Chapters Applejack and the Vampony Hunters
Prologue: A Fateful Encounter
"Night Big Mac, Apple Bloom." Applejack said as she walked towards the field.
She did this often, mainly because she was the one responsible for hurting the Timberwolf packs every time they got close to Ponyville.
To do this, she took some specially made apple pie to each individual den, but to her surprise every timberwolf pack in the Everfree Forest had gathered in the apple orchard and they were happy to see her.
"Alright Flutters, show yerself." Applejack said as the Timberwolves growled at the approaching figure.
It was when the figure stepped into the light that Applejack was truly scared.
"Twilight! Yer one o' them!" As Twilight or Twibat got closer a stranger appeared out of nowhere.
"Back demon!" The stranger shouted as he produced a shining silver cross, Twibat hissed as she flew away.
As the stranger walked away his hood fell off and Applejack recognized him instantly.
"Burnt Oak!" She said as he walked away.
Applejack and the Vampony Hunters
Chapter 1: Outbreak of Vamponies Part 1
"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.
Applejack and the Vampony Hunters
Chapter 1: Outbreak of Vamponies Part 2
Intro Sequence
The night was upon them now and they were waiting for the arrival of Princess Luna, when she showed up, the others all bowed and then Burnt Oak explained the situation to her.
"I see, this is a rather dangerous situation, especially since the vampony spell book can only be used to our advantage if we have a unicorn vampony who is not going to side with their leader, whoever they are." Luna said with worry.
It was just then that Sweetie Belle burst in, she was covered in blood and sweat, and she was also crying and attempting to speak incoherently, hardly getting anything through her sobs.
"Calm down Sweetie Belle, and just tell us what’s goin' on." Applejack said.
It was then that Sweetie Belle stopped crying and tried to talk but before she had the chance Luna had already figured it out and told Sweetie Belle to lead to Carousel Boutique. When they got there Twibat and Rarity had already been captured by other hunters. One of which Rainbow Dash recognized instantly, and she was in complete shock and rampage mode then.
"WHAT IN EQUESTRIA ARE YOU DOING HERE DAD!" Rainbow Dash shouted loud enough to wake up the entire population of Ponyville.
"Hi Dashie, I wasn't expecting you to be up at this hour hehe." Bow Hothoof said nervously.
"I honestly meant to tell ya but never got the time." Bow said hoping that his now enraged daughter would take his explanation.
"Don't lie to me dad, you never meant to tell me. What about mom, does she know?" Rainbow Dash asked coldly and with a lot of anger in her voice.
"No, windy doesn't know about this, and the only reason is because of the fact that even if I told the two of you, those among the hunters that are unicorns would have just erased your memories of the conversation." Bow Hothoof explained as Rainbow Dash Calmed down a little.
"This is all well and good Commander Hothoof, but I want a status report." Luna said in her royal tone so as to try and ease the tension between the two Pegasi.
"Those involved have been captured, however a young filly ran away before we could erase her mind, I can only surmise that she was the one to inform you." Bow said, not taking his eyes off of Luna for a second.
"Wait a minute, I don't even know what's going on here, would somepony please explain?" Rarity asked from inside the magic barrier being held in place by a group of unicorn ponies.
"I am very sorry but you have been bitten and thus marked by a vampony and thus you must be contained and monitored if necessary, we will put you down." One of the unicorns holding the barrier in place said with a tone that proved the fact that he has done this for a while.
"WHAT!" Rarity screamed in a loud enough voice that the barrier holding her and the one holding Twibat almost shattered.
3 Hours Later
Applejack and Rainbow Dash were taken to the headquarters of the vampony hunters guild, Sweetie Belle was put to sleep in one of the rooms at the facility after her memories had been properly altered. As for Spike, he was in the cell block talking to Rarity. As for Flutterbat, well she went home felling a bit woozy.
When Applejack and Rainbow Dash were brought to their destination, they were asked to take a seat and then Bow Hothoof and Burnt Oak also sat down, it was only after Luna sat down that the discussion began, and Applejack was the first to speak.
"What do we do about findin' this coven master pony, especially when we have no idea where ta look?" She asked without hesitation, Rainbow Dash nodded in agreement with her friends question.
Luna looked Applejack in the eyes and gave an answer that nopony liked at all. "We do not know anything about the coven master." Luna said solemnly.
Rainbow Dash looked at the others and then chose to look at Luna and say her piece in the matter. "Well is there any way to find out, I mean like trying to read Twilight's mind or something?" Dash asked hoping that she had the right idea.
Luna looked at Rainbow Dash, surprised that a Pegasus would think of such an idea. It was then that she nodded and beckoned the four seated ponies to follow her.
When they reached Twibat's cell Luna's horn glowed and Twibat stood still as a rock. After several long minutes the light from Luna's horn faded and Twibat fell to the floor.
Rainbow Dash tried to get to her but was stopped by her father who simply shook his head and pointed a hoof at the cell.
"I have an idea of where to look, but the location can only be found by one who has been marked." At this both Applejack and Burnt Oak raised their eyes.
It was then that the group started heading to Rarities cell, Applejack and Rainbow Dash had already anticipated what Luna's plan was and simply exchanged glances with each other and nodded, silently agreeing that neither one of them would do anything rash, and most of all they would stay by each others side until this was over.
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Applejack and the Vampony Hunters
Chapter 2: The Hunt for the Lair Part 1: Training
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.
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Applejack and the Vampony Hunters
Chapter 2: The Hunt For the Lair Part 2: Information and Planning
It had been six long hours of training before Applejack and Rainbow Dash were told they were allowed to rest.
The very next morning, the two friends met up with their group, they were going to travel with Bow Hothoof, Burnt Oak, Octavia and of course Raribat, as well as themselves.
The group left the hunters headquarters and followed Octavia all the way to the town market before turning into an alleyway where they saw an ominous figure lingering by a door. This figure stepped into the street after throwing away a bottle he had.
"Right then..." Octavia started as Rainbow Dash yawned loudly as Octavia just glared at her with the same look as Raribat. "...As I was trying to say, first we need to gather information on the Coven Master." This got Raribat's attention the moment the words left Octavia's mouth. "Our informant is a pureblood vampony named Vinyl Scratch. She is one of the only vamponies able to freely update us on the covens movement due to the fact that she got kicked from the coven due to being a touch too noisy both day and night." Octavia said as she knocked on the door.
When the door opened the group was greeted by Vinyl Scratch who (to no ones surprise) was wearing her headphones and trademark shades.
"Tavi, long time no see, what brings you and your crew to my humble abode?" Vinyl asked, making sure the others saw her fangs.
"We are here for information on the coven master who recently resurfaced, the same one you said had gone to sleep until the next summer solstice." Octavia said sternly.
The next few hours resulted in laying low until dark, Vinyl Scratch then chose to take them to her house.
"Okay, first I'm gonna lay down some rules concerning my house, first: if I tell you to hide then do so, I get plenty of company from the tutors that my family shove down my throat, second: anything you break you buy, especially since the door alone costs 100000 bits..." hearing this caused 3 out of 6 mouths dropped.
"Can... We... Just... Get... On... With... The... Job?" Octavia said through seethed teeth.
"What's your problem sugarcube?" Applejack asked with no regard for the fact that Burnt Oak was trying to hold her back.
"Not important, just get me inside before the moon comes out!" Octavia said through seethed teeth.
After a few hours of chatting in a bar Octavia finally chose to reveal her 'condition' .
"Now wait just one Celestia-damned minute, what you're saying is that you're part wolf?" Rainbow Dash asked, just to be sure.
"No what I'm saying is that I am a werewolf, those timberwolves you so wonderfully take care of, are the type that turn others unto their own species. You can thank nightmare moon for that." Octavia replied with just a hint of malice in her voice.
"We should get moving, my house isn't that far from here." Vinyl Scratch said with an unmistakable air of seriousness about her.
"Well Vinyl, I don't suppose that you could undo this transformation, being a pureblood?" This request (along with Raribats lack of formality towards a pureblood) made Vinyl Scratch smile.
"Sorry but that can only be done with the coven masters staff, and that is something that even I wouldn't go after." She said, much to Raribats dismay.
"This is the place." Vinyl Scratch said as the group approached a mansion that could rival the Canterlot Palace.
"Right, then now that we're here you can tell us what we need to know." Bow Hothoof said with eager impatience.
"Yeah but first I need to know that I won't be sold out when you confront the coven master and save your friends." Vinyl Scratch said, matching Bow Hothoofs impatience.
"You haven't been caught yet have you?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"No." was all Vinyl Scratch could say as Rainbow Dash just stepped closer.
"Then trust us, we will not under any circumstance let you be caught." As Rainbow Dash hugged Vinyl and looked her in the eye, telling Vinyl that she was being true.
After a few minutes, Vinyl smiled and motioned for the group to follow her, the were led to a room with several seats and after a few moments everyone was seated where they wished Vinyl called their attention.
"Alright, so the coven master has returned but at the moment she isn't a threat, in fact she is vulnerable but we all know that nopony can kill her with conventional methods. We also know that she can't be killed by a werewolf nor by a newly forming vampony. What we do know is that she can put back into a sleep cycle by using the same staff that she has hidden from the entire coven." Vinyl explained carefully, so as to let everything sink in.
"However the coven is located in the Everfree Forest, somewhere within a 50 mile radius of the old castle, That all I can remember mainly because they tried to erase the location from my mind, and only got halfway before I escaped." Vinyl Scratch said with a hint of pride in her voice.
"Well then I think our best chance is to canvas the are during the day so as to avoid any unwanted attention from the coven." Octavia said with the authority in her voice that she thought she was beginning to lose.
"We search in groups of 2, Octavia you take Rarity, Burnt Oak you take Applejack, and I'll take Rainbow Dash, if something happens or our objective is located send up a flare and meet back up at the castle." Bow Hothoof said as everypony else nodded.
"Vinyl would we be able to spend the night here?" Burnt Oak asked.
"Yeah but I'm afraid you're gonna have to sleep in the cellar/guest room, that should be okay with you right Tavi?." Vinyl replied and asked teasingly.
"Don't start that again, it will do." Octavia said with a hint of tiredness in her voice.
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Applejack and the Vampony Hunters
Chapter 2: The Hunt for the Lair Part 3: Secrets and Tragedies
It was early morning when everypony woke up and ate breakfast, Vinyl Scratch simply drank a blood pack that Octavia was carrying. It was when everypony was ready to move out that there was a knock at the door and Vinyl started to worry.
"They're not supposed to be here until next week!" Vinyl said worriedly.
"All of you need to hide in the cellar so that they don't find you." Vinyl said while rushing them into the cellar.
Vinyl rushed to the door and opened it, revealing two unicorns that Vinyl recognized as messengers from the hunters headquarters, once they verified their identities Vinyl called the others out of the cellar while looking a bit embarrassed after panicking the way she did.
"Lieutenant Lyra Heartstrings and Colonel Sweetie Drops what are you doing here in those uniforms, especially since their are day walkers around the market that could have seen you?"
"Commander Melody, we took every precaution including using our SST network to make sure that we weren't seen, and our reason for finding you is because Princess Luna sent us to inform you that the castle was attacked last night, and Princess Celestia was captured." Lyra said solemnly, not blinking nor looking away from her superior officer.
"This is not good, I assume Luna and her night guards managed to escape and take the day guards with them." Burnt Oak said with a well hidden hint of worry in his voice.
"Yes but if the castle is taken then it won't be long before HQ falls and our organisation falls, along with the rest of Equestria." Bon Bon said with a stomp on the ground.
Suddenly it went dark outside and there was screaming all throughout Ponyville, as everypony went outside the entire group just stood there horrified. All that could be seen was the forces of the supernatural world descend on Ponyville, it was that moment that more hunters appeared out of nowhere, along with several informants from each species.
"This is not good, with this never ending eclipse I will be unable to do anything without risk of turning on all of you. Commander Hothoof, I am placing you in charge while those who are now a possible threat will join me in the cellar." Octavia ordered.
All those who were likely to be taken over thanks to the eclipse followed Octavia. Those who remained stayed inside, it was up to Bow Hothoof to figure things out. There was a knock at the door, Vinyl went over cautiously and opened it revealing a changeling who asked to see Burnt Oak.
"What do ya want me for?" Burnt Oak asked with caution.
"I was sent by hive leader Thorax to give you the location of a coven that you have been searching for, I also bring news that Chrysalis is planning to seize the throne again so we can be of no further assistance to you." The informant said before leaving the house.
This changed everything, the original group gathered with Vinyl Scratch and agreed that the coven master would pay for this no matter the cost.