Path of Kindness and Blood
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Chapter 10
Final Confrontation
Part 6 - Aftermath
The group gathered around the unconscious Fluttershy, their worries about her well-being proven true as she has pushed herself over her limits. One pony however was missing as Applejack lowered herself to her dad, staring at him in expectation.
Hawkeye grit his teeth, trying desperately to massage his head, but failing due to the ropes. He slowly opened his eyes as his vision sharpened. “A-Applejack?” He raised his head upward, now staring into the firm eyes of his daughter. “Ya… you’ve grown up alot since the last time Ah saw ya. How long has it been?” He struggled to stand, but found it impossible. “Why did ya tie me up?”
Applejack felt her heart warming up as her eyes were ready to burst into tears. Not wasting a moment, she grabbed Hawkeye into a tight hug, picking him up as she now stood on her rear hooves.
“Ya’ve grown stronger, Ah see,” Hawkeye said, chuckling as his huge body was lifted off the ground. He looked around in confusion. “Where are we?”
“It’s a long story,” Applejack said before placing her dad on the dusty floor. “But… just to make sure, would ya ever call Granny Smith ‘Lady Orange’ if she lost a bet?”
Hawkeye bursted into laughter. “Call her Lady Orange? Are ya crazy? Ah prefer mah flank not tanned all the way to Tartarus.”
“Dad, it is ya!” She hugged Hawkeye again, even tighter than before.
“And who else could Ah be?”
The hug lasted at least half a minute before Applejack freed her father from the ropes and helped him stand.
Hawkeye examined his daughter in confusion, quickly noticing bruises covering her. “Who... hurt ya?” Upon noticing a group of ponies nearby, her stood next to Applejack protectively. “Any of those ponies hurt ya?”
“Nope, ya did,” Applejack said firmly. As much as she didn’t wish to do anything but to celebrate, delaying telling the truth wasn’t in her nature. “Like Ah said, it’s a long story.”
Hawkeye grit his teeth and massaged his forehead upon feeling a headache. A short memory of a fight he had not long ago surfaced. He took a step back and said, “What have Ah done? How could Ah hurt ya?”
“It don’t matter. Ah thought ya’ll were dead, but yer back, and that’s what’s important!” Applejack said, wiping tears from her watering eyes. “Ah’ve missed ya.” She pressed her head against Hawkeye’s chest. “Ah’ve… missed ya…”
Hawkeye nuzzled his daughter, when suddenly a realization struck him. He retreated his head and poked his fangs, his eyes opening widely. In a surge of fear, he pushed Applejack away and walked backward. “Ah’m… a blood sucker, stay away!”
The group looked away from Fluttershy, now staring at the confused stallion. Applejack raised her forehoof and gestured with it. “Pa, calm down. It don’t matter that yer one of them thestrals, Ah don’t care.”
“How can ya say that? Ah’m no longer yer father, but a monster!” He pressed his hooves against the sides of his hurting head, memories of his capture and transformation floated to the surface. “Ah served the one Ah was sent to kill. He turned me against ya and the rest of mah family. Why’s yer blade not in mah chest yet?”
Hawkeye glanced at the bracer on Applejack’s foreleg, who looked at it and next back at him nervously before speaking, “Yer not a monster, and Ah’m not goin’ to kill ya, forget it.”
“Ya became a huntress, following me and yer Ma’s hoofsteps, it’s yer duty to kill me.” Hawkeye stomped, his expression filled with anger. “Do yer job!”
“Ah said no!”
The stallion lowered his head and sighed before galloping at Applejack. His attempt to grab her weapon and use it to end his life failed as his daughter jumped back, swiftly evading his hooves. Before he could try again, he was pushed back by Rarity’s magic.
“Calm down this instant!” Rarity shouted. “How dare you turn on us and on your own daughter after all the effort we put into capturing you and restoring your memories?” She pointed at the unconscious mare. “Fluttershy suffered to reunite you with your daughter, don’t you dare push it away.”
Hawkeye frowned, pointing at Rarity accusingly. “Don’t ya lecture me! Yer a husk and yer words are just as empty.” He looked at Applejack and asked, “Why would ya side with these monsters? Ah already dirtied our family’s good name by working for them, but Ah was forced. How can ya do it on yer own free will? Unless…”
“Ah’m not brainwashed if that’s what ya think,” Applejack said, glaring at her father with disapproval. “Ah hated thestrals for takin’ ya and Ma away, thinkin’ they killed ya both. Ah tried to avenge ya, Ah tried to kill Fluttershy, but she was holdin’ back.”
Applejack's ears drooped as she lowered her head. “Ah unleashed all of mah hate and frustration on her, and she suffered protectin’ our family. She sacrificed so much, even sidin’ with me while facin’ some powerful assassin.” She facehooved. “Ah was so stupid, so stubborn… tryin’ to refuse what’s in front of mah eyes, but over time we became great friends.” She pointed at Hawkeye and shouted, “She didn’t kill ya, she restored yer memories. Don’t let yer hatred blind ya and ruin everythin’.”
Little Seed hesitantly approached. “I know how you must feel. After we learned Fluttershy is a different species, and after you captured us, we were scared and confused. You can’t trust your judgment when you’re affected by something that strange.”
“What do ya know? Ah’m a member of the monster hunters, an organization that fights beasts and thestrals, protecting ponies like ya from them. Ya can’t understand how Ah feel, bein’ asked to turn on mah duty and beliefs.” Hawkeye looked away from Little Seed, now staring at Fluttershy. “Purebloods are our biggest enemies, a daughter of mine can’t be friends with one.”
Applejack frowned. “Ah can be!”
Pinkie nodded. “Exactly! Telling your daughter that she can’t make friends is just mean. Even more mean than trying to hurt her while being brainwashed.”
Hawkeye bent his legs, preparing to gallop while examining his surroundings. “If ya were a proud huntress, Applejack, you’d use this opportunity. Ya would help me kill the pureblood when she’s weak and her follower,” he said, pointing at Rarity. “Ah don’t know if they offered to help ya free me for yer loyalty, but if ya let them deceive ya with their lies, it’ll rest upon me to save our good name.” He galloped.
Rarity’s levitation field surrounded Hawkeye, but it only managed to slow him down, while Sunflower looked between Hawkeye and the fashionista in panic. Part of her wanted to protect Fluttershy, but her fear overpowered this desire, making her step to the side. Little Seed followed her example.
Pinkie Pie started biting her hooves nervously before deciding to grab her unconscious friend and run away while Rarity stood in a fighting stance, ready to kick Hawkeye’s muzzle once again. However, before Hawkeye managed to get closer, Applejack’s hind legs sent him flying to the side, rolling on the floor.
“That’s for leavin’ us alone for all these years!” Applejack shouted before running towards Hawkeye, her forehoof striking his muzzle before he could stand. “That’s for tryin’ to hurt us!” Another strike followed as Hawkeye’s muzzle started bleeding. “That’s for hurtin’ Apple Bloom!” Applejack’s rear hoof struck his foreleg. “That’s for all the trials ya put Fluttershy through!” A final kick landed, sending him crashing into a pillar as he bounced onto the ground, leaving multiple cracks on the stone. “And that’s for bein’ far more stubborn than a mule, tryin’ to hurt mah friend who did all she could to save ya!”
She lowered herself to Hawkeye and asked, her voice suddenly gentle, “Please, Pa, don’t make me fight ya. Ah know that purebloods are dangerous. Ah witnessed Fluttershy’s power many times, especially when Ah trained her, and she’s as innocent as a flower and not even a hundred years old.” She helped Hawkeye stand, who massaged his aching foreleg and muzzle, wiping the blood away as his wound healed surprisingly fast.
“But even if dangerous, they're still ponies. There’re good and bad, and can’t be judged as a whole. Fluttershy wished fer nothin’ but peace and friendship, and it’s enough for me to fight by her side.” She embraced Hawkeye. “Ah ask ya, will ya forget what ya learned from the other hunters and give her a chance? Yer mah father, even if ya need to drink blood. Will ya do this for me? Please?”
Hawkeye looked to the side, now deep in thought.
“Please, don’t make me tie ya up for yer own good. Ah’ll do it, ya know,” Applejack added.
Hawkeye chuckled, ignoring the pain in his muzzle. “I’m sure ya would.” He looked her daughter in the eyes. “Mah memories are a mess. Ah remember mah life before being turned, and Ah have some memories of what Ah did as a thestral. Ah can’t make promises. Ah’ll try lookin’ away from what Ah was taught about thestrals, but just for ya, Ah’ll give yer friends a chance.”
“That’s all Ah ask for,” Applejack said as she tightened her embrace.
Pinkie, already having Fluttershy on her back, smiled at the heart-warming scene. “That’s so sweet. It totally calls for a party!” Upon noticing that she accidentally sent Fluttershy flying, she caught her before she hit the ground and carefully placed her on her back while receiving a disapproving glare from Rarity.
“I believe it is too early to celebrate,” Rarity pointed out. “We need to escort Mistress Fluttershy to her cottage and help her recover.”
The group nodded in agreement as they left the coldness of the abandoned castle.
“Is it me, or do thestrals really like ruins like these?” Rarity asked as she took one quick glance at the old castle before approaching the ravine. After a quick examination of the bridge, she noticed a hastily done attempt to fix it, most likely by Fancy Pants followers as they reinforced the ropes and replaced most of the planks. A nearby tree stump indicated it was used as material to repair the bridge. “First Lord Fancy Pants invited us here for a meeting, and next it became a battleground at least twice.”
Hawkeye slowed down, massaging his forehead. “Ah remember…” With the group’s attention on him, he said, “Besides those ruins bein’ a great hidin’ spot, the pureblood that caught me…he cares about these ruins a great deal. This was the place of Nightmare Moon’s banishment, and a prophecy says it’ll be the place of her return.”
“Prophecy? Nightmare what?” Applejack asked in confusion. “Is that why Fluttershy and all them purebloods were tested, and why Fluttershy’s parents were killed?”
“Her parents were killed?” Sunflower asked as a chill went through her bones.
“They were,” Rarity answered, her expression sorrowful. “Rainbow Dash’s family took her in, but after clans started fighting for territory, she sought refuge in Ponyville. The poor dear had much to endure.”
Little Seed interrupted, “So Fluttershy’s parents were killed and then a clan war started...” She took a quick breath, continuing in a tired tone, “Is this connected?”
Rarity nodded. “Without her parents to maintain peace in Cloudsdale, young purebloods started fighting to take the territory for themselves, at least this is what she told me. Though they did stop their fights temporarily when Princess Celestia brought Cloudsdale near Canterlot.”
Hawkeye lowered his head. He always believed that the hunters were standing between the monsters and the innocent, but what he just learned planted a seed of doubt in his mind.
Rarity stomped. “I have heard about this mysterious pureblood over and over, how he defeated the hunters that tried to kill him, how he was testing and preparing purebloods for return of the princess that will change the world, but not a single time has his name been mentioned.” She approached Hawkeye and looked him in the eyes, her fangs clearly visible on her angered face. “Please tell me you remember his name!”
Hawkeye nodded.
“Would you mind sharing it?”
Hawkeye took a deep breath and said, “His name is… Lord Moon Shadow. He took this name after seein’ the banishment of the princess, swearing to prepare for her return. At least that’s what Ah heard in mah mind.”
Applejack took a step back. “Ah hope he isn't goin’ to try and take ya back. Even a bit of his blood let ya kick our flanks with ease.”
Hawkeye shook his head. “He tried to make me his proud assassin, but he only cares for purebloods. Since Ah fulfilled mah task, Ah doubt he’ll bother.” He frowned. “He still has mah wife under his control.”
Rarity looked back to Fluttershy. “In any case, we should help our mistress as fast as possible.” She glanced at Hawkeye. “If it may convince you to abandon your former beliefs and desire to kill Fluttershy or yourself, we will explain what has happened in the past few years.”
The stallion nodded and said, “Ah’m listenin’.”
“So, let me get this straight,” Fancy Pants said as he sat comfortably inside of his chariot, pulled by two disguised pegasus thestrals and at least four guards armed with spears. He looked to the side at Vinyl Scratch while passing above the Everfree Forest, doing his best to avoid attention from Ponyville’s populace. “Miss Fluttershy faced almost all of Moon Shadow’s trials and defeated his assassin in a duel, but after refusing to let the assassin go, he drank the blood given by his master?”
“That’s what I’ve heard,” Vinyl responded. “She looked pretty bad if you ask me. She drank blood from the stallion and now she’s sick. I was thinking, I dunno, that you can drink that blood from her or something.”
Fancy Pants closed his eyes, now thinking in silence. He smiled and asked, “What about her clan. Is her servant Applejack really as loyal as you speak of?”
“She is. To be fair, I think Flutters is getting far better than you are at spreading peace between thestrals and ponies, kind of makes me wonder if I should put some more effort in serving her.” Vinyl chuckled and shrugged. “If only she was older and stronger, maybe she could succeed where you failed, boss.”
The escort hissed at Vinyl aggressively.
Fancy Pants raised his eyebrow. “You know; the amount of disrespect you have shown me thus far would have gotten you killed a hundred times over, should you serve another master.” He grinned. “Though I can’t deny that you were very amusing to have around and my son really likes you.”
“Your son’s cool, a bit naive and innocent, but cool. Maybe if White Path and Fluttershy get experience after a century or two, they can bring peace between all races.” She sighed. “But it’s too late. Even if you win against Moon Shadow and unite all purebloods under a banner of peace, I’m not sure you can bring a true peace alongside the princess. No offense.”
“None taken,” Fancy Pants said with a shake of his hoof. “I say… I know I am not perfect and even cruel sometime, but I do what needs to be done to keep Moon Shadow from uniting purebloods against the Sun Princess. In the end, it will be up to the young to bring peace, all I can do is to keep the war at bay.” He sighed. “Pity that my top assassin had gone rogue and died. I was really hoping to utilize his talents against Moon Shadow by summoning his enemies to gain advantage.”
Vinyl chuckled. “And ya think it would work? He is the oldest and most powerful pureblood, even the princess failed to find and kill him. I mean, she probably suspects you and Fleur of being purebloods and keeps an eye on you, but your opposition’s serious business.”
“I know,” Fancy Pants said, looking back at Canterlot in a distance. “I know the odds of it working were slim, but if Sharp Eye’s skills could increase my chances of winning, even by a little, it would have been worth the past two centuries of teaching him.”
“Sometimes you treat your subordinates as means to an end, not as friends. I think you could learn a thing or two from Fluttershy,” Vinyl pointed out before noticing Fluttershy’s cottage in the horizon.
“Too late for this old pureblood to learn compassion I fear,” Fancy said in a saddened tone. “I hoped to help Fluttershy when her parents… died… and I ended up refusing to give any support for protecting a huntress.”
“Well, you can make it up to her now by helping her. As for the lack of compassion, come on dude, you can be a big softie if you just try. Relax and let it lead you.”
The guards frowned again, barely resisting the desire to silence Vinyl the Undying with their own hooves.
“I am looking forward to it.”
Once the chariot landed, both passengers stepped onto the grass and walked towards the cottage, accompanying guards escorting them from both sides.
As they approached, Rainbow Dash landed and took a fighting stance, bandages wrapped around her belly. “Stop right there, who are you?”
Before the guards could react, Vinyl approached and said, “Chill out. It’s my former boss, Fancy Pants. I brought him to help.”
Rainbow Dash looked at the tall stallion, his monocle, uniform and bowtie being representation of his high status. “So, you're that big guy who refused to help Flutters because she befriended a huntress?”
“Indeed.”
“And you can help her?”
“I surely intend to.”
“Perfect,” Dash said before flying towards Fancy Pants, grabbing him by his sides and pulling him inside the cottage. Despite his size, she pulled him in before the guards could stop her, Vinyl’s magic slowing down their pursuit.
"Chill out, guys, Dashie’s a bit hot-headed, but she’s not a threat.” The escort looked at her, still tensed. “Besides, if Fancy wanted to, he could kill everypony inside in less than a minute.”
The group nodded and relaxed before taking four sentry positions around the cottage, making sure no outside threat was heading towards it.
***
Fancy Pants examined the unconscious pureblood, using his senses to analyze her heart rate, blood flow and breathing. During his examination, he found that Fluttershy’s temperature was surprisingly low.
As the group watched him with hopeful stares, Rarity took a step forward and said, “We tried to use a mixture Zecora prepared, the one that could wake up Fluttershy with its scent, but even after half an hour, she is still asleep. We do not know what to do.”
“Can ya save her?” Applejack asked.
Fancy Pants gave Applejack a suspicious stare. “In her state, her blood control over you should’ve weakened. I say… your care for her is sincere.”
The farm mare bit her lip. “Ah… Ah…” She sighed. “Fine, she freed me from her control once we arrived at the cottage, not long before Sharp Eye attacked. If ya want to punish me, go ahead.” She held her forehooves together, her stare pleading. “But please, spare mah family and the others in this room.”
Hawkeye, who this whole time sat in the corner of the room, stood up and raised his forehoof, his mouth opened as he wanted to protest, but stopped himself upon hearing a chuckle.
“I figured out she would free you, but do not fret, I won’t seek retribution for her doing so.”
Applejack tilted her head to the side. “If ya knew and forgave her, why did she had to suffer fer protectin’ mah family? What’s the point?”
Fancy Pants sighed and looked to the side. “Most of my… subordinates… weren’t as forgiving. I may be a powerful lord, but I need to maintain a reputation.”
“Is reputation worth the sufferin’ ya put Fluttershy through?” Applejack asked while shooting a challenging glare.
“My my, you really do care,” Fancy Pants said before rubbing the top of Applejack’s head, forcing a blush on her cheeks. “No wonder Moon Shadow has chosen her as an emissary of peace.”
“Ya know him?!” Hawkeye shouted before Applejack could say a word. Everypony looked at him.
Fancy Pants raised an eyebrow. “Oh my, isn’t that one of his assassins… I see.” He turned back to Applejack and added, “Let’s just say we are on opposite sides. I try to convince clans to seek peace with other ponies, while he leads them to war. Without my reputation, my followers would have joined him instead. I apologize.”
“Ah see…” Applejack said as her ears drooped.
Rainbow Dash poked him and asked, “Your rival used Hawkeye to tell us that his servants were putting all the purebloods in Equestria through trials, even on himself. Were you a target as well?”
Fancy Pants nodded. “Indeed.” He pressed forehoof against his chest. “Let’s just say that my son was caught and held hostage. The trial didn’t last long, though.”
“What do you mean?” Dash asked, her stare filled with curiosity.
“While I am not a fan of violence, I cannot say the same about my wife,” Fancy Pants said before chucking. “Let’s just say that she… how would common ponies say it… scored ten kills that one night, all thestrals and members of Moon Shadow’s clan.”
“Cool,” Rainbow Dash said as she flapped her wings rapidly.
Rarity massaged the back of her neck nervously, making a mental note to never anger Fleur de Lis for her own good. “That is very interesting and all, but what about Fluttershy? Can you heal her?”
Fancy Pants looked between Rarity and her mistress before saying, “Please, gather all of Fluttershy’s clan members. Only then I will give you the answer.”
Rainbow Dash stomped. “Hey! Why can’t you tell us here and now?”
Fancy Pants frowned before poking the pegasus, unintentionally pushing her across the room as she ended up slamming into the wall. “While I admire your loyalty, you should work on your patience. I don’t wish to repeat myself.”
Applejack and Hawkeye’s eyes opened widely, shocked at the sight of such strength, while Rarity helped the pegasus stand.
Light from many candles filled the secret soundproof room made for Fluttershy as a group of ponies gathered in it. Fancy Pants examining each thestral carefully.
In front of him was Rarity, Fluttershy’s clan member and the only pony she turned thus far, and Applejack, the befriended huntress. On her left sat Ditzy’s family, a group of goodwilled thestrals who helped Fluttershy in her time of need. On the right were a few survivors Ditzy’s mother gathered from Cloudsdale, a task Bright Eyes was given by Fluttershy.
Fluttershy’s reputation from sparing a huntress surely made such task difficult as only three pegasus thestrals were present.
Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie sat near him, both eagerly awaiting answer while struggling to maintain their patience.
Octavia arrived the last, escorting Fluttershy’s old friends towards the group while occasionally shooting her roommate a disapproving stare. They sat between Rarity and Applejack.
In the corner of the room lay Vinyl Scratch in a relaxed state, forelegs supporting the back of her head.
Fancy Pants fixed his monocle and asked, “Is everypony present?”
Bright Eyes spoke up, “Those are all the members of Fluttershy’s clan, plus those I managed to recruit from Cloudsdale, Lord Fancy Pants.” She bowed respectfully.
“Good. Let’s get to the point then, shall we?” Fancy said firmly. “Your mistress is not dead, nor she is in any danger,” every thestral smiled, “however, I cannot tell when she will wake up.”
“Lord Fancy Pants, please, would you be so kind and explain what do you mean by that?” Rarity asked, sitting as she held her forelegs in a pleading gesture.
“Of course.” He cleared his throat. “You most likely learned from your mistress that every hundred years, a pureblood enters a one year long dream. It is how our bodies adapt to our growing power and allow our minds to recover from all the stress and grief we go through.” He rubbed his chin. “Think of it as a rebirth, similar to what phoenixes go through. It helps us heal our minds and accept the deaths of those we outlive. You could say it is a defensive mechanism that help us endure outliving those around us.”
Rarity and all the non-thestrals nodded intensively.
“Each sleep allows us to become stronger and gives us access to more difficult spells and skills. However, there are exceptions when a pureblood fall asleep before that time.”
“Miss...tress Fluttershy had not informed me of this,” Rarity spoke, lowering her head shamefully, “I apologize for my lack of knowledge.”
“It is alright,” Fancy Pants said with a warm smile. “I will try to be brief with my explanation. The situations for when a pureblood enters a long slumber too early is either when their power grow too much for their bodies to handle, caused by harsh and long training, drinking blood from magically strong ponies, or by making contact with a powerful artifact. The other situation is if a pureblood go through overwhelming amount of mental trauma and physical pain, forcing their minds to shut down.”
Rainbow Dash and Applejack rubbed the floor as a sad smile graced their faces. Dash being the first to speak, “I’m afraid that poor Flutters experienced a lot of that.” She took a deep breath. “She’s endured a lot of sad things in only a few years, was forced to make many difficult choices, and even drank the blood of Moon Shadow from Hawkeye’s body.”
Fancy Pants nodded. “Usually, such slumber lasts only a year, but if it happens before a hundred years pass from their birth or last slumber, the time of their awakening is unpredictable.”
“I see…” Rarity murmured before raising her head. “It may be difficult, but since Fluttershy succeed in passing all her trials, Hawkeye no longer being a factor, I am sure we will manage without her leadership. The poor dear deserves a long peaceful rest after all she did.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” Bright Eyes added as followers she gathered nodded, none daring to say a word in the presence of a powerful lord.
Pinkie was about to grab Fancy Pants in a firm hug, but Rainbow Dash intercepted. After a moment to calm down, the party mare asked, “Since Fluttershy is alive and we all have our almost happy ending, shouldn’t we celebrate with a party!?”
Fancy Pants shook his head. “I fear what we need to do is to organize a fake funeral to explain your mistress’s disappearance, not a party. I can aid you with illusions and protection, however the rest lies in your hooves.”
Sunflower frowned and stomped. “A fake funeral… again? Is this really necessary?”
Little Seed calmed her down with a hoof on her shoulder. “Put yourself in their position.” He took a quick breath. “It’s either this, or saying that she is in a coma, and I doubt she can keep her secret if doctors and nurses will keep an eye on her for years.”
“They can just say that… she went traveling…” Sunflower pointed out.
“No animal-loving pony would leave her animals for years to take a vacation. Ponies would get suspicious and question it. Besides,” he took a quick breather and whispered, “if somepony wished to hurt her, logically… he would strike a pony in a coma rather than a corpse.”
Sunflower could only sigh in response.
Amazing, I hope to see updates soon. Take as much time as you need.
Downvoted for use of "thestral".
6864403
And what would you called them? Batpony?
Hmm...not sure what to think about this chapter. On the one hand...Applejack is just like her father. On the other hand...things have changed. A lot. This story is so great, I just hope the epilogue isn't some stumble over the finish line.
I'd go with a coma, since the "doctors" can simply be ponies in the know and faking a death is a huge loss of time and resources. They could have Hawkeye put on a lab coat and claim to be a specialist; problem solved.
Deaths also draw the attention of authorities, which is extremely problematic.
6864403 Downvoted for use of "thestral"
6864430 This is a thestral.
Can't they just say she's on a long vacation, visiting distant relatives, studying zoology abroad, or some such? There are plenty of reasons why someone would leave home for a couple of months or years. If nothing else they could just say she left without telling them why.
Yes, because bat ponies totally look like thestrals. At all. It's the stupidest thing to happen.
6864488 Yes and this is a alicorn my point that is in fiction words are often used to mean things in different universes. Yes thestral are actually Undead horses with wings however in this universe they are a term used to describe vampires just as an alicorn is simply the name for unicorns horn but in this universe an Alicorn is its own species.
6864403
1st time saw someone downvote a story for a word that is used in other stories with the same meaning.
Life is never boring with people like you
6864604 I frequently speak out against bad FiMfic storytelling tropes.
6862694
To be fair, I don;t remember as well, though I know I have heard it somewhere.
6864359
I fear updates won't happen for a while, unless I find a skilled editor to assist.
6864403
That's quite mean of you. Thestral is alternative way to call bat-winged ponies and it is often used by the fandom in many stories. I see no reason to give downvote because of that. How far did you even read?
The other name they are being called as race are vamponies, but it was already stated in the story that it is an offensive term for them, no diferent than being called a monster. Calling them bat-ponies doesn't seems to suit them since they don't just have bat-like wings, but also drink blood, so thestral was better of the choises for me.
6864462
Why such worry? Is there anything you would hate to read in the epilogue that you're afraid would ruin this story for you?
There is around 1 year and a half before Nightmare Moon's return, which is where the sequel is taking place. The question is if Fluttershy will wake up before, during or after the Summer Sun Celebration (while I admit that for her to do it after all the action have very low possibility for every reader, as she is the main character after all, other members of her clan doesn't know for sure, so they pretty much don't know what the future holds for them while their leader have her well deserved rest.
6864464
Faking deaths is something thestrals are experienced in, however, keeping Ponyville in the dark for a year and a half isn't something Fancy Pants would recomend. Considering that Fluttershy had made agreements with Mayor Mare regarding the animal-care, her sudden dissaperance would catch Mayor Mare's attention. Ponyville have 1 hospital with a doctor and a few nurses. If it was stated that Fluttershy is dead, they would need to fool doctors only once before the funeral. If they said she was in comma, Fluttershy would be kept in a hospital for years, a lot of opportunities for the doctor and nurses to learn her true identity. Sure, they could try to inform doctors and nurses about thestrals and convince them that they aren't all that bad, but it have a risk involved into it.
Long story short. They had to choise between funeral, where in worse case scenario, they would need to fool doctor and nurses just once if they wanted to run some tests on Fluttershy. Or try to get them into the conspiracy with risk that the secret leak out. They choise option that Fancy Pants is more experienced with. As for your idea, how can you keep entire staff of Ponyville hospital replaced for more than a year? Because they wouldn't be happy with the idea to keep a patient in a coma away form the hospital bed.
6864472
That's two downvotes that are quite discouraging. I really don't understand why using that term in the story is such a big deal?
6864488
In my story, thestral term mean something diferent. It is MLP fanfic after all, so would you at least read this story instead of downvoting it for such reasons?
6864520
I dunno. Maybe they're trying to fool Shackles form Monster Hunters. Or they are just afraid to say NO to Fancy Pants. Eitherway, replacing the funeral with something else would require of me a lot of changes in the Epilogue, something i am unsure I can handle with my editor being limited on time, so i am kind of cornered here.
6864565
Agreed.
6864838 I was downvoting his comment about using "thestral" for also using the word "thestral" even if its about the use of "thestral". I wish I coupd downvote this comment for the above reasons.
6864864
Lol, miskomunication happened. Regardless, my story got 2 downvotes. Now I know that one was for rather poor reason, but I wonder what was the reason behind the second one.
6864620
I wouldn't call it "speaking up" but being discouraging. Being downvoted for one word that is often used in similar stories doesn't really make entire story bad. At least give it a read for character development, challenges Fluttershy go through and so on instead of judging entire story for one word.
6864838 It's just...I don't want the story to end!
I know you said there will be a sequel but...let's just say a lot of stories I love to read have some weird way of just stumbling at the finish line. I don't think you will, if you keep this pace and continue to focus on Fluttershy, it should be okay. Just...just don't start constantly concentrating on Applejack. Then it'll get boring really quickly. Fluttershy is such a better character in this story. This latest chapter showed me that if you keep concentrating on Applejack...it'll get annoying quickly, especially since her family are nothing but a bunch of vampony haters except for Apple Bloom. (I still think Applejack will eventually go against Fluttershy again, or at least her other clan mates.)
6864870 I downvoted his comment. Not the story.
6864403 What terminology would you use?
6864871
Considering that Fluttershy just saved Applejack's dad, entering a years long sleep after overloading herself, I doubt AJ would betray Fluttershy for whatever reason. If anything, Applejack's loyalty to Fluttershy has never been stronger. Applejack posses strong bond with her family, so since Fluttershy protected and saved her family members, this is the strongest reason to convince Aj to stick by her side to the very end.
As for Aj's family, so far you saw AJ and Hawkeye's reaction to thestrals, as seasoned hunters, while AB showed to be more open minded thanks to her childs-innocence. You still don't know how Big Mac and Granny Smith would react, so you cannot be sure entire family is like that.
As for the sequel, I can say that it won't focus on AJ, so you can rest assured, though I cannot deny that Nightmare Moon will get some spotlight, since she was the driving force behind everything that happened to Fluttershy, her return will impact the sequel in a big way.
6864873
I know, I know.
6864917 Sounds good to me. Can't wait for more!!!
6864620
Funny fact. If thestral is a winged-horse with a sceletal body, it kind of counts it as an undead creature. Vampires are also in many lores considered to be undead. Horse with wings - Pony with wings. Unead scelet - undead blood-drinking creature. There are similarities. Besides, it still fits better then a bat-pony, especially if I already used the term vampony while making it as a term taken as an offensive for that race.
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I changed the ending a little to this:
I know it isn't a perfect explanation, but I hope it at least explain their reasoning a little. I cannot affort to replace the funeral now when it is already written and waiting for editing.
Too bad, I hope you can at last put the first chapter of the sequel to follow and know when you update (Is hard to follow sometimes when a new story appear)
Also, even if it's not very much related to the story... Is Blueblood a vampire? Is only that now that I think... he is pompous and have "blood" in his name
As we return to the story, it could be strange if she die for a year and appear again as Fluttershy.
Waiting for the sequel... Is Twilight going to appear in the sequel or is she going to appear in the sequel of the sequel?
As I read it make me think how much Celestia and the hunters know about everything...
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Thanks, fixed.
6865010
Epilogue have 3 parts. I plan to not upload Epilogue part 3 until the sequel is out, so that I can add link to the last part of the epilogue (each part of the Epilogue is very short)
Maybe he is a thestral, maybe he is a blood-source, maybe he isn't related in anyway. I'm not telling.
True, it would be quite troublesome for her.
Twilight will appear in the sequel with the return of Nightmare Moon.
You will find out soon enough.
6864989 So, if they're going to give her a funeral.... how is she gonna return and not be questioned about it?
I'm thinking the funeral could be an empty casket type of thing, as they didn't have the body, saying Fluttershy went gathering herbs in the Everfree, events happen, she falls in a raging river and swept away, search party (her friends) only finding a lock of hair or something...
Then she could come back later, say she was swept out to sea and caught a bad case of soap opera type amnesia. Or something.
I find it difficult to wrap my head around having Fluttershy's funeral and then having her be 'resurrected' before the Summer Sun Celebration. I guess I will have to wait for the sequel.
sending you a PM
6865093
With so many years of dissaperance, I doubt it would work.
As for explaning why shewasn't dead. Let's just say that Fancy Pants didn't think his plan over all that well and just suggested standard procedure. Either he is focusing so much on deceiving those who would want to hurt Fluttershy and not think about what she will have to do after waking up, or he is so focused on the incomming event that will change the world, that he isn't thinking clearly.
6864838 "Nocturne" works better.
And handily doesn't already mean a fucking horse skeleton with wings.
Surely made such
Lay Vinyl
In a coma
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Fixed, thanks.
6866516
Thanks, but no thanks. I prefer to use "thestral" that is used by many other authors and the fandom, even if the original meaning for the name is sceletal horse with wings (at least this have much more similarities). Your suggestion is already present in League of Legend, and the character have no similarities to vamponies.
Also, I wonder if you're downvoting stories for the use of word "alicorn" since it is what horn on unicorn's head is.
So first you downvote my story for using one word that is commonly used by authors, rather than because of quality of my story, and now you're using strong language. I really don't see reason to be that angry.
So making contact with a powerful magical artifact can cause the sleep to come early? Like an Element of Harmony? I mean, they are the six most powerful objects in the world.
6867350
I dunno. The Elements are powerful, but they can be activated by ponies and used to remove corruptions, but they don't enpower ponies directly.
I think what Fancy Pants was refering too was an artifact that give the user power, like the alicorn amulet. Thestrals either end up corrupted or fall asleep if they are enpowered beyoung their limits, so I don't think the Elements count in that catigory.
6867368 Fair enough.
6867307 Nah.
Private Doctor and Nurses would solve the coma issue easy plus she wouldn't be the first person to live below their means or make it on their own with out relying on old money.
6868705
Good observation but remember Fluttershy was at best a small town veterinarian logically speaking she shouldn't be able to afford it thus blowing her cover. However an undercover thestral nurse assigned to her while in a public hospital might work but then they'd have to replace a full staff to keep guard over her 24/7. Not sure what you were getting at with the second part there.
Fluttershy's taking a very, very long nap? Interesting how long this'll take. I wonder how the fake funeral with count for when Nightmare Moon does come.
6869131 family money as in Old money is "the inherited wealth of established upper-class families (i.e. gentry, patriciate)" or "a person, family, or lineage possessing inherited wealth"(Bill Gates grandchildren would fall into this if he had any) plus it wouldn't technical be lying either considering her family history. The town doesn't know Fluttershy's parents or ancestry so getting away with it is possible. So making it on their own without realying on old money means not to rely on their parents money.
6869260
Ah thats what you ment.
I think the purpose is also to confuse potential enemys not just ponyville. By leaving a body around it invites others to investigate rumors. There are dozens of ways to successfully make fluttershy dissapear for a year. They could say she went to study abroad, went on an exibition to study an endangered species or she went to travel the world with her as you put "old money" im just trying to justify what was done here.
6869321 True and with that study abroad angle if she didnt wake up in a year they could have here die tragically of an accident or disease.