I’d slept poorly the previous day. Dreams of Octavia, her mother, and armies of hungry Vamponies kept waking me, and for the first time in a long time, I was scared of going back to school. It had always been a fear, of course. There was a very real possibility of me not returning home each morning. But somehow, over the course the last few years, that fear became inconsequential. Unimportant. There was no reason to fear it since there was no solution that didn’t involve the possibility of death. Thus, the fear drifted off.

Now, however, there were Vamponies watching me. A minor slip up could be brushed off in the past; a twitch, a squint, a shiver. All these things went mostly unnoticed, and even when a Vampony noticed, it wasn’t enough to set off any warning bells. Now, however, I would have to disguise myself perfectly. I couldn’t afford even a moment’s lapse in concentration. Talk about hardcore.

Two hours before nightfall, I finally gave up on my spotty nightmares and instead meandered my way outside. Even if I was being watched, the daylight at this time would keep any snoops indoors and safe from the deathly rays, lest they be blinded for life. As always, Celestia’s last gift to ponydom washed my worries away, and I spent a blissful hour bathing in sunlight. It felt wonderful, but I needed to get ready.

Back inside, I took off my bandages and inspected my legs. They were completely healed, thanks in part to the herbal remedies that Octavia had brought me and in part to a healing spell I’d found during her absence. That, in tandem with the antibiotics, had gotten me back to what felt like proper working order. And after my sunbath, I couldn’t help but feel a little optimistic about the night to come.

You would think one could only be mistaken so many times before they got a free pass, or something.

It had been a few days since I’d done a full, proper daily ritual. Therefore, I was extra thorough. I washed my coat, mane and lady bits thrice, and then covered them in some very light Vampony perfume, for good measure. My eyes were watered, then massaged, so the drops sank in properly. By the way, eye massages are the most awkward, uncomfortable thing in the world. I grabbed my shades and put them on, casting an adhesion spell that would keep them in place through most minor physical exertion. I then ran through my list of spells that would keep me cool, calm, collected and camouflaged among the bloodsuckers.

Physical preparation finished, I took a moment to run through an emotional tirade. I forced myself to get happy, then sad, then angry, and so forth. I’m not sure why I did this, or if it even helped, but it made me feel better to know I could still show emotion; like I wasn’t turning into one of them.

I grabbed my saddlebags, tossed my school work in, and made my way outside. The sun had sunk below the horizon, and dusk was upon me. By the time I reached the main road, a few of my early rising neighbours were making their way to work, drug halls, the blood market. Wherever they needed to be, really. A regular night.

I'd get to school early, of course, having left right after daybreak. I tried to keep it mixed up, early one day, on time another. Sometime I came a bit late. I had to make sure the more determined females couldn’t predict my schedule, or they’d all show up at the same time. Males too, but they were easier to cope with. That, and they had second pick.

Of course, my fellow students could just follow me home, and then ambush me in the early evening. But that would mean getting up early. Funny how some things don’t change, be you pony or Vampony.

As I reached the central market of my district of the city, a strange sight was presented to me. In the past, a giant statue of the rising sun and waxing gibbous phase of the lunar cycle stood in the center of the market. After the turning, the statue was torn down, on the princess’s command, and replaced with a raised dais, which held a trio of stockades. These were not the average, ordinary stockade one would find in a Vampony society. They were not indeed meant to start orgies and make fetishes possible, as the Vampony community and I had found out. Instead, in the stockade were placed criminals. The punishment was simple enough; the prisoner was not to be touched, fed, watered, or interacted with in any way. Their crime was written on a giant board set above the stockades, as was their punishment. Typically, it was along the lines of “X Nights” where X was the duration of their stay. They were released at dawn, and placed in a nearby holding cell until the next evening. Depending on the potency of their crime, they were sometimes given a glass of blood, to stay their thirst and keep them alive. Others weren't so lucky. It was rare, but every once in a while, you could see a necrophile walk off with a “prisoner”

The sight of the Vamponies in the stockades, as they were often occupied, was not what surprised me. Normally, the stockades were ignored; the interest had worn out long ago. Instead, a large crowd was milling about and the Vamponies were speaking excitedly to one other. I smelt the musk of excited females and saw the bits of aroused males, probably due to the females, and could only wonder what had happened.

Now, obviously I wasn’t going to shove my snout into the crowd and toss the bloodsuckers out of my way. That would be idiotic, especially now that I knew how they could tell I was virgin. In fact, I saw a few curious females sniffing the air before looking around excitedly, and quickly trotted away. I’d have to get to higher ground if I wanted to see what was going on.

A little off to the side, I saw a market stall that had a solid-looking roof. After a quick look around to make sure no Vampony was watching, I clambered up on top of the stand and took another look at the stockades.

It immediately became obvious what the excitement was all about. In the middle of the square, a dozen guards stood surrounding the central stockade and blocking it from view. I saw a few cockier Vamponies try to push their way onto the dais, only to be violently thrown back by a spell that surrounded the whole regiment. The reason for all the added protection was written across the board.

This citizen has been identified as a traitor.
For committing the crime of helping ponies escape the post-turning feast, she has been sentenced to death by sunlight.
This Vampony is living proof that ponies still walk the world of Equestria. The princess has declared, in these exact words: “As the saying goes, first come, first served.”

The gathered Vamponies weren't aroused, they were excited. And who could blame them? After roughly seven years of famine, a few lucky souls would get to experience pony flesh.

My eyes turned to the Vampony on the dais. Was it true? Were there other ponies alive? I didn’t know how to feel about this revelation. On the one hoof, I might be a mother one day. I might get to have sex and have living friends. I might get to live the life of a pony, far off in whatever paradise these survivors had found.

On the other hoof, on top of being surveyed more closely by Octavia’s mother, I would have to endure the searches the city dwellers would no doubt undergo as the blood-starved denizens tried to find a lead. And if a hoard of Vamponies couldn’t find a group of ponies, what were my odds?

As I had been thinking, a murmur had started rifling through the crowd. It slowly morphed into a chant, directed at the prisoner. “Where’s the meat?” Was repeated over and over, getting louder and louder as the clearing swelled with Vamponies of all ages. Despite, or perhaps due to this, the prisoner remained silent, although she glared cockily at the throng.

I decided not to stay and watch the inevitable violence that would follow if the prisoner refused to divulge the location. I had my own worries, namely my first day back to school in two weeks.

*****

My little stunt at the market had delayed me slightly, but I was still plenty early. It was therefore a surprise to see the entry hall and corridors flooded with students, and there was only one topic to be heard.

I approached a small group of males, one of which I had actually spoke to in the past. Noteworthy didn't even turn to acknowledge me as his friend Harpo told them about his discovery.

“So because she helped them escape, she’s going to be burned! By the sun! But forget about her, what are you guys going to do about the daywalkers? She said they were still alive, and hiding far away, but I bet you she’s lying. I think they’re here, in the capitol; what better place to hide than in plain sight?” He said, more excited than most Vamponies had any right to be.

I’d had my suspicions about Harpo being a hidden pony, due in large part to his expressiveness and emotional tendencies, but he wasn’t the only Vampony who showed a slightly increased capacity for feelings. Oddly enough, they had documented it as an actual condition. Improper Emotional Reshaping, although most Vamponies just referred to it as “Raritying,” after the most chronic patient. They said it was a bi product of undergoing so many turnings at once. The condition was rare, and any Vampony who suffered from it was diagnosed at once to avoid being mistaken for a pony in disguise and the consequences of such an act.

“I think you’re wrong, Harpo.” Noteworthy replied, as another male who I didn’t know nodded. “They have nothing to gain from staying in the city. There’s no food here for them, and they’d be surrounded by our kind. Maybe a lone pony would stick around, because of that whole need for company we both feel. That heard mentality, you know. But a group? No, I’m sure they’re trying their best to hide out in the mountains or a huge open plane. You know, somewhere our kind would have trouble crossing before the sun rose.”

Despite his calm, I could tell Noteworthy was excited. I could smell him. Vamponies let off certain scents when they’re aroused or excited, although there’s a subtle difference between the two. The musk hung heavy in the air, both from him and the rest of the school.

Suddenly, Harpo looked behind me and nodded his head. “Who’s the new kid?”

I turned about and found myself nose to chest with what must have been the largest female I had ever seen. She was easily a head taller than me, with bulging muscles and a wild mane. I knew instantly that this was the pony who was going to be keeping a watch on Octavia and me.

She glared at me, then at my little group. It seemed to me like she was looking for something, but failed to find it. After a moment, she walked on, disappearing around the first corner she could find. I had the feeling she’d be staying within earshot.

“Well that was serendipitous.” Harpo said. “So, about those ponies?”

“Harpo, first of all, even if that was a word, this is probably not the correct context to use it. Second, I’m more interested in why she would help them escape. Maybe she wanted to eat them as they grew and multiplied?” I asked, trying to make my voice sound more excited than I felt.

That comment prompted the boys to move on with their conversation, and I was about to move on to my locker when a thought hit me. I carefully adjusted my tail and tried to waft my scent in their direction, just a little. After a moment, all three sets of noses sniffed deeply, and I saw their eyes flick towards me for an instant. Then, just as was anticipated, they returned to their conversation, since females are expected to lead any sexual interaction. However, they shifted in ways that I had never noticed before. Their circle moved ever so slightly, so that I was slightly more centralized. Their ears also turned, just enough to show me I held their attention. The musk around me changed slightly, still excited, but now almost equally aroused. Every so often, as they spoke, their eyes would flick towards me, and they would frequently try to get me to join in their discussion. I’m fairly certain that, even though I couldn’t see them, their genitals would also be reacting slightly.

I know that back when I was a pony, stallions were expected to hit on mares, despite the ratio. In a world where mares were just as horny as stallions, if not more, it seemed to have fallen to the numerically dominant sex to initiate the interaction. I guess it would imply that a stallion got the pick of the lot, but in this day and age, it was more akin to first come, first served. Again, not that I was complaining.

“Well, I’ll be heading to my locker now. See you later Harpo, generic others.” I said as I stepped back and away from them. As I did so, their ears folded slightly, but they showed no other obvious sign of disappointment.

Since I couldn’t attend anatomy class, maybe I could conduct my own experiments to learn instead?

Unfortunately, such endeavors would have to wait. As I began to walk away, I saw Octavia stride into the school, looking regal but unhappy. She spotted me and immediately turned away, stalking off to any place in the school that didn’t include me. A moment later, a suave looking unicorn followed, attempting to converse with the mare, who simply ignored him.

“Oh, are you two friends now?” Noteworthy asked as he pulled up alongside me. “Seems like she doesn’t see it that way. I remember seeing you eating lunch with her that one day before you vanished for two weeks. Which reminds me, where were you? You missed some awesome classes, and orgies, and… yeah.”

“No, we’re not friends. She didn’t talk to me after lunch.” I replied. “I have the feeling she doesn’t like me, and I don’t like most of any Vampony, so it’s good.”

Noteworthy shook his head. “Virgin, prude, loner, and on top of that, intellectual, fit, and you work in a club. Is there anything about you that isn’t desirable? You know that the isolation you put yourself through is totally unnecessary right? You almost literally have your pick of any Vampony in our school, maybe even all off Canterlot. I wouldn't be surprised if you could court Princess Luna herself.”

I pulled my books out for hunting. “Don’t care, not interested. Asexual.”

“Bullshit you are. That’s impossible for our kind; didn’t you pay attention in the boring parts of orgy class? You do for every other class” He asked as we made our way to class.

“Even if I would pay attention, I don’t have anatomy. Got special permission from the principle to skip it, on account of I don’t want sex. We both know if I entered that class I wouldn’t leave a virgin.”

He huffed and sat down at his desk. Noteworthy tried very hard to earn my pussy; he always sat beside me, despite hating the front of the class. He helped me with my work on the rare occasions I needed it. He only flirted a little, and didn’t pry too much. He was understanding and kind; almost a friend, or the closest thing I’d had before Octavia.

Speaking of, she entered the class shortly after we had, her suave shadow right behind her, and the monster mare behind him. My mood, sour enough as is, worsened at the sight of the trio, and I huffed before turning back to my close acquaintance. I don’t know why I was annoyed at Octavia; it wasn’t her fault, and if anything it gave me more freedom to have her kept away from me.

The teacher arrived shortly after, and I found out that we would be performing a practical test on Wednesday. I always dreaded practical tests in hunting since, to be feasible, the students had to be able to enter the hunt, a feat which was always impossible for me for obvious reasons. I’ve heard it all before; blah blah increased speed, strength, agility, endurance blah blah blah. I’d failed every practical exam so far, but the instructor insisted I participate all the same. It certainly didn’t help that I always feared they would manage to sniff me out once their senses were on high alert. At least I might have a friend to lean on after I fail mise--

Wait, if Octavia entered the hunt with me nearby… Uh oh.

*****

The day had passed uneventfully. After hunting class, I had approached the teacher, and pre-empted his refusal by asking if I could attempt the exam in private. My excuse was that maybe being around other Vamponies was unsettling me; I was known for being a recluse, as it were. He didn’t buy it, and told me that I’d do it with the rest of the class. Worse, he said if I couldn’t enter the hunt this time, he’d probably end up kicking me out of the class. 60% of our final grade rested on the practical portion of the year, thus making it impossible for me to pass without at least one passing grade on a non-written test. I wanted to ask if there was any way he would pass me for the class, but I already knew what the answer would be.

Math, lunch, and gym passed in a blur as I reflected on my options. I could just drop the class before Wednesday, but hunting was a mandatory subject, which meant I’d just have to take it again anyway if I wanted to graduate. I could appeal to the principle, but I knew from experience that the only way to convince him to bend the rules was a role in the hay, which was out of the question. Not to mention he’s like 50. Gross.

On top of my worries, Octavia still wasn’t speaking to me. At this point, I was rather happy about it, to be honest. Between my fear of the hunting test, my fear of her mother, and my annoyance at her, I had no desire whatsoever to speak with miss perfect.

Music finally rolled around, and to my dismay, we had a supply teacher. Music was one of the only things I actually enjoy about school. I said fuck it and decided to just skip the last class and go home early. Normally I wouldn’t chance a detention like that over nothing, but I’m sure my teacher would let me out of it tomorrow.

I took my stuff, which included a large pile of make-up homework, and made my way home. I was in a drab mood, which didn’t improve when I saw guards and citizens still stationed around the holding cell in the center of the city. It had slipped my mind, the prisoner, and seeing her reminded me of the searches that were to come, and the fact that a pocket of my kind still existed somewhere in the world.

Instead of filling me with any joy, it just angered me further. How come they got to live on, blissfully free from the struggle I faced? Safe in paradise, while I fought every night to see the dawn? Able to laugh and talk and love freely, while I was forced to keep the company of these fiends due to my instincts? It wasn’t fair!

And just like that, I knew what I was going to do. I galloped home and locked myself inside. With no time to lose, I did all my work and ate a hearty meal. I got all my stuff ready for the next night, and gathered up some equipment. A cloak, long and able to cover my whole body, down to the ground, a map of Equestria and beyond, and some paper and a few pencils. All the while, I thanked Celestia that Vamponies go blind very quickly in any form of strong light.

*****

Dawn. I kept glancing out my doorway, waiting for the first rays of sunlight to hit the tops of the buildings around my home. I knew the most fanatical Vamponies would stay by the stockades until the last possible second, begging for meat, so I had to wait for the sun to poke above the horizon.

It was an easy plan, but one that could have dire consequences if any Vampony saw me. After all, I would need more than a single day to prepare for my adventure.

The light had barely grazed the highest roof when I left. My cloak was trailing along the ground slightly, which was good, since I didn’t want even my fur colour to be seen. My magic held the cloak in place and prevented it from flapping or catching on any protruding stones as I galloped my way to the stockades. She wouldn’t live for long in these conditions, so I had to be fast.

I reached the main road with no incidents, and rushed along it to the market. I saw neither hide nor hair of another soul, which suited me greatly. Only a few more minutes and I would have the information I needed to start chasing after my kind.

I heard a wail of pain and redoubled my efforts. The light would only get stronger as time passed, and the stockades were raised above the city road. I skidded around a corner, and there it was.

Up on the center stage, the Vampony was writhing in agony. She couldn’t move out of the way as her body slowly began to smoke. Her eyes, shut tight, were leaking clear liquid, which I knew to be Ichor, the blood of Vamponies. Highly acidic, when a Vampony got injured deeply enough to allow their life essence to flow, it was always a fatal wound. There is no way to heal a cut fast enough, since they have a mere fraction of the amount of blood ponies have. Due to this, it flows through their veins extremely quickly, and will empty out even faster. There is no way to replace it, and it burns their bodies on the way out due to its acidic qualities.

Without missing a beat, I got as close to her holding place as I dared. I could feel the shield that had been erected last night humming with power, not that it mattered. There was no Vampony fool enough to stay out under the sun.

“Hey!” I called out.

Her head snapped up, and her eyes opened for a mere instant. She paid for that decision harshly, if the sound of her screams were any indication.

“Look, I know you don’t have much time, I know you’re going to die, but I’m a pony too! I’m stuck in this city because I can’t live the solitary life, and I need your help! Where are the ones you helped escape? I want to get out of this horrible place and go live in safety too! Please, please help me!” I begged. She had no reason to, of course, but she’d also had no reason to help the others. It was worth a shot.

She had stifled her cries as I spoke, and as I finished they burst out with renewed vigor. I couldn’t know what she was thinking; all I could do was wait and hope she told me everything she could before she burnt away.

And what a horrible sight she was. Her fur, which had been smoking before, had all burn away. Her Ichor was bursting out of several different parts of her body, evaporating the moment it did, and her flesh was slowly peeling off in layers, like an onion. Her mane and tail were both on fire, and all around her hooves, her body lay in ashes. As I waited, one of her rear hooves fell off, the knee above it having burned faster than the leg. It was a hard thing to watch, but if it got me anything, I would do so.

After a minute or so, as I began to worry that she wouldn’t make up her mind on time, she shouted out the instructions, gasping and moaning and crying all the while. “Go to ponyville. There is a forest there, which used to be inhabited by monsters. In a hut that belonged to a zebra, there is a scroll. We left it there, in case we found any others.”

“What do you mean, are there more Vamponies like you, who want to help us?” I asked, even as I was writing down instructions and checking the map.

“No, I travelled with them. I was one of them. We got caught in the forest. I got bitten. But the turning was different for me. I think Celestia was watching over me. I kept my mind long enough to tell a local that I had saved some ponies long ago. I needed to die, or I would hunt after them, following the trail of scrolls they would leave.”

I felt my heart skip a beat. “I’m sorry.”

“It do-” And her voice cut off for a second as her throat started to burn through. “No matter, go find, tell Sunny Day sent you. I save one last” And her throat was gone. The silence that followed her screams was punctuated only by the sound of burning flesh, and I held in my emotions as I returned to my home.

*****

I carefully copied all my notes to a new page, making them as legible as possible, before burning the old one. I stored everything in the basement under the trapdoor. I had plans to make. I would be taking a vacation shortly; a long overdue vacation.

And yet, as I lay in bed preparing for the evening to come, two thoughts stuck in my mind. What did she mean, the turning had been different, and what would I do about Octavia and her family?