Thestral Blood

*Deep inside a cave within the deepest parts of the Everfree forest.  A sacred ritual between bat ponies was taking place.  SEX!  Meanwhile about a year after that.  That bat pony mare had her foal and the tragic tale began.  For this thestral was of the rarest breed because of the unique trait they possess.  To live they had to take the very life essence of others.  To live, they had to drink.Creatures.BLOOD.  And that is why this thestral was immediately marked for death.  However, saved by the loving parent, the foal was carried into the woods.  The other thestrals knew that if the foal was allowed to live that tragedy would surely follow.  They pursued her until they were sure they couldn't find her.  Disappointed they returned home hoping that the weather took care of them.  Unfortunately, the mother and her child were strong and they survived until they found shelter in another cave.  They stayed in there for months and months until the mother began to grow weak and started to die.

"Mama, what is wrong with you," the young bat pony asked.  The mother looked into his eyes and saw the fear of the future.  But she also saw the determination in his eyes to live.

"My son, my time in this world is running out," she told the foal.

"But mom you can't go what about me and if you go then there will be no one to get back at those meanies who kicked us out," the foal said, crying now that what the mother had said started to sink in.  The mother motioned for him to come closer for she was getting weaker.

"My son, you are a special one of our kind," she stated. "You are a vampiric bat pony.  I am sure there are times that you won't like what you are but I want you to continue living on. If you are finding it hard then just do it for me," she continued.  She lifted a weak hoof and caressed his cheek.

"I want you to live so...," she said as she tilted her head and showed him her neck.  The feeling inside of the foal was immediate as he was almost knocked off his feet by the over surging urge to bite and suck and...  The foal shook his head to clear it.

"Mom I can't.  With how weak you are you could die," he pleaded with every ounce of will he had to not leap on her right then and there.

"Son, I am dying anyway. At least this way a part of me will always be with you," she stated with the care only a mother could manage in this situation.  She reached out a hoof and brought him closer so that his face was right in front of her neck.  The foal tried with all his might but eventually, his will crumbled.  He opened his mouth and bit into his mother's neck.

He may have lost his will to stop but he didn't lose complete control.  He uses one of the venoms in his fangs to numb that part of her skin so that it wouldn't hurt.  The mother's sorrow was evident now but she held a hoof up to his head just in case he tried to pull away.  "That's it my son... drink...up", she stated in between labored breathing.  The foal was crying now but he knew his mother would insist he continue so he did.  He could see him sapping her of her strength which only made him cry harder.  "Remember, even when it all seems hopeless just keep on living my little thestral.  My...little...Night Treader," and with that, she went limp drained of almost all of her life essence.  The foal had let go of her neck and looked down at his mother with sad eyes.  He wanted to cry.  He wanted to cry next to his mother until he eventually starved but, mama wanted him to live so he would.  He would live and he would never forget.

"Night Treader," he repeated.  A small smile graced his lips.  "Thank you, mama.  Thank you for everything," he said and let just a few teardrops fall to the cave floor.  That night he brought his mother outside and buried her.  It was hard and by the time he was done he was sore.  He laid down next to the grave and put his head in his hooves.   I'll never forget.  Not for as long as I live.