Xy Chromosome

XY Chromosome

Chapter twenty-four: A Date in Tartarus part 2

“Checkmate.” Crimson moved her bishop into position so that my king piece was cornered.

“Dammit.” I groaned, hanging my head in defeat.

“C’mon Daniel, I’m sure you’ll win next time.” Crimson Mist smiled as she began placing her dark pieces back on their original spots.

“That’s what you said last time…, the time before, the time before that, and the time before that.”

“Yes, but now you know my strategy, so surely you now have somewhat of an advantage.” “Even if he does figure out my main tactic it wouldn’t matter; I have many others.”

“I’m just going to call it quits.” I stood from my chair.

“Why?” She pouted.

“Because you’ll just beat me again like the other four times.”

“Please.”

“No.”

“Please.” She tried whined, her eyes glowing in an attempt to  hypnotize me. With a snort I flicked her on the nose.

“Don’t start that again, I already submitted to you today.” I chuckled rolling my eyes at her frown. “Also, you’re not getting any more blood from me.”

“Wha-why!?” Her mouth gaped at my response.

“Because a couple pints is your version of a sip; I blacked out for half an hour.” I gave her a disgruntled look as I rubbed my neck.

“Only if you knew how wonderful your blood tastes.” She blushed, licking her lips as she placed her hands on her cheeks.

Sighing as I sat back down, I placed my pieces back where they belonged. After they were all back in position I intently stared at the queen piece. It’s odd, the king piece is the one you want to capture because that’s how one wins the game, but before he can be captured one’s eyes must be fixed upon his lover. Perhaps it is the queen’s dire love for her husband that she is able to move profoundly across the board, slaying the opposing pieces daring to come near the king. Though beautiful, she is to be feared, and only the most clever and proud pieces may oppose her without feeling her wrath. One such piece, the gallant knight, the most peculiar of the chess pieces as it moves in an odd fashion, that of which the queen and any other piece cannot mimic. Many disregard and see the knights being expendable just like the pawns, however, given the opportunity and taking advantage of what he has to offer, the game can easily be won after the opposing queen learns her lesson.

“Daniel?” Crimson waved a hand in front of my face.

“Hmm?” I stopped my staring.

“You’ve been staring at your pieces for some time Are you building up a new strategy?” She questioned, ready to put me to shame again the instant I move a piece.

“No…, actually can I ask you something?”

“Sure.”

“Have you ever heard of the name Eunomia?” I looked back down at the white queen.

“Hmmm…., I can’t say I have. Why do you ask?”

“I just heard the name, that’s all.” I arose from my chair again. “What about Cartherd?”

“I haven’t heard of that name either.” She shrugged.

I sighed again as I looked outside the manor’s window. Nightmare had called for a gathering, and it is taking place at the Crimson clan’s town hall. Nightmare and Crimson Haze had left to go there, but before they went Crimson’s mother advised that we stay here just in case one of the clans brought any ‘curious’ guests. So far there weren't any intrusions, just the occasional flicker of the lit candles in the room we played chess in. Chuckling to myself as I continued to stare out the window, Crimson Mist finally sat up from her chair and approached me.

“What’s so funny?” She looked out the same window.

“The way everyone acted when Nightmare entered the center town; she was swarmed like a famous celebrity.” I wasn’t with Nightmare at the time that happened, but I watched through the same window when it did earlier.

“You have to understand that Lady Nightmare Moon isn't just the one we see as our leader.”

“I know, she’s the one you worship too.”

“True, but also we see her as a role model, and we vamponies strive to be just like her.”

Thinking to myself about how that would play out, the only image that popped in my mind was my dick covered in bite marks. “I think it’s best to be who you are instead of trying to be someone you’re not, because honestly if you all acted just like Nightmare this world would be a nightmare.”

“I find it strange how you are able to back talk Lady Nightmare without receiving punishment from her, if not say stuff behind her back.” She looked away from the window.

“You make her sound like some kind of tyrant who rules with an iron fist, really she’s just like anyone else.” I stared down at her.

“If she was like anypony else we wouldn't see her as being so omnipotent.”

“Her personality is what I meant.”

“I know, but not everypony has the courage to stand up to the Sun tyrant who rules outside of Tartarus.”

“Are you sure you’re not sugar coating Nightmare’s true intentions?” I gave her solemn look.

“No, Princess Celestia was getting all the glory and praise leaving Princess Luna unwanted. So, I find it inspirational to know the night princess had a transformation and finally stood up to her sister, even though she was banished.”

“You do realize Luna is back, right?”

“W-what, impossible!?” Crimson had an utter look of shock.

“Nope, she’s back.”

“But how, Lady Nightmare and Princess Luna are the same!”

“It confuses me too, but apparently Nightmare was bound to Luna, and after Nightmare’s second defeat sh-.”

“Lady Nightmare was defeated a second time!!?” Her eye twitched.

“That’s what I heard, and after her second defeat by the elements of harmony, or so they are called, Luna and Nightmare were split away from the same body.”

“So, Lady Nightmare and Princess Luna coexist?”

“Mhmm.”

Crimson Mist was dumbstruck, her expression didn’t change and she was stiff as a statue as I waved a hand in front of her face. “Doesn’t matter!” She finally spoke. “Lady Nightmare is the one I follow, and I will see to it that her wishes are fulfilled when needed.”

“What about Luna?”

“It was my lady who took the risk of challenging princess Celestia, not princess Luna. And if she is to stand in the way of Lady Nightmare, then she will meet her end.” Her eyes flashed red.

It was amusing to see Crimson Mist get so worked up over who might challenge Nightmare. I didn’t think I would be able to sway her opinion about Nightmare and the princesses, but that’s how loyalty works.

“What about you Daniel, how exactly do you contribute to Lady Nightmare other than being her mate?”

“I wouldn’t really call her my mate.” “She basically uses my body as a shelter, however from what she said earlier she’s also using me to regain her powers, which is something I didn’t know until then.” I was upset to know Nightmare didn’t fill me in completely on why she was using me.” “However, now that I know I can take advantage of that.”

“Did she ever leave you before you came here?”

“Several times, but she always stays close.” I looked out the window once more, and stared at the town hall.

-

Nightmare Moon First person:

There were roughly twenty mares in the same room as I, and every eye was on me as I stood and announced my plan to the vampony clan leaders. Though there was a pair that I wish were not in the room; Blood Bone was also here in the town hall with several mare thralls, which I assumed were his, fawning over him. Unlike the clan leaders, his weren’t focused on my face like they should, instead he was looking up and down at me as I saw his dick erect beneath his cloak. I liked the fact that he saw me attractive, considering I was naked, but I didn’t like his attention towards me. It was actually very strange for me to feel this, but Daniel had his fair share of staring at my body, and I didn’t mind, honestly I wish he would stare at me more. I didn’t want to admit it but I felt a connection with the human, and wished he was here at my side so he could take my mind off the stallion one seat away from me.

Imagining Blood Bone wasn’t in the room, I finished up my scheme for kicking Celestia off the throne. “Any questions, or must I repeat myself.” I growled the last part. It was true, power was seeping into my head, and I was liking every second of it.

“No Lady Nightmare, but if I may, who will go with you back to Canterlot and begin a vampony den?” The leader of the moonlight clan asked hesitantly.

“That is yet to be decided, and it’ll take secrecy and time because if anypony catches sight or signs of a vampony or any other creature from Tartarus, I have no doubt Celestia will call for Valkyries to patrol the city.”

“But what about leaving Tartarus my lady, surely someone will notice an army leaving the Everfree.” Crimson Haze inquired.

“That’s why there will be a vampony den within Canterlot. Little by little you vamponies will enter the city and take refuge wherever the den is. Don’t worry about food either, I’ll be sure to compensate for that. Any more questions?” I shifted my eyes to both sides of the room. Seeing how nopony else had anything to say, I was about to dismiss before Blood Bone spoke up.

“One more my lady.” He gave me a toothy smile, and I couldn’t help but notice one of his chipped fangs. “The plan sounds very good with a moderate chance of success, that is if everything goes accordingly, but about that…creature or whatever you mentioned in your plan.”

“You mean Daniel?” I raised my brow dully.

“Yes, him  How do we know who’s side he’s on. Because if he’s staying at the castle that means he has some sort of connection with Celestia.” He announced, and I watched the clan leaders nod in agreement.

“I have him convinced Celestia is the true enemy, not me.”

“Even so, whose to say he will betray us.”

“If he was truly on Celestia’s side I wouldn’t be here.”

“Oh?”

“I’ve been using him as a vessel to regain my lost powers after I was banished.” I stated. “For the second time that is.” “And as I said before if he was on Celestia’s side I wouldn’t be here because he could’ve easily told her, but no, Daniel’s been sheltering me ever since I returned. However, if he does stand against us he will meet an untimely end.” I hissed. “An end to blowjobs!”

-

“What was that! for” I sneered, covering the spot on my neck where Crimson had bitten me.

“You were staring out the window for awhile…, so I thought that would wake you up a little.” She shrugged, giving me a childish grin.

“I’m sure.” I checked my hand and saw two small blood stains on it. “I’m going for a walk.” I began heading down the stairs.

“Wait, I’m sorry!” She called after me.

“I know you are, I just need some fresh air.” “And I need you to keep your distance for a while…Hmm, I wonder how Nightmare’s doing.”

-

Nightmare Moon First person:

I ended up saying that I will go back to Canterlot with Daniel without a vampony, instead, when the preparations are prepared, I would send a letter to whomever would be the one to start the den. It seemed to end some tense between the clan leaders, and I couldn’t blame them either; to be in a room with ponies you resent bitterly, it’s unnerving. “This plan cannot work without you uniting together, and I’m sure you all have reasons to hold animosity towards each other, but believe when I say that when Canterlot is ours no more will we h-”

*Knock-Knock* One of the doors to the town hall sounded before they opened.

“Daniel?” I questioned surprisingly as he peered inside. “What are you doing here, shouldn’t you be at the manor.”

“You were gone for awhile…, and I wanted to checkup on you.” He smiled awkwardly as some of the vampony clan leaders arose form their seats, and began sniffing him.

“He smells delightful.” One of them said. “I bet tastes just like ambrosia.”

“Don’t let the smell fool you, I actually taste terrible.” He shrugged one of the clan leaders' hands from his shoulder.

“Can’t say the same about your sperm.” “I’m fine thank-you.” I scanned the room and saw Blood Bone whispering something into his thralls’ ears. “Why isn’t Crimson Mist with you?”

“She’s out and about doing her own thing.”

“Even so, you shouldn’t be wandering around.”

“Why not?”

“Because somepony might snatch you.” I looked suspiciously at the clan leaders as they all tried averting their attention back to me.

“So, I can’t stay here and be watched by you to make sure I’m not bitten?” “The whole freakin‘ Crimson Clan is behind the door!”

“Go back to the manor, I’ll be there in a little while.”

“Errr…okay.” He side stepped behind the chairs where all the clan leaders were sitting, and went out an opposite door.

“Anyway, as I was saying…” I began after noticing Blood Blone’s thralls were gone.

-

Peeping outside the door to make sure no one was behind it, I exited the town hall and sighed as I sat on the door frame’s step. I really didn’t think it through, the second I entered town there were vamponies following me around. Picking up the thought they were only after my blood I knocked on the town hall’s door, hoping Nightmare wouldn’t mind if I stayed there.

Waiting for Nightmare’s gathering to end before I would walk with her back to the manor, for precaution of course, I felt it again.

“CLUNG*

My vision darkened as my face hit the ground. “Once again…”

-

Crimson Mist First person:

Playing chess against myself, I turned the board around after making a move. It was quiet here since Daniel walked out, actually it was always quiet in the manor with just my mother and I only living in it. I wish I could somehow make Daniel understand why I liked his blood so much other than its taste and aroma, but honestly that’s why I crave it, it’s so delicious and I couldn’t help myself when I saw him standing there so stiff.

To be honest I wish he didn’t belong to Lady Nightmare, even though he says he doesn’t. Before I knew he was my lady’s I wanted to turn him into my thrall so he would always be with me…, and possibly one day become my mate.

Putting the white king in checkmate just like the many times before, I walked over to the window and rest my chin on my hand as I looked out towards the town. The day always stayed the same outside; it was always dark, sometimes it would be darker or lighter, but still dark. Due to it always being dark vamponies have developed keen eyesight wherever light is absent. On the topic of eyesight, I noticed three figures coming towards the town in the distance. With our keen eyesight we are also able to see things from very far away if we focus on them long enough; it’s like looking through a telescope. The direction they were heading from was most peculiar because there was nothing but the Ashy Mountains in that direction…, well not just that but also an old crypt that was built underground millenniums ago. I haven’t been in there too many times usually because of the rogue magic that dwells within. The only reason why it hasn’t been sealed is because we vamponies tend to use it…, rarely though. Any vampony that wishes to hibernate for several if not hundreds of years goes there to sleep, and because it is a crypt it is usually a place where not much noise is heard other than the occasional rat gnawing on a bone.

My focus cleared and I caught site of their faces and other features. I didn’t recognize them, and because of their coats’ bright colors I knew they weren’t vamponies, so they had to be thralls. “What were they doing out there?” I wondered, grabbing my scythe before walking out of the manor.

-

Nightmare Moon First person:

“Why am I here?” I questioned, leaning against the wall of the house Blood Bone was currently taking residence in.

“To get you away from all of them, I’m sure you don’t like being swarmed.” Blood Bone replied as he grabbed a bottle of red wine and poured it in two glasses, one of which he gave to me. “Oh please, make yourself at home, I'm interested to know little more about you.” He sat down on a wood carved chair.

After everything at the gathering was said, I dismissed them. However, like before I entered the Crimson town hall I was swarmed by adoring vamponies. Blood Bone had offered to bring me somewhere to get away from them, and I foolishly accepted, though I did like how I wasn’t being touched everywhere. “Really?” I examined the glass he gave me.

“No, not really, it’s about that…creature.”

“Daniel.” I corrected, noticing the walls of the residence had countless pictures of different mares mounted on them.

“Yes, Daniel. What’s your relationship with him?” He asked.

“Relationship?” I was dumbstruck to hear him say that.

“Yes.”

“There is none, he’s simply a resource I’m taking advantage of.”

“Advantage of? So he’s under your influence?”

“No, he has a mind of his own, though sarcastic at times.” I rolled my eyes.

“Would you mind telling me what he does for the Princess?”

“Her pussy.” “It’s not what he does for the princess, but for pony society.”

“Mhmm.” He twirled his glass of wine.

“He’s restoring the stallion population, and the princess sees him as being invaluable because he’s able to impregnate countless mares.”

“Interesting.” His twirling stopped, and his eyes shifted over to me. “Excuse for asking, but…has he done anything with you?” He raised an eyebrow.

“No.” I replied, getting the hint. “He’s just a resource.”

“Ahhh, alright then.”

*Knock-Knock*

Setting his glass on table in front of him, I watched as he opened the door, and his thralls were waiting patiently behind it.

“You’ll have to excuse me for a moment.” He said as he shut the door behind him.

Looking down at my glass, I found this conversation with him to be off slightly. Taking a sip of the wine, my face winced at its taste. “Disgusting, what is this!?”

-

Crimson Mist First person:

When trying to find the three thralls in town, I accidentally bumped into Red Moon, who was actually spying on them as she watched them in plain sight so she would look less obvious of trying to hide. After exchanging a few words here and there she told me she was watching them because apparently they were the thralls that had gone missing in her last shipment. After she told me this I told her I would continue to spy on them, just to see what was going on. So, here I was hiding behind the temporary residence of Count Blood Bone.

Staying as quiet as I could, I listened in on what was said as the count answered the door after they knocked.

“How’d it go?” Count Blood Bone questioned.

“He’s in the crypt master, I doubt he’ll be able to escape from a sarcophagus.” One of the thralls spoke up.

“Even if he does he doesn’t know the way out, the crypt will claim him either way.” Another said.

“I can’t have…ughh, what did she call him?”

“Daniel, master?”

“Yes, I can’t have him getting in the way in my interest with Nightmare.”

“He won’t master, he’s good as dead.” The third thrall chirped.

“Good, now go to the cellar, I don’t want the shop-keep recognizing any of you.”

“Yes master.” They all gave a short bow before leaving.

My eyes grew at what I heard, I wasn’t sure I was able to accept what my ears had picked up from just now. Sure, I wasn’t too fond of Count Blood Bone, but why was he doing this? “I hope Daniel’s okay.”

“Hey, what are you doing back here!?” One of the thralls shouted at me as I looked below and saw that I was next to the cellar entrance.

“Oh nothing, I just so happened to be passing by.”

“Liar, what’d you hear!?” Another hissed.

“Oh, well if you insist; I heard moaning down there.” I pointed at the cellar.

“Moaning, but there’s nopony down there.”

“Come here and you’ll hear it.” I told as I made my ear twitch in the action of hearing something.

Coming to the cellar, they all perked their ears to listen to the silence coming from the cellar. “I don’t hear anything.”

“Listen closely, and you’ll hear it.” I said, stepping behind them with my scythe drawn.

“Are you sure, because I can’t hear a th-”

With three quick, but forceful swings with the end of my scythe they all fell to the ground. Opening the cellar, I rolled their bodies down the cellar steps and heard them moan in pain as I closed the cellar doors. “That takes care of them.” I briefly said to myself before sprinting through town as fast as I could towards the crypt, but before I left town I informed Red Moon about a mysterious moaning coming from Count Blood Bone’s cellar.

-

Nightmare Moon First person:

“Sorry about that.” I watched Blood Bone close the door to the house.

“It’s fine.” I said, rubbing my head as it began to ache.

“You’re not going to drink your wine?” He asked, noticing I set it down next to his.

“I didn’t like it.”

“Oh, well that’s a shame, this wine is hard to come by. Anyway, it looks like you’re not feeling too good, why don’t you sit down.” He gestured to the couch he now sat on, and I somehow ended up sitting next to him as my headache grew even worse.

-

Crimson Mist First person:

It took a little while, but I eventually made it to the entrance of the crypt. The entrance stood alone as it began at the foot of a mountain. I had never ventured more than four floors in it, but from what I heard back in my town Daniel could well possibly be at the bottom, which I’m not sure if I’ll be able to make it to.

Taking a deep breath, I caught Daniel’s scent as I sniffed the air. It was faint and I knew it wouldn’t be around forever. With that being my only source of guidance within, I entered the crypt and followed the sweet, flavorful scent.

-

Moaning as I awoke,  I felt my face between two large, but soft rises. Arising slightly, I hit my head against something hard. “Fuck, right on the spot too!” I growled, wanting to punch something. However, that was just it, I couldn’t move anything except my head. “Holy shit, where am I?” I whispered to myself, using my fingers to feel around the cold, compact compartment I was in. “Oh my God…, am I in a coffin!?” I shrieked. “SOMEONE HELP!!!” I shouted as loud as I could, but only to hear silence.

After a few moments of silence I shouted again, but I was only met with the same results. I felt like crying; to be buried alive is horrifying if not sickening. “Okay…okay, just stay calm, I’m sure I’ll be out of here in no time…, but what if someone’s not coming to get me…and why does the thing below me feel like ice?” I touched something fleshy. “SOMEONE HELP!!!” I shouted again realizing what it was.

-

Crimson Mist First person:

There were torches lit along the walls of the crypt, which obviously meant those thralls were down here, but also it served as another guide to where they put Daniel because wherever the lit torches ended that’s where Daniel will be. “Foals, if he got out all he would have to do is follow the torches.”

As I followed the torches deeper into the crypt, I walked down another steep staircase leading to the next floor. This was the twentieth staircase so that meant I was on the twenty-first floor. I wasn’t sure how many floors the crypt had, but I had a feeling that I was still near the top.

More time had passed by, and now I was going down the forty-fifth staircase. Thinking that the torches would never end, they did.

“Hey, can somebody hear me!?” My ears perked to the sound of a muffled yell.

Sniffing the nearby sarcophaguses near the last torch, I picked up Daniel’s scent again after sniffing several. Pulling the stone coffin out from the wall, I set it down and removed the lid.

-

“Jesus Christ, thank you!“ I jumped out of the sarcophagus and hugged Crimson Mist as tight as I could.

“How long were you in there?” She asked.

“I dunno, I just woke up.” I said, still shivering from the fact that I was in a sarcophagus.

“Hmm, it looks like you were sharing some space.”

“What?”

“Look.” She pointed down at the open sarcophagus.

“What the hell!?” I looked down at a mature looking vampony mare, whom was dressed in a black, open-top dress just like the other vamponies. “Is she dead?”

“No, dead vamponies turn to ash, remember? She looks like she’s hibernating.” Crimson concluded.

I took a look closer at her and confirmed that she was indeed older than any vampony that I had seen so far; her orange mane was beginning to gray, and her breasts, which I assume were the big, soft rises my head was between, weren’t round and firm, but were beginning to sag from maturity. “I thought you said vamponies stopped aging after a certain point.”

“We do, I guess she was turned into one when she was at a mature age.”

“How long do you think she’s been down here?” I scratched my head, noticing something glimmering under the small pillow her head lay on, which turned out to be a small brass key as I pulled it out from under the pillow.

“I’ve never seen her before. She could’ve been down for millenniums for all I know. “Anyway listen, I think Lady Nightmare is in danger.”

“What?” Crimson had my full on attention as I put the key in my pocket without realizing it.

“I think Count Blood Bone is going to do something terrible to her. He sent his thralls to dispose of you so he can continue his 'interest' with Lady Nightmare.”

“Where is she!?“

“At Count Blood Bone’s residence in town.”

“What are we standing here for then, let’s go!” I was about to take off running before Crimson yanked the collar of my shirt.

“Watch out!” Crimson Mist pulled me back, and just as she did an arrow flew right in front of my face.

“What the hell!?” I watched the arrow hit and bounce off the stony wall.

“Hold this.” She undressed herself, then threw her cloak over my head.

There were several metallic, slicing sounds that sung through my ears before I unveiled the cloak from my head. It took me a couple seconds, but I realized Crimson had changed into her other form as I thought she was someone else. “What just happened?”

“This.” She said coldly as she swung her scythe at a pony skull on the floor, making it fly like a golf ball into the darkness behind us.

“A skull?” I questioned, scanning over her naked self.

“Stop ogling you foal.” She hissed.

“You’re the one you gave me your cloak.”

“I gave it to you because it slows me down.” She gritted her teeth.

“Wow, she’s a lot different than the other Crimson.” I mentally stated because of how viscous her voice was towards me.

“Now, if you’re done staring, I would like to leave this place before m-.”

Crimson was cut short as the large thud was heard from the torch lit way back to the surface. First is was just one, then two, then many more as sarcophaguses along the walls shook violently before somehow their lids slid open. Like classical vampires awakening from a coffin, numerous skeletal figures from far down the passage suddenly came to life as they climbed out of their sarcophaguses. Their eye holes seemed to glow with a bright purple aura as they stood and began heading towards us, some carrying old rusted weapons. “Impossible.” My eye twitched in confusion as my skin turned white with terror.

“Not a skull Daniel…, undead.” Crimson annoyingly sighed, knocking the head off one of the skeletons with the butt of her scythe as it neared her.

Watching the headless pony skeleton fall into a rummage of bones, Crimson hacked away at the others as bones of all sorts flew behind her. I was sure Crimson knew how to use her scythe, but I didn’t think she was that good with it as she twirled the scythe like a baton over her before hooking a skeleton behind her in the ribcage. Catapulting the skeleton over her, it collided with several others turning them into piles of bones.

“These skeletons are a joke (just like Skyrim’s skeletons, one hit and they’re down).” I heard Crimson laugh as more skeletons fell victim to her.

Not one was able to lay a bony finger on her, and if they did manage to take a swipe at her she easily evaded it before finishing them off. “Either she’s incredible or these skeletons are sorry excuses.” I thought to myself as Crimson scattered another skeleton’s bones. If not the weapons, the only thing intimidating about them were the glowing eyes, which seemed to vanish after Crimson cut them down.

Thinking Crimson had it handled, there was a large rumbling noise that came from beneath us as Crimson finished off the last skeleton. “What was that?” I asked eerily.

“More undead maybe.” She took her cloak from me.

“But it came from b- SHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIT!!!” I cried as the floor beneath our feet collapsed into the darkness below.

-

Third person:

“Is this making you feel any better?” Count Blood Bone asked as he massaged Nightmare’s shoulders.

“Amazing…, w-wait! Get your hands off me!” Nightmare hissed, but fell to her knees as the throbbing in her head significantly increased.

“I’m just trying to help.” Blood Bone stated innocently. “However, I want to talk to about your plan.”

“Didn’t I go over it with you already?” Nightmare grimaced as she rubbed her temples.

“You did, and like I’ve been saying it’s very good…, but…”

“But what?”

“There will be a slight problem if it succeeds, not that I have the utmost confidence that it will, but I feel I should be the one giving the instruction.” He said, dumping his glass of wine into an indoor potted plant.

“Wha-…errrugggh.” Nightmare began clenching her teeth at the pain in her head.

“The vamponies see you as their leader along with being a goddess, which I have to agree. However, I can’t have what I worked so hard to achieve be taken away. Don’t take it personally my lady, but I’m the one who leads them not you. So, I’ll tell you what I have in mind; you can be the role model every pony looks up to, and I’ll be the one giving the commands. Think of yourself as being a figurehead, while I do the true ruling.”

“You think I’ll agree to that?” She growled, looking up at him menacingly.

“I don’t think you have much of a choice, considering that you took a drink of serum from a paralysis plant, which I should explain the properties of while your suffering from them. The paralysis plant is actually a carnivorous species that lives in moist parts of Tartarus. It mainly feeds on small creatures if not insects that come too close to its snapping jaws. Anyway, there are pores along its stem that release a noxious aroma that stuns, and kills their prey. This aroma happens to come from a bitter, red liquid it secretes from the same pores. It doesn't kill anything much larger than an average dog or cat, but it will take affect on any other living creature, such as ponies. Right now you’re in the first stage of its effect; it’s agitating your nerves which will eventually lead to paralysis, the second and final stage you’re about to enter…that is if it doesn't kill you, which I doubt.” He explained while pacing around the cringing alicorn. “I must say too, but I've been craving something more than the typical thrall or vampony. He smiled down at her. “Hmm, now where do you think I should put a portrait of you once I’m done having my fun? Over the fireplace perhaps, along the walls of the staircase, or maybe hung over my bed in my chamber..”

Nightmare couldn't say anything sensible as it was just a slur.

“How about my chamber, that would suit you well don’t you think? I mean that’s where all the other vamponies seem to end up. Oh, and don’t worry about that human, he’s been taken care of.” “Just like every other stallion that came here.” Blood Bone picked Nightmare up from the floor and headed up the residence’s stairs to his chamber.

“Daniel!” Nightmare mentally cried as I struggled desperately trying to push the lid off as Nightmare Moon's pleading cries faded.

I was trapped here!

-