Sam and Twilight both enter a large tree which seemed to be a house, the place was a library, books in every corner as well as things a normal house would have.

“Oh wow…so many books…I like it.” Sam says.

“You read?” Twilight asks.

“Yeah, the job can get boring so I read up fiction, historical, biographies, and non-fiction,” Sam says.

“Oh wow! This is amazing, someone who shares my love for books.” Twilight says.

“You have an addiction for books as well?” Sam asks.

“Oh yes, I have read so much in my life, It kinda got me where I am, that’s how I became Celestia’s pupil...I’ve studied magic for years and now to be an Element of Magic…it’s…wow.” Twilight giggles nervously.

“You seem like you wield very strong power, it’s interesting,” Sam says.

“You seem like you do too…don’t you want to take off your scarf?” Twilight asks.

“Ah, what the hell,” Sam undoes the scarf showing his teeth and such…even though Twilight has seen it before, it still takes her by surprise, “So…since we’re secluded, you wanna ask me anything?”

“Anything?” Twilight’s eyes widen with excitement.

“Shoot.”

Twilight quickly grabs a notepad and pencil and smiles excitingly, “Okay…okay um, What are your species specifically…I know you’re a Vampire but are you different?”

“Why yes, I am a Shadow Vampire, we are blended with the Darkness…let’s just say we’re Hunters…we’re different from normal Vampires as they are weaker.”

“Do um…the stereotypes like weaknesses and strength exist?”

“I understand what you are asking…that is a Yes and No…I’ll give you examples…get your pencil sharpened.”

Twilight does what Sam says as she puts the pencil to the paper.

“So here’s one, Vampires hate Garlic and it is poison to them…fifty percent true…we hate it because it smells fucking awful…but it’s not poison.”

“How awful?”

“Think of the most rotten thing in the world with the worst smell in existence,” Sam says bluntly…but then chuckles, “I was dared to eat one…we were having fun to be fair and I took on the dare, let’s just say I regret my decisions that day.”

Twilight cringed at the sound of that, but she continued to write down in the notepad.

“Okay here’s another one…we can only feed on blood…not true, we can eat like normal beings…blood well can heal us and make us stronger…think of it as an energy boost or a regeneration to your health…we drink blood only when necessary or if we want to get rid of our worst enemies.” Sam says.

“Did you ever do that?” Twilight asks.

Sam chuckles, “Yes…they got what was coming…either that or ‘ol Juliet here takes care of them.” Sam pats the handle of his sword.

“Okay,…what were those abilities you used on Discord?”

“What do you mean?”

“When the moon rose, your entire body including your…skin became Pitch Black but your eyes were Blood Red…what was that?”

“Shadow Form…or Shadow Combat, whatever you prefer…in the darkness we’re untouchable…we can turn into black smoke and hover around you if we so desired…our eyes still glow red…so basically a smoke monster.”

“Wow…that’s amazing…I feel like I should be scared…but I’m not.”

“You have a courageous heart…I saw that in your eyes when I saved you from Discord.” Sam says.

Twilight blushed and hid behind her notepad, she wrote down more about the Shadow Form and other information.

“Okay, one more question…that mark…you said that is the mark of a Guardian…what are the Guardians specifically? What can they do?”

“Guardians are the protectors of a Land called, ‘Gateway’ in this land all types of species live together in Harmony…Humanoids, Animoids or…
Anthros like yourselves, Monsters, even Demons live together in peace and as one,” Twilight listened in awe…she was amazed about Gateway, “The Guardians protect this Land from outsiders…anyone non-peaceful or is not a member of our community…or any certain types of species that are not allowed…A Guardian is part of a code which is to never harm an innocent…even if they are outsiders…only attack if they do threaten and/or cause any actions that result in violence.”

“What type of abilities and perks do you have as a Guardian?”

“Well first, Guardians are Immortal…and not just by aging…I mean injury and others…some sicknesses can get to us but that also depends on the species…since I’m a Shadow Vampire…I actually already had this perk…and before you ask…not even decapitation could kill me.”

“Amazing…anything else?”

“Well certain Guardians can perform Magic…some requires some learning, however…mostly combat magic and manipulation-type magic like levitation…but hitting a light switch while in your bed is child’s play…even a Lycan can do that.”

“You can do magic?!” Twilight asks excitingly.

“Yep, Normal, Manipulation, and Combat…all can be used at any time…it’s exactly like how you would channel magic through your horn, I have to channel mine through my hand and arm.”

Twilight continues to write down in the notepad listing off every detail as if she was making a transcript or something.

“Okay, last question…what did you do before you became a Guardian?”

Sam sighs as he sits forward and puts his hands together, “I was first a U.S. Special Forces Soldier, after that and when I became a Shadow Vampire, I became a Mercenary, which means I did jobs, dirty jobs like assassinations and other terrible things for money, if it weren’t for my friends, I’d be gone because of what I have been doing, that was when I became the Gatekeeper.”

Twilight was somewhat surprised…he was a bad soul? Was he trying to say that? However, her fascination outweighed her surprise and worry. She continued to write in the Notepad as she then puts it away.

“Wow…thank you so much…do you think, I could study your…structure…build…and physical?” Twilight asks.

“Gee Twilight, if you wanted to see me shirtless, you could’ve asked up front.” Sam chuckles as he stands up.

Twilight lights up red as she covers her muzzle, “Oh um…t-that wasn’t what I was asking.”

Sam chuckles again and takes off his coat, hoodie, shirt, and tank-top to show his body strength and form and such, Twilight walks over to him to look closely at his form and strength…she was impressed…he seemed to be close to Big Mac somewhat. She wrote down what she thought of his form, she then sat back down and gestured he could put his attire back on. He then smiles and chuckles once again.

“How was that Twilight?”

“Oh! Um…it was…interesting.” Twilight says as she smiles sheepishly.

“Oh so you’re attracted to it you say?” Sam says with a cocky smile.

“Um…I never said that.” Twilight says nervously.

Sam chuckles once again and stands up and grabs his gear, such as his weapons and others, “Where am I staying tonight?” He asks.

“Oh! Well there is a bed set up in the cupboard, the closet is pretty big, it’s enough for a bed…it’s right under my bed basically.” Twilight was somewhat nervous, hoping he wasn’t mad about the circumstances.

“Secluded and Dark? Perfect, thanks, Twi.”

“Oh! You’re quite welcome--wait did you just call me Twi?” She asks.

“Oh um…did you not like that?”

“Oh no it’s fine, I was just asking.”

Sam smiles going to put his gear and such in the cupboard, “Then yes, I did call you Twi.”

Twilight giggles quietly and watches as Sam walks into his new room, she then looks at her notepad, seeing everything he told her, she smiled at herself in small accomplishment that she basically learned a new species.

“Hey, Twi!” Sam says.

Twilight looks down to see Sam in his getup and such, along with his equipment on and all.

“I’m gonna explore the town and just see what I will be living in for a while.”

“Oh! May I come with you? It’s nothing serious, but I was in the mood for a stroll.” Twilight smiles as she asks.

“Sure, you’re the one who knows about this place better than I.”

“Didn’t you read about the world of Equestria?”

“Yes, but I don’t know the ponies and the exact ways through the town, you know?” Sam says as he chuckles.

“You make a point there, you know you are smart…not the type to show it off…the ones who will admit they don’t know everything…I wish I was the same sometimes.”

“What do you mean?”

“I just try so hard to make sure there isn’t something I don’t know…it’s so I have all the information and have everything in place, including impressing the Princess.”

“I see, well there was never anything wrong with that…as long as you don’t stress yourself about it and you don’t boast about it then you’re still a good perso--er…pony.” Sam chuckles at his close mistake.

Twilight smiles at Sam and the two exit The Oakwood Library.

The two walk through the peaceful town of Ponyville, but as they walk…the townfolk slowly start to stare at Sam, and they start whispering. Sam looks at them with a skeptical expression, later he stops as well as Twilight to see a few ponyfolk in front of them.

“E-excuse me…but…are you the creature that…helped um…stop that monster Discord?” A Mare asks.

Sam chuckles as he looks at them with a smile, “Yes…I am.”

The townsfolk all look at him and look in small disbelief.

“Allow me to introduce myself, name’s Sam Knight…Gatekeeper, Shadow Warrior, and Guardian,” Sam bows and chuckles as most of the townsfolk gather around him, “Trust me…I am a friendly, most of the time.”

“Everypony don’t worry I can vouch for him, he saved me and my friends from the hands of Discord and assisted us in defeating him,” Twilight says.

“Oh, my…then I must give my thanks,” A Mare that seemed middle-aged says as she scooches through the crowd. She had a Grey Mane and a Tan Fur-Color, she had a Tie and Green Glasses, “I am Mayor Mare of Ponyville…you deserve our gratitude as much as the Elements of Harmony, welcome to Ponyville…Sam Knight.”

Sam bows down and chuckles, “Thank you Mayor Mare, and thank you all for the appreciation.”

Author's Note

Kinda short chapter...shit's been happening so...yeah.