"Well, I guess I should say, 'Dear journal,' Well, it's just after the turn of the millennium now. Papa said I ought to start writing a journal to keep my mind distracted, apparently to help me or something. Well, I guess an introduction is nice. My name is Starbright. I am currently studying at school, but I am soon to graduate! I hope to enlist in the Legions of the Nightmare when I am a bit older.

I heard a rumour from a friend that the Nightmare returned yesternight as she was said to. But I was captured! I hope it's not true. But it's spreading quickly. If it is, I don't know what I'll do. Those sunnies have stolen our Empress, and I am sure they'll pay for it. Well, other than that, my life is okay, I guess, right now. Stressed a bit here and there, but overall things are okay! I'll write tomorrow, maybe. Try to make a habit out of this... Bye, I guess."

Starbright, 1000/1/2 entry #1”

"Journal, Old Journal! Not written in this thing for a few weeks. Best write some more. Well, tonight will be very hectic. I am graduating from secondary education and will be moving on to the academy to finish near the end of the next year. Things have improved quite greatly in the last nearly seven years since I began writing this. Though I tried seeking employment and couldn't. Too many servile from Tobruck and Warizena.

I think that's how they are spelled here. They are being used for menial labour and the like. They say it's needed for them to embrace the Nightmare. I guess that's true! But shouldn't the disbelievers not take up jobs from we believers? Though I guess it provides the ability of our people to live well off the back of their labour, so it's not all bad. I'm just so excited that tomorrow I'll finally be a Mare. Finally free from my, and I say this with love, overbearing mother and father. Well, that's all I have time for now."

Yours, Starbright 1006/12/6. Entry #220”

"My most dear journal, the day was, despite the recent humiliation, a day of joy and pride for me. We paraded around the square, and I finally felt like a real mare. Amongst our cohort, our officers gave decorations, and there was a sense of joy. I must, however, fully confess I was half asleep during the parade and ceremony. Forgive me, Nightmare! But such pomp and glory are just not for me. Aha, alas, it was alright. We proclaimed and shouted the honour of the legions, the pride of the legions, and all that nonsense as well. I had the privilege of being relieved at approximately 23:20 in the evening.

Because somepony who i know not who yet, but I have my suspicions lost their weapons, and so we had to spend hours searching for it, as the command did not tolerate missing inventory. Oh well, the years ahead seem fruitful. Despite the failure of our recent operations and our nation's exposure to the world, I am quite confident Zebrica will soon be freed from ignorance. If so, Mare bless me! It would be glorious to see the natives of this land accept their place in the world. Perhaps their colts and fillies may join up with us. Perhaps! We will see."

Yours truly, Legionnaire Starbright. 1007/8/23 entry #254”

"Tonight, we had a horrifying experience. We found ourselves engaged in a typical raid to seize servile. It was meant to be nothing too extreme. I don't know what came over those... things! But those animals, those desert people from Zarantina, fought like true beasts. They fought like true warriors compared to Tobuckian warlords, our engagement went well at first. We infiltrated at night, and they never saw us coming in the dark. We fell upon them like a hammer on an ant. They barely even resisted; they were surprised and shocked.

But we got too greedy. I believe it was our officers' arrogance that led to our failure. We dashed to try and raid numerous villages. It took us longer than expected due to surprisingly strong civilian resistance. Then the Zarantian reinforcements arrived. We were outnumbered and outgunned. We tried retreating, but their saboteurs and raiders harassed us as we tried running back.

Most of our slave caravans were abandoned to make haste. I saw some of my friends die as well. It was a gory sight, to say the least. One was scalped, and I came across his body; he was bleeding quite substantially. After they had scalped him, they... they tore into his intestines and eyes, no doubt for some barbaric ritual or worship.

I cannot stand to think that they are being used for some ritual. The tears, devastation, and chaos that were upon our unit. We reformed across the border. Those animals gave no chase; thank the Mare. Had they done so, perhaps I would also have been gutted and used in one of their ignorant rituals.

However, I must add that this engagement has given me motivation. It has made it clear to me. The Mare has made me but an instrument, no more than a flute or pipe. She has decreed it, and I have sworn it. It is my sacred duty to stand. I feel as if I was in a chain, forced by the realities of war and battle: villages obliterated, wives, husbands, children all carted away in chains for our labour.

Part of me felt some pity for the colts and fillies we carted off. But a friend gave me solace in that eventually, the children will forget their parents, and the pain of this memory will surely fade as they grow adjusted to their life as servile in Chiroptera. I have been feeling awful since this raid ever since we came back.

If I could get my hooves on those Zarantians, Mare knows what I'd do to them. Nothing pretty that’s for sure. Perhaps a shot of powder and lead into the eyes! Those be damned ignorants we must drag them, their society and their people kicking, screaming and yelling into the truth and beauty of the night. Even if it means destroying them and their barbaric practices. It’ll be for their own good. Anyway, with those concluding remarks i end this entry."

Yours faithfully, Starbright 1007/10/16 Entry #259

Author's Note

Hello, thank you for reading this chapter! This is my first fan fiction so please do offer criticism and advice if you have any to give.