My alarm woke me a few hours before nightfall. I say woke, but I didn’t get much sleep anyway, so it was more akin to signalling me that it was time to stop pretending sleep was a thing I might get at all. My frazzled mind had jumped from one thought to the next all night as I drifted in and out of consciousness. Do I leave at nightfall or daybreak? Do I pack light, heavy, or to blend in? Should I wait a few more days to avoid the mass of hunters who would leave tonight, or run with the hoard and see how many go to Ponyville? It would also help me avoid the city searches to leave early, but it carried the risk of being caught as a pony fleeing the city.

Of course, these were all nothing but flies buzzing around as I tried to ignore the real question I was avoiding. My mind kept returning to the one point that I shouldn’t be debating.

Do I tell her, or do I try to slip away from my friend and jailer? Do I run on my own, and risk the temporary isolation, or do I bring the gray mare and risk exposing a large group of innocents to her lust for blood?

Did I want Octavia by my side, or as far away as possible?

The answer, by all accounts, should be to leave her. What did I gain by bringing her along? She’d make it impossible to travel under the safety of the sun, not to mention that if we did find the rest of the ponies, there was no way they’d let her in. She’d be killed, lest she go bring the swarm to massacre the survivors. Or so they’d think. Did I think she’d do that?

Yet, even with no reason bar companionship, I couldn’t forget the wide, unnerving smile she gave me as I stood by her side as she introduced me to her mother. The anger and fear I felt as she lay battered, bruised and beaten at the hooves of that witch would not leave me to rest. Not to mention the fact that she saved my life, even though it was technically her fault that I was in danger in the first place. She walked through the sunlight to get me medicine, and if nothing else, that made us square for the week she ponynapped me and forced me to cut myself for her drinking pleasure.

As the day had progressed, I slowly came to a conclusion I’d been aware of, but didn’t want to admit to myself. I cared for Octavia, too much to simply disappear into the day, without even a simple goodbye. If I was to leave and chase after the rest of my race, the last thing I’d do before leaving the city would be to part ways with my only friend.

With that thought firmly locked in place, I began packing.

As I through my headphones and Vampony hard drugs into a pair of saddlebags (I’d use the drugs for bargaining purposes, and to help prove I was not a pony. I only kept them for show anyway), I tried to formulate a plan. I’d travel at night in the start, until I reached Ponyville at least. I’d probably look for the zebra’s house during the day; it would make searching the forest much easier if I could see where I was going. If I blended with the crowd, I could figure out their plans and have an easier time of avoiding them once I started living the day life.

If it just so happens that this plan opened the possibility of bringing a night dwelling friend along, then that was no more than a coincidence.

I’d be able to collect food on the go. Ponyville was out in the middle of forest land, so there would be plenty of fruit and edible leaves. I’d graze if I had to, but carrying pony food was far too dangerous. If a Vampony found it, I’d have no chance.

Once I found the instructions, I’d figure out the rest of the plan. Hopefully I’d be too far gone for the hunters to be able to find me, even though I had no intention of even giving them the notion that a pony was among them.

I briefly debated taking my light spray. Would it be useful if I got caught, or a hindrance, as it might attract attention and signal that I was a pony who didn’t want to be caught unarmed? They knew at least one was alive, but I decided to risk it anyway and tossed it in with the rest.

As I sorted my way through my house, debating on what was essential, important or replaceable, the sun slowly sunk below the horizon. Dusk was upon us just as I finished packing, leaving me with only a few minutes to write a detailed note.

Finally, it was time. As I stepped out of my sanctuary for the past seven years, I cast one last look back. For better or for worse, I had no intention of ever stepping hoof in my home again. It hurt, and I felt my poker face crack at the thought that I’d never see my turntables again. My music was all saved and packed, but I was still leaving so much behind.

I let out a single, soft sob as I locked, bolted, and enchanted the door. If anything ever tried to open my door, it would set fire to the carpet just inside. The water sprinklers in my house would drench the place, hopefully ruining anything they hoped to pilfer, and washing away any residual pony scent. The rotting fruit I’d left in several rooms would help with that last part.

I felt petty. It wouldn’t do much, if anything at all, but I needed one last show of defiance. The proof that I wasn’t running away, I’d just found a better way forward.

As I trotted to school, projecting a calm façade over my inner turmoil, I remained on high alert. Hordes of Vamponies were amassing left and right. The train station was practically buried under the rush of hunters trying to beat the rest to the hamlets before news of the survivors spread. Guild masters roamed the streets, paying handsomely for any information that might help point them in the right direction, and showing no mercy to any who stood in their way or wasted even a moment of precious time. I saw Vamponies rushing to and fro, trying to assemble some sort of team and haggling over how to split the prize.

As I passed the nearest walking exit to the city, a long, winding pathway that was treacherous at best, I saw that it also held a swarm of Vamponies, some making their way out of the city, presumably to comb the mountain, others checking each Vampony leaving to make sure they weren’t filled with yummy red stuff. Clearly, nopony would be leaving the city unless they managed to fool the mass of hunters.

As the fiends scrambled around me, I kept my ears perked, searching for snippets of conversation that could help me in any way. Anything concrete, like which guilds were going to Ponyville.

“… be searching Manehatten, but the news already made it there. Can you believe it? It’s only been one night since the announcement. I’ll need a new target…”

“… Red Marefia has already left. The whole guild is on the move. Commandeered a whole train to themselves and went after the hick towns to the west. What was that newish one, Apple Loosa?”

“Did you hear? The Dark Maidens got news that the informant was found moving towards Ponyville!”

I stopped, my heart giving an uncomfortable lurch. With as much discretion as I had, I zeroed into that conversation.

“Yeah, she was walking through them whitetail woods or something, kinda ambling about. Running from a town in the other direction I betcha. They think she was either running after her prey, or away from it. Most of the Dark Maidens will be searching both towns, every other settlement nearby, and the whole area in between.”

I stifled a groan, and was reconsidering leaving tonight. I didn’t want to encroach on guild territory; there was no faster way to the grave. I perked back up, however, as his companion replied.

“Didn’t you know? It was a total lie. Half the city heard the same rumour. Apparently some smart mare started it for big money to get the guilds following a wild goose chase. She’s lying dead in a ditch somewhere in the city, and the big boys aren’t happy. I doubt they’ll completely ignore the area, but it probably won’t get much more attention than it would have gotten anyway.”

“Maybe we should go there? What if it wasn’t a lie? And if what you say is true, we know no one will be claiming the territory, so it’ll be fair game for smaller hunts. I bet we can catch a train early tomorrow night, but most of them are being bought up by the big guilds and mafia.”

I started trotting again. Although listening to rumours could be helpful, there was too much misinformation in circulation at this point. Every guild would be trying to slow the others up and get ahead, so my best bet was to play around that by ignoring the rumour mill, although hearing it would still help. Much as I wanted Ponyville to be a safe zone, I knew everywhere would be on high alert, so there was no point in changing my plans unless I was completely certain that a proper guild laid a claim on the area. My current goal was to get out of the city before the searches started, and the best opportunity to do so would be while the populace was more focused on the outside world than the Vamponies within the walls.

I suppose I should be worried about the ponies being found, but it was currently in the backseat of my mind compared to my own self-preservation. Sure, if I made it to them, I could celebrate, but what if they got found out before or after I made it? Then I’d either be back at square one, or dead. Why leave a trail of breadcrumbs to follow, especially if they have no way of telling somepony about the first crumb? No pony would be searching the forest near Ponyville, but the Vamponies had the numbers to scour the whole country if they wanted to, which they would. The Vampony who told me only said to read the scroll they left in the hut in the forest. Perhaps they knew a way to get the message out in a way only ponies would be able to figure out?

I wonder if it was written in code? But how would a pony decipher it using a clue a Vampony couldn’t take advantage of? Maybe I needed to spray it with blood? But the Vamponies would be able to read it afterwards. Not to mention the scent would attract every Vampony for miles around. Maybe it was enchanted, so only ponies could read it. But if they broke the enchantment, would that make it easy for everyone?

Gah! I’d figure it out when I got there. Until that time, I had much more important matters to focus on, namely escaping.

Since my school was just around the corner, I slowed to a stop. What were the odds that another student had figured me out? I doubt Noteworthy was so oblivious as to suspect nothing, but considering he didn’t confront me yesterday, he either lacked courage, which was doubtful, or wasn’t confident in his theory. I’m sure that if he was certain of my pony-ness, he’d attack me with no second thoughts.

What about the rest of my schoolmates? Would one of them try something? My protective magic would hold up against most non-magical means of detection, such as relying on the five senses, but if they had a unicorn scan me intensely with their magic, without giving me a chance to prepare, I’m almost sure I’d be found out. It may take a minute or two, but they’d get me.

No, there was no reason to take any chances staying longer than necessary. I would walk in at the bell, make it to class a minute late or so, hand Octavia the letter, and then leave again. Since I already have all my stuff packed and on my back, I could leave immediately after. The next step would be to get to Canterlot train station and find the Ponyville schedule. If the next train had an open seat, I’d be home free.

After taking a few more deep breaths to calm down and muster my courage, I turned the corner, expecting the worst.

The front yard was deserted. I saw a single stallion gnawing on a T-bone as he looked around with disinterest.

I’d suspected some of the students would skip school to scour the city, maybe even leave town and join the hunt, but the way things were looking, not a single student was attending class! The doors didn’t look like they’d been opened at all tonight.

As I approached, intent on finding Octavia, the lone stallion flicked an ear at me, still seeming bored out of his mind. “School’s closed today prude. Too many teachers didn’t show up, so there’s no reason to have class. Students are free to chase the imaginary bait to their soul’s desire. Go ahead and hippity hop out of here little virgin.”

I glared at him, but my mouth had run dry. How was I going to deliver my letter when its recipient wasn’t at school? I didn’t want to return to the hell hole that was her mother. I’d most likely only cause more trouble for Octavia, and I wanted to part on a high note, not with her angry at my good intentions.

As I began the trek to her mansion, I entertained the idea that she may refuse to let me leave if I gave her the opportunity to stop me. Would she chain me in her room again, nothing but a slave to her appetite? Or would she let me go free? She’d been so aloof since my near death accident that I found it difficult to read her. She’d been so simple to understand before; she was motivated by hunger, that’s it. Now though, I couldn’t tell what she was thinking, and how she viewed me.

However, if I left the letter with a servant, then she wouldn’t know about my plan until it was too late! That had been my hope initially; that she wouldn’t be able to read the letter in class, and would have to wait until she was alone.

As I made my way to her house, I remained alert. However, since her house near the town center but before the palace area, the streets were becoming more and more deserted. I could hear the Vamponies at the exits to the city, trying to rush their way out, and in the distance I could see the palace swarming with them. It was eerie; the only ones I passed seemed to have just finished packing and were on their way out, or were passed out from drug abuse.

I hoped that between the flooded exits and the trouble at the palace, the guard would leave the city searches for another day. That was the whole reason I was trying to leave quickly, after all.

As I finally turned onto her street, I was pleasantly surprised to see Mark tending to the fence around their property. It seems to have been splintered in all the excitement, and he was dutifully replacing the damaged section.

He scowled as he saw me approach, clearly upset at my blatant disregard for his warning, but I couldn’t care less at the moment. After a brief look around to insure there were no eavesdroppers, I hoofed the letter over to him.

“For her eyes only.” I said. “I’m leaving for the same reason as the rest, but I couldn’t go without a last farewell. Tell her I apologise if I made things with her mother more complicated.”

As I made my way back across town to the train station that would hopefully be my first step on the way to eternal paradise, I felt a mix of satisfaction and remorse. Even though I didn’t want to go alone, I was free. Octavia wasn’t stupid enough to cause a scene in a crowd that was so anal about finding a pony, so even if she managed to catch up to me, there was no way she would drag me back to her house. That was, assuming she managed to sneak away from the witch that was visiting her house.

No, in all likelihood, if she decided to chase after me, she’d have to wait for the next train after mine at best, or until another night at worst. Preferably one a few days away. My letter included a note that I was going to Ponyville, but by the time she caught up, I’d be long gone. I couldn’t decide if that made me feel safe, happy, nervous, or sad.

The train station was finally coming into view. It was still as packed as this morning, but now it seemed to be overflowing with smaller hunting parties as opposed to the massive guilds and mafia that Canterlot played host to. As I watched, a train full to bursting made its way out of the station, heading northwards and towards the crystal empire.

I approached the ticket booths, scanning each one by one and searching for the one marked Ponyville. Many sported long, winding lines that made it difficult to navigate. Oddly enough, however, there wasn’t a single Vampony in line for the Ponyville booth. Maybe I had gotten lucky, and the rumour had been enough to discourage the hunters from assaulting the rural community.

However, as I approached the stallion manning the booth, I saw why there was no line.

“Sorry lady.” He moaned as he pointed to a sign. “Next train is sold out, and the following one isn’t for two hours. We need all the trains we can spare for other places across Equestria. Sucks too, cause the whole train was bought by only one pony. Real bigshot, paid us double standard fare to make sure no one else could board.”

“What?” I sputtered. “Why would anyone buy a whole train just for themselves? Who has that kind of money to throw away? Why not just buy a whole car if you really need that much space?”

I wasn’t completely devastated. Two hours would give Octavia plenty of time to chase me, but only if she planned to come shortly. I doubt she’d even read the letter by now. She was probably under close watch.

My biggest fear at the moment was this so called bigshot. If he or she bought a whole train to themselves, they either had massive amounts of resources, or they were willing to go to extreme lengths to reduce the competition.

The stallion behind the counter shrugged. “Maybe she just likes her privacy? With a mother in her position, she could probably get away with murder.” He paused and shifted backwards nervously. “Why don’t you ask her yourself? She’s right there behind you.”

I forced myself to swallow, even though my mouth was suddenly very dry. A mare who bought an entire train must have power, bits, and a reason. Throw in a mother in a position of power, and there could only be so many options, even in this city.

“Surely, my sweet, you did not plan on leaving me with nothing more than this crummy letter? I thought I had taught you better, Vinyl.”

I felt my breath catch in my throat. “How?” I whispered. I had just given Mark the letter ten minutes ago. How did she not only receive the letter, read it, beat me to the train station and buy an entire train in ten minutes? It simply wasn’t possible.

“Did you assume I would not think my lovely toy was capable of running after the rumours of ponies?” She dropped her voice as she approached me, but I could still feel her cold breath on the back of my neck. “Or were you naïve enough to think I would not chase after my beloved? I has already left my house half an hour ago. I knew you would try and run to the trains. Mark sent me your letter by magic. The twins are currently leading my mother in circles around Canterlot, searching for me. Of course she will not be fooled for long.”

I felt her cheek brush along mine as she placed herself in front of me. “Did you truly think I’d let you go on this silly adventure, my sweet? I have been stalking you since you entered the station.”

Her words hit me like a slap across the face. After all the trust I’d placed in her. All the deliberation between bringing her along. ‘I should have known! She would never let me out of her control if she could prevent it! I’m nothing more than a sack of meat for her enjoyment. I felt my anger begin to bubble over. She was going to stop me from going to Ponyville, even if that meant buying every last train from now until daybreak. She was going to drag me back to her room, and chain me to the bed. She’d make me cut myself again, just to wet her throat.

I reared back and got my hoof ready. If this was to be my last moment of freedom, then I’d make sure I got as much damage in as possible.

“No, I think we will go to Ponyville together. No goodbye for you yet, sweet Vinyl. You will accompany me on this hunt.” She said as she turned away, her tail running along my shoulder and under my chin as I clumsily fell back to all fours.

What?

“What?” I elegantly echoed my thoughts.

“Oh come now, dearest. Did you think I would be against hunting down and devouring the last of a species? You should know nothing would make me happier than to taste such a delicacy with my lover. And of course, it is made all the more satisfying by knowing that I am defying my mother. She expressly forbade me from going on this hunt, you know. She also told me never to speak with you again.” As she spoke, she was leading me towards the turnstiles to the train. Her movements made her fresh bruises glimmer in the faint light cast by the moon. “I will no longer be her plaything, love. I have renounced any ties to that mare. Once my mother becomes suspicious of the twins, Mark will “find” a note of my own, addressed to her. It details my, oh what was the word I used… Ah yes, my decision to elope with a wonderful white coated unicorn mare. So romantic, a honeymoon in Ponyville, chasing down an extinct species.”

My brain felt sluggish. The words Octavia was speaking were getting lost in my ears. We were going to Ponyville? Because we were running from her mother. Because Octavia was getting married to some white coated unicorn mare. White…

Oh.

“Woah. Woah, calm down now there Octavia. When did I agree to this?” If I’d been paying better attention, I might have noticed the furious glare Octavia shot at a guard who’d been hesitantly approaching us. He backed down without a second thought, and no one else tried to stop us as we stepped onto the station. Just a small ways away, a train was approaching. I could only assume it was our ride.

What I did see, however, was a nervous flick of Octavia’s tail. The guards, although still hesitant, were approaching us again. She raised her voice as she continued. “Tell me all the things you plan to do with me, dear. Surely there will be more to this honeymoon than hunting. I am, after all, a very important member of society, and I have high expectations of the treatment I receive from others!”

It was enough. The guard glanced at each other, uncertainty mirrored in each other’s expression. Did they dare approach the newly wed social elite? Before they could make up their mind, the train came to a full stop right before us, and Octavia ushered me onto it, continuing with her loud expression of desire up until the moment the doors closed.

I looked from her to the door, to the guard who were returning to their posts, and back to her. What I received in response to my obvious confusion was an exasperated glare.

“You could have at least pretended to play along, you halfwit. What part of “City wide lockdown” and “escaped ponies” was not absolutely clear to you? We are lucky we got you out alive! I just finished saving you from dying to poison; do not make me regret these burns!” She hissed, slapping me with her tail as she turned away with a huff.

My frazzled brain suddenly kicked back into gear. “Excuse me!? You appear out of thin air, buy an entire train to Ponyville, subtly hint that I won’t be going after the ponies, only to state that the two of us will be going together instead, then start prattling on about how we’re engaged, eloping, and running from your witch of a mother! In WHAT fantasy land are you living in in which something that completely outrageous is able to be translated into “It’s an act, play along”?”

She rolled her eyes. “Marry you? Please, like I would ever even consider the notion.”

“HEY! I will have you know, I’d make an amazing wife! I’m loving, understand, and driven.”

“And thick as porridge.” She snorted. Then she did so again as I gave her a look of utter disbelief. “Well?”

“Well what?” I asked grumpily.

“Thank me! I just got us both out of a fortress. How in Luna’s name did you expect to make is out of Canterlot alone? How did you think you would get past the guard? Security measures have not been this strict since… Actually, I cannot remember a time they were this strict.”

“I woulda got out the same way I’ve avoided the searches my entire life. I learned a play possum spell years ago, one that I’ve been slowly mastering it since the turning. It temporarily stops my heart, but keeps every part of me functioning. Combine it with my disguise and there is nothing to notice. At this level, not even a guard could tell the difference between me and a Vampony, unicorn magic or no.”

Octavia grunted in annoyance. “I seriously doubt that, but I do not want to have an argument over a matter than never came to pass.” She sat down heavily on a serving table. “I have never been so high strung. Between that escape, my mother, and these escaped ponies, I feel ragged.”

I pushed down a pang of empathy. She’d risked both our skins with that stunt outside. After seeing what happened to the last Vampony who helped a pony, it was plenty clear to both of us what the punishment would be if either of us got caught.

“Why are you okay with this?” I asked. “You have no-”

“Nothing to gain? You are right. There is no practical reason for me to chase after the ponies. I can’t rightly eat them with you around, and there is no reason for them to accept me with open hooves. I do not know why I’m helping you get away. It would have been much easier to lock you up in my bedroom again, even with my mother prowling around.” She paused and threw her mane. “But I was not lying earlier. I am sick of that witch and her mistreatment. I have wanted to run away for a long time, but I never had the courage.” She turned and stared at me, and her frown became less pronounced. “Maybe it is not true, but I am trying to convince myself that you are forcing my hoof. I am using you as my excuse to run away from my mother.”

She then reached into her saddle bags. I hadn’t even noticed she’d brought anything. With a lazy wave of her hoof, she showed me the letter I wrote to her. The one that told her I wanted to go to Ponyville to find the other living ponies. The one that said that I hoped she wouldn’t try and stop me.

“Thank you, for trusting me, Vinyl. You were my excuse at first, and you still are, but now, I want to venture to Ponyville with you as my friend. I know we already agreed to it, but… Will you be my friend Vinyl? The one who helped me escape my mother?”

Author's Notes:

And another year has passed.

For all those who enjoyed and still enjoy this story, and all those who've stuck with me all this time, a sincere thank you. Although I make this stories for me, I'm glad I can share it with you.

I hope you all enjoyed the most recent instalment of the unconverted one.

Mavinator5