Night's Lament

A deathly silence had gripped the darkness like a deadly vice, small cumbersome breaths clung to the air like a python. A solid floor held up the small figure inside, smooth fabric brushing the small ears of the darkness’s inhabitant. A slow heavy beat began to pulsate, echoing through the durable floor, slowly advancing, closer and closer. The darkness seemed to crack open lightly as a pair of glimmering gold orbs forced back the darkness. The auric coloured orbs darted back and forth amongst the blackened void, slits of black pupils adorning each one. The breathing soon became burdensome as the deep thuds came closer. A mere gulp from the small filly sounded almost deafening in the silence as the small golden eyed filly buried herself in the darkness, her heart palpitating wildly.

An eon seemed to pass as the thudding got louder and louder. A sudden silence ensued, terrifyingly loud. The small filly panted and gulped in panic as the silence dragged on her heart pounding against her small chest. Suddenly the darkness dissipated as a blinding light filled the void that she dwelled within. The filly closed her eyes as it did inching back into the wooden confine she was being held in, hoping… Just hoping to stay hidden.

“Gotcha!”, a stallion announced in triumph, his hooves charging forward, pulling the kicking and screaming filly from the small wooden closet she took refuge in, ripping her away from the soft hanging clothing and pulled her into the blinding light of day.

A large string of giggles was let out throughout the room as the small bat pony was thrown onto a fluffy bed, landing with a soft thud. As her golden eyes shot open after the impact upon the bed, they were quickly enveloped by the sight of a large adult pony. His mane was a sapphire blue, two pointed and tufted ears stuck out, half hidden by his messy mane. His eyes glowed a bright jade green, his coat was similar to typical bat ponies, a greyish brown. Two black and webbed wings rested neatly and tidily by his sides.

He smirked at the small filly as he grabbed her sides and began to tickle her relentlessly, laughing as he did so. “What are you doing up here?” he questioned as he pinned her down, her violet purple mane sprawled out across the blue bed sheets.
She couldn’t respond as she writhed underneath his hooves, giggling and laughing noisily, a few squeals escaping her lips. He laughed at the response that he was given as he tickled her more and more, his hooves jabbing her sides. The large and loud laughs turned into small hiccups of the noises as she began to squeak, “Y-You f-f... Haha! Found me!” she let out loudly, squirming and shaking violently.

The stallion smiled wide, his pointed fangs showing. His attack began to slow down as he jabbed her lightly. He leaned in and began to tut lightly, “I thought we agreed that the barracks was off limits, little troublemaker,” he said giving her nose a light nuzzle.

She panted lightly and quickly squirmed out of his deathly grasp. “I-I know...”, she said tiredly with shame standing up on the bed, sinking lightly into it. She only just managed to meet his eyes. “But it has the best hiding spots…”, she began but was swiftly cut off by the stallion holding his hoof to her lips.

“You know the rules Night…”, he reminded her.

She pouted at him and sat down on the bed, unhappy. “I know…”, she mumbled to him.

He merely smiled at the sad filly and ruffled her purple mane. “Come on, we have to get you ready for school.” She sighed and looked back up to him, her luminescent golden eyes shining brilliantly.

“Dad! Do I have to?” she asked unhappily.

He chuckled and nodded. “C’mon, I’ll walk you,” he said with a toothy grin.

She smiled gently and reached up, giving his nose a light boop. “I can walk by myself Dad, I’m not a little girl anymore”, she said with a confident smile.

He chuckled once more and copied her movements, bumping her nose with his hoof. “Only when you stop coming into the barracks”, he said with a cheeky smile. She groaned and jumped off of the bed and began to trot towards the door, her hooves thudding lightly against the wooden floor. He followed the small filly, seeming to tower over her, his own hoof steps making hers sound even quieter. “Little troublemaker,” he teased as they both began to leave the barracks, passing the many rows of duplicate beds. She looked up at him with an unamused glare as he shook his head in satisfaction.

“Is the class outside today?”, he asked with worry, his voice filling with concern, “Or are you inside the colony?”

“We’re out in the school house today.”, she confirmed, looking up to her father with a confident grin. “We’ll be careful.”

He gave a sigh and a nod, “I know… But I have to always be careful.”, he stated before falling silent.

They trotted outside into the cool morning breeze, the small bat filly Night Watch leading the way for them.

The bat ponies were always secluded. Their small colony nestled itself comfortably by the base of a mountain, its snowy peaks standing tall and looming over the colony, it’s silver peaks mere rock by day, but glistening jewels by night.

Sadly many of the inhabitants had never seen the snow up close before as it rested solely upon the tall peaks and never fell upon the ground. The town was almost invisible, only a few wooden buildings stood amongst the vast berry and wheat fields, its green vines sprawling out across the landscape and the surrounding golden fields swaying softly in the breeze. The semi-circle of stores lay in the centre of town, shop keepers all flaunting their products to those passing by. They didn't usually come outside… It was far too dangerous and only on special permission were they allowed to leave the colony.

The colony of course was not as one would think. Small openings and caves led to a much larger honeycomb of tunnels, all inhabited by the sharp fanged ponies, hiding away from prying eyes. It had been their home for centuries, they had always been safe beneath the mountain.

The small filly continued to trot through the town, her father trotting right by her side as an icy breeze fluttered by, causing her to shiver lightly. He chuckled and continued leading the small filly along, the smiles of many bat ponies passing them as they moved across the flat plains of the town.

Night had a look of anguish on her face, the idea of having to go to school didn’t bother her… Just the idea of going to school at that point in time. She sighed unhappily and her father nudged her.

“Hey, cheer up little troublemaker… You can do more at school than I get to do in the colony guard”, he said, trying to cheer her up.

She glanced up to him, not believing a single word. He knew what she was thinking and looked down to her, a small smile on his face.

“Why don’t you tell me what you learned yesterday?”, he asked, “Something about cutie marks?”

She looked up at him, a confused look in her eyes. He just stared back at her, awaiting a reply, pretending not to know anything at all about them.

“They’re… It’s what Luna’s plan is for us in life… And her blessing of those skills… ”, she stuttered slowly, not wanting to get anything wrong.

He chuckled and looked forward as they began to trot down a small dip in the once flat ground. “And what’s Luna’s plan and blessing for your mum and I?”, he asked, urging the small filly to go on.

“You… are good at helping ponies and defending the colony from bad things….”

Her father gave a proud nod and raised his chin at the small comment. “Mmhmm... And your mother’s?”

She bit her lip lightly as she struggled to explain what it was that she did.

“It’s to… Umm...” She slowly became silent as she slowly looked over to him, an amused grin on his face.

“Your mothers job…”, he began as he leaned down and quickly lifted the small and light filly up, using his wings, sliding her onto his back. “Is to be a beautiful and loving pony”, he said purposely, watching the filly scrunching up her face and sticking her tongue out.

“Why do you and mum have to be so gross?!”, she whined as he let out a loud, amused laugh as they trotted off to the small school building standing in the distance.