Our train had already passed through half a dozen stops, picking up and letting off other ponies, by the time lunch arrived. Each time new travelers boarded they would either sit further away from our Group, out of fear, or sit closer, due to a strange interest of the unknown. Plenty of the second group eagerly conversed with our thestral entourage, asking what we were and Night was more than happy to answer.

“So you’re not bat ponies?” A one of those peculiar mares, a light colored pegasus, asked as we all snacked on some fruit from the lunch trolley that had gone by.

“No, while we may look similar to bats the proper term for our species is Thestral. Calling us ‘Bat pony’ is typically rude, depending on the context. You wouldn’t want to call a pegasus a ‘chicken’ now would you?.” Night Blossom answered. She was the only one still patiently answering questions as the rest of us ate lunch.

The mare nodded. “I certainly wouldn’t be happy getting called that, outside of some friendly banter.” She tapped her chin thoughtfully.

While listening to their conversation I thought back upon the school field trip we took just a few years ago when I called my unicorn classmates chickens. Wonder if any of them found it insulting. I chuckled at the thought.

“Exactly.” Blossom smiled. Thanks to ponies, like this mare, who could set fear aside and ask actual questions the overall trip had been quite pleasant. As Blossom continued to answer questions and just chat in general the rest of us finished our meals as the train chugged along.

After I had finished my small meal I went back to looking out the window and watching the landscape roll by. Wait are we?

As the train slowed for another stop I recognized the station we had just pulled into. As ponies got onto the train I recognized one in particular. I considered hopping off the train right then and there but didn’t need to. “Dam!” I rushed over to my mother and began nuzzling her chest fur.

Morning Dew’s eyes went wide as I, the somewhat familiar looking thestral colt, ran over to her and began nuzzling her like a lost puppy. It wasn’t until she gave my mane a sniff did she recognize her own son.

“Dawn? Dawn! Oh my precious baby. When I heard you had gotten foalnapped again I almost went dehydrated from crying. Look at you, what happened to your appearance?” She nuzzled and kissed my forehead repeatedly while dragging me off to one side of the car. A few of the other passengers looked concerned or confused when they overheard her statement but didn’t bother us with questions.

The other thestrals just watched in amusement as Cheese discreetly pulled Mango off the train with him. Oh I finally get my colt, party time.

The looks of amusement from the thestrals quickly turned to ones of shock as I reverted to my more natural look. Now, with my dam around, I could finally truly relax so whatever hang up I had on reverting was gone.

Star Song in particular didn’t quite know how to react to my new appearance.

After glancing at the others I continued to nuzzle dam back. “It’s a long story. How about I tell you all about it up at the castle. I have a feeling my new friends would like an explanation about my looks and I bet the princess has a bunch of other questions as well.” I sheepishly waved towards the Thestrals.

My mother noticed them for the first time. “Well, I guess I can wait.” She gave me another squeeze. “However, I’m not letting you out of my sight until school starts back up.” Turning back towards the thestrals she gave them all a ‘thanks’ for finding me.

None of them knew how to react but at least had the sense not to make a scene onboard the train.

“So why are you on the train dam?” I nestled myself against her side as the train got moving again. I wasn’t going to argue with cuddles considering winter was already in full effect around Canterlot.

“Well, when the princess wrote that you had been found I just had to come up and wait for you to arrive. Your mothers are still with your siblings and watching the farm.” She preemptively answered my next question as the train got moving again.

“Good to know.” I yawned as Dam began grooming my mane. As I glanced over at the others I finally noticed two were missing. “Hey, where’s Cheese and Mango?”

“Cheese why did we get off the train?” Mango looked around at the small town they now found themselves in.

“There’s somepony here I want to visit with.” He smiled.

Mango tilted here head but before she could ask her question she heard a gasp and Cheese was tackled by a pink blur.

“Cheesy!” Pinkie Pie nuzzled her colt friend. He had been traveling for so long helping spread laughter it felt like she almost forgot what he looked like. “Where have you been mister?”

“Pinks.” Cheese nuzzled her back and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “All over the place. My latest adventure had me helping another colt get back home.”

Mango watched the interaction with a confused expression but thought best not to interrupt.

“Oh, oh! Was it Dawn?” Pinkie sat up and clapped her forehooves together then looked downcast. “He got taken again this year.” Her mane deflated a bit. “I think it might become a tradition at this rate.”

“It was him! Good guess.” Pinkie breathed a sigh of relief at his answer. “And I hope so too, he was interesting.”

“That’s good I felt really bad for his moms. So… who’s this?” Pinkie disappeared then reappeared at Mango’s side while looking her over and giving her a sniff.

“Hehe, funny story?” Cheese rubbed the back of his neck while looking guilty.

Pinkie poked his side with an impish smile. “You know~, I love funny stories.”

Mango became nervous and gulped as Pinkie once again looked her over intently.

“Thank the hive mothers you’re safe.” Imago had come down to meet us at the train station. She mentioned she could sense my dam’s love all the way up at the castle when the train was close enough to the city. “Tia has been worried sick about you.” My mom let her give me a quick nuzzle then tried to tuck me back under her legs.

I wasn’t quite small enough to fit underneath her fully, unlike when I first started school. “I’m glad I’m safe too. How’s Twilight and Trixie been?” I couldn’t keep my ears from pinning back as she began leading our group up to the castle. We earned plenty of curious looks from the ponies on the street.

“Neither have been doing so well. Twilight has thrown herself into studying while Trixie has been trying to keep both their spirits up without much success.”

Dam and Imago continued to chat as we made our way up to the castle. When we arrived a maid went to let Celestia know we had arrived as we all waited in her study.

“Dawn it’s good to see you safe and healthy.” Celestia was keeping up her mask as she looked over the thestrals. Speaking to one of the guards she asked that they be led into a guest suite as the rest of us talked.

“Princess would it be possible for me to remain here?” Night Blossom asked.

“I want to stay as well!” Star, who had been in a mood since the Ponyville stop spoke up. “I want an explanation as to why he looks different.”

Everypony else shared various looks from confusion to agreement. It wasn’t until I shrugged and nodded did the princess allow both to stay.

“Well first things first.” I jumped over and hugged the princess. “Sorry for worrying you Tia.” Dam looked a bit jealous of the mare but allowed the hug.

She lowered her chin and nuzzled the top of my head. “It wasn’t your fault. I would like to know who took you.” So that I may hoof out proper justice.

At this I flinched a bit. Now that I was safe at home everything that had happened was unexpectedly catching up with me and I found myself tearing up.

Nuzzling myself into Celestia’s chest fluff I mumbled out just loud enough for her to hear. “I killed them Tia.” I sniffed as my mother cringed. I apparently wasn’t quite enough so just continued my explanation after a shaky breath. “It was a group of griffin mercenaries. I knocked them all out and managed to escape. While I searched the area something came along and it-it ate them all. There was so much blood left behind.”

I really hadn’t noticed just how much I was holding back while not feeling safe enough to let go. My hooves were shaking as Celestia set a wing on my back. “Dawn.” I looked up at her. “It doesn’t sound like it was your fault but a beast that ate them.” Food riddance. “So why don’t you tell us what happened.”

I nodded and steadily began recounting what happened as best I could remember.

After Dawn had finished telling his story Celestia had sent him back to his room in the castle so he could relax before school started back up tomorrow. She was still a bit upset the thestrals had cut his return so close yet wasn’t going to press the issue.

We probably need to get Dawn to a counselor.Nonsense, our young protege took on a band of mercenaries all by himself, we should be proud.We can do both.

She refocused on those ponies left in the room. Night Blossom, Morning Dew, and Imago had behind to discuss recent events.

“I still can’t believe he had to go through all that again.” Morning Dew ground her teeth a bit. “First his grandparents and now some unknown slavers.” Imago put a comforting hoof on her withers.

“I’m a more concerned by his transformation.” Celestia trailed off.

“Why. What’s wrong with him looking like a thestral?” Blossom indignantly asked.

“Nothing at all my little pony. It is the ‘why’ of his transformation that concerns me. You said he changed back after finding you on the train?” She tilted her head towards Dew.

She nodded. “As soon as he spotted me and was safe in my embrace he went back to his old appearance.”

“What are you thinking love?” Imago nuzzled under Celestia’s chin.

Celestia rested her chin on Imago’s head. “Just something from the past, it’s not yet concerning but we should keep an eye on him.”

Dew huffed knowing the princess wouldn’t give them a better answer. She asked to be excused and join her son as the others began talking about plans for the thestral’s reintroduction to society.

I felt drained after making it back to my room. Talking about everything had been cathartic and now I just wanted to nap until dinner. Opening the door to my room I smiled when I spotted a pair of fuzzy lumps already napping in my bed.

Quietly I walked over, took a short flight upon the bed, and nestled myself between them.

“Trixie too close.” Twilight grumbled.

“It’s not Trixie but you that is too close.” Trixie huffed back.

“Sorry girls I didn’t intend to wake you.” Two pairs of eyes shot open after hearing my voice.

“Dawn!” The pair of fillies tackle-nuzzled me.

“I’m so glad you’re safe.” Twilight started crying.

Trixie sniffled not long after. “Trixie knew you’d be fine, but is glad you’ve returned.”

The two then bombarded me with similar questions as the others. I answered as best I could but when I yawned they finally let up. “Sorry but I could really go for a nap.”

I plopped back down onto the bed. Twilight and Trixie shared a look and snuggled up on my sides while smiling. It wasn’t long until I heard the door open. With only a flick my ear and a quick sniff I could tell it was my dam by her smell as she quietly joined the snuggle pile. Its good to be back home.

Author's Note

So I was debating on how some of the ponies would react to Dawn’s disappearance and return. If it feels a bit simplistic it’s because I remembered a good story about how primarily ‘prey’ species like ponies would handle death and loss: with a bit more acceptance and awareness, vs a more predatory species like humans who: would fight death with tooth and nail.