I stared out the upstairs window, eyes shimmering red. I watched as the sun crept onto the horizon headed into the violet sky. I looked back momentarily to gaze upon Fluttershy as she slept. I looked at the clock. Barely four in the morning. I sighed audibly. I had been awake all night, yet I felt like I had the energy to take on the world. It was the curse, and I knew it damn well. I flexed my wings, and I decided to go out for a quick flight I should try to see how fast I was now. As I walked towards the hatch that led to the stairs, I stopped myself. I looked to the half-open wardrobe, a sliver of my golden armour shining through the crack. The blood ruby in the center of the chest, bright as ever.

…Ten minutes later…

Angel had followed me out of the cottage and hopped along next to me as I trotted along the grassy field leading to the woods. As I neared the Everfree, I passed by three large ponds, the very same craters I created upon my arrival here in Ponyville. Even now, I imagine what could have been had I not been struck down in that fateful storm. I looked down to Angel. He was looking up to me, his ever-strong gaze piercing straight through mine. I nodded, smiling. The last thing I saw was him giving me the paws-up before I took off, sending dirt flying.

I felt the early morning air flowing through my mane as I sped up. I smiled as I felt my form explode through the sound barrier. My mane and tail whipped through the wind as I felt the power of the Sanguine Curse supercharge my body with ancient magic.

‘Just passed mach two…’

I flicked my wings back and flew skywards, heading through the clouds, high into the heavens.

‘Mach four…’

My grin widened as I let the power course through my veins, my wings carry me higher, and just then, at that moment, I remembered why I loved this curse so much. I felt like a god amongst ants. I felt like not even the heavens could contain me. Then, immeasurable pain exploded throughout my body.

I opened my eyes and looked down just in time to see my blood explode out of my body as I hit Mach ten. My crimson eyes widened in shock, and my body went limp. Even without the extra thrust, my momentum carried me even higher, my life trailing behind me. My eyes began to flutter as I lost speed, then after climbing another thousand feet, started to fall.

‘You think I was just counting for fun? Idiot.’

‘I… I must… stop… falling…’

I could feel my blood being restored, and my shredded muscle being repaired, but not fast enough. I was falling at a terrifying rate. I knew very well that even with the Curse active, and my adamant armour, a fall from this height into solid ground would most definitely kill me, especially as I was falling head-first.

‘Well then… it was fun, but it seems your stupidity has killed us.’

‘This sucks. This isn’t as cool as being killed by your father. At least then we could go out in a blaze of glory.’

‘This is not our time, damnit! Get your bearings and save us, you fool!’

‘SAVE US! I WANT TO EAT WHEATCAKES AGAIN!’

My eyes shot back open once again. The ground was getting quite close. At most, another three hundred feet until I hit the ground. You know what they say. Altitude flies by when you’re falling to your death.

'No… I will not die today. Nor in times to come… AND MOST OF ALL NOT AT MY FATHER’S HOOVES.’

Through all the pain, I managed to open my wings and angle them to slow my descent. I gritted my teeth as I worked, the ground just under fifty feet below me. The moment I touched the ground, I collapsed, sucking in air. That was far too close. Despite my immense power, flying at over Mach 10 is a right reserved only to Rainbow Dash.

That’s when I noticed that Fluttershy had come galloping out of the cottage to meet me.

“Red Storm! I heard an enormous explosion outside, and saw a red cloud, and you falling!” She had tears streaming down her face as she flung her hooves around me. “You had me so worried… I-I thought you were going to die!” She paused only to look into my crimson gaze.

“I… I thought I was going to lose you…” I coughed, standing up. Fluttershy squeaked at my strained movement, but I waved her off with a hoof.

“I told you-*hrrg!*-that I’m not going to-*gah!*-leave you… not now… not ever. You do not need to worry about me… I just- need something to eat…” As much as it pained me to even think about it, Fluttershy was looking rather appetizing after draining myself like that. Losing almost all my blood at once and having to regenerate it in less than a minute put quite a toll on my body.

“Come inside, Red Storm. You need to rest after that. I think you woke up the whole town with that… rainboom? I’m not sure what to call it.” I looked up, and the misty cloud of blood was still raining down from the sky. I felt the warm droplets begin to hit my face, and Fluttershy quickly noticed the gruesome rainfall as well.

“Red Storm! You said that your blood carries the Sanguine Curse! Does that mean…?” I shook my head.

“The blood of a Sanguine Noble must be given, not taken. Blood is the essence of life, and has different spiritual properties depending whether or not it is taken from the host, or given willfully. It’s the reason I survived this time. Given blood, or in this case, donated blood, is far more potent than stolen blood. And, in the case of a Sanguine Noble, only blood that is offered may transmit the curse. One cannot receive the curse by, for say, biting a Sanguine Noble. It must be offered, otherwise the forbidden fruit withers and loses its luster. I can go on about this, but I feel like we should go back inside and wash up.” Fluttershy looked nervous, but she remained calm despite being misted in the blood of her spouse. We returned inside, where we took showers individually to rid ourselves of my blood. All the while Angel stood, watching inquisitively.

…One hour later…

I stepped out of the shower, only to be greeted with the smell of fresh blood. I trot into the kitchen to find that Fluttershy had prepared breakfast: A normal cabbage and carrot soup for her and wheatcakes for me. However, upon closer inspection, the wheatcakes were drizzled with syrup which were an ominous red color. She knows I love raspberries. She stood at the sink washing the cooking utensils.

“Love, you made breakfast. I told you that you don’t have to cook for me anymore. I have the blood reserves upstairs.” Fluttershy smiled, kissing me on the cheek.

“I know you told me not to, but I wanted to try a few things. I take care of a lot of animals, some carnivorous, so I had some idea of how to make something you might enjoy. I hope you don’t mind.” I looked back at the plate, and took a seat. I smelled the faint aroma of blood, but it was mostly overcome with the sweetness of syrup and the smoky smell of the cakes. I cut out a piece, and took a bite. Instead of tasting ash like I normally would when eating food while under the effects of the Curse, my mouth exploded with flavor. The flavor of the blood (B-), the flavor of the wheat (grown on the farms south of the town), and the syrup (extracted from trees straight from Apploosa). I chewed, and swallowed. Once I was done, I calmly wiped my mouth, and looked to my wife.

“This is perfect, Fluttershy. I give you my immeasurable thanks.” Fluttershy waved a hoof at me, blushing as she took her seat across me.

“Oh, Red Storm, don’t be silly. I’m your wife. It’s my job to make you delicious food. No matter how weird your cravings get.” She giggled at the end, and I chuckled.

“Very well, Fluttershy. I see your point. Thank you again for taking the time to make this. It really does mean more than you could know.”

Fluttershy and I spent the next half hour eating and discussing her ideas for recipes. Together we made up many different pastries (Sanguine Velvet Cake), drinks (Bloodied Marey), and even sandwiches (Blood Sausage Sub). After she felt comfortable with our ideas, I led her back upstairs before returning to do the dishes. I stood in silence as I washed the utensils and plates, thinking about the days ahead. I had to ensure that the town would be prepared. Now more than ever, we needed gems, soldiers, and weapons. I sighed, rubbing my temples with my wingtips.

“I fear that there is not enough time… even with everypony working to fortify the town and train… I fear it is not enough.”

“Perhaps. But that is why you must be the ace in the hole.” I spun around in surprise. ‘How could somepony sneak up on me like that?’ However, my alarm quickly faded to calm as I saw Sandsturm leaning on the wall behind me.

"Where did you learn to do that?" I asked him, head cocked to one side. His aroma overwhelmed me, but something about him seemed... different. His mane, perhaps?

"Figure it out. Not to difficult, really. But that's beside the point. What is important is that you figure out how you're going to save all these ponies." I closed my eyes, inhaling.

"I'm not sure, Sandsturm. I really don't know. I know that I'm supposed to be a leader, a strategist, but I really can't see how this could work out. Even if we survive... defeat my father... the toll would be enormous. Lives… Families... the town itself... it almost seems like a good idea to just turn myself over t-" Sandsturm interrupted me in the form of slapping me across the face with his tail.

"Damnit, Red Storm! What are you saying!? What about Fluttershy? What about me? Would you really throw everything away just because things look grim? You are used to staring down impossible odds and winning. It's what you were trained for! What you were born for! You are to be a legend in history, and you think that you are merely some pawn to be disposed of? If that were the case, why would any of this be happening?" I thought for a moment, cocking my head to the side while he continued. "You were meant to be great. You will be great. Just allow yourself to be. STOP PITYING YOURSELF AND FIGHT BACK!" He paused, realizing he had shouted. We both looked to the ceiling, but when nothing happened, the dusty stallion looked back to me, calm replacing his momentary distress.

"Please. Realize you are something worth fighting for. Your life is. And if not yours, then at least consider your wife's." He paused, and we stared at each other. I nodded, regaining my resolve. I clenched my jaw as he turned to leave.

“Sandsturm.” He turned back to me, eyes glimmering for a moment, before raising an eyebrow.

“Why… why did you leave me? Why did you disappear? And where have you been? Why do you seem so eager to leave again?” The dusty stallion sighed deeply before smiling at me.

“I’ve never left you. You should have realized that. I was with you every day. I still am. My memory is with you, even when I am not. I’m sorry for you. I’m sorry for your anguish. But now is not the time to linger on such things. I… I really should be going. It’s late. You need your rest.”

He started again for the door, but as he pulled open the door, I swept up to him, with a single question more.

“Sandsturm!” He looked at me again, now becoming slightly annoyed.

“No kiss this time?” I said, shooting him a sharp-toothed grin.

“No. Go to bed. I must take my leave. Besides, you are married.” I was taken aback, but nodded slowly as I watched him leave. I watched him until he disappeared over the bridge before closing the door, quietly. I sighed, making my way back upstairs, back to Fluttershy. I entered the bedroom as quietly as I could, not wanting to wake up my sleeping beauty. I looked at my bloody, discarded armour next to my wardrobe. I cringed, and decided to clean it since I wasn’t really tired to begin with.

Like a ghost, I moved about the room collecting a rag, some stain (blood) remover, polish, a bowl of hot water, and a brush. I sat on the floor a few tail-lengths from the bed and got to work. I sat in silence, thinking to myself as I worked. I started by scrubbing the hardened blood off of the plates with the damp rag and brush. I worked gently but quickly, the brush the only noise aside from my heart beating and Fluttershy’s breathing; not even the mice in the walls emitted any sound tonight. Normally, it would have been difficult to work in the dim moonlight, but my enhanced eyes pierced the darkness as if it were high noon. I began to think as I polished my cuirass, already halfway done. I thought about my previous life, and my new one. I thought about Sandsturm, and Fluttershy. I thought about Redmane Keep and its luxuries. Most of all though, I thought about the Armour. The Armour of War, and all its power. Suddenly, I was jerked back to reality by… something. I shook my head, removing the excess thoughts from my consciousness as I continued to clean my armour.

One hour later…

Pushing my armour back onto its mannequin, I blinked with slight drowsiness in my eyes. My body was finally beginning to fall from the magic high, and returning to normal… more or less. Making my way to the bed, I sighed again, for no real reason. I needed to rest my mind and my body, even if it didn’t want to. I had to start issuing orders tomorrow.
The defense of Ponyville begins tomorrow.

Author's Notes:

Well, well, well. Look's like I'm finally back.
...
No, I was not eaten by the Sarlacc.
Anyway. Important. I thought you guys deserved a heads-up, but I'm actually thinking about switching perspectives throughout the rest of Act V. You know, important ponies like Whitewash, Fluttershy, Corona... Just to give a new feeling to this whole thing.
I donno. If you don't like it, say so in the comments.
Not that it'll change my mind. I just wanna hear what you think.