Vinyl lowered her head, her heart pounding in her ears.

What do I do? What do I do?! What do I do?! she panicked in her mind. Scythe sighed, accepting the chain from his lackey and yanking Rarity to her feet.

"V-Vinyl!" Rarity cried out, gasping as Scythe tugged on the chain, pulling her against him. He chuckled, resting a hand on her shoulder and holding her against him.

"She's rather sweet for a Filigree. Don't tell me she hasn't made the Change yet?" he glanced over at Vinyl, confirming his suspicions.

"The poor thing hasn't even experienced her first meal." he tsk'd. Rarity growled, smacking her fist against his stomach.

"Let me go! Let me go!" she yelled.

"Thats enough Rarity!" Vinyl barked, Rarity freezing. She needed to think fast, one wrong move and she would lose Rarity. She grit her teeth as Scythe drew a small dagger, resting it against Rarity's shoulder.

"I wonder...how long you two can hold out?" he smirked.

"How did you get in my house Scythe?" Vinyl demanded, trying to ignore Rarity's sobbing and shaking.

"Oh, thats not really important."

"I followed you, they snatched me off the street!" Rarity yelled, crying out as Scythe dug the knife into her shoulder slightly. Vinyl clenched her fists as she began to shake.

Thanks Rarity...that was really brave of you...now I know the others are safe...I just gotta get you outta this

"Let her go Scythe." Vinyl ordered.

"Now, I can't really do that. You see, you've got something we need." Scythe chuckled.

"What the hell could you want from me?!"

"The girl, Octavia. Give her to us, and you can have your sister back." he offered. Vinyl crossed her arms, fingers resting on the hilts of the knives there.

"You'd trade a vampire of Noble blood for a human? Whats so special about the girl?" Vinyl wondered.

"A little something special in her blood. Of no use to you, but plenty to us." Scythe offered as explanation. He relaxed his grip and Vinyl took her chance, flicking the knives out of her sleeves. One dug itself deep into his shoulder while the other sliced his cheek. The vampire grit his teeth, grabbing Rarity by her hair as he stumbled backwards.

"You had your chance." he growled, flipping his dagger.

"NO!" Vinyl screamed, reaching for Rarity.

Vinyl froze as a bullet buried itself in Scythe's head, a second one hitting him square in the shoulder, the dagger falling from his hand and landing firmly in Rarity's shoulder. Rarity screamed as she fell, shaking and staring at the dagger with wide eyes. Vinyl rolled, tugging Rarity behind cover as another bullet just barely missed her.

"S-Sister..." Rarity gasped, her fingers burning as she tried to pull the blade free.

"Shh, its okay Rare-bear. You're gonna be okay, j-just gimmie a minute." Vinyl whispered, glancing over the boxes she was behind. Sure enough, there was a sniper waiting, a bullet whizzing past her head.

Seriously!? I swear if thats who I think it is... she grit her teeth, glancing down at her sister. She rested her hand over the hilt of the dagger, Rarity whimpering and shaking.

"Its not that deep Rarity, but I gotta take it out...here..." she held out her arm as she grabbed the dagger.

"Bite down." she ordered. Rarity shook, tears in her eyes as she chomped down on her sisters arm. Vinyl yanked the blade free, a muffled scream vibrating against her arm. Vinyl smiled, dropping the blade and cradling her sister.

"Thats my tough girl..." Vinyl closed her eyes and took a calming breath.

"I need you to listen to me Rarity. There are a lotta bad people out here like that guy, who want to hurt you and Belle. You have to go home and stay there, its safe in the house." Vinyl ordered softly, running her hand through Rarity's hair.

"W-why? Why are you out here?" Rarity choked. Vinyl kissed her forehead, tears welling up as her eyes began to glow dimly.

"Rarity, look at me..." Vinyl said quietly. Rarity glanced up at her, dazed as their eyes met.

I'm so sorry Rarity Vinyl thought to herself, letting the inexperienced vampire feel the full effects of the Mesmir.

"Go home, call Twilight. You hurt yourself playing in Fathers study on one of his antique weapons and you need to get it cleaned up. I'll be home late so don't wait up for me." Vinyl intoned. Rarity nodded weakly, wincing as she stood. Vinyl took a slow breath, summoning her magic and wrapping her sister in it.

"Thanks Rarity..." she whispered, teleporting the girl to their home. As soon as Rarity vanished she leapt from the shadows, flickering in and out of sight as she rushed the sniper, bullets pinging against the ground moments behind her.

It seemed her Sniper had picked an old run down church as their vantage point, as obvious as it was. Were they expecting her? Why had they taken out Scythe first? She shook her head, not having time for questions.

She roared as she kicked the doors open, hand resting on the hilt of her sword as she glanced about the room. It was illuminated by candles along the walls, rows and rows of benches leading towards the altar up front. An old church dedicated to Celestia, in the days when she watched from the shadows of the world instead of acting as she did now to ensure its safety.

"Show yourself!" Vinyl yelled.

"Have some respect, you're in a church." a voice scolded her. Vinyl grit her teeth, back to the wall as she moved through the church.

"Look, whoever you are. I'm on your side and I wanna thank you for saving my sister." Vinyl called out.

"She was innocent." the voice answered, a cloaked figure coming down the stairs. Vinyl shook as the figure lowered her hood

"No...you...you can't..."

"Hello Vinyl. Its good to see you again." the woman smiled. Vinyl grit her teeth, gripping the hilt of her sword tighter.

Thats impossible...she's dead, I saw her!

"Vinyl, I know you have questions..."

"Yea, heres one. Why the fuck are you here?! Or better yet, why the fuck were you shooting at me?! What kind of fucking parent...!"

"VINYL!" the woman yelled, stopping her rant. "We don't have a lot of time. Scythe isn't dead, just down. Just listen to me. You need to hand over that girl...otherwise Big Boss will tear down everything we have."

"I can't do that...Big Boss already took everything I had...you shouldn't even be here mom..." Vinyl hung her head. Her mother, Lady Filigree, had died two years after Sweetie Belle was born. There had been no details on her death, only that she had been found in an alleyway on her way home from the market.

A vampire attack had been suspected, and her father had begun his own investigation into the matter. But nothing ever came of it. All they knew was that Jade Dust Filigree, was gone. Now here she stood, alive and well, wearing a sniper and shooting at her own daughter.

"Vinyl, if you care for your sisters...you'll give up this revenge crusade and give up the girl." Jade argued. She paused, glancing at the door and swearing under her breath, chucking down a handful of smoke pellets moments before Scythe kicked the door open. Vinyl grit her teeth, leaping out the window and leaving Scythe to find an empty church.

Vinyl sighed as she stepped into her home, Rarity waiting for her like always, arms crossed and a bandage wrapped around her shoulder.

"Another night of parties Vinyl?" Rarity asked, raising an eyebrow.

Thats the Rarity I know and love...

"Nah, nothin special, just a midnight stroll. You should be getting to bed Rare-bear." Vinyl yawned and stretched, Rarity's eyes latching onto the bite mark on her arm.

"What happened to your arm?" Rarity gasped.

...shit

"Uh...this uh, crazy dog jumped me on the way here. Didn't even see it until it grabbed me. Well night!" Vinyl walked past her, ignoring any argument and heading straight for her room, locking the door behind her. Octavia sat on her bed, reading through one of her mothers books.

"Vinyl! What happened to your arm?" Octavia gasped, grabbing her and looking over the bite.

"Why do they want you?" Vinyl asked, ignoring the Gaian's concern.

"what?"

"Why do Big Boss and his lackeys want you?" Vinyl demanded, gritting her teeth.

"I-I don't know."

"Don't lie to me Tavi, this is important..."

"I'm not lying! I don't know Vinyl!" Octavia cried. Vinyl grabbed her by her shoulders, staring into her eyes and searching for the truth. She sighed to herself and shook her head.

"I believe you...its just...nevermind." Vinyl walked past her, dropping her coat and going about the task of removing all the weapons bound to her body.

"I take it you had a long day?" Octavia asked softly.

"Rarity snuck out and followed me...one of Big Boss' goons, by the name of Scythe, found her." Vinyl answered, Octavia gasping.

"Is she alright?"

"Yea...she's fine, and doesn't remember a thing about it. But that bastard...he wanted to trade." Vinyl sighed, dropping her gun harness and plopping down on her bed.

"They wanted you for her. It doesn't make sense though. They could've kept her, made her into a weapon to use against me and instead they try and trade her for a simple Gaian. Why would they do that, huh?" Vinyl wondered. Octavia was silent.

"You claimed they were using people as cattle, correct? Perhaps...the ones who claimed my sister were trying to take me?"

That could be it...Scathe and Brawler coulda been sent there to get Tavi and her sister was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Doesn't explain why they want her though. Something about her blood... she sighed, closing her eyes, remembering the taste and the strength she felt after her feeding.

"Tavi...uh, this is gonna sound weird but...can I have some blood?" Vinyl asked. Octavia blushed, clearing her throat and nodding.

"O-Of course Vinyl." Octavia sat beside her. Vinyl took a slow breath, looking into the Gaians eyes and grinning as she kissed her. Octavia jumped in surprise, feeling herself melt into the kiss, a bit dissapointed when Vinyl broke it, leaving a small trail of kisses down her jaw and to her neck.

The Gaian shivered as Vinyl's fangs brushed against her neck, squeaking as Vinyl pinned her to the bed, burying her fangs into her soft flesh. Octavia was sure of it this time.

There was something very different about this bite and she admitted, only to herself, that she enjoyed it. The way Vinyl's hands roamed her body and under her shirt. Octavia whimpered softly as the vampires fingers brushed over her smooth skin, slipping around her sides in a sensual massage.

All the while Vinyl drank slowly, her mind working at a thousand miles a minute to try and unravel the secret of her blood. Octavia's breath hitched in her throat as Vinyl's hands found her plump breasts, the vampire hiding a smile as she felt the Gaian's heart pounding in her chest.

She panted slightly as she pulled her fangs away, running her tongue over the bite, one hand slipping down towards Octavia's waist while the other continued to squeeze and tease the mound of flesh.

"V-Vinyl..." Octavia breathed into her ear, whining as Vinyl's fingers danced along her stomach. Vinyl chuckled softly, playing innocent as her fingers slipped under Octavia's waistband.

"Somethin' wrong Tavi?" she teased, the Gaian chewing her lip

"I-I've never...done something like this." Octavia stammered. Vinyl froze, her palm resting just above an undeniable warmth.

"Do you want me to stop?" Vinyl asked softly. "I get it if girls aren't your thing." Vinyl chuckled, feeling a pang in her chest.

"What? N-No! Thats not what I mean. I um...I've...never..."

Sweet Celestia she's a virgin... Vinyl sat up, everything falling into place upon that realization. Octavia blushed, hiding her face behind her hands.

"I'm sorry Vinyl, I didn't mean t..."

"Shush." Vinyl said quickly, Octavia falling silent.

The blood of a Virgin Gaian...what could Big Boss accomplish with that? Vinyl wondered as she crawled out of bed, snatching up one of her mothers notebooks.

"Vinyl, I..."

"Tavi, chill. I'm not gonna force you to do something you aren't ready for. Besides, I think you just helped me. Oh, uh, shower is through that door there." Vinyl pointed absentmindedly towards the master bathroom Octavia letting out a sigh, hoping a cold shower would help her situation.

Okay Vinyl, this is bigger than you thought...ignore the need to fuck her brains out for a while and everything will work out. Ignore the fact that she is naked in your shower right now and totally hot for you and just focus on the facts...Ugh, damnit... Vinyl shook herself, scanning through the hundreds of notes her mother left behind.

"Here! Strength of the Titans?" Vinyl mumbled, sitting down as she read.

...and The Virgin daughter of Chronos shall be drained, bestowing true eternal life upon her followers.

"Chronos? Who the fuck is Chronos?" Vinyl mumbled, flipping through the book.
"Blah Blah Blah, something about Titans, something about gods...wait. Here it is...Ugh, I can't translate this crap..." Vinyl sighed, rubbing her temples. Her mother had a penchant for writing in ancient languages.

"Vinyl, if you care for your sisters...you'll give up this revenge crusade and give up the girl." her mothers voice echoed in her mind.
If I hand Octavia over...Big Boss will drain her dry for whatever is in her blood. I can't let that happen. I just gotta keep Belle and Rarity in the house and figure this out.

"I hope I'm not interrupting anything." Spike spoke up from the corner of her room. Vinyl gasped, flinging the book at him, the knight snatching it out of the air with ease.

"Notes about the Titans?" Spike mumbled.

"You can read that? Nevermind, scratch that, of course you can freakin' read it." Vinyl mumbled.

"I can't do everything. I can't take down Big Boss, I can't offer you the help I wish I could, and I can't dance." Spike listed off as he flipped through the pages.

"Huh? Really? But you're a Knight, a Noble. All Nobles can dance" Vinyl argued.

"I'm not of noble blood. I'm a Dragon-Kin, remember?" Spike pointed out. Vinyl stared for a moment.

"Then how..."

"Wait..." Spike silenced her, his eyes scanning the page. "I have to go. Whatever you do, keep Octavia safe!" Spike ordered as he vanished, the book falling to the ground. Vinyl picked it up, glancing at the page. Sadly it was some language she didn't even recognize, but Spike had seen something in it, something important.

This has gotta be what Scythe and Big Boss were after. Damnit...if Z were around I could just have him translate it for me...oh man...Z, I'm so sorry..." Vinyl sank to her knees, gripping the book as she shook with silent sobs.

Zero had been one of her very few true friends. And she had gotten him killed. Octavia stepped out of the bathroom, blinking in surprise as she spotted the vampire crying in the middle of the floor.

"Vinyl? Vinyl?!" Octavia called out, shaking her shoulder. Vinyl glanced up at her, realizing how pitiful she must look. She cleared her throat, slamming the book closed.

"I gotta go handle some stuff Tavi...I need you to stay here and to make sure my sisters stay here. Don't open the door for ANYONE except Twilight. Anyone else comes to the door, just ignore em, no matter what they say." Vinyl grabbed her arm, looking into her eyes.

"Promise me!"

"I-I promise. Just...be careful out there Vinyl."

I can't promise that Tavi...Not where I'm going.

"SCYTHE! SHOW YOUR UGLY FACE!" Vinyl screamed at the top of her lungs. She panted heavily, waiting in the shipyards. Anything that went anywhere had to go through here first. Big Boss' men would have to be nearby.

She had tried hunting here before, but they had too much space to hide in for her to catch any of them. This time however, they were hunting her...and she was out in the open. Scythe walked from behind a large container, flipping a small dagger.

"You called?" he grinned.

"You want Octavia and I want my family to be safe. So lets cut a deal." Vinyl held up her hands to show she held no weapons.

"What kind of deal?" Scythe wondered.

"I get one favor in exchange for the girl"