Rainbow Dash returned back to reality as the flood of that awful memory faded into the darkness of her mind. She slowly shook her head and a sharp pain poked and prodded at the space between her eyes. She placed her hoof on her head and tried to concentrate on the pain and she began to ignore the pain. She clenched her head and focused back to the dark blue stallion Alicorn that stood before her, with soulful eyes and an uneven stance. Rainbow knew that just by looking at his face that he was sorry for what he did, that he realised what he did was selfish and wrong. She narrowed her eyes and stepped forward in front of Dracula and said sternly in her always tomboyish voice, "When I first saw you, not back then but only a few nights ago, I thought you were the Dracula from the legend. The bloodthirsty monster who wants nothing more than a sea of dead innocents.”

She stepped closer and stared coldly into his eyes and said, "And after you wanted to work with Nightmare Moon I believed those legends. I believed that you killed innocent ponies just for sick kicks.”

Her willpower broke that very instant and began letting tears flow down her eyes and embraces Dracula in a warm hug and she says in a shaky tone, "And I have never been so wrong in my life.”

At first surprised by the hug he stands there stunned and after a few moments he returns with his own warm embrace. Rainbow Dash says muffled in his chest, "I admit it. I am so sorry I ever doubted you! Please forgive me!”

Dracula pulls her away from his chest and lifts her head into his eyes and he said, "You have nothing to be sorry for, It was I who did the wrong. And for this I am sorry.”

After a few more moments Dracula pushes Rainbow Dash away and starts reeling in pain. Coursing through his veins he could feel the pain of a thousand sins, washing over his soul and mind. Rainbow watched and saw Dracula’s veins turn dark jet black and start to move to the surface of his skin. Spectra and Rainbow runs to his sides as he falls to the ground, Spectra catches him and she said hysterically, "Dracula...darling what’s wrong?”

Grunting in pain he coughs heavily and says, "I...can...feel...hi...him…”

Dracula’s eyes begin to shut and the doors burst open and coming is Twilight with a mysterious creature that was tall and hooded and cloaked carrying a large staff. It walked upright and yet it had a tail. Twilight said,”Hurry! He’s right there!”

In a baritone voice that seemed to growl from his mouth the figure said,”Thank you. Step aside. I need room to help him.”

Spectra and Rainbow step away and make way for him to do what he needs. They stand next to Twilight and said,”Who is that? And what is he doing to Dracula?”

Twilight did not answer and bit her lower lip in anticipation. The figure reached a hand out and attempted to touch Dracula but met with dark lightning that blasted his hand and he shouted,”Modi li! You have it worse than we realized. Do not worry, Ravena, You will be okay soon enough.”

The figure shoved his staff through the wooden floor and pulled his hood down revealing what he was. He looked to be a humanoid lion with a pale white coat and dark grey and black mane with piercing purple eyes. His face told everypony there that he was in charge somewhat, He was large and muscular. He knelt down and hovered his hands over Dracula and closed his eyes and began chanting,

“Nan non Papa a Raven, mwen mande nanm sa a yo dwe geri nan limyè a nan lalin lan. Desere madichon an frajil ki menase kraze Ravena. Apre sa, nan limyè a nan zetwal yo, ka jwenn rès li refè blesi long enfekte l 'yo. Se sa menm.”

They watched as the black energy in Dracula’s veins receded and looked to be better. His breathing ceased and now he was unconscious. As this lion chanted the wind began to pick up and his hands glowed bright purple energy. When he finished, he opened his eyes and stood up. He walked over to his staff and turned and said flashing bright purple energy in his eyes and said,”Se pou gid-la lannwit ou pou li retounen nan nou.”

He turned his head back around and proceeded to the three mares that stood awestruck at what just happened. They opened their mouths to say something but the lion raised his hand and said,”Pa gen okenn, Your answers will be answered soon. Not here, Ravena must rest.”

They all nodded and went outside. They were silent as they made their way to the closest familiar building and it was Carousel Boutique. It still blew mighty winds filled with snow and ice. They approached the door and they went inside. Spectra proceeded to take them to the well decorated living room. Everything was ornate and well decorated, every color accenting each other very well. Made to please the eye very well. They all found seats, except the lion. After a few silent minutes Spectra said,”Well, I will be making some tea. Would anyone else like anything?”

“Tea is fine.”Twilight answered, clearly troubled by the recent events. Spectra looked at Rainbow and she said,”I’ll have some too.”

She nodded her head and looked at the lion and said,”Would you like anything darling?”

He smiled and said in his deep voice as he waved his hand,”Okenn. No, I’m fine. Thank you for your hospitality.”

Spectra slowly nodded her head and left the room into the kitchen and Rainbow turned her attention to the lion and said,”So...what exactly are you?”

“Rainbow!”Twilight snapped. Rainbow shrugged and responded,”What it’s just a question?”

The lion smiled and said warmly,”That it is, lakansyèl, and for that question there is an answer.”

He placed his open hand on his chest and said,”I am Zenzele, and I am a Krinye, a Ravenborn.”

Rainbow raised an eyebrow and said,”Ravenborn?”

Twilight was quick to answer and said,”The Krinye were created by Arkon Shadow. They are a proud race that actually partially protects our southern border from the Centaurs.”

Zenzele nodded his head and said,”Yes. Our Pride has protected the lands of Ansanm for generations. But recent events have been...weary…”

His voice sounded distant and Twilight continued,”Zenzele specifically is apart of the Heralds of the Raven, an order of moon priests that once followed Living Shadow before he became corrupted. They are part raven and part lion, mostly lion but they now follow Cerberus who they call the Crow.”

Spectra came in holding a tray with a teapot and three tea cups and said,”But, why did you not follow Living Shadow when he became corrupted?”

Zenzele shifted his weight and said looking at her,”Alas the Raven became something that we did not want to believe in. We still believed in our original ideals and while yes he offered us power but all we wanted was quiet servitude. So, he took some of our powers when he left and we just stopped doing what we did for a long while.

“Until, we learned of Cerberus who told us that if we changed to worship him some of our powers would return but we had to make a Kontra, a covenant, with him.”

“What was this covenant?”Spectra asked pouring the tea in the various tea cups. Zenzele answered,”We were to serve him and in return we would wait and train ourselves so that one day we might reveal ourselves to the world and protect the Ravena.”

“Ravena?”

Zenzele nodded and said,”Yes. The Son of the Raven. Or as you call him Dracula. The Heralds of the Raven hold onto their oaths. The Crow came to us recently in our dreams and told us that the Ravena was in grave danger and that he needed our help right away.”

“Our?”Rainbow said after swallowing a mouthful of tea,”You mean there are more of you. Here.”

Zenzele nodded and said with a smile,”Yes. There is me, Sipho, and Iduna. They are waiting for me outside the city and awaiting for the Ravena Pelerinaj, the Pilgrimage of the Son of the Raven.”

Twilight took a sip of tea and said,”Wait. I thought you were just here to heal him?”

Zenzele shook his head and said,”Okenn, no. The Crow spoke to us, told us that he was to journey to the Simnwa, the Blackspire. This is the will of the Crow and it will be done. Once Ravena is awoken he will come with us to the Blackspire.”

Twilight was not sure how to feel about this. Yes she wanted Dracula to be okay but to go through the Everfree Forest with three unfamiliar faces who don’t really know the land. Twilight set her tea cup down and said,”Spectra may I speak with you alone. Rainbow can you entertain Zenzele while we converse.”

After another awkward gulp Rainbow responded,”Ugh...okay.”

Twilight takes Spectra into another room and shuts the door behind her. Twilight says pressing one of her hooves to her forehead and Spectra says putting a hoof on her shoulder gingerly,”What’s the matter darling?”

“I just don’t know Rarity.”Twilight said dropping her hoof.”I want to trust them that they will take him there safely but I have a great many concerns Rarity.”

Spectra looks at her in the eyes and says,”It will be fine dear. Dracula has always pulled through.”

“Yes I know but he’s in no shape to travel, let alone climb one of the tallest mountains in all of Equestria. What does Cerberus even want anyways? What exactly does Dracula have? These are questions that we need answered Rarity.”

“Yes but there is no need to be hysterical about it.”She responded in a soft tone.”Our answers are just in the other room. I’m sure if we ask a few questions we’ll be able to figure out what’s wrong and how we can fix it. Do not worry.”

Twilight took in a deep breath and said,”You’re right. Okay. Lets take this one step at a time.”

Spectra nodded. Twilight did not feel absolutely fine with the idea, but she didn’t bomb the idea. So long as Dracula pulled through this just fine, would bring more than relief to her. But until that time comes she will worry for him. She looks down and takes out the North Star amulet that Dracula gave her. The metal was warm and softly rested on her open hoof. It almost had not weight to it, like it was made from the wind itself. This was; as of a few nights ago, her most prized possession.

She tucked it back underneath her golden armor and opened the door. Twilight and Spectra walked back to their seats and sat down slowly. Twilight clears her throat and says,”Zenzele. I have to ask, what exactly happened to Dracula?”

Zenzele finally found a comfortable spot that was merely a few feet away from Twilight and he said,”As surprising as it might seem, this was not caused by the Raven. This was caused because his powers are slowly starting to recede.”

“What!? But...he is one of the most powerful ponies that I have ever met. How can they be receding when he’s that awesome!”Rainbow said spitting out tea. Spectra made a motion with her hoof for Rainbow to quiet down. Zenzele looked at the rainbowed mare and said,”The burden that he carries is beyond that of any of us could comprehend. You must understand, he houses in half of his mind the presence of his father. They are, in a sense, one and the same. This is not something that he has always done. The only way he lasted this long is because of the amount of power he was sacrificing to keep him in that state.”

“So what happened?”Spectra asked finishing her tea and quickly pouring another glass. Zenzele continued,”He sacrificed way too much the last time he did so. Every time you seem him use his special talent, when he has his father in his mind, he has to give up a fraction of his power every time to keep the Raven at bay.

“Think of it as a wall. Walls do not last forever. They must be re-masoned to keep them in applicable order and to keep the structure in tact. If a tiny part of it is exposed or broken, you run the risk of damaging your entire structure.”

“You mean,”Twilight asked inquisitively,”He used too much power to sacrifice that he allowed Living Shadow a window to try and destroy him?”

“Sa se kòrèk. That is correct.”Zenzele said nodding,”And I fear if we arrived any later Ravena would have been mouri, dead.”

Spectra and Rainbow Dash looked disconcerned. Twilight asked,”What exactly does Cerberus want with Dracula?”

“That my dear is something that I do not know.”Zenzele replied.”Whatever it is, it sounds important. I have never heard the Crow so serious in my life.”

The air seemed to weigh heavier on Twilight. She felt a flood of emotions strike at her at the same time. This was slowly tearing her apart and her strong and knowledgeable demeanor was faltering physically. She straightens her back and says after a deep breath.”I think we should accompany you. You don’t know the Everfree and I refuse to let Dracula out of my sight.”

She remembered the words that Armor had shared with Dracula and she remembered the promise that he made to her brother. She as well made a promise, to herself. She would not let anything bad happen to him. She has seen too much death within the last few weeks than anypony could handle. She however felt her head feel light and her vision blurred and she nearly passed out.

Spectra caught her with her magic and she said exasperatingly,”Twilight!...Twilight dear what’s wrong?!”

She felt something hot move down from her brow and noticed it was sweat. She lifted her hoof to her forehead and as she did so she felt shooting pain rush through her veins and she cried out. She looked and saw that her veins were turning the same jet black color. She felt her eyes slowly shut and before she could hear no more sound she heard the fading sound of Zenzele casting the chant he used on Dracula no more than a few minutes ago. Then her vision turned pitch black and there was complete and utter silence and all she saw was black.

Dracula awoke with a large gasp for air and he breathed heavily. His vision slowly returned to him and he saw he was in the Town Hall alone. The pain he felt, Night knows how long he was out, was unbearable. Then after bringing a hoof to his head he remembered the connection that he shared between Twilight. He rushed to his hooves and galloped out the door and through the streets of Ponyville. He assumed they went to the closest building near the Town Hall.

As he barreled through the crowded streets of Ponyville he felt deep within himself a small amount of pain slowly course through his chest, but he ignored the pain and slammed the door to Carousel Boutique and startled everypony within the stylish building. Glancing around he saw briefly the astonished faces of Spectra and Rainbow Dash. Then he saw the unconscious form of Twilight in Spectra’s hooves and he briskly walked over to Twilight but he felt a force push against his chest and his upper organs.

The pain welling up inside of him felt like his chest was going to explode with the amount of pressure pushing against it. His heart and lungs swelled with pain and he collapsed to the ground he saw a shrouded figure stop performing magic on Twilight and he turns his attention to Dracula. Dracula lights his eyes on fire and with a fierce face and a strong and heavy tone he said,”If you have done...anything to her I swear by all that is holy...I will kill you.”

It was hard for him to intimidate while he looked vulnerable and helpless. He mustered as much courage as he could along with a small amount of magic to make his words have more weight to them. The shrouded figure approached Dracula and Dracula shifted away from him and the figure says in a voice deeper than his,”Do not fear me Ravena. I am here to help, sent by the...Cerberus.”

“Cerberus?”Dracula asked after grunting at the pain that spiked at that moment. He wanted to refuse his help with every fibre of his being but he could not bring himself to do such a thing. He saw within the figure’s dark violet eyes the look of genuine kindness and, above all, humility. Dracula grunted again and clenched his chest with his hoof and his horn started to glow with faded red energy and attempted to heal it. The pain spiked and he cried out absolute agony and felt the boutique shake under his booming voice. The shrouded figure knelt next to Dracula and he placed a lion’s paw on his chest and his paw began to glow. As the pain slowly began to feel better he saw the strain upon the figure’s face, he was hurting himself physically to help Dracula heal his wounds.

After a few minutes his paw stopped glowing and he gasped in pain of his own. Dracula slowly controlled his breathing and leaned against the door frame he burst open. He saw the lion figure do the same against the couch and Dracula said directing his gaze on the figure and said,”Thanks…”

The pause in his voice and the look he gave told the figure to tell him his name. The figure rubbed the back of his paw against his nose and wiped the blood that slowly leaked down it. He sniffled and said,”Zenzele.”

They each controlled their breathing and stood up from the ground. The first thing Dracula did was rush over to Twilight’s side. He hesitated at first but he came closer once he realized it was okay to approach her. Dracula motions to hold her and Spectra respectfully obliges. Resting her head in his lap and her mane slowly cascading onto the floor he ran a hoof through her mane and said softly,”Twilight...Twilight wake up.”

She mumbled slowly fading into nothingness.“Ugh...Sil...Silver...i...is...is that you?”

Dracula sighed quickly and said,”Yes...yes it’s me. I’m here.”

She slowly turns her head and looks at Dracula and says with a slight smile. The veins along her body were jet black and she started turning a pale lavender color. She had her eyes half open and she tried to focus on his face but knew she was struggling to stay awake. She lifted her hoof very slowly and Dracula touched his free hoof with hers very gently. the smile faded from her face and she fell limp. He lowered his head and grumbled. His words shaky,”Wi...will she live?”

Spectra broke the painful silence and said,”Yes. She just needs to rest…”

“I didn’t ask you.”Dracula snapped shooting his head to meet Spectra’s gaze. The look he gave was condescending and there was anger within his words. Spectra whimpered slightly in seeing his deathly look. He shot his head to meet Zenzele and he nodded his head in response. Dracula’s face loosened tension and he closed his eyes. After a few long breaths he said with his eyes closed in his regular tone,”I apologize for snapping at you Spectra.”

He opens his eyes and sees that she had a horrified look on her face. He noticed that she had only seen him give looks like that to his most hated enemies. Dracula felt awful for frightening her so much. He slowly picks up Twilight and rests her on the couch.

A heavy silence filled the room. The only sound to be heard were the rythmic sounds of all of them breathing. Spectra’s breaths were shaky and long. Rainbow’s were rather quick and almost hard to hear. Then Zenzele were slow and calm. Breaking the silence he turns toward Zenzele and he says,”You said you work for Cerberus?”

Dracula could feel that extremely familiar magic of his father. It emanated off of him like scent that a dog might pick up. It was strong and seemed to flow all around him, as if he was hiding something. Dracula’s strength and magic were very weak at the moment, weaker than he had felt in decades. He felt smaller and more insignificant, but he knew to always mask those emotions from showing.

Being Luna’s most prized student and favored pupil made him have to know a lot. Knowing when to attack and when to defend, choosing which battle to fight, using mind over body. But above all, she taught him how to mask his emotions from other ponies, leading others meant that you show no room for them to question their loyalty. With your every movement they would critically offense you if you made the wrong gesture. And Luna had always warned to keep the mask of emotions under control or risk it moving over into overconfidence and therefore leading to blind arrogance.

Dracula always seemed to have a natural ability to be able to control his emotions, almost like a second special talent. Dracula kept a strong and firm stance to show that he wanted answers and wanted them now. Zenzele moved his staff to his other hand and said,”Yes. I am a Herald of the Raven. And I can tell by the look you’re giving me, you can sense your father’s lingering magic.”

Dracula raised an eyebrow and said,”How-”

“When you live for over a few millennia,”Zenzele replied,”You can do more than just read body language. You can read their emotions.”

Dracula loosen his shoulders and stared right at Zenzele. Dracula could not tell what he felt or how he felt by looking at him, a completely emotionless face. Like the face of a stone statue. Dracula tightened his gaze and said,”Why have you come here?”

“Is my purpose here that readable?”

“Just answer the question.”Dracula snapped. The look that Dracula gave could cut stone if looks could do such things. Zenzele replies,”I am not here to harm anyone.”

“Excuse me if I don’t believe you.”

“Oh. And what makes you think that I have come here to harm you. I have saved your life twice, and Twilight’s once. Why would I want to harm anyone?”Zenzele retorted motioning his paw at Dracula and Twilight. Dracula did not move his cold stare and he said in a dark and irritated tone,”Your enemies, more often than not, come across as your friends. Then when you least expect it they can betray you. I will not repeat myself another time. Why. Have. You. Come. Here?”

Zenzele let a cruel smile cross his face and said,”Perhaps you should ask Cerberus yourself.”

Dracula looked around the room and the color slowly dissolved and its warm and inviting atmosphere was replaced by a dark blue color that brought no feelings, like the life from the color is gone. The walls started peeling the dark blue color and evaporated in air. Dracula instantly knew where he was. He was in Taram. He heard a voice behind him say,”You were right to question the intentions of Zenzele.”

Dracula looked and saw Cerberus walking past him. Dracula had grown to familiarize himself at seeing Cerberus. Dracula said,”I felt your presence back in Equestria. Have you been reborn?”

“Yes,”Cerberus replied.”I thought I made it rather obvious for you. The little netherial magic pulse that you fought in Blacklight Library.”

“That was you?”Dracula replied. Cerberus stopped in front of Dracula and he nodded his head and replied to his question,”Indeed I was. I needed to be sure you could handle netherial force. It seems you do not have a natural defense against netherial energy. But that should soon change.”

The air around the room started to lighten and Dracula said,”What do you mean?”

Cerberus simply stomped his hoof on the ground and the energy around him began to disappear and Dracula felt energy pass through him, they teleported. But they were no longer in Taram. Dracula refocused and he appeared to be in some ancient chapel of sorts.

The walls were ornately designed and contained hieroglyphics that were unfamiliar to Dracula. The walls shot up and held up a large dome that loomed over head. Painted on the dome was an insignia. It was the head of a raven in a half circle made from metal and multiple weapons emblazoned behind the semicircle. There was no light that illuminated the room for him to see this, the stone and walls seemed to illuminate the room to a minor degree. He felt a dark magic settling within this place, making the ominous painted insignia even more ominous. Dracula traveled his eyes around the rest of the room and there were no doors, no hatches, not even any stain glass windows. For all he knew teleportation was the only way to come within the finely stone cut walls of this place.

Dracula’s steps echoed across the walls and reverberated back at him as he walked closer to stone railing looking out over a rather dreary open room. He saw that in front of him, a few feet down, was a wide open area. Almost one hundred feet around. He looked and saw that the stone used to build this mausoleum was obsidian stone. Dracula looked back over the room and noticed on his left and right were two staircases that trailed down to the large open space. The stairs and railings as well were made from the obsidian stone. His own breathing was all that could be heard, and it was loud and heavy as it escaped his mouth. He moved his eyes and focused on the stairs to his right and began descending the stairs. The air was cold and it hung high in the air, much expected from a building made from solid stone. He could smell the clay and mortar in the cold air, like it was built only a few months ago.

Dracula had seen a great many buildings in his long life time but nothing was as open and as dark as this one. For its rather simple design it made up for in vastness, he had never been in a more open room. And it seemed to fit rather well to the overall atmosphere rather well, which was minatory. Nothing brought or foreshadowed evil like the walls and ceiling of this place. Dracula’s heart beat kept a steady beat however and his breathing slowed down and started exiting through his snout. He stepped down from the stairs and started walking into the open room. As he stepped into the immense room, he stopped when a bright glowing red color came from the stairs and moved to the center room and stopped in the center and formed a circle. Dracula followed the red streak and peered closer to the circle. Inside the circle the silhouette of a raven pulsated slowly. After a few long looks he saw it was pulsating at the rate of his heart beat. Slow and controlled.

He heard a voice echo through the room making utterly impossible to find the source of the voice but he knew the voice well enough to know who it was. It was the gruff and wise voice of Cerberus,”Truly your solution to the netherial pulse was quite impressive. But now you undoubtedly figured out the errors in your plan have you not?”

Dracula thought to himself for a moment and started piecing everything together. He knew to what Cerberus was referring to, the physical and mental connection that he shared with Twilight. It is not the same thing as the connection between Luna and the Children of the Night, that connection is more a conscious spell that is always active unless Luna decides to disconnect the connection. The connection between himself and Twilight was something completely different. The arcanic shift had moved and intertwined their magic together. Making their spirits one, while yes it was extremely romantic and cliche, it made it harder for them both to go into battle. Whatever happened to Dracula happened to Twilight, physically and mentally.

Dracula looked back at Cerberus as he said slowly pacing within the shadows.”Let me ask one thing of you Dracula. What is the one thing in this world that you truly desire?”

Dracula thought for a moment and said,”I want the ability to not fear for my friend’s and family’s lives. I want the power to protect my home and family.”

Cerberus stepped out of the shadows and saw he wore a long silk cloak with a hood. On the cloak were three blood red streaks. One moved from the tip of the hood down the length of the cloak. The other two came from the edges of the sleeves, one coming from the left sleeve and the other from the right. His dark blue coat was visible through the darkness of the room and his silver mane and tail shone from the red light of the river of red that flowed from the stairs. Cerberus smiled cruelly and paced around Dracula. The area around Dracula elevated slightly and Dracula stepped down from the circular elevated platform.

As he paced around the platform he said,”I can grant you such powers. No, this is not any powers that I will personally give to you. This is the same thing I went through when I began my ascension. This is the Altar of Netherial. Flowing through this forum is the death force.

“I am giving you a choice Dracula. You can choose to use your own powers to defeat your father or you can abandon those powers and use the powers of the Nether to its full extent. Nether will be all you know, nothing else. With this you will become more than a Vampire. You will become a Vampire Lord.”

Dracula rubbed his chin with his hoof and said,”What powers come with with being a Vampire Lord?”

Cerberus continued,”You will be able to control death energy itself. Devouring your victims and destroying them with netherial force. All of the spells of normal Unicorn Mages, Lightning, Fire, Water. All of those spells cast from you are infused with Nether and become more powerful. Your blood will not be the same, it becomes a substance that can be used as a poison or the most powerful healing salve. All forms of necromancy are yours to command. You can even devour casted spells and transform it into Nether to fuel your own spells. Your telekinesis is improved sevenfold. You can see into the death realm and see things no other mortal can see. Your strength is as well stronger than anypony.

“But there is always a disadvantage. You become more vulnerable to the school of light and fire. Silver can cut through you like you were nothing. And instead of feasting upon blood or life force, you feast upon Aether to fuel your spells and abilities. And you are more vulnerable to mental manipulation.”

Dracula listened intently to his words and he said,”Will the connection between me and Twilight be broken?”

Cerberus nodded his head and he said,"Yes, but only mentally and magically. I cannot completely break the connection without killing one of you." Dracula weighed his decision and said looking straight at Cerberus,”I will do this.”

Cerberus waved his hoof to the platform and said,”Step towards the platform please.”

He stepped up the platform and watched as the stone moved and shifted away. It sunk into the stone and revealed black nothingness. Dracula slowly moved his hand to the hole. It looked only wide enough for one pony. He expected to feel nothing but there was water. It was cold and he felt something sting the surface of his hoof and he shot his hoof away. He looked at Cerberus and he pointed his hoof towards the Well of Darkness, as Dracula is now calling it.

Cerberus said in a neutral tone,”You must be reborn within the Nether if you wish to control it, Vessel.”

That name. He had never been referred to as that before. It was either my prince, my lord, Dracula, Silver or Monster. Never was he called Vessel. It struck Dracula right then and there, he was the Vessel of Darkness. He was the one chosen to be the controller of Netherial energy. Destiny had brought him here and fate would not allow him to turn back now.

From the pain he already felt, combined by the sharp sting of the liquified Nether, this was going to hurt a lot.

Dracula took a deep breath in and put his back legs in the liquified Nether. They stung with unbearable pain. But he clenched his face and submerged himself in the Nether. All over his body he felt as though he put himself in liquid lava. He opened his mouth and started screaming in absolute pain. He opened his nasal cavity and he felt rushing pain sear his insides now. His lungs, heart, stomach. Everything, felt as though magma was flowing through his veins. All he could do was concentrate on the pain then through his ears he heard the familiar voices of his friends echo through his mind. the first voice was Spectra’s.

Dracula….Dracula….Dracula!...Where are you!...

Help….I….I need...oh no….AGH!...

Dracula tried with all of his might to follow where the voice was but he could not move it pained him so much. The next voice was Rainbow Dash.

Rarity?...Rarity where...oh Celestia no...Rarity!....Dracula….Dracula! Why didn’t you save her?...you...you MONSTER!....

Dracula’s head filled with a choir of different voices that echoed through his mind. Monster. Traitor. Liar. They flooded his mind and the searing waters traveled into his mind and the voices slowly quieted. Silence ensued for a few moments. Nothing could be heard, not even the sounds of him in water. Finally the pain increased and started draining everything from his body. His energy, his strength. His life force. All of it was being devoured by utter nothingness. His vision slowly began to fade away and he fell unconscious and all he could see was black.

Dracula opened his eyes and started coughing up water. He stood up and he was in a sea of pitch black nothingness. Nothing for miles and miles around. Dracula looked around and found nothing. He started going in one direction, he must have only gotten a few steps away from where he originally awoke and he heard the scream of a mare off behind him. It pierced his ears and he turned around and began galloping in that direction. Breathing heavily he started to lose hope until he heard her scream again and saw a tall beam of light only a few feet away.

As he became closer to the beam of light he saw Twilight with multiple wounds along her body and she was on the floor, blood spilling out of her wounds and forming a crimson pool under her and around her. Dracula tried to step forward but he was kept back by invisible forces pulling on his limbs. He tugged and pulled with all of his supernatural might. He continued to resist then he saw Twilight stand up and she said very weakly,”Si...Silver...where...where are you? I thought you would never...leave me?”

Dracula screamed at the top of his lungs,”But I haven’t! I’m here Twilight!”

She was unfazed by his desperate screaming. Then he heard his own voice echo in the darkness,”I am still here Twilight. Yes I promised never to leave your side, but you never promised the same.”

He saw himself step into the beam of light and he was encased in a black aura. Dark energy evaporated off of him and disappeared a few feet above him. His armor was the same but being carried in his magic was his Voidsword. His eyes were blazing a dark fire and they gave a dread filling gaze. He stepped next to Twilight and she was lifted in the air. Forming around her throat was dark energy and Twilight choked and gasped for air. She was eye level with the twisted Dracula and he gave a cruel grin and pulling the sword back Dracula knew what he was going to do. Dracula screamed,”NOOOO!!!”

He thrust the blade deep through her stomach and the blade pierced through her back. Blood came out of both sides and slowly spilled onto the floor. Twilight gasped her final breath and fell limp. The twisted Dracula lowered her onto the ground and he looked right at him. He said breaking the grin,”The sins of the father pass on to the son. You will become a monster like him. You will become me!”

His maniacal laughter echoed in the darkness. Dracula finally stopped pushing against the invisible restraints and he fell limp. Then the onrush of pain came back to him and he cried out. He prayed to the night above that this would be the last time he would pass out.