Creature of the night

As the late night is creeping into the early morning hours, a tired yellow pony sat at the round dining table. Her eyes drooping heavily as she tried to stay awake, she poured herself another cup of tea while going over the happenings of the early evening. Her night have been a long one, to put it mildly. She have told her friends much about Marian and even when answers eluded her, Twilight's list of questions became ever so longer.

She took a long sip of the hot tea, feeling the caffeine working hard to fight off the clutches of sleep. But, even with her plea for peace, some of her friends would not hear her words. She hopes that at least the mention of her new friend being under a curse may have swayed the others into viewing the whole ordeal in a new light. The only thing now is to tell Marian that she needs to meet her friends, sit down and talk so maybe, they can cure her.

She eyed the book at her side for the umpteenth time for the past hour. She have read some of it's content, and she found it unbelievable of it's writings. Twilight had summoned the book in order to ask her about Marian, but left it for Fluttershy to read after she didn't know of any of the things that Twilight asked about. To say that the purple unicorn was disappointed were an understatement, but she understood that she could ask Marian herself when they would meet.

It didn't take a lot of persuasion of her to make nearly all of them agree to meet her vampiric friend as soon Fluttershy could get a hold of her, after telling them about the curse that she knew of they all agreed. But Rainbow Dash, bless her heart but sometimes she is too stubborn for her own good. She said that she would kick Marian's butt for that she did to Fluttershy. It took a little while for her as well to agree to meet her without violence, but knowing her friend, she will do something that she will regret.

She took another sip and sighed. “This is a long night.” She looked around her cottage noticing that with the dark shadows just outside the light, she couldn't see anything. So dark a wild animal could lie in wait, and she wouldn't see it before it was to late. Her mind returned to the forest as just before the Manticore jumped at her, like then she couldn't see outside her little lantern. The only warning she had was when she saw the reflected light shine of the predators eyes. Like now, she can't even flicker her view from the dark corner fearing the imaginable jumping out at her. Her breath became shallow and her body tensed as she waited for something to happen. Her hooves began to shake from her flight response trying to make her to run.

Time passed and not daring to blink her eyes screamed, she forcefully shut her eyes and slammed her hooves over her eyes and her head fell to the table. She heaved, breathing as deep as she were able. Only being interrupted by the tears running down her cheek, and the hiccups that came with it all.

Fluttershy was scared, angry and pathetic. She was afraid that a beast might come and eat her, she was angry at herself for not thinking clearly but… she only wanted to help. She was afraid of what lies in the darkness, now even in her own home. She felt pathetic, fearing the corners of her own home, the very corners of her little heaven. It infuriated her. The place she used to nurse the sick and lonely, to heal the ill and the broken. Her place in the world, the one place that calmed her completely. Her escape from the world... Her little sanctuary. Ruined.

In the early morning hours, just moments away from dawn and the darken sky given way for the lighter shades of the blue. Fluttershy's door opened with the tiniest of creaks before being shut again, silent as ever Marian entered and observed the room. This is still not her domain so she have to remain vigilante about her surroundings, changes that may have happened doing her absent can tell her lots about her little friend's meeting with her friends. But looking around she saw with her bright-green eyes that all were just about as she left it the night prior, all except for the little caregiver sleeping softly at the table. Her hooves curved up under her head in substitute for her pillow, and snores lightly with a candle burning low on the table.

Marian took in the adorable sight for a moment, all the while making a silent coo. She couldn't help it, these little ponies are really something else, yet still so close to her former prey that she have hunted for decades. Footsteps so quiet that even the most alert of animals wouldn't hear it, she stood next to the sleeping pony. Two slender yet toned arms motionlessly lifted Fluttershy, holding her with a strong but gentle grip the vampire steps upstairs in the same way she walks everywhere. With as little sound as possible. Normally it's her first defend against being detected, but also it was the most basic and important rule in a hunt. But right now, this noiseless way of walking was used to carry the yellow caretaker to bed.

_________________________________________________________

The sun is rising in the horizon, it's razes beaming red and orange light onto the lightly clouded sky. From the balcony Luna stood with her sister, the light made the land seem new again. She have been practicing, building up her magic slowly and steadily since she was cleansed of the nightmare.

“Luna, Did you have a nice night?” Celestia asked. Her sister's smile were so noticeable that it beamed, even her body languish radiated joy and hope. So much so that before their morning greeting Celestia felt it.

Her body trembling with the afterglow of the joyous night, Luna almost jumped at her sister. “Yes dear sister, we had a most wonderful night,” Her smile brightened even more. “We believe that the future might hold something very dear for us.”

Celestia gave a genuine smile at her sister, she have dearly missed that energy that she gave. “so, do you mind telling me what that might be?”

“We hope, that we might have found ourself a friend,” Luna said, watching her sister obvious look of surprise before it gave way for a smile that shone like the dawn did.

The bigger sister hugged her sibling with a force she haven't used in quite a while. “Sister,-” Luna gasp, her breath have left her by the joy that her older, stronger sister hugging her. “- we have trouble, breathing.”

Celestia quickly let go of her, a little embarrassed by the way is lost her composure, but immensely giddy for her sister. “I'm so sorry, but I am so happy for you. Having found a friend, oh Luna it is most wonderful news.”

Luna however taking in deep breaths to recuperate the air in her lungs. She faced Celestia with a happy frown, and simply sighed. “It is indeed something to strive towards to, but as it is we hope that we can become friends, we don't rightly know all to much about her… but,” Luna gave a soft smile, and looked out towards the edge of the Everfree.

Her sister saw that and softly pressed her side against Luna, and enveloped her in a wing. “It will be okay, I'm sure that as soon you get the chance to talk again, you will be fast friends,”

“We hope so… she is so, full of life. She seem to have lived a complete life the way she spoke last night,” Her eyes began to sparkle as she still could hear her voice in her mind, her cheeks tinted a soft rosy colour.

The older sister saw that, and for a moment saw Luna much younger. Long before their rise to Alicordom, from before Equestria where unified. From back when they worked with the band of rebels, outcasts from their clans. Along the band of Misfits Luna found her first love. This is the Luna that Celestia sees right now, with her half-shy demeanour and her timidly way of speaking about an other pony. Celestia smile got a little wider.

“Sooo,” She started, giving little bump with her hip. “when is this mysterious charmeur coming over for tea? I would love to see the mare that have swayed you so,” She said with a smirk plastered on her muzzle.

The dark princess sputtered and her cheeks went from rose to beet red. “S-sister! swayed us? Whatever dost thou mean?” She tried to regain her composure, but failed as her feelings betrayed her body and the colour from her cheeks intensified. She did however held her head high, so her pride didn't get damaged too much.

Celestia however, laughed.

The reaction she got from her little comment was so much better than she have thought so wound get, and she have trouble muffling her laughter behind her hoof. Luna was not amused.

“Sister! She have not swayed us in any way that thou art alluding to,” Luna humphed and pouted.

“I have no idea what you think I am hinting at, but-” Celestia managed to say without laughing so much it was incomprehensible. “- but if you are thinking along those lines, you might have thought about it on a deeper level already.”

“We… we haven't, We wouldn't!” She looked away from her sister stupid smug face as she felt her ears burn with embarrassment. The deep-red colour sporting her face threatened to enveloped her entire body.

The older alicorn thought it cute, and hugged her sister again. A smile going from ear to ear, a hearty laugh as she finally have come through one of the barriers that have been separating them. At last, one happy moment after her return.

Laughter is indeed contagious as a little smile started on Luna and speed up to a tired giggle, she nudged her white counterpart with a hoof in loving banter. “Thous a mean sister,” She said, trying not to giggle.

Celestia hugged her a little bit tighter before letting go. “I know Lulu, and I will always be the meanest sister you will ever get.”

'Also the best sister any could ever ask for,' Luna thought, stiffening a yawn as with morning comes for anypony else. Her evening have just begun, and her bed sounds so very alluring. She started pulling away to go to her chambers. “Alas, tiss is late and we are in need of rest. So we will see each-other later, goodnight sister.”

Celestia let her go and saw her walk away, even when Luna is tired there is a visible spring in her steps. Only after the hoofsteps got quiet she turned to the rising dawn, and small droplets of salted water hit the balcony floor. Happy tears ran freely and Celestia showed a genuine smile. A tiny bit of Luna as she knew her have returned, and for that alone, she would be forever grateful to the pony that have made her dear sister this happy.

Even if it would be the last thing she will ever do, she will find her and thank her personally.

____________________________________________________________

Within the town library a certain purple unicorn had a existential crisis, as she unevenly rocking back and forth. Her hair sticking out in different directions and her right eye twitched while the left eye looking unblinkingly perfectly straight ahead. Quiet mumble came from her mouth as she every once in a while laughing suddenly, and just as quickly stopping.

Leaning out from behind a bookcase, a loyal trusty small dragon as his friend fell into her temporally insanity, fast. “Twilight, are you sure that you're alright?” He asked with a unsure voice, testing if he should run or if he could stay.

Ears swivelling around now stopped, and other than the normal morning busying outside there were no other sound inside the little tree building. Almost mechanically Twilight turned her head, watching the dragon with an intense stare.

“Did you, sleep tonight?”

Twilight jumped from her place on the couch, manically laughing as her magic flared up and books and papers along notes and scrolls flowed through the air with a paced that only the crazed unicorn could follow.

“I, I am perfectly, fine,” She said loudly, changing the pitch of her voice involuntary from normal to high. “I am in the middle of discovering a species that never have been seen nor heard of before, In all of HISTORY,” She yelled the last part.

Spike becoming more and more nervous as he have never seen his oldest friend like this before took a few steps back, and watched out for the airborne objects.

Twilight not noticing the look of worry, continued. “Last night, Fluttershy told us that she have been in contact with a creature that calls itself for a vampire,” She looked at her notes while talking fast. “Vampires has to this point only been a concept in fiction, and have never been regarded a part of any essential study. But I though I have my doubts about this 'vampire', I do believe Fluttershy when she tells me that creature no matter what it is, is foreign, or possible alien to ponykind. That means that this kind of predator never have been observed by ponies before, and as I have tried to find from other nations, neither have they described a creature anything like this, do you have any idea what that means?” Twilight had moved closer to Spike until she had backed him into a corner, still not noticing the forced smile and nodding from the tiny dragon as Twilight invaded his personal space.

“It, means that it is something new?” Spike said, his back against the wall.

“YES!” The purple manic jumped in a little circle very much like how Pinkie Pie would do it, it made Spike think that it was indeed Pinkie with a coat dye. “Or it could have been in hiding, or hibernation. Either way, a opportunity like this is unheard off, I can't allow myself to miss it,” Twilight stopped, and looked down at her hooves with a sigh. “I just wish I could tell Princess Celestia about this possible discovering.”

“Why not? You have never not told the princess about anything important before,” Spike asked, curious why the purple pupil couldn't just write a letter like she normally did.

The pupil sighed again. “I promised Fluttershy that I wouldn't.”

His eyes went wide, staring in slight disbelief. “Fluttershy? Told you not to tell the princess?”

“Yes, she asked all of us to promise not to tell anypony about the 'vampire'.”

“Why?”

This question took the hyper out of the purple hype pony as she sighed and looked down at her hooves, making small circles with a hoof. “I don't really know why, but it seemed like Fluttershy believes that the creature, Marian, would not show herself if she feels somepony of power is with us before making first contact…” A small pause. “well, first contact for us, it looks like she have running around town a night localizing herself.”

Spike blinked. “So she is social? That sounds like a good thing, right?”

Twilight nodded. “Indeed, I do believe that it is a good thing. But I am still concerned by the fact she still is a predator, we have no idea what she looks like or what her ulterior motives are. For all we know she could just be waiting for the right time to hunt us.”

The fear of of something might hurt Spikes friends have him shaking a little. “B-but if she is so dangerous, then you need to contact the princesses. Maybe they can help in drive off the beast?”

The look of shock on Twilight's face was enough to tell Spike that it maybe wasn't the right thing to say. “A beast, what are you saying? We don't want to drive her off, what Fluttershy have told us she isn't evil. She is only doing whatever she need to do to survive, and with the instincts of a predator and intelligence of a pony she will probably not be found if we do something drastic like mobilizing the guard and making a grand search-” She turned and began to put her notes away, looking over her shoulder. “- and if we start our relationship with this. I don't believe that we will ever see her again.”

Spike could only give out a defeated sigh, he didn't know anything else that Twilight had told him, but he were still concerned. Spike didn't know a lot about beasts and the wild as Fluttershy, but he still knew even if a beast is on their best behaviour they would always fight their base instincts. Because he know… he is lucky. Growing up around ponies that could help him suppress the need for violence and greed like so many other dragons live with. Meditation, study and being taught how to steel ones will from selfish desires. His old mentor, Princess Celestia told him that even a creature as wild and powerful as a dragon, could be taught tranquillity. He have been trained for years to suppress his urges for greed and power, but some wild creature that happens to be friendly… he was a little sceptic. But he trust his friends, and they promised not to tell anypony. He sighed and rubbed the back of his head, he would just have to wait and see what happens.

______________________________________________________

It was late in the afternoon, and in the little town of Ponyville, a light blue pegasus walked through with a steady stride. She have the same dark cape covering her as the night before, her amour hidden from view and freshly oiled so it doesn't make to much noise. Her short sword along with her wingblades were kept hidden under the dark fabric as well, the sword strapped to her barrel and the blades hidden under her wings.

She woke near noon in the outskirts of the Everfree Forest, under a line of low trees next to a river. She felt like she have awoken from a wonderful dream, full of love and lust. A night truly spectacular, because she have been found by the one who gave her this blossoming feeling within her chest. Yes, her brother died by the claws of her love and yes, she cried. Cried until the red of her eyes made, of why it have to happen. Why they have to fight her, and why they had to die. Questions with no answers but her own, she accepted the truth in her heart, that they all were to blame. Looking into the water, she gasp by the sight before giggling cutely by the memory of the loving nectar that she were forced to drink.

Of course she cleaned herself and her cape and armour before venturing into the town, she was tasked with an important mission after all. She was to familiarize with the town, the ponies and with the outskirts of Ponyville. Her first task given and she wouldn't allow herself to fail, she just couldn't fail her mistress. With that in her mind, she used her training as a knight to observe. She have spent weeks upon weeks in her training in the art of trailing a target, that meant that she have spent just as long watching after clues, small hints and even being taught how to read sapient creatures body language in order to gain the smallest hint of a target. She have trained and learned until she did this without even noticing it in her everyday, and at the end of her training period she was the top tracker of the initiates.

She walked the streets of Ponyville, even with her black cape she walked out of sight. It wouldn't take much for her to gain attention in the town of vibrant colours, but again with her training she knew how to not get noticed. All ponies got magic, and all ponies got an aura. The more the aura shines the more noticeable one become, the easier it is for others to rememberer. The trick is to dull the aura to the point were ponies can walk pass without them even noticing. Her mentor could dull her aura to the point were ponies could walk into her, and still not remember her. Because of the strong auras ponies got it took months to learn how to dull ones aura, but to get to her mentor's level, it would take years.

She saw the same buildings that she saw the day prior, the same ponies doing similar things, and nothing have really changed. It was just the small village vibe with everypony doing their jobs as they carried on with their day, but she felt like somepony were watching her again. She didn't know who, but she have felt it earlier in the day just about when she past a rather cute looking confectioner store.

But no matter which way she looked she couldn't see her pursuer, unnerved she wanted to get away from the streets. Until she bummed into a very pink pony with a big toothed smile, it looked like she were vibrating. “Um, hello-” Was all the pegasus were able to say before the pony exploded into a song, and jumping around the confused knight all with confetti being thrown into the air and at the end of the little song a cannon fired it's colourful load of confetti all over the two of them.

Confused, concerned and cornered she have never felt so unprepared to meet anypony in her life, she didn't know what just happened.

“Heellooo, are you okay?” The hyper energized pony asked her with a smile that threatened to split her head in two, she poked the stunned pony on her snout.

She took a step back by the touch, blinked a few times and looked around. Everypony had noticed her, even if it only glazes. They now see her as clear as anypony else, all because of this thing here. This one here have made her fail her initial mission, even though only a part of it, it would still be enough that under normal circumstances that any hunt would likely to be called off by this. Yet she can't discontinue her mission, her mistress have told her so.

She snapped her head towards the pony and forced a smile upon her lovely face, she had keep calm in order not to draw any more attention to herself. “Hi,” She greeted. “How can I help you?”

She wished that she had just run away instead.

The pink horror spewed a endless stream of words so fast that not even the most seasoned linguistic could decipher it on the spot, her energy radiated as bright as a star in Luna's night as she speedily showed her cupcakes and other small items that somewhat was relevant to the topic she was on about. The hunter was just about to take her losses and run, but then, the pink one stopped.

'She stopped?' A happy relief from all the questions, a heavy sigh escaped her as she took a breath. She glazed around and noticed that everypony was trotting on with their day like nothing happened, just like it was the norm around here that a explosion of commotion happens every once in a while.

“Sorry, my friends say that I can get a bit 'too much' sometimes. I'm Pinkie Pie and I would like to be your friend,” She said with a lower voice than before.

The pegasus blinked, and took a breath. Knowing that she have to turn her away gently. “It's – it's alright. I was quite shocked you know,” Offering a polite smile. “It's not everyday that you expect dance and song, and cannon fire.”

“Oh yeah, but the party cannon the best part,” The pink pony exclaimed, and like a foal with too much energy making a small jump as she said it. Making the hunter snort of amusement. That made Pinkie smile a little wider, and hold out her hoof for a shake in which the pegasus shook.

“I'm new in town, just trying to get the lay of the land.”

“Duh,” Pinkie said in a half-mocking tone, smiling still. “Of course you're new, I have just given you a 'Welcome to Ponyville' song, and all who plan to stay for a while gets one of those,” She giggling said as it's the most obvious thing in the world.

“How do you know if I'm staying?”

Pinkie giggled at the silly question. “I got a pinkie sense, so sometimes I can predict the near future,” Again, saying it as it's the most normal thing ever, and she stopped giggling. Still smiling, looking at her. “But, you didn't say your name?”

She smiled back at the earth pony for the first time, starting to walk away. “No, I didn't.”

“Where are you going?” Pinkie asked, hopping along. Not particular upset about not getting her name, things happens and if she wants to be anonymous then she wouldn't fault her too much.

“As I said, I wants to see the town.”

However vain the answer Pinkie held up her smile with gusto, and simply carried on. “So you need a guide?” Not really asked as a question but more as a statement. Before the cloaked pony could say no, Pinkie spoke up again. “Buuuut, lucky for you I happen to be not only in the party committee, but also in the tour guide committee,” She beamed. “Don't you worry, Pinkie here will show you around, so if you have any questions I can answer them.”

Hours into the afternoon, as when most were about done for the day. A knocking happened upon the old oak door that lead into the heavenly sanctuary of all beasts could call a second home, a place to rest their weary heads and tired bodies. A little mouse in a wheelchair over by the foot of the sofa, being pushed along by its relative. A cat lays before the hearth, its right front paw wrapped in bandages long with many other creatures waiting for their wounds to heal. Some of them ignoring the knocking, others waited for something to happen as their bestial instincts told them to either observe or hide.

The knocks came again after a little while, with somepony calling. “Fluttershy, are you home? Please say so if you are,” The happy excited voice shouted through the door, making some of the animals hide on instinct. A little ruckus could be heard from the bathroom, and a moment after the door opened showing a flustered yellow pegasus wrapped in towels.

Fluttershy opened the door slowly, just enough for her to spy her pink friend. She sighed and pushed the door open in a slow manner. “Hello Pinkie, how are y-” Her words fell flat when she saw the dark-cloaked mare. She squeaked as she gasped and quickly slammed the door.

Pinkie giggled and knock at the door again. “Fluttershy,” She called out. “It's okay, she's a friend,” The door creaked open again, just enough for Fluttershy's head to poke out.

“I'm sorry,” She squeaked out, taking a longer look at the frightening pony. “I just got a little surprised.”

Pinkie waved it off as she haven't stopped giggling. “Oh Fluttershy, you a such a silly pony,” She snorted a laugh, and was about to say something but the cloaked mare spoke up.

“Can I come inside? I have been told to meet Lady Marian here.”

Fluttershy blinked a few times while the words rolled inside her head, when it clicked. “Oh… are you Blue Vial?”

Pinkie gasped loudly.

Blue Vial nodded. “Yes I am, how did you know?”

Pinkie gasped louder. “BytheCupcake, how did you know? Do you know her? Are you a psychic?” Pinkie had moved to within a inch of her face, her eyes glimmering as she stared wide-eyed.

Fluttershy took a step back and as so many times before, she hid behind her hair. “N-o, no,” She quietly said. “Marian left a note, that said somepony might show up today… but, please come in.”

Fluttershy opened the door fully and stepped back for the two to enter. Pinkie didn't hesitate and jumped into the cottage with a smile, followed by Blue Vial in a more orderly fashion.

The hunter took a quick look of the cottage and came back to the living-room, where two ponies watched her. “It's looks cozy, exactly as I had imagined, though there are a lot more animals that I had in mind,” she loosened the buckle that kept the coat on her, and dropped it over the back of the chair.

The two ponies gasped as soon as they saw her, casual sitting down in the couch facing the lit hearth. Her dark armor was of blackened metal, but it still gave a dim reflection. Her sword, a short concealed blade strapped to her body. The darkened wingblades were in contrast with her ice-blue coat, but with her wings folded up it looked like her wings joints had visible metal replacements.

The shock of seeing a armoured pony so close and so suddenly made Fluttershy hide behind the chair, with her hair in front of her eyes trying to calm down. Pinkie however didn't help on her anxiety with the energy seeming to be barely contained by the hyper mare, and all she needed was peace and quiet to think things through. She have just let in somepony that she have never seen before which made her nervous to start with, but she also a warrior of some kind which is worse.

Fluttershy shut her eyes tight, and breathed deep and exhaled slowly. She did this a few times until her nerves were under control again. She reminded herself again that she could be like Marian, alone and misunderstood. That Fluttershy just needed to get to know her a little before passing judgement.

“So, when is Mistress Marian coming?” Asked the armoured pegasus, excitement clearly bubbling in her voice.

The two friends blinked. Pinkie stopped bouncing, and Fluttershy forgot about the fear within her. Both staring at the newcomer. “I'm sorry, but did you say mis- mistress?” Fluttershy asked, her face starting to heat up at the word. Blue Vial nodded with a blissful smile on her face, she sighed with a dreamy expression while fidgeting her hooves against each-other. The shy pony gulped, her face flushed with the meaning behind the word. “Are youandMariantogether?”

“ARE YOU LOVERS?” A certain pink hyper candy-floss pony bounced of the ground and tackled the hunter off the couch. Hugging the dazed expert hard enough for bones to pop. “I AM SO HAPPY FOR YOU!” Vial tried to breathe, but the crushing hug prevented her in doing just that. Pinkie released the poor pony in her grasp, and Vial swore that she saw her life pass her by as she heaved in air.

“We, are, not, lovers,” The gasping pony exclaimed as the wonderful feeling of air reached her lungs.

“You're not?” Pinkie asked, a bit deflated by being wrong. Vial shook her head. “Oh well, just thought that you might be,” She said, inflated again with a smile on her face like nothing happened.

Vial got the same dreamy expression from before, cupping a hoof over mouth in a bashful manner. “But I would very like to be hers. I would be so happy if she will make me hers, forever and ever,” She said in a soft voice, her feelings bleeding into her voice with lust and longing. Fluttershy, stood with rose cheeks, not knowing what to say.

“Sooo,” Pinkie started, wanting the topic to change. “How do you know Marian?”

Blue Vial got a conflicted look on her, but smiled none the less. “I am in the Knights Of Light, an organization to hunt down monsters and evil creatures that preys on innocent ponies within Equestria,” The two nodded, now knowing why she's wearing armour. “our scouts saw a pony preying on the good folk of Ponyville, and we ambushed her the evening after, yesterday…” She stopped, for a breath, wanting to cry and to laugh at the same time.

“That's a weird way to make friends,” Pinkie chimed in. “But where are you friends? Wouldn't they be here?”

Fluttershy could almost hear a pin drop as realization dawned on her, and tears threatened to fall as she made a quick gasp. 'Did Marian kill the ponies like she did the manticore?' Never before have she felt this sick to her stomach as she heard the words.

“They are dead. All of them are, gone,” Vial said quietly, tears running down her happy cheeks.

Pinkie stood as a rock, her smile plastered to her lips like a monument lost to time. Not believing her ears, she blinked and mouthed the words.

“We followed her into the Everfree Forest and we sprang the trap. We were going to kill her, but somehow she spared me,” Pinkies smile fell as the hunter told them about their meeting, her hair loosened up from it's natural bounciness and became flat and straight.

Small droplets hit the floor, and a light thump followed as the shy pegasus legs gave up. She didn't wanted to hear it, but she knew it to be true. She knew Marian well enough to know that even with all of her kindness and polite manners, she would still kill like any other predator in the wild.

“Did Marian kill them?” Pinkie whispered, her voice shaken as she too don't want to believe it. Blue Vial nodded, tears running down her cheeks but she still smiled warmly at the two of them. “Why are you smiling?”

“Because I'm happy, even when she killed my group.”

Wh- why are you happy?” Fluttershy choked on the words, tears running freely.

“Because she found me,” Vial placed a hoof on her chest, just over her heart while her cheeks turned slightly rose. Tears mixed in with her genuine smile. “I, I love her.”

The usually happy pony slumped to the ground with a blank stare, she couldn't comprehend the context. The hunter's voice and face are truly happy, but the situation is awful. Everything about this is twisted and contorted, like a birthday party within a nightmare.

“I don't know how it happened,” She started explaining, seeing Pinkie and Fluttershy faces in shock, sorrow and disbelief. “I was so scared when I first saw her,” eyeing the caretaker. “I was petrified to the ground, and no matter how much I tried to move I just couldn't, I couldn't even look away. It was like observing something so obscene, so unreal that you wouldn't allow yourself to look away… and she made me love her,” she smiled dreamily, pure emotions running her moments as she swayed from side to side with a deep blush. “She told me to meet her here, and to be vigilant. She told me that the next time I would see her, it would be truly her, like when she held me tight to her chest and let me drink her love.”

“I don't, But she,” Pinkie started, her mind too rattled to form the sentence she want to ask.

Fluttershy placed a hoof on her friend back, gentle soothing her like a wounded animal. “It's her instinct,” She said softly, with a sniffle. “I think she only did it to protect herself.”

“But she hurt ponies!”

“A animal would protect itself to get out of harms way,” Pinkie stared at her friend, disbelief written on her features while lone tears fell from her chin.

“Why, are you protecting her?” Fluttershy gave out a sad chuckle, wiping tears away with a hoof. The hunter had joined them on the floor, sitting just a few hoofsteps away.

“Because I want to believe she didn't have a choice,”

“But- we need to do something,”

“We will, Pinkie. It's soon sunset, and then. We will talk with her,” She gave a reassuring smile to the worried party pony, one she often gave when she calms down her tiny fuzzy friends. She could tell that Pinkie was very on edge, her hair straight and her bobbling personality gone. Fluttershy got closer to Pinkie, and hugged her. A gentle hug, one to let her know that everything will be okay and she is safe. She looked out of the window, watching the sun on the horizon. As the three of them sat and saw the sun go down, Fluttershy prayed. Prayed to that Marian is kind and understanding as she have shown before, that it were not just a ruse to get her to like her as a friend. Hope, hurt and confusion is tearing up her heart, as she thinks on the words of Blue Vial and her few memories of her. She truly does not want to believe that Marian is a murder, but inside she knew it to be true. She just hope she is wrong, just a tiny bit.