A chill wind blew throughout the night. All of the shops were closed and doors locked. 'Ponyville is an odd place for a princess to stay, not well guarded nor enclosed,' I thought as I walked along the narrow street until I stopped at what appeared to be a tree made into a library. A single light was lit in one of the side windows. “Hmm, it appears the princess is toiling away through the night, just as Princess Luna and Princess Celestia mentioned about her. Not that I blame her, the night is superb for thinking and clearing one’s mind,” I stated thinking out loud.

I walked up to the door and with my left forehoof I knocked as gently as I could. There was loud crash and sounds of annoyed grumbling.

“Who in Celestia’s name would be knocking at this hour? I hope it’s not Pinkie Pie again. I don’t know how many more parties I can handle this week. We already had three in a row!” groaned a semi-cracking male voice.

'Hmm, that must be the princess’s assistant, Spike,' I thought. The door just barely opened before the small dragon let out a loud gasp and slammed it. “Must I always get that reaction?” I whispered and sighed.

“Hey Spike, who’s at the door?” a voice inquired whom I assumed was the princess's.

“S-s-somep-p-pony w-with b-b-black armor and red glowing s-s-slitted eyes!” Spike stammered out.

“Who's out there?!” the princess spoke again in a more firm voice.

“Hello, I am Blood Moon, Captain of the Reaper Knights, sent by order from Princess Luna and by request from Princess Celestia. I seek audience with Princess Twilight Sparkle. May I come in?” I stated and my left eye twitched when I said "Captain". I dislike fanciful titles and loathe being called by them.

The door opened again and Twilight spoke, “Hello, Luna sent a letter stating I'd be getting a visitor. However, she didn't mention who it was going to be. How do I know you are who you say you are?” Without hesitation I used my magic and levitated a rolled up letter from my pack with Princess Luna’s seal on it and floated it to her. Twilight’s magic took the letter, she unrolled it and scanned it thoroughly. She then rolled it back up before floating it to her reading podium. “Hello Blood Moon, I was not expecting to see a member of the royal guard show up at my door step,” she mused before adding, “Why didn't Luna just say you were coming from the first letter?”

“Security has had to be tightened for reasons I will disclose in a minute. May I come in?” I stated.

“What are you? Some kind of vampire or something?” joked Spike.

“All will be explained momentarily, may I come in?” I repeated in a calm voice and Spike paled.

Twilight glanced at the letter, looked back at me and then stated, “Yes you may.”

I walked in and mentally noted the library was impressive even though it was located in a small village. It was warm and was peacefully quiet. Twilight also did not seem to be wearing any of her royal garb. 'I suppose that outfit would get in the way,' I thought. She walked over to her podium and closed the book I assumed she was reading moments earlier.

“Can we get you something eat or drink?” she said as she got an uncomfortable look on her face, reached for her neck with her right forehoof and shivered while still looking at her podium.

“I will take hot mint tea if you have it. It appears this night was colder then I expected it and this armor makes for poor insulation,” I said as I took off my pack and placed it on a hook by the door. Spike dashed to the kitchen and gathered cups and a kettle for tea, before stoking the fireplace. I sat on a pillow by the fire gathering my thoughts for the questions that were soon to barrage me.

“Sooo umm…” Twilight started to speak as she turned to look at me, but could not find the words.

“You seek answers from me, yes?” I politely interjected.

Twilight cleared her throat and stated, “Are you really a...vampire?” in a mixture of slight fear and intrigued curiosity.

“In a simple word, yes, as I have been for one hundred and eighty years,” I stated with a tired, pained tone. I then turned to her and added, “I shall show you what I look like. Do not worry, I am considered decently attractive by most pony standards.”

I closed my eyes and spoke in my mind, “Suppression armor, retract helm,” and the black layered plate armor slowly slid over itself. It started at the tip of my nose and ending at a thick gold metal ring around the base of my neck. Then the metal plates gently and quietly sank into the metal ring until they all disappeared. I opened my glowing red eyes, yawned to re-adjust my jaw and showed them my fangs. In response Twilight and Spike froze where they stood and gazed at me with the same look of fear and curiosity as Twilight had before.

Then after my armor ceased its task I took my left forehoof and tried to even out some of the fur of my snow white coat and ebony black mane. “It is most unpleasant to have to wear my helm for long durations,” I stated in a relieved sigh.

Spike was the first to speak, “That was sooo cool, how did you do that?”

I grinned and stated, “I am one of the forge masters for the Reaper Knights. I help create and build many of the armors and weapons that we use. However, this armor took years to design, and is by no means one hundred percent perfect.” The teapot over the fire started whistling right after I spoke. “Ahh, I believe the hot water is done boiling,” I said, glancing at Spike.

Spike poured a cup of tea and gave it to me with a shaky claw. I closed my eyes and calmly sipped from the cup, breathing in the hot steam. I opened my eyes again to see both Twilight and Spike still looking nervously at me. I let out a small chuckle. “To ease your minds I shall answer several of the common questions ponies have about me,” I stated taking another sip of tea and placing the cup on its saucer. “Yes, I am indeed a vampire. Yes, we can eat normal food if we wish to. No, we do not only have to drink pony blood, any will do. Yes, I have recently drunk my fill. No, I cannot shape shift into a bat and lastly, no, I will not keep stating ‘Blah blah blah’ for your amusement,” I said as I grinned and rolled my eyes.

Spike kicked the floor and grumbled, “Rats on the last part.”

Twilight giggled to herself and both of them visibly calmed down. “Although I assume that does not answer the main question that you seek,” I stated, picking up my cup. I then poured myself some more tea and said, “For that question I suspect is ‘why am I here?’”

“Yes please,” Twilight responded after pouring herself some tea as Spike was still gazing at me.

“The main reason I am here is as per order by Princess Luna and by request from Princess Celestia as additional protection. There has been trouble brewing in many areas of Equestria. Rogue groups of vampires, lycans, and solar channelers have been increasingly running amok. These groups would not hesitate to use anything to gain an edge so they alone can dominate Equestria. That unfortunately also means you,” I stated breathing in the steam again from my cup.

“The condensed version is I am now your new personal bodyguard until you and the other princesses see fit,” I stated, drinking more tea. Twilight opened her mouth and was about to speak when I interrupted and added “and no, neither of us has any choice in the matter.” Twilight stared down at her tea silent. “Although do not get me wrong, it is an honor to serve you princess,” I said as I bowed my head and saluted to her. “Additionally, besides me being a master forger and two hundred years old, I am also a powerful unicorn specializing in blood and life force magic. As well, I have been trained in the use of alchemy. My knowledge and experience are now at your disposal,” I stated with a grin and a raised eyebrow.

It appears princesses’ assessments were right on the mark again. They figured she would dislike the idea of a personal bodyguard, but would be overjoyed at the prospect of additional knowledge. Twilight’s eyes glowed with possibilities and I could almost see her mind working behind them.

After several minutes she nodded with satisfaction and stated, “Okay, tell me everything you know about these rogue groups, your…needs, what you can do and perhaps any bits of knowledge you wouldn't mind sharing.”

I grinned as before and said, “It appears we are going need more tea, for this will not be a short conversation.”

This story is set ten years after Twilight became a princess and is through the first person view of Blood Moon. Also due to possible age problems we will assume that all of the ponies have a lifespan of humans. As well, the main six are all in their mid to late twenties. This is really the first long story I have ever written in my life. I hope everyone enjoys it.

~Shadowscythe

P.S. While suggestions for editing are welcome, grammar police and flamers will be systematically ignored...