Applejack and the Vampony Hunters

The group of ponies had reached Rarity's cell and were quickly conversing with Spike, after a few glances her way Spike left, leaving the ponies to take care of their business.

'I assume that you've come to perform some dreadful test on me.' Rarity said in her usual posh voice.

"Actually Rarity, we need your help to find a hidden lair deep in the Everfree Forest." Luna said while bracing herself for the same scream that staggered nearly an entire squad of unicorns.

Rarity or as she was now; Raribat, simply smiled and walked towards the bars of her cell.

"Well I suppose that I could, but what's in it for me? After those blood packs aren't enough for me anymore." Rarity said, revealing her fangs and vampony wings.

"I also keep hearing a voice in my head that tells me to serve somepony called the coven master. However I couldn't possibly betray my friends." Rarity said with her trademark smile.

This had caught Luna off guard, she had not expected Rarity to be able to act on free will, much less deny the insane mind of the coven master.

"So you'll help us then?" Applejack asked in a way that brought a smile to Raribats face.

"Why of course darling, but first I'll need some blood so that I don't lose control of myself." Rarity half said half hissed.

"I will take care of blood for you, in the meantime, Commander Hothoof and Lieutenant Oak, please get these two recruits some gear and weapons then get yourselves ready for the mission." Burnt Oak and Bow Hothoof nodded.

Rainbow Dash was quietly celebrating the fact that she got to wear cool armor and have even cooler weapons, while Applejack simply stared at Burnt Oak in stunned silence.

"Alright kids, follow us and we'll get you set up." The two mares frowned at the idea of being called kids, but still did as instructed.

"Right then, first off we need to get you two some armor, Applejack as an earth pony you'll need to see Outfitter, she'll do wonders with fitting you." Burnt Oak said.

"Rainbow Dash you'll need to see Mist Wind for yours, she should be able to work with you." Bow said as he pointed him out.

It took 30 minutes to get the two of them fitted. Next Applejack and Rainbow Dash were taken to the weapons vault and then they saw yet another familiar face.

"Pinkie Pie, what in tarnation 're you doin' here?" Applejack asked the pink mare before her.

Pinkie Pie looked up from the sword she was cleaning and smiled at her friends.

"It seems two somponies found out about Princess Luna's Royal Vampony Hunters, what do you girls want? I would definitely recommend avoiding the sword for now." Pinkie Pie said in the most business like tone Rainbow Dash and Applejack had ever heard her use before.

"In that case Ah'll take this here spear thing." Applejack said without any hesitation in her voice whatsoever.

"I'll take this crossbow, I read about these before thinking I could integrate one into my routine." Rainbow Dash said with enthusiasm in her voice.

"Okie dokie, one Battle - Mount Lance Type 1 for Applejack and one Bolt-Action Tail - Activated Crossbow Type 2 for Rainbow Dash." Pinkie said to a unicorn who filled out forms in a log book.

"Right then, once you two have set up with your weapons, meet us in the training room down the hall." Bow said pointing a hoof towards the door to the training room.

After 30 Minutes, Rainbow Dash and Applejack were in the training hall getting used to moving around with their weapons mounted.

"Right Applejack, you need to charge that target ahead of you and try to aim the lance at the center of the target." Burnt Oak said as Applejack nodded.

"Rainbow Dash you need to aim your crossbow at the moving targets in that room there." Bow said to Rainbow as she looked disappointed.

"That room is enclosed so that pegasi training with the crossbow don't accidentally hit our earth pony recruits." This explanation came from yet another unexpected pony.

"OCTAVIA!!" Applejack shouted louder than she ever had in her life.

"Yes I am a hunter, just please do not do that again, we only shout like that if one of us was infected so keep that in mind." Octavia said calmly.

"the recruits should start their training now or they we will be late for our mission." Octavia said with a small hint of annoyance.

With that Rainbow Dash and Applejack looked at each other as they felt a renewed rivalry that reminded them about the running of the leaves. They got to their respected training fields, trying to out train each other.