Chapters In the night of the Everfree beauty can be found, when in many places in this dark and wild forest the moon shine it's silver light though the flora. Making the many colours this forest that shine though out the day, be bathed in silver light. The colours of the flowers, trees, rivers and fauna hidden by the darkness only to reappear when the light touch it's surface.
Few in the world will see of the beauty of the Everfree and even less will even seek it out. But for those who dare, a view that only the very goddess of the world full of magic can ever hope to match.
In the night of the Everfree, death can be found almost everywhere for both the fool-hearted and the brave who dares to enter. The fauna is rich in this forest, and even the prey plentiful, they know it's vital for survival to hide at night. When the packs of timber wolfs are hunting together, they walk silently over the fallen leafs and branches closing in on the prey. Or when the manticores are out lurking about, bringing food back for their cups. Many who have entered the Everfree and not heed the rules of the wild have found themselves or their friends become victims of the many predators that lurk around in the darkness that is the forest.
It is in this forest a creature not native of this world is walking around, slowly but surely navigating her way though to a little town of Ponyville. The creature of course have no idea that it is walking towards the town, like it have no idea where 'here' is at the moment. Sure it's a forest like the one the bipedal is used to but it have no idea how it got here, it woke from it's slumber and can not figure out how it got there. So it decided to keep going in one direction, hoping to meet someone, be it man, kin or beast, let it help this lost being.
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“Fuck this fucking forest,” I screamed as I ran as fast I could though the close trees and heavy flora laying over the ground with the four big something's right behind me. Jumping over thick branches and fallen trees, running just ahead of them is a challenge but I need just a little more time. Concentrating on my clan-born ability as best I could while running this fast is hard work, just allowing my mind to calm enough to concentrate.
Pain shot out across my back as I felt a massive hit me in the back and sending me flying forward to the ground, making me land in a low bush with my back to them. I tried to get up and run, but I felt a big paw on my back pressing me down. Unable to move and with only one thing to do, I relaxed, forcing my will and concentration to do the very thing to save me. Fast I felt the weight of nothing as I dissolved into mist, and I slipped though the paw that fell though me with a 'thump' as it hit the ground.
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The manticore stood dumbfounded as it saw the prey escaping it's grasp in a mist, and looked swiftly between it and it's brothers, all of them not knowing what to do as they saw their prey slowly walk away… as to follow.
After a while walking behind the strange prey and occasional trying to either claw or bite it, their attacks went it as it where air. Growing more and more frustrated the alpha roared a challenge with all his might, and jumped in front of the prey eyeing it down with eyes that have seen more than hundreds and hundred of hunts. The roar from the beast rang in the now dead air in the forest, knowing it have threatened many upon creatures to fear him, and other manticores have submitted before the alpha's voice.
But what he saw when this being looked in his eyes were an complete dominant being, he saw his own death along with his kin, this creature smaller than he ensured him pain and death if it were not to comply. The simple massage is clear as death… 'Leave me be.'
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The last of the great… things ran of, I kinda regretted my decision. Of course first after them running away, my hunger emerged like so many times before. But so much stronger than I have ever felt before, like I haven't feed in ages.
My throat dry, my mouth empty of sweet sweet thick red liquid. Gliding down my throat, subsiding my hunger and giving me bliss.
Oh, the very thought of it is making my mind numb to the world around me.
Oh the thought of it is making me shiver, how I miss the sweet, needing nectar.
“I need to feed this night,” I said to the wind as I stood in my mist form, slowly swaying my body back and forth as my hand gliding all from my shoulders to my hips. I let myself indulge in my dirty little mind for a little while before I noticed the world around me yet again, and I go back to my own form.
"I really need to feed," I remind myself as I step forward though the dense woods, paying close attention to what's around me. The darkness is almost complete in here and I let my eyes glow red as I now can see if the sun were present.
Hours went by as I walked… north, I think, hard to tell when you can't see the sky most of the time. Hours have been spent tracking, hunting, searching for an way out of this forest… Thinking, of the beings that chased me before. After the shock realizing such creatures were alive, and not mystical beings only found in novels and fantasy. I know what they were, manticores… Real ones, or I have found four elders from my own kin who wishes to play a prank on me. Not fricking likely.
Finding a bit of food, but nowhere near enough as I almost stumble over my own two feet. “I need more...” I groaned as I felt my senses become nulled, without blood I will loose to the beast within me. I feel my head hanging, bobbing from side to side as I walk. I sense something in my strive, something close… predator, hunting. But not me, something else, smaller, easier to catch, kill, eat. 'I, need, blood. Follow the predator, take it while it's distracted, it's a plan,' I thought as I began to run as silently as my dulled movements allowed me.
I closed my distance swiftly and hid in a bush, watching. It were some of the beings that chased me earlier, I think…. Now that I can see it clearly, it a manticore slowly creeping onto it's pray. As I see it fully, I start examine it.
'It have a scorpions tail, it could be poisonous, but that is really not my concern. Teeth and claws, very standard for a predator. Thick hide and sturdy bones? Maybe, at least I need to test that. But more importantly, what is it hunting?'
As I stalk the stalker I came to see the prey, it is a small, butter yellow horse thing… with light pink mane. It can't be right, I must be seeing things. I am starving after all and tired, and it is highly likely that I am delirious until I feed properly. So that horse thing is most likely a normal horse or maybe a deer. But right now I need to wait for a opportunity to jump it. Right now it is alert, so I can't get too close or I'll be noticed and will be forced to fight it without the surprise element.
I didn't have to wait long before the predator jumped on it's prey, pinning it to the ground, could have sworn the horse screamed, praying for it's life. Silly me, animals can't speak, but now would be the ideal moment to kill it. I focused on my hands, making claws emerge from my fingers as I jumped the creature. Digging my claws in it's back, hanging onto it's back as it roared and jumped in surprise. it's rich thick delicious smelling blood oozing out between my claws sending my senses into overdrive, and I need it so bad. But the damned thing is jumping all over, trying to shake me off, but I will not have it, I will not let go. I digged the claws deeper into it's flesh and pulled with my might, rip and tear the beast into submission.
The beast roared with pain that were almost painfully loud, as I ripped the meat from it's body again and again, showering me and the ground under us in blood, and as soon I smelled the warm red liquid in the air the beast inside me went feral, leading the claws, sending my mind in a overdose of need, want, and desire. It didn't take long before it's legs gave under it.
The beast still alive laying on it's side taking heavy breaths, it's body forcing the body to stay alive as long as possible. As I still is on the beast I could feel the heartbeat going faster and faster, I crawled up till the neck and pieced it with my fangs. Immediately the beast's warm blood rolled over my tongue, and down my throat which I happily drank, gulped, and slurped in me with the bliss numbing my mind. My mind sending shivers down my spine with each mouthful of raw red, thick, ever-needing life, as my body convulsing with pure ecstasy on top of the downed bloodied beast.
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I lay on the ground under the the paw of a manticore, screaming for dear life, crying as my life is at an end. My eyes blurring from my tears making my vision go in and out of focus, but it doesn't matter now. I am going to die because I wasn't good enough, I am going to be eaten for my lack of cautious.
“Oh... Twilight, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, I am so sorry,” I managed to say weakly between my sobs, and I closed my eyes waiting for the end.
The manticore roared as it barred it's teeth to me, readying to eat me. But just as fast it pinned me down, it jumped away from me roaring ever so dreadful.
My eyes closed still watering up and prone on my back, I saw not in the darkness but I can hear it. The roars are terrifying, sharp and sudden, it felt like an eternity laying here crying, waiting to die. Then I heard it fall, and I dared to open my eyes. The darkness of the night made sure I saw little, but I saw in the moonlight the manticore lie prone on the ground, breathing very slowly and something on top of it.
I can't see what it is, but I am very much sure it isn't another pony, and there is this sound coming from it… sounds like when somepony is drinking greedily. I still laying on the ground, to scared to even move from where I lie.
I realized that it were drinking of the manticore as soon I smelled the blood, and I could only look at the sight in front of me in terror. I open my mouth trying to scream, yell, something, but only to have it hang open. I am to scared to do anything but watch the gore only 10 feet away. For what felt as an eternity watching the beast feeding, it stopped and arched towards the sky, just looking up upon the sky panting like a timber wolf.
It raised up and looks at me with, oh my Celestia… It's eyes, red glowing eyes looking at me.
'Oh no,no no no. it is walking towards me… I need to get away, I need to get somepony, Twilight can help. Please legs, work.' I thought as I tried to get up and run, but all I could do is laying here. It came over to me and sat in front of me, just sitting there with it mouth slightly open. Its long canines clearly visible by anypony that wished to see, it tongue licking them clean.
By the princess, it is completely covered in blood, around it's mouth and down it's body. I sat there simply petrified by fear. I almost stopped breathing when it's face came but an inch from my muzzle, it stares into my eyes with those red glowing that could have come right out of a horror book. My mind simply stopped as it is sniffing me, not thinking anymore as new tears ran down my cheeks and fell on the ground. As I slowly mouthed the words between my sobs, so silently even I have trouble hearing it.
“Please, d- don't eat me.”
It's mouth fell open revealing it's two long fangs.
“y-You can speak?” it asked, the being clearly surprised as it's eyes widened.
My eyes widen even more, as I without knowing it nodded at the question, and my heart was beating faster than ever before. I feel sick, vision blurred and sweat running over my body. Darkness came and overtook my vision, forcing my mind into the relief of sleep.
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I simple sat in front of this tiny horse dumbfounded and confused, still feeling the bliss of the blood rushing though me. But I know this is real, this being in front of me spoke and understood me when I talked. How can that be true? Animals can't speak the word of men… but they are not supposed to look like that either.
'Or for that matter cry.' I thought along with many other things as my mind raced, trying to rational this and that. For the second time that night.
The beast and this creature that I apparently 'saved' are some I have never seen before, and I know my way around wildlife.
I sat beside the laying yellow creature, started to examine it. It is smaller than a normal horse… by a lot, and aside by the obvious, it's colors it is not natural with the mane and tail both being light pink and having some kind of a tattoo on it's rear. It got to large a head for it's size and the eyes are way to big, and it have wings… wings.
“That's a pegasus.” I said loudly, shocked that a another mythical creature is in my grasp. “A fucking pegasus… how can you be real?”
My hand slowly touched it's muzzle and I opened the mouth, examine the teeth. Clearly a herbivore do to the flatness of the teeth. After a few minutes of further examine of the being I came to the conclusion, that this 'pegasus' are, real... in the sense of it's wing are physical attached to the creature.
“What to do?” I said quietly to the pegasus in front of me. “More importantly, what happened to you?” Slowly poking it in the ribs. “Looks like you just… passed out?”
Looking back to the torn-up, drained beast 10 feet away laying in the moonlight like a pretty picture. And then looked at myself, blood all over my face and my clothes making me look like some kind of psychotic mass murder. “Oh my…” as I continued to examine myself, before looking at the little being at my feet. “This might explain why you would go out cold.”
Deciding to the best thing I could do, is pick it up, and hope to find a river or a pond so I can clean myself before taking to it.
'If I'm lucky, then maybe I can get myself presentable before it wakes up. Yeah I could do with a bet of luck right about now.' I thought with a doubtful mind, because I have so far seen no creeks or such things yet. 'But the animals in this forest must getting their drinking water from somewhere, so maybe if I followed them…. That is if I can find them, the ruckus with the thing I killed was loud to scare most other creatures away.'
Just another night for me, lets head north and see what happens.
'How long have I walked?' To be honest I have no idea how long time I have spent in the woods carrying this pegasus over my shoulders, but the forest here is thinning out and I think I can see the edge. That would be nice, but I still need to find shelter for the pony and I.
It don't take me long to step out the forest and the first thing I see is this small building close to the forest, looks like someone took a hill and put a house under it. Quite tranquil the house looked, with no nearby neighbours… now that I look around, I see it's the only building within sight. Perfect.
“Shelter, check.” I muttered to myself as I walked up to the house. “And not a moment to soon, the sun is close from raising.”
It would still take a while before the sun is in the horizon, but I would like to be inside and away from the sun when it comes up.
The first thing I noticed was the door, is about half a foot smaller than me, and the building in general were little. I am not tall by any means with my 5,5 feet, but I mean these people must be small. I slowly push open the door, and step inside the cottage with not much trouble, closing the door behind me. I look around and see that instead of a hallway like in a normal house, I am in a fairly large living room. Big enough for me to stand up tall with no problem at all, but if I stretched my arm up I would touch the wooden ceiling.
I walked over to a couch and put the sleeping pony down, and went to look around in the house. It is fairly large despite it's appearance, and from the living room with the pony till the master bedroom there is animals everywhere. Bird resting on branches coming from the walls and small critters sleeping in their tiny holes, and one little rabbit in a basket rolled up in it's tiny blankets snoring softly. It is adorable as I watched it sleep for a little while, it's little snoring with a leg laying outside the blanket and once awhile it snored with a high-pinched noise. But no people, it all seems weird. But even with how cute the rabbit is, I really need some sleep. Seeing no basement in this house I would have to do the next best thing.
“Now, where did I see that large potted plant again?.” I mumble as I walked down the stairs to the living room.
The sun raised slowly over the horizon and spread it's bright light on the world of Equus, waking it from the night of slumber. The creatures used to the light awoke from their night of sleep, and likewise for others were heading for bed.
Ponys, griffins and many other beings of Equestria starting yet another beautiful day under the rays of Celestia's sun, and with like any other morning the streets of every city, town and village were soon full of pony's going to work. Bakers opening their doors to lure anypony inside with the refreshing smell of baked goods, and shop owners readying their business's for the day. So too were the quiet little town of Ponyville, with every little pony getting ready for school leaning new things about the wonderful world they live in. Except for one filly fast approaching a familiar cottage at the edge of the Everfree forest, her mane tugged away under the helmet while she drove her scooter.
She forgot the assignment she got yesterday from Miss Cheerilee, and now she is on her way towards Fluttershy hoping she could help her making the homework regarding animals. This little filly would have asked her two friends to help her, but with both of them helping their sisters, so she was left to her own… forgetting the assignment, watching Rainbow Dash practice her stunts. Even though she kinda regretted not doing her homework, it was so worth it. But getting up this early, not cool.
Placing her scooter by the side of the small house she runs up to the door, knocking it hard with little patience. After a minute or so of hearing nothing from inside, she knocked again harder.
“Fluttershy, are you home? I need your help,” she loudly asked, hoping Fluttershy heard her though the door.
Tipping her hooves impatient waiting for the door to open, she looks around noticing that there is not as many animals as normal. Wondering about the fact for a small while.
“H-hello, anypony there?” a small timid voice came from the other side.
“Hi Fluttershy, it's me Scooterloo.” Scooterloo said with relief. “Can you help me?”
“Oh…” She heard from the other side with hoofs coming closer. “Of course. How can I help you?” Fluttershy said as she open the door.
Scooterloo looked up at the smiling mare in front of her for about half a minute with a confused expression, almost forgetting what she needed to ask her. But now there is this little thing called curiosity that was hammering it's little tiny hooves in her mind, and debating that asking would be a good idea. She really wanted to know why the normally yellow pony was sporting a different colour, but on the other hoof it weren't really her place to ask.
“… Uh, Fluttershy…” She said trying to form the words for her question before giving up and just ask the mare. “Are you… painting?”
Fluttershy blinked a few times at the odd question before shaking her head at the filly, “No Scooterloo, I have just woken up when you knocked at the door,” She said with a slight tilt with head.
“Okay… but what's up with the paint?” She asked with a puzzled frown.
“Paint? I really have no idea what you are...” She started to explain while she looked down her coat, were she saw large red splotches of faded paint. “… talking, about?” It was everywhere on her, it went from her sides to her chest and belly.
“Oh my,” Her voice became very quiet while she looked herself over, her hooves were too covered in this as well and have left hoofprints on her wooden floor. “I, I need to get this off me,” She said mostly to herself as she backed away from the door heading for the bathroom.
With a soft click from the bathroom door signaling the door was closed, a little filly was left unattended. “Fluttershy, can I come in?” But with no answer from the mare that left her at the door, she walked inside the cottage. Noticing a trail of hoofprints from the floor to the couch in the red paint. Half of the couch was smeared red, probably where Fluttershy laid the filly thought. Still strange though, she don't know the older pegasus all that well, but she was pretty sure that it's wasn't normal for her. Who does that anyway… but paint on themselves and walk around in houses, not normal.
'All of this is weird,' She thought while looking around the wooden home, it was so normal looking beside the paint. But something else caught her eye, she didn't see it when she entered but there was some odd prints on the floor. They weren't red like Fluttershy's, but looked more like dried dirt and way different than anything she have ever seen. It were three times bigger than her own hoofs in length, and not that much wider than her own. She leaned down and saw five small prints infront of the bigger one. 'Weirdest paw I have ever seen.'
The trail ended to her big disappointment and bewilderment infront of a large potted plant in the corner of the living room, she looked behind it, to the sides and on the stairs leading up to Fluttershy's bedroom. But nowhere she looked the filly found no paw prints, it's like they just ended infront of that plant… 'unless it can fly,' She thought it over, and it was possible. Who knows, it could be some rare animal that nopony have ever know about. Her eyes widen and smiled as realized if was a rare creature she and her friends could find it. The little pegasus practically fluttered her wings and made a jump in excitement, and fantasized a little of what it might looked like and if they could get their cutie marks this time.
After a little while were is was imaging about the animal and her friends going on adventure, she looked around the room and how long have she been in Fluttershy's house by now. Looking up at the grandfather clock on the far wall she saw it have been about fifteen minutes, she got a little worried for the larger pony. So she trotted over to the door to the bathroom, knocking on it a little softer than before.
“Fluttershy, are you done soon?” She asked through the door, she waited for a reply. But when none came the knocked again a little harder. “Are you alright in there?” She heard something in there, but it was very quiet. So she put her ear to the door to hear better, she heard something crying, mumbling and fettling.
“Fluttershy?” The filly almost yelled, hearing a small sound of surprise on the other side. “Are you okay?” Scooterloo got the doorknob and pushed the door open. She saw the pegasus sit in her bathtub silently mumbling to herself with a faraway look on her face, tears running down her face slowly dripping from her chin.
“Please… don't, please,” Fluttershy said almost in a whisper to herself as she simply sat in the tub, oblivious of the worried filly coming closer to her. “I beg, please don't eat me.”
“Fluttershy?” Scooterloo asked softly, worry written all over her. “W-what's wrong? Why are you crying?”
The crying pony in the tub froze as Scooterloo got close to her, her crying stopped and she brought a forehoof and wiped her tears away. She sniffled as she looked at her, frightful eyes red from crying and her body shaking slightly as she sat in the water.
“S-Scooterloo?” She started, “You should go to school,” Her frightful voice cracked as she tried to hold back the sheer amount of panic in her mind, only barely doing that. That beast in the forest last night that was her nightmare, was very much real… and that scared her more than anything.
She could still see it killing the manticore when she closed her eyes, and with it she can still hear the sounds coming from it as it was dying. Now knowing that a animal out there able to kill beasts that normally took many guardspony to even drive of, and she have meet it and survived somehow… even escaped it is a curious thought, nothing less than a miracle.
“Fluttershy, please tell me what's wrong. Can I help?” Scooterloo's voice snapped her out of her panicked thoughts, and look at the young pegasus. Not only she believed what she said, but it was written in her movement. Being with animals for so long, caring, feeding and nursing for them one tends to learn to read body language very well. Just looking at this little filly like this is heartbreaking, worried and confused about her, so she did was she used to.
”Scooterloo,” She said as softly as she could, and tried not to cry out in a panic. Her voice strained and raw, she took a few deep breaths. ”I'm not feeling okay this morning, but it's okay. I just need some time for myself, and i will be… alright.”
Reassure others.
Scooterloo just stared at her with huge eyes, ”That's right you're not okay. You covered in… whatever that is, and now you are freaking out mumbling stuff. What's going on?”
Set back by the fillies outburst she faced away from her, while trying not to collapse infront of her. ”y-You must go to school now, I need you to go. Please, listen and do what I say,” Her tears is slowly running down her cheek and dripping into the red water.
Fluttershy stepped out of the tub, droplets fallen from her coat as she walks over to the filly with shaky steps. Tears still running down her face, eyes red and puffy. She tried so hard not to cry, but she couldn't stop herself anymore. ”I, need,” She started voice breaking up as she no longer could keep it in, she just sat down sobbing. ”...I,” She tried but stopped and laid down completely on her side curled up in a fetal position, crying to herself.
Scooterloo looked at the scene don't know what to do or say. Thinking quickly she turned around and headed for the door, knowing Twilight knows what to do in a situation like this. Only to be stopped by a broking scream for help, she looked back from the door. Fluttershy lying on the bathroom floor watching her with eyes begging her for not to leave, Scooterloo could practically see the fear coming from her.
“I, I gonna get Twilight,” She said quickly. “She'll know what to do.”
“Please… don't leave me. I am so scared,” She shrieked with panic, looking up at her with tear filled eyes. “Please don't, leave me.”
The filly looked down at the broken mare infront of her, knowing full well that she couldn't do much to help her as one of her other friends like Twilight or Rainbow Dash. She really need their help not hers, but she couldn't just leave either. Fluttershy have always been kind and patient towards her and everypony else, never imposing her own problems on others. But now that Fluttershy really need somepony else to be there for her, so she is not alone with whatever frightens her. And Scooterloo were ready to just run off to lay that problem on somepony else.
“Sure… I can stay her for a while,” She said, walking over to her and laid beside her. The butter colored pegasus was cold and wet from the bath, but Scooterloo didn't mind being a bit cold for a her. “But you need to talk your friends about this… not that I can't handle whatever you need, Scooter to the rescue,” She quickly added, all the while the pegasus sniffled and cried into the early day.
”Now Fluttershy, Can you tell me what happened to you?” Twilight asked as she sat infront of Fluttershy while she checked her small stack of parchment, quill and ink. She magically poured two cups of tea, and levitated one of the cup over to her.
”Ahm, Twilight,” She began as she looked back and forth between her friend and the stack of paper on the coffee table, as she once have been with said unicorn helping her while studying two days a while back. To say at least there's a reason Twilight study alone, with the sole exception of Spike as he keeps her alive and well in those periods of intense studying. “It's okay, I am all better now. I was just worried about silly things,” She lied.
Twilight cocked her head to the side while giving her a face that just screamed 'are you kidding me?' Before she composed herself, and gave the ever caring pegasus a emphatic look.
“Fluttershy, I don't believe that after Scooterloo comes here with you behind her, and tells me that you broke down in tears infront of her in your bathroom covered in Celestia knows what. And to top it of, she tells me you cried for one and half hours before you past out and fell asleep,” Twilight said with a stern but soft voice.
Twilight knew that Fluttershy haven't done anything wrong, but like anypony else that know Fluttershy. She have a tendency to think lower of herself and not telling others of her troubles, and her friends love her and will her only the best for her, but truly wishes that she share with her friends some if not all of her problems when she run into them.
“And the fact that Scooterloo stayed for five hours with you after in order that you were alright,” She continued while looking at Fluttershy, who was hiding herself behind her mane with burning red cheeks. “I don't know what happened, but please tell me,” She pleaded at her friend.
The pegasus looked away from Twilight as she spoke, after a short while taking a deep breath and sighing out loud.
“Okay, I will tell… but only because I really need to talk to somepony about this,” Fluttershy said as she looked down her cup of tea. “Twilight… I am so scared of what I saw, I thought I was going to die.”
The next two hours she sat and told Twilight what happened the night before, and the reason she were out in the forest late at night was because of a fox that had hurt itself and needed help. She fixed it quickly and without a need for her to bring it back to her cottage, with in hindsight she was really glad that wasn't necessary. But even with her still being in the outskirts of the forest, and it was really, really dark and couldn't see very well. She got lost and ended up further in the Everfree. With her being jumped by the manticore, and thinking she was gonna die. But this creature attacked the manticore, and killed it. She shuddered visibly and had to calm herself for a few minutes while she told this part, and that was when everything got blurry and she past out.
Twilight who have been listening to her story took a long sip from her cup, as she tried to remember any kind of beast that could win over a manticore, and except for dragons there few to none that could do such a feat in a fair fight. But not only of that, she looked at the distressed pegasus.
'She have been through a night of terror, and could very much have died. I'm so happy that nothing happened to her… but why isn't she dead. If the creature have killed the manticore with ease as she said, so why not her?' Twilight thought as she collected her thoughts.
Twilight sat the cup on the table and got over to her friend as she sat with her eyes closed and hid herself behind her mane was beginning to cry, and hugged her slowly. Fluttershy gasped and snapped her eyes open, she looked at Twilight who saw the fright in her eyes. Twilight nuzzled her as she hugged her until she felt her calm down.
After a few minutes she broke the hug and looked at Fluttershy, who had fresh tears rolling down her cheeks. “I can't even begin to imagine what you have been through, it's must have been horrifying. I'm so sorry for you, but I want you to know that I'm here for you and I want to help you as best I can.”
That got a small smile out of the shy pegasus, as she looked at her still crying. She brought up a hoof and wiped her tears away, and sniffled a little. “Thank you… I needed that.”
Twilight saw kindly to her, and a little smile came on her muzzle as she sat infront of her. But still she have questions that she hope Fluttershy can answer, as she thought how best to ask her.
“Fluttershy, I know that it is hard for you remembering what happened,” Twilight said, “ but can you remember the creature? Could you describe it for me?” She asked her as she got hold of her quill and parchment in her magic. “I can't remember reading about a beast like that in my books of wildlife and exotic animals of Equus, and I would like to help more...”
Fluttershy blinked once and nodded as she understood that Twilight would like to know if a new creature had entered the Everfree forest, or if it have always been there.
“When I first saw it, it was on top on the manticore laying down on it,” She gulped, “and drinking I think… I am not really sure what exactly though, but suddenly it sat up on it's hind legs and was panting heavily…” Her voice were shacking slightly, but she continue as well as Twilight's quill.
“…and then it saw me. It had glowing red eyes, crimson in color and stood out in the night staring right at me… it felt if those eyes saw right through me and saw every little thing I have ever done… I have never felt terror like that ever before.”
Fluttershy remember perfectly as she sat on the wooden floor in Twilight's library, a blank look in her eyes as her vision saw the night before.
“I couldn't do anything, Twilight… just sit and wait,” She said still looking straight past Twilight while holding her cup in her hooves. “It was tall, walked on it's hind legs… almost as tall as Princess Celestia. It had a long mane on it's head, black as night. But it's face…” She gulped and continued. “It was like nothing I have ever seen.”
Twilight looked up at her from behind the paper as the quill effortless wrote on, she cocked her head in confusion. “The face? What do you mean?”
“It had no fur, Twilight… and it had no muzzle. It's like nothing I have ever seen,” She whispered, the unicorn stopped writing a moment and widen her eyes in wonder of just how close she must have been to have seen it in the middle of the night. “It was smeared in blood all over, with fangs dripping and I was sure it was going to kill me.”
“It stopped before me, and kneeled no more than an hoof from me… and I begged it not to eat me,” She said quietly, her body trembling slightly as she recalled the memory.
“And then what?” Twilight asked as she no longer were writing, but was staring at the pegasus.
“…It spoke to me…”
A needle hitting the floor could have been heard as Twilight just stared at her with wide eyes, hearing words that her brain could not find possible to accept.
“Are you sure, that it spoke to you?” Twilight asked softly, her voice skeptic as she eyed her friend. Fluttershy nodded as she drank some tea from her cup, trying to calm down. “Maybe it was an minotaur...” Fluttershy shook her head as Twilight tried to think of what her friend might have seen.
“No Twilight… I know what I saw, and that was no minotaur,” She took a sip from her cup, already calming down. She loved tea, it always calmed her when she needed it the most and it made her relax, not only from the taste but also the smell of it were pure enjoyment. It is one of the few things beside reading and enjoying a nice breeze, that could help her calm down and collect her thoughts.
“I don't know what it is, but I have never seen or heard of a animal like that, and I know of all the critters that lives in the Everfree forest,” Fluttershy said, looking in Twilight's eyes . “…and I know of most the more predatory animals as well… but this one talked to me.”
Twilight had no doubt in her mind that that Fluttershy have been saying were nothing else but the truth, but did she really see what she said she had? Not that it mattered, but what if she saw something else due to her close death experience? Nevertheless she have already decided that she would do everything to help her friend.
“Okay Fluttershy, I believe you. I will help you find out more about this creature. So we can maybe find out if it is dangerous or not,” She looked her notes over again, frowning a little. “But one thing you didn't mention… you were out in the forest but awoke in your home, what happened in between?”
Fluttershy blinked a few times and tried to remember what happened after she met it, but she couldn't remember anything.
I don't know. I remember seeing it, then nothing… I could have fainted,” Then she realized, “but how did I wake up at home?”
Many things ran through her mind about how she got home, and who got her there. Maybe somepony saw her and rescued her while she was unconscious or maybe… it were one very vivid dream that she haven't woke from yet.
Fluttershy sat silently next to the table and simply drank her tea as she drifted in her thoughts, and tried to remember more of the night, of what happened and of the creature. But the harder she tried, the more it eluded her. It frustrated her and Twilight were counting on her to tell more.
After a few minutes of sipping to her tea and being in silence with her thoughts, she shock her head.
“I'm sorry Twilight, I can't remember what else happened. All I know beside that is I woke on my couch when Scooterloo knocked on the door.”
Twilight let out a small sigh and put down the paper flat on the table as the ink were drying, and gave a small smile.
“It's okay, Fluttershy. I'm sure that if you remember more, you would tell me,” She said and looked at the setting sun through the windows. “Fluttershy, it's night soon. Do you want to spend the night here?” She asked while watching the sight of colours in the horizon.
“I can prepare the extra bed, and Spike can make dinner,” Twilight added before Fluttershy could think about her answer.
It sounded really nice to not be alone right now, and feel scared of whatever creature that lurked in the Everfree that she have encountered might come back for her. She knew that she was lucky. No matter what happened she should not have survived last night, she knew this that it was nothing short of a miracle that neither the manticore or what killed it didn't end her. So company would be nice, and she didn't even have to worry about making dinner as she normally did… for, her little… critter friends.
Fluttershy gasped out loud, eyes widen in realizing that because of all what happened today. She have forgotten to feed the animals. She quickly got up, and trotted over to the door.
“I'm sorry Twilight, but I have to get home. All of my animal friends are counting on me to feed them, and I didn't feed them this morning,” Twilight nodded as she was walking up to her. “but I would like to eat dinner with you and Spike.”
Twilight gave a little smile and hugged her friend, “It's okay, but promise me if anything happens that tell me and the others. We want to help you.”
“I will Twilight, I promise,” Fluttershy said as she broke the hug and swiftly trotted her way home.
“I'm home,” Fluttershy softly called out as she closed the door behind her, turned on the lightswitch and looked around in her home. It was less lively as she was used to with most of her little friends out and about, it was only when they were injured they stayed with her.
As she prepared the food and laid it out in the different bowls that was all over in her house, she smiled softly as her small friends came over and ate their food. As she stood and looked at them she felt a tuck at her tail, seeing behind her, was Angle Bunny. Her little adorable helper tapped his tiny paw at the floor and pointed to the bathroom, and she kneeled down and petted his head. Which the bunny slapped her hoof away and started to make frantic noises and gestures at her and the bathroom.
“What is wrong Angle? Is there something in the bathroom you want to show me?” She asked as she followed the white bunny. She was about to reach the doorknob when she heard it, splashing water and a humming coming from her bathroom. She instantly coward and tried to hide behind Angle by making her as small as possible, which did little to the fact that the humming continued.
'oh no, there somepony in my house, what if it is a burglar? Or somepony mean,' she thought as she looked at the door, that seemed all of the sudden more dangerous.
As Fluttershy thought about what to do about this, with more of her options is to run away and get help. The tiny bunny just sighed as loud as he could which sounded like a small squeaky floorboard, hopped over to the door and kicked it.
Fluttershy hold her breath and waited for anything. “Yes?” She heard from the other side, “I will be done in just a few minutes, so please be patient,” Said at muffled female voice, it was a bit deeper than a normal voice. But to the pegasus that voice was unmistakable the same voice the creature had. Her leg began to shake and she slowly stepped back from the door, never taking her eyes of it.
She heard a bit of splashing and hoofsteps on the floor on the other side of the door. The humming began again, closer and closing in on her Fluttershy moved further away until she hit the wall a let out a surprised squeak. Only looking away for a blink second she heard the doorknob turn, and she was faced with the one true terror from last night.
The little cottage silently fell into the shade of the dark that came with the night, and many critters and small ponies alike has headed to sleep. But where some go to rest, others wake to greet the night. So did one being as she rose from her resting place and stepped forth to welcome the dawn of night. The being saw all sorts of small animals watching her as she stood in the room, looking at the critters, birds and one very irritated looking bunny. The same white one she saw sleep the night before sat before her on the coffee table, tapping it's little paw in a slow motion.
Taking a few steps over to the bunny, she smile at it. “Hello there, aren't you a little cutie,” She crouched to it's level so she wouldn't be as intimidating for the little creature with her looking down at it. The bunny simply raised a brow in a unimpressed fashion for a few seconds, before it made an angry face and made a lot of gestures while it was yelling at her with it's high pitched voice.
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'Wow', I thought stunned as I let the onslaught of the angry bunny continue, the little guy have been at this for a minute or so and I am still surprised that it dared. Normally animals wound not even come close to one like me let alone yelling what I can only imagine are some rude words.
I put my hands infront of me, like I'm shielding myself from a little white fluffy bunny… pitiful. “Hey hey hey,” Trying to shut it up, and it worked. “I have no idea why you are so angry with me… care to elaborate as why that is?” I asked the bunny, as I am going to wait for it to tell me.
It simply pointed at me and then at the couch, or at the big red smear on the couch and then yelled at me some more. I looked down myself and saw that my low-cut cargo pants and top were completely drenched in dried blood, it was stiff and uncomfortable and how I haven't noticed before is beyond me.
I looked at the agitated bunny. “You want me to clean it up?” I simply asked, and it simply nodded and hopped down from the table and over to a door while looking at me. “Well, might as well do it,” I started as I walked over and opened the door, which was full of different brooms, mops, buckets and soaps. I took a bucket and a washcloth and filled it with water, added some soap and then started to clean up the mess I have made from the night before.
It took me a little while getting all of the blood of the couch, but I got it cleaned along with the floor and put the bucket away. “So little bunny, I'm taking a shower. Hope you don't mind,” I said as I opened the door to the bathroom and entered, not really caring at this point if he did mind. It was a ordinarily bathroom, just as rustic as the rest of the cottage. I like it, this little house. Because it remind me of the forest, the only thing that was missing was the grass under my bare feet and the night sky over my head.
As I filled the bathtub, I began to undress. The top came of first, and it feels so good being free of the stiffened top. Next the pants as I undid the button and simply let them drop around my ankles, kicking them off, I was completely naked as I don't need underwear. Some wouldn't dream about walking anywhere without it, says it is comfortable how it reminds them of the time they were alive. I on the other hand never liked it, so when I found out I didn't need it I threw out, and never looked back.
I looked down my naked self, spotted dried blood everywhere except for my hands and forearms as I had been cleaning the little mess I made. I shook my head in disbelief, 'I can't believe a bunny of all beings made me clean, must be getting soft,' I thought as I looked over the bottles and containers of shampoo, conditioners and bathing salts next to tub, picking them up at random.
“Lemongrass, apple, neutral, lavender,” I read aloud as I looked from bottle to bottle. “Whoever lives here have nice taste in shampoos and salts… Fields of Flowers. Let's try this one.”
I opened the soft container and saw the most stunning colours of bathing salt of my life, the colours of green, red, yellow and light blue all glinted in the soft bathroom light. I smile at the sight, even it's just salt, I could see what they meant with fields of flowers. It reminded me of the old days when I still walked the day. Walking up at dawn and watch the sun rise over the horizon, making the field of different colours still wet in morning dew glitter like a ocean of jewels.
I took a handful of the salt and put it under the faucet, and simply let the water spread it out evenly along with the fragrance, as the scent it filled the room. 'It really smells like a flower garden,' The water began to change to the sea of different colours, and mesmerized by the sight I almost forgot to turn of the water when the tub filled up. 'But how aren't they mixing together like such things normally does? No… That matters not,' I stopped caring as I lowered myself in the warm water.
“Ahhhh,” I sighed long and deeply when I felt the warm water embrace me, for to long I have gone without a nice warm bath, and I had forgotten how wonderful it felt. I closed my eyes and I fell into the pleasure of the coloured liquid that surrounded every inch of my body, the lovely warmth of it hugging me in ways that nothing else can ever manage to do.
I have no idea how long I sat like that, just enjoying the bliss of the water. I really needed that, it felt like all of my worries just washed away like that. But I still need to get the blood of me, being in the water for a little while helps soften the dried blood. I found myself humming as I took the shampoo with… lime, and squished it in my hands. Working it through my long hair first, and washed it out again. Moving on to the conditioner I let it be in my hair and rolled it up in a bun, and grabbed a washcloth as I washed the rest of my body. My hands glided over my toned body in need to get the blood of me, my arms, neck, abdomen, legs, and my back.
Satisfied with myself I washed the conditioner out and played a little with the now redder water, as I heard a soft knock on the door. I turned quickly towards the door, silent as a mouse hiding. 'Whoever lives here must be the ones knocking,' I thought as I watched the door closely. 'Oh well, if they are a problem I can just kill them. No big deal,' A smile crept on as I remember I have yet to drink from someone, and got up of the water.
“Yes?,” I said while eying the door, “I will be done in just a few minutes, so please be patient,” I said while taking a towel and drying myself, before noticing how small it was. Quickly looking around I saw that it apparently is one of the bigger ones in here. 'Well, can't keep my host waiting for me now, can I?' I smile at that thought. The towel just large enough of it to wrap around my hips, while I shouldn't bend over to much as it covers very little. I wrapped another one around my chest, covering my breasts.
I were just about to open the door as I saw myself in the mirror, seeing myself still a little wet with two little pieces to cover my more sensitive parts. I turned and put on a little show for myself with a few poses, letting my hands on top of my breasts while looking back at me with a sultry gaze. 'If nothing else, I can play a little with them.'
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Fluttershy coward against the wall as she stared wide eyed at the being infront of her, her legs shaking and fear starting to take over her mind. Her breathing quickened as the tall creature locked eyes with her.
“So there you are,” It said in soft voice while it slowly walked closer to her, she circled on her left as she stared right back at Fluttershy with those bright green eyes. They were almost mesmerizing if it weren't for fact her life now was in danger, her mind shouting at her to run far and hide. It stopped just outside it's reach and lowered to it's knees, bending a little forward and supported by placing it's forelegs under it like a pony. Fluttershy never breaking eye contact with it.
“It's okay little pegasus,” It cooed, giving Fluttershy half lidded stare. “I just want to talk a little, if you are okay with that,” Fluttershy found herself nodding speechless, while now looking at her canines.
It smiled as it looked her over while leaning from side to side, slowly raising a hand closer to Fluttershy's head. Which made her drop to the floor shaking, while covering her eyes with her hooves. The hand continued and softly touched the top of Fluttershy's head, slowly petting her.
“Your poor terrified being, so afraid of me… you saw me last night, didn't you?” She asked her in much a same way that Fluttershy would do so herself to any critter. The way the voice were submissive and gentle along with the softness of the voice was meant to calm down animals and even some ponies, she knew this so very well for she have spoken to animals like that ever since she was a little filly. But the way it petted her and with those soft words, she wouldn't deny it was relaxing. Even if it was just a little.
“Yes...” Fluttershy whispered with her voice low enough for most creatures to hear it, and if not for her enhanced hearing, neither would she.
While petting Fluttershy's head she led her other hand under the frighten pony's chin, making her almost jump of the unexpected touch and gentle lifted her head up. Green eyes locked on hers of teal, her face within a hoof's length Fluttershy were forced to at her and nowhere else.
“I am so sorry, for frighting you last night. I do hope that you didn't walk around all day now, thinking about of our unfortunate… meeting, last night,” She said not as a question, but more as a consultation. “But you saw me at a rather, difficult time… but I were so thirsty that I could barely control myself.”
Fluttershy just stared at her, wide eyed as she spoke to her and was looking at her like she was waiting for her to do something. “…I'm sorry, I really didn't want to disrupt you in your… meal,” She said, tears threating to fall as her eyes began to water up.
The creature placed her hands on Fluttershy's checks, all the while trying to look as none frighting for the little pegasus as possible. “You don't have to apologize, it wasn't your fault that you saw that. And I am sorry for scaring you,” She said as she slowly let go of Fluttershy's checks, and looked at her with wonder in her green eyes. “My name is Marian, what is yours?”
“My name is Fluttershy,” She said breathlessly as she stared into the eyes of the beast, unable to look away didn't keep her fright away. “…what will you do to me?”
Marian frowned a little at her question before reminded herself that most mortals didn't knew of the supernaturals, and more often than not, when meeting one didn't know what to do. But then again, the first time she met a vampire, she died of the encounter. She smile a little of that sad memory.
“I do have a very simple and quite possible a, fun idea for us to do,” She said to the pegasus, which completely stopped breathing for a moment. “It does require that you take a seat where ever you are comfortable, some tea and a bit of biscuits.”
With that she rose and walked out the kitchen, and took the kettle, filled it with water and placed on the stove. Only to realize it is a old wood burning stove.
'Oh by the old ones,' She silently gasped at the realization, 'Why does it always have to be fire?' She gulped and took several deep breath, trying to ignore the fact that she have to play with fire. First placing the wood and paper inside the stove, and with a slight trembling hand taking the matches from the counter. Slowly taking one up, holding it she have done so many times before, and lit it. She gasped loudly and stared wide-eyed at the tiny flames at the end of the long match, trying to hold in her own fright. With a deep breath she slowly put it to the paper in the stove, and as soon the fire took hold she dropped the match and pulled her hand away as fast she could. Taking deep shaken breaths, trying to calm down again, not noticing the pony eying her from the door.
Fluttershy watched 'Marian' intensely as she didn't know what is was doing, and still scared of have such a predator in her little home. But she did see her reaction to the fire when it lit the match, and seeing it still looking at the fire behind the glass in the stove. It became clear for the element of kindness, that even a creature such as it, terrifying at what it can do. It was other and completely scared of the little fire.
'It has been nice to me, so far…' She thought as she watched it stand up and walk to the cupboards finding her large tea can and a infuser, and simply preparing the tea for the water in her teapot. 'I did see it last night in the forest, and it did save me from the manticore… in it own way. Wait did it bring me back here?' Fluttershy's eyes widen in realization that this being, not along saved her but also brought her home and all she have done to it, was shy away and treat it with disdain. She looked one last time at 'Marian' before turning and walking over to her couch, sitting down and silently waiting. 'Now that I think about it, she… yes, she sounds female. And with those curves on her, she must be. Kinda like a small minotaur.'
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I walked into the living room with the tray of tea, cups and biscuits that I have found. Taking it slowly as a certain pegasus is most likely still scared of me, but I hope to remedy that. After all, right now, she have information of this new strange place I have found myself in.
Putting the tray on the sofa table, and sat down in the armchair infront of the couch. I saw the yellow pegasus looking at me a little strange, she was inspecting my body from the couch. But not in the terms I am used to, with lust and desire... But with curiosity, like she seeing an entirely new creature. A crooked smile form on my face as little naughty ideas began to pop up in my head.
“Do you like what you see?” I said with a sultry tone in my voice, and stretched my arms over my head and swung a leg over the other. Showing of as much skin as possible while giving her a half-lidded look. “Or do you wish for me to bend over, so you can get a proper look.”
Fluttershy looked at me with confusion for half a minute before a light blush donned her face, and she hid herself behind her mane and fretted with her forehooves. 'By all the, that's so adorable,' I thought as I stopped by her cuteness. I have seen many things and being in my time, and only very few of them made me stop with what I was doing and hug it. I so wanna just jump over the table and hug her half to death, but then again it would just scare her more than I already do.
Fluttershy thought her blush as she tried to pick up the conversation it started. 'Just breath in and out, and in, and out,' She reminded herself, before looking at Marian pouring a cup for itself and sitting a full cup of tea infront of her. “Thank you,” She said quietly, taking the cup and inhaled the tea and felt the calming effect it had on her person. She took a sip of the lemon tea, and took a deep breath.
“…If you wouldn't mind, that is, if it is okay with you. What are, you?” The mare asked with a mix of fright and curiosity in the voice.
I took a sniff of my tea and settled in the chair again, this was going to be a long talk.
“I was a human, have you heard of them?” Her question answered when the pony shook her head. “Well, I was born a human, and I remained one until the day of my rebirth,” I took another sniff of the tea, 'oh, this is good,'. “I died many years ago, and then I became kindred,” I said while inhaling the smell of my tea, the being infront of me however looked at me like I have just said something completely ridiculous. “or more correctly, I am of Clan Gangrel.”
Fluttershy sat very still in her couch, trying to figure out just what she have just heard. “I'm sorry, but I think I heard you say you, umh… died?” She slowly said, quite unsure how to deal with all of this.
“Yes, I died 71 years ago. I was 29 when it happened, and for the rest of my undead life, I will look like the same as I did back then.” I sniffed to my tea again, and looked her over. She was a mess of confusion as she tried to understand.
She took a sip and asked, ”I'm sorry, but I don't really understand. You say words like human, kindred and gangreal?” Her voice are becoming closer to normal in volume, but she is still very timid.
“I was born a human, and then I became a vampire,” I cringed at the word, “we call ourself kindred, and I am Gangrel, one of many clans of vampires.”
The pegasus just stared at me with a shocked expression, “Do you mean like a 'vampony'?” She quietly asked, eyes still locked on me.
“Vampony? Is that a vampire pony?” I said as I thought how one might look like. 'I wonder if they are just as cute as this little thing here,' And just as she was opening her mouth I asked. “are there also ponies here? Are they too sapient?”
“W-why yes, there are many ponies, just in Ponyville… and yes, we are sapient,” A small frown disappear from her muzzle just as fast as it came, she felt a little offended by that question. “But, I have never seen a vampony before, or anypony else that I know of. I have only read about them in… certain books,” She hid herself again behind her mane, this time sporting a slight blush on her face.
“So, Ponyville. I can imagine that is a nearby town or of the like? And could you be so kind to tell me where I am? I'm… not familiar with this place.”
Taking a sip from her tea, she again looked at me. “Ponyville lies just about two miles from here, it's a little town with only… 400 ponies or so. Small, but very nice town with just as nice ponies. Four of my best friends live there, and another one lives a few miles out of town. But this is my home, and just next to us is the Everfree Forest.”
Fluttershy sat for a moment staring in her tea she sat with in her hooves, watching her own reflection. “I'm sorry,” Still watching down, “you have been nothing but kind to me and helping me, saving me. And I have only thought of you as some monster to eat me,” She looked at me, smiling a little.
“It's quite understandable, I would likely have reacted the same way,” I said while returning her smile.
She shook her head, “No, I don't believe that. You have been nothing but patient with me and helped me calm down, so I… thank you, for everything.”
We sat in silence for a while, enjoying each others company all in all listing to the animals around us sleeping lightly. Looking around in the room again, while thinking of what she told me. Quickly eying Fluttershy out of the corner of my eye, I saw her distracted by me. Or some places more than others, as her eyes lingered over my breasts and hips longer than the rest of me. 'oh, is she checking me out? or is she.'
“Can I, uhm, if it is okay with you? Can I ask you a few things?” She asked quietly while holding her teacup infront of her mouth, fearing to be heard. Her eyes lightened up when I nodded, she fretted with her hooves and mumble something that made her blush, but I heard it as I gave a crooked smile at her.
I stood up and slowly made my way over to the couch, dropping the towels I were naked as her and sat down next to her. Her blush deepened as she now stared at me, “You, heard me?” She asked again with a tiny voice, shocked that I heard her question and stunned that I apparently am willing.
“I did,” smiling at her. “It's only natural to be curious about things like that,” Winking at her while leaning a bit closer, and gave her a playful smile. “You can ask me all you want, you can touch me all, you, want,” I said as I glided my fingertips on her soft fur, making her blush spread wide and shake a little. “All I need is a little something in return.”
The mare gulped as I said the last part and began to sweat a little. “An-and what is that?” She nervously asked.
My smile widened a little, showing of a bit of my teeth. “I would like to drink your blood, dear.”
Her expression turned from shock to that of fear in an instant, her body tensed up as I got a bit closer to her. “Don't you worry about my kisses, I know to control myself, and I won't drain you,” I got right next to her ear, still caressing her neck with my hands. “No need to fear, you will not turn from a the bite. In fact, it will feel nice, like a lovers touch.”
With that I opened my mouth, and slowly entered my fangs into her. Hearing her whimper for a moment before it turned to moaning, the mare in my arms hugged me closer and I felt her wings spurt open while her body twisting slightly in pleasure. My mind went blank for a second when her sweet, lovely blood rolled over my tongue. I have never tasted the crimson drink like this before, it's so full of flavor that it could easily put all else I have tried to shame. I slowed down my feeding, and not wanting to end this. It was simply euphoric.
I never want this to end, the pleasure of the blood, the forever presence of thirst being quenched, but like anything else it have to end. I pulled out my fangs once I had my fill from her, licking the wound in her neck to get the few droplets I have missed and watched as the wound closed together. I sat with the pony in my lap, her head resting on my chest snoring softly, I chuckled as I saw she was drooling down her cheek. 'Must have felt real good for her,' I thought as I picked her up and walked to her bedroom. The wooden floor giving out soft moan as I step up the stairs to her bedroom, and enter to see the little bunny sleeping in it's little bed and walked silently over to Fluttershy's bed. I tucked her in under the blankets, and made sure that she comfortable before finding paper and a pen. I need to see this town that she have spoken of in our brief conversation, but not before leaving a note if she does happen to wake up this night.
Before heading of the little home, I dumped my blood dried clothes in a bucket filled with soap and water in the bathroom, and quickly cleaned after my bath as I didn't have the time for it before now. 'It would be impolite to just leave a mess for others to deal with,' I smiled when I walked out the door knowing the little sweet creature don't have to clean after me, I may need her help if I want to live in this world comfortably.
'The moon is out, big, full and beautifully shining next to the stars. It's pale light bathing all under it, shielding it from the darkness that lies in the shadows. The fear, the paranoia and the monsters waiting for whoever to step off the path of the known, and forever going down the spiral of the base and vile,' I love that phrase, my shire told me that more than once. I love the moon, it is my guide and my light. One of the few things that reminds me not to go the way of the beast, even when I'm ready to fall of the edge and lose myself.
I closed my eyes and slowly exhaled, while willing the blood within me to do as I want. Imagine myself smaller, lighter, wings with dark feathers, I felt myself change rapidly to the smallest of my own forms. I opened my eyes and blinked a few times, seeing as a falcon is always disorientating the first few minutes. I spread my wings and set for the sky, feeling the strong wind pushing against my frame. The very feeling of flying is always exhilarating, fly, glide and fall through the wind. But now, I have a town to see.
In the town of Ponyville sat a dark falcon with bright green eyes in a tree, and watched the ponies that entered the unnecessary loud nightclub utterly excited. There were not only pegasus in this world, but unicorns as well, and a bit surprised to see normal ponies among them. But she couldn't really complain, for not only is this world so different from her own, that she could travel many decades before her appetite for excitement will be sated. But also these new, interesting, tasty creatures of fable that she couldn't wait to meet more of all to soon.
The only thing between the music that could wake up the new dawn and the world, was one door with a bulky looking stallion standing next to it. Marian have been to many of these raves in her time along with many other kindred, most of them being older than most mortals, many of them have always complained about the music and the rude mortals along with everything else. She never said anything to them.
Once she have taken her Sire with her to a rave to feed, and she knew from the moment they entered that he hated it with his whole being. She never spoke up when her sire began to talk ill of the place and only find faults, she could only nod and agree with him as they left. In hope that he wouldn't dislike her for leading him to such a place, or worse, lose the respect that he had for her.
For truth is she have always liked the chaos of a rave, the random touching, kissing and lusting of drug and drunken minds. The first time she went to such a party herself were so overwhelming that she couldn't help but find it enticing and intriguing. The very environment of such places, the closeness with others, the movement, and how easy it is to isolate one in the middle of a crowd of hundreds. The perfect feeding grounds. She secretly loved it.
'Should I, or should I not?' Marian contemplated with herself if she should enjoy the rave and just have a good time, or she should leave it alone and see the rest of the town. 'It would be easy to walk around in the town and see all the sights, even as myself… But still, how many times can I say that I have partied with sapient ponies and mythical creatures?' If the falcon could smile, it would grin from ear to ear.
Spreading her wings and gliding down behind a house, she did a quick look around to ensure that nobody was there before changing her form once more. Concentrating on the blood, the taste of it, the feeling and the form and shape of the being it came from, she felt herself change rapidly. She closed her eyes and just focused on the power within her, just let it form her in the ways that felt natural. Always trying to ignore that it felt weird, that the body molded itself to a different form. But without the powers her sire taught her, she would have been truly lost in a world of murder, blood and deception.
Feeling the transformation complete she began to walk towards the nightclub, wondering how these ponies are acting normally. But if it is even close to what she is used to, it would be fun. A wide smile on her face and a little skip in her step, she almost hopped along the road on four legs.
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The bouncer stood tall like any guard would, proud and with an bored expression on his features denying a under aged pony access to the nightclub. Didn't even flinch when the filly tried to soften him with the known poppy eyed and trembling lips look that all mares he ever met apparently knows how to do.
Infront of the door to the establishment stood Stone Bell. The light-grey coloured earth pony that Mr. Rich had hired a few years back of the sole looks of him, and were only more than happy to realize that he was a former night-guard. Most ponies are afraid of Stone Bell because of the scars that he carry with pride, each of them earned on the field of battle in order to protect the land of Princess Celestia and now Princess Luna. But the one scar that others notice the most are the large claw mark over his left eye, going from brow to muzzle. He had let his black mane grow out in order to hide the scar, but a mark so large is not easy to hide even with a mane long enough to pass as a mare's. The eye once green as freshly cut grass like the other was rendered useless by a Timberwolf, turning it dull and white and thus ending his career in the night-guard.
Quickly going through the line of ponies wanting to enter the club, his eyes went wide and his smile turned upwards from who he saw infront of him. One of the very few ponies in this town that did not fear him when she first saw him, but instead helped him accept his disability an live with It.
“Miss Fluttershy, it's nice to see you again,” Stone Bell said smiling for the first time that evening. “I didn't thought of you to be a raver?”
“uhm, I like to go out to have fun, even if is just once and awhile,” She said quietly, looking at him with eyes that walked over his large muscular body. Taking it all it, her sight saw his scars under his fur, all from small cuts to long claw marks. Stone Bell saw a coy little smile on her as she rather stealthy looked him over, so subtle he almost didn't see it.
“Well, I better head on in,” Fluttershy said while walking past him, and into the nightclub.
He looked over his shoulder after her with wide eyes as he realized that she have been checking him out, not like a friend as he is used to from her and some of the mares that he knows. Her eyes had a hungry look in them, like a predator eying it's prey.
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As I walked through the double-doors I was assaulted by sound, light and energy. The entryway was simple in design with a wardrobe with a pony standing, and a door next and another door opposite it, with markings on them indicating restrooms. I walked past them to yet another set of doors, and colourful smiling ponies talking to each other surrounding me. I felt the music through the door, and pushed them open.
It was a large circular room with six pillars in a circle holding the roof, within the circle was the dance floor right infront of the DJ booth. Outside the tables and chairs were spread around with space between them, in order so ponies can ether talk in privacy or could dance in the space. The bar was the longest bar I have ever seen, it started just a few feet after the entry and circled the room, with that sole exception of the DJ booth where it stopped but continued again right after. I looked around and saw a staircase with a guard infront of it going up to a second level, most likely a VIP area. Always nice to know the ways of a building, where things go and such, especially exits. I look around the room on my way over to the bar, and I see no other exits apart from the front door.
'Can't be right, there most be some emergency exits just in case. It would be beyond thoughtless if there's not-uff,' I was abruptly pulled out of my thoughts as I walked into someone. “I so sorry, I wasn't looking were I going,” I said apologetic at a pale violet pegasus.
She looked at me and her eyes went wide in surprise. “Fluttershy? I didn't think that partying were your thing,” She said with a frown while she wiped on a wet-spot on her chest with a hoof.
I looked down and saw a empty cup with a it's spilled content around it, and noticed that she must have spilled it over herself when I bumped into her.
“Did I do that? I'm sorry,” I asked and got a little closer to her, and hooked a hoof around her leading her to a restroom. “Come, lets get that off of you.”
We quickly past the partying crowd and entered the restroom, probably the only mares only room in the building. I led her over to the sinks with with a nice surprise they use proper towels, that lay next to the sinks. I grabbed one and started to wipe the wet-spot off her.
“Fluttershy!” She started, “You don't need to do this, I am fine by wiping this off myself,” She said and looked around, noticing that they were alone.
“Nonsense, I made you wet and I will take care of that for you. Now please stand still,” Not noticing what I just say until after a few seconds. Looking up from her chest I saw the pony blushing, her cheeks burning red like fire. “I, didn't mean it like that…”
“Oh, are you sure that you didn't mean it?” She asked me with a coy voice, while strikes a seductive pose for me. “I would love if, as you said, 'took care of me'.”
My eyes got a little bigger, all in all cursing myself not for looking into 'Fluttershy' memories. 'It would be so more easy, if I knew who she knows.'
She giggled and smiled at me and went back to a normal stance. “It's okay, I know what you meant and it just came out wrong,” Her smile widen a little, and she looked at me with a playful smile. “But I am so gonna tell my sister about this, she would kill me if I didn't.”
“Oh, so who is your sister? If you don't mind me asking? I returned her smile.
“Her name is Cloudchaser, she my older sister with nearly a year,” She leaned in bit closer to me. “Don't tell her I said this, but I know that she would absolutely love to meet you,” The way she drawled out the world 'love' made me smile a little wider.
“That sounds nice, to have a sister that you're close to,” I put the towel away, finished with cleaning her.
“It is, but at times it can get a bit much, you know?”
“I know...” I still remember my own family, luckily still have their face clear in my mind. My father, my mother, brother and sister. I remember so many happy and sad moments with them that for a short moment I forgot I was with someone. “… but it's been a long time since I have seen them, we live far from each-other.”
She nodded, understanding that sometimes family couldn't be together as much as they want to. Either because of work, distance or of some other reasons.
“So,” She started, while hinting to the door. “Do you want to come and dance with me and my sister? I bet she wondering where I am by now.”
I looked at her with a sly smile. “To that same sister of yours that would love to meet me?” She nodded shyly while a little blush rose on her cheeks as I asked. “and I hope that you can stop her from loving to much, right?” I said with a hint and a seductive wave of my tail.
I didn't even end my sentence before she started to stutter, and not knowing how to word a reply. Her face deep red from the mental picture, and panicky waving her hooves infront of her before stopping dead cold looking at me with her mouth agape when she heard me start giggling.
“Ha ha, very funny,” She pouted, and turned around and led us back to the dance floor, ever a slight blush and a smile on her features.
Cloudchaser sat at a table next to the dance floor with two full drinks looking around with a worried expression, before her eyes finally setting on her sister moving towards her.
“Flitter, where have you been? I've been waiting for you,” Cloudchaser said to her little sister with a small frown.
Flitter sat down next to her sister and gave her a quick nuzzle, and a apologetic look. “I'm sorry, but Fluttershy here-” She said while pointing her hoof at me, and Cloudchaser ears perk right up and look at me with a snap. “-bumped into me, causing me to spill my drink all over myself. She took me to the restrooms and helped me clean up. So no worries about me,” She reached out and took one of the drinks infront of her, sipping to her drink like nothing was wrong trying to hide her smirk. Cloudchaser however, were like a deer in headlights. Opening her mouth and closing it again, not knowing what to say and eyes flickering over me.
“Fluttershy. I, uhh, didn't know that you came… it's a surprise,” The pony said as she got her bearings together.
I giggled while sitting infront of them. “So everyone keep telling me, is it really so surprising that I'm here? If so, then I need to get out more,” I said as I looked her at Flitter's sister. Cloudchaser, supposedly she have feelings for this body. I smiled at her as I tried to figure out what I should do now. 'I could do with a bit more blood before morning, but seeing all of these ponies here under the influence of alcohol it would do perfectly to get a buzz. But I wanna talk to all of these colourful creatures of fable… I can do both,' I thought to myself, just in time to hear the persian blue coloured pegasus.
“Well, yes. We know that your friend Rainbow Dash and someponies else have asked you many times if you wanted to party, and each time you told them no, telling them that it wasn't your thing. So yeah, I am a bit surprised to see you here.”
'Oh Fluttershy dear,' I thought to myself with disappointment swilling up in me. 'your poor poor girl, not even confident enough to go to a rave.'
“Well, yes, I never really had the time because- ” 'Damn it,' I silent cursed at my situation, as I desperately tried to remember just one thing about her that I could use as a possible lie. She is a quiet girl, a little introvert, caretaker of some sort and have a lot of animals… 'lets go with that,' “-the animals I take care of needs me most of my time,” praying that my choice of excuse is believable.
Cloudchaser just nods, and sips of her drink. “Anyway, I'm glad you came. So, ready to party hard tonight?” She gave a smile with the question.
“Yeah, let's party,” I said, and the two ponies infront of me drank their drinks in one gulp and slammed the glasses onto the table. We stood up and moved over to the dance floor, which where full of ponies at this point.
The beat from the music is like a heartbeat, pulsating through the air and giving life to all that it touches. The lighting flashing in colours around us, vibrant, moving and forever changing in perfect harmony to the beat. The smell of the dancers around, sweat and liquor. The moves of the ponies radiating more than just happy drunkenness as some dances within inches of each-other, small sultry looks, inviting sweeps of tails telling more than any what said ponies wanted. Including my own dancing partner as she clearly told with unspoken words, that she lusted for this body.
I can smell it, her buzz from her drinks, her heat rising because of her desires and her heart beating faster and faster as I work my way with her. No words needed for this, only a few subtle moves.
I moved away a little, never breaking eye contact with her and gave her the best come-hither look I could muster. I want her somewhere more private than the dance-floor, so I start leading her over to a empty sofa in one of the corners. I take a glance over my shoulder and see her still following me, a smirk on her face and her cheeks blushing. No doubt what might going through her thoughts, not that I mind at all but I will be the one enjoying this the most.
Sitting on the sofa, cuddling in the dark lit corner. Along from the other ponies of the club, distracting themselves with the rave. The music blasting through the room deafening most other sounds, the bass still beating heavy enough that it could restart my heart. A kiss placed on her lips, a nipple on her neck, a touch on her cheek that burns more and more with each sweet nothing whispered in her ear. Moans escaping from her ever so often as I simulate her either with kisses or by touch.
I place my lips on hers as I move to her privates, the wet slickness of her lips are more than inviting me in. To go on and gently caress her lust infused state of mind, further indulgence her need for pleasure. The sheer heat from her was intense, like a fire claiming a forest. She let out a long moan in my mouth as I played with her delicate lips, drawing long strokes and when touching her pearl just a little. Her breath hitched and her entire body shuttered, as if she just came very close to climax.
I chuckled at her and cooed into her ear. “You want to cum, don't you?” Breathlessly she nodded, while gasping for air like after a hard run. “you wait a little dear, and when I say so-” I nippled her ear making her moan. “- I will reward you, okay?”
She didn't even get the chance to say yes when I gave her another stroke with the tip of my hoof, a little more forcefully as her lips parted and showed her soft pink flesh. Each time harder than the last, and added a little rhyme into it. She let out muffled moans as she hold her hoofs over her mouth, so no would hear them if they were close enough. Her body twitched and kicked as she kept herself on the edge with my little treatment of her, even after I changed to another technique and now was massaging her clit. I pulled her into a kiss, and I can feel her want to cum as she breathing rapidly and twitching from my touches. I move my muzzle to her ear, and can feel my fangs come out. “Go on Sweetie, you can cum now,” I said with a lustful anticipation as I attacked her clit and and sank my fangs into her, sending her over the edge and into the world of bliss that she waited for.
She closed her eyes and bite down on her lip hard enough draw blood. Trying not to scream out loud into the club in pure ecstasy as she being hoofed by everyone to see, if they just turned a watchful eye to a darkened corner. 'Ah Yes, this is. Amazing,' The blood, so hot and intoxicating carrying Cloudchaser's emotions with her sweet loving nectar and into me.
The crimson vital liquid, slowly rolling down my throat. That was more than enough to send myself into climax, sending my long dead nerves a overdose of pleasure. My entire body shakes and twists as I feel her orgasm convulse inside of me, and my mind goes blank for seconds before returning to consciousness, only for it happens as many times as the mare between my teeth. 'By the old ones, I needed this,' I thought as I moaned loudly into her neck as my grip tightens on the persian blue pegasus as I relish in her lifeblood.
Panting, moaning and grinding myself against her form, I try to get closer to my blissful partner like she's a big warm comforting teddybear. Like a lecherous wolf I push her down on the sofa so I lie over her, guarding her body with my own like a beast eating it's prey. I slow down my sucking as I want to draw this out as long as I can, savor every lick of the red essence that pumps my being full of emotions that I so desperately wanted.
The minutes draws out and all too soon, I slowly pull out my bite hoping that the taste will last longer than a fast exit. I look at my ever so lovely two hole fang mark on her upper neck, and I look over at her face. Passed out and with a big smile on her muzzle, it brought me to giggle at the sight. 'They are so cute. If it wasn't because these ponies were sapient I would keep them myself,' I think as I just looked at her face. Lovely and peaceful, her mind with no doubt still filled up with endorphins that will leave with her long after she wakes up.
One just want to lay here, snuggle and bask in the comfort of what is warmth. To hear their little hearts beat slow and hypnotic, feel their chest expand as they breathing in air. It's all so… calm. But atlas, the dead never tire. I lick the puncture marks and feel them close under my tongue, and start to move away when I notice little bit a blood on her lips coming from a small cut.
'The poor dear, biting herself in climax-' I move in again. '-let me take care of that for you,' I bite my cheek hard and can taste my own blood. Her cut heals fast as I lick my bloodied tongue over her lip, and I clean up any remaining blood on her and my own face, and look at my handiwork. “Clean as you can be.”
The alcoholic blood was working in me, slowly and nicely got me more and more drunk. Making me even trip over my hooves while I was dancing with a cream coloured stallion. Baffled that I was sitting on the floor I began to giggle as the stallion help me up, asking me if I was okay.
I look at him, “Uhh, yes. I am, quite fine,” I giggle. “But how did I end on the floor,” I said slurred with a smile.
He started to pull me with him away from the other ponies dancing, and sat me at a table and left for the bar saying something about drinks. I don't sit long, I think as he come back with two drinks on a small tray on his back. ' That, I must learn how to do, it looks useful.'
“and so I pick you up and placed you here,” He finished telling. My eyes shot open, I didn't even realize that he had placed a drink in front of me, or that he sat and told me how I fell. 'Oh alcohol, what wondrous things that happens when we meet,' I think, not really paying attention to his little advances on how lovely my form is. “So, how about the two of us head back to my place so we get to know each other?” He asked expectantly, making it sound like it was the best idea anyone have said tonight.
Looking at him I couldn't help chuckle a little. It's the way men get a little too desperate I find amusing, not in a cruel way but they tend to sound like children asking for a toy. 'Well, compared to my age they might as well be,' I thought with my smile creeping upward. “That sound like fun-” He smiled hearing that. “-but the night is still early, and I'm far from having fun this night. So I have to say no,“ His smile dropped and his head looking down, apparently not what he had expected.
Almost feeling sorry for the guy I lean over the table getting closer to him, and gives him as cheeky smile. “You know, you are an attractive stallion,” His head snapped right up again, making me giggle of his reaction. “look around us-” I waved a hoof out to the many ponies on the floor, his eyes following. “-there are many mares in here tonight, as a quite a few stallions,” I say still able to smell the heat of many of them, and the smell of alcohol on all of them. “And even though I don't want to know you a bit more at the moment. I am sure many others would be happy to, and maybe you will have a, happy night,” Saying the last bit with a little more seductive voice. I pulled out from the table as I didn't give the stallion a chance to say anything, and went back to the dance floor ready to mingle some more.
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The night was going well, and fast for the ravers but for one it went a little to fast as she fell down from the barstool. A mare blue with rainbow mane and tail laying on the floor, not knowing how she got there she looked around.
“Dude, wh- why is everything, upside down?” She said in a slurred voice, her legs sticking up in the air, before gravity got hold of her legs and tilted over to her side. Noticing the bartender and the two stallions laughing their flanks off, she simply looked at them with a confused expression. “What's so funny?”
This only made it better for the stallions, as they roared in laughter and had to use the bar as support in order to stay upright. “Thats because my dear Rainbow Dash, you are on the floor,” A soft kind voice spoke up, one that Rainbow knew better than anyone else. She turned her head towards the voice. There stood her first friend, holding a yellow hoof out to her. A little smile on her muzzle and a glint in her eye, as she looked down at the fallen pegasus.
“Flutters,” Rainbow slurred with a grin and reached out with her own hoof, getting a hold of her friend as Fluttershy pulled her up on her hooves. Rainbow Dash brought a hoof up and ran it through her hair, only to loose balance and stumble to her left. Again a laughter could be heard behind her as the stallions clearly wasn't done having fun at her expense and she sent a glare their way before looking back at Fluttershy. “Sup' Flutters, good to see you. It'-s been, a while,” She said trying to make her eyes look straight. But right now it's hard to do that and think, and speak.
'Fluttershy' smiled at her 'friend' as she helped Rainbow not stumble over her own steps as she lead her to a table, but not before Rainbow got another mug of cider with her. Really happy that Marian decided to shift through the memories of the real Fluttershy, something she knew she should do before coming here, but due to her impatience to mingle with a new race, didn't.
She had to 'disappear' for about an hour because the ponies here wanted to chat her up, buy her drinks or dance with her. All of them she could hear an hint of want, and even with some of them she could smell a faint scent of lust. One cannot concentrate throughout memories of another if distractions keep popping up, as they did with that one stallion that asked for a dance. One little lick around her mouth was all it took, surprised and entertained at the sudden raising and at his face as he quickly made his way out.
As they sat she could feel eyes following them as if someone actively watching them, she had that feeling before tonight but just couldn't place where it come from. There's to many ponies to single out from all of them, but now it felt like more sets of eyes are spying them from afar.
“Yes it has been some time, looking to all the animals is a little rough at this time a year because they are getting grumpy and tired. The bears and badgers have already gone into hibernation, and many of the others are ready to sleep the winter away.”
Rainbow nodded as she tried to hear what her friend says, but it was damn hard when not four minutes ago she slammed 8 shots of Apple Farm's finest vodka in a challenge and fell down her stool. So she nodded and tried to look attentive.
Rainbow didn't have the easiest of weeks. All week she didn't have a weather partner as she normally had. They swift teams and sectors every week, so nopony ever flies alone or get bored of the same area, but somehow, somepony messed up and Rainbow were left without a partner. She knew the sector well as it was around the Apple farm, but it was still hard work. Every time she bucked a storm cloud out of the sky she has to be careful, because even if ponykind is resistant to lighting and electricity she will still be paralyzed for some time if hit by lighting. so every time she had to buck a rogue storm cloud away she had to do over a hay-pile just to be sure that she had something soft to land on. So, yeah. Rainbow wanted to get drunk after a week of hard, dangerous solo flying work that apparently wasn't enough for the weather manager.
“Buck the manager,” Rainbow mumbled to herself as she thought back at her week, not paying attention to Fluttershy's talking.
“I'm sorry for hearing that dear,” The disguised vampire said with a little smile on her face, trying to mimic what Fluttershy would say. Making Rainbow snap her head right back at her. “Rough day at work?”
Rainbow sighed and put her front hooves over her eyes. “If it only was one day… I have been flying solo on weather duty, All Week,” She led out another sigh. ”Not, that I can't handle it, it's just hard work you know,” She lifted her mug and took a mouthful of cider, before sighing and slammed the mug onto the table, making some of it spill over.
“I can only imagine,” Marian cooed as she knows exactly what the blue coloured mare is taking about. Too many times the vampire have been forced to work alone and times over she proved herself to her Sire when he needed anything doing. It was tedious work, but very rewarding. And with the pain that most of her missions gave her, pleasure came eventually. “So, what do you what to do?”
Rainbow sat and looked from her drink to Fluttershy, as a thought entered her drunken mind and she smiles with a wolfish grin. “I want, to drink, and you are gonna' drink with me. Shot. For. Shot.”
Rainbow have known Fluttershy ever since before flightshool, and she knows how timid the yellow pegasus is, and how much she dislike to drink the way Rainbow do. And as she waited for the frown and the talk about responsible drinking, and the suggests that Rainbow should go home and sleep. Fluttershy little smile went a little wider, so it mirrored the evil grin that Rainbow was sporting the thought of ruffling her feathers. “Of course Sweetie, I would love to drink with you,” She said slowly, downright sultry-like as the speedster had ever heard. Making even her wings twitch involuntarily with the way she said that, and the way Fluttershy looks at her is like a predator eyeing her prey, playing with if before the kill.
The night were beginning to come to a close, and within the hour the sun would rise to greet all who walked in it's light. Many would awake and start their day anew, but for some they were headed for bed. Like two colourful pegasus's that opened the door to a very familiar cottage a little while out from Ponyville. A very drunk Rainbow Dash have more or less been slung over 'Fluttershy's' back as she were too intoxicated to walk or let alone be awake, she have tried to stay awake but had lost her battle as soon they stepped outside of the last bar of the night.
As quiet as she could with hooves, Marian walked over to the couch and gently lay Rainbow down on it before covering her up with a heavy blanket to keep her warm. As she turned to rest herself in the plant a low whine came from Rainbow, looking back at her Marian could see the pegasus's face frown and a leg kicking out from under the blanket.
Softly she put a hoof on Rainbow's head and started petting her for a little while. It helped a little with her frantic sleeping, but she was still twitching and mumbling in her drunk state of mind. Marian looked at her like she would with a child that have a bad dream and couldn't find rest like she have done so many times before. She took a breath and started to sing this little pony to rest as she slowly changed back to her own form.
Lay down your head and I'll sing you a lullaby
Back to the years of loo-li lai-lay
And I'll sing you to sleep and I'll sing you tomorrow
Bless you with love for the road that you go
May you sail far to the far fields of fortune
With diamonds and pearls at your head and your feet
And may you need never to banish misfortune
May you find kindness in all that you meet
May there always be angels to watch over you
To guide you each step of the way
To guard you and keep you safe from all harm
Loo-li, loo-li, lai-lay
Rainbow had a small smile on her face as she no longer was twitching, and her breathing light and calm. Marian brushed her multicolored hair away from Rainbows eyes, smiling as she remembered a life before this she have now. But long ago she decided that who she was back then and who she is now isn't two different beings, but one.
Marian decided that even with killing, she could be kind. In the darkest of nights, she could still seek out the light. For every bad deed she needed to do, many more good ones would needed to be done. A little act of kindness here, a truthful gesture there, and a whole heart to guide her through the evil she carries.
She leaned down and kissed Rainbow on her forehead like a mother would her child before walking off to her plant. One last look out of the window she the dark blue sky slowly turn brighter, she smiled as she became the very dirt that was her resting place.
Author's Note
Hey everybody, I am sorry this took so damn long to come out, but here it is. (At long last). Hope you enjoy.
Song fund here.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2xnPSRSSzU
A certain pegasus stirred in her bed as morning came and the sunlight shines through her windows. She slept so wonderfully that even the thought of getting out of her warm comfortable bed is almost a crime in itself. But now that her mind is already beginning to wake up and her little friends would need breakfast soon enough, so sluggish she her legs out off her bed and stood for a few seconds before stretching out her legs and wings much like a cat would do.
Walking down the stairs she noticed the sound of snoring from her living room, and immediately she stopped dead in her tracks as she knew Harry the bear was still hibernating for another three months.
'Oh no, somepony is in my house. What if it somepony dangerous, like a thief or somepony scary,” She panic-struck thought to herself, thinking back and forth to what to do. She calmed herself after a few minutes of standing halfway down the stairs, and she ever so silently walked down the stairs. Looking from the steps in into the living room with bated breath Fluttershy looked carefully after the continuing snoring. She gasped after she saw something on her couch move, and froze for a second before with small steps walking over to the sleeping being in her house. Only to find her old friend Rainbow Dash laying on the couch, Fluttershy let out a breath that she didn't knew she had held and felt an huge weight disappear from her mind.
'She looks so tired, I think I'll let her sleep for now. Maybe she likes something to eat once she wakes up,' Giggling at little to herself for she knows Rainbow Dash is not a morning pony, and thinking about once or twice Fluttershy have seen her waking up before she was ready. It's quite the amusing spectacle but she will never tease her about it… much. Handling the salad that she were making for breakfast for Rainbow and herself she stopped, thinking for little more than second about what just happen. 'How did Rainbow get in here? I better wake her up and ask her… once I'm done making our food.'
She put the tray with food on the table and walked over to her friend and slowly started to wake her up. “Rainbow Dash… are you awake? I made some food if you want some,” The sleeping mare didn't respond to the question, so Fluttershy puts a hoof to Rainbow's shoulder and softly shaking her. That only responded with the partied out mare to trying to slap Fluttershy's hoof away, but only to miss and hit the floor with a slight bump. The prismatic pegasus mumble something to whatever was disturbing her and rolled over on her other side, trying to escape the entity annoying her slumber.
“Rainbow, I made breakfast if you want some,” She asked timidly.
This only got a muffled grunt out of Rainbow Dash as she shove her face further into the couch. “Flutters, we had a long night and I'm tired, just let me sleep for a few and I'll be up.”
“What do you mean with 'we had a long night? Rainbo-.”
“Flutters,” The halfsleeping pegasus groaned. “Please, later.”
Fluttershy backs away a little looking down, “O-okay, I'll be back later,” She quietly said and went back to the table and started eating the food that she made, all the while thinking about who Rainbow meant by 'we'. So after breakfast she went though the little cottage looking for other ponies, thinking they might be hungry as well. But after a short search showing on others than Rainbow and herself she went back to the living room. Seeing her friend fast asleep with a bad case of bedmane that would give Rarity a nightmare and a thin line of drool going down of Rainbow's chin onto the pillow. She cooed at the sight. It's rare moments like this when Fluttershy could see how adorable other ponies are. She heard a chipping from her hooves and looked down. Angel standing there with a camera.
“Oh Thank you Angel,” She said quietly and took the camera, took a picture and gave it back to Angel who hopped away upstairs.
'Well, I better get the day started,' She thought and walked into the kitchen to prepare the food for the animals that are awake. After a half an hour of feeding her little friends she went out in her little garden to do weeding, in Fluttershy's garden is a small variable of herbs and vegetables that she uses often so make tea and small remedies to soothe pain and heal bruises and small cuts. She is no doctor nor shaman but she knows a little about making salves.
She was done close to noon when she sat at her dining table with a cup of tea. Relaxing at the sweet smell from her warm drink and listening to the silence that every now and then being interrupted by the sounds coming from within the old cottage. Sitting there with her eyes closed, sipping to her tea and just being in peace in the early morning light shining through her windows.
That was when she heard of hoofs slowly and clumsily coming closer. She didn't have to look to know who it is, as she turned her head with a small smile on her muzzle she looked at her friend take a seat infront of her. “Flutters, morning,” The colourful pegasus muffled voice came from the table, as she sat with her front hooves out infront of her.
Fluttershy giggled a little from the view. “Hello Rainbow Dash, do you want a cup of tea and something to eat?”
That got a groan out of the speedster. “Coffee would be better, and yes please,” Which Fluttershy nodded and went into the kitchen, sat the kettle on and came out with the food from earlier and placed it on the table. Rainbow however, in her tired state of existence manages to pull her face from the table and grab the bowl of salad and start eating it. All the while Fluttershy walking to and from the kitchen with coffee another cup of tea for herself.
“How do you do it?” Rainbow Dash asked her friend as she sat down.
Looking confused, Fluttershy merely tilted her head to the side. “What do you mean?”
“You know what I mean. We were out drinking last night and I Know we both got trashed, or I think so… I kinda passed out somewhere early in the morning and woke up here. But how did we get here?” Rainbow rested her head on a hoof with her elbow on the table. Less strength for her to use to keep her head from slamming into the table.
The quiet pegasus blinked. “I'm sorry Rainbow, but I don't know how you got here either. But I were not out drinking last night. You know I don't like drinking like you do.”
Rainbow looked up from her bowl with a flower half eaten hanging from her mouth. “What do you mean you weren't out drinking last night? You found me at the club last night, remember?” She asked her with a slight rise in her voice. “Wait… You didn't drink so much that you forgot the entire night? I hope you didn't, because last night was like, Awesome.”
Fluttershy just shook her head slightly, thinking about how this came to be. An entire night lost and Rainbow Dash claiming she where out partying, most unlikely. “Rainbow… let's say I don't remember, can you tell me what happened?”
Rainbow snorted in amusement and nodded. “Yeah, I can tell you. You were like an entire new Fluttershy, so like, anypony else. Know what I mean?” Fluttershy shook her head. “Well, after you found me at Rich's place the party really started. I would never have expected it from you, Pinkie Pie yeah, but not from you. Some stallions wanted to get to know us a bit better and you challenged them to a drinking contest,” Rainbow stopped for a break to eat. “Anyway, before you know it. Bam, the entire club watch you drink five big stallions under the stable on Old Apple Jack.”
Fluttershy at this moment just stares wide eyed at her colourful friend, not moving a bit. Completely daft struck at her so called achievements the night before, and not only Rainbow saw her drinking, but a lot of ponies did so too. Without her knowing it.
“So after the last one goes down everypony cheers, and you simply walk out for a minute only to come back in looking like a boss. It was, Awesome. Well we ditched the club and moved on, so we first found Old Oak's pub were we got in a, tiny amount of trouble.”
Rainbow took a long sip from her coffee. She put the cup back down with a loud knock on the hardwood table and let out a long deep sigh. Fluttershy almost too reluctant to ask. “What happened then?” Rainbow just looked at her and sighed with her shoulders slumped.
“Well, Let's just say that you might have made a little uprising out back with one of the mare working there and her coltfriend weren't all that happy about it, so you kinda…” She mumble too low for the shocked and horrified pegasus to hear.
“Rain- Rainbow Das-h,” Fluttershy stammered out. “What, happened?”
Rainbow tried to look anywhere else than into Fluttershy's eyes. “You know what, maybe it for a reason that you don't remember, right?” She looked at her friend with a nervous smile. She just got a pleading look and sighed in defeat. She never could say no to her. “… the coltfriend slapped you over the muzzle for getting frisky with his mare,” Fluttershy gasped and put her hooves over her muzzle. “I was beyond angry with him and was 'this' close to kick his butt,” She lifts up her hooves and moved them together until there was no space left between them.
“But I didn't get the chance to because you did it instead,” She said and took a sip of her coffee. “You simply laughed and knocked him across the room like he was a toy, I have never seen that side off you before. It's like you were somepony else, wild and free. Doing only what you wanted,”
Fluttershy was visibly shaking from the story she just heard and a few tears roll down her cheeks, dripping of her chin and the small droplets staining the table. Rainbow immediately sprang up and rushed over to her side. Draping a wing over her shoulders and slowly pulling her in for a hug. The crying pegasus succumbed to the need of comfort and softly whimpered in Rainbow's shoulder. “There, there,” Rainbow said while patting Fluttershy's back. “It isn't all bad, you did stand up for yourself. You should be proud,” She said with a little smile, trying to be comforting. The yellow pony sniffled and looked at her with puffy eyes. “Like… after when we found that bar with karaoke. I never heard you sing before but you got a amazing voice,” Fluttershy sniffled again and new tears crept in her eyes. “Or, or when we drank till the early morning and… that's when I passed out and woke up here. He he, sorry, you must have carried me here.”
“I… don't remember an-y of it,” Fluttershy said through her hiccups and tears streaming down her face. She tried to steady herself and take a few deep breaths, as it worked only a little. “All I remem-ber is that, I was here. Being sca-red. While she made tea in my kitchen…”
Rainbow frowned hearing that, that her best friend was scared in her own home, but. “Flutters, who is she? Who was here last night?”
“Marian… she were the one who saved me in the forest a few nights ago. She spoke to me last night, and I feel she means well but she scared me so much that…” She drove off into a blank stare. “I never seen any creature like her, but something is wrong with her,” She sniffled and wiped the tears away.
“Fluttershy, I swear if she made you do anything against your will I will make sure she will-” Rainbow started, anger clear in her voice and her body tensed ready to fight anypony even trying anything.
“NO,” Fluttershy interrupted her. “Please, she saved me and she might be scary, but I believe she means nopony harm. It is just, I was scared when she was in my house in the middle of the night. I were so afraid that she might eat me,” Rainbow's eyes went from angry to shocked in a heartbeat. “but she comforted me, like I do when my animal friends are scared… she made me at ease, made us tea and talked to me. Then she...” She traced a hoof to her neck, to the place where Marian bit her. Even with no marks, only perfect smooth skin under her fur. She could still feel the bliss from the bite.
“Fluttershy… is 'Marian'-” Rainbow Dash said confused, angry, worried and happy at the same time. “-a pony? What do you mean when you said she saved you and of there is anything wrong with her?”
Fluttershy bit her lip and pulled out of the hug and sat beside her friend. “No, she something I have never seen or heard of before. Not even Twilight have heard of her kind when I spoke to her yesterday,” She noticed Rainbows eyes narrow a little and a frown on her face. “She helped me calm down from my night in the woods. You see…” And she told Rainbow everything that she saw that night, how she felt when she were pinned under the manticore and again when she faced her saver. All in while Rainbow felt more and more sure that they would need everyone of their friends to face this friend-ish foe that Fluttershy have met and survived. And it drank her blood. BLOOD.
“Fluttershy, stay here. I'm going to get Twilight and the others and we'll be back soon,” Rainbow said after the tale in what happened the previous nights. And rushed out of the door, leaving the yellow pegasus in her own house of solitude before she could even other another word. Faster than ever she flew to the point her eyes watered up from the wind and tears falling to the wind. She felt frustrated, angry that a creature that Fluttershy of all pony had never heard about suddenly entering their lifes and causing problems. But even more so that she herself are not able to do anything about it, simply not good enough to help her friend with this so-called 'kindred'.
Flying with breakneck speed Rainbow reached the library in no time, and slamming the door open to the library with a bang. “Twilight, I need your help,” She shouted out, loud enough for even the neighbors to hear her. Hearing a yelp and a bump from the kitchen Rainbow quickly flew over and saw a purple unicorn falling about on the floor.
Rainbow groaned as she hovered in the air. “Twilight, stop playing around on the floor. I need your help back at Fluttershys. Something happened and she is freaking out, and something called 'Marian' is hurting her,” She said before quickly taking off towards the towns bakery, Sugarcube Corner to get Pinkie Pie. The trip was quick if the ever aspiring speedster has anything to say about it, but landed nonetheless before the shops door and walked in. The couple owning the bakery has two foals barely old enough to be moving about on their own, and she didn't want to scare them by flying in as she normally would. The familiar bell ringing softly above her head to notify the bakers that a costumer had entered.
Mrs. Cake stood at the counter just finished handing a mare her order, and looked over at Rainbow giving her a well known smile. “Welcome Rainbow Dash, so what can I do for you today?” She asked while Rainbow walking over to the desk.
“Is Pinkie in? It's really important.”
Mrs. Cake just giving a nod and pointing to the stairs behind the counter leading upstairs, telling her thanks and with a fast pace walking up the stairs and finding Pinkie's room. Without knocking she open the door and saw Pinkie playing with the two baby Cakes, Pound Cake and Pumpkin Cake which both looked over at the pegasus and smiled while giving a wave. Pinkie's face forever smiling bounced over to Rainbow.
“Heya Dashie, are you here too to play with us? Oh oh oh, play with us please, it would be super duper fun,” Pinkie said while jumping around Rainbow. “we can play games or we can take the twins outside and play at the park-” Pinkie's oncoming stream of words got cut off by a blue hoof jamming her mouth.
“Pinkie, I need you to get yourself to Fluttershys, something is wrong and I'm really worried that something is hurting her. Can you do that? I will go get Rarity and Applejack and we'll all meet over there,” Pinkie's eyes widen for a moment before she got a serious look about her, and giving a quick salute.
Pinkie spat out the hoof. “Okie dokie, I'll get there just as soon I'm done with the twins. Mr. Cake is soon done with baking for the day anyway,” Giving Rainbow a big smile and walking back to play with the twins. The blue pegasus smiling a little at the sight but leaving nonetheless to the gather her friends. Fluttershy needs help facing this, no matter what.
____________________________________________________
Fluttershy had mixed feelings about sudden visitors, it's not because she didn't want her friends to come over for a cup of tea but this is kinda overwhelming for her. She adore her friends and they have helped her in many ways, but after retelling the same story over three times now about what happen when she met Marian both times. It goes without saying but her friends were shocked about when the story came to the end with her savor biting her and she blacked out.
“Fluttershy darling, while I am delighted to hear that this gentle being saved you and brought you home. You can not say that she is good and kind,” Fluttershy tried to object to Rarity but were interrupted by Applejack.
“Rares right ya'know, this critter killed a bucking manticore and drank ya' blood. It can't be trusted.”
Fluttershy open her mouth again to tell her friends that Marian is not as she seems, but again Twilight beat her to it.
“I agree Fluttershy, this 'human' sounds really dangerous not to mention that it is clearly some kind of a intelligent bipedal carnivore,” She said and messaged her chin with a hoof, thinking for a second. “Fluttershy, do you know what this means? This human as you call her, I have never heard about any creature anything like this, this could be an entire new species never know to ponykind before now,” Twilight's smile got wider for each word, thinking about the marvelous studies she could conduct.
“Hey Twilight, stop nerding out. We need to figure out what to do if it comes back, I say we blast it with the elements.”
“If I may-” Fluttershy started.
“As Rainbow Dash said, we need to do something. Who knows what might happen if such a brute is running around?” Rarity added, stomping a hoof in the ground.
“That is hardly fai-” She tried again protest, only for her friends to voice their belief and thoughts on such a creature, and how to deal with it. The further in their talks they dwell on the matter, the more absolute her friends became.
Frustration building up for each negative comment she heard, she wanted to scream at her friends to listen and try to see from others point of view. Her feelings towards towards her new friend, if she could call her that are quite superficial but Fluttershy would not let go of the kindness that Marian showed her. But neither could she speak up to her friends, so set in their ways to protect her that she could only walk upstairs to her room. Tears falling slowly at the lack of tolerance of her friends towards the unknown. Her own lack of courage, because she would likely think the same if it were somepony else. Closing her door, she leaned against it and started to sob and silently cry.
A little later Fluttershy heard a soft knock from the bottom of the door, her ears turned to the little noise and it came again. Her eyes are red and puffy from the tears and she let out a sniffle before slightly opening the door. Her dear companion and pet Angel stood before her with a worried look in his eyes and sweat glistening from his fur as small but deep breaths came from his little lungs as she have been running a marathon. Behind him stood a potted plant, a few times larger than himself.
“Oh Angel,” She said, looking back and forth from the bunny to the plant. “Why have you bought the plant up here from the living room?”
The little bunny looks up at her and chirps a little at her with a deadpanned expression, making Fluttershy flown a little. “Angel, what have I told you about being mean?” She scolding asked. “and how could a being so large be in there?”
Angel sighs and chirps up a little more and points at the plant and then at Fluttershy.
“Oh right,” She said while walking over to the pant. “But why do you want the plant inside my bedroom?”
Angel sighs and chirps a little before walking inside the room, leaving Fluttershy at the top of the stairs with the plant. Looking from where the bunny stood to the potted plant that stood slightly taller than herself, she gave a sigh and brought it inside her room and closed the door after her.
After putting down the pot she turned to Angel but before she could utter a question, the bunny pointed his paw out of the window pointing at the sun rapidly descending. It's rays lighting up the skies red and orange like a forest fire catching the eyes of any who look at the beautiful display in the in sky, and just like that… the sun went down.
Standing still Fluttershy watched Celestia's sun going under the horizon and the moon started to come up, standing still she heard nothing. The little animals that lives with her over the winter are usually more noisy at this hour at day, normally they would be going to their little beds in their little nests. Even Angel is silent and still, not something the brash bunny ever is. The only noise is a crumbling, like earth shifting. Quiet as a mouse running over a carpet floor, but louder than a train in the room.
Frightened the shy pegasus backed from the sound coming from the potted plant, fearing for what is happening. She fell on her haunches in shock as she saw the dirt itself rise up like smoke, her heart beating so hard like it's trying to escape it's fleshy prison. She wants to run, to hide and wait for the scary things in the world to pass her by but her body won't listen to her calls, and like her body her eyes could not look away from the impossible thing that is happening infront of her.
The smoke turns and twists so fast that even her pegasus eyes can't follow the motion of the cloud becoming denser and thicker till the point that instead of smoke infront of her, the creature of her trouble stood infront of her. Standing in her naked glory, her pale skin in deep contrast with her long black hair reaching down to her nether region. Her eyes opens and the two shining green orbs do a quick survey of the room before falling on Fluttershy, her smile widens at the sight of the fearful pegasus.
“Good evening my little Fluttershy, I hope your day has been well,” Marian said and stretched out her arms with a small yawn. Seeing her new friend again fearful of her, she walked over and sat on her knees infront of Fluttershy. Looking into her eyes with a calm look to them, with a little smile to disarm the pegasus of worry.
Fluttershy took a few deep breaths while holding her hoof to her chest, and gave a little smile up at the vampire before her. “G–good evening Marian, I didn't knew were in there. You scared me with doing that,” She said in her usually quiet voice.
Marian placed a hand on her head, slowly brushing her hair while chuckling at her reaction of a simple waking. “I am sorry, I didn't mean too scare you. But I used the dirt as my resting place,” Fluttershy flinched at the last part, looking up at her with at look of dread.
“Y-your rest-resting place?”
“Yes, I do have many unique abilities that mortals can never hope to possess. One of them is to rest in the ground,” She said while brushing the pink mane through her fingers, finding a few small knots and just as quickly untangle them. “We kindred sleeps the day away and lives in the night with the moon as our sun.”
Fluttershy blinked and calmed down again with a slow breaths as she just did before. “Why do you sleep in the daytime, are kindreds nocturnal?”
Marian stopped brushing for a second and continued on, her smile shrank a little. “Kindreds are forced nocturnals as we simple can't stay awake, and the sun will burn us if we ever see it,” She said with the same calming voice as before.
The yellow pony froze, and she simply stopped everything. Her thoughts lock at the single sentence, 'the sun will burn us', that the time for her seem to have slowed to a painfully slow pace. 'How can she not see the sun? It must be so terrible for her. The poor thing,' Her eyes watered up and sobs filled the room again, while the vampire silently sat awkwardly infront of her not sure what to do now.
Marian stroked her cheek while petting her mane in a slow but caring way, trying to cheer up the pegasus.
“It's okay, There nothing to be sad about,” She said quietly with a soothing tone.
Fluttershy sniffled and tried to speak but her sobs came in the way. “But, you, can't, see the, sun, the, day and, everypony, and, and...” Her voice broke and tears streaming down her face.
Marian was stunned, very few people have ever been sad for her being a vampire but no one had ever cried for her before. For her not to see the sun or spend time in the day with everyone else, for not to watch the break off morning again. Only in her mind she have felt this way for so many months after becoming kindred, but only to bury the longing deep within as years passed. She felt a true smile coming on as she pulled Fluttershy close to her in embrace.
“Thank you Fluttershy, for caring about me. I rarely meet people in my journeys that are sad for me,” She said quietly. Fluttershy sniffled and looked up into her eyes, red and puffy again with tears treating too roll down her cheeks. “But truly, I am fine with being awake at night, so far I had others like myself to speak with and the humans were also fond of the night. I have never been alone unless I chose it.”
A little smile formed on Fluttershy's features and she wiped her tears away with a hoof. Leaning into the vampire she noticed that she were colder than herself, much like the room itself. “You are a little cold, are you okay?”
Marian chuckled at the question, and gave the pegasus a tight squish before letting go of the hug. “Why Fluttershy, aren't you the most caring of beings I have ever met in my long life. No I'm not cold at all, I don't feel cold or heat the same way living beings do. Most kindred body reflect the temperature that is around us for we can not create our own body heat, because we are undead creatures. In fact for me to feel the weather as you do it needs to be quite extreme.”
“Oh… that's, nice,” Fluttershy said, uncertain how to respond to her friend joyful comment of her undead body. Before she could ask again a knocking came from the door and Fluttershy froze with a look of terror on her face as she remembered that her friends were all here.
“Fluttershy,” The voice sounded much like Rarity. “Are you alright darling?”
'Oh no no no, this is bad.' Fluttershy thought as she looked at the door, expecting it to open at any time and her friends might harm Marian. 'I need to do something, anything. I need to keep Marian hidden so they don't see her.' But before she could do anything she felt her body being moved to behind the door by the window, and her jaw fell to the floor as she saw herself walk over and open the door.
“Yes, I'm quite okay. Thank you for checking up at me,” Fluttershy heard herself say at the door, smiling a little at her friend.
“We are a bit worried about you, would you please come down to the rest of us?” Rarity's said.
“Of cause, I will be down in a minute or so, I-” Fluttershy saw her mimic glance at her before looking back at Rarity. “-just need to do a thing or two. You know how Angel can get,” And she started to close the door, but stopped before she did so. “Oh yes, would you be a dear and put a kettle over?” With Rarity agreeing that she would do that, she closed the door fully and faced Fluttershy.
Shocked beyond belief she stood infront of herself, a perfect doppelganger of the timid yellow pegasus in the flesh. From the length of the mane to the colour of the eyes and cutie mark. Fluttershy fell to her haunches with her mouth hanging open and tried to speak, but her words wouldn't form as she would them to.
The vampire just looked at her with glint in her eye, amused at the reaction she was getting but understandable. “It seems like your guests are getting impatient with you, you better go and entertain them,” Her smile got wider as she looked into Fluttershy's eyes with her own.
“how?… how are you, me?… I don't understand,” The timid pegasus said with a voice that was more like a whisper. Eyes wide as she watch herself coming closer and holding a yellow hoof out to her.
“Again, I have many abilities, and takes many forms. Like this I can easily blend into your world without the panic and fear,” Fluttershy took a deep breath and looked her her with more curiosity than fear. She took her hoof and with much ease got pulled back on her hoofs, and started to look Marian's body more closely.
“Unbelievable,” She ran over the coat with a hoof and it feels so real, just like her own. Amazed and stunned she couldn't do much else than just look at body, touch and feel every little joint and limb. She felt all the little faults and flaws that she herself had, and often checked by going over her own body.
Like the time she a sick badger bit her left front hoof and left a small scar, and she got clawed on her barrel by a Timberwolf and Harry saved her. All of her she found on a body that she owns but can't control. Then it clicked.
“Marian?” Fluttershy started. “I hope you don't mind me asking… but were you out in town like this?”
Marian have been looking at Fluttershy the entire time with a grin on her muzzle, this is the first time that she have ever allowed her disguise been seen by the one she took it from. Such wonder and fascination coming from the pony touching her, that she even felt herself to make sure that this were her body. Marian's ears perked up at her name.
“Well yes, I went into town that you spoke of last night and mingled for a while,” Marian said. “such lovely people, or ponies so to say. They were very welcoming so to speak-” thinking back at her little encounter with Cloud Chaser and the light blue unicorn at the bar. “-and so, very delicious.”
Fluttershy gulped and her ears spread back against her head. “uhm, Marian… If you don't mind, it would be nice if you didn't do that again. I heard from Rainbow Dash what happened last night… and it really bothers me...” She stopped talking when she looked at her own face staring at her with a surprised look. “That is, if it's okay with you,” She looked at down at her hoofs, looking at on owns face like this is more than a little disturbing.
The two pegasus stood a short moment in silence.
“So you have a problem with me borrowing your form?” Marian asked flat out.
“Well, yes...” She said drawing a small circle in the floorboards.
“But is it so that ponies don't panic from who I really am, isn't that a good thing?” Marian asked innocently.
“It is… But you shouldn't do things like that,” looking up and into her own eyes with a soft scolding look on her face. 'I can't really be angry with her, Marian only tries to not scare anypony.'
“You mean things that you wouldn't normally do?” Fluttershy nodded. “So you don't mind me walking around in your form?”
The sly pegasus looked away, her eyes wondering over her bedroom. “I don't know… It's weird watching myself like this, and I do feel a little uneasy with what ponies might think of me now that you have done… things against ponies,” She said thinking at the story Rainbow told her of the bar trip.
Marian nodded in understanding and placed a hoof on her withers.
“I understand, you don't need think about me doing things like that anymore,” She gave a warm smile at her and slowly walked her over to the door. “I need to find someone to drink from and you got guests that you need to entertain and ease their worries about you,” Fluttershy's eyes open in realization that she had forgot about her friends, and they were downstairs waiting for her.
Marian opened the door and pushed her counterpart out on the stairs, and put a hoof over Fluttershy's mouth as she tried to speak up. “Hush Miss Sly,” She whispered. Leaning close to her, muzzle to muzzle. “and do not forget, have fun. The night only last so long.”
With that Marian retreated in the bedroom and left a baffled Fluttershy in front of the closed door, a little blush donning her cheeks and her breathing a little faster than normal.
“Darling? Are you up there?” Rarity's voice could be heard from the bottom of the stairs. “Are you alright?”
Fluttershy's breath hitched as she again had shortly forgotten about her friends, the last 20 minutes have been a roller coaster of emotions and both her thoughts and feelings have riled up and played with. She looked down at her friend. “Yes Rarity. I'm, okay,” She said, her voice shakes a little. “I coming down now.”
A hushed sound of a window opening could be heard from her bedroom, and Fluttershy peeked in and saw the window was open and Marian were nowhere to be seen. Angel sitting on her bed looking at the window and then at her just sighed at the events and hopped over to the Pegasus that stood in the doorway, and starting to leading her down.
She reached the bottom of the stairs and was immediately hugged by Pinkie, which she made a frighten shriek and stiffened up before noticing the embrace of her friend.
“Hi, are you okay?” Pinkie said with small concern in her voice. Fluttershy thought about telling her that 'she's fine, nothing to worry about.' But as she looked at each of her friends, she saw they all stood with worried looks on them. Knowing they wouldn't hesitate to help her even if she didn't want help. She sighed.
Fluttershy shook her head. “Yes Pinkie I'm fine, but I have a friend that needs my help.”
Pinkie Pie still hugging her narrowed her eyes and squinted like she were trying to watch something on Luna's moon and took a deep breath. “Is that why you have been crying? Is that because of your friend?” Fluttershy's eyes widen and she tried to speak up, but were stopped as Pinkie continued. “Your eyes are still a little puffy and red, but it's hard to see even with the lights and hearth lit. And earlier when we were talking about the vampiric being that saved and drank your blood you got frustrated and went away to vent and collect yourself, you always get like that before you going to cry and try again. But then you talked to the vampire that is your friend and she made you feel better and then she left and now you're here with us.”
A needle could have been heard hitting the floor as the four out the six ponies looked at between Fluttershy and Pinkie, the former of the two were stunned, completely and utterly in bewilderment on how her pink friend could have known that. Pinkie on the other hoof, smiled her widest, warmest and most inviting smile she had.
“How, do you know-” Fluttershy squeaked out, trying to find her voice again. She stopped when Pinkie patted her on the head.
“Your aunty Pinkie knows a great many things, my little Fluttershy,” She said like a old wise-pony before succumbing to her giggling.
The silence of the girls did not last however. “Wait a second! Do that mean that critter were in the house and it got away?” Applejack asked loudly.
Rarity had snapped out of her stupor by the volume of the farmer, and just sighed. “Yes, that would indeed mean that she got away. But why didn't you tell us that she was is in your house Fluttershy?”
All eyes was on shy pegasus and they wanted an explanation for why she would house a creature that have hurt her. Fluttershy on the other hoof felt her anxiety building up fast and she hid herself behind her long mane and looked to the floor just as soon Rarity asked her that final question, and quietly squeaked an answer lower than any with a normal hearing would hear.
“Duh girls,” Pinkie jumped in and saved Fluttershy in having to answer and all the mares turned their attention to the hyper pony. “She is Fluttershy's friend, she just wanna visit her new friend like we do ALL the time,” She said with a smile on her face. The others however, did not.
Wish in turn Rainbow had a frown creeping on her features. “I don't care if that 'thing' is good or bad, she DRANK of Fluttershy's blood and then did who else knows what and she needs to be stopped,” She punctuated by stomping her hoof hard into the hardwood floor, making most of the ponies flinch at her heated temper.
“But Rainbow, you must think-” Twilight started to talk about the new ideas and studies that could be conducted, in which Applejack simply agreed with Rainbow. Again the same augment from earlier started up again, and Fluttershy just slumped down at her haunches at the sight of her best friends discussing whats best for her without listening to her feelings about it… or it would be if not for two bodies pressing in on her from either side.
Pinkie on her right, hugging her and giving her a little smile, and Rarity to her left. Sitting close to her, simply being there for her with a smile very much like Pinkie's and looked at her with her soft eyes.
“Fluttershy dear, if it's not too much to ask. Why are you friends with such a creature?”
Fluttershy looked at her hoofs thinking a for a second about the why Fluttershy liked the vampire. “I think – it's because she have treated me like a friend since the moment she first spoke to me. She haven't lied to me, or what I know of and she went out of her way to make me feel comfortable in my own house while I were frighted of her,” Unknown to the pegasus, the cottage was quiet as everypony listens to her reasons why. “She made me tea and told me to sit myself where I wanted. Even though I was saw she's afraid of the flames when she lit up the stove to boil the water, she still did that for me. While we drank the tea she told me things and answered questions I had. While yes, it was scary when she told me that she wanted some of my blood, it didn't hurt at all it felt more like a…” Her eyes became distant as the remembered the bite and blushed a little.
The five waited patiently, others less so.
“Like a what?” Asked Twilight. All eyes on the purple unicorn as she stood with a notebook in her magic writhing everything down that Fluttershy had said, which made the shy pony on the floor blush more and hid her face with her hooves.
“Twilight,” Pinkie Pie groaned at the mare.
“What?” She looked at the others and then at Fluttershy that tried to hid herself, and then understood what she just did. “Oh, sorry,” She smile sheepishly as she levitated the notebook and feather away.
Again Fluttershy could feel her friends watch her intensely, eagerly waiting for her to answer their questions. “It felt really, nice,” She said quietly, hoping to Celestia that they don't bring up what she meant by that.
“Ah don't know about all of this girls,” Applejack said, conflicted about the whole situation with Fluttershy's new 'friend'. “If this critter really is ya friend and all, shouldn't she then stay and say hello? And where is she?” She asked.
Fluttershy looked up from her hooves and glanced out the window next to the hearth into the dark of the night, the moon could be seen from their spot at the table as it shone on the world underneath it.
“I don't know Applejack,” Fluttershy said. “She left through the window after she pushed me out of the bedroom, telling me to have fun...” She took a deep breath and let it out before steeling herself with a iron stare, her mind made up. “Girls, Marian told me that she is cursed and have been for many years,” This got the attention for her friends, national heroes and elements of harmony. “I want to help her in any why I can.”
The ponies around her nodded profoundly as they now thought of the vampire to be cursed only waiting to be cured.
“How is she cursed Fluttershy?” Twilight asked, the notebook and quill hovering in the air again by purple magic.
The sly mare sighed, as the only mare she knew that would willingly take notes of every little ting that might seem interesting. “She told me that she is a -”
__________________________________________________________
“ - UNDEAD FREAK, HALT!” The cloaked pony yelled with a deep voice at the disguised vampire, Marian turned and saw him with three others cloaked ponies. All of them hidden in the shadows under the trees in the outskirts of the Everfree Forest. To anything else than a skilled night born might not have seen these hunters coming, but this vampire not only heard, but smelled them from far away. “BY 'THE KNIGHTS OF THE LIGHT', WE WILL END YOUR REIGN THIS NIGHT!”
Marian gave them a cunning smile as she heard a fifth one try to move into a flanking position while their leader was taking, she heard the click of the crossbow as the arrow was released at the end of his speech. At that moment, the four hunters saw their target disappear in thin air like she wasn't even there to begin with. “Wha- where did she go?” One of them asked, looking around.
A soft laughter came from their right, inside the vale of darkness that the blacked forest presented them with. The four started to sweat and two of them, new hunters that have joined shook with fear. “Do you think that you could kill me that easily?” Fluttershy's voice came from the darkness surrounding them, her laugh grew in volume as her enjoyment rose at the measle attempt on her life.
Something flew from the shadows in a slight ark towards the closest hunter. He flinched and sidestepped, letting the object hit the ground and roll into the middle of them. It took a second for them to realize what it was, but they all moved back in shock at the sight of the severed head of their brother in arms, eyes wide open as in disbelief for his fate was sealed. His tongue hang out his mouth an with a bolt in his forehead.
“Look at you all,” The soft velvet voice said. “I would have thought that you would catch your comrade, or are you maybe not that close,” A muffled laugh as if she held up a hoof to be polite.
“S-SILENCE CUR!” The leader shouted at the vampire he couldn't see, trying to compose himself from the loss of a brother. “SHOW YOURSELF AND LET US END THIS!”
Within the darkness, a pitch so deep that no light could pierce it a pair of glowing blood red eyes bore as them. Making the four feel the fear that they have tried to overcome, let them see a little piece of what they are up against. Let them realize how outclassed they really are.
“My my, do you really have to yell that much?” a shutter went down the leaders spine. Their target n longer laughing, no longer sounding pleased like a filly on her birthday but more like a mother disappointed at her foals. “But very well, I will entertain your request and end you now. I tire of this name calling and I grow more hungry, so let me show you what a night born can do when irritated.”
At that moment, they all this would be their last night alive.
Author's Note
7 months... I am sorry. I hope it won't be that long till the next chapter... Still, thank you reading my story.
As the nightwalker stepped closer to the hunters, silence hang in the air. No creatures could be heard as the vampire's blood-lust aura were no longer contained like she normally did. She wanted the hunters to feel despair, to feel true terror as they faced their end, and that they did. The four ponies were visually shaken under the cloaks and armour. All of them felt the weight of murder on them as a pair of red glowing eyes looked them over.
The leader shook his head and tried to clear out the fright he felt, and turned to his fellow hunters. “Pear, Vial, you two flank the vampires sides while Light and me charge it from the front,” Getting the attention of everyone. “Alright, let's go.”
He never got the chance to implement his plan as a hand clammed around his neck and forcefully lifted him so his hooves no longer touched the ground under him. His three other stood in chock and fright at the creature before them.
Their target 'Fluttershy' had instantly changed her form infront of them as soon their leader had turned around. They have never seen a creature like this before, even though it stood like a Minotaur, or a Diamond Dog it looked nothing like either. It stood on it's hindlegs at about 11 hoofs tall and had no fur except on it's head. Long black hair that reached it's hindlegs, white skin and toned muscles. But worst of all were those glowing eyes, watching them like it were staring into their very souls.
All hunts begin with a understanding of the beast. How it works, how it thinks, attacks and defends itself. Everything a member of the Knights of Light needs to know in order to get home safely. But… in all of their lives they have never encountered something like this, and it terrified them.
“Not so mighty now with your little name-calling, when you can't breath,” Marian said with a slight hint in her voice as she turned the pony towards her, not minding at all with his limps flailing about her. Making sure that he were looking at her eyes and nowhere else she took a breath, and began.
“Now little hunter, how did you find me?” Her glowing eyes bore into his, locking them in place. The stallion in her grip gasped for air as she lessened the hold on him, but still holding him off the ground.
His flailing stopped as soon as it had begun, his pupils slunk and his body began to
tremor as if the smallest amount of electricity was forcing his muscles to stiffen. His will, completely gone from the terror in her eyes.
“We are, everywhere. We saw you attack a pony in the nightclub last night, so, we followed you, and waited for you to be alone.” He said with fright clear in his voice. Marian looked away from his eyes to the other hunters, seeing that they have not moved like they were petrified where they stood. She could smell the distinct odor of urine in the air, giving a glance at the mare farthest away.
While the nightwalker was distracted, the leader had many years ago learned to adapt to the differences between monsters and ponies. Most are stronger, faster and more resilient than any pony, and with that arrogance came their downfall. He quickly composed himself as he silently slipped a knife out from his armour, and make a up-ward cut to get away from her. It worked as she gave a surprised yelp by the attack and let go of the stallion.
He landed on his hooves and jumped back a few tail-lengths, and shouted. “BE BRAVE MY BROTHERS, WE SHALL BE VICTORIOUS TONIGHT-” Breaking them out of their stupor, and readying themselves with blades of various sizes. “-NOW, FOLLOW THE PLAN AND LET'S KILL A-”
His voice was silenced as his head were cut from his body. In a blink of an eye the vampire had moved, grown long razor-sharp claws which it speared the pony with it's one hand, and with the other, severed his neck.
The two hunters in the back gave out a shocked cry as they realized what had happened, setting off the last hunter as he gave out a battle-cry of his own and ran towards the beast with no care for tactic, he raised his longsword with his magic and swung it with the weight of a mountain behind it. Only for it hit the ground as his target had simply moved one step out of his way, and with similar action ended his life. As his body's nerve system hadn't realized itshead was now behind it, it ran for a few feet before slowing down, and fell to the ground.
Marian gave a small amused smile as she watched the corpse move as far as it did. It have been a long time since she had seen it happen last, but it never stops being entertaining. She let her out a abnormally long tongue, and tilted the speared body like a vine glass, and drank the glorious, crimson fluid. Not caring one bit that she couldn't drink it all fast enough, as it spilled all over her face and ran down her naked body. Drenching her completely as her pale skin got turned into a deep red.
She moaned in her ambrosia, twisted and hugged the headless pony as she let her fangs sink into the warm flesh. She was lost to her primal desires for all but a moment, and didn't even feel the cut of the blade until she had drained her feedbag.
The body hit the ground with a thud as she turned to the hunter to her side, one of of the last two remaining had composed herself enough to attack the monster. She wielded a long dagger with her mouth, and swiftly changed her position with ease. She speedily sidestepped and flanked the vampire, letting her dagger guide the rest of the way.
The vampire didn't even flinch as the blade bore into her leg, and violently grabbed the mare's face and hosting her up like a fish out of water. Smiling at the pony she pulled her in so her long bloody fangs were at her neck.
“My my, how impressive. I must say that, you,” She used a claw and podded her chest, making quite sure that the hunter knew who she spoke about. ”Know how to make me smile,” Feeling her skin under the fur she made a few slow scratches. “I hope you don't mind, that,” She whispered into her ear. “I return the gesture.”
The hunter stiffened at the moment the fangs went into her upper neck, sinking fear and pain for at short moment before it turned into joy and bliss. The pony squirmed and she moaned in her newfound pleasure as her lifeblood was rabidly being consumed.
The last of the hunters sat petrified, watching the horror that was happing infront her. Within her mind were a voice that screamed at her with all of it's strength to stand and run, run far and run fast. Anywhere but here would be better, the blazing hell of The Badlands, the frozen tundra to the North. Even Tartarus would be a better place than this.
Her reality fell apart when she saw her brothers head on the ground, her beloved brother she grew up with, played games with. Her poor little brother that she loved teasing and pulling pranks on. Her little brother that wanted this life, to help the common pony by hunting monsters. Their promise to each-other the day the joined the Knights of Light, to watch each-other, make sure they both got home.
She didn't even notice that tears ran down her cheeks, she couldn't hear for the drumming in her ears. Numb to her feelings, she couldn't feel her rump and hindlegs being soaked and dirtied by her wetting herself. She didn't see the monster toss the empty body and walk up to her. She only felt the turn of her neck as the claws forced her tear filled eyes up into the glowing crimson orbs. Like a snake she brought her other claws over her head and started to stroke her hair in a slow controlled fashion, like she was petting a loved doll.
Those crimson glowing eyes, thats all the little hunter could see. That's all she could focus on as they tranced her like a moth to a flame, ever slightly losing sight of the world around her till nothing but the glow remained. She felt so weak, so tired. Like waking up far to soon, limps barely holding her up. Her mind quickly becoming silent, numb to the world. Only thing she could see, was the glowing orbs infront of her.
“Listen well, my little hunter,” A voice said, seemingly from everywhere at the same time. “I will ask you questions, and if I feel you lie to me I will kill you. Do you understand?” She knew it was making a threat, but she couldn't help to feel at peace. The voice was smooth like velvet, soft like a heavy blanket. A voice so mesmerising, she can't help but strive toways it.
She knew not how much time went by, but it felt only for a moment. All these questions she answered, went past her in a blur. Her name, why she joined the Knights', and many others like it. But one stood out from the rest, one that she can't seem to remember even as she heard it. A question that was asked to the base of all creatures, a question that all have a answer to as soon they hear it.
She opened her mouth when told, and felt a cold, taste of iron being poured down her throat. She nearly vomited as she swallowed the vile liquid, almost instantly after her gag reflex acted up it went away. The taste changed so fast that the disgusting taste from before, could be explained as a false memory. It was delicious, a taste so rich that no food nor drink could compare. She let out her tongue catch the taste of heaven, her body not risking letting a drop go to waste. She never wanted it to stop, she let the darkness slowly close in until that's t were her world and she loved every single moment of it.
____________________________________________
The moon shone high in the sky as it have ever since the mistress of the night have returned form her banishment. The beauty of the night have become more and more clear for each passing day, the painter of the dark sky were beginning to get her grasp for her canvas as she once had so many years back.
The princess of the night stood her balcony overlooking the city of Canterlot, admiring the view of the white city as it were slowly was going to sleep under her many stars. This view is still strange to her, this grand city were her subjects sleep, work and enjoy the wonders of life. The last time she saw a sight like this it were in the old castle grounds of the Everfree with her sister, but that was much, much smaller. No city lay at the hoof of the castle, no advanced city that her subjects still is awake through the night.
This world is so different from the one she once knew, so many things both old and new, words before and after her banishment. Everything have have a new meaning, even her own language feels so alienated in this 'new' world that she had to reintegrate into.
The was a small knock from within her room, just loud enough for her to hear out on the balcony. With a last look at the view of the sky she sighed and walked inside to answer the door.
Opening the door she saw her sister waiting with a little smile on her face, her eyes tired from a long day. “Sister, evening. What art thou doing knocking on our chamber door?” Which made the princess of the day to roll her eyes.
“Luna, you really need to work on your old speech, only few ponies speak that way anymore let alone understand,” She tried to look inside her room. “May I come in?”
“Yes, yes please enter sister,” Luna stepped aside to let her sister in, closing the door after her. She observed her as Celestia walk in and looked around in a glance. “Dear sister, should thou not be asleep? Haven't thou had a long day.”
“Oh Lulu, I wanted to see you before I turned in for tonight,” She walked up to her and wrapped a wing around her, hugging her. “It's been two weeks that you returned, and I have barely seen you. Is it so strange of me to spend some time with my sister?” The white alicorn asked with a fake hurt look in her eyes, making Luna flinch and look away.
“Lulu, I miss you. Every day I want to see you, talk and spend time with you. I want to know how you are doing, and what you thinking. I want us be family again,” She said while hugging her a little tighter, and nuzzled her. “And I wouldn't mind losing some beauty sleep if I can talk to my sister.”
Luna gave a little smile, looking up at her older sister. “Thank thee sister. We have missed thou as well, I wouldn't mind if we conversed a little before thee retire for the night,” Nuzzling her back before breaking off the hug. “Would thou like some fresh beverage? We have tea.”
“I would love to, what kind of tea is it?”
Luna walked over to a tall tea-table made in dark oak like the most of her furnitures in this room, and poured two cups of warm tea. Levitating the cups she offered one to Celestia which took it her own magic, and took a sip and smiled.
“This tea is nice, is it a Zebrainich mix?” She asked, curiously intrigued. In the past the sisters always tried new foods and drinks and guess where it came from. A game that they have slowly begun to pick up again with each meeting.
“Ye close sister. 'Tis a Gryphon brew from the southern parts,” She gave a small smirk. “It's called Dream Wind, according to the our maid it should calm the mind and give peace to thine body.”
Celestia took a small sip and looked at her little sister with a sad look in her eyes. “Do you feel lost sister?” Luna didn't answer and simply stared at the tea, her ears hang a little lower. “It must be difficult to adjust, the world have changed a lot since… your time here. But don't be discouraged, you must see the world with new eyes and experience it with heart,” The elder sister said seeing through Luna's attempt at being strong, with anypony else she would have convinced them, but not her sister. “I will always be by your side Lulu, and that will never change again.”
Luna drifted her eyes up, looking into her dear sister light magenta eyes. She had always trusted her sister, even in her time in madness she knew Celestia would never lie to her. A weak smile donned her muzzle, and let out a heavy sigh.
“Ye right sister, we have been confusing by this day and age. The ponies that we rule over know us not, and those who do fear us… Even their tongue is so different that we can not converse, earlier this day one of our maids were confused by our way of speaking-” She put down her cup. “Doth thee know what thats like? When thy subjects speaks thou language but understands not what thee are saying? This world have changed, and we haven't.”
Silence hang in the air as only one of the sister looked at the other, both filled with regret and for different reasons. This time Celestia couldn't keep her eyes on her sister's as memories of an entire millenia without her dear counterpart.
“We think, that we need to be alone for the evening. We have many thoughts to process,” Luna spoke up. “We appreciate that thou are trying to do,” She gave a little smile with wetting eyes. “Sister, we need to be alone at the moment. We will pick this up on morrow eve…”
Celestia simply nodded and rose with damp eyes of her own. “Yes Luna, you take your time. I will always be here for you, I love you, and good night,” She said before closing the door after her, leaving the dark princess in her bedroom, sitting quietly at the table with tears rolling down her cheeks.
“I love, you too, sister,” She whispered to her self, feeling the guilt of everything that happened. Her madness, her turning on her sister. Celestia have told her that all is forgiven and they should move forward together, but still… Luna can't leave the feeling behind that she have only slowed down her sister. She would have been better off if she had never come back.
Standing she dragged her hoofs to the balcony, she wiped her tears away before looking at the sky once again. She needed to clear her head, and this place wasn't helping. The princess of the night opened her wings and took flight, anywhere but here is better tonight.
_____________________________________________
It was close to midnight when I found of small river a little mile from the village, the moon at it's highest bathing me in it's silver light. The river ran past Ponyville and into the great forest of the Everfree, threes standing close to the shore in bushes of 3 or 5 together every few hundred feet or so. Giving much room for private moments if one desired so. The water was clean enough for one to see the riverbed, giving the illusion that the river was shallower than it really was. I stepped into the water and walked out till it's deepest point, the water came up till my waist.
The water is cold due to winter only a few months away, but I can't feel it. My dead body can't sense heat or cold, I can't remember the last time I felt any kind of warmth. I only know it was before my first death.
I lowered myself in the dark waters fully to get myself a good rinse, my eyes never closing as the water came over me. I sat on my knees, feeling water still above me. I began to wash my body of the blood from earlier. The water around me quickly became stained with the crimson colour as I got more and more of it off.
Through the water I could see the moon slightly move as I went on, it didn't really bother me that cleaning of the half-dried blood took it's time to come off. It gave me time to think, to meditate. Tonight was close for me to lose myself as I did two nights ago, the Beast inside me always clawing to get out. Always looking for openings to take over, and leave me behind.
I broke the surface as I stood my full hight, water dripping from my torso, my hair clinging to my body… and I silently stood in the light, looking at the moon. Just to fill out the silence around me, I began to hum, humming a melody I knew well.
I let out the tones like a quiet howl to the moon, like a wolf alone and lost from it's pack. It is a sad melody, one I remembered well as the time went on.
I stopped as I heard a snap on the shore, and turned around to see a dark-blue pony. It's head looked from the branch it broke to me with a nervous smile on… her face. I simply standing in the water looking up at her, I gave a warm smile as it usually help the living calm down.
“Hello there little one, is there something that I can help you with?” I asked the pony. Her eyes widen and her mouth falls open for a second before she composing herself with a deep breath, she stands up a bit more confident and returns the smile.
“Fair eve to thee, we hope we do not intrude on thyswim. We merely heard a lovely tone, and desired to see what made it. We hope that thee will forgive us.” She said, her words slightly shakes to the untrained ear as after a crying voice.
“You don't have to apologized, I don't mind the company.” I moved towards her to get up from the waters. She watching me with wonder in her eyes, very much like she never had seen anything like me before.
Droplets falling from my form as I stepped onto the ground, and wetting the dry grass underneath my feet. The wind making my waterlogged hair sway a little in the breeze. My sight never leaving the pony, made me notice something odd about her. Like I have seen before on other ponies having either wings or a horn, but not both. She had however, both, and she were bigger than the rest of the equines that I have seen, by little more than a foot or so. With her horn she is just slightly smaller than I, she could be a special kind of her breed.
“My my, you do look very different from the other ponies that I have seen so far,-” I said with a little laugh. “- who might you be?”
The pony looked up at me with confusion, before coming to the realization. “Per any chance, have thee heard of us?” In which I shook my head. I don't know why, but she looks all the happier that I don't know of her.
“Are you glad that I don't know who you are? Why?”
She gave a sigh and sat down next to a tree looking up at the moon. “We have a reputation in these lands of things we did long ago, so we are just relieved that thou have not heard. It tends to have, negative reactions with the ponies,” She said with a somber voice.
I sat next to her, following her gaze at the silver sun. “It happens to everyone,” She looked at me, about to say something. “All I know, have a secret that they would be frightened to tell. So, it happens. We all have fears, and we all have to deal with them at some point or another.”
She looked at me, listened to what I said. Most likely trying add something to our little conversation, but sighed again. “That is true, we all have done something that none should know. But that is not why we have come, we are quite ignorant of you.”
I gave out chuckle, the way she spoke reminded me of my Sire when he slipped into his old ways of speech. “Yes, and I am of you. But sate thee hunger, I am Marian, I'm new to these lands.”
She gave a little smile, noticing the tone in my voice. “And we are Luna, Princess of these lands that thee are in.”
“A princess, is it required that I bow?” I said, smirking.
She shook her head. “No, It is not, as thee are not a subject of ours. But is would be appreciated,” She matched my smirk, letting me know of her little half-joke. “But yes, we rule along side our sister, Princess Celestia,” She paused for a breath. “But If we may inquirer, why art thee awake at these hours?”
“As you said, I was taking a swim,” I grinned with a chuckle.
“If so, wouldn't it be better to do so in the daytime? It can be quite dangerous this close to the Everfree at night.”
I sighed. “It would be easier, yes,” I lied. “But I do so like the night.”
Luna gasped and she looked up at me with her eyes glistening. “Thou like our night? The work that we do.”
“I love the night, I love everything about it,” I said. With my statement, a tear rolled down of the pony's cheek.
“Why are you crying? Was it something I said?”
She wiped her tears away with a hoof, but even then, they wouldn't stop. “Yes, We never thought anypony would ever adore our nights again after our dreadful wrongdoing. But thou spoke truthfully, we felt it. Thou really do adore our night.”
'What?' My mind caught up with she just said.'Her night? does that mean she controls the night?' She didn't look like she was lying.
“Are you a fae?” I asked nervously, trying to keep my voice from shaking.
She shook her head. “Nay, as we told thee, we are Alicorn. What are fae?”
'Praise the old ones, I would have been in trouble if she were,' I let out a breath that I didn't even knew I held, I looked out at the horizon while hugging myself. “It's nothing, how do you control the night?”
“Both our sister and ourself are magic-born with the ability to move the sun and the moon, tis a task that have been placed on our shoulders many millennia ago. And since then, we have controlled the days and the nights of this world,” She said with a slight melancholy in her voice, as she remembered back to when she were young.
I stood dumbfounded, staring at her like she have grown a second head. “So… you control the moon?” She nodded. “The stars?” She nodded once more, but her smile dropped a bit. “All nights, you can make them as you please?” She sighed.
“Yes, we can make the night as we see fit, we control how much light will be reflected of the moon. How many stars will be out, and how they are placed are also our responsibility,” Luna said as she pointed a hoof at her chest.
For her to prove this claim, I could only think of one thing.
“Prove it.”
She grinned, magic lighting up around her horn in a soft blue hue. ”Thee want to look at the sky for this little presentation,” I looked up to see the stars, normal as I had ever seen them. Until it slowly moved, forming a picture resembling her own head looking down at the world underneath it. Before the stars sped up, cluttering together before an explosion tossing the celestial beings around in the sky till they were in their former place and pattens.
“I can't believe it,” I silently said out loud. Only making Luna giggle a little, snapping me out of my stupor. “You really are the night,” I said, not as a question but as a confirmation. 'This being, is powerful to pull on the moon and stars, powerful enough to bring the day to night. I should be wary of her,' I thought to myself. Nervously glancing at her, hoping that is won't pick up on my fear for her.
“Art thou well? Thee seem a bit shaken,” She said, a bit of worry in her voice and her ears droops a little.
“Y-yes, I am quite well, thank you,” I lied. I'mfighting hard to remain my composure, and not give in to my instincts and run away. “I, just have never thought that anyone could control the night sky like that, so it's a bit shocking to me, thats all.”
She nodded to my statement, but asked. “From where do thee hail, if thee don't mind us asking?”
I sighed and looked away. Trying to come up with a story on the fly would be pointless, and as powerful as she is, she would probably call out a poorly thought-up lie.
“Far away, Luna,” I answered, if not a lie, then not a truth either. “I feel my home is so far away, I no longer believe I can get back,” My voice was soft as the wind slowly, gently making the leaves ruffle in the night. The waters slurping against the banks of the river, and for a short moment, the only sounds were of the surroundings around us.
“Thou song, it were beautiful,” She stated, I only nodded with a small smile. “It lured us here, and here we are, standing with another night-dweller,” I can feel the happiness in her voice almost bubbling at this point. “Would thee be so kind to sing it again? We only heard a bit of it before we interrupted thee, again we apologize.”
I chuckled at her cute requestapology, and raised a hand to scratch her behind the ears. She were a little alarmed as my hand come closer, but it vanished into a sigh of contentment as she closed her eyes. As per her request, I slowly started to sing .
“Fear not this night
My voice started out slowly as I normally did, but soon swayed by the rhythm the words came out stronger and stronger.
Awaken from a quiet sleep
I closed my eyes and let the song guide me as I soon could her the wind going through grass and leaf. Adding sound to my voice, and felt my voice become fuller.
Darkness spreads throughout the land
By the end of the of the third verse, I was with silent footsteps slowly dancing around. I could outright hear the music in my ears as I continued to sing in the night. One feeling I remember is I loved singing, loved the feeling of others taking part of my joy.
It's not a long song I admit, but I do adore it none the less. I remember the days were the young children came to me, asking for me to sing for them. In all of them I saw joy when I had learned their songs, and so I learned as many songs as they mentioned. For some reason I saw my brothers in them, even more so the nights I sang them to sleep.
As I ended my song I looked back at the pony, sitting silently, looking at me with tears running with a sad smile.
“So, how did you like the song?” I asked, fully knowing the answer. No one in the last fifty years have told me they have been displeased by my songs. I, myself felt much calmer than before, an old treatment I have stuck with for the past many years. Displace whatever troubled me and myself with distractions until a solution were found. I know it's not the best way to manage your problems, but it worked for me… so far.
Luna nodded as she wiped her tears away. “Yes, Tis a beautiful song. It spoke to us, very much like a lullaby to a foal. It reminded us our foalhood, so many years ago. Thank thee,” She said as she gave me a slight bow.
'I don't know why, but the way she talks calms me somehow. I should be wary of mind manipulation, and don't give in to everything my feelings are telling me. I need to stay vigilant for this one. That reminds me, why did I tell Fluttershy that much about myself. It's dangerous for me to slung my being and weaknesses around, it could kill me. I damned fool, it's like I'm a bloody neonate again… But why did I tell her so much?'
“So, why are you here?” I asked
“We, felt like being anywhere than in the castle would be preferable… we haven't had good night so to speak, and believed that a flight would help us feel a little better.”
“Do you still want to fly?”
“No, not at the moment, but this conversation have brought us a bit of joy,” Luna gave a little smile.
I raised a brow, but returned the smile. “Oh, am I that entertaining to speak with?”
“Very much so. we have never seen a being like thouself before, and no less than that thee have never heard of us before. It is most enjoyable to start relations when no requirements are to be met.”
“...Indeed,” I simply said and looked over the plains towards Ponyville.
“But…” Luna started, but stopped herself. Unsure what to ask and how to frame it, she nervously wanted to know, but didn't want to upset her new acquaintance. “What, does thou do normally in a night such as this?”
I hummed for a breath or two while lulling the question over in my head. “Normally, I do what others need of me. But on a clear and beautiful night as this, I like to just indulge myself. A woman needs to treat herself something nice, once in a while,” Giving the Alicorn a sly wink. Her cheeks became a soft shade of rose, but smiled nonetheless of the comment of her night.
“Again,we truly do thank thee for thine love to our night. But what indulgence do thou do to distract thineself from the world?” She asked, again gave me a cute smile. Ever since she felt my love for the night, she hadn't stopped smiling.
“What ever I what!” I say while lifting my arms, like I'm referring to everything around me. “I speak to people, and learn new things. I seek out challenges to better myself, and to see just how wonderful the world is.-” I turn my back to her, and look over my shoulder with a sultry look. “I seek out pleasure in all forms, and I relish life as I watch it pass by.”
Luna were silent for a moment, as she thought about I said. But her brush had deepened when she saw the look I gave her, and averted her eyes from me. She coughed into her hoof, and spoke. “That sounds like a wonderful way to live a life,” She flickered her cyan eyes at mine, before she glanced at the moon.” But we fear that we must be away, we have been away from our duty's for far too long,” She lied, tears threatening to bust again.
The little time Luna have been with her new acquaintances she believe that this being could become a great friend with time. She adored the short time she have been with her so far, but these positive, honest outspoken thoughts are almost too much for the regal princess, and she needs time to accept that maybe, she have just found her first friend in a very long time.
She basked her wings and was airborne, hovering in the dark as it blended in perfectly with her coat and mane.
“We hope that we will talk again, it was, refreshing and very much welcomed.”
I nodded and crossed my arms under my breasts. “Of course, I would like that. Maybe next time we could go out for a walk in the city?”
“That sounds nice,” Her voice straining to keep her composed. “But for now, we must leave. Fare thee well,” And with that, the mare flew up and into the darkened sky, and out of sight.
'Well, now that I'm alone I can do whatever I want. But, what to do?' I thought as I tried to spot the alicorn in the sky, making sure she was indeed gone. 'I need to think about this… having her as an associate could prove to be beneficial. It could give me what I need, but at what price?'
I willed my form to change, and I felt the blood in me to react as I placed my paws on the ground and let it happen. My ears stood upright, twisting in all directions and my nose sniffing as my beast forms are more sensitive to noise and smell. I only smelled the strong scent of Luna flying away, and small critters sleeping nearby.
I slowly started to run, next to the river my legs carried me fast away from the forest. I still needed to see the area in order for me to know my new territory. Into land unknown, there shall be nothing but discoveries for this long dead soul of mine. My eyes flared up by the thought, and I see the world in my day of darkness.
Author's Note
Hi to you all. Sorry for the long wait, but I hope you like this chapter as much I like writing it. :)
Again thank you for reading.
Song in the text: Fear not this night - Guild Wars 2, covered by Jenn Sakura
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.
Once I was a traveler, living on the road far from home in far away places.
I lived for what new I would see, a world behind every corner, and new wonders with every step I took.
Once I were under familiar skies, basking my wings like so many times before.
Feeling the wind rush past my form as I dive down towards the ground.
Only to pull up before I hit the earth beneath me.
The pleasure of gliding up towards the sky yet again fills my heart ever so much.
Once I was in the forest of my birth, running through the woods for a thousand times.
Letting my paws bring me forward, faster and faster, till I reach the opening of my cave.
My heaven, my sanctuary, my home.
Once I were the earth that is so often tread upon by animals, by men, and by my kin.
I mind not their walking over my resting place, for I feel peace under the light of the sun.
Once I were the mist, floating through many things and all places.
The mist hiding in the fog, hunting through out the night. Before me, man and beast will succumb.
Feed and steal ever so often I need, never too much and never too little.
so I can live my life in harmony.
Once I were mortal, alive and breathing. Heart beating in my chest, with blood pumping in my veins.
Alive and free, I walked, saw, heard, tasted, felt so many wonderful moments in my life.
Carefree singing under the sun and bathed in the moonlight.
Once I died and the world changed, shifting my reality, breaking my mortality...
But my humanity never ended.
The night became my new day and the moon my sun, blood became my food.
The beautiful light from the sun is some I will no longer live to see, if so it will end in my death.
So the night became my domain, so let the moon guide me and judge my actions.
My name is Marian and this is my story.
Author's Note
I am trying to write something, and I'm not a native english speaker. So if I make some typo's and sentences that is just wrong, I'm sorry.
