Dawn's new day.

Star Song, as I had come to learn her name, led us down the hall and opened the door to a larger conference room nestled deeper in the town hall building. Half a dozen Thestral mare adults along with Night sat around a large table, their eyes quickly settled on me as the conversation died down.

“Balanced Dawn, welcome. I am the mayor of Vespertilio, Silver Shadow.” Again It wasn’t quite what I expected. The older mare and her fellow council members were nothing like some strange Nightmare Moon cult leaders the old history books or even the show portrayed the Thestrals to be. “I won’t bother with introductions right now but this is the council of seven.” Night was the only stallion among the mares of various ages. Judging by the smells they gave off they all belonged to separate herds.

“Nice to meet you all.” I lowered my head politely. Star remained at my side and I noticed she was leaning my way as if wanting to be closer.

“No need for that young alicorn.” The mayor shook her head. “Now why don’t you tell us why you’re out in our woods instead of your home in Canterlot.”

Since I had nothing to hide I was more than happy to explain. For the next half hour I told my story and answered their questions as best I could about my attackers. By the end of my story everypony in the room was growing in anger. Even Star Song was holding herself back from covering me protectively with her wings.

“Those filthy chicken mercenaries dare try to foalnap royalty from our country?” One of the council growled.

“I’m surprised my story upset you all so much.” I rubbed my neck.

“Of course it did! We may isolate ourselves but we still consider ourselves part of Equestria and they attacked one of our own!” Silver took a deep breath. “And considering that ‘one’ is a Thestral alicorn colt.” she gave me a warm look that threw me off. “What mare wouldn’t be upset.”

“Dawn?” My ears flicked towards Night as he spoke. “Disregarding how you got here I have to ask, were you raised among Thestrals?”

“No, my Dam is a unicorn and my Sire a pegasus. I only know of one other Thestral and she’s quite a close friend.” I replied.

“Your mate?” I nodded At silver. Flutters was somepony I considered highly. “I see. Well how about we call it a day it is getting quite late and resume tomorrow.” My confusion must have shown on my face and Night chucked While Star yawned.

“We’re nocturnal remember. All younger foals should all be asleep right now, normally.” He reminded me.

“Dad, will he be coming with us?” Star’s tail happily swished back and forth though her ears drooped with exhaustion.

“Yes.” Night had gotten up, while the other members continued to talk, and led us back out into the hallway.

“So what’s Canterlot like?” Star Song excitedly asked. “I’ve obviously never been but I read about it in the library.”

Rubbing my chin, “It’s a shining city on the side of Mt Canterhorn. Princess Celestia lives there in the castle and I even have a room there as her student. It’s population is a something like sixty thousand creatures, not including visitors.”

“Wow, that’s a lot more ponies than the book said, but what’s it like to live there?” She didn’t seem interested in the facts.

I looked around the underground city we were passing through trying to find a comparison. The buildings were mostly carved from the stone with wooden doors and cladding to give it a warmth stone couldn’t provide. It was all a stark contrast to a gleaming City like Canterlot but also had a cozier feeling I quite enjoyed.

“Busy and loud.” I finally settled on. “But also fun. Everywhere you go there’s a group of ponies doing something like shopping or gathering at restaurants, or you can often watch the pegasi mares performing tricks as they handle the weather to show off for the stallions.” I laughed at the memory of one mare who had ran right into her friend and both had fallen at the hooves of the stallion they were trying to impress. He laughed so hard and found it entertaining enough that the two mares got their date. “The central part is mostly unicorns but there’s also other creatures like griffins, minotaurs, and the occasional Abyssinian.”

“So many creatures. They’re like us right?” She lifted a wing. “The Pegasi I mean. Except with feathers.”

I nodded and made note of how empty the city was as we passed through it. “Yeah, feathered wings with feathers around their hooves and around their tails sometimes as well. My mom has feathered hooves kinda like mine.” I held up a hoof and there were feathers matching my mane colors around them. “They also don’t have slit eyes or fangs and are built more for speed rather than stealth and tight turns.”

“Cool! maybe I’ll meet one someday.” She yawned and I got a glimpse of her pearly white fangs. She caught me looking and blushed.

“Maybe someday.” Night Idly chimed in. “For now welcome to our home.” He motioned with a wing.

The structure was about half the size of the family farmhouse and with no yard to speak of. Yet the building felt cozy and inviting with glowing red light coming from a few of the windows. I had almost forgotten that without my night vision the entire area would have looked dark and uninviting. I hope Cheese is okay.

“So what did you all think of the colt?” Silver asked her fellow council mares as soon as the three had left.

“To think there are thestrals outside of the colony, we really should have kept up with the outside world better.” One of the youngest members huffed.

“Perhaps, but our traditions have kept us safe.” Argued one of the oldest.

“From what?” Night relayed, “Luna has been all but forgotten by the average pony after her fall into the Nightmare and we have had no issues from the Nightmare cults in generations.” Silver rested her chin on a fore hoof. Their colony had been one of a few that had worked tirelessly to stamp them out before going into hiding. They hadn’t contacted the other colonies along the other border or near the Everfree’s edge, opposite Canterlot, in years once that work was done.

As the group continued to talk the oldest spoke again. “So what do we do with him?” They all shared uncomfortable looks. Each knew the value of an alicorn colt but they also knew the Princess of the day, Celestia, was his personal mentor. None of them wanted to risk her wrath if they forced him to stay.

“What if we send one of ours with him?” The youngest suggested. “Secure a strong bloodline from him and maybe start sending out scouting parties and a messenger to Celestia in order to catch us up with the world.”

It was a bold plan but Silver had nothing to argue against it. “We will start asking for volunteers when the time is right. First, who’s filly will go with Dawn?”

That question immediately brought on arguments and Silver knew it would be a long day.

As Celestia and Imago sat on their thrones they were intrigued by the upcoming petitioner.

“An Abyssinian?” Celestia double checked with Raven who nodded. “Interesting they hardly ever visit the courts even the few we have as citizens. Let them in.”

When the doors opened a midnight black female glided across the room on her hind paws and bowed before Celestia at the waist. She was wearing a only a sword Belt with a rapier on each hip and a hat that blended with her fur. “Greetings princess of the sun. I am Mo.” her voice was silky smooth and her tail lazily swung back and forth without a hint of nervousness.

Celestia raised an eyebrow. “Mo?” The cat stood up and smiled. “What can the crown do for you today?”

“Ah, it is not the crown’s help I seek today Princess, I am here to help the crown.” Imago and Celestia shared a glance.

“How so?” Celestia flicked an ear. A silent command for her guard to remain alert.

“I was recently offered a job that I adamantly refused. The job was to bring an alicorn colt to a buyer.” Mo’s tail hairs stood up as the temperature rose. Imago immediately put a hoof on her partner and it returned to normal. “I’m here because I know better than to mess with the Equestrian crown so offer this information freely.”

Mo pulled out a role of parchment and Celestia retrieved it with her magic. “And this is?”

“A map your highness. One marking the last known location of the colt before that minotaur lost him. I swiped it myself after he had some issues.” Mo bowed her head with arms outstretched as if she had finished a performance. Celestia smiled this was what they had been looking for.

“Thank you Mo. Raven ensure she receives the standard information bounty. If it pans out you can expect double.” Celestia spoke to Mo, then Raven, and back to Mo.

Once she had left Celestia passed the map to Raven after scanning it. “Get a squad out there as soon as you can.”

“Really Cheese?” When I was lead to the guest room I found my newest friend draped in a pair of wings belonging to Mango on the larger of two beds.

“What? She’s nice and super friendly.” He nuzzled the filly who laughed. “Plus I need a guide since I can hardly see down here and Mango helped with that.”

“Aww, thanks. You’re friendly too. I can’t believe how good a baker you are either. Thestral food isn’t bad but that stuff you made was good.” Mango hummed. One thing I had noticed even in the short period of time around her was that she was a bit more carefree, like your average ‘day’ pony and she even had lighter coat colors.

“Why thank you Mango.” Cheese booped her and they both laughed. I wonder if Pinkie will be happy or mad at another member? I tapped my chin before shaking my head and remembering, as far as I knew, they hadn’t even officially met yet.

Hopping up onto the other bed I groomed my wings and set up a sound bubble to block out the two’s flirting. I wasn’t exactly tired considering it was the middle of the day but a nap did sound nice so I closed my eyes and tried to sleep.

Stretching out under the stars in the grassy field felt wonderful. “I wonder where the moon is?” I noticed it wasn’t up.

“Right here young one.” Said a voice.

As I laid on my back in the grass I tilted my head back a bit more. “Moonie!” I threw up my hooves. “I haven’t seen you in almost a year.” I was dreaming and just became aware of it.

Nightmare Moon huffed. “Yes, teaching you my spells from such a great physical distance was more taxing than I planned.” She loafed and I grabbed onto her neck. She growled but I ignored her and instead nuzzled under her chin. She relented and nuzzled me back. “I see you found my children of the night.” There was more Luna than nightmare coming through this night. “You even look like one of them. This pleases me greatly.”

“Yeah, I found out I could change when I scared a few Griffin’s at the Gala.” I still felt a bit bad about that. “They wanted to deny me bacon.” I huffed playfully.

Nightmare laughed. “That does sound entertaining. The Gala was always such a stuffy affair.” She gained a far off look.

Watching her closely I knew I had to break her from the memories. “Moonie, do you still plan to do the whole ‘eternal night’ thing?” I had climbed onto her back so felt her stiffen.

“Of course. Upon my return I will defeat my sister and all my creatures of the night will be free of the sun.” She hummed.

If only she wasn’t as stubborn as Applejack. With everything else going on I wasn’t about to argue with her. Soon enough she would have to face whatever consequences were coming due to her plan and it wasn’t my place to stop her. No that job was for Twilight and her friends.

“So we’re all finally in agreement?” Silver asked as the council members all nodded. “We send Star Song and Mango with them but keep him for a few days as we send a messenger to the day princess.”

After much debate most of the members realized they wouldn’t want to lose their own daughters to the outside world so decided not to send them. Night’s daughter, Star Song, however showed great interest in the outside world and had even ran away from the colony a few times, while Mango was an odd bat who sadly wouldn’t be missed by many except her own family.