- ...You mean that no matter what vampire it is, whether you know them or not, you will hate them and want them harm ? asked the yellow pegasus, head bowed to try not to burst into tears.

- Yes ! exclaimed Dream, Apple Wolf, Ruby, and Stardust in chorus, showing how much they were disgusted by these nocturnal creatures.

And as Emoshy flew away, fed up with all this insane hatred of vampires, Pinkie 'Bot turned to her friends, extremely angry at their childish act.

- Are you actually serious, you noticed at the sleepover that it is an extremely sensitive subject for her and you continue to talk about it in this way ?! the robotic pony scolded sternly. Dream, seeing as you're one of the most bad-mouthed ones and have magic, teleport and go see if she's okay before it's too late !

Even though she hated taking orders, the unicorn understood that she was in the wrong and agreed to go and apologize so that her friend was doing better.

Pinkie 'Bot had always told them to avoid the topic and did everything to ensure that nothing bad happened, making this story look like it would end badly, but even though she didn't seem to be kidding, none of her friends had taken her warnings seriously.

Dream teleported quickly and she found herself in front of Emoshy's house. When she knocked, Fluttershy opened the door to her with a troubled expression.

- Ms. Fluttershy, is your cousin home ? she asked, not wanting anything to happen to her friend. When she left the park she was quite upset, and I would like to know if she is better now.

- What ?! exclaimed the yellow pegasus, even more worried than before the unicorn's visit. But her biggest fear is staying outside at night !

Fluttershy went to check that Emoshy hadn't entered her room through the window as Dream allowed herself to enter, meeting Zephyr. She didn't pay too much attention to her surroundings, the fear for her friend growing stronger and stronger.

- My sister let you in when a VIP like me came to visit her ? Fluttershy's brother asked her with a dramatic pose, falsely offended. It's quite vexing, you know.

- Please excuse me Mr. Zephyr but I'm worried about your cousin, she ran away even though she never goes out at night. Dream explained with a serious expression.

- Uh... My cousin ? asked the green pegasus with bewildering incomprehension.

- Yes, your cousin Emoshy. she said as Fluttershy walked down the stairs to the second floor. You haven't forgotten her existence, have you ?

When the pegasus heard Dream's question, she was sure her brother was going to answer something stupid and irreparable, but she had no time to react.

- But of course, I remember my cousin Emoshy ! Zephyr exclaimed with a somewhat forced smile. It's not that weird that she went out at night, she's a solitary pony type. Besides, she's not that afraid to go out at night. And after all, it's okay for her to do that, she's an orphan vampire after all.

Shining Dream was speechless at this information. She had plenty of questions in her head but an answer to her first question hit her head-on : if Emoshy hadn't come back, maybe it was that after receiving all these attacks, she wanted revenge ! She felt her fear triple as well as the weight of remorse creeping on her back.

She thanked Zephyr and teleported to the park to find three of her completely scared friends.

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Emoshy stepped out of the night's darkness. The yellow of her coat was darker and so was her mane. These pupils were red and almond-shaped. As a black, gooey liquid dripped from her eyes, two canines came out of her mouth. Her heart-shaped cutie mark, usually pastel green and mauve, was black and lilac; filled with melancholy, fear but above all with rage.

Barely out of the shadows, Emoshy - and Shadow, since they shared control - launched on Apple Wolf, who didn't have time to react. The vampire was able to taste for the first time fresh blood and which, furthermore, did not come from forest animals.

It was a bittersweet taste; the sweetness was probably the wolf part of her blood and the bitter part of her pony part, Emoshy thought, she didn't like.

The wolf pony received the powerful, but nonetheless not fatal, bite of the nocturnal creature and protected herself by clawing at her. Emoshy then withdrew her fangs from the pony, taking with her pieces of fur and flesh.

The other ponies walked away, terrified of the creature their friend had become and of the fight they were witnessing. They wanted to help Apple Wolf but didn't want to risk making matters worse.

After a few almost interminable minutes, the vampire seemed to walk away, having "sufficiently" damaged the wolf pony and being herself injured. Apple Wolf, relieved, took the risk of letting her guard down to catch her breath. But the nocturnal creature abruptly froze in her gesture, appearing to be on the verge of passing out, and closed her eyes.

When she opened them again, her pupils were no longer red, but her irises had turned a pinkish purple. A sort of magical black smoke was coming out of the backs of her eyes and a sly smile lit up her dark face.

She attacked without giving her poor victim a reaction time, sinking her fangs deep into the wolf's head right to her brain. The wolf pony froze and blood flowed from her mouth. The vampire seemed to whisper something before pulling back violently, tearing a lot of flesh from the bloody pony which collapsed.

She met the shocked gaze of Dream, the second pony to have hurt Emoshy by her words. The nocturnal creature nevertheless decided to let her live for the moment, not caring about it, and took advantage of the general terror to rush back into the darkness.

After the panic and horror passed, Stardust went to see their friend's corpse up close, with tears in her eyes.

Dream and Ruby went to reassure Pinkie 'Bot who, even after the shock had passed, was all shaking and had her hard drive making a loud noise.

- H-her time had n-not arrived, s-she was not supposed to die ! she repeated in a whisper, with great sadness.

Stardust joined her friends to confirm what they all already knew but didn't want to admit, Apple Wolf had exhaled her last breath.

- ...Dream, go with 'Bot to see the guards, to inform them about the murder; it is not because she is our friend that we should not react. said the pink pegasus after a heavy silence. Me and Ruby are goin' to take Apple Wolf's body back to her family.

The unicorn nodded and began to leave with the robotic pony while the pegasus and Ruby used their skills to carry the corpse of the wolf pony.

******************************************************************************************************

Once there, the two ponies knocked, nevertheless Ruby stepped back, not having the courage to announce the death of Apple Wolf to her family.

After hearing a knock, Applejack rushed to the door, hoping her daughter had finally returned.

The pony adored her child more than anything and was truly a helicopter mother with her, so much so that she had stayed awake despite the night.

- Yeah, is there a problem now Stardust ? Applejack asked, confused to see one of her daughter's friends.

- M-Madam Apple, I have bad news to tell you... said the purple pegasus uncertainly.

- ...What is it ? the earth pony questioned, starting to worry.

- Uh... We were with your daughter in the park when... a vampire came and attacked... And d-despite her best efforts, Apple Wolf couldn't stop her and... tried to explain Stardust, to lessen Applejack's shock. ...And she died.

The orange earth pony stared at the pegasus with a disbelieving and shocked expression. But she suddenly burst out laughing.

- I'm pulling yar leg, kiddo ! Yar joke doesn't work anymore, Apple Wolf already said it to me. Applejack said, not believing the veracity of the information from the purple pegasus.

- B-but I'm serious ! Stardust exclaimed, sincerely.

- Prove it ta me then. said Apple Wolf's mother, not too convinced.

Stardust pointed at Ruby, as she was still beside the body, and Applejack rushed between the unicorn and the corpse, utterly horrified.

The earth pony, with tears in her eyes, shook the bruised body of her daughter, hoping, even if it was impossible, that she would wake up.

She hugged her little sprout, unfortunately withered forever, which could no longer become an apple tree filled with fruits, and wept bitterly.

Stardust and Ruby watched this scene, once again helpless, hoping Applejack would be able to recover from it someday.

- W-who did that ta her ? Applejack finally asked, putting her daughter down so she could dry her tears.

- A vampire, Mrs. Apple... breathed Ruby, lowering her head. But Shining Dream and Pinkie 'Bot have already gone to warn some guards, she should be arrested soon.

Wanting to try to comfort her, the two friends helped the orange earth pony to bring her little bruised flower into the living room. Applejack called her remaining family and they all performed the ritual of the dead together : they smeared each other with ashes from the fireplace and promised each other not to eat until the end of the week.

Stardust and Ruby said goodbye to Applejack, hoping all would be well with her and her family, and headed home.

******************************************************************************************************

- So what did the guards say ? 'Bot asked Dream once she left Canterlot castle.

- After all the explanation about Emoshy, they said they will do anything to find her. replied the unicorn after a sigh. They will send guards from Crystal's Empire around to go faster. Anyway, let's go home.

- Uhm... When we get back, can we avoid the thirteenth district of Canterlot ? proposed the robot pony, quite worried.

- Uh... Ok, if that's what you want. Shining Dream accepted despite her lack of understanding of her friend's fear. But remember, because of my "problem" I am going to Everfree temporarily.

The robotic pony nodded and the two friends set off towards the station, not hearing the slight malicious laugh behind them.

- Really, luck is on my side since this little "accident". the vampire said, chuckling. Soon I will have my vengeance, my dear friend; there is only this mare left in my way.