“One of your friends is hiding something else… learn it or leave before it’s too late,”

“What do you mean? My friends wouldn’t lie to me!” Twilight insisted.

“Oh… would they?”

Twilight turned around and saw a demonic yet piercing fiery eye, the sight of the burning eye filled Twilight with dread and terror.

Twilight gasped as she woke from her sleep, tumbling out of her bed tangled in sheets. The morning sun shone through the windows and Twilight looked around before spotting it and freezing, as if noticing a slit pupil staring at her from within the suns glare, the hallucination quickly passed.

“What was that dream? I know that stallion from the market last night weirded me out but…”

Twilight got out of bed and trotted downstairs. She found Spike already making breakfast.

"Morning, Spike." Twilight looked at the stack of pancakes in the middle of the table and added, "What are you making?"

"Pancakes," said Spike cheerfully. "I figured we needed the energy for today."

“You seem oddly eager,” Twilight said.

“Well, I guess I woke up on the right side of the bed today,” Spike shrugged.

“Does this have anything to do with hanging out with Rarity?” Twilight snarked.

“.....No,” Spike said, looking conflicted all of a sudden.

“Oh… Sorry.” Too late, Twilight remembered Spike’s feeling of heartbreak from Rarity saying he was her ‘main source.’

“You don’t have to apologize. I’m just hoping things go well today,” Spike said, bringing breakfast to Twilight.

“Then let’s get eating, and hope for the best,” Twilight said.

“Right,”

Twilight trotted out into Ponyville with Spike at her side, holding their checklist.

“Okay, Spike. We’ll divide and conquer today. I’ll interview Rainbow Dash, Applejack and Fluttershy and you can interview Pinkie and Rarity.”

“Actually, could I interview Fluttershy instead of Pinkie?” Spike asked.

“Hmm? Why?” Twilight asked.

“I have some questions for her regarding dragons. Surely she’ll know,” Spike said.

“Alright, just remember that the dragon lands are a bit of a sore subject for her,” Twilight said.

“Ok,” Spike said.

“I suppose I’ll get Rainbow’s interview over with since she works early today,” Twilight said before flying off.

“Hmm… I’ll go to Fluttershy first I guess,” Spike said, running off towards Fluttershy’s cottage.

Twilight flew until she saw a familiar fancy rainbow covered cloud home, she flew up to the door and knocked on it.

“Just a sec!” RD said from within.

Twilight waited about five minutes before knocking again.

“I said hang on!” RD shouted back before Twilight decided to wait.

About ten more minutes passed before RD made it to the door and opened it.

“Look, Thunderstrike. If it’s about the rent I-... Oh… Hey Twilight, what’s going on?” RD asked.

“Hey…. What was that about rent?” Twilight asked.

“Uuuh… nothing. Anyways what brings you here?” Rainbow Dash said while letting her friend in.

“I was in the neighborhood and thought about asking some questions to learn more about your kind,” Twilight said and RD seemed to pause and give a sigh.

“Had a feeling this was coming,” RD sighed.

“It’s a valid curiosity right? So little is known about Vamponies, this could contribute a lot to the field of study,” Twilight said.

“And what if I don’t want to?” RD asked.

“...Well, I suppose I can’t force you to, but this could mean alot to me, please?” Twilight begged.

“Fine, fine, I guess I can share SOME things, but not everything, I uh… would rather not snitch on other vamponies,” RD said.

“Understood,” Twilight said “By the way, why were you taking so long to get to the door?” Twilight asked curiously.

“You caught me during a sunscreen soak, and I didn't want to leave a dripping trail to the door. The good stuff takes forever to get rubbed off your coat.

“Got it,” Twilight said.

Spike made it to Fluttershy’s cottage and saw his friend hovering beside a tree branch, adding seeds to a birdfeeder.

“Hey Shy!” Spike called.

“Oh! Hello Spike,” Fluttershy said with a warm smile.

“Hey! Uh, how do I put this… Twilight wanted me to ask you a few questions to get a better grasp on Kirins,” Spike said.

Fluttershy glanced around and motioned him closer.

“Please don’t say it aloud. I don’t want anypony that could be nearby hearing,” Fluttershy respectfully said.

“Gotcha,” Spike said before following her inside.

After sitting down, Fluttershy made some tea and sat with Spike.

“You said Twilight had some questions about me?” Fluttershy asked.

“Yes, and to be honest, so do I. You don’t have to answer if the questions hit too close to home,” Spike said.

“Very well,” Fluttershy said.

“So Rainbow, how have you been sustaining yourself?” Twilight asked.

“Huh?” RD said with a sideways tilt to her head.

“Well, Vamponies drink blood, everypony knows that, but I know we haven’t seen any cases of Vampony attacks in town so I was wondering what you have been using instead to satisfy the blood cravings you may have. Forest critters are an acceptable answer,” she added quickly.

“What? Eww!” RD said to Twilight’s surprise.

“What?”

“I don’t suck the blood of forest critters. If Fluttershy found out, our friendship would be over! No I use a simple substitute to stave off the cravings,” RD said.

“And that is?” Twilight asked.

“Cider, usually Cider gives a decent buzz like when you drink blood, tomato juice will do in a pinch,” RD said.

“Huh? Tomato juice, apple cider? Is that effective?” Twilight said.

“Not really cider is just for the buzz and tomato juice is red, tastes similar and has the right ingredients to simulate it, it gets me by,” RD said.

“I see, so Vamponies just need to switch to tomato juice to-”

“No, I said it's a substitute, it’s not a superb replacement for the real thing,” RD said.

“Then how are you not starving right now?” Twilight asked.

“...Let’s just say years of practice are preventing me from looking at you like a blood bank right now,” RD said.

Twilight gulped “On to the next question!”

“Fluttershy, how is a… what you called it different from a normal Kirin?” Spike asked.

“Solstice Kirin, and It was because I was born on a solstice, even then one of those is rare, I can do some things that no other Kirin can,” Fluttershy said.

“Like?” Spike said while writing.

“I can speak to animals, I am more in commune with nature and those that inhabit it.” Fluttershy said, “I am also capable of limited unicorn magic, I can’t perform like Twilight because I never studied that hard and since my glamor was a pegasus I couldn’t risk my true nature being found out.” Fluttershy said.

“Makes sense,” Spike said writing that down “Next question”

“Are your speed and skills natural to you or are they a product of being a vampony?” Twilight asked

“All me!” RD said almost bragging.

“Ah, what else can you do since your a vampony?” Twilight asked.

“...Well… can I pass on that one?” RD asked.

“Hmm, but it is such an important one, could we-”

“Please,” RD asked.

“Oh, ok, I suppose I said you could,” Twilight said crossing out that question.

“Are you immune to-”

“Lava?” Fluttershy guessed.

“Uh yeah,” Spike said surprised she knew.

“Pinkie already asked me, I told her I am but I don’t like submerging myself in lava due to my coat and mane,” Fluttershy said.

“Ok,” Spike said noting that down before going into thought and hesitantly asking.

“How long do dragons live?” Spike asked.

“Hmm…” Fluttershy hummed thoughtfully “I’m not sure but I heard the eldest ones can live well into their thousands,” Fluttershy said.

“Oldest?” Spike said.

“One million, but that was only one, his name was dragon lord Ignatius, he had eaten many crystals that prolonged life, so that was how,” Fluttershy said.

“I see… so theirs no definite for when a dragon dies of old age?” Spike asked.

“Why do you want to know?” Fluttershy said seeming concerned.

“N-no reason!” Spike lied “Anyways, next question,” Spike said checking his list.

Fluttershy seemed worried but listened.

“Do you live forever? I’ve heard legends about it so…” Twilight said.

“That’s actually a myth,” RD said.

“It is?” Twilight said in surprise.

“We age like normal ponies, we live longer than normal ponies but apart from that we die when we hit an elderly age,” RD said.

“Huh… theory disproven then!” Twilight said checking the box that said ‘Vamponies having eternal life is a myth’.

“Also do you turn into a bat or a frog or a wolf or anything?”

“Also a myth.” RD said.

“Got it!” Twilight noted it down.

“Twilight wants to know if you turning into a vampony means you have any form of lingering vamponyism,” Spike said.

“No, that was a product of magic, as far as I’m concerned it meant nothing,” Fluttershy said.

“I see,” Spike said.

“When Fluttershy was turned into a vampony does that mean anything significant?” Twilight asked.

“Not at all, it was a magical accident, plus she was bonded with the DNA of a fruitbat, real vamponies are closer to thestrals than anything,” RD said before wondering if that was too much info.

“Fascinating,” Twilight said writing down everything she heard.

“What… is the likelihood you eat… um… any of your… animal friends?” Spike meekly asked.

“Spike! I would never! Kirins can eat meat but I’m a strict vegetarian.” Fluttershy said looking almost offended.

“Sorry, dumb question…” Spike said.

“This gonna take much longer?” RD asked.

“Just a few more, do you possess any knowledge of occult magics?” Twilight asked.

“...Pass…” RD said.

“RD,” Twilight implored.

“I don’t want to answer that,” RD said a little hotly.

“Ok ok,” Twilight said “Can you turn other ponies into vamponies?”

“Also pass,”

Twilight sighed and X’d out another box.

“Was your mother a unicorn or a pegasus, given how you have access to magic and flight as well as pegasus magic.” Spike asked.

“She was actually an earth pony, I suppose she had pegasus in her family line,”

“Ah, like the cake twins,” Spike said.

“Exactly,” Fluttershy said.

“Pass…” RD said again.

“Come on Rainbow, that’s the fifth time,” Twilight asked.

“I reserve the right to refuse to answer if the question is too invasive,” RD said.

“Fine, then do you-”.

“Twi, I’d love to play twenty questions with you but I have work in two hours,” RD said.

“Really? Has it been three hours already?” Twilight said glancing at the clock next to Tank.

“Fraid so, can we put off any further questioning?” RD asked.

“Oh… alright, I got some decent info,”

“And your not going to name me, right?” RD asked.

“I will not even mention how I got my info, my sources trust me enough,” Twilight said.

“Ok,” RD said getting up and stretching out “Welp, gotta take my next dip in sunscreen, see ya!” RD said before trotting away.

“Alright have a good day Rainbow!” Twilight waved her off before leaving.

“Rainbow sure was dodgy for some of those questions…” Twilight said remembering when she asked about the pony who infected her.

She passed immediately…

Twilight remembered what the stallion said to her…

“One of your friends is hiding something else… learn it or leave before it’s too late…”

“No, I’m overthinking it, Rainbow may not be the element of honesty but she’d never lie to a friend. She said she got it from a potential predator she got it from a potential predator” Twilight said before leaving.

Spike was blushing hard when the next thought came to his mind.

“Are you alright Spike?” Fluttershy asked.

“Fluttershy?...Can I ask you a question that is pure curiosity and not at all perverted?” Spike asked.

Fluttershy nodded already understanding where he’s gonna go with this.

“Can all ponies and dragons… reproduce together? Or were you just a one in a million chance?” Spike meekly asked.

“If dragons and ponies couldn’t breed I wouldn’t be here, as far as I know they can, a solstice kirin is a rare occurrence however.” Fluttershy explained.

Spike seemed relieved to hear this.

“Alright thanks,” Spike said before jumping down.

“Well a solid three hours of questions should do it, thanks for the tea and cake Fluttershy,” Spike said.

“No problem, come back whenever Spike,” Fluttershy said leading him to the door and letting him out.

“Thanks for the cooperation, Twilight will be ecstatic when she finds this info!” Spike said as he walked away.

“No problem Spike!” Fluttershy said waving him off.

The two then went to their new interviewees, Spike walked up to the Carousel Boutique and took a deep breath.

“Ok, she surely didn’t mean I was only a source of energy for her and Sweetie… surely!” Spike said to give himself some confidence and he walked in.

“Rarity?” Spike called.

“Cooooommmiiiiiiiing!” Rarity said trotting into view, when she saw Spike she smiled.

“Hello darling, what brings you here?” Rarity asked.

“I uh… Twilight wanted me to ask you some questions on Chang-” Suddenly Spikes mouth was magically held shut and he gasped in surprise.

Rarity hurriedly gestured to the pony in the corner checking coats and she was staring at the two.

Spike realized he almost blew her secret and he subtly waved his hand and Rarity eased her grip on his mouth.

“Chang….ing fashions for the seasons!” Spike said with a nervous laugh.

“Ah yes, I… forgot about that,” Rarity nervously laughed.

The mare in the corner shrugged and returned to her business.

Rarity leaned in and whispered to Spike.

“Meet me in ten minutes, when there are no ears listening,” She said.

“Ok,” Spike said before going to a chair to sit down.

Twilight entered the sweets shop known as sugarcube corner.

“Hey Pinkie, I-” Suddenly a pink blur snatched her and darted upstairs with her before placing her in a chair and setting up food and drink.

“-Need to have a word… with…you?” Twilight said confused about the change in scenery.

“Hey Twi! I bet your surprised! I heard you were coming to ask me a bunch of questions and so I prepared a room for you!” Pinkie said.

“Pinkie… you make my head hurt sometimes…” Twilight said.

“Thanks!” Pinkie said.

“How did you even-”

“I read what the author typed before, Spike nearly made a serious oopsie btw,” Pinkie said.

“Ok… you and I need to have a serious conversation later…” Twilight said “But for today, basic questions,” Twilight said.

“Hit me!” Pinkie said

“Well first-”

“Right after Spike’s segment!” Pinkie said.

“What? What are you-”

Spike sat in a chair waiting for Rarity to finish ushering out the customers after they made their purchases, before turning the sign to closed.

Rarity sighed and dropped her disguise before turning to Spike.

“Why’d you turn back?” Spike asked.

“Now that you know, I suppose it doesn’t hurt to drop the disguise, it will preserve my magic for now,”

“You mean your expending magic as you go? You must have Twilight-level magic to do that and do the things you do at the same time!” Spike exclaimed.

“Nonsense, It takes practice and magical measurement of usage,” Rarity said with a chuckle.

As they talked a filly came down the stairs and saw Spike and her sister.

“Huh? Rari-” Sweetie gasped upon seeing Spike and grasping at straws she hurriedly went with the plan B she and Rarity devised if somepony saw their true forms.

“OH NO! A changeling and not my sister has infiltrated the Boutique! Run Spike, I will hold her off!” Sweetie said pretending to light her horn in defense.

Rarity sighed “Calm yourself, Sweetie, Spike already knew beforehand,” Rarity said.

“Wait, you told him? So he knows about-” Sweetie said.

“Yes,” Rarity responded.

“And me?” Sweetie continued.

“Indeed,” Rarity said.

“Oh… Ok!” Sweetie dropped her disguise as well and trotted over to Rarity.

“So Spike darling, you said Twilight had enlisted you to ask me… questions?” Rarity said tentatively.

“Well yes, would you be willing to submit to a survey about your race?” Spike asked.

“Well… very well, but I will not divulge the location of any hives unless it is of the upmost importance, though banished I am I will not sell out my hive.” Rarity said.

Spike crossed out several questions about her hives location.

“Got it,” Spike said.

“Ok, now resume,” Pinkie said.

“What do you mean by resume? You said something about a segment four minutes ago and then you were staring off into space the whole time!” Twilight said annoyed.

“Not my fault the viewers were viewing a different conversation at the time, but now we can continue, as you were,” Pinkie said.

Twilight facehoofed and got out her list.

“Pinkie you said your rider was the horseman known as Pestilence right?” Twilight asked.

“That’s correct,” Pinkie nodded.

“And you used to spread woe and disease to others?” Twilight asked.

“Well, yeah, that was my job a long time ago, but I never enjoyed it, all the sick and dying ponies, at least Jeepers got to see ponies immediately die, I lacked the luxury,” Pinkie said, sounding a little upset.

“Jeepers?” Twilight asked.

“He’s my brother, Death’s horse,” Pinkie said.

“And his name is Jeepers?” Twilight asked.

“Yep! There’s also Glutto and Savage hellscreamer,” Pinkie said.

“I’m guessing the first one is Famine’s and the second is War’s?” Twilight guessed.

“That’s right, she hates that name so if you ever see her just call her Savage, and as for Glutto, never invite him to lunch, he never get’s full…” Pinkie said.

“I…see…” Twilight said noting this down.

“Rarity, is it true Changelings don’t defecate due to consuming only love and not solid foods?” Spike read off.

Rarity sighed “Honestly Twilight, you and Pinkie both, yes we do… defecate even though our food isn’t solid, end of story there,” Rarity said.

“Alright,” Spike noted that down.

“Also are Changelings omnivorous?” Spike asked.

“Yes, but I have gotten quite used to pony habits, so I’m not,” Rarity said.

Sweetie returned with burnt toast, buzzing with her small wings and landing near the two.

“Who wants toast?” Sweetie asked.

“Uhm… I am good…” Rarity said.

“Do you eat souls? Perform dark magics? Have any ties to the underworld? This is vital,” Twilight asked.

“No, some and yes, but I havn’t been there in a long time,” Pinkie answered each question.

“Alright,” Twilight jotted that down. “Do you know the exact date of the apocalypse?” Twilight asked.

“Nope, I caused the original apocalypse to be delayed, they don’t tell me anything now…” Pinkie said looking a little upset.

“Who’s they?” Twilight asked.

“My sibs, my birth ones,” Pinkie said.

“Can you explain what you know about them?” Twilight said.

“Sorry, Jeepers requested I not share that, and he is my bro after all,” Pinkie shrugged.

“Can you shapeshift into anything or are there limits?” Spike asked.

“Well… it’s honestly embarrassing to say… but no,” Rarity said.

“You can’t or your race can’t?” Spike queried.

“I can’t… I will be honest, I took this form a long time ago as mixed traits of ponies I perceived as beautiful to make the ideal identity, and I haven’t used any other appearance since.” Rarity admitted.

“I… See, so your like… a fashion frankenstein?” Spike joked, Rarity wasn’t amused and Spike realized he inadvertently insulted her.

“Ah ah… I mean…” Spike said.

“Next question please…” Rarity asked.

“Ok…” Spike said.

“List your powers,” Twilight asked Pinkie.

“I would but the writer would get carpal tunnel, so let’s just say pound per pound I got magic that matches Discord,” Pinkie shrugged.

“Ok,” Twilight sighed.

“In my hayday I could beat like twenty Discords however!” Pinkie cheered.

“Really?” Twilight said interested.

“An apocalypse steed has power comparable to their rider, and they are very powerful, but since Pestilence fired me, my power has kinda diminished…” Pinkie explained.

“I see so your power is linked to your bond with your rider!” Twilight said noting this all down.

“...How long do… Changelings live exactly?” Spike asked.

“This seems more like a personal curiosity,” Rarity pointed out.

“It… yeah,” Spike said.

“A good one hundred years for a healthy drone, royals and queens can live much longer” Rarity said.

“So you’ll be around for a long time?” Spike hoped.

“I suppose I will, given that I have enough love to sustain me and Sweetie Belle,” Rarity said.

“Yeah…” Spike said remembering Rarity referring to him as her ‘main source’ “Can I be frank with you Rarity?” Spike asked.

“Yes?” Rarity said.

“What am I to you?” Spike asked.

“What do you mean? You are my friend,” Rarity said.

“Am I? Or am I just a source to sustain you and Sweetie Belle?” Spike said with a slight sniffle.

“Where is this coming from Spike, of course I don’t see you as only a source of energy,” Rarity said.

“Then why did you say I’m your main source, have you been leading me on this whole time so my love for you would grow as I tried harder to get you to notice me or something?” Spike demanded.

“No darling, I would never use you like that, it’s just that your love was a convenient source,” Rarity said.

“Convienent source?” Spike parroted.

Rarity looked like she was struggling to find the right words.

“You see, without an ample love supply me and Sweetie won’t be able to keep these disguises twenty-four-seven, I would reciprocate your feelings but I am afraid I am just not ready for a serious romantic relationship, especially considering your age, not to mention what if your love dwindled over time? Also, I couldn’t tell you why because, well you know,” Rarity gestured to herself.

“Then why didn’t you just tell me you weren’t ready yet? Why string me along?” Spike said pocketing the questions in favor of this conversation.

“...You must understand Spike, I couldn’t risk Sweetie Belle or I being found out by the pony population, so I looked for the right time,” Rarity said.

“You gotta believe us, Spike, it’s very hard for Changelings to live in pony society, especially after what happened at the wedding, think of what would happen to us if ponies knew?” Sweetie added.

“So I was just a battery for you guys…” Spike said looking sad.

“No Spike, we would never see you as that” Rarity insisted.

“Save it…” Spike said hopping down and leaving.

Rarity put her disguise back up and ran to him as he opened the door.

“Spike! Don’t hate us for this, all this was circumstantial, I would have told you one day!” Rarity pleaded.

“When?” Spike asked.

“...Perhaps when you were older or when Changelings could integrate without persecution,” Rarity said.

“I understand your position Rarity… I just need time” Spike said before leaving.

Rarity could see the feast that was his love dwindling and she knew she messed up.

“He’ll come around, right Rarity?” Sweetie asked.

“I-I don’t know…” Rarity admitted.

Pinkie’s tail twitched in three directions.

“Somepony is sad right now!” Pinkie said.

“What?” Twilight said as she was in the middle of looking for a question to ask.

“No… somedragon! You gotta go to Spike Twilight, everyones favorite ship is on the line!” Pinkie said waving her hooves.

“Uh huh… Why is Spike-” Pinkie performed a sonic spin and nabbed Twilight before depositing her outside where Spike was.

“-Sad…. darn it Pinkie…” Twilight said before noticing Spike sitting on a fountain edge.

“Spike? What’s wrong?” Twilight approached him.

“Rarity basically confirmed I’m just a power source for her and Sweetie…” Spike said.

“She didn’t,” Twilight gasped a little.

“She did, I mean I understand where she’s coming from with needing energy for… uh” Spike glanced around for anypony listening before whispering in Twilight’s ear. “Her disguise as a pony, but I just… it still hurts…” Spike said.

“Spike, you have to look at it like this, either she uses your love to keep her and Sweetie healthy or they lose that source and they wind up exposed, then who knows what could happen to them,” Twilight said.

“I understand it, it’s just, I need time to process all this, your right, they couldn’t help it, but I need time,” Spike said before leaving for home.

“Spike…” Twilight said before sighing and turning to head to her last destination.

Sweet apple acres.

“Darn it Rarity… let’s hope Spike can forgive you,” Twilight said.

Twilight entered the acres and began looking around for Applejack.

“Applejack?! Applejack!” Twilight called out.

Twilight looked around for her and decided to take to the air to find her easier.

She flew around for a good twenty minutes, afterwards Twilight landed on a cloud and glanced around.

“Well, maybe she’s in the orchard?” Twilight was going to go search there when she heard a door slam elsewhere.

“Hmm?” Twilight said before flying down to where she heard the noise and she saw a barely opened cellar door.

“Ah, maybe she went in there!” Twilight said before flying down to the door and entering.

“Applejack! I need to speak with you!” Twilight called out as she trotted down the stairs.

And she found herself in a strange place.

“Huh?” Twilight said.

She saw a bookcase, from where she was standing she could see the books were on rituals and curses.

“Rituals? Curses?” Twilight said backing up and bumping into something metal, she spun to see a jail cell, with chains, the cell was covered in scratch marks too.

“What the?” Twilight said as she examined the scratch marks.

She then took a step back and stepped on something and she heard a chime.

“Huh?!” Twilight turned to see a music box playing.

“Applejack?” Twilight said nervously, as she began backing up she kicked something that made a clatter.

She froze… there was something wet on her leg…

“Please Celestia… let it be water…” Twilight turned and saw… water on her leg and the floor.

“Whew…” Twilight said… before her eyes settled on something sitting a few feet away, what made that clatter…

“Dear Celestia…” Twilight wanted to scream.

Bones… there were no skeletons but there were small bones littered through the floor.

“Oh no…no no no…” Twilight had trouble processing what she was seeing.

“Twilight?” Twilight stiffened and turned to see Applejack standing there with wide eyes.

“A-Applejack?...” Twilight breathed out.

“No…you shouldn’t be here…” Applejack shook her head as if struggling with what to do.

“Applejack I-”

“Get out…” Applejack said softly.

“Huh?” Twilight said.

“AH SAID GET OUT! AND TELL NOPONY!” Applejack yelled with fury.

Twilight wasted no time and lit her horn before teleporting the heck out of there.

Applejack panted heavily before she fell to the ground sobbing.

“She shouldn’t have seen this… What am ah gonna do?” Applejack asked.

Author's Note

Welp, I'm back on track, I FINALLY have a vacation from work which means more time to work on this story with George.

Remember, if you have any suggestions for adventures or chapter topics leave them in the comment section or PM me.

Also can any of you guess what the end part means?

Till next time my readers! Ciao!