Blood Diamond, Rotten Apple

Flying practice was just an excuse to hang out for Sunset at this point. Rainbow Dash made for good company, and despite her being very verbal about how ‘awesome’ Sunset had performed so far, how much she had learned about flight since becoming an Alicorn, and how she did not need lessons anymore, Sunset didn’t mind– After all, any good excuse to spend with a friend, right?

And today there was a bonus; They were taking Scootaloo for a ride. The filly gleefully spread her little wings and front hooves, as she rode on Rainbow’s back, feeling the wind in her face, cherishing the high altitudes she was being taken through.

And naturally, spending time together like this led to any number of fun conversations, no matter how esoteric. “Vampire? Your girlfriend was a vampire? You’re kidding me, right?” Sunset chuckled in surprise and confusion.

“Nope, hah!” Letting out laughter, Rainbow shook her head. “Vampire ‘fruit-bat’, a biiiiit simpler than just a vampire. Less dangerous, that’s for sure!”

Although Sunset had been more than acquainted with plenty of the adventures that her girlfriend had had before she came along, she still managed to be surprised, every once in a while. “I’ll say. So she doesn’t need to drink any blood, right? Or didn’t, I suppose? Did she bite any of you?”

Grinning, Rainbow swerved a bit in her flight, to give the filly that rode her back a couple of fun tilts and tricks. “Nah, don’t worry, she only needed to drink from fruits. She did get like, bat ears, bat wings, the works– It was a good look on her– And fun fact, she still has the pointy teeth! For the record, just sayin’, if she asked to bite me, I wouldn’t say no, ya know?” She winked, with a smirk, and Sunset knew exactly what she meant, and agreed completely, with her own smirk.

“Oh yeah. If Twilight was a vampire, I’d let her take a bite outta me, I don’t care.” Sunset smiled mischievously.

Scootaloo, however, despite being focussed on feeling the wind, still had the chance to make an “Ew! Gross!” Commentary on the conversation.

“So how did she get turned back into regular Fluttershy? Wait– Lemme guess– Twilight?” Sunset tilted her head, realizing the ending of an adventure with her six friends was predictable at this point, something that made her smile.

“Hah, yep! She made up a spell to reverse it, and everything turned out okay. I do think it’s cool though– Pointy teeth are a look, and Fluttershy is no stranger to pulling off looks! She can make anything work, heheheh.” Rainbow gushed about her girlfriend gleefully.

Groaning of annoyance, Scootaloo poked the pegasus she was riding. “Blergh! If you two are gonna be talking about girlfriend stuff, I'm jumping off, I swear!”

Jokingly, Sunset made some kissy faces, mocking the idea. “Awww this might be you someday, Scootie!! You might have a pony to gush over, and do kissy kiss stuff with in the future, just saying!”

The filly’s face grew slightly red, as she closed her eyes and pouted. “Bah! There’s no space on the podium of awesomeness where Scootaloo will be!!” She said dramatically, in a way that made Rainbow Dash proud, which only resulted in the two adults laughing a bit more.

“Can’t we talk about something cool and awesome?!” The Filly complained. “Like– Are you two gonna compete in the upcoming regional race together again?! It was so sad to see you two didn’t get to have medals last time, maybe this time…?”

With a chuckle, Sunset shrugged. “I’m pretty happy with how last time went, to be honest! And I’m not sure that they’d allow an Alicorn to compete, it might be a little unfair, heheh. But I could ask!”

Scootaloo let out a groan of disappointment, and Rainbow nudged her. “Hey kiddo don’t be like that! I know I’ll definitely participate, if you wanna root for me. But Sunset’s right though– Considering how well she performed without wings, I can’t even imagine how she’d wreck that race now!” She let out gleeful laughter, reminiscing on the wonderful time.

“On that note, kiddo–” Sunset smirked, changing the subject. “You ready for this?”

Nodding enthusiastically, Scootaloo flapped her tiny wings in excitement. “Yeah! Yeahyeahyeah!! Thanks for being here to cover me, Sunset! Just like Dash!!”

“Hey, it’s even safer with two of us!” Rainbow gave her a warm smile. “Ready to fly, Scoots?” She proclaimed joyfully, readying her movements, looking back to the filly with that same warm smile.

“Yes!!”

Together, the Alicorn and the Pegasus dived, and due to the extremely high altitudes, the fall was almost gentle.

Scootaloo let go of her hero, and allowed herself to float, or more precisely, fall. She giggled joyfully, as Equestria looked so far away, Ponyville was so far away, and it was like she could see everything.

With a wide smile, she flapped her tiny wings. She knew she could never fly properly; But falling, and directing said falling with her wings? Absolutely. She could control her movement, practice tricks, and more importantly, feel the wind and the skies in her face.

She took great joy in spinning, flipping, directing her movement with gleeful flaps of her small wings. She could visualize plenty of trick ideas as she did this, and practice them on the fly.

And she knew she was perfectly safe– After all, two of the coolest ponies in Equestria were there to cover for her; Making sure that she would reach the ground safely.

So for a few brief wonderful moments, as she fell through the skies, safeguarded by two of the most prolific fliers in Equestria, she felt like she could truly fly.

Applejack had spent the last few years of her life in survival mode.

Stick to the shadows. Don’t take many risks. Pounce only when necessary; When you see an opening.

If they try to corner you, run. If they’re alone, fight, kill.

It was ironic, in a world where creatures of the night roamed free, that she spent most of her time underground, or in hiding, much like the other few survivors that hadn’t turned into one of them.

But she didn’t care much. Although she was hunted, she was often the hunter.

And many of them feared her.

This night, this eternal night, was like any other, for her. She walked quietly by the border of Everfree forest, using its foliage as cover, observing Ponyville; Considering another target, considering another supply run.

The Blood moon bathed all of Equestria in a strange glow. One she had distaste on being used to. She tilted her hat, narrowing her eyes, gazing into the night.

It was meant to be an eternal night like any other. But it wasn’t.

As she gazed above the skies in Ponyville, she could see a swarm of them– Chasing something… Chasing someone through the night skies.

She narrowed her gaze, and could see something peculiar– The thing they were chasing glowed like a star.

It glowed like the sun.

And just like that, a massive blast of light lit the night sky, and all of those chasing it were sent packing, disbanding in fear, scattering.

All except one. Applejack ran towards the edge of the forest, seeing this newcomer fall onto Ponyville.

‘Curiosity killed the cat’ Her mind told her, but no, this wasn’t just curiosity. If Celestia was somehow free, she HAD to help her. She could be the key to solving everything. And if there was somehow a sun Alicorn around, well… The same rule applied.

She ran towards the town she used to call home, and took cover behind a house, looking at the plaza that the strange glowing pony had just landed on.

And it was indeed, one of the strangest sights she had ever seen.

A vampire pony was pinned down, her muzzle forced on the ground, squirming in anger, but completely subdued, and above her, pinning her down, was… A pony identical to her.

No. Not identical. Bigger. An alicorn. And a fully armored one, at that.

“You’re kidding me, right? Everypony in this universe is a vampire?! And not even fruit-bats– You monsters actually drink blood?! What a fucking mess…! What’s next, zombies?!” The Princess of Valor snarled at her other self, questioning her, running through her memories. “And what, you’re just a foot soldier? A bloodhound?!”

“Hah!! Look at you, big and tough, laugh it up if you want– I didn’t need to be Celestia’s perfect little pupil to grow wings, see? I’m fucking HAPPY!!!” Her other self hissed, spreading her bat-like wings almost gleefully.

Shaking her head, ignoring her other self, the Valkyrie snarled. “Where’s your boss’s lair?”

“HAH!” The vampire Sunset hissed. “As if I’d ever tell you, loser!!”

“Heh. you just did.” Grinning, just by asking that question, it was made perfectly easy for Sunset to read her other self’s memories, and find the answer.

“Now beat it.” The Valkyrie let go of her other self, who skittered and flew away, not before shouting some insults. “You’ll be lucky if you last ten hours around here, other me! Every single vampire will want the blood of an Alicorn; You’re fresh meat!!”

Scoffing, the Valkyrie ignored her. “‘Ten hours.’ What a joke.”

The night was quiet once more, as the Princess of Valor watched her bat-like-self disappear into the darkness, and then observed the Blood moon, ominously bathing the entire world in a red hue.

“Ugh… Damnit.” She said, exhaling, but then, turning, she readied herself to take flight, and ready for a fight. “Canterlot, Canterlot… This-a-way.” She muttered.

“WAIT!” Applejack yelled, as she ran forward. “You there!! Who are you?! Why and how are ya an Alicorn!!?”

Halting, the gaze of the Princess of Valor inspected the newcomer. Applejack looked rough. A handful of scars, a busted up long leather jacket, and her hat had seen better days. The most interesting object she wore was a collar– A metal, spiked collar around her neck. Sunset could easily deduce that her not being a Vampire and the way she carried herself was very connected.

“Woah, AJ. You look rough. Are there more like you around? Y’know. Not bloodsuckers?” The Valkyrie approached her, cautiously, but relaxed.

“Not many. Good, ya heard of me–Before anythin’, let’s get inside. The queen will have seen that big light blast ya made; No point in leaving ourselves exposed.” The Ex-Farmer shook her head, leading the way, and the Alicorn followed without hesitation.

Running out of there, a vampire hissed at them from one of the rooftops. “Lookie here, Applejack’s got a new buddy!! We’ll bleed her dry, just like all the others, hunter!!” The bloodsucker scorned.

With one single hoof stomp on the floor, Applejack turned and glared at the vampire– Which sent the creature flying into the night, terrified.

Having to explain this again and again had gotten tiring at this point, so the Princess of Valor tried leaving it simple, as they walked through the dark forest. “Okay, I’ll try to make this simple, but I'm not from around here, and I can only stay in your world for an hour. So if you need help from a princess of the sun, I’m all yours.”

Hearing all of this was certainly a hard and confusing pill to swallow– But Applejack wasn’t one to look a gift horse in the mouth. “Okay, I only understood some of that– But yer an Alicorn, and a damn powerful one– So follow my lead– I know just how ya can help us.”

They were enveloped by the darkness of the forest, with only a few specks of the blood moon light showering them from above, as Applejack led them to a very small hidden cave, covered by foliage. Sunset’s survival instincts were heightened, she was aware of every sound. The last thing she needed was to become a vampire multiversal traveler.

Sunset couldn’t help but deviate, as her mind went elsewhere. “Last universe I saw you in, you were a sheriff. You had arrested the other me, but then deputized me. It was pretty funny.”

“Huh? Ya lost me, partner.” Applejack tilted her head in confusion, looking at her ally, considering her sanity.

“Nevermind.” Sunset suppressed a chuckle with an exhale. “Just saying, clock’s ticking, If you want my help fixing this world, we better hurry.” She looked around cautiously, at the darkness of the forest.

“I ain’t exactly got a plan yet, we gotta think it over.” Sniffing the air, Applejack found a little cave, hidden, covered by vines. A special little nook that was quite effectively covered. “I got hideouts like these all over the forest– Some even in town, too. Sadly most of em’ don’t got any survivors in em’... Anymore.” They walked together, in a small pathway into the dark, until they reached a small, almost cozy room. She lit a lamp with some difficulty, bathing the dark crevice in pale orange light.

A quick glance around definitely implied a lot– There were some canned fruit kept safely in crates, sleeping bags, some old magazines, and plenty of weapons– most of them made from wood, surprisingly, or unsurprisingly, when you considered a vampire’s weakness.

“I’m Applejack, by the way. Vampire hunter.” She offered a hoof.

“Sunset Shimmer. Princess of Valor.” She shook the hoof with a smile. “Those blood suckers seemed to be pretty sensitive to my light magic… You know, I could just raise the sun, if it’d help””

“Y-ya can?!” Applejack’s eyes widened, but she was quick to dismiss the idea. “No!! Ya can’t… It’d be genocide– Those monsters might be horrible, and have taken over Equestria… but some of them were friends. Family.” She shook her head, sitting down, with an exhale. “There ain’t no point in ‘savin’ a world with nopony alive in it.”

Sunset nodded quietly– It’d be indeed too easy. But simply burning everything wasn’t a solution. Applejack groaned, stretching, as she opened a handful of crates, gathering weapons. “We tried finding a cure at first. But it aint just a need for blood that they have– it’s a bloodlust. It warps them. At first, they divided into clans, with plenty of infighting, but…”

Pensively, Sunset leaned against a wall. “You know, I’m pretty sure there’s a way to reverse vampirism… Where’s the Twilight Sparkle of this world? She would know.”

Applejack let out a scoff. “She’s one of them. One of their highest rankin’ commanders, too. She ain’t helpin nopony.”

Exhaling, Sunset sat down. For a moment she did consider how hot her wife would look as a vampire– Then pushed those thoughts away; They were very, very distracting. Applejack scratched the rocky floor absentmindedly, and in anger. “– But one thing ya can def help me with– I been lookin to kill their leader for a while. She basically united every vampire clan, even managed to leave the sky in the state it is– Her and her commanders are a huge threat. They took everything from me… She took everything.”

Nodding, Sunset observed more of the surroundings. Was this all that Applejack had, for years? …If there was anything she could do to help a friend, she would. “Roger that. I can definitely help. I won’t go scorched earth if you don’t think it’s necessary– If you just need help with one, I’m here”

Slowly, Applejack nodded too. She was covered in wooden stakes now, nearly, and with the way she moved, it seemed like she had had plenty of practice.

“Right. Who's the leader then, Fluttershy? In my world, she was the one that–”

“No, it ain’t her. Fluttershy is one of the commanders.” the Ex-Farmer shook her head dismissively, as she finished arming herself.

She paused, only for a moment. “The vampire queen is called Rarity.Will you help me put her out of her misery?” Applejack narrowed her eyes in determination.

“R-Rarity? You want to kill Rarity…?” Sunset suppressed her suprise; This universe was more bizarre by the second.

“‘Course I do! I been trying to do it for years– She rules over all the vampire clans. She’s been huntin’ me down just as long as I hunted her, but I never managed to get to her– If we kill her, there’ll be infightin’; Each of the leaders of the vampire clans will want to claim her spot-- The clans will be at each other's throats– Literally. It’d be perfect… And she’d finally be at peace.”

“What about finding a cure?” Sunset scanned her friend with a gaze.

“Many of us abandoned that idea for a long, long time. I got a friend named Zecora that is still trying; But getting any ingredients is impossible, with the world like this. The moment that eternal night came, going outside at any time was a danger. If we kill the queen, it’ll give us survivors a reprieve, with their infightin’– It’d be much easier for us to move about, maybe finally make a cure. I have to kill Rarity.” She affirmed as much without hesitation, even if with a little bit of something in her voice, something that Sunset could notice. Maybe desperation.

“Do you, now?” The Valkyrie tilted her head with a smile.

“What’s so funny exactly? Is humor different in yer world or somethin’?”

“Sorry, it’s just… Heh.” Sunset shook her head with a chuckle. “In my world, you and Rarity are lovers. Have been since I’ve known you, actually. It’s kind of weird to hear you say you want to kill her without hesitation– It feels like a joke, almost.”

The hunter’s eyes twitched, as her lips quivered. But it led to a snarl. “I could NEVER love that wretched demoness! She’s the leader of all these monsters! They took our world, they took everything!”

“Yeah, yeah. You used to be close though, right? Friends? Maybe more?” Tilting her head, the Valkyrie narrowed her eyes, looking through her with a smile. “Are all of her commanders your friends?”

“Most of em’.” She grumbled. “But that don’t change nothin. Drivin’ a stake through her heart is gonna make everypony’s life here much, much easier. Mine, specially.”

“Right. Okay. Let me show you something.” Sunset lent her a hoof. “And if you still feel the same way after, I’ll have no problem helping you kill her.”

“Show me what? Whadayamean?” She accepted the hoof.

And just like that, Sunset quickly showed Applejack a memory or two of her and Rarity together.

I had only been in the team for a couple of weeks. I had hesitated to accept Twilight’s request, after all, I was just the messed up Unicorn that had turned into a demon and almost killed her– Why would I deserve to be here?

Hastingly, but carefully, Sunset ran through the halls of Twilight’s castle, carrying with her magic a bundle of papers and other assorted items that she knew Twilight would want at their meeting– She still had some trouble finding her way around the castle, but she had gotten ready extra early to compensate for it.

I hadn’t started being an overachiever yet. In fact, most of those weeks I spent almost like a zombie. Complying to one thing or another, but having no energy whatsoever.

Any attempts of the group to ‘integrate’ me or ‘befriend’ me felt forced.

“I-I’m here!!” Sunset spoke, and regretted speaking as loud as she did, but was then pleased to find that the table was empty– Except for one pony.

Twilight had saved me only recently– And just like that, she was already becoming my entire world, my entire life. Not that I was even close to being ready to admit that.

After all, I had never been in love like that– Much less understood what being with somepony like that would look like… Until I met you two.

“Um. Hi, Rarity.” She said awkwardly, shaking off her exhaustion, and climbing onto her seat, avoiding eye contact. The chair was made of crystal, and it had her cutie mark… Taped to it. Drawn on a piece of paper.

“Good morning, Sunset! Nice to see you taking the initiative and arriving early– Have you been sleeping well?” Rarity, smiling, applying her makeup as she looked at a small mirror, seemed quite chipper, in opposition to the punk unicorn that had just arrived, looking exhausted.

All that Sunset could do was shrug and offer a mumbled affirmation, as she prepared her paperwork. She had definitely not been sleeping well, with dreams that were wracked with guilt, and nightmares that burdened her with her demonic mistakes and fears.

And Rarity could tell.

Rarity could tell that an ice breaker was necessary.

I hadn’t gotten closer with anypony in the group yet. Pinkie had certainly made some solid attempts, some that were very very welcome– But not effective, in my state. And Twilight… I felt guilty just by being in her presence. I often felt like running away.

I strongly considered it, too. And in many universes, I did.

I don’t know what it is with Rarity… She could always tell when I was hurting– And she could tell when I was in love with Twilight. But it’s like she was a mind reader.

Ironic, coming from me.

“Oh, darling…” She shook her head, with a wry smile. Sunset stopped on her tracks, unsure if she was making a mistake– Most of her motions and words were like walking on a minefield to her, recently. She hesitated with everything.

Letting out a snicker, Rarity motioned with a hoof, with that same smile. “I wouldn’t put important papers over there, by the way.”

Hesitating once more, Sunset made the papers float in a stack once more, trying to organize them, afraid she had made a mistake.“U-um. Okay. Wait, why?”

By default, I expected every single one of my actions to be wrong, back then.

Still smiling, still checking her mirror, she responded, every word rejoiced, every word enjoyable. “Oh, you know. Applejack had to run an errand, but me and her both got here early. Let’s just say we took the opportunity to ‘pass the time together’... All over this table.” She said so in an almost bragging tone.

Sunset’s eyes widened, then narrowed, then moved to the table, then back at Rarity. She then began chuckling– Not fake laughter, genuine, real laughter; Coupled with a genuine smile, no matter how tired. “Pfff… Good one, Rarity. You got me. Hah. And I thought Pinkie was the joker.”

Placing the papers down again resulted in Rarity interjecting quickly. “Oh, I wouldn't put them over there either, darling.”

It then dawned on me that she wasn’t joking– Slowly, but surely, and I came to realize that these ponies I was working with, no matter how strange… They knew how to have a good time.

“You… You’re serious.” Sunset couldn’t help but smirk– The kind of smirk someone has when they hear a dirty joke.

“Dead serious.” Rarity winked.

Sunset had to channel so much of her inner strength not to burst out in laughter, here and now.

Two ponies had fucked on top of the table of friendship.

Try not to laugh challenge– Impossible.

She moved the papers, Rarity shook her head, she moved them again, another shake of the head, until she moved one more time, and Rarity nodded.

“Good… Good for you.” Sunset grinned, her teeth grinding fiercely, as she suppressed laughter. “Um, just asking, why exactly did you tell me?”

“Because I trust you can keep a secret, friend.” She gave Sunset a genuine, warm smile. But then it turned devious. “And because nopony will ever believe you.” With an eyebrow raised, the seamstress closed her mirror and put it away, scanning the new member of their team for how well she’d process this information.

I know it might seem like the kind of thing that I should find strange. The kind of thing that should put me off. But that interaction just made me feel a bit more at ease– Knowing that the ponies I worked with weren’t perfect little saints made it so much easier to accept my mistakes.

And not just that. The fact that she was open about it.

And that’s why I burst out laughing, just then.

“HAHAHAHAHHAHAAHHAHHAHAHA OH MY– PFFHAHAHA” Sunset needed to hold the table not to collapse in laughter– Laughing so much she needed water. And Rarity joined in with her own devious snickers.

The laughter continued, as she leaned her forehead on the table– With Sunset having realized she hadn’t laughed like this for a long, long time.

And she kept snickering for a little while longer, until she managed to speak. “T-thanks, Rarity. I needed that. Heheheh…”

“Don’t mention it, darling.” She received another sly wink, from a delighted unicorn.

Soon enough Applejack entered the room, carrying a basket full of snacks, looking like she had just run a marathon, but happy nonetheless. “I’m back, sugarcube! Oh hi, Sunset! Whatcha laughin’ about?”

Naturally, the punk unicorn was a bit preoccupied with containing more snickers, before managing to respond; An action that seemed difficult, when one of the key players of this conversation had just entered the room.

“Oh, you know, dear…” Rarity pulled her love close, kissing her gently and then whispering something in her ear, something that spread warmth all across Applejack’s face. They remained like that, for a little bit, beholding each other with affection.

It was new to me. That kind of love and affection, that kind of closeness and intimacy, I hadn’t ever seen anything like it.

After receiving another whisper, Applejack’s eyes widened, and she quickly turned to the other unicorn in the room “Um! Okay! Uh, yeah, uh, Rarity’s just joshin’ ya, Sunset! She likes to joke around! Nevermind none!”

Yeah it could have been just a joke. But it didn’t matter to me much. I saw those two being close, closer than I ever saw anypony together, and I realized that maybe I wanted something like that for myself, too.

Much like Rarity described, time and time again, a ‘Fairytale romance’ always seemed unimaginable to me, even as a foal.

But I was seeing it, kind of. I could envision it.

“Sure I am.” Rarity affirmed mischievously, not before bringing her love’s face closer. “Now eyes on me, darling.” And of course, Applejack obeyed implicitly, and they kissed once more.

Every affection, every nuzzle, every kiss, felt like a gift, to you two.

I didn’t understand it. But I felt it.

And it certainly influenced me, in some ways, to pursue that kind of love for myself.

What about you?

Applejack recoiled, breathing uneasily, fiddling with her hat. Her face demonstrated some anger– But a fluster betrayed her. There was a certain nostalgia that she felt, after being shown that. Years she thought were behind her. She spoke quietly. “So… What was that? What could have been?”

“What is.” Sunset narrowed her eyes. “In my world, at least.”

Sitting down, the Ex-Farmer stared at the floor. “Me and that demoness… What a joke.” She muttered, shaking her head.

It wasn’t like the Princess of Valor wanted to dilly-dally or play cupid. She wasn’t Cadance. She just wanted to ensure a friend wouldn’t do something she couldn’t take back. “Do you still want to kill her? She was your friend. Could have been something more, too.”

“She was.” Applejack stated simply.

There was a brief moment of silence, where the hunter stared at the floor… Until she shook her head. “Rarity has to die. It has to be me.” Applejack muttered– The uncertainty in her tone was visible, even if she tried to hide it in anger.

“Sounds good.” Sunset shrugged and nodded. “I can fly us to Canterlot, if you need. That is her lair, right?”

“Right.” Applejack said, gathering her things, being ready for a fight, ready for anything.

“By the way…” Sunset began speaking, as they moved– She had come to a pretty good idea, as the Ex-Farmer spent time reminiscing. “I have a plan– One that hasn’t failed me yet, if you want to get a shot at her– I think that we can combine killing Rarity and finding a cure into one single plan.”

Her ears twitched, but Applejack kept looking forward. “Must be some plan, then. What is it?”

“Well…” Sunset grimaced. “You’re not gonna like it. At all. But you’d have one-on-one time with Rarity, and I could go find out the cure in the meantime.”

Exhaling in annoyance, she turned her head slightly at the Alicorn, still leading the way. “Just tell me how I’d kill her.”

“Okay. Hmm… How do I say this…” She took a moment to consider her words. “Have you had a ‘Midnight Sparkle’ In this world before?”

“Um… No? Who’s that?”

Chuckling, considering her past, Sunset began explaining to her in detail, how to beat a powerful pony that has the hots for you; Something she had ample experience with.

Life was certainly comfortable, for Sunset Shimmer. Without much challenge.

She lounged on her long couch, eating fruit. Her horn was bound, denied of magic, but she was not chained. The prison she was in, or more precisely the home she was in, was quite cozy. It had ample space, dozens upon dozens of books lined in shelves, many of which she had read, a king-sized royal-looking bed, a space for her to exercise, a space for her to paint and draw, a space for her to hang said drawings and paintings, and even one where she could practice guitar– Not to mention a beautiful balcony with a wonderful view of what remained of Ponyville below, and above it, the eternal night– One that was moonless, accentuated only with stars.

On any other day, she’d be comfortable, she’d be relaxed. But today had been a strange day.

She heard a certain someone approach, and chewed on one last grape for good measure. Shooting one last worried glance at the rafters above her, and then centering herself.

“Ohhhh Sunny Bunnyyyyyy!!” A familiar voice rang in the distance, with a certain flirtatious joy in her tone.

Soon enough, through the jailbars, Midnight Sparkle teleported inside the room. Wearing a dress which was adorned in stars, that clearly had been squeezed and torn through being worn under armor recently– She looked a bit tired; But none of that removed from her joy and excitement of being here, with Sunset. “I’ve got loooovely news! But first, how’s your night been? I missed you!” The Dark Alicorn said with a delighted smile, as she approached Sunset, and sat in front of her, on the floor.

“Great as usual! Can’t complain! Nothing new!” Sunset let out an awkward smile, as she pushed the fruit bowl away with a hoof. “...What’s the news you wanted to share?”

“Wait a second…!” Midnight sniffed the air, not in suspicion, but certainly having noticed an unusual smell, in curiosity– A curiosity that the unicorn could not allow.

Sunset quickly leaned forward and kissed Midnight on the cheek, then neck, then nuzzled her for good measure. “I missed you too, Sparkles.” She said with a very effectively flirtatious growl, as her own face grew a bit red. A perfect distraction to make Midnight let go of a scent.

Letting out adorable, if only a bit deranged giggles, Midnight looked at the unicorn she loved thoroughly. “Oh, you…!!! Ah, I always enjoy a homecoming…!” She said, nuzzling Sunset affectionately.

“So what’s the news, Midnight?” Sunset tried desperately, if not covertly, to get the conversation moving along.

“Oh, you’ll love this.” Waving her crooked, crystal-like horn, particles danced in the room, demonstrating images of what she was saying. “The land of the griffons has officially waved the white flag! Our kingdom continues to expand without any worthy resistance! Now all that remains is the Yaks and the Hippogriffs– Not long now, the whooole world will belong to us.~” above, images of Midnight spreading her wings, standing on all of Equestria, with Sunset in tow.

The Unicorn shuddered only a little– After all, she was used to all of this– As she watched the beautiful blue particles dance in the air of the room, indicating what the Dark Alicorn was explaining. And yet, without much fear, she tilted her head and spoke. “Um, your kingdom, Midnight. Not ‘ours’...”

With a pout, the dark alicorn frowned. “Humpf. You know the throne next to mine is still empty… I would love your company throughout the looooong, lonely campaigns of war…” She approached her love, looking at her with nearly sad eyes, that did not suppress her desire.“Don’t you want to let go already…? Be free, like me, Sunny Bunny…?” She was almost giving Sunset puppy dog eyes.

“Sorry, Sparkles. The answer is still no. I always enjoy your company, though…!” That wasn’t a lie. She still loved Twilight Sparkle through and through, in any form she took. Even this.

Hopping beside her on the couch, Midnight nuzzled her some more. “Aww, but we could be even closer, you know…! Imagine just what we could do, if you had your wings…!” And with that, she got on top of Sunset, pinning her on the couch further, with a mischievous smile, raising her wings. “You know, that campaign was soooooo exhausting. I’ve been soooo looking forward to some R&R with you, Sunny Bunny~”

Any other day, this would Sunset would have gone further with this immediately. But today had been a strange day.

Putting on another smile, Sunset moved a strand of hair away from her love’s eyes, and spoke sweetly. “You know what I’m craving for…? Cake. How about you make us some cake, and then I can give you that rest and relaxation…? I’ll be yours, Sparkles.”

Midnight’s face lit up with a toothy grin, and she teleported to the door. “YES! I’m on it! I’ll be riiiiight back, Sunny Bunny!! I’ll bake your favorite!!” The sounds of her powerful teleportation could be heard echoing in her castle as she moved further away.

Sunset let out a nervous exhale, as the room went quiet once more.

…But not for long.

“You’ve gotta be kidding me.” The annoyed voice of the Princess of Valor could be heard muttering from the rafters.

“Y-you can come down now. She’ll be gone for a little while– Twilight struggled to bake cakes, but Midnight is learning.” Sunset flusteredly scratched her own mane.

The Valkyrie landed on the floor, looking at her thoroughly, as she disabled the invisibility spell she had cast on herself to keep Midnight none the wiser. “So what are you exactly– her pet? Does she walk you around on a leash?!”

“...Once or twice.” Flustering with only a bit of shame, Sunset averted looking at her other self.

Rubbing her temples, the Alicorn let out a frustrated exhale. “Did you not even try to beat her?! She took over Equestria– She imprisoned your friends– She took Twilight from you!!”

“She is Twilight!!– And for the record, you don’t see me with bat wings or sharp teeth, do you? I’m not helping her in her evil conquest, I’m not sharing the throne– I’m just… Well…”

“Just benefiting from being her plaything.” Crossing her arms, the Princess of Valor huffed at her other self with disappointment.

“I was going to say ‘accepting the cards I was dealt’ But if that’s how you want to put it, sure.” Blowing raspberries, Sunset laid back on the couch, not exactly regretting her actions. “Look, you don’t get it. She’s unbeatable– And besides, I couldn't ever even think of hurting her, she’s Twilight!! And if it makes you feel better, I’ve refused to join her, every time she asked! I’m literally in a prison right now!” Not exactly an uncomfortable one, though.

“Sounds like you didn’t refuse much else...”The Alicorn nearly chuckled, with the obvious implication of the previous conversation her other self and Midnight had shared, as she pointed with a hoof at the very messy, very big, very comfortable bed that Sunset likely shared with Midnight countless times at this point.

Despite the frustration she felt at her other self, she could at least tell that this Sunset was happy; And despite everything, seeing another self being happy was always comforting. …Even if it was at the cost of the world.

Groaning, Sunset rolled her eyes, and munched on another grape. “Did you just come to this universe to judge me, man?! Not cool! Midnight Sparkle is unbeatable! You’d know, if she existed in your universe!”

Once again suppressing a chuckle, the Valkyrie sat on another couch, looking through her other self. “She did. She did and I beat her. And looking at this universe– looking at you, this room– Has made me realize how easy it was.” She took a brief moment to exhale, reminiscing on her own past. “Y’know what's the stupidest part about this?! You were so close to being me!! The day I beat Midnight is when I became an Alicorn, and only a week later me and Twilight were a couple!!”

With her jaw dropping, eyes widening, Sunset stood, in disbelief. “Wha– You managed to beat Midnight, and bring Twilight back?? It was EASY?! How?!?!?!”

“You know what? I’m just going to show you. Your world is overdue for a saving, anyway. Just make sure you take the credit when I’m gone, okay?” The Valkyrie stood, and stretched. “Don’t make a sound; Watch and learn.” She cast a spell of invisibility on her other self, who remained quiet and still on the couch, with great expectation.

Inhaling, Sunset cast the calling spell– The spell that she and her wife used, time and time again, to call each other, no matter how far. And she smirked, because in only a second, she could hear the sounds of teleportation coming her way.

Midnight appeared in the room, flustering, her tail wagging, looking around frantically; With a couple of specks of cake batter in her cheeks. “U-um. D-did you call me, Sunny Bu–”

But she stopped. Because in front of her, was a Sunset that was taller than her, seemingly incredibly strong, with beautiful Alicorn wings on her back. Something that to Midnight Sparkle, who was already in love with a Sunset Shimmer, was breathtaking.

“Heya, Sparkles.” The Valkyrie gave her a tilt of the head, and a flirtatious smile.

“U-um, h-how did, w-what, u-um,” Midnight tried saying, as a fluster spread over her face, as she looked at the winged Sunset in front of her in complete disbelief.

“Oh, these?” the Alicorn spread and flexed her wings, coming even closer. “I was just thinking about how I wanted to spend a thousand years ruling Equestria with you, and well… Bang.”

“B–b-bang…?” Stuttering, Midnight nearly backed up, with an intense fluster; But she stayed put. She wanted this.

“Bang.” Sunset got really, really close, with that same flirtatious grin. “But you know, I’m not in a rush. I think I want something else, here and now.” The implications were clear, as their muzzles were incredibly close, she towered over the dark alicorn with that same captivating smile.

Sunset leaned in and licked a speck of cake batter off of Midnight’s cheek.

And naturally, Midnight was nearly unresponsive, completely shocked stiff by the incredible visage before her. “Wh– Huh?? Eh?? Huh?!”

Nearly an inch from kissing her, Sunset took action.

Charging her horn with incredible amounts of light energy, akin to that of a blade, she delivered one decisive, incredibly powerful strike on Midnight’s horn, breaking it fully, with her collapsing on the floor instantly.

The pony unconscious on the floor was now Twilight Sparkle once more.

Sunset looked at her invisible self, disabling the spell that hid her, and waved her hooves at Twilight's unconscious figure. “See how EASY that was?!!!! She’s COMPLETELY unresponsive when shown that level of affection by us!!! All you needed to do was ATTACK!!” The Valkyrie scoffed in annoyance.

Flabbergasted, shocked, Sunset ran to Twilight’s side. “H-her HORN was her weak spot??! Oh you’ve gotta be fucking KIDDING ME!?!–”

“I hate this plan.” Applejack muttered in annoyance. “I can’t believe I agreed to this.”

The spiked collar that she wore now had a chain, one that Sunset held with magic, pulling her forward; And not just that, she was barely holding any more weapons, only a stake or two that she hid inside her jacket. “Hey. If you want a chance at her, and for a chance of me getting the cure, this is the best plan. Reminder, I don’t have a lot of time in this world!”

“Bah. Fine. But if anything goes wrong, ya better start burning things!!” She said, blowing air from her nostrils.

“With pleasure.” The Alicorn let out a smirk.

They had finally reached the gates of Canterlot castle– And it was very clear now that they were being stalked by dozens upon dozens of vampires; Flying in the night sky, hiding in between the shadows of the homes, crawling on their rooftops.

Sunset’s horn light was not only very visible– It was also very dangerous to the vampires. And she wasn’t even using it at its strongest. She was like a bright star in a sea of darkness, her armor reflected the light even stronger, almost akin to that of a disco ball. Plenty of vampires attempted to get closer, only to recoil.

She cleared her throat, and yelled out. “I’M HERE TO STRIKE A DEAL WITH QUEEN RARITY. OPEN UP.”

A voice hissed from the shadows above in anger– Their red eyes glowing in the dark. “What do you have to offer the queen, bloodbag?”

“I believe that’s clear.” The Alicorn stated while yanking the chain of her ‘prisoner’ “Let me through or I’ll go through you.”

After a brief moment of quiet, where whispers in the dark spoke the name Applejack, the doors opened. “Showtime.” She whispered to Applejack, who snarled in anger. One thing was for sure, they were at the belly of the beast now.

The many, many vampires that surrounded them recoiled, as the two of them walked with some haste towards the throne room. It wasn’t a matter of fearing their opponents– Sunset’s time was limited.

Many whispers and hisses could be heard on this crowd that surrounded them. Applejack’s name was being snarled all around that darkness.

“They don’t seem like your biggest fans.” Sunset commented.

“I killed a lotta their kind.” Applejack stated plainly.

Their hoofsteps echoed on the chambers they passed– the entire castle was blanketed in darkness, only lit by the dim purple light of certain torches here and there. And of course, Sunset, lighting the way.

Vampires hid in every nook, every corner, recoiling when they saw them, stalking them as they moved.

“Having second thoughts?” Sunset whispered.

“No. If I die, I die. Just as long as I kill her first…” Applejack muttered back.

“Here we go.” They finally entered the room– The Canterlot throne room. Many of the stained glass windows had been changed or replaced, many of the decorations were in blood red.

Vampires were hanging from the ceiling, sitting on the corners, delighted at the sight of the two of them. Most windows were either open or broken, with the vampires crawling inside by the dozens. And of course, at the end of the room, stood only one throne, with one pony sitting atop it.

Rarity. The vampire queen.

She wore a silver crown, and an outfit laced with black and red; Plenty of jewelry, and a delighted, near manic toothy smile. “Oh my…~” She muttered with their approach.

Sunset’s heart fluttered for a moment when she noticed the two ponies that sat near her throne– Fluttershy on one side, and on the other… Twilight Sparkle. In full vampire getup and everything.

“Applejack, dear…” The Queen hissed in absolute delight. “It’s been a while since I’ve seen you vulnerable. You still look as tasty as ever, though.” She licked her lips, reveling in this moment; Reveling on seeing her prey in chains.

No response from the Ex-Farmer, who simply glared at her.

Tilting her head, the Queen spoke mockingly. “What, no bite? Is that the cost of you finally being offered to me on a silver platter?” Several of the vampires that swarmed the room snickered deviously.

Besides her, Fluttershy shared in that glee. “Awww she must be sad to finally have been caught!! Ready to join her family, I bet!”

And Twilight Sparkle laughed too. “And it wasn’t even one of us that caught her! How amusing~”

Ignoring then, Sunset spoke plainly, and yet, dominated the room. “Queen Rarity. I’m here to make a deal.”

Scoffing, Rarity lounged on her throne, without much interest. “And to what do I owe a sun Alicorn the pleasure? You’ve certainly made quite an impression of yourself, with the mess you made in Ponyville, after appearing out of thin air…” Word traveled fast in the vampire kingdom. But Sunset was running out of time.

“I’m here for a prisoner exchange. You want Applejack, right?” The Alicorn tilted her head analytically.

Once again, licking her lips, the Queen delighted herself in beholding her prey. “Oh, yes, darling… She has been in our eyes for a long time, but never our fangs–” Once again, the vampires around them snickered, following along. And the queen bared her fangs with a smile. “Applejack the vampire hunter is finally mine.”

“Not yet.” The Alicorn narrowed her eyes. “If you want her, I can give her to you– But I want to make a trade.”

Rarity let out a cackle, and the vampires surrounding her cackled along as well. “And what exactly makes you think that you have the power to make any demands, Alicorn? You are surrounded by a thousand of us– You’re both in the belly of the beast!!”

Fluttershy, besides her, flapped her bat wings in joy. “What a joke!! She thinks she can overpower us!!”

And Twilight followed suit. “You’re dead meat, blood bags!!”

Sunset lit her horn, increasing its potency drastically, and the many vampires in the room began hissing and screaming in pain, the queen was quick to cover her body with a wing, but they all were feeling burns; While her two commanders hid behind her throne.

The Valkyrie spoke calmly and plainly. “Consider it a professional courtesy that I am not burning your castle down to the ground. Now, we can trade, or I can do just that. What will it be?”

The Queen, hissing in pain, gave in. “FINE! FINE! WHAT ARE YOUR TERMS?! AND TURN THAT BLOODY THING OFF!!”

Sunset complied, with a smile, allowing the light to dim once more. Smirking, she beheld her object of interest. “Simple terms. I give you Applejack, you give me Twilight Sparkle.”

A handful of whispers and murmurs of confusion echoed throughout the room, and the vampire Twilight tilted her head in surprise.

Snickering, Fluttershy glared deviously at the Alicorn. “You want one of our own– A commander, no less. Why?”

Sunset had no reason to give away her plan, much less to waste time. “My reasons are my own. Take it or leave it– You either hand Twilight Sparkle over to me, or me and Applejack teleport out of here, and you continue trying to catch her the old way. What will it be?”

“Deal.” Rarity spoke plainly. “Hand her over.”

Twilight beheld her in confusion. “R-Rarity, why?!”

Multiple vampires, in every corner, began questioning and wondering about her decision. After all, Twilight used to be an Alicorn; She was useful. She was one of them.

Snarling, Rarity quieted the doubters. “ARE YOU QUESTIONING MY COMMANDS?! Applejack has eluded our grasp for years! And here she is, all tied up in a neat bow! Now move along, Twilight. The deal is MADE.” She waved a hoof dismissively, and Twilight hesitantly accepted.

With a whisper, Applejack addressed her Alicorn friend. “I can’t believe that worked. Good luck.”

“You too. In case we never see each other again, it’s been a pleasure.” Sunset smiled with a nod, pushing the vampire hunter forward.

The exchange was made, and Rarity beheld Applejack like she was both a gift and meal. “I’m going to enjoy this.” She hissed.

Applejack did not respond, just looked behind her, at Sunset and Twilight.

For only a second, Sunset allowed herself to be lost on seeing her wife, baring her fangs, dressed in gothic clothing, with the red eyes of a predator. But unfortunately, there was no time to enjoy the sight.

“What do you want with me, Alicorn?!” She hissed with hatred.

“Not here.” Sunset declared, grabbing her– And just like that, she teleported them away from that place.

They were now somewhere in the Canterlot mountain, bathed in the blood moon light, and with the few lights that shone from the city and castle.

Twilight, looking around frantically, rested her gaze in the Alicorn, and before saying a word, instinctively pounced.

She attempted to bite any kind of flesh, anywhere at all, But Sunset quickly grabbed her and pinned her down, fangs forced to the side.

From the mere seconds of touch, Sunset could feel years of ravenous bloodlust; And it didn’t help that she was wrestling with someone she cared for very much, too. She ignored all she felt, and spoke plainly. “Twilight. Before this all started, you tried curing vampirism, but it didn’t work. What did you do wrong, and what would you have done instead to fix it?”

The little nerd cackled joyfully in her grasp. “Nothing! Hahah!! The world is as it should be, blood bag!! And you gave up the strongest vampire hunter in Equestria for this?! Did you honestly think I’d tell you?! HAH!”

“You just did.” Sunset Smirked.

Having asked the question was all she needed. She saw through Twilight, through the real Twilight’s memories; And with it, she could see the solution, and what had gone wrong.

Originally, it had been Fluttershy, the first fruit bat vampire. Twilight tried bringing her friend back, but instead, she made it worse. Fluttershy now craved blood, and so did the bats, and like an outbreak, it spread, and soon enough nearly every pony was one of them.

But through this ravenous bloodthirsty monster, she could see the real Twilight.

And the real Twilight had already thought of a solution.

“Thanks, Twi. Now stay still, I’ve never done this kind of spell…”

Applejack was now surrounded by dozens upon dozens of vampires in that throne room, and now with Sunset gone, there was nearly no source of light. Rarity stood in front of her, with profound delight. “My, my, my… Look at you… So tasty...”

The hunter said nothing, simply darted her eyes around the dark room, seeing every imminent threat, keeping a level head, as her heart pounded. She only spoke when Rarity was closer. “I’m surprised, that after all this time, you’d share me.”

That was enough. More than enough. It was never Rarity’s intention to share her meal, and much less have it in public.

“Darlings, this one is mine.” the queen spoke for the whole room to hear. “If any of you disturbs me, I will wring your neck and bleed you dry.” She hissed for all to hear, as she yanked on Applejack’s chain.

Fluttershy was the only one that tried speaking. “But my queen, she’s a hunter!! Are you really going to–”

“Are you QUESTIONING ME?!“ She snarled plainly and truly, instantly silencing the other. “She is MY prey, and I will punish her how I see FIT!”

A small smirk appeared on the Earth Pony’s lips, as every vampire respected Rarity’s wishes, and bowed away.

Soon after they were walking alone through dark hallways together, lit only by the light of the blood moon, from the windows, Applejack being pulled by the queen, with a devious smile. “I’ve waited a long time for this. You’ve killed so many of us… Avoided my capture for so long… I’ve waited so long for you to be mine.”

“Likewise.” Applejack spoke through gritted teeth.

“How does it feel? To know that you are finally beaten?! To know that I will bleed you dry?” She hissed, inching closer to that spiked collar but containing herself.

“I dunno, Rares. How does it feel?” The Ex-Farmer spoke coldly.

“What?”

She spoke the words with anger. With coldness– Colder than a vampire. “How does it feel? I’m one of the final survivors. The only one of my kind that is actually fightin’. The last one that used to be yer friend. Once you take me out… No threats. Yer alone. You’ll spend this eternal night surrounded by bloodthirsty maniacs, until y'all run out of blood.”

“You’re trying to spoil this for me.” A frown and a pout appeared on Rarity’s face, as she bared her fangs. “I won’t let you. You’re mine now.”

They were nearly muzzle to muzzle as the vampire queen hissed her way to her. Applejack turned away, uninterested, unintimidated. “No I ain’t. I’m just another blood bag.”

Rarity was unnerved to see Applejack look away, VERY unnerved. She tugged on that chain, trying to bring her closer. “Eyes on me, darling.” She commanded.

“No.” The hunter refused to look.

“W-what?!” The queen was in disbelief.

“Yer not Rarity. Yer just a monster wearin’ her face. Ya don’t get to demand anythin’ of me.”

Groaning, the queen stomped a hoof on the floor, and attempted to get on her field of view, which the Ex-Farmer immediately turned away from. “Look at me, Applejack!!!”

“Nope.”

She was genuinely bothered, as she tried getting the hunter’s attention. “B-but I AM Rarity! I am YOUR Rarity!! And I’m better than I’ve ever been! I am stronger, I am a queen, I am eternal!!”

“Yer just a bloodsuckin’ monster that doomed the world.” Applejack refused to look her in the eye.

“Urgh, damn you!” She pulled on that chain harder, faster, until they reached her room. “You WILL be mine!” She proclaimed angrily.

Rarity’s room had her touch, with its own dark twist. Things felt gothic, dimly lit, red, and most of all, cold. The bed was massive, and the room had a handful of seamstress equipment on it– Not that she put that to much to practice in the eternal night.

Closing the door with a slam, she immediately turned to her prey, and started fiddling with her spiked collar, both with hooves and magic. “Now how do I take this ridiculous thing off…” She muttered angrily.

“Sugarcube.” Applejack spoke softly.

Rarity stopped immediately, and their eyes met. She hadn’t been called that in a long time. She didn’t say a word, just quietly observed the hunter’s eyes narrow. “Do ya remember when we were both foals? Together, under that orchard…?”

The smallest smile appeared on her lips, one without teeth. “Of course I remember, dear.” She spoke, equally softly.

On that same tone, Applejack’s expression softened, as she reminisced “And do ya remember, before all this mess… You n me, on that night, by the riverside…?”

“I would never forget that, Applejack…!” The queen seemed almost insulted, still speaking quietly.

“Really, now? Because ya ain’t the Rarity from back then. Look at yerself.” She gritted her teeth, looking at her from up to down. “When I look at you now. I don’t see that mare. I don’t see the mare I loved.”

“Do you need glasses?!” The Queen spitefully snarled. “I’m right here, handsome!! And I still want you by my side!!” She demanded, angrily.

“Really now. With all that talk of bleedin’ me dry?” The hunter raised an eyebrow defiantly.

“URGH!” The queen bared her fangs, inching closer, but then recoiling. “Applejack…”

She touched the hunter’s fuzzy chest with a hoof, with resignation. “I’ve been trying to get you for so long– To have you by my side on this… But you always ran away... I want you to be mine, Applejack… Forever, Like before.”

Shaking her head slowly, the Ex-Farmer blew air from her nostrils. “We can’t go back, sugarcube. Nothin’s like it was.”

The queen shook her head also, inching closer to her old love. “We don’t have to go back. We can be together, right here. You and me, side by side, ruling the night forever… Oh, How I’ve craved for this…!”

“Is that really what ya want?”

“More than anything. You and me.”

“Maybe…” The hunter inched close to her, their muzzles closer and closer. “Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad, with you…”

In silence, they inched closer and closer.

The kiss they shared was brief.

Because as soon as Applejack saw the opening, she pinned the queen to the ground– From her jacket, she pulled a wooden stake with her mouth, snarling viciously, she reached down and…

Nothing. Both of them breathing heavily, Rarity on her back, a stake pointed directly at her heart, Applejack’s breathing echoing in the room.

Silence.

Rarity closed her eyes. “You should do it.”

Silence.

“If anyone should, it should be you.”

Silence.

“Applejack, dear… Why are you hesitating?”

With a scream of frustration, the hunter dropped the stake. That scream echoed in the room, in the castle– She couldn’t deny what Sunset had shown her, much less what she had felt, so long ago.

She stood over her old love; Beholding her with resigned sorrow. “Sugarcube. I can’t. I can’t be like you.”

“Then don’t…” Rarity rose a hoof to her old love’s cheek, wiping a tear away.

“But… All of this, you, them, I… There’s no tomorrow…”

“Then let us just be… Even if just tonight.” She whispered; Attempting to lean closer, But Applejack pinned her down with a hoof.

“Ya ain’t makin’ me one of you. I’d rather die, Rares.” She affirmed, bluntly.

“Oh, Applejack…” Rarity shook her head, with a resignated, mournful smile. “There’s nothing about you I’d change. You’re perfect. You’ve always been. …I always preferred you warm, anyway…”

“But I…” The Ex-Farmer hesitated for a little while longer, then shook her head, shutting her eyes. “Ah, to hell with it.”

She leaned downward and kissed Rarity, this time, furiously; An animosity that her love reciprocated.

Together, muzzle to muzzle, flank to flank, this time, with nothing separating them.

The night wasn’t so cold anymore.

Twilight hoped that despite her strange changed appearance, the dozens upon dozens of vampires wouldn’t notice her passing by; Smell her warm blood, or even question why she was there.

A LOT had happened in the last minutes.

She galloped towards Rarity’s room, if there was any one pony that needed to be changed back first, it’d be her. Much like Sunset had advised, if she could unite the clans, she could get them in the same room, and just like that, Twilight could change them back.

There was a lot of work that needed to be done… But maybe now there was a chance.

Lucky for her, or unluckily, rather, nothing about her appearance had changed. But her bloodlust, and most importantly, reliance on blood, was over, and that was what needed to be fixed the most. If Equestria would have every single pony with wings, and sharp fangs, so be it– As long as they didn’t have to drain life from other living beings and each other.

It was a difficult plan, one she wished that the Valkyrie that she had met for only a few moments was there to help her with– But unfortunately, she was alone.

Rarity’s room was closer than ever, and thankfully, none of the vampires around had even sniffed her the wrong way.

She barged in the room, and locked the door behind her. Just in time to hear the strangest of things.

“Hey! When I say no bitin’, that means no nibblin’, too!!” Playful laughter was heard.

“It’s not my fault you’re so delicious, handsome.” A delighted hiss followed.

Twilight turned around, as her face grew redder, and it grew even redder, when she saw the two ponies intertwined in bed, making out vigorously– Stopping only to see her having now entered the room.

“Umm.” Applejack’s eyes widened.

“Uhh.” Rarity got really quiet.

Silence.

“So… Um…” Twilight nervously fidgeted with her hooves. “I take it Sunset’s plan worked for you too?”

Author's Note

Wow I was NOT expecting this chapter to end up this long-- I just had wayyyy too much fun with those flashback sequences, specially with the references to the previous story, "the return of midnight sparkle" heheh

Isn't if funny how most of this fic is just this lmao. Sunset arrives at another universe, is like "EW HOW AND WHY ARE YOU LIKE THIS. I MUST LEAVE" And then just goes to the next universe where she's a loser. Either that or the "damn bitch you live like this?" Meme lmao

Either way. This chapter took a bit longer (not just bc its long) but because I kept writing scenes for the next chapter that I'm really excited about lol. I just got way too hype for it. Too creatively charged!

Anyways, let me comment on stuff in order. First off, I like Scootaloo plenty, and I also love the cutiemark cruzaders-- I always imagined that each of them having solo stories would work pretty well! Like with Applebloom coming to terms with the fact that she isnt as strong or as dependable as her big sister (generational gap!) Or like Sweetiebelle struggling to match her big sisters business saffy and competence in planning in general, and with Scootaloo, adressing the fact that her dreams and her idol are all about flying, something she can't do.

Generally she's suprisingly good disabled rep, even if they don't actually do any stories really focussing on it-- Like, the fact that she loves flying and flight but CAN'T fly? There's no easy sollution to that one, and its fun. Im glad they dont just give her bigger wings or something (though it'd be nice to see her using prostethics!) So after a little bit I just wound up making a section dedicated to Scootaloo euphoria lol

Also the sequence where Rarity implies that she banged Applejack on the friendship table is something that is referenced in return of midnight, lol. Hit that like button if you remember

On that Midnight universe, the one where Sunset is complacent, there was a version of it where the Valkyrie tries getting her other self to execute on the same plan she did, but I realised itd be funnier this way--- Also the version was comically similar to that scene from shrek 4 where the donkey is about to be eaten by the dragon and shrek is like
"WOO HER!!"
"WOO WHO?!"
"YOUR WIFE!!"

That would be funny, but I prefer this version. When you think about Sunset's mental state, you can easily imagine a version of return of midnight where she refuses to become a demon again, but also doesnt have the confidence to actually fight the girl she loves. And it leads to a universe where she's happily living as Midnight Sparkle's girltoy lmaooo

look at that. the second time this has occured in the multiverse. If I had a nickel...

That's Sherriff Applejack on the left, Vampire Rarity on the right! Originally, i was planning on writing the whole Sheriff AJ sequence, it was gonna have Applebloom in it, Sunset would have been arrested for being a bandit, but I realised that despite it being fun, it was meandering, so didn't write it after all.

Anyways lets get down to brass tacks. The meat of it. Rarijack.

I drew this months ago, when I was already planning out this story. Yes I'm insane because rarijack is just like that, my anthros are deranged. Good ending tho

Worth stating, if you've read my other rarijack story, "the princess and the peasant" You'll def know the power of that "Eyes on me, darling" Sequence heheheh

Sunset begrudgingly doing Cadance's work for her is something that is pretty funny in retrospect, too lmao.

Anyways next chapters will be some of my absolute fucking favorites, I'm SO fucking excited for some of these. I promise they wont all be as long as this one-- But I will have plenty of these with fun flashback sequences though!

Next up: King Sombra.