A Visitor From Beyond

As Ben and Twilight walked - or, in Ben's case, limped - through the woods, Twilight couldn't help to notice Ben's untreated wounds. "How long have your injuries been like that?" She asked.

Ben replied, "I never really took care of them. I guess there's no better time than now."

After he said that, Ben slowly undid the leather strips on his arm leaf and removed the coverings to reveal and arm ravaged by infection. Dark red patches of dried blood, pus oozing from several cuts, and the fresh smell of a dead body emanating from his arm. "Eugh!" The two said in unison, taken aback by the severity of the untreated damage.

"How are you going to take care of that?" The purple pegasus asked.

"Easy. Just use a healing spell," Ben responded.

Ben readied a warm tan colored orb in his hands, and rubbed it on his arm. Just like that, the wounds, blood and pus seemed to disappear. After a few rubs, his arm was as good as new. Ben then rubbed the same healing orb on his broken leg, and within seconds, he could stand on it no problem. Twilight was taken aback by his healing skill. "That's pretty impressive," she said, and the two kept walking back to Ponyville.

After about 15 minutes, they reached town, and headed for Twilight's pad. Once they stepped in, Ben saw Twilight's five friends looking at him with guilty faces. "We're awful sorry he hunted you down like that," Applejack said. "If we had known about your... condition... then we'd have reacted much less violently."

"Yeah," Rainbow Dash added, "Twilight told us about what she found out once we came back one night. After hearing all that, we felt awful. We hope you can forgive us."

"Yes, please accept our apology, darling," Rarity chimed in.

"Oh, it's quite alright." Ben responded, smiling. "Vampire hunters are a common menace back in Skyrim, but with my skills they don't stand a chance. If I had my composure with me and had not jumped out of that window I could've easily killed you all in no less than thirty seconds." Ben had a grin on his face. The six ponies' faces quickly became frowns, and Ben soon realized that ponies had horrible senses of humor. "I'm just fooling with ya!" He finally said. "You know I wouldn't of killed you. You're my friends!... right?" He was only met with grim looks. After about ten seconds of suspense, the six ponies all gathered around Ben for a group hug, laughing wholeheartedly.

"Luna, what is the meaning of this?!"

Luna stepped forward to view the note Celestia levitated before her. The note was in fact a letter, written to her by Twilight dated three weeks ago. The letter reads as follows:

Dear Princess Luna,

I have some disturbing news to report. After an incident involving Ben - a human from another dimension which you probably haven't met - I decided to search for an explanation. After hours of searching, I ended up finding a book that you gave me that explained everything. Turns out, Ben is a vampire, and vampires in Equestria have a rather sad tale. I was mortified to realize I could've very well killed the only human ever to come here. I am writing you to ask for any advice on the matter. Please reply soon. I've been spying on the others as they looked for him, but I don't know how long it will be until my friends claim Ben's life. I don't want to wait around and find out.

Yours Truly,

Twilight Sparkle

"Tia, why were you going through my stuff?" Luna asked, angered by the fact that her older sister would do such a thing.

"Your behavior has been worrying me, Lulu." Her sister explained. "These past three weeks you've been acting nervous, like you were the bringer of bad news and couldn't get over it. I was getting worried about you, so I snooped around in your room to see what I could see. After I saw this letter, I was appalled that you'd keep something like this from me. Do you know how serious this is?"

"Tia, my affairs are my business. I don't need you killing another innocent soul." Luna responded.

"Innocent? Vampires were a menace to society, and if I hadn't stopped them, they would've spread like wildfires."

"I don't need you interfering in my jurisdiction. Vampires were creatures of the night, and since I am princess of the night, naturally they were my responsibility. If I needed your help, I would've asked."

Celestia was furious. "I am your sister. You think that I was just going to let you wreak havoc on the kingdom just because nobody appreciated what you did? Nobody may have openly appreciated it, but your job was, is, and will be every bit as important as mine. Don't you forget that. Now, it's time I took care of this once and for all."

Celestia's horn started glowing a bright white, and soon released a beam of energy aimed at Luna. Once it struck, Luna let out a scream of terror as her power was sapped from her. After the deed was done, Luna fell to the floor, weakened and powerless. Her older sister levitated the door open and promptly trotted out. "I have to warn Ben. Who knows what Celestia will do to him?" Luna said to herself before she levitated her window open and flew out into the night.

Ben held up the sixth amulet, an emerald embedded in a gold necklace. "Not bad if I do say so myself."

"It looks smashing, darling. Simply beautiful. You're quite the craftspony, I mean craftsman, heh." Rarity replied, sitting on the sofa.

"Thanks for letting me crash at your place, by the way," Ben added.

"My pleasure. It's the least I could do after that whole affair that took place over the last few weeks."

Ben sat down to Rarity, and started abruptly staring at her flank for some odd reason. Ben couldn't quite comprehend his sudden attraction to Rarity, and thought about it for a moment while still staring. On one hand, she's a pony, and that's just gross. What man in their right mind would be attracted to a horse? On the other hand, he had no other choice. Besides, there was nobody else to judge him, so he decided it was alright. Rarity caught him staring and looked puzzled. "What are you staring at, dear?" She asked.

Ben was startled at the sudden question and hid behind a guilty smile. Rarity looked to see what he was staring at, only to find her flank in the way, with it's pristine curves and whiteness. After a moment of confusion, she finally realized his true motive. "Ah... I see..." She said with a wink.

Deciding to change the subject, Ben thought of the perfect nighttime activity - drinking. He was a frequent customer at the local inn, usually drinking himself into a stupor and having a good time. He wondered if ponies could drink alcohol. "Say, Rarity, do you frequent yourself a glass of wine every now and then?"

"Well, I do enjoy the occasional glass of fine wine. Why do you ask?" She replied.

His answer was to pull a bottle of wine from his satchel, filled to the brim with the red liquid and a cork on top. "I was thinking we could have some. You know, celebrate my return."

Rarity put her hoof on her chin and pondered the idea for a moment. "Well, maybe just one glass..."

The third empty green glass bottle fell to the floor as Ben and Rarity, now obviously drunk, laughed at each other about something that didn't make sense at all. "Boy, you sure do have a *hic* fine selection of wine..." Rarity said in a stupor.

"Only the best for somepony as beautiful as you." He replied, using his index finger to tickle her flank.

Rarity giggled in response and lightly punched his shoulder with her hoof. "Oh, you..."

After a few more minutes of idle banter and another bottle of wine shared between the two, Ben looked over at the clock. "Look at the *hic* time. Better get to bed..." He stumbled to the bathroom and came out a few minutes later in his silk nightpants and plopped down on the sofa.

"Oh, you don't have to sleep on the... the... um.... oh yeah, the couch. You don't have to sleep on it tonight. Come sleep with me..." She said, winking.

Ben laughed, and the two walked tipsily upstairs into Rarity's bedchamber. As Ben walked behind Rarity, he noticed that she seemed to walk with a more amorous style, putting emphasis on wiggling her flank. Ben didn't complain. When they arrived, the two fell onto the bed and got under the covers. Not too long after, Ben started to drift off to an inebriated sleep. That is, until Rarity snuggled up to him. "So... Ever thought of how you're going to fulfill your... 'Natural Desire?'" She asked before hiccuping again.

"I... *hic* I don't... I don't know... Wait, are you coming on to me?" He replied in a slurred voice.

"Well, maybe I am and maybe I'm not. What do you think?" The white, intoxicated unicorn proceeded to nuzzle Ben's neck and stroke his arm with her hoof.

Ben couldn't resist, especially in his drunken state. He turned around and stroked Rarity's mane while sporting a seductive look that met hers. Not too long after, she pulled him in for a kiss. Ben was surprised at first, even in his inebriated state, but went along with it. Turns out, Rarity was quite the kisser and went full on tongue, exchanging saliva and stroking his fangs with her tongue. After the rather long kiss, she backed away, a string of saliva connecting the two. She smiled at Ben seductively and said, "Your fangs are lovely, dear. I've read novels about vampire ponies having romantic relationships with regular ponies, but I never realized it would be this... um... Oh, forget it. Come over here, you sexy beast."

Ben did as he was told and pulled Rarity in for another kiss. It soon turned into full on making out. Ben pulled Rarity on top of him and they both continued making out. Ben slowly moved one hand down her back and eventually reached her flank, giving it a good scratch. Rarity jerked her hind leg in response, and after some making out, they stopped to rest. "My word, Ben. I never knew you were *hic* so good in bed." Rarity said in a slurred voice before nuzzling Ben's neck once more.

"I take pride in my work, heh heh." He replied, stroking her mane. Ben moved in close and gently slid his fangs down Rarity's neck, and she purred in response.

"Oh, Ben, you're quite the pleaser. Do you treat all your women like this? *hic* Because... Because you sure know how to treat a... *hic* a... um... oh yeah, you know how to treat a mare, heh heh." Rarity murmured into Ben's ear as he stroked her neck with his fangs. After a moment of that, he drew back and they looked into each others eyes, both of them plastered.

They were about to begin another makeout session when Luna abruptly walked in the door. Ben and Rarity were taken by surprise, and Luna felt embarrassed to have walked in on such an... awkward situation. "My apologies." Luna said. Her red, blushing cheeks could easily be seen in contrast to her dark blue coat.

"Meh, it's alright," Ben answered, propping himself up on one shoulder with Rarity still laying on him. "I probably won't remember any of this come morning. So what's up?"

Luna cleared her throat before speaking again. "I came to warn you about my sister. She knows your a vampire and now she's out to exterminate you."

Even in his intoxicated state, Ben reacted in shock at the word 'exterminate.' "Now why would she want to do that? I'm not doing any harm to nobody." He replied.

"I don't know. apparently she was still distraught at what I had done so long ago, and this whole fiasco just rekindled old flames."

Ben and Rarity alike had glum expressions. They looked at each other before looking back at Luna. Ben said, "Well, I doubt she'd come after me tonight. I mean, if she was smart, she'd wait until daytime, when vampires are weak. So for now, I'd say we have nothing to worry about. Also, how did you know I was up here?"

"Well, you have the window open and I could hear you two from outside." Luna shrugged. "Well, whatever. You two enjoy your... romance. I'm not very powerful with my divine magic sapped, but if you need any advice or help, come see me whenever you want." With that, she trotted out the door and magically shut it.

After about ten seconds of awkward silence, the two hammered lovebirds turned back to each other and continued making out. Through it all, Ben thought, Who would've guessed that after three weeks of being hunted down by these ponies I'd be in bed with one? I must be one lucky guy. Gosh, Rarity sure is soft. A good kisser, too. While I admit getting to this point was a lot harder than putting on some dumb necklace and asking random people for marriage, it was worth it. Man, I can't get over how soft Rarity is. It's like she's a finely crafted pillow. A finely crafted pillow that kisses back... My God, am I really that lonely? After a half hour of making out, the two drifted off to sleep in each others arms, Rarity still laying on top of Ben.

The morning light cast its gaze in through the open window, and the chilly morning wind soon followed. Ben slowly opened his eyes and began to look around, only to realize Rarity was still laying on top of him. He carefully proceeded to scan the room, and then looked down at Rarity. She was still sleeping, her head laying on his chest, drool coming from her mouth. She also tended to snore. Who knew that Ponyville's most pristine pony was such a deep sleeper? Maybe it was the alcohol. Thinking of said alcohol kindled a daze in his vision, as if on command he triggered a concussion. After his eyesight cleared, he looked at how he slept. One hand was around Rarity's back, and one on her flank. Rarity's left foreleg was at his side, and her right was next to his cheek.

Ben looked out the window, but turned back as he heard the sound of Rarity awakening. She lifted one hoof to her head and looked around in a daze caused by both the hangover and the fact that she just woke up. She wiped the drool from her mouth and propped herself up on her free hoof, looking around the room. "Morning, sleepyhead." She heard Ben say.

Rarity gasped and looked down to find Ben looking back up at her, smiling. "Oh, erm, hello Ben. A good morning to you, too." Rarity put a hoof on her head once more. "Agh, how much did we drink last night?"

"Oh, about four bottles." Ben responded, stroking her mane.

"My, that much? I usually only drink that much when I'm about to have... romantic... relations..." Her speech slowed to a stop as she realized why she had gotten so drunk last night.

"Now you're getting it." Ben commented. He scratched Rarity's flank, and she smiled in response.

Rarity admitted, "I suppose it was worth it." She looked out the window. "Heck, it's still early in the morning. Why not go at it again?"

Ben nodded in agreement and they did just that. After fifteen minutes of making out, they got out of bed and prepared for the day. Ben donned his robe, Rarity her... nothing... and they walked outside. "Rarity, you know why I made those amulets, right?" Ben abruptly said.

"No, I don't seem to recall." She answered.

"Well, I made them for the six of you as a token of my thanks for letting me back into society. Without all of you, I would've probably went mad in that cave."

Rarity blushed. "Well, you're quite welcome. You still have mine, right?"

"Of course."

Ben reached into his satchel and pulled out the silver amethyst amulet he crafted for Rarity and handed it to her. The purple gem glistened in the sterling silver contrast, but unlike the last time she had saw it, the amulet now glistened with a blue magical aura. "Darling, why is it glowing?" The white unicorn asked.

"You remember last night after I finished the first glass of wine and I went to the bathroom? Well, I really went in there to enchant all of the amulets. I enchanted yours with a constant effect fortify armorer fifty points enchantment so you can make your creations even more beautiful."

"My word. Thank you, Ben. I'll treasure it always."

As Rarity levitated the amulet on her neck, Ben looked off in the distance. "Now, go get the others. I'd like them all to be here."

Rarity nodded and trotted off to get the others. Ben leaned up against the boutique's wall and waited. After some time, Rarity returned with the others. "Now what the hay are you gettin' us all over here for? Oh, hey Ben. Anyway, what gives?" Applejack asked, rubbing her eye with a hoof.

"Well, I made gifts for all of you as thanks for taking me back into your lives. Now, these aren't just any gifts. They're... wait for it... enchanted!"

"Enchanted? Sounds lame." Rainbow Dash said with a snarky tone.

"Lame, hmm?" Well, try this on for size. I enchanted this one I made for you with a constant effect fortify fatigue two hundred points on self, which means you can do more... flying stuff... before you get tired."

"You don't day? Hand it over, will ya."

Ben did as he was told and put the amulet, a lovely silver amulet with a sapphire on it, around her neck. Instantly she began to feel more energized. "Wow, this feels pretty sweet. I really do feel like I could train longer with this on... once I get my wings back, that is. Plus, it looks pretty cool. Thanks."

Ben passed the rest around. Applejack's amulet, a gold necklace with a ruby on it, was enchanted with a constant effect fortify unarmed fifty points so she could buck apples more efficiently. Twilight got a gold necklace with an amethyst on it, and it was enchanted with a constant effect fortify magicka one hundred points on self. Fluttershy's amulet, a gold necklace with an emerald on it, was enchanted with a constant effect fortify alchemy fifty points so she could put all the vegetation around her to good use. Pinkie Pie's amulet, a sapphire embedded in a gold necklace, was enchanted with a constant effect fortify luck one hundred points on self. Who knew what antics that crazy pink pony would be up to with such power?

"This is awful nice of you, Ben. Thanks." Applejack said, smiling.

"My pleasure... Uh oh."

Ben looked up in the sky with a worried expression. The others looked up to see what had him so riled up, and saw Princess Celestia fast approaching. They all knelt in respect, except for Ben. He was far too worried about his impending doom. The princess of the sun landed with a thud, a serious expression in her face. "Rise, my subjects." She said.

The others did as they were told, and she turned her face to meet Ben's. "You know why I'm here, don't you? You thought you could hide your true identity, keep it a secret from all of us. You thought you would make it without a hitch, didn't you, vampire? Well, I know you for what you are now, and I'm here to end you, you monster."

The mane six reacted with shock at the princess and her sudden aggressive tone. "Princess, why would you say such things?" Twilight asked. "Ben's no monster. He's been such a dear friend to us."

Celestia turned to the lavender mare. "I'm sure his guise fooled you all into thinking he had good intentions, but I know his kind. My sister created them a thousand years ago and they ravaged this land. I stopped them back then, and I'll stop him now." She turned back to face Ben. "As for you, your time has come. I bid you farewell, you monster."

Ben turned to look at the mane six, who gave astonished faces right back at him. He knew he had to do something fast, but what? How could he defeat a goddess?

It was the hour of reckoning, the time of judgement, the decisive moment. What happened here would change all of Equestria forever...

The Choice is Yours

Celestia Kills Ben

Ben Escapes

Ben Kills Celestia