The shining morning dawn was a comfort to everypony, especially to Cornell. Even though he lived in some of the coldest climates found on Equestria. He walked through the streets of Ponyville and saw everything with a gaze of suspicion. They were facing Changelings, they could be anywhere. But Dracula gave specific orders not to engage unless they show any signs of being a Changeling. There was still a thin blanket of snow covering the ground, crunching underneath his hoof steps. He wore a hood over his face to hold back the bone chilling wind, he was unfortunate enough to not be dead. The cold was kept out pretty well, most of the armor that his new Alpha Pack wore was leather and not a lot of metal. A metal spaulder here or a gauntlet there, but otherwise they wore thick layers of leather. His was stained dark and had elaborate designs, he suspected that that was Spectra’s doing. The designs were very tribal and intricate, he was surprised at her ability to memorize and do such things. He had never known a pony of her craft was so elaborate and luxuriant.

As Cornell walked the snow filled streets of Ponyville he passed ponies who were either rushing to meet some of their friends, finding food, or lending a hoof on the walls or any other stone project. In the last few days they made a stone canal that stretches through the town, improved the damaged walls, and made a few buildings in the process. There was a barracks, a handful of new bars, and improved training grounds. He noticed that most of the ponies that passed him were Children of the Day and they were either shocked or frightened at seeing him. Becoming Alpha meant that his form changed. He looked more animalistic than before, his pony hide was longer and his mane more wild and unruly. Another upside is Dracula was able to restore his right eye, but not fully. Instead of bright yellow like his other it was a dark grey, but he was at least thankful he could see. Cornell was never new to some of the dirty looks that some of the Children of the Night gave, he grew up with more agitated looks by even more threatening ponies. If there was one thing that Cornell had learned when he was a pup was to choose your fights wisely, not every pony is as bad as you think.

He then remembered his fight with Marrok, Cornell stood tall and firm but he fell under his superior might. Cornell weakly sat through the whole fight between him and Dracula. They fought like Cornell had never seen before, they both fought like whirling furies of skill and strength. Cornell was impressed with the amount of power that swelled within Dracula, Cornell couldn’t even sense power but he carried it in his walk, stance, and gaze. He shifted his weight and realized that he no longer had his swords, they were lost some time during the battle. He now had combat claws, that were magically enchanted to reshape when he transformed. Cornell came back when he saw that shadows filled the area around him and he walked to a darker side of the town. He even saw the architecture change. It was now in a similar style to Trottingham style buildings. The rafters, the streets, the doors, the walls. Everything. But it had a lighter tone than Cornell recognized, probably because they weren’t using Trottingham Darkwood. Yes the wood they used was a dark shade but it did not near the dark shades of Trottingham buildings. Cornell decided he would walk through this section of Ponyville out of curiosity, wouldn’t hurt anypony.

A cold breeze brushed past Cornell and it felt eerie and cold, more like a warning than a breeze. He unsheathed the claws and started walking steadily through the whistling wind. He stood in a small square with a fountain in the center steadily sprouting water from the top. His hoof falls were loud and seemed to echo in the wind. He grunted in disapproval of his loud steps. He pulled his hood down and as he did he focused and felt himself grow in height and saw his eyesight change, it was clearer and more vibrant. He was now standing taller than before, about the same height as Marrok before on two large and strong legs. His shoulders were bigger and more broad than before. His paws made subtle sounds and continued on through the darkened streets. He readied his claws and readied for an attack. He scanned the streets and saw nothing so far.

He passed an alley and heard the sound of rushing paws on stone pavements, and they weren’t his. He walked down the narrow alley and continued through the darkness. He neared the back of the alley. He looked over to his right where it turned back behind the building, nothing but darkness. He then felt a rush of wind past the back of his neck and now at attention he slashed behind him expecting an opponent. He turned and saw nothing but the way out of the alley. He slowly turned back when he heard a familiar voice, he said weakly, “Cornell...Cornell…please help…”

He turned and he saw standing on two paws before him was a dark ebony coated werewolf. He gripped his arm and dripping from multiple spots on his body was a steady stream of blood. Two large gashes along his chest, four along his open shoulder, one across the cheek of his wolf snout, and two on his neck. He had his head low and spoke in a scruffy low tone. Cornell was surprised and said, “Marrok...it can’t be…”

Cornell sheathed his claws and Marrok went to step forward and fell. Cornell caught him in his arms and laid him in his lap. Marrok smiled with blood coming out of his snout and mouth, he said weakly, “Funny...normally its me healing your wounds.”

Cornell couldn’t stop staring at Marrok’s half opened eyes. He was much smaller than before, three feet shorter to be more exact. Marrok turned his wounded gaze towards Cornell and said, “Before you...say anything...no...the influence of Living Shadow is gone. I don’t know how I’m here but I am…I’m...sorry...”

Marrok coughed up blood and Cornell said, “Easy now. I’m going to help you.”

Cornell leaned down and started licking Marrok’s wounds. It was never anything new for either of them, Cornell was very familiar with Marrok licking his wounds. It was something that helped the healing process, it stopped the flow of blood and eased the pain minorly. After about a minute Cornell finished and wrapped Marrok’s arm around his shoulders and said standing up, “Come on lets heal those wounds.”

After about fifteen minutes of walking through the streets of Ponyville he finally found himself nearing the steps of the main square. As he reached the steps he saw Dracula, Twilight, and Spectra standing outside the entrance. Spectra saw Cornell approaching with Marrok wounded and being dragged, she gasped and said, “Oh my…”

Dracula turned and his expression darkened. Spectra stepped forward but Dracula stopped her with his hoof and said, “No. This could be a trap.”

Dracula then directed his attention towards Cornell and said, “Why do you carry that traitor around your shoulders?”

Cornell looked and said stopping, “My prince. I found him wounded near the dark section of town. He claims the magic of Living Shadow has escaped his mind.”

Dracula closes a book in his magic and gives it to Twilight. He steps in front of Marrok and rests his horn gingerly on Marrok’s half conscious head. After a half a minute of silence, Dracula opened his eyes and they were wide with surprise. Dracula moved and pulled Marrok’s other arm around his shoulder and said standing on his hind hooves, “We have to get him to Zenzele.”

Cornell nodded and they continued to the main gates. While walking past multiple ponies who wore expressions of curiosity and followed them. Finding their way to the main gates they stopped. Dracula looked left and right, trying to recall where Zenzele was staying. Finally Dracula motioned his head to the right and said, “He’s this way.”

Cornell nods and they bring him through the door of a building. The inside was very small and was only one room. They saw Zenzele sitting by the fire muttering to himself, when he heard the door slam open he was about to say something when he saw Marrok. His expression changed to worry and he said standing up, “Set him down carefully on the table.”

They moved into the middle of the room and cleared the table, laying him down over top of the table. Dracula runs his hoof through his wolf mane and says, “We’re going to get you better. Alright.”

Zenzele sifts through one of his bags and brings out a few supplies. A large vial with a dark green liquid inside, gauze, and a small pouch of herbs. He crunches up the herbs in the pouch and pours the vial of liquid inside the pouch. Cornell asked, “What’s wrong with him?”

Zenzele did not answer, just a stone cold focus on Marrok. Dracula taps Cornell on the arms and he turns to meet the alicorn’s gaze. Dracula said, “Marrok returned to this world, resurrected by Cerberus. It’s not impossible to do but it takes quite a while to perform, which makes sense why Marrok showed up now.”

“But how does that explain the wounds?” Cornell asked.

Dracula shifted his weight nervously and said in a low tone, “It doesn’t. These wounds came from the blade of Living Shadow himself.”

Cornell broke his gaze on Dracula and said, “But I thought he had to be manually summoned. Somepony has to actively summon him.”

“That much is true,” Dracula continued to look at Cornell, “But that doesn’t stop him from manifesting his spirit in this realm. He lives within the darkest part of the Shadow Realm. This is how he survived, and it is how he could return.”

Dracula paused before his next words and continued swallowing back a lump in his throat. He continued, “But he also lives within my mind. Yes with my new powers I was able to take more than half of my mind, he is still deep within my mind.”

Cornell saw on Dracula’s face the look of sorrow and despair. But he did well to hide it, Cornell noticed that a lot of Dracula’s normal demeanor. Cornell could see in his eyes that there was something else that ailed him. Something else deep within his mind was slowly breaking him, but Cornell did not know what it was.

Zenzele finally spoke up and said, “I need to be alone to do this. Please.”

Cornell and Dracula leave. As they left Cornell reverted back to his pony form and stepped into the streets. When they walked out they saw two things at the gates of Ponyville. They saw Princess Luna, Princess Celestia, and Con with their respective battalions. And flying just above them was Riptide alone. Cornell and Dracula approached the newcomers and as they approached Luna jumped in front of Celestia and drew her sword. Her face was battle hardened and she said, “Stay back.”

Dracula raised his front hooves and said, “Mother. It’s okay it’s me. It’s Dracula.”

Luna lowered her sword and said exasperated, “But...what...what happened to you?”

Dracula sighed and looked directly at Princess Luna. He said in a stern voice, “Cerberus came to me and he rebirthed me in Nether, the Death Force. I am more powerful now.”

Cornell saw moved his gaze away from the small meeting between them and focuses back on the sky. Rumbling and blasting in the distance was what looked to be a thunderstorm, a bad omen. Cornell returned his gaze on Luna who looked worried, she nodded her head at Dracula and said, “I trust you made the right decision.”

Dracula returned the nod and Cornell followed his stone gaze. Dracula was staring at the unfamiliar pony he was the same height as Dracula. His features were more rounded out and his coat was the colors of fire. His long silver mane was pulled back in a ponytail and his golden plate armor glowed with the phoenix standing tall and firm on his shoulder pad. His dark blue eyes stared right back at Dracula. They were fierce and determined, like a battle hardened soldier. A five foot long sword was sheathed at his side, his physique was strong and noble bearing. Cornell could also feel a warm aura around him, despite his otherwise threatening stance he carried an aura of welcoming and friendliness. Cornell still remained fierce and pulled up his hood.

Finally after a few moments of silence Dracula moved his head towards the strange unicorn stallion and said, “Who’s this?”

Celestia stepped forward and said motioning her hoof to the unicorn, “This is Dragomir Petran. He hails from the Silvermane Highlands to the Northeast. He has agreed to be my student and to help us in our quest to destroy Chrysalis and Living Shadow.”

Dracula did not answer. Cornell looked to see what he was staring at on Dragomir and Cornell saw two scars along his left cheek. Cornell then stole himself and saw that they were the same color as Dracula’s. Dracula nodded his head at Dragomir and said, “Where’d you get those scars?”

Dragomir moved his hoof over his scars and said, “A gift from a stranger. And your’s?”

Dracula moved his hoof over his left eye and said, “Mine were a gift as well. A gift from my father.”

Cornell saw the look on Dracula’s face and saw that he knew something. Cornell leaned down next to Dracula and whispered, “Do you want me to keep a close eye on him?”

Dracula whispered back, “Not too close. He will no doubt remain by Celestia’s side. There is something strange going on with Celestia and I don’t know what.”

Dracula moves his head to Riptide who was hovering to the ground in front of Dracula and they both had warm smiles on their face. Dracula said pulling Riptide into a brotherly hug, “Brother. It is so good to see you again. What news of the Ebonmanes? Have they been settled in?”

Riptide pulled Dracula away and answered in his high toned sarcastic voice, “Like they were born there. I hope I haven’t missed too much fun.”

Dracula laughed and said, “I wouldn’t dream of starting an invasion without one of my favorite brothers by my side.”

Riptide waved his hoof behind him and said, “I also brought two two others with me. Hearthfire and Blazer. They said they wanted to help with the invasion.”

Dracula looked past Riptide and saw two identical ponies walking towards him. Hearthfire galloped fast and embraced Dracula. Dracula laughed and said, “Oh Hearthfire you’re a sight for sore eyes. It feels like ages since I’ve last seen you.”

Dracula pulled Hearthfire away and she said looking at Dracula’s eyes, “It might as well have been. Look at you, Prince of the Night.”

She bowed her head at her last words and Dracula said, “I’m not the official ruler just yet. But I have been ruling well. And now that I’m thinking of it.”

He moves past Hearthfire and walks in front of Luna and he pulls out a missive from one of his pockets. He said, “I am giving you the right to rule over the Beta and Zeta packs. They are yours to command. I am as well entrusting you to ruling over Gemini, they are your ponies to command.”

Luna grabs the missive with her magic and she says, “Thank you.”

Dracula nods his head and he said, “We will wait for Marrok to awaken and we will join in council to discuss our plans of attack on the Castle of the Two Sisters.”

Dracula turned to Riptide and his sarcastic demeanor changed to seriousness in a matter of seconds. Dracula moves his head to the building beside him and riptide rushes through the doors. Cornell focused on something else and saw six ponies approaching. Three of them were ponies he knew, Rainbow Dash, Spectra, and Twilight. They were casually walking towards the main gate. Then at the main gate three others were walking in. One had a wide brimmed black leather hat and trench coat, another had a cowboy hat, and the other had a long pink mane.

Dracula noticed the three ponies walking through the gates and saw that they were Pinkie Pie, Applejack, and Fluttershy. Dracula braced himself and when they came within sight Pinkie Pie and Applejack hardened their gazes and readied the crossbows mounted on their hooves. Dracula gave a hard stare as well, waiting for one of them to attack. Faster than lightning Pinkie shot a bolt and it shot right to the space in between Dracula’s eyes. But as it neared its target it slowly dissipated into black smoke but he was concentrating so hard on that one that he didn’t notice the one made of pure silver that shot into his shoulder. His flesh burned and sizzled, his strength sapped and it felt like poison rushing through his arm. He cried in pain. And saw ponies jump into action.

Cornell transformed into a werewolf and pounced at them. Dracula screamed, “Cornell! NO!!”

Cornell came down and quicker than lightning Pinkie drew a hidden sword underneath her trench coat. She quickly slashed Cornell’s chest twice and blood slowly dripped from the wounds and Cornell howled in rage. He pursued to draw his combat claws and was about to assault Pinkie Pie but he saw the yellow pony stare him down. Dracula saw from a great distance, he couldn’t believe it. Cornell stopped, Dracula knew he would have lacerated Pinkie Pie. Cornell was one of the ponies that trusted and respected Dracula. But Cornell just stopped, all Fluttershy did was stare at him and Cornell froze. Fluttershy said something and Cornell slowly backed up.

Applejack and Pinkie Pie slowly advanced and Dracula noticed standing at the ready by his sides was Twilight, Rainbow, and Spectra. Twilight drew her Blade of Shadow. Rainbow transformed into her werewolf form and readied her broadsword. Spectra summoned her staff and her eyes glowed a bright blue. Cornell stood stepped next to Spectra and stood silently. Applejack and Pinkie Pie stood pointing their crossbows at Dracula. Pinkie Pie said sternly, “Twilight. Rarity. Slowly step away from Dracula.”

Dracula felt the pain in his shoulder spike and he fell to the ground and grunted in pain. He knelt in the snow and Twilight fell to his side. Twilight looked at her two friends and said, “No. Why are you doing this?”

Pinkie kept a cold stare on Dracula and said, “He has used his magic to cloud your mind from what is true. He is using you.”

Dracula let a low grunt escape his lips and he stood firmly, slowly rising from the snow. He looked sternly at Pinkie and Applejack. He said, “So you still stand on idle hatreds? You wish to remain blinded by what is in front of you.”

Pinkie Pie snapped, “You have already converted Rarity and Rainbow into darkness. I’m not going to let Twilight fall victim to the same darkness.”

Spectra winced and said sternly, “We chose this. Dracula saved my life with what he did, he even helped Rainbow Dash. Listen, dears we are the same friends you knew before.”

Pinkie Pie turned her attention towards Spectra and said, “It’s sad. Why did he have to turn you two into monsters? Fate is cruel indeed. Now step aside while I finish him off.”

Rainbow growled, “I would sooner die than step away.”

Twilight grabbed Dracula firmly and held her in her embrace. She clenched her eyes and held back tears, she said, “I can’t believe you three.”

Pinkie pie saw this and lowered her crossbow. It seemed as if a wave of compassion rushed through her. She saw Twilight embrace Dracula warmly and she instantly knew, she looked at Twilight’s shoulder and saw a wound form. Pinkie Pie slowly closed her eyes and she instantly knew. Applejack however still held a stern gaze, she said, “Then yall will follow him.”

She let loose another bolt but heard a thunderous crack in the sky and a loud and ominous voice erupted over the bone chilling wind, “ENOUGH!!!”

They all looked up to see a being smash into the ground. Kicking up dirt and snow. As the dust cleared they saw an alicorn stallion in the crater. Dracula knew that it was Cerberus. Cerberus turned towards the three of them and he said, “Let the one known as Fluttershy please step forward.”

Pinkie and Applejack stepped away. Fluttershy stepped forward and walked a few inches away from Cerberus. She stopped in front of him and asked weakly, “Y...ye...yes?”

Cerberus answered loosening his demeanor, “Fluttershy. Do you share the same hatred as those two?”

Fluttershy looked back at them and she said answering him, “No.”

Cerberus stepped aside and said, “Then go to your friends. I would have a word with these two.”

“Cerberus.” Dracula called out standing up, Twilight releasing him. Dracula took out the silver bolt and it clanked as it fell to the ground. Cerberus turned his head to meet Dracula and Dracula continued, “Let me say something before you do.”

Cerberus nodded his head and turned his attention towards them. Dracula stepped past Rainbow and Spectra. Dracula walked limply on towards Applejack and Pinkie. He stopped in front of them. He said in a low tone, “I am not the monster you claim me to be. I have to tell you both something.”

Turning his attention towards Pinkie Pie first he said looking into her bright blue eyes, “I personally knew your great great grandfather. Henry Pie. He was an innovator and a brilliant pony. I knew him before his descent into madness. He was a good pony.”

Pinkie Pie looked down cast. He then turned to Applejack and she returned him with a cold stare. Dracula said, “I have to explain yours alone.”

Dracula looked at Pinkie briefly. Pinkie nodded and walked away. They heard thunder crack above them and rain steadily began to pour from the clouds above them. Dracula said, “When you were just a filly you lost your parents. You know the memory as very fuzzy, but you remember it as a bridge accident.”

Applejack dropped her stern gaze and saw it melted into something more sorrow filled. Dracula continued closing his eyes, “It was a particularly warm night and it was storming. You couldn’t have been more than five or six years old. You three were returning to your granny’s orchard to spend the next few weeks there with your older brother. Anyways, you three were taking a carriage there. As you were passing over a bridge one of the wheels on your carriage broke off of the axel. The carriage fell and it was caught in the ropes in the bridge, nearly breaking into the chasm below. You were holding on the door dangling over the chasm. Your parents were holding by ropes next to you.

“I came out and I went to save your parents and your father waved his hoof and motioned his head over to you. He said, “Save my daughter.” So I rushed over to you and grabbed you. You were hollering, “Get my ma. Get my pa.” I set you down on the solid ground on the other side of the bridge and went over to your parents. I reached out my hoof and one of the ropes snapped and the broken carriage looked as if another would break in a moment. I yelled, “Grab my hoof!” but your father shook his head and held your mother next to him. Tears welled in their eyes and your father said looking up at me handing me his hat, “Protect my little girl.”

“I nodded my head and looked away as the last rope snapped and the carriage fell into the deep chasm. I rushed back to you and just before the whole bridge came down. I held you in my hooves and you cried mercilessly and endlessly. All I could do was hold you and tell you, “I’m sorry.”

“I continued on to your granny’s farm and brought you to the porch. Before I left I took away some of the details of the accident from your mind and gave you your father’s hat. After that I never came back to that orchard or that bridge.”

As Dracula explained Applejack’s eyes became more sorrow filled. Sadness enveloped her. Dracula closed his eyes and looked away from Applejack and said, “I’m sorry. I could’ve saved them. I could’ve...I…”

Applejack held up her hoof and said, “Don’t...just don’t…”

Applejack had tears welling up in her eyes. She said, “Yall don’t need to apologize. I know when a pony’s lyin’. I just...I can’t…”

Cerberus stepped up next to Dracula and he said warmly, “Dracula. There was nothing you could have done. I will be leaving now. My services look to be not needed anymore.”

Dracula could feel the mood hang in the air and he straightened his demeanor. His face toughened and he walked away from Applejack who stood in the rain letting herself get soaked in the rain. Dracula walks up to Twilight, Spectra, and Rainbow. He said, “Escort Applejack back to Sweet Apple Acres, her family is probably worrying about her.”

Neither of them spoke a word, they just gave a simple nod. Dracula said to them as they went to walk with Applejack, “Come back to the town hall when you’re done.”

Again, not a single word hung in the air. They all took his orders and followed Applejack back to her farm. When they were out of earshot Dracula spoke up again directing his words to Luna and Celestia, “Mother. Celestia. Meet me in the town hall.”

They went to leave and Dragomir went to follow them. Luna and Celestia past him and Dragomir went to follow them, Dracula puts his hoof against Dragomir’s chest and said, “Not you. I want to have a few words with you.”

Dragomir stopped in front of Dracula and Dragomir said, “Why do you want to talk to me?”

Dracula looked sternly at Dragomir. He held a agitated gaze and Dracula tightened his own. Dracula said, “Why did you agree to be Celestia’s student?”

Dragomir growled, “My reasons are my own.”

His answer did not sit well with Dracula. There was a reason why he was there and Dracula wanted to know what it was. Dracula said in a voice of reason and care, “I’m trying to help everypony. Your answer doesn’t help the fact.”

Dragomir saw his change in demeanor and said in a softer tone and after a low sigh, “I can't reveal all of my intentions now, but I’m looking for somepony. And that’s all the answers you're going to get right now.”

“Fair enough.”

Dragomir nodded his head and walked past Dracula. Without turning to look at Dragomir he said, “Your scars. Was the pony that did that to you, was he covered in shadows?”

Dragomir stopped dead in his tracks and glanced back at Dracula in awe and said, “Yes. How did you know that?”

Dracula released a sigh and said, “Just a hunch.”

His hoofsteps continued on and decreased in volume in the dirt road. Dracula could feel that Dragomir’s fate was now important somehow. Dracula did not know if his intentions were noble or evil, but that was not for him to decide. He stood in the rain and noticed Cornell still standing near him. The ponies that had previously gathered had dispersed and it was only them. Dracula said, “I can’t imagine how you think of me now.”

Cornell stepped next to Dracula and said, “I don’t understand.”

Dracula snapped, “That was the second damn time that I screwed up. I took the memories of another pony and now I’m facing the consequences. I did that to avoid all the pain and grief. I did it to protect them.”

Cornell sighed and said, “You might have prevented them from feeling remorse or to understand the pain that would follow the event. But that doesn’t mean that you aren’t.”

Cornell rested a hoof gingerly on Dracula’s shoulder for comfort and he said, “Your fate was intertwined with those six ponies since the very beginning. Together they’ll bring you closer to the sun.”

Dracula pulled out his amulet and stared down at it. It rested softly in his hoof and he closed his eyes and said, “Then why do I feel as if I’m walking further away from it?”

He opened his eyes and looked over his shoulder and met Cornell’s gaze. His eyes were filled with emotion and compassion. Cornell said, “We might be able to hold control over our fate, but our destinies are sealed. You might think that you’re walking further from the sun but in reality you’re closer than you think.”

Cornell dropped his hoof and walked away. His hoofsteps quieted in the distance. Dracula’s mane was now drenched in water and he continued to look at the amulet and finally put it back underneath his chest plate. He stood in the rain for another moment and sighed heavily, he said to himself, “Closer than I think.”

He straightened his demeanor and looked up into the sky and said, “You want me to be more than an immortal Cerberus. You want me to be a god. For now I will be who I am, and the Elements of Harmony will remain with the Spirits.”

Thunder cracked in the distance and Dracula lowered his head from the sky and returned to normal eye level. He turned and started walking towards the town hall. He said to himself and amplifying his words in his mind to his father,

The end is nearing father. I’m coming to end this.

After a moment his father responded, sending dreaded chills through his spine.

And I await your arrival. My son...

Author's Notes:

The next two chapters are going to be LONG, so brace yourself