyl had also taken off her shades but hers rested above her horn. Kira nodded silently before
looking at Octavia. Vinyl followed the gaze frowning more. "Tavi is stronger than she looks. I'm sure she can keep up." Kira glanced at Vinyl and sighed. She reached into the trench coat she wore. Her hand pulled out scroll bearing the royal seal and set it on the table.
"It's not that. I read her file before I went to the club. It's um...." Kira looked from Octavia to Vinyl. "Personal. If the reports are true this
may get very messy and hard to keep quiet. The cleaners are being put on full alert. Honestly I had hoped this day would never come." Kira
lowered her gaze. Her hat now cast a shadow over her face. Octavia looked nervously over at Vinyl.
"What exactly are we dealing with?" Octavia's voice wavered. Vinyl looked over the scroll reading its contents. "Surely it's not that
bad." Vinyl shook her head.
"No. It's worse. I never told you about this before Octi. I guess I have to fill ya in now." Vinyl lifted a hand to her face rubbing her brow.
"It's like this. Back before we met and I was living in Manehatten. Kira here used to work the night shift. Turns out her coltfriend was... well um..." Octavia frowned giving Vinyl a hard stare. Vinyl swallowed averting her eyes. "A rogue vampire. Well he wasn't rogue then but one night he and Kira had a fight. The next day we found out he'd killed three innocent mares." Vinyl looked over at Kira who waved a hand for Vinyl to continue. "It took us months to clear up the mess, but he'd skipped out of town. Not long after Kira got a letter from him, no return address either, she was attacked by another rogue."
Octavia gasped looking over at the pale earth mare. Kira pushed her hat up slightly with a finger. "I ain't bitten if that's what you're
wondering. Ya see when I learned he was a vampire I started carrying my sword. It wasn't in case he lost it though. Being the loved one of a
vampire has dangers and I wanted to protect myself." Octavia nodded looking at Kira more intently. "Well this other rogue just thought I would be a tasty meal. That was until he saw the hilt of my sword sticking from his chest. Vi was the cleaner for that mess. Been working with them ever since as a hunter. I wouldn't have come to her now unless it was important. He's back and Luna is banking that he still has feelings for me. I can't reckon if he does or not." Kira's voice trailed off.
Vinyl reached over placing a hand on Kira's shoulder. "I know it still hurts Kira, but it wasn't your fault." Octavia looked at Vinyl and
nodded before joining the white unicorn in the comforting, she hoped, embrace. "Remember we don't blame you. He did that on his own." Kira frowned slightly but made no move to remove the hands on her shoulders. "I know Vi. Still I was the one who refused to let him bite me. He had only wanted a taste of the fresh stuff or so he had said." Kira didn't look at either of them. It was still clear what she was thinking. Vinyl sighed as her face seemed to harden. Octavia just watched confused about the exchange.
"You know that if you had he wouldn't have stopped. You would have been one of those bodies if you had." Vinyl gave Kira a shake
when the dark dressed mare didn't speak. Kira lifted her head waving Vinyl away. "We're all here for you." Kira smiled weakly then let out a
sigh. "So when is this emergency meeting?" Kira lifted her shades placing them on her face then pointed to the bottom of the scroll. Vinyl and Octavia looked. "Oh that soon. Come on Tavi let's get there." The three mares stood making their way towards the door and out into the night.
Kira had told her companions she'd meet them and now was alone at the edge of the park. She stopped quickly looking around with
a dark frown on her face. She didn't even start at the voice from behind her. "Well if it isn't the little hunter. The boss wanted to speak with you. He wants you alive but never said not to rough you up a bit." Kira's body stiffened as one hand edged towards her sword. "Oh what's the matter? I though you liked it rough?" Kira snarled under her breath drawing her blade spinning to face not one but three other ponies.
"I reckon we gonna have a tussle. I ain't goin' with ya." Kira didn't like the odds but she had never been one to back down. None of these ponies were the one she was after. The one who had spoken sneered with a cruel laugh as the other two charged. Kira was more built for fighting than for farming but she was stronger than she looked. The first attacker found air as the other discovered a hard fist connecting with her face. The sound of the sword singing through the air could be heard before the first attacker turned and fell to the ground in a heap clearly dead. The vampire mare screamed in rage and lunged at Kira again. Kira showed no emotion as she stood raising her sword at her side.
The vampire's eyes went wide as she imapled herself on the sword. Kira stepped back wincing slightly. The last vampire had already fled though she could see a knife sticking from her side under her coat. "Buck! I shoulda known he'd do something like this." She frowned walking carefully keeping her coat closed to hide her injury. Her eyes kept scanning the alleys and streets as she made her way through the dimly lit night of Canterlot.
Luna stood in front of the gathered cleaners frowning to herself. The doors at the back of the room suddenly opened and the smell of
blood tickled her nose. The other vampires smelled it too looking at the new arrival. The dark clothed figure took several steps into the room before a sword clattered to the ground. Another step and the figure dropped to their knees. Those who knew the design on the fallen's hat knew this was the hunter Kira. Vinyl quickly ran to the hunter's side as Luna approached. Kira grunted as a fresh rush of the coppery smell of blood hit the air. "Tell us what madness is this? Did you think it wise to come here amoung vampires with blood on you?"
Kira lifted her head looking up at Luna. "It's worse than we thought... He's got others with him." Kira looked pale and the red stain on
her shirt was proof of why. Luna narrowed her eyes spotting the bloody dagger on the ground. "They tried to ambush me. I got two of them but the last one got away." Kira slumped forward as Vinyl caught the injured hunter. "I... I don't wanna die..." Kira closed her eyes drifting into darkness.
Kira awoke to find herself on Vinyl and Octavia's sofa. She could hear voices coming from the kitchen. Her ears perked as she heard Luna's voice clearly say, "We do not know how long she will be out. She was gravely injured and it will take time for her to recover. Time we don't have." Kira groaned as she forced herself to stand on weak legs. She noted with some displeasure the shaking in her own body as one hand gripped her side where she had been stabbed. Her hat was also missing along with her shades. There was a murmur as Octavia's voice seemed to whisper something. Luna again spoke. "She's not out of danger yet. She lost a lot of blood and we couldn't give her the offer." There was a gasp. Kira slowly made her way closer almost missing the obvious question. The answer however was surprising. "Yes, but we do not believe she would agree to such actions."
Kira had entered the kitchen unseen by the three mares at the table. "I reckon I ain't got a choice. Either I sit this one out or..." She paused as all eyes fell on her. Vinyl and Luna both opened their mouths. Kira raised a hand to stop them from speaking. "I accept. Ya'll need me on this case and I can't rightly watch as good ponies clean up my mess." Kira sighed as her face showed her heart breaking. "I had hoped he'd come around and return to us... Return to me and it'd be him to do this. He ain't the pony I fell in love with. I had hoped this was just a mask but I see it was the mask I fell in love with." Kira's eyes fell on Luna. "I reckon I'm ready."
Luna met Kira's gaze. "We don't make this offer lightly for it isn't a choice to be made lightly. Once done there is no returning to how it was." Kira nodded before stumbling towards the table. "You must choose who shall sire. Shall it be Octavia or me?" Kira had caught the table for support before sitting heavily in a chair. Her gaze went to the gray earth pony then to Luna. Kira frowned slightly before motioning towards Luna. "Very well. Shall we begin then?"
Kira nodded looking at Vinyl. "I always thought you'd be doing this before me." She gave a faint half hearted smile before looking at Luna. "Just one question. Will I still be a hunter even if I do this?" Luna closed her eyes and nodded. "Well at least I'm not getting a 'V cocktail' without knowing it." This comment caused Octavia to gasp and blush while Vinyl chuckled. Luna however was not amused. Kira turned her attention to the princess once more holding out one of her arms. "I reckon it's time. I Kira Stoneheart knowingly and willingly submit to the ceremony to enter the night. I understand that from this day on I shall need to drink of the life of others in exchange I will protect them from those who mean them harm."
Luna nodded placing a hand on Kira's offered arm. "Then I shall guide you into the world of the shadows where we dwell. It will not be an easy road you will tread, but you won't be alone on your journey." Luna looked at Octavia and Vinyl. Octavia looked down with a hint of sadness in her eyes. Vinyl's face was emotionless as she watched on. Luna turned her gaze back to Kira raising her own arm to her mouth cutting her wrist on the sharp fangs. She placed her bleeding wrist in Kira's hand. "Drink and cross the threshold of the night. Walk amoung us as our newest sister." Kira took a deep breath before raising Luna's arm to her slowly opening mouth. A quick glance confirmed that Octavia had turned towards the fridge to stare at it. Kira's mouth sealed around the bleeding limb in her grasp. The coppery taste seemed almost sweet yet burned as it went over her tounge. It wasn't long before the arm was retracted from her grasp. Luna's voice sounded like it came through a tunnel. "Watch over her. This time is critical and she will need to rest as well as have a good meal." Kira's world slipped into darkness for the second time that night.
Kira stood next to her bed scowling. "Dangit Crimstone we spoke about this already! I'm not ready and you haven't had your ration yet! I promise you'll be the first one I'll turn to when I am ready." The tall stallion huffed glaring at Kira. "Sugar don't be like that. It's just not time yet. I picked up some packs for you. Vi's coming over later. She said something about meeting a sweet cellist from Canterlot." The stallion spread his wings pointing one tip at Kira.
"I'm done waiting on you to be ready! I'm sick of bottled blood! I want it fresh and still warm!" Crimstone growled as he turned to the open window. His wings flapped once as he jumped out the window into the darkening evening skies. Kira started forward reaching for the stallion. Her heart was heavy seeming to drag her down as she fell to her knees.
Kira bolted upright once more on the sofa of Octavia and Vinyl's home. "CRIMSTONE!" Kira covered her face with her hands.
Octavia and Vinyl both rushed into the room to see Kira's body shaking with sobs. Octavia sat down next to the crying mare placing a gentle
hand on her shoulder. Kira calmed down slowly as her friends said nothing but made it clear she was not alone. "It's a little funny..." Kira gave a nervous laugh. "He went rouge the week before that concert which in light of his actions was cancelled. A fucking week before he would have met another vampire. He had promised me he'd wait until the fires of Tartarus went cold for me. What a lie that turned into."
Octavia blinked looking over at Vinyl. The white unicorn shrugged. "I sorta told her that I had found a special somepony. Kira has
always been good at finding things out." Kira lifted her head looking over at Octavia. "Kira, listen you know Tavi has some spare packs if you
need one. She tends to be thrifty in everything. Even when it would be better not to be." Octavia snorted and huffed.
"I'll be fine Vi. I just needed to say this. Crimstone was the first pony I ever loved and may be the last. The very night he went rouge I
had picked up his pack ration." Octavia now looked at Kira. "After he left I waited for him to return. When I learned he was rouge I gave Vinyl
what I had. I figured she'd find them a new home or put them to use helping struggling vamps."
"So that's where she got those." Octavia glanced at Vinyl who was now blushing. "Well I suppose it's a little late but I should thank
you as well." Kira blinked looking at Octavia before realization dawned. Kira smiled faintly and nodded. "Vinyl said it was to make up for having the concert called off, but she did seem distracted. I can see why now. She finds her love as you lost yours. I'm deeply sorry for your loss. Just know that you can always count me as your friend."
