I sat on the couch, downing another glass of whiskey, provided by Whitewash. Fluttershy sat next to me, leaning on my shoulder attempting to provide comfort. Whitewash and Glock stood across from me, looks of worry on their face. The rest of the Elements, Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash stood around the room. All eyes were on the letter, sitting on the coffee table, its blood red Sanguine Seal burning holes into our minds. We simply sat in silence, staring at the letter. Whitewash was the first to speak up.

“I suppose this is all the more reason to contact the Princesses about a defense.” I nodded without saying a word, mind swimming with thoughts.

‘How could I allow this to happen? I have doomed us all.’

‘It’s not your fault.’

‘Of course it’s his fault, he fled his father. His kingdom. This was inevitable, and he knew it. He dragged everypony into his grave.’

‘I did… it is all my fault. Everypony shall die because of me.’

‘No… it is not too late. You can save them. Nothing is written in stone.’

‘…’

‘An epitaph is.’

I stood up quickly, startling Fluttershy.

“If my father wants a war, then he shall get one. Whitewash. You leave tonight. You know what to do.” Whitewash nodded, and I turned to Glock. “You are going to whip up a militia, and train the reinforcements when they arrive.”

“No problem. I’ve got it handled,” Glock said with a grin. I turned to Twilight.

“I need you to write to your Princess. We require as many of her spare detachments as she can spare.” Twilight nodded at this, and I turned to Rainbow Dash.

“Rainbow. I know for a fact that Cloudsdale has a legendary military history. If you can, send word to them that war is coming, and request aid from them. I’m sure they will be happy to oblige, if all pegasi are like you.”

“You got it!” I grinned, some of Rainbow’s enthusiasm rubbing off on me. Next was Applejack.

“Applejack, would any of your family-”

“Say no more, Red Storm. Ya have the Apple’s support. We’re always will’n to help out in any way we can. Not ta like we’re gonna turn down a fight. We pretty much founded this country, and we ain’t gonna just hand it over ta some big-shot king and his lackies.” I was slightly surprised, but I found new strength in her resolve. I turned to Rarity.

“Believe it or not, Rarity, I will need your aid as well. In order to enchant and augment armor and weapons, we require gems. More specifically, Soul Sapphires and Blood Rubies. With your special gem-seeking spell, I’m sure you can find some in the area. I would be lying if I said I haven’t found a few mining.” Rarity hesitated, but nodded. Next was Pinkie Pie.

“While your job may not seem to be important, it may be most important of all. We face impossible odds against an enemy that has never before been defeated in war. We need morale support, and you are the best candidate. I need you to make a morale campaign, for without morale in war, even the greatest army is no more useful than a box of kittens.” Pinkie beamed at this, getting to do what she does best in defense of her home. I then looked down at my wife. She looked ready to curl up in a corner and cry.

“As much as it pains me to say this, love, but I have something to ask you as well.” Fluttershy sniffled once, but didn’t flinch. She already knew what I was going to say.

“Ponies will not be enough in the battle to come. As I recall, you have an incredible standing in the Everfree. I need you to request aid from the animals that live there, such as the Manticores, the Timber Wolves, and any other animals you can convince to aid us. Remind them that this battle is as much theirs as ours, for if we fail in our defense, then I can assure you my father will burn the Everfree to the ground.” Fluttershy gasped at the thought, but nodded slowly. I sighed.

“Im sorry that I must bear down on you all like this. I am burdening you all with my own problems.” Applejack wrapped a foreleg around me.

“Aw, sugarcube, it’s all right. We all have our own luggage, an’ our own problems. But that’s what friends are for. Helping each other out, even if that means going down fight’n with ‘em!” I chuckled.

“Very well. Seeing as you are all so intent on dying for me, then let it be heard: we shall fight together, and if it should be so, die together! Not only as allies, but as the truest of friends! A family bonded by the heart!” Everypony in the room cheered, including Fluttershy for once.

As I looked around the room, ponies roaring with enthusiasm at the battle to come.

‘Come father. Come and fight me. I will be ready.’

…Later that night…

“Red Storm? What are we doing at the hospital?” I had asked Twilight Sparkle to follow me as I made one last trip. Fluttershy was at home talking with her animals, and I sighed a heavy sigh as I entered the front door of the hospital. May Luna have mercy on my soul…

“We are here to make one last errand, but I wanted to ask your opinion of my thoughts.” The lavender unicorn nodded, and I continued. My expression grew dark.

“I know for a fact, that even if we aquire ever other item for our defense, my father alone will still be far too powerful for us to overcome. In short, we will fail, unless I do something… drastic.” Twilight put two and two together and her eyes went wide.

“You’re going to feed your curse?” I nodded.

“Without the blood magic, there is no way I can possibly hope to stand against my father, even if I were to train day and night. I nearly broke my leg falling down the stairs the other day. There is no way I could possibly hope to fight him the way I am… however, my father is not the only threat. He will foresee me indulging once more, and will bring my mother and sister for extra support. Even should I defeat my father, my mother and sister would destroy this country in a tide of fire and arcane death.” Twilight shuddered.

“So there is no way to defeat them? No way at all?” I shook my head.

“We can always use your Elements of Harmony to weaken them, perhaps subdue them for a while… but it wouldn’t be enough. It calls for something… more.” Twilight looked even more disturbed at what I was implying.

“Are you saying… infect us with the Sanguine Curse?” I lowered my gaze to the ground.

“In a way. I think I would be able to create a ritual that will grant temporary effects without the actual curse, but it requires blood. Lots of it. So, here we are.” Twilight pulled me back.

“Hold on, I never agreed to anything! Who says this is the only way?” I turned back, my eye brimming with disdain.

“I do. You have never fought my family one-on-one. Even when I was still feeding my curse, I could barely stand against my sister, let alone my mother. Yes, Twilight Sparkle, you are powerful. But you are as insignificant as an ant to somepony like my sister, and are closer to a mite to my mother. I doubt that one of the Princesses could fare well against them should they be at full strength. That is how powerful they are. Again, this may not work at all. We may all die screaming in arcane fires, but this is our best bet.” Twilight silently nodded after that, and I apologized.

“I am sorry for this, but I feel like this may be the only way to preserve our lives. I wouldn’t be doing this if there was another way.” Twilight gave another nod, and I turned around, walking up to the front desk. Nurse Redheart was standing there, and when she saw me, she gave a noticeable shiver.

“Hello, Red Storm. What brings you here today? Are you here for an injury, or do you want to buy all of our blood now?” She scoffed.

“Actually, yes. I am here to purchase any medical blood you may have to spare!” She choked.

“Wha-wha-WHAT? What for?” I shrugged.

“Oh, no reason. My evil warlord father just declared war on Equestria, and I need to use the blood for rituals in order to strengthen myself enough to face him. Why?” Redheart looked like she was about to faint.

“I… I… I’ll be right back…” She walked away in a daze, headed into the back room behind the front desk. Moments later she returned, wheeling a large cooler on a gunny.

“Here… this is… all of it. I’m not even sure how much this is worth…” I waved my hoof, dropping my last emerald on the counter. I opened the cooler, and took the topmost blood pack. A+… my favorite. I stared at the blood for several minutes, wondering whether or not I should drink it. Other than licking cuts and scrapes I got on a daily basis, this would be the first real feeding I would have had in almost a year. I heard a whisper in my ear:

“Do what you must to keep your friends safe. I stand by you with you decision.” I turned to the voice, and there was Sandsturm. His delicious sent filled my nostrils. “Do not fear yourself. You control your life. Do not think anything else does. Go on. Stop running from your fate.” He nuzzled my cheek, and stepped back. I nodded, and tore open the blood pack, drinking deeply of its contents. Immediately I felt the rush of the curse. My senses sharpened, and my muscles flexed and grew. Once again, I was a Blooded Prince, and it showed. I tore open another blood pack, guzzling its contents, before drinking one more. I had forgotten what real power felt like, and I loved the feeling.

I took a deep breath, and exhaled. I was bathed in scents. The scent of the dust in the air, the illness in the hospital. The scent of the cleaning products on the floors and windows. The scent of Redheart. Of Twilight. Of Sandsturm.

“Red Storm, are you alright? You… you tore into that blood like an animal!” I looked back at her, my eyes burning like hellfires. I grinned slyly, blood trickling from my mouth, my stained teeth as sharp as razors.

“I have never felt better.” I returned my gaze back to Redheart, spinning on my hooves too fast to see, causing her to jump.

“Nurse! I require more blood. We have a month to prepare, and this is not enough. Perhaps we can organize a blood drive?” She shook like a leaf.

“Su-sure… I can talk to the Mayor… I’ll make sure you get your blood.”

“Excellent.” I then remembered about Sandsturm. Strangely, he was nowhere around.

“Pray tell, Twilight, did you happen to see a young stallion leave just now? About my height, sandy brown? Beautiful, green eyes?” Twilight looked at me sideways, thinking. Then she nodded.

“Yes, a stallion jus left, but I didn’t see his face. Though… something was off about him… why?” I put a hoof to my chin, before shaking off the feeling.

“No reason. I thought he was somepony I knew.” I ran a hoof through my mane. It was getting long again.

“Well, I suppose that wraps up our business here. Come on Twilight. Let’s get you home.” Twilight Sparkle shook her head.

“No, I need to speak with your friend Glock. I need to figure out the best way to utilize the Elements of Harmony during the battle.” I shrugged.

“Fine. Suit yourself.” I took another deep breath, and stopped half-inhalation.

“Twilight…”

“Yes? What is it?”

“Did you know you’re pregnant?”

I stood before Fluttershy, cooler of blood on my back. She simply gaped in disbelief at me. I stood in silence, trying to act innocent. My eyes still burned red, and would for at least for another few days from the amount of blood I had consumed. Finally she spoke:

“Red Storm! Have you been drinking blood again?”

“No. Yes. Maybe. I have an eye infection.” She gave me a look of annoyance.

“When did you decide you were going to do this?” I cocked my head to the side.

“About twenty minutes ago. Why? Does it bother you? Really, does it? I’ll sleep on the couch.” She shook her head.

“No. I can get over it. But I thought we promised to discuss these things.” I looked away, closing my eyes.

“I know… It’s just that… I… I’m sorry Fluttershy. I need to prepare myself for the coming battle, and that means drinking blood again. I can’t beat my father any other way.” She lifted my chin to face her again.

“Red Storm. I understand you need to take certain measures to ensure everypony’s safety… but we need to make sure that those measures are safe for you too. I don’t want you doing something like this without telling me, ok?” I nodded, and she planted a quick peck on my cheek.

“Thank you. Now, can you please come to dinner, Red Storm? I made some nice carrot stew.” I put a hoof to my stomach, making a slightly guilty expression.

“Sorry love, but blood is like food for me. I’m full already!” Fluttershy scrunched up her muzzle, and I tried to look innocent. The red eyes and carnivorous teeth didn’t help. She then swiftly turned around and headed for the kitchen.

“Well fine then! I suppose I’ll just eat with Angel. You go do… whatever. I’ll see you in bed, honey.” I sighed, and headed upstairs. I placed the cooler in the corner of the room. It was enchanted with a simple spell so that it always stayed cold, so I just sat down on the bed. I sat there for another hour, thinking. Thinking about how I was going to prepare myself to face my father. How I was going to save everypony I loved. Everypony I didn’t even know. How I could possibly live up to such expectations? I was no hero. I was a soldier, born to a madman and a madwoman. I was lucky to get this far. I sighed.

“Perhaps… perhaps none of this was meant to be.”

“I think it was.” I was startled by Fluttershy’s voice as she entered the room. She flew over to the bed, lying down next to me.

“I think that you were meant to come here. To meet me. To fall in love with me. If I had never met you, I would still be the quiet, squeamish little pegasus living alone with all of her animals.” I was astonished at how she had viewed herself, and that she was telling me now. “You have changed my life, and every pony else’s in Ponyville; for better or worse. It doesn’t even matter. What does matter is that you are here. With me. And nothing will ever change that.” I smiled at her, and kissed her.

“You’re right. I shouldn’t worry about that, for if it wasn’t meant to happen, then it wouldn’t have. Thank you, Fluttershy. You truly are my guiding light.” She pulled me down onto the bed, giggling.

“Alright then, Mr. Worry it’s time for bed.” She paused, putting a hoof to her chin as if she was thinking about something.

“You know, I don’t think we’ve ever spent a night with you red-eyed and all. How much blood did you say you drank?”

“About three liters. Why?”

“That’s a lot of calories to burn.” I blinked twice, amazed that this was suddenly a game to her.

“Is that safe?” I asked, honestly worried for her well-being. I could easily demolish the house with a kick right now.

“We’ll find out, won’t we?” She pulled me into another kiss, and then we embraced.

It was hardly safe at all.

Author's Notes:

I know, I know. I said I wouldn't be able to update for a wihile now seeing as I am moving. However, it appears that even amongst the chaos of packing, I have found even more time than ever to type. So, I don't know. Until I actually move into another house, I may continue to update once a week or so. No promises.