Twilight spent the night at Heart Manor getting bat-like wings surgically attached and spent the night to recover. In the morning, Black heart paid her a visit. This wouldn’t usually be so strange, however he came accompanied by Vinyl. She was wearing some sort of… uniform. At least it looked like a uniform. It was a light set of armor consisting of a sleek breastplate, boots, vambraces and a helmet. It was all colored a deep shade of midnight blue and a deep black, though the somewhat professional looking clothing under it seemed to be a lighter blue and brown.

“What are you doing wearing Night Guard armor? And what’s that under it?” Twilight asked, curious and a little weary of the answer.

“There was a decision from Canterlot, the Night Council decided to start a recruiting program for young people. They’ve only started in Canterlot, Ponyville, Edinspur and Stalliongrad for now as an experiment. It’s why I’m here, actually.” Black Heart explained as Vinyl slipped past him and sat down next to Twilight. Well, more like plopped down.

“So not only are they recruiting from the schools, they’re recruiting the creatures of the night too. Princess Luna had a hand in it no doubt, but the uniform underneath marks us to other guards as what we are. The exact information is kept a secret from the public and all, and most newbies won’t know unless they’re squadded up with one, but apparently most officers have been informed. Of course I joined up, the only reason I never became a guard before was because I was too young.” Vinyl explained, pulling her helmet off.

“Really? I didn’t know you wanted to be a guard. We can talk about that later, though, what did you need me for Father?” Twilight said, resigning to talk to her girlfriend about all of this after Black Heart left. The man nodded and motioned for them to follow.

“I hope you are well after your surgery, otherwise this can wait another day or two.” He started when she was a little unsteady on her feet.

“Oh I’ll be fine, I just need breakfast and I’ll feel better. Maybe a bit to drink as well.” Twilight replied. Vinyl shot her a knowing glance and Black Heart nodded.

“I’ll take your word for it then. I came to you to ask you if you would represent the family in the Night Guard. Princess Celestia has her own duties to attend to with the Royal Guard, while Princess Luna is already garrison commander for the area. Rainbow Dash, Rarity and Fluttershy will share in this task with you- though you may be separated after your induction.” Black heart explained as they walked.

“Your Bro came out of retirement and is now garrison commander for the Royal Guard so he obviously can’t represent us Lycans, but we’ve got Applejack and Pinkie and I coming in. They had a late night meeting to catch us and this morning we got to pick up our gear.” Vinyl continued Black Heart’s topic.

“Of course if you have no interest in the Night Guard, you need only say so.” Black heart said as they stopped outside of a door that was usually locked. Twilight almost laughed.

“After all I’ve been through, you think I’d be scared of becoming a Night Guard? Shining taught me to take care of myself since I was little. And of course I’ll do it if you ask it of me, Father. That’s how families work.” She told them. Vinyl looked pretty happy about that answer, and Black Heart smiled.

“Normally, yes, but you are no fledgling to be treated like a child. You’re no Elder, but you have already become a highly respected member of this family.” Black Heart told her as he unlocked the door and opened it. “I’m glad you accepted, I’ve wanted to show you this for a while. Miss Vinyl, the usual protocol applies. If you don’t have confidence in your secret keeping skills then you may wait outside. I’d rather not leave my newest daughter with a dead lover.” He continued. Vinyl was about to say something along the lines of ‘yeah yeah buddy I know’ but she paused.

“Usual protocol? I thought that the usual was ‘get the hell out’, but more polite.” She said. Black Heart chuckled.

“This isn’t an incredible secret, but I can still sense that you don’t fully trust us. We are allies, Lycans and Vampires, and we’ve grown fond of the foreign presence in our home. This is your chance to prove you can be trusted with secrets.” The elder Vampire replied. Vinyl just grinned and gave a salute. “Good.” He said and pushed the doors open.

“We haven’t used this room in quite a while, since before our truce, but as we’re volunteering for the Night Guard we thought we should blow off the dust. The Night Guard doesn’t go around recruiting teenagers and young adults randomly.” Black Heart continued as he stepped aside to let the two girls see. Inside seemed like a gun nut’s maniacal wet dream. It was a massive, and well stocked, workshop equipped with an armory and what looked like a large underground garage -judging by the small map on a support pillar nearby. Yeah, there was a MAP for this room apparently.

“Previously we used this workshop to develop and stock weapons for the express purpose of killing Lycans, and before that our own kind. There are plenty of archives and remnants of those projects, but until we know what we’re up against it should suffice as an armory. Anything you take must be logged and returned, you lose it you pay for it. “ Black heart began, walking through the room to another door.

“This is the door to the stairs, there are a few underground floors that may house vehicles. It’s currently closed off, but the surface access will be cleared soon. Now that I think of it there might be a few things left down there that still work. Feel free to explore it, if you find something that you like you’re welcome to it. Their owners are either dead, sleeping or don’t want them if they were left to the dust.” He continued.

“Whoa, you guys are fucking set. No wonder we lost that war…” She said, more to herself than anything. There didn’t seem to be any resentment in her tone though. She was more impressed and exciting than anything.

“I didn’t know we had something like this…” Twilight said, amazed as well.

“Vampires are not peaceful by nature. Creatures driven to consume the life force of others will never know true peace for their entire lives. This place was crafted centuries ago. Back then it was with swords and bows, now it’s guns and advanced technology. The last time it was up and running was when we were at war with the Lycans. That conflict lasted two decades before the truce was formed.” Black Heart explained.

“That was something like thirty years ago though, I wasn’t born yet. From what I’ve heard you guys kicked the shit out of us halfway through and we were too stubborn to give up. We were on the verge of extinction, at least in the area, so the truce was offered. We Lycans like killing shit, but since nobody could remember why they were fighting they reluctantly agreed to the truce.” Vinyl recalled. Black Heart nodded.

“I wrote it myself, by hand. I never liked fighting the Lycans, even after we started winning. We creatures of the night have to stick together, you know?” He said, ending with a chuckle before moving back to the exit. “Twilight, Vinyl can show you to the Night Guard academy tonight. I have nothing more to ask of you for now, though if you would I’d like to know your placement when the time comes.” He continued back to her. Twilight nodded and he nodded back before leaving.

“You know, I’d say I wish I had a leader like that but your brother isn’t too different from him. When he first got here, I was so surprised. Especially that he was taking over as Pack Leader. Our last leader was shot by the Royal Guard for attempted murder in Canterlot about a week before you got here. Apparently he was leading a ‘double life’ as a serial killer or something.” Vinyl said. Twilight blinked a few times then looked at her.

“Uh… what?” She could only ask, that came out of nowhere.

“Oh yeah, I never told you that story. I don’t know too much about it, Shining will know a hell of a lot more. You should ask him.” Vinyl replied with a shrug. Twilight just shook her head.

“Come on, let’s go check that garage. Shining taught me how to drive and I’ve been saving for a car.” The Vampire said, grabbing Vinyl’s hand and leading her to the stairs.

It was pretty creepy, when they were finally down there. There was no light source, but as creatures of the night their darkvision was superb. The top floor of the garage was completely empty, which only made it creepier as their footsteps echoed multiple times around the concrete.

“Is it just me or does this place give you the creeps?” Vinyl whispered to Twilight, not wanting her voice to rebound around as their footsteps were. Twilight just nodded her head and made towards the next set of stairs.

On the next floor they found a few old broken down cars. They were old, but not as old as the last time the place was apparently used.

“Huh, I guess this is the only good place to park down here…” Twilight said, voicing her thoughts. Vinyl nodded to it as they looked them over. Vinyl popped open the hood of one of them and made a low noise.

“Yeah this thing was stripped down before it was abandoned. You’d be lucky to get even parts out of it.” She said, gently closing it.

“Let’s just keep looking, we can see if we can find something after we’ve seen the place.” Twilight suggested. Vinyl nodded and they headed for the next set of the stairs.

The further down they got the newer the vehicles seemed. On the fourth floor there was even a TANK. It was rather old, and in multiple pieces, but it was definitely a tank. The barrel was plugged, though, and there were a few other additions that appeared to make it legal for street driving. That was a story they both wanted to hear, but on the sixth and final floor they were surprised to hear hushed voices.

“Come on man, just three more days. That’s when I get paid, and the whole damn check will go to you! That’s an extra hundred!” They heard one desperate sounding voice beg. Vinyl and Twilight looked at each other before creeping forward to peek around the corner. They saw, in the corner of the final floor, a small barrel fire lighting up a group of six people. Two of them were on their knees begging, the other four were clearly armed with small arms or blades.

“That’s what you said last month, and you blew the whole thing on one of your other dealers. I knew I was taking a risk letting you take half of the advance, but if I would have known this was going to happen I’d have just shot you there. One less waste of space on the streets if you ask me.” He said, holding his hand out. One of the other guys behind him put a gun in it and in a quick motion he shot both of them in the head. The gun had a suppressor screwed onto the barrel so the sound would have made it maybe a floor or two up, nowhere near loud enough to alert the Vampires above.

“Twilight we need to take care of these guys…” Vinyl started, pulling something from under her belt and handing it to Twilight.

“Since when did you start packing?” She asked.

“Since you got shot. I got a concealed carry license and everything, now get ready for a good fight. We need to take care of ALL of them.” Vinyl said as Twilight noticed fur start slowly sprouting. She was transforming, which made Twilight immediately look back as the four men were looking horrified at the people who just took bullets to the head. They were still kneeling there, but they were transforming as well. Rogue Lycans.

The four men growled and started transforming as well.

“Well Shit…” Twilight said as she summoned up her nightling form with a side thought.

The two groups lunged at each other, Twilight and Vinyl deciding to let them have their own fight to make it easier on them. It wasn’t too long before the two beggars found themselves losing. They made one ravenous push to catch the dealers off guard and then bolted for the stairs. There were two loud bangs as Twilight put a bullet in both of their heads, revealing them. The two Lycans didn’t take these ones too well, though, and crashed to the ground dead.

“So that actually worked, maybe I should take alchemy lessons.” Twilight said with a giggle as she stepped out of the doorway. She had magically engraved the bullets with glyphs to change the genetic makeup of the bullets to match that of silver, as well as a few other nasty bits of magic to make sure it dealt maximum damage. She had only engraved two before she fired, though, so the rest would have to be taken care of the old fashion way.

“So you leeches finally found us out. Did you know that a single Lycan is capable of ripping apart a whole coterie of you leeches by themselves?” The leader snarled, stalking around Twilight.

“That’s cute, you couldn’t even finish off these mangy hounds when you outnumbered them, and they almost got away.” Twilight said mockingly, looking over the ‘stock’. There was what looked like a few briefcases full of money and a couple of other cases filled with god knows what. Definitely a drug dealer.

“So what is it, Euphoria? Chrysalid? Boom-Boom?” Twilight continued offhandedly, a little curious.

“A bit of all three actually, didn’t know leeches cared about drugs. I’d offer you a sample, but I don’t think we’ll be conducting business for much longer.” The leader said as, almost as one, the four charged her at the same time. There was a flash of light and they were blinded, before they found their quarry gone and black tendrils of magic in her place. They crashed into the tendrils and were immediately wrapped in them, the black magic singing their fur like hot iron.

“Vinyl, you can decide what to do with these ones since you have the authority here.” Twilight called. Vinyl stalked out of the doorway then. Twilight was surprised to see that the night guard armor was not only still on her, but it had changed with her body. It looked a lot cooler like this, she thought.

“Didn’t I already say to take care of them?” Vinyl chuckled. “Go ahead and let them down, if I would have known you would have just fucked them up like this I would have gone in first. I’ve been itching for a fight.” The Lycan continued. Twilight shrugged and released two of the rogues.

“You want me to just kill these ones?” Twilight asked.

“Yeah, I’d say hurt them a bit first but I know you.” Vinyl replied, growling low with glee as the two were released. They were turning towards Twilight to try and help their kin, but before they could even think of what to do the black tendrils shot through their heads and hearts. The corpses disintegrated as if they were killed with pure silver.

“Keep your eyes in the fight, pups!” Vinyl roared, bowling the two over and throwing them into the middle of the room. They recovered, somewhat, and managed to steady themselves by digging their claws into the concrete to stop themselves. Without a word, they launched at her. She dodged their raking claws, and when one of them lunged at her throat she grabbed his smaller face in her jaws. It looked almost like some form of sick kiss before she crunched down and the better part of his skull crunched in with her teeth.

She threw his corpse at the other one, knocking him out of the air mid lunge.

“Agh, yeah you guys are all kinds of fucked up. Addicted to just about everything, mangy, your fur is in patches and your teeth and claws can barely scratch concrete. I felt bad at first but now I’m just glad to put you out of your misery.” Vinyl said, spitting at what appeared to be a foul flavor. The remaining Lycan just snarled at her and made one last ditch lunge to do some damage. It was almost comical how Vinyl uppercutted him. He skidded past her, so she grabbed his leg ad dragged him over to her.

“Just… make it quick.” The Lycan gurgled, the uppercut having broken his jaw.

“You fought well for a depraved pup, I’ll give you that honor.” Vinyl said softly. She grabbed his head in her jaws and quickly twisted, breaking his neck and killing him. She let out a sigh as her fur started receding. She took a deep breath when she was finally in human form and looked at Twilight.

“That was fucking terrifying by the way, I could feel the silver in that shit. Remind me never to piss you off, ‘Kay?” She said with a shit eating grin. Twilight snorted.

“You know I’d never use that on you. I’ll clean up, you head upstairs and grab Father and let him know what we found.” Twilight replied. Vinyl did a lazy salute and started casually jogging up the stairs. She met him halfway up, he had heard the noises, as well as a few other of the Family. She explained as they walked down and re-entered the floor to find everything neatly organized and the remaining bodies returned to their human form.

“I’d apologize for letting you go in there alone with such a danger, but it seems it wasn’t much of a danger at all.” Black Heart said with a bit of amusement in his tone.

“Some of this stuff has been here for a long time, this wasn’t a one time thing. I found a little hole in the wall concealed by low-key magic that lead into the sewers.” Twilight said, pointing out a now revealed piece of crumbled wall. Black Heart rubbed his chin.

“Well, the illegal substances we’ll turn over to the authorities for disposal. Everything else we can put to use here- but as the collectors you’ve got dibs.” He said, smirking at his use of the more modern term. Twilight nodded and Vinyl gave a nice ‘Ooohhhh’ at the thought of free stuff.

Author's Note

So I had about a page or so already here, apparently. It was bad.
It was literally just turning into Tartarus High, so I scrapped it and started anew. I think it was a good choice.
Enjoy.