The train rumbled beneath them with the steady chunks as it moved from one segment of the tracks to the next in a lulling pattern of iron. They could hear the engine far ahead, rumbling with the great power that propelled them foward.

Outside, the evening Equestria scrolled past them, largely quiet and still. The only light out there was the bright moon hovering overhead, offering no judgment.

Rarity leaned against her newest friend. "Darling... if you don't mind my asking...?"

Bright perked at the question and smiled eagerly. "Ask away. What's up, Rares?"

Rarity snorted softly. "You are so irreverent. Really, wherever did you come up with that nickname?"

Sweetie rolled her eyes at the two sharing a seat. "You're awfully comfortable."

"Why wouldn't I be?" Bright put an arm around Rarity, drawing her closer without objection. "Rarity's a nice pony to be around."

"Dear me, such a flatterer." Rarity batted her long lashes. "Now, as you have likely noticed... I don't have to be in vampony mode... all the time." She gestured with little tosses of her head at her lack of wings and her smile had no fangs on display. "But I'm not a changeling."

"Is it tiring?" Bright shrugged softly. "Sorry about that. We'll head to the castle where you can relax."

"Relaxing is not the goal." Sweetie Drops stomped the cushion of her chair. "Stop treating her like a best friend and start treating her like the prisoner she is."

Rarity winced at Sweetie Drops' harsh words. "Must you be so uncouth, darling? I'm still the same graceful lady I've always been, just with a...nocturnal enhancement."

She turned pleading eyes to Bright. "You understand, don't you? I never meant any real harm. And I came along cooperatively!" Her voice takes on a melodic, soothing quality. "Surely we can sort this all out peacefully with the Princess..."

Bright gently cleared his throat. "Rarity, while I understand your circumstances are kinda complicated, you must also see this from Luna and Sweetie Drops' view. Messing with minds against one's will crosses a lot of lines, some of them legal."

He met her gaze evenly. "If what you say is true and no lasting harm was done, then with honesty and taking your lumps, mercy may follow. But you need to be calm and take it as it is."

He turned to include Sweetie Drops as well. "She isn't fighting us, so taking her safely in should be the goal now. This is a good time to see how she behaves, right? She'll show what a good pony she is." He smiles encouragingly. "Let's head to Luna and show her how well we did."

Rarity looked thoughtful, then nods slowly. "Wisely said, darling. Very well, I shall explain myself to the Princess and humbly request her judgment."

Sweetie Drops snorted. "Hmph...still think she's trouble. But we'll see what Luna decrees." She went back to watching Rarity warily.

The train continued rumbling down the tracks toward Canterlot and an uncertain future for the vampire pony.

"Darling."

Sweetie squinted with suspicion.

Rarity had her bright eyes on Bright. "I had a more pressing point... The more I use... nocturnal magic, as it were, the hungier I become."

She raised a hoof to her teeth, tapping what was once a long and sharp tool. "You seem quite... affectionate really... Do you mind... when we are somewhere safer... if I give you a little kiss?"

Bright started with surprise. "Um." He looked the pony over with new eyes. "I never kissed a pony before."

Rarity suddenly tittered. "Oh my, I've given the wrong idea. No no, I don't mean our lips meeting." She reached up to brush Bright's neck with a hoof gently. "I meant my lips meeting this... I have certain... hungers... But I did swear, and meant, that I only take from the willing."

She sat back with a swaying tail. "So I'm asking, darling, if you might be willing."

Sweetie buried her face in her hooves. "That you're asking is the only reason..." She heaved a deep sigh. "No 'kissing' of any variety on the train!" She renewed her glare at the two of them, unblinking until they arrived in Canterlot.

When the train softly lurched, pulling to a stop, Rarity hopped down to her hooves and stretched. "Here we are. Now, let's have this little chat with the princess. I do have other projects to see to. I hope this will be a short affair."

Sweetie hopped down next to Rarity. "I am so not promising that'll be true."

Bright rose with no hop, just standing on his bipedal legs. "There's no way Luna'll be mad at you."

"From your lips to her ears," tittered Rarity as she advanced at Sweetie Drop's side.

They navigated through the drowsy city of Canterlot. To say it was asleep would be a misnomer. Ponies could be seen enjoying the night life in their various ways, but that it was a lower energy than the day could hardly be argued.

The guards at the castle nodded at the three of them, but stood aside to let them past.

Rarity glanced at them curiously as they walked inside. "I normally imagine one must have an invitation."

Sweetie gestured at herself. "I, and him--" She pointed to Bright. "Have a standing reason to be here. They know that."

"Very good, dear. It must be nice." Rarity became distracted, admiring the stained glass windows they were passing. "Such marvelous artistry." Her nose danced. "Do I smell lavender? This is all so lovely."

Bright sniffed. He hadn't taken notice before, but there was a floral note in the air. That was lavender? "Huh. Rares, you are full of interesting facts."

"I do try!" Rarity looked aside at Sweetie. "So, dear, where do we need to be?"

Sweetie Drops led Rarity and Bright through the elegant halls of Canterlot Castle. Moonlight filtered in through tall arched windows, mingling with the warm glow of candle sconces along the walls. Their hoofsteps and Bright's footsteps echoed softly on the polished marble floors.

As they walked, Rarity continued admiring the artistic details of the architecture and décor. She gasped softly at a particularly stunning tapestry depicting Luna and Celestia overseeing night and day.

"Such flawless stitchwork! I simply must know who crafted these pieces..." Her voice trailed off as they entered the throne room. At the far end, Princess Luna waited upon her starry throne, ethereal mane swirling.

Sweetie and Bright bowed respectfully. After a nudge from Sweetie, Rarity followed suit, dipping into a graceful curtsy despite her nervousness.

Luna's gaze settled upon Rarity, eyes glinting. "We appreciate you coming here directly, Lady Rarity. Now We would hear your full accounting of the questionable magical dealings you have engaged in of late...as well as why We should show mercy."

Rarity rose, clearing her throat delicately. "Yes, well...I assure you, Princess, my intentions were never malicious..."

"There was this relic." She pantomimed in the air with her hooves. "When I found it, it seemed of little import save perhaps historical. Why, I'd even been considering which museum to turn it into."

Luna hiked a brow. "But that didn't happen."

"Actually, it did." Rarity's horn glowed as she conjured an image of the relic. "You can check if you wish, dear. But before I turned it over, I seem to have... activated it. It spoke of 'eternal youth' and, I will confess, that made me quite curious."

Rarity turned in place, showing off her form as great bat wings erupted from her and her fangs dropped down, deadly and sharp. "This is the form it gifted me with, ever youthful, if I understand correctly, but with a variety of limitations and needs to go with it."

Luna frowned at the vampire mare before her. "You have become a monster."

"I have," sadly admitted Rarity. "But my heart remains pure!" She raised a hoof to her chest. "I only wish the best for my fellow ponies."

"She's nice," cut in Bright, stepping forward. "How can you be made at Rares?"

Luna brought both her brows low. "Agent Bright, this is your first assignment, and you bring curious results..."

Sweetie snorted into almost a laugh. "You're being generous, princess. Pretty sure he loves her enough to bare his neck for her fangs. I think he may be insane."

Luna brought her hooves together gently. "Let us not be hasty. Rarity." Rarity went rigid at her name. "You are a monster. You have not argued this. This is good, it can't be argued. Creature of the night, your sustenance is the life of others. No hay will satisfy you."

Rarity shrank back a step, ears sagging. "All true, your majesty... But that is what I am. Does not who I am also matter? What makes a pony is more than the simple nature, dear, of what they are."

Luna stood up slowly, approaching with measured steps and wafting mane and tail. "If I allowed you to continue, what would your food be?"

Rarity pointed to Bright without hesitation. "They are willing."

Bright started, but laughed a moment later. "If it keeps Rarity safe, yeah. Uh, it doesn't hurt, does it?"

Rarity batted her lashes. "The ponies who have given... willingly..." She glanced to Luna and Sweetie at that part. "--have all reported that it is actually quite enjoyable."

Luna sighed gently. "Of course. It would not do for a vampony to scare away their meal mid-feast. Rarity. You must pay. You did this. This was not done to you. You may not have realized the full meaning of what you did, but it was at your hooves that you walked down this path."

Rarity bowed her head contritely as Luna spoke.

"You are right, of course, Princess," she said softly. "I acted rashly and must face the consequences. While my becoming may have been accidental, I did proceed without full knowledge nor care for how it might impact others."

She met Luna's gaze, her bright eyes glistening. "I won't insult your wisdom by begging for freedom without recompense. But I hope you see too that my heart has ever been for generosity, not malice nor greed."

Rarity gestured to Bright with a flick of her wing. "Even now this caring soul has stepped forward, willingly offering his own life essence so I may carry on." She managed a small smile. "Does such devotion not reveal the true selves under hide or fang?"

Luna listened impassively, then looked to Bright. "You would let this creature feed from you? And for what cause other than misplaced affection?"

Bright rubbed his neck awkwardly. "I just wanna help Rarity out, that's all. She's cool, and it's not like she goes hurting ponies for food or nothing messed up like that. Right?"

He met the Princess's gaze. "Have a heart, Luna. Any pony can make a mistake."

Luna was silent for a long moment. At last she nodded. "Your words are fair. All here shall face judgment, but of justice, not wrath." Her horn glowed as she began weaving a careful spell over Rarity.

"Rarity - your actions shall bind you in accountability to this human Bright, who has pledged himself in your service." Rarity gasped softly as magical strands linked her to Bright.

"As for you, Bright," Luna continued, "By offering your lifeblood, you are now guardian to one you know carries darkness within. Lead wisely and guard vigilantly, for her actions shall reflect on you."

Luna stepped back, her spell complete. "Our judgment is passed. May harmony order your path, if not nature herself."

Sweetie raised a hoof, jaw hanging. "You're letting them both go?!"

"Hm?" Luna sat on her throne. "That is not what I said." She pointed to Rarity. "Welcome the newest member of our team." She turned the hoof to Bright. "He is in charge of keeping her fed and safe, as well as keeping her walking on the bright path she claims she wishes to trot along."

"But..."

"Do you question our order?" Luna hiked an imperious brow high.

Sweetie swallowed thickly, bowing her head. "Sorry, Your Highness. I'll see your will done."

They had gained a new member, with the complications she brought with her.

Author's Note

Day 1/28!

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