Children of the Night
Chapter 42: Chapter XLII - Memories
Previous Chapter Next ChapterChapter XLII
Memories
Warning! This chapter gets very sexual near the end of it. Just a warning for those among my readers who do not like that kind of thing. If you don’t read the end of the chapter you won’t miss any important details. Just a precaution, don’t want my fic swamped with comments saying that they want their time they wasted reading such a vile and pitiful thing.
There was something that troubled the mind of Dracula but Spectra did not know anything about it. She knew not whether it had pertained to her but it became clearer once he muttered something about Rainbow Dash and how he has to explain something. Spectra always had some level of respect for Dracula, even when they had first met. He was a stallion who was staunch determined to save his home and his family. And he would do whatever it takes to do so, which is probably one of the reasons he stands before her now as an ascended Alicorn.
Even as time went on she also had grown to fear him as well. Right now he carried part of the power of a dead deity and the other immortal powers of the night. While he carried so much power and some that she had witnessed first hand, she cannot begin to fathom the amount that bears down heavily on his soul. Over the course of the past few days and even the past three weeks that she has known him he developed from a ronin knight into a ruler of the new Ebonmanes. She as well felt more in touch and in tune with him, like more of a mentor willing to pass on any information he has left to give. But there is something much deeper that he is refusing to share with anypony. Something dark and tragic, that might have her change her perspective of him.
While they approached the town hall and the busy sounds of ponies going about their business filled the streets. Spectra said directly towards Dracula but refused to look at him in his eyes.”There is something on your mind. Something that you are refusing to tell anypony, not just Rainbow Dash.”
The question appeared to hit Dracula at a certain level and he said with a slight change in his voice,”There is much that I refuse to tell you. But as my personal student I feel inclined to tell you such things.”
There was a small pause in his next words that brought mixed feelings to Spectra,”As I am thinking about it, I’m starting to think that no matter what happens Living Shadow will win. If he dies he greatly decreases not only my power but the power of every other one of my siblings. If he doesn’t die he will devour anything and everything he sees. Maybe being partially connected to my father’s mind has finally taken its toll on me. All I want to do is protect everything that I have come to love, both old and new. And I’m beginning to think that maybe I can’t.”
As they drew no more than a mile away from the town hall and a few minutes of awkward silence Spectra finally finds the words to his statement,”Why do you think you aren’t powerful enough? Of all the ponies you are the only strong enough to stand up to him?”
Dracula stopped for a moment and with his hoof stared at a necklace around his neck. Spectra could not identify what was on the chain but after a long moment he responded putting his necklace back underneath his chest plate,”When we were back at Shadow Garden I received a visit from my father. He nearly killed me and the only reason I survived was from absorbing a fraction of Twilight’s power, not fatally wounding her thank the stars she wasn’t harmed. But the aftermath of the spell was me and her are now connected. Both on a magical level and a physical level. Whatever happens to me happens to her. I am worried that something is going to happen that will not only kill me, but also kill Twilight in the process. I made a promise to a stallion that I will always protect her.”
Deep longing spread across his face. Spectra knew that he would do anything to protect Twilight and she liked him because of it. But he is nearing the edge where he thinks he can’t. Spectra rests her hoof on Dracula’s shoulder and says,”You’ve lasted a thousand years believing in something that could be saved and something that you could protect. Listen darling. If you lasted a thousand years for something you love so near and dear to your heart, why not do the same for Twilight?”
Dracula looked away for a moment and he said closing his eyes,”If only it could be that easy. I have a father who would love nothing more than to see me bleeding out in front of him, maybe even slowly but surely pulling me apart. I can’t give him that satisfaction.”
Spectra raised an eyebrow,”That is something that I never really understood. Why are you so against your father?”
Dracula woefully but sternly looked at Spectra and said,”Because I’m proving a point. I’m proving that I can have these powers and be the same hero that everypony thinks of you Elements of Harmony. But it seems that they prefer to only think of the monster that resides inside, while I’m trying desperately to contain it. It’s something I can never get rid, try as I might. Living Shadow has made sure that his magic would live on even when he would perish.”
His look loses all emotion as he continues,”I was born to carry his might. I was made to carry true power of the night and its glory. I would be a fool if I knew otherwise. Anyways, let us not bring up this subject again. Come, we have much to discuss.”
Spectra paused for a moment before she followed in suit with Dracula. She follows behind him and Cornell walked next to her. He says,”I’ve never seen him like this. He’s always so calm and collected.”
Cornell focuses his animalistic eyes upon Dracula and Spectra answers straightening her walk,”He has always been like that. He is very protective of those he comes adore and love. They can be his greatest source of strength, but they can also be his weakness as you have just seen. I fear for him, I really do.”
Cornell turns his focus unto the white unicorn and says,”Huh. You’ve known him for only a few weeks and already you talk like he is your brother.”
Spectra looked over at Cornell who gave her a very neutral look. She said very sternly,”Darling, I do not need to know them for very long to not offer my friendship. It would be against my very nature to do so.”
Cornell merely grunted and said,”That is very generous of you.”
Spectra smiled to herself and returned,”Yes dear. Very generous.”
Cornell focused on what was ahead of him and said,”I was always taught to only trust and accept my pack as family. The other Children of the Night are merely allies. I was very hesitant and very paranoid when I was a colt. Something you wouldn’t expect from a Werewolf.”
Spectra looked over at the tall Earth Pony and said,”What ever do you mean?”
Cornell smirked to himself,”I was considered the pup of the pack, therefore I was expected to do less than everypony and I began taking that to heart. And despite being related to the pack leader I was picked on and sometimes even beaten into submission for what I was.”
Spectra was dumbstruck at what he was saying. He was the tallest stallion she has ever seen, almost as tall as Dracula but maybe a few inches shorter. And the way that Cornell carried himself it almost felt unreal and she almost thought that he was lying to her. But the amount of emotion that went into his words spoke otherwise. Spectra raised an eyebrow at Cornell and said,”What made you survive?”
Cornell smirked and said in the deep and raspy tone he always seemed to speak in even though he probably wanted his voice to be more kind hearted at that moment,”Really it was because of Marrok. Marrok was somepony that I could look up to, he was somepony that would help protect me and stand by me no matter what even though we were apart of different packs.”
“By the way, I hate to change the subject, but what exactly is the difference in the Werewolf packs?”Spectra asked with Cornell gingerly responding,”Werewolf packs are split into four main dominant packs. Alpha Pack. Omega Pack. Beta Pack. and Zeta Pack. The Alpha pack tend to be mainly composed of strong and marauding Werewolves, more Werewolf than they are pony. Alpha’s as well reside in the deepest parts of the Everfree Forest. Omega’s tend to want to hunt in packs and prefer strength in numbers and stamina tends to be our greatest trait, while we might not be the strongest of Werewolves we can last longer in a fight. Omega’s tend to reside on near the outskirts of the Everfree Forest near the Frozen North.
“Beta’s are stealthy and are silent killers who can almost rival the Phantoms in their speed. Beta’s prefer the shadow filled mountainous regions to the west. Now the Zeta pack are almost completely different entirely. They prize in what is called Zetahan Combat, which is they combine themselves with magic and they use magic based attacks, they have even been known to harness the powers of the moon and even change their shape. They live close to the city settlements. I dare not speak of the powers specifically what they wield, they are too dark for me to even comprehend.”
Spectra looks at Cornell as they continued to follow Dracula and says,”What of the Vampires? Do they...do we have similar traditions?”
Cornell chuckled and said,”Comparing Werewolf rule and Vampire rule is almost like comparing the taste of hay and horseshit. Vampires tend to be the higher ranked ponies. Vampires think highly of themselves and therefore the various ways that they rank themselves are two ways. The first is they rank themselves on their level of magic, whether they are a Sire, Risen, Progenitor, or Master Vampire. The second is the ruling families, like the Shadowmanes whom Sombra was a member of and also the Vulcans. But I would not worry about all that, you are probably one of the highest ranking Vampires as of right now.”
Spectra blushed and waved a hoof,”Oh stop, you flatter me.”
Cornell turned and said,”That can either be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on your perspective. Hide your mark, Warlock, consider yourself the envy of all ponies. Vampires will want your power and they might go through unkind ways to take it.”
Spectra moved her gaze away from Cornell and began putting focus on the Ponyville Town Hall. A sight she had grown used to in her earliest years of her fillyhood. As she stared at the large circular building she began having flashbacks of her fillyhood. Days long past when she would enjoy days in the sun with her step-father and mother. The ghost of a smile could be seen on her face. She began focusing and shaking her head slightly moving the memories away. Ascending the stairs she heard Dracula grumble something under his breath that sounded something like,”Let’s see how this goes.”
Stopping at the threshold she stood and looked into the very familiar grandeur of the Town Hall. Spectra remembered back to the night when she was asked to decorate the inside for the Summer Sun Celebration. She remembered the finest detail. The color of the streamers, the various old tapestries well kept underneath the Town Hall. It felt like an eternity since that night Nightmare Moon returned. And looking around she saw it had undergone changes since that night. She and Cornell stepped through the doorway and made their way following close behind Dracula. In the center of the dark stained wood hall was a large circular table with many seats.
The table itself was old and still had a small amount of dust on the surface of it. It was a dark Cherry Wood stained table, that looked it could last through the ages. The chairs were made of the same dark colored wood and looked very uncomfortable to sit in, but it did not matter to Spectra as she has learned that there are times when being a lady does not come into play. A small crossbreeze cascaded through an open window on the far side of the hall. Dracula found a seat and sat in silence as Spectra found her seat near Dracula and Cornell on the other side. They waited for a moment when Rainbow Dash arrived through the door with Athelis and Wraith following close behind.
Once they found their seats around the table Dracula said in a commending and echoing voice,”Now. A few of the Originals are unaccounted for but we will make do. First and foremost, Cornell and Con will take the missing positions as Alpha and Arch-Sanguinare. I will also pronounce Rainbow Dash and Spectra Crystalline the Knight Commanders of the Knights of the Moon. My question is, how has been the recruitment of the Knights of the Moon?”
Spectra looked directly at Dracula and said in a stern voice,”It has been slow but it has been assured. Most of the recruits are Sires and Progenitors, so they are somewhat familiar with the magic. Teaching them has been quite slow.”
That much was true. Teaching them was rather slow but most found it easy to use. Their magic was easy to control and easy to summon as their powers come directly from the moon. Spectra had to be careful she did not terry across the line where she starts to use her other powers. She could never really understand how she has quickly picked up these spells and how easily this came to her it just felt...natural. Like she was born to learn this magic. Her new Warlock powers had came fast and the knowledge, she thinks, came directly from Sombra. Along with the knowledge of the Warlock spells came a small amount of Sombra’s memories.
She came back to reality as Dracula cleared his throat and said,”Now. Wraith how has the scouting bands come along. What do they have to report?”
Wraith’s imposing dark and metallic voice spoke loudly as he shifted in his seat,”Some have not returned yet, but those that have, have told me that there is a large amount near the Frozen North, near the main road. Some have even gone as far as to come closer to our Necropolis’.”
“And what of the settlements?”
“Some have already been occupied by the Changelings,”Wraith responded twitching his eye,”They have taken up defenses in only a few of the settlements. And if you don’t mind me saying, my prince, but we can handle this easier if you will allow us to do two things.”
“Ask away, Wraith.”Dracula responded resting his chin on his hoof in anticipation to Wraith’s next words. Wraith’s very tone spoke as if a blizzard itself spoke, his dark tone pierced through the somewhat empty hall,”If you will allow this, we would like to produce more Death Knights from our fallen comrades. And we can also make short work of the fortified Changelings if you allow us to produce the Red Death.”
Dracula lifted his head up and said shaking his head,”No. You are not permitted to produce such a concoction. Although it will kill the Changelings it will take centuries until the settlement is ready to be settled in. We need these settlements if we are to return our brothers and sisters back to their home. But you are permitted to make Death Knights of our fallen Brethren.”
Wraith simply nodded his head and sat back in his seat and listened like the rest had done. Dracula then turned his head towards the jet black figure of Athelis Blackdawn. Dracula said resting cold dark red eyes on her,”Now to you. Why and how are you here? I thought Nightmare Moon tormented your soul so much that you two merged?”
Clearing her throat and in a tone that could make a filly go to sleep she said,”That is only partly true. Yes, we did merge souls long ago. But something separated us and now I am before you now a different mare than the one you know. The darkness that had overtaken me long ago is gone and now I am here before you uncorrupted.”
Spectra looked at Dracula when Athelis stopped speaking. The inquisitive look on his face told everypony there that he was contemplating what to say and what to do next. Spectra in the long silence saw the looks on their faces and saw Cornell and Wraith with neutral looks anticipating his answer. Rainbow Dash however had her forehooves crossed across her chest and an aggravated look on her face. It was obvious she did not share the same enthusiasm. After ten minutes of thinking he said in a booming voice,”You will be allowed to assist us on our crusade, but do not think there will not be eyes on you. Cornell, I want you to have two of your strongest escorting Athelis through the town.”
Directing his attention over to Cornell, he said bowing his head,”Yes my prince.”
Finally he held out his hoof at Athelis and said in a cold and dark tone,”Do not make me regret this decision.”
Standing up she said,”And you will not. I will inform the Wilds of their involvement in this crusade.”
Dracula nodded and said,”Alright. Meeting adjourned. Rainbow Dash and Spectra, I wish to speak with you two privately, the rest of you have your orders.”
Cornell and Wraith got up from their seats and bowed respectfully at Dracula and he nodded his head at their signs of respect. He stood up from his seat and as the last left the hall Dracula shut the large wooden doors. He turned his attention to rainbow Dash first and said raising a hoof interrupting her,”Before you say anything you might regret. I have two things to tell you. One, with Cornell’s recent promotion to Alpha I am having you promoted to Omega, you have shown great honor to the Ebonmanes and as such you deserve a reward.”
Her suspicious and agitated look faded as she stopped hovering in the air. Landing on the ground softly she said,”Thanks. What’s the second thing?”
Taking a deep breath he said in a broken tone. Somewhere in between mournful and declarative,”In...recent events, some information became leaked and you no doubt know about the...oh what were their names...ugh, Sweetie Belle, Applebloom and Scootaloo. And what happened to them?”
“Yeah.”Rainbow Dash responded briskly.
“Well...oh how do I put this lightly.”Dracula answered. His form and stance was not the same one Spectra has come to recognize. He seemed more distant and more apologetic.”You are...Scootaloo’s older sister.”
The news hit her like a rock. She stuttered,”I...how...how do I not remember this?”
Dracula blew out yet another heavy sigh and said tentatively,”This is not easy to explain or say out loud it is better if I just give you the memory.”
Dracula stepped closer and lowered his head and his horn touched her head and it glowed bright red magical energy and Rainbow Dash cringed and strained her face as the memory of that flowed through her mind,
Rainbow Dash saw herself fall from the sky and land hard on the ground. She positioned herself so that she would take the brunt of the falling blow and the little baby Scootaloo took no physical damage. Crashing hard onto the ground she cried out in pain and jolts of sharp pain shot through her body and she felt her wings, shoulder, and back broke. She felt her strength sap almost immediately and her teen slender body was immovable. She was paralyzed.
Deep breaths emanated from her snout and sweat dripped profusely down her brow and all around her body. It was then that she also felt a warm liquid dripping down from the top of her head and down her back. Crying out in horrible pain she turned her head and saw that her wings nearly snapped in half. The bone pierced through her skin and flowed almost endlessly. She turns her head back to its original spot and felt her sweat covered body tremble and shake in the cold night air. She then felt another warm liquid drip down, but she knew what this was instantly without looking. Like waterfalls, her eyes were streaming thick tears down her cheeks and on the ground.
She opened her eyes and although her vision was foggy she turned to see her little sister lying on her chest. She slept very heavily and did not mind the sweat covered teen mare she slept on. Rainbow Dash cried harder as she lifted her broken forehooves and embraced Scootaloo softly. She said in between hard breaths and much crying,”It’s okay...it’s okay...we’re okay…”
Despite her saying those words she did not believe such things. She gasped as she heard a disembodied voice boomed through the sky and looking into the sky above she saw two large bright red eyes. After laughing evilly the dark voice said,
Oh, how I will enjoy this. I have been asleep for so long. This world has been without bloodshed for too long, it is time it begins to flow like a river. Starting with you two.
She saw darkness flow down from the sky and materialising on the ground in front of her was a large black Alicorn made of pure shadows and the same dark red eyes peered long into her eyes and gave her the look of a predator that has found its prey. The shadowed pony walked slowly towards her, shadows flowing freely off the pony and its horn glowed a dark red energy and an aura enveloped around the small form of Scootaloo and she was lifted through the air and set on the ground where she still slept. As she was lifted through the air Rainbow Dash said,”No...Wait! No please!”
Straining with all of her might to stand and wincing greatly at the pain. But she felt an invisible force push against her and she slammed back down on the ground and more pain shot through her body and she felt something break in her lower back and she lost all feeling in her legs. Clenching back tears and thinking relentlessly,’It’s just a dream...it’s just a dream...it’s just a dream.’
Leaning down closer the pony said,
Oh this is very real my dear. As real as I stand before you now. Now, don’t move as I have my fun relishing in your death and bathing in your blood.
Leaning closer he smiled devilishly and revealed his sharp teeth like daggers and opening the wall of ivory knives his bright pink tongue ran along a long drop of blood that dripped down from her head. His hot red tongue made every nerve on her neck and back stand up and she winced in petty attempts of absolute fear and dread. They were quiet and almost whispers. Finally after what seemed like an eternity he leaned back and stared blankly at her with those predatorial eyes. She wanted to shut her eyes and try not to focus on the evil that stood right in front of her, but the amount of fear that filled her body prevented that.
Unwavering from the dark and cruel grin he said,
Now how should I enjoy myself. It is obvious that I must take this nice and slow. But the question remains on two possibilities. One, I relieve all of my pent up aggression and tight muscles and enjoy myself immensely. I will not terry from that, I want it to be…
He leaned in closer and whispered coldly in her ear,
..a surprise.
He leaned back and looked deep into her eyes again and said,
Or I watch as you are slowly ripped apart by Timberwolves and drink the blood left over when you nothing more than bones and leftover scraps.
He tapped his hoof on his chin and said,
Decisions. Decisions.
It did not matter what he chose. She was dead either way and the outcome would not be very pleasant, for her anyway. Any outcome he decided, he would enjoy his masochistic and sadistic ways. She only prayed to Celestia he would not say the most fear induced thing a stallion like him might say.
And he did. Leaning in closer and hovering over her paralyzed body he shifted his form and shape. She watched as he changed from a stallion made of darkness and shadows, into a mare made of darkness and shadows. “He” leaned in closer and in a very soft and seductive voice she whispered in her ear,
Why not both? And why not add a bit of a twist?
She winced and prepared herself for the next torturous moments of her life she might never soon forget.
* * *
Breathing heavily and focusing back, Rainbow Dash felt even more sapped of strength and even more exhausted. She felt she was on the verge of death itself, merely inches away. Her body stained by Celestia knows what, was very ached and broken. The shadowed mare peered long into her eyes and she watched as she changed back into a stallion of darkness and stood up and stepped away from the broken mare that had been lying in the same position for hours.
The same snide and devilish grin crept across his face and said in the familiar dark voice,
Now we move from the fun part to the last fun part. Where I watch you slowly be torn apart by Timberwolves.
She heard growls and snarls coming from the darkened shadows around her and saw large dark red eyes the same as the shadowed stallion but once the shapes came into the light glow from the moon she saw that they were not ponies. They were the timberwolves sent to rip her slowly apart. After she violently looked around and began crying she saw that the shadowed stallion disappeared and the large red eyes were seen once again in the dark sky.
Rainbow Dash then winced when she heard the snarl of a wolf. She looked around her and coming out of the shadows was not just Timberwolves, these Timberwolves were partially made of black smoke and energy.
The Timberwolves charged in and before they could land blows and rip them to shreds a bright glowing metal whip came coming down from the sky and smashed them all into burnt wood. Energy swirled out of their forms and went into the darkness. Rainbow Dash followed the wave with her eyes and saw it being absorbed into something. Then in the darkness two bright red eyes shoot open and they are glowing bright red and he came out of the shadows, Dracula. He was wearing a long dark green leather trench coat with a metal spaulder and plate boots. His overall look was younger than he was in the present.
His mane was not as combed or pointed out. It was longer and flapped in the breeze. He shot his eyes at Rainbow Dash and with all of his supernatural might he whipped the chain and it spun around his right arm. In a youthful and serious tone he asked,”Are you alright?”
He stepped closer to her and she hugged him with one free hoof. He had not had such a thing happen to him in a while. Nearly one thousand years. Dracula just stood shocked and dumbfounded. He sighs heavily as she released him. He says looking her in the eyes,”I’m sorry but I have to do this, if there was another way I would do it.”
He kneels down and lowers his head. Red magic swirled around his horn and swirled into Rainbow Dash’s and Scootaloo’s mind. He put a memory lock on them to forget him. But he also healed every wound that the impact inflicted and the shadowed pony who was now gone. Every trace was gone.
Next Chapter: Chapter XLIII - Falling Inside Black Estimated time remaining: 3 Hours, 53 MinutesAuthor's Notes:
Don't judge me for the end of this chapter....I simply write what's on the mind. I just thought it would be interesting that Living Shadow is a sex craved masochist, that's all. And sorry for all you Rainbow Dash fans out there...I just had your favorite pony raped...you probably hate me right now. Anyways, now I have been; I guess inspired to write a clopfic, I've always wanted to write one they get so many views and so many likes. So, look out for it.