//------------------------------// // Chapter 1 // Story: The Unexpected Events in the Life of a Vampire Bat Pony // by Ankaru //------------------------------// Tiny pinpricks of light flickered to life as a hulking monstrosity entered the dark room. Fading yellow fluorescent lights clicked on and illuminated huge machines that lined all but one of the walls, most of which had buttons of unknown use and screens to show the results of those buttons. The last wall was bare with the exception of a dusty glass tube that rose to the ceiling. No windows at all hinted as to where this room was. Only cold stone and growing moss. The creature that the dim light revealed was certainly the focal point of the room. It was once a pony, but time seemed to ravage it and forced it to add machinery to keep functioning properly. Vials filled with life prolonging fluids and long, thin mechanical arms with pincers tipping them lined the old pony’s augmented back. So much had been replaced with machine that no sign of the stallion’s coat remained, the rest covered with a white lab coat that seemed to be two sizes too small. The lab coat’s name tag had been ripped off, likely having belonged to someone else. “I suppose this is it. I can do no more for you, my dear. I’m sorry if it is not enough.” The old stallion’s deep voice hissed through the breathing apparatus clamped over his muzzle, making him sound distant. One of his augmented forehooves brushed the glass of the tube in the back of the room. Dust was wiped away until the dim yellow light illuminated a shadowy figure floating within a sickly green fluid. A button press on the bottom panel of the tube caused a loud hiss to fill the chamber. The liquid inside the tube slowly lowered in level, draining enough to reveal the creature inside. As the front of the large glass tube opened, the cyborg stallion gently reached out to catch the filly and prevent her from hitting the cold stone floor. He removed tubes from her arms and orifices and carried her over to a small bed that looked very out of place in the machinery filled space. Only once she was upon the faded sheets did the old stallion breathe a sigh of relief. “You are just as beautiful as the day I first met you. A touch different now of course.” He said as he gazed upon the filly before him. She wasn't an ordinary pony, that much was certain. Her deep purple fur and green and turquoise striped hair weren't anything too out of place. It was her forelimbs that were completely alien. Where a normal set of arms would be, hers were replaced by bat-like wings that connected at the wrist below the hand and could fold back along her forearm. A fluttering of tiny eyelids heralded the filly’s slow awakening. Her lids opened to reveal bright red eyes that seemed filled with curiosity. A single word barely escaped her mouth, almost more than a whisper. “Momma?” “Sorry, little one. I'm far from fit to be a parent. You can call me Doctor Steel. You do not remember me?” The rough voice that came through the muzzle speaker made the filly shiver. She wasn't afraid, but it made her wary of the stranger’s intentions. She shook her head slightly. “You are here because I was a foolish young stallion who thought he could change a little filly's fate. I suppose I did in a way.” Doctor Steel calmly explained to the filly that she and others had been created to be a weapon against the Princess of the Sun, Celestia. When he discovered the plans for taking over the Empire, the doctor destroyed all the creatures created. All but one. He named her Silent Wish, as a hope that she could be integrated into pony society. But before Silent Wish could even get her cutie mark, she was attacked by a vampire and became one of the dark ones. “I did a lot of tests and trials to make you a normal filly. Genetics are a bit sloppy to begin with, and what I was doing was nothing short of heresy. So I hid underground, hoping to completely make you a full pony. But I failed.” The doctor’s resignation was clear in his muffled voice. Silent Wish simply smiled up at the stallion. “I am sorry that you think that. But I am alive. You did not fail.” Her soft voice caused Doctor Steel to stare in shock. He wasn't sure how to react. “Technically I suppose I did help. You are still a vampire. And still half bat. I also didn't expect you to be able to string together sentences. I am ashamed to admit that I thought you would be infantile in mind.” He looked away from the filly in shame. “I suppose I should be happy. Let me run some more tests. Then we'll get you some food.” After several tests that Silent Wish did not fully understand, most involving bright lights, the doctor announced that his experiments were a partial success. Silent Wish was able to be in sunlight with no harm to her, as well as not needing to drink blood. The downside was that she will still be a filly and live forever barring unforeseen circumstances. She also had to drink fruit juice for food, though in the grand scheme of things, that was a small price to pay. In time, Silent Wish and the Doctor became friends. Almost family. But all good things must come to an end. Dear Diary, It's been a few months since I woke up in that underground building. The doctor was nice enough to teach me how to be a normal pony and taught me things I need to know to survive. He said he knew of a place called Ponyville, somewhere north of here, where those who are different are accepted for who they are. I hope he is right. Maybe they will be nice ponies. The doctor is sending me on my way tomorrow. He is acting strange now. Hopefully I can come back to visit some day. I'll be keeping this notebook to look back at all the interesting things that happen. I hope I make a lot of new friends! But I'm scared too. Oh well. I just have to be a big filly now and be brave.