I do not know how long I slept before I woke up. As my room did not have any windows, for obvious reasons, it was truly anypony's guess. However, regardless of such matters when I managed to open my eyes I found it difficult to find any motivation. I suspected one of the problems was how soft my bed had felt. It was designed to prevent injury along with containing me while I, for lack of a better word, 'slept'. The end result was a seemly soft bed that I somehow did not notice until today. I suppose it is hard to notice details like 'comfort' through fits of sheer terror and uncontrolled rage.

The second source of my motivation depletion was more apparent and slightly amusing. It appears that while we slept, me and Twilight seemed to have wrapped our legs around each other. Not that I was complaining as it was quite a comfort having her this close to me. She even looked so peaceful laying there while happily drooling all over her pillow. And while I had little desire to disturb her, unfortunately, there were quite a few tasks that required my attention. So after a bit of yawning I began to untangle myself.

Eventually with a bit of creative thought I finally managed to get my lazy self out of bed with luckily little disturbance to Twilight. I merely smiled as I noticed she continued to be fast asleep while still drooling away. It was amusing, but I was really not one to judge as I thought back to the day before in my lab. At least she had the benefit of sleeping in a bed and not on hard stone. In turn I quietly moved over to where my armor ring was and sat down for a minute.

After a few moments of yawning and rubbing my eyes, I put my armor ring on and unsummoned my scythe. I then looked around and located my tome. At first I was going to bring it with me, but my body was stiff. And the thought of carrying extra weight displeased me. Needless to say I ended up putting it where it would be more welcomed, next to Twilight.

Without waking up she just smiled, wrapped her forelegs around the tome and pulled it close to her chest. I could not help, but chuckle at the sight. Her obvious obsession with books was apparent even in her sleep. However, I smiled when I realized that it could have also been that it reminded her of me. Regardless, I just yawned again, rearmored everything but my helm and then walked towards the door.

At first I was nervous in thinking that she might not know how to open the seal on the door when she woke up. However, when I began working the seal I realized it was foolish to think so. She managed to master a katana in just a few swings and has been absorbing the information from my tome. Everything I ever created was more or less written in there. So with a smile I unlocked the door and walked out.

For some reason everything seemed to be brighter. While the hallway looked the same as far as I could tell, it seemed to feel more like a home. As I walked down the hall I even glanced at one of the mirrors and I saw at something I have not seen in many moons. I actually looked happy, and I was smiling. As I continued my walk I glanced back over my shoulder at my room door and whispered, “Thank you Twilight and your wondrous obsession with books.”

This day was truly shaping out to be grand. I felt in positive spirits and I even started to quietly whistle as I walked. My upbeat mood seemed to catch the servants off guard as I passed by. Most, if not all, of them just stared dumbfounded at me for some reason. I believe I even saw a few of them rub their eyes before looking at me again. After a short amount of time they all seemed to be happily smiling and greeted me as I passed. It was new and welcomed experience as they usually avoided me when I woke up. This delightful change was something that I could surely get used to.

After a few minutes I saw Night Star walking along at her usual pace. There was something I needed to say to her and I supposed this was a good as time as any. So I hastened my speed and caught up with her. “Night Star, may I speak with you for a moment?” I inquired.

She stopped and turned around to face me. “Is there something you require, Captain?” she replied and tilted her head.

“Ahh yes, I…just wanted to apologize for the comment I made back from the train incident. It was impolite of me and I unintentionally hurt your feelings. I am truly sorry,” I said while trying my best at words of comfort.

“Oh…you…saw that. It is fine, just old memories pulling themselves up. It was…nothing” she replied and faced away from me.

I pursed my lips, unconvinced. “I will not pry into your past, but if you wish to speak to about it, I am here for you,” I said giving her a smile.

She faced me again and rubbed her left foreleg with her right and said “May I ask you something?”

I chuckled a little and replied, “Certainly, inquire away.”

“May I…hug you?” she inquired in a bit of a shaky tone.

It was a strange request I admit. While she was never as emotionally cold as Tactics, she also was not the ‘Touchy, Feely’ type if you will like some other ponies. However, it was a seemingly harmless request and if it helped her feel better, then I had no problems with it.

“If…you wish to do so I have no pro-” I began to speak when she quickly walked up to me and wrapped her forelegs around me. I was not sure what to do, so I just hugged her back in my attempt to comfort her.

“Thank you so very much,” she choked out as I saw a red tear drip from her helm. She then released me, excused herself while holding a forehoof in front of her helm and quickly walked away. I just sat there looking at her as she sped off. I did not know if I helped or hurt her more. Hopefully, she could forgive me if I had harmed her.

My guilt nagged at me until I decided to tail her if you will to make sure she was alright. This eventually continued up until I saw her knock and then go into Rarity’s sleeping quarters. And while improper I admit my curiosity had gotten the better of me and I walked over to listen in outside the door.

“I am...sorry to disturb you Rarity…but may I ask a request of you?” I had heard Night Star say in a shaky tone.

“Not at all! I was actually going to try and find you so we can do some shopping. Is there something you need?” I heard Rarity reply in a slightly confused yet happy tone.

I then heard the sound of armor being retracted right before I heard Rarity exclaim, “Dear Celestia! What has happened to you, darling?” I could hear somepony openly weep before Rarity added “Oh…oh do not cry dear. There there, we can get you all fixed up.”

My heart dropped out as I heard Night Star cry. I had always suspected that she did not show herself for a reason. I just could never place my hoof on it until now. It seemed she must have gotten injured somewhere and did not wish negative attention. If she had only asked, I could have perhaps healed her. However, I did not want to make the situation worse, so I just walked away with an uneasy mind.

Other than the incident with Night Star, the next few days were decently uneventful. I went to several tactical meetings, repaired some armor, made some various potions, and helped some injured soldiers. Twilight was holing herself up in the library as her usual. I even saw most of my lieutenants to be going about their duties protecting the other elements. Well, except Night Star and Cloud Streak that is.

I figured that Night Star was busy doing something with Rarity so I did not worry too much about them. However, Cloud Streak on the other hoof, was becoming a concern. Every time I saw her walking somewhere, she would look at me in fear, hold her right foreleg, and fly away. It was to the point I barely saw her. And come to think of it, I had barely seen Rainbow Dash for that matter either. In turn I had decided to consult Twilight and she became worried as well.

So after thinking a little bit I concluded that something was definitely wrong and I was determined to nip anything in the bud before it got worse. So I decided to wait a few hours in hiding to see if Cloud Streak was doing anything suspicious. It eventually paid off when I noticed Cloud Streak rush into her sleeping quarters and quickly close the door behind her. It was certainly strange behavior, but that alone could not prove anything. So I checked to make sure the way was clear before I walked up to her room as quietly as I could and put my ear to the door. After a few moments I began to hear frantic whispers back and forth.

“What are we going to?!” I heard one voice state.

“How should I know?! I’m the one that’s been trapped in here for days! This is sooo booooring. I neeeeed to FLY and I keep getting so damn huuungry,” a voice replied.

“What do you mean!? You just ate a ton this morning! I can still barely feel my leg!” the first voice shot back.

“Maybe we should fess up and tell Blood Moon or at least Twilight.” the second voice stated.

“Are you kidding me! We’d never hear the end of it! I can just hear Blood Moon’s scolding voice in my head and I've got a feeling Princess Twilight would rat us out anyway,” the second voice replied again.

I frowned when had heard enough to know what was going on. Without further hesitation I knocked on the door. In response I soon heard some scrambling and then pure quiet. So I waited, but after a few moments of no response, I cleared my throat and stated, “I know you two are in there, Cloud Streak and Rainbow Dash. I want to see both of you in the Reaper Knight Arena at twenty-one hundred hours. That is an order, Cloud Streak…”

After that delightful one-sided conversation I started to make some preparations for tonight. The only hindrance I encountered was my argument with the supply sergeant on getting an extra blood cylinder. She would only allow me one extra due to some supply shortage. She ultimately apologized afterwards for her rudeness, but she would not budge on giving me any more. After our conversation I made a mental note to find some new blood and meat supplies for her to prevent any future problems.

However, I managed ready myself either way and I just then sat in the empty arena staring at the stars after I opened the dome. The time passed by while I breathed in the cool night air. Soon the clouds cleared in the sky to show a bright full moon. It was so bright that I unlit some the blue flame torches around myself to fully enjoy it. I then began to smile until the arena doors opened slowly and I remembered why I was here in the first place.

After only a few moments in walked both Cloud Streak and Rainbow Dash. They both looked to be rather guilty of something by the way they walked. After looking closer I could see that Rainbow Dash had her eyes closed for some reason as well. My mind soon worked out the possible reasons for her doing so and it seemed to further confirm my suspicions.

They both sat down about three meters from me without speaking a word. I half-narrowed my eyes and stated, “Well?”

Cloud Streak began to fidget and replied, “Weeeell what?”

I kept the same look on my face as I spoke again, “Care to explain why you have been avoiding me for the last few days? Is there something wrong?” I inquired.

“Wrong? Hahaha no no n-n-nothing is wrong. R-r-right Rainbow Dash?” Cloud Streak said with a twitch in her left eye and a stutter.

“Yup. Everything is juuuust greeeeat…” Rainbow Dash said in a depressed tone. She also kept her eyes closed and faced away from me when she spoke.

It was rather apparent that I was not going to get to bottom of anything this way. So I decided to use a different approach. Without a moment’s hesitation I feinted surprise and looked up at the sky. “By the Moon! Are those the Wonderbolts?!” I exclaimed and pointed at a random area in the clouds.

They both snapped to attention and yelped “WHERE?!” They then both began to furiously scan the skies. However, they did not notice that I had pulled a trick on them as I looked over at Rainbow Dash. Within only a few glances, my suspicions from before were verified.

I grinned and said, “My my Rainbow Dash. Those slitted eyes look lovely. They really seem to perfectly complement your newly pointed fangs.”

While still scanning the sky, Rainbow Dash absent-mindedly replied, “Yeah…eyes and fangs…,” shortly before it dawned on both of them. They then both gave me looks of panic as I just sat there tapping my left forehoof on the ground.

Only a moment passed before they moved closer to each other. I could even see them visibly shake as their eyes began to tear up. Cloud Streak may have even mumbled “It’ll be alright, I promise” to Rainbow Dash.

The sight of them tore the fire out of any scolding spirit I possessed. It was a shame too as I had a wondrous speech all written up in my mind about using deception on me. Ultimately I could not bring myself to give it to them. It appeared that while deception did not work on me, pity was an entirely different matter. I was never one to possess a heart of stone and I have been called a "sap" by many. So in turn, I just stated “What happened?”

Cloud Streak sniffed back a few tears and said “Well, we were…getting…a bit hot and heavy with each other. It just felt so good to be close to her. I kept kissing her neck because she was enjoyed it. I…just wanted a taste. I even asked I swear! But…when I pricked her only the tiniest bit with my fangs-” she wiped some tears from her eyes and continued, “-Rainbow Dash accidentally jerked up and my fangs…dug all the way in. She was bleeding everywhere! I couldn't stop it! She was dying…so in a panic I turned her to save her. I’m so sorry. So very very sorry. It was all my fault. I didn't know what else to do.” Cloud Streak then wrapped a wing around and hugged the weeping Rainbow Dash.

I sighed remembering what I had to do to save Twilight. I would have been a true hypocrite if I scolded them now. “Alright alright, everything will be fine,” I tried saying in a soothing tone and then added, “Come here Rainbow Dash. Let me examine you.”

After a few moments Cloud Streak released her and Rainbow Dash complied. She seemed to be only a few days into the change. It was actually remarkable that Cloud Streak was able to hide her for that long. Without my magic to boost the change to its final form, most vampires start out in a fledgling form. As such they get extremely hungry as the change takes over. It was no wonder Cloud Streak could barely feel her one leg. Rainbow Dash probably ate her fill and then some. However, all in all Rainbow Dash appeared to be quite healthy, all things considered.

After I finished my analysis I sat down in front of Rainbow Dash. “Well Rainbow Dash, I got some good news and some bad news. The bad news is that there is no way to reverse the process of vampirism, I am sorry. However, the good news is you have a choice. We can do this the long way or the quick way.”

Rainbow Dash sniffed a few times. “What’s the quick way?” she questioned in a hopeful tone.

“The quick way is what I did to Twilight. I can bite you and force the change to take over faster. I would say a minute or so at most,” I said and she held her neck and cringed in response.

She then swallowed and said in a whimper, “And the long way?”

“The long way would be locking you in your room or a dungeon cell for two to three awful weeks while the change takes place. I would rather not have you devour anypony or…errm end up with another vampire mare having their way with me,” I said and my face reddened as I remembered both Pure Blood and Twilight.

Cloud Streak scratched her head and said “What do you mean have their way with you?”

“Well you see…It usually happens at the beginning of the change, but sometimes later. New vampires can get certain ‘Urges’,” I said uncomfortably.

“Urges? What do you…oooooh. Well that explains a few things,” she said and I could see her and Rainbow Dash blush.

“Anyway back to the topic at hoof. Which one do you wish to choose, Rainbow Dash,” I inquired and tilted my head.

“Does the quick way hurt?” she said and looked at me with tear soaked eyes.

I bit my lip and replied, “It will only hurt for a little bit. I will try to be as fast as I can.”

“O-o-okay, the quick way. I-I-I always go the quick way. You can do this Rainbow Dash…eeep.” she replied with a whimper.

I nodded and summoned my scythe. “One item to note, Rainbow Dash. Please be careful around your friends. I would rather not ‘Complete the set’ as it were,” I said in a joking tone.

“Y-y-you got it,” Rainbow Dash replied with an awkward half-smile and some nervous laughter .

I then got closer to her. After I tilted her head up, I held my scythe behind her back to pin her wings down. Then without any delay I opened my mouth, raised my power, and dug my fangs in.

My power flared and she struggled as I forced the change to advance. While I could not see anything that was going on, I did notice something interesting. Rainbow Dash’s blood had a very delightful flavor to it. It was no wonder why Cloud Streak could not keep her hooves off of her. However, I worked as fast as I could and soon finished. As the final touch I licked her neck and healed the bite wound.

She wobbled a little in my forelegs, but I held her up. “Only one more task to do Rainbow Dash. You need to drink some of my blood. It should prevent you from burning up in the sun,” I said in a quite voice.

She did not even say a word before sinking her fangs into my shoulder. The pain was more than imagined it would have been. It was probably that I was not expecting it. However, Twilight's bite, on the other hoof seemed to feel more pleasurable than I was comfortable admitting. I made a mental note to consult Princess Luna after this was all done.

A few seconds passed before it dawned on me. She listened to my command a little too eagerly. She also appeared to do so with a bit more vigor than I would imagine a frightened pony would. I cleared my throat and said, “Alright Rainbow Dash, you have had enough.” However, she neither stopped nor acknowledged my statement. Yes, something was indeed wrong.

“Rainbow Dash, let go!” I said forcefully and pulled her off of me.

However, right after I pulled her off, Rainbow Dash opened her eyes and snarled at me. She must have passed out during the change. In turn whatever was glaring at me was definitely not the normal Rainbow Dash anypony knew. I did not have much time to react before she dove at me.

In my attempt to defend myself I ended falling on my back and I accidentally spilled the blood cylinder I had with me. The smell of blood seemed to only make matters worse by making her turn even more aggressive. In a panic, I stuffed the pole of my scythe in her jaws to keep her from biting me. However, due my recent blood loss I had been weakened. It would be only a matter of time before she got to me and drained me dry.

After a moment of struggling I blurted out, “By the Moon...not again! Anytime now…would be magnificent…Cloud Streak!”

Cloud Streak must have snapped out of whatever fear driven trance she was in and jumped on Rainbow Dash’s back. We ended up using all of our strength, but it still was not enough to pull her off of me. In some apparent move of desperation, Cloud Streak jerked Rainbow Dash backwards. She then got just enough room to stuff her unarmored right foreleg in Rainbow Dash’s mouth. This strangely resulted in an interesting moan of pleasure from Cloud Streak as Rainbow Dash’s fangs sunk in.

After only a minute or two it seemed Rainbow Dash had her fill and passed out. Cloud Streaked however was left horribly weakened by the ordeal. I ultimately had to give her some of my blood to prevent her from passing out. This however had left me dizzy and lightheaded as well. With what little strength we had left we dragged Rainbow Dash into my alchemy lab and locked the door.

“We need to…feed. We need to go into…the forest…for prey.” I said with a ragged voice.

Cloud Streak coughed a few times and stumbled. “I can’t walk or fly...that far. I barely...have any strength as it is,” she replied in an equally ragged tone.

And then I said a statement I thought I would never utter. Something that even the notion of filled me with dread. However, we were so desperate I had no choice but to say it anyway, “Fine…than maybe Twilight can…teleport us out there.”

“Wait…I thought you hated teleporting,” Cloud Streak replied and looked at me in a barely conscious, yet concerned glance.

“I do…I really reaaally do,” I whimpered in response.

The morning started out so well for him. A restful sleep and a happy mood all dashed(no pun intended) to pieces. I mean it is not often where you make somepony cry and then almost get the life sucked out of you later on hahaha. Also during my editing I noticed that I made Blood Moon lurk outside of doorways often. It was a pretty amusing realization.