FAO: Twilight Sparkle, Golden Oak Library, Ponyville,
Dear Twilight, as per your request into ‘bat pony’ history I have found this rather old, and might I say, very rough copy of the first recorded instance of ponies study into the aforementioned bat ponies. If my sources are to be believed then this was actually written by my great, great grandfather ‘Curious Clopper’ I hope this helps you with your enquiries and as ever wish you luck with your project,
Your fellow academic,
‘Hidden Curiosities’:
Ponies come in all shapes and sizes, from the staple 'earth' pony of Ponyville, to the high flying 'pegasus' found in Cloudsdale. We know much of the common breeds, but my research has focused on one of the less well known. The 'Bat Pony’ or 'Negasi' as they call themselves, I prefer the term: ‘Equineus Aviatus Nocturnes (For some reason that title never seemed to catch on, despite my best efforts to encourage it). These ponies are an offshoot of the typical pegasus’ also having wings. The first major difference an observer would note is their leathery bat-like wings, secondly their eyes which are more akin to a cat's or dragon's than those of a pegasus.
There are other more subtle differences from your average pegasus, these will be covered later on in this work. Their unique traits probably result from the caves or dark forests in which they typically are found. (Or maybe the powers that be just wanted some really awesome looking bat ponies?) Whatever the truth, this situation may never be fully understood.
The first of the advantageous attributes these ponies possess is their fantastic night-vision. They can see just as well on a dark night as a normal pony can under the noonday sun. In fact the average bat pony can even navigate where there is no light to be had. I do not mean just the dark of night, but total blackness where even a bat pony cannot ‘see’ their own hoof in front of their face. If they have achieved this amazing feat by magical means, or by a kind of built-in sonar, similar to a bat’s, has never been verified. (Although they certainly have a great deal in common with bats, though I have found they use much less chittering, unless startled)
One theory is that they have very sensitive hairs on the tips of their ears, which I believe enables the negasi to sense the flow and movement in the air around them. Yet again I have never been able to prove this personal theory and the negasi, of which I have encountered, have never been forthcoming when I enquired.
This brings us onto their amazing hearing. (Yet again I wonder at how much they seem to have in common with bats, maybe a common ancestor?) It has been known for negasi to be able to hear conversations through walls, or more often roofs where they can easily secrete themselves. The bat ponies find this particular trait to be of great use in their preferred role of guards and investigators. (This seems to be the most common profession for a negasi.)
Whilst all these skills are perfectly suited to their natural environment; during daylight hours they can be severely debilitating. Therefore these 'dark pegasi' (another name I have heard them called) are forced to wear protective eye guards when working in bright light, lest they be blinded. It should also be noted that loud noises appear to disorient them more easily than other breeds. (Not surprising with such good hearing, one of the bat ponies I stayed with claimed he could hear me snoring from across the house, I find that hard to credit however as I do 'not’ snore)
On the subject of these 'shades', many diurnal ponies I have spoken with are of the opinion that the negasi are just trying to show off or be ‘cool’. (It never worked for me anyhow, some ponies just aren’t cut out for the night-life it seems) I find this could not be further from the truth, they wear them out of pure necessity and any ‘coolness’ is a unlooked for side effect.
Coming back to the subject of their apparently ‘jumpy’ nature, I have found that this is another common misjudgement. They are no more prone to be 'scared' by loud noises than your average pony, only more easily startled. I feel their reputation as 'scaredy foals' originated from instances where a bat pony had been startled and reacted more dramatically to stimuli. (A prime example being collection of young foals from a family I was staying with all leaped up, and clung, to the rafters at the sound of my popcorn being cooked; all those sharp toothy grins peering down at me at once was quite unnerving I can tell you.)
This brings me to another fascinating point, bat ponies are known to sleep hanging upside down; making their homes in tree canopies and upon cave ceilings. How they achieve this without falling off is another mystery surrounding this fascinating people. Personally I suspect they hold on with their hind hooves, using a magic common to all ponies when grasping any object in their fore hooves, but I have never been able to prove this either. (After trying sleeping this way myself using some special horseshoes of my own design I found it, though possible, extremely uncomfortable and wouldn’t recommend it.)
Although it is not unheard of for your average pony to have one or two unobtrusive canine teeth, negasi have sharp highly prominent canines responsible for their an unnerving smile. (Yet another trait they share with bats, maybe there was some cross breeding or something? No, let’s 'not' go there.) Despite their daunting appearance I know from personal experience that they, are one and all herbivores. (Any claims that I screamed like a filly when I was first surrounded by the ‘Dark Wing’ tribe, from the mountains west of Baltimare, which at the time I firmly believed were going to eat me are grossly over stated I might add.)
I have found however that many negasi are rumoured to make use of this general ignorance of their nutritional needs when it suits their cause. See my notes on 'The Royal Guard from 'The Laws of Equestria and the Ponies that Enforce them’. (A fine book if I do say so myself)
A reassuring trait of negasi which illustrates further kinship with their pony cousins are their cutie marks. These are still gained by the usual method of discovering their special talent over time, their acquisition being celebrated with much affection by friends and relatives. Many of these cutie marks reflect negasi's nocturnal skills and abilities.
Regarding general appearance, your typical negasi will have a dark coloured coat often a grey or blue, sometimes even black. Their unusual appearance and tendency to only come out at night has given them a rather sinister reputation. A suspicion that has very little founding.
With their eyes being similar to the infamous 'Nightmare Moon', along with the negasi's other strange habits has led to other pony kinds to be distrustful and often shunning bat ponies. In fact for the most part bat ponies are friendly and happy members of Equestrian society. The fact that there are still many bat ponies found within the Royal Guard speaks of their loyal natures.
Much of their positive influence often goes unnoticed or unappreciated as they end up dealing with the more undesirable ponies of Equestria on a regular basis. Frequently the last thing a drunken pony sees before passing out is the shadow of a negasi looming over them, ready to 'help' the inebriated pony sleep it off somewhere safe. Though many a night terror has been averted by their capable hooves, the negasi still struggle to dispel common pony prejudice over their form and manner.
There are of course odd balls in every society (I most certainly 'not' being one of them thank you very much ‘Which Horse Weekly) and bat ponies being no exception. There are some who actively try to go against the norm. These negasi are usually seen out and about during the day, with their shades in place and often wearing dark over cloaks. They are observed trying to win the approval of young colts and fillies by being 'cool', sadly often with little success. Most daytime ponies choose to avoid them and eventually most of these negasi will return to the night-life to which they are accustomed.
So overall the negasi are an important, if significantly misunderstood part of pony life. I know if one were to look past their outward appearance and see who they are inside, ponies would find at a bat pony's core that they are pretty much the same as the day loving folk of Equestria.
Though their habits may seem strange to us, they should be no less valued than say the Zebra herds (That thing with the neck rings still puzzles me to this day) or desert ponies of Saddle Arabia. (Don’t ask me what I think of their fire studies, just don’t) Having spent much time with the negasi, I find them to be a great bunch of ponies, if a little dark humoured. I would encourage ponies in general to give them a proper chance. Equestria would be a much 'darker' place without them.