“So... It wasn’t just a dream...” I heard her say. I had just gotten out of the shower and I saw her looking at her white wings. That kind of worried me a little bit.

“Do you wish it was just a dream?” I asked softly as I sat down next to her. She looked at me and smiled gently and pulled me into a warm embrace.

“Of course not. I don’t do things I regret if I can help it.” She said. I smiled and kissed her before there was a frantic knock on the door.

“You go take your shower, I’ll go and see.” I said. She nodded and got up as I made my way down the stairs.

“Whoa, hey, what’s going on?” I heard Spike say. I saw him look back at me from the door, the look on his face made me walk faster.

“Are they vampires or bandits?” He asked when I got there. My mood was thoroughly shat on at this point. A contingent of armed guards with spears were standing there.

“No, we’re not filthy creatures like that. It must be a stroke of luck that you were hiding here, monster, we simply came for Miss Sparkle’s help.” The captain said. Black Shield, contrary to his white hair, I’ve always hated him. I glared at him as a dozen spears aimed down towards me. Spike started growling.

“Well I’m sorry to disappoint you but you’ll have to come back later. She’s in the shower and hasn’t had breakfast yet. I suggest that you either leave or put your weapons down and wait patiently, I’ll even put tea on or something.” I explained to him. See, I noticed something he didn’t.

“What are you going to do? We all know you promised your sister you wouldn’t kill anyone unless they were rogue bandits or vampires...” He said, what a cocky attitude.

“Three things. First, I wouldn’t kill any of you. I’d just throw you out of town. The fall, though, might be a bit too rough though depending on how high I throw you. Second, do you really think I don’t know about you? It’s not directly, and it’s been diluted about three or four times, but that is my magic and a bit of my blood running through your veins.” I explained, listing off the things against him. His face paled and his squad gave him looks.

“My turning was forced, and Celestia has long since suppressed the monster within me.” He retorted. I laughed, who does he think taught her how to do that? I was going to say just that, but he continued. “And what was the last thing, pray tell?” He asked. I grinned and nodded my head towards a point behind them, which when they turned they found that nearly the entire town had gathered up with weapons and armor. Nothing as fancy or high quality as the guards, but good enough to hold their own. Every town had a militia garrison, Ponyville’s was one of the largest since everyone was tough here.

“That ‘monster’ saved our town and then exterminated the source.” A very large man, probably the strongest in the town, said. If I remember correctly he was Applejack’s brother, Macintosh, and he was hefting a rather large claymore on his shoulder. I couldn’t pass up the chance, having them all turned away from me, I quickly walked up to Black Shield and got close to his ear.

“And by the way, the girl you came here to ask for help willingly accepted my gift. She did it so she can become stronger so she can help me fix the chaos that was sowed into this land. If you and your men stand down, we can talk about it like civilized people.” I said into his ear. I was rather proud of myself there, I had managed to keep an unwavering calm intimidation in my tone.

He was confused by all of this, and so was his men, but he was shaking slightly. I had to hold back a laugh.

“Tea sounds nice, actually...” He said. I stepped aside to let them into the library, telling Spike to warn Twilight that they were here, and then I nodded in appreciation to the crowd that was starting to disperse. Macintosh raised his sword to me and turned around. He picked up a smaller girl, who I assumed was Applebloom, who I giggled to find she had just put a bow and arrow away.

The guards looked very uncomfortable and on-edge, their spears never leaving their hands. I quickly changed that as I pulled them all away in my magical grasp and placed them in the large umbrella holder.

“Sorry, but I can’t have anyone freaking out .You could put someone’s eye out with these things.” I giggled.

“Leaving us unarmed... How honorable...” Black snapped. I laughed.

“And having thirteen spears pointed at me when I hadn’t even summoned up a bit of magic? Same to you.” I retorted. He opened up his mouth to speak, but quickly shut it. True to my word I went into the kitchen and used my magic to duplicate teacups and the tea itself and quickly made enough for all of us. In seconds, I had tea floating to everyone on platters of magic.

I was surprised they didn’t accuse me of poisoning it, they all sipped with varying degrees of hesitance. They all found that I make a great cup of tea.

“So, what was that about you trying to fix all of this? How would that be possible when you started it?” Black asked. I noticed they had all taken seats. I plopped down on the couch between two of the four female guards. They looked uneasy, but didn’t move.

“It wasn’t I that started it. Technically it was the masses who did, but ultimately it was a particular Pureblood named Fovos. I didn’t know this until it all happened, but ever since my return he has been spreading the fear and rumors of vampires and occasionally releasing frenzied and degenerated fledglings to enforce that fear. My guess is that he showed fake proof that I was a vampire and shit hit the fan.” I explained. I knew Twilight was on the stairs now, that’s why I had waited a bit. I hadn’t told her this yet.

“Basically, long story short, I’m going to do two things. Not in this exact order, but I’ll get rid of Fovos and then give vampires a good name. There are obviously bad and evil vampires, but there are even more bad and evil humans. Once Equestria realizes this again, it should help out with bringing peace again.” I continued. He stopped me before I could continue.

“Exactly how are you going to try and bring peace again?” He asked. He was only a little curious, though, he was just trying to contradict me.

“Simple, make everyone fear violence.” I said. I had explained this part too many times, he would have to decipher it, and Twilight decided to walk down.

“Hello Captain, I haven’t seen you since Shining promoted you.” She said. Everyone was startled at how she looked. She looked like she did before turning, but that included her mangled wings as well as the scars that carried over.

“Twilight?! Did she do this to you?!” Black exclaimed, shooting to his feet. She deadpanned.

“No, bandits did. Get the story from someone else here, I don’t want to tell it.” She said. The guards I was sitting between had quickly moved away from me when Twilight came down, so she took a seat next to me. I put my arm around her and she wrapped hers around my midsection. Everyone was giving us the strangest looks, I just had to laugh.

“Tired, love?” I asked. She shook her head.

“I just wanted to see their faces.” She grinned. I laughed again and looked at everyone else. I could see movement and a flash of white in the corners of my eyes, meaning Twilight just dropped her illusion, and that got gasps all around.

“Before you ask, yes we are romantically inclined and no, I couldn’t even control her mind if I wanted to.” I said, sensing the stream of questions. There was a long, awkward silence before Black spoke.

“Twilight? You’ve changed, a lot.” He said, almost sadly. I couldn’t see the look on her face but Twilight’s tone was very serious.

“Pain and suffering kind of does that to you. I remember you used to complain to me about everything they put you through in the guard. I even respected that a little bit even though I had been through alot after I became the bearer of an element of harmony. Now, though? You have no idea what real pain and suffering is like, you’ve never even killed someone. Not even a vampire too, I can see it in your eyes.” As she spoke, I could see his face fall further and further until it looked like he was going to lash out. His fists were clenched and shaking.

Twilight looked at me for a second and whispered “childhood crush” before he spoke.

“I was there for the changeling invasion, I was there fighting them off. I saw my friends and comrades go down and die. I’ve seen so many people ripped apart by vampires I’m sick of it! You say you’ve been hurt and have suffered, yeah maybe but you have NO idea what it’s like to lose ANYTHING!” He growled angrily, glaring at her. Before I could say anything, Twilight was on her feet.

She slapped him so hard he crashed onto the ground. She crouched down in front of his head and glared at him until he looked up. She looked him dead in the eye, at least that’s what it looked like.

“You forget, Black Shield, that I was good friends with nearly every single royal guard. More so than you ever were. I have seen some of my closest friends here being slaughtered in front of me. Not even by frenzied creatures, but by sane human beings! I have had nearly every square inch of my body torn or ripped open, my wings plucked and chopped off with a dull axe, halfway regrown and then cursed to never heal. I had to fight my way out of the forest for hours, not even consciously. I have had to kill humans, creatures and vampires alike to defend my home and my friends. You have no clue what true suffering is.” She explained flatly.

She proceeded to stand back up and kick him hard enough to land in a chair, where he just sat with a blank look on his face. It was rather impressive actually, she probably used magic to get him to land right but still.

“Now, can one of you smarter guards tell me why you’re here?” She finished, standing in the middle of all of them.

Turns out, even rebellious mobs driven by fear realized that they can’t run a nation themselves that has been run by the same person for over a thousand years. Celestia was put back in power, but she ruled on a leash. She wasn’t allowed out of the palace, at least not until she fought off a vampire attack at the edges of Canterlot. They were using her to maintain stability across Equestria and as a sort of ultimate weapon to use against hostile attacks.

Well, at least that’s what they all thought. Celestia was doing all of this on her own, the people in charge were just saying she was allowed to do it after she did it better than them. If she wanted to, she could haze the entire city. But she wouldn’t. Not anymore.

Word was spreading everywhere that Twilight Sparkle had defended Ponyville against a large brigade of vampiric bandits, so Celestia suggested they ask for her help. I had a feeling she knew I had turned Twilight, possibly by that massive pulse. I wouldn’t put it past her.

Black Shield had finally recovered from his trance and he and Twilight were discussing what to do. I was absentmindedly petting Spike, who was sitting on the other side of me on the couch, and listening to the conversation. They were talking about Celestia when a dynamic portal appeared in the middle of the room. Schnitter stepped out of it.

“Mistress, Twilight.” She said. She had a rather grim face. I could see that her cloak was stained with blood, though it wasn’t ripped or torn, meaning it wasn’t hers. There was a general wave of surprise among the guards, but Twilight too recognized that something probably happened.

“Did more attack the castle?” I asked. She nodded.

“Fovos was there, or at least his presence. He knows he can’t beat me when I’m in my realm, but he came with a message.” Schnitter started. There was a few moments of silence.

“And?” I egged her on. She sighed.

“You know, mostly the classic evil villain thing: ‘no hope, i’m gonna eat your face yadda yadda’ but he was different. He was Fovos, that’s for sure, but he was engulfed in madness. Fovos was never an evil person, though he wasn’t exactly a saint, I think something’s corrupted him.” She explained. I thought on that for a bit. It sort of made sense, I do remember Fovos being quite the gentleman when he wanted to be. The kind of gentleman that wouldn’t try to start a bloody and unnecessary war. While all of this isn’t exactly a war, it’s pretty close.

“Oh hell, looks like we can’t just kill him then.” I groaned.

Author's Notes:

I've run out of witty dance-themed chapter names so I'm going to ditch that idea now lol. this is going on for longer than I planned.
I feel as if this chapter is a bit choppy, but unlike previous ones I wrote it in two sittings instead of one so it wasn't just one constant flow.