Applebloom shivered, her tiny form drumming with cold, it's epicenter seeming to stem from the wound that even now throbbed at her thigh. She had bandaged as best as she had been able to, an impromptu first aid made with use of a patch of her frayed shirt.

Moreover, as if the wound had not been enough, the speed with which she now moved added even more to the cold.

Cradled in the massive arm of the creature that had saved her, it moved through the woods with a speed that would have easily compared to Rainbow Dash, it's massive body tearing through any obstacle that barred it's way. Trees smashed into splinters and grasping bushes of thorns tore apart with almost sad sounding rips as the creature made no effort to avoid them, rather regarded the obstacles as minor inconveniences.

Her eyes watering from the biting wind, the little filly dared another look at the creature that now held her. It's face was an amalgam between that of a young man, with the sharp features of a noble-born and the unmistakable trademarks of a wolf. The long fang filled mouth covered with knife-thin lips, the elongated ears that came to points, the way it's eyes glowed in the night. It bordered between irrefutably handsome and horrifically bestial.

It's body was no different. A massive creature the color of darkened gravestone, easily twice the height and four times the width of Big Macintosh, nothing but corded muscle. Arms with biceps as boulders ended in long fingered hands tipped with wicked black talons. His hands, arms and head were bare while the rest of his body was encased in a dark red armor that was all spikes and cutting edges, two small openings at the back that allowed two leathery wings. They were furled across his back, wrapping around him and meeting at the base of his neck to form something almost like a cape. By the way a bone stuck out from the joint of the left one, it was clearly broken and the only reason he had not taken flight.

The two glowing eyes suddenly snapped to her and she tore her gaze from him quickly, a fresh jolt of shivers racking her tiny frame, the cold being of no blame this time.

Slowly his other massive hand rose and interposed itself between the filly and the biting wind. Even though the creature had not spoken a single word to her, even when she had asked for his help, it seemed to want to help her.

The air suddenly grew warmer and the atmosphere less oppressive as they came clear of the forest. In the distance Applebloom could see the street lanterns of Ponyville and she smiled widely, already thinking of her family, proper medical care and her warm, ever-cozy bed.

"All right. Is everyone ready?" Applejack asked the group that stood assembled near the farm house.

Big Mac, Granny Smith, Twilight, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Spike, even Fluttershy and the other two member of the CMC, Sweetie Belle and Scotaloo, had set faces, determined eyes and they all nodded briskly, each holding a lantern in their hands. Big Mac even hefted his lumber ax in his free hand, his normally calm, collected features racked with concern and eagerness to begin. Twilight had been the one to organize this search party, the moment AJ had ran to her home and told her Applebloom had ran away from home. On a Moonless Night no less.

She had quickly called the others and organized this search effort, making sure everyone knew not to stray from each other or make mistakes that could endanger their lives on such a night.

"Comon already. Ah'll comb the entire forest 'till i know mah granddaughter's safe in her home where she belongs" muttered Granny Smith passing the other ponies, her bad hip and old age all but forgotten in characteristic Apple family protective nature for their own, her old blunderbuss cradled comfortably in her hands.

The entire group began moving at a brisk pace, not wanting to waste a second more, each and every one worried about the little missing filly. Twilight looked to Applejack. The orange pony's pupils were dilated and she was chewing on her bottom lip. The Princess of Friendship could only guess at how worried she was about her little sister. In truth, going into the woods on a Moonless Night was insanely dangerous, even for a group this large, let alone a defenseless little filly. She wanted to say something, to comfort her friend, but she could find no words.

"Don't worry Applejack, she's probably at Zecora's. I'm sure she's fine" Spike said, perched on Twilight's shoulders as always. Twilight closed her eyes, a tiny smile at the edge of her mouth. Trust in Spike to always say the right thing at the right time. Applejack turned, a little more relaxed, but still on edge.

"Thank ye, little guy. Ah'm sure she is as you sa..."

"HEEEY" cried Rainbow Dash suddenly from her vantage point as she flew above the group.

They all looked up at her, as she gesticulated for them look back the way they came, and she shot out at top speed back towards the farm. Twilight looked back and her heart rose as she saw the unmistakable shape of a little filly with red hair waving at them. Like a single being, the entire group broke into a run back the way they came, Granny Smith racing past all and dropping the blunderbuss to jump at her granddaughter.

The next few minutes were a mishmash of hugs, kisses and tears of relief, as hands came down to pet the little filly's head, and the entire Apple family hugged Applebloom until the sound of bones popping forced them to stop. Then, as it was inevitable to happen, tears of joy became tears of anger and fear as they look closer at her, the fog of relief lifting to reveal the sight of a horribly wounded filly, her body covered in bruises and scratches, one eye swollen shut, a missing front tooth and, worst of all, a deep wound on her thigh.

"... and if ya ever pull something like that gain, ah'll personally chain ya to the plow" ended Big Mac in a massively uncharacteristic, and quite explicit, display of verbal castigation that left a Rarity and Fluttershy , busy helping Nurse Redheart to bind and clean Applebloom's wounds, red behind the ears, not used to hearing vulgarity.

"I'm... I'm... sure she's awfully sorry... " began Fluttershy, too kind-hearted to bear the sight of the downcast little filly.

"I'm sorry sugarcube but Big Mac is right. The silly filly's lucky she escaped, she could've gone an' gotten herself killed" Applejack cut Fluttershy short and then slowly at the edge of the sofa where they had put Applebloom for nurse Redheart to apply first aid.

"What in the hay were ya thinkin' girl? It was nothin' but a little scuffle. Yah didn't have ta go on an' do something foolish like that" she added to her little sister, her voice suddenly softer, her eyes moistening with every word. "For a moment there I actually thought I'd lost ya too, like ma' and pa' and it damn near made me keel over. Yah' can't do things like that Applebloom".

"THAT WAS IT. AH WASN'T THINKIN'" shouted the little filly "Ah was stupid. Ah said those awful, mean things to you, an' then ah ran like an idiot in the Forest. Ah'm sorry. Ah'm so sorry". Warm tears fell down her face and nose as she cried. The other five girls and the CMC looked at Applejack, their eyes telling her what she already knew. Let it go for now, the girl's been through enough as it is.

Applejack sighed and scooped her little sister in a hug.

"Ah know sweet filly. Ah know. Just promise ya' ain't gonna do somethin' like that ever again alright? Ah don't know what we'd ever do if somethin' were to happen to ya'"

Applebloom looked up at her sister and a tearful smile.

"Ah promise, sis. Ah'm sorry".

"Darn' tootin she ain't never gonna do somethin' like that ever again" came Granny Smith's voice from her rocking chair by the fire. ""Cause fer the next three months her chore list has just tripled".

A few of the girls laughed at the sight of the stunned filly, her mouth agape, clearly wanting to protest but knowing better than to chance the punishment to four months instead of just three.

"Ooooh... sorry kiddo" said Rainbow Dash, unable to help herself.

"Be that as it may, how in Celestia's name did you escape? Even the Royal Guards don't patrol the woods on a Moonless Night" asked Twilight, her curiosity greater than her mirth.

  Applebloom quickly snapped her attention to Twilight.

"Well... ah was runnin'... was being chased by some awful, skeleton lookin' things and one bit me... and... and when it bit me... ah got so scared ah ran faster than ah've ever had in mah life". Applebloom lied. She couldn't tell them about the thing that had saved her. The way they were now, they were more likely to attack first and ask questions later and from what Applebloom had seen she doubted that even the Elements of Harmony could handle that thing.

Twilight nodded her head, eyes closed. "Fear and shock induced adrenaline surge. I've read about it before".

Applebloom nodded quickly and sneaked a glance at the window. She could see the barn and the large creature that stood at the top alcove. It retread slowly into the shadows as the sun began to rise.

  Alberacht lay motionless in the shadows of the alcove, gazing at the procession of creatures that left the farm. They were so similar to humans, yet so different. Their faces were almost muzzled, their bodies were covered with short brightly colored fur and they sported animal-like ears and tails. It was of no matter, in his long unlife Alberacht had seen things that would have broken the minds of lesser vampires, dawi or humans. A world of anthropomorphic animals was the least odd situation he had ever seen.

None approached the barn. Good. He did not want to kill any of them, they were clearly close to the scarlet-haired girl, but he did not want to be discovered on anyone's terms but his own, even more.

The vampire looked to the red sky of early morning. He had long passed the point where the sun's rays did any real damage to him. Nonetheless, the sun drained him slightly of his powers. Shrugging slightly, the giant warrior drew his wings around him and slowly became one with the shadow, as Ulgu engulfed him and hid him from plain sight. He would sleep for this day and, with the coming of night, would leave the barn and this family well enough alone.

The pitter-patter of tiny feet, a sound so slight even a feline would have had trouble distinguishing it, awoke Alberacht. His eyes were drawn to the window and he gazed upon a tiny sneaking, and slightly limping, shape. The scarlet-haired girl. What was she doing? The sun had barely begun setting. Was she planning to go somewhere at night again. His queries were answered as he saw her draw closer to the barn, a small object clutched in her hands.

The vampire smirked slightly. It seems even this world was not devoid of treachery. However if this was an attempt to catch him by surprise, it was feeble at best.

"Jalnic" he said in native Kislevite as he soundlessly drew to his full twelve foot height, his head almost touching the roof, and walked upon the roof beams, his massive bulk moving with the litheness and grace of a prowling cat.

The barn door squawked noisily as the girl entered the darkening structure and started towards the stairs that led to the alcove. Alberacht let himself glide down, precise and quiet as a night owl and landed behind her, only the slight sound of shifting hay announcing his arrival. The girl had not heard it however, and Alberacht simply walked a few more steps in tandem with her.

"If you planned to kill me as I slept, might i suggest the mid-day as a better chance for you, albeit slightly" his deep basso voice rumbled.

"Eeek" the tiny thing squeaked, taken by surprise and turned to him. Alberacht was curious what tool she was holding. A knife, a hammer or maybe even a flintlock gun. He was not ready, however, to see the small plate of bread, boiled rice and vegetables that the little thing cradled in her arms. His nostrils flared as he caught the scent of the overripe vegetables and the overly boiled mushy rice. It was a shoddy attempt at cooking at best, clearly done by one who had no idea what they were doing. Most likely the girl herself had done the cooking.

"O... Oh... sorry... mister... ah didn' mean to wake ya'... Ah just th... thought ya'll would want somethin' to eat".

Alberacht grimaced inwardly. He had lost the need or want for any sustenance save fresh blood a long time ago. At this point even the Emperor's own supper with have tasted foul to him. What was worse than that however was that this arrogant little thing had attempted to offer him food. He was Alberacht Nictus, not some hungry, lost pup. He could hunt down his own prey, he did not need it delivered by a weak, little runt.

He opened his mouth, a chastising retort ready on his lips. The words stuck in his throat however, as the girl let a sheepish little smile lighten her face. For a moment Alberacht could not see the little pony. He saw only his dearly beloved Mishka. The same light brown eyes, the same missing front tooth, the same fiery scarlet hair, even the same sheepish smile and kind, open attitude. Alberacht snapped out of his reverie with a start and looked once again at the little pony. His white eyes glazed with fresh sorrow as he realized once again that Mishka would never again look up at him with those same light brown eyes. Before he realized it his hand hand slowly grasped the plate and he muttered slowly.

"Thank you... for your hospitality".

Her tiny face lightened up even more as the ancient vampire accepted her food. He pulled a slice of cucumber from the mass of food and began chewing with his sharpened serrated fangs. His deadened tang had no palette to speak of, but mortal food tasted horrific nonetheless and with great efforts he swallowed the vegetable, if nothing else than to just be able to see this little girl smile like his precious Mishka for few moments longer.

"I will abuse of your hospitality for only a few moments longer. I should leave once night completely falls"

Her face fell.

"Do yah have ta'? Where do ya' live... ah could come visit yah... ah visit Zecora in the forest so ah could visit ya' too".

Alberacht smiled. "I am a stranger in these lands little one. I have yet to claim a home".

"Than ya can live here 'till ya find one. Ahm sure mah sister wouldn't mind. Ya' did save me after all"she added, the gap-toothed smile once again plastered on her face. How quickly children could turn fear to affection never ceased to impress Alberacht.

"It would be best if you did not speak of me to anyone little one. I am not a pleasant sight as you can see and as for your family... I do not believe they would wish their youngest to associate themselves with a monster such as myself. I tank you little one for the offer little one however..."

"Applebloom, call me Applebloom mister..." she said quickly extending a tiny hand.

Alberacht stifled a chuckle and slowly knelt extending his massive hand. He caught Applebloom hand between two fingers and gently kissed the back of her hand, in the same fashion he had always done for his little Mishka. It had never failed to make his little daughter giggle.

"Alberacht" he said and Applebloom giggled at the overly formal salute.

Just like little Mishka.

"Just think about it, yah could use the barn for as much time as yah need mister Alberacht. Ah'll come tomorrow with another plate, hope ta see yah then too" Applebloom said as she waved him goodbye from the barn doors after an hour's worth of conversation. She closed the large door and sprinted back to the farm house.

Alberacht watched the little pony go from the alcove, not wanting to admit to himself that the only reason he did so was to make sure she got there safe. He had always been a bit overprotective of Mishk... no... he mustn't get confused... Applebloom... not Mishka. Applebloom.

Alberacht slowly walked the length of the barn and deposited the food he had hidden in the folds of his wings when Applebloom was not looking, in a small hole he made in the soft, hay-covered ground.

It did not do to disappoint a young lady, as such he had pretended to eat and enjoy her cooked meal.

Alberacht gazed at the moon that shone it's face from the window. It seemed somehow bigger and brighter in this world. Like a thing alive.

"Perhaps a few more days here" he muttered to himself and looked around fondly at his temporary home.

"Good night little one" he added, to no one in particular.

Next Chapter: Sweet Nostalgia Estimated time remaining: 21 Minutes