//-------------------------------------------------------// Tale of a certain batpony -by Gucinnio- //-------------------------------------------------------// //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 1 //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 1 It was warm summer night, time when ponies were going to their beds. In a big house near an apple orchard an elderly pony was resting in her rocking chair, half asleep. Three young ponies and a small dragon just went out of the bathroom, clean and smelling of soap. They ran towards sleeping mare and woke her unexpectedly. “Granny Smith! Tell us some stories!” shouted young yellow earth pony startling her grandma and waking her from her slumber. “Ah, eh, who is it!?” said surprised old mare. “Oh, Applebloom don't startle me like that! You want me to tell you some stories, eh?” she said. Granny Smith closed her eyes and her rocking chair stopped moving. Young ponies thought she fell asleep but as Applebloom opened her mouth to wake up her grandma, Granny Smith suddenly opened her eyes and asked:  “Have you heard, 'bout vamponies?”. “Yes! Those that are beautiful, sparkle in the sun and have superpony abilities? I've read about those!” squeaked young unicorn and puffed out her chest with a smile. “Not those ones! They aren't real. It's just a stupid story for teenage ponies. Have you ever heard 'bout real vamponies, Sweetie Belle? Those that drink blood and if you meet one you won't live long enough to tell somepony about that.” Granny Smith finished with half closed eyes looking straight at now pale unicorn filly. Sweetie Belle loudly swallowed and answered stumbling: “N-n-no.” “Then stay quiet and listen. You three too.” ordered Granny Smith. “Long ago the thestrals or as we call them bat ponies were divided into two tribes. In first one, which was larger than the other, there were bat ponies as we know them today. Ponies with bat, or as some ponies say, dragon wings, that were eating fruit. They were peaceful and harmless but other ponies were afraid of them because they lived in caves, were asleep during day and active at night. That's why bat ponies lived away from normal ponies, because they didn't want trouble.” Fillies were lively interested in story about vamponies as they were listening to Granny Smith's story without a single twitch. Even Applebloom's brother, Big MacIntosh who entered the room moment ago, had his ears up. Granny Smith cleared her throat and continued: “But the second tribe didn't want to hide. They wanted to wage a war against other ponies and drink their blood, as they believed it would make them stronger. This tribe's hatred and faith in strenghtenin' pro... prop... you know what, of blood made them really strong and fast. But there wasn't many of them. Vamponies were forced to live even further than their peace-loving brothers. Some even went to live in Everfree forest!”- purple dragon shivered- ”It is said that they invented their own dark magic. Some ponies in Ponyville say, that sometimes they can hear flapping of wings at night, and they immidietely go to sleep, even though some aren't tired at all, and when they wake up, they have two strange, red dots on their necks, as if something bite them.” Girls were looking at Granny Smith with wide eyes, hugging each other. “Who knows... maybe some vampony will soon visit you while you sleep, and drink your blood!” shouted Granny Smith. Fillies screamed in unison and hugged each other even tighter. Granny began laughing but it soon turned into caughing. “Don't worry, we won't let him, right Big Mac?” she asked. “Eeyup!” responded red stallion. “On the other hoof girls, do you know we will be having a neighbour? Why don't you go to sleep now, and visit him tomorrow?” proposed Granny. “You maybe can get your cutie marks in helping neighbours.” “Yeah! And Spike will help us, right Spike?” spoke orange pegasus. “Yeah Scootaloo, I will... I mean, if Twilight agrees...” said small dragon. Seeing fillies frowning he waved his hand and added: “But I'm sure she will!” “Now now. You should go to bed.” spoke Big Mac. “Granny is already sleeping, see?” he pointed at the rocking chair, where old mere was snoring. Everybody giggled silently in order not to wake Granny. Big Mac put a blanket on Granny Smith and went to put girls and young dragon to bed. Then, Big Mac went to his room and lied on bed thinking about what Granny said. It was warm summer night, time when all ponies were sleeping, and there were only few lights seen in houses' windows. One of those windows was library's. Six ponies were having a slumber party there. Standing just outside of the door you could hear giggling. Inside six ponies were siting on cushions in a circle. In the midst of them a bottle of cider was spinning, emptied before the game started. As the bottle slowed cyan pegasus with rainbow-colored mane began grinning widely. Then, the bottle stopped and it's neck indicated another pegasus, bright yellow with pink mane which made cute squeaking sound after seeing the bottle was pointing at her. “Truth or dare Fluttershy?” asked cyan pegasus while grinning. “Umm... Truth... If... that's okay.”  replied Fluttershy while trying to hide behind her cushion. “Is there a stallion in ponyville you have crush on?” said rainbow-maned pony ephasizing her question. Everypony focused eyes on blushing Fluttershy awaiting her response. “Rainbow Dash dear, I'm sure Fluttershy would have told us if she had a special somepony.” said unicorn with a stylish, combed violet mane and alabaster coat, trying to defend her friend. “Ah still would like to 'ear that from Fluttershy. Rarity, ah'm sure she must like some stallion.” exclaimed orange earth pony with freckles and hat, winking at Rarity.” “Oh, so tell us Fluttershy” - Rarity focused again on yellow pegasus - “do you have some special somepony?” “Umm... yes.” said quietly Fluttershy while her cheeks got bright red. “Really?! Who is it?!” shouted Rainbow Dash with disbelief. “That's another question silly!” happily announed very... pinky pony. “Though... I'm sure that she'll tell us as Rarity said, right Fluttershy?” “Umm... I will?” answered even more quietly Fluttershy. “Okay girls, I'm sure everypony here has an image of her perfect stallion, right?” spoke far silent lavender alicorn with dark violet mane with purple and bright rose streaks. “You're right Twilight, we shouldn't pry.” frowned Rarity, but immidiately smiled “But it is a game for fun!” “Ah think Twilight's right. So how about everybody says what her ideal stallion would be like?” proposed orange pony. “Ah can begin if y'all want.” “That's good idea Applejack!” said Twilight and Rarity at the same. Rest of ponies nodded while pink pony bounced on her big rubber ball. “Pinkie Pie? Where did you get that?” asked lavender alicorn pointing at the big ball. “Oh silly! I have balls stashed all around ponyville in case of ball emergency, you know that!” bounced pinky pony. “That's just Pinkie being Pinkie.” snircked Rainbow Dash. “Sooo... AJ, what's your perfect stallion like?” smiled cyan pegasus turning to Applejack. “Mah perfect stallion hmm... Ah guess he must be honest, kind and hardworking.” blushed Applejack “Oh, and Ah like strong ones Ah think. Ya know, Ah don't want to be more muscular than him.” Applejack cheeks were rose-red already, and got more and more red as she continued: “And Ah don't think he needs to be handsome because Ah myself aren't pretty like Rarity.” added orange pony. Although Applejack was Element of Honesty sudden confession surprised everypony. First to shake herself was Rarity. Alabaster unicorn stood up and to another surprise  hugged Applejack. “Applejack, you have something that I do not and that is your natural beauty.” said Rarity while holding hooves on Applejack's shoulders and looking into orange pony's emerald eyes. “And yes, I truly me-” Rarity was interrupted by tight hug. All other ponies also joined, forming group hug. They remained like that for few minutes. “Thanks.” Applejack had tears in the corner of her eyes. Wipping them she said, “Whose turn now?” “Moi.” said still hugged unicorn. “Ugh!” “Oh, sorry Rarity.” apologised Applejack when she hugged her too hard. “Ekhm.” Rarity cleared her throat. “My perfect stallion should be a gentlecolt, caring for me, always ready for sacrificing himself for my sake. He should be my prince. Of course I wouldn't mind real prince.” Almost entering her daydreams Rarity said “He would take me to the most charming places, and kiss me and took care of me...” “Oh shush!” woke her up Rainbow. “Remember Prince Blueblood?" smiled cyan pegasus. “I though we agreed to never speak about that jerk.” Rarity hissed at Rainbow. “And what is yours perfect stallion like, hmm? He must be part of the Wonderbolts?” retaliated unicorn with grin. ”Umm... No. But that would be cool!” said Rainbow Dash not offended by that remark. “I guess he must be fast, and cool, and awesome and good in bed.” recited pegasus. “Rainbow...” said Twilight. “Sometimes I am worried about you... How much did you drink?” “What!?” replied surprised pegasus “Few mugs no more! I swear!” exclaimed Rainbow Dash. “That's a little too much for pegasi, you silly!” giggled Pinkie Pie. “That's why you have pervy thoughts!” Pinkie burst out laughing. “Hey!” Rainbow crossed her arms and was looking at pink pony with an angry look. “She has a point Dashie. Take it easy, we should't drink too much.” quietly spoke Fluttershy. “Okay, I won't drink more.” surrendered Rainbow. “So now your turn Pinkie! What is your ideal stallion like?” said cyan pegasus, leaning toward Pinkie Pie with a smile as she couldn't wait to hear about Pinkie's ideal special somepony. “Oh, that's easy!” smiled pink pony “He should be funny! Oh, and he must love hugging because I would hug him aaall daaay!” explained Pinkie hugging tightly Applejack. “Sugarcube, now's your turn!” said Applejack turning to Fluttershy while still being squeezed by Pinkie Pie. “Can ya let me go, please!?” “Okie, dokie, lokie!” Fluttershy sighed and said, “Okay... Umm He should be kind and gentle so my animal friends wouldn't be scared of him. Ummm... like Big McIntosh?” said quietly Fluttershy. \ Applejack's jaw dropped on what she heard. “Are ya talking about mah brother?” asked Applejack tilting her head. “Yeah, sure he's fine, single stallion, but Ah never thought that one of you girls look at him like that...” explained orange pony. “Though Ah'm happy about it!” Applejack smiled. “Umm... Sorry?” said Fluttershy “Don't apologise, Ah wish ya only luck with him. Ya surely fit each other.” ensured Applejack. Fluttershy blushed with her eyes sparkling with happiness “Thank you Applejack.” “Heh, Fluttershy had a crush on Big Mac, no big deal.” Rainbow waved her hand. “You should see how she looks at him with those big eyes when she talks with him!” laughed Rainbow Dash. Blood rushed to Fluttershy's cheeks making them more red than before, but she still smiled. “Rainbow!” shouted Twilight. “Don't laugh at Fluttershy's crush!” “Oh, I only teased her a little.” said Rainbow rolling her eyes. “And what is your idea of perfect stallion?” said Raibow changing subject. “Yes, Twilight Sparkle, what is your's ideal prince?” asked Rarity. “Yeah, tell us Twilight!” shouted ponies. “Okay, just calm down girls. You all told everyone about your ideal coltfriend so it's only fair that I will too.” said Twilight silencing other ponies. She held her chin thinking then she shrugged and said, “I didn't think about that. I mean... You know girls that I had always my nose in books so I never thought about it.” she explained. Other mares looked at her surprised. Rarity was first to shake off astonishment. “But Twilight, I'm sure you have something that you value more in stallions. For example do you like having intelligent conversations with ponies?” “Oh, of course!” said Twilight. “And what more do ya like?” asked Applejack. “Or tell us how would you like to spend time with your coltfriend!” proposed Pinkie Pie. “Umm... I would love to read books”- Rainbow Dash ran a hoof across her face -”and experiment together” - Rarity and Applejack looked at each other thinking about the same thing - “go stargazing and maybe even... kiss?” Twilight put her hooves together nervously. “I never kissed and books don't explain that properly.” said Twilight blushing. “That's pretty romantic, Twilight!” joyfully announced Rarity. “I'm positive there's a stallion somewhere there that would love to do that with you!” “Maybe that new pony that had build himself a mansion outside ponyville?” giggled Pinkie Pie. “What pony?” asked girls simultaneously. “Umm... he's...” said quiet voice. “I didn't meet him yet. But I'm going to throw him a party! With balloons and” - “Excuse me... I know him...” ”cupcakes and” - “Excuse me...” “I'm gonna invite all ponies from Pony” - “EXCUSE ME!” Fluttershy shouted. Everypony immidietely calmed. The silence continued for few seconds until Applejack broke it saying, “Yes, sugarcube?” “Sorry!” apologised Fluttershy. “I know him.” “You do?! Why haven't you told us sooner?” Fluttershy sighed, smiled at girls and said, “He's a really nice pony. He came to me and apologised for scaring off the animals, from where he built his mansion. He's a real gentlecolt and he will be my far neighbour two days from now. Umm... and he's a bat pony.” “A bat pony, really? That's so awesome!” said Rainbow Dash, “I heard bat ponies are fast! Maybe he can race with me sometimes?” she wondered. “That will be our first new bat pony friend! I can't wait to throw him a party!” shouted Pinkie “By the way, Twilight, were is Spike?” asked Pinkie. Before Twilight had a chance to explain, Applejack said: “He's with Cutie Mark Crusaders. They're havin' sleepover too, Big Mac's takin' care of them.” “I wonder if girls went too sleep already.” pondered Rarity. “Yeah, right... Have you slept at this time when you were at a sleepover?” grinned Rainbowdash. Rarity just opened her mouth. “I thought so...” said Rainbow. “Who wants more cider!?” It was warm summer night, time when everypony already was dreaming. Near the edge of the Everfree forest stood great mansion, surrounded by a marble wall with black, steel gate, which creaked with every gust. Not even one window was brightened by the light of candle. Standing in front of the gate was light gray stallion with dark blue mane interspersed with black highlights. He had wings like bat.  His red eyes , were shining in the darkness of the night. The stallion pushed the gate and walked in front of the mansion, not taking his eyes from it. He sat on the ground and admired his new house After a while he trotted to the massive door and opened them, then he turned his face in direction of nearby town, Ponyville, and smiled.