Author's Note

Sorry for the lack of chapters but I’ve been extremely busy lately with work and my personal life, so finding time isn’t easy.

But I hope that you all appreciate this chapter as it was really enjoyable to write once I found the time.

C81 plans for the future

“So Anubis what is your plans for the future?”

“And why do you ask now Tender?”

“Come on, don’t act like now’s a bad time, you are engaged to the princess of the griffon kingdom, you’re probably going to marry princess Celestia too but you care not for status or power? What are you planning?”

“Mhmmmm I see…. So you want to know what I want.”

Beeeeeeeeeeeep!!!!!*

“Argh sigh* not another one, looks like this test failed…. But yeah I’m curious.”

“No matter but it’s good to know how fast the disease spreads…. You are correct in that I care not for status but power is a different story doctor, just not in the traditional sense.”

“What do you mean?”

“I seek knowledge, you see I’m too curious for my own good but there’s only one of me. So I need those who I can trust to conduct my work, I’d rather not be stretched far and thin.”

“So why did you just employ me and Galeyus?”

“Because Galeyus will be the face of the public sector and you will be the head of research.”

“What about you?”

“I will have the Dreamscape to explore as well as my family and this place…. Sigh* but there’s also the home land of the long-eared griffons to the south, so much to explore but there’s only one of me….”

“So how do you intend on doing all that?”

“I myself will focus on my family, the Dreamscape and weapons to deal with the Dreamscape’s occupants as well as the Dream spirits…. But to get creatures to risk their lives and explore the south continent, that part is easy. Scalpel please.”

“Here and how so?”

“Words my friend, words….”

“It can’t be that easy, can it?”

“Yes and No…. but I can’t disclose other methods too you, otherwise you’d realise how easily i convinced you it was fine to use living test subjects….”

“Sorry what was that?”

“Tell me why you agree to this job?”

“Oh um it has a bunch of benefits like better pay and priority for better health care for my family.”

“But you understand that what we are doing is wrong?”

“Yes…. But they’re not really living creatures anymore, right?”

“You tell me doctor.”

“Well at a glance yes, they look like ponies but when I look closer, there’s something wrong with them. Something telling me that they’re not pony, it’s weird but comforting in a way.”

“Good…. That was the goal, I’m just surprised Celestia was okay with me using corpses.”

“Yeah and with your biomancy, they become the perfect test subjects.”

“Yes they are, they even scream in response to pain…. Just like a real living breathing creature.”

“Anyway back to the south continent, is it really the homeland of your kind?”

“Yep and it’s full of ruins, artefacts and mystery. All it takes is some curious individuals who are looking for adventure.”

“Sigh* yeah I guess you’re right but that’s a bit messed up.”

“It is but so is this and I don’t care.” I was cut off by our new test subject interrupting me.

“Cough* cough* p-please I-oh m-make it stop~ gasp* please make t-the pain stop….”

He then began to choke on his own vomit.

“Sigh* where was I…. Oh yeah, you see either way they will want to go and explore, dig up artefacts and treasure, ruins and the history too.”

“Oh okay…. I see but is the subject meant to plead for death?”

“And I’m supposed to know why? I only brought back the biological function, so probably.”

“Well because you restore the bodily functions, you’d know why…. Anyway, so how’s fatherhood treating you?”

“Good I suppose, it’s definitely interesting and enjoyable but pretty annoying at times.”

“Really? I couldn’t tell, in fact you make it look like a joke. Me and my wife have been thinking about foals but we agreed that until one of us gets a raise or something before we’ll start trying….”

“Well this is something, so would you like some assistance?”

“What? No um maybe it depends on how…. But not to be rude Anubis, you’re a great dad to your daughter but you shouldn’t be…. Your mental health is not great, you don’t care for danger or gore and that’s because you’ve grownup around it. It just doesn’t add up, you don’t add up.”

“Heheheheh~ I know but I don’t need to, you ponies still know very little about the mind and mental health as it is. So why don’t you try to unravel its mysteries and use your wife’s expertise.”

“Maybe I could…. Sigh* well it was definitely interesting to see into how you think, even if it was only a tiny fraction of what goes on in your mind. My wife still thinks you’re mentally unstable and I can see why but are you?”

“Hmmm think about this, just because some creature is wired differently and has different morals doesn’t mean they are unstable. But if you must know the answer, no. I’m not unstable.”

“Wow…. Wow that’s honestly something I never would have considered…. Oh shoot look at the time, I have to get going or I’m going to be late for Eclipse’s check up. See you Anubis.”

“See you Doctor.”

Tender Care took his leave to perform a check up on my daughter, not like anything would flag up or be for concern.

“I’m just glad that he didn’t freak out upon seeing the infected test subjects like Galeyus did. the virus doesn’t kill the subjects or causes any complications, only causes others to see them as something not pony.”

“Y-you monsters, evil beasts make it stop~.”

“Very well, this test is now concluded.”

I reached for the scalpel on the tray and placed the sanitised steel against the stallion’s neck, in one cold movement.

Slash*

Blood began to drain from his neck as he made a sickly gargling noise from choking on his blood.

“It’s a good thing that Canterlot’s criminal underground is so big, otherwise I’d have to be conservative with these guys.”

I got to work setting up a few other things that take time to produce results and saw the clock, it was ten past two in the afternoon.

“Mhmmmmm I should spend some time with Silverfeather, yeah she could probably do with some company.”

Making my way to the wash room to clean off the blood from my coat and claws, after cleaning myself up and leaving the underground bunker i happily wondered the market. Buying anything that I thought my mates and daughter would like, Celestia was the hardest to get anything for because she probably already had it.

So that meant that if I wanted something unique, then I’d have to make it…. How tiresome.

“Excuse me but move, you’re in my way.”

“Sure.”

His tone was annoying but I was standing in the doorway and I took up the entire space so it was understandable.

“Huff* to think that they’d let a hybrid in here, how disgusting.”

“Oh I’m sorry miss, please excuse me.”

“You are excused.”

He tilted his head up and walked into the store, I on the other claw sat down on a bench and waited.

“Sorry Silver but I’m sure you’ll be fine, I’d only distract you from your studies.”

I only had to wait 32 minutes for him to exit and he immediately made a left turn down the road, I took to the air and followed.

But to my surprise he led me to an old tattered bar, this was a problem because I had a few bags of gifts for Silver and Eclipse….

“Fuck it I’ll leave them here against this chimney.”

Shifting my fur and feathers, making them a solid light red.

Spreading my wings, I glided down and decreased my hight just as I walked in. Upon entering the bar, I noticed that it was pretty empty.

“Hmm a Griff, what can I get ya.”

“Whatever’s good.”

The bar mare poured a glass of something called dragon fire Ale, I gave her some bits and took the glass.

“Slurp* mhmmm refreshing…. if I was dying from dehydration that is.”

The drink was strong and for some reason I couldn’t stop its unwelcome Side effects, so I have to be careful with drinking it.

After looking around I found something suspicious and began to investigate, it seems that there was a back room and judging from the absence of the stallion I was looking for It was being used.

Whilst the bar maid was busy with stocking up for the coming customers that would surely be looking for a drink after work, I slipped into the back room to look.

As I walked through the hall, using my ears as sonars to find anything that looked like ponies, I noticed that there was multiple pony shaped individuals huddled together in a room.

By this time I had covered my entire face with a thin layer of bone that looked like a black mask and covered my entire body with a large black and purple over coat.

I swung the door open but what I saw wasn’t what I expected, it was a group of young ponies chained together, covered in bruises and cuts.

“Ahhh! No! we’re sorry, we didn’t mean to be loud sir!”

Upon realising that I wasn’t the creature they were expecting, they all breathed a ragged sigh of relief but that was short lived as I felt a sharp spike of pain rack my body.

“And who the fuck are you!!!!”

I felt my rear end go limp and realised that my spine was severed by the spear this Pegasus mare stabbed me with.

“Look like we’re gonna have to kill you now but I’m going to make it slow and painful, you runts can watch.”

She began to carve into me with a dagger but the pain was negligible at most, I healed around the spear tip and jerked up.

She freaked out and dropped her dagger but tried to hold onto the spear, unfortunately for her my tail had already swung at her.

Crunch!!!*

“Ahhhhhhh!!! Ffffuck!!!”

“Yes you’re right. I am going to have to kill you.”

“Cough* cough* wait!”

Slash*

“Now to find the prick I’m here for….”

“Gasp* y-you you barbarian! You murdered her.”

I lunged at him and bowled him over with my wings, now that I had him where I wanted him.

I was going to enjoy this.

“No sir please! I beg you cough* cough*”

“Shut up.”

I began to dig into his stomach and pull out his non-vital organs, showing him each one as I took them from him.

“H-help…. P-please help…. Cough* cough* gasp*”

“Whoops, that’s the heart…. Oh well…. So what to do with you lot?”

The group of ponies that were chained together went pail and one of them even pissed themselves, I honestly didn’t really care about them not to mention that the guards would look after them.

“Well I’m going to leave you all here, the guards will take care of you and get you back to your families.”

“Wait!!! Please…. H-help us.”

“Stardust! What are you doing? Asking him to help us?”

“It’s better than waiting for the guards, he can actually get us out of here.”

“B-but look at him?”

“Really? For a mare, you really are a little cry colt.”

“What? I wasn’t the one balling his eyes out because he was hungry!”

Stomp!!*

“Okay enough!”

They fell silent and looked at me, now with all of their attention on me. I made my decision.

“Those who want to come with me get up, those who want to stay and wait for the guards. Stay seated.”

Two out of the five young teens by my estimations got up, i swiftly cut the shackles around their forelegs and necks and began to walk out the back.

The two who were arguing just a moment ago, followed me so I made a portal and walked through.

Whilst waiting for the two teens decision, I grabbed my gifts and dropped them off in my room.

When I got back, I found them investigating my bunker.

“So you followed….”

“Eep um y-yes.”

“Stardust was it?”

“Yes and I’m um Glitter Bomb….”

“Well this is your new home, please let me get you settled in and fed.”

“Food?!”

“Yes food but first.”

I removed my disguise and they both fell to their rumps.

“This is what I look like, now follow me please.”

“Yes sir.”

“You first Glitter.”

“So what’s your story? How’d you two end up there?”

“We were sold…. By his mum….”

“Yeah Glitter was taken in but when we turned 15, she sold us…. Bitch.”

“That sucks but now begins your new life, a good life if you can learn fast.”

“Really? W-what do you want from us?”

“I need to invest some funds into a house, as a fail safe. So you two and one other will become its occupants but there’s a catch.”

“And what’s that?”

“Glitter, relax he’s helping us.”

“I need a reconnaissance team, a team that can gather information on corrupt nobles and guards but the royals are off limits.”

“Why?”

“Because they aren’t corrupt…. It’s smart to leave the ones in power who actually care for your well being…. Well in power.”

“Makes sense…. So why can’t you do it.”

“Because I’ll be the one to kill them.”

“Seems like a good deal, what do you say Glitter.”

“Fine, it’s not like we have anything else….”

“Good, let’s go meet your new foster father, his name is Nebula Bloodmoon and he’s a unicorn.”

“Why does his race matter?”

“Sorry he’s a vampire unicorn and you two will become vamponies too.”

“What?!?”

“Cool!”

“No not cool Stardust! That’s crazy!”

“So? I’m in.”

“Wha? No I’m not.”

“So you don’t want to spend all of eternity with me?”

“Garh* fine but only because of him.”

She pointed at her companion who looked pleased with himself.

“Splendid, now let's go.”

“Wait!!”

“Yes?”

“Who are you, you look familiar.”

“Sigh* the name is Anubis Grimgost.”

“Oh that’s who you are!”

“Who?”

“Glitter, he’s the griffon that the princess took in like a year ago.”

“So why are you doing this?”

“Because the nobles are stressing Celestia out.”

“That’s it? No noble cause, no sense of righteousness?”

“No, just removing the root cause of her stress and if it has the side effect of helping the nation, then that’s just a bonus.”

“You are messed up.”

“Thanks.”

“Come on, isn’t there like some revenge motive?”

“No…. I don’t see the need for revenge, some nobles are useful and others are problematic. So I kill the one’s that cause problems, although Princess Silver Blood and her family are my insiders.”

“But they’re like the snobbiest and arguably the most corrupt ones!”

“But they are useful, to me at least.”

“Makes sense to me, so when do we get to become vamponies?”

“Once she is satisfied with questioning me.”

“Look what so hard to understand, he kills those who are pricks and leave those that are useful or neutral.”

“But that means that if a noble is useful and corrupt, they get to go free!”

“So?”

“Sigh* look sometimes you need the corrupt, it might sound backwards but they can be just as good as the honest nobles. It’s only those I don’t see a use for or a way to use them get killed.”

“B-but that’s unfair.”

“It is but so is life. So are you done questioning me?”

“Yes sir Grimgost….”

“Good now come, I don’t have too much time and I’m sure Nebula will be pleased to have some company.”

“So um is Nebula nice?”

“Yeah he’s chill, a bit skittish but all round a good vampony.”

“Is he cute?”

“Really Glitter?”

“I’d say so but I don’t swing that way.”

“So he’s good looking?”

“You’ll see.”

“Tisk* Tisk* don’t tell me that you’ll be on board with this if he’s hot.”

“It’s not like that! Just…. It’ll be nice if he isn’t ugly okay and I’m already on board because of you!”

“Awwww thank you.”

“You’re welcome Star…. You idiot.”

“Hehehehahahahah* you two are a riot to watch, I might just keep you around to watch like my own private tv show.”

“What’s a TV?”

“Doesn’t matter but just note that it’s a good thing.”

“Okay…. Weirdo.”

“Hey! Be nice he saved us…. So mister Anubis, how old are you?”

“18.”

They both yelled out in shock.

“What!!!!”

“Ouch, my ears are sensitive you know.”

I shot them a glare and their ears pinned themselves to their heads.

“S-sorry but you only like, 3 years older than us.”

“And?”

“And you are doing all this!”

“So?”

“So?!?! So this shouldn’t be possible?”

“But it is.”

“Y-yeah…. Somehow.”

“Maybe one day I’ll show you the truth….”

“What truth?”

“The Dreamscape….”

“psst I heard that, that’s like cult stuff.”

“so he’s crazy?”

“Glitter! He’s a griffon that can use magic, so he can’t be.”

“Sigh* like I said, my ears are sensitive.”

“Eeep! Um s-sorry sir.”

“Huff* so you’re apart of a cult?”

“No, I’m a doctor. I’m also engaged to the princess of the griffon kingdom.”

“Isn’t it an empire?”

“Yes by technicality but not in my eyes.”

“So your royalty?”

“No, not by birth right…. In fact I was in a similar situation to you too but I was taken away from my family once they were murdered.”

“Oh…. Um…. My condolences.”

“Yeah I’m sorry, I didn’t know.”

“It’s fine, now where was I? Oh yes, the only difference was, I was a toy for experimentation.”

“That’s horrible.”

“It was but I learned to adapt, after all it was either cope or die and I coped.”

“So why are you telling us?”

“Because it was very likely that was about to be your fate….”

Stardust stopped and stumbled for a moment before Glitter came to his side, this was good. They’re both already a great team, I just needed to get them on friendly terms with Nebula.

“Well thank you again…. Fuck…. You okay Star?”

“Y-yeah…. I think so….”

“Good, it’s not much further now and I’ll get you some food and drinks.”

“Really?”

“Yes, I need you two to be healthy for the ritual.”

“What ritual?”

“The one to turn you two into vamponies.”

“Oh yeah.”

“Okay…. what in Tartarus is wrong with the both of you!?!?!”

“Grrrrr* my ears….”

“Yeah even my are ringing.”

“Eep s-sorry s-sir but it was j-just a question….”

“What sort of question?”

“Well I j-just don’t understand how nonchalant you are, same go’s for you Star. You’re acting like this is a game, I just don’t understand how.”

“Well he’s giving us food and a home, we get to become vamponies which is wicked and all we have to do is stalk some scummy nobles. So it’s the best option anyway we look at it.”

“He has a point, I understand putting on a brave face for him Glitter but now you can drop it. You aren’t in danger anymore, so take some time to decompress yourself. You’ll also be getting your own rooms and spaces.”

“Yep I’m definitely sold now, so what do you say Glitter?”

“Sigh* yeah I guess….”

“Great! So how much further now Mister Anubis?”

“Not much, to be honest, we’ve been walking around in circles for the past 5 minutes.”

“What?!”

“Hahahah, I thought so.”

“Yeah sorry about that but let’s not waste anymore time now.”

“Finally….”

I led them into nebula’s room, in all fairness I was a little annoyed with Zodiacrdanals for bringing him here but I was still going to use him.

We went in to find the vampony soundly asleep so I woke him up.

“Oi Nebula!! Get up, you have guests!”

“Ahhhhhh! Um what?!? Zodiacrdanals!?”

“No. I’m Anubis, the one who shears a body with zodiac.”

“Oh…. Um so w-who are they?”

“This is Stardust and this is Glitter Boom. They are going to be living with you so please get comfortable around them…. Oh and once I figure out how your biology works in full, I’ll be turning them into vamponies but in till then no biting. Bye.”

“What?!?!”

Heheheheh~ no biting, get it Glitter? Because he’s a vampony.”

“Heheheh, it is kind of amusing but um so…. I’m Nebula.”

I had jumped through a portion and came out on the other side to find Silver going through the gifts I had brought.

“Excuse you?”

“Eeep Anubis, hey honey so ehh um what’s mine?”

“If you had of waited for me to come back, then you wouldn’t be lost on who gets what and now that I have caught you…. I’m going to have to punish you.”

“Yeah it w-what why…. I’m s-sorry.” A nervous smile adorning her beak as I larked toward her.

“I could tell you but that would be too kind my dear~ and don’t try to escape from me.”

“Gulp* y-yes honey.”

“Now clean up your mess and come find me~ I might have some forgiveness in my soul….”

Before she could say anything, I jumped through a portal to Celestia’s private study. Where I was met by a chorus of feminine yelps.

Upon looking around, I was met with an alarmed Alicorn ready to attack followed by a panicked Glacier holding a frightened Eclipse.

“Sigh* Anubis…. It’s just you, don’t scare eclipse like that. She’s not use to you just appearing out of the blue like that.”

Upon hearing that, I crawled under Celestia to my shaken cub and began to comfort her. I took her from Glacier and began to cradle her in my forelegs.

“Awwww I’m so sorry baby, daddy didn’t mean to scare you.”

“Sniffle* b-but it was scary, don’t do that.”

“On sweetie.”

“P-promise daddy.”

“Sigh* look sweetie you will need to get use to that but I’ll try not to do it next to you randomly, yeah?”

“Fine b-but you need to make it up to me…. I…. I’m sorry.”

“Why Eclipse?”

“I um peed myself….”

“Oh…. Oh it’s okay dear, it’s not like you’ve done it before. You were just scared is all, come on let’s get you cleaned up.”

“Okay daddy….” She had an expression of guilt which was not justified.

“Look it wasn’t your fault, so don’t look so sorry for yourself. Do you want to join us Celestia?”

“Sigh* I’d love to but I’m behind on my duties so I can’t…. But Eclipse honey, don’t be so upset with yourself. You’re still really young and it’s impressive that you haven’t peed yourself up until now, so cheer up.”

Celestia nuzzled the top of her head and gave me a kiss as she passed by.

“As for you Anubis, wow….”

“Wow?”

“Yes wow, now go get Eclipse cleaned up. I’ll deal with the mess.”

“Okay…. Let’s get you bathed you little menace.”

“Heheheh~ I’m not a menace!”

“You’re a little pee menace.”

“Gasp* hey you peed yourself too, you big pee menace!”

“Heheheheh~ like I said Glacier, wow.”

“Yes princess, he is honestly a great dad….”

I shot Celestia a suggestive look and winked before opening another portal and jumping through, Eclipse was hesitant to go through but did in the end.

Her eyes lit up upon seeing that we were in the royal bathhouse.

“It’s impressive isn’t it, one day you’ll be able to do it and scare me.”

“R-really!”

“Yes but as for right now, we need to get you cleaned.”

I plunged into the warm water, Eclipse followed suit and made a little splash but she sank like a rock.

Using my magic to grab her I lifted her out of the water and used creation to make an atom platform for her to stand upon.

“There you go, how’s that?”

“No!!! Please!! can’t swim! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh….”

She looked around for a few moments before realising that she wasn’t sinking into the water, then she stared at me with starry eyes.

“You okay?”

She nodded excitedly and began to explore the invisible platform she was on as I grabbed the soap.

“Good, now come here. I need to wash you.”

“Heh you need to catch me first daddy.”

She immediately bolted away and i expanded the atom platform to cover the entire bath, then I slipped through.

Chasing her from underneath the surface, only my ears were visible acting like dual shark fins.

Of course she panicked and before she could get to the edges of the pool, I was already circling her like a shark.

“Heheheheheh no bad sharky daddy, ahhhhhhhhhhh eep hehehahhhhhhhhh!!”

“Rahhhhh! Chomp* got you chomp* chomp* nom* and now to clean you up, muhahahah!”

“Hehehehehehe, nooo!!!”

Once i cleaned her up, we got out and I dried us using magic which amazed my little Eclipse to no end.

———————————————————————

“So Silverfeather I take it that you have planned your trip back home already?”

“Yes I have indeed, me, Anubis and Eclipse will be going to the griffon kingdom next week.”

“And you’ve told him?”

“Nope but I will….”

“Have you at least told your mom and dad?”

“Hehehehhh~ no….”

“Sigh* didn’t think so…. So you plan to do it face to face, can’t say I agree with it but not my choice to make.”

“I just think it’ll be easier to do it there…. And I’m sure when my dad sees Eclipse, any anger will melt away immediately.”

“I hope so….”

“Oh relax Celestia, so do you want any help with that.”

“Sigh* no it’s fine, I’ll manage.”

Out of nowhere Anubis appeared behind Celestia and began to massage her shoulders, she went from stressed to surprised and then to relaxed in a matter of seconds.

“So honey, you plan to tell your father when we arrive.”

“S-so you heard….”

“Yes and if that’s what you think is best then we’ll do that but if your dad shows any hostility to our daughter…. Then I get her away from him.”

“Gulp* well I’m sure that isn’t going to be necessary Nubie.”

“I trust your judgment nimrod but I’m just letting you know.”

“Mhmmmmmm oh my that’s good, a little lower Anubis please.”

“Sure thing, you look like you needed this.”

“So where is our daughter?”

“Asleep, on my tail.”

He swung the powerful appendage towards Silver and just as he said, little Eclipse was on said tail.

“Awwwww she’s so cute.”

“Heh~ just like her dad.”

“Cough* I’m handsome, not cute….”

“Awwwww his ears are pinned back in annoyance.”

“Heheheheheheh and now he’s blushing.”

“Sigh* okay enough of that, so what time next week do we leave?”

“Well as soon as the sun rises on Monday morning.”

“And what if I don’t raise it?”

“Then we stay I guess.”

“Wha? No! I mean Celestia you can’t just do that, my parents are expecting me to be on time.”

“So how long’s the trip?”

“Two weeks at most.”

“So not too bad then, I just hope Eclipse doesn’t hate being in an airship for that long….”

“I didn’t think about that…. I hope she’ll be okay with it.”

“If not, then I’ll just think of something. So shall we grab dinner?”

“Mhmmm food.”

“Settle down swan neck, save some for the rest of us.”

A now blushing Alicorn princess shot up and gave the innocent looking griff a glare that could burn through stone.

“Okay okay I’m sorry, come on let’s go.”

“Good but as punishment I’m taking some of your fish.”

“Since when did she eat fish?”

“Since I gave her some, she likes fish and chicken.”

“Huh I know that she ate chicken but not fish…. Anyway, what did you see Glacier earlier today about?”

“I had a way to help her out with something personal, so if you’re curious. Go and ask her yourself because it’s not my business to say.”

“I’ll ask her before bed then…. So come on, I’m starving.”

Silver flicked her tail against the tip of Anubis’s beak and bounded off toward the dining hall whilst Anubis and Celestia walked side by side with their wings draped across each other.

Eclipse rested peacefully on her father’s tail as it swept side to side, happily purring like a kitten.