Dracula slowly awoke to the rhythmic sound of Twilight breathing, pressing her back against his chest. He had his forelegs wrapped around her and he slowly lifted his head. Her warm body against his was very comforting and very warm. This could be something he could get used to. He awoke peacefully without his father trying to invade his mind or force him to dream terrible things. No. There was something that prevented Living Shadow from invading his thoughts again.

Twilight shifted and slowly blew out a sigh. Dracula rested his head over her neck and awaited for her to awaken. He planted a few kisses on her shoulder and cheek as she slowly awoken and she said,”Good morning Silver.”

She turned her head to look at Dracula and she leaned in and began kissing Dracula. Her hot breath grazed over his face and her soft lips brought a certain peace upon him, almost like he had no worries. No duties he had to awaken to. After a long passionate kiss Twilight pulled away and she had a worried look on her face. She slowly turned her head away from Dracula and he felt her body shudder against him.

Raising an eyebrow he says,”What is wrong? You’re trembling, what’s going on?”

Twilight said staring as she remained laid on her side.”Nothing it’s just...are we taking it too fast?”

Dracula responded,”No. To be honest I believe that we are in the right spot.”

Dracula knew that his deep and charismatic voice brought a comfort to Twilight and also knew that with his words he could calm her down. She looked at him with her large dark violet eyes and a smile formed over her face and leaned in close and in almost a whisper she said,”I love you.”

Leaning in closer, closing the small gap between them he began kissing her very slowly. She put one of her forelegs around the back of his neck and slowly ran it through his long jet black mane. With only brief moments to breathe in air, Twilight shifted her position and turned her body leaning up against the head post of the bed. Twilight began pressing and running her tongue along Dracula’s lips asking to enter. Before he could let her in, Spike flung the door open and said closing the door,”Hey Twilight...WOAH woah...I’m sorry...I didn’t know…”

Immediately when he turned Dracula and Twilight stopped they had different looks. Twilight looks over at Spike with an agitated glare and said,”Spike! Didn’t I tell you to knock first before entering a closed room.”

Spike shrugged and said,”No...because stuff like...this...have never happened before...and I didn’t even know that you two were…”

Dracula finally waved a hoof and said with a smile,”It is quite alright Spike. You didn’t know. Innocence most often is a good fortune and not a virtue.”

Twilight looked over at Dracula and said with a smile,”Really? Anatole Prance?”

Dracula lifted his hooves and said,”Hey, it fit.”

Dracula got up from the bed and began putting on his armor he had taken off that night. While Dracula did this he listened in on the conversation between them.

“Any new letters from the Princess?”Twilight asked briefly. Spike immediately responded.”Yeah, one came in just a few moments ago when I came up here.”

He pulled out a tan scroll with a golden seal, keeping it rolled up. Spike broke the seal and opened the scroll and said aloud,

“My most faithful student,

Over the course of these past few days Equestria has shown great improvements. Although, all the modern cities were not prepared for the Changelings. We have been tracking down the main horde and we are only three days behind them, they are nearing Dodge City.

Because of this I hereby grant you the title of Magistrate, with this you are representing Luna and I while we are away. Guard the Children of the Day well. We have sent word to Crystal Empire and you should await for their answer. I have as well sent word to a very powerful order to help set up an even bigger defense for Ponyville.

Your most trusted mentor,
Princess Celestia.”

After Dracula was done putting on his armor he said,”Order? What orders are still around this day in age?”

Twilight looked at Dracula and said,”I have no idea but I’m going to spend most of the day finding that out. I’ll be studying in the library. Spike.”

Spike stood at attention and she continued,”When any word is given on the arrival of any messenger from the Crystal Empire tell them to follow you here. Wait in the town square.”

Spike saluted and said,”Yes ma’am.”

Spike ran off without another word and she looked over at Dracula with a hopeful grin. Dracula responded to the look and said,”I apologize my love but I cannot stay here. I must see to the needs of the Children of the Night. I as well must find replacements for Marrok and Night Dancer, their deaths will not go in vain.”

He walked over to Twilight and gave her a quick peck on the cheek and said pulling back,”I will return when these duties are done.”

Twilight slowly nodded and they both went down stairs. Once Dracula found himself at the large oak door he paused for a second and looked back over at Twilight and said,”I love you.”

Before he opened the door with his magic Twilight responded,”I love you too.”

With those last words between them he opened the doors and walked into the snow filled streets of Ponyville shutting the door behind him. The bone chilling wind brushed past him and he continued on disregarding the wind and traversed the quiet streets of Ponyville. The snow filled square seemed to have a small crowd near the gates of the large stone walls. Dracula walked on with passion in his hoofsteps. He had his hood up that clouded his features. His large and toned Alicorn body remained untouched by the cold winds, as most Children of the Night did. He pushed past the ponies and saw they gathered around another gathering of ponies.

Once he got closer and stepped into the center space between the crowd and the newcomers. He saw four familiar faces staring down the arrivals. Cornell, Riptide, Spectra, and Rainbow Dash. Once he stepped closer to those four they noticed his arrival and all four of them bowed before him and they said,”My Lord.”

He stopped standing in the middle of them, standing next to Rainbow Dash and Cornell. Dracula looked at the large crowd of ponies ahead of him and immediately knew who they were and the order that Celestia asked word from. The Brotherhood of Light.

He instantly recognised the badges that they all wore. Their insignia was a fist clenching the sun. They were loyalists to what is known as the Light, the power they believed Faximas wielded. They all wore plate armor that was dark grey with golden accents and scarlet cloth around their necks and pulling down over their dominant hoof. Various weapons were seen in the torchlight. Dracula did not break his gaze on the Brotherhood and growled shouting over the wind,”Belmont! I know you are here, show yourself. I can sense your blood.”

The Brotherhood parted and stepping forward was a tall unicorn clad in sharp steel full plate armor. His coat was as white as the snow that fell from the sky and his mane was dark blue with a white streak down it. His armor was unique, instead of dark grey it was a faded white color, spaulders, hooflets, boots, chest plate, and back plate. Every inch of him covered in armor besides his face. Wrapped around his neck was the scarlet cloak held together by the brooch with the insignia of the Brotherhood. His eyes were bright red like Dracula’s own and over across his face was a long scar and along his left eye was three scars like they came from an animal. Over on his right was a dark scarlet red tattoo. Sheathed on his back was a large maul with a large head made of solid silver and a spike protruding from the top of it.

Dracula steps towards him and stood ten feet away from him. He pulls down his hood and reveals his identity. The entire Brotherhood shuddered at who stood before them and he heard the clattering of steel and the sound of swords coming out of their sheaths. Dracula could sense their fear and he said smiling,”Do not fret Brothers. If my intention was to kill you you’d be dead already.”

The Belmont snapped,”You are not our brother! You lost that privilege long ago.”

Cornell and the other three step next to Dracula and Cornell says,”You know these guys?”

Dracula nodded his head not taking his eyes off of the Belmont and said coldly,”Yes. I served under them when I was Silverdawn. My true name is Vladimir Belmont. I was the brother of Trevor Belmont, the founding member of the Brotherhood. They hunt the creatures of the night. When Princess Luna was banished to the moon they began hunting me down. Eventually they caught me and captured me. They used me as a font for their Priests and Scions to fuel their magic.

“After five hundred years I broke free and I slaughtered them one by one. I brought the order to near extinction, as a parting gift from me I tainted the blood of the Belmonts. The Belmonts are now and forever will be Dhampyrs, half Vampire and half a regular pony. They are much like us but they are weaker. And it has come to my attention that they have branched off into two different families.”

The Belmont hissed,”We only did this to restart what you killed. It is because of you that our order lives in fear. It is because of you our family is forever cursed with your cursed blood. We are monsters because of you.”

The Belmont blew out a sigh and said,”But we have not come to stand on idle hatreds. I do not hold the same grudge against you that my father had against you. We come with assistance. I am Highlord Almeric Belmont.”

Dracula slowly nodded and said,”So you carry the name of your great grandfather. Even though you already know my name I will introduce myself anyway. I am Lord Dracula Belmont. Let me welcome you to Ponyville.”

Almeric bowed and said,”While my trust is thin we were called by Princess Celestia, she said that you could use a little extra help. We were informed to report to the Magistrate.”

“Will you excuse us for a minute darling?”Spectra said drawing Dracula away and said in a low whisper,”Are you sure we can trust them? They do hunt us for a living after all.”

“It would be best for us not to dwell on past feelings. Although, I want close eyes on them at all times. I don’t want to spend the next few days looking over my shoulder wondering if my closest enemy will do anything against me.”Dracula answered. The howling wind screeched past Dracula and bellowed greatly onward. Riptide leans in next to Dracula as they turn their attention to Almeric and says,”All she’s saying is we need to be cautious around them. That is all.”

“Better to be safe than sorry.”Cornell said crossing his forehooves. It became apparent that none of his followers shared the same unwavered hesitance that he carried. Perhaps they were right in not letting an eye off of the Brotherhood that stood waiting patiently for their response. Dracula contemplated an answer, it was something he had not done in a long while.

He sifted through his anger and furiousity at the Brotherhood for the five hundred years and remembered that all those feelings of strife and vengeance were products of Living Shadow’s master plan of becoming a part of Dracula, so it would be harder to face him. As he rushed through those feelings he calmed his fevered tempers and placed a hoof on the amulet he received from Luna in his day dream that took place the evening before. Warm hearted feelings pushed into him as he knew what to do.

He stepped forward getting closer to Almeric and he said closing his eyes and breathing out a heavy sigh,”It will take some time, but I think I can grow past these idol hatreds. I believe it is about time for both of us to not stand on bad memories of the past.”

Dracula held out a hoof at Almeric and the neutral look faded into a look of warmed heartedness despite the below freezing temperatures. Almeric resumed his neutral look once he figured out he broke it. Seriousness but calmness came out of his bass voice,”All throughout my childhood my father taught me and told me that you were nothing but an arrogant monster. And it is clear to me now that my rebellious ways towards my father were not acted upon in vain.”

Almeric responded with shaking Dracula’s hoof firmly and said with a warm smile,”I am willing to do the same. Now, we were told to report to the Magistrate. Where might we find her?”

Dracula reformed to his stern stance and said,”She is busy right now awaiting the arrival of another who might help our cause. I have found that she works better in silence. Please wait while she finishes her research.”

Almeric responded with a nod and said,”I will not intrude. Where shall we wait until the Magistrate is ready to see us?”

“We are not defended lightly. Our Death Knights have our walls and streets protected very precisely. We are empty handed on two fronts. We sent scouts into the Everfree Forest and into Whitetail Woods, the scouting bands were rather small and our best ones are injured greatly. And while I’m on the topic, we do not have skilled healers to help with the recovery of our injured. Their healing is slow and their wounds are deep. Those that do not fit those prerequisites can find residence at the abandoned chapel just on the hill east of the town square.”

Almeric nodded and looked back at the ponies behind him and shouted.”Brother Desidarian.”

A staunch and fierce pony walked up to Almeric and said,”Yes Sir.”

His voice was deep and spoke with a tone that could cut steel. Almeric shifted his standing position to face Desidarian and said,”I want you to make scouting bands ranging between 15 and 30 ponies. I don’t want to see a single Changeling make its way into the borders of Ponyville.”

Desidarian bowed his head and trotted away and took half of the Knights of the Brotherhood with him. He shouted again,”Father Reinhart. Father Kirnin.”

They both answered with Trottingham accents. One was deeper toned and filled with age and the other was younger and his accent was thicker. They answered with a salute and said,”What do you wish of us Lord Almeric?”

Almeric takes in a deep breath and says,”Father Reinhart. I want you take half of the Priests we brought and bring them to the Chapel to help set up our preparations there. Father Kirnin. I need you to take the other half and bring them to the local infirmary and help along with the healing. We will most likely be here awhile so make sure you are prepared for a long visit.”

They nod their heads and take their ponies to the proper ways to go and what is left is Almeric and around one hundred other members of the Brotherhood and said,”When the Magistrate is ready for us, send her to the Chapel. I will be waiting there.”

Dracula nodded his head and another breeze brushed past him but it was lighter and more comfortable. He stood in the bitter snow and said when Almeric followed some of the Priests past him. Once they were gone the crowd dispersed and went back to their daily duties. While the Children of the Day rushed to save everything that could not survive the harsh winter winds and snow, the Ebonmanes went back to duties of war. Blacksmiths returned to their forges, tailors returned to making cloth and leather armor, soldiers returned to practicing their martial skills. And the Vampires went to practicing their magic. Which reminded him he needed to help Spectra with her control of magic.

Now that she was a Warlock, she had more powerful magic swelling inside of her. Dracula turned to face the only ponies that remained. He looked at Riptide who was slightly hovering in the air and said,”Riptide I need you to take some of the Ebonmanes and have them return to their proper homes. Bring anypony who wants to join our ranks with you as well, they’ll learn more once they are in the land that birthed us.”

Riptide nodded and sped of out of sight. He looks at Cornell who was almost near invisible despite his dark leather armor and his bright animalistic yellow eyes. His demeanor was not the same one Dracula had come to remember. His regular demeanor was one where he carried himself like a vagabond, an outlander. Dracula knew the stance and the walk all too well, but that was not the walk he had now. He carried himself like he had a purpose. A reason to walk on and live another die instead of treating himself as an exile. A ronin.

Dracula then looks at Spectra and Rainbow Dash who stand next to each other and they accented each other well. While Spectra wore a mixture of armor and cloth with fancy style and many gems embezzled along the golden rims of the cloth and the chainmail armor. Three large gems stood out however, two on her forehooves and the third around her neck on a gold necklace. Her eyes spoke of knowledge and clarity staring deep into him. He then scanned over Rainbow Dash who as well had a gem emblazoned on her chest plate, this gem served a different purpose however. This enchanted gem gave her slight telepathic powers so she can wield her broadsword without using her mouth. the enchantment itself was trivial and brought no hindrance upon the caster, the gem itself however is very rare to find and very difficult to mine. Her armor was layered plate and a faded dark blue color accenting well with her cyan coat. Her violet eyes stared blankly at him and she remained to keep a neutral face. Dracula found Rainbow Dash hard to read, she always gave an emotionless stare at anypony she encountered. She rarely showed emotion and when she did it was usually out of anger and frustration.

He took in a deep sigh as he looked at her though. The truth would need to be revealed to her sometime and she already held a grudge against him for working with Nightmare Moon. He could not imagine her reaction when he told her that Scootaloo was her sister. Perhaps this was the reason she gave an emotionless stare, to tell him that she knows he is hiding something from her and she wants to know what. He could just read her mind and be done with all of this silent questioning, but she kept up some sort of mental barrier blocking him from casting spells like that.

Finally he looked at all three of them and said,”Now is the time for this, the time has come for the Originals to find counsel. Rainbow Dash, will you please go find Wraith and tell him that the Originals are meeting at the Town Hall. There is much that we must discuss. And when you are done getting Wraith tell Athelis Blackdawn as well, she is the mare that looks like Nightmare Moon but she isn’t.”

Rainbow Dash gave a simple nod and dashed off into the sky. As she left he blew out a heavy and weightful sky and said murmuring to himself,”I wish there was some other way to tell her. Perhaps Twilight can help me in this endeavor.”

Silence befell them as they continued on to the town hall. Their hoofsteps getting lost in the busying sounds of Ponyville. Finally finding themselves stuck in the flow of many ponies.