Applejack and the Vampony Hunters

"Long night AJ?" Rainbow Dash asked as she and Applejack were headed into the Ponyville town market.

"Yeah, Ah guess I was overdoin' mah patrol last night." Applejack said with a yawn.

"Seriously we're going to Burnt Oak's firewood shack." Rainbow Dash complained.

She wasn't particularly fond of Burnt Oak, this was primarily because he had once managed to outsmart her in an old joke from when she was a filly.

As the pair approached, Burnt Oak noticed and went to greet them.

"Howdy Applejack, Rainbow Dash. What can I do for ya? Wait no, I reckon yer here to get some more stories 'bout yer dad." Oak said as he finished another transaction and started to close up shop. "As for you Rainbow Dash I believe you still owe me those bits from that time all those years ago right."

Rainbow Dash just glared at the stallion with hate; she couldn't believe that Burnt Oak would still hold her to an old fillies joke.

In the meantime however Applejack finally broke her silence.

"No, Ah'm here ta ask you 'bout last night in the orchard, when ya'll saved mah life." Applejack finished explaining as Rainbow Dash looked up from preening her wings in absolute shock.

"Hang on a sec, you're saying that a firewood salespony saved your life at night in an apple orchard during your patrol!" Rainbow Dash half shouted half screamed.

"Look it's not safe to talk about it here, meet me at Fluttershy's cottage after working hours are up." Burnt Oak said while looking around to make sure nopony else was listening.

"Fine but then ya better give me the answers Ah want." Applejack said, she then turned to Rainbow Dash who in turn looked at her.

"Are you going to go AJ? After all we both know what happened to her so who knows what she might do to us, especially since we kinda stopped visiting her after the whole harvest thing." Rainbow said, trying to hide both the worry and the fear she felt.

Later That Day

Applejack and Rainbow Dash found themselves at Fluttershy's/Flutterbat's Cottage; they saw Burnt Oak who motioned for them to come with him to the door. As they did Burnt Oak knocked on the door.

It opened ever so slightly revealing a cream colored hoof. 'Come in.' That was all they heard as Burnt Oak opened the door and beckoned the others over.

Applejack and Rainbow Dash looked at the cottage in shock, even though Flutterbat had never been returned to her former self (aka Fluttershy) the place was still kept nice and tidy, the animals were still kept safe and well looked after. Flutterbat noticed their reaction and giggled a little.

"So Oak, last time you were here it was to find new ways to capture vamponies, but from the looks of things that isn't the case this time, and it certainly isn't a social call, even though I would prefer one every now and again." As Flutterbat finished her sentence she looked at her "Friends" with her big sad eyes look thus getting her way in making them feel guilty.

"I'll let Applejack explain this." Burnt Oak said blankly.

"Well ya see Flutters, Twilight was at the orchard last night and she... well...she...um...she looked kinda like you but her fangs were longer, and instead of fruit she tried to get me." Applejack explained as Flutterbat nodded.

Flutterbat turned to Burnt Oak and began to talk to him. "It would seem that that they need to know about the past." She said trying to choose her words carefully.

"What is she talking about?" Rainbow Dash asked, getting tired of being left in the dark both figuratively and literally.

"She's talking about the history of vamponies and hunters. You see , thousands of years ago, long before Discord or Tirek or even the Changelings had set their sights on this land there were the vampony covens, at the head of the covens were the purebloods but above them was the first vampony. She was by far the worst, but one day after thousands of years Celestia was born and daylight was once again a joy. but not long after that Luna was born and when she was old enough she approached the first vampony and stole her blood and thus gained the powers of the night and the powers necessary to hunt them." Burnt Oak then went on and gave a long and detailed explanation of the war that ensued and when he finished all was silent.

"So ya'll are sayin' that Twilight was messin" with that spell book ya mentioned.' Applejack inquired.

"What! Are you telling me that she somehow got to that book?" Burnt Oak shouted

"Well Twilight told me that she had to go through a great deal of trouble in order to open the chest that it was in." Flutterbat said.

"Well it’s no biggy, we can just get the book and get rarity to perform some sort of counterspell right." Rainbow Dash said confidently.

"Wrong, nopony can mess with that spell book otherwise they become a vampony themselves." Burnt Oak said sternly.

After he backed down he realized he'd over-reacted and then he became alert as he looked at the door. The others looked at the door and realized that it was Spike.

"So if we can’t use this then how are we gonna save Twilight from being… hurt?" Spike asked, trying not to choose harsh words.

"Hello Spike, it’s been a long time since I saw you." Flutterbat said.

'Yeah it has, now tell me how you plan on fixing this Burnt Oak.' Spike said coldly while glaring at Burnt Oak attempting to shoot fire at him through his eyes.

Everypony stared at Burnt Oak with hope, he decided on something very risky.

"We call Princess Luna for help on this matter, especially since she heads the hunting team."

As he finished his sentence he was met with quizzical looks from the others.