~2900 years before Nightmare Moon’s Return…
It was a mere half an hour after sundown. While most ponies were lying down to sleep, the citizens of one city, or what could be considered a city in those ancient times, was starting to awaken. For this was Vespertilio, home of the thestrals.
Located at the western border of their fair nation, the city was built onto the sides of a gorge cutting through a mountain range. It had been chosen because the gorge was far enough from the other tribes that it enabled the seventh tribe to sleep undisturbed by the blinding sun and their day-dwelling kin.
One by one, ponies exited their resting caves, pushed aside the light-blocking curtains, and set out to face the new night. Families gathered together for breakfast, workers set out to begin their routines, and the evening started in the same manner as any other.
And in the very heart of the city, many thestrals gathered within the Dreamhouse. There, they reached out with their magic into the realm of dreams and soothed the nightmares of their kin. It was an unending task, but one that every thestral in the city readily engaged in, taking their turns to fulfil their appointed duty.
But yet, something was off, hidden in shifting eyes and uncertain smiles. From the elder’s troubled mumblings to the children’s whispered words, a great tension had buried itself into the hearts of every pony in Vespertilio. It was the same tension that echoed through all the nation.
Two years had passed since their beloved Queen departed from the world. And the threat of the looming darkness weighed heavily upon every mind.
The city guard were no exception. However, the mere thought of their loved ones coming to harm was so horrifying, so alien, so terrible to even consider. Despite their fear, not a single guard would abandon their post or throw down the weapons they held. Were they not thestrals, guardians of the night? Protectors of their sun-dwelling kin? They had been given a duty by their Queen, and they would follow it through to the end.
But inexperience can cripple even the most valiant of wills, as two particular guards stationed at the top of the valley could easily demonstrate.[1]
“Hey, look at that one, near the western well,” whispered one guard.
“Nah, I know her. She’s got a mate already,” whispered the other.
“Just a mate? Not a husband? I mean, it not against the Queen’s law if they haven’t exchanged their vows yet,” whispered the first guard.
“Trust me, she’s definitely a lost cause. That mare’s been eyeing this one stallion since they were foals,” whispered the second.
“Gah… why are all the cute ones always taken? I mean, here we are, willingly risking our lives against some unknown threat, and we don’t even get so much as a blown kiss? What’s a stallion got to do to catch a mate?” whispered the first.
“If you thought you actually had a chance to woo a mare, you wouldn't have signed up to be a guard while our Queen is still missing,” replied the other.
The first guard winced.
“Ouch. Did you really have to go there?” asked the first.
“I believe he was trying to ‘politely’ remind you that you shouldn’t been so easily distracted by mares while on duty,” replied a newcomer.
The two guards turned in surprise before bowing. Before them was Lion Airs, leader of the Thestral tribe. He was a large stallion, with his coat a dark violet, his mane solid black, and his piercing golden eyes shining with a gaze that commanded respect. He held himself with an air of calm power, his wings spread wide and intimidating.
“Sir Lion, I apologize for my blunder. I was simply trying to pass the time. I have only just completed my training, and am still unused to standing still in one place for so long,” explained the guard.
Lion Airs just let out a sigh.
“I know. I too am unused to the role I now find myself bearing. Me? The leader of an army? If it had not come from the Queen’s lips I would have dismissed the idea outright. And yet, here we stand, forced to learn how to fight outside of dreams in the hopes that whatever awaits us, we may yet overcome it,” said Lion Airs.
The guards shared an uncertain look.
“Do you really believe it then, sir? Do you really think we’re going to… war?” asked the second guard.
Lion Airs didn’t respond right away, instead he turned to look out upon his city, full of thestrals going about their business. The tension in air was tangible, but it was also familiar. He then turned towards the star-ridden sky. He closed his eyes, and took a deep breath.
“Can you feel that?” he asked.
The guards shared an uncertain look before closing their eyes and concentrating. It didn’t take long for them to notice it.
“... Yes. There is something wrong with the air this evening,” said the second guard.
“There is a harshness to it. It’s something far worse than just the fear we have all been feeling since the Queen’s departure,” added the first.
“Indeed. I do not know if it signifies war, but I have no doubt that something terrible may happen soon, if not tonight. You two should remain vigilant. I suspect we shall have our answer soon enough, one way or another.” said Lion Airs.
Lion Airs turned back to the city, and he noticed an alas emerging from Lion’s own cavern with a yawn.
“Well, it appears my escort has awakened. Hopefully the Council is more willing to listen to my warnings tonight,” said Lion Airs with a resigned sigh.
The first guard snorted.
Lion Airs arrived at his resting cavern to find his wife chastising his appointed escort.
“You are in no condition to be flying. At least get something to eat before you set off,” she scolded.
“I cannot rest. Not until sir Lion Airs arrives at the Council,” came the reply.
“What young Feather Tip[2] is trying to say is that he gets horrible stomach pains if he flies right after eating,” said Lion Airs with a chuckle.
Feather Tip slightly blushed, but gave no other indicator that he had heard what Lion Airs had said.
“At any rate, he is correct. We should depart east soon. The sun-dwelling tribes will only be more difficult to speak with the later into the evening it gets. You know all too well how much of a challenge it is in the best of time, my dear Cross,” said Lion Airs.
Gorge Cross, Lion’s wife, let out a sigh.
“Be as it may, he must take care of himself. He still has not adapted to living under the moon’s light, and is not getting enough sleep. I will not see a guest within my home waste away, especially one who may need to be at his strongest soon,” she declared.
“I am adapting just fine, Lady Cross. I’ve been sleeping through the day for weeks now,” objected Feather Tip.
“Then who is it that keeps causing such a ruckus in the middle of the day? It’s certainly not Fang. The colt sleeps like a stone,” countered Gorge Cross.
“Speaking of which, where is Hollow Fang? Is he still sleeping?” interrupted Lion Airs.
Feather Tip gave Lion Airs a look of gratitude, while Lady Cross let out another sigh.
“Yes, he is. I’ve tried to wake him, but to no avail. And you know that child will be disappointed if he didn’t get to say goodbye to his father,” said Lady Cross.
Lion Airs let out a chuckle as he leaned in to nuzzle his wife.
“I know. But I’ll be back well before dawn. I’ll make sure to spend some time with him once I return,” reassured Lion Airs.
“I shall hold you to that, oh great leader,” replied Lady Cross with a scowl.
Lion Airs leaned in and gave his wife another nuzzle. Her frustration seemed to vanish as she, at last, returned it.
“Take care yourself, my dear,” said Lions Airs.
“You too, my love,” replied Lady Cross.
Vespertilio was not the furthest city from the Queen’s palace,[3] but it was still a bit of a flight for the Thestral and his escort. By the time they’d arrived, the meeting was already well underway. And as they came down for a landing, it was apparent that the other leaders were in the middle of yet another argument.
“Best of luck, sir,” said Feather Tip as he pulled aside the curtain to the room with the gathered leaders.
With a sigh, Lion Airs stepped into the room. Inside, the leaders of the other six tribes had gathered around a map of the land to make plans for the future. Or at least they were supposed to. Once again, they were instead squabbling over the Queen’s orders. Lion Airs was the only one who had thought to bring a spear in the event of an attack, which said quite a lot about what the other leaders thought of the coming war.
Unfortunately, the identities of all six of these leaders have long been forgotten through the ages[4]. The same can not be said of their disagreement.
“It’s ludicrous! There is simply no conceivable way it can be true!” cried the terran leader.
“So you have claimed since the Queen’s departure. And yet, after two full passings of the seasons, she has yet to return. Surely you must realize that all is not well,” argued the alas leader.
“Yes, it has been two years now, but these shadows she spoke of have yet to appear. At this point, I’m starting to believe that the Queen has chosen to leave us for some unknown slight. The salvares, including myself, have grown tired of living in constant fear. If this continues for much longer, I fear that my citizens may start attacking each other in a panic,” said the salvares leader.
“Then the salvares shall fail our Queen’s test. Such concerns only convince me that my theory is correct,” said the cornu leader.
Lion Airs let out a sigh. He did not want to hear this nonsense again.
“So, you still believe that this is merely a test by the All-Mother?” asked the papili leader.
“But of course. She has ruled over us for over a hundred years of peace, and only now our home is threatened? I do not believe it for a moment. I insist that this ‘invasion’ will never occur, and this whole affair is merely a test to see if we, her children, are capable of standing on our own four legs without her. And when the test is over, those of us who stood strong will be rewarded while those who faltered will be punished,” recited the cornu leader.
“A test that demands we cast aside our peacefully lives and become soldiers? To become killers? No, I don't believe the Queen would ever ask us to commit to such things without good reason. I believe she was honest when she spoke of an impending invasion,” countered the alas leader.
“And yet despite your claims, you still believe that the Queen will save us from the coming conflict,” said the hippocampi leader.
“Of course she will. She would never let us face such horrors without her aid. Her departure is merely to lure our foes into a false sense of confidence. We need only remain vigilant until their arrival, then the Queen will return and strike them down,” replied the alas leader.
“False confidence? Why would any foe have need of such a thing? None of us have ever raised a weapon against another. No, this ‘invasion’ is indeed meant for us to stand up for ourselves, but not as a test. The All-Mother vowed to bring five more royal children into the world, and I suspect she wishes to be able to raise her children as a proper mother without needing to rule us so directly as she has done for the last hundred years,” said the papili leader.
The hippocampi leader growled.
“How can three of us be foolish enough to think this invasion is but a falsehood by our Queen? I agree that this is a test, but one that will most certainly involve an war. A war the Queen herself is staging to ensure that when true threats emerge, we will be ready,” countered the hippocampi leader.
Once again, the gathered leaders all glared at the hippocampi leader for daring to make such a ludicrous proposal.
“As the alas has stated, it is unlikely that the Queen has made an empty warning. But I also agree she would not leave us to fend for ourselves so drastically. It must be a staged battle, one where is will ensure that no pony shall suffer too gravely from. It will be unpleasant for us all, but also necessary for us to move forward,” said the hippocampi leader.
“Forward? To what? An age of fighting and warfare? We have never needed the capability to kill and I see no reason why that should ever change. This is a peaceful world. You all speak of war as if it’s some great inevitability. No, this is all some dire misunderstanding. The Queen will return shortly, and there will be no war. Ponies do not cause harm to others,” declared the terran leader.
“Do you honestly believe that?” asked Lion Airs.
The room grew quiet as the others turned to the thestral leader. Their expressions ranged for concerned to outright fearful. The seventh leader rarely spoke during these meetings.
“Do you truly believe that ponies are incapable of harming another living being?” asked Lion Airs.
The terran leader looked back at Lion Airs in confusion, and then nodded.
“Yes. We have never done so before, and we never will. What makes you think otherwise?” replied the terran leader.
Lion Airs let out a sigh, and began speaking.
“I am of the thestrals, guardians of the night, walkers of dreams, and destroyers of nightmares. While most of you may be unable to even comprehend how another being could wish you harm, the children of the night are no strangers to such things. We know the darkness that lingers in the hearts of all life. We know the capability for harm that dwells in all ponies. And we know, all too well, how to fight,” said Lion Airs.
Lion Airs began to pace around the table, making the other leaders even more nervous.
“I have seen ponies dream of spilling other ponies’ blood. I have seen fantasies of slaying fearsome monsters and dancing upon their corpses. I have seen, and even felt, the desire to feast on the creatures around us to satisfy selfish appetites. We have always suppressed these horrors, but they most certainly exist,” said Lion Airs.
“But that’s only in dreams. Such things do not exist in reality,” objected the terran leader.
Lion Airs glared at the terran.
“Then would you be willing to prove as much? Would you have me order my thestrals to leave your dark dreams untouched? Surely, if we are all so pure as you claim, such simple dreams could not possibly tempt you to do such vile acts?” asked Lion Airs.
The terran, perhaps fearful of what the thestral might reveal of his nightly horrors, merely bowed his head in shame. Lion Airs scoffed, and turned to face the others.
“I cannot say with any certainty that war is coming, but I do believe that the Queen’s words were true. And it troubles me that I seem to be the only one here who does. You all cling to excuses; possible explanations of how this war might not come to pass. But the simple fact remains: of the seven distinct theories each of us hold, only one of us can be correct. Six of us are mistaken,” said Lion Airs.
Lion Airs turned and made his way back to his place at the table.
“If the terrans are correct and war never comes, then all ponies shall toss aside their weapons and fears in relief, but if we, the Thestrals, are correct, then failing to prepare for war will doom us all. I see little point in debating which belief will prove true, as we will have no answer until the invasion is either started, or confirmed to never occur. The real question is, who among us can afford to have their theory proven wrong?” asked Lion Airs.
Not a single leader had a response to that.
The meeting concluded shortly after midnight. While no clear agreement had been reached, all the tribes, even the terrans, and been convinced to keep their newly created armies ready and on guard.
It pained Lion Airs that so many of them had only done so because they believed the Queen was merely testing them. He dearly prayed that he was wrong, that this upcoming war truly would be only a measure of their independence, but he dare not assume as much.
He would not endanger the lives of his tribe, nor his family, on idle dreams that the coming darkness didn’t exist.
“Well, at least the terrans have not disbanded their forces. They’ve threatened to do so several times now,” commented Feather Tip.
“Yes, for what little it’s worth. I fear that once war comes they will be utterly unable, or possibly just unwilling, to fight alongside the rest of us,” replied Lion Airs.
The two of them had been flying back towards Vespertilio for several minutes now.
“I agree. I have been trying to convince my own tribe of the danger, but I am constantly dismissed as a ‘Thestral servant.’ As if my duty as escort were some sort of insult,”[5] said Feather Tip.
“Aye. You have always been loyal to the alas, Feather Tip. All these years of living among us have done little to change that, as your sleeping habits make quiet clear,” said Lion Airs with a chuckle.
Feather Tip let out a sigh.
“I cannot help that I struggle to adapt to the thestrals’ nocturnal lifestyle. I have… wait, sir, do you see that?” said Feather tip.
Feather Tip pointed down to the ground. His Alas vision may have enabled him to spot something off sooner, but Lion Airs’ night vision enabled him to recognize what it was. And what he saw filled him with horror.
A thestral guard was flying just above the ground, struggling to flap his wings. Far more concerning, however, was that his coat was matted with blood.
“Oh no… Feather Tip, hurry!” cried Lion Airs.
He dived down to the thestral, Feather Tip right behind him. As he reached the injured guard, he realized just how bad it was. The pony’s body was covered in wounds. It was a miracle the thestral was able to move, let alone fly.
The guard let out a painful gasp at the sight of his leader.
“S.. sir Lion…” he weazed out before coughing.
Lion Airs grabbed the thestral and gently lowered him to the ground. The sight of so much blood was horrifying, but Lion Airs had seen such things in nightmares before. To see it in the waking world, however, filled Lion Airs’ heart with dread.
“Easy, you’re in no condition to be flying,” said Lion Airs.
But the wounded thestral would not be deterred.
“No… no time… Sir… Vespertilio… it’s…” the guard gasped before falling into another coughing fit.
It was soon apparent he was coughing up blood. Lion Airs was no healer, but it was apparent that the thestral in front of him was not long for the world.
“Monsters… monsters attacking…” the guard choked out.
“By the Queen’s mercy, no...” whispered Feather Tip.
Lion Airs clenched his teeth. He had heard enough, but he would not abandon the pony dying in front of him.
“You have done your duty. You may rest now, and know that your efforts may have saved us all,” said Lion Airs.
The guard’s expression grew calm, before collapsing to the ground. A few moments later, he drew his final breath. But there was no time for pleasantries or even a burial. Lion Airs and Feather Tip looked at each other with grim resolve. The Thestral dying in front of them was proof that the time had come. War was upon them.
“Feather Tip, hurry back to the Queen’s palace. The other leaders will have opted to remain there until dawn. Inform them of this immediately. They must rally their forces at once,” ordered Lion Airs.
“Yes, sir. But what about you?” asked Feather Tip.
“My home is under attack. I will not stand back and wait while my ponies are dying. I am heading straight to Vespertilio to aid them,” said Lion Airs.
Feather Tip was about to object, to remind the thestral leader of what that surely meant, but then thought better of it. What was there to be said? He himself would do the same if it was the alas city that was being attacked.
“I… understand sir. Good luck,” said Feather Tip.
The alas spread his wings and flew back towards the palace.
Lion Airs paused only to glance at the body lying in front of him before spreading his own wings and continuing to Vespertilio. He had not even learned the brave soul’s name, and the poor soldier deserved a burial, but he could not afford to wait.[6]
Vespertilio was burning. Lion Airs looked down upon his city in despair. Were there was not fire, there was blood. All around, horrific beasts bering terrible claws and vicious fangs[7] clashed with thestral warriors in the streets and caves. Though he had braced himself for war, nothing could have prepared Lion Airs for the horror he now bore witness to.
But far more horrifying that the monsters were the bodies. Mares, elders, children, none were spared. Everywhere Lion Airs looked, he saw the still forms of thestrals he knew, had trained, and even seen his own child play with. Just hours before this place had been beautiful and now…
Lion Airs let out a cry of rage, his sonic screech echoing through the valley. Monsters paused to look up at him, drawing weapons that fired dark bolts into the air. But Lion Airs merely charged to the ground, spear forward, dodging every shot. The moment he reached the ground, he lunged forward and shoved his weapon into the nearest monster.
Lion Airs had never killed another living being before, not outside of ponies’ dreams, but at that moment, he barely registered that he had crossed that line. He just drew back his spear, and attacked the next monster. And the next. And the next.[8]
For some time, possibly hours, all Lion Airs could think about was making these beasts pay for their actions. Fellow thestrals sometimes fought beside him, and other times they were struck down. A guard that fought until his spear shattered… a child attempting to flee only for a bolt to sink into his side… The world became an unending rush of blood and fire.
But then, suddenly, Lion Airs had no more monsters to aim his spear at. Snapped out of his rage, Lion Airs slowly regained his bearings.
Somehow, the beasts had been slain or at the very least had been driven back. But it was far too late. So many ponies had died, and many of them included his warriors. It was hard to tell how many troops were left among the bodies, but it was clear they had been reduced by a drastic measure. And the city’s population was...
Lion Air’s emotions were a mess, but he couldn’t afford to waste time mourning. This could not be the end of things, and he needed to take charge of the situation. He spotted one soldier nearby, holding his hoof to a minor wound on his side. Lion Airs quickly dashed over, the guard gasping as he recognized his leader.
“Sir Lion Airs!” cried the soldier.
“Report. What has happened here?” demanded Lion Airs.
“I… I don’t know! They came out of nowhere, all at once! We’ve all just been trying to stay alive and…” the soldier stuttered.
Lion Airs put a hoof on the soldier’s uninjured side.
“Calm down. I need to know what happened so that we can plan what to do next,” said Lion Airs.
The guard shivered, but took a deep breath and began speaking.
“They… they struck a little after midnight, sir. They swarmed all over us in a matter of seconds. Ponies started panicking, and we couldn't get our formations to bear in time. They’d struck down the sentries with those black bolts before they could sound the alarm,” said the soldier.
“Where did they attack first? We have to know where they’re coming from,” asked Lion Airs.
“The western maw sir. They came from…” said the guard, but Lion Airs no longer heard him.
The western maw was where his own cave was located.
He didn’t even wait for the guard to finish. He spread his wing and rushed to his home.
“Cross! Fang!” he cried.
Minutes later, Lion Airs slowly emerged from his cave. He was trembling. This… this was far worse than any nightmare he had ever faced, and it was no dream. He felt tears once again build up in his eyes. He felt so empty. His family was…
Lion Airs slammed his hooves to the ground, utterly overwhelmed.
“Why… why did this have to happen? My Queen, what has happened to you that such monstrosities could do this?” he asked the night air.
But no response came from the stars.
“Sir!” cried another guard.
Still trembling, Lion Airs forced himself to stand and face the other Thestral as he landed beside him.
“Y-yes?” asked Lion Airs.
“Sir, I saw more monsters coming this way from the west. Enemy reinforcements will be here in a matter of minutes,” reported the guard.
“All from the west? Are you sure?” asked Lion Airs.
“Positive. And there’s a lot more of them than there was in the first wave,” said the guard.
Lion Airs closed his eyes and thought. If they were coming from the west, that meant they were still outside the lands of the pony tribes. And the gorge Vespertilio was built into was the only way through the surrounding mountain range without flying. And if these beasts couldn’t fly, that would mean they would have to come through the city…
“Right then. Rally what troops you can. We need to regroup,” said Lion Airs.
Shortly after, the survivors were all gathered together. It was a pitiful sight. Less than a third of the Thestral army remained, and only a hoofful of civilians. Whatever these monsters were, they clearly had not desire to take prisoners.
This suited Lion Airs just fine. He had no intention of leaving any of his foes alive either. He cleared his throat, pushed aside his despair, and began to speak.
“Everyone, I don’t have to say how grim our situation is. The enemy we’ve long dreaded has proven to be worse than we dared to fear, and now… they stand to overwhelm us. For all intents and purposes, we can do little here, and we should retreat,” announced Lion Airs.
There was some nervous murmuring among the ranks, and the few civilians looked utterly terrified.
“But this city is the only way for the enemy to reach our nation. If we leave now, they will have free reign over our lands, and stomping them out will prove all but impossible once they’ve spread out. But if they can be stopped here, held back, we may yet be able to save our home. I have already sent word to the other tribes of this attack, and reinforcements are on the way. But if there is to be any hope of preventing these monsters from terrorizing our lands, they must be stopped here,” announced Lion Airs.
Lion Airs stomped a hoof into the ground.
“We have no chance at victory, but I will not flee. I will make my stand here, and give everything I have to hold those beasts back. I will make them pay for every life they’ve already taken this evening tenfold. I will fight, alone if I must. Will any of you stand beside me?” asked Lion Airs.
The gorge was silent, but then, one by one, the soldiers stepped forward. Every single one of them were prepared to stand beside their leader no matter the cost. Several of the civilians stepped forward as well, picking up weapons from among the fallen to stand beside their kin to the end.[9]
Nodding in gratitude, Lion Airs turned to the few civilians who were unable or unwilling to join them. He did not blame them, and they had another purpose to serve.
“Go. Inform the other tribes of the situation. Let them know that the thestrals fought to protect them from the night’s terrors to the very end,” said Lion Airs.
Suddenly, there was movement from the western shadows. Then black bolts started to rain down.
“Go!” commanded Lion Airs as he turned and charged at the enemy.
The others followed after him, and the few remaining civilians turned and fled. But as they flew from the gorge, they heard one last cry.
“FIENDS! YOU DARE ATTACK MY CITY?! SLAUGHTER MY CITIZENS?! STRIKE DOWN MY FAMILY?! I AM LION AIRS, LEADER OF THE THESTRALS, AND YOU. SHALL. KNOW. MY. WRATH!”
Publisher's Notes:
[1] It is unclear why this rather insignificant exchange is so often included in this legend. The leading theory is that it was fabricated in order to make the thestral tribe more relatable to an audience that had only heard stories of their lost bat-winged kin.
[2] The name of the pegasus escort has actually never been determined. We chose Feather Tip as it’s one of the more widely recognized names associated with him.
[3] According to many a fable, this lost palace was located in the very heart of the ancient world, and was later reduced to rubble during the Age of War. It’s actual location, and existence, has yet to be confirmed.
[4] Their names, appearances, and even their roles in later events have all been lost. There has been some debate as to whether this was intentional, as to shame the other leaders for their reluctance to face the approaching war.
[5] It is unclear what exactly the purpose and role an “escort” played in these times, but it’s widely accepted that it was likely to ensure that the tribes would be able to send word to each other in the event of a surprise attack. The escort would have no immediate family to protect within the city they were staying.
[6] As we’ve yet to fully determine traditional burial rites in this era, it may be that the soldier was actually buried or cremated, and simply not given a proper funeral. It seems unlikely that Lion Airs would just leave the body lying there after staying to watch the soldier die.
[7] “Monsters with claws” is, unfortunately, the only description we have for these first invaders. You’d think they’d been given at least a name for identification, but no. It is widely believed that their name was simply lost to time, likely during the Age of War.
[8] Some versions of the legend go into rather graphic detail of the battle. We have opted to simplify it, as the details of said battle have proven impossible to confirm, and we’re inclined to avoid adding unnecessary gory details.
[9] Another aspect of the legend that is hotly debated. It seems unlikely that the Thestrals would let themselves be slaughtered so thoroughly. Some suspect that the number of civilians who volunteered to stay was a lot smaller than the story suggests, and it was another monster attack shortly after that wiped the tribe out.