Beast. Demon. Monstrosity. It was in times of disharmony and unrest that we earned and deserved what they called us.
This is Hiotstes, Captain of the regal sisters’ night guards. Leader of all bat ponies. Failure. I am writing this report as the last official act I ever take. I am writing this in hopes that what happened shall never fall into oblivion, for I wish for future generations to learn from our mistakes, my mistakes, so they may never occur again. I am writing this and I hope it will help ease some of the pain and remorse I feel, I hope writing this to be cathartic in itself.
To grasp the essence of what I wish to convey, to understand the origins of our very existence the way it is to this day and how it all came to be, we must first take a step back and look at the beginning of things as they were countless moons ago.
It all begins in times of misery and unhappiness. Sorrow and suffering constituted the lives of all beings under the reign of Discord, draconecuus, incarnation of Chaos and Disharmony and malevoent ruler of Equestria. He governed the land as he pleased caring not about his subjects but only his own joy and delight. It seemed there was nothing anyone could do to oppose his tyranny.
It was in these days that bat ponies first appeared. It is said that using his dark magic Discord turned regular pegasi into new somber forms, giving them bat wings and fangs, relishing in the nightmarish appearance they thus gained. His magical influence messed with the minds of his creation, yielding complete and unquestioned obedience to his every command. I do believe there is truth in that, for for as long as I can recall bat ponies constituted the guardians of his throne, their frightening appearance sufficing to intimidate all life forms and nip all uproar in the bud. Every day we would not only guard his reign but do his evil bidding in whatever he meant for us to do, be it raid villages and cities just for his delight or capture and dispose of any rebels who dared to oppose to or just criticise his dominion. However, no one dared to challenge the throne’s guardianship when they faced us for they knew attacking us would cause rage and a direct reaction from Discord himself. Facing Discord in person, a thing most dreaded by all. For most sentient beings bat ponies thus became the epitome of the terror and pain Discord caused. We were on par with him as to the hatred and despite we received. Being the most capable of all, I was the leader of Discord’s guards and I did so many unspeakable and horrible things that it stings me to just think about them now. But it all felt so right at that time... I can only ask and hope for forgiveness but what happened will never be undone and it saddens me deeply.
It was in these days of unrest and unhappiness when I first met them. Two Alicorns, compelled by rightful vigor striving to end the misery of all creatures alike under the dark grasp of Discord. As was our duty we opposed them as guardians of his throne. Needless to say, we constituted no threat to their abilities and were quickly overcome. I still remember my surprise when they spared our lives, for they could have ended us then and there. But they meant us no harm and we were solely incapacitated so to disable us from interfering with what they had to do to end Discord’s tyranny once and for all. It was a fierce battle but after a huge effort and by use of ancient and mystical magic beyond any mere mortals capabilities let alone understanding they were able to defeat Discord and turn him permanently to stone. At that moment something inside me changed. It was like the awakening after a long and sustained dream of suffering and pain. A nightmare I never knew I was dreaming. I understand now that, when he was turned to stone, Discord’s malicious influence escaped our minds and turned every spirit affected back to what they were before. Our forms, however, were still the same, whatever Discord had done to achieve this change it seems it must have been permanent.
The two Alicorns had vanished after their incredible feat, likely to tend to their wounds, not to be seen until later and the former guardians of the throne remained alone in the ruins of Discord’s old castle. The spell they had cast on us to keep us from moving had faded and so we stood to see the ruins of what we had called home for so long. Right then all ever desired was to leave this place at once, so we took flight and never turned back. I had been their leader for the longest of time and so they still followed my guidance. I rid my mind of any thoughts I might have had, I knew caring for them and bringing them to safety was my first and my only purpose at that time. I led us to some caves in a nearby forest to take shelter, for we were not many but we had nowhere else to go and I knew all the ponies wouldn’t forget so easily what we had done to them for so long. That it was forced by Discord’s influence, that we felt unprecedented remorse and guilt and wished nothing else but to revert everything we had done… it didn’t seem to matter and I was not willing to take a chance and try to approach them now.
Only when we arrived at the caves and everyone was save inside for the time being I allowed myself to finally rest. With that all thoughts and emotions I had blocked out until then quickly flooded my mind. Oh, the pain I felt and the tears I shed when realisation about what I’d done, what we’d all done sunk into me… I wept for hours and hours and it seemed nothing could ever fill the emptiness I felt inside. We were free, free for the first time in years but still burdened with tremendous guilt and regret. At that night I didn’t find any sleep and I know many others were with me, I knew they were suffering just as much as I was. While all across the land ponies were celebrating the end of Discord’s reign of terror and the bright future now ahead, for us there seemed to be nothing to look up to or hope for in tomorrow.
The next days were just as desperate and I hardly remember anything that happened other than being restless due to the fear of what would come of us all. I shirked sleep as I knew I would not find any rest but nightmares which I saw all my comrades endure when they tried to find rest in sleep. It was only some days later until my exhaustion got the better of my me and I had to give in to the need for sleep. I will never forget what happened at that night when I sunk into my first sleep devoid of discorded mind.
I stood in the ruins of Discord’s castle once again, seemingly waiting for an unknown event to occur. It was a tranquil and peaceful day, unlike anything I had ever seen, I cannot even grasp how my mind could know what such a day would look and feel like. I can only guess that this knowledge was somehow embedded into my soul, a distant memory of a long lost past, from times before Discord, passed on from generation to generation. All of a sudden the ground began to quake. Any remaining walls were shaking violently, dust and haze quickly filled the air and blocked the light of the sun, rendering the entire scene into darkness and creating an aura of fright. Before my very eyes, the destroyed castle was rebuilding itself, every stone and plank finding the place it belonged while laughter I hoped I would never hear again filled the air. Paralyzed by the events, I fell to the ground shivering in fear of what I knew was about to happen. Right before my eyes the castle of Chaos in all of its dark glory was rebuilt once again, a symbol of his reign and certain indication of his dreaded return. I knew all too well that the fall into darkness and disharmony would undoubtedly begin soon. I knew all too well, that he would once again require obedient servants, never questioning his orders and following his will to every extent. I knew all too well what it meant for me to be present at that place of his return and I felt unfathomable horrors thinking about the things I would be forced to do once again, not knowing of nor caring about their malice and the suffering they caused. I then heard the wicked laughter right before me and surely the master of chaos and disharmony stood before me, never ceasing to laugh. I closed my eyes, lowered my head to the ground and waited for what was bound to happen, when all of a sudden I heard a soothing and calm voice.
“A warm welcome to you, Hiotstes, leader of the bat ponies.”
There was a flash of light and when I opened my eyes and looked before me, Discord was gone. I raised my head to see who had spoken and I immediately recognized her regal figure. Before me stood one of the two Alicorns who had stood up to Discord and turned him into stone for good. I was dumbfounded, I could not think of anything to say let alone react at all.
She must have sensed my state of mind, as she proceeded with a smirk:
“I am Luna, princess of the night. By popular request my sister Celestia and I have taken reign of Equestria to lead it into a bright and glorious future. The nation of disharmony and unrest is no longer, together we shall change it instead to a place that strives for harmony above all.”
I was still stunned, I couldn’t do anything but look at her while she continued.
“My sister has taken control of the day and the rising of the sun, while I have taken control of the night and the rising and setting of the moon. As Princess of the night it is my duty to come into your dreams.”
I finally found my voice again.
“I… this is just a dream? But it feels so real...”
“I assure you, that you are asleep. But when you awake, the thing that frightens you the most will still exist. I have seen the very same fear in the dreams of all of you. I have come to you, to offer a solution to your problems.”
My mouth dropped open, I didn’t know what to respond so I just waited for her to proceed.
“I can sense your despair, your fear. I know just what everypony out in the world thinks about the bat ponies, Discord’s honor guard as you were referred to. Know that I understand and i know that you do so as well what makes them feel the way they do. They suffered from your hooves, they suffered mightily and there is no denying that. However, none of them are aware of the state of slavery you all were trapped in when committing these misdeeds. You are thoroughly misjudged creatures, none of them know of the beauty and importance that lies behind the dark that surrounds you. ”
I was surprised to see her eyes start to water up with tears as she spoke, it was obvious she was most concerned about everything going on. It seemed to somehow be a matter close to her heart, more than she would reveal, though I coul not tell why.
“I will not let all of Equestria stick to false beliefs about what should be their like in respect and love and believe me when I say that as much as it seems futile now, I know just how to achieve this feat.”
I could only nod for her to continue.
“My sister and I have talked about this in depth and we see eye to eye on that matter. We agreed that there is something we can do, to help all of you. Therefore, Hiotstes, we want you and your bat ponies to now be our guards. I will personally make sure you get the respect and love you deserve, you will serve as my guardians of the night and with time we will show all the world how wrong they are thinking about you, now. I ask you to come to the ancient palace in the city of Canterlot, I will await your arrival. Rest assured you will be done no harm.”
“I…”
“You will awake soon. I must leave you now. Remember, that everypony has fears, Hiotstes. Everypony must face them in their own way, but they must be faced, or the nightmares will continue and you shall never find rest. We offer you a way to go. I await your arrival in Canterlot.”
With that she started to turn around and walk away. Just as she was preparing to take off and leave into the sky I inquired:
“Princess Luna, wait. Is this all real or is it just happening in my head?”
She smiled at me warmly.
“Of course it is happening in your head, Hiotstes, but why should that mean that it is not real?”
Then she took flight and faded into the sky. I heard her booming voice echo through my head
“Face your fears!”
before I woke with a start. I was back in the cave, with everypony else trying to find rest. Some of them awake, some asleep struggling in their dreams. I knew I had to tell them about what had just happened. I knew we had to discuss what to do, but I for one… I had already made up my mind. To say I would have normally been reluctant to take that step would be an understatement, but still there had been something about her appearance, about her calming tone and demeanor that made me believe in every word she said and trust her.
And thus it all came to be. We made our way to Canterlot where the two regal sisters awaited our arrival and bid us a warm welcome. We were solemnly inaugurated to our new duties as guardians of the night and the princess of the night, swore loyalty to the throne of the two sisters and pledged to protect them and the equestrian nation for all we were worth. I sensed the animosity of the royal household towards us but as we had the blessings of the princesses not a single pony let it show. And so began the days of the bat pony royal night guards. We were about to face hard times trying to make up for everything we had done under the influence of Discord and trying to gain respect as well as trust from all fellow ponies. It took a while, but as the regal sisters had designated us with the honorable task of aiding princess Luna in her guardianship of the night, we could soon see the beginning of a change in attitude the public went through, animosity fading and acceptance rising as time went on. Being as close to her as any mere mortal could hope to be in order to fulfil our duties I soon felt a change in the princess of the night. While she showed no outward signs I sensed that she, though glad things went as we had hoped for, started to become resentful as time went on. I did not know what to make of this and I did not dare confront her about it in fears of upsetting her or losing her trust for addressing delicate things as the royal state of mind which was none of anypone else’s business. And so I took silent notice and assured myself whatever it was upsetting her would sooner or later be resolved. I have never been so wrong in my entire life as recent events confirm. Anyhow, things were starting to look up for us.
Then came the Nightmares. Today has to have been the worst day of my life. It was a day of bitter sorrow as much as it was a day of relief and joy. Ponies everywhere are now celebrating the defeat of Nightmare Moon and the premature end of her vowed eternal night time. We celebrate the victory of our beloved princess of the sun, princess Celestia. By use of the mystical Elements of Harmony, once weilded together with her sister to defeat the villain Discord, she was able to overcome this one of the darkest threats our sovereign nation ever faced and banish the vile essence of Nighmares permanently to the moon. Unfortunately there was nothing she could do to save her sister Luna, now locked away on the moon with the haunting spirits of Nightmare she had conjured herself. Rumor has it there will be a time when she returns, but I doubt the credibility of such claims, though I hope for them to be true.
I feel remorse beyond anything I ever knew I was capable of feeling. We failed our duty. We failed our Princess. I failed. I saw the signs of the darkening of her mind, I knew about the despair she felt. It stung me in so many ways to see her in such state of unrest and yet I told myself things would still sort out alone. If only I’d done something, anything. I feel this crysis could have been avoided had I just done something, instead of ignoring what I felt was going on in her. It had taken a couple of years but all we had ever hoped for had come true. Bat ponies were not only an accepted but a respected and trusted part of pony society. The atrocious and unspeakable things we had done were not forgotten, but they were forgiven. It was all due to her. Had she not approached me in my dreams… I don’t know what would have become of us.
I do believe I now understand what compelled her. Not only did she have a good heart but she saw in us and the way we were treated and shunned by everypony a similar unfairness the beautiful night faced as long as it exists. I can only surmise that she hoped for the gain in reputation and respect bat ponies experienced to affect the way the night itself is perceived as well. While she was glad about the success of the rehabilitation of bat ponies over time it did not work out the same with night. While ponies relished and played in the day her elder sister brought forth, they shunned and slept through her beautiful night as it had always been. This must have upset her to no end, I cringe when I imagine the conflict she must have felt, glad for the positive development her bat pony proteges experienced and yet also jealous of just this development which her night was denied. She had given our existence meaning. She had been there and showed us the way when we were lost in the dark. We, however, failed to do the same for her. The pony we vowed to protect is no longer. With her, I feel the reason for as well as the purpose of our existence is no longer.
Princess Celestia, however, still sees purpose in our existence. I intended and proposed to her to dismiss all the night’s guards since we had failed our oath and since our princess of the night is no longer. Princess Celestia asked for us to keep serving the throne and as it is her personal wish I agreed. I assume she wishes for us to stay on duty so the latest feat of her sister won’t fade into meaninglessness. I imagine she finds comfort in our presence, a constant reminder of the good her sister did before she turned to the vile. And so the guardians of the night will proceed to serve the princess, hoping to never fail the throne again.
I, however, am done. I cannot face the chores anymore, knowing the one who made all this possible, who gave us meaning in our lifes is no longer with us and that we will never see her again. I know princess Celestia will try to convince me to stay on duty, but I have made up my mind. Nothing she might say or do will change that. I cannot bear that burden anymore. I shan’t. I won’t. I am writing this report as the last official act I ever take. I write this to be my last command, my last wish as captain of the night guards for all following generations of guards. I wish for them to serve the throne of the sisters as best as they can. I wish that they hold dear the reason for our very acceptance in the society I learned to love and vowed to protect. I wish that they keep the one who helped shape us into what we are now in dear memory. For without her guidance and love we would still be shunned and roam this world in search for the place we belong and for peace.
Should the day when she returns come indeed … We will be there. We will await her return. We will never fail her again. For we will forever be her guardians of the night.
