Back at Canterlot, Blade starts to explain his backstory and share the revelation of the vampire attacks. Everypony who was with him had been transported by Celestia’s magic to go to the throne room, so the discussion would be kept private. They wouldn’t want to have any other pony citizen go into panic when they hear more bad news.

As Twilight, Celestia, and the others listen in, William rudely crunches popcorn when being ready to listen, thinking the story is entertainment. His friends look at him.

“What?” William asks.

“William, can’t you eat later?” Applejack asks.

“Okay, fine. Geez!” William reluctantly agrees, putting the popcorn away.

“May I continue?” Blade asks.

“You can Blade.” Celestia nods.

“Before my mother Whisper was killed, she took me to a old friend, one who became my guide and mentor to practice survival.” Blade tells them, “He was a demon caster named Whistler. He almost had some intent to kill my mother since she had vampire blood. The blood has been passed onto he because of a possessed gene she had from one ancestor. But Whistler, he saw the reality and good inside of her, and when he observed me, he knew I would be a strong fighter. My mother asked him to watch me and train me, because she knew I’ll fall into the clutches of my abusive father. Sombra, I dread saying that name out loud. Anyway, Whistler agreed to train me, and it took five years for him to help me fight all demonic creatures that try to destroy other ponies in Equestria. He also injected me with a potion called Galarict, which helps me stop the thirst for blood. I even had a pet bird named… Indus, that’s it.”

“Oh, a pet bird? Awesome.” Fluttershy comments, “What type of bird was he?”

“It’s a ‘she’ actually, and she is a Macaw Parrot.” Blade tells her.

“Oh…” Fluttershy muttered.

“Anyhow, it was a year after that, when my pet bird came to me.” Blade continues, “She told me that my father Sombra killed my mother by draining all her blood.”

The main six ponies gasp.

“Oh my goodness…” Fluttershy whimpered.

“I knew Sombra back then, and I never knew he was that cruel.” Discord comments, “Also I did meet that Whistler fellow. He was nice once I got to know him, but… odd too.”

“Whatever happened to Whistler?” Spike asks.

“I don’t know.” Blade admits, “But I remember him telling me that he’s seeking his hiding place somewhere in the Forbidden Mountains.”

“That I propose we find him.” Twilight declares.

“What?” Blade asks, “He won’t be easy to convince.”

“Well, we know that Sombra is planning something.” Twilight points out, “And after that attack on Ponyville, he’ll definitely strike again on other pony cities. He might try to fool us with his fear spells too.”

“And how will THAT stop us?” William asks.

“One instance of being touched by his magic will weaken us.” Twilight explains, “He’s already trained himself enough to have it stronger than our mind trick powers. Sure, we don’t use it often, but right now…”

Twilight looks at Blade in the eye.

“Whatever trick or fighting strategy we need, we must learn it from who you learned it from…” she tells the vampire hunter.

“Okay, that sounds reasonable.” Blade sighs, “And… what you’re saying is true. He will strike again.”

“And we must be ready.” Twilight adds.

“Then it’s settled.” Celestia agrees, “Twilight, you and your friends will have to seek out Whisper with Blade. They’ll have your powers and strategies ready, I’m sure of it. Meanwhile, I’ll have my guards prepare barriers to protect all the cities and Ponyville.”

“And you better accept the strategies of training lays upon you.” Blade informs.

“Well guys…” Twilight looks at her friends, “We’re going to find Whistler!”

“RIGHT!” her friends agree.

Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity have Luna take their sisters under their wing and good care until they come back. As they gather their things and say goodbye, Twilight lists the companions needed for this mission.

1. Twilight (always her, in all situations)

2. Pinkie Pie

3. Applejack

4. Rarity

5. Rainbow Dash

6. Fluttershy

7. Discord

8. Spike

9. Tails

10. TJ

11. William

12. Skull

13. Fireblaze

14. Blade

15. Ian

16. Leo

All sixteen of them will be go in a group with all their tools, as Luna will plan the defense quarters for their troops. Before Twilight heads out the gate with her friends, Celestia heads toward Twilight to give her a warning.

“Be aware Twilight, that the vampires Sombra is casting are far worse than any creature. I do believe they’re different from a changeling.”

“How?” Twilight asks.

“Changelings don’t sense ponies from nearby with love, they just feed on the romance.” Celestia compares, “However, when a vampire sucks all blood from a living creature, it can sense a pony or being coming from miles away. It can also sense an attack before anypony strikes it. So be prepared for such possible outcomes.”

“I’ll be careful, just as I’ll protect my friends.” Twilight nods.

The purple alicorn hugs Celestia, and then leads her friends out the kingdom gate.

The gang of sixteen starts their trail starts at the Foal Mountain, just hours away from the kingdom. Already, William starts to pant, lazy enough to go any further. But with Discord’s warning eye towards him, William persuades himself to keep going… reluctantly.

“You sure that’s true?” Rainbow Dash asks Twilight, just after she told Rainbow about Celestia’s warning.

“Yes.” Twilight answers, “But one thing to consider is that these vampires are cold blooded. When we head through these snowy mountains, all we have to do is strike their weak point. Heat.”

“Exactly where I come in.” Fireblaze said, trotting in between them.

“You’ll do a lot of work, I’m sure.” Rainbow Dash admits.

Towards the end of the walking group, Leo holds his hiking staff, walking beside Ian. The gnome skims through the hilly entrance path to the mountain, unsure of it’s safety.

“Are we going to have fierce weather tonight?” Ian asks.

“Worse…” Leo told him, “We got company… bad one…”

Spike turns to look at Leo, hearing this.

“We’ll be having enemies at least around four miles!” Leo calls to Twilight.

Twilight nods, no nervous for action. They must be prepared.

“Stay in the group.” Twilight advises to her friends.

Fluttershy flies close to Discord, hugging him, as the lord of chaos has his paw hug her tightly for security.

William acts nonchalant, acting as if nothing bad will happen. Just then, he sees something that catches his eye.

“Oh my god…” the worm mutters.

“What?” Rarity asks, worried.

“A BUTTERFLY!” William cheers.

The worm zooms out of the group, chasing the butterfly that’s flying between air and ground. It’s snowy in the mountain now, and the oblivious worm is making deep tracks when running after ANOTHER insect. (Not to compare one dominant insect over another.)

“William…” Discord sighs, “For Celestia’s sake. You scared me and Rarity… and you’re out of the group…”

Twilight then looks to see what Discord and Rarity are thinking about. But there’s something else about the butterfly. It’s aura… it’s red… and it’s shifting… INTO A BAT!

“WILLIAM! GET AWAY!” Twilight warns.

But it’s too late! The bat formation then turns into the vampire pony, having William scream in despair. The being then picks him up, and carries him into the air.

“WILLIAM!” Applejack calls, readying her lasso.

But five more vampires block her way, kicking her back with all their vampire strength. She attempts to bind them with her rope throw, but they miss her attack, then going to Discord and Fluttershy to stun them. Both fall to the ground, weak to use their fighting moves or powers.

This has Tails growl in rage. The fox then charges to shoot his Kamehameha waves at five MORE vampires that suddenly appear, underneath the snow…

Twilight observes, as thirty more spring out of their snowy hiding area to surround them. She then shoots her aura to try and knock them down, but they suck the rays into their mouths, sending them back with a mighty spit to hit Twilight.

Twilight falls back, having Rainbow Dash fly up into the air to go after the vampires that captured William. TJ is on her back assisting her, knocking flying vampires away with his wrench when they try to harm her. William nearly calms down when they near him, when…

WHISH!

“THEY’RE GONE!” TJ shouts.

“HE’S GONE!” Rainbow Dash adds.

Tails looks up, dismayed. They lost a member of their fighting team, and they’re near defeat with such a number of enemies. Yet, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Spike jump in, to make a arm connected triangle to hang on together. Pinkie Pie then lifts them up, and swings them around and around, so Rarity and Spike can extend their legs to kick the vampires back, snapping their backs.

Ian and Leo don’t fight, knowing the vampires predict their moves. Yet they dodge their attacks real well. And with one defense move Leo makes with his stick, he makes a lucky extermination on one vampire.

Tails uses his rays constantly to back off the vampires. Soon, the enemies whimper, and scurry off. Tails smiles at the next victory…

“GOTCHA!” a voice sneers behind him.

A mighty pin grips his shoulders, as another vampire takes him by surprise, swooping him up into the air.

“WHA?” Tails yelps.

Rainbow still carries TJ when landing, though they both see that Tails is caught.

“OH NO!” TJ shouts.

“LET HIM GO!” Rainbow Dash tells the vampire, holding Tails prisoner.

They rush toward them in the sky to rescue their friend.

WHISH!

In a matter of a millisecond, the fox and pegasi stay in place in the sky. They’re shocked, landing into the snowy ground while hanging their heads in shame.

Twilight saw too, and knew theirs only fourteen in their group now. But all is bad. Tails and William are caught, and not only do she and her friends have to protect ponies, they have to save a fox and worm.